THINK ON THESE THINGS for August 23

THINK ON THESE THINGS
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Chief Standing Bear talked of his Lakota people. He said they loved to worship and the contact was immediate and personal and that blessings flowed over them like rain showered from the sky.

Can worship really produce such blessings? Indeed, yes. Indian people were born to believe and they have long proved that the “vanishing American”is so much high talk that came to nothing.

To the Indian, Spirit is not aloof, not a figment of the imagination but real life and real power. How sad that lukewarm attitudes silence those who do not want to be known as religious. It is not religion at all, but faith, Spirit, and something to rely on when life goes dry.

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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 – August 23

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – August 23

“They also learned, and perhaps this was the most important thing, how to look at things through the eyes of the Higher Powers.”

–Fools Crow, LAKOTA

Our eyes can only see our beliefs. Our beliefs cause us to make assumptions, draw conclusions and cause confusion. Our five senses are very limiting. The Creator has a way of allowing us to see or know in the spiritual world. This is called the Sixth Sense. The Sixth Sense is like a radar system; our personal radar system. It will help us “see” opportunities and help us avoid disaster. This Sixth Sense is controlled by God. We must learn to listen to it. We must learn to trust it. We must learn to act on it even if our head says differently. We must learn to look at things through the eyes of God.

My Creator, guide me today. If my eyes cause confusion, let me close them and see through Your eyes. If my ears
Hear confusion, let me listen to my heart. Let me let You guide me.

August 23 – Daily Feast

August 23 – Daily Feast

Painting a picture is much the same as living a life. Some of us only get the outline sketched while others find the time and desire to mix beautiful colors and brush them on canvas. Color is used sparingly on some canvases, others are somber and dark with little or no highlights. But those whose cheerful colors, cardinal reds, sunflower yellows, and all shades of purple and lilac, show us that life does not have to be ordinary. The Master Artist, U ne la nv hi, gave us all pallets and pots of bright colors to use boldly, or to mix in subtle but lively shades. We have been given the general sketch but it is left to us to fill in the colors, harmonizing and blending until we get the right tones. Each of us is a painter and each has the charge to make life a work of art.

~ They searched for a long period of time for the source of life, and at last came to see the thought that it issues from an invisible creative power to which they applied the name Wa-ko-da. ~

PLAYFUL CALF

“A Cherokee Feast of Days” by Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Daily Motivator for Aug. 23 – Your awareness

Your awareness

Life can wear you down, or life can lift you up. It all depends on how you  choose to see it and live it.

The primary component of weariness is not age or infirmity or circumstance.  It is attitude.

The main ingredient of enthusiasm is not youth or comfort or good fortune. It  is your attitude, based on your awareness.

What do you look for, think about, focus on and expect? That is what you will  experience.

Focus the bulk of your awareness not on transient trivialities, but on what  truly matters to you, to your dreams, and to your values. Pay much less  attention to the fears and frustrations, and much more attention to the positive  possibilities and opportunities.

Sincerely see life as beautiful and fulfilling, and you will make life  beautiful and fulfilling. Your awareness has awesome power, so use it wisely and  lovingly.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Daily OM for August 23 – Going Away to Go Within

Going Away to Go Within

Retreat

by Madisyn Taylor

Going on retreat is a time to cocoon so that we may emerge ready to return to our lives with a new perspective.

 

Occasionally, we need to pause – and step away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. One way to do this is to get away from our daily life and go on retreat. Far more than a vacation, a retreat offers us time to ourselves to rest, heal, reflect, and renew our spirit. It is a time to cocoon so that we may emerge renewed, refreshed, and ready to return to our everyday lives with a new perspective. A retreat gives us time for uninterrupted meditation so that we may go deep within and spend time with ourselves.

A retreat may offer quiet, solitude, and sometimes even silence. Retreats often take place in humble dwellings with simple fare so that our senses may be reawakened to the beauty of unadorned tastes and the sights and sounds of nature. When we spend days in contemplation, we can more easily hear our heart when it speaks to us. We also are able to really listen when a bird sings, deeply breathe in the smell of flowers, grass, or earth, and delight in a soft breeze blowing on our cheek. When we go on retreat we have time to connect to the sacred geometry of a labyrinth, discover epiphanies through asanas, or take a long, reflective walk through the woods where we can give each step our full attention.

Without the pull of deadlines, relationships, the Internet, or other media, we give ourselves time to go deep into our own solitude where we can fully reflect on our joys, sorrows, and fears, owning and releasing them as needed. We may even come to know and understand our life path more deeply. Hopefully, when we return home, we can take a little bit of this time alone back with us and create the space for deep reflection on a daily basis. We also may come back to our life renewed and ready to take on the world. The beauty of going on retreat is that no matter where you go or how long you stay, you’ll always meet yourself when you get there.

