Another beautiful warm, sunny, summer Monday. The deepest sleep kept me
in bed wrapped in warmth until I finally gave into the sun rays stretched
across the sheets. I could have stayed there all day dreaming about miles of
sandy beaches and salty ocean waves. Luckily, this week is full of anticipation
and excitement. It’s the weekend most of us have been waiting for since May
when the planning began: OSHEAGA. Yes - there is more packed into the next 7
days, I can hardly imagine when sleeps like last nights will happen again… regardless,
doesn’t the saying go something along the lines of – ‘you don’t remember the nights you got plenty of sleep’? Or was it ‘I’ll sleep when I’m dead’? Anyways,
truth be told, I’m feeling very lucky to be able to take off early and spend
some much needed time with old friends in Montreal before 3 days of music,
dancing and so, so much fun - it also just so happens to be Pride this weekend
in MTL.
The obvious next question is WHAT
are you wearing? Festival fashion is possibly my most favourite, the grounds
turn into some sort of bohemian playground of exceptional people rocking their
own unique festival style. The marriage
between music and fashion in a city like Montreal is sure to be a feast for the
eyes and the ears. So much to document! I can’t wait.
I’m packing: 2 tops, one pair of shorts, one dress, a bag, a hat,
sunnies and two pairs of shoes.
My motto (or more likely, my challenge): Pack light!
I have spent the past five days on
what I’ve been referring to as my ‘vacation’
with only a vague idea of what constitutes a true, authentic vacation. After
being told (by my boss) that I cannot under any circumstance check my email while
away, I was initially hit with a pang of anxiety. But what if something
happens? What if you need me? I
quickly understood that I am NOT the centre of the universe and life goes on without me, business as usual.
What a beautiful (sad) realization. So, back to the vacation… by my definition,
a vacation is a series of consecutive days that one turns off their e-mail
(both personal and work), limits their phone, computer and social media usage
and updates, eats delicious food, sleeps for long periods of time, drinks a
variety of drinks at various hours of the day, reads fiction, plays (a lot),
laughs (a lot) and lies around without guilt preferably in a beautiful setting
far from home. To my surprise, the dictionary and I were much on the same page:
va·ca·tion - Noun:An
extended period of recreation, esp. one spent away from home or in traveling. Although
I didn’t end up on a plane to a secluded tropical location, I did go on a
vacation (by definition) to my parents’ house on the lake with some of my very
favourite people and it was all of the above and more. When was the last time
you went on vacation… actually?
Although most of my time was spent
surrounded by people, I was able to spend some
time alone; resting, restoring and checking in with myself. Taking a step back from the busy-ness of everyday chaos unearths both what is missing and what needs to be released and
thrown into the fiery pit of ‘what no
longer serves’ you. Amidst the fun and laughter were
moments of realization and anticipation for all the opportunity and possibility
that lies within and all around. If you take just a moment to sit quietly and
bow your head towards your heart (the place in which your dreams live), you
will discover an endless amount of possibility and opportunity right there, within
you, at ALL times. It is on us to continually fuel the fires of our ambition
and paddle against or with whatever current comes our way towards the
realization of our dreams.
Whoever says you can’t… or you’re crazy
will always say you can’t… until you DO. So what’s your choice? I’ve always
preferred two letter words over four ;)
(just) DO.
This week in the Music Monday OSHEAGA
Countdown: pt. III I’m spotlighting my two most anticipated bands, both of which
had new albums out this past year that proved true talent just gets better with
age. Enjoy, K x
Formed in Sydney, Australia in 2007, The Jezabels play what one might constitute as pop, but with a recognizable element of self-awareness. They also play with emotion, but do it with a sense of certainty their audiences won’t walk away thinking they take themselves too seriously.
Zeus
Zeus are a Toronto-based Canadian indie rock band, signed to Arts & Crafts. They're the backing band for Jason Collett, but since their 2009 debut EP Sounds Like Zeus, the quartet have been forging their own unique, melodic, classic rock-tinged sound.
Zola Jesus
Inspired by everything from industrial to classical to goth, Russian-American Nika Roza Danilova has recorded three albums and as many EPs under her Zola Jesus stage name - the latest release being the stripped down and more acoustic Conatus (2011).
