CHEERS & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!!

Well, it looks like the New Year will soon be upon us once again

as we celebrate with family and friends. We do the same thing every year ~ we all stay up to watch the ball drop on Times Square, sing “Auld Lang Syne” and shout “Happy New Year!” My husband and I always like to watch “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve” while drinking Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante.

2011 has been quite an interesting year for us. We bought our first home and, more notably, we got to take yet another trip with my in-laws. This time it was to beautiful Ontario, Canada! Goddess, what gorgeous skies and such a breath-taking Country ...

 

 

Not to mention the cool wildlife we were fortunate enough to see living right outside the backyard of our cabin ...

(A beautiful doe, a porcupine, and a very curious little skunk who decided to walk underneath our cabin one night)

Ever wondered where our New Year's traditions actually came from or how this holiday was celebrated many years ago? Well, the New Year celebration  is amongst the oldest of all the holidays which we observe. It was first celebrated in Ancient Babylon about 4,000 years ago. Around the year 2,000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon ~ the first visable crescent after the Vernal Equinox or first day of Spring which we, as Wiccans/Pagans, call Ostara. The Babylonian New Year celebration lasted for eleven days.

The Romans observed the New Year in late March; however, their calender was continually changed by their various emperors, causing the calender to soon become out of synchronization with the Sun. Therefore, in order to set the calender right, in 153 BC the Roman senate declared January 1st to offically be the beginning of the New Year.

However you and yours choose to celebrate the New Year, it will always be a time of rebirth, planting new crops to later blossom, and along with them a chance for us all to start anew!

FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS, I WISH EVERYONE A VERY SAFE, JOYOUS NEW YEAR AND MAY THE COMING YEAR BE EVEN BETTER THAN THE LAST!!!!

"Rockin' in the Free World" ~ Neil Young

http://youtu.be/doX6_GKAJ4E

A little holiday humor ...

(I just love "Judge Santa's" cute little use of the word, "Overyuled," don't you? ~ LOL!)

"The Magick of Reiki": A book review

"The Magick of Reiki" written by Christopher Penczak is, for the most part, a very interesting and informative book for those who wish to have an overview about the elements of reiki itself.

The author talks about the history and origins of Usui Ryoho as well as the more modern reiki traditions, working with crystals, healing attunements both self and client, working with your seven chakras, using and working with Spirit Guides including angels and our deities, hand positions, and much, much more.

Much of what was written in his book are things which I definately can identify with; however, the only part that I had a real concern about was the author's section on hand positions regarding clients. When giving reiki, we work from the top of head moving downward through the clients entire body and releasing the negative/excess engery out through the feet. The author suggests that when performing reiki on someone, you should stand "in front of" the clients feet!

Now, going way back from my Reiki Level I classes and also reiterated during my Reiki Level II, a Reiki Practitioner should never, repeat, never stand in front of the clients feet while giving reiki to them. If you do so, you will most certainly pay for it later as all of the negative energy from the client's body which you must release back out into the Universe will surely enter yours in some fashion. I have even heard of some practitioners who have actually gotten terrible headaches and such later on that day or night because they put themselves in the way of that negative energy. Sometimes while performing reiki on someone, I can actually feel their back pain during the process, but it immediately goes away after being released. To stand in front of your clients feet is most definately not something I would ever recommend to anyone performing reiki! I cringe at the thought of it quite frankly.

Other than this, I found the book to be educationally factual and he covers a large territory of subjects including but not limited to the legalities of the practice of reiki. One thing I really liked, and most certainly agreed with, was his section called, "You are a Healing Facilitator, Not a God!" Correct-a-mundo! He explains that Reiki Pracitioners simply provide an opportunity to heal and help others through the process. As I have said before, we as pratitioners are merely a rod or "go-in-between" so to speak. And I truly believe this to be so.

Christmas with family

Yesterday, hubby and I spent Christmas day, as we do every year, visiting both families. We started early afternoon at my folks, where we enjoyed a scrumptious home-cooked Christmas feast of ham, potatoe filling, corn, green beans, hot buns and a glass of celebratory Martini & Rossi Asti Spumante wine  ~ and something delicious I found called, "Choco Vine" Dutch Chocolate and red wine (which actually tastes very much like a Mudslide ~ ummm good!) ...

After dinner, we opened all of our presents  ...

(My dad, brother Kerry playing with their dog Brandi, and my mom)

Next, we headed over to my hubby's parents place to exchange gifts and wind down the day by spending a rather enjoyable evening ralxing with the in-laws ...

