Self Care through Seasons & Cycles + Sea Lions!!!

What does the term “self-care” bring to mind?

This was a recent Daily Musing* in the Hollow. The answers ranged from pampering, boundary setting, the desire to do more self-care, and healthy choices to music, play and spiritual pursuits. My own answer came as a meandering path through all the things that felt like opposites (rest/activity, vacation/focus, boundaries/social time) and I realized that for me, self-care is whatever will bring me back into balance.

The last few weeks re-balancing has looked like sleep, soup, kitty snuggles, reading, tv watching, nose-blowing, hot tub, sleep, repeat. As I come out of the haze and my energy picks up, I am realizing the huge contrast between summer self care and what self care looked like in the last few weeks. It’s the perfect example of my answer to the musing on self care—whatever brings me back into balance—and isn’t that what the equinox this week is inviting all of us to do? Let’s do whatever we need to come back into balance just as mother nature does!

Pictured: Willow, aka, Silly Puddy

Back in the summer, self-care looked like our road trip Oregon Coast vacation of beaches, new scenery, lots of time to stare out the window or read, and an amazing exploration of sea caves, including one full of hundreds of sea lions!!! We took an elevator down over 200 feet and were able to view the sea lions (and smell them! whoa!!) in their home. It was sort of the opposite of a zoo in that they were free to come and go, we humans were limited by bars in the walls. Remembering the sea lions reminds me now, as the seasons shift and I’m in a whole different cycle of living, to take great care of my sealskin, to re-calibrate and balance my internal and external worlds.

While hard to see, those little dots in the first couple of photos are hundreds of sea lions sunning themselves just outside their cave. Then, photos from inside the cave are taken much closer to the action! Click on any image in the gallery to enlarge it and arrow through the full gallery. The final photo is from this website to show some context.

You’ve probably heard of Selkie, a shapeshifting sealwoman. Did you know that in the Irish tradition, the Sea Singer is called Celtic Merrow or in Irish, Murúch. Just as the mythical Selkie comes ashore and is unable to return when her sealskin is taken, in the Irish folktale of the Sea Singer, it’s his or her magical cap that is taken and he or she needs it in order to travel between deep water and dry land.

A loss of an essential part of self can become a barrier to fully exploring every terrain at will. In life we willingly give over parts of ourselves for the sake of accomplishments, relationships, and missions that are bigger than ourselves. This is a beautiful aspect of being human.

At the same time, a deep attachment or identification with any aspect of self can also become a barrier. For example, when we don’t take breaks from our day-to-day routines and explore the edges of life, we lose touch with our sense of possibility. In my little family, we’re so very aware of this in our personalities, we absolutely must have periodic adventures throughout the year, even if they are just short day trips. 

https://moonfeatherhollow.com/seaside-with-the-sea-singers-a-lunasa-reflection/

The coming Autumnal Equinox is the perfect time to tune into the center of balance in our bodies, in our days, and in our relationships. I’m noticing the center of balance in my day to day living and identifying exactly where I feel in or out of equilibrium while viewing all levels of life. I invite you to do the same, take care of your selkie skin which allows you to travel between deep water and dry land…where would you like to bring more balance?

*In Moon Feather Hollow, each day we post a Musing in the Stone Circle. These 365 ✨Daily Musings are designed to take to your journal or craft table, to ponder in your imagination, or to comment on in community.


Savoring Mt. Shasta & Redwoods – a Photo Gallery

How is it another full moon and almost September already? So grateful for summer road trip memories as a focal point to steady me as time speeds by at a dizzying pace! I savor the sunny memories in images as my window view shows falling leaves & drizzle here in the Pacific Northwest, where autumn in afoot! I hop you enjoy this little photo gallery of Mt. Shasta – said to be earth’s root chakra, and the mighty redwoods of northern California.

