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Oracle of the Week~Plant~Fern

Fern


Life-force ~ Sensuality ~ Fertility

Ferns are among the oldest plants in the world, dating back before the dinosaurs to the Mesozoic era.

Fern is sacred to Midsummer and to Nwyfre, the the life-force that snakes through the sky as lightning. 

The Fern signifies fertility in every sense of the word.

Choosing this card may mean you are being blessed with 
life-force energy at the moment.

This energy may manifest in subtle or dramatic ways, but the important thing to remember is that is comes from the essentially spiritual nature of all creation.

You need to maintain a spiritual practice that attunes you to the natural rhythms of the Cosmos.

Open up to the powers of the Seen and Unseen Universe---
Celebrate the seasonal festivals, meditate on the power of the elements, visit ancient sacred places, and soak in the energies of the moon, sun, and stars.



From The Druid Plant Oracle by
Philip & Stephanie Carr-Gomm
Illustrated by
Will Worthington








Peace, Inspiration, & Love, 
 ~Amy 
 The Spirit Dancer

This Week in The Spirit Dancer


This Week in 
The Spirit Dancer

Reading: Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

Listening to: The Sundays, Franz Ferdinand, various Pandora goodness 

Watching: Season 4 of Scrubs with Chris, I'm almost done with Witchblade...6 more episodes...

Thinking about: Privacy

Learning: More crafting! I want to paint. 

Doing: Making more candles, brainstrorming a new set of wings, loving my boyfriend, digging vending at the market, and liking my life.

Pet Peeves: Is Bele Chere a pet peeve?

Happy Thoughts: Beignets, coffee, books, money, crafting...

Best Quote: "Ohhhh...you're The Spirit Dancer....ohhhkay...wow...I get it...cool."

Looking forward to: Zumba Thursday night. Vending again on Saturday.



Peace, Inspiration, & Love, 
 ~Amy 
 The Spirit Dancer

Happy Happy Joy Joy Vending

I've been re-energized and my 
hope has been restored since my 



It was truly a sigh of relief.

I feel like I "leveled up" with Asheville.

It was gratifying. 

I love to craft, I love even more to share my craft. 
I want to inspire others. 
I want to tap into my muse energy 
and brighten someone's day.

I decided I'm going to shoot for vending every Saturday 
with Paris of the South. 
Everyone there is super friendly. 
They made me feel welcome and a part of the market. 
I feel a true sense of community there.

The coolest people attended the market...and most were from out of town...Myrtle Beach, Charleston, 
Raliegh, Fort Lauderdale...etc
The customers seem to really dig my goods, 
especially the recycled candles. 

To add a cherry to the top of a perfect sundae, Paris of the South was featured in the Sunday paper.

Check out the Asheville Citizen's Time article, 
"Flea market has eclectic mix".



Bonus: Wanderin' Mickey made an appearance at my booth. 
He loved the skeleton pirate necklace!


Peace, Inspiration, & Love, 
 ~Amy 
 The Spirit Dancer

Old Men Doing Pelvic Thrusts

I made a committment to hit the gym 
this year and see what happens. 
I had to do it. 

I pulled myself out of my slump and was at the gym 
on January 2 ready to go.

My plan was to go Monday-Thursday after work.

I do pretty good...but I'll let it slide when guests are in town, or there is a food crawl (Asheville food crawl! Can't miss it.), or maybe I just had a shitty day and wanted to be home.

My routine: treadmill...sauna...shower...home.

End of June, I was like "This is not enough!"

I added strength training and oh my goddess...
I LOVE IT. 
My legs feel better each time I go...
they are starting to look like legs again. 

I feel stronger. 
I am faster on the treadmill. 
I feel lighter on my feet.

However, I still feel my body and soul needs more.

I read Signe Pike's blog on zumba and was inspired to test it out. (Signe has been a source of inspiration to me since Malaprop's had a book signing with her. Her book, "Faery Tale, One Woman's Search for Enchantment in a Modern World" quickly became one of my favorite books. She was on the search for faeries! How could I not love it?!?)

So yes, Signe has deepened my connection to faery...
and now she has inspired me to dance. 

I love to dance, love it, love it, love it. 
I like to boogie. 
So maybe this would be good for me?

A couple of weeks ago, I ventured into
 the zumba class. 
I settled in the back corner to scope this shit out. 

There were about 30 people in the class, 
varying ages and all very friendly. 
The instructor is a cool tattooed covered plumber by day. 
Man, can he dance.
He just goes and you follow! 

Follow I did, the best of my ability. For the first time, I wasn't too shabby. All those tae-bo videos and aerobic classes 
back in the day came back to me. 

Everyone was enjoying themselves. People were smiling. 
And my favorite part...was watching the old men in the class 
doing pelvic thrusts. 
(Old people are so cute!)

I absolutely loved it. I couldn't help but smile. 
At one part I couldn't feel my left foot for about 10 minutes.
 My right side hurt worse than it did in 6th grade when we were told to run and I didn't want to anymore and I got into a yelling match with the P.E. teacher. 
He sent me to the principal's office.

Anyway.
All was good. 
I still felt great.

I plan on going every Thursday night and 
working it into my routine. 

I think it will have a continuous positive effect on my life. 

So...it's Thursday...which means...
tonight I dance!

Peace, Inspiration, & Love, 
 ~Amy 
 The Spirit Dancer

Oracle of the Week~New Orleans Voodoo~Ochosi

Ochosi

Earth

Ochosi is an orisha of hunters and of the animals of the forest. 

It is said his arrow never ever misses. 

This orisha provides what is necessary and more. 

