What are some of the things you do to protect your energy I have a very specific grounding and shielding ritual that I do regularly, but I also find that limiting the exposure I have with people that have values that do not align with mine is probably the biggest action I take. This is on my mind because I recently reached out to a person I had become acquainted with to ask if he supported some ongoing current events that I definitely do not support. Which he did - and so I politely told him that I was not interested in a connection. Didn't call him out, explain my position or try to talk reason with him, just cut off my energy. Sometimes it is the mundane actions that are the most magickal.

I am pretty careful about what I eat because I have a LOT of reactions to various foods. I don't eat a lot of processed foods and I read labels carefully when I do. I had been having some bad reactions for days now, one of which caused be to be late for a phone date with a friend. I apologized and explained my predicament. I told her that I had no idea of what I was eating that was causing me to react. I suggested that I had switched brands of peanut butter in my morning smoothies and maybe that was it. Immediately she said that was the problem and there were ingredients in there that were causing my reactions. I told her it wasn't true because I had read the ingredients carefully before I bought it. She was adamant though, so I checked. As it turns out, I had carefully checked the ingredients and they were all good and then at the last minute, I grabbed a larger size than the one I checked. Guess what - lots of awful ingredients. Because of course. I would have literally been dosing myself for a month with garbage food if I didn't listen to my friend. And the reason there is because I didn't listen to my body. I told her what the problem was and I didn't hear it myself. But she did. Community is what folkloring is all about. @Jill Hart was my magic that day.

https://youtu.be/RhMIc_wO-eU?is=t-8lU2-fh6uNW4vV

It is unseasonably warm here today and as I was getting my tea earlier I noticed that there were 9 (!) squirrels playing in my yard. I had a lovely break watching them enjoy the day and it was such a nice, calming moment. Even in the colder months it is important to remember to connect with nature every day.

Today was a bit of a rough go - I got interviewed about my book and apparently it was one of those podcasts whose vibe is proving how smart they are by trying to trip up their guests with "gotcha" moments. They were not successful, but it was such an ick feeling. Hence, my return to community here in the folkloring way - some people might be jerks, but having a place to talk spirituality and folklore with sincere people is a balm to my spirit. I am glad to gather here around our virtual fire and share stories, my friends.