Sherrilyn Kenyon's Blog, page 3
October 27, 2013
5 Days to Halloween and Counting…
Another seasonal (or year round for that matter) favorite is Erzulie’s in New Orleans. At the corner of Royal and St. Ann, it is a place not to be missed should you find yourself in the Crescent City. Specializing in authentic voodoo, you can find all manner of goodies as well as ancient Hindu and Egyptian oils. All natural soaps and perfumes made with the finest ingredients. And you can even find some Dark-Hunter inspired items (for those who don’t know, Erzulie’s is the shop Tiyana’s is modeled on) and it appears in several books including: Seize the Night, Inferno and Illusion. And right now, they have them on sale for the season! What better place to visit during Halloween? You can also shop there online, year round, no matter where you live.
October 26, 2013
6 Days to Halloween…
Today for my favorite thing, I choose tarot cards. I can’t remember the first time I started reading them. I was extremely young and started with a standard poker deck then moved on in my teens to the typical Universal deck or Rider-Waite deck that I bought in a bookstore. Over the years, I’ve owned and collected many more. Too many to begin to catalogue all of them. Some I bought for collector reasons, they were unusual or they wanted to go home with me, others were gifts from friends, but most were bought for reading, either for myself or for others (I started reading professionally in college).
Because one of my “gifts” or curses is psychometry, I’m well aware of how much of ourselves we leave impressed on the objects we value, even after the object is cleansed. How much of us remains forever a part of our “tools.” As such, I’ve never allowed other people to touch the decks I actually read. Most tarot readers will have the querent shuffle and split the deck. I will only allow one to split it, and only the cards to the decks I reserve for reading for others. My private decks forever remain private. To give you an idea of how private, I own over 70 decks and up until recently, my own children didn’t know I owned any at all. Yeah, I know. I’m nuts.
Picking out a deck to read is a very personal choice and what I’ve told students in the past, is to look at as many cards as you can before you buy them (something much easier to do today). I have read a standard poker deck as well as a Tarot deck, and can get just as accurate a reading from it. So there is no wrong, or right deck. It’s whatever speaks to you. I always tell students to buy the deck brand new and untouched. You don’t want the impression of anyone else on your cards, and to handle and study them for about a month before you actually try to read them. One caveat, I’ve had decks “call out” to me in the past and then once I got home with it, realized the symbolism is too dark an energy for me. If you have a deck that makes you uncomfortable, for any reason, cleanse it, bind it and store it. I don’t believe in recycling decks or destroying them, not even by fire. But I have very personal reasons why I feel this way.
And I definitely don’t believe in the old adage that your first deck should be stolen. That brings its own weight of bad juju with it. Don’t. Not the way to get off to a positive start with anything. Remember: Do no harm. Theft is hurtful, even to a big corporation that will raise the price of items for everyone to compensate for the theft. So it hurts us all in the end and harm has been done. And no one wants to know the bad juju that comes from stealing a deck from a New Age store where they actually know how to protect their merch. I definitely wouldn’t want that deck in my house.
I tend to rotate through my personal decks. I read the one that is best suited for my mood at the time of the reading. When reading for others, I usually have three on hand, and again, choose the one that calls out to me when they come with their questions.
This is and has always been one of my favorite “public” decks. It’s the Mythic Tarot by Juliet Sharman Burke and Liz Greene, and illustrated by Tricia Newell. http://www.tarot-decks.com/mythic-tarot.html
And a new discovery which has me fascinated is the 3D Grand Trumps Tarot Deck. It’s not a full deck, but is only the major arcana. They are lenticular cards and very interesting…
http://www.llewellyn.com/product.php?ean=9780738736938
Happy readings!
October 25, 2013
7 Days to Halloween and counting…
‘Tis the season of frightful delight and anyone who knows me, knows that this is my favorite time of year. The weather is getting cooler and stories of hauntings abound. It’s also the time of year when I first penned the original Dark-Hunter stories many, many moons ago.
