All Hail The Holly King!

Breaking the illusion. I am grateful that as traditions and religions change, disappear or go away, the Sun and the Moon remain constant. The Wheel turns and the Seasons change. At MidSummer, when all was bright and hot, the days were actually growing shorter and the nights were getting longer. In our fast-paced, tech-savvy, world, I'm sure few of us notice these things. But notice them or not, they occur. The Holly King, King of the Waning Year was in full force. Now we make our way to Winter Solstice, the longest night and celebrate the death of the Holly King, the waning half of the year, and embrace the light, the Oak King, the waxing half of the year, as the days slowly grow longer taking us through Spring and Summer. How wonderful to be aware of the Seasons of Change. All Hail The Holly King!

 

Bright Blessings to All,

Priestess Najah

The Long View

Last night we watched "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"  .  It touched my heart for many reasons.  In the movie, the owner of the Marigold Hotel says " “Everything will be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it is not yet the end”

I've been thinking about this quote.  If I truly believe, know I have lived before and believe in reincarnation, why I am in such a hurry to do all, know all, be all, now?

I thought about the perspective of life from a culture which has been in continuous existence for thousands of years.  I thought to myself, one would slow down and not be in such a rush.  And in the words of the above quote, if things were going badly I would truly relax in the knowledge that all will turn out all right - eventually.

Thats not to say that one shouldn't work to improve things or make things better, this is more about the stress of trying to be in control.

I feel that one of the good things about our culture is our innovative status and the ability to bring new things into the world.  However one of the things I feel we lack is the reverence of old things and a long window into the past.  This is one of the reasons why I have so enjoyed my trips to China and England.  The ability to see and connect with the past is very important me and more importantly the reverence for things which have gone before us.  And also the ceremonies that still exist in those countries honoring their old ways and traditions while still living in the modern world.

This is what I am trying to accomplish, a practice of the Old Ways while still living in the modern world.  However now I too have a longer view.  It doesn't all have to be done today. 

Blessed Be
Priestess Najah

Tending the President Obama Altar

Today I awake with joy and happiness in my heart that President Barack Obama, has been re-elected for a second term. 

Millions of people voted and worked very hard to bring this vision into manifestation.  For my part, I voted and I tended and kept an altar for him for four years:

On the eve of the last election in 2008, I lit a candle for then candidate Barack Obama.  I felt called to do it. No one asked me to do it, it was just what I felt needed to be done.  When he won the election four years ago, I decided it would good idea to keep the altar going for his entire term.  Little did I realize how the altar which was very small at the time, would grow into the beautiful space it has become!  On the altar is a hat my friend gave me from his hometown of Chicago, an Obama doll which was a Christmas present, the Esquire magazine which had him on the cover, one of my prized possesions - an Obama cover comic book, a homemade Obama Christmas ornament - which was a gift, candles that burned in significant ways, and the latest addition, the 2012 Obama-Biden bumper sticker!

All these items came to the altar of their own time and accord.  I learned a lot about tending an altar and making such a committment.   For starters, the purchase of candles became quite expensive and time consuming.   I've never asked for any financial support, so I had to find ways to adjust the frequency of lighting the altar, so I wouldn't break my pocketbook.  Then there were the times when I didn't agree with some of President Obama's decisions and I had to keep the altar.  That was a time of spiritual growth and dedication to my committment.  I am grateful to the Great Goddess for her bountiful blessings upon my work.

Now that President Obama has been re-elected, my charge and committment to the altar is done. I have done my duty.  But will the altar come down?  Will I stop tending it?  Is it still necessary?  These are questions I will need to answer for myself.  We will just have to see.  And if you are reading this and have any comments or suggestions, I appreciate your feedback!

Bright Blessings,
Priestess Najah

The Wheel Hath Turned

Last night we gathered in the dark forest.  A secret place.  The fire was lit, the cauldron smoking.  It was the time and space my heart has yearned for so very, very long.

It was a clear night.  The stars shining so brightly and the Moon, white and bright.  She cast a white light on the dark trees and my soul tingled.  It was Samhain Ritual.  It was simply powerful and profound.  I am grateful to be a member of the Circle of Graces, for the Living Earth Community.

Now the Wheel has turned.  Time to take down the Halloween decorations, put away the Samhain ritual tools.  Sad yes, but we must follow the turn of the Wheel.  Next comes Yule!  Time to break out the Holly,  mistletoe, and prepare for the coming of the Winter Solstice!

Blessed Be the Old Ways and the Holidays.

Priestess Najah