Month: August 2013

Daily Horoscopes for Tuesday, August 13th

We may withhold our feelings if they’re too strong to express now that the Moon is visiting secretive Scorpio. Intense energies are already at play, yet we’re encouraged to delve beneath the surface and face hidden emotions. Meanwhile, mental Mercury is stressing ruthless Pluto to add power to our ideas. We are caught in a cosmic current that pulls us into unfamiliar waters and our words may get us into trouble if we say everything we feel.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You prefer to be in total control of your life; however, you need others to participate now, because they bring additional resources to your plans. Thankfully, you still can manifest your own destiny; you just have to use a bit of teamwork to reach your destination. Although it may be necessary to make changes to your original agenda, compromise works in your favor in the long run.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

It feels as if you are moving in and out of a dream today as you attempt to establish a connection point in the reality of your life. You are in an intense mode of operation and lost in your own thoughts. However, people in your immediate environment cannot be ignored, yet it also seems as if they don’t want to make your life any easier. Push past your discomfort and communicate; it’s better to know what you’re up against than to have your head in the clouds.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

There is a tricky situation developing and you need to separate out the big ideas floating around so you can dig into the specific problems. Unfortunately, you’re not going to be able to skate your way through this predicament. Ironically, if you set your feelings aside in order to deal with the volatility of the situation, things will work out better than you could imagine.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

Your passions need a creative outlet now as the tumultuous Scorpio Moon moves through your 5th House of Romance. You want to have fun without necessarily sacrificing depth of feeling on an energetic level. This means that your personal expressions have intensity, yet they won’t be overwhelming to others today. Your ability to gently uncover the motives of a close friend or partner allows you to share your emotions without risking too much vulnerability.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Today’s annoyances may blossom into tomorrow’s full-blown frustration unless you take care of managing your feelings in the present moment. But staying in tune with your emotions requires more attention than you want to give. Nevertheless, you can ease the pressure by facing whatever is sitting just beneath the surface and bringing it out into the open. It might not seem like a good idea at first, but your disclosure will relieve some of the tension and allow you to enjoy your day.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

It’s all about your unexpressed thoughts today as your key planet Mercury forms a tense aspect to controlling Pluto. Your biggest concern isn’t deciding what to share; instead, you must choose what you won’t mention. You might believe that it’s smarter to say nothing at all and just bury your whole story. Unfortunately, keeping quiet won’t work now because the truth will just slip out anyhow. Open the door to communication before it is too late.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

The waters are growing choppier and the winds are picking up now. The keel on your boat has kept you fairly level, but you may end up on the rocks unless you’re extra vigilant. It’s challenging to tell if your ship is riding deeper in the water or if the water has become shallow. Either way, you must get to the bottom of the issue in order to reestablish your equilibrium. As you realize the value of what you bring to the situation, your vessel will surprisingly regain its proper attitude.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You are normally ready to dive headfirst into the emotional underworld and into your hidden dreams to visit your fears and insecurities when the Moon returns to your sign. But now, even your own inner guides may give you the silent treatment. It’s difficult for you to know what is real and what is illusion. It feels as if everyone around you is in a conspiracy to hide something — and they are all in on the secret except for you. However, don’t dig too deeply today. What you need to know will be revealed in due time.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You may want to withdraw into your own little world by running away from your responsibilities; unfortunately, this is not a viable option at this time in your life. There are simply too many demands being made on you now. You’re responsible to think things through clearly — not only for your own benefit, but also for everyone else. Ultimately, you can do whatever is required in record time, but in your mind, you’re already enjoying your personal retreat.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You may be expected to do something for the group that you feel isn’t in your own best interest; understandably, this creates an awkward dilemma. You know what your long-term goals are, but have to set them aside for a bit as you fulfill previous commitments. Nevertheless, others continue to distract you with intense emotional needs and you cannot ignore them completely. The more you’re able to keep your mind on the practical side of things, the easier it is to perform your duties.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You don’t mind complexity; in fact, you’re often drawn to tricky mental puzzles and complicated concepts. However, you don’t like unresolved emotional issues as much. Unfortunately, there are weird power struggles now arising in your life, but you cannot yet tell where the tension is coming from. Secrecy only heightens the problem. The best thing you can do is keep as much as possible out in the open. The truth is the best defense against confusion. Initiating a friendly dialogue disarms even the toughest enemies.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Your acute hypersensitivity might put you on edge today. You feel every wave in the sea of consciousness, and it may be a difficult task to know what to do with all these perceptions. Ironically, the emotional intensity can be so overwhelming that you choose to do nothing at all. Your key to making it through the day smiling is to concentrate on the small things and do them well. Leave the big picture for another day when you’re feeling more like yourself.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for August 13th

