How to celebrate Ostara and the Spring season

I’m a bit biased when it comes to March and the arrival of Spring in that i ADORE this season due to those factors and my birthday. It’s just so glorious when the first daffodils appear and the birds are chirpping early in the morning. So it’s no surprise that I go all out to celebrate this time of year.

So what is Ostara/Eostre? According to sources online “Ostara takes its name after the Germanic goddess, Eostre/Ostara, who was traditionally honoured in the month of April with festivals to celebrate fertility, renewal and re-birth. It was from Eostre that the Christian celebration of Easter evolved, and indeed the naming of the hormone Eostrogen, essential to women's fertility. The Goddess Ostara has the shoulders and head of a hare.

To me Eostre is flowers, the Spring/Maiden Goddess Brigid has come alive. She is arising from her slumber. I tell my daughter this as we gallivant outside and scoop up daisies for the hearth.

What are some ways you can celebrate this time of the rebirth of our earth? Well you probably already do some, decorating eggs, hidding eggs and baking spring gifts such as bread, short cakes and more.

Simply going outside for a short walk, even just 15 minutes to behold all that Ostara has to offer is a blessing and way to celebrate her. You can also write your spring & summer intentions on an egg, bury it and as you cover the egg speak aloud your desires and wishes. Decorating trees in your yard or your plants inside with gems or rocks, eggs and ribbons is a way to honor Ostara.

Spirit is here for us and she is listening. We have all gone through so much this past year and the future is bright, the Universe wants to see you grow and move forward.

Time spent contemplating themes and concepts help connect me to this season of birth and expansion.

And last of all, if you are into tarot & divination as am I, take time to inquire from spirit any messages she wants you to hear. I do this everyday and season, consulting tarot for divine messages. Journal the response, contemplate on how you can integrate the message into your life.

Honoring this time of year connects us to the divine and brings back to focus our deepest desires and plans. I hope you enjoyed this post, learn more from me in the future and click the link below. Than you as always for reading!

blessings to you & yours

Empowering Yourself Through Ritual

I have been stuck lately, for all my posts of goals and intentions, staying consistent can be hard. Especially when there is uncertainty and a global pandemic. But one thing that brings me back to the present, and out of my anxiety is ritual.

We humans are hard wired for routines and consistent actions, just think about it, when your routine gets thrown off or around the holidays we get excited for hanging up decorations there is a beautiful ritual that marks the beginning of a season.

Ritual also grounds us in the present and allows our brain to associate an action with a feeling. So how does ritual empower you? Ritual brings awareness to our action. I have a ritual, as do most parents, of reading a book to our children before bed. What does this do, this brings calm and a way for children to settle down from a long day and it empowers children to feel safe & secure.

My ritual of writing out my plans for the day empowers me to feel a sense of control and direction. We need this especially right now, where so much is out of our control.

Take some time now to think about the rituals you do daily, and consider new rituals that will empower you to achieve balance, sanity and focus.

My all time favorite ritual is my morning routine, I move my body for about 15 minutes, I thank my body and then I move on to meditation, prayer, mirror work (hyping myself up for the day) and then I journal and read a tarot card.

And look, there are days when I just want to lay in my bed longer, however this one simple routine/ritual has had immense ripple effects in my life. I’m much more calm, full of gratitude AND more importantly I feel empowered.

If you’d like to stay in touch and learn more methods for bringing intention, curiosity and joy in your life, follow along and join the Eilisain list. Click the link below my dears, and thank you as always for reading!

5 Things I'm REALLY Into Right Now

Since many of us are home, alot more than usual, we’re consuming more books, television and outdoor activities. Thus I thought I’d share with you some of the things I’m REALLY into. I put emphasis on REALLY because I’m kinda obsessed with them. Here goes!

1. DUNE - I actually got into the Dune series several years ago. I began watching Comicbookgirl19 (now Danikxix) on Youbtube when she did a book club. I hadn’t even read the book yet I wanted to learn more. Now that Dune, the second release of the movie version is set to release this winter it’s gaining even more popularity. What I love about Dune is that the characters rely on their own intelligence, intuition and guidance. There is SO much in Dune, politics, mysticism, religion.

2. Mushrooms - Blame it on my friend Judy but ‘schrooms are making a BIG comeback. Foraging has become a weekend adventure of searching for herbs and edible mushrooms. I believe mushrooms could save us, they’re incredible. They can literally breakdown trash and create new lifeforms.

