Day: January 1, 2012

NASA Image of the Day for Jan. 1

Festival of Lights

Festival of Lights

WISE, NASA’s Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, has a new view of Barnard 3, or IRAS Ring G159.6-18.5, that is awash in bright green and red dust clouds. Interstellar clouds like these are stellar nurseries, where baby stars are being born.

The green ring is made of tiny particles of warm dust whose composition is very similar to smog found here on Earth. The red cloud in the center is most likely made of dust that is more metallic and cooler than the surrounding regions. HD 278942, the bright star in the middle of the red cloud, is so luminous that it is the likely cause of the surrounding ring’s glow. The bright greenish-yellow region left of center is similar to the ring, though more dense. The bluish-white stars scattered throughout are stars located both in front of, and behind, the nebula.

Regions similar to this nebula are found near the band of the Milky Way galaxy in the night sky. This nebulas is slightly off this band, near the boundary between the constellations of Perseus and Taurus, but at a relatively close distance of only about 1,000 light-years, the cloud is a still part of our Milky Way.

The colors used in this image represent specific wavelengths of infrared light. Blue and cyan (blue-green) represent light emitted at wavelengths of 3.4 and 4.6 microns, which is predominantly from stars. Green and red represent light from 12 and 22 microns, respectively, which is mostly emitted by dust.

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/UCLA

Astronomy Picture of the Day for Jan. 1

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos!Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2012 January 1
See Explanation. Clicking on the picture will download the highest resolution version available.

To Fly Free in Space
STS-41B, NASA 

 

Explanation: At about 100 meters from the cargo bay of the space shuttle Challenger, Bruce McCandless II was farther out than anyone had ever been before. Guided by a Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), astronaut McCandless, pictured above, was floating free in space. McCandless and fellow NASA astronaut Robert Stewart were the first to experience such an “untethered space walk” during Space Shuttle mission 41-B in 1984. The MMU works by shooting jets of nitrogen and has since been used to help deploy and retrieve satellites. With a mass over 140 kilograms, an MMU is heavy on Earth, but, like everything, is weightless when drifting in orbit. The MMU was replaced with the SAFER backpack propulsion unit.

Feng Shui for Winter Nights

Feng Shui for Winter Nights

  • Betsy Stang

Red is not just for Christmas! Red is the color of warmth, of fire, of yang. It is the antidote for the cold yin nights of winter. Warm your nights with just the right chi by practicing these feng shui tips for winter colors, light, warmth, safety and sharing.

Winter Colors and Light

Red
Replace some of your summer blues with reds and oranges. Think pillows, quilts and place settings. You will feel warmer and less depressed. A cozy red or burgundy throw on the chair or on the bed will make you feel wonderful, and cut down on the need to turn up the heat.

Orange
Cook orange. Pumpkins and squash are plentiful and give you the good carbohydrates and nutrients that you need for winter.

 

Light up the Night
Get at least one full spectrum light for a reading area. The complete spectrum will relieve seasonal affective disorder and help your eyes. Plants love full spectrum light so you can put some greenery nearby, and create a small winter garden that will cheer you up and help provide oxygen for your rooms.

Long evenings mean it is time to replace light bulbs. Think energy conserving compact fluorescents, especially for outside lights and accent areas. Your pocket book and your planet will thank you. There are even energy conserving Christmas lights that are now standard in Canada. Solar path lights won’t go all night at this time of year, but they probably are on sale and will light your way home in the evening with no strain on the environment. Additionally, in February, as the days lengthen, they will glitter most of the night, even in the snow, and will make you smile for years to come.

 

Warm up your Windows
Check to make sure all windows shut well. If you have single paned glass which lets the cold wind into the house, find some cheerful thick fabric, valances or drapes, which can cut your heating costs all winter and is a terrific way to change the feel of a room. The Victorians covered their windows for a reason; their homes were drafty! When you feel an uncovered window on a cold night, it’s cold! So think warm and add fabric.

