Category Archives: Things that are true

Working Between the Worlds-3 ideas and 3 questions to get radically clear on reputation woes

May 22, 2013 by Miss Bri
Posted in Spirituality, Things that are true, Working Between the Worlds

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When I talk to men and women working (or considering working) in the Sacred Arts field there is one fear that I almost always hear about early on…damaging or losing one’s reputation. It takes a lot of cojones y ovarios to come out and advertise yourself as a tarot reader, Reiki healer, energy worker, crystal reader, or spell caster.

For so many people this is a huge pain point-not to mention a huge block in building a business based around services and offerings that they feel called and inspired to provide. The conundrum is easy to understand: how do I do the work I feel called to do and talk about myself when it involves me telling people that I’m into this or I’m practicing that?

  • My mother will disown me.
  • My father will be embarrassed.
  • My friends will wonder what the hell happened-they thought I was NORMAL.

 

Oh boy have I been there.

When the doors were opening and the universe was rushing me down a particularly strange and overgrown path I realized that at some point I had traded in my ideal work costume of a three piece suit and good heels for a velvet shawl, crystal ball and glitter-lots of glitter. I was not at all sure how I felt about this change in direction-but I was sure that I was doing work that was actually making a positive difference in people’s lives and allowed me to be of service-and afterall, wasn’t that what I had always wanted?

 

Longtime readers might expect me to simply say that when it comes to reputation you have to get over it and proceed full steam ahead-but I actually think that this area is so heavy that that kind of advice actually falls flat. Instead I present you with three insights to help you gain clarity on and around your fears followed by three questions designed to assist you in determining if now is the right time to come out of the broom closet:

 

When fears around your reputation loom large and you see the words WOO WOO tattooed across your forehead (in blue woad of course) remember these salient points:

1.) Its not a stupid thing to be worried about. Because you know, for a long, long time those of us working in the Sacred Arts were considered con men (and women) at best and were burned at the stake as witches at worst. We have a lineage and some heavy stuff has gone down in that lineage.

2.) You are NOT your reputation. Reputation is something that other people assume about you-its built on what other people say about you-at the end of the day babe you cannot make everyone like you and you certainly cannot control what other people think about you. This works both ways-people can LOVE you and you can have a great reputation-but if your work is lacking your work is still lacking.

3.) Your work matters; what you call yourself doesn’t (much). Yeah, its important to be able to describe what you do for people in a way that is coherent and makes sense. However, what really matters is the actual work you are doing and not what you call yourself. If calling yourself a tarot reader feels to charged for whatever reason try on something else that can fit more nicely-like “intuitive counselor” or “spiritual reader”. (See question #3 below for more on this…)

 

Not sure even after mulling over those little jewels if its the right time to come out of the (broom, tarot, energy healing, crystal, magical) closet? Ask yourself these three questions:

 

1.) Am I ready to be seen? (Compliments of my compadre Fabeku Fatunmise) This is a pretty self-explanatory question but if say, you still work a rather buttoned up corporate job and you do your angel readings on the side you may not want to change your facebook profile to “angel reader” just yet…ask yourself seriously, are you ready to be seen? Is it time?

 

2.) Do I have a supportive community in place? So your mom may not know you love divination-but what about your BFF, your tarot teacher, or your fellow seekers? Do they know? You most likely have a handful of people around you that are already supporting you-call on them in times of doubt. If you do not have anyone who knows about your work then I advise that you start small-tell a few people you really trust who will get it and then build from there. Baby steps y’all.

 

3.) Am I using the right words? For Shakespeare a rose by any other name was still a rose-but he was SHAKESPEARE. You are not. Me either. Sometimes fear around reputation has much more to do with what we are calling ourselves rather than what we are putting out there. If the words are not matching the work then play with them until they do (or hire a kick ass copywriter) so that you describe yourself in a way that makes you feel proud+potent.

 

And…remember what Mr. Lincoln had to say about reputation:

Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

 

At the end of the day its about you, the REAL you. That’s what people want to see anyway-so let your light shine! The ones who love you, who are really there for you, are ALREADY cheering you on.

