Page of Wands - Earth of Fire

Page of Wands

Earth of Fire

"A pretty pepper I may be, 

but take a bite and then we'll see." - PoW rx

Light - When fire stirs within, in is captured by the light in ones eye.

Energy - Fire is the fuel to your soul, igniting the drive to live with passion.

Fiesty - Little dragon spitting fire, did you not get your way?

)o(

Love and Light,
Amanda

Page of Cups ~ Earth of Water

Page of Cups

Earth of Water

"Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time 
like dew on the tip of a leaf" - Rabindranath Tagore

The Page of Cups is:

Soft - She is pliable to beauty, gentle at heart.

Protected - She is given life from the nurturing shield of love.

Muddy -  Says the Page of Cups rx ~ I fell. I'm stuck. I refuse to get up.

)o( 

Love and Light,

Amanda

Page of Swords - Earth of Air

Page of Swords

Earth of Air

There is a beauty in those 

that have the ability to think above the rest.

The Page of Swords is:

Fast: With room to fly, this page is quick minded, bright and full of ideas. From the ground up, watch as his childlike dreams take flight.

High: As on a mountaintop; this page has the ability to rise to the steepest of heights, receive his message, then share his good news on a level equal to you.

Crumble: "Behind my smile is a hurting heart | Behind my laugh, I'm falling apart | Look closely at me and you will see, the girl I am... isn't me." | Created by: WildRose / SnowDrop

Page of Pentacles ~ Earth of Earth

Page of Pentacles

Earth of Earth

The Page of Pentacles is:

Grounded - connecting the heart of the earth to the heart of the tallest tree.

Basic o What you see is what you get.

Destructive + "When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. REVELATION 6:12-14

Love and Light,

Amanda

The Ruined Girl - Page of Wands rx

She breaks my heart.

The Page of Wands in reverse is a very damaged soul. At such a young age, this Spirit should be too young and naive to be this bent. Unfortunately, I would have to summarize that this little Page has seen more than most at a very young age, and has reverted into his or her shell to avoid further pain.

The scary thing about our Page of Wands rx, Cosette (as referenced from Les Misérable), is her lack of life experience to properly deal with and see that tomorrow can be better. Tomorrow can be different.

Strickingly opposite from her right-side self, our little Cosette does not see how she can defend herself from the terrors in her world. She does not have the independence to see past the dust brought up from her broom. She lives in a world of victimhood where she does not use her voice to say enough. When beaten, she does not fight back. She lives in her head, her intelligence a secret. She can dream of a better tomorrow, but believes it is only that. A dream. Sticks and stones, do break he bones. And names... become reality.

Of all my Pages in rx, I do believe that the Page of Wands can make the most dramatic of changes. Robert Graves says it best. 

"To bring the dead to life is not great magic.

Few are wholly dead:

Blow on a dead man's embers and a live flame will start"

In my earlier post about the Page of Wands, I included the video of Annie singing 'Tomorrow'. Here, you will see, Cosette, and notice that their actual life circumstances are quite similar. The difference being, however, how each child embraces their future. Where Annie believes she is the captain of her own future, Cosette is resigned to living in her head.

)o(

Love and Light,

Amanda

Do you have those moments where you wished you stood up for yourself? Do you get lost in daydreams, or make dreams happen?

The Page of Wands in Quote.

The Spirit of Sarah believes:

Career and Finances

Happy is the New Wealthy

Health

Relationships

Travel and Lifestyle

Education

Spiritual Awarness and Self Development

)o(

Love and Light,

Amanda

If the PoW shows up, ask yourself: Do you love what you're doing? Are you fuelling your heart with life? Are you receiving love? When you jump, is it for joy? Did you learn something today because you wanted to? Does your new lifepath scare you? If not, your candle my friend, has burnt out.

A Christian Witch? No. Maybe? Yes!

Day #18 - Publish a post I'm afraid to publish.

Well, that's easy.

I think I might be a witch.

I know. Scary thought... especially considering the Wicked Witch of the West scared the hell out of me as a child. The witches in Macbeth made me twitch. The face I remember most, the witch that made me cringe with fear... was the old bat from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. (Insert shrug)

And then there is Gena Rowlands who plays Violet Devereaux in The Skeleton Key. That ladies and gentlemen, makes my skin crawl. Not with fear, really. But with a deep, complete and total belief that, maybe... just maybe... there is more to this world than meets the eye.

Finally, there is the witch woman who came to my bed as a very young child for years. I would say up until I was maybe 9 or 10 years old. There she was, the same woman reaching down for me in her shadow cast. I never saw her face. I never heard her voice. But her message was always clear. I belonged "with" her. Obviously, I grew out of her, and her apparition has since ceased. A gone but not forgotten childhood memory.

