I knew that this moment would forever change my life. I got that phone call and it was in that moment that I realized life would never be the same, much like when I got that phone call in 1996 or when I saw her in 2001. I always knew that life was full of the unexpected, the events that build character and stories to write about but not like this, not now and definatly not her.
My mother has always been the soul behind my life. She has been the one constant in a sea of chaos within this world that always has been the source of so much of my pain. Watching her on the bed with her swollen face, burned skin and lifeless body; I realize that once again my life is about to forever change.
My son's face tells the story of the painful event; one full of fear and terror. With swollen eyes and dripping tears he says to me, "when I saw her, it was like my heart broke into a million pieces and fell to my stomach". I looked into the eyes of this broken hero standing before me; feeling guilty in the knowledge that I was grateful he saved my mother's life despite the trauma it has caused him. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed his head, knowing the memory of that moment would forever change his life.
How do you tell a hero that the pictures in his head that continue to cause so much pain is a story of bravery, the markings of a true warrior? The images don't fade after everyone forgets and walks away. The imaginary memories I hold of my mom's suffering will forever haunt my thoughts but my son's memories are real and etched into his mind, holding that moment like a bookmark in time; constantly reminding him of how everything in his world was now different; tarnished and forever changed.
The days blend into one another and the clock continues to tick without realization of it's impact. Every moment that passes holds a delicate hope, a wishful conclusion, a dream. I sit in the purple chair within the white sterile room with green gloves on my hands dreaming of a time when I might hear her voice, hold her in my arms or kiss her face. Looking over her body I just see pain and sadness; eyes that cannot focus on my face, a mouth that cannot smile, tubes that prevent her from speaking my name and a wrinkle in her forehead that shows her worry and fear. As the tears leak from her confused eyes I know she is afraid and must be thinking about how one moment, one task, one meal, one shirt, one day, one moment, one action.... has drastically changed her life.
What do you say when you can't take away the pain, remove the fear, wind back the clock or step into her shoes to relieve her from this moment? I can say nothing. I can do nothing. I can only hope that the next moment is her choice, that she can chose to forever change her life again …...and live.
I am working towards setting a course for the next decade, one of abundance and love. If I am working towards in setting my intentions then I must believe that I am the key in setting this into manifestation. It is the simple rituals our energy performs that can set the course before we are conscious enough to know ourselves. If I cannot believe that I have the power to set my course then my energy will continuously send out that message to the universe.
Instead I am going to push a new energy this year that is full of possibilities and see where it may lead. May you do the same.
Blessed Be!
Gratefully we are going into a new year in less than a month and this allows for new hope, new opportunities and renewed thoughts. I have been set on another adventure and I am grateful that I have the resources to follow through with what is needed of me and this family. Two pairs of eyes are added to the fold of the Blanton family and spirit will guide us all in meeting their needs.
So in concepts of balance it is not always as we think it will be. Maybe we are meant to deal with one side of the pendulum in order to help others avoid it. If this is correct then I happily will stand in to do what is asked of me and then some.
School is going good. I am currently taking Child and Adolescent Psychology and Sociology. I am on the Dean's list for the second semester but amazingly that just adds more pressure as well. it is exciting to get that acknowledgment since I have always felt I missed out on a traditional higher learning experience when I was younger but now as an adult who is already established in her career, these types of events make me feel like I "have" to get a good grade or else it puts my experience in question. Silly, I know but it is just thoughts that come up. After this next semester is over..... in like 9 weeks, I will officially be a Junior in College. LOL!!
Things are shifting in other areas too. I am transitioning out of my position as the Clergy Weaver in FWTI so I can focus more on being the "Second" of the Board of Directors and acting Director of the Board right now. I am excited to hand that position over to a very well deserving and talented person! I am also getting ready to do my first ritual elevating someone to third degree. This is a huge experience for me and I am very excited. I am trying to plan it right now and look forward to the process.
other than that..... I am preparing for coming events. I am looking forward to closing the year and beginning anew. I am grateful for the opportunity to do so. Last Saturday night I went to my monthly tarot group (Berkane Babes) and had a great reading done for me. part of what the reading was saying was to feel confident that I could do this and also to step up to the plate and not be so concerned with others..... just do it. In the words of the reader, "man up!". So that is my mission over the next transition.
