<![CDATA[Pagan Lesson Plans - Sharing My Journey]]>Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:24:37 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[I know what 11:11 means but what about 4:44 or 1:23?]]>Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:03:13 -0800http://www.paganlessonplans.com/4/post/2011/08/i-know-what-1111-means-but-what-about-444-or-123.htmlWe hear and see all the time it seems notes about 11, or 11/11.  Meaning to be on track, a higher plane, a spiritual connection, on the right path etc. 

BUT often what happens is a person nods and says "yeah but I see ___ and what does that mean?" and they are left feeling like the answer is - well NOT 11:11.

So how about some help with that, help you can take and use today. 

When you see a sequence of #'s think of it like this - it is the time and place you are in right now.  You still have your foot in the first #, but you are also making progress forward through the next lessons or steps in the journey.  So you might see 123, or 456 often you are still working some in the space of the lowest # but you are working with in the range and up to the third. 

Make sense so far?  

Now the same is true in reverse, so if you see 765, or 876, that actually shows you where you are going back to a mind set, or part of the issue.  This does not mean back-sliding or falling instead it more often is a clue to go back and resolve the part you missed so you can move forward.  

Now what about seeing 111 or 2222 and such?  Well here is a quick line for each of those sets of numbers so you will have a good base to work from. 
  • 1's mean that something is in a new stage, just beginning.
  • 2's mean that you just got started, so slow down, sit tight, there is work to do. 
  • 3's mean you are in a more social time, you need to get out more, be with others it is encouraging you to think more about group partnerships.
  • 4's are reminding you that the 4 corners are in place, and the space is now fertile, ready to grow. 
  • 5's mean that change is a coming, life is in motion and remember this is not good or bad, it just is .. how you deal with it makes it. 
  • 6's this is telling you it is time for some adjustments in your thinking, your actions and choices. 
  • 7's these remind you that you need to take more time for inner journey work, listen to your inner voice, take some alone time. 
  • 8's mean that you are in for abundance, look for positives in time, money gain, growth. 
  • 9's tell you you are almost done, near the end, a situation is nearly over and the next part will be opening soon. 

Now you can see easily too, what I mean about the "being in the range" so perhaps you have on your mind a new relationship.  Is this the one, could it be, please let it be?!   Most of us have been there at some point, right? And you keep seeing 678

You see it on a license plate, you see it in the store address, you see it on your receipt from the coffee shop - the pattern shows again and again. 

You are being told hey adjust your thinking and your actions, spend some time alone and on YOU and the outcome will be positive. 


]]><![CDATA[Why change the site now? ]]>Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:24:22 -0800http://www.paganlessonplans.com/4/post/2011/08/why-change-the-site-now.htmlI have to laugh, because this is a question I have heard this week. It is generally with a   "GASP" and the added part of "with Mercury in retrograde" and the look and tone of - you DO know this?! 

giggles 

Well that is the nice thing, you don't have to stop doing communications and electronics, you just need to plan accordingly.  Honestly it has all gone pretty smoothly.  Yes there have been some challenging moments, but this is not my first rodeo; there are always challenges when you are changing a site.  And honestly I am doing two at one time, this one and the sister site. 

Also I wanted to get fully FTC compliant as quickly as I learned I was not in some places.  

But I am also big on not putting off life, I really do live a Pagan Life everyday.  So there is never going to be a down time to work on sharing the details of it - because I am using my life.  

I have had some good feedback from folks, saying they really like the new look and new information.  If you have not yet shared your thoughts - please do!!

(http://CMP.LY/0/GoZ1zL)

]]><![CDATA[So the website is changing .. ]]>Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:46:59 -0800http://www.paganlessonplans.com/4/post/2011/08/so-the-website-is-changing.htmlKinda hard to miss isn't it :) And not just from the under-construction note above. 

Here is the goal, I am consolidating many aspects of what I teach and do, into one place.  Partially for me, because I won't feel spread so thin.  But also for you to be able to have a better access to information and tools.  After all we are all busy people and who has time to search high and low for the basics?  I don't and I know you don't either.  

Also I am on a new part of my path, where I am looking to expand into homesteading and getting more off the grid.  I plan to include my adult children in the process and my grand-kids - and guess what you are invited along.  

In embracing the pagan path, there is a reminder of the old ways and traditions and celebrating them.  As a family we have always done that - but we skipped a generation in the independent farm living.  It is my goal to get back to what my grandparents had, and what we had when I was a young girl.  

I am inviting you to watch that transition, from urban to urban farming to farm.  

I am sure there is going to be some adventure, sweat (maybe even some tears) and laughs along the way!  

                                                                                             (http://CMP.LY/0/GoZ1zL ) ]]><![CDATA[ The difference between YOU, THEM and actual TOOLS]]>Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:09:42 -0800http://www.paganlessonplans.com/4/post/2011/07/-the-difference-between-you-them-and-actual-tools.htmlThis is a huge pet-peeve of mine but the truth is it is also a very dangerous and destructive piece of the Pagan lifestyle.  

What you see all too often in forums, and social media outlets is the “help” that folks offer.  The problem is they are not actually skilled at helping.  So let me lay out what that looks like, because I know you have seen it and will recognise it.

