Wicca, Tarot, Photography, Books and My Life

Oh Sister

2012-02-08T21:19:00.000-08:00

Families, friendships and relationships all have some thingsin common.

Theytake work to work. People do not just happen to maintain a level of awesomeonce they have achieved it, we are constantly changing and growing andtherefore we need maintenance in our relationships to keep them growing aswell.

You aregoing to want to kill some of the people involved at some point, you are goingto get angry, frustrated and argue. It is normal and happens (as long as it isthe exception and not the norm, if you are at people’s throats all of the timethere are some serious issues there)

The onlyperson you have any accountability for and responsibility for is YOU. Exceptwhen you have children who are not yet adults, sorry Parents its true, it aintthe job of Teachers, TV, Nannies, Babysitters or Family to raise your childrenand be accountable for them it’s you. (That is a WHOLE different post worth ofranting that subject)

I havesisters and boy oh boy did our Parents have a difficult time with us. It wasn’tthat we were particularly horrible people but we would have been hard work toraise (I am worried that I may get a little bit of that with my own futurechildren, I am sure that would make my parents laugh)

This ishow our own Mother describes us:

Eldest –Force of Nature – There is NO WAY you can miss my sister when she walks intothe room, even though she is five foot something short. She has amazing energy,is passionate about her interests and people and is driven like few people Iknow. She doesn’t want to climb the highest mountain she wants to ride afucking unicorn to the top of the dam thing and will try and get as many peopleas possible to do it too.

Middle –Mother Nature – That’s me. Mum used to always ask me why I would ‘tend to thestrays’ and anyone who reads this blog knows about my connection to the naturalworld. I have always been comfortable and connected to children and caring forpeople has always come very easy for me, tending to put their needs before myown.

Youngest– Princess – Every head turns when she is around, under her model looks she iscaring and will succeed in anything she puts her mind to. Not afraid of hardwork or getting her hands dirty either. The perfect PR person.

We areall loud (megaphones not required) out spoken, intelligent, strong willed andwe all leave a trail of destruction behind us if we choose it.

So wespent a considerable amount of time hating each other growing up. I used to dobmy older sister in when she did something wrong, only to escape to her house onweekends when I was a teenager to get out of the house. My younger sister wouldtake anything that wasn’t bolted to the floor out of my room and call whenevershe was stranded somewhere for a ride. I was a band/ATP geek at school, myyounger sister was in the popular click and my older sister was an athlete. Whomeversaid boys fight badly never spent a time in our house, we had some absolutelyHUGE blowouts.

We nowlive all in different places in the world (which is probably why we are evenable to have a relationship at all) it seems there is not a state/provincelarge enough for two or more of us long term. And while we have relationshipswith each other now it was not always that way.

I have spent a lot of time dealing with the relationship Ihave with my sisters and I have learnt a couple of things and maybe this couldbe useful for someone else as well.

1. Ican’t have a good relationship with either of them if I am constantly expectingthem or wanting them to act differently, be different or try harder. I have toaccept both of them for who they are right now.

2. Iam not going to change who I am for either of them, or anyone else for thatmatter, lord knows people have tried. I don’t need anyone’s approval for who I am or how I live my lifecause I know that if they really love me, they will love me regardless.

3. Ihave to just love them as my sisters and acknowledge that our friendships maynot always be strong. It is like the saying, I love you but I don’t like youright now. There is a difference but the love will always be there with us.

4. Myvalue is not rated by their validation of me.

Just because I know these things doesn’t make things easy. Wedisagree on a lot, we would all have a different game plan for any situation,we view the world through very different lenses and value different things. Andlike everybody we also have our own lives going on and forging ahead on our ownpaths.

I choosehow much time and energy I give people. I choose if I enter into a situation ornot.

A lot ofpeople expect a lot from the people in their lives. Standards are good, beingtrue to yourself is even better but acceptance of how people really are willallow you to be who you really are. At least you can then choose to have arelationship with that person or not.

*Note* This is not to be taken in the context where thereis a toxic relationship, abusive relationship or addictive relationshiphappening. There is nothing healthy about any of those. EVER.

Kickstart Tarot Project Stolen Child Tarot

2012-02-07T18:51:00.000-08:00

Had to share this Project which is on Kickstarter.

Stolen Child Tarot - by Monica Knighton

I really hope that this time it gets enough backers, I want a deck :)

It reminds me of my childhood where I used to spend so much time out doors climbing trees, catching frogs, playing down near the river and spending time with the Fae.

Check out the project details here - http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/774786282/stolen-child-tarot-a-limited-edition-major-arcana

It's Been A While

2012-02-07T17:46:00.000-08:00

Or bloody hell it's February already!

I have been rather absent from the interwebs of late. Mostly because this was my January:

Moving House

You know that realisation when you are packing boxes and you step back and think, 'why do I have so much shit?' well I actually tried to do something about that. I gave away two full big garbage bags worth of clothes to charity. I also gave away other usable items to charity that I didn't need. Sold my couch, washing machine, some furniture and a whole bunch of stuff other people would surely find use for. Then filled a skip with other stuff that was broken or just plain old useless.

I partially had to do this because I moved into a smaller space but I also am so tired of lugging all of it around with me. I felt really good selling everything and giving a bunch away, I feel lighter. I still have a lot of stuff but not as much and I am determined to ensure that I do not buy anything that I don't need.

To clarify the collectors edition of Mass Effect 3, Tarot Decks that I just have to have (hey they are for work right?) and a new Laptop at some point this year are all on the NEED list.

But just putting a hold on purchasing books (I have been really good with this) clothes, shoes and other things that will end up being left for a 'I might need that' moment which includes my random obsessions with crafts that see me lurking the halls of Lincraft with the ladies from the local retirement village. Fuck seriously. I had scrap booking stuff. I am not even 30 yet and have nothing to really scrapbook about.

So as everyone knows moving sucks balls like a hoover but it is now done. Mostly the absence has been the lack of Internets while in the moving process. Should be back online soon.

Coven Seekers

I made a promise to myself that I was actually going to be a little selfish this year and try not to burn out or end up in the emergency room of any hospital. (yeah I realise that is a fucking weird goal to stay out of the ER but if I can go through 2012 without it I would be well happy, I should have frequent flyer's or something with RPH and if it was the universe telling me I should marry a Dr or a hot nurse. I missed the signs cause there weren't any)

Anyway I digress.

So S.C.O.T.I.F has some new seekers and we are starting our pre-outer court next week. This takes commitment from everyone in the Coven and the seekers so this small group is all I am going to take on for now.

Me and my fellow Flamies just scheduled in dates for the year and like usual we have a full year of Spiritual Development and Witch-Tastic fun ahead.

Breakup

Yep another one. This was actually more a relief than anything else. I was not liking the person I was feeling I was becoming in that situation so the situation got gone.

2012 BIG YEAR

I am also learning how to listen to myself more and seek the guidance of others with the decisions I make and I am choosing what I share with people carefully.

Some of the things in the pipeline for the year are:

The Craft Series CD Launch - TBA
Trip to USA/Canada
My Sister from Canada Visiting - First time back in oz for the longest time. Excited.

As usual I feel pulled in many different directions. The choice to ditch Uni and go back to work last year was the smartest thing I did last year.

I still feel the drive to be a career woman, but also want to keep my spiritual work and integrity up, still want to travel, my photography is also growing and I am at some point going to need to make some clear goals on some of these to ensure that I get something done. But that is a later thing.

Excited to share some Tarot Deck reviews soon as well.

Stay Strong, Stay Positive

2012-01-08T18:01:00.000-08:00

'Today is a great day'
That is how I started my day with my affirmations in the morning to set my mind and energy right before my mind really wakes up and I enter the fast paced world in which I work.
Apparently today is being rather a challenge more than a great day. It is not even noon, I am supposed to be working on a document that is going to be heading to Japan this week for review by a very important client and I feel flat, more than that I feel deflated.
I had a very long weekend. Still have images of peoples confused looks on their faces when I headed back to the hotel from the wedding reception early. The five hour drive the night before, the full work week, the stressing about having everything for the wedding and then shooting for nearly 10 hours straight kinda took it out of me. Not to mention the thought of having to drive back the very long way to ensure I see a family member on the way home. So it is little wonder I am tired and feeling flat.

My mind has begun the inevitable 'I could have done better' with the photographs that I was hired to take at the wedding. I am the queen of beating my self up about things even if the product is great.

It is days like this when hearing certain messages is exceptionally hard when the ability to shake things off has long gone and the world seems harsher, brighter and louder and you are stuck with a energetic hang over of sorts.

When there really doesn't feel like there is a place of refuge or even the time in the day to just stop because your to do list and deadlines are at the back of your head screaming for your attention. (Yep I am aware that I could be spending this time getting some of those things off my to do list, no need to point that out).
Even though you have that little voice inside your head saying that it will all work out, it is just a bad morning, you will be OK. For the moment, in the now it is just plain harsh. And all I can do is work through it and hope that today ends up being a great day.

New Years Tarot Spread

2012-01-01T06:30:00.000-08:00

I created a New Year Tarot Spread for some reflection for the last year and some insight for 2012. To be honest it has just really confused me more than anything but here is what I got.

1. What was my main spiritual lesson for 2011?

The Seven of Wands - Soul regeneration, planning, preparation and taking care of crops, reaping what you sow. Putting energy into action, dedication and accomplishment.

2. What mental attitude should I leave behind in 2011?

The Nine of Pentacles - Sensual fullness and fulfillment. Worrying about not having enough.

3. What emotional behavior should I leave behind in 2011?

The Moon - Cycles of inner development, the Moon being the card of illusions it could be that I need to try and leave some of my trust issues behind, maybe just maybe not everyone is out to screw me over.

4. What physical habit should I leave behind in 2011?

Death - Transformation. I think that is mostly to do with not having anything that has been a real constant for me physically for 2011, I need to be more in my body and take care of it more. Consistency.

5. What is my main spiritual lesson for 2012?

Temperance - Higher Self in Action - living a fully conscious life, balance, flow and mixing all of the right elements together to create the life I want.

6. What mental attitude should I adopt for 2012?

Three of Cups - The abundance of self, celebration, enjoy the social aspects of life, mentally is also means being more aware of my own emotions.

7. What emotional behavior should I adopt for 2012?

Nine of Cups - Enjoy the Good life, wow apparently I was not having enough of a good time in 2011, 2012 is the year of parties, apparently. It is the wish fulfillment card but it also asks to evaluate what we really want because sometimes our goals change and if we get want we want we find out that we no longer want it.

8. What physical habit should I adopt for 2012?

Eight of Swords - Restrictive feelings of failure are effecting me physically so they need to be left behind.

9. Any red flags for 2012 that can be avoided by my own personal influence?

Five of Swords - Benefiting from others depleted energy, so basically stop being a meanie cause it is not doing me any good.

Some interesting food for thought anyway......shall be interesting to see what 2012 brings.

My 2001 Review Post with Video

2011-12-31T06:58:00.000-08:00

Instead of the normal wrap up of 2011 blog post this year I just created a short silly video of photos of me taken from mostly my iphone this year.

This is not me being serious, most of the photos I am pulling a face or just being silly.

Another heavy year 2011, I was writing last night and I just don't know how I feel about a lot of the stuff that I create in my life. Like I am more of a spectator and just happen to have to roll with the punches instead of designing what happens to my liking or plan. Now I know that I create a lot of my own life I am not trying to get out of that responsibility I am just acknowledging that I think it is time for a change in the way I go about a few things (or more like most things).

I need to embrace the unknown and want change that is scary other wise I am just going to be doing the same old same old and getting the same result. I am also going to be doing a New Years Day Tarot Spread tomorrow which I will post for those who like using the Tarot. Should make for some interesting reflection I am sure.

Anyhoodle. Here is the video. Bring on 2012.

Goddess Bridal Blessing

2011-12-14T03:50:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I have posted, mostly because I have been in a heck of a state (thanks Saturn return).

It was so wonderful to be a part of my dear friend Sarah's Bridal Blessing on the weekend. I also have the pleasure of being her and Ray's wedding photographer in January as well.

It was such a beautiful day full of laughter, henna tattoos, soy chai lattes and goddess women.

This poem, read by Tamara was a message, reminder and blessing for Sarah (and for us all).

If You Want to Changethe World Love a Woman

If you want to change the world… love a woman-reallylove her.
Find the one who calls to your soul, who doesn’t makesense.
Throw away your check list and put your ear to herheart and listen.
Hear the names, the prayers, the songs of every livingthing-
every winged one, every furry and scaled one,
every underground and underwater one, every green andflowering one,
every not yet born and dying one…
Hear their melancholy praises back to the One who gavethem life.
If you haven’t heard your own name yet, you haven’tlistened long enough.
If your eyes aren’t filled with tears, if you aren’tbowing at her feet,
you haven’t ever grieved having almost lost her.

If you want to change the world… love a woman-one woman
beyond yourself, beyond desire and reason,
beyond your male preferences for youth, beauty andvariety
and all your superficial concepts of freedom.
We have given ourselves so many choices
we have forgotten that true liberation
comes from standing in the middle of the soul’s fire
and burning through our resistance to Love.
There is only one Goddess.
Look into Her eyes and see-really see
if she is the one to bring the axe to your head.
If not, walk away. Right now.
Don’t waste time “trying.”
Know that your decision has nothing to do with her
because ultimately it’s not with who,
but when we choose to surrender.

