Summer's here with a whole lot of fireworks! While the search continues for The Owl's Lantern to find her own roost, I've put together some exciting and fun doings at my place and one other location. A big THANKS to those of you who came to the LBWS Summer Solstice Faire last Saturday - you helped to make it a great day!

Please feel free to forward this e-mail to anyone who would be interested in attending, and if you're interested in attending, please reply to this e-mail for reservations and directions.

Monday, June 27 DEVELOPMENT CIRCLE
7 - 9 pm, $15
Ongoing - 2nd & 4th Mondays
Maximum of 8 people

This circle has gotten off to a great start! The focus is on you learning how to get in touch with your spirit guides, your loved ones on the other side, or your abilities. This night, we'll continue getting in touch with our guides and obtaining information from them, while continuing to learn to work with energy in an informal, relaxed setting. Dress comfortably and eat lightly before coming.

Saturday, July 9 SPIRIT CIRCLE with CHARLES FILIUS
2 pm, $35
Maximum of 10 people

The "Comedium" is back for another spirit circle loaded with laughs! Need I say more? M&Ms will also be present!

Monday, July 11 DEVELOPMENT CIRCLE
7 - 9 pm, $15
Maximum of 8 people

As we continue to work with our spirit guides and hopefully meet even more guides, I'll discuss how our bodies and senses (physical as well as extra-sensory) play a part in the work that we mediums and psychics do. Newcomers are always welcome! Dress comfortably and eat lightly before coming.

Sunday, July 17 SPIRIT CIRCLE
1 pm, $40 (bring a friend, $35 per person!)
Maximum of 10 people

Join me for a circle full of love, laughter and joy in being with our loved ones again! And, yes, the M&Ms will be available!

Sunday, July 24 ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE & WAR...OR IS IT?
1 - 3 pm, $25
**Different Location** Jade Hula & Healing
13730 Goldenwest, Suite B (upstairs), Westminster
(714) 609-0937 or e-mail me

Okay, you say, I'm a Gemini and my partner is a Virgo. How come we get along even though all the books say we're not supposed to? My boss and I are the same sign so why do we drive each other nuts? Or you might say, well, I'm a Cancer and I can't understand my Scorpio child, help! No worries, help has arrived in the form of this fascinating workshop - which will help you to cope with your boss, child or partner! You'll learn about signs and why they're compatible or incompatible with each other, as well as how the planets play their part (including Mars and Venus) in creating compatibilities or conflicts and how to handle them. Spot readings are included! I have over 40 years of astrological experience and observations to bring to the table.

Monday, July 24 DEVELOPMENT CIRCLE
7 - 9 pm, $15
Maximum of 8

I haven't decided yet what this evening's format will be...but it'll be interesting!

READINGS

As always, I'm available for readings and spirit circles at my place or at your place. Just e-mail me and we'll work out the details. (I won't be available for readings between July 28-August 2.)

New Circles, Classes & Workshops!

New circles, classes and workshops! Contact me in the Comments section or e-mail me if you have my e-mail address for reservations, directions, and questions.

SPIRIT CIRCLES - Sundays, 1 to 3 pm, May 22, June 12, July 17

As many of you know, I bring in loved ones, friends, four-footed and other companions, and, time permitting, messages from various guides. Join us for a whole lot of love, laughter and joy in reconnecting with our loved ones! No two circles are ever the same (and, yes, the M&Ms will be put out for everyone to munch on). $40 per person. Bring a friend, get $10 off ($35 per person)! 10 person maximum.

DEVELOPMENT CIRCLES - 2nd & 4th Mondays, 7 to 9 pm, June 13 & 27 and July 11 & 25 (if there's enough interest, I'll add May 23)

New! Are you interested in meeting your Spirit Guides? Connecting with your Higher Self? Hearing from the Other Side? A safe, quiet zone is provided with supportive energy for you to meet, connect or hear from those in the other realm. Guidelines are provided and discussed, and there will be various guided meditations as well as other formats, and you can journal or discuss what happens - but you do not have to share what you hear if you prefer. The supportive energy comes from everyone in the room and is shared among the group - and helps to ramp up the connectivity. This is not progressive in that you don't have to attend each and every one of them, but anyone can attend one, skip one, or come to them on an ongoing basis. $15 per person, 6 person maximum. Evenings are when energies are quieter, thus making it easier to "hear" or connect to the other side, but if there is interest in daytime circles, let me know as one person has expressed that interest - it's worth a try.

