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.

I Believe

I watch all the Christmas movies. Some of my favorites are "Elf, Jingle All the Way, Home Alone, The Santa Clause, A Christmas Story," and my all time favorite, "Polar Express."

I anticipate watching my favorite movies with the childlike enthusiasm of a first time viewer.

I listen to Holiday/Christmas music on local radio stations and on my favorite web channel, Pandora.

I decorate my house with lights and every thing twinkly until my husband screams, "no more!"

I love looking at my tree, filled with precious ornaments, and thinking of times gone past and times yet to come. I leave my tree up until the first week of January and feel sad when it's time to take it down.

I send out Holiday cards, buy gifts and drink eggnog spiked with bourbon or Kahlua and sprinkled with a touch of cinnamon.

I burn Yule incense and honor the return of the Sun on the Winter Solstice.

I do all these things because I believe. I believe in the spirit of Christmas, the wonder of the Solstice and the childlike magickal spirit that keeps hope alive.

I admit for a while, I was conflicted.

How could an earth-based Pagan woman, who believes in the Goddess, the Divine Feminine, enjoy Christmas?

That question rocked my world for a long time, until I returned to the Source and realized where a lot of our "Christmas" traditions come from. I realized I was actually honoring the spirit of the Holiday its truest sense, by celebrating Christmas in the secular sense, and that made my heart very happy.

I wish people "Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Blessed Yule," and feel goodness in my heart when I am wished the same.

At this time of year, there are so many reasons to be sad or conflicted. Not everyone finds joy in this season, or celebrates the same way. And particularly in the U.S. this year, lots of us have reasons to be dismayed.

However this is exactly why our ancestors took such glee in celebrating the light that banishes the darkness.

May you find peace and joy this season, in small ways and large. Remember to breathe, laugh when you can, share a smile, and count your blessings. May the spirit of the season light your heart and hearth.

Hail the Dark Goddess - Guest Post Priestess Amber Zeta

The Wheel Turns is excited to have Amber Zeta, Priestess, Mythologist, Change Agent, Goddessprenuer of Zeta Moon, and founder of Denver's Dark Goddess Festival, be our first guest blogger!

Take it away Priestess Amber!

The Dark Goddess Festival is an afternoon dedicated to the shadows, the inner mysteries, and the Dark Goddess!  A celebration of the Dark Mother, The Crone, and the Veiled One. I created this festival eleven years ago in response to a call from Kali Ma. It also came out of a desire to create a different kind of festival. At the time, I felt frustrated by how all the festivals had fees attached and back then, I barely had five dollars to my name. I felt jealous and upset that not only could I not afford the entry fee to attend festivals, but once in, it felt like a slap in the face as everything required a purchase to enjoy it, be it food, merchandise, or getting a reading or healing. The Goddess asked, “Why don’t you create a new festival then?”

So, I did. I felt called to bring to light the Dark Goddess because She is often misunderstood and taken for an agent of ill tempered forces. However, in my experience, She helped me out of my shadow self, into integration and understanding of myself in ways I was not reaching through other pathways.  The Dark Goddess represents our deepest desires, our primal instinctive side, and hidden knowledge as well as the potency of being you, your true you. Always through love, She cuts away all that does not serve a person; what is not in their best interest is severed. Like a tough love mother, She takes away what does not contribute to you, regardless of how you feel about it or how attached you might be to that thing. Only for your highest possibilities does She act. This is the gift I wish to share with others through the Dark Goddess Festival.

The Dark Goddess Festival remains free of vendors and an admission fee. There is entertainment, dancing, ritual, healers and readers available, for free or for reasonable fees, and a door prize raffle to help me offset costs of running the festival. I think of it as a gift I share with the community—the focus is on connection and experiences. I consider myself a bridge, connecting people to resources and others that may contribute to their lives and well being. This year, I would like to reach more like minded others who are seeking the Dark Goddess. I have a new volunteer committee to help me with advertising and marketing, a few of my lesser gifts. This year will be the 9^th Annual Dark Goddess Festival and as 9 is a very sacred number to the Goddess, I expect it will be a very potent and juicy one. I am looking forward to seeing what She has in store for the festival and us!

