Seeds in the Potting Shed

It has been quiet in the cabin, Elder Mother, Cecil and I resting quietly in our cabin, getting caught up on our reading and nurturing our connection to Lenore and the Goddess.

Sensing a need to connect feet and soul to the rich soil of Owl Island, I gathered my backpack and headed for the woods.  Having no real intention to do anything in particular, I enjoyed allowing the path of the woods to just take me and to unfold her story as we went.

captivating patterns

I traveled along the lake, watching the birds and spent some time just enjoying their songs, not getting too close, feeling as though I’ve had plenty of songs to absorb of late.   After a while I got up to walk some more and enjoy seeing more of the Island.  Along the way I found the most adorable, miniature pine cones laid about, seeds scattered, exhausted,  resources spent among the squirrels and forest layer.  Captivated by their pattern, I threw them in my backpack knowing that later at some unexpected turn, I would find these tiny cones invaluable and grateful that I had thought to  throw them into the accumulating clutter.

In a short while, the path happened onto the Potting Shed.  Captivated by the patterns in the stories I had heard from the other passengers, I wandered closer.  When I got there, glancing around I found no one around except an old man and a young woman engaged in what looked to be deep conversation. Not wanting to bother them, I decided to see my own way around.

It looked to be a typical potter’s shed, the usual stacks of earth crusted pots,  shelves lined with jars of sun bleached seed packets and an occasional plastic baggie tucked in here and there holding unlabeled seeds waiting to be remembered. An assortment of half busted, slightly rusted gardening tools laid about by an gardener at the end of a day, exhausted and spent and eagerly seeking the comfort of a long, hot shower. Long, dusty counters holding young cuttings lined up and thirsty, waiting for their daily dose of affection.  Another counter cleared except a huge, wooden bowl full of ripened, green, sunflower seeds. Last year’s harvest of summer’s gold.

I remembered how as a child I loved venturing into the garden shed. Sacks full of last year’s beans and corn lined up against the walls.  With a child’s simple sense of pleasure, I would open the sacks and anticipating the feeling of the seeds, pebbly smoothness I would plunge my hands in elbow deep.  Running my hands through the bounty of seeds, I felt rich.Beans turned into rubies and corn into topaz, jewels harvested from the rich soil of my grandparents garden.   Abundance flowing through my hands.

sunflower

Seeing an opportunity to recapture that feeling, I sunk my hands into the sunflower seeds, grabbing hand fulls of seeds, enjoying their woody textures, tiny sun kissed beads. My mind melted into what must have been last summer’s field of bright gold, tall, reaching to the sun. Crows cawing anticipating their turn at the sunflower’s bounty.  My eye turned, captivated by their pattern, a swirling mosaic of seeds, tightly laid into the sunflower’s core. Slowly, the mosaic began to swirl and I along with it, finding myself transported into the very mind of these tiny seeds.  Soaking up the warmth of the Sun, laid upon my face, receiving the Sun’s knowledge and absorbing and forming within me. Ripened, offering the Sun’s wisdom to the women who would grind my flesh into meal, mixing their songs and laughter to be fed to mouths lined up thirsty and awaiting their affection. Shells carelessly laid about, exhausted and spent sharing flesh to nurture their souls.

Exhausted and spent, I grabbed a handful of seeds, sure that they would be invaluable at some unexpected turn and returned to the cabin to absorb the wisdom of Sun and Seeds and ripen with their wisdom.

Open Eyed Meditation for Mandala Making & Sacred Geometry patterns to use in your own designs or to color

Ailing Sisters, Alluring Songs and Mysterious Shadows

Grandmother has sent Selene back to us with the much needed tincture to heal Dawn and our initiate Amaya. She also included a small amulet of great power that will remove and ward off  the spell that has caused much suffering.   We will to be vigilant in our search for the source and reason for such a vile initiation to our journey.

In my haste to pack my many valises, trunks and carryall’s I barely managed to include my healing potions. We managed, but thanks to Selene, Grandmother, the ever watchful eye of our Goddess and the wonder tincture and amulet we are beginning to see improvement in Dawn and our precious  initiate Amaya.

Sister Thea I must say that the little carrier bag you made for Selene was perfect it enabled her to fly without restriction.

In addition to caring for our ailing sisters we have completed our altar. This was a great concern for me and I happily can say my heart is at ease. Each sister has contributed the articles necessary for us to commune with the Goddess, ourselves and other beings more easily.

While sisters Gemma and Thea were serving the absinthe and Dawn and Amaya were sleeping I sat quietly by the porthole relaxing and listening to the sounds of the water as it lapped against the ship and found myself lulled by a sound I did not expect to ever hear again.

This song so matched the rhythm of the waves I almost passed it off as a combination of the sound the waves were making and the sounds coming from the ship.

It took me a while to distinguish that the song was coming from deep within the sea. A  sound so beautiful and alluring I felt myself  young and vibrant again. Each voice rose with an invitation to join them, wrapping the music around me in such a way that it became part of my being.

