The Herban Corner  – Make a Romantic Valentine’s Day Rose Wreath
By Kim Tilley

This is an extremely elegant and easy idea, but not always the cheapest! Silk flowers can cost a lot, so it’s best to get them on a clearance sale or perhaps dry some real roses.

You will need:

• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

• Artificial roses or dried roses

• Heart shaped styrofoam base

• Red spray paint (or paint to match the color of your roses

1. Spray paint the styofoam base in a color close to that of your roses. Let dry. This step keeps any white styrofoam from showing through on the finished wreath.

2. Take off any stems from the roses, you want them to be as smooth on the bottom as possible without falling apart (keep the calyx on, the green “x” shaped part of the stem underneath the flower that holds the petals on). If using rose buds, just make sure there are no stems attached to the buds.

3. Hot glue the flowers, face up, onto the wreath, completely covering it.

4. Hang, using wire twisted at the back, or a pretty ribbon. Enjoy!

Kim Tilley, a tightwad at heart, is the mother of three active boys and the founding editor of FrugalMoms.com . Frugal by force and later by choice, Kim cut her income by 60% to stay at home with her children and discovered that anyone can live better for less. Her work has appeared in print publications such as The Tightwad Gazette. In her free time, she entertains herself by chasing kids and finding ways to create something from nothing!  http://www.fabulousfoods.com/holidays/vday/vdaycraft/rosewreath.html

Beth Johnson   (Mystic Amazon) 

Light A Candle Today!

Today Is: Freya’s Day – Energy: Female Ruler: Venus – Rules lovers and pleasure, affairs of the heart – Use for magick involving love, peace, beauty, gentleness, women’s problems, healing, protection, lovers, ease, pleasure, affairs. Resolve quarrels today! 

Lunar Lore    

Lunar Lore    

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Goddess of the Day

Athena

Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, war, the arts, weaving, metal
working, industry, justice and skill. She was the favorite child of
Zeus. She had sprung fully grown out of her father’s head. Her mother
was Metis, Goddess of wisdom and Zeus’ first wife. In fear that Metis
would bear a son mightier than himself. Zeus swallowed her and she
began to make a robe and helmet for her daughter. The hammering of the
helmet caused Zeus great pain in the form of headaches and he cried
out in agony. Skilled Hephaestus ran to his father and split his skull
open and from it emerged Athena, fully grown and wearing her mother’s
robe and helmet. She is the virgin mother of Erichthnonius.

She is attended by an owl, wears a goatskin breastplate called the
Aegis given to her by her father, Zeus and is accompanied by the
Goddess of victory, Nike. She is often shown helmeted and with a
shield bearing the Gorgons Medusa’s head, a votive gift of Perseus.

Athena is an armed warrior goddess, and appears in Greek mythology as
a helper of many heroes, including Heracles, Jason and Odysseus. She
never had a consort or lover, and thus was often known as Athena
Parthenos (“Athena the virgin”). In her role as a protector of the
city, Athena was worshipped throughout the Greek world as Athena
Polias (“Athena of the city”). She had a special relationship with
Athens, as is shown by the etymological connection of the names of the
Goddess and the city. The Parthenon, on the Acropolis of Athens, is
her most famous temple.

Athena and her uncle Poseidon were both very fond of a certain city in
Greece. Both of them claimed the city and it was decided that the one
that could give the finest gift should have it. Leading a procession
of citizens, the two gods mounted the Acropolis. Poseidon struck the
side of the cliff with his trident and a spring welled up. The people
marveled, but the water was as salty as Poseidon’s sea and it was not
very useful. Athena’s gift was an olive tree, which was better because
it gave the people food, oil and wood. Athena named her city Athens.

In Roman mythology, the Goddess of wisdom was Minerva, who originated
in the association of the Etruscan Goddess Minerva with Hellenic
iconography of Athena. Quite apart from Minerva, the Romans knew her
as Athena as well

Athena is associated with Athens, a plural name because it was the
place where she presided over her sisterhood, the Athenai, in earliest
times. Athena was probably already a Goddess in the Aegean in
prehistoric times. There is evidence that in early times, Athena was
an owl herself, or a Bird Goddess in general. In Book 3 of the
Odyssey, she takes the form of a sea-eagle. Her tasseled aegis may be
the remnants of wings: she is depicted with wings on Archaic red-
figure pottery.

