Believe in Yourself

and make it Happen!!

This had been the site Slogan
since day one when Breeze thought
of the site and we have held true to
that idea every since. Empowering
people to come above all that came
at them in Life. To help guide them
to a more peaceful resolution in
dealing with the daily life chaos it
can present on us. There are ways
to help manifest a healthier more
positive direction and happiness
with following a few steps in
doing so and on Enchanted Forest
is what we do along with its
members which many have been
with us since the beginning. Takes
time and little patience and
dedication to truly want it and
thats when the Real magic comes
in.
Thanks to all who have supported
us through time and all these years
with their help we couldnt had
done it.
Breeze and Shadow

Mobile pages for those who use Mobile to visit Enchanted

Forest!!
Ning Mobile Upgrade
Redesigned mobile version goes live this week
This banner will appear on your phone and will update
you on latest activities on site, blogs and latest activities in
groups.
Have also added "My Page"
This is in Beta stage so if you have any questions or
problems let us know so we can report it..
Thank you
Shadow and Breeze

Enchanted Forest Magazines

These are magazines we put together from articles posted on site by all members.
These magazines are Free!! We have done these since almost the beginning and have
over 70 in our Scribd Library.
On the right side of the Forest pages you will see current magazine covers shown..
Just click on those and they will take you to the magazine.. no sign up required and
Free download.
If you would like to submit an article please check out our magazine group tab on
site menu. There will have the instructions on how to send in your article and want
to Thank all those who have supported our magazine through the years.. great read
with allot of helpful information.
Thank you
Shadow and Breeze

We at the Enchanted Forest are honoured to support and host the live chats
given by Susun Weed on a monthly basis. Susun is an expert in her field of
Herbs and this is a great opportunity for all to increase their knowledge
and skills by learning from Susun FREE !!!
To come along to these chats join
http://enchantedforrest.ning.com/group/herbswithsusunweed
Times of classes below
USA
Central - 6 pm
Eastern - 7 pm
Western 4 pm
Mountain Time 5 pm
Australia (Melbourne) - 11 am
UK - Midnight

TRUE HAPPINESS
Posted by Michael Forbus
A Meaningful Life
What makes for a meaningful life? I consider each day, not just the life as a whole. I
look at four ingredients. First, was it a day of virtue? Im talking about basic Buddhist
ethicsavoiding harmful behavior of body, speech, and mind; devoting ourselves to
wholesome behavior and to qualities like awareness and compassion.
Second, I'd like to feel happy rather than miserable. The realized beings I've known
exemplify extraordinary states of well-being, and it shows in their demeanor, their way
of dealing with adversity, with life, with other people. And third, pursuit of the truth
seeking to understand the nature of life, of reality, of interpersonal relationships, or the
nature of mind.
But you could do all that sitting quietly in a room. None of us exists in isolation,
however, so there is a fourth ingredient: a meaningful life must also answer the
question, What have I brought to the world? If I can look at a day and see that virtue,
happiness, truth, and living an altruistic life are prominent elements, I can say, You
know, Im a happy camper. Pursuing happiness does not depend on my checkbook, or
the behavior of my spouse, or my job, or my salary. I can live a meaningful life even if I
only have ten minutes left.

B. Alan Wallace from "What Is True Happiness" (Fall 2005)

With loving Metta, Miguel

Imbolc Lore
Posted by Whispr
Imbolc Lore
(February 2nd)

Imbolc, (pronounced "IM-bulk" or "EM-bowlk"), also called Oimealg, ("IM-mol'g), by

the Druids, is the festival of the lactating sheep. It is derived from the Gaelic word
"oimelc" which means "ewes milk". Herd animals have either given birth to the first
offspring of the year or their wombs are swollen and the milk of life is flowing into
their teats and udders. It is the time of Blessing of the seeds and consecration of
agricultural tools. It marks the center point of the dark half of the year. It is the festival
of the Maiden, for from this day to March 21st, it is her season to prepare for growth
and renewal. Brighid's snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the
weather, (the origin of Ground Hog Day), and in many places the first Crocus flowers
began to spring forth from the frozen earth.
The Maiden is honored, as the Bride, on this Sabbat. Straw Brideo'gas (corn dollies) are
created from oat or wheat straw and placed in baskets with white flower bedding.
Young girls then carry the Brideo'gas door to door, and gifts are bestowed upon the
image from each household. Afterwards at the traditional feast, the older women make
special acorn wands for the dollies to hold, and in the morning the ashes in the hearth
are examined to see if the magic wands left marks as a good omen. Brighid's Crosses are
fashioned from wheat stalks and exchanged as symbols of protection and prosperity in
the coming year. Home hearth fires are put out and re-lit, and a besom is place by the
front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the new. Candles are lit
and placed in each room of the house to honor the re-birth of the Sun.
Another traditional symbol of Imbolc is the plough. In some areas, this is the first day
of ploughing in preparation of the first planting of crops. A decorated plough is
dragged from door to door, with costumed children following asking for food, drinks,
or money. Should they be refused, the household is paid back by having its front
garden ploughed up. In other areas, the plough is decorated and then Whiskey, the
"water of life" is poured over it. Pieces of cheese and bread are left by the plough and in
the newly turned furrows as offerings to the nature spirits. It is considered taboo to cut
or pick plants during this time.

