tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27049508577185167492023-11-16T03:45:02.619-08:00What Goddess Gave Me.Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-84616168122523098922016-05-11T17:15:00.000-07:002016-05-11T17:15:31.764-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Carrying the body, from Church to Grave...</b></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;">Holding your ancestors body with all of your strength connects you with the soil, your heritage, those who walked before you and their life.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;">The Familiar broken doll laying in the coffin was not my grandmother, but yet it was. Was she afraid? She had been praying to her Rosary like she did before going to sleep every night, but this was different. My mother would say she was "Working something out with God." </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;">She lay in the hospital bed, kept alive by machines, forcing air into her lungs and keeping her blood flowing. I massage her feet, she is warm, but not responsive. She is in and out of her body. It will not work for her, and she wants all the plastic and metal out of her face. I know, this is the end. I wanted to believe she would be back at home, talking about the Las Vegas weather and asking for me to bring her a shot of Macieira. I couldnt cry, but I was sad. I told myself I will not go to see her at the hospital like this, but I went anyway. I asked people to talk to her, while some whispered in her ear others asked her to get up, it is time to wake up!~ </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><br />At her Vigil I stared at her corpse, like a child, hoping she would get up again. I knew in my heart she was not there. But I would see her walking in the distance as other family members. I kept expecting her to show up and I knew she would have loved this gathering.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><br />I finally had a good night's sleep but I had a night full of Dreams. About my grandmother, about her being locked away in a box forever. An 81 year old doll kidnapped and hidden away, but it is not her. She is not a doll, she is not broken! She is pure Spirit, melting away all the darkness and hurt only leaving the good and joyful. And the box is now empty, I open it to find the light that fills it tells me she was not being kept for long. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"><br />I am holding this empty box and struggling with the physical. Tears like holy water drop on it and it is swallowed by the Earth to be covered in flowers, and I step back. No one can see what I see. She removes her body like one takes off their old clothes to be donated. Her donation feeds the vines that grow near her grave. Like the place that she was born. Covered in wild vines, with so much green fed on flesh and tears. We hold your burden, your grandchildren and your great-grandchild lift your body up, with great reverence and sadness, we give it back to the earth.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75;"> I light incense for you today, and sprinkle holy tears onto the earth in your memory.</span></b></div>
Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-42359263569487069732015-03-12T12:18:00.003-07:002015-03-12T12:18:52.756-07:00Healing !<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've forgotten how horrible it is to get sick. The amount of energy you take just in getting well takes up every second of your day. You can't afford to be overexerting yourself and you need to be on top of your healing regimen. This past week I was hit with the worst and longest lasting sore throat/sinus/ear pain I can remember ever having. Usually I get over a sore throat in a day or two, but this was the mother of all sore throat pain and it radiated to the ears, and eventually my bronchioli. I was starting to get scared at this point, I needed to up the dosage of my herbs considerably. I was drinking plenty of hot marshmallow root/elderberry tea and honey, but was not giving myself the dose of herbs I needed. When I noticed considerable relief was when I took a full dose of herbs every hour. I have many tinctures. I find these are the best way to preserve herbs, a tincture will last forever. Some that I have made and some that I get through my work through reliable companies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I took <b>Phytocillin</b> from the company Herbs Etc. This has <span style="line-height: 20px;">Usnea lichen, yerba mansa root, propolis gum, echinacea angustifolia root, licorice root, oregon grape root and hops strobile extracted with 70% grain alcohol, purified water and vegetable glycerine. This is great for boosting the immune system, as well as helping with sinus and calming a cough. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b style="line-height: 20px;">Fenuthyme</b><span style="line-height: 20px;">, a good old standby that I always keep on hand from Natures Way. Its basic, and works really great for congested lungs. I'll take 4 at a time every 1-2 hours. Helps make a cough more productive so you don't sit there hacking for an hour with no relief. I make my own <b>Lung Tonic</b> that has Osha root, Coltsfoot and Mullein, Elecampane and thyme in an alcohol tincture. I also make my own <b>Fire Cider</b> with Horseradish and tons of ginger and onion. I make Hot and spicy soups and teas to help with the pain, and I went through a couple pounds of local honey in the week I was sick to mix with my teas and hot toddys. (I make a mean Elderberry liquor with Macieira brandy, honey, pineapple juice and of course a generous helping of Elderberries, just add a shot to hot water and sip.) Luckly, I think ahead and many of these preparations were made well ahead of time. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Over the weekend I went to my Covens annual ordination retreat. I was only able to attend one day but I was not going to miss it. I am on my year of Sabbatical and I am making big changes for this year. While I am not doing much public work, I am doing a lot of cleansing, both internal and in my life. I am dedicated to Hekate through CAYA and this years ordination was a great time to look at what my dedications mean to me in the public sphere and what I wish to manifest from that. Plus I got to see many people that I have not seen in Months, attend some great ritual and get some fresh air from the Redwoods. A whole new hive emerged and I am proud to say this is a Hive with so many talents! It's always nice to see who everyone dedicates to and makes it "official" within the coven. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">As for me I had a whole ritual plan for heading to the beach that weekend, but I was far too sick to carry it out. (There is always beach time for the Sunday after ordination retreat) So I gave it a rain check and eventually later that week found myself on the beach for some intense healing magic. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On my way home from retreat I picked up some fresh roots to make a healing broth: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Fresh Ginger root, Turmeric and Burdock - Slice em thin and make a strong broth by adding good water, (you may want to add chopped garlic and onion) You can blend these in a blender as well and eat the bits or strain them off. I will add pineapple juice and honey to get it lukewarm after it is off the stove. Sip this concoction. I like to make my onion syrup separate, but it does not taste too terrible when mixed together. </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Vibrational sound therapy</b> was another helpful tool. The vibrations of a drum, Guitar or a singing bowl when played can help shake up mucus and lift spirits. I played these every day with focus on my lungs , soothing away inflammation and blockages. I massaged my throat with <b>White Flower oil</b> and <b>Mobility Oil</b> from my colleague Betty (its got comfrey, st johns and many other wonderful additions) I made a mix of neem powder and coconut oil and rubbed it all over my body, including my hair and scalp, then I took a shower as hot as I could stand, with a plug in the the bathtub to draw a bath. I added seasalts and essential oils, breathed that in. (If I had some Food grade Hydrogen peroxide and Ginger powder I would have done that in the bath as well!) I DID gargle with a hydrogen peroxide mouthwash called <b>Coolsense.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then My friend Jodi came to town to visit from Arizona. She is one of my first Natural healing teachers and a very good friend. She was only in town for a few days, so when I started to feel good enough to leave the house we went to one of our favorite beaches in Pescadero. She had mentioned something about Iodine being a good remedy for sore throats, and It was something I had been thinking about taking for a while. "Lets stop at New Leaf Market then!" I knew which one I wanted, and I got the <b>Tri-Iodine</b> in 12.5 mg. and we got some hot soups and Extra Ginger Beer. It was a warm day, lightly overcast, and beautiful. This beach is covered in gemstones, sea worn glass and shells, it is a beautiful place of healing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We parked and there was a rather large Raven there to great us. We caawed back at said Corvid and began to walk down the path to our spot. Jodi began to set up a stone grid on the beach, then she told me to lay down in it, with as much skin touching rock as was comfortable. She put her healing intention into her grid, and placed rocks where she saw were my "problem areas". She had me lie there for a while, listening to the waves and taking in the salty air. The rocks and their placement brought awareness to these hurting areas and helped to facilitate my healing. It was warm enough to lay there in my tank top, so I was not chilled or otherwise uncomfortable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I left offerings for the ocean, my gratitude for her work with me in Caya, and asking for strength in my life at this time. We then built a Yoni labyrinth from the grid rocks. Jodi and I each took turns walking the labyrinth with our thoughts of rebirth, renewal and peace.</span></div>
