Dion Fortune

We've all had people ask us the question, "If you could spend the day with someone famous, who would it be?" And then, all sorts of names start rattling through your head...perhaps the president, maybe a famous actor or actress, a famous figure from the past? When you think about it, there are so many people out there that this really isn't such an easy question. So, if you are at all like me, when pressed for an answer, you blurt out a name, then start scratching your head. "Is that 'really' the person I would want to spend my day with?" We don't have anything in common. Well, I can now honestly say that the next time someone asks me that question , I know exactly who I would say....Dion Fortune. I fell in love with her book, "Glastonbury: Avalon of the Heart" and have read it several times. I love the picture she paints of that mystical place. Then, over the weekend I began to read her novel "The Sea Priestess" and I have to say, that clinched it for me. This is the woman I would most like to spend my day with.

She was, as I once considered myself, a bit of a rebel. Back in the day I thought nothing of walking across the bridge in support of a cause or to protest an unjust cause, but those days are over. Physically, it would be impossible for me to do it today ...although I did walk the Brooklyn Bridge when we had the last blackout, but could I do it now? But see? See how my mind wanders!!! This is not about me; this is supposed to be about Dion.

What strikes me the most was that she was very much her own woman. In a forward to the book, "The Sea Priestess" Gareth Knight writes, "The most striking was her mode of dress. Dion Fortune had a penchant for large, very wide-brimmed hats that partly concealed her face, together with a long cloak that descended almost to her ankles, while underneath she might sport a scarlet dress. She was also very fond of furs and chunky jewelry, including rings with enormous stones." I've been considered a bit of an eccentric, at times...and although I don't like furs, I do love my chunky jewelry and have tons of the stuff home.

To me, she was a woman far ahead of her time, and she fit in very well today... new age and occult books are coming out on the market everyday. But, remember, in Dion's time, things were very, very different, but she still managed to get her point across. In her time, esoteric matters were not something you discussed in public, so, after she was accused of revealing too much about her beliefs in her book, "The Mystical Qabalah", Dion decided that she would begin writing fiction . She found that with fiction she she was able to expound on her teachings without raising an eyebrow. Her fiction works also contained examples of practical magick safely hidden in the guise of a novel. "The Sea Priestess" was written as a teaching novel; some of the information in the book has made it into some of the traditional teachings Wiccan students receive today. Her message was not designed for everyone, but only those few who understood.

If you have a chance, I highly recommend your picking up the book. I can't put it down.

Taking a Break

Taking a short break from this blog as I try to figure out what direction I'd like it to go. Anyone with any suggestions, please feel free to post your ideas. I will continue to post to my other blogs. Of course I took a break from my Avalon Blog, too, and that only lasted about a day or so. Guess I just need to regroup here. This was my very first blog and I jumped into it head on without a plan. I've got several things going on in my head at this point.

We Remember

Take a few minutes of silence today to remember those who lost their lives in the attacks of 9/11. Search out rememberance pages of our fallen heroes and leave a note of thanks and appreciation.

A Crow Flies in Brooklyn

My son actually heard Crow before I knew he was there. He had one day complained that the birds were too loud this year, especially one bird, and he couldn't catch up on his rest (He works nights). I just sort of laughed it off and reminded him , "What a wonderful part of nature....the songs of the birds...Listen for the joy. Listen to what they are trying to tell you." Then, I went off to my job and forgot all about our conversation....until the weekend when I went out into the backyard early morn to welcome the new day and heard such a squawking...caw, caw, caw....just demanding of my attention. Then, , looking up, I saw him sitting atop the cable wires which stretched across the rear of the yard...such a beautiful, majestic creature he was. It seemed like my attention was all he was after for he quieted down once he knew I was looking at him.

I'd seen crows many times when I was still living in the countryside, but not here in the city... although I knew they existed in places such as Central and Prospect Park... but here in my neighborhood? Why the largest park is no larger than the size of a medium sized parking lot. So, I began doing some research in order to understand what my crow friend wanted. Could he be my totem? Was he aware of my new-found yearnings, and was he here to show me the way? I found the following in "Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through Animals" by Ja,mie Sams and David Carson, Illustrated by Angela C. Werneke.