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"When you become aware of silence, immediately there is a state of inner still alertness. You are present. You have stepped out of thousands of years of collective conditioning" - Eckhart Tolle. "Blessed Be oh Yemaya!! Yey Omo Eja" - "Mother Whose Children are the Fish"
For those who know me or have been reading my blog for a while, you know that although fall is my favorite time of year, the dark half of the year is always a hard time. I have worked very hard to take the anxiety out of that time and am somewhat successful but I keep it a conscious thought that the coin flips over and I better be prepared.
The inner reflection of the dark half is always hardest, looking inside at the emotions that are triggerd by the chain of events. And although we all know that these events stretch us and help us grow, that does not take the sting out at the time. Like with a tattoo, you know the ending will make a stronger and more beautiful you but the tattoo itself still hurts like hell.
I have already seen the dark half working it's magic and shifting shadows where things are now revealed. I already know that this will be a brilliant year for growth and pray it is not too painful for us all in the process but I feel the shift this year. I feel the shift, not only in the earth but also in the energy of the human spirit and the struggle.
As times are already hard while in the light, the anticipation of the dark is ever looming. This has already been a challenging year for so many.
As we prepare for the holidays, the death of the god, the dying sun.... let us remember that those things that keep us whole are the shields of love we build inside of ourselves and around us. All things start from within and yet cultivating and recognizing the love and strength we have built within with our families and friends is also essential. Take no one and nothing for granted, not even yourself and do whatever keeps you connected in love and joy. And if patience is the key to all things then let love, compassion, acceptance, honor and peace be the door we get to open.
May you be blessed this coming season.
In reality I think 2009 has shown me that balance is not something you achieve and then you are set. Balance is something that requires constant work and, like with a see-saw, it is a fragile act of give and take. Without the flexibility of empathy, understanding, forgiveness, acceptance and accountability, the tipping of the scale to either side could be a permanent shift that doesn't recover. the real art to balance is knowing that there is no such real thing. Balance is what we create, it is not a set pattern that exists the same for everyone.
My scale has been altered this year because of unforeseen circumstances and now the skill of redefining "balance" is what I am working towards. Each day I am closer, each day it makes more sense why I am in this battle to begin with.
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"When you become aware of silence, immediately there is a state of inner still alertness. You are present. You have stepped out of thousands of years of collective conditioning" - Eckhart Tolle. "Blessed Be oh Yemaya!! Yey Omo Eja" - "Mother Whose Children are the Fish"
Walking in the role many times puts you at odds with people you love and can give you some sadness as well. It can also be a rewarding place to be when someone is fulfilling their destiny and you have the opportunity to watch. Regardless of the ups and downs of priestessing, the reality is that it is a hard job and one that can leave you feeling awfully isolated at times.
I think it is important for us all to remember that the Gods reasoning is not always ours and we will not always understand the road that lays ahead for ourselves or for those we support. It is the road with many beginnings and a myriad of possible endings but none the less it will be filled with the necessary lessons that need to be acquired. I may not understand those lessons but they are ever present and we all have to learn them; whether willingly or by being brought to our knees.
May we all learn the lessons without too many bruises.
The past two weekends have been doing just that for me. I went to a dreaded work retreat and was pleasantly surprised at the role this retreat played in helping me self care. I got put in a condo on the beach with a view of the ocean in a room to myself. I stayed up late eating cheetos and listening to the silence while I played on the computer. I slept soundly to the sounds of nature and the rolling waves while I was suppose to be preparing for the upcoming work schedule. The reality was that this moment of solitude was one of the most important reminders I could have gotten on how to take care of myself.
