January 2011
On the Eve of this New Year that is coming to an end, I spent time within a sacred space with other spirit-seekers and joykeepers in a four hour long meditation.  We sat on pillows and breathed our way through to the gate where the space in between lies.  It's magic brought me to a place of infinite BEingness.  I was one and I was whole.  With short breaks in between we got to set glorious space for the coming year of 2011.  I am in such appreciation for this opportunity; this event that I cherish.  Thank you Rev. Pattie and thank you everyone at SCPL for gracing me with such a powerful gift that after a full year's journey, I can look back and remember where I started.

Later that month, I celebrated my birthday with my Soul-Family in Aptos, California.  I had the chance to spend a weekend with my teacher/mentor/dear friend, Rev. Michele DeMoulin.  As I type this, I can't help it, but release in tears.  They are tears of great appreciation for this wonderous, precious, wise constant force and angelic earth angel I met in 2008.  Since the first time I spoke with her on the phone, the clarity was so rich and powerful that it brought me to tears.  I knew she was to be my teacher.  It was during that verbal exchange with Michele that I began my growing/healing journey of coming into my full power.  I am truly honored and deeply grateful.

March 2011
I was re-birthed this month.
With the lovely guidance and beautiful ceremonial gifts of Bishop Shirley of The Madonna Ministry, I was soulfully guided to re-enter the planet fully, whole-ly and sacredly.  This was an initiation into a greater me and later this month, I became ordained through the ministry to begin my own "ministry of love" to others in the form of life-art and in the form of what Bishop Shirley calls "sacred witnessing".  I act as a soul-guide, a reminder that you are whole, sacred and divinely holy.  Ask me, and I will count all the glorious things that make you- YOU and treasure each story the scars offer.  They feel like beautiful storytellers to me.  Pieces of artful life experience.  Let me count the ways...

April 2011
I posted my first posting on my blog/website...after many years of having a private webspace and numerous blogs since the age of 23.  It took bravery on my part...finally opening and stepping out, revealing and embracing vulnerability.

May 2011
I began to sing my secrets.

I also began creating spaces around my home that would support the work I was stepping into.  Further readying the nest to birth creativity.

I write about my journey into my Goddess Mother Heart.

_I start sharing my poetry.

June 2011
I make peace and get closer to a softer space with my issues of my religious upbringing.

My personal message to one million people.

I get to witness the birth of two baby hummingbirds in a tree at my dear Goddess-Friend Jill's house.  We watched quietly in delight and excitement as the mother sat silently in her nest and a week later, two babies were born.

I co-create with my dear Soul-Sister, Maya Zaido a picture story e-book dedicated to the Fae-Folk.

July 2011
My conversations with the nature spirits are amplified and we began story sharing in gardens, parks and nurseries.

September 2011
I write about my "sensitivities".

I find a café where Angels serve coffee.

I create a visual meditation about trees and nature...mostly about trees.

I co-create a mini medicine circle with my kids in our backyard.

I get crafty and open up the studio to share some creations.

Fall time, family time, favorite time of year.

December 2011
I met my soul-sister, Maya Zaido online- amongst a women's circle community.  We live on opposite sides with many states in between.  We knew we'd eventually travel and meet one day.  It happened quicker than we had thought!  She traveled to California and our reunion story is here: Journey Sisters.

I become more of ME and embrace MYSELF on a deep soul level by celebrating my soul's essence with a renaming ceremony.  My name changes...read more here.

I celebrate the "Light-Within" during Winter Solstice.

Wonderful Christmas family time that I treasure.

_Blessings to you in the new year.  May you bloom into the RICHNESS that IS YOU!

Here's to a FANTABULOUS 2012!
Melissa Ixcheldevi

As we come together for the winter celebrations and as each family carries out their own unique traditions I am so filled with joy at the diversity of all of this.  The decorating of our homes with symbolic pieces that represent what we honor during the season is something I look forward to and enjoy hearing of as others share their experiences.  For some it may be the nativity, the yule log, the return of the son {sun of God}, the bright Chanukah, the colorfully lighted Kwanza and La Posada.  Even Santa and his eight little reindeer, the gifts of the three wise men, snowflakes and Frosty the Snowman. 

