Day: July 19, 2012

“THINK on THESE THINGS” for July 19

“THINK on THESE THINGS”
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Before we can share with others, we must have something to share. And all of us do have something to give. Not material things, but we can share our peace and our love and our loyalty.

Before we can share with others, there must be others with whom to share. For if we are selfish and self-centered enough, we will never have to worry about sharing anything. We will be alone.

Before we can expect others to share with us, we must be capable of accepting. We must be worthy of others who desire to share with us; we must deserve their love.

Before the two of us can ever find anything in this world of mutual interest, we must have enough concern and enough love to feel a need within to produce something good enough to offer; not only to others, but to ourselves. If we have abused our own nature with thoughts of bitterness, harboring painful experiences, self-condemnation for little progress regardless of circumstances, then we have nothing to offer.

The French philosopher Achille Poincelot once said, “Some people think that all the world should share their misfortunes, though they do not share in the sufferings of anyone else.”

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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 – July 19

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – July 19

“We were taught to believe that the Great Spirit sees and hears everything, and that He never forgets, that hereafter He will give every man a spirit-home according to his deserts: If he has been a good man, he will have a good home; if he has been a bad man, he will have a bad home.”

–Chief Joseph, NEZ PERCE

I cannot hide my true spirit and intent from the Creator. He created a system of justice. This system of justice says we will get back whatever we plant. If I plant good then good returns – if we plant bad, then we will suffer the consequences. Whatever we think about another person, the same things are thought about us. Whatever we send out is sent back.
Man cannot alter this system of justice. It doesn’t matter what we say or do. What really matters is what we really, really did.

Oh Great Spirit, guide me today to do good, to have good thoughts. Let me remember the things I do are to honor Your way of life.

July 19 – Daily Feast

July 19 – Daily Feast

Talk is easy, but listening is better. Mouths have a way of getting away from us – and then we say things we are not committed to – or don’t necessarily believe. Others may seem sensitive – too sensitive. But we may be dull and careless. When the mouth starts to work, the minds stops to listen. Where did those words come from? They came from trouble on the horizon. True, some are easily offended – and on the other hand, what would it have cost to be quiet?

~ I am the maker of my own future. ~

SHOOTING STAR – SHAWNEE WAR CHIEF

“A Cherokee Feast of Days, Volume II” by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Daily Motivator for July 19 – Grand adventure

Grand adventure

Life can be astoundingly beautiful and rich. There are possibilities that go  far beyond anything you could imagine.

Today is your opportunity to live the adventure. Right now is when you can  find immense fulfillment in bringing life’s best possibilities into being.

An entire universe, overflowing with abundance, stretches out in all  directions from where you are. You can feel and see and know, you can learn,  adapt and act, and you can fulfill your deep longing to make a real difference.

If you choose to fill your days with doubt, hesitation, self-pity and  resentment, you miss out on the greatest opportunity ever. Choose instead to  push enthusiastically forward every chance you get, and to fully live the  adventure.

If you expect someone else to do it all for you, you’ll end up with a whole  lot of terribly painful regret. Make the commitment to take full, hearty,  ambitious responsibility for making your life the grand adventure you know it  can be.

You’re never too old or too young or too poor or too rich. Each and every  moment brings fresh, new opportunities for you to add to life’s magnificent  substance, including the one right now.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Daily OM for July 19 – Floating Amidst the Stars

Floating Amidst the Stars

Stargazing Meditation

by Madisyn Taylor

Stargazing meditation is an easy and readily available way to connect with self and Universe.

Since the beginning of time, humans have gazed at the stars in the night sky with awe, seeking in their luminosity everything from answers to inspiration to guidance. We have emerged from our contemplations with stories of gods and goddesses, maps of the universe, astrology, astronomy, math, and art. We have worshipped, wondered, and even projected ourselves out into space in an attempt to understand their magical essence. We know more now than we ever have about what those celestial lights are, how far away they reside, and what will happen to them over time, but facts and information are still no substitute for experiencing them yourself.

