Back the the basics

Yes if you keep an eye on the Wild Hunt you know that the conversation (rightly so) is still going on. With more focus on the broader picture of inclusion and gender across the Pagan community, which I think is ultimately more helpful. Granted the conversation is still running through our community, and will continue to do so for probably many years to come, as this now sits as something to firmly consider amongst the myriad of other things to consider for our functions.

And it's wreaked quite a bit of havoc on the minds and emotions of my covenmates, myself included. For weeks we were all sucked into the machine that is the internet, and every comment, every misunderstood word, every jibe, all the hurt feelings, all the things said in anger. They consumed us. And some of it rightly so, I mean we fucked up and for that you have to take your lumps and move on. But some of it, some of it caught us in a vicious cycle of defensiveness and self doubt. Which frankly doesn't do a whole lot of good. It was a maelstrom of frustration, anger, and tears and I felt myself being drawn in.  How were we going to fix EVERYTHING. This changes EVERYTHING, nothing is EVER going to be the same. Problems without solutions, emotions everywhere, the idea that we were responsible for fixing it all.

And then divine intervention. The Dagda's firm comforting hand at my shoulder. Step back, you are capable of change WITHIN your community. Start there. There are duties to tend to. Don't you have Ordination to plan? Gotta make sure the people get fed.

I love the Dagda, I really really do. So good at focusing on the here and the now. Being able to clearly see the immediate needs that have to come first, the people that are right next to you that need tending. What is the use of trying to heal the whole world if there is someone right next to you that is going without. Take care of your people, so that they can then take care of others and the chain passes onward.

And he is right. We do have Ordinations, I do have people to feed. And I am so happy to be able to do that work for them.

For those of you that don't know, when we take Initiates (in the Wildflowers, Amazons or Green Men) they go through a training process of a year and a day. They are initiated at Imbolc and then Ordained at Spring Equinox. Before our Spring Equinox Ritual (where they are presented to the public) we all go on a Retreat and have some amazing magical ritual of our own. Needless to say this year it is something we are all looking forward to. 4 days out in the woods, with our people, eating, having ritual, drinking and making merry. Good times. And it all starts tomorrow!

This year I wanted to do a little pre-ordination ritual, because it felt right. Some of my sisters and I tried to make it out to the beach for a Dark Moon ritual. Sadly we didn't hit the beach in time to actually do any of the ritual, but still had a lovely Dark Moon Night. But today, with all that has been happening and all the gunk one of my sisters and I managed to sneak away this morning and hit the beach.

 And it was glorious. There is something so soul completing about being there, where land, sea, and sky all meet. A primal gathering of power that just automatically sets things back into alignment.

We were greeted by two handsome Ravens, who took every opportunity to show off and just in general make themselves known. We were blessed with two small feathers for being such good admirers of their Corvus forms.

I left an offering of an apple and incense for my prayers, which was later happily taken by one of the handsome Ravens. And then just cleansed. I gave Mananna Mac Lir a bottle of my Aes Sidhe elixir that had caught his eye and was pleased by the swelling of the waves that followed. The water was deliciously cold, and perfectly pure. Hands and feet cleansed. Head cleansed. Really if there weren't the few people milling about I think I would have just jump in there stark naked. It felt that good. 

And now I feel ready. Ready to do the magic that needs to be done this weekend. Ready to make a wonderfully inviting sanctuary for my clan and feed them well. Ready to pay such honor and love to my Deities who have continued to bless me with their wisdom and support. Ready to face another year and do great things with the blessings I have been given. 

May it be so.