Anxiety, Sadness, and the Weight of Spiritual Emptiness

 I struggle with major depression and anxiety every single day. Just getting out of bed and taking a shower has the potential to drain me of a lot of my energy. I know I'm not the only person in our community that struggles with mental illness, but sometimes it feels like we're all alone. Sometimes it feels like there's no point in living life, too. 

When I'm dealing with those moments, I usually feel spiritually empty at the same time. It's like someone has come along and drained away all my positive emotions and, in the process, they also took a little bit of my spirit. That's why I've been gone for so long. I'm still struggling, but I hope to be more active in the next few months as I start a couple of new medications and restart therapy. 

Life is always going to be a struggle for me, but I have hope again and I'm going to hang onto it for as long as possible. In moments like these, I feel great comfort from my faith and from the blessings the Gods and Goddesses have provided to me over the years. My point in making this post is this: it's okay to feel spiritually empty. It's a part of life and you'll eventually find your way to the other side. 

Life is struggle sometimes. Our lives are made better when we fight for it, so when you're feeling low and like you can't go on, take that time to recharge your energy. Refocus and reevaluate the things that are working and the things that aren't. And when you're ready, fight with everything you've got to give.

Rejection from Morrigan?

As Samhain approaches, I've been feeling the inkling that I need to honor Morrigan. It's something I've been thinking about for the past few months and something that I plan to do slowly and simply since I do not already have a relationship with her. I know it isn't to be taken lightly.

I am unsure if she is calling out to me.

I decided to pull 2 cards from my Shapeshifter Tarot Deck and asked the following questions:

• What is my current relationship with Morrigan?
• What can I do to improve my relationship?

The answer to the first question took me by surprise. The card I pulled was "Rejection."
The answer to the second question was "The Shapeshifter," a card that signals a time of self-introspection.

At first glance, I got the impression that she was immediately rejecting forming a relationship with me for whatever reason. I can't begin to understand Her needs and Her goals. I admit that I was a little bit discouraged and I wondered for a split second what could be wrong with me. That was the moment something clicked.

Perhaps all of this is a test to determine if I will stick with it. Perhaps this is her way of telling me that I need to decide what I want before a final decision is made. I choose, possibly incorrectly, to believe that she is giving me a moment to think things over and make a rational decision and go from there.

I still intend to honor her during my Samhain celebration with a poem that I will write (I should get on that). I reckon that showing someone respect isn't a bad thing even if there's a possibility that they don't want anything to do with you. At most, she'd ignore me and at worst, she'd scold me for annoying her.

For the followers of Morrigan, has something like this happened to you? I'd love to get your perspective.

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On a side note, as I finished writing this post, I was overcome with the scent of apples. What could that mean?

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Dressing A Candle

To be honest, I was never one for dressing candles. It seemed an unnecessary step and I never really gave it a try for fear of doing something wrong. In the past, the most I would do would be to sprinkle some herbs at the top of the candle once some of the wax had melted.


I have recently changed my ways.


It seems like common sense to state that you get out of something what you put into it. The statement is true and I can feel the difference in a candle's energy after adding essential oils and herbs.


I took a white pillar candle and poured some Palo Santo essential oil onto my hands. I smeared that stuff all over the sides of the candle as well as the top. Then, I sprinkled a mixture of Irish Moss and White Sage that I broke down a bit in my mortar and pestle. I placed it in the correct position on my altar and lit it up so that it could start illuminating my space and cleansing my altar.


The purpose of this story of mine is to tell you not to be afraid to try new things. You might just discover that the new way is better than whatever it is that you've been doing. Putting in a little extra effort makes for a better finished product, especially where spirituality is concerned.


Dressing a candle is a witchcraft practice and I see no conflict in using it in my practice of Irish Polytheism. It's easy enough to imagine that the Irish of yesteryear did something similar (I have no proof of this, it's just what I think to be true), but this practice works for me today. Since I'm not a CR, I see no problem in embracing this modern technique that is found in so many belief systems.


Some might balk and say I'm practicing incorrectly. Those folks should feel free to leave me a comment below and tell me the "right" way to do this. Perhaps I'll learn something new again.