That was until my daughter woke me up one day. The lady in black reached down to come and get her while she was sleeping... "she wanted me to be 'with' her, but I want to stay 'with' you."

I kindly asked that she stay away from my #ministarlite, and that if she really needed to be around, she could deal with me directly and that my daughter was off limits to her. We've only had a few issues since, mainly, I think, because I have finally embraced her existence as being something real. A message. Guidance.

A weird thing has happened since this acceptance thing. I don't see her anymore. But I sense her. Like she is 'with' me. Gently pulling me, asking me, showing me... there is more. It's in me, around me and part of me. I am drawn to her.

Mother Moon. Goddess Night.

So what does this have to do with me being a witch? Good question. Since having decided to define my #spriritualpurpose, I have learned to embrace the principles of Tarot. The principles behind this lifestyle and guidance tool comes very natural to me. The elemental makeup of Tarot is a very clean and clear soul code. While learning and delving into all things Tarot, obviously I've come across many new principles, people, ideas and lifestyles. These new introductions include Wiccan and Paganism.

Initial reaction: ((((shudder))))
I am raised Roman Catholic, which means, I was taught that all things pagan and Wiccan... was... is... devil worship.

And now, just wait before you start smashing your brooms at me. Please read the above statement, several times until you understand what I actually wrote, instead of what you think I meant.

"I was taught that Wiccan... was... is... devil worship."

I NEVER believed it, but I never knew enough to know and ask the right questions. It never occurred to me that someday, the answers would come to me.  Who knew? Wiccans don't even believe in the Devil or Hell... this negative and mind controlling concept is actually Christian.

Core principles of value to me ~ before taking foot on this SpiritRoad I find myself currently walking:

Bare feet on plain earth calms me down immediately. It also has the strange ability to get rid of my headaches.
God and I have a better conversation when we spend the day in nature, than an hour spent at Mass.
The Triple Goddess seems the most natural of life cycles... even Mother Mary was a Virgin, Mother, Crone.
I open windows in the morning to let negative energy out, and Spirit in.
I believe in Angels, and I allow them to carry me when I am at my worst.
Everyone around me knows when the full moon is coming, simply by my change in behaviour. I am deeply affected by it's power.
I believe I have a responsibility to Mother Nature, and Mothers of the world. And although they can each be defined individually, they are... we are... one. And each deserve to be protected, respected and cared for.
I believe that the answer to our future lay on the tongue of those people, whose culture and lifestyle face a real and very near extinction.
It hurts my heart to know that 'we' are not learning from our Grandmothers. It hurts my soul that we are not teaching our daughters. We cannot teach what we do not know.
The world will stop turning, and it will be because we refuse to fix the mistakes of our closest ancestors with the lessons of our oldest ancestors.
A sachet of herbs set with the best of intentions, has power.
An offering is acknowledgement that there is more to this world than I. Without the abundance with which this world gives me to use (and by many abuse), I am nothing.
Running tap water drives me crazy. Stop wasting water.
Boiling water from a pot for tea, tastes better than heating it up in a microwave.
Cooking with wooden spoons makes food taste better.
The older the cast iron pot, the better the meal.
Holding the hand of a loved one in complete silence so very intimate, sensual and healing.

I have a responsibility.

Maiden. Mother. Crone.

Student. Teacher. Mentor.

)o(

In love and light, I embrace my fear.
Amanda

Magic Monday ~ Tir Nan Og

Found this little gem while walking the streets of Kingston. It's a fabulous little Irish Pub with a spell of magic and I just had to share.





TIR NAN OG IS THE LAND TO WHICH THE
IRISH FAERIES KNOWN AS
TUATHA DE DANANN FLED WHEN THEIR
LANDS WERE TAKEN BY THE MILESIANS
IN TIR NAN OG THEY SPEND THEIR DAYS
FEASTING GAMING AND PARTAKING 
OF BEAUTIFUL MUSIC
THE FAERIES CAN EVEN ENJOY THE 
THRILL OF BATTLE FOR ANYONE 
IS RESURRECTED THE FOLLOWING DAY
IT IS THE PARADISE
ONLY MORTALS DREAM OF

as per the Tir Nan Og Irish Pub mural in Kingston, ON


)O(

Love and Light,
Amanda

~ A lesson in Tarot: Can't you just picture an Isle full of 

The Fools and Pages running around wild and silly?~

Sarah ~ Spirit of the Wand

Page of Wands - General Meaning

Sarah comes out the womb kicking and screaming... anxious to start living life to the fullest. She follows the light, and is convinced that the answers can be found by searching the stars.

