The Crow Moon Cometh

Changes come and we in the Pagan community tend to look for signs--harbingers--that herald the alterations in our lives.  Invariably, the "new" is questioned, weighed, and then we look to see if {DRUMROLL} "Mercury is in retrograde."

Does this sound familiar, my darling Lair residents?  Do we question "where" change came from or do we {GASP} embrace it regardless of its origins and make the best of our situation?  Do we focus on what was or what might become?  Do we doubt or welcome?

The Crow Moon, according to my new little MoonPhase app, is the Northern Tribes' name for the full moon which will take place on March 8th (or thereabouts).  Though it goes by other names, this moniker designated, to the Old Ones, that the crow was taking flight to be replaced by the robin.  It's a Moon of balance...of growth...of renewal and change.  It's to be embraced.  It heralds the season of Ostara and the coming of our celebration OF Ostara.  Spring is change...it is balance...it is life.

So, my darling ones, embrace the new surrounding you...live in the moment...and know that She will not abandon you.  She, too, is finding Her new, invigorated form as Maiden, full of hope and life and renewal. 

In the softness of the Moonlight...

Loss and Grieving

Yesterday, quite suddenly, life here at the Lair was turned upside down.  My dear companion of the past twelve years--a handsome, black & white, neutered domestic longhair named Ozzie, had to cross the Rainbow Bridge due to complications from undiagnosed and untreatable cancer.  He's been my assistant, my confidante (albeit we have three loyal and loving pups), and my sounding board since he was 5-weeks old.  It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make and yet one of the most peaceful and graceful moments I've ever been honored to witness and be part of.  He curled into me--visibly exhausted and "ready," purring as loudly as ever he did, nursing one last time on my earlobe--and then they administered the medicines.  He merely fell asleep mid-purr, still curled gracefully and lovingly in my arms, paws holding me. 

I miss him so very much. 

He's buried, with his sister--Athena--who some of you know succumbed to kidney disease two Yules ago, under my outdoor altar by the Pond...between two magenta crepe myrtles.  Still a companion and still my assistant...just without rather than within. 

I'll be posting again soon...but thought all you dear ones would care to know why there's a bit of a shift in the energies.  I've an emptiness within me that's going to take a while to heal. 

In the softness of the embracing Moonlight...

Late Autumn Musings

The "Poetic Mind" is strong this late autumn afternoon.  My daily commute, as I've mentioned previously, takes me through an as-yet-unscathed patch of north Texas ranchland.  A few moments ago, as I drove the rugged lane through the top section of the ranch--passing native Longhorns and Jerseys grazing in the waning golden beams of late afternoon, a snippet of a new poem tentatively took hold of me.  It's been many-a-year since She graced me with an inspirational muse!

As you, dear ones, have never (I don't believe) read any of the pieces I've previously written, I thought I'd "toss" this one out for your perusal...  It's quite as-yet unfinished...

There is a mellowness to the in-betweens:

An exhalation of the could-haves

And soft inhalation of anticipatory possibilities...

And, thus far, that's "it."

In the soft inspirational haze of the Autumn Moon...

Return to Fruitfulness

After over seventy days of triple-digit temperatures here in north Texas, the stifling heat of this summer has come to a simpering end.  A final "hurrah" was attempted by the spirits of summer, but to no avail.  Like a contrite sinner, the heat and has dissipated to a slow murmur in the afternoons.  Additionally, the rains have started to return to this drought-stricken land.  The deep scars in the parched earth where the ground has split for lack of water are starting to heal--the hardened crust has softened to a cushion of moist soil. 

'Tis the approach of Mabon this week and the Earth is healing itself in anticipation of the ensuing Harvest festivals.  In our Garden, the burned and decimated plants are starting to miraculously sprout and fruit once again.  Our hearty little cherry tomato plants have darling yellow flowers exploding on them--promising a riot of late harvest deliciousness!  The songbirds have returned and the dragonflies and damsel flies are dancing over the Pond once more. 

How much have we been taught in our summer inattentiveness!  Patience with the land, appreciation for the capriciousness of the rains, humility at our inability to manipulate the seasons to our own devices and desires...  She is harsh (at times) as the Mother--ever teaching and ever training--but the result is the Festal season into which we now enter.  Now begins the moment of our yearly offering of gratitude for the lessons taught. 

What have you, my dearest visitors to the Lair, taken to heart from the seasonal education of our Dear One?  What do you now reap?  What offerings can you now make in this knowledge?

Take time, my dear friends...for time is what She teaches us to have, to take, and to appreciate.  Listen to the approaching Season--it's starting its own lessons for us......