Various other names for this Greater Sabbat are Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonni),
Imbolic (Celtic), Disting (Teutonic, Feb 14th), Lupercus (Strega), St. Bridget's Day
(Christian), Candlemas, Candlelaria (Mexican), the Snowdrop Festival. The Festival of
Lights, or the Feast of the Virgin. All Virgin and Maiden Goddesses are honored at this
time.
Deities of Imbolc:
All Virgin/Maiden Goddesses, Brighid, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Gaia, and Februa, and
Gods of Love and Fertility, Aengus Og, Eros, and Februus.
Symbolism of Imbolc:
Purity, Growth and Re-Newal, The Re-Union of the Goddess and the God, Fertility,
and dispensing of the old and making way for the new.
Symbols of Imbolc:
Brideo'gas, Besoms, White Flowers, Candle Wheels, Brighid's Crosses, Priapic Wands
(acorn-tipped), and Ploughs.
Herbs of Imbolc:
Angelica, Basil, Bay Laurel, Blackberry, Celandine, Coltsfoot, Heather, Iris, Myrrh,
Tansy, Violets, and all white or yellow flowers.
Foods of Imbolc:
Pumpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds, Poppyseed Cakes, muffins, scones, and breads, all
dairy products, Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Raisins, Spiced Wines and Herbal Teas.
Incense of Imbolc:
Basil, Bay, Wisteria, Cinnamon, Violet, Vanilla, Myrrh.
Colors of Imbolc:
White, Pink, Red, Yellow, lt. Green, Brown.
Stones of Imbolc:
Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Onyx, Turquoise.
Activities of Imbolc:
Candle Lighting, Stone Gatherings, Snow Hiking and Searching for Signs of Spring,
Making of Brideo'gas and Bride's Beds, Making Priapic Wands, Decorating Ploughs,
Feasting, and Bon Fires maybe lit.

7 Powerful Steps Towards Wisdom

Posted by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)
"I changed my mind."
These are four of the most powerful words in the English language. They can prevent
you from being manipulated into an undesirable outcome, and launch you forward on
the road to personal and spiritual growth. Depriving yourself of the freedom to
change your mind will lock you into a rigid mindset that can hamper your successes
and your development.
Early in life, you may have been led to believe that it's not good to change your mind.
There are numerous words with negative connotations associated with those who do
change their minds: fickle, indecisive, hesitant, unsure, wavering, erratic or wishywashy. You'd much prefer to be known as steadfast, decisive, confident and sure right?
Skilled manipulators use this near-universal conditioning against you every day. For
example, has a salesman ever asked you, "Are you in a position to make a decision
today?" Once you agree to this proposition, you'll feel pressure to "make a decision
today," and buy the product, even if you have reservations. After all, if you don't buy,
you'd likely be considered "indecisive" by either the salesman or your
own self-doubting ego.
But this is not what changing your mind is all about. Changing your mind means that
after thinking about the subject or after gathering more complete information, you
came to a different conclusion - a better and more informed decision. This is not being
indecisive. It's being logical, prudent and wise.
Let's look at this matter from a different perspective. What would happen if you
weren't allowed to change your mind? You'd spend all your free time watching
cartoons, eating ice cream or playing tag. Or, more seriously, you'd be forced to
believe the sun revolves around the earth. Your evolution on every level depends on
your ability to assimilate new information and "change your mind" as to what it
means and
how it applies.

