How Can We Know What the Goddess Wants?

I was very sad when I heard that plans have been approved to build flats on a beautiful stretch of shoreline that I love. Despite a protest and petition by the local community, Eastbourne Council gave the go-ahead for development at Martello Fields at Sovereign Harbour, Sussex. However, I have to say I wasn't completely surprised at the outcome.

On the afternoon before the planning meeting, I cast a circle, lit a candle and asked the Goddess of the Land and Spirits of the Place to protect it. As I did so, I got a clear message in my head asking: "How do you know what I want? You love the land as it is, but maybe I want to give homes to people to live there. How do you know what is best?"

I realised it was true. I tried to explain why I loved Martello Field - including beautiful pagan rituals I had taken part in there, beside the sea - but I realised that my desire to preserve the land in its current state was largely selfish. I have the luxury of a place to live and holidays by the coast while others are homeless.

All things come to an end. I enjoyed the beach and beautiful views at Martello Fields for a decade. I'm going to try not to get upset over something I can now not change.

I did my best and took part it the protest and I am glad I fought the fight. Sometimes fights are lost. Sometimes they are lost for good reasons.

I still don't really know what the Goddess of the Land and Spirits of the Place want for Martello Fields, but I must trust them. And I have learnt a valuable lesson that what I want isn't necessarily always what should happen.

You can find out more about candle rituals in my book Pagan Portals - Candle Magic: A witch's guide to spells and rituals.