I love my garden. I have done some gardening before this, but it was mostly flowers and herbs. This year someone gave me the seeds for a food, herbs and flower garden. So a friend and I divvied up the space that neighbors tilled, and I goat hauled manure, which she dug into the garden space.
So I planted a variety of seeds: basil dill chives, cilantro, lettuce, wax beans zucchini, tomatoes, snow peas and lots of flowers. Lately I've been eating greens of several kinds, wax beans, onions, zucchini, and, of course basil. Basil vinagrette, fresh pesto, and just basil in what I make - from soup to salad.
The tomatoes haven't ripened fully yet, but they are beginning to turn red and yellow and orange.
When I go out to my garden to water, weed or glean for dinner, I feel at peace. What an amazing thing - to grow my own food! It really is empowering. If you haven't ever planted your own garden, do it now!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Women of Wisdom: the Book!
I have participated in a conference just for women, and have found it inspiring and strengthening. One of the speakers stands out for me - Angeles Arrien. She is a cultural anthropologist, award-winning author, educator, and consultant to many organizations and businesses. She lectures and conducts workshops worldwide, bridging cultural anthropology, psychology, and comparative religions. Her work is currently used in medical, academic, and corporate environments.
Here is a bit of what she said in addressing the Women of Wisdom some years ago:
When in your life did you stop singing? When in your life did you stop dancing? When in your life did you stop being enchanted by stories and particularly you own life story?
I am at home when I have fire; when I am deeply connected to what has heart and meaning, the heart's fire; when I am seized by a vision that I want to manifest and bring to the sweet face of Mother Earth. I know I am on fire when I have connected to something numinous and extraordinarily beautiful that can only be found when trusting in an unshakable part of myself, in a sacred refuge that I can find in my deep interior.
Well that set me on fire!
The annual Women of Wisdom conference began, of course, as a dream. Like any dream it took work and perseverance, and lots of sweat, laughter and tears. It started with Kris Steinnes' dream.
Here are a few words from the author and originator of Women of Wisdom:
Women of Wisdom is a journey through sixteen years of one of the largest women’s spirituality conferences in the world, a very unique conference that has impacted thousands of women’s lives. Authors Jean Houston and Margot Anand both exclaimed separately to me – “Kris there is nothing like this in the world” – and they have traveled around the world. The book will continue to impact women, as they experience the wisdom and gifts of the sixty contributors in the book.
The Women of Wisdom book gives women access to powerful, inspiring women leaders and their message for women to step into their power, own their feminine gifts, and learn to speak their truths. WOW provides role models who will inspire women to discover their dreams and their purpose.
Additionally the book shares stories from women whose lives have been changed by experiencing these women’s messages. Evocative art, poetry and experiential exercises enhance the book’s message, providing diverse ways to experience the spirit of the feminine.
The book Women of Wisdom by Kris Steinnes, will be offered beginning tomorrow, June 23rd, 2009 at 12:01 am. We invite you to go to this page - www.wisewomanpublishing.com/womenofwisdom.html - to access the order page and then go back to the same page and enter your order confirmation code and your email address. That will take you to the sign up page for the Women of Wisdom e-newsletter. Once you join the WOW book group you will be sent an email with a link to the bonus gifts that are available to people who buy the book on June 23rd. You can later opt out of being on the Women of Wisdom newsletter list if you choose.
Enjoy the read!
Here is a bit of what she said in addressing the Women of Wisdom some years ago:
When in your life did you stop singing? When in your life did you stop dancing? When in your life did you stop being enchanted by stories and particularly you own life story?
I am at home when I have fire; when I am deeply connected to what has heart and meaning, the heart's fire; when I am seized by a vision that I want to manifest and bring to the sweet face of Mother Earth. I know I am on fire when I have connected to something numinous and extraordinarily beautiful that can only be found when trusting in an unshakable part of myself, in a sacred refuge that I can find in my deep interior.
Well that set me on fire!
The annual Women of Wisdom conference began, of course, as a dream. Like any dream it took work and perseverance, and lots of sweat, laughter and tears. It started with Kris Steinnes' dream.
