(H)Owl at the Moon
In different times of my life, I’ve found connection to different animals and their spirituality or symbolism. At one time or another in this blog, the Cardinal meant a lot to me. Now she’s like a passing friend from middle school who I wave to at the supermarket but don’t say hello.
This year, 2023, it’s the Owl.
I was gifted an Owl necklace from my father (designed and made by one of my favorite local artists, Janet Mavec) and it feels right as my totem.
From the world-renowned authority of a minor google search, Pure-Spirit.com says:
… Owls are connected with the wisdom of the soul. However, there are other qualities that owl has. Owls are often seen as mysterious, mostly because many owls are strictly nocturnal and humans have always found night to be full of mystery and the unknown. Owls live within the darkness, which includes magic, mystery, and ancient knowledge. Related to the night is the moon, which owls are also connected to. It becomes a symbol of the feminine and fertility, with the moon’s cycles of renewal.
As a Diana, who is the Roman Goddess of the Moon and the Hunt, I have always felt connected to the moon. As a woman, the moon is so important to us and our life-giving power and the Owl is a perfect spirit animal to rest on our shoulders.
One reason I moved back east was because the eternal sunshine of Los Angeles didn’t match my soul, my circadian rhythm. The first time I met my sister's former boss almost 20 years ago, he didn’t like me: “She’s just so dark.” Whatever, he loves me now. I think it was the time I declared I was thankful for myself at Thanksgiving dinner. Anyway, the most powerful parts of us exist in our duality. Because honestly, yeah I’m dark, but also, I can be bright as f*ck. How else could I be the type of person to run for office and canvass around 900 houses often entirely alone? In many ways, I love the spotlight, but the burn can be exhausting.
So now, I feel inclined to retreat into my darkness. The dark side of my moon. To sit with myself. To take stock. To turn my head all the way around, and examine all 360 degrees of self— in the stillness of the night, unafraid of the unknown.
Join me.
Find your branch on the other side of the wood— in the mysterious magic of searching for your ancient knowledge of self— and we will do it together, yet alone, knowing that we’re just a distant call away from each other, cycling through renewal.
Womxn of Tomorrow
Local friend in town, Laura Bell Bundy, actor and activist extraordinaire, has started this incredible app that’s a collective for womxn to reflect and empower themselves individually and as a community through online classes and workshops.
In her words…
When womxn feel empowered mind, body and spirit, and have the skill sets to thrive in all areas of their lives, THAT is the ultimate form of resistance.
So many women are outraged at our rights being taken away but they don’t know where to start. I noticed that women need a plan of action for their activism, and they need to do the inner work to BELIEVE they are worthy of the equality they are seeking.
Womxn Of Tomorrow is a sisterhood where we learn together, grow together and impact the world together.
We created an app and curriculum to not only help women activate their activism but strengthen any weak areas in their lives from business, women’s health, sex, relationships, wellness, leadership, you name, all it taught by renowned experts in all these fields. It’s 360 degrees if female empowerment-- from policy to personal.
I recently joined and I am so stoked about the calendar and feeling FOMO on how I’m going to do as much as I want while also working and being a mom and putting collagen in my smoothies.
I think I will start with the journaling on Saturday since journaling has always been my fastest way to self-actualization and expression, though Vision Day on Friday also sounds exciting and AB will be in school.
I’m also particularly interested in Jan. 23rd’s program “Playing it Small: Why We Do It and How to Stop.” I’m sofa king guilty of playing all my shit too small and it’s kind of embarrassing and I need to stop. Who’s with me?
If you’re interested in doing this together, between our self-care manicures, here is a link to the app and if you use promo code SISTERHOOD, it will give you one month free.
I’m also obsessed with the fact that it’s $19.73/mo. LFG, Roe!
Random Thoughts and Little Victories
One week in and have stayed committed to investments of self. Gel manicure has happened and haircut tomorrow in town, balanced with the fact that therapist and I are in communicado. Unexpected add: I’m going back to Al-Anon on Monday, taking a friend who’s never been. Good reason to get back in the saddle.
Also of note: I’ve been almost entirely sober on all fronts for the last few weeks and it’s amazing. Might actually just become like, entirely sober, though I realize the spread between almost and entirely is significant and my commitment is often fleeting.
I’m deciding to be kind to myself that I’ve been in a months-long fight or flight from campaigning and other life factors. What I did this fall was really hard and intense and soul-ripping and I’m just picking up the pieces, wondering if what I put back together will look the same.
Reminder: Proceed gently with 2023. It’s barely Day 5.
Fly quietly and carry a big stick, Owls.