Gazing at the stars is no doubt one of the earliest forms of meditation practiced by human beings, and it is readily available to this day. If you live in a city, you may have a hard time seeing the stars, but a short drive can take you far enough beyond the city lights to reveal their glory. If you live in a rural setting, all you have to do is wait for the sun to set and the night to settle to get the show of your life, every night. If you make a habit of it, you will begin to know the seasonal changes of the night sky, deepening your connection to the earth and the universe in which you live.

One of the best ways to stargaze is to lie down on a blanket so that your body can fully relax. This position allows your breath to move easily through your tranquil form as you settle down into the earth, connecting your consciousness to the sky. As you look deeply into its vastness, allowing your awareness to alternate between the pinpoints of light and the blue-black space that holds them, your breath expands and contracts your body, just as the universe expands and contracts to its own eternal rhythm. You may feel as if you are floating amidst the stars or that they are raining down upon you. You may feel peacefulness, joy, and connectedness, or any of a full range of emotions. Simply continue to breathe, experiencing the wonder of this universe and your place within it.

Lammas Ritual

Lammas Ritual
Scott Cunningham

Place upon the altar sheaves of wheat, barley or oats, fruit and Breads, perhaps a loaf fashioned in the figure of the Sun or a man To represent the God. Corn dollies, symbolic of the goddess, can be
Present there as well.

Arrange the altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the Circle Of Stones.

Recite the Blessing Chant.

Invoke the Goddess and God.

Stand before the altar, holding aloft the sheaves of grain, saying These or similar words:

Now is the time of the First Harvest,
When bounties of nature give of themselves
So that we may survive.
O God of the ripening fields, Lord of the Grain,
Grant me the understanding of sacrifice as you
Prepare to deliver yourself under the sickle of the
Goddess and journey to the lands of eternal summer.
O Goddess of the Dark Moon,
Teach me the secrets of rebirth
As the Sun loses its strength and the nights grow cold.
Rub the heads of the wheat with your fingers so that the grains fall
Onto the altar. Lift a piece of fruit and bit, savouring it flavour,

And say:

I partake of the first harvest, mixing its energies
With mine that I may continue my quest for the starry
Wisdom of perfection.
O Lady of the Moon and Lord of the Sun,
Gracious ones before Whom the stars halt their courses,
I offer my thanks for the continuing fertility of the Earth.
May the nodding grain loose its seeds to be buried in
The Mothers breast, ensuring rebirth in the warmth
Of the coming Spring.
Consume the rest of the fruit.

Works of magic, if necessary, may follow.

Celebrate the Simple Feast.

The circle is released.

It is appropriate to plant the seeds from the fruit consumed in Ritual. If they sprout, grow the plant with love and as a symbol of Your connection with the Goddess and God.

 

*Blessing for Lammas Feast*

*Blessing for Lammas Feast*

Now is the Time if the First Harvest,
When the bounties of Nature give of themselves
So that we may survive
O God of the ripening fields, Lord of the Grain,
Grant me the understanding of Sacrifice
As you prepare to deliver yourself
Under the sickle of the Goddess

And journey to the lands of Eternal Summer
O Goddess of the Dark Moon,
Teach me the secrets of rebirth
As the Sun loses its strength and the nights grow cold…

(Crumble grains of wheat and let them fall on your altar or table.
Take a bite of the ritual fruit and continue…)

I partake of the First Harvest,
Mixing its energies with mine
That I may continue my quest
For the starry wisdom of Perfection
O Lady of the Moon and Lord of the Sun,
Before Whom the Stars halt their courses,
I offer my thanks
For the continuing Fertility of the Earth.
May the nodding grain loose its seeds
To be buried in the Mother’s breast
Ensuring Rebirth in the Warmth of next Spring…

(Consume the rest of the ritual fruit and merry meet!)
It is appropriate to plant the seeds from the fruit consumed in Ritual. If they sprout, grow the plant with love and as a symbol of
Your connection with the Goddess and God.

Author Unknown

Taking Care Of Your Divinatory Tools

Taking Care Of Your Divinatory Tools

Because oracles are often handled by many people, you should be sure to cleanse and consecrate them when necessary. This means when you first get them, and when you have had a particularly negative client or one with a great deal of misfortune. You should also cleanse the tool after a day of heavy reading, or at least once a week, if you don’t do that many.

