| Ritual for Letting Go and Taking Stock | |||
| By Cait Johnson, author of Earth, Water, Fire, and Air (SkyLight Paths, 2003).Early autumn is the traditional time for taking stock: what do we need to release so we won’t feel burdened in the months ahead? What do we keep in our spiritual larders to sustain us? We can take a gentle lesson from nature as we witness the trees and their graceful letting-go, and the busyness of squirrels as they gather the stores of food that will ensure a secure winter.Here is a simple ritual designed to help you free yourself from the burdens of the past, and to help you identify the skills, strengths, and gifts that will be your wise companions this winter. Read it here:
1. Take a little time where you will not be disturbed. Sit comfortably with a small pad of paper and a pen or pencil and close your eyes. Take a moment to feel how gravity keeps you firmly here on this planet. Take comfort in your weight. Now take note of all the places where your body is touching something solid: the chair, the floor. Feel how you are cradled by these places. Take a moment to feel grateful for your life. 2. Now gently bring into your awareness anything you carry that makes you feel weighed-down, heavy, sad, or angry. Perhaps a relationship issue or a negative pattern of thinking. Perhaps worries about not having enough of something. With compassion for yourself, write these things down on your paper. 3. Now, still keeping your eyes closed, turn over a new leaf in your pad. Give yourself a few moments to think of any important lessons you learned from these burdens–any skills you gained from having carried them. (For example, if a relationship did not work out as you had wished, you may have learned to be more self-reliant and independent.) If you release the sadness or anger associated with each burden, what are the gifts that remain? Write these gifts down on the fresh piece of paper. 4. Now give some thought to your personal talents, skills, and qualities of character. These are things that nothing can take away; they are part of the great gift to the world that you are. Write down as many as you can think of on the same piece of paper. 5. When you are ready, open your eyes. Take the list of burdens and, without looking at it, tear it into small pieces. These may be burned, buried, or released into the air or water. (One friend took a chair outdoors, stood on it, and released her paper bits like autumn leaves, enjoying the sight of their gentle drifting-down.) Now read the list of gifts. Fold the paper and put it in a safe place. Whenever you need a reminder, take it out and reread it. |
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Day: November 29, 2011
WISH RITUAL
WISH RITUAL
What You Will Need:
A large bowl A wooden spoon A sifter or colander
As many of the following herbs as you can find: Cinnamon, basil, clover, ginger, marjoram, tea, catnip, jasmine, ginseng, lavender, pine, sage, cloves.
This is inherently a simple spell but you can make it into an all-out ritual.
Best if done when the moon is waxing, unless you are wishing to get rid of a problem.
Place all the ingredients into the bowl. Stir and grind them with the spoon.
Continue to grind and blend until everything is mixed into a coarse substance –
there should be no large pieces. It should be grainy and almost powder-like.
Dump the substance into the colander or sifter and gently shake it back and forth over another bowl.
The finest powder will get through the sifter but the large pieces will not.
What you should have when you are finished is at least a handful of herbal wish powder.
Make sure you go out on a nice day to perform the spell.
Find a nice clearing and take your wish powder with you in a pouch.
Take a handful and say a chant – it’s best that you write your own so you can state the specific need of the wish. Make sure you are very clear about what you wish for and how you want to get it.
Throw your powder to the wind and let it carry your wish away to come true!
Special Kitty of the Day for November 29th
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| Name: | Little Kitty |
Age: | Unknown |
| Gender: | Male |
Kind: | Tabby Siamese mix |
| Home: | Bailey, North Carolina, USA |
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| Little Kitty (only name he ever answered to, so it stuck) found us about two years ago. He was just sitting outside the house and my son picked him up. He has been with us ever since. We began feeding him and allowed him to remain outside since that was his preference. When it turned cold, I couldn’t leave him outside so that began his wandering in and out. He has always gotten along with my other cats after slowly being introduced to the crew. When we first got him, as you can see, he was young enough so that his mature coloring had not yet fully grown in, so we just know he is somewhere over 2 1/2 years old, but are not sure.Last year, he got out of the house while I was away and had been hit by a car. It took him three days to make it back home. The trip to the vet produced both good and bad news. There was no major damage but he would no longer be able to protect himself properly. He had a broken hip, broken pelvis, multiple broken bones in his foot and damaged claws. He can walk, but he is limited in some activities and can no longer go outside. He was terrified of noises after the accident and would hide at the slightest sound. After much consistency and caution, he is now sitting in the window and only hiding when the offensive vacuum cleaner starts.
He is the most social cat I have ever seen with other cats. He plays with the new kitten and has taken her under his wing. He teaches her everything from the best places to sleep to ‘creatively acquiring’ treats. Helps her hunt, shares his toys and even allows her to play with his tail. He sleeps with the other cats and doesn’t mind at all being used for a pillow by any of them. His favorite places to sleep are my office chair, my spot on the bed, the window and the table I now keep beside my desk. That was the only way I could keep him off my computer! Although he doesn’t like to be held, he loves to have his belly rubbed, his chin scratched and to be close to me or another cat. I occasionally become a chew toy or pin cushion when he wants something. He’s talkative in a quiet way. Rarely meows, but when he does it is definitely something important! Like opening his window so he can get in it, his empty food dish or that it is time for treats. His most fascinating personality trait is that he is so protective! He sleeps between me and the door every night. He is usually within sight or within arm’s reach. He gets upset when he thinks that my orange tabby is a little rough with the kitten. Because he is so protective, I was concerned Little Kitty would be upset about the kitten, but he has turned out to be more of a “daddy” than anything else. He has even started fights with my orange tabby over the kitten! He is loved and he knows it! |
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Dog-Gone Doggie of the Day for November 29th
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| Name: | Cheeney |
Age: | Fifteen months old |
| Gender: | Male | Breed: | Chihuahua, Dachshund mix |
| Home: | Florida Panhandle, USA | ||
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I thought maybe I wanted a dog after my son moved away leaving me and the two cats alone in the house, and someone came knocking on the door in the middle of the night scaring me out of my sleep. I arranged for a week off work and thought it would be the perfect time to get a dog… if I got a dog. A week before that, I visited the animal shelter where I walked one small perfect dog. I thought I should look at other dogs just to be fair and picked out a beautiful little long-legged dog that paid me no attention. The shelter lady said she wanted me to see this one other dog. She brought him in, soon he was in my lap and that’s how I got a dog a week before I planned to. He is what we call a Chiweenie (chihuahua dachshund mix).
Cheeney cuddles all the time. He pushes up against me when we sit on the sofa or he puts his head on my leg. If I’m in a chair with no room for him, he stays by my feet. He gets along well with the cats as you can see. He began by chasing my girl cat but she quickly learned that she could take refuge behind a chair then jump out at him and chase him back. Cheeney is smaller than either of the cats. Cheeney and his mom were given up by people who felt they didn’t have time for them. The mom, a purebred dog, was taken by a no kill shelter. Both dogs were eaten up by fleas when they came in and Cheeney lost a lot of hair. It grew back coarse and grey so he has a sort of white stripe down his back. When I got him a lot of hair was still missing on his tail and I thought he was chewing it off but it all came back nicely. Before putting him up for adoption, the shelter vet performed some necessary minor surgery on him. He had been at the shelter almost two months when I found him. Cheeney is not perfect. He’s not quite housebroken. He doesn’t think his paws should get wet and he has to be coaxed outside during or after a rain… unless he hears the neighbors’ dog barking, then wet grass means nothing. But he doesn’t chew up things he shouldn’t; he tries to please; he plays fetch by chasing a toy and bring it back to the sofa for me; he barks when he thinks there’s a good reason. I wouldn’t have waited so long to get a dog if I’d known what great companions they can be. Paws-Shelter.com is where I got Cheeney. I’ve had him about three months. The other dogs I looked at have since been adopted, too. ![]() ![]() |
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According to Feng Shui – Five Gifts You Should Never Give
Five Gifts You Should Never Give
Giving and receiving gifts is a wonderful exchange that shows we care. One would think that any gift that is given from the heart is good. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. An inauspicious gift is bad news no matter how noble your intentions are. Taken in a Feng Shui perspective, some things are worse compared to others. Here are the top 5 gifts you should never give to anyone.
1. Never Give Sharp Objects
Gifts of sharp objects are actually more popular than one would expect because most people don’t see them as such. Examples of sharp objects that are unsuitable as gifts include the following: blade, chainsaw, dagger, hunting knife, letter opener, penknife, scissors, Swiss Army knife, sword, etc (see anything familiar here).
There are a couple of reasons that make sharp items objectionable. Giving sharp objects as a gift will literally sever the friendship. As sharp objects are a natural source of malicious “killing breath” or Shar Chi, such gifts will result in you unintentionally sending bad luck to your friend.
2. Never Give Timepieces
In the West, timepieces are, in fact, quite well-liked as gifts. These include: alarm clock, wall clock, pocket watch, wristwatch, etc.
Timepieces measure the passage of time and this indirectly suggests a limited lifespan, which is very inauspicious. In Chinese (Cantonese), to give a clock or soong joong sounds exactly like the Chinese term for attending a funeral, which is naturally very taboo.
3. Never Give Red Roses
Did you know that you should never give red roses? Long stemmed red roses with sharp thorns are terrible as gifts. The longer the stem and the sharper the thorns … the more the relationship will suffer. If you send your lover a bouquet of red roses – romantic and all – it will be the beginning of the end of the relationship.
It is better for you to give cream or pink roses. Feng Shui-wise, yellow roses work even better to help enhance that loving feeling. Remember to have the thorns removed before you deliver them to your lover.
Never send red and white roses to a loved one who is in hospital. These are so inauspicious that in hospitals all over UK, there is the tradition with regards to floral gifts from well-wishers. If bunches of red and white roses or any variety of flowers arrive for anybody, they throw the flowers away immediately and make sure none of them reach the patients. A gift comprising a bunch of red and white blooms are considered to be a DEATH WISH.
4. Never Give Shoes
In Chinese (Cantonese), the word for shoes, ‘hai’, sounds very much like a sigh. This is very inauspicious as it suggests much unhappiness. A gift of shoes to your friend would be akin to sending bad luck his/her way.
5. Never Give Handkerchiefs
Gifts of handkerchiefs are also traditionally frowned upon. This is because a handkerchief is used to wipe away sweat and tears, which suggests a lot of sadness and frustration. Giving handkerchiefs as gifts suggest that you anticipate him/her to be doing much crying in the future. This generates such an inauspicious chi.
Remedy For Your Predicament
What do you do if you have a really fantastic gift? Something that you know your friend will be truly ecstatic about? Well I have some good news for you. The Chinese have a simple remedy for sharp metal gifts that belong to the first category.
Ask for a coin or some change (make sure it is metal) before you present your gift to the recipient. This simple exchange symbolizes a “purchase”, instead of a “gift”. Since your friend symbolically “paid” for the item, it is no longer considered a “gift”. This uncomplicated remedy works only for sharp metal items.
Feng Shui Tip of the Day for November 29th
Feng Shui Tip of the Day
“Place a red packet filled with real money deep inside your rice urn.”
Your Daily Number for November 29th: 2
Sensitivity and a feeling of self-consciousness pervade the day. Stress levels may be high due to deadlines and commitments; if possible, take some time off to relax and focus on your personal life, as romance is highly favorable.
About the Number 2
Today’s I Ching Hexagram for November 29th is 9: Small Influences
9: Small Influences

