Michael Jacksons Ghost?

Ok so a bit off topic....in fact a long way off topic, but this was passed on to me by a Friend and paranormal investigator and I must admit it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up!
Is this the ghost of Michael Jackson?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhq9l3c7XgA

Comment and let me know what you think!

Hand Made Baby Christening Gift

On of the joys of my career is making special gifts for special people. Claire rang me at the studio and asked me to make a Baby’s Christening Journal for her 6 month old daughter Connie Violet (what a beautiful name) like I had made for her son Oscar James some 3 years before.

The opening page had her name, date and place of Christening on it….
The following Page had a 16 line poem….

Then further pages were added with spaces for the Grandparents photos with comments, Godparents Photo with comments and the rest of the 30 page book was given over to the guests.

The outside covers were white with a splash of pink Japanese Silk paper and a black and white photo of Connie was added.
I added 4 charms to the Japanese Sewn Binding. A butterfly for transformation, a little dolly, A dragonfly for peace and tranquillity and another spiral charm saying ‘Follow Your Dreams. Hopefully this will be a lasting reminder of a very special day.

The lettering was done in a baby pink gouache to match the pink on the outside.

Click on photos to enlarge. outside.

If you would like more details of how to commission a book yourself, please feel free to email me at inspiredbyscript@yahoo.co.uk

Hand Made Wedding Stationery Website

It's been all hands on deck at Inspired by Script and I've been concentrating heavily on my Wedding Website North Yorkshire Weddings Theres still a huge amount of work to be done on it and this has to be somehow fitted in around the many commissions that seem to be coming in at the moment.
I decided to develop a few new ideas for Wedding Stationery, this time with a more contemporary feel. Perhaps they will be slightly off beat for some but I'm sure the days of Cream/Ivory and Gold are numbered. We need something fresh and appealing.
The bright Light Selection follows.....
The envelope or card (if you choose to still put them in an envelope, can be left square or cut into a point. The outer cover is a 3 fold construction and inside is a picture of the particular flower you want (or could be something you provide us with if preferred) and the invite and the photo is then mounted on a bright coloured Canson, textured, cover stock.

The card can then be sealed with a photo stamp and sent as is....without the need for an envelope, thus the card doubles up as the envelope. Choose a contracting colour for the card against the inner mounted photo and invite. The choice is yours and we have a large selection of colours to choose from....one is sure to match you theme.

Here I've shown the purple on green and the green on purple idea, both of which compliment the lavender flowers perfectly.

Choose from mounting your cards portrait (running top to bottom) or Landscape (running side by side)

You can also choose from Small, Medium or Large Photos, making the whole card personal to you and you alone. It depends on your taste.

Of course there is still the option to go more traditional and incorporate a more subtle colour theme if that suits your taste better... Remember all our designs are tailor made to suit you! And if you are happy, we are happy... so give us your ideas You can also choose to have your name printed in beautiful calligraphy on the front.... a guaranteed eye catcher!
You can choose the picture at the bottom and the invitation at the top....
Or the other way round....the choice is entirely yours.

For further details please visit our website at www.northyorkshireweddings.co.uk or email Sue direct at inspiredbyscript@yahoo.co.uk My studio phone number is on the website.

Murder at Summer Solstice

Solstice weekend was wonderful. A greeting of the sunrise, spent with friends and the man who has come into my life and turned it around… I would say turned it upside down but that might give you the wrong impression lol. Although the sun didn’t show (well it did but it was behind us about 20 miles away – lol) it mattered not. We were sharing it with friends, friends that have been there throughout think and thin in good times and bad and with the sense of comfort that no matter what happens in our lives, we can be counted on to rise above and support each other when times get bad, as they do for everyone from time to time. Needless to say though, I think this Pixies getting a bit too old to be staying up all night (my how times change!) and perhaps next year I’ll be in my bed and get up for sunrise instead of thinking I’m still a teenager in a pre menopausal body. Sunday was spent in a hazy blur after only 4 hours sleep. A blur I can only liken to having consumed copious amounts of alcohol the night before….but I hadn’t. A sort of dizzy feeling and don’t ask me too many questions that amount to anything more than what is my name kind of feeling. Ahhhh yes, the good old days, and now zooming past fast at the rate of knots. The sunrises and sunsets have been particularly beautiful this year….
I can’t really tell you much about Sunday, except that anything much more exciting that wandering over to the kettle to make yet another cuppa was probably out of the question.
Beltane Man as usual was a star and copes much better than the Pixie with sleep deprivation. I can’t remember what he was doing in the garden… he could have been watering the veg for me, or getting the washing in…. I really can’t remember (another wonderful symptom of pre menopause!) but he joyfully came in and told me he needed glasses. Then he presented me with IT! It’s lifeless body still and quiet, it’s fur matted and washed out by the weather, it’s eyes soul less. A victim of obviously one of my wonderful (Oh they wouldn’t harm a fly brigade) surrogate family. Who the culprit was I have no idea. Dodger, the chav cat from hell (except when Beltane Mans around and butter wouldn’t melt) seemed to be hanging around that day. He’s quite proud of himself finding a new vantage point….

On top of the green wheelie bin and waiting in his camouflaged outfit to ambush the girls.
Even so I hardly think it was him…. More likely Blue, the very vocal, I’ll tell you the biggest story of my life, girly, girl cat with hidden claws and a temper to match if it suits her.

I really didn’t know what to think….or what to do for that matter. Just where did they get it from. It’s once silky fur matted and it’s skin poking through,,, poor thing. Should I give it a burial? As a mark of respect? Is someone’s life all the more lonely and sadder for it’s demise and disappearance? Questions, questions, questions……….I'm so glad Beltane Man found it before me. Mice are really not my cup of tea. I wouldn't hurt them but would have ran screaming from the garden and probably my feet wouldn't have touched the floor.
Of course, it was brought as a gift. An offering in gratitude from the feline to the human, in some way saying look how much I love and respect you. Look how much I care, you can eat it if you want…..but still the main question on my mind was………............................

Just WHERE THE HELL DID THEY FIND IT!
And yes Beltane Man…..you really MUST get some glasses! Or perhaps it was the sleep deprivation! Lol.

Free Food!

Just to let everyone know...I haven't died,
I've been really busy, taking photographs and rehashing my website, along with learning to use a programme I've never used before and a labyrinth of new template and not quite used to which one would be best for what etc. along with buying a new computer for work, cancelling my Broadband (at work) in favour of a new hopefully cheaper and faster one, then realising that I have lost the discs (well more like misplaced!) for my scanner and printer (at work!) but no worries I can download the drivers off the net....except I haven't any BROADBAND CONNECTION now (at work!)....perhaps this Pixie should learn to be a little less irrational think a little more before she acts! Ah well...what doesn't kill me makes me stronger!

Well I can hardly believe it’s Summer Solstice this weekend already! Only 6 more months and it will be Yule and almost New Year! Why does time fly past when you get older and are having more fun? This weekend it’s the longest day and shortest night. After that the nights start drawing in again….yes already! So enjoy ever light night you can! The garden is lush and my veg are growing fast. I hardly think there’s enough to sustain me over the winter but I should get a few soups and stews out of them.

Meanwhile, Beltane Man has been taking an interest in 2 books that I was bought for Christmas, One is called Herbal Healers and the other Hedgerow Cookbook. They are published by WOODEN BOOKS of Glastonbury. Now he already knows such a lot about wild flowers and herbs and what you can eat and what not to eat etc. But this seems to have got a hold of him and is perhaps getting out of hand (more about this later).

The weather forecasts for the last few weeks have been dire, but as per usual, they have been wrong and last weekend was no exception. The advantage of this time of the year is the beautiful sunrises and sunsets we are treated to.

Although Beltane Man was working all weekend, we decided to take advantage of the sunshine and long days and spend the late afternoon on the beach. We sat and ate fish and chips (which in my opinion is the ONLY place to eat them ON THE BEACH!)

We watched the sea turn from calm to the breakers as the breeze got up and the tide started coming in…

There was time to do some sand writing (AS ALWAYS!)
And some cartwheels…..(Oh yes and handsprings), watched by a bemused Beltane Man…..with camera in hand! And surprisingly, I didn't hurt myself or break my neck! Or even worse wee myself!

Beltane Man then headed down to the sea….to paddle in it or so I thought….It was my turn to look bemused….

Was he looking for pebbles…. Well no, but he did however find a couple of special ones, one with Quartz in!
Oh no, not on your life….he turned back up with this….
What are you doin’ with that hun? I asked

LOOK I got us tea he grinned! Strange thing is, I’m not sure that he was joking!

Ironically Seaweed is the one thing that anyone with an eye problem (or not as the case may be) should eat. It’s absolutely full of Kelp which is fantastic for healing the eyes PROVEN! When I got my eye condition I was taking the Kelp tablets but the hospital recommended I eat it in it’s pure form. My hubby brought home some fried seaweed from the Chinese takeaway… absolutely disgusting! I’ve since found out it’s fried cabbage they serve up! No wonder!

My how things change….when I was a kid we used Seaweed as a Weather Vane. Stick it outside hanging up, if it’s wet it’s going to rain….if it’s dry it’s not.

If it wasn't so serious....you'd laugh your head off!

I'm late catching up with every ones blogs. For a long time now, I've been meaning to alert you to a dear, long time friend of mine CJ. Please go and see her blog CJ's Whine and Cheeze for an amusing look at her trials and tribulations of looking after elderly parents. Please leave her a message of support....She's a gem and takes it all in her stride. CJ, I take my hat off to you my sweet. xxx And her calligraphy blog is at Pony Express Graphics

Another great site that never fails to amuse me is Johnny Virgil's 15 minute lunch. Although only a couple of months ago, when his best friend died suddenly, I thought he would never blog again. Slowly but surely he's coming back into writing again.

Both these blogs show us that even when times are tough and things sometimes feel like they will never get better....the saving grace is to find humour in the mundane and seriousness of life.

Power Pebbles - Hope, Joy, Love and Peace

Hope, Joy, Love, Peace

Just 4 examples of my Power Pebbles

The journey that each human being makes through earthly existence can have hardship as often as it is touched by joy. When we encounter adversity, the stress we feel can erode our optimism, eventually convincing us that the issues we face cannot be overcome. In truth, there is no situation so dire, no challenge so great, and no choice so bewildering that it cannot be overcome. Though we may believe that all avenues have been closed to us or that our most conscientious efforts will come to naught, we are never without feasible options. The best course of action may be veiled in doubt, but it is there. When we are honest with ourselves with regard to this simple fact, we can overcome anything because we will never stop looking for a solution to the challenges before us.

