The creator within me

The creator within me

I just love creating....and that is an understatement!!!

I spend so many hours of my life, sewing, knitting, crocheting, drawing, painting, growing, paper crafting, jewellery making, cooking, baking, taking photographs, and writing poetry & blogs......though not all at once, these phases usually cycle round, and some I'm more drawn to than others.

What I have found through all these hobbies is that it's not so much about following patterns, instructions and recipes, it's all about throwing myself in and experimenting. 
And of course with this method there are always going to be plenty of disasters and lots of half made creations that didn't make it......but these only enable me to understand where I went wrong, and usually it all gets recycled or in the case of baking - 'fed to the ducks'!!!!

I'm also aware that it IS the dreaming up, imagining, and designing, that I enjoy.....just as much as the creating itself.  I have tried to make lots of the same things up i.e. cards, earrings etc, for selling, and it doesn't work!  I start getting bored, my thoughts are elsewhere........the next concept!!! So I don't worry about it anymore, I don't get hung up, I just make a few things together and then move on, enjoying the journey, as I go.

I also used to worry that I had to do things by the book all the time.  So if I wanted to paint, I would have to learn or take a course, and then I would have to stick with the rules.  Now I don't care!!! Of course to practise a craft you have to learn the skill - however you choose to do it, but after that.....you can do what you like!  Anything goes!!!!  It doesn't matter what people think, what matters is enjoying the process.....and strangely, when you are happy just creating, it then shows in the finished item.  You imbue your creations with your emotions, for when you feel good so does does everything you touch.

I'm finding more and more crafts and skills that I want to learn everyday....and it keeps me inspired.  So get your imaginations going,  get creating, and enjoy.    X

One of my creations - Lady of the Yew

Moon - Waxing Crescent 5%

Yoga - Tadasana, Trikonasana, Parsvottanasana, Prasarita Padottanasana, Utthita Hasta Pandanguthasana, Vasisthasana, Baddhakonasana, Janu Sirsasana, Halasana, Shalabhasana, Sphinx, Gomukhasana, Paschimottanasana, Adha Matsyasana & Yoga Mudra.

Card Message - The Feferyllt
Allow inner and outer, masculine and feminine, to blend within you to give birth to your Creative Self.

24th January - Sementivae, also known as Feriae Sementivae, is a Roman festival of sowing.
It is held in honour of Ceres (the goddess of agriculture) and Tellus (Mother Earth). The initial half of the event is a festival in honour of Tellus which runs from January 24 through January 26. The festival honouring Ceres occurs one week later, starting February 2.
Cornish Tinners' and Seafarers' Day - it is an old "labour day" celebrating the new season of sailing and mining in Cornwall.  In the old wooden calendars known as clog almanacks, rimstocks, or prim-staves, each eve or aften was marked by a letter "A".

Gratitude - Imagination

Chinese New Year 2012 - Year of the Water Dragon

Chinese New Year 2012 - Year of the Water Dragon

Chinese New Year is observed for two consecutive weeks, and is popularly known as Spring Festival. It usually starts from late January and early February. The variation in the date of festival is due to the changes in the track of the new moon. The Spring Festival ends on the 15th day when the Lantern festival is celebrated - this is the year of the Water Dragon.

The Dragon is the major symbol of good luck and fortune, it brings the 4 blessings of the East - wealth, virtue, harmony and longevity.  It is an auspicious year to be born in, many try for children to be born in a dragon year. 
"Bigger than life" is the way of the dragon, so expect things to happen on a spectacular scale (pardon the pun!).

Dragon years can make dreams a reality; it is associated with the season of spring.  So get any ideas and plans in motion during this time.  Energetic high points are during the Dragon moon - May 20th ~ June 18th, this period will set the energy for the forthcoming year - yin water snake.

The element for this year is water, creating a water dragon.  The water element nourishes the fixed wood element of the dragon, which brings the sense of harmony.  Since 1996 the element of the year has been destructive with the element of the animal sign, this period has been the longest unfavourable one in the last 60 years of the chinese astrology cycle.  2012 breaks this cycle, making this year a harmonius and favourable one.

It is a Yang year, and yang water is flowing water, rather than a stagnant pool; this will keep the prosperity, and creativity flowing.



Moon - New Moon 1%

Yoga - Tadasana, Earth Sequence, Marjaryasana/Bitilasana, Garudasana, Hanumanasana, Sarvangasana, Dhanurasana, Baddhakonasana, Gomukhasana, Ardha Matsyasana

Card Message - Nine of Pentacles (9's - completness, idealism & leadership) & (pentacles - earth, sensation/the senses & body)
Receiving an unearned income.  No longer needing to work to earn a living.  Luxaries, hobbies and pleasures.  You may be keen to succeed - both materially and spiritually.  Affirming your values.  Enjoying the benefits of a successful and full life on your own.  A productive, active and settled life, in which you are self assured and spiritually aware.

