Summer's Spell

I don't know about you, but Summer overwhelms me with possibilities. All of a sudden, I want to spend every minute barefoot outside, feeling like a kid & going on free-spirited adventures. Here in the mountains of Colorado, many wildflowers don't even come out until mid-Summer, each one a burst of vibrant color that seems to shout, "Look at me! Life is grand!" It always astonishes me how in the harsh, arid conditions at 9,000 feet, these wildflowers blossom with a striking beauty, as though somehow their struggle against high altitude, fierce temperatures & thin mountain air has deepened their color & verve. But when they appear, like a child, I have to dash to each one & whisper "Welcome! So glad you made it!" Yes, I'm foo-foo like that, but I also know that these alpine blossoms are an incredible reminder of the splendor that can follow sheer tenacity—and many of them carry magical messages. So I invite you today to join me on my wildflower walk & to share in the lovely moment of serendipity that occurred to me recently which resulted in my special Summer Spell. I hope it will touch your heart the way it did mine : )

Geranium
First off is the wild Geranium—with its delicate pink flower that's plentiful in high altitudes (I've seen them blossom at 11,000 feet!). Did you know that planting Geraniums around your home will protect you from negative energy & unwanted visitors? The Geraniums in the Rocky Mountains vary in color according to the soil they're in, but each color has special properties. Red Geraniums invite love & abundance, while this pretty pink one attracts friendship & love. White Geraniums raise your sensitivity to the influence of your Angels & Spirit Guides. And folklore tells us that to relieve stress, scatter Geranium petals in your bath water to help you relax (and maybe adding few bubbles & a glass of wine on the side wouldn't hurt ; ). 

Rose
Perhaps wild roses might not seem unusual to you in spring & summer, but I've seen them growing in the most rocky & windblown environments at altitudes that will make you struggle for breath! What a testimony to their endurance & strength. Rose is well known to signify & attract love, but did you know that it can also enhance the love you receive from your Angels & Spirit Guides? We all know that you must truly love yourself before you can accept love from another, so to boost your own self love, inhale deeply from this delicate flower & let its scent fill you with the divine love that your Angels long to give you. And like the Geranium, scatter Rose petals or pour Rose water into your bath as a reminder to love & nurture yourself so you can spread your love & passions into the world. Roses are also known to bring good luck, so plant them in your yard to insure abundance & to ward off negative energy.

Thistle
Now wait a minute, a weed like Thistle can't be magical, can it? But folklore assures us that this bright plant deepens your connection to the divine & invites spiritual helpers into your life, as well as guards against thieving in every way—including mental, physical & spiritually draining situations. So place the downy fluff from the Thistle under your welcome mat to keep robbers & emotional leeches away from your home, and include Thistles in your flower arrangements to invite loving Spirit Guides into your sphere. In addition, meditating on the rich, purple color of the Thistle cleanses your spirit & many people feel it offers healing for the mind as well.

Indian Paintbrush
The spectacular Indian Paintbrush is the wildflower of passion. When you stumble across it, don't pick it! Let it dwell in the earth the way it's supposed to, brightening the world with its vibrant cheer. But do know that it's no accident you came across this fiery blossom—it's a message to you from your Spirit Guides to keep following your passions. Never waste a single day on regret or what could have been—today is a pure gift to you, and you are called to celebrate it with a newness & faith that will lead you to miracles. And when those opportunities do arrive, go after them with your whole heart! Indian Paintbrush never hesitates to spread is flame-colored petals to the sun, and neither should you.

Daisy
Who doesn't love a charming daisy? We've all played that childhood game of plucking the petals while saying "He loves me, he loves me not" to foretell our future in romance. But did you know that Daisies bring joy & renewed passion for life? Place them around the house to lift your spirits, boost your mood & remind you of possibilities once again. And if you DO want to attract a joyful suitor, place some Daisy petals under your pillow & allow your dreams to guide you to the right person (with a little help from the Angels, of course!). The bright Daisy (even this delicate, high altitude one above) is also known to protect children & to encourage you to let your inner child come out to play. So take off those socks & shoes & walk in the sunshine among the Daisies whenever you can.