General Meaning: A gentle wind gathers the clouds, but still, no rain. Softer influences predominate as the power of subtle forces grows. This is a time for smooth and friendly persuasion.
In the ebb and flow of events, there are always ‘low tides’ — times when sweeping action is impossible or inappropriate, but when small matters can be attended to profitably, leading to bigger and better things later on. When the tide is rolling in, by all means, ride the wave; but when it is receding like it is now, focus on little things.
When the times are such that you cannot do much to affect large matters, persuasion and subtle influence can prepare the way for strength in the future. Use your intuition to chart your long-term course, but avoid bold actions for the moment, for they are unlikely to work. This is an excellent time to refine existing abilities or develop new talents.
Be wary of others’ intentions if they hold the upper hand in a situation. Examine their sources of power, so as to discover subtle influences you may be able to exert upon them.
Today’s Runes for November 29th is Ger
Today’s Runes
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Stone Runes are most commonly used for questions about the natural world and things beyond human control. Ger is one of the runes that touches on the cycles of the year, in this case the fall harvest. These cycles are eternal, which is represented in the rune by the fact that it is unchanged by reversal. Ger can represent pregnancy or other forms of fruitfulness, and is especially indicative of the cycles of providence and karma – that which has been sown is now being reaped. This rune can also represent the cycles of wealth, for crops were frequently a sign of wealth. |
Today’s Tarot Card for November 29th is The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man