The next weekend was full of adventures that filled the driving force i have as a Pagan to connect with nature and with the Gods. My mom, melissa and two of the kids went to the Egyptian Museum in San Jose. it was beautiful and I promise to post some pictures in the near future. it was a great day of reflection, sights, bonding and relaxing. Seeing some of the images served as gentle reminders of what I do and what I am. I felt wonderful in the atmosphere of history and deities. On Sunday we went to Muir woods and sat in the woods listening to nature and seeing the wonders. My mom, Jon, Kev, Robbie, melissa and Nayeli went and had a ball. i bought a walking stick made of redwood to use as a staff and my mother got one too. Being in the redwoods always reminds me of my spiritual core and coming to a place of balance. it was beautiful. Thursdays fullmoon was celebrated on the labyrinth surrounded by candlelight. I walked the labyrinth and thoughts of all the accomplishments I have manifested this year and allowed the stress to roll away under Yemaya's moon.
this weekend is beginning to be in the same theme as the priors. Today was a tour of two metaphysical shops for Melissa, a nice lunch and spending time with the family. Tomorrow is Roberts Bday so we are planning on relaxing in the sun and spending time with my boy.
Take the time out to enjoy all the wonderful things that may seem small but hold so much weight in the grand picture of life. We all deserve happiness and balance in order to continue the road to fulfilling our highest good. I am trying to remember mine, do you remember yours?
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"When you become aware of silence, immediately there is a state of inner still alertness. You are present. You have stepped out of thousands of years of collective conditioning" - Eckhart Tolle. "Blessed Be oh Yemaya!! Yey Omo Eja" - "Mother Whose Children are the Fish"
This trip turned out to be in the belly of Yemaya, right on the beach with visions of the beach everywhere. after fearing having to share a room with people I didn't know, I ended up with my own room full of peace and inner reflection. What I realized once I was here was that I needed this. I needed to get away from the chaos and allow myself to just spend time with me. In the process, I am connecting to the Yemaya within and out in the oceans. I have missed her constant influence in my life since I have allowed my stress to block a lot of the messages she normally sends.
I went to the store and bought a spirit candle since I left mine at home. I am now sitting with the ocean at my back and peace in my mind. How exciting it is to have enjoyed and experienced this. I truely need it and will try to remember not to doubt my blessings in the future.
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"When you become aware of silence, immediately there is a state of inner still alertness. You are present. You have stepped out of thousands of years of collective conditioning" - Eckhart Tolle. "Blessed Be oh Yemaya!! Yey Omo Eja" - "Mother Whose Children are the Fish"
In one year it my life has shift has been continuous and drastic and for a lot of people that I know. I am not alone in this re-shifting of the universe. Some people may attribute the changes to categories of good or bad but I am just trying to grasp the changes themselves, not judge them. As I am a firm believer that the Gods put you in a place to constantly revisit your needs and your commitment to your path; I know this is where I am in my life. I have, in many ways, taken on parts of the qualities of my Goddess.... becoming the mother figure to many inside and outside of my household. I never fully understood how taking on the vow to a deity could open that door. And as I am learning to adjust to this new found role, this new existence, the new expectations; I am also learning more about myself and who I really am at the core.
Learning to release to the will of my personal higher power is trying in many ways since it goes against my nature of needing to control the variables in my life; helping me to avoid being hurt. For this reason, I know I am being challenged to grow again and to become more of what I look to my Gods for.
Knowing that acceptance is the Key to Growth, I will honor this ever turning wheel of unexpected leaps in faith as I continue on this journey. With less than a year before the release of my book, I feel I a getting the opportunity to jump to yet another place that will increase my ability to be empathetic with my community and with those I might have the pleasure to support.
May you be blessed as I am learning to accept my blessings.
"Blessed Be oh Yemaya!! Yey Omo Eja" - "Mother Whose Children are the Fish"
Crystal
Blessed be!
The best news today is that I have had the chance to meet my grandchildren today. I saw in person my grandson Adrian and the new baby girl Niela (which I probably spelled wrong). Of course they are both gorgeous and I see so much of the Blanton family there. The girl is only a couple of days old and paternity is in question right now but once we were able to see her, for me atleast... I am pretty damn sure. There are too many similarities for her not to be. She has the nose, the skin, the cricked "Blanton Toe" that they all have.