Psychologists call the unease you feel when you hold two conflicting opinions
cognitive dissonance. The theory is that you will be naturally unwilling to
simultaneously hold two apparently contradictory beliefs in your mind, and will
attempt to modify one or the other to minimize the dissonance or conflict.
If you told the salesman that you "would be in a position to make a decision today,"
and yet, you actually felt that you needed more time to gather additional information
and think it through, the uncomfortable feeling in your gut would mean that you were
experiencing cognitive dissonance. The skilled salesman would then try to use this to
push you into a buying decision today! If he lets you think it over, you may
not make the purchase or may buy from someone else. For example, it's almost never a
good idea to buy a new car after talking to only one dealer!
Imagine what would happen in instances involving somewhat more deep-seated
beliefs. You think so-and-so is the best candidate, or such-and-such is the finest
restaurant or this-or-that company produces the fastest car. To complicate matters, also
imagine that you are on record as publicly stating that so-and-so is the best candidate,
the finest restaurant is such-and-such or the fastest car comes from
this-or-that company. You have invested your credibility in this belief. What happens
when new evidence comes along that contradicts this deep-seated belief? Most likely,
you'll immediately discount it.
Not only do you have the dissonance associated with trying to hold two contradictory
beliefs in your mind simultaneously, but, even worse, if you accept the new idea, that
might mean the first one was WRONG and you've lost your invested credibility!
How would most people handle the situation? Most people don't like being "wrong;"
so, they would either ignore the new idea, or, even worse, come up with all sorts of
counter arguments as to why it's wrong, vehemently defending their original position.
In extreme cases, they may outright lie to others and to themselves, just to avoid the
cognitive dissonance. To an independent observer, this appears totally
irrational. To a student of human behavior, it is understandable.
As mystics, we're after the truth. Consequently, if it turns out that the second idea is
more accurate, serves us better, or is otherwise superior to the first, we owe it to
ourselves and to others to accept it, at least until a better idea comes along. We may be
forced to utter three words that are even more powerful than "I changed my mind":

"I was wrong."

Being able to admit a mistake is a sign of humility, which is a prized mystic virtue. It
does not mean you're a doormat or that you are subservient to somebody else.
Acknowledging your having been mistaken about anything, and then changing your
mind after gathering more complete information and thoroughly thinking things
through is a sign of being logical, thorough, thoughtful and wise. Your prime
allegiance is to the truth, regardless of where it originates.
There is tremendous freedom in uttering these powerful words. Your cognitive
dissonance vanishes. You don't have to expend any energy defending the idea of
"being right." You are free to pursue the truth without baggage.
Once you get into the habit of allowing yourself to say "I changed my mind" and "I
was wrong" (7 words), you will experience newfound freedom. You will have taken 7
powerful steps towards the mystic virtue of wisdom.
Best Wishes,
Ed

The Elven Light

Posted by Jeremy Crawford

The Elven Light if in your heart,

will bring you joy and never part.
The Green time all around your life,
will bring sweet dream and end all strife.
Open your heart to the Elven Host,
For they will be with you when you need them most.
Loneliness and Death's dark train,
will not upset you with your Elven Wain.
Rejoice for the Woods are in your heart,
Joy is there, and ne'er will part.
For you are blessed by the Sidhe's own Dun,
and blessed by the goddess of the Moon and Sun.
Jeremy Crawford

Our Hearts Compassion

Posted by StarFire
Growth in self-awareness begins with asking who am I, what are my gifts
and what is my lifes purpose? As the answers unfold, we extend
ourselves beyond the Me to the We. When the focus is on the We,
giving, sharing and being of service emerge naturally and with unified
strength. We all benefit from this focus.
When we realize the We in us, service oriented endeavors become more
important and more available to us. Look within to the gifts you have to
offer the We and be willing to express these gifts. The world is ready for
your talent and compassionate action.
Our task must be to free ourselvesby widening our circle of compassion
to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.
Albert Einstein

WHAT to Do If You Were Born

with Magical Gifts
Posted by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)
While it is true that there is no actual distinction between so-called muggles and
magicians, there are certain people who come into this lifetime with more magical
skills than others. These skills are usually the result of magical practice in past
lifetimes.
Whether you are particularly sensitive to psychic vibrations, can read other people's
thoughts, or can heal with energy, developing your magical gifts is important. It will
probably also be easier for you than for the average Joe.
<><> How to Further Develop Your Magical Gifts <><>
For most people born with magical gifts, control ends up being the main problem. For
instance, if you have the magical gift of hearing other people's thoughts, you may feel
overwhelmed every time you step into a crowded situation. If you can heal with
energy, or manipulate energy, you may be adversely affected when you come in
contact with someone who has negative energy.
<><> What's happening? <><>
Instead of you using your magical gifts, your magical gifts are using you. Not good.
So control is the key. And how do you develop control? There are three magic rituals
that can help with control.
>> Magic Ritual #1: The Electric Blue Spiral
Electric blue is the energy that forms galaxies, and is also the energy associated with
most psychic vibrations. It is the same color that is at the base of a gas flame, very
bright and very intense. If you have trouble controlling your magical abilities in
certain situations, you can focus on electric blue energy to stay in control.