In the softness of the Moonlight...

Longhorns and Scrub Brush

Living in an extended drought in north Texas--where the meteorologists take rarified delight in reporting how very many days we've been in "triple digit temperatures"--isn't easy for one of a Nature-based Path.  The Lair's Cottage Garden is slowly wilting and crisping in the relentless sun...the deeply rich earth is cracking with the severity of the heat and dryness...the trees are even showing signs of stress.  It's difficult to embrace this situation and know that there is a plan in place...that all will be well.  The only plant that seems to still be thriving is my darling Brown Turkey fig--it's abundance belies the strife the Garden is enduring.

And so, we're in the high summer season...moving ever nearer Lughnasadh.  The daytime skies are piercing blue.  Soft pillows of poufy, white clouds whisp ever-so-gently overhead.  The earth--though in appearance dry and brittle--is covered in a melodious blanket of cicada burrs, sleepy sparrow chirrups, and the somnambulant buzzing of wasps and hornets.  At night, the cicadas give way to cricket trills and the lullaby of croaking toads at our Pond.

On my daily commute, I pass vast open ranchland.  This morning, the relentless heat and dryness was nearly forgotten.  Longhorn steer stood stalwart in an open field of scrub brush, but this field--part of a huge ranch in our county--was speckled with Prairie WindFlower, Purple Thistle, and the most riotous display of Cornflowers and Chickweed I've ever seen.  It was as if She was railing against the weather...showing us Her resiliancy and determination to bring the first of the Harvest festivals in with panache! 

I found my ability to embrace the wind and sun and brittle earth once more.  Blessed Be!

In the warmth of the summer Moonlight...
.   

Happy Beltane!

Warm Beltane Greetings from the Mistress of the Lair! 

It was brought to my attention today (thanks to the Llewellyn FB page) that today is International Pagan Coming Out Day.  Um....no.  Now, before you take offense to what you THINK I'm about to say, please understand that, in theory, I completely support coming out of the perennial Broom Closet and being honest and open about who and what we are--in a perfect world.  Unfortunately, we do not LIVE in a perfect world and our society is not ripe with an overabundance of what some derrogatorily call "fluffy bunnies."  People "out there" still have stereotypical attitudes toward our community and our lifestyle/spiritual style.  Regardless of what we want to believe, there are still staunch conservatives and extremists "out there" for whom our beliefs are offensive and sinful.

On Beltane, the third of our Spring festivals, we celebrate the fertility and sensuality of the fully-blossomed Season.  Why, too, cannot we celebrate our Paths openly?  The theoretical aspect of IPCOD is spot-on!  As the Season, so should we.  The reality is somewhat more complicated than that.

You all, dear ones, know "what" I am...and I you.  We embrace each other in mutual respect and mutual love--regardless of our individual Path differences--for we each acknowledge the manifestation of the Divine in the other.  She is in each of us...in our own manners.  Even if nothing is said, we "know."  It's not "enough," but it IS enough.  Forced revelation is the "mess" that we see in other belief systems.  She is not a forced revelation...She slowly reveals by degrees as the Waxing Moon. 

Remember that...and reveal yourself as you see fit.  The 19th century poet, Emily Dickinson, might have given us the best outline for such revelations--
      
          Tell all the Truth but tell it slant --
          Success in Circuit lies
          Too bright for our infirm Delight
          The Truth's superb surprise

          As Lightning to the Children eased
          With explanation kind
          The Truth must dazzle gradually
          Or every man be blind --

In the softness of the slowly-revealing Moonlight!

Excitement is in the Air...

Preparations are underway at the Lair for a garden--a good and true garden chock-full of herbs and vegetables and goodness!  The utterly intoxicating scent of "new" is in the air.  The air itself is filled with the twittering of songbirds heralding the onset of Spring!  Trees and shrubs are cloaking themselves in the softest of green veils or the coy pastels of blossoms. 

This weekend, the tiller comes to work the small plot where the "Kitchen Garden" is being placed in a neglected - yet - sunny corner of the yard.  I've been perusing seed catalogues and garden centers for "crop" ideas.  The library at the Lair has been virtually attacked for information on herbs and medicinals.  And, as delightful as this planning is, even more so is the noticeable return of the "sparklies"--the Lair's faeries.  Hiding in hesitation at all the "new" with the move, they've returned both inside and out--I believe the darling things are helping me plan the next "installment" of the Lair's permanent home (the gardens).

So...in this period of the increasing energies of the waxing Moon, enjoy the planning for her jubilant return on the blossoms and petals and unfurling leaves of Spring! 

In the comforting glow of the Moonlight...