Moon Letters

» New Moon on 8/18-19 in Leo «

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It’s been months since I’ve sat down to write a moon letter. More by accident than purpose. I slowly disengaged myself from the moon and I found myself out of flow and into fight. My energy had shifted and I could feel disconnection with myself and the world around me. However, I know that I’m not alone in the struggle and that many people have had a tough year.  2020 in general has had heavy energy but I feel that this new moon in Leo is a positive energy that will help us get back some mojo we’ve lost. Leo is all about showing up as your true self, finding your inner child and putting more play in your life. We’ve been experiencing a very tough time the past few lunar cycles with unrest, change and growth but this new moon invites you to embrace the struggle and also start thinking about how we can bring more happiness into our lives. Summer is typically a time of play. We get out and travel and enjoy the heat. This year is a little different as we are practicing social distancing however, this is still a great time to get out and embrace play in a way we never have before. We’re having to redefine happiness because life is radically different. We’re living a completely different experience so we are forced to redefine what makes us happy. This is a good thing! It may be hard because we tend to think about the past and what made us happy then but now that we’ve grown and changed it’s time for us to find new loves and passions. We are in a new chapter in life and we’re bringing back a new light. I’d like to interpret this as a light at the end of the tunnel. Take some time this new moon to reconnect with that part of you that remembers what it’s like to be child and let go of the heaviness that is our current world. Even if there is a lingering feeling of doubt or uncertainty, It’s time to embrace more happiness in our lives.

» Some questions to ask yourself «

What makes me happy in this new age?

As beings that are ever-evolving and designed to change how can I let go of past beliefs that no longer serve myself in this new world?

How will I burn brighter during these darker days?

What are my favorite ways to honor myself? What practices bring about great love for myself?

What is currently invigorating me? What do I feel inspired by?

What expectations are not serving me that I would like to release?

» Ritual Practice «

A wonderful way to manifest empowerment and happiness within us is to state it, write it or make is physically known to the world. Here is a sweet way to embody this.

Gather some art supplies (paper, markers, pens, paint ect.) as well as any inspiring elements that you have (flowers, leaves, oils ect.)

In the center of a piece of paper, writing out an inspiring mantra that encourages self-empowerment and happiness. Decorate it with pens, paint or flowers. Whatever you heart desires. Put this mantra somewhere you can see it during this moon cycle.

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Think Piece

Black Lives Matter

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This is a movement, not just a moment!

The past few months have shaken and awaken the world. It’s made everyone question exactly what it means to be a human on this earth. Between COVID and the continued Black Lives Matter movement, our world has been set on fire. I’ve been silently watching as the world burns but today I wanted to speak up and speak out. I cannot stay silent and must address the systemic racism that is still so profound in our country. I’ve stayed silent because I wasn’t sure how to speak up. I worried I didn’t have the facts straight and that I would say the wrong thing or offend someone and I will probably do that with the words I write today, but speaking out is better than silence. I want to learn and to grow and thats why I’m writing this today.

I grew up in a very loving home. I was taught to love others no matter the color of their skin, their sexual orientation or their disability. During my childhood I saw the release of the first black barbie doll and commercials advertising makeup for black women. From a surface level perspective I saw change and an effort to promote equality. But what I didn’t realize was that was just the tip of the iceberg. Growing up I felt proud to be an American and used to say things like “I don’t see color” and “I love all people so I’m not racist.” This attitude is dangerous and one I needed to dismantle. The older I get the more I realize that my pride and those thoughts were rooted in white privilege and the more I uncover the racism in my own heart the more I swallow that pride and learn how I’ve allowed racism to continue. We are not the land of the free, we are the land of the oppressed and my ancestors have created systems to keep that alive and well in my day and age.

I’ve been listening to stories of black people and their experiences with racism and it’s help me uncover and realize my role as an oppressing white person, but I also feel shame to know that a black person had to relive that trauma by telling their story in order for me to learn. Black people shouldn’t have to relive these horrifying moments in their lives just so a white person can learn where they continue to hold unconscious bias. It is in no way the black communities responsibility to teach you where you are racist. As a white person it is your responsibility to do the work and teach yourself where you need to do better. It’s our responsibility to take action against the oppression that our white ancestors put on our communities and to expose where our families have oppressed people of color for generations. How can I be a good ancestor? This is a question I will continue to ask myself for the rest of my time here. How can I wake up and everyday and be more aware of how I can do better as a white person. We need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. This work is not easy but it’s more important than ever. Black people continue to suffer in silence and swallow their fear every single day. Racism has made black people mask their frustration and anger which has lead to years of silencing their stories that should be told in order to bring our world together. The burden of being black in America is so great and we must work to lift this burden from them. Black people have spoken out and we need to sit down, listen and learn.