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As of today I feel much better, I have most of my voice back and that horrible sore throat is gone! Thank Goddess!</div>
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<br />Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-82340968620929873202015-03-01T14:48:00.001-08:002015-03-01T14:48:23.684-08:00<div>
Herb Bundles for prayer and blessings</div>
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Your sacred songs and/or chants (sacred breath)</div>
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Collected fresh herbs</div>
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Cotton string (embroidery thread is nice)</div>
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I purify and protect his space, </div>
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Bringing forth wealth and love,</div>
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Joy and light enters this place~</div>
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So below and above~</div>
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Please
note, Only use herbs you can
grow or source sustainably, and use respect when gathering. If you feel the
energy is not right to collect herbs from the plants, then don't. White sage is in danger of being over harvested. </div>
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My process for finding the plants is not always simple. I grow the herbs I use in sage bundles. This is how I make them, I am sure there are many ways to make bundles, but this is how I do them generally. You can add dried herbs and/or resins to the middle in fine powders.Once in a while I add an essential oil to herbs as well, something like peru balsam or benzoin.</div>
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About the ingredients: </div>
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Grown
in the garden, the tobacco plant was one that came from an unknown
source. She just started to grown in the garden. I do not remember
planting a seed, but up she came to offer her blessings. Her aroma is
strong and her leaves are sticky, with beautiful white flowers that
stand tall over all of her sisters. This wandering seed grew to her
fullest and i fully enjoy watching her grow. Next to the Tobacco, is my
white sage, I had tried growing many times before, but this is the first
time I have gotten this plant to really thrive. Maybe the sage thrives
next to the tobacco? Who knows, they grow in separate pots, but close to
each other. Happily producing fragrance on this sunny California day. I
gently cut the bottom stems with leaves to make my bundles. For the
tobacco I gather the bottom leaves, some are big, and some are bug
bitten, but I keep the fresh tops on the plant to produce more leaves.
Wormwood is my hearty silver haired fairy in the garden. She morphs into
a tiny woman, and back into her plant form all the time. The secrets
this plant has! They are as old as that tiny woman! She has that gentle
strength we need in this world. I take a few sprigs from this lovely
bushy plant and add to my basket of bundle making herbs. I find lavender
to be overpowering in many things, and my lavender has a strong
personality. A small amount is all that's needed for this bundle. This
particular lavender plant has been with me for almost 10 years.
Originally she was brought home in a pot, and eventually she broke out
of the pot and sunk her roots deep within the earth. I can still find
fragments of that damned pot in the soil around her. This one has
survived while many other plants have died, through drought and through
floods. Lavender just grows in this spot well. </div>
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Serendipitous discovery of ancient and sacred
secrets kept safe in the arms of grandmother, while endurance and
fortitude create well being and joyful existence in a world of
uncertainty. Beautiful mystery that is everywhere, guiding and shining light on our path. </div>
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First I make a bouquet of herbs
and tie of the bottom stems with your cotton thread. You can choose a
color of significance to you , often red is a great color to use because
it is such a power color. Flowing life blood, menstrual blood, nutrient
rich and warm. Red is my number one color for wrapping sage. Though, I
can say I have used all colors, and in a snap used other plants to wrap
my bundles~ Sometimes it is a matter of using what you have, and that is powerful. You don't have to buy anything new to make these! I often lightly coat the threads in essential oils too, singing songs with the herbs as I wrap them.</div>
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"Fertility surrounds me, strength flows through me, we are Blessed, Protected and Sacred!"</div>
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I start at the bottom stem, and just spiral up and back down again, tying them off with thread to let them hang. </div>
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Depending on humidity, they may take more or less time to dry. I enjoy to having the bundles all around the house and in special places (all in the shade so as not to damage the plants) they are protective amulets for the house and their power can grow, when I feel they are ready, I might give them as a gift to someone in need or burn them in a prayer offering.</div>
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note, it is important to not overdo bundles. Only use herbs you can
grow or source sustainably, and use respect when gathering. If you feel the
energy is not right to collect herbs from the plants, then don't. </div>
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Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-24918584665463046382014-10-27T10:48:00.001-07:002014-10-27T11:30:09.689-07:00Massage and Letting Go.<br />
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At a Party this past weekend, I was speaking with someone and was asked the question or how do I release or avoid negative energy that I get from my clients when I am working Massage.<br />
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The Massage Therapists job is Physical, you are a bodyworker. There is energy work involved, but with Massage, you are trying to release negative attachments from the body. There is no avoiding the work you are doing, you are there to "let it go" so to speak. These are often emotional pieces of ourselves that finds a place to attach in our muscles and bones. If we have a body, typically, you are in that body. Pain can effect you spiritually, in a negative or positive way, but we all have our challenges in life, how we deal with that is up to us. Emotions will cause us to tense our shoulders, arch our backs, and crunch our faces in disgust or pure joy. <br />
There is always some energy exchange when we meet someone. I almost always know if I am intrigued with someone, feel like we can become good friends or that I would be fine to have them as an aquantance. I am a very adaptable person, I can shift to meet my clients where they need me, if they are going through A time of great suffering, I will meet them there, If they are going through a time of joy, I will be there. I would never ask them to meet me in the place I am at, because that is not what I am there for. I am offering my work, to release the residual tensions of emotional, physical and spiritual attachments. <br />
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It's a little complicated, many times it is hard to explain in the limited range of words that we use, its intuition and having the Goddess guide me to the right places for where my client needs me right now. <br />