Self-trust coupled with a sturdy plan is the ultimate antidote to adversity’s tendency to inspire disillusionment in the human mind. As difficult as the obstacle plaguing you seems, it is no match for the love of a supportive universe that has been a part of your life since the day of your birth and will be with you forevermore. Try not to be misguided by your fear as this gives rise to the notion that there are problems without solutions. If you believe in your capabilities and dedicate yourself to the creation of some form of resolution, you will be surprised to discover that paths that were once closed to you miraculously open. Even if all you can do is change your perspective to turn an impediment into an opportunity to grow, you will have found the hope that is an inherent element of all hardship.

Remember that your destiny is a product of your own creation. Even when it seems you have nowhere left to turn, there is a solution waiting for you. The only insurmountable obstacles are the ones you create in your own mind—and these can only exert power over you if you let them. Uncertainty will always be a part of your existence, but perseverance and mindfulness will never fail to see you through to the other side of hardship where joy can thrive. Try and remember that no matter what life places at your feet, there is absolutely no situation that cannot be resolved with time, love, and friendship.

Namaste

(The light within me honors the light within you)

Dreams

Below is a simple 4 fold book with hard covers I designed some time ago. This was a prototype and I had full intentions of making them into a series. Something I really must get back to!

Anyone who has a keen interest in Self Developement and Self Awareness can use the lessons learnt to help support and encourage others and in turn pass on the knowledge gleaned to help them follow their dreams....

Though you may not know precisely how to ensure that the people around you can freely pursue the paths that have long intrigued them, you can nonetheless provide them with some of the tools they need to embark upon these journeys of achievement.By offering sincere words of encouragement, praise, and support today, you may be able to motivate colleagues, friends, and family to revisit ambitions that they have previously deemed too challenging.
You will likely be surprised to discover that your upbeat words give others the strength to believe that they are capable of making their dreams come true.We can foster the spread of inspiration among those with whom we share our environment by first encouraging others to follow their dreams whenever an opportunity to do so arises and then supporting them in their efforts. Though the positive and optimistic thoughts we share may seem at first to have no effect on those individuals to whom we endeavor to offer motivation, our words can grow in significance as they are incubated in their minds and hearts.
The impact of even a simple compliment or kind word can prove intensely meaningful as most people thrive in an atmosphere in which they know their colleagues and peers believe in their abilities. The support and enthusiastic reception you offer others when they share their dreams today will ensure that you have done your part to encourage them to strive for greatness.

Beltane Energy in full flow

Last weekend was not so fantastic weather wise, but it was wet rather than cold. Beltane Man was determined that the Pixie would get out and have a good time.

Strangely I moan about the area I live in being devoid of Ancient Sites and Monuments....last weekend I was shown that providing you know what you are looking for.... Magic is all around. First stop was The Devil’s Arrows just a few miles down the road.

If you haven't read the link, here's a close up of the plaque....

And what's this? The Druid Sign of the Awen? Whatever it is we decided that it's a modern add on

And to show how big this one is, here's Beltane Man stood beside one... and he's not a midget either so it shows you the height

And here's the other two stones

The wild flowers and herbs were full in the meadow.....

Although I complained bitterly about the ever increasing buttercups that grow in my garden I had to admit that these looked absolutely gorgeous!

And the textures created by the wind blowing the less strong grass against the wold flowers was lovely

Oh how nature knows how to use her colours to the best effect!

A lovely bar meal in a local pub then it was off to Pudding Pie Hill. We didn't run around, or communicate with the fairies, but the legend attached to this burial mound were enchanting. Neither of us had a Bronze Sword to stick in the top, or the energy to run round it 9 times....it IS WIDE! We did however sit on the top.... it was beautiful and tranquil despite the traffic on the A19 just the other side of the hill.

Beltane Man is a real nature lover and a bit of a cross between David Bellamy and Ray Mears....And I won't starve if the poop hits the fan!

I had to really keep my eye on him so he didn't disappear in the undergrowth....
But just what was he looking for and what did he find? An Otter slide we're almost sure, feet and nail marks leading down to the river.
And just look at this. Is this the Green Man or what? He was huge and gorgeous!

And as per usual Beltane Man attracted his usual entourage! Who proceeded to follow is all down the river....

That evening we went bowling with my son and daughter in law. Ok, YES I am visually impaired, NO I cannot see clearly the end of the lane and have to be told, what I hit, how many still stand, where they are and whether the barrier is up for my next bowl. OK pretty stupid I know but I love it and usually manage to get at least a couple of strikes.

But they have changed the bright lighting on a Friday and Saturday night to all lights off, everything glow in the dark....well the skittles, shoelaces etc. Leaving me at serious disadvantage..I could see even less! Good job I'm a good looser lol. I did manage to get a half strike but this was more luck than chance. In fact I did better bowling with my non dominant hand.

And look at the Pixie! Not only day glo laces but eyes to match!

By the way I almost fell over after this photo was taken! that will teach me that yoga poses CAN be done whilst holding a bowling ball!

Great fun never the less.

Nature Watch

Well this blog seems to be getting like the feast and the famine. Sometimes no posts for what seems like forever, then a frantic 2 or 3 in one go. Just popping in to say....no I haven't deserted writing, but life seems to be pretty hectic at the moment and that Beltane energy is certainly giving me a run for my money.... so much for taking a year easier! lol.

It's been hot here...VERY HOT! Just take a look at these....


Nature's fruits and fauna have certainly burst into action....is it me or is everything in abundance and so much more lush looking than ever before. The leaves seem to be covering the trees like never before and everywhere is so green!

These Water Iris's in my pond have multiplied like never before!

And the Bluebells are still evident and in full flower....

Beltane Man took me out for a late afternoon walk. It had been too hot to do more than sit soaking up the sun in the garden till later. He just HAD to stop the car to show me these.....

There were not just a few....but they went on for miles. Neither of us had or has any idea what they are! At first we thought it was sheep wool, then we thought they were some kind of spider webs, until a closer inspection revealed a Caterpillar crawling around inside....we have checked and better checked the Internet. The closest I got was a moth larvae but they only inhabit South America so it seems unlikely that this is what they are....If anyone can throw some light on this unusual phenomenon please can you leave a comment, it will be much appreciated.

It was a beautiful afternoon. The sheep grazed lazily in the fields and the sun cast it's dappled shadow on the ground.
The river sang it's melody as we stood in silence under the tree
And this is what Beltane Man brought me to see and was so eager to show me....surprisingly I took a picture.

But it's only when you zoom in you can actually see it And here it is.....The May Fly. A very rare sight as they only come out over a couple of weeks during May and live for little over 24 hours. Dancing like graceful fairies in the sky.....

Then we walked some more and he bent down to move some grass, very gently, to show me this......

And again I saw it....absolutely beautiful and magical.

Further walking brought us to a gate....

Don't worry about that, Beltane Man reassured me, it's just the farmer safeguarding himself. Half was across he pointed out the Horned God of the Bull world....with his clan of Goddesses. Pixie wasn't comfortable and asked the direction of the nearest gate. Beltane Man roughly pointed in the North Easterly direction, but calmly stayed to take photographs! Pixie ran to the gate, deciding that the Bull and his many mistresses were too close for comfort....

Animals seem to be wildly attracted to Beltane Man. While sheep usually run away, this mum and her 2 offspring came trotting (Question: Do sheep trot?)

Ok so Beltane Man thinks this picture looks obscene. Especially to the reference of Yorkshire men and Sheep....errrr....lovemaking! Anyone not from the UK, don't even ask what I'm talking about here....just let's say...It has been known!

This picture shows a little clearer what the ewe was looking for from Beltane Man.... She wanted a stroke! And was quite happy to bring her kids with her.

The meadows were full of wild flowers, the smell of sweet meadow hay was wonderful. A beautiful day, with a beautiful man, with beautiful surroundings, the heady scent and smell of nature in warm summer sunshine....what more can anyone want.

Fear - Choosing a New Response

A little bit of synchronicity going on here. After my post of last night! I received this, this morning from Daily OM and would like to share it with you.....

Choosing a New Response - Common Fears
Everyone has fears—it is a natural part of being human. Fear can protect us from harm by sending a rush of adrenaline to help us physically deal with potential danger. But there are times when fear may keep us from participating fully in life. Once we realize that fear is a state of mind, we can choose to face our fears, change our minds, and create the life we want to live.

Our minds are powerful tools to be used by our higher selves; like computers, storing and using data to make certain connections between thought and response. We have the ability to observe these and choose differently. No matter where the fear came from, we can create new connections by choosing new thoughts. When our souls and minds are in alignment, we create a new experience of reality. This journey requires many small steps, as well as patience and courage through the process. Here’s an example: You decide to overcome your fear of driving on the freeway. Your plan of action starts with examining your thoughts and finding a new way of seeing the situation. When you’re ready, you enlist a calm companion to support you as you take the first step of merging into the slow lane and using the first exit. Your heart may be racing, but your confidence will be boosted by the accomplishment. Repeat this until you are comfortable, with or without help, and then drive one exit further. When you are ready, you can try driving in the middle lane, for longer periods each time, until you find yourself going where you want to go. This gradual process is similar for conquering any fear, but if you find it overwhelming, you can always seek the help of a professional.

You may think that you are the only one with a particular fear, that nobody else could possibly be scared of ordinary things such as water, heights, public speaking, or flying. These types of fears are very common, and you can have great success overcoming them. Remember, it is not the absence of the fear but the courage to take action anyway that determines success. When we learn to face our fears, we learn to observe our thoughts and feelings but not be ruled by them. Instead we choose how to shape the lives we want.

Secret UFO Films Revealed by NASA

Well this link is worth a look
Secret UFO films have just been released by NASA

Unfortunately the link I posted here has been removed from the Yahoo site. I'm sure with a bit of searching you will be able to find it.

Bit ironic that we are well on our way to 2012 and reports and films of UFO's have been denied by NASA for so long! Why release them now?

It's my belief that they know far more than they are telling us and have done for years. No I still don't believe that the pictures of the 1st men on the moon were genuine! But hey....who am I to pass judgement!
More and ore WILL be revealed this year and the next couple of years...mark this post!

Feel The Fear .... And Do It Anyway

Is the title of a book I read, many, many moons ago. If you have any blockages whatsoever, I suggest you grab yourself a copy and almost guarantee it will be one of those you will go back to time and time again.

