Now that Baby Bee is here, I’m struggling to maintain my previous Druidic practices. The various study programs I’ve been working on in ADF? If I was slow before, I’m going to be at a snail’s pace now! My nightly devotionals have ceased for the time being due to exhaustion. I’m on the baby’s schedule right now and not my own. It’s difficult to attempt trance or long meditation since she could need feeding, changing, or comforting. And this blog entry has been a draft for days.
I don’t feel any guilt about it. Do I miss my usual workings? Of course, but The Kindreds get it. Brighid is very concerned with mothers and children so I feel nothing but support from her. My ancestors include mothers who understand. Rearing children is natural, so the Nature Spirits don’t object to my decreased visits.
But I try my best and do what I can, when I can. Just as I haven’t cut ties with my family and friends to care for the baby, the Kindreds are deserving of love and gratitude – even if it’s in smaller, less-frequent doses.
The easiest thing for me to do has been pray. I always make a point to give prayers of gratitude before meals, for example. Now I’ve noticed myself getting back into making offerings here and there. A cup of spicy tea for Brighid here, a beautiful and fresh strawberry for the Nature Spirits there.
These are small gestures but it’s important to me that I express my gratitude to the Kindreds in some way.
In the meantime, I’m planning a little ritual to introduce Baby Bee to the Kindreds within my hearth and home. I’m also discussing a more formal saining ceremony with Rev. Skip Ellison of Muin Mound Grove.
These little things are important. They are my stepping stones back to regular Druidic practice.
Author M. A. Phillips 
Do what you can when you can – all in good time 🙂
Wear the baby, and change what you do as a devotion to something active and directed, and with the baby! A baby doesn’t have to mean do less, it just means do differently, and to count your time in quality not quanitity… When I had my daughter, my meditation time became walking meditation time, my praying time took place at feeding time and included the baby, instead of trance time, dance time, etc. Whatever you do though, and however you do it…have fun and enjoy this time!
Great thoughts! Some folks on the parenting SIG of ADF had similar suggestions and I’m looking forward to trying them out. Bee is just getting to a safe weight for the carrier we own. I’ve started to practice wearing her around the house and it really does free me to do more! It’s been so hot the last few days, though, so I’ve put the wearing on hold. We’re doing a lot of lounging recently… LOL I love your suggestion for dance time! This mama loves to dance. I sometimes sing Pagan chants to her and sway from side to side. I suppose that counts as a really low-key trance dance. 😉
What better way to express Druidism through the practice of looking after new life.
Although there are frustrating moments, on a whole it’s very spiritual and full of opportunities to learn!
I can completely understand, my spiritual practices have definitely changed with coordinating feedings, baby cuddles, and everything else. I know that whatever time you can spare is special to your Gods. Many blessings to you and your new baby!
Thanks for your comment! It’s always very reassuring to know I’m not the only Pagan parent out there dealing with these shifts. 🙂
You’re welcome 🙂 I know sometimes a new baby can make you just too exhausted to do much, especially with breastfeeding at the beginning. I am working on making myself a special bead set to use in my daily practices, and to encourage me to pray/meditate when I can.
Dancing and singing is the best, my 3 girls love to dance, sing, and drum.
Yes… breastfeeding is exhausting! LOL
I’m intrigued with your bead set! I look forward to more on that. 🙂
This is the natural way of things. You are now at the stage of Mother. You used to be Maiden and had a lot more time and your body was different too.
You will get the time again, don’t feel bad. Use the time you get and just go with the flow. I’m at the nearly Crone stage and i get much more time for my spiritual development now. When my children were small, I didn’t have much time either.
It will all unfold and go its natural way ; )