I have been reading “Dancing
the Goddess Incarnate – Living the Magic of Maiden, Mother & Crone”
by Dorothy Morrison and Kristin Madden in recent days. I’ve found the book to be a fairly good read, although I get
a little annoyed at the upbeat optimism both authors portray in their writing. I mean, is anyone truly that happy all the
time? Heh…at any rate, I found this particular chapter in the book to be my favorite, and thought I’d share it
with you – mostly for those of you who don’t already have the book, as I realize it’s a fairly popular book.
I suppose this chapter was my favorite, because I am a huge Rocky Horror Picture Show
fan, but I really liked some of the lessons in it as well. I hope you enjoy it too! The following is from chapter nine. –Morgan
THE CAILLEACH: DANCING BETWEEN
THE WORLDS
“Cut!”
What the hell?! I peered over
the pile of props on the coffee table – rice, newspaper, cigarette lighters, and all the other stuff I needed for an
interactive viewing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show – and leaned forward
to get a better look at the TV screen. This character hadn’t been a part of the original cast; in fact, I was sure of
it. Yet there She was, cloaked in gray, and smack dab in the middle of the “Time Warp” number. And now She’d
stopped the whole production by screaming, “Cut!”
I didn’t think I’d
hit the outtakes version of the DVD, but anything was possible, I thought, as I watched closely to see what would happen next.
“You’re not dancing!” She said, facing the camera directly.
Now that was a great makeup job! The woman looked just like the Cailleach. She
had only one eye, and I’d never seen anything so realistic. The cock of Her eyebrow even formed a natural series of
ripples across Her forehead. Surely they’d done that with latex, I mused, as She blinked Her eye and continued to gaze
into the camera.
“Stop staring and get
up off your ass,” She spat. “Don’t make me yank you through this
TV screen!” And then She called me by name.
“Holy shit,” I
thought, as I fumbled for the remote and hit the off button hard with my thumb. I’m losing my friggin’ mind! Focus
on something. Anything. “Just focus,” I thought, as I stared out the window and tried to concentrate on the falling
snow in an effort to clear my head. But that only made it worse. All I could think about was the Cailleach, Her hold on the
winter, and, of course, the way my name had rolled off Her tongue.
And then things got really
scary.
An icy hand gripped my shoulder,
whipped me around, and brought me face to face with the most terrible visage I’d ever seen. It was the Cailleach, Herself.
I wanted to scream. I wanted to faint. Hell, I wanted to run as fast as my legs would carry me. But there was no time for
any of that. For with the wink of the eye and a blood-curdling cackle, She literally shoved me into the center of the room.
“You can do this,” She said, Her voice uncharacteristically gentle as She took Her place beside me, pointed a finger
toward the CD player to start the music, and began the demonstration. “It’s just a jump to the left, and then
a step to the right. With your hands on your hips, you bring your knees in tight. But,” She sang, dancing in time to
the music, “it’s the pelvic thrust that really drives you insane. Let’s do the Time Warp again!”
As shocked, appalled, and
– let’s face it – scared out of my wits as I was, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Seeing the Cailleach
grabbing Her hips and shimmying around the room with total abandon was the funniest thing I’d ever seen. Who’d
have ever thought a goddess so scary would not only participate in such fun, but actually embrace it?
“For the love of the
gods,” I said between chuckles, “I never dreamed…”
“What?!” She retorted.
“You thought I was just some dried up old prune Who didn’t know how to have fun? Some awful old biddy Who got
Her kicks by scaring the bejesus out of humankind? Not that the latter isn’t fun,” She admitted with a giggle,
“but there’s more to life than that!”
“Has it ever occurred
to you why I’m forced to turn to stone at Beltane?”
“Well, I just thought…”
“What you thought doesn’t
matter, Child,” She said, cutting me off with a wave of Her hand. “It’s because I know how to have more
fun than all the rest of Them put together. And if I hung around, Beltane would surely be the bawdiest celebration ever! In
fact, I once…well…no need to go into that – at least not right now,” She said with a wicked grin.
“Okay, now you try it.”