First, I wish to welcome our newest readers to the Musings blog where we get personal. If you have interest in Owls from the Hollow, our newsletter, that focuses on all of the happenings with Moon Feather Hollow, the enchanted imaginal landscape, online community, courses, books and kits! We just published the 2024 Dreamoire of Moonlit Alchemy and have the 2024 Moon Dates art prints available too! If we already have your mailing address, you can expect your 2024 Moon Dates card in September. If we do not have your mailing address, you can create or update your information here. When we have your mailing address, we sent you magic mail during your birthday month too!

We enjoyed so many amazing farmer’s markets but the view at Mt. Shasta’s was of course, the best! While in California, we also visited the redwoods, such majestic trees! I wish I’d been taught history with the rings of a tree. Somehow this context made the events (click middle image for dates!) so much more engaging to me.

From our southernmost location of Klamath, CA up the coast back to Seattle is about 600 miles. This was 600 miles of family bonding, beautiful coastal views, teen driving experience, and me not cooking or doing laundry. It was time-blurred days of savoring feet in the sand, splashing in the ocean, sea-scented air, and sunkissed skin.

I’ll be back with another savoring of sea stacks, ocean views, sea lions and more in coming weeks! In the meantime, may this moon in Pisces spark your imagination!


Happy Lunasa & Full Moon in Aquarius!

It’s first harvest under a supermoon! I’m still harvesting all of the magical moments from my road trip that began two weeks ago when this moon was new. We drove the freeway from Seattle to Mt. Shasta, then over to Klamath, CA and back up the coast. I’ve so many stories to share that I’m going to fully harvest them slowly… savoring the memories as I convey them and decide which are the best photos to share. Eyefulls of scenic delights fed my soul!

First a funny story: The morning we left, as we were getting organized my husband and I were working out some logistics and as the discussion unfolded, he said, “You’re right.”

I responded, “I don’t care about being right, I just…” and before I could finish the sentence our teen said, “That’s the difference between you two…”

One of us likes to be right and the other just likes to impress people with being clever. 😄 Haha… kids know us better than we realize!

So….hours later…not regular hours, mind you, ROAD TRIP hours, I said to my husband, “You know, after 27 years of marriage we can still get better at really knowing and supporting each other, so I will tell you more often when you are right and make it a point to say so.”

To which he responded, “And I’ll tell you more often how impressive you are because you really are.”

Me: “You’re right!” 🤣😂😆🤣😂

I share this story because I think it set the tone for the whole trip and it is so fitting for a a full moon in Aquarius followed by a new moon in Leo! Our little family unit really “saw” each other. We shared such sweet moments and so many belly laughs!

Now for some scenery… Pictured at the top of the page is a little creek in Ashland, OR. We always end up at the river no matter where we go!

I also find fae wherever I go. This little faerie door is also in Ashland, which we decided was the friendliest place on the whole trip and so very charming! We enjoyed their lovely park pictured below, so many wonderful little shops, and music! There were buskers in the street and violin lessons taking place in the park.

Another stop that first day was Vancouver, Oregon which was having their farmer’s market. I had a couple of amazing conversations with vendors. One lady was telling me about her jewelry and explained that the piece I was looking at (as I heard it ) was “piratized” so I asked about the process. As she went on, I realized she must have said “pyritized” … of course! Doh! Pyrite, not pirate! So I told her what I thought she said. Her puzzled expression showed she did not yet grasp the difference in words … so I covered my eye and said, “Eye, matey!” Oh she laughed and laughed and thanked me. She said she will never be able to say “pyrite” again without thinking of me and having a chuckle!

The other great converstation was with a maker of interlocking rings. He said they come in 3, 7 or the most he had done was 21. He said his favorite were the group of 7 interlocking rings because there was something really satisfying about the artistic balance of it, and went on to share how 7 is a magical number. After he listed the 7 colors, continents and days of the week, I jumped in to say the days were named after the original 7 planets, and continue with more groups of 7. We went on and on back and forth… 7 seas, petals on a lotus, 7 deadly sins, seals, the constellation called 7 sisters… siting magical groups of 7 for a long time as customers gathered around… it was a wonderful magical moment!

I’ll be back with another dose of road trip revelry soon. Today, may you feel a celebratory vibe of the full moon and the Aquarius vibe of eccentricity.

