Greetings!

Some of you may be wondering where I've been of late and so let me put your minds at ease. I've been busy with learning . . . just received certification as an Usui Reiki Master Teacher and I'm about to embark on another journey with 'Awakening Your Light Body'. This will prove to be an intensive period over the next several months and I'm sure I won't be the same coming out the other side.

I'm also moving my Reiki studio across the hall from where I am currently in order to accomodate Reiki classes in the spring. Another transition, but what I hope will be a good one.

My husband also accepted a position with Trek Bicycles in Waterloo, WI so we're looking at moving in the New Year. I'm excited, but apprehensive . . . into the great unknown as it were leaving behind the comfort of knowing what you do have.

Some of you may also be experiencing a great shift of energy all leading up to the Winter Solstice and 12-21-2012. This shift may be leaving you feeling discombobulated, out of sorts, unable to make decisions and just generally not yourselves. I myself believe it to be a great transition for humankind . . . going from the "me" aspect of ourselves to the "how can I be of service to you" aspect. An aspect I've been working with since opening my Reiki practice almost two years ago.

My spirituality is shifting and I no longer see myself as fitting into just one "religion" or way of being. I feel like a lump of clay that is being molded this way and that and not knowing what I will turn out to be once I come off the wheel. This I do know for sure . . . things are changing and while it may seem scary at first, if you dig deeper you will find aspects of yourself that you didn't know existed. You will find "YOU" and in the end I think that's all we're really searching for. To know ourselves better, to connect with ourselves and to trust that we know what is right and true . . . and that is something worth seeking and holding out for.

I leave you today with two books for your consideration, one being "Live Your Divinity" by Adamus Saint Germain, as channeled by Jeffrey and Linda Hoppe, and "The Magical Way" by Marc Allen. Both interesting and inspiring.

My wish is for you all to have a happy holiday season, no matter how you celebrate, and that you go into the New Year, not with resolutions, but with a resolve to get to know yourselves better . . . seek inside . . . and you will find what you've been searching for.

Happy Mabon!

I'm off to Canada this coming Wednesday and will be gone through to the 25th so I wanted to wish everyone a Happy and Blessed Mabon and if you're looking for a simple, yet meaningful, Mabon Ritual visit the 'Sabbats and Esbats Ritual Pages'.

I leave you with pictures of my Mabon altar . . .

Once in a Blue Moon

Can you believe it's almost the end of summer? I sure can't. It seems not that long ago that I was looking out my window at the snow wishing and wanting summer to arrive. Then we got summer in March and a heat wave during the following months. Not much fun to spend time outside in. The last few weeks have been wonderful and I've been trying to spend as much time outside as possible . . . and it's still not enough . . . sigh . . .

At any rate, since it's almost the end of August and there's a Blue Moon coming up on the 31st, I thought I'd like to do some kind of ritual that celebrated the energies of the Blue Moon. However, I couldn't find a ritual per se . . . so I wrote one. I'm especially proud of this passage . . .

“Gracious lady bring to me the changes that I seek
And grant to me upon this night your feminine mystique
Give me the strength to follow through in everything I do
And in my heart place upon joyful devotion to you
Guide my steps and where I walk with pride and humbleness
To speak my truth from my heart where boundless love abides
And at the end of the day when I lay down my head
May I be blessed by the things that I have said
Help me to serve in all the tasks that I am led to do
With verve and loving kindness so that I may honor you
Gracious lady this I ask in all sincerity
By doing this may I stand tall, upright and carefree”
I hope that you might also find it useful and that you have a wonderful Blue Moon Esbat! Click here be taken to the ritual . . .

Homage to the Sun

The Morning Sun

The Sun rose bright this morning
Making its ascent into a clear blue sky
Rising up through the trees
Casting its glow making everything shine
It doesn't require a switch or a clap
It comes of its own accord
Casting light into dark places
Waking us from our slumber
To begin a new day
Full of possibility and hope
Traveling across the sky
It brings light, life and warmth
And at the end of the day it falls behind
The curve of the Earth
Making its way 'round
Sure to rise again

~ Teresa Martens ~

I started walking my dogs in the mornings again after a long hiatus (ie I've been very lazy . . . sigh). I took the camera along this morning because yesterday the sun was so beautiful shining through the trees. I was a little later this morning so I didn't catch the spectacular rays through the trees, but I got some gorgeous pictures nonetheless.

There was also a crane sitting on a bird house by the small pond in the park . . . gorgeous!

And you can tell that autumn is not far off . . . the berries are turning red.

I hope you enjoyed walking with me this morning and I hope that the sun is shining for you today!

By the way I searched for a poem online this morning but every poem about the sun I could find had birds burning their wings and people being burnt . . . wanting something a tad more optimistic I wrote my own . . . sometimes you just gotta go your own way!

Burnin' Up the House!

Well, not exactly, but I am doing a lot of burning! I've discovered a new hobby in Wood Burning and have been busy burning any and all pieces of wood I have stored away in my basement art studio . . . and there is plenty to be found!

I've decided I like wood burning so much that I've opened a new Etsy shop to share my wood burning aspirations with you. Check it out and hopefully you'll find something you like!

The Morrigan

Hello and Merry Meet everyone!

You might be a little startled by the title of this post . . . but fear not! Lately I've been feeling a little off-balance. It's almost like I'm ignoring a side of me that I'd rather not deal with. I call it the shadow self. And it seems that this shadow self of mine wants to come out and play. Who can blame her . . . it's pretty cool out here!

I've been very drawn to the Arthurian legends the last few days and wasn't quite sure what to make of it. The book in the Marion Zimmer Bradley series that keeps making itself present is the 'Mists of Avalon'. If you're familiar with this book then you know all about the Morrigan, the half sister of Arthur. And it seems that the Morrigan wants to play with me and has been showing herself to me in various ways. One of those ways is bringing into my hands a book called 'Celtic Lore and Spellcraft of the Dark Goddess' by Stephanie Woodfield. I've just begun to read it and am making my way through Celtic lore in order to have a better understanding of this goddess.

Most people say that it's not wise to work with this goddess, but I have a different feeling about her. I'm not afraid, although I will give her the respect she deserves certainly. Rather, I'm fascinated by her. By her power, strength and confidence and by her 'kick you in the butt' get going attitude. I like that. I've been lackadaisical in the Craft and am in much need of some butt-kicking. Although I have a feeling that she's also gentle and kind and will hold out her hand to help me up when I've fallen down . . . provided I don't whine about the falling.

I have to say I feel stronger, more focused and determined than I have of late and although I haven't officially begun my work with her, I feel that she's already by my side, helping me out, showing me the way.

And so, I have Mary on the one side and the Morrigan on the other. Not a bad combo wouldn't you say?

Elemental Rosary Prayer

Hello and Merry Meet everyone!

I'm full of anticipation awaiting the arrival of my new rosary. It is being custom made by Jayne Wood of Infinite Spirit who makes the most divine traditional and non-traditional rosaries. I have a few custom rosaries by Jayne, one being my Goddess Rosary and the other my pink quartz lotus mala. I love both of them and use them frequently.

My new Rosary is an homage to the elements and a wonderful rosary if you follow a nature-based path as I do. So while I wait patiently for my rosary to arrive, I went ahead and created a prayer to go with it. It is adapted from several poems from different authors, notably Dorothy Morrison, Ralph Metzner and a lovely young woman called Kamonra.

I hope you enjoy using this prayer and be sure to check out Jayne's site at the link above. I'll be posting pictures of my new Rosary here and on the Rosary blog once I get my hands on it!

Pentacle Rosary by Jayne Wood, Infinite Spirit