TAROT WORKSHOPS

SYMBOLS IN TAROT, Tuesday & Wednesday, May 24-25 7 to 9 pm, $25 each night or $40 for both nights - Tarot is rich in symbolism and we'll use the Rider-Waite deck (bring yours if you have one), but we'll also look at your other deck(s) and examine the symbols. For example, why is there a lemniscate over the Magician's head and what does it mean (the figure 8 on its side), and why does he have one arm up with a wand and the other pointing downward? Why does Temperance have one foot in the water and one on land? Is there a reason for each suit to have a different color background? The first night we'll look at the Major Arcana and the second night, we'll look at the Minor Arcana (including Court Cards). Beginners and advanced alike are welcome!

TAROT LAYOUTS, Tuesday, June 7 7 to 9 pm $25 - In this workshop, you'll understand why we don't just flip cards over one at a time but arrange them instead in a specific pattern, with meanings assigned to each spot. We'll look at the basic 3-card spread and compare that to the 10 or 14-card Celtic Cross and a couple of far more complex spreads, and discuss how you can create your own tarot spread that works for you. Beginners and advanced alike are welcome, too, but it does help to have some familiarity with the cards.

INTRODUCTION TO TAROT - a six week course that introduces you to the world of Tarot, in which you learn the meanings of the Major and Minor Arcana, the associations, how to do basic layouts and so forth. If there is interest expressed in this - previous students are always welcome to return for tune-ups! - I'll set aside six Wednesday or Thursday evenings for this and announce the details. Minimum of two to hold this class open.

NEW MOON TAROT - this is for people who have taken my Tarot classes and meet to practice the New Moon spread with discussions on the previous month and month to come. It takes place on the day/night of the New Moon or within a few days/night after that. The next New Moon is Wednesday, June 1st so a date will be selected between June 1 and June 6 as May draws to an end.

LONG BEACH WOMANSPIRIT FAIRE - Saturday, June 18 10 am to 4 pm - sharing a booth with my colleague Charles Filius in doing readings all day. It's at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 5450 Atherton, Long Beach (near Bellflower, not far from Cal State Long Beach and the VA Hospital) and this marks my 16th year of being at this semi-annual faire! Definitely great fun.

ASTROLOGY 101 - If anyone is interested in an ongoing class or a one-time workshop on what the signs and planets are all about, give me a holler and I'll work something out.

Balancing Acts & Grumpy New Agers: Sedona

Welcome back to the Grove! During the first week of May, I got to combine two things I love to do the most - being in nature and being a metaphysical and psychic teacher/sherpa. (There are one or two other things, but not here, folks.) I was last in Sedona 24 years ago almost to the week and my guides told me I needed to return, to be a sherpa and to connect once again with them. Everything fell into place so quickly and smoothly, it almost unnerved me but I just simply went along with it all. I have to say it was great seeing California in the rearview mirror for the first time in four long years.


And if you don't know where you're going / Any road will take you there.
(Any Road, George Harrison)

This rather helpful signpost appeared at the end of an unexpectedly long hike around Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte. A walk in the park? Thanks, Coyote, thanks for that one. I can hear you laughing, still, all the way over here.

Sedona is famous for its energy vortexes (or vortices), which can be divided into three categories:

Upflow vortex - a site where energy pours out of the earth (male or yang; energizing). It's found on mountain or mesa tops.

Inflow vortex - energy flows into the earth (yin or female; healing and introspective). It's found in canyons and geologic depressions.

Some locations have vortexes that are balanced between the two types in addition to having both uptake and inflow vortexes.

