A shamanic lesson....

It never ceases to amaze me the strange turn of events that unfold in a shamanic journey. It is common knowledge, that when one journeys, you let your "spirit" so to say go and take you where it wants. You never ever try to force it, for it is futile. Only when you surrender yourself to the journey, do you get an accurate feel of things...
With that being said, today, I went on a small journey. Like journey I go on, I come out of it piecing together what I felt, seen and work at comprehending what was presented to me. Today, a gazelle....
I came out of my journey with a response to my self literally asking..."A gazelle, WTF self? A gazelle?" Of course, I find myself scouring through all of my reference guides to discover a gazelle isn't in any of them. Why? I don't know, not the foggiest, so I find I have to jump on my computer and see what the "mass" resources of the Internet have suggested. As I read the description of "meanings", it is what I was interpreting in my own mind, but needed a confirmation that I was thinking the right thing...(I have a tendency to not listen to myself...) The following is one of the many definitions I found in regards to the gazelle showing up in a journey...

The Gazelle's wisdom includes awareness, speed, grace and agility, beauty, ability to manoeuvre, vertical movement.

Gazelles are members of the antelope family and are top of the menu for big cats. Therefore they are vulnerable meaning they must constantly be extremely alert to in their surroundings.

Their main predator is the cheetah. Though gazelles are capable of reaching high speeds, cheetahs are able to run faster. They like sneaking up on their prey and then making a dash for it. Hence, the gazelle has the ability to zig zag swiftly from side to side, often outwitting the cheetah and putting themselves out of the cheetah's straight line run of attack. They are most likely to be caught when stopping to see if the cheetah is still following them.

Similarly, those who try and escape depression, fear, negative emotions and habits of the past by resorting to food, alcohol, or other forms of addictive behaviour, often find themselves stopped in their tracks, with the negative emotions they try to avoid at their throats. This can lead to a blockage in the throat chakra and cause ill health in relation to this area. There is a lack of communication with oneself or others to overcome here.

From the gazelle we can learn that with awareness and skill, we can be at ease with our own vulnerability. The ability to discover and explore new paths and to change direction when required is the best way to free ourselves and to prevent ourselves from being consumed by the hungry beasts of the past, lurking in the shadows of our minds. Reclaim your energy, don’t waste it on futile thoughts or efforts. Put all your energy into a positive way of living and thinking. This ability also ties in with the gazelle's vulnerability. When we step onto an unknown path we feel vulnerable. Gazelle shows us that with awareness and skill we can be comfortable discovering and exploring the unknown. Life is an adventure. Grasp it with both hands and a heart filled with anticipation and eagerness

Then another thing hits me while I am reading, the gazelle is a member of the antelope family which leads me to some of the same traits, okay so 90% of the same traits as the gazelle...makes sense.
Now it is time for me to decipher what all this means at this time and how I am supposed to incorporate all this information into my current position... Even being a practicing Shaman, I still get stumped as to why certain things appear at certain times, but they are never wrong. Remember that if you go into a deep meditation, be in journey work or whatever....let your mind go where it wants and do what it wants. It is never wrong, and whatever you see, decipher and you will get answers to anything...trust in your journey!
Have a blessed day! )O(

Rockin' out Leo..thank you Military

Well…Happy Memorial Day Weekend to those of you in the US.

Sitting here just now, realized we are under a Leo influence and thought “Wow, what a great weekend to have a cookout and have friends over”. I ran to the store, got the supplies I needed while the hubby made the phone calls for an impromptu, short notice cookout.

Leo, for those of you who are not familiar with it’s influence, is a great time to entertain guests and have social interactions. Leo is also a time where people will say how it is in a very frank and nonchalant manner…but in general, is great energy for having celebrations. Go figure, it is a holiday weekend, and a lot of kids are graduating…what a perfect reason to celebrate!

Then there is the whole reason all of us should enjoy this weekend. Memorial Day, it conjure so much emotion for people for different reasons. I have family members that all served in the armed forces, my husband included. I have friends from high school that are still in…looking down the barrel of their 15th year. (I realize this last sentence ages me) Take a moment to think about those who are serving, have served and have lost their life in service. I don’t care if you agree with it or not, but all these men and women sacrificed for our safety and well being. Ask the Lord and Lady to watch over those that are still overseas and that they can make it home to be with their own families one of these years for this very weekend as well.

As I leave you for the rest of the day, please be careful this weekend in whatever you do. Be thankful for the freedoms that you do have, honor those that have served and especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

May the Lord and Lady bless you and yours, and also everyone in our military as we honor all of our Vets this weekend, past and present!

Blessed be )O(

Stuggling again.....

