Some Interesting Poets Found Here

Our Lady of Guadalupe Today

On this day in 1531 the Virgin de Guadalupe was sighted by a humble man named Juan Diego at a place called Teypeyacac, in what is present day Mexico City. She asked Juan Diego to go to the Bishop and petition him to build a temple for her at the foot of Tepeyacac. The Bisoip was suspicious of Juan Diego and called for proof. The Virgin told Juan Diego to climb to the top of Tepeyacac, where he found flowers growing completely out of season. He wrapped the flowers in his cape and brought them back down the hill to the Bishop, The Image of the Virgin appeared on the cape. The Bishop was humbled and set out straight away to build the Temple.

On this day millions of pilgrims come from all over the world to Mexico City to visit the Virgin de Guadalupe. Skeptics are quick to point out the unlikely coincidence of the Virgin's appearance on Tepeyac, the very site of an Aztec temple dedicated to Tonatzin (earth goddess, mother of the gods and protector of humanity) which had been devastated by order of Bishop Zumarraga.

When she touches you, she begins to purify everything in your life. You fully become your chipahualiztli, the radiant innocence of your True Being. You lose your perceived need to use power to get what you want. Struggle ends. With her, you go through a true re-birth. The essence of her is so vast, yet she's the core of our being. She's inside, outside and all around us! She is the Great Mother, Earth Mother, Divine Mother, Goddess!

On this special day, all of Mexico, and all Mexican sons and daughters on the other side gather for the celebration of the Virgin. An endless parade of pilgrims from the country’s four points appear at her Basilica with their flowers, songs, chants and prayers. They stream in processions led by indigenous dancers, to every church named for her. Wreaths of flowers adorn the signs of streets, neighborhoods, and towns bearing her name. Religious orders, churches and the millions of men, women, boys and girls named for her are especially joyous, as they share her special day.



The nation releases an immense sign of tenderness and experiences a profound expression of Mexican roots and essence and love for Our Lady, Virgen Maria de Guadalupe.

By the early hours of the morning of December 12th, in every niche and cranny Mexico, the burst of fire crackers is heard and their brilliant lights crown this great fiesta dedicated to the Mother of all Mexicans... Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Please read these books for some interesting insight into her world: The Aztec Virgin by John Mini and Goddess of the Americas by Ana Castillo.

Celebrating Death and Rebirth

I love this time of year. The time when everything slows down and people begin to go inward. As I gear up for my hibernation season, my creative side is begging me to spend more time alone. It is time for me to experience another Death cycle, and so today I celebrate my loved ones who have passed, moved on to other dimensions, etc... by embracing Death. I found an artist that has shown me my Muse in a painting. This is the painting I will look at this fall. Whenever I feel scared about dying, I will look to her.

She reminds me that in order to go through a transformation into Rebirth, one must first go through the transformation into Death. I am looking forward to the experience. I'll let you know how it goes. It will include a Stone Lodge at the end of the month that I'm preparing for already. In the meantime, here she is, in all her glory:



Painting by Julie Zarate

Online Writing Groups

If you are looking for some constructive feedback on your writing I recommend Writer's Cafe. It is an online community for writers that works the same way as say, a writing group meeting at a cafe. If you want to publish online, enter contests, join writing groups, and meet other writers- most who give useful feedback, then this is your place. It is also possible to advertise your work for a fee. Let me know what you think of this new online writing community. And for those of you who are really serious about getting feedback from other writers, check out Scribophile. On there you will see a lot of works in progress such as chapter books and collections. Happy Writing!

Marina Petro and her Beauty

I feel inspired to paint! Marina Petro has an eye that inspires. I have enjoyed looking at her work and I hope all of you do too. Enjoy the Beauty...

Marina works primarily with oil on canvas. Her “Zone Series” paintings are rendered with mixed media on canvas. Paintings range from visionary and cosmic landscapes to realistic landscapes, still life, and abstract works.



She has created an exclusive line of greeting cards and fine art prints of her original artwork. Visit her blog for more.

Russ Tomlin- Friend of the Crows

Russ Tomlin captures crows in a unique way. The images he creates with his camera make me think the crows are willing and happy to pose for him. They seem aware of his presence, his love of their beauty and of Nature. I'm convinced he is a dear friend to a circle of crows living along the Oregon coast. Russ Tomlin also has an eye for the beauty found in flowers, stones, shells and the sea. Have a look at his work on Flickr. Enjoy the soaring, loving, bowing, friendly crows that are so much a part of his artistic world...

Crows and Dragonflies

Griselda has created an alchemy of passion with the dance between her crows and dragonflies. "Dragonfly Medicine is pure alchemy that connects us with the power of color and the ability to tap into our creative spirit to achieve anything we want to experience in life", explains Griselda Tello, "Crows have been regarded as wonderful totem animals, the keepers of Sacred Law and protector of the ancient records. Crow Medicine is honoring the self, stand in your truth and out of denial...always honoring the present and look at the past with gratitude and forgiveness."

California painter Griselda Tello is internationally renowned, her work represents over 40 years of painting and teaching experience. She is a self representing, full time professional artist. She was born in Tulancingo Hidalgo, a town near Mexico City where she began her formal training as a landscape painter under the guidance of her artist mother Kasandra Martell.







To view more of her work and to purchase her exquisite art visit Griselda's Etsy gallery.