Well, I’ve blogged in the last couple of weeks about my reluctance and decision not to have a relationship for at least a year, much to the amusement of Beltane Man who seems to enjoy coming back for more, his reluctance to go anywhere and patience to wait as long as it takes.
I seemed to be happy without a man and adamant that I was just tickity boo on my own. When he came into my life I made it plain, the odd date fine, permanence…. Not fine….don’t EVER want to get so attached to someone it breaks my heart ever again. The problem here of course was not that I didn’t EVER ant a man, it was I just didn’t want just ANY man and if I did find someone special I had serious issues. After seeing Beltane Man a couple of times I really had to go through the mill and ask myself what the reluctance was REALLY all about. Then came two weeks of turning it over, looking deep inside, meditating, chatting to trusted friends and working it out for myself…. My issues weren’t about Beltane Man, they were about FEAR and TRUST!

Fear of what? Fear of getting hurt again, fear of getting attached, fear of giving my all to someone to have it kicked in my face, fear of wasting yet another 3 years of my life with someone who could just toss me aside without a second thought, fear of finding out that he lies, fear of being taken the p+ss out of, fear of character assassination so painful that it feels like you’ve been kicked in the stomach and winded time and time again. Fear of being criticised for not being perfect…. The list went on.

Then there was trust…. Or rather lack of it…how would I know if I could trust him to be telling me the truth, trust him to be honest, trust him to be kind, caring and considerate of both me and my feelings… my friends listened patiently, advice was not needed, just the need to talk, stew over potential scenarios and generally chew the fat.

And then it happened, the light suddenly went on! THAT WAS THE LAST ONE! NOT Beltane Man. The poor lad had done absolutely nothing to make me think that he was any of these things was having to be judged by my not one but two past relationships! How bad is that.

The fear will in time give way to trust. Sadly, the trust that was broklen by quite a different character than Beltane Man. We all need fear in our lives to some degree, it makes us cautious and protects us from harm and danger. Fear is sometimes a good thing… but when the fear is placed on us by another who is trying to control the situation and our personalities and it prevents us from having the life we want and the best that we deserve, then it needs to be tackled head on.
Beltane Man is a rock, he’s strong, calm and wise enough for the both of us. Together we make a great team and I know we have a lot to learn from each others wisdom.

This time: A relationship will be built on firm foundations, not quicksand. Serious plans that will be unshakable not pie in the sky and changed without warning and a the drop of a hat that were here today gone tomorrow plans. Together we will make a team… above all in the words of the quotation:

We ALL stumble
Every one of us
That’s why it’s a comfort
To go hand in hand

Hmmmm life on my own….. or life with someone I can truly love and trust to be of mutual support….hmmmmm let me see…..

A few affirmations if you are stuck with past issues that hold you back and prevent you from heading towards the future is:

I let go of the past

and reach with trust,

love and security,

for the future

I trust that everything is working out for my highest good.

The universe has been around a lot longer than us and I'm sure it knows exactly whats best for us. Whatever will be will be, but to loose your fear gives you the freedom and opportunity to move ahead. The past is behind, do not judge the future by past events, everything is your teacher and everything is there to learn from. Learn and move on.... a little wiser than before.

There are no risks in freedom,

the only risk is that of breaking free.

What is love?

We all love a good quotation that gives us the AHA factor. This is a commission completed last week as a wedding gift....

Love is....

The magical meeting of two souls

Two souls do not finally meet

They knew each other,

all along

A concertina Book which magically transforms as a hanging.
Walnut Ink on Saunders Waterford Paper.

Silver/Aluminium Leaf and gold pen.

Personalised Baby Girl Poster - The Goddess and the Butterfly

Way back in February I blogged about my newest prints: A personalised Prayer for a baby Girl or Boy. I have been fortunate enough this week to have been asked to do one for a Christening Gift for a little girl ‘Freya’. The advantage of part print, part original is twofold. Firstly from a cost point of view it is much cheaper than commissioning one from scratch, although this can be done if wishes, but secondly and more importantly it gives you scope to add details and specific items that would be meaningful to the recipient, in this case ‘Butterflies’. (Click photo to enlarge)

Freya is the Goddess of love, beauty and fertility. She was said to have blond hair and blue eyes and is reputed to be the ‘fairest’ of all the Goddesses and people prayed to her for happiness in love. She was also called on to assist in childbirth and for the kindness of the seasons.

The symbolic meaning of the butterfly is similar across most cultures and time. Invariably, this beautiful Celtic animal symbol represents transformation, inspiration, and rebirth. The concept of rebirth with the Celts is particularly of importance in terms of recycling of life – both in the spiritual and physical realms. Perhaps the bible and the Byrds extol the concept best: "To every season, turn, turn turn." This was an intimate concept with the Celts, and the butterfly – in its miraculous way symbolizes transformation and rebirth.

Further enquiries about this or other items on my blog

contact me at:

inspiredbyscript@yahoo.co.uk

The Goddess Works In Mysterious Ways

Well before yet another weekend fast approaches I should at least keep everyone up to date with the events of last weekend.

It was Bank Holiday here so we all got an extra day of rest. I had the pleasure (she giggles) of the company of Beltane man for a whole 3 days which gave us time to chat, laugh, drum and get to know each other better.

After my last relationship which ended at the beginning of December I made the conscious choice to be free of any relationship which involved a man! And despite my repetitive putting it out there, there were offers….all refused politely. Well it seemed to be working….except this guy would not give up. Eventually we met and still the high rise resistant walls were firmly built and seemed like there was no way any man was going to get through them…. No matter what! This Pixie can be a very strong willed, warrior woman when she needs to be. I’m a tough cookie and prefer to work through my personal cr@p and see it as a personal insight to whats going on inside. Since December I have read books, learned more about myself and what makes me tick and I was determined not to fall for the bullsh*t that had been fed to me by my ex. And to be perfectly honest I was having too good a time of things to really EVER want to be assed by a man of any sort or description.
Beltane man seemed to be amused by all this and quite honestly probably made him even more determined to crack the hard Pixie spirit! So he’s not one to run away that’s for sure! And I like the way that if he knows what he wants he’ll keep on keeping on no matter what…hmmmm me thinks there is so much more to him than meets the eye!
The catalyst of all this is, after declaring time and time again to the universe that I DON’T NEED A MAN!’ my whole curtain track fell down in the bedroom and after 2 nights without curtains I had to admit defeat and sheepishly ask Beltane Man if he had a tool kit. There is always the chance that he hexed the darn thing to collapse of course, but really don’t think he has it in him to do such things.
Funny isn’t it…. That I don’t need a man…until there’s one around who’s willing to offer his services, freely and without paybacks, and then boy oh boy can I find a use for one! Anyway after meeting a few times I’ve just spent a long weekend with him and he’s done more for me in that weekend than the ex did for me the last 2 years of our relationship! Hmph says a lot I think! He is calm, very unflustered, funny, and thoughtful, unhurried but gets things done. He’s helped me garden and done my sons and daughter in laws too. There were no complaints about cat hairs (in fact he actively encouraged my old white cat to moult all over his lovely black t-shirt, constantly pampered and succumbed to their vocal cries for help, food, strokes, attention….didn’t shout or get upset when Blue (my VERY vocal long haired female cat) went silent while we were eating tea and found she had devoured the other half of his chicken! (Blue is now in love with Beltane Man and says he can come anytime!)


Dodger thinks he is great (and this is a chav cat from hell, who ONLY likes me!),

Just look at this photo! Honest this cat would rather run away than socialise with anyone but his mum! Notice the chilled out arm flopped rather casualy to one side!

there were no complaints when I changed my mind (more than once!) about where I wanted plants moved, no stroppy sarcastic comments about being a ‘woman’, no complaints about taking me to the supermarket and using the car as a taxi….Oh how different life can be! He’s a gem and so good for me and hopefully I am good for him too. Time will tell.

All through our lives we have to face situations, emotions and events that at the time feel anything from uncomfortable to downright devastating. What gives us wisdom is whether we can go deep inside to the place we perhaps don’t want to see or somewhere we don’t want to visit, dig down deep, bring it to the surface, howl cry, scream and rant if we must in order to heal and grow into the beautiful people we become.

To be honest, since December I haven’t cried or screamed and shouted, I’ve used it as a time to get all my thought and feelings out on the table in front of myself. I have enjoyed my freedom, my peace and quiet and my friends around me also. It’s been good for me to sing from my own hymn sheet. So easily someone else can make you feel you are inadequate, less than perfect and try and change you to suit themselves and the constant character assassinations cut deep and need a lot of healing. You have to re-establish your self esteem, self worth and sense of ‘self’ and remember who you are. Someone else’s rather jaded view of you is very often how they see themselves, they reflect onto you their insecurities, fears, dislike of themselves and inadequacies in order to feel better themselves….all very well, but these wounds take time to heal. I had to let go of the fact that I just wanted to help him heal himself. Surely, if I told him often enough how much I loved him, showed him how much I did, nursed his broken spirits, hugged him when he hurt, made him believe in himself…BLAH BLAH BLAH….

The payback was, putdowns and misinterpreting my verbal communication. Twisting and turning things around to suit his own ego. Yes…I have had to take a good hard look at things, so that I NEVER attract someone who is so damaged again. The odd crack I can deal with but someone who is broken and can have a heart of steel if it suits is NOT something I EVER want to go through again.

Simba is happy to help out by guarding his tool kit!

The one thing that holds me together all the time and is pertinent to my pagan beliefs is the affirmation:
I trust that the universe is doing everything for my highest good and everything is for a reason.
We might not like this statement, but even after some of the worst times, when we see light at the end of the tunnel and the healing has been done, you can see that these things are your greatest teachers. And how can we feel compassion and empathy for another if we have not suffered ourselves. Only those who have been through the mill can advise another…life cannot be learnt from a text book.

My wise woman lesson from this story is…..Listen to the nudges the universe/God/Goddess gives you…. Because if you don’t you will get the next best thing….a right good kick up the asse!

And my reply to the kick is this…
So OK….perhaps I do need a man then, hopefully you’ve finished having your fun and playing your games at my expense and YES…I AM listening, but all in all I have laughed along too…. For these last 5 months have been the greatest learning curve of my life, and I know now more than ever WHO I am.

And this was the scene on Tuesday....waiting for his return....I did tell them it would be the weekend before he came back....but would they listen?

So it looks like the Universe has sent Beltane Man for a reason and it looks like he may be around for quite a while. After all...all a Goddess needs really is a God with a good set of tools and one who is handy with his hands.... the only conflict I can see is we both think that the kitchen is our domain....looks like it may be our forst compromise coming up! lol.

Loreena McKennitt - Dantes Prayer Calligraphy Inspired By Music

CJ posted a very valid question about whether I listen to music while I work, which ties up nicely with this post… so thanks CJ.
I thought I would write about my latest piece of work Dantes Prayer by Lorreena McKennitt.
I suggest that after you have read the blog post you go back and click the link and listen to the music and lyrics (in a separate window) while you read the lyrics on the photo graphs. They ‘should; be able to be enlarged…I say ‘should’ because one never knows with google! Hopefully his will give you some idea of the ‘Spirit’ and ‘Essence’ that ends up being contained within the piece.

