Sisterhood

This weekend, I took the plunge and joined the Sisterhood of a local Goddess focused temple. The temple has been around for quite some time, the women involved are knowledgable, fun to be around, creative, and pretty much exactly the kind of women I'd hoped to meet about a year ago when I really began craving the company of other witchy women. Last year, I attended monthly meetings of the Temple sporadically, but the past few months have found me in attendance. The meetings are a wonderful step away from mundane life, and, indeed what I take away (and hopefully what I contribute) carries me through my every day life. Sometimes, just knowing there are like minded individuals out there makes it easier to trudge the happy road. I can remember times in the past when I would enjoy a holiday ritual at home, then hang out with my "muggle" friends and wonder what they'd think if they knew that just a couple of hours before hanging out with them I'd been opening a sacred circle at the altar in my bedroom!

I'm excited and a little nervous with regard to this new path. However, this past Saturday night during a meditation I felt I received an answer to my fears. I truly felt that the Goddess spoke to me as I plumbed the depths of my soul, searching deep down for my truth. I know that the current year will present challenges as my spiritual life becomes more involved, my life in the Pagan rhealm becomes more open (to some people, at least), and I'm called upon to challenge the mainstream ways in which I was raised more and more. On any spiritual path, though, challenges arise. Facing those hurdles and jumping over them (or walking through them, around them, or under them) is what makes us stronger as we grow along the road of our chosen journey. It's part of what gives us the resolve to continue through the more difficult times (such as when your best friend questions why you have a stained glass pentacle sparkling in your kitchen window- this might be a tougher moment than you imagine). For me, challenges also provide opportunity for growth, because they generally send us searching for solutions. I'm happy and excited and ready for the adventure!