If you want to change the world… love a woman.
Love her for life-beyond your fear of death,
beyond your fear of being manipulated
by the Mother inside your head.
Don’t tell her you’re willing to die for her.
Say you’re willing to LIVE with her,
plant trees with her and watch them grow.
Be her hero by telling her how beautiful she is in hervulnerable majesty,
by helping her to remember every day that she IS Goddess
through your adoration and devotion.

If you want to change the world… love a woman
in all her faces, through all her seasons
and she will heal you of your schizophrenia-
your double-mindedness and half-heartedness
which keeps your Spirit and body separate-
which keeps you alone and always looking outside yourSelf
for something to make your life worth living.
There will always be another woman.
Soon the new shiny one will become the old dull one
and you’ll grow restless again, trading in women like cars,
trading in the Goddess for the latest object of yourdesire.
Man doesn’t need any more choices.
What man needs is Woman, the Way of the Feminine,
of Patience and Compassion, non-seeking, non-doing,
of breathing in one place and sinking deep intertwiningroots
strong enough to hold the Earth together
while she shakes off the cement and steel from herskin.

If you want to change the world… love a woman, just onewoman .
Love and protect her as if she is the last holy vessel.
Love her through her fear of abandonment
which she has been holding for all of humanity.
No, the wound is not hers to heal alone.
No, she is not weak in her codependence.

If you want to change the world… love a woman
all the way through
until she believes you,
until her instincts, her visions, her voice, her art,her passion,
her wildness have returned to her-
until she is a force of love more powerful
than all the political media demons who seek to devalueand destroy her.

If you want to change the world,
lay down your causes, your guns and protest signs.
Lay down your inner war, your righteous anger
and love a woman…
beyond all of your striving for greatness,
beyond your tenacious quest for enlightenment.
The holy grail stands before you
if you would only take her in your arms
and let go of searching for something beyond thisintimacy.

What if peace is a dream which can only be re-membered
through the heart of Woman?
What if a man’s love for Woman, the Way of the Feminine
is the key to opening Her heart?

If you want to change the world…love a woman
to the depths of your shadow,
to the highest reaches of your Being,
back to the Garden where you first met her,
to the gateway of the rainbow realm
where you walk through together as Light as One,
to the point of no return,
to the ends and the beginning of a new Earth.

-Lisa Citore

More Photos Here - http://wilddawnphotography.com.au/sarahblessing

The Craft CD Series

2011-11-05T05:03:00.000-07:00

They finally arrived today! I haven't even listened to them I was just so excited to share the news.

There will be some updates on where they will be sold etc later.

The series is based on the Pagan Wheel of the Year and has a collection of Sabbat Meditations and Rituals. There is also a Moon Magic CD that has banishing and attracting spells.

Here are a couple of photos taken quickly before I head out tonight.

Combined Covens Camp

2011-11-01T05:20:00.000-07:00

Lee wrote a great blog post about the weekend at the Combined Covens Social Club Camp.

http://scotif.wordpress.com/2011/11/01/combined-covens-spring-camp-2011-wrap-up/

The Wildwood Tarot Review

2011-10-31T20:32:00.000-07:00

The original Wildwood Tarot has been out of print for a long time and was one of those hard to get going to cost you a lot of money collectors decks for many years. Someone convinced John Matthews to create an updated deck and this is the result.

This deck is very different from a lot of the traditional tarot decks. The entire deck is weaved in with the Celtic Wheel of the Year.

The four suits are matched to the seasons of the year. The Time of Bows (element of fire) being the time between Beltane and Lammas, The Time of Vessels (element of water) being the time between Lammas and Samhain, The Time of Stones (element of earth) being the time between Samhain and Imbolc and The Time of Arrows (element of air) being the time between Imbolc and Beltane.

There are some similarities in the Minor Arcana in this deck to traditional more Tarot decks but I chose the three cards below because they are some of the examples of the contrast in this deck. In the Rider-Waite deck the 6 of Pentacles is about contracts, inheritance and generosity or a win fall in the Wildwood Tarot is is labeled as Exploitation and because all of the cards have key words on them, there is not real way around the message. You are kind of stuck and dictated by the key words, whether you get something else from the card or not. Likewise with the 5 of Vessels, which is the 5 of Cups in the Rider-Waite tarot which means crying over spilt milk and sorrow, in the Wildwood it is Ecstasy. And well the 9 of Bows, he just looks creepy.

The artwork is simply stunning. Really one of the most detailed and beautiful decks I have seen in a long time (as there are a lot of mass produced Tarot decks on the market at the moment). It tends to be really raw and of course connected to the natural world.

Unlike the Minor Arcana there are huge differences in the Major Arcana. The names are very different and so are the messages a lot of the time. Number 12 - The Mirror below is traditionally The Hanged Man.

All of the Court Cards are sacred animals to the Celtic and Druidic traditions. So there are no people in the traditional 'people cards'. It also makes it interesting as you would have very different associations for someone who pulls the Adder to someone who pulls the King of Swords (well maybe you wouldn't).

This deck would require some study to learn some of the deeper meanings of the cards or would be great for empathic/intuitive readings. With the key words on a lot of the cards it will help readers get used to the meanings of the cards.

The Tarot deck comes in a hard covered box with a 160 page A5 book with green print. (its the small things right)

If you are drawn to the Celtic or Druid mythology and spiritual path you will really love this deck.

I'm a Real Witch

2011-10-30T17:54:00.000-07:00

While there are many catch up blog posts that I have waiting in the wings this has been nagging on my mind since the weekend so it wins for first cab off the rank in a while.

I am also sure that this is going to stir up some controversy and annoy some more traditional minded people but I feel it needs to be said.

This weekend past was the Combined Covens Social Club annual camp which is always a fantastic weekend. This year S.C.O.T.I.F (my coven) held four lectures on different subjects and also volunteered to cook the feast after the ritual. We really enjoy getting involved in the community and had a great time doing so. (hats off to the committee members, it had been a while since I had been a kitchen witch and it is very tiring)

The great thing about the Combined Covens group and social events like this is that it aims to bring our community together, to form friendships and share knowledge. We also have an environment of openness where all forms of Paganism are welcomed. Which is so important.

During one of my coven sisters workshops a well known and respected Elder in the community started asking about her practice. Now we are out there folks, anyone who knows us knows that we work together we even have Coven T-Shits (yep we were those witches lol) this year so it is hard to miss. She explained her path and talked about our coven a bit.

Just a side note, we have never said that we are a traditional coven, we are an Modern Eclectic coven. So we are not pretending to be something that we are not.

This Elder then proceeded to say that she could introduce her to a HPS and HP around her area that could 'initiate her properly'.

BACK THE TRUCK UP, WTF?

It is not a secret that this Elder is hard core traditional and I respect that and her but that for me was out of line.

A. She has been initiated properly, I have known and worked with this talented, connected, beautiful woman for years and there is not a single cell in me that doesn't know that she is a Priestess in her own right.

B. It is very rude to say this belittling her own practice, path, linage and dedication not to mention her Coven sisters and me as the HPS.

C. NO ONE has the right to tell you that you are not a Real Witch/Wiccan/Pagan because you have not been initiated by someone THEY deem worthy in a ritual that they deem worthy.

D. NO ONE has the right to tell you that the spiritual path that you follow is less than or incorrect because it is not what they approve.

A statement like this is bordering on Christian (being in the way that only one path is correct and only a few can ordain you or give you connection to your power/god) control.

Aren't we supposed to be in a community that recognizes diversity and the divine in its many incarnations?

Shouldn't you get to know the practices of the coven that you are essentially calling a bunch of try hards and its members before you say something as narrow minded as this?

Now I know that this little rant is not going to change this persons mind, heck they will probably never read it. I have known this elder for over 7 years now and I know that they would probably deem a small percentage of the people in the community a 'real witch'. Each to their own. But it is a dam shame that so much of what this person can do for the preservation of our history is going to be lost because they don't want to acknowledge and share with others. I wish that more community members who are all hiding away would come out of the wood work and share with the new generation. What you all know is dying out.

Wicca needs to evolve or die. There is not a lot in the hard core traditional Gardenarian craft that is going to have any context to a younger generation and to those who are new to the Craft. Times have changed, technologies have changed and so have we. Which is fantastic. We now have science and quantum physics to enhance our magic, we now have multimedia to help share our knowledge with others. We have different forms of magick and traditions being born and that is all about the growth of Paganism in the world.

I don't care who initiated you. I don't care if it was an four hour long ritual where you were declared naked under a full moon or if it was you alone with your deity making a spiritual vow. What Goddess and God you resonate to. If you follow a Northern Hemispheric practice or a Southern Hemispheric practice. If you call yourself Pagan, Wiccan, Witch, Druid, Viking or Faery. Your path and connection to the divine is between you and the divine alone. It is all of our rights and as long we we are harming none we are all right.

Cause today there are no words

2011-10-15T21:16:00.000-07:00

Alien Invasion or Zombie Apocalypse....choices, choices

2011-10-02T05:52:00.000-07:00

Some of my favorite movie genres are definitely zombies or alien invasion movies. Seen a lot, well most of them and who cares if most of them are completely predictable they are usually full of explosions and fighting so right up my mindless movie ally.

I finally watched Transformers 3 today and it got me thinking....what would I prefer if either of those things actually happened. I mean think about it. All hell breaks loose and are we expected to think that the rest of the world is going on its merry way while aliens or zombies demolish a capital city in America (cause it is always America)

I am not even going to entertain anything to do with Vampires and the end of the world. Cause we all know that they are all living in Mississippi and Louisiana and are totally hot.

Zombies

Pro - You can shoot at people you hate if they get turned and you don't have to feel guilty about it. Hell you can wear a cowboy hat and cheer and no one is going to care, you just shot another undead beast, you are a hero!

Pro - Provided that you can start the dam things you can steal and drive any car you want as fast as you want.

Con - If you are anywhere near a heavily populated area you are fucked. Especially if you are in a country that has a very small number of fire arms. Blunt objects can only get you so far cause you have to get too close to your target to kill them meaning you live longer if you can get fire arms.

Con - All of those rotting people, it is going to get SKANK really quickly. In all honesty you could probably smell a zombie coming before you even see it. The world will be one stinky ball of rot. Not down with that at all.

Aliens

Pro - Aliens! Seriously how FREAKING cool would it be to finally know without a doubt that we are not alone. The massive body count may kinda kill the excitement but still ALIENS!

Pro - There may be a tiny possibility that you get to pilot an alien aircraft, hell even if it was a one in a million chance of it, it would be pretty freakin cool to even have that in the realm of possibilities.

Pro - According to every alien invasion movie ever made humanity would finally stop bitch fighting with each other and pull together to fight a common enemy. There is nothing like a bigger bad to unite waring countries right? So in the name of world peace (well providing we survive and all) aliens trying to exterminate humanity would be considered a good thing.

Con - They have to have some pretty amazing technology to get to Earth, so lets face it we are probably completely fucked. Notice how I said Alien Invasion, not alien picnic or tea party, they are here and pissed (insert a reason here).

While there are probably many other things to take into consideration, my reasoning skills have deduced that an Alien Invasion is the more desirable choice out of the two. Bring it I say, as long as the world gets saved by either Will Smith or Optimus Prime and not Tom Cruise (who is probably an alien anyway)

Ostara Blessings

2011-09-25T01:32:00.000-07:00

This afternoon S.C.O.T.I.F celebrated the Spring Equinox in the hills of Perth. With views of the waterfall and even a visit from a majestic and powerful baby wedge tail eagle hunting in the tree tops giving us a great show.

It was great holding it out doors and being in the elements but we did freak out some people who were hiking while chanting and playing instruments with our Pagan altar but you get that.

Busy Bees collecting pollen

I love this time of year even though there is hay fever that comes along with all of the beautiful flowers.

The birds singing in the morning and the static of Winter being shaken off by awakening Gaia. I have been so excited about getting plans under way and feel anew. It is wonderful. Pan was definitely with us today.

We enjoyed a lovely picnic and then packed up before getting rained on.

Ostara Blessings all, may you find balance and joy in the time of the increasing life and light.

My Trip to Thailand Recap

2011-09-23T04:16:00.000-07:00

How lucky am I? I spent the last 10 days in Thailand for my sisters wedding. It was amazing. It really was the first time that I had a family vacation and it took my sister to get married to bring everyone together. We are already planning our next one, probably sans wedding though.

I spent a week chilling on the beach, go karting, went parasailing, zip lining and abseiling, getting Thai massages, having swimming races in the resort pool, feed rhinos and hippos and spending time with my family. (Which was really excellent cause I haven't had the chance to do that for a while).

I also have been bitten by so many frickin bugs but that is all apart of the experience right.

The wedding was incredible, we rode on elephants after the ceremony, which is so unique. I was able to take photographs, only after the ceremony cause I was a bridesmaid so they are limited.

Can I just say for the record that trying to take photographs while riding an Elephant is not easy. Really awesome, just not easy. I love the hat that our Elephant guy (do you call those guys drivers? Not sure..) had it is perfect for the jungle.

I have uploaded most of the photos on my Zenfolio Account and made the funky little vid above.

After the wedding week with family I went to Bangkok for a couple of days. I had a great time exploring the city and visited temples and the Grand Palace. I am still working on those photos and getting over jet lag so for now this is all I have.