First off I type out the lyrics. This makes it personality-less, quite dead and without preconceived ideas. Then while listening to the song over and over and yes over again, I make scribbles on the sheet that probably make no sense to anyone but me. This enables me to get a feel and flavour of the song. Which words need to be large, which words need to be strong, which are quiet, loud, subdued or even extended.



Then comes the colours. Listening through the track again I scribble down the colours that the words bring to mind. This particular piece evolved colour wise all by itself. I must admit I wasn’t expecting a rainbow! A chalk pastel background was laid down and blended carefully. I should tell you at this point that the sheet of paper is a full sized sheet of Saunders Waterford.


It always pays to do a test piece. (Thanks Suzi for reminding me of what I preach to my students!) In this case I had bought new chalk pastels (caran Dache) and it was disastrous! I usually use Inscribe for pastel work and have never ever had a problem. These were greasy and oily and a right pain in the asse to write on. Never mind, we calligraphers have tricks up our sleeves to enable us to write on most surfaces. I cut the pastel back with pumice powder and it seemed to work, albeit with extreme difficulty still and the writing was painfully slow. After starting to write it out I lost patience very quickly and shelved the whole thing and decided to rework the background and start afresh.

When writing the piece out I play the CD, line for line, checking and rechecking for those loud parts and extended words while I write, stopping the CD at every line….just to make extra sure. I don’t always get it right, but that’s all part of being human.

The final touches are when you then incorporate the background music and instruments as part of the whole piece. In this case the piano was symbolised by watercolour squares and the no verbal vocal (don’t know what else to call it!) was shown as a silver thread, running upwards at the rise and downwards at the fall of the ‘whatever you cal it’.

My son has bought a DVD burner and has a video recorder. I really want to have him to video the words, play the music over the top and then edit it as a whole piece. This way the music and the calligraphy become one… and hopefully the effect will be amazing.

Overall I love this piece. It’s still new, so it’s my baby and not for sale. It’s proved to me that I can still do large pieces of work despite the difficulties with my eyes and I know that through the music I can make my letter live.

This kind of work is specialist. As calligraphers and Lettering Artists we get used to doing the mundane, run of the mill but keeps wolves from the door kind of jobs. This is what we trained over 10 years for! Yes folks you can become a brain surgeon in less time… and it’s a long standing joke with calligraphers.

So go on…. What music inspires you? Have you created art to music and if you have, can you link to it on the comments and direct everyone to your blog? Go on, put on some music, pick up your paints, pens or whatever medium you use, dance like a deva and create!

And the next 3 pictures are the detail of the whole song, preferably looked at while the song plays in a seperate window..... here's that link again Loreena McKennitt Dantes Prayer.... ENJOY!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

What Has Calligraphy Got To do With Music?

I’ve always had a love of music. Perhaps it was one of the benefits of being brought up by a young mum and her siblings. Perhaps it’s because I was born a child of the 60’s, flower power, The Beatles, The Bachelors, Mick J, The Twist….. heavier, rock and rolling, dancing, more optimistic music than people had been used to. At 2 ½ I would go next door to Bobby and (now what was her name) anyway, Mr and Mrs Wilsons and be fully capable of stacking records and dancing to a variety of music, even singing ‘I Wanna Be Bobby’s Girl’ to Bobby Wilson, whilst doing the twist.

Dance , music and rhythm played an important part in my life, in fact right throughout my life. From Gymnastics and Ballet, to discos and musical instrument playing. I love my Djembe’s, more importantly I love playing with others. Something really special happens when you drum in a circle. Something that cannot be described even by those who experience it. The Druids would probably call it Awen. It’s a connection to something far above and outside of ourselves. Something perhaps more of the spiritual realm. Many different cultures, religions and belief systems use sound and in particular drums, in their practices.
The beat of the drum, the beat of your heart, the beat of Mother Earth…all are connected. They say if you have a heartbeat, you can drum.
Ironically, that beat and rhythm is also evident in Calligraphy. Each line of text has it’s own feeling, heartbeat and rhythm. It’s hard to explain this to a non calligrapher. During my many years of training, the similarities between Calligraphy and music was mentioned. It’s no surprise then, that the time I feel more connected to my work is when I work with song lyrics.

I still remember the first time the ‘Awen’ happened for me. I was asked to put words into an exhibition in Durham Cathedral. At the time I had discovered Enya and the song ‘How Can I Keep From Singing’ conjured up pictures, images and colours in my head. This experience was new to me and at the time I was still a relative beginner in calligraphy. The words inspired me, the melody hauntingly beautiful. I still remember the piece. A variety of blues and gold leaf. And the whole thing was done in a circle, cut into quarters by the gold leaf. The piece sold the first day it went on exhibition…. In fact I was the only one who sold anything in that exhibition. I had priced it not to sell. Many calligraphers will tell you that a newly created piece is like a baby and we get VERY attached to some things. The piece becomes like a new born child and needs to be looked at, admired, smiled at and somehow these pieces become very close to your heart. There is a gestation and incubation period which needs to be got over, before we can loose our attachment and let it go. I know all this sounds very strange, but it’s true. The connection to the spirit that went into the creating of the piece is very strong. Sometimes we feel like we had no real consciousness in creating the piece, almost as if guided by something outside ourselves.
After that I went on to create more music pieces. Some were done for commissions, others were done for myself, but always that ‘spirit/Awen/outside myself thing happened. I wonder if it’s because it’s a large piece and you do end up going into a sort of meditative trance on large pieces. It’s happened also when I wrote The Charge Of The Goddess out as a gift. I did really well on this one, I gave it away straight away…despite my inner child shouting NO NO, GIVE IT BACK, ME WANTS IT!

I love the band Runrig and have done many pieces of work with their lyrics. Both for them and fans. Unfortunately most of these were done to commission so you are never given free reign that you would otherwise have.

I was honoured to do a piece called The Fox and commissioned for Kelly Groucutt from ELO. I received a tape of a song that he wrote and performed, but was never released on the open market. The song was called The Fox. I have a photo of him with the piece but have only a black scan of the piece itself. I would have loved to have this done as a colour print, but as most of these pieces are huge, the financial costs would be unrealistic. Kelly sadly died on 19th February this year.

Kelly Groucutt always enjoyed touring and was just as happy playing with a local, little known band called Session 60 as he was doing a one-man performance in a pub. Most of all, he loved playing with Orchestra. I was fortunate to go and see him in the band play a return convert in 2006.

The last two pieces are The Fox Piece, all others are runrig. Appologies for poor quality of the photos, but they are taken from scans of 'real' photos. Thank god those days are over!

Affirmations - What they are and how to use them

I really feel like I could write a book about this, so this post will probably be much longer than I intend….. nothing new there then lol.

First off……..

For anyone who’s a cynic about these things, you really have to be committed and try them ad hopefully it will prove to you that WORDS HAVE POWER! More importantly, what you say to yourself magnifies, whether it’s negative or positive. We have all been guilty at one time or another of pulling ourselves down. It’s east to think the worst of ourselves. Usually the words we choose to use to ourselves are designed to chip away at our self esteem and confidence to such a degree in severe cases it can lead to depression and a general feeling of unworthiness. Very often these negative self beliefs have been sown by someone else. A comment made in jest can so easily play on your mind. Other times you can create them all by yourself.

If you practice Affirmations I will practically guarantee that you will see an improvement. I say practically guarantee, because you really have to WANT to change and some degree of responsibility for that lies on your shoulders.

Long before the book The Secret came out (a book I absolutely abhor by the way, as it equates money and possessions as affirmations) where was I (jumps off soap box!) yes long before The Secret and The Laws of Attraction came out, a lot of us were already practicing Affirmations.

So……

Put simply an Affirmation is ‘The 3 P’s’
It’s POSITIVE
It’s PERSONAL to you
And It’s PRESENT… ie you speak it as if it’s already happened.

If you think about it logically, a lot of negative self talk can bring you down to rock bottom. Feeding the sub conscious with thoughts that you probably wouldn’t even say to your worst enemy….
I’m so fat!
I’m so thin!
I’m so stupid!
I hate myself!
I’m just an idiot!
I’ll never have any money!
I’m always so skint!
Everyone hates me!
Everyone takes me for granted!
Etc. etc. etc….BLAH BLAH BLAH

Now if you can talk yourself into believing these things about yourself, it stands to reason that doing the opposite will make you believe the good things about yourself, and in turn attract those things to happen and right before your eyes.

So an affirmation about say….
I NEVER have enough money
Should be changed to
I ALWAYS have enough to get by on.

I am so fed up
Should be changed to
I am happy

I feel ill
Needs to be changed to
I am healthy

I actually sell Affirmation cards, but would like to do a giveaway for anyone who these cards will be of use. The idea is that you pick one card out a day and say it repeatedly to yourself. I used to write them on post it notes and leave them all over the house…on doors, fridges, mirrors…anywhere I would look frequently over the day.
How To Get Your FREE Pack…
1) Leave a comment on my blog
2) Email me direct at inspiredbyscript@yahoo.co.uk so I can email you a PDF which you can them print out, cut up and use.
3) Place the word AFFIRMATION in the subject line to save it getting lost into all the spam!
4) Please note, you MUST been signed into Blogger Anonymous comments will not be accepted and you MUST be able to read PDF Format.
5) Offer ends this Sunday (24th May) and your files will be sent early next week. This will save me missing anyone out and also save time too!

Simply open the PDF and Print onto card!

After that....if you want a set you'll have to pay for them like everyone else lol.

The Whitby Witches

Well, I had a wonderful weekend with said Beltane man. After declaring that I don’t need a man around I managed to open the bedroom curtains on Wednesday and the whole track complete with curtains fell down! I spent the next 2 nights with no nets and no curtains. Text said Beltane Man as a goddess who is useless with tools does and Friday evening he duly replaced the track with a new one….AND cooked a meal for me into the bargain. Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE cooking, but when it’s the end of the week and an offer is made….who am I to turn it down. Seems he’s as mad on cooking as I am!

Although he was working Saturday and Sunday, we spent the weekend together and Sunday he managed an early finish. He came to my house and after a quick cuppa declared that we were off to Whitby. No arguments and virtually no choice! Lol. I love the beach almost as much as the woods. I find the air clean, crisp and invigorating. Having moved from the seaside some 26 years ago, it’s always good to get back. I love the crashing waves, although ironically it was relatively calm and not too cold.