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When I am offering my body working skills to a client I am acting as a conduit, Releasing their negative energy and giving it back to the earth. Taking their muscles and offering energy/blood/nervous system flow. This effects everything, it may be painful, or feel good, sometimes the damage is great and there is no feeling. It is the connection to our bodies, it is why we are alive. <br />
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In Lomi lomi massage I have learned that in our role as body worker, we are also healing ancestral pain, the pain that lies in the bones. This can manifest itself through our actions, causing us to hurt ourselves physically because of the energies involved in our bloodlines. Overexerting and exhausting ourselves because we feel like the ones before us did not do enough, and we must make up for their lack of action. Or it could just be the opposite...<br />
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While I am a conduit, also, the energies are sticky, they want to attach to<em> something</em>... <br />
Often I need to take salt water baths, receive massage and Meditate to release these bits of other peoples sticky energy and my own. If I don't, I am not actively taking part in my healing, and it would be difficult for me to suggest to others to do the same. <br />
<em>Sticky Energy is difficult...</em><br />
It won't always leave in one or ten sessions, it might not be that it ever will in this case, but it is my job as the therapist to at least put that spark of healing within the person I am working on. That they may find the right tools to heal themselves. That is my magic, is that they find the best healing available to them. <br />
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Recently at the Northern California Womens Herbal Symposium I volunteered my time as a bodyworker, and with great joy was able to trade for a few massages from amazing women. I received a massage from a woman who specialized in Arvigo Mayan Belly Massage, a deeply emotional and therapeutic work. There was some heavy emotional release going on, then I felt bad I was dumping this out with so much intensity! I had worked for the weekend, picking up and releasing all weekend, as well as my own energy (belly massage makes me a little uncomfortable, which means I need it!) I asked her, "How do you deal with the energies you pick up when doing massage?" She told me for every hour of massage she does, she meditates for 10 minutes with an element. Going to a river and letting it take the energy to be recycled, letting the bonfire burn away the energy to be transformed, Sitting on a windy mountain and breathing out anything that that you do not need, or digging in the earth and letting the soil receive the shit, to make it into flowers. That was powerful to me, so now I employ it into my life. This is not just for therapists, but really for everyone. We are always contacting these sticky, unwanted energies. The best thing we can do is release. Take that Emotional Laxative and let that shit out. <br />
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<br />Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-6405059538075893102014-10-16T12:43:00.000-07:002014-10-16T12:43:12.508-07:00Azores Museum : Who is this Guy?<br />
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"Figural de navio, madeira de Flandres e cedro"</div>
Ship Figure, Cedar Wood from Flanders? <br />
The Azores where known as the "Isle of Flanders" for a while, so there were many people from Flanders, what is part of Belgium now. This was from a shipwreck off the Azores. I don't know what to make of it, I really like his outfit, But isn't it Cold in Belgium? why does he have his knees exposed? What's with the Feathered headdress and pierced ears? They also do not list a estimated Year on this. There is so much more work to be done! Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-5160812705006121842014-10-15T12:44:00.001-07:002014-10-15T12:44:23.512-07:00<div>
Ancestor Work. Visiting the Azores Islands. </div>
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My family is from the Azores Islands. I am a first generation, born in California, American. I speak a little Portuguese, but not enough to have the most philosophical of conversations. I recently took a 3 week vacation to the islands. We Visited Pico Island, Prainha Du Baixo is the Village my mother is from and we stayed In Angra Du Heroismo on Terceira to visit the Island my father is from. I was able to take my 14 years old son Joseph, and we had a wonderful time. Bear with me, these are taken from my journal, I figured, I should get them out now while I have them! </div>
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On the first day of arrival, I sat on the roof of my parents house in Angra listening to the birds and feeling the wind gently caress my skin. The Sun was just coming up and I could get my first daylight glimpse of the grapevines crawling over walls and the smell of the pineapples and all sorts of flowers dancing in the wind. I hear the roosters chorus for the dawn, and I breathe in the sweet perfumed air as the sun turns its' face upwards as if to kiss the clouds. The moon is smiling in the dawning sky, while the stars give their last farewell of the night. I am reminded that everyday is a miracle. Every sunrise is a gift, enjoy every moment, and make it beautiful, of course, this is easy to say when you are on vacation!</div>
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My son and I soon visit the caves; Gruta do Natal and Algar do Carvao. These have changed very little since the last time I was here. You are handed a hard hat, and given free reign throughout Gruta Do Natal. Gruta Do Natal translates to "Christmas Cave" Mass is held inside every December 25th, and there is an altar inside. Everywhere on the island has some kind of spiritual significance to the people. As I soon find out. The cave is classified as a "Lava Tube" and the hard hats are welcomed, you get into tiny crawl spaces and there are many stalactites to bump your head on. For the trip through Algar Do Carvao, you are immediately gazing up at the cone from the inside of the volcano. It is one of the only places where you can walk on the inside of a dormant volcano. And further on you see beautiful colors on the cavern walls, and once in a while they have concerts inside because of the awesome acoustics. This is also considered a lava tube, but giant bubbles of lava made this cave a lot less "snug" than Gruta Do Natal. </div>
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Soon we took the Santorini Express for an inter-island trip. Our destination is Pico, the Island My mother was born. We were to help my grandmother with her Promissa. This is a promise she made, for my Aunt Fatima. When Fatima was a child, she got very sick and my grandmother was afraid she would die. So she went to the church and made a promise, my aunt did survive that time. So this is a fulfillment of that promise made years and years ago. She promised a Festa "Party" for her whole village, she would provide all the food, wine and entertainment for the party, and there will be a procession to church for mass. I had never seen such a thing, so I wanted to go. But back to the boat voyage: The whole time on this boat there was music, we had drum circles on the outside and on the inside the big brass bands would play. People found their sea legs and were dancing everywhere. I took video, but eventually all the time I was trying to capture these moments really did not capture the energy of what it felt like. </div>
