The Hit List - Shorn - The Tarot Lady

I’ve been obsessing over that overgrown sheep that was found in Canberra a few weeks ago. In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, a sheep (dubbed Chris) was discovered roaming wild and covered in a record-setting coat of fleece (you have to see these pictures to believe it).

He looked like a cartoon or a filthy cloud. Apparently, he had been spotted before but was able to elude capture. Once nabbed, it was time for a long overdue haircut.

This woolly guy underwent a shearing operation that was so risky, he had to be sedated. They cut off almost ninety pounds of dirty, matted wool. Ninety. Wow.

This wool was so cumbersome that poor Chris could barely walk or see. This shearing saved his life. The animal welfare agency reported that “he’s a new man.”

This got me thinking about how we sometimes carry around heavy stuff. Things that weigh us down and makes our life less enjoyable.

It may not be visible (like a ninety pound wool coat) but we can feel it: old wounds, grudges, incidents, or dead weight relationships…baggage we might have outgrown long ago but for some reason can’t shed. We hold on to this energetic clutter until we feel like that sheep…lead footed and unable to see what might lie ahead.

Why do we hold on? What compels us to remain stuck when we know that letting go brings liberation? I have no answers for why we do it but I know there is something better on the other side of letting go.

When we shear away old energetic gunk, we free ourselves to be ourselves.

Able to move without limitation. Clear. Clean. Free.

I’ve been doing my own shearing work around here. I’ve been lightening up my load and releasing the things, emotions, work, and relationships that weigh my spirit down. It is a slow and ongoing process (oh to have a set of energetic shearing instruments to make the job go faster!) not to mention a lot of work.

But each day becomes easier.

Like Chris, I’m becoming new. Lighter. More spacious. PURE. There is nothing to weigh me down any longer.

“You will find that it is necessary to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy. So let them go, let go of them. I tie no weights to my ankles.” ~ C. Joybell C.

This little guy carries a lot on his back!

Other stuff:

Back in the day, this special chair was used for shearing sheep.

Passing it on: this bride will be the 11th in her family to wear this cool vintage wedding dress. (The original bride had an 18 inch waist!)

Hilarious: lots of miracles occurred when the Pope visited New York.

We have a Supermoon eclipse tomorrow! Here’s the science behind this rare occurrence.

All the astro info you need for this Supermoon over at Mystic Mamma.

Secret weapons: some biz execs claim that psychics help them make a fortune.

Barbara Walters gave good advice on how to help people when they are grieving.

Cat lady: here are updates on Martha Stewart’s cats. Because you needed to know.

Heroin is a huge problem in the midwest. This is an interesting look at how heroin makes its way to small towns.

Atlanta may be the hottest place for rappers. (I’m loving Drake’s new release: What A Time To Be Alive.)

Loving this Washington Post piece on Young Thug. (PS I love Young Thug too. Brilliant rapper.)

Compelling reading: Can you mother a child that you gave up for adoption?

Ever ask for success, get it…and then freak out and back away? Tanya Geisler has something to say to you.

The gospel for misfits. Loving what this minister is serving up.

What is the most feel-good song of all time? This.

Great post over at Broadly: Black Magic – Hoodoo Witches Speak Out on the Appropriation of Their Craft.

Truth: How to lose weight in four easy steps.

All aboard the cutest train ever: man builds train to take rescue dogs out for little adventures.

Too young to wed – a disturbing piece on child brides.

Los Angeles is putting $100 million towards helping the homeless.

I can never tire of looking at pictures of David Bowie. NEVER.

A glimpse inside her world: Jackie Siegel on Her Daughter’s Death and Life After ‘Versailles‘.

Over at Autostraddle, Beth Maiden dishes on this fab new tarot book: Fool’s Journey: “She Is Sitting in the Night” is the Queer Tarot Book You’ve Been Waiting For.

A Black Power Tarot deck overseen by Jodorowsky?! OMFG. YES YES YES! More about this here.

Looking for a good read? Check out Suffer a Witch the addictive new book about Salem witches by Claudia Hall Christian. Just in time for the Halloween season!

This looks interesting: Shift into Freedom: The Science and Practice of Open-Hearted Awareness by Loch Kelly.

As I always say, the issues are in your tissues: In Touch: How to Tune in to the Inner Guidance of Your Body and Trust Yourself by John J. Prendergast, PhD.

I am currently reading this book and cannot say enough good things about it: Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Looking forward to this: Brave Enough by Cheryl Strayed.

Jenny Lawson just released this: Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things.

What I’m Grateful For:

Strong support through life’s storms

Finished roadwork

The ability to recognize stuff for what it is

The relief that follows release

Best mailman ever

New scented candles