As the face of the moon grows smaller and smaller in the night sky, we're reminded of how interesting the shadows can be.

Within those shadows are the deepest parts of ourselves. The parts we sometimes hide away and ignore until life makes us face them once again.

But the time of the waning moon is the perfect time to look within those shadows to see what you might find out about yourself.

This month I learned that letting go is hard to do, as I realize that I've held on to certain things in my life and my career that stopped serving me long ago.

And the cost of holding on too long is that the Universe sometimes steps in and takes things from you to create the space you won't create for yourself.

So this waning moon, I reach bravely within the shadows and freely release that which no longer serves my soul.

This isn't always an easy process, but it's certainly an interesting and absolutely necessary one.
 
 
Okay, so I'm way far behind on my blogs and my "to do" list is a mile long (big surprise, right?), but I couldn't let tonight pass without paying homage to the Full Moon.

Tonight is the Flower Moon and it's a perfect time to stop and smell the roses (literally and figuratively)! Take just 5 minutes tonight, go outside and cast your eyes up to the sky.

Let the beauty and fullness of the Moon wash over you and take in the energy of the Goddess. Feel her arms around you and feel her full potential penetrate your soul with her light.

Remember, the Moon is all about feminine energy, so let your hair down and take time to appreciate the sensual curves of your own Goddess body. Pick a flower from your garden and put it in your hair. Dance around under the fullness of the Moon and let your body find its groove.

If you have a partner, make love to them. If you don't have a partner, make love to yourself. But whatever you do, do it like a Goddess! ~ Enjoy!
 
 
Hello Mercury (we sure have missed you). Our old friend Mercury goes direct this evening around 6:30. Oh thank the Gods!

Normally the retreating presence of this God/Planet doesn’t get me too flustered, but lately… oy!

I’ve screwed up workshop dates, lost documents on my computer (and I usually hit the save button obsessively) and put off writing and workshop projects until the last possible moment.

So after a house blessing for a friend tonight, I’m coming home around 8, pouring myself a glass of pino and asking my buddy Mercury to come out and play.

I’ve got a few projects that need finishing touches, and an exciting new virtual VIP day in the works (juicy stuff), and I can’t wait to see what inspired ideas flow into my work.

The funk is finally lifting and the New Moon and Mercury are moving me forward. Wanna come along for the ride?

Click here to check out my workshops and other cool stuff.
 
Leggo My Ego 04/15/2010
 
Lately I’ve had lots of people ask me, “How do I get rid of my ego when doing spiritual work.” And the honest answer is… You don’t!

I just want to take a minute to set the record straight here. Ego is not a bad thing. Ego is a part of you as vital and necessary as your liver. Within your ego is the seed of your individuality, your survival instinct and your personal drive and ambition.

That said, you’ve also gotta understand that the ego is limited within its function. Just as the liver can’t do the job of the heart, neither can the ego do the job of the spirit.

The bottom line is this… stop trying to force the ego out and instead let it do its job. Allow your ego to be moved by spirit to bring your personal and unique expression of divinity in the world. In other words, let the ego be in service to the spirit and not the other way around.

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As a tarot reader and spiritual counselor, I've had many a woman open up and allow me the honor of witnessing her tears. From a single, silent tear rolling down a somber cheek, to a waterfall of emotional cleansing, I've seen it all. And far too often these tears have been accompanied by an apology.

Why, I wonder, do women feel we need to apologize for something as beautiful and as honest as our tears? Why do we feel shame when we purge ourselves of pent up emotions and allow the natural cleansing energy of our tears to wash over us?

Is it because we've been conditioned to believe that our tears make us vulnerable? Or are we fearful that we'll be judged as weak or emotional if we allow our tears to be shed in front of others, and so we shamefully hide them away?

Well let me just set the record straight by saying that although your tears may be a sign of compassion, empathy, frustration, sadness, pain or even anger… they are NOT a sign of weakness.

In fact, the tears of a woman (or any human being for that matter!) are a cleansing, healing force in the world and should never be a seen as a source of shame.

The Norse Goddess Freya knew this secret, and so did her followers. In fact, Freya’s tears were so honored by her people that they were said to turn to gold before making their way to the sea. Now these folks knew the value of a woman's tears.

And believe me when I tell you that your tears are no less sacred than those of the ancient Goddess. Your tears are made of the same powerful stuff that the oceans are made of ~ the oceans that cover 2/3 of the Earth, whose depths hold some of the planet’s greatest secrets, and whose waters provide life for countless sea creatures.

