Although it’s been a long time since I’ve written here, I wanted to take a moment and just stop by to say hi. I know there a few people out there who do read this blog and perhaps you’re wondering where I’ve been.

Well, busy!

With kids, work, stuff. You know, that thing called “life” – sometimes it gets in the way.

Here I am, though. And I’ll be posting much more often again.

Thanks for not giving up one me!

Blessed be always,
~R

I think that when we open our minds and our hearts to the Universe, we open up a magical toolbox. We open up a flow and a beauty so grand, things have no recourse but to come to us. What we think truly is what occurs in our world. What we expect truly is what happens. Whether we believe it or not.

And I think this is why it’s so important to have a focus. Not just of what you’re going to do today but what your life is really about. When you strip everything away, right down to the bare minimums what do you have but Spirit? And what then, would be the purpose of this life?

I believe it is for growth.

So when we are in alignment with Spirit, with the Universe, we open up a toolbox supplied with so many tools, there is no other way but have all that we desire. All that we believe is possible. All that is love.

Imagine that! Every piece of magic, every ingredient for miracles, every little thing we could ever need to guide our lives, to guide our Selves. It’s all right there, inside of us. Simply learn to tap into it!

But that’s not so easy, is it?

The mundane life we live often gets in the way of things. As they say “life happens.” Or like John Lennon wrote, “life is what happens when we’re making other plans.” And that’s so true. We got lost in the day to day grind and all those dreams we harbored as young children are lost in the wind, lost in time.

That’s what makes this path so special to me. It has opened up all those doors I thought were closed. It has brightened my mundane living into an act of joy and peace. It allows me all the tools I need to be who I am, to learn all I can, to share all I have and to have fun doing it!

I can dance with the seasons! I can sing with birds! I can smile with the flowers! I can laugh with the wind! I can cry with the rain! I can run with the ocean! And everything in between.

And I can take all of that, carry it with me and know that I am blessed beyond measure, I am loved beyond all doubt and I am free.

And no, I don’t mean spelling as in the correct way to form letters into words.  Rather, I am talking about casting spells.

Ok – that sounds wrong.

Hmm . . . I think I mean more like, I don’t know – prayer. Maybe.

But that’s not quite right either.

Well, anyway – we’ve been behind on a few things lately since my husband changed jobs and thought we should manifest some abundance fairly quickly to catch up. As a result, last night I did a visualization/meditation in which I cast a spell that I wrote myself (sorry – I can’t share it. It was one of those things that just came pouring out as I was meditating and I didn’t have a chance to write it down) and I am pleasantly surprised that it seems to have worked!

I woke up this morning to find several job requests in my inbox! One of them sounds like it could be an on-going gig. I’m really excited about that.

(For those who don’t know, I’m a writer and graphic designer.)

I have much more to share but it’ll have to wait until later.

Tonight with the lunar eclipse, I have felt empowered. I have felt enveloped with love, strength, and even with some sort of quietness – not really peace, but something much more than that. Something greater.

I think because of my early upbringing, I resisted this path for a very long time before I “allowed” myself to begin studying. Once I did, though, I quickly realized that this *WAS* me, everything felt so natural, so in tune. Where everything just clicks and you know that you’re truly home.

I had never felt such peace, such joy, such acceptance. And that was so real for me. Having been the outcast in my family growing up, acceptance was not something I was used to. It was a very nice and welcome change. I think that once I embraced the Old Ways, I became more accepting of myself too. My  self-esteem grew and that wrought many wonderful changes in my life, both within and without.

As a child, I had always been drawn to the sun and moon cycles. Learning to live by them was a fairly natural evolution. Being in tune with them was a simple and yet enlightening experience. Especially the solstices. And I especially love the winter solstice. Which, really, is odd. Because those who know me, know that I do NOT like winter! Or well, at least not snow and cold.

In the beginning, I thought I had found this path and embraced these ways.

But the more I learn, the more I know . . . that the Old Ways found me.

The last few days I’ve been feeling a little under the weather with a sinus infection. And we had snow! Yikes! But I’ve got some time this morning so here’s the next post! Enjoy!

Though I have been walking this path for quite some time, I have not chosen a tradition to embrace. At this point, I do not feel that is necessary for me. I read what moves me, study what feels right and live my life according to the morals and values I’ve grown into.

Namely, that means I speak with an honest heart, uphold the Laws of nature and of man, love all animals and humans that cross my path, forgive those who harm me whether that is mentally, emotionally or physically. I do my best to keep my promises to myself and others, to keep my anger in check, say I’m sorry when it needs to be said, connect to the Source daily and give thanks for all I have and for all that I am about to receive.

That may sound fairly simplistic. But, you know, I’ve come to understand that life doesn’t have to be hard. It’s only as hard as you  make it. If you think it’s going to suck, well then it probably will. The joy is that I’ve found the reverse is also true – if you think it’s going to be good, it can be.

