Month: April 2012

Prayer To Bless This New Site

Prayer To Bless This New Site

I humbly dedicate this new site to you, my Lord and Lady.

I pray to you, my Lord and Lady for a very special

purpose at this time:

I pray that you continue to bless this site. That you give

it the power to reach those who have not yet heard

Your Words and Teachings. To reach those that have

not felt Your Wonderful Love and Blessed Life that you

offer. I humbly pray to you that you continue to bless me

as I spread Your Religion. Give me confidence, make me

strong willed and most of all grant me Your Love for those

days I am discouraged. I pray that You reach each visitor to

this site. So they may feel and see Your Full Being & Love.

 

I will do what I can, but without your help, I can accomplish

nothing. Grant that my will may always be one with yours,

and give me the strength to accept with joy whatever your

Divine decision should be.

 

I sincerely ask this of you, my Lord and my Lady,

in faith, hope, and love.

So Mote It Be.

Invocation To Freyr

 Invocation To Freyr

“Freyr, Son of Njrd, Join us.
Freyr, Husband of Gerdr, Join us.
Freyr, Brother of Freyja, Join us.
Freyr, Father of kings, Join us.
Freyr, Whose sword would fight for itself, Join us.
Freyr, Who gave his sword for Gerdr, Join us.
Freyr, Patron of married couples, Join us.
Freyr, Most beautiful of Gods, Join us.
Freyr, Whose tooth-gift was Alfheimr, Join us.
Freyr, Master of Gullinbursti, Join us.
Freyr, Owner of Skidbladnir, Join us.
Freyr, Slayer of Beli, Join us.
Freyr, Master of Frodi’s Peace, Join us.
Freyr, Who directs Man’s good fortune, Join us.
Freyr, Who brings fruitful seasons, Join us. Freyr,
Your servant _______ calls you! Come to me NOW!”

WitchWay

Love the Earth With Feng Shui

by Erica Sofrina

By Erica Sofrina,Founder of Earth Spirit Adventure Travel

In celebration of Earth day I thought I would talk about how important this element is a part of the ancient teaching of Feng Shui and give you some ways to celebrate this energy by bringing it into your home and life.

Every summer I take a group of people to the Big Island of Hawaii on what is called my Five Elements Immersion Retreat. It is a way for people who yearn to experience their earth connection to spend 10 days opening to a deep and personal experience of water, earth, fire, metal and wood by being being taken into a powerful experience of them with some incredible teachers. One of my favorite parts is our earth adventure where we climb deep into an ancient Lava tube where we drum and open to the sounds of the earth. Our Hawaiian guide sings a hauntingly beautiful Hawaiian chant, and we begin to hear the voices of the ancestors. With each experience I gain a deeper understanding of our connection to mother earth and the wisdom she has to impart. Being in the earth like this and hearing the heart-beat of the drum , seems to awaken something deep within me that is beyond the limitation of words. I understand how we came from and go back to the earth and feel deeply appreciative that she continues to sustain us in spite of how we have abused her gifts to us.

In Feng Shui the Earth is represented by the TAI CHI (Yin and Yang) symbol and relates to our Spiritual, physical and emotional stability. It is about balancing the opposite forces in our lives and remaining grounded and centered. The Earth is a nurturing and stable energy and the hub around which all the areas of our life evolve.

Earth is the base and considered the most stable of the Five Elements, the rest of which are fire, metal, water and wood.

The places we live and work are built from earthly materials such as wood, clay, brick, and stone. The foods we eat that nourish our bodies come from the earth.

When we want to get centered in our lives the best thing we can do is to get out into nature. No matter how we feel our energy field often comes back into balance by just spending 10 minutes in a beautiful natural setting.

When we can’t be in nature, wherever we are we can do a grounding exercise to connect us to the earth (found at the end of this article) When I do, my sense of stability is restored and what ever is going on in my life comes into perspective.

The energy of earth is downward as well as a gathering inward motion like the energy of the soil which holds things in place, making them more solid. It’s effect is one of nurturing, providing a sense of peacefulness and stillness.

Whenever we are feeling scattered in our lives we can also bring the Earth element into our homes. This is a part of the Five Elements practice that comes out of Chinese medicine and is at the heart of Feng Shui.

We can do this by adding squares and cubes, long flat horizontal surfaces and heavier objects. The colors would be the more ‘toasty’ versions of yellows, gold’s and earth tones. The materials that are more earthy would be materials that come from the earth such as tile, stucco, brick and ceramics.

