Learn from Every Situation

I'm trying to learn from everything right now. I'm dealing with a poopy situation at work and I'm struggling with this concept. What am I supposed to take from this? I'm going through a tough time with my Daughter and her "feeling all the feels." I'm approaching a new path on my spiritual journey. But everything is intertwined. It all adds to the same lessons. Spiritual and Mundane aren't specifically separate. There is always overlap and movement.

I know that difficulties lie in every situation. But I have to have faith that there is something to learn.

Every step gets me closer. Every situation teaches.

I find I keep sighing. Not in dismay, or disgust. More trying to steady myself and keep moving step by step. Taking in as much as possible.

I think it's time I start journaling in a stream of conciousness type of way again. Just open up and write, write, write. Don't even think. Just spit out. It might get it out of me. Or maybe Automatic writing will occur. Regardless, something has to come out eventually.

Right?!?!?

Accepting People for Who They Are....

...not for who I want them to be.

If I want people to accept me and listen to what I have to say, I have to repay the favor. I need to accept them with all their flaws. Now, that doesn't mean I need to be a doormat because it's someone's nature to bulldoze over everyone and get what they want regardless of what anyone else feels, says, or thinks.

I need to accept that some people just aren't capable of the friendships that I want. And that's fine. They can be who they are, and I can be who I am. We just may not be as close as I'd like. Or even close at all.

But I can't have any malice or anger towards them. They're just being who they are. They are here to teach me something. Even if it's something small, I can learn from everyone.

Sometimes the message is what I want to hear and sometimes it's not. But I can't control them. I can't strong arm them into changing. And honestly, I wouldn't want them to change to suit me. Then it takes away everything I like about them. What makes them unique and perfect.

Maybe that's how I should look at it.

Everyone is perfect.

They may be perfect for me, or not. But you can't mess with perfection!

First Up...Trusting My Intuition

Intuition for me is allowing myself to trust what my inner self is telling me. Now, I always try to listen to my "gut". But lately, it seems as if they want to talk more and more.

So, how to get out what they want to say?

I turn to tarot.

It's been awhile since I've read tarot, let alone regularly. Heck, I was decent enough to offer readings for donations for the 3-Day-Walk in 2010. After that, I promptly put them down and really haven't done much with them.

Now, there are a few ways to read tarot. You can go with the traditional meanings, you can go with what the pictures say, or you can see what pops into your minds eye based on the "energy" of the card. Or you can do a combination of all three.

I've done the first two options. And even combined those in the past. Heck I've even thrown in some elemental and zodiac-ical readings from the cards before.

But I've never really focused on the energy of the cards. What is the energy, or underlying theme of what the cards are saying. I'm trying to tap into my intution more with the cards.

And being who I am, I'm taking an online-do-it-at-my-own-pace 10 session class on reading intuitively.

After the first lesson, I'm excited to see what the next lessons will bring. And I'm a little surprised at both how easily the cards are coming back, but also how difficult intuitive readings can be.

The journey of accepting to listen to your intuition/inner self isn't necessarily an easy one.

Shadow Work

For the last two weeks, I have been feeling more and more like I'm missing something. I know that it's something I need to work on or deal with. And it feels like each day whatever it is is coming closer. Almost there...

Last week, I hit a boiling over point. That point in which, I said, "No more! I can't keep doing this."

Yes, it's happened. I've hit burn out.

So, when this happens, I start to weed out the excess in my life. What do I need to focus on. What stays.

What goes.

In this current cleaning, I've noticed a few things. First, I've come back to my blog. I need to write. Journal. Get it out. Put my feelings into words and see if that will help me focus on what I really need and want.

So, I listened to Outrageous Openness: Letting the Divine take the Lead by Tosha Silver. It was a good book. Sure it was a little circular and repetitive. But it started me thinking that I need to open up and listen to the path that I wrote before I came into this world. What I wanted to learn in this life. I feel I've filled up my life and time with many important and valuable things. But there's also some things that are no longer suiting me and what I need.

