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This Week in The Magick Muse

How I feel sometimes. 
This Week in
The Magick Muse

Reading: "A Course in Weight Loss, 21 Spiritual Lessons for Surrendering Your Weight Forever" by Marianne Williamson, "Ask and It Is Given, Learning to Manifest Your Desires" by Esther and Jerry Hicks, "The Right-Brain Business Plan" by Jennifer Lee.

Listening to: Ani DiFranco, Pearl and The Beard, Metric, Bittersweet, Yeah Yeah Yeahs...

Watching: Portlandia.

Thinking about: Friends, fall, and comfort.


Learning: That the more I go out in public, the more the public bothers me.

Doing: The usual - working, blogging, reading, daydreaming.

Pet Peeves: cell phone usage at live shows, totally disrespectful to the performer

Happy Thoughts: Pizza, sleeping in, flannel sheets, Halloween pj's, coffee, watching the leaves start to change colors.

Best Quote: "Every thought we think is creating our future." ~ Louise Hay


Looking forward to: Watching everything change from shades of green to shades of yellow, orange, and red. 


Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Magick Muse


Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 
She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 
Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 
She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

Peace & Quiet

Peace & Quiet
Peace outside The Java Joint, Flagler Beach, FL

Stillness and shadow, silence and peace

Banish the hurry, let time itself cease

Cloak me in quiet, calming my soul

Mending the pieces, leaving me whole

Let cares fall away like the autumn leaf's flurry

Blow away trouble, wash away worry

Leave peace like a blanket, snuggly and warm

Safe from all fear, safe from all harm

The quiet of winter, in darkness I find

A peace of the soul to quiet my mind

Let me relax and find my own center

As into the silence I happily enter



Peace, Inspiration, & Love, 
 ~Amy 
 The Magick Muse

Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 
She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 
Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 
She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

I Heart Herbs~Ivy

*Please note - The information provided is collected from my various herbal books, classes, and personal research. I am not a doctor. Always, always, always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment. Do your own research and think for yourself. Don't believe everything you read. Questions are good!

Ivy


Latin Name:Hedera Helix


Plant Family: Araliaceae - Ginseng family

Character: bitter

Constituents: saponins, flavonol glycosides

Parts Used: leaves, woody stems

Blooming period: July to August

Actions: antibacterial, antispasmodic, antifungal, expectorant, pyretic, respiratory

Contraindications: Falcarinol, which is found mainly in the leaves, can cause contact dermatitis. Oral ingestion of the bitter ivy berries can be toxic.


Ivy is used by some practitioners to treat cancer, rheumatism, ammenorrhea, swelling, tumors, lymphatic tumors, chronic catarrh, and candida infections.

Ivy has an expectorant effect in dry cough, common cold, and chronic respiratory tract disorders.


Extracts have been used as antispasmodics and as topical treatments of dermal infections and itching, 
as well as for weight loss.

It is used externally in cosmetics.

Ivy is a prominent plant in legend and lore.
Artist Unknown
It is associated with the god Bacchus.

Ivy was highly respected by the Ancient Greeks who wove it into crowns worn to celebrate victory.

Its tenacity and ability to survive most climates possibly led to its reputation as an herb symbolic of fidelity and valor.

Ivy is an herb of love, immortality, and consecration.

Ivy is associated with the suit of Pentacles.

Ivy is used with quite a few sabbats - 
Beltane, Yule, and Candlemas. 

Wreaths of Ivy may be worn for Beltane Eve.

Ivy may be woven into wreaths and included in floral arrangements when one is decorating for the union of a couple.



Ivy is part of the ancient Druid alphabet,
The Ogham

Ivy represents prosperity.


Ivy is growth, development and
abundance.

Ivy is "school" ~ new lessons to be learned.

Color: Green
Stone: Aventurine, Malachite
Animal: Cow




Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
~Amy
The Magick Muse 

Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 
She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 
Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 
She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

Oracle of the Week~Plant~Ivy

Philip & Stephanie Carr-Gomm
Illustrated by Will Worthington

Ivy

Gaelic Name: Eidheann

Botanical Name: Hedera helix

Ivy represents:

Prophecy

Connection

Death

Rebirth



"Ivy has, since classical times, been associated with prophetic intoxication, sought by the Druids particularly for creativity so that their work is inspired by something greater than their own personalities alone."

Ivy is here to tell you inspiration is coming to you.

Still your mind, resolve any conflicts, and let Ivy guide you.