Naturally connected to Spirit, this young page is full of energy and belief. Belief in humanity, society and spirituality. Communicating these beliefs with others fuels her fire, and when she learns something new she is the first to run out and learn more about it.

A piece of quiet time does her well, but only when she's tired of running her mouth and trying to mentally solve the worlds problems. As soon as she's aerated her little fire, she's right back at it, her energy like fiery little bouncy curls, untameable and full of life. She's quick to start and quick to learn. This is important, because she tends to let her emotion and intuition set her on course and needs to rely on her ability to learn from her mistakes so she can move on at a pace and speed she needs to.

Even early on, she is a leader. Always looking to teach and tell. The spirit to move and travel, is a strong pull inside her. If she can't physically make the move, for financially travel... she will dive into books, documentaries, anything that can take her where her heart longs, she'll get her hands on and fill her heart with the mysteries and magic of the world.

She's the little girl you find in the library, reading well beyond her years. Offering to open doors for the elderly. Beating down the bully, and the first to offer a shoulder to cry on.

Give Sarah a podium, a link to Spirit and a new experience... and you've given this lil Page her Elements of Success.

Page of Wands BuzzWords

Change, Creation, Creative, New Beginnings, Competitive, Caring, Smart, Communication, Excited Hyper, Free Spirited, On the Cuff, Loyal, Enthusiastic, Positive, Infectious, Curious, Entertaining, Leader, New Start

"Leaping lizards" it's true! 

Annie as Page of Wands turns grey skies blue!

On a closing note, I'd like to share this with you...
~This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine~
Every time you hear this little diddy, know that the PoW is close at hand, and a very positive new start is just around the corner.

)o(

Love and Light,
Amanda

The Knot Prayer ~ Magic Monday

#magicmonday 

)o(

Love and Light,

Amanda

Plastic Canvas ~ Stitching My Way to Freedom

I can't believe it's been 20 years since I bought the "Fashion Doll House in Plastic Canvas" by Kooler Design Studio. I remember seeing it at the now defunct 'Lewiscraft' in Lethbridge AB, all those years ago. Normally, cross stitching was my craft of choice, but this stopped me dead in my tracks.

Kooler Design Studio

I had to make this for my daughter.

Trying to convince my mother, the one who was going to fork out the $40 for me to have this, was a challenge. "You're 15, you don't even know if you're going to have a daughter." This was one of those moments where I needed to revert to childlike behaviour. I was ready and willing to throw a toddler like tantrum until my mother caved.

Amazingly, my mom gave in, and I won. I walked out of that store eager and excited to make this doll house, knowing in my heart, my baby girl was would enjoy it... sooner or later.

If we FWD ten years later (sooner than I would have guessed) to February 28th 2004, at the foothills hospital and just after 30 hours of labour, there she was... my Mini Starlite, the love of my life. Of course, in my minds eye, I had pictured finishing the doll house first, getting married, decorating the nursery to match the doll house, and presenting it when I arrived home with her bundled in my arms.

I don't think there is enough online blog space to write what actually happened.  So let's just say this... life happened. The doll house didn't.

My first real attempt at making this blasted thing, I mean... family heirloom... was just after getting home from the hospital. Excited to get out of the house and introduce the best baby ever to the world, I took my Mini Starlite to the craft store. Overweight, sweaty, lactating and pushing around a stroller the size of King Kong in a craft store... was not my one of my best ideas. I did not have enough life experience to understand what I was getting into, namely, the needs of a new born. Needless to say, that doll house was going to have to wait another day.

FWD another five years and I find myself back in Ottawa. Not happy. I still had a few months left before having to go back to work. Very happy. I unpacked for like the 7th time in 3 years. Not happy. I find the FDH craft book. Very happy. Back to the craft store I go, only to find out they no longer carry plastic canvas. Not happy. A quick search on the internet and $300 later, I have a box FULL of plastic canvas. Me happy. The Man Star, not happy.

Around the same time, I decided I was going to commit to finishing all projects that I started including, obviously, the doll house. I started this whole "clickity clack" business, as mi familia likes to call it, in September of 2009. And the lessons I've learned about life, my life... has been detoxifying, motivating and self inspiring.

2009'ish:
The foundation - This is going to be big. Much bigger than I thought. I wonder if I chewed off more than I can handle. Whatever, I just want to get started. The foundation is actually quite boring. I want to get to the good stuff, I'll come back to it.

The living room - Now this is cool. I love the colours and the way every is coming together. Might not be my best work, but I'm figuring it out, getting better at it every stitch of the way.

A Lesson from Tarot ~ The Fool in Rev: You cannot win the race with a false start.