Here are a few words from the author and originator of Women of Wisdom:
Women of Wisdom is a journey through sixteen years of one of the largest women’s spirituality conferences in the world, a very unique conference that has impacted thousands of women’s lives. Authors Jean Houston and Margot Anand both exclaimed separately to me – “Kris there is nothing like this in the world” – and they have traveled around the world. The book will continue to impact women, as they experience the wisdom and gifts of the sixty contributors in the book.
The Women of Wisdom book gives women access to powerful, inspiring women leaders and their message for women to step into their power, own their feminine gifts, and learn to speak their truths. WOW provides role models who will inspire women to discover their dreams and their purpose.
Additionally the book shares stories from women whose lives have been changed by experiencing these women’s messages. Evocative art, poetry and experiential exercises enhance the book’s message, providing diverse ways to experience the spirit of the feminine.
The book Women of Wisdom by Kris Steinnes, will be offered beginning tomorrow, June 23rd, 2009 at 12:01 am. We invite you to go to this page - www.wisewomanpublishing.com/womenofwisdom.html - to access the order page and then go back to the same page and enter your order confirmation code and your email address. That will take you to the sign up page for the Women of Wisdom e-newsletter. Once you join the WOW book group you will be sent an email with a link to the bonus gifts that are available to people who buy the book on June 23rd. You can later opt out of being on the Women of Wisdom newsletter list if you choose.
Enjoy the read!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
A Time to Heal
The astrology in this time is extraordinary. Mercury, moving direct in late Taurus, is now square (90-degree aspect) the alignment of Jupiter, Chiron and Neptune in Aquarius. This is the last of Mercury’s three squares to the Aquarius alignment, and the most precise. If you don't know about astrology, squares move us into action. It is best if we are aware and actively using that square, because the square will push us if we aren't awake!
The conjunction of Neptune, Chiron and Jupiter is a focused, laser-like healing beam. Mercury in Taurus gives an earthy voice to all that is ready to heal or let go. It can be on the personal, or the collective. I have experienced both in the lead-up to the exact alignments.
On the collective level, I listened to President Obama's speech in Cairo, weeping through much of it. I am thankful for a President with both heart and brains. I could feel the audience that was there in the room opening their hearts and experiencing relief. He quoted the Koran (aptly) and yet also gave the message that we MUST learn to live peacefully - all humans need to have safety, food, health care, and so on. And we must respect each other's traditions, religion and culture. Wow!
On the personal level I experienced amazing healing. It hasn't been exactly easy, as the President said creating a peaceful world would not be easy. Yet it is necessary and there is support.
What came up for me was the opportunity to let go of old wounds. I was on a journey into the desert, with two very trusted friends. We picked a day that was cooler than usual, and because of the amount of snow this past winter, the usual trickle of a waterfall was lush and full. There were many plants in bloom. Lots of animals - deer, ravens, and other smaller creatures - were feasting on the abundance of food and water. It was a lovely spot for our prayer pipe ceremony.
I had a bit of a hard time clambering over rocks and with walking further than was comfortable. But the real inner push was an upcoming meeting where one of the participants is quite controlling. I had been talking about my feelings, not wanting to go yet knowing I needed to. And yet another woman in my life has been pushing that same button. On the way home, after dropping one person at her house, my other friend was driving. We both are trained in shamanic and energetic healing.
I told her I thought there might be some unconscious sorcery going on. We talked a bit about it, she reminding me that in this situation, there was probably some really old hurts coming up. Since she was driving, I looked inside and saw a dagger in my heart. I thought I would take it out. But before I could do so, my primary guardian and guide became visible to me. I know this guide well, yet had never seen her before. She was quite beautiful. And she pulled out the dagger. She also told me that I do need to go to the meeting, Partly because I could help in healing for the whole group, and there would be a gift for me.
That wasn't the end, however. When I finally sat down in my comfortable recliner at home, I realized that my mother had a fair amount of that controlling energy, especially when I was very young. It affected me deeply - I was very sensitive on a number of levels.
