New Moon August 2018

I didn't really do much in honor of the new moon this weekend, but I think I should still check in about the full moon intentions that I had set. Letting go of a flaky friend over the last couple of weeks has made room to spend time with friends who care about me enough to show up. I'm working on making deepening friendships a higher priority as I find balance among my relationship with my spouse, friends, and family of origin. Yesterday, I spent some time out in nature to get some fresh air and sun while a friend took my picture. This is one of my favorite photographs taken of me.

Lammas 2018

For dinner, I had three-bean plus chickpea salad, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob. Before meditation time (~7:30 pm these days), I took a calming and invigorating shower. I set my altar with yellow and brown altar cloths and an essential oil diffuser. I scented the air with sage and orange. My spouse read me another Magical Meditation. All the regular meditating has been paying off because I didn't fall asleep this time! I was more aware of visualizing images, which included grapes. Then I ate a handful of frozen grapes.

Full Moon July 2018

Tonight, in celebration of the Full Buck Moon, I attended a Pagan Pride Day fundraiser with my spouse. Attendees were welcomed, smudged, and blessed with salt water. Quarters were called. The God and Goddess were invoked. We did some cord magick. There were "cakes and ale." Then the circle was opened but not broken.

There was some chanting throughout. I'm not sure if these were traditional or the work of someone there, so if you know the origins of these words, please let me know.

Air I am
Fire I am
Water, Earth, and Spirit I am

Weave and spin, weave and spin
This is how our work begins
Mend and heal, mend and heal
Take the dream and make it real

I am plenty
I am abundance
Filled up and overflowing
Yes, I am abundance

I enjoyed myself and my non-pagan spouse told me they had a good time too. It left me feeling empowered and feeling ready for some positive changes. Hopefully we can attend such things more often in the future. I'm grateful for feeling well enough to go to Albuquerque so often and to be able to afford gas and going out to eat.

New Moon July 2018

Lavender Festival

Had an amazing day today. I'm not sure if this counts as a spiritual experience, but I had several moments of joy. Lavender is one of my favorite scents and my spouse took me to a Lavender Festival!

I drank lavender lemonade, ate elote while listening to music, browsed the booths, sampled sweet treats, then my spouse picked up some raspberry lavender jam while I got a free neck rub with a lavender spice aromatherapy balm. On our way out, I ate a lavender pop (and a bite of my spouse's lavender ice cream cone).

Hope we can make it a tradition to attend every year. If you want to learn more, here's a link: https://www.lavenderinthevillage.org/