The Magickal Pen

The Promise

Move slowly and
speak not a word
And we may catch
a glimpse of HIM yet.

The night is dark
but I have seen the
icy thread of HER cloak.
Crystal blue eyes and
hair black as the midnight sky
grace a face of pale beauty
poised on a body that is tall and lithe.

She has etched the night sky with
fingers long and fair painting starlight and
holding the breath of new dawn
in HER hands’ cupped embrace.
SHE has embraced the world
in the longest of nights.
HER Promise held deep within.

The forest is hushed and white with snow.
Ice crystals glisten round and all of life
patiently holds strong in stillness
and pause with anticipation of
newly born hope and renewal.

We watch and wait in silence.
The cold penetrating and deep
in its reminder that we are vibrant, alive, aware.
It is for us that this night returns as the
Wheel comes to rest in imbalance.
It is our yearning that calls us from our
warmth and comfort to offer up
adoration and honor to the Light that
sustains and answers with flame.

We watch and wait.
The time is almost near
and our hearts beat in excitement,
attuned to the cycles that are eternal.
Stillness hangs heavy .
Softly, softly…

Crimson lips gently part and
SHE breathes an exhale of gentle release
as sun light stretches from its inner sleep.
The fiery fingers of new child’s grasp
reaching out to experience, explore
and warm all within its reach.
The returning Light of the Solstice
cries out anew, its sounds inaudible
to all but those who have silently
waited in the darkness.

The Mother of Winter’s long cold night
has called forth Her Child as the world
awakens to the Promise of HIS return.

r.fennelly 12.2010

The promise I make to myself this Yule is to allow space for rest. To listen more deeply to the hearts of those I hold dear. To smile more; to hug more and to simply “be”; content – aware- and allow the Light of day to fill my cup of longing.   Blessed Yule !

Read Full Post »

Join us as we explore A Year and A Day on the Wiccan Path ;

an online course at Oak and Willow.org

Luna looks down

And the spell is cast

Father Sun heats the intent

And sustains the

Creative flow…

excerpted from Lesson Nine: Lunar and Solar Magick

Read Full Post »

“All that is gold does not glitter,
not all those who wander are lost.
The old that is strong does not wither,
deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
a light from the shadows shall spring.
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
the crownless again shall be king.”
-J.R.R. Tolkien

Finding the hidden meaning.Revealing the truths that are just within reach. Acknowledging the importance of everything no matter how small and seemingly unimportant. Parting the veil and fully embracing the reality that surrounds me. This is my work.This is my quest and this is where I will find the most transformational lessons.

Read Full Post »

As I moved through this past week, the famous line from Charles Dicken’s book, Oliver Twist, kept coming to mind- “Please sir,may I have some more?”

I am passionate about my spiritual pursuits.  I want to be everything, know everything, learn everything and then give it out freely and with as much passion as the path of pursuit. So for me, in thinking on this simple question, I see a wealth of lessons held within it.

Captured in these words is a deep yearning, a desire that is fueled by a need. A need to be full and satisfied from having taken in sustenance, nourishment. The pursuit of any spiritual work is fueled by the same desire and yearning.  It is a hunger that is only satisfied by that which is designed to nourish and sustain.

I believe that one of the most overlooked aspects in seeking out the food of Spirit is the request. Some are taught that the Divine will provide, but omit the part where it is okay to ask for what you want and need to nourish you. Some are taught that out of respect and faith, you would not ask Deity for what you desire. That it will be provided when you are ready.  The simple act of asking acknowledges that there is a space open, ready and available to receive. The act of asking gives voice and power behind the request. And, as in Oliver Twist, the stepping out of the comfort zone of just simply “making do” fires up the Will to receive more. And,when we are properly nourished we are healthy, productive and strong in all that we undertake. We think and act with clarity and embrace the word ready to do the work that we are called upon to achieve.

So, without reservation, I will ask for more.  I will reach out towards the Divine, the newly emptied bowl of being offered up and readied to be filled with the nourishment of the Gods.

Read Full Post »

…Nothing and everything, the endless void fills all time

until…One moves in the silence, stretching and reaching

towards the other as Two swiftly take flight.

