The day and evening is a complete gift to me… a bit of thanks for the year!

I live in such a fantastic little piece of the world, here in Northern California , in a redwood forest near the sea.

The weather cooperated today and I took my faithful companion Spotty Tyrone out to the bluffs for a sunny walk along the coastal shore.   The whales were spouting and rolling and the birds were everywhere overhead.   What a clear and gorgeous last day of 2012.

Many people had the same idea, to be out, as we have had so much rain.  Lovely people sharing their dogs, and their babies and wishing a happy new year to all.

I found a rocky bluff and sat in meditation for a while,  taking in all this beauty I live in,  Spotty faithfully at my side, sniffing at the wind.

Pretty soon I stood up and reached out to the abundant elements surrounding me,  and called in the Directions.  I felt the ocean,  Mother Earth,  the breeze on my face, and the Grandmothers all inviting me to the sacred.  I called them in in such gratitude,  just for knowing that they are always there.

Since I have been crowned Crone, the Ancestors seem particularly close and I feel them guiding me on this path to the North, my journey’s last direction on the Wheel of Life.   As Gailya said, “the road before me is shorter than the one behind me”.

My day had begun and I kept the sacred, with everyone I met for the rest of the day,  as I selected the ‘just right’ foods at the grocery store to nourish me on this special night.

Home with Mr. Spot, I created my home, warm and cozy, with flowers and a fire. I lit candles in every room, and lowered the lights as I prepared a meal for Me… my New Years Eve date!   Music, ahh must have music.   And I danced to Corinne Baily Rae singing ‘Girl put your music on, play your favorite song, go ahead let your hair down’   I just love that song!   I think she is singing to me!

So while I prepared a delicious meal of my favorite foods, complete with appetizers and dessert….I took breaks to dance with the sweet sounds of Corinne!

I’m thinking,  well I must have a martini,  its New Year’s Eve!   However,  I know nothing about making a martini.   But I have the perfect glass, a gift from my daughter’s wedding!

So I dribbled a little bit of vodka over some ice in my cute glass, and filled it up with grapefruit juice…. My idea of a good martini!   It felt just right!

My meal, eaten by candlelight and soft music, was delicious.  I felt like the perfect date!

Then on to my New Years Eve Ritual,  done every year for probably 20 years.  I gather up my calendars from the past year and my journal, and sitting by the fire, I go over the year.   I write all the adventures I had,  I write about my work,  my family, my land and the animals.  I reflect over the year… what felt good and what needs work or changing.    It’s like a catharsis or a cleansing of the year.   It feels somewhat like a preparation.   I feel more ready for what is to come, having reviewed where I’ve been!!

And then, you know I am in bed well before midnight, didn’t even wait for the apple to drop!

Sweet Dreams to all and to all a Good Year ahead!  May it bring you all the love you desire, and deep inner peace.

Blessings,

Nancy

photo by prozac1

Autumn is definitely here….it’s cold!  The decks are all wet in the morning,  the setting sun is moving  to the South, even all the acorns have been split open by the squirrels for their winters cache.   Each Fall, I look forward to that incredible time of the day, usually at dusk, when the sun hits the redwood trees, full of rusty colored duff ready to drop..and it casts a golden orange glow all over Lilith. The ground looks like it’s on fire!  It lasts for only a few moments, and it always brings me to my knees.   This time of the year always fills me so deeply.  I just love it!  There is something so special about readying the wood for fires, harvesting the last of the apples,  making jam and huckleberry pancakes and  sitting out in the late day waning sun, catching the last of Her Brilliance and warmth before we settle into a colder, more within time.

There is a big change here since Larry, my caretaker, moved on and  I find myself mending my own fences, Really… keeping Spotty in and the deer out !!  And the funny thing is that I Can Do It!   I went thru a bit of worry.. that I would not be ok without him.  But I am,  and I find myself out in the yard doing what is necessary in preparation for winter, and actually Loving it !!   I Can mend the fences, and get the all pruning done.   Change is the One Constant Thing we all experience, and often at this time of the year for some of us, it expresses itself more boldly!     Yet there is a quiet peace here at Lilith, and in my soul, as I relearn the necessities of ‘chopping the wood and carrying the water’.

Change is not always fun, but after many years of it (!!) I find if I relax into my Self, and return to trust,  I feel a certain blessing  from the inevitable growth of the experience.  I do love the ‘molding and shaping’ the Goddess is always be creating in me.  Life moves in strange and different ways.   And for me,  just being quiet, appreciating  and listening…  I step forward into the unknown,  and I know I am always supported by Mother Earth in her Abundant Wisdom.

A group of 14 of us will be celebrating Mabon, (named for Queen Mab of the Faerie folk),  under the Harvest Moon, in Mt. Shasta this year.  We leave next week to commune with the ‘Lemurians’,who supposedly live inside the great Mountain,  and hopefully we will receive guidance from St. Germain.  Please hold us in your hearts for a safe journey.

I wish you an abundant Autumn Equinox, full of anticipation, magic and wonder…. And of course,  change!

