Carrying the energy of Darkness and Light

I'm not a good blogger. Well, really it's more that I'm not a consistent blogger. I'm going to do my best to change that but I can't punish myself. It's not like I'm sitting around with nothing to do, as those that know me personally can attest to. But, I think I process better when I write so, here we go. Self-care, here we come! *additional note to self - I'll add a massage before the year is through.

While this blog may be moving, overall I'm widening the scope of what I write about. Whereas before, this was a blog that solely focused on my prison volunteer work with Pagan inmates, it will now encompass more. Witchcraft, magic, Hekate, birth work (as it relates to my Priestess path), running a coven, the state of the world... and possibly what I think of shows I binge watch. But not too much. ;) That said, just wait till Game of Thrones comes back.

How I feel inside having to wait on GoT for over a year. 

I titled this post 'Carrying the Energy of Darkness and Light' because it's been on my mind today, among other things. This one though is the topic I'm ready to write about. Some may read these words and think 'bad vs. good', but that's not what I'm referencing.

In my coven, we have a tradition of the Stewards. In the past, these were the Oak and Holly Kings/Queens/Queers (yes, Queers. Because, hello? We don't need to be binary or gender-specific) and Summer and Winter Kings/Queens and you guessed it, Queers. Basically, if a male covener was chosen as Holly, he could choose to carry the energy of a king, queen, or queer. Same for our female members. Currently, no one in my coven identifies as trans or non-binary in their day to day lives.
These days, we call them the Stewards or Stewardesses, with the same idea that one can pick whichever title they like. If one doesn't want to use either, they can adopt Stew as a non-binary title.

This past Winter Solstice, one of my female coveners was chosen as our Stewardess of the Light. By chosen, I mean that her name was drawn from the chalice, and therefore we say that the Gods chose her. I knew, in my gut, it was going to be her. I knew she was ready and I knew it was the perfect timing. She was the Stewardess of Light because it's the light-half of the year from the Winter Solstice to the Summer Solstice.

Just before the Summer Solstice, we went back to the Gods and they chose one of our male coveners, who chose to take on the Steward of the Dark. Again, I knew. Together they planned their transition and passed the energy at the Summer Solstice ritual. It was both funny and sweet, but also quite meaningful to watch.

Practically, these roles are temporary leadership roles. While our coven has a High Priestess and a Sage (similar to a Priest, yet slightly different in our Novices group) which are the main people who 'steer the ship', it's helpful to not only both of us as Sage and Priestess to have additional help, but gives each of our coven members 6 months of time in a role of greater responsibility. They assist the both of us when needed, teach or lead a few classes or discussions for their coven mates, as well as being on hand for ritual teams at each Sabbat.

In the past, I've seen magical things happen to those in these roles. However, it's really sunk in today that this isn't just a practical, mundane position. Those that take on these roles, take on certain energies.

With this past Stewardess of Light, she bloomed, just like everything around us was. She grew into her role, and grew into herself more. She came out of a place of uncertainty and was no longer a wall flower.

When it was time to transition, the man who stepped into the role... stepped into the role. Or maybe the role stepped into him. Heading into darkness isn't easy, and as a Priestess I can see this in a clearer light than I ever have before. Even so, as we step into darkness and stay there awhile, darkness always gives way to light.

While the job is 6 months long and it can sometimes seem like there's not much happening, there really is so much happening for these individuals. The first thing magic changes is the self. These roles will work through people and change them, and I believe always for the better, even when that journey is hard.

Amazingly, our Stewardess of the Light was the one who continued to bring that light to our Steward of the Dark, at his darkest moments. It has been a beautiful process to watch, even with the bumps, bruises and intense moments we have gone through. I see that so much today, and am so very proud of both of them.

The dance of Darkness and Light

There is always room for learning and growth. This is why I so love our overarching name "Novices of the Old Ways"*. Keep the eyes of the Novice, no matter how long you do anything or how much you think you know. Through their journey over the last 11 months, I have learned so much that will help me assist the next Stewards, Stewardesses and Stews to come.

To the both of them, I am thankful.



* For a further definition of Novices of the Old Ways - Indianapolis, please see our About section on our Facebook page.