Spring Tease

Spring's arrival in NJ met with some splendid balmy weather this year, but as usual, it also heralded the cool and rainy season that comes as "April showers." Though it is windy and chilly again, there is the greening of the lawn, the blooming of daffodils, and the blossoming of the magnolia trees that gives a vibrant touch of color to the awakening landscape. Spring is the time of year for putting those plans arising from the quiet, contemplative, meditations of Winter's rest into action. Sometimes it hard to stay motivated when the weather turns cold and damp... there is that cozy retreat into non-action, which is fine, even Mother Nature takes a step backwards now and again. But as the wheel turns and budding season gets under way, I usually get a surge of energy that will ensure my projects and plans move forward with bursts of vigor. So bring on the chilly showers... they will only serve to make me appreciate the warm weather and "May flowers" all the more!

Welcome Spring!

Wish you could have joined me early this morning for a breakfast of home-made Ostara Buns and coffee. I've already been flying around the neighborhood... on my bike mind you... to see all the early delights of the first Spring day. The trill of the songbirds, the bursting popcorn kernels of the dogwood, and even the hustle and bustle of human activity that has been dormant over the chilly Winter mornings. May the sun shine upon you as you celebrate the sights and sounds and activities during this beautiful budding season! 

New Moon Banishment

Ram Dass once said, "if you think you're enlightened go spend a weekend with your family." Well, although I am not planning on achieving enlightenment in this lifetime, I try to be a spiritually minded person and sensitive to the beliefs and opinions of others. I don't parade around spouting my brand of spirituality and yet I don't hide it either. My immediate family includes some self righteous siblings who usually don't give me the time of day, unless they are trying to convince me that the Catholic religion we grew up with is the source of their success and happiness and that my path will lead me to eternal damnation and hell. Little do they realize that in their criticisms of me and their fear of my way of life they are the promoters of the Hell that I don't choose to believe in. That being said, the negativity that comes my way, however, still has the power to push my buttons and make me feel mad, resentful, and down-right agitated. I could verbally fight back, Goddess knows I have learned to be comfortable with my darker side, but spiritually speaking, what goes around comes around and I hate confrontational merry go rounds. Lucky for me there is a New Moon, so I will be able to take the negative thoughts I have, put them down on red parchment, and then burn them in my cauldron. I will then recite the Charge of the Goddess to remind me of who is in charge of my life and then the ashes will be scattered out into the cold night air (along with the liberations I will offer to my numinous friends). In my mind "family" is a term for those people who love and support you unconditionally... perhaps I should just banish those relationships that just bring me down.

Aglow

Alone in the darkness

the soft silken dance

of the flame

mesmerizes...

with thoughts on hold

the Gaze catches twins

that reach and pull

the Light to a heart

where all is One

and Wonders never cease.

The Lady's Prayer

The Earth is my Mother.
I shall not want.
Her hand brings forth the green pastures.
She tarries within the still waters.
She leads me in fields of fruitfulness for my Glory.
Yea, as I walk through the summer of life unto death,
I will not be afraid, for You are with me.
Your womb in the earth will enfold me.
You prepare a harvest before me and bless my home with children.
You fill me with milk and honey.
My cup overflows.
Surely, goodness and beauty will nurture me all the days of my life,
and I will become part of the earth forever.

Author Unknown