Taking A Snow Day

I know snow is all everyone is talking about lately... and I don't have a single thing to complain about! Our poor mountains and forests need the snow so badly! 

We've only had a few snow falls this entire winter. I remember the last time we had a winter this dry, we had forest fires and ash in the air for weeks! So, I'm very thankful for some much needed snow, especially in the mountains!

I woke up yesterday and was informed there was a blizzard outside. (If I don't have my contacts in, I can't see a thing!) Even though the snow didn't have any real effect on my work, I still took the day off.

I just couldn't seem to focus on my work. You know that feeling, when it feels like a Friday, but it's only a Tuesday? That's kind of how yesterday was. It just felt like a snow day.

So, I went with it. 

      Wicket wasn't too happy about the snow. He never is.

Yesterday we ran some much needed errands.. but in the midst of it all, 

we decided to stop at one of our favorite places in the city. 

I love having special places to visit. 

And the view from this one is pretty spectacular.

These are all straight from my phone. No filter. The sky was incredible.

Today I've noticed that the snow is melting, just a bit. 

And the grass underneath it is a brilliant green. Thankful for the snow day. 

To Nourish

The willow trees  in my apartment courtyard have shed all their golden leaves. They are  scattered about my porch, and dance in the wind as people walk past. Like little glittering coins, I want to collect them all. This has been a very refreshing fall. Full of golden crunchy leaves, smells of cinnamon, and lots and lots of pomegranates. I love the quiet hush of fall, especially in the city. Sadly this last weekend, I was not able to go out and enjoy it as I would have liked.  I must have come down with a stomach bug or something as I've been feeling under the weather since Friday. I would love to share artwork with you.. all of the art I wish I would have finished... I would love to share epic photos of the fun things that I've done, but instead I've been sitting around the house watching it slowly get messy as my body screams at me to stay sitting and to rest. It's been hard! 

This is just a lesson I get to learn over and over again I guess. 

I hear a quiet hushed voice saying "Rachael, slow down. You have your whole life ahead of you to accomplish all of the things you want to accomplish." 

But, my reply is always "Yes to more projects!" Even when I try to slow down, it's never slow enough.. This is that Aries drive that I have. But at the same time, I'm learning to honor my moon sign. I'm a Virgo moon. Such an opposing sign to my Aries Sun. 

My Virgo moon gives me a delicate stomach, meaning I need to feed myself only the most nourishing of foods. I can't skip meals, and just drink coffee for all 3 meals. 

I suppose it's always a blessing in disguise.. because now I get to sit and catch up on my blogs. 

That's right... blogs. I blog over at Lotus Tarot too! Mostly about Tarot things... 

I also sent out the second Newsletter! This one was mostly about the power of our intentions, and how to manifest using the Lunar Energy. 

And then I get to blog here before.

I usually have three separate topics to write about. This is why I love Tuesdays.. cause I get to just sit and write about things that I love. On slightly different platforms, but are somehow all tied together.  

And once I finish writing, I take the pups on a walk, and then soak into a hot bath to heal and nourish myself. It's become something that I crave, and something that my sick little body needs right now. 

Even though I long to be painting at my easel, or even out taking the dogs on a long walk in the city.

Perhaps I'll at least get some Tarot Cards done tonight.

In fact, I'm a little upset with myself for letting this Tarot Deck take so long! I wanted it to be out by now, but I'm only half way done.

I keep thinking I will buckle down and get it going, but instead other things come up.

I keep asking myself, "When did my life get so busy?!"

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A Chill In The Bones

I woke up this morning with a great chill deep in my bones. It's like over night we have shifted into the cold of winter. Perhaps I feel it more now that there is no hair on my head.. But I think our dear dark winter is on it's way in.

My mind and body are thinking only of cozy sweaters, warm drinks and fire places. The air outside was extra crisp, and the leaves had a louder crunch to them than they did yesterday. Both dogs hurried about their business so we could return home and snuggle under the covers again. We are all adjusting to the new city, and our new routine of lots of walks, but I will say winter will be hard for all of us.

All morning the radiator has been sputtering off steam, moaning and groaning, trying to heat my old apartment. I thought living above the boiler room would be nice, but I just couldn't seem to shake this chill that has been set in my bones.

Around 2 pm, I had had enough. It was time for a bath. I've never ever been a bit fan of bathing. In fact, I do not like water. I take quick showers when I need to. I never go swimming, and I never go into the ocean. But, my apartment has the nicest bath tub I've ever seen. It's surrounded by decorate tile from the 20's. It's deep, and the knobs squeak the perfect vintage squeak every time. Paired with some crystals, oils, salts and candles, I can safely say I enjoy bath time now.

