Celebrate the Light!

I look out from my window this morning and I see blue sky, slowly being overtaken by a rolling patch of grey clouds.

It's the morning of the longest night, the night of the Winter Solstice.

I'm excited because I know this night starts the celebrations. All over the world people will celebrate the return of the Sun, our ability to survive dark times and bask once again in the Light. This seems especially important this year, in light of all the things that are happening in the United States and on our planet.

I am especially grateful my article, "Drumming Up The Sun," was published by Llewellyn Books in the 2017 Magical Almanac. The ritual of the Denver Pagan community heading up to Red Rocks Amphitheater in the dark early hours on Winter Solstice morning, has long held a special place in my heart. Red Rocks has long been a place of joy and celebration for me, since the first time I attended a concert there in the 1980's. I feel blessed to have my thoughts and feelings about this wonderful place printed and published.

I am also grateful to write for one of Denver's and the country's top metaphysical stores, Herbs and Arts. My piece for their website titled, "Winter Light," tries to lend a bit of magick and reflection to this time of year, especially for those who practice and believe in the Old Ways, while living in these modern times.

We all seem to hearken back to "olden times," during the Holidays,  in our memories or imaginations. It seems we need to believe in simpler times or imagine peaceful, serene, compassionate settings to help us cope with the stress of our lives.

Perhaps above all else, that is the reason why we so fervently celebrate the return the Light. It matters. It is important. May the Light continue to shine in all our lives.

Blessed Be.

Are Those Your Real Clothes or Is That a Costume?

Sadly Halloween and Samhain are now past. It's time to put away all the fun clothes and chivalrous outfits we donned over the weekend, or perhaps several weekends. Luckily I've got one more event to attend, a Day of the Dead celebration. It's my last opportunity to wear skull make up and put on some of my favorite pieces.

I always feel more myself in my Witchy clothing, Halloween clothing or Renn Faire clothing. I feel we've lost something by not wearing dresses that require us to lift our hems, although I would never want to go back to not having the choice to wear pants.

But something magickal happens when I put on my floor length gowns and lift my skirt to navigate steps. Something I've learned is easier said than done. How did we as women navigate steps and curbs with all that long material around our ankles?

Looking towards the future, the Winter Solstice is coming. There will be holiday parties and more events attend, but not ones that require me to wear my Witchy clothing. Perhaps I'll create my own Winter evening, where I and my friends can dress up once more.

Happy Holidays! 

Mayan Calender, Goddess Ixchel

"Ixchel, Ixchel".

Many years ago we landed in Cozumel, Mexico for our honeymoon.  It was bliss.  I was at once enchanted and moved by the water, the island, the people.  I snorkeled and played in the ocean from dawn until dusk.  I truly felt at home in the turquoise waters of Cozumel.

While there we spent the day at Xcaret.  A beautiful, pristine otherworldly water nature park.  While there I lost my shoes somehow, and spent the entire day and night walking barefoot.  As the foot is a prime location for sensing, my senses opened through the bottom of my feet, and my mind, heart and Spirit, became one with Xcaret and the Mayan people.

In the evening, we were blessed to attend a Mayan village ceremony.  I can still smell and see the copal burning.  We passed through the village filled with Mayan elders, shamans and villagers, all engulfed in the magick of copal smoke.  It was my first introduction to the powerful Copal.

While we were on the island we also spent time at San Gervasio, which has temple ruins to the Goddess Ixchel.  We walked through Her gate.  We walked in the silence of the ancestors.  I have never forgotten it.

Now we make our way to the Winter Solstice and to the close of the Mayan Calendar and the long count.  Goddess Ixchel is calling.  A new beginning and time await us.  A psychic shift is upon us.  Can you feel it?

I have no sense of fear or dread.  Only excitement and growing deep feeling of atunement and connection to the Goddess, in this highly magickal significant time.  For some the day will come and go without notice.  For many we will feel the power and the presence.

Here in Colorado we will attend the Mayan Millennium Ball, where we will gather with like-minded Earthkind, Shamans, Priestesses, Musicians, and revelers and honor and create ceremony for this most wonderful time.   I can hardly wait.   In my work with the Goddess Ixchel, I was led to the following prayer:
"Ixchel, Ixchel, la misión y el trabajo esperan ya; Ixchel, Ixchel, nadie puede ocultarnos tu verdad." Which means "Ixchel, Ixchel, the mission and work are waiting for us; Ixchel, Ixchel, nobody can hide your truth from us." 

Blessed Be,
Priestess Najah

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