NANOWRIMO and MARRIAGE
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It has been a good long while since I posted to this blog (or anywhere else). My job as principal and mom swallowed me whole and was threatening to digest me. However, I have been spit back out into the land of the living crazy people and have found a sense of self again. Prepare for yet more transitions. I have retooled my typepad accounts and may transfer this blog to that account, but I just can’t decide. In the meantime here is a random magic update:
NANOWRIMO:
I am participating for the first time in NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month) and I have to say it has jump started my writing. Prior to the decision on Oct. 31st that I should and could do it, I hadn’t written a creative word on or offline in over 6 months! The magical act of signing up for this month of trying to make word count everyday has jumpstarted my right brain (ahh, finally). I feel like someone needed to hand-crank my engine to get me going. Perhaps it was the spider bite on my a*s…yes, that’s right. But Thanks to this random bit of magic (signing up for nanowrimo)…I feel rejuvenated mentally even though I am having to make word count in snatches of time at 4:30 in the morning, 15 minute lunch breaks at work, and after the kids are asleep at night.
And secondly, it is magical when you spy your six year old sitting next to a girl of his age (knees almost touching) as the program’s teacher comes to you to let you know that he said he loved the girl and was going to marry her because she shared a sandwich with him. 
Maybe not so random…but no matter– magic is magic. Later, on our drive home he said he had “fallen in love” with this fairy of a girl because she “plays with me”. Well, a good marriage usually begins with friends and those of like minds. So, he is off to a good start.
Summer Magic: Books are Medicine
Even though we couldn’t travel anywhere this summer, we did manage to have a lot of great ‘day-cations’ to various places around the southland. I think we went more places as a family this summer than any other one prior to it, but we just didn’t stay long and we had repeat trips to some places. It is nice to be able to get away even in your own region. I have a lot of favorites, but I think my most favorite day-cation is the one closest to our house. It is when we spent an afternoon at the Huntington (we live 2 miles away!). I cannot tell you what a relaxed thrill I get seeing my boys run through the grass without a care in the world! I also love seeing the butterflies, dragonflies, and hummingbirds alighting all the lush vegetation there. So magical…which leads me to the reason for the post: summer magic.
The day-cations were certainly magical and most unforgettable. There is nothing like a 5 year old belting the songs of a summer movie musical (even if it was last year’s summer movie) to lighten your load and make you realize why life is to be lived! However, I must admit that, for me, reading books in the summer is the most magical and rejuvenating thing I do all year. I don’t know what it is about ’summer’ reading — but it is different. I read everyday of the year, but for some reason what I read in the summer usually stays with me. This summer is no different. In fact it stands out as a recent example of books choosing me and not the other way around. This post is not going to turn into a review, but I will briefly say a couple of things for those who like books.
Books are medicine. I know this, and have always known this. However, I am almost finished with my last read of the summer (The Hummingbird’s Daughter by Urrea) and I skipped to the book club pages at the end and read part of an interview with the author in which he says that he didn’t think his little book was going to make a difference and some old curandera told him not to be silly: books are medicine! Of course! That is why I read– to mend what ails me. I choose books (or they choose me) like I am choosing herbs at an apothecary.
Here is the pile of books I read from June-present moment (and my ranking out of five):
My Wicked Marquess by Galen Foley ***
The Moveable Feast by Hemingway **** (can’t escape the melancholy in this one)
The Hummingbird’s Daughter by Urrea ***** (in my pantheon of all-time favorite novels)
Lord of Ice by Foley ****
The Power of Light/Dragonfly Sign
I read on another’s blog a while back that there is a belief that the first animal/insect/bird (etc) that one sees on the first day of the new year is an indication of the kind of year it will be. In another place I have read that if you are encountering an animal/insect/bird a lot it potentially has a message for you. Attention should be paid to its behavior and/or life cycle to unravel the message.
I do believe this to some extent, and play around with this idea when it hits me in the face. If nothing else the notion serves as an excellent meditation point (especially when all else fails in a hard day). So in the last 24 hours, I have run into (or more accurately, have been run into by) dragonflies. Skeptics (what would life be like without them?) will say it is dragonfly season or something of the sort, but most people would agree that dragonflies don’t usually dive bomb into your car on one day and then zoom by your hair the next. The third occasion of dragonfly sighting was more appropriate to how one normally experiences the dragonfly: flitting about a lotus pond at the Gamble House.
