Care2 readers are passionate about helping shelters, rescues, and pets in need. This holiday season (and after), you can help a homeless animal with just the click of your mouse.

At AdoptAShelter.com you can shop to donate to your favorite shelter or rescue. It’s so easy. You just select your favorite shelter or rescue, make your purchase from a designated AdoptAShelter.com retailer, and every purchase earns money for the favorite shelter or rescue you choose. Select retailers include Amazon, Wallmart, PetCo, PetSmart, Walgreens, iTunes, Lowe’s, Barnes & Noble, KMart, Foot Locker, Old Navy, Best Buy, 1800PetMeds.com and more. It’s free and every purchase helps homeless animals. As the holidays approach, please keep AdoptAShelter.com in mind. Y

The Animal Rescue Site is a proud partner of PetFinder.com. At the Animal Rescue Site, you’ll find everything from shoes, jewelry, and kitchen supplies to pet supplies and car accessories. Each item you buy funds at least 14 bowls of food for shelter animals in need. 492,408,168 bowls of food have been given to animals in need so far. While exploring the site, give an extra bowl of food to a shelter or rescue by sharing an automated Facebook post or tweet.

At FreeKibble.com you can test your trivia while donating kibble to shelters. Every trivia question answered, whether right or wrong, donates 10 pieces of free kibble to a shelter pet. 1,548,418,800 pieces of kibble have been donated since 2008. That equates to 8,908,423 meals served to dogs and cats while they wait for their forever homes.

Lisa’s Marketplace at ThroughADogsEar.com includes pet products that I personally use with my own dogs Sanchez and Gina. All profits from Lisa’s Marketplace support Through a Dog’s Ear Shelter/Rescue Programs. Currently donated canine calming music is increasing adoption rates at 1,500 facilities world-wide and growing daily! The marketplace includes a Canine Massage instructional DVD by a Veterinarian, calming aromatherapy products, supplements that benefit senior dogs, biodegradable waste bags, beautiful “Advice from a Dog” cards, and more.

And don’t forget you can click to aid in animal rescues (and other causes) right here on Care2!

Do you click on these sites regularly to help homeless pets? Do you have any other favorite sites that help homeless animals? Thanks for sharing them in a comment below.

Have you seen the new Adoptable Pets page on Care2? Check it out here! Please also share with your friends. We’d love your help in finding homes for these adorable animals!

Receive a FREE DOWNLOAD from the Through a Dog’s Ear:

Calm your Canine Companion Music Series

Simply click here, enter your email address and a link to the free download will be delivered to your inbox for you and your canine household to enjoy!

Kitty Humor – 8 Reasons Cats Are Better Than Kids

8 Reasons Cats Are Better Than Kids

Cherise Udell

As a mother, I can say with great confidence there are more than eight reasons why cats are better than kids, but just in case my two daughters (6 and 8 years old) read this post someday, I better leave it to eight! This would also be a good time to clarify: I love my daughters. I love their giggles. I love their curls. I love the charming crayon drawings they proudly bring me.

Yes, I love reading them bedtime stories and I love kissing their boo-boos, but there are admittedly moments — and sometimes even days — when I wonder if life would have been easier if I had just been happy with my husband and three cats and left it at that! Cats, after all, are so much easier to live with – and you can leave them (mostly) alone when you go on vacation.

So, for those of you without kids still hankering to procreate, here is my short list of why you should either be happy with the cat you have or, if you do not already have a cat, why you should consider cats instead of kids!

1. Cats are quiet – really quiet, compared to kids!

2. Cats take care of their own potty needs. You never have to wipe a cat’s bum. If they are indoor-outdoor cats, you don’t even need a litter box.

3. Cats make great company when you are sick. They just curl up next to you — quietly (see, there is that word again) and they do not ask you to play bingo or monster trucks when you are about to upchuck into the toilet bowl.