Specifically, you want to see an electric blue spiral spinning inside your chest, near
your heart chakra. If you were to "look down" at the blue spiral, you want to see is
spinning clockwise. Some people see a laser-like spiral while others see more of an
amorphous flame. The goal is to focus all of your magical energy into that spiral.
When you focus on the spiral, your attention (and your energy) is fully contained
within yourself. You are shielded, both from projecting your energy outward and
from absorbing unwanted energies from other people. This is a useful magical ritual
for helping just about anyone control and focus their magical gifts.
>> Magic Ritual #2: The Electric Blue Bubble
Another way to use electric blue energy in a protective magic ritual is to visualize
yourself completely enclosed in a whirling electric blue bubble. Once you can
visualize the bubble, see unwanted energies from other people bouncing off this
bubble shield.
If you easily read thoughts but don't want to hear anyone else's thoughts in a crowd
situation, visualize those thought forms hitting your bubble and bouncing off. This
kind of visualization "programs" your shield to protect you against specific things,
like thoughts or negative energies. Thus you want to be specific when visualizing
what is bouncing off your shield.

>> Magic Ritual #3: Wear a Faery Star Psychic Shield

The Faery Star is a seven-pointed star, unlike the five-pointed star of the pentagram.
The star is created by combining a four-pointed square with a three-pointed triangle
in such a way to that it creates a constantly circulating shape, or a constantly
circulating shield.
The Faery Stay psychic shield is a useful tool because, once keyed, it becomes an
eternally spinning shield. Unlike the pentagram, which always requires a "push"
from outside to set it in motion, once set in motion (by keying it with electric blue
energy) the Faery Star never stops rotating.
Also known as the Elven Star, this septagram symbol is sacred to many Wiccan and
tribal traditions because the number seven is sacred. The number seven is related to
the seven planets, the seven notes of the diatonic scale, the seven directions (North,
South, East, West, above, below, and within), and the seven colors of the rainbow.
Once keyed, the Faery Star can be used at any time to help you control your magical
gifts. Use it as a talisman. Whenever you feel your energies spinning out of control,
just reach for your Faery Star pendant (most people wear it on a chain around their
neck) and it will ground your energies as well as protect you from unwanted
energies.

PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING

Posted by

BZ

I believe that the very purpose of life is to be happy.

From the very core of our being, we desire contentment. In my
own limited experience I have found that the more we care for the
happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being.
Cultivating a close, warmhearted feeling for others automatically
puts the mind at ease. It helps remove whatever fears or
insecurities we may have and gives us the strength to cope with
any obstacles we encounter. It is the principal source of success in
life. Since we are not solely material creatures, it is a mistake to
place all our hopes for happiness on external development alone.
The key is to develop inner peace.

Dalai Lama

"LET GO"
Posted by

BZ

Letting go is one of the hardest lessons in life,

Yet over changing seasons and passing time,
You will have to learn to let go of certain
People, relationships, situations and things,
That fall way beyond your control.
Tenacity and the attitude of not giving up,
Work wonders on many occasions but not all,
As some things just are not meant to be,
No matter how hard you fight and cling to them,
And forcing your will upon things just repel them further.
There will always be people,
Who will turn out in ways you never expected,
And it dawns on you that you have to let them go,
So that they can fulfill their destinies,
While you go on to fulfill your own life path.
As life likes to dish out surprises and challenges,
Sometimes it is only through letting go,
When your heart cries in anguish,
That in the agonizing process that you realize,
What is truly worth holding onto.
Letting go does not signify weakness,
As it might take more courage to let go than holding on,
Like the big, inflexible tree that snaps in the storm,
While tiny blades of grasses yield and live on,
Revealing the strength of letting go.
Copyright 2006 Fion Lim. All rights reserved