A mythologist, healer, and energy shifter, I have studied every metaphysical modality I can. I have a passion for learning and will always be reaching for the next level. I hold a  BA degree in Liberal Arts English with a Women Studies’ Minor and a Masters in Mythological Studies with a Depth Psychology Emphasis, which is Jungian and post Jungian theory. A practice witch and healer, I am honored to be a part of this growing Goddess priestesshood. Bright blessings and may the Darkness be Merciful!

Please feel free to visit Priestess Amber at her website; http://www.zetamoon.com

Inner Compass

I love taking adventure walks. I've lived in my neighborhood for twenty years and I still get surprised by the things I find, when I set out on a walk. Now that we've added a new puppy to our family, my walks have become even more interesting. Trying to guide and train a puppy, while also attempting to let my inner compass guide me can be quite challenging! But my little puppy and I are making headway.

Today as I let the Goddess of Nature and Sunshine guide us through the neighborhood, I was pleasantly surprised to come upon a free lending library.
I think these are ones of the best ideas to crop up in recent history. I've seen them before but never taken a book. Today I took a book:

And what book caught my eye? "Confessions of a Pagan Nun," by Kate Horsley. I've never heard of this lovely novel, but there it was on the shelf, waiting for me. Without hesitation, I held onto my dog's leash and took that book, right off the shelf. It was a great feeling!

As I continued through my neighborhood, I also passed a house with a pentagram chime hanging on its front porch. Of course I smiled, and gave a silent "Blessed Be."

It's wonderful to let your inner compass lead you. You never know what gifts are in store when you allow the Goddess to lead. We don't always have the time or opportunity to go on walk-a-bouts, but when we do, we are sure to be rewarded.

All Hail the Queen Mother - Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra

It's been a hell of a week. Last week recovering from the shock of the U.S. Presidential Election, my post was about the blue candle of hope. Today it's about how we are handling, getting over, coping with the outcome and the revelations of disturbing things that seem to be popping up everyday - in direct correlation, to the man who is now the Presidential Elect.

Add to all that emotion, the power of the Super Full Moon, which blew the world away with its majesty and beauty. Astronomers told us it was the largest Super Full Moon in seventy years. Is it any coincidence we had the biggest, brightest Full Moon, during what is the darkest time for many in the country?

Personally, I was blessed to be a part of a glorious Full Moon ritual, which helped a lot. I know many people are praying, doing what they can in their own ways, to help us heal, move forward and avert paths that would be disastrous for our county, our global sisters and brothers and the planet.

That is why in my quest for healing and escape, I found myself watching a gloriously restored version, of Elizabeth Taylor as the Great Mother herself, the divine and powerful Goddess, as "Cleopatra" which was released in 1963. A shout out to Netflix, for having it in their library.

When Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra enters Rome, it is one of the most sweeping, epic, emotionally charged and chilling scenes, I've ever seen in a movie. I too felt as if I was on the streets of Rome, cheering the arrival of the Great Mother, begging and waiting for her to save us from ourselves. Even the wives of the Roman senate had to stand and give her, her due. Even they recognized whom they were seeing. The entire scene brought tears to my eyes, as I realized this is what we have lost - respect. Respect and honor for women. Respect and honor for the Divine Mother, the womb of creation. I too wept.

I've provided a YouTube link of Cleopatra's entrance:

Granted, it's a very long movie and I'm still making my way through it. Seems I've tried on many occasions to watch the entire film. I know the ending, but now I'm taking the viewing in bits. Seems this is best way, to make it through the 4 hour run time.

As an Earth-based, sister-priestess of the Divine Feminine, if there was a posthumous award to be given for portraying the Divine Mother, Elizabeth Taylor would win it. She is unflinching in her portrayal of the Great Mother. She exudes the strength and character we so desperately need in these trying times, of our own, in the year 2016.

Sparrow In a Box

Yesterday as I rose with thoughts of preparing for Lammas, I found an injured sparrow in my yard. Its hurt little body touched my heart. I was saddened and conflicted, as I had rose in happy thought mode, to celebrate Lammas and give thanks for all which I have received.

So I did what I could for the sparrow. I picked it up and gently put it in a box filled with mulch. I added some water in a shallow dish, and the same seed which they love to eat, from my feeder. I vacillated between constantly checking on it and leaving it alone, moving its rescue home into the shade, when the Sun got too hot.

Later in the day, when I made another check it didn't look too good. Earlier in the day, it had managed to get around in the box, but now its body was in a horrible contorted position. Something told me it wasn't going to make it.
I decided to take it out of the box and put it back under the tree, where I'd found it earlier. I prayed to the Goddess to watch over it and for me to accept Her will, as She truly is Mother of All Living Things. But I didn't want to see it suffer. Poor little thing.