Remove or cover your air conditioners. If removal is difficult get some wonderful natural fabric from your local fabric store and create a cover. Tip: Double-sided Velcro is amazing for the sewing challenged!

Watch For Fire
It is the time to have your boiler and fireplace checked and cleaned. Too many house fires or clogged boilers are caused by the lack of taking this step. All combustible materials create residue which in time builds up, so be safe, be warm and be pro-active. This expense could save you thousands.

Pay Attention to Your Floor, Your Grounding
Remove any dangerously slippery bath mat. The backing does disintegrate, and think about a cozy rug for your bedroom or sitting area. Please think about natural materials so you are not creating a toxic environment. Artificial rugs off-gas and pollute a closed environment; you could expose yourself and your family to illnesses. Look for Tibetan or other tribal rugs made from natural fiber and plant dyes.

Tell Stories; Share with Others
Get some good books. The wintertime has always been storytelling time among all traditions, so let the indoor time give you a chance to expand your mind, either for sheer pleasure or to learn something new you have been meaning to get to but haven’t had the chance.

Lastly, share your home with your friends. Long winter evenings are great for sharing food and conversation. Being with those you love will remind you of how much you have to be grateful for.

And as your gratitude increases take some of your old clothing and household goods to a local shelter or Goodwill and spread some cheer around. You will also get rid of your clutter and make room for the new.

Herbs, Yoga and Feng Shui for Sleep

Herbs, Yoga and Feng Shui for Sleep

By Jennifer Lang, Natural Solutions

Americans spend billions on prescription sleep aids each year, even though the drugs produce a number of unwanted side effects. Natural sleep remedies, on the other hand, are generally side effect-free. For the most part, they help you fall and stay in deep sleep without relying on sedatives. And because they’re muscle relaxants, they also help alleviate pain and may even improve libido. Some to consider:

L-theanine, an amino acid (protein) derived from green tea, improves deep sleep and helps people maintain a calm alertness during the day. It also plays a role in the formation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter that’s critical for sleep. Take 50 to 200 mg at bedtime; L-theanine can also be used for daytime anxiety.

Hops reduce hot flashes in menopausal women, studies show, and they also reduce anxiety and help muscles relax enough for you to fall asleep. Take 30 to 120 mg at bedtime. Often used in combination with valerian and lemon balm, hops have to be dried to have any medicinal effect–the hops in beer, however tasty, provide no sleep benefit.

Passionflower (Passiflora) is an herb commonly used as a calming agent. Take 90 to 360 mg at bedtime.

Valerian helps reduce the time it takes you to fall asleep and improves the quality of sleep you get–without next-day sedation. Take 200 to 800 mg at bedtime. (Valerian causes wakefulness in some people; if that’s the case for you, take it during the day to reduce overall anxiety.)

5HTP (hydroxytryptophan) is what your body uses to make sleep-inducing serotonin. One downside: It can take up to six weeks to start working. Take 200 to 400 mg at bedtime. If you also take serotonin-raising medications (for example, antidepressants), make sure your holistic practitioner supervises the use of the 5HTP to keep serotonin levels from going too high.

Melatonin retrains your circadian rhythm so you become sleepy when the lights dim and wake up more alert at morning light. Take 3 mg at bedtime for three nights and gradually increase to 6 mg if necessary. Melatonin is not recommended for teens, however.

How Yoga Helps Insomnia
�Most insomnia has to do with �restless mind syndrome,�� says Judith Hanson Lasater, PhD, a physical therapist and author of Relax and Renew: Restful Yoga for Stressful Times (Rodmell Press, 1995). Because the mind is always spinning, you need to do something physical to allow the central nervous system to come into balance. This quiets the mind and lets the parasympathetic nervous system dominate while you sleep�crucial for the body to restore. Three poses to help you drift off–and stay asleep:

Before bed: Savasana
This is the gold ring of relaxation poses, says Lasater, because there’s no stretching at all. Lie down on the floor with a blanket folded under your head and neck, another blanket rolled under your knees, a soft cloth over your eyes, and a blanket to cover your body. Stay in the pose for 15 to 20 minutes or longer if possible. Use a breathing practice with a long, slow inhale and a slightly elongated exhalation; the exhale helps stimulate parasympathetic nervous�system dominance, prompting your body to go into “rest and repair” mode.

