20January2009
Posted by Bryn under: Fun; Life; Politics.
Finally this day has arrived! 
With joy, I rose this morning earlier than usual, practically springing from my bed, singing, “It’s Barack Obama day…..time to Barack da House!”
Watching the proceedings, feeling like I was tuned in with the entire world, I feel transformed, renewed, hopeful, giddy with the possibilities. It was a mere 40 years ago that Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of this day and so many never believed it would come so soon. Would that it had been, sooner, but I am jubilant that it has finally come.
It was difficult to restrain my negative emotions upon seeing Cheney and Bush exiting the White House, and I etherically smudged every single nook and cranny and the surrounding grounds, to cleanse the first domicile for our new first family. I did notice that there was no applause for them, and rightfully so. Good riddance to bad judgement and welcome breath of fresh air!
I realize that the next generation will not know the racial stigmas that the generations before know. Now, truly, all things are possible.
I am so proud to be an American today. I feel connected to the people of my country in a whole new way. Now, let us extend that to the rest of the world, roll our sleeves up, and get to work!
Huzzah and Hail to the Chief!
7January2009
Posted by Bryn under: Life; Politics.
2008 has gone by the wayside, taking with it the disappointment in a government of lies and leaving a fresh hope in it’s stead. This seems to have lifted the spirits of so many, yet we are all watching and waiting with baited breath….Will our new president live up to the promise? Will we really be a new and changed nation? I hesitate to pin my hopes on one man when so many still hold on to fear, greed and hatred. My hope for the new year is that each denizen in this great land makes a resolution to stop being afraid and be the change they want to see. Imagine the brilliant light American can become if we all begin with ourselves.
John Lennon said it best, “Imagine all the people, living life in peace. You may say I’m dreamer; but i’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one.”
Share the dream. Be the change!
5November2008
Posted by Bryn under: Life.
Hooray for America! I am proud, today, to be part of this historical moment. Finally we have come together as a nation to bring about change that is long overdue. I was moved to tears more than once during President-elect Obama’s speech last night. . .
and noticed immediately the somber look in his eyes, the humble expression on his face and the determination to unite a nation in his words. People all over this country were galvanized by Barack’s campaign and the win is, indeed ours. Congratulations to us!
It is a sad aside that California voted to take away civil rights of others at the same time that Barack Obama became our President. The one mitigating factor for me is the hope for change I place in our new Prez, and the faith that, if we as a country can manage to come together to bring about such change, we will also eventually make our way out of the backwater dark ages of fear, hate and religious snobbery to support that change and realize that respect and honor of each other (and aren’t our differences less important than our similarities?) is truly the way of a peaceful, powerful nation.
So mote it be.
27October2008
Posted by Bryn under: Life.
Ok, I’ve managed to stave it off for this long, however now its unleashed and I’ve got the fever so bad it’s consuming me. What am I lusting after you ask? A Kindle of course! It has to be the coolest gadget ever and I really, really REALLY want one!
Not only can one download books from hundreds of thousands of different titles; one can also have background music playing while they read, or better yet, download an audio book! There is a dictionary feature that will define a word for you, or if you want to know when the leaves will turn fall colors in North Carolina, you can have that question answered for you too in a matter of minutes.
My friend Kat has had one for some time now and I actually got to check it out…sooooo cool!
It’s my birthday on November 1st and I’m putting it out to the Universe; I would love a Kindle for my birthday, please. The birthday window is officially open.
28September2008
Posted by Bryn under: Fun; Life; Music.
Last night I attended a concert with my hubby, my bff and tens of thousands of my newest friends. Most everyone was there to see Journey and hear the new wunderkind vocalist, Arnel Pineda. I’ll admit, Arnel was great.