Adrian is beautiful and I was so happy to hold him and kiss on him. What a beauty....
Keith is doing good and is coming home on the weekends. He will be home fulltime in about two weeks. We are planning out what his schedule will be when he is here fulltime. He will have a job that seems to be already lined up, which is good. And we are going to be signing him up for some courses.
And then the other BIG news I have is that my book has been signed. I am have a deadline for July 1st and am working hard on the final manuscript. I sent in the contract last week and I am excited yet anxious and scared at the same time. This is one of the things I have been waiting for and I am blessed to have this opportunity. I will be published with Immanion/Megalithic Publishing.
So.... That is the news. I will try and keep updates flowing as they come along.
Blessings!
There were many wonderful things that happened this year, including but not limited to joining with Lydia, Stone, TreeBear and Jenna, awesome roommates, fun shopping, great rituals, a beautiful and memorable dedication ritual of a fellow sister, several potential dings for publishing, a memorable meeting with Selena and a pretty smooth workshop with more people than I expected to come.
I am now back to the grind, getting together the last peices of my book proposal to send out to those whom I promised. I am grateful for the positive connections and even more greatful for the good times.
blessings to all.
The positive strides towards equality and change does not take away from the continuous injustices that happen. Although it is a damned good start.
For us Californians, we have watched the Bart shooting of Oscar Grant over and over on the news and for me it still doesn't seem like enough. The sheer brutality of these types of situations came to us in an undeniable way, even though these injustices have continued to happen repeatedly in urbanized areas and is not new. It is easy for those who are not around this type of community to assume that these things don't happen and in reality, they happen too much.
The newest development of another officer punching Oscar Grant in the face, just prior to him being shot in the back by the Bart officer has me enraged. Watching a video of this young man being assaulted and then shot by those who are in a uniform feels like one of the biggest violations of our human rights within this country. What do we have if the very people who are to protect us are the ones who we have to fear.
Now, let me be clear.... This is nothing new for those who have to live in this type of environment and live this life everyday. I am lucky and have had the opportunity to remove myself and family from living within the energy of the inner city, to a certain extent.
The voice of the people came out when they rioted and protested the streets of Oakland two weeks ago. Riding down the streets of Oakland to work and seeing the destruction can be disheartening. But at the same time, seeing the pictures of Oscar Grant, memorials painted in his name and a call for justice gives me hope. Signs stating "no justice no peace" are posted all around the city. In a community so devastated by crime, drugs, poverty, unemployment and sadness.... we still have a sense of pride and a knowing that we must be heard.
In the days and weeks after the riots, we have seen a large response from the people in charge. The officer was arrested, Bart finally (after more than 10 days) reponded to the shooting, now the other officer is being investigated for assault and attention is being put into a broken system.
We have also seen the FBI come into Oakland and start an investigation of the Oakland Police Department, sparked by several different things. One of those things was a man who was kicked to death by an Oakland Police officer, who is now the head of the Police internal affairs department. He is also suspected of getting other officers to cover this up.
And let's not forget the Oakland Riders, those 3-4 officers (maybe more). Here is a clip from an SF Gate article by Chip Johnson in 2005, "After two criminal trials, a lawsuit that the city settled by paying $10. 5 million in damages to 119 victims, and a court order that has placed the Oakland Police Department under the supervision of a federal judge, the Riders have walked away again."
As black people, we are not oblivious to the sacrifice we have had to make to seek justice. And it is easy to think now that there is no need for us to continue to fight. Things are different right? Things have changed..... Prejudice, police brutality, racism, racial profiling.... all those things are in the past, right?
Please, open your eyes. I am not calling for rioting and destruction but I am saying that the time is too crucial to think that we are not still in a state of inequality. Let us not be fooled to think that because something is one way for us that is like that for all others. Let us not think that just because we have a black president that we no longer have grave racism in this country. Thank goodness we don't all have to riot but I respect those who have sacrificed their freedoms and done the things I can't or won't do in order to get attention where needed.