There are books that speak to animal totems and there are decks of cards that help you choose and understand messages from the natural world. I will pull out those cards this weekend. But for now, the book is easier to grab. Try this if you are interested in learning a bit about what animals/insects/birds can teach you: ANIMAL-SPEAK: THE SPIRITUAL AND MAGICAL POWERS OF CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL by Ted Andrews.
The skinny for tonight is that dragonflies represent the “power of light”. Their bright, jewel-like colors take time to develop and from that you may derive the meaning that with maturity your own true colors will emerge. And that little snippet of interpretation is enough to stop me in my tracks. For that is what I have been reflecting on and hoping for all this week.
So not random, but most magical I think.
Enjoy the evening folks!
Have A Drink On Me– iPod Divination…
The following is one of those neato things you can do on your social networking site like FB. Here is some RandomMagic for tonight. This is a cool party-trick type divination. Love it. I am not ready to write whole paragraphs yet, but getting there soon! Sorry I haven’t posted in a while! 
RULES:
1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, or whatever, on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag whomever you want including me.
IF SOMEONE SAYS ‘ARE YOU OKAY’ YOU SAY….?
Staying Alive– Bee Gees (HA!)
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Dangerous– Roxette (even funnier)
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY/GIRL?
Something So Strong– Crowded House
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
I ain’t Goin Out — Jon B. (true!)
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
She’s So Cold– Rolling Stones (hmmm will have to think on that)
WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?
Walking on Broken Glass — Annie Lennox
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
White Wedding– Billy Idol
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
I Shot The Sheriff– Eric Clapton
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
El Guere Guere– Super Auto
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR FIRST_____?
Inside Silvia– Rick Springfield (no sh*t!)
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Penelope’s Song– Loreena McKennitt
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Rock & Roll — Led Zeppelin
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Tell Me– Groove Theory
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Wild World– Maxi Priest (yeah baby!)
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Magnificent– U2 (wow, the g*ds do know me!)
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Pride– U2 (mmm, I def. a U2 song played at my funeral)
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Love Makes Things Happen– Pebbles
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
Driver’s Seat– Sniff and the Tears
WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
Put Your Lights On– Santana featuring Everlast
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Midnight At The Oasis– Maria Muldaur
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Have A Drink on Me– AC/DC
Snake Charm
It has been a while since I have had a moment to post. The end of my work cycle has come and gone, but the new cycle has already begun (!). Vacation will come soon, but not soon enough. To keep me going, I decided I would take a couple of days before I had to get in gear again. In fact, today was refreshingly good.
And now, I can blog. To help rejuvenate my spirit for the work-that-never-ends, I decided to use one of my fave divination systems that is Non-tarot. It is a collection of ceramic amulets created by an artist with her interpretations and readings for each one. It is geared towards women (sorry guys). I tend to turn to it when I need a pick-me-up in the confidence/self-esteem area. The readings make you feel capable of just about anything. Better than therapy (or your form of self-medication) 
.
AMULETS OF THE GODDESSES: ORACLE OF ANCIENT WISDOM by Nancy Blair
Amulet pulled (see pic above): The Snake
Meaning: Shedding fear/Renewing Hope (I could certainly use that!)
Interpretation Snippet: Snakes represent creative and transformative life force powers (especially to non Judeo-Christian philosophies and religions). “You are fierce and fearless, you address all challenges with the desire for personal growth, shedding old fears and repressed feelings, revitalizing dynamic life forces. The snake goddess reminds you that the process of transformation never ends.” (p. 134)
Well, that hit the spot! So nice to read something like that when you are down. One of the cool features of the readings (for the absolute geek in me) is the history of the particular goddesses that she places before each interpretation. She also does give a partial listing of world goddesses associated with the symbol. For those interested– Some of the goddesses associated with the snake (according to Blair) are Persephone, Kali, Coatlicue, Lilith, Medusa, and Erishkegal.
Good times all! Hope to be back more frequently between now and mid-August!
Unknown cards
One silly system that I have had for a long time and even used in the classroom for writing prompts isn’t a divination system, but a collection of oval shaped mini-cards. Each card descibes “you”. So really it is more like a self-help tool. I have no idea what these cards are called; I got them too many years ago and then I realized that they were best used in creative writing prompts (when stuck).
