Midsummer: Sunshine, Brambleberries, Playing in the Dirt, and a Little Dab of Truth

I am a solitary witch.  I love everything about being a solitary.  I don’t begrudge anyone who belongs to a coven…some of my dearest friends do.  This is my path and my preference.  Yesterday was spent outside…all day long.  Just me, the dogs, dirt and the Lord and Lady.  Now I am normally not a hot weather kind of guy…as a matter of fact, I abhor summer heat.  Lately, though, here in Georgia, it has been quite a mild summer.  Our days have been supplemented here and there with rainstorms and showers, so when I have been outdoors, it doesn’t seem to be as bone-drying hot.

As the Summer Solstice draws nearer, I find myself craving time in amongst the sunshine and the trees.  After the afternoon storms, the smell of wet dirt calls me seductively….begging me to run my fingers through her and to feel her shifting under my feet.  Yesterday was one of those days when it wasn’t sweltering hot and a soft breeze visited regularly just to let you know that all of the elements were out to play.  I knelt, crouched, walked, scooted over all the planted areas around the condo.  I made sure the ferns and hostas and hydrangeas inside the courtyard were comfortable and well-watered. I left a small plate with a couple of creamer cups with milk and honey just under the biggest Autumn fern for the fae.

Then it was on to the outer courtyard wall.  I spent most of the afternoon weeding and raking and back filling as I watched the plants spring to life.  I sang and talked to the plants and the dogs as we passed the time.  The dogs were tremendous helps digging right alongside of me.  We worked until time for them to eat…I left milk and honey underneath the spiderwort this time.  The lime green leaves with the bright purple flowers remind me of a canopy that the fae would use for a party.

I was outside until the wee hours this morning.  When I flung myself across the bed, my body was achy and stiff, but it was worth every moment.  The fact that I was exhausted with very little sleep did not keep Friz from pulling me out of the bed at 5:30 on a Sunday morning.  He knew that the woods were beckoning.  I pulled on a pair of cotton lounge pants, my sandals and a tshirt and we were set.  Candles, a thermos of coffee, and a bottle of water were stashed in my backpack.

As I unpacked the candles and coffee and settled into the dirt and leaves, I watched as Friz moved over toward a bramble bush.  I have always said that he would eat poop if it stayed still long enough…and he has.  I called him to me and he is just smacking and chewing.  He had a big ole mouth full of blackberries, or brambleberries is what we called them growing up.  I walked over toward the bramble with him and picked enough to fill my shirt front.  I drank coffee and filled up on brambleberries while Friz had water from the bottle and what seemed like just as many berries.

After we were both stuffed, I lit the candles and called on the directions.  Then I called on the elements and then invited Mama Crow and Wolf to join.  We spoke to the Oak King bidding him peace as he moved into his time of rest.  We spoke to the Holly King and welcomed him back.  This is when I completely adore practicing alone.  I plunge headfirst into my ritual…I am immersed in the Lord and Lady.  I am laid bare before them….no pretending…no mask.  They see who I am, warts and all.  I always have those around me who will hold me accountable…trust me, I get away with nothing, but when I work magick, there is none but me, god, goddess, and all things magickal.

There have been so many changes in my life lately…wonderful, fantastical changes.  We all know, though, that even with good changes, we tend go kicking and screaming.  While our animal friends are adaptable…humans don’t adapt well.  With all the changes taking place, I have made it my goal to simplify.  Life, in general is complicated.  I found myself feeling the need to explain myself to everyone.  No one could understand what was going on and most don’t care…I only allow a few the insight needed to add their voices to my life.  I started dissolving relationships with those who insisted on elevating life to a reality series.  I cut the cords with those who sucked the life out of me harder than any vampire on True Blood.  I have endeavored to pull on as many positive aspects of my life as I can find. There is a quote that has been credited to Meryl Streep, but it is actually her quoting a quote.  It was originally written by José Micard Teixeira.   It is as follows:

“I no longer have patience for certain things, not because I’ve become arrogant, but simply because I reached a point in my life where I do not want to waste more time with what displeases me or hurts me. I have no patience for cynicism, excessive criticism and demands of any nature. I lost the will to please those who do not like me, to love those who do not love me and to smile at those who do not want to smile at me. I no longer spend a single minute on those who lie or want to manipulate. I decided not to coexist anymore with pretense, hypocrisy, dishonesty and cheap praise. I do not tolerate selective erudition nor academic arrogance. I do not adjust either to popular gossiping. I hate conflict and comparisons. I believe in a world of opposites and that’s why I avoid people with rigid and inflexible personalities. In friendship I dislike the lack of loyalty and betrayal. I do not get along with those who do not know how to give a compliment or a word of encouragement. Exaggerations bore me and I have difficulty accepting those who do not like animals. And on top of everything I have no patience for anyone who does not deserve my patience.” _ Meryl Streep quoted it as words she lives by!  

It seems that I have spent so much of the time allotted me, trying to prove myself.  There is no need.  I only need to be true to myself…being who the universe has called me to be. I am only one person…and it is far too easy for one person to become lost in the multitudes. Life whirs by too fast.  Over my years of working with the Craft, I have learned that humans are the only creatures who don’t take things at face value.

I am exactly who I am supposed to be.  There is no time for closets anymore.  Everyone who knows me, knows I am gay.  A select group know that I am a witch.  No more pretending.  It is time to stand in the sunlight and let the midsummer sun shine through us and show us as we really are.

Blessed Be!