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Musings on important goals through the lens of hope.

(Image description: A figure with long, wavy hair and a blue plaid shirt looks down a road. The road is lined by trees with golden yellow leaves.) Credit: Photo by David Beale on Unsplash

The title of this post might have you wondering what a hope list is and what it has to do with Polytheistic Monasticism. Like a bucket list, I consider a hope list as a collection of items that you hope to accomplish within your lifetime. There is always the possibility that longevity might not be in the cards for me. Genetics-wise, it’s a mixed bag. Also, with all of the uncertainty in the world, you never know what can happen.

However, placing hope as a focus for the objectives both gives you some thing to cherish for the future and to value what that particular thing is even more. It can be a means of finding resilience when the horizon seems bleak.

That being said, having a hope list can function as a focus on what’s really important, depending on how you prioritize it. The items on the list can always be changed or modified, but having an idea of what you want to do before it’s your time can at least give you a general direction you want the goals to head towards.

A hope list can be as long as you want it, but I’m going to keep it at three goals for this this entry. I may do a follow-up to this post, but it’s a good start for now.

1. Know Myself

This goal is one that I’ve mentioned before in previous posts. On life’s journey, I want to learn about my Self as much as possible. The Self might be something that’s infinite, so I might never learn about who I fully am. Much like a journey’s destination, it’s not about reaching a certain point, but the aspect of discovery fulfills you in knowing more of your Self. It also doesn’t require going anywhere and can be done at my own pace. It can be done through meditation, reading, and creating, just to name a few ways of doing this.

2. Multiple Languages

This objective is another one that can be done right where I’m at. Learning languages allows you to see connections that you didn’t realize were there, and in the case of endangered languages, it increases that number of speakers in the world. Languages have their practical uses, but the human mind is built for so much more than that. I want to see how much I can learn within my life. Even if I’m only slightly fluent in a language, it’s better to have that than not.

3. Travel

I’ve mentioned pilgrimages in the past, and Ireland and Scotland are absolutely my top choices of where I wish to go for religious purposes. Some of the reasoning relates to some of my ancestors, but there’s also holy sites that I yearn to feel in person. These aren’t the only locations I want to go to, but I wish to be succinct with my list at this point in time. This goal is one that will require a lot of planning and saving, but it feels really worthwhile to do.

Being hopeful is a definite challenge for me, but having it in my heart and mind keeps me working toward these kinds of goals as a form of contemplation. Perhaps this hope list might foster inspiration for one of your own.

A poem about the local oak.

(Image description: A close-up photo of oak leaves and an acorn being hit by sunlight.) Credit: Photo by Kate Kasiutich on Unsplash

Shedding of Acorns

Naturally late,

your emerald canopy

still catches glints of the sun.

With your shedding of acorns,

you sow hope for the future

as they seek out holy water.

No rush, no fretting

as your roots collect water

and your leaves wait.

Wait for the right time,

to flourish, to blossom in

tones of scarlet, gold, titian.

Then the fall,

languidly slow

or gone in a gusting whirl.

While other trees are bare

or evergreen, you wait to offer

the last bits of color in the cold.

Doing as able,

you stand strong and

watch the passing of the seasons.

An offering prayer for physical therapy.

(Image description: A photo of a silhouetted figure standing in front of the sea at dusk with the sun’s light hitting the clouds in shades of purple and pink.) Credit: Photo by Sasha Freemind on Unsplash

Offering Prayer of Healing

Brighid, Lady of the Healing Well,

Nodens, Lord of the Reviving Rivers and Seas,

may my physical efforts be an offering to You.

May the strengthening of my limbs

honor You as I go about my days,

as I contemplate Your natures.

May the bountiful blessings of Your waters

flow through me as I write prayers and poetry.

May each step reach not toward perfection,

but improvement of body, spirit, and mind.

May my renewed gait be as a holy prayer

walked in Your honor.

May my mundane endeavors extol You.

A couple prayers for daily use.

(Image description: A photo of a full moon shining above dark water. The moon is somewhat obscured by fog.) Credit: Photo by Conrad Ziebland on Unsplash

As I have mentioned, I use the Clann Bhríde Book of Hours for most of my daily practice with Brighid. However, no such resource exists for Nodens, and I have to create my own prayers to build up a foundation. Here are a couple prayers that I plan to use for my daily practice for Nodens. They’re the pillars around which I can write more prayers to Him. The daytime prayer was inspired by an ogam reading, as I was having trouble discerning aspects that could be applied to Him upon my waking up.

Rising Prayer for Nodens

Nodens,

as the dawnfire joins the waters,

may my day be filled with the rosiest joy.

May that joy be as a wisdom-filled salmon leaping.