Charging Your Magickal Tools

Posted by Delphyne Seadancer

Tools, charms and amulets can be charged by channelling energy through mental
images into the material itself. This would usually be performed at the time of the
full moon as energy is the most effectively channelled and condensed at this time.
The same holds true of oils prepared in the prescribed manner at the time of the full
moon.
One technique is called loading the tools, this involves placing certain herbs inside a
ritual tool, typically candles or the ritual wand. You would hollow out the bottom of
the candles about an inch deep with a hot metal probe, gently pushing and twisting it
into the candle. Then pack the herbs into the hole and seal them over with melted
wax. For the wand simply hollow out the shaft or if you desire you can hollow out the
head and then glue it back in place. You can also add along with herbs crystals or a
power stone.
Another technique involves brewing an herbal potion in boiling purified water and
steeping the appropriate herbs in the water for about twenty minutes. Then the ritual
tool may be placed in the potion. Depending on your needs you may wish to use
several different potions for each tool. If you are charging an athame or metal amulet
you will find it effective to heat the metal before plunging it into the herbal potion.
The Solar Charge
Place the desired gem in a pan of boiling salt water for about one minute, then place
the
gem under the noon sun for about one hour.
The charge: Make a tripod of dry twigs, preferably oak. Set the stand outside at
sunrise with the gem nesting on top. Leave the stone in this position until 1 P.M. The
stone is now charged with the sun's energy. Next filter the sunlight onto the gem
through a sheet of coloured plastic or glass. The colour of the plastic will be linked to
the effect desired.

The Lunar Charge

This is similar to that of the solar charge, with the following exception. Place the
desired gem under the moon at 9 P.M. or midnight for three hours. On the following
night use the coloured filter, this allows the magnetic energies of the moon to "set"
individually with the moon, and the Zodiac sign it occupies. These energies will
influence the work of the gem or tool involved. Remember to avoid direct sunlight on
a lunar-charged gem.
These are all pretty fancy, complicated methods. Remember that you can simply
charge with intent, charge tools by leaving them on your altar for a while, burying
them or doing a ritual to consecrate them. Scott Cunningham, Silver RavenWolf and
Dorothy Morrison have some nice rituals for this purpose in their books.
*If anyone can provide me with the author of this piece for my files I would greatly appreciate it.

song to earth
Posted by Rory 'Aurora'
angels' song pours upon the oceans starlight sunlight moonlight glow
whales & dolphins hear this song
kindly singing it to us - slow
.... that's the way it was
some ears fell deaf with clanging metal
and turned their hearts from home
birds of the sea were first to hear
as they graced the waves' foam
.....angels & animals sang louder
and louder and ....
far wild the birds cried to all earth's sacred
the angels guiding love song
swanhorsetigergoatcowbearsheepwolf
understood love rhythm song for so long
.....they knew it was our life
FlyingRunningRoaringHowl
desperate delivery of Grace
our b'loved creatures spread
the way of love's eternal face
...and some of us put down our fury and listened

and the Angels' song grew stronger and so did all of our light
bravely we face home with ourbleeding
hearts in hand - outreaching
forgive us join our hearts in love heavens
& light - we are yours to teach
and Love spread everywhere
Angels whisper-sing in our ears all day
to help our creature brethren, ocean & soil
we do this with love in so many ways
+those still deaf from clanging metal will hear
and it will be
Angels' song pours upon the oceans starlight sunlight moonlight glow
Whales & Dolphins hear this song
kindly singing it to us slow
that's the way it is
roryc2010

please listen to a whalesong today and also a dolphins too: they

are more important than many people know

Musings What is truth

Posted by Amitiel Nightstar
Truth
Is truth is it based on a personal ideal, or on societies ideal of morality and
knowledge? Do we create truth or is there a deeper absolute truth hidden from us? Is
it the absolute truth we seek or personal truth?
If truth is the state of being in accord with reality, or remaining in accordance with a
fact or belief. Then is it based on personal beliefs. Beliefs that were passed down
from parents to child. Or beliefs that we as individuals come to realize on our own. Is
it a combination of the two that makes up or individual truths. For example the idea
of right or wrong, the choice of morality is passed down then it can become a truth.
We believe killing is evil so we do not kill. That ideal has become a social truth. Yet
how do we seperate social truth from personal truth. Social truth is what society
teachs and believes as truth.
So the individual truth is what we as individuals believe. And it becomes our ideal
truth. Yet we a humans when faced with a truth that we ourselves do not believe in
we either deny its existance. Or else we attempt to crush it with what we see as truth.
Why do we try to crush the truths of others if they disagree with our own. Is it
because we fear their idea of what truth is or is it because we want to deny that every
living thing has their own idea of what truth is. If this is the case then there cannot be
absolute truth.
But what about a hidden truth. A truth hidden in the consouisness of all human
beings. Could it be this hidden truth that many people strive to find? If so then is not
the only way to look for this hidden truth is acceptance of all truth and personal
reflection. Because could not all personal and social truth make up fragment of the
truth. Thus allowing us a greater understanding of the world around us.

