Thank You, Gods of the Forge

[keelyoherne]

No petition, just a heartfelt Thank You.

To the Tri De Dana: Govannon, Creidhne, Luchtaine, Divine Smiths, and to the Lady of the Forge Herself, Brigid. Thank you.

All of You have been so present as I have been on the road to discovering my true passion in working metal. As I learn, and as I create, I can feel the fires of forge and blast furnace surging within me. I can feel the tingling of magic as I touch a well worked piece of steel or iron, I can feel the soft warmth of bronze.

Thank you for bringing my current teacher in to my life, her enthusiasm for the medium and her excellent teaching has made this even more of a joy. May all of the other teachers who come in to my life do so in the right time, and with that same enthusiasm and joy!

By the fire in my heart,

Keely O'Herne

[keelyoherne]

You know you are on the right path when those who can be great teachers come in to your life with little difficulty.

Govannon, you must have had a hand in this one. At last Friday's iron pour I meet 2 blacksmith friends of my current metal art teacher. Conversing briefly with one of them, I persuade him to come out to the school for a demo, and he manages to convince the other blacksmith to come with him.

Last night was pure heaven, watching two very talented blacksmiths hammer out steel in to some beautiful shapes. They made it look so effortless. Makes me realize I have so much to learn.

Thank you for bringing J in to my life. Seems like we connected really well, like we've known each other for many years rather than a few hours. I have a feeling I have a lot I can learn from him.

Keely

[keelyoherne]

Its been over a month since I've been able to get to the forge. I really miss it. The semester ended, and with the craziness of the holidays, there's just been no time. I miss the heat of the forge or the crucible, the smell of molten metal, the ring of the anvil. I feel really out of touch with Spirit right now.

Fortunately the Spring semester starts again next week and I'll be able to be near the forge again, but dearest Gods, it has been a long cold month!

Keely O'Herne

[keelyoherne]

... and it protects those around me too.

Otherwise the mishap we had when pouring bronze the other night could have caused injury. Amazingly nobody panicked, and nobody got hurt.

Though what still amazes me is I had molten bronze pour around my feet, yet nothing touched my boots.

A heartfelt THANK YOU for watching over all of us.

So nice to be around blast furnace and forge... I thought I'd never thaw out!:D

Keely O'Herne

[keelyoherne]

How many times have I seen the Phoenix associated with metal working? So many that it had become a pattern.

Dear Phoenix, bird of fire, symbolic of rebirth and transformation... your firey wings have helped illuminate my path. Thank you.