And, of course, we had some quality time with the kitties while watching them play with their presents from Santa Paws!!

Then finally, mommy and daddy could open our presents to eachother before going to bed...

Illuminating Mermaid tealight holder

And yes, I did in fact get a Tape/CD Converter box for my live singing tapes, but unfortunately we have to return it as the CD part does not work. Howevr, I still intend to exhange it for another one.

The holidays have become even more special to us as our families get older and, with all of their various medical issues and such as time goes by, each year spent together as a family is indeed a real blessing.

Houston, we have a problem ...

So, last night after I got home from work my husband utters those words that no Blogger wishes to hear, "The computer died!"  Eeek! The look on my face must have said it all and reminded him quite a bit of Gollum from The Lord of the Rings  ~ "No, no,  not my precious!" as he laughed at me hysterically!

The funny thing is, a couple of years ago I could have cared less and could seriously never understand why he was so "dependent" on using a computer. Since getting involved with blogging and meeting so many wonderful people whom I can atleast in part thank our computer for, I now understand.  Which is, of course, why he found my reaction so amusing.

Needless to say, we purchased a new one for a very good price today and I am happy to say that we are able to communicate with our networking friends again.

Anyway, I hope that everyone had a very joyous and memorable Yule! This is going to be a busy weekend with the Christmas holiday upon us and spending some more time with family and friends.

So, we will continue to eat, drink and be merry! Wishing all of you the same and a wonderful weekend, too!

Beautiful gifts, thoughtful friends

Every year, a good friend of mine, Judy, and my sister Robin and I exchange our Yule/Christmas presents at work. Judy also happens to be my "cat-sitter" and an excellent one at that! She, like me, is a cat fanatic who also has three sweet dogs ~ a beagle, a basset hound and a black labrador retriever. Robin, as you well know, is my partner in crime, um, I mean candle shopping ~ making our rather frequent trips to the local Yankee Candle store which is located only three blocks away from our office building.

The gifts I received this year were not only thoughtful, they were heart-felt ...

Beautiful, festive Yule/Christmas Mermaid ornament

Lovely Mermaid Jewelry Box

Adorable "Jim Shore" Cat ornament

"Holiday Sage" Yankee Candle with Angel Luma-lid

Not only do I get gifts, my cats do as well from their "Auntie Judy" who adorns them with all kinds of kitty treats and toys ...

Of course, the "real" gift is the gift of their precious friendship ~ the wonderfully thoughtful presents are merely the icing on the "friendship" cake so to speak! 



Happy Hanukkah!!

Shalom Lecha and Peace to you, my friends!!!

Surprise!!!

Yeah! My "Funky Crow Ornament" has just arrived in the mail from Stacy at "Magic Love Crow!!"  Along with my ornament, she very thoughtfully included a beautiful Holiday card and an adorable "Laugh" Crow print & matching wallet-size.

 My cat Kiki admiring my cool new ornament!

I will surely be enjoying this new addition to my Yule Tree for years to come I assure you!

And the "Laugh" Crow print has already been framed and after Yule she shall definitely brighten up my Reiki Room!

Stacy, you are so very talented! Thank you again for the gift of your fabulous artwork and your friendship. Blessings to you, my sister!!!

From the Heart

Today I received a very special little gift from a very special little girl., Kylianna. Kylie, as we call her, is the daughter of a good friend of mine and she is also one of my reiki clients as well. She is only 6 years old, loves school, her baby sister Kaylie, and candles ~ talk about a girl after my own heart! 

She told her mommy that she wanted to get a Christmas present for her "Aunt Kimmy" and that she wanted to be sure to give it to me herself, personally. She very graciously picked out a beautiful gold-colored Angel candle holder for me "because she knows I love candles so much."

Every time her mommy comes over to my home for her reiki sessions, I always make sure to give Kylie a small, scented votive candle or the like. She looks forward to it so, and I just enjoy her company so much. I really adore this little girl. Thank you, my Kylie-girl and Merry Christmas to you and your whole family from your Auntie Kimmy!!!

"Check your egos at the door..."

Upon reading an article in the most recent issue of "Reiki News Magazine" by Reiki Master Deb Karpek, I thought I'd share some things with you which I feel are important to know for anyone who either is or is thinking about learning the practice of reiki.

