Revisiting Demeter

This past weekend was Hekate’s Sickle Festival. As usual, it was a very busy weekend, and it was exhausting – though in a different way than being on site.

When we hold an in person festival, I usually end up walking a month’s worth of steps over the course of a couple of days. My feet and hips are sore, I’m up late and up early, and my back hates sleeping in the uncomfortable bed.

At an online festival, I get hardly any exercise, I sit at the computer for 12 hours a day, and I get to sleep in my own bed. Trade-offs…

At the end of Hekate’s Sickle Festival, the announcements were made for who would be holding which roles at Spring Mysteries Festival this year. I am honoured, and a little trepidatious, to be working with Demeter again.

It’s been several years since I worked directly with the Great Mother. I felt a lot of grief and loneliness working with her. The script we had that year allowed ample tears, which was honestly cathartic. However, we also held that festival in person, and so I was around other priests and priestesses every weekend for rehearsals.

I’m a different person now, so I am curious to see what lessons she has for me this year. This morning when I connected with her, I felt her grief, and reached out to comfort her. I felt her turn to me, as if she was crying on my shoulder. She just wanted to be held and told it would be okay.

I’m in the process now of creating my visual altars to her – changing my phone screen, and my desktop images. It is part of how I connect regularly. And I will also be changing the altar I have in my bedroom to be dedicated to Demeter.

I’ve enjoyed working with Hera this past year. I learned a lot from her. I look forward to revisiting Demeter, and cultivating a deeper relationship.

Blessings,
Mary