Sunflower
Yes, this wild, Rocky Mountain sunflower may seem small to you, but it still carries the magic of bringing good luck & making your wishes come true! They are actually native to Peru & do well in high altitudes. Eating sunflower seeds is said in folklore to bring good luck, & sleeping with the seeds under your pillow will help you germinate your deepest dreams & bring them into your life. Sunflowers are also a symbol of faithfulness (for the consistent way these blossoms follow the sun), so if you'd like to attract a faithful suitor, plant them in your garden to encourage people of truth, integrity & fidelity into your sphere. And finally, few flowers can cheer one up as much as sunflowers, so make bouquets of these sunny plant for your home to send the blues packing. 

Mariposa Lily
This spectacular wildflower is one of the jewels of the Rocky Mountains, so delicate & fragile, yet it thrives brilliantly in alpine altitudes. In folklore, Lilies signify resurrection & renewal, which is why we so often see them at funerals to represent our hopes to reunite with our loved ones in the afterlife. But magical tradition also tells us that if you come across a Lily in your everyday life, something you thought was dead to you is about to rebloom. It could be a cherished dream, your hope to find true love, or simply to get your passion back for life. The tender Lily is here to tell you that you are much tougher than you thought you were, and your courage & endurance are about to be rewarded with wonderful openings for new possibilities. So if you feel you've lost your mojo a bit, surround yourself with the fragrance of Lily in your bath or in your home & arrange Lilies bouquets to inspire your hope. These lovely flowers will send a message to your Spirit Guides that "I'm ready now to start anew—please bring the best people & situations for my happiest future." Then take a deep breath & let the past go, knowing that your Angels will carry you to exactly where you need to be.

SUMMER'S SPELL

(Items required: an old, trusted tree)

While I was out on my wildflower walk this year with a friend, the most incredible (& magical) thing happened—I'd dashed over to take a picture of a flower, only to look up & realize I was beside a rare Ute Prayer Tree. Believe me, I got the chills at this moment of serendipity. The Ute Tribe, which are native to the Rocky Mountains, have a custom of tying select Ponderosa Pines to the earth so that they'd be "grounded" & continue to grow with a unique curve as their branches reach to the sky. You can tell when such a tree has been deliberately altered by man (& not by heavy snowfall) when you see distinct vertical marks on the tree where the Utes used rawhide to fasten the trunk.

If you look carefully at the photo above, you can see the vertical marks that probably occurred about 250 years ago (as indicated by the redness of the tree's bark, which signifies its age). My friend & I were both stunned. Neither one of us had ever encountered a Ute Prayer Tree before, and we had a hunch it was no accident. Why? Because the purpose of the Ute Prayer Tree is for you to lay your hands upon it, like a trusted old friend, and release every care, sadness, bitterness or regret you've ever experienced in life into the tree.  This stalwart companion has existed in silent strength for centuries, has seen many people (if not civilizations) come & go, and is hardy enough to absorb any negative or limiting emotion that may try to thwart your spirit. So spontaneously, my friend & I halted our wilderness trek & took a moment to let go—release any hurt or sadness we've known—so we could be cleansed & ready for a new possibilities.

And it worked! Both of us felt as though something magical & cathartic had taken place. Afterwards, we were filled with a tingling excitement, because we know that you're never asked to release the old unless something new is coming—and we felt that our Angels had guided us to this moment because there are special things in store. After all, in order for anyone to blossom in life—find love, fulfill dreams, or take a new path leading to fulfillment—you must first get rid of old growth that's already served its purpose & be open to the new. So I'd like to invite you to do a similar Summer Spell to eliminate negativity & accept fresh opportunities into your own sphere for enhanced joy & vitality.