Maybe this doesn’t have a lot to do with my path in the eyes of some. For me, the path isn’t only about what I do at my altar or during sabbats, esbats, etc. It’s about how I live my life every minute of every day. Like the kitchen witch who cooks his/her food with magic and love. Like the shaman or healer who infuses their remedies with life and peace among it’s healing properties.

Likewise, my path isn’t about shocking people. Or about scaring someone with archaic labels that don’t serve any well, least of all those who call this path “home.”

When I first began my journey, this path truly did feel like “home” – I felt accepted, peaceful, and just plain ol’ like I was doing what was actually right and in alignment with my true being, my true self. I know that’s true for many others who have embarked on this great walk as well.

I will write again later. Right now, it’s time to begin my day.

Blessings to all!

Let me tell you how I found the path.

Really, I suppose it started because I was quite a stubborn, opinionated, do-it-myself girl. Not necessarily rebellious, but I certainly didn’t conform to the status quo. I always made my own way because I never seemed to fit the mold that anyone else fit – or, more importantly – the mold everyone else thought I should fit as well.

I remember clearly thinking when I was about 8 years old that I was totally in the wrong family. I always felt like the third wheel, like I wasn’t good enough or like the proverbial black sheep. I knew my views were different and I also knew that I couldn’t voice them to anyone else. I suppose that’s what kept me where I was for so long.

But I’m still not all the way out of the broom closet.

I don’t think it’s fear – like I mentioned before, I could really care less at this point of my life what others think of me. I’m secure in my own skin. No, it’s not fear. It’s more like peace. It keeps the peace. And I’m a peacemaker. Always the peacemaker. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always been the mediator, making sure everyone gets along. Never could stand fighting or arguing.

I had read the Bible cover to cover three or four times by the time I was 12 or so and I always just thought something was missing. I loved history, loved learning about different parts of the world outside my own door. That’s likely what started me on the journey. I’m also one of those people who has to do whatever it is because I can’t stand not knowing, can’t stand the thought of what could have been. So I have to try everything at least once.

That meant reading and learning about history, world religions, culture, and everything in between. It’s been a continuous study all these years. And I’m still studying, still learning. Because I think that when we cease to learn, we cease to truly live.

That same passion to know, to understand and have no regrets has lead me to love. Love of the earth, my fellow human-kind no matter the color of his or her skin, love for the world around me, the differences and the opportunities they represent. It’s lead me to embrace the Spirit in all things.

And I’ve learned there is magic in living and the life we make.

I didn’t stumble onto this path as many others have. I was lead here, compelled here through a deep connection and reverence for all of life. It was a Natural becoming.

There could be no other Way.

Your Aura is Violet

Idealistic and thoughtful, you have the mind and ideas to change the world. And you have the charisma of a great leader, even if you don’t always use it!The purpose of your life: saying truths that other people dare not say Famous purples include: Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Susan B. Anthony Careers for you to try: Political Activist, Inventor, Life Coach

What Color Is Your Aura?

Walking the Path . . .

I’ve had this blog for a while and didn’t know what to write but I decided this week that I’m going to simply just write about my path. If you want to follow along, please be my guest.

So then . . . Let me start at the beginning – wherever that was.

I’ve always considered myself a spiritual person, most likely because we attended Church when I was a child. For a while, I was probably a pretty fundamental Christian although I never truly believed the way many of my peers seemed to in that respect. For example, that gays are going to hell simply for the fact they are gay. I never understood that. I never understood how one could call themselves a Christian and yet not be “like Christ” – as I thought was the main concept.

So as a teenager, I began to change my views and strangely, that lead me further away from the Church instead closer to it. As an adult I have been fairly conscious of my spirituality but never put a name to that path. Sure, I attended Church now and then but often, I felt more down-trodden than lifted up. The experience always left a bad taste in my mouth as I found I just didn’t see to eye to eye with everyone else.

I guess it must have been about 10 years ago that I truly felt there was something more than just religious dogma and that I fell outside the Church’s perceptions. Now, I always knew I saw things differently – even as a child sitting in Sunday school. But I always pushed that notion away like it was a bad smell. I think that was mostly because the Church said I had to. As an adult though, I’ve learned that the Church isn’t always right.

I know there may be some out there who argue with me or who will not accept what I am saying. That’s ok. This is about MY path, not theirs and at this point in my life, I could really care less what others think of me. I’ve found the spirituality, like anything else, is in the eye of the beholder. Each person has his or her own truth and what may be right for me isn’t right for someone else and vice versa. That doesn’t make anyone wrong. Just different. And that’s really not so bad in the grand scheme of things.

Anyway, today I follow a nature based path and have probably for at least 10 years. I didn’t always know what it was called, though. I just did what felt natural to me. A few years ago, I found a name for that path. And since I really began studying, I’ve had one “aha” moment after another which makes me feel I am definitely on the right path.

This blog is about that path and the road it’s taken. Stop by again and follow along!

Blessed Be,
Raynefire
(Emerald Raynefire Phoenix)