Prayers and Poems Sunday: Psalm 19

May 19, 2013 by Miss Bri
Posted in prayers and poems, Spirituality, Things that are true

Young stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), one of the closest galaxies to our Milky Way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

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Image: Young stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), one of the closest galaxies to our Milky Way.  provided by NASA

Prayers and Poems Sunday: As Kingfishers Catch Fire

May 12, 2013 by Miss Bri
Posted in prayers and poems, Spirituality, Things that are true

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As king fishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame;
As tumbled over rim in roundy wells
Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell’s
Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name;
Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:
Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;
Selves — goes itself; myself it speaks and spells,
Crying What I do is me: for that I came.

I say more: the just man justices;
Keeps grace: that keeps all his goings graces;
Acts in God’s eye what in God’s eye he is –
Christ. For Christ plays in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men’s faces.

Gerard Manley Hopkins

 

(one of my favorite poems & poets ever)

News & Reviews: The Bravery to Bare it All

May 11, 2013 by Miss Bri
Posted in Money Come, Money Grow, News & Reviews, Saturday Review, Things that are true

Think Like a Stripper

Did you guys know its teacher appreciation week? It is, it is! (The things you become aware of when your little one starts “school”…) I know that all of my readers have teachers that they love, adore, and cherish and it’s a very good idea to give them some extra love this week. In that spirit, today I am going to focus on one teacher that came into my life a couple of years ago and has completely helped me revamp my approach to business, making money, and being of service-Ms. Erika Lyremark, fondly known to her students as “The Whip” or in some cases “The Whipstress”.

 

I could go on for pages about Erika’s awesomeness but I thought that the best way to (re)introduce my readers to her work is by talking about the book that she just published: Think Like a Stripper…. You can buy it right here. In her full life Erika has had many adventures and some of her best took place in the years she worked as a stripper-in fact, it was at the pole and on the dance floor that Erika discovered her intuitive knack for business and along the way uncovered a treasure trove of tricks that speak to ALL types of business-from the buttoned up to the bare-assed.

 

Think Like a Stripper reads FAST-its hilarious and full of actionable tips that really will get you thinking more clearly about your business-whatever that may be. I read the book in an hour and I have a two year old! One of the things about the book that I loved the best is that it cuts through a bunch of touchy-feely crap and gets right down to the brass tacks of making money-because…no money=no business. I love this about Erika. She is a thoughtful, smart, savvy woman and she is not afraid to talk about the cold, hard cash.

As a veteran of many different “improve your biz” type programs and having held conversations with my fairshare of business coaches I can say that Erika’s upfront deal-making and cash craving is SO refreshing. I honestly do not know any solo-preneur and very few entrepreneurs that are greedy and only out for them selves, but I know a TON of people who get so caught up in a tangled mess of feelings about money that they do everything in the power to avoid the issue altogether. Erika cuts (or lashes her whip) straight through that. Her goal is to have more women happy dancing in their stilletoes (or in my case bare feet) and she knows that the best way to make that happen is to build a solid foundation under your business.

 

So how do you build a solid foundation under your business? You realize that making money is not about what bikini you wear (say what? Read the book.) and it may involve a Texas Tease or two (again, read the book.) Creating the business of your dreams that gives to you and allows you to give back is all predicated on you finding crystal clarity on your Red Carpet Dream-this is the WHY behind your WHAT-and its one of the most important business revelations you can have.

 

I know that my business is as successful as it is today (2013 was our highest grossing year yet-BOOM!) in part because of Erika’s support and smart teachings. While Think Like a Stripper is ideal for anyone who is running their own business its also a really good book for everyone-whether you are working for a big company or scraping by at the filling station this gem will get you thinking about your work and earning power in a whole new light.

 

My favorite part of the book though deals with the overall theme of getting naked for money.

Because if you own/run/live and breathe a business then you are getting naked for money. You are baring your heart and soul each and everyday and that takes incredible ovarios and bravery. I see this in Erika-she is 1000% devoted to her craft, her students, and her message-THAT is inspiring.

