E is for Ecstasy - Pagan Blog Project

Eurynome

Eurynome illustrated by Hrana Janto 

Ecstasy

from The Goddess Oracle
by Amy Sophia Marashinsky
Illustrated by Hrana Janto

When I awakened and arose

out of swirling seething chaos

seeing no other way to express

the sheer delight

the wild exhilaration

the explosion of energy

I felt

I began to dance my exuberance

that feeling of floating on a sea

of rapturous joy

lost and transported

in the intensity 

of ecstasy

*************

Eurynome separated the sky from the sea. She created the north wind by dancing on the waves. The north wind became lustful. Eurynome seized him in her hands and made him into the serpent Ophion.

Eurynome made love with Ophion and created the Universal egg out of which all creation spilled forth.

*************

Eurynome is dancing into your life to tell you 
it is time for ECSTASY.

Ecstasy is here for you in all its 
fullness, exuberance, and rapture.

If there are parts of you that are wounded,

it may be difficult to find 
the deeply nourishing joyful place of ecstasy.

Heal your wounded parts.

Your wounded parts take up 
emotional space within you.

Heal those parts and you create space for ECSTASY.

Open yourself up to the dance of ecstasy.

Feel it.

Revel in it.

Eurynome says that when you make the decision 
to dance with ecstasy,

the universe presents the opportunity to 
facilitate that dance.

*************

I declare I'm opening myself up to the dance of ecstasy.

Will you join me?


*************

I'm super excited to be a part of 
The Pagan Blog Project. 

Every Friday experience the alphabet of spirituality 
and pagan goodness.

Check out the list of excellent blogs for week 9 of the letter E.
The Pagan Blog Project Week 9 - E

*************

Are you facing a huge transition in your life?

Are you ready to release your obstacles and step forward into the life of your choosing?

Are you kind of lost as to where to even begin? 

Book your free 20 minute consultation with me today. 

Click here.

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,

~Amy

The Magick Muse

 Amy Riddle, C.C., Holistic Alchemist and Manifestor of Dreams is a life coach, tapping facilitator, reverend, creatress, teacher, writer, herbalist, and all out muse. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

A Prayer for Bringing Balance into Your Life

Yin Yang

I'm always striving to balance my life - always -

between planning and plotting my dream biz, working my bridge job, spending time with Chris, watching Netflix, 
reading books, writing, blogging, crafting, sleeping, etc...

It can get overwhelming. 

The following balance prayer is from Deborah Blake. 

She suggests saying this prayer while burning a white candle and a black candle. You may also want to place a tarot card or something that represents balance next to the candles. 
Example: Wheel of Fortune, the Star...

Note - here God and Goddess is used - you may replace this with the Universe, The Great Mystery, 

or whatever your higher power is. 

********************************

 A. E. Waite tarot deck

God and Goddess

send me the gift of balance

Help to make good choices

And to see clearly

As I balance work and play

Home, health, love, and family

Keep me focused and firm

As I walk the difficult path

That is the well-lived life

And lend me your strength and wisdom

So I might have balance

In all these things

So mote it be

~Deborah Blake 

From the Witches' Datebook 2012

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Magick Muse

Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 

She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 

Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 

She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

D is for Death - Pagan Blog Project

Faery Oracle by Brian Froud

Death.

I've been thinking about death a lot lately.

I've been going through the 5 stages of death -
denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

I've been thinking about when someone we love dies -
a part of us dies, too.

Especially at first.

Everything stops.

You are thrown into disbelief.

You can't believe this has happened.

It happens on TV, in the movies, to other people.

But this just happened to me?

This is real?

You plummet into darkness.

You cry. You scream. You throw up.

You yell some more. Maybe throw some things.

And then you collapse on the floor.

You will never be the same again.

You stop living for a bit.

You scramble to figure out how to live again.

You scramble to figure out how to live 
without that person in your life.

Eventually, you start to re-build - begin anew.

Different.

You have changed.

Your life will never be the same.

It's hard to wrap your head around not calling them,
not seeing them,
not receiving a birthday card with a loving message 
just for you.

It's difficult.

It sucks.

But we have to face that death is part of life.

I have realized I am not scared of dying.
No, not at all.

I'm scared of my loved ones dying.

We are all going to go at some point.

I have to make peace with that.

My mom says, "All we can do is just love each other."

She is right.

I do know that in order to live fully, 
it is important to embrace and accept death.

Death is a valuable part of your evolution as a soul.

~ Denise Linn 

*************

I'm super excited to be a part of 
The Pagan Blog Project. 

Every Friday experience the alphabet of spirituality 
and pagan goodness.