Happy Monday Lovelies,
K x
Off to teach and mend sore hips from swimming all weekend ... good reason for sore hips ;) MWAH x
I was just introduced to a new blog over the weekend called MysticMamma. The below passage fell under the title commit to love yourself. I've read it a couple times now and feel that it is essential we all take on this seemingly simple commitment and see where it leads us. After spending the weekend with my friend and her baby we talked about the power and healing that comes from genuine self love and the effects it has on our relationships and wellbeing. We also talked about something she had read that said something along the lines of "you should love yourself as much as you would your little child"... we looked at each other and thought if I loved myself as much as I love that sweet baby the world would think I was on drugs! Enjoy...
"As all of you are on the path of integrating the polarities with yourselves, difficult issues are going to come up over and over again. Welcome the difficult times, for they can be your greatest teacher. Stay focused on your own growth, your own path, and your own self, and not what others are doing.”
“Call on your internal maculine and feminine and set up a dialogue between them so they can begin to work in partership and harmony. Give yourself a lot of love and encouragement. Make an appointment with yourself and say, ‘I love you, self. You are wonderful self. You are A-Number-One, the best self.”
“When you give yourself the dignity of your own love, as if you were royalty receiving the accolades of the people, everything changes. Strength and integration become yours because you believe in and love who you are. When you believe in and love yourself, everything starts to go your way.:
“The most difficult thing for most of you is making the commitment to believe you deserve love. No one else has to love you. You are not here to go around gathering love from other people to convince yourself that you are worth it.”
“By committing to love yourself and making this commitment the number-one step from which you operate everyday, everything falls into place. You become whole and complete.”
OSHEAGAis less than a month away (!!!) For three days Montreal’s
Parc Jean-Drapeau on Île Sainte-Hélène becomes home to the largest Music and
Arts Festival of its kind in Canada, bringing together thousands of music
lovers from all over the world. The island’s stages showcase emerging local and
national artists alongside some of the industry’s biggest names promising an
unforgettable festival experience in the heart of one of our country’s most
stimulating cities. (I’m BEYOND
excited) In anticipation I’m counting down the Monday’s with videos and
highlights on some of the bands I’m most excited to see and some I’ve never
heard of but am willing to give a chance… now that you’ve all realized it’s Tuesday,
hop back to yesterday and let’s just pretend I’m not a day late for Music Monday.
LITTLE DRAGON
Little Dragon are a Gothenburg, Sweden-based electronic music group that have released three albums since forming in 2006. They also collaborated with Gorillaz on two tracks (“Empire Ants” and “To Binge”) for 2010's Plastic Beach, and paired up with fellow Osheaga performer SBTRKT on the steamy single “Wildfire.”
YOUNG THE GIANT
Young the Giant are an alternative rock band formed in Irvine, California in 2004. (love)
Driving home from Basshaunt Lake last night after a long weekend with some of the best people I know was more bitter than sweet. With sun kissed skin, dirty lake hair and achy bodies from collective dance parties and hours of charades, we all piled into our cars to head back to our obligations in the city. I plan on riding the high for as long as I can... that is until we head back up to our home away from home. I hope you all had an amazing Canada Weekend!
Full Moon July 3, 2012 2:52 PM EDT.
On Tuesday afternoon, a Full Moon occurs with the Cancer Sun
in opposition to the Moon in Capricorn. The Full Moon is a time of culmination
and the promise of fulfillment of that which was started at the New Moon. It is
an emotional a time of romance, fertilization, and relationships.
The Cancer-Capricorn polarity concerns the balance between
the private life, domesticity, the need for a home base, and nurturance
(represented by Cancer) versus the public life, career, reputation, and
accountability (represented by Capricorn). Attachments and love are ruled by
Cancer, while achievements and rewards/punishments are ruled by Capricorn. In
some ways, this polarity deals with the balance between unconditional love and
conditional love. Cancer encourages us to value our home base and our roots,
while Capricorn persuades us to consider our sense of duty and responsibility
along public or professional lines. While Cancer may be content to be
dependent, Capricorn urges us to be grown-up and responsible. Cancer represents
the origin, and Capricorn represents the goal. Neglecting either end of the
axis will surely backfire on us. Ideally, a balance should be found between the
two energies, and this is what the Full Moon invites us to do. This Full Moon
is about balancing our commitment to our career and families. Something has
been building inside of us, and now is the time when the energy of the cosmos
fairly demands that we let it out. Over the next two weeks, we will discover
what this means for us. For now, we can't sit on our feelings. We need to
express them.