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We stopped at one island briefly and I'll never forget the majestic cliffs and beauty of Sao Jorge island. It looked like a fairytale village with the sun setting in pink and purple hues across the mountains above Velas. The streetlights looked like Christmas lights strung throughout the town. Pastel Hues boarding lush green cliffs, and the fog rolls in off the cliffs of Velas creeping up like a blanket, getting ready for bedtime. I wanted to stay for a little while, and find those hard to find villages perched on cliffs and in places only accessible by hike. As our boat thrusts itself back into deep ocean waters You see houses perched on cliffs, and just wonder, "How did they get there?" I look towards the west and see the overcast and dark Pico Mountain in our path. We arrive Pico and night has fallen. The waters are like a rough obsidian layered wih white lace. Spots of lights peek out through dark clouds and rain is falling from the sky. The air is warm, the sky black, this is Midnight. The rain awakens me, I *love* the rain. The island is very dark, there really are not many lights here, but it also has the nickname of Ilha Preta, meaning "Black Island" so I guess it makes sense. The entire population of Pico is around 16,000 but the island is only 173 sq mi . My parents had taken their car on the boat, and we drive about 20 minutes to Prainha do Baixu which is the town my Mothers-Mothers- Mother is from (I actually have no idea how far back it goes) I just know they lived here. My uncle has an Adega there, right on the ocean side. I would always hear my mother tell stories of Seeing an Adega one day, and then the next morning it was washed away by the waves. But, this one has been here for at least a hundred years, I try not to worry myself. Our time on Pico is blessed by abundant thunder and Lightning, the sky is having its own party. The Night before my grandmothers big day, all the women sit at the Adega and drink Homemade wine from 100 year old ceramic bowls. They are mostly speaking Portuguese, but planning the logistics for tomorrow. We needed four Queens to which I and my mother volunteered. Two other Queens came from the Village. My son carried the flag my Aunt Ana Made in America for this event, and my dad was to carry the flag from the community center to the church. We had mass inside the Church, Soon the queens where asked to come forward. The Priest said some words here and there, we had incense smoked around us, It lasted for a few minutes, and then all of a sudden I feel hard things being thrown at me! Well, the ending of this involves all the children in the village throwing hard sugar candies in our crowns. With giggles and till the candy was gone, my crown filled up with little white sugar candies. The candy blessing, I'm not sure exactly what it meant, but for me it was a simple, "May sweetness come to you" and to get all churchy, "May it also be with you" . I did not have any hesitation in being part of this ritual act in a church that is on top of the graves of my ancestors. I was surprised that I was asked to be a Queen, just because I am not a Catholic any more, but it was definatly a memorable and unique experience I would never give up! And Now I will totally being thowing candy at people sometime soon! </div>
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In Terceira, I was able to hang out Sandy, Sandy is good times for sure. We visited tombs, and churches, and some random, "lets just see what happens" kinds of places.</div>
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Christie, Sandy and I had decided to hang out in Angra for a while, the streets of Praia where packed with kids and families and we lost patience quick. I asked my dad how Port do pipas was after it was destroyed by the storm last year, and he said that it was rebuilt, but it is a very shady area now, lots of drugs and strange occurrences. Challenge Accepted. So we stopped at Praca Velha, then walked to the Cais and decided to check out our old hangin spot; Port Do Pipas. It looked dead from The Cais but we figured it would be an adventure, and it would be our first time walking there since we got to the island. It was dark, but they do have some streetlamps and lights from the main street. To give you a visual, it is a port, with boats , some in storage and some on the water, there are clubs that stick out, it used to be a really bumpin' spot, all kinds of music, and LOUD. But the storm destroyed much of the port, and it was rebuilt. Unfortunately many of the businesses left for good, so there is one Bar and one club there now. People still go fishing off the very end, but it is fenced off, so I imagine there is some other "shady" stuff happening around the fence too now. </div>
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We decide to not walk on the street, because we could see the light of cigarettes being smoked from behind the shadows, and they puffed long and hard as if they where really focused on us. We walked close to the water on the landing. This is a place I have visited my whole life, and it has gone through major transformations. They have the one room Sailor/fisherman houses lined up on the street, these are new, but they still have the old dilapidated stone houses with their darkened windows and doors. We immediately look at each other, and say, "It's a fucking Ghost town" and continue on, we see the little lights of cigarettes get thrown on the ground, and hear the whisper of Cat Calls coming from the shadows. The sound of cat calls around the <span class="il">Azores</span> seems to be something like if you make the Shhhhh sound and move your lips open and closed very fast. I call a cat to me in a similar way. And then men start to come out of the darkness, not getting close, but just watching, like maybe they wanted to rob us, or maybe they thought we were prostitutes, Maybe they just wanted a closer look for all of the above reasons. Who knows why, but they do not follow us to the bars. We sit down for a beer, there is one group next to us, and all other tables are empty. Christie and I remember this bar was once a club. We try to recall the name, but settled at "The place where Monika threw up on the floor, then danced to get the mop, and then, as she sang and danced to the music, mopped up her spew" We laughed, tis was so weird. We sat with our beers and reminisced a bit, telling Sandy how great this place was. We could hear the club on the end of the pier and it was so loud, there was no way we were going near it without earplugs. Then we saw a police car pull up, and 6 policeman come out one by one , reminding me of a clownmobile. We could not stop laughing! This was a little car! I think deep down we were grateful for the presence, but also for the comedic value of it. They stood there and dutifully waited for people to attempt to drive home drunk. Unfortunately this is when the Drunk guy at the bar globbed onto Sandy and wanted to talk with her all night. She politely answered and Christie and I giggled as we thought of ways to remove ourselves from the Situation. We finished our beer and started to walk to the end of the pier. The drunk guy goes in to tell everyone that there are Cops outside those "Secanas" And "Filha Du Putas" are waiting to put you in jail! Eh, we find this our chance to take off, back the way we came, past the shadow smokers and creaking boats with mystery devils and lost souls. Sandy got a great picture Of Portu Pipas: </div>
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Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-45668796118417281712013-02-26T11:10:00.003-08:002013-02-26T11:44:29.593-08:00The Path To Priestess!<br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Feb 14 (12 days ago)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Path to Priestess! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> It
was the Pagan Fest in Berkeley; I believe it was 2005 or 2006. My friends and I
were on the lookout for a high priestess to help with our friends’ baby
blessing. We figured the Pagan fest was a great place to look! Rabbit had been giving tarot readings at the
fest and could be seen happily dancing in the California sunshine from time to
time and when Leanna spoke with her, she said Rabbit was a perfect fit. My son
was with me that day and we had been playing, visiting the crafty kids section
and looking at all the wonderful items that pagan artists had to offer. As I
stopped by one shop, it had been selling rings and other beautiful bobbles, a
particular ring caught my eye. It was red amber; it had bubbles and was
twinkling at me. I asked the woman what type of stone it was, she said cherry
amber. So I tried the ring on, it fit perfect and I thought to myself. This is
my ring, this is not normal for me to be so drawn to something and I will pay
whatever amount that I have to have it. When she responded $40, I was
sold. Done and Done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"> When
the time came for the Baby blessing, I arrived at the same time as Rabbit. I
only recognized her from the bouncing light above her head and found it serendipitous
that she wore a ring with a matching setting as mine, but her amber was yellow
butter amber. We met at the Threshold of Leannas' Home, I immediately introduced myself and asked if I could shake her
hand. We walked into the home, and enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere. The
baby blessing was astounding, I had never seen a priestess work in such a way;
I had never seen anyone work this way. We all hit it off and had a really good
time. Soon Jodi was talking about us all taking a road trip to Mexico, and well,
we did, and that’s a whole ‘nother story! After a year or two of consideration,
I decided to try my hand at Priestess work; I put in my application, did my
training and found that I really enjoyed being a Priestess. This experience has
opened a whole new outlook and inspiration in my life; it also was a perfect
fit, even if I had some apprehension or uncertainty in this role. My amber ring
has not left my finger, save for the times when it has to. On occasion it needs
to be cleansed or my finger needs to breathe. It is my Priestess ring and I have been a Priestess in
CAYA coven since 2009 and was ordained as a High Priestess a few years after.