This Tarot Deck: Old English
This represents a good time to be philosophical, to study and meditate upon the position you find yourself in, and form resolutions for the moment you become free again. Only those who possess wisdom, patience and optimism will be able to see through limitations, including possible humiliation, to grasp the inspiring lesson one can gain from such an experience
Your Horoscope Guardian Trees
Your Horoscope Guardian Trees
- Annie B. Bond
The grounded grace and benign presence of trees have both awed and comforted humans since our earliest beginnings. In both Native American and Celtic tradition, every season has its tree-spirits. In astrology, too, each sun-sign has special trees standing guard over it, sharing their healing energy.
Find out which trees hold a magical healing key for your sun-sign here:
Aries, March 21-April 19: Holly, thorn, chestnut
Taurus, April 20-May 21: Almond, apple, walnut, ash, sycamore, cherry, myrtle
Gemini, May 22-June 20: Elder, filbert
Cancer, June 21-July 22: Willow, sycamore
Leo, July 23- Aug 22: Palm, laurel, pine, oak
Virgo, Aug 23-Sept 22: Hazel, elder
Libra, Sept 23-Oct 22: Almond, walnut, plum, myrtle, apple
Scorpio, Oct 23-Nov 21: Holly, blackthorn
Sagittarius, Nov 22-Dec 21: Mulberry, chestnut
Capricorn, Dec 22-Jan 19: Pine, cypress, yew, spruce, holly
Aquarius, Jan 20-Feb 18: Pine
Pisces, Feb 19-March 20: Willow, elm, linden
Daily Horoscopes for November 29th

