Woman

Embracing Womanhood

When one woman honors who she is, all women collectively move closer to becoming what they are capable of being.
There are many ways and myriad reasons for women to honor and embrace all that they are. And when any individual woman chooses to do so, all women collectively move closer to becoming what they are truly capable of being. By honoring her experience and being willing to share it with others—both male and female—she teaches as she learns. When she can trust herself and her inner voice, she teaches those around her to trust her as well. Clasping hands with family members and friends, coworkers and strangers in a shared walk through the journey of life, she allows all to see the self-respect she possesses and accepts their respect, too, that is offered through look, word, and deed. 

When a woman can look back into her past, doing so without regret and instead seeing only lessons that brought her to her current strength and wisdom, she embraces the fullness of her experience. She helps those around her to build upon the past as she does. And when she chooses to create her desires, she places her power in the present and moves forward with life into the future. 

Seeing her own divinity, a woman learns to recognize the divinity in all women. She then can see her body as a temple, appreciating its feminine form and function, regardless of what age or stage of life she finds herself. She can enjoy all that it brings to her experience and appreciate other women and their experiences as well. Rather than seeing other women as competition, she can look around her to see the cycle of life reflected in the beauty of her sisters, reminding her of her own radiance should she ever forget. She can then celebrate all the many aspects that make her a being worthy of praise, dancing to express the physical, speaking proudly to express her intellect, sharing her emotions, and leading the way with her spiritual guidance. Embracing her womanhood, she reveals the facets that allow her to shine with the beauty and strength of a diamond to illuminate her world. 


(Source: DailyOm)

heART and Soul Video

Martina made this video of our first heART & soul class.  To say how awesome and incredible it was in words doesn't do it justice - the video does a much better job of capturing the essence and spirit of our gathering.  Watch and (we hope) enjoy!!

simple and difficult

A fabulous new book!!

"Love one another and you will be happy.  It's as simple and difficult as that."  (Michael Leunig)

What if we simply walked into the world in a more loving way?  What if we learned the difference between loneliness and solitude?  What if we approacbed each situation with one four word question in our minds and hearts; "what would love do?"

mercury retrograde

Mercury, the planet of communication, turns retrograde in Virgo from August 20 to September 12.


Three or four times a year, Mercury appears to move backwards in the sky for approximately three weeks. This is an optical illusion since no planet actually moves backwards or even slows down in their orbits around the Sun. However, it appears to move backwards from our perspective on planet Earth, since the planet may be orbiting at a different speed than the Earth's orbit around the Sun.

Mercury retrograde periods introduce a certain level of confusion for us earthlings. As the planet of communication, Mercury rules speech, our listening abilities, negotiations, buying, selling, travel formal contracts and documents amongst other things -- all of which are affected when Mercury seems to slow down. Mercury rules how we perceive and interpret information and how we in turn act and react to that information as we interact with others.

The Leo Sun also opposes Neptune on August 20, which can have a lackluster, low energy, and marginally disappointing influence leading to muddled thinking and lack of motivation as we start this retrograde period. However, Neptune can be healing and very spiritual, and this can be an excellent time to chill out. August 20 can also have the thrill and flavor of romance about it and definitely a time to make your feelings known since we have a delightfully passionate and enthusiastic meeting of Venus and Mars in an exactly aligned conjunction in Libra.

Mercury retrograde periods affect each one of us differently depending on the placement of this planet in our individual birth charts. The effect on Gemini and Virgo signs, ruled by Mercury, will be stronger, but for other signs it is a time of trivial irritations. Being forced to slow down and develop patience can, however, be a blessing in disguise. It gives us all time to stop, go inward and reflect. Mercury retrograde periods can be times of heightened awareness and creativity, and an excellent time for out of the box thinking, which can sometimes lead to startling revelations.

Use the energies of this Mercury Retrograde period wisely and productively. Take an inward look at your strengths and potential and keep focused on the dreams and goals most important to you. 

Although Mercury retrograde is not the time to start any NEW projects, it is a great time to tie up loose ends and complete projects that are unfinished.

(Source:  http://www.astrology.com/)

Embracing Grief

Grief is Important

Giving ourselves permission to be with sadness actually creates space for us to begin the healing process.

Change is something that happens each and every moment in our lives. Since nothing is constant, it may sometimes seem as if we are losing something whenever things do change. Understanding that this is part of our daily existence and that there will not only be gains but also losses in our lives can help us more readily accept and deal with whatever happens. 

