Handkerchief

A looong time ago in a decade far far away my husband, still my boyfriend at the time, presented me with a couple of lovely handkerchiefs with the first letter of my name hand embroidered into the corner in blues. They were soft and delicate and I had no idea at the time how much I would value them. They have wrapped sacred bits and bobs to be safely stowed in my purse until I came home and could put them away properly; they have seen blood sweat and tears. I have always been glad to have them. It took a funeral to demonstrate what power they really wield.

It is said the tradition of handkerchiefs derives from Marie Antoinette coming to France. She cried the entire way to her new home and tore bits of her lacey clothing to dry her tears. From that moment on it was her habit to carry little squares of lace with her to dry her tears where ever she went. The first thing that crosses my mind is AHHHHKKK! Lace back then was hand made and a precious commodity! The second thing that crosses my mind is that because of the association it may be a potent tool of not only self care, but self worth: you care enough to acknowledge that you need comfort too. ( A big thing for mom's who run round on everyone elses' behalf)

Don't get me wrong. . . I am a huge fan of toss away tissues, but at the funeral . . . well can you say unprepared???

Of course, I forgot to pack the kleenex for the funeral. I was busy running around making sure everyone else was ready in classic mom mode. I had a moment of panic that I had forgotten to do so until I spied that little linen with blue embroidery peeking up at me from the pocket of my purse. I was relieved at first and then comforted as no paper tissue had ever inspired. I still can't put my finger on the exact reasoning as to why I felt that way, I just sort of accept it now. I think the moment really hit me when I was able to pass a non sopping falling apart wad of paper to my husband. It was a soft piece of delicate linen that someone had taken the time to embroidered my Monogram upon. Someone who understood that life will always throw you a curve ball. No matter how proud or strong you are YOU WILL cry at some point and someone had thought enough to prepare me for that.

Now with my hanky safely returned from the wash, I have it tucked back into my purse with a whole new appreciation.  Kleenex may be convenient and cheap especially for those cold seasons, but when it comes time for self comfort, that hanky will be coming out, hopefully it won't have dried weeds in it.

I am now going to have to scurry around and see if I can find some traditional magic involving the handkerchief. . . I'll get back to you if I find anything cool! ;)

Why?????

Why on earth would any one want to talk to ANY of the leaders right now. . . they have shown to be either all talk or just plain delusional! The leaders of China for instance seem to think that they can convince a whole people of the world that they can regulate reincarnation. Really??? Obama likes to talk about how we are still the greatest nation in the world yet we still need to get our kids more educated ( while states are slashing budgets) so we can keep up with the technology race???? What? Leaders in the middle east are only really interested in blowing up infidels faster then their neighbors can. Why on earth would any alien species be silly enough to ask to speak to our leaders?????

Ugh. . . yes there's that word again

Hopefully if we are being visited by another species from another planet they are smart enough to stay away from our leaders because obviously every day is April Fools here on earth.

Hello. . . God? It's me, Nalaya!

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I am one of those who believes that the Universe is alive and sentient. I believe in Gods and Goddesses who hear your call and respond in kind. I also believe that these beings have your best interest at heart. Ok most of them, but that requires an explanation on an entirely different posting.  I also believe in signs. I believe they are everywhere once you establish a solid connection to your higherself and divinity.

Actually, I think I have come to a point where belief is no longer an accurate word for what I experience in the signpost department. Believing implies that you know it's out there, you have heard stories about it from other people whom you have faith in, but you have yet to have the phenomenon touch your life. I think experience of a thing changes that belief into knowledge. So, I stand corrected. I know that the signs are there.

You can even ask for them to be specific. . . although how they manifest is usually unexpected, yet exactly what you ask for. In a lot of cases, it just shows that the Universe and the Gods really do have a great sense of humor. The largest hurdle to over come is usually the same one everyone else experiences in any other spiritual path: Faith in something larger than you really is listening and willing to help. You must establish that you are expecting to see that sign you asked for and are willing to follow it. ( this does not mean we abandon common sense mind you)

Patience is also part of this formula. You must be willing to let the universe to arrange things for the sign to happen. That does not mean we sit on the couch in a catatonic state paralyzed to do anything until it shows up. It means: keep calm and carry on with your normal life with a sharp eye and open heart.

I have an open dialogue with divinity. Sometimes there is frustration, sometimes there is gratitude and yes, sometimes even anger. I have been told by someone I consider to be wise that if you have not shook your fist in anger at the Gods, then you have not felt their hand in your life. I have also been told that the Gods are large enough to take your anger. They have a perspective on life that we cannot understand and they know that we will get angry with them the same way that a child gets angry when told "no."

