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A Different Yet Rich Christmas
This year has been very different for everyone, shifting even the way many of us celebrate the holidays. While distancing became the passing norm, experiences that invited our creativity became the connective new.
Although 2020 dealt a mixed bag of surprises, one of the key themes Dave and I deepened into was how precious and fragile life and every moment is. So finding ways to make the most of everything and seeing only what there was to be grateful for, kept hitting home as the important reminder.
This year saw us sharing online gatherings with friends and family afar that we otherwise never would have had so much time with.
And personally, this year saw me being able to support and connect with so many incredible souls with online classes and events, that otherwise would never have felt possible. This in turn opened me to much more expansive possibilities I once had felt the doors close on. It also helped to raise the vibrations for others that were ready to take the next leap on their journey – and that simultaneously helps the collective.
Portals are becoming more evident as the veils continue lifting. A new doorway of experience is available as the collective shifts into accelerated being. When I’m in nature, I can feel the layers of richness evolving before my eyes and the possibilities stir under the surface.
This year, while challenging for so many, has offered us an incredible fertile ground for new growth and potential. Where we may have felt freedoms infringed upon, we had the ability to deepen into the most important freedoms no one could ever take away from us – and these include the way we choose to create our reality through perception and reflection and how we experience our inner world that no one can master for us, but ourselves.
We also have always had the music of our hearts to listen to, and our imaginations where we can harness creative energy toward manifesting our hopes and dreams. These are gifts of our spirit in body where we are always free to roam and explore.
It’s one reason I feel it’s important to never lose our innocence, because it’s in that purity of curiosity, wonder, and belief, that so much is possible.
This year we have been spending the holidays on our own. It’s been a year of feeling the connection and love, despite not being with others because that is a bond that can’t be broken by distance.
Love transcends all boundaries and I know this very well with the passing of so many who have been the most dearest to me. There truly is no separation within the vortex of our heart bridges.
Usually we’d be at my parents’ home celebrating Christmas, if we aren’t away on travels. This year we are having an intimate holiday instead, which goes with the theme of our year that also included a wedding on our own.
On some level this feels important for something we have yet to see the why’s of, and even if that’s just about anchoring more into our embodiment, essence, empowerment, and new relationship to everything and everyone through the relationship we have nurtured within over 2020, then that is good enough for me.
If it’s simply to know love more through the dance of our own parts merging as one, then this feels rich with possibility for experiencing a more expansive kind of love with all of creation.
Although we are sharing a sweet Christmas at home, I did get to have a wonder-filled visit exploring my parents’ Christmas realm that is the most elaborate of all years yet.
I didn’t photograph everything, but since it’s been kind of a tradition to take you on a journey through my parents’ ever-childlike-hearts that mirror my own, I thought I’d share some peeks into their gingerbread wonderland that can warm anyone’s heart.
The photos you have seen throughout the post so far are of their creative imaginations come to life.
My parents know how to create warmth and magick all throughout the year and it’s no wonder that I have followed in their footsteps with my own sacred space, as you saw in yesterday’s share of my Wonderland room.
The next photos are of my dear Queen Astrid enjoying her Solstice, Christmas Eve, and Christmas surprises, as every Faery Rabbit Queen deserves sparkly fun to tickle her heart too.
And it’s also part of my path to share how every soul is important, has consciousness, intelligence, feelings, personality, and their own purpose in life.
I may not live any kind of conventional life, nor do I have any resemblance to that kind of family or cocreative business partnerships, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
It’s taken me a lifetime to fully embody, in peace and transparency, my human expression of essence. And while this feels like the beginning still, it’s pure harmony to me.
My dear soul mate in rabbit body – Astrid – The Queen of this realm and my heart, keeps me on my toes, centered, focused, and balanced, while helping to channel the work that we do.
Everything I do, create, and move through me is all done with a Magick Rabbit by my side.
“Creating life as a work of art with a Magick Rabbit by my side” isn’t my motto for nothing. It’s the reality of my life. It’s who I am.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
This is me in my harmony, heart zone.
And the Winter Solstice and Christmas season is part of that harmony, heart zone…the pieces of me that are most meaningful, find ease and grace during this sparkly and enchanted season of pure potential.