Lots of love,

Nancy

Everyone gathered their newly plucked corn, and tomatoes, zucchini and peas, strawberries, plums, pears and on. The smell of freshly baked Bread wafted throughout the fields from women baking in outdoor ovens. In this Ritual, all the neighbors and farmers came together, brought their freshest delicacies to share with one another and always there was feasting, dancing and much laughter.  There is even an older movie called Dancing at Lughnasad with Merle Streep.

These times are remembered throughout history and continue today. Lots of us these days desire to return to simpler times… communities gathering together in celebration…. Real communication, not coming from a screen.

I feel grateful to live in such a community. People know each other by their first names, and we gather together to celebrate and honor all kinds of life’s passages and seasonal holidays.

Traditionally the First Harvest is a time for Gratefulness…. For all that Mother Earth provides for us.

I invite you today, to have a quiet moment to reflect on what you are grateful for.

There is always so much.

I am grateful for you in my life.

Blessings,

Nancy dew

IT IS THE END OF ANOTHER APPRENTICESHIP YEAR, AND 4 LOVELY WOMEN HAVE BEEN ORDAINED PRIESTESSES INTO OUR BELOVED ISEUM.  THEY HAVE COMPLETED A YEAR IN BETTER UNDERSTANDING THEIR SELVES, LETTING GO OF OLD WAYS THAT NO LONGER SERVE THEIR HIGHEST GOOD, UNDERSTANDING THE RITUALS AND CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR, AND NOW THEY ACCEPT THEMSELVES AS HOLY WOMEN.

OVER 60 PRIESTESSES HAVE BEEN ORDAINED INTO OUR SISTERHOOD OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS!

THESE GODDESSES ARE HONORING THE DIVINE FEMININE IN THEIR SELVES, AND SHARING THAT ESSENCE THROUGHOUT IN THEIR LIVES, THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR WORKPLACES.

Image from: SPACE.COM

THE RECENT VENUS TRANSIT OF JUNE 5 WAS ANOTHER ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE RETURN OF THE DIVINE FEMININE.  THE SYMBOL OF VENUS REPRESENTS LOVE AND HARMONY FOR MANY CULTURES.  THE ANCIENT MAYAN CIVILIZATION SEES THIS COSMIC EVENT AS A GREAT SHIFT IN HEALING AND BRINGING INTO RIGHT BALANCE THE MASCULINE AND FEMININE PRINCIPLES, TRANSENDING OUR WORLD INTO WHOLENESS, AND AWAY FROM PATRIARCHY.  AS WOMEN RISE UP INTO THEIR GODDESS GIVEN POWER, IT WILL CHANGE THE WORLD TO BE MORE HEART CENTERED.  THIS CHANGE IS TAKING PLACE RIGHT NOW, ALL OVER OUR PLANET AND IT IS PALPABLE.

I FEEL BLESSED TO DO THE WORK I DO IN THE WORLD.  I NOTICED AT OUR RECENT DAYLONG ORDINATION CEREMONY THAT OUR PRIESTESSES RETURN TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER AND

BASK IN THE LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE THAT IS FELT HERE A LILITH.   WE HAVE CREATED A HEART CENTERED COMMUNITY AND FOR THAT I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL.

AND, SPEAKING OF GODDESSES, A BEAUTIFUL, OH SO FEMININE, PRECIOUS LITTLE GRANDDAUGHTER, ZORI, HAS ARRIVED INTO MY LIFE, BRINGING MORE LOVE INTO OUR FAMILY.  SO SWEET!

I WISH YOU A BLESSED SUMMER SOLSTICE.

IN LOVE AND LIGHT,

NANCY, ANA

Beautiful friends,

Blessings of the Winter Solstice to you.  May the rebirth of Your Light shine forth for all to see!

It is Christmas Eve and the New Moon is shining up there among our stars.

For many of us this eve of Christmas conjures up in our hearts and minds, little children with visions of Sugar Plums dancing in their heads. The thrill and excitement of waiting for the elusive Santa Claus.

I believe there is still for me,  the magic this little old man brings,  which is the Spirit of Giving at Yuletide.

This year there seems to be, in our precious world, more suffering than usual.  I am troubled, as I am sure you are,  with the news that portrays such sadness.  Yet even with their usual dismal report, most newscasters are giving an inspirational story at the end.

On one such inspirational news report,  I saw that all over the our dear country,  individuals are going into stores and paying off or down,  another family’s layaway, before Christmas. Well, this moved me so, that it sent me to one such store in Santa Rosa (after first checking around Gualala to find that no layaways existed)  to join in this effort.  My heart was so full in doing so.

While I didn’t  set up my tent in San Francisco or Oakland, my heart and prayers were with those thousands of  people all over the US,  who have represented us, the 99%, the backbone of our nation. And they Have made a difference. They have been heard, and what they have done is now dinner table talk.  It is in the collective consciousness.  Like Margaret Mead so correctly said “Remember, a small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed,  it is the only thing that ever has.”

I see that this movement has brought about this year, a deeper sense of altruism. People are helping one another. I see it everywhere. We  Care.   Now, perhaps that is the real meaning of Santa.  For isn’t he the archetype for Giving.