2010'ish:
The Kitchen - Dang. This is much harder than I thought it was going to be. Why does a doll house need so much detail? Can't wait till this is done. Okay, a million pieces stitched... and I still have to put this thing together. Boy, my daughter better love playing with this thing.

A Lesson from Tarot ~ Ten of Wands: I have three choices, carry on, delegate, or walk away.

2011'ish:
The Hallway - I should have followed the instructions. There is strategy in instructions. I can only blame myself for making this so hard.


The Bedroom - "You want it purple? But the instructions say pink. It is a Barbie house." "But I have to play with it and I hate pink." "Purple it is."

A Lesson from Tarot ~ The Emperor & The Empress: While there is stability in structure, there is Spirit in creation.

2012'ish:
The Other Hallway - Whatever, lets just get this thing done and forget about it. This isn't fun anymore. I give myself the weekend to focus and finish.

The Bathroom - Okay, good. Temper tantrum over. I've stepped away. Inhale/exhale. I can see the finish line. I can see a house. I'm am learning some new techniques.

A Lesson from Tarot ~ Five of Wands in Rev: Face your challenges. The reward is in the resolution.

2013'ish:
The Attic - Well, I've pissed around long enough now to realize... my baby is no longer plays with Barbie. Oh well. I've come to far to give up.

The foundation (again) - Who would have thought. Four years later, and I'm re-stiching the foundation of the house, because I didn't do it the first time. However, this time it looks fresh. Complete. And it's some of the best stitching I've done to date.

But wait...does this mean... I finished what I started? Why am I not over joyed? Why am I not crying? Where is that sense of... Yes! I am a superstar!!

A Lesson from Tarot ~ Eight of Pentacles in Rev: Do what you love, and avoid the search for self worth.

Of all the things I coulda, shoulda and woulda... this is my #magicmoment: I will finish what I start, but only if it has value and because I really want to.

Goodbye books that that I've held on to for years, but have no desire to read. I hope someone else enjoys you. See you later material bought in the '90s, may your retro'ness be repurposed. Crafts, clothes and other crap... you'll be great $5 fillers at the garage sale.

My heart races and my hands itch... I am so excited to have finally learned to let go. In the process of letting go, I am opening the door to new adventures. Adventures that will forever be #indigospirit inspired.

1000's of stitches... 100's of hours... and even more curse words later... 

I've built the house. It is a home. And you are Welcome...

 just don't forget to BYOBarbie 

)o(

In love and light,
Amanda

Throwback Thursday ~ My Mom, the Rock Biter

"They look like big, good, strong hands..."Rock Biter

It's a weird thing to come across Rock Biter after all these years and have him remind me of my mother. And no, before you get ridiculous, my mother does not bite rocks.

My mom was never really one to self-criticise, at least not in front of us kids. Ask my Mini Starlite what her mother doesn't like about herself, and I'm sure she'd come up with a list (I know I know, be careful of what you say in front of the little ones). I digress...

The one thing I do remember my Mom talking about was/is her hands. Her "big farm man hands", as she refers to them. As a child she worked hard on the farm, which served to be her course in life. The strength of her "big, good, strong hands..." has allowed her to care for her family, physically and financially.

On the flip side, it was difficult for her to find something as simple as a pair of leather gloves that fit. Bracelets and watches were always to small. Not until recent years did she ever feel like her hands were pretty enough for manicures. And now as I watch the arthritis manifest, it saddens me to see the strength slip away.

The physical strength only. Because deep inside those "big farm man hands", was love, compassion and caring touch stronger than any rock. If the day comes when things start slipping through her fingers, and she can no longer hold on... I will be there to hold her hand.

Those "big, good, strong hands..." raised us with a gentle touch. Their tenderness will not be soon forgotten, and their Spirit will live on forever.

)o(

Love and Light,
Amanda

Wisdom Wednesday - The Way As Led by Inukshuk

It has become a yearly family Starlite tradition to build an Inukshuk. This little hobby started when we moved out East, and came across these little guys along the Trans Canada. Growing up Canadian, this is not a new sight, I mean most of us have seen these somewhere in our adventures. And if you haven't noticed them since the Vancouver Olympics, you've essentially been living under a rock. Pun intended.
In Ontario, however, these seemed to pop up more and more the closer we got to Ottawa.

At one point we found ourselves in North Bay, on a tiny little beach and the sun was setting. My Manstar decided he was going build an Inukshuk. This little stone statue was a poignant mark in our journey as little arms stretched from east to west... from one home to the next. Every year since, he's built one, marking another step on our adventure.

It was a pleasant surprise when I came home one day to find the above StoneMan in my front yard. The message within the gift let me know that this is home. My home. Our home. A home in which you are welcome.