I hate when this happens...I have about 4 things that I want to blog about...and none of them are remotely related, so I can't put them together, and by golly....it would take too long to put them separate. So here I sit, trying to decide which one I want to write about today....then I get frustrated and decide...screw it....I just can't do it!

On a different note....we are entering into a Cancer Moon...which is literally going to happen here in the next 10 - 15 minutes. (7:31am CDT) and I am ready for it. I have a lot of planting that needs to get done in the next couple of days....today is going to be the best weather....but the kicker is...I have some follow up doctor appointments (thank you genetic degenerative arthritis that I got from my Mom's side) to deal with today.

That, compounded on top of I want to run out and put the crosses on the cemetery today for the weekend coming up...I have to go run out to my parents' farm today to get some more edible plants that are prime for harvest...I feel like I am running out of time in a time sensitive situation....sigh...
Anyway, on Moon gardening again...real quick like....

Here is the plan for the day....if you are moon gardening with me....later today and tomorrow is prime time for Corn, peas...oh gosh...as I look at my list...it would be easier to tell you what NOT to plant... Cancer is a fertile / fruitful sign...and with the growing 1st quarter Moon....yeah...almost everything can be planted right now. At least for common garden vegetables. Now is not the time for tubers, underground type veggies...such as carrots, potatoes, radishes, rutabaga, onions...that sort of thing...
Plants like I stated above...corn, peas, cucumbers, herbs, kohlrabi, lettuce, sunflowers, beans, tomatoes, watermelon, squash varieties (they like 2nd, but Cancer as well)...have at 'er. If you have any questions...shoot me a message in my inbox...and I will gladly get back to you and answer any questions you may have...

As always...have a very blessed day to you and yours.

Blessed be )O(

Happy Monday!!!

Good Morning, okay, maybe the 3 exclamation points on the end of my title is a little much. It is Monday though, and we are in a 1st quarter moon....let's get some magic rolling!

Okay, so maybe not today...we are in a Gemini moon...barren as barren can be...but either way....we are in a 1st quarter. This next 2 weeks are going to get busy for moon gardening. In fact, this Thursday happens to be a optimal time to plant most of the rest of my stuff in my garden...my peas, corn, sunflowers, etc., etc....and I am ready. I have done all the preps, patiently waited...now ready to rock out the planting!

Today though, we are sitting in Gemini...what does a Gemini influence do for us? Well, according to my Moon Almanac, this is what is stated for a Gemini influenced moon....

A Gemini's Moon energy is masculine, dry, barren and airy. People are more changeable than usual and may prefer to follow intellectual pursuits and play mental games rather than apply themselves to practical concerns.
This sign is not favored for agricultural matters, but it is an excellent time to prepare for activities, to run errands, and write letters. Plan to use a Gemini Moon to exchange ideas, meet people, go on vacations that include walking or biking, or be in situations that require versatility and quick thinking on your feet.

On a different note...did any of you get to see the solar eclipse? I did not... =(

We had storms and rain all day here, when the time rolled in to be able to catch a glimpse, we were still completely cloud covered. It was disappointing, but I have family out in the western Rockies of the US that got a dang good view, and took some amazing pictures. I will have to see if I can steal one of their great shots for posting...my parents caught it as well. They are on the road traveling right now (must be nice to be retired) and were able to catch it from where they were. Which now brings up this question for all of you...did anyone get to utilize that awesome power in any magical workings yesterday? What a wonderful energy that was felt...even cloud covered, I could sense it....new moon and solar eclipse....what an awesome powerful event we had.

Before you even think of asking...no, I didn't do any magical working yesterday, unless you consider the huge undertaking of cleaning a very dirty toddler during that time...LOL That transformation could have been considered magical! ;)

Anyway...on that note, I leave you all today...have a great Monday or what is left of it, depending on your location! Many blessings to you and yours!
Blessed be )O(

It is on.....gardening wars.....

Well...
This morning, I am on a mission. After thinking that my husband was seeing the light on moon gardening....we got into a discussion last night. It all started because my tomato plants are HUGE and he said I needed to transplant them. Yes, I know I do, but the time is not right...for one, we are in the 4th quarter and a barren sign none the less, now is not a time to plant anything. I need to wait until at least a 1st quarter with a fruitful or semi-fruitful, and most optimal is a 2nd quarter and Scorpio.
He told me I was "off my rocker"...really? Really? Oh, it is so on...
I got into how and why I plant by the phase of the moon, the scientific studies that go along with the support of the theory, and after a 20 minute soap-box rant by me...he looked at me and said..."Your point?"
Grrrrrrr... So I decided to do this...I have enough plants, I am going to transplant some of my peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers today...in a barren 4th quarter phase...and then wait until the time is optimal....a 2nd quarter and fruitful sign. I am going to document everything, and take pictures so he can see the difference. Right now we have bets on what is going to happen. This is going to get interesting around here... (besides, who bets on the survival and success of plants in their garden...besides us that is?)
So, at this point in time, I have some of my plants outside, waiting patiently to be planted. I sure hope they don't die...I will be very upset, and mad at the hubster...but my point will be made. Come on moon almanac...don't fail me now!!!
Have a great and blessed day to you and yours. =)
Blessed be!

