Kestrel the Druid

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  • Manifestation vs. Law of Attraction: Key Differences Explained

    Manifestation vs. Law of Attraction: Key Differences Explained

    Manifestation is an interesting topic. Some people refer to it as the “Law of Attraction”. However, I don’t feel this is entirely accurate. There are subtle differences that make the two ideas distinct theories.

    “Law of Attraction” can be defined as “like attracts like”. Others would call it karma. The basic idea is that you get back what you put out. I don’t have to do anything for “Law of Attraction” to work. It is entirely passive. An example of this would be my actions toward other people. If I cut in line and act rude and nasty, I will get rude and nasty behavior back. Many people in this situation would blame someone else. They would say that others were yelling at them first. They would say that everyone is always rude to them, so why should they be nice. Nevertheless, it is often their own behavior reflected back at them. While people who do their best to be pleasant and understanding have a tendency to get friendlier interactions.

    Manifestation, on the other hand, is more active. In manifestation, you are actively deciding what you want and then taking steps to achieve the desired outcome. In the above example, one would sit down and think about the type of interaction they would want to have. They would make a conscious decision to have a pleasant interaction. They would alter their behavior to have a friendly encounter. And would most likely find the people around them to be more agreeable.

    I was thinking about this recently because of something that happened at work. I recently made a small change to be more environmentally conscious. I started to bring and use reusable dishes and utensils. Only a few days later, my employer announced the start of a new composting program. They purchased compostable utensils and dishes, and set up compost bins in the lunchroom. And have encouraged everyone to put their food scraps and paper products in these bins. The compost will then be taken to a community composter. Did I manifest this increased environmental initiative? It’s possible. I believe that it was several of my coworkers and I who manifested this by working together. Some would say this was just a coincidence. I don’t believe in coincidence. I believe the universe works to bring things into alignment.

    Have you ever manifested anything? If so, what was it.

  • Tragedy and the future: Where will recent actions lead us?

    Tragedy and the future: Where will recent actions lead us?

    I have been having trouble deciding what to post about today. Unfortunately, the revelation came to me this morning as I learned of the tragedy in Minneapolis. I knew I must post something. I felt it would be best to come at it from a place of spirituality.

    Spiritually, I grieve the loss of any life. Whether that life is lost through accident, intention or self-will. This one in particular causes a pain deep in my soul. A man was shot and killed for simply trying to help someone else. I feel outraged, angry, sadness and despair. I watched the video to get my own opinion without commentary. I was appalled. I was even more outraged when I read some of the headlines claiming that officers acted in self-defense. I keep wondering what has happened to us as a community. When did we go from a prosperous nation of respecting our fellow man to a nation of selfishness and arrogance? Some would blame our current administration. I have no doubt that is a part of the problem. But the problem came before his election and has been slowly growing. I have seen it in the little ways. We used to care about politeness, now we care about being right. We used to care about making others happy. Now we only care about making ourselves happy. We used to take responsibility for our actions, now we place blame everywhere but ourselves. And we rarely forgive.

    How do I feel about immigration? That’s complicated. This country was built on immigration, so I believe its future depends on it. I feel that anyone who enters this country with good intentions should be allowed to stay. Those who obey our laws and earn their keep, should not be sent away, regardless of how they entered our country. But those who come here to kidnap, steal or otherwise cause problems, should be promptly detained and shipped to a deserted island. I believe if you are paying American taxes, you should be eligible to receive government benefits. But if you are getting paid under the table, you should not get SNAP, welfare, grants, etc. I believe that children brought into this country and raised here, should be given the option of becoming citizens once they turn 18 years old. Especially if they have gone through the American school systems. I believe that children and parents should remain together as much as possible. Most importantly, I believe honest hard-working people should not be treated like criminals.

    I fear that recent actions will lead to one of two things. Either this will tear our nation apart or lead to another civil war. I hope I am wrong. But we’ve become too polarized to come to a compromise. I foresee battle lines being drawn. Instead of North vs. South, I see East vs. West. Or even worse pockets of dissension with every state being on the front lines.

    There is a glimmer of hope. Our world today is driven more by money than weapons. A threat of repealing funding can be a larger incentive than then threatening military action. My hope is that this can somehow lead to peace. And that we can all live together in harmony.

  • Join My Journey: Eco-Friendly Living in 2026

    Join My Journey: Eco-Friendly Living in 2026

    Happy New Year Everyone!!

    Many of us often look back on our lives. We try to figure out what we want to keep and what to eliminate. We often call these New Year’s Resolutions. We want to quit smoking. Eat healthier. Exercise more. And on and on they go. Sometimes they stick and we improve our lives permanently. Most of the time we have reverted back to our old ways by February. I am no different. In fact, I am so bad at keeping these resolutions, that I stopped making them altogether.

