Your Favorite Goddess - Part 1

I asked my Facebook Fan and Group page members to write and tell me all about their favorite Goddesses in order to win an Astrology Goddess 14 page report and this is what they told me!
(This contest is still open for entries - the winner will be announced at the next New Moon - July 21, 2009)

Artemis - Sagittarian Goddess

Shawna Jamison (UC Riverside):

My favorite Goddess is Artemis, Greek Goddess of the Hunt. She's woodsy and outdoorsy like me, and never wanted to be forced into marriage. I feel a kinship to her because of these things; I love being outside and I don't want to define myself through a man. She is strong and independent, and I try to be that way myself.

Tracy Angelina Evans (Greenville, NC):

Lilith ~ much reviled by the Patriarchy, once a handmaiden to Inanna. She embodies the spirit of feminine freedom from the rules of the Father. "I would rather live in a cave on the edge of a torrential sea than lie under my equal!" Absolutely Lilith, my personal Mother of Memory, Lhihlhilshian Kela'Menan!

Margaret Hargett:

Quan Yin is my favorite Goddess since I have been attuned to the Violet Flame of love and compassion. She teaches us to practice a life of harmlessness, using great care to ease suffering in the world and not add to it in any way. Quan Yin always hears and answers our prayers and no special ritual is necessary to contact her. 'Om Mani Padme Hum', which means "Hail to the jewel in the lotus flower." While invoking her, I have seen her reddish mist and hot pink Orbs around me and over a small statue I have of her. May Many Angel Blessings surround All that Is, *Namaste*

Kuan-Yin - Capricorn Goddess

Meredith Laskow:

My favorite Goddess is Qu'an shi Yin (Ku'an Yin) because she was gifted to me. Years ago, when I was visiting the home of a friend, she said that back home in Taiwan, people bought small laminated cards of Gods and Goddesses, which they used as a focus for their prayers. The front of the card was a picture of the God/dess, and the flip side was a prayer invoking them and their attribute. My friend gave me the card for Qu'an shi Yin, because she said the Goddess worked through me and I embodied Her attribute of compassion. She said I should display the card to see it regularly (I do) and be reminded of the quality that shines through me the strongest.

Ix Chel - Aquarian Goddess

Maitri Libellule (Wilmington, NC):

I am a devotee of the Goddess and celebrate the new moon every month. I love your site and your work and am excited and delighted being a part of this. My favorite (so hard to choose, I have so many that I love) is Ixchel, Mayan Goddess of the Moon, protector of women in childbirth (I am a midwife, though no longer practicing, a childbirth educator and a La Leche League Leader), linked to the cycles of the moon; a weaver (I am a weaver) and she is often seen with a dragonfly. (My last name, Libellule, is dragonfly in French and the dragonfly is my totem animal and my home is Dragonfly Cottage.) I also wear pendants of Kwan Yin, Rhiannon, and Athena, but because of the moon/women/weaving/dragonfly connections Ixchel is the one I am most strongly drawn to at this time in my life.

Angela K. (Waco, Texas):

My favorite Goddess would have to be Cerridwen because she is the keeper of the cauldron of knowledge and inspiration, even if it is of the Underworld. As a Pagan, I have communicated with her numerous times and every single time, it has been helpful. Some people tend to forget that she does bring forth amazing inspiration, even if she does not rule above ground.

Deborah Stinson (Toledo, OH):

My favorite goddess is Athena. I guess I'm old school, since she's a Greek mythology goddess. Athena is not only the goddess of wisdom, she is also the goddess of arts and crafts including agriculture, navigation, spinning, weaving, and needlework. I don't know how she had time to go to war, but then we all make time for that, don't we? There are other interesting things about her too including that her father was Zeus and he gave birth to her. Weird.

The artwork featured in this article is from a series of 38 paintings I originally created as part of a experiential book/project/meditation that involved writing and painting all the astrological signs in conjunction with the moon as it passed through these signs over one month's time. I currently offer soul readings with this deck.

