Pagan

[JustLovelyJenn]

I have decided I can only read this thread when I have at least an hour to spend just on it... I read something and then I want to look it up and research, and then respond with questions... and I just never seem to have the time.

This is directly related to my choice to consider myself Druid. I choose this signifier for its interpretation, even though my actual practices are such a splendid mix of all that works with me.... Druid, as I have found the interpretation, means... one that learns. I love this part of my religion. Learning what works for me, what works for others, knowing as much as I can on each thing...

It makes it so difficult for me to pay as much attention as I should. BUT... after the new year I hope to see this change some. One of my yearly goals (not resolutions, because I only care that I tried, happen or not) is going to be to devote more time to my studies and my faith.

That being said, even if I don't seem to post often. Please keep in mind I am here and listening. I have a tendency to wait first and speak later, wanting all of my words to be filled with wisdom and meaning.

[foxyshaman]

Originally Posted by JustLovelyJenn

I have decided I can only read this thread when I have at least an hour to spend just on it... I read something and then I want to look it up and research, and then respond with questions... and I just never seem to have the time.

This is directly related to my choice to consider myself Druid. I choose this signifier for its interpretation, even though my actual practices are such a splendid mix of all that works with me.... Druid, as I have found the interpretation, means... one that learns. I love this part of my religion. Learning what works for me, what works for others, knowing as much as I can on each thing...

It makes it so difficult for me to pay as much attention as I should. BUT... after the new year I hope to see this change some. One of my yearly goals (not resolutions, because I only care that I tried, happen or not) is going to be to devote more time to my studies and my faith.

That being said, even if I don't seem to post often. Please keep in mind I am here and listening. I have a tendency to wait first and speak later, wanting all of my words to be filled with wisdom and meaning.

Thanks for that Jenn. I look forward to hearing about your path and what you are learning along the way. I too can be slow in responding. Then I get back to it and the conversation is three pages ago and then don't bother cause the conversation train has pulled out of my stop.

[Bit]

hey, we're flexible here... think of us as a stretchy people.... grab that post and tack it on to the train with your thoughts! Nothing is ever out of date in this thread.

[Bit]

......so, I keep falling asleep, oh my, but I so want to answer. I find myself thinking I should eat something and that would wake me up but yanno... what I want to eat is turkey and it keeps putting me to sleep, lol....

Jenn, I think Druidry is a wonderful path and I love that saying about "one that learns." I have to say though, if you are like me--and I suspect you might be--waiting until you have wisdom to share is not the way to go. Wisdom comes through the pen, so to speak; first you write, THEN you gain wisdom--for how else can Nature speak to you, unless you open your (metaphorical) mouth and let the words pour out?

This was a hard lesson for me and it took me a long time to lose my self-consciousness and get comfortable writing in public, but it has been one of the most valuable lessons of my life. I have moved forward on my path every time I have been brave enough to just write, and not worry about censoring myself. It allows my thought processes to flow freely and brings new insights every time. I personally think writing is the best gift you can give yourself.

Besides, if you're here asking questions, the thread stays active.

Daryn, thank you for the shroom link!

Foxy, I love love LOVED your post! That was fascinating!

And I am jealous beyond words. I sooo want to be there!

Tell us more, please? I am assuming that you are the one who keeps everyone safe and brings them home? And omg... without hangers-on. You know, I think I begin to understand what happened to this world to create this society we live in...yikes!

So anyhow, it's fascinating to me the way we are all bringing our part of the spiritual world back into being, giving and borrowing back and forth from one spirituality to another. Good for you for Shamanizing things! I think this is as it should be.

And yanno, I also think that the more often people join in a ritual like this one, the stronger the balance of the world gets. We've been way off balance for a long, long time, and once the priests of the main religions stopped fulfilling their true priestly functions, I think there were too few people holding the connections open between physical life and Spirit. Too much did come through that shouldn't have--and too few connected when everyone should have.

As for please continue!! I just love talking with you!

Holly and Ivy Blessings!

[Daryn]

Foxyshaman - the psilocybens in the PNW really like cow pastures which suggests that they like a lot of nitrogen rich fertilizer. And they like open spaces unlike say things that grow in forests. That's about all I can tell you about growing them. Good luck though.

[JustLovelyJenn]

Bit,

You make this a wonderful place for learning... and you are probably right about me. I need to open my mouth, so to speak. I don't know why, but this made me think of a dream of mine, one I had (and remembered which is what makes it weird) almost two years ago now, it was so profound that I woke and immediately wrote it down. I re-read it every few months, and I am now being prompted to share it with you all. I hope through my sharing I can gain something, and I hope also that some of you may as well.

