Portal to Pilgrimage

Morning moon setting in San Miguel

One week ago today, I boarded an airplane in Palm Springs, California, with an intention to arrive in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.  This is all part of my Crone Pilgrimage and my intention to self intitiate into the part of my life that means I am no longer maiden or mother.  

Without sharing too many details that would involve what is known as TMI, or too much information, I can say that when I turned sixty in October, I found a certain restlessness begin to shake my soul.  I began an internal questioning, asking myself what it means to turn sixty.  As October neared the end of the month, I requested some quiet time for reflection in our household, so that I could have time for study and self reflection.  When that request could not be honored, I put my personal items in storage and set out on a quest or pilgrimage.  Some of my friends said that I ran away from home. 

A synchronistic series of events brought me to San Miguel, where I have time for reading, writing, artwork and self study.  One part of me would rather have me at my own home, where I could be in my own surroundings.  But there is nothing like leaving one's comfortable surroundings to explore both internal and external territories.  It is like becoming a map maker and exploring and marking new terrain.  

Last week, the moon was waxing, bringing richness to my intentions.  I came to realize that I am on my own Crone Pilgrimage. 

Morning moon set in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico

This is not San Miguel.  The morning moon setting above the Jemez Mountains in New Mexico, USA.
Photo from January, 2013.

Doorway to Pilgrimage

Doorway notebook drawing.

Last November, a month after I turned sixty years old, I started to look for meaning in what it means to cross this age threshold. My life was spinning out with frustration and confusion as well as a sense of wonder.  In my request to the Universe to "send me a sign," I found a free downloadable e-book at this website: http://catcaracelo.com/ .  The eBook, Exploring Mythos, a 7-day guidebook, felt like a gift from the goddess.  I eagerly tackled the first exercise, "Creating a Doorway."  I worked fast with the drawing, since there was a suggested time limit of 10-minutes.  When my time was up, I had this piece.  

I studied my piece and meditated with it.  Something about my drawing made me think that it had the energy of a Tarot card.  Looking for meaning, I found that my "card" suggested that within two weeks or two months, I will have energy like Mars and move in new directions.  It reminded me that basically, I had drawn a symbol that gave me the affirmation that I would have the energy to move in new directions because I have "attained a certain state of balance and harmony or sovereignty within."

The book I used was The Tarot Handbook by Angeles Arrien.

This doorway is the entryway to my pilgrimage.

Pilgrimage

In 2013, I became sixty-years old. During the month of October, I believe I had the equivalent of a mid-life crisis.  As a sixty-year-old woman, I have a new awareness that I need to explore the age old question of WHO AM I?

I enrolled in a year long workshop that is taking me on a bit of a pilgrimage to find and ultimately walk into my crone-self.

My first project for my pilgrimage was to work on desconsos.  The January 1st post of Mystical Gypsy is about desconsos.

My second little project for this VisionQuest or Pilgrimage are these small Vision Cards.

My first vision board was about gardening.

Open doorways and window with views keep me wondering and wandering.
What is beyond the beyond?