To set the season, I thought I’d spend the week before All Hallow’s Eve by highlighting some of my favorite seasonal items. What many may not know about me is that I was a paid psychic, and paranormal investigator for many years. I haven’t really talked about it publicly that often, but whenever the subject comes up, I will. My best friend is a multi-generational exorcist and among my other sisters are paid psychics as well as Hoodoo and Voodou priestesses, and I am proud of and adore every one of them.
Today, I will pay homage to one of them in particular. I can’t remember the first time I met Kalila. I’ve known her forever, and I treasure every second I’m with her. She lives in New Orleans and is attending the Undead Con and Vamp Ball this weekend, so if you are in New Orleans this weekend and get a chance, make sure you stop by and say hi to this amazing lady (and Allan Gilbreath our faithful skeptic who is usually found in her company– Allan and Kalila are a hoot together). And should you ever visit New Orleans, I can’t recommend her Haunted History Tours enough.
Which gets me to today’s favorite item… New Orleans… Vampires… Voodoo… Ghosts. Kalila has penned the book on it. Literally. She has written about some of my most favorite stories in the city and some that I’ve talked about in the DH books. She even has a chapter on the St. Germaine house that is the real life inspiration for Sanctuary (at least in looks). If you want a spooky treat for yourself or someone else this season, check out her book, New Orleans Ghosts, Voodoo and Vampires. It’s one of my definite favorites:
https://www.facebook.com/neworleansghostbook
Hugs!
October 18, 2013
Alternate Universe
It’s a weird place where I stand. Not that it isn’t always weird when you’re responsible for the fate of the entire world and an ever-starving adolescent Charonte. But…
Sota and Bethany came in today with the kids dressed in their Halloween costumes. They’re off to have professional photos made. Now I have faced down ancient gods, demons from many pantheons, the cursed, the damned… you know, typical day shite for me. But nothing has ever sent me reeling the way it did as I stared into those three tiny faces and saw myself and Sota and my brother and Bethany. I’m still getting used to this whole brother concept. Because of the way Styxx and I were raised, I never really saw myself whenever I looked at him.
Now I do. All these centuries, I had no idea just how alike we both are. Savitar was right. We are twins in more than just our looks. I’m not as unique as I thought I was, and that, too, has taken quite a mental adjustment.
Luckily, Styxx doesn’t venture out much so it shouldn’t confuse people. Sota is trying to get him to dress as me for Halloween and for me to dress as Styxx. Have I mentioned lately that my wife has a sick sense of humor? She and Bethany are dressing as Xirena and Simi and Xirena and Simi are going as an archeologist and Egyptian goddess. Yeah, they’re not right. But I love them all.
Even my brother.
Pax.
July 24, 2013
From Bad Ass to Dad
It’s a strange place where I live now. After centuries of bitterness, I now live in a state of constant wonder. One minute I’m slaying Daimons and barely refraining from slaughtering Dark-Hunters and the next…
I come home to this.
or better yet, this…
Tory has no idea how many hours I spend just watching her sleep. I keep waiting for everything to be a dream. For Stryker or someone else to take it away from me. I know it’s a ridiculous fear. My mother and I have given Tory more than enough power to take care of herself and the boys when I’m not home. But still…
Fear is a potent thing. And something evil is coming. I can sense it with every part of my being. There’s a breach that I can’t find. But I will be vigilant and I will protect them with everything I have. After all, I have no idea what I’d do if I didn’t have this to look forward to whenever I come home at night.
July 3, 2013
Someone needs an intervention
I have decided that I have definitely won Uncle AND Brother-in-law of the Year. Why? Because I haven’t called Child Services on Cassandra and Wulf. It was bad enough the first time I went to babysit and found Tyr dressed like this…
I dismissed it as Simi camouflage and figured it was Cass’s way of keeping Simi from eating the baby.
But this… this is beyond cruel. It’s bad enough they dressed Tyr like this, but the fact they made photos and posted them on FB…
I need to take custody of my niece and nephews before permanent damage is done. I can’t believe for this I got my throat cut. Man, there’s no justice in the world.
I know, little buddy, I’d be sticking my tongue out, too. Oh the humanity.