Here was tonight’s pick:
“You are lost jewels buried in a seaweed forest.”
hmmm. I would like to think the above is true. I have simply had one of the toughest weeks in my job ever…but it doesn’t help that this is really just my first year with the ‘end of the year’ stuff because I was out on maternity leave last year. So I stuck my hand in this tonight and this is what I pulled. S
Strangely, it has made me feel better. The idea is magical, but really there was no true magic here. Or I am just being cynical. On the other hand, we did get some very fortuitous news today– so there is some magic wandering around here these days. Magnetic thinking– try it– it works!
Game Winning Shots? Random or Magical?
So, most of the known world probably saw Lebron James’ game winning shot last night. It was the magical moment that won them the game against Orlando and saved them from a loss. But it wasn’t random. It was a set shot (meaning it was the play they planned to make with one second left) and so nothing about it was random–except whether or not Lebron would have been able to step into position and take the shot in time. Lots of pressure there. No doubt.
I am not going to knock it or him. That was truly impressive, but I prefer the truly random magic of an unplanned clutch shot a la Robert Horry in the series that made him a legend against the Kings…see clip above. Perhaps I miss the Lakers of old (though old guard folks will say that I didn’t know the true Lakers of old)…however, this is the true random magic. Unplanned preparation meeting opportunity at the precise moment. Random. Magic unfolds.
Correct me.
And for those who prefer my card readings…they will come back but probably not until after my heavy season at work (June 10th-ish)…
The (Un)Knowable Universe
What is the extent by which the universe is knowable?
My 5 year old told us the other day that “there is no last number.” So it seems he has the most knowable fact right there at the tip of his cognition. He can know that and feel comfortable even though the rest of the iceberg of his un-knowing makes him tremor and shake out of fear: The dark, the tunnel, the cave, the scary tree, the hallway at night, and all the “dark rides” at Disneyland.
An aquaintance said that the more we know of our universe the less random it appears. The weather is a classic example– the more we study the patterns of weather, the more predictable it seems. And tagging on to that is why earthquakes (not yet really predictable) scare the bejeezus out of everyone.
The last many entries, I have focused on random more than magic. But it is the unknowable that also makes magic work and/or believable. But that is a post for another day.
Daily Draw
Gypsy Fortune Teller @ Disneyland (25 cents gets the fortune machine going)
“Esmeralda’s Prophecies”
The card: “Born under a very lucky star, your disposition, naturally good, has been made uneven by the selfish and snobbish people you have met, and it has made you unhappy. This condition is soon to end, for your lucky star will soon place you in a new change of life that will be far more pleasant. While you will never have a great amount of wealth, you will never want for the things that you should really have.[...]“
Enough Randomness for One Day!
Had to do Jury Duty today. [eek!] Let’s just say that means I don’t have the energy to do a daily draw or pull from one of my systems. However, these days, there is a lot of randomness in jury duty. It is NOT magical (in my interpretation)…who is to say that it couldn’t be to someone though?
In any case, I was excused in a (not so) random moment and am finished for 12 months (woo-hoo!). However, coincidentally, someone I knew was on JD at the same time. And he began talking to me about a case he works on that (coincidentally) is actually about how random (or not) a machine is…ah, more randomness. It is everyhwere!
But this is about Random Magic…and I just don’t have anything magic for today– except the magic of the kismet that actually is being excused from service after a long, no a/c day in the courthouse!
Predator or Prey?
I have been thinking about what separates humans from animals (if anything). I think about our connections to the animal kingdom literally almost everyday. Now that I have two sons this musing has only increased. Lately, I think the only separation might be that humans have a crazy choice that we have to make multiple (if not hundreds) of times in a day: Am I going to be a predator or prey? There is an incredible amount of jockeying for position once the decision is made too. Most animals do not have this opportunity. A lion is a predator, is a predator, is a predator. Finito. A gazelle is prey. Pretty simple. No choice to be made. Done deal. Yes, it is true there are other creatures out there where the line is blurred and there are choices to be made. I think evolution turns on the idea of choice making. But who am I? I am no evolutionary biologist. Just someone with a deck of cards with animals on each one.
Tonight’s daily draw is from MEDICINE CARDS: THE DISCOVERY OF POWER THROUGH THE WAYS OF ANIMALS by Jamie Sams and David Carson
(non-tarot)
Method: One card reflection
Card: SPIDER
Interpretation: Spiders (predators!) represent creative energy (usually female). Create, create, create! Beware of becoming stagnant because it will poison you and make you resentful.
Um, yeah. That’s true for me this evening and probably for someone else out there too.
