LunarMusings

Wellness Wednesday: Gratitude

I took this picture over the weekend along with the one in the post below this one.  How cute are they?  It was wonderful spending the day with such sweetness, and it gave me an opportunity to practice my photography skills.

I am always mindful of gratitude, but because last week was Thanksgiving here in the US, its been a bit more prominent.  One of my practices is listing all the things I am grateful for at the end of the day, when I'm in bed ready to go to sleep.  Its my Thank You prayer, and I also do it in the morning before rising for the day. 

I find that it creates space and joy in my life.  A touchstone to always know that life is filled with amazing beauty and blessings.  I believe that it creates a magnetic for more of the same, but it also is a remedy for the "poor mes" and negative thinking.

So today I am grateful for:

~that heavy, juicy moon hanging in the sky while I drove over the Vincent Thomas Bridge on my way home tonight.
~my Beloveds voice on the other end of the phone connection, telling me he loved me.
~Sisterhood, and the laughter that comes from a deeper place of knowing, mischief and humor.
~Inari!
~A very productive phone calling session this afternoon.
~Getting a good portion of my financial budget and plan in place.
~Beginning to really feel the shift that the herbs I am taking are having on me and my well being.
~Therapy.
~Artistic expression and evolution.
~New inspiration for a solstice celebration! woohoo!
~My cool red Keen Mary Janes!!! circa 2005.  I love this pair!
~A super supportive employer that creates an environment I have wanted to be in now for almost 7 years.  He gave me a little extra support today and it was just lovely!
~Synchronicity. 
~This blogging community.
~Vanity Fair!
~Hot hot hot baths
~Inspiration.
~Oh and Frida Kahlo.  I have an image of her by my desk and today as I looked over at her, and she stared straight at me, I heard her speak...  secrets only an artist can tell...

I also want to thank all of you who have come on board with Wellness Wednesday.  I am so honored and continuously moved by the wisdom you all share.  I am also feeling like in the coming months Wellness Wednesday will want to evolve a bit more, and I am open to hearing from you if you have any inklings about that. 

Blessings and be well.

My Sacred Life Sunday: Friends

My Sacred Life Project

I spent the weekend with friends and family.  It was busy, and loud, and there was quite a  lot of food consumption!  I had a wonderful time, and am feeling tired in a very good way.

Today Jon and I attended a day at the park with friends.  There were munchies and flag football!  I spent the afternoon taking pictures, practicing my photo skills and loving the ability to capture moments like this. 

Remember when you and your friend would walk around the playground holding hands?  I do.  And watching these two beautiful little girls do that, warmed my heart and took me to a place filled with innocence, peace and joy.

Have a blessed week!
e

Wellness Wednesday: Family Bed (our version)

Tucker is home!  And now there are four of us here in this little one bedroom Luna Pad!  The picture above isn't at all what I wanted to share with you all, but its what I had.  Last night, the events that inspired this post didn't really allow for me to get up and grab a camera.  So this sweet face is what you get today!

I have written about my love affair with beds before.  A whole world can take place in a bed.  And last night, as I stumbled in through the door exhausted from work, I came in to a quiet, dark house.  As I made my way to the bedroom, Tucker and Jon were laying in the bed.  Jon was reading, and Tucker was resting.  Few words were exchanged, and I went into the bathroom to run my self a bath. 

After I finished, I found myself a space in bed with them, and while Jon read, I quickly went through email and Tucker found a warm resting spot for his chin on my bum, while is back paws tucked under my abdomen.  (I was on my belly)  As I was facing the opposite direction that Jon was, his legs were nestled along my side and we all just existed in this soft world, doing our quiet work, and touching.  A big, loving jumble of bodies in the middle of a fluffy bed. 

There is such a natural ease in all this for me.  Wellness that comes from safety, comfort, touching.  Bodies and souls communicating through proximity and familiarity.  We all should be touching more.  Doing not much else but existing in a state of touch and rest... this can heal so much of the body, mind and soul. 

Try it.  Especially in the coming weeks as the frenzy of the holidays are upon us.

Be Well,
e

Latest Addition!

 

This is the latest addition to my Etsy Store.  Is a love journal that is actually quite gorgeous, but these pictures just weren't working out for me.  There are more views of the journal at the store!  I am sending this beauty out into the world and into the hands of Beloveds, devoted to love, passion, and romance!

One Thing: Be Brave!: Coalescing The Vision

I have this dream... a big picture vision that I have held for quite a long time.  Its simple in some ways, often times its of a feeling, of me Being in a moment, by a window with lots of trees outside, the Ocean not to far off, and I'm creating and writing. 

Lately, I have become aware of how terrifying it is for me to really look at this vision with the eye of the Witness.  To See it as valid.  To actively fill in the details of this life I want to live.  So I have post it notes of ideas here and there, journal lists, books... fantasies.  But never do I give it enough importance or attention as to really sit down and begin to actively paint the whole picture, putting into it things and aspects of my choosing.  To do so would mean that it would be a Vision for my reality.  The manifestation of which would be possible.