Before darkness fell, I checked on it again. Its little body was fluttering in the mulch. Oh my heart. There was nothing else I could do. I said more prayers and went forward with lighting our Lammas candle and breaking bread.

I thought about the little sparrow out there in the night, and sent good thoughts its way. I hoped I wouldn't dream of dead sparrows.

This morning, my writing muses called me early. I woke up, got settled in and began to put words on the page. And lo and behold, what did I see outside my window? THE SPARROW!

It was alive! It lived! It had made it from the tree all the way across the yard. I went out to it and it actually cocked its head to my voice. I sat with it, put out a little water and seed, which it didn't drink or eat, but that was okay. It knew I was trying to help it.

I watched it take stronger and stronger steps. And then it attempted flight only to fall from the sky and hit the picnic table. Oh MY HEART. Watching it trying to fly and then fall, is beyond my words to describe. Is this how Mother Nature feels?

It was stunned. But it shook it off and a bit later tried to fly again. This time it made to a branch.  I checked on it a bit later. It was no where to be seen. Apparently lift and take off was a success. Hurray!

Such a blessing as the Wheel turns. My heart is filled with gratitude to have been able to help and for the trust the little sparrow put in me. I actually shed a few tears when it took off.

Blessed Be is the Great Mother. Blessed be are we.

Here's a photo of my little friend:

Let's Get Witchy!

 The Witches have kicked off the Holiday Season.  I'm writing this blog post as lightning is cracking in the sky and the wind is blowing.  Its good to be a Witch!

The above photo was taken on Saturday, October 12, 2013 as I was on my way to Denver's second Pagan Pride Day!  Not only did I attend Pagan Pride, I also taught a class called "Crossroads Magick". I am grateful to Melanie Marquis, organizer of Denver's Pagan Pride for spearheading the event, now in its second year, which was a blast, and for giving me the opportunity to teach.  Perhaps more of these opportunities are in my future!

Back to the Season of the Witch!  TV is bursting with Witchy shows, none of them really to my liking, although I love seeing Witches portrayed on TV and in film. What saddens me is television and media never address the sacredness of the Goddess, and if you follow me on Facebook, you may have already read how I feel about that subject. 

Thinking about the sacredness of the Goddess and this time of year, it is so awesome there are so many events to celebrate our Witchyness!  Balls and events abound.  I know New Orleans will be kicking off their Witches Ball.  I was so happy to attend in 2011 and maybe next year, we'll be able to return.
Denver will hold 2 Witches Balls, one at the Mercury Cafe and one at the Masonic Temple.  I am very much looking forward to attending the Ball at the Masonic Temple.  For the past two years, the Ball was held in another location and we're all happy it will be back at the Masonic Temple.  I've been attending the Witches Ball at the Masonic Temple, now in its 22nd year, for longer than I can remember.

And of course there is Halloween night and Samhain ritual.  At Samhain we honor our Ancestors and loved ones who have crossed the veil, to the Other Side.  Its an important night and ritual.  In our society we simply do not honor our dead.  An exception to this, is the celebrations of All Soul's Day, which does address death, but from a very different perspective.  Outside of All Soul's Day, there is our one time funeral for our loved ones, and Memorial Day for the Military.

I believe strongly in ritual and feel its one of the things deeply lacking in our culture.  To me, the monsters and goblins of Halloween are an expression of our fear of death and the unknown.  Although I do enjoy good costumes and children trick or treating!
Samhain sheds a light on death, brings it to the forefront and places it in its rightful place.  I practice the Dumb Supper at Samhain, where a place is set at our table for our loved ones who have crossed over.  Many cultures honor their Dead, including the wonderful celebrations of El Dia De Los Muertos.

In addition to Samhain ritual, if you're even remotely aware you can feel magick is afoot and a change is in the air.  One can just tell the atmosphere is changing and is charged with an otherworldy sense.  Samhain is also a great time for divination.  I can hardly wait to see what the cards hold.

Wishing you a wonderful Witchy Season,
Blessed Be,
Priestess Najah

13 Goddesses

We just passed September, Friday the 13th!

That day I felt the power of thirteen powerful Goddesses.  Below are thirteen powerful Goddesses whose energy and Spirit, coursed through me that day.

