7 Facts About Our Heroine

Who is this woman, that finds herself suddenly at the crossroads of Compassion and Magic, just because she wanted a quiet cup of coffee? Here are a few insights into the heroine of Beneath the Visiting Moon. I’ll do my best to not give away too much of the plot.

Our Heroine – Writer – Witch – Widow – Wonderer
  • She has known great love, and great loss. As have so many of us.
  • She is one of 7 children, in a many faceted, blended family from various parenting combinations – and they dont’ measure love using “steps” or “halves”. Family is Family. and for the record, Love is love is love.
  • Loves animals – so why doesn’t she have a dog? a cat? a goldfish?
  • Raised Pagan, embraced Wicca, trained to be old-school but embraces a more inclusive approach to faith and practice.
  • Has loved who she has loved, without shame or guilt, and regardless of the container that the soul has come in. To quote a wise man, #letloverule.
  • Most importantly, is definitely NOT looking for a serious (or any) form of relationship, as our story begins.
  • Reads voraciously. Writes almost compusively. Loves music. Loves dancing. Loves people – but spends so much time alone. Why?

So there you go. A wee bit of insight into the heart, mind, and spirit of our leading lady. Read the book. Get to know her. She might have a little bit of you in her somewhere.

Moon Matters 1.1 March Full Moon Edition

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Sharing what I’ve been doing and learning – from my heart to yours

Welcome to Moon Matters, my Moonbeams. It is a gift to see you and to be seen by you.

Why do I call you Moonbeams? Because you reflect the light back to me and light my way. Near, far, wherever you, when I need some light, I think of you and am very grateful for your support.

Life these days is a delicate balance of light and shadow. Days are getting longer. Some nights are clear; others are cloudy. It depends where we are. If you can, find the moon in the night and think about the things in your world that are clear and those that are cloudy. What will it take to push the clouds away – what strong wind of action, what gust of determination, will allow the Light to shine on you, in you, through you. More about this in our Mooncraft section.


The Moon Knows

What’s happening with Beneath the Visiting Moon?
I’ve applied for and received my ISBN number and am working with a brilliant local designer on a book cover. My plan is to publish Book One: Intention as an Amazon ebook as soon as it is ready. I was hoping to get things done by Spring Equinox, but it now looks like it may be a Beltane Book Launch.

Book Two: Activation is almost done and is undergoing deep editing. Book Three: Manifestation is outlined and underway.

Things are progressing, but I must admit that recent domestic and foreign political events have pulled my attention away from the creative journey, so things are taking a bit longer than anticipated to come together. All things in their appointed time.


MoonShine

I’ve been inspired by the courage I see in everyday people rising to the occasion during this moon phase. There have been so many acts of great kindness, generosity, tenacity, and courage. This quote by Brene Brown says it very well.

“I want to be in the arena. I want to be brave with my life. And when we make the choice to dare greatly, we sign up to get our asses kicked. We can choose courage or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both. Not at the same time.”

Brene Brown

Stay courageous, my friends. Do what you can.


MoonShadow

Writing is a solitary act. Sharing what we write makes us vulnerable. Since I started writing BtVM, I’ve been working through some unexpected personal shadows. I’ve been a published poet, essayist, reviewer, and journalist. I’ve spoken to hundreds of people at large public events. I’ve taught creative writing and sacred poetry classes.

I was terrified to put this story up for scrutiny, fearful of the backlash of jeers, negativity, and criticism. In the past decade, something had broken inside me, and writing this story – even if only 5 people read it- has been part of healing some very broken places inside me. I know that BtVM won’t be to everyone’s taste – and that’s just fine.

All this to say – if fear is holding you back – from doing anything that your heart desires – to create art, music, dance, poetry, writing, crafting, anything – where you feel you may face reprisal and criticism – trust me when I say this. FACE THE FEAR and DO IT ANYWAYS. Do it for yourself because you can. What other people think of you is none of your business.


MoonDance

How could I pick anything else for this first edition than the classic this segment is named after – Van Morrison’s Moondance. A lovely little jazz tune, perfect for dancing to, either by yourself or with someone special.


MoonLight

The Moon – Tarot de Marseilles

Always present, not always visible. When do you wax and wane?
Does the nighttime make you sleepy or reveal your inner wild child? How do you know?

