Friday, February 18, 2011

Getting my Morrighan on

Most of you know that when you feel the pull of the Goddess, beckoning you to explore the more feminine side of your religious beliefs, it takes a while before you feel more in tune with any one Goddess.  I believe that a lot of us connect with the Goddess who is most like us.

Other times we are called by a Goddess, whether we think we are like her or not.  So what does one do when faced with the reality that The Morrighan has chosen you, she's in your blood, and if you try to deny Her - woe unto you?

I'll tell you what you do:  you listen.  And learn.  You accept that She is going to take you places deep within that you never knew existed.  And it might not be pretty.  But I promise you one thing - She will follow you into battle and give you the strength and power you need to defeat whatever you are up against.  She will guide you, but not do battle for you. 

Morrigan Morrigan Three times Three,
Hear the words I ask of Thee.
Grant me vision, Grant me power,
Cheer me in my darkest hour.
As the night overtakes the day,
Morrigan Morrigan Light my way.
Morrigan Morrigan Raven Queen
Round and round the Hawthorn Green.
Queen of beauty, Queen of Art,
Yours my body, Yours my heart.
All my trust I place in thee,
Morrigan Morrigan Be with me...


~unknown author 


So why, you may ask, am I "getting my Morrighan on"?  Ahh... such a complicated answer.  As most of you know - I opened a pagan/witchy shop several months ago.  When we opened the doors, we opened them wide to the pagan community.  And we've met some of the BEST, and a few of the WORST.

Many of you can totally connect with me here.  We all know a small handful of pagans who are just so out there, so incredibly full of themselves, or just downright out of control.  

For now, all I'm going to tell you is that I had to deal with the most passive/aggressive witch I've ever met.  Infamous in this town for being at the heart of more "witch wars" than you can shake a stick at.  

And then... she met me.  ;-) 

Invoking The Morrighan is not something to be taken lightly.  When you go into battle, know and understand that Her power is so mighty that if you have any warriors with you - your Morrighan-infused power may well extend to them.  If they are strong at heart, they may swing their sword as swiftly as if it were with your own hands.   

 I have the uncanny knack - which is sometimes a curse, of being the one who can hold a mirror up to someone's face and watching them lash out at who they really are.  They *think* they are lashing out at me, but the truth is that they are projecting their own faults onto the one who holds that mirror.


Interesting, isn't it? 



Monday, February 7, 2011

Healing & Hope

Blogging on a more serious note this morning.  Last Friday, we had heard that a young woman who is a customer at Eye of Nuit had been rushed to the hospital with what sounded like some serious intestinal issue.  I immediately called for an emergency healing circle that night.  It was something that I had been wanting to do, and it seemed as though the Goddess was telling me that it was very urgent to do. I knew that with such a late announcement, there would probably be very few people who could make it.  And that was ok.  

We got to the shop and prepared for the evening.  I set the altar up with a bowl of water, 12 white votive candles set in the shape of an equal armed cross, a plate with bread that was topped with sugar, and one large white candle for Spirit.  I had a small cauldron that I put the names of a few people who had requested healing, the name of my customer, and one for "All who are in need".  Because this was last minute, I had no time to get white carnations, so we found a really nice picture and projected it onto the wall in the ritual room.

About 20 minutes prior to the designated start time, my partner received a call.  His teenage daughter had been diagnosed with a serious illness.  This was devastating news.  Out of respect to him, the young girl and the family, I am opting to give no further details here.

While he was on the phone, it hit me.  THIS was the reason I was being pushed so hard to do this healing circle.  THIS is what we do.  Witches heal.  And so, I quickly added her to the cauldron.  

A few minutes before I was ready to start, a woman came in.  She had seen the notice I posted on Eye of Nuit's Witches Night Out Meetup site earlier that day about the ritual, and wanted to join in.  Hilda is a lovely older woman, and had never been to the shop before.  I silently thanked the Goddess for sending Hilda our way that night, handed her a copy of the ritual, and began.

The healing circle ritual is taken straight from the "Fridee Night Healing Service" that Silver RavenWolf used to do.  It includes several Braucherei (Pow-wow) prayers, chanted three and nine times.  Hilda and I began, chanted our hearts and lungs out, and the energy was powerful.  My partner watched from the doorway - helping us by holding a mental picture of his daughter in his mind.   

I believe in the power of raising focused energy.  I've seen it work.  And I believe that the work that was done that night will have a positive healing effect on many.  But most important to me is the healing of a young teenage girl, who will overcome this illness and go on to lead a full and wonderful life!  

Healing.  It's what we do.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

As a cat, I abhor indignities.  This indignity, however, I will endure.  Snowy thought it would be CUTE to dress me up in Steeler garb and plaster my picture all over Facebook.  <grimace> 

As a Steeler Fan, I would have preferred a nice collar sporting the Steelers logo.  Or a new Black & Gold food bowl.  Heck, I would have even considered a Troy Polamalu shirt.  Wait... I'm a cat... Nah! Let The Dogs wear one of those. 


To celebrate the fantastic season that the Pittsburgh Steelers have had, and their likely WIN of a 7th Super Bowl ring, I asked Snowy to get some Steeler stuff in the store.  Being a magickal shop, she wanted to introduce something "different".  (there she goes again - just can't be "normal!")  So, she found a wonderful local crafter and has brought in some really nice necklaces and bracelets that not only have your favorite team's charm, they are made with semi-precious stones.

Stop by the store and check them out!  Details on the website:  Eye of Nuit

Definitely 2 Paws Up!

Mews to You'se

~Nuit

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Bringing Up Salamanders Giveaway!

Nydia over at Bringing Up Salamanders is having her first Giveaway of 2011!  She makes some of the CUTEST felt creations that you can use as charms, altar decorations, or just hang anywhere in your house.  Her Etsy shop, Carioca Witch, features Goddess and God shaped dolls of many of your favorite deities - plus dragons, cats & runes. 


I chose the Brigid Goddess doll to feature here since tomorrow is Imbolc, although I recognize that some folks celebrate it today. 

So anyway, about the GIVEAWAY!  Nydia is asking for us to challenge her.  She is looking for fresh ideas for her line of Goddess dolls.  She has so many wonderful Goddess representations at her shop, I found that it was a challenge for ME to come up with one she doesn't have!

To enter her giveaway - get on over to her blog and read the rules. 

I'm keeping this short and sweet because I gotta get my entries in!