A wave of Her hand started the music again. “Oh what the hell,” She exclaimed with a chuckle. “This is so
much fun, let’s do it together! Remember now,” She said, grabbing me by the hand, “it’s just a jump
to the left…”
*
While most dances only require
a few steps to be repeated over and over, that’s just not the case with the Time
Warp. That’s because this dance is comprised of both steps and arm movements. What’s more, timing is a critical
part of dancing it correctly; so much so, in fact, that specific arm movements and dance steps have to be executed with particular
lyrics. In short, it’s a multitasking operation: one that requires thought as well as rhythm.
But what better dance for
the Cailleach?! She is, after all, the most multitasking goddess in the world!
But multitasking aside, the
Time Warp not only allows the Cailleach to display Her sexuality, but to do so
blatantly. Though usually depicted as a one-eyed, fanged or tusked, blue or gray-skinned hag Who’s older than dirt and
too ugly to look at, She also has the ability to move back in time and transform Herself into the most gorgeous, indescribably
sexy goddess you’ve ever seen. This part of the Time Warp She dances at will
– but only for those who are kind to Her for Who She is, instead of shunning Her for how She normally looks. And when
She finds them worthy of those particular steps of Her dance, the party is on. In fact, it’s a safe bet that there’s
no hardier party in the Universe!
Since neither the Time Warp
nor the Cailleach require a partner, they teach us some very important lessons – the first of which is to rely on ourselves
and our abilities, regardless of the possibility of error. Sometimes I even wonder if She wasn’t the very first to say
“Do something, Darlin’ – anything – even if it’s wrong!” that’s because the Cailleach,
having had Her own share of things gone awry, knows that the only folks who don’t make mistakes are those who aren’t
doing anything, and that which may look like a mistake at the onset could very well be a blessing in the long run. But even
if it’s not, it’s the only way we learn.
Secondly, She reminds us that
everything we need, everything we could possibly want, and everything we could – even in our wildest imaginations –
dream, is already housed within. All we have to do is reach in, dust it off, and reclaim it. And while that may take some
doing (especially if we’ve neglected our personal power for awhile), we truly do have every tool at our disposal necessary
to change our circumstances and reinvent our lives.
And then there’s the
matter of remembering how to shift gears between the worlds, find our balance points again, and decide upon the direction
we want to go. In some cases, this involves some sort of healing before we can move forward. In others, it’s a matter
of trancing into the spiritual and stripping things away to the bare bones. But regardless of what it takes, two things are
for sure: dancing the Time Warp is all a part of the Eldering process, and we’ll
have the Cailleach right by our sides to guide us every step of the way.
Even so, the Cailleach brings
a more valuable lesson to the forefront. Simply put, it’s this: Stop giving your all to those who have no intention
of returning the favor. Looking at things from that angle, we need to understand that we are important too – just as
important, if not more so, than most of those around us – and that learning to say “No!” isn’t necessarily
a bad thing. More to the point, though, it’s time to shift our gaze toward our personal needs and wants, and take the
time to fulfill our dreams. In short, it’s time to start living again. And with the Cailleach as our partner, there’s
just no way we can fail!
*
JUST A JUMP TO THE LEFT
Taking the inner journey –
that journey into the deepest part of ourselves – isn’t something we do very often. The reasons are many, but
the one that surfaces most often is lack of time. And few other reasons could hit the nail on the head as hard as this one.
That’s because journeys of this kind not only take time, but time of the uninterrupted sort. And that’s just not
the sort we’re likely to have. At least not at a moment’s notice. In fact, we’re going to have to take a
jump to the left – something we don’t normally do – to find it.
Before you grab your calendar
to look for the time, though, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. For one, nobody – not your spouse, your
children, your boss, nor your very best friend – is more important than you. How can that be? Because this is your life. You’re the only one who can live it. You’re the only one who can take control of it. And
as such, you’re the only one who can navigate and maneuver your life where you want it to go. This means that not finding
the time for something as important as the inner journey simply isn’t an option. If, that is, you want to keep living.
Now that we’ve gotten
that out of the way, you’re also going to have to make preparations for the journey at hand. And this means selecting
a time when interruptions aren’t an option, either. So, look ahead and see what needs to be done to assure that you
have time alone, even if it means making arrangements for your spouse and/or children to spend part of the day with friends,
and putting a “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door.
