Each Day We are Born Again

I've gotten a few requests to go over a typical day for me...which really isn't glamorous...at all...but I realize it may be interesting to folks that are new to this or those who have not yet committed to practicing daily. Or perhaps those who aren't able to be open about it yet.

As many of you know, I have a 3 and a 4 year old. They go to school part of the week so much of my days are broken up with 6 strips back and forth to the school. My son only goes for a half a day so I have to pick him up then go back for my daughter.

And so it begins...

CLEANING! Cleaning is a huge part of any hoodoos house and daily ritual. Cleanliness, in my book, is next to Godliness. So, when I return home from taking the kids to school and running errands this puts the time about 10am. I put in a load of wash with Florida Water, clean up breakfast, make beads splashed with Florida Water, wash my dishes, clean all surfaces, and sweep the floor in my kitchen. I begin in a clockwise manner (to draw in, not push out what we have) with a lovely hand made broom. I then carry this on from the front door to the back, as to sweep luck in and I recite prayers and affirmations of what I am drawing in and what I am warding off. I then throw the dirt off of my property (not onto another's) or flush it down the toilet, as to get rid of any ill fortune that was in our home.

If I have a bit of extra time, I throw down a combination of ground High John, Little John, tobacco and sage to cleanse and protect. Then I sweep...again.

My candles are then lit and altars blessed with Florida Water and liquor. There is always one candle to Oya as I am one of her daughters (although alternated with Oshun when needed as they can not be fed together), one for steady work for my husband and I, any candles for any particular deity being petitioned at that time, and one for the welfare of my clients. This one is typically a Three Fates or Anima Sola candle. Each candle is dressed with an appropriate oil and I use a combination of oils to anoint myself with-mostly my hands as these are what I work with.

I then choose an incense for the day. This may correlate to something I am working on for a client, something a neighbor needs worked on, or a general blessing for my community and clients if nothing dire is present at the time. I also ask that those who I am meant to serve find me and to give me the strength to serve them to the best of my ability. This may be resin or hand-dipped sticks-either way, the incense is set outside to be carried throughout the neighborhood. It is believed that whoever smells or sees it will be blessed.

An offering of foodstuffs is then prepared-this typically consists of an orange (citrus for the dead), fresh baked bread, and other fruit, fresh water, a liquor, and maybe honey. This is also set outside with a prayer of gratitude.

NOW I can begin work! By now it is 11am and I have an hour to work before I pick up my son. So I get as much done as I can. Typically this hour is spent answering e-mails. I do this for another 2-3 hours at night-minimum. When I return home at 1 pm, I continue with my list of orders.

Occasionally I have a client prod me about the shipping of a order-it is clear they think it has been too long. Though most orders go out in 3-5 days, sometimes humans are impatient...imagine that:) And now you begin to see, why it may take a few extra days. For one, I a human. I buy groceries and gas, have appointments, and errands just like everyone else.

I often work until 6pm or later (if hubby grills out for us:) on orders and then sit down to a few more hours of private listings and e-mails while hubby puts the kids to bed.

I then take myself to bed, reading a bit and praying for constant work, food, and shelter for myself, community and clients. I read only spiritually based books-exclusively. This is something I have devoted myself to. I love to read (often a book a week) and these books are not only informative and enlightening, they are entertaining for me. It is a discipline I adopted many years ago to keep my mind focused. I also do not subject myself to violent imagery in TV, art, or movies. I find that these images leave impressions on the mind and spirit and that NO ONE needs them to live a full, healthy life. We see enough of this in everyday life.

Well, now you know what I do with ALL my time! You now also know where your items are created is a sacred space, that I live and breathe my work, and that lots of that work is done on the behalf of those who will never know. Each day is a day to begin again. What we did or did not get done yesterday doesn't matter-today is what we have and we start over again, in the now. Each day I strive to serve as many people as I can to the best of my ability and not hold myself to a number. To serve without limitations or quotas is liberating and the only way, I have found, that one can serve and not get burnt out.