 Athena Pallas by Gustave Klimt

One of my dearest long-time mentors is a beautiful belly dancer (do you see a theme here)? One time we were talking about artistry and business and she said it was like the above painting of Athena by Klimt-on the one hand you wear your full body of armor (and if its shiny and fabulous looking that can only help), but then, you also hold yourself forward perfectly and completely naked (like the little Athena standing in the palm of the Goddess’ hand. This is the central message in Think Like a Stripper-and its one that will benefit you each and every time.

 

 

 

 

How to bring Divination & Ritual together forever

May 8, 2013 by Miss Bri
Posted in Divination, Sacred How-To, Spirituality, tarot, Things that are true

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There are some things that are just mean to go together: peas and carrots, peanut butter and jelly, ketchup and fries and…divination and ritual.

 

Most people know what divination is-and a growing number of individuals are using tools like tarot cards on a regular basis to gain insight and clarity and where they are now and where they are likely to head in the future.

 

This makes me so happy. I believe that divination tools like tarot cards assist us in tapping into the well of our own inner knowing-a well that goes back to ancient times when divinatory arts were considered sacred and powerful because intuition was recognized as a force that could improve our lives, lead us to better decisions, and ultimately increase our chances for happiness.

 

And yet…if you do play with a divination tool like tarot cards, have you ever found yourself in this situation: you pull some cards for yourself or a friend and the cards you receive indicate that the situation may be blocked or delayed or that the dreams and goals in question may be unlikely to manifest at this point in time?

 

At this point in a reading the question is always the same: what can I do? A skilled reader may be able to point out a few practical tweaks or modifications for you but the cards are what they are. Perhaps its time to throw up your hands-let go and let God OR perhaps its time to get familiar with divination’s twin sister-ritual.

 

Ritual, especially magical rituals have a dubious reputation at best. On one end of the spectrum are our ancient memories which recognize on some level the vitality of performing a ritual act-as a way to change one’s immediate circumstances, as a way to empower oneself, as a way to connect to the Divine, and to honor specific seasons, events, and beings local to where we live, love, and work. On the other hand, magic ritual is all too easily dismissed as a fringe element or even a Satanic practice.

 

We should pay heed to our ancient memories-ritual acts can be simple, straightforward and incredibly powerful reminder of the cosmos and our place in it as well as the divine purpose that Spirit has laid out for us. I like thinking of ritual as a specific act, performed with a set intention, that seeks to attract the attention of Spirit and say “hello, I’m here and trying to nail it-please help!” And ritual and divination have always gone hand in hand.

 

It only makes sense when you think about it-there are many, many ritual forms in every specific cultural and linguistic tradition. There are different forms because rituals address different areas of life-there are ritual acts to bring back a lover, to bless a child, to increase one’s personal wealth, to make a person magnetic, to honor the land, to devote oneself to a spiritual path and on and on. Divination is an art form that for ages was used primarily as a diagnostic tool and part of what a good diviner was able to diagnose was what specific ritual would be appropriate for a given situation.

 

This entire system is predicated on the belief that every one of us has a unique and coherent being-ness and that our beings, while they do have much in common, also greatly partake of nuance and particularity. For instance, two women who come to me suffering from heartbreak are quite unlikely to walk away with the same ritual recommendations because they are two different people, dealing with two very different situations that in turn involve equally different individuals-see what I mean about nuance?

 

This is where the worker who is familiar with both divination and ritual can come in handy-a reader who is also a proficient magical worker can use her tools (whatever they may be) to “diagnose” your specific situation and, if she knows how to work her system correctly, it will give her the information she needs to recommend specific ritual acts to bless, honor, and move things along.

 

Within the world of Sacred Arts divination is one entire branch of study and ritual magic is another-but perhaps because I have seen the benefits personally of bringing these two powerful modes together I advocate for their integration. Its my passion to teach ritualists more about divination and readers more about magical ritual. There are courses you can take (hint, hint, I’m offering one this summer!) But you can also start the practice of integrating ritual with divination at any time.

