Creating Connections (Pagan Blog Project Week 5)

When I made the decision to combine my craft blog with an earth-based spiritual blog I figured there would be some overlap between my craft and Craft posts. As I continue to participate in the Pagan Blog Project the more I notice similar themes emerging.

This week I've been thinking about connections, specifically about connecting to others in order to form communities. I belong to Ravelry, an online community for knitters and crocheters. I also belong to a coven and participate in sabbat celebrations with the larger Portland Pagan community. There will probably be more posts about these various communities in the future.

One of the specific groups I belong to on Ravelry is for Pagan Crafters. Last fall someone in the group suggested starting a Wheel of the Year swap. The concept is simple: one of the organizers matched up the people who wanted to participate, and we are sending a small package to our partner for each of the 8 Pagan holidays. The packages can include pretty much anything we think relates to the holiday, especially things that are local to our area or homemade. Since Samhain (October 31st) is usually considered the Witches' New Year, this was our first swap.


The package I received for Samhain is on the left, while the picture on the right shows the package I received at Yule.

Although I have not met my swap partner in person, we are starting to form a connection through our packages. We have also been sending handwritten cards with each package.

So far I am enjoying this opportunity to connect more to the Wheel of the Year, and connecting more to my home by looking for local products I can send to my swap partner. For our recent Imbolc swap I included some Pacific Northwest Blackberry honey as well as a couple of scrapbook pages I had made:

In return I received a cute hat that my partner had crocheted and some herbal teas from her local tea shop.  I also received a specially charged candle. You can read the lovely blog post she wrote about charging the candle here: http://nature.pagannewswirecollective.com/2013/01/24/the-magic-of-here/
 By reading her post I felt connected to the process. And when I unwrapped the candle she had blessed for me I felt the energy and intention she had placed in it.

This picture shows the candle burning on the hearth in my home.

Maybe I was imagining that I could feel this energy, but even so, I felt connected to the idea that this woman 1,800 miles away was thinking of me when she held this same candle. This woman set the intention that this candle would carry with it the magick of her home, and I burned this candle with the intention of accepting this energy. In this way I think our homes are connected now.

I also sent her a candle that my coven sisters helped me charge during our last full moon circle. I hope that she will feel the good thoughts and energy when she burns her candle.

I started participating in this swap thinking it would be fun to spend more time reflecting on each of the sabbats. I realize I am enjoying having a pen pal more than I expected, and am continuing to expand my community. Sharing on this blog is another way I seek connections. So, if you've read this far, I hope you'll take a moment to post a comment to say "hi" and continue expanding the circle.