I hope this letter finds you all hanging in there safely during these strange and challenging days. My heart goes out to everyone who have endured the stress of the pandemic, the social and political unrest, and now more fires and hurricanes on top of all else.
I’m very fortunate that my family hasn’t had as much hardship to face, but we have had a few other challenges to occupy us… Last month my husband broke his leg while on a Search and Rescue Training backpack trip, and so we’ve been staying home even more (if that’s possible) and focusing on healing! He's recovering well with lots of Goddess TLC!
FLOAT TIME...
With all this down time, I’ve had a lot of opportunity during this pause in the usual busyness of my sailing along to reflect on the “flow” of life—actually its ebb and flow—and have realized that when the flow appears to stop or get dammed ("damned") up or the trade-winds stop filling my sails, instead of resenting it, perhaps it is time to just float along with things.
I’ve so missed our Goddess Studio gatherings and the joy we’ve shared here. It’s been very disheartening to hope to start up our events again only to realize it is too soon and have to keep cancelling things. It has taken all the wind out of my sails and made me very despondent. So I asked the Elemental of Air what to do about the loss of wind in my sails and the message I got was to just “float it out--drop anchor and explore the depths, and refurbish the vessel. Frantic paddling will only keep you going in circles and exhaust you. And quit trying to figure out from which direction or when the trade winds may come.”
So, I am taking Her advice and I am officially declaring FLOAT TIME for the Goddess Studio group activities until the end of the year to focus on rest and refurbishment for myself, Dennis and the Studio.
Sadly, that means that there will not be any belly dance classes, Meditation & Magic circles, Sabbat Celebrations, or other group gatherings (whether in person or virtual) until 2021.
Regarding the Sabbat Celebrations-- The presenting team of Priestesses and I have considered our plans for upcoming activities that we had been working on namely for our September Healing Harvest gathering and have decided to stay in float mode and not keep paddling towards presenting either an in-person or zoom gathering. (Compared to our in-person presentations, the virtual gatherings just don't seem to float our boat!) So I'm sad to announce that this gathering is officially cancelled. (However, we are definitely looking forward to re-opening again in 2021 with our annual Feb Imbolc Vision Board making celebration—Covid restrictions permitting. So keep that time in your vision for next year!)
This has not been an easy decision to make as so many find the Studio activities to be a significant inspiration for our spiritual path. It has been my mission and the mission of the Goddess Studio to be a source of comfort and empowerment and I’m truly concerned about causing anyone any discouragement or disappointment. Especially during such challenging times, we really need inspiration even more! So I've been in a conundrum. Then Vee made a wonderful suggestion of having a support team available for those who could use a sister shoulder. So we are happy to announce the....
GODDESS HUG HOTLINE!
Until we can hug again in person at the Goddess Studio, our Priestess team would like to be available to anyone who needs a virtual Goddess Hug! Thus we are going to offer a personal “GODDESS HUG HOTLINE” to anyone who feels the need for some spiritual support during these times.
If you need a Goddess Hug, please email me (AmalyaGoddess@aol.com) and let me know the best way to contact you, and either I or one of the Goddess Studio priestess team will contact you personally. (Put “Goddess Hug” in the subject line.)
So that’s the message for now as far as large group events are concerned, and please check back into my website or Meetup or Facebook or watch for future enewsletters with further updates around November for the 2021 possibilities!
In the meantime, consider doing a PRIVATE, CREATIVE GLORIOUS GODDESS PORTRAIT with me at the Studio...
Incidentally .... to suggest another tack while I'm floating around here, I've also got the studio set up for ART & PHOTOGRAPHY as creativity is crucial for any refurbishment regime! So I'd love to offer an opportunity this summer/fall for co-creating one of my special Glorious Goddess Portraits with you! (With just the two of us, we can easily keep our "social distance"!)
So scroll down for more info on commissioning a personal, custom Goddess Portrait of your beautiful self, and see a sample of my most recent portrait of Felicia!
~*~*~*~*
In parting, I encourage you all to not buy into the turbulent fear and anxiety of the world right now. As the wise Sylphs of air might say… “when you are left becalmed with empty sails and no back up motor, just rest, refurbish and float it out. You can’t always stay underway. The winds will return to give you momentum again. Right now you are safer floating in the eye of the hurricane, than being tossed in the storm.”
Stay safe, be well and take time to float in whatever way brings you some peace and calm and creativity.
You are loved and missed.
Bless you for being part of the Goddess Studio clan!
We are ALWAYS connected in spirit!
Love and gratitude ~ until we merry meet again,
Blessed be
Amalya
I may not be checking in on Facebook very often, so the best way to reach me will be by messages via Meetup or my email: AmalyaGoddess@aol.com
8/27/20