May you find serenity and tranquility in a

world you may not always understand.
Posted by Linda

May you find serenity and tranquility

in a world you may not always understand.
May the pain you have known
and the conflict you have experienced
give you the strength to walk through life
facing each new situation with courage and optimism.
Always know that there are those
whose love and understanding will always be there,
even when you feel most alone.
May a kind word,
a reassuring touch,
and a warm smile
be yours every day of your life,
and may you give these gifts
as well as receive them.
May the teachings of those you admire
become part of you,
so that you may call upon them.

Remember, those whose lives you have touched

and who have touched yours
are always a part of you,
even if the encounters were less than you would have wished.
It is the content of the encounter
that is more important than its form.
May you not become too concerned with material matters,
but instead place immeasurable value
on the goodness in your heart.
Find time in each day to see beauty and love
in the world around you.
Realize that what you feel you lack in one regard
you may be more than compensated for in another.
What you feel you lack in the present
may become one of your strengths in the future.
May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility.
Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience.
May you find enough inner strength
to determine your own worth by yourself,
and not be dependent
on another's judgment of your accomplishments.
May you always feel loved....
- Sandra Sturtz Hauss

A Tale of the Woods

Posted by Bran th' Blessed

Once I went looking for the oldest creature in the wood. I asked my father, the
woodsman, "Are you the oldest person in the wood?"
"Oh no," he said, "There are beings much older than myself in these woods. Yes..."
and he wrinkled his brow as he mulled the question over. Then he noticed me still
awaiting his answer. "Ah, yes, the old mother elk who lives in the Holly grove, for
example. Why, she must be almost 80 years old, much older than most of her kind,"
and he nodded his head in affirmation of his words.
So I went next to ask the old mother elk if she were the oldest person in the wood.
"Indeed," said she, "I am older than any other of my kind, and some days I know I
must feel every year and day of my long life. But I am not nearly the oldest one in
these woods. Oh no, my dear! My grandmother told me long ago that the first being
she befriended in these woods was an ancient bed of moss that had grown upon a
fallen tree in the shadowy ash thicket at the center of the wood. I have seen that moss
bed myself. It still flourishes in the heart of the woods."
I thanked the old mother elk for her information and wished her happiness in all her
remaining years and days. Then I journeyed to the old ash thicket at the heart of the
woods where I found the old bed of moss on the rotted remains of the old fallen tree.
"Tell me, old one, if you will, are you the oldest creature in these woods?" I waited as
patiently as I could for the moss to respond, for even young moss,as you may know,
can be quite slow in almost anything it does. Finally, and after a long silence, a
chorus of small voices answered me.
"We have been here a long, long time as it is recorded in our lore. We have rested
long years upon this fallen tree and indeed we clung to its side from the days it first
peaked its shallow tendrils above the ground. And you know, it was one of the first
trees in the wood, an ancient boughard, grey and grizzled when he fell." And the
voices repeated it with venerable grief in their tone, "Grey and grizzled when he fell."