4. To feed cats all you have to do is leave a bowl of dried food on the floor. It can also be the same food everyday.

5. You never have to bathe a cat — they do so all on their own and without complaining.

6. Cats, unlike kids, love to be brushed. When you brush a cat, there is no howling or tears — and thus no guilt.

7. They never argue or talk back to you with a voice full of sass.

8. As said above, you can leave cats mostly alone while on vacation and if you want a date with your partner, you never need a babysitter, thus making those dates easier and cheaper.

In spite of all the benefits of having just cats instead of kids, you must be careful about having too many cats, especially if you are female, single, and over age 40. Otherwise you may be known behind you back as “the crazy cat lady” — or worse accused of witchcraft. Having a few kids around however can diffuse the name calling and the witchcraft suspicions! Furthermore, if you really like to wipe bum-bums, loud noises, and cooking for picky eaters, the good news is that cats and kids are not incompatible. In fact, you can enjoy both. I know, because I do.

Daily Feng Shui Tip for December 2nd – ‘National Mutt Day’

‘National Mutt Day’ was established to raise awareness regarding the plight of mixed breed dogs in a world where purebred pups are favored. Did you know that mixed breed dogs actually tend to be healthier, better behaved and live longer than their pure bred brethren? It’s a dog eat dog world, so if you’re considering bringing home a new pooch as a holiday gift, then please consider adopting a mutt or you might just be barking up the wrong Christmas tree!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for December 2nd is 55:Great Abundance

55: Great Abundance

Sunday, Dec 2nd, 2012

A time of abundance comes into full flower when the powers of leadership and teamwork are at their peak. The situation is like that of the sun at midday — a high noon of clarity, insight and progress. Such peak periods can be brief. Whether this refers to a national cycle, a business boom or a period of abundance, it is important to bale your hay while the sun is shining.

During a period of abundance, it benefits one to show benevolence, to share the fruit of one’s good fortune. Think of good deeds now as a hedge against times of scarcity in the future. This reading bodes well for expansion in love, the raising of children and the nurturing of a healthy family or any close-knit group.

Your Rune for December 2nd is Othala

Your Rune For Today

Othala

Othala represents a solid, immovable home, prosperity and safety. Good fortune based on your heritage and character is yours to enjoy.

Your Tarot Card for December 2nd is The Sun

The Sun

Sunday, Dec 2nd, 2012

What has traditionally been known as the Sun card is about the self — who you are and how you cultivate your personality and character. The earth revolves around the sun to make up one year of a person’s life, a fact we celebrate on our birthday.

The Sun card could also be titled “Back to Eden.” The Sun’s radiance is where one’s original nature or unconditioned Being can be encountered in health and safety. The limitations of time and space are stripped away; the soul is refreshed and temporarily protected from the chaos outside the garden walls.

Under the light of the Sun, Life reclaims its primordial goodness, truth and beauty. If one person is shown on this card, it is usually signifying a human incarnation of the Divine. When two humans are shown, the image is portraying a resolution of the tension between opposites at all levels. It’s as if this card is saying “You can do no wrong — it’s all to the good!”

Your Horoscopes for Sunday, December 2nd

Confidence flows today, inspiring us to take on more than we can handle. We see possibilities everywhere we look with exaggerating Jupiter remaining on center stage, while its alignment with assertive Mars yesterday is given an extra boost of power by its annual opposition to the Sun. The nurturing Cancer Moon encourages us to focus our attention on others, but her shift into expressive Leo at 8:56 pm EST turns the spotlight back on ourselves.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

If you have recently run into resistance putting a plan in motion, obstacles may seem to fall away today. You feel as if you’re in tune with the entire universe and nothing can get in your way. Nothing, that is, except your inflated sense of self-importance. Even if everything is looking up, don’t burn all your fuel now or you won’t have enough energy left for tomorrow.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

Reflecting on the joys of relationships over the next few weeks can bring great satisfaction. You might benefit from working with a close friend or partner in order to increase your income or improve your overall financial condition. But don’t get too hung up micromanaging your daily schedule since you’ll probably be happier if you let yourself be more spontaneous in the present moment.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

You are delighted by the opportunities presented by others now as the Sun in your 7th House of Partners opposes auspicious Jupiter in your sign. Although you might want to take it easy today, you’ll probably still say yes when invited because there’s too much potential for fun everywhere you look. You are at the peak of a manifestation cycle, so it’s crucial to be clear about what you want. But don’t overstate your desires or you could end up with less than you wish.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

