Love is grand. Love is small. Love is really the only thing at all.

          At 7 months, my chill, calm, happy baby has reached his cry-if-I-can’t-see-Mommy phase.  He’s still happy, as long as I’m in the same room.  If my life comprised only of eating, playing, cuddling, and napping, we’d be okay.  Don’t get me wrong, a significant portion of my life is taken up by those things, more than most I’m lucky to say, but there are other chores, the labor of life, that I must attend to.  
          And therein lies my baby’s beef with me.
          The beautiful thing is that this means he is really starting to relate with his fellow humans. If I’m not there, who is?  To him, he’s all alone in the world, usually imprisoned in his crib, and that makes him sad.  
          And rightfully so.  If I’m not there feeding him, changing him, bathing him, playing with him, singing to him, cuddling with him, or simply observing him, where could I be?  He has no concept of washing machines or vacuum cleaners.  It’ll be years before he can begin to grasp germ theory so there’s no way I can tell him these are other things I do because I love him.  He doesn’t understand that even if I’m not in his view, I’m still here loving him.  Not today at least.
          This morning, I hurried to sweep the floor, vacuum the rug, and throw another load in the wash, my heart breaking with his every wail, the stress of hearing my baby cry piling on.  He sounded so betrayed, alone, and desperate.  So I asked our Angels to go comfort him.  Go give him a hug while I can finish up here.
          To my surprise, I got a hug too!  I was gently reminded to call on the Angels for myself as well.  It’s hard to listen to my baby cry.  I love him so much that my every action, even the writing of this, is infused with a mother’s love.  And still I sometimes fear I fall short.  The hug of compassionate self-love I received from my Angels reminded me that I never fall short.  
          Neither do you.  Angels aren’t around us only to move mountains.  Remember, you can call on them just for a comforting embrace or a supportive pat on the back.  Believe me, even this simple act does wonders.  
          When I came back to the room, the crying stopped instantly.  My baby flashed me a big smile.  Isn’t it wonderful how babies simply cannot hold grudges?  Then we went into the living room and had a dance party, the freshly vacuumed carpet beneath our bare feet.

An Open Love Letter to Mrs. B!

          So I just read the Introduction to your new book, Mrs B’s Guide to Household Witchery: Everyday Magic, Spells and Recipes.  Just so you know, I don’t do that.  I avoid introductions, forwards and prologues like teenagers avoid their parents.  I know I'm tired and the crazy hormone time of the month but I legit teared up.  I think it's a combination of things.

          For one I am so very very proud of you.  You know how many people I know who say they want to or are writing a book?  Myself included.  Do you know how many people I know actually did it?  1.  You. 

          Moreover, I am inspired by you.  In awe.  You live a courageous and happy life.  That's my plan as well.  I'm just learning how much courage it takes to decide to be a stay-at-home mom.  I must make this decision on what seems like a daily basis.  But I'm happier than I think I've ever been (the Girl Tribe factors into this greatly).  I’m happy because I’ve chosen to focus on what matters most to me - my family and home. 

          It’s more than that though.  For the first time in my life, I am filling an identity that fits me like a tailored suit.  I walk my Spiritual Path every day.  The magic is finally seeping into the mundane.  And the blend is beautiful.  I’ve donned the apron of the domestic witch and it feels good. 

          I guess what I’m trying to say is that this book feels like it was written for me.  I’ve never picked up a book that felt so completely written for someone in my identity suit.  And I’ve picked up lots of books.  “[This book] will hopefully lead you to some ideas on creating a house filled with magic and give you a broader view of what it means to be domestic,” (xi).  YES PLEASE.  “[Domestic witches] are attempting to restore things that have started to get put on the back burner in this busy, often chaotic world.  However, being a domestic witch is still about being a modern witch who works as an equal to their partner and with their chosen deity to make a warm, welcoming environment in their home.  For those who choose to be parents, it’s also about brining up healthy, happy children who are self-sufficient, self-assured, and who have a well-rounded spiritual upbringing,” (xii).  Yup that sounds like who I am and who I want to be!

          So of course this books speaks to me.  You shown me, Mrs. B, that being a stay-at-home mom and domestic mini-goddess is  something to be proud of.  You’ve shown me that it can be so much more.  It is a true opportunity for one to get to know herself, come into her own, and follow her dreams.  And for that I thank you.  Now that the purging and organizing I started when going through the nesting phase of late pregnancy is finally complete, I can’t wait to infuse magic into each room, each chore and each meal.  Luckily I’ve got the manual.