3. My Octopus Friend - I’ve been raving about this documentary since I watched it earlier in the month. A film editor and videographer moves back to the the Southern coast of South Africa and goes diving for fun (all without a wet suit) and he begins following an octopus. It’s such a beautiful amazing story of the connections we make with animals.

4. Teatime - Okay this is all my daughter’s fault. She ADORES our tea time ritual; pouring the milk and all the fun stuff. There is a wonderful ‘pause’ in teatime. We sit, drink tea and chat. We do this all of course in a British accent! My new favorite tea of the moment is Magic Hour, it’s amazing and they’re packaging is to die for!

5. Magazines - I’ve always been kinda obsessed with magazines, it all started with Sassy magazine. Now i”m super into home decor’zines like House Beautiful, HGTV magazine, Oprah, Good Housekeeping. I especially enjoy magazines because it’s a perfect way to zone out but NOT on my phone.

Now more than ever I believe it’s SO good for your soul to find activities that allow your mind + body to unwind. Finding special moments throughout the day to connect, be still and enjoy an activity is super good for you!

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Thanks as always for stopping by!

What Does it Mean to be Pagan?

Lately I’ve been getting inquiries from friends and acquaintances about my belief system and recommendations to learn more about Paganism and general woo woo stuff. So I thought I’d write up a blog post for you to share more about what it means to be a Pagan and the resources you can use to learn more.

I’d say I officially became Pagan about twenty years ago, whoa…that sounds forever ago! I was in a strange place in my life, more like a deep dark hole and I was really searching for meaning and guidance. I was raised Catholic but it just didn’t resonate with me. And though I did pray to God at the time and pray in general I wasn’t connected or felt comfort in praying to one God.

Thinking back, I can recall distinctly in middle school reading a book about Greek mythology and finding it utterly fascinating. So at that time, twenty years ago I started picking up books on mythology and specifically Celtic paganism. This was right about the same time Braveheart came out and I was kinda obsessed to say the least. Something about connection to land, to the Goddess and the mystical was calling me.

Pagan is a term that began in the fourth century by early Christians for the Roman Empire that practiced Polytheism (source Wikipedia). I’d say that Pagan refers to any earth based polytheistic tradition or belief. So Budhhism could be described as Pagan or Hinduism as well, as they believe in many Gods and deities. So we can go even further to say Celtic paganism or Greek paganism etc. You could liken it to the Christian faith in that there are many subsets of it, such as Catholicism, Baptist, Mormon etc.

For myself personally I find Paganism too broad a term but I’d rather use Pagan versus polythistic or earth based for a term to describe my faith. I’ve always found Christianity lacked the feminine divine, the honoring of the earth and especially listening to ones own inner divinity and wisdom.

What I love about being Pagan is the deep connection to our inner teacher, our inner guide that puts us in touch with our intuition. The gut is where we KNOW, we understand and feel with our every fiber what is right for us. And not only that but the balance of the yin and yang, the light and dark, the feminine and the masculine. Monotheism is too singular for me, and within Christianity there isn’t room for listening to ones own teacher but looking outside of ourselves, looking to one God and I find it to rigid for my inclinations. In addition Christianity is built upon a patriarchal worship and faith. With Celtic Paganism there is a balance and a worship of the divine feminine which is so lost in our current culture and society.

As a Celtic Pagan I honor the deities of the land, connecting and communing with the elements. The honoring of Mother Earth, Father Sky and Sun and the Moon Goddess. The deities of land and the universe are what we are made of, stardust and divinity. When I sit at my altar I meditate and connect to the deep dark mysteries of the Earth, I connect with the Dark Goddess below. When I pray I commune with my ancestors and pray for guidance, listening to messages and being quiet with the Self.

Now I’m not saying you can’t do the same within a Christian faith, and trust me that I appreciate and lovingly honor my Catholic upbringing but there just wasn’t the same connection. I couldn’t identify with the idolization of one God, there was always something missing for me.

Within a Celtic Pagan faith there is an infinite world, a world of complex symbols and colors. For example the Arthurian legend we find ourselves journey to the Otherworld, where the land becomes a symbol of integrity and stewardship. The King and Queen represent the God and Goddess, where the fae represent the fertility and magic of Mother Earth. Colors such as red, white and black are symbolic of the other world. The White Hare represents the hunt for inner knowing and journey to the soul. I could go on and on but the point being there is a synergy and relationship between humans and the earth. We are connected not separate from her.

