Nikki Starcat Shields's Blog, page 45

The Joy of Lists

It’s a rainy day, and I’m doing some writing (how surprising!). While researching a bit of information for my e-book, something I knew I’d written about before on my blog, I came upon a post from 2009 that was made up of lists. Being a Virgo and having a strong love of lists, I figured that would make a good post for today. So here you go!

What I’m up to today: writing, making chili, practicing for my upcoming dance performance, reorganizing two kitchen cabinets

Energies I’m encouraging: peace,...

Today’s Inspiration

Today I was inspired by my friend Miracle Maggie to make a vision board, or more accurately, a miracle board (thanks, Maggie!). She did a mini-workshop with BlackLion and I today, and she has some very useful techniques to add to my toolbox.

This miracle board’s purpose is to inspire and motivate me, and ramp up the experiences I’m wishing to manifest in my life. Here it is (click on the picture to see a larger version, so you can read the text):

P.S. I have no idea where the “becoming a shaman...

Starcat’s Favorites: New Moon

Happy New Moon! I had a weird week. There were lots of strange energies floating about. I often feel like I’m floundering a bit during the dark of the moon. Last night someone said that Neptune was retrograde, too; I’m not sure what it means, but it does make sense that something was retrograde. Yet I managed to have a super productive week in terms of my writing. I’m thankful for that. I’m having such fun writing Cultivating Self-Love (that’s still a working title, but I think it’s going to...

Expanding Our Reach

For the past two years, BlackLion, ElvenTiger, and I have attended the Life Rocks! Radical Unschooling Conference in North Conway, NH. You may have seen my previous posts about it. It’s been a life-changing and transforming event for all three of us. We’ve found a like-minded freedom tribe, made many new friends, expanded the reach of our Feline Dreamers work, and learned a lot. BlackLion and I have presented sessions and joyshops, and ElvenTiger, age 14, has become a vital part of a growing...

Through the Looking Glass?

I don’t know if it’s because it’s the dark of the moon, or I’m trying to do too much, or what, but last night and today I feel like I’ve gone through the looking glass. My mind is all mixed up, and things seem to be out of place…though it’s me that’s gotten flipped around, I think.

We have two supermarkets that we frequent, and each is one town away, on opposite sides. Last night on the way home from homeschool group, we stopped at my parents’ house to check in on their cats, as they were away...

The Power of Service to Community

I attended an unusual graduation ceremony this weekend. Two of my Pagan friends were ordained as Interfaith Ministers after going through an intensive two-year course (which, as an aside, I’m putting on my vision board as something I really want to do myself, in a few years). There were 14 graduates, along with probably 50 alumni of the program, and several faculty members and staff, involved in the ceremony. The vast majority of them were my age (mid 40s) and older. It was cool seeing so man...

Creativity and Non-Linear Learning

The culture I live in, and even some of the more creative people I know, believe that learning a creative art (whether writing, music, dance, Tarot card reading, blogging, or whatever you choose) is a linear process. You pick what you want to master, start at the beginning with the rudimentary skills of a particular tradition or lineage, and practice those until they are “good enough” to go to the next level. Lather, rinse, repeat. Keep going, step by step, no matter what. Only when you’ve ac...

Starcat’s Favorites: Remembering

Hi! I didn’t have time to post over the weekend, but I figured since it’s Memorial Day here in the U.S., you might have some extra time to savor some links. Memorial Day is not just an extra day to mow the lawn or work in the garden, but it’s also for remembering those who have passed away. It’s often focused on those who served in the military, but I like to expand it out and remember my loved ones who have died.

As it happens, I was closest to some of the women in my family, none of whom wer...

It’s All in the Groove

I came downstairs yesterday, a Monday morning, all ready for some writing time. I wanted to get back to work on the e-book, which I hadn’t done for a week or so. When I looked around, though, the house was quite a mess. The floors needed vacuuming, there were piles of stuff that needed to be tidied, and the kitchen was heaped with dirty dishes. Yuck.

Since I work on the laptop at the kitchen table, I was faced with the conundrum of: how can I work in these conditions?! I got a bit upset, and w...

Wild and Precious

If someone asked me who my favorite poet is, on most days I’d say Mary Oliver. I first encountered her because one of my yoga teachers loved to read her poems to us at the beginning or end of class. Wow.

When Brent and I were doing a fun photo shoot for our Faerie Travelogue series recently, we came across this sign at a Unitarian Universalist church in Portland.

Yes, it’s a quote from Mary Oliver! So, how would you answer her question?

As for me, I’m going to write and create, dance, hike aroun...