The heavier the object looks, the stronger the Earth vibration. Cushy fabrics such as velvets, chenille and corduroy in earthy colors as well as earth-toned area rugs and carpeting will create a more earthy atmosphere.

Low ceilings will hold the energy in and give the room a calmer feeling as opposed to vaulted high ceilings that will life the energy upwards and energize it. We can visually lower the ceiling with fixtures and objects hung around the room at the same level, creating a ‘line between heaven and earth’. This will bring the energy back down into the space rather than sending it upwards as in a cathedral.

Bedrooms, Living Rooms, Dining Rooms, Family Rooms and Bathrooms are room that would benefit from having the calming influence of the Earth elements. Add colors and objects in earth tones and made of earth along with more muted lighting. Our earthy spaces should feel like we want to curl up by a fire with blanket, a hot cup of tea and just chill.

The Earth is at the center of the Bagua which is the map used in certain schools of Feng Shui to chart the energy centers of the home. The center of our home should feel solid, yet be open and uncluttered enough to allow the energy to flow easily around it.

For my readers who would like more information about the Bagua and how to apply it to your home floor plan click here for your own free Color copy with instructions.

I invite you all to spend some time this week connecting deeply to the earth. Walk barefoot on her, go for a hike, lay on your back and meditate on all of the bounties that she so graciously brings to us each day. Express your gratefulness for how abundantly provides for all of her children.

Grounding Exercise:

  • Take off your shoes and sit on the ground or floor in lotus position or on a chair with both feet planted solidly on the earth.
  • Envision a chord, like the roots of a tree, moving downwards from the base of the spine and/or from the bottom of the feet, deep into the earth. Spend some time envisioning them as they move through the earth pushing it aside and reaching deep into the center. Breath slowly and deeply in and out as you do so.
  • Once you feel your connection deep in the center you may want to envision wrapping them around a huge boulder for stability.
  • Feel the loamy rich brown earth energy coming back up from the center of the earth and entering your body through the base of the spine and/or the bottom of your feet.
  • Bring this energy slowly up into your body and feel it anchor in the heart area and move it around your body, feeling the healing energy stabilizing and connecting you.
  • Do this exercise for five or ten minutes whenever you feel scattered and disconnected in your life and see the difference it makes!

Erica Sofrina is the Founder of Earth Spirit Adventure Travel which takes people to powerful places like Bali and Hawaii to experience their Earth/Spirit connection. To find out more about Erica Sofrina’s Earth Spirit Adventure Travel Retreats click here.

New Moon Report for April 21 – New Moon in Taurus

New Moon in Taurus

Saturday, April 21, 12:18 am PDT, 3:18 am EDT

The New Moon in earthy Taurus starts a slow-cooking fire, creating opportunities to increase income and discover fresh sources of pleasure. Investing in a solid foundation of training, tools and developing personal resources with patience establishes a base from which future success will grow. Taurus likes a steady pace, so don’t be in a hurry to get where you want to go. Sticking to a practical plan is a surer way to achieve your goals than trying to beat the clock. Long-range strategic thinking will pay dividends, while get-rich-quick schemes are likely to fail. Skillful Mars in Virgo and potent Pluto in Capricorn form favorable aspects to this Sun-Moon conjunction, producing a Grand Earth Trine that favors pragmatism and productivity. Yet a lovely slice of imagination is blended into this cosmic dish with a supportive sextile from dreamy Neptune to the New Moon. This spiritual planet softens Taurean stubbornness with compassion and faith, bringing a higher purpose to even the most mundane tasks.

The Taurus New Moon is like a fertile garden where healthy seeds can take root and grow. Nurturing the soil of ourselves with constructive thoughts and healthy behavior may seem boring to some, yet the results are worth the effort. The ground upon which a positive future is built requires appreciation for oneself, so acknowledging our abilities and accomplishments is essential for feeding our ambitions. Taking time to enjoy life’s simple and sensual pleasures provides joy that makes the journey worthwhile.

Calendar of the Moon for April 21st

Calendar of the Moon
21 Saille/Mounukhion

Aphrodite Urania’s Night

Colors: Blue-green and blue-violet
Element: Water and Earth
Altar: Upon a cloth of blue-green and blue-violet, set forth a bowl of henna mixed with water, wreaths of flowers, and a chalice of mixed fruit juice and tea.
Offerings: Flowers in water. This is an appropriate night for ritual sex, although the emphasis should be on exploring sexuality that is different, or with someone different, than one’s normal mode, provided that it does not violate vows and strictures. If this is not possible, then meditate on what it is to have a love for another human being that is not accepted.
Daily Meal: Fish/seafood and meat together. Fruit.

