Dog People vs Cat People

It's World Labyrinth Day!

I miss regularly walking a labyrinth. The Riverdale Labyrinth, my favourite local one, ceased operations a couple of years ago and I haven't adopted a new one yet. Now that nice weather is here again, I should drive around Edmonton and see if any of the outdoor labyrinths are still maintained and available for walking.

I've been walking both Pagan and Christian labyrinths since 1997. This spiritual practice of "walking meditation" appeals to me. Over the years, I've walked many labyrinths in western Canada, England and Maui. I hope to walk many more!

To celebrate World Labyrinth Day, here's some photos courtesy of the internet --

Creating a labyrinth by light projection -- how clever!

This next one is my favourite -- how gorgeous! I hope it's not just photoshopped.

If you're interested in learning more about labyrinths or seeing my labyrinth travels, click here for my archived posts -- happy scrolling!

Can I Change My Slug Lifestyle?

I have never been even vaguely athletic. 

Physical exercise bores me stiff.

But I have never been so inactive 

as I have during this last year of 

stay-at-home pandemic life.

Now that the snow and ice are gone and 

warmer weather has started to arrive, 

I realize that I must get off my ass 

and get outside for some safe, 

socially-distanced exercise.

NO, I won't be going to a gym! 

They're still closed and quite rightly so.

And NO, I will not be jogging or running! 

Jesus, that would kill me stone dead.

And THIS nonsense ain't 

gonna happen either, pal.

I have to be realistic and start 

by doing something very basic. 

Very basic indeed.

I'm going to try to take a walk 

around the block every day.

Wish me luck and perseverance!

April Full Moon Altar: Bast/Bastet

This month's full moon altar honours the Egyptian Cat Goddess Bast/Bastet. Bast is the goddess in her fully feline form and Bastet is the goddess manifested as a woman with a cat's head. Bast/Bastet was a favourite goddess of the cat-loving Egyptians. Her worship started around 3,000 BCE.

I obtained my Bast statue in the 1990s from a museum-reproductions catalogue. She is adorned with an ornate gold collar featuring the Eye of Horus and also has a sacred Scarab Beetle on her forehead. Both are symbols of divinity.

My Bastet statue was purchased about 20 years ago in an Edmonton spirituality store (which shortly thereafter burned down and never reopened). Bastet holds a ceremonial sistrum in one hand (a shaken percussion instrument) and an aegis (protective collar or shield) in the other, both of which depict kittens.

Bast/Bastet is a goddess associated with fertility, pregnancy and childbirth, who protects against disease and evil spirits as well. However, she also has a very special and rare attribute -- she is the Goddess of Playfulness and Fun. 

Like all cats, Bast/Bastet likes nothing better than a good time; she takes delight in every little thing. Her message to us humans is that fun and play are necessary for a balanced life, so "lighten up!" 

In recognition of her wisdom, therefore, several cat toys adorn the altar as offerings to the Divine Feline.

This month's altar cloth is a white cotton pillowslip that I embroidered about 50 years ago in 4-H when I was 12 years old. The embroidery is very simple indeed -- single, running, daisy and satin stitches along with some French knots.

[Photos © Debra She Who Seeks, April 2021]

And, of course, you KNOW who has to have the last word on today's topic --

Honour Your Mother!

Forsooth, Get With the Times, Bill!

Nap Time!

Yes, I've reached the age where

I often need a nap during the day in

order to function for my full

16 hours of daily consciousness.

It makes me feel old,

that's for sure.

I used to see my grandparents and, later, my parents

nodding off for a quick nap and think: 

"That will never happen to ME!"

I try not to nap too long, however.

Short naps are best and more refreshing.

The following is my HUSTLE mantra now, LOL!

I bet YOU enjoy a nice nap too, don't you?

Hey, I know the demographics of my readers, LOL!