A New Way

So much has happened over the last few months that I can't believe it's been eight months since I posted here. Firstly, we moved house in June so I've been preoccupied with settling in. The new house has come with some challenges, most notably a dark energy that has been following me around for a few weeks. No worries though, once he was discovered we zapped his a** out of here! Still so much to do . . .

My Reiki practice has been keeping me busy and with the fall comes new classes which start next week. I'm looking forward to sharing Reiki and empowering others to use this incredible healing system.

And yet again, my spiritual self has shifted. It seems that Spirit is molding and shaping me for what lies ahead. I've had several shifts and feel that my vibration has lifted into a higher dimension. I can no longer tolerate meat and it seems that water is my drink of choice. I've also become aware that I am an Incarnated Angel and the Angels are asking me to step into my power. I'm not really sure what that looks like, but I know that my voice has changed. Not my physical voice, but by my assuredness in what I'm saying. It's scary and exciting and sometimes I want a vacation from it all, but I'm moving ahead, one step at a time, trusting that all is in Divine order.

I've also become aware that the Goddess Isis is now working with and through me. I'm stepping into my role as an Initiate of the Light and am studying the ways of Isis. She's a lot like Mother Mary, but more human. Where it was difficult to relate to Mary and raise myself to that ideal, Isis is more, how do I say this? - womanly. She has feelings and temper tantrums and uses her feminine wiles. She ripped her clothes off and cut her hair when Osiris was murdered. She wailed and cried and lamented for days, weeks, and months. She was able to find out Ra's secret name and thus step into a greater power. She served her people and made herself as one of them.

I've always been interested in Ancient Egypt, if not somewhat wary of it. It always seemed dark and mysterious. But I find that those are the very qualities that I'm now attracted to, especially because of Isis. I'm currently reading several books, one called 'Isis Magic' by M. Isidora Forrest, the 'Circle of Isis' by Ellen Cannon Reed, and 'The Mysteries of Isis' by deTraci Regula. I'm also working with the 'Isis Oracle' by Alana Fairchild - a beautiful oracle deck with sublime pictures and a book that is wonderfully written. I'm also in the process of setting up an altar to Isis, so watch for pictures to come.

Must run now . . . I'm painting my sanctuary a beautiful turquoise . . .

A Beautiful Rosary

Recently I visted the gorgeous website of Jan Tanis called 'The Comfort of a Safe Place' and as the name implies, it truly is a place of comfort, beauty and peace. I'm not sure what drew me to Jan's blog that day . . . I may have been internet jumping, but let me tell you, I feel that I was Divinely guided. You see on that day, Jan posted about being directed by God to create a Rosary for someone with a special need.

In Jan's own words:

"Once again, I feel there is someone out in Blog-land that needs a Rosary. God has been directing me to people who have "special" needs for a Rosary. This time is no different. I have no idea though who this person is...it could be you!"

Having just reconnected with Jesus and Mother Mary, I felt a special affinity for this Rosary and posted a comment. And I left it at that. Somehow I knew that that Rosary was meant for me. I just had this peaceful, warm fuzzy feeling.

A few days later Jan contacted me to let me know that indeed, this beautiful Turquoise Rosary would be coming to me! I was overcome with gratitude and thankfulness to Jan and to the Divine Ones who, I know without a doubt, had a hand in it. This beautiful Rosary is a treasure and one that is near and dear to my heart.

My thanks and gratitude to Jan for listening to God's direction and for creating such a beautiful piece of work, and to the Divine Ones who intervened on my behalf.

Goddess Mary Altar

In addition to the large altar I have in my living room that I set up according to the Sabbats and special Mary days, I set up this smaller altar on the dresser in my bedroom. It offers me a place of quiet and solitude where I can pray and be at peace knowing that Mary is with me.

I use Rose incense in my burner as an offering to Mary and as a reminder of her ever faithful presence.

This beautiful blue crystal is 'Celestite' used for spiritual advancement as part of one's personal journey. It is used for making contact with the angels and in particular with the angel who is one's guardian throughout life.