With Help from Rabbit, the Elderflowers and all of my sisters and Brothers~ I
am grateful for this experience! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwde_ahozkRMr_KvKwHa4baeswZuypyZtB5XNFBttN2SMqw1FIhPbCxYHCAPJazK-LVP2LWWsPGuSDGVTqFTFyaS3S1eZCF_F4OCKQ4yGAyNLCRTp9EJ2SKwrT2bKY4cAK9JvTQLwd2Z3n/s1600/autograph+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #222222; float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwde_ahozkRMr_KvKwHa4baeswZuypyZtB5XNFBttN2SMqw1FIhPbCxYHCAPJazK-LVP2LWWsPGuSDGVTqFTFyaS3S1eZCF_F4OCKQ4yGAyNLCRTp9EJ2SKwrT2bKY4cAK9JvTQLwd2Z3n/s1600/autograph+tree.jpg" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwde_ahozkRMr_KvKwHa4baeswZuypyZtB5XNFBttN2SMqw1FIhPbCxYHCAPJazK-LVP2LWWsPGuSDGVTqFTFyaS3S1eZCF_F4OCKQ4yGAyNLCRTp9EJ2SKwrT2bKY4cAK9JvTQLwd2Z3n/s1600/autograph+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; color: #222222; float: left; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwde_ahozkRMr_KvKwHa4baeswZuypyZtB5XNFBttN2SMqw1FIhPbCxYHCAPJazK-LVP2LWWsPGuSDGVTqFTFyaS3S1eZCF_F4OCKQ4yGAyNLCRTp9EJ2SKwrT2bKY4cAK9JvTQLwd2Z3n/s1600/autograph+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">With Love,</span></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwde_ahozkRMr_KvKwHa4baeswZuypyZtB5XNFBttN2SMqw1FIhPbCxYHCAPJazK-LVP2LWWsPGuSDGVTqFTFyaS3S1eZCF_F4OCKQ4yGAyNLCRTp9EJ2SKwrT2bKY4cAK9JvTQLwd2Z3n/s1600/autograph+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;">Madame Hummingbird</span></span></a></div>
</div>
Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-9517810793452045512012-11-19T09:47:00.001-08:002012-11-19T09:47:05.469-08:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Created as an offering to Hekate
Phosphoros November 2012 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By Mme. Hummingbird </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hekate Phosphoros Incense Recipe.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am giving approx measurements.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Begin on the new moon (around November 16<sup>th</sup> would
be good but work with what you have of course!) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Large handful of dark juniper berries (bruised and mashed)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
½ a vanilla bean chopped into small pieces</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2 tablespoons of frankincense (small tears and powder)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tablspn of Myrrh (in small tears)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Teaspn cardamom powder</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3 pods of star anise crushed</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
a sprig of juniper (cut in small bits)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3 drops of wormwood EO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6 drops of oakmoss EO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6 drops of Cypress EO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6 drops of Pine EO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
a drizzle of Vetiver EO</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1-3 chopped/sliced figs (dried unsweetened) and sweet wine
to cover in a bowl)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
3 shade dried fig leaves (crumbled, stems removed)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
a drizzle of honey</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
myrrh powder (about a tablespoon)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mugwort dry herb(approx a tablespoon.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pinch of saffron -or suitable alternative (I’ve used
calendula, when saffron is not available)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Begin under the new moon. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Try your best to source ingredients locally and at specific
places; crossroads, seaside, in liminal places, for instance I gather my
mugwort at a crossroad, but many I order or get from work. Make sure you know what you are gathering.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I gather figs that have fallen and dried on the tree and it
may be best to cut them in small pieces while they are not covered in wine, or
you could mash them by hand when wet, which is what I do. Let the figs soak in
the wine for about 3 days. Let them sit on your altar to Hekate or give them
their own place to soak. Then mash them up to a paste.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RmwdVeBw5OZ4T4333jakzt6DUrhFYDcRaCVQfqQJfZMtFcZHwGhXlx94WklCM1hEMAQiwBf25AN-3mGwwiWMHj_wb6m0E6QZGRfgxdwL_xXV8rPNAv53kCUwh2RyQIds-u4ycYsfj481/s1600/hekatedry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RmwdVeBw5OZ4T4333jakzt6DUrhFYDcRaCVQfqQJfZMtFcZHwGhXlx94WklCM1hEMAQiwBf25AN-3mGwwiWMHj_wb6m0E6QZGRfgxdwL_xXV8rPNAv53kCUwh2RyQIds-u4ycYsfj481/s320/hekatedry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Add all the dry ingredients first (saving the myrrh powder),
spread it out flat on a plate-then add the essential oils, mix well. Add the fig
mix and a drizzle of honey, mix well, then add the powdered myrrh. Let it set
till the full moon preferably in altar space. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To note: as you mix your ingredients and as you work, chant
to Hekate and putting in <b>your</b> prayers to the incense is part of the
work. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-10157931137765793562012-10-16T08:14:00.003-07:002012-10-16T08:14:52.546-07:00Dance to Hekate<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaZRKNpI2qs&feature=g-u-u" target="_blank">Dance To hekate</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Living, Death, Rebirth-<br />through Heaven, Sea and Earth. <br />Through Darkness and Shadow~<br />We seek what we know.<br /><br />Dancing in Darkness- Dancing on Graves~<br />Hidden in Caverns, crawling in caves.<br /><br />Cutting through Chaos,<br />finding the Lost~<br />Where 3 Roads Cross.<br /><br />Death seeks to Devour~<br />The Primal-Power~ <br />Hidden in the moss.<br /><br />Living, Death, Reborn-<br />In the Light we do not Mourn.<br /><br />Triple Way, Paths revealed,<br />Dancing in Darkness - You Heal.<br />Let us see now the Way~<br /><br />Hekate! Hekate! Hekate!<br /><br />-Madame HummingbirdHummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-51313917854968177632012-05-19T11:50:00.002-07:002012-05-19T11:50:53.033-07:00New Time<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
Cut away doubt and self loathing,</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
Cut away greed and frustration.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
Clear the land of foul thought~</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
break the rock of their foundation</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
Monuments of poverty stand in city places</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
Woe has filled the spirit of many faces.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
When our only respite is Death</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
The earth needs new Breath</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
When all hope has been taken;</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
Dance, till their spirits awaken.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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Hummingbird</div>Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-73795205630144384672012-03-30T10:36:00.012-07:002012-03-31T07:57:58.615-07:00Adventure Thursday.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOrCJP0wMaKAol6cyvCq8dbXTnGmZFQRz1r86cf3OlLl2fi055TDfwfFVF4jTO8s_xJKll8yG1D0HCc8Yt3ud4oHia-GUepn5PAuM_IVgb5mjG6A8ijak3QzFDujdgUIHlb4ZqtaECw0f/s1600/GEDV0199.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOrCJP0wMaKAol6cyvCq8dbXTnGmZFQRz1r86cf3OlLl2fi055TDfwfFVF4jTO8s_xJKll8yG1D0HCc8Yt3ud4oHia-GUepn5PAuM_IVgb5mjG6A8ijak3QzFDujdgUIHlb4ZqtaECw0f/s320/GEDV0199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725758822501974322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Typically, on Thursdays, I like to create a little adventure for myself (and, sometimes, others around me ;) Just<br />yesterday morning I got an email from the site <a href="http://www.findagrave.org/">findagrave </a>requesting that I find, and photograph 3 headstones in a local cemetery. So I grab my friend Colette, who is also a joyful adventurer . We headed in our festive finery to the Holy Ghost Cemetery to snap pics, take a quiet stroll and muse over the obscene amount of nettles and other stinging/stabbing plants in this cemetery.