CRYSTAL CLEAR

                                           Crystals, crystals in my shell,
                                   Why has Winter gone to Hell?

I know what you're thinking: It's just never going to end. Never. Going. To. End. My daughter sent me a txt after the last storm, asking, “Are you OK?” I sent her this response:

 

                                               Oh...I'm fine...really...”

I have never seen so many Pagans, Christians, and other spiritual folks united in one common goal: hunting down a groundhog and beating it to death with a snow shovel. 

 

 

This is not a very Earth nurturing, Life embracing sentiment, I know. I'm an Elder. I'm an Elder for a reason...so I shouldn't be Googling recipes for groundhog stew...but...but if I'm going to KILL PHIL I shouldn't waste the carcass....right?....

So..
I decided I needed to do something magical, something mystical, less bloody – something not calling for onions and carrots. I decided on creating a “harmony bowl” - and so can you!

 

Although a regular bowl or candy dish will do, I chose to use an abalone shell. Abalone is naturally associated with the sea. It is soothing, healing, calming and delightful. The perfect base for a “bowl” of harmony.

(You might notice that my pictures get fuzzier and fuzzier the more I bring the crystals together. The only semi-focused shot is the one of the shell holding grounding salt and sage. Hum.....).

The next thing I did was add a base of sea salt mixed with white sage. (I took mine from a small sage smudge wand.) The sea salt grounds the crystals, while the sage clears off unwanted vibrations. We certainly don't need the grumpies from visiting friends/family attaching to our crystals!

Next, I selected the stones that I wanted for my “bowl”. There were plenty to choose from, but I limited myself to nine. Three, seven, nine and twelve are all sacred numbers, but I have a preference for multiples of three. 3 x 3 = 9.

My stones were: (left row): amethyst, green aventurine, blue lace agate (to the right of that): rose quartz, carnelian (to the right of that): crysocolla, clear quartz point (right hand row): coral, and a unakite skull.

I did have a reason for the number of each stone. I used two amethysts because the stone is best known as a balancer. It also shifts energies to a higher frequency, and helps transform the environment. To me, 2 is the balance number of God/Goddess.

Green Aventurine quells anxiety and shields from energy drain. I used the sacred 3 for that!

Blue lace agate eliminates negativity and anger. It also balances and uplifts thoughts. Again, I used 2.

Rose quartz is an emotional healer. It brings love and peacefulness. Again, I used 2.

Carnelian is the stone that brings the “pop” to the potion. It has a stabilizing influence on the home. It clears negativity and lets the light into the environment. It stirs up positive energy and gets us moving again. I used 2, but if I had a third I would have added it!

Crysocolla brings renewed strength and vitality, helps communication, and aids in handling stressful situations. It also helps you connect with Earth Energies...reduces those “kill the groundhog” impulses. I used 1 as the number of the Divine, plus it's a larger crystal.

Clear quartz intensifies the other stones. I made sure the stone pointed into the room, so all the energy went into the environment, not down the hall or out the window.

Coral alleviates depression, calms nerves, and bring peace. Again, I used the Divine 1, and a larger pierce of coral.

And finally, Unakite releases blockages to your energy flow. I happened to have a unakite skull which I used to represent blockages in my thinking.

You can do a stone prep before assembling the stones in your “bowl” if you wish. Clean them under running water, expose them to sun or candle light, and breathe across them three times. This charges them with water, fire, and air. The Earth is represented by the salt upon which they will be resting.

When putting the crystals in the”bowl”, go by your instinct. Feel the colors, the balance, the aesthetics of the whole. When you have it “just right” for you, place it someplace where you can see it, but where it won't tempt others to touch. HOWEVER: if you have enough stones, or other stones that are soothing and calming, you may want to have an additional “touch bowl” where people can run their fingers through the crystals. These should be of uniform size and shape, so all the stones “feel” in harmony as they move through the fingers.

Good luck and good wishes for the coming Spring...sooner or later!...

The Game is....Over!

 

I am pleased to announce the winners of my "...what is Sherlock's full given name" contest.  There were 5 people who ultimately came up with the correct answer, based on Baring-Gould. I was happy to see that Gatiss and Moffat (avid Sherlockians that they are) also did their research and allowed Sherlock to tell John - and the world - himself:

(Sorry for the quality)

Ellen has won the signed hard copy of "A Slight Trick of the Mind", and Natalie has won the new paperback version. Congrats to you both!