There’s a paradox in Aquarius and its theme of authenticity to self and alignment with others. We have to manage the tension between belonging to self and belonging to something bigger than ourselves. In expressing your most unique self and thus realizing everyone’s special so then is anyone special? Aquarius is both the sign of the occasionally eccentric individualist AND the community-focused humanitarian. There’s an almost transcendent experience of “Aquarius” when you’re gathering with a truly diverse and multi-dimensional friendship group and/or community and you’re cultivating a meaningful connection. That’s Aquarius.

~Colin Bedell, Astrologer

Road Trip!!!

Can you tell I’m exited?

Goodbye, Seattle! So long, Mt. Rainier!

You can expect better photos as the road trip progresses, I promise. 🤣

My 15 year old kiddo is at the wheel, hubby navigating, and I am enjoying the sun roof from the back seat where I will be blogging our west coast adventure.

This week I am focused on my heart, and sharing from my heart. The sun is in watery cancer, so emotional themes and nurturing are present. As July continues to unfold and the sun moves into firey Leo, it’s a natural time to focus on our hearts.

Vacation technically began Friday night. We went to a concert at a venue called “El Corazon” which is Spanish for “the heart.”

It has an eclectic vibe…

The band that drew us here is called Weathers. The lead singer has such great stage presence and charisma. I was so happy to witness him give my kiddo (who was front stage) a high five!! I sang along and danced to favorite songs and felt like a teen myself.

The venue was small and the crowd so participatory, we really had a collective effervescence. It was the perfect way to shift into vacation vibe.

May this find you feeling nurtured, embracing your favorite summer experiences, and listening to your heart.


Firefly Magic

Did you catch fireflies as a kid? Anyone who has knows just how magical it can be. Back in 2021 we asked this question to Wonder Weavers in the Hollow, and had a huge response. Re-reading the comments today inspired me to share them as a blog. I removed the names, but each is a different comment.

I have never stopped! 😉 Though my methods are much more humane now. I still feel like a kid when I see them!

They are so magical! I miss them. I grew up in the midwest where we had tons every summer, but live in the Pacific Northwest now, no fireflies.

I didn’t know that! I assumed they were all over the US. I’m sure you have access to other magical creatures though! 🤞

It is also magical to not have mosquitoes after 40 years of living in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota!

I am waiting patiently for them to arrive. There is just something about sitting around the fire and watching the fireflies light up the trees and bushes. So magical!

Oh My Yes! Still do upon occasion. First sighting of the summer this past week and what a truly magical sight it is! Always a sign that summer is truly here.

Yes first sighting here in Virginia!!

I don’t think I did before moving to Arkansas, one of the magical things about the South. Definitely collected some in a jar a few times to watch for a bit. Now I just like to watch them outside and still feel surprised every time one lights up.

YES and I saw a few last week and did a little happy dance!!

Yes! I would gather them in a jar and then let them all go.

There’s weren’t any fireflies where I grew up but I saw them once on a trip to upstate New York a few years ago. I was soooo happy 😊

I’m lucky to live in upstate NY and see them often

As a kid. As an adult. Yesterday! ✨

Wonderful!!!

I was always too nervous to catch bugs in my hands. My daughters do not have the same reluctance.

yes and last night they were out

Fireflies welcomed us home last night.

We didn’t have fireflies around when I was a kid. But I love seeing them on the side of the road now, if I’m driving at night.

They are so magical! I miss them. I used to love catching them and seeing my cupped hands light up until it flew away.

There was one on my front door earlier today before dark but I didn’t have camera and it flew off

Oh my yes…. there were so many in my city backyard in RI in the 50’s and 60’s… now I live in a very rural area and there are so few.. it’s very sad

Wow usually they are rural here

Yes I especially remember them in one part of the lawn. In the van we have been sleeping with the doors open and I’ve been falling asleep to them.

Even if you have never personally caught a firefly, you can experience the magic with this 2 minute video. Immerse yourself in the wonder and beauty of Radim Schreiber’s video. He suggests, “For optimal viewing, watch this video at night, with all the lights turned off, full screen with sound turned on.”