So let your golden tears flow freely to the ocean, just as Freya did. Because a true Goddess knows the depths of her own emotions, recognizes the transformational power of expressing them, and never needs to apologize for her tears!

To book your intuitive tarot session with Michele, click here.
 
 
Yesterday was a difficult day. Why? (Cue rant…) My grandpop discovered that the cancer that had been in remission for years has returned more aggressively than before. My brother-in-law had his second car accident in two days. My mom’s dog was hit by a car. My best friend’s grandfather was admitted into the hospital for kidney failure. And I’m fighting off a miserable little sinus infection that makes my head feel like it’s going to explode. (End rant... refocus...)

Yesterday was a difficult day. But today will be better.

Today I will focus on the fact that grandpop is in good spirits and that I have the pleasure of enjoying his company while he’s here from his home in Belize for his medical treatments. I will be grateful that my brother-in-law, who I love like a brother, is absolutely fine. I will breathe easier because, although my mom’s dog is a little banged up, she’s not badly hurt. I will remember that my friend’s grandfather is surrounded by loving family and uplifted by the prayers of those who can’t be near him physically. And finally, I will honor myself by caring for my body and soul in ways I've neglected lately.

Like many of us, I have a terrible habit of letting my own health and wellbeing go when I’m stressed out. I don’t exercise; I eat foods that lower my vibration, making me feel heavy and weighed down; I don’t sleep at night; I work too much; and I don’t take the proper time for meditation, journaling and all the other things that ground and center me in my spirituality and help me reconnect with my divine nature and spiritual support system.

But today will be better. Today I’m going to start out with a long walk to clear my head and listen to my Guides. I might even follow that up with a little yoga just for good measure. Then I’m going to take a good healthy dose of vitamins and eat wholesome, nourishing foods throughout the day that make me feel vibrant and alive. I’m even going to see if I can schedule a massage with my friend Taina who just had the most beautiful little girl, Anala Rose, who’s angelic face brings me joy and hope for the future.

Today I’m not going to race the clock or push myself into the corners of my schedule. I’m not going to worry about my deadlines. I’m going to ignore phone calls I don’t want to take and I’m not going to return e-mails unless I absolutely feel like it. Today I’m going to play a game with my son and kiss my husband on the lips and not beat myself up for anything I don’t do. Today I’m going to take care of myself so that when I need to, I can take care of others without feeling drained or stressed or overwhelmed.

Yes, yesterday was difficult, but it's over. And today will be better. It will be better because I will make it better. Because life isn’t about what happens around you or even to you, but how you move through it. My goal is to move through it with grace, and with the faith that today will be better.

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Dear Mercury ~

Lately I’ve been feeling that you’re rather distant. In fact, sometime it feels like you’re pulling away from me and I don’t like it one bit.

When you’re not around my life just seems a bit off kilter. Sure I go through all the motions, but it’s like I can’t really communicate my true feelings sometimes. Even the simple things get fouled up and everything seems harder.

So please, please come back to me. Just hold me in your embrace and tell me everything’s gonna be okay. Be my partner again, because together I believe there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.

Tell you what ~ I’m available this Friday, the 15th. Looking at your calendar it looks like you’re free then too, so whaddaya say we make it a date? Can’t wait!

Love,
M.

 
Happy Mabon! 09/22/2009
 
Today, as the sun and moon are equal in power
And the Lord and the Lady prepare the Earth
For winter’s coming darkness,
May we count our blessings
As we count the stars in a clear night’s sky.

The wheel of the year has turned again & we find ourselves now at the second harvest.  Mabon gives us the opportunity to come together as friends & family to share in the seasonal bounty & to give thanks for our many blessings.  For this reason the holiday is sometimes called the “Witches’ Thanksgiving.”

Unlike the traditional American Thanksgiving, Mabon has nothing to do with Pilgrims or the mythology surrounding their interaction with the American Indians.  In truth, the American Thanksgiving represents a time of great sadness for many Native Americans who know that the story of Thanksgiving is a poorly woven veil to conceal attacks against their ancestors’ Nations.  

Nonetheless, the harvest of the Autumn Equinox has been celebrated, not only by Native Tribes in America but by Natives of many cultures around the Northern Hemisphere for centuries, and in surprisingly similar ways.  Whether in America or Ireland, Rhode Island or Rome, this season has always been celebrated by feasting on the fruits of the harvest and giving thanks for the abundance of the land and our lives.

And so as we come together today
In celebration of the harvest,
Let us express gratitude through friendship,
Through laughter and through joy.
Blessed Be!

This Mabon what are you thankful for?