I am...

I am still alive.

I am still an Irish polytheist.

I am still a follower of Danu and Lugh.

I am not perfect.

I am not yet at my full potential.

I am still learning.


What's this all about? Well, it's been so long since I've posted on this blog that I thought I needed to break the ice with a few simple statements about myself. My spirituality hasn't been a priority the last few months and I've missed that aspect of myself, so I've decided that I'm going to work harder on doing something every day.

There's no use worrying about past mistakes when there are new ones I could be making. Right?

My Birthday Tarot Spread

I stumbled across "A happy birthday tarot spread" on Little Red Tarot after a Google search.

I ended up using my newest tarot deck, The Lumina Tarot, by Inner Hue. What a fantastic deck full of powerful energy and imagery. This deck is quickly becoming one of my favorites and I've only owned it for about a week. Talk about forming a connection with a deck, huh?

I found this spread to be really perfect for my needs. I haven't done much to celebrate my birthday in past years because of my battles with depression and anxiety. I wanted to do something different this year and I decided this spread would be a great way to get started. There are 7 drawn cards and I'll briefly tell you what the spots mean and the cards I pulled.

In fact, I'll just put all my notes from the reading below so that you can skim them or pour over them at your discretion. The guidebook lists a lot for each card and so I just picked out what felt relevant to this specific spread.

1- What to leave behind in the past year. You won’t be needing this anymore.

King of Cups

Represents balance between head and heart. emotional and creative inspiration w/ logic and strategy. DEPENDING TOO MUCH ON EXTERNAL VALIDATION. 

2- A lesson you learned last year to carry w/ you into the next. Hold onto it as you grow.

Maiden of Cups

Represents the creative, free, full of life, intuitive inner child. Exploring your creative and intuitive processes.

(read these 2 cards together. What is their joint message?)

Intuition and emotional creativity. I’m being told to not depend on too much external validation and instead be more carefree and get in touch with my inner child, where the focus is on play and doing rather than the motivation behind it.

3- The next thing you will learn. An important lesson.

The Chariot

It is a time of summoning all your energy and intent towards not only your physical journey but your spiritual one. Challenges and obstacles will be a source of opportunity and growth. It is time to focus on what you want out of life.

4- The theme of the year ahead? What is the next year all about?

Six of Wands

RIDING OUT THE STORM TO SUCCESS. Let yourself and all you’ve worked for shine. Appreciate your own worth and value and allow others to do so also. 

(read these 2 cards together. What is their joint message?)

These two cards are telling me that I have the power to create and shape my life in the shape that I want it to be. They are empowering me to move forward with my vision and embrace my whole potential in the process.

5- Today = Something to celebrate (ART)

Maiden of Pentacles

6- Today = Something to do (bleed/sword fight/embrace death/respect death BE REBORN FOR THE NEXT YEAR/START FRESH)

10 of Swords

7- A birthday message from your ancestors. Listen carefully to their message.

The Hierophant 

You are ready to expand your personal knowledge and undertake what you are coming to believe is a more true and authentic path for your soul. A beautiful time to explore things through workshops.

Spirituality Level: Zero

How do I want to put this? Well, it's best to just confess my sins and get it over with. Rip off the band-aid, so to speak. Since my last post, my spirituality level has been next to nothing.

My altar was nice in the corner of my bedroom, the zafu I purchased to sit on not too far away. It's been collecting dust. My journal is still sitting on the bookshelf next to the half-read biography on Doreen Valiente. To its right is a book on Irish Mythology. In essence, I've been disconnected from all things spiritual for 3 months. This is not okay.

We all know that lulls like this happen, but that doesn't mean they are acceptable. Not honoring the altar and the items placed upon it may not be a direct smack to the Gods, but it's still pretty bad. I wish I could say it was just laziness, but I think it had more roots in ambivalence and questioning how I was going to fit everything into the day.

In an ideal situation, I'd have meditation time in the mornings and evenings. That's in addition to working full time, cooking for myself, going to art therapy appointments because those things are freaking useful, and visiting with friends and family. My life doesn't look like that now and I think I'm in a battle between wanting things to be that way even if they aren't necessary, and wanting to ball up in the fetal position and hide under a rock.

