Magickal Adornments...Circlets

With Weddings and Renaissance fairs around the corner I thought I share a little about Circlets  and Headpieces. If you google it you will find sooo many styles available from wire formed ones to simple chains and chain with gemstones ones and everything in between.  In my research of head jewelry history, I found that they date back to 30BC to the Ancient Egyptians but not only that it's throughout many other cultures such as well, the Chinese, Greeks and Romans; Medieval jewelry of the Middle Ages included headpieces in their culture too.  Though wearing bridal tiaras has been a well practice tradition, simple headpieces inspired by the gorgeous and elaborate Matha-Patti (Indian word for headpiece, also known as Shinghar-Patti) have also become popular in the past few years.

I was inspired to create...

my first headpiece 12 years ago just before I birthed Creations by Moonlight into existence.  Making jewelry with healing crystals was my first inspiration to share with the world one of my very first tools in my Medicine Bag.  This particular headpiece I made was for myself, for my own wedding in May of 2003. The wedding had a Celtic flavor to it, we created our own ceremony from start to finish, chose the things that inspired us and that had meaning to us to share in our wedding.  Like one of my inspiring mentors says...take what speaks to you and bless the rest.  We didn't want a traditional wedding so we took what had meaning to us and created a magickal experience for ourselves as well as friends and family.  We even had our officiant perform a sword blessing upon us.  It was suppose to be a gorgeous outside wedding in the wonderful Colorado Mountains, but the weather chose to turn on us and we had a late snow fall, so thanks to my awesome friends we pulled it all together to make it happen inside the lodge!  Both of my children were part of the wedding and ceremony as well.

My headpiece was a simple creation...

with drappy sterling silver chain, accented with gold and exquisite stones that not only picked up the Lavender color of our wedding theme but also had special meaning to me.

Since then I've created various styles by way of special orders and that's when I decided to offer them in my shop.

When I opened Creations By Moonlight's shop, I was inspired to create many different styles of headpieces from simple wire and chain such as these. To more elaborate ones such as the one above and these below.

They have been popular to wear not only in weddings...

but also as accessories for Renaissance fairs and other festive celebrations; or just to adorn the Goddess in You.  Like photographer Trish McNiell, from Queensland, Australia.  She looks stunning as she honors her inner Goddess and allows her to shine in a gorgeous self portrait, wearing the Mother of Pearl headpiece I created!  She's one of my wonderful Goddess Sisters from the original Goddess Circle with Leonie Dawson. You can see Trish's work on her site or follow her on FB.

The fact that they stimulate the third eye...

inspired me to make these fun and simple headpieces, which are in between a Maang Tika and a bindi, both are Indian jewelry that fall on the forehead and settle just between the eyes. They are said to stimulate the third eye, our sixth Chakra.  Which is our innate psychic abilities, the most common traits associated with this Chakra are the insight, intuition and imagination. This Chakra essentially forms a bridge between the Mind, Body and Spirit.

There have been celebrities as well that have chosen to wear headpieces for their own weddings. From the elaborate and stunning headpiece worn by Elizabeth Hurley when she married Arun Nayarthe in 2007.

To the more simple yet classy one worn by Kim Kardashian at her wedding in August 2011 to Kris Humphries.

As well as the drappy one that I not only loved, but found the dress to be just as stunning as well, worn by Alicia Keys in her wedding on August 2010.  She looked so magickal and Goddessie. She even had Deepak Chopra as officiant for her gorgeous wedding.

So there you have it...

a little history on Circlets and my experience with them.  What are your thoughts about headpieces used as adornments, either in weddings or other occasions?  Would you ever wear one?  Feel free to share and even post photos of you wearing your headpieces in the FB group.

Embrace Self-Love...

I made my Word of the Year stone this weekend...EMBRACE.  I've also chose a word for February... Self-Love...so that's what I'm here to share with you today....

Our first love and last love is...Self-Love...

