OK, so I have decided it is time to create a proper "About Me" post, to make it easier for potential new friends to decide if they want to be added (since I've been flocking most of my entries for the past few years, there isn't much to see here unless I've friended you back). Because as far as I can see, LJ is NOT dead, and I mean to stay here for the forseeable future. And hopefully meet a few more like-minded people along the way...

It does seem a bit overwhelming to try and "sum myself up" in a single entry. Especially since I have changed a lot in the past few years, and still feel very much like a "work in progress" in many areas. But here are the basics: CIS female, close to 50, European (though living in the US), happily single, highly introverted and no longer interested in labels when it comes to romantic and/or sexual orientation (but I used to identify as a lesbian for many years, and then briefly as a pan-romantic demisexual... which may or may not still apply, depending on how you look at it, LOL). Astrologically, a Pisces (with Virgo rising and a Gemini moon). Spiritually, a non-denominational seeker, interested in exploring various aspects of Buddhism, paganism or any other ideology that allows for a highly personalized and label-free experience of the divine.;-) In case that hasn't become quite obvious by now, I like to look at things (as well as do them) my own way, and following the herd has never been my forte. Which has its downsides, obviously. But, for the most part, I am at peace with myself and the world these days - which is a pretty recent development, from a historical perspective, and which I largely owe to the wonderful invention of brainwave entrainment (a.k.a. Holosync meditation tracks; seriously, check it out).

What else? I am not going to write about my day job, because I don't believe it's highly relevant to who I am... and also because I don't think it's a good idea to discuss it in a public post, for several reasons. You might see an occasional rant about it if you get access to my flocked entries, though.;-) I am passionate about a clean, healthy diet, because it's made a tremendous difference in my life - but I am also not on a mission to "fix" anyone else, so I won't preach to you about white sugar and other toxic food additives if you mention buying a birthday cake at a supermarket.:-P I also believe that some ancient healing modalities like herbalism or energy work are often more effective than conventional Western medicine at addressing the common ills of our modern world; but, again, I am not here to argue the point, unless someone specifically asks me about it. "Live and let live" is my general life philosophy, and I tend to expect the same in return.

Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to mention a fascinating online course I took over a year ago: Soul Realignment by Andrrea Hess. It's a spiritual modality that helps you connect with your divine nature and discover your Soul's purpose through accessing the Akashic Records. I am a certified practitioner at this point, and I can access your Records, with your permission, and give you a comprehensive overview of your divine gifts, as well as any karmic patterns (from present or past lives) that may be keeping you from expressing them fully. If you're interested in exploring the topic, comment below.:-)

Here's a link to the course website, if you'd like to take a look:

I did my annual oracle card spread today - one card for each month of 2025. I used the Vintage Wisdom Oracle deck, as usual... but then I felt inspired to also use the Angels and Ancestors deck, for an alternative version. It will be interesting to see how the predictions complement each other. And I did one more thing I hadn't done before: I drew an additional card to represent the dominant energy of the entire year. The Vintage Wisdom deck gave me Compassion (by the way - I've recently started taking a flower essence blend called Fierce Compassion), and the Angels and Ancestors gave me the Seer - See Beyond the Current Situation. Here's part of the message: You are being encouraged by your ancestral guides and angels to see beyond what you think is happening now. Don't allow your ego or doubts to play games with you. Instead of seeing yourself as stuck or lost, know you're in an energetic holding space while the universe recalibrates a path that is more favourable for you. Angels of light are upgrading your energy, so your experiences can be more enjoyable. You are moving toward something extremely uplifting and enlightening, so stay calm and keep your eyes on the prize.

Just thought I'd put that down for future reference. ;-)

Just a brief check-in today, to share a gorgeous song from Kiki Rockwell's new album, released just a few weeks ago. The video is a little cheesy, but I simply adore the song, and it's got the lyrics, too - so here goes:



I have spent the weekend mostly grocery shopping, cleaning up and organizing a bit (threw out an old rickety end table, which was falling apart, and put up a new tiny bookcase, which - thank God - was very quick and easy to assemble), downloading music, reading and watching Netflix (I decided it was time to revisit The Witcher before moving on to some new fantasy series I haven't seen before). Was late to the Conscious Conversations call today, because Zoom did a number on me and refused to open until after I reboot, which took a while - and then nobody wanted to stay on past the regular closing time, so it felt like the whole thing was over way too soon. *sigh* But otherwise, I managed perfectly well to keep myself occupied and distracted from pondering the challenges of fulfilling my soul's mission on this planet. As you do. *snort* That is all.