[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.]  Can you feel the difference between a day when the Moon is in Scorpio — as it is today — and when the Moon is in the other eleven zodiacal signs? There is a fierce intensity to Scorpio that is deep, subliminal and — often — palpable, if you are rather tuned in and psychic.  Avoid using inflammatory rhetoric in any discussion as Mercury forms an off-kilter, 150-degree to mysterious and willful Pluto (7:59AM) while Mercury also makes an opposition to Juno (10:02AM). Pushing the envelope — without considering the feelings and sensitivities of dear ones and colleagues — is taboo.  Opportunities for advancement in educational and literary pursuits are still available — courtesy of a flowing trine in water signs between the Moon and Jupiter (8:12AM).  This harmonious configuration of 120-degrees broadens into a Grand Trine as the Moon trines Chiron (11:27AM) — giving a boost for explorations in the healing arts. Therefore, all three water signs — Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces — are geometrically in synch (a very intuitive association) via Jupiter, the Moon and Chiron. Immerse yourself in film classics or a bestseller tonight.

The Witches Spell for August 13th: Prosperity Spell

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The Witches Spell for August 13

Prosperity Spell

This spell is designed to attracting money and needful things to you.

First, you need a bell. Any bell you are comfortable with will do.

Next turn and face the East. Start to ring the bell and chant:

“I call forth divinity,
I call forth the power and protection
of the Element of Earth.
I magnetize the things I need and want
to come to me now.”
 
“This is the bell (make sure you are shaking it),
That works so well, that starts with this spell,
That sweeps the room,
And clears out doom,
That breaks the trial
And makes you smile.”
“That creates prosperity powered by
redundancy which creates prosperity.”

So Mote It Be!

Let's Talk Witch – Hocus, Pocus! Making Your Own Potions!

goth114

Hocus Pocus, Making Your Own Potions

Making potions is a type of spell work. You need to focus clearly on your intentions and visualize what you want the outcome of your potion/ spell to be.  

In order to make your potion, try to make sure your environment is in good shape before you begin making your potion. The fewer distractions around you the easier it will be to concentrate and focus your energies on the potion.  

As far as ingredients and items you need to make your potions, always make sure you try to use fresh organic ingredients when possible. When it comes to items you need use what you can find — you don’t need a cauldron to make a potion for example, a saucepan will work just as well.

Also be sure to have a incantation or chant ready for when you are making your potion. Incantations and chants not only make your potions more powerful they also drive home your intentions.

The Witches Correspondence for Tuesday, August 13th

Witchy Cat Graphics & Comments

 The Witches Correspondence for Tuesday, August 13th

Magickal Intentions: Courage, Physical Strength, Revenge, Military Honors, Surgery and the Breaking of Negative Spells, Matrimony, War, Enemies, Prison, Vitality and Assertiveness
Incense: Dragon’s Blood, Patchouli
Planet: Mars
Sign: Aries and Scorpio
Angel: Samuel
Colors: Red and Orange
Herbs/Plants: Red Rose, Cock’s Comb, Pine, Daisy, Thyme and Pepper
Stones: Carnelian, Bloodstone, Ruby, Garnet and Pink Tourmaline
Oil: (Mars) Basil, Coriander, Ginger

Mars rules Tuesday. The energies of this day best harmonize with efforts of masculine vibration, such as conflict, physical endurance and strength, lust, hunting, sports, and all types of competition. Use them, too, for rituals involving surgical procedures or political ventures.