Today is Juneteenth which commemorates June 19, 1865, the date enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were told they were free—more than two full years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Now, 155 years later, people in cities and towns across the US continue to mark the occasion with celebrations of Black culture and heritage. I urge you to take some time today to learn about black history and to challenge what you know about the past. I hope that by doing so you realize the history you learned in school has silenced black history. Black people learned about our white history and it’s time for us to learn about theirs. Change will not happened in our world over night. Change starts with you. It’s starts in our own hearts. It’s time to do the work white people.

I stand with Black lives

I stand with the hope that the presence has brought us

Let us march on until VICTORY IS ONE

I would love to hear your thoughts and to hear about where you are in your journey. There is far more to be said here. Let’s help each other learn and grow. Please leave any other resources that you’ve found helpful as well. Oh yeah and DON’T FORGET TO VOTE!

Videos to watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb04xj7LS34

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5b_-TZwQ0I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u51_pzax4M0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4e_djVSag4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQejcZc4uFM

Books to read:

Me and White Supremacy

White Fragility

Places to donate:

https://www.blackvisionsmn.org/

https://eji.org/

Websites to visit:

https://colorofchange.org/

https://www.theroot.com

Music to listen to:

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Personal

“New Normal”

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“New Normal” a term I’ve been hearing lately. For the most part my days have stayed the same. Wake up, drink coffee, journal or meditate then exercise and the head to work. Traffic is a little lighter these days going from downstairs to upstairs, but the work is about the same or busier.

What’s really changed is my pace. I don’t rush to get out of bed and if don’t want to do my workout I skip it. I’ve given myself more room to be than I used to. When I think about going back to “normal” I get a bit of anxiety. Will everything just pick back up and I become apart of the wheel that won’t stop turning?

Life will eventually go back to some kind of normalcy. We’ll get back to the office and happy hours with friends will resume. The pace will pick back up. But I’m honestly not ready and I think it’s a sign that my life is slowly shifting from always doing to more being.

I want to keep those quite easy mornings where I actually listen to the birds sing, or have a conversation with my roommates cat about how the tomatoes are growing so fast. It’s the little moments in-between that I want to keep.

How will you adapt to this “new normal?” What will you keep from this time?

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Eco

Happy Earth Day! + eco tips

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Two years ago today I was standing on the top on Emory peak at Big Bend National park. It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since that trip. Typically on earth day I find a beautiful hike to take in Texas’s natural beauty, but this year is a little different since all the public parks are closed. Instead of trail blazing, I’ll be taking the same neighborhood stroll that I’ve done every day (sometimes twice a day) during the pandemic. I may sound dismal but in fact these walk have kept me sane. Not to mention spring has been putting on a show.

^Emory Peak 2018

This time of year the streets are lined with all different types of roses and wildflowers. I never really noticed how much personality each different type of rose has. Some are more tight knit, while others love to spread out their petals and show their pistils. We even spotted a funky passion flower that was hiding amongst a rose bush. I don’t think I would have taken my time to really stop and smell the roses if we hadn’t been forced to slow down. This time has really allowed me to sit with my thoughts and mull over how this pandemic has affected our lives as well as the environment.

I’ve been thinking a lot about mama earth during this time. With people not driving to work anymore; surely greenhouse gasses have subsided…right? Now that humans aren’t crowding beaches and trails, animals can come out to play…right? Maybe there are a few upsides that have come from social distancing, but let us not forget we are still fighting an environmental war every single day. And no, I’m no mother Teresa when it comes to being green, but I’ve tried to implement as many positive practices as possible. How during this pandemic can you care for mamma earth? Here’s a few ways:

  1. Disposable masks are starting to make their way to the landfills. Consider making a DIY one of your own. Wether you’re a talented seamstresses or kinda crafty you can find so many do-it-yourself reusable face-masks on the internet. Like these.
  2. Start a garden! Even with food scraps that you already have. Have an avocado pit? Grow a little tree! Maybe you have some old potatoes that are growing roots. Throw em in a pot! You don’t have to spend a bunch of money at the nursery to grow your own food. Here are a few tips.
  3. Support a political candidate in your area or do some research on how your city or state is making efforts in going green. You can find some information about the politics in Texas here

Hope you guys enjoyed this post! How are you spending your Earth day? Make sure you get outside and stop to smell the roses!

