It’s nearly Bealtaine, and so I thought it appropriate to post this picture of a stag that I took in Germany two weeks ago – he is part of a little herd living in an enclosure in a local park, and they are entirely without fear. He was so beautiful as he lay there in the soft spring sunshine, I had to take a picture. Deer are my spirit animals and this guy just seemed the animal incarnation of the Horned God of spring. Hail Pan, Cernunnos, Jack in the Green!
I hope you’re all doing well and enjoying my favourite sabbat. I can’t wait to get home this evening, I plan on making Bealtaine Bread (click link and scroll down to the recipe) and having my ritual. It’s also the 8th anniversary of my dedication, so all in all a very special occasion. I’m so well and happy these days, and curious what life has in store for me. I have a feeling that it’s trying to tell me something and I’ll find out what it is in time.
Remember last week, when I mentioned starting new projects and revisiting old dreams? Some people asked me for details, and I thought I’ll tell you about them, in the hope that I’ll inspire other people to take a new look at life and get new impulses and inspirations. Variety truly is the spice of life!
What I started with was looking up events and group meetings in Wicklow. I came across guided walks through nature reserves, yoga in a spiritual center, and various other small projects. Last weekend at the Pagan Pub Moot, Barbara suggested I also look into teaching my witchcraft classes in person, locally, and I’m definitely thinking about that.
I’ve also been digging out a dream of old, which is to do with my long-standing fascination with Siberia. I believe Siberia has the last of the larger areas of nearly-untouched nature on this planet and I never tire of reading about it. I’ve always been particularly fascinated by Kamchatka, that volcanic peninsula in the far East, across the Bering Street from Alaska, and have recently watched some documentaries like this one about it – I highly recommend watching it, the beauty of the land and the rich animal life are inspiring.
Years and years ago, I used to dream that I’d one day take the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Vladivostok on the Russian East Coast, with many stops along the way, for example at Lake Baikal (containing 1/5th of the world’s drinking water reserves and with over 3,000 species of animals living in and around it). Then I’d take a plane to Kamchatka, stay for another week, climb volcanoes and see geysers, and then go back home.
I’m as fascinated as I’ve ever been and have decided that I’m going to make this happen, although it’ll take some time to realise. It would mean being away from my budgies for around three weeks, and I have no idea how I’m supposed to survive that and it would require me being settled and hopefully a friend or two living in my house for that time and looking after the Cutest. I won’t have either the time or the money for at least another year or two, but who cares? I’ll do it one day. And in the meantime, I’ll learn some Russian – that’s another project, and one I can start straightaway.
What d’you think? I just love learning and doing new things. I’ve even started playing World of Warcraft again now that I have a little more time, and it’s great to chat to my guild again even though it’s only online. I’ve been far too isolated recently with all the work I’ve been doing.
Last but not least: Some people weren’t able to purchase my ebook because the page I linked was the American amazon.com. To get the book, go to your local amazon page and search for “From Debt To Freedom” or “Sibylle Leon” and the book will be one of the first five results. You can purchase it there in your local currency. By the way, if you don’t have a Kindle you can use the free Kindle reader for PC which is downloadable on amazon as well.
News From The Tribe
Cassandra posted a Guide To Reading Tea Leaves that you should check out. I love it! By the way, Cassandra has also just realised her dream of moving to the Philippines which you can also read about in her blog. If that’s not an inspiring story, I don’t know what is!
Leanne posted a very insightful, differentiated article on being too sensitive. It’s a joy to read, avoids generalisations, and is obviously coming from one who knows what she’s talking about.
Have a blessed Bealtaine!