Midwestern Mystic

Just in case you haven't heard, there was an eclipse today!  I wanted to do some research on this, and present you with a much prettier piece on the beauty of science, and eclipses - and what a privilege it is to live in such a time as this, to bear witness to events like this.  But instead of learning more about how eclipses work, and why this one matters - I spent the past few weeks wholly immersed in my life.  I said Yes to things I normally don't, like... -  Wearing my bathing suit  - AND -  feeling good while wearing my bathing suit.  My friend and I started a tiny book-club for 2 - it's by far one of my favorite decisions of this year.  I was assertive in ways I rarely am - and for the first time, was proud of me for taking care of me. A good ol' fashioned girls night sleepover with friends at the beach with drinking games and shots. Having a pig roast and barbecuing our asses off with our Framily. And today, instead of pr...

There are people who say that Evangelicalism is rife with ritual - and for some, that may be true.  For me...it was lacking.  Something about how the papery wafers, small plastic sips of juice - taken once a month were usually in conjunction with some sort of special occasion or speaker (or offering) never set right with me (though I did love the act of Communion itself).   Scented canola oil, smudged across foreheads by elders who barely glanced at who they were praying for - rarely making eye-contact...whose prayers were generic, repeating themselves from the person before me to the last person in line...however well-intentioned, the stark lack of intentional relationship never jived with my Soul.  As I began to rebuild my faith, I found myself drawn time and again to rituals as part of my spiritual practice.  I began offering thanks to the earth where our garden is planted, observing the moon & its cycles.  Journaling, pulling cards - pr...

I've been fascinated with tarot cards for years...there's something about the symbolism and clarification that can be found in them that I love.  Often tarot cards are shrouded in mystery, and unknowing - whether it's from grossly inaccurate media portrayals, or stigma from an upbringing - the truth is, I understand that tarot can be scary for some.  I grew up believing tarot was evil and not to be toyed with.  I'm still very cautious about who reads cards for me, and what sort of weight I give to their readings.   I don't take tarot lightly.  Nor do I take it too seriously, though.   Tarot cards are a tool - not an answer.   They're a way to help me process the world around me - and maybe that's the case for you too.   There are people who get answers from the cards to questions, and there are people who just use it for fun/insight.  I like to use my tarot cards for a combination of the two, depending on what's happening in m...

The waterfront (any waterfront) is My Favorite Place.  Since I've never lived more than 45 minutes from a beach, and never more than 15 minutes from a river...it makes sense that I would find solace there. For me, it's the place where time stands still and shalom takes hold.  The lapping of waves or coursing water over rocks and rapids calms all of my anxious thoughts, fears, and frustrations.   It's a place where I can go and simply exist - my swirling thoughts fall silent, instead becoming swirling intimate prayers.    There's an old, old Spiritual called Down to the River to Pray. It's one of my favorites...and is known by several names.  I grew up singing this song while working in the yard with my Grandpa, hearing my Grandma hum along from the kitchen window.    This hymn has  always  moved me profoundly.  In it's simplicity, it is deeply powerful.   This Spiritual is believed to have held advice for s...

I have another confession to make…12 years later, I still hear this Foo-Fighters song in my head whenever I say that phrase.  The irony of referencing that song in this post isn't lost on me, either.  Because the confession I'm about to make is one that's taken quite awhile for me to work up the courage to write.   I haven't read my Bible in over a decade. Walking away from an Evangelical community was more of a life-altering decision than I imagined.  I lost more than my Faith - I lost much of the only community I'd ever known.  There are relationships that I had, where I could say I'd known someone "forever" - and mean it, literally.  There are family relationships going back generations that fell apart, friendships I thought would last a lifetime ended when I walked away from a single aspect of my life. It's a very unique pain - to leave behind everything you've ever known, but stay in the same place geographically.  Being ...