How sweet life is, eh?

I know that I could mull all of this over for three more months, journal about it intermittently, and tell myself I'm doing everything I can while pretending that I'm doing just that. Or, I could make a plan and stick to it. Part of the reason I'm sharing it is due to accountability.

These are my 3 spiritual rules for the time being:

1) Make weekly offerings to Lugh and Danu. Use this time to commune with them.
2) An oracle reading at least once a week, though daily is preferred.
3) Respecting myself enough to recognize that I'm a work in progress.

They sound so simple, right? I think that I can do these 3 things, and I'm sure I'll be back to post on my progress.

Messages Abound

Hello folks. I've been focused on other areas for while after a bit of spiritual burnout and, yes, another round of depression. I'm hoping that the return of my favorite season is enough to lift me completely out of that. So far, so good.

I'm back because I wanted to share with you an interesting oracle card and tarot reading. I've been drawing an oracle card every morning for the past week to kind of reset my spirituality. I drew the tarot on a whim and I'm so impressed with how the messages seem to intertwine (don't they always?).

First, let's start with the oracle card. I drew it first and it really set the tone for the reading. I opted to draw from the Sacred Rebels oracle deck. It's by Alana Fairchild and the imagery is what drew me to this deck. The card I drew is:

"Defend to the End, The Worthwhile"

This card has such a powerful message. "You are a sacred warrior -- a defender of the heart. You have cried genuine tears of your own grief, and also the grief of the world. You have raged at injustice and oppression in your own life, and in the world. You have felt the need to protect the presence of love, for whilst it is exceptionally powerful, it can too easily be smothered under lies and fear... You are being asked to stay strong and stand your ground."

First of all, look at that image. The monochromatic tone really adds dimension, and that owl, a nocturnal being of wisdom, seems to be enveloping the feminine warrior so that they are of the same mind. That's pretty powerful imagery.

Let's move on to the tarot spread. I pulled a simple past, present, future layout using Ian Daniel's Tarot of the Vampyres. The first card that I drew is the "Strength" card.

The meaning of this card, I feel, directly ties into the meaning of the oracle card that I drew. The guidebook, Fantasmagoria, states: "This card teaches us that we have the inner strength and power to endure and triumph. This strength is solar in nature, as the card is ruled by the Sun. It is a steady, invigorating power that is all-encompassing and exuberant in its nature." I also liked what I read in the second paragraph which made sense for me on a personal level.

"The message is that we must dedicate ourselves to our tasks with passion, creativity, and joyful energy. This may be in order to give positive energy to a situation, to help us realize our potential, or to succeed in an endeavor... It may be that we need to withdraw for the moment and re-energize our spirit."

That sounds exactly what I've been doing. Not to mention that a lot of the oracle cards that I've drawn this past week have been related to themes of taking it easy, stopping and relaxing, hibernating, and enjoying the present while you recharge.

The second card, the card that stands for what is currently happening, is "Death."

As I'm sure many of you know, this card does not represent a physical death. It is a card of transformation; it is an omen of change. "In order to grow and expand in any aspect of life, the old must die to give birth to the new. We continuously depart from particular episodes in our lives, whether from childhood, youth, relationships, images of self-identity, or old beliefs and attitudes--within these endings are new beginnings. Each moment we die in the present so the future can unfold. Nothing can be lost as it becomes part of us and is a process of evolution."

Talk about a loaded card. This card is one that should never be feared. It brings in welcome change and, truth be told, a lot of the aspects of my current life are in need of renovation. My health is poor. I'm scared to leave the house and rarely do. I've gained weight and don't even recognize myself when I look in the mirror. This card, in my mind, is a catalyst that change is coming and that I am ready for it.

The third card was the "Three of Grails." This is the card that indicates the future outcome.

"In general terms the "Three of Grails" is teaching us to open fully to the bliss of life until our hearts are overflowing into the hearts of others. In our professional lives the card symbolizes teamwork, collaboration, and creative interaction or participation. On a personal level it is our inner streams propelling us to external success."