<div><div>You see, this cemetery </div><div>has always been a target for mischief and midnight marauders. Headstones are moved and pushed over, some are completely destroyed and some, you find, have been lovingly handmade, with painted Mother Marys, Angels and/or Saints bought at the Garden store, and names carved in tiles to remember those buried here. Cactus, Nettle and thistles are ABUNDANT. I assume they where planted on purpose, to make sure people who come to the cemetery, pay attention and watch their step. </div><div> Colette and I are brainstorming ways to clean up the place a bit, maybe have a garbage pick up, </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThmABhuAr4IEK_rZFJnVfxGS-_1yRW-_MefFG9hBSHZouiA4SKnXbVdPzdNWr6DWbPw5U_PnDZwU080kS7ZdvZLWOODr5xhyq1Q_BmJvssDdCskpht8cQ5LwxH4DpaXtud7YwqssAkSau/s320/GEDV0200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725760346752997586" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" />or pull some <span style="font-size:100%;">of the more obtrusive weeds. Then Colette </span><span style="font-size:100%;">suggests we head to the Holy Spirit Church to talk to the caretaker of the place, after all, someone does come here every morning to open the gates, and at dusk to lock them up. So two witches find their way to Holy Spirit Church.</span><div> We ask questions, how do we find out where someone I know is buried (my great Grandmother is buried</div></div><div><div>here) and if we can volunteer for a cemetery clean up. The woman at the counter tells us a few stories of headstones completely removed and how they would get calls from the police about a random headstone in a park, or backyard. It seems that stealing headstones for pranks is pretty funny to someone out there, but I can't image in the bad juju that could fall on that someone because of it. </div><div> Colette and I ramble on about the beauty and tranquility of walking in the cemetery and the Guy in charge gives us a a little bit of an odd look, but overall he was very polite and he got our information for future reference :P I think we know a bit too much about local cemeteries and other odd bits of local info, that we came off as a bit, um, suspicious- but who k<span style="font-size:100%;">nows, I try not to assume. Maybe he will call us.</span></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aQUZKdRdG8pQzlRwC93tt_QOFuBQTGDcAmBz5xsws97LgisW7PvMRjSAHeAjeUhkVjwXkLQznACZLlA2_0YRc5Cu3XkI7KeV7pCw8ac3W8lfloNQctDuPNUHBlDbLLN2r2TC9kw4EbCx/s320/GEDV0202.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5725762255634123794" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" border="0" /><span style="font-size:100%;">They certainly need some help. I would be willing to offer hands and any assistance to the cemetery if they need me to. I am pretty sure Colette is with me on this one. </span></div></div><div> We eventually found our way to the Pioneer Cemetery where, we found a very interesting person, but that might have to be for another blog, at another time that <span style="font-size:100%;">Rachel Chooses to visit.</span></div><div>The adventure never ends! May you have a blessed one yourself, today and everyday ~</div> <div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div>Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-34674977508727730742012-03-14T12:02:00.003-07:002012-03-14T12:15:35.332-07:00Dakini<div><br /></div><div>This is part 2 of My Legacy of the year. Yeshe Rabbit suggested this year long Legacy project to me and I thought it was a great idea. Basically what it means is that I commit to recording 9 videos of me performing a Sacred Dance with the general idea being related to honoring Goddess, Ancestress and/or Feminine figures or their energy. I had the feeling this next dance was going to be completely improvised and I was hoping so. I took the opportunity of our annual retreat in the beautiful and secluded Santa Cruz Mountains to find the perfect time and place for this to come together. I told Rabbit my feeling on this dance, celebrating the great change within our coven, the sacrifice of our beloved name (within the Amazon Tribe), and the feeling of knowing you are truly free to do what you want, and need to do for your spiritual well being. Rabbit knew of this chant, which maybe she can explain some time, but it worked out wonderfully for the energy I wanted. The Magnolia tree proved to be the perfect setting for this dance, it had always been a great place to sit under and admire the beauty within and around.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>And now, for the dance! Thanks to everyone who helped.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7M_8DzfSGA&context=C47f662bADvjVQa1PpcFOJPUtgOtyx26enGCkeZ_7_rwSGjgeH9e8=">Sky Dancer</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Love,</div><div>Madame Hummingbird</div>Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-64605046852087269052012-03-04T13:56:00.002-08:002012-03-04T15:08:25.962-08:00Making Change.<div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">Real change comes through evolution, it comes with hard work, and sacrifice. In my own growth as a High Priestess and person, I set the stage for my growth within community. </div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; ">This will be hard for me to write out, so forgive me if it makes absolutely no sense at all to the casual reader.</div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div> There have been low points in my life that I often attributed to me deserving it. Being told throughout my life that all of the pain and suffering of the world is because of Eve and now I will suffer for it because, somehow; I deserve to suffer. I menstruate, I give birth, I have breasts and a Vagina. All of the beautiful parts of me have been demoralized and perverted. And somehow, this is all <i style="font-weight: normal; ">My fault.</i> When I went into the hospital to give birth, alone, scared and young. I was not treated with compassion or respect. I was asked right away to show my proof of insurance, they assumed, I had none. I was interrogated, "you might as well tell me what drugs you are on because we <b>will</b> test you!". They injected me and prodded me, all "standard procedure" of course, though I don't know how the hurtful words come into standard procedure. Once my doctor confirmed that I was her patient for the last 3 years the staff changed (I had asked they be removed from my room, and I was moved to a nicer room anyway). I was soon wheeled off to surgery to have my son cut out of my belly. I felt very alone and I cried the whole time. When my son cried for the first time I laughed, it sounded like he cried "Maamaaa!". It was the best and worst moment of my life. I had no one there to comfort me or be my council. no one there to tell me "it's going to be Ok" Instead the people I had put my trust in, had hurt me in a way that was<i> life-changing.</i></div><div><i> </i>I know they were wrong for treating me this way, but the pain is still there, and when I think of that time, I still cry like I was on that table being cut open again. </div><div> Flash forward to me meeting up with Rabbit and becoming a High Priestess. I was not really that interested in "women-only naked ritual". I thought that would just set me up for disaster! I had been a Priestess in The Wildflower tradition for a few years before I decided to train to become an Amazon Priestess. It was not an easy decision for me to make. But the Change was <i>good.</i> I sat and shared stories with my sisters of heartache and success in the world, of what its like to be a mother and even discuss menstruation in all of its details. This does not make us who we are, but it is a part of us. </div><div> Now, I invite change, I wish for it. I enjoy the light of the moon and when the tide pulls back, I look for all the new treasures in the sand. My painful experiences are not all my fault, they are not any one persons fault, but I can grow from them. This Tribe of women will continue to evolve and create healing for the World.</div><div><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div>Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-48804750649612007752012-02-22T11:09:00.002-08:002012-02-22T11:41:25.264-08:00Pantheacon 2012<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXzN5bq7WDJy9LUJ_fdYDTLrafyixHCOFI1Ap4zQrXFm8UR41452UBEM-mg-q4PWI9lW2RLgLLS0-hV4eh63zNkLPciqwDh7B2wzwR3Dcc5ibKkmihKHgKqR2JJxkCWtwMzeDT-FBZgoZ/s1600/hek.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXzN5bq7WDJy9LUJ_fdYDTLrafyixHCOFI1Ap4zQrXFm8UR41452UBEM-mg-q4PWI9lW2RLgLLS0-hV4eh63zNkLPciqwDh7B2wzwR3Dcc5ibKkmihKHgKqR2JJxkCWtwMzeDT-FBZgoZ/s320/hek.