Check out the list of excellent blogs for week 8 of the letter D.
The Pagan Blog Project Week 8 - D

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Magick Muse

Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 

She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 

Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 

She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

What Would Audrey Horne Do?

Every once in awhile, I have to revisit "Twin Peaks".

Maybe it's an obsession.

Maybe it's just part of who I am.

My favorite female on the show is Audrey Horne. 

Sexy in saddle shoes and all, dancing her dance through life...

and she always gets what she wants.

When in doubt, I think "What would Audrey do?"

We all know what she would do.

She would get what she wanted. 

I find her an inspiration.

This has been my affirmation the past week...

"I'm Audrey Horne and I get what I want."

Audrey Horne - Twin Peaks

Dance your dance. Find your music.

Tap in to the power of Audrey

and get what you want.

I leave you with Audrey's Dance.

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Magick Muse

Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,

herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 

She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 

Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 

She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

D is for Dream - Pagan Blog Project

Image Credit 

If you can dream it,
you can be it.

I believe in Wayne Dyer and vision boards.

When I say I'm going to do something,
chances are I'm gonna fuckin' do it.

I am a girl that walks my talk.

If I want to do something, I will do it.

Sometimes it may take me awhile.

It may take me 1 week, it may take me 7 years -
but I eventually figure it out and
make it happen.

It took me 4 years to move to Asheville, NC -
but I did it.
I planned, plotted, and moved 
by myself to start a whole new life in the mountains.

Last year I figured out what I wanted to be when I grow up - 
a life coach.

I got certified.

Now I'm working hard on having my dream
of life coaching become a reality.

I'm working on creating The Magick Muse business
and watching it flourish.

No more part time, a little time here and there -
it will be my full time gig.

I see it.

I am currently working on my 
business plan and website.

It is gonna happen.

It's been in the works for years, really.

Every single day I'm closer to living 
my business dream.

I am here to help people -
and that's what I'm gonna do.

*************

Do you have a dream you want to bring into reality?

See it.

Be it.

Practice visualization.

Create a vision board.
(See my blog post on vision boards here.)

Practice affirmations.

Write out your vision as if it has already happened.

Manifest your reality!

*************

You hold the power to the life you want.

*************

I'm super excited to be a part of 
The Pagan Blog Project. 

Every Friday experience the alphabet of spirituality 
and pagan goodness.

Check out the list of excellent blogs for week 7 of the letter D.
The Pagan Blog Project Week 7 - D

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Magick Muse

Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 

She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 

Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 

She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

Messages from the Other Side

I don't know if you relate more to
Mulder or to Scully...
but I want to believe.

Image Credit

Obviously, I'm much more Mulder-like.

I believe.

I believe in spirits and things that
go bump in the night.

I used to lead ghost tours
in downtown Orlando, Fl.

I've felt the presence of spirit,
seen a ghost,
and even got stuck in an elevator due to a 
prankster spirit in the old courthouse in Orlando.
I've noticed objects moved and 
witnessed omens and signs.

So - yes.
I do believe.

**************************

Me & Dad 1998

Journal Entry from 
January 26, 2014

I met my friend Rebecca at Dobra Tea Friday evening. 
She is the perfect friend to be around all the time - 
especially now.
You see - she has special powers - 
she has the
gift of communicating with spirits.

I get used to it 

being around her.

My dad died on January 12.
Chris and I spent the week in Metropolis -
just waiting for the funeral.

It was strange on so many levels.
However, it was nice to be around family all week - 
to share the grief.

Waiting all week for a Friday funeral was
so very hard.

I felt my grieving was in limbo.

Once the funeral was over,
we had to head back to Asheville.

That weekend was a blur.
Tears.
So many tears.

Then work on Monday -
horrible.

All of the people just sucked my soul dry.

It was utterly exhausting.

The entire work week I felt my grieving was on hold 
because of my job. 

My grief was so profound.
 My heart weighed tons and it felt the heaviest it's ever been.

Finally it was Friday! I was released into my full on grieving.

Released to feel, to move through, to process...

So I started the weekend with tea and a wonderful friend.

I told Rebecca I was having trouble falling asleep 
if Chris wasn't home. 
Normally I fall right to sleep.
Now I felt like dad was there. I felt uneasy. 

But he wasn't there, was he?

She said, "You could tell your dad to come back later, you need your sleep."

She then did "her thing" - the "other talking".

"No more bumping in the night. This makes Amy uncomfortable."

There it was - the door was open.

Dad was near. Dad was talking to Rebecca.

I sat there with my heart and my brain all a flutter.

The past was screaming at me.

Dad and I started well. We ended well.

But what about all that in between?

