witchscauldron | Of kyphi and other things.

Kyphi - a very rich-smelling incense used in Egyptian rites. A very evocative smell.

I'm trying to put things into some sort of perspective at the moment. Last night was a mix of things, largely beautiful and joyful, but at times confusing and a little painful.

The drive down and wandering around downtown Toronto with Jacqueline was a lot of fun. We had a really good time - or at least I did. ;) Gave me the nastiest craving for sushi, tho; incidentally that's where Jason et. al. ended up for dinner. >_< I always miss the good stuff!

The ritual setup was lovely. The temple was very beautiful - and MAN, when you evoke Ancient Egypt in a sacred space you had better expect it to be HOT. Moira didn't recognize me, at first - I didn't think I'd lost that much weight, but she did. :) Was nice to see her. I gave out presents to people, set up some flowers and feast food, and waited patiently. The priestesses for the ritual were decked out in full regalia - traditional robes, wigs, makeup and bangles - the whole nine yards. Very beautiful. Moira looked awesome. :) She also gave me her carved scarab necklace to wear - I really was honoured by that.

It was a very layered invocation, based on the Seven Hymns of Hathor. I thought Lady Caitrin (who has invited me back for Samhain again! Yay!) was supposed to be the Vessel for the Goddess, but Tamarra was for this ritual. It certainly showed how hard Moira worked to put this ritual together - it was layered, ecstatic in the highest, and very awesome. I'm sure anyone who knows me would have laughed to see me banging a tambourine on my hip and dancing, but hey - I was having a damn good time. It earned me bruised hips and a blister on my right hand, but there's no pleasure worth a damn without a bit of pain.

I spoke with the Goddess early - the energy in the temple, and the heat, was overwhelming. The first thing she said to me was "What beautiful hair you have" and ran her fingers through it. ^_^ She was pleased with her gift (I made her a necklace of carnelian and glass beads) and she made me put it on her right there. She in turn gave me gifts, and I feel honoured. She had SUCH a blue aura - in fact, I remember all the energy in the temple as being a deep rich faence blue, and while I usually remember a colour or tone to the energy of a rite, that was the first time it's felt like that.

After I spoke with Her, I grabbed some food (MMM!) and headed into the Greenman for a bit of respite and some cooler air. Jacqueline was ok, too - I checked on her every so often, and she danced a while, and talked to the Goddess on her own - so I didn't feel bad about sitting out. I needed the space. I had hoped for more insight as to what my dreams of late have meant, but was just as happy with what I recieved as anything else I might have.

Things got somewhat complicated at this point. Apparently the Vessel was pulled out her throne and people were still waiting to talk with her..and then the Goddess jumped from the Vessel to Lady Caitrin. Jacqueline described this as "She just started freaking out and saying she had to go." This, for those of you who have never been to an invocation, is a bad thing. It is very dangerous for both the Vessel and the other person involved.

So things kinda got a bit chaotic, came apart...while they were trying to tend to Tamarra and help her come back to herself, they were trying to ask the Goddess to go, and to close the circle...Moira wasn't very pleased, as it's not very nice for your 3 months of work to go badly at the end. It was still a beautiful ritual, and I think she should be proud. You can't predict everything. I for my part tried to be as helpful as I could without being in the way, explaining stuff to Jax, and talking with Alain, Moira's husband. I wished I could have stayed longer - someday I will.

I bought a bunch of incense at the Occult Shop yesterday - Moira gave me a great little cow's head with a solar disk on it for Hathor, so I have burned some kyphi in the kitchen for Her. I hope she still likes her gift.

I brought home a VERY well-picked carcass of a chicken - people loved the bird, I guess. There was lots of stuffing left over, and some hummus and bread and spinach dip...so I picked off the rest of the meat on the bird, am making a good smelling chicken soup with the nice Morroccan-flavoured skin et. al, and Jeff came over for lunch. YUM!! Leftovers rule. Jeff brought some champagne and a nice loaf of olive baguette, as well as an almond tart. A small feast for the three of us - very lovely.

So it's warm outside today, but breezy cool, too. The sun's a bit hazy, but there's a soft feel, a golden glaze on the leaves and the grass and the sky that makes it feel like autumn's moving in. :) I am very content today just to be here. :)