Coffee, Chaos and Cuss Words

As this cycle of Mercury Retrograde comes to a close on July 20, I am breathing a sigh of relief like I haven't had to in a long time. It has been a particularly brutal cycle. It has been full of major irritability, pain at a cosmic and physical level, and a serious sense of unhappiness all around...and I know I've heard others who have said they have felt the same thing...I'm not alone in this. It's been ugly...and at one point even I had to 'step away' from the computer, from the news, from society for a few days....because I saw and felt how it was impacting me. It was truly awful to feel so much negativity from within and without. But in stepping back I had to look at some things and get some perspective on how I wanted to move forward with my friends, colleagues and the rest of the world. There have been issues of fairness, rules, boundaries and poor communication running rampant through the past few weeks. In the American courts, we had the Zimmerman/Marti...

I first discovered the book “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron around 2002.(I highly recommend it to EVERYONE!) I’d heard of others working through creative blocks through this 12-week journey. At the time, I felt stuck and utterly bored with myself. My life was busy and chaotic but it felt empty and definitely not fulfilling. I decided to commit to this workbook to give me some insight on what I could change. Around week 4, there was a ‘reading deprivation’ challenge. Yes, one complete week with no reading at all. That eventually meant not only no books or magazines but it also meant no distractions including the television or the internet. (I can hear the gasps of horror already!) I will admit that it took me several tries to actually get through one full week without cheating and running back to my TV shows! However, what I learned about myself has stayed as one of the most powerful lessons I’ve ever learned. By removing the ‘white noise’ of my life, I learned how to ‘tune in’ and ...

*This post is also being included in Kallan Kennedy's ' The Secret Life of the American Witch' blog this week. Please be sure to check out her wonderful blog!  “ Go put your creed into your deed, Nor speak with a double tongue .”-Ralph Waldo Emerson The better part of my life has been spent rebelling against the old adage- ‘Do as I say, not as I do’. It boggles my mind and hurts my heart to witness teachers being irresponsible with the way they pass on information. The last cycle of Mercury Retrograde, I did a great deal of inner work and felt a lot of peace. I maintained my focus, and felt that no amount of external drama could move me off my path. This cycle I am having a much harder time in maintaining my balance. You, gentle readers, are the recipients of my mental meanderings following this particular bump in Mercury Retrograde. The trigger was a Facebook group who were sharing a spell to attract a ‘soul mate’. Normally, I equate those conversations with getting your ...

Just wanted to share the link to another little contribution I made for Kallan Kennedy's fabulous Sunday Stew! My post this week is a little about living with those of different beliefs. My husband, as it turns out, is an atheist. I, clearly, am not...ha! I am a spiritual being who may used the title Wiccan, Pagan, or Witch interchangeably. Please go to Kallan's blog and check out my blurb...and while you are there, please take the time to read all of the wonderful articles by the other contributors, too! They are wonderful writers and it makes me so happy to be a small bit of flavor in the Sunday Stew! And no...I didn't forget Part 3 of my 'Stop, Look, and Listen' series. It's coming soon, I promise...along with more blurbs I've had some great ideas for! If you have some ideas of topics that you'll like me to write on, please feel free to leave a comment, email me, or leave a message on my Facebook page.  In the meantime, please click the link below and...

Kallan Kennedy is one of my absolute heroes on the blog-o-sphere. I have been so excited to find her blog and also to follow her daily life on Facebook. Kallan is exactly who I strive to get to know...someone who embraces a variety of people who embrace a variety of spiritual paths and practices. She brings together these fabulous folks into her very own cauldron, let them simmer and bubble...and TADA! The Sunday Stew is formed...a delicious dish for everyone's spirit! I was recently very, VERY honored that Kallan asked me to be a contributor to her fabulous blog- Secret Life of the American Witch (the not-so-unusual world of a modern pagan). To me, Kallan is a mentor who lets me know that I am able to write about the things that are important to me. Her pursuit of contributors has been so wonderful, because it's a gathering you won't likely find anywhere else! The contributors change occasionally as daily life permits them time to join in, so the Stew is always delicious b...

  Everything is a matter of perspective and intention. We each have a unique way of viewing the world and the people and things in it. How we view the world is not just a result of the nature/nurture influences. At some point in our lives the way we see the world becomes a CHOICE. What do you see? How do you see it? When did you see it? Why do you see it that way? In reflecting on those questions, one should also ask: How does what I see make my life better or worse? I am, of course, not speaking strictly of using your eyes but also using the mind, heart, and spirit. How do we learn to ‘see’. Light bounces off an object and is reflected into our eyes. Our brains process that image through the vast array of objects we have been introduced to since birth and the brain then give us the corresponding definition of said object based on what we have been taught.  Okay, that is ridiculously simplified…but I think you get the idea. The balancing act comes in when what you ‘see’ isn’t ...

Wow....I was nominated for another blog award! What a lovely surprise! It still amazes me that there are people out there who take time to read the mental meanderings of a middle-aged, witchy,  fat chick! I am blessed....and I do indeed know it!  Thanks so much and hugs to darling Vickie at  Aoibheal's Lair   for this honor! And now, the rules: The Epically Awesome Award of Epic Awesomeness. (That just sounds so cool...I love it!) 1.  Display the award on your page -  2.  Link back to the person who nominated you -  3.  State ten things about yourself -  4. Nominate 10 other bloggers and link them back to your post- Well, already took care of #1 and #2...so let's get to #3... Ten Things about Me! -I have no kids and never wanted any. I am devoutly Childfree. -My mom passed away from a stroke on October 19, 2012 and my father passed from a stroke on March 19, 2013...5 months to the day...Kinda tough going for me right now... -My only pet ...