Some of the keywords for his card are: "abundance, fulfillment, gratification, celebration, good fortune, plenty, generosity, openness, spiritual gatherings, social integration, support groups, and inner growth."

In essence, the "Three of Grails" is exactly what I need in my future. This reading has been exactly what I needed in this moment. Whether it is because someone helped me pick the right cards for the situation, or because the cards are worded in a way that makes them apply to almost any situation, the outcome is the same. I have taken the messages of these cards and am beginning to integrate them into my life and spirituality.

Isn't that what change is all about?


BONUS

I recently purchased these great prints of Danu and Lugh from DrawnFromMyth over on Etsy. I wanted to show them off to all of you and also give you a quick peek of my altar for this darkening season.

Be blessed, friends.

What I've Been Up To

Hello everyone.

It's 7 AM and I haven't gone to sleep yet, so you can imagine how my face looks when I tell you that my eyes will only open about half way. I'm sure a few of you are staring at your computer screens and wondering aloud for what reason am I doing this to myself. The simple answer is that I want to do it now and I like giving myself permission to do what I want over what I need at times. It's a bit like letting my inner child eat candy all day and run around the house screaming at the top of my lungs until I wear out and either fall asleep or fall into a sugar coma.

My depression has been pretty bad lately and I've been trying to focus on my spirituality as my "thing" to focus on instead of my feelings. It's a distraction if you will, but I am sure you know that spirituality is something that should be far more than that. It is for me, too, but when you just want to stay in bed for a month and not shower, you need something to get you motivated to do anything. For me, this was it.

To begin, I signed up for Lora O'Brien's Irish Heritage and Spirituality Correspondence Course. I'm only on module 3 and it's been really interesting and thought provoking just far. This current module is even pushing me on getting out of the house a little bit as I start exploring the sacred sites in my area. Being in a small town makes this a bit difficult, of course, but I'll do what I can with what I have. If you want to learn more about the course, click here.

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Another thing I've been doing is working on my altar. It's far from complete and looks more like a shrine than an altar, but it's what I've been using for daily devotionals and it is fitting my needs. You'll probably recognize a couple of pieces (see the pretty bowls and altar pentacle tile?) from a previous post. Don't you just think they blend in beautifully? I do.



I found the cardinal votive holder at an online witchy retailer and knew that it needed to be on my altar at first sight. I frequently heard that seeing a cardinal was a good luck when I was a child, and I've long associated them with good luck. I won't go so far as to say that they're a spirit animal, but I do consider them one of my favorite birds.

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A few recent book purchases have come in and I've started to read them in the order that they've arrived. I'm currently working on Irish Paganism by Morgan Daimler. It's actually a book on Celtic Reconstructionism and I'm finding it interesting even though I'm not sure I'm quite ready to go down the CR path. I also purchased Irish Witchcraft from an Irish Witch by Lora O'Brien. It's been a while since I read it and I can't wait to dive back into it. If you haven't read her stuff, I seriously suggest that you check it out -- especially if you're looking to walk an Irish/Celtic path.

I was so excited when I found out that she's working on a new book about Irish Magic. It isn't due out until 2017. I don't want to have to wait that long but I know she's crafting a spectacular product and that it will be worth the time I'm waiting.

I also ordered Doreen Valiente -- Witch. It's a biography of one of the most important figures in the birth of Wicca. I enjoy a lot of her poetry and think it will be a fascinating read.

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Last, but certainly not least, is my new Crystal Oracle deck. I already own the Crystal Guidance Oracle Deck and it has certainly served me well. I didn't really need the new deck but I've been wanting it for quite a few years and finally bit the bullet and forked over the cash. The only thing I dislike about the deck is that it doesn't come with an ametrine card, but that's only because ametrine is my favorite crystal to work with.

I placed both decks of cards out on my altar and put some of the corresponding crystals on the cards to help the crystal energy start to merge with the card. Truth be told, I have no idea if it actually does anything or helps to give the cards more accuracy, but it sure looks neat. It also gives my collection a chance to get out of their organizers and enjoy some fresh air.

I snapped a photo so that I could share.

What have you been up to lately? I'd love it if you'd leave a comment and let me know. Slán.

