Retreat

I’ve been quiet recently…a good thing.  I’m “on retreat” so to speak, at home. While Mr. I has been travelling in the UK, I’ve been taking the time to be quiet, to be on my own and to go within.

Although I’m missing him, he’s taking important time to reconnect with family…especially the grandchildren.  A cottage in Devon is hosting the clan and I would love to be there too but I’m also enjoying this time with no schedule, sleeping in, reading, walking, taking photographs, being creative and just letting the days flow.  It’s a gift in it’s own way.   Spending all this time with myself may have it’s drawback though, as I was brunching with a friend the other day, I realized I was  talking non-stop.  She was barely able to get a word in edgewise!

 

 lemon balm

The weather is still dull and drizzly here on the west coast…but warming slowly.  Any ambition I might have had doesn’t get very far with the greyness of the skies although I did go out yesterday and struggled with layed out  almost 400 ft of soaker hoses in the front garden (we don’t have a lawn…just shrubs, grasses and flowers on three, tiered levels).  Hoses certainly have a mind of their own…they wanted to go one way, when I wanted them to go another.  Who won?  Me and a dozen bricks to hold them all down!

 

lemon balm, spearmint and lavender

The lemon balm in the photograph was given to me by a friend who lives just down the road.  As I was leaving her place (after having dinner in her boat house which hangs out over the water…sigh)…I admired her huge planting of lemon balm.  She picks it and crushes it in a mug of hot water for “tea”...it smells fresh and lovely.  The spearmint is from a pot on my patio and the lavender is some of what we put in the front garden last year.  We planted at least 15 lavender plants of different varieties and this one with the "rabbit ears" is Spanish lavender…the first to bloom.  It’s a very dark purple so it doesn’t show up well in a photograph. (The bees are loving it!)

 

 Spanish Lavender

On a completely different note, did you know we’re in the eclipse season?  As someone who’s interested in astronomy and astrology, the energies coming in this month have once again intensified. 

For the next (month) the Universal energies will gift us with much needed help and support as we experience the power of three eclipses in a row, and the Summer/Winter Solstice.   This process opens with the Gemini Solar Eclipse on June the 1st and concludes with the Cancer Solar Eclipse on July the 1st.  These three Eclipses signify opportunities that shall enable us to awaken to an expanded vision of our individual reality and truth.

As this Eclipse season commences your subconscious beliefs, negative programming and patterns will come to the fore to be healed, transformed and released.  It is vital that you are open and honest with yourself so that you can identify where these patterns, programs and beliefs create unnecessary challenge, struggle, pain and limitation.  The power and energy of the next six weeks will support and guide this process ultimately bringing forgiveness, compassion and self-love.  You will be released from the shackles of self-judgment, limitation and separation birthing the freedom you require to live your essential self.

Kate Spreckly

Speaking of releasing old patterns, I’ve had several people ask me about the EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) process that I’ve been working with for the past several months.  Rather than write about it here in a post, I’ve set up a separate page for information and resources and it's available over on the right hand side.  I’ve found it to be an effective tool for releasing beliefs and patterns that are holding you back from creating the life you want.  Have a look if you're interested.  I''ve included a few links to some videos as well...check out Rwanda - Project Light where young survivors of genocide in Rwanda are using EFT...it's so worth watching. 

If anyone has recently sent an email to me via the address on my contact page and I haven’t replied, I’m having difficulty accessing that address.  I’m still working on it but may ultimately have to change it.  Thanks to everyone for stopping by.  I love our connections and wish you all a beautiful June…no matter what the weather is doing where you are!  Blessings dear friends,

 

Comments

[Leslie M]

I was going to say how much I love these white on white photos, and I do, but there's so much more here. I'm off to explore.
Thanks!

And yes, we should help each other through the dry spots with our Gratitude projects.I'm also glad to know that you are doing this.

[Olivia]

I am happy that you're having a staycation retreat, kate. And I am SO THRILLED about your work with EFT. I am personally encouraged as well. I didn't know what your background was, and I can see now what a great fit it is for you. Anyway, I'm at the "sporadic" point with my own work because of huge resistance and general defenses towards my own healing--but things are shifting as I do EFT bit by bit. I watched the Rwanda video--great--and agree with you that this is something that anyone can do. I love your resource list and explanation, and may refer to it on my blog as well, as people have asked me about it. I have nothing up myself and don't feel as comfortable with many on the online presentations--but I do with yours.

I didn't know that you also struggled with anxiety. This is something else we share.

It is great to read about what you've been doing. Lots of changes, and I'll look forward to reading what's next for you!

xoO

[Serena]

Wonderful, eye-catching photographs, Kate! That Spanish Lavender is beautiful! I'm pretty sure that's the same variety I had growing in pots some time back...unfortunately, they died off when they were flooded from all the rain.

Thanks for the info re. the eclipse season. I've been out of sorts with flu and medical issues but, hopefully, I can focus on drawing in some healing and positive outcomes. I will definitely read up more on EFT too. Thanks so much for the links.

Love, light and peace,
Serena xo

[Nancy]

First off - I love the photos of the beautiful spanish lavender and the spearmint. I'll bet it smells heavenly.

I have been spending time doing much the same thing. It's nice to be on one's own time once in a while. Like you, we live in the West and keep thinking Spring must be here at some point - right??

[Jane]

Beautiful photographs and I glad you are enjoying your quiet time. I'm wishing sunshine for you.

[Kerstin]

Kate, have you ever been to the Red Barn Lavender Farm in Ferndale, north of Bellingham? Well worth a visit during the month of June! Unfortunately lavender doesn't grow well here in New England, otherwise I would cover my patio with it. Those universal energies are cetainly intense, not just this month but ever since the beginning of the year. This is the Chinese year of the Rabbit which is supposed to be peaceful, but is has been anything but, hasn't it? It's easy enough for us anxious souls to get drawn unto the doom and gloom state of of the world and the mind, and I keep reminding myself that everything is cyclical and will eventually pass. Anyway, enjoy your retreat! As much as I miss Tom when he is away on one if his frequent business trips, I have t to admit that I also love this time to just be with myself. I never seem to have a problem with just pottering about and chilling out :)

[martie]

Your photos are awesome Kate - so beautiful and elegant. I imagine that your retreat is stoking your creative juices! I love visiting your site - so full of positive thoughts, writings and teachings. "Inspired" is the perfect name for your blog.

I'm off to the coast tomorrow with the move set to become official on 1 July. Wish me luck with house hunting this trip!