After that, I found another audiobook. Discovering your Soul Signature: A 33-Day Path to Purpose, Passion & Joy by Panache Desai. I'm only on day 3 but still. It's an interesting book about allowing yourself to feel emotions and let them run through you instead of cutting them off, tamping them down or ignoring them completly. By doing this, we allow ourselves to really cast off the excess weight and see what our Soul Signature really is. I don't know if I'll have any epiphanies from this book or not. But it's a great excercise in soul searching.

I have another book. Journey to the Dark Goddess: How to Return to your Soul by Jane Meredith. Sensing a pattern here?

Yep. I apparently need to work on my Shadow Self. What is internal that I don't show to others, or myself.

But I'm still not sure what I need to learn here. It will come. I'm open to it. Letting the Divine in. Letting Higher Powers guide me to what I haven't been allowing to flourish.

It'll be an interesting journey. But I'm positive I'll end up more refreshed, positive and centered.

For now, I'm just enjoying the journey.

Magick Happens When....

Last weekend was fun, fulfilling and just what I needed.

The ladies of my circle and I ended up having a Blessingway for one of our sisters. She is due at the end of December and we wanted to give her an afternoon of pampering, support and love.

Yes, she felt love and support.
Yes, she got some focal points for her delivery room.

But the most amazing thing, that I didn't even think of happened. 

We all ended up with a gift of replenishing, and support.

I needed to give this afternoon to her.
And more imporatantly, I was supported by other sisters in getting things off the ground and definitely wouldn't have been able to do anything if it wasn't for their help.

Others enjoyed the conversation.
Some liked the creative outlet of henna and prayer flags.
Still others, enjoyed the meditation.
And we all loved the feast. 

Having a laid back, structured afternoon with women focusing on support and love is fascinating!

It was an amazing experience to be surrounded by such a wonderful group of women.

As they say, "When women get together, magick happens."

Breathe In. Breathe Out. Repeat.

Sighhhh.

Merry Meet old friend.

This poor blog of mine has become something I don't recognize anymore. Yes, it served it's purpose for the time being. But I think I need a change. A cleaning.

I need to reignite the spark that inspired me to write this. And get back to basics.

Heck, I need to do that in my day to day life as well. Clear out the clutter. Center. Relax. Breathe.

Things that are no longer serving their purpose will be bid a fond farewell. And things that I've been neglecting that I need will be brought back to the forefront.

I feel as though, I've hit a crossroads. Do I turn left? Right? Forward? Back? Only Divine Will can show the true way. I've decided to stop forcing things, and allow for the Universe to guide me where I need to go.

It's time for me to listen.

Pagan Blog Prompt: Coven vs. Solitary Practice

Ivy over at Pagan Blog Prompts posted this last week. And since most of the answers were solitary...at least now, I figured I'd offer an opposite view of things.

Please forgive me if this prompt has been done, but coven vs. solitary practice is something I have always been interested in. I practice in a coven myself, but spent a many good years doing my own thing as a solitary, so I have felt first have the benefits and drawbacks of both situations.
How do you all feel? Do you practice in a group or solitary? Which do you prefer? If you chose one over the other, why do you feel that way? If you are a coven member, would you ever go back to being solitary? If you practice alone, would you ever join a group? Just something to think over. :)
I look forward to reading your thoughts!! 

1. Do you practice in a group or solitary? Currently, I'm an initiated member into a coven (Wiccan).


2. Which do you prefer? It depends. Right now I enjoy having the group around me for ritual and occasional courses. I needed a little more structure than I usually do on my own. Since I'm a wife, and mom of two little ones, plus I work full time I don't have the forethought or diligence to put my own religious/spiritual path in the forefront. Especially since the Hubs is Christian, I don't have another pagan around to remind me..."hey the wheel is turning. We need to do a ritual." Or "Hey, isn't it a full moon?" (Though the Goddess has kindly helped me with the later issue.)