I'm surprised at myself and how large a block I carry over this.  I've done quite alot of internal work, and yet this is still a huge issue for me.  Perhaps its the biggest one.  Letting myself Have the life I want... 

So this weekend I sat down with poster sized paper and began the process of bringing some of these little bits of vision together.  Coalescing the beginnings of a life design, starting with my creative work.  I'm afraid for reasons I can't fully identify, but I am going to move forward anyways.  To not do so will probably kill my soul at this point. 

This was and is my One Thing right now.

Blessings to you all.

Wellness Wednesday: Resources For Feminine Health

Many years ago, I was turned on to the amazing herbalist, Susun Weed.  Her women's health books advocate discovering the Wise Woman Tradition of herbal medicine healing.  I have found over the years support in her books on helping my anemia, supporting my menstrual cycle, information on the hormonal changes that occur through the life of a woman, and so much more.  I really believe every woman should have these books.

You can find a write up and a way to purchase them here:

1) Healing Wise.   This was the first one I purchased and loved dearly.  It began my relationship with Stinging Nettle infusions.  This book is an indepth look at 7 herbs, and is a great primer to herbology as well as Susun and her very distinct style!

2) Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year.  This is a wonderfully thorough book.  It covers pre natal support of the body and health, pregnancy, childbirth, post natal for mama and baby, and breast feeding/lactation.  Its a great resource.

3)The New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way:  Alternative Approaches for Women 30-90.  I am looking through this one now.  Its amazing the amount of details we overlook as women in our 30s.  Hormonal shifts are subtle at first, and often go unnoticed.  We ignore the idea of menopause in our 30s for the most part because it seems like something so far away.  But truly, there is so much wisdom to be gained in paying close attention to those shifts that are occuring, and lending support to our bodies.  Susun does not advocate hormonal replacement for women in menopause, and tends to speak very strongly about this.  Even if you are in a different place and have made different choices for yourself, I still think the book can be highly informative.  She gives tips on remedies, nutrition, biological shifts, and the deep spiritual wisdom that comes from this profound shift in a woman's life.

4) Breast Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way.  I have used this book often in my massage practice, giving copies and excerpts to clients going through breast cancer treatment.  Its very dense with information and support. 

These books are just 4 of many that I have collected over the years in my Wellness journey.  I am constantly learning, which I also believe is part of my Wellness regimen.  I hope that if these books call to you, that they serve you well on your journey!

Be Well!

New Moon in Scorpio 2007

Energetics:  Scorpio moons are ruled by the planets Mars and Pluto.  Its a fixed water sign symbolized by both the Scorpion and the Eagle.  Scorpio is an intensely passionate, secretive, deeply penetrating sign. It rules connections on deep levels particularly with the opposite sex.  My experience with Scorpio always feels like it comes from the deeper shadow within.  Dark, but not in a negative way.  More like those drives that rule us from those parts we don't really pay attention to because they don't exist on the surface of our everyday lives.  There is also a tendency towards all or nothing with this sign.  And that its geared towards sexuality, will give you a bit of an idea of the intensity of Scorpio. 

This New Moon in Scorpio is transiting my 8th house:

The Eighth House is commonly referred to as the House of Sex. This House delves into relationships -- interactions with another and how certain aspects of those interactions can take on a more communal nature. It speaks to what our relationships will bring us and how we can get the most out of them.

Returning to this House's emphasis on sex, it's important to note that the French refer to an orgasm as 'le petit mort' or 'the little death.' When we reach that exalted state of communion, we leave a little of ourselves behind -- die a small death. One can also choose to view this as growth, a new beginning, the rebirth of the soul or a gain for the partnership. The Eighth House is an equal-opportunity House, placing sex, death and rebirth on the same level playing field and acknowledging the viability and importance of all three. We will all experience death and rebirth as part of our lives: failed relationships leading to new ones, career changes, a new hairstyle. We are regenerated and reborn with each new phase and should welcome them.

Shared resources also fall within the Eighth House: inheritance, alimony, taxes, insurance, support from another. Financial support as well as spiritual, emotional and physical support are addressed by this House. While our relationships share many of the aforementioned things, they also have their own dynamics and grow from within (we grow through our sexuality as well as through other more tangible means). That said, much as our relationships are expansive, they also have certain constraints, many which are placed on them by society. Again, taxes, alimony and the joint nature of assets come to mind. Yes, with every opportunity we have, we may face a restriction along with it. Once again, death and rebirth.

In keeping with the transforming nature of this House, rituals are highlighted. Every group has its own way of peering in and looking deep into the soul and the past, if only to get a sense of what we truly are. What quality will our rituals take on? Exalted states or metamorphoses? What secrets do we keep and why? How we manage our interactions, relationships and rituals is important to the Eighth House -- will we be honest, effective and responsible? Will the riches generated by our relationships benefit the group (company, humankind) as a whole? Our legacies are key to this House: how we conduct ourselves now, and how that will play out for all time.