Two of them are not "Goddesses" per se, but this list would be incomplete without them:

Goddess Lilith - the primordial one.  She who refused to lay beneath Adam! 

Goddess Kali Ma - Destroyer, Creator!
Goddess Freya - Warrior Priestess for whom Friday is named! 

Goddess Hecate - Keeper of the Crossroads, send your hounds! 

Goddess Sehkmet - Great fierce lion-headed Queen! 

Goddess Isis - Great Mother of All!
Goddess Cerridwen - Dark Mother of the Cauldron! 

Goddess Oya - Powerful African Mother of Storms! 

Goddess Minerva - Great One of Battle, War and Water! 

Goddess Bellona - She who shall not be conquered! 

Goddess Persephone - She who conquered the Underworld! 

Marie LeVeau - Great Hoodoo Queen of Conjure! 

Tituba - Dark and Powerful soul sister of Magick! 

On Friday the 13th, while I was listening to my favorite dark and powerful band, Nox Arcana, these words came: 

Thirteen Goddesses at the door.

Lilith, Hecate, Oya and several more. 

Battered, bloodied and bruised,
I bow before them. 

Crawling on my hands and knees
I stand before the Goddesses of the Dark. 

Hear my cries,

Hear my pleas,

Oh great Goddesses 

I am on my knees! 

You survived,

You overcame .

Help me,
In my time of crisis,

To do the same! 

"Daughter of Light,

Of powerful, fierce, and loathsome Night. 

Rise,

Do not crawl.

The light is brightest after the fall. 

We know the darkness of which you speak,

We too were cast down amongst the meek.

Our way is not for the timid or small. 

Your Power is magnificent,
Stand brave and tall. 

The small-minded,
And shallow,

Shall always try,

To belittle the ones,

Who are made to fly. 

Hear the Raven,

The Magpie,

And Hawk.

Pierce the sky, 

Stand tall and walk. 

Do not fear,

What you cannot see,

We are with you,

So Mote It Be!" 

The season of the Witch is upon us.  I've taken to wearing a bracelet of tiny skulls.  I like it.  The number 13 is powerful and magickal.  May we embrace the power of the Goddess, remember Her and keep Her ways.  Blessed Be.

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

Powerful First Week of Spring 2013!

The first week of Spring has come to an end and what a rush it has been!  On Tuesday, March 19th, we celebrated Minerva's Day.  On my Priestess Najah Facebook page, you can see some wonderful photos of my visit to Bath, England and my photos of the Roman Baths.  It was here that I was introduced to the Goddess Minerva.  I had hoped upon traveling to England, I would be introduced to facets of the Goddess I had not yet known.  What a blessing it was to meet Goddess Minerva in her temple of Sulis Minerva, in Bath, England!

On Wednesday, March 20th, we welcomed Ostara and the first day of Spring.  I previously posted my Ostara altar and photos.  As we move past Ostara, I am grateful for those of us that keep the Wheel,  follow and acknowledge the turn of the seasons.  For years before I found my path to the Goddess, I always wondered, "what does a bunny and an egg have to do with Easter?".  I am grateful I no longer have those questions!

And on Friday, March 22nd, it was opening day at the Denver March Powwow!  The Denver March Powwow holds a very special place in my heart.  For years I attended the Powwow as a spectator, then for a few years I was blessed to be a vendor at the Powwow.  How special it was to arrive early and set up the booth, hang out and chat with other vendors, and dancers before the general public arrived.  Now I have returned to spectator mode and I'm having a great time. As a person who hails from Black and Cherokee ancestry, the Powwow holds special meaning for me.  My paternal Grandfather was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian.  In addition, while we follow paths of a European nature, the Powwow gives us the opportunity to be with and honor the Indigenous People of North America.  We have wonderful power, right here in the native soil of North America.   Below is a photo of the beautiful Denver March Powwow Grand Entry, followed by a video the Teen Girls Fancy Shawl dancing:

To end the week,  today (March 23, 2013), Mother Nature has sent Denver a wicked Spring Storm.

 I suppose we need to slow down a bit after such a busy week.  However I am grateful for the burst of life that comes with the first week of Spring. That's really what its about, right?!

Hope you are enjoying your first week of Spring.

Bright Blessings,
Priestess Najah

A New Pope

Yesterday the Catholic World elected a new Pope. I watched the pagentry, pomp and circumstance with mixed emotions. 

