Turtle Run

On Friday night of the last full moon, Noah and I went to the beach for a turtle run - or more accurately, a release of baby turtles back to the ocean. What a glorious evening.

We met with our turtle tribe - about 100 + people (and lots of little PEEPS) who found their way to the Hollywood Beach on Perry Street to commune with nature and see baby turtles and help guide them on their way. At least one set of twins, tee hee, and a gorgeous Goddess with an 11 day old baby GIRL (Goddess in Real Life) called Gabriella. And, of course, a little help from Mother Earth, a full moon rising out of the Ocean.

We met at 7:30 p.m. and saw a dramatic sunset. The tide was coming in. The turtles were revealed, most of them squirming and ready to go. The kids were so excited. So was I!!!

Turtles lay 100-200 eggs in nests dug in the sand. On our beaches, these areas are protected and residents are asked to keep their lights off at night so that when the babies hatch, they can find their way back to the sea. Usually, the hatchlings (baby turtles who have left their eggs) get out of the sand and head towards the sea. What I learned on Friday, is that in about 30 years, these female baby turtles will return to the beach from which they hatched, their sacred space, to nest and lay eggs and make babies.

I have always loved turtles. They seem to come to me at the most wonderful moments in my life, reminding me to take things slowly and live for the moment and ground myself in my GODDESS energy. I return to a post I wrote earlier. And confirm I am ready for the Faery world, right here, right Meow.

Tropical Storm Fay

Sitting outside on my patio last night, I see the palm trees bending and dancing as the wind swishes through, rain lashing down through the screen and into the pool.  The breeze whips into all these directions and I know we are experiencing one of the outer bands.  As Fay approaches Florida, she brings layers of weather phenomenon - some quiet and hot and still (the calm before the storm), some violent and strong (pelting rain, blowing winds, dark skies). 

   

It makes me appreciate why I am here in Florida, the look of my trees and bushes - all green and lush, like a tropical rainforest.  The smell in the air is tantalizing and clean.  Off with the A/C; goodbye to the electricity - time to hang outside and see the miracles of the Great Goddess as she balances our ecosystem.  And the beauty, the gift, is that the WORLD as I know it - finally stops and heeds Mother Nature.  People stay home, stores are closed, schools are closed, everything gets simple again.  Not many things can do that like a storm from MAMA EARTH.

It's given me an opportunity to nap some more and be still (learning more Meow and Doggess- Goddess lingo) and READ.  I love to read.   I have a stack of books by my bedside, one on the dining room table, a stack in the Creative room and a full library in the Goddess Studio.  I have done much of my intellectual learning by reading.  It keeps me open to new ideas and others' life stories.

                   

Yesterday, the three books of choice being digested were:  HERLAND, by Charlotte Perkins Gilman as recommended by Goddess Christina who I am totally missing laughing with at Tuesday's mornings Hollywood Laughter Yoga Circle.

This book was written in 1915 by a Goddess who was truly aHEAD of her time.  She writes a story of a country called HERLAND where only women reside that gets explored by three men.  The book is written from HIS perspective.  And what is so awesome, is that her astute observations and visions are so compelling and true NOW, even though it was written so long ago.  Reading this book made me feel hopeful and happy.

 

Describing herself as a humanist, Gilman wrote that: "it is only in social relations that we are human...to be human women must share in the totality of humanity's common life.  Women, forced to lead restricted lives, retard all human progress.  Growth of organism, the individual or social body requires use of all of our powers in four areas:  physical, intellectual, spiritual and social."

BE THE PACK LEADER by Cesar Millan.

And interestingly enough, in this book, I had just read - the four things needed for healthy human balance are intellectual, emotional, spiritual and instinctual. This great book is all about communicating with a pack member through ENER-chi.  Kudos to WSM Cesar for thanking and acknwledging women in the first seven pages of this book.  And for his VIEW that women hold the KEY to helping put our world back into balance. 

Hmmm, I see so many connections. Tee hee!!! Let me dig further in these gardens and see what else crops us...

I am also really enjoying this book called Mama Gena's Marriage Manual.  Yummy!!!  This Goddess runs a School of Womany Arts in New York.  Any Goddesses ready to check it out with me, let me know.   She advocates building a village by creating and surrounding yourself with Sister Goddesses.   I'm in!!!  

I will share more as I absorb more.