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Food

Macaroon Sandwich Cookies

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I’ve been taking full advantage of quarantine over here at the Waterloo house and have been cooking/baking up a storm. Now that Facebook isn’t feeding me three meals a day, I’ve been forced to take out the spatula again. I almost forgot how satisfying it is to eat something you’ve put love into. Although I love making a delicious dinner, I think I’ve missed baking the most. Alongside making snickerdoodles, and chocolate chip cookies, I wanted something a little lighter so I whipped up a batch of these coconut macaroon sandwich cookies.  I’ve already made these cookies twice, and I gotta say they are as delicious as they are look. They’re super simple to make and there isn’t a ton of added sugar. The sweetness of the coconut and the jam really come through so you don’t need to add much. They’re gluten free and dairy free (if thats your thing) and IMO they’re pretty guilt free too. Simple, easy and tasty. Hope yall enjoy!

 

Print Recipe

Macaroon Sandwich Cookies

Prep Time15 mins
Cook Time1 hr 15 mins
Total Time1 hr 45 mins
Servings: 16 Cookies
Author: Mandy

Ingredients

  • 3 Large Egg whites
  • 1/3 Cup Sugar
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 8 Oz Coconut Flakes about 2 1/2 cups
  • 2 1/2 Oz Finely chopped almonds about 1/2 cup
  • 1/2 Cup Strawberry Jam any jam will do

Instructions

  • Preheat over to 350 degrees. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Whisk together egg whites, sugar and salt in a large bowl until frothy. Stir in coconut and almonds.
  • Drop coconut mixture in 1 tablespoon mounds 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Flatten each to 1/2-inch thickness.
  • Bake both baking sheets at the same time in the preheated over until golden brown about 12 minuets, rotating baking sheets (top rack to bottom rack and front to back) halfway through baking. Let cool completely on the baking sheets, about 45 min.
  • Turn cookies over (flat side up) and spread about 1 teaspoon on each cookies and sandwich with a seconded cookie. Chill until set. About 15 min. Store covered, at room temp for 3 days. 

Photos by: Amanda Hickman

Edited by: Mountain Trout Photography 

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Personal

The Great Gig in the Sky

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“And I am not frightened of dying
Any time will do, I don’t mind
Why should I be frightened of dying?
There’s no reason for it, you’ve gotta go sometime
If you can hear this whispering you are dying”

 

After a long batter with Multiple Sclerosis, my father passed away on January 30, 2020. Although it brings me great sadness, I know he’s in a better place. The battle he fought was not easy but he did it with such grace. He looked fear in the the face and took on life head first. After many years being confined to a chair he was finally set free, surrounded by the people he loved the most.
If you knew my father you knew him for his incredible joy and kindness but you also probably knew him for his love of music. He had a blog where he wrote about music with a dash of trivia. He loved to share his thoughts with the people around him and was a great teacher at that. He had a real knack for rock and roll trivia and loved to spend hours quizzing me on lead singers and album names. You could definitely say he was the most influential person in my musical journey. He was someone who really knew how to live in the moment which is something so many of us search for…he found it. He would lay back into his chair with a good pair of headphones and listen to an album in full (he particularly like progg music for this reason.) His eyes wouldn’t open until that album was finished and his face showed full bliss the whole time. It’s was incredible. The way he used music to be present was really inspiring and something I admire about him. When I have those moments myself I feel him right beside me.
I remember being 15 driving my dad around in the minivan blaring “Dark Side Of The Moon” with the windows down on our way to the movies. Many kids that age would have been embarrassed to be seen driving a mini van with a handicapped dad, blaring oldies…but not me. I was pretty proud of him. He was the coolest and I wanted to be just like him. We had many daddy daughter dates like that. Nights at the record shop or lunch at the local burrito bar; I miss simple times like that.
This album (and many others) will always hold a special place in my heart. It brings me back to those times with him.
Dad, you inspire me every day to be a better person just by loving me as much as you could. I will miss the way you made a room feel, and your killer taste in music. Most of all I’ll miss the joy and love you brought everyday. Thank you dad for everything. I love you.
See you in The Great Gig in the Sky🤟

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Personal Growth

Creating Intention in 2020

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It seems like at the end of each year we tend to say things like “wow this year flew by” or “where did the year go” and now it’s “where did the decade go?” I can’t help but think this is a symptom of mindless living. We wake up everyday, go through the motions and then all of a sudden the year is gone. We turn on auto pilot and mindlessly go through our day. Eat…sleep…work…repeat. It’s this kind of monotony that creates a sense of un-fulfillment and ultimately leads to dissatisfaction in our lives. Even when the new year comes and we make these “goals” we still tend to live a very robotic life and somehow we find that life is happening to us rather than us creating the life that we want. How can we create a more intentional life? Let’s break it down.

