I love listening to intuition. I really should do it more often.

Yesterday morning I went to work via Town Hall. I visited my spot in Hyde Park, and, facing the East, welcomed the new dawn. I did my morning ritual, felt my bare feet sink into the ground beneath me, and felt the heartbeat of mother earth. I should’ve gone that way to work this morning. But, I left my weekly train ticket at home, and had to get through an open turnstyle somehow. Thank-you Central Station.

Yesterday, I was feeling fantastic. For the first time in weeks, months, I’m feeling like my true self. Not worrying about foot, and eating habits, and eating in general (been busy at work) has helped as it’s all one less stress.

The last night, the final full moon of the year, and only a few days away from the Midsummer Solstice, I had this pull to go up The Hill. I’m so glad that I went! It was such a beautiful ritual put on by the Pagan Awareness Network, I caught up with friends (some of whom I haven’t seen in close on a year), and I even dressed for the occasion. Sometimes you need to go out dressed up. I found my black witchy skirt, put on my favourite white kaftan-like-top complete with my handmade circlet. Hmm maybe I should’ve gotten a photo?!

We sat down for a reading of such a beautiful story. It was a wonderful version of my favourite story for this time of year, which I know as The Battle between the Oak and Holly Kings. We farewelled the King of Light, thanking the Oak King for bringing Light back into the World; and welcomed the Holly King, the King of the Darkness, and prepare for the Waning year. During the story, my bum was pulled into the hill. The earth exchanged her energy with me, and I felt absolutely wonderful. My cards for a while have been telling me to get back into nature, but between busy at work and moving house, it’s been difficult to find five minutes to myself. Last night was the best decision I could’ve made.

Since moving back to Sydney and properly acclimatising to the weather here, I’ve begun to appreciate the summer more. It’s a different heat here than it is in Victoria. It’s so much more humid. As much as I might complain about the humidity at times, I do find it cleansing. As much as I hate sweating, especially in public, I know that once I’m home I can stand underneath a freezing shower, or run the bath and pretend I’m in a tiny pool.

Or, as I’ve been talking about constantly for the last few entries at my weight loss blog, GO TO MY BEACH!!!!

I know that this trip down will do wonders for my mental health, preparing me for the new year. I’m planning a ritual to do at the beach, maybe a visit to the local national park, and possibly a re-dedication. I like to do one every couple of years, at times of great change. This has been a whirlwind of a year, and there’s so much I’m thankful for.

I’m thankful for my friends, my family, and of course the Old Gods. I’m thankful for meeting such wonderful people within the Pagan Community, through university, through work. I’m thankful for the growth I’m going through, for the change, and for the understanding of things to come. I’m thankful for Herne choosing me as his Daughter, for me choosing to become a Dedicant of His, and for him making me laugh beyond measure on the way to work this morning. I was wondering why of all songs he chose to talk to me through the band Human Nature. This is just his humour – the free magazine I was given this morning (and didn’t look at, just popped it in my bag), has Human Nature on the cover!!

And when I get home, I’m going to take a photo of the gorgeous necklace my dear friend Pixie gave me for Giftmas.