There are 3 ways to “help” that we are going to look at today.

  1. The first is looking at what is happening with the person, the actual issue.  Not the 10 second drive by of information.
  2. The second is just assuming you know and projecting your own issues onto their situation.
  3. The third is offering a tool or further help.


So how does this lay out?  You see a post that says something like:

I am really having a hard day today.

The person who wants to help - but is clueless has probably been to a tele-seminar, read a book or an article and has had hard days that they think are harder than most other peoples hard days.  They apply option #2 (FYI this is the person who is doing it all wrong, and would do best to not even “help”)  They reply with something like:
  • Well remember to be in the flow.
  • Like attracts like, what did you do to bring this hard day on?
  • Don’t resist, work with what is, because it is all about you.
Now if they had instead applied actual skills, tools or critical thinking or even compassion - they would have instead started with option #1 and found out WHY that person is having a hard day OR just wished them well on their path and moved on.  

The person may be having a hard day because they are:
  • a rape survivor and court is that day
  • they may have just had their pet dog of 13 years die
  • the person may have just gotten home from the doctor where they learned that they need to have heart surgery and they have no insurance
The list goes on and on and on.   

Now think for just a moment you tell the rape survivor well like attracts like, what did you do to bring this hard day on?

Wow you are not winning ANY award for helping - are you?

So when and where does #3 come in?  It comes in not in a drive by toss out a one liner or even six lines of your “great wisdom”.  It instead comes from a place of hey this is a resource that helped me, and might help you.  

Or would you like me to come with you?  or what are you struggling with that you want to change?  Not from assumptions of your own life.  

And it always comes after having actual knowledge of the person and what their need is - because it is about them and it is NOT about YOU.

While you may have been a person who grew up with no self-esteem and that was what YOU needed to change to have better days; another person might instead have excellent self esteem and instead need practical application of asking for medical assistance.  

There is a pretty big difference in helping, and having a tool box of resources to share - and just being a tool that no one really needs.          

                                      (http://CMP.LY/0/GoZ1zL )
]]><![CDATA[Body Language the lesson of your shoulders]]>Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:09:26 -0800http://www.paganlessonplans.com/4/post/2011/06/body-language-the-lesson-of-your-shoulders.htmlOften we want to learn how to be more in touch with our bodies, or some simple lessons to teach our kids how to learn to tune in.  This is a "simple-simon" set of lessons that you can use today and easily explain to others.  

First I want you to think about someone that you really do not like at all, a person that angers you fully.  Or of a situation that fills you with sincere negative energy and anger. 

Got it?  

Ok now take a deep breath, and just focus on your shoulders.  Where are they? and how do they feel? 

That is it, just that fast .. now take a deep breath and think about someone you love fully and completely.  Or think of a place you love and feel comfortable and happy in or even a pet that you adore.  

Now focus on your shoulders! Where are they? and how do they feel? 

Here is what you will notice.  When you are happier and relaxed, thinking about what you love your shoulders drop down, they relax and your posture changes.  Your neck "looks longer" because your shoulders are where they belong and not tightened up. 

When you are feeling anger, hatred, tension - your posture changes, your shoulders come up and tighten and often tend to lean or curve forward.  A natural protect you, lean in, be ready type of posture.  

Isn't this an easier way to follow the energy and your truth?  Instead of having to know all the details you can instead stop and say wait - this is making my body react in a negative way, I need to walk away or at the very least be aware. 

OR 

Ahhh this fits! 

Even a three year old can do this exercise.  

Now the next two steps are in observations. 

When you are feeling that shoulder, neck, stress and tension - you now have a tool to relax that space and help you shift to solutions.  No medication needed. 

In addition you can use this skill set to observe the body language of others - and can now shift conversations and events to help them.  
                                                                                             (http://CMP.LY/0/GoZ1zL )
]]><![CDATA[June is for marriage ...]]>Tue, 31 May 2011 12:56:31 -0800http://www.paganlessonplans.com/4/post/2011/05/june-is-for-marriage.htmlIt seems as if "since forever" June is the month for marriage.  It is the month that is known for success and luck in marriage and weddings.  

There are a couple of traditions that carry over from the past, of Pagan ways into even very traditional weddings today.  Those are the bride tossing the bouquet and the groom tossing her garter. 

The garter symbolizes with its circle the woman and the flowers are a phallic symbol.  Each signifying to the one who catches it that a man or a woman is coming to them soon.  
(http://CMP.LY/0/GoZ1zL )
]]><![CDATA[In the shower to cry...]]>Wed, 25 May 2011 12:35:12 -0800http://www.paganlessonplans.com/4/post/2011/05/in-the-shower-to-cry.htmlSometimes life can feel overwhelming, and more often than not during those times privacy is at a high price point.  The good news is that most often taking a shower is still an option!

One of the nice things about a shower is that it involves water, and water is connected with emotions.  A shower can be a wonderful place to release your emotions, and wash them down the drain.  

So a quick note before we continue, can you see why a tub soak is not the way to go with this situation?  Do you want to release all that emotion into the water and then stew in it? 

