Lady A’s Spell Of The Day for 8/10: SPELL TO AVERT EVIL

SPELL TO AVERT EVIL


You will need:
* three small pine branches, a few feet in length (or three fern fronds)
The Spell:
To banish evil that has come, go into your garden at night.
Cut three small pine branches, a few feel long, or three fern fronds.
Circle your garden with these slowly and call forth all the powers and spirits of your garden
in whatever words feel good to you. Express your hurts and fears and ask for help from the
Earth Mother. Then “sweep” the house with these branches or fronds, pushing all the
dark energies out the front door forcefully, saying:
OUT! OUT! AVERT! AVERT! EVIL OUT IS– ALHIZ! ALHIZ!
Throw the branches away, off your property.

Herb of the Day for August 10th is Valerian

Valerian

Valerian was named for the physician Valerius, one of the first to use the plant medicinally. Around the eleventh century, Anglo-Saxon leeches recommend its use in battling menstrual cramps. It was called Amantilla during the middle ages, and there is a recipe which recommends the use of a tea made from “the juice of Amantilla id est Valeriana,” to bring about peace between warring factions. Chaucer refers to the plant as Setwall.

Traditionally, valerian was used more often for medicine than magic, but there are still some uses for it in spellwork.

Valerian may smell raunchy, but it’s also known as a plant of love and protection. Hang it in your home to protect against natural disasters, such as lightning strikes or fire. If you’re a woman, pin a sprig to your shirt to attract men your way. Quarrels can be resolved in a home by placing valerian leaves around the perimeter of the house.

If you are fighting with a family member, try putting a sprig of valerian in each corner of your home. Putting it over each door will prevent strife and discontent from entering — but be warned – some people find that the smell of valerian reminds them of cat urine.

Other Names: All-heal, Heliotrope, St. George’s herb, Amantilla, Setwall
Gender: Feminine
Element: Water
Deity Connection: Aphrodite, Venus
Planetary Connection: Venus

If you’re a gardener, valerian tends to attract earthworms, which are great for your soil. This has to do with the levels of phosphorus produced by the plant’s roots, so if you need wormy dirt, plant some valerian.

 

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Gemstone of the Day for August 10th is Diamond

Diamond

Image © Getty Images
  • Common Name: Diamond
  • Appearance: Colorless or white, sometimes streaked with yellows
  • Element(s): Air, Fire
  • Planetary connection: Sun
  • Healing powers: Can be used for fertility issues, reproductive health, sexual dysfunction
  • Magical uses: Use for rituals involving meditation and intuition, scrying, astral travel

 

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Saint of the Day for August 10th is St. Angela Merici

St. Angela Merici

When she was 56, Angela Merici said “No” to the Pope. She was aware that Clement VII was offering her a great honor and a great opportunity to serve when he asked her to take charge of a religious order of nursing sisters. But Angela knew that nursing was not what God had called her to do with her life.

She had just returned from a trip to the Holy Land. On the way there she had fallen ill and become blind. Nevertheless, she insisted on continuing her pilgrimage and toured the holy sites with the devotion of her heart rather than her eyes. On the way back she had recovered her sight. But this must have been a reminder to her not to shut her eyes to the needs she saw around her, not to shut her heart to God’s call.

All around her hometown she saw poor girls with no education and no hope. In the fifteenth and sixteenth century that Angela lived in, education for women was for the rich or for nuns. Angela herself had learned everything on her own. Her parents had died when she was ten and she had gone to live with an uncle. She was deeply disturbed when her sister died without receiving the sacraments. A vision reassured her that her sister was safe in God’s care — and also prompted her to dedicate her life to God.

When her uncle died, she returned to her hometown and began to notice how little education the girls had. But who would teach them? Times were much different then. Women weren’t allowed to be teachers and unmarried women were not supposed to go out by themselves — even to serve others. Nuns were the best educated women but they weren’t allowed to leave their cloisters. There were no teaching orders of sisters like we have today.