Ready?
Set?
Look at the calendar. Pick
a date. And mark it in indelible ink. Remember, this is your day, and in many ways,
it marks the first day of the rest of your life.
*
DANCING
WITH THE CAILLEACH
When the date in question
arrives, it’s time to take a step to the right – the right way of doing things, that is – and give yourself
totally over to the Cailleach while you learn Her steps. Her first order of business? Turn off the TV, the stereo, and the
phone. (At the very least, turn off the ringer and mute the volume on your answering machine.) close the windows and the doors,
and disable anything else that makes noise or might prove to be distracting.
Now, grab a pen and some paper,
and retreat to the most comfortable spot in your home. Ground and center, and travel deeply within yourself, all the way to
your very core. Once there, think about what’s really important to you. It’s important to note that during this
exercise, the priorities of others are simply not valid, so only delve into the things that matter to you, then list them
in descending order.
Once that’s done, take
a look at what you need in your life, and those needs that aren’t being met. Then list all the things your life is lacking.
Brutal honesty is of the utmost importance when dealing with the Cailleach, so just scratch the idea that anything you might
list could be even remotely selfish. If you want it, you need it. It’s as simple as that, so just write it all down.
When you’re finished,
study each item carefully. Think about what it would take to manifest that item into your life. Break it down into each step
you’d have to take, and what each would involve. Then consider what you’d have to do to get from Point A to Point
B, Point B to Point C, and so forth. Write all of that down, too.
Presto! You’ve just
created a treasure map – a map that, when followed, will change your personal reality. All you have to do now is follow
it. And, of course, create one for each of the items on your list.
While you may have your own
ideas about how to follow these maps, I’ve found that making a separate chart for each one helps me to stay on track.
If this interests you, just grab a sheet of paper for each item and list its related steps in order. Place the sheets where
you’ll see them ever day, then check off the steps as you complete them. It’s an easy way to chart your progress.
And once you can actually see how much you’re accomplishing, you can’t help but take the next step and the next.
Handling things in that way not only brings your goals within reach, but makes everything seem possible. And all it takes
is a step to the right!
*
PUT
YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HIPS
The next part of this dance
is, perhaps, the most difficult, for it involves healing ourselves. And to do that, we have to go deep within and confront
what’s there. If this were a matter of just taking a quick look and leaving, it might not be so bad. But this involves
more than that. Much more. It involves searching out old wounds and personal scars. It involves putting them under a magnifying
glass, checking for proper healing, and reopening those that have only festered over.
Admittedly, this isn’t
fun at all. No one wants to study the things that hurt him or her most in life. No one wants to bring these things back to
the surface. And no one – not even the bravest of the brave – wants to bring about the possibility of reliving
them.
Unfortunately, though, it’s
something we have to do if we’re going to dance completely with this goddess. And that’s why it’s time to
put our hands on our hips. This part of the dance takes gumption, and no one’s got more of it than the Cailleach!
So, with that in mind, place
those hands firmly on your hips. Point your elbows outward, toss your head back, and give the Universe the most attitude you
can muster. Then follow the exercises outlined below. Know that healing is on the way, and that with enough attitude, nothing
you encounter can ever hurt you again.
STEPPING
THROUGH SHADOWS
(Note: This exercise may take
a bit of planning since it involves a walk outdoors, so pick a nice day, and allow yourself at least an hour.)
As you walk, label each step
as something you wish to remove from your life. Anger, fear, hurt, and jealousy are good possibilities. So are issues that
involve poor self-esteem or lack of self-confidence. It could be anything at all – even a situation where you acted
poorly, or didn’t stand up for yourself when you should have.
Plant each foot firmly on
the ground – it’s okay to stomp if it makes you feel good – so that each issue leaves its imprint, while
saying something like:
Into the Earth I release your flow
Now you can’t cause me further woe
As you lift your foot to move
forward, know that the problem is not only left behind, but will be neutralized as the earth absorbs its energy.
When you’ve walked everything
away, turn around and take a deep breath. Feel the relief. Feel the lightheartedness. Feel the utter joy of freedom. Then
laugh – not just a chuckle, but right out loud, to relieve you of any leftover remnants.
