Connection

 I love to browse through bookstores.  I always seem to end up in the "spiritual/metaphysical/new age or whatever it is being called this week" section. I look for my favorite topics, authors, or something that strikes my fancy. I admit that I rarely buy anymore because many of these books duplicate (or debunk) what I already have.

I spotted a new herb book, The Illustrated Herbiary (with oracle cards) by Maia Toll and awesome illustrations by Kate O'Hara.  Randomly opened it to page 129, Quaking Aspen.  Sold.

Many years ago a dear friend and Sister, now gone from this earthly plane, called and said she was mailing me something but was having a rough time packaging it. She'd give no more info.

A few weeks later I found a long (taller than me) slender brown paper wrapped object on my front porch.

My friend Freya lived in a wooded area of Minnesota.  She had sent an ethically harvested stave of Quaking Aspen from her property.  It was straight, silver-ish, and special because she not only thought of me, but also for what she went through to get it to me (I'm sure the mail carrier was a bit confused).  She also included a small branch perfect for a wand.

Quaking Aspen are unique because they are connected at the roots, not individual trees.  "Aspen groves are among the largest and oldest single organisms on the planet." (Page 129)

It sets in the corner, it has for years.  I have ideas on how I want to embellish it. I have even collected feathers, beads,. and crystals.  Now is the time to get to work.

Freya, in her wise way, sent her message to me loud and clear.  Freya knew the Goddess, she loved the Goddess, she was/is the Goddess. She reminded me: Sister, you don't stand alone.  You are part of something greater.  Hold hands with your Sisters like the Quaking Aspen connects at the roots.  This connection is so very important now more than ever.

Thank you dear Sister.

Red Geraniums

 

My mom had sayings.  She had little rituals.  I grew up with these and never thought much about it.  As a crone, I now see myself doing, or at least remembering, these bits of wisdom.

Quite a while back I was plant shopping with a friend.  We were marveling at the lush red geraniums.  “A witch lives there.”  I remembered.   I smiled and explained that my mom used to tell me that many witches grew bright red geraniums by their front door. 

“Never knew that,” my friend replied.

This spring I headed to the garden center and bought a red geranium.  I would think of my mom whenever I walked in or out of the front door.  Hmmm…..I wondered if any one else had ever heard this story.   I decided to dig around to see what I might find.  The mystical language of flowers!

Harper Lee realized how the vibrant red geranium was a sign of hope and light.  In To Kill a Mockingbird Mayella tends to these beautiful flowers.  She appears to have little reason to be optimistic yet amid all the ugliness of her life she tends her beloved geraniums.

Red geraniums are said to be protective plants. It is thought that planting a red geranium near the front door warns you when strangers are approaching because (according to legend) the flowers will turn and point to visitors when they get near your home.

And yes, folklore tells us that witches feel that red geraniums planted near your doorway will turn away illness since the flowers are a symbol of good health.

So I have red geraniums blooming by my front door.  And so does my friend!

Owning My Magic

 

Magic is all around me but often times I forget that!  I’m thinking that I should intentionally inject some magic into every day.  And how will I do that?  Well, that’s the fun part of this adventure.  The magic may be something I remember my mom doing or saying.  The magic could be some folk remedy or Goddess ritual I had been reading about.  The magic could mine, straight from my heart!

Today is June 1. 

Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     On the first day of the month these words are said, first thing, to insure luck and prosperity all month long.

I decided to find out, why rabbit?  It seems that no one really knows but there are bunches of hunches.  I like the theory that the ancient Celts believed that rabbits communicated with the spirits because they burrowed underground.  Rabbits could bring your messages straight to where they needed to go. 

What if “rabbit” doesn’t happen to be the first word out of my mouth on the first of the month (coffee is usually the first thing I mutter in the morning)?   All is not lost.  If you say it backwards you are safe, so “tibbar, tibbar”

Fun tidbits: 

                                                                                                                                               The great comedian Gilda Radner said, “Bunny, bunny” for a month of laughter, love, and peace.    Some folks say “rabbit” 2 times, some 3.  Others say “white rabbit.”      

There are also folks that say “hare, hare” before they fall asleep on the last day of the month to have good luck.

Rabbit, rabbit! May you enjoy a peaceful month!

 

I Walk By Faith

Faith- do I really have it?  Am I willing to take that step out into the nothingness?  I always thought I had faith and now I have no choice but to believe it.  Today I learned of a change that could alter the direction of my (planned) future.  And….is it a good change?  That’s where faith comes in!  I have to put the negative thoughts aside and make decisions based on knowing (knowing without seeing) that good things are coming.  That’s not always easy for me.  I think that I sometimes (by convincing myself that I’m covering all the bases) sabotage the great things that could (and should) be coming.

            Mother Goddess, keep my heart open and my mind clear.  May I see the positive in what happens.  Bless me with faith, faith to take the step that starts my wondrous journey.

Shine Bright

Shine Bright

                This just the reminder I needed today.  Yes, my light has dimmed.  Little irritations seem huge. My world has been spinning around job insecurity and which path to explore.

                Yet, when I see what others, including dear Sisters, are dealing with, well….  There’s no excuse, I need to shine brightly.  Shine for me, shine for my Sisters so that they can see the Goddess light, shine so I attract more light.

                Deep in my heart I know that I am responsible for what I create in my life.  So, I shine and my day has gotten so much brighter!

Mindfulness Revisited

January….time to hibernate, time to detox, time to regroup.  It’s a new beginning and a time to let go of things that I no longer need or want.  It’s been a time for me to remember to “live in the moment.”    In 2013 I began writing a “small stone” every day in January, that is, very short piece of writing (prose or poetry) that precisely captures a fully-engaged moment.  Well, isn't that what I am trying to do, stay in the moment?  So now, year number 4, I guess it’s a tradition.  I’m still on my journey to live in the here and now, to experience life as it happens without judgments, and to practice compassion.  This is not an easy path but it is the path the Goddess calls me to follow.

SmallStone                                                                                           “And those words I read resonate in my soul, *‘Practicing kindness is as important as practicing mindfulness-mindfulness without kindness is not mindfulness.’”

*From Living in the Moment, by Anna Black

(Small Stones are published at:             https://www.facebook.com/groups/smallstones/)

Happy New Year!

Eyes to See With

     This morning I felt compelled to design an ankle bracelet.  As I worked on the piece it became more obvious to me why I was making it.  This upcoming new year is sure to hold many changes for me, some expected and I’m sure many unexpected.  The “eye” charm and beads will remind me to “watch my step” when caution or diplomacy is need.  Maybe it will (as the Turkish believe) guard me against such not-so-well-meaning people and send negative energy back to the sender.                                            

But the eye can also help me “see” when I need to take that leap of faith or give me “clearer vision” when I travel down an unexplored or rocky path.          

This ankle bracelet was strung with positive intent and with this prayer:       **“Goddess, open my eyes with Your shining light; fill my spirit with Your love.”   

This quote is from The Goddess Book of Psalms, a wonderful book of “praise, petitions, and incantations” directed to the Goddess within by Patricia Della-Piana (Delia the Crone).