There was once a young with who lived in the woods. Her name was Cassie and she spoke in tounges. She spoke to the wild animals and she spoke to the earth about earthly things. She was also kind and caring and loved everyone. It was her open heart and willing, quick mind that people drew to. On market days she would sell her wares – remedies and potions to heal and soothe – and they worked. She became known as a healer and a soothe-sayer and whilst people were drawn to her in times of trouble or strife, they were not afraid of her in any way. Her open-hearted compassion was a blessing in itself and although she was young, they relished her easy, quick wisdom in situations.
Cassie married and bore three children. Whilst they all inherited some part of her gifts, none were as talented as her. She could speak to the moon, whisper its name, and make sense of the coming events and happenings. She knew when farmers should reap and sow and they regularly took her guidance on earthly matters. Cassie wanted for nothing, anything she needed or wanted was there. She loved completely, her husband was her united heart and the blessings they shared were love and kindness. Nothing daunted them, they were cheerful and happy and laughed often. Their children were happy and danced and sang. To them, the world was a playground and their mother a divine free spirit in communion with all of it.
Cassie’s greatest love was for the earth, for Gaia and the goddess within. This was her divine love and the source of replenishment and comfort. Walking in the woods was like walking in heaven. The trees felt alive to her, the ground vibrated with love and the cool, damp air felt like kindness and blessing.
One day, the army came and took Cassie away. She was tricked into revealing her secrets and tricked into sharing what she knew and how she lived. She wondered how she had been so stupid, or how she had not been warned in any way. Her normal reckonings had left her and in terror, she felt lost and alone. Only the moon was her friend. She danced and sang for Gaia but to no avail. They took her, cut her hair, and burnt her as a witch. She was told the fires of hell awaited her. In her last song, she sang for Gaia, sang for her earth mother and in death they were reunited.
Cassie spent a long time in the earth, a long time longing for freedom but afraid to go back. Eventually, she did go back but was cautious and timid and uncertain. She trusted no one, especially her own heart, which she closed and shut down to life. Time and time again she came back, dawdling with lifetimes and never realising her true heart or how to love. Thwarted and frustrated, she came back time after time. Holding the key and yet guarding the lock. But love itself must be realised and the truth of Gia will out. The deep and dark longing she felt surfaced enough times for her to begin to wonder what true love actually was. The nature of love became a mystery to her and yet her longing for it grew. She idled her time wondering about a great love, one that would make her happy. Projections were outward, looking to people, places, events, and occasions. But nothing held her gaze for long and she was constantly on to the next thing. Looking outward, all Cassie could see were temporary representations of happiness. She married, was unhappy and so left him. On and on the cycle, until a glimmer of truth whispered into view. A truth of allness, of oneness, of hope in connection.
Through a closed heart, she tried to perceive the truth of this, knowing at some level the truth was hers. But knowing wasn’t enough to satisfy her bleeding heart and so on and on she went. Until one day, she relaxed with all of it. Just that. Relaxed.
Cassie began to open her heart to situations, and she began to trust her sense of that. Of what is good, and what is good for her. Also, of realising her gifts and talents for what they were. Special, unique and a spark of light for others. Light therapy worked, for the light activated her longing to access her former gifts of knowing, sensing and of access to guidance and wisdom. Her trust was key and held access to the lock she had guarded all this time.
So, all was well and becoming and yet still she missed her mate. He was a stone’s throw from her and yet she couldn’t access the meet-cute. Eventually, time gave way and in he walked, as if he’d just been out for a breakfast walk in the woods and shown back up, hungry, and full of life.; their reunion was joyous and their love-making sweet and full of passion. Together they made a family again and that was full of love and pretty special. They met as a happy accident, and they chuckle about it often. Jokes and laughter are constant between them, and life is full and fast and fun.
And what of Gaia? Well, she continues to heal Cassie’s raw and ragged places, such devastation cannot be reckoned with lightly. It’s a steady, ongoing process of unfolding joy and gratitude and the true reason for her happiness. Gaia, mother earth, is Cassie’s one true love and it’s one that pervades everything she sees and everything she meets.
[Read more…] about Gaia and the witch in the woods

Through the half-open window, Alex stared down at the stone fountain on the driveway, Gabby had gone downstairs ages ago but still the bedroom smelt of her cigarette smoke. Tugging at the grubby strap that tied the window to its frame, Alex pulled it shut. On the bed, her daypack was stuffed with everything she imagined she might need, plus anything else she could fit in. Alex picked at her right thumb and watched as it began to bleed and wondered how any of this made sense.

