Red tent ritual kit & a giveaway!

Moontime, period, time of the month, Aunt Flo.  Whatever you call it, we all endure the monthly gift we are given.   I don't know about you, but mine is tumultuous at best.   Cramps, mood swings, and zero energy are just par for the course around here.  As I have gotten older, and been on and off fertility drugs for the past few years it has only gotten worse for me.  I am a huge proponent of a holistic lifestyle, but when my moontime rolls around my bottle of ibuprofen and I become best friends.   I really do not like putting anything non-natural into my body, but for a long time that was just the way it is.    I know this subject is still pretty taboo, and most women are really afraid to talk about it.  Even though mine is tough every month, I really do believe it is something we can all bond over.  When we open up and talk about it, it leads us to a better understanding not only of ourselves, but women as a whole.   We should be able to open up and share what works for ourselves, and how you listen to your body each month.   I have been looking for different ways to honor my body when my moontime is here, and have really been trying to be patient with my body and listen to what it needs during that time.  Self care is a huge part of that for me.  This past month I received a Red Tent Ritual Kit from Lindsay of Whole Body Alchemy.  If you have read some of my past posts you know how much I love Lindsay and her gorgeous offerings she has.  She truly makes magic, and each offering she has is full of love and intention.  This kit is no exception.  It is filled with beauty, and some beautiful ways to honor yourself and your body.

This is what you receive in the Red Tent Ritual Kit.  A 2 oz. tin of handcrafted tea, a kit on how to craft your own moon bag, and also a copy of Moondaughter's  moontime e-book, which includes worksheets and rituals.   Isn't it all beautiful?  I received mine just in time for my moontime.  When the time felt right, I sat down and brewed myself a cup of tea, and used Lindsay's guidelines to make my moon bag.

More about the tea in Lindsay's words:

This blend was inspired by a dream a dear friend had about me creating a feminine infusion for our monthly moon. 

Lovingly prepared using gemstone infusion of Moonstone, Carnelian,  Unikite and  sacred mantra.

Moonstone is gentle and soothing and encourages you to "go with the flow".  Carnelian is associated with the root and sacral chakras - it stabilizes energy and is known to revitalize the blood. Unikite is a gentle yet powerful stone that brings about connection and aids in female reproductive health. 

::Earthy and floral with a mildly spicy and fruity finish::

Organic botanical blend of: Red Raspberry leaf, Saw Palmetto Berries, Hibiscus, Shatavari, Vitex berries, Red rose petals and buds & Ginger root a little ,magic and a lot of love

I made mine with a little honey and it was warm and comforting.  I sat down in a quiet spot to make my moon bag.  So many beautiful offerings are included to craft yours, a beautiful hand painted stone, cedar leaves, feathers, seashells, little stones.  I added a few things of my own that felt right for me.   My moonstone pendant, snowy quartz (for tiredness),  chrysocolla (for cramps).  

I also included a little love note to myself, I put each piece in and filled the bag with healing and love.  I sealed it up, and I slept with it under my pillow or carried it with me when I was out of the house.  It brought me comfort having it near.  Now when each moontime rolls around, I am going to open it and add or remove things that feel right to me at the time.  

I also set aside a few minutes each day to work through Moondaughter's e-book.  It includes a load of tips, recipes, and wisdom to help you look at your body in a new light and truly celebrate the goddess we all have within us.  I loved sitting down and working through it each day.  

Now here comes a special treat for you.  Lindsay has lovingly and generously offered up one of her Red Tent Ritual Kit's to one of you!  All you have to do is leave a comment below, telling me how you would use this kit to honor yourself.   I will pick a winner next Monday the 8th!

To learn more about Lindsay and her offerings, please visit her site Whole Body Alchemy.  There is a lot of magic there to explore....

Daily amulets

 First off, Happy Beltane, May Day, or just May 1st to you all!  Whichever it is for you, I hope it is a good one.  We here look like we are in for an early dose of summer, and by Friday it is supposed to be 95 degrees.  So not ready for that much heat!   

