Diary of a High Priestess

Tonight marks the second to last time that the Temple's Inner Court will meet and circle on our own for the year. Next week marks the last of this current Study Circle meeting as well as the last Full Moon esbat for the year.

And in three weekend's time, we have our end of year BBQ ...

Where has the year gone and what has been achieved?

Often we are close to a situation etc, we are not all that aware of the larger picture - and a clearer insight is often gained through stepping back and into the position of an observer ... letting the emotional ties fall to the side, if only for a moment.

Indeed, when this is done, it is clear that 2009 has been an extremely challenging, busy and successful year - and whilst not everything has gone according to the initial plan, the end result is very satisfying.

Definately this year has been a year of learning and much growth as the Temple moved into a new structure that incorporated indepth Outer Court training. As expected, such training was not suitable to all who commenced this course, and some who completed, unfortunately did not seem to grasp the concepts of certain concepts which are paramount to a more traditional group and way of teaching. However, nothing is lost - for these experiences have provided a clearer sense of direction, enabling me to approach the new Outer Court for 2010 with fresh gusto.

Whilst it is sad to say "goodbye" to this year's Study Circle in one sense, thus far, most have indicated their interest in attending the Outer Court, and even if they don't, they are more than welcome to attend any of the Temple's events - both private and public.

While the Temple is "closed" (but not uncontactable) over the Summer break, there is still much work to undertake. I am endeavouring to have at least two volumes of our BoS (Book of Shadows) completed for students to access - as well as the supplementary book containing our Sabbat rites, assisting them in their assignment writing.

During the break I am endeavouring to make time with those who are of First Degrees + to go over information with them to see what they have and have not got, in an attempt that no one is left behind, which can happen as the Inner Court circles become more intimate.

I have alway stressed communication as being one of the underlying "rules" that we follow as a group.

Yes, big changes are ahead - but the feeling is all good. With my speaking engagement in New Zealand in February 2010, I hope to make most of the time between now and then to finalise my book, not to mention a few more trips interstate (at least) to work with those who I personally admire and who provide much needed inspiration.

The Reciprocal Flow of Abundance
Giving Without Expectations

by Daily Om - http://www.dailyom.com/

Since giving and receiving are so intimately intertwined in our lives, we often expect that we can attract abundance by simply conducting ourselves in an openhanded fashion. Yet we find ourselves wallowing in disappointment when our ample generosity is not met with the expected results. The answer to this quandary lies in the expectations that, in part, initially prompted us to give. Though our intention is likely pure, we can unintentionally mar the beautiful experience of giving by focusing on what we will eventually receive in return. When we let go of the notion that we deserve to receive gifts based on giving gifts, bounty can once again flow freely in and out of our lives.

When the gifts you give are laden down with expectations, they cease to be gifts and become units of exchange that you are, in effect, trading for some reward. Thus, the reciprocal laws of the universe err on the side of the giver who shares for the sake of sharing. You may have seen this simple truth at work in your own experience, perhaps when life’s busyness prevented you from spending too much time contemplating the results your charitable actions would ultimately have on the lives of others. It was likely then that you received the greatest gifts in return for your kindness. If you have trouble divesting yourself of your expectations, you may need to reflect upon the root of your inability to act in the true spirit of giving. Each time you make a gift, whether spiritual or tangible, ask yourself if there is something you hope to receive in return. You may be surprised to discover that you expect to be repaid with an easy life, financial windfalls, or opportunities.

To integrate this most selfless form of generosity into your life, you will have to let go of your need to be in control. Accepting that while like inevitably attracts like, it typically does so on an unobservable timetable. This can help you stop weighing the gifts you give against those you have received. Giving eventually becomes a profound joy that stands alone, separate from any and all conditions, and you will learn to appreciate the flow of reciprocal abundance as a gift in and of itself.

The following is from http://astrology.about.com/od/themoon/qt/NewMoonScorp09.htm

All New Moons take us into the dark, so we can mix with the Void, and emerge anew. This one is the Mother of all Dark Moons, in Scorpio, the sign of death that births the new. If we choose to, we can seek deep soul healing now. Or we might find sexual healing. You might just ask spirit to heal what's hurting. What's needed now is a heart open to change, and the willingness to do whatever that takes.

We enter a darkness that's the cauldron of primal energies. It's a time of coming back to the base of soul power. In a class on this New Moon, Michelle Lessirard said "soul loss is rampant." I agree. Everything from giving away our power, to the simple stress of living can cause parts of us to "check out," leading to the sense of being shutdown, disembodied, flat, 'not there.' Michelle especially advised women to call back their power from sex partners. Her idea was using a popsicle stick to represent each one, and write the name on it. This can be used in a ritual to envision drawing your power back.

The New Moon chart shows the Sun-Moon in Scorpio, along with Venus. A main theme here is surrendering to a deep healing, release, purge of what's become toxic in your life. It's having the courage to look at what needs to go, in order for you to grow. It's facing fears of being enveloped by the 'crazy' as it's being released and integrated. It's not trying to tame that primal energy, but honor it by finding a way to express it. That might be through some catharsis, sex, sustained creative projects or ritual.

