Exploring change…

One of the most pronounced and repetitive things we deal with in this life is change. As a pagan when we work magic we are creating change through the conformity of will. That means we are encouraging change every time we cast or create new beginnings. Change can be a positive force in life.

I remember once when I participated in a Bay Area event based on the Elysian Mysteries…when I traveled into the “underground” and met with Hades he asked me what I wanted, what I needed…and I told him CHANGE. He told me to beware of what I was asking for, but I knew that I needed things in my life to change. I was willing to allow it to change in negative ways in hopes that the changes would be positive as well. As above, so below, after all.

Change did happen for me. It was the following December that found me relocated to Anaheim. While my time in southern California kept me from my family there were a lot of positive changes that happened down there as well. I graduated with my Bachelor’s and went back for and got my Master’s. I lost 50 lbs and in the course became a BBW model for a little while. I dated and determined what I was looking for in the world of love and marriage. I gained it all back (blech), but that is the negative side of change rearing its head. You have to learn to take the good with the bad.

Change can be a positive force in your life if you let it be. The best way to create change for good is to not be afraid of it. You must be able to recognize change when it’s heading toward you and you must be willing to make adjustments in your life to either integrate the change or discover ways to avoid it. Now, remember that avoiding change in general will be detrimental to your life. There’s no such thing as something that never changes.

Never fear change, for it’s always there just around the corner. What will change next?

Pounds lost: 11.2 (377.8)

Daily insight: Change can lead to so many wonderful things.

Ounces of water consumed: 60

Steps in the right direction: 28

Itty Bitty Teeny Weeny little obession…

I have a confession to make.. I have a love of bumper stickers but I never put them on my car. Instead, I collect them and tack them up around my office or keep them in little piles while making devious plans on where to tack them. I think they are fun and often make me laugh.

I was looking around online today and I found a bunch of bumper sticker pics that I wanted to share. I hope some of them make other people laugh too.

As for the rest of the day, it was busy with work in the morning, after that it was all about trying to stay warm. I’m frozen! The diet was obeyed and the water consumption was pretty good. Not a bad day overall. :)

Pounds lost: 11.2 (377.8)

Daily insight: Laughter can add years to your life and make it more fun too!

Ounces of water consumed: 60

Steps in the right direction: 27

Quiet day…

Today was a quiet day for me, but still busy. I spent most of the day out of the house taking care of chores and picking up my furniture from my brother’s house. The rest of the day was spent on the computer working on the assignments I’ve been hired to complete.

My core is sore today from all of the dancing I did yesterday with the family and the Xbox Kinect and I allowed that soreness to interfere with my diet. I only managed to consume 4 of my 5 meals today, but I did manage to get most of my water.

Hopefully tomorrow will be more productive and my post will be more interesting. :D

Pounds lost: 11.2 (377.8)

Daily insight: Time flies when you’re researching!

Ounces of water consumed: 60

Steps in the right direction: 26

Giving of thanks; Pagan style…

Today is the day, at least in the US, where giving thanks is not only a requirement but also a joy. You are given the chance to really express how you feel about your family and friends that you may not feel you can any other time of the year. Why is that? We should allow ourselves to have thanksgiving all year long (without the food!) and never let our loved ones forget what they mean to us.

I wanted to share with you a solitary ritual of thanks that was written by Scott Cunningham that I found a few years ago. I really liked the simplicity of the ritual and the symbolism behind it. The original posting of this article can be found at: http://www.llewellyn.com/journal/article/1820

Solitary Ritual of Thanks

From Living Wicca: A Further Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

(You alone will know when to perform this ritual. It can be done at any phase of the moon, during the day or night, whenever needed.)

You’ll need one large white or pink bowl; one white candle; water; small, fresh flowers (white blooms are best) and one piece of white cotton cloth.

Place the bowl on the altar (or on any table). If desired, cast a circle. Affix the white candle to the center of the bowl with warmed beeswax or with drippings from another white candle (so that the bowl acts as a candle holder).

Pour water into the bowl. Float the fresh flowers on the surface of the water. Light the candle.