April 7, 2013
Out of house and home
The only thing scarier than a hungry Charonte toddler has to be Tory when she’s pregnant. Danger and Alexion are threatening to move out until she’s delivered the baby, which is about any time now. Even Bas is starting to guard his Cheerios. He handed his bowl to me tonight. “Daddy, protect.” Sad when he knows I’m the only one in the house who won’t sneak a handful. But he’s also extremely excited at the thought of having his own sibling to play with. While he enjoys cousin Mia and Kyrian’s sons Alex and NJ, he’s ready for a playmate who doesn’t have to go home eventually. I keep telling him that Simi doesn’t leave, but he wants someone to play with you doesn’t burp fireballs. Can’t blame him for that really.
Urian is out on an emergency Chunky Monkey run. I wish they sold that stuff in larger containers while I stay here and guard the mighty Cheerios. I promised Bas I wouldn’t take my hand off them until morning. I might lose my hand, but I will try.
Pax
October 11, 2012
Why is October so scary?
This has always been an intense time of the year when the worst crap seems to come knocking on my door. But today…
It’s even scarier than normal. So there I was, playing and singing softly to Bas while he napped on the floor with Simi. He’s started sleeping like her, with his feet straight up the wall and his head usually hanging over the edge. Today he had his legs up on hers with his head hanging off her stomach while she snored softly.
Sota left right after her last class to see the doctor. She hasn’t felt well for the last couple of weeks. She’s been pale and tired which always worries me. So I knew when I heard the front door open that it was her coming in.
I’d just set my guitar aside when she appeared behind me. Before I could get up, she put something in my face. It took a second before I realized what it was and about three more before I had total cognition.
Smiling, she whispered in my ear, “Congrats, Achimou, you have another smurflet on the way.”
That’s probably the closest I’ve ever come to wetting my pants in my life. Forget battle. We have another baby on the way. I’m still shell shocked. Tory is handling it well. But I want to know how someone can be so scared and thrilled at the same time. Thrilled with the thought of a baby. Terrified at the prospect of her going through childbirth again. While I know she’s mostly immortal, I’m also well aware of the things that no immortal can survive.
All in all, though, I can’t wait to meet the newest addition to our home.
Man up or mouse off?
Actually drove by myself for the first time to pick up some of Kyrian’s new toys. Have to admit, driving is epic. I love the freedom.
I took the Bentley cause I didn’t want to chance scratching anything with the metal. But before I took my stuff in, I thought I’d be nice and wash and wax it and the Lambo for Kyrian. I was feeling pretty good about myself as I gathered the weapons to head in while I waited for the wax to dry. Wouldn’t you know it, as I reached the door, Rosa came rushing out and scared the crap out of me. Wouldn’t have been so bad had I not lost my grip and sent a sword straight into the fender of the Lambo. I am so dead. Kyrian never hesitates to let me know that the Lambo means a lot more to him than I do.
Wondering if I should leave town… nah, my mom would hunt me down for him.
Wait for him to see it? That never works out in my best interest.
Guess I’ll have to throw myself on his mercy. Wonder if I can talk Rosa into making his favorite meal before I do so. Better do some other amends, too, for good measure.
Dang, Caleb. You can protect me from demons. Can’t you, for once, protect me from one pissed off Greek general? Seriously, dude. I need help.
October 4, 2012
Misery, thy name is Nick…
I think my “book”- yeah, that one- got a little hungry today. It dang near tore off my fingers when I went to consult it about a minor aggravation earlier. Anyone know anything about troll demons? Not the kind that live under a bridge. The kind that eats those and apparently tries to kill other life forms named Gautier. It’s hard to hide the bruises and scratches from my mom. Thankfully, I heal fast, but still… I miss the days when I could go swimming. Now, if I dared, I’d have to come up with stories like someone dropped a house on me and then bit me a few times when they were trying to get me out of the rubble. Think anyone would buy it? Me, either.
Fine, off to do homework, then off to see what Kyrian wants me to do. Really want a car, Ma. It would make my world a lot easier.
Later.
