After several relatively cloudless days, this morning's sunrise was nearly obscured by clouds. Mind you, it was not a waste of time being awake in time to catch the 4.35am sunrise; far from it. There is a level of peace and tranquility in the Fens at that hour, which makes even a clouded sunrise worth the early rising.

Today, the focus of my ritual was protection and healing, primarily for others, such as my uncle in Australia, and his wife, but also it was preparation for my plans for later that day. Today, I was attuned to Master-Teacher grade in Reiki-Seichim, courtesy of my friend and teacher, April Cook. As with each of my attunements, today had very subtle differences. Colour was one aspect. When I was attuned to Reiki Level 1 by April's own teacher, Jill Thompson, each attunement had a different colour. In addition, I realised that I had a spirit guide who has been with me since I was a teenager. When April performed my Level 2 attunement, the colours were different, more subtle. With my Master level attunement, the colour was an emphatic shocking pink! During my Seichim attunement, I could feel the presence of my Goddess with me. One other thing that I learned today is that it is important never to forget who you are, who is the real you. How can one hope to offer healing and assistance to others if one has not allowed oneself to heal, and allowed oneself to be true to one's own principles.

I pondered why I was moved during my ritual in the consideration of the meaning of two trees: the rowan and the willow, both of which grow near to my home. The rowan is a tree of protection from harmful influences, a demonstration of vitality and spiritual strength, tenacity and a refusal to give up. The energy of the willow is the power to go forth, into the unknown, with greater confidence and trust in ourselves and our abilities.

I found myself wondering whether this is something that I have forgotten in the past few hectic months. Yes, I have felt uncertain of my own abilities, be they the 'obvious' ones as a Witch of divination, or the professional abilities which are a key part of me. The messages I took home with me at my celebration of Litha 2006 were that I should recall those abilities, which I have demonstrated in the past and are an inherent part of me. They are my abilities, they are what make me into the person that others see; the person with whom my husband fell in love 20 years ago, and with whom he is still in love; the person who is my son's Mummy; the person who is good at the job that she loves doing.

I am all these people and all these facets are me. In that realisation, I have my strength.