When I go to Glastonbury it’s the Tor that really makes me feel like I’ve arrived, with Whitby it’s the Wishbones.
Beltane was certainly in the air for these feathered friends….

Oh yes and these……

Pretty dangerous place to be getting up to that kind of thing if you ask me!

It was nice to pop in and see my friend Steve at Free Spirit…it’s almost 3 years since I’ve seen him. We had a lot of catching up to do. I also came away with an order, which will fill the coffers a little bit more.

Then a walk along the beach, some sand writing…Which I just cannot help myself from doing! Perhaps it’s the chance of a blank canvas. The tide had just gone out so it was a perfect writing surface. Hopefully anyone walking down the beach towards the harbour will have seen the affirmations.

Then statutory chips and of course we couldn’t leave without a fresh cream waffle!

Back home we met up with my son and daughter in law and watched the honeymoon DVD. My son Paul has just bought a DVD Writer and editing software and it’s took him some time to work out. However we now have plans afoot to incorporate my calligraphy and lettering art with music…something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time.

Whitby is famous for it's myths and legends, witches, ghosts and Dracula. The her book The Whitby Witches Robin Jarvis draws on some of the more famous local characters. And believe it or not I have relatives there, some of my ancestors moved to Whitby in the late 1800's. So my lot could very well have been some of those very witches....who knows. And by the way, the book is designed at younger readers, but like Harry Potter, it appeals to adults to. Very easy, chilled out reading.

All in all a great weekend, with very easy going company....very nice and makes a lovely change to be with someone calm, relaxed and as daft as me. He even laughed when a car blasting out Y.M.C.A. caused me to break out into a full blown dance routine with all the actions. Brought a smile to others faces too. Ahhh well, making people laugh and smile never cost anything!

And a PS and a footnote:

My girl cats absolutely love Beltane Man and he's a cat lover too. The ironic thing is, that even Dodger (the Chav cat from hell, who thinks I'm his wife and hates everybody for at least a few months....) Was found curled up on Beltane Mans knee! Even my ex. never got that sort of treatment for at least 3 months and that WAS after he had peed on his side of the bed. So, I take it even Dodger approves!

Books That Could Change Your Life....FOREVER!

There aren’t many of us that reach adulthood, unscathed, well balanced and well adjusted human beings. Virtually all of us at one time or another, will have events that make us sit up, take stock and look really hard and deeply at our lives. We can choose to hide away in the hopes that if we ignore it, it will go away. It doesn’t! It may take many years to rear it’s ugly head and the world feels like it’s crashing down around you. Those who bury their inner most pains, fears, sadness, anger, resentments and many other negative feelings can suffer terribly with anxiety, depression or even worse a complete and absolute nervous breakdown.

On my blog I try and be as open and honest as I can. Hopefully connecting to others and hopefully identifying ways of thinking, feeling and changing our beliefs about ourselves and life in general. We are after all, human beings with many, many emotions, some good, some bad….but at the end of the day, whatever we go through can lead to one of two things, either you’re a survivor or a victim. Be assured though, whatever your weaknesses either now or in the past, you are not alone. I hope by wearing my heart on my sleeve you may find help, inspiration, comfort and support.

We all have challenging situations in life, all through our lives. We all have to face up to our inner selves at some point in order to grow. Some of the most painful and frightening situations in our lives are the greatest teachers. With this in mind, I want to share with you, the 5 most important books that changed my life, my way of thinking and probably set me on a wonderful path of self discovery that I share with others on a regular basis. I hope that this particular blog entry comes just at the right time to help even just one person….for if it does, it will be time well spent. I hope to blog more about this over the next few weeks and for far too long, it’s where I’ve wanted my blog to go. To motivate, to heal, to inspire. I could post these on a separate blog, but feel that my main blog is where people will find it most readily. Anyway….on with the post……

YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE
At 23 I was diagnosed with pre cancerous cells of the cervix. Pretty terrifying at any age, but with a 4 year old son….even more frightening. For 3 years I was told that there was nothing to worry about, and the cells could change back just as quickly. Then after repeated smears and regular check ups, they decided, well actually, we were probably wrong and you need a hysterectomy. Yeah right! Like hell I thought!
The book You Can Heal Your Life was a particularly hard one for me to read, but I found it fascinating as to how our thoughts, beliefs, fears, anxieties and anger etc. can actually lead to a physical condition, basically that I caused this on myself! Some of the book I was ready to accept, some not, some I accept now later in years, some I will never accept (and that’s my choice). However, probably the most valuable thing I learnt from the book was the power of Affirmation. Something I am still really big on today (more about this coming soon).
(read some of the book here) By the way.... just for the record...I was clear of cancer after 1 year of diagnosis with minimal treatment and have been clear ever since. While I do not advise anyone to try this route, in my case it was an option and one that I decided to take. Fortunately it worked for me.

YOU CAN'T AFFORD THE LUXURY OF A NEGATIVE THOUGHT
Just after reading this book I came across another called You Can’t Afford The Luxury of a Negative Thought. With the subheading of: For People With Life Threatening Illnesses, including life itself! I learnt many things from this book and it’s an easy one to dip in and out of. It’s been well used over the years (as have all these books I recommend!) But one of the most important things I learnt, is that if you have an illness, and one person has survived, there is no reason why you should not be the second. If no one has survived, then there’s no reason you should not be the first. This philosophy was to be proved with my long term pen friend, who had such a severe form of cancer, he should basically have been dead before he saw the consultant! As the longest anyone had survived this cancer was 6 months. I talked to him, sent him a copy of the book and kept in regular contact. He went down in the Lancet Magazine as the longest survivor of Oats cancer, living a further 8 years and dying at the grand old age of 88!

LIVING MAGICALLY
Then a chance meeting with a friend who called round for coffee, showed me the book Living Magically by Gill Edwards. A book based on metaphysics and self awareness which was to open many avenues and doors for me, and enabled me to once again look at the bigger picture and tackle the demons within. It was probably the beginning of my spiritual journey as I know it today and lead to many, many paths of self discovery. It’s not fluffy or super spiritual hocus pocus nonsense, just a good all round starting point for anyone wanting to see past the world we live in and explore new ways of thinking.
(You can browse some of the book by clicking here)

CREATIVE VISUALISATION
Along side all these books on self awareness, taking responsibility for my mental, emotional and physical health and well being came the deep need to learn to meditate. I had tried so many times to meditate but found it so hard to quieten the mind, still those thoughts and cut out the outside world. After reading and trying just one of the exercises (the pink bubble technique) I found that at last I could meditate and visualise to the extent that where I ended up, I didn’t want to come back from! Lol. The Book Creative Visualisation worked well with the other self help/self awareness books I was reading and more and more I was committing myself to take charge of myself and my own health. Some of the tools I still use today and get others to practice too, if you want to see more (read some of the book here)

FEEL THE FEAR....And do it anyway!
Feel The Fear….and do it anyway is another book I advocate. It’s a fantastic motivator which helps you move through your fears whether money, relationship, you job or other situations which hold you back in life. The aim of the book is to offer readers a path of re-learning, by means of which they can get rid of faulty thinking, feel the fear and push through it to turn anger into love and indecision into action.

SELF ESTEEM AND PEAK PERFORMANCE
I suffered severely with S.A. D. (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and Winters were a nightmare. Every year was the same. Once the light started to fail and the weather grew colder, my moods became so low I was probably borderline suicidal. Only sufferers of this disorder can identify with the absolute disperse that this condition brings and the abject misery that it inflicts not only on ourselves, but those around us.
I didn’t read a book by Jack Canfield, but listened relentlessly to an audio set of about 8 tapes. I listened to them back to back day in and day out while I worked. The audio book was called ‘Self Esteem and Peak Performance’. It was primarily as a sales and marketing tool but very bound up with the Self Esteem side of things. His audio books are now available to the wider public (click here for a list). Jack Canfield is now recognised as one of Americas leading motivational and life coaches. One of the ‘old school’ who probably inspired most of today’s self healing and self awareness coaches all over the world. Jack has also written or co written Chicken Soup FOR The Soul, which many of you will be more familiar.

So I share with you these books in the hope that they help someone somewhere. You are not alone. Learning about self awareness, self improvement and self help techniques to get you through is not a sign of weakness, on the contrary, it’s a sign of strength. I’m not saying that by learning and reading these books will prevent you from ever suffering again. We cannot avoid crisis’s happening. Crisis is not dependant on how rich you are, how healthy you are or how good and or clean you live your life. The just happen…to everyone at some time of other. What you will gain however are methods and tools to help guide you through, tackle those unwanted thoughts and behaviour patterns that hold you back and give you the chance to live your life in joy, happiness and wisdom.

Hints from the Gods .... and the animal kingdom!

Ok…. I admit to refusing the offer from my weekend visitor to cut the grass for me before he left (note to self – really MUST stop this independent female role!). And he telling me that men were good for some things…. Hmmmm he said with a smile on his face. Well I left it open, still needing to be convinced somewhere there, and I don’t need any shelves putting up just yet, lol.
Anyway yesterday I cut the grass. As per usual almost broke my back. I have back problems anyway, probably due to bending over with magnifiers most of my life and rounding my shoulders in the process. It’s a bit of a pain that you have to get so close to everything to see it properly….anyway bear this in mind as I tell you the rest…..


I decided while tea was cooking to go and trim the edges of the lawn with scissors. I have to use scissors because I cannot see the bottom of the edge shears as they’re too far away, rendering them useless. There I was happily snipping away around my blessing tree (a Twisted hazel) and removing the cut grass to one side. Dodger (the Chav cat from hell) sped past me at the rate of knots burping and calling as he went. Nothing unusual there either. I’ve introduced this cat to you many times. I’ve also blogged about my great fear of mice, rats, frogs, spiders and such like, in fact anything that hops, skips, jumps or runs. Now why is it that at the moment anything I say with great affirmation, seems to come back and bite me on the asse? I was bragging to said Beltane Man that my cats were pretty good and didn’t seem to catch anything….well if you discount the poor from that was got 3 times last year! I turned to my right and there it was!

Paralysed with what can only be described as mortal fear!

I quickly covered it with grass…. Although what good that would do I’ve no idea. But needed to think of a way to remove said body from lawn…. YAK YAK YAK!

I had to go in, make a cuppa and decide on my next plan of action. I avoided a stiff drink as I thought I was shaking enough. I texted said Beltane Man, expecting sympathy? A knight in shining armour (OK so he would have come but is not exactly round the corner) probably hoping for advice at the very least….result….. he laughed and said….awwww poor you, I’m sure you will deal with it….followed by, see there’s another use for me Hmph! OK OK OK! I’m starting to get the picture and more than a little synchronicity going on here!