Thank you Tropical Storm Fay for empowering and educating me while slowing me down to my instinctual ANIMAL nature.  Back to the hammock I go.  Tee hee!!!

Doggess Goddess Language

I've always been a Cat.   Physically in many other lifetimes although I still feel it in my bones and in my heart meow.  As such, it has always been easy for me to intuitively communicate with Meows.  Mine, those I meet on the street, those who cross my path...

Trying to learn how to communicate with GingerMama, my Doggess Goddess, I am trying too hard, not exhibiting patience, reading too many "experts" that do not resonate with my heart.   So, I stopped.  I took a deep breath.   GingerMama and I went outside to try something different.  I  sat at my creative table and made some space.   Tackled a pile of paper - things torn out from magazines, old cards, funky paper - sorting and clearing and cutting and filing.  And I relaxed and released the stress of learning a new process and not being kind and gentle with myself.

Ginger Mama was laying out under the table, sprawled out and sleeping peacefully. All of a sudden, she let out a yawn and gave a big stretch and I felt her toe pads touch mine.  Our feets were connected.  I had an A-HA moment.

My Goddess Auntie Catalina was the first to share with me how wonderful the scent of the paws and the toes of a doggess goddess can be.  And I truly get the scent thing.  Reverting back to my animal nature and connecting with GingerMama in an earth form.  

For me, however, it was the heat.  The heat emitting from her toes.  The transfer of heat from her toes to my toes and the wave of ener-CHI that transferred into me.    If I remember my high school Physics correctly -  heat transfer from GingerMama to Goddess changes the internal energy of both systems involved (possibly Law of Thermodyamics).   And it happened.   A warm, loving exchange of energy that had us both sighing and stretching and happy.

I have practiced this for years with my Meows - taking daily naps and quieting my mind and slowing my body down.  Body to body, connected by fur and skin, allowing the Ener-chi flow from Meow to me.  Letting the Meow heat and purr vibrate through my skin and into my bones and flow through my veins.  It makes for an awesome internal massage.

To show me that I am getting it and keep up the good work, the Universe sends me a sign.  Among the pile of dog training/language books I have, Cesar Millan (the Dog Whisperer)'s book, Be The Pack Leader, jumps off the shelf and lands open on Page 120 - "...learning how to communicate rules, boundaries and limitations through ENERGY.  There is no substitute for that energy and bond - no tool that money can buy - and almost no experience on earth can rival the kind of spiritual closeness that occurs when you and your dog are truly, naturally in sync."

By Goddess, I think I've got it!!!

"IN ORDER TO REALLY ENJOY A DOG, ONE DOESN'T MERELY TRY TO 

TRAIN HIM TO BE SEMIHUMAN.  THE POINT OF IT IS TO OPEN 

ONSELF TO THE POSSIBILITY OF BECOMING PARTLY A DOG"

- Edward Hoagland

T-Shirts and Bumper Stickers - #2

I wrote a previous post about how I get some of my favorite mantras and life lessons from bumper stickers and T-Shirts.  Here are some new ones that inspire me in 2008:

Girl, Woman, Princess, Queen, Goddess - Give Yourself A Promotion 

(Click on the T-Shirt to check out Conscious Creation's lovely & yummy T-Shirts)

Bought this lovely sticker last time I was in Nashville, TN with Goddess Bliss.  She took me to a lovely new age metaphysical store called Magical Journey where I satiated my love for cool bumper stickers and sayings.

And this one sits by my bedside, first thing I see in the morning and last thing I see before I lay my head to sleep - it reminds me of my intention for my life.  

At the bottom of this sticker (the small print) it lists another really cool metaphysical store, Azure Green, a gateway of fairy magic, with an awesome online presence and shopping mecca.

And this T-Shirt that touched my heart.  I  spotted it on Hollywood Beach this weekend.   I found it online at Northern Sun which has a huge array of great t-shirts, bumper stickers and other wonderful yummies.  Their logo is Product for Progressives since 1979.

God/Goddess bless the whole world.  No exceptions.   Peace!!!

Great Auntie Sylvia's Birthday

Today, my Great Auntie Sylvia is turning 91. We are going to Cafe Seville this afternoon (early bird, you know) for a little celebration.

A year ago, on August 5, 2008, we were truly blessed to have the opportunity to throw a little birthday bash to honor her special day. Members of the family that could not attend sent in video and audio clips and helped make this a most memorable occasion for the Matriarch of our Family.

