THE ROAD TO HEALING IS NOT THROUGH A SAVIOUR, BUT THROUGH A DEVIL
We must become reconciled to the shadows within before we can be reconciled to the shadows in the outer world. Only the acknowledgment of our own fears, triggers, narcissism, hate, and every other appalling, rejected, or denied part of ourselves can prevent the same reenactment of pain. Enough of “love and light” spirituality. Stop forcing the light. It’s about giving space for the darkness to be seen and heard. That’s why the darkness has been relegated there in the first place, because she wasn’t received with acceptance.
THERE ONCE WAS A WOMAN WHO SWALLOWED A FLY
Judging the title, you probably think I'm about to recite a nursery rhyme, but alas, there is nothing fictional about what I'm about to share, as I was the woman who once swallowed a fly— during a meeting when I was pitching to a prospective client while I was still working in the clean tech industry.
SPIRITUAL MYTHS ABOUT COVID-19
I don't subscribe to the various spiritual theories of why Covid-19 is happening.
I DON'T think Covid-19 is the way the Earth is "taking revenge".
I DON'T think the old paradigm is ending.
I DON'T think it's a global awakening.
I DON'T think it's happening FOR us.
I think we create these reasons because humans crave meaning. We crave meaning because we are spiritual creatures who need context to feel safe. But the virus exists for itself. Are we so self centered to think that everything exists for us (be it as a gift, as an act of revenge, or otherwise)?
RECOMMENDED BOOKS AS WE PRACTISE SOCIAL DISTANCING
As promised, here's a shortlist of books I recently read and thoroughly enjoyed (note that many of these titles are not new), but I should preface that what I deem as 'enjoyable' may not be evergreen. I am human, and I am pulled into stories, into fact, into information based on how I am feeling, the alignment of the stars, and other influences. With that said, as I share this list, I still would definitely read these titles again (and again).
MORE MEDICINES DURING SHAKY TIMES
The photo of me taken by my friend and fellow witch, Jessie Robertson (photographer and co-director of The Witches of Vancouver documentary) says it all. Life is messy and shaky, sometimes a little more, and other times, we get the reprieve of a little less.
When life is shakier, it affects us energetically and physically. I find that when I am overwhelmed, depleted, and exhausted, these are my favourite go-to allies:
THE TWO TYPES OF IMMUNITY
Our bodies as well as the compositions of all pathogens (bacterial, fungal, viral) are complex, and to claim that one herb functions like an "easy button" that is a one size fits all solution would be very misleading. In my work, I see that on a physiological level of plant medicine, there is as much of a defensive measure and an offensive one.
PLANTS AS PERSONS
They are not products.They are not plant extracts, essential oils, resins, compounds, or other human-made rendering.
INTEGRATION
I've been resisting the integration of two very real sides to me: One side is the mystic, the shamanic intuitive, the witch who works with plants and hears their whispers. The other side is the "science geek". The one that biohacks and loves what technology can offer for humans. The one that is a neurofeedback practitioner. Both expressions of me are to support you in your re-membrance, in your re-awakening, in re-plugging into your source of power. I am a healer and teacher in both expressions. Yet, I've kept them mostly separate.
SMELLS LIKE TEEN GOSSIP
I smell things. Some describe this as extra-sensory scent, clairolfaction or clairolfactance. Others simply call it psychic smelling. My first time was when I was in junior high. A “mean girl” spread some rumour about me (eye roll — I was talking to her boyfriend — correction— her boyfriend was talking to me), and she claimed the rumour was started by someone else. It was the usual adolescent cocktail of hormones, drama, 'territory', and insecurities. The scapegoated girl denied the words, but didn’t want to point fingers either because it meant her own reputation was liable, and in high schools, reputation is everything.
HEALING FOOD PATTERNS WITH CORE SHAMANISM
One aspect about shamanism is that the craft is about RELATIONSHIP. I can speak to plants, to animals, to the elements, to the dead, and so forth. In my work, I also speak to what is seen as “objects” and when I am in relationship with those things, there is medicine to be found there as well.
INVOKING THE CRONE
The feminist says every woman (and all who identify as) is unique and beautiful in her way, with her personal stories kept as sacred scriptures in her body, her temple.
There are feminists EVERYWHERE, in all professions. Females represent an immense pool of economic buying might, yet, it perplexes and pains me that older, naturally aging women are so little represented and embraced within media, within art, and within visible society.
TEA AS PLANT MEDICINE
Tea is a plant medicine. If you’ve consumed it today, how did she hold you? What did she share with you? What did you say to her? How were you changed after you invited her essence in?
PLANT SPIRIT MEDICINE SPOTLIGHT: WOMB SUPPORT
I work with common plants. The ones that you can consume often, find around on the side of the road, on lawns and other nearby areas. I hold great regard for entheogens, but my allies are usually quiet and unassuming. A few are listed here, today being plants that support the Womb (energetically and physically):
THE ETHICS AROUND “SCREEN CAP AND TAG” CULTURE
It starts with seeing an image you find inspiring or effective in communicating something meaningful. Screen cap, credit, and you post it in your feed with your own caption. It's a win-win situation, right? After all, credit is given to the artist, they are given exposure, and you get to share your words in your feed with a beautiful image. The digital age of social media is now universal and democratized, where anyone can have access to images and build their feed.
THE MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENT IN MAGICK
If you’re new to my blog and IG feed, you may find my work seems serious, focused on heavy topics, and that I don’t always smile in my photos. But don’t let my serious face fool you, as inside joy and play are always at work.
THE DEATH MOTHER AND MY SELF IMAGE
There was a time when I believed I was so unattractive, that I avoided looking in a mirror and being photographed at all costs. The reminder of how I felt I looked was untouchably painful. This was my reality for all my adolescence and twenties. It had nothing to do with my waist size as I have always been slim, and I say this because while some may think that thin women have less to work through with their self image and self confidence, it was certainly not the case for me.
IT TOOK ME 40 YEARS TO BUY MY 1ST TUBE OF RED LIPSTICK
I am a Taiwanese Canadian woman. The colour Red in traditional Taiwanese culture symbolizes good luck, celebration, distinction, joy, and prosperity. It is the bridal, birthday, and new year's colour. When a womaan dresses in red, it is a sign of respect to her elders and spirits, her ties to honouring her ancestors and tradition, and a symbol that she embodies luck herself. Contrasting this, Red in the West is associated with sex, desire, seduction, menstrual blood, romance, courage, leadership, and danger (but mostly sex). The West deems sex as dirty, and thus, White is very much a preferred colour for a woman to wear, since it signifies purity and on a much more subtler level, obedience, though culture has disguised obedience as elegance. Think of those cotton white sundresses or the bridal dress of the West.