Etsy Haul - Offering Bowls + Pentacle Tile

I know a lot of people are upset with Etsy over some of their recent decisions to feature some religious products/items and not others. I think those opinions are valid, but Etsy is still a great way to support like-minded folks in the community, or even those that are accepting of other faiths.

I stumbled upon De Baun Fine Ceramics on accident and browsed on a whim. I was in awe at the craftsmanship I saw and the reasonable prices that went along with each item. I received my items today and I couldn't wait to show them off.

I was actually searching for offering bowls but, while I saw many great options, none of them seemed quite personal enough. I was happy to see that the seller accepted commissions for projects. I sent Diane De Baun a message and asked if she would be willing to do a custom order of two offering bowls, one for Lugh and one for Danu. She accepted my challenge.

We spent weeks going back and forth discussing my choices. She answered my questions and shared her knowledge of her craft, advising me on details such as size, design, and glaze and paint colors. These are the finished products:

 


In addition, I found a Pentacle Tile that was already for sale and knew it would be perfect.

 


My initial idea was for Danu's offering bowl to have a silver rim in contrast to the copper rim of Lugh's offering bowl. Diane painted it in copper on accident because I confused her with my many messages about color choices. She offered to correct it with silver paint, but I requested a photo to see how it looked. I actually like the copper much better than I thought I would and, since all three pieces have the copper, it ties them together.

Please visit Diane's shop and consider purchasing a couple of items, whether for yourself or as a gift. You won't be disappointed.

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(*I was not encouraged by Diane to create this post. I purchased the items at full price and this post is to share my experience with a great online business.)

Why Tarot?

Anni's latest prompt for the group had me twiddling my thumbs for a bit at first.

My first instinct was to respond with all of the benefits that knowing what is to come can provide, but that wouldn't be an accurate response. I don't believe tarot cards can predict the future but I do believe they give us insight into a variety of outcomes based on our choices if we put them in the right context. Some of you may be rolling your eyes at me since there is a very thin line between telling the future and providing insight in outcomes. I can't blame you one bit.

Part of what draws me to the tarot is the mystery, specifically how they work. I don't have all the answers but I enjoy reading all of the theories. What I can affirm to is the fact that whenever I use either of my tarot decks, the cards just seem to get me and what I'm going through. Whether that is because of my mindset and my view being present in how I interpret the cards or because they are actually connected to a higher source, well, I can't quite say. As of right now I am okay with that fact.

The only other method of divination I've been drawn to are runes, and those have an impersonal feel that I can't get over when I use them. But the tarot is somehow different. When I shuffle the cards and place them upright before me, it's like I'm writing a story and connecting the dots. Exploring the cards and their meaning, I think, is the fun of the entire process. Using the tarot feels right to me at this time, and that is a reason that I can acknowledge even without understanding why that is.

I could provide you with the simple answers, such as the artwork makes me feel a certain way, or I feel magical when I use them, but those answers would be inaccurate. For me, in this moment, the answer to "why tarot?" is simply that I connect with them more than any other system.

Perhaps I will understand more as we continue on this journey.

Discovering Tarot

My first solid memory of tarot is seeing the cards in the James Bond movie, "Live and Let Die." I thought they were interesting but I was probably only 12 or so when I saw the movie on television, so my mind was likely filled with video games and school vacations. I probably thought of them as nothing more than a game because I wouldn't have known any better.

Years later, while thumbing through an Azuregreen catalog, I saw an ad for the Shapeshifter Tarot deck. The main image called to me and from that point on it was added to every wish list I had, but it never seemed to materialize in my hands. I went through a rough patch in 2013 and found my local Unitarian Universalist church and an Earth-based spirituality group. I emailed the group facilitator and was invited to an upcoming meeting where people were encouraged to bring their main tarot deck.

My mind flashed back to the Shapeshifter Tarot deck and I knew it was my time. I ordered the cards and companion book on Amazon and I still remember how excited I was as each day passed because I was one day closer to receiving them. I was in awe of their imagery and connected with them immediately. It wasn't anything more than having the feeling that I was meant to have them and that was enough. 