Directions for the Summer Spell: First off, find an old tree—preferably a tree you've known since childhood or one that you discover in a grove with a wide trunk & large canopy that's particularly aged. Then approach the tree with a kind & gentle greeting. Explain that you're going to lay your hands on it for the purpose of healing by releasing any sadness, hurt, anger or bitterness from the past that might limit you. Don't worry, trees cleanse our atmosphere all the time & generously release oxygen so we can breathe, and your tree is strong enough to take any negativity & pool it at its roots to release into the soil where it will be dissipated. Then pray or meditate (whatever you like to call it) & visualize yourself letting go of specific emotions, memories, people, or situations that no longer bring you joy or help you on your path. That doesn't mean you don't love certain individuals anymore—it simply means that you recognize you need to grow in new ways & you desire now to change course. When you're ready, feel those old memories, images & painful moments leaving your heart & your body & entering the tree in a swirl of light. There, they will sink through the bark, into the sap & down into the earth, where they will never be able to thwart the new growth of you or the tree again. Now, feel yourself completely cleansed & ready to put joyful energy back into your life. This is extremely important—it does you no good to cleanse yourself if you don't make a concerted effort to refill your heart & mind with hope, sunshine, love, & new purpose. Visualize yourself bathed in sparkling sunshine that permeates your very soul, and ask your Angels or Spirit Guides to take you by the hand & help you go forward on your journey. Imagine your greatest desires—see them clearly—and know that your guides will help you every step of the way towards fulfillment. Most importantly, thank the tree for its generosity & ask that the tree be blessed with health & new growth as well. As you walk back to your starting place, notice any blossoms nearby, or go to a flower shop & purchase flowers to place in your home to remind you of the magic of flowers & the blossoming that is about to take place in your life. Finally, be grateful. Give thanks to your Angels or Spirit Guides for this cleansing & for Summer's gift of sunshine that highlights your new journey & brings cheer to you as you go forward.

And if you have a minute, please let me know in the comments below if this spell worked for you! Have a joyful Summer :D

If you love the gentle enchantment of
nature & spells, check out my
magical novels on Amazon & Kindle!

The Robbin' Hearts Series

Twixt

(Photo credit note: All images on my blog are either my own or were gleaned from pictures in the public domains of popular social networks like facebook or pinterest. If you own the copyright to any of these images & do NOT want them used publicly, please contact me & I will take them down immediately! : )

Autumn's Spell

Each year, Autumn exhilarates me with an electrical sense of anticipation & joy. I love how the brisk fall air sweeps away the heavy-laden & stagnant heat of summer & encourages the bright colors of trees to burst forth. It's as though Nature herself is ready to celebrate the beauty & mystery of change. Few things in life feel as wonderful to me as the gentle warmth of Autumn sunshine that often permeates nippy October mornings, or the transcendently glorious aspen leaves that can suffuse an entire mountainside with gold. The whole mood of the season takes on the delight of renewed color & energy, and this is the time of year that I adore perusing Farmer's Markets where the vendors proudly spread out their wares.

In the small mountain town in Colorado where I live, vendors come from all over the state to display their organic fruits & vegetables, artisanal cheeses, & grass fed beef & free range poultry.

The produce always looks downright sumptuous, and I love it that even pastas take on a creative flair with varieties like "Garlic Asparagus Tagliatelle" & "Sweet Potato Pappardelle".

And then there's the "egg lady" Ms. Peck (yep, that's her genuine moniker), who knows the names & eccentric habits of each one of her free-range chickens because to her they aren't just poultry—they're her beloved pets. Given the fact that her farm has a view of one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the western hemisphere, I wouldn't mind coming back in my next life as one of her free-spirited little chickens or goats...

And speaking of free spirits, who could overlook the charming Farmgirls Homestead booth, with their unique Garden Fairy Apothecary of salves, notions & potions? It's well known that fresh mountain air & intense alpine sunshine has a magical effect on herbs, tinctures & homemade soaps, so it's no surprise to me that their enchanting concoctions are usually sold out by noon.  

So to take advantage of my weekly Farmer's Market experiences, I usually try to arrive by the crack of dawn (they open at 6 am!) to sample the very freshest breads & produce money can buy—and for far cheaper than most organic grocery stores. Here's just a sample of my usual delectable haul:

 But is it really just a bargain that I seek when I brave the crisp fall mornings before the sun has fully risen over the mountain tops to relish the sights & smells of the local farmers & artisans?  To be honest, I think that's simply my excuse to experience the full range of Autumn's spell. Harvest, cornucopia, bounty, abundance—these are all synonyms for the color & wealth of sensation that Autumn offers before impending Winter will strip our lives back down to their essentials once again. But each season has it's special kind of magic, and for me, the enchantment of Autumn means both hope & mystery. Hope that after enduring a sometimes oppressively hot summer, cool air will invigorate my body & spirit & make me feel excited about pursuing my dreams again. And a deep sense of mystery as I anticipate what kinds of changes my dreams will bring into my life & how I can honor the sacredness of each day the sunlight grows shorter & shorter. Shadows begin to grow long, revealing a new sense of shape & form in the natural world—and with that comes more time to perhaps reflect on what is truly meaningful & magical to our spirits.