Something then occurred….was it a mouse or a baby rat! How do I tell the difference.
Went outside, complete with gardening gloves (well you never can be too sure – could have still been alive) uncovered said furry thing took picture, covered back over and with my eyes tightly shut and on a wing and a prayer deposited it in carrier bag, then in wheelie bin.

Texted said Beltane Man again to ask the difference. (Hmmmm seems he’s becoming more useful that I thought/wanted/needed!) Beltane man tells me rats have bigger heads and I was sure it was dead wasn’t I? Because they have a great habit of playing dead! Hmmmm never looked that close and wasn’t getting it out of bin to have a look.

Now on downloading the picture and trying to look closer I’m not sure what it is. I took 3 photos all blurred. Not out of focus honest, it was my hands shaking! Now wondering of it’s a baby bird with it’s wings chewed off! And of course, Dodger is getting the blame. Blue was the only one out there at the same time and she’s far too sweet and innocent (NOT!), but I do put my money on Dodger!
If you don’t know about him here’s a mini profile…
He’s a bit of a lad. Thinks he’s my husband/God/ Partner/child…. Amongst other things and does a pretty good job of snubbing people who come into the house….ESPECIALLY MEN! It’s took Sue 6 months to even get anywhere near stroking him and this is at arms length and without eye contact. He’s a great protector of my house, providing the trouble is outside, he charges at the window growling like a lion….providing they are OUTSIDE! Anyone coming in and he’s off like a shot. He really doesn’t care for men and they know that in his eyes HE is number one and they just have to accept that, where I’m concerned, he is the main geezer. I came downstairs at the weekend to see the said husband, curled contentedly on said Beltane Mans lap!!!! For God’s sake whats happening round here! This cat accepts no one, let alone a potential male threat!

And added to that Blue thinks said Beltane mans God's gift and he's pretty stuck on her too....but there again she is a bit of a man magnet and will go to anything in trousers. Sugar, el dinosaur lady also won't leave him alone and I feel like I'm running out of support round here!

Oh yeah...some pictures of Dodge...... Here he is ruining a whole bin of woodbased cat litter! The bin is used to store the litter prior to use, but swells immensely once used, rendering it useless....

Not me, not doing anything.... just sat in here watching flies....honest!

Whos the Daddy! Extreme running is my favourite hobby....well along with abseiling!

This is me, heavily disguised as the settee throw.....
Oh yeah and me camouflaging myself as her slippers.....

And when all else fails....wrap yourself up as a christmas present....it never fails!

Joking aside, I must admit that out of all the cats I've ever had or fostered, it's a bit unnerving at times as to how human he is! Most other cats are happy being cats, but I'm not sure he knows he is one! He's a real character and I often think of this poem when referring to him.....

Macavity - The Mystery Cata poem by T S Eliot


Macavity's a Mystery Cat:

he's called the Hidden Paw--

For he's the master criminal

who can defy the Law.

He's the bafflement of Scotland Yard,

the Flying Squad's despair

:For when they reach the scene of crime--

Macavity's not there!

To read the rest of the poem CLICK HERE

Hand Made Birthday Card

As everyone who works in Blogger knows, it's a real pain if you save posts to edit later before posting. Even if I uploaded this tomorrow or even next week it would have todays date on it, so it's east for things to get lost. Before I hopefully blog my next post....I will show you this.....

A concertina card for my baby sisters birthday. The background is a watercolour, cling film wash of soft, muted, sea blues and greens

The writing is white and blue gouache and Dr. Martins Bleedproof white.....

Tied with a baby blue ribbon.
The pictures are not very clear but may just enlarge if you click on them.

Hand Made Wedding Favours

Quite by surprise I ended up doing the Wedding Favours for Paul and Sarahs Wedding. Luckily she had bought organza bags in Hot Pink, 'just in case'. Becasue of the tight time scale we had no time to really think , it had to be something simple. Mini concertinas.....

Backed with decortated squares,

a white square on top and pink heart on top of that. Hot pink ribbon to tie them together
and popped into the organza bag with a couple of Lintz chocolates...

Thanks to Suzi (see Spirit Whispers) I managed to get them done in time

Something for the weekend?

Well, best laid plans and all that! I did intend to post over the weekend, but somehow my time was filled and I never got round to it. So I’ve downloaded photos for 3 posts and all ready to upload once the writing is done.

Over the weekend a new bath panel prompted me to redecorate the bathroom, which is the first step to redecorating the whole house. And now I know that decorating and sight loss is no barrier to painting walls, there’s no stopping me! Glossing the doors will be OK but the skirting and door frames will have to be done by someone else and probably paid for. Never mind, needs must.

Had a visitor all weekend (yes, ok folks - said Beltane man! I am trying to put him off....honest! ! lol) Despite telling him I really don't want or need a man in my life right now (or for the foreseeable future come to that) he seems to be persistent, cocks his head to one side and smiles....Hmmm now getting to wonder who's kidding who! lol. Seems the defences are lowering bit by bit her.
I didn't see the full moon, but we did go out to have a look...I will admit to seeing the most gorgeous sunrise though. Time flies when you're having fun. Anyway, once he had left I swept and scraped up yet more gravel from the back garden….don’t know where THAT came from. Something in the pond moved and caught my eye…

Then closer…….

Simba! My female ginger cat! SAT IN THE POND! Now I always think she’s a sandwich short of a picnic but sat IN the pond! I'm now thinking she should be renamed Simple Simba!

Then later I found her hiding again….
In an old scratching post hovel. Probably not very unusual you may think, but the darn things never used it to hide in when it was in the house!

My veg are growing well, almost everything seems to be sprouting as it should and it’s keeping me busy watering and tending my little organic garden.

I’ve finally decided on the gravel for the back garden, so once I’ve sorted out the liner and laid that I’ll get the stones ordered. The Beltane energy certainly seems to be around!

Ceri: regarding protection for your home....have you tried a broomstick? Better still a very large baseball bat! lol. Only kidding, hunny, I know how scary it can feel living on your own and feeling vulnerable. I'm almost sure your problem was caused by the wind, it can look like theres been a tornado in my garden at times.

Quotation

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy;
they are the charming gardeners
who make our souls blossom.

Marcel Proust

Coming Clean....

Well, on my blog I’ve always tried to be as open and honest as I can be. What you see is what you get scenario. I have nothing to hide, I’m human with all the joys and sorrows, ups and downs that we all experience throughout our lives. So because of that I post the following…..putting Ceri (see comment on last post) and others out of their misery hehehehe

Ok…. Time to come clean….
I consciously decided at the beginning of December when my 2 ½ year relationship (the last year and ½ shrouded in uncertainty) That I wanted to spend a full year and turn of the wheel alone. I wanted to experience the full connection to the spirit and energy of the seasons without the added complication of someone who didn’t see things as I was seeing them and I was unable to share. These what I can only call insights gave me a better understanding of my connection to the Gods and Goddesses and to myself. So I wanted to run with it. Originally I thought that T and I would learn from each other and collectively we would complete two parts of the whole, the Yin and Yang if you like, the Male and Female energies that a good relationship brings to the table and each others strengths and weaknesses complementing each other with no ego involved. Sadly this was not to be and our paths were taking very different paths. His headed straight for another woman! Lol.

Anyways, the ironic thing is, since I took this decision I have been pursued by a number of possible suitors, much to the delight of my friends who I was convinced were having a hand in this…and all of who burn candles. Lol. Despite repeatedly telling the Gods and Goddesses I don’t want or need a relationship right now, it seems they had other plans.
Finally I succumbed to going on a date over Beltane and very nice he was to, but my decision stands firm. I really have to go this year alone. I am not oppose to dating, but to be honest it is unfair on any man to enter my life as a potential partner right now…. Well that’s how I feel at the moment.
I think The Lord of Misrule is playing tricks at the moment, which is so common during the Beltane period… So I’ll just let him have his fun. I must admit it’s made my friends just as amused as to why the sudden interest in a 47 year old crone, sitting quietly, minding her own business, and I find it pretty funny too.
The previous post was of course all tongue in cheek and a bit of a laugh for my friends. As I believe in the laws of attraction (as in the Secret and Affirmations etc) I certainly was NOT putting the vibes out there for a man…God or no God1 (as in the male species).
For now, I am working on my life’s purpose (everyone has one), keeping doors open to new possibilities, writing (sometimes great essays!) creating and growing things, as well as having great fun exploring my fullest potential at this moment in time and I believe that it’s not over yet. There are many months to go before that ends.
Possibly after the year is over (but who knows it very well may be before if the last 5 months is to go by!) someone special may just enter my life and bring to a relationship what I truly need.
Ok, that’s it, me as usual wearing my heart on my sleeve. Doing all this in good humour…. And just letting the powers that be play their little games, keeping me well amused and keeping up my sense of humour. On my own, whatever I choose to do and wherever I choose to go, with whoever I choose is mine decision and mine alone, opening up endless possibilities. For I am now back to being a Free Spirit, and Warrior Woman, and it’s a very empowering thing.

York V Scotland Match Over

Bl**dy Loki! (Please don't look it up on Wikipedia- What a load of tosh!) Loki is more your mischief maker, scuppers your plans, moves things around, just when you think you have it sussed....ALL CHANGE.... more your court jester type, or fool in the Tarot and never seems to work without a bit of help somewhere along the line. Anyway where was I?.... Oh yes.....
York 1, Scotland 0 - lol
Looks like it's a win to the home team.
Sorry folks private Pixie joke for my friends....they'll know the meaning of this.... and to my buddies (you KNOW who you are) ....OK OK OK .....

NOW WILL YOU STOP LIGHTING THOSE BL**DY CANDLES! Your mission is accomplished! Hehehehe

I'll leave you with this....Hmmmm ....ENJOY!


And if that doesn't get the message through perhaps this will....lol

Good grief...... was it really THAT long ago? ...... he certainly scrubs up well these days doesn't he. .

I'm under no illusion that this will mean absolutely nothing to those who don't know me personally. Just having a slight jump about, stamping my feet, Beltane energy and all that....cos the Gods don't seem to be listening at the moment and are doing their own thing.... VERY funny for everyone else... abd I must admit it's pretty hilarious from where I am too. I just don't know what part of NO Thank you they don't understand lol. Bless them xxx

To regular readers of my blog....sorry for this little outburst. I'm not going to fall out with my candle burning friends honest.... just a bit of banter and
private Pixie banter.
Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible. :o)

The Spirit of Beltane

The Spirit of Beltane is:

Excitement, desire, fulfilment, anticipation, sensual, anticipation, sexual passion, creativity, fertility, life, liveliness, creation, warmth, promise, beauty, hawthorn, bluebells, sticky buds, blossom, greenery, the growth of bright sunshine, the intoxication of the senses, aspirations and expansion.
Beltane is all of these things.

