RCG-I Seasonal Salon Fall Equinox 2005

DragonFly

During the season of Autumn Equinox we take stock of where we’ve been, how far we’ve come, and where we are going. The Goddess, having given us a sweet abundance of melons, fresh fruit, and insect songs, now enters menopause. She is beginning to turn inward in a noticeable way. The Blessed Darkness is close. Her nights are long and silent. Dried leaves tumble, spin, and twirl upon the ground. The Wheel turns.

Lately, I have been feeling very disconnected from the Spirit That Lives Within Me. I have been filled with thoughts that cause me to pause upon The Path. Where have I been and why am I in this place? Autumn Equinox speaks of the turning inward time. I am worried: if I feel this alone at the beginning, what lies deep within? Each of us, from time to time, hang between what was and what will be; we are neither here nor there. The Wheel turns outward, inward, and back again. With each passing season, we spiral closer to the Divine Center and re-union with the Blessed Goddess, She Who births Creation.

I met DragonFly on a clear, moist morning in August. She was laying twisted and motionless on the dew drenched tarp. She appeared lifeless. As we journey toward the Divine Center many things are not as they appear. We must open our spirit eyes to see Her message. We must open our spirit ears to hear Her call. We must open our heart center to align with the energy of the Divine. I have been feeling bogged down by the weight of my fear and doubt. At every turn frustration, despair, and inertia beckoned. Ordination left me confused and, oh so primed for the turning inward time.

Thinking the gift lay within the death of DragonFly, I got out my camera. It is often said that everything we do and everything we don’t do has an affect on the choices we make. I had no idea I was about to make a critical choice. I had no idea Goddess was about to polish my lamp that it may more brightly shine upon The Path.

A disk full of pictures later, I stood under the tarp and with a flick of my finger sent DragonFly off the tarp and into the grass. Why I didn’t simply walk away and forget DragonFly is unknown to me. But isn’t the spiritual journey about answering the call coming from deep within us? Isn't the spiritual journey about following our intuition?

Armed with a fresh disk and a mild curiosity, I stood poised to take more pictures when, to my heart-stopping surprise, DragonFly began to move! There was life where once I perceived death. One thing becomes another upon the Wheel of Life. Just when I was ready to declare my spirituality dead, Goddess moved within me.

Recovering from my shock, I placed DragonFly on a dry paper towel and returned her to the tarp. Upon further inspection, it dawned on me that DragonFly was too wet to fly; she was heavy with dew. I, too, have been too wet to fly. I have been filled with the illusion that I am disconnected from the Blessed Goddess and, thus, from my sisters. I allowed myself to wallow in the negative stories society planted in me at birth. Sometimes the journey can seem so heavy. I was sure I had fallen off The Path. I had no clue where I was, much less where I was going. What was this message? It is said that DragonFly brings the cleansing winds of change. It is said DragonFly brings wisdom, clarity of vision, and transformation.

The spiritual journey is often filled with uncertainty. At times we may feel as if we have been slammed to the canvas, down for the count. We may feel deflated, defeated, and hopeless. Is this not simply the beginning of the turning inward time? Life is truly a Circle; we cannot always live in the Light but must also go to the Blessed Darkness. We must go deep within ourselves to align with the Source that is our true and authentic Self. We must pass through the gates that scare us; pass through the gates that ask us to strip away all delusion and come face to face with who and what we truly are. To achieve integrity, we must know ourselves both outwardly and inwardly. We must find the courage and stamina to discover our real Self. We must practice being our real Self.

Filled with wonderment, I watched DragonFly tremble and flutter. I watched her shake off the dew that had pinned her to the tarp. Soon she would fly. Soon she would be gone. Forever. Perhaps something passed between us for when I glanced away, I heard the sound of swiftly beating wings. Gone. DragonFly returned to The Path that is her Destiny. And I look to what will be with renewed enthusiasm. I look to my own Destiny with renewed commitment.

With open heart, I enter the turning inward time.

Take some time during Autumn Equinox to lovingly examine your spiritual journey. Are you moving in a positive direction? Is your Spirit strong and alive? Are you growing more secure in the knowledge that you are connected to the All That Is? Are you working to be more trusting, accepting, and loving of your sisters? How has the Blessed Goddess touched you?

Do not fear or resist the turning inward time for tremendous growth and transformation lives in the Blessed Darkness.

Goddess has moved from bringing forth abundance to bringing forth Inner Wisdom. Begin your own inward journey with your spirit eyes and ears open. Begin your own inward journey with hope, determination, joy, and peace. For Goddess lives within you. As She lives within me. As She lives within all Creation.

With Harm to None, Blessed Be