But in the meantime, these girls grew up without education in religion or anything at all.

These girls weren’t being helped by the old ways, so Angela invented a new way. She brought together a group of unmarried women, fellow Franciscan tertiaries and other friends, who went out into the streets to gather up the girls they saw and teach them. These women had little money and no power, but were bound together by their dedication to education and commitment to Christ. Living in their own homes, they met for prayer and classes where Angela reminded them, ” Reflect that in reality you have a greater need to serve [the poor] than they have of your service.” They were so successful in their service that Angela was asked to bring her innovative approach to education to other cities, and impressed many people, including the pope.

Though she turned him down, perhaps the pope’s request gave her the inspiration or the push to make her little group more formal. Although it was never a religious order in her lifetime, Angela’s Company of Saint Ursula, or the Ursulines, was the first group of women religious to work outside the cloister and the first teaching order of women.

It took many years of frustration before Angela’s radical ideas of education for all and unmarried women in service were accepted. They are commonplace to us now because people like Angela wanted to help others no matter what the cost. Angela reminds us of her approach to change: “Beware of trying to accomplish anything by force, for God has given every single person free will and desires to constrain none; he merely shows them the way, invites them and counsels them.”

Saint Angela Merici reassured her Sisters who were afraid to lose her in death: “I shall continue to be more alive than I was in this life, and I shall see you better and shall love more the good deeds which I shall see you doing continually, and I shall be able to help you more.” She died in 1540, at about seventy years old.

In Her Footsteps:

Take a look around you. Instead of just driving or walking without paying attention today, open your eyes to the needs you see along the way. What people do you notice who need help but who are not being helped? What are their true needs? Make a commitment to help them in some way.

Prayer:

Saint Angela, you were not afraid of change. You did not let stereotypes keep you from serving. Help us to overcome our fear of change in order to follow God’s call and allow others to follow theirs. Amen

 by Terry Matz

Catholic Online

Deity of the Day for August 10th is ATUM

ATUM

 

The first of the gods, the self-created. By sheer will, Atum formed himself out of the stagnant waters of Nun. Atum was bisexual and was sometimes called “the great He-She.” The Egyptians had two cosmogonies, one taught by the priests at Heliopolis and the other by the priests at Memphis. The priests at Memphis taught that Nun and Atum, together with Atum’s children Shu and Tefnut, were aspects or forms of Ptah.

Today’s Runes for August 10th is Laguz

Today’s Runes

Jade Runes are most commonly used for questions about love, friendship, and relationships. Laguz is the most strongly feminine of runes, representing water. Deep sexuality is suggested by this rune. Through Laguz, water is seen as the ocean – vast, uncontrollable, ever-changing, and vital. When interpreted as the returning tide, Laguz can also predict the inevitable return from a long journey.

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for August 10th is 62: Attention to Detail

62: Attention to Detail

Hexagram 62

General Meaning: Ambitious undertakings are not in order now, but attention to small matters brings progress. Such is the case of a person whose resources are meager, but who, through modesty and perseverance, rises to accomplish great things.

The key to success when small potential influences the larger scene is to avoid pretentious ambitions and grandiose goals. The power of the small is served by slow and steady advancement, and succeeds through an honest awareness of its own limitations, without reservation.

Modesty stemming from recognizing your limitations is a fine quality, but it can be seen as weakness if it is not accompanied by conscientiousness. It is important to understand the demands of your situation, and not to expect success in big things right now. The wise person recognizes the nature of the time. So, know your own role, carefully attend to details and act with humility, and you can achieve your goal even with few resources

Your Daily Number for August 10th: 4

Strong, clear energy and the possibility for major opportunity exist today. Focus on work and planning, and avoid the emotional cobwebs of others. Your intuition is strong, so rely on what you know and don’t take someone else’s word for it.

