Anniversary Part 3: Love Heals

This post is pretty late, as our anniversary was over a month ago, but here it is!

The last part of our anniversary was at our favorite beach in Solana. I love that little coastal town. I did not wear the right shoes, but it was so worth it to run around on the sand and take in the salty air. It was the first time I had the urge to really beach comb and I collected so many rocks! There was so many round smooth stones, I felt like a little kid on Christmas morning! I am excited to paint them :)

Jimmy even got to play some b-ball with our makeshift hoop! Haha! We actually played two boys a legitimate two-on-two game as we were leaving. It kicked my butt, but it was fun. The boys ended up winning because I am not a very good player :)

I have to say being with this man for two years has healed me in so many ways. I was resistant at first, and I would do my destructive, cold behaviors to push him away as I have done in the past. But his patience and support and love has softened me; I want to be better for me, him, us. We have our differences and issues like any other couple, but the thread that connects us is full with deep love, respect, and gratitude. He encourages me to be me. As I am always with my head in the clouds, his earthy grounding energy brings me back to center. Thank you, Jimmy. I love you.

I think the bench says it all :)

Love and Blessings,

Marissa Moondaughter

Cup of Tea: Ayurvedic Tea Consultation

I am so excited to share this Cup of tea with you all. And it was blended just for me. Isn't it beautiful? And not too mention delicious. 

Lindsay Luna, Goddess at Whole Body Alchemy offers Ayurvedic Tea Consultations. It encompasses your concerns about your health and well-being, an in-depth look into your own Doshic constitution, and a custom hand-blended tea made by Lindsay herself.

I can get lost in Lindsay's beautiful site and her insight into Ayurveda. I have always been fascinated by the ancient science of Ayurveda and know I am Vata/Pitta, but I have never known where to go from there. Okay, so now what? And then I would forget about it.

In Lindsay's consultation she gave me a comprehensive survey to find out my exact Doshic ratio ( I love quizzes! ), and a break down of simple, affordable, and practical ways I can keep myself balanced. That is huge for me - I get easily overwhelmed (most likely my Vata!) and keeping things simple, yet efficient, keeps me sane.

I have started to incorporate some of her advice and I can already feel a difference in my body, mind, and soul. She gave me a key word to work with and it is so dead on in so many ways. She reaffirmed why I would be feeling the way I do and suggested ways to bring back my harmony and energy. THANK YOU Lindsay! I needed this on so many levels.

And the TEA! She told me all the ingredients and why she put them in, and when the package arrived it took my breath away!

So above is is my own custom blend of tea she created just for me, dealing with my own Vata/Pitta issues. I feel so loved and special. When I drank and sat in ritual with it, it was Divine. Mellow, soothing, fresh and sweet, I felt so centered afterward.

I HIGHLY recommend her tea consultation, and it is so affordable. Everyone should have this for themselves and experience Lindsay's wisdom and craft. She takes her time with you and I feel the love within my cup. So much healing and gratitude. I will definitely be getting a refill!! I am off to pour another cup...

Namaste, 

Marissa Moondaughter

Full Moon: Forgiveness Ceremony

Happy Full Moon, loves.

Forgiveness has been on my mind lately. I need to forgive and let go. Softening and peace need to reside in this new nest I am building. So I created this ritual to allow this to occur. Enjoy.

Forgiveness ritual with White Buffalo Calf Woman

Needed:

(all optional, use your intuition, the tools/gems you have and keep your intention true to you)

~White candle for peace

~Sage for cleansing

~White Buffalo Calf Woman symbol:

I used a print of a white buffalo, along with a goddess talisman made of water buffalo bone, a simple white feather would do.

~gems to create a crystal grid or symbolize the elements:

I used lepidolite for water, red jasper for earth, blue calcite for air, sunstone for fire.

For my grid I used A clear crystal point in the center, green calcite (heart chakra), watermelon calcite (tenderness), clear quartz arrowhead (action and courage), blue lace agate (self-love, compassion), and four clear quartz points (magnify and connect the energies). I used a Lemurian seed crystal point as my wand (direct and activate the energies). You can keep it simple by sticking to one or a couple of stones. Use your intuition to choose. 

Layout your altar 

(preferably under the moonlight, if not that's okay too)

Cleanse yourself with sage, light your candle, and prepare for ritual.

Sit down before your altar and close your eyes. Focus on your breath and heart chakra. What/who do you need to forgive?