In the Crucible
Just like the last Full Moon, there's a lot of tension (squares) that creates internal pressure in all of us. The biggie now is the square between Saturn and Pluto, which is exact right before the New Moon. This one is going to be long term, with no easy outs. It involves the ground beneath us and the diseased state of our institutions (Pluto in Capricorn).

Since Pluto rules Scorpio, it's significant that it's so close to this potent New Moon. The cure may be extreme, since the dis-ease is so embedded in our culture. And in the process, those that fear losing power are likely to lash out. But take heart that Saturn is now in Libra, the sign of moral conscience, justice and diplomacy. The friction of this square will be in play, as a cosmic re-balancer of a world out of whack.

Quantum Leaps
The Sun-Moon in Scorpio are in a tense square to planets in Aquarius (Neptune, Jupiter). This adds urgency to the need to release what's in the personal shadows, so you can keep up with the quickening process of the collective. It also makes it feel like a collective deep healing process, that's personal, but part of the bigger story of humanity. As you heal, you contribute to the healing of everyone, since we're all linked.

It's timely to look at your friends and associations to see if it's holding you back. As you go through major changes, you might be drawn to new friends on your wavelength. The New Moon brings tension to this area, and might alert you to the need to travel in new circles.

Venus square Mars
This is yet another provocative aspect at the New Moon. Venus drives us to be authentic with our feelings, and inspires us to lose the fake smile. This can be a highly creative aspect, if we express the uniqueness of our genuine story. We honor what we've been through, by leaving denial behind, and by claiming it as part of who we are. Our own darkness and story of healing can be inspiring to others, as part of song, art, and sharing.

Shocks to the Heart
The Sun-Moon in Scorpio are in a harmonious trine to Uranus (the awakener) in Pisces. As you go into the shadow, this speeds the healing process, and opens you to forgiveness of yourself and others.

You may have startling dreams that crack things open, and unravel a psychic mystery that has had you bound. It's a time of dark imagination, where mystery lurks in the shadows, and can be the stuff of great art.

New Moon Rituals
The days leading to total lunar darkness pull us inward. There's no need to figure anything out. You can go far with this plunge into healing, by looking at your own resistance to let go. What we clutch tightly, as if our lives depended on it, is often the very thing we've got to let go of. And in the release, great stores of energy are restored, and available for your use. It feels risky, but the rewards are great. A New Moon Ritual might involve a commitment to let go. Only you know what's tying up your vital energies, or where you're losing power.

Ritual Ideas:
•Infuse a stick with the energies of what needs to be released, and then throw it into a fire.
•Draw a healing bath with lavender, and envision yourself being cleansed of what you're carrying.
•Make a collage that has images of what you're like to seed for Spring, or visions of personal power.

This New (Dark) Moon in Scorpio is an excellent time to make an important choice ... will you allow yourself to fall into the trap of external reality and find the mundane world and the wishes of others dominating your life, or will you step forward and decide that you are driving your own chariot? Will you accept responsibility for creating your own life and step firmly onto the path of personal evolution? Taking control of our own thoughts, deeds, and actions will infuse us with inner strength and creative power that can become the driving force behind living a joyful and enriching life. Now is the perfect time to choose your path and create your destiny.

October saw those of us residing in Adelaide receive a healthy amount of Spring rains - a nice change considering over the last couple of years to have any rains from April (Autumn) onwards has been a rarity. Due to this rain, our reservoirs were full so that on Monday, the Government's Opposition started to call for an easing up of our Level 3 water restrictions - where watering can only take place 2 days per week and up to 3 hours on those days and via a spray house.

This call seems ironic considering that despite the rains, the status of the Murray River had changed little - besides, retraining people and their consumption of precious resources (ie water) isn't necessarily a bad thing ...

Tuesday, however, a very unseasonal heatwave commenced with temperatures up to 15C higher than normal being experienced. As the week has progressed so have the temperatures - with recording breaking overnight "lows" in the high 20s and during the day, temperatures hoovering around the 40C mark. All because of an alleged High stationed in the Tasman Sea that is rather reluctant to move.

The weather forecasts show the cooling fronts arriving in Perth, west of Adelaide - the fronts that are normally destined for Adelaide, but because of this High, they are slipping under us and heading to Tasmania.

I have to keep reminding myself that technically we are still in late Spring/early Summer - that this kind of weather is more commonly reserved for February. But each glance at the weather forecast, the outlook seems to get worse.

All one can do is to seek refuge inside, under ceiling fans, air conditioning and/or fans ... the malls are favourite venues, as are picture theatres. Then when the sun begins to sink, the beach in a hope to catch a cooling breeeze.

I wonder, wishfully, whether this mean that Winter now is around the corner, that is, if we are having our February weather in November .. I dread the thought of five months of this scorching weather.

Stay cool - stay indoors wherever possible - look after animals and the elderly. Surely it can't last forever.