First Step Shamanic Training

11/30/2025

Solstice Colors bloom in my yard ✨️

11/30/2025

Feeling cozy soothes the frazzled soul.

Simple Joys

There’s magic in cosy winter evenings,
when the world outside is wrapped in frost,
and the air inside hums with warmth.

Curled beneath a thick blanket,
or nestled in a soft, snug bed,
a good book offers a quiet escape.

A steaming mug of tea or cocoa
warms hands and heart,
while pets curl close,
a cat purring softly on your lap,
a dog sighing by your side.

The wind may howl,
snow may drift past the window,
but inside, time slows.

Each page turned,
each whisper of fur,
each sip of warmth
feels sacred,
a pause from the world,
a gentle reminder
that simple joys are the richest of all.

~ 'Simple Joys' by Spirit of a Hippie

✍️ Mary Anne Byrne

~ Art by Esther Bennink Esther Bennink - illustrator under a blankie

11/28/2025

How was your Thanksgiving?

We took a short ride around the neighborhood, and we got to meet a new neighbor who seems really cool. He was interested in bikes! We'll see what we can do about that 😉.

We had a simple Thanksgiving meal here at the house and Michelle joined us.

The homemade sweet potato pie and whipped cream were delicious!

I am so thankful for where I get to live, what I get to do every day, and all the wonderful people and critters in my life.

Happy Gratitude Day to everyone!

11/25/2025

Gratitude

My unschooling and relearning around "myths" such as the popularized story of Thanksgiving has felt painfully slow.

Maybe its Empath shock that slows me down, those gut stabs of painful awakening that hit again and again with each reveal.

I strive to vision forward ways to be supportive of those who in this present moment are struggling while honoring those in the past whose stories were mangled or stripped.

I follow up with returning to my own list of who and what I have in my life, this magical way I get to walk this world, and all the little good things each day brings.

Thinking over what's going right in your world is a powerful reclaiming and ending for the day.

I have so many people, experiences and things to be grateful for. I hope you do as well.

Something to dream about.

Namaste ~ Mara

Art by Holly Sierra

11/17/2025

Let's begin the week with Fire Ceremony 🔥.

It's very personal, just for you, for self comfort, healing and positive shift.

Name and give your worries, rage, grief and fears to the Spirit of Fire. Empty yourself.

The flames of alchemy transform your Shadows into pure energy.

What new form would you want this energy to take?

Name that, too! Invite inner peace, joyful relationships, financial freedom, deeper connection with Spirit...

Your future shifts with each fiery flicker.

Fill yourself with the feeling of this new destiny path.

Breathe.

Give thanks ❤️ and step into your day.

Namaste ~ Mara

Photo by Mara, our class Fire Ceremony

11/13/2025

https://mailchi.mp/maraclearspring/come-see-me-saturday-at-the-gift-faire Think Global - Buy Local INDOORS at the Tree of Life this Saturday, 12 to noon, in Ocean Beach, CA

11/09/2025

Spiritual Sunday ~ Shamanic Weather

Life is not about how much I do, it is about how much heart I live.

I remind myself of that often as I seem to always be rather busy.

I enjoy all the things I do! And, I see the wisdom of downtime, recreation, and, of course, hanging with great people.

May we all find our own sweet balance in the richness and challenges of daily flow.

May curiosity call us, gratitude inspire us, and satisfaction find us.

May we all create and experience the connections that feed our soul.

Let's make this a Sunday to Roar about!

Namaste ~ Mara

Photo by Mara

11/07/2025

Shamanic Weather November 21, 2025

Cosmic Messages Mercury Retrograde

What do you really believe? Last night I woke up knowing i would be listening for a bit.

The Cosmos sang a harmony of cosmic messages:

Imagine a line drawn from the Sun to the Earth and beyond.

The Sun flares, again, along that line.

Comets 3I/ATLAS and C/2025 R2 SWAN swoop through that line on the night sky side of Earth.

The Full Moon has just passed that line.

Each sphere sings its own song. They harmonize with each other as Messenger Mercury appears to stop and reverse course, Mercury Retrograde.

The messages are Sagittarian questions.

What do you believe?
What do you stand for?
How are you willing to live your truth?

The answers are different for each of us. The music activates the process of contemplation and discovery.

Messenger Mercury is in fine form for this particular Retrograde! We will all be going deep into what truly matters and how we truly feel.

Let's make this a Mercury Retrograde to Roar about!

Namaste ~ Mara

Shamanic Practitioner and Teacher, Munay-Ki Mentor, Reiki Master Teacher, deep lover of life ❤️

Photo of SWAN by Gerald Rheman in Austria, found at EarthSky.