Walkin' the Walk

Walkin’ the Walk

“The labyrinth is a large complex spiral circle which is an ancient symbol for the Divine Mother, the God within, the Goddess, the Holy in all creation.  Matriarchal spirituality celebrates the hidden and unseen.  It is often symbolized by the cycles of the moon that guide the growing seasons as well as the inner map of knowing in women. For many of us the feminine aspect of the Divine has been painfully absent from our lives, our spirituality, and our Western culture.  The Divine Feminine is often the missing piece for which both women and men are searching.”    --Dr. Lauren Artress

            I woke up and had my day planned.  I was off from work.  The house needed cleaning, the clothes needed washing, and…..well, then I heard Her.  Mother was calling, “Connect with Me, we need each other.”  I quickly did the necessities (fed the cats and cleaned the litter box) and headed out.  I didn’t even think about where to head, I knew I’d be at “my” labyrinth.

            Okay, so it’s a public area, but I’m often here alone.  I sometimes bring a broom and a dustpan so I can sweep away the broken glass that inconsiderate and disrespectful folks break and leave.  I pull weeds from between the bricks.  I leave offerings at the ancient oak trees surrounding it.  It’s MY labyrinth!!!

            I have just finished a thought provoking book, Sophia, The Feminine Face of God (Karen Speerstra).  The author discusses the labyrinth saying, “The Labyrinth embodies all practices and no practices.”  Labyrinths are deeply engrained in women’s mythology and spiritual practices.  That must be why I’m so drawn to them!

           This particular labyrinth was dedicated on Easter in 2006 (such an appropriate day for in the 13^th century people held hands and danced through the labyrinth on Easter tossing a yellow ball symbolizing the sun).  That day I met a woman priest there.  We spoke about labyrinths for a bit.  She had come from San Francisco to participate in the dedication.  About 2 years later I realized I’d been speaking to Dr. Lauren Artress, creator of the Labyrinth Project and author of Walking a Sacred Path…Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool.  Dr. Artress is truly a modern sage reteaching and preserving the

Old Ways

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            Labyrinth walking is my favorite form of meditation.  The walking of the path helps focus my mind.  If I sit down to meditate I have what Buddhists call “monkey mind,” endless brain chatter (I don’t get a lot of meditating done but my dinner menu is planned for the next week).  Walking uses that extra energy and I can concentrate better.  Sometimes I work on a problem, sometimes I focus on an intention, sometimes I pray, and sometimes I thank the Goddess for the good things in my life.  And sometimes I aimlessly wander through the windy path open to whatever might be revealed to me.

            The weather today is beautiful.  The birds are singing and flying around with their mates.  I see a scarlet cardinal peek out from the green leaves.  Squirrels are running through the trees.  Butterflies flit around me and the clover is a buzz with bees.  I stand at the entrance of the labyrinth and take a long cleansing breath.  I make a discovery just as I am taking my first step…I trust!  I trust where the labyrinth leads me, I trust my path!  I trust my intuition!  I trust the wisdom inspired by this labyrinth and the Goddess!!!

            Bright Blessings and Happy Spring to All!

Loving Our Mother (Earth)

A Goddess sister did a 3 Tarot card draw for Imbolc.  The second card she drew, the one representing where we are right now, was the Hierophant.  I usually cringe when this card is drawn.  I equate it with conformity and following the herd. Its spiritual side makes me think of the patriarchal overtones in organized religion and in our society in general.  My sister’s interpretation was so “right on” it rocked my world.  It is still echoing in my mind and heart.  This is part of her interpretation: “It is a call to action to get this card on the day of Imbolc as the Hierophant represents the oppressive nature in leadership. I am interpreting this to mean that the Goddess is saying we must care for our Mother Earth and all of her creatures. It is saying that these times are troubling to the point of being destructive. This puts on notice that we must hold our leadership to a higher standard of a duty to rule with compassion and concern for all and discard the ways of greed and corruption. Think about this in terms of an election year also.”

So, I’m eco-friendly.  I recycle, I bring my own reusable bags to the grocery (some of which were made from old tee shirts that would probably be in a landfill right now), I use energy-saving light bulbs and I even use public transportation when it’s feasible. My dear kitties are both rescues.  I support the local farmers by shopping at the local markets, I don’t use Styrofoam, and I bring my own mugs when I get coffee (okay, when I remember to).  I love our Mother, and I show it…..but is it enough?  Can what one person does (or doesn’t do) make a difference?

Yes, I do think one person can make a difference.  So where do I go from here?  Do I look into a hybrid car or even an electric car?  Maybe I could talk my landlady into installing solar panels (probably not).  Plant a tree, pick up litter….should I become a vegetarian, or even more eco-responsible (so I’m told) a vegan?  How do I lessen my carbon footprint?  Do I design my own clothes from what I find in thrift shops and consignment stores?  (That actually does appeal to my creative side).  Do I read the newspaper or magazines online?   Should I make a donation to Greenpeace, PETA, or the Sierra Club?

I have much to think about….and I hope you do to.  My decisions probably won’t be the same as yours, and that’s okay.  Goddess knows, we are unique, so our answers to our Mother will be unique.  Any positive change is a step in the right direction.  Now is the time to make that change, the time to support our Sisters’ changes and time to Love Our Mother.  “The Earth is our Mother, we must take care of Her.”  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pKnImIbcVI