The first sign you may want to start working with is the one I call: Hello Gods? It's me, Nalaya. If you can hear me show me a ( insert your own sign here.) Then be patiently observant as you go through your life. Don't be afraid to be daring, if you want see dancing pink elephants as your sign. . . it will happen. It may take some time. . but it will happen. The more you practice this, the faster you will see results. Establishing a dialogue like this with divinity is just like any other skill. It requires practice, patience and belief in yourself.

You've just been recruited!

Earlier I talked a little about penny magic. Here is a fun one we are all familiar with from a different perspective.

"Find a penny pick it  up and all day long you'll have good luck."

What if some witchy is running around leaving lucky pennies head side up on sidewalks and shopping mall floors? Well there is! And now with you reading this: there will hopefully be more. Let the penny games begin!

 I like to indulge in magical pay it forward. I like to use nine pennies that are 95 percent copper, pre 1982. Sometimes I include some of those hoarded leap year pennies in the mix. Really, any penny will do if you haven't had time to sort them out yet. I just like to add as much pow in a working as possible. Copper is a metal that attracts abundances. With this magic, I am calling forth abundances of good luck and joy for who ever picks up these pennies.

I set them on my altar, play some happy music and place energy in the penny pile. An added bonus would be to choose a lucky rune such as one for prosperity or joy to shape your pennies into. As I go about my daily routine while out and about I pull one out, place it head side up while no one is looking and whisper : " Find this penny, pick up and all day long you'll have good luck!" It is best to put these pennies in a place where it would be safe for a person to stop and pick it up; after all, we may be indulging children in their game.


This is a great way to leave happy magic where ever you go. It is especially helpful when things are in such a somber tone around you. A little light goes along way and it only takes one candle to light another. Before you know it the darkness is lifted! Happiness is just as contagious as depression. Happy spelling! You've just been recruited into the Witches' Penny Brigade!

Note: A variation to this casting can include magic pennies you have picked up along the way. After your day is up, put it in a special bag or jar to use in this working. Remember, this is supposed to be fun for you as well. Oh and remember: Silence is golden!

Skull, skull, skull!

We live in a time when every time we turn around, someone is wearing a skull. You see them cutesy with heart shaped eyes, on earrings, pendants, T shirts and skin; sometimes they are fierce and grim. This witch has to wonder: what is it that is resonating so deeply within our culture that we must subconsciously call upon the power of the ancestors? I realize wholly that on the surface of things people think they are cool, hip and even cute, at least the heart eyed ones, but I was brought into awareness of the fact that we are attracted to certain kinds of energy in certain modes of thinking. Skulls have a very specific energy.

Skulls represent the power of wisdom and our connection to our ancestors, even the power of death and release. Skulls also represent the transmission of ancient teachings and mysteries. With that said, it could also be that skulls represent the ability to learn and evolve. All of man's ability to exist physically depends on what is within the skull and it's well being. All of society requires a healthy mind in each individual in order to function smoothly.

How do you make a mind healthy when we treat them all like cookie cutters and stampers and attempt to train them all in the same exact manner? Each individual mind works differently, we see this most clearly in school. When we take a look at how each student learns it becomes apparent that the mind of each individual takes in and processes information different. Some are visual, some are textural others yet are auditory. These are just surface analysis of the subject, what if it goes as deep as perception? What if one student is literally seeing something that most others cannot? Does that make this person crazy because his or her peers cannot verify or measure what this person is perceiving? I'm not certain that this is always the case. 

Shamanism and psychosis often times share symptoms. Those who could be shamans could indeed become psychotic with out proper awareness of what is occurring and without proper training. We are no longer a society that openly embraces shamanism. We like to call things in  black and white labels: sane and insane, good and evil, day and night. I reasonably suspect the mysteries of the ancients and ancestors are beyond the black and white labels. It may be time as a society that we openly teach basic mind stabilizing techniques in schools while children are young. Stabilizing and clearing basics such as grounding bring peace and harmony to the operation of the mind. Regardless of a person's religion, wouldn't this be a beneficial thing? There would also be the potential of an added benefit: it may increase a child's ability to learn. 

We may be calling upon the spirit of our ancestors. We may indeed be lost with out an understanding of what has become of our culture and society. We may be experiencing discordant resonances created by our lack of understanding in how our minds work.  We may be experiencing these societal traumas because we have forgotten how our minds may be connected to much more than our bodies. Maybe our minds are connected to a large streaming network of humanity not only in current existence, but past and  future as well. It is said repeatedly by spiritual leaders and spiritual people that we are all one. 