Can�t fall asleep? Halasana
Also known as Plough Pose, this legs-over-head pose is especially helpful if you have trouble winding down. A modification: Lay on the floor and rest your thighs on a padded chair, so thighs and shins are parallel to the floor.

For midnight awakenings: Side-Lying Savasana
“Side-Lying Savasana is a position of emotional comfort,” says Lasater. “It’s great when you feel exhausted and overwhelmed, pulled in all directions.” Lie on your left side and put a pillow or bolster under your right knee, right arm, belly, and head so you feel completely supported.

Feng Shui for Fostering Sleep
The ancient art of feng shui seeks to maximize the flow of life force energy, or qi, through environments, homes, and other structures. Five guidelines to set your bedroom up for good sleep:

• Place your bed diagonally across the room from the entrance, so you can lie in it and still have a full view of anyone entering.

• Try not to position your bed so you look directly through other doorways (to the bathroom or closet, for instance). If that’s unavoidable, shut the door at night.

• Don’t set up your bed directly beneath a window, otherwise you�ll lose vital energy during the night.

• Keep clutter to a minimum; it can agitate the flow of energy in the room.

• Add objects that help stimulate the movement of qi, such as mirrors, plants, and stones or statues, and remove overstimulating items, such as the stereo, computer, and TV.

Daily Feng Shui Tip for January 1

Happy New Year! And just to make sure that this is your happiest year yet, let’s start it by employing some tried and true Feng Shui that guarantees happiness! First move 27 things around your living space today. This might be a bit harder than it sounds, but this single cure promises an easier existence once you get all that good mojo moving. On this day wear red in order to bring a bright and sunny future and don’t forget to put away the knives and the scissors to keep from cutting off your future fortunes. Don’t cry, speak of the past or cut your hair. Pay down a debt, give some money away without condition or recognition and eat some sort of round foods in order to make the most of the magical manifestations open to you on this one day! Happy New Year, indeed!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

The Meaning of the Number 9

The spiritual meaning of number Nine bring us to the very height of vibrational frequencies in this number sequence. Nine represents attainment, satisfaction, accomplishment, and our success to achieve an influence in our circumstances. The spiritual meaning of number Nine deals with intellectual power, inventiveness, influence over situations and things. Nine beseeches us to recognize our own internal attributes, and extend these abilities out into the world to make a positive, influential difference.

 

The Spirituality Meaning of Numbers

Your Daily Number for Jan. 1: 9

Today brings with it a grand opportunity for healing your mind and body. Get rest, and treat yourself to a massage or some other rejuvenating ‘time out.’ You may have a conversation later in the day that helps you strengthen your bond with another.

 

Fast Facts

About the Number 9

Theme: Encompassing a love for all, Compassion, Patience, Selfless
Astro Association: Virgo
Tarot Association: Hermit

 

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for January 1 is 32: Endurance

32: Endurance

Hexagram 32

General Meaning: Endurance is fostered when inner constancy is coupled with external flexibility. Long-distance runners must adapt readily to changing conditions, while maintaining an inner determination and strength of purpose. Two trees growing near each other adapt to enhance each other’s survival. A strong image of durability is a stable marriage of intimate partners striking a dynamic balance between involvement in the outside world and nourishment in the home.

True endurance is not based on rigidity, for endurance implies movement, not immobilization. Only by adapting to change can we stay in the race; but only by deepening our sense of purpose can we develop the fortitude to win it.

Continuity is achieved through movement, not by keeping still. That which has ceased to grow is close to death. Stay active, but allow yourself time to stay in touch with your innermost thoughts and feelings.

