The New Moon, or the dark of the Moon, whichever you prefer.  This is one of the darkest I've ever experienced.  Sometimes we, as people, just have to hole up in a dark room with a comforting book we already know by heart, or watch an old movie we already know by heart, or do whatever takes us away from ourselves.  For me, this time it's been the Wizard of Oz - the movie - because it always cheered me up as a kid.  I just haven't been able to get past the Tin Man's last words to Dorothy - "Now I know I have a heart, because it's breaking..."  We, as Pagans, try to learn to draw strength from what we experience, but I'm not feeling particularly strong at the moment.  Lammas is this week, which is a festival of thanks, and this will be a tough one to get through.  The celebration should start with tonight's New Moon, and I will be setting out extra candles, extra crystals, and try to do whatever all feels like it should be done to ease my pain.  I'll light a special candle for someone special who I know is also aching.  For anyone else out there feeling a bit lost right now, you have my sincere sympathy, and may the candles I light burn for you as well.  To all my fellow Pagans, I wish you the best for this Lammas week.