Don't forget to enter this goddess giveaway by telling me all about your favorite Goddess here on my Soul Reader Fan Page.

Metaphysical Artists & Crafters on Etsy - Part 2

I have met some wonderful folks of like mind and spirit in the Etsy forums in my latest thread (discussion) called "energy, crystals, spiritual psychic guides" and would like to share their stories with you! I asked folks to tell me a bit about their metaphysical inclinations, what drew them to this thread and why they keep coming back.

Meredith Laskow
meredithbead.etsy.com
meredithbead.com (jewelry)
www.meredithlaskow.com (writing)

Hill Tribes of Thailand Turquoise Silver Earrings

Meredith Laskow is a lifelong artist who sells her jewelry designs at craft fairs, in galleries, and on her rapidly-breeding collection of websites. She is the current (and only) Poet Laureate of Placentia Library District. Her poems and essays have been published internationally.

I followed the "Energy and Crystals" thread from the tail end of another Etsy thread started by Kathy, where I also participated. I'm drawn to the idea of a spiritual existence beyond traditional paradigms. I believe that everything that is, everything that ever was, and everything that ever will be -- is connected through time and space and energy.

Despite our different circumstances, the people in this thread are connected through common attitudes towards life. I stay here because everyone feels like a friend.

Christy Eldred
TheWorldIsMyStudio.etsy.com

The Three Birds of Mount Dora - Photograph

I am a freelance photographer, artist and writer. I believe in black and white. I believe in shades of grey. Lover of books and seeker of wisdom, I love learning all I can about the infinite possibilities of acquiring awareness. I want to know what my soul is made of and am currently a student on a spiritual healing path.

"The World Is My Studio" is the way I see the world. Art, like beauty is subjective, but it is always full of soul. With all the ups and downs in life, the beauty and the ugliness, we get to choose how we see things. The world is my inspiration and my studio.

What drew me to this thread? Because I was meant to. What keeps me coming back to this thread? The people I've met in this thread share both similar and different beliefs; we're all open and love sharing our experiences and stories with each other; cool stories, positive energy, cool people.

Brenda - Callistia
Callistia.etsy.com

Storming the Castle - Ceramic Dragon

I loving making things and spending time with my boys, but I never seem to have enough time to do what I love. I noticed the "energy & crystals, healers, spiritual psychic guides" thread a while back, and was drawn to it; it just took me a little while to post. I have always been able to 'feel' things, especially involving those I care about and crystals and natural stones have made a difference in my life. I also love reading about new and different things.

Amber Thurman - NoctisAeterna

- Why I like this thread: I find discussions of supernatural, paranormal, and magical topics interesting. Always have, (hopefully, always will :)

- What drew me to it: The promise of discussions about things I rarely get to discuss seriously - at least, discussions where I'm not treated like a nut, anyway!


My background is not so much metaphysical as it is paranormal, since I wasn't able to really get into metaphysics until I left home for college. But I've seen ghosts, angels, and spirits ever since I was a child - the very first one I remember, was seeing my grandfather at his funeral, standing beside my grandmother and praying with her. I've also started exploring my own spirituality a bit more recently.



You can read Part 1 - Etsy Soul Friends here.

Friday is for Gran & The Fiddlehead - Part 9

Tea for 2, just outside of Warwick Castle, merry ol' England.


This ongoing post documents a family reunion - 2 weeks along the Leicester Loop in England on 5 narrow boats!

Points of Note:
- Patience mooning Lindsey and Sandy on bikes
- Meeting the Welsh born Mill Engineer who gave us a tour of the River Mill at the Castle
- Posing as a jester
- Smelling tiny Juliette roses
- Sampling a Bakewell cake - can't recommend it! very dry & not much taste.
- Havin' a pint at a canal side pub - always recommended!

Journaling along in my Moleskin.


Inside Warwick Castle.

My husband learned a cheer or two from Jackie, our very own cheerleader.

You Crazy Bloggers You!