 

Try this:

Pick an area of your life where you are feeling stuck and pull a tarot card on it. Before you pull a card ask yourself or Spirit “what can I do about this situation?”then pull the card.

Now, study the card, pay attention to the colors, images, and symbols of the card. What do they immediately bring to mind? Are the colors cool and calming or warm and active? Do they bring to mind a specific element like earth, air, fire, or water?

If you are having a hard time write about the card for 10 minutes (set a timer and do not go over this amount of time). Study what you have written. Do you see a pattern emerging? Words, ideas, or an image that you keep circling back to?

Now, create a ritual based off of this card…it could be as simple as lighting a candle or more complicated like taking a spiritual bath. Maybe you walk away feeling that you need a charged talisman or charm bag-build up a ritual for yourself based on the card.

Once you have the ritual in mind procure the items you will need and pick a special day-here is a calendar of notable days this year-and then perform your ritual act.

Note how you feel before, during, and after the ritual. Pay special attention to what you are hoping the ritual will help augment or change and note if and when those changes occur.

From these few simple steps you are well on your way to creating a life full of magic and possibility!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayers and Poems Sunday: Twyla Tharp on Ritual

May 5, 2013 by Miss Bri
Posted in prayers and poems, Spirituality, Things that are true

Jasper's feet-part of a series of photos I have taken as one of my afternoon rituals

“A ritual, the Oxford English Dictionary tells me, is ‘a prescribed order of performing religious or other devotional service.’ All that applies to my morning ritual. Thinking of it as a ritual has a transforming affect on the activity.

“It’s vital to establish some rituals — automatic but decisive patterns of behavior — at the beginning of the creative process, when you are most at peril of turning back, chickening out, giving up, or going the wrong way.

“Turning something into a ritual eliminates the question, Why am I doing this? By the time I give the taxi driver directions, it’s too late to wonder why I’m going to the gym and not snoozing under the warm covers of my bed. The cab is moving. I’m committed.” –From Twyla Tharp’s The Creative Habit

 

Many Branches: Creating a Radiant Life with Heidi

May 1, 2013 by Miss Bri
Posted in Many Branches, Spirituality, Things that are true

Heidi Rose Robbins made the stars come alive for me. I have always been interested in astrology but got easily bored with the point of view that only considers astrology useful in so far as it can predict events-Heidi Rose changed that. She taught me how much more astrology could be-how the stars have formed a unique map to the highest and grandest expressions of who we are and what we might accomplish in this sweet world. Her use of poetry and story in talking about her work and art consistently uplift and inspire, and her knowledge is deep-drink it up!

 

In her own words:  Heidi Rose Robbins has been a professional astrologer for over 15 years. In fact, she grew up learning the zodiac with her alphabet. She has a practical, sensitive (and inspiring) approach to astrology and has a thriving world-wide practice. She also offers powerful, transformative Radiant Life Retreats for women twice a year in Ojai, California. She is also the founder and driving force behind the Hello Love Experiment, a world-wide effort to encourage people to meet the world and one another, first and foremost, with love. It is her passion and commitment to speak of the depth of who we are and to grow  into the next outrageous blossoming of our true selves. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two children.

 

Connect with Heidi

Twitter

Facebook

Youtube

 

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 1.) Your home on the web is Heidi Rose Robbins-Astrology for a Radiant Life-tell us about your business-the vision and the mission!

 

Astrology for a Radiant Life is dedicated to a fuller expression of our deepest Soul purpose and our heart’s unfolding. In my one-on-one practice, I love to help people identify their greatest gifts and encourage the fullest offering of those gifts. We address obstacles along the way, shed a few tears, laugh at our stubbornness and generally move towards our next concrete step in living more radiant lives.

 

 

 

2.) You have so many wonderful offerings for your clients-one of the things you do that I really love are the Radiant Life retreats. So what does going on retreat with astrology look and feel like and where did the idea to work with clients in this way come from?

 

I’ve always loved the idea of EMBODIMENT– not just talking or thinking about something– but really living it. My education is in the expressive arts and my father is an astrologer. So, in a way, it was a no-brainer for these two worlds to intersect. But what happens when they do? I needed a way for people to come together and really investigate ON THEIR FEET what it means, for example, to be a Leo with Scorpio rising. How does that feel? What is possible with that combination?

