Loss of an Elder

For many of us that have embraced the Womens Spirituality Movement in our heart and souls,
the loss of our beloved elder, teacher, songstress, wise woman, author and goddess, Shekhinah Mountainwater will invoke a true loss. I have been feeling grief in dimensions not known to me for many years, and it's shrouded in the comfort of all-knowing. All-knowing she is safe and pain free, and that many many of women will continue to live by the gifts she shared with us, the magick of daily life and the songs and chants that will continue to be on our lips. Thanks be to you sweet Shekhinah, to this day I still use your moon chart and gift every young woman on her first moon copies of it for them to make their own.

Lunaea Weatherstone ( www.lunaea.com) wrote an endearing email to the Goddess Community that shared so much I cannot possibly say it better that her post, so I include it here. I also encourage you to look at her website for possible continued updates. Below was an update before her crossing, but I encourage all of you to read the entire post, and see how beauty~full home death can be and is. See how making sacred space can make a holy event like crossing over feel and be sacred for everyone. I just love the vision of the large yoni of Aphrodite, and think I may include some thoughts like that in my personal directions.

In the loving embrace of the great mother, welcome home again sister, welcome home.

Cedarwind

Lunaea Wrote:

Dear sisters of the Goddess community,

I know you all are holding Shekhinah in your thoughts and prayers, so
this is a little update from my perspective, having visited her this
afternoon. Z Budapest and her friend Leilani came down from the Bay
Area to bless Shekhinah and help her through the veil. When I
arrived, about an hour before Z got there, I was happy to find that
the energy was calm, loving, and charged with spirit in a peaceful
way, not the chaotic or dramatic environment I had feared based on
some of the emails I've received. The main space was open and filled
with light, Shekhinah's large round main altar just as it's ever
been, lovingly tended, with many fresh flowers. Her caregivers and
other loved ones were taking it in turn to be with her, and to
welcome visitors, who have been in and out over the past days.
Shekhinah now has 24/7 professional care too, thank Goddess, and the
hospice workers were there, gentle and grounded. Soft music was
playing, and the air was softly scented with roses.

Shekhinah lay in her bedroom, which is draped in deep reds and pinks
and purples, an Aphrodite-shrine womb from which to be reborn. She
was nested cozily with soft coverings on her bed, curled up and lying
on her side. She is extremely thin now, skin and bones, really, with
a luminous purity in her skin, her hands very beautiful. Her eyes
were closed much of the time, but she responded to my voice, turned
her head to smile, and reached up to touch my face and hair, to take
my hand and to share a few words -- she definitely knew who I was. We
spoke of her old cat Angus, who died a few years ago, and whose
presence I felt strongly there that day. I'm so glad I had the chance
to thank her for all she taught me, so many years ago -- nearly 25
years, now -- and to tell her how her work and her music will last
for many generations to come, as her sisters pass it along from woman
to woman.

Z and Leilani arrived, and Z anointed Shekhinah with Indian rose oil
that had been blessed by Amma. She laid a wreath of laurel over
Shekhinah's head briefly, as a symbol of her heroism, and then
improvised a beautiful song of blessing and release, while the other
women in the room hummed and added their energy. The presence of the
Goddess was strong, and Shekhinah was alert and taking it all in. She
and Z spoke for some time, Z leaning over the bed to speak into
Shekhinah's ear, and at one point I heard Shekhinah say, apropos of
something I didn't catch, "We were tougher back then..." and there
was soft laughter. Shekhinah had known Z was coming and had requested
that she "be funny" and there was indeed a sense not only of sorrow
for her illness and present pain, but also of perspective, wisdom,
and acceptance.

Our visit was fairly brief -- I was there for about two hours, Z for
about an hour -- but it felt complete. Shekhinah's hospice worker
said that they are going to increase her medication to lessen her
pain. Shekhinah's children arrive soon -- her daughter tomorrow and
her son on Sunday, and there was a strong feeling that she was
waiting for them. Though Shekhinah is in pain and drifting in and out
of awareness, I had no doubt but that prayer and blessing was
reaching her, and I wanted you all to know that it is helping, and to
keep it coming. Her caregivers asked me to pass along the reality of
what is happening right now, so there you have it. There is a plan to
get a regular update happening on Shekhinah's website soon. She
cannot speak on the phone, so don't call her old number. If anyone
has any questions, please feel free to get in touch with me, and I
can pass along some contact info.

Warmest blessings,
Lunaea