I’ve probably spent the best Beltane of quite a few years. I’ve shared and celebrated with friends, been creative, had an outside tap fitted, planned more of my garden, been on a impromptu date, sat by a lake and watched the sunset, (and very nice he was – I mean it was too – lol), And today the Purple Pixie has set about shovelling what felt like 2 tons of gravel from my back garden….although I only had 1 ton delivered when it was originally put down so perhaps a slight exaggeration! Although it DID feel like it. And I only made one slight mistake…filled up the first bag in situ and then found it impossible to lift! DUH! Never thought if that one! Lol. Never mind, easily remedied.

The next plan of action is to get rid of more awful red gravel, along another part of my back garden, a legacy that my dear departed hubby left behind. I’ve always hated it and it seems like a pain to take it all out. I did think of painting it at one time, like the White Horse of Kilburn, but no…. it has to go! The back garden has been neglected. I’ve always had a dog so it was very much somewhere for my dog to potter about. I love the water buttercups and water fountain, very relaxing when I hear running water, so getting rid of the pond has never been an option. However, talking to Mr and Mrs Mog gave me the wonderful idea of what I can do with it. I will post pictures as it develops. The back garden will be my Peace Garden, although both the back and the side are peaceful. The side garden will be my sensory and healing garden, filled with healing flowers and herbs that are scented or useful. The Pixies on a mission!

I have read many inspirational books over the years, many of which shaped the way I am today and make up a very large part of my life. There were many times in the past when I needed to read motivational, self healing and self awareness books and make up a very large part of me as a person. Yes, I still fall down now and again, but know that the bad times will pass, I will learn some great lessons from them and whatever happens the Goddess/universe knows what it is doing and everything is working out for my highest good, no matter how traumatic and upsetting it feels at the time. You just have to look, learn and discover. These books have not only got me out of the toughest times but given me great tools to use right through my life.
Although time is a great healer, facing things head on and opening doors you would sometimes prefer to be kept firmly shut, enables you to feel the emotions (sometimes quite painfully), observe, look for the underlying message that this will teach us and be ready to move on, but from a far more stronger standpoint than where you came from. Some people think that by hiding or masking their feelings, fears and emotions from themselves and others they have dealt with them, only to realise that years later they will come back and bite you big time, or else lead to issues that are never resolved, repeating the same patterns and scenarios, sometimes right the way through their lives.
To learn is to grow.

Of the many things I have learnt about myself during these times has been:

When you think you can’t you very often can!
When something seems to big or hard to tackle it very often isn’t.

If you think you are beaten, you very often aren’t.

When you say, ‘I can’t’ you should add ‘YET’ to the end of it.

Regardless of how much you think you don’t need or want something and run like hell away from it, the Goddess/Universe very often has other plans (and also is very persistent and seems to have a wicked sense of humour!). Trust that everything is working out for your highest good.

Trust and believe that everything is working out for your highest good

All journeys start with a single step, you can’t cross a chasm in one large leap.

Minor achievements give the most satisfaction and collectively and ultimately lead to the biggest achievements.

If you believe you are beaten, you very often are.

Nothing is impossible.

99.9% of the things we worry about, never come true.

99.9% of what we wish for usually does!

Never give up hope, this may be your time for a miracle.

And so ends the lesson from the Wisdom Pixie, I am starving after all the shovelling and bagging. I’m seriously in need of food, a nice hot bath, complete with the candles and a glass of wine. The Purple one is happy, satisfied and a tad bit pleased with herself.
I hope you had a blessed Beltane.

Oh yes....it's certainly the Spirit of Beltaine.

Happy Beltane and Sharing With Friends

Happy Beltane to all my Pagan buddies out there in Blogland Happy May Day to the rest. Can you feel the spirit of Beltane all around? Ironically this was sent this morning from a non pagan quotation site as their quote of the day….

Everything is in motion.
Everything flows.
Everything is vibrating.Dr. Wayne Dyer


Beltane is a time for the Male and the Female to get together, joining, celebrating and errrmmm, well procreate. Men and women, animals, birds, beasts and plants all seem to be full of energy. The sun god has returned and everything is starting to blossom out, a time of quickening and the air is buzzing. Oh yes, Summer is on it’s way. After the long slow days of winter and the land lying fallow, it’s probably just as well that the energy is rising, we will need it to keep on top of our ever increasing workload on the land and in the garden. The days are longer, and we need less sleep. Creativity abounds in many forms. Ideas come thick and fast and love is in the air!

Well I’ve just had the most wonderful time with Ambermoggy and Mr Mog. A time that was over far too soon, but we plan to make it longer next time.The cats were exhausted! Any visitor to the Pixies house unfortunately has to listen to the many stories of woe that Blue in particular has to tell. Strangely they have done nothing but sleep ever since...I think they are exhausted with all the extra attention!

Blue can be really vocal and can tell a good tale when she wants to!, added to that she is a terrible flirt with men! and wouldn't leave Mr Mog (who is a cat magnet himself) alone.

Simba has decided to try the strong silent treatment to try and get attention these days. Preferring to sit on knees and stretch her arms out if the stroking stops, tapping you on the leg or the arm, until it resumes.

Sugar (Dinosaur Lady aged 22) is very sweet, very quiet and very passive. Her motor goes at a moments notice and is so gentle it’s hard to be awful to her….even when she covers you in cat hairs and I mean covers you! Bless her, she moults for England and I think it’s got worse since she started with her thyroid.

Dodger the chav cat did his usual trick of avoiding everyone like the plague until he has seen you for at least 6 months! Although he did come creeping out for a sly stroke off Ambermoggy...well as long as you don't give him eye contact. Personally I think he was sick of missing out of all the attention the others were getting!
Mr and Mrs Mogs turned up bearing gifts for the Pixie…Some wonderful home made bread (sadly all gone now, so could only photograph the crumbs which wouldn’t have been very interesting), some absolutely gorgeous incense sticks from Greater Goods. So many incense sticks smell chemically these days and I’ve really stopped buying it. This however is wonderful and I will be purchasing a whole lot more!
Mr Mog made me this wonderful Pledge Stick. With my name on one side and my tree on the other. He works with wood and the Ogham. I did get a separate sheet with the meanings, and I must admit it turned out to be VERY revealing! But my lips are sealed for the time being. Hehehehe

And then I was given this Elemental that Ambermoggy had made, and she is just so right for me. All in my favourite colours of aqua green and blue and violets and purples, complete with glitter in her dress and in her hair more glitter and sparkle. She’s holding a cat in her hand and those gorgeous turquoise boots! Aren’t they fantastic? Shes called Spirit, which is also apt for me at the moment.

My Beltaine Altar is done. Well semi done as I add to them for the whole of the 6 weeks. You can make an altar anywhere in your house, a mantle piece, shelf or table top. The colours are warm yellows and oranges. It’s a Fire Festival and you can place things to represent couple and love and growth and celebration on it. Things in two’s are good. I’ve even sprinkled some sequined hearts on mine.

Also on my Altar is this wonderful
Moon Gazing Hare which I bought from The Goddess and Green Man in Glastonbury. I absolutely adore her. She represents the Triple Goddess in all her forms….

and if I'm not en, I think she just has an extra twinkle in her eye! Hmmmm wonder if she knows something I don’t I've wanted a Moon Gazing Hare for years but wouldn’t buy just any one. I saw this and just HAD to have her. I particularly love her triple spiral on her botty.

Whiles the Mogs were there we had a visit from Spirit Whispers who also came bearing gifts…these lovely Blossom, Hawthorne and pear for my altar and some for Amber Moggy too. It’s great when mutual friends and bloggers meet, adding to our extended family. It’s Sue’s Birthday today….HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUZI! So please if you have time, drop by her blog, say hi and wish her all the best.

And I can't hep bit have some humour on my Altar, I've placed my goddess and God Elemental on the Hazel heart. Just had to smile at myself when I noticed them looking quite happily sat together in the heart as if they're playing on a swing or love seat. (Sorry Pixie humour only those who know me will understand)

And a perfect sunset, to round off a very special couple of Beltaine days. Shared and celebrated with friends and the ones we love the most.

Amber Moggy is not in the best of health and never complains. Was really lovely to see them both and I'm so looking forward to them coming back very soon. Mr Mogs hasn't been in the best of health either so it was good for them both to have a rest. Mr. Mogs loves reading and he found plenty to occupy himself with on my bookshelf lol. Sorry a bit of Pixie Spirited humour in there.

Hand Made Books Added to my Etsy Shop

Quick email. Really miffed at eBay and decided that My Etsy Shop is the best place for my work. Ebay, apart from putting up their shop prices to extortionate prices are now trying to persuade people back.....in my usual untactful way, I ask everyone to boycott them. Their fees are crazy and if anything goes wrong they absolve themselves of every responsibility and tell you it's 'Against Ebay Policy'.

UK Sellers on Etsy are growing in numbers. etsy is far more geared up to Hand Made Goods. Their fees are low, so UK makers and shakers....open a shop...IT'S FREE! And the most important thing is it's totally interactive with chat rooms and like minded groups. What does need to happen though is more of the UK sellers to spread the word and let people know about it, by promoting it on as much material and by word of mouth as is humanly possible.
Anyway.... if you want to see my New Journals CLICK HERE

Be Careful What you Wish For

Oh yes! Be VERY Careful What you Wish For!

Above photo is by Denis Brown’s Wishes Series

One of the things I hate to hear is someone saying to another ‘Be Careful’. It contours up and says to the unconscious mind that they are not safe and something terrible is more likely than not going to happen to them. So when I say, Be Careful What You Wish for, I mean it as in be careful what you put out there, for what you wish for will come true, whether your wish is a prayer or a spell, and what you put out there comes back to you 3 fold, so when wishes come true make sure your really ready for whatever comes your way.

As Beltane fast approaches the earth waking up with great velocity. The God and the Goddess and joined in union, the male and the female of plant, animal and human are bouncing about with renewed energy and natures flow is in full swing.
The Pixies market garden (well it certainly looks like one!) is well on it’s way and my original ‘Wish List’ created in January is well on it’s way to being completed, and that’s without even trying! I have planted for what feels like weeks and weeks and much to my amazement, things are starting to grow. I’ve planted, potatoes, carrots all colours and varieties, parsnips, courgettes, peppers, runner beans, French beans and broad beans, beetroot, spinach, aubergines (doing very nicely) and sweet corn (also doing very nicely). My salad stuff is starting to grow too, spring onions, radish, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and other salad leafs, hopefully the Pixie will eat cheap this year. I’ve been vegetarian for 25 years now so eating rabbit food holds no fear lol.
I’m enjoying coming home at night and watering the plants, there’s something really wonderful about getting back to nature and compost up your nails. It did play havoc with the French manicure I had last week though.
Ah well, every blessing has it’s down sides.