You can see exciting possibilities when only yesterday everything seemed more problematic. However, you haven’t been suddenly struck with answers to all of your questions. Rather, it’s your perspective that’s changed and you’re more willing now to let the ambiguity resolve naturally. It’s healthy to imagine the desired outcome to a situation, but you don’t need to force resolution to the issue prematurely.

Although you want to make plans for what’s ahead, you might not be eager now to peer too far into your future. You may believe that you’re close to achieving an important milestone on your way to success, even if you still have a way to go. Still, there’s no use wasting energy by concentrating on a current obstacle. Instead, get busy and revise your schedule with a new timetable that charts your path to your destination.

You might get an uncharacteristic urge to withdraw socially today, but your friends will likely seek you out to join them, anyway. Don’t bother giving them your reasons for passing up an invitation; instead, just say yes. You’ll be glad that you changed your mind and decided to come out of hiding. It’s better to enjoy yourself with others if given the chance because you can always find time to be alone later.

You may be uncomfortable with what’s happening in a relationship, yet you now have an opportunity to push beyond your fears. Although you tend to hold on to what’s familiar because it fosters security, it’s time to take an emotional risk. Don’t play it safe; do what you can to align your actions with your needs. You may be pleasantly surprised if you take the initiative today to stretch past your old limitations and try something new.

An eccentric person could arrive on the scene now with the non-conformist Aquarius Moon’s visit to your 7th House of Others. An exciting invitation may not be what you expected, but you could be tempted to turn down the offer because of time constraints. Luckily, today isn’t likely to unfold according to your plans, so it’s a good idea to set aside your agenda and have some fun. Your flexibility might just be rewarded with lasting happy memories.

You have a number of unusual tasks on your list of things to do today and may be looking forward to getting started. However, you aren’t sure how everything will go until you actually begin, so don’t waste time trying to fill in the details. Your best strategy is to let go of your need to micromanage and just make it up along the way. You already have the skills necessary for success, so just apply them as needed.

You are easily coaxed into setting aside your long-term responsibilities for a while if you think that you’ll be able to experience a bit of pleasure today. The Moon is visiting your 5th House of Play now, so take time to express yourself in the present moment. Don’t worry if you need to return later to complete unfinished business. Let yourself be as creative as possible, even if it’s not about making money. Don’t hold back; do something for the sheer fun of it.

It requires a lot of effort to talk you into going anywhere today because the Moon in your 4th House of Security reminds you how much you would prefer to stay at home. You want to watch the world go by quietly because your inner experience is much more important now than scattering your energy socially. Don’t worry if you don’t live up to someone else’s expectations; you get to decide what brings true spiritual value into your life, even if it doesn’t involve anyone else.

The Moon’s harmonious connection with the Sun in your optimistic sign today lifts your spirit above the mundane events of your daily life. Your current need for independence is so strong that you might not be willing to justify your desires to anyone else. Of course, you can discuss anything you want, but no one has the authority to tell you what to think. Just taking a moment to remind yourself that you’re in charge of your inner world is enough to make you happy now.