Beside her, the gift nestled in fuchsia tissue paper; a set of three garish lipsticks that Alex would never use and so would end up back with Gabby. Everyone had signed the house card and as a wind-up, Gabby had written her full name, Alexander, on top of it. Alex picked up a second card, a homemade offering from one of the younger kids. On the front, they’d drawn her in wax crayon; with short black hair, wearing jeans with trainers, the image looked like a boy. As the light outside melted into dusk, she made her decision, tonight, she thought, I need to leave tonight.

Gabby put her head around the door.

“Pam says I’ve got to come and find you,” she said, smirking.

“So — you found me,” Alex said.

“Are you coming to help then?” Gabby said.

“Shouldn’t there be some kind of rule against house duties on my birthday?” Alex said.

“Probably.” Gabby frowned in the direction of the bed. “What’s with the bag?”

“Nothing… I thought I’d take some stuff to the charity shop,” Alex flipped over the top flap and fastened it. “Maybe when we go to town tomorrow.”

“Right – random, anyway, you need to spray in here – stinks of fags,” Gabby grinned and left.

Downstairs, the sound of the supper bell jangled around the wood-panelled hallway and landing, bedroom doors burst open and then whammed shut as everyone thundered downstairs. From the kitchen, Alex could hear a row kick-off; the shouts sounded like Frankie, which meant something was about to get thrown or smashed. Another voice squealed loudly, and a steady thumping began as Pam’s voice became the loudest, and the thumping continued. Alex sighed and stood up; the late autumn sun had faded, leaving an icy chill that made her shiver. Pulling the pack over one shoulder, Alex made it downstairs but as she reached the front door, a loud whisper made her jump.

“Oiy! What are you doing?” Gabby leaned over the banister.

“Nothing,” said Alex, “I’m just putting it here for a bit.”

“That’s it’s not charity stuff, is it?”

“No, listen, I’ll tell you after,” Alex said, dropped the bag at the coat racks, and skipped through the dining room door before Gabby reached her.

“Here’s the birthday girl,” Pam said as Alex entered. “I suppose we can let you off not helping set up for one night. But mind you take a turn washing up after.” Alex faked a smile at the house manager. Around her, kids grabbed at drinks glasses, elbowed each other, and chattered. As the food got served, she picked a potato off the table and put it back in the bowl.

Alex had imagined that turning sixteen would be great but instead, she felt scared and shaky, like she might cry. The feeling had been building for days as if something bad was on its way, but she couldn’t talk about it, like a storm, a Tsunami, or both.

Pam and Nigel led a chorus of Happy Birthday and Alex grimaced but then grinned as Frankie sang loud with his fingers in his ears. As always, they had birthday cake, and Alex had asked for chocolate fudge. As she blew out the candles Alex knew she was expected to make a wish, but her mind went blank, so she pretended instead. Just as she’d hoped, the house gift turned out to be money; without it running away was going to be an even bigger deal. Alex stared at the crisp new notes, while next to her, Gabby explained to Pam about going to Leeds the next day.

“So obviously we’ll want to check out the stuff in the arcades, but the best bargains are going to be on the market,” Gabby talked, chewed, and chopped her food together. “The best place for anything really schizzle is going to be Poodle Parlour, trouble is it’s a long way from the buses.”

Later, Alex helped clear the table and tried hard to act normal; some of the smaller kids began to sing Happy Birthday again, but Pam stopped the game and nodded towards the kitchen with raised eyebrows. When most of the washing up was done, Alex sneaked out to the hallway, listened for a while, and then headed for the front door, opening it slowly and just enough for her to squeeze outside. After hiding the backpack under the stone fountain, she checked the front gates; they were locked but it was worth a try. The lights were on in the games room and Alex watched the new boy, Jonah, play Xbox while the others shouted for a turn. After checking the bag couldn’t be seen from the house, she went inside to join them. As she entered, Gabby stared at her; Alex smiled back, but Gabby just turned away.

Bedtime arrived and, as they brushed their teeth, the two girls hard stared at each other in the bathroom mirror. Gabby was the first to spit.

“So, are you going to tell me or am I going to tell on you?” Gabby hissed.

“I just stashed some stuff that’s all.”

“What stuff?”

“Look, clothes and stuff, it’s no big deal.”

Gabby narrowed her eyes.

“I am so telling Pam.”

“Look, I’ll make you a deal if you promise not to say anything.” Alex said, “how about, if I’m not back by breakfast, then you can tell?” Gabby slowed her teeth brushing. “OK,” Alex sighed, “I’ll be back for breakfast AND I’ll give you a fiver of my birthday money when we go shopping tomorrow.”

“Ten,” said Gabby.

“Fine.” Alex shrugged.

“But you’ve got to be back for breakfast,” Gabby said, narrowing her eyes. “Or I am so going straight to Pam and Nigel.”

Which was all the approval Alex needed.