’m looking forward to my friend Ambermoggie and Mr. Mog’s, coming to stay for a couple of days next week, a great surprise for Beltane and it will be so good to catch up. I met them both around…. Hmmm must be 7 or 8 years ago now. We were close the minute we met and have stayed in touch ever since. I’m so looking forward to seeing them again, so it will be a short week at the studio, ahhhh the joys of working for yourself!

I also wished for an exhibition and it seems to have plopped right down on my lap. It will be scheduled for October, plenty of time for advertising, press releases and marketing, hopefully with a preview evening. We’ve (Me and Spirit Whispers) have decided to call it ‘The Spirit of Nature' a subject close to both our hearts. We are holding a joint exhibition which lessons the burden and pressure of getting a stack load f work out. Although 5 months sounds a long time, it isn’t. We’ve already had 4 months of this year! And before we know it Summer Solstice will be here…. Yes folks it’s only 7 weeks away! So, it will be all hands on deck for the next few months. Funny how things work out, looks like the Pixie is going to be busy, busy, busy and so glad I only have myself to please and no one else to consider, cook for, clean for, wash for. Once your kids are all grown up, it’s the time when we women, finally find time for ourselves, and it looks like I better enjoy it while it lasts, for I had a dream that Grandkids will be on the way far sooner than I think! And I think my son Paul and Sarah will be a tad bit shocked as to how fast they come along too! Lol.

All photos are of Denis Brown’s Wishes Series

How Do You See Deity?

I’ve known about Alex Langstone’s for a couple of years now and have been visiting his blog Spirit of Albion regularly over that time. I find his posts interesting and informative and connect with him on many levels.
During the OBOD course one of the questions asked is ‘How Do You See Deity?’ a question that I find very hard to explain. I ‘know’ it inside and outside of me, but trying to put it into words to explain to anyone else becomes almost impossible. Then I read this wonderful article Pantheism by Elizabeth which is so well thought out and eloquently put, I wanted to share it with you . Further articles can be found at Alex’s Druid Grove of Bega site.
So click on the link here to read the article.


So how do you see Deity? Please either leave a comment and/or link to your post by adding you link to your comment.

Well, that said, it's another beautiful day, so I'm off into the garden to worship the sun god, and tend lovingly to my mother earth! Ain't life perfect, just the way it is. No matter what struggles we go through in life... the Wheel just turns naturally and without any intervention from man! Bliss!

Handmade Blank OOAK Dream Journal Notebook Diary

If you can
DREAM IT
You can become it!

This book would be perfect for recording your Dreams, either Dreams while you sleep or Dreams that you wish about. During sleep we can become psychic and they can help us reach our inner most hopes, fears and desires. The 200 blank pages are just inviting you to get creative, open yourself to your dreams and wake up the muse inside. The quotation can be stimulating in other ways too. I created these unique One Of A Kind (OOAK) Books in the hope that they would speak to someone, for whom I believe the book was created. This book would also be ideal as a special gift for a Dream Working/Walking friend.

Title: Dream it
Quotation: If you can dream it, you can become it!
Cover:` Metallic Blue and Green decoration
Ribbon Colour: Lavender
Beads: Silver, lavender and metallic
Charm: Star

A blank book has the potential to be many things! A journal for your thoughts, poetry, sketches, photos or love letters. It can be used to record your dreams, special memories, hopes and desires. Use this journal to wake up your creative muse and inner artistic self, however you express it.
In fact the only limit Is your imagination.

Each book is designed around a similar format
Size: 21cm x 15cm (A5)
Pages: 200, Quality laid, smooth paper
Covers: Hand Decorated Paper with original calligraphy quotation or title
Complimentary ribbon ties and bookmark
And spine decoration with silver charm.

Click on this eBay link for details on haw to purchase this book.

Charge of the Goddess - Book of Shadows - Pagan Journal

I Who am the beauty of the green earth and the white moon among the stars and the mysteries of the waters, I call upon your soul to arise and come unto me. For I am the soul of nature that gives life to the universe. From Me all things proceed and unto Me they must return.

The first time I wrote out this part of the Charge of the Goddess, I had no idea that there was more and knew even less about Paganism or what a Pagan was. What I did know however was that it gave me goose bumps.
It was many years later that I found out there was more to this little piece and the whole thing is moving, deep and profound and holds in itself a very special kind of magic.

The Charge of the Goddess is one of the most profound pieces of writing for the Wiccan based beliefs. Although it is modern, it has the flavour of either being written many, many years ago or channelled from some divine source.

The prose was written by Doreen Valiente, and in her book of the same name she wrote many other piece, although nothing as profoundly magical as these. There have been many different variations on the Charge and many people have adapted it.

THIS VERSION is the one that I became familiar with and was adapted by Starhawk. Traditional Wiccans are more familiar with THIS VERSION Which ever version you read, I’m sure you will find a deep connection to The Goddess, and The Great Mother.

This book is at present available on ebay and can be viewed by clicking the following link.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=260398327078

The book comprises of the following

Title: Charge of the Goddess Quotation: I who am the beauty of the green earth, and the white moon among the stars and the mystery of the waters, I call upon your soul to arise and come unto me
Pages: 200 quality, laid (but smooth, vellum coloured pages Cover: Hand decorated rainbow paste paper Ribbon Colour: White Beads: Small gold beads with Peacock blue, green and copper metallic Charm: Silver Follow Your heart

I feel that eBay is down the pan. It takes forever to list anything these days and I'm getting more and more frustrated about it. Therefor I hazard a guess I may put them in my Etsy shop and have done with it. I'll let you know.

I Believe...... Wisdom for Life

A Birth Certificate shows that we were born
A Death Certificate shows that we died
Pictures show that we lived!

Have a seat . Relax . . . And read this slowly..

I Believe...

Just because two people argue,

it doesn't mean they don't love each other

.And just because they don't argue,

it doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...

We don't have to change friends if

we understand that friends change.

I Believe..

No matter how good a friend is,

they're going to hurt you

every once in a while and

you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...

True friendship continues to grow, even over

the longest distance..

The same goes for true love.

I Believe..

You can do something in an instant

that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...

That it's taking me a long time

to become the person I want to be.

I Believe...

You should always leave loved ones

with loving words.

It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe...

You can keep going

long after you think you can't.

I Believe...

We are responsible for what we do,

no matter how we feel.

I Believe...

Either you control your attitude

or it controls you.

I Believe...

Money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe...

My best friend and I, can do anything, or

nothing and have the best time.

I Believe...

Sometimes the people you expect to kick you

when you're down,

will be the ones

to help you get back up.

I Believe...

Maturity has more to do with

what types of experiences you've had

and what you've learned from them

and less to do with

how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe..

It isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.

sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...

No matter how bad your heart is broken

the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...

Our background and circumstances

may have influenced who we are,

but.we are responsible

for who we become

.I Believe...

Two people can look at the same thing

and see something totally different.

I Believe...

Your life can be changed in a matter of hours

by people who don't even know you.

I Believe...

Even when you think you have no more to give,

when a friend cries out to you -

you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...

Credentials on the wall

do not make you adecent human being.

I Believe...

The happiest of people

don't necessarily have the best of everything;

they just make the most of everything.'

Blind painter inspires disabled artists

I was going to blog about yet another one of my Journals, but after visiting Violette’s Blog I just had to share this link with you:
Blind painter inspires disabled artists

As regular readers know I have been registered Partially Sighted since November 1999. It took less than 5 and half months from me bring fully sighted to being partially sighted and 2 years after the first diagnosis, I was registered disabled. Up until then I was fully sighted with only the need for glasses for distance and even then hardly noticeable. With the loss of any of our senses or abilities comes a great loss of confidence. Many times I didn’t want to go out alone. I no longer recognised people, even close friends, unless they were practically on top of me. Along with peoples embarrassment, grew my own embarrassment of my disability. The death of my husband , forced me into a situation which at first I found uncomfortable. I HAD to learn to shop alone, cross roads, go out alone and cook food for myself, I had to learn to cut grass (without running over the wire!) and do so many things that I found at the least, quite traumatic. It was (and still can be) a long and lonely road, where you just have to get on with it. I think my Ex. Was embarrassed that I was not ‘perfect’ and chose to ignore the fact there was anything wrong, would offer little or no help and quite honestly treated me most of the time like a fully sighted person. I don’t have a problem asking for help and one of the cruelest things he ever said was when I told him I couldn’t read a map that he was expecting me to navigate for him, When I came out with the, I’m sorry, I can’t see…. He replied “Oh that old one”.
It takes very little to shake someone’s already fragile emotions regarding their disability. I have met many amazing people, warrior men and women, who through their sheer strength of will, manage to become (like me) self employed and they are true fighters for their cause. Mostly we choose self employment as an alternative to being on the job scrap heap and on benefits the rest of our lives. Just the thought of that is enough to make your blood run cold and loose your self esteem! The positive side of all this though, is I am a stronger person, I may get frustrated sometimes, but I AM so much stronger, and I am far more brave in that I take more risks, every day than I ever did while I was sighted. Jeez, even crossing the road is a challenge! lol. I am committed to seeing people get the best for themselves, whether that means encouragement or just to raise their self esteem and self confidence, I will do all that I can for as long as it's needed. I do believe we can achieve anything in life, if only we put our minds to it and of course it very often involves taking a risk.

I don’t want a pat on the back for my achievements (we warrior spirits can do that for ourselves) but what I do want to do is to make people aware that no matter how perfect and able bodied we are today, it can all change in a flash. My fellow Glitter Sister Anna suffered a stroke not long after we all met in Thirsk and has battled with her condition since, it was shortly after her 40th birthday. Another friend told me last night of a friend of his who doesn’t drink, smoke, is not overweight and physically fit, suffered a stroke at the weekend. He is in ITU and it’s touch and go whether he will pull through. He was 32!
I’m flying the flag for those with disabilities. We are not dim, we are not stupid. Yes things are harder than you can ever believe when you have been able bodied and suddenly find yourself in this position, but 9 times out of 10, we will have a go. The other 1 time out of 10 we HAVE to ask for help and you have no idea how hard that is and what pride you need to swallow.
So a great big round of applause for The Blind Painter and her description of looking at the sun with Vaseline on your glasses is a good description, try it for a day, I DOUBLE DARE YOU!

If you are disabled and either have your own business or are thinking of setting up self employment go to Disability Means Business website for great, helpful support and advice.