What is intentional living?

Intent is who we aspire to be as individuals in this world which is very different from goals. Goals come from our mind and are generally task oriented. Intent comes from the soul and represents our deepest desires. Intentional living is just living in a way that is in alignment with your unique values and beliefs. It’s important to connect with the things that really matter to us and we need to ask ourselves what we really value in our lives. Are we making space for that? So often we get caught up in this “grind” or living a certain way and seeking approval from those around us. It’s so easy to lose sight of what we really want for our own lives. Maybe you value quality conversation with your partner, spending time in nature, prioritizing your health and wellness or crocheting a sweater. Whatever it is, it’s our job to figure it out.

“Look closely at the present you are constructing:
it should look like the future you are dreaming.”- Alice Walker

I think this quote embodies what we’re going for here. We should look closer and assess our lives and see if we are living day-to-day in a way that’s aligned with what we want for ourselves. I love this other quote by Annie Dillard. She says:

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

By waking up each day knowing our purpose we can eliminate fear by putting the unknown in its place. Creating a plan leaves less room for uncertainty and more room for badassery. New years is a great time to reconsider how we’re living our lives day-to-day. We as humans love an arbitrary date to press the reset button so take advantage of this reset energy and make a plan to live this next year with intention. Here are a few things to consider trying:

Reflect

Grab a piece of paper and write down the things that you value in life. It’s important to identify these core values. For me it’s spending time with people I love, traveling, reading a good book, and making sure I’m doing my best to be as eco conscious possible. This will look a little different for you. Be as broad or vague as you’d like but writing these things down will create a sense of awareness.

Evaluate

On that same piece of paper write down what a typical day looks like for you. Don’t forget to include that hour of scrolling. Is how you’ve been spending your day-to-day aligning with those values? I found that many of my practices weren’t. I was spending hours glued to my phone instead of reading that book. I was bingeing Netflix instead of reaching out to an old friend. It seemed like those things that made me happy I was pushing to the wayside. Almost as if I have been living someone else’s life. This evaluation helps you to become aware of how you’re spending your time.

Design

Envision your ideal self. What does that look like in every aspect of your life? This goes for your health, career, personal growth, relationships ect. Designing your ideal life can feel a bit daunting so try starting with what your ideal day would look like and build from there. How do you want to fill your time? If it’s spending time with loved ones, what would that look like? This is just the foundation to lay your bricks. Simply by doing this exercise you will gain a sense of intention. This will help you create habits and find a routine that will serve you in your day to day.

Action

How can we take action every day towards our value? Take that long team value and create a short term action. For example:

  • Long term value: Mental Heath
  • Short term action: Meditation for 30 min (put in calender)

Give this a try!

“What we do with this hour, and that one, is what we are doing. A schedule defends from chaos and whim. It is a net for catching days. It is a scaffolding on which a worker can stand and labor with both hands at sections of time. A schedule is a mock-up of reason and order—willed, faked, and so brought into being; it is a peace and a haven set into the wreck of time; it is a lifeboat on which you find yourself, decades later, still living.” – Annie Dillard

When you begin to live your life with more intent you inspire others around you to do the same. So I ask that if you only make one goal for this next year, start with this: To live more intentionally.

What do you value and how will you make more space for it in 2020?

 

 

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Poetry

Oh, Rose

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Oh, Rose By Amanda Hickman

Delicate as a flower

but hardy as the rose

She’s caught in a drought

but still sweet to the nose

 

At first glance a beauty

attractive in her stance

Sharp to the touch

She’ll lure you with romance

 

Picked to be packed

Doesn’t want to be given away

She’s a wild one you see

and prefers to stay that way

 

Loved by default

Suffer herself to be desired

Her beauty is a given

She’d not blush to be admired

 

Troubled to find meaning

Could she be Daisy instead?

This was the bed she laid in

Oh Rose, how did you get so red?