How do you practice Self-Love?  I do so in various ways...one of them being by taking care of my body...connecting through Mind, Body and Spirit.  One way is my Yoga practice...I also enjoy dancing...like AND when nobody is watching ;)  Another way is, I give myself sweet love and attention through my oils...from simple foot oil massages to aromatic baths and oiling my whole body after a shower, making my skin soft (which has the tendency to be very dry here in the Southwest).

Self-Love practices can also look like...

Having a Self-Love Journal...where you can write yourself love letters, letters of forgiveness.  I also  journal about thing's I'm struggling with...for me it's all about reflecting on things I can do to fill my life with more Love and Balance...being pulled in so many directions leaves little me time...reconnecting and coming up with actions I can take help me get through those times, helps me feel less overwhelmed.

A big part of my Self-Love practice is...

becoming aware of my thoughts.  You will be amazed at the negative talk that goes on in our heads...I strive to treat myself like I would my best friend.  So, being more conscious of my thoughts, the self talk that goes on in my head throughout the day is important.  Our thoughts have power, changing them to supportive, positive thoughts can make for a more loving relationship with ourselves.  Negative thoughts only supports that kind of mindset...we have power over these thoughts, so why not strive to change them :)

Other simple Self-Love practices I like to do are...

Like simply listening to my body's needs...from eating when I'm hungry, drinking water when I'm thirsty, to going to sleep or taking a nap when I'm tired.  This also includes unplugging from the computer/phones etc and going for Spirit Walks...my meditative walks connecting with nature and becoming open to receiving messages from Spirit.  As well as barefoot breathing...mediating and doing my Yoga outside barefoot connecting and grounding with Mother Earth.  Writing positive affirmations, arting and painting all of things are simple acts of Self-Love.

Practicing Self-Love will totally improve your life...

How you ask...well, for one when I thrive and feel supported and loved my passion and business projects also thrive.  Some of you may have heard the phrase...when Mom is happy everyone is happy...well, it's that simple...when we are happier, rested, energized, less stressed it will affect those around us, as well as all that we do.

I'll leave you with my latest addition to the shop, just in time for the month of Love. Heart diffuser pendants with a FREE gift, a sample of some wonderful Essential oil to use with your new pendant ♥

                                                                                                          

Dragonfly Totem...My New Tattoo

As a child Dragonflies were as fascinating as Faeries to me.  Their various sizes, colors and body shapes still amaze me today.

While pregnant with my youngest child, Dragonfly visited me often and so I was called to find it's meaning. What I found was that the Dragonfly is a gateway between mundane and mystical.  They are mystic messengers of wisdom and enlightenment from Spirit and communications from the elemental world.  Which totally spoke to my heart, as I have mentioned before, in my Faerie post, I've been told that I'm surrounded by elementals.  So when I see them now they remind me of that magickal realm again.  

The Dragonfly lives a short life and it knows it must live it to it's fullest with what it has...

which I believe it's a huge lesson for all of us.  At the time we were burning the candle at both ends sort of speak...we had just invested in our Alpaca Ranch and focusing on building our retirement plan, seeing our oldest off to college and our youngest close behind, when all of a sudden we were bless with this pregnancy... and so Dragonfly came and reminded me to live my life to it's fullest...I ended up using Dragonflies as the nursery theme, which made it feel magickal.

Every summer from then on Dragonflies became a new friend in our backyard, with many visiting and always bring with it, some wonderful medicine.  I came to learn that Dragonfly is the balance keeper between the "little me" and the "God/Goddess self".  She is a reminder for us to pay attention to our surface thoughts...that there are lessons to be learned there.  Also, that what we think is directly proportionate to what we "see on the surface", thus all our thoughts are responsible for what we see in our lives, once again reminding us...

 that what we think, we manifest...

Dragonfly inhabits two realms, that of water and air.  Starting their life in the water they symbolize the subconscious mind, intuition and thoughts...the thoughts we have during sleep, meditative and subconscious states.  When they mature they move into the air realm where they symbolize change, spiritual awakening, and much like the butterfly transformation.  

When mating, they form a beautiful heart shape, so they are also a symbol of love.  

And then I came across this...