 

 

Also, I’ve always loved poetry and sharing it aloud. I think of it as a heightened language that can pierce our hearts when the language of the day to day cannot reach. I love feeling how a poem lands in a group and opens up the space for deeper truth telling.

 

 

The retreats came out of a desire to teach in an experiential way and to feel the goodness and healing that can emerge when we gather with an intention of living our most radiant life as a gift for others.

 

 

 

3.) One of the quotes on your site is…”I love the territory where the most VAST meets the most concrete.” I LOVE this and am nodding my head, yes! yes! Can you talk a little about how this territory informs your work and how astrology can help us explore that territory?

 

Well this is the juicy stuff. How does the vastness of our heart meet the morning rush getting the kids ready for school? How does our soul purpose meeting the daily grind? How do the most heightened experiences of our lives breathe into our day to day tasks and imbue them with light and love? I love to LIVE in these questions.

 

 

I love to practice feeling my own closure, my own self-imposed confinement and then remembering the BILLIONS of others on the planet who are each wrestling their way into the light. Every time I feel sad or heavy or creaky or cranky, I try to take one breath into something much larger than myself. I try to remember the love of the sky or the breath of a valley.

 

 

One of the reasons I love poetry so much is I think it is a VAST language and yet can touch us at the most immediate level.

 

 

4.) The feeling I get from much of your work is that you fuse your astrology skills with self improvement, development, and empowerment. Can you talk about how astrology helps us with these goals?

 

Astrology is a tool to help us see who we truly are. It gives us a glimpse of a QUALITY that we can embody that could be a gift for all. I like to think of myself as an 80 year old woman and I like to imagine a young person coming to sit with me in silence for a time. And I like to imagine the GIFT that I might embody to such an extent that that young person couldn’t help but leave imbued with that quality.

 

 

Astrology is deeply inspiring because it reminds us of who we can become. It is a LANGUAGE of becoming.

 

 

5.) If you could give one piece of wisdom to my readers today, what would it be?

 

Just for one moment today…

 

Let your heart be drawn to something or someone beautiful. Breathe in that beauty. Just for one minute. Breathe in that beauty.

 

And then too…just for one moment today,

 

Bless someone. Let your whole heart usher forth goodness and inspiration for another. Send a stream of silent blessing.

 

Life begins to vibrate with a kind of sweetness and peace when we manage to do those two things daily.

 

Big love to you all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayers and Poems-The Merry Month of May by Thomas Dekker

April 28, 2013 by Miss Bri
Posted in prayers and poems, Spirituality, Things that are true

In honor of May Day and Beltane

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O, the month of May, the merry month of May,

So frolic, so gay, and so green, so green, so green!

O, and then did I unto my true love say,

Sweet Peg, thou shalt be my Summer’s Queen.

 

Now the nightingale, the pretty nightingale,

The sweetest singer in all the forest quire,

Entreats thee, sweet Peggy, to hear thy true love’s tale:

Lo, yonder she sitteth, her breast against a brier.

 

But O, I spy the cuckoo, the cuckoo, the cuckoo;

See where she sitteth; come away, my joy:

Come away, I prithee, I do not like the cuckoo

Should sing where my Peggy and I kiss and toy.

 

O, the month of May, the merry month of May,

So frolic, so gay, and so green, so green, so green;

And then did I unto my true love say,

Sweet Peg, thou shalt be my Summer’s Queen.

 

Psst! Make sure you are signed up for my newsletter because I will be sending out a fun article on May Day traditions and a coupon!

 

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A binding and bind breaking charm from the Child Ballads

April 25, 2013 by Miss Bri
Posted in Spirituality, Things that are true

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Often when I first talk to people they don’t know about magic at all or they think that is something foreign and exotic-not something you can find in the good old USA. I never tire of talking about the African American and Native American influences on our own homegrown magical traditions, but there is another strong streak running through American magic-it comes to us from the Appalachian mountains by way of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Just as the material compiled by Harry Hyatt details the folk traditions of the Deep South, the Child Ballads collect wonderful story songs that are full of weird and wonderous fairy stories and magical charms.