I feel that while I couldn’t physically join the Occupy Movement that boasted concern for all of us, I could give in my small way to one family and ‘pay it forward’ if you will.

My wish for you is that the Spirit of Christmas lives on in your heart,  and may you be filled with the magic and wonder of a child.

Yes, Virginia, I say to my mother, who always made Christmas so special for me,  there really is a Santa.

Lots of love,  joy and peace to you,

Nancy  Ana

Lilith is absolutely gorgeous at this time of the year as the fuchsia orange sunsets casts their golden glow through the redwood trees so full now of the dried amber duff.  There is a time in evening when the whole land is bathed in a rusty copper Autumn haze… and it lasts only a few moments.   Lovely!

The summer just flew by…. Was there really summer up here ?   My vegetable garden has been confused, to say the least!   But now the pears have been picked and pear butter is boiling on the stove, and the apples are dropping into the chicken pen.  Autumn is a fun busy time,  just before the darker, quiet, within time just ahead, which I so love and crave.

I had an incredible solo journey all over No. California in July.  So rich with experiences, adventure and peaceful journeying.  No trip plan… just freedom and the road….  Jumping into lakes I passed, and walking through streams on hikes.  I recommend this kind of sojourn to you.  It is sooo fulfilling and enriching in so many ways.

And my kids and grand kids were just here for their week of Camp Lilith.  How precious they all are… and how grateful I am to have such a sweet and loving family.  We laughed a lot,  ate a lot,  and just had joyful fun!  And of course, did Ritual in our

Blessed Sacred Forest…. which the kids just adore.  This has become a very important part of their visit….. complete with drumming, rattling and singing!   Really  good.

And when it was time for the chaos and mess to leave…. It was time for it to leave!!!

Today is September 11,  and much is being made of the 10 year anniversary of 911.   I wish to focus on the beautiful memorial fountains that have been created at ground zero.   They are magnificent monuments… waterfalls of dazzling beauty that honor those who lost their lives 10 years ago…. as well as to the strength and resilience and of our blessed country.

It has come to my attention that tonight CNN  will air,  at 7pm, ‘Beyond Bravery… the Women of 911’ The book of this title, which resides in our Red Tent, was written by a woman we know from ‘Women’s Spirit’.

As a wise Kahuna from Hawaii says in his teachings…  ‘The World Is As You See It’     What you see and how you see it,  is just how it will be for you.  My Autumn Blessing is for you to visualize our

beautiful world as a healthy, loving and peaceful place for you and your family to reside.

Blessings to you all on these auspicious days of the Full Harvest Moon with  Mabon/Autumnal Equinox soon approaching.

Lots of love and joy and peace,

Nancy

I’m just coming home from Philadelphia, home of Logan, my youngest grandchild, who had his first Birthday on February 27th.  I have two older grandkids living in Providence, RI; Eve, age 8, and Brendan, age 6.  I am delighted that we were all together for Logan’s birthday.

Being a grandmother, ‘Nanna’ as I am called, is by far one of life’s greatest gifts.  The full responsibility rests on another while I get the giggles, the cuddles and fun play time.  There is an amazing joy in witnessing the gene pool spreading down through out these precious souls.

I think what gives me the most incredible amount of pleasure though is watching my daughters become contributing, happy, and fulfilled women in their own right.  Their mothering to these blessed beautiful beings is good, Really Good.  They are centered and grounded with their husbands in decision making, and they are completely loving, comfortable and natural mothers.

My daughters have moved into the role I have left behind now and they are doing it well.  They have achieved a richness of life and a sensibility in these productive years that can only reflect the best to Eve, Brendan and Logan.

I can see that their love and compassion, their joie d’vivre, has grown out of the deep love and respect I have for them, and for that I am very grateful.

Life is Good

I am very Blessed

May it be a promising and positive year, with a huge dose of Goodness, Tolerance, Abundance, Love and Peace for all people everywhere.

The Iseum of Mary Isis has a new calendar for the New Year! It appears to be a very busy and productive year ahead, thank you Goddess!

2010 Priestess Apprenticeship

I am very excited to announce that this is the 13th year in the Iseum of Mary Isis.  At this Summer Solstice, we will commence another yearlong Priestess Apprenticeship.

Here is our Vision Statement….

The Iseum of Mary Isis is dedicated to supporting women in knowing the power, wisdom, strength, compassion and the unconditional love of the Divine Feminine.

The Iseum is devoted to women’s spiritual growth and the courage to be one’s authentic self by exploring the mystery of our true essence as holy women.

Living in sisterhood, listening to nature’s guidance, the Iseum of Mary Isis celebrates, protects, and honors all of life by embracing Mother Earth and all her relations.

If this program interests you, please come to our High Tea for Prospective Apprentices on Sunday March 20 at 1pm, here at Lilith, in Northwest Sonoma County, California.   Call me for more information: 707-886-1810

May you shine the light that is yours to shine.

May you move through any fear that has stood between you and your joy.

May you choose, unconditionally, to love yourself and others, with a full heart.

May you find that inner peace, that we all seek, and discover it has been in you all along.

May you, regardless of challenges, continue towards your own dream.

~Shiloh Sophia

BLESSED BE