To cleanse a divinatory tool is simple. Let it sit for a few hours in sunlight or moonlight and finish off with a few drops of holy oil or water.

Keep your tools in some type of covering. Black keeps out the negativity. If you use stones, cards, or coins you may want a throwing or divining cloth to set on the surface of the table or floor. You can make your own out of beautiful material, add fringes, embroider designs, etc.

The size of the reading cloth depends primarily on the scope of your readings. If you do large card spreads or use two divinatory vehicles, you may want a cloth that covers most of the table top

.

To Ride A Silver Broomstick

New Generation Witchcraft

by Silver Ravenwolf

ISBN 0-87542-791-X

Transferred over from old WOTC group

Making Your Own Wand

Making Your Own Wand

One neat way to make a wand that is very popular is to get a piece of copper tubing and a crystal that fits in the end of it or even one for
both ends of it. Then you can decorate the tube in various ways.
SOME people solder small chips of gemstones on it, while others wrap
it in black leather (crazy glue keeps this on the pipe!) and then
braid various colors of embroidery thread about this or attach
feathers to it or whatever. You can fill the tubes with herbs sacred
to your purpose/goal in life too.

Some folks have more than one of these wands for various purposes in
their lives.

You can solder the crystal/s in the end/s or you can fashion prongs
out of the end of the tubing and stick it in in much the same way a
jeweler sets a diamond in a ring. Again, if you do this, you may find
a touch of crazy glue keeps it in better.

Of course a wand doesn’t have to be this complicated. Another nice
wand is the ceremonial Magick – type “lotus wand” that some witches
have adopted as their own. Take a branch from a tree that is fairly
straight and the right length for a wand. Preferably this should be
one you find, but it can also be taken from a living tree if you
psychically “ask the tree’s permission” – if you get a strong feeling
this is wrong and that you shouldn’t cut that tree, don’t do it. THIS
SHOULD BE DONE ON THE WAXING MOON. All ritual tools you make should be made and/or consecrated ONLY on the Waxing moon. The waxing moon is the time from one day after the new moon up to and including the
night of the full – moon.

Either way, leave an offering of thanks afterwards. If you are into
the Native American traditions, an ounce or so of tobacco (PURE – the
kind used in the sacred pipe) or cornmeal is appropriate. If you are
in Wicca / NeoPaganims, a libation of apple juice is most fitting – as
is some home-baked cakes (unfrosted plain cupcakes, some corn muffins,
oatmeals or cornmeal cookies or cornbread, a loaf of home-made or
all-natural whole wheat bread, etc – NATURAL stuff, please NO TWINKIES
AND JUNKFOOD) or even a few small charged crystals can be implanted in
the ground for the trees growth. In Santeria it was traditional when
taking anything from nature to leave a specific number of copper
coins, perhaps with specific foods, depending upon the Deities/Orishas
or other entities being invoked according to a very strict tradition
of what Beings ruled what places. (for example, 5 is the number of a
river or fresh water, 7 is the number for the ocean, 4 or 6 for a
mountain, 2 for the forest, etc.)

Then you strip the bark, sand it down, mark it in 7 segments and paint
them each in these colors of the rainbow from top to bottom. Red,
Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet.

Some celtic traditions put a steel rod through the middle of any
wooden wand – a tricky business, but effective to make it a channel of
the energy. To do this you MUST be sure your branch is of a certain
thickness or it will split as you try to do this. This channels the
energy in a simillar way to the copper tubing in the crystal wand.
They also wrap a coil of thick steel wire around it’s handle, like a
snake, for 4-5 times which makes a grip and is also said to contribute
to the energy flow.

Another way to paint a wooden wand is half black and half white or
half gold and half silver, to express the balance of the polarities.
If you are into Kabbalah, some folks also use Red and Blue as these
are the colors usually associated with Chesed and Geburah in magick
which are the central spheres on the masculine and feminine pillars of
the tree of life, respectively.

And some people leave the wooden rod plain, allowing the natural
beauty of the wood to come through.