I am sure there is more work to do. What is interesting is how this whole process was so laser-like. That, my friends, is Chiron conjunct Neptune and Jupiter square Mercury!
The conjunction of Neptune, Chiron and Jupiter is a focused, laser-like healing beam. Mercury in Taurus gives an earthy voice to all that is ready to heal or let go. It can be on the personal, or the collective. I have experienced both in the lead-up to the exact alignments.
On the collective level, I listened to President Obama's speech in Cairo, weeping through much of it. I am thankful for a President with both heart and brains. I could feel the audience that was there in the room opening their hearts and experiencing relief. He quoted the Koran (aptly) and yet also gave the message that we MUST learn to live peacefully - all humans need to have safety, food, health care, and so on. And we must respect each other's traditions, religion and culture. Wow!
On the personal level I experienced amazing healing. It hasn't been exactly easy, as the President said creating a peaceful world would not be easy. Yet it is necessary and there is support.
What came up for me was the opportunity to let go of old wounds. I was on a journey into the desert, with two very trusted friends. We picked a day that was cooler than usual, and because of the amount of snow this past winter, the usual trickle of a waterfall was lush and full. There were many plants in bloom. Lots of animals - deer, ravens, and other smaller creatures - were feasting on the abundance of food and water. It was a lovely spot for our prayer pipe ceremony.
I had a bit of a hard time clambering over rocks and with walking further than was comfortable. But the real inner push was an upcoming meeting where one of the participants is quite controlling. I had been talking about my feelings, not wanting to go yet knowing I needed to. And yet another woman in my life has been pushing that same button. On the way home, after dropping one person at her house, my other friend was driving. We both are trained in shamanic and energetic healing.
I told her I thought there might be some unconscious sorcery going on. We talked a bit about it, she reminding me that in this situation, there was probably some really old hurts coming up. Since she was driving, I looked inside and saw a dagger in my heart. I thought I would take it out. But before I could do so, my primary guardian and guide became visible to me. I know this guide well, yet had never seen her before. She was quite beautiful. And she pulled out the dagger. She also told me that I do need to go to the meeting, Partly because I could help in healing for the whole group, and there would be a gift for me.
That wasn't the end, however. When I finally sat down in my comfortable recliner at home, I realized that my mother had a fair amount of that controlling energy, especially when I was very young. It affected me deeply - I was very sensitive on a number of levels.
I am sure there is more work to do. What is interesting is how this whole process was so laser-like. That, my friends, is Chiron conjunct Neptune and Jupiter square Mercury!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Heart of Aquamarine
Recently I had a big breakthrough moment, on a coaching call. The coach, Cinda, is not famous. She is a friend of mine, and she coaches writing at a community college. She is very good at it.
I already knew that I didn't want to attract disapproving attention from conservative Christians for what I do. I know that what I do is healing. Many clients have told me so. What do I do? I work with clients to let go of energy that no longer serves them. Sometimes it is energy that is actually damaging. Sometimes it is attached to a person and sometimes is in their space - home or office. I am very good at it.
I also communicate with other species, and help them to get what they need; help the people (who generally are the ones asking and paying for my services) get what they need. I am very good at it.
Plus I am writing a book about animal souls in life and death. It was stalled. I mean completely stalled - had been for months. At the same time, I was getting the message from all directions to FINISH THE BOOK!
So, when I talked to Cinda, we keyed in on the fact that I didn't want to be "seen." I already knew that, yet didn't know how to clear it. It felt important in my long dry spell with the book. How could I write a bestseller and not be "seen"?
During the session, Cinda went right for the manifestation in my body. In the process, with her guiding me, I let go of some old "stuff" from my liver and gall bladder. Interesting. I had been having pain there, and the wonderful alternative healer I go to (my experience is that he can heal anything) had not been able to budge it.
As I let go, I felt euphoric. We completed the session, and I went right to the computer. Within the next 24 hours, I took the book completely apart and put it back together in a way that made complete sense, and had five chapters done and three more outlined!
Very soon after I was sitting in my friend Tee's living room talking to her about the experience. Tee is a writer also. As I started, my hands were crossed over my heart. At one point I opened my arms, and Tee gasped. She said "There is a bright aquamarine light at your heart!"