However, the meats and skins must be treated and put to use quickly or they will be lost.

The bounty of Ochosi is more than enough.


Contemplation: Quiet forest morning, the sound of a bowstring snapping, an arrow takes flight

Divination: Accumulation. 
That which was gathered spoils if not put to use.



From The New Orleans Voodoo Tarot
By Louis Martinie and Sallie Ann Glassman



Peace, Inspiration, & Love, 
 ~Amy 
 The Spirit Dancer

This Week in The Spirit Dancer

This Week in 
The Spirit Dancer

Reading: Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris (had to stop watching the show True Blood and stick to the books, the show is way past stupid)

Listening to: The Sundays

Watching: Scrubs, watched American Reunion...sexual cheese...loved it.

Thinking about: Spirit Dancer Creations and so thrilled to be vending again.

Learning: To listen to the depths of my soul.

Doing: Planning more vending!

Pet Peeves: People who don't watch their children or their pets!

Happy Thoughts: Paris of the South Flea Market. Vending was awesome. Vending with Chris was even more awesome. I feel a sense of community there. Good vibes. Looking forward to making it a regular thing in my life. 

Best Quote: Spirit. (big pause) Dancer. (big pause) Creations. (big pause) I like butterflies.

Looking forward to: Some quiet time for journaling and some craft time. I have some new projects I'm excited to try out. 


Peace, Inspiration, & Love, 
 ~Amy 
 The Spirit Dancer

A Message For You


Recently, 
I became a reverend.

Yup. 
Reverend Amy Riddle.

We can talk more about that later...
I wanted to share what the seminary 
had in my inbox this morning.

I'm passing it on to you...


Just a little note to remind you that 
you are a fantastic person.

You get stronger, smarter and 
more wonderful every day.

You can't help it. 
It's just part of being you.

Keep up the good work.





Peace, Inspiration, & Love, 
 ~Amy 
 The Spirit Dancer

I'm vending this weekend!

I'm finally vending!
Yes, true story.

This weekend Spirit Dancer Creations will be making her Asheville market debut at

It's the Christmas in July Sale
July 21 & 22
Saturday and Sunday
8am-3pmish

I'll be there both days with my handcrafted jewelry, 
recycled candles, and cigar box purses.

Come to 175 Clingman Avenue, in the grassy area by The Asheville Public before you get to The Grey Eagle.

Enjoy live music and peruse unique vendors 
unlike anywhere else.

I would LOVE  to see you there! 
Support local! 

For the latest news and whatnot from 
Spirit Dancer Creations, 
follow me on Facebook.


Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Spirit Dancer

This Week in The Spirit Dancer


This Week in 
The Spirit Dancer

Reading: Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

Listening to: Cat Stevens, Rush, Janis Joplin

Watching: Scrubs

Thinking about: Money $

Learning: Life would be awesome if I could pay my bills. 

Doing: Planning my vending weekend.

Pet Peeves: Same old stuff...rude people, moochers, guys without their shirts, etc.

Happy Thoughts: Crafting

Best Quote: Be a possibilitarian!

Looking forward to: Vending this weekend.



Peace, Inspiration, & Love, 
 ~Amy 
 The Spirit Dancer

Oracle of the Week~Goddess~Nut

Nut
Mystery

Reach for me

touch me

I am always beyond your grasp

Don't try to figure me out

for you can't

I am the ever-present unfathomable unknown

I am the immensity of the star-filled sky

I am beyond human comprehension

In the vastness of my being

I am a mystery

even to myself


Nut (sounds like noot) is an Egyptian Goddess 
of the night sky. 

How did she end up in the sky? 
Good question.

You see....she was having sex with her brother/husband Geb...she was on top...and Ra, the high Sun God completely disapproved, 
so he pried them apart.

He lifted Nut up into the sky where she remains, 
her body forming an arch. 



Up in the sky she is the celestial vault, daily giving birth to the sun each morning and then consuming it every night.

Nut's twinkling vast dark vault stretches out to you reminding you to be open to The Mystery.

Do you plan every aspect of your life and 
leave no room for mystery?

Is your life wound too tight?

Are you trying to make everything safe by defining it, 
labeling it, knowing it all?

Give way to The Mystery, the Unknown.

The Wise Woman knows there is much in the universe that 
will remain a mystery and 
leaves space for it in the weaving of her life. 

Nut says the way to nurture wholeness if for you to trust that the mystery you let in will be exactly what you need for your journey to wholeness.


Holy shit. I answered YES to all of those questions.
I am a born planner. I plan. I carry out those plans.
I achieve my goals.

But I do need to leave room for The Mystery.

I vow to give way to Mystery. 


Thank you Nut. 


Peace, Inspiration, & Love, 
 ~Amy 
 The Spirit Dancer

This Week in The Spirit Dancer


This Week in 
The Spirit Dancer

Reading: the perks of being a wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Listening to: a mixed playlist of songs from the above mentioned book 

Watching: Witchblade, Scrubs

Thinking about: creativity and community

Learning: to prioritize my time

Doing: planning and plotting vending this month

Pet Peeves: people that try too hard, just be

Happy Thoughts: Chris's laugh, Sarah's smile, Faeries dancing, lava lamp bubbling, creativity oozing, sweet blasts from the past

Best Quote: And all the books you've read have been read by other people. And all the songs you've love have been heard by other people. And that girl that's pretty to you is pretty to other people. And you know that if you looked at these facts when you were happy, you would feel great because you are describing "unity". ~Charlie, the perks of being a wallflower

Looking forward to: Vending soon!



Peace, Inspiration, & Love, 
 ~Amy 
 The Spirit Dancer