3. If you chose one over the other, why do you feel that way? See above answer. Plus the nice thing about my group is that I can learn about various topics....or not. I'm not pigeon-holed into one specific viewpoint. Sure we have the typical Neophyte year where we learn the ways of the coven, but after that, we can branch out into whatever area we would like to go. We just need to take back what we learn to the group.


4. If you are a coven member, would you ever go back to being solitary? It would depend on a lot of factors. Since my group doesn't require constant attendance at things once you're initiated, I'm much less likely to leave. That said, it would take a lot (of issues, personality clashes, drama, etc.) for me to leave the group.

I tried many other things before, a social pagan group (which was and is fun, but too far away to attend a lot of things) other online forums, even a local group, but nothing really clicked before this current group I'm in. In fact, I probably wouldn't have considered (or even found) them if it wasn't that two new friends were third degrees in the coven. I think knowing someone inside the group helps with drawing people into the fold, if you will. 

New Craft Project - Cross Stitch Wheel of the Year

First things first.

Happy Imbolc everyone!

I started this project in November. I would be a lot further along if it weren't for three things.

1. Yule.
2. Christmas.

3. The crappy lighting in our living room at home. And since it's dark outside by the time I get home, I can really only work on it on the weekends during the afternoon. That is if we haven't already booked ourselves silly on those days.

But anywho, here it is.

It's difficult to tell what it is I know. but it will be a Wheel of the Year. I've got the center part finished and the other part is part of a spoke that would pointing to SE if it were a compass. Anyway, if you want to see a small pic of the completed project go here. If you "look inside" it's the pillow on the top right of the copyright page. I'm not doing a pillow. I'm making it into a framed piece. But if you're into cross-stitch and fantasy/pagan theme projects, would recommend it. I really like the book, it's got a lot of fun ideas.

Oh, and the black dotted lines are just to help me tell where all the stitches are. I prepped my fabric by finding the center. Then I decided to to lines for every 10th stitch. It's really helped me a lot in figuring out where to put the next stitch. And when I'm done, I'll pull my guide lines out. The only thing to keep in mind if you decide to do this little trick, when you are working near a guide thread, don't split the thread and put a stitch through it. Otherwise, you'll never get the guide line out.

The Wisdom of Gaia

Many of you may have seen this on Leeanna's site "Can We Have a New Witch? Ours Melted" yesterday.

I just had to repost!!!

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE YULETIDE

Twas the night before Yuletide and all through the glen
Not a creature was stirring, not a fox, not a hen.
A mantle of snow shone brightly that night
As it lay on the ground, reflecting moonlight.
The faeries were nestled all snug in their trees,
Unmindful of flurries and a chilly north breeze.
The elves and the gnomes were down in their burrows,
Sleeping like babes in their soft earthen furrows.
When low! The earth moved with a thunderous quake,
Causing chairs to fall over and dishes to break.
The Little Folk scrambled to get on their feet
Then raced to the river where they usually meet.
“What happened?” they wondered, they questioned, they probed,
As they shivered in night clothes, some bare-armed, some robed.
“What caused the earth’s shudder? What caused her to shiver?”
They all spoke at once as they stood by the river.
Then what to their wondering eyes should appear
But a shining gold light in the shape of a sphere.
It blinked and it twinkled, it winked like an eye,
Then it flew straight up and was lost in the sky.
Before they could murmur, before they could bustle,
There emerged from the crowd, with a swish and a rustle,
A stately old crone with her hand on a cane,
Resplendent in green with a flowing white mane.
As she passed by them the old crone’s perfume,
Smelling of meadows and flowers abloom,
Made each of the fey folk think of the spring
When the earth wakes from slumber and the birds start to sing.
“My name is Gaia,” the old crone proclaimed
in a voice that at once was both wild and tamed,
“I’ve come to remind you, for you seem to forget,
that Yule is the time of re-birth, and yet…”
“I see no hearth fires, hear no music, no bells,
The air isn’t filled with rich fragrant smells
Of baking and roasting, and simmering stews,
Of cider that’s mulled or other hot brews.”
“There aren’t any children at play in the snow,
Or houses lit up by candles’ glow.
Have you forgotten, my children, the fun
Of celebrating the rebirth of the sun?”
She looked at the fey folk, her eyes going round,
As they shuffled their feet and stared at the ground.
Then she smiled the smile that brings light to the day,
“Come, my children,” she said, “Let’s play.”
They gathered the mistletoe, gathered the holly,
Threw off the drab and drew on the jolly.
They lit a big bonfire, and they danced and they sang.
They brought out the bells and clapped when they rang.
They strung lights on the trees, and bows, oh so merry,
In colors of cranberry, bayberry, cherry.
They built giant snowmen and adorned them with hats,
Then surrounded them with snow birds, and snow cats and bats.
Then just before dawn, at the end of their fest,
Before they went homeward to seek out their rest,
The fey folk they gathered ‘round their favorite oak tree
And welcomed the sun ‘neath the tree’s finery.
They were just reaching home when it suddenly came,
The gold light returned like an arrow-shot flame.
It lit on the tree top where they could see from afar
The golden-like sphere turned into a star.

