M is for Morning Pages - Pagan Blog Project

Morning Pages 

From Julia Cameron...

"Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, 
stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning. *There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages*–they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes only. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put three pages of anything on the page…and then do three more pages tomorrow."

My Morning Pages

I love morning pages.
I started them January 1, 2013 when I was reading 
"The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron.

She is an absolute genius.

I feel so much more alive since I started doing morning pages. 

I am able to think much more clearly in the mornings. 

I feel more balanced, more organized, more together. 

Past feelings and emotions come to the surface 

and I deal with them.

I have more vivid dreams 

and I remember them more clearly.

Watch her informative video...

Click here.

 Morning pages are one of the best therapies
 I've ever encountered and
have changed my life.

Thank you Julia Cameron. 
You are truly amazing. 

Do you do morning pages? 

How have they affected your life? 
your creativity? your dreams?

Share your experience in the comments.

*************

I'm super excited to be a part of 
The Pagan Blog Project. 

Every Friday experience the alphabet of spirituality 
and pagan goodness.

Check out the list of excellent blogs for week 25 of the letter M.
The Pagan Blog Project Week 25 - M

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

Amy Riddle, C.C., Holistic Alchemist and Manifestor of Dreams is a life coach,
reverend, creatress, teacher, writer, herbalist, tapping enthusiast, 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 Artist's Way Wrap Up

I first heard of "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron at a poetry reading at Malaprop's in Asheville, NC. 

It was August, 2008. 

I was in Asheville for a week pretending I lived there. 

I wanted to make sure my big move to the mountains 

was the right move.

It was.

I moved to Asheville May 1, 2009. 

But I never got around to checking out that book.

Until last year at this time.

A fellow flyer mentioned getting an online book club going for "The Artist's Way". There are 12 chapters in the book. 

We would take a year and do a chapter a month.

BRILLIANT!

I went to Mr. K's - Asheville's amazing used bookstore and found a hardback copy with no cover. I painted it and made it my own. 

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

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. 

Morning Pages 

From Julia Cameron...

"Morning Pages are three pages of longhand, stream of consciousness writing, done first thing in the morning. *There is no wrong way to do Morning Pages*–they are not high art. They are not even “writing.” They are about anything and everything that crosses your mind– and they are for your eyes only. Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand. Do not over-think Morning Pages: just put three pages of anything on the page…and then do three more pages tomorrow." 

The morning pages. 

I feel so much more alive since I started doing morning pages. 

I am able to think much more clearly in the mornings. 

I feel more balanced, more organized, more together. 

Past feelings and emotions come to the surface 

and I deal with them.

I have more vivid dreams 

and I remember them more clearly.

I have been practicing the morning pages all year and I have a feeling this is a habit that may never go away.

Seriously, how did I live my life without them?

Watch her informative video...

Click here.

Artist Dates 

The 2nd key ingredient in being successful 

with The Artist's Way are Artist Dates. 

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. 

At first I felt my artist dates needed to be extra artsy.

Woolworth Walk, Asheville, NC

Over the year, I discovered I've always been doing artist dates.
I love to take myself to dinner on a 
Friday night after the work week.
I love journaling in pubs.
I love doing stuff on my own. 

Now, I give it a name. 

Life is meant to be an artist date. 
~Julia Cameron

Both of these activities are integrated in who I am. 

They are part of my routine, part of my life.

And let me tell you this is no regular book, 

or even a regular self-help book, 

this book is a movement!

This book has inspired me deeply and has 
had a profound impact on 
my creativity, dreams and my living my life to the fullest.

I am living The Artist Way life.

Thank you Julia Cameron for your brilliance!

Have you experienced "The Artist's Way"?
Tell me about it.

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.

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.

My August Artist Date

Blog 29 of 30 ~ Effy Wild's Blogalong ~ Thirty Posts in Thirty Days 

Oh, The Artist Date - part of The Artist's Way 

and Julia Cameron's uber brilliance. 

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.

So what to do in August?

Well, a lovely lady that works down the hall from me at work knows that I create jewelry. One day Amanda told me all about this beading loom she has and never uses.
She offered to teach me how to use it.

I ventured over to her house this past Saturday morning.
I was overwhelmed with gratitude.
The loom is spectacular, created by a Cherokee woman -
and now it's all mine. 

Bead Loom created by a Cherokee lady named Susan

My fingers learning the loom.

I was gifted the loom plus a box of beads plus 

I got a kick-ass beading lesson. 

What an amazing gift. 

I am so honored. 

Outside her creation room, 

she has a butterfly bush that 

I had to play at before I took off.

Butterfly! 

Butterfly Goodness 

More Butterfly Goodness

There were so many gorgeous butterflies!

I was in complete awe.

As we both stood there in butterfly heaven, 

a red-tailed hawk flew over our heads.

Red-tailed Hawk

Could the day get any better?

Actually...it could.

I ventured over to Black Mountain, NC. 

I work in Black Mountain, 

but I don't get to play in Black Mountain.