What about when I was 17 and 
he and mom divorced?

I sat there vulnerable and ready for anything.

I was blown away when she said, "Your dad loves you. He thinks you are remarkable. That's my word. He is saying something similar. I can't tell what it is. He is in awe of you and all that you do and accomplish. He is going to support you. He is here to help you grieve. He is here for your brother, too, to help him get through. He doesn't say how, but he wants you to know you have his support."

Wow. Just wow.

We continued chatting, eating hummus, and drinking tea.

I told her how I kept hearing "House of the Rising Sun" all week. I open up my Itunes and it's the first thing I see. I play Pandora and it's the first song that plays. 

She said she kept hearing it too.

Synchronicity.

I told her about mom and I's conversation from the other day.

Mom "Did you know that your dad was in a band in high school?"

Me "Yeah. He told me he played the tambourine."

Mom "Yeah (laugh) well he did - but he sang, too. His song was "House of the Rising Sun".

Rebecca laughed. She shook her head from side to side. She said dad just clasped his hands to his head and shook his head saying "Oh, no...no...not one of my proudest moments."

I laughed.

I was taking this all in.

Absorbing it.

Then she said, 
"He wants you to know this is the best he's ever looked."

Wow. 

That's what Aunt Candy said at dad's visitation.

Exact words.

"Well, I believe that's the best he's ever looked."

Chris and I had a good giggle about that. 

I was practically speechless.

Still processing.

Still wrapping my head around dad and I's relationship.

Then she said, "He says you weren't all that bad."

That's when it hit me.

That's the moment everything came together.

That was my first moment of peace in this.

Of course that's what he said!

My dad let it all go long ago.

I thought I had, but never completely.

You see, dad was picky. He was anal. He was set in his ways and every single person was entitled to his opinion.

He would never admit or see any fault in himself.

and when he said,

"You weren't all that bad."

I realized I should let it all go, too.

Rebecca then said, "No, no. I can't deliver all those messages. This is just for Amy. Whoa. He sure is chatty!"

So like him to talk, talk, talk and want to tell everyone everything, messages for all.

I left Dobra feeling more at peace.
I felt blessed.
I felt loved.

Later that evening, 
I noticed my 2 fairies in the hall were moved.
These were both given to me by dad.

Was he giving me a sign?

I slept tons better that evening.
The next morning I got up and 
was making my giant cup of coffee.
I start by adding to my mug
hot cocoa powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
I was going through my morning motions and
went to grab the nutmeg and 
it wasn't there.

I'm pretty damn anal. (just like dad apparently)

Everything has its place and
there is a place for everything.

I couldn't find it.

I then noticed it up on one of the food shelves.

How did that happen?

It was clearly moved and 
I didn't do it.

I was freaked out.

I really think dad, who was just as obsessive 
about where things were,
moved it.

I feel he was communicating with me.

You may believe or not believe.
That is fine either way.

The important thing is I find comfort in this.

I found a great article about
"objects being moved".
Check it out here.

Me & Dad 1978
I love you, dad.

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
The Magick Muse

Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 

She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 

Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 

She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

You Can Heal Your Heart Affirmations

One of my all time favorite human beings 

has released another book -

"You Can Heal Your Heart" by Louise Hay.

She wrote the book with David Kessler, grief and loss expert. 

I had to order this book.

It couldn't have come at a better time.

I just finished, "On Grief and Grieving" by

David Kessler and Elisabeth Kobler-Ross.

It was perfect for me at this time of my life.

My dad died on January 12 and since then 

I've been working through my grief.

Crying, feeling, remembering, 

processing...

What always helps me are affirmations.

I'm so pleased Louise Hay released these 

10 healing heart affirmations.

My favorite is 

"I honor the love more than the loss."

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Magick Muse

Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 

She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 

Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 

She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

C is for Coven - Pagan Blog Project

C is for Coven.

1 - The show
2- I want my own coven.

American Horror Story Coven

American Horror Story Coven 
has been my absolute favorite so far for the series.

Why?

Well...
WITCHES.
VOODOO.
NEW ORLEANS.
STEVIE NICKS.
FEMALE POWER.

and good prevailed.

Through all the gore and nasty jealous fights and crazies -
good won.

The new Supreme deemed
worthy and will build and lead
the coven into 
a strong honest future.

She will show the world that
it is okay to tap into your power
and be your authentic witchy self. 

American Horror Story Coven

Thank you 
American Horror Story 
for an amazing season.

American Horror Story Candles

And I have to say I 
completely loved the opening of the finale 
with Stevie Nicks.

It was absolutely perfect.

Did you see it?