This week for "Wreck This Journal" - a creative blogger's book club group odyssey I managed to:

- write backwards with my non dominant left hand
- draw a very nasty naked lady with a gold glitter pen held between my teeth
- draw semi-straight pencil lines made blurry with spit
- paint with sticks and weeds
- take my book for a dirty walk
- climb a 17 foot ladder and throw my book from the top, then photograph it
- smear my hands with Naples yellow oil paint and make a hand print - not recommended, hard to clean!


Now you tell me, are we a crazy bunch of bloggers or what?!

How To Develop Your Psychic & Intuitive Abilities - Part 1

This blog post was written in response to a question emailed to me by one of my clients. It was such a good question that I thought it deserved a blog post (or 2, or 3)!

Andrea's Question: "Do you have any recommendations about how one should go about furthering their psychic abilities? I've read tarot cards on and off, and seem to have a knack, and then of course there's my natural ability to "read" people. But not necessarily with dates & times and all that predictive stuff"

My Response: I personally like to learn experientially in a hands-on fashion, but my very earliest experiences with the intuitive realms involved private exploration of dreams and dream journaling, astrology, tarot and paganism. I began learning about these things in my early teens and have gone on to develop my natural intuitive abilities (which we all have) with the help of teachers, through group classes, workshops, lectures, books and private sessions with healers and intuitive guides.

Dreams:

I started out by working with my dreams and recommend keeping a dream journal by your bed where you can record dreams when you wake up or by setting an alarm clock to wake yourself up at an odd hour to facilitate dream remembrance. Significant dreams will stay with you and resonate for years to come and you will begin to know which dreams are significant with practice. You can also work with lucid dreaming or by asking yourself a question before falling asleep and requesting that the answer come to you in a dream. Often dreams will allow you to re-connect with deceased friends or relatives and sometimes you may astro travel as well.

Recommended books: “Symbols for Self Understanding” by Betty Bethard

Astrology:

There is much more to astrology than just your sun sign (determined by the day you were born.) Becoming involved with the study of the planets and stars will expand your awareness on a universal level connecting you with the bigger picture crossing generations and even universes. My own studies in metaphysics began with dreams, then astrology.

Recommended books: The Only Way To Learn Astrology (6 Volumes) by Marion March & Joan McEvers, Planets in Transit by Robert Hand, Astrology for the Soul by Jan Spiller, The Liquid Light of Sex by Barbara Hand Clow, The Changing Sky by Steven Forrest

Recommended magazine: The Mountain Astrologer

Recommended authors & teachers: Steven Forrest, Barbara Hand Clow

Tarot:

Tarot decks are a whole world onto themselves and can involve you in an ancient study of images and symbols with mysterious origins. Working with tarot cards has allowed me to access the many realms depicted in the cards. By working with a Pre-Celtic Shamanistic deck called The Greenwood Deck I first encountered one of my main spirit guides while meditating upon the Ancestor card.

Recommended books: Tarot For Yourself by Mary K. Greer

Paganism & Goddess Worship:

I became involved with the study of paganism and ancient goddess religions when I was at university taking a Women’s Studies class, but was first introduced on a personal level to this topic by a male friend of mine who liked to dress up as Pan on Halloween. I have attended several goddess groups and pagan rituals but prefer to practice my own solitary, eclectic and personal blend of reverence for Mother Earth.

Recommended books: The Language of the Goddess by Marija Gimbutas (archaeology), The Motherpeace deck and book by Vicki Noble, The Book of Goddesses & Heroines by Patricia Monaghan

Recommended authors, teachers & leaders: Starhawk, Szusanna Budapest, COG (Covenant of the Goddess)

This blog post details how I developed my own metaphysical practises and studies and I hope you will expand upon these suggestions in your own personal way. Upcoming posts will delve into: shamanism, energy healing, herbs, mediumship, crystal healing, channeling, psychic work, law of attraction, meditation, yoga and past life regression.