There is a medicine story that tells of Crow's fascination with her own shadow. She kept looking at it, scratching it, pecking at it, until her shadow woke up and became alive. Then Crow's shadow ate her. Crow is Dead Crow now.

Dead Crow is the Left-Handed Guardian. If you look deeply into Crow's eye, you will have found the gateway to the supernatural. Crow knows the unknowable mysteries of creation and is the keeper of all sacred law.

Since Crow is the keeper of sacred law, Crow can bend the laws of the physical universe and "shape shift". This ability is rare and unique. Few adepts exist in today's world, and few still have mastered Crow's art of shape shifting. This art includes doubling, or being in two places at one time consciously; taking on another physical form and becoming the 'fly on the wall' to observe what is happening far away.

The Europeans that came to Turtle Island were named the 'boat people' by Slow Turtle. Even with the knowledge of alchemy possessed by certain boat people, non had ever seen the power shape shifting of shamans who utilized Crow medicine. Many boat people were frightened by what appeared to be animals coming into their camps or dwellings to discern their medicine. Crow medicine people are masters of the illusion.

All sacred texts are under the protection of Crow. Creator's Book of Laws or Book of Seals is bound in Crow feathers. Crow feathers tell of spirit made flesh. Crow is also the protector of the 'ogallah' or ancient records.

The Sacred Law Belts, or Wampum Belts, beaded by the native women long before the boat people or Europeans came to this continent, contain knowlege of the Great Spirit's laws, and are kept in the Black Lodges, the lodges of women. The law which states that 'all things are born of women' is signified by the Crow.

Children are taught to behave according the the rules of a particular culture. Most orthodox systems create a mandate concerning acceptable behavior within the context of worldly affairs. Do this and so, and you will go to heaven. Do this and so, and you will go to hell. Different formulas for salvation are demanded by each 'true faith'.

Human law is not the same as Sacred Law. More so than any other medicine, Crow ses that the physical world and even the spiritual world, as humanity interprets them, are an illusion. There are billions of worlds. There are an infinitude of creatures. Great Spirit is within all. If an individual obeys Crow's perfect laws as given by the Creator, then as at death he or she dies a Good Medicine death--going on to the next incarnation with a clear memory of his or her past.

Crow is an omen of change. Crow lives in the void and has no sense of time. The Ancient Chief's tell us that Crow sees simultaneously the three fates--past, present, and future. Crow merges light and darkness, seeing both inner and outer reality.

If Crow medicine appears in your card spread, you must pause and reflect on how you see the laws of the Great Spirit in relation to the laws of humanity. Crow medicine signifies firsthand knowledge of a higher order of right and wrong than indicated by the laws created in human culture. With Crow medicine, you speak in a powerful voice when addressing issues that for you seem out of harmony, out of balance, out of whack, or unjust.

Remember that Crow looks at the world with first one eye, then the other--cross-eyed. In the Mayan culture, cross-eyeds had the privilege and duty of looking into the future. You must put aside your fear of being a voice in the wilderness and 'caw' the shots as you see them.

As you learn to allow your personal integrity to be your guide, your sense of feeling alone will vanish. Your personal will can then emerge so that you will stand in your truth. The prime path of true Crow people says to be mindful of your opinions and actions. Be willing to walk your talk, speak your truth, know your life's mission, and balance past, present, and future in the now. Shape shift that old reality and become your future self. Allow the bending of physical laws to aid in creating the shape shifted world of peace.

Powerful indeed. At first I was speechless. Saw so much of myself in this. None of my acquaintences know this, but I was cross-eyed as a child. I had to wear a patch over one eye to strengthen the other. If you look closely, you can still see that both eyes are not even because I would take it off at times when playing with friends. My parents never knew this, but hey, I was only a kid. I didn't know how important it was....But, alas, I must have left it on enough to do some good because my eyes are not that bad.

