Sacred Creativity Ritual

 

The Mississippi River was calling me and this is the place.  This is a little backwater and the thin strip you see beyond is the main channel.

I applied a temporary tattoo to get ready for the ritual.  "Head up, wings out."

The river called to me to do my claiming sacred creativity and committing to her/me.  I found a place that was dappled in sunlight yet under some trees on the back waters of the Mississippi River on May 6, 2021.  It called to me: this is your place. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I took out of my pack a dress to do ritual and a butterfly cape to wear.  When I looked down beside me, there was a skull—a deer had been here a long time ago and only her skull was partly showing out of the leaves.  The skull looked peaceful and like a good sign that I was in the right place.

 

 

I laid out a colorful cloth that I’d made many moons ago that said, “Art is the Way.” On the cloth I put a candle, a taro deck a small journal to write or draw or paint.  Some paints.

 

I called in my guides and ancestors: my mother, grandmother and all who loved me to be with me and guide this sacred time.  Then I called in the power of the four directions.  I wrote my intention for the ritual and then let it go with burning—laying aside the leaves to make a small fire—not too big because it had been quite dry and I wanted to honor the space and not harm it with an out of control fire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I breathed in the beauty of the place.  Several fish jumped to let me know they were present.  I painted a scene about the trees that were being witness. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I pulled the card the “Three of Pipes.”

“It is time to await opportunity expectantly or wander seeking pieces of the dream. 

“You may have periods of melancholy due to the intense uncertainty in your life right now.  Flow with them. Watch them pass.

We (Spirit and you) will reach fulfillment on the path Creator has laid before you.  Trust enough to take the first step Let yourself be guided by dreams and visions.

Look for signs.

Trust you Inner Response

Follow that wish calls you to the deepest level; respond to that which creates all-engrossing enthusiasm.

Let the Universe lead.”

I left an offering of a rock with a heart I painted on it. 

I danced and sang by the river.

And as I closed and thanked the directions I gathered my things.  My first step out of the ritual was with Intention. That step felt as light as a bird taking flight.  I was on my way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reiki Healing Energy

 

I’ve been sending loving Reiki healing energy for a couple of years to friends and family members.  Reiki is a healing energy that began in Japan with Dr. Miao Uusui.  The teachings and sharing the healing now has traveled the globe.  My teacher, Sunshine Wilson lives in Winona, Minnesota.

Reiki healing can also be helpful for animals and pets.  About a month ago, my cat, Norris was not able to keep any food in his system.  It happens with cats that they get a hairball and throw up.  This was a bit more severe than a hairball.  We here doing a lot of cleaning up.  And watching him closely to see if he was still eating and drinking—and yes he was.

We were getting ready to take him to the vet.  I decided that I would do some Reiki on Norris as he was sitting on my lap.  It was very gentle with hands on his belly.  He loved the soothing and healing feeling. 

 

 

 

 

 

Bob relaxing with a healthy Norris

The next day, he was not throwing up.  And he was feeling better.  Reiki can be done to help heal pets and humans.

I’m opening my Reiki offering to others at this time with distance healing.  You will be able to take part in this deep healing in the comfort of your own home—laying down or sitting in a comfortable chair.  It is also ok to go to sleep during a session—the results will still come to you. This will not be a zoom session.

The cost for a session is $40.00.  You may do the session, once or twice daily, weekly, monthly, or on a schedule that works for you. Please be in touch with me via email to set up your healing sessions or with any questions.

Here’s to your good health.

I look forward to hearing from you soon and we’ll set you up for better health.

 

MaryLee

mleischen@gmail.com

 

 

 

Baby Birds

 

What are these baby starlings doing in an old bicycle basket from our garage, you may be wondering?  Here's the story: on the west side of our house we have some vinyl siding that had an unusual bowing out.  It concerned us and then we heard some peeping.  Bob saw the parents flying in and out of a small opening.  Oh,oh, we have baby birds that are not supposed to be growing behind our siding.

Bob did some research and found out that they could be moved if we provided another nest for them.  We've all heard the old tale about not to  touch  baby birds or the parents would abandon them.  We hoped that would not be the case; we needed to get those little birds out from behind the siding.

Slowly and carefully we took the siding off the house, labeling each piece to allow us ease to put it back up. There was lots of nesting material crammed in a very small space.

Here's some of the nesting material on the top of our recycling bin.  Behind it is an old bird feeder that we thought may work as their new nest/home.

We put the babies in an ice cream bucket and one fly out.  Bob had to go all over the garage to find that agile little thing.  The front bird feeder was too small.  We put them in this bike basket that we'd been using as a glove holder.

Bob went up to get more siding off the house and found one more bird.  That make a total of 5 baby birds.

 

We tied their new nest next to our utility pole and put a rice bag made of burlap over most of the top with room for the parents to come and feel them.  After we got the ladders put away and left the area the parents came back to feed the birds.

 

Here's a parent bringing some food.

The parent would land on the edge and hop inside bringing food--feed one, two, more and then fly off.  This happened over and over again.  Quite amazing.  I'm so glad they came back to care for the little ones.  

Do you have any bird stories to share?

Tulip Beauty

 

 

 

 

 

 

A neighborhood walk and so many tulips are blooming.

 

Here's a whole yard of them.

Look deep into the throat of the tulip.  Do you see black inside?  It is really a deep purple masquerading as black!

Beside the house are a few more tulips in a bed of bluebells.

These tulips were brought inside before a frost.  So much color and life to light up our days when it is grey outside.

This one got knocked down in the spring clean up.

A little two tone color beauty.

Some daffodils and tulips ready to bloom.

Deep in the throat, dark purple and a thin line of yellow on these rich red tulips.  Breathe in the spring air.  It is fine.

Blooming Cherry Trees

 

The cherry trees, the gift from our sister city in Japan have been beautiful this spring. This picture was taken on Sunday, 4/18/2021. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They look like they're raising their arms/branches in glory! Photo: 4/13/2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a view of them across the lake on April 8th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A close up of the blooms. Let your heart sing with this natural pink color.

 

 

 

 

 

National Poetry Month

 

In honor of the 25th Anniversary of National Poetry Month, April 2021, Poets.org is giving away this poster as a free download or to be ordered for a donation.  This poster was created by a 12th grade student, Bao Lu from Edward R. Murrow High School in Brooklyn, New York with lines by Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo.

Today, I have a poem for you in honor of National Poetry Month and in honor of Breeze on my Skin. 

 

The Breeze at Dawn
by Rumi translated by Coleman Barks

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.

Don't go back to sleep.

You must ask for what you really want.

Don't go back to sleep.

People are going back and forth across the doorsill

where the two worlds touch.

The door is round and open.

Don't go back to sleep.