The whole south end of Bell Rock is where its vortex energy is located - and it has all three forms. When I saw this sandstone area, I was covered in goosebumps and said, "There's no way to remember this...but this is where I met my first guide in 1987..." It was. I don't know the name of the cliffs (I'm sure they have names; everything apparently has a name in Sedona) but when I sat down, facing south, the road, they were behind me to my right. Being at Bell Rock was a homecoming for me among the Old Ones.

Behind me, to my left. It's a very large sandstone formation and my feeling is that this is the nexus of Bell Rock's energies. Repeat this picture twice more and you'll have an idea of the sheer size of it. It's a great spot any way one views or feels it, which brings me to another point. The energies are there but how they're sensed or perceived varies from person to person. They can be subtle, or they can be overwhelming, or they can have a great many nuances. When one enters from the parking lot on the south side, one walks right into the energies and it isn't until one goes to the west end, away from the sandstone formation, that the energies subside and one can compare the differences.

This is to my right, due west, from my seated position and I've revisited it over the years, fleetingly, in my dreams. That may be Cathedral Rock in the distance. After that vantage point, continuing on the trail, the energies quiet down but still spike in other locations on the trail. That was the first day in Sedona and Coyote (aka Trickster) was very much a part of that day and evening!

Truly red-rock country. In 1987, after several days, I said, "This is Mars with vegetation." That still holds true. This is to the right of where I was sitting at Airport Mesa, an uptake vortex located in Sedona by, natch, the airport. Maps pinpoint where the vortex is at Airport Mesa but I am telling you, the energy moves around. One indication of such energies is in the juniper trees - if they're straight, not much energy. If they're fantastically twisted and warped, you can bet on energies being in the area. It was a far easier hike and when I sat down, the reason for my return became clear as it took place there...and I have a lot to sort out from that deep, profound experience. That was part of the second day.

Third day, Cathedral Rock, which is on the west side of Sedona. It's an intake vortex. One enters by way of a park trail to Oak Creek and that is a lovely creek. Before, medicine wheels constructed out of rocks were everywhere. I saw only two - on Cathedral Rock's trail - but what blew me away was seeing all these balancing rocks everywhere by Oak Creek. My perception is that it's a Zen-like act of balancing and helping to balance within. They are impermanent, much as the Buddhist sand paintings are, and when the creek rises, they'll be washed away...and rebuilt by others at another time.

The water is so clear! I can easily get lost in watching the interplay of sunlight and water, reflections, refractions, and the like whether in this creek or in Aquarium of the Pacific or a swimming pool. When I return, I promise myself a good half hour or more of watching the dance between sunlight and water. The water is cool but not cold as I'd expected - probably due to the sun's warmth retained by rocks. Its clarity allowed viewing of hundreds of tadpoles at one location, with dragonflies and damselflies hovering over the surface, and a water spider or two skittering on the surface.

The stillness within us is reflected to the world without. There was a cutoff spot, creating a small, cool, quiet pond with murky waters, perfect for reflecting the sky, the trees and the south side of Cathedral Rock further up the trail. This one was a formation in the sandstone itself, creating a pool for however long that water lasts.

Okay, that's Cathedral Rock in the distance and Oak Creek going by. It was wonderful to be surrounded by water and green, leafy vegetation after the previous two days, let me tell you. The energies were so wonderful that I wanted to dance even though I have two left feet (shod in hiking shoes). Next time.

See the stuff on the sandstone at the left?

O-o-o-kaaayyyyy. That day, there were a lot of New Agers in their 20s with "leis" made out of string and little scraps of cloth, very colorful, scattered throughout the canyon. They had incense going (decent incense, I might add), healings, meditations, whatever. But any time they were greeted on the trail with a smile or a "hello" - they scowled, or looked straight ahead, or stuck their noses up in the air. Upon returning to the park proper and sitting at a cement picnic table in shade, it was noted that they were in two groups. I went to wash my hands and asked a young woman with a "lei" if there was a special event or workshop going on. She glared at me and paused, then snarked, "Um...NO." She spun on her heel and strode off looking as grim and earnest as the rest of the two groups did. Excuse me? Since when did the quest for spirituality become so joyless, disdainful and humorless? I was part of the first wave of New Agers all through the 80s (and the end of the 70s) and none of us had that attitude - there was joy in the quest as one of my fellow new age sojourners commented when I recounted this to her after my return. This was also seen and re-confirmed on the fourth day with someone else, in two different locations - uptown Sedona and again at Cathedral Rock.