23rd January - Goddess month of Bridhe commences

Gratitude - Laughter

The Injustice of it All...Stand Up and be Counted

The Injustice of it All...Stand Up and be Counted

Life is tough, there is no doubt in my mind.  People are struggling to survive in this harsh environment, it's not the planet itself, but the humans in charge!!
There is worldwide unrest everywhere right now, at the injustice of corruption and greed of the power mad few that sit at the top of the worlds resources.  
It is a pattern that has been playing out since humans existed, clan wars, feudal systems, heavy taxes, slavery, class prejudice, racial and religious discrimination, and poverty to name but a few of the injustices' humans have put upon one another.

At the present time we are dealing with the U.S.A trying to gain a control of the Internet (under the guise of anti-piracy),  the great British tax scandal,  pesticides killing bees, chem trails, unemployment at an all time high, no affordable housing, the Japanese using tsunami relief funds for whaling, Syria torturing peaceful protesters, and unfortunately the list goes on and on. 

Oh it all makes me so mad, and there seems no end in sight sometimes.  We are conditioned to think that we must conform and tow the line to those in authority.  It is frowned upon to speak out, you're deemed as an upstart, and a troublemaker.   I apologise for what seems a fairly nonspiritual blog, but it seems so unfair and so nonspiritual of those in power to treat a fellow human being in such a manner. Just recently I attended a school meeting with other parents, it was about changes they are going to make with the GCSE system, for the children's benefit. It was a change bought about because I quote....'the government want a new workforce'. These words made me feel quite ill, the thought of my son joining the rat race, being taxed astronomical amounts, unable to afford housing, and to the benefit of whom??? Not him!!!!!

Thankfully though there is an awful lot of people that are trying to redress the balance, and what they do is amazing, their dedication for justice and their sacrifices for us all.  We have to wake up and listen to them, to stop sticking our heads in the sand..... we need to be be aware, to take note, to stand up and be counted, to lend our voice, to protest and have our voices heard. 

I have put a few links on this blog to notable causes, campaigns and organisations that are trying to make a difference....with our support!!!!

This planet does not belong to the few...it is there to provide for us all, as long as we respect it and share it.  X

http://www.thrivemovement.com/

http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/

http://www.occupytogether.org/

http://www.ufos-aliens.co.uk/cosmicchems.html

http://www.bayer-kills-bees.com/

http://www.avaaz.org/en/

http://www.ciwf.org.uk/



Moon - Waning Crescent 7%

Yoga - none today

Card Message - Two of Pentacles (2's - relationships, choice & experience) & (pentacles - earth, sensation/senses, the body)
A need to seek balance in your life requires trust and playfulness rather than concentration or caution.  Material wealth and practical matters.  Juggling two or more jobs, homes or demanding relationships.  Juggling a number of factors in your life may be a joy for you, rather than a burden.

22nd January - St Vincent/Goddess month of Hestia begins
St Vincent is a christianisation of the sun god Apollo.  A weather marker for St Vincent's Day

"Remember on St Vincent's Day
If that the sun beams his display
Be sure to mark his transient beam
Which through the window sheds a gleam;
For 'tis a token bright and clear,
Of prosperous weather all the year.

Gratitude -

Rowan (Luis) - Lady of the Mountain

Rowan (Luis) - Lady of the Mountain

Rowan (Luis), is the 2nd tree in the Tree Ogham, it's ruling time runs from January 21st - February 17th, during which one of the four great pagan sabbats of the year takes place – Imbolc (Feb 2nd), Luis means flame or bright in Gaelic, this is probably due to the bright red berries that the Rowan tree produces each summer.  The Rowan tree can grow up to 200 years old and is a very hardy tree that will grow in the poorest soil, often growing on the sides of mountains - hence the name 'Lady of the Mountain'.  It is also known as Quickenwood, Quickbane, Sorbapple, Witchenwood, Rune Tree, and Witchbane.

Ruling Planet - The Sun

Deities - Brigid, Lugh the Sun God, Dagda, by the Welsh Ceridwen, as well as by the great Norse God Thor and the Germanic Hecate.

Polarity - Masculine

Elements - Fire

Medicinal Properties - Rowan berries are very high in vitamin C, They contain sorbic acid, making them very astringent and should normally be boiled and then strained before use, as eating the berries raw can easily cause stomach upsets. The berries are best prepared into jellies or syrups, where the pulp and seeds are strained out, as the seeds and possibly the leaves are known to contain some toxic properties.  Often used as a laxative and for sore throats/hoarseness...a decoction of the bark can be used as an astringent.

