Yesterday afternoon I attended a pagan study group down in the city. It was the first time that I’d been able to go since I work lots of Sundays, and for no particular reason at all I was scheduled off for this one. I’d joined the group months before and knew enough of the folks who were going to be comfortable with them. It ended up being a rather interesting discussion of books that I thoroughly enjoyed. But I did something that was pretty out of character for me near the end of the gathering. When we were discussing our plans for dealing with the snowstorm that was headed our way, I opened up my mouth and boasted that I was supposed to get less snow up north where I live than they were down in the city, and I stuck out my tongue. And when I got good naturedly called out for gloating, I owned up to that with none of my typical social anxiety and blushing. I did end up blushing later in the car when I thought about it, but decided I hadn’t really hurt anyone’s feelings including my own and let it go like I’ve been learning to do.
Something interesting happened last night. Up here in the north where I live, we got the six to eight inches of snow that had been predicted for down in the city, and they got the one to three that had been predicted for us. Weird, right? Let me add some details to the story. On the way to this gathering, I’d reminded myself to be open both to my peers and the spirits. At the coffee shop we gathered in there was a bit of worry about the incoming snow, but it wasn’t mine - I’ve driven in Minnesota winters and out in the country where I live we’re ready for a storm with plenty of food on hand and propane for the generator that means we can be off the grid for a while if we need to. When I opened my mouth to speak I intended to ask everyone to be careful on the roads once the snow started falling. What I actually said welled up from that deeper place inside me where intuition lives, as if those words were exactly the ones that needed to be said at that time.
I’d say “don’t tempt the spirits” but sometimes it works out for the best. Today I’m thankful that the bulk of the snow ended up falling where we could handle it best, and that the accidents that did happen down in the city weren’t nearly as bad as they could have been. I measured seven inches on top of our trash can but there were drifts nearly to my knees. We’ve checked on the neighbors that needed to be checked in on, cleaned off vehicles for when the road is finally cleared sometime later today or tomorrow, and tossed out seed for some very grateful birds.
Love, light and beauty to you all!
