The Wild Hunt (https://wildhunt.org/author/clio)
Clio Ajana is a death midwife, lover of tarot, numerology, and astrology. A current practitioner of Baltic Heathenry and Hellenic Alexandrian Witchcraft & Spiritual Tradition, she is a member of the House of Our Lady of Celestial Fire, E.O.C.T.O. Her writings include contributions to the anthologies - Shades of Faith: Minority Voices in Paganism (2011) and Bringing Race to the Table: Exploring Racism in the Pagan Community (2015). A frequent presenter at Paganicon (https://tcpaganpride.org/) and Mystic South (https://mystic-south.com, she considers everything in her life to be touched by and guided by the Gods.
I grew up down the street from the Key Bridge. Looking back, I had taken the time to drive across the bridge on my last few trips home. I took for granted that it would be there. It had been for nearly 50 years, and it should have been there for at least 50 more.
When disasters come from all sides, where can we turn? Where do we direct our best efforts, and where can we find solace? At a time when questions are many, when words can no longer contain my shock and disbelief at events once believed impossible, I think of my father’s advice from years ago: T-R-Y.
The largest gift of February, however, is its ability to help us rededicate ourselves through the fires of purification as a path of opening for the returning sun.
January is a time for blessings, for joy, and for considering and perhaps resetting our ethical stances.
Long or short, we enter this world alone, and usually, we leave alone. The comfort we give each other during our lifetime is what we hope will be extended to us during the actual process of dying, as well as the moments surrounding death.