Soul Friends - An Etsy Tale, Part 1

In March of 2008 I joined Etsy, a large online community of artists and crafters and started selling my artwork and my soul readings. I talked shop in the Etsy forums (a place for conversation) but quickly grew frustrated with much of the mundane, uninspired conversations revolving around dollars and cents so I started introducing new topics of discussion about metaphysics, paganism, spirituality, dreams, psychics and crystal healing. I would like to introduce some of the Etsy folks I have met and become friends with on my latest thread (conversation) which has over 2000 posts so far thanks to this delightful group of magical souls.

I asked folks to write up a short bio to introduce themselves and to let us know what drew them to this thread, what they like about it and why they stay.

Brenda Mihalopoulos

HowlingCaterpillars.etsy.com

HowlingCaterpillars.blogspot.com

Tropicana DreamWeb

What keeps me coming back to this thread is the reawakening of my "powers" as a magick worker, as a mother, as an artisan and as a resident of earth. I've had true dreams, like the night before 09/11 (ack!) Some of my dreams have become stories that I've written, not published yet though, but getting there. I've always been a spiritual person, connected with dreams, and nature, and most critters. I started the magickal path as a teenager, dropped it for a long time and am now getting back into it after 30 years...I'm enjoying my re-emergence in my Cronage...

I first came to the thread because LuLu is a member of a team that I am in and I also enjoy hearing others' stories and sharing my own. We can commiserate, bitch and complain, piss and moan, help, and celebrate with each other.

Suzanne Maxwell

dragonsmoon.etsy.com
www.underamagicmoon.ning.com

Mini Reversible Tarot Bag

I have always had a deep interest in all things mystical, occult and psychic. I am psychic myself and a reader of tarot cards and astrological charts. Just about anywhere I 'hang out' I look for articles and discussions that fall into the mystical category and that is how I found the discussion started by LuLuDesign.

I really enjoy conversing with people who also have an understanding and interest in the psychic realms and I enjoy helping those who are just starting to explore and question 'strange' happenings. Being part of a group that sees things in much the same way I do is always a delight and makes me feel like I am right 'at home.'

Tarah Russell

aquaintlife.etsy.com
www.aquaintlife.blogspot.com

Sally, an OOAK doll

I am a stay-at-home, homeschooling mother of three girls. I have been happily married to my husband for nine years and we have a pet wolf. I enjoy crafting and hope to make this habit pay for itself. I was drawn to this thread because I have always had a fascination with other-worldly stuff; even if it scares me sometimes. I got my first tarot deck in high school and still turn to it in times of stress. I enjoy the company on our little thread; I can be my usual “weird” self and if I put my foot in my mouth, no one seems to mind. Our little group is very caring and accepting of one another.

Bonita Evans

www.svartr.blogspot.com
www.silverowl.netfirms.com/sparrow

Hand-Knotted Rainbow Hemp Chakra Pouch

I'm a 35 year old Geminian, residing in Alberta Canada. I'm the mother of three, but only have my teenage daughter living at home with me (which is quite enough...!) I also share my home with several feathered creatures... and a husband.

My husband and I, although we are members of a Christian Church, are open to universal/parallel truths that can be found beyond the 'safe' doctrine taught in Sunday School.

I joined this thread simply because LuLu started it. I initially found her thread 'I am an Etsy Psychic' and my first reaction was, "Oh, really?" I was a bit closed to the idea at first, until I started learning a bit more about LuLu and found her to be more genuine than I originally gave her credit for.

I keep coming back because the core group is great and there is a nice, organic flow to the discussion. It's refreshing for me to chat about things that would otherwise freak out my current church-going circle of friends.



Stay tuned for more Etsy Soul Friends, Part 2 - coming soon!

I Document Time Passing

This week as part of The Next Chapter creative blogger's book club I managed to:

- document time passing (while at the movie theater waiting to see "The Soloist" - good movie btw!)
- connect with my inner critic (BLAH to you!)
- trace my hand (in BLUE)
- connect the dots (in RED)
- cut through several layers (OUCH, my book is crying!)
- doodle over The Cover and The Title Page (They honestly liked that part)

I'm still having fun - hope you 're not bored yet!