Wicca and Taking a Patron Goddess and God

2011-09-21T07:28:00.000-07:00

This is completely my opinion and experience and I in no way claim to be an expert or the authority of how one is to take a Patron Deity.

I have always loved Ancient cultures and especially keen on their many myths and legends. I collected series of books about it and borrowed the Penguin dictionary of Classical Mythology from the library more times that I can count in grade 8 at high school. (I now own a copy of that book and still read and reference it)

One Goddess always took my interest. It was Greek Goddess Athena. Right from the very start I was drawn to her. The fact that her own Father was frightened of her power, that she was a warrior Goddess but a Goddess of wisdom as well. That she won the city of Athens from Poseidon to have as her patron city. Yes some of the myths were not so nice and that is life I guess but her strength and wisdom were very appealing to me. I even remember this episode of Hercules (yep when Kevin Sorbo was all the rage in his pleather pants, I loved that show and Xena) where Athena was featured with her owl giving advise to the man with the mighty chest hair.

It was absolutely no surprise that she claimed me as her own. I didn't even have to do anything or ask. She was always there. She has been and will always be for me what I seek to be. Wise and strong. Isn't that what we should want from our Patrons, something that we can see in ourselves? The things that we strive for? The lessons that we are trying to learn? I know that she will always be the first and only Patron Goddess that will stay with me for life. I am truly a Priestess of Athena and I know from working with her for nearly 13 years now that this was always going to be something that I was going to find. So finding my Patron Goddess was not hard, she found me and claimed me. I know that not everyone is so lucky.

When it came to find a Patron God, it was a little harder. There is a saying in Wicca, you met and know the Goddess first and then the God and this was true for me. Maybe it was because I had such a powerful masculine type Goddess that I didn't feel the need to take a Patron God. But alas the call was also always there, just a little subtler. Which is funny when I clicked at what the God was.

I have always loved the ocean, always. I went into a Marine Science scholarship at High School and have surfed, spear fished, snorkeled, wreak dived and everything but scuba dived. (my lungs making that dream impossible which I was gutted about and still am a little) I have been passionate about saving the Whales ever since watching Dot and the Whale when I was really little like 6 years old and I still am. Every time I entered the water I would ask for protection and vow that I would leave it as I found it, never littering and being thankful for the cleansing water. I feel like I hum when I get out of the ocean and it has been my one place for cleansing for many years. So of course Poseidon was and again always will be my Patron God.

While most people see a older man looking more like Zeus, I have always seen him more like the picture. He is also another strong Patron, but I like that. The working relationship in a spiritual sense with Poseidon is something that I want to work on more. Practically it has been easy to work with him because of the amount of connection I have with the ocean but I know that there is much work to do on that connection with the masculine divine. And after Thor's entry to circle a little while back, man can they be powerful or what!

It is funny to think that both of my Patron's battled for Athens. While I have and will always work with other Goddesses and Gods these two are really very much a part of me and that is what the Divine is, they are now separate from us completely, it is all connected after all.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

2011-09-13T18:24:00.000-07:00

While on holiday in Thailand for my sisters' wedding I have been having some very interesting experiences. There is an old saying which I am sure I am going to completely balls up in my retelling but I am sure you will get the drift: relationships and people are mirrors of ourselves. What we do not like in someone else, is simply a reflection of something that we do not like in ourselves.

I am finding this to be incredibly true. Surrounded by family some of whom I have not seen in over four years I have not only been confronted with many mirrors I have fallen down the looking glass.

I am bacheloretting with my mother, as we are the only two single people in our family and I am pretty cool with it. My family are really inclusive and I really like my sisters partners and my step mum, I know not everyone is so lucky. So for me, this hasn't been an issue at all. The wedding day may prove to be a little hard but the joy of the day will trump that by a long shot. My mother on the other hand is finding everything to be uber difficult.

Man I thought that when I was angry over my last big breakup that I could be scary, I apparently learnt from the master of holding a grudge. And she has had five more years than I have. This shocked me. Maybe it is because she doesn't talk about it at all. Maybe it is because of the force and conviction of which she speaks about it when she does, like it only happened yesterday. But what ever it is, it is powerful, dark and still lording over her entire life. And as a wise other member of my family said, it is all happening in HER HEAD.

The double whammy of firstly hearing my mum and feeling her entire being change and be dense and dark over something that happened a long time ago and then the last statement of how we create things in our heads, it is not being rubbed in her face, no one is making it a deal but her really made me sit back and realize two things. 1. I DO NOT want to end up that bitter and angry and 2. What ever anger and hatred I am holding onto from my past I need to let go of.

Don't get me wrong I have been really good, most of my anger is well and truly exited stage left but sometimes it comes back after something happens or something triggers a memory. While I am sure this is completely normal, I have to take that feeling when it rises, look at it and CHOOSE whether or not I am going to engage in it and feed it energy. I know my life, my health, my mental state is all my choice and I really choose not to be so trapped in the past and so angry. I am sure it is going to take some practice. I have seen in my mirror what that looks like and I really didn't like what was staring back at me when I looked.

Wedding Photo Shoot

2011-09-06T06:34:00.000-07:00

I had a wedding photo shoot last week and I can finally put some up now that my blog is no longer contaminated. These are some of my favorites from the night.

The rest are at my Facebook page Wild Dawn Photography

Clearing out ye ole Bookshelf - Books for Sale

2011-08-21T00:10:00.000-07:00

I am starting my Spring Cleaning Early and have books for sale. Some Pagan, some art, some photography. Most of them are still in storage but here is my first lot. To learn more about the books if you are not familiar with the titles look them up at www.amazon.com

Postage is on top of the book price. WA Pagans and known Combined Covens peoples we can arrange pick up. email ethony.tarot @ gmail.com with the books you are interested in if you like anything you see below.

\ Wiccan Meditations – The Witch’s Way to Personal Transformation – Laura Wildman - $15
\ Reaching For the Other Side – Dawn Hill - $5
\ With A Little Help From My Friends – Dawn Hill - $5
\ Awakening Your Psychic Powers – An Edgar Cayce Guide – Henry Reed - $8
\ Edge of Reality – Dawn Hill - $5
\ Seasons of the Sun – Celebrations from the World’s Spiritual Traditions – Patricia Telesco - $10
\ The Golden Bough – Sir James Frazer - $5
\ Ritual Magic – What it is & how to do it – Donald Tyson - $5
\ In The Circle – Crafting The Witches’ Path – Elen Hawke - $15
\ Comparative Mythology – Jaan Puhvel - $15
\ The Dragonbone Chair – Tad Williams - $3
\ Ask and It Is Given – Esther and Jerry Hicks - $10
\ 21^st Century Wicca – Jennifer Hunter - $15
\ 10 Steps to Psychic Power – Cassandra Eason - $10
\ Where to Park Your Broomstick – A Teen’s Guide to Witchcraft – Lauren Manoy - $15
\ How To Create Your Own Murder Mystery Party – Joseph J. Franco - $5
\ An Instinct For Dragons – David E. Jones - $15
\ Magical Beasts – Their Powers, Their Contribution and How to Call for Their Help – Marie Bruce - $10
\ The Craft – A Witch’s Book of Shadows – Dorothy Morrison - $10
\ The Magician’s Companion – A Practical & Encyclopaedic Guide to Magical & Religious Symbolism – Bill Whitcomb - $15
\ A Comprehensive Guide to Angel Therapy – Angelic guidance to enrich and improve your life – Denise Whichello Brown - $10
\ The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries – The Classic Study of Leprechauns, Pixies and Other Fairy Spirits – W.Y. Evans – Wentz - $15
\ Living Wicca – A Further Guide For The Solitary Practitioner – Scott Cunningham - $10
\ The Great Dune Trilogy – Frank Herbert - $20
\ Conversations with God – An uncommon dialogue – Book 1 – Neale Donald Walsch - $8
\ Inbound Marketing – Using New Media to Get Found – Brian Halligan/ Dharmesh Shah – Hardcover - $10
\ The New Rules of Marketing & PR – Social Media Marketing – David Meerman Scott - $10
\ The Witch of Portobello – Paulo Coelho - $8
\ The Management Gurus – Lessons From The Best Management Books of All Tim – Chris Lauer - $10
\ Many Lives, Many Masters – Brian L. Weiss, MD - $10
\ The Truth About Witchcraft Today – Scott Cunningham - $3
\ Living Paganism – An Advanced Guide for the Solitary Practitioner – Shanddaramon - $10
\ Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen - $5
\ Fifty Years of Wicca – Frederic Lamond - $10
\ How to Get Things Done – The Art of Stress-free Productivity – David Allen - $8
\ How to Become a Better Negotiator – Richard Luecke, James Patterson - $5
\ The Encyclopaedia of Witches & Witchcraft – Second Edition – Rosemary Ellen Guiley - $20
\ Cartooning The Head and Figure – Jack Hamm - $10
\ Digital Photographer’s Handbook (Hard Cover) – Equipment, Techniques, Effects, Projects – Tom Ang - $20

Ellis Brook Falls

2011-08-14T03:25:00.000-07:00

Went hiking today up to Ellis Brook, it was so nice to see water in the falls and little creek. Got a little wet and dirty and I am sure as heck hoping that I don't have any bugs in horrible places like last time. It was nice to get out into the hills and take some photos.

Words of Advice

2011-08-13T20:34:00.000-07:00

One of the Canon Ambassadors has a really great article up at the moment. It is here - http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/ambassadors/gary_knight.do I wanted to post the video in mostly but I wasn't able to embed it. (Canon doesn't like to share) but I wrote down some of the things that really stuck with me.

When asked what his advise for beginning photographers was:

'Don't think too much, keep it simple, photograph things that you have a real genuine interest in and have a real passion for and don't get too distracted by the industry.'

'Successful photographers are generally known for doing one kind of photography well and when you talk to people about your work it will be obvious to people that you have a real legitimate interest and knowledge of the stories.'

I think everyone can take something from those words no matter what you do. Passion is your Power and if you are not passionate about what you are spending your life doing then stop doing and go find your passion.

Also Canon Photo5 should just be around the corner, I wonder if the third time is going to be the charm this year.....

It's Raining Arrows

2011-08-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

When I received The Wildwood Tarot I had a quick look through and quickly realised that these are very different to the Rider-Waite or Thoth frameworks I am used to. So before reviewing it I wanted to work with the deck to get to know it.

So I started drawing a card each day to reflect on. I did this at night, treating this deck more like an oracle deck, I didn't want to assume that I knew what it was going to mean. I did of course make the correlation to the Rider-Waite counterpart, but that is something I do unconsciously now when faced with decks that are not aligned with that format.

I am glad I treated this deck more like an oracle because it is vastly different.

This is what I drew from the deck.

The First Day I pulled the Five of Arrows with the key word of Frustration on the card. The Second day I pulled Nine of Arrows with the key word of Dedication on the card. The third day I pulled The Seer (A Major Arcana Card) and the fourth day I pulled the Ten of Arrows with the key word of Instruction on the card.

At this point I stopped drawing each day. I was surrounded by Arrows. This makes sense with a lot of strategic things that I am putting in place at work but I kept on going back to the Rider-Waite meanings on the cards.

To read the Cards in The Wildwood the summary of the reading would be to focus and let go of your frustrations, stay the course, listen to your intuition and also go to those who are older and wiser for instruction and to also to share what I know.

If the same four cards were pulled form any of my Rider-Waite decks. The story would have read more along these lines. 5 of Swords - There is currently a falling out or disagreement happening and it can get nasty. 9 of Swords - Worry and bad dreams or being woken by anxiety or night terrors. The High Priestess - Listen to your intuition and seek the mysteries. 10 of Swords - What is happening is as bad as it is going to get, the cycle is complete and things will change.

So which do I listen too? The funny thing is that both of those stories actually hold meaning in different areas of my life. So maybe both.

It is an interesting lesson in recognizing just how much can change when you are using different decks.

The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past

2011-08-10T06:04:00.000-07:00

And no I am not talking about the movie. A. That movie sucked and B. That would never happen in real life.

I am talking about that really real issue of when your current Boyfriend can not let go of his past Girlfriends. This has not been triggered by anything that I have been experiencing lately but BOY oh BOY do I have a gold medal in suffering that bullshit.

A friend of mine has a fiancé who has an ex-girlfriend who is in contact with him frequently and has sent photos of her self to him, calls, sms's and probably emails him. My friend knows about the contact so there is not a breach of that kind of trust but it upsets her greatly.

It upsets her because she is going to be his wife and he is still hung up on some level with an ex girlfriend. The fact that is upsets her to the point that she loses sleep over the ex ruining their relationship (cause why would she be in contact with him unless she wants something, both parties need to ask 'what is my motivation for having this person in my life?') should be enough as far as I am concerned for him to not be in contact with her any more. They are not just dating, they are getting MARRIED, he has apparently committed to their new life together, which means leaving the old life behind. Ex's included.

If there is someone from the past that is holding you back in one way or another you are unable to really present in the now and in the future. Plain and simple. If someone in your life will not let go of the past then they are not invested in your future together. I know this, I have lived this more than once and if people try to justify things they are full of shit and need to be really brutally honest with themselves.

Relationships have been completely ruined by things like this. You have to ask, If I am not near the top of your partners priority list I am clearly not on the top of my priority list. And you should be.