And may you find during this season of golden-colored days and crisp starry nights, a new courage to pursue changes in your life that will bring you the abundance you deserve. If you're uncertain how to envision that abundance, try doing this simple & good-natured spell to bring you closer to manifesting your dreams:

AUTUMN'S SPELL

(Items required: 1 candle & a match)

Meditate on this charming picture for a moment & imagine yourself taking a walk through a dark forest & coming across two rows of glowing pumpkins that gently highlight your path. What is at the end of this trail for you that would give you a feeling of peace, contentment & a very deep sense of arriving "home"? Is it a good relationship, more satisfying work, vibrant health, true soul friends, or all of the above? Don't be afraid of true magic—for "magic" is simply the outward manifestation of the genuine longings of your soul. So take a moment to fully envision (in every lovely detail) precisely what the manifestation of your dream looks like. Then light a candle & pause, imagining yourself as you walk into your dream. Everyone is so delighted to see you there (even ancestors who have passed on), and they are very, very proud of you. What are the sights, colors, sounds & smells here? How does this place make you feel? Take a moment to realize that you are truly valued here for the unique contribution of your spirit—and for that alone—and the sooner you accept & genuinely believe that, the sooner you will find yourself manifesting your dreams. Now hug everyone who has welcomed you here & send them joy & love from  your heart. And then know, as certain as the ground that you stand on, that you will not accept anything less than this beautiful dream for yourself. Know, too, that it is already waiting for you. Actively take the next steps towards your dream today—because your dream wants you. It needs you to be fully alive & to help you co-create joy. Before you blow out your candle, fully embrace the golden feeling that the Autumn season can bring & the inevitable changes that are an integral part of its magic. And now give thanks aloud for this dream already manifesting in ways that are beyond your imagination & control! Nevertheless, it will come into your life as surely as the moon always waxes to fullness once again. Picture your dream in bright detail with you in the center, smiling with contentment, & then blow out the candle. Gently inhale the smoke of your dreams as they are carried into the Universe & will come back to you at just the right time.

Happy Halloween - Sásta Oíche Shamhna!

And if you love the gentle enchantment
of nature & spells, check out
my magical novels at Amazon & Kindle!

Twixt 

The Robbin' Hearts Series

It's A New Dawn, It's A New Day...

Welcome to 2013!

I know I'm forever the optimist, but I can't help it—turns of months, moons, seasons & years all inspire me as opportunities for glorious new beginnings. And regardless of any sorrows or disappointments I might've experienced in the past, whenever I'm at the cusp of a new phase I always feel an upswell of joy. Deep in my soul, I just know anything is possible in this big old world because there's something eternally sacred out there that loves all of us & is leading us to our highest good. And with every chaotic disruption or even dark ending I face comes the birth of something that I'm convinced will be an opening—a new & creative portal—that will take me exactly to where I should be. So color me sentimental (hey, I wear that badge with pride—it means I've got a heart!), but I would love to offer you this day a bit of enchantment to help you spread your wings & soar in this fresh new year. It's my HOPE SPELL (or affirmation, or manifestation, whatever you feel comfortable calling it), and it goes as follows:  

(Skyview near my twin sister's house)

HOPE SPELL

Focus on the bright blue horizon in this image—feel its wide open space as a new freedom for you, regardless of anything you might've experienced in the past. Then imagine a warm, fluffy cloud swelling beneath you & lifting you higher, carrying you towards your dreams. You know you will believe in them, you know you will work very, very hard for them—but for just one moment, let yourself completely relax & ALLOW the angels to take you there! Don't let your rational mind fight this miracle. Just for once, accept their guidance & assistance as a total gift of grace. You don't have to earn their help or achieve any kind of elite "worthiness"—the Universe already loves you & wants to work with you! Feel the angels steer you in ways you never expected towards your brightest year ever. Now look around—what do you see as the manifestation of all your dreams? Take a picture in your mind of your version of abundance, and then smile . . . for all the angels are rejoicing . . .