You may want to make a decision about how to budget your money today, but you’re being pulled in several directions. It’s possible that you have a few things you would like to do, but not enough cash to go around. For example, you could decide to buy something special for yourself, only to see a beautiful gift for someone else. Even if social obligations make your choices more difficult, remember to be nice to yourself. If your heart’s not happy, you won’t have anything to give to those you love.

The Moon’s return to your eclectic sign gives you permission to express your feelings, even if they’re not what others expect. But it’s not necessary to hide your true needs just because others may be uncomfortable with them. However, you don’t have the right to spew your opinions without doing so in a kind manner. Being considerate of those you love may change your words, but it really doesn’t have to alter your truth.

This is a magical day if you remember that you can create a positive atmosphere wherever you go by virtue of your attitude. Your spiritual orientation is capable of turning the most boring chore into a sacred act of gratitude. But what others perceive now isn’t what’s important. Honor the richness of your imagination and aspire to experience beauty, even if it cannot be put into words.
Daily Cosmic Calendar for Tuesday, November 29th
Daily Cosmic Calendar
the daily humorscopes for tuesday, november 29th
the daily humorscope
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Tuesday, November 29th is a good day for…….
November 29th
Bake, Cut Firewood, Cut Hair to Increase Growth, Mow to Increase Growth, Castrate Farm Animals, Dig Holes, Wean, Potty Train, Wax Floors
General Guidelines for Casting Spells
General Guidelines for Casting Spells
1. Set aside a room for your magical work. Decorate it with things that
put you in a magical mood. Remember to use things that stimulate all
five of your physical senses. Some obvious things would be the use of
appropriate colors for sight, incense for scent, music for hearing,
wines for taste, and textures for feel.
2. If you do not have a room you can set aside exclusively for your
magical work, then choose a room that can be locked while you do your
work. This will allow you to work undisturbed. In any case, you
should clean your work area periodically with a purifying
powder/floorwash to keep away negative vibrations.
3. Set up an altar to be used as your worktable. It’s size and shape
should be those that appeal to you. Placing candles and other items
that assist you to concentrate on the work at hand is a good
practice. Some people like to cover their altar with a white cloth
and place fresh cut flowers on it every day.
4. Always use the best candles, oils, and incenses that you can afford,
or make your own, for scrimping on materials has a negative effect on
the subconscious. Don’t forget that the subconscious is very good at
making do with raw materials that it can shape to its own use.
5. Never cast a spell until you have a clear and concise picture of what
it is you wish to accomplish. This ties in with the saying “Be
careful what you wish for, you just might get it.”
6. Always ground out any extra energy you raise for the spell, and bind
the spell so that it expires within the pre-determined amount of
time. Once you have cast the spell, do not discuss it with any one
until after it has worked. Most spells peter out because the person
who cast it boasts about it to so many people, that the spell is
robbed of power before it has a chance to work. The ancient bond
placed on the magician was to dare, to know and to keep silent.
7. Above all, at all times, remember the Rede: “An ye harm none, do what
you will.” You do not know all the effects of your spell, therefore,
use magick sparingly, if at all.
Let it snow, let it snow! Happy, Snowy Tuesday to you, dear friends!

The witch is now in! Sorry I am running late but I woke up this morning to about a foot of snow. It was very unexpected and very beautiful. The weather forecast called for snow, sleet and all that good stuff all around us. But we were suppose to get nothing. Needless to say, our weather people don’t know the weather no more than my fish does. Anyway, I had to get out in it for a bit. I took Kiki out on the porch and that was hilarious. She took about four steps, sniffed and ran back to me. Jumping up and down for me to pick her up, she isn’t much of a snow dog. I could take Mocha (my hybrid wolf dog) outside in the snow and we would play and play. She loved the snow and I enjoyed having her out there with me. Next, after I picked up Kiki I opened the door and there stood nosey Stinker. I put Kiki down and picked up some snow and dumped it on his head. He jumped like he had been shot. Razzy was back in the kitchen. She saw what had happened to Stinker so she didn’t bother moving. After I came in she came over to the snow to sniff it and see what that funny, white stuff was. But I have been walking in the snow, kicking it around and just breathing in the clean crisp air. It is a beautiful site. Another wonder of Mother Nature bestowing her beauty on us.
Tuesday Is Ruled By Mars
Tuesday is named after the God Tiw, this day is perfect for works relating to justice, strength and physical well-being. Other correspondences for Tuesday are:
Ruling Planet: Mars
Rituals: Overcoming enmity, developing courage and protection.
Element: Fire
Colour: Red
Number: 5