Magical Properties - Rowan gives protection against enchantment and evil spirits, rowan twigs were used to protect properties against negative forces.  There are hundreds of references telling of the use of crosses made from rowan twigs and bound with red thread, rowan berry necklaces and rowan loops and used as a charm or amulet. Small pieces were sewn into clothes or simply carried in pockets. The wood was considered good only if collected from a living tree, after asking the Rowan’s permission. Some thought fairies lived in its branches, and stealing the wood without consent might focus their anger at you.  Walking sticks made from Rowan protected the owner whilst out walking, against evil spirits.
Dowsing sticks made of Rowan are good for seeking out metal ore.
It is a sacred tree to the Druids, who used it for protection against sorcery, they burnt it on funeral pyres, as it symbolises death and rebirth.  It was also burnt in rites of divination and purification.
The Rowan trees also gave protection to ancient sites, stone circles and ley lines, trees were purposely planted to safeguard these sacred sites. 
They have a very strong connection with serpent's and dragon's....in Irish mythology dragon's would watch over Rowan trees, who in turn would give protection to these earth dragons.  These dragons in the land were the earth energy, often seen as spirals,coils and circles within the landscape; the dragons were believed to coil themselves around hills, creating these shapes.

Moon - Waning Crescent 14 %

Yoga - Tadasana, Surya Namaskara

Card Message - The Moon
Fear is a powerful teacher and ally.  If you can walk through the gates of fear you will arrive at the gates of the Goddess, who will bless you with inner vision.

21st January - St Agnes' Day/Celtic tree month of Luis commences.
Traditionally, St Agnes' Day is a time for divination by fire.

Gratitude - Sleep

A Raw-full diet is Good

A Raw-full Diet is Good

Well I'm back to this point again, having let myself slip into a rut of bad eating habits, and feeling truly awful for it.  I knew it would happen over the Christmas period, but has now crept into most of January too.

Back last October I tried to start eating a predominantly raw diet, and it went well.  It was difficult to know where to start with it, but with the help of friends, I managed to get myself eating raw and creating raw too.  I felt amazing in such a little time, my skin was glowing, weight was dropping, I felt fresh and clean.  I bought several books, and started creating a little,  things were going well, but Christmas was coming and I knew it was going to be tough.  My confidence was lacking with what I could create as alternatives to the festive foods, and so the raw food diet disappeared over Christmas.

This period of bad eating....and when I say bad, I mean quick carb fixes laden with sugar....has got me to point of feeling pretty rough now...so it's time to stop and start eating healthy again.

I've forgotten what it's like to have a decent nights sleep, to not feel dehydrated, to not feel bloated, stodgy, spotty, lethargic, apathetic.
I've forgotten how to look after myself, to feel bright, alert, calm - with no mood swings (sugar highs & lows), relaxed, lighter, thinner, and so the list goes on!!!

I make a point of making sure that my children eat a well balanced diet, avoiding high fats and sugars.   My pets too, are well looked after in the dietary field, with pet food that is clean and free from hidden nasties.  So why am I not looking after myself?  And I know that I can't look after them properly if I'm not looking after myself.

So back to raw it is and I'm looking forward to it....besides which what better way to tastes the freshness of the produce that will be grown on our allotment this year.      X


Moon - Waning Crescent 21%

Yoga - Tadasana, Uttanasana, Parsvottanasana, Utthita Parsvokonasana, Prasarita Padottanasana, Utthita Hasta Pandangusthasana, Marjaryasana/Bitilasana, Adho Mukha Svanasana - Urdhva Mukha Svanasana, Hanumanasana, Baddakonasana, Gomukhasana, Lying Spinal Twist, Yoga Mudra, Pranayama & Mantra.

Card Message - Three of Swords (3's - creativity, expression, synthesis, & fulfilment) & (swords - air - thinking, intellect & mind)
Suffering can lead to greater wisdom.  Heartache, out of which can come healing and emotional maturity.  The potential for true growth and transformation.  We can learn and grow from conflicts and difficulties, rather than feel victimised by them.

20th January - St Agnes' Eve/Celtic tree month of Beth ends.
Traditionally, St Agnes' Day is a time for divination by fire.

Gratitude - Health

Undervaluing versus Love

Undervaluing versus Love

We should never undervalue ourselves, others, the planet etc
It is through love that we grow, self love, love for others, love for the planet and beyond.

To undervalue yourself brings hurt, emotional unhappiness,  it keeps you locked in a cycle of pain and there is then no room for growth. These people that will sabotage their own well being, continually bringing about pain & suffering to themselves.