Well, Sherlock season 3 is over now. Hopefully we won't have to wait 2 years for Season 4 (but at least there will be a Season 4!).  Meanwhile, if you're still craving a little Sherlock, take a look at this wonderful piece of magic called: "Sherlock - The Musical".

Here's another little piece of delight. Benedict Cumberbatch gets to solve a   "calculating" mystery with the Muppets!

That should hold you for  a while.

Here in the East - as in many other places - we are being brutalized by Winter. Not much we can do about it but soldier on. Might as well sing ballads and wish for warmer days, so I'm ending with another exceptional song by my beautiful friend, Jodee James.

I mean - really. When you think "Celtic bard" isn't this the gal you picture? Enjoy!





 

Round and Round

The above image is from Lauren Curtis. It was originally drawn, based on my design concept, for the 2009 cover of Broomstix ( an e-zine for Pagan kids that Natalie Zaman and I founded. It still exists as a blog: www.broomstix.blogspot.com). It really sums up the symbols of the season.

Once again, the wheel has turned to Inbolc. I could go on about the meaning and history of this day, but I did all that last year. To read, all you have to do is go under my archive on the right, head down to 2013 February, and the post “As the Wheel Turns”. Yet, I will remind you all that on this day, when the Sun is obviously making its return, it is the feminine spot of 'yin” in the season of “yang” that we celebrate.

Here in the season of the God, we find the Goddess. Here in the snows and cold winds, ewes begin their gestation, come into milk, and seeds awake under the frost to begin their germination. It is a reminder of the coming season of life. So too, in Summer, there is a celebration of the God - a spot of “yang” in the “yin”. Ah, but that is for another time.

I remember one year, my x-hubby Gary showed up at my house with a plain paper bag. He reached in, pulled out a small, stuffed lamb, and a school lunch sized carton of milk. “Happy lactating ewe day” he said, sitting back with a wicked grin. Yes, my loved ones are all a bit...fey.

I also wish to remind you what groundhogs have to do with this date. It was said that on the feast of the Goddess Brigit, the Goddess in her persona of the hag (Cailleach) sets off to look for wood. She needs a bright, sunny day so that she can gather enough for a nice hearth fire to last 6 more weeks - the last leg of Winter's reign.

However, if the day is overcast, damp, uncomfortable, the hag will only be able to gather a small bundle of wood. With a diminished fuel supply, she would have to release her hold on the world sooner, allowing an early Spring.

But a groundhog? Yes. The hag is a shape-shifter and can appear as any animal. She is often seen as a rabbit or hare , but also other mammals and birds. A groundhog would be an easy guise for her. If it sees its shadow, the day is fair and the hag can prepare for a nice long end to Winter. If not – Spring will be around the corner.

Don't bother waiting at that corner this year, kids. Shadows were seen all over the place. Here in the East, a collective groan issuesd forth from a preponderance of soar throats. Ah well. What's a person to do?.... bless some new candles (it's also Candlemas, you know), settle down with a nice cuppa, and listen to this beautiful song by my friend Jodee James.

Imbolc Blessings, one and all!

 

 

 

 

Do you know your Sherlock? In celebration of Sherlock BBC's 3rd season, I am conducting a little Trivia competition. All you have to do is answer this question:

According to the brilliant Sherlock scholar, William S. Baring Gould, what was Sherlock's full, given, name?

If you think you know, post a comment with your answer. Better yet, e-mail me at :
eldermedbh@gmail.com.
Competition closes next Sunday, Feb 2nd, at 10pm when the final episode airs.

All correct answers will be placed in a deerstalker (no foolin') and the winner will be drawn at random. The person picked will get a new paperback copy of "A Slight Trick Of The Mind" by Mitch Cullin. This is soon to be made into a movie starring Sir Ian McKellen as an aged Sherlock Holmes. Read it before you see it!

If you don't know, take a guess...but keep it non-pornographic, please! As Sherlock would say...Do your research! Good luck!