Wheel of the Year Tarot Review

2011-07-30T20:27:00.000-07:00

The Wheel of the Year Tarot has been created by Maria Caratti and Antonella Platano and published by Lo Scarabeo. It is a Rider-Waite based Tarot deck.

This deck is all about nature and the turning of the Wheel, the leaves, trees, stars, Mother Nature and the Goddess and The God.

There are 78 cards in the deck.

The suits are divided into the seasons.

Swords are Winter and associated with the element of Air

Cups are Spring and associated with the element of Water

Pentacles are Autumn and associated with the element of Earth

Wands are Summer and associated with the element of Fire.

I really like the Aces of this deck (pictured below) they are like the elementals for each but more in sprite form. Sometimes the Aces can be difficult for people to get a lot out of but when you ad a face to them, a spirit it can be much easier to find attributes and meaning.

In the book there is a fantastic Wheel of the Year Tarot Spread which works with the Pagan/Wiccan Sabbats (Celebrations and Holidays) of the Year and captures the essence of each Sabbat. There is not a lot of information given in the little white book but it is still enough to start your journey with the cards.

Each card has it's own title that the artist has given it, for example The Sun (Pictures below) is also called The Lord of the Day and then there are some key words given about the card.

The card on the Right is the illustration on the back of the cards.

There is a bit of nudity in this deck, it is rather cartoon like but it is still there, so if you are uncomfortable with nudity then this deck may not be for you.

This is also a VERY Pagan deck, it is all about the Wheel of the Year so that is to be expected but I thought it was worth mentioning. Those who follow a Pagan path or live closely with the cycles of nature will really enjoy this deck.

I added these images as they really caught my eye. The first the Queen of Swords looks like Malicifent from Disney's Sleeping Beauty if you ask me. The Three of Swords usually depicts a heart which is being pierced by three swords, it is interesting that there is no heart, one of the only Rider-Waite based decks I have seen that does not have a hear in the Three of Swords card. The Devil, which is about living and usually addiction and temptation in this card is all abut Lust, which is the name of this Major Arcana card in the Thoth deck. Just an interesting choice, no chains, no treasure but all about passion and the thorns we create for ourselves.

I really like this deck, it is bright and many of the cards are easy to interoperate. They make great Altar Images for ritual and spells, especially at Sabbats and I have used then for this already. This deck can also be used for seasonal meditation and to assist the seeker learn the lessons that come with the seasons, working through the story of the corresponding Minor Arcana or the Major Arcana.

The last card on the right is also the cover of the box, for those who are going to go hunting for this deck.

There are so many uses for this deck it is really multidimensional. Yes the artwork is cartoonish but I think it ads to the charm of this deck. I think it is a worthy addition to my collection.

No Middle Ground

2011-07-23T21:25:00.000-07:00

I am beginning to believe more and more that there is no middle ground when it comes to life for me.

I feel like I have to make a choice, a distinct choice and one that feels like they pull in opposite directions in opposite ways.

I feel like The Chariot, I can't have two horses running down two different roads, I need to focus my will and have them both travel down one road. But there is a fork, not a middle road. I clear right and a left path and I have to decide on the direction I am going to take.

I feel like there are voices, many of them not belonging to me telling me things that are from a place of wanting to help but just ad to my confusion.

I try to find the middle ground only to find it crumble beneath me and I am forced to look for another way but at the expense of something else.

I know plans change, life changes and we have to roll with it but I also wonder if I am missing something, if I am not listening closely enough to my spirit guides or seeing the signs.

If you are on your right path, the one that you have chosen for yourself are things supposed to be easier or do they remain just as hard? I don't think life should be all easy but it would be nice if once and a while there was a 'achievement unlocked on the right path' logo that shows itself to let you know you are not wondering around lost and purposeless.

Do we live in society and keep our economies working, fearing that we will not have enough when we are older, wanting more shit we can't take with us when we die. Working in a job that makes us unhappy only to enjoy it when we retire? I know that is extreme but A LOT of people choose just that and nothing more. I am not saying it is wrong for them but it does not feel right for me.

Be sensible or be daring?

Dancing with Faeries. Called by The Crone

2011-07-16T21:03:00.000-07:00

I have had an rather full on couple of weekends the first was really reconnecting for me. My dear friend Tamara with her husband Peter and along with my friends, Dawn, Karissa and Erin and helpers organized an event Shake Your Wicked Hoof.

Talks of dancing and feasting happened and then we heard the location was going to be kept secret until closer to the date. Quite a few of us signed up on the dot knowing that it was going to be special and it really was.

We stayed in a long Wooden Hall in Dwellingup with accommodation all around the second floor, a large dance floor and wooden fireplace. Dwellingup is about an hour and half out of the city and has some lovely valleys and rivers. We were lucky since we had been there in April the rain had turned everything green and the fire ban was lifted.

Tamzyn and Tom who flew in from South Australia for the even taught us how to dance, which is rather impressive as Pagans can be rather hard to herd. We learnt how to Waltz, circle dance and do the haymaker (that was my fav). The good thing about the dancing was the fact that it warmed you up. It was very chilly in where we were staying. We then got all robed up and prettified and came down to the beginning of the evenings festivities.

We were enchanted by the dancing of the Faeries who danced to a song that has stayed with me since that weekend and then it was our turn to dance for our supper.

Dancing Fae

Pan

Winners of the best dressed Lord and Lady of the night

The feast was incredible! I even managed to eat all of it strapped in a full corset. Dawnie that apple cake with custard was SOOOOOOO GOOOOOOD!

Then Pan arrived, we were in his domain and he showed everyone why he is lord of the forest.

The mood changed from the more formal dancing to more tribal dancing when the lights went out and the fire and candles illuminated the floor. The energy was amazing and I allowed myself to let go, go with the flow and become entranced by the music. It was ecstatic and what I really needed.

It was everything a fantastic event should be and a safe place for all to be who they are an enjoy their time in the Wooden Shed and in the forest. After a chilli nights sleep we all crawled out of our bunks and had another great meal (my hats are off to the kitchen witches who did not STOP all weekend, they must have crashed when they got home! We are really thankful for all of your work and energy that went into the food for the weekend) and then made our way home with our goody bags and wonderful memories.

This weekend was much more grounding, the Full Moon in Capricorn was intense for me. Maybe it is because I am not overly grounded most of the time or maybe it is the releasing that is connected to it, or the emotional sensitivity I found this full moon or maybe it was the calling I was hearing and the message of the Crone or maybe it was because it is all of these things for me.

We held ritual at Tamara's circle on her property which is a heaven on earth (not to mention her witches cottage) and the sky opened up after raining all day and the Full Moon was so bright you would have thought it was day time. I got to catch up with my friend Bekky who lives in Albany and I only get to see rarely, looking forward to Spring Camp where we can spend some more time together :)

We spent time linking the Earth and Sky connection and chanted to the Goddess, enjoyed the food we all brought to share and talked well into the night. It was nice to have more people in circle this weekend and sharing it with others outside of S.C.O.T.I.F. I took my Heart of the Faerie oracle with me which I am just so in love with and keeps presenting me with wonderful insight. When we finally got home I slept so well.

Huge love to everyone who has made the last couple of weekends so wonderful

Photos from Around the Place

2011-07-15T03:31:00.000-07:00

Me in Melbourne (look a little yellow in this filter, I have been Simpson'd)

My sis

Celebrated my friends Birthday

This is where I danced with the faeries all last weekend, magic

Me rocking the Harry Potter collectors glasses at The Deathly Hallows P2

The sunrise this morning while I was driving to work (was at a red light when I took this) it was magnificent.

Are we getting too used to poor quality?

2011-06-29T20:11:00.000-07:00

While I am sure this post could go on forever I am going to try and keep it short and to the point.

I have been thinking about quality lately and our perception of quality.

Like most things quality is personally perceived.

Some people will pay extra for good quality items and maybe wait a little longer for it but most people want things now and cheap. And the number of those people are increasing, a lot. Driven by advertising for large companies who are able to sell things very cheaply (with no concern about the real cost of items - water + transport + manufacturing cost + packaging) and consumer demand we are buying more shit for less and no one really seems to be noticing or caring really.

The even funnier thing is that people are honestly surprised when their $12 pair of shoes have holes in them or start to peel after a couple of wears (me included sometimes) and this is silly, you paid $12 for them for goodness sake of course they were going to fall apart sooner rather than later. I mean sometimes you can get lucky and find cheap things that last for a long time but not always, you are more likely to get cheap and crap. Most people are not made of money and I completely get that, I really do but making some small changes can make a difference.

I think the same thing can go for how we perceive art and more applicable to me photography. With the huge amount of digital photography we are all bombarded with each day on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr etc are we expecting less and praising mediocrity more? When you comment on a friends photograph on Facebook is it really a good photo or are you liking the location or just clicking like cause it looks pretty? (Yeah I do it too)

Will the consumer driven machine keep pumping out things that make being mediocre easier. I read about a camera that is being developed in Japan that allows you to take a photo and then focus it later and the first thing I thought was WTF?! Sure there are times when you want to kick yourself cause the photo you have taken is out of focus but aren't we just breeding laziness and lack of technical appreciation or skills ability? (Yes I realise that skills ability obviously changes with technologies used and creates new opportunities etc)

The same goes for food organic, local farmer grown food is so much better in the long run than shipping things in from another country and probably a lot more in our lives. I am not trying to say screw the system, just to get people to think a little bit more about where their items come from, where their attitudes to things come from (are they your own or are you just parroting your family and friends?) what the real cost of these things around us are and who is paying for them (more often than not it is the planet that suffers).

Anyhoodle that is me off of my soap box for today. So looking forward to some shopping in Melbourne today :)

Supernova 2011

2011-06-25T23:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to Supernova, which is a Pop Culture convention that travels around Australia every year. Perth usually gets stiffed with a lot of stars not coming here (cause they suck and are total Princesses) but this year we had Tom Felton (Draco from Harry Potter) and James Marsters (Angel and Buffy) which was cool. I was not going to pay $50 for a dam photo! So I just poked my head over the crowd and saw Tom's face.

The main reason I went was to take photos of people in Cosplay and there were some very cool costumes. Photos below!

Weekend Midwinter Wonderland

2011-06-20T06:01:00.000-07:00

As we experience the longest night

We hold to hope of the returning sun

Giving thanks for the many blessings

The darkness, the stillness the peace

Resting and reflecting

Awaiting the coming Spring

This weekend was full of celebration with two Yule/Mid-Winter Solstice Sabbats.

My coven and I were invited to join my dear friend Tamara at her first ritual in her new circle and at her amazing property. (So thinking of running my Tarot courses there) We gathered in the main hall and spent time greeting friends and then gathered for the official welcoming and song. Tamara then lead us down the lantern lit winding path to a beautifully candle lit Oak Tree, which symbolises the return of the Oak King (The Sun God and the Light) after the longest night of the year. The Tree was glowing with energy and light. After the lights were extinguished we were lead in the dark, representing the longest night of the year to the circle opening.

A song of Silent Night (the Pagan version of course) was sung by the S.C.O.T.I.F. coven through the walk. Tamara’s circle is AMAZING and her fantastic husband and her really did some hard work getting it all ready and looking and feeling so welcoming and magical. With Altars at each elemental gateway/direction and so much thought put into it, it is large enough to host up to 40 adults.

The youngest male lit the fire and we placed our oak leaves and our thanks into the flames. We got a little rained on but it is Winter after all! Luckily none of the Witches in the circle melted. (we know what soap is)

The circle flame was carried inside and was used to light the fires indoors and then we gathered around the ever green tree for decoration and wish making and more carol singing (still have that song in my head!). After that we all feasted on lovely warm winter foods and roasted beasties (for those who enjoy roasted beasties) , enjoyed mulled wine and enjoyed the community conversation and merriment that went well into the night. The newest Father Pete was ordained the Oak King and handed out the gifts under the tree to everyone.

KITCHEN WITCHES!

After we got home and had a wonderful nights’ sleep AmberFishy, GaiaMara and I were up and out the door to get the rest of the items needed for the S.C.O.T.I.F celebration. We had great success hunting for plates at a local Op Shop and even found a Punch bowl for the Coven to use. We are slowly gathering a lot of stuff for the coven J we got the groceries and headed home to start the hours of cooking and cleaning.

The girls really all pulled together to get it all done and I enjoy the magick of working in the kitchen with them and preparing it is a very important part of working with a group I personally believe. The Alter was dressed and the tables set and then our guests arrived. I am still impressed that we managed to fit 15 people in our house.

Our ritual was incorporated into the feast as we designed the dishes to be aligned with the elements and blessed them. More mulled wine and feasting occurred and talking through the night. We all shared what we were thankful for and then we had our gift game played. I think most people were happy with what they ended up with.

The Coven's Yule Altar

It was another wonderful evening with friends and spiritual family and I am hugely thankful to everyone who participated and shared their energy. The Solstice is tomorrow and then we will feel the light returning. I hope at least the rain sticks around as well for a while.

Fist Full of Paintballs! - Birthday Style

2011-06-14T05:44:00.000-07:00

After being inspired by Community's awesome Paintball episodes over the last two seasons I thought that Paintball would be an great idea for my birthday celebrations this year. Thankfully I have friends who are equally kick ass as I am and were as excited as I was about running around getting shot by each other for shits and giggles.