To undervalue someone else brings hurt too, there are some people that will boost their own feelings of superiority by belittling and undervaluing others - this is an insecurity, to which their ego feeds off.  To inflict any form of pain or suffering on another, is detrimental to your own well being.

To undervalue the earth, is to take for granted the very foundation that supports us. Another way to look at this, is recognising our link/connection with the earth. We are tied to this planet, it enables us to thrive, therefore we are connected, so to undervalue the earth is to undervalue an aspect of ourselves - the same can be said of our relationships with others. "What we do unto others, we do to ourselves".

So if this is Undervaluation - the negative aspect....
then what of the positive.....Love.

The definition of Love is, an emotion of strong affection and personal attachment.   Love is also a virtue representing all of human kindness, compassion, and affection; and "the unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another.

I know it sounds very 60's hippy to say "love and peace", but it's true!!! Through love we grow, we support one another, we respect each other and all that surrounds us. A loving environment is one that is happy, one that all can prosper in, one in which we can all learn and grow in, and one which we support and respect one another.  Which makes.....a happy you, happy people and a happy planet!!!

We all have choices presented to us in which we can choose the undervaluing, taking for granted, 'every man for himself', unloving, egotistical option. Or we can choose the loving, happy, nurturing, caring, selfless, for 'the greater good' option.
Don't get me wrong, I'm far from perfect and I can hold my hand up to picking the wrong options, many, many times. Knowing and recognising my mistakes has given me the chance to look at myself and the effect I can have on myself, the people I meet and communicate with and this planet.....

this my reflection. X

Moon - Waning Crescent 28%

Yoga - Tadasana, Marjaryasana/Bitilasana, Parsvottanasana, Trikonasana, Prasarita Padottanasana, Utthita Tadasana, Moondance (replacing the 'warrior' with the'goddess, and changing the 'lunge' to anjaneyasana), Sarvangasana, Shalabhasana, Sphinx, trying my best to reach Hanumanasana, Baddhakonasana, Gomukhasana, Ardha Matsyasana, Yoga Mudra & Pranayama with Mantra

Card Message - Justice
It could be time for making a decision, of a choice, but not out of reaction.  Act with the honesty and integrity demanded by Justice.  You maybe called on to be true to yourself - to your own nature.  Being called to account for your actions.  Litigation.  Making decisions which involve weighing up arguments and exercising discrimination.  Is now a time for severity and discipline, or for mercy and acceptance.

19th January - 1903 "New bicycle race ""Tour de France"" announced"
                        1955 """Scrabble"" debuts on board game market"
                        1981 Muhammad Ali talks a despondent 21 year old out of committing suicide

Gratitude - Love

This Girl Just Wants To Have Fun!!

This Girl Just Wants To Have Fun!!

You just gotta have some fun in your life and I'm comprising my very own list of fun things I want to do....some I've tried before and others, completely new experiences.....

I thought may be a few of these......

1) Bhangra night

2) Learn to create living willow garden structures

3) Ice skating/roller disco

4) Learn to ride a horse

5) Be initiated to Kriya Yoga

6) Go to a festival or two

7) Visit Avebury (yep, I haven't been yet)

8)  Go and see a ballet

9)  Go camping
 
10)  Fly a kite

11) Have a breakfast picnic and watch the sun come up

12) Research my family tree

13) Be a keeper for a day - local animal wildlife park

14) Create a travelling friendship basket. Fill an inexpensive basket with baked goodies, crafts, and so forth. Pass it on to a friend. Leave a note in the basket, directing it to be passed on (within the month) to someone else who could use some cheer.

15) Go to a Planetarium

16) Go fossil hunting

17) Learn archery

18) Visit Cheddar Gorge

19) Explore all the local museums and art galleries

20) Visit any local mazes and labyrinths

Well that will do for starters, and I'm sure that this list will be edited and edited as time goes on.

It's nice to have things that you enjoy, to look forward to....to do something that makes you happy is a joyous task, lifts the spirits and teaches you new skills and experiences.  Variety is the spice of life so it's time to try some new adventures....I for one, can't wait!!! X

Moon - Waning Crescent 34%

Yoga - Tadasana,  Surya Namaskara, Goddess Sequence, Ardha Matsyasana, and Mantra.

Card Message - Ace of Pentacles (aces - gifts, beginning and potentials) & (pentacles - earth, the senses/sensation and the body)
Material benefits.  A job offer, promotion or salary increase, or an inheritance or windfall.  A new contract or career could change auger well.  In a relationship, a situation that is well grounded: secure peaceful and enduring.

18th January - 1912 : British explorer Robert Falcon Scott arrives at the South Pole only to find that Roald Amundsen, the Norwegian explorer, had preceded them by just over a month. 

Gratitude -