Another Beltaine another year, and my goodness has it started off quickly!


This Beltaine was spent with my coven, a few community members, and I up sequestered away in a cabin up the Seeley-Swan valley in the woods. This is becoming a tradition for us, and one that I'm extremely grateful for. Time seems to slow up in that place, the woods are quiet, the water calming, the entire cabin a work of art. I spent the entire time feeling like I was staying inside a living tree. We spent the entire week in spiritual contemplation, living as if the realm of Malkuth was something we had managed to shed and leave behind.

We all dreamed dreams, fought inner battles and won, supported one another, wove webs, made art, baked bread, sang, had debates, danced, processed our insecurities, became spiritual family and ultimately, cleaned ourselves up from the past year to start all over again.

All hail the King of the May! All hail the Queen of the May!

We stayed up at the cabin through the weekened, a few days after Beltaine, and I took my third mark while we were there. My partner Anju was also initiated to her neophytic year, the day before Beltaine. And so we move forward!

Unfortunately, when we left the realm of Malkuth came crashing down upon us more quickly than we were ready for. Anju, AJ, our dog Kyrie and I were all in the same car on the way home, and we had the misfotune of hitting a deer. This was an unaviodable event. Everyone inside the car was fine, the deer of course, was not. We've prayed for it, and plan on leaving it's spirit offerings the next time we go that way. The synchronicity of this event was not lost on us.

Se here we are, returned from our little spiritual cocoon. Time has returned to it's normal pace, and there is work, family, friends and other things to keep up with. Anju and I are looking for both a new home and a new car. (We are extremely hopeful on both fronts.) O.A.O's year has turned and started again, we are getting used to our new and more prompt schedule, and gathering together new ideas and projects for what promises to be a very busy and productive year! I'm looking forward to it! (if anyone wants/needs a copy of our schedule please check O.A.O's myspace page or note me with any questions. We are starting a mailing list this year, let me know if you'd like to join!)

On the art front of things, I'm playing catch-up, but will have new stuff up soon!

I hope that everyones' Beltaine was as wonderful as mine was, and that the blessings and vigor of spring are helping each of you on your own ways!

Love, light, and blessings!
~heart:~Datura