Month: August 2012

Witches Almanac for *Tuesday, August 28

 

Witches Almanac for *Tuesday, August 28

*Tuesday (Mars):  Passion, sex, courage, aggression and protection.

St. Augustine’s Day

Moon Sign: *Capricorn

*Capricorn:  Develops strong structure. Focus on traditions, responsibilities, and obligations. A good time to set boundaries and rules

*Waxing Moon

*The Waxing Moon is the ideal time for magick to draw things toward you.

Moon enters *Aquarius 1:38 pm

*Aquarius: Rebellious energy. Time to break habits and make abrupt changes. Personal freedom and individuality is the focus.

Moon Phase:  Second Quarter

Incense: Ylang ylang

Color:  Red

Living The Life of The Witch: Learn To See With Your Third Eye

Learn to See With Your Third Eye

Let’s say that you suspect you have clairvoyant abilities. How can you develop them? Is there a school for seers? There actually are seminars for sharpening this skill, but you can also try to do it in the privacy of your own home.

Experts in the field will tell you that clairvoyance is the result of having a clear, open “third eye.” The third eye being part of the body’s chakra system, is locating in the middle of the forehead (though it might be higher or lower on some people); it is related to intuition and a higher understanding of the world.

First thing you can do to improve your clairvoyance is to make sure that your third-eye chakra is clear. This can be done through a special meditation for which you will need  a blue crystal or a gemstone such as azurite, lapis lazuli, or kyanite.

To begin, dim the lights, light some candles, and put on some music – whatever soothes you. Now lie down and place the blue crystal or stone on your forehead. Breathe deeply – inhale through the nose as deeply as you can, then blow out through the mouth. Breathe in and out this way for thirty to sixty seconds. Start to focus on the area where the crystal is. Imagine the crystal opening up that space. May you’ll feel a warming or tingling sensation.

When you’re feeling like the space is wide open, make sure you are still breathing deeply. Unfocus your mind and see whatever comes to you. You don’t have to know what the vision is about; you can interpret that part later. For the time being, just be with the vision for the  moment.

Here’s where you can also try to develop clairaudient capabilities. While you’re in your deep meditative state, take some time to focus on your ears as well. See if you can hear anything coming to you from the other side.

The Wicca Book of Days for August 28 – Memorable Mint

The Wicca Book of Days for August 28

Memorable Mint

 

The botanical name of mint is Mentha, for a Greek myth tells that the river nymph Mentha (or Mintha) was transformed into this herb following a doomed affair with Hades. The Greeks and Romans dedicated the plant to Mercury, this Virgoan day’s planetary ruler, however, on account of its ability to clear the head and encourage rational thinking. Still the world’s most popular breath-freshener and an invaluable herb to have to hand in the kitchen, it is furthermore a refreshing, cooling agent whose power to relax muscles makes mint tea an excellent digestive.

 

Be Open to Orange!

If you need to remain calm and objective before making an important decision today, infuse yourself with these Mercurial characteristics by incorporating a splash of orange – Mercury’s color – into your outfit, maybe in the form of a scarf or handkerchief.

Today’s Affirmation, Thought & Meditation for August 28

Today’s Affirmation for August 28

I open my heart to love, giving thanks for the endless love I am blessed to be able to give and receive.

Today’s Thought for August 28

“The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience.”

Emily Dickinson

(1830 -86)

Today’s Meditation for August 28

Absorb Love

Take the time to appreciate the gifts offered to you by other will help to open your heart to the giving and receiving of love. Begin by focusing on your heart Visualize a warm, gentle glow in your chest area and sense the slow, steady rhythm of your heartbeat. As you do so contemplate some of the blessings that other people have brought into your life – perhaps the love of fine art inspired in you by your mother or the empathy shown to you by your best friend. Feel your heart swell with gratitude as you reflect that all these blessings were offered to you in the spirit of love.

 

More Fantasy Comments

GOOD Tuesday Morning to all my dear friends!

You ought to have known I couldn’t resist this little cutie!

