season's greetings

Greetings and blessings this holiday season... 

Peace on Earth - goodwill to all our relations

flame in my heart
internal eternal flicker
living breathing fumes
kindled passion pureed
in the fire of my soul

furnace of my desire
internal eternal inferno
living breathing fervor
fevered fury ablaze
in my core and being

Charles Lahti: Cebu Exhibit at 856 G Gallery

With half of #wonderwanderwomen already back in the Philippines for the holidays, we opted to reblog  the latest post written for Kate's Paperie and Charles Lahti Studio .  Congratulations Charles! Catch his exhibit in Cebu - it's ongoing til Dec 18! 

Read all about it here - http://katespaperie188.blogspot.com/2014/12/charles-lahti-his-cebu-exhibit-at-856-g.html?view=sidebar 

Slow Dance © David L. Weatherford

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round, or listened to rain slapping the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight,
or gazed at the sun fading into the night?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast, time is short, the music won't last. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart. 
~ Seneca 

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/202802789444740134/

out of it

lulled by luxury

dulled by desire

cushioned and cushy

styled in safety

life pales as sense recedes

past, present, future

form fractured fiction

of false fabrication

as fragmented facts

forge phony futures

lives fritter away

power leaks out of being

shameless shallow selfishness

suck away substance and soul

in damned doomed denial 

Japan Matsuri 2014 in London

#wonderwanderwomen enjoying a taste of Japanese summer celebrations in London

http://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2014/11/japan-matsuri-2014.html?spref=fb

London Is My Boyfriend: a love letter to the city by Mahala Urra

London is like the ideal man. He has spent many years working out his identity and place in the world. He has rough spots, but his handsomeness and accomplishments outshine them. 

#wonderwanderwomen so London!

http://woaworld.blogspot.com/2014/10/london-is-my-boyfriend-love-letter-to.html

an evening in NYC with George R. R. Martin

On 26 October 2014, 8:00 p.m. ‪#‎wonderwanderwomen‬ were at the Kaufmann Concert Hall (92Y) in New York City, where this lavishly illustrated coffee table book was launched.

The World of Ice and Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones, written by George R.R. Martin, Elio Garcia and Linda Antonsson.

Read the full Wonder | Wander | Women blog here.

sharing London, part 2

In the last London post, #wonderwanderwomen guests were frequent visitors to London who knew the city, wanted to see specific exhibits, and had their favourite haunts. But sometimes we get friends dropping by who want to be surprised.

http://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2014/10/sharing-london-part-2.html 

destiny, purpose, evolution

Sky writing over NYC, 04 July 214

What cosmic mysteries

inscribed across the heavens

resonate far off

and reverberate within.

In the screen of the mind

which ideas flicker or die

fed by streams -

conscious or not.

As planets go retrograde

and satellites eclipse

what retrospectives

are revealed.

wonder | wander | women: sharing London, part 1

#wonderwanderwomen touring London with family and friends

http://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2014/10/sharing-london-part-1.html

Mahala's illustrated book

The eagerly anticipated book of Mahala’s illustrations is finally out. 

‪#‎wonderwanderwomen blog about it here – 

http://woaworld.blogspot.com/2014/09/mahalas-illustrated-book.html 

Libra New Moon & Autumn Equinox 2014

Autumn Equinox tomorrow and the Libra New Moon on TUE September 23 at 11:13pm PDT and WED September 24 at 2:13am EDT/6:13am GMT. 

"a wonderful time to meditate and plant the seeds of cooperation and peace at home and in the world - let the Great Goddess of Love and Wisdom guide you as you hold a space open for a new world of justice, equality, beauty and wisdom" ~ Cathy Pagano  

Mahala's Birthday at the Barbican

#wonderwanderwomen celebrating another birthday in a special way 

http://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2014/09/birthday-at-barbican.html

Mahala

Happy day today! It's Mahala's birthday and my labor day. I wrote this for my beloved child. 

Mahala

I first heard you in the fluid darkness, 

a heart beating like a warrior

in the distended chamber

of the unseen world

we both shared.

reflect & resolve

At times I consider my reflection in the mirror. . . .revealing. . . .enough.

Enough with the worries.

Enough with the wrinkles.  

Enough with the worldly woes.

What is is. 

At times I gaze within and through the looking glass. . . .resolving. . . .enough.

Touched by G0D

In the ancient world the touch of a god was seen as both a blessing and a violation - at one and the same time. “To whom much is given, much is expected.” Glory Be to God! 

Living in the world - being alive.

Of the world - being found by the world – finding the Self.

Life. Lived. Living.

Experiencing reality – at times touched to the core in ways we would rather not. Growing up – in body, mind and spirit – discovering, expanding, becoming realized.

Real. Reality. Really.

the green green grass of home #wonderwanderwomen blog

New blog out at http://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2014/07/quiet-time-green-spaces-too.html.