But I was there to see the band that went on before Journey, Heart . The sisters Wilson, along with their band, eclipsed Journey and were the entire show for me. Of course, that is what I was expecting and I was not disappointed, not in the least. In fact, it was an experience beyond my expectations. Now, I’ve seen Heart perform many times and in many incarnations over the years, as they were the soundtrack for my Amazon maiden days and beyond. I went to their concerts in their hey-day and was always rocked to my core. Literally and figuratively. And yet, last night it was all new and fresh. The music was incredible and knowing all their songs, I sang along loudly, proudly and with abundant joy in the renewal of that certain something that good music and connection with an artist brings. Ann’s rendition of The Who’s Rain on Me ripped my spirit right out of my core and flung it into the night sky. Rarely have I felt such power flowing from the stage to me and through me. It would be an understatement to say that she elicited tears from me throughout their oh-so-terribly short set. I am a renewed Heart fan and hope they tour as headliners again soon!
Then, of course there is the McCain/Palin flap with the Wilson sisters over the use of their rock anthem, Barracuda. While apparently ASCAP licensure was indeed complied with, Heart issued a cease and desist to the McCain camp, as well as the following:
“We have asked the Republican campaign publicly not to use our music. We hope our wishes will be honored,” the group said in a statement, adding that they “condemn” the use of the song at the Republican convention.
Ann Wilson had more to say. In a note to Entertainment Weekly, she wrote:
Sarah Palin’s views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song ‘Barracuda’ no longer be used to promote her image…[It] was written in the late ’70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women…There’s irony in Republican strategists’ choice to make use of it there.
All I have left to say is, Rock on, Little Queen!!
30August2008
Posted by Bryn under: Life; Spirituality; Tarot.
Today’s divination is The Star, which in the MotherPeace Tarot is a woman immersed in a clear pool. White stones ring the small pool, which just fits her, and lovely flora floats in the pool and surrounds it. There is an eagle or hawk soaring overhead and a sweet, light rain is falling to cleanse anew the energetic body.
I’ve been ruminating lately on how to bring more to my vocation of hands-on healing; to keep fully present and to bring more than just my mundane self to my work. I’ve also been asked to co-create a women’s program for a new corporate wellness project, in which the CEO plans to expand and franchise.
In keeping with the Goddess gently reminding me (by snapping the line from the pole to the house, subtle..not!) that electronica is all well and good; unrivaled for communication, there is a huge time sink involved and hours pass without realizing that I’ve not been to my altar yet this day. Again the theme runs true and I find that I’m being guided to remember my roots. Roots that sink deep, deep into the Mother and lift up, up into her Star. I am preparing a Spiritual Bath for exactly this purpose and was thinking my last one would make a great Star card…should I ever make my own Tarot….hmmm….food for thought and an idea for my first artist trading card!
26August2008
Posted by Bryn under: Life.
Last night the phone wire was snapped by an overlarge diesel truck coming down our narrow county lane; some work or other for one of our neighbors I’m sure, with the result being no telephone and no internet at the house. The Verizon folk tell me it will be no sooner than Thursday, 6pm the latest before the repair can be made and to my own surprise I think I like this just fine.
This morning instead of getting on the computer I spent time in my garden and then sat with my kitty listening to classical music, sipping tea and having a good read. So very lovely.
I’ve chosen to believe the Goddess has deliberately removed technical connectivity to inspire and illuminate connectivity of an entirely different nature. And it was really sweet to remember what a morning was like before the computer came into my life. I think I may make this a monthly ritual.
I will still be able to use the office internet when I’m down in town to check email and do quickie updates, however it will be while I’m working therefore limited. Most of my juice will be directed away from outward communication and focused on my clients. A new old adventure!
15August2008
Posted by Bryn under: Garden; Life; Spirituality.
In the garden this morning as I was watering Grandmother Rose, the smell of the thirsty Earth at her feet rose to my senses. I could feel her gratitude as she drank deeply and I believe she even promised not to stick me with her incredibly treacherous thorns…this time. Grandmother Rose is an impressive and towering offering of glorious Rosedom. She dwarfs the roof of the music studio and at one point even was pushing her way through the eaves as if to say, “Outta my way, I’ve got growing to do here.” Her hips are big and round, the likes I’ve never seen before, packed with sunshine and good healing.