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Moon Letters

Harvest Moon Letter ~ Pisces

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» This September’s Full Moon on 9/13-14 is in Pisces « 

A beautiful harvest moon is upon us and it’s an extremely powerful full moon at that. This moon reminds us how to enjoy change. A season shift is near so we may start to feel a bit of a shift in our emotions. Sometimes this feeling of emotional movement can be a bit uncomfortable however, it’s not a time to resist change but to honor it and move with it. Because Jupiter is involved here we tend to pull towards the extreme. Energy becomes magnified and we feel sensations of moving forward, taking action, and being proactive. This type of energy makes us feel like we have to accomplish something, or take initiative somewhere. This can show up in any area of your life. Your work, relationships, creative side or personal habits. The yin to the yang here is still tapping into your being-ness and not just action, action, action. We have to remember that even in the times of forward movement, we need to take time and space to be where we are in this exact moment. It’s a balance that is not easily remembered or practiced when you have momentum but it’s important to remain present as this is how we tap into our highest potential.

Jupiter is putting a magnifying glass on things and you might find yourself oscillating between two different extremes. Maybe you’ve found yourself in a dream world; thinking about future travel or having a companion. It’s important to keep these beautiful images in our minds but when you lean too far to one extreme you become unbalanced. It’s important to dream but just as important to be grateful for what’s around you in the present moment. This energy was very apparent to me on this past Tuesday. I spent most of the day dreaming about traveling somewhere beautiful. I’m the type of person that gets restless when in one place for too long and I spend many moments looking out the window in a daydream. I found that my day dreaming was turning my day around and not in a positive way. I was becoming restless and annoyed. I decided to calm imagination and go for a run. I focused on what was around me. The smells, the sound in my headphones, and the greenery. When I came home I had a sense of peace that I didn’t have before. Peace in the present.

This full moon practice focus but also taking one step at a time. Many aspects of life are calling for our attention to come into a balanced, discerning, and refined energy. Fluidity and adaptability are key. This is a good time to be assessing where we feel out of balance, and where we could use more discernment. Hold extra Attention on anxieties that are arising ~ any sensations of restlessness, irritation, disproportion.

Full Moons infuse us with added vitality and fertility. Keep the energy moving by moving…get outside to keep your blood pumping, limbs working, and thoughts calming. Use this as an opportunity to connect sweetly with your local environment ~ this is our great Harvest Moon, after all! A time to honor the abundance of Mother Earth by recognizing the time and energy expended over the last months to produce our food. A time to celebrate and give thanks for the delicious blessings which She gives so generously and so freely. The simpler, the better. Fruit from the tree, roots from the ground, herbs from the bush. All good medicine, ripening for our healing and living.

» Questions to ask yourself «

What creative pursuits or projects do I feel most drawn to at this time?

Is there a grander vision or project I and currently holding?

If so, what is one step I can take today to manifest it? What is one step I can take tomorrow?

How can I find peace within my current space and time?

In what ways can I become more aware of where my food comes from?

What seasonal whole foods do I feel most drawn to at this time?

~Amanda

 

Artwork by Brock Lefferts

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Moon Letters

Full Moon Letter ~ Aquarius

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» This Full Moon on 8/15 is in Aquarius «

This has been a pretty special lunar season for me. It’s Leo season, and I just celebrated my 27th trip around the sun. This full moon is also in my moon sign, Aquarius, so it’s been an exciting time for me. With this full moon we will explore how Leo and Aquarius integrate and how we can learn from this conjunction of signs. Full moons are generally a time of illumination but they also tend to bring out the emotional, instinctual—you might even say, irrational—side of our nature. Although Aquarius can be quite intuitive in its own way, it tends to favor the head rather than the heart. As a result, even full moons in this fixed air sign can have an emotionally detached kind of vibe.

So what does this mean for you and me?

Last full moon we looked at Leos and how they can be very charismatic, outgoing, and loyal people and this full moon we will look at Aquarius, which tends to focus on the community. The summer generally brings friends and community into our lives. Now that summer is dying down its a good time to look at theses friendships and the community around you and reevaluate how they are serving you. Maybe you’re having a difficult time with a friend or a coworker or you’re having trouble feeling accepted by the people around you. How can we be more charismatic towards them? Is this my time to be more outgoing? This is a great time to look at the community that you have built around and and take time to really appreciate it. Let’s also look at how there may be some struggle between Leo and Aquarius. Leos on the negative side tend to be overbearing. If you have a relationship that could be exhausting you, how you can reframe the situation to mend and move forward in your friendship? We’re ever changing beings and our relationship with our community around us waxes and wanes. It’s time to cut our losses and move forward with those who provide a supportive community.

Community is a blessing

» Questions to ask yourself «

Do I feel supported and understood by the community around me?

Who or what is inspiring me most right now?

Are we happy with our conflict resolutions?

How can I speak out in my community and be different? 

 

xoxo Amanda

Artwork by Brock Lefferts

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