Chart your course back home
along a slightly different route. Plant your feet firmly as before, but this time, see blessings coming to you with every
step. As you walk, chant something like:
With each step now, blessings flow
Into my life where they shall grow
To blossom, to seed, and to sprout they’ll go
As I will, it shall be so
Accept the blessings as they
come into your life, and thank the earth for Her graciousness.
HEALING MEDITATION
(Note: Use this meditation
for deep-seated hurts that seem to linger. It’s very cathartic and delivers amazing results.)
The day is bright. It’s
sunny and warm. A gentle breeze floats through your hair and twirls among the folds of your robe as you and the Cailleach
stand on a hill looking down at the lush fields below. Her face crinkles into a smile and She looks at you expectantly. You
return the smile, nod your head, and take Her hand. Together, you slowly float down the hill and into the verdant lands below.
The spot She has picked is
a garden. It’s your garden. All of your favorite plants are there. Your favorite flowers. Your favorite vegetables.
The ground beneath your feet is moist and rich, and the smell of fertility abounds. All within grows well. Better than well.
It is, by far, the most luscious garden you’ve ever seen.
Except for one thing. The
weeds have grown lush too. So lush that they threaten the lives of the other plants in the garden. And now they must be eliminated.
Extricated. Totally eradicated, once and for all.
Still holding you by the hand,
the Cailleach leads you to the first patch of weeds. Each has a label. Each is called by the name of some hurtful thing you’ve
experienced. And each is intermingled with all the wondrous plants you’ve so lovingly cultivated there.
Staring at Her feet, you examine
the first weed carefully, seeing its threat as a simple fact rather than an entryway into emotional turmoil. You square your
shoulders and take a deep breath, hell-bent on ridding this creature of its very life. Then, grasping it firmly at the base,
you rock it back and forth and snatch it from the ground, roots and all. You toss it aside and go on to the next. And the
next. And the next. Until every single weed that thrived there is no more.
Gathering the weeds into a
pile, you set them on fire. Burning out their offenses. Burning out their harm. Burning out any damage they once imparted,
and burning out any control they had over you. The seeds by which they might once again take root are reduced to ash as well.
There is nothing left to harm you. Nothing at all. It has been released into the fire. Into the air. And as you feel the first
drops of rain, all becomes part of the earth again. Grounded. Healed. Cleansed and refreshed. And so it is with you as well.
For you are the garden. And the garden is you.
You take one last look at
the fruits of your labor before turning to go. And what you find is amazing. Flowers are already sprouting in the bare spots
left by the weeds. They are yet unlabeled. For they are new and untouched. They are experiences just waiting for your embrace.
*
THE
PELVIC THRUST
“So…how’s
your sex life?” the question came out of nowhere and was delivered with one of those sly, sidelong grins that no one
but the Cailleach could deliver.
“E—excuse me?!”
I stammered, spewing coffee across the table.
“Your sex life, Darlin’.
How is it?” She asked with a lascivious wink. “Wild and hot? Or dull and dry?”
“I don’t believe
that’s any of your busi---“
“Oh, don’t be
such a prude,” She retorted, with a roll of Her eyes. “Of course it’s my business! Do you want to just dry
up like an old prune and wither away? Or do you want to have some fun with your life?”
“Well, I ---“
She cut me off with a wave
of Her hand. “When’s the last time you had wild, passionate, melt-your-knees-into-a-puddle sex? You know…the
kind that starts in the kitchen, proceeds through the living room, and winds up on the bathroom floor?”
Too shocked to speak, I just
looked at Her, dumfounded.
“Oh, for the love of
Lugh!” She snorted with exasperation. “Just because I’m older than dirt doesn’t mean that I don’t
have sex! Quite the contrary, Darlin’; I have it all the time. Base sexuality is a large part of who we are right at
the very core. And this dance is pointless unless you unlock those precious inhibitions of yours and let go. Pure, unadulterated
pleasure. That’s what I’m talking about. Besides, I have it on good authority that really good sex – the
kind that drives you to near insanity – is great for the complexion!”
