I’ve been very busy since I last shared an update. Some of what has occupied me deserves its own post. For example, my protogrove is now officially Northern Rivers Grove! Also, we once more participated in the Faery and Earth Festival in Watertown. All very good things, but also very exhausting. I’ve made sure to keep up my hearth practice as best as I can, though. I’m finding that it’s important to stay grounded in my personal spirituality and numinous relationships while also reaching out to support my Grove and local Pagan community.
Sometimes, simply breathing and grounding before going to work or running errands is exactly what I need. A difficult situation in the first week of October found me retreating to the bathroom at work to shield myself. In the quiet of the restroom, I called upon the powers of the three realms, pooled them within myself, and built my “Druid Egg” in my usual fashion, strongly visualizing black to banish negativity. I saw my egg glossed with reflective silver, and sent all the daggers back to their origin. I then let the powers flow back to the land, sea, and sky. I left feeling so empowered and energized; I felt and envisioned the proud weight of antlers upon my head, something I find myself doing when I feel strong like one of my spirit allies.
Later, at home, at the quiet of my altar, I turned to my inner grove to speak with my spirit allies. Simply going inward can be very healing after dealing with difficult, yet ultimately minor, altercations.
Today I came downstairs before anyone else was up, before all the extra electronics were on. To the sound of rain, facing the forest, I once more engaged in my Three Realms yoga practice. It refreshed me. I’ve found that doing it twice satisfies my need for corporeal symmetry and thus a sense of balance. Child’s pose connects me to the Earth and the Underworld. I focus on what that means to me at that time. I moved through serpent, into cow, into dog – feeling the Nature Spirits as I move upwards into a tree pose. I stare ahead to the birch trees. Then, arms upward, I salute the sun and feel the sky energy, today flowing with life-giving water. This is still a work in progress, and I wish I could do it every morning, but I think making it part of my weekend practice will suffice, though!
Whatever you are working through, whether it’s the Dedicant Path, the Initiate Path, the Clergy Path, or other studies related to your Druidism – persevere and find a way!
Author M. A. Phillips 