Autumn Equinox

On Tuesday night, I celebrated the Autumn Equinox with a few of my dearest kindreds. Equinox is when the day and night are equally long, same as Spring Equinox. This is Harvest festival time, a rejoice for nature's bounty...I looked out my window last night and saw the Harvest Moon...did you see it? It was gloriously golden, like orange liquid had been poured into it...

It was my first Equinox celebration with Solara An-Ra and her tribe; it was so dear of them to welcome Jamie and I as they did.

In the most magificent garden you're ever likely to come across in South London, we grabbed musical instruments, sat around a fire pit and made magick and gave thanks and praise to Gaia. Bundles of Sage singed in the fire; causing a hypnotising smoke to dance around us. Affirmations were made to the elements and we gave away to the fire something we no longer wished to possess in ourselves.

As I sat there holding hands with kindreds, a guide of mine stroked my hair and made me feel like I was closer to knowing myself...I may return to my Witchy ways and get the old athame and wand out and invoke the elements and give praise to Goddess, all the while awakening the one within. I'm certainly closer to being able to connect with my guides, I hope they know how much I appreciate the gentle pats on my head and the tingling in my fingers.

Here's a pretty Goddess wheel I found when looking for paintings of goddesses. It's like a calender wheel; you turn it each season according to celebration: Summer Solstice, Spring Equinox etc...I may have to get one, just to remind myself to give thanks to the elements and mother nature.

Autumn leaves begin to fall, they are our old ways. We may kick them to one side or crunch them under our shoes. When the trees are stripped naked, ready to start again, we must aim to do the same...brave the cold and dark and begin growing anew.

Belle & Boo and the Connected Child Within

I've ordered this notebook from Belle & Boo after stumbling across the gorgeous artworks of Mandy Sutcliffe. Belle & her bunny Boo appear in a story board of outside play amongst other adorable characters...

The reason I decided to mention this was the thought that it prompted about children and their awareness of nature, their connnection to imagination and play, their observation of colour, animals and even other beings...not all imaginary friends are imaginary, I'm sure.

Perhaps children see what we really wouldn't like to. We were there once, didn't we sometimes insist to our parents that we were in the presence of something unusual?

I used to lay awake at night and watch the 'moving tv screens' float across my walls, the wardrobe and the door; like ten overhead projectors making animated pictures sail around me. They were transparent too; they would bend and curve in the grooves of my bedroom.

The floating pictures stopped by the time I was ten, roughly the age where we rationalise away our visions as 'make-believe', after our parents have been telling us that earth is dirty and we shouldn't stick our hands in soil, or that we shouldn't play with our baby toys anymore because we're becoming 'big boys and girls' and whenever we think we see something, it's not real.

I had a pet caterpillar once, I named it and claimed it as my own...it passed away two days later but the point is, I was more connected to the earth when I was small. There were things about it that I deemed special and they helped me understand growth and the beauty in everything.

I was sad to grow up without my 'moving tv screens' and it's something I still can't define. I'm not sure what those experiences were and why I experienced them but now I am trying to reconnect as much as possible to what I know as Gaia, and the wonders beyond her...the powers of our higher selves.

And so back to Belle & Boo...'Belle Hugs Boo' was my first print. I have framed it and shall put it up on my wall in the spot where I tend to work on my projects. Not only is it a pleasure to look at, it makes me want to crawl back into my childlike mind; my totally connected and creative self and explore and play.

And to remember what it was like to have absolute love for the things around me; the things I called my own and the things I swore I'd always care about.

Number One: Caduceus

So here we are, the first of the 20 esoteric spiritual books I recommend for enlightening reading.

Caduceus was given to me on my 25th birthday by my most beloved kindred Jamie. My hand buzzed and tingled with energy as I held it in my hands, I knew it carried information I had been seeking.

In the simplest terms, it covers everything! It makes a great reference book to esoteric subjects, it's great for rounding off a general interest in spirituality...I'd even recommend it to an atheist who wishes to know 'what we're all on about'; it has some compelling arguments may I add.

Caduceus is layed out wonderfully, sub categorised areas such as 'Stephen Hawking on God', 'Spiritual texts from the Middle East' and 'Astronomical anomalies in ancient times' are condensed into easy reading but very informative paragraphs. I particularly enjoyed the coverage on all sacred texts: the least tampered with and the most tampered with and the whole chapter dedicated to Science and its theories vs esoteric belief; revealing comments and claims by Darwin and Einstein themselves that were manipulated to make Scientific explanations sound 'concrete'.