Union City, New Jersey is one of the most densely populated cites in the United States. Home to two major state established urban enterprise zones, the mixed uses of virtually all areas of the city allows residential homes to co-habit back to back with commercial establishments and light-industrial edifices. 

#wonderwanderwomen flipping out in Pinoy Town - Jersey City NJ

New blog out - http://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2014/07/flipping-out-in-little-manila-jersey.html.

Seven per cent of Jersey City's population is Filipino. The Five Corners district [where we found ourselves] has a thriving Pinoy community. Dubbed Little Manila, it is the largest Asian-American subgroup in the city. Newark Avenue's strip of Filipino culture and commerce dwarfs that of New York.

We share our excitement and eagerness at the launch of our latest inspiration blog, 

wonder | wander | world

It too is an extension of who Mahala and I are and what we aim to accomplish through our output.

Happy trails to all!

http://woaworld.blogspot.com/

forgive & forget

Uttering the phrase,

“I beg your pardon?”

What exactly is it we ask?

Forgiveness? Mercy? Release?

Pardon what?

Me? The lapse? Our situation?

Who is to say?

Offense? Offender? Offendee?

Does size or scope matter?

Which slipup slides through?

What excuse is inexcusable?

Do we forget to forgive or forgive to forget?

What to overlook? Disregard? Ignore?

Which to pardon? Excuse? Absolve?

Affront or affronter?

Do we forgive as we wish to be forgiven or not? 

Memorial Day

memories. . . .meanings. . . .memorials. . . .

"Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day was instituted after the Civil War to honor war veterans, and was eventually made into a day of remembrance for all who died in service to their country. Today, the holiday is part of the three-day weekend signaling the beginning of summer." ~ PBS.org

whatever your story or belief this Memorial Day weekend is a good opportunity to take notice and assess

drop the drama and whatever baggage attached to it and approach this with a beginner's mind - fresh, clear and open hearted - to allow greater possibilities to unfold

start a future where your dots connect differently - bringing more "AHA!"s than "oh shit!"s

may our days prove more memorable - now and forevermore

Full Moon on May 15 - read the new cosmic story

Allow yourself to feel who you really are and to have the courage to show others who you are. ~ Ram Dass 

The signs of Taurus and Scorpio signify how we view the two basic laws of life: Life and Death, Creation and Destruction, Fulfillment and Annihilation. As you can imagine, people are feeling all the fears and needs tied up with these issues.  To fulfill our new Aries destiny, we have to face what life brings us with self-awareness and humility, accepting necessary deaths to accommodate new life.

http://www.wisdom-of-astrology.com/astrostarsarticles/the-cosmic-story-scorpio-full-moon-2014 

Happy Mother's Day!

With Mother's Day coming up I have my daughter fully in my consciousness.

I am especially blessed this year as we are together with her here on a visit.

This mom sure is happy - join us celebrate together!

The new #wonderwanderwomen blog for the week commemmorates EVERY thing Mahala. 

http://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2014/05/stalking-my-stalker-daughter.html

#wonderwanderwomen feasting on just desserts in NYC

NYC: eat our heart out! 

Welcome again to wonderwanderwomen's further adventures in New York City! 

This time, we had great fun staying over for three days - sparing us the usual commute and freeing us to be as meanderly as we pleased. 

arise

seat of my soul hidden inside me

secret

unknown

overlooked

for years layer upon layer accumulating

shadows in corners

creeping

spreading

overgrown

overshadowed feelings all tangled and snarled

lunar bloody eclipse

opaque

cloudy

forlorn

obscured silver linings so dark and dim

dawn proclaims a new day 

silver

bronze

golden

awake and free i rise from my tomb of longing 

Happy weekend all & happy eating!

some new jersey seoul food

There are some great Koreatowns built far away from the shores of the homeland, but our most visited Hangul-friendly hangout runs along Broad Avenue between Leonia and Palisades Park, New Jersey.

http://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/2014/04/some-new-jersey-seoul-food.html 

wonder | wander | women

Celebrating being together again - our latest joint venture! 

http://wonderwanderwomen.blogspot.com/

disconnect

"You have been sent out by your senses. Go to the farthest edge of desire, and give me clothing: burn like a great fire so that the stretched-out shadows of the things of the world cover me completely.  Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. You must just go - no feeling is the farthest you can go. Don't let yourself be separated from me. The country called life is close.  By its seriousness, you will know it. Give me your hand." ~ Rainer Maria Rilke, Before He Makes Each One

Yesterday was April Fool’s Day, an occasion I have long ceased to actively participate in. Yet this year I felt like the butt of some cosmic joke when we found ourselves at midnight bidding goodbye to my sister and our niece’ whole family at the airport.

As they disappeared past the TSA checkpoint to soar back home, I felt abandoned and bereft. My arms now empty of the warm heavy body of our two year old grandson were made more stark in the glare of the departure area fluorescents.

After years of making their home here, they were off to yet another adventure back home. Happy as I was for them, my acute loss prevailed. By the time we reunite for the holidays, our angels would have lost their baby fat, talk and walk. 