In the Olympian pantheon, Athena was remade as the favorite daughter
of Zeus, born fully armed from his forehead. The story of her birth
comes in several versions. In the one most commonly cited, Zeus lay
with Metis, the Goddess of crafty thought and wisdom, but immediately
feared the consequences. It had been prophesied that Metis would bear
children more powerful than the sire, even Zeus himself. In order to
forestall these dire consequences, Zeus transformed Metis into a fly
and swallowed her immediately after lying with her. He was too late:
Metis had already conceived a child. Metis immediately began making a
helmet and robe for her fetal daughter. The hammering as she made the
helmet caused Zeus great pain and Prometheus, Hephaestus, Hermes or
Palaemon (depending on the sources examined) cleaved Zeus’s head with
the double-headed Minoan axe (Labrys). Athena leaped from Zeus’s head,
fully grown and armed, and Zeus was none the worse for the experience.

Symbols of Athena;

General:

Sun, golden shield and helmet, spear, spindle, bowl, intertwined
snakes, the Parthenon, the seven auras, and the Number 7

Plants and Herbs;

Tiger lily, oak, cypress, olive tree, Hellebore (Christmas and Lenten
roses), and citrus trees

Perfumes/Incenses:

Patchouli, dragonÍs blood, musk, indigo, orange blossom, cinnamon, and
cedar wood

Crystals and Stones:

Onyx, ruby, star sapphire, turquoise, gold, lapis lazuli, and ivory

Colors:

Gold, orange, yellow, emerald green, and royal blue

Today we have a great rune for a Friday, Wunjo of Freyja’s Aett pronounced “woon-yo” (W or V: Joy) Joy, comfort, pleasure. Fellowship, harmony, prosperity. Ecstasy, glory, spiritual reward, but also the possibility of going “over the top”. If restrained, the meaning is general success and recognition of worth.

The blacksmith, seized by his creative passion,  does not notice the heaviness of his tools. Happiness comes from absorbing work. This is one of the most encouraging runes. It promises you success, especially in creative work which requires physical energy. It may bring practical work, rather than intellectual endeavors. As a way to handle difficulties, it suggests that you adopt a practical approach and actually do something, rather than just speak about it. The rune Wunjo also appears in any situation when you are overloaded with jobs that you’re trying to get through. You mustn’t take on yourself the responsibility for the whole world. Find what interests you most and put all your efforts into that one thing. In love and relationships, Wunjo denotes deep, mutual feelings and happiness, but it also advises you to do something definite together such as a travel or business venture.

Wunjo Reversed or Merkstave: Stultification, sorrow, strife, alienation. Delirium, intoxication, possession by higher forces, impractical enthusiasm. Raging frenzy, berzerker. (Note: the reversed or merkstave definitions are included only for reference as they apply to a multi-rune cast and not to a single rune that’s drawn blind from the pouch)

As with all, take only what feels right to you and disregard the rest.

**a portion of today’s rune meaning/description was kindly provided by Ingrid Halvorsen at sunnyway.com and used here with her gracious permission**

In the Light…

Tom

Herb of the Day: Wood Rose (Ipomoea Tuberose)
Folk Names: Ceylon Morning Glory, Frozen Roses, Spanish Arbor Vine
Powers: Luck
Magickal Uses: Carry a wood rose to attract good luck and fortune. Also place some in the home to ensure it is lucky.
Posted By: Lady Becky

Daily Goddess Devotion

Life is within all things, the trees, the earth, the waters & even the stones.

Just because you can not hear a heart beat; does not stop the existence.

Lady Abigail
Copyright © 08222009

How to Improve Your Love Life with the Power
of Feng Shui… Without Spending a Dime!
by Stephanie Roberts

FENG shui (say “fung shway”) is the art of creating a home environment that supports the life you wish to live. A key element of feng shui is creating a smooth flow of chi (positive energy) through your space. Chi likes to move through your home as though it were a gentle breeze or a meandering stream. Where it is blocked, the energy becomes stagnant–like a pond choked with algae and fallen leaves. You are likely to feel blocked in life, and your energy and enthusiasm for matters of the heart will be low. Balancing and correcting the chi of your bedroom helps encourage and invigorate romance. Here are some quick and easy ways to improve your love life by improving the energy of your home.

1. Clean up your bedroom
When your bedroom is cluttered and untidy, the energy in there will be low and slow. Clutter is a sure sign that chi is stuck, so roll up your sleeves and clean the place up if you want to jump-start your love life. Ring a bell, shake a rattle, or clap your hands loudly around the room to clear out old, stale energy.

2. Make room for love
If you want to attract a new romantic partner–or move a casual relationship closer to commitment–make sure there is space for that person in your home. Look at your closets, shelves, and dressers, especially in the bedroom; if they are all filled to capacity with your own stuff, make clearing some room for your current or future partner a priority. Aim to free up 25% of the space in your bedroom for someone else’s things. When you are done, take a moment to visualize your loved one’s belongings finding a home there.