Anyway, last night a friend asked me what all the bracelets around my wrist were, and as I was telling her about each one it got me thinking about amulets.  An amulet is defined as:  

-an ornament or small piece of jewelry thought to give protection against evil, danger, or disease.

I definitely view the pieces I wear on a daily basis as my amulets or talismans.  They bring me a sense of comfort and each has its own special meaning to me.  To be honest, I feel pretty naked without them.  

These are what I wear around my neck everyday.  Awaken is my 2013 word of intention and reminds me of all I want to be awakened to this year.  My star and moon charm is a constant reminder of the deep relationship I feel to the moon and night sky. 

These are the bracelets I wear everyday.  With the exception of the bangle, I never take any of them off.    

The moon one is inscribed with our wedding date, and this what the phase of the moon looked like on the night we were married.  

The green aventurine and tigers eye bracelets are from the wonderful Ginger of East 80.  Ginger is so knowledgeable and has so many beautiful offerings. Tigers eye is said to be a highly protective stone, helps distinguish ones needs from the needs of others, dispels fear, and brings good luck.

Green aventurine is associated with the heart chakra, promotes empathy for others as well as ourselves.  Helpful in healing the heart.  Not to mention, it is one of my favorite stones.

The bee bangle is special to me because I view bees as my totem animal.  Over the past few years I have had so many cool experiences with bees and have grown to be very protective of them.  I am in the process of trying to get our own hive started, so we can have these beautiful pollinators in our own backyard. 

        
The Om symbol bracelet is one of my oldest ones and I have been wearing it for close to three years now.  It is a gentle reminder for me to seek calm and remember to breathe through the craziness.

How do you feel about tailsmans/amulets?  Do you wear daily ones that have special meanings for you?

                            

Pieces of earth

I have always loved stones and rocks, any kind of little piece of nature.  When I was a kid my mom said I had little collections everywhere, and my pockets always had something collected in them from the day.  Things have not changed much since then and I still collect pieces when we are out exploring, especially if it is somewhere we have never been before.  I find it comforting to keep little pieces of nature around me, and have them tucked into little corners of our house.  When I joined the Apothecary Circle last year I never expected to learn so much about stones, crystals, and the properties they possess.   I have learned so much, and find it so interesting that the stones that I have always gravitated towards turn out to have properties that are important to me.  I love how this community has taught me and continues to teach me about so many different things.  So, now I have even started an even larger stone collection of my own, and will continue to add new ones that I am drawn to.  One of my favorites has always been Citrine, and I found a gorgeous chunk of it on our weekend adventure last week. 

Through my friend Ginger's blog East 80 I have learned so many things about stones and crystals.  She is a geology student and has started a series on her blog called the crystal guide series.  I seriously recommend hopping over there are checking out some of her guides to different stones.  According to her blog citrines metaphysical properties are:

-Develops clear lines of thought, essentially clearing the fog in your mind. Helpful with communication especially in debates or arguments.

-Will not hold negative energy.  Needs no cleansing. 

-"Can help to dispense with the fundamental level of fear"

-Shines light on hope and brings lightness to heavy situations. Use if you are in need of a good laugh.

-JOYFUL STONE, releases anger as well as fear.

-Like jade, citrine is associated with wealth.  Keep a stone in your piggy bank, or wherever you keep your money. 

Looks like I need to make sure to keep a piece of citrine close at all times, and I am definitely going to add a small piece inside my wallet.  What are some of you favorite stones or crystals?

Make sure to check out Gingers blog East 80 to learn more from an expert and also check out her beautiful Etsy shop here.

Also the Apothecary Circle is open for Spring registration right now until the Spring Equinox.  Feel free to use the coupon code on the right side of my blog for 15% off.  I cannot recommend this course enough, it is a life changer.