Fast Facts

About the Number 4

Theme: Form, Work, Order, Practicality, Discipline
Astro Association: Aries
Tarot Association: Emperor

Today’s Tarot Card for August 10th is The Magician

The Magician

This Tarot Deck: Winged Spirit Tarot

General Meaning: Traditionally, the Magus is one who can demonstrate hands-on magic — as in healing, transformative rituals, alchemical transmutations, charging of talismans and the like. A modern Magus is any person who completes the circuit between heaven and Earth, one who seeks to bring forth the divine ‘gold’ within her or himself.

At the birth of Tarot, even a gifted healer who was not an ordained clergyman was considered to be in league with the Devil! For obvious reasons, the line between fooling the eye with sleight of hand, and charging the world with magical will was not clearly differentiated in the early Tarot cards.

Waite’s image of the Magus as the solitary ritualist communing with the spirits of the elements — with its formal arrangement of symbols and postures — is a token of the freedom we have in modern times to declare our spiritual politics without fear of reprisal. The older cards were never so explicit about what the Magus was doing. It’s best to keep your imagination open with this card. Visualize yourself manifesting something unique, guided by evolutionary forces that emerge spontaneously from within your soul.

Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, August 10th

This may be an emotionally turbulent day, even with the Moon in stabilizing Capricorn. We would be unwise to underestimate the intensity of the Moon’s square to unruly Uranus, opposition to warrior Mars and conjunction with passionate Pluto. A somber Moon-Saturn square later in the day would normally be sufficient to put a lid on the turmoil, but Mars is moving toward an opposition with Pluto which increases aggression and forceful resistance.

 

Aries Horoscope
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

There may be too much happening today to process everything, especially if you’re hearing conflicting stories. However, you’re not very receptive because you are afraid of being misled by someone else’s agenda, especially when you are on your own mission. It’s tempting to defend your right to maintain your individuality, but there isn’t as much at stake as you think, so pick your battles carefully before jumping into a fight.

Taurus Horoscope
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

You may feel as if you’re in the middle of someone else’s struggle today and you don’t want to be distracted by another melodrama. You might consider avoiding the conversation completely, but you realize that you can actually have a positive impact on the situation. You don’t need to come up with a solution and then sell your idea. In fact, all you have to do is listen to both sides of the argument. For now, sufficiently airing an issue could be enough to dissolve the tension.

Gemini Horoscope
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

You want to share your feelings with a trusted friend, but your harmless disclosure could inadvertently elicit an explosive reaction. You understand the necessity of exercising self-restraint today because you can sense the delicate balance of power. However, you’re still not interested in changing your mind now. Unfortunately, your current lack of flexibility might make a difficult situation worse. On the other hand, trying to meet another person halfway could produce mutual benefits.

Cancer Horoscope
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

You may be feeling an upwelling of anger today, yet it seems more intense than the situation would normally warrant. Although you want to express your frustration, you don’t want to deal with the emotional fallout. Play it cool and sidestep confrontation for now. Or ride your passion and say what’s in your heart no matter what. There’s no right or wrong answer; ultimately, it’s your decision to make.

Leo Horoscope
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You might not show your feelings today in an attempt to avoid a possible meltdown, as your emotions pull you into the shadows. You are more accustomed to the light, making it challenging for you to figure out what’s currently happening. For now, don’t worry about making your point. It’s more important to concentrate on your emotions and to process them in real time, rather than wasting time explaining yourself to others.

Virgo Horoscope
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You aren’t happy with the role that your friends have put you in now and you’re not sure how to get out of it. There are no quick and easy solutions to your dilemma, even if you are in touch with the group dynamics at play. You may be tempted to internalize another person’s struggle and treat it as if it were your own. However, it’s smarter to just steer clear of any melodrama that isn’t yours. Don’t worry about disappointing others; they’ll get over it sooner than you think.

Libra Horoscope
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Others know that you excel in the department of negotiation, so it’s no surprise that they would call on you for assistance now. As much as you might want to help, you have your own decisions to make today. Nevertheless, there’s still time to practice a bit of shuttle diplomacy, shuffling back and forth between the disagreeing parties. Your success depends on not getting too attached to any of the messages that you deliver.