I am super excited to begin a new adventure on the upcoming new moon. We’re catching magical moments just like we caught fireflies as kids. Even though I helped to create the course calle Magical Moments with Fireflies & Fae, I’m a participant just like anyone else, and I can’t wait to begin! As summer seems to fly by, this will help me slow down and be in the moment. I’m also heading out on a road trip over the new moon so my 15 year old can get more driving experience. I hope to share some amazing photos and stories from the Oregon coast!

May your summer adventures be magical!


Flip Flops & Finding Gold

How do you make value from a beach full of washed up flip flops? How do you stay afloat amidst the strong currents of doom and gloom? I’m musing on finding gold again. This time inspired by a few specific people I talk about in this video. One is a member of Moon Feather Hollow, and the other is the guy who was inspired by flip flops to innovate them. 😆

I’m also reading David Pearl’s book: Wanderful. He donates proceeds to his movement called Street Wisdom. It values imagination, innovation, and wandering and reinforces the belief that we are part of a quantum fabric, that the cosmos has messages for us everywhere when we listen as a practice.

Street Wisdom is an everyday creative practice you use as you walk. A smart fusion of mindfulness, neuroscience, wellness and imagination, it unlocks our minds and unblocks our creativity with every step.

Wanderful shows us how to fire up our innate internal guidance system, get off the straight & narrow and find wonder in the everyday. Every-day. 

https://www.streetwisdom.org/

I’ve never listened to podcasts until I found his. Perhaps I will try a few more since this one is giving me such a wonderful experience. He ends each podcast with an activity to engage in while we wander. If you are curious, you can listen to the podcast HERE or on podbean.

Ben Morison is the guest on the Feb 22, 2022 episode and you can learn more about the FlipFlopi project HERE.

What are the flip flops in our lives that we can innovate? Ponder, wander, and wonder…


Mysterious Musings at the Beach

Moonlit mysteries enchant me, especially at the beach! Can you guess what this mysterious flying entity could be?

I photographed this in a small beach town that sat nestled by the sea, where the sound of the waves reminded me to slow down, to wonder, to be open to magic. As the moon rose high in the sky, this strange and wonderful thing appeared. Then my imagination whispered a story to my heart…

The ghostly white bird-like creature emerged from the waves, spreading its wings wide and taking flight when the moon came out. The creature soared up into the sky, its body shimmering and glowing in the moonlight like a beacon of magic and wonder. The townsfolk called the creature the “Moonbird,” and they whispered tales of its powers and its mystery. Some said that it was a spirit of the sea, come to watch over the town and its people. Others believed that it was a messenger from the gods, sent to bring news of great events yet to come.

That night, as I was walking along the beach, toes digging into the sand as I gazed out at the waves, I watched Moonbird in awe as it flew closer and closer to me. I let it remind me that that there is a world of wonder and magic beyond the horizon, waiting to be discovered. A mysterious Moonbird is a symbol of the unknown and the endless possibilities that lay ahead.


What do you think of Moonbird?

Magnolia Musings

My magnolia tree is so beautiful! As a flowering tree that blooms in the spring, its symbolism is deeply tied to the season of renewal and rebirth. In many cultures, the magnolia tree is associated with femininity and grace. The delicate beauty of its pink or white blossoms is seen as a symbol of purity and innocence, while the tree’s sturdy branches and deep roots represent strength and resilience.

I’ve had an on again-off again relationship with the color pink. For a while I wanted nothing to do with it at all! Cranberry foam (when the berries are cooking or when my soda water mixes with juice) brought pink back into the fold for me and Paris pink, well that has always been fine. But the pretty pale pink of my magnolia blossoms were an acquired taste. Now I love them!

The magnolia is also often associated with the arrival of spring, as its blossoms typically appear in March or April, just as the winter frost begins to melt away. To me, the tree has come to symbolize new beginnings, fresh starts, and the promise of growth and renewal.