"The best way out is always through."
~ Robert Frost

I love that this card also has the Ogham symbol for Ivy on it. I took an Ogham class back in 2002 and I've always felt a special connection to the ancient language of trees.

In Ogham, the ancient Celtic tree alphabet, Ivy is called Gort.

Gort stands for
prosperity, abundance, and new lessons to be learned.

It is the completion of one phase and 
the beginning of something fresh and new.

Color ~ green
Stone ~ aventurine, malachite
Animal ~ cow

Ivy gets us moving towards our goals.

********************************************
I feel this card is highly appropriate for me at this time.
I've been digging in deep with my
Magick Muse business plan.
I'm super excited and pumped to get things going.

Pretty Ivy Fairy by Nene Thomas

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
~Amy
The Magick Muse

Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 
She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 
Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 
She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

This Week in The Magick Muse

This Week in
The Magick Muse

Reading: catching up with some comics-Rachel Rising, X-Men, X-Files...Right-Brain Business Plan by Jennifer Lee, Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Listening to: Ani DiFranco and Pearl and the Beard - getting ready for the show at The Orange Peel on Saturday!

Watching: I had an impromptu Bruce Campbell marathon on Saturday with all of the Evil Dead movies - gearing up to watch the remake. I don't normally watch remakes, but I'm gonna give it a whirl. Yesterday I watched "The Cabin In The Woods" - wow. It was actually good, like really good. The whole story is just extremely creative and I think I have to watch it again.

Thinking about: Lots of stuff. 

Learning: I need an accountability partner. So, I got one. (Thank you Robin David.)


Doing: Writing my "about me" and business self-portrait

Pet Peeves: Ill-behaved children.

Happy Thoughts: flannel sheets, cuddling, the fall breeze coming in through the open windows, all things pumpkin, horror movies

Best Quote: I am an all powerful amazon warrior. ~Ani DiFranco


Looking forward to: Seeing Ani on Saturday!


Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Magick Muse


Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 
She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 
Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 
She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

Merry Mabon

Mabon
The First Day of Fall
Mabon Faerie found at

I am Autumn's grandeur and the colors of completion. 

I am the ripened store that will 
see my soul through the coming cold.

As night and day are poised in balance, I release all that is 
no longer mine to hold, and praise that which abides.

I enter now into reprieve and seek the lessons that will be revealed.

Blessed Be!

Mabon is the time where day and night are in equal length. 
It is the beginning of the waning year, 
the 2nd of the 3 harvest festivals.

Magickal Energies: abundance, equality, harvesting, introspection, protection

Symbols: acorns, apples, corn, corn dollies, cornucopias, fallen leaves, gourds, grains, pomegranates, sun symbols, wheat sheaves

Colors: yellow, orange, red, maroon, russet, gold

Trees: apple, hazel, oak

Flower: sunflower

Herbs & Oils: cedar, clove, honeysuckle, hops, marigold, musk, myrrh, rosemary, sage 

Stones: amber, citrine, tiger's eye

Animals: birds of prey, dog, pig, salmon, snake, wolf

Beverages: beer, hot apple cider, mead, wine

Foods: apples, baked squash, breads, cornbread, grains, seeds 




Prayer for Balance
(Just what I needed!)

Now is the moment of Equinox

I stand before the union of light and dark.

The equal journey of Goddess and God

has come to the threshold of balance.

May my mind be in balance.

May my heart be in balance.

May my body be in balance.

May my spirit enfold all that I am in balance.

Now is the moment of the Equinox.

May all things be aligned, within and without.

So mote it be.

Mabon information taken from Wheel of the Year classes at Avalon in Orlando, FL 2001.


Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Magick Muse

List of Dreams

Wisdom from Dove Chocolate 



Do you have a list of your dreams?

Let's make a list of 7 dreams of ours.

Here is mine - 
  1. Quit my day job.
  2. Have a successful business as a creative, spiritual life coach.
  3. Travel to Ireland.
  4. Explore the numerous waterfalls of North Carolina.
  5. Teach classes.
  6. Write a book.
  7. Travel anywhere and everywhere.

What does your list look like?
Share with me. 

Never stop dreaming!


Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Magick Muse




Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 
She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 
Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 
She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

I'm A Possibilitarian! Are you? September Blog Circle

*Part of the Flying Sisters Blog Circle for September*

Possibilitarian Project with Kelly Rae Roberts
For the longest time, I've wanted 
a career where I can help others.