Scorpio Horoscope
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Your two key planets, Mars and Pluto, are pulling in opposite directions, placing you in the middle of an intense tug-of-war. You cannot just express the anger of warrior Mars because unrelenting Pluto will quickly even the score. Unfortunately, you cannot just walk away from the conflict, either. Ultimately, you must be as flexible as you can to get you through this tricky time.

Sagittarius Horoscope
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You don’t want to be drawn into an emotional squabble today yet it becomes more difficult to stay neutral, even if you try. You aren’t interested in choosing sides, for this tactic will only fuel an unnecessary conflict that wastes your time. Be an outspoken community member and talk about the pitfalls of supporting fearful negativity. Follow your own brand of spirituality and let your love light shine.

Capricorn Horoscope
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

A relationship may be a major source of stress now as battle lines are drawn, making it harder to remain civil. You might prefer sorting out your differences through cool and calm communication, yet you can easily slip back into engaging in the needless drama. Instead of being forthright and expressing all your feelings today, act judiciously. A little bit of discretion goes a long way to settle everyone’s frazzled nerves.

Aquarius Horoscope
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

It’s not easy to maintain objectivity today, even as you try to see the pros and cons of a co-worker’s plan. You think that you know what’s best and you aren’t afraid to tell everyone who asks. But rather than judging others, you are wiser to clean up your own act first. Making small improvements throughout the next several days is a better idea than wasting time blaming another person for your dilemma.

Pisces Horoscope
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Your friends may think that they’re helping you today, but you believe that their behavior is too controlling. However, it feels awkward to come right out and tell them to back off because that would just alienate your most supportive allies. Still, it may be time to dig in your heels by setting clear personal boundaries that enable you to feel truly independent.

New Moon Report for August 10th – Mars square Uranus and Mars opposite Pluto

Mars square Uranus and Mars opposite Pluto

Tuesday and Wednesday, August 9-10

Tension rises with Mars catalyzing aspects to astrology’s most transformative planets. Electric Uranus and powerful Pluto are moving toward a series of exact squares in 2012-15 that has the power to reshape the world. Mars interactions with this pair can trigger a sense of uncertainty and provoke impulsive behavior. Taking a calmer approach to crisis, though, can lead to innovation and learning how to manage the pace of change.

the daily humorscopes for wednesday, august 10th

the daily humorscope 

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

 
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
Good day to buy lava lamps at garage sales. Once in a life-time opportunity. Also, if you happen to spot a white 100% polyester leisure suit with bell-bottom pants and a really large lapel, buy it on the spot. I know *I* would love to have one.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Excellent day for a bubble bath. If you don’t have a little yellow rubber duckie, you’ll need to get that first, of course.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
Today you shall laugh your bitter laugh. You’ll also sneeze your bitter sneeze.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
You are about to have an idea of almost mind-boggling brilliance. Try to remain calm.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Today you will discover that you are capable of “channelling”, when you start spouting ancient sumerian curses at a short little dweeb who cuts you off in traffic. You will start taking notes in cuneiform.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
Something will start to bother you, and you will eventually have to ask someone to explain it. The thing is, some birds have very acute hearing – so WHERE ARE THEIR EARS??
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
You will soon need to look older than you actually are. Bushy eyebrows generally do the trick. You’ll find that a little rubber cement and a pair of sleepy hamsters are just what you need.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
Today you will receive an odd postcard from a long lost relative in Peru. He will invite you to come explore an ancient Incan ruin which he has discovered. Try not to be too impulsive — a better offer will soon arrive from a an old high school friend who is hiding out in a Burmese monastery.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
You will hear screams coming from a Hungarian restaurant, while you are walking by. Don’t worry, though. That’s normal.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 20)
Your neighbor thinks his dog is so smart, it’s starting to bug you. The thing to do is cover a book with a book cover that says “Quantum Physics for Dogs”, and train your dog to lay next to it, along a pad of paper covered with scribbled equations and a chewed-on pencil…
Aquarius (January 21 – February 18)
Good time to invest in collectible things you never had any use for. Susan B. Anthony dollars may make a good start. (Unlike your usual investments, the value of those can only plummet so far…)
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
Your path divides soon. On the one hand lies potato salad, followed by severe pain, thrashing about, seizures, and a horrible death. On the other hand lies Cole slaw. It’s a pity that you don’t like Cole slaw.