I took them to the meet up and we learned about creating tarot spreads. The facilitators were kind and fun, but I was lost since I was still so new to them. I eventually packed them away as other aspects of life took precedence. I broke them out on occasion for random 3 card readings for myself, but the companion book was always in one hand as I tried to decipher their meaning.

It is now 2 years later, and though I recently purchased The Gilded Tarot deck, I am especially excited to explore the cards that my journey started with.

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This blog post was prompted by a question asked of the members of the Tarot Together Facebook group. Click the group name to be taken to the page and join us!

A Moment Of Pause

I invite each of you to take a moment to yourself. Just breathe.

Take a breath in and then release it slowly.

Honor all that you are today - all of your strengths AND your imperfections.

Relax your mind and let your troubles drift away.

Know that you are sacred and that you are loved.

Repeat as often as necessary. This is also a great exercise to help you calm and center yourself when your relatives or those busy shoppers are getting on your nerves this holiday season.

And know that I am thankful for you.

Incense Check In - 4 Days

It has been a few days since I posted anything. Without a topic, I have decided to post about the incense cones that I made. This is meant to be a quick little check in as an update, so I'll try my best to be brief. You all know how I love to use ten words when three would suffice.

The incense cones are still drying. They are hard on the outside but I'm skeptical about them being finished "drying" on the inside. I've even attempted to light one of the cones. It smolders for a few seconds and then goes out. This tells me that they aren't ready yet. I'm thinking of waiting another 7 days before even looking at them because the waiting is driving me bananas.

To cope, I resorted to taking the one incense cone I previously mentioned and placing it upon a charcoal disc. The aroma was sweet and Earthy, perfect for a devotional incense. I have in the past used too much lavender in previous recipes and that become the sole aroma in them, so I'm happy to report that it is no longer the case. The amount of lavender used is just right.

I'm still hoping that further drying will end in a combustible cone. Until then, charcoal discs will have to do.

I'm also looking at making this incense into pellets using honey as a binder. I'll let you know if I go that far.

Devotional Incense Cones

I've been reworking my morning and evening devotional rites and wanted to get some incense that would better set the mood and experience, as well as be able to be used as an offering to the Gods. An incense stick would take too much time to burn for this process while loose incense would require heating a charcoal disc or setting up a Makko trail. What's a guy to do? Make your own!

I opted to make incense cones with a small amount of herbs that I have on hand. I've turned up my heater a few extra degrees in the hope that it will help to shorten the drying time. Since I haven't made this recipe before, I was cautious about going too far by making too much product. Cones seemed like a good option because of their small size and I found the entire process really easy.

I started out by grinding my herbs into a fine powder (I cheated because some of my ingredients were bought in powdered form). Only the rosemary gave me a bit of trouble but I don't think full strands of rosemary will do any harm to the finished product. Once wet with some blessed water specifically for incense making, I set out to knead the dough and them form it into cones. I'm pleased with how they turned out.

I still had a little left over so I opted to try a large and small cylinder shape to help me gauge which size will best work. 

The hardest part in this process is waiting for the drying time, which I estimate to take about two full weeks. If they dry sooner then I'll consider it good luck and get to experimenting. I'll post an update and let you know how they turn out. If they work for my needs and the scent is pleasant then I will share the recipe.

Day 7 – Bringing it All Together

Carnelian	“Creativity and Action”
Take action; make life what we will.
Labradorite	“Illumination”
Incoming message for our highest good.
Rose Quartz	“Love and Healing”
Self-love and healing are needed.
Snowlake Obsidian	“Balance”
Insert balance into your life.
Unakite	“Live in the Present”
Embrace the present to achieve happiness.
Apache Tear	“Hidden/Negative Emotions”
There are emotions you aren’t dealing with; do so.
Aquamarine	“Think Clearly & Carefully”
Gain clarity over emotions.

We touched on emotions a lot through this challenge. We were also reminded about healing and self-love. Looking back at the past 7 days and the cards we drew tell me that the messages were all connected. The meanings were all working together to help bring us to our higher selves, to a state where we are whole and present in our lives.

Life is what we make of it.

Thank you for joining me for my self-imposed Crystal Guidance challenge. It has been enlightening and I have enjoyed connecting with these 7 crystals over the course of the challenge. I encourage you to do a daily draw with a similar oracle deck if you're interested in connecting more with your crystals.

