This post is part of the Beltane ritual I led for my Pagan group last Sunday, but it is also a reflection on tides of energy and the practice of embodiment, and is applicable well beyond this particular Beltane season.
Tag: Paganism
Connecting with Aphrodite: A Ritual Template – Invocation
An invocation is a call to a specific Deity/Energy/Spirit in ritual. This can be to ask for guidance, for a prayer or blessing, to assist in a magickal working, to honor them and perform offerings, or for channeling. An invocation is performed with respect and reference, and is always a request and never a demand.
Connecting with Aphrodite: A Ritual Template – Creating Sacred Space
I like to begin each of my rituals by creating sacred space. What exactly makes a space sacred? It can be many things, but the primary attribute of a sacred space is that it brings us closer to the Divine. Some spaces may have an environmental sacred element to them, like beautiful places in nature. Some sacred spaces have been established and maintained by people, such as ancient temples or even the altar area in your home. And other sacred spaces we create specifically for the purpose of ritual.
A Burntout Witch
(Me. The burntout witch is me.)
A Very Angry Aphrodite
Aphrodite is pissed. Enraged. Irate. Furious. Incensed. Indignant. Livid. Appalled. Disgusted. Riled up. She is doing the Divine equivalent of flipping tables and burning shit. She is MAD.
A Hymn to Isis and Dreaming of What Paganism Could Be
As I mentioned in my last post of Priestess in a Pandemic, Isis came into my life this past year. Her arrival was unexpected but welcome. She showed up when there was need, though I wouldn’t have been able to articulate it then. Our relationship has been transformational and healing.
Priestess in a Pandemic – Part Three
The pandemic brought changes to every aspect of my life, including my spiritual practice. I talked a little bit about this in my Adaptive Spiritual Practice for Pagans posts, and a smattering of other posts I’ve written throughout the pandemic, but there are some things that I haven’t had the chance to really synthesize into writing yet. Here are a few of them.
Priestess in a Pandemic – Part Two
Like I said in my previous post - Even though 2020 and 2021 have been profoundly awful, it hasn’t been all bad! This is a continuation of my lessons learned, thoughts, and general musings about being a Priestess in a Pandemic.
Priestess in a Pandemic – Part One
Earlier in January was the anniversary of my oath to Aphrodite as Her priestess. After my first year of priestesshood, I wrote a perspective piece on lessons I learned in my first year of service. I was going to write one last year as well, but time got away from me, and nothing felt particularly celebratory at the beginning of 2021. Now with two years of being a priestess in a pandemic, I finally feel like I can write something.
Blessed Imbolc 2022
I don't do many holiday posts, but I realized I had to post something for Imbolc this year when I spotted a buttercup on my snowy hike a little over a week ago. North Carolina doesn't typically get that much snow, so every time we do, I make a point to go out and frolic… Continue reading Blessed Imbolc 2022