Dearly Beloved

In the dark, all we could hear was the hiss of the stones.  

Some around us breathed heavily as the heat slowly covered us.  

I lowered my head to the Earth.  

My hand reached for the unknown and he caught it, 

grasping it as his fingers intertwined with mine.

I sang, low to the ground, projecting my voice.  

They listened.  

I placed my hand on him as I sang in the dark and his voice joined mine.  

The prayers swirled and danced with the Ancestors.

I needed to lean, 

I needed to finally let go and feel support.  

He was there next to me, 

heart bleeding and his soul baring all.

Being held in the Womb of the Great Mother's arms,

the Sacred Ancestors singing at our feet,

I was left as though naked and raw

facing the Black Mirror within.

And he held my hand through it all

and my armor melted.

We leaned into each other,

my lips kissing his open palm

and even now...

these words are not enough.

Soul

and

Heart Calling

with a

Fire

blazing

in the background.

....

The Voices started their whispering after we all crawled out.  I didn't know what to say or how to act.  Pretend like it didn't happen? Re-remember who we were from the time before?  Ceremony has this way of peeling off the layers and removing any defensive armor we've brought with us.

I felt confusion and slight guilt for what occurred.  I felt as though I betrayed someone dear to me and I also wondered why I couldn't just receive it as a Gift for that's what it truly was.

In all my years I've been on the Red Road, this was my first time something like this transpired.  It never felt wrong at the time it occurred, it was only afterward I allowed the Voices to slither with their whispers.

They began to infiltrate the cracks and seams of whatever defenses were left.  Then, my Onto family stepped in with their Love and Wisdom.

'The Past is Complete.'

I closed the Door then.  To those Fears and Old Stories.  To the times I was hurt by men.  To the pain that said I was unlovable.  To the wounds that lied and said I was broken.  I kissed the door and nodded my Good-Bye.

I am Whole today.  I am Grace today.  I am Light today. 

I embody LOVE always.

I felt you, my Dear Beloved, in those sweet gentle hands that held me with such care.

I felt you in the songs and prayers,

in the fires and the wind...

and in every step I take.

~~~~

PC: unknown

Mahal Du jour

Mahal Du jour
Yesterday morning we stood in a Circle and shared our Intentions before entering the Lodge. We took the time to acknowledge our Ancestors and noted the Auspiciousness of the day.  A time where the veils between the worlds were the thinnest. A chance to honor those that have passed on, where legend says the dearly departed have this one window in to visit with the living.
I talked of how I defined Family.  The Blood ties of our Ancestors and the family we are born into but also the bonds created from Spirit and Ceremony, forever linking us throughout the different dimensions. And, the ring extends out even further for me...the wonderful threads created at work and throughout my travels...

A beautiful blanket that weaves all of our stories, silence, tears, laughter, mistakes, lessons, sorrows, joys, wishes, prayers, dreams, fears Together... where the memories help to keep our hearts and souls warm on nights when it's cold and daunting.

Truly, A United Nations Kapwa where we are linked to one another across the various worlds.

My Gratitude knows no bounds.

Your Stories,
Your Voices,
Your Spirit,
Your Gifted Presence
inspires me each and every day.
(And sometimes, it's what gets me through the challenging times)

I love you...
Thank You

What to do when you're 'stressed'...

Some people have a difficult time indulging. Judgement, guilt and other 'stuff' come up when some think of having dessert(s). AND...what some don't know is that 'desserts' is 'stressed' spelled backwards...so when one is 'STRESSED', this is one of the things you could do...

Are you counting calories and granules of sugar? Are you depriving YourSelf of the well deserved Dessert you've earned after a hard day's work? Are you beating yourself up and judging YourSelf after eating that bar of chocolate?

Why in the name of the Goddess/God are you doing that?

Soooo....what if you can indulge guilt-free calorie-wise? What if you can savor the yummyness of a dessert with a low glycemic level of sugar AND it's a blissful orgasm in your mouth?  I mean...think about it. When was the last time you allowed yourself the deliciousness of something that was simple to make, was actually good for you AND tasted like you'd died and gone to heaven? If you took longer than a second to answer then... it is time for you to indulge...

First, let's just be really clear here. This is just for you.

Ready?
Do you swear?
Do you pinky swear?

Okay, then.
Read on...

Recipe for:
Vegan Chocolate Avocado Pudding
Single serving

Equipment:
Blender

Supplies:
wine glass (because dessert in a wine glass always makes it better!)
spoon (teaspoon or table spoon, your call)
lighted candle for ambiance

Ingredients:
-half of an avocado
(if you have more then this is the only time you're allowed to share but first you'll have to promise to have yours first... ;)
-1/4 to 1/2 cup of non-dairy milk (I used rice milk but hemp milk, almond milk and coconut milk will also work)
-3 tbl spoons of coconut sugar
-3 tbl spoons of cocoa powder
-3-4 drops of toffee flavored liquid stevia (this is optional. I added this later because I realized that it needed something so I put this in and liked the taste)
-a few drizzles of chocolate syrup (mix together 1/2 cup of date syrup (soaked pitted dates and water blended), melted coconut oil about 1/2 cup and 1-2 teaspoons of cocoa powder)
-a few dashes of cinnamon (optional)

Directions: place all ingredients in blender (except the chocolate syrup). Blend on high until all ingredients are blended thoroughly. If the pudding is too thick, add a teaspoon of non-dairy milk until desired consistency.  If the pudding has too much liquid, add in some more avocado by the tablespoon.  When you've achieved the desired perfection of your creation, drizzle chocolate syrup on the inside of the wine glass.  Pour the pudding into the wine glass.  If so desired, add a little bit more chocolate syrup on the top. Swirl, make a heart...create to your heart's content.

Now!

Grab your spoon and commence in your indulgence.

Congratulations! You have successfully indulged in a dessert that contains not only good fats (avocado), sugar that is low glycemic and chock full of minerals and vitamins (coconut sugar), an ingredient that contains dopamine which provides us with a sense of well-being as well as helping to release endorphins (cocoa powder)...you most importantly indulged!!

Close your eyes and let the makings of your beloved dessert carry you to the blissful state of no longer being 'stressed' but becoming just 'desserts'...

Welcome to the World of the Living and Loving...You...