)o(

Love and Light,
Amanda

Do you have a family tradition? What makes your house a home?

Tarot Tuesday - Wishing Stones, a Poem

Wishing Stones

An old, frail woman sits in a rocking chair.

Rocking slowly, gently, back and forth.

The floorboards beneath her creek softly.

She is dressed in black.

Hair held back with two hair clasps.

A pouch dangles from her arm.

A drawstring wrapped around her wrinkled wrist.

There is a rustle heard nearby.

A small girl appears.

Dress in white dress, with small imprints of daisies on it.

Hair tied into a braid.

Timidly she inches over to the woman.

The woman unravels the drawstring from her wrist.

She opens the pouch, and five small stone fall into her lap.

Each stone is unique in its own way.

Different sizes, shapes and textures.

The little girl is face to face with the woman.

She hands her each stone carefully, and with great care. She holds 

the stone and with each stone she tells her wish for the little girl.

The first stone with the inscription STRENGTH

My wish is that you have the strength to endure the past, the present, the future. 

To fight all the evil and conquer it in the name of good.

Next comes CREATE

My wish is for you to create memories. Some of them good and 

some of them bad. To even life out. And that each bad memory you 

create only equals more memories that are good.

Then DREAM

My wish is that your dreams come true in your life, as well as the people around you.

Next MAGIC

My wish is that your days been filled with magic, both unreal and

real. Both created by you, and created by other people around you.

Finally WISH

My wish is that these wishes as well as many others to come your 

way. Also, that each wish is better then the last one.

The little girl admires the stones.

The woamn opens the pouch and picks eachs tone one at a time,

and places them in the pouch.

The woman hands the pouch to the little girl and says "For safe

keeping"

The little girl smiles an runs out the door.

Giggles are heard.

The woman continues to rock.

by LostTraveller

I came upon this poem and so dearly love the story and message behind it. It inspired me to create the "Wishing Stone" tarot spread. I hope you enjoy the poem, and are inspired to ask Spirit for guidance with your next wish.

This is a fun spread to do if you already have a "Wishing Stone". If you don't, now is a great time to out and spend some time with self and find one. No rules. Wherever your heart leads you, is where you must go. Specialty store... the riverbed... even your own backyard. Once you've connected with your wishing stone, hold it in your hand and think of a wish you'd like to manifest. Place the stone in front of you, and pull five cards, laying each one above your stone like a crown.

           3

    2    ...    4

1...  Stone ... 5

Spread Interpretations

1. What you will need to let go of in order to move forward with making your wish come true.

2. What you need to be open to in order to create space for your wish to come true.

3. How helping others can help you to fulfill your own dreams.

4. How Spirit is already helping you achieve your wish. 

5. The outcome of your wish. How your wish will most likely manifest itself in your life.

)o(

Love and Light,
Amanda


What was your last, full bodied, heart set wish? Are you still waiting on that wish to come true? What have you done lately to remind universe of your desire?

Magic Monday ~ Wish Upon a Stone

The vows of my marriage. Cast in stone.

As my sixth anniversary looms, I got to thinking about what we have, tangibly, that represents our wedding outside the obvious rings, pictures...etc. What is that one 'thing' we shared six years ago that still holds power today? What is at the foundation our marriage?

What is at the foundation of anything that lasts the test of time?

“ When all the water has gone, only the largest stones will still remain in the riverbed.” 

African Proverb

Think about the value we place rock. As an international community, our faith in stone is a common and shared experience. Stone has a tangible beauty, and has the energy to capture our deepest desires and display the beauty of our most talented. It represents our loved ones, and allows us to cast hate on those we shun.

As I started to think about stone and our culture, it was pretty easy to come up with some really powerful and memorable concepts. These are just a few that came to mind straight away:

Gazing upon Medusa will turn you to stone
Moses carried the word of God on two tablets carved in stone
Headstones are the physical worlds representation of loved ones who've passed. Their life's story carved into the stone like a tagline.
Rocks are a child's must have first collection. The Mini Starlite had rocks in her pockets for years, always searching, always collecting.
Remember this little diddy "Sticks and stones may break my bones..." We know now that stones hurt for a minute, while names can hurt a life time.
Stonehenge, Easter Island, Mont Rushmore, self-made camp fire rings
Rolling Stones... Stone Temple Pilots, lol I know, I digress

Regardless, I bet most, if not all of the above said stone references immediately invoked some kind of visual memory.

