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.

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

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.

I'm A BootCamp Momma

My twenty-year old son went off to Bootcamp this week.  He's in the Army National Guard stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia.

My heart is broken, my world turned upside down, my center off-balance.  Even though we prepared for this day, since he was a toddler, nothing can quite prepare you to see your grown up child walking down the street with a Military duffle bag slung over his shoulder.

We're a proud family and we're very proud of our son.  I know he's going to be a successful soldier.  He's made for it and he choose this path all on his own.  And yet, knowing that he could potentially be put into harm's way strikes terror in the deepest part of my soul.  Yet we have our faith.  The Goddess walks with us, shines Her light down upon us, and lights our days with Her golden Sun.

I took a walk today and saw yellow leaves in the trees, which means the Wheel is turning.  Not only in Nature is the Wheel turning, but my life is turning too.  Our son is in the National Guard and our daughter is in her junior year of college.  Regardless of our faiths and belief systems, I feel lots of parents can empathize with my feelings and it's this camaraderie that sustains me.

I found on Facebook a page for Fort Benning and also a page for parents of New Recruits.  I used to be a Facebook snob, not wanting to join or become a Social Networker.  But I am so grateful for Facebook and for people who share and post about their lives, accomplishments and struggles.  I've found Pagan support, friends, life support and community on Facebook.

I was extremely grateful to also find Circle Sanctuary's Military Pagan Prayer Cards online.  The prayer spoke to my heart and soothed my soul.  I have a candle lit for our son with the prayer underneath.  As soon as we receive his mailing address, I'll send him the prayer card.  My son was also happy to find Pagan support within the Military.  It was awesome to see forums, chatrooms and support for Military Pagans.  I am grateful to all the people who have worked so tirelessly to bring us into the light and have support for our faith, beliefs and way of life.

I also made my son a safe travel mojo to carry with him.  It makes me feel good knowing he's got it with him.

Today I'm still raw and trying to keep it together.  We missed his first phone call home so we're all a little bummed today.  But I took a walk and talked to the trees, listened to some music and felt a little better.  I'm also keeping up my martial arts practice and that's a big help too.

I send blessings to all with children and family in the Military.  And thank you all for reading my blog.

Blessed Be,
Najah