THE WITCH WOUND

They call it the ‘witch wound’.

We were punished you see, broken, slain, for shining too brightly.

So we learned to hide that spark.
We learned to play it down, play dumb, play dead.

And we were taught to fear the light within us, lest it herald our downfall.

But not anymore.

You are not a wicked witch my friend, you are quite simply, or complicatedly, a woman.

And your magic is not something you can choose, or lose.

It always is, and always has lived within you.

And you need no longer hide it.

I call it the witch wound, but the time to heal is here.

Now.

Let that magic out.

* * *

Donna Ashworth
From "Wild Hope"
Art by Waya Raventalker

Happy Halloween 

Halloween is an ancient druidic holiday, one the Celtic peoples have celebrated for millennia. It is the crack between the last golden rays of summer and the dark of winter; the delicately balanced tweak of the year before it is given over entirely to the dark; a time for the souls of the departed to squint, to peek and perhaps to travel through the gap.
What could be more thrilling and worthy of celebration than that? It is a time to celebrate sweet bounty, as the harvest is brought in. It is a time of excitement and pleasure for children before the dark sets in.
We should all celebrate that ..

Artist Credit Kathy Soave

When I die, I shall soar with angels,
and when I die to the angels,
what I shall become
you cannot imagine.

~ Rumi

I said who are you?
He said: “Everyone’s Beloved!”

I said who am I?

He said, “The Beloved’s beloved!”

*

– Mevlana Rumi Rahimahu Llah –

If you ever get the chance, go alone. Walk alone, travel alone, live alone, dance alone. Just for a while. If you ever get the chance, learn who you are when the world isn't demanding you be one way or another.

Most people only know how to stand on their own if someone else will stand beside them. Don't let that be your story.

When you get the chance, know that the opportunity to walk alone, even for a bit, is a rare gift, one that will hand you insight that can change the course of your life.

- Brianna Wiest
Art by Urban Larsson

"When I say to you,
"You are lovely",
you do not believe me,
because of the blemishes
you know so intimately;
but those blemishes are the scars
of your sufferings
and they shine out of your soul,
radiating beauty,
the way the daisies do
in the long summer grasses.
So when I say to you.
"Even with closed eyes,
I still see how beautiful you are"
it is true.
Believe it.
Believe it.”

*

Rumi

Art by Odilon Redon

Life often feels like a series of unpredictable twists and turns, and in the midst of challenges, it can be hard to see the light ahead. Yet, sometimes, if we pause and look closely, we can catch glimpses of joy peeking through the chaos. Whether it’s the laughter of a friend, a moment of tranquility in nature, or the warmth of a kind gesture, these small fragments of happiness remind us that beauty exists even in the darkest times. They serve as gentle nudges, encouraging us to keep moving forward, reminding us that happiness is often just around the corner.

These moments may be fleeting, but they hold immense power. They inspire us to cultivate gratitude and to seek out the positives in our everyday lives. By acknowledging and cherishing these snippets of joy, we create a reservoir of hope that can buoy us through tougher days. Each small fragment becomes a thread in the tapestry of our lives, weaving together a narrative that highlights resilience and the promise of brighter days ahead. In embracing these moments, we learn that happiness isn’t a distant destination; it’s often a series of small treasures waiting to be discovered along the way.

Art by Laivi Põder

When faced with a decision that scares you.
Think of the women who came before.
Those who could only dream of the opportunities you have now.
Talk to your ancestors my friend.
Hear their primal roar.
They are beside you.
And you are never alone.
When faced with a risk in this life.
Just once or twice, jump bravely into the fire.
And know that they will be cheering you on.
And guiding you out.
They speak to you through your gut.
And they are wise.
Listen, jump,
be held.

(Today is World Menopause Day, we are stronger when we gather, figuratively and literally)

Donna Ashworth
From Growing Brave;
UK: https://amzn.eu/d/0h6ASuCQ
US: https://a.co/d/cboRlcn

Beautiful art by Kai Orton

"Now we muse upon the days,
when morning mist did turn to haze
and through the haze the folk did come
to dance and sing and beat the drum,
and round and round we circled 'bout,
and sometimes yelled out with a shout,
our spirits strong our hearts were stout,
and darkness we did soon give rout,
as then the light of Elfin rose,
we reached to it upon our toes,
and grasped it close as magic knows,
this is the way we bring it,
as usual we wing it,
join us now and sing it,
it is the song of Faerie."