You need to shift gears now in order to put your dreams into perspective or they could grow out of hand. One part of you is still moving slowly, like the cautious Crab that you are — especially while the Moon is still in your sign. But as the day wears on you can also see the wisdom in expressing your feelings. Confront your shyness and boldly beat a path to your desired destination.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Practice time is over; the lights are on, the curtains are lifting and the show is about to begin. You’re either ready for the main event or you will miss your chance to shine. The good news is that your jittery nerves should transform into an inspiring performance today, so let go of your insecurities. This is your time to bask in the light of those you love.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You may be worried today because it’s not always a simple matter for you careful Virgos to jump into a new situation while everyone is watching. You don’t know whether to risk being seen or hide out at home now that the Sun in your 4th House of Security is opposing auspicious Jupiter in your 10th House of Public Status. Temporarily set aside further analysis so you can take advantage of the amazing opportunities currently in your life.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Someone in your immediate environment may confront you with an issue that was problematic at one time, but it just isn’t very important to you today. Criticism that would normally upset you now falls away like water off a duck’s back. Even if others push for a confrontation, use your diplomatic skills to charm your way through the situation. Avoiding direct conflict for a while actually strengthens your position. Save your energy for when you need it most.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You can feel the spotlight’s heat getting closer than you prefer, but you might as well enjoy the attention today while positive recognition is coming your way. Instead of minimizing your accomplishments because you don’t want to be seen, stand tall and let others acknowledge you for the work you do so well. Even if a temporary loss of privacy is uncomfortable, you deserve to soak in the warmth of appreciation.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

The Sun in your inspirational sign is opposing lucky Jupiter in your 7th House of Relationships, expanding your horizons as you interact with others. Confident people may share their ideas with you, enticing you to go along on their journeys. Although wonderful things can happen if you say yes, don’t forget about your dreams in the process. Use your imagination and create an adventure right in your own backyard.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

If you’re working too hard and feel overextended, step back from your ambitions today and reconsider your priorities. Although you realize how much you could accomplish, it’s more important to relax now, even if doing less is difficult for you. Although you conscientious Goats normally don’t like to take time off, it’s healthy to recharge your batteries before it’s too late.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

The conflicting messages you have recently received finally converge into a singular directive today: go for it. Now. If circumstances are creating trouble, withdraw enough to refine your plan and then try again. This is your time to express yourself and create the future that you desire. Your chances for success improve if you are confident that you will accomplish your goals. Believe in yourself and make your move.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You might not like being pushed into a new situation until you’re fully prepared. However, reality isn’t necessarily going to wait now. Ready or not, away you go. Resistance isn’t a sensible strategy because you’re being pulled into a powerful portal that is setting you on a new life path. Remain flexible; you may be happily surprised as the future begins to manifest just the way you imagined it.

Calendar of the Moon for December 2nd

Calendar of the Moon

Elder Tree Month

Color: Russet
Element: Air
Altar: Upon a russet cloth set three black candles, a cauldron filled with water, a vase filled with elder branches, a cup of dried elderberries, and a knife.
Offerings: Give aid to the elders in the House, and outside.
Daily Meal: Soups and stews, and soft foods.

Ruis Invocation

Call: Hail the month of passing.
Response: For all things pass away.
Call: Hail the month of waning.
Response: For all things must fade and die.
Call: Hail the month of creaking wood.
Response: Hail the month of creaking bones.
Call: Hail the month of the dwindling Sun.
Response: Hail the time of all endings.
Call: For even as we began the year in silence,
Response: So we shall end the year in silence.
Call: For even as we began the year with chill winds of newness,
Response: So we shall end the year with chill winds of darkness.
Call: May the raven croak his warning from the bare branches.
Response: May the deer leave her footprints in the wake of the first snows.
Call: We will surrender ourselves to the darkness.
Response: Yet even with that surrender, we shall not pass away.
Call: For the seed that was grown in the spring still lives.
Response: Its life force is given back to the Earth.
Call: Its life force is given back to the Maker of new life.
Response: And new life shall spring forth in time.
Call: This is the moment of waiting for the end.
Response: This is the moment of bowed heads.
Call: Elder Goddess, teach us to praise loss, death, and the passing of all things.
Response: For from this flux we know your blessings flow.

