2016 Spiritual and Physical Goals

2015 was a year of Piety. It was a year of Wisdom. It was a year of Vision. 

Last year I fully rooted into my current path with Druidry through ADF and my local grove. I devoted myself to study, to outreach, and to devoting myself to my own spiritual path and Patron(s). I discovered things about myself that I had no idea I would and inspired others (and myself) while doing so. I learned how to be strong, I found my voice and I became a leader in the eyes of many. I worked closely with new Deities and Hearth cultures with an open heart, I experienced High Days both in public and in solitary practice. I meditated, I explored, and the Gods know, I studied my backside off. 

2015 was an amazing year and I genuinly look forward to what the future has in store. 

I have been pondering since Winter Solstice which new direction I want to focus into for 2016 and a resounding voice echoed in my head: 
Warrior.

At first, I thought this to be the voice of The Morrigan who seems to be hovering over me lately, testing me, and pushing me to believe in my fearless self. The Morrigan, who refuses to accept defeat or weakness but has been help destroy the broken parts of myself and walk fearlessly forward. The Morrigan who clearly has a plan for me, and when she has a plan including you, you do not refuse her, you accept your place at her side and listen to what she commands. 8 months ago, The Morrigan were Goddess's I was intimidated by, and I think thats one reason she found me. Because there is absolutely NOTHING I should fear and she would either show me that or I would be nothing to her. Writing her invocation for Lughnasadh was me opening that door for her let me know this, with all her fierceness. 

But it was not just The Morrigan who I felt was speaking to me as this word kept playing through my mind...the sound of iron on iron, the tale tale sounds of Smithcraft could be heard and the heat of a powerful fire was obvious. This is Brighid, in ways I had not truly felt her before now, calling to me. Brighid has been almost a maternal figure in my experience, she has been nurturing, warm, diplomatic and genuinely inspirational. Never has she seemed like a queen of battle, until recently. I hear her anvil fall in my dreams and often when I meditate, it has become obvious to me that she is also pushing me along the path of the Warrior. 

So what does this mean? 

When I did my Winter Solstice personal ritual and took the Omen from the Shining Ones, I called Brighid, The Morrigan, and Cailleach by name and the card they gave me was 

Fear (reversed) 

I felt a chill as I drew the card but I also laughed under my breath, as if it confirmed everything I had been assuming already. This was my message, they were not only suggesting but encouraging me to block the idea of fear. To be Fearless. To choose Bravery. To walk the Warrior path. 

I've been assessing this over the past few days, what exactly can I do to walk this path, to explore this option? Obviously, I can study. I can learn the history of the Celtic peoples and their wars/battles. I can learn their weaponry, I can work with and learn the Warrior aspects of my Patrons. But that isn't enough. Last year was focused on study, this year I need to focus on doing. 

I need to test myself, I need to challenge myself, physically. I need to not only learn through books what it means to be a warrior in theory, I need to get back to that place where I FELT like a warrior, physically. 

So I have decided to set some goals for 2016 to push myself out of my comfort zone, to finally do some physical things that I have talked myself out of far too often. My list of activities include: 

Taking Archery Lessons
Taking Blacksmith Classes
Improve on Natural/Camping Survival Skills
Go Scuba Diving 
Go Rock Climbing

But more importantly, to push myself physically to do more things that I generally talk myself out of. 

I am very excited to start this path and I look forward to the challenges that 2016 has in store for me, but one thing is for sure, as Brighid and The Morrigan will it, I will face them, with courage.