Ever since hearing about Anais Mitchelle’s new album on Terri Windling’s fantastic mythic arts blog Myth and Moor I have been obsessed with the Child Ballads. These were compiled in the late 1800’s by Francis James Child and are a collection of ballads mostly from England and Scotland that were carried to American by the immigrants that settled in Appalachia.
One of my favorite ballads is Willie’s Lady, Child Ballad #6-the lyrics are as follows:

 

King Willie he sailed over the raging foam

He’s wooed a wife and he’s brought her home

He’s brought her home all against his mother’s will

His mother wrought her a wicked spell

And a wicked spell she’s laid on her

She’d be with child for long and many’s the year

But the child she would never bear

And in her bower she lies in pain

King Willie by her bedside he does stand

As down his cheeks salten tears do run

King Willie back to his mother he did run

And he’s gone there as a begging son

Says, “My true love has this fine noble steed

The likes of which you have never seen”

“And at every part of this horse’s mane

There’s hanging fifty silver bells and ten

Hanging fifty bells and ten”

“This goodly gift shall be your own

If back to my own true love you’ll turn again

So she might bear her baby son”Oh, of the child she’ll never lighter be

And of my curse she will ne’er be free

But she will die and she will turn to clay

And you will wed with another maid”

And sighing says this weary man

As back to his own true love he’s gone again

“I wish my life was at an end”

King Willie back to his mother he did run

And he’s gone there as a begging son

Says, “My true love has this fine golden girdle

Set with jewels all about the middle”

“And at every part of this girdle’s hem

There’s hanging fifty silver bells and ten

Hanging fifty bells and ten”

“This goodly gift shall be your own

If back to my own true love you’ll turn again

So she might bear her baby son”

“Oh, of the child she’ll never lighter be

And of my curse she will ne’er be free

But she will die and she will turn to clay

And you will wed with another maid”

And sighing says this weary man

As back to his own true love he’s gone again

“I wish my life was at an end”

Then up and spoke his noble queen

And she has told King Willie of a plan

How she might bear her baby son

Says,“You must go get you down to the marketplace

And you must buy a ball of wax

And you must shape it as a babe that is to nurse

And you must make two eyes of glass”

“Ask your mother to the christening day

And you must stand there close as you can be

So you might hear what she does say”

King Willie he’s gone down to the marketplace

And he has bought a ball of wax

And he has shaped it as a babe that is to nurse

And he has made two eyes of glass

He asked his mother to the christening daynd he has stood there close as he could be

So he might hear what she did say

And how she spat and how she swore

She spied the babe where no babe could be before

She spied the babe where none could be before

Says, “Who was it who undid the nine witch knots

Braided in amongst this lady’s locks?

And who was it who the leather shoe untied

From the left foot of his wedded bride?”

“And who was it split the silken thread

The spider stretched all beneath this lady’s bed?

The spider stretched all beneath her bed”

And it was Willie who undid the nine witch knots

Braided in amongst his lady’s locks

And it was Willie who the leather shoe untied

From the left foot of his wedded bride

And it was Willie split the silken thread

The spider stretched all beneath his lady’s bed

The spider stretched all beneath her bed

And she has born him a baby son

And great are the blessings that be them upon

This issue is one that I get a lot of questions about today-the relationship between a mother and daughter in law. Fairytales are rife with tales of daughters in law being cursed by their husband’s mothers (note to self: do not be a creepy mother in law).

The ballad details how to bind up a woman’s womb-with 9 witchknots in her hair, by keeping her left shoe bound upon her foot (a classic nod to the power of the foot and the left side of the body of course being associated with women and women’s mysteries), tying a thread beneath the daughter’s bed, and in another version of the ballad there is also the herb woodbine (or woodbind) hanging between Willie’s bed chamber and that of his wife.

Of course the remedy to such a cruel working is to create a child of wax (a poppet) where no child should be, and then to undo all the knots that have been tied.

