How You Shine
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Hello friends, It’s a rainy summer solstice here in beautiful Portland, Oregon. The sun is hiding, but, as I move my way around the city, I still see all the ways in which things shine. There are roses in full bloom everywhere. People don’t call this Rose City for nothing. Some roses are fragrant, others, not so much. But each flower is gorgeous in its own way, whether pink, red, yellow, or white. What else is shining? The glint on a crow’s beak. Rain on the sidewalks. People. Yeah. People. Some people shine by showing up to protect their neighbors. Some people shine by making music. Some people shine by painting city walls. Some people shine through kindness. Some people shine by writing poetry, or telling stories. Whether the sun shines or not, so many things shine. I know many people are going through tough times right now. I know, for some of us, it may feel really hard to notice what is shining, let alone to shine ourselves. So, how can we polish some of what may be dulling our shine? Some of us can listen to our favorite song. Some of us can take our medications. Some of us can reach out to a trusted friend. Some of us can burrow into comfort for a while. No matter how you are feeling during this solstice-tide, I encourage you to remember all the ways you have shone in the past, and the ways you might shine today. Some of us have simply forgotten we’ve been shining all along. So, today, I ask two questions: What shines around you? and How do you shine? Best wishes — Thorn 50% of profit on my Witches of Portland bundle is still going to people fighting tyranny in the US. I also added 100% of profits from the Resistance Matters ebook to the pot. Thanks for your support.
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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...