It all started with an afternoon downpour on Beltane. Rain on Beltane is imbued with deep magic. So I grabbed a glass bowl and ran outside to let it gather the waters
While the rain was collecting, I brewed some Tulsi Rose tea, perfect energy and scent for the season.
After an hour, I brought the rainwater inside and added crystals to the bottom of the bowl, placed some pink flowers in a circle and swirled Beltane essential oil in with my fingers. Finally, I poured the Tulsi tea infusion into the bath.
I also poured a cup of the brew for me to sip before heading to my shower with the bowl to do a bedtime cleansing and blessing ritual
It was a lovely way to close the sabbat and my dreams were equally as beautiful
Bright blessings for this next season in the turn of the wheel.
The magnolia is one of four primary trees on the property of my home.
There are also two Brother Pines, a Father Oak, the 11 Sisters a.k.a. Tulip Poplars and then Mother Magnolia.
I turn to the magnolia when I am in need of comfort and mothering.
Her correspondences are dignity, spirituality, peace and endurance and she shares these energies with me freely.
This morning I went out into the yard and found a fallen leaf. The leaves naturally curl into a boat shape and are a perfect vessel for sending messages. Iโve been in a heightened state of anxiety for over two years now but this morning felt even more so.
So I fixed myself a cup of herbal tea. This divine feminine blend from my friend Valโs shop is especially comforting and nourishing. As I sipped, I wrote my concern on the leaf and then sprinkled the used herbs onto the leaf
I took the petition boat and headed out to the back of our property where a spring creek runs and along the way I found tulip poplar blooms that had dropped from the sisters. I picked one up and placed it in the boat as an additional offering and then walked to the waters edge.
I offered the boat to the spirit of the creek and said a prayer to Brigid asking that my anxiety be taken away and replaced with peace.
Then I gently pitched it into the water. I considered it a good omen that it did not capsize but landed upright and started to float away.
And as I watched it drift downstream, I felt just a little bit more at ease.
I think naming and releasing fears is such a vital part of overcoming them.
A little peak at my current daily mediation, poetry and play practice
I write each word from my curated monthly list on origami squares at the beginning of the month.
and then pick a fold that is reflective of the season. For me, April means tulips. ๐ท
After I pull the prompt and some Oracle cards, I compose a poem. And then usually create an image in Canva and share it to my author account @rachel.l.carlyle
I record the poem in my perpetual seasonal journal and then create the origami offering and place it on my ancestor altar.
In the evening the offerings go into a big crystal bowl for the year.
Not quite sure what Iโll do with them in a years time. Iโm sure Spirit will inform โค๏ธ
Wednesday is the birthday of my paternal grandfather Born in 1909, I have no memory of him as he died of cancer when my father was in high school.
To say he had a problematic life would be an understatement from the bits and pieces I have been able to pull from my father and other family members.
He was a brilliant man with two engineering degrees. But addictions shortened his life and were the source of incredible hardship and trauma for his family.
And because of this, I have been hesitant to reach out and include him in my ancestral practice. But.
He has been on my mind so much lately and little synchronicities have been popping up leading me to explore the possibility of checking in with him (and my well ancestors) to see if it is in everyoneโs best interests to explore the path of healing for this line. Because similar problems continue to manifest in subsequent generations.
I put together a three card spread to test the waters, so to speak.
The response pulls are below.
I had already asked my mother to send me a photo of him and that if nothing else I was planning on going to a church and lighting a candle for him.
Iโd say the messages from the cards concur with my plans. ๐ฏ
His current state โข 8 of Wands He has messages. And a lot of them. Iโm also sensing an urgency in the request(s).
Should I engage โข Princess of Cups. This is a clear yes. The young girl even looks like me in my youth. Iโm drawn to the image of the turtle in the cup as an offering. Putting a pin in this to explore further.
How to helpโข 4 of Wands The imagery is of a church. I donโt think it could be any clearer that I was on track with my original initial plan.
I will be headed to a local cathedral tomorrow and will see what other messages come through.
@bakercreekseeds raised 1.6 million for Ukraine relief during a weekend sale a few weeks ago!
Iโll be starting the seeds I purchased from them on the Equinox and theyโll go into my garden right before the full moon in April.
My bedtime bibliomancy fell open to this poem by Mary Oliver last night. A lovely bit of synchronicity. Perhaps Iโll read it aloud to the seeds as I sow in them in their little egg carton starter pods ๐
This morning at meditation, I pulled the two cards, The Fool and the Vision Quest. The perfect balance representations of my release and receive ritual I had had planned on sharing today . I love spirit affirmations ๐
I was going to share another ritual mantra haiku that I have used in the past whenever I bring a new item into my home.
But based off the messages I received this morning, a new one was born.
The ritual of receive and release is so important for me to balance the flow of my space. Releasing an item in return, is an act of gratitude.
And no offering is too small.
The complete ritual will be in my upcoming publication Winter of 2022.
Gathering all my slides into one post for use through the Imbolc season because I work with Brigid all year long and the energy of Imbolc until the next turn of the Wheel.
Iโve found the perfect spot for it in the house. It catches the morning sun beautifully. And is in the same room where I do my morning meditation and time with my ancestors. Also, the location helps me to remember to add a tea light leaf every day because I pass it frequently, which reinforces my focus. ๐ช
These are my three favorite elements to use as I go about the tasks of everyday living.
A Tarot Card for Inspiration A Tea light for Illumination An Herb for Impact
Mundane tasks hold so many opportunities to set and support my intentions. We all have to eat, to dress, cook, clean, etc. So why not bring a bit of beauty to the task?
My daily shower is a perfect example. While I do love a luxurious ritual bath, it is only a monthly indulgence for me, usually reserved for the full or new moon, depending on my needs.
But a ritual shower is so simple and I take one daily, so I have found easy ways to make it beautiful. Its my opportunity to wash off the day, literally and figuratively, and set up my night for dream work.
This is how I worked with Eucalyptus this week.
First, Iโll pull a tarot card either selectively or intentionally. And come up with a short simple Mantra to sing in the shower. Iโll set the card on my pillow on my bed and then head to the bathroom where Iโll crush the herb and sprinkle a bit on my tea light before setting it on a ledge inside the shower and lighting it.
Sometimes Iโll stir more of the crushed herb into my bath soaps, scrubs, washes etc.
Finally, Iโll turn off all the lights. Turn on the water. And step into the altar Iโve created.
The Star Hermit 