I was fully expecting it to hurt but thought that if I was in camo gear I would at least be able to try and blend in with my surroundings. That was until I was given a pair of pink overalls with a target on the back. This is what you get for being the birthday girl. At least they gave me an extra 100 rounds (which didn't do me any good).

HELLO TARGET!

I would just like to mention that the overalls were like a friggin parachute, the down side to having a huge rack is that they wouldn't fit into the smaller pair so I got the massive sized overalls.

I had a great time, granted I was a massive walking target and got hit a lot and for some unexplained reason we had a guy join our game who played every weekend and had his own gun and a sack full of balls and just picked us off all the time. I don't think he got shot once the entire 6 games. Clearly had no friends to play with cause he probably shot them all point blank in the head and they hate is ass now so they put him with us. Very unfair and the prick didn't just shoot you once he shot you like 5 times, so not cool when you put your hands up and say you are out.

My badges of honor are bruises on my arms, legs, shoulder and a sore knee from smashing into a tree root while commando ducking behind some barrels. Will definitely be going again but next time we are going to have to make sure we have a large enough group so we don't have a ninja assassin running around being an ass. Also need to put in an order for a Jeff Winger or two or a Troy and Abed.

Golden Tree Park

2011-06-07T16:24:00.000-07:00

I have been kinda M.I.A lately due to University exams, it is my final today (3 hours of hell!) and I have been trying to find work and it was also my birthday and my mum's birthday and a couple of my close friends birthday last week so I am probably going to miss the Karaoke Blog ring of death this month, I hope to get my shiz together.

This weekend I went to the country in the South West of WA and spent time with my Mum. We went to a place called Golden Tree Park, the last time I went there it was scorched with the summer sun so there was very little pretty to be seen.

This time however was stunning, the rain over the last two months had made everything green and a bunch of the trees had started to change colour. The photo below is not the best I have ever taken but I do really like it. It is also of one of my favorite trees, a Maple.

Behind the Mask

2011-05-30T02:24:00.000-07:00

I have a friend who is stunning, confident and that is able to pretty much get any man that she wants. But scratch the surface and she has had abuse at home, abuse from past boyfriends and has had serious self esteem issues that have lead her to be in the emergency room.

I have a friend who is extremely smart, she is offered scholarships and research program positions all of the time and usually gets the highest marks at University. But scratch the surface and she rarely sleeps, over thinks things and gets anxiety over not doing well at University because it is all she has.

These two friends of mine have reminded me over the last 48 hours that people are rarely what they portray to the outside world. That we become experts in wearing a mask.

Maybe it is the mask that our family expect us to wear, or our friends, colleagues, lovers or even the one we put on ourselves because we truly can not look in the mirror and see who is looking back at us.

So the next time you have an interaction with someone, remember they are probably wearing a mask and don't be too quick to judge them and their situation. People are rarely what they seem to be at first and that can be because of self preservation or fear.

The world outside our front door pretty much demands that we wear a mask. Do people really want to know how you are when they ask at the shopping centre? With the knowledge that people in our lives are going through their own things and dealing with their own lives keeps us from showing people who we really are when something is wrong or even hiding success and happiness?

Just something to ponder....

Orace Deck Review - 72 Names

2011-05-29T02:12:00.000-07:00

Orna Ben-Shoshan who has the web site Kabbalah Insights has created a vivid oracle deck based on the Kabbalistic 72 names of God.

As the name of the deck suggests there are 72 cards in the oracle deck. The card stock is excellent quality very think and really lovely to shuffle.

The artwork is bright and beautiful. They have been digitally created by Orna herself, the artwork is surreal in nature and even if the artwork is not 100% obvious the guidance in the book enables you to access their wisdom.

Along with the deck there is a little white book with the meanings of the cards within. Each card comes with its individual Perspective in regards to the situation, the Spiritual guidance of the situation and the Bottom line which is the foreseen outcome.

Orna gives instruction that there is only to be one card drawn for readings, making the deck very straight forward and easy to work with. There is no need to memorize layouts and learn anything than the wisdom that is given to you in the one card.

The cards cover so much about our journey through life and gives guidance for many things. They are great for using in meditation. I like how direct they are without being harsh. These cards will work so well with anyone working with the Kabbalah and the Tree of Life. Fantastic tool for spiritual development.

The presentation of the deck is incredibly beautiful, the deck comes in a box rich with colour and with the Hebrew letters at the back of the lid. Everything fits wonderfully in the box and is sealed with a tab.

To purchase the deck visit the decks site and order it from Orna directly. http://www.kabbalahinsights.com/products/the-72-names-cards

Uni Study and Feminism

2011-05-27T20:55:00.000-07:00

I am currently studying for my three end of semester exams. I have Tarot and Oracle deck reviews coming and also the Karaoke Blog Ring of Death is back baby so much is going to happen just not today.

My sister posted this on Facebook and it is really interesting. I actually really like the song not really for the lyrics cause I agree it is false but it is a fierce music video. This is something to think about and I was actually thinking about women and motherhood last night. Can we really have children and be a good mother and be effective in the workforce or in politics? I am not sure we can, I am not saying we can't I am just think that somewhere along the way one of those things is going to suffer. I could be wrong.

This Really Grates My Cheese - Australian Budget

2011-05-10T07:35:00.000-07:00

Even the Australian Government thinks that people who are single are a fucking joke.

With the new budget being announced this is the feedback you get on www.news.com.au (I hate this 'news' site) when you see what the budget changes mean for you.

So really on top of it being harder to find somewhere to live as a single person (lucky for me I have a great housemate but not everyone is that lucky) the Government thinks you suck too.

I ticked - Single - No Children - Metro Living Person

Sorry. There's not much directly aimed at singles this year. You could cash in on some of the wider spending, there's a slightly more generous Medicare Levy threshold to look forward to, and if you're on Youth Allowance you can earn a little more. But for the most part with no partner and no kids you don't really rate at Budget time.

So maybe it's time to close this browser and go meet that special someone. Or just accept that for you, Budget day is a little like Valentine's day: just not your scene. If you're unemployed too, then there are some new hurdles you'll have to jump.

So basically if you are not procreating or getting married you are pretty much nothing to the Government. Tell me something I don't know.

My Week In Photos #5

2011-05-08T18:24:00.000-07:00

It rained, a bit, but not nearly enough

The Sunrise was real pretty in the country

Adopted an Owl Statue from my friend Siti before he went off to NY City

Cool enough to wear flannel PJ's!

Took some night photos in Freo

Played with my Lensbaby, got frustrated more than anything

Mario gots ate

Drove a lot

Helped at a Crystal workshop

Enjoyed some great street art

Feast your Ear Holes on This

2011-05-07T02:43:00.000-07:00

Australian Artist Gotye.

I had the most amazing sense of deja-vu when I wrote this. Weird.

Like Drawing Blood

Relationship Disability Lessons #3

2011-05-04T20:51:00.000-07:00

I may not like all of her movies but lady makes an EXCELLENT point.

Samhain Camping Adventure

2011-05-02T05:22:00.000-07:00

Samhain

The night where the veil between the worlds is thinest

Where our Ancestors and past loved ones can visit and communicate with us

A time to listen to ancient wisdom

Where we prepare for the upcoming hibernation of winter

A time of reflection and remembrance

All Hallows Eve

Samhain Altar

This weekend past the Coven spent the weekend camping for Samhain in Dwellingup in Western Australia. There we were surrounded by beautiful forest near a river. Back to basics we had no running water, no phone reception and thanks to our horrid summer a complete fire ban, subsequently making the nights very cold.

It is funny that it really takes me being forced out of contact with my perceived and chosen responsibilities for me to actually relax. The meditations I was able to do were incredibly deep and profound. The connection with my spirit guides have been increasingly strong and the ritual that Lee prepared was so powerful and amazing.

We bush walked, made friendship bracelets, meditated, read our Tarot, reconnected to nature and even had a Kangaroo join us on Saturday night. (who knew that Kangaroo's like Dog Biscuits?)

Here he is eating an apple

We honored our ancestors and walked the Labyrinth which is a representation of the Goddesses journey to the underworld, where at each gate she shed a layer of her identity and returned reborn and actualized.

It is experiences like the weekend I had makes me so glad to be spiritually working with the people I am, they are truly a gift.

I am working on consciously reflecting at this time as that was my clear message over this weekend. That while I have seeds that are there, they are not ready to be planted, I need time to meditate and contemplate, sit and be still. Will see how long that lasts being the overly active person that I usually am.

Samhain Blessings to all that are in the Southern Hemisphere and Beltane Blessings to all in the Northern Hemisphere.

We rocked up when it was pitch black on Friday night and this is our 'tent erection interpretation' Sarah and Teneal did a stellar job.

Lee made me a very pretty bracelet

While on our little bush walk

Don the coven helper for the weekend doing the manly thing and caring for the barbie

The Ritual space with our Labyrinth

My Week in Photos #4

2011-04-25T06:35:00.000-07:00

Got a great postcard from my Sister

Pretty Light in Trees

And Pretty Flowers

Read to Get Rid of my Insomnia

Celebrated the Full Moon

Enjoyed The Roses

Which are So Pretty at the Moment

More Full Moon Altar Goodness

Got Kitty Cuddles

Spent time with my Friends new Baby and Daughter

The Camera in the front of my iPhone still freaks me out

Relationship Disability Lessons #2

2011-04-24T17:29:00.000-07:00

Are We Too Independent?

2011-04-24T01:39:00.000-07:00

I have been doing a lot of thinking this weekend, which I know is dangerous and all but I have been away from the Internet for three days and trying not to go mad with too much terrible TV on Foxtel. (good Gods I remembered how much I HATE TV) So I have had little else to do but to read and think and attempt completing my University assignments.

We are told (well most of us) from an early age that we should forge our own paths and create our own lives. (fail to the parents who didn't do this for their kids, what is wrong with you the 50's where A LONG time ago people get over it) That is a all well and good motto to have but what happens if years and maybe a lifetime doing just that you are shutting out many opportunities to find someone to share our self created lives with?

Do we mistake wanting someone who is our equal? If we find someone who is our equal what are THEY going to bring to the relationship? How are THEY going to feel needed and wanted? If you can do everything and have done everything on your own then who needs a husband or a wife? Are we at the point where another person in our lives is more of an inconvenience than anything? Do we marry just to procreate and build homes? I don't actually think that a good relationship can be 100% equal. There are things that I can't do, I am terrible at things that even remotely sound like Mechanical, I hate spiders and although I know I can do what I need to survive and live a relatively comfortable life on my own. I don't actually want to.

Is the plan to wait until you find someone who has a master plan better than yours or that has room for you to join and then ditch your path? Let's be honest people don't ever really want exactly the same thing, if they say that they are a LIAR. Similar maybe but not exactly the same, someone, somewhere along the road of that relationship there is going to be compromise, because you can't have two leaders pulling in two directions.

I think it is vital to fins someone who wants similar things in life and most importantly shares your ideals, morals and values. I guess the lesson is that maybe as single, independent people we shouldn't get too comfortable or in love with our independent solo life and persona, unless you want to stay single or want to find a 'doormat partner'. Because that solo life and that person who was able to do what ever they wanted when ever they wanted is going to have to change and adapt to create a good relationship. And the change should be easy and feel right or you may just be changing for the wrong person.

Wizards Tarot Review

2011-04-14T23:47:00.000-07:00

The Wizards Tarot is the creation of Corrine Kenner and John J. Blumen and has just been published this year.

The Tarot deck is set in and around Mandrake Academy and features the Students of the School (most of the Minor Arcana), the Teachers and Professors (most of the Major Arcana) and the Royal Families (Court Cards).

Positives

The book is amazing (239 pages) and I would expect nothing less from Corrine who is a fantastic Tarot author. There is enough in the book to keep you busy for a very long time, especially when it comes to the Major Arcana. There are specifically designed Tarot Spreads or each one of the cards.

The cards are very nice and overall it is a great deck, the decoration around the border and the back is excellent. It invokes ancient mysteries, maps of the stars and alchemical equipment all used in spiritual work.

I like the theme of the deck even if it is a bit copied (see negatives below) but that is because I would have loved to have gone to a place like that and I think that the Tarot is a great tool and can really be a representation of the School of Spiritual and Life lessons.

The digital artwork is done very well and looks amazing in most of the cards. There is some fantastic blending in some of the cards, John did a wonderful job. 78 Cards is a LOT of work.

I love the court cards in this deck, using the Elementals for each suit was a really nice move. Although that won't resonate with everyone. I really liked that they were given their own part of the book and the attention that they were.

The deck seems to have been very well thought out, there is a lot of symbology in it and it all has a purpose.

Negatives

I really do feel like this is a Harry Potter world rip off in some respects (like calling The Devil card The Dark Lord for example) and I know that there is an amazing artist on Deviant Art who created a Harry Potter Tarot but can not get it published because of Warner Bros. So this feels like a cheap knock off. At least there are no sparkly vampires in the deck I would have lost all respect for Corrine if that were the case.

Like in a lot of decks and books the Minor Arcana is not given as much importance and there is not a lot of information in regards to their meanings. But the symbology is well explained at least.

Some of the Illustrations are a little off for me personally. The Four of Swords looks like it has not been printed vert well (stupid printers) and some of the imagery is a little gaudy, I usually love The Moon card and it is my least favorite in this deck.