The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, August 13th

Witchy Cat Graphics & Comments

The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, August 13th

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

 

Women’s Day (Tunisian)

 

Waxing Moon

The Waxing Moon (from the New Moon to the Full) is the ideal time for magick to draw things toward you.

Moon Phase: First Quarter

Moon Sign: Scorpio

Scorpio: Increases awareness of psychic power. Precipitates psychic crises and ends connections thoroughly. People tend to brood and become secretive.

Incense: Ginger

Color:  Gray

One more thing and I'm getting busy…..

There is a poll on  the blog about holding an online ritual. I want to know if you would be interested in participating. You can believe it or not, I did an online ritual one time. The power that we raised ran through our computers straight to us. I asked the others about the ritual when it was over. They said it was awesome. They never believed that we would get those kinds of results from a ritual held on the net. So I have been thinking about that and I would love to do another one. How about you?

 

https://witchesofthecraft.com/2013/08/12/a-brief-poll-about-holding-an-online-ritual/

What A Blessed Tuesday It Is! Good Morning dear family!

Witchy Cat Graphics & Comments
Good morning my sweets! How are you doing today? I am sorry for running late but I have been goofing off look at other witchcraft sites. You know you have to keep up with the competition, lol!

 

We have several replies to the question of the day yesterday. Where is everybody else at? The question was……If you could go back in history and change any event from happening what would it be? We have some excellent answers and great discussion openers. Check it out here….https://witchesofthecraft.com/2013/08/12/question-of-the-day-please-participate-if-you-like/

 

I know my answer was to stop Booth from shooting Lincoln. Everybody else agreed that they wouldn’t change a thing. Simply because our mistakes and past make us who we are today. I agree with them. But if you thought what you did would benefit mankind and make this world a better place would you then?

 

I have to stop and think about the Burning Times. I cry every time I think about what our ancestors went through. Would I have loved to stop it? Would I like to have prevented it? Yes, I would. But deep down, I know preventing the Burning Times would have been wrong. Sounds funny coming from me doesn’t it. If it wasn’t for our ancestors and knowing what they went through, I don’t believe we would hold our Religion as dear as we do. I don’t believe we would be the fighters we are. The Burning Times made us who we are, as terrible as that might sound. Sadly, it had to happen. I know just thinking about it makes me angry and upset. But it has burned into my soul that I can never let my ancestors die in vain. NEVER! None of us can.

 

Witchcraft is now more widely accepted. The truth is getting out about what we are really about. We have a long way to go still but I am sure we will eventually get there. Our ancestors died for something they believed very precious and that was our Religion. We can never let our Religion or their memory fall by the wayside. We must continue the fight. It won’t be easy because it never is. But one day we will be able to say we put Witchcraft back into its’ rightful place in mainstream Religion.

 

Remember dear family, the fight goes on. But it is the good fight we are fighting and  we have the Goddess on our side.

'THINK on THESE THINGS' for August 12th

‘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.”

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

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 12

Elder’s Meditation of the Day August 12

“With one mind we address our acknowledgment, respect, and gratefulness to all the sacred Cycle of Life. We, as humans, must remember to be humble and acknowledge the gifts we use so freely in our daily lives.”

–Audrey Shenandoah, ONONDAGA

The sacred Cycle of life – the baby, the youth, the adult, the Elder. Let us respect all directions, the four directions of the Grandfathers; let us respect their power. Let us remember we belong to the earth, the earth does not belong to us. Help us to be respectful to all the gifts You have given us.

Oh Great Spirit, help me this day to be humble. Let me not attack anything in deed or in my thoughts. Let my thoughts focus on the beauty You have created in all things.

