Maia Journey 

I feel like I grew up with goddesses all around me. See the picture above on the left of the mother earth. I remember holding a very similar figurine that belonged to my mother, feeling her curves warm beneath my hands as a child.  The one the middle, the Snake Goddess.  I have a small bronze figurine of her.  I've had her since I was young although I can't remember receiving her.  She used to sit in an old jewellery box guarding my little worry dolls until last year when she appeared during a 'tidy up' and has now taken pride of place on my altar.

But I'd like to know more and when the poster above kept popping up on my facebook timeline I thought I'd go for it.

The venue was beautiful and Jackie had created an inviting space within - hawthorn, flowers and candles.  Jackie introduced Maia the goddess of spring and many May rituals. She also shared some foraged edibles - primrose, wild garlic, daisies, dandelion, alexanders, cleavers, three-cornered leek and much more.

We fed and watered and then Jackie lit incense and we journeyed to meet Maia.  My journey was wonderful. First, I sat with my toes in the water at a wild place I used to visit as a child to swim.  Then Maia with her sparkling eyes, hawthorn crown, white flowing dress festooned with may day ribbons and beautiful red, golden hair beckoned me through the hawthorn into the fairy world.  We sat and watched for a while.  The gift I gave was jar full of pansies and mud from the river bank where I sat previously.  She gave me warm and sweet smelling soda bread, fresh and grassy goats milk, a pale and soft cheese and my jar returned filled with wild growing edibles.  She carefully wrapped these in a large white handkerchief  and handed them over with the words "take only what you need".  She sent me back through the hawthorn with her blessings.  On the other side now stood a gypsy caravan with a warm fire in front.  I sat of the steps warming myself, smiling widely with hawthorn flowers in my hair.  As the sun rose, I took my gifts and walked towards the light. 

To me, Maia gift focuses on what I've been thinking a lot about recently - eating, nourishment and digestion.  I attempted to control myself and food through bulimia during my teens and early 20s and I'm slowly realising that I still eat in a very disordered way.  Maia in encouraging me to eat fresh food and only eat what I need.  

I'm looking forward to the next session!