We are pleased to introduce our Spiritual Corner writer, Marie Ponting, a person of deep insight and intuition dedicated to helping people on their spiritual journey.
She uses her passion for spiritual growth and in-depth knowledge of various spiritual practices and teachings to host workshops and events that inspire and empower those seeking to connect with their inner selves.
Through her work, Marie aims to create a safe and supportive environment where individuals can explore their spiritual path, connect with others, and ultimately find greater meaning and purpose in life. So, without further ado, let’s hear from Marie herself.
Mary Ponting
June is fast approaching. I apologize for not writing last month. I was sorting through a lot of emotions and felt like writing, even though it might have helped, was something I just couldn’t do. I often recommend journaling as a form of expression, but maybe I need to heed my own advice. In the circle of the year, we passed Beltane on May 1st, traditionally known as May Day.
Historically, the Maypole was danced around with colorful ribbons to pray for fertility. In fact, I remember dancing around the Maypole on a school trip in kindergarten or elementary school. It’s a wonderful memory. In the hut, we danced while wearing colorful scarves to invite the Goddess. She came with us. What resonated with me is that we don’t want to move in public. I wondered why. Is it because we’re afraid of being humiliated, ridiculed, laughed at…where does it come from? Do you dance in public? Not when you’re drunk, haha.
The truth is, when we move, we are moving and processing our emotions. We can push away the thoughts that are bothering us. We move energy and move it through our body to clear our chakras. I often cry when I dance or right after because I can feel the shift and release of emotional and/or mental blocks. It’s such a beautiful thing.
The summer solstice, the longest day and shortest night of the year, is fast approaching. I hope to see the sunrise on the southern coastline. That’s the goal! I love sunrises and sunsets any time of the year and often visit nature to watch the colors spread across the landscape. I’ve witnessed some breathtaking cloud formations and been inspired by some really insightful thoughts. You don’t have to go anywhere in particular. There are popular places, but the summer solstice is a time of personal reflection and celebration. If you can’t travel somewhere, can you see it from somewhere you can walk to? What is the view like from the windows of your home? You may feel that you can do it just by getting up early and stretching to be aware of the summer solstice.
Your journey is uniquely yours. We often compare our journeys to others, but why? We are all unique and individual, and so is our journey. I didn’t think I had much to say in this column, but clearly I was questioning myself. Before wrapping up this month, I wanted to briefly talk about altars. Someone asked me the other day about my altar and how I create one. An altar is simply a space you create with meaningful objects that you have collected or that others have given to you.
My altar consists of:
Slate from the historic family-run business “Feathers”
Candle
Badger made of felt
Selenite Crystal
Pebbles with angels on them
Stone bear figurine
Mini glass angel
Glow Stick
Oh, and I just noticed that this month’s full moon is over the summer solstice. Hold on tight, because this full moon is super powerful. It’s called the Strawberry Moon, because that’s when strawberries are traditionally picked. It’s also known as the Rose Moon.
I would love to chat longer this morning, but yoga is calling! If you would like to learn more about this, find me on Facebook. I am always happy to chat about spirit and exploring self-discovery with Astara.
Blessed Fire Ceremonies, 1 to 1 Meditations, Crystal Healing, Soul Healing, Channelling. www.selfdiscoverywithastara.com Contact: Marie 07825 654230 or raido41111@googlemail.com
Drumming workshops. Contact: Sandra 07834 208550 sandiealderman@googlemail.com www.innerguide.co.uk
Tarot classes, retreats, readings. www.carolinedragonlady.com
Sisters sharing space, moon gatherings, chakra and color therapy. Email: woodenroundhouse@icloud.com