In her article, "Knowing When to Take the Next Class," she discusses the issue of practitioners who feel that rushing their studies is a good idea? While it is true that everyone must learn at their own individual pace, knowing "when" to take things to the next level is key! As she very intelligently puts it, "There isn't any hurry; it's not a race. It's an honor and a privilege and we need to respect it." May I also add that it is not some sort of "knotch on your belt,"and, as my Reiki Master had said during our Reiki Level II classes, "Check your egos at the door!" In fact, one of the last things she taught us is that we should never make the mistake of calling ourselves "healers" as we are merely a conduit per se, a "go-in-between" the client and the Devine. How right she is!

My Reiki Master & very dear friend, Frances M. Moise

Reiki Master Karpek also points out the fact that there is a discernible difference between "wanting to be a Reiki Master and being called to be a Reiki Master." This article really hit home with me because I have seen so many practitioners make these mistakes and it simply makes me cringe! My own Reiki Master in Usui Shiki Ryoho, told us some of the things she had to learn while she was in her Master training ~ learning how to pronounce, write and memorize over 100 different ancient Reiki symbols, etc. during the course of her very intense studies. That being said, it is next to impossible and I personally find it absurd to think that you can go from a Certified Reiki Level I to a Reiki Master level in a matter of only a few months.

At this point in my Reiki training, I have no desire to become a Reiki Master and I am completely at peace being a Level II practitoner. Perhaps in time this may change should I receive the "calling." None-the-less, I have to say that I totally agree 100% with the above views of these Reiki Masters. After all, what is the hurry, really?

Yule Fires

In ancient days the folk of old

When chilled with fright by the winter's cold,

Did kindle up a great Yule fire

With leaping flames in its' great pyre

So to entice the waning sun

To rise again and wider run;

Its' fiery course across the sky

To warm them so they would not die

So we, whose minds now sense a chill

of anger at the evil will

The human conflict, hate and strife

Which holds a menace over the life,

Would kindle up a flame of love

That we within our hearts many move

In Yuletide joy with love embrace

And thus abide in peace and grace

 

~ John G. Mackinnon

 

 

(image credit)

Out of the blue

As you are all aware, I have been an ordained Pagan clergy member for the Universal Life Church since March of 2002. Last Saturday afternoon, I received a phone call from a woman who is also an ordained Minister of my Church. She had found my name and information in the Minister Directory on the ULC website where I am registered. She called me in order to get some information about Pennyslvania State laws regarding ULC marriage as her niece had asked her to officiate her wedding here in PA.

Now, as far as PA is concerned, the laws are fairly "iffie" at best. That's right, for all of the lip service that is given to "freedom of religion,"we still fall a tad short of the meaning ~ even though most States do actually recognize the ULC as a legitimate religious organization. I explained to her that in the State of PA, the law requires that at least one of the participants getting married must be a member of the ULC. I also advised her to contact the County in which the legal marriage was to take place. In her case, it happened to be Montgomery County (I am located in Berks).

Officiating at Lady Sabrina Rhiannon's legal interfaith Handfasting ceremony ~ 2003

The fact is, ULC is a legitimate Church and has fought for the legal rights of ALL religions be they Christian, Pagan, or other. This does not; of course, mean that we, as ULC Ministers, are exempt from following and obeying any and/or all of the individual laws per State. It is imperative that our Ministers, regardless of our religious affiliations, do their homework and find out what each State's legal marriage requirements are in order to be sure that we adhere to them!

I was only too happy to be able to help her and wished she and her niece many blessings!

Some new books and stuff

Today, my sister Robin and I decided to go bargain book shopping at "Barnes & Noble" over our lunch break. This is just something we love to do every so often ~ that and indulging ourselves by stopping at the local new age store, "Celtic Myth & Moonlight."

I found a couple of interesting books which I simply could not pass up. One is titled, "Magick of Reiki" by Reiki Master Christopher Penczak and the other is a book written by Sylvia Browne called, "Astrology Through A Psychic's Eyes." 

I also picked up a couple of magazines as well ...

This particular edition of "Witches & Pagans" features a great educational article written by Kerr Cuhulain, a retired member of the Vancouver Police Department and currently the leader of the Order of Scathach. He is also the author of the Wiccan/Pagan books, "Wiccan Warrior" and "The Law Enforcement Guide to Wicca."

And last, but not least, a cool Mad Libs book for adults (sounded like something fun to do when friends come over) ...

  

Don't you just love the cover? ~ LOL!