I often set up a crystal grid at my head, and bring crystals into the bath with me. I love having candles, and heated oils near by too. I recently brought plants into my bath tub area as well. I have some hanging down, and some growing upward. I also burn incense while in the bath. The main reason that I bring all of these elements into my bath, is just that. The elements. I believe in balancing that water energy that scares the fiery me. I bring fire, earth, and air into my bathing ritual. It helps me relax more, and helps me feel grounded when I get out of the tub.
Sometimes when I don't have time for a bath, I will still light the candles and everything and just turn my shower on low. It's very peaceful.

After a nourishing hour in the bath tub, I can say the chill in my bones has subsided. I'm feeling clear, cozy, grounded and inspired. Inspiration has been fleeting these last few days, and that's okay. I no longer chase it. It comes to me when I need it most. Last night I finally saw a vision of my Suit of Cups for the Tree Talker Tarot. I haven't worked on my deck in nearly a month now.. and for those of you waiting, I apologize for the delay. But I can not rush this. A Tarot deck should never be rushed, nor should inspiration, or creativity. I now have clear vision of the next suit, and I know that I will now have the time to work on it.

I've been trying to take my days easier. I have so much on my plate right now, that if I do not slow down I will cause myself to get sick. I know that 2015 is going to be a big year for me. I know that there is a major shift in motion, and that too I can feel deep in my bones. But before any major shifts take place, I know I need to nourish myself. 

And now my day is coming full circle, as I sit in my spot overlooking the city...I'm wondering where my day has gone, and where the time goes. I'm watching the sun set, and that chill is starting to creep back in through my fingers and up my hands. They are starting to feel creaky, and stiff. The warmth of the sun is leaving, and the city is looking darker and darker by the moment. But as the sky gets darker the little flickering lights of the city are more noticeable and brighter. I too will turn on my studio lights and let the inspiration flow through my chilled bones.. hoping that will help keep me warm as I create the next suite for my Tarot Deck.

Daily Ritual

It's been a while since I've posted. I've been so busy, and a good kind of busy. Which I will explain later.. While I still work from home, I have less time to just sit. And being busy keeps me from posting photographs or doing meaningful posts.. but I feel the prompting to get words out more. I've been journaling lately in a little leather bound journal. It sits in my spot near the window that overlooks the city... A spot that has become so dear to me and my daily ritual.


But I know that I should also post on the blog. I've keep this blog going for so long, and I love having the ability to write and share. Which has brought in a new opportunity for me.

On Mondays I teach at Sacred City . At 7:00 pm.  I teach the Lunar Rhythms class and a Card reading class right after. In Lunar Rhythms we go over the Lunar Forecast where I explain where the moon will be this week and how it will affect us. Then we do a ritual on the moon phase we are at. It's been a lot of fun. Yesterday in class someone asked me if I could email them the Lunar Forecast for the week. I had already been thinking of posting it on Talk2thetrees, but love the idea of a Newsletter. So later this week I will be putting together a newsletter for the Lunar Forecast, as well as some Tarot tidbits, and some art news. This will get sent out Tuesday nights. I've never done a newsletter, but I've wanted to for quite some time. Mondays are the days that I teach, and Tuesdays will be a big writing day for me.

I've noticed that I have developed a wonderful routine each day... Though some days are slightly different, like Mondays I prepare for class, they usually stick to something like this.

I wake up around 9am and make the bed. I clear the space in the house and pick up anything that shouldn't be on the floor. I then turn on fans to get the air flowing in my home. I take the pups on a walk and get to experience the seasons. This fall has been spectacular because I am immersing myself in it each day with the dogs. When I get home I have my coffee and sit in my spot. I usually journal, or sketch, or just sit and snuggle Merlin. After that I usually then do some yoga or work out for about an hour. And then I will answer emails and take care of small business matters, sometimes get a blog post done.. If we are lucky.

Around 1 or 2 I shower or take a bath. I'm so in love with my bathtub that I've been taking a lot of baths. I've recently put some potted plants and vines in there. It's heaven.  If I don't bathe, I usually take a magical shower with candles, plants, crystals and natural light. When I do bathe, I like to read. My latest read has been Women Who Run With The Wolves. A book I've read parts of, but am finally delving into whole heartedly.  My perfect bath consists of rose petals, rose milk, sea salt, candles, crystals, music and incense.