ALSO, some people make their wands out of a wooden dowel rod bought at
a local lumber supply house.

I do, however, suggest that if at all possible, you still go into
nature and make a small offering to mother earth for the materials
used. Even a purchased dowel or a crystal bought from a rock shop or
a copper tubes are all gifts from Mother Earth and Father Sky and it
is important to show our gratitude for what they have given us.

Ultimately, you should make the wand be what you FEEL. A simple stick
wrapped with embroidery thread that has some feathers tied to the ends
of the thread works well for one friend of mine in MASS.

Witches’ Ladder for Comfort & Blessing

WITCHES LADDER FOR COMFORT AND BLESSING

If you want to do a spell to comfort [a sick friend], try making a witch’s ladder.

Take a long blue cord or ribbon, and collect 7 symbols to hang from it — things like Grey feathers for protection during sleep, sprigs of healing herbs, garlic for healing and protection, small talismans, conjure bags, charms you get the idea. The important thing is that the symbols should represent comfort, protection, and healing. Tie them to the cord and charge it with comforting power.

Daily Aromatherapy Tip – Swelling and Circulation Problems

Daily Aromatherapy Tip – Swelling and Circulation Problems

 

If you stand on your feet all day here is a treatment to help with swelling and circulation.
Perfect for summer heat.

1 drop Cypress
1 drop Lavender

Add to a bowl of warm water to which about 12 smooth round pebbles have been added.

Roll the soles of your feet slowly over the pebbles for a few minutes, then dry your feet.

http://www.aromathyme.com

 

Goddess For Today: Maat

Goddess For Today: Maat

Themes: Freedom; New Beginnings; Justice; Morality; Organization; Promises; Universal Law

Symbols: Ostrich Feather (or any feather)

About Maat: In Egypt, Maat is the ultimate representation of fairness, justice, and truth. As the spirit of orderliness and legislation, she assists us by overseeing any legal matters, hearings, promises, and oaths to ensure harmony and honesty. In some Egyptian stories, a person’s soul was weighed against Maat’s feather to gain entrance to paradise.

To Do Today:

On June 19 in 1865, the slaves in Texas were finally told about the Emancipation Proclamation signed three years previously. While freedom was slow in coming, it finally arrived, likely in part thanks to Maat’s encouragement.

For all of Maat’s spells it’s best to have a feather to use as a component and focal point. Change the color of your feather to suit the goal. Pick blue for true seeing (or to encourage honesty with yourself), white for pure promises, black and white for legal equity, and pale yellow to inspire a new beginning filled with Maat’s keen insight. Bless the feather, using the following incantation (fill in the blank with your goal), then release it to the wind so the magic begins to move!

Maat, on this feather light,

bring to me renewed insight.

To my life _____ impart;

make a home within my heart.

By Patricia Telesco – From “365 Goddess” and GrannyMoon’sMorningFeast

Seasons Of The Witch for July 19

Seasons Of The Witch

Corpus Christi

– This Catholic festival, which takes place on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, promotes the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation: that the host consecrated in the Mass becomes the Body of Christ. It was first established by the Council of Vienna in 1311 and really promoted during the Reformation as a demonstration of Catholic solidarity. It features a procession during which the priest displays the host in a monstrance, which is shaped like a sunburst. The whole point is a conspicuous display of pomp and pageantry. This year when it falls so close to summer solstice, the similarities between the two festivals, in symbolism and attitude, are readily apparent.

In France, it is called Fete Dieu or the Feast of God. The priest wears red and gold lavishly embroidered garments. The monstrance is a golden vessel shaped like the sun. It is usually shielded by a canopy of silk and cloth of gold. Streets are scattered with flower petals and householders decorate their homes, often by pasting flower petals on a sheet and hanging them up.

Small altars are created along the roads. In France, they’re called reposoirs and are built at crossroads. They are decorated with flowers, garlands and greens and covered with canopies of interwoven boughs. The priest goes around and blesses them. Perhaps this would be a good day for witches and pagans to sponsor Altar Tours, opening our homes for viewing of our altars and shrines. Or maybe we should go out and build a shrine at the nearest crossroad.