Sending out magickal wishes, sprinkles of pixie dust, and bunny nose twitches of energetic potency and love!
May your hearts grow in depth and size with each embracive breath taken.
Then What to Their Wondering Eyes Should Appear
This magickal Yuletide rendition of one of the most famous Christmas poems has become a favorite of mine. When it was originally shared with me in 2018 by a sweet friend, I did post it here on my blog. Today, I share it again with all of my friends, new and old, to ignite an extra bit of enchantment to stir in your heart as we edge to the end of 2020. The poem speaks to the spirit of the season and reminds us of its true nature and reason. It’s thought to be written by C.C. Williford.
Since Christmas Eve holds a most wondrous place in my heart and happens to be Joy’s birthday – my rabbit companion now a star in the bright sky – I felt to share it today, accompanied by a visual delight of our seasonal lights and simple, nature-inspired decorations here in our cozy mountain home on the forest. I’m also adding photos of the office and creative space I share with Astrid – however these lights are what enchant our room year-round. Hehe! Astrid and I love having wonder as our daily partner.
Wonder is a dear friend who has been with me through thick and thin. I never ever take for granted an encounter or experience no matter how often it happens. Every time the snow falls is the first time. Every time a squirrel runs by is a tender moment. Every time I see a tree, plant, landscape, way the light hits is always a sacred encounter. Every time I come across another being is a remembrance igniting a new depth of love. May wonder wander through life with you, enchanting each moment with possibility.
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE YULETIDE
Twas the night before Yuletide and all through the glen
Not a creature was stirring, not a fox, not a hen.
A mantle of snow shone brightly that night
As it lay on the ground, reflecting moonlight.
The faeries were nestled all snug in their trees,
Unmindful of flurries and a chilly north breeze.
The elves and the gnomes were down in their burrows,
Sleeping like babes in their soft earthen furrows.
When low! The earth moved with a thunderous quake,
Causing chairs to fall over and dishes to break.
The Little Folk scrambled to get on their feet
Then raced to the river where they usually meet.
“What happened?” they wondered, they questioned, they probed,
As they shivered in night clothes, some bare-armed, some robed.
“What caused the earth’s shudder? What caused her to shiver?”
They all spoke at once as they stood by the river.
Then what to their wondering eyes should appear
But a shining gold light in the shape of a sphere.
It blinked and it twinkled, it winked like an eye,
Then it flew straight up and was lost in the sky.
Before they could murmur, before they could bustle,
There emerged from the crowd, with a swish and a rustle,
A stately old crone with her hand on a cane,
Resplendent in green with a flowing white mane.
As she passed by them the old crone’s perfume,
Smelling of meadows and flowers abloom,
Made each of the fey folk think of the spring
When the earth wakes from slumber and the birds start to sing.
“My name is Gaia,” the old crone proclaimed
in a voice that at once was both wild and tamed,
“I’ve come to remind you, for you seem to forget,
that Yule is the time of re-birth, and yet…”
“I see no hearth fires, hear no music, no bells,
The air isn’t filled with rich fragrant smells
Of baking and roasting, and simmering stews,
Of cider that’s mulled or other hot brews.”
“There aren’t any children at play in the snow,
Or houses lit up by candles’ glow.
Have you forgotten, my children, the fun
Of celebrating the rebirth of the sun?”
She looked at the fey folk, her eyes going round,
As they shuffled their feet and stared at the ground.
Then she smiled the smile that brings light to the day,
“Come, my children,” she said, “Let’s play.”
They gathered the mistletoe, gathered the holly,
Threw off the drab and drew on the jolly.
They lit a big bonfire, and they danced and they sang.
They brought out the bells and clapped when they rang.
They strung lights on the trees, and bows, oh so merry,
In colors of cranberry, bayberry, cherry.
They built giant snowmen and adorned them with hats,
Then surrounded them with snow birds, and snow cats and bats.
Then just before dawn, at the end of their fest,
Before they went homeward to seek out their rest,
The fey folk they gathered ‘round their favorite oak tree
And welcomed the sun ‘neath the tree’s finery.
