Welcome fall

Hey there. So, the last month has been an interesting one for me. About a month and a half ago, I injured my back which took about 2 weeks to heal. Then, I caught quite a horrible chest cold, that turned into a head cold that is now just a stuffy nose and some sinus pain (3 weeks later). Then a week ago, I was coughing and felt what I thought was my rib, move. This was extremely painful, and we rushed off to the ER. After X-rays, two different pain meds and a trip to my doctor, I found out it was a rib that had become stuck. It is not moving a little bit (my doc is an osteopath and can do manipulation) but still aches.

So, its been quite an ending to my summer! However, I have kept my spirits up as I am recovering and am looking forward to the fall. The weather has already began to change and has put me in the mood for samhain (halloween) and leaf peeping. It is my favorite time of year! Not only do I enjoy the decorations, colors, smells and fun of the season, but also the spirituality of the turning of the wheel and the significance samhain/Halloween represents. Just today as my boyfriend and I were shopping our check out person asked where my boyfriend got his pentacle necklace. We probably bump into like-minded people (that speak up and say hi anyway) about once every 2 or 3 months. We really enjoy the surprise of finding others like us and feel connected to the world when we discover "another one of us!". Living a spiritual path that is different from the mainstream can be difficult in this way. There is a certain secrecy and wariness among practitioners. There are most likely close to a million pagans in this country, we are all just to scared to admit it. The fear of the unknown and misunderstood leads us to hide our faith, as opposed to use this opportunity to teach others.

I try my best to be open about my path, and enlighten those who do not know anything about paganism. I really enjoy teaching others, and feel this is my mission in this life. Just a few months ago we were in Salem, and ran into a woman asking one of the museum workers about real witches, and what they did. The employee did not know much, only what her museum had on display (which was an accurate, yet brief description of Wicca). So, we joined the conversation and answered many questions for both the employee and curious woman. It was wonderful and both were grateful for our information. Its moments like those that make all the worry about harassment and being misunderstood (which happens frequently to pagans who are out of the broom closet) worth it.

Alright, I'm off to heat my back and relax. Enjoy the ever turning wheel as we make our way into fall!

Blessed be