Today’s Runes for January 1 is Berkana

Today’s Runes

Gold Runes are most commonly used for questions about business, career, and property. Berkana represents the birch tree. The birch is frequently symbolic of renewal, rebirth, birth, growth and fertility. This rune is a joyous one, representing good outcomes from ventures undertaken. It is the rune of the family and of a good household.

Today’s Tarot Card for Everyone:

The Fool

This Tarot Deck: Aquarian

General Meaning: Pamela Coleman-Smith’s artful rendition of an “innocent Fool” archetype (Rider-Waite deck) is often used to represent Tarot in general. Early classical versions of the Fool card, however, portray quite a different character — a person driven by base needs and urges, who has fallen into a state of poverty and deprivation.

In some instances, he is made out to be a carnival entertainer or a huckster. In others, he is portrayed as decrepit and vulnerable — as the cumulative result of his delusions and failures. Not until the 20th century do you see the popular Rider-Waite image of the Fool arise — that of an innocent Soul before its Fall into Matter, as yet untainted by contact with society and all its ills.

Modern decks usually borrow from the Rider-Waite imagery. Most Fool cards copy the bucolic mountainside scene, the butterfly, the potential misplaced step that will send the Fool tumbling into the unknown. Don’t forget, however, that the earlier versions of this card represented already-fallen humanity, over-identified with the material plane of existence, and beginning a pilgrimage towards self-knowledge, and eventually, wisdom. The Fool reminds us to recognize the path of personal development within ourselves — and the stage upon that path where we find ourselves — in order to energize our movement toward deeper self-realization.

Daily Horoscopes for Sunday, January 1

The New Year gets off to a great start with the enthusiastic Aries Moon forming harmonious aspects to indulgent Venus and clever Mercury, while her square to the Sun motivates us to take action. A magical Venus-Mars connection indicates that love is in the air, yet it may be tricky to manifest it tangibly. Fortunately, a creative quintile between the Sun and serious Saturn enables us to find a way to use our skills in order to reach satisfaction.

 

Aries Horoscope
Aries Horoscope (Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You are eager to get started with the New Year because you believe it will be amazing. Happily, your confidence is likely warranted. You’re capable of accomplishing a lot today, but paradoxically, the harder you push, the longer everything takes. It doesn’t make sense to force your agenda onto anyone else; instead, relax a bit and let events unfold naturally. Time is on your side so there’s no need to be in a hurry now.

Taurus Horoscope
Taurus Horoscope (Apr 20 – May 20)

You might wake up ready to conquer the world today as a wave of excitement washes over you. However, the rush passes quickly, leaving you with a more sensible outlook. Although you may have a concrete plan, it won’t help to overwhelm someone who resists your efforts. It’s smarter to turn the tables now and use your stubbornness to work in your favor. Your impatience will only provoke defensive reactions from others. Demonstrate your wisdom by focusing on your long-term strategy instead of wishing for immediate gratification.

Gemini Horoscope
Gemini Horoscope (May 21 – Jun 20)

You Twins are often of two minds, and today’s square between the spontaneous Aries Moon and the calculating Capricorn Sun is no exception. On one hand, you’re ready to swing into immediate action, fearing that you’ll miss an opportunity if you don’t do something right away. Meanwhile, you hear your inner voice cautioning you to wait for a more propitious time. Ultimately, your smartest strategy is to develop your plan more thoroughly first, and then give it your best shot.

Cancer Horoscope
Cancer Horoscope (June 21 – Jul 22)

Reacting in the moment is often a challenge for you cautious crustaceans unless you’re feeling extremely secure. A blast of excitement today can be quite invigorating, but it also raises concerns if you aren’t sure what to do next. Thankfully, a bit of planning helps you to sustain your energy once you come down from the adrenaline rush. Keep in mind that nurturing connections with friends and family is just as important now as demonstrating your productivity.