I was glad to see the Catholic Church elect a Pope from Argentina.  My thoughts had been if the Catholic Church wants to keep moving ahead and growing, they should elect a Pope from lands where people live their faith and practice it.  In my mind that clearly was Latin America.  And that's what they did.  So bully for them. And that's where my enthusiasm ended.  Clearly I do not support a religion or way of life that is steeped in misogyny.

Next I wondered, would I ever live to see the day, where thousands of people are gathered on a hillside worshipping the Goddess, openly?  Would it make media coverage, would the World be rapt in awe as we honor Her presence, Her wisdom, Her ways?  Probably not. 

And it came to me this will not happen for many reasons, first and foremost being, we do not proselytize.  We don't seek to convert.  If you find us we are here, but we will not seek you out.  And it for this reason many of us are drawn to practice the Old Religion, Nature Religions, the Old Ways.  We don't actively seek to infringe our thoughts and beliefs upon others.  We simply seek to practice our ways, in peace.

It struck me odd that Catholicism is growing rapidly in Africa.  When I think of Africa, I think of the Motherland, there's that word "Mother" and of tribal ancient communities.  Why would Catholicism be taking root there?  However we know the power and the long arm of the Church and their missionaries are strong.  It made me a bit a sad to think of Africans in the Motherland coverting to Catholicism.

This morning my Earth Psalm prayer was a good one.  I use my Earth Psalms as an Oracle and I am always pleasantly surprised by what returns.  The ending line in today's prayer was "I await that day Goddess.  I will work and prepare for that day".

And so we continue to work and prepare the way.  Bit by bit little by little, we keep letting the World know we are here, and even more so, SHE is here.

Blessed Be Upon all Pagan, Witches, Believers, Priestesses and Priests, Everywhere.

Priestess Najah

Blessed Be Imbolc

Image courtesy The White Goddess.UK

Last day of January. Tomorrow the Wheel turns and we celebrate Imbolc/Candlemas. The Moon is waning, the year is moving on. Although in the Northern Hemisphere, Winter holds us in Her grip, Spring is coming. Light a candle to dispel the darkness and winter blues, and to herald the promise the Spring. Hail Blessed Imbolc!
Bright Blessings,
Priestess Najah

Who Can You Turn To

I've shed some tears lately.  Life has been tough in our household as of late.  We've been going through some shit.

I've found myself adrift, alone and wanting.  Feeling let down by practicing my Craft as a religion and the lack of direction for when times get really tough.

One thing that I have always found difficult about the Pagan path is its lack of reliable dogma (for lack of a better word) when things get hard and you're reaching for guidance.  Sure I love the beauty, the mystery and the freedom, to practice any way I please, but sometimes, one needs a sure foot to stand on when life gets hard.

I don't belong to a coven.  I'm solitary.  Solitary also means alone.  I'm very grateful for my friends.  It seems in time of need, truly the only place we can turn to is each other.  The Moon for all Her glory has felt far away and distant.

Spellwork has lost its luster, taking on a persona of something you do for fun and entertainment.  Perhaps we have done the community a disservice by rambling on and on, about the legitmacy and effectiveness of Spellwork.  I have found it to be a distraction from the real work one needs to do, which is to be right within yourself.  Sure, I like my talismans and I have truly found comfort in the light and prayer of a candle, but spellwork, not so much.

And a book.  The Craft, Wicca, whatever you want to call it, has no central book.  So where do you turn when you need comfort and reassurance.  Perhaps if I had grown up Pagan, I would be used to wandering all over the place for reassurance, but I came to the Craft from traditional organized religion and for all its deficits, there is something to be said about the word "organized".

I do have one book, which I was led to by my Year and A Day teacher.  Its called "Earth Psalms" by Angela Magara.  It truly is Goddess Psalms for life.  I'm glad I have it.  I turn to it daily and it is becoming my book.

And I have found comfort and strength through my daily practice of Shao-lin Kung Fu.  As Elder Ed Fitch so succintly put it "the world is not a peaceful or tranquil place".   My daily practice and training in Shao-lin Kung Fu and Tai Chi has helped me weather these times and become strong in ways I could have never imagined.

We're a new religion and new way.  We don't have the legacies of time behind us and that makes it hard sometimes.  We're all still figuring it out.  Sometimes that's good and sometimes that's annoying.