I started to offer them condolences for their loss, but I could not quite find the right
words. As I paused awkwardly, the voices continued. "But we must tell you, child,
there are older ones in our lore. It was told in the tales that the old trees shared
among themselves that there was one who was here long before them, before this
sacred land became the wood it is today you see. Perhaps that old one remains today
in her home to the north of the lake somewhere west of our thicket.
"Go and see," they urged me. "And when you have found her or not, return and tell
us so that we may add this tale to our lore."
"So shall I surely do," I affirmed to them, to the ancient colony of the moss. And
turning toward the west I walked slowly to the lake some half a league beyond the
thicket. When I reached the lake I circled the long way, deocil, to the north banks,
chanting to myself as I strode through the grasses and the reeds that lined the lake.
"Grant, Mother Goddess, that I may have eyes to see and wisdom to know."
Her feet were shorn with dirt and grasses, and a vine entangled bush embraced her
from behind, but the wind-worn face of the ancient boulder remained resolute
against time and age. There was no doubt that this stone was the embodiment of the
old one of whom the ancient lore of the trees had alluded. I knelt before the stone
and lowered my head in homage.
"Blessed be you, ancient one, of the Earth who gave you birth and the sky that
shelters you from above." She made no sound, but I felt her gaze settle upon me. "I
have set myself upon a quest, venerable grandmother, to find the oldest being in
these woods, and I know that surely you must be that oldest of old ones, you who
stood here in these woods before anything but the very Earth herself."
"I and the Earth," she said in a voice that was a whisper echoing from a cavern, "are
one. So I am the mother of all that lives in these woods as I am the mother of all else
that flourishes between the hidden Earth and the clear empyrean heights of the deep
blue, open Sky."
"I am thy child, great Goddess," I declared as we all may, "flesh of thy flesh and
blood of thy blood."
"But tell me why you seek the oldest one in these woods," she spoke with an
understanding that there was more to my quest. "What would you gain from this old
scarred stone that you could not elsewhere gain?"

"Can you tell me, O face of the Goddess, where there is one than which no elder can
be known?" It was the question I had cultivated so carefully and cherished as a secret
until I thought I had found one who might answer it.
She was silent, but I felt the serenity of her silence. She spoke. "Look to the sky
above you, to the stars of the firmament, many of whom are older than myself and
the sun and moon and planets. Their very lights shine upon us from ages long
forgotten. Before I could become the mother of all life, some stars once lived whose
lights no longer shine, but in their lives and in their deaths they labored to bring
forth the very fabric of my being. I am star stuff, my child, and therefore you too are
made of star stuff.
"And here is another secret. The light is born of darkness. No star could be born
except the clouds of darkness, born from the debris of cosmic creation itself, had
gathered into swirling spheres that slowly shrank and began to glow with the birth
of elemental fire. Remember this secret that I tell you. *The Sun is but a mortal light
surrounded by immortal Night.* For all stars are born from the clouds of darkness
that are the oldest beings in all the very sky except for Night herself, who is not born
and cannot die.
Look, child, to the darkness of Night. She is the One you seek, the One than whom
no elder can be known, for she was there before the emptiness of space itself, before
the dawn of time she was and shall remain when time is done. We call her Night
because the light cannot touch upon her, but she is the mother of light and the very
stars from which it shines. Indeed, all that is or was and all that ever shall be arises
from the womb of Mother Night. Call her not by what she seems, but by what she is.
Call her Spirit, the ageless, endless mother of the ten thousand worlds."
Revised 05/04/2013

To Breeze
Wings of a Butterfly
Posted by haw

As the waves come ashore

the wind comes thos with
bring the fresh scent of ocean air
surrounding your senses of a new clean energy
flowing ever so softly
like the wings of a butterfly
sunrise or sunset the colors of the sky and sea
as so as the colors of the wings
pastel in shade
the windsong in my ears smooth and delicate
as that of a butterfly floating over lush fields of heather
scent take me away to an unknown place
where this wind and colors come from
let me ride the wings of a butterfly
too know its ever so divine existence
a place near and far and all around sweeping from head to toe
to the ground and as the butterfly swoops all around
the pastels in color and wind and air wraps me in a temporary bliss
untill the next journey all this I will miss
Just like Breeze as she is My air , my wind and my colors of pastels
of day and the night skies.
Huggs and loves
Shadow

HOLD FAST YOUR DREAMS

Posted by

BZ

Hold Fast your dreams!

Within your heart
Keep one, still secret spot
Where dreams may go,
And sheltered grow-Where doubt and fear are not.
O, keep a place apart,
Within your heart,
For little dreams to go!
Think still of lovely things that are not true.
Let wish and magic work at will in you.
Be sometimes blind to sorrow. Make believe!
Forget the calm that lies
In disillusioned eyes.
Though we all know that we must die,
Yet you and I
May walk like gods and be
Even now at home in immortality.
We see so many ugly things-Deceits and wrongs and quarrellings;
We know, alas! We know
How quickly fade
The color in the west,
The bloom upon the flower,
The bloom upon the breast
And youth's blind hour.
Yet keep within your heart
A place apart
Where little dreams may go,
May thrive and grow.
Hold fast--hold fast your dreams.
By Louise Driscoll

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