What if they are right and we are a one large organism? An organism consists of many different types cells that form and operate differently. With that said, not only would not everyone be able to be a heart cell, each grouping of cells would require a different type 'education'. It is also a strong possibility that within each cell type grouping, each cell learns differently. Maybe part of this ancient knowledge that we  lost includes information about how each of these 'cell groupings' are best identified and taught the skills they need to help the organism function smoothly. 

Maybe now that we seem to have embraced the imagery of ancient wisdom without a fear reaction it's time to start asking: what have we forgotten and how do we relearn it?

This video is one in a series of eight about ancient teachings being transmitted through crystal skulls. All eight are avail able on You tube. This is just to get you started ;)

Terrance Miller talks about Shamanism and Psychosis here. It is an interesting thought form. Enjoy!

Tucson

I have spent most of the day listening to my radio news. I remember hearing that she was shot. I remember hearing that she was dead. I remember hearing all sorts of wildly fluid accounts. Here I am at the end of the day, kids tucked in, the radio off and a glass of wine next to my monitor. At this point in time, it doesn't really matter what happens: Gabrielle Giffords will find that her life has been irrevocably changed.

Thirteen hours ago, a young ballerina who had just won the student council election and wanted to meet Gabrielle Gifford lost her life. She was a year younger than my own daughter. The lives of her parents must now feel like a chasm filled with anguish and grief.

A Judge and friend, John Roll,  of Gabrielle's, heard she was going to be in the area he lived and on his way home while out about he stopped by to say hello. He fell too.

At this point there are those whom remain nameless to me, maybe because I feel too weighted and heartbroken to endure any more of this today.

I am a little replenished in hope though. There were heros today. Heros as big as the villain. In the short order of chaos, they wrestled this young man to the ground and stopped him in his tracks. We discover at this point, that he was not done. There were two more clips of ammunition. He would have kept going. Lives were saved.

I  have many theories about what happened today, I don't think I will ever know truly which one is the right one. What I do know is this: I feel no anger. There is no one to blame, no finger to point, no party affiliation to saddle with guilt. I know that there is a lot of anger spilling forth right now across the nation and I'm not saying that it's wrong. I'm just saying I don't share in it. I think what I do feel is disappointment. I can't even put a finger on why I feel disappointed, I just do. I am also grateful. I have relatives in Tucson and I am glad that this event was thankfully hidden from them. If they knew about it, they would have been there.

I wish to express my deepest of condolences to everyone involved. I hope that you heal and are supported by strong loved ones while you do. I hope the gun man talks and tells us what is going through his mind. I think we need to understand what those thoughts are and how they translated to action. I hope that nine year old girl is still dancing an eternal dance and that her parents find peace. . . I know I won't for a while; I am haunted by her and I don't know her.

Blessings all around, to everyone. To victims, to loved ones, to witnesses far and near, to those who are angry, to those who are numb. . . Good night, may the Gods bless and guide you.

The Witchy Word of the Day is: UGH!

I heard something interesting on the radio this morning as I was driving Miss B to school: the State Government has decided to put all expenditures and budgets on the table and try to live within its means. Wow. . . what novel idea! It's not like that's something that's done everyday. . . ( note the sarcasm drip)
Why is this thought just now occurring??? Why do we have to be in an economic fiasco for this to be brought to the floor. Shouldn't our government agencies, whether they be local or federal, be supreme models of this thought form??  I would think that they would have the best, the brightest and most ingenious of the budget balance wizards on this from the word go. Or maybe that word should be: stop!

I heard a brief sound bite of Gov. Brewer telling her staff that she intends to make the state live within its means like everyone else. Okay. . . this should be interesting after administration after administration on a wild spending spree. This is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, make EVERYONE scream as their spending addictions are choked off suddenly. That is what it is going to take to make this state live within its means. No one is going to be happy and it will be interesting to see, not only the toddler temper tantrums erupt, but seeing whether or not the the head of our state has the strength to endure them and press forward.

As a border state, we have many challenges budget wise as we seem to be not only trying to balance the needs of the citizens, but we have a flood of illegal immigrants escaping their own country's poverty into ours. In turn, that is impoverishing ours. We simply cannot financially handle the burden of it and that seems to be a cold, hard truth that we are going to have to deal with. Yes, it is ugly. We must look at it, acknowledge it and handle it. We cannot put blinders on it or make it taboo to discuss. We have to stop vilifying both sides of this political inferno. In fact, it should not become a political cause at all.

Since when do we as a nation divide ourselves by race, gender, sexual orientation etc.? We should all be looking at each other and making the realization, that we are Americans. We live in a nation that has the world in its circumference. Our politicians have managed to surgically target and separate the American people by race, creed, gender and cause. Cultural pandering for votes has fueled so much anger that the real point is buried.