— The Silver Elves

"Don't Shame Yourself"

Don’t ever
shame yourself
for showing up,
admitting or sharing,
only to be shutdown
or even ghosted.
To want to reach out
and describe your struggle
and be understood
is better than holding
it all painfully inside
and to never be seen.

It’s all humanly real.

The risk to be
honest and open.
The exposure from
connecting outside
vulnerability.
The enormous courage
it takes to let your
truth be revealed.

And know in turn,
not everyone can respond
in the way you expect
and believe —
or perhaps at all,
sometimes.

But, don’t ever
shame yourself.

Don’t diminish
your light
for expressing
or become conditioned
to not ask for help
in your time
of great need.

*

 by Susan Frybort from the book "Look to the Clearing" Poems to Encourage
Art by Jeanie Tomanek

"The best things in life are free: hugs, smiles, friends, kisses, family, sleep, love, laughter, and good memories."

The best things in life truly are free. They don’t come with a price tag but hold immeasurable value — hugs that offer comfort when words fail, smiles that brighten even the darkest days, and friendships that support us through life’s ups and downs. The warmth of a kiss, the closeness of family, and the peace of a good night’s sleep all remind us that life’s richest blessings aren’t material. Love, laughter, and the memories we make along the way fill our hearts with joy. These simple, precious gifts make life beautiful and meaningful, without ever costing a thing.

What is Luxury?

They made us believe that luxury was the rare, the expensive,
the exclusive. Everything that seemed unobtainable.

Now we realize that Luxury were those little things we didnt know how to value when we had them, and now that they're gone, we miss them so much.

Luxury is being healthy.
Luxury is not stepping into a hospital.
Luxury is being able to walk along the seashore.
Luxury is going out on the streets and breathing without a mask.
Luxury is meeting with your whole family, all your friends.
Luxury is their looks.
Smiles are Luxury.
Luxury is hugs and kisses.
Luxury is enjoying every sunrise.
Luxury is the privilege of loving and being alive.

All this is Luxury and we didn't know.

Author unknown.

May your blessings be as abundant as the falling autumn leaves.

When people allow you to know about their pain and talk about it, take your shoes off. It’s a holy place.
Be humble, be kind when someone shows you vulnerability.

- Amani Albair
Art by Sandra Bierman

I’ve always longed to find myself in a place where neither noise nor drama exists. I’ve often imagined creating a space of my own, where silence and peace are the only things that truly matter.

Over time, I’ve built my own sanctuary of unbothered happiness—away from people, far from noise and drama. In doing so, I’ve realized that I need to step up, to ignore the petty things and start prioritizing what truly matters. My mind has matured, and I’ve learned that life is about creating your own space and crafting your own version of tranquility, one that nurtures your peace of mind. It’s a process of draining away negative emotions while simultaneously healing.

Now, as things have shifted for me, I’ve become someone who prefers silence over the noise of others, whether they are close friends or strangers.

I am now someone who finds contentment at home, listening to music, watching my favorite movies or anime, making my own cup of coffee, and filling the gaps in my life. It’s up to each of us to choose what’s best, and I’ve realized that as time keeps ticking, it’s on us to create our own boundaries and achieve peace of mind.

Learn to create your own tranquility that aligns with your peace. Learn to step up and grow. The choice is yours—and I choose peace.

Painting: Jeanie Tomanek

You should know that the divine help for beings is uninterrupted. If it diminishes, it is because of the one who receives help and not because of the one who helps. If the absence of help in a particular situation is attributed to the Most High, then this absence of help is a blessing for the person from whom it is withheld. For Allah knows the interests of His creatures best. Therefore, those who know Allah should not specify a particular need when praying.Instead, he should ask for what is good for him without specifying it. There are many people who ask for something specific in their prayers, and then when their need is fulfilled - out of a wisdom known to Allah - they regret the need they had mentioned and wish they had not mentioned it. Help is a relief (inhalation) that comes from our merciful Lord. Divine help in beings is a natural and increasing thing. What is natural is what is necessary for the existence of the being and the removal of a pain in it. The rest is what is added and is not really needed.