Fact is, this part of the
dance has nothing to do with procreation or romance. It’s about excitement. Pleasure. And all the stuff that rocks your
world. It’s about the sort of sex that sets your every nerve ending on fire and scalds you right to the bone. And, of
course, allowing yourself the freedom to experience it.
This means that your every
fantasy – as long as it doesn’t harm someone – is fair game. If the idea of bondage turns you on, so be
it. Sex in an elevator? Not a problem. How about initiation into the mile high club? That’s fine too. Just accept whatever
it is that trips your trigger – and accept it without guilt or shame or worry over what your neighbors would think.
Then give yourself the freedom to experience your desires by following the tips below.
·
Getting in touch: Giving yourself up to the sort of wild, hot, frenzied sex
that propels you into another dimension may require getting reacquainted with your body. So lie back, relax, and explore it.
Experiment with touching, pinching, rubbing, and squeezing. Allow yourself to become immersed in pleasure.
·
Fantasize: Let your mind wander into your deepest desires. Think about what
it would be like to experience them. Live them in your mind. No touching allowed with this one, though. The idea here is to
see what will bring you right to the edge without outside stimulation.
·
Acting out: Once you’ve choreographed your fantasies, act them out with
a trusted partner. Trust can’t be stressed enough here, since you can’t freely enjoy the experience if you’re
worried that things might get out of control. And just to be on the safe side, be sure that you agree on “trigger words”
(words that stop the action immediately) before the games begin. That way, you’re in complete control of the situation
regardless of how things play out.
Just one more thing: protected
sex is of the utmost importance here. While a good dose of penicillin used to cure nearly every sexually transmitted disease
known to humankind, such is no longer true. Today, in fact, having unprotected sex is not just risky business; it can be the
same as signing your own death warrant. So with that in mind, be sure to have plenty of condoms – or whatever else is
necessary – on hand to ensure the safety of you and your partner.
*
LET’S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN
While the Time Warp is definitely a fun dance, it’s all about crossing boundaries. And in this case, the boundaries
we’re crossing exist between the mundane world and the spiritual realm. This means learning to dance between the worlds
effortlessly, while maintaining an even balance in both. Not to worry, though. It’s all about multitasking; and since
we’re used to juggling at least 110 things at once, that’s a term that most of us understand very well.
Still, many practitioners
have trouble communicating in the spiritual realm once they get there. Why? Because it simply isn’t built like the mundane.
There’s no tangible thought, no real words, and no literal advice. Instead, it’s a place filled with abstracts,
symbolism, and unimaginable possibility. It’s not only a world unto itself, but a world of each practitioner’s
making. And because of this, divination is the tool most often used by practitioners to decipher any communications.
So, what sort of divination
is best for this? Is there any one form that clears things up more quickly than another?
Well, the Cailleach says it
truly depends on you, your likes and dislikes. And since She more or less invented the cowl or veil that some folks believe
denotes psychically gifted babies, She would know! So, just take Her advice and know that whatever method you’re most
comfortable with – or whichever one interests you most – will get you there quickly, easily, and safely.
If you’ve never worked
with divination, though, it might be hard to decide which type best suits your needs. And for that reason, brief descriptions
of the most popular tools are given below.
·
Scrying: While this method usually employs something with a glossy surface
– a black mirror, a crystal ball, or even a single clear quartz crystal – it can also be managed by filling a
bowl with a mixture of water and ink, and placing it in front of a burning candle. The focal point is, of course, the glossy
surface, and consistent focus tends to put the practitioner into a trancelike state. Once that state is achieved, images float
across the surface, and it’s those images that communicate to the practitioner the messages being relayed.
·
Pendulum: Good for questions that only require a yes or no answer, this method
relies upon the direction in which the pendulum swings. (Every pendulum reacts differently, so you’ll have to ask it
at the onset to show you yes or show you no.) However, there are now pendulum boards available that slightly resemble a miniature
Ouija board. And since these sport a complete alphabet, the pendulum can be used to spell out answers to more complicated
questions.
·
Tarot: Provided that all the cards in the deck contain complete pictorial scenes
– as opposed to those that, for example, only depict an image of seven swords on the Seven of Swords card – this
method works by telling the reader a story. It relies on the way the cards fall together and how the characters within each
seem to be interacting with the others. (Think comic strip without the benefit of words here.) It’s a good method for
determining the likely outcome of the current path, and provides one with an opportunity to change the path should the outcome
appear unfavorable.
