The Fellowship of Paganism

May is right around the corner and I'm getting ready for Beltania.  Not just me, but a whole host of like-minded people are planning, preparing and thinking about one of the biggest outdoor Pagan festivals of the year, held here in Colorado. There will be music, dancing, singing, laughing, trancing, workshops, national authors and much more.

Each morning as I arise and face the Dawn, my thoughts turn to upcoming festival.  I think about how wonderful it will be to fellowship with my fellow Pagans, Witches, Believers and first-timers to a Pagan festival.  I can see the fires burning and hear the drums drumming.  In my mind's eye, I see smiles on faces and hear laughter in voices.  And I feel Her presence as She smiles upon us as we remember Her and Him and celebrate the ways of Nature.

Fellowship is very important. There are many of us who are solitary and even for those of us who belong to organized covens or groups, the chance to gather in fellowship in Nature, is a welcome and necessary rite.  As Pagans, we don't have Buildings or Churches that we regularly gather in to meet, Nature is our Temple.  Although I will say, my group, Living Earth has been blessed to acquire a physical space.  We hold open rituals, celebrations and workshops there on a regular basis.

But Beltania is so much more.  It is truly a reverent, mystical, fun-filled four days.  I need it.  My soul, mind, body and spirit need it.  This year I'm blessed to play the part of Mother Nature in a ritual and boy am I looking forward to it! 

In the world of virtual groups and meetings, I believe its imperative to break away from the machine, and get outside with your fellow sisters and brothers.  We are charged with keeping and preserving the Old Ways, infusing them and co-creating new ways to honor them in modern times.  It is not an easy task.  Many are trained in specific ways and modalities, but during Beltania we put these aside and gather as a whole to honor and pay reverence to our Earth-based, Spirit filled, Goddess and God paths.

The saying "The Goddess is alive and magick is afoot" truly presents itself at Beltania.  We can see Her presence growing and becoming more mainstream day by day.  She shows up in commercials, TV shows and in the movements toward tolerance, peace and acceptance.

We have been blessed with tolerance, peace and acceptance from the tiny town of Florence, CO where our festival is held.  What a blessing it is to have the town's support for our festival.  Truly we are moving forward as a community and fellowship.

If you've never attended an outdoor Pagan festival, I encourage you to do so.  I feel it is paramount in the growth of our paths, to gather and fellowship with your sisters and brothers of like mind.  And if you're in Colorado, consider coming on down to Beltania!

Bright Blessings to You.
Priestess Najah 

Broken Finger, Mended Spirit

I broke my finger during Black Belt glove sparring, in my Shao-lin Kung Fu class.  I'm in a cast for three weeks, which has seriously underminded my ability to write and type.

Ever the adaptable Gemini I've looked for ways to adapt, and cope with my injury.  One of the best things I've done was to order decorative art for my cast, from a company called "Casttoo"  .  Their motto of "Happy Healing" has been a truth for me.  Since putting my Casttoo on my cast, I've definitely felt better about my injury:

Of course too, I've earned some serious props (thumbs up) from my Shao-lin Buddies!

But what about the spiritual lessons?  Was the Universe telling me to slow down?  Did I need to learn not to take my fingers for granted?  Or perhaps I needed the Kung Fu lesson  of  "don't block a kick with your hand!".

Slow down, ok.  I can hear that message.  But the slowing down has happened in different ways; how I eat, open doors, drive.  I've found deeper compassion for people who are permanently disabled and have lost the use of one or more of their limbs.  I am so, so grateful to have two hands.  I'm grateful I only need to be in my cast for three weeks, which is very short compared to others who have been casted.

But the thing I miss most is "writing".  I have a deep love and passion for pen and paper, and the loss of being able to write has been significant.  My mind is swirling with thoughts I would like to write in my journal.  On the upside I've been having deeper dreams.  Somehow I feel the deeper dreams are connected to the lack of being able to write.

And then there was the experience of feeling panic and anxiety, the first few days after I was casted.  What a trip that was once the cast was set!  Once the cast was set it hit me hard that I couldn't get my hand out of it, without a saw to cut through the cast.  Thankfully those moments were short-lived and now I've gotten kinda used to being in the cast.

I've also learned I'm pretty good with my left hand, except for writing of course.  I got a thumbs up at a Vietnamese restaurant for being use chop sticks with my left hand.

Any time I have an illness or injury I look for the spiritual aspects in the event.  One of the hardest things to do was to return to Kung Fu.  I am so glad I went back.  Even though I won't be sparring for a while, it was an invaluable lesson to face the fear. 

My injury is also teaching me how to sit with my thoughts since I can't write.  Sure I'm typing, but I can only do that for so long before it becomes uncomfortable. And typing definitely isn't the same as writing.
However each day I'm grateful for feeling good and moving closer and closer to cast removal day!

Blessed Be and the Brightest of Blessings to You!

Priestess Najah