I believed her, yet knew I didn't need to do anything about it. The next day, Tee sent me an email:
"Aquamarine is associated with the throat chakra, so unless your heart is in your throat, I'm not sure of the meaning behind what I saw this evening. But, geeminy, did I ever see a bright, glowing, spinning orb of aquamarine energy beneath your hands; when you moved them and revealed your chest, it was an amazing sight. After extensive googling, here's the only link I found between aquamarine and the heart:
Aquamarine can also work with the Heart Chakra by helping one to realize their innermost truth. Aquamarine facilitates the releasing of old patterns of behavior that no longer serve, and that actually inhibit one's growth."
How about that!
Energy moves, patterns let go and we move into greater coherence.
I already knew that I didn't want to attract disapproving attention from conservative Christians for what I do. I know that what I do is healing. Many clients have told me so. What do I do? I work with clients to let go of energy that no longer serves them. Sometimes it is energy that is actually damaging. Sometimes it is attached to a person and sometimes is in their space - home or office. I am very good at it.
I also communicate with other species, and help them to get what they need; help the people (who generally are the ones asking and paying for my services) get what they need. I am very good at it.
Plus I am writing a book about animal souls in life and death. It was stalled. I mean completely stalled - had been for months. At the same time, I was getting the message from all directions to FINISH THE BOOK!
So, when I talked to Cinda, we keyed in on the fact that I didn't want to be "seen." I already knew that, yet didn't know how to clear it. It felt important in my long dry spell with the book. How could I write a bestseller and not be "seen"?
During the session, Cinda went right for the manifestation in my body. In the process, with her guiding me, I let go of some old "stuff" from my liver and gall bladder. Interesting. I had been having pain there, and the wonderful alternative healer I go to (my experience is that he can heal anything) had not been able to budge it.
As I let go, I felt euphoric. We completed the session, and I went right to the computer. Within the next 24 hours, I took the book completely apart and put it back together in a way that made complete sense, and had five chapters done and three more outlined!
Very soon after I was sitting in my friend Tee's living room talking to her about the experience. Tee is a writer also. As I started, my hands were crossed over my heart. At one point I opened my arms, and Tee gasped. She said "There is a bright aquamarine light at your heart!"
I believed her, yet knew I didn't need to do anything about it. The next day, Tee sent me an email:
"Aquamarine is associated with the throat chakra, so unless your heart is in your throat, I'm not sure of the meaning behind what I saw this evening. But, geeminy, did I ever see a bright, glowing, spinning orb of aquamarine energy beneath your hands; when you moved them and revealed your chest, it was an amazing sight. After extensive googling, here's the only link I found between aquamarine and the heart:
Aquamarine can also work with the Heart Chakra by helping one to realize their innermost truth. Aquamarine facilitates the releasing of old patterns of behavior that no longer serve, and that actually inhibit one's growth."
How about that!
Energy moves, patterns let go and we move into greater coherence.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Bowser Update
My cat friend Bowser wasn't peeing. Actually he did occasionally pee on the carpet. Money being a bit more scarce, and reluctant to subject Bowser to a trip to the vet and pharmaceutical remedies, I asked him if he would be willing to let my friend Rose attune him to Reiki. Rose is a Reiki Master, and often attunes animals who need this tool to heal themselves.
Rose had done this for my friend Misty before she died. In the year or so after Misty received the Reiki attunement, she had healed herself of incipient kidney failure. Any doctor would tell you this isn't possible. Kidney function does not return. Besides the kidney, Misty healed her hind leg that had been shattered in a tangle with a car when she was 2 years old. Most of her life she had walked on all four legs, but had run on three legs. Not long before she died I watched her run flat out after a rabbit on all four legs.
Bowser was ebullient! He healed his bladder issue in just a few minutes, and now is back to normal. He has more energy too, and is pestering me more to play with him. He was very clear with Rose about what he wanted. Sometimes we think animals don't know very much. What I know is that they can be much smarter than we are about very practical matters!
