It's December 1. You know what that means?!?

I don't, actually, know what this means. Whenever the First of a Month happens all I do is sing the Bone Thugs N Harmony song. And maybe wash the sheets or brush my teeth an extra time.

I know what advertisements have already started telling me about what this means. I know what I see around me. It's time to BUY ALL THE STUFF. Get all the deals. Don't miss out! Feel good this season, with all this . .. stuff. If you miss out, well, you are missing out!
​Oh, capitalist patriarchy, what will we do with you?! 
SMASH IT.

Let's rewind. 

 It has been raining for two days pretty much non-stop, but today the sun is out (he always returns) and it's rather warm, hard to believe right now it is December. But we all know winter solstice is only a few weeks away. I personally adhere to traditions, philosophies and celebrations that can't easily be defined, but are deeply rooted in my relationships with Mother Nature, Father Sky, soil, plants, animals, Spirit and heart: my own experience of Pagan, Wild Feminine, Witch Doctor, Soul having a human experience, I really love having a tree INSIDE the house mash up. So I celebrate with extra doses of kindness, handcrafted gifts, sharing in the Meraki garden goodies and just kicking it with all the people, animals and things I love. 

But this year I am a business ownher. First time! Whoop, whoop! Yes, it is rad and exciting, and I am so grateful and honored to be a small part of how you celebrate whatever you want to celebrate during December! Thank you for including me! 

But there is this bigger picture thing, you know, the things I talk about in person and on social media: consumer nation, patriarchy, capitalism, big business, mindless consuming, toxic products, personal power. I am trying to figure out how I fit into the existing patterns while being one piece of the big movement to shift and change and grow new ways. 

Meraki Farmacy is not your typical business, and to be honest I am having an odd experience participating in the commercialism of holiday time. Personally, the emphasis on material goods, shopshopshopping as a hobby or event this time of year & any sort of keeping up with the joneses or showing care with consumable goods doesn't feel warm, generous, true or aligned with what I see as what is most important.

It is most important that we consciously and mindfully make responsible choices when spending our hard earned, limited money on goods, services, wants and needs. It is most important that we love ourselves deeply and treat others with love, respect, curiosity, generosity and warmth as often as possible.

And then there is the money thing. So many of us save and wait until this time of year because we NEED THE SALES. We NEED the coupons and door busters and free shipping. If those were not available we simply could not buy some of these things, right? And I know that. I take advantage of it also! Because we are still trying to build a new way of doing things, and that takes time. And after the year we have had, the month of November shook so many of us to our very cores (still shaken) and it feels GOOD to buy that dope shirt that sends 20% to Standing Rock. It feels GOOD to buy the children in our lives the basics that bring joy - we know how important and sacred innocence and childhood is and I'll be damned if I won't celebrate that little revolutionary love bomb with everything I got. I love that you do, too. 

Do not feel guilty for being a consumer. But do not by any means allow it to define you. Do not by any means do it mindlessly.

Let's find the balance. Let's find ways to participate in the existing capitalistic society while buying handcrafted goods, by supporting our artists and makers, our local economies, by purchasing things built to last, by cutting down on shipping from afar, less plastic and packaging. All these things make HUGE differences in the world, honestly. For real. We can make purchases from companies that make donations to organizations, causes and communities that are vulnerable. We can totally nail the gift giving thing without perpetuating the destruction.

The Truth is, this is what we are doing when we make conscious choices about how we spend our time and money during the holidays. We reclaim it! We infuse it with love and friendship and family and tribe! We do take the opportunity to give gifts that nurture, celebrate, honor, show love and provide laughter, fun, joy & connection! How cool are we to do this?! THE FUCKING COOLEST!
The greatest things about the month of December are the number of sacred days and events that give us further cause to gather, celebrate, spread love, kindness and well wishes, share meals, help strangers, learn about different cultures/customs/spiritualities/families & traditions. Let us remember why we are here: to love. Let us remember how powerful we are: so very fucking powerful. Let us remember what truly matters: our relationships and choices.

Whatever and however you celebrate at any point of how we measure time, I wish you bold authenticity, wild love, grandiose doses of gratitude, health of heart & mind & body, indefatigable happiness, sensual support, loud & quiet & abundance of laughter, play that perfects the moment, bomb ass food, inspirational conversation, breath taking art & an insolent refusal to isolate or repeat destructive patterns. 

Thank you for stopping in, it is ALWAYS lovely to see you. I know this time of year is rather challenging, and downright awful for some of us. I see you. I love you. I am here, all ways, for and with you. May you find comfort and levity whenever you can.

Thank you for being an activist. A parent. A partner. An artist. The author of the new dopeness. Thank you for being a part of Meraki. I love you, oh so much. 

Cheers,

​lioux