Saturday, August 4, 2012

Pagan Blog Project- P is for Pampering


Pampering? Yes, Pampering. Everyday life can be extremely stressful. Trying to balance home, work and play can be very difficult at times. In my own life I am a wife, mother, high priestess, teacher, nurse, cook, maid, taxi driver, secretary, etcetera. And to top if off, I now have gained a mundane job as an administrative assistant which I start on Monday. Things were hard enough to handle as a SAHM (stay at home mom), but now things will really get interesting in the days to come :0. As a witch and high priestess, one of my main goals is to take care of myself. How can I possibly take care of my family and coven members if I can't do so for myself? The answer is you just can't. We need to live a balanced life to live a healthy and happy life. And of course life will always get in the way and throw you some interesting curves to make life difficult. We need to learn to take care of ourselves, relax, unwind, reduce stress and recharge. One of my favorite ways to combat these problems is to pamper myself.

Below are some suggestions and ideas that I use to accomplish the task of pampering:

Bubble bath- with the use of oils, candles, incense or bath salts, this can be a wonderful relaxing activity

Music- play music that moves your soul or simply makes you want to dance for joy

Aromatherapy- the use of incense and oils to enhance our senses

Meditation for quieting the mind and finding peace

Breathing exercises can help tremendously to reduce stress

Yoga for wellness

Lavender pillows or dream pillows for a good nights rest

Drink plenty of water to keep the body going

Eat healthy as well

Get a massage, give a massage, this can also be very beneficial in certain relationships :)

Enjoy a wonderful cup of tea, glass or wine or whatever beverage moves you

Laugh, laugh and laugh, your soul will be enriched all the more

Read a good book

Watch an up-lifting movie. The library offers many selections for free.

Walk a labyrinth, having a problem, see if the labyrinth can help. There may be places in your area which offer this for free. For example, in my town, there is one behind our local hospice.

Get in touch with your inner child, play, have fun

Coloring- I love coloring, especially mandalas

Make and use prayer flags

Schedule some “me” time even if it is only for a few minutes

Take a nap, even for just a few minutes

Take a nature walk in a park or on a beach

Sunbath

Practice a creative art such as henna. Many people use henna as an approach to spirituality, especially when getting ready for a ritual.

Change the vibrations around you-the use of candles, color, oils, incense, music can make a profound change in your current attitude.


These are just a few ways I like to take time and rejuvenate and de-stress. How do you pamper yourself?

BB,
Autumn

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Happy Lammas/Lughnasadh

I hope everyone has a wonderfully magical sabbat for whatever or whichever you celebrate :). My coven and I celebrated Sunday evening by hosting a public ritual for our community. Considering we are a small community, we had a great turnout. The main focus of the ritual was gratitude for the blessings we have received and for the "crops" we have harvested. May the Lord and Lady bless us always and help us to maintain a bountiful harvest.

Blessed be,

Autumn