Native Americans believe that Dragonflies are a symbol of renewal after a time of great hardship. people who have the Dragonfly as their totem have had emotional and passionate early years, but as they get older they achieve balance with mental clarity and control.   

And so...I came to realize that Dragonfly has always been one of my totems, and I finally embraced it.  This year has been all about healing, growth and spiritual awakening for me at many levels.  

My Dragonfly tattoo not only reminds me of my transcendence...

but also blesses me with all it's wonderful medicine, reminding me of very important lessons.

My daughter came out to attend a friends wedding last weekend and she made plans for us to get tattoos together.  Last time we ventured out to do something wild and crazy...it was piercing our noses, but that's when I found out I was pregnant with my youngest, and it was a no go for me.  So this became our wild and crazy venture. 

This was a wonderful gift from all my children...

my son who's a wonderful artist drew my tattoo for me, my daughter gifted it to me as my early birthday present as well as shared in the experience of getting it (in other words kept my mind off the pain :) and of course my youngest awakened me to it's medicine.  It turned out perfect with lots of meaning to me.

Barefoot Breathing and a FREE Moon Journal!

I've been blessed that the Universe has provided a way for me to take all the enriching eCourses I've had on my "to take" list this year and even introduced me to and provided a way to new ones, all of which have inspired me and provided me with much spiritual growth this year.

The Barefoot Breathing eCourse was the last of those on my to do list and I am honored to say I'm able to experience this soulful eCourse that's been calling to me since last year.  I've been a barefoot breather for years...kicking my shoes off and feeling the Earth under my feet has always called to me. For years it's been my way to connect to nature, recharge and ground.  Surprisingly enough despite having sensitive feet, you'll find them bare more than not no matter what time of year.  Barefoot breathing is a wonderful way to feed your soul, in fact it's featured as one of the saying in my Limited Edition Stamped Inspirations.

As I mentioned in previous posts, I met Jackie through the Goddess Circle, I was drawn to her wonderful energy and her love and knowledge of Flower Essences.    When Barefoot Breathing was birthed, it totally called to me...from Jason's beautiful photography (which is one of my passions), to the healing mandalas, (which I've been creating and and have made available through my photography shop on Etsy) and of course the deep soul re-connection through the creative prompts and guided meditations that are all offered to awaken our ancient wisdom...I'm sooo looking forward to this magickal journey.

Both she and Jason created this wonderful video giving you a taste of their magickal eCourse and  how it can help you rediscover your sacred connection to nature.






Be sure to visit the link as well, to download a special gift they have provided... a FREE Moon Journal; which I think is perfect with the Blue Moon coming up on the 31st, (Blue Moon is when there is a 2nd Full Moon that appears in one calendar month, making it the 13th Full Moon of the year).


The Autumn Session of Barefoot Breathing starts Sunday Sept 2nd...will you be joining the Barefoot Tribe?

Some Much Needed Horse Medicine

Those who follow me on Facebook know that my son and I are doing the Couch to 5K challenge.  We've just completed Week 3 Day 3 and we're halfway there!  I'm not much of a runner, but I did my share while I served in the US Marines, where I was diagnosed with Exercise Induced Asthma.  Basically I only suffer from asthmatic symptoms when they are triggered by vigorous or prolonged exercise or physical exertion.  So now, your probably wondering, why then I would but myself through this...

Well, I love a challenge...

Ever since I heard of a C25K, I wanted to try it, but made the usual excuses...I'm too much overweight, too old and I suffer from asthma to ever run again.  But a few weeks ago I read a friend's blog who was doing it and I was inspired to give it a try.  I wasn't even sure I'd make it through my first day...let alone halfway through.

Has it been easy...heck no!

I have to take my inhaler 10 mins before the run, cos' when I don't,  by 10 mins into the run my chest is so tight I feel like an elephant is sitting on it...not to mention it triggers a sense of panic since I'm claustrophobic, which I'm sure it's due to my asthma.  It gets really scary, being claustrophobic, when your air ways narrow and you can't get in enough air.  That happened my first day (cos' I didn't think to use my inhaler prior to the run) and again this past weekend when I forgot it, we were out of town at a Fiber Festival and I insisted we keep to our schedule.  Trust me I've learned my lesson now...though I still get the coughing and wheezing afterwards, taking the inhaler before hand elevates the tightness in my chest during the run.