Read More From Lesson 12: The Sphere of Kether

A Year Within the tree of Life

Read Full Post »

Yesterday I learned of the passing of Shakmah Winddrum, a Master Teacher within the spiritual community and Director and Founder of the New Seed Sanctuary. She was the embodiment of “a Divine Being having a human experience”. To be in her presence was to feel the energy and wisdom of the ages surrounding you in such a way that a hunger and desire to live life to your fullest potential was stirred. She embraced life and The Great Work with fervor and dedication and her strength and courage served as a catalyst for any who were blessed to be in her presence and hear the words that were given.

I was not her student, but was privileged to attend several of her workshops and speak with her personally. Her energy and passion for the work that she dedicated every fiber of her being to flowed through her teachings and interactions. As with anything that one is greatly passionate about, there were certain standards that she expected if you were to walk this path of spirit and every action, word and intent along that path was held as sacred. If anything less was offered up, you experienced the wrath that can only be justifiably directed by one who knew that your potential was far greater than what you had shown.

Those who were her students have become bright lights within this world and the work that was begun together will forever live on through their dedication and teachings and those they in turn offer and teach that wisdom to. It is with sadness that we say good bye, but it is with joy that the memories and echoes of her teachings live on. And, it is with a grateful heart that I offer thanks to one who briefly but profoundly touched my spirit.

Read Full Post »

I stand on the horizon

senses keen to the

rhythm of life all around me.

I breathe in the world’s

offerings and send the

experience outward, always

looking towards the

sun and sky and that which

is said to be beyond my grasp.

To read more: Traveling Through the Stars

Read Full Post »

The moon is Full in Taurus today and I am drawn to her call.  Sitting outside in the crisp cool November air and staring up in awe at the beauty of moon and cloud and night sky I am reminded once again of the energy and power of this action.  Although I try to get outside and under the presence of the moon’s energies on each full moon, often this is not possible . Partly because of living in a very urban setting and partly because of other duties and responsibilities that pull me in  other directions. So, my connection is generally inside in meditation and/or ritual.

But, on those evenings when I make it outside the connection, the celebration and the working of the lunar tides is held with a strength and burst of power and energy that indoor work pales in comparison to. And, so I sit in the full embrace of this moon’s fixed and earthy energy and allow its luminescence to wash over and through  me. I open to the velvety caress of  Mother Sky’s body wrapped over me and I open myself to the call of the lunar tides.

Make some time this week to sit in the beauty of the out doors. Welcome the warmth of Father Sun and cloak yourself in the mystery of Lady Moon. Rain, wind, snow, heat and fair weather are all of the Divine’s making. Sit in her splendor and reclaim your place in nature.  Blessings of a beautiful lunar night.

Read Full Post »

Thoughts about what Devotion means to me have been percolating all week. Being type- A personality  and wanting to know, do and be everything-immediately, often makes me feel as though I am not doing enough at a personal level to express the Devotion and dedication I have for my chosen spiritual path. As I go through my journal type list of the ways I think I have supported that energy in the past, I am reminded also that it is the simple acts that often deliver the most payload. That Devotion doesn’t have to be elaborate and time consuming. It needs intent and consistency. And, most often it needs emotional participation and engagement.  This last lesson I have often struggled with as my natural tendency is head, logic and rationale. So, from these musings came the ideas below, that perhaps will encourage your own personal expression of the Path of Devotion.

Setting up an Altar dedicated to a specific Deity is a beautiful way to display your dedication and devotion to that particular Deity.  Acknowledging your Path and the work you have achieved on that Path as you sit in contemplative medication is an affirmation of your Devotion. Each time you spend a moment in thought about the magick that surrounds you, the marvel of your physical body and give thanks for those others who share your life generates the energetic pattern of Devotion. Just as the rose in the picture at the heading of this page shows, there are many chambers that are unfolding at any given moment. Some are hidden and others are there for all to see. But, all lead to the very center and heart of the flower. And it is by ever striving towards that center that we find the many ways that devotion forms and shapes our lives.

Read Full Post »

The beginning of the Universe

Is the Mother of all things.

Knowing the Mother, one also knows the sons.

Knowing the sons, yet remaining in touch with the Mother,

Brings freedom from fear of death.

Keep your mouth shut,

Guard the senses, And life is ever full.

Open your mouth,

Always be busy,

And life is beyond hope.

Seeing the small is insight;

Yielding to force is strength.

Using the outer light , return to insight,

And in this way be saved from harm.

This is learning constancy.

– Tao Te Ching –

What lesson will you learn from the Universe this week?

Read Full Post »