Music Therapy Moments: Never Say Die
I found myself doing an unplanned joint visit with the chaplain. We were doing our best to support a patient to provide social interaction and promote self expression. It is always a balance act when they seem more interested in asking us questions about our music preferences and such. We wanted to get to know them. Throughout the visit we touched on some R&B hits and a gospel tune sung by Al Green. Yet the most profound moment came towards the end of our visit. The patient
21 hours ago4 min read
I am Not an Entertainer: A Day in the Life of a Hospice Music Therapist
I check my email each morning looking at the reports sent from different teams. Who was admitted? Who is going to respite? Who is on IDP aka “impending death protocol.” I see a familiar name on one of the IDP lists. Dang it. I knew it was coming. Just recently I shared in a team meeting that I felt he was declining. He has been alert and oriented and aware of what is happening the whole time. I know he has had mixed feelings about this part. He was very happy about the birth
Jul 136 min read
Bard of the Card: Lucky Devil
Two of my favorite decks are the Oracle of Mystical Moments and the Tarot of Mystical Moments, both by Catrin Welz-Stein. I believe I pulled "The Devil" first and then "Oh Sunny Day." Initially, I was a bit stumped by this pairing because the "The Devil" isn't a "sunny" card. "Oh Sunny Day" is meant to represent luck and the booklet notes the images of the ladybugs. It also represents new beginnings and optimism. "The Devil" represents temptation and getting trapped much lik
May 262 min read
Music Making: Vigil
Vigil is a reflection on my role as a hospice music therapist and my experience being present at a death. I feel it is a sacred honor to be a witness to someone's transition. There are physical signs that signal death is coming: the change in breathing, glassy eyes, color changes. For me there is also just a knowing. I feel my role is really to hold space for the dying and their loved ones. Sometimes the music provides "permission" for the person to leave this life. Many pe
May 242 min read
The Cycle of Spirit
Meditate on birth, initiation, consummation, repose, death, rebirth. -Dark Mirror: The Inner Work of Witchcraft by Yvonne Aburrow The cycle, or spiral that the spirit journeys through has been on my mind for quite a while. There is obviously the pattern of birth, life, and death. As I began to understand the wheel of the year, which is often related back to this cycle, I felt there was at least one more phase of the journey as there are four seasons to the year. I kept r
May 64 min read
Magical Make: Witch's Ladder
One of the easiest spells to manifest something is to make a witch's ladder. All you really need is a piece of string and strong intention. Witch's ladders, which often had feathers tied along them, were discovered in the late 1800s. It was believed that these items were related to cursing others at that time. Today, witch's ladders are utilized for a variety of reasons...really whatever someone would like to manifest. To complete this type of spell, you acquire a piece of
May 43 min read
Fostering Magic in my Marriage
I have been practicing Wicca for several years now. A big factor in pursuing this path has been that my husband, who is not religious or into witchcraft, supports me fully. He understands how it enriches my life and that is all that matters to him. Whenever I have some anxiety about his thoughts towards it or whenever I am doubting my path, he always asks "Does it make you happy?" Yes. Yes it does. I am so thankful for him because having differing spiritual needs in a relati
Apr 304 min read
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