Click here to watch the 
Seven Wonders intro by Stevie Nicks on Coven.

From Fleetwood Mac News

I am still searching for my tribe, 

for my coven.

It's been a dream of mine.

Maybe this is the year it happens. 

I long to be part of a group of strong women

honoring the earth and the seasons together. 

It's got to happen.

Misty Day of American Horror Story Coven

I'm super excited to be a part of 
The Pagan Blog Project. 

Every Friday experience the alphabet of spirituality 
and pagan goodness.

Check out the list of excellent blogs for week 6 of the letter C.
The Pagan Blog Project Week 2 - C

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Magick Muse

Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 

She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 

Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 

She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

I Heart Herbs~Garlic

*Please note - The information provided is collected from my various herbal books, classes, and personal research. I am not a doctor. Always, always, always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment. Do your own research and think for yourself. Don't believe everything you read. Questions are good!

Garlic

Allium Sativum

Some people love it. Some people hate it.

I happen to love it, even though I know it destroys any fantasy I've ever had of becoming a vampire.

Image Credit

However, my love for garlic is stronger 

than my love for vampires.

The taste of garlic is like no other. 
It hits the palate with a hot pungency 
that is shadowed by a very subtle background sweetness.

Garlic, nicknamed the stinking rose, has been around for ages. 
It is perhaps the world's oldest known 
medicinal and culinary herb. 
Garlic is a natural antioxidant that 
prevents diseases and enhances food. 
Native to central Asia, garlic is one of 
the oldest cultivated plants in the world, 
and has been grown for over 5,000 years.

Ancient Egyptians were probably the first to cultivate this plant that played an important role in their culture. 
Garlic was bestowed with sacred qualities and 
placed in the tomb of Pharaohs. 
It was also given to the slaves that 
built the Pyramids to enhance their endurance and strength. 
This strength enhancing quality was also honored by the ancient Greeks and Romans, civilizations whose athletes 
ate garlic before sporting events, and 
whose soldiers consumed it before going off to war. 
Garlic was introduced into various regions throughout the globe by migrating cultural tribes and explorers. 
By the 6th century BC, garlic was known in both China and India, where it was used for therapeutic purposes.

Throughout the millennia, garlic has been a beloved plant in many cultures for both its culinary and medicinal properties. 
Over the last few years, it has gained unprecedented popularity since researchers have been scientifically validating 

its numerous health benefits.

Dr. Andrew Weil shares my love and passion for garlic. In his book, "8 Weeks to Optimum Health", he states that garlic has 3 very important cardiovascular effects.

The first important cardiovascular effect is it lowers blood pressure, and is a key component in any 
natural approach to treating hypertension. 

Second, garlic lowers cholesterol and fats in the blood. 
It raises the HDL (the "good form" of cholesterol) fraction of total cholesterol while reducing the harmful LDL fraction to oxidation. 
This diminishes its potential to damage artery walls. 

The third cardiovascular effect of garlic is it inhibits blood clotting by reducing the tendency of platelets to clump together.

Garlic's beneficial cardiovascular effects are 

due to its sulfur compounds, and it contains 

vitamin C, vitamin B6, selenium, and manganese.

Garlic is also a strong antiseptic. It counteracts the growth of numerous bacteria and fungi that can cause disease. 

In addition, it boosts activity of the immune system, stimulating natural killer cells, which are our main defense against cancer.

Time for a body cleanse?

 Garlic naturally cleanses your colon. 

Eating garlic while cleansing maximizes 

optimal benefits for your body.

People who eat garlic are healthier in general,
so why not make garlic a regular part of your diet?

Cook with garlic whenever you can.

Remember, fresh garlic works the best. 

Heat destroys some of the herb's properties, 
particularly the antibiotic ones, so be sure to 
add it near the end of cooking to receive the most benefits. 

Dr. Weil suggests eating a bit of raw garlic now and then. 
You could add small slices of raw garlic to salads, 
sandwiches, pastas, rice...
just about any dish you choose.

Studies have shown that garlic keeps the heart healthy by lowering cholesterol levels, reducing blood pressure, fighting free radicals, and keeping blood from clotting.
Garlic is packed with antioxidants that 
help to fend off cancer, and the effects of aging.

Eat garlic every day to benefit the heart and your overall health!

• antibacterial
• antibiotic
• antimicrobial
• antioxidant
• antiplatelet
• antiviral
• stimulant
• tonifies yang

For a small vegetable, garlic packs a big punch.

I'll take garlic instead of vampires any day.

Well - unless it's Spike.

Spike - Buffy The Vampire Slayer 

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,

~Amy

The Magick Muse 

Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,

herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 

She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 

Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 

She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.