Memorial Park

I had to share this picture with all of you. This was taken at a grove of trees near my home. It is a memorial park...each one of the trees is dedicated to someone in memory of...or in honor of...very beautiful!

Morning rambles....

I realized this morning looking over the last few weeks of my blog here, that I have had no creative juices flowing what so ever. When something like that happens, I consult the lunar phases….
Right now we are in the fire sign Aries…this is an action orientated sign…now I could sit here and tell you that I didn’t write anything interesting in here because Aries was ruling me early, but tell ya what…that would be the biggest load of crap I could serve on a platter to you.
In all honesty…I know why I haven’t been on here much posting anything really interesting and thought provoking…I have been working so hard in my yard getting it ready so I can transplant and put plants in it in the next 2 weeks…that I put tumblr on the back burner. I am following my moon almanac so close as to when to plant my plants…it is ridiculous. In fact, my husband thinks I am damn near off my rocker…but I am making a point. I was going to do this gardening this year, entirely by the phases of the moon….and so far I have done great.
Speaking of gardening by the moon….remember back…when I was planting chives? Well…my second planting didn’t come up either….so I am starting to think it is the seeds and not me….so I cheated. I will admit it, I cheated, cheated, cheated….I have a gal pal that was thinning out her chives in her garden…and I grabbed some of hers and put them in my garden. Here is the funny part…..my hubby knows I was having a hell of a time getting my chives to grow…and he isn’t very observant with my garden…so one day I had nothing…a couple days later…he sees my chives and comments..”Wow honey, your moon gardening really does work” and walked away…
No, I haven’t had the heart to tell him that I got them from my friend and gave up on the seeds….LOL
On that note, you have a great day, many blessings to you and yours.
Blessed be!

Let's do some more gardening....

Good Morning all...

I know it has been some time since I did a piece on moon gardening, and well, to be honest...we had some crappy weather that hit, and quite frankly, once we planted our first set of indoor starters...there was nothing to do with them until later besides water them...and you don't need me reporting on when to water them.

As I looked at my calendar yesterday, I realized that is must be getting close to start our next round of indoor babies....and guess what....it is. In fact, tomorrow. The only seeds I have to start now (which I can sow directly outdoors, but want to see if I can start indoors) are acorn squash and zucchini squash.

Since both are squash varieties....we look in our handy, dandy moon phase book and see that squash do best when planted in the 2nd quarter, under the signs of Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces or Libra....so as we look in our little phases book...I see that from 10:04 pm tonight (EST or CDT whichever you prefer) the moon will be housed in Libra until 2:02 pm Friday the 4th. At which that point there will be a moon void from 2:02pm -10:20pm where then the Moon will enter Scorpio and be in the good time until 11:35pm on the 5th when the Moon goes full...and then we are in the 3rd.
So if that mumbo jumbo up there screwed you up, and you are confused....here is what is ideal planting times....(For my squash plants)

Wednesday, May 2 10:40pm - Friday, May 4th 2:02 pm = Libra - good time
Friday, May 4th 2:02pm - 10:20pm = Moon void - do nothing
Friday, May 4th 10:20pm - Saturday, May 5th 11:35pm = Scorpio - good time
Anything after 11:35pm (full moon) now in 3rd...different plants can be planted

Now, I realize some of you are not planting or starting squash....that is fine...other plants that can fit into this same time frame are as follows:

Asters, Beans (pole and bush), bulbs, canes (raspberries, blackberries), cantaloupe, chicory, clover, cosmos, daffodils, dahlias, any deciduous tree, eggplant, gladiolas, gourds, grapes, hay, herbs, hops, horseradish, kohlrabi, lilies, morning glories, oats, okra, onion seeds, peach trees, pear trees, peas, peppers, petunias, pumpkins, rice, sunflowers (in the Scorpio time), tomatoes, and watermelon

I also noted that herbs can be planted now as well...and for some reason, my chives did not come up starting them in the house, so I have decided I will also plant my chives again tomorrow...into the ground directly. Now, I know that it is getting later for some of these plants depending on where you are, and for some of you it is early.

With that all being said....let's do some gardening...Have a great day! I will update you tomorrow on how things go...after the planting! =)

A blessed day!

Blessed Beltane to my friends in the northern hemisphere

Blessed Samhain to my friends in the southern hemisphere