The real point is simply this: we are broke and we are going to have to do things we don't like. It is going to be painful, ugly and possibly politically incorrect. It's time to forget about what we look like and get down to business. UGH! There I said it! That's the official witchy word of the day.

There are other things that will need to be done that will probably make people scream. Things like car leases may have to be cut, Services may have to be reduced and/ or terminated, Staff reductions or double duty and all sorts of belt tightening tactics. There will be those who whip out what ever card they have in their wallet and scream race, gender, sexual orientation, religious discrimination or what ever other woe they can take to the street to pick up a resonance with the people. The truth is we cannot allow that to happen. Common sense must prevail and possibly some domestic witchery.

Good luck Jan. . . I hope you mean what you say and say what you mean because we are in real trouble here.

Now I have to go and do some things I don't like. . . Ugh!

The world does need to see this. . .

(This was on my tumblr dashboard. I think my heart stopped when I saw it.)

A picture began circulating in November. It should be “The Picture of
the Year,”… or perhaps, “Picture of the Decade.” It won’t be. In fact,
unless you obtained a copy of the U.S. paper which published it, you
probably would never have seen it.

The picture is that of a
21-week-old unborn baby named Samuel Alexander Armas, who is being
operated on by surgeon named Joseph Bruner. The baby was diagnosed with
spina bifida and would not survive if removed from his mother’s womb.
Little Samuel’s mother, Julie Armas, is an obstetrics nurse in Atlanta.
She knew of Dr. Bruner’s remarkable surgical procedure. Practicing at
Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, he performs these
special operations while the baby is still in the womb.

During
the procedure, the doctor removes the uterus via C-section and makes a
small incision to operate on the baby. As Dr. Bruner completed the
surgery on Samuel, the little guy reached his tiny, but fully developed
hand through the incision and firmly grasped the surgeon’s finger. Dr.
Bruner was reported as saying that when his finger was grasped, it was
the most emotional moment of his life, and that for an instant during
the procedure he was just frozen, totally immobile.

The
photograph captures this amazing event with perfect clarity. The editors
titled the picture, “Hand of Hope.” The text explaining the picture
begins, “The tiny hand of 21-week-old fetus Samuel Alexander Armas
emerges from the mother’s uterus to grasp the finger of Dr. Joseph
Bruner as if thanking the doctor for the gift of life.”

Little
Samuel’s mother said they “wept for days” when they saw the picture. She
said, “The photo reminds us pregnancy isn’t about disability or an
illness, it’s about a little person” Samuel was born in perfect health,
the operation 100 percent successful. Now see the actual picture, and it
is awesome…incredible….and hey, pass it on! The world needs to see
this one

She is out there. . .

It is said that the universe was born of desire according to the creation mythology of my tradition. God Herself resides out there. It makes sense to me that this is true. I see that love and desire reflected down here; as above, so below. It is reflected in the wildly random hugs that my toddler issues with abandon for dignity. I see it in my husband's eyes as he leans in to kiss me. I see it in my parent's faces when we greet after not seeing each other in a long time. It is present in my Oath Mother's voice when she realizes that I am struggling to keep my temper in check during a difficult discussion.

There is a longing as I cast my eyes to the night sky. I am never really sure what I am looking for as I gaze upward, but I feel a pull. I used to think that it was nothing more than the imprint of my Father's passion for space exploration and colonization. As I grew in maturity I came to realize that that look on his face was the same one I wear. I think we come from different perspectives on this issue, but there are many things we tend to agree on and the most important one is: we must get off the planet.

There are many reasons we must leave here including for the preservation of planet and all life forms here. Of all of the life forms on this planet we alone have the ability to prevent complete obliteration. The mantra: reuse, recycle, conserve, will become life and creed by necessity on a space colony or even a Mars habitat instead of a moral imperative. While I agree that it is unwise to put all of our eggs in one basket and that the causes of freedom are at stake, there is another reason to go. Desire.

I don't remember which astronaut it was, I believe it was one of the Apollo men, but he expressed that it was a very spiritual experience looking back at the earth. He said he felt protective and awed in the same heartbeat. It is hard for me to think that only one astronaut experienced this impulse while looking at our home planet. If ever I get the opportunity to speak to one of them, I only have about a billion questions on this subject. The poor victim may run screaming, but if you knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Divinity lived in the vast oceans of space, wouldn't you want to draw closer? I know I do and it is my private heartbreak to know that I will never float amongst Her star dressed hair. My children might, my grandchildren may get to live there and, secretly, I hope that they feel the pull as I do.

She, God Herself, is out there. . .

Star Goddess, Mother of us all

Breathe on the star where you have written my name.

Divine hand of providence, source of all things

I pray you, bless me and mine with your grace.

Ho o'pono pono

Amene

~Nalaya Oddly~