a week ending in a retreat of sorts

May 13
I go down to stand in my stone circle and I close my eyes and say my blessing. Asking Cerridwen and Mary Magdalene to be with me this day.
When I open my eyes I realize that when I am in this circle I really am in a different dimension, because while I had my eyes closed it was as if all the outside world had disappeared for a few moments. This thought strengthens me.
There is an emptiness within and I know it is my solar plexus / I sit and try to get in touch with this emotion of loss and sadness and a voice within says to go with it to allow it and to welcome it
My wisdom tells me that this is an exciting time and that I am never alone
Not to rush to fill this emptiness but to sit with it, this is a hard lesson for me..

May 15
I can feel that winter is coming, the wind is icy and when I look at my garden, I can see the plants are slowing down even more. Even though the lavender is still blooming profusely and there are signs of new growth in the calendula self seeding, the overall energy is one of resting.
The wind whips up during the day and grabs a lot of silver birch leaves scattering them high, making the leaves look like a charm of finches. Clouds scud across the sky over the valley
When I go up the street I notice chickweed growing and note to myself that I can use some to make an herbal vinegar, time to harvest it now.
I also make a note that I must find some violet plants to grow so that I can make violet tincture.
Winter seems to have arrived. A perfect day to have our wood fire burning. Sitting in front of it, gazing into the flames could almost be like scrying

May 16
The wind blew all night and this morning I wondered how long I can continue to stand under my apple tree in the morning. It is probably time for me to create a portable stone circle in my Sacred space inside. I will use the stones gathered in Cornwall.

I am beginning to feel Cerridwen as a real guide or friend in my day. Still connecting but it is getting stronger.
It is cold and windy and I must create a protective barrier around my citrus so that the cold doesn't affect them. Somehow, build a plastic barrier to keep this cold wind out and the heat in.. growing citrus here in Katoomba is not as easy as it was in Woodford. But I am determined!
On my way to the station I see clover growing and I stop to pick a flower to press. Remembering to ask and say thankyou
It reminded me of when I was a little girl making daisy chains for my hair. Usually alone amongst the clover faeries. Even a solitary back then.

Shamanic class tonight, we are studying the chakras at the moment and tonight was our sacral chakra.. in my journey, I was told to eat oranges and to buy myself a piece of orange calcite as my sacral chakra stone and also to use sweet orange oil in a massage blend or oil burner. I am loving how my guides are so specific. My power animal is snake.. but last night a bat flew into my  journey, ahead of me preparing the way..

May 17
it is cold. going down in the morning to say my prayers, it was icy and the wind was gale force. I think this is the last time that I will venture outside this early in the morning. As much as I love standing in my circle.. I do have to be sensible.
I have a lovely nurturing, grounding beef casserole cooking.. root vegetables good for the base chakra.. I am off to a frame drum making workshop/retreat tonight for the weekend and I am taking this delicious casserole as my offering...
after lunch, we go to the hardware store and buy the plastic for the orange tree

hopefully this will work and create some kind of hot home for our juvenile orange tree.

I am really looking forward to the workshop as I want to drum to send  healing.. yesterday as I was walking, I understood in my heart, that my mission [or one of them] is to help the vibration of Katoomba. There is something very odd here at the moment.. and unloved energy.. and I know I can help.

the orange tree was planted last year - this year it has 3 oranges on it. I really hope they ripen in their microclimate. nothing like oranges freshly picked off the tree.