Also, the last paragraph really hit home to feelings and frustrations I have been going through recently at my place of employment. Actually, everyone there has been affected, but none of us have really spoken out about the problem. I actually took off work today because I needed some time to sort things out, and what Crow is telling me is "Stand in your truth. Be willing to walk your talk, speak your truth." I've been holding things in for so long, they are actually starting to affect my outer demeanor and how I deal with people...which is bad for me because dealing with people is my job. I am nearing that dangerous point where I quit...not a good idea in today's economy and at my age. What Crow is telling me is to no longer hold in what is bothering me, but to speak up about it, to speak my truth. In only that way can the old reality be shape shifted into a world of peace. People's feelings will be hurt, definitely, but if those people were not so out of balance, there would be no need to speak of what is right and what is wrong.

Ironically, as I sat down to work on this blog, I heard the now familiar caw...caw...caw...of my friend. It makes me wonder how long Crow has been there for me, but I was too deaf too listen.

I

Strange day today!!! Can't quite put my finger on it... Just feels somewhat out of the norm. Mercury retrograde? Is that what it is?...Or is it something more? Does anyone else feel it, or is it just me? Truth be told, I am bored....I feel as if I have been stagnating lately, like I need something more in my life, something new...and not something material. I have enough of that. What I need is something to feed the soul. Druidism will always be in my heart, and I will forever be a Druid, but I am ready and eager to take the next step... and the fact is, Druidism and Shamanism go hand and hand. It is not as if I am turning to an a new path altogether. I am just adding knowledge to the one I am already on.

I guess my restlessness started when I began a study of Tom Cowan's book "Fire in the Head: Shamanism and the Celtic Spirit. " I found myself hungering for more. For those who haven't read it and are interested in Druidism and Celtic Shamanism, I highly recommend it. Throughout the book, th author probes the common Shamanic roots of Druidism, witchcraft, and Celtic Christianity. He touches on mysticism, visionary experiences, and the soul of nature.

And then came that nagging little voice inside "But you are too old to become a Shaman. You are 62 years old, a crone, but don't crones make the best wise women? And, it is not that I have never been to the Otherworld; I have visited there since I was a child. And all my classes with NOD (New Order of Druids) have been leading up to this, haven't they? I've learned to communicate with Nature...and isn't that something that Shaman's do?

Addictions

I realized something yesterday. I will always be an addict. I can become addicted to anything and everything very quickly. Truth be told, it was a really, really busy at work, and I was unable to get to my blogs...and it ate at me all day. Now mind you, I've only been blogging for a little over a week and already have 3 started and another one in the works. One is never enough for me. It's like that with everything. I have so many bottles of nail polish that it ends up going bad and has to be thrown away. It's the same with lipstick, eye shadow, and blush. I've been addicted to alcohol...many moons' ago. I've been addicted to cigarettes and am currently 2 months smober. I've had my go-rounds with coffee, soda, cookies, candy, and ice cream.. clothing, necklasses from the 99 cent store, hair goods, books. The list goes on and on and on.

Speaking of books, I began re-reading "The 21 Lessons of Merlyn" by Douglas Monroe again, and I chanced upon something interesting. It is found on page 19 and is called "Three Things a Man is". These are:

What he thinks he is.
What others think he is.
What he really is.

Something to think about you. Check with me tomorrow about that one.

In September

A Perfect Brooklyn morning in the fall.

September 1st. Fall is my time of the year. September has been my month. I used to wait eagerly for school to start so I could show off my new clothes. Now, with Labor Day right around the corner, it is time to start packing away and digging out. This year I am going to give away. Each season I have clothes that I dig out, wash, dry, fold or hang, and then they just sit until the next season comes round...and this has become almost a tradition with me. This year, in the spring, I packed up two shopping bags to give away, and where are they now? Still in the shopping bags waiting to be packed away until next spring.

I am feeling a little depressed this September, though. I am not getting around as I once was. I loved to go for my long walks in the fall, and now they are a thing of the past. I'm getting up in years, not an old lady yet although I feel like one, but it seems like everything is catching up to me. I suffer from fibro and arthritis in the back. Until a few months ago, I didn't let anything stop me. I was able to grin and bear with it, but now, it is getting just so painful to walk. I guess the time is coming when I am going to have to 'give in' and take a prescription medication.

All and all, though, it truly is a wonderful day...and I don't have to go for long walks to enjoy the weather. I have my porch, my yard with its myriad of creatures....And a full moon is fast approaching. Yes, there is still much to love about life.