She is as cantakerous as she is stunningly beautiful and I noticed this morning that her traditionally white blooms are tinged with a delicate, barely perceptible pink blush…Here on a petal, there in the throat of the bloom, ever so slightly noticeable. Gorgeous! And it offered me a real insight into seeing things that I have looked at for years with new eyes. In all the time I’ve spent here, I’ve seen only white roses bloom, so why should I expect any different? Had I not been fully present in gratitude and sense-ual awareness this morning, I never would have noticed the subtle and beautiful difference in Grandmother Roses lovely blooms.
I feel as though Grandmother Rose is reminding me to, “Hey, pay attention!!” and all those precious gifts that might otherwise go unnoticed will begin to fill my spirit’s basket to overflowing!
Today my mantra is to really see what I am looking at, both literally and figuratively, and not take anything for granted. May you be blessed with glorious sight!
6August2008
Posted by Bryn under: Spirituality.
Lammas has barely come and gone and the air is redolent of Autumn and Mabon feast. It’s subtle, yet profound. The quality of light as the sun shifts on Her course. The days oh so imperceptibly growing shorter and the birds and bees getting busier at their tasks.
I look forward to the Fall, there is something that brings deep emotion to me; feelings of nostalgia and sweetness. Honeyed days to go with honey cakes. The taste and smell of crisply cool nights. Delightful!
Time now though, to begin to gather in the first apples, pears and quince. This year I plan to make jam with the offerings of the little orchard I get to live with. The berries are heavy on the vines and are rich and sweet, beckoning slyly for me to come pluck their juicy goodness. It’s a seasonal contest to see if I come way without the vines drawing blood for my berry feast…I’ve not won yet! I’m smiling as I write; for its a small price to pay in return for the lovely treats of fresh berries to top my yogurt.
This Mabon I will be putting my heart to creating a gathering on my land. It’s been a very long time since I’ve been part of a community that celebrates life, Spirit, and the Turning Wheel, and I miss it so very much. I invite the Universe to bring those of like mind to my life in hopes of a Circle happening. Goddess knows its long overdue. I feel excited at the prospect and filled with anticipation. Away we go!
3August2008
Posted by Bryn under: Life; Spirituality.
This blog entry was written a week ago and was sitting in the draft can….
I can hear that old Staple Singers song in my head as I write up my notes following a visit with a woman that has a fibroid in her uterus the size of a cantelope, maybe larger. I can’t get my fingers around it to palpate beneath it. The most dismaying thing about this is how long she has known about her condition (almost 2 years since being diagnosed by her gyn) and is just now addressing it.
My heart hurts.
I weep for all the women I see that put themselves last on their priorities list….if at all. How is it that women are taught to denigrate themselves so. How did it become ok to not love yourself enough to give yourself what you need to be healthy and happy? How do we make that shift; the change within that speaks to honoring who we are as people and more importantly, as women? We, for the most part, are the caregivers, the life-bringers…the gateway through which all life must pass. Should we not all be wearing crowns and have flowers strewn at our feet? Are we not magical, intuitive, nurturing and delightful? YES, Yes, a thousand times I believe with my whole heart, Yes! This is how it should be. How to get there? By honoring ourselves as magnificent, worthy, beautiful and value-full, first. I think we, often by acquiescense, support the dominant paradigm that women are less-than. The ERA is still not ratified, for Earth’s sake.
Make that change, a little bit at a time, and start with your amazing, important, valuable self. You are the ONLY you that ever was and ever will be. That deserves all the love and honor you can pour into the Grail vessel that is you.
Motherpeace Tarot
Strength-moving forward, we and our new president will face many challenges. This card reminds us that we are surrounded by many helpers, and that we are all connected. That our strength is in connecting to one another with support, encouragement and love. We have all that we need, and more...