Whenever we lose something or somebody we love, it is important for us to take time out for ourselves and truly feel the weight of what we are experiencing. Although it may seem that doing so will push us into a deeper state of sadness, truly giving ourselves permission to be with whatever arises actually creates space for us to begin the healing process. This is because the act of grieving is a natural process, allowing us to sort through the range of emotions that are present in our everyday existence. Even though it may sometimes seem easier to involve ourselves in activities that take our minds off of our sadness, this will only make the route to healing more difficult. Unless we listen to where we are in the moment, the emotions we experience will only grow in intensity, and our feelings will manifest themselves in more powerful and less comfortable ways. Once we consciously acknowledge that these emotions are present, however, we are more able to soothe the sorrow of t! he moment. In so doing, we become more open to our natural ability to heal ourselves. 

Grieving doesn’t have to be a process that keeps us rooted in our thoughts of fear and sadness. For the moment we might feel despondent, but by expressing and coping with our true feelings, we face the sadness head-on. When we allow ourselves to accept and deal with our loss fully, we will then be able to continue our life’s journey with a much more positive and accepting outlook. This will make it easier for us to see that our grief is ephemeral and, just like our moments of happiness, it will also come to pass. 


(Source: DailyOm)

Mindfulness Moment Monday

The importance of ritual and how to bring ritual into everyday life...........

All the great religions teach that food is a blessing from the Divine and should be treated with immense respect and gratitude. No Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Muslim or Buddhist family would dream of scoffing down a meal without saying a blessing and giving thanks. In China food is considered to be a physical link between humans and the Gods: beautifully prepared meals are given as a sacred offering on the family altars. In the Ayurvedic tradition of India, food is a spiritual science with precise prescriptions of how to prepare and eat food for physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Start by considering the following:

• How do you eat? At table with family or friends? While working? On the run?
• What do you eat? Do you prepare your own food or do you buy ready-prepared processed food?
• Do you ever really taste your food?
• Are you mindful when you eat?

The simplest of rituals can turn even the humble sandwich into a feast for the spirit. The principles of making mealtime sacred are very straightforward - and can easily be adapted to fit your circumstances and preferences.

Preparing "soul" food need not involve new recipes or expensive ingredients. Follow these simple principles to transform the food you eat.

• Say a prayer or blessing before you start. Hold your hands over your ingredients and thank them for giving their life for you. Visualize the journey of your ingredients - how they grew, who tended them, how they came to be on your table. Ask them to help nourish you and your family with love.

• Prepare your food with love and attention. Concentrate on the task at hand - look on it as sacred meditation. Try not to distract yourself by watching television or listening to the radio as you cook. Take time to notice the textures, scents and feel of the food you cooking. Avoid gadgets and processors where possible - hand-chopping brings you closer into contact with the food.

• Think of your cooking as sacred alchemy. Remember you are using all the elements in your cookery - the earth of your raw ingredients; water to cook in; as you stir or beat you are adding in air; and there’s the fire of your stove.

• Pour your hopes and wishes for the people who will eat your food as you cook. Focus your intention as you chop, stir, mix, blend. Cookery is a kind of spell-making. If you add herbs and spices with their magical properties, you can increase the power.

• Lay your table with care - even the simplest meals can be made special by adding a small vase of flowers (a posy of wild flowers, buds or leaves are cheap but lovely); perhaps add a candle. More ideas for table-decoration in the pages which follow.

• Serve your meal so it looks inviting and appetizing. Choose colors which complement each other.

• Say grace or a blessing before eating.

• Eat your food mindfully. Smell the different fragrances before you start to eat. Notice how you choose your food - be aware of putting it on your fork and in your mouth. Don’t just swallow - really taste the food, feel its texture. Make each mouthful mindful.

• Allow time in your meal for conversation and a sense of community. Don’t race up afterwards - sit and talk.

• Clean up with mindfulness and gratitude too. Try adding a few drops of mandarin oil to your washing up liquid to cheer up your senses.

Source:  Jane Alexander;
SACRED RITUALS AT HOME: An easy to follow, highly illustrated book packed with everyday rituals which offer the chance to stop and take stock; to be in the moment; to make us feel more positive, more energised, more relaxed or more confident. This book gives clear instructions on how to create your own rituals: honouring the body; motivating the psyche; boosting relationships; soothing the soul and honouring the seasons. It also gives ideas for a host of rituals – for personal private use or to include family and friends.

Weekly Horoscope - What's in the stars for you?

Weekly Horoscope: Sunday, August 15, 2010

All Signs

The planet Mercury rules all forms of communications and transportation. To be more precise, it a rules all things that go "forward." (Ideas, packages, mail, and items with a destination.) When Mercury goes retrograde, we suffer from increased inefficiency, errors and delays. But it's not so simple as "today Mercury goes retrograde," or "today the retrograde is over." That is too simplistic. For example, this month, Mercury started to slow down by Aug. 8, even though it does not go retrograde until Aug. 20. And when the retrograde is over, on Sept. 12, Mercury doesn't catch up to where it was initially, until September 27. Very tricky! And kinda confusing. It's wise to use that outside window to guide a major purchase of computers, cars, and trucks. (This is my inside track on Mercury's outside track.)