They were just reaching home when it suddenly came,
The gold light returned like an arrow-shot flame.
It lit on the tree top where they could see from afar
The golden-like sphere turned into a star.
The old crone just smiled at the beautiful sight,
“Happy Yuletide, my children,” she whispered. “Good night.”
Whimsical Wednesdays ~ The Artist’s Corner: Christmas Whimsy is a Family Tradition
As today is Whimiscal Wednesdays, I couldn’t think of a more whimsical way to share what is in my heart and how I live every day from the innocence of my inner child than to share a glimpse into our day yesterday. While it’s true that I have never let go of the the little girl within and don’t go a day without a bit of silly and imagination, in part this is also because of having a family that does the same.
There are many things my spirit carries forth into embodiment simply by way of essence, but my parents have instilled much of the same in me because they, too, have never stopped nurturing their inner child and “living life as art.” Neither did my French grandfather who is the one I often mention having been the one to encourage the artist part of me. We have a lot of family members who have enjoyed continuing on in the ways of the inner child’s artist, thoroughly enjoying life, laughing a lot, and finding ways to bring beauty more to others.
We are truly grateful for this and even though, like any family, we have our ups and downs and challenges, I truly believe that having this little part cultivated and in tact, has supported moving through life with more hope, resilience, and desire to keep re-imagining anew.
Both of my parents are artistic and creative as well in their own ways, and both love to have fun, giggle to tears, and enjoy creating beauty around them. This includes creating an enchanted Winter Wonderland in their home that rivals Santa’s North Pole home and toy shop. In fact, every holiday they go all out with decorating from their childs’ hearts.
My dear Faery Laura has mentioned having had a word for 2018 and a new one for 2019 – “thrive”, and while I wouldn’t say there’s only one for me, I would say that “storybook” often comes to mind when I think of the theme I’ve been cultivating in my life and “whimsical” is another I have truly become extra fond of.
When put together, I feel 2019 to continue anchoring in more of both of these and that my life is unfolding and embodying a storybook that I’m singing from my whimsical heart.
Because of this, I felt so strongly that yesterday I would wear my Alice in Wonderland dress to my parent’s Faeryland home to celebrate Christmas, as it would be a way for me to immerse more fully into this wondrous journey I’m creating and embarking on.
I truly felt like the little girl that I am, now walking hand-in-hand with the woman I’ve become. There is no separation.
And I loved being surrounded by the beauty and enchantment my parents create, the warmth they exude, and the love that emanates from all that they share.
I didn’t take photos this year of the entire house, but I assure you every room is themed with Christmas Wonderland delight!
We spent a lovely day that was filled with a full vegan feast they lovingly made for us, opening sweet and thoughtful gifts, watching Christmas animations – Nestor the Long Eared Donkey (a fav of mine and how my twin soul rabbit, Nestor, got her name) and one we’d never seen before – The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus (which was very magickal too), and sharing about the old ways and how life once was so different and simple. This to include stories of my parents when they were children growing up – one in a small, cobbled-street village at the foot of a castle in the South of France and the other in the old Italian parts of Hoboken, New Jersey.
We were then sent home with a huge care package of goodies to last a week – no cooking for me weeeeeeeee!
Before we ventured off to their Otherworld, Dave and I had enjoyed a mystical morning Christmas skiing. A fog covered the slopes, creating mysterious pockets to journey through on our descent. It was such a cool experience and coupled with Christmas Eve’s snow storm while skiing, a full rainbow that day, and a small misty rainbow portal yesterday, I felt magick consume me and offer more hope to a New Year filled with potential of greater peace and joy.
I hope everyone had a beautiful Christmas and holiday and I wish each of you a little whimsy and sweet delight, as you think about the ways you might want to create this upcoming New Year from your inner child’s creative heart.
Magickal Christmas Wishes to All from the Rabbit Faery!
Just a quick bunny hop online to send out warmest wishes to you all. May the true spirit of this time of year shine through your heart always and remind you of the childlike wonder that resides within.
I woke up early this morning with excitement, as we had a full afternoon and night of snow here yesterday, which created the most enchanted Christmas Eve and beautiful White Christmas to wake up to.
