Serenity Comes In Many Flavours

We are born to serenity. As we call serenity to us we rediscover the blessings within. Take a moment now to feed on the serenity you know is within you. If you can’t feel it, find a stone and rest your hand or body upon it, allowing the stone to touch your bare skin and impart its inner rock-ness to you. That is serenity. So simple, yet such a stretch for many of us who fly and flit about like busy, busy bees.

stones (Kathy Crabbe)

With serenity comes peace and release. As witches we know how to call upon the elements that feed us. As an earth sign (Virgo) with lots of earth influences in my natal chart I resonate well with rocks. As a fire sign or with a fiery chart, moon, or rising sign you may need a flame, a bonfire or a candle for serenity. As an air sign try listening to the wind through the leaves or needles of the trees. As a water sign sit by a fountain or better yet, by a brook, or by the ocean to find serenity.

To take things a step further, try meditating or sitting in ritual or ceremony with your favorite element. I like to hold my stone of choice up to my third eye or visualize it there between my eyebrows and up a bit while requesting dream guidance and wisdom.

Benitoite-Neptunite

For this article I was drawn to an unusual stone from San Benito County, California called Benitoite which I ‘spoke’ with as I channeled information relevant to our discussion about serenity. The Benitoite felt warm and open (like the desert weather we get in Southern California) and I could feel my guard coming down and my senses relax, along with my body. My eyes felt droopy and half shut but I also felt alert!

Irwin-by-Kathy-Crabbe

Sometimes a stone’s intensity can become too much when held up to the third eye so I intuit which hand wants to hold it (the left in this case). In cahoots with this stone I also chose a card from my Lefty Oracle Series (drawn with my non dominant left hand) which helped to facilitate this channeling. I then held the stone over the card and continued to write. I then became the snake; an excellent visualization and body exercise for you to try which will help you ground and center. Try it now by simply lying on the floor and undulating or curling up in a ball; feeling your body stretch and luxuriate in such a simple pleasure.

 It’s only now that I actually look at the card I’ve pulled and then I ask ‘Irwin’: “are you truly serene?”(‘cause you sure don’t look it). Yet sometimes we need the barrier and protection that comes fromdressing up and appearing angry, weird and strange. Like armour, our clothes, hair and piercings can frighten others away, so that we can have the serenity and alone time we desire; a self-created barrier to intimacy.

Sometimes we need to belong to no-one or nothing. We stand alone. This too brings a serenity of sorts; a misunderstood sort of serenity that, as a Gen Xer I know well. I too used to wear punk makeup and clothes with affectation and I found it empowering. People were afraid of me! I could walk around without any need to explain myself. Yes, I received stares, but also serenity – no one dared bug me. So yes, serenity does come in many flavours.

However you choose to know serenity, that’s up to you, but give it a chance, daily. It can be the basis for a whole new path of self discovery into your creative soul.

kathy crabbe

About Kathy Crabbe
Creative Soul Guide, Gen X witch, artist and creator of the Moon Musing eclass “Awaken Your Divine Feminine Soul” and the Lefty Oracle Deck. Kathy offers Soul Readings to guide you on your path.

Amongst ancient oaks and an elfin forest Kathy finds serenity in Sage, California with her husband and best friends, Abby the big dog and Djinn Djinn the little one.

Soul Reading + Taurus Moon Meditation (Every Moonday)

Relax, Unwind and Enjoy a Peaceful Video where I share a Spirit Animal, Goddess and Lefty Oracle from my handpainted decks to guide you in the week ahead.

About Kathy Crabbe
Soul reader, spirit medium, astrologer and artist, Kathy Crabbe’s soul readings heal and guide and her oracle decks awaken your intuition and creativity.

Join Kathy for “Cancer Moon Term” at Wise Woman University for a 4 week moon musing journey. Learn more here.

Break Free: How to Be More Present and Enjoy Life!

This Cancer Full Moon (Jan. 12) was an emotional breakthrough moon for me. The theme that came through was BREAK FREE. How about for you?

Breaking free from social media's time sucking and time wasting was a biggie and it was also my first bargain with the Divine. Bargain Number Two (for this week) is to be the greatest artist I can be without doubt and fear as I give myself fully to the Divine.