·
Runes: This method employs a set of stones upon which symbols (generally, Futhark
rune symbols) have been inscribed. A certain number of stones are selected sight unseen and then turned face up to reveal
the symbolism. Rather than telling a story as with the Tarot, though, this method offers advice that comes by way of which
runes are selected and how their meaning interact with each other. It’s important to note that this advice is often
somewhat obscure, and it’s left to the practitioner to decide precisely how it applies to the situation at hand.
*
PRE-DIVINATION
RITUAL
Once you’ve chosen a
divinatory tool, it’s time to put it to work. But what if you can’t
see anything useful? And even if you can, is there any certainty that you’ll not only be able to understand what you
see, but apply it with any sort of accuracy?
Absolutely. Just start each
session by burning a tablespoon of mugwort on a charcoal block. Ground and center, then place your hands over your tool of
choice and call on the Cailleach by saying something like:
Cailleach
of cowl and veil
And
all the psychic realm entails
I
ask to see all that You do:
Every
vision; and break through
The
fluff and nonsense that can hide
The
meat of what there is inside
And
help me understand it all-
Each
image that may come to call-
So
when I’m done I know full well
The
message; and won’t have to dwell
On
whether I am wrong or right;
Grant
to me Your gift of sight
O
Cailleach, now hear my plea
And
quickly bring Your aid to me.
Wait a few moments until you
feel Her presence, then proceed with whatever questions you want to ask. The questions themselves, and the way in which they’re
stated, are perhaps the most important part of accurate divination. Why? Because while we always get answers from those in
the spiritual realm, they’re not always the answers we’re seeking. And that’s because we either aren’t
asking the right questions, or we’re not specific enough with the wording.
A prime example of this is
the question “Will I become wealthy in the next six months?” While this wording may sound fairly specific to most
people, it may not be so in the spiritual realm. Since the word “wealthy” doesn’t just apply to cash (it
can also apply to an abundance of love, joy, good friends, and other things too numerous to mention here), this leaves far
too much to chance. So, despite the fact that you may get an affirmative reply, you may also find yourself living hand to
mouth six months down the road.
That being the case, spend
a little time formulating your questions to represent exactly what you want to know. Once the right questions are in place,
your tool of choice will do the rest. It’s as simple as that.
*
IT’S SHOW TIME!
While some practitioners have
difficulty traveling the spiritual realm, even more have trouble dealing with things right here in the mundane world. How
can that be? We do, after all, live here.
The answer is surprisingly
simple: it’s much more fun to travel a world of abstracts – a world where we make up most of our own rules, where
love is the answer, and where those nasty little details like bills, housecleaning, and laundry can’t touch us. And
because of that, many folks have trouble truly living in the real world.
Still, we do live here. And to do that successfully, we have to secure our roots and stand our ground firmly. But there’s
more to it than that. Living successfully in the real world also means that we must see ourselves for what we truly are: a
uniquely individual but integral part of the living, breathing structure we call earth. That’s quite a mouthful, isn’t
it? But unless we see ourselves as such, there’s no way we can really understand just how important we are on this plane
or how much our attention is needed here.
*
PERFECTING THE DANCE
To put you back in step with
the earth, the Cailleach suggests a little question and answer session. Not to worry, though. It’s not a test; instead,
it’s more of a rehearsal. Just answer Her questions as honestly as possible, then follow Her lead. And, above all, trust in Her advice. Having been one of the foremost landscape artists on this planet,
this goddess knows the earth like no other!
1.
Do you see the earth as a living, breathing source of information? Or do you
see it as a different sort of entity?
2.
How do you see your presence on the earth in terms of what you’re here
to learn? In terms of what you’re here to teach?
3.
How important are you to the existence of the other creatures on this planet?
Give this some thought in relationship to animals, stones, plant life, the general environment, and other people.
4.
What is it that you do best? And how can you put that talent to use on the
earthly plane?
5.
If you could take one bit of wisdom with you from this life on earth and hold
onto it through multiple future lives, what would it be?