I feel it's my calling.

My soul expands in joy when I think about it.

Also, for the longest time, 
I couldn't pin point exactly how to do this.
For years I've created empowering necklaces and candles that inspire people - but I needed more.

A year ago I took an online course that changed my life.
I signed up for Flying Lessons with Kelly Rae Roberts
Flying Lessons was all about getting your creative biz going - making it soar! 

When the class started last September, 
I threw myself in head first. 
I got up early every single morning to 
read the class lesson and take notes. 
Everyday I learned new things about having a creative biz. 

A fantastic bonus of the class was a Facebook group of everyone enrolled in the course.

Truly amazing.

 I now have so many universal connections.
I am part of a group of approximately 600 creative women 
from all over the world!

Flying Lessons - Kelly Rae Roberts

Taking Kelly Rae's Flying Lesson e-course is the best decision 
I've made for my creative biz. 

So many benefits...

The class is over, but our journey isn't. 

I can hop on my laptop and there they are -
my online beautiful muses. 

It feels good.

We have that like-minded connection, common creative biz goals, all of us cut from the same cloth.

And this connection stays with me. 

It inspires me. I feel moved to keep creating, keep working on my creative biz, get that new Etsy shop up, keep blogging, take a painting class, etc.

Anything is possible!

I have a universal crafty support group. 

Because of Kelly Rae's course,
the inspiration and possibilities just keep flowing.

I have now been on a continuous streak of creating 
and it's not slowing down.

And through all of this I have realized my calling. 
I know what I want to be when I grow up!

Through my inspirations and soul searching I found my calling -becoming a Life Coach.

I have felt a shift in me.

I even held a successful crowdfunding project that enabled me to get my Life Coaching certificate.

There is no turning back. I am on a roll.

Kelly Rae Roberts
I am a Possibilitarian.
Are you?


This blog is part of the Flying Lessons monthly blog circle.
Hop to the next blog to read about becoming a Possibilitarian.

Who knows where you'll end up?

Next stop on the circle is the amazing Monica Martin .


May you have some bursts of inspiration
and become a Possibilitarian!


Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Magick Muse

Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 
She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 
Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 
She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

I Heart Herbs ~ Red Clover

*Please note - The information provided is collected from my various herbal books, classes, and personal research. I am not a doctor. Always, always, always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment. Do your own research and think for yourself. Don't believe everything you read. Questions are good!

Red Clover

Latin Name
Trifolium pratense

Plant Family: 
Fabaceae/Leguminosae

Character
cool, slightly sweet

Constituents: 
flavonoids, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin C, protein, chromium, calcium, coumarins, phenolic glycosides, salicylates

Actions
alterative, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic

Parts used: 
Flowers~harvest during flowering.

It has a pleasant taste and is mildly strengthening.
Red Clover is suitable for general consumption and long term use.

What is it used for?

Red Clover is used for coughs, bronchitis, and skin complaints.

In the 1930s red clover became a popular anticancer remedy.

It still may be prescribed for breast, ovarian,
and lymphatic cancer sufferers.

The crushed flowers can be applied to insect bites and stings.

Take the tincture internally for eczema and psoriasis.

Make a compress for gout and arthritic pains.

As an ointment is is wonderful for lymphatic swellings.
Cover the fresh flowers with water and 
simmer for 48 hours
in a slow cooker.
Strain, dry and combine with an 
equal amount of an ointment base.

For stubborn dry coughs take the syrup.

Use the infusion as a douche for vaginal itching and conjunctivitis.


Spiritual & Emotional Properties

Red Clover's spirit helps in healing a person's relationship
with their mother and father.

It helps heal pain and conflict between a wife and husband.

It provides courage when an apology is called for.
   

It encourages honesty within oneself and aids you in taking responsibilities for your actions.


Red Clover is about honoring.
It helps you find honor within yourself and others.

Red Clover Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker
Red Clover Plant Spirit Prayer

"From the time of birth to the ending of life,
may the cycle of Spirit never be broken.
May the fire of God bless us
and keep holy the path we walk."

from "Plant Spirit Journey" by Laura Silvana


Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
~Amy
The Magick Muse 

Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 
She is a certified professional life coach with the 
Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 
Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 
She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

Oracle of the Week~Goddess~Corn Woman

Corn Woman

Nourishment
"The Goddess Oracle" by Amy Sophia Marashinsky
Illustrated by Hrana Janto.