The old crone just smiled at the beautiful sight,

“Happy Yuletide, my children,” she whispered. “Good night.”

Reposted from I'm Not Wiccan, I'm a Witch's blog.

Enjoy your Super-duper, Magickal Yule! What with the full moon and an eclipse tonight!

Happy Thanksgiving

So what are you thankful for this year?

I asked myself that question today. Hmmm. Well, of course, there's my husband, daughter and extended family, the friends that I've gotten closer to, old friends that I've reconnected with. Of course, there's always the family and friends that pop in my head when I say this. But what else? Anything?

What am I thankful for?

I'm very happy that the Hubs and I are both employed.

That I've decided to put myself more in the fore-front. And I don't mean selfishly. I mean, I did the 3-Day walk this year. I trained, fundraised, and dealt with blisters. But I gained so much. I learned how much strength I really had. I pushed myself to walk every single step. And I did it.

I've recently started on a new spiritual path. Not exactly new, more of a more structured path than I was on before. It's refreshing to have people to talk to about my faith on a weekly basis. Plus I'm thankful that I have an understanding husband. And we can discuss our different faiths, and come to an understanding that we are both on different paths, but going in the same direction.

I'm thankful for the Holiday Season this year.

I usually wait until the week or two before Christmas before I even start to shop. But this year, I've already gotten quite a head start on it. And I'm the one putting Holiday music on in the car. Rather than running screaming from it (remnants of my time in retail).

I'm thankful that I have such a blessed and full life.

I can say that this year and truly mean it!

Disconnected

Lately, I've been feeling a bit ehh. It's sort of a fog I guess. I haven't felt inspired to do much of anything. I obviously haven't been blogging. But even more surprising to me, I've taken a sidestep on my spiritual path. I've done a better job this year celebrating holidays with a ritual and for Litha?!?!? Nothing. I even forgot it was the Solstice until I heard it on the radio on my way to work. Then in the evening I couldn't even bring myself to do anything other than have a Sam Adams Summer Ale. I swear I feel like I'm behind a cloud or veil half the time.

Yesterday, I started to feel a bit more like me. I went grocery shopping, got a butt load of stuff done at work, made homemade lemonade, gave the Wee One a bath, read a bit and hung out with the Hubs watching some Food Network and the History Channel.

I hope this is a turning point for me. Let's hope it was just dregs of vertigo from the cruise.

Are You Sure it's Not a Full Moon?

Oh. My. God.

It's been crazy the last few days. And I mean full-moon, insane asylum crazy.

There have been moron's at work.

