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Summer Solstice Initiation
GODDESS MUSINGS—a Summer Solstice Initiation
Summer Solstice, December 22nd, 2007 dawned early as myself and two other women climbed the mountain to the Goddess Temple where we spent a full day in preparation for initiation, followed by the Solstice ritual later that evening.
As has always been, the journey of 13 moon cycles leading to the initiation of any Priestess, is not undertaken by the feint of heart. We are called upon to know ourselves—deeply. To delve into the dark and become lost to the light. To examine our fears and relationships and our own nature, and let me tell you, some of it is not fun at all. There have been tears and despair and fear and like Persephone you enter into the underworld, not knowing if you shall return, but when you do, you have faced your demons and challenged your own soul and returned, much stronger and more healed.
For me, my day on the mountain felt like a bride in preparation for her commitment to her beloved. It was the culmination of my training in learning the sacred lore of Goddess and now I am in her service as an initiated Priestess. An honour recognized by the other women who have gone before, who like me, know and understand this is a renewal of vows from lifetimes before when it was our greatest honour to do her work.
To speak of what actually took place would be to dishonour the journey for those who come after me. What I can say is that like in lifetimes before the women of the temple came to participate in ritual that invokes the sacredness of what it means to become a Priestess of Goddess.
So, what does it mean to me to be a modern day Priestess? I see myself as a keeper of the mysteries; one who honour the changing cycles and seasons of the Earth; to be a channel for the essence of Goddess to work her magic in the physical; to hold space and invoke the power of sacred ritual back into lives which have forgotten what it means to be moved by the energies of earth, fire, water, air and spirit; and to be a light for awakening womanhood .
The day was long and finally, garbed in our full length red Priestess capes, we declared ourselves to the group gathered in the twilight on the longest day of the year, high on a mountain top, connected to the earth and looking out towards the ocean.
Then with the official part of the day done, we went inside and feasted, laughed, told our stories, and shared with the other women who had come to gather in her name.
My thanks to the women who I have journeyed with, to our esteemed High Priestess Patricia who has woven this intricate journey for me to come to know Goddess and to the other Priestesses and friends of the Goddess Association. Blessings Kerri Ryan |
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Copyright 2005—2008 Patricia Corner P.O. Box 3488 Robina Town Centre, Qld, Australia, 4230 ~ Phone +61 75545 4837 ~ website created by Patricia Corner |