Robert Hamilton introduces the reader to the fact that this book was the product of his own Kundalini experience (his awakening) and years of research and therefore concludes the book on the same note, it feels impossible to find any flaws and holes in his well studied discussions.

Caduceus covers only a little of each philosophy, theory, idea and experience but it lead me to think about what I wanted to explore next. You start to recognise what resonates with you, whether it's Taoism or Plato's Atlantis, you know what is right for your own path and where to look next.

Eye of the Centaur

It had been a while since I'd read a book that truly had me clawing for more of the same; a very long time since I had read a book that I was totally emersed in and washed over with thoughts, insights and desire. Then I read Eye of the Centaur by Barbara Hand Clow.

Barbara, astrologer, author and channeler has given us so much from her own experiences and works in the way of seeking enlightenment that I dare not try to review her as an author, I fear I wouldn't be giving her enough credit but what I can say is that after finishing Eye of the Centaur, book one of the trilogy (The Mind Chronicles), with hindsight this was a fundamental piece of reading for my spiritual growth.

This book tells very story-like regressional experiences. You would even be forgiven for forgetting that you are reading about one of her many past lives and thinking that you are in the midst of a gripping fairytale or historical novel. But you cannot deny that your perceptions of your own psyche, your own imprints and layers of your conciousness shift when reading of oracles at Delphi and ancient Egyptian initiation rituals. Our own experiences are there too, just calling out to be remembered.

This text however, isn't a glory journal of what great names Barbara can say she lived amongst or what authority she had in exciting times, nor should past life readings ever been seen this way. It is an intergration of her past life memories and her purpose now, an awakening to the reasons she knows of them now in this lifetime and a reflection on how it connects her to her higher self.

I have always wanted a regression and have done some dabbling in past life readings, all the while learning to trust my psyche to bring forward the memories; remembering never to rationalise away anything my mind gives me to the simple explanation of imagination. Imagination is a powerful thing but soul memory is far greater. After reading this book, the excitement is still vibrating within, I cannot wait for a full regressional session with a therapist...I truly wish to know myself and understand my eternal now, a guide to help me shape this lifetime for its higher purpose.

Anyone who wishes to expand their esoteric and spiritual reading must add this to the list...in fact, I shall post up 20 books that I think are not only fantastic reads, but important texts for spiritual growth.

Herbalism

I am approaching the end of my distance learning course in Herbalism and I am halfway to being qualified to practice...it's something about a bunch of fragrant leaves and flowers that stirs enthusiasm in me about the goodness our Mother Earth has grown for us.

Chamomile for an upset stomach, Lavender for insomnia, Coriander for colic, Peppermint for nausea and Rosemary for headaches...if only we thought of the natural remedies we have laying around the house first for such ailments before reaching for painkillers and necking down a chemical solution.

Planting herbs in the garden is not only an excellent way of grounding yourself and connecting with nature, its cost effective and soul enriching; such staisfaction comes from plucking a bit of Basil for your dinner that night, or keeping a pot of it in the kitchen to attract deserved success into your home. If you don't have a garden, then indoor herb garden kits are available.

For me, it started with drinking Chamomile at night to help me get a good nights' sleep before waking up to be at work by 7:30 in the morning...I found it worked and with a tea spoon of honey, it was pleasant to drink and a nice change from tea. Then I moved onto Nettle for energy and Fennel for digestion, the interest grew from there and I learned about topical remedies, poultices and herbal pillows; even the use of them in skincare made absolute sense and I was able to advise friends and family about herbal teas and ointments...each came back with great feedback on the remedy.

So here I am about to take my Certificate level exam and next I shall be onto Practitioner Diploma...along with Physiology & Anatomy and Colour Therapy...oh I want to do them all! The more I learn, the more I can spread the love and light I reckon!

BSY Group do fantastic esoteric, spiritual and complimentary therapy courses so do take a look; you won't know which to do first!

Colouring Through

Writing. An old flame of mine that I met when I was ten years old. I thought we had drifted apart...for years we fought and I walked away far too many times. I tried to carry on without it but couldn't imagine what I'd do in life if it wasn't there to keep me hoping.

So I've made a stronger commitment and decided to rekindle the love. I have to get it back. We are meant to be...

