This is the first Winter Solstice and Christmas without Astrid physically with us, so as you can imagine I am reminiscing about the special times we’ve spent with her over the years.

This enchanted season was a favorite of ours. Astrid loved to look out the windows at the Winter Wonderland scape before her, just as much as I did, and enjoyed all the wonders that lit both of our hearts.

So, indeed, there is a mix of feelings this year for this special time I hold dear. And in general, I do think it can bring up a variety of emotional waves for many and especially with all that is going on in the collective. As the year winds down and one reflects and reviews all that has unfolded in the months now behind us, may we release with every exhale and expand with every inhale.

With the loss of Astrid I’m riding those waves this time of year and it does stretch my heart muscles to feel even more beauty and warmth, as well as know the gifts that all of it makes available to unwrap.

I loved getting her special gifts to let her know how much she was adored and deserved the very best, but mostly we just loved snuggling up together.

It warmed my heart to see her happy, zooming about, cozying up by the fireplace to watch a movie with us, thumping her presence in a room, and making sure to let us know early in the morning that new snow had fallen across the land while we slept.

We even enjoyed some magickal photo shoots, while snow fell softly on our fur and hair.

She was a true snow bunny and I often thought of her more like a snowshoe hare, as she reminded me of these incredible, strong beings I experienced in the more northern parts of the Rockies of some of my favorite areas while we were in the Magick Bus – so mystical, wise, and illuminated with otherworldliness from within.

I’ll always remember Astrid’s first time setting her paws and thumpers on the snow after mom had just gone out barefoot in it herself. Hehe!

And how she almost got the best of mom…nearly escaping through the side of the gate I hadn’t pulled in tight. She looks at the opening and then turns back to me, as if to say, “Oh, nothing here to see mom.” Then after assuring me all is well, she turns back to go for it. That’s when I shut the video off before I have a true, wild snowshoe hare on the loose!

She even gave her signature thump on queue with the music in this short little video of her exploring her first snow. You’ll need to click through to the post itself to watch, as videos don’t show up embedded in emails if in fact that’s how you’re receiving this.

A Winter faery queen and her faery queen rabbit we will always be.

Astrid loved to dawn her crown proudly and step out safely in mom’s arms to explore the wild alpine world we called home together.

It warms my heart to look back on our memories we created and to know that her spirit is in every crystalline sparkle that winks at me from the fresh fallen snow.

She has left her mark and magick in every piece of life for me to unwrap each day.

There’s no more precious gift.

She also reminds me constantly that magick is a state of being that beats within our hearts. We merely need to embrace this inherent truth of our embodiment.

Magick is the way we experience life as a result of knowing this about ourselves.

When you realize the miraculous nature of your existence, you open yourself to being more present about the miraculous nature of all things from the smallest to largest.

The observer creates the experience both by perception and reflection. You have the ability to paint each day as you would like to experience it.

The world can be your Wonderland to navigate from the vision of your heart. Your inner landscape is yours alone to live by and no matter what takes place outside of that, no one can take away your experience, feelings, visions, or hope.

We’ve been enjoying so many magickal moments that Winter’s sparkle has woven into the fabric of our experience by constantly embracing that inner child wonder and belief around every corner. Even though Winter is only now officially here, and it’s a very mild one so far this year, there’s been enough little surprises from Jack Frost to make things wonderly.

The pendulum swing of seasons continues a bit, though, as we just had two plus days of rain and wet snow where we are that melted away our white carpet, but this did bring a few inches of new snow at the mountain tops.

That didn’t stop us, as we just jump right into Nature’s current expression and enjoy what she has to share. That has included some wet forest walks out back.

And if we hadn’t embraced the moment, no matter what shows up, we wouldn’t have discovered this beautiful little bird’s nest.

How perfectly synchronous to my post on 12/5 where I mentioned seeing a vision of a nest in my mind’s eye as reflection of energetic themes. You might recall this description I wrote in sharing how the nest felt like:

“…the rhythmic pattern of love and intentions woven into the most intricate and devoted ways. A labyrinth of commitment and dedication to the seeds cultivated within. A swathing of content interlacing dreams into forms and embodying a sacred geometry of the heart’s expression. The nest as a weaving of the heart wanting never to cease spreading its energy in the exquisite way only love knows how.”

This little nest we found on our walk the 18th is a perfect reflection of this. You can’t see fully in the photo, but the inner core of it is absolutely exquisite with the tiniest of interwoven fibers so delicately and meticulously laced with love and intention. I will be preparing it, once it dries out from the fresh rain, and adding it to my ever-growing nest mobile that is a centerpiece of sacred intention and energy in our space.