Imagine the moonlight shimmering down towards you. The white, silvery light soaks into your crown chakra and down the rest. This light fills your aura and you glow outward. You are protected in this dome of moonlight.

Take your stones (or whatever you are using to represent the elements) and welcome each element into your ceremony:

"I welcome [earth, air, fire, water] into this sacred space. Thank you for your presence."

"I welcome you, White Buffalo Calf Woman, bringer of peace and compassion. I honor you and pray you you bless my path with peace and understanding."

To activate your crystal grid, take your wand and tap the center stone, next tap the top stone and bring the energy back to the center by tapping the center crystal again. Keep doing this all the way around making sure to always tap the center stone again. While tapping the crystals say aloud who and what you forgive. You can also use mantras or affirmations such as, "Peace," "Forgiveness," "As I forgive, I let go."  Even if you do not have a crystal grid, holding a stone or talisman in your hand while saying your mantras is perfectly fine too. Use what you have and use your intuition. Do this for as long as you feel called to. Let whatever emotions arise and stay focused on your intent.

Now that you activated your grid, close you eyes and imagine you are walking through a prairie. Feel the wind in your hair, the warmth of the sun on your skin. It is so peaceful and silent. You see a woman waiting for you in the distance and you go to meet her. She has beautiful dark long hair, and she is glowing. You meet White Buffalo Calf Woman for the first time. She leads you to a large, beautiful white buffalo. Take time now to communicate and bond with this Goddess and her buffalo. What do you ask, or talk about. How do you react with the buffalo? Stay with her for a while and know you don't need to be anywhere but here. When it is time to leave, thank her and her buffalo, does she leave you with anything? A message, a token? 

Slowly come back to your breath, and your body. Thank the elements and and the Goddess. Close your circle and ceremony.

If you had it laid out under the moonlight, gently transfer your altar to a place inside you can keep up until the next Full Moon. 

At the end of your ceremony, you can also draw a few tarot/oracle cards for yourself and intention. For me as I continue to forgive, I am rebirthing my soul and stepping into my healer role <3

May peace always be with you.

Love and Blessings,

Marissa Moondaughter

Cup of Tea: Forgiveness

Source

The Weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

~Ghandi

I have been silently contemplating what forgiveness means to me this February. And while eating out the other day, my psychic boyfriend pointed this quote out to me among the hundreds of other quotes on the wall. Psychic, I tell ya.

Love and Blessings,

Marissa Moondaughter

10 Day Fast in Moments

1// Nature walk.

2// Hello I'm Marissa and I am addicted to guacamole.

3// Homemade tea latte.

4// Happy mail day.

5// New Moon brewing.

6// Trying my creations.

7// Unleashing my inner-warrioress. aka working out.

8// Studying.

9// Museum date.

10// Label making!

Basically, I felt isolated and lonely during my fast, but it put things into perspective. Balancing the technology world and physical world we live in, especially us bloggers and online business owners, can be a challenge. I will not be adding FB back on my phone- so not necessary to me now, but I am happy to go back to the private groups I am in for support. And instagram! I will continue to add these moments into my days though. Balance is key. Overall, it was a very productive 10 days!

Happy Valentine's Day! Hope it is a lovely one. I'll be staying in tonight with my boys (Jimmy and little Theo). I am not one to emphasize today, but Valentine's is special to me because it was also our second date. I wasn't sure if he knew that and I definitely didn't want to mention it at the time. No pressure! He later told me he knew, and tried to get me some flowers but they were all sold out, haha. We went to a little whole in the wall Italian restaurant and then watched Amelie <3 So that's why Valentine's day is special to me :)

Love and Blessings,

Marissa Moondaughter

International Self-Love Day: Love Space of Laura Mazurek

>> In honor of International Self- Love Day <<

Hello Moondaughter readers!  I'm Laura from Roots and Feathers.  I'm excited to be here on Marissa's blog today sharing a little love nest I made in my home for the whole month of February in honor of Love.  I don't normally celebrate Valentine's Day really at all.  My husband and I don't exchange gifts or plan romantic dates.  It's always kind of seemed a bit silly to me.  But, I do love to honor Love itself.  And when Marissa asked me to share an altar of mine during February, I thought it would be wonderful to have a little space set up in our home for the whole month, in honor of this word.

