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The Reconnection Challenge: Week 2 Essential Self

This week, my challenge is to become more rooted into my essential self….um whatever that is. The trees around me describe it as their treeness. That description makes sense and confuses me at the same time. I’m human. There’s all these things I ascribe to who I am. When I think of Jeannette Lancien, I think sleepy Mother who laughs and cooks a great deal. I think of a loving wife and good friend. There are millions of things I think about until I am gently reminded that those are things I do. They are not who I am. If all those things were to change, I’d still be me–that is my essential self. It’s not what I do. It’s who I be.

I asked how do I root into the essence of who I am? I am told to breathe, be still and smile. Who I am will bubble up to the surface. I must admit that answer sounds much more like my Father than the trees, but let’s see what happens <3.

This week my challenge is to slow down and root/ground into my essential self.  Before getting out of bed and before preparing meals, I’ll take a couple of deep breathes into my belly and see what bubbles up. When I can feel myself, I will move from there

Let’s see what comes up <3

Oh yeah about last weeks eating challenge. It wasn’t too terrible, but it wasn’t great either. I have idyllic memories of being twenty something and vegan in the South of France. My memories and the present moment are two different things. Vegan bullshit is now abundant in France. I’m also not just cooking for myself and my husband (who eats just about anything with gratitude) anymore. Sadly, my kids are not into eating only veggies and don’t eat unless I’m eating what they are eating with them. So… eating better..meh. I was able to cut out milk products and limit the gluten. I’m hearing more; which was the goal. I’m overall satisfied but there is always more work to do.

Let’s see how next week goes!

 

 

 

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Connection Challenge: Week 3

This challenge has been a bit harder than I expected. It’s easy to carry an intention for a day. The real challenge is staying laser focused on my intention through out the week when there is so much to do.

For this week, I’d like to do something more subtle. This week, I want to focus on my feet. My feet keep the rest of my body grounded and connected to Mother Earth. Finding little ways to care for them and ensure that I am engaging them properly feels like a gentle way to deepen my connection with Mother Earth. Not to mention, since my feet are always with me it’s easier to check in with them—even when I am with the boys.

So, for this week, my goal is to ensure that my weight is evenly spread between both feet and that I am engaging them mindfully. I want to continuously feel the flow of energy down into the Earth when I exhale and into my feet when I inhale. My intuition often spreads out around me like a cape, but I can feel things though my feet. It’d be nice to sharpen this skill a bit. I also intend to do something nice for my feet; like a foot bath.

Last week’s focus on yard work was helpful. I trimmed an overgrown tree in the yard and realized that I was very much like that tree. In my own eagerness to find light, I occasionally confuse and stunt my growth. The tree reminded me the importance of letting go what no longer works and being flexible.

I also ended up finding some plants knows for attracting fairies 🙂 Foxglove was just planted yesterday and I hope to get snapdragon in the ground this week.

I’m curious to see what comes up next.

Until next time.. take precious care.

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Connection Challenge: Week 2

For this week’s challenge, I am going to focus on something simple: yard work.

I really love yard work. It’s a great way to connect with Mother Earth. There is nothing more exciting than offering plants all they need to flourish in harmony. Although yard work can be challenging with a toddler, I’ve had quite a few magic moments. The most important thing seems to be preparation. When I calm, focused and have plan things go well.

So, with the intention of reconnecting to Mother Earth, I will mindfully prepare the yard for fall. I will trim the bushes, herbs and the tree according to their desires and not my own. I will be patient in planting the new snapdragons and foxgloves, so that they can find the best spot in the yard. And I will be careful in how I include the children in this work.

Last week I didn’t get to spend too much time in nature 🙁 But since school is back in, I’m sure I can get some yard work done 😀

Hope all is being good to you

J

 

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Connection Challenge Week 1

Welcome to the Back to the Earth Connection Challenge! My intention is to enjoy a number of simple, sweet actions that will strengthen my connection to Mother Earth. I’ll give myself extra bonus points for things that are kid friendly 🙂

As inspired by Hedgewitch Book of Days, the focus for this week is offerings of gratitude. Mother Earth supports us in a myriad of ways; seen and unseen. This week I’d like to focus on making simple offerings of gratitude.

Today, I’ve put out little treats for the helpful hidden folks. Tomorrow I’ll share my breakfast with the ancestors on my altar. Other ideas that have bubbled up are: picking up trash where I see it, pouring water out in gratitude to the Earth, verbally thanking Mother Earth every morning, and offering gratitude energetically. Offering gratitude is a great way to reconnect with Mother Earth. When life spins too fast it’s easy to forget our connection to Mother Earth. When you take a minute to thank Mother Earth, you reaffirm your connection to Mother Earth.

Happy Reconnecting! Enjoy the Full Moon! See you next week!

J

 

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Stay at home Conjure: Rodents and hot sauce

Last Saturday night I awoke to what sounded like scratching in the bedroom wall. I immediately woke my husband. He trudged outside and scared whatever it was away. However, the next night it came back. The noise was louder this time. We knocked on the walls and contemplated what to do. My husband went back to sleep while I staid up to freak out. For me, rodents evoke fear frustration and guilt whenever they show up. I always feel like they are coming to claim me as one of their own.

I sheepishly admitted to a friend that I am secretly a rodent. I’m intuitive, skittish, habitual and fertile like mouse. I am playful and magical like chipmunk. I’m sociable, determined and wise like rat. I feel guilt when rodents arrive to chew on walls outside the house because I rarely embrace these parts of myself.

Since I was afraid of living with mice, rats or whatever was chewing on the side of the house, I did what I normally do. I asked for assistance for creating ritual, called pest control and then got some flower essences 🙂

Over the past few days some things have become clear:

  1. I am at my best in ritual to clear stuff up. My intuition has sharpened.
  2. Mother Earth will clearly guide you. Squirrels, stink bugs, chipmunks, hummingbirds, and well placed words have all brought me comfort and clarity this week.
  3. Rodents are kinda awesome. I am a fan. They still can’t come in the house, though.

And as I continue in ritual, I’m noticing that I dig a combination of Conjure and Green Wicca. Conjure is in my bones. It’s my default. I love it. It scares me though. Conjure gives me access to power I’d rather not have. I ain’t about cursing, hexing and giving folk STIs. That’s some heavy karma. I also get angry reading conjure books because I hear dead black folk laughing at the instructions given in books. Some of the sources lied and continue to giggle about it. I also get angry seeing white faces as the representatives of what is essentially a Black and Native American art. All that being said, conjure will keep your ass safe and ensure you have all you need. It’s conjure that helped me hot foot whatever was eating at the walls. Wicca did not help me with that.

I like the idea of Green/Hedge Wicca laced with Conjure. Sometimes asses need to be kicked. Conjure is good at that. At the end of the day, I think I just need to do what Mother Earth tells me. I don’t need a label.

I hope all is well with you. Until the next time, take precious care

J