Visualize your reason for the ritual; remember why you’re thanking the Goddess and God. Touch the water on both sides of the candle with your fingertips, saying these or similar words: Lady of the Moon, of the stars and the Earth;
Lord of the Sun, of the forests and the hills;
I perform a ritual of thanks.
My love shines like the flame;
My love floats like the petals
Upon You.
Lady of the Waters, of flowers and the sea;
Lord of the Air, of horns and of fire;
I perform a ritual of thanks.
My love shines like the flame;
My love floats like the petals
Upon You.
Lady of the Caves, of cats and snakes;
Lord of the Plains, of falcons and stags;
I perform a ritual of thanks.
My love shines like the flame;
My love floats like the petals
Upon You.

Look into the candle’s flame, then down into the water. Blow gently upon the water’s surface and watch the flowers’ movements. Meditate. Commune. Thank.

When it’s time, remove the petals from the water. Place them in the center of the white cotton cloth. Wrap the cloth around the petals. If you’ve cast a circle, close it now. End your rite of thanks by quenching the candle’s flame, pouring the water onto the ground and burying the flowers in the Earth. It is done.

I also really like that it’s clearly stated that you can use this ritual whenever you feel like it. There’s no set time, moon or sun phase, or corresponding herbal influence. Although I know those things matter when it comes to connecting with the divine I appreciate the simplicity that allows us to commune with our heavenly parents when we feel the desire and need to. Only you can really know when it is the right time to speak to the Mother and Father.

Today was a wonderful day filled with family, great food, and super double fun times playing a dance game on Xbox Kinect. I saw moves I didn’t think my family could do! Hehe.

I was pleasantly surprised this morning when I went to weight myself and discovered I had lost 4 pounds, exactly. Thank goodness for that because my plan for today went out the window. I can proudly say that I didn’t go back for seconds and I didn’t completely clean my plate. I also didn’t eat my dessert, but I did bring it home with me.

Pounds lost: 11.2 (377.8)

Daily insight: There’s nothing better than spending time with those you love.

Ounces of water consumed: 80

Steps in the right direction: 25

Contemplating thanks…

Today I am once again thankful. I’m thankful for the time I have with my family and I am thankful to have them in my life. I feel blessed to have been witness to their lives and to have them be witness to mine. I could not be the person I am today or the person I’m striving to be if not for them.

I spent the day with my sister helping her to take care of something that she needed to take care of. I am so thankful that I could be here for her when she needs me because she’s always there for me when I need her. She’s not only my sibling, she’s my friend. I am blessed to have her in my life.

I wasn’t able to do the cooking and prep work that I needed to do for tomorrow so I’m going to bed early in hope that I can get up early and take care of the dishes I’m bringing to the family thanksgiving. I am saddened knowing that I will have to miss one gathering in favor of the other. I wanted to be able to celebrate with my Dad, Step-mom, Grandma, Grandpa, and GG. If things go well tomorrow morning and I can be done in time I still want to go over there before I head over to the big party at my brother’s house. Cross your fingers for me that I can get everything done fast! I think the best way for that to happen is by not making the pumpkin bread. That just means I’ll have another excuse to visit with family AFTER Thanksgiving! Yay!

The diet today took a hit and so did my water intake because of where I was today. I get to weigh myself tomorrow and I’m a little worried. Buuuuuut, I did do mostly liquid on 2 days last week so that might really help me out.

I have something special for you all tomorrow. It’s a ritual of thanksgiving that can be done any day of the year, but I favor it on the holiday we’ve taken into our hearts here in the US. I will post the ritual, as well as where it can be found from the publisher, tomorrow when I report in.

Until then, I hope you have a wonderful night and spend tomorrow surrounded by those you love and love you in return.

Pounds lost: 7.2 (381.8)

Daily insight: Never forget to open your eyes and look around you from time to time; you’ll love what you see.

Ounces of water consumed: 30

Steps in the right direction: 24

The day before the madness begins…

Today is the day before all of the cooking needs to start. I have a larger list of things to make for the family Thanksgiving than I usually do. I’m making deviled eggs (a tradition), pumpkin bread with walnuts and chocolate chips, a hot artichoke/chili dip, and fresh soft pretzel breadsticks. I started the deviled eggs tonight and will cut and make the filing tomorrow so I just have to compile them on Thursday. I’m making the pumpkin bread and prepping the dip (I’m not mixing it together because there’s mayo in it and I don’t want that to oxidize) tomorrow. That will leave the only actual item to be made on Thursday the pretzel breadsticks. I know that they taste so much better when they are fresh and warm so I’m not even going to make the dough until that morning.