A shower can be a great place for an emotional release ritual.  Now be clear this is not about following specific steps exactly as the only way to have success.  That is silly, you don't need more pressure you need to let some off.  

Just knowing that the water, is associated with emotions, and that it can wash it out of your body and down the drain is often enough.  It can also let you have a quick moment of crying (limit yourself, this is not meant to be a 20 minute poor me sobbing event - but it could be depending on the issue and drain needed) this is instead a quick minute or three and then a soak in of calm and clear.  

It is not secret that even a quick shower will often change your perspective.  You can also add tips like imagining the water in a blue color that is bringing in clear communication or a cooling of temper.  An orange or yellow for some perking up or energy.  Green for healing.  

Last take away tip - you do not have to wait till you are overwhelmed or something huge is happening. 

(http://CMP.LY/0/GoZ1zL )
]]><![CDATA[The danger of comparisons ]]>Tue, 17 May 2011 11:49:31 -0800http://www.paganlessonplans.com/4/post/2011/05/the-danger-of-comparisons.htmlOne of the things that I see often are comparisons that dim a persons experience as "not that bad".  

I have no idea when the change started in thinking, but there actually was a time (and not that long ago) when folks compared a negative experience to the ideal.  Now more often than not, a negative experience is compared to other negatives. 

Let me give you an example.  A teen girl is grabbed, the man is a convicted sex offender, she fights him off and is able to get away.  With her description and the skin under her nails they are able to arrest the man.  She was not raped.  (this is a true and recent case) 

Then people say oh thank goodness she is ok, and she was not raped.  Oh thank god she does not have to live through the worry of STD's or having had sex with him. 

How about comparisons to the truth, of what actually was, and what actually did happen - instead of a comparison to what could have happened. 

I see this a lot with  "well my relationship is not "that bad" he never broke any of my bones, a lot of women have it way worse than me."  

Well she is not that sick, she can still sit up for a few hours each day. 

Well the new puppy is not that bad, he only pees on the living room carpet now, and we were going to have to replace that anyway. 

I think there is a huge difference in finding the silver lining in an issue, and drawing a darker cloud to look for the bright spots. 

Do yourself a favor, and those that you love - remember that it is ok to want and have it good -- you deserve way more than "not that bad". 
(http://CMP.LY/0/GoZ1zL )
]]><![CDATA[May and Me]]>Mon, 02 May 2011 13:10:13 -0800http://www.paganlessonplans.com/4/post/2011/05/may-and-me.html
This May is a significant turning point for me and I want to share a few of the private places of it. 

I am a member of a private organization that serves as a board for Pagan Activities.  Basically it is a membership only organization, that is by invitation only to work in the lines of integrity and leadership.  

In the past I was a board member and when I became very ill with cancer, I chose to step down.  An opening has come back up on the board, and I was asked to consider filling it and accepted.  Yesterday was my first day, and the membership announcement is tomorrow with the new moon.  

I am looking forward to the work and the challenge. 

This month also will be the 11th year anniversary, on the 16th; of my ordination as an inter-faith facilitator.  I always find the date a bit amusing and a bit annoying.  After all I live in a country of separation of church and state, yet to perform a marriage only some ordinations count. 

The funnier thing is that not all of those ordinations include the need of any education or knowledge of your faith.  At the same time, education, training and teaching in a faith is not always considered enough to equal "authority to perform a marriage". 

Anyway I have to admit the combination of the anniversary so near the new role, has really left me feeling like I am in a good place of balance.  A place to provide good assistance, leadership, and personal balance and comfort.

Being able to not sacrifice my own personal spiritual time, (which I have done in the past) while giving to others.  It just never works, we all know that but many of us have to learn that lesson a few times before we really learn it.  We give and give and give, until we have emptied our own vessel.  

I know that is one lesson I will be sharing with others, the reminder to honor self first.
(http://CMP.LY/0/GoZ1zL )  ]]><![CDATA[the sign of the cross? ]]>Thu, 21 Apr 2011 12:40:46 -0800http://www.paganlessonplans.com/4/post/2011/04/the-sign-of-the-cross.htmlIf you grew up Catholic (or still are) or have seen a movie or a tv show with a church scene; you probably are familiar with the motions of hand to forehead, to stomach/chest, to left shoulder to right shoulder.  In the name of the father .. 

Well I have another thought on that, that you may like to consider and even adapt to your own spiritual path.  

The motions are the same, the wording is different.  

I ask the energies of the universe from the north (forehead), to the south (stomach/chest), east (left shoulder) to the west (right shoulder) to guide and protect me.  

alternatively to bless me

Of course the "energies of the universe" can be adapted to your walk.. gods and goddesses, dragons of the north and south, the moon, the sun ... gaia etc.  Walk through it and see if it fits for you, if it feels right. 

And if you want to continue after you do the west then back to center to guide my soul/spirit, my words (hand to mouth) and my thoughts (hand to forehead). 

There are many ways to find some peace, and guidance and to focus your inner with your outer! 

(http://CMP.LY/0/GoZ1zL )
]]>