ALLIES THAT HELP US LOVE BETTER
Despite the challenges of Resentment, Boredom, Frustration, and Rage, relating them as beings instead of mere emotions open us to receive their invaluable gifts that remind us we truly matter. And intriguingly, when we live in animistic ways that reinforce that we matter, these allies tend to visit us less.
HOW THIS WINTER SOLSTICE WILL AFFECT YOU NEXT YEAR
The most recent New Moon a few days ago on December 12. In Daoist and Chinese lunar traditions, this moon cycle is considered the Winter Moon or 11th Moon of the lunar year. The Winter Solstice or Dongzhi is celebrated as a festival of observing Yin at her greatest, and it is this honouring of her height that the Yang can re-emerge. In Daoist thought, this acknowledgement and sitting with Yin is vital for Spring, in order for the gifts of the subsequent year, to arrive and come to fruition. This year's return to and observance of the Great Yin is crucially important on two main levels.
MAGICK, CREATIVITY + CONTINUOUS TRANSFORMATION
The more I delve into magickal studies (Daoist-centered in my case), the clearer it becomes that my essence is meant to continually transform. This constant state of flux should be evident in both my spiritual practice and the art I create; otherwise, I risk becoming generic and empty, merely a passing trend. I end up repeating formulas that promise external but shallow approval while compromising my values and authentic voice, a pattern I observe in others as well.
HOW ONE DOES ONE THING IS HOW ONE DOES EVERYTHING
And so when we make one choice, we make many.
Samhain Market Vancouver
Visit Mimi Young of Ceremonie this Saturday, October 28 from 7-10PM at @liquidambertattoo as part of the Art Social + Witches of Vancouver market event. The Skin + Aura Care will be available between 18-22% OFF, and it's ONLY for this event, as well as my remaining Magick of Tea events for 2023 that such rad prices will be made available.
Tea Thoughts While On A Mountain
By considering alternatives, my “truths” can be suspended—even for a moment—so that new portals can open. The Universe does not want to work with a know-it-all. Spells, though are approached with some degree of knowledge, mostly work because there’s sufficient space for air and negative space to exist to fan the flames of magick.
I delight in knowing that if I told my younger self who I am now, what I’m doing now, she likely wouldn’t believe me.
12 AFFIRMATIONS + TRUTHS THAT ARE NOT EXTRACTIVE AND DO NOT BYPASS
1. While I most likely cannot be whoever I want, I can do something that weaves my interests with my abilities, to the best of my circumstances.
DO PLANTS FEEL THE SAME?
No matter how often we are told we are loved, it’s still possible to forget it. I wonder if plants ever feel the same. I confess my love for them, again, as sweetly as the first time. I think the Tea in my cup today blushes. The Ferns, too.
Following the plants,
WAYS WE BLOCK OUR CREATIVITY (AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT)
I wanted to highlight the importance of how this relates to our bodies, emotions, and psyche this time of the year, when you or those around you are going through the Earth energy of this Water Rabbit Year.
YOU ARE THE ENERGETIC COMPANY THAT YOU KEEP
To the wu shamans, and later Daoists and Ch'an Buddhists (whose sentiments can still be found in present day Chinese culture, such as in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Astrology), the separation between consciousness and landscape did not exist.
SIMPLE MOON RITUALS FOR POWERFUL ENERGETIC SHIFTS: IN COLLABORATION WITH GOOP
I return to goop, and was interviewed about Moon rituals that highlights principles of Yin, Yang, and Daoism (the philosophy that birthed the Five Elements and Chinese Zodiac) in general. The idea is to slow right down, get tactile, and relate differently than you typically would.
WHAT ARE SIGILS?
Traditionally speaking, sigils are a form of magick that holds the energy that is accessed through a specific intent and ritual. Sigils are often created by combining letters, symbols, shapes into an abstract design that is charged with energy of the desire. Common purposes include protection, peace in a home, recovery and healing, success on a project, and so forth.
HOW DOES THE FORCE IN STAR WARS PLAY PARALLEL WITH THE DAO ACCORDING TO DAOISM?
In Daoism (Taoism), the concept of the Dao (Tao) refers to the fundamental vital life force that underlies and connects all beings and all things in the Cosmos.
In Star Wars, the Force is portrayed as a powerful and all-encompassing energy that connects all living things in the galaxy.
The Dao and the Force are both accepted as beyond the realm of human control and full human knowledge. It is the Dao that has the ultimate say; all else may be understood as mystery.
THE OFFERING ARRIVED
Qing Ming Jie, a dedicated day in early spring for traditional Chinese peoples to visit loved ones who have passed on at their graves and pay respects, was on a Wednesday this year, the day of Mercury. By custom, with the tombs freshly swept by the living, and the debris removed, the spaces consecrated as doorways to connect with the living dead were renewed at a minimum of each year. Even portals need cleaning.
EARTH DAY AND THE FEELING OF FUTILITY
Oh, loved ones. Reading my friend, Carmen Spagnola's post on Earth Day, resurrected so much within me. I remember the once held feelings of naive might-- the one individual can take on the ugly world of big corporations, the machines of government, the systems of isms. I can do this, using the stronger, faster, smarter, louder, harder mindset, and wouldn't you know, it burned me to a crisp.