For more information on the Crystal Guidance Oracle Cards that I used, go here.

Day 7 - Aquamarine

Our final day for the challenge brings us to Aquamarine.

Known for calming the emotions and soothing the body, Aquamarine is a powerful crystal that is tied to the element of water. It is also tied to the throat chakra.

The message for this card is one of gaining clarity over emotions. It encourages us to take the time to look at how we are feeling and determine if what we're going through and processing in our lives lines up with the way we feel about the situation(s). This card signals a time for a calm reflection.

Day 6 - Apache Tear

Today's draw is a form of obsidian. It should be no surprise that it is about bringing negative emotions to the surface so that we can deal with them. The PDF encourages, reminding that "now is not the time to bury emotions; know that it is okay to cry."

This card usually comes up during my severe bouts of depression. It is a wake-up call to signal that there may be things I'm not dealing with; things that are taking their toll on my emotions (setting aside brain chemistry as the primary cause for depression, of course). Alternatively, this card also reminds me that I have to be willing to embrace and allow myself to feel those emotions. If I don't, I'm just doomed to repeat the same cycle which keeps me depressed and unable to function.

Day 5 - Unakite

We've reached day 5 of my self-imposed Crystal Guidance challenge. It's been a fun ride so far and we've had an opportunity to work with four powerful crystals and stones. Some of us have even been lucky enough to experience the direct energies of carnelian, labradorite, rose quartz, and snowflake obsidian. All have greeted us with messages to help us navigate this life.

Today we find ourself heeding unakite's message of letting go of the past and living in the present. We are meant to be aware of what has happened and be aware of the many possibilities to come, but neither is more important than the present experience we are gifted with.

What can you do in this moment to make yourself happier? Embrace what you need to in order to allow yourself to experience a state of full happiness in the present moment. You deserve it.

Day 4 - Snowflake Obsidian

Yesterday's message was health and love. Today's message is about finding/creating balance.

Snowflake Obsidian is a form of volcanic glass that contains excessively heated clear quartz. All forms of obsidian have a tendency to bring up things that we have buried or ignored for our own greater good. After all, we can't work through something if we don't feel the emotions connected to it.

Drawing this card tells me that I need to insert as much balance in my life as possible, whether it be mixing my spirituality with other hobbies, or adding in emotional self-care instead of only focusing on regular care (eating, bathing, sleeping, etc.). There is something below the surface that we need to work through and when we have, we'll find ourselves better for it. 

Since I don't suggest carrying this stone around with you all day, try leaving it in a jacket pocket so that you'll have access but not continuous exposure. A little obsidian will go a long way.

Daily Devotional - A Small Rite

I don't usually light a candle when performing my morning and evening daily devotionals. I occasionally burn incense, though more frequently at night to remove any stray gunk that I have accumulated throughout the day.

I have a confession to make: I missed one of my devotionals yesterday. I felt like I needed a big gesture to get started back up again. It wasn't a requirement from Deity; it was my way of apologizing to God and Goddess for my lapse and returning to the process with renewed vigor. Now complete, I can easily say it was a good decision and that I'm glad I followed through with it.

I added the representations of the Elements this time around since I am beginning to approach them in Anni's Season of the Seeker program. A river rock for Earth, incense for Air, a tealight candle for Fire, and a container of Water - it needn't be more complicated than that. As a result of my adding these bits, the rite felt more complete and what I had previously viewed as a shrine had become a full-fledged altar.

Is it me or does my Lugh statuary seem extra happy today? He is holding a point of natural citrine and tumbled sunstone.

Even Danu seemed interested in the festivities this morning, as I could feel her presence. Here is Danu's statue, which many of you have likely seen on this blog before. Her offering bowl has a clear quartz point and a piece of tumbled moonstone.

If you're interested in starting a daily devotional practice, the easiest way to begin is to go before your altar and speak to Them. Heck, do it from your bed after you first wake up in the morning and prior to falling asleep - where doesn't matter so long as you get something out of the process (not material items but hopefully some form of spiritual growth).