    This year, I decided to try again. Part of the Druidic journey is to be environmentally conscious. I have been struggling with how to do this in my life. I found one small way to reduce my carbon footprint this year. That is to reduce my use of disposable utensils and place settings. Especially during my lunches at work. I plan on taking in my own place settings and washing them between uses. It may not be much, but it might set an example.

    Hopefully, I can then build on this throughout the year. Find new books to read on ecology and implement their information. Find one new thing each month to help the environment. And integrate it into my life.

    I would like to know what you do to help the environment. Do you recycle? Have you found unique ways to repurpose items normally discarded as trash? Let me know. I just might include it in my ecology journey.

  • Understanding Compassion Fatigue: Causes and Solutions

    Understanding Compassion Fatigue: Causes and Solutions

    In my line of work, people often acquire a condition known as compassion fatigue. This is defined as becoming worn out from caring too much about those we care for. This is often times found in veterinarians and technicians, hospice workers, and family members caring for their loved ones. It is often seen as those afflicted no longer caring about themselves. They will forgo basic hygiene, lose interest in hobbies. I’ve seen them isolate themselves and in extreme cases suicide. Many experts will give ways to “treat” this condition and also give advice on how to prevent it. I would disagree with them, both on how to handle it and also with its cause.

    What causes compassion fatigue? Most experts would say that it is a personal issue. One in which the person suffering from it has neglected their own needs. This neglect then leads to exhaustion. I would argue that the neglect and fatigue come not from within, but from the environment. People get exhausted because no one cares for them. Caring for sick and dying animals is often met with hostility from the clients. Followed by disregard from employers. In today’s world we often told that our wants and needs are unimportant. We here it often, “They have it worse than you”. When working in lab animal research, we are expected to watch as hundreds of animals die. And then go about our day as if we just watched a happy video. This constant emotional facade, and the lack of others caring for us, becomes emotionally draining and physically exhausting. No wonder so many in my profession only last a few years, before switching careers or committing suicide. The most basic cause of compassion fatigue is having people care about us. Always giving to others and never receiving in return. Eventually our cups run dry and refuse to hold water.

    So then, how do we “treat” this condition? The answer should be simple. Simply care about each other. As someone with pets, don’t take your anger out on the messenger. Thank the veterinarians and their staff for taking care of your family. Be kind to your coworkers. Ask them how they’re doing. And truly listen to them if they start to talk about their problems. Employers can advocate for their employees. Instead of worrying about how much can be squeezed out of a day, focus on improving the quality of work. Ensure your employees feel heard.

    Many years ago, one of my classmates had just had an emotional conversation with his wife. She called him while he was at school. She needed to vent about the problems she was having with the kids that day. After the phone call was over, he came to talk to me. He expressed frustration with not knowing what to say and how to fix the problem. As someone who was frequently in his wife’s shoes, I had some incite. I told him that she wasn’t looking for him to fix her problems. She just wanted someone to hear her and care about her. He didn’t need to give advice, just listen to her. Let her know that you cared. By simply listening to her that day (without trying to solve anything) he was doing exactly what she needed for him to do.

    I am curious about how others feel about this topic. Have you ever suffered from compassion fatigue? I would love to hear your thoughts and your stories.

    May you all have love in your heart, light in your life, and abundance overflowing.

  • Understanding Claustrophobia: A Deep Dive into Fear

    Understanding Claustrophobia: A Deep Dive into Fear

    Claustrophobia is a fear of enclosed spaces. This is not the normal anxiety that comes from being trapped someplace, like a broken-down elevator. It is an anxiety that causes your body to react in unforeseeable ways at the mere sight of an elevator.

    I’ve suffered from mild claustrophobia my entire life. A short while ago I discovered some aspects of past lives which contributed to this fear. In an earlier incarnation, I died while being locked in a trunk. Some would understand how that could lead to claustrophobia in this life.

    During my recent studies, I learned more about the possibility of why I am afflicted with this particular phobia. Compression. And how the energy of the soul is tightly compressed to accommodate a physical body. This compression has led me to be more uncomfortable in my skin than most. My soul is longing to expand past the confines of physical reality. The thought of getting into something even more confining, then leads me into a panic.

    Take this already confining body and keep it cooped up in small enclosures (houses, cars, offices). It is a recipe for poor health. Is it any wonder that mental health continues to decline even as we improve our lives?