Muhyiddin ibn' Arabi (q.s)
Futuhat al Makkiyah
Volume 9 / Page 183

There's a robin on my fence today,

A feather by my feet
A heart-shaped leaf that blows along
Beside me down the street

Your song played on the radio
This morning in the car
And just last night I could've sworn
I saw a shooting star

The sun and rain are dancing
Making rainbows in the sky
And on the slightest breeze I watch
A butterfly go by

And people might say these are not
The signs I know they are
That it is just coincidence
Your song played in the car

That it is just the sky
And it is just the birds and breeze
A little windy weather
And the nature of the trees

But there is nothing little
About the way they make me feel
The sense of peace they carry
Is both comforting and real

Because it's just one song
And just one butterfly and bird
Just one star and just one leaf
In one enormous world

And so the probability
Of noticing it all
Is close to nearly nothing;
Almost infinitely small

And that is how I know
That when that leaf floats into view
It isn't a coincidence,
But a sign of love from you

So keep on shooting stars to me,
Keep playing me your song
Whilst you dance atop the rainbows
And blow heart-shaped leaves along

Yes, keep on sending signs my love
I'll always look around
For your butterflies on breezes
And your feathers on the ground

 *

~ Becky Hemsley

When my Beloved appears,
With what eye do I see Him?
With His eye, not with mine,
For none sees Him except Himself.

~ Ibn Arabi

Recommendations from Ibn' Arabi

You should avoid eating and drinking from gold and silver vessels. You should not sit at a table where there is wine or forbidden food. Beware of wearing silk dresses and gold. These are forbidden for men and permitted for women. When you wake up after a dream that has disturbed you, spit three times to the left and say: "I seek refuge in Allah from the evil of the dream I had"! Then change the side on which you were lying during the dream and lie down on another side. You should not talk about the bad dream you had. If you do not tell the bad dream, it will not harm you. Keep such a dream inside you so that you can see the proof of it. Most people talk and narrate what they have seen, even if they seek refuge in Allah from such a dream. In one tradition, it is said that the dream is tied to the foot of the bird, and when it is told, it is untied. You should wear a beautiful fragrance, it is Sunnah to wear a beautiful fragrance. Men should wear a perfume whose scent is diffused but whose colour is hidden. Women should wear a perfume whose scent is hidden but whose colour is clear. This is mentioned in a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). You should use miswak at every prayer and ablution or when entering your house. Miswak purifies the mouth and pleases Allah. It is said in a hadith: 'A prayer with miswak is seventy times more rewarding than a prayer without miswak. Ibn Zanjavi narrates it in his book 'Hadith at-Tergib fi-Fadaili'l-A'mal'. You should avoid swearing bad oaths. For such an oath makes a person a sinner. People are divided on the expiation for such an oath. Some have included it in the atonement for oaths, while others say that there is no atonement for such an oath. What is meant is a vow that allows you to violate the right of another, which is obligatory for you. There is a subtle and mysterious theme here about the obligation of the right that can be understood by those who analyse and understand it deeply: When is a right obligatory and in what capacity? What prevents me from explaining this to people is my desire to prevent evil. Otherwise, the ignorant might try to interpret it and go beyond what we have mentioned and fall into sin without realising it, because the jurists have not recognised this aspect that we have pointed out or said. This is because the jurists have not recognised this aspect that we have pointed out or said.

Muhyiddin Ibn' Arabi (q.s)
Futuhat al Makkiyah
Volume 18 / Pages 250-251

With the passage of time we realize that all that matters is health, faith, love and peace of mind.
May you have everything today, tomorrow and all your life!

I love it very much but it is not my own work. So unfortunately there are no instructions...

Isn't it beautiful ?