The things I chose to place here in this space go beyond just the love between my husband and I, but also for self love.  As I was building it I realized just how healing it was.  I had just received these two prints from Erica Herbert, of the two beautiful naked woman.  The colors and playfulness of them bring me so much joy.  My own sexuality is something I need healing in, and these prints remind me of that.  I added specific stones for this as well.  Stepping into the age of such deep femininity, my journey here has began to get very real.  Setting these intentions I feel is opening up my being to the healing vibrations.

I also chose very calming elements, like my amethyst cluster, my donovan record, a lavendar peacock feather, and some lavender herbs. And the incense and sage.  These things bring me peace and a great sense of relaxation, which I think is a state needed for this healing process.  I included two rose petals in the lavender mix, representing my parents (who are both gone).  My journey of love and healing has so much to do with them and their loss.  I also added a medicine pouch my dear friend Lauren Luquin made me filled with healing intentions just for this.  It is such a sacred piece to me.  The beeswax candle is one made for feminine sexuality.

The little prayer flag is one I made for my shop, a little series of textile flags with words of intention.  I decided to keep it in this space until its ready for a new home.

Having this little space full of these things, in a place in my home I regularly walk by, has been a nice daily reminder.  I think Id love to create a new one each month, with a new intention.  My word for the year is Cultivate.  So maybe something Id like to Cultivate each month.

I hope everyone enjoys this International Self Love Day.  Id love to know if you plan on carving out a moment for yourself, and what you intend to do.  How do you celebrate your own sacred femininity through self love?  I think we can always learn from each other and help each other in these ways.  Thank you so much for sharing a moment in my space.

Peace,

Laura

Thank you so much Laura for sharing your beauty and sincerity. You are an inspiration <3

We teamed up together in honor of self-love today, so hop over to her blog and enter my love giveaway there <3

2013: Nest

As a part of the Apothecary Circle, and also in the creation of my own Lunar Calendar, I chose a word for 2013. I actually did not have a word for 2012 and I was definitely felt scattered all year long. I love how this word has already given me focus and clarity for the months ahead.

My word for 2013 is NEST.

For as long as I can remember, I have been so un-grounded. I grew up in a tense childhood so my sense of security was always in a state of stress and anxiety. I was always caught up in my imagination and the ether plane so I would not have to face reality. In school, I was quick minded and focused a lot of my time in the element of air, because my goal was to get to college, and that would set me free. I ended up creating unhealthy and neglectful habits for myself and they have been hard to crack. I am definitely at a wayyyyyyyy healthier and grounded place in my life now, but there is still so much growth to experience.

Nesting. I am definitely not ready to hatch little babies, so that's not what I mean. But I am ready to create a space in my life which I can call 'home'. I am not one to call anything 'home'. I never get homesick (I do miss family) but growing up in California, and living both in the northern and southern regions, nothing has ever connected with me; resonated with me enough where I want sink my bones. I have only felt this kind of feeling in Flagstaff and Sedona...sigh.

So nesting for me right now looks like creating space in my home and heart to invite in simplicity and coziness. Cups of tea. Kitty snuggles. Nourishing foods. Water, water, water. More reading less internet. Creating a self-love altar in honor of Aphrodite. Healing childhood wounds. Creating more healing tools to share with my tribe <3

Have a beautiful day loves. What is your word for 2013?

Love and Blessings,

Marissa Moondaughter

Reflecting and Big Plans for 2013

Hey dolls,

I know, I know. I feel like I am a stranger at my own blog now-a-days. I always forget how trying and hectic this season is for me when all I want to do is hibernate. Don't we all?

I missed my first Moon Days post too :( I had my last final that Monday too, but at least school is over for now and I can put more focus on to my blog. I am realizing that planning blog posts should be a priority for each month, so for 2013 that is my goal!

I have been reflecting on this year and what I want for next year. So many opportunities opened up for me and I am so grateful. I have met so many wonderful people, I created my first e-course, I have made more loving decisions, my little shop is budding, and I feel more on track with my soul purpose than ever.

For 2013 I keep hearing the words nest and self-care. I think that is what Spirit wants me to work on and focus in on the next coming months. I need to simplify my home space (and save for an actual place of our own) and take care of me consistently.