Astrid was excited to see me up and even more excited about the Christmas bunny gifts me and Santa left for her.
We’re heading out skiing so this faery rabbit can hit the bunny slopes, play in the snow, and get her ski bunny on, then will be sharing a whimsical Christmas at my decked out parent’s house – the real Santa’s cottage. All things that warm and nurture my inner child’s heart.
Have a beautiful, love and peace filled day, however you celebrate – whether that’s with family, friends, animal companions, in solitude, or with Nature. Sink into the expanse of your heart and the depth of the dreams that are within it to follow.
May purity and innocence fill your heart in overflow.
Monday Musings ~ The Writer’s Corner: Twas the Night Before Yuletide
My dear friend Mark of Ravenwood Inspired, who also happens to be the wizard behind making me two new fantastically magickal Faery wands (one of which just arrived recently in time for the Solstice), sent me this version, below, of one of the most famous Christmas poems. I have to say, however, that I really love this one a lot more and I think you’ll understand why.
I thought it would be perfect for today’s Monday Musings. It also reminds me of my Russian Tortoise, Gaia, and celebrates this sweet Eve that is also Joy’s birthday (my sweet angel rabbit who returned to the stars).
If you haven’t heard or read it, I hope you enjoy this enchanting Yuletide rendition that speaks of the spirit of the season and reminds us of its true reason. The poem is thought to be written by C.C. Williford.
We’ll be back to regular Monday Musings next week, which will feature more poetry and other works by a sweet author friend of mine. Stay tuned!
Until then, I hope you enjoy a beautiful holiday evening, however you choose to celebrate this time of year.
I’m about to jump into my snuggly bunny onesie, enjoy Christmas lights by the fire, prep a yummy meal and dessert, and get ready for the continuation of the new Watership Down miniseries and present opening.
Wishing you a beautiful Christmas Eve.
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE YULETIDE
Twas the night before Yuletide and all through the glen
Not a creature was stirring, not a fox, not a hen.
A mantle of snow shone brightly that night
As it lay on the ground, reflecting moonlight.
The faeries were nestled all snug in their trees,
Unmindful of flurries and a chilly north breeze.
The elves and the gnomes were down in their burrows,
Sleeping like babes in their soft earthen furrows.
When low! The earth moved with a thunderous quake,
Causing chairs to fall over and dishes to break.
The Little Folk scrambled to get on their feet
Then raced to the river where they usually meet.
“What happened?” they wondered, they questioned, they probed,
As they shivered in night clothes, some bare-armed, some robed.
“What caused the earth’s shudder? What caused her to shiver?”
They all spoke at once as they stood by the river.
Then what to their wondering eyes should appear
But a shining gold light in the shape of a sphere.
It blinked and it twinkled, it winked like an eye,
Then it flew straight up and was lost in the sky.
Before they could murmur, before they could bustle,
There emerged from the crowd, with a swish and a rustle,
A stately old crone with her hand on a cane,
Resplendent in green with a flowing white mane.
As she passed by them the old crone’s perfume,
Smelling of meadows and flowers abloom,
Made each of the fey folk think of the spring
When the earth wakes from slumber and the birds start to sing.
“My name is Gaia,” the old crone proclaimed
in a voice that at once was both wild and tamed,
“I’ve come to remind you, for you seem to forget,
that Yule is the time of re-birth, and yet…”
“I see no hearth fires, hear no music, no bells,
The air isn’t filled with rich fragrant smells
Of baking and roasting, and simmering stews,
Of cider that’s mulled or other hot brews.”
“There aren’t any children at play in the snow,
Or houses lit up by candles’ glow.
Have you forgotten, my children, the fun
Of celebrating the rebirth of the sun?”
She looked at the fey folk, her eyes going round,
As they shuffled their feet and stared at the ground.
Then she smiled the smile that brings light to the day,
“Come, my children,” she said, “Let’s play.”
They gathered the mistletoe, gathered the holly,
Threw off the drab and drew on the jolly.
They lit a big bonfire, and they danced and they sang.
They brought out the bells and clapped when they rang.