I had such a blast learning my way around a Mac computer and this was my first movie. I hope to create many more movies as we (Goddesses and Sisters and the Collective) start putting our HER-STORY out for the world to see. Perhaps a preview of Goddess TV. Tee hee!!!

Goddess ArtMuse

My recent trip to California yielded a delightful surprise.  The neighbour's daughters were watching the dog-GOD during the pre-wedding festivities.  One night, I was asked to bring the dog-GOD home.   I walked over and as I got to the door, I stepped onto this beautiful mosaic creation.  I was so enthralled, I took off my shoes and let my toesies feel the energy of the shells and stones in this artistic creation. 

I had an opportunity to meet Goddess Cheryl and her lovely family at my cousin's wedding.  Her daughters walked down the aisle and helped the bride with her lovely train.  Her Goddesses In Real Life were also the dog-GOD's official wedding escorts.

The day before I left California, I went to snap the picture above and Goddess Cheryl opened the door and told me the story of its creation.  She then opened the door to her home and art studio and shared with me her divine creations.  I post her busy-ness cards below because they contain two of her artistic renditions.

Besides being a mother of two lovely Goddesses in Real Life, Goddess Cheryl is also an Artist ExtraOrdinary, a fabulous Designer and an awesome Illustrator.  She might be blessing women and GIRLs of this world by opening up her space and teaching art classes.  Yay!!!

I was so inspired by this Goddess, I created a video of a sampling of her ART with music on Animoto.  These videos are my gift of love to you, my Goddess.  

Thank you for your inspiration, your grace, your SPIRIT.

I am so grateful!!! I am so blessed!!!

Residents of our Home

When we go out of town, we have always had friends or neighbors come over and take care of our Meows.  And as much as that has been appreciated, our Meows sat down with me and told me they preferred some consistency if I was going to travel alot this year.

So we interviewed a few people to see if they would connect with the littlest residents of our home.  And when Goddess Sharon came over, Zeko, our oldest meow, decided to sit on my lap and participate in the interview process.  It was quite unusual and telling behavior.

Before I left for my cruise, I sat down with each Meow to see what they were expecting from Goddess Sharon in my absence.   Crone Goddess Ruby was the first to share with me.  This is what she dictated to me:

Message from Crone Goddess Ruby

Welcome Goddess Sharon to this humble abode.  I am the Queen of this home.  I am usually found on the master bed lolling around and catching up on my beauty sleep.  

I love getting brushed and I love my medicine too.  If you just bring it to my mouth, I will indulge you with good behavior and drink it all up.  

When you feed me, the aromas will so intoxicate me, I will probably sing you a melody.  Now I may be small, however I am very wise.  I am looking forward to getting to know one another.  Meow!!!

What's in a word?

This word is so loaded. So many implications. It stirs up so many emotions. Most people can't say it or hear it.

I have chosen it to represent me. It is my spiritual name. My label, in a society that labels me patriarchally (my father's name, my husband's name). It is my way of re-MEMBER-ing who I am. It is my way of re-MIND-ing others of the choices available. It is my way of embracing my feminine, my YIN energy. It is me opening up to the essence of being a woman.


What is a GODDESS?

To me, it is the merging of my INNER CHILD with my FEMININE ESSENCE.

And what does that really mean? Well, applying the KISS Method - keeping it short and simple.

INNER CHILD: wise soul that inhabits your body

FEMININE: having qualities and/or attitudes traditionally associated with women.
Well, that definition of FEMININE just answers it all for me - NOT!!!

ESSENCE: nature or quality of something

I am still trying to figure this out for myself as I navigate through what our society and environment (thank you 4th Estate a/k/a media) bombards us with as FEMININE.

By the age of seven, I was already deeply indoctrinated in the PRINCESS mythology (my gratitude to Walt Disney). Well, actually, let's give thanks to the Grimms Brothers and their fairy tales .... I am beginning to see a pattern.... and that gave me an image, a taste for what a girl was supposed to be when she grew up - and pictures paint a thousand words in solidifying meaning of a word.

My nieces are all indoctrinated Princesses (and they have so many "role models" to choose from - Aurora, Ariel, Cinderella, Snow White).

Yet, they are GIRLs (Goddesses in Real Life) instead. I wonder where they will see this image so they can build healthy self-esteem and individuality instead of trying to be wannabe princesses.