Me: I'm sorry, if you wait until the last minute, I can't help you. No, asking me the same question fifteen different ways won't change my answer either. I'm sorry, I hate to be the one to tell you this, but the universe doesn't revolve around you. Yes, I know your Mommy always said you were, but she lied.

Seriously, I've talked to my boss about performing a hex-break or cleansing here at work. I just have to do it when everyone's gone or I'll get some really strange looks. (Not that I don't already, lol.) Though I could just shout at them "The power of Christ compels you." And spray them with my Holy Water. LMAO.

Funny story, I went to buy supplies last weekend for the cleansing and I told the Hubs everything I bought, Camomille, Iron Filings, Nails, Floriday Water and Holy Water. He was quite surprised about the Holy Water. And syas to me, "You just slide right through the faiths don't you." I would've explained that Holy Water is just as potent in Spellwork as in the Christian faith. But I didn't feel like launching into the whole discussion.

I'm even making my own War Water, just in case the Holy Water isn't enough. Plus, it's good to have on hand anyway. I'm using Iron Nails, (additional Iron Filings to help kickstart it) and rain water. (Trying to get some from a thunderstorm. Should have some luck today and tomorrow.) Then you just let it sit and oxidize. When you need it you have it.

Back to the craziness.

This morning I asked for 2% milk (in a half pint) to mix in my coffee. I'm trying to cut calories, and if I can get rid of the cream that'd help right? Well sure, except the milk tasted like puke. No really, you know that horrible taste you get after you spew chunks. Yep, that's it. And when you add it to your coffee, your coffee then tastes like coffee flavored puke. Seriously, not a very nice way to start your day.

But thankfully, that's nothing a little bite of chocolate can't solve. Need it to cleanse the palette. I know, I'm full of excuses to eat chocolate. Just one piece, honest. And a big glass of water. Which is probably better than my 32oz coffee. I just hope I don't get another caffeine headache. Then again, enough chocolate will solve that too. ;)

Hope you're all doing well. I'll post a regular post tomorrow.

The Element Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells: The Ultimate Reference Book for the Magical Arts

A few years ago I bought this book Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells and boy let me tell you it's got an insane amount of great information in it. If you ever wanted to know how to make Holy Water, Dove's Blood Ink, Goofer Dust, Graveyard Dirt, etc. All the recipes are in here. Plus there's all sorts of spells on pretty much anything you can imagine.Excerpt Spell:

Five Eye Spell - (Banish the evil eye)
Five pairs of glass beads, each pair in a different distinct color, are required for this amulet. Dizzying colors dazzle the Evil Eye.

1. String the beads in a double row.
2. Arange them in a circle.
3. Post or wear.

A lot are this simple, some require odd ingredients and yet others are more complex.


The weird thing is, when I bought the book you couldn't get it through the US version of Amazon. Apparently there was some issue. You can still buy it from random sellers. But it's now been reprinted. And the Reprint of Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells is available through Amazon. It was reprinted in March 2009 and since I haven't seen an actual copy I don't know if there have been any additions/deletions or corrections, but I'm sure it's just as handy to have in your collection.

Book Review: Heaven and Earth

I guess I'll actually be reviewing both Dance upon the Air and Heaven and Earth. I mentioned earlier that I was re-reading this trilogy by Nora Roberts. But I never mentioned what the storyline was about in the first book.

Dance Upon the Air
This book gives a bit of the background for the three novels and focuses on Nell Channing. She's on the run from her famous husband who is abusive. She lived in California and ends up in New England on Three Sisters Island. (Hence the trilogy title.) She needs to come to terms with what happened to her, face it head on and possibly fall in love (with the handsome Sheriff Zack Todd). If she doesn't face her tormentor the island will crumble into the sea.