After my bath I'm usually ready to start working. I log in to accept Tarot Readings, and I work on current projects. If I have orders to get out I get those done first. I try to keep the work relaxed, but sometimes I fear it's too relaxed as my productivity has been down a bit. But I work for a cool boss, (me) who lets me go get more coffee and take the pups out on another walk. Living in the city and all, these pus need to go out several times a day. Short walks, long walks, and off the leash time for Meko. I will usually do something creative until it's bed time. This is the time I feel most like creating and will often be painting or drawing until 1 or 2 am.. and then it's bed time.

Sterling has been sick and spent the day with me at "work" yesterday. He was surprised to see that I am busy, but not running around stressed. (I guess that's the vibe I've been putting off. )

My days are filled with things to keep me busy... but it's not a stressful busy. 

My day is full of.. well.. fullness. 

My days are filled with ritual of cleaning and cleansing my home, self, and energy. 

They are filled with me creating. It could be 1 Tarot Card or 4. A Moon card, or a whole painting. Sometimes just getting a background done or a canvas prepped. 

Sometimes I spend the entire day doing Tarot Readings, or the whole day doing digital art work. 

Sometimes I cook all day. 

My busy days are full of ritual. Cleansing, blessing, creating, nurturing, renewing and growing. 

And this is the best kind of busy I can possibly think of.  

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Fall Explorations

Staying true to my word, I've been out in nature trying to enjoy fall more. 

The dogs get lots of little walks and a big long one each day. 

And once a week we take them on a grand adventure to some place new. 

This last weekend we took them to City Creek. 

City Creek is a beautifully sad area of Salt Lake City. I felt a lot of sadness in the area for the native people who used to live there. The water from City Creek was used to power the entire city when the pioneers came. They routed it into the city for drinking water, planting, and power. Some of the original bricks are still there. You can read some of the history here.  You can feel that the land in this area was very sacred to the natives, and you can feel an eerie battle like energy there. As we hiked up into the trees, the sadness left for a little while, as we got to see the canyon and the creek for it's beauty. The fall sunlight made everything twinkle and shimmer. 

The area has a lot of heavy traffic, which is good for the pups! I want them to meet more people, and more dogs. So far they are doing well with people, but hate other dogs! We've got a lot of work to do. 

I wish I could explain the feeling there at City Creek. It's beautifully sad. There is gratitude there, and you can feel healing has been done in the area.. but there is a lot of sadness. 

I'm hoping we can go back before it gets too cold here. The leaves have almost all fallen in my complex's trees, and there is a chill to the air now. 

Pretty soon it will be way too cold for long adventures with the pups. 

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My Happy Spot

I have a happy spot. It's nestled next to my easel, covered in pillows and overlooks the hill. I get a pretty good view of the city, and at night when it rains.. it's pure magic.

I knew it was my spot before I even signed the lease. I knew which pillows I would line the windowsill with. I knew I would have plants and crystals near it. I knew it would be somewhere I would go daily.

I have some vines growing from the ceiling that are one day going to engulf the area.

Everything about this spot is magic. I am even territorial about my spot. It's my space for healing, relaxing and sitting. Of course, it's also my home. So I get to be territorial.

This is where Merlin and I sit each morning and night. Sometimes I sip hot cocoa, sometimes coffee or tea.

My spot overlooks the city as well as part of our courtyard. The great thing about my complex, is everyone has a separate back door. The front doors are always locked and a bit hard to get to. I've used my front door a handful of times, it's just more practical to go through the back door where I have a private staircase. No one uses their front doors here at the complex, so there isn't much traffic in the courtyard. I've also noticed no one else sits in their windows like I do. Everyone keeps their blinds closed. I know each unit is different, and mine may be one of the only ones with low windows like this.. but it's nice that I can sit in my spot and not worry about anyone watching me, or noticing me as I watch them.

I love to watch the traffic on 1st avenue. It's mostly people walking by slowly. Going in and out of the little connivence store, waiting for the bus, or waiting for a taxi.

I've never been one to people watch unless I'm at a great distance. I have such a hard time with crowds and people watching in crowds makes me anxious and tired. I'm not sure how other empaths do it, but I tend to take on emotions and feelings of others when I'm near too many people. I haven't stepped foot in the mall or a movie theater in over 2 years.

But people watching from my window is nice. Because looking at the small individual walking with purpose, with the glittering city backdrop is beautiful.

This spot always gives me the greatest ideas of what to paint or draw.. and my next painting.... I'm hoping to paint my spot. Or at least something like it.

Having a happy place has become very important to me. This is where I go to get grounded, inspired, and centered.

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