Which brings me to this. We are all on the Journey of Life, and we are on a great many different paths, seeking the same, ultimate goal. Our paths are woven together intricately - or they may not intersect - but no one path is better than anyone else's path; no one is superior to anyone else. Take joy in the path and remember to laugh because that eases the path.




My deepest and most heartfelt thanks to the Old Ones (most particularly the Lady, Coyote, and Tony); to the ravens and Raven; to my friends, who helped me to remember to laugh again, among other things; and even to the grumpy New Agers. This was a profound journey and learning curve during and after the trip, and while it will take some time to process and understand everything about it, I have faith in the process itself. Blessings. I'll be back, Sedona.

Lenore the Raven

...with many a flirt and flutter,
In stepped a raven...

The bird saga continues! This is Lenore the Raven: she was just waiting to be created and the moment I first thought of her, she told me exactly how the process would unfold. And I knew exactly to whom she would go.

...with mien of lord or lady...

Well, Lenore had to have a turban. And she had to have her own tarot deck as well as a cloth on which to place the cards. The turban was an interesting process. I started by trying to wrap a traditional turban, following Internet instructions. After using my head, a Barbie doll head, and other props, I had to conclude that I'm just not a turban-wrapper. Yet. I worked out a solution from The Artful Bird. It won't come unwrapped, that's for sure.

...Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling

By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore...

Oh, but Lenore wasn't grave or stern! In fact, she was quite chatty as many a reader tends to be. As I was at the ironing board with the turban, Lenore whispered to me in her raven's croak that she was Poe's advisor as he wrote that particular poem and that she has lived many times in ages past; she understands human nature well from long observation. As she reminded me: Oh, no man knows / Through what wild centuries / Roves back the rose

...the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain...

Lenore was a delight to create, and I was visited by crows at the start and at the end of her creation. She is now happily settled into her new home with someone who particularly appreciates "The Raven," tarot cards and turbans, and all is well!


Quotes from "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe

Rose quote from "All That's Past" by Walter de la Mare

Cave vs. Sanctuary

When does a sanctuary become a cave, and vice versa? Well, let's look at the differences.

A sanctuary is where one rests, rejuvenates, and relaxes. It's a place of peace. Like my bedroom, which is done in the shabby chic style, lots of airy white with greens and blues and touches of pink and has sunlight and daylight and sunset light pouring in all the time.

A cave is where one retreats to wrestle with matters of the mind, heart and soul. It's a dark place, whether literally or figuratively. Like my bedroom, which is not literally dark except at night. But figuratively? Couldn't have a better, deeper, darker cave and I've been in many a cave in this lifetime.

When my last job ended two days before Christmas, I was shattered. There was an element of relief, knowing I wouldn't have to deal with the dreck any more, but the pain, the shattering into a thousand pieces, overwhelmed everything else. That's what happens when your entire life changes in a split second. (Truly? No one should ever have to wake up on Christmas morning with tears pouring down their face even before waking.)

Cave and sanctuary: My room folded itself around me and let me just be ME. The healing process began and continues, the letting go of that day and the eight years leading up to it began and continues, the reorganization of my life began and continues, and the transformation began and continues.

One mentally ill man came through my workplace on his bike and said in passing, "Life's a funny old thing, isn't it?" It is. It really is. And if one takes that perspective, then everything sorta kinda falls into place.

I've been laying down the groundwork for the next segment of my life's path. Life goes on. I have family and freelance work and other matters that make up my life; the world didn't stop just because my path hit a very large roadblock. And I'll be making some very exciting announcements in the near future as my dream gets off the ground!

There are those of you who have been beyond supportive: my Milwaukee "twin," my fellow reader and Pal, my fellow sojourner who absolutely believes in my dream, my daughter who also learned the pain of losing a job, my two sisters (especially the one who opened her arms and just held me on Christmas Day), and my mother. Where would I be without any and all of you?