If you attended my wedding, you would remember receiving an intention stone to be held throughout our ceremony. The power, friendship, energy and love continue to surround us each and everyday. There are times when I wonder, how did we get through this or that? There are other days when I am so full of joy and blessings, I wonder why me? It's of no mystery to me where it comes from, the stone at our foundation was set with intention and love, by family and friends. I can't imagine a life built on anything else.

A wedding isn't an everyday occurrence. A dream, wish or intention can come at anytime for any reason. Because of this, an intention stone, prayer stone or wishing stone is the perfect gift from Spirit. It is readily available whenever we need it, and it can be found anywhere our feet be placed on ground.
The magic behind the stones is the the ability to personalize the process of getting one. Stone before the intention/intention before the stone? Doesn't matter. What matters is that you take the time to look. To search, inside and out.

How to set your intention stone:

Hold the stone in your hand, close your eyes and visualize your intention. Take a deep breath, hold it for five seconds. Take one more deep breath and top it off, setting your desire firm. Exhale to the count of 5 seconds, releasing your wish to the universe.

The rest is up to you. With the stone set, you can give it back to Mother Earth knowing she will keep your dream safe. You can write your intention on the stone and keep it where you'll be reminded of it. Start a prayer pile, and keep adding to it as you set your intentions. What you do with the stone has endless opportunities, as long as you harm none.

Have fun looking for your prayer stone. Enjoy the process of making a wish. And may all your dreams come true.

)o(

Love and Light,
Amanda

I Got This! A Summer Solstice Tarot Spread

Edward Cullen shouldn't be the only one with the ability to sparkle in the Sun.

Sidenote: I mean really, I just dropped a dime on some sparkle spray so that I too can look luminescent when I'm out playing in the rays of my energy source.

Let the power of the Solstice fill you with confidence. Face the world with brilliance, and let them know:

"I Got This!" 

1

2 ............... 3

4 ..... SUN..... 5

6 ............... 7

8

1. Live with passion. Embrace the power of the Sun.

2. Upcoming possibilities. The door to success is opened by...

3. Time to play. Enjoy this gift.

4. Time to be serious.

5. Welcome advice.

6. Beware what lies in the shadows.

7. How to improve, now that you're aware. 

8. A burden lifted. Let it go.

Enjoy!

)o(

Love and Light,

Amanda

Let the Sun Shine In ~ Bathing in Litha

The longest day of the year is just around the corner and this Leo can't wait to celebrate! 

The Sun by Mitsuki Hayashi

This will be my first official Litha, where I will consciously be acknowledging the Sun. Everything about this festival excites me. This solstice is filled with fire, creation, life energy, and spirit. The Sun reaches his highest point, sending shadows and bad energy racing from their hideaways. These spaces are filled with the beauty and regenerative rays of the sun, strengthening our resolve and filling us with golden pieces of truth and growth. The vibrations of the sun are felt by every living thing, stimulating growth. Filling you with life.

This magical day is filled with passion. Fill your festivities with dance and bright colours, flower picking and sexy time (please practice both with the utmost of care and respect).  It is so important to fill your days by enjoying the sun. Those of us in the North know that Sun days are as good as gold and we should treat these days as such.

Life is to be enjoyed. Take these pieces of golden beauty and give thanks. Let the blessings abound and the sacredness tingle right through to your soul.

Celebrate the Solstice the Indigo way:

Spirit Self ~ Fill your space with fresh flowers. Anything in full bloom has been kissed by the sun and is the perfect bouquet for celebration. If picking the flowers yourself, make sure you thank the Mother for her gift.

Visit Shining Soul Yoga for Guidance

Family and Loved ones ~ A BBQ with corn, (kernels of the sun) , and some freshly squeezed homemade sun juice, (most commonly know as Lemonade), is a brilliant way to spend Litha.

Community ~ There are so many celebrations and festivals, make sure you take a boo in your local events calendar. If you're living in the Ottawa area, check out the Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival

Spirit ~ Let yourself enjoy a few Sun Salutations.

I wish you Love and Light this Solstice.

)o(

Amanda

How will you be spending the Midsummer Dream? What element most represents the sun to you?

Benny be Bad - Behaviour of the Page of Cups Reverse

You know who he is... Benny. 

Most of us have had a Benny in our lives. You know, the one that just can't shut up. Is completely inappropriate at all times. Suffers from prolonged teenage angst. Starting to sound familiar?

Consider these settings as it relates to Benny:

Celtic Dragon Tarot ~ PoC rev

A surprise baby shower is being held for one of your co-workers. You know, the quite little cute one who sits in the corner, does her work, and really truly never utters a bad word about anyone or anything? She's kinda that churchy, 'I'm most looking forward to taking my baby to story time at the library', sweet thing. Everyone is eating cake, she's rubbing her belly shy like and a bit embarrassed by all the attention. In comes Benny, late of course, full of pomp. "So Lydia, I was talking to a friend who said her baby's head was so big she teared from front to back. Doesn't having your woohoo stitched up scare the shit out of you?"