They strung lights on the trees, and bows, oh so merry,
In colors of cranberry, bayberry, cherry.
They built giant snowmen and adorned them with hats,
Then surrounded them with snow birds, and snow cats and bats.
Then just before dawn, at the end of their fest,
Before they went homeward to seek out their rest,
The fey folk they gathered ‘round their favorite oak tree
And welcomed the sun ‘neath the tree’s finery.
They were just reaching home when it suddenly came,
The gold light returned like an arrow-shot flame.
It lit on the tree top where they could see from afar
The golden-like sphere turned into a star.
The old crone just smiled at the beautiful sight,
“Happy Yuletide, my children,” she whispered. “Good night.”
Christmas Reflections & New Stage of Life
It’s been a big week so far, beginning with warm celebrations at my family’s house in Reno for Christmas, some completions, and a huge day today for Astrid. I was able to complete my office, except for a new sliding glass door and three special things to hang, which meant it was time for the reveal to her. And boy was it the best day of her life, and my life with her, yet! She had a huge day of joyful tears, soulful release, and courageous leaps – quite literally!
This mirrors me, as I’ve been reflecting on all that has completed and is about to begin in my own life, which was reiterated by the Tarot cards I pulled on Christmas.
My family and I always pull cards at the holidays to see what current theme is streaming through and what the New Year holds for us. All of them were very accurate, and mine were no exception to that.
They spoke to the rebirth taking place for me, an inner calling surfaced, release from all karmic ties, and everything coming together in my life story as I reach a significant stage on my journey.
Synchronously, the last week or so I’ve had an influx of people inquiring for services I have let go of and items I used to offer. To all of them I politely said no, but shared my gratitude for the reflections. It’s become much easier to do this, as I get the clearest yet about myself and what I want and don’t want.
As I felt into the messages of the cards, it was such a relieving confirmation and when I saw Astrid’s joy today and felt and heard her own release and depth of gratitude, I knew we were riding this new path together in all ways. Her feelings were mine reflected, and vice versa.
I will soon share a post on Astrid’s explorations and fun in our new shared room, which got its name a few days ago.
For now I’ll just share this one tiny peek of her in one of her play areas, standing tall and proud, and want to express the touching moment for us.
After she explored a bunch, she returned to the center of the room where I sat. Normally when she’s excited, she’s very interested in doing her own thing and will jet off if you come to her. But this time she came right to me and I put my hand on her head and caressed her softly, as we shared words.
Her eyes softened and lids lowered and she melted into my hand. All I could hear and feel was her joyous release and appreciation.
Like me, she’s had a long, hard journey.
Like me she’s waited patiently and kept going and believing, even when there seemed no hope.
Like me, she is experiencing the best time of her life now and receiving reflections of all the work she’s put into things, come to fruition…finally.
I could see her past and all she went through to get to this moment…how she waited for the right time and person to adopt her.
No one would and kept passing her by because they couldn’t “see” her.
She waited nearly three years, which is a lot for a little rabbit, as all of her friends at the rescue got adopted and left her behind.
And now, here she was, being gifted a magickal rabbit playroom fit for the queen that she is.
It was all overwhelming for her in a beautiful full circle way.
I felt both of our hearts open wider and our connection deepen, as we both shed tears of gratitude.
I knew her journey, as it mirrored so much of my own.
I’ll share again more in an upcoming post, but today was a huge day for us both. And on top of that, she learned to go up and down the big staircase all on the same day.
I knew she could do it, but thought it might take longer.
Astrid proved her bravery, as within a couple of hours she was up the stairs. And just a bit ago, she made it down.
It was such a cute process….the down that is, as she kept coming to me to help her. She kept nosing my ankles and then tugged on my pant legs with her teeth, to help. So I gave her a pep talk and went to the stairs to show her how. It took a little while, as she kept checking the first step down and then circling to regroup. And then it was done.
Today was a BIG day for both of us on so many levels. Speaks to the New Year to come!