I'm back on my life's path and I'm moving forward, wherever it leads me. The sunlight feels great!

Miranda and the Artist's Learning Curve

This is Miranda. She was my teacher last night, as you'll see, and she was most patient and effective. Every artist, every crafter needs a Miranda. Here she is at a restaurant.






I've sat at sewing machines since I was thirteen, and I grew up around them. Clothes, quilts, wall hangings, artsy-craftsy items and more have come from my Singer sewing machines. I have this ginormous fabric stash in my garage going back 20 years (with some fabrics from 1980-1983). But I had to set aside sewing for the last four years other than making curtains for my mother in 2008 and a sewing job in January - and that job reminded me why I love to sew and how much I miss it.



Well, a week or so ago, I got a Borders 40% off coupon in my inbox. That, for a book lover, is akin to giving home-grown catnip to a cat. Purr-- uh, muttering in excitement, I headed for my local Borders (which, fortunately, is not being closed) to browse. I was delighted to find this book:



I'm a bird watcher. I'm a crafter or artist. And my sister's birthday was rapidly approaching. Need I say more? There are many scrumptious projects in this book and I had the supplies. Oh, which one to make? The week took on a life of its own, as weeks do, and the ensuing time crunch had me eliminating the more elaborate projects. I was quite taken with this Quail project and I had all the fabrics chosen in pale yellows, greens and purples:

Easy-peasy, right? 'Twas the day and night before my sister's birthday...and if that doesn't have red flags and alarms going for all you crafters out there, I don't know what does. The first bird was a pinhead quail. The author's instructions didn't quite work the way they should have, particularly with the head and bottom gussets. Gussets are a necessary evil in sewing 3-D objects, to keep them from being flat and two-dimensional. So I sat down again and reviewed the instructions. I mentally told the author what she could do with instructions #2, 6 and 7 and did it my way. Better, much better. Then I hit a roadblock. I'm not sure what exactly happened. The project wasn't flowing, it was late and I was tired and cold and exasperated and annoyed with myself. This is what my dining room looks like when I'm immersed in a project.

Can you tell I need my own crafting/sewing room? Badly. But I'm utterly grateful for having this much space! In my previous location, I had to use a desk with about 2 feet by 3 feet of clear space in a space created by two sofas at a 90-degree angle in a corner. So this is heaven.

This was taken at about 1:30 AM. By midnight or so, that roadblock hit. I briefly considered setting aside the project and buying something for my sister. I paced back and forth. I asked myself why I was doing this. Come to think of it, that's still kind of a good question...always is.

Because, you see, something shifted. I was in the living room, where my ironing board was set up and the uncut but ironed fabrics were draped over chairs, and I was staring blankly at the fabrics with the quail in my hand...and this tiny, tiny voice whispered in my mind...Hi, I'm Miranda. You know me. I've read Diary of a Mad Housewife (oh, I probably wrote it) and The Bell Jar and I've read Gone With the Wind. I read a lot and my life is crazy and not always my own...and I'm unique. I'm MIRANDA! I looked down at Miranda with shocked delight - remembering - when my creations talk to me or I weave stories about and around them, then I'm tapping into my core, my heart, of creativity, reaching into the recesses of my soul and my mind - how could I have forgetten this?

And I spent a glorious hour or so putting the finishing touches on Miranda - she did not at all want to look prim and proper like the quail project in the book. I created a wire nest with fabric strips woven throughout the wires because Miranda is a mother and loves her home and her brood even if they drive her crazy. I created wires and beads for her quail head feathers and true to form, they wobble, and I created a necklace for her because she just loves bling. But the beak wouldn't stay on. It wouldn't. So I whipped out the disappearing-ink pen and inked in a toothy, mad grin and used pen ink over it. (That purple ink had better air-disappear as the packaging claims. But if it doesn't, then Miranda has a few tattoos!) And I went to bed tired and happy.