I had to find a new way to be with the Moon.  Last night's Full Moon was in Leo, a selfish Moon.  A time to ask what for you need.  I asked to find a new way, a new way to stand and be in right relationship with Her.  I realized in my dark hours the Moon is ever changing.  She appears, disappears, waxes and wanes.  She leaves us in the dark every month.  But she leaves her stars behind to guide us, help us and to let us know we're not alone.  Even though the stars are not as bright as the Moon they are still there as our guides.  The Sun and bless you Sun, is always there.  It is constant, never changing.  But the Moon has her ups and downs and then she goes away.  While she goes away, we have to faith that She will reappear.  And when She does, oh what joy when we see Her first silver Crescent in the sky.

So perhaps this is the way of faith.  Of our path with the Goddess.  Sometimes she goes away and feels cold and dark.  But She's never gone for long.

Blessed Be.

Congratulations Mr. President!

May Goddess Bless him and keep him!

Blessed Be,
Priestess Najah

"Drawing Down", Myth, Mythology and Religion

"Arms outstretched wide, I open my Spirit and Being to the Goddess.  I recite "The Charge" fueled with Her presence and feel the glory of the Divine wash over and through me".  It occurs to me that as I describe my ecstatic experience, I use words describing the experience as outside myself, bringing something into myself which is not within me.  Have I done myself a disservice?

Lately my thoughts have been turning to Myths, Mythology and Religion.  I have found myself returning to the powerful PBS series, "The Power of Myth" with Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers.  How refreshing it was for a deep thinker such as myself to find the series online.  I recently reviewed the Episode 5, "Love and the Goddess" and you can view it here:

http://www.veoh.com/watch/v37616713mbPy9YfF

My altar is covered with statues of the Goddess.  She who cannot be named, She of ten thousand names and faces; Yemaya, Isis, Ishtar, Lilith, just for starters.  I call to Her, pray to Her, but am I really calling to a place deep within me?  When I meditate I close my eyes and go within.  All pointers for a making connection with a Higher Power, say to go within.   Perhaps in the ritual of "Drawing Down the Goddess", instead of "Drawing Down", we should be "Drawing Out".  If we are made of Stardust and Earth, She dwells within us.  The Moon reminds of us of what is within.   Tapping into that innate Higher Power is the hard part. Bringing it forth and acknowledging the Power is within us is even harder, all the while maintaining our humility.

And so I venture forth into the morning dawn and dark night, greeting the Sun, the Moon and Stars.   Trying hard to see inside myself, that which exists in timeless, nameless spaces and places.  Let the Moon and Stars remind me of my true Divinity, that which is within and not separate from myself.

Blessed Be and Happy New Moon,
Priestess Najah

Hail and Welcome 2013! It Hath Arrived!

2013 Circle of 13 Candles and Potted Rosemary

In the 13th hour, the above candles were lit to celebrate the arrival of 2013.  How awesome to be alive in the year which ends in the number "13". 

I find strength and power in the number 13.  It is sacred to me.  It is sacred because it is the number of Full Moons in a year.  I embrace the number 13 and honor it.

We can thank Pope Gregory XIII for 2013.  Without his embrace of the calendar that replaced the Julian Calendar, we wouldn't be counting years that led to 2013.  Hence the name "Gregorian Calendar". Actually, there are several calendars running in the World at all times.

Our New Year is a celebration of the Civil Calendar which actually runs on an agreement the Church made for tracking Easter!  Can you believe that one?  We're all running on a calendar made to design and track Easter!  Mind-boggling isn't it?!  As a Goddess Devotee, Earth worshipper, Nature Lover, I say we remove the veil from our eyes and realize the illusion and break it!

The Witches calendar actually started on October 31, 2012.  That was our New Year's Day.  The Chinese are still running their calendar and Chinese New Year doesn't begin until Feb. 10, 2013.  Of course there's the calendar of your solar return, your birthday, so there is another calendar that's running.  Orthodox Hebrews and Muslims also follow their own calendar for religious events.  So pretty much whatever time you're following is up to you!  Of course for business sake and to keep the world from going wonky the World agreed to follow the Gregorian Calendar.  But knowledge is power.  I know now from whence this calendar comes, so for me this is year 1!

May we all be Brightly Blessed whatever calendar and time we are following.

Blessed Be!