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712047391952480114" /></a><br /><div><br /></div>I am so Lucky this year! All of the Events I went to on Sunday at Pcon were Incredible! I got there early to get to Siwas Dance Magick Class and that was the perfect way to start the day. Then on up to the Caya room to meet with some friends and prepare for the Queen of Hearts Ritual and make some lunch. It is always nice to have some "chill space" and I am very grateful to my coven for providing a room to chill out and relax between events. (and the food didnt hurt either!) Hanging out and talking to people is one of my favorite things to do here! After lunch the Amazon Priestesses Tribe headed to the room where the Queen of Hearts ritual was to be held. We prepped ourselves and the space, and invited all women inside. The ritual was so much fun to be part of. I really enjoy dancing in Sacred Space, it really is unbelievable and one of the joys of my life. I did the dance of the Maiden, free and Liberated, w/o the worries or responsibilities of the later stages of life. (its nice to go back to that place once in a while!) Molly told the story, her words like a song and the pounding of a drum. I saw some good friends there and I came out feeling blessed. Thats some good ritual happenins'! After some more chill space, I headed to the La Bifana class held by Sabina Magliocco and I thought I knew La Bifana, but there is SO much more behind the rich tradition of this Witch, how she relates to Hekate, Strenia, and so many more goddesses. The traditions of La Bifana, how her story was christianised, but that she is much older than the bible. Sabina does her research well & she don't mess around. I had to head out a little early but I was glad to catch her presentation. After that I headed to the Vendor room with the money I had saved just for this one day. I don't stay the whole weekend or chances are my savings would be no more. So I have a special amount set for the day. Its like when you go to Vegas and bring only a certain amount of cash, you also make sure you hide your Atm cards at home. So for my large purchase of the year I got my wonderful Hekate Statue from Morning Glory Zell. She told me of the inspiration of the statue, how it came to be, the symbols: key, knife, and torches she told me of the animals, dog and snake, she explained the herbs that she crafted around the base. You can tell a lot of love and thought are in this masterpiece. I am delighted to put this on my altar. I also picked up some stick incense from the Sacred Well, they are one of the very few places that carry Fred Solls resin incense and I got my favorite Pinion and some Frank with rose and jasmine. The next space I put my face was at the Oracles of the Living Tarot, which is always amazing. I think this year it was much more polished and we (thankfully) the audience had more room! All of the cards were amazing, and the order in which they appeared, very telling! I enjoyed it very much, and it is an event I like to be at every year. Last but not least was the Rite of the Bear Mother, and Holy Hel it was Powerful Magic! So I am part of Caya coven and I am proud to say this was amazing. The singing, the dancing, the chanting, the energy, the magic. It all Fucking rocked. Period. Go Sisters and Brothers! At the end of the ritual the man sitting next to me handed me a Macaw feather and he said; "here, for your altar"and I was a little flabbergasted, and thought to myself, "does he know I'm working with Oshun this year??" But I thanked him profusely and scurried off to the Caya common room<div>to grab my things and head home. </div><div>I got home, and I fell asleep, woke up early and very rested. I had a wonderful day and continue to have a fabulous week. Many thanks to all the amazing presenters and folks who make this a go every year ! </div>Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-78517155770245858932012-02-15T10:41:00.000-08:002012-02-15T10:57:09.265-08:00Elder/Echinacea to help fight con crud.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0x1p703tjUlVrg6buKJFz4bZ_0F_0Hx8If8Z4SGjpCTXM7ledrrsh4BLnDP6S5XQImn1NkfRSuaCD2qanM0N0s1_3YejDnLJ-G72g2FYglBqazKvMuA84armXAVGyOkpFqbWLtyG2Z5j/s1600/elder.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0x1p703tjUlVrg6buKJFz4bZ_0F_0Hx8If8Z4SGjpCTXM7ledrrsh4BLnDP6S5XQImn1NkfRSuaCD2qanM0N0s1_3YejDnLJ-G72g2FYglBqazKvMuA84armXAVGyOkpFqbWLtyG2Z5j/s320/elder.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709438423404692514" /></a><br /><div class="ingredients" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; "><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>My own recipe for P-con, but they are so tasty they might not make it that long.</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b><br /></b></li></ul><div><span style="line-height: 16px;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 16px;"><b>Elder-Echinacea cookies.</b></span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; "><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b><br /></b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>1 cup buckwheat flour (or 2 cups for gluten free, add Xanthan gum)</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>1 cup all purpose flour</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>1 teaspoon cardamom</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>2 teaspoons baking soda</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>1 teaspoon ground cinnamon</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>1/2 teaspoon salt</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>1/2 teaspoon of each: Almond, Vanilla, Peppermint extracts. </b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>3/4 cup coconut oil or butter</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>1 cup sugar</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>1 egg</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>1/4 cup dark honey</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>handful of each:</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>sunflower seeds</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>slivered almonds</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>dessicated coconut</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>cranberries</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>sesame seeds</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>and the rest of the Elderberry/Echinacea from the syrup,</b></li><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><b>or 1/4 cup elderberry and 2 tablspoons of echinacea powder soaked in brandy and then strained.</b></li></ul><div><span style="line-height: 16px;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 16px;"><b>Preheat oven to 350 degrees.</b></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 16px;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 16px;"><b>Mix dry ingredients in a bowl (except sugar) . cream together sugar with coconut oil and slowly add honey and then the egg. Slowly add the rest of the ingredients. mixing and mashing. Take a spoon and fork and put them on a cookie sheet. (you can also roll them in cinnamon sugar for more sweetness) Bake for 10 minutes.</b></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 16px;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="line-height: 16px;"><b><br /></b></span></div><ul style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; list-style-type: none; list-style-position: initial; list-style-image: initial; "><li class="plaincharacterwrap ingredient" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; word-wrap: break-word; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; line-height: 16px; "><br /></li></ul></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline">Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-52053743774354095602012-02-09T13:46:00.001-08:002012-02-09T14:27:07.357-08:00Sunol Water Temple<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0x_0Xbr7cnoBLzkbgAtZirmjuseKzhKQIi2R3aFwKbqEYJmgKvoCElCYClMKXyOXOuYoBBNRQ4zUuoWud6T7UJhIK_-_WZyXaPwqlqtqyBOh4roNGB47eEZELkqimsSx6lMu0qxq4q_0A/s1600/waterinside.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0x_0Xbr7cnoBLzkbgAtZirmjuseKzhKQIi2R3aFwKbqEYJmgKvoCElCYClMKXyOXOuYoBBNRQ4zUuoWud6T7UJhIK_-_WZyXaPwqlqtqyBOh4roNGB47eEZELkqimsSx6lMu0qxq4q_0A/s320/waterinside.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707260631620367282" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnahFptJ9SOeSGxQtr-KpRHmIXw3xdLRvRzH61b2BRugM7jt9PL7Fem6np2xYh5lYKZaB47QBHK8yBB8yITwLhzo03E4V0I9ldihalV9CyxwVY0-yprc9AhC0vBn9fwNfFtQ6N9K_rUqMk/s1600/Watertemple.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnahFptJ9SOeSGxQtr-KpRHmIXw3xdLRvRzH61b2BRugM7jt9PL7Fem6np2xYh5lYKZaB47QBHK8yBB8yITwLhzo03E4V0I9ldihalV9CyxwVY0-yprc9AhC0vBn9fwNfFtQ6N9K_rUqMk/s320/Watertemple.