Cindie Chavez

Reading Time: 3 minutes Following the “rules” and practicing one’s chosen belief system in an “all-out” manner isn’t fundamentalism. Some of us like to play full out, heart and soul, in a dot-every-i-and-cross-every-t sort of way. And some of us are more laid back, and choose to engage in a more relaxed way. But fundamentalism doesn’t allow the adherent to choose their participation level. There is no freedom to choose a certain path, or way of navigating that path. Fundamentalism chooses for you, and it’s “our way or the highway”.

Fundamentalism in any form – religious, political, social – is worrisome. It always separates, it never unifies.

Reading Time: 4 minutes While researching ritual I discovered an article in Scientific American titled Why Ritual Works. The article explains that research shows that ritual, whether religious or secular, helps alleviate grief, reduce anxiety, and improve confidence. And now it all makes perfect sense to me, why I would have ritual on my mind so strongly right now, at this time in history.

Because the world right now seems complicated and messy, unfair, difficult, and oftentimes frightening. Anything that can alleviate grief, reduce anxiety, and improve our confidence seems like a pretty good idea.

Reading Time: 5 minutes Self-care is a somewhat vague term that gets recommended by life coaches and therapists and personal growth enthusiasts, and often is understood to mean massages, manicures, pedicures and the like. And while I have no issue with these things, they more accurately fall into the category of pampering. And I’m a big fan of pampering – it certainly can and should be included in a self-care regimen, however pampering alone does not a self-care regimen make.

If you hold to the hermetic, and magical, principle of “As above, so below. As within, so without.” – then self-care isn’t really an option if you want your body and mind to be healthy, your life to run smoothly, and your experiences to be magical and enjoyable. Because the Universe seems to have a predilection for reflecting our level of self-love and self-care right back at us by way of experiences and events that show up in our lives.

Reading Time: 3 minutes As you enjoy this full moon Winter Solstice my wish for you is that you’ll forgive yourself and others, that you will feel a deep sense of gratitude for the multitude of good things in your life, and most of all that you will celebrate like the heavens are throwing a party just for you.

Reading Time: 4 minutes The most effective self-care is consistent and the best way I’ve found to keep up with it is to order my life according to the moon phases.

Yes, I said it – I order my life according to the moon phases. And yes, I know this might sound like a ridiculous new-agey woo-woo strategy. But, hear me out.

Nature has cycles, rhythms, an ebb and flow. Seasons change, the tides flow in and out, the moon waxes and wanes. The moon’s phases affect the tides and we humans are more than 50% water. (The moon’s 29-day cycle is congruent with a woman’s menstrual cycle as well.)

Reading Time: 3 minutes Everything we experience is the perfect opportunity for the next step of personal growth. And remember, in nature (which we are a part of) growth is always the objective.

When you view your current circumstances as if you had chosen them you give yourself the gift of empowerment.

Once you choose this perspective you stand in the place of knowing it’s your garden, you planted it, you’re tending it, weeding it, watering it, waiting for it.

And if you’re faithful to the vision, you will see it bloom. And it will be magnificent.

Reading Time: 4 minutes There is an idea that equality feels like oppression to those that have had the upper hand.

Some are convinced that feminism is a belief system designed to oppress men, led by a band of angry (and hairy!) women who hate men and only care about themselves. And this is a conspicuous falsehood – a lie – promoted by those who are worried that their own power would be diminished.

But the truth is that feminism is about equality. And equality benefits everyone.