Aries (March 21-April 19)
Every Mercury retrograde is different. And there are generally three Mercury retrogrades each year. This particular Mercury retrograde hits you where you work! It makes your job, and your day to day tasks, frustrating because of errors, delays, lost paperwork, confused communications, computer difficulties, canceled appointments, and just a nightmare of glitches that makes your life tough! Some of these might even impact your health. Possibly, old health issues will resurface. ("My rash is back!") Difficulties with partners and close friends could aggravate your frustration. Fortunately, parties, vacations, romance, sports, and fun stuff are blessed! You win some -- you lose some. (You'll be fine.)



Taurus (April 20-May 20)
This particular Mercury retrograde might resurrect old issues with children -- perhaps the care of children, the maintenance of children, the education of children -- something. Life is really stirring the pot here! Another aspect of your life that might be jiggled is old romance! Old flames and ex-lovers are popping up out of the woodwork. This could be exciting or horrific -- depending on how these relationships ended. Some people stay friends with old flames, and some people don't. (You know who you are.) The upside is you have a chance now to finish creative projects or discover solutions to artistic problems or anything related to sports. Work with what you've got!



Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Because Mercury is the planet that rules Gemini, you suffer from Mercury retrogrades more than most. No question. This particular Mercury retrograde time will bring family and relatives to your doorstep. Family reunions are likely. People crashing on your couch and eating everything in your fridge are also likely. This is certainly a chance to discuss old family business or to bring closure to some issues. It's an excellent time to finish projects at home -- renovating, redecorating or even building. Real estate deals that were initiated more than a week ago, can go forward to completion quite easily now. (Meanwhile, you might want to hide some of your booze.)



Cancer (June 21-July 22)
This is a vicious Mercury retrograde for your sign. Why? Because for the sign of Cancer (this means you) this Mercury retrograde occurs where Mercury lives. In other words, it's at "home" going crazy! This really affects your day to day efforts to do things and talk to people. Therefore, pay your phone bill. Recharge your cell phone. Take care of car repairs. You will encounter transportation delays, missed buses, car breakdowns, confused communications, misunderstandings, lost items, along with cheques that are late in the mail plus increased confusion with siblings, relatives and neighbours. This sounds pretty maddening, doesn't it? Hang in there.



Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
You're the last of the big-time spenders! If you've got the coin, you're lavish. In part, this is because you're very generous, and in part, it's because you're theatrical, dramatic, and you love a good time. Regrettably, this month, you feel financially squeezed. (Ouch.) What happened to all the money? Your credit card debt is rising so fast, it's almost a mystery. (Until you scan the purchases.) Basically, your cash flow has slowed to a dribble. However, this is a good time to take stock and figure out what your assets are, and what you owe. In other words, get a clear picture of your finances. It only feels like it's better "not knowing." In truth, information is power.



Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Good luck, my dear friend. This particular Mercury retrograde is retrograde in your sign! All kinds of people, information, and events from the past are swirling around you now. Ex-partners might be on the scene. But on a day-to-day basis, so many details in your life seem to be piling up, you feel like you're losing control. You forget things, misplace things, or lose things. You might be blowing appointments, or held up with delays, or just feel generally overwhelmed by life. Don't worry! We all have of these times when we are up to our armpits in alligators. Remind yourself that this will pass. (Especially if you drink a lot of water.) A month from now - all this is a memory.



Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
This particular Mercury retrograde is not so bad for your sign. In fact, it will allow you to do a lot of research very quickly and very effectively. You'll find it easy to reach into the past, or come up with solutions and answers to old problems. However, nobody gets off completely with any Mercury retrograde. No doubt, you will feel vaguely unsettled or dissatisfied or mildly worried about something. You might know what it is; you might not. Quite likely, old issues that you repress or shut out or don't want to think about are clamouring for attention in your mind. It's such a drag having to take a look at something you don't want to see -- isn't it? Maybe you could try using two mirrors?



Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Old friends are definitely impacting your world again because of this particular Mercury retrograde. You might run into friendly old faces or unfriendly old faces! (Horrors.) Possibly, you will meet people you once knew through clubs, groups, and organizations. Actually, it's good to have history with people. These encounters might be thought provoking and beneficial. It does appear that something is going to cause you to reassess your goals and dreams for the future. Or you might think about your future in an entirely new way, especially when you see how the years are rushing by. (Time flies when you're unconscious.)



Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
This is a pretty tricky time for your sign. Many of you want to travel now and explore any kind of opportunity that broadens your horizons. You're hungry for adventure because you want more out of life! Nevertheless, this particular Mercury retrograde, which is certainly hovering around you for the next month, is taking place at the very top of your chart. In one way, this means all the little glitches and foolish inefficiency that you experience will probably be rather public! (Major groan.) This could be anything from a flat tire in rush-hour to misplaced important papers during a public speech. Or maybe the microphone won't work? Try to stay on top of things so you don't end up with egg on your face. (If you do -- ketchup helps.)



Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Travel delays, plus delays in publishing, the media, and anything related to higher education, the law, or medicine will definitely dog your steps. It's so frustrating! You are a perfectionist. And now these delays make you look ridiculous and inept. (Is there no justice?) Be comforted by the knowledge that every sign is feeling frustrated by delays for some reason or other. It's the nature of the beast. (Mercury retrograde.) Instead, use this time to do research, or finish anything related to higher education, medicine, the media, publishing, and the law. Despite these snafus, you will finish things quite quickly.



Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Many of you will be dealing with old issues related to taxes, debt, insurance matters, or anything to do with inheritances and jointly held property. Another issue that could be on the table is the challenge of dealing with other people's values, especially when you completely don't agree with them! ("What can they be thinking?") You have a modern, egalitarian view of the world. Sometimes you're amazed and even horrified to see how stuck in the mud other people are. (Whaat?) I suggest you use this time to your advantage to clear up loose details with shared property, inheritances, taxes, and debt. Instead of being stalled in the water, rev that Mercury engine, and go places!



Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
The last time Mercury was retrograde directly opposite your sign was in September 2009. This is always an indication that you have to face old issues with partners, especially ex-partners. It could mean you are similarly dealing with old issues with close friends as well. Whatever the case, all this stuff is back on your plate again. Oy! The downside of Mercury is feeling frustrated with delays. But the upside of Mercury (and incredibly, there is an upside) is that you can quite easily expedite things or finish things or bring them to a conclusion now. Wouldn't it be nice to get rid of this once and for all? Some of you, however, are not dealing with old issues. You're just running into ex-partners -- and all that that implies. (Yikes!)

Copyright © 2003-2010 Georgia Nicols. All Rights Reserved.

Tonight's Reiki Share

Whew!! I feel like a brand new gal! Thanks to Donna, Annette, and Karen who attended Reiki Share tonight.


I so enjoyed sharing the meditation experience with you, and our discussion about the prayerfulness of Reiki. It is so important for us to gather this way, as practitioners (those who practice) of Reiki, to talk about the realities of walking the Reiki path – the struggles and the joys.

Namaste, sisters. It was truly an honor to meet with you this evening!

Yours,

Carolyn

Dr. Mom’s Essential Oils Class: A Holistic Self-Care Option

Everyday we’re hearing about some toxin that is effortlessly invading our home and bodies. Sometimes it is from our food supply. Other times, we are attacking a symptom with OTC synthetic treatments rather than addressing underlying causes to our health decline.

A holistic self-care plan includes nutrition, movement, rest, a beneficial environment, supportive relationships, community work, and spirituality. Tomorrow evening, we will be sampling nine essential oils to support our self care in a holistic way.

• Nutrition: Learn how to naturally clean your fruits. Supplement your food and water with beneficial and flavorful oils. Lavender tea cake will be served. Recipes will be shared.
• Movement: Need a pick-me-up to get you to your exercise class? There are many oils to uplift, circulate, stimulate, and motivate!
• Rest: Nothing like an aromatic bath to soothe your skin. Trouble sleeping? Kids challenged by quiet time? Need to reduce your stress levels? We have great ideas for all of this!!
• Environment: Does the air in your home need purification? Ready to get rid of that problematic mold? Does your home, office, laundry, or bathroom need refreshing?
• Relationships: Looking for romance? Ready to invite touch? Want to add more “mommy magic” to your medicine cabinet? Need some emotional support just for you? We have oils for that, too.
• Community: Share your anti-stress potions with friends and family. Educate others on non-toxic ways to address pathogens and invigorate health.
• Spirituality: Support your practice with meditation, ceremonial oils, and open heart.

Come play with us tomorrow (Thursday) evening. Doors open at 6:15pm. Sample nine essential oils. Go home with your personalized kit of 3-5 oils along with tons of ideas on how to use the oils. Let’s get going with more holistic self-care options!

Dr. Mom's Essential Oils Class
Led by Kim Tedford and Leann Larsson.
Thursday 6:30pm, AUG 5. Doors open at 6:15pm.
Three Sisters' Spirit, 308 W. Broadway, Downtown Waukesha, WI.
Call 262.446.6752 to register.
We want to have enough oils on-hand to fulfill your kit.
Call Kim, 414.476.9335, with questions about class.

Fee: $25.