The Triple Goddess symbol of the waxing, full, and waning moon over dark background. (Photo of the moon: NASA)

“I’m exhausted,” my friend, Amy, said.
“Your Sjögren’s syndrome is a lot to bear,” I said.

Part of caring for my friends is to listen well.
I ask questions, and they discover details for themselves.

I asked, “Would you be okay with exploring two ideas?”
I waited. Maybe she was too tired at this moment on the phone.

“It’s okay,” she said.

“What does the fearful part of you say?” I asked.

“That I’m done. My life is going to stay in this box of illness. That I’m going to have this level of pain until I leave this planet.”

We talked some more.

A few minutes later, I asked, “What would Goddess say?”

This stumped her.

She paused.

I waited.

Eventually, she said that Goddess would encourage her. Goddess, would say, “Be compassionate with yourself. Because you are My child. Pain has different colors and textures. You’ll have times when you won’t think about the pain.”

Later, I reflected on this.

Often, I return to the words of the Goddess, in The Charge of the Goddess, as written by Doreen Valiente:

“Keep pure your highest ideal; strive ever towards it; let naught stop you or turn you aside. … Let My worship be within the heart that rejoices, for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are My rituals. And therefore let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honor and humility, mirth and reverence within you.” – The Goddess speaking in The Charge of the Goddess, written by Doreen Valiente

May these insights support your journey.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater