Sweet friends,
I’ve received a phone call regarding Shekhinah, … and the news is sad, but also happy.
Shekhinah has slipped into a state of constant sleep now. Her breathing labored, and heavier on the out breaths. It’s clear she’s near her crossing time.
The happy news is that her daughter is with her now. Though they can’t talk, I’ve no doubt that Shekhinah hears every word and is most likely out-of-body hugging her beloved daughter. It’s good they have this time together now.
The other happy news, and what I think I’ll chose to hold dear, is that Shekhinah was awake and had more energy most of the night. She talked and talked about the beautiful ritual that Z lead. She knew what the ritual was for and as I understand it, she was very happy and smiling as she spoke. She had a lot to say last night which to me means that all of the beautiful energies you sisters sent her … energized her and filled her with your love.
So, that is where our dear sister is at now. Don’t be surprised if you glimpse her or dream of her over the next few days. The veil has thinned and now, those who have gone before her are waiting to welcome her home.
From her flow and ebb,
Cerridwen Sidhewolf
WE ARE THE FLOW
by Shekhinah Mountainwater
We are the flow,
we are the ebb
We are the weavers,
we are the web.
We are the weave,
we are the web,
We are the spiders,
we are the thread.
We are the spiders,
we are the thread,
We are the witches
back from the dead.
Today has been one of those days in the lives of all who experienced it that will not be forgotten soon, if ever.
I always knew that when the day came that my lovely Kinah was to begin her cross-over journey, that I would be one of several priestesses to hold space for her, sing to her during her rite of passage blessing and love her for the extraordinary friendship I had with her.
Today we crones that were so much a part of each other’s lives gathered to share yet another level of the love and caring that has graced our dance of life through the years. Today we were the death crones, come to bless our sister, to help guide her and let her know just how deeply you, us, myself … how much we all loved her.
Z had arrived.
That silver haired Amazon walked into the room with her two walking sticks and you had no doubt that something powerful was about to get going.
When they told Shekhinah that Z was there, Shekhinah made one request … she asked for humor.
Well of course, that made all us crones cackle because asking Z to be funny is never something you need ask. It’s a given. I’m pretty sure Z cackled the loudest too. And honestly, I’ve no doubt that Shekhinah Mountainwater had just pulled a prank in her subtle way.
Z made it very clear to all she had work to do there, and with mischief in her eyes and a little smirk, off she went muttering something about being funny.
We all waited for a little bit of time to give these two old friends some space to speak in private. When it was time for us to join them, there was our Shekhinah with a smile on her face. Clearly her wish had been granted.
Z reminded Shekhinah of their adventures together and comforted Shekhinah, and eventually explained to Shekhinah that it was time to get down to business. Shekhinah understood and gave permission to be anointed with a beautiful rose oil that Z had brought her.
Shekhinah was very receptive, but also wasn’t shy about voicing her needs or concerns. At one point, Shekhinah was worried that she was going to soil herself. In typical Z fashion, she leaned over Shekhinah and whispered like a naughty little girl, “It’s ok honey, you just go ahead and have a good pee.”
Shekhinah got a little smile from that one.
Then Z began to sing, and the words flowed and flowed from her while the rest of us droned in the background. Shekhinah’s eyes were open wide and she was listening so intently to every word of Z’s song. A song that I didn’t realize until later was being inspired right at that moment. It was beautiful, and at times sad … at others, very funny.
And when it was over, Z gifted Shekhinah with bay tree clippings. Shekhinah liked the song, but she made it clear the bay could go.
I wasn’t expecting to smile and laugh so much with these women and our Shekhinah today, but seeing the amount of pure joy it gave to Shekhinah was her gift to us. There wasn’t any wailing, and not much crying. But what there was a lot of, was the real love that sisters grace each other’s journey with.
So sisters, the blessings have been sung and the rite of passage has been gifted to Shekhinah by her community of sisters. It is now up to her as to when will be the time she will release her foothold on this earth and go home.
Blessings sisters,
It’s been a very long time since I’ve posted to Shekhinah’s list, but after reading the postings so many of you have made and knowing how heavy your hearts are … I thought I’d write to you about Shekhinah, then and now.
I’ve known Shekhinah for some 17 years plus. We’ve moved in and out of each other’s lives over the years, but always we held love for each other. Shekhinah is like that. She waxes and wanes like the living goddess she is.
I remember when I first showed her Yahoo groups and she set up this list. She was so scared she’d mess something up, and in almost no time at all she was clicking buttons and posting like pro.
We watched this list grow slowly, and we’d cheer together at every milestone. First there were 10 members, then 50, then 100, etc. Now look at the beautiful place she created!
Shekhinah spent hours and hours answering every question. Sometimes I couldn’t go visit her until after she’d finished a writing project she was doing for you sisters. She gave so much love to every word that she shared here … and so much love to each of you.
I recall times when we’d chat about what to do if there was discord here, and each time Shekhinah put her focus into being the peacekeeper. That’s been her life’s gift, to be the peacekeeper and visionary.
So, while it saddens me that your hearts are heavy, it also brings a smile to my face because I know that Shekhinah achieved her visionary goals through each of you and what you will now carry forward to share with other sisters … and it’s clear you love her.
I sat with Shekhinah for a few hours tonight, and I wanted to share with you how absolutely radiant she looked. Not to deliver any false hopes, but to say that there’s a change come over her.
She is painfully thin now, and will be leaving us physically soon. But as someone who’s known this woman for a good number of years, I have to tell you I have absolutely no doubt that the goddess is now embracing Shekhinah. She has a glow about her that’s never been there before, not like this.
Shekhinah and I said our goodbyes tonight. We said our I love you’s. And what you should know about Shekhinah is that if you were there too, you would have heard those same words with just as much meaning whether she’d known you for years or days. It goes without saying that if she had the strength left to write to you all, she would.
Her thoughts are with you and certainly the love you’re sending her can be no less than the beautiful glow that is surrounding her now.
I’m sorry I haven’t taken the time to get to know most of you lovely sisters, but maybe that will change too. After things have settled, I will come back and see if any of you want to help me document her life and teachings.
Shekhinah always said to me, “I’m a radical feminist witch who’s on the top of the wave’s curl.” She got that right!
All your love, energies, prayers and magick are helping her to make this journey … it’s very clear how much that means to her. She knows she is loved, and best of all she’s loved by amazons.
Blessings to all,
Cerridwen Sidhewolf
Ξ December 8th, 2008 | → Comments Off on Once More | ∇ Women's Poetry |
I awoke to the darkness
When a hush is in the air
To smell of my lover
Though she was not there
Her fragrance hung
Like morning dew to vine
I felt her fill the room
This lady love of mine
She washes over me
Oceans to their shore
She leaves me wanting
And begging her for more
In total darkness
Rising up to greet her
To revel in her mysteries
Once more, once more my lover