Rose had done this for my friend Misty before she died. In the year or so after Misty received the Reiki attunement, she had healed herself of incipient kidney failure. Any doctor would tell you this isn't possible. Kidney function does not return. Besides the kidney, Misty healed her hind leg that had been shattered in a tangle with a car when she was 2 years old. Most of her life she had walked on all four legs, but had run on three legs. Not long before she died I watched her run flat out after a rabbit on all four legs.
Bowser was ebullient! He healed his bladder issue in just a few minutes, and now is back to normal. He has more energy too, and is pestering me more to play with him. He was very clear with Rose about what he wanted. Sometimes we think animals don't know very much. What I know is that they can be much smarter than we are about very practical matters!
All Things Green
Pushed by the recession and the high price of quality food and gas to get to the stores, two friends/neighbors and I are planning an organic garden. We are lucky - there is a large green meadow next to us, owned by the same organization from whom we rent our apartments.
We have a friend who has a tiller, and another wonderful woman gave us almost all the seeds we need and want. Hopefully someone in our agricultural surroundings will give us manure for free as well.
I sometimes remember my roots: My dad's family always had a garden (and Dad still does); and my mom's dad was a dairy farmer. In his day the way to keep the fields fertile was to rotate crops and put manure on the fields. Did you know that chemical fertilizer wasn't available until the World War I era? It was a new way to fix nitrogen, and it was developed for bombs. Michael Pollan talks about it in The Omnivore's Dilemma ( a wonderful book to read if your are interested in how we get our food these days).
Fortunately for me, I have an autoimmune disease that gets worse when I eat processed food, sugar and grains. When I realized the medical model would have me taking immune suppressant drugs, I decided to look at my food very carefully. Now I eat LOTS of vegetables, some fruit, some chicken and fish, occasional turkey, eggs, nuts and seeds. I do NOT eat corn syrup - high fructose or otherwise.
Having an organic garden feels like going back to my roots.
I watched a video about urban gardening in Cuba. It was necessity that drove this movement as well, when Russia collapsed and no longer sent food and other supplies to Cuba. So the gardens are all organic - no chemicals were coming into the small island country. They are near the people who consume the food so transport has less impact than in the U.S. What a wonderful thing. I think we could learn from their necessities before food becomes quite so dire an issue here in the States.
We have a friend who has a tiller, and another wonderful woman gave us almost all the seeds we need and want. Hopefully someone in our agricultural surroundings will give us manure for free as well.
I sometimes remember my roots: My dad's family always had a garden (and Dad still does); and my mom's dad was a dairy farmer. In his day the way to keep the fields fertile was to rotate crops and put manure on the fields. Did you know that chemical fertilizer wasn't available until the World War I era? It was a new way to fix nitrogen, and it was developed for bombs. Michael Pollan talks about it in The Omnivore's Dilemma ( a wonderful book to read if your are interested in how we get our food these days).
Fortunately for me, I have an autoimmune disease that gets worse when I eat processed food, sugar and grains. When I realized the medical model would have me taking immune suppressant drugs, I decided to look at my food very carefully. Now I eat LOTS of vegetables, some fruit, some chicken and fish, occasional turkey, eggs, nuts and seeds. I do NOT eat corn syrup - high fructose or otherwise.
Having an organic garden feels like going back to my roots.
I watched a video about urban gardening in Cuba. It was necessity that drove this movement as well, when Russia collapsed and no longer sent food and other supplies to Cuba. So the gardens are all organic - no chemicals were coming into the small island country. They are near the people who consume the food so transport has less impact than in the U.S. What a wonderful thing. I think we could learn from their necessities before food becomes quite so dire an issue here in the States.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Bowser
One of the reasons I have been feeding the birds is for the benefit of Bowser. Despite the name, Bowser is a cat, not a dog. He is a twelve year old rescue cat who loves to sit in the window and watch the birds. When I said yes to taking Bowser, I wasn't sure why I was needed. His front feet are declawed. The people who gave him to me said that at one time he escaped from the household and was gone for about six months. When he came back to his people he was very skinny.