I learned that in some cultures, the magnolia is also seen as a symbol of nobility and dignity. Its lush, full blooms are associated with abundance and prosperity, while its strong, upright branches are seen as a sign of steadfastness and honor. It turns out pink is pretty powerful as a symbol of the changing seasons and the endless cycle of life and death. It reminds me that even in the darkest of winters, there is always the promise of spring and the hope of new beginnings.

Are you feeling the promise of spring?


Spring Musings

I captured a hummingbird in slow motion in this 15 second video!

While on a a sunny joyful walk something zoomed by my head and stopped in a tree near me. I turned around knowing I’d see a hummingbird! We hung out together a while, and I got my phone ready in slow motion video setting, and this sweet hummingbird was happy to indulge me! In the Laika tradition of shamanism, the hummingbird represents the soul as one of four perceptual levels—body, mind, soul & spirit—and symbolizes joy.

The language of this level is image, music, poetry, and dreams — it’s the realm of myth, where the soul can experience itself on a sacred journey. In the domain of the mythic, we are all like hummingbird, on a grand voyage and yearning to drink only from the nectar of life.

https://thefourwinds.com/hummingbird-perceptual-level-soul/

I’m drinking the nectar of life this spring! My seed arrived in the mail yesterday. We are still at risk of freezing overnight, so I am patiently waiting to dig in the dirt. I’m also thinking about what Soul Seeds I’m going to plant this new moon which happens to coincide so nicely with the Spring Equinox! The lunar cycle and the plant life cylce as well as our creative cycles all follow the same flow. The seed phase is associated with ideas, wishes, or projects that are ready to be planted so they may come into fruition.  New or old, your heart’s desires are the Soul Seeds that we are planting in the fertile soil of our imagination when we set our intentions at the new moon. What would you like to grow in your life throughout spring?

Perhaps reflecting on this during time outside in a Sit Spot might be nice. Here’s a little video peek of my current Sit Spot.

May you drink from the nectar of life this spring and your Soul Seeds thrive!


Reveling in Possibilities

I want to be loosed of relationships that no longer serve me. And with this comes an increasing desire, pounding in my heart like a drumbeat, to only do what I want to do, when I want to do it, and with whom I wish to do it. I am tending to my own stuff, and my wish is that everyone in my life do the same… I want to revel in possibilities. I want to laugh and dance and sing and drink great wine and celebrate and love and discuss the Universe and all its magic.”

― Sheri Salata, The Beautiful No: And Other Tales of Trial, Transcendence, and Transformation

I’ve been reveling in possibilities. Each moon cycle, I tune into my heart and soul as well as mother nature and mystery to discern where to focus. During the dark of the moon and the days it is still new, I watch and listen and feel for messages directly from my own intuition and also from the signs, symbols and synchronicity I see around me. Then sometime under it’s crescent glow I decide. Sometimes its so easy and clear, and other times I get the sense that I’m just practicing the act of choice to bring experiences to my attention out of a quantum state.

This cycle’s choice was so clear and easy. No less than 5 different times the the message “Shine!” popped up. A card drawn by my favorite three year old, freudian slips, a Wildwood Secret Society oracle reading (that’s our group in the Hollow that reads for each other), a song, and message from a quest kit. More specifically, the messages were encouraging me to show up, step out and be seen, increase the visibility of my vulnerability and share more of my wonderous inner world and ponderings as well as my very human foibles. This musing blogs is certainly a fitting place to bring more of myself to light.

I believe that something magical and transformative happens when we create a space to hold our voices. Just like a sketchbook or notebook holds sketches or lists, a blog is a receptacle for self expression, the act of publishing an alchemical process that gives our words and pictures form and weight. Later on we may draw an audience to us and will discover the joys of being seen for who we are, but in the beginning the very act of publishing is like an act of faith. It’s staking our claim on a piece of virtual real estate. It’s making an online home, just for us.

Susannah Conway, https://www.susannahconway.com/

I may be clumsy or not know what to say, but I feel the impulse to show up on the Musings blog more often. To let it be the space of my unfolding, my creative joy alchemy.