May that joy bless me with the passion of life and skill,

as strong as a swift river coursing.

Bedtime Prayer

Lord of Mist,

as I rest my head for the nightly journey,

may slumber leave me whole and healthy,

my mind sharp and perceiving as a speartip.

May my dreams inspire and restore me,

with fog embracing me like a soft blanket.

May Your clouds shield me from threats,

seen and unseen, through the long night trek.

A couple prayers in light of conflicts around the world.

(Image description: A photo of a white feather floating on calm water.) Credit: Photo by Andraz Lazic on Unsplash

Brighid,

Lady of Peace,

May the sacred waters of Your well heal the inner and outer wounds of war.

May Your poetry inspire the peace-workers to turn back the currents of conflict.

May the knell of Your hammer awaken and strengthen mercy in people’s hearts.

May Your keening remember those who might be forgotten.

May Your spear stand guard against those who threaten peace.

Nodens,

Battle-Worn Lord,

May the dreams You offer instill peace as a reality.

May Your hounds lick away the hatred that clouds eyes and minds.

May the wrathful forces be quelled by Your healing waters.

May Your gentle rain soothe the crimson-hued ground.

May Your clouds and mists conceal those seeking safety from harm.

A poem inspired by my Samhain reading.

(Image description: A photo of a river that is lined by gray rocks of different sizes and shapes. Green trees are seen near the river on both sides.) Credit: Photo by kazuend on Unsplash

Turning Toward the Earth

I turn toward the Earth,

damp soil meeting my shoes

and young grass in the making.

Where blood and bone and ash rest

there is a river, ‘tween the realms

the flow of time hitting the shores.

Days, weeks, months

currents in the flow

of how long it’s been since

I’ve seen you,

spoke with you,

hugged you.

Small traces of you

catch my eyes, here and there,

as faint calls in the wind.

This is the start

of our bond

in the place of not-here

but in the place of being-there.

A time of birth pangs

in grief and poetry,

of learning and love.

Musings from my Samhain celebration.

(Image description: A photo of a light-skinned hand holding a yellow fallen leaf, with a heart shaped hole in the middle of it. Other yellow leaves are seen on the ground and among the trees in a forest.) Credit: Photo by Anthony Intraversato on Unsplash

The wheel has turned again, and winter seems to be making itself known this Samhain. From what I can remember, the past Samhain seasons have been on the milder side. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case this year. Summer’s end was apparent with weather that called for bundling up.

In a way, I feel like I’m still winding down from my long trip, and that calls for stretching Samhain observances out through the first part of November. The astronomical midpoint between the fall equinox and the winter solstice falls on the 7^th, so I have some time to do this.

As usual, I’m tending the flame during this fire festival season. I kept the offerings simple with some patchouli incense, water, and flame. I plan to give offerings to Nodens soon, in return for offering His part in the reading. I also wrote a poem to Brighid, shown below. It very much reflects how things have changed since Samhain a year ago.

A Pierced Heart

A year passed,

one form of grieving

traded for another.

This battlefield has no spears

nor arrows, yet my heart

is pierced still.

The lows traded

for the highs, then

understanding is aflame.

Trade certainties for what-ifs,

day in and

day out.

Is there a sacredness

in I don’t know, a holy pilgrimage

of hope and best efforts in uncertainty?

Be at my side, O Comforter.

Afterward, I did my quarterly reading from now until Imbolc and received Úr, Sail, and Ailm. These letters indicate general introspection, but I think it strongly leans toward grief work. I feel I have been passive in dealing with the after-effects from the loss of a pet and a parent, and my deities are showing that I need to work on that matter. As time goes by, I figure I will have more clarity as to what else it could mean.

Ironically, this coincides with a book I’ve been meaning to read for myself and as a possible resource for Clann Bhríde. The book is A Celtic Book of Dying: The Path of Love in the Time of Transition by Phyllida Anam-Aire. From a cursory glance, the book may have some issues, but it could also provide some healing nourishment. We’ll see how things go.

For the time being, I wish you bright blessings in the sacred darkness!

Thoughts on altars before and after travel.

(Image description: A photo of some crystals on a wooden surface. Eight crystals are grouped together, each in different shapes, colors, and sizes. They are next to a couple of decorative glass items.) Credit: Photo by Sarah Brown on Unsplash

I returned recently from my extended trip, and one of the things I missed was being at my main altar. In an earlier post, I talked about what I brought with me to maintain my practice. However, now that I’m back, it hit me how much I missed the familiarity of these sacred spaces that I am at and continue to work on.

Additionally, I left during the middle of summer, and it’s now autumn. That means another fire festival is around the corner, and the altar needs to be tidied up and redecorated for Samhain. Thankfully, a recent flamekeeping shift was an appropriate time to do this.