    Science has proven that our electromagnetic field expands past our physical body. And studying quantum entanglement will show that the atoms in my body are affected by atoms miles away. How can that be, unless we expand outward, further than can be seen or detected with scientific instruments.

    Even Einstein proved that matter equals energy in a different state. E=mcc Many would argue that everything we are and everything around us is nothing but energy. And there is something to that statement. Look at the building blocks of matter, the atom. Atoms are nothing but empty space with charges. Protons are positive charges and electrons are negative. The attraction of positive and negative holds them together.

    So how do we use this information to our advantage? By allowing our souls to expand. Imagine your energy filling the cosmos and being limitless. Will it help my get in an elevator, not necessarily. But it will help me be at peace as I walk up the stairs.

  • The Journey from Loneliness to Self-Discovery

    The Journey from Loneliness to Self-Discovery

    Loneliness. It’s an emotion that is usually associated with a negative feeling. Often times when someone says they’re lonely, it brings up feelings of sadness, maybe abandonment. Loneliness is what you feel when you feel not heard, misunderstood, or a variety of other emotions.

    I was living alone a little while ago, but lonely was never something I actually felt during that time. The ironic thing is that I actually feel lonelier now that my family is with me. Why is that? It is probably because when I was by myself, I felt more freedom. It was also because I never felt let down. Now that my family has joined me, I find it difficult to do all the things I want and need to do on a daily basis.

    Others feel lonely simply because they no longer have another physical body with them. They feel uncomfortable being alone with their thoughts and feelings. For these people there is hope. Learning who you are, and what you want are crucial to finding a compatible companion. By spending time alone, you can learn more about yourself. You can break cycles of bad choices and abuse.

    My grandmother was someone who was never lonely. She was a very confident woman and loved her independence. She lived alone for the last 20 years of her life. And I never once heard her complain about being lonely. How did she do it? She was very comfortable with herself and kept herself busy with hobbies. She also maintained friendships all the way up until her death at 95. When one friend passed, she simply made two new ones. So even though she was alone, she wasn’t on her own.

    If you are feeling lonely, first learn to love yourself and be comfortable in your own skin. Next, get out and start making new friends, cultivate those friendships, and allow them to grow.

    For me I’m going to try and build stronger ties with those around me, in order to not feel so alone.

  • Embracing Yule Amidst Modern Celebrations

    Embracing Yule Amidst Modern Celebrations

    It is that time of year again. Time for celebrations, gifts and gathering with loved ones. This has been a conflicted time for me. Being raised in a Christian family, I remember how much I loved Christmas. The presents, the lights, having two weeks off school. But now, I find myself questioning my old beliefs. I still remember Christmas fondly and look forward to opening presents. But am I being false to the holiday, since I no longer believe in the church which claims it. That is what I am wrestling with these days.

    I take some comfort in knowing that the modern Christmas tradition is mostly based in Pagan practices. The Catholic church usurped the winter solstice holiday Yule. The revelry of the solstice became a church to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Even though the actual date of his birth is unknown and was most likely in March or April. The Yule log became a Christmas tree. You get the idea.

    As I study the Druidic calendar, I learn that modern Druids celebrate Alban Arthan on Dec 21. The colors green and white are used in celebrating this day. And mistletoe is the plant used during rituals. I take comfort in the familiarity of these symbols for the season. While many Christians would call these comparisons blasphemy, I find it reassuring. We are not as different as many would believe.

    This year (2025) this day also happens to be just after the New Moon. So, this year the holiday will be particularly dark. I have felt this. Both my husband and I have been melancholy from the beginning of the season. We have been having heavy snow and colder than usual temperatures. Work has been a struggle. I find solace in being near loved ones. And I look forward to the new year.

    Merry Christmas, Happy Yule, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanza, let’s just say Happy Holidays to y’all!!

  • The Joys and Struggles of Family Life

    The Joys and Struggles of Family Life

    What is family? This can be a difficult question to answer for many. Many people define family as those you share a genetic ancestry with. For example, parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, etc. Others would say family is those you feel closest to. The people you want to spend more time with. For me, family are the people I love the most, and the people who annoy me the most. Regardless of how you define family, one thing is certain. Family means hard work, hurt feelings, tears, and being let down.

    But if family is all those bad things, then why would anyone actually want to have a family? Because family can also be our greatest joy and happiness. Family is there for you when you are at your lowest. They grieve with you and help you when you need it the most. Family is the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s the hand up when you are falling down. They celebrate your successes and give support from your failures.

    Some say family means “Never having to say you’re sorry”. This is not further from the truth. Family is the ones you apologize to the most and the ones who have to apologize to you the most. These are the people that are actions affect the most, and the ones that our actions hurt the most. Because they care about us the most. And we care about them the most.