Leo Horoscope
Leo Horoscope (Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Although you may be able to dazzle others with your song and dance, your presentation might lack real substance today. Your fun-loving approach disarms others, eliminating their resistance. Even an adversary won’t be able to resist your charm in the long run because your subtle tenacity is relentless. Talking up a storm is fine; just remember to slow down and listen when following your heart’s desires.

Virgo Horoscope
Virgo Horoscope (Aug 23 – Sep 22)

It’s too easy for you to see the imperfections of someone else’s plan but not your own. Be careful, for your acute analysis and criticism won’t likely work in your favor now. In fact, you might inadvertently push an ally farther away if you say too much or come on too strong. Patience is your friend today; take lots of small steps when you’re ready instead of forcing one giant leap before it’s time.

Libra Horoscope
Libra Horoscope (Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You are in a cosmic game of tug-of-war as competitive friends try to get you to see things differently. However, playful give-and-take could suddenly turn more serious. Thankfully, there isn’t really a need for animosity, even if there is underlying tension today. But you’re more interested in making love, not war. Although there may not be any romance involved, focus on creating common ground and the harmonious atmosphere will soon return.

Scorpio Horoscope
Scorpio Horoscope (Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Your decisive actions demonstrate one story while your unexpressed desires tell a different tale. It looks like you’re fully engaged in a social setting today, yet you can also be very productive if left to your own devices. Nevertheless, you’re yearning for an entirely different experience, even if you’re not yet ready to share your visions. Remember, there is no hurry, so keep your dreams quiet until they’re solid enough to talk about with someone you trust.

Sagittarius Horoscope
Sagittarius Horoscope (Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Today is filled with fun and games as the feisty Aries Moon activates your 5th House of Play. Luckily, showing your good-natured personality to everyone helps you build the support you need. Doing too much planning brings diminishing returns, so just live in the power of now and make it up as you go along. If you maintain a joyful attitude, pleasurable rewards should follow.

Capricorn Horoscope
Capricorn Horoscope (Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Your current excitability may not guarantee fun, but if you can be a little less practical today, you should be able to manage your emotions. However, avoiding your feelings won’t work now, for they will return with increased power. Take time to separate your personal goals from your career objectives so you can gain clarity on both. Remember, it’s easier to be ambitious when you’re involved with something that you love.

Aquarius Horoscope
Aquarius Horoscope (Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You may feel as if satisfaction is within your reach today, and happily, you could be right. However, too much impatience can turn a pleasant social scenario into a mess. Logically, you know that you should be able to get what you want right away. Unfortunately, everything is going to take longer than you expect. As long you keep an eye on your goal, you should continue to make progress. Don’t be discouraged; instead, maintain a cheerful attitude or you could jeopardize the outcome.

Pisces Horoscope
Pisces Horoscope (Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You’re all fired up and could be quite productive at home once you put your mind toward getting things done. Sometimes you excel at avoiding the details of a project, yet now you’re able to maintain a high level of concentration. Apply yourself in the present moment, without being overly concerned about the unknown territory around the next corner.

2012 Astrology Forecast

2012 Astrology Forecast

It’s only the beginning

By Jeff Lawer

Regardless of what some people say about the Mayan calendar, 2012 is not going to be the end of the world. It is, though, a potentially watershed year that is likely to bring some profound changes to our personal lives and large institutions.

The key planetary players in 2012 are dynamic Uranus and potent Pluto, which begin a series of seven intense squares (90-degree angles) with one another on June 24 that ends in 2015. Revolutionary Uranus and transformational Pluto were conjunct (joined) in the mid-1960s, giving rise to the radical cultural changes of those times. We are now entering the next stage of that cycle. While rattling the cages of corporations and governments and shaking up economic systems and religious beliefs may appear to be dangerously reckless, failing to update the ways they function is even riskier.

While many people want to return to the past in attempt to find security and safety, going forward on the road of human evolution is the only way out. As individuals, we help facilitate collective change by opening our minds to making alterations in our own lives. The values and expectations we hold and the habits and beliefs that form us are ready for a rocket ride into the future. Flexibility smoothes out bumps in the road and allows us to turn some sharp corners without losing control of ourselves.