Early morning Sunrise after my run

This week was rough...the jogging repetitions were much longer and it took more out of me to complete them.  Being overweight makes for a lot of stress on your knees and ankles...so they start to ache and trust me I want to quit and just drop.  Oh did I forget to mention I live in the country so there's short up and down hills we have to run...which makes it all that more challenging.  This past Monday's session was very interesting though, offering a wonderful gift...

I received some much needed Horse Medicine...

I've been very tuned in to nature and the subtle signs, messages, and guidance that are offered to me.  As I was heading up a hill I felt exhausted and wasn't sure if I could complete the full jogging repetition, when I looked up and saw a horse running up to the fence line.  He stopped looked at me and waited til I met up with him then he walked along with me while I jogged.  On my way back I had yet another jogging repetition right by his field and once again he came running to the fence line waited till I met up with him and again turned to walk along with me.  I felt his strength, his warrior spirit, and so I took it all in and pushed through til the end.  Once home I had to look up Horse Medicine...this is what I found...

Horse is your warrior spirit - the brave fighter who brings you safety in your journeys, both physical and metaphysical. Horse's medicine includes power, stamina, endurance, faithfulness, freedom to run free, control of the environment, awareness of power achieved with true cooperation, interspecies communication, expanding one's own potential abilities, friendship and cooperation, travel, astral travel, guardian of travelers, warns of possible danger, guide to overcoming obstacles. The power and strength of the horse spirit is able to take its rider to new spiritual territory.  It reminds us of our inner power and gives us courage to move forward.

I've always loved horses, did my share of riding them both bareback and saddled.  I've always had a dream to someday own one of my own...so it doesn't surprise me how much their medicine resonates with me.  So, horse has become my running totem, reminding me of my warrior spirit, giving me the endurance I need to complete this, as well as inner power and courage to keep moving forward.  Despite the fact that I'm still dealing with my dental saga.  At least the pain is intermittent and it's not spiked during a run as of yet.  But it will be setting me back a week at least; I'm scheduled for another root canal.  I know last time I wasn't allowed any physical excursions until it healed.  Yoga was even difficult to do during the healing time.  But I'm still gonna move forward and pick up where we left off, so we can complete our C25K venture.

In fact, Ty and I decided since we are going to do this we may as well end it with a bang...

Our plan is to register for the Mercy Regional Medical Center 2012 Journey of Hope 5K, to benefit the Breast Cancer Center fund, which provides free Mammograms to the women who can't afford it.  It seems perfect that that's the only 5K I could find to participate in, in our area from now til the end of the year.  

What challenges have you taken on lately, despite the obstacles in your way?

Saying YES to my Calling...

I started out this year with the intention of finding my life's purpose.  It seemed I reached a point last last summer where I felt there had to be something more, more than what I'm doing right now in my life.  I felt a need to reach out and make a difference somehow, to connect to the world outside of just being a contract employee and struggling to succeed as owner and designer of a jewelry business.  I pondered over it a lot...but still nothing came to me.  Have you ever experienced that feeling where, for example you buy a particular type of car and now all you see on the road is that particular car...well, that's how it showed up for me...before I knew it everyone was talking about one's life's purpose, how to find yours, and so on.

But the question...What is my life's purpose...just hung there waiting to be answered....

I felt so clueless, I even ventured to explore some free workshops on how to find it...but nothing came to me.  Until just a few days ago...while doing one of the wonderful attunement meditations, about our angels of Divine Inspiration and Artistic Expression by Michael Golzmane, who is part of our Angels in my Studio eCourse.  

Ever since working with Lori-Lyn in communicating with my Guides and Guardian Angels, I have been called to deepen my connection, I've been meditating more often, receiving some wonderful messages, confirmations and reassurances...and this one was a huge breakthrough for me...