All beautiful expressions of celebration.  And all representing the "Light" in some way.  Lighting candles, hanging tree lights and building fires.  And the winter reminds us with a cold breeze and a frosty morning to seek shelter and go within.  Within- where it is dark.  Where things gestate.  Where all is growing, beneath the soil, where there is life.  And where the light shines- all will grow and sprout reaching for the Sun, El Sol; filling up with the very essence that lives within all.  The sun is rising inside of me.  I am grateful and I am praising the glorious ritual/tradition that this time of year is offering by honoring...our LIGHT WITHIN.  Shine my loves...shine.

As a kinesthetic and expressive being, I love engaging the world with artful grounding practices.  I choose sacred spaces and creative acts to solidify a new beginning, an ending, an intention.  I rename, transmute, transform, claim, and allow a new level of my path to surface.  I spent a day at Point Lobos Natural Reserve in Carmel, California.  A spot I often travel to with my Soul-Family for ceremonies and gatherings.  I planted seeds of my new journey, my new name, my old dreams come anew.  Celebrate a new direction of your journey by venturing out.  Create a personalized ceremony with your favorite people to act as your sacred witnesses and step into the rooting energy as you welcome Greater and Blissful things!

_She decorates life with moments.  Stringing them along banners created of substance and soul nourishing tendrils.
She repeatedly responds to the wind with open arms and joyously allows the cleansing rain to pour upon her heart.
If you watch, she will notice you and count all the miracles you are here to be.
She will hold your hand and nudge you to breathe in your golden wisdom that fortifies your very being.
Tell her. . .tell her all. . .she will listen and lay out the pieces for you to craft with your gentle fingertips.
As you birth, she remains at your side chanting your soul name of ancient times in hidden languages.
Early rock and age old bones gathered to create your inner haven.
Branches and twine lead the path.
And the markings on the earth leave prints to follow.
She will walk with you and find symbols along the way that resonate to the flow in your veins.
Your truth will grow a garden.
Your voice will know- no shame.
Your smile will tell many of the strength that grows from within.

Her name, like many before come with a vibrational tone that lingers and:
Waxes.
Shapes.
Unravels.
Unties.

From withered to the brave glory that resides in your BEing.

She's lived before and continues today.

I will carry her name in my form.

My name becomes hers.  We blend in a harmony of all-knowing.

That wild medicine soul inside me has been set free.

I am Melissa Ixcheldevi

. . .and today I breathe {anew} life.

Namaste to my Soul Family: Daniel, my brother | Maya, my journey-sister | Michele, my mentor/teacher/beloved for your Sacred Witnessing and mesmerizing ceremony on this day- the marking of a new journey and renaming a part of my soul's life expression.

Love you all.

I don't even remember what the conversation was about or exactly the whereabouts, but it had something to do with that Magical Goddess Leonie!  A facebook post is what I remember most.  I couldn't even tell you what the conversation was about, but we connected instantly.  Over many emails, sharings, phone conversations, and skype sessions we bonded and began an initiation into sisterhood. 

We traded picturesque image ideas for photos.  We spun words that created melodious poems and writings.  We talked about our whirlwinds in life; things we experienced.  We laughed about how silly human-ness can be if taken too serious.  We stood by each other during moments of frustration and held the veil up high for a clearer view.  We cheered each other on and marched through the mud just to get to the other side of the task.  We became connected through Soul and reunited in Spirit.

Sharing the same passion for joyful and artful living.  Connection and honoring the journeys of others.  Listening with heart and speaking with love. 

She- sharing the same name as my own daughter.
She- speaking to nature and listening to it's symphony as I do.
This wonderful Goddess-Friend of mine.

I am awaiting her arrival in one day.  From the East Coast to where I stand in California.  We will reunite.  In.  Real.  Life.

Tomorrow, I will be waiting at the airport to meet my Soul-SiSTAR.

And, together we will share our journey in moment-caputring pictures and stories.