I got an e-card this morning from my friend Wendy, wishing me a happy Sister’s Day! A little research told me that this holiday is August 5… er… 6… no, maybe 7…. oh! it’s the first Sunday in August! So I’m a day late, but don’t you think sisters actually deserve a three-day weekend type holiday? Absolutely! I am the oldest of four sisters myself: my sisters Laura, Elizabeth and Lynn are nine, seven, and five years younger than me, respectively.
(Click here to see a recent recreation of the above jammies picture.)
When we were growing up, it was pretty much me and Them, as I was too much older to ever be in school with them, share their friends or interests, or even watch the same TV shows they watched (they have a whole Brady Bunch mythos going on that I don’t follow at all). I also moved away when I was 18, whereas they all stayed pretty much in the same area and are very close. They all married and had children — cousins who are now close as well — while I followed a very different path, not so much the black sheep as, well, the tie-dyed sheep. But in recent years, especially when our mother was diagnosed with cancer, my connection with my sisters was strengthened. Lynn and I talk almost every day, and though I have less contact with Elizabeth and Laura, Lynn keeps me up on their news and I know they are there if I need them, and vice versa, I hope. I know I can be myself with them, for better or worse. And that’s what sisters are for, both blood sisters and sister-friends.
I also give thanks on this Sister’s Day Monday (really, spread the word — national three-day weekend, celebrated by buying shoes!) for my priestess-sisters in the Sisterhood of the Silver Branch, and for all the many Ninth Wave sisters and Farther Shore sisters, past and present, who are also part of that Sisterhood. Before I got Wendy’s card this morning, I awoke with a vision strong in my mind, influenced by a dream, a vision of our sisterhood of priestesses and other women all over the country and in other lands as well. A vision of a woman traveling to a strange city and knowing there was a Silver Branch sister there to make her feel at home. A vision of a healer-sister being a generous resource for another sister who needed her skill and advice. A vision of an artist-sister announcing her gallery opening and knowing that her sisters would rejoice with her and help spread the word. A vision of an earth-warrior sister working to change the world, knowing her sisters have her back and honor her endeavor. A vision of gatherings of sisters, daughters of the Goddess, sharing their stories, talents, challenges, victories, laughter, and creativity. We are creating this Sisterhood together, growing it slowly and organically, and my Sister’s Day vision is that it will last long past my own lifetime, weaving the bond of sisterly love and blessing for many years to come.
It's always a happy day for me when I put up the Samhain decorations, especially my collection of little witches. They live in a box together all the rest of the year, but I still get the feeling they are happy to be out of the box and getting caught up on the gossip (perhaps bubble wrap inhibits conversation). The first photo (click for a larger version) shows the main gathering. The second photo shows my central altar in my living room, where a devotional candle is always burning. For this season, the candle is inside a spooky hurricane lantern, a gift from my friend Beth, the queen of all holiday decorating. In both photos, you can see some gorgeous glittery vintage-reproduction plaques from Stromboli's Wagon. I wish I could show you how cool these look by candlelight! Do check them out on eBay. 
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