Gemstones for the Hours of the Day

Gemstones for the Hours of the Day

12AM Onyx
1 AM Smoky Quartz
2 AM Hematite
3 AM Malachite
4 AM Lapiz-Lazuli
5 AM Turquoise
6 AM Tourmaline
7 AM Chrysolite
8 AM Amethyst
9 AM Kunzite
10AM Sapphire
11AM Garnet

12PM Diamond
1 PM Zircon
2 PM Emerald
3 PM Beryl
4 PM Topaz
5 PM Ruby
6 PM Opal
7 PM Sardonyx
8 PM Chalcedony
9 PM Jade
10PM Jasper
11PM Magnetite

 

Gemstones of the Zodiac

Gemstones of the Zodiac

Aquarius – 20 Jan to 18 Feb.-Garnet 

Pisces – 19 Feb. to 20 Mar -Amethyst 

Aries – 21 Mar to 19 Apr -Ruby 

Taurus – 20 Apr to 20 May -Emerald 

Gemini – 21 May to 21 Jun  -Opal 

Cancer – 22 Jun to 22 Jul.  -Moonstone 

Leo – 23 Jul. to 22 Aug.  -Topaz 

Virgo – 23 Aug. to 22 Sept.  -Agate 

Libra – 23 Sept. to 22 Oct.    -Jade 

Scorpio – 23 Oct. to 21 Nov. – Red Garnet 

Sagittarius – 22 Nov. to 21 Dec -Blue Sapphire 

Capricorn – 22 Dec to 19 Jan -Black Diamond 

The Powers of Stones

The Powers of Stones

For mental clarity: Amber, Fluorite, Lapis Lazuli, Moonstone,
Silver Topaz, Smoky Quartz.

For productivity: Agate, Garnet, Opal, Rhodolite

Building self esteem: Aventurine, Carnelian, Diamond, Emerald,
Garnet, Spinel.

For feelings of happiness: Agate, Amethyst , Calcite, Diamond,
Jade.

For calmness and balance: Amethyst , Ametrine, Aquamarine,
Citrine , Coral, Diamond, Jade, Malachite, Pink Tourmaline, Tanzanite,
Zircon.

For feelings of strength and confidence: Agate, Amber, Aquamarine,
Carnelian, Diamond, Garnet, Iolite, Malachite, Onyx, Opal, Ruby, Sapphire,
Topaz (blue).

For wisdom: Coral, Jade, Pearl, Sodalite.

For luck: Alexandrite, Amber, Aventurine, Opal, Pearl, Turquoise.

For love and friendship: Alexandrite, Amber, Amethyst , Emerald, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Sapphire, Topaz

For wealth: Aventurine, Calcite, Emerald, Jade, Opal, Pearl, Peridot,
Ruby, Sapphire, Topaz, Tourmaline.

A Little Humor for Your Day – The Old Family Physician

The Old Family Physician

The old family physician being away on vacation, entrusted his practice to his son – a recent medical student. When the old man returned, the youngster told him among other things, that he cured Miss Ferguson, an aged and wealthy spinster, of her chronic indigestion.

“My boy,” said the old doctor, “I’m proud of you, but Miss Ferguson’s indigestion is what put you through college.”

Feng Shui News for Aug. 23 – 'Pluto Demoted Day'

I don’t care what anyone says, Pluto will always be a full-fledged planet to me. If you feel the same, then disregard today’s ‘Pluto Demoted Day’ energies and celebrate that power of that planet. One way to invite its powerful energies of into your life is to find an image of Pluto’s glyph and then replicate it in cornmeal on the threshold of your front entryway. If your entry is a part of common property then sweep the cornmeal up after a day but if your front door faces outdoors, then just allow the cornmeal to organically blow away with the wind. This is an ancient and powerful way to invite the power of Pluto into your life.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Today's Tarot Card for August 23 is The Devil

The Devil

Friday, Aug 23rd, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What has traditionally been known as the Devil card expresses the realm of the Taboo, the culturally rejected wildness and undigested shadow side that each of us carries in our subconscious. This shadow is actually at the core of our being, which we cannot get rid of and will never succeed in taming. From its earliest versions, which portrayed a vampire-demon, this card evoked the Church-fueled fear that a person could “lose their soul” to wild and passionate forces.

The image which emerged in the mid-1700’s gives us a more sophisticated rendition — that of the “scapegoated Goddess,” whose esoteric name is Baphomet. Volcanic reserves of passion and primal desire empower her efforts to overcome the pressure of stereotyped roles and experience true freedom of soul. Tavaglione’s highly evolved image (Stella deck) portrays the magical formula for harnessing and transmuting primal and obsessive emotions into transformative energies. As a part of the Gnostic message of Tarot, this fearsome passion and power must be reintegrated into the personality, to fuel the soul’s passage from mortal to immortal.

