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I am posting these observations as a reminder and invitation to be gentle and kind with yourself and others as we navigate some challenging times. I am noticing and hearing in general, as well as out picturing in the election climate, an over stimulation for many in all aspects of their life and work. I am seeing this in my work place, dynamics between individuals breaking down and unproductive exchanges occurring. I am seeing this in conversations and dynamics within our communities. I am seeing this in my personal relationships. And, we all are seeing this on the local, national and global stages. 

Please consider this as a time to hold space for calming, clarity, compassion and an intention towards sending and receiving only that which is for the highest good of all concerned with harm to none. Please consider consciously "checking yourself" when you are feeling moments of agitation and quite frankly short circuiting. Hit the pause button before sending "that" email or speaking what is colored by the abundance of illusion being generated on all fronts right now.

I encourage you to not allow yourself to get caught up in the maelstrom of negativity and aggression that is very accessible to feed on and brings you into a state that is reactionary without giving thought to the larger impact as the volatile waters ripple out. 

Please take great care to keep yourselves anchored in those things that give you joy and are supportive of you remaining centered and grounded. Be in nature. Spend time with your loved ones that nurture you and for whom you can be a point of respite and renewal. Take a break from social media and the news, and don't berate yourself as burying your head in the sand. Remember the directive always is to "put your mask on first" aka. anchor and ground in healthy engagement, if you wish to be of service to humanity.

Hold space for your highest self and let the rest of it blow past you. There is plenty of ongoing work to be done, feed and bolster the best "you" for the long haul.

Blessings for your well-being...R

Featherless, looking like a tiny pterodactyl, the baby bird lay on the sidewalk, dying.

I knew what I should do. I just couldn't bring myself to do it.

I was maybe eighteen, wrestling with the Big Issues. For various reasons, I'd just turned vegetarian; I'd vowed myself to non-violence.

The bird was suffering. I could have ended that suffering. I didn't.

Decades later, I still regret that moment of self-indulgent turning-away.

As lovers of life, pagans do what we may to ease suffering. “Kill cleanly,” says the law of the hunt, meaning: When you must cause suffering, cause as little as may be. To relieve the suffering of another is an act of generosity, and worthy of the great of heart. To end suffering is always virtuous.

I like to think that I'm wiser now. I like to think that I would be willing to set aside my compunctions to do the harder thing, for the sake of something larger, for the sake of ending another's pain.

In retrospect, I owe that broken little nestling a debt of gratitude.

I snap to attention as I approach the customs booth at the border. As I roll down the window and proffer my passport, the officer asks if I’ve “ever been inside.” It’s a nerve-wracking moment. “Inside?” as in jail? Finally I realize I’m being asked to pull over for a search. I’m so freaked out that I run up over the curb and strip a tire.

Basically, I turn into a puddle of worry when faced with any kind of official authority. I have this vague but powerful feeling that I am about to be found out and apprehended for some unknown, unintentional or overlooked shortcoming. And I don’t think I’m alone. Perhaps that’s why the ancient Greek myth of Oedipus is still so powerful. 

During crisis, I find being gentle with myself vital. However, were gentleness with myself to take precedence over gentleness with other people, I’d be widely amiss.

Gentleness with myself is not tantamount to forgoing moral accountability, but rather acknowledging what I’ve done wrong without shaming myself for it. We are all only human. We will all make mistakes. Compassion for others means rectifying whatever errors I make.

Compassion for others also requires the practice of self-awareness, so I spot my ill behavior, as well as notice an impulse toward an unkind deed so I can nip it in the bud.

I am reminded as we move closer towards the beginnings, the beauty and fertility of Spring that we are once again provided with the opportunity to seed a new way of “Being”...

Have We Forgotten To Be Kind? Have We Forgotten To Be Understanding? Have We Forgotten Compassion?

Being a Priestess is not only working to merge the energies of As Above So Below for all of humanity in an energetic manner, it is also working in a practical, heart centred and tangible way with all sisters and brothers on this earth plane.

So I came across this Onion article earlier today that gave me quite the chuckle, and yes, many of my colleagues found it entertaining as well. I love finding tiny bits of levity, especially these days, because it somehow makes everything a little bit better. It's the core reason why Saturday Night Live has been a thing since I was saying my first words.

Mom: Look, Dave, she's saying something!