Your face is hidden from me, Mother.
I cannot see Your light.
My weary heart is seeking rest 
In the perfect love and perfect trust you promise
to the Wyrd and Wyse.
If You are for me, Mother, then
You know what is yet to be.
My pain will pass. My heart will heal.
I'll trust the turning of the Wheel when
all shall be returned times three.
(SH 1994)

MoonCraft

This prayer was shared with me almost 30 years ago, and there is not a week that goes by that I don’t say it. It was written by the great metaphysician Connie Newton, and all she asks is that if you share it with others, her name remains attached to it to honor how it came to be through her own journey.

I am the Light.
The Light is within me.
The Light moves throughout me.
The Light surrounds me.
The Light protects me.
I am the Light.

That’s all for this time, my Moonbeams.

Expect your next love letter around the time of the next New Moon. And remember to bounce your love of the moon to those you hold dear in your heart – it will reach them! We all sleep under the same sky.

Sending my love out to you …

MoonLove: You’re invited to find and follow me on all the social channels! Hope to see you there – and to hear from you!


And if you are reading this on the web, sign up to get Moon Matters in your inbox every Full and New Moon.

The Self-Blessing

This meditation or prayer (or whatever you prefer to call it) can start your day or provide you with a moment of focus, to ground and center your energy in times of stress, grief, or anxiety. It affirms that we are all part of the Universe, connected to one another and that our senses are sacred. Consecrate yourself to live in alignment, see clearly, hear with discernment, etc.


“I am one with universal energy, for I am its creation.” 

Covered your eyes with your hands.

“It blesses my eyes, and I see clearly.”

Covered your ears.

“It blesses my ears and I hear with discernment.” 

Cover your lips.

“It blesses my mouth and I speak truth.” 

Open your arms, hands at hip height, palms outward.

“It blesses my hands and I do sacred work.” 

Cover your heart, left hand over right.

“It blesses my heart and I give… 

Lift your hands from your chest open-palmed, then return them to your chest, right over left] 

and receive love.” 

Lower your hands to place your palms at waist height, parallel to your feet.

It blesses my feet and I move forward on my journey. 

 And so it is.” 


What Does All This Mean?

The Self-Blessing is firmly based on a Pagan spiritual view that starts with the belief that we are all one, part of a Universal creation, and that there is no separation between us and nature and each other. It doesn’t matter what name you use to call that Power or Presence into your life, or if you call it Science, or simply the shared journey as fellow travelers on this little blue marble in space.

To see clearly is to see all facts as presented, to see without bias or prejudice, to see the present, without living in the past or projecting into the future.

To hear with discernment is to cultivate open and active listening, to separate fact from fiction, and to hear the question behind the question.

Speaking truth acknowledges that there are some absolute truths in the Universe (like gravity) but that communication can be fraught with beliefs, errors, omissions, and implications that keep us from speaking our personal truth. This does not mean to imply that we “lie, ” far from it. We may have been denied the opportunity to give voice to our hopes, dreams, thoughts, fears, and opinions. We may have been silenced by culture or religion. We may have learned “more” about ourselves, or our interaction in the world, and our personal truth may have changed. As I learned in a Firewalk, “speak your truth and speak it kindly.”

All work is sacred. All workers are worthy of their wages. No matter what we do – from healing therapies to ditch-digging, from computer work to teaching, from art, music, writing to driving a bus – from paid work to hobbies done for joy – our hands do sacred work.

We give and receive love. This balance is crucial for our emotional health. Many of us find it easy to love and care for others but are more challenged to receive love and care for ourselves. As the memes keep telling us, “If you don’t love yourself, how can you love someone else.” But this goes beyond self-love, it is about the whole-hearted acceptance of love – body, mind, and spirit. This love and care need to come from more than one person – this is not romantic love but includes family, friendsand , all those with whom we interact. This can include romantic love, but healthy, loving platonic, and respectful relationships are key to achieving this sacred balance.

Finally, we move forward on our journey. We cannot stay in the past, nor can we imagine all the possibilities that the future will bring. We live in the present moment, preparing to step forward into the unknown of tomorrow, to achieve our goals, manifest our dreams, and savor every moment of this very fragile and transitory life.


You’ll Know When You Need To Use It

With or without its accompanying gestures, The Self-Blessing can empower the start of your day, and provide you with a moment of grounding and centering in times of stress. Say it aloud, in a whisper, or silently to calm you when tempers or tensions start to rise. Some couples use it before having “heavy” conversations as a way to align their energy. The Self-Blessing is also a powerful way to end your day, after a few moments of reflection on the energies you created and carried with you – and what you need to take forward into the next day.

The more you use it, the more deeply it will speak to you, and come to mind at times when you need its power to refocus you, restore you and rebalance you when you need it most.