'I See it All in Rainbows' is the title of my book in progress; a collection of poems about spirituality, colours, psychadellic visions and soulful ideas...here's one as a preview:

Fresh in bloom
For you
Like flowers we are
Sprouting
Colouring Through.

Upon your bed we lay
Shaken
Hoping to be pretty
Smiling
Until the spotlight has moved.

The Misty Light of Healing

Today I felt marvellously pleased after performing a healing on a very stressed cat. He was malting copiously and looked up at me, longing for a fuss. I sensed he wasn't very happy and comfortable so I sat on the floor next to him; he rolled over, showed me his belly and told me that he wanted some love and a treatment for his physical condition.

I am no reiki expert; I didn't even have this method in mind when I stimulated my palm chakras by rubbing my hands together; he seemed to ask me to do it. I worked my way down his body; my fingers tingled and my palms heated up. He seemed so pleased for the attention and stayed still as if he was locked in the same focus that I was; we meditated together and my hands worked on the base of his tail where a suspicious lump seems to have appeared. My palms began to burn then; the power surge in my fingers was getting stronger...it felt right to call upon Angels...I asked them to be with him, to help him for his highest good; if anything just to keep him company and be there with him...if they could soothe him that would make him very happy indeed.

I was dizzy from energy drainage. My palms pulsated for roughly twenty minutes after and when this beautiful male cat sat up, he gazed at a corner of the wall just above him. Down came this streak of misty light, two of them in fact.

We gazed at them together, the energy in this mist vibrated rapidly. Peace washed over me and the cat himself I believe...because afterwards his eyes brightened and he meowed at me in gratitude. The air in the room relaxed and so did he...I thanked the Angels for being there for him as I had asked...I knew that I had done the right thing for him.

What an honour to spend such a special moment with a cat, my familiar, my kindred.

The New Moonchild Garden

I have been busying myself the past week with making fresh new candles and oil blends for The Moonchild Garden. I have granted it a revamp and I am now pleased to inform customers that I now make soy wax wood-wick container candles; the wood-wick crackles like a campfire...isn't that lovely for those of us who can't access one?

A fresh new shop is appearing very soon on The Moonchild Garden's very own website with details on all blends. A link will certainly follow soon.

There will be an alchemy section of the site so you can order your individual blend; I'll make it, beautify it and send it just for you!

I'm thinking of calling this one 'St. Clements'; as you've probably guessed, it smells of oranges and lemons!

A cheery zesty fragrance made just for rejuvenation, brightness and motivation...there's plenty more sprouting in the Garden...make sure to come and see...

Infinite Ball of light

This painting was done by my most beloved kindred, Jamie. We were taken by the idea of painting mandalas, the Eastern talismans of healing; symbols that project the power of the self.

Mandalas are traditionally geometric in shape and patterned with particular colours that reflect the self and the healing colours required for the individual.

This painting is an expression, not a mandala in its traditional form, but I look at it and it heals my soul in its own little way. The yellow ball churns in the core of me, like my solar plexus chakra; it spirals into oranges and reds.

Tones of solar colours; the element of fire; the significance of light reminds me to embrace my solar energy, that eternal flame that I need paired with my lunar energy to restore my balance.

Orange gives us confidence and creativity, a dose of red brings us passion and the brightness of yellow stimulates our sense of self-worth and empowerment.

As I look at this painting, not only does it bring me great joy and pride to know that my love expressed such beauty in colour but it also reminds me of that solar power that I must remember to absorb and store within.

In grey-washed times, through crying window panes, it is important to hold onto that infinite ball of light...

Sulis

The Goddess Oracle is a stunning deck of divination cards that are ilustrated and interpreted with goddesses from all pantheons and cultures. This beautiful illustration is of Sulis, the Ancient British Sun goddess of illness/wellness. She represents healing and has a shrine in Bath, England.

Sulis says that when we are in a time of illness, it is time to direct energy inward, when we are in a time of wellness we must project it out.

This deck of cards comes with a book that gives the meaning to each card along with a lovely poem for each goddess as well as the mythology and meditation that corresponds to the deity.

The Sulis meditation is so comforting and full of beautiful imagery. It takes you deep into the root of a tree, along a stone path with plants on either side. You follow the light and meet Sulis at the other end and she takes you to her healing bath where you emerge yourself in the water where you feel refreshed, invigorated and recharged.

All meditations in The Goddess Oracle cards guide you into a space and time where you can mend whatever it is that is blocking your fruitful path.

Seek strength from the ancient deities and embrace your inner goddess.