How ya’ll doing this morning? Me? Hmm……terrific, all the drugs for the West Nile Virus has kicked in. I believe I am going to actually live, Yeah, for me, lol! I went outside yesterday afternoon with Kiki to get some fresh air. We had a storm rolling in. So I decided that we would lay down on the porch and watch the clouds. I got nice and comfortable and so did Kiki. Part of our porch is level with the brick work (because the porch changes levels).  Anyway, I was laying close to the brick work almost asleep. I hear this funny little scratching noise getting closer and closer. I open my eyes and right beside me on the brick’s edge is two baby possums. They scared the whole crap out of me. I jumped and Kiki jumped and got in her protective mode. I had to grab her because she was wanting to eat them. I got to my feet and they stopped to look at me. They were so cute. But I couldn’t believe it, it seems like the wildlife around here always finds it way to my door. Wonder why, lol! But seriously, the idoits down the road ran over a possum. I got to wondering what if it had babies because it was a huge possum. I ought to know I ended up burying it. I had a talk with them about burying it and they thought I was crazy.  They were just going to leave it in the road to rot. How awful! Apparently, the possum did have babies and now they are under my porch. When I get through playing on the net, I am going to put on my coveralls and get my gloves and take off crawling. It is always something. My husband was tickled to death they had wondered up here. But he ain’t tickled enough to go get’em 😦 . That’s my job to play with the wildlife, but I ain’t bitchin’ because I love it and they were so adorable.  I might emphasis I know they are adorable but I also know they have little, tiny teeth like razors. I had a big possum bit my wading boot a few years back. He was playing possum till I got up and then he jumped my ankle. Thank goodness for thick boots. He got all the way to my sock but not me. He was caught in a trap and hurt that is why he jumped me. But still these wild animals around here, I know are wild and I respect that 100%. I try not to get attached to them but it is hard with some. Might be the reason I have a bobcat in the house, hmm!

Well I have talked your ear off enough. I am going to get to work. I hope everyone has a super day.

Luv & Hugs,

Lady A

Got a moment stop by the Apothecary!  I put some spell kits on there yesterday but I didn’t have time to get the PayPal buttons working. So if you see anything you like and the button doesn’t work, check back later. Oh, and if you have any ideas for what you might like to see over there, let me know!

 

 

More Great Day Comments

“THINK on THESE THINGS” for August 27

“THINK on THESE THINGS”
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

We know without being told when we have acted unkindly or behaved unjustly toward another. Intolerance, whether it is personal superiority or religious bigotry, serves only to isolate us from the greatest joy in life – the sharing of ideals and happiness and friendship.

We must be patient and fair toward anyone whose opinions differ from our own. There is a much better chance of convincing those whom we hope to influence by being an example rather than a voice.

It is much easier to be led than to be pushed and not so hard to be tolerant when we recognize within ourselves the reasons we are not always tolerant.

It sometimes becomes habitual to be dissatisfied with everything we see others do. We don’t take time to understand and know the basis for their actions. We often fall short of listening to them long enough to understand, and their next words or actions may explain it.

We cannot afford to be intolerant, because no matter how good our ideas are, there is always a better one.

*<<<=-=>>>*<<<=-=>>>*<<<=-=>>>*<<<=-=>>>*

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 – August 27

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – August 27

“We begin by letting the Powers know that we are willing to be their servants to others.”

–Fools Crow, LAKOTA

There are certain prayers or actions we can take that will call the Powers. The powers can only work through people. The Powers are always waiting to express themselves through people that are ready. Every person born is born with a purpose. They have a song to sing. They have a mission to accomplish. Every true purpose will always be about serving the Creator and helping others. When we let the Powers know that we are ready to serve the people, the Powers get excited because they can now do things to help the people and make things better for them. The decision is powerful because it turns an idea into action.

Great Spirit, the greatest joy or feeling that I have ever experienced is when you are using me to help the people, the feeling of giving, the feeling of being your channel. Today, let me have that feeling of giving. Use me as You will.

August 27 – Daily Feast

August 27 – Daily Feast

Guilt imagines that every eye and every mind judges. But guilt can be false – a thing of the conscience that becomes so real it rules our common sense. We are aware that all guilt is not false – but for most people the fear of someone thinking we are guilty is reason enough. What we do not realize is that it is our own thinking, our own emotion and fear that keep us weaving and dodging. A person trying to lose a few pounds feels guilty if someone see him eating. A prudent spender feels the weight of spending a dollar – and so goes the guilt which is not guilt at all but fear. From one fear comes a thousand things to get rid of – and false guilt should be the first.

