Gathering Space November 30, 2022
The waning moon is in her last quarter, her light hidden behind clouds. A light rain is falling on this mild November evening. We walk quickly through the Garden of the Ruined Nunnery on Iona, eager to reach the shelter of our Gathering Tent.The music reaches us even before we are inside, the enchanting sounds of a violin played by someone for whom the instrument is as her own voice. Without a sound we move to settle on our Communion quilts, our eyes fixed on the musician. Yes, it’s Kate Fitzpatrick, Elspeth’s friend from Ireland. As Kate lifts her bow from the strings, she comes to sit beside Elspeth.“I can see from your expressions that you’ve already recognized Kate,” Elspeth says. “You’ll remember her visit last year at this time to speak with us about Samhain. With stress and anxiety increasing everywhere on our planet, we need the Season of Samhain more than ever. Kate, will you tell us how Samhain has been for you this year?”
Kate responds: “Samhain, for me, has always been a time of ‘deep transformational descent’. A major thing in my life is called up and I go ‘into the earth’ for several weeks - where the ancient chthonic energy allows this to be transmuted or healed. I love the re-birth at the Winter Solstice. A powerful transcendence. Emerging with renewed energy and light.
“This year I think Samhain is proving to be a total transmuting of my whole personality, my way of life and ways of being in the world. Everything is being turned upside down as I grapple to hold the light that will assist this for me.“Rather than widening out the circle of people… I am, in fact, drawing in to a more simple life - with a small circle of contacts and people and a simple surrender to something entirely new.
“I am going through a major upheaval in what I am able to do in each day - as I am sure many of you are too - as we take the hits of new light and energy coming into the earth plane - and, as we take time to integrate this - it is bringing us more and more into our Souls’ light.
“I used to do about 4-5 hours of focused work each day - now I can only do about an hour - and then I am at screaming point to get away from the computer.
“Yesterday this started to make sense to me. Clarity came after I turned everything upside down - and flowed in a new stream - surrendering. Asking for clarity and guidance.
You are in God’s Time - or the Divine Mother’s time -Whatever name you wish to call in.Name anything in a way that gives you power and peace.Reach for anything that gives you joy.Throw out the rules and start again -Enter into the liminal space with an open heart and mind.Enter into the deep transformational time of Samhain.Use the ancient energy to transmute your whole life.Receive people with kindness.Trust yourself more than you’ve ever trusted your spiritual path -Design your days anewAnd send your Star ahead to light a new path. “It is becoming more important for me to take time in the mornings to prepare food for the day. Clear up my house - every day now. Do energy work or healing. The whole concept of ‘running a business’ and 'doing work' is dissolving into kinder days and happier nights.
“All these things of simple living are pushing in every morning:As a priority And it is these activities that are carrying more light,and are opening the paths forward.
Cook some good nourishing food;Lie down and listen to an audio book,Take a walk in the woods, go swimming.Visit a friendGo out for teaCelebrateVisit the beach,Go to bed and rest,Do the garden in soft winter sunshine,Play musicDo nothing - sit and stare. “My grip on '3D' reality becomes less important as I allow myself to slip into the liminal space around me. Release resistance. Do as little as possible. Find the sweet note for everything in my heart,And embrace simple, clear, beautiful days. “Each person has their own unique path now. The overall direction may be similar but You will have a different set of new activities to embrace as your pathways to light. Your own challenges to navigate through these days and your individual patterns to let go of, thus releasing a dynamic new energy to push you forward.
“Sometimes the Healed Soul says NO to a lot of daily habits - even if they have been incredibly positive and helpful to you until now. Listen carefully to discern the fine line, the very subtle signs of how to choose your days.
“Heading for a very new 2023 - do your shift now. The energy of descent through the seven weeks of Samhain will release at the Winter Solstice to the extent that you surrender now. Don’t be afraid to enter the depth and release everything and allow your life to be shaped anew.
“The work of Mythic Voice continues in my heart and soul…. I am writing with Brigid now, and crafting and connecting with anyone who chooses to stay in touch. "When you are in a metamorphosisYou cannot imagine what the future will be Until You emerge in your new form. Trust your Soul's process. Follow the process And stay out of the way.”
Kate reaches for her violin and bow. The lilting music begins anew, a soundtrack to our own re-imagining of our lives, allured by the peace, the joy that Kate exudes. How may we experience in a life-enhancing way these Samhain days that will lead us to the rebirth of Light at the Winter Solstice?
“I am going through a major upheaval in what I am able to do in each day - as I am sure many of you are too - as we take the hits of new light and energy coming into the earth plane - and, as we take time to integrate this - it is bringing us more and more into our Souls’ light.
“I used to do about 4-5 hours of focused work each day - now I can only do about an hour - and then I am at screaming point to get away from the computer.
“Yesterday this started to make sense to me. Clarity came after I turned everything upside down - and flowed in a new stream - surrendering. Asking for clarity and guidance.
You are in God’s Time - or the Divine Mother’s time -Whatever name you wish to call in.Name anything in a way that gives you power and peace.Reach for anything that gives you joy.Throw out the rules and start again -Enter into the liminal space with an open heart and mind.Enter into the deep transformational time of Samhain.Use the ancient energy to transmute your whole life.Receive people with kindness.Trust yourself more than you’ve ever trusted your spiritual path -Design your days anewAnd send your Star ahead to light a new path. “It is becoming more important for me to take time in the mornings to prepare food for the day. Clear up my house - every day now. Do energy work or healing. The whole concept of ‘running a business’ and 'doing work' is dissolving into kinder days and happier nights.
“All these things of simple living are pushing in every morning:As a priority And it is these activities that are carrying more light,and are opening the paths forward.
Cook some good nourishing food;Lie down and listen to an audio book,Take a walk in the woods, go swimming.Visit a friendGo out for teaCelebrateVisit the beach,Go to bed and rest,Do the garden in soft winter sunshine,Play musicDo nothing - sit and stare. “My grip on '3D' reality becomes less important as I allow myself to slip into the liminal space around me. Release resistance. Do as little as possible. Find the sweet note for everything in my heart,And embrace simple, clear, beautiful days. “Each person has their own unique path now. The overall direction may be similar but You will have a different set of new activities to embrace as your pathways to light. Your own challenges to navigate through these days and your individual patterns to let go of, thus releasing a dynamic new energy to push you forward.
“Sometimes the Healed Soul says NO to a lot of daily habits - even if they have been incredibly positive and helpful to you until now. Listen carefully to discern the fine line, the very subtle signs of how to choose your days.
“Heading for a very new 2023 - do your shift now. The energy of descent through the seven weeks of Samhain will release at the Winter Solstice to the extent that you surrender now. Don’t be afraid to enter the depth and release everything and allow your life to be shaped anew.
“The work of Mythic Voice continues in my heart and soul…. I am writing with Brigid now, and crafting and connecting with anyone who chooses to stay in touch. "When you are in a metamorphosisYou cannot imagine what the future will be Until You emerge in your new form. Trust your Soul's process. Follow the process And stay out of the way.”
Kate reaches for her violin and bow. The lilting music begins anew, a soundtrack to our own re-imagining of our lives, allured by the peace, the joy that Kate exudes. How may we experience in a life-enhancing way these Samhain days that will lead us to the rebirth of Light at the Winter Solstice?