Goodbye 2019

Although 2019 presented some challenges I am grateful for so many things.  I completed everything on my 219 in 2019 list (and 86 things of my 100 list). 

Roxanne’s Baby Shower (a first for me).  Kent Goddess Group really grew, I am humbled to have ladies travel from London, Margate and other far flung places.  I’m grateful to fellow Priestess Pam who has stood shoulder to shoulder with me for many months when it as just us two holding space and celebrating but it’s lovely that we are growing. 

2019 saw the launch of the Folkestone Ladies Social Club a simple but brilliant idea to bring together local women.  The Facebook now has nearly 3000 members, we’ve raised over £4000 for charity with the amazing Folkestone Ladies Night Out.  It’s really brought a sense of community spirit. 

I’ve also started doing solo adventures.  This year I did a weekend film making on the Romney Marsh and participated in the Folkestone Living Advent Calendar.

I had another full-on giggle fest at Pontins for their 80’s weekend.  There was a whole mix up with a birthday present for Sue and we ended up buying four unicorn outfits.  Karen brought 2 1 for Sue and 1 for me so I wouldn’t feel left out, I forgot I had this conversation and saw a unicorn outfit and bought it as an extra for Sue. Sue having no knowledge of ANY unicorn outfits bought herself one.  So we ended up with 4 more than enough for the three of us, but we make the most amazing herd.

I saw my idols Terrance Zdunich and Saar Hendelman as American Murder Song and it truly was the most amazing and intimate concert I have ever attended.  There were only 30 people and again it was a solo adventure as the tickets were quite a lot of paper money and AMS is a bit of an acquired taste.

I went away with Hazel to the Maidstone Moon Lodge.  I love the Moon Lodge that are always there when I needed to be held in a safe space.  The retreat was amazing simple, low key participants shared a skill from crystal workshops to telemetry, massage to witches’ runes and I offered up a session on vision boards.  Thank you, ladies, for a wonderful weekend.  I realised that there is something to be said for spending time with Generation Xers.

I hosted ANOTHER baby shower for one of my precious Sister Wifey and so grateful to have this new member of our extended tribe a little early and we know share a birthday and I cannot express how grateful I am to have this little Miss safe with us.

I undertook a yearlong Shamanic Practice Development Course (again with Hazel) and it was an remarkable journey with some very special people.  Jonathan is an amazing course leader and Shamanic Journeying is really beginning to be an important part of my practice.  I hope to work more with the landscape and to do some sacred activism. 

Went to the Roots Gathering to celebrate my birthday it looks like it’s cancelled for this year but it was an amazing camp with a really generous spirit, tried dowsing and made a broomstick. 

The Mercian Gathering saw myself and Vicky reunited.  It is our annual get together and I really missed her last year when she had to miss the Gathering due to family circumstances.

Saw the Greatest Showman with hubby & Sue and Hugh Jackman is an amazing performer.  Keala Settle did a guest appearance and looks recovered from her stroke.  So wishing her to continue being healthy, healed and whole.  I joined a choir for people effected by stroke and head injury and Keala’s “This is Me” has become an anthem for us.

Other weird any wonderful community opportunities include the Kate Bush Most Wuthering Heights – hundreds of us donned red and danced to Wuthering Heights (there were small Kates, big Kates, beardy Kates and Doggy Kates).  I did a 2-week PopUp business school and reconnected with lovely Fiona.  I gave free mum hugs at Folkestone Pride.  Started Literary Ladies Wellbeing Book Club.  Attended my first Ladies Who Latte Networking Group.  Helped with the launch Folkestone Look for A Book and released many children’s books into the wild.  Celebrated a Haya’s big birthday at the Quiet View and learned how joyful creating food mandalas is.  I experienced a mock egg at Wagamama’s.

Volunteering did lots of great things with the Guides, went to panto, Christmas lights switch on, learned yoga and macramé and secured more funding for new tents.  Also supported Champions 4 Wellbeing to raise money to help people access wellbeing events.

I’ve developed more herbalism skills with Linda and met renowned magical herbalist Elizabeth Brooke.  I’ve made Fire Cider and Rosehip syrup, mediated with plant allies.

Had lots of movie and dinner date nights with Lu and we went to the London Month of the Dead, had the worlds smallest and most expensive coffees but at least the gin cocktails were free.

Visited the Coldrum Stones with the Maidstone Pagans, went on a Gothic Fiction Writers Retreat at Lympne Castle and had a wonderful Samhain with the Kent Goddess Group.

2019 also heralded the Gregg’s Vegan Sausage Roll and just a massive uptake in new vegan products.

Autumn saw the house in upheaval as the builders began the work on the extension so we can move my parents down.  We’ve juggled plumbers, builders, chippies, electricians and Kitchen fitters.  Didn’t quite get in all in place for Christmas, flooring, splash-backs and wet room still to be fitted.  But love the space already and have started entertaining.

Christmas has been a bustling season enjoyed being behind door 1 for the Folkestone Living Advent Calendar with our mash up of the Carol of the Bells and Stand by me.  Had works meal and a dinner with the Folkestone Red Tent ladies.  Christmas Eve we went with Mum and Dad to the China Gardens for her birthday meal, it’s been very strange not to have our Adventure Boy home, he’s teaching Kindergarten in China and this has been the first Christmas without him.

Of course it’s not been all good, we lost one of our guinea pigs Punky.  Also lost some friends, luckily not dead in their cage but folks who have decided that their paths no loner run tangent to mine.  It’s sad but trying to focus on the happy memories and wish them peace.

Health had a wobble in the autumn, it turned out not to be too serious but did have a negative impact on my seizures, but I am grateful for the folks who supported me through it and the opportunity to prioritise my health.  I’ve not always been very good at that.  However, I have taken significant time off everything to heal and been able to ask for and receive support.  Family, friends and work have been amazing.  I think I’ve also had my faith restored in occupational health as being a supportive not punitive measure.

2019 thank you for the amazing experiences.  We Salute You!

Jenny - All Heart Led