Not So Deep Thoughts of the Day for August 10th

Not So Deep Thoughts for the Day

  • The things that come to those who wait maybe the things left by those who got there first.
  • A fine is a tax for doing wrong. A tax is a fine for doing well.
  • When you go into court you are putting yourself in the hands of 12 people that weren’t smart enough to get out of jury duty.
  • Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
  • It is hard to understand how a cemetery raised its burial cost, and blamed it on the cost of living.
  • It is said that if you line up all the cars in the world end to end, someone would be stupid enough to try and overtake them.
  • Remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

Will and Guy’s Funny Clean Jokes, Short Stories and Amusing Pictures

Doggie of the Day for August 10th

Shelby, the Dog of the Day
Name: Shelby
Age: Two years old
Gender: Female Breed: Border Collie
Home: Amesbury, Massachusetts, USA
I met Shelby a few months ago and instantly fell in love. She’s the sweetest, most athletic and well-trained dog I’ve ever met. Shelby is two and currently lives in Amesbury, Massachusetts, about an hour north of Boston. She’s a huge Red Sox fan and even sports a Red Sox collar!

Shelby loves the outdoors and anything sports-related. Her favorite sports in particular are tennis, Frisbee and climbing trees. When she comes to Boston to visit, she’s a bit hesitant of the city life, but quickly adjusts, especially when I give her a pupcake from Four Preppy Paws, a bakery in Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood.

She gets along great with other dogs and her best friend is Logan, a six-month-old yellow lab (included in one of the photos). Shelby has charming good looks and wonderful personality. One of the things I love best about Shelby is that her left ear always curls under when she looks at you and nods her head. It’s really the cutest thing ever. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I do!

Special Kitty of the Day for August 10th

Phoebe, the Cat of the Day
Name: Phoebe
Age: Two years old
Gender: Female
Kind: Tuxedo
Home: Jackson, Michigan, USA
Phoebe loves to be “inside” anything, her tunnel, the cupboard, bowl or pots that are left out, the waste basket. She’s our “party girl” who will play with anything or anyone who will participate. She loves chasing her sister, littermate, Rachel. She comes when called and wants to be cuddled whenever her “mom” sits down.

Phoebe is a lover. She will lay in your arms, baby style, for as long as you want or the blood quits flowing to your arms. She will reward you with loud purrs for your time. She is very shy when it comes to strangers and will hide behind the clothes dryer until you give her the “ok” sign. She will come whenever you call her name in hopes of food, play or cuddling. She’s a talker and usually has a lot to say. She’s small in stature but has a loud voice. Mornings are “family” time and she will lay on the towels or get inside a shelf to watch you shower. She rides pretty well in the car and likes to sleep on the dash instead of in the carrier. She finds the strangest places to sleep (notice the picture of her in the bowl). When she was a kitten, she liked to sleep in the Puffs tissue box.

I hope this gives you an idea of what a special little girl she is.

Phoebe, the Cat of the Day

Wikipedia Pic of the Day for August 10th

Picture of the day
River Amstel  
The river Amstel, flowing through the centre of Amsterdam. Visible are some of the city’s most important landmarks located adjacent to the river in this panorama, such as the Magere Brug (crossing the river), the Koninklijk Theater Carré, Amstel Hotel and Rembrandt Tower.

Photo: Massimo Catarinella