-----

Dream from November 9 2007

Alison’s House


I walked down a path beside a river with a cliff face on either side. As I walked I felt a clam take over. This is all so familiar, a dreamscape, my place of reflection and guidance. After a time, the cliff on the far side of the river fell away to a plateau. I saw a hawk fly above me, almost as big as an eagle. He called to me and flew low. Then it was as if I was seeing through his eyes. I flew high and looked over the landscape. Once I was two men, intimately embraced, in another area a city sprung to life. At last I saw what I was seeking. A fire with three people gathered round it. I flew lower and as I landed I changed shape becoming myself again. I walked to the fire and set down among those already there. The first was and Indian chief sitting proud and erect; his chest bare and feathers in his hair, which hung loose to his waist. Next was a solider, from his uniform and equipment and American solider from WWII. He avoided the glance of the others, and I was fatigue in his face. The last was and old Chinese medicine woman. She too was proud; and like the Indian, used to being in charge. For some time we sat in silence as other images cam into my mind: a grave yard and my sister’s grave, playing a game in the yard as a child, lowering yet another loved one into the ground.


Finally I asked the chief, “Why are you here?” indicating the others as well.


He replied “We each represent a piece of you.”


As I again looked at each of my companions I became confused. I had similarities to the medicine woman; we both used herbs and energies to heal. But what could these other two represent in me? “I don’t understand,” was my guarded reply. “I am not a soldier, a warrior as this one.”


The Indian smiled patiently. “You are strong than you thing. You weather storms that would drown many. You fight to be yourself and make choices to place yourself in great adversity to achieve your goals.” He placed a hand on my shoulder before speaking again. “The battles you fight could be easily avoided, the warrior in you must fulfill honor. You must be true to yourself in the face of others.


As I once again looked at the soldier he raised his head and as our eyes met yet another mired of images flooded my head. First was the soldier on the battle field, kneeling beside a fallen comrade, assuring him things would be fine and help was on the way. Calm and in control, even through his friends dying breath. Next was a young woman, myself I realized, comforting a relative at my sister’s funeral. Controlling my own emotion until I felt others had been satisfied. I saw myself grow older as other battles in my life were played out beside me. When I returned to the fire I looked at the chief, unable to speak.


He nodded in understanding. “The woman is next. To her people she is invaluable. She is able to see the signs of sickness and relieve the pain of others. You also were given this gift. Not only to use plants as medicine, but to feel pain and remove it. The pain you have felt in your own life serves to heighten these senses, without it you would lack the understanding of the energies you see in others; not to mention the desire to remove from others that which you have suffered.”


In the old woman I saw many things. But, mostly I was reminded of the joy and awe I fee as I use my abilities to help another. This time it was I who nodded in understanding and I to speak. “But what of you? I am not a leader of masses; I was not born to a position of honor as you were.”


At this question he laughed, his head falling back and a great full sound filling the air. “It is true that the position I was born to was clear for all to see. I was a leader to my people and they knew to whom they could turn. I bore my burden of responsibility publicly. You are not so lucky, Little One. You are to be a leader, but quietly. Waiting as I did for a people to come to you for guidance and in return being guided yourself, the spirits putting those in need with in your path. But I represent more than that in you. I am also hear to guide you, as I was guided. Your spirit is close to the land. The animals and plants whisper to you. Listen to them. For to long you have ignored the call. Time grows short. Move quickly to ready yourself once more. You must go.”


At once I awoke, lying beside my lover; the light entering the room a gentle embrace. Still I was shaken.

[Bit]

WOW. Jenn, profound is hardly the word for it!

My impression is that you were being shown past lives, and how your personality and roles in life have continued through the many turnings of the Wheel.

Thank you for the compliment about the thread.

This, I think, is the key to Empaths. "........You also were given this gift. Not only to use plants as medicine, but to feel pain and remove it. The pain you have felt in your own life serves to heighten these senses, without it you would lack the understanding of the energies you see in others; not to mention the desire to remove from others that which you have suffered.”

Maybe this is part of the reason so many Empaths have fibromyalgia and other chronic pain illnesses?

I have to say that every misstep, every mistake, every broken dream and shattered heart I have endured along the way have been like grist to the mill; they have all played into my healing abilities in one way or another. Everything I have endured, when I recognize it in another, I am driven to ease it, to ease their pain....

Thank you for being brave enough to share your dream with us. Thank you for the validation of the insight about pain and why we-who-are-healers experience so much of it. It's one thing to notice a correlation, and another to find confirmation! That's a gift--thanks.