I give you my breast
the earth
and suckle you with
corn and grain
plants and animals and fish
all to sustain you
all to feed you
all to nourish you
the great giveaway
my love for you
the food
so you will live
prosper and grow
From my breast
the earth
because I love you


Message: Corn Woman is telling me I need to nourish myself.

I couldn't agree more. 


Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
~Amy
The Magick Muse 



Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 
She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 
Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 
She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

This Week in The Magick Muse

Relaxing - Appalachian Trail
This Week in
The Magick Muse

Reading: Goddess Initiation by Francesca De Grandis, Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, The Right-Brain Business Plan by Jennifer Lee, Mouse Guard by David Petersen (Reading for the graphic novel book club Chris and I have joined-so excited to do a book club with him.)

Listening to: Sleater-Kinney, PJ Harvey, Le Tigre, Joan Jett, Uh Huh Her, female rockers basically...

Watching: L-Word again. On season 4.

Thinking about: Fall.

Learning: The never-ending lesson of balance. 


Doing: reading, relaxing, thinking, organizing 

Pet Peeves: plant thieves 

Happy Thoughts: quality alone time, loud music, dancing, sleeping, coffee, good conversations

Best Quote: "Want a good body? Work at it. Want to be a success? Work at it. Want to be truly exceptional? Be a touch insane. You need a little bit of insanity to do great things." -Henry Rollins

Looking forward to: The first day of fall, a book club that's in person, the full moon, more pumpkin spice lattes...


Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Magick Muse


Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 
She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 
Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 
She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

Friday The 13th~Muahahahahha


Are you superstitious?

Today, will you walk under a ladder?
Let a black cat cross your path?
Throw salt over your shoulder?
Open an umbrella...INDOORS?

Oh no!
Don't break a mirror!

I've always loved Friday the 13ths - maybe because of the cheesy 80s show - maybe because I like to dance on the edge of the unknown - maybe because
I find 13 to be lucky instead of the normal negativity it gets.

Don't be afraid.

Enjoy your Friday the 13th!


Witchy Amy
Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
~Amy
The Magick Muse


Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 
She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 
Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 
She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

September Artist Date

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron 
I had such a fantastic August artist date that
I just simply could not wait for my September date.

What is an artist date

Well, basically anything you want to do 
that you don't normally do...and you do it alone. 
All alone. Singular. By yourself. If it sounds fun...go do it.
Now...I've been dating myself for years. 
I take myself out on somewhat of a regular basis. 


So I feel my artist dates need to be extra artsy.
I try to do one extra special day for me a month.

A friend of mine told me about an art opening 
this past Friday night. 
The show sounded unique 
plus it was happening in downtown Asheville.

Perfect.

I decided to just wander around Biltmore Avenue/Broadway Avenue until it's time for the show.

I started at Indo, one of my fav hippie joints and
stocked up on my magical incense.
Escential Incense at Indo, Asheville NC
Indo is the only store in Asheville I've found that sells Escential Incense. I absolutely love this brand. I've never been disappointed. They have a broad selection and they all smell incredible.
I especially love Mystic Forest. 
It always grounds me.
 (I need a lot of grounding.)

My stomach started to rumble - and
I've been craving sushi like mad, 
so I treated myself to Wasabi.
Wasabi - Asheville, NC 

Such an excellent restaurant.
Their sushi makes me moan every single time. 
Volcano Roll - Wasabi - Asheville, NC

After dinner I continued my wandering around Broadway.
I haven't really walked it for quite some time.
I stumbled upon a place called Chocolate Gems.
Chocolate Gems - Asheville, NC

Their gelato was so orgasmic.
I thought I moaned eating sushi, but damn.
Good stuff. 
Chocolate Gems - Asheville, NC


After all that goodness it was time for the art exhibit.
The Satellite Gallery - Asheville, NC
It was strange and unusual.
Which I normally flock to strange and unusual...
Julie Armbruster
However, it just wasn't my flavor.
There were some pretty creepy pieces.
Man faces with mustaches inside wooden logs.
Eye balls in the bushes.
An owl smoking a cigarette.

My friend loves her work and I could tell lots of folks there were digging the pieces on display.

I find art is just like people. Every single one is unique. You connect with certain ones. You don't connect with others. 

And that is okay.

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Magick Muse

Amy Riddle is an empowerment coach, crafter of sorts, writer,
herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 
She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 
Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 
She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.