Tools such as tarot, oracles, sage and lavender wands, the chalice and atham create a physical representation of the elements. When I first began dreaming of becoming a jeweler I mapped out ways to utilize jewelry as spiritual and divinitory tools to connect with the divine.

If you are curious about Paganism and specifically Celtic Paganism here are some books and resources I’d like to recommend for you:

John and Caitlin Matthews are my favorite authors on the subject, that are quite knowledgable and I probably own most of their books.

Ceisiwr Serith Pagan Book of Prayers is an excellent source for prayers and general information on the Celtic path.

Peter Berresford Ellis is another fantastic resource, he is the premier writer on Druids and Celts.

Online resources:

Mystic Mama

The Necormantical

A disclaimer that if you are researching Paganism please be very careful what you read as there is SO much misinformation out there. Reliable and accurate books are necessary to learning the history of Paganism. I’m still learning so much about this rich and in depth tradition. And if you ever have any questions, I’m more than happy to answer them - email me at info@eilisainjewelry.com

I believe that the old traditions, the earth based religions are coming back in popularity and curiosity because we are living in such a disconnected time. We are barraged by constant activity and distraction. Meditation, yoga and paganism is resonating with more people because of the extremism and separation from earth of Christianity. And if you are Christian but you’re still drawn to divination and other religions, give yourself a break and explore them, read more about them. Because at the end of the day we are ALL made up of Spirit, of the great cosmic energy that created this beautiful universe for us. Jesus loved everyone, so did Buddha, Brigid, Ali and all the other enlightened souls that have walked Mother Earth.

If you want to learn more about divination, paganism and how to use jewelry as a diviniatory tool please sign up for my email list and I’ll keep you informed. Thanks as always for reading my loves!

How to Create Your Own Sacred Space

Since I was in my early twenties I’ve kept a ‘sacred space’, I put that in quotes because in reality it has always been an altar. A space where I can reflect and recall my spirituality and the divine High spirit. Altars are in nearly every religion, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and many others.

A sacred space can truly be anywhere or any space. What makes it sacred? The intention you have for it. You can easily have a space with photos and candles but if you don’t come to it with a spiritual intention than it’s a shelf or coffee table. Over the years my space has evolved and changed, since the beginning I used a plastic storage bin with a pretty cloth over it. Your space doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, as long as you can worship near it.

So with that said, how do you create a sacred space? The most important part is the place, I’d recommend it be somewhere that is private or won’t be bothered too much by anyone you live with. You can create a space on a bookshelf or next to your bed or even in a closet! As long as it’s private and comfortable. Here is a brief list of some of the things I like to keep in my sacred space:

1. Candles - lighting a candle can mark the beginning of your ritual to call upon the High spirit or divinity. Plus they bring the element of fire!

2. Special mementos - I keep photos of my ancestors, postcards, crystals and keepsakes that very special people have gifted me.

3. Plants - Greenery in your space reminds you of the sacredness of Mother Earth and our connection to her, plus it just brightens up a space.

4. Pillows - You’re going to need some back support and comfort if you’re sitting or laying near your space. You want to be comfortable in order to quiet your mind and center your focus.

5. Books - I keep a Celtic prayer book at my space that provides prayers for morning and night for each season. It’s one of my favorite books. Books can provide quick reference for you.

Now for the extra’s! Since we moved into our home four years ago, I will admit I now have the luxury of an entire room as a sacred space!! I can’t tell you how in love i am with my meditation room. It’s probably my favorite room in our home.

I went all out for this room, I purchased a faux fur rug (confession, I also use this rug as a display for shows!), more plants….alot more plants, mainly little cactus and succulents. I put all my books in here along with my tarot decks, incense and my meditation and work out gear. Here are some additional items I keep at my altar:

1. Chalice - the chalice represents water, the subconscious and the giving of my spirit to the divine.

2. Mirror - I just added a mirror so as to work on my shadow self and my confidence. I decided that when I have conversations with myself in the mirror it’s as if I truly am talking to myself, outside of myself if that makes any sense!

3. Goddess sculptures - I have a handmade goddess my friend made as well as several others that represent the Yin, she is the feminine divine.

4. Rosary - I was raised Catholic and there is still that young girl in me that adores the Catholic iconography and symbols.

