Day 8 Finding Strength in Vulnerability

Hard to believe I'm halfway through my trip already.

I do truly love it here on Lesvos. It's got it's own vibe and it very unspoilt and beautiful. Would I come back here? without a doubt. Would I come back during the Womans festival ? The jury is still out on that one.

Yesterday was a mixed day. I had an iced tea in the square with Anya who then kindly gave me a lift into Scala. I find myself gravitating to the Rock Ink gallery a lot. Although it's lesbian owned, that's kind of the last thing you would notice about it. Scala promenade is unique. Each bar or taverna, although in close proximity to each other has it's own ambience and this is reflected on the patch of beach in front of each establishment.

You can take a ten minute stroll here and have 4 totally different experiences. Much as I'm appreciating so many safe Queer spaces in one place, the laid back, arty vibe at Rock Ink is where I feel most at home.

I had the pleasure of meeting Elizabeth the artist who created the mixed media pieces I bought yesterday. What a delightful young woman who was actually a research historian before discovering just as much joy making and selling art here on the island. Elizabeth really epitomises the free spirited environment here in Scala Eressos.

I had another lunch date with myself , spent a lovely hour back at the gallery listening to Northern Soul by the sea and was planning to stay down in Scala until the evening then attend the fashion show.

Now I did start heading in the direction of the show but so was everyone else on the Island by the look of it. I'm still struggling with larger crowds and I just wasn't in the mood for lots of whooping ( Lesbians love to whoop ) so before I knew it I was in a taxi headed back to my house , excited at the prospect of drinking Greek wine and binge watching "Secret lives of Mormon wives" on Disney+

Time alone here is increasingly precious to me. The evenings alone on my patio, under the moon with a notebook and pen, writing whatever comes to mind and talking to the Goddess is proving to be a powerful tool in working out what needs to be healed.

My intention before coming away was to write a Witchy travel blog to inspire other people contemplating travelling alone, get over my mental block around writing a blog, share my trip and hopefully drive some traffic to our website.

I never expected to be sharing such personal revalations about myself and the journey of discovery and healing this is turning out to be.

Yesterday I panicked that I had over shared, got too personal about my body issues etc. A couple of things that folk have said since have made me glad I did although I still woke up feeling a bit cringe this morning.

As a Witch , especially a Witch who teaches and brings others to the path I have been concerned that showing my vulnerability and being open about my personal healing may work against me. It may make me less credible in my role of empowering others.

I embrace my path. Does being a Witch and practicing Witchcraft make you stronger? Oh my Goddess YES !!! In so many ways on so many levels.

Is it a panacea that will remove all of your problems ? No.

I have now been a Witch for a long time and can't emphesise strongly enough the profound effect that travelling this path has had on every area of my life. Connecting with the Divine Feminine, doing the shadow work, deepening my connection with nature and all the wonderful friendships and sisterhood I have gained have made me into the strongest most. authentic version of myself I've ever been.

Do I still struggle ? all the time.

Do I still doubt myself ? frequently.

Do I doubt my path ? Never.

I'm a constant work in progress but walking the path of my ancestors and living as a Witch has given me more tools and coping mechanisms to unpack years of trauma than any doctor or medication ever could.

We don't kneel infront of our Gods begging for help. We walk tall alongside them asking them to help us rediscover the strenght, joy and knowledge we already carry within us.

This morning I pushed myself harder came down to Scala early and attended the Feminist Tarot workshop. I'll be writing about that and the lovely lady from Manchester who fascilitated it in my blog tomorrow . I'm currently writing this whilst having a working lunch.

I can think of worse days at the office.

I will end today will some videos from early on last night , listening to fabulous live music from Lancashire and Ireland watching the sun go down here in Scala.

Thank you so much for reading. Bright Blessings and much love Bex xxx