 

                                                                                                                                               UPDATE: I have managed to score a sighted copy of the book, which will now be 1st prize. 2nd prize will be a new paperback copy. Contest ends Sunday, Feb 2nd at 10pm EST. Better hurry! You can do this, folks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's A Good Thing...They Tell Me

Alrighty then. We were told, very recently, that this here Oracle thingy that Natalie and I created is now available for Android.  Before, it was available for ipad and ipod. Wanna know the truth? I don't have ipads, ipods, Androids, or minions (that last one is on my wish list).  I have SEEN the Oracle on ipad, and it looked very cool, but technology and I are virtually at odds (kinda a pun).  I have a mobile phone. People call me on it. I can set it as an alarm clock. Life is good. I have a computer. I can sorta still use it, even though I have neuropathy in my hands. "Applications" to me are things you topically put on wounds. I am told, however, that Graven Images is a good one.  That makes me happy. My name is on it.

However, if you are looking for "click me" places to go check it out..erm..I don't know how to do that...big surprise.  Why don't you folks go to Natalie's blog at: www.nataliezaman.blogspot.com . She has a post announcing the above, plus she has clicky places. If I even see her face again, I will rip the knowledge of how to install clicky places from her mind and send her back into the mundane world as a blank slate, upon which the sorrow and depravity of this earth may write.  (Smiley face. I don't know how to do that either.) See, now, if I had minions I wouldn't have to get my hands dirty doing stuff like that myself. (sigh).

So, OK. Go to Natalie's blog for the site shortcuts, and thank you Galde Press and the folks at The Fool's Dog for believing in our deck and working so hard to bring it to your devices. ..and Natalie? If you're out there reading this?  Thanks for the good times we had bringing this project to life...
         but if I ever get minions....

Ring In The New

Ah yes, 2014 is the year of the horse. I was born in the year of the horse, so this should be a productive 12 months.

According to the Chinese: “2014 is the Year of the Wood Horse, bringing with it plenty of positive vibes. The horse is regarded as an intelligent and reliable animal that supposedly helps men achieve success and victory most especially in battle. The horse is the seventh sign in the Chinese zodiac, looked upon with favor by many Chinese who equate the animal with elegance, power, energy, stability and perseverance” (The Philippine Star). 2013 was the Year of the Snake. I should have known.

I was going to start in on the typical resolutions, but then I gave it some real, serious thought. Will I resolve to be grateful? Hell, I'm ALREADY grateful. In the last two years I once again faced Death and told it to wait outside. (I've done this at other points in my life, as well. My Karmic waiting room should be chuck full of Reapers by now).

 

 

I'm grateful for my life, my family, my friends, my doctors, the fact that I still have my left leg... Nothing new.

Am I going to try and be more aware, more open to learning from experience? Yeah, sure. But again...not new. Then, I started to dig deeper until I hit a reality from which I often shy away. What I really need to do this year is...love myself.

Me and mine were not raised with this concept. We were to put ourselves last . Our Mum lived by this principle, good, solid, Irish Catholic that she was. She would keep going through sickness, injury, grief, and upset. It was like a thorny crown of glory, reminiscent of the caricature of old fashion nuns. (“Today I polished the chapel on my knees, kneeling in cactus.” “Oh? Well I said 40 rosaries while balancing one footed on a bed of nails..”).

 

I never understood why it was nobler to drag yourself through your duties while barking sick, rather than lie down, heal, and get on with it. But we did. It's deeply ingrained. To love yourself was wrong, selfish, vainglorious. In many ways, a sin.

I lived that way for nearly 60 years, but I'm ready now. I need to change. So, in that regard, I do have a few goals for this Year of the Horse, beyond the usual:

I will remain my authentic self. “ In existentialism, authenticity is the degree to which one is true to one's own personality, spirit, or character, despite external pressures; the conscious self is seen as coming to terms with being in a material world and with encountering external forces, pressures and influences which are very different from, and other than, itself.” I will continue to do what my heart tells me is right, despite the opinion of others.

 

I will not be victimized by the unkindness of others. That's a tough one, because I am sensitive. I will strive to realize, in the moment, that I can refuse unkindness and simply walk away.

Recognized when I am being devalued. I'm a fan of talking things out, airing differences, and coming to a resolution. This is hard when the other party responses with crickets and tumbleweeds. When this happens, I will value myself enough to move away and carry on.

