A candle for Gaialynn

This candle is burning for my friend Angelina (Gaialynn). She had surgery last week, but this morning she was taken back to the OR. There are complications and the coming 48 hours will be critical. All her friends are thinking of her and burning candles, but she can use every extra thought and/or candle. So if you have a moment, wish her well in every way you want to. Join me and let the universe know this wonderful woman can't be missed yet...

Update Aug. 31: the situation is still very critical. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers, send healing energy and/or burn a candle. She needs it very much...

Update Sept. 1: relieved to say she's doing better! She is out of the IC. It's not completely over yet, but the worse is behind her. Time to heal...

Wellness

Another new body experience for me... I'm on a role! :-)
Yesterday I had a professional massage. No sportmassage, no physiotherapy or something... a wellness massage! I never thought I'd have the nerve for it, but again the opportunity presented itself. The circumstances were reassuring enough for me to take the plunge: in the comfort of my own living room and done by a dear friend I trust. Still I was nervous; not afraid, but insecure about my body and very vulnerable. Luckily that feeling disappeared soon after the start. I managed to 'surrender' myself and really enjoyed it! The approach was firm but never painful, on the contrary. I felt like in the dozy state before I fall asleep, very pleasant. Afterwards I felt refreshed and at ease. So if you ever want or need to pamper yourself, I can highly recommend a massage!
My friend's website (in Dutch) is here.

Skyclad

*** skyclad = clad in sky = dressed in air = naked (in ritual) ***
For Friday I had planned a personal, solitary ritual at home. The idea had been in my mind for weeks. Thursday the vague idea got more specific. I wrote the text in the middle of the night and finished it on Friday morning. I prepared myself, the altar and the ritual space. Suddenly I felt the urge to do this ritual skyclad, so I decided on the spot to do it. I never worked skyclad before, because I never felt right with it. I've accepted my body, but that doesn't mean I like to see it... This time was different. The circle and ritual felt very powerful and being skyclad fitted in perfectly. I had no problem whatsoever with it. Quite a strange experience for me, but I'm glad I did it! I always wanted to try, but somehow planning to be skyclad only made me giggle. :-) This was the perfect opportunity, I took it and I'm proud of myself for it.
This is a picture of the altar. I used my new Celtic tree tapestry as an altar cloth and kept the rest simple.

Castlefest 2005

Sunday I've been to Castlefest in the gardens of Castle De Keukenhof in Lisse, a historical fantasy event. There was a lane with booths full of pagan stuff. My friends Whitelight and Vrouw Holda both had a stall. I met a lot of friends and acquaintances. Two of them, Torc & Ivy, celebrated their love and commitment in a handfasting ceremony. I was part of the circle and it was a wonderful and loving ritual. Pictures can be found here.
I bought a celtic tree tapestry (like this one, but in greenish). I want to use it with other tapestries I bought before in my own room (when the rebuilding downstairs is done). I also bought a beautiful little bottle, made of glass with a pattern in it.
I was very tired when I got home (still am), but it was worth it! I had a great day! My pictures are in an online album.

WW: Your knowledge

Do you keep a journal or some other archive to keep track of what you learn, rituals you attend, etc?
Yes, I have several journals for different parts (a Reiki journal, a ritual journal, etc.) and several files for solitary and groups. I store everything in real files / folders and on my computer.

Would you ever want to share all the knowledge you've gained on your path? Or would you prefer to keep it personal, only to those close to you?
I wouldn't share it with just anyone, but I'd like to share with someone special or a little group. There are things nobody will ever see, but I often share stuff.

How do you plan to pass down what you know to your children?
I have no children and don't know whether there will be any, but I have good examples of pagan parenting in my circle of friends. I would learn and tell a lot, but eventually it's their own decision. If they would choose my path, I'd be very happy to show them the way.