Thank you blogfriends and the pumpkin experience!

Greetings to all my amazing blogfriends. Have i mentioned recently how grateful i feel to have you in my life? Yesterday i was feeling scattered, stressed and off balance. Your support gave me power, optimism and hope. So many of you were there for me in a time i really needed it. Thank you! You are wonderful and i am blessed to have you here.
People maybe say that blogging is an impersonal form of communication, but this was the exact opposite. And since i open my heart to you every time i get here and i share the most intimate of truths i thoought i should change my profile image and show you the real me in the flesh(so to speak). I do not know why i have n't done that already but this was the time and here is me!
Do you feel Samhain coming? It is almost here. This year i will try once more to carve a pumpkin. Have i mentioned how bad i suck at this? Every year it is a disaster. Let me paint you a picture. Imagine me in an obsessed mode, covered by sweat, hair all messed up, elbow deep in a huge pumpkin, in a kitchen covered by orange juices and seeds, trying(and failing each and every time) to make shapes in the gigantic vegetable. At some point huge chunks of the pumpkin that were n't meant to get cut off, end up in the floor, making me after hours of dedicated carving to throw it all away. I always see videos that make it seem so simple and i think:"Hey, i can do that!". But after all these years i realise that it is sort of a tradition and it won't be fun if i do not destroy a pumpkin.

Diet,weight gain and my unspiritual approach.

Greetings blogfriends. How are you? I am a little bit stressed right now. Lately i am on a very healthy and light nutrition plan and the last 3 weeks i take 3 to 4 times a week a hard kickboxing class taht last one and a half hour each. But instead of losing weight i gained! I am worried that although i am taking my medication as i should my thyroid is messed up again. Tommorrow i will do the necessary tests. It could just be some water retention. I just got my period after all. But it has been three weeks of no loss and now gain.
So, now i will cut down on salt, drink a lot of tea, keep trying and patiently await my results.
Also i will light a candle to bless my journey as it was the beginning again. I have lost a lot of weight the last 2 years, but i still have a lot to lose. I am currently trying not to get frustrated. When you put a lot of effort you get excited while you wait for the results and dissapointed when the are not what you think of. I do not get emotional about the scale. I have learned that sometimes it takes time to my body to react the way it is supposed to. And so, i have been patient for three weeks and ignored the numbers. But, i should have checked out my thyroid months ago, and with my medical history something could easily be wrong.
I have two hormonal metabolic related issues. Hypothyroidism and polycystical ovaries. It has always been hard to lose and easy to gain but that is ridiculous. I keep telling myself it is going to be okay and that i am going to get there, but right now, i need to hear it from somebody else.
I feel guilty when i get so emotional about it. I am blessed in so many ways. Lucky in so many ways. I should be more graceful about it, but right now i really can't. I know i have a slow metabolism so i do everything known to man to boost it. Small meals every 2.5-3 hours, balanced carbs-proteins, 1200-1500 per day, exercise. I should have done the tests long before. I am always reluctant because of fear.
I feel better now that i talked about it. I never do.
Be blessed, be loved and forgive me for the rant.
G.

Blessed Equinox!

Greetings my wonderful blogfriends. I missed you so much. I am a busy little bee these days and i love every minute of it. Here is a quick update on my life. My conservatory begun. A whole school year awaits me and i already feel tired from the work load. I also signed up for a kick boxing class in my gym and i am sore all over. Business as usual is totally crazy. I barely see my husband because he is constantly working. I brought a few more plants in the house, i guess there was enough space for them. You just have to be very flexible a person to walk across the living room.
Right now my favourite holiday is upon us and i can't wait. I got side tracked with everyday life and i almost missed it, but thank Goddess i remembered just in time. The Autumnal Equinox. I do not know why but except for balance, harmony and all its normal meanings, this time of the year always boosts my creativity, my energy levels and i get more optimistic. The leaves are changing colours, the soil is damp, the air smells of rain and i am in the mood of baking and cleaning. And that says a lot. I hate cleaning.
Tomorrow i am going to celebrate by baking an apple pie. I am going to cleanse my home and body. I am going to write a prayer to the Goddess and Spirits. And since this is the second harvest of the Wheel of the year i will perform a blessing for my business and finances. This is a time to be thankful for what the Goddess has given us and the people in our lives that we love. And last but not least i will make a beautiful wreath out of wild flowers, or my garden plants.
I hope you will have fun and enjoy this beautiful holiday. Gather with family and friends, make small gifts for them, smile and communicate with Nature.
Be blessed, be love and be very, very happy!
Georgina.