The card stock that Llewellyn is currently using is terrible but that is not the fault of the creators. Llewellyn are just cheap apparently.

Overall

I have been working with the deck since I got it in the mail about 3 weeks ago and it is easy to read being a Rider-Waite template deck. I think that anyone who loves Magic and also Teenagers will love this deck.

Karaoke Blog Ring of Death - One Hit Wonders

2011-04-13T06:25:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks it is that time of the month again when we all gets a little crazy and or drunk and do our best to embarrass ourselves on the net.

Me and my hot mess is over here http://nyxynotions.blogspot.com/ and should be up in the next 24 hours. Make sure you watch my video intro as well as the song, due to technical difficulties I had to have separate videos.

Soak up the rest of the Blog Ring this month as there is going to be a months break next month so get your fill in!

Anyhoodle, here is Jess (how lucky am I to have her again on my blog) take it away hot stuff.

Hey you guys!!!!!(Totally not said in Soth's voice, or maybe.) This is Jes from Jes Getting Started. Some how Ash is lucky enough to get to host my trainwreck of karaoke again this month but this just make my adoration for her grown. This month's KARAOKE (BLOG) RING OF DEATH theme was One Hit Wonders since a bunch of people are too scared to go up against Tsa and I in a rap battle. Its okay we understand that you know nothing about the East Coast rap game. Its cool, Id be scared of my skills too. So I picked a pretty angry song and thought filming on my bed would be a good idea in case I wanted to jump around. Instead it just causes me to almost eat shit towards the end. Not literally of course. I have no clue what inspired the Jersey look which included Snooki poof, Jersey girl shirt and acid washed jean skirt. I also do in fact know how to play the guitar even though it clearly looks like I have no clue. Make sure you stop by my blog to check out the hilarious Tristachio in her karaoke debut.

Karaoke Blog Ring - April from Jes Getting Started on Vimeo.

My Friends Wedding

2011-04-12T06:47:00.000-07:00

This weekend was epic, not only did I have dinner with 8 of the most amazing people in the WORLD and get to hang out with my best friend who flew in from Canberra for our friends wedding but I got to be a maid of honour for my close friend Heather who got herself MARRIED and then there was the champagne and the hangover the next morning. Tots worth it though!

Here are some photos from the wedding well the link to the photos as I am not going to copy them over and then some of mine. http://www.shevaunbphotography.com/?p=352

Me and Leah the other fab Brides Maid and friend for 15 years

Me and my BEST friend Kristy

Me and Gaiamara from the Hen's night

Me, Gaiamara and Chloe driving to the Hens night

My speech was a tear jerker (so mission accomplished!) I am really happy with it. The poem is one of my favorites ever as I am a huge hopeless romantic and just love love love it. I am posting it below for posterity.

Heather you have been a loyal, incredibly generous, caring friend. I wanted to take the opportunity in front of your family and friends to let you know how much I have appreciated you and your friendship over the years. You really are irreplaceable and Troy you are a very lucky man.

There are things in life we all wish and hope for. The dreams we have for our futures. A successful career, happiness and that special someone that knows how to love us without being told. Someone to share our lives with, to trust our hearts with and experience lives ups and downs.
We wish these things for those we care about and celebrate when they find it. As we all know that finding that person is a rare thing.

Yeats wrote

Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet:
But I, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

Troy and Heather, you have both given your hearts and your dreams to each other, tread softly.

Random Acts of Kindness

2011-04-06T18:04:00.000-07:00

To say that I was having a bad day yesterday was a bit of an understatement.

After spending many many hours editing photos and calling out for help a few times to some friends who came through for me I had to get a bunch of prints done for a recent photo shoot urgently as the prints need to be on the other side of the country by tomorrow for a competition.

So I load my UBS stick with the images and drive to the photo printing place. Thinking that finally I can start to stress less about this entire project. When I load my USB up to transfer the files for printing I realize with dread that I have loaded the wrong files to the drive. After berating myself for a bit I go back home and put the right files on the drive and head back to the printing place.

The guy (who I swear I wouldn't trust with any sort of technology) tells me they will be about 30 min so I decide to hang around and then head to the my Client to drop them off. I get the photo prints back (which cost me over $70 all up) and there is a line down each one of them which is not all that noticeable at first but the more I look at them the more I notice it. They are also blown out and look NOTHING like the work I have spend DAYS creating.

I promised my Client I would be in to drop off the photographs in the afternoon so I head there but on the way decide that I am going to another printer, the company I used to go in the CBD who do a quality job and again berate myself for not going there in the first place. I arrive, show my Clients what a crap job the first lot did and then head off to my other printing company. By now I have spent over 4 hours on the road for these prints.

When I get there the owner is in thank the Gods, he has always been so nice and really knows his stuff. I show him the terrible job that the other company did and then he tells me it was their system that did it and they obviously use a cheap printer. I wholeheartedly agree. I know from past experience that even though this company is a little more expensive the quality is superb and I feel a whole lot better when he hands me the first print from his system and it looks like it is supposed to! Oh Happy Day!

Not only did I get amazing prints, he complimented my work (which I really needed to hear after having a day like that) said I had a good eye and asked if I was looking for work as a friend of his has a business that is always looking for good photographers. I give him my business card and let him know that I would be interested to talk to his friend if he likes my work. Mr Awesome Print guy also asks if he can print off a couple of my shots that I took in for display and I agree of course and he gave me a discount on my printing job.

Nice people do exist! I walked into that place feeling like crap, tired, hungry and just really deflated. I left knowing 100% that I will never get prints from anywhere else but there, possibly having a job opportunity and feeling so much better about life.

So then I head back to the Clients salon, drop off the proper prints, pick up the diabolical ones drive back to the first place and demand my money back (they gave it to me thankfully) and then finally go home. Nearly 6 hours on the road for these prints but it was worth it in the end.

So today I have challenged myself to pay it forward. I am going to do a random act of kindness to someone today and hope it makes their day like Bob made mine yesterday. I personally think that we should try and do this everyday make someone smile. There is enough sadness and bad news in the world and as an individual we can make it a better place. When was the last time you did something randomly kind?

Oh and the photos, here are a couple that I had printed off yesterday.

I have a Theory - Britney Spears

2011-04-04T21:44:00.000-07:00

I am a Britney fan, I am not going to lie. I spent $250 to see her when she came to Australia and I for one was not pissed off when all she did was lip sync. Seriously people she has always lip synced (well there may be one or two times she hasn't) that was not going to change. I knew it was probably going to be the one and only time that she came to Australia.

I have watched Britney with her numerous comebacks and each time she steps out on the stage have prayed that she was going to be back for reals this time. I am of course let down when she bounces across the stage in heels too high to actually dance.

After wondering where the Britney went that could actually dance for the millionth time, something hit me.

There is more than just stage freight going on here. There is more than just having an off day or lack of performance confidence as well.

Now I have not read this anywhere else but I think that Britney Spears has an injury, a serious injury that her management is keeping a secret and that restricts her from moving like she used to.

Think about it, she is still young and there is no way that she should go from this:

To this:

I know she has had children and that she has gotten older but that has not stopped entertainers in the past. I am not hating on Britney I actually do like her but I think there is more going on there than it being let on.

What do you all think?

My Week in Photos #3

2011-04-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

I have no idea how on Earth I am still awake after very little sleep last night due to the Hens night party I was at for a friend. So I have decided to share some photos of my week instead!

While drunk last night I had the awesome idea to tape this months Karaoke Blog Ring of Death...yeah it is one embarrassing video let me tell you. But you will have to wait a few more days for that gem.

So this week I

Baked cup cakes

Met a bin monster

Got bored at Uni

Made my own Queen of Hearts crown

Ate cup cakes

Enjoyed Tea at Heather's Kitchen Tea

Was the Queen of Hearts at said Kitchen Tea

Had more Tea with the March Hare

Enjoyed the Hen's Night along with many shenanigans and ride on lawn mowers with hotties drinking Corona's (Yep that is how we roll!)

Had wonderful friends make me breakfast

So here is to the craziness which is the week before my friends wedding with uni assignments due, best friends flying in for a visit (SO EXCITED) hundreds of photos to edit, Tarot class to teach, hair, tanning, nails, make up to get done and I think I should probably practice walking in my heels for the wedding cause that could end badly if I don't. Oh and I think I am in the WA News paper tomorrow!

University Photography Class

2011-03-31T18:47:00.000-07:00

While everyone else in class was learning about how to use a tripod (I was clearly not paying attention as I am pretty sure I can put my camera on my tripod while blindfolded) I was mucking around with the pine cones around the University grounds. At some point this unit is going to get challenging.....

Another one bites the dust

2011-03-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

So I took my own advice and recently ended a relationship that was clearly pointless. After making a promise to myself that I was not going to drag myself through another relationship with someone emotionally unavailable along with other issues that I am not going to blog about we talked and we broke up.

Single again. I kinda feel rather apathetic about it, but that could be the exhaustion talking. I am sure we will be able to be friends with no weird vibes or unresolved feelings which will be nice but currently he is too busy acting like Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory over his last semester at University so I am not really expecting much contact until that is over. Sheldon may be funny to watch but sometimes people who are overly intelligent are NOT fun at all to date. And for the record I am not like Amy Farrah-Folwer.

The other part of the breakup I can talk about was the fact that we wanted different things. He was looking for someone to have a family with and was moving to the USA to take a job there. I want to travel, finish my degree and teach in other countries and take as many photographs as possible and write with children on the 'if it happens cool, if not then cool' list. So again no point being with someone who wants completely different things than you.

Also he had never read or seen any Harry Potter movies and didn't want to go to Disney World and that right there is the biggest way to shatter my inner child and kill my dreams of running around Florida like a hyperactive child for a couple of weeks (someday!) Speaking of Harry Potter did anyone else see the new movie poster? I am so going to cry like a bitch when it is all over, I did when the books ended, I am excited and also full of fear for the 15th of July, a group of friends and I have already said that we are going to the midnight screening!

At least with this break up there was no cheating and I don't feel the need to eat my weight in chocolate (which is a very good thing as I have to fit into my bridesmaid dress next weekend for my friends wedding) and he was a genuinely nice person.

In other news work on my website is actually happening so excited to get it all done!

I had a great Photo shoot with Element Aveda for a competition a lot of their hairdressers are entering, which was a big production over two days and I now have more photo editing than most weddings to get done.

So in reflection all, have you been taking your own advice lately?

Relationship Disability Lessons 1

2011-03-25T18:25:00.000-07:00

Photo Credit

Don't hate cause it is true, these are simply my observations.

Mabon & the Full Moon

2011-03-21T02:53:00.000-07:00

What a full on weekend, full of really huge amounts of energy.

Saturday a managed to be so blessed as to have some of the people that I adore the most in the world join me in the recording studio to finish the drumming, singing and chanting for the Wicca CD series that I have now finished. It was intense and really amazing. I was running so high after drawing so much energy over that session. I think I would have needed pegging to the ground if it was not for the wonderful Amanda and her amazing grounding pasta.

Then Sunday was work where I had a fantastic Tarot session with a friend I have not seen in a really long time and it was just a lovely exchange. Then the Coven gathered for Mabon, the second harvest and it was such a nice night. The change is definitely in the air, the nights are at least a lot cooler and the days are indeed getting shorter. Now we just need some rain, not flooding though.

Mabon Altar S.C.O.T.I.F

We journeyed through a elemental cleansing meditation and worked through the Mabon Harvest Spread that I wrote for the Sabbat.

This is my reading.

1. Me at the Time of Harvest - Four of Pentacles

Well this makes complete sense with all of the commitments and travel I have this year I am trying to save save save with very different work situations. I will get on top of that, sooner rather than later would be best.

2. What do I need to leave Behind? - Ace of Wands

This to me speaks of me being really careful of not taking on too many new things now that I have made commitments to people. So I need to see the things I have agreed to through first and give them time to develop.

3. What do I need to Welcome in? - Seven of Swords

I got really confused with this at first as it is the thief card and I don't want to let a thief in. But the girls shed some light on it saying that it could be that I need to just make sure that I am well protected and also that I may be walking around like a thief, guarded and maybe it is time to let my guard down a little.

4. What are the Illusions that are in my way? - Five of Pentacles

This clicked immediately! I need to know that there is enough for me, enough money, enough clients and opportunities and I have to trust it a bit more and know that I deserve to be successful for myself.

5. What has been my most Abundant Harvest? - Five of Swords

Another one that stumped me initially but then Amanda reminded said the word battle and it all got clear, last year especially from Feb/Mar onwards was incredibly hard for me and I won that battle, I wrestled with my inner turmoil and I laid down my anger. Yes it took me nearly a year exactly to do that but I still did and it was a BIG win and something to be very grateful for.

6. What is something I do not need to Sow again? - Six of Cups

Going into the past and dragging up emotional situations that I know do not work, and that is beginning to become abundantly clear to me now. I know what works and I know what doesn't, I learnt that lesson and I need to put it into practice so that I don't make some of the same mistakes.

Such an amazing reading for myself. I love reading Tarot in circle and at Sabbats, there is such a great energy that comes with it.

After we closed circle we had a wonderful feast and celebrated Lee's birthday early as it is really tomorrow with Vegan Chocolate Mud Cake which actually turned out good despite my wonderings if it would and Teneal's sad face expression when it came out of the oven a little well done.

