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Gratitude & Thanks (Monthly Flying Sisters Blog Circle)


"The more grateful you are, the more you get to be grateful about. It's that simple." ~Louise L. Hay

Today is a traditional day for people to share their thanks, 
however, I encourage you to practice gratitude
every single day.

As I was writing this post in my head, I was thinking how practicing gratitude every day allows us to 

be open to all of the abundance in our life. 

I then go into my Deepak and Oprah meditation for the day 
and Deepak says,
"Gratitude is the gateway to abundance."

It truly is.

Off the top of my head here is my current
list of things I am thankful for-


the air I breathe
the love in my life
knowledge
creativity
intuition
inspiration
writing
words
 the internet
meditation
morning pages
Julia Cameron, Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay
heat
my home
my boyfriend
my friends
my family
my car
my job
my clothes
my many pairs of boots
my own craft room
the beauty of being alive


From Day # 14 of Desire and Destiny Meditation 
with Oprah & Deepak


Mindful Moment

Set the intention to greet each moment of the day in gratitude. As each encounter and situation crosses your path take time to pay attention to all of the things that you can be grateful for in the moment. May you cultivate the spirit of gratitude with effortless ease and enthusiasm, for as you do so you transform your world.




"Each day begins with a prayer of “Thank you,” which are the first words out of my mouth as I awaken."

Enjoy today with your loved ones and ponder the question...

What are you thankful for today? 

I leave you with Alanis Morissette's "Thank You." 




This blog is part of the Flying Sisters monthly blog circle.


Hop to the next blog for more gratitude.
Who knows where you'll end up?
Next stop on the circle is the lovely Sandy King-


 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: "Quiet" by Susan Cain

Listening to: Lorde, Carina Round, Bosnian Rainbows, The Jezabels

Watching: Finished rewatching "American Horror Story-Murder House" - started rewatching season 2.

Thinking about: my favorite 4 day weekend of the year coming up and how much I'm gonna accomplish 


Learning: Less is more. 

Doing: I unpacked the last of the boxes. Wow. I found so much nostalgia. So many pictures, letters, and memorabilia. 

Pet Peeves: People not understanding or respecting solitude.

Happy Thoughts: Solitude. Simplifying. Organizing. Cleaning. 4 day weekend.

Best Quote:
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."  ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Affirmation: "I nourish the universe and the universe nourishes me."

Looking forward to: Well, the 4 day weekend of courseI have lots and lots to work on - my website - my book - my creations. It's going to be awesome. 

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

Taking down a turkey leg. 
This Week in
The Magick Muse

Reading: "The Virgin Project" by Stasia Kato & K.D. Boze and "Quiet" by Susan Cain

Listening to: Bonobo

Watching: Bonobo live! Chris and I saw Bonobo with a live band Sunday evening at The Orange Peel. It was awesome.

Thinking about: Brookport, IL. My hometown was hit with a tornado this past Sunday. Looks like tons of destruction. My heart is heavy. 


Learning: The neverending balance of time. 

Doing: C
elebrating Chris. Today is his birthday. Went to my very first Ren Faire the other day. So. much. fun. 

Pet Peeves: - - -

Happy Thoughts: birthdays, orgasms, live shows, Renaissance Festivals, naughty humor

Best Quote: 
"Very little grows on jagged rock. Be ground. Be crumbled, so wildflowers will come up where you are." -Rumi (Inspired by Laly Mille)

Looking forward to: Book club tonight and celebrating Chris's birthday.


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.

The Deadlies ~ The Artist's Way

Some of you are aware that this year I've been in 
an Artist's Way book club. 

I absolutely love it. 

There are 12 chapters in "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron and we focus on one chapter a month. 

Perfect.

This book has truly enriched my life. 

The main two components to Julia's artist way formula are the morning pages and the artist dates
Both of these activities are now integrated in who I am. 
They are part of my routine, part of my life.

Each chapter she has a variety of exercises designed for you to delve deeper into parts of your self 
you may not have ever thought of.

In chapter 10, she has a task called, "The Deadlies". 
The Deadlies
Directions:
Take a piece of paper and cut seven small strips.
On each strip, write on of the following words:
alcohol, drugs, sex, work, money, food, and family/friends.
(I typed mine out.)
Fold the strips and place them in an envelope. 
These are "The Deadlies".
Draw one deadly.
Write five ways in which it has had 
a negative impact on your life. 
If the word seems rather difficult-that is resistance.
Do this seven times, each time putting back the previous word
so that you are always drawing from all seven possible deadlies.
You may keep drawing the same deadly.
Pay attention to this.
This is highly significant.

This exercise helps cut through denial
and brings one into clarity. 
writing out my deadlies 

This is my breakdown -
money being the top deadly -
followed by sex.
My Deadlies Summary

Have you faced your personal deadlies?
How would your list look?



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~Onion Cough Syrup


*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!

Onion

Latin Name: Allium cepa

Taste: Pungent

Actions: antibacterial, anti-coagulant, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, diuretic

~contains vitamin A, B, C, and K, chromium, folic acid, and flavonoids


Benefits of Onion
~immune booster
~reduces blood pressure
~cleans the blood
~lowers cholesterol
~rich source of quercetin, a potent antioxidant

Quercetin has a variety of healthy benefits.
~lowers cholesterol
~thins the blod
~fights asthma
~helps hay fever
~antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral

Onion skins deliver a fantastic source of quercetin.



Did you know onions can even help hair loss?

True story.

Applying onion juice on your scalp 2 times a week
for 2 months can
create hair regrowth.

Read the study here.



I love onions and one of my favorite recipes  
is an onion cough syrup.

It's fun to make and fun to drink.

When to use it? When you have a cough from the cold or flu.