~ Will you sit idly by, supinely awaiting complete and abject submission, or will you die fighting? ~

PUSHMATAHA – SHAWNEE

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

Daily Motivator for August 27 – With this day

With this day

With this day comes the possibility for new joy. You can choose, right now,  to embrace and fulfill that possibility, or you can choose to ignore it.

With this day comes the opportunity to move forward, to get positive and  useful and meaningful things done. You can grab that opportunity and run with  it, or you can let it drain away.

This day comes to you filled with great promise. This day gives you time and  space and resources with which to enrich your life and your world.

Instead of making judgments about what this day might bring, make firm and  positive decisions about what you will do with it. Choose your most desirable  direction and then use every moment to work your way forward in that direction.

Right now, you have the privilege of living this day. Remind yourself of how  truly fortunate you are, and resolve to make the most of your immense good  fortune.

With this day comes the precious and unique gift of your life. Gratefully  accept and embrace that gift, and live every moment with positive purpose.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Elemental Correspondence

Elemental Correspondence

Traditional Witches do not have set correspondences as Wiccans do, and often the element that is resident in a directional spot in ritual will change based on where the Witch is holding their ritual. Traditional Witches take this practice from that of their Ancestors. Early Europeans believed that the Gods and spirits inhabited the land itself rather than being part of a separate world. When people in older times traveled they would take the spirits of their Gods and Ancestors with them. When they would do any sort of magickal work or pray to their Gods they would align themselves according the relation of where they were to their Homeland or Homeland of their Gods since this is where they felt that they truly resided. In order to do this, the Witch would look upon the North Star, the traveler’s star, and use that as their point of reference. If the Witch happens to be in the Homeland, then the correspondences are no longer needed. This is still done today, where as in Wicca the directions are often predetermined based on the Wiccan tradition one is practicing with.

An Air Ritual for Calling the Wind

An Air Ritual for Calling the Wind

The first step to working with the Elements is remembering what it felt like in the past when you encountered that Element. Remember and focus on as many details as you can. What did the wind feel like on your skin? Was your hair tousled? What smell was in the air? Did the wind whistle or howl? As much as you can, relive the experience in your mind. This puts out to the Cosmos that you are ready for this experience. You are open.

Practice going through your day noticing what the wind and the air around you feel like. In the evening, try to recall as much of the experience as you can. This is like an ongoing meditation. The more you do this, the easier it will become to call up the wind. You are focused.

The first few times you call up the wind, do it alone. Company can distract you from your magick. Also, these things take practice, and your first few attempts might not put you in the wizard’s hall of fame; it’s between you and the wind.

Go to an open place outdoors. Higher ground is better. Use an athame, if you have one–or your extended arms, if you don’t–and draw a magick circle around yourself to make your sacred space. Open to the experience of the wind moving around you. Focus your mind and bring up images of more wind blowing all around you.

Try to incorporate as many sense as possible when you remember wind and visualize wind. Now reach down and pick up a handful of dust or grass. Holding your arm out to your side and slightly above eye level, slowly let your hand’s contents filter through your fingers. Watch the air between your hand and he earth catch the offering. You may want to quietly chant, “I call the wind. I call the air. I call the mother’s breath.” Concentrate hard on experiencing wind. Focus as hard as you can. Hold the feeling for several minutes, and then stop. Clear your mind of your wind images completely. Wait for the breeze to pick up and the wind to answer your call. Be confident.

Blowing in the Wind: The Element of Air

Blowing in the Wind

The Element of Air

In the Wiccan tradition, Air is the Element of the East and might be represented on an altar as incense, feathers, or an athame. It can be as soft as a whispered breath and as violent as a tornado, so it isn’t an Element to be taken lightly. It should come as no surprise that particularly persistent winds have even been given names–the Scirocco winds in the Mediterranean and the Santa Ana winds on the United States West Coast, for example. When these winds blow, they can literally change people’s temperaments and often fan wild fires. When mixed with another powerful Element, Water, Air can produce a fury we call hurricanes.

But Air is a necessary and benevolent Element, too. Without even thinking about it, we use our breath to blow out candles, sing songs of celebration and whisper secrets. How often have you “stepped out for a breath of fresh air”? Used during meditation and to alleviate the pains of childbirth, the Element of Air is healing and vital.