Crickets.

The family is having a get together to discuss an aging grandparent's dimensia. They're considering bringing him home to live until the progression of the ailment gets to much for them to handle. They'd like to be around during the onset of the disease, to ease the transition of the grandfather, making him a 'new' addition to the family setting. A setting of which the 22 year old Benny still finds himself in as he hasn't quite embraced taking care of himself yet.  "Do what ever you want. Just remember he's your responsibility not mine. And for the record, I'm not giving up my bedroom."

Crickets.

Benny and Sue have been in a relationship for  almost a year. They met the first week of college and seem to have hit it off. Sue, being super busy with her studies, didn't mind the lack of quality time as it allowed her to focus on her studies and maintain a relationship without the guilt of having to decide between good grades and quality time with her man. At first, she thought his giving her space was cute, and endearing. She realizes that Benny's abscence might have been more selfish than she'd like to admit. "Listen Sue, we didn't spend that much time together before. School's out, so what? That doesn't mean we need to spend more time together now. Get over it."

Crickets

Benny's friend is having his bachelor party. They've reserved a VIP at the local club. Boys will be boys, and they're definitely living up to being boys. As the night progresses, Benny is living it up a little more than the rest. As is his nature when things aren't about him, he will find away to make sure at some point his presence will be talked about and remembered. Bachelor boy is starting to wind down, and the 'boys' are getting ready to go home. Just as they get ready to leave, in comes the waitress with trays full of shooters. It doesn't take long to figure out where they came from... "Ladies, my boy is getting married... shooters for the ladies who can remind him what he's giving up!" says Benny who's managed to convince the DJ to give him some airtime.

Crickets.
Sheer Madness.

He's a pest. And he's a pain. And yet, people still want him around. Benny has a few lessons to learn, obviously. But more importantly, the PoC rev needs to get to the root of what is causing him conflict and emotional pain. There is a reason for his behaviour, and although it's tough to ride it out, patience with this one will pay off in the long run. 

)o(

Love and Light,
Amanda

Have you ever been 'bitten' by Benny?
Pick a scenario above. How would you deal with Benny?

A Fitness Forecast

At this point in life, my physical state is in pain. The controlling part of me wants to say I have an answer as to why. Unfortunately it's not that easy, which is why I find myself trapped in the everyday bi-polarism of self hate and love. I cannot bare to tell you the extremes I flip flop through over the course of the day as I struggle with my physical self. Specifically, the physical state of my body. Achy knees, one too many shawarma hips, a backside that comes out the top of my pants, arms that can't 'push' me up, and boobs I hate to love. It pains me, as I "think" I am quite confident, and then I see myself in pictures. I do not look how I feel. And I do not feel how I look. Does that make sense?

As an Indigo, I have come to believe that taking care of this body, the only one I've got, is first and foremost. In the physical sense, if treated like a vessel and cared for deeply, it will allow me to successfully achieve all the other aspects of life's senses. If I am able to care for self, I am able to care for others. If I learn to nurture self, I will learn to nurture Mother Earth. If I am able to connect with self, I will be able to connect with universe. I must first service that which has been given to me as my physical charge, so that I may in turn service as many as I can with a clean, clear and non-hypocritical energy.

"To offer, I must receive. To teach, I must learn. 

To succeed, I must fail. To guide, I must find."

I still feel like I'm walking around with my pre-baby 23 year old cheer leading body. I'm not.
I feel chunky, clunky and old. I'm not.

How can one body, one mind, contradict itself so much? I don't have the answer to that... but I'm willing to work on it. I've created the Fitness Forecasting spread to guide me through the week. Here's how it works: I separate my cards into courts, majors and minors. I do a clean shuffle for each pile and place them in the following order

Fitness Forecast Tarot Spread

1. Court
   2. Major
3. Minor 4. Minor 5. Minor 6. Minor 7. Minor 8. Minor 9. Minor

1. My behavoiral trait over the course of the week
   2. A message from Spirit (can be either a reward or warning)
3-9. Daily doses of "food for thought"

Here we go... Week 1

Knight of Swords
Sun
Mon Ace of W | Tue III of P | Wed IV of C rev | Thu IX of Wands | Fri III of S rev | Sat VII of S |        Sun III of C rev

Basically, what this is telling me is that I will be faced with a week where I will be living fast and needing to make quick, on the spot decisions. Essentially, I need to be aware of and avoid fast food.