I don’t know how long I remained is this cocoon of Siren enchantment but I felt a sharp nip on my ankle, delivered by Sara my protectorate, guide and animal soul mate. She had recognized the Sirens call and was reminding me that I have another purpose here.

As the songs faded away I felt a sadness at the loss of the Sirens music and know I will never hear it again and hope that no seafaring sailors will either.  It will be replaced by the music of the Whales and other creatures of the seas and that makes me joyful.

I bade them goodbye and as I turned to go to my bunk I saw a very curious shadow pass by the porthole. So many and unusual things are occurring; especially on a ship, that I now feel  a sense of foreboding. Something dark lurks.  I must keep a close watch.

In the morn I will wrap myself in my cloak and go to the Festival of Carmentia where I must find the tent of a certain gentleman. I’ll know him by the symbol he wears on his lapel. He has been guarding something I have been anticipating for a very long time.

Under a spell

Poor Sister Dawn and our young initiate Amaya!  No sooner did they step onto the ship than they instantly fell ill.  It has been two days now and I am concerned.

In the hurry to get aboard, checking the bags, the passports, the crane and the Sisters, I fear that we must have come across some kind of malevolence without being aware.

By the fire of the Goddess!!!  How could I have been so careless? Especially with  young Amaya. To have been so absent to my surroundings?  How could anything have slipped by completely unnoticed?  I have only my self to blame.

We have sent word via the Crane to Grandmother and I have no doubt that she will be able to retrace our steps and discover the exact cause of this unfortunate misstep.   The sticks will not lie!

At best, I am wary.  We did manage to get our sunglasses and walnuts for all of us to cover anything other unforeseen circumstances, but I am more than a little unhappy.

For now, dear Sister Thea and Elder Mother have been tending to both innocents and they  do seem to be responding to the medicines that these wise women have conjured up for them.

Thank the Goddess that we have learned of this vileness early enough in our journey that we will not be left vulnerable again.

Musing and Mysteries under the Midnight Moon

A few stopped by last night to partake of the absinthe.  It was a pleasure meeting Aqueequeg and Mistress Ching

and a few of the others  on board for a quietly delightful evening of past adventures, enchanting song and mystical conversation.

I am  not sure of the owner, but it seems that a fox had visited our cabin last night.      I myself did not see it, but I did find a bit of its bright, autumn fur on the velvet arm of the chaise lounge in our cabin.  Curious.

After every one had left for their quarters, and the other Sisters and Eldest Mother had settled in for the night, I took the opportunity to use the absinthe myself and delve into the Goddess mysteries.

Rather than keep the other sisters awake with my musings, I quietly grabbed my heavy blanket, lantern, silver mirror and writing instruments and made my way topside.

On deck, the wet, brisk air slapped me awake and made me wish I had stayed in the warmth of my bed below.  Gently but effectively guilted by  voices older than my own , I  found a  corner of the deck to nestle into and to brace myself against the chilly ocean air and began to write.

It was not long when the tiny sip of absinthe began to work its magic on my mind and I began to swim into the ocean skies.

Gazing into the reflections of the silver mirror, my mind swimming, I began to dream into the Moon. Melting with its brightness, my Sister Mother Moon, listening to the songs beneath the gentle ocean waves.  Breathing with  the rocking waves, I felt my body grow light and my self sinking deep below into the ancient abyss.

There are many songs below. I allowed my mind to float, listening closely and praying for a song. Prayers drifting like still breathing.  Quiet.  And then there were whispers. Gentle, soothing.  Stillness. Listening with body and spirit.  Drawing my self closer, anxious to hear but moving gently so as not to disturb the voices beneath the waves.

Soon there there were many. Voice.  Some definately voices and others not voices but, unnamable callings. Careful but not afraid, I moved deeper into the sound.  Faint and muted, breathlessly enchanting songs.

As I listened deeper, I melted into the song.  No longer separate.  From the song, the ocean,time or dimension. The song moved into me and I moved with the song.

I knew this moment would be gone too soon but the memory was now a part of me, within.

Time went by, I had moved beyond the the moment where there was no time until I felt the wet warmth of my blanket on my skin and the dawning sun drawing me back. And I awoke.

It was an beautiful night.  Consciously I do not remember the songs, but Elder Mother has assured me before that my spirit remembers.  She did not mention her songs, so I did not probe but smiled acknowledging her wisdom and understanding of time.

Blessings from the Goddess to each of you this new day!

An Evening Walk. A Twist of Fate.

Heady with absinthe, I couldn’t shake the song in my heart that called me to take one last walk about the Island. The air was crisp, though wisps of fog were laying in, guiding my aimless journey. As I followed, I realized that there was a clearing ahead. A small pond. There was no one about. The moon cast shadows and lit up the landscape in bright light simultaneously.

As I walked the waters edge, I reflected on the past few days of preparing for our journey. Our cabin is nearly in order, save the final touches on the altar. My Sisters, Elder Mother and I have been working feverishly to assure we have honored Goddess Freya, Le Enchanteur, and various Gods and Goddesses. In addition to my own small quarters, I needed to assure a safe, clean and comfortable space for Selene, the Crane traveling with me. She is a wonder and I am ever so grateful for her decision to make this journey with us. She will be of great assistance to me with my visions.