The cave and the tummy ache

Greetings blogfriends. I am writing this post from my hotel room. I am lucky enough to be surrounded by mountains and currently staying right across a small farm with some ducks, a few chickens and a beautiful horse which yesterday i fed. I googled what are appropriate treats for her and gave her an apple, a carrot, a few raisings and a sugar cube. By the end of the treat giving i was jumping happily up and down like a little girl. Today i am going to repeat the whole process and i am also going to give her a beet. On the downside, we came here for work and i can not help because something i ate did n't agree with me. The newfound friendship between me and my toilet does n't allow me to leave the hotel room just yet.
But do not worry i am not going to spend the entire post talking about diarrhea. I want to share with you my visit to a huge cave in the area. It is one of the largest in the balkans and it has many different types of stalagmites and stalaktites. I do not have pictures because they do not allow cameras in there. It was magnificent. They said the villagers would n't stay in there because of the spirits inhibiting the place. The only animals living in there are bats and spiders. And although it was majestic and of extreme beauty, i felt unwelcome. Like this place was too sacred for us to be there. At least in the way we were. A group of people caring ice coffee drinks and screaming kids. This ancient cave of 2.000.000 years was only found in the 1940's or so. I couldn't not think it would be better left alone.
We walked 1.1 km in the form of 500 steps. I have to tell you. I did n't know i had it in me. By the end of the route i wanted to die a little. On my defense there was also an old lady coughing her lungs out, so i had good company in my misery. God, i have to work out more! At the end i gave the guide two straws and a sipping cup i found on the ground. She took them saying thanks, but we do have a cleaning crew. How was i supposed to know? This is Greece. I was happy they did n't give us a stalagmite for a souvenir! Of course i stayed at the end of the line so i could secretly say a few prayers and chants for blessings.
Sorry, got to go again... I am back! Too much information huh? Sure, but i am in my favourite town in the world(Ioannina) with the most amazing nature, the tallest trees and a beautiful lake and i am bound to stay in! I have to rant just a teeny, tiny bit! Right? I think it's the crab sallad by the way! Bad idea! What was i thinking ordering the crab salad in a tavern?
Be blessed, be happy and be loved!!
Georgina

On line classes, sacred circle and guided meditation

Greetings to all my wonderful blogfriends. I know i have been a terrible blogger, but i had some good excuses. I was busy creating a greek blog. I have forgotten how tricky that can be. I also took a few(a lot) classes in universalclass which is a great site, check it out. I got a certificate in spiritual counselling and i looved that course. I was also busy creating a sacred circle in my house, and that needed some rearranging.
My sacred circled is made out of 13 stones(13 is a sacred number because it is the number of the moons of the year) arranged from East to West. Inside it at the East it has a censer(to represent the Element of Air). At the South corner it has a candle(to represent the Element of Fire). At the West corner it has a big beautiful cup full of water and floating tealights(to reresent the Element of Water). At the North it has a beloved ficus tree to represent the element of Earth). And right in the middle is a round low bamboo stool with a beautiful pillow so i can meditate on. On the negative side it is right infront of the front entrance, so when you come into the house it is right there! I guess it might seem weird to many, but there was n't any other place for it. I tried! A lot! It just was n't meant to be.
It feels wonderful in there. It makes feel me empowered and strong. The stones i used i have gathered them myself from a forest. They are different in shapes and sizes but they are all white. I have also made a guided meditation cd that i hear while in my circle.
I have recorded sessions of guided meditation for myself in the past. But although when i make it for anyone else it is recorded with great equipment and backround music, for me i always made crappy recordings on my cellphone. Finally, i made one for me too! It makes a lot of difference.
Have you ever recorded a guided meditation session for yourself? If not try it, the experience is far better than of regular meditation. It is easier to ground, connect and focus. And when you write the script yourself with your own voice it has a stronger impact and you allow yourself to relax more.
So, how have you been? I missed you guys!
Ps. I can not see my followers. I have tried everything. If you are new here, please comment so i can visit your blog.

