Lady Heather's Domain: My life in a Nutshell

This time of year our ancestors struggled to find food, were cold and often struggled to have hope.  This is a good time to focus on what the future holds and to getting through the tough times.  This time of year always seems to be hard for me to get through.  Finances are tough from the holidays, trying to plan for the future and making it through the day, it can be hard to have hope. This is the time of year that I struggle and usually start to find the my seeds of intent are not going to come out the way I thought they would.  But If I focus on doing what seems right to my gut and focus on moving forward in the direction I feel compelled, I find that my path unfolds as it should. This is a full moon that I often ask to be shown the way and even if it seems divergent from my original plans, I follow the path that is shown - it always turns out to be the best path for me.

Now it is the time of year when we actually start working on our intentions - we plant the seeds - we start actively spending energy to make our seeds of intent grow. So let's see how I am coming along with each of my intents. 1.  To continue to become more physically, mentally and emotionally healthy. I had started walking at the beginning of the year - but I have fallen off a bit - I am going to try to get back on the wagon and start walking again. 2.  To continue to focus on helping my son into adulthood and being present with him and understanding of his limitations and abilities. It has been hard but he did not get the grades he needed to - so I am supporting him in finding a way to pay for school on his own.  I am encouraging his new job and his schooling and trying to give gentle reminders to focus on organizing himself. 3.  To find a way to become a therapist in the direction in which the Goddess leads me. I am now advertising more and hopin...

Here in Northern California we are dealing with one of the warmest winters ever while the rest of the country has been really cold.  It feels odd to be walking around in a sundress in January. I am focusing inwardly on ideas and ways to grow my practice and to be more connected with friends, family and community.  I am also taking time to work on myself.  I am walking and exercising more and today I even got my flu shot. The First Full Moon of 2014 - everything seems a bit off this year with the weather - I wonder if that is a hint of what is yet to come.

This weekend was busy.  On Friday, my son was a groomsman for a good friend's wedding.  He seemed so grown up - going to a bachelor party, handling groomsmen tasks.  While at the wedding I realized how my position has changed.  I watched a couple dancing (the groom's parents) and thought how cool they were dancing to pop music from the 80s and then I realized they are probably actually close to my age - maybe a bit older - I have now become a parent to an adult - a new rite of passage. Saturday, we had my son's Eagle Court of Honor.  There were dignitaries and such.  It was fun and it was serious - my son is an Eagle Scout and I am a mom of an Eagle Scout!  Wow!  Afterwards my son went to hang out with a friend that in a couple of weeks will be going on his mission for two years!  The kids that were laughing and joking in my house are adults now - everyone is growing up. Sunday, my hubby and my son and I went to go see Princess Bride in...

What a great fireworks display!  We really enjoyed watching this (we were not there of course). I had a great birthday going to The Old Spaghetti Factory for an early dinner and relaxing with my hubby.  I got a beautiful calendar..   I am excited to start a new calendar year and to start exercising more!  Happy New Year!

Today is Winter Solstice otherwise known as Yule.  My hubby, son and I celebrate it as our main winter holiday.  We still have Christmas stockings on Christmas morning but today is when we each give each other thoughtful or handmade presents. I enjoy Yule because it lets us get away from the hectic Christmas season.  We plan ahead because we know there is not last minute Christmas Eve shopping for us. This year our family Christmas Gathering also was on Yule.  We had a wonderful time and I found that my allergy shots are really working as I did not need to take any allergy medicine or inhalers while at my brother's house where he has cats that previously had sent my allergies through the roof. I brought rolls, mashed potatoes and a Yule Log cake for dessert. We came home and celebrated Yule privately.  Each of us liked our gifts and were thrilled at how well each of us knew each other.  We will gather and eat dinner.  Laugh and joke...

Full Oak Moon is the full moon before Yule.  The oak is a symbol of strength and eternity. When the winter is in full reign over the Earth, it is important to remember the oak’s endurance. To survive the trials of winter, people must find within themselves the oak’s great strength. It is important at this time of year that roots are pushed deep into the Earth so you can survive through the storms - no wonder it is a time of family gatherings and sharing of resources (Thanksgiving, Holiday events and such) - we need our families and they help us find our inner strength when the world around us seems brutally cold.