Your Weekend Love Horoscopes for Aug. 23 thru 25

Weekend Lunar Love Horoscope

Finders, Keepers

By Jeff Jawer

For the Weekend of August 23 thru 25 — This weekend, when it comes to romance, possession is nine tenths of the law.

You’re likely to spend Friday and most of Saturday on the prowl, enjoying the thrill of the chase. This is due to the instant gratification urges the Moon in Aries will ignite. Passions will be aroused but there’s no time to wait. You want who you want and you want this person now! Late Friday night the Moon will engage with Uranus in a sizzling conjunction that will cause sparks to fly everywhere! You might feel a strong, sudden emotional connection with someone new if single while, if taken, you’ll enjoy a steamy reminder of why you and your love are together!

On Saturday however, the theme quickly turns into possession … and possibly obsession! Venus will square off with Pluto and it’ll be easy to use love, or sex, as a weapon. Remember that love isn’t about control; it’s about mutual respect and affection. If you feel insecure in a relationship or even worse — unsafe — now is the time to be honest with yourself about it.

By Sunday the Moon saunters into Taurus and the theme of owning your love will continue. There are two ways to interpret this cosmic influence. If you’re holding onto a relationship out of a false sense of , the Moon-Saturn opposition will leave you feeling high and dry emotionally. If, however, you’re in a place of healthy love and loyalty, you’ll simply want to “own” up to your feelings.

Your Daily Horoscopes for Friday, Aug. 23

We’re eager to jump into the next thing once the Moon moves into impulsive Aries at 3:12 am EDT. However, we may think twice before doing anything since the willful Sun and intellectual Mercury are currently shifting into practical Virgo. Our instinct is to say yes, but we’re smart enough to finish our analysis before taking actions that we might regret. It’s highly likely that circumstances will become more complicated before they are resolved.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You might be too nervous to feel the emotions behind your own words today, even though the Moon’s return to Aries usually put you more in touch with your moods. Your current uneasiness arises from your inability to express yourself as clearly as you wish. Every time you say something, it seems that you are misunderstood. Don’t struggle to explain your motives now; wait a few days and try again. In the meantime, let your actions tell your story for the most positive impact.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

Knowing that you may be reading the signals wrong today tempts you to fill in the missing information with what you think to be true. Unfortunately, your uncertainty can raise fear, prompting you to doubt yourself even more. Instead of trying to categorize everything as either black or white, remember how much of your world is actually various shades of gray. Allowing for many possible interpretations increases your chances of finding happiness.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

You might be more interested in your connections with coworkers and acquaintances today than you are in accomplishing much on your own. It isn’t that you are lazy; it’s just that you prefer to put your energy toward enjoying your interactions with others and creating new relationships instead of doing what’s expected of you. Although you may have a lot of fun with your friends now, don’t forget to round out your day by leaving some time for quiet self-reflection, too.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

Dreaming up new ways to approach your work can help you alleviate any boredom that has crept into your life. Although you could distract yourself for a while, following your curiosity doesn’t necessarily resolve your basic questions about life. Today, however, it’s more important to meet your obligations as they arise. Thankfully, you will have ample opportunity throughout the year to explore new territory and redefine your long-term goals.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

A relentless string of responsibilities continues to remind you of the seriousness of life, and you can already tell that there’s significant change in the air. It may take a while for the current transformation to occur, so don’t panic if you feel like there is still too much work to do now and not enough time. Focus all your attention on tying up loose ends today. Clearing the energy allows you to take advantage of the upcoming opportunities.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Although you may try to maintain clarity in communication, you might as well acknowledge that the muse has come to visit you today. Even if you don’t normally write poetry, your thoughts are more in sync with your imagination now than they are with reality. However, blurting things out creates problems because your symbol-rich language paints pictures instead of telling stories. Don’t force your communications into overly formal presentations. Just describe what you see in your mind’s eye and let the magic unfold.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Today’s assertive Aries Moon encourages you to express your desires, instead of trying to accommodate the needs of another person. Of course, a successful relationship benefits from your willingness to balance your partner’s energies with your own. Naturally, you err by leaning toward what others want. Now it’s time to go out on a limb and share your thoughts with someone you trust. Nevertheless, it’s wise to remain detached from the outcome as much as possible. Honest communication is the key to satisfaction.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Although you want to plow ahead with an ambitious plan, you may have to stop to make an adjustment or two so you can get others to help you along the way. Even if you’re tempted to undertake the project by yourself, you can accomplish much more by working as part of a team. Your current dependency is not a weakness; it’s only temporary, so make the most of the support you receive while it’s available. The energy of the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