If it were not for those people we would not have had a civil rights movement, a Martin Luther King Jr, Malcom X, Huey P Newton and Bobby Seal, Little Bobby Hutton, Angela Davis, Cesar Chavez, Nelson Mandela, and the list goes on. We must continue to seek justice. We must continue to lead the path to equality.
Or else it might be my child, your child, your brother, your father, your mother, your friend or you who is beat and killed by the cops, shot at the BART station, framed for a crime, scared to call for help, prisoner in your community and potentially lose your future.
It is good to keep that in the front of our minds as we walk through the rest of the year. There are those who are not as fortunate as I; who don't have money right now, or a job, or people to call them on the phone, or presents, or a tree or food or a home to sleep in. I wish for those people they could have what I have today. I don't have much but it is just enough to make me a happy girl.
I have felt the anxiety in the air over the last several months between the elections, economy and changes everyone has been going thru. So the new year has a lot of things unknown and that too magnifies the anxiety..........
So I am planning wisely for the upcoming time of change. I am trying hard to prioritize my life and put things into a positive order. I am thinking ahead and planing my future.
Yule has been good for me. It has reminded me that things work out they way they should and life is full of unexpected pleasures. (a good thing to remember going into a new year)
The coven did Yule this year, breaking tradition from the last 3 years, and doing it differently. The ritual was awesome and beautifully written. The sisters and family were present and it was a lot of fun. We were able to invite three guests to come and participate with us and it was unexpectedly super fun. Although I was nervous with the new forming tradition and with new people, it turned out to be very fun and great memories.
So I am going to approach the new year with the same outlook and allow myself to enjoy every minute of it.
Blessed Yule everyone and enjoy every minute.
Within the next year I will see two of my students come into their own power as High Priestesses, one priestess elevated to 2nd degree and four maybe five more elevated to first degree. Oh my!!!!!
I will have spiritual grandchildren and Dia will have spiritual great grandchildren. Who would have thought.
I am anxious to see what will come next.
And the Water Said....By Ifalade Ta'Shia Asanti
A Poem For the 2005 Hurricane Katrina Survivors, All Rights Reserved @August 2005
And the water said, "listen!"
I am coming to show you truth,
I am coming to shake the grains of sands beneath you
Show you that which is hidden but in plain view
And the water told us why she had come--
I have come to stroke the skin tones of America
To comb the roots of racism
Expose the scalp of discrimination
Make it bare like the parts of newly plaited hair
"Can you hear me," the water asked?
I'm here to purify these nations
To wash the streets clean of their denial
To reveal faulty foundations and forked tongues
And I shall not be ignored
And her rain created cities of tears
Waves of brutal reality
Demanding transformation
Commanding our world undone
She woke us early
When the white house phone line was busy
About a quarter to one she woke us
Before our comfort arrived in monthly envelopes
Made us remember the unity of a million maafas
Showed us how genocides join sons
She carried our vision to rooftops
Where the shepherd revoked our salvation
FEMA dollars transformed into tombstones
Homeland Security became a funeral home
And the water returned to her garden
An ailing levee beckoned her backwards
Back to the streets
Back to our homes
She wasn't sure we had remembered
She was sure that we had forgotten
And the water rose
She embraced our memories
Ran up our steps to our doorbells
She knocked but we didn't answer
She stretched higher and higher
Found us waiting in the sunlight
Waving to strangers in electronic birds
Whose wings made us invisible beneath the sleeping sun
Do you remember now she asked?
Do you remember Rwanda & Benin?
Do you remember the captive passage?
And she beckons us to forward
To new land
Under new realities
She calls us to independence
Not theirs, but our own
She turns our eyes inward
She moves our hands together
And the water said: "seek one another!"
Hear as you've never heard
Understand how you've never understood
I am parting my tide for your safe journey
So you may discover what I already know
You have survived
Let this message wash your ears alive
I am here with your salvation
I have delivered it on the words flowing from my tongue
And She retreated from their doorsteps and porches
Let the son return
She sent them into the wilderness
With prayers already done
Daughters of the ocean
Sons of the storm
Our God has not forsaken you
But come to reshape your love..