Little Coffins

I am a True Blood Truebie.  Love it, love it, love it and can hardly wait for Season 6 to begin on Sunday.

Tonight on Twitter, TrueBlood@HBO was asking us to post our "bad thing" with the hashtag #badthing.

I tweeted,  "I keep little coffins around just in case I need them for a spell".  Which got me thinking why do I keep little coffins around and what type of spell work would I use them for?  Why do I find peace in cemeteries? 

I do enjoy cemeteries.  Always have.  And I do find them peaceful.  Sometimes I just like to stroll through cemeteries.  I like to read the headstones and see what kind of life a person may have had.  I like to see how loved ones construct tombs to their dearly departed.  So much knowledge can be gained by hanging out in a cemetery.

And the little coffins, what about their use?  Little coffins come in handy for getting rid of stuff that no longer serves you, or things you want to let go of and bury.  These things may be bad habits, thoughts, mistakes or feelings.  Little coffins are also symbols for the turn of the Wheel and the season of Samhain and Halloween.  They symbolize those who have crossed over and that are our own coffins are waiting for us as well, if you can think in those terms.  They remind me that life is fleeting and fragile, and that we can go at any moment.  So yes, I like little coffins and I find them to be very useful magickal symbols.

Priestess Najah

Vampires, True Blood and Anne Rice

True Blood returns to HBO on June 16, 2013.  I can hardly wait.  I have a passion for Vampires, Witches, New Orleans, cemeteries and Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles. 

I fell down the Vampire hole when I first saw "Interview With the Vampire" in the theatre.  During that time lots of people were reading Anne Rice and excitement about her writing was everywhere.  Honestly at that time I didn't understand what was the big deal.  And then I went to see the movie and this scene appeared before my eyes:

When she opened her eyes and looked at "Louis" a recognition shot through my soul, that I still have a hard time putting into words.

Who was this writer, who were these characters that spoke so deeply to my soul?.  I was a changed person after seeing "Interview With the Vampire".  I became obsessed with Anne Rice novels and and read all her Vampire Chronicles.  I was like a parched traveler in the desert, finding an oasis.  My favorite Chronicle is "Tale of the Body Thief".  And to my great glory, I met Anne Rice at an Author's signing and she signed my copy of  "Tale of the Body Thief".

I feel in love with Lestat and his unapologetic nature.  There is nothing sexier than a Vampire without guilt or remorse.  And definitely one that doesn't twinkle.  No sparkling Vampires for this woman.

On my first trip to New Orleans, I had a wonderful day touring the Garden District.  As fate would have it, I was alone the day I walked the Garden District and stood outside Anne Rice's home.  At the time she was still living in New Orleans.  I also toured Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.  While I was in the cemetery I had a creepy experience with one of the Guides.  Of course he was dressed in a top hat and had on round, blue sunglasses, which made it all the better.

Fast forward to True Blood.  I was hooked after the first episode of Season 1.  I could live and work in Bon Temps.  I'd have a little shack where I wrote and sometimes did Conjure work for folks, if I was in the mood to do so.  I'd take walks in the cemetery and have lunch at Merlotte's.  And I'd be a friend of the Vampires, but knowing their nature and that immortality is not what its cracked up to be, I'd stay away from their fangs.

Priestess Najah

Training With Grandmaster Sin Kwang The

Yesterday for the very first time I met and trained with the living Grandmaster of our Shao-lin Art, Grandmaster Sin Kwang The.

Each year he travels to the schools to teach us and our Masters, and have those moving up in the degrees of Black Belt, to test before him.

I was giddy as a school girl waiting for him to arrive.  If was if we were waiting for Santa.  And then he was there.  Small in stature, humble in nature, gigantic in skill and talent, he led us through 12 hours of training, teaching us two Immortal Forms of Shao-lin Kung Fu! 

Grandmaster Sin Kwang The

I have always loved martial arts.  I grew up in Los Angeles, CA where Asian culture has a huge influence on daily life.  I went to elementary school with many Asian-American children and I've  been fascinated with Asian culture since I could remember.  Surely there must have been a past life as a Chinese or Japanese person.  Visiting China in 2011 was an amazing experience.  What a blessing it was to travel to China with my Shao-lin school in 2011 and see and perform at the Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Kung Fu.

Yesterday I felt the same reverence as we trained with Grandmaster The.  Even in his humbleness, I could sense the lineage and the time and training he has put into Shao-lin Kung Fu, and he is 70 years old! Wow! 

