1.) Potentiality:

a.) Meditate 30 minutes morning and evening every day.

b.) Commune with nature and witness the intelligence in every living thing.

c.) Practice non-judgment.

2.) Giving:

a.) Give a gift to everyone you meet.

b.) Be aware of the gifts that you receive.

c.) Silently wish every person happiness, joy, laughter and peace.

3.) Cause and Effect:

a.) Witness the choices that you are making in the present moment.

b.) Examine the consequences on yourself as well as others.

c.) Ask your heart for guidance.

4.) Least Effort:

a.) Accept the moment, don't resist what is.

b.) Take responsibility for the situation.

c.) Do not be attached to your point of view, remain open to other views.

5.) Intention and Desire:

 a.) Make a list of desires.

b.) Release the list of desires to creation, remain willing to accept something better.

c.) Accept the present as-is.

6.) Detachment:

a.) Allow yourself, those around you, and the situation to be as they are.

b.) Accept uncertainty and allow solutions to arise out of chaos.

c.) Remain open to all possible outcomes.

7.) Purpose in Life:

a.) Pay attention to the still voice in your heart.

b.) Make a list of talents and find ways to use them to serve others.

c.) Ask "How can I help?", "How can I serve?".

~Deepak Chopra

This is a quote from the history Channel series The Universe in an episode titled, Beyond the big Bang. Something about it touched me and I wanted to share it.

Recognize that the very molecules that make up your body, the atoms that construct the molecules, are traceable to the crucibles that were once the centers of high mass stars that exploded their chemically rich guts into the galaxy, enriching pristine gas clouds with the chemistry of life. So that we are all connected to each other biologically, to the earth chemically and to the rest of the universe atomically. That's kinda cool! That makes me smile and I actually feel quite large at the end of that. It's not that we are better than the universe, we are part of the universe. We are in the universe and the universe is in us.

~Neil deGrasse Tyson, Astrophysicist/American Museum of Natural History

Moon Gardens

In the height of summertime's heat, we drift outdoors at dusk to refresh ourselves in the temperate air of evening. Cricket song and the glow of fireflies come together with ever-lengthening shadows to create a natural symphony of overlapping sensations that invigorate the body and gladden the soul. As the sun sets, the vivid colors of most flowers and leaves fade, becoming a dull grey, but moon gardens provide us with a space to appreciate Mother Nature's bounty long after the light of day has retreated. Designed to be enjoyed from dusk until the coming of the darkness, these gardens serve as a perfect complement to silvery moonlight, mild summer nights, and the spirit of rejuvenation.

Most plant life worships the sun, but a select few shrubs and flowers come into their own in luna's glow. The silvery leaves of lamb's ears and artemisia reflect the radiance of the moon, while the bright-white flowers adorning yucca and evening primrose seem to shimmer brilliantly in dusk's gloom. Certain blossoms such as the moonflower and four o'clocks open only at night, releasing their sweet fragrances in spectacular displays of scent and beauty. While creating a moon garden, remember to take each human sense into account. We appreciate the ghostly beauty of nighttime nature best when we can sit comfortably until our eyes have adjusted to the surrounding darkness. Bamboo and thick grasses make a comforting sound when bandied about by gentle nighttime breezes.

Transforming a portion of your existing yard or patio into a moon garden is simple, and the pleasure you will derive from your nighttime retreat will become worth it once you start to enjoy it. Green spaces come alive at night when nocturnal blossoms release their perfume into the air and ethereally lovely and luminous foliage dances in the breeze. In a moon garden, relaxation is a simple matter of attuning yourself to the stillness of evening and seeing, for the first time, the myriad shades of beauty that can be found in the darkness.

from http://www.dailyom.com/

I gave a spirit doll workshop in May 2007 and duirng the workshop I made a doll out of snake skin patterned felt that I have.  As I was making the doll I kept singing the Snake Woman chant by Starhawk in my head.  I think I would like to make dolls for each of the women in the song.

The form I used for snake woman was created by Ronda Kivett.  I made her face with bronze Premo and used a face push mild to form her.  The feathers are Guinea Plumage in vibrant mix from Jo-Ann's craft store.

Snake Woman by Starhawk

Snake woman shedding her skin (repeat),
shedding, shedding, shedding her skin (repeat).(repeat each 2x)
Bird woman taking flight...
Star woman shining bright...
Moon woman riding the night...
Blossom woman opening wide...
Snake woman shedding her skin

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don't Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

From http://www.miguelruiz.com/fouragreements.html