Air in Feng Shui

Air in Feng Shui

Feng Shui, means literally “the way of wind and water,” or symbolically, “the natural forces of the Universe.” These forces affect everything in our world. Europeans call the science of Feng Shui geomancy. Hawaiians and Native Americans practice their own form of Feng Shui, each seeking to live harmoniously with nature. The ancient Chinese believed in and lived their lives by these natural forces. One of the strongest and oldest natural forces is call “chi.”

Chi, also known as the breath of nature or as “the dragon’s celestial breath,” is everywhere and, many believe, represents the truest abstract energy in the Universe. Chi is an invisible energy that circulates everywhere but gathers in certain places, which are said to be good in Feng Shui. Chi enhances happiness, prosperity and longevity, and it is the life force inside all living things. Good relationships, a healthful lifestyle and meditation can increase levels of chi energy.

In Feng Shui, winds are sometimes thought of as bad because they scatter chi, rather than accumulate it. When selecting a place to build a home or to hold a ritual, avoid places that are windswept. This can be hard if you live on the prairie or beside the ocean, but in those cases, just try to schedule your rituals on days when the wind is calmer. If you have a home where it’s windy, you might want to perform a weekly ritual to encourage the sylphs to leave chi where they found it.

Element of Air: Symbols and Associations

Element of Air

Symbols and Associations

Air has the qualities of coolness and dryness and associations with breath, life and communication. In astrology, Air rules the Zodiac signs Aquarius, Gemini and Libra. People born under the Air signs think, communicate, analyze and theorize. They love freedom, truth and justice and have the ability to change circumstances with amazing speed. As thinkers, they rely on rationality rather than on intuition or emotions. Their philosophical approach to any situation allows them to endure harships. Air signs can tolerate almost any circumstance, as long as there is a rational explanation for it. They have great leadership capabilities, with a reputation of being fair. Interested in almost everything, they are lifelong students.

The Element of Air becomes a negative one when Air folks require family and friends to uphold the same standards they live by. Air people cannot understand why everyone does not think and act as they do. They they make a mistake, they tend to rationalize instead of using the situation as a learning experience. They are devoted to abstract idea and have difficulty making decisions, making them sometimes exasperating to work with . In addition, they tend to procrastinate.

Spirits of the Air

Spirits of the Air

The Elemental spirits associated with Air are called “sylphs,” and their ruler is name Peralda. The word “sylph” comes from the Greek word “sylpha,” which means “butterfly.” When you see butterflies fluttering on the wind, sylphs are inevitably nearby. Sylphs may be the easiest entities to invite to a ritual because air exists as easily in a tenth-floor apartment as it does in an outdoor circle. Sylphs especially tend to gravitate to creative endeavors, so they are most easily called by artists, writers, poets, and musicians. They inspire the creative spirit, much like muses, and aid in shaping clear communication. It isn’t unusual to feel a sylph touch your hand or toss your hair while you’re busy creating. Don’t be alarmed, they are just giving you some creative encouragement.

Sylphs stimulate mental balance, freedom and curiosity. They assist us in coordinating our perceptions and in verbalizing them. They enhance the power of speech, music and the written word, especially poetry. They teach us about the relationships between all things, which allow us to see and know the great web that connects all of life. This, in turn, brings about a desire for greater harmony. Sylphs stimulate creativity, intuitiveness, and inventiveness, and they awaken the intellect. They can open us to the realm of ideas and help us with mystical experiences and world views.

Like the wind, they dance on, sylphs are changeable, volatile, and occasionally flighty.

If you’ve ever experienced writer’s block, you know what it means to have the sylphs disappear and take their creative energy with them. But it’s easy to call them back.

Smudging as an Air Ritual

Smudging as an Air Ritual

Smudging is an easy Air ritual designed to purify, provide balance, cleanse, or sanctify a sacred space. You can smudge a room, a piece of furniture, or even yourself.

Let’s say that you “inherit” a bookcase from your new boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend. You need the extra room, but you want to eliminate her essence(but not do her any harm!). A smudging ritual can purify the bookcase and bring some harmony back to your living space.

There are any number of smudging herbs, but some are most traditional than others. These three are most closely related to the Element of Air.

*Sage–There are several different kinds of sage, all types work for smudging, but perhaps the king of sage is white broadleaf sage. It is the most aromatic and is excellent not only for smudging to cleanse and purify, but also for meditation.