And in the outdoor space, the expansive vistas and quiet terrain have been a fresh breath, since most people aren’t out enjoying Nature walks at this time of year and especially not in the in between.

Even wildlife here is mirroring this in between, as the bear theme continues strong.

The bears are not hibernating yet and even the small animals have been out and about with unusual behavior. While starting a hike with our friend and his dog where the above photo was taken, a large coyote greeted us and seemed to be wandering in the later morning and we’ve been seeing a lot of large gray squirrels dashing about, sometimes seeming disoriented. We’ve also seen deer tracks in the snow, which we don’t usually.

I mentioned in one of the videos about a crystal skull available, that I overheard our neighbors talk about a big bear that had come to their house recently. And just yesterday we found another half eaten pumpkin by our bear friend from our neighbor’s front yard.

Well, then these two sightings hit the headlines about bears crossing the ski slope at the resort we ski at.

Bear at Heavenly Ski Resort Darts Across Ski Run

Mother Bear and Two Cubs Crossing Under Ski Lift

This is the run, below, and in fact we were skiing on these days when the above bear sightings took place, although we didn’t see them firsthand. Dave was there when the first one happened and we were both there when the second did.

Playing in the in between is where the field of potentials and alchemy stir. It’s always interesting to see what things ignite in that potent space.

Our more consistent snow isn’t forecasted until just after Christmas, but we venture up and down the mountain to immerse in some of both worlds, just as right now the collective feels to be experiencing different worlds and timelines.

When we anchor ourselves within our hearts and create that as our center of peace, we can then more easily move in and out of experiences, worlds, timelines, and what ever shows up in life. This core of you is your home, your grounding, your reference point for all else. It can be your stabilizer, as well as your fluidity so that you can maneuver more easily and navigate what shows up.

And when we create that inner stability, then we open ourselves up to more love.

The way to experience more love, is to love more.

Contrary to our ego mind’s conditioning to want to protect ourselves from a survival standpoint, the higher self’s wisdom is to feel without limitation and to breathe into each expansion and contraction so that we stretch the muscles into greater realms of possibility. This part of us knows how resilient our hearts actually are and that to place a limit on the alchemy of love, is like locking away your power and potential – love leads to growth and unlimited creative potential.

Any time my heart has ached, the depth of breathing into the human beauty of feeling has led me to know greater love. It’s not always easy, but until we lean into it we won’t actually experience the truth of love’s power.

Opening my heart to all experiences, has led me to the now and I’m grateful to feel SO much, as it’s led to special moments like these that are entwined with great and small gifts in all varying shades and colors of life’s artistic expressions.

So, as we embrace this beautiful Winter Solstice, what parts of you might you extend a little more love to and a little shift of perspective on to see how magickal your illuminated existence truly is for the collective?

Where do you feel contractions to your heart’s ability to feel?

And how might you surround yourself with something that lights your heart in ways that supports some softening into love’s strength?

We don’t all have tender childhood memories to call up, but we do have the ability to love that inner child in all the ways she or he deserves, right now.

When I was growing up, I had a nutcracker that looked similar to this giant one above. I called him my boyfriend and he in fact was the nutcracker I danced with as Clara in The Nutcracker ballet.

I imagined many things when I was a child and continue that dreaming into today. Imagination is where dreams take root so it becomes important to bring that part of us into our adult years to help continue the momentum of creative visualization helping to form realities.

It took me many years and a lot of heart stretching into the greater love zones to manifest my Nutcracker alive, just like I experienced being Clara, dancing in my dreams with him as a child.

But every step is part of the manifesting process and even the unearthing and unwinding to recreate process, bringing one closer to the essence of our visions for the highest good, layer by layer…just like it takes experimenting with the ingredients to find the aligned recipe for that gold alchemy or universal elixir.

Sometimes life is like exploring a vast library with rooms connected to rooms, shelves upon shelves, spiral staircases to each floor, stretching out in all directions…and each day and moment you can pick out a different book, turn to a new page, read a new paragraph, and understand things from a different light of that moment.

You also have the ability to become the author of each day’s book and write the story for that day from morning forward, or start rewriting your “herstory” or “history” as you would like to know it to be – reworking the pages of your inner world with all the magickal ingredients of your choosing, imagination, editing, discarding, or blending.

Some of that is about seeing the journey like a “choose your own adventure” book where you get to pick the twists and turns and even the beginning and ending, over and over.

How ever you want to see and experience things, make it your own, AND….make it fun.

Wishing you warm fuzzies that kindle the light within your heart to glow more brilliantly even when the day feels short, as this inner lantern will help you navigate any storm and know your way through any form of darkness.

Warmth is a state of heart that comes through the sharing of our love, kindness, and creative magick.