And though, up til now, it never dawned on me to just ask...this time I did...I simply asked "please guide me to finding my life's purpose" and...

It came to me so clear...so strong...and felt sooo right...."Your life's purpose has always been to be a Healer...reach back in your memories and remember"...

Wow, why had it eluded me when all along is was right there...plain as it could be...and so, as I looked back, I remembered...  From my huge dream of being a Nature Photographer for National Geographic to expose our forests and wildlife to the public and remind them how precious they are and how we are to  protect them and heal our forests...to choosing a career in western medicine as a Registered Medical Assistant for 13 years, as I raised my children as a single mom.  And the many other paths I ventured on, from my dabbling into healing with crystals, herbalism, and my love of healing with essential oils and the biggest of them all...all the healing I've done in my own life.  Not to mention, I have many healers in my ancestral line, from my aunt on my father's side to my grandfather and uncle on my mother's side and so on. Everything I thought of pointed to the fact that I am here to be a healer, it's always been there, from my deep connections with Nature's Angels who's mission is to heal and take care of Mother Earth, to the vague memory of have being told my Aura's prominent color was that of a healer, many years ago.  No wonder I feel empty, after spending all these years at a bench, working in a field that doesn't truly allow me to do what I'm here to do.

So, now I'm left with the question...where do I go from here...how do I express and share this with the world.

I'm not sure how this will show up for me or where I go from here...I revisited my medical career, and though I was always complemented on being very compassionate and gentle in my practices, western medicine doesn't speak to me, as a path I want to go back down.  And so...I find myself once again open to divine guidance, open to what ever shows up for me as being the path, the venue to use so I can step into my true power and live my life's purpose...

I say YES to my Calling...and remain open...

Are you following yours?

Soulistry and 29 Faces

Gorgeous day here today and I enjoyed sitting outside and inhaling the heavenly heavy scent of my lilac bushes; which are so abundant this year compared to last.

Today I completed my art for week two of Soulistry - Artistry of the Soul: Creative Ways to Nurture Your Spirituality by June Mack Maffin.  We are visiting this book in our Premium Book of Days group; doing some journaling prompts and arting along.  Week two was about our gifts.  Effy had a wonderful take on this sharing our gifts as being from the Divine and coming to us through our totems.  After doing some soul searching around my gifts, I realized that since I recently discovered how strong my totem gifts have resonated with me I decided to share mine through it as well.   I am drawn to Tribal Tattoos and found these wonderful representations of the Moon and the Panther and collaged them...I really love how it turned out.

Black Panther has been with me since a very young age.  Only recently have I come to understand that "the early life experiences of one with whom Black Panther walks will never be "easy," and mine hasn't been, but my "Inner Strength", another gift from Panther has helped me overcome. I resonate with all of Panther's gifts but the one that stands out the most...is "Authentic" in other words I am who you see I am.  I speak from my heart "tell it like it is"...and that has been a gift and a curse...cos' there are some who don't like that about me.  People either love me or hate me and that's okay cos' the gift of being a "Truth Seer" ( having a keen insight into the reasoning, actions and motives of others) has been getting stronger and it often becomes clear why they don't like me.  I've been finding it interesting how some gifts can be both negative and positive ones and have been learning a lot.

I also completed my 12th face today..

Self-Honoring Wednesday~ Art - Part of My Spiritual Practice

I've started on a wonderful and magickal spiritual journey this year!  I chose TRUST as my word for the year, in reference to my spiritual journey more so than trusting others. As I started to solidify my spiritual practice, I found my art's been becoming a very huge part of it.  For me it's all about reconnecting; my main focus is returning to a strong spiritual practice, something, which I have to admit has lacked these past few years.

When we invite a new soul into our lives, the first years together are all about them, our own needs are put aside and we gradually learn to find balance once again while still nurturing this wonderful blessing we've been given.  The birth of my youngest was very traumatic, it took me a long time both physically and emotionally to heal from.  Now, he's 4 and so independent, and growing up fast, we have a lot of arts and craft time together...he loves it and I so enjoy my time with him. 