They didn't tell me he was terrified of having his head covered - something I found out accidentally. I am pretty sure someone captured him in a bag or blanket that went over his head. He was almost always crying in his sleep. And then I realized he needed healing. Actually, the healing I've offered has been very passive (even though my work is energetic healing). The main ingredient is loving him and behaving in a way he can trust.
One remarkable thing in this story involves my mesa. The mesa is a medicine bundle, created over time in my work as an energetic healer. Mostly it consists of powerful stones from the mountains of Peru and Western Washington. Bowser loves to sleep on top of it. Because we are talking about stones wrapped in a layer of wool, it cannot be the kind of comfortable that cats usually enjoy. Aside from my mesa, Bowser generally picks the softest places to sleep: on my lap, on a pillow, on a very soft wool blanket . . . . You get the picture.
He began to cry less and play a bit more.
And then . . . Bowser wasn't peeing. Actually he did occasionally pee on the carpet. Money being a bit more scarce, and reluctant to subject Bowser to a trip to the vet and pharmaceutical remedies, I asked him if he would be willing to let my friend Rose attune him to Reiki. Rose is a Reiki Master, and often attunes animals who need this tool to heal themselves.
Rose had done this for my friend Misty before she died. In the year or so after Misty received the Reiki attunement, she had healed herself of incipient kidney failure. Any doctor would tell you this isn't possible. Kidney function does not return. Besides the kidney, Misty healed her hind leg that had been shattered in a tangle with a car when she was 2 years old. Most of her life she had walked on all four legs, but had run on three legs. Not long before she died I watched her run flat out after a rabbit on all four legs.
Back to Bowser - he was ebullient! He healed his bladder issue in just a few minutes, and it is back to normal. Bowser no longer cries in his sleep. He loves to play, and talks a LOT. He had been afraid of my next door neighbor, and now he loves his new friend. He has more energy too, and is pestering me more to play with him.
He was very clear with Rose about what he wanted. Sometimes we think animals don't know very much. What I know is that they can be much smarter than we are about very practical matters!
They didn't tell me he was terrified of having his head covered - something I found out accidentally. I am pretty sure someone captured him in a bag or blanket that went over his head. He was almost always crying in his sleep. And then I realized he needed healing. Actually, the healing I've offered has been very passive (even though my work is energetic healing). The main ingredient is loving him and behaving in a way he can trust.
One remarkable thing in this story involves my mesa. The mesa is a medicine bundle, created over time in my work as an energetic healer. Mostly it consists of powerful stones from the mountains of Peru and Western Washington. Bowser loves to sleep on top of it. Because we are talking about stones wrapped in a layer of wool, it cannot be the kind of comfortable that cats usually enjoy. Aside from my mesa, Bowser generally picks the softest places to sleep: on my lap, on a pillow, on a very soft wool blanket . . . . You get the picture.
He began to cry less and play a bit more.
And then . . . Bowser wasn't peeing. Actually he did occasionally pee on the carpet. Money being a bit more scarce, and reluctant to subject Bowser to a trip to the vet and pharmaceutical remedies, I asked him if he would be willing to let my friend Rose attune him to Reiki. Rose is a Reiki Master, and often attunes animals who need this tool to heal themselves.
Rose had done this for my friend Misty before she died. In the year or so after Misty received the Reiki attunement, she had healed herself of incipient kidney failure. Any doctor would tell you this isn't possible. Kidney function does not return. Besides the kidney, Misty healed her hind leg that had been shattered in a tangle with a car when she was 2 years old. Most of her life she had walked on all four legs, but had run on three legs. Not long before she died I watched her run flat out after a rabbit on all four legs.
Back to Bowser - he was ebullient! He healed his bladder issue in just a few minutes, and it is back to normal. Bowser no longer cries in his sleep. He loves to play, and talks a LOT. He had been afraid of my next door neighbor, and now he loves his new friend. He has more energy too, and is pestering me more to play with him.
He was very clear with Rose about what he wanted. Sometimes we think animals don't know very much. What I know is that they can be much smarter than we are about very practical matters!
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