*Sweetgrass–As its name suggests, sweetgrass produces a sweet, light fragrance when burned. Believed to attract only positive spirits, it is excellent for cleansing a sacred space.

*Lavender–Most useful for attracting peace, happiness and restful sleep, lavender imparts a lovely aromatic, refreshing scent when burned.

Smudging can be accomplished by using a smudge stick or by burning loose herbs in a smudge pot or a firebowl. First dry the herbs by hanging them upside down in a still room, a pantry, or some other dry room where they won’t be disturbed. They will need to dry for several weeks.

If you want to use a smudge stick, cut your dried herbs into 5- or 6- inch lengths, bundle them together, and bind them tightly with red thread, which represents the Fire Element. Use a candle to light the bundle because you will want to hold it in the flame long enough to get the stick really smoking. The combination of Fire and Air purifies the space or object and disperses negative energy. Use a feather or your hand to fan the smoke into the corners of the room you’re purifying. Smudging is the equivalent of spiritual spring cleaning. You might find that the house feels cleaner and brighter even though you haven’t dusted or vacuumed.

Sweetgrass is often braided into a small rope to be used in smudging. Tie off the ends with red thread. Although you can find sweetgrass growing wild in some prairie places, it’s rare; you might have to grow your own.

Smudging Yourself

Smudging Yourself

Smudging yourself is an especially good idea if you’ve been around someone who is ill, depressed, fearful, angry or generally emotionally unbalanced. Smudging helps you achieve a calm state to prepare you to meditate or just face your day. If you are experiencing an unusual amount of stress, daily smudging can be beneficial.

Smudging yourself is easy. If you’re using a smudge stick, light the stick in a candle flame. Using a feather or your hand, gently fan the smoke onto your body, starting at the top of the body and moving downward. (Although a feather isn’t required for smudging, using a feather that one of your bird friends has offered up to you can also encourage the Air Element to assist you in your cleansing ritual. Or, if you have a pretty fan, that can work, too.) Get the back of your body as best you can (it is often easier to use a smudge pot and loose herbs for this). When you’re finished with your outer skin, inhale a little of the smoke (just a little!) to purify your insides.

If you’re using a smudge pot and loose herbs, light the herbs (using self-lighting charcoal) until they are smoking well. This is best done outdoors in an open space. Put the smudge pot on the ground and stand over it with your legs spread and feet on either side. Weave back and forth in the smoke until you have been thoroughtly cleansed. Clothing is optional for this approach and smudging in the nude(skyclad) is recommended for a more thorough cleansing. Again, when you’re done, inhale a little of the smoke to purify your insides. People often feel more relaxed lighter and brighter after smudging.

Lighten Up – Proof the Human Race is Doomed Through Stupidity

In case you needed further proof that the human race is doomed through stupidity, here are some actual label instructions on consumer goods.

On a Sears hairdryer: Do not use while sleeping.
( and that’s the only time I have to work on my hair.)

On a bag of Fritos: ..You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.
(the shoplifter special?)

On a bar of Dial soap: “Directions: Use like regular soap.”
(and that would be how??…)

On some Swanson frozen dinners: “Serving suggestion: Defrost.”
(but, it’s “just” a suggestion.)

On Tesco’s Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom): “Do not turn upside down.”
(well………duh, a bit late, huh!)

On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding: “Product will be hot after heating.”
(…and you thought????………)

On packaging for a Rowena iron: “Do not iron clothes on body.”
(but wouldn’t this save me more time?)

On Boot’s Children Cough Medicine: “Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication.”
(We could do a lot to reduce the rate of construction accidents
if we could just get those 5-year-olds with head-colds off those forklifts.)

On Nytol Sleep Aid: “Warning: May cause drowsiness.”
(and… I’m taking this because???….)

On most brands of Christmas lights: “For indoor or outdoor use only.”
(as opposed to…what?)

On a Japanese food processor: “Not to be used for the other use! .”
(now, somebody out there, help me on this. I’m a bit curious.)

On Sunsbury’s peanuts: “Warning: contains nuts.”
(talk about a news flash)

On an American Airlines packet of nuts:
“Instructions: Open packet, eat nuts.”
(Step 3: maybe, uh…fly Delta?)

On a child’s superman costume: “Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly.”
(I don’t blame the company. I blame the parents for this one.)

On a Swedish chainsaw:”Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals.”
(..was there a lot of this happening somewhere?)