Happy holidays yall! I am liking that Samhain has fallen on a Sunday. To me, Sundays are a day of rest. A day to spend with your family and catch up from the weeks highlights or lows. It's a day for church and Sunday dinners. Today, I honor my loved ones that have passed on. Every year, I invite my ancestors over for a 'dumb supper' which is what pagans called this meal on this ancient Celtic holiday. This year, my 'soul cakes' are gluten free banana nut muffins. I baked some chocolate chip cookies to. Shhh, don't tell them these aren't real floured baked goods. I like to think the smell is an attraction and will entice them to 'stop by'. I ain't fraid of no ghosts. Anyways, I like to think about the memories I have of them and I spend time really reminiscing on Samhain. I do believe that from the moment you are born, you are filled with gifts that are passed down from your ancestors. Some of your best qualities just might be from you great grandmother. My Mimi shared some stories of her father and her fathers father today. I had no idea that they practiced law or that one flew Jennies in WWI. She spoke about their devotion and love for God and Jesus. It clearly was passed down to her as she is a devout Christian and her faith is a constant in her life. Many ways she described her parents are how I would describe her. One of my favorite stories that came from my Grandmother who has passed on, was that her mother made hats out of fancy beads and feathers. Or was that her 2nd cousin? Either way, we are all different. Our individual backgrounds have strengths and even weaknesses. Not only do I appreciate my lineage but I am grateful to my ancestors for the grit & the grace that was passed on to me.
Now, it's not always rainbows and sunshine. I've got the southernest roots I know and they are deep and have seen the darkness. As Johnny Cash said, "What's down in the dark will be brought to the light." On this night, I evoke light and love and pray to God and add on a goddess here and there. I break the ties that bind me to a karmic debt caused by my ancestor. Karmic debts can linger and fester depending on the trauma. Now is the time to offer forgiveness and understanding. Unconditional love is the most powerful thing you can give to your loved ones and yourself. Now, what do you wish to let go of? What is in your life that needs to pass on or simply put, die? Time to cut those cords that are hindering you. Be free. And always choose the LIGHT. 

The Hunter's full moon is rising, yall. Check out the beautiful night sky on the 20th to view her in it's entirety! Anyone else get a little antsy or short as the full moon rises?? This is the first thing I realized years ago. I sleep horribly 2-3 nights leading up to the full moon and my patience runs thinner than my usual Taurus self. Once the full moon is up, I sleep soundly. That does not mean my dreams are any less vivid. Have you noticed any subtle changes in you when the Full Moon is here? Maybe it's easy to notice in your loved ones. 

Now that October is here, the celestial skies are changing with the season. I am amazed at the slow orbit the earth has. You know who else is excited and amazed? William Shatner. To see the world through his eyes for one minute is just what we all need. Now some of you might be yawning, and that's ok! Check out the Moon Magic page for a simple cliff note version of this month's Full Moon on the 20th! 

Isn't it cool when you gaze up at the same spot all summer and now the moon is visible in a totally different place?  Get's me every year. I know that moon was not in that spot last month. ​Which takes me to subtle changes. Just like the night sky, our lives change constantly. Especially these last couple of years. As my uncle would say, "Life Happens." For me, big changes are uncomfortable. Whether it's a good or a bad Big change, I get anxious. "It's always hard until it's not." That is a mantra I created last year. I recite it when things seem tough. Where was this mantra in my 20's? Could it be that as each year goes by, I am getting wiser? I should hope so. 

Think about how you react to those big, positive, good changes? Like a promotion or landing that dream job. A new baby or TWINS!? There's bound to be 'butterflies' and most likely a long list of 'to do's'. If you are like me, you have already started that list. Some people call it intuition. I like to call it manifestation and/or creation but whatever. My point is no matter what kind of change, it's uncomfortable because it puts us on the outside of the regular routine orbit of the night sky. 

So, with this most powerful Full Moon rising, what can you do to bring you back to center? How can you initiate awareness into your life when change is occurring?  Here's my top 5. Pick 1 or all or none. I'm just glad you read this far!

1. Journaling- Bet you knew I was going to say that. Look at you being a little intuitive creator. Start noticing the subtle changes around you and record your feelings or reactions. For example, "My meeting was canceled." Write down your emotions like ecstatic, elation, & relived. Or those of you that wanted that meeting maybe you felt disappointment or mad. Bringing awareness to the cause will highlight the effect. Full moons are all about letting go. 
2. Meditate- You do not have to have a certificate to meditate. You don't even need one of those fancy butt pillows. All you need is 5 minutes and a safe space to close your eyes and just breathe. This is also where you notice your breathing. I've said this before but when one is stressed, we tend to hold our breath. What the heck. Like that's some sort of punishment and not ok. Remember to exhale, loves!
3. Walking- Go for an evening stroll and don't forget to gaze up. Now look, if you are like me, your gonna need to make sure your not walking and looking straight up cause things happen and you could trip over air. It's happens to the best of us. So be careful but enjoy the subtle changes that you can't control like the night sky.
4. Planting/Gardening- This is big one b/c the changes a plant goes through is just extraordinary. Those big 'boo' changes can be also just as stimulating, like when your cat knocks one over or a strange bug takes over and then procreates and multiples. To me, this gave me good practice in how to deal with the not so subtle, not so rosy changes. I am a firm believer that practice makes perfect. 
5. Water- Drink it. Swim in it. Bathe in it. I am not going to go into gravity, the ocean and tidal waves, and yada yada. When you are hydrated, you feel better & your skin looks better (& younger wiser friends). Swimming and soaking in it relieves stress, alleviates joint pain, and so much more. See the Moon Magic page on the 20th for a fun Bath Recipe for this particular Hunter's Full Moon. 

Now Go! Be! Do! Check out the Moon Magic Page for bimonthly tips for the full moon and my other favorite phase, the new moon. Talk about creating~ 
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