LunarMusings:

Its interesting to me as I read the above, how right on all of this is for me now.  Jon has returned, and we are in the process of our reweaving.  And with that, comes the deeper probes of the heart, relearning who we are, diving into deeper spaces after a year of existing on the more superficial planes of communication over phone and computer.  And with all this comes the newness of sharing a home.  Talks of money and how we manage it, what we do with it, and how we share these responsibilities are up for us.  Its challenging for me and all of my money baggage.  Just talking about it, brings a tightness to my abdomen.  It feels intensely vulnerable to me to reveal myself financially.  Much of my family of origin issues are boxed up in this area of my life and its interesting to be in this process now with Jon.  Love, sex and money...  The intensity doesn't feel explosive as much as it feels pervasive and naked. 

We are also in a place to recreate or perhaps create for the first time rituals of engagement, which also is highlighted by this lunation cycle. 

These themes have come up in my life on their own, naturally, prior to this moon cycle. And it amazes me that we ride these tides all on our own with or without knowing what the Moon is doing. 

Lunar Intentions:

For this Lunar cycle, my intention is to remain conscious of this process I am in with my Beloved.  To be fully in my body, fully responsible for how I approach the table so to speak.  To remain in Truth and continue showing up naked in trusting vulnerability. 

Wellness Wednesday: Be Brave!

So for Wellness Wednesday this week I am feeling the need to introduce a challenge to myself.

I have been feeling a bit stunted creatively.  Or perhaps not just creatively, but all around.  There is certainly a lot going on in my life right now, but the flow isn't feeling smooth.  I feel like I take mini leaps here and there, and then I also find that I stifle leaps or openings that present themselves and want to be engaged.  There are things that want to make my life bigger and I am tending to shy away in fear of having more.  I so believe that this has a huge impact on my over all health.  The blocked energy in my life reflects as blocked energy in my body.  New aches and pains, low energy... all things affected by how I block movement in my life due to fear of expansion.

So over the last several weeks I have been noticing a new badge out in blog land.

Jessie over at Diary of a Self Portrait writes:

Last week I wrote a post here announcing my commitment to doing one thing every day that scares me and asked others to join in. Because of the incredible response that I have received from friends and fellow bloggers, I have decided to create a badge as well as write a post explaining this project to anyone who might want to know more about it.

This project was inspired by the words of Eleanor Roosevelt:

Do
one
thing
every
day
that
scares
you. 

One day, while shopping for art supplies, I found a card with this quote on it and thought of my mom...but then the unexpected happened and the idea just wouldn't leave me alone. Eleanor's words seemed to be exactly what I needed to help me get out the rut I had somehow gotten myself in. I figured, what's to lose? Should it surprise me that amazing things have already started to happen?

I have been a part of creative blogging communities in the past and I am always blown away by the power that emerges when a diverse group of people come together--especially when joined by a common thread. And that is why I asked others to join me in this project--so that we can remind each other to be brave on a regular basis. So that we can offer support. So that we can be each others' believing mirrors.

I have committed to doing one thing that scares me every day for a month. I started on September 27, 2007. However, because Halloween is such a perfect day to celebrate a month worth of adventurous living, I've decided to continue the project until October 31st. And, if I learn anything at all in doing this, I will continue with acts of bravery well beyond any date that I might set for myself.

Here's the rules:

• (most important:) MAKE YOUR OWN RULES.
• Do this for yourself.
• Make a commitment for the length of time that best suites YOUR needs--one day, one month, one year, one moment...it's all up to you, and you alone. ;)
• The "brave" or "scary" things that you choose to do can be as big or little as you want them to be. Sometimes it's the little things that can be the most scary!
• (not to quote Nike, but...) Just do it.
• Be on your own schedule.  You don't need to make a commitment until YOU are ready.
• This is your unique journey--make it whatever you want it to be.

I kept coming across this and getting very nervous.  I am called to commit to this in order to create more movement in my life and also commit more fully to this life goal that I have been shyly engaging in, but not living out loud with.  Part of my Wellness plan is to live as passionately and transparently as possible.  But what I am finding is that there are brave leaps and bounds that want to be taken, and I am much to comfortable in my hiding places to act on them.  I want to continue making this blog a place that inspires me, and moves me to crack open in ever braver, and ever expansive ways.

So!  I am not sure what my own rules for this are going to be, nor do I know when the next moment of bravery will come, but I do know that for the sake of my well being, I need to continue moving in the direction of my growth. 

May we all continue moving beautifully and bravely into the fullness of our magically potent selves!

Be well.

Quick Check In!

Hello!

I have been out of reach and internet access for the last 3 days!  I missed Wellness Wednesday, and have so much email to respond to I won't finish until next week! 

Jon and I are at the cabin in Idylwild, and we lost internet access. It has been a bit of a shock to the system, but great for my creative process as I have been blessed with 3 days of uninterrupted arting!  I also did a potent ancestral ritual for Hallows/All Saints Day/Dia de los Muertos, that I will share with you all in a later post. 

We are in one of our favorite cafes, drinking yummy hot chocolate and catching up on our cyber worlds!

I also added some yummy treasure to my Etsy Shop!  I put together lovely packets of ephemera vintage cuban stamps together for your creative pleasure!  Check them out!

Ok, thats it for now... running out of battery juice.  Will post more once the internet is back up at the cabin.

Sending you all a gorgeous Fall weekend!
e