Three sitting meditations this week, with varying degrees of focus. The only one that really didn’t work was done when my husband was on the phone in the next room, and the cats were trying to claw open the door/yowling outside the door. It was just too much distraction, so after 10 minutes of that I was more annoyed than when I’d sat down. I don’t usually need true quiet to meditate, but I was already agitated, so I couldn’t even get focused on my breath.
I’m not doing the Two Powers meditations as much lately, at least not “officially” – I do still ground and center in my sitting meditation, but it’s less of a visualization than the full Two Powers. I still visit my mental grove each night before I fall asleep, using it as a way to help me relax and not get too caught up in thinking.
I also did Tea with the Kindreds this week, and it went OK. No great revelations, but I am definitely feeling a presence(s) while I do it. More so than in my formal Ewemeolc ritual, which is interesting. I’m hesitant to name them, since I don’t want to be wrong or jump to conclusions, and since they tend to be slightly different each time. I’m trying to be as communicative as possible, and make frequent incense and food offerings to try to open up the connection. I don’t know if this will end up as a patron relationship or just someone I develop a working relationship with.
I should start “Coffee with the Kindreds” so perhaps I can get to know Lady Freyja better…I say a devotional prayer to her every morning, and offer her cinnamon, but I feel like this practice is very one sided. I think I would learn more about Her if I sat and talked to Her.
I highly recommend it! I got the idea from my DP Mentor, who said one of the druids she knows did a weekly “beer with the kindreds” as part of her devotional practice. It’s nice to sit down and just sort of go over what’s been happening in my life, and make sure I take time to listen. I don’t really get concrete answers, but I have definitely felt like the practice was useful. And, as my mentor has reminded me, not all answers are verbal, some just sort of feel right. 🙂
Cool! I’m in a stressful period right now, and could use someone to talk to. The Kindreds are probably always willing to listen. 🙂