Pagan

[oblivia]

Wow, that is a lot going on!! Congratulations on the house and while it sounds like you have your work cut out for you, it also sounds like it's a special blessing that you are there and not somewhere else.

Have you ever tried one of the incense stick holders where the incense is actually lit and held sideways with a (very well ventilated) lid that closes over it? Hard to describe. I had one of those and it protected the incense enough to keep it going even with a bit of breeziness. Also, cones inside small cauldrons or bowls with sand in them can protect them from windyness too (plus cones stay lit better) - bowls can be a helpful alternative for charcoal burning incense too.

As for me.... wow.... married and raising two boys. Spiritually, I've been a member of the Sisterhood of Avalon now for almost 3 years and it's been incredibly empowering. I've also been doing a regular yoga practice and learning a lot from bits of yoga-based or buddhism-based wisdoms, which has been amazing.

It's interesting. My practice now seems to have many layers. There is the eastern, yogic/buddhist slanted layer such as my yoga practice and certain tools I use to work on my own internal battles. There is the more traditional pagan layer which involves honouring the eight sabbats in some way, and circling with my son or wife and having tarot nights with friends and having traditional circles with the elements. And there is the very personal Avalonian layer with the Sisterhood that is primarily a solitary path (but one shared with the other Sisters via online forums, and shared journeying/questing together) and ritual. Most ritual work I do is the Avalonian pathwork, with some exceptions when I am circling with others. The Avalonian stuff has been amazing. I've really been going through completely constant growth and evolution since joining, all to the betterment and increased mental/emotional/psychological health of me. Good stuff.

I feel pretty solid spiritually and very strong. It's a new and good place for me to be and I keep spreading my roots out ever further and deeper.

I think that many of us cycle with our spirituality in ways. We have periods of intensity and periods of rest. I really relate to what it can be like to come back after time 'away'. Sometimes, it starts with the smallest little thing, done consistently to dig one tiny little root in to anchor us, and then we can spread out as comfy from there....

[Bit]

We were given a gift today--an incense burner that is enclosed! I didn't even REALIZE the significance of that until I read your post just now, oblivia!! It's pretty cool to have that need answered so VERY quickly. And I also found a square holder for a votive glass--in effect, an enclosed candle holder.

For cone incense, I have a ceramic echinacea shell, again, enclosed.

Today, we cleared space physically, rearranging the house. It's strange; now that we've moved the computers out of the dining room, it no longer feels like home to me... and yet the room we put them into doesn't feel like home either. I think this is going to take some getting used to.

Oh! I just realized... the walls are the wrong color. This room is white and the dining room is a mushroomy beige... how odd; I didn't know I liked that color--actually, I thought I DIDN'T like it! But now I miss it; it's soothing on the eyes. Huh.

Congrats to you on all the growth! It sounds like life has really settled down for you in all kinds of wonderful ways!

I agree about the cycling, spiritually, although I tend to think of it as ebb and flow. This might be because my physical energy ebbs and flows, and so it seems familiar to me. I am finding that the limits on what I can do are more and more a function of my own physical state. It's frustrating because I keep thinking I could heal my body, if only I could somehow dredge up enough energy to do the work properly! Catch 22. *wry smile*

[Soft*Silver]

dropping in for a chat...

I too have had feelings of being welcomed to my new home. From the moment I sat in the driveway waiting for the realtor, I knew I had found my home. Only two families other than myself have owned this near century old house. I am carrying on the legacy of living simply and gardening heartedly. I also have such an energy surge when I am here. I have indulged in labor that I havent been able to do in many moons. And that says alot, with my fibro and my spinal problems.

I have literally lit up the place with plants. My front steps are filled with pots (left behind by the family who owned the house) filled with morning glories and sunflower seeds. I am hoping the glories will climb the sunflowers..how pretty that will be if it works! My back porch has raspberries planted, and a stand of strawberries, as well as a trellis of cukes...

I have 25 tomato plants waiting for me, all heirloom varieties. I will be swimming in them! Peppers, zukes, squash, cantelopes, punkins, etc are all in the ground garden or the trellis gardens. I have 5 trellises that I have planted beans and gourds on. Oh..and lets not forget the snap peas in the old metal tub outside of my porch...and lettuce in containers by the kitchen door...

I didnt have the energy to do this before...yet somehow, because of this house, I can. Its like a light socket...I am plugged into it..

[Bit]

{{{{{{{{{{softness}}}}}}}}}}} Welcome, honey! Glad to see you here!

I love the magic of your house. I do believe in that, you know? Some places are utter drains on a person's energy, and some are like yours, power places that re-energize a person.

More than that, though, your house seems to have a very active and aware guardian spirit, or maybe animating spirit--it seems to know what you need and it brings whatever it is to you. That is so wonderful, and yes, magical!

As we clear the negativity out, That House is beginning to do the same for me. I was SO FLOORED when I found the second (new baby!) mock orange, and the daylilies are a song in my heart. I'm waiting to see now if I have morning glories or moonflower vine--either or both would thrill me no end!

Not only that, but the things I have been thinking we need keep showing up--like friends to help rearrange the rooms, or the covered incense burner, or a peaceful refuge of a room...

Now I need a compost bin and more bookshelves!

So... y'all know what I'm having a really difficult time with? The two silver maples in the back yard are That House's Guardian trees... and their roots are in the sewer line. It's killing me to think of pouring anything into that line to kill their roots... and yet I MUST in order to avoid terrible sewer troubles.

I cannot force myself to do it.

Also, the Grandmother tree has watersprouts and new branches growing along her lower trunk--and they're already almost at the electric and cable lines. They need to be pruned off and again, it's killing me to think of hurting her.

It just feels so disrespectful, to cause any harm to the bodies of the spirits who guard us!! And yet these things are a safety hazard. I really struggle with the whole thing.

[Soft*Silver]

wow, Bit, you blew me away when you said my house was like a guardian spirit. I have felt this and not had words for it. My friend Jean told me she sees a "council of women spirits" around me and when i was trying to sell the trailer to buy this house, they told her to tell me it was all going to work out...they wanted me to know they were working on me,for me. I have felt hand picked for this house...Jean says its like I was selected to be the one this house was bestowed.

as for the roots of the tree..you need to realize that pruning roots and branches on trees are like cutting nails and hair on us. When you take something from her, just explain and beg her forgiveness but ask her to allow you to do so...

[oblivia]

{{{Bit}}} That's so amazing about the incense holder!!! What a cool connection!!

Sounds like some really wonderful home energy has gotten ahold of you and of softness! I think that's amazing. I know what a HUGE difference it can make living in a home filled with positive and welcoming energy! Ours is like that, though I think a lot of it is the energy and love and hope we brought to it. I haven't had specific encounters, but I do love it here and find that being home brings me peace in a way earlier homes just haven't.

[Bit]

oblivia, softness, thank you both!

I have a Council of Allies that I talk to. They give good advice and are strong protectors.

[Nat]

In one of my meditations a while back, I received a gift. I'd like to pass it on because I thought it was a lovely idea.

It's a true beauty mirror.



When you look into it, you see your true beauty.

I especially like the idea of shielding with it - to reflect back to others their true beauty, to reflect back to yourself your own true beauty.

In my meditation, I had asked what I could do to raise my vibrations to a higher level. This gift was the answer I received.

I think it's a gift that's best shared. So if this is a gift you would enjoy, it's yours for the taking.