Be kinder to my physical self. This is a big one! It includes healthier foods, reduction of this:

and more this:

The number one reason I keep unreasonable hours?

Yeah. I have become enslaved. I am limiting my computer time to no later than 10pm. If you have a sudden brilliant idea, or a pithy comment on Facebook, I'll read it the next day. (BTW: there are a ton of you up too late as well. You answer my messages at 3am!)

 

So, that's it: simple but massive. I have to look at myself in a whole new way and – love me; finally accept the truth that...

On the Sherlock front....

There was a little Xmas present aired on BBC which didn't show in the States. In case you missed it, I present “Many Happy Returns”

And so it begins, a brandy-new year. Enjoy, get out there, and knock 'em dead!

Jingle Junk

Ugh!

What a month! It's been a wild ride around here for the last four weeks.

On the 30^th, I hosted a party for the nephew's 40^th birthday (his mom insisted on paying for food, so I did have help financially. Plus, my oldest sister brought shrimp and deviled eggs. Love those.) It was a nice gathering, with everyone enjoying the food we did not have to cook! (I like the word “catered”.)

Below is the birthday boy, using Rufus to attack his friend Erica.

It gave me an opportunity to see Guy, my brother-in-law, who is battling Pancreatic Cancer. I think he looks good!

Beyond the party, I had a lot of medical concerns: stitches in my toe, Cancer surgery on my face, a Breast Cancer scare, then Claude (my anam cara) had her back surgery. Once home from hospital and re-hab, she had a recurrence of her congestive heart failure and ended up back in hospital. Thankfully, everything is now under control and she is home, being tended by 2 sets of nurses and a physical therapist.

I was so exhausted from worry, stress, lack of rest, etc. that I fell asleep on the sofa edge and tumbled off, into the coffee table. Now the left side of my face will match the Cancer scar on the right side of my face. My glasses are a piece of modern art, my knees feel like they landed on cactus, I have a knot on my forehead...but it could have been worse.

There has been so much disharmony and hardship in 2013 that I am pleased we will soon be waving it a fond “bye-bye”.

I also wanted to do something beyond my usual to settle down the energies in my home. I decided to get a spirit house.

Spirit houses can be large and elaborate affairs, set outside a premises like an intricate playhouse. They can also be small, of modest wood design or painted and tiled. Their purpose is much the same as the altars in ancient Rome, set up to honor the Lares. It provides a place where the household energies can dwell, undisturbed.

The idea of household gods/goddesses/spirits seem to have been global at one point, and survives in various folk forms to this day. This is the spirit house I purchased, and placed near the inside entrance of my home.

It is traditional to place offerings for the spirits. Rather than food or wine, I decided to use seven appropriate crystals and stones:

Labradorite:

This stone brings out the best in people. It protects against misfortune. It reduces anti-social, and reckless behavior. It also calms overactive minds.

Amethyst:

This is my favorite stone. It is known for counter-acting drunkenness, but it does so much more. It balances emotions and allows the rational side of our personalities to arise.

Chrysocolla:

 

I think this stone is greatly under-utilized. It's a stone of love, peace and wisdom. It aids you in staying level headed, and helps you stay calm during stressful times and situations.

Hematoid:

I just started working with this stone. It can actually take all the negativity in a room, and turn it into Universal love and light. Hematoid is quartz shot with hematite, which gives you quartz clarity along with hematite stability. It's great for grounding.

Lepidolite:

 

This sparking purple stone promotes restful sleep, removes stress, wards against outside influences (no problems can walk through your front door!), and even brings luck!

Rose Quartz:

Rose quartz has been known as an emotional rescue stone. When placed with Lepidolite, it also generates love.

And finally...

Clear Crystal:

A nice crystal point acts like a battery to give an extra boost to the combination of the other stones.

Peace, rest, love, harmony and luck. What better for the holidays?

In Sherlock news.....

All the pacing in circles is almost over. We have 4 weeks until Sherlock Season 3, which should be the most fascinating of all (if this teaser is any indication):

The Great Detective returns to the US on PBS Sunday, January19^th, at 9pm.

Finally, a joyous Yule and a happy holiday season from the Rufus and me!

 

Peace, Joy, and a fruitcake free celebration!