As I turned a corner, I came upon a large, flat, smooth rock that jutted out into the water and decided to take one last swim in the fresh water I have known for so long. The water was cold, but I have always loved the feel of cold water on my skin. So soothing, so refreshing to the soul. As I dressed, I began to sense that I was not alone. I had no fear. But the presence was powerful and true. And familiar.

Ah, yes. Cecil. The Black Panther bonded to me. Come to say goodbye again I was certain. Our parting had been difficult for me, we are so close, it pained me to part ways even for just a time. It was a strain for him too. My stomach dropped at the thought of having to endure the parting yet again.

As he appeared out of the cover of the shadow and stepped into the light of the moon, I could see his eyes were filled with delight and concern. The sticks had been tossed once again after Elder Mother, my Sisters and I had made for the SS Vulcaina. The Grandmother had seen in the sticks that there had been a shift in the success of our journey if Cecil stayed at the Temple instead of coming with me. I know better than to trouble over what possible twist of fate she visioned, or the steps she took to adjust it.

Our reunion was filled with cries of joy, laughter, and much relief. Cecil and I quickly returned to the ship to tell the others about the change and Grandmothers vision. Now I will have to carve out a place in our cabin for Cecil. Though I admit, I will sleep more soundly, and warmly I’ll wager, with a Black Panther curled up with me.

Thank the Goddess that I listened to my inner song and left the Absinthe party in our cabin to the careful and capable hostessing of Sister Gemma. Else, I might have missed my connection with Cecil!

Sister Thea

Green Fairies and Siren Calls

Welcome to those of you who have joined us for a small sip.  Have a seat, relax and be at home.

There is much mystery around the use of Absinthe.  Absinthe in older times was used in ancient rituals such as the Fertility Rites.  Favored by seers, prophets and mystics Absinthe would produce visions and hallucination.  Its said to induce wild orgasms as well.

Here the Temple Freya  uses it primarily as an offering to the Spirits, such as we did when we boarded the ship and made offering to Vulcan.  But on rare occasion, to enter psychic realms Absinthe can be used to delve deep into our own psyches and find greater access to the mysteries of spirit.

Absinthe is said to be extremely powerful when consumed and will induce visions and invoke the language of the Spirits. Perhaps that is the true language of writers.

The Sisters recommend a small ritual.

Late Evening and into the night is the best time to have your ritual. Light a candle, quiet your mind. Open your cabin window a crack to allow the Spirits to move freely throughout. If there is a Full Moon it is particularly auspicious. Here on the open sea, the Moon and the Sea will dance . It is said that if you use a Silver Chalice you catch their reflections on its surface.

And be sure to have your writing tools close by. Please use wisely and in no way do we suggest making Absinthe a part of your day to day life.  But since we have embarked on this wonderful journey of imaginative realms, we feel it would be enjoyable to share new opportunities for creative moments.  Vision used unwisely has been known to drive more than one writer mad. From both orgasm and demons.

Good Evening and may you remember the gifts of the Goddess in your dreams.

Good Omens for our Journey

It has been a hurried last few days; finalizing the last minute preparations and our participation in the Fertility Rites that are happening here on the Island, meeting some of our wonderful visitors from the SS Vulcania and getting our own affairs in order.

Last minute I came across Gypsy from our Island, who also will be traveling aboard ship and asked her to do a reading for our journey.
Her reading is more insightful than what she could ever know.  You can read it here .

I am certainly happy about the presence of the Sacred Whale watching over our journey across the Great Sea.  It certainly should comfort our Elder Mother as this trip will be the first she has traveled against the Great Sea in some time and she is feeling a bit anxious and overwhelmed by the immensity of it all.

Thank you to Gypsy for her comforting insight and wisdom. Blessings to each of you,

Sister Gemma

Journey to Isle of Ancestors

Annually the Sisters of the Temple Freya conduct initiation rituals for the newest members of our Order.  This year we will be holding rituals in a special location on the Isle of Ancestors.  We will be visiting several stops along the way that play great importance in Freyan traditions and Goddess traditions in general.

We encourage you to travel with us via this blog and our travel journal as we visit these unique sites and share about these ancient traditions.  Along the way we’ll stop to update our “travel journal” with people we meet and sites we’ve seen.

We will be visiting sites such as the

• Meditation Pool
  There we will  hold ancient Freyan Sacred Water ceremonies that have been conducted there for hundreds of years.
• Duwamish Quay
  An ancient place of  victories lost and won.  Long before this site was a place where warriors gave and took lives. Now called Mourning Ridge, we hope to meet with another group to conduct healing rituals to put to warrior souls to final rest and place the blessing of the Goddess Freya on the land.
• Labyrinthes
  We are working to see if we have access to this ancient site rumoured have been built at the time of  the Valkrykie.  Full of ancient symbols and history.

We leave to board the cruise ship, SS Vulcania in just a few days.  We hope you’ll visit often and share on our journey.

Sister Gemma

P.S. Got a great place for us to visit along the way?  Twitter us at TempleFreya