I came across OWM almost a year ago now. The Goddess blessed me that day! Since then, I have found myself, in so many different ways, with the love and support of my sisters on-line:) I began my path with the Goddess, in conscious thought, about ten years ago, but I have followed her subconsciously always. I can remember impressions of little Fey beings around me when I was three years old. However, my strict Christian upbringing soon had me blocking them out. By the time I was thirty-six years old, I had been denying myself for so long, I didn't have a clue who I was. It took me a long, hard, time to break free. And it was much like pulling myself apart and putting myself back together again.

Here, I have found the great love of the Goddess. I have brought many issues to the sisters here, and I have found only love and support. I have found a gift, a treasure in these women on-line. I now grow as me, and when I have questions, or I feel lost, I have all of my sisters here to help me out, and sometimes, when I feel I have fallen down, and I don't know if I can get up one more time, I have my sister's here to reach out their hand.

We warmly welcome you. Feel free to ask questions and let us know if there is anything you need.

Blessed Be,
Shalimar

Calling the Directions and Elements
As written by Marcia Starck in Women's Medicine Ways

EAST

The east is a place of dawn, sunrise and new beginnings. It is a place of illumination and vision and has often been associated with the eagle, who flies the highest of all the birds and is the messenger of spirit. The golden eagle is symbolic of the sunrise, the beginning of wisdom, and a new day. East represents spring, the Spring Equinox, when day and night are equal. It represents birth, the beginning of all life when plants and animals sing and rejoice, when humans celebrate the end o the long hard winter and cold. East is symbolized by the butterfly coming forth from the chrysalis's, the shoots of flowers sticking their necks through the dirt. In the east we manifest the wisdom gained in the north from our solitude in the long winter months and from our ancestors who have gone to their rest in the north. The east is usually associated with the element air, which is breath.the beginning of life and in-spir-a-tio' n (to breath in). (Some Native American
tribes associate the element of fire with the east, probably because of the fiery sun that rises at dawn; they attribute air to the North where cold winds blow). An eagle feather or bird feather is often placed on the alter to represent east.

SOUTH

The south is high noon, the warmth of the sun, the intensity and exuberance of puberty and adolescence. Summer solstice marks the time of the longest day and shortest night; a time of outdoor celebration and all night fires. In the south, we experience the innocence of youth; and with the flowering stick, the flowering for our intuitive nature. in the south, we test our faith in the intuitive process. The mouse is often associated with the south, as the mouse represents innocence and trust in the ways of the heart. Though the opening of the heart may be fiery and volcanic, as is the heart of the south, it is also a step in our trusting the love and warmth that flows through it. Coyote, the trickster is often represented in the south as coyote tricks us into growth, into learning. even when this is a painful process. The heat of love can burn the heart, and sometimes when we go too near the flames of the south, we withdraw and turn inward. The element of south is fire, the fire of purification and growth. A candle is often placed in the south to represent fire (Native American tribes who associate fire with the east, associate earth with the south).

WEST

West is a place of sunset, the time of transition between the day force and the night force, the time when we come into our middle years and begin to look deeply within. Autumn Equinox when the day and night are again equal, prepares us for the winter and darkness ahead. We can now look at the dark places within our psyches and begin to heal; we have time for introspection and inner growth. The black bear symbolizes west; the bear is warm, nurturing and healing. The black bear represents the healing of the dark places within each of us. (Often Native American sweat lodges face west, the direction of healing). Autumn is also a time of harvest; in our middle years, we harvest these fruits deeper into the core of wisdom. Water is the element associated with the west; the waters of the Grandmother Ocean cleanse and purify our spirits while moving any physical blocks as we make our journey inward. We often put some water in a vessel or pitcher on the altar to symbolize water.

NORTH

North is evening, darkness, the place of the elders and the ancient ones. When we arrive a north, we come into an age of wisdom. Winter solstice marks the time of the longest nights and shortest days, but it also marks the time when the sun begins to increase in strength, so we are celebrating a return of the light. (The light is a symbol of wisdom).. North brings cold and snow, heavy winds and winter storms. The buffalo symbolizes the north; the buffalo is a repository of wisdom and knowledge, an animal associated with the Giveaway, as the buffalo provided food and warm clothing. White Buffalo Woman, who brought the pipe of peace to Native Americans is also associated with this direction. (White is the color of purity and of life renewal). The element of earth usually represents the north; some cornmeal or a crystal on our altar symbolizes this direction. (Some North American tribes associate air with North).