Serene Samhain

In previous posts, I have written why I find Samhain (pronounced SOW-when), the Witch’s Holy Day more commonly known as Halloween to non-Witches, to be over-rated.  But this post is not about that.

What this post is about is the fact that last night, Sunday, October 27, 2013, I had a lovely Samhain Rite with Grove Argentum, a Manhattan-based Chapter of both the Druid Clan of Dana and the International Fellowship of Isis.

Last night, was especially Sacred and beautiful, for several reasons.  First, it was the Practicum of one of my closest friends, who is also a client and a student.

For Grove Argentum’s Priestess (or, as some would say, High Priestess), the Practicum is the required Ritual one must lead to be considered for Initiation into Grove Argentum.  There are two other requirements for Initiation, but I digress.

Of course, I AM quite biased about the Priestess’s cooking!  She was taught that there is Magick in food.  And yes, there is, especially the food she cooks.

How many times have you eaten something that tastes so delicious?  It was made with Love, one of the strongest forms of Magick in the Universe.

Several years ago, I hosted a housewarming dinner party.  Everyone that I invited is someone who was especially Sacred to me, at that time.  And everyone raved about the foods I made and the beverages I made and served.  I made them with Joy, with Love and Light, and there you go.

In the Craft, there are certain essences, colors, foods and beverages that are more appropriate at some times than at others.  A perfect example of this can be found in the book, The Goddess’ Guide to Love, by Margie Lapanja (Copyright 1999, Red Wheel/Weiser, Newburyport, Massachusetts).

Last night, one of the dishes that the Priestess made was penne with pumpkin sauce.

Now, when I eat pasta, especially penne, I usually eat it with either a rich, red tomato sauce Divinely Abundant with herbs and vegetables, or with that kind of sauce and an Alfredo sauce.  However, we were celebrating Samhain, the last of the three Harvest Festivals (Lughnasadh [also known as Lammas], the Autumnal Equinox [which some refer to as Mabon], and Samhain), pumpkin was most appropriate.  Besides, it is not as if the Priestess is running a cafe and I can place an order!

It was a truly beautiful, powerful and Sacred Rite.  I enjoyed being back at the Grove Argentum Convenstead, and it was great to reconnect with the other regular Initiated Companions of Grove Argentum.

Of course, I must confess that I truly had no plans on going.  Frankly, I have met many Witches that seem to place greater importance on Samhain, and I AM clear that it is a very powerful Holy Day.

Nonetheless, were it not for the fact that a close friend, awesome student and regular client was leading his first Ritual with Grove Argentum, I would have happily stayed home.  And believe me, I had plenty of good reasons to stay home last night!

It was lovely to be a part of a group that continues to grow and Prosper, that continues to bring great Blessings to the group and to the active members of the group.

I have often said, especially to clients, students and friends, that I AM very picky about being a part of a group, especially a Magickal group, and this includes on the Internet.  There are people who are negative and that only focus on what they can get.

There is NOTHING wrong with taking care of oneself, but when working in a group it is important to place the group as a whole as important.

Several years ago, I used to volunteer with a group called Landmark Education Corporation.  The volunteers are referred to as Assistants.  I recall reading the Assisting Manual, and there is one passage that I remember more than any other: “Following directions is an opportunity for mastery.”

Now, I AM a control freak, and quite dominant in my romantic and sexual relationships.  I AM also Self-Employed.

However, I must confess that I AM less of a control freak, and that is because now, in my life, I have truly great people who fully and completely honor who I AM and what I do; they fully nourish and nurture me in every way.  I feel I can count on them for more, and I truly can.

As a result, I feel more Divinely Loved, Divinely Protected and Divinely Restored than at any other time in my life.  Probably for the first time in my life.  We often forget how incredibly crucial it is to have the best, possible people in one’s life.

And so, ladies and gentlemen, blog followers and blog readers, that is my blog post about a Sacred Samhain Rite with Grove Argentum, as well as some Metaphysical Philosophy, courtesy of the Goddess, Her Angels and Robert Alvarez, the Psychic Witch.  Thank you.