My brother is hosting the family get together this year and he’s very excited about it. I’m excited for him too. He loves having family over and having us there all day. I think he’s a little nuts to want the chaos of a full house all day, but if that’s what he wants I’m going to give it to him. J

After yesterday’s terrific reading I thought today would have gone differently. Last night when I went to bed I started feeling sick and today I’ve been battling a tickle in my throat and just not feeling well in general. Unfortunately, after I took my grandma for her weekly shopping I ended up snuggled under blankets on the couch with a sleeping puppy. The only productive thing I did all day was shop and boil eggs. LOL

The good news is that I’ve been hired to write some articles and am very excited to start working on them.

The diet went well and my water intact was great. I have a plan for Thursday so I don’t fall off the wagon, so to speak. I’m still feeling under the weather so I’m going to crawl back under the blanket and get some rest.

Pounds lost: 7.2 (381.8)

Daily insight: Sometimes you just need to snuggle under a blanket and take a sick day.

Ounces of water consumed: 75

Steps in the right direction: 23

What does the future hold?…

In a previous post I mentioned that in the past I have determined if I was on the right track through déjà vu’s discovered through precognitive dreaming. I also mentioned that it’s been a good 18 months since I’ve realized any déjà vu’s. As a result, I admit that I have been feeling like I haven’t had any direction.

Leading up to a Halloween party this year I purchased a Tarot deck. Normally I don’t consult the Tarot preferring to use the Runes as my mode of divine communication. For the party I wanted the option for my guests to use either. As often happens in my family, my runes decided to hide from me. This left me with my beautiful new Tarot deck.

Tonight, a few moments ago in fact, I decided to do a reading on myself. I opted for the simple, traditional three card pull. The first card is your past or how you got where you are. The second card is your present or what’s happening right now. The third card is your future or what will happen next.

My first card (upright) is the 10 of Cups. My second card (upright) is the Wheel of Fortune. My third card (upright) is the 9 of Cups. According to the book of meanings provided with the Tarot deck The Cups is the suit linked to matters of the heart or material comfort and represents the element of water. It’s interesting to note that my astrological sign is an air sign.

My past is the 10 of Cups. Meaning is: Welcome home – Home, joy, and familial bliss. Peace. Love. Plenty. Contentment of the heart. Respect from your neighbors. I took this to represent what brought me to where I am today. I relocated back home from Southern California after a 5-year absence. I had lived more than a 2-hour drive away from my family for 5 years before that. So, I was finally home (no more than a 30 minute drive from any of my family members) after 10 years and I am happier now than I have been in all that time.

My present is the Wheel of Fortune. Meaning is: Change, destiny, fortune, good luck, the end of troubles in sight. Moving ahead for better or worse. Where I am now is at a fork in the road of my life, so to speak. I have endless paths before me. It is my destiny to be in this place at this time in my life. I am where I should be. And, thankfully, the end of my troubles is in sight. (Thank you Mother!)

My future is the 9 of Cups. Meaning is: Satisfaction, plenty, sensual pleasures, wellbeing, success, security, wishes fulfilled. To me, this means that my future is not bleak, in fact I believe this means that I will be successful in what I want to do with my life and it will provide me with the security and happiness I’ve always wanted in my life. There is hope for my future and with my hard work I will be able to do all the things I want to.

All in all this was an AMAZING reading and has set to rest a lot of the doubts and worry that have been eating at me. The reading was such a positive experience that I decided to do one final pull from the deck. I wanted to know what kind of job I would be getting and in what field it might be in. I was nervous but hopeful when I pulled this final card.

I received the Knight of Cups (upright). The meaning is: An opportunity may be presented to the seeker. Arrival of a lover. Appeal, approach, creativity, inspiration. What an amazing card to pull! My dream has always been to write for a living.. and to write about love and romance. I have started to venture out of my creative shell (so to speak) and submit my writing to review by publishers. This card indicates to me that my job involves the arrival of a lover and what good romance doesn’t! Romances start with one character appealing to the other and a situation that allows one to approach the other. And a story based on romance is created through inspiration. I have my answer. I need to focus on my writing and creating stories that inspire.

I feel blessed to have been given the chance to see the potential of my future and I am going to move down this path with good intentions and plenty of hope.

Blessed be.

Pounds lost: 7.2 (381.8)

Daily insight: Knowing what road to take helps you plan accordingly.

Ounces of water consumed: 75

Steps in the right direction: 22