Nikki Starcat Shields's Blog, page 4

Starcat’s Favorites: Snowy Days

I know, I know, I make no secret about winter being my least favorite season.

I understand that many people dread snowy days because they have to move all that snow around. I’m blessed to live with three strong men who deal with the snow moving, and thus I don’t have to do it myself.

The thing I like about snowy days is how beautiful and quiet everything is. It’s like permission from Mother Nature to actually slow down and rest.

Rest is something I’ve needed lots of, lately. Rather than feeling ...

How to Start a Creative Process Journal

You’ve probably kept some form of personal journal before, for yourself or for a class. But have you ever kept a journal specifically for your creative process? 

You might be writing a book, or it might be a process journal for another long-form creative project you’ve taken on, like making a mural or series of paintings, composing an album, or creating a business.

No matter the topic, keeping a process journal can be highly useful during a big creative endeavor. I’m going to use the example of ...

Starcat’s Best Books of 2022

Here it is, everyone, my annual Best Books post. But this time I couldn’t pick just 10, so I’m featuring my 14 favorite books from 2022.

As always, please note that these aren’t necessarily books that came out in 2022, just ones that I encountered and very much enjoyed.

I read 70 books in 2022. This is more than usual – I often average about a book per week. Apparently reading was a useful coping mechanism for me while grieving and when I was quarantined with Covid in November. 

Here are the boo...

Word of the Year 2023: Trust

Happy New Year, everyone!

As longtime readers know, each year around this time, I read back through my journals and do a year-end ritual of reflection. This year I’m finding that I’m averse to it, or most of it anyway.

This past weekend I finished reading through my 2022 journal entries and it just left me profoundly sad. There were a lot of deaths in my life in 2022.

The loss of my Dad was the most significant, followed closely by the death of my familiar, Percy LoveCat. But I also lost my Unc...

In Which I Surrender…

My 2022 Word of the Year is RECEIVE, but over the course of this year my inner work has morphed into a theme of SURRENDER. 

I’m moving from the head to the heart, in terms of which part of me gets to lead the way. I’ve been tapping more deeply into my intuition and the wisdom of my inner self. 

Losing Percy Lovecat in July really hit me hard, and I found it challenging to do some of the things I’d taken for granted in the past. I slowed way down, and only did the essential things in my business....

Starcat’s Favorites: The Mysteries

Back in the late summer, I signed myself up for a couple of new – well, I guess you’d call them life coaching packages, though it’s more like magickal or spiritual coaching, really.

One was an offering from an inspiring coach I’d met via the WEALTH course. I signed up for a free consult she’d posted about, and connecting with her lit up something in me, so I joined her program.

The other was a barter with a longtime client who is an amazing energy worker. I’m in her program as well as getting pr...

Starcat’s Favorites: Milton C. LoveCat

In the midst of all the chaos of this autumn, we welcomed a new feline family member into the fold. Everyone in the extended family is completely charmed by Milton.

I know you are, too, right?

He was rescued by some dear friends who weren’t able to keep him themselves, but thought of our cat-loving household. They named him Milton, for a cat they’d had years ago – not knowing that my grandfather, who lived on this land, was named Milton!

Such a cool synchronicity. I feel like Grampa sent him to...

My Dad Is A Hurricane

Well, damn. I thought my last post, about losing Percy LoveCat, was a tough one to write and share. This one is even more intense. Get the Kleenex.

On Thursday, September 29, 2022, my Dad, Owen Henry Grant, died unexpectedly at home at the age of 81 (nearly 82) from a heart attack. He died before the paramedics arrived. 

He went out the way he wanted to, though it traumatized my Mom (who had to try and revive him while on the phone with 911 dispatch) and shook the foundations of our entire famil...

Starcat’s Favorites: Cats. Always cats.

Oh, beloveds, I haven’t written here since June. Why?

On July 4th, my beloved familiar Sir Percival T. LoveCat crossed the rainbow bridge.

He was 13, and lived a wonderful life, and yet it was way too soon. It’s been so hard, missing his physical presence.

Percy helped me build my beloved second career, as you’ll know if you’ve been on any Zoom calls with me, ever. You’ve certainly seen him all over this blog, and my other websites.

He was a housecat through and through, and loved to be part of ...

Starcat’s Favorites: Seaside Vacation

I’ve been away this week, up at Quester’s family camp on the ocean. It’s been a delight.

Quester and I were celebrating our 31st wedding anniversary, and we also enjoyed hosting some new friends from out of state who stayed with us for a few days.

It can be hard for me sometimes to take time off, but this place gently encourages leisure. Each time I go to camp, I remember how much my creative soul is nourished by taking time away to play and enjoy. 

We love to canoe along the edge of the bay, wa...