Even though I was up with the Full Moon (and man oh man was She ever magnificent) on Sunday night it was another fabulous Sabbat and weekend.

My Week in Photos

2011-03-16T19:38:00.000-07:00

This week has been manic so I have not had a lot of time for much but being at my School Experience looking after my class of year 1 and 2's, finishing off the recording of my massive project (see below) and trying to finish my university assignments.

In more exciting news I started my new Tarot Course at the Sacred Grove Spiritual Centre this week and it is a really great group and I am looking forward to working with them all and exploring the Tarot together.

Enjoyed the best coffee in Perth at the Grove

I heard that Bird is the word...again

So do I!

In the recording studio laying down the vocal meditation tracks for the Wicca CD series that I am working on with New Mind Records. So excited and terrified at the same time. I am back in on the weekend doing the chanting, drumming and singing with a group of girls that I love. Will be interesting to see how it all comes together.

My sister who is the Manager of Prada somewhere in Australia gifted me some lovelies and she even served Rihanna this week while she was in Oz for her tour.

This little guy is the mascot for the recording studio

Steam-punk Owl

My friend Sam had her baby boy, Hiram on Thursday. He was nearly twice the size of her other three children at 8 pounds 11. I got to look after her twin boys on Friday while she was in hospital can't wait to do the new born photographs of the little guy. So beautiful and so happy for her and her hubby.

This is how my kittie Steve likes to help me when I am trying to finish my assignments for University. Really he is trying to help.....

My Week in Photos

2011-03-05T06:08:00.000-08:00

Had another really pretty sunset

Consulted my Tarot Cards (A Lot!)

Played with my pretty Crystals

Enjoyed the Wild Flowers at the University campus

Lusted after sluty shoes I could never walk in

Got totally spoilt by my guy (he came home fom NY this weekend) how lucky am I!

Took some night photography, I love my 10-20mm

Recent Movie Watching Reviews

2011-03-05T05:46:00.000-08:00

I know I am WAAAYYY behind the 8 ball when it comes to this but I have MAD insomnia tonight so I had to blog about something.

The movies that I have recently seen that were nominated for an Academy Award (and in one case won it) are below and seriously Australia is still so stupidly behind when it comes to movie release dates, what are we still in the 90's fucking sort that shit out. I can get something FedEx'd from the states in 24 hours, it should not take months.

The Kings Speech - What a winner of a movie. I really liked it and am so glad that it won best film. For a movie that is about talking and really amazing characters it is one of the best I have ever seen. Geoffrey and Colin were just awesome. I am also super glad that Colin Firth won best Actor, GO MR DARCY YOU SEXY M*THERF*CKER! He is so dam dashing (truly the word suits that man to a T), how can you not just love the man. I know straight guys who even have a bit of a man crush on Colin.

Oh and what the hell was the Directors acceptance speech? I love how he pretty much disses Helena, I would have slapped him. She was really good in the film, nice to see her play a more 'normal' character.

Black Swan - I hope I was not alone in wondering what the fuck I had just watched when the movie ended. I got that she was all crazy and that Lily represented her shadow side etc but it was just a whole lotta messed up. I think Natalie did an amazing job, her preparations were incredible and her transformation when she dances as the Black Swan was really moving so props to her winning the award. Messed up freaky ballerinas!

127 Hours - I am never going to go anywhere in nature again without a dam flare gun! I am not a big James Franco fan but I actually enjoyed this film even though it scared me. I was actually gritting my teeth when he was hacking his arm off and was hitting the nerves, the sound effects were nasty!

Anyone else see any of these?

New Tarot Deck - Tarot of the Sidhe

2011-03-02T03:48:00.000-08:00

Now that I am back in the land of the well and recovered from my flu I can start to blog with some actual coherency.

The Tarot of the Side are the creation of Emily Carding who also created the Transparent Oracle and Transparent Tarot. As well as illustrating each of the cards she also wrote the companion booklet.

There are 78 cards in the deck and the suits of the Minor Arcana have been given the associations of the elements that they usually preside over. The traditional Pentacles are the suit of Earth the Makers, Swords are the suit of Air, the Dreamers, Wands are Fire, the Warrior and Cups are Water and the Dancers.

In the Court cards there are Princesses instead of Pages, Princes instead of Knights and Queens and Kings which has remained the same as traditional Tarot decks.

Each of the cards has a nice thick black border and also have key words at the bottom for referencing and easy reading. Depending of course how you like to read the Tarot.

Emily has swapped the order of the Strength and Justice in the order of the Major Arcana. She also renamed The Devil card Pan and also renamed the Hierophant the Elder. The two card name changed are much more aligned with the Pagan/Earth theme of the deck.

The back of the Cards is mainly black with a white labyrinth. The cards are just a little bigger than the larger publishers create but are not hard to shuffle. They are made with nice card stock and laminated in a nice shiny finish. Schiffer Publishing do a pretty dam good job with the decks they publish!

The book has quiet a lot of information. Emily talks a little about who the Sidhe are, use of the cards, card meanings and some pretty nice looking card spreads. (Looking forward to busting a few of these out!) Emily even included a small section about creating your own Tarot spreads. She even has a small bit of information about meditating with the Tarot and how to enter a card for journeying.

I am not actually a fan of the Transparent Tarot and I mention why in my review of it but this is much more a substantial deck, Emily has actually done it justice.

The illustrations are very bright and very full of colour, there is a lot going on in the cards. I think I actually prefer the art of the Minor Arcana in this deck rather than the Major Arcana. It is not my favorite type of artwork but they look like very interesting cards to work with. I have worked very well with decks that I find interesting rather than pretty. I really like working with Fae energy so I am keen to see what I get from the cards while working with them more.

My Week in Photos #2

2011-02-27T01:22:00.000-08:00

Experienced a really awesome sunset

Steve relaxed from the heat

I hung out with some very cool little dudes

Played with light and shadow

Wore some red lipstick

Admired the bike planter at work

Had a six legged visitor who freaked the bloody hell out of me, yucky spiders and he was BIG!

Steve tried to help me get better with kitty cuddles

Writing a lot in my book for a project

Oh and it is just me or is Blogger being a bitch?

My Week in Photos

2011-02-19T20:17:00.000-08:00

Steve Napped, a lot

I played with my front iPhone camera in crappy lighting

I also played with some old photos and wished it was winter already

It was valentines day and my Uni tutors gave us candy to keep us awake

Writing something very exciting and all consuming

Drank a lot of water because it was friggin HOT this week

More kitty napping

Enjoyed the Full Moon

and I dreamed of a giant inflatable owl, I want one, room may be an issue however

Destination Wedding, Super Awesome News

2011-02-16T03:58:00.000-08:00

This happened on Monday night! My older sister and her boyfriend got engaged. Here is how he proposed!

How cute and romantic is that?! Way to set the bar way high Krister. Seriously if you have not checked out his blog Quantum Pie, you need to. Geek is the new black don't you know.

This is what Jaime did in response, after actually saying yes of course.

That's my sister!

So after screaming in the Gym change room and giving several people a heart attack the three sisters ended up having a conference call to talk about Wedding stuff. They are getting married this year, so I am going to have to save my pennies for a Destination wedding.

And I have had the honour of being asked to be a Brides Maid (which of course I said yes) and also to be Photographer lady as well (of course I said yes to that as well).

It is going to be the first time that the entire family has been together for something stupid like 10 years and I am not joking. I am so friggin excited about seeing everyone and having a great time.

Jaime wants to get married on a beach somewhere so far the destinations have been short listed to Thailand, Fiji, Mexico, Hawaii and Dominican Republic. The issue is that Jaime's side of the family are all in Australia and Krister's are all in North America. But it will all get sorted and will spend time with my favorite people on a beach somewhere in the beautiful world.

So happy for my Sister!

iPhone Application Love - Instagram

2011-02-15T07:07:00.000-08:00

I am so in Love with Instagram! It is a free app for iPhone (I don't know or care about other smart phones, sorry) and it lets you take photos with your iPhone and put some pretty sweet filters on it and then share with the world! Here is what I have been taking over the last week since I have found this amazing app.

I have put it on my Twitter (yeah I caved) and my Instagram ID is ethonytarot for anyone who wants to stalk me. Please stalk me lol.

It is free, so go and gets it!

New Oracle Deck in Progress - Gods & Titans

2011-02-14T07:05:00.000-08:00

Modern Australian Witch Stacey Demarco has teamed up with an brilliant young Australian artist Jimmy Manton to create a new Oracle deck, Gods & Titans which is going to be released through Blue Angel Publishing in May 2011.

Taken from the website the Oracle has been created to bring back the Sacred Masculine Divine. Stacey has written invocations and tested spells to connect and work with each of the deities in the deck. There are 36 cards in total which will have different Gods from the Worlds pantheons.

I really hope that she is also working on a Goddess series, although there are a lot more Goddess decks around than there is God decks and I think it is awesome that the diversity and richness of the Worlds Divine Gods are being explored. As God is many faceted and has many ways to connect with people and are incredibly powerful and can teach us much. I am a huge fan of mythology and these cards look incredible and from the information that has been given about them they have been well researched.

I look forward to getting my hands on the deck.

Please note that all images are copyright to the artist and shown on this blog for the express purpose of showcasing new Tarot and Oracle decks.

You can order a copy through Blue Angel Publishing

Stacey Demarcos' wonderful website, The Modern Witch is located HERE

Jimmy Mantons' website and online portfolio is HERE

The Official Site for the Gods & Titans page is HERE

Lessons on the 4 of Swords and Temperence

2011-02-13T04:57:00.000-08:00

One of the things that I love about being a Tarot reader is that while you are reading for other people is that you can get some amazing messages that really resonate with the reader themselves. This happened to me today when two cards kept coming up during the readings I gave to my Clients.

When I get a message and I am meant to hear it as well it sounds incredibly clear, like my own voice gets amplified while I speak that sentence and then it goes back to normal. It sounds strange I know but it happens.

Two cards came up more than once, in more than one reading today. They were the 4 of Swords and Temperance.

So the message for the day was: To let it be, lay down my swords and stop worrying so much and to be ready to work with personal transformation. To work with the alchemical process spiritually and to allow the divine guidance to direct me where I need to be.

Tarot Art and Tarot Deck in Progress

2011-02-10T23:42:00.000-08:00

I stumbled across an amazing German artist Reinhard Schmid and his beautiful interpretations of the Major Arcana yesterday and just had to share. His website is HERE. I hope they get published they are stunning and not like anything I have seen before.

I love his The Lovers Card and his The Hermit. (Below)

I also love the Strength card, the Woman in the card is holding the Lion almost protecting him which in a lot of traditional cards she is not really in a protective stance, but I really like this interpretation of the card.

I also came across a Tarot Deck in Progress, The Magical Vision Tarot created by artist Linda Peltola. The website for the Tarot Deck is HERE and her Blog which has not been updated in a while unfortunately is HERE. I hope she gets the project finished. 78 cards is a lot of art work so understandably it is going to take a good long while.

All images are copyright of the Artists and have been shared on this blog to share to the community and to promote their art.

Karaoke Ring of DEATH - I Touch Myself

2011-02-09T02:14:00.000-08:00

It is that time of the month again and I am super excited that I was actually well enough to partake and record a song this month.

This months theme is Love Songs or Anti Love Songs. You know it being the month of Cupid, Hallmark and Romance and all.

My version of awesome is HERE - seriously hit that link up and be prepared to me amazed, or mildly amused. My kitten Steve has a staring role as well. He is such a fucking rock star!

Jess from www.jesgettingstarted.blogspot.com has blessed my blog with her awesomeness for this month. Click to witness below! Her Divinyls Karaoke cover of I Touch Myself

Love Karaoke <3 Dont you want to touch me? from Jes Getting Started on Vimeo.

First Harvest and New Beginnings

2011-02-07T02:14:00.000-08:00

I am currently recovering from a pretty epic weekend. My feet are still too sore to stand for long periods of time but at least the ringing in my ears has stopped.

I am enjoying my last week of semi freedom before University starts full time next week and get a head start on the readings.

Friday night The Scared Grove had their opening night. This is where I am going to be working. I have my first day there tomorrow. It is such a wonderful space to work and be in. Lumina has really created such a wonderful place.

Priestess Lumina and Lloyd

One of the reading rooms (I will be reading Tarot in here!)

Saturday we celebrated Lammas, the first Harvest of the Seasons. After ritual with Tarot and God statue creation we had our feast out on the garden lawn while enjoying raspberry lemonade drink, wonderful vegetarian food and excellent company.

Lammas is the 'cross quarter' day marking the first harvest of early grain

Where the first loaf of the bread from the harvest is broken and shared in the name of the Goddess.

It's time to begin reaping what we have sown throughout the past few months.

This is the season for rebirth and renewal

(taken from the SCOTIF Lammas Ritual 2011)

Our Lammas Altar

Tarot Ritual

Lee's yummy Polenta creations

Sunday was the Perth Big Day Out. We had perfect weather for the day and a breeze made even the mosh more bearable. It was the first time I had seen any of the acts this year and I was completely blown away by Rammstein's on stage performance and theatrics, they were my highlight of the while day. The other was riding on the big swing ride while Tool was on. All in all, pretty epic time was had by all.

Photography Print Giveaway

2011-02-01T19:35:00.000-08:00

Time for the first giveaway of the year.