Here are some photos from our lovely Christmas we all shared as a family, which was festive, fun, and full of giggles and yummy vegan feasting! Grateful to have parents that support our vegan lifestyle and always make, buy, or search out vegan restaurant options for us. My brother (who is absent in the photos due to camera shyness, but far from absent in the shenanigans shared) is vegan and was actually vegan a few years before I even knew what being vegan was. Both my mom (makes the entrees) and dad (makes the desserts) got in on the vegan creations and sent us home with care packages and apple dumplings to enjoy for the mornings.
Grateful also to have Faery folk as parents, which brings to Christmas and all holidays the magick I love.
The painting hanging here in their living room is an original by me of Venice that I painted while living in Sedona in 1997 – my first major painting I ever did – as an anniversary gift to my parents (it replicated a photo from their trip there, with a little “T” twist)
Such warmth shared all around! And wonderful gifties too!
I hope everyone that celebrates Christmas enjoyed a warm, peace, and love filled one and that the holiday season (however you celebrate or don’t) was a perfect reflection of you.
Faery kisses to all!
Merry Christmas ~ Astrid’s First of Many to Come
Last evening, on Christmas Eve, I surprised Astrid with the first of many gifts…following in the footsteps of my parents who always let us open one gift on Christmas Eve.
I was happy to see she approved, as you can see in the photos and video of her diving right in on her special hay candy canes, fidget sticks and vines of oat and timothy hay, digging away at her Frosty the Snowman stocking to get at them.
This morning her tummy was happy again when I presented her special holiday blends and an herbal medley that included cranberry apple mixed with timothy and oats and elder flowers, rose hips, jasmine blossoms, rose petals, and dandelion leaf.
Yes, she’s a spoiled bunny, but after all she is my child and I do love her so! I want her healthy and happy so that she is able to do the work she has come here to do.
You can bet I’ll be sharing photos of her exploring her other big gifts in her bunny/faery Wonderland.
I’ve created our shared dream magickal room to be both functional and fun (so it’s whimsical, but not over the top), and of course filled with Nature’s magick, Cosmic portals, secret Otherworld friends and surprises, and inner child imagination.
Anyway, just wanted to share the joy of this first Christmas with Astrid and in our new home – which is our big Christmas gift to ourselves and our little furry family (the kitties definitely are also in dreamland with all the places to play, sleep, and check out the critters outside).
Yesterday was a quiet and perfect Christmas Eve relaxing, Dave went skiing in the morning and this morning, while I’ve wrapped gifts and planted all 105 new succulent babies, ate yummies, watched Netflix, and enjoyed beautiful nature time walking along Zephyr Cove.
That was lovely being greeted by five ducks who hung out and finding a yellow citrine, heart-shaped stone that embodied Joy’s energy.
Today, we’re off to spend the holiday with my family this year, so we’re heading down to Reno in a bit here for feasting and gifties in their Winter wonderland Faery home all decked out in Christmas decorations for the festivities.
Wishing everyone a joyous holiday and peace on Earth to all (furry, elemental, organic, human, and the like!)
Enjoy this Christmas Tree Temple off our backyard deck.
Joy to the World
We are having a lovely, although very whirlwindish vacation back in Southern California, which I’ll share more of the fun and magick of when I return home and have the time to get the photos I’ve been collecting of our memories here together. But for now, on this special day I just wanted to share something dear to my heart and some Christmas Eve wishes from my and Joy’s hearts to yours.
Today happens to not only be Christmas Eve, but is also the birthday of my sweet rabbit, Joy, who would have been 13 this year.
She reminds me of many things and has been so profoundly around the last week or so with messages and showing up for me and others I know in known or unknown ways.
Today is a reminder of celebrating the inner child and possibilities available to us when we vulnerably share our hearts and embody the integrity of our essence. Joy taught me this and so much more as my companion, guide, and teacher in life. She also taught me to listen within and to trust the messages in and all around me, and that balance was key to living a life of harmony and grace.