You too can have The Manual, aka Mrs. B's Guide to Household Witchery: Everyday Magic, Spells, and Recipes: Available on Amazon in Paperback or for your Kindle!  http://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Bs-Guide-Household-Witchery/dp/1578635152/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349205491&sr=8-1&keywords=mrs+bs+guide+to+household+witchery

Make sure to visit Mrs. B over at Patheos.com on her bodacious blog Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/confessionsofapagansoccermom/ 

How flow can you go?

I’ve been guided to share something I’ve been working on recently, a lifestyle change that has dramatically decreased my stress, particularly as a new mom: I’m learning to live in flow. 
 

First let me explain what this doesn’t mean.  Flowing freely doesn’t mean giving up your goals and dreams.  Though you may loosen your grip a bit, it doesn’t mean you aren’t still moving and working toward your aspirations.  It doesn’t mean throwing in the towel and ignoring your daily chores and duties.  And when it comes to dealing with kids, while remaining flexible makes things easier, it doesn’t mean giving in to their every whim and letting them completely dictate your day.  Even babies.  Because when you live in flow, you let Spirit guide your day.

 

Living in flow is all about using and strengthening your internal compass each moment of every day.  It is about surrendering your control and letting Spirit guide you.  It’s about recognizing that every step you take is moving you forward, even if you don’t understand how just yet.  It is about Being Present, not just during meditation, but for most, if not all, of your day. 

It can be a scary thing to let go of your to-do lists.  Conventional wisdom has taught us that accomplishments can only come to fruition through careful, sometimes painstaking planning.  Routine and structure can be comforting and, for some individuals, a necessity. 

 

But is it for you?  How much have you ever dared stray from it to find out?

 

When I started practicing living in flow, I stopped hyperventilating at night if I hadn’t gotten to vacuuming during the day.  Guess what?  The rug was still there the next day. So was the cat hair. On days when the baby was fussy, I found that if I let go of my worries about getting all my errands done and focused on calming him down, everything that needed to get done would.  A more efficient way of doing things would come to me in a stroke of inspiration or I’d find later on that I never really needed to do that chore at all!  Instead of having a schedule that tells me vacuuming gets done on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, laundry on Tuesday and the bathroom on Thursday, I vacuum when the cat hair has accumulated, do the laundry when the hamper is full, and delegate the cleaning of the bathroom to my husband.  It’s a much more grounded approach to housekeeping.

But that’s just the beginning.  I found another stressor was the plethora of ideas I had regarding writing, crafts, research, learning, exercise, decorating, music, creating, the list goes on.  I’d make lists everywhere: in journals, on the fridge, on my computer, on my cell phone.  Moreover, I felt overwhelmed when I tried to prioritize them.  So I wrote them down on little pieces of paper, crumpled them up, and put them in a jar.  Now each day, I take out a little piece of paper and go with it.  If I finish it, I choose another one.  If I feel moved to focus on something for longer until it’s done, I do.  For that too is living in flow.  I find that things come up exactly as they need to in perfect timing.

 

I’ll be honest.  There are still times I get overwhelmed and anxious.  I still have moments where I worry I’ve gone too far.  I have doubts.  Have I neglected something important?  I still have nights where I try and make a mental to-do list for the following day before drifting off to sleep.  But this is reasonable.  I have totally changed my way of life.  I’ve rebelled almost completely against the way I was told to go about my day and make use of my time. 

It is because of this that I take time everyday to consciously surrender myself and my day to Spirit.  To set the intention aloud.  I usually do this in the shower but that’s just where it feels right to me.  You could do this anywhere at any time: before you get out of bed in the morning, on your way to work, in traffic, at night before you go to sleep, whenever you remember it.  Begin by closing your eyes and focusing on your breath.  Let your hands rest on your heart or down out your sides, palms facing out. Take a moment to center yourself. 

 
I surrender this day
I surrender this day to the Divine
May I live in Spirit
May I flow freely
I let go of all yesterdays regrets
I release all tomorrows worries
May I be fully present today
In perfect love
And perfect trust
I surrender today

 

Just start with that affirmation daily.  Don’t worry about making a jar or letting go completely.  Just simply say “I surrender,” and then see what happens.  It’s all about following your truth.  Flow free.

11:11 Insight

Not too long ago, I posted about receiving signs from the Divine and noticing what you notice (http://sacredcommunication.blogspot.com/2012/07/sacred-choice-choosing-what-we-notice.html). I used the example of the 11:11 phenomena (http://www.december212012.com/articles/11-11/The_11_11_phenomenon.htm) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11:11_(numerology) to explain that even though there is a logical explanation for our brains going "Whoa I noticed the time at 11:11 AGAIN. Must mean something," it doesn't mean it's NOT a sign. We, in fact, have the power to choose our own signs. So everytime I notice that it's 11:11, as has been happening to me every day, sometimes twice in one day, for over a week, I simply see it as a cue, a reminder for me to thank the Angels. I just say to myself, "Thanks Angels for being around!"