Now Three Sisters Island is named for the three witches that legend says conjured up the island as a way to escape the witch hunts in the late 1600's. Well the three sisters (Air, Earth and Fire) end up falling apart. Air falls in love with a gorgeous man and they leave the island. She has a few kids with him, but he ends up killing her. Earth can't stand that her sister didn't defend herself and wants justice so she ends up going against her beliefs of "Not causing harm" and kills him. And at the end Fire is alone her two sisters end up dying/leaving and her husband ends up leaving as well.



Heaven and Earth

This book focuses on Ripley Todd. She's lived on Three Sisters her entire life. She's deputy sheriff on the island and has turned her back on her gift for the last 10 years. She has to work through her issues with her gift, her friends and the "yummy" Dr. MacAllister Booke (Paranormal Science) who's come to the island to speak with Mia Devlin (the resident witch and bookstore owner.)

Ripley's story also parallels Earth's story from 300 years before. Ripley needs to mete out justice without harm and if she doesn't the island will topple into the sea.

I really like both of these books since they deal with magic and family and friends. Plus besides being a quick and fun read, they just remind me of the inner struggle I had in coming to terms with my own spirituality. Do I believe? What do I believe? What does that mean if I believe? Am I really that strong to face my beliefs, fears, etc.?

I'm currently reading the last book Face the Fire which focuses on the last member of the three Mia Devlin. I'll post a review on that as soon as I finish.

Witch, Please

(borrowed from GreenWoman then from moonfirewolf then from Kelly)


Here are the things I don't care about :

I don't care what the name of your religion is.
I don't care what the names of your gods are.
I don't care how old your religion is.
I don't care if your great-great-whatever grandmother passed down your famtrad Book of Shadows under the watchful eye of the Inquisition.
I don't care if an entire civilization worshipped your Goddess for ten thousand years.
I don't care if you made Her up based on manga or Tolkien or a dream you had.
I don't care where you place your altar.
I don't care which direction you call Earth.
I don't care how psychic you are.
I don't care if you're smarter than me.
I don't care why you eat meat, or don't.
I don't care how many shields you think you need.
I don't care how your childhood trauma made you a powerful magickian.
I don't care if you spell "magic" with a k.
I don't care if you were an Atlantean Magus in your last life.
I don't care if you're brand-spanking new.
I don't care how much you hate Christians.
I don't care how many degrees you have.
I don't care if people call you "Lady" or "Lord."
I don't care if you're King of all Londinium and wear a shiny hat.
I don't care if you can read minds or light candles with your breath.
I don't care how the world owes you a living.
I don't care if you've been studying the Craft for thirty years or thirty minutes.
I don't care what your totem animal is, especially if it's a wolf, raven, or unicorn.
I don't care if you can trace your lineage back to Gardner.
I don't care if you think I'm a moron, fraud, or basket case.
I don't care how many books you've read.
I don't care how much or how little money you have.


What do I care about?

I care that your religion has made you a kinder, more compassionate person.
I care that you can hold down a job.
I care that you're growing past whatever happened to you as a child or last year.
I care that your gods help you become stronger without coddling you.
I care that you are willing and able to adapt and change as your life does.
I care that you care about the Earth.
I care that you care about someone and something outside yourself.
I care that you practice your religion with devotion and reverence.
I care that you respect others' paths.
I care that you never stop learning.
I care that you can conduct adult relationships with respect and understanding.
I care that you get how hilarious life is.
I care that you know when to ask for help.
I care that you realize that someone will always be smarter, more powerful, and more together than you.
I care that you realize it doesn't matter, because tomorrow you'll be smarter, more powerful, and more together than you were yesterday.
I care that you have reasons for everything you do, even if those reasons are purely intuitive.
I care that you can admit when you're wrong.
I care that you know you're both a tiny speck in a vast universe and a rare, precious jewel in the darkened sky.
I care that you're making a difference.
I care that you know when to speak and when to shut the hell up.
I care that you are seeking a relationship with Deity and with Nature.
I care that you are healthy.
I care that you're contributing to your family and community.
I care that your capacity for love and joy increase with every passing year.
I care that you believe in yourself.
I care that you're doing the best you can.