Priestess Najah

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

The Goddess Minerva Revealed - Bath, England

On our recent trip to London, England we took a day trip to Bath, England.  We rode the rail from Paddington Station in London, to the train stop of Bath Spa.  It was a wonderful hour and one half ride through the English countryside and a nice respite from the maddening pace of London.

While in Bath, we toured the Roman Baths where the Goddess Minerva revealed herself to us.  We tingled with awe as we toured the baths that were built by the Romans in honor to the Goddess Minerva.  It is beyond words to see and touch stones that were placed 2000 years ago.  

http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/

"Bronze, gilded head of the goddess Sulis Minerva whom the Romans worshipped in Aquae Sulis (Bath).

The head is slightly larger than life size. It would once have had a separate helmet attached to it. The head was cast in bronze and then gilded with layers of gold leaf. It looks as if it were chopped off the body.

Minerva was the goddess of wisdom and military success. When the Romans came to Bath they found the native Celts worshipped a god of the spring who had similar powers. They combined the two into Sulis Minerva who could then be worshipped by both Celt and Roman at the Spring.

It is thought the head comes from the statue that stood in the Temple of Sulis Minerva. It was probably broken off when the Temple was ransacked perhaps by Christians in the sixth century.
It was found by chance in 1727, by workmen in a trench in Stall Street, Bath near to the site of the Temple."
Source http://www.romanbaths.co.uk/explore/Object_Details.aspx?objectID=batrm_1978_1

My spirit shivered as I saw the stone where the Romans entered the Temple to worship the Goddess Minerva.  The stone was worn down to a smooth curve from the thousands of footsteps that crossed it. I imagined myself living in those days, going to honor The Goddess. How wonderful it must have been to live in a society where The Goddess was openly honored, revered and respected.  With my love of hot water, spas and baths, I easily imagined myself living in Bath, England during Roman times, working and living in the Temple of The Goddess Minerva.  I see myself quietly stealing along the hallways carrying jars of sacred water to the Temple. 

The Goddess Minerva is honored for many things.

"As a goddess of wisdom she is often depicted as an owl. Among other symbols related to Minerva are a house (the first goddess who built a house), a spire and helmet (as a goddess of war for a good purpose), an olive tree (a symbol of peace and victory), a butterfly (a symbol of life and happiness and prosperity) and others.

The cult of the goddess Minerva has existed since antiquity to the present day. Creative modern worshippers have suggested various ways to honour her in one’s social or private life, adapting to personal taste, needs and understanding. Such acts of devotion to the goddess may include: support to students; encouraging young people to pursue education and to respect their teachers; offering your expertise in teaching the others the skills you possess; using your knowledge to make the world a better place, etc."  Source http://www.minerva.bg/en/company/goddess_minerva.html

I was able to purchase a hand carved small bust of the Goddess Minerva.  While in the gift shop there was also a placque (recreation) of a stone plate of the Triple Goddess.  The image had been found during the excavation of the Temple.  In addition while touring the Roman Baths we also viewed a stone tablet of the Goddess Luna.

I honor and bless the element of Water.  Now I have added the Goddess Minerva to my pantheon of Goddesses.  The Goddess Luna is with me each night as the bright Moon. 

Blessed Be The Goddess!

Priestess Najah

"I was born an original sinner"

"I was born an original sinner, I was born from original sin and if I had a dollar bill for all the things I've done, there be a mountain of money pilled up to my chin. HEY!...there was a woman in a jungle and monkey on a tree, the missionary man he was following me". Sing it Annie, Sing it!!!

Yesterday I learned Hobby Lobby is suing the Department of Health and Human services, in regards to providing insurance coverage for the Morning-After Pill.  I was livid and a bit sad, because I love to shop at Hobby Lobby, especially around Halloween time.  In fact, I had just been in the store the day before, before learning of their of their stance on the Morning-After Pill.

 

I have known for a long time Hobby Lobby is a Christian organization and respected their right to close on Sundays, so their employees can practice their faith and be with their families.  In fact I thought it was pretty cool, that they chose to do so.  But denying insurance coverage to their female employees based on their faith based practices crosses my personal line of integrity.  We are in a war in this country for equal rights for women.  Things continue to move towards dangerous grounds of turning back long hard fought rights to health care and human services.