Interestingly, this particular ballad most likely is not English or Scottish in origin, it is most likely Scandinavian.

Working Between the Worlds: Under the Hood

April 10, 2013 by Miss Bri
Posted in Money Come, Money Grow, Things that are true, Working Between the Worlds

I am so excited about my newest offering for those of you working in the Sacred Arts-Working Between the Worlds one on one sessions. Working Between the Worlds is a program I developed because quite frankly I was sick and tired of seeing amazing people and services go under because the money wasn’t there. I feel passionately that our world needs all the metaphysical and spiritual gifts we all have to offer-and I know that centuries of feeling like we have to remain in the shadows has done its work on all of us. Too many talented artists, readers, ritualists, energy workers, and spirit workers are hiding their lights or feel grateful for making enough money from their gifts to barely pay rent. I say enough of this nonsense. Spiritual work should be sustainable and create bounty in your life-these are the conditions that allow us to be of greatest service. This new blog series will feature one post a month that goes through some of the tips and tricks I have used successfully to turn my own business into a solid six figure sacred arts enterprise.

 

Probably the question I get asked most about business is how I balance it all-how do I write and publish articles, serve clients, make spiritual products and charms, participate in interviews, keep up the blog, keep up the website, and take care of a two year old without breaking a sweat?

 

Well, first off I can say that I have definitely broken more than one sweat in my workday! Secondly, the first year I worked CRAZY hours, now I work less, have deep relationships with my clients, and enjoy every moment of this wild ride. So here is a look under the Milagro Roots hood-these are people and services who have proved invaluable for me-many of them are free or have free trials-and they can dramatically change your business.

On the Web 

Hootesuite-I loooove Hootesuite because it makes social networking and social marketing way easier. They have a free trial-imagine, your FB, Twitter, Tumblr, and G+ profiles all in one place?  Beautiful!

Aweber­-I have tried all the various email marketing services and I love Aweber best of all. Yes, there is a monthly fee but its worth it.

Audio Acrobat-This is an awesome service for recording phone calls, meditations, and anything that you want to be able to send to your clients and have them easily download. I love recording my intuitive readings because it gives both myself and the client something to refer back to. They offer a one month FREE trial.

Instant Teleseminar-I have used this service for the Milagro Roots phone fests and I am super happy with their customer service and products-you can try it for a month for ONE dollar!

Bitly-awesome for making links short and beautifully organized. FREE

Dropbox- Drop box is FREE and it’s a perfect way to back up files-can we say Mercury in Retrograde?-and to share files with clients.

Trello-is a fantastic tool that I use to organize ritual tasks, store photos, and keep my projects all lined up-its FREE!

Dispatch-another great organizational tool that my team uses so that we all know what we are working on, what we have accomplished, and what remains to be done-clean and pretty and FREE!

 

People who rock:

Alex Franzen-copywriter and book author extraordinaire, Alexandra can do wonders with your copy and her scripts are inexpensive and can help you write anything-from your coming out letter, to your manifestor, to drool worthy product copy. I have, ahem, contributed to her 100 Ways to Play with Yourself booklet.

Erika Lyremark-kick ass stripper turned business coach. She dishes out FREE whippings and you want to get in on them because Erika is full of creativity, clarity, and no bull. Check her stuff out at her Morning Whip headquarters.

Theresa Reed-Theresa is my partner in crime for our monthly Talking Shop Tele-Rap series and her Mystical Moguls program is a wonderful and inexpensive way to dip your toe into the waters of biz advice specifically geared to metaphysical moguls (hint: that’s you!)

Youngblood Sourcery-Cassie and Hillary keep my site beautiful and my copy fresh-love these girls!

Sunflower Virtual Solutions-Monica is my right hand virtual assistant and she is awesome pure and simple.

Rebecca Pollock-for all of you who LOVE my labels-Rebecca is the creative genius behind them. She specializes in delicious graphics that are delivered on time.

If you start using a couple of these products and/or working with a few of these folks your way of thinking about and doing your business will change and you will be oh so happy about it.

Till next month!