Invocation to Aphrodite Urania

Hail, Aphrodite Urania, Lady of Unconventional Love!
You who are the patron of love in all its forms,
Love between too young and too old, beautiful and plain,
Rich and poor, men or women or the sacred third,
Healing and codependence, joy and obsession,
The love that plays havoc with family and society,
The love that breaks down boundaries.
No act of love and pleasure is less than sacred to you.
Hail, Builder of Bridges, who will bear us up!
You are the slender line of love across the deepest of abysses.
When we leap off that cliff, holding our breath,
Knowing nothing is certain but our feelings,
We find ourselves not tumbling terror-stricken as we had feared
But walking safely on the great span of your heart
Where we meet each other on the sacred middle ground
And cross to a more joyous land.
Bearded Aphrodite of Cyprus,
Who moved to the sacred ground of the Third
In order to love Hermes,
Whose child is Hermaphroditus,
You are the bridge between the sweet waters of the heart
And the earthy depths of the body,
The mud that we first crawled from,
The love we will always turn back to,
The quicksand that mires us,
Our tears crashing against the rocks like tides.

(One who has been chosen to do the work of the ritual, and who is closest to the Sacred Third, goes about with the henna, marking the hands of each in turn, and saying, “Love and be loved.”)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun for April 21

Calendar of the Sun
21 Eostremonath

Day of Pales

Color: Sand-colored
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon a sand-colored cloth set a man’s right shoe and a woman’s left shoe, side by side, with a shepherd’s crook between them, and small figures of goats and sheep.
Offerings: Work in the barn with livestock. Do some chore or work-task that you were taught was inappropriate for your gender.
Daily Meal: Goat. Lamb or mutton. Coarse bread. Soup or stew. Greens.

Invocation to Pales

Hail, Keeper of Flocks and Herds,
Ass-headed god/dess, you who are
Both male and female,
Both god and peasant,
Patron of those who must dirty their hands,
Beloved of the working man and woman,
You who do not play favorites,
Trickster who loves a good joke,
Lord of the dry land between the rivers
Where your flocks graze on scrub
And the people’s blood flows like water
In their everlasting feud,
Come to us and show us life
Through your crooked ass eyes!
Hail, Keeper of Flocks and Herds,
Lady/Lord of the crook and sandals,
You show us that roles
Are meant to be transgressed,
That work can be radical,
That being bound to the labor of the Earth
Does not have to make one heavy.
We need your humor, divine ass!
We need your braying laughter to echo
Over the desert and through our hearts,
And to watch you tip the balance of power
Like a child tips an applecart.
Hail, Keeper of Flocks and Herds!

(After the invocation, go to the barn, or to a local farm. Hoofed livestock should be given treats on this day, in honor of Pales.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Correspondences for Saturday, April 21

Gothic Comments 

Correspondences for Saturday, April 21

 Magickal Intentions: Spirit Communications, Meditation, Psychic Attack or Defense, Locating Lost Things and Missing Persons, Building, Life, Doctrine, Protection, Knowledge, Authority, Limitations, Boundries, Time and Death
Incense: Black Poppy Seed and Myrrh
Planet: Saturn
Sign: Capricorn and Aquarius
Angel: Cassiel
Colors: Black, Grey and Indigo
Herbs/Plants: Myrrh, Moss, Hemlock, Wolfsbane, Coltsfoot, Nightshade and Fir
Stones: Jet, Smokey Quartz, Amethyst, Black Onyx, Snowflake Obsidian, Lava, Pumice
Oil: (Saturn) Cypress, Mimosa, Myrrh, Patchouli 
Saturn lends its energies to the last day of the week. Because Saturn is the planet of karma, this day is an excellent time for spellwork involving reincarnation, karmic lessons, the Mysteries, wisdom, and long-term projects. It is also a good time to being efforts that deal with the elderly, death, or the eradication of pests and disease. 
~Magickal Graphics~

Back To The River

 Back To The River

Back To The River, Back To The Sea

Back To The Ocean, One With Thee

Back To My Blood, And Back Through My Veins

Back To My Heartbeat, One And The Same

Back To The Forest, Back To The Fields

Back To The Mountains, Her Body Revealed

Back To My Bones, Back To My Skin

Back To My Spirit, The Fire Within

‘THINK on THESE THINGS’ for April 20th

‘THINK on THESE THINGS’
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

As long as there has been a human race, there has been someone crying out, “No one understands!” Somewhere along the way communications have broken down and the result is misunderstanding.