I have one of my Prints of the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia to giveaway and all you have to do to enter is comment below.

This is one of my favorite photos of the 12 Apostles that I took late last year. This is a more detailed look at the photo.

I will post the print to the winner no matter where you are in the World!

Thank you for reading my Blog peeps :)

How hard can this be?

2011-01-30T23:42:00.000-08:00

My day job used to be finding other people days jobs.

I did this day job for 10 years different industries, different Clients and Candidates but when you boil it all down it was not rocket science. Your Client had a job to fill and my job was to find the right candidate for it.

Being in the same industry for that long in a town as nepotistic and small as Perth has it's definite down sides. People are horrid gossips and I don't care what anyone says, people love to gossip.

The morning I was made Operations Manager at one of my companies I started receiving phone calls from people I had not heard from in ages telling me about my own bloody promotion.

So believe me when I say I am sure there are people in the Recruitment Industry in Perth who do not like me. It is not really a big deal but I think I may have been in the industry too long to even get a low level administration temp job.

I have been between jobs for two weeks before university starts and I am going crazy not working, I have always worked and not finding work that even a 8 year old can do is infuriating.

So I think I have managed to either be such a notorious ice bitch queen at work that no one will hire me out of being spiteful because I probably regretted them for a job at some point or Clients suck. Either way I can not wait until University starts.

Street Art in Perth

2011-01-30T04:33:00.000-08:00

I look a wander around Northbridge today which is a suburb next to the Perth CBD and took some photos, most of them of the street art around the city. Here are some of the photos I took.

Carrie, what have you done?

2011-01-28T20:53:00.000-08:00

I really love Sex and the City, I own all of the season at home and watched the movies, yes even the second piece of crap at the cinema. But after watching season three again over the last few days I am kinda annoyed.

Did Carrie do more harm than good in regards to modern women’s approach and expectations to relationships?

Here is where I am coming with this. Season 3 saw Aiden come on the scene and I am firmly in the camp that Aiden was the bigger man and that Carrie FUCKED it up big time when it came to the best thing that happened to her.

PUT THE RING ON YOUR FUCKING FINGER AND STOP FUCKING

YOUR RELATIONSHIP UP! AAAHHHHH

And she did this not only because she was addicted to Big but also because and more importantly she is addicted to DRAMA.

We all know people in our lives that are addicted to drama, I used to be thoroughly addicted to drama in my relationships until I got sick of being cheated on my pricks and over having to go to the Dr’s for STD checks because of those cheating pricks. If that is not a wake up call, I don’t know what is.

Emotionally, psychically and spiritually I had enough of being used and dragged through the dirt in order to have stories to tell about the ‘interesting’ guys in my world.

Now when I feel like I need some drama I just do something a lot less stupid and do not invite unhealthy people in my life, thanks to some major work I did on myself over the last 2 years. It has been way worth it.

So getting back to Carrie. Instead of manning up and acting like an adult she continued to do things over the course of six seasons and two movies to make her life harder than it needed to be. Which is good because it was a TV show and it needed Drama to keep going but there are plenty of women out there who do not realise that there is a difference between what happens on HBO and what happens in the real world.

Carrie is a fictional character and you are so not her, be glad that you are not her, she threw so many tantrums in the course of the series that if I had to date her I would have dumped her crazy emotional ass. The amount of times that she could have avoided fights if she had just talked about things like an adult instead of sulking and wanting the poor guy to read her mind was unbelievable.

Big is not the guy of your dreams; he was just an asshole who was pretty much bullied or guilted into every decision that was ever made in regards to his relationship with Carrie.

It is okay to be in a relationship where things are not a constant roller coaster, which is actually preferable if you are looking for something long term. Yeah have a great time, be excited and exciting together but introducing drama into your life and relationship for no reason is unhealthy.

You should not have to fight for ‘the one’ to see that you are amazing; if that is the case they are not the one.

You don’t need a sexual conquest sheet a ream of paper long to have had a fulfilling single life before settling down and you are definitely not as awesome as Samantha.

Sex and the City opened up the conversations that women had about sex, it allowed us to be just as powerful as men in regards to our sexual power and the amazing wardrobe of the women was enough to make even the fashion duds of the world drool but it was also just a TV show and I really wish that some people remember that.

Tarot Deck Exploration - The New Palladini Tarot

2011-01-27T01:22:00.000-08:00

The New Palladini Tarot is the creation of David Palladini and is your standard 78-card Tarot deck with 22 Major Arcana cards and 56 Minor Arcana cards.

I love this deck the bright colours draw you in and the bold outlining give a very solid picture to work with when reading with them. They are not too in your face either which would make working with these cards rather nice.

The art work is not over done or complicated which makes reading with them easy for beginners. Some decks have so much hidden symbology and layers that it can make it hard for those new to the Tarot to read with them or in fact get anything but overwhelmed when trying to work them.

The back design is an Ouroboros symbol snake in the affinity twice with a solid red back. It is nice and uncomplicated.

The back of the cards

The deck comes with the little white booklet but I also purchased the book Reading Tarot Cards by Susan Hansson as I wanted more information about the cards than was in the LWB.

The information in the book is pretty solid, there is a picture of each of the cards next to the explanation of the card meanings. Hansson touches on the importance of the colours used in the deck as well as the numerology present and the Cabalah. One of the nice Tarot Spreads that she includes in the book is the Astrological Readings where she uses the houses and their attributes as the positioning of the reading, it would make for a very in depth reading.

The cards are standard size and are laminated with a shiny finish and they are pretty easy to shuffle. The card stock is pretty good and they will last quite a while.

You can buy the deck and book together on Amazon.

I highly recommend this deck for people who like striking bold colors and are new to the cards.

The Healing Flame

2011-01-16T20:49:00.000-08:00

Oppressive Heat

Pitch Black

Solitude of the Mind

Healing

Chanting

Sweating

Breathing

Enduring

Journeying

Rebirthing

Grounding

Awakening

That is what my experience of Saturday night was partaking in my Second sweat with Tamara Lampard pouring and with my Spirit Sisters.

The experience really put me back into my body and I was forced to experience every minute of it. I was unable to leave my body, unable to let my mind go elsewhere. I was focused, I had to be.

It was an incredible experience emerging from the all consuming heat to the cool night air, feeling it touch every part of my skin and laying under the moon watching the stars and then being under the cascading cleansing waters.

Earth under us during the sweat and under our bodies while watching the sky

Air to aid chanting and touching our skin when we come back to the world

Fire all around and the flame inside as the ritual was complete

Water cleansing our bodies via the sweat and cooling us down, brining us back

It was an amazing night, I was personally challenged to stay in the lodge while there were a couple of times I really wanted to leave. Happy that I endured and grew. Blessed to have experienced it with my Sisters and with a facilitator who has integrity and honor.

Reborn the person that I choose to be.

**NOTE** Sweat lodges can be dangerous, people have died while partaking them without proper preparation and instruction. Lodges are a serious healing experience and for a lot of people a very spiritual experience. If you are ever to take part in one, do it under the care of a trained pourer.

This Really Grates My Cheese

2011-01-10T20:17:00.000-08:00

First edition of 2011, this was supposed to be my Karaoke Ring of Death post today but alas I was unable to do this months due to point three below. Still hit that shit up HERE.

People who text and walk at the same time - STOP what you are doing you idiot, you are walking way too slowly and everyone is secretly wishing you would walk into a pole and or oncoming traffic. Concentrate on one thing at a time, your sms can not be that friggin important. Remember the days before SMSing was an accepted form of regular communication? Yeah I can so it can wait jerk. If you want to text while walking down a busy city street, move out of every ones way, finish it and then start walking again when you can see where you are going.

Easter Eggs in Supermarkets - Yeah I know I go on about this pretty much each year (wow when did I become a grumpy old man?) but come on, wake up sheep. We just stopped buying Christmas shit, which is still slowing making its way off of clearance shelves everywhere we don't need more sugar and shit everywhere. I walk into Woolworths and see Hot Cross buns and shelves full of Easter Eggs. COME ON! Easter is now ruined for me anyway because of the way that Cadbury makes their Creme eggs which just rubs salt into this wound.

My Cough - Which will not frigging go away no matter how much cough syrup I skull, I am even trying not to talk as much. My cough has runied my plans for the Karaoke Ring of Death this month and from getting my Pop Star on tonight at Lee's 30th....BIG BOO!

City of Perth Infrastructure Jerks - Who on Earth thought that changing the pedestrian crossing timings and directions on William street and St Georges Terrace? YOU WIN DICKHEAD OF THE CENTURY. It now takes twice as long to get across that road which in the grand scheme of things isn't going to kill anyone but on a 36 degree day or when it is freezing cold sure is bloody annoying. City of Perth you suck at being a city sometimes so hard.

Ranting really is very cathartic :)

Close Encounters of the Casper Kind

2011-01-07T00:20:00.000-08:00

Every year I get a Tarot reading done for myself just to get a different perspective and check that I am heading in the right direction and so on. I do not conduct these for myself because lets face it when it comes to ourselves we are pretty bias.

This reading was full of good things and positive reinforcement for the choices that I have made which is excellent.

One of the things that Gail mentioned to me was that I was going to be experiencing a lot of psychic ability increase. Think of it like leveling up in gaming.

This was all fine and dandy and information that I just filed away and went on my merry way.

Well, let’s just say things have been rather interesting this week with Wednesday night being by far the most eventful.

I have been having trouble sleeping all week which sucks but on Wednesday night it was near impossible to get any shut eye. After been woken up more than once I thought I had some reprieve and managed to slip into sleep.

Until for no reason what so ever I woke up and the first thing I see is someone, a non corporeal thing leaning over me while I was sleeping. Clear as day! Shocked initially I must have jumped a little because whatever the heck it was backed away from its creepy stalker pose over me and stood at the side of my bed. Still in that in-between place when you just wake up I was unsure of what was really going on.

What I knew was what I saw. The being just stood there for a few seconds and then left the room and me to my brain going about a million miles a minute.

I managed to get back to sleep after a bit but I remembered it vividly the next day, now I know I wasn’t dreaming because after the incident I went to the bathroom.

Thanks to this recent activity around me I am going to be doing more training in working with spirit this year, I actually want to learn more about working with spirit and not just seeing, sensing and having the occasional hijack when reading Tarot.

I asked a friend of mine about this incident and she informed me that she had a visitor that night as well. *spooky music*

It is going to be a very interesting year.

Has anyone else had any ghost stories or had similar experiences?

On a completely different note….I am wondering if I should stick to an iPhone, I am going to have to get my own phone when I finish work. Can I live without an iPhone? That is the question I thinks.

2010 In Review

2011-01-01T06:16:00.000-08:00

HELLOOOOOO 2011. Thank goodness 2010 is over!

2010 was really a year of being tested, majorly to see if I would stick to my convictions and also I was also pushed into making some decisions, hard ones but good ones.

By far the biggest decision that I made this year and one I just announced to the world last month is that the corporate world was no longer for me so I put in my notice at work and enrolled full time internal at University so I can finish my degree.

This is a huge change for me. I had been head hunted by a company who wanted me to Manage their Perth office and if I was going to stay in the industry I would have taken the job no question but my happiness has never been that path so I am leaving it to walk the one I am meant to.

I am going to be working as a Tarot Reader at a new place in Fremantle come February. It has been a long time coming and I have been presented with little whispers that this is what I should be doing, so I am letting go and trusting.

Most Listened to Songs of 2010

You and I – Medina
Gravity – Sara Bareilles
Parachute – Train
Near To You –A Fine Frenzy
Pop Ya Collar – Usher
The Cave – Mumford & Sons
Love The Way You Lie – Eminem & Rihanna
I’m On a Boat – The Lonely Island
MK Ultra – Muse
Eye of the Storm – Bliss N Eso
Elements – A Fine Frenzy

Most Listened To Albums

Train – Save Me San Francisco – Train officially came back with this album my favourite since Drops of Jupiter. (which is still my fav)

Kaleidoscope Heart – Sara Bareilles

Most Listened to Artist of 2010

Muse

Blessing In Disguise

Steve and Voltron. While I initially hated having kittens in the house for a number of reasons the little guys have certainly grown on me, I love the little guys.

OMG Moments

My best friend announcing that she had has a brain tumour. Yep talk about floored folks, that one knocked the wind out of my sails and I only found out last month.

My friend Samara announcing that she is pregnant with baby number 4!

Best Games of 2010

Dragon Age - Origins

Mass Effect 2

Both of these games were Bioware, no coincidence they make the best action/adventure games on the market and they know that gamers are mostly smart enough to want a great story as well as good game play. Bring on Mass Effect 3 and Dragon Age 2.

Most Annoying Game of 2010

Lara Croft - Underworld (yeah I know it wasn't released in 2010 but that is when I played it)

The controls were so annoying I wanted to throw my controller out the window at times, the most over sensitive fucking stupid controls ever. I finished it out of pure stubbornness and the final level wasn't even HARD!

Memorable Moments of 2010

Sunrise at the Great Ocean road and actually being really happy with some of the photos I produced.

Realising that not all men are complete creeps, just most of them.

Completing my first year of my Degree

As always I have no idea what I would have done this year without my friends and family who I am sure I actually would have gone insane and clinically depressed in 2010.

Bring on this year. Like my sister said "It is our year we have to grab it with both hands and shake the shit out of it!"