A sacred space grants you the opportunity to tap into your higher self and the holy spirit. Now when I began my spiritual journey and practice I didn’t spend as much time there as I’d hoped I would. Sometimes I’d pray at night or in the morning but because I had a dedicated space to prayer and reflection it was a reminder to come back when i needed that quiet time. Recently, since I’ve begun a dedicated morning routine, my sacred space has become my haven. A space for me to dream, journal and reflect.

I also want to stress that since I’ve begun to practice my quiet reflective time, my gratitude for life has increased, my anxiety has decreased and most importantly I’ve found that I’m so much more intentional with my words and actions. This isn’t to say that my life is perfect or that I don’t have moments of self doubt and stress but the time spent reflecting has given me grace and patience with myself. With the chaos of the world our reflective and meditative time will help immensely with bringing peace and calm in our world, the one thing we can control is our reaction and our thoughts and that is truly powerful.

“With the chaos of the world our reflective and meditative time will help immensely with bringing peace and calm in our world, the one thing we can control is our reaction and our thoughts and that is truly powerful. ”

— Lisette Fee, owner and designer of Eilisain Jewelry

I hope that my post gives you inspiration and insight into the value of a sacred space. YOU deserve to be quiet yourself and a space to honor yourself. If you want to learn more about my spiritual practices and jewelry that celebrates the divinely powerful sign up for my email list above!

Thank you for reading and visiting my website. Have a beautiful day friends!

Connect with the Turtle Patronus to Channel Land and Water

“ symbol of the turtle was an invitation for the blessings of both heaven and earth…” Across cultures turtle has been regarded as ancient and sacred. Because turtles access both water and land. I love the medicine of turtle, it is so healing and powerful.

My parents found a turtle shell and gave it to me, at the time I was working with many different animal parts but what struck me as so incredible of the turtle is the bone structure is outside of the body. And the shell of a turtle has such gorgeous texture, when the ‘skin’ (the brittle brown texture of the actual shell) breaks away you can see a beautiful light filter through and it has a rorschach pattern.

So how can we bond and meditate with the turtle to expand our awareness and intuition? We get quiet and meditate and channel the turtle. Right now is the prefect time to do this because what do we have an abundance of? Time (okay maybe not for everyone - just remember Beyonce has as many hours in the day as we do).

Find a quiet spot and close your eyes….

• You may lay down or sit, whatever is comfortable for you.

• Breath in and out at a steady pace.

• Imagine a lake, quiet and soothing. You are standing at the waters edge.

• You look out at the horizon and the water, still as can be and you begin to walk into the lake

• The water submerges your feet, legs, waist, chest and then your head. You can walk easily and breath under water

• Earth is soft and squishy beneath your feet, you feel absolutely calm and centered.

• Vibrations from the deep within the lake run across and you feel the energy of the great turtle.

• You are now at the center of the lake and there before you is a large turtle, she opens her eyes and welcomes you. Reach out your hand and lay it on the turtles head.

• Turtle is now communing with you. Sending you her immense energy and calm. The longer your hand lies on her head you begin to feel your body morph. Your back becomes a thick strong bone shell. Your arms retreat inward, your neck expands.

• You move slowly yet with great intention and rhythm. Your sense of smell and taste amplify. Earth vibrates through your core.

• Movement is slow yet deliberate. You move through the water with ease and swim towards the edge of the water. Your feet land on the water. You are connected, you are aware of the sound and movement of the water, air and earth.

• Time is nonexistant, you have all the time in the world. You feel everything through your shell, your nose and sight. Stay in this presence of turtle, allow your mind to be absorbed into your surroundings. allow yourself to feel all aspects of turtle.

• You will now come out of your presence of turtle. You slowly move your toes, your hands, and stretch. open your eyes and slowly come back to your human presence.

Questions to ask yourself after your journey with turtle:

1. What did it feel like to be submerged in your unconscious?

2. How can I use this journey and apply it to my life. Do I need to slow down? Am I truly aware of my surroundings and events?

3. Am I truly present in my life? How does being turtle change my perception of time and space?

Turtle medicine is deep, connected and infinite. Because turtle is so tied to land and water, she has access to the inner depths of Mother earth and she has much to teach us. I hope that my meditation gave you pause, gave you deep inner awareness.

If you’d like more meditations and methods to connect to the infinite divine, please join my divine jewel list. Click the link below.