To be misunderstood is painful. We keep wanting to explain and explain until we get our message across. Sometimes it is the lack of the wise use of words. Then, it may be an unwilling ear. But whatever the race, the politics, sophisticated or home grown, everyone has the desire to be understood. They want every motive, every mood, completely and unquestionably understood.

But to be completely understood can also have its rebound. A goddess can turn into a woman and a hero can slip into a man when only one of their moods is completely understood.

Understanding breeds familiarity. Familiarity may not breed contempt, but it can certainly take the edge off the mystery. And, it is mystery that keeps life interesting.

In all wisdom, we should worry much less about being completely understood, and make a more diligent effort to understand others.

Something dies within us when no one cares. It is a circumstance of our own making when we have failed to give to another the thought and concern that would have helped when it was most needed.

Sorrows can be borne because others care. Greatness can be achieved because someone cared. To care is our purpose.

Who knows but that these small acts of sympathy and understanding may place another life into the one slot on the jigsaw puzzle of life.

If we were all the things we expect of others, the result would be perfection. We would be perfect in forgiveness, faithful in love, and devoted to the welfare of others. Such excellence has never been accomplished, except that we work continually for it. To work for it, we have to care. And for someone to care is the thing that matters.

“Instead of allowing yourself to be so unhappy, just let your love grow as God wants it to grow; seek goodness in others, love more persons more; love them more impersonally, more unselfishly, without thought or return. The return, never fear, will take care of itself.” – Henry Drummond.

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Available online! ‘Cherokee Feast of Days’
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler.

Visit her web site to purchase the wonderful books by Joyce as gifts for yourself or for loved ones……and also for those who don’t have access to the Internet: http://www.hifler.com
Click Here to Buy her books at Amazon.com

Elder’s Meditation of the Day
By White Bison, Inc., an American Indian-owned nonprofit organization. Order their many products from their web site: http://www.whitebison.org

Elder’s Meditation of the Day April 20

Elder’s Meditation of the Day April 20

“You must be prepared and know the reason why you dance.”

–Thomas Yellowtail, CROW

Inside every human being is a need to dance. We dance to music. Have you even wondered why people are moved when they hear an Indian Drum? The drum is the heartbeat of the Mother Earth. Every Indian dance is for a purpose and a reason. Every Song is for a reason. The beat of the drum makes our bodies, minds and spirits join together in harmony. It allows us to connect to Mother Earth and to each other. The dance aligns our minds to think spiritual thoughts. Dancing to the drum is healthy.

Great Spirit, today, I dance to honor you.

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April 20 – Daily Feast

April 20 – Daily Feast

An idea is a rare butterfly that leads us through visual and spiritual experiences, and brings us out of the woods changed and ready to do something we never dreamed possible. Most people catch hold of ideas and immediately say they take too much time and money to be worth the effort. A quick excuse has cut more people out of doing a profitable and rewarding deed than all their other work put together. Fear of failure chips away at self-confidence until there is no heart to step into new territory. One needs the mind of a child to forget what happened an hour ago. If we cannot forget, we put it aside until we get to a place where we can understand. Otherwise, our creativity knows no bounds. We are caught up in a world of imagination – the thing that blesses all great inventors – playing what-if and finding great treasure.

~ The Cherokees’ tribal vitality would again save them, as it had throughout their history. ~

STEELE-WOODWARD

‘A Cherokee Feast of Days’, by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

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Special Kitties of the Day for April 20th

B'Jovi, the Cat of the Day
Name: B’Jovi
 Age: Nine months old
Gender: Female
 Kind: Maine Coon
Home: Marietta, Georgia, USA
B‘Jovi’s name came from my love for the band Bon Jovi and I just wanted to give her a name that reflected that. She is very curious, likes to suck on my fingers and loves to sleep in weird poses.