3. Don’t work out in the bedroom
When you exercise in the bedroom, or store your sports equipment there, you bring the energy of hard work and exertion into your romance space. Do you want your relationship to feel like a tough workout? If not, move your workout stuff somewhere else; your relationship is likely to move along more smoothly.

4. Remove old relationship energy
Go through your home–especially your bedroom–and remove anything that reminds you of past failed relationships; this could be an ex-boyfriend’s old sweater you find in the closet, photographs of you with a previous partner, a gift that reminds you (unfavorably) of a giver with whom you are no longer in love–anything that reminds you of a love that went bad. No matter how incurable a romantic you may be, do NOT keep old love letters anywhere in your bedroom unless they are from someone with whom you are still blissfully paired up.

5. Remove inappropriate imagery
The images with which you surround yourself can have a powerful effect on your love life. Feng shui clients who complain of difficulty finding romance often have surrounded themselves with images of a person alone. Inappropriate imagery includes anything that represents solitude, loneliness, aggression, hard work, conflict, or disagreement in any way. That old photo of your Dad when he was in the army may be a treasure, but the wartime energy it carries doesn’t have any place in the bedroom; find another place to keep it.

6. Open the door to love
Make sure both the front door of your home and the door to your bedroom open easily and completely. Doors that stick, squeak, or that only open partway because of all the stuff stored behind them are blocking the flow of romantic energy and opportunity into your home. A loose doorknob on your bedroom door could mean you’re having a hard time “getting a handle on” romance; get out your screwdriver and tighten it up.

7. Create a path for chi
Walk slowly from your front door to your bedroom, pretending that you are a gentle river of chi. Look for any areas where furniture or other belongings are stopping or slowing the flow of chi, or where chi is diverted away from the bedroom to other areas of the house. Clear a path so fresh chi can find its way to your bedroom and nourish your love life. Make sure all the lights along this route are working, replace any burned-out bulbs, and be alert for dark or dingy corners where you can increase the energy by adding more light.

8. Move your bed
If one side of your bed is against the wall, the person who sleeps on that side may feel confined or disempowered in the relationship. If possible, place the bed so there is equal space on either side, so you and your partner can find equal enjoyment in the relationship. The ideal position of the bed will be on the opposite side of the room from the door, but not directly in line with it. If you can’t see the bedroom door from the bed, hang a mirror where it will provide a reflected view of the entry.

9. Bring romance chi into the bedroom
Be sure to place romantic imagery in these two key places in the bedroom: the wall opposite the foot of the bed (where you naturally look when lying in bed), and whatever area of the room you first see when you enter. Beautiful, romantic artwork is always good, as are fresh or silk flowers and anything in pairs (such as birds, cherubs, candles, or decorative pillows). A round mirror is also good for the bedroom, as the shape signifies completion and unity. Look around your home for whatever says “romance” to you, and find a good spot for it in your bedroom.

10. Clarify your intention
Make a collage of images that symbolize your perfect relationship, and place it where you will see it every day. If you are already in a relationship, invite your partner to make a collage with you, to represent your intention to build a joyful and loving future together.
Copyright © 2001 Stephanie Roberts

This article, based on information in the book Fast Feng Shui for Singles: 108 Ways to Heal Your Home and Attract Romance (Lotus Pond Press, Kahului, HI, ISBN 1-931383-04-9) first appeared at http://www.frugalfun.com. Permission is granted to reprint or circulate this article provided that the copyright notice and this paragraph are included in their entirety, and that http://www.fastfengshui.com be cited as the source.

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for Everyone:

46: Pushing Upward

Friday, February 11th, 2011

General Meaning: The forces of growth in springtime demonstrate advancement, as new life pushes upward through the earth’s crust, and the sap is rising. The emphasis is on upward motion, from obscurity to influence, with growth fostered by adaptability and the absence of opposition. Constant, flexible growth is the key attribute of a plant pushing upwards. This reading suggests a period of new promotion and prosperity in your life.

A wise person, in harmony with fate, is sensitive but determined. Make a sincere effort to apply resolute effort. Break through inertia, and good fortune will follow. By remaining flexible and tolerant, you will be able to retain the kind of conscious innocence that fuels growth and advancement. Will power and self-control are necessary to manage this growth skillfully, but the natural enthusiasm of the life force is behind everything

Today’s Tarot Card for Everyone:

The Magician

This Tarot Deck: Winged Spirit Tarot