In the morning, I found a note from my daughter next to Miranda: Mom, Aunt Lynn's present is beautiful but you should really consider putting a beak on it. It doesn't look like a bird, it has a creepy smile. But it's very creative. (heart)

So I thought some more. Aha! A beak mask! I grabbed felt and orange thread and created a beak mask for the days when Miranda must put on a nice face and go out. It can be removed any time to show that toothy, maniacal grin:

Miranda and my sister (her birthday is today) took to each other and when I showed her that quail picture, she said "uh-uh, I love Miranda, she's perfect" - and talked about Miranda flying until she finds her own spot in her house or craft room and taking the beak mask off as a mood indicator.

Thank you, Miranda. I know you'll be very happy in Lynn's home - and I'll make the other birds MY WAY, listening to them and their stories and knowing to whom they will go.

Japan

I was working on my blog post last night, and the topic was Death and what it's all about. I had the news going at the same time...and the breaking news was about Japan's 8.9 earthquake and tsunami. The terrible devastation that we all witnessed on the news rendered my post insignificant and I have set it aside for the time being out of respect for the events still unfolding.

It hits home even harder because I live in that Ring of Fire, in Southern California. My parents and their oldest (an infant) lived through the Tehachapi quake in 1951 - in Taft, right by the epicenter - and my mother's stories are vivid. That oldest, my older sister, lived through the Loma Prieta quake in October 1989 (better known as the Bay Area quake). Her stories are equally vivid. Earthquakes are a fact of life here. We shake, rattle and roll along with the quakes. The east-facing doors in my apartments will not stay open without a doorstop and my bedroom floor upstairs is disconcertingly uneven, due to the apartment's structure resettling from quakes.

I can tell you one thing. When an earthquake strikes, anything above magnitude 5.0, 5.5, you are literally in the moment and the moment seems to last for an eternity, even though it may be 30, 45 seconds, one minute. And when it stops, it feels as if it is continuing and you don't quite realize it. It is always a peculiar sensation, no matter how many times one has experienced it. So for the 8.9 quake to last five solid minutes, that truly is an eternity, an unimaginable eternity.

I'm about 15 to 18 miles inland from the beaches, in a flood basin. Prado Dam is about 24 miles northeast and if it were to go, there would be six feet of water throughout the flood basin. We faced that about seven or eight years ago when the dam sprang a major leak. It's a well known fact that we're long overdue for the Big One and the smaller quakes relieve our fault lines of the tension building up to the potential Big One. I'm okay with that, believe me.

Why? Why do people live in risky areas? Well, why do people live in Tornado Alley? Or near volcanoes (whether active, dormant or extinct)? Or by the beach? In the mountains? Let's face it, our planet is a living, breathing organism and Nature is not going to cease for mere humans. Planet Earth will continue to shift the tectonic plates and scratch an itch here and there. Weather prediction and control? Still very much a developing science. I will allow that I think it is just beyond incredibly stupid when people build tunnels under water (such as BART or the Chunnel). And nuclear plants in earthquake zones? Suicidal. People become complacent, thinking it will never happen to them. Or they figure with fatalism that there's a bullet with their name on it, wrought by an earthquake, that they're not going to dodge. Meanwhile, they've got to live somewhere. Might as well be someplace nice and worth taking the risk.

(That movement, Zero Population Growth, is starting to look awfully good again. So are the annual Darwinist Awards. Mind you, I'm talking about Southern California.)

Can it happen here? Hell, yeah. Will it happen here? Oh, yes. When? We don't have the answer to that one, folks. But I can tell you, when the earth jiggles, and we feel it, our first thought - whether we admit it or not - invariably is, The Big One, is it the Big One? And when it turns out not to be the Big One, we shake it off and resume the daily routine. But it whispers at the very back of our minds, from the shadowy recesses...

Because Nature trumps us. Hands-down.

We Southern Californians would do well to keep that in mind.

For all the people and animals who have lost their lives in the Honshu earthquake and made the transition Home, I offer this prayer:

May the Grace and the Glory, the Mercy and the Compassion, and above all else, the Love of the Lady and the Lord surround you as you continue on your souls' journeys. So mote it be and blessed be.

And my heart and prayers go out to the survivors who must live through this awful nightmare for days, months and years to come.