My first stop was Veranda Cafe for lunch. 

I chose Veranda because I've recently become acquainted with the amazing-awesome Palette 

that owns the joint with her husband. 

If I like you, I support you.

So - I had to check out her restaurant. 

The view alone was spectacular.

Veranda, Black Mountain, NC 

And the menu - 

The Veranda's Saturday Specials 

and that's just the specials.

I had to go for the bar-b-que plate and holy - 

I'm so glad that I did. 

I had to have the Bar-B-Que plate.

The pulled pork was dripping with yellow bbq sauce that just exploded goodness in my mouth. 

The corn on the cob was just as sweet and juicy as 

my grandpa's corn I loved so much as a child.

Even those baked beans were killer -

and I'm not a fan of baked beans.

I ate ALL of them.

Top it off with tasty coleslaw and man,

I was in a happy food coma. 

I walked off my coma frolicking about

the different unique shops in Black Mountain.

And ended up here -

The Dripolator, Black Mountain, NC

I absolutely love to hang out in coffeehouses.

I took my laptop with me, sipped my drink,

people watched, and blogged.

Sucking down my Heath Bar Frappe

It was a lovely, lovely day.

Pretty Day 

I totally recommend Artist's Dates to everyone. 

It's a great opportunity to reconnect with yourself. 

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~Artist's Way Creativity Card

Blog 6 of 30 ~ Effy Wild's Blogalong ~ Thirty Posts in Thirty Days 

The Artist's Way Creativity Cards by Julia Cameron

I pulled this card from my Artist's Way Creativity deck and
was speechless.

This is what I want, what I desire.

I crave my own biz, my own schedule, 
working with my natural rhythms,
 not against them.

I feel I'm closer to my big dream goal but not quite there yet.

Is this card telling me I'm ready? 

Or is the universe just giving me the encouragement I need
 to keep working towards that goal, 
knowing that what I'm doing 40 hours a week right now 
is just temporary...
just a means to an end?

I'm keeping this card out for awhile, keeping it near.
I'm going to read and re-read every sentence.
I will be doing what I'm meant to do - soon -
until then...


What we really want to do is

what we are really meant to do.

When we do what we are meant to do, 

money comes to us, 

doors open for us, 

we feel useful, 

and the work we do feels like play to us.

*************

Are you facing a huge transition in your life?

Are you ready to release your obstacles and step forward into the life of your choosing?

Are you kind of lost as to where to even begin? 

Book your free 20 minute consultation with me today. 

Click here.

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,

~Amy

The Magick Muse

 Amy Riddle, C.C., Holistic Alchemist and Manifestor of Dreams is a life coach, tapping facilitator, reverend, creatress, teacher, writer, herbalist, 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.

April Artist Date

April was a month of moving/packing/unpacking/settling.

It's really all I could focus on.

The month escaped me and all of a sudden I realized I hadn't taken myself out on my monthly artist date.

As serendipity would have it, a fellow flying sister was painting live, just an hour from where I live.

How freakin' cool?

It was very, very cool. 

I hopped in the car and drove to The Coffee Bar in Spartanburg, SC to watch Sarah Rowan Dahl live paint. 

Flying sisters meet...Sarah Rowan Dahl and I.

I love her tie!

She has such style.

Absolutely in love with her red boots. 

At some point Sarah needed a bathroom break and 

handed the paintbrush to me!

It was an honor and truly inspiring painting with a live band...

I loved it. 

Here we are with the finished painting.

It was a fabulous night of excellent coffee, 

good music, amazing painting, 

and there was a bookstore next door. 

Perfect. 

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

My March Artist Date~Asheville Wholistic Integrative Fair

My March Artist Date

I took myself to the Asheville Wholistic Integrative Fair.

Holy woo woo Batman, it was awesome. 

Seriously, so much better than I expected.

I really thought I would be there for about an hour...see who and what was there...all research and brainstorming for my life coach biz...maybe I would meet some cool folks.

Well, I was there for about 3 hours.

I made some fantastic connections.

I even have a coffee date lined up. 

So many incredible people...tons of healers...

people with the same innate desire I have to help others.

There were smiles, supportive words, compliments, 

hugs and connections made. 

I met Shirley Michl of Intentional Wellness.

She is an Integrative Health Coach and she is amazing.

Shirley Michl, IHC, CPCC

It was such pleasure connecting with
Rebecca of Spirited Connections
and Dawn of Healing Thyme Services. 

Rebecca, me, and Dawn

Plus I found the BEST BOOK EVER 

to get me really going with my life coaching biz.

"Love, Light & Business" by Bonnie Willow. 

Excellent book. 

Since I've been back from my life coaching certification, 

I have been overwhelmed with 

creative business books and e-courses.

All kinds of helpful information coming right at me...

but this book tops them all. 

I'm a healer and this book is 

exactly what I need for my planning and plotting.

I am spinning with ideas and creativity. 

I'm so ready to create my life coach biz plan.

There is so much I want to do!

Asheville Wholistic Integrative Fair

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