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I have plans for Moondaughter too :) I am so so so excited to share these when the time is right:

Goddess Workshops: I will be creating Goddess workshops for different Goddesses I have worked with and want to work with more. It will be aligned with the Moon phases and how to work with each Goddess according to the Moon phases; each lesson builds on one another and you will get the full e-book at the end. The lessons will automatically go to your email for 4 weeks at a time, so you can purchase these workshops anytime and use them for any Moon cycle you want! Goddesses I am including so far are:

• Venus/Aphrodite: Attracting love and Self-love Queen
• Baba Yaga; Crone and Shadow work
• Triple Goddess: working with the Maiden, Mother, and Crone
• Artemis: Goddess of Independence
• Brighid: Fiery Goddess of Empowerment
• Maeve: Warrior Goddess of women's cycles

Please let me know what other Goddesses you may like to work with! I am open to all suggestions! Comment or Email me at marissa(dot)moondaughter @ gmail(dot)com

Healing Sessions: I am becoming certified in Crystal Healing and my Reiki Master Level III very soon, so look out for Healing sessions that I will add to the shop this next year. I will offer Reiki only sessions, Crystal/Reiki sessions, and make custom healing kits, I will keep you updated!

And (Fingers Crossed!)...

2014 Lunar Calendar and Workbook: I really want to create this calendar for 2014. It will be based on the Lunar cycles, so it will not look like the normal calendar we typically use. It will include rituals, activities, journal prompts, and a lot more to work through your Lunar year. 

I also want to include more giveaways and guest posts, and a new feature or two... A LOT of plans and changes!! It should be an amazing Year!

I hope you all have an amazing holiday! I may still be pretty absent for a while. We will be on the road to Oklahoma for the holidays. We really like roadtrips. So I may not have access to a computer for a little bit. 

I love you all and I will see you very soon!

For now go check out my DIY on the Mama Earth Project:

Love and Blessings,

Marissa Moondaughter

Water

Oh water, how you haunt me.

My relationship with water is non-existent. I find her boring and want nothing to do with her. Well, my body disagrees to the fullest. And logically I can understand.

I am totally apprehensive about being apart of the Daughters of Earth created by Laura Emily. In a good way though. I am going to be slapped in the face with my inability to love water, and hopefully I will grow, huh? It is such a basic, essential, life-building element, I must honor her and welcome her in my life. Drinking 80 oz. for two weeks is just daunting to say the least.

So. We shall see how it goes. As LE has told me, my timer is going to be my new best friend.

Luckily my friend, Bohemian Kate, understands my pain. And has written a few water posts here and here. And these photos are hers. So. Gorgeous.

Laura Emily is also having a free event tomorrow called Hello, Autumn. Ushering in some cleansing space is much needed. Starting with my room.

There is still time to become apart of Daughters of Earth. If you feel called to join, you can use the code: Herbs65 for a 15% discount.

Wish me luck with Lady Water!

Love and Blessings,

Marissa Moondaughter

Moon-Time Course Launch Date and Sale!

I want to say thank for supporting my VLOG today! It is very vulnerable to put yourself on camera for everyone to see, so good thing I am not too shy, haha!

I wanted to let you all know I have the e-course up for sale on Etsy now. The launch date will be on Monday, October 29th! So before then, I thought I would offer an opening sale!

Until the launch on the 29th it will be listed for $21 instead of my original price of $30. That is 30% off! I love to work with the number 3 with Moon related things; it represents the Maiden/Mother/Crone, Waxing/Full/Waning, so I thought it was very fitting, sacred,  and reasonable for the price. After the 29th it will be listed for $30.

Click here to go to the listing.

Let's celebrate being women! I can't wait to share this journey with you all!

Love and Blessings,

Marissa Moondaughter

Theo

Yesterday my 8 month old kitten, Theo, broke his tibia bone. It will be a long 6 weeks to recovery for him. He basically cannot be active (and he is a little monkey), and we have to help him go to the bathroom. He is confined to his cage.  As cute as he looks in his splint, he is so uncomfortable and in pain :( . We are so stressed to see him like this, so any healing prayers/ Reiki would be so helpful and appreciated! Any advice for natural pain remedies would be great too!

To help with the vet bills, I will be hosting a Insta-sale on my instagram @moondaughter, if you would like to check that out!

Love and Blessings,
Marissa Moondaughter

Cup of Tea: Healing

"Tea began as a medicine and grew into a beverage"

~KAKUZO OKAKURA, Book of Tea

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Honey, ginger, chamomile, and lemon (unfortunately, I didn't have any to use) is such a soothing combo for the throat. Drinking tea is so healing on so many levels...sigh.

