Calm in a Crisis
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Hello friends, These are tough days, aren’t they? At least, they are for anyone paying attention to the world. In Portland Oregon where I live, a dedicated group of activists have been holding it down outside the ICE facility. This is a privately owned building, and another group of activists is pressuring our city council to revoke the lease, so ICE does not have a holding and staging area in our sanctuary city. Especially not next to a school and apartment buildings. Last night, the Department of Homeland Security used green gas on the protestors. This chemical has terrible effects and has been banned in most countries. I got that report this morning, then saw the news about the terror attack in Minnesota, which left one politician and her husband dead and another representative and his wife in critical condition. What did I do? Adjusted the plans I already had to help out folks at the ICE building, and then sat my butt down to meditate and breathe. I’d like to offer you the same, today. The more regularly we can find our centers and breathe, the easier it is to return to that state. When cortisol levels are spiking, and anger or anxiety threaten to overtake us, we can return to our breath. We can hopefully find our centers again. So, instead of a pretty photo this week, I’m posting a centering meditation I recorded five years ago. I find this practice to be very helpful. Wherever you are, and whatever your plans for today, I encourage you to take nine minutes and center with me first. We’re needed for the long haul, my friends. Keep breathing. Best wishes — Thorn 50% of my Witches of Portland bundle is going to people fighting tyranny in the US. That offer continues. This week, I’m adding 100% of profits from the Resistance Matters ebook on my website. There are matching t-shirts up, too.
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T. Thorn Coyle
Hello friends, Folklore tells us of magical cities and villages that appear out of nowhere, and disappear again. I like to think that these stories are rooted in real events and real communities. I myself, have found magic in such places, time and time again. Last week, I was off grid at a lovely camping event in a small valley surrounded by tree filled mountains. There was a creek, and on the forest paths, some community members had planted ceramic toadstools, squirrels embracing acorns, and...
Hello friends, As you read this, I'm out camping with friends outside of cell and wifi range. So, to simplify things this week, I'm leaving you one photo and a podcast! First, the photo. It's from one of those moments where I'm reminded, once again, amidst the very real horrors, how much I love this world. Just look at that bumblebee on those bright pink sweat pea flowers. Amazing, yes? Photo: Bumblebee on Sweetpeas Next, I wanted to share the latest episode of Magic, Creativity, and Life....
Hello friends, There’s an artist—or perhaps an arts collective—here in the Pacific Northwest that makes wooden dragon heads with glass teeth and jeweled eyes made of old CDs. The dragons are always painted in bold colors, and attached high up wood utility poles, so it seems as if they are roaring to the sky. I love that part. The roaring to the sky, part. I also love how bright and colorful these dragons are, and how carefully thought out, even if they are made of scraps of wood and outdated...