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707258430162255490" /></a><br />Today I found myself drawn to the outdoors, I wanted to be as far away as I could be. So I started driving. I forget what my original destination was, but I'm sure not getting there had a lot to do with me getting lost. So I pulled out my handy new cel phone, and typed in "Temple" . Up popped the Water Temple. Something I had only seen from afar when I was a teenager cutting class to go skinny dipping in the Niles Creek. (Ah yes! that's where I was going today, Niles !) anyway, I ask my phone for directions and I'm on my way. I arrive and find I am the only person there. As soon as I get out of the car, There is Buzzard about 20 feet over my head. All I can do is look at the beautiful and large bird scoping me out.<div><br /><div> First off, there is water in the middle of the temple, so you can't really walk in that part, and from what I could tell it is really deep, like a *huge* well. It is clear, but really dark and a bit ominous when you look into it. If you look up from the Inside you will see a beautiful painting of 6 women on the ceiling. At first I just absorbed all the goodness, the fresh air, the birds chirping and the water flowing. Soon I was weeping, my tears falling into this giant and deep well. I thought of how important water is, how Sacred it is to the Planet and to every living thing on it. It is sad that water has been poisoned and polluted so much. Once I could not cry anymore and I began singing. The sound echoing inside the Temple is breathtaking. I could envision women standing all around at each pillar singing into the well, creating and renewing all of the pleasures in life. I stopped and listened to the water flowing, in meditation. It is very calming to find yourself in this kind of space, surrounded by wildlife and the sound of water when you are trying to be still. </div><div><br /></div><div> The Temple itself was designed by Willis Polk for the water district, but it was modeled after the Temple of Vesta in Tivoli, Italy. So I can't help but associate this Water Temple with Vesta; I can see that bringing fresh clean water into the homes of most of the bay area can relate to Goddess Vesta and even a hot pot of soup needs some clean water in it. I also see a few more Goddesses in this place, since it is not the Original Temple of Vesta, but it is A Beautiful Water Temple.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div><br /></div></div>Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-69604466983147777352012-02-08T23:00:00.000-08:002012-02-08T23:40:58.786-08:00Elder Echinacea Syrup<meta equiv="CONTENT-TYPE" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <title></title> <meta name="GENERATOR" content="OpenOffice.org 2.4 (Linux)"> <style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Sweet n' Simple Elder Echinacea Syrup </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Buckwheat Honey</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Brandy (or other alcohol you like) (1/2 cup or so)</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">¼ cup elderberry dried or fresh (in this recipe I used dry)</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">2 tablespoons echinacea powder</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">1 tablespoon ginger juice<br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">1 nice n' juicy lemon</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> In a small pot put the mixture of elderberry, echinacea, and brandy on low heat. Simmer, Take a heaping large tablespoon of honey and add to the mixture in the pot, add the juice of half a lemon and ginger stir well. Add more brandy or the rest of the lemon if you need more liqiud. (the other half of the lemon can be saved and added at any time.) Simmer, then when you feel it is ready you have 1 of 2 choices: you can strain the bulk of the mix through a small weave metal strainer and save the ruffage for truffles or incense (yes!) a potato masher can also help to reserve the liquid, or you can toss it all in a food processor for a slightly chunky syrup and get all the good stuff in there. I tablespoon 2 x a day should do it! You can even add it to tea or a glass of water if you like.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">What, Why?</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Buckwheat honey is a dark and strong flavored honey. It is high in anti-oxidants, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and phenols. This honey is thick and less sweet than your typical wildflower honey. The kind I like to use in this recipe will not pour at room temperature. When mixed with the other ingredients in this recipe it should make the syrup sweet, but not overly so.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Black Elderberry also known as Sambucus Nigra is a great antiviral, anti-inflammitory, immune system fortifying, diaphoretic (expect to in part, sweat it out), diuretic (and in urination), Mild laxative, and bacteria supressor. It can really shorten the duration of a flu and can help with tonsilitis as well.</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Echinacea will help to stimulate your white blood cells and lymphocytes to “eat and destroy” invading organisms in your body. Echinacea will kill yeast and bacteria, and is helpful in the treatment of viruses. </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Lemon juice can help balance the bodies Ph. Diets high in processed foods and other acidic foods can create an unbalanced Ph in the body. This highly acidic Ph can keep the body from removing toxins and leaving it open to disease and even slow down metabolism. Also lemon is high in vitamin C.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 100%;"> </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Ginger is very calming on the stomach and it is also very warming. This is great when you get the chills from the flu and it also helps you to “sweat it out” combined with the honey it is highly antiseptic.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Oh and the Brandy? Thats because my grandma always recommended a shot of Macieira (a Portuguese brandy) for a cold.<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This is my syrup recipe, but it can be easily adapted to your own needs with a little creativity and thought. I will put up some recipes to make incense and truffles with the ruffage, but you can throw it into batter and make cookies or whatever sweet thing you want.<br /></p>Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2704950857718516749.post-80127694420844066482012-02-08T12:52:00.000-08:002012-02-08T12:55:08.670-08:00Hawthorn~<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">I've been working with a new Plant lately. It is one that I have not had the chance to really get to know before. In herbalism it is used internally to strengthen the Heart and so it is used to help individuals who have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. This is the wonderful Hawthorn Berry. It can be made into teas, tinctures and put into capsules for consumption. I also use it in my own magical practice. Since Hawthorn has beautiful red berries and thorns it has the protective qualities of a Fire herb. Also, to note, it increases circulation concerning the heart-blood, this is very much fire. Hawthorn is very protective of home and health. One of my favorite things to do for protection of home and body is to make a strong tea of Hawthorn Berries, drink a small cup of the tea with honey for health, and put the rest in a spray bottle with a bit of Vinegar (white or apple, its up to you!) Then I mist the doors and windows of the house so that no negative energies enter.</span><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> Hawthorn is associated with many deities and has much lore behind it that goes back thousands of years. One Goddess is Cardea, a Goddess of Door-hinges (responsible for the opening and closing of doors), Her plant is the Hawthorn to which she hung over the doorways/windows of children in the home for protection. Arbutus is added for the healing of children, which is added to a red cloth hung over the window, also containing Hawthorn.</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> Hawthorns' Month is May, this is when it first begins to blossom (historically, global climate shifts have changed this a bit) so it has long been associated with Beltane and fertility rituals. It is said that if you bathe your hands in the floral essence of Hawthorn Blossoms in the month of May, you will learn to be a good (or even better) craftsmen.</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> The burning Bush from the Bible, was a variety of Hawthorn. Again this goes back to fire, in fact fire with a divine message. The Hawthorn has spirit within it, what does it say to you?</span> </div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'trebuchet ms', verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div>Hummingbirdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08679101219276542490noreply@blogger.com0