Brightest blessings,
Georgina

Balance weekly-Plants, oh plants!

What is up with blogger lately?? I missed talking to you guys. I hate not being able to speak when i want to, but you probably knew that already about me! How have you been?
You know that lately i have been seeking balance in life, hence the balance weekly theme. Unfortunately, i have been stressing about financial things..everytime i turned on the tv. The economic climate of Greece is..well you probably know all about it. But after of months being...well wise, i decided i should stop. And splurged. And bought even more plants. Sometimes being a little irresponsible is exactly what you need to feel like you are living in the here and now. I do not do that a lot. And when i do i usually ruin the moment with extreme self doubt and judgment. This was n't one of those times, thankfully... Getting a little off budget was freeing for me. It was indeed shopping therapy.
Our home is now like a greenhouse. It 's like a jungle in here. But it did n't happen over night. The last couple of years i am filling every free spot with plants, any kind of plants. I have used anything i could get my hands on, as long as it would grow. Once i had some spoiled onions and cloves of garlic..,so, i planted them. They are really pretty. In result, everywhere i look i am surrounded by life. In all forms. Flowers,herbs, shrubs and trees are growing in pots all around me. Herbs and smudges are drying in various places around the house and it smells like burned sage all the time.
My cats used to be a big problem for my poor plants. They loved peeing in them. I did n't manage to save all of them. Until i read a fabulous solution. Pine cones and stones. So simple, cheap and pretty. You fill the surface of the pots with them and you are done screaming to your cats: Nooooo! Plus, it is fun going out and searching for pine cones. To fill all those pots i had to gather a lot(!) of them. Bags full of them. While i did that, the people passing by, naturally, looked at me in wonder.
I urge you to do the same. Bring Mother Nature into your home. Gather natural items, pieces of wood, rocks, shells. Do n't throw away this bag of expired lentils, plant them. You will feel grounded, protected, safe. It will make your life a bit more magical and bright. As your hands deep into the soil, you will connect with the Goddess. As your plants grow, you will grow stronger with them.
This week's balance weekly project is to bring home a new life. Whether it is in the form of a plant or a pet.
Be blessed, be loved and be in touch with your inner voice.
Kisses and hugs to all of you,
Georgina.

The spirituality of walking, protective pentagram around your house, balance weekly

Greetings blogfriends! Forgive me for the extremely looong title! How are you? I am so much better! I have been taking care of my plants all morning! They are so beautiful! The weather is weird for this time of year, cloudy and rainy but still warm. I have to admit that i love it. I go out to the balcony to drink a cup of coffee and it smells of rain.
This past couple of weeks i have been taking long walks. I have been blessed with some extra spare time and i got a little more aware of the place i live. I appreciate a little better this part of town now. I discovered some extremely beautiful spots and i realised there are some paths i really enjoy walking. I should have done it a long time ago.
I used to live to a quieter, greener place and walk a lot. I went almost everywhere by foot. To chores, to school, to the coffee place, to friends... everywhere. Besides the obvious health benefits, it really helped me relax and connect. Connect with the place, nature, people and animals, the Moon and the Sun and the Air. What is more magical than experiencing the beauty of your surroundings and filling your mind with the smells, the sounds, the feelings and the energy they hold? I needed to get reacquainted with this place. One step at a time.
I am thinking of marking a protective pentagram around my house with runes and the top point will be my home. My mom and i have done it a long time ago around my parents's place. To mark each point we have planted a plant. I was so excited when we did that! I used to go every day and water them for a long time. I think it will be a wonderful ritual for the Summer Solstice. I have n't thought of doing it until i took this walks. Until this place felt mine. Until i felt like the Witch of this place! Under each rune i will leave an offering according to the point and element it represents.
Are you enjoying the place you live? When was it the last time you took a long walk to your neighbourhood, feed some birds, actually smelled the roses? This is this week's balance weekly challenge. To fill your lungs with fresh air and your heart with joy.
Be blessed, be loved and be foolishly happy!
I love you guys,

Georgina.