This week I received some insight. They said the reason we notice this time is that it's when they "Change shifts." Then they sort of chuckled in their way and urged me to pay attention to the wording: Change shifts. We humans can sense the shift-change. There's lots to think about. What do you think?

A Gift of Poetry

This post is not about me or my experience.  And yet it is just that.  This week I choose to step aside and shine the spotlight on another very Sacred Communicator.  Months ago, my dear friend Heather Krulewski sent me this poem she wrote.  I wasted no time in printing it out and putting it into my binder of inspiration.  Today the poem wished to be heard by you. 

 

Heather is a true being of Love.  Her Light shines brightly and is felt by all who are blessed with her presence.  Even by those, I suspect, who merely pass her in the street.  I am grateful for my connection with Heather.  Without further gushing, here is her poetry, a gift, for you to experience.  May it inspire you!

 

Imaginers

by Heather Krulewski 

We are the creators

The inventors of new things

Visionaries in every right.

We build from blocks

No one knew existed.

Squares open up and become

Amorphous figures that

Have yet to be named.

We will create a world

That works for us,

One where

Love and passion rule.

Where creativity runs rampant.

We do all this

Without a map,

No directions or training.

We are self-taught luminaries

Lighting the way for all humanity.

Together we must rise

Reach back and lend a hand

To those behind.

Leading by our own example

Leaving behind all limitations

Jumping in to meet our

Future head on.

United with our truth

We follow it

Always walking new lines

Creating new paths.

Living in sync with

Imagination spurred by

That loving truth.

We will light the way

Because we have no other choice.

To live any other way

Would be death.

Book Review: Mary, Queen of Angels by Doreen Virtue

Doreen Virtue stayed in my peripheral for years before I ever read any of her work.  I’d always see her on the backs of books and oracle card decks in the New Age shops I’ve frequented since I was a teenager.  I’ll admit I had my doubts.  Doreen Virtue.  Is that name for real?  And what about that PhD?  Just a marketing ploy?  Did she claim to have her Doctorate in Angels or something? 

I quickly learned this wasn’t the case.  Virtue has a legitimate background in Psychology.  The first book I read by her was Goddesses and Angels, which I bought on a whim after it showed up on the list of books Amazon thought I might like.  I read it at the beginning of my personal spiritual revolution.  Wait.  No.  Scratch that.  This book was an important catalyst for my personal spiritual revolution.  As I read it, I outwardly joked about some of the ideas with my husband.  Mer-angels?  Haha.  What lunacy!

But I couldn’t put the book down.  I was drawn to Virtue and her writing style.  It was so infused with love.  She wasn’t trying to sell me something.  She was humble.  She was special but she wasn’t.  It was clear that she encouraged all of us to do exactly what she does in communicating with Angels, spirits, and the Divine.  It was clear that this was something we could all do.  And though I found some of her ideas radical and hard to swallow at the time, it sparked my curiosity and desire to learn more.  So I did.  And that’s when I started having experiences of my own.

Since then I’ve read many of Virtue’s books.  I’ve listened to her Hay House radio show.  I even got through as a caller once!  I’ve seen her at spiritual expos.  In that first book I read, Virtue told her story.  However, in recent years, she’s used her voice, which now has many listeners, to tell OUR stories.  That’s precisely what she does in one of her most recent books Mary, Queen of Angels.

Mary, Queen of Angels follows the same format as some of her more recent books where Virtue acts less as “author” and more as “editor” and “collector.”  Or, to put it more poetically, she is a weaver of anecdotes which she collected from believers all over the world.  At first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to read what “Ros Booth’s” or “Danielle Smutek’s” connection with Mary was.  No, I wanted to read this book to learn about Doreen Virtue’s connection of course!  But as I kept on reading, I began to understand the value in connecting with and being validated by people just like me. 

Before this book was compiled, Virtue put out a call for Mary experiences. If I had seen it, I’m sure I would have felt I had nothing to contribute.  But after reading this book, I realize just how strong my connection with Mother Mary is.  For example, while I was pregnant I had a dream of a statue of Mary who opened her eyes and looked at me as I prayed to her.  Little did I know that dreaming of a Mary statue coming to life is a common experience! 

Although those who come from Christian backgrounds (as Virtue does herself) may have an easier time feeling a communion with Mary, the book includes stories from people of all sorts of religious backgrounds.  I’m a firm believer, and always have been, that anybody can experience Mary as the Divine Mother, no matter what Path they walk.    The book even includes an appendix chock full of useful information such as prayers you can use to work with Mary.  If you feel drawn to Mary for healing, protection, mothering, working with children, or a myriad of other reasons, this is a wonderful place to start!

