I have a history of painful separations with this particular Venus retrograde. Every eight years she retrogrades in Aries through my 8th house of births and deaths. First there was the loss of a husband, then friends, my community–and now, my partner had left to take a job in California. His move is a good one and we keep in touch almost daily through Skype. Still his absence brings a lot of pain, stirring up what’s unresolved in our relationship, and raising old grief from previous separations.
So at the last full moon, with a skittery heart, I went to the baths with my friend Holly. It was ladies night, when the moon, mineral water, naked breasts, gossip and laughter always heals my soul. I was crying and telling Holly how my heart was aching, when a young mother, her beautiful body, full as a ripe pear, rose up and addressed the group. “I believe in the power of women,” she said. “And I would like you to help me by joining in a prayer, a blessing, that would encourage the father of my young daughter to step up and take an interest in her.” Her 10-month-old daughter, wide-eyed, was held in another woman’s arms. Someone recited a prayer. We all raised our hands. Holly whispered, “Dana, this is a prayer for you too.” Then somebody gasped and pointed. Twenty turkey vultures were circling above, a cloud continually dissolving and reforming itself as it moved across the sky. “They eat dead things,” another said. I thought of all my dead griefs and hoped the vultures would take them.
Driving home, the full moon was behind me and Venus was glowing in the west. That night I slept deeply. When I awoke, I could no longer find my pain. Instead I found myself in joyful tears at nearly everything I saw.
Everything the others said and more…we have vultures roosting and nesting around our property (100 acres) and I find them comforting sentinels, friends, and guides. If you don’t have the Ted Andrews book “Animal Speak”…you should get it. It holds an amazing look at vultures and lots of other creatures. Your website and blog are phenomenal. I wish you all the best.
XO
Melissa
Thank you for sharing your vulnerability and your healing. Wonderful blog.
Thank you.
🙂
This blog made me cry. All the anxiety and desperation that had been building just came out…”why me?” I asked the Mother to release me of all the down-hearted weighing on me. I want “vultures” to release all the negativity that has been building since I lost my job last November. There is so much tension in my relationship with my husband and I want the tension gone. I ask…what am I to learn from all this pain? Thank you for your blog…very transformational!
Many blessings!
What a wonderful experience, to be surrounded by women connecting and offering support of one another in this very profound way. I too am separated by a very long distance from my dearest ones, my beautiful daughter and grand-daughter. I too Ichat- but its almost worse!
Wondering now if there are any “baths” in my part of the world!
Your sweetness shines through in the way you write- and I thank you for your honesty and candor and sharing heart-
Amy
I love to read your blog…I am a High Priestess, in service to women through the Order of the White Moon and Sisters in Celebration. I love to send your blog to my sisters. You always have such timely information… this blog was especially transformational, and I thank you for it!
Hugs
Danu
The Egyptian hieroglyph for “mother” is a vulture…A vulture can live off of carrion, transforming death into energy and life. Yucky but effective.
Lovely story and imagery. The vultures eating the dead refuse – the lost dreams, the sorrow and pain – is very powerful for me. Thank you! Also a good reminder that all of us women share the hope that our men will always “step up to the plate” and do their best to protect it.
After reading your blog I thought; make room for the new and the beautiful and peaceful. This thought and feeling just came bubbling up.
I love the way you write, and thank you for the inspiration!!