Try it out.

Onion Cough Syrup
From Mary Bove, N.D.
All you need is:
1 onion
enough sugar to cover it
mason jar

Slice the onion.
Add some onion to a mason jar. Cover with sugar. Add more onion pieces. Cover with more sugar. Keep layering the onion slices and sugar until the jar is full.

Shake it up.
Shake it up.
Shake it up.

Let it sit in a cool place for a couple of days.

Strain.
Bottle the syrup and store.

Dosage: Use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon 3 x a day

It's also a fantastic base to add to other cold and 
flu tinctured herbal remedies.

ENJOY!




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.

Allow The Sun To Lift Your Spirits

Winter is approaching and I've been quite chilly.
I'm filling my soul with warm thoughts.

Tap into the energy of the sun...
(Picture entitled "Summer" by Priscilla Hernandez)

The sun is high

The sky is bright

I call on energy and light

To lift my soul

To fill me up

To God and Goddess, raise the cup

Summer sunshine

Filled with cheer

Laughter, joy, and friendship near

Dancing, singing

In the sunshine

Energy and light be mine


From Llewellyn's Witches' Datebook 2012

***************************************
Go outside during the day, 
stretch your arms up to the sun,
 and repeat these
 words of inspiration from Deborah Blake. 

May you be restored with energy and light!
Blessed Be!



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

Steampunk Fairy October 2013
This Week in
The Magick Muse

Reading: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron Chapter 11 for November. I can't believe I only have one more month left of The Artist's Way bookclub...it has been such a gift and has truly added so much more to my life.

Listening to: 
Stevie Nicks, Carina Round, Bosnian Rainbows, The Jezabels, Nine Inch Nails, Rob Zombie

Watching: Since "American Horror Story Coven" is my favorite show right now, I can't help but re-watch season 1, Murder House.


Thinking about: Winter approaching...heating the house. 


Learning: Still simplifying.

Doing: Still simplifying. Knitting. 

Pet Peeves: Bad parents allowing their children to use their outside voices inside...at restaurants. I go out to eat as a treat and enjoy myself..not listen to your child cry and whine while you ignore him. Plus maybe you shouldn't say, "Do you want to play with mommy's phone?" Seriously? The kid is like 2 years old. Pick up your order, go home, and eat there.


Happy Thoughts: Coffee. Flannel sheets. Warm fluffy socks. Morning pages. Meditation.

Best Quote: You can't be your best self until you find your tribe. ~Misty Day


Looking forward to: Lots coming up...Bonobo at The Orange Peel, Chris's birthday, Thanksgiving, the quiet reflective time of winter.

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.

Deep Thoughts by Rumi

I wanted to share one of my favorite quotes that I believe 
truly aids in the healing process. 

Artist Unknown - Google Image Search
The wound is the place where 
the light enters you. 
~Rumi


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~Elderberry Syrup

*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!

Elderberry

Elderberry Latin Name: Sambucus nigra

Elderberry syrup is excellent to get you through
the winter months.

It helps with colds, flus, coughs, and all things winter sickness.

Benefits of Elderberry
soothes sore throats and coughs

fights the flu and viral infections

decreases mucous production during colds

stimulates the immune system

decreases the length of sickness

improves heart health

lowers cholesterol

improves vision

antioxidant

anti-viral

contains vitamin A, B, & C



How to Make Elderberry Syrup
You need:
1 cup fresh or 1/2 dried elderberries
3 cups of water
1 cup of honey

Place berries in a pot.

Cover with water.

Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer over low for 30-45 minutes.

Remove from heat.

Smash berries and strain.

Add one cup of honey. (for taste and health)

If you would like a preservative, add 1 tablespoon of brandy.

Bottle and keep refrigerated.

Keeps 3-6 months.




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~Kali

Kali
Illustrated by Hrana Janto

Fear

I am the dance of death that is
behind all life
the ultimate horror
the ultimate ecstasy
I am existence
I am the dance of destruction that
will end this world
the timeless void
the formless devouring mouth
I am rebirth
Let me dance you to death
Let me dance you to life
Will you walk through your fears to dance with me?
Will you let me cut off your head
and drink your blood?
then will you cut off mine?
Will you face all the horror
all the pain
all the sorrow
and say "yes"?
I am all that you dread
all that terrifies
I am your fears
will you meet me?

**************************
What are you afraid of?

Are you facing your fears?

Kali is here to tell us that wholeness is nurtured 
when you claim the pieces of yourself 
that you've given over to fear.

Name and witness your fear.
This gives you power.

Wholeness is created when you learn to
acknowledge your fears and
walk though them.



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

Sugar Skull Amy October 2013
This Week in
The Magick Muse

Reading: "The Virgin Project" by K.D. Boze and Stasia Kato - I am loving this graphic novel - it's the book for Chris and I's bookclub this month - should open up "stimulating" conversation.

Listening to: Bosnian Rainbows - my new favorite band, thanks to Mountain Oasis.

Watching: My usual TV shows plus some horror flicks - still in the spirit of Halloween - I watched "Creature from the Black Lagoon", "Daughters of Darkness", and "Tamara" this past weekend. I was pleasantly amused and surprised with "Tamara". It has that chick from the new witch show, "Witches of East End". 


Thinking about: Simplifying.


Learning: Simplifying.

Doing: Simplifying.

Pet Peeves: People who confuse witty sarcasm with negativity.

Happy Thoughts: Relaxation, catching up, the continued brightness of fall colors, hugs, breakfast with friends, and good books.

Best Quote: "I create my perfect health." - from meditating with Deepak and Oprah. 


Looking forward to: I am looking forward to clearing all that is not needed in my life to make room for beautiful things in 2014. 

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.