Too many precious moments lost. Fly away home sweet ones.  

celebrating siblings

I found myself
sitting up in my cavernous crib
chasing motes through shafts

of sunbeam and shadow.

This is the temple
of my childhood

where I came into being

with family who welcome me home.

I belong to this life

alone and involved

in this togetherness of 

long lasting bonds among siblings.

There is no home
but the heart of belonging

here in the sisterhood and brotherhood 

of the world we made to be free in.  

The Cosmic Story: Pisces New Moon 2014

The Greek creation story tells a tale of Gaia, the Earth, who mated with Ouranos, the Sky. In this tale, we are given the secret of the union of Heaven and Earth. It is the mystery of life we humans have to experience, learn from and share. When we learn to live in this mystery, we will reclaim the power to bring Heaven to Earth.

Read the full story here - http://www.wisdom-of-astrology.com/astrostarsarticles/the-cosmic-story-pisces-new-moon-2014

Taking the Pisces Challenge

Read the full article here. http://ladywisdomchronicles.blogspot.com/ 

So who will engage in the Pisces challenge with me? 

The challenge involves releasing the old stories of separation, domination, and violence because we have discovered the new story that we are all one family sharing Mother Earth.

Through these times of crisis and transition, we will learn to live together in a very different way. 

We will create a new civilization which is founded on absolute equality between feminine perceptions of life and masculine ones. We will live in the mystical brain where right and left sides of the brain work together to give us a better vision of how we can live in harmony with the Earth and each other.

Let us create a world full of depth and light and beauty - where we take responsibility for our actions and treat each other and the Earth with courtesy and respect. 

Starting on Tuesday, February 18th, when the Sun goes into Pisces for a month - create a different daily routine for yourself, one which includes playing in those creative, inner spaces where we can touch the Source and imagine a different way to live in the world. 

~ excerpted from writings by Cathy Pagano, Jungian Psychologist & Astrologist  

myth monger / hagiographer

I will have become
the lunatic lumbering
through a life lost
muttering meaningless myths
the meaning of which
has long been lost
to me.

I will be the being
I have insisted on being
and finally am being.
I will be
all I have intended
all I have pursued.
Garbed in righteous raiment
I will ascend
past my intentions
past my pursuits
reborn and renewed
to me.

I will be unlike any
revealed in all glory
envied by many.
My joy will be
extra ordinary to all
every day to me.
Lover of life
I will find
true happiness.
Creator of destiny
I will manifest
mythical miracles.
Redeemer of revelations
I will embrace
this full being
to me.

The Cosmic Story: Aquarius New Moon 2014 - Imbolc [Winter Solstice]

Read the full story here - http://www.wisdom-of-astrology.com/astrostarsarticles/the-cosmic-story-aquarius-new-moon-2014.

These were the gems I gained from my reading of this wonderful information. Go find your own treasure. 

Freedom is the essence of the sign of Aquarius - a freedom that comes from our essential archetypal nature.  Our religions and our philosophies call it ‘free will’.

Humanity has been given the freedom of choice . . . .[b]ut when our thoughts and feelings, beliefs and customs are shaped by our culture and our religion - are we really free?

Individuation is the process where we become uniquely our Self; when we leave behind our socialization and become the unique person our soul wants us to be.  Our true freedom and our wholeness lie in our individuation.

Aquarius is also the sign of our goals and visions for the future.  Who do you share your goals with?  What is your vision of the future?  Our vision (the Moon/3rd Eye) can either be shaped by our culture or by our free will. 

What if our heart’s goals and visions don’t align with patriarchy’s expectations?  What if our old story is false because it doesn’t take into account our soul?  What if we let our soul tell us what our story needs to be? Well, this is the moment we get to choose a new story.  

Imbolc is a time of vision, when we honor the returning light.  Just as the groundhog pops up to see what the light looks like, we can go within to find the new light that was born within each of us at Winter Solstice.  Within that spiritual light is the seed of our future. 

But we need new eyes to see with - eyes not shaped by our patriarchal capitalist, consumer consciousness (I like to call it a ‘flat earth’ consciousness) but by the Light of our Spirit. 

AUTHOR: Cathy Lynn Pagano, M.A. - http://www.wisdom-of-astrology.com/about-cathy  

explosive 2014

We are the destination inside us and beyond us, and the journey along the way all at once, the one who makes it and the one who has already made it. We are still running round the house packing our bags and we have already arrived, even in our preparations; we are alone in the journey and we are just about to meet the people we have known for years...©2014 David Whyte - “The Pilgrim Identity” from the upcoming Readers' Circle Essay, ‘PILGRIM’

So far this new year has been a series of intimate explosive moments of self-realization. 

In manifesting insights into what makes life worthwhile - I trace 2013’s cycle of transformation that brings me to 2014’s new beginnings. 

Ever the pilgrim in search of completion.