 

Annie Lenox's song "Missionary Man" is my personal war cry.  I especially love the lyric "there was a woman in the jungle and a monkey on a tree, the missionary man he was following me".  Exactly.  Following me.  Why?  Why am I as woman and my body deemed any of their business?  It goes back to long held patriarchal beliefs that women are sin, dirty, responsible for the downfall for mankind.  Bullshit. 

 

Rise up Goddess, Rise Up!

 

 

Kung Fu Priestess

I take my faith seriously.  I practice my Craft as a religion.  I follow the cycles of the Moon closely, honoring the Full Moons and celebrating the turn the of Seasons.  I follow the turn of the Wheel and take my cues from Her seasons.

Several years ago I followed a desire which had been with me for many years.  I had longed to study T'ai Ch'i.   I grew up being a martial arts enthusiast and a lover of Asian culture.  Along the way, as a young adult I developed asthma.  I had read somewhere or learned somewhere that T'ai Ch'i was an excellent remedy for asthma, as it helped to slow down your breathing and cultivate your Ch'i, the energy of life.

Years passed before I acted on my desire to study T'ai Ch'i.  It just seemed to be one of those things I never got to, yet the desire was always lurking around in my mind.  Then in 2009 I finally took the step and began to study T'ai Ch'i, which was being taught at a senior center.

As I began to study T'ai Ch'i, I shared my experience with one of my very best friends.  Little did I know that she had been a Shao-Lin student for many years.  I had been to her home several times, seen her weapons, but it was just a subject that never came up.  I truly believe it is one of things that you don't see or understand until you are ready.  In sharing my experience, she asked me to show her my T'ai Ch'i.  After showing her the tiny bit I had learned, she suggested I might enjoy coming to her school, The Chinese Shao-Lin Center.  This suggestion scared and un-nerved me.  I was comfortable in the senior center.  Going to a real school was more than I was prepared to consider.  However, I also ran the suggestion by a trusted co-worker, and he too having studied martial arts as a teen, thought I would enjoy the structure and discipline of martial arts as it is taught in a formal school.  Thankfully I listened to the advice of my friends and I joined the Chinese Shao-lin Center (CSC) in 2009.  But I only went to learn T'ai Ch'i.

The CSC has a marvelous program of offering free classes for a month.  For one month you can take all the classes you like, for free, in T'ai Ch'i and Kung Fu.  I used all my free T'ai Ch'i classes and was hooked.  However while taking my free classes I noticed all the different belt levels.  There were belts of white, yellow, blue, green, brown, and the all hallowed, Black.  Intrigued, I asked how one achieved the belt levels of advancement.  A senior student told me "you get those from studying Kung Fu".  Hmmm.  Study Kung Fu?  This was not what I had come to learn, but those belts and the training looked awesome.  I took one free class and decided to learn Kung Fu.

However, beyond those serendipitous moments, another truth lie hidden.  In my study of The Craft I had come across a beautiful used copy, of Ed Fitch's "Grimore of Shadows".  Ed Fitch is a pioneer of the Old Ways, having been around during the days of Scott Cunningham, the beginnings of Wicca and Raymond Buckland.  In studying Ed Fitch's grimore, I came across a passage that read:

"Study of Defensive and Martial Combative Arts"
"The world is not a peaceful or tranquil place, and it is seldom prudent to fully trust outsiders - even those appointed by the Law - with the safety of oneself, one's family or those of one's coven.  All should be encouraged to take some training in Karate, Hapkido, Judo, Ninjitsu, Aikido, Tai Chi, Kung Fu, or other such martial arts which have a strong (if subtle) metaphysical and Magical philosophy behind them."

There it was in Black and White.  Ed Fitch extoling the virtues of martial arts and the benefits of training for a practicing Witch.  I knew then and there I had to continue with my studies.  I needed to see the course through to develop as a person, a human being, a Priestess and a Witch.  And so I committed to learn and study Kung Fu, honoring the commitment I had made to myself and to the Goddess.

My study and training in Shao-Lin Kung Fu has only really just begun.  On Sunday, August 26, 2012, I was thrilled to achieve my First degree Black Belt in Shao-Lin Kung Fu:

I have no idea where this journey will take me now.  I remain open and committed to the Craft and to Shao-Lin Kung Fu.   I am grateful to Ed Fitch for publishing his knowledge and to my school, The Chinese Shao-Lin Center, where I study under the wonderful guidance and training of Masters Sharon and David Soard.

Blessed Be, So Mote It Be,
Priestess Najah