I have to keep checking the new candle that's burning on the altar ~ one of the wicks is being obtuse. Perhaps it's a sign since there are four wicks on it and only three are burning 'right', three being the number of the Triple Goddess.

Before I continue on with this topic, let me say this and get it off my chest. I got an email from James the other day, telling me that Sound Health Alternatives has finally closed. I have to be honest ~ I'm not surprised. The energy of the place began spiraling pretty tightly inward instead of the other way after I had been there after a session or two. I learned some good things there, I did. The kicker was hearing that tape E. made, blaming Mary for brainwashing Lisa and me and basically saying that we needed someone else to tell us how to think. Still, some people got something good out of the classes there. In the end, I just got tired of being told that 'it's what the heirarchy wants'. I never could stand it when everyday human problems got blamed on the spirit worlds. Anyway, to each his own. I didn't agree with the philosophy many a time but it did serve a purpose. I made a friend or two.

O.k..getting back to the topic here...

I seem to have gotten myself a new Patron. I was trying a new entrance into the Worlds about 2 weeks ago ~ a huge oak that is in my backyard. (I finally took some time out to actually meet the tree instead of just noticing that it's there.) I finally made it into the Upper World with only minimal trouble ~ a few little critters tried grabbing my ankles as I climbed the tree.

(Yes, I am utterly aware that this entry sounds totally insane to those who may not have never done any shamanic journeying or pagan pathworking...)

Anyway, I made it into the Upper world. To my mind, it looked like a huge garden gone slightly wild and perhaps the English countryside combined. I was even challenged once ~ a huge (everything seemed to be huge in this section...lol) warrior blocked the path and asked, "Is your heart pure?"

What do you say to that? I mean, I don't see me saying, "Oh yeah ~ pure as the driven snow." The answer back would probably be, "Try slush." I always end up with the smartasses of the shamanic world.

I ended up saying the only thing that came to mind, "Well, I'm human. All I can say is that my intent is pure." Evidently, it was the right thing to say because he let me pass.

In the end, I met the Goddess face to face in the form of Artemis. It was definitely interesting. I had never had a facet of the Goddess to choose me before ~ the only other patron I have, I chose Her. Some of the details I will keep to myself ~ it seems almost like trying to explain the color blue to a person who has been blind since birth.