Picture frames were dusted, and seasonal items were placed. A couple brown ceramic owls were put at each end of the altar. Owls don’t have any mention within Brigidine folklore or legends, but I still connect them with Brighid. Their nocturnal calls remind me of Brighid’s invention of a whistle to be used at night. There is also Brigantia’s connection with Minerva, and the owl is one of the Roman goddess’s symbols of wisdom.

I still have a couple items I want to add to the layout for those who have passed within the last year or so. I will likely include the pawprint cast from Mystic, and I haven’t figured out what I want to include for my late father. I still have a bit of time to think on this and put them on the altar.

Coming back increased my need to continue working on Nodens’s shrine as well. He still only has a large jar candle and the prayer beads I took along on the journey. I could be wrong, but I’ve gotten the feeling that He doesn’t want to be depicted in an anthropomorphized form. However, symbols I associate with Him seem to be fine.

With the contrast between my main and travel altars, I find myself wanting to include a couple more items the next time I travel. One item is a bell. I can’t really pack the bell branch I use, but next time I will be sure to include the small bell I have. I had been envisioning the sound my bell branch makes, but there’s still something to the physical act of ringing a bell that’s fulfilling in my practice. Other items might include crystals or some sort of tiny altar tile for each of the deities, in order for them to have Their respective spaces.

All in all, being away from home gave me some valuable insights of what provides elements of comfort in my religious path, as well as how I can add items that please Brighid and Nodens in the future.

A poem to help me remember.

(Image description: A photo of a craftsperson at work. The artisan sits at a wooden table, wearing a blue and white striped shirt. They work on a mold, their tools scattered around the space.) Credit: Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

The Blessing of Memory

May memories be etched in my mind,

each facet worked by an artisan’s hands,

gently and reverently

engrained.

An embrace, reaching

A teaching, learning

Kind words, encircling

Good food, sating

Fresh water, enriching

May each be embedded in every recess.

May my five senses

come alive in remembrance.

May memories be imbued

in every fiber of my being.

May my memories be a canvas,

with each recalling,

the image as a blessing.

Thoughts on possible goals for the spiritual new year.

(Image description: A photo of a message on a wall. A message reads, “Do what you love!” in black spray paint on a white wall. Green plants appear below the words.) Credit: Photo by Tamara Gore on Unsplash

With Samhain about three weeks away, my mind is already percolating on potential goals for the new spiritual year. At the time of writing this post, the seasonal reading I did during Lúnasa still applies as a contemplative focus. However, readings transition from one cycle to the next, and they can possibly carry similar themes into the next season.

The trip I mentioned previously is coming to an end, but with it, I have learned more about the potential home that the hermitage could reside in one day. Everything from the slant of the sun to the weather changes will influence my practice in the case I live here in the future.

As for the objectives I want to attempt in the new year, they fit more into the “hopeful” category than anything concrete. I don’t want to make any dedicated objectives, as life can always throw a curve ball into plans. However, I can at least attempt to do them; some progress is better than none.

1.     Knitting

Textile arts have interested me for a while. Weaving was my introduction, but it has its limitations in the items I can make. I don’t plan to give up on weaving, but I would like to broaden my skills to make clothes, altar cloths, and other devotional items.

2.     Leathercraft

Working with leather reminds me partially of Brighid the Smith. A mallet is like a hammer because you have a constant drumming effect while working on a piece. You must modify the pressure with which you strike the leather and the tool to achieve certain effects. Hit too gently, and the impression won’t be as visible; likewise, striking too hard can damage the leather.

The only devotional piece I’ve specifically made was a leather bookmark with a Brighid’s cross on it. I would really like to expand into doing more devotional art with this medium.

3.     Reading

I used to read voraciously as a child, but it’s something I don’t do as often. It’s something I wish to change. Some of it is simply taking the time to do so, and I need to remove distractions as well. I want to equally incorporate fiction and spiritual books, as they balance each other out. Additionally, I feel like increasing my reading will improve my focus, something that’s greatly required in a monastic path.

4.     Writing/Drawing

As a child, I wanted to be an illustrator and a writer. The skills needed for both aren’t separate, and they bring me joy even today. Similarly with reading, they are pastimes that fell by the wayside due to not taking the time for them, along with distractions. I get the sense that I should pursue writing in addition to this blog, but I will carry out this task at my own pace.

At the very least, this list will give me an idea of what I should try to accomplish after Samhain. Also, with the colder months approaching, being indoors more is a valuable time for storytelling and creativity. I may even do other creative and story-related activities, but these four things are enough to get me started at this time.