B’Jovi is absolutely crazy, she roams the house hours on end chirping and moaning. She likes to hear us talk and answers back if and when spoken to. She is pushy and an all in your face kind of kitten, if she feels she is not getting enough attention she will climb on you and push her head under your hand until you pet her, and she will also push her snout all over your face until you acknowledge her. She knows when I am getting ready to shower and waits for me at the ledge of the bath and waits for me until I am done. If we are cleaning she follows us around and loves to just be everywhere we are (she is the definition of lap cat). And last but certainly not least what makes me laugh about her the most is the poses she chooses to lay down in, basically making a complete circle of herself.

Also I guess I should mention that the reason or origin of her name are two things. I am a huge Bon Jovi fan and originally the intention was to name her Jovi; however, every time I was going to call her I ended up saying B and then Jovi (because I was so used to calling my other cat) Butters … finally I got tired of fighting it and ended up changing her name to B’Jovi.

B'Jovi, the Cat of the Day
B'Jovi, the Cat of the Day

Dog-gone Doggie of the Day for April 20th

Mars, the Dog of the Day
Name: Mars
 Age: One and a half years old
Gender: Male Breed: Black Labrador Retriever
Home: San Diego, California, USA
Mars is an energetic Black Lab who loves doing anything outside. He enjoys many trips to dog beach and walks in the surrounding regional parks. We live in San Diego, so the weather is usually good, and there are lots of choices of places to take him! He is constantly the center of attention (both good and bad), and is adored by anyone who meets him.

Although at times his energy is a little overwhelming, a quick toss of the ball outside or a nice walk always calms him down. His favorite trick to do is “high five,” of course a treat is always appreciated when doing this. He loves to get his belly rubbed and does the most adorable head tilt when you are talking to him. It really looks like he understand every word you say! Overall, Mars is the friendliest Lab you will ever meet and always wants to play with new friends.

Recently Mars went to a doggie cafe social at the local humane society and won first place in the trick competition they had! He basically outlasted all the other dogs by knowing how to do the most tricks which was super fun and exciting!

Mars, the Dog of the Day
See more images of Mars!

Mobilize the Earth. Earth Day. 4.22.12

Mobilize the Earth. Earth Day. 4.22.12

NEW! Cheap Trick, Dave Mason, Kicking Daisies and Explorers Club to Perform at Earth Day Rally on the National Mall

On April 22, more than one billion people around the globe will participate in Earth Day 2012 and help Mobilize the Earth™. People of all nationalities and backgrounds will voice their appreciation for the planet and demand its protection. Together we will stand united for a sustainable future and call upon individuals, organizations, and governments to do their part.

Attend a local Earth Day event and join one of our Earth Day campaigns as we collect A Billion Acts of Green® and elevate the importance of environmental issues around the world.

Earth Day Network

“Show Me Some Love, Please!” I Could Definitely Use It!

Showing Some Love Images, Pics, Comments, Graphics

It’s that time of the day……

Show Me Some Love, Yeah Baby!

Remember the winner get contacted by email. Then asked what kind of tag they would like. Feel free to ask for whatever you want, I probably have it. Then I will make your tag and promptly return it to you.
Couldn’t be easier!

So

Show Me Some Love!

 

Calendar of the Moon for April 20th

Calendar of the Moon
20 Fearn/Elaphebolion

Day of Nuada of the Silver Hand

Color: Silver and red
Element: Fire
Altar: Upon a red cloth place the figure of a silver hand, crossed with a sword, two white candles, and incense of musk and ambergris.
Offerings: Give aid to those with physical handicaps.
Daily Meal: Soup or stews. Bread.

Invocation to Nuada of the Silver Hand

Once there was a great warrior
In a land where the custom dictated
That the king must always be perfect,
So that the land would remain perfect.
The great warrior, Nuada,
Was made king, and fought many battles,
And fine and brave was his figure
As he lay about him with his sword.
But during one battle he was wounded
Near to the death, and his left hand
Was cut off, and it was thought that he would die.
Instead, he lived, surprising all,
And had a hand of silver crafted
To replace the one of flesh,
And said, Here I am, your king,
Made no less than I was before
For all that I suffered pain and loss.
Indeed, I am more your king than ever
Now that I know what it is to touch death.
Yet the people rejected him, fearing
That his imperfection would taint the perfect land,
And the land withered indeed, and they did starve,
But not because the imperfection
Was in the king that they had driven out,
But because it was in them, for believing
That any man could be other than imperfect,
For flaws and scars and marks of wear
Are gifts of the Gods, to wear with pride
That we are made in their image,
Which is perfect in its imperfection.
(The candle is put out, and all leave silently, and meditate on perfection and imperfection.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]