Namaste,

Marissa Moondaughter

5 Lessons I am Learning from Being Sick

Hello Lovelies,

Yesterday was not a good day for me...My first day of school I got pretty sick with a  fever, sinus pressure, aches, sore throat, you name it. I don't get sick very often, but when I do it's not pretty. It was all I could do to just sit there in class, but I made it through. And it was only one class, so I can't complain.

Today I am feeling much better, still sinus-y and phlegm-y, but no more aches! I was planning to launch my new project all about gratitude tomorrow, but I think it will have to wait for the Full Moon instead. It will be perfect! And a great way to celebrate the Blue Moon! Keep a look out on Friday!

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Source

There are definitely lessons to learn from being sick, and I have to share my epiphanies I had yesterday:

*Listen to your body: This is a big one I struggle with. I feel more connected to my mental and spiritual bodies than my physical one by far. All day yesterday I was still trying to go my usual pace, but my body wouldn't do it. I was walking more slowly, talking more slowly, my reaction time was all off. So I had to go with it. Your body is in pain for a reason, so do what it tells you to. If you need to sleep, then sleep. Your body wants to be back to normal, so by listening to it you will recover quicker (from my experience anyway).

*Pause your to-do's: I was beating myself up all day yesterday, with all of my should's I needed to take care of, but honestly, can they wait a couple more days? Most likely yes. Obviously there are things that need to be done pronto, and you have to honor them (I wasn't going to not show up to my first day of school). But take a pause and relax. Your to-do's can wait while you heal.

*Compassion: If your friend, lover, or child was really sick would you be harping on them for not getting things done? Hopefully not, so why would you treat yourself any different? You deserve some healing time and your own love too, you know. And yes, I needed a reminder yesterday too.

*Physical nourishment: I find when I get sick, during those times I take waaaaay better care of myself than I do normally. I drink more water, I am more gentle with myself, I eat better. I should do that on a daily basis! Also, I hate taking medicine, but I must say Advil saved me yesterday. I swallowed my pride and took two, and the full body aches receded. I felt halfway normal again. So it is important to keep drinking water, and giving your body fuel so you can heal.

*ZZzzzZZZZzzzz: Sleeping is so important. I tend to forget that. I am one of those people who fight with sleep and wish we didn't need it. Just think of ALLL the things I could do if sleep didn't exist! Whatever. I need to get over it. And I was so so happy to crawl into bed and conk out last night (not to mention cuddles from my boy and sweet kitty), and your body does a lot of work while you are sleeping! A lot of healing takes place then! So I need to stop being prideful, and admit I need rest. We all do. Sleeping is vital for our health! Thank you sickness for reminding me of that.

Overall, my body was telling me to sllooooowwwww down. Okay I got it. I can't always do everything all at once even though I like to operate that way. Pausing is good. We need pauses and we need reminders. So I am grateful.

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Also, I wanted to remind you all there is only 4 more days of August to receive the Master Apothecary kit when you sign up for the Apothecary Circle on Good Earth Living! It is "a free master apothecary kit to start their home apothecaries. This kit include 15 bulk herbs, 5 earth clays, boston round bottles to create tinctures, organic beeswax, 3 resins (frankincense, myrrh, and copal) organic sweet almond oil, organic essential oils -including lavender, bergamot, and lemongrass-, Himalayan pink salt, dead sea salt, organic celtic grey salt, Epsom salt, and more! Over $100 worth of materials! The Master Apothecary Kit will be mailed out in October." Signing up in August, you also get access to "a monthly one-on-one consultation with me [Laura Emily], checking in and scripting out a game plan. Along with earning a certificate of training in Home Apothecary, August member sign ups will earn emphasis studies in Space-Clearing, Holistic Nutrition, and Detoxing. All Apothecary Circle members will have free access to all eBooks, eCourses, workshops and lessons throughout 2013."

Use the code: Herbs65 to receive 15% all items including the Apothecary Circle! Miss Laura Emily will being doing an interview on here very soon, so keep a look out on that! PLUS she is having a huge sale this weekend! Starting August 31st-Sept 3rd! 25% off EVERYTHING, I will post the discount code when I get that too!!

Be healthy!

Love and Blessings,

Marissa Moondaughter

Arizona Part 4: More Sedona

On the trail by the creek there was naturally growing Moonflowers (the white flower in the middle)!! No wonder I love this place ;)

I hope you enjoyed my pictures and thank you for sharing this experience with me.

Love and Blessings,

Marissa Moondaughter