Spirit Quartz ~ carries the vibration of Universal love; aides in spiritual growth and in moving to the next dimension.
Candle Quartz ~ a spiritual stone inviting abundance; focus on one's true path and purpose; radiates love.

The little silver box has roses embossed on it ~ The red rose is a symbol of Mary. White roses in Paradise are said to have blushed red when she kissed them. The Rosary is also related to Mary and her roses.

A bowl of sea shells to represent Mary as the 'Star of the Sea'.

The Divine Mother

Where would we be without our mothers? Well, for certain we wouldn't be living in these Earthly bodies. The older I get, the more I appreciate my Mother here on Earth. The sacrifices she's made, the unconditional love (yeah, I raised hell in my teens), the values and morals she instilled in us and a belief in God, always respecting our point of view and however we view the Creator to be.

I'm a seeker. Always searching out the answers to questions most of us are privy to. Where did we come from? Where are we going? What is our purpose? And just when I think I've found the answers, more questions are raised. New ideas are layed before me making me rethink what I think I already know. Will I ever know the Truth? I suspect that when I transition, all will be revealed and I will be able to rest in Eternity in perfect love and perfect trust. Until then, I'm left to ponder these Universal questions.

I began my spiritual life as a Christian in the Luthern faith. Not strict church goers we were left to make our decision each Sunday whether or not to go to Sunday School. Sometimes my sister and I would board the Church bus and take ourselves, other times our mother would accompany us. My father was and is an atheist. Although, between you and me, I sometimes think he's actually agnostic. I searched for God in the churches of Luthern, Baptist, Evangelical, Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist and at one point or another I read about John Smith (Mormonism) and even Jehovah and Scientology. And while I've always been deeply spiritual, I found these churches did not fill my soul.

A few years ago, after feeling a deep, gut-wrenching emptiness, I discovered Paganism and Wicca. And, more importantly, I found the Goddess, the Divine Feminine . . . I found balance. Or rather, I should say, She found me working in the garden. I embraced the Divine feminine and came to know her as Green Tara and then, as She would have it, Mother Mary. I've developed a strong and undeniable bond with Mary (interestingly enough my Earth mother's name is Mary). She is the one I look to for spiritual support and growth, intercessor and guide in my Earthly life, and companionship in prayer. In short, she's my Go-To-Girl.

Lately I've been reading and learning about the Catholic faith. Don't laugh . . . or cry . . . it's all a process and I'm feeling guided in this direction. Yes, the Church definitely has its' faults, but there's beauty too. Will I become a member or a cherished parishioner? Highly unlikely. You see I also strongly believe in and practice Reiki, something the Church has officially banned. Ah, for closed minds . . .

But then there's also something called 'Science of the Mind' by Earnest Holmes (please don't confuse this with Tom Cruise's Scientology - and what's up with him and Katie, eh?). Religious Science is something that Louise Hay (you know her book 'You Can Heal Your Life') subscribes to . . . positive intentions and affirmations are her trademark. I find this fascinating.

And so you see, spirituality can't be labeled. No one authority holds the whole and complete Truth no matter what they say. I think we owe it to ourselves to explore, to question and to hold true to our own truths . . . I respect you and you respect me should be the law of the land. But then again, who am I? I AM . . . that's all. I'm a spiritual being having a human experience . . . and doesn't that say it all? I believe that my purpose is to learn, to grow, to experience, to question, to love, to explore where no man has (oops sorry, I digress) . . . to just BE as in BE still and know that I AM God.

And so what does all this have to do with the Divine Mother? It's because she's a part of everything and anything that I do. She's there to guide me, to comfort me, to make sure that I stay on the path. She's loving and compassionate and understanding. She doesn't judge, she doesn't chastize. She allows me to be me in all my fullness. She knows my heart. She's my intercessor and my greatest advocate. She never lets me down. And so I go forward in the knowledge that I do not go alone . . . that whatever I do, I have her blessing, because she KNOWS in the end that I will make the right and true choices for me. And so it is for you . . .

Like I said in my moniker . . . up, down and everywhere inbetween.