We all have those brilliant moments of insight that shift our perception quite dramatically. This was one of those times. I had to recognize my own bias and shortcomings to truly behold what a blessing I'd been given. ~The Autumn Witch
I have floundered in my desire to articulate the profound and overwhelmingly beautiful experience from a few weekends back that left me with an expansive heart and tears of joy streaming down my face. I was overcome with a deep sense of gratitude that almost was too incredible for words. In the very least, the only way in which I could ever hope to describe such an experience was a lesson from the Great Goddess Hathor Herself. Just know that even while writing this post, I have tears beginning to bubble in my eyes as I’m still so very thankful for such an eye-opening, aha! Moment. 😊
In my desperate attempt to place this lesson within context, allow me to explain my mindset before the experience. I was raised in a small town surrounded by mountains, so that
regardless which direction you drive, they are there. This makes it absolutely beautiful in the fall when they are painted different colors. While I understood the beauty of my surroundings--and indeed back before I began becoming my authentic self, I was aware--I always wanted to move away. Ever since I was 16 all I could ever think about was moving up to New England. It called to me. Beckoned to my very spirit. I'm now about to turn 25 and that desire hasn't lessened in the least bit. The only exception is now I've almost entirely forgotten the grandeur and beauty of my surroundings as I've become so focused on how much I differ from many of the residents.
More than likely you already know where this all is headed. Anyways, a couple of Fridays ago I was headed to the cemetery that is almost a family cemetery. So many of my relatives are buried in this small little gated cemetery, located behind a small Methodist church, on top of a mountain. It's one of the most serene and aesthetic views imaginable. I'll have to ensure to snap a picture during my next visit. My grandmother, great-grandparents, aunts, and an uncle are buried there which I already knew. However, thanks to Ancestry.com and Findagrave.com, I recently became aware that my great-great grandparents are buried there as well. Before I began researching my family tree I didn't even know their names and now I discovered they are buried in the same location! Talk about excited! I was determined to find their graves.
I've always been interested in my ancestry but no one had ever thought to ask questions, so you must understand how I could be so elated over such a rather trivial discovery. They were born in 1875 and 1879 which is incredible to me. Realizing it was Friday, Hathor's sacred day, I allowed myself to begin the day be reveling in all that was pleasurable and beautiful so I decided to honor Her by doing my make-up. It may seem frivolous but it is a way in which I connect with Her. I digress and merely wanted to illustrate the point that I was already within this mind frame which I assume could only help any similar messages be heard.
My little sister and I headed to the cemetery which is about an hour or so away from where we now live. Having moved to the city last year, I revel in every moment spent back in the country as I have come to realize the immense blessing it is. The entire drive up the mountain was full of nothing short of lush greenery, the earth delighting in life and pleasure (it was before Beltane), and just a much slower pace. I've always been grateful for being raised in the country as it instilled within me a certain set of standards, values, and traditions that molded me into the woman I am today.
I may have forgotten that you don't have to religiously or politically agree about everything--or anything--to enjoy and live a country life. It isn't necessarily the tenets of faith you believe, the politicians you elect, but instead is based on the quality of life and enjoyment you receive from the small moments. It's sitting on the porch during the warm summer nights, watching the lightning bugs dance throughout the yard, while friends are gathered nearby around a bonfire. It's about really cherishing family, appreciating hospitality, and simply embracing life to the fullest. That was my lesson. Neighbors willing to help one another out, families gathering together for large BBQs, or simply relaxing outside while you make sun tea--that's country. It's the way in which we're taught how to treat people and that manners count. I was focusing so much on the extreme differences to even understand that there is still so much of me that is a country girl. And that's just as it should be.
Hathor granted me this shift in perception, this glorious and amazing understanding, as I was driving back from the cemetery. As I drove back down the mountain with all these green and awe-inspiring (at least to me) landscapes, with people waving as I passed by or simply nodding, with my childhood rushing back, I was reminded that true beauty is always all around us. Sometimes we only focus on the negatives and life is always going to have a down side. When we do this, we miss out on the incredible experience we're already having. I could imagine myself remaining in this state, in this small town, completely different, eccentric, and unique, with no quarrels or snubbed nose of mine, and I was completely overwhelmed with the majesty of such a realization that all I could do was cry. Cry sheer tears of joy and appreciation. Never have I had such a deep sense of gratitude, beauty, love, joy, or enthusiasm. It was only due to Her that I had this shift of perception and I'll be forever grateful.
This doesn't mean that I wouldn't mind eventually moving up north. It simply means that I won't sit here bitching and wasting every precious moment longing for a place to call home. I already have one and we can have many places we call home. But for me, this is it. This is my home. I'm a country girl, from a small town who doesn't share much in common with my fellow men and women--at least not on the outside. Dig deep enough and there's more similarities than possibly believed.
Thank you, Hathor, Great Goddess of Love, Beauty, and all Earth's Pleasures for such a epiphany and I give you Honor through this post. You brought me home and that was certainly no easy feat. Dua Hathor! Dua Netjer!
Blessed Be, My Dear Friends,
The Autumn Witch
I did make a Youtube video to accompany this post. If you would like to check it out, click here.
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