Repost: Secrets to a Happy Marriage

When Joanna of Cup of Jo went on her honeymoon this fall, she invited several people to guest blog on her site their secrets to a happy marriage. One of my favorites was by Craig Nova. Don't miss the link to the letter he wrote to his beautiful daughter Abbey on her wedding day.

Winter Solstice

(image via SoundsandFury)

The winter solstice is today at 12:47 pm in New York. The longest night, the shortest day.

Recommendations from Shamanic Astrology:

"Solstice, like a New Moon cycle for the year, is a beautiful time to create quiet space to meditate on your deepest intentions for the coming year. It is a good time to engage ceremonially in whatever way you may be moved to give gratitude for the blessings of the year past, to release all that is no longer needed, and invoke the new seeds of growth for a coming year.


This day is powerful beyond measure, as it is informed by the Triple Aquarian Conjunction, as Jupiter conjuncts Neptune, then Chiron in the sign of Aquarius for the 3^rd and final time—then the moon conjuncts all three, magnifying the impact of the aspect.


Be sure to ask for guidance and assistance from Spirit, and as you do, imagine how it feels to trust life, to trust that all is unfolding as it should. Imagine how it might feel to live a life in alignment with Grace, to know how to dance with all that Is—not fighting, not seeking for anything to be other than it is. Imagine the absolute inner transformation and ecstasy that would be part of this state of being. If you have angels or guides, invite them to be with you, assisting you in this process of intention setting and deep prayer."

Opera by Candle Light

The little town of Verona is a sweet place to visit when traveling through Italy in the summer. The highlight is open air opera performed in an ancient arena.

As dusk settles into true darkness, everyone in the audience lights the birthday candles they have been given, and it's like the stars in the night sky begin to appear one by one in the arena. I have never witnessed a more beautiful start to any performance. It was magical.

Joy in Parenting

I am so happy in parenting right now, and part of it has been inspired by reading Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn's Everyday Blessings.

Oskar's Samhain

Oskar usually has the quiet, soulful presence of a gorilla, so I searched high and low for the right costume. We only kept him in it for a few minutes, because it was a little too true-to-life: he really did seem like a sad gorilla in a zoo in it.

He did better in his monster suit.

The tradition of dressing in costume on Samhain originates from attempts to trick and evade the ghosts of the dead who walked the streets on this day when the veil between worlds is thinnest. I guess Oskar felt better equipped to face the demons as a serious, blue plastic monster.

Four Years Ago Yesterday

Four years ago yesterday, Dan and I got married at City Hall.

We had the loveliest day: morning ceremony and breakfast at Dan's favorite Cafe Orlin on Saint Marks with my brother, sister, and best friend as witnesses, a movie, then dinner at the River Cafe.

We went on to have two more public celebrations, a loft party in Brooklyn and a church wedding in California, so we celebrated big.

I am so happy we had the small, quiet day together when we actually wed, so we could focus on just us.

Yesterday, we lunched at Union Square Cafe and watched Where the Wild Things Are.  Magic.

In Pursuit of Pleasure...

As soon as I can, I am enrolling in Mama Gena's School of Womanly Arts!

(Photo: Ecstasy of Saint Teresa)

Losing Time in Mexico

A few years ago, Dan and I desperately needed to travel... we were long time, but short funds.

This is what we did:
We flew on frequent flier miles to Cozumel.
Stayed at Alicia's B & B (a mere $30 a night then, and Chuco is a master of breakfasts and fresh guacamole).
We snorkled every day.

We were there so long, and we were so lost in vacation, that we seriously lost track of time: we celebrated Dan's birthday for three days because we kept mixing up the date.

100 Days

One hundred days of Oskar and of motherhood. A crucible of one hundred constantly changing days: the transformation of my family from vesica piscis to the tripod of life. Today, a celebration of life. Hooray!

I am a new mother, besotted wife, second-generation acupuncturist, priestess, happy Brooklynite, world traveller, and I plan to write on a broad spectrum of things I want to share.

I hope you enjoy.

Love,
Nancy