saying goodbye

This weekend I celebrated and said goodbye to my dear friend Sarah. 
As some of you will recall, Sarah died back in December after a cancer recurrence that would not be stopped. 
The shape and texture of this loss has echoed through the layers of my life in ways I didn’t expect. 
At her memorial this weekend her daughter spoke and said something to the effect that she herself hadn’t been to many memorials (she’s only 30), but that she now understood the importance and value of these gatherings. 

A memorial is a ritual, a space where those gathered step into the in between to remember and share. Some are deeply structured and held within traditions. 
Some are more casual and even joyful.

 A while ago I wrote to you about ceremony. How rituals both small and large were carrying me through the dark Winter and bringing support to my soul in a time of need. 
Rituals are important. Sharing in ritual is important too. 

When we step into those liminal spaces with others, there is something primal and powerful that emerges. Connections are formed. Some of these transcend these sacred spaces and some last only as long as the ceremony itself. 

Yet all those connections are meaningful. All have the potential to alchemize something inside of us. 

Whether in public ritual, coven spaces, community ceremony, or women’s circles, there is something profound about being witnessed and being a witness. We are not meant to be alone. We are communal beings. Some of us need more space independently of the group vibe, but at the end of the day we all need each other. 

As the butterflies danced and the nearby farm animals called to each other, and the warm sun shone down, I absorbed the stories people shared about Sarah and I took the time to smile and say hello to many people I had only known in name and context, and I felt closer to Sarah, and less pummeled by my grief, and discovered my broken heart was also very very full. 
I wouldn’t have had this experience alone. Not in the same way at least. Not with the same depth. 

Where are you coming together in ceremony?  Maybe it's a wedding, or a funeral, or a graduation. 
Maybe it’s a moon circle or a seasonal celebration or a ritual to honor yourself, or connect with the elements. 

I invite you to bring yourself into these sacred spaces. 
To let yourself sit in the magic that is stirred when people gather. 
Yes,  I know not all ceremony feels great, (especially when uncle so and so gets drunk and inappropriate or your grief is so big the day feels like a fog) but the invitation is to be with what is, to discover the beauty that is present. Watch the way people look at each other, hug or touch, chant or sing. 
I promise, even in the weirdest of ceremonies there is a gem to be taken and treasured. 

Announcements
The Witch Next Door is on break-we will return in a few weeks with new episodes. 

The Priestess Path Awakening Journey begins June 21st. If you’ve been looking for a way to grow your magic, this is an opportunity for you! This program is a year long commitment to yourself and your magical practice. (It also gifts you with those group ceremonies I’ve been talking about). Learn more here

I will not be hosting a Summer Circle this season, but these seasonal 6 session circles will begin again in the Fall.

And finally, the Diving Deeper Membership circle is here to help you anchor your practice to the seasons and lunar cycles!  
Membership perks include:
 A monthly calendar to guide you to lessons, meditations and rituals all housed in the Diving Deeper archives. 
Wheel of the year live streamed interactive rituals 
Deep discounts and early registration for classes and workshops
An off Facebook social media group where you can connect with other Wise Witchy humans. 
Plus the occasional pop up ritual and class. 
You can learn more here

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