You can purchase Mary, Queen of Angels here:

 

 

 

 

*FTC Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this post. I received the book from Hay House for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.*

 

7 Ways to Receive Divine Guidance

Have you recently asked your Angels, Guides, Higher Self, the Universe to give you a sign?  Did you receive it or do you seem to still be waiting for a response?  You’ve asked for a sign, now make sure you don’t miss it.  The results could be disastrous.  Or humorous, as seen in this clip from Bruce Almighty:

All kidding aside, when you’re waiting for a Divine message, it helps to know what you’re looking for.  There are endless ways the Divine can communicate with you, here is just a short list to get you going.

7) Overheard Conversations: To be clear, I am not suggesting you eavesdrop.  But it has happened to all of us: two people have been conversing and we couldn’t help but overhear.  Something stuck out to get our attention.  I’m not necessarily talking about those people who feel the need to practically shout when engaged in public conversations on private matters.  I’m speaking about when you’re out somewhere, going merrily about your business, but then a sound catches your ear.  It could be a name, a word, a phrase, a title, something familiar, something intriguing.  There’s a reason why you noticed it.  Now find out why.

6) Pop Culture Trends: These can be easy to dismiss because there is usually a clear  reason why trends happen.  Take fantasy characters for example.  There was a big surge of pirates being awesome due to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Then Twilight hit (along with True Blood) and behold, vampires everywhere.  Zombies are in vogue now.  While there are clear paths that explain how trends come into being, it does not dismiss their usefulness as a form of inspired guidance.  It’s not so important how the sign presents itself, but why you noticed it.  Why did it catch your attention?

5) Bookshelf Gazing: Here’s a technique I’m pretty sure I invented.  Go to a library or a bookstore (for bibliophiles like myself, the library is a bit safer), get lost in the stacks, ask a question or hold an intention, and notice what titles jump out at you.  You can do it in any section so don’t limit yourself to the more “soul-searching” genres.  Fiction is a great place to start since it has a wide range of subjects within it.  You can also try this with movies or music.  Even flip through a magazine and see what headlines grab you.  Again, yes you might be attracted to a title because of the color of the book jacket or the  size of the book.  That doesn’t lessen the value of the sign.  Also the content of the book doesn’t necessarily hold the sign.  It could just be the title,the author’s name, or even the image on the cover.  Notice what you notice.  This is one occasion where I recommend judging a book by its cover!

4) Cards: Tarot and other oracle cards can be intimidating.  You may think you need tons of   experience reading or that you need to pay the big bucks to go to an experienced reader.  But you can just play!  The best thing is that the more you play, the more you learn!  You will be gaining valuable experience!  It’s true that Tarot cards are steeped in symbolism and it does take quite awhile to master the deck.  But start by pulling one card a day and look up the meaning.  Before you know it you won’t need to check the book.  Additionally, there are many types of oracle card decks.  Doreen Virtue has put out countless decks that help you work with Angels, Faeries, Mermaids, Ascended Masters, etc.  Although they each include a little booklet so you can examine each card’s meaning more in depth, the meanings are often clear just by looking at the card itself.  Start with a deck such as “Messages from your Angels.”  Each card has a detailed message written on it.  Don’t forget to spend some time gazing at the picture.  What pops out at you?  Does the character on the card resemble somebody in you life?  If you’re waiting for a sign or some Divine guidance, don’t be afraid to actively go looking for it in a card deck!

3) Cloud Gazing: One of the more enjoyable ways to receive messages from the Universe.  There is a reason why there exists that romantic, day-dreamy image of lying in a field picking out shapes in the clouds.  The clouds can hold powerful messages.  What do they look like?  Have fun with it!

2) Pet Behavior: Notice how your pets are behaving.   Animals often act as messengers.  Has there been a change in your pets’ behavior?  As long as it’s nothing that would be of concern (like a decrease in appetite for example), pay attention.  Is there a new spot your furry kid likes to sleep?  Do they keep knocking the same book off your shelf?  Go ahead and ask your pet directly for help in getting the messages you’ve asked to receive.

1) Synchronicity: This is a fancy word for coincidence.  Have there been any coincidences in your life lately?  These aren’t difficult to notice.  Coincidences, by nature, grab your attention.  It is when we ask, “Why?  What’s the meaning?” that we can get confused.  Don’t let that discourage you.  Now that the Universe has your attention, don’t be afraid to ask it to elaborate!

Have you noticed a common theme?  Notice what you notice.  It’s all about being aware of what you are observing.  What catches your attention?  Take it a step further.  Ask yourself why.  

Of course, you can always request the form you want the messages to take.  This can help you gain confidence if you’re finding it hard to trust the guidance you receive or even trusting that it is indeed guidance.  However, this can also be limiting.  How do you receive your guidance?