Spirit is telling me that I am that top of my game, I have the energy and positive attitude to see me through the up and coming week. This is good news, as it seems I will be faced with some serious personal challenges throughout the week.

Food for Thought:
Monday - Track and journal
Tuesday - Maintain clear goal
Wednesday - Tired of being tired.
Thursday - Get through it. I will beat her.
Friday - What hurts?
Sat - Creative Discipline
Sun - Don't give in. Don't give up. You're only cheating yourself.

Good luck and have fun with this spread. And remember, tarot is like weather forecasting. You can't always be right, but at least you'll have an idea of what to expect.

Check back for daily and weekly updates as I work on "the outside".

)o(

Love and Light,
Amanda

When you look in the mirror, is what you see a reflection of how you feel?
How does your physical self affect your spiritual self?
 

Cupcakes & Page of Cups

Page of Cups ~ Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

To sit down with my dear sweet friend, the Page of Cups, fills my heart and makes me long for the days filled with untarnished dreams. There is an air of excitement about her, but she keeps to herself at first, watching the passers by as she collects her thoughts. She's working on something, I can see it in her eyes. The early morning sun, surrounded by a dose of signature Capital humidity has her captivated and inspired. I can't wait to see how this early morning meeting is going to transform into a glorious new cupcake.

The PoC on work, health, love, lifestyle and spiritual direction

IS: From the PMO's office to cupcake aficionado. How?

Paige: Right? It was one of those things that could never be planned for. I mean I dreamed about it all the time, having my own cupcakery... but I'm a Poli Sci grad who's supposed to be following in the footsteps of my parents. (Sigh) What a waste of money, but it taught me discipline I guess...

 She stares off for a minute, a flash of insecurity colours her cheeks.

Paige: Anyways, we were having a pre-Canada Day function in the office and were asked to bring in some snacks and stuff. I love baking, and cupcakes are my favourite, so I simply made a batch thinking absolutely nothing of it. It was my contribution for the day... maple cinnamon with red and white icing. The staff went crazy for them, and I just started getting requests... my daughter's birthday, a school function for my son, fundraiser... a friend of a friend event. And then I got a request to bake for a wedding party of 200, she wanted 5 different original flavours... and that is how my career ended and started.

IS: All that baking and sampling, and yet you look incredible!

Paige: Ha, thanks for noticing. This is a brand new body, trust me. Again, one of those random meetings that's changed me physically. A new Cross Fit type gym put an order request for their Grand Opening, this was a tricky one as the cakes needed to be super healthy and still yummy. I made their cakes and they offered my to try a class. I've been hooked ever since. Never done anything like this but I'm always up for trying something new!

IS: Are you sharing this journey with anyone special?

Her eyes light up in a magical way, and the excitement of young love, palpable.

Paige: I just started dating him and he's amazing. We literally ran into each other at the library, can you imagine? Like old school fairytale kinda stuff. I was going through a bunch of art history books, just looking for ideas you know. It was raining out, not much else to do... whatever. I didn't realize I barricaded the aisle, and he was trying to get through. He helped me move the books, but ended up spending the rest of the afternoon with me on the floor of the library.

IS: So what are your plans from here?

Paige: Plans? As in structured, concrete plans? Yah right... I go where the day takes me. Money or not, I let the ride of life take me. I believe that whereever I am, I'm meant to be. I'll figure it out once I get there.

IS: You mentioned that your education has helped you with discipline, and yet you seem so free spirited.

Paige: True. I see what you're getting at, but here's the thing. I live for the moment, but I also experience the moment and take in each lesson as it presents itself. I listen. I think that's one of my strong points. For example, remember the wedding lady that changed my life? I didn't know how the hell I was going to come up with all of these unique ideas and flavours. I mean, really, I was baking from my mom's kitchen, with no professional experience or qualifications at all. I wanted to tell her, remind her of my amature'ness. Instead, I kept my mouth shut and listened to every single word and detail she gave me. I went home, researched and looked up everything I could on flavour pairing and a bunch of other boring baking stuff. I didn't quit until I had what she wanted. That's what discipline helped me with. I'm good at flying by the seat of my pants because I have a solid foundation.

IS: Where do you go from here?

Paige: I don't know, but there is a change in the wind. I can feel it in every bone of my body. I can sense things, you know what I mean? I knew a walk down the red velvet road  with blinders on was going to pan out. Just like I know things are about to get big and fast. I don't know how or when, I just know it will. I'm preparing myself the best I can. But like I said before, I have a solid foundation. So when it comes charging at me, I say bring it!

)o(

Love and Light,
Amanda

Have you ever landed a$$ backwards into something special because of a hidden talent?
When has intuition changed your life?

Don't forget to follow me @indigospiritspa