Today I just want to share this powerful animated short film (13 minutes) that someone posted on the NAAS forum. It's pretty dystopian, and it makes some strong statements about the nature of our modern world that could potentially offend some people... but I'm mostly planting it here for my own future reference, so please kindly move along if it doesn't resonate with you. I think it's absolutely brilliant. And it does end on a hopeful note...

Looks like summer started today. It just exploded out of nowhere. We barely had any spring to speak of. I still wore my winter jacket to work last Thursday. O_O Today, however, I was out in a short-sleeved top, feeling perfectly comfortable. It's very windy - but it's a warm wind, the kind that usually brings about a change of season. The weather forecast still shows some chilly nights ahead... but it's definitely time to rearrange my closet and put away the heavy winter stuff. As well as review my summer outfits, because I've definitely gained some weight since I last wore them. Some of those tighter skirts might have to go. :-/ Not the one I dug out today, I'm happy to report - even though it's an "extra-small" size. I really love it, and I was worried it might not clear my hips anymore. And I was right. It doesn't. But guess what? I was able to pull it on through my head and shoulders, and the waistline isn't too tight. Thank God the circumference of my upper body is a lot smaller than that of my butt... LOL.

I'm also still downloading music and updating some of my countless playlists. I have so many favorite artists now that I can no longer keep up with most of them, and I often don't find out about "new" albums until they're not so new anymore. Which is what just happened with Stromae - the brilliant musician and performer from Belgium, whom I first discovered about a decade ago. I did post a few of his videos on here at the time, as I recall. They are typically just as engaging as the songs themselves - very meticulously created mini-movies that each tell their own intricate story. Especially this one:



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Today I just want to share my new Tarot deck. Yes, another one. Even though I'm still a little shy about using Tarot, and reach for simple, straightforward oracle cards much more often. Tarot is complex, and I feel like it might take me years to learn it properly - but when I see a gorgeous deck like this one, I can't resist the pure aesthetic pleasure of exploring the images and symbols. So it was one of those spontaneous purchases in the OMG LOOK AT THE PRETTY category. ;-) Besides, it totally aligns with the "divine feminine" theme, since it is called Tarot of the Witch's Garden. Very pagan, very green and very optimistic in its general appearance:



The guidebook is gorgeous, too: printed on nice, glossy paper, with full-page color images of every card... which is pretty rare. By the way, the image on the box shows The Magician, who is usually depicted as a male figure. Clearly, here in the witch's garden magic is female. :-D

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One of my favorite things happened today. A spontaneous, unexpected music discovery. Kiki Rockwell. I was looking for something else on YouTube, and randomly clicked on a video showing a bunch of women in period costumes... and I was totally hooked within the first 30 seconds. LOL. She's just a pure channel for the divine feminine - in its most fierce, uncompromising incarnation. The lyrics give me the chills, because they sound like past life memories and/or ancestral spirits coming through. And the videos are quite creative, as well. Just utterly yummy. Take a look:



And just one more, because it's possibly the trippiest music video I've ever seen:

Today I finished all assigned work by lunchtime... then spent the afternoon decluttering some old document folders and downloading music. This wasn't even the plan... but I happened to click on a link to a music video someone posted on NAAS, and before I knew it, I became a hardcore fan of another brilliant singer/songwriter/performer. Ayla Nereo. Her videos are absolute masterpieces (she often directs them herself, in addition to writing the lyrics, singing, dancing and playing several different instruments). I'm just going to post a few favorites:



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Another video from Amigo the Devil, just because. This song is absolutely gorgeous, and it packs an emotional punch. Such raw vulnerability. I've watched a bunch of interviews with the guy, and he actually said it's the most personal song he's ever written, and it makes him feel nervous and exposed to perform it live. But people love it. Of course they do. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't be able to relate all too well. For myself, I just want to hug him and cry. This is deep shadow work. In other words, what most of us need to do a lot more of if we are ever to see a more beautiful outer reality. Why yes - we're still in the thick of Scorpio season. ;-)

Not much to report this weekend. I watched Thirteen Lives, but somehow it didn't affect me as much as I thought it might. The film is really heavily focused on the logistics of the massive rescue operation, rather than the psychological/emotional impact it had on everyone involved. We learn very little about the boys being rescued - and so it doesn't really feel, to me at least, like I have good reason to be hugely invested in their survival. It's almost like a documentary; very detailed and thorough about the sequence of events, but somehow shallow at the same time when it comes to the people. What I would have been really interested in seeing would be an intimate story about the psychological impact of trauma, in the context of a natural disaster/basic survival and so on. Viggo could have been SO good at that (think of The Road!). But he didn't really get a chance for any deep inner explorations in this movie; he plays a "tough guy" who barely shows any emotion at all. He's all business, so he takes care of business - and then he goes home. Story done. LOL.

That is all. :-P