The Full Moon illuminates this conflict between roots and
direction. With the Moon full and bright in the sky, symbolic
"illumination" occurs in our own lives. However, these new feelings
and revelations are emotional ones, as there is a sense of emotions bursting
forth into our consciousness. It's time to express ourselves, and to let things
out of our systems. Of course, we might want to exercise some care while doing
so, knowing that what is coming out of us is fresh, unrefined, and not
particularly rational as yet.
July 3
Emotions can be on the volatile side today with a Full Moon
occurring this afternoon, Mars changing signs, and an awkward angle between
Venus and Pluto today. Mars has spent a longer than usual time in the sign of
Virgo (since November, 2011) and is now finally changing signs, as it enters
Libra, where it will transit until August 23rd. We tend to use our charm as a
means to an end under the influence of this cycle. Because we can see many
different sides to an issue, we can be vacillating and indecisive about how to
act. We are indirect in approach and inclined towards engaging in mental
debates, yet we also attempt to make the opposition comfortable!
Passive-aggressiveness is the shadow side of this energy. Venus quincunx Pluto
today points to some suspicions and fears potentially compromising our ability
to socialize or express affection naturally. A Full Moon in the sign of
Capricorn occurs this afternoon, pointing to a culmination or something coming
to a head. It is an emotional time - a time of romance, fertilization, and
relationships. This Full Moon is about balancing our commitment to our career
and families; to our inner needs and desire to achieve; to our personal lives
and public lives.
When the Moon is in Capricorn
We become aware of the need for structure and planning
ahead. We also instinctively are aware of the limitations of time. We are
motivated by a desire for success. Achievement and manifestation are most
important to us now. We are resourceful and don't want to waste time, energy,
or resources. This can be a very sober influence--even a depressing one.
However, it can also be a productive time when we look reality in the eye.
Tarot has been a big part of my life for some time now. The ceremonial
aspect of reading cards by candle light on the night of the full moon and the social gathering of
my beautiful witchy friends has become a ritual lending great depth to my
personal reflection and transformation. Whether it’s one card or a full spread,
cards can ignite that which is of most importance in the present, hold keys
into how to move forward from a current situation and insights into the future.
Today’s card on Angel Paths was perfect in light of the full moon… maybe it
will speak to you, maybe it won’t. Maybe you can’t wait until I post something
less spiritual and witchy… however you choose to read today’s post, try to
listen to what your subconscious is telling you. Make changes for the better
and live for today.
The Three of Wands
It's quite easy to mistake the meaning of a card named the
Lord of Virtue. We can easily be misled into thinking that this means being
dutiful and 'doing the right thing'. However there is a much deeper level to
this card than is immediately apparent. Virtue is about excellence - ethically and
personally. It is about developing and maintaining high standards of
behaviour, and then learning to have the confidence, self belief and strength
of character to live out those standards through our every act. When we fall short of our expectations of ourselves, we
retreat, disappointed and ashamed of ourselves. We can then take a long time to
climb back up to the higher ground from which we can regard our own acts as
part of the grand pattern of life. And, in the meantime, we continue to
disappoint ourselves. This is obviously not good for us, and neither is it good
for life. So we need strategies to reduce the number of times we feel we let
ourselves down, methods of forgiving ourselves when we do, and ways of
recovering lost virtue as quickly as we can. This is where the 3 of Wands comes in. So, on a day ruled by
him, make yourself a promise...you will spend a little time moving back into
the centre of yourself - do this by sitting quietly and gently drawing in
breath, directing it to your heart centre and allowing it to fill you up with energy. When you have done that, spend a few more minutes thinking
about your ethical standpoint. Ask yourself if you are out of alignment with
yourself about anything. (Please avoid the trap of going "Absolutely EVERYTHING!!!!"
This won't help! Much better to work on one issue at a time, rather than
allowing yourself to be overwhelmed.) If you find something you are unhappy
about in your own behaviour, think the act, thought or feeling through without
judging it.
Work out why you have done/said/thought this thing. Go to
the core of the problem, and do not blame anybody else. When you find the core
reason, write it down on a piece of paper, tear the paper into several
different pieces and throw them in the rubbish bin. Since you have now rid yourself of the core problem, you now
have no further need to act out that problem. So forgive yourself and do it
differently.
Affirmation: I live out my beliefs in all my acts.
