The Money Altar

The Money Altar

Good Morning, Sweet Goddess Sistars!

After a heartfelt, inspiring talk with my friend Karin yesterday...what she shared is the end result: this particular post today.  After people around her shared their money woes and stresses revolving around these issues, she decided to create a money altar.  The results are nothing short of a miraculous, magical blob of goodness!  And, as you can see from the photo above...I was inspired to do the same!

If at any time you are feeling constricted, stressed out and/or blocked in receiving the abundance you so desire...I suggest either creating your own altar or attuning to the one pictured.  Try setting the intention of releasing whatever it is you're blocked with or attached to and 

envision your arms stretched out to receive.

What's on the Altar:

Sacred sage gifted by a very dear sister.

$25 also gifted by the same dear sister mentioned above.

A citrine crystal representing clearing and abundance.

Ash from the fire of the last women's sweatlodge.

Beans gifted to me by a gentleman from one of our community sweatlodges which represents growth, strength, abundance and integrity.

Coins from some of the countries I have visited.

Cloth borrowed from my friend whom facilitates Trance Dances.

And most importantly, words written on pieces of paper:

This Altar represents money, abundance welcomed into My Life.

This Altar is for All Sisters.

Abundance!

Energy Exchange!

I am open to receive!

To release all blocks preventing us from receiving abundance.

To release fears and attachments around money and lack.

To release what no longer serves are highest good and abundant nature.

~~~~~

As we move through and swim in the Seas of our Truth, may we ride the waves and float with the water..and not against it.  May we Let Go and Love All that IS..being mindful of what serves the highest good for All.  That not only is there enough but More Than Enough.  May we be reminded why we sit together in Circle.  That are Gifts are fully received, from the heart and given freely with no attachments.  Pure and unconditional.  Sistars, the gift of your friendship, the lifelong connections and our stories/insights/BEing are PRICELESS.  This Path that we have said YES! to is an experience that can never be replicated and there is nothing like it out there available.  Why? Because we each bring something of ourselves and each of us is unique.

It is an honor to share this space with you.

With infinite gratitude,

Athena <3>

Caring for Karin

Sometimes, if you say 'caring' especially if you're like me and talk really fast like a chipmunk OR
if you have an accent, the word can sound like you just said, "Karin".

So, Karin...this is For You.

I've watched my friend, Karin, now for a few days mope about her house in her ex-boyfriend's sweatshirt trying to hold it all together.  I've seen her frown and scowl more often then I'd like to admit and for the first time in...well, ever... she kind of snapped at me and at first, I was a little hurt but then I also realized how much she was hiding her pain.

A few days ago, her heart was broken by someone whom shall remain nameless.  What truly matters as of now is Karin.  And right now she is struggling and it's heart wrenching to see.  I feel a bit helpless so I pondered on what I could do.  So, as I'm curled up in her favorite fuzzy purple blanket on her couch that swallows you up, I'm thinking of all the different ways she has helped me.  I'm remembering all the amazing things she has taught me.  I also wanted to dedicate this writing piece to her so that whenever she needed a reminder, she can refer back to this at anytime and turn that frown upside down.  :0)

I'm quiet sometimes. I also listen to not just words but the words that are not spoken.  I observe.  And what I've noticed with Karin is her strength.  She is strong.  She is strong for her family, especially for her son, Trent.  She is strong for her Sisters.  She is strong for anyone and everyone.  She is even strong for her ex-husband and now ex-boyfriend.  The very same individuals who have caused so much pain and grief but because Karin is well, Karin...she is now the more stronger for it.  She is so strong, even for HerSelf, that crying and releasing has been difficult.

So, Karin, my sweet Sistar...let the tears flow and allow yourself to grieve.  You don't have to be strong all the time.  We are stronger because of You, let us return the favor...

Here's something else you may have already suspected.  Karin has one of the biggest hearts on the planet.  It's GIGANTIC.  From her love and devotion to her family and friends, to the care and nurturing of the environment/Mother Earth, to the various causes especially the ones directly involving children, to her ginormous love and passion towards children in and of itself, to her love of Truth and the discovery of Self...she amazes me in ways that have expanded my consciousness and my own heart.  The deep love and gratitude she has shown and given to countless others is reflected by my own desire to show up fully and meet her as well.

Thank you, Karin.  Thank you for showing up even though you sometimes want to crawl into bed and curl up with your favorite fuzzy blanket that I may steal from you one day.  Thank you even if you do stay in bed.  Thank you for showing me that I can have gravy without mushrooms because that is a miracle in itself.  Thank you for trying food prepared by me with the knowledge that it has nutritional yeast and I know you don't care for it but because of who you are, you'll eat the food anyway.  Thank you for listening and being there for others even though your heart is broken.  Thank you for making so many children and babies feel loved AND thank you for making them laugh.  Thank you for allowing yourself the experience of loving again even though you were probably terrified at first.  Thank you for forgiving those that have caused you pain, stress and heartache.  Thank you for being HERE not only for Trent, not only for your family, not only for US but also because it just wouldn't be the same without you.

To the Yummy Dessert that You Are, Karin.  To the Beautiful Goddess that reflects back at you in the mirror, Karin.  To the Beloved Daughter, Sister & Mother that You continue to Be, Karin.  To the Shining Star that will forever Be You, Karin.

We Love You.
You Are Amazing and Loved Everywhere.
(And just in case you forget, your Iphone will remind You.)

In Loving Gratitude,
Athena

Rise With US

I wrote this piece because I was partly inspired by the overwhelming participation of so many amazing and beautiful individuals for the One Billion Rising phenomenon.  I was also pondering this: what can be said to combat those that have strayed away from the path of peace? What can be said to those whom have forgotten from whence they came from?

The depths of a woman far surpasses the journey to the Earth's core or to the cosmos of infamy.  We are Life Givers, Wisdom keepers, Healers, Teachers.  Grandmothers, Mothers, Sisters.  We aided in dreaming the World into BEing.  The waters that flow within us connect All to the rivers and seas of Mother Earth and even then only partially contain our emotional capacity.  We live and Breathe Life.  We live and breathe Love.  We live and breathe Emotion.  We live and breathe Intuition.  We are Goddesses whom walk this Earth.  We are the Peace keepers.  We tend the Hearth of the Home.  We bring the sense of 'Home' with us wherever we go.  It is not in our nature to instinctually fight or go to war.  It is, however,  within us to protect those whom we love dearly and when instigated and/or provoked, that ferocity will be unleashed.

When we are raised in a loving environment where we feel safe, cared for and properly supported, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.

Together, in unity and solidarity, we are a force to be reckoned with.

And yet, atrocities persist. Avarice is recycled and spread.  This current reality ensues. 

I wish it were not so. Violence, rape, incest are words I hope to never utter again.  

Do not bully us.  Do not hurt us.  Do not abuse us.  Do not fight us.  Do not fear us.  Do not belittle us.

Do not enslave us.  Do not harm us.  Do not shame us.  Do not judge us.  Do not deceive us.

Do not underestimate us.

Instead…

Choose to support us.  Choose to love us.  Choose to grow with us.  Choose to evolve with us.  Choose to respect us.  Choose to honor us.  Choose to shine with us.

Choose to sing with us as we harmonize together in the Song of Life.

Choose to dance with us in rhythms that transcend space and time.

Choose to create with us a world of peace, prosperity, creativity, joy and Love.

Choose to Rise With Us.