The gift of community

"We are all longing to go home to some place we have never been — a place half-remembered and half-envisioned we can only catch glimpses of from time to time. Community. Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power. Community means strength that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done. Arms to hold us when we falter. A circle of healing. A circle of friends. Someplace where we can be free."

(Starhawk)

Joanna has done it again, releasing the Gaian Tarot threes into the world. One commenter, Cate, wrote that the three of earth reminds her of the above quotation from Starhawk. I'm just in awe that I get to share the earth and my faith and the blogosphere with such amazing women.

I haven't been here in a couple of weeks, but I've been immersed in community. Starhawk's words capture it perfectly. On February 24, I experienced an initiation at the mystery school, a twelve-hour "presentation" of my healee and friend, in which we were held by people who love us and have watched us grow over the past two and a half years - twelve hours of the two of us working in relationship, plumbing our depths and shadows, opening, showing ourselves, being witnessed. It was both the hardest thing I've ever done and one of the most profound experiences of my life. It took two full days to recover physically.

And then I had a birthday on March 1. I'm 37 now. Adonis and I spent five days celebrating with each other and friends. I had so much fun! (And I ate so much delicious food.) I received lots of love and appreciation from people near and far. I'm magnificently blessed.

I'm happy to be back in my cyberhome, too. I've missed you.