Chant: In the eye of the Moon
We walk willingly
Into the darkness.

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Calendar of the Sun for December 2nd

Calendar of the Sun

Bruma

Colors: White and brown
Element: Earth
Altar: Upon a bare table lay a large pot shaped like a human figure, reclining, filled with earth. All should enter bearing two white cloths, one on each arm.
Offerings: Silence and meditation.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian

Bruma Invocation

Earth, you lie sleeping in silence,
And we can do nothing but wait.
We have breathed upon your first seeds,
We have sung your first green shoots
Up from the bare brown soil,
We have watered you with tears and sweat
And fed you with the remains of our meals,
We have cut down your bounty and saved it,
Yet this is not the time for seeds, or green,
But simply the long cold wait in the dark
Until the light waxes and the time comes again.
You are silent, and will not speak to us,
No matter how we cry out.
You are dormant, and will not sing to us,
No matter how we raise our voices,
For all things come in their own time,
And this is not the time for movement.
So we will sit with you, Earth,
We will watch over you as you sleep
And take part in your dreams
In silence, and wait for your awakening.

Chant:
Earth dreaming
Silent seeming
Winter’s vigil
We will wait for you.

(After the chant has been sung five times, all come forth to the altar. Each lays one white cloth gently over the pot, saying, “Blessed be the Earth in the time of winter.” Then each sits on the floor and places the other white cloth over their heads, and meditates on all that is sleeping and cannot be awoken. Silence in the House until Akte.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Current Moon Phase for December 2nd: Waning Gibbous

Gibbous Moon

(waning /74% illumination)

This is a tremendous time of transmutation. All of the prior elements are coming together for a final burst of creative output. You have seen a clear view of your own needs and the posture of significant others. Now the accumulation of that input is leading to a deep, core change within you. In this phase, you will naturally be inclined to seek higher guidance so that you can emerge from this transformation successfully. The Disseminting Moon favors sharing what you have learned (and are learning) with others.

The WItches Magick for December 2nd – Winter Prosperity Spell

Winter Prosperity Spell

Items You Will Need;
A piece of ribbon from Yule in your favorite color at least 12 inches long.

A green candle

A bit of Myrrh Oil

Ritual:

Rub a few drops of Myrrh oil into the candle and light it.

Tie nine knots in the ribbon while reciting this rhyme;

“By the count of one, this spell’s begun,

By the count of two, prosperity’s due,

By the count of three, I’ll have no more need.

By the count of four, abundance galore,

By the count of five, this spell’s alive,

By the count of six, prosperity’s fixed,

By the count of seven, blessings given,

By the count of eight, I seal my Fate,

By the count of nine, Praise the Goddess Divine!

Pass the tied ribbon through the smoke from the candle three times. Put the ribbon in a safe place for the next year looking and meditating on it if you need extra strength throughout the year. As the next year commences, burn the old ribbon and empower al new

~Magickal Graphics~

The Witches Correspondence for Sunday, December 2nd

Magickal Intentions: Growth, Advancements, Enlightenment, 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.

~Magickal Graphics~

The Witches Almanac for *Sunday, December 2nd

The Witches Almanac for *Sunday, December 2^nd

*Sunday (Sun): Healing, spirituality, success, strength and protection.

Republic Day (Laotian)

Moon Sign: *Cancer

*Cancer: Stimulates emotional rapport between people. Pinpoints need, supports growth and nurturance. Tends to domestic concerns.

*Waning Moon

*The Waning Moon is a time for study, meditation and little magickal work (except magick designed to banish harmful energies).

Moon enters *Leo 9:57 pm

*Leo: Draws emphasis to the self, central ideas or institutions, away from connections with others and others emotional needs. People tend to be melodramatic.

