New Year's Eve at Bluff Trail Labyrinth

Last night my friend Carl, Brian and I went out to dinner and then headed out to the Bluff Trail Labyrinth to celebrate New Year's Eve. Melanie, our hostess, guided us through three meditations, one of which was with 13 crystal skulls. Each meditation was unique and profound in their own way. I especially enjoyed the Crystal Skull meditation and connecting with these amazing and knowledgable creatures. I was downloaded with information and when the time is right for me to know what it is, it will come into my consciousness.

Just before midnight, the twenty of us gathered there, headed out single-file to walk the Labyrinth. It was amazing . . . Once in the center we stood in silence, reflecting on the year that was soon to be behind us and at the stroke of midnight, I threw in my good-bye to 2011 along with some letters I had written for releasing what I didn't want to bring into 2012. As I watched the letters burn in the fire, I was grateful to put those issues and concerns out to the universe to heal and take care of for me. I felt a physical release in my body as well.

With all the energy gathered in this amazing place, we were all delighted when the roar of thunder crossed the sky behind us. It was a fitting end to a wonderful evening.

May each and every one of you experience the energies of this New Year with anticipation, excitement and joy. It is destined to be your best year ever!

Happy New Year 2012!

Happy New Year!

Are you ready to ring in the New Year? Whether we like it or not, it will arrive this Saturday night champagne corks popping and fireworks blazing. Brian and I will be spending New Year's Eve with our friend Carl going out to dinner and then out to the Bluff Trail Labyrinth for a discussion on 2012, a Crystal Skull Mediation and then finally walking the Labyrinth with a blazing bonfire in the center.

I'm looking forward to the New Year with anticipation. I've laid the groundwork this year for my Reiki practice (Loving Heart Reiki, LLC) and am looking forward to it's growth whilst helping people with this amazing relaxing and healing modality. I'm looking forward to volunteering with Agrace HospiceCare visiting clients and families in their homes providing whatever service I can to help in their time of need. I'm looking forward to new learning opportunities with Karuna Reiki® and the next four phases of the EMF Balancing Technique®. I'm looking forward to Clean Eating and exercising along with yoga for a balance between my work, home and personal life. I'm looking forward to my continued Spiritual practice and to monthly meditation evenings with friends. I'm looking forward to more laughing, even if it's at myself.

New Year's resolutions? No, I don't make them, but I do set goals for myself and this year I plan on achieving every one of them. Yes . . . it's going to be my best year ever!

Pagan Prayers

I came across a site the other day where someone was asking if Pagans said prayers. I admit I was a little taken aback . . . doesn't everyone with faith pray? Apparently, not everyone thinks so.

Triple Goddess Rosaries

Mother Mary Rosary

Green Tara Mala
(This gorgeous piece was custom made by Jayne at Infinite Spirit)

So, just to set the record straight, this Pagan prays. I pray my Goddess rosaries and my Mary rosary, and I also pray with my mala dedicated to Green Tara. I pray to the God and to the Goddess. I pray in the morning and evening and when there's something in particular I need guidance on or when I need reassurance or peace. There are a multitude of ways to pray and as many prayers to say them.

When I first started out on this path I searched for books that contained Pagan prayers. I found several that spoke to me and I'm always on the lookout for inspiring Pagan prayer books.

A few of the books on my shelf:
Living Wicca - Scott Cunningham
Goddess Bless - Sirona Knight
Be Blessed - Denise Dumars
Dewdrops in the Moonlight - Shanddaramon

The books I've listed here are just a few that I found helpful and inspiring. My most recent purchase is a book called 'Earth Psalms' by Angela Magara. It is a lovely book filled with 150 psalms that warm the heart and feed the soul.

Due to the hurricane in Angela's area (she was part of the disaster recovery team) and then an illness, shipping of my book was delayed. And although it was unnecessary, Angela sent along an extra copy of the book which she has graciously autographed.

I've given it some thought and can't think of anyone I'd rather share this book with than you, my followers. So I'm having a give-away! All you need to do is leave a comment on this post and I'll enter you in the drawing which I'll hold on October 1st. Isn't that a great way to start the month of October?

And if you know of any good Pagan prayer books please don't hesitate to share!

Listening to Guidance . . .

Two weeks ago I attended a mediation evening with my Reiki Master, Mary, and a small group of people. It was an intense evening with three meditations - one of them included Mary playing a crystal bowl which was absolutely amazing. I came out of the meditation somewhat transformed.

During one of the breaks I had the chance to talk with one of my fellow students in Reiki classes. He shared a bit about himself and later on that evening on my way home I felt compelled to pray for him. A day later I received guidance that I was to paint a picture for him. "No", I said to Guidance firmly. "He'll think I'm nuts!" I bantered back and forth with Guidance for three days, finally throwing my hands in the air, compelled to paint the painting that Guidance was so firmly directing me to do. The image was very clear in my mind's eye.

I took up the canvas and my pencil - the picture seemed to draw itself. I sat in awe as the pencil drew the outline of the picture. I didn't question and I hardly had to correct what I was drawing. Clearly, Guidance was a good artist. Once the picture was drawn I took up my brushes and paint and put the paint to canvas. Again, I barely had to think about what I was doing . . . the paint flowed and so did the love.

Love was being poured into the painting, through me, from Spirit. I can hardly describe the overwhelming amount of love that flowed. It was like being enveloped in a blanket of white light - safe, protected, admired, adored and loved - and while all of this was for my friend, I also received Spirit's blessings.

On the morning of my Reiki class, when I would see my friend, I still was bantering back and forth with Guidance. We were on a teeter-totter and Guidance was bigger and heavier than me. And so not wanting to be stuck at the top of the teeter-totter indefinitely, I wrapped the picture and took it with me to class, still not knowing if I would give it to my friend.

Well, as it happened, I did give the painting to my friend along with the story behind it. We both cried and hugged and he was grateful that I had decided to follow Guidance and give it to him. And so was I because clearly, Guidance knows more about these things than I do . . .

A Little of This and That

I realized today as I was lighting my Peace candle that I also have the World Peace Crystal Grid Cards I had ordered some time ago. They are used to send peace into the world, but can also be used to bring peace into your personal life as well. I placed the cards on my vision board behind my peace candle I created on Monday. I also printed out another set to be used when I do Reiki.

You can order your own set or print them online at THIS LINK. This is a link about the World Peace Crystal Grids and where they are located.

I found an image on the internet yesterday that I liked and used it for making my own herb labels. I think they turned out rather well . . .

And lastly, I was meditating at my Success/Career altar yesterday when Bijou became entranced by the incense. I believe she enjoyed some meditation time as well . . .

Reiki

I was fortunate enough to attend a Reiki workshop this past Saturday and gain my certification as a Reiki Level I Practitioner. Our Master, Mary, is a dynamic speaker and she made the workshop enjoyable, informative and fun. I have to also say that my fellow attendees were a great group and I enjoyed spending the day with them all.

Saturday began the 21 day cleanse period whereby I'm treating myself every day and clearing my energy and chakras. So far, I've noticed a feeling of peace and am excited about the changes that are to come.

I'm looking forward to my path as a Reiki practitioner, not only to help and heal myself, but also to help and heal others and to also send that energy out into the world.

Flowers from Brian

I feel this will also help my practice as a Wiccan, especially with visualization and meditation. I find both to be difficult as I'm a doer (my husband likes to call me a putzer) and it's all that I can do to sit and be quiet for a time.

I'm so excited as I continue on these newfound paths and I'm especially excited to share in any way I can. Yay!