There have been some very auspicious events around Joy the last two days and one of which was a sweet message I received this morning that I just had to share because it touched my heart so and again pointed to Joy’s profound reach and messages she is wanting to impart. I won’t share the person who sent it, but here is the message that meant a lot to me:
“To dear Tania, Happy Christmas Eve to you and all your loved ones. You have been and are an inspiration in my life and will now be an inspiration to all others in my life because you have caused a massive ripple. Your way of living has helped bring back the hope in my life which lost me for a while. Yesterday I watched a film which I had thought about watching for a while, but didn’t until yesterday. I watched it because the name of the film was Joy. I followed the magic which the universe in all it’s magical ways was trying to show me. The film is about a lady who despite having everything thrown against her made her dream come true. So now I will follow my dream and be strong. So thank you to you and all your beautiful friends and loved ones with all of my heart. In this moment, I am happy and that is what counts. This moment. I hope to always see your magical pictures you post. Blessings to you. Peace to you, love and Prosperity to you.”
This was my response:
“I can’t express to you enough how reading this message this morning touched me so. Wow! What a beautiful share from you. It made me so happy to hear that you are feeling a sense of renewal and inspired zest for life. This is incredible and if I had any tiny bit of a part in that, I am grateful for that ability to have connected in a meaningful way that makes a difference. Also, you may not be aware, but today, Xmas eve, would have been my rabbit Joy’s birthday…so your message was truly profound, as the film you saw had her name and she’s been so strongly around and sending me messages…now this…It shows how she is also still working her magick as the powerful one that she is, touching others as she always has…and speaks to our connection.”
You may remember I had a dream about Joy the night before the Christmas celebration with my family and then I saw in large letters the lit up word “JOY” on the window across the street of my parent’s house, as a neighbor’s decorative display.
And something else I’ll share more about when I’m home that happened yesterday too. Plus, another friend sharing how much Joy, along with my other loves were around her and felt so much, Laura also sharing how she and my other two bunnies had a hand in some gifts for me, and gifts from two other friends yesterday that she and my bunny loves were a part of.
Then this.
I hear you Joy and I hope that your message and presence will continue to shine a light of love into everyone’s hearts as you have mine for eternity.
May you all know and embody “joy” and wonder today and all the days of your life and may peace be your constant companion.
Christmas at the Faery Folks’ Magick Castle
Yesterday we spent our first Christmas celebration of the season with my family at their Faery wonderland home and on this day we also surpassed our 27 hawks and a transitioned owl we saw on Thanksgiving with seeing 32 hawks and an owl taking to flight. Incredible! The night before I was visited by my rabbit, Joy, who was sending me a message, as my little ones often do, asking me to “listen” to something coming. And her message received reiteration when we pulled up to my parent’s house and directly across the street their neighbor’s Christmas decorations included a huge lit up word on their front window – “JOY”. Joy’s Earthly birthday just so happens to be on Christmas Eve, so I’m keeping an “ear” out, just as she showed me in my dream. I’d also picked up a collection of small crystals at the store before heading to my parent’s house, which I’ll be using in some home-made and nature-potent magick tools and relics I’ll be creating come the New Year. Anyway, I’d forgotten my cell at home, so only had my small Nextbook laptop to snap some okay photos of just some of the enchantment at my family’s home. My parents are big on decorating throughout all the seasons and holidays of the year and truly enjoy making things magickal, warm, and inviting with each room having a theme -there’s Toyland, Traditional Christmas, White Winter Wonderland, Santa’s Village, and more. I forget how many Christmas trees they have, but it’s a lot! And their collection of Santas and Nutcrackers surpasses what they actually put out in the house (this collection includes our first Nutcracker, which was actually mine from a child that was not only my secret boyfriend and “prince” while growing up, but had been my Nutcracker when I starred as Clara in the Nutcracker ballet I did when a little girl). I found it interesting that the photo of the nutcrackers below has this odd yellow band of energy that crosses through their crown chakras – no that’s not a painted stripe on the wall hehe! We had a really fun and cozy gathering, sharing nurturing gifts all around, and we returned home stocked with meals and goodies to carry us through until we depart Thursday for Southern California for our continued Christmas celebrations. Mom made a Greek-themed Christmas dinner and dad did his usual gourmet baking of mincemeat pie (loaded with apples, cranberries, raisins, candied ginger and more), cranberry spiced oatmeal cookies, rosettes, and apple dumplings. I even had a chance to snuggle up to Santa himself, and whisper my wishes into his ear. 😉 And my brother gifted us with some astrological readings, which confirmed and empowered the transitions I’ve made in my own life recently and connected the dots with big a-ha’s as to why I have recreated my life as such. Grateful for the love and magick that pervades my life.