It seems as if your life is all about your career now, but surface appearances only tell part of the story. You’re yearning for some good old-fashioned fun while the Moon is hanging out in your 5th House of Spontaneity. Luckily, you’re able to have a fine time, but there could be a high price to pay unless you meet your obligations first. Although it may be hard to restrain your adventurous nature, wait a few more days before unilaterally freeing yourself from the shackles of responsibility. Work hard; play harder later.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You probably have a great deal of social responsibilities this weekend, and a supportive anchor on the home front can give you the ability to deepen your roots without necessarily feeling trapped by them. Creating a fertile ground in your personal life adds to your emotional security. This, in turn, affords you the stability you need to accomplish great things at work or out in the community

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

The more you try to get things under control today, the crazier they become, turning this day inside out. You might be running around in circles trying to keep up, but paradoxically, your anxiety diminishes once you loosen your grip on the reins. You won’t be able to complete everything you start in a timely fashion, yet your need to do so may be less urgent than it seems. Maintaining your sense of humor allows you to adapt to the changing circumstances with admirable grace.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Your emotions may be directly linked to your material possessions today. If you are doubting your own abilities, you could be tempted to engage in retail therapy to make yourself feel better. Unfortunately, this self-indulgence is not a viable solution; it’s merely a distraction from the real issues. Instead of spending any money, search for the underlying cause of your dissatisfaction. Once you get to the bottom of your angst, you can do something positive about it.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for August 23

[All times are calculated for the Pacific Daylight Zone. If you are living in a different time zone, add or subtract the necessary hours so that any timed alignment will be exact where you live.]  If you are in the mood for a rebirth and regeneration of your leadership skills, then the arrival of fiery, assertive Aries Moon (12:14AM) can become a feather in your cap. Try to brush aside a mood of tension or volatility as Mars makes a frictional, 135-degree link to Chiron (2:18AM). Learning about one or more of the martial arts is one way to tweak this aspect in a favorable manner.  Tune into the shift of Mercury from grandiose Leo to behind-the-scenes master Virgo (3:38PM). Mercury is now moving at just over 2 degrees per day — its fastest movement until it eventually goes into retrograde again starting on October 21. Mercury in Virgo — to go along with yesterday’s solar movement into the same sign — provides a strong dose of organizational and efficiency-oriented themes for your utilization and possible enjoyment. Weeding, cleaning and repair work of any kind can be a joy when several celestial bodies emphasize the qualities of this sixth sign of the zodiac.  If you are looking for surprises, a mental jolt or shock to the system, you can probably find it during the monthly Moon-Uranus union in Aries (9:19PM). Advanced studies on the frontiers of science, medicine, metaphysics and astrology are yours for the taking

Calendar of the Moon for August 23

Calendar of the Moon

Coll Invocation

Colors: Blue and Brown
Element: Water and Earth
Altar: Upon cloth of blue place a goblet of spring water, the figure of a leaping salmon, and three blue candles; next to them on cloth of brown place a musical instrument, a pen, and fresh flowers.
Offerings: Poetry, songs, art, writing.
Daily Meal: Either fish (for the Salmon), poultry (for the Duck) or salads.

Coll Invocation:

Call: Hail the month of the Hazel Tree!
Response: Hail the month of the nuts that nourish us.
Call: First tree of the harvest, you give forth wisdom.
Response: Last tree of the summer, you chant our memories.
Call: The fading warmth follows you,
Response: And we feast on the fruits of your knowledge.
Call: This is the month of words and song.
Response: This is the month of the search for the mysteries.
Call: This is the month of the sacred pool,
Response: Wherein swims the Salmon of Knowledge.
Call: We fish for the gleams of divine light on the surface,
Response: We dive for the truths that lie deep in the Well.
Call: Our intuition is the hazel-twig held before us.
Response: We shall search out the underground streams.
Call: We shall find the hidden treasures.
Response: We shall spread them forth in words of power.
Call: We shall bring them forth with our hands in works of art,
Response: We shall gift the Gods and the people with our songs.
Call: Our voices will find their way across the land.
Response: Hear us, O Gods, as we sing your praises!
Call: This is the month of the bard’s silver tongue,
Response: This is the month of the golden door of autumn.
Call: As the Hazel Tree stands with words of peace,
Response: So shall we stand between the warring parties.
Call: So shall our Rule spread Justice and Peace,
Response: So shall our words spread beauty and harmony.

(As this is the month of the Bard, one or more shall stand forth and sing before the others, or read what words they would, to bring gladness and knowledge to the hearts of those who listen.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]