Shao-lin Kung Fu continues to train my mind, body and spirit, and take me places I never thought I would attain.  I feel inspired to continue training to my next degree of Black Belt.  Attaining my next degree will take at least another year of dedication and training, but I am inspired by the dedication, friendship and support of my Shao-lin buddies.  We shall continue to carry on!

Paper, Pen and Llewellyn

In my past life I was a scribe.  No one has ever had to tell me this, I know this to be true within my own being.

I am passionate about all things that deal with writing.  I love new journals, the smell of paper and fine writing utensils.  Keeping a journal is as breath is to my lungs.

That is why I am so excited to announce I am under contract with Llewellyn Worldwide Publishing!  My first article will be published in the 2015 Witches' Companion.

Can you say stoked, floating on air, dancing on the ceiling?!  Truly this a manifestation of a life long dream and a manifestation of the Goddess, in whom I live, move and my have my being.

To further add to the joy and excitement, I received my contract on my birthday.  Oh blessed be!

I follow the signs and omens.  Over and over again, the signs and omens told me the Wheel would turn and things would come right.  Sometimes that was hard to believe when dark days and doubts clouded my thinking.  Perhaps you too have felt that way.  You know something good is coming, but it seems everything conspires to test your faith and patience.  In the world of magick when a spell is working we must be still, silent and wait.  Oh how hard it is to wait and be silent when your dreams are at work! 

Here's to bright blessings that your dreams may come true as well!

Priestess Najah

The rites of Spring and a Magickal Land called Beltania

On Thursday of this week, my beloved husband and I rolled into the Land called Beltania.  My community of Living Earth and the Beltania staff had worked long and hard, tirelessly, well maybe not tirelessly!, to put on this year's Beltania festival, located in Florence, CO.

We left Denver in the pouring rain.  As is always the case, especially in Colorado, one cannot count on sunny, dry, weather simply because its the month of May.  Be that as it is may, we arrived at the land of Beltania, in the pouring rain.

The road was muddy and slick.  There was simply no good way to make it up the road, to camp.  So we pulled over, and settled in to our spot for the night.  This year, we took our adventure to a new level and rented an RV.  That itself was an adventure and much fodder for another story!

Even in the rain and mud, it was fantastic to be out of the city.  The smell of forest and clean air, is a ritual within itself.  We made it up to the festival grounds, checked in and hugged and greeted our friends.  Since the weather, was insistent upon rain, all festivities and rituals had to be delayed to the next day.  But not to worry, as Pagans we embrace the power of Mother Nature, and go with her flow.
We returned to roadside campsite, set up our fire pit, built a fire, and had a wonderful night, with all the travelers who were making their way up and down the road!

The next morning, we awoke to clear skies and deer silently padding through the forest!  Oh Blessed Be!  Sunshine and ritual!  Yay, Yay, Yay!

On this morning, which was Friday, I was tasked to be the element of Air in the Opening Ritual.  How blessedly beautiful it was to gather with everyone and welcome in Beltania!  The Circle was enormous and everyone radiated the Spirit of the Mother and Father of the Earth, Time and Spirit!  The heavens opened to us and we circled and sang, danced and welcomed in the rites of May.

Once the Opening Ritual was done, I moved to my next task, which was to be Mother Nature and welcome in the new May Queen!  Myself and Father Time thanked the 2013 May Queen and Green Man for the service and crowned the new May Queen and Green Man for 2013-2014.  It was truly a joyful experience.

Now that my tasks were done, we were free to simply be and wander around and participate in the festival activities.  We had a glorious time listening to the musical performers, taking workshops and dancing around the hottest fire into the wee hours of the night.

The next day, which was Saturday we danced and weaved one of the most beautiful May Poles I've ever seen.  What a thrill it was to watch the May Queen be hoisted upon the May Pole and the men carry her through the grounds.  Then with everyone chanting and yelling the men successfully inserted the pole into the fertile ground of Mother Earth.  We then danced and weaved the most beautiful bright ribbons around and around the May Pole.  Spectacular.  Simply joyful and wonderful.

We met so many wonderful new people for whom this was their first Pagan festival or as a solitary they had made the decision to come out and be with other Pagans on the mountain.

I can't thank enough all the People who work so hard to put on a safe, fun, Spiritually rich, diverse, open, welcoming, event for people of all paths, faiths, genders and ages.  We are truly blessed to be a part of the Living Earth Community.

Blessed Be,
Priestess Najah

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