The Medicine We Carry Within

Last night, I went to a Story Medicine Women's Circle at WMN Space, led by the Alexandra Roxo and The Numinous.  I am so grateful for the evening and its blessings, but I resisted going, right up until the very last minute.  Why?  Why resist something that I'm pretty sure will feel good after? Especially when it deals with something I love- storytelling.  

Maybe it's because so much of my life feels unresolved.  And, instead of a collection of beginnings and endings along a timeline, its feels more like a tapestry of threads in this giant space, with no clear boarder.  Who am I?   

I don't have the answers yet, but I was reminded that all of us have experienced, felt, and learned.  We all have strories to share, even if they feel unfinished.  And, the act of sharing and listening creates new threads that connect us to each other, and to the bigger picture.  Thank you to all the women who showed up and shared their hearts. You are magic 🌟 

Crown Works: Part 3

The Treatment: After a visual Chakra alignment meditation, Andi used her Rose Quartz Comb through my hair, clearing stagnant energy and infusing me with love.  I then got to pick a crystal and relax at the washing station during the essential oil and Reiki treatment.  Sublime Serenity.  And, Magic! 🌟 

The COOLEST Part:   

When her healing hands rested on my eyes- I heard a voice say, "Trust in your magnificence." 

When her hands rested on my ears- I heard, "Roar, Roar, Cartter, Roar!" 

After a deep rest- she removed the towel from my head and eyes, I Very Loudly heard the opening part of the The Lion King 'Circle of Life' song play.  That part of the song that's invigorating, and I also don't know how to spell (you know what I'm talking about).

The rest of the day- I walked around with that rolling/confident Lion strut.  To all my Leo friends out there, I never knew exactly how much fun you must have in life until today.  It feels damn good. 

Crown Works: Part 2

The Consultation: Here come the water works!  I thought I cam prepared with my intention, (to release beliefs that I wasn't _______ enough to direct a great film), but soon realized the root of this issue was much deeper.  Through I query, breath work, and Andi's powerful intuitive listening, we got to the heart of who I am, what I bring with me everywhere I go, what I'm afraid of, and how to show my essence with my hair.   

Most heart melting moment- she asked me when and why I started straightening my curly hair.  When I told her I just do it so it's easier to handle, she came back with this doozy, "Where do you think YOU want/need to be easier to handle?" 💔 Talk about a Wound Wow. 

Crown Works

Crown Chakra Clearing Treatment: Part 1

What happens when you fit a hair practitioner, a minister, a spiritual psychologist, a reiki healer, and intuitive, and a loving heart into one woman?  You get Andi, the founder of @Crown_works! I'm at her salon in Santa Monica, with her crystal combs & round brush rattles, ready to feel what her transformative hair clearing treatment cut is all about. 🌟 

Hold Nothing Back

"Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk; soon you will be home in a new rhythm.  For the your soul senses the world that awaits you."   - John O'Donohue

My Priestess sisters and I lost a dear friend this week, and I was reminded of the blessings that come even in times of bitter grief.  It's taken me years to shift my view of life from a struggle to a gift.  But, somehow along the way, I saw more beauty than pain, and more possibility than guilt.  And, not fully feel the gratitude for this life in all of me. 

In honor of my friend, and this gift, I set sail a boat of ginger leaves, rose petals, prosperity herbs, and rose quartz to the western sea, and read John O'Donohue's Prayer for a New Beginnning.  I am keeping this ginger, and a few words from the prayer, on my alter to honor the beginnings, endings, and transitions in life, and to remember the beauty in every moment.  Thank you, Urban Priestess Mystery School, for the community, connection, support, love, and magic you have brought into my life.  Thank you, sisters, for showing up. ❤️

The Goop Medicine Bags Are Back

The GOOP gals made a surprise visit to the house today, aka the Faery Hub.  We talked about Sage-ing crystals and alter building, while helping @style_rituals get the medicine bags ready fro their new homes.  

Women Rock!

Thank you to my courageous female friends, and to Liz Gilbert for expressing exactly what my heart as felt, all day.  

Getting Kondo'd by Style Rituals

AKA: Ten Experiences from the Closet Cleanse ( In chronological order)

1. Overwhelm - The Giant Pile

2. Self-Doubt - Do I really need to be doing this?  Am I procrastinating from working toward by dreams?/ Damn, it's taking a lot longer than I thought.  

3. Curiosity - Why do I wear things All The Time that don't bring me joy? 

4. Excitement - Feels like I'm moving on from more than the clothes. From also the past, and the struggles & grief.  

5. Insight - The Born Again Church is brilliant, from a marketing perspective. 

6. More Curiosity/Fear - Am I doing all of this so I can try to fix something I don't like inside myself? 😬 

7. Identity Crisis - If none of these clothes are "me" anymore, who am I? Shit. F*ck the clothes, Who Am I?!  

8. Relief/Peace - Everything put in it's new place.  

9. Joy/Fun - Bringing happiness to friends whom I gifted the clothes.  And, burning something from a past betrayal.  

10. Stillness/Curiosity - Lots of empty space. What's coming into life next? Hmm.... 

Special thanks to @stylerituals, @the_numinous, & @mariekondo 

Getting Kondo'd by Style Rituals

AKA: Did I Sage All the Shame Out? 

We made it! I've thanked every dress, shoe, shirt, belt, and pant that no longer brings me joy (1/2 the closet, at least).  I blessed every item and wished them love on the next journey.  Then, feeling lighter, I sat on the joy pile and cleared each piece with sage before putting everything away.  

Getting Kondo'd by Style Rituals

AKA: Don't Mix Cleanses  

Day 3: Doing a big closet/ house clearing is moving energy around that we can't always see or notice right away.  All of our belongs are attached with energy from our past- heartbreaks, initiations, celebrations, fears, and energy that doesn't even belong to us.  It's a lot. I learned this the hard way, of course.  

While on the CLoset Cleanse kick, why not do a quickie caffeine detox too?  This is why: see below.  I forgot to take my own medicine.  One step at a time can be enough.  Also, too much cleansing can leave you bare.  Another also, I f*ucking love black tea, and the occasional Coke.  To be continued...once this migraine subsides. 

Getting Kondo'd by Style Rituals

AKA: Introducing the idea of Practical Joy

Day 2:  Afte going through everything, and I mean everything, the clothes pile that "brought me Joy" was really tiny.  Feeling disheartened, I put each piece on at once and, feeling a new sense of inspiration, when back through the main pile. Now there are 4 piles: 1- Discard; 2- Brings me joy but I rarely wear; 3- doesn't bring joy but I wear every week (What's up with that??); & 4- the strong sensations pile.  Style Rituals to the rescue.  She suggested embracing the idea of "practical joy," and feeling the clothes for that.   I'm more of a bite-off-more-than-you-can-chew Joy, kind of gal, so this is something new.  I'll keep you posted.  

The Marie Kondo Experience

AKA: The Sometimes terrifying joy of Self-Care.  

Day 1:  Self-Care means loving and honoring our Sacred Space, all of it- body, mind, spirit, and environment.  So, inspired by @stylerituals and her interview w/ The Numinous (where she shares the cliff's notes version of Marie Kondo's best selling Tidying Up book), I've pulled everything out of the closet and credenza.  I guess it's more of a "tough love" kind of day. :/ We can do this.  

Labyrinth

The Labrynth - a walking meditation into your center.  This giant spiral labyrinth was made by Priestesses in Northern California out of sea shells and crystals, in honor of the West, and the element of Water.  Honor your path, Love your center.  

Rinse and Repeat

Artist Unknown 

Valentine's Mandala Making