BROKENNESS: AN ANCIENT PERSPECTIVE
A Yin line according to the I Ching is visually represented by two dashes. — — Oftentimes, it's referred to as a broken line or a yielding line.
To compare that to a Yang line that is visually represented. ___It's a solid line that does not have space as an interruption.
WHY ONLY HONOURING THE DIVINE FEMININE IS NOT ENOUGH
In a recent session with apprentices from my Mystery Mentorship program, while we were discussing the qualities and medicines of the Elements, I went on one of my tangented rambles, this time being about the Divine Masculine. I received an overwhelming response for sharing it, and hence why I am sharing here, too.
WHY WOMEN STRUGGLE MAKING DECISIONS AND WHY THEY SHOULDN'T CARE
What do these questions have in common?Do I study XXX or YYY?Do I relocate to LA / Tokyo / Shanghai / Paris / quiet place in the middle of nowhere?Do I have a baby? Or a subsequent one?Do I marry this person?Do I quit my office day job in a cubicle that pays fairly well and begin a new career in permaculture?
THE DIVINE FEMININE AS A 'TREND'
We can all agree that patriarchy wants to silence, control, and exploit the Divine Feminine, but how about examining healing and the Divine Feminine as a “trend”?
When we dress or adorn ourself or our physical spaces in a certain ‘Priestess’ aesthetic are we attempting to silence and control, or exploit Her?
A LITTLE ABOUT ME...
My name is Mimi Young, and I am the owner of Ceremonie and a spirit medicine practitioner. I smell things. People's auras, spirits, messages, warnings, omens, and things I am still not totally clear on. The term to describe this is called clairolfaction. (If you hang around with me long enough, you may find that I sometimes ask those in the room with me if they smell something in particular. I ask this because sometimes it’s unclear to me whether the scent I pick up is actually a physical aroma that belongs to the environment - say smelling coffee at a coffeeshop, or not, say smelling a distinct tree that is tied to specific spirit or ancestor that no one else in the room will perceive). My experiences in shamanic journeying didn’t start until I was well into adulthood while on bedrest while pregnant with my second child. (More on that HERE).
2018 to 2019: Ring Out The Old, Ring In The New
Empty glasses are scattered around, evidence of the mirth in our home these past few days. Messes were made; every pan, wooden spoon, and bowl in the kitchen was used. Today, with strong tea, was a cozy day in, the kids out to play since Vancouver is having a mild winter so far, and the adults at home (my partner and I), are transforming leftovers into soup, lazily reading new books, and leisurely packing for some days away in the woods, with the laundry machine's hum as a playlist of sorts.
SUMMER MYSTIC READS
Summer Solstice is just under two weeks away. In honour of the energies of Summer, I am feeling the call to engage in activities that feed me and fuel delight. For me, there is no substitute than being in the company of a good book or divination/intuitive deck. For those who speak the language of StrengthsFinder, I have Intellection as my no. 1; mental activity is my greatest pleasure.
UNDER THE NEW MOON: DECOLONIZING, GROWTH, MANIFESTING
Sometimes, my own fears and irrational habits surprise myself. I have internalized oppression of general Chinese/Taiwanese culture (not to mention cultural purging that modern China has experienced) and Christian patriarchy; being a female in a white-centric worldview also adds nuanced complexity. So many painful and limiting layers. So much living small and self-oppression. But I'm hopeful. I think the first step is awareness, then release, and lots and lots of patience and self-love. I find using shamanic and ritual-based practices effective in identifying the limitations as well as work through them. (For those who know me and my work, I’m all about integrating the spiritual with practical, everyday life. Spirituality without real-life application is lip service).
INTERVIEW WITH A SHAMANIC INTUITIVE
As mentioned on Instagram, I've been a regular listener on Julie Parker's The Priestess Podcast for quite some time. She curates beautiful, relatable content on mysticism, alternative healing modalities, the Divine Feminine, conscious business, and so many other topics that I care deeply about. It was an IMMENSE honour to be interviewed by Julie on shamanism, plant spirit medicine, and my work here at Ceremonie. We had such a fun time chatting (including my interpretation of how Adam and Eve from the biblical story of Genesis is rooted in shamanic expression, my childhood, and even the unusual name for my favourite doll), that I completely lost track of time!