Carol Field describes the way Corpus Christi is celebrated in Spello, Italy, where pwople transform the main street into a carpet of color using flower petals (infiorate). Collecting the flowers takes as long as two weeks. The oldest women are given the job of taking the flowers apart, petal by petal, and separating them by the subtle differences of hue. Pine needles, ivy leaves, chamomile and fennel are ground up to make green. Poppies are used for red, broom for yellow and white from daisies. The designs are complicated, and often reproduce famous paintings, usually religious ones. The priest when he emerges from the cathedral holding up the Host walks down the length of flower carpet, and the petals scatter to the breezes. It is a display of beauty and richness that is as ephemeral as it is extravagant. Field, Carol, Celebrating Italy, Morrow 1990
.
Saints Gervase and Protase – Another weather oracle day associated with the saint’s day of two martyrs of Milan. It is said that if it rains on this day, it will rain for forty days afterwards. Blackburn, Bonnie and Leofranc, Holford-Strevens, The Oxford Book of Days, Oxford University Press, 2000

School of the Seasons

Remember the ancient ways and keep them sacred!

GrannyMoonsMorningFeast

Quiz of the Day – Which Sun Color Are You? Which Will Help?

Which Sun Color Are You? Which Will Help?

by Annie B. Bond

 

It’s the perfect time to find out which of the sun’s many vivid, fiery colors  could help you become more energetic, vital and radiant.

Take the quiz here to find out which sun-color is closest to you as you are,  and which one could help you to embody your most vibrant self, here:

Choose the description below that most closely matches you as you are. Then  choose the description that fits the qualities you would like to embody. Are  they the same? Find out which color you could wear or invite into your life to  help you be the self you want to be!

1. I want to be an energetic, vital person, vibrant, outgoing, dynamic, with  leadership qualities.

2. I want to be warm-hearted and generous, at the same time steadfast in  purpose.

3. I want to be a caring, nurturing, fun person. I want to feel lighter, less  depressed.

4. I want my love of life and living to be tempered with wisdom.

5. I want to feel the joy of living, have a sunny disposition, and feel  inspired: I want to have a mission.

6. I want to be generous with wisdom, to help and inspire others just by  being present.

7. I want to be intellectual, rational, with a good mind which is used  thoughtfully and with care for others.

Here are your colors:

1. Red

2. Soft Red

3. Orange

4. Light Orange

5. Yellow

6. Gold

7. Gentle Yellow

 

Lighten Up – The 13 Commandments

The 13 Commandments

1. Thou shall not turn thy ex into a frog.
2. Thou shall not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for thou are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
3. Thou shall not laugh at nekked snow sprites.
4. Thou shall not get drunk with thy Goddess’s wine.
5. Thou shall not sacrifice thy little sister.
6. Thou shall not go running around proclaiming thy witchhood if thy are in times of burning.
7. Thou shall not question the word of thy High Priestess – She is God.
8. Thou shall not laugh at being nekked at coven – thou shall be killed.
9. Thou shall not commit to signing anything that declares any single person as thy lord and savior.
10. Thou shall not invoke thy Watchtowers only to say “never mind”.
11. Thou shall not burn enough candles to burn thy house down.
12. Thou shall not have the magickal name “Sir Stinky Fartsalot”.
13. Thou shall not call coven only for laughs.

Daily Feng Shui Tip for July 19 – ‘Get To Know Your Customers Day’

Today you can use ‘Get To Know Your Customers Day’ and specific Feng Shui aimed to boost your business from both likely and unexpected sources. A decorative mirror placed in the Helpful People area of your business or office will pull in more people who can be beneficial to your cause. For retail businesses, putting a mirror beside or behind the place where customers pay symbolizes doubling your sales, while positioning a plant near this same space will bring lively energies to your cash flow! And now, for some super secret business Shui — a fast, easy and effective way to enhance the name and reputation of your company is to place fresh red flowers in the center of the wall that sits opposite your desk. Visualize the good word about your company spreading like wildfire and then watch hoards of new customers come calling — customers that you can now get to know and love!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com