    Family are the people we fight with the most. Think about it. A stranger on the street cuts in front of you. You get a little upset and then go on about your day. Rarely would you confront them and start yelling at them about how much their action affected you. Why? Because you don’t care. You know that you will likely never have to see them again. But if your friend were to do that. It’s a whole other ballgame.

    So, what do we do when there is conflict within a family? This may seem like common sense to most of you, but the straightest answer is to talk to them. Open, honest communication. Therapists will talk about how to communicate and how to say things in a calmer way. But the underlying message is the same – COMMUNICATE! This skill is getting worse and worse as time goes on. Each generation seems to have more and more problems communicating. It seems the more communication technology we produce; the worse communication actually becomes.

    So, on this week of Thanksgiving, I wish for all of you to get together with family. Both those we were born into and the ones we chose and talk with them. Tell them about the stupid little things. Talk to them about your finances. Discuss politics, just don’t let it get heated. Talk about everything you’ve always been afraid to talk about.

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and all those you call family!!

  • Meditating in Nature: Achieving a Natural State Anywhere

    Meditating in Nature: Achieving a Natural State Anywhere

    Today as I was meditating, I received several messages. But I only plan to discuss one of them today. Nature and our bodies.

    Many people will say they get the most out of their meditations when they do them in a natural way. And a natural environment. If you live on acreage in a temperate climate, this can be easy. But what if you live in a big city, like New York or Chicago. What if you live somewhere north like Alaska. Or somewhere too warm like Texas or Mexico. The truth is you can’t always meditate in nature. So how do you obtain a natural environment, in an artificial environment. There are many ways. One is by having things like houseplants in your meditation space. Another is by trying to have natural light in your space, like sunlight or moonlight. Some people will even use images of natural settings to help achieve this natural setting. There is one way that most people would never even think about. The clothes (or lack of them) that you wear.

    There are people advocating for only wearing natural fiber clothing. Fabrics made from 100% cotton, wool, and silk for example. That these items can help ground and relax the wearer. While man-made fabrics, like rayon and nylon can induce a negative feeling for the wearer. Does this mean, you can only wear linen clothing? No, you can wear whatever you are comfortable in. But keep in mind that wearing some this clothing while meditating can inhibit your meditations results. If you are struggling (which is normal), you might want to try changing your outfit. It might be helpful to look for an inexpensive gown or robe to wear while meditating. Especially if you practice in a public space. The biggest thing to look for is something that you will be comfortable wearing. Avoid anything overly restrictive or confining.

    Another way to achieve this, is by not wearing anything at all. This can work if you have a private space for your meditations. By removing all clothing, your body will be in its most natural state. And your body itself will be the natural setting you need for optimal meditation. The first thought I had when I first felt the need to remove clothing was one of embarrassment. What if someone saw me? What would they think? Our society is very deep rooted in covering our bodies and treating them as shameful. It can be difficult to overcome this need to always cover-up. How can you overcome this? Start small. Remove your shoes and socks, if you don’t already do so. It can help if you start doing daily tasks like reading or even sleeping with minimal clothing. And then eventually with no clothing. You must first learn to be comfortable with your own body, and your own nakedness. Once you feel comfortable just being naked, then try to meditate in that state. You may feel silly at first. That’s ok. Eventually it will feel natural. Which is the exact feeling you are looking for.

    May you have peace in your heart, love in your life, and abundance overflowing.

  • Halloween Traditions: Embracing Samhain as a Druid

    Halloween Traditions: Embracing Samhain as a Druid

    Happy Halloween, or Joyous Samhain. Both are the same thing, just thought of differently. Tonight is known for candy and other treats, costumes and parties, and all manner of things spooky. The holiday was actually celebrated by the ancient Druids as a closing of the old year. It is considered the first holiday in the wheel of the year. It is a time when those who have passed on are remembered and honored.

    How should a Druid honor this day? One way is to decorate your altar in fall colors and meditate in front of it. You could also use it to remember loved ones and ancestors who crossed over. It is often stated that the veil is thinnest at this time of year. There is also the option of trick-or-treating, or a good party as well.

    I’m choosing to spend this Samhain by fully meditating on what it means to be a Druid. And getting more serious about my journey. I’ve started by smudging me space with sage. I plan to research and begin my journey of becoming a First Degree or Apprentice Druid. I am hoping to take it all the way to Third Degree. This path will take several years and a lot of hard work. But I know I am up to the task. Join me on this journey and see all that it entails. I plan to share all aspects of my studies with those of you who are interested.