Lent

I know I should have posted this yesterday, but oh well. I'm posting it today.

Now, I know many of you know that I am not Catholic, however I do observe Lent. Albeit not in the traditional way. I do it to see if I can. It's a matter of willpower for me. This year, I'm giving up sweets....unless I've already worked out a half hour before. And that's a half hour for each sweet. Again, I realize this isn't a traditional thing. But it's a way for me to eat healthier, and possibily work out more. Granted, once my training for the 3-day Walk starts I'll have no problem here.

So, do you celebrate Lent? I saw a great history piece on Domestic Witch's blog today. And in my research on the history of Lent found out that many Christian denominations don't follow it, primarily for two reasons.

1. It's not in the Bible.
2. It was originally a Pagan holiday/idea.

I'm surprised at the latter since they most definitely celebrate Christmas and we all know that Christ wasn't born on Dec. 25th.

Lazy Sunday Movie: The Polar Express

Ok, I know I keep mentioning this movie. But it is my favorite holiday movie. I love the premise. A little boy is having a "belief crisis" about Santa Claus. Does he exist? He has all this evidence that he doesn't. A picture of him pulling a department store Santa's beard off. Mechanical Santas in store windows. A definition of the North Pole as "devoid of life". Then on Christmas Eve he has a magical journey on a train that takes him to the North Pole to meet Santa. He meets different people on this train, fellow children (a little girl, a poor little boy, a know-it-all boy) the conductor, the engineers, and a hobo (ghost?).

While on the train he talks about Santa, does he exist? He wants to believe, but he doesn't want to be tricked. He doesn't want to find out it's all been a lie. He doesn't want to think he's been stupid for believing in something that doesn't exist.

All of the little boy's issues with Santa have been mirrored in my own spiritual journey this year. Is there a higher power? I have evidence that he/she doesn't, I didn't want to swallow a lie because everyone else believes. I am one that likes to be logical, rational, everything has a reason, a purpose. However, having had my beautiful daughter last year, I have started doubting all my logical and rational reasons for not believing in a higher power.

There has to be someone/something out there. Has to be. How else could the magic of life happen? The magic of conceiving, of carrying and growing a child in my womb, of delivering this living, breathing, giggling, smiling, laughing bundle of joy? It's too difficult for me to believe that this all is a happy coincidence.

So, now that I know there's a higher power, what form does it/he/she take?

I have issues with the traditional male patriarchal Christian idea of God. Issues going back to my early religious upbringing. Nothing against my parents, they put me in the best school they could afford. But being told constantly that what you do is wrong, you will always do wrong unless you believe/do exactly as you are told. Even then, humans are sinners. Ugh, enough.

I've done a lot of searching in my life. Which religious path is the one that speaks to me. Which one rings of truth? Well, none of them. So I decided to take a little of each different faith, meditation, prayer, energy work, spell work, ideas, rules, everything. I just needed to find a God/Goddess that made sense to me. I asked for signs, symbols, anything to show me evidence of a pressence. Isis made that connection to me. She reached out to me when I asked for a hand to hold. I feel for the first time in my life a connection to the divine. There is evidence! I had my magical journey. From my discussions with friends, and acquaintances, I have come to the same conclusion as the little boy. I belive. Like the conductor says to him, "Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."

What makes you happy and thankful?

Over at A Cup of Jo she asked everyone what three things make you happy?

1. My darling daughter!!! Everyday with her is amazing! And of course the hubs! He makes me happy every day!



2. My friends! I couldn't imagine life without all the spectacular women I'm friends with! You help me realize that though I may be a wife and mother, I'm also a kick ass chica with hopes and dreams of her own! Thanks so much ladies!!!!!



3. My jump started spiritual path. Recently, I've sort of kicked my journey into gear again. It's refreshing to be moving forward again.