I began by stopping my incessant checking of the Instagram feed and this has pretty much stopped me from going on it at all, other than to posta pic or two to go with my blog and at the new and full moon for my museletter..

Next I looked at all my dreams in my dream journal from 2012 until now and then put together a list of creatively soulful things about myself and my work. Here's my list:

  • I create power objects and talismans.
  • I create artists' books.
  • I paint custom portraits.
  • I challenge the status quo.
  • I paint in many styles.
  • I paint large (48"x48"), circular, layered, Japanese inspired paintings with clouds and trees.
  • I do not sell my own art; galleries/stores do that for me.
  • I give phone readings.
  • I teach a watercolor class called, "Painting for Relaxation."
  • My artwork sells out quickly at galleries and home decor stores.
  • I'm a writer and illustrator.
  • I work in a large industrial live/work space surrounded by other creatives, but also have a quiet space for spiritual work.

So far I'm taking my own advice: "Awaken Your Intuition".- see the tagline on my site? Well, I'm living it. Plus, I do most of the things above already although there are a few I long for: the live/work artist's community and selling out at galleries.

I can tell you that so far, cutting out all this social media and leaving behind fear and doubt so I can fully be the amazing artist I am has helped me be more present and it's simplified everything.  I have more time for me, my loved ones, my friends and in nature. Time that isn't co-opted by social media and being ON 24/7. I'm having more fun and enjoying life more. WHEW! How about you?  Why not make a bargain with the Divine right now?

More articles on addiction to social media can be found here.

Break Thru by Kathy Crabbe. Space Twins Story, Gouache in sketchbook, 2017.

I'll be posting more paintings like the one above here on my blog so please check this category to keep tabs: Space Twins Story.

To help yourself be more present and go more deeply into your own life please check out my Soul Readings, Past Life Readings and Astro Reports here.

Want to see what your Spirit Animal looks like? Then commission me to paint your portrait along with your Spirit Animal here.

How To Meditate

How to Relax and Meditate

Meditation is simple … really! It’s about letting go, relaxing the body, freeing the mind and releasing all worries (ahhh…) as you allow peace and love to gently flood your being.

Meditation can be practiced by just about anyone and involves muscle relaxation, focus on breathing and visualization techniques. It doesn’t have to be weighty or as serious! It’s really just another way to relax and release all your tensions and worries.

Meditation can help you quiet your mind and is one of the best techniques to improve your mood, sharpen your concentration and help you manage stress and even chronic pain.

I began my own meditation practice in 1991 when I joined a group in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada run by a lovely woman by the name of “Om” who had studied meditation with Sri Chinmoy. Meditating in a group can be a truly powerful experience and I recommend it highly, especially when you’re starting out!

Simple Meditation How-To

1. Find a space with few distractions. Close your eyes and relax your breathing. Focus on the physical sensation of your breath. Notice any tension or changes in your breathing. If your mind feels overwhelmed, return your attention to your breath: In. Out. In. Out.

Often your breathing will be shallow or irregular if you are feeling nervous or tense so spend a few minutes practicing and breathing slowly and steadily to restore a balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide to your body. You can also breathe in to a count of four and out for another count of four until you become relaxed. Make sure that you are comfortable and breathing gently without taking in big gulps of air.

2. Let your mind relax along with your muscles. If an emotion comes forward such as anxiety or anger, try not to attach to it, just let it float on by and disappear. In. Out. In. Out. You can also practice tensing and relaxing various muscle groups starting with your head and working your way down to your feet. Try tensing for five seconds and then relaxing for ten seconds. This is called progressive muscle relaxation and it can lead to deep levels of physical and mental relaxation.

3. Try visualizing scenes that are peaceful, calming, safe and. The more senses you can awaken, the more relaxing your meditation will be. For example, try imagining yourself walking down a tree lined path on a beautiful spring day, you can hear the birds tweet and you can see the light dancing through the trees and alighting in interesting patterns on your arm. Imagine that you can feel the cooling touch of a gentle spring breeze and smell the delicious scent of spring flowers in bloom.

Need more help? Here are two more meditations from my website:

A Quick Meditation Pick-Me-Up

How to Calm and Center (short and sweet!)