Hitting Send

As another calendar year comes to an end, Mother Earth rests in the contentment of work well done, and silently renews in preparation for the Spring magick of rebirth. There is Beauty before us, and Beauty behind us. I have been utilizing this introspective energy to not only give thanks for the gifts to come, but also to reflect back upon my successes of the year, acknowledging myself for what I did right and the lessons I learned. Success breeds success, and it is important to celebrate both our big and small accomplishments. Last year I asked my BeLoved Readers, “What were your Gold Star moments?” It’s time to Celebrate our successes again! YAY! Acknowledging your achievements, or Self Gratitude, is a powerful exercise which is fun and often fuels creative energy which can flow into new ventures of which you can be proud!

I invite you to look back upon the year and notice the smaller steps which led to your greater achievements. What have you done which made you proud of yourself? Appreciating yourself is a form of self respect, instilling confidence and trust in your own abilities. Do you see how this could not only be a healthy, fun activity, but also one which would strengthen the place from which you can Create/Creatrix what you want in the new year? Yes, you should be proud of yourself! Look what you did, the learning which took place.. you did that for yourself! Bring awareness to that which you created in your life, be impressed with your abilities, and acknowledge yourself for your Gold Star moments.

Here are some of my achievements this year:

1. While I acknowledged last year that I am “both a delicate flower, who is also a strong womyn”, I have come to realize that I am both less fragile and stronger than I thought. By gently pushing through my comfort zones, I have grown stronger physically and emotionally this year.

2. True to my nomadic nature, I moved quite a few times this year. Along the journey I sought a physical home outside of myself, only to realize that home was within me all along. I am a nomadic global citizen, at home wherever I am.

3. I have been truly Blessed with many new friends/connections in my life this year. They are strong, intelligent, big-hearted, generous and Beautiful souls with ties which bind us in mutual healing and personal growth. For this Amazing support network, I am so Grateful.

4. Pushing through another level of comfort, I was able to connect my passion for music and Love for my soul siblings with my new radio show “From the Heart with EdenSol”, another Wonderful accomplishment of which I am proud.

5. Once again, I have listed my successes on the www! YAY, ME! *giggle*

Congratulations, Dear Reader, on another year! What achievements are you proud of?

Love and Successful Blessings,
Antonia

Thick, grey clouds made their way over the valley’s surrounding mountains yesterday, sitting heavily against the snow-capped tops, threatening downpours in the small town. As the mist settled upon the valley floor, Christmas shoppers dodged the scattered showers, seeking warmth in local cafes. As Winter was only a day away, I felt inspired to pull out my family mulled wine recipe, as I Love making it this time of year. It’s a festive blend of red wine, cinnamon, cloves, citrus and sweetener, which is fun to offer friends and family, and makes the house smell yummy.

Making mulled wine not only makes me feel as though I am carrying on the tradition handed down by my mother and grandmother, but also connects me with the holiday tradition of my ancestors, as making mulled wine has a long history. ‘Mulled’ simply means heated and spiced, and this can be done with cider, mead, wine, and liquors. In medievel times the heated wine was known as Ypocras or Hipocris, named after the physician Hippocrates. In the 1500s, cookbooks listed methods of mulling “Clarrey”, or Bordeaux. Recipes involved honey, cinnamon, cardamon, galingale and French wine. Mulled wine was a favorite in Victorian England, and was known in Nordic countries as Glögg. In German-speaking countries the beverage is known as Glühwein and has a documented history dating back to around 1420. In Romania it is called vin fiert (”boiled wine”), and can be made using either red or white wine, sometimes made with peppercorns. In Italy, mulled wine is made in the northern part of the country and is known as vin brulè. And, in Chile the drink is called navegado and is heated and spiced with cinnamon sticks, orange slices, cloves and sugar. Almonds and raisins are also commonly added.

There are many recipes for mulled wine, and the recipe can be used with apple or cranapple juice in lieu of wine, if one prefers a non-alcoholic spiced beverage. My family recipe:

1/2 gallon Burgandy wine (any dry red wine can be used, but use less expensive wine)
1/4 gallon apple juice (or water)
sugar to taste
4-6 cinnamon sticks
8-12 whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
orange slices

other spices one could add:
ginger
peppercorns
star anise
allspice
vanilla bean
lemon slices

In a large pan, heat ingredients to just below boiling point. Mull for at least fifteen minutes. I like to heat it for an hour or so. One can put the spices in cheesecloth, but I prefer to let them drift about in the wine. Float slices of orange and/or lemons on top. It’s very pretty!

Love and Holiday Blessings,
Antonia

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

“Oh my gosh, Kassie!” I proclaimed to my friend’s back as I watched her lithe form climb over the creek bed’s wall before us with ease and grace. I followed suit with less finesse, pushing any fears stirring in my mind aside. As an avid hiker with a curious and adventurous spirit, I am usually game for venturing a new path. Yesterday I found myself on a hike with a friend who likes to journey where there are no paths. Aptly nicknamed the “Rugged Faerie in Boots”, Kassie’s daring nature and agility is an Amazing thing to witness, and I appreciated the conscientious way she pushed me out of my comfort zone. Breaking through fears is such an important yoga in life. In order to grow and expand, we must mindfully push ourselves through our limitations, boundaries and comfort of everyday life.

Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.

While knowing our limits can be healthy, we must be careful not to allow self-limiting belief systems and fear of the unknown to confine our lives and keep us stuck and doubting of our own abilities. When I hike, it is usually along paths like the one pictured above; there are some steep hillsides, but it is all part of a journey within my comfort zone. During my hike with Kassie, I stepped outside the safe and predictable into the unknown, pushing my own perceived limitations. “You may want to know that you can do this,” she reminded me as she descended down an insanely steep hillside from which one might actually get vertigo. “Oh my gosh!” I exclaimed again, as I stretched my arms out for balance and cautiously edged my way down the unbeaten path, moving through my fears to the grassy knoll below.

The difficulties you meet will resolve themselves as you advance. Proceed, and light will dawn, and shine with increasing clearness on your path.

You know what? She was right! I can do it! And, as we traversed creek side and rounded the rocky, fern-lined path, I had to stop to admire the incredible Beauty of the expedition. Look what I could have missed! I highly recommend looking at self limiting beliefs. It is incredibly empowering to daringly break through. We are here to learn and grow, and can only do so through courageously exploring. So, let us go forward, towards those secretly longings of the heart, towards the light together, mindfully pushing through. What is standing in your way, Dear Reader?

Love and Adventurous Blessings,
Antonia