By now, you all know how much I'm loving the Book of Days, a free eCourse being offered by Effy Wild.  Though I don't usually keep to the prompts or themes that are offered, and there's no possible way I can art journal everyday (as much as I would love to) I do love watching her videos, learning new things and of course joining her on our Book of Days journey. Not to mention she created a book altering junkie, LOL...I've altered a number of compbooks last year and my Book of Days a few weeks ago, as well as altered a journal to become my first Gratitude Journal.  I've always LOVED collecting journals and notebooks...I always find a reason to by one, now that I learned how to alter them...well, lets just say I'm LOVING collecting them even more! 

So, I've been using my art journaling as part of my spiritual practice and healing; along with miracle walks (which my little person LOVES), Yoga (which he does with me most of the time), dream journaling, gratitude journaling, general dumping journaling, oracle cards, meditations, and of course salt baths and other self-care treats.  The best part of it all, is that although I've added more to do in my already crazy busy life...it all feels more doable...all of it.  I don't feel as overwhelmed or stressed.  I believe the difference is that I gave myself permission from the very start that it's okay if I don't get to ALL of it...if they are at different times of the day or if I have to skip a day. It's all good and it's all perfect...and you know what...most of it is part of my daily practice...having a spiritual practice makes my days flow with easy, peace, love and joy.

I got in the habit of doing a little ritual prior to arting like focusing on my feelings and other things that I feel I need to know and share around my journey; which then comes out as art; all of which represents my spiritual journey.  In fact, I couldn't have said it any better than what Effy shared in her Book of Days post last week.  Where she shared how she uses Art as her spiritual practice, through intention and ritual, as well...Love it!  Much like me, she too lights a candle and sets an intention prior to starting out, how magickal is that, creating a space to receive from your higher self. 

After a year of creative expression last year, I realized how important it is for me in my life.  It provides balance and restores me.  I recently found that art journaling, offers me a vehicle to connect with my spirit guides. So, why not include art in my spiritual practice.

There are so many ways to heal, grow and transcend in life...creativity is the path that provides all of that and more for me.  What is yours?

Self Honorng Wednesday ~ Focus and Intent

I like to start my year out with focus and intent.  By now we all have gone through the stages of being complete with the past year.  We revisited the year, looked at the lessons and hopefully learned from them, celebrated our achievements and let go of what no longer serves us.  In my Welcoming 2012 I shared with you my New Year traditions, as well as how I enjoyed my first day of the year. I like spending the first week getting clear about my focus and intent for the New Year.  As I mentioned before what I found has really helped me focus my intent is working through the Creating your Goddess year book, as well as creating and doing things that will support me throughout the year to achieve my intent.

In continuing to honor myself, I've decided to create a special Sacred Space in my home for when I meditate and do Yoga, my little sanctuary for when I can't go outside.  I gathered together things I had around the house, as well as these wonderful Goddess Statues and placed them all in one sacred place.  After clearing our home, I cleansed and cleared this space and set the intent for it.  Which by the way if you want to learn more about clearing space you should check out Goddess Leonie's Sacred Space Clearing kit...it's chuck full of great info from using stones to smudging.

love this image in particular

I chose "Trust" as my word this year and so I'm creating practices to allow for more guidance from Spirit, one of course is more consistent meditation, quite time to receive and listen.  I also got this awesome set of Oracle cards, Wisdom of the Hidden Realms as a gift this holiday season.  The images really speak to me and I'm really enjoying working with them. Besides doing my yearly three card oracle reading, I've also been pulling a card a day and meditating on it, as well as reflecting on it through out the day, being through thought, journaling or art.

I also created a pin board to support my creative ventures and my Life Book journey this year.  I plan on continuing to add inspirations as the year unfolds.  I just finished creating my sacred box where I will be storing all my pages until we bind them at the end of the year.  It's been really exciting to be doing this and though it's a huge challenge for me (a year long eCourse) I really feel it's gonna be a wonderful way to honor, celebrate and discover myself!

What are you doing to honor yourself and well-being this year?