Meanwhile, we can’t give up hope. We have to research the agencies we entrust with our donations and make sure that they work for the greatest good. We have to reach out to our leaders and ask them to expedite aid at the federal level. But we also need to remember the power for good that we all have inside of us.

So, the next time you have a few minutes (and what better time than now?), stop and visualize that region of the world. Try not to focus so much on pictures of devastation and death that the media feeds us, but pick out a face…a child, perhaps, or a Mother (appropriate on Mother’s Day here in the U.S.)…and use that as a focus for your prayers.

Play music, light incense and candles, or just sit quietly. An altar is not required unless it helps you to focus better. Craft a simple prayer or chant in your mind, then repeat it while charging up your chakras. Feel the energy coming up your spine…

Red energy for the root chakra — May physical needs be met

Orange energy for the sacral chakra — May creative forces be used to their Highest Good

Yellow energy for the solar plexus — May each of us use our personal power to help ourselves and others

Green energy for the heart chakra — May our love and the love of the Goddess/Universe be sent to help and comfort those in need

Blue energy for the throat chakra — May we each find the power to speak our truth and to empower others to speak theirs

Indigo energy for the third eye — May we ask the Universe/Goddess/Spirit to bring our souls into balance in order to be of the most help to ourselves and others

Violet energy for the crown chakra — May the Goddess/Spirit/Universe bring us all peace.

If you’re pagan, you know the drill. Do whatever you need in order to bring the energy spiraling upward and when you’re ready, release it, asking that the Goddess direct it to those in need. Be sure to ground yourself well when you’re done. Eat and drink something, and thank the Goddess for allowing Her energy to flow through you.

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t ALSO do tangible, mundane things to help those in need, whether they be in Burma or next door. But combining your hands-on work with heart/spirit work can only enhance your efforts.

from animoto.com posted with vodpod

All good Witches know about P.S.T. — Pagan Standard Time. Our coven has a difficult time meeting during the week, so we’re celebrating our ritual on Sunday. We, umm, “borrowed” much of our ritual from another coven, but we DID put the citation at the top.

I will ask my coven siblings if they mind if I start publishing our rituals on the web. If they say okay, I’ll revise to make sure no names are mentioned (even in Austin there is enough closed-minded stupidity to go around), and add a page for our Book of Shadows.

We’ve been talking about putting our BOS together for some time. Maybe this is an easy way to do so. We’ll see. But for now, it’s off to the Garden Ridge, Lowe’s, and the grocery store to gather supplies and food for the feast. Busy shopping witches!

Of course I’m a geek…which means that I always cite my sources.  Seriously, I’ve been known to attach a freakin’ bibliography with my rituals before.    (Once an English teacher, always an English teacher.)

Anyone out there have any cool Beltane ideas?  We’re working on our garden about now, so we’d like to incorporate that into our ritual design.  (Maybe get a little free labor out of the deal for the price of a few cakes and ale, don’tcha know?)

Would love to hear what others are doing for Beltane, if you’re willing to share.  (PS: We’re a mixed coven, and most of us are bonded partners/married already.  But even so, we’re not going to be sharing the Great Rite LIVE and IN CIRCLE.  Not that that bothers me…just not our style.)

I’m pretty new to blogging, never actually thought I’d do it. Not that I don’t love writing — I DO! And I journal all the time. But I’m a pretty private gal, so posting thoughts for all the world to see? Not this Wyrrdister! Yet, here I am. Standing naked before the world…but hiding behind an identity only a few know. How bizarre.

Well, I hope to hear from others who share some of my interests. There are too many to list…but here are a few:

READING — I love almost anything, but am particularly interested in poetry and memoir right now. (I can’t wait to get money enough to go to the bookstore and get Red Bird, Mary Oliver’s new book of poetry!)

MOVIES — My favorite of all time is “The Shawshank Redemption”, but I love so many of them. (I saw Juno 3 times in the theater, and recently bought it on DVD, which I almost never do.)

WRITING — I’m part of a local writing group, and we do a lot of different types of writing. I seem to get into a lot of short stories and poems. Maybe I’ll get brave enough to post something of mine later on.

MAGICK — I am part of a smallish coven here in Austin (TX), but I never seem to make my daily solitary practice work for me as often as I’d like. (I guess that would be “daily”, wouldn’t it? But, I do keep an altar at home and at work, and I pray/do spells often.

MY ANIMALS — My partner and I are currently slaves to three cats and three dogs. I’ll post pictures of them later. They are so lovely and fun. I cannot imagine my life without them.

MY PARTNER — We’ll be celebrating the third anniversary of our handfasting soon (May 6th)! Amazing! She is the center of my universe, and I am happy to revolve around her every second. (I love you, honey!)

There are many more things/people/events that are important to me, but I think this will do for a start. I hope to hear from others who are interested in similar things, or who simply have questions or comments. I’m happy to return the favor.