Winter Solstice is when the light is reborn and you remember that a new beginning always stirs.

Today’s Winter Solstice felt like the perfect portal to share Episode #3 of Talks With Crystal Skulls. It explores the world of crystal skulls some more and will be the first time we hear from The Speakers.

Yep, there will be some messages and other introductions that may speak to something within you.

I hope you enjoy this little Solstice gift from our hearts to yours (mine and The Speakers that is). Again, the video won’t be visible if you’re receiving this by email, so please click through to watch or you can visit my YouTube channel taniamariemagick directly.

If you watch the full episode, you’ll also learn about the new crystal skull sessions with The Speakers. This was a surprise unfolding for me, but I continue to listen to the prompts they share and say, “yes” to what is showing up. Energy sessions and channeling sessions are now available – the energy sessions are the most powerful transmissions I’ve yet to experience. They wanted me to introduce these in the show, but greater detail about the two kinds of sessions can be found here:

The Speakers: Crystal Skull Sessions

There’s also a surprise crystal skull Winter Solstice Sale that they told me to offer for the remaining skulls in order to help get these beings to their cocreators and help support the work ahead, as well as to let you know there’s some pretty special little gifts that each is accompanied by. This special will begin today 12/21 Winter Solstice through 12/25 Christmas Day – 5 magickal portal days that Astrid and I adore.

Included in the group of four is a Brazilian hand carved, spectacular, large elestial smoky quartz crystal skull alchemist with tons of rainbows that walks and bridges both the Earth and Cosmic realms – this is one is exceptional and hard to find at this value for size and quality. This skull and the next can really support you to stretch your spiritual muscles into the next phase of your evolution, so if you’re doubting your new up-leveling, they invite you to embrace more of your personal power and trust. – This one is CLAIMED

Then there’s a powerful Himalayan quartz with black tourmaline and iron oxide star being master carved by Subhash Meena, with heart carved at the third eye, channeling Cosmic love and connecting with multi dimensional realms, while supporting and grounding high level spiritual transformation into embodiment (pricing already discounted from its original value before sale).

Then there’s an Indonesian chrysoprase (heart chakra and growth stone) gentle, but powerful skull being that supports journeying challenges with more serenity and stability, helps with all levels of emotional challenges (broken heart, anxiety, intense emotions), and helps bring more joy, optimism, and prosperity. – This one is CLAIMED

And last a Leandro master carved golden healer quartz star traveler master healer working high vibrations in a gentle way to support you reaching your highest potential, open to possibilities, live life more fully, and reach goals with love and optimism. – This one is CLAIMED

You can explore the remaining crystal skull spiritual allies, and more about each, that await their heart home here (special offerings will be reflected individually):

Crystals & Crystal Skulls

At this same page, you will also find a brand new opportunity for bringing home powerful crystal friends. I’ve just added “Personal Crystal Showings” as a way to explore crystal friends in a private experience.

As the paragraph on this describes on that page near the top: This is for very special, personal release crystals from my collection that are ready to work with new cocreators. I have a large group of potent and incredible crystals – too many to post – so if you would like to have me help you with finding one for you or would like to see what is available, please reach out. You will be sent a video of the pieces to explore. This is a way I feel I can better serve your individual needs and work more intimately with you in connecting cocreators – something I love to do! Great discounts and special bundle pricing will be available.

The contact link is at the page as well.

And last, I’ve just recently updated the page of Mody Ra’s work with a variety of smaller carvings that include Isis, Sekhmet, Horus, Bastet, Earth/Gaia Goddesses, Sphinx, Dolphins, Flower of Life, Scarab, and Moons in Ancient Egyptian Stones. There is also an incredible, large Nefertiti head carving of extremely old black basalt from Aswan Temple of Isis. All stones comes from sacred areas of Egypt.

There are just 3 skulls remaining from the initial introduction, and 1 brand new one that’s just a little teaser of more to come in January. The last skull on the page link below is carved in an extremely rare, new Ancient Egyptian Stone Tomb find – Granite – that is a one-of-a-kind. There are no other skulls carved in this stone. On Mody’s last visit to Egypt, from which he just returned on the 14th, he was working with a group of the rarest stones he has yet to see and work with, which this last skull is one of. I had the opportunity to be in on this process of securing the stones with him and seeing it all unfold from the start. We’ll be sharing an upcoming episode in the New Year about the stones. You’re in for a treat with these and he’s taken his carvings to the next level, yet again (wait until you see the images carved into the upcoming ones). I’m so excited to receive the new pieces he custom carved for me from this group and I just know those of you who are drawn to ancient stones and skulls will find these new skulls out of this world.

Egyptian Skulls & Dragons by Mody Ra

Happy Winter Solstice dear friends!