Part One
The Maiden Child's play and laughter and all that is fun The simplest of pleasures, the warmth of the Sun Discovering talents to plan a career Becoming the warrior, admonishing fear Embracing adventure and all it entails Embarking on journeys, mapping details Growth spurts and changes in body and mind And learning that we're truly never confined To what others expect, or their wishes or whims And that the Dance of the Maiden-while not proper nor prim- Is formed of our truths and of all we can be And brings personal steps both to you and to me Dorothy Morrison
Chapter One Titania: The Playful Dance
There I was, minding my own business on a walk through the woods. I went to the woods to think things through. I wasn't having any fun anymore. Life seemed to be all about work, and I didn't even have time for that. The books said I needed to find my Inner Child, but I didn't know where to look, so I walked and I thought.
I was minding my own business when I saw light through the trees and heard music. I just had to take a peek. I was not prepared for what I saw. These things only happen in fantasy novels, and certainly never to me.
There in a clearing was a troop of fairies and their queen. Queen Titania sparkled and shone as She danced among the fairy lights. The light from Her happiness filled the clearing. She winked at me and beckoned me in. It was then that I recognized the music and Her dance. "You put your head in, you put your head out."
"Oh, honey . . . I don't think so!" I said, turning back to the woods. "This is ridiculous. I'm not doing that . . . I need to think." She laughed at me as she put Her head in and shook it all about. She grabbed my hand and whispered, "The Hokey-Pokey . . . that's what it's all about."
"It's hokey all right," I replied. "This is cute and all, but I need something to help me in the real world."
"What is the real world?" she asked. "Is it your Very Important Job and the bills you pay? Is it how the world sees you or who people want you to be? Maybe your experience of the world depends on who you are behind the roles you play. Maybe you will find your joy when you stop thinking and planning and start feeling and playing, simply for the fun of it and without any thought to the end result. When you freely dance the Hokey-Pokey, you will be able to find your own dance of creativity and joy." And with that, she shook Her backside at me and pulled me into the dance.
The Hokey-Pokey is corny and silly and loads of fun. Is there anyone who can do this dance and not laugh? This is the dance of unbridled, unaffected, childish playfulness. We don't worry what we look like or what others think when we dance the Hokey-Pokey. We do it for the pure joy of doing it! Children love it and adults get to relive a bit of the play of childhood when dancing it.
The thing about the Hokey-Pokey is that through all of its fun and silliness, it evokes the fears and beliefs we adults build up over time. We are afraid to look ridiculous or not be in control or let other people see all that we really are. These fears create blocks to our experience of life, ourselves, and our spirituality.
Only a self-confident, powerful Fairy Queen like Titania can risk the apparent foolishness of the Hokey-Pokey. This is a dance that expresses pure joy and an unabashed connection to Spirit. Your trust in the Goddess shines through as you move to a most definitely different beat for an adult. This is not a dance for the faint-hearted, but for the pure of heart.
Let's remember that the Goddess has many faces. She doesn't care if you think one of Her aspects is silly or scary or rude. She dances to Her own music, being true to Her Self. She sees all those beautiful dances within each of us and She loves us-not in spite of our unique dances, but because of them.
To dance the Hokey-Pokey is to let go of all the garbage we have accepted about who we are supposed to be in civilized society. This is the first step to reconnecting with the playful, curious Wild Woman within you. Try it right now . . . yes, right now. Get up and put your right hand, left hand, and especially your backside (because that's really funny) into it. You can do it when no one is around if you like, or you can share this moment with someone fun. Clear your mind and find the child within that is free of limitation and readily feels the flow of creative play.
Loosen Up Okay, enough of the Hokey-Pokey for a moment. Shake it out-shake your arms, legs, head, and everything. Loosen up! Titania finds us humans rather amusing (and fairy giggles are not to be missed) because we are so uptight.
We come into this world free and loose. Our muscles are limber, our joints move freely, our hearts readily embrace new friends, and our minds are open to all sorts of interesting possibilities. But as we grow up, we learn to behave in society. We assume the behaviors and acceptable values of our cultures. And we tighten up. We lose that...(Continues)
