Reflections in the Well: Musings of a High Priestess of The Fellowship of Avalon
Sitting here outside on an unusually warm February day (thanks global warming) I think to spring and this fills me with joy. I suppose the sunny skies, the chirping birdsong, the gentle breeze and the delicate aromas from the flowering trees and daffodils put me in a good mood. It’s this time of year when I feel the interconnection to nature. As winter winds down, it’s such a dramatic turn of the wheel to see spring here. In the south, it doesn’t last long before the unbearable heat is upon us and this witch either needs to hang out in water or view the great outdoors from a window. So, let’s be present in this moment. With joy filling our hearts for these beautiful days, I wonder how you can celebrate this moment by being more present in your practice and spiritual devotions? I generally have a super busy life, with a career, volunteer work, housekeeping, educating, along with being a wife, and mom (and chauffer) to my lovely children. It is rather easy for me to push aside my practice and myself as the least important item on my daily list. But I know that this is faulty thinking. For too long, I put the care of myself last. I’m not saying that I want to put myself above others or that the rest doesn’t matter, it just means I have to be intentional about myself. How can I be a good high priestess if I’m neglecting myself? As they say on the air planes, in case of emergency, you put the oxygen mask on yourself first, and then on your child. Being in service to others and my deities means I take care of me and you both. So being present in my practice means that I wake up each morning with gratitude on my lips. I thank the Goddess for the new day, grateful that I am alive. I drag myself out of bed, quickly dress and throw on my sneakers. My faithful companion, Rocco the Schnauzer, sees me getting ready and eager waits by the door. He knows adventure is upon us. I attach his leash, open the door, and he zooms out. Our walk commences. In the beginning of this practice, I could barely get down the street before I was winded. Now, I can go a couple of blocks. While I walk, I chant and sing (mostly too silently for the neighbors to hear). My favorite is “My body is a living temple of love.” I especially start singing that one when I feel like I can’t go further. I also pray, and sometimes I close my eyes and just try to feel all that I’m feeling. Thankfully, I’m on a leash and Rocco leads the way. Some days, I don’t want to get up early to walk. I’m a night owl after all. But there’s something to be said for sacrifice. When it was super cold and windy, it was hard to get out of my warm bed. But I did. I bundled up and went to it. And surprisingly, my day seems to be much better because of this devotional practice. And it brings me a sense of satisfaction and grounding. Walking as a spiritual practice is what works for me right now. But I wonder what daily practice works for you? What bring you joy? In mirth and reverence, Sarah
0 Comments
|
AuthorsHP Stephen Guenther Archives
May 2017
Categories |