I Felt The Tipping Point -- I Think. . . .

[qos]

This is kind of strange. . .

Last night I was moving into ritual space in a very quiet, relaxed way (read: lying snuggled up in bed, but focused on the work). I had started lighting candles sometime between 9:45 and 10pm, but wasn't worrying about trying to do anything at a particular moment. At the time this happened, I had no idea how much time had passed.

I was focusing on the energies and presence I had summoned, when suddenly I felt. . . a shift. It was subtle but real, and it was independent of what I was doing consciously -- and I thought Oh! We just hit the Solstice.

Next thought: Huh? Who am I kidding?

I lay there, pondering, then sighed, rolled over, and picked up my gadget to check the time. 10:05. Official time for the Solstice was 10:06pm (Pacific) -- but since we're working on cosmic scales, I didn't think a minute on a gadget made that much difference.

If it had been 5 or more minutes on either side, it probably wouldn't have felt as significant.

Maybe it's not significant it all.
But -- again -- this isn't something I'd ever felt before.
I like the thought that maybe I am becoming more attuned to these deep rhythms.
Because of they aren't real, if the energy shift is not something one could feel, then what's the point?

Well. . . maybe there would be a point anyway. Maybe the symbolism is enough, all by itself.

But still. . . it felt special. It felt significant.


I'm filing it under "unproven" and enjoying the memory.

Comments

[blessed-harlot.livejournal.com]

Ooooo. I dunno either, but very cool!

[oakmouse]

You. Go. GIRL!

*ticks off progress mark*

Definitely enjoy the memory. You may experience more of these, at times when tides shift (sunrise, sunset, moon phases, etc). This is one of the things that makes a pocket astrological calendar useful; when you feel a shift you can look and see if anything has just happened on that front. If so, make a note; if not, make a note saying "no idea" and see if later on something crops up to explain it.

Note: since you have L to consider, be aware that you may end up able to feel shifts connecting to his work or his location. When J is hanging out in his old digs, I feel sunrise there --- which is an odd experience because it's 8 hours ahead of where I am!

[bettywithin.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I would have been able to pick up that sort of thing last night, given I was doing all the prep for the ritual. I finished calling the archangels at 1:05am, or 10:05pm your time. The official time I had for Solstice was 1:08am, though who knows if the Heavens define solstice using the same astrological terms we do.

[bettywithin.livejournal.com]

Oh. I guess I replied to your thread... heh, oops. You're welcome to have on my journal, if you want.

[oakmouse]

*g* 's ok, not a hanging offense. Done it myself once or twice.

Thanks! I've friended you. I don't tend to talk much about J on my journal because it's mostly a place to stay in touch with friends, but I occasionally mention him in some of my entries; he's the spirit referred to as my priest.

Mostly I talk about J here. He's "Scotty" in caveofstars' entries.

[skydancerlilitu.livejournal.com]

We celebrate Ereshkigal's night at the Winter Solstice.

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

How do you observe it? I'd love to know more, if you're willing to share.

[skydancerlilitu.livejournal.com]

It varies a little from year to year, but this is the general form of the ceremony:

1. Purification with juniper water
(She indicated to us once that juniper was her favorite incense, so we have used juniper as her scent ever since.)
2. Trance induction with drumming and/or rattling.
3. Verbal acknowledgement of Ereshkigal with a bit of her lore.
4. Silent contemplation and communion with Ereshkigal.
5. Offerings and libations are made to Ereshkigal. We use nice gin for the libation since it is made of juniper.
6. Our own honored dead are acknowledged verbally.
7. Thanks are given to Ereshkigal.

We also have a feast in Her honor before or after the ceremony, depending on logistics.