This ability to adapt will probably be greater in the second half of 2012 than during its first six months. That’s because gigantic Jupiter, the planet of philosophy and aspiration, is in stable, stubborn Taurus until June 11. Potential benefits include the possibility of breakthroughs in energy resources and basic reform in the financial sector. Grounding ourselves in more solid values can bring desirable simplicity into our lives and make us more aware of our relationship with the environment. However, Taurus has a conservative side that instinctively resists innovation. The ongoing struggle between traditional perspectives and revolutionary ones could be fierce during this transit.

On June 11, 2012, though, Jupiter enters adaptable Gemini, opening new channels of thought and communication that favor diversity and support our capacity to adapt to change. We can recognize that no single person, religion or nation has a corner on truth, which should open dialogues between previously opposing parties.

Serious Saturn’s continued presence in diplomatic Libra is another favorable force for finding peaceful solutions in 2012. Compromise is a key that we can apply in our personal lives as well. Recognizing ways to express our differences with tolerance and aiming toward common understanding can reduce personal as well as collective warfare.

Idealistic Neptune settles into its compassionate home sign Pisces on Feb. 3 for a 13-year stay. This transit can lead to a spiritual revival, one that helps us surpass the boundaries of dogma to recognize that what we share far surpasses any of our differences. Faith in the healing power of unconditional love and awareness of the ways in which beauty and kindness overcome intellectual nitpicking and philosophical fighting are divine gifts that offer hope that we can create heaven on Earth.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for Sunday, Jan. 1

Stop, look and listen intently as a New Year dawns. Even though the Moon is in assertive, dynamic and fiery Aries, last night’s Mercury-Mars face-off as well as the First Quarter Sun-Moon Phase may be making you see double this morning. While caution was definitely a key watchword in the previous 24 hours, a thaw seems to be in the cards as the Sun forms an inspirational, 72-degree rapport with beautiful, ringed Saturn (12:19AM PST) while the Moon forms a supportive, 60-degree tie to love-enhancing Venus (7:04AM PST) and the Moon also chimes in by making a mind-expanding parallel to giant Jupiter (10:23AM PST). Literary and educational pursuits look promising tonight – courtesy of a flowing trine of 120-degrees between the Moon and Mercury in fire signs (8:57PM PST). If you are feeling a sense of constraint and limitation and don’t know why, you may want to chalk it up to a close Jupiter-Saturn polarity – from early Taurus to late Libra – that will never reach an exact opposition. For the next two weeks, these two largest planets in our solar system will appear to be approaching a 180-degree connection, but they will fail to do so because Jupiter’s forward speed will start increasing more than Saturn’s pace as the latter slows down and gets ready for a retrograde station on February 7. Nevertheless, Jupiter and Saturn already opposed one another twice in 2010 and once in March 2011. Therefore, the near-miss they are experiencing now is welcome news for all of us.

the daily humorscope 

Sunday, January 01, 2012

 
Aries (March 21 – April 19)
Do not snitch a jelly donut today, when nobody is looking. The chocolate frosted one is much better.
Taurus (April 20 – May 20)
Today you will invent a new type of automated squid sorter, for use by professional squid fishermen. You will call it the Squid Pro Quo. That will be a mistake.
Gemini (May 21 – June 20)
Today you will discover a strange-looking thing in your underwear drawer. Best not to tell anyone.
Cancer (June 21 – July 22)
Today you will see a free floating full torso vaporous apparition! It’ll turn out that your glasses are smudged.
Leo (July 23 – August 22)
Today you will discover a lot of money under your pillow! Unfortunately, it won’t begin to cover the cost of the dentures that you will also discover a sudden need for.
Virgo (August 23 – September 22)
Don’t lose hope! Conditions like yours are painful and embarassing, but often clear up on their own.
Libra (September 23 – October 22)
You look ridiculous in that. Go and change.
Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)
You are about to start a band, with friends, which will be called “Rainy Daze”. You will choose that name primarily because one of your group simply doesn’t care for “Clenched Buttocks” as a band name.
Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)
You’ll become best pals with a large invisible rabbit, today. Well, actually he’s a “puka”, which is a type of Celtic spirit, but he’ll look like a large invisible rabbit.
Capricorn (December 22 – January 20)
Good day to make a call from a pay-phone in a busy place, and say (in a loud voice) “You dumped the body WHERE?”.
Aquarius (January 21 – February 18)
Today you will wonder where idiomatic expressions come from, and whether you can start one yourself. Be careful, though. The first person to say “nothing succeeds like success” must have sounded like a real idiot.
Pisces (February 19 – March 20)
You should look into some of that new “dream interpretation” software. That recurring dream about being naked in a hot tub with the Pope and Bill Gates is probably a really common one.