Wishing everyone some holiday warmth and enchantment, but above all peace to your hearts. From my family to yours, I share these photos with love.
Me and Santa – I was wearing my original vintage “Beatrix Potter” Peter Rabbit sweater and Faery rabbit with crown necklace to connect with my bunny loves
Oops! There I am in the portal mirror 😉
White Winter Wonderland room with tree that sits next to the original painting I created of a Venice scene from their trip there, which I gifted my parents as an anniversary gift
I love the staircase, which is Toyland, where my parents line one staircase with poinsettias, another with Santas, and the top with Nutcrackers, with the Toyland animals and tree on the first landing (includes several stuffed bunnies and bears, which used to all be mine)
The portal glass-etched door shows up in the peacock painting
Odd yellow band of energy across the crowns of these magickal nutrackers. The far right one is the first, original one that I danced with as Clara.
You can still see that band of yellow behind the tree, which is where the nutrackers are on the top landing…this is my dad’s mini desk tree of his loft office
Holiday with Heart
Although we’re keeping it simple this year since we won’t be home for Christmas, I still wanted to have a bit of holiday enchantment around and did so by bringing nature simplicity indoors and crafting some woodsy magickal decorations.
Nothing fancy, but oh so fun and perfect for our mountain home amidst the forest here in Lake Tahoe. I made these last night with my finds from our hikes the last couple of days, fashioning Christmas trees from pine cones decorated in small shells from the beach and feathers from my bird tribe.
Very whimsical, faery, shamanic.
One looks like a feather tipi tree and the other fit for a merfaery with the opalescence of the shells glowing.
I adore them.
They combine Earth, Air, and Water and sit by the Fire place.
And while I was creating my pine cone guardians last evening, I was also cooking up a storm in the kitchen.
Made this amazing creation last night as our holiday cake for our own pre-celebrations since we’ll be off sharing two Christmas’s with family.
I tweaked a recipe from a new vegan cookbook we received as an early Christmas gift from Dave’s mom called “Cookin’ Up A Storm” from Sea Shepherd, which seemed fitting since I was baking as a big storm was brewing outside.
I made a version of their chocolate banana fudge cake last night and boy was it super moist. I made two layers instead of bundt style that it calls for and I added sliced strawberries in between then used the fudge sauce as icing and laced sliced almonds on top.
Amazing!
All of my creations made with love and from the heart. ❤
I’ve so been enjoying the snowy winter wonderland, chilly scarf, fun snow hats, and moon boots weather, cozy warmth inside, and tons of creative cooking and writing. Not to mention, have taken it upon myself to treat myself to my own little Christmas gifts this year, as I feel self nurturing is always important. And that can be done in many ways, not just with getting yourself gifts, but gifting yourself nurturing time or even just telling yourself some loving things.
For me, this feels to be a key time and pivotal energetically so I thought to gift myself things to mirror that. I’ve enjoyed receiving a few deliveries and opening them like a little kid on Christmas morning, super excited even though I know what they are. I haven’t really purchased things for a while, especially since we’ve been in the Magick Bus for over a year and have down-sized, but since I got rid of so much I was able to get a few things.
We don’t really do gifts unless it’s something we really need or would be useful, so it was fun to combine whimsy with useful in things I got myself that were all centered around a theme I love and supportive to me.
How do you enjoy the the holidays and make it special for yourself?
I find it’s the little things that really make it so wonder-filled. All the thought, care, and love poured into what IS available to enjoy or create is what makes it special. Not how much you have or even what you think you do or don’t have.
Anything can be special and everything is worth being grateful for.
I know that not everyone enjoys or celebrates the holidays and that some people may feel alone or challenged emotionally at these times, and to you I send warmth and love to your heart and wishes of wonder and peace to fill your soul.
There’s a little bit of inspiration that can be found anywhere you look, even if only in nature or in the nature of you, as you are a miracle.
Tania Marie 