Moon Phase: Third Quarter

Incense: Eucalyptus

Color: Yellow

~Magickal Graphics~

Good Sunday Afternoon, my dear brothers & sisters of The Craft

I know most of the time when we miss a day on the net, we apologize. I am breaking that cardinal rule, just this one time, lol! As you can see I have been a busy little beaver. Most of the time I am able to do all this in one night and forget it. Except this time I have been running with a handicap. Only a few people know about this, it had to be Wednesday late afternoon I believe or maybe not. But anyway, I went home and was getting ready to fix supper. The bottom element in my oven went out. The brain here decided she would just whip that little devil out. Then go in the morning and get a new one. No big deal, HA! I opened the oven door and sit down beside it. I reached in the back with my screwdriver and unscrewed the screws from the oven wall. I did the other side, the same way. I pulled out the element out and I saw where it was attached by two wires coming out of the oven wall. One was red and the other was yellow. Well, dummy here, being around a car garage all my life thought, hmm, red “hot,” “yellow” not. You know just like the battery connectors and cables. (Oh, did I fail to mention, I forgot to kill the power to the stove :s ). So I grabbed a hold of the yellow wire (which had a coating on it). Then my hand accidentally slipped down on the wire connector and I tell you I was one flying witch. That thing knocked me clear across the room and I ended up in the floor. My hubby came running in there and thought I was dying. He said I was laying in the floor twitching like a dying cockroach. He called an ambulance but the local rescue squad showed up first. The picked me up and took me to the hospital. I was still twitching a little bit and could finally straighten out at the hospital. My neurologist came in, looked me over and admitted me to the hospital for observation. He told me I was damn lucky to be alive. Lucky had nothing to do with it, I was wearing my pentagram. So the next morning at 5 am, here came the doctor to see how I was doing. He asked a few questions and wanted to know if I would like to go home. Silly, silly man! My husband and I were leaving the hospital about 7 am the next morning.

I got a little sleep when I got home. Then I did a little blogging. I told my husband I was bored and could he please bring me my laptop. I pretended to be surfing the net. I know I am terrible, right? Then I got to looking at the blog and how bad it needed up-dating. I tried staying up that night as long as possible but I just couldn’t do it. Then I tried it again Friday and couldn’t do it. I guess get electrocuted took a little more out of me than I thought. So yesterday, I propped up in the bed and went to work. I figure after you seen what all had been done, you would know why the blog wasn’t blogging. I am going to put on a few things that you might find useful. Then I am going to see if I can get the rest of the blog done.

Can you believe it is already December? Where on earth did this year go?

I hope you have a very beautiful Sunday!

Relax, Enjoy and Most of all find some time for a little fun!

Luv & Hugs,

Lady A

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23	24	25	26	27	28	29
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Day: December 2, 2012

WOTC Cartoon of the Day – ‘Santa’s Gone Went and Done Them Elves Wrong, lol!

Help Homeless Pets with an Easy Click

Help Homeless Pets with an Easy Click

Kitty Humor – 8 Reasons Cats Are Better Than Kids

8 Reasons Cats Are Better Than Kids

Daily Feng Shui Tip for December 2nd – ‘National Mutt Day’

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for December 2nd is 55:Great Abundance

55: Great Abundance

Sunday, Dec 2nd, 2012

Your Rune for December 2nd is Othala

Your Tarot Card for December 2nd is The Sun

The Sun

Sunday, Dec 2nd, 2012

Your Horoscopes for Sunday, December 2nd

Calendar of the Moon for December 2nd

Calendar of the Moon

Calendar of the Sun for December 2nd

Calendar of the Sun

Current Moon Phase for December 2nd: Waning Gibbous

Gibbous Moon

(waning /74% illumination)

The WItches Magick for December 2nd – Winter Prosperity Spell

Winter Prosperity Spell

The Witches Correspondence for Sunday, December 2nd

The Witches Almanac for *Sunday, December 2nd

The Witches Almanac for *Sunday, December 2^nd

Republic Day (Laotian)

Good Sunday Afternoon, my dear brothers & sisters of The Craft