Before Time Was

Witchy Comments

Before Time Was

By Scott Cunningham

 

Before time was, there was The One;
The One was all, and all was The One.
And the vast expanse known as the universe was The One,
all-wise, all-pervading, all-powerful, eternally changing.
And space moved.
The One moulded energy into twin forms,
equal but opposite, fashioning the Goddess and God
from The One and of The One.
The Goddess and God stretched and gave thanks to The One,
but darkness surrounded them.

They were alone, solitary save for The One.
So They formed energy into gasses into suns and planets and moons; They sprinkled the universe with whirling globes and so all was given shape by the hands of the Goddess and God.
Light arose and the sky was illuminated by a billion suns.
And the Goddess and God, satisfied by their works, rejoiced and loved,
and were one.

From their union sprang the seeds of all life, and of the human race,
so that we might achieve incarnation upon the Earth.
The Goddess chose the Moon as Her symbol,
and the God the Sun as His symbol,
to remind the inhabitants of Earth of their fashioners.

All are born, live, die and are reborn beneath the Sun and Moon;
all things come to pass there-under,
and all occurs with the blessings of The One,
as has been the way of existence before time was.

   
~Magickal Graphics~

Correspondences for Sunday, January 1

Miscellaneous New Year Comments

 

Correspondences for Sunday

Magickal Intentions: Growth, Advancements, Enlightment, Rational Thought, Exorcism, Healing, Prosperity, Hope, Exorcism, Money

Incense: Lemon, Frankincense

Planet: Sun

Sign: Leo

Angel: Michael

Colors: Gold, Yellow, Orange and White

Herbs/Plants: Marigold, Heliotrope, Sunflower, Buttercup, Cedar, Beech, Oak

Stones: Carnelian, Citrine, Tiger’s Eye, Amber, Clear Quartz and Red Agate
Oil: (Sun) Cedar, Frankincense, Neroli, Rosemary

The first day of the week is ruled by the Sun. It is an excellent time to work efforts involving business partnerships, work promotions, business ventures, and professional success. Spells where friendships, mental or physical health, or bringing joy back into life are an issue work well on this day, too.

 

Spellcrafting for Sunday

 

CHANT FOR GOOD LUCK AND WELL BEING

To the moon. To the sun.
To the skies. To the waters.
Stars, let your fire burn.
Winds let your strength grow.
Let us unite. Let me shine bright.

 

PLAIN OLD GOOD LUCK CHARM

–Apache tear stone 7 Star Anise seeds
–7 inches of gold ribbon 4 inch square of yellow fabric

Place the stone in the center of the fabric. Add the seeds one at a time and say:

One for luck, Two for money,
Three for favor, Four to keep my days sunny,
Five for old, Six for new, Seven brings success in all that I do.

Gather the ends of the cloth and tie in a pouch with the gold ribbon.
Apache tear is a globule of translucent obsidian. It is carried as a good-luck charm. It is also used for protective purposes as well as all the other stones referred to as obsidian.
There are many varieties of aniseed, the most common is the ash-colored kind from Spain. If star anise seed is unavailable to you, regular anise seed will do. The number seven is know as a lucky number.

 

Magickal Graphics