August 12 – Daily Feast

August 12 – Daily Feast

Time and space mean nothing to friends. They find each other again and again, to share the things that are important – and a great many things that are ordinary, everyday events. Tsu na li I, friends or close ones, forgive us whether we deserve it or not. They know how easy it is to get off center. But they have high hopes for us – maybe even higher than we have for ourselves. We are at our best when someone chooses to be that kind of friend, to make allowances for our lapses of memory – for no other reason than precious, loyal friendship. It is a quiet, peaceful and dear relationship that never grows old and never ends. Being such a friend is a sweet and blessed responsibility.

~ The Great Spirit has smiled upon us and made us glad. ~

KEOKUK

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

Daily Motivator for August 12th – Go the distance

Go the distance

Though the road ahead is long and challenging, take the next step now. There  is much to be done, and you can get it done by making good use of every day, of  every moment.

When faced with a difficult task it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. The best  way to get past that feeling is not to give up, but to get busy and make some  solid progress.

Unexpected challenges will arise, obstacles will block your path, and it will  feel like the world is against you. When that happens, the key to feeling better  about your situation is to do something positive and proactive with it.

Remind yourself that in this moment all is well, because you are here and  able to make a difference. This moment is the sum of everything you have, so  choose to feel good about it and to do good with it.

To assure the best of what is to come, make the best of what is right now.  Instead of dreading what you imagine in the future, embrace and make positive  use of the reality of the present.

You can absolutely go the distance if you’ll take it one positive, productive  moment at a time. Live fully now, and you’ll be immensely thankful you did, for  a long time to come.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Daily OM for August 12th – Evolution of the Soul

Evolution of the Soul

Life Lessons through Reincarnation

by Madisyn Taylor

Often we reincarnate on earth with our soul family and often our most intense relationships are with our soul family.

You meet someone for the first time and feel as if you know them already. You’re in a town that you’ve never been to before, yet you recognize streets and buildings. You start playing a new sport and amaze everyone, including yourself, at your natural abilities and intuitive knowing of the rules. We often describe such experiences as déjà vu: the experience or feeling that a new situation has happened to us before. Then again, the possibility does exist that we have actually lived these experiences in the past or, rather, in another lifetime.

Many spiritual practices believe that reincarnation is real: Our souls return to this earth over a series of lifetimes to evolve, learn, grow, transform, and become more spiritually attuned through the course of each life. When we reincarnate, it is believed that we tend to cycle through our different lives with many of the same people. Often these traveling “soul“ companions are the ones we enter into relationships with; we work through our unresolved issues together so that we may heal. When we struggle or keep encountering blocks that keep us from reaching our goals, there may be a specific lesson that we are supposed to learn in this lifetime. Being naturally blessed with a musical talent or another gift can be a special ability that you worked hard to develop in a past life. You may even have lived before as another gender or as part of a different social or economic class. Each lifetime brings with it specific lessons that are necessary for our spiritual evolution.

Past life recall can give us valuable insights into our past, present, and future lives. The knowledge of how we lived before can help us overcome present obstacles, understand phobias, and resolve relationship issues. There are workshops you can take to learn about past lives, and past life regression therapists can guide you on your journey backward in time. You can learn to visit your past lives through your dreams, meditation, and trance work. It is even possible to see full scenes of a former lifetime flash before you in your mind’s eye as if you were watching a movie. While looking back at your past lives can be exciting and enlightening, it is important to remember that the answers you are seeking to this life can only truly be found by living this one. Look to your past to see where you’ve been, but remember that the life that matters most is the one that you are living now.

Daily OM

8 Ways Meditation Can Change Your Life

8 Ways Meditation Can Change Your Life

We can’t imagine what life would be like without meditation. It has seen us through tough times and many life  changes, keeping us sane and grounded and real. Life is challenging enough; we  can never know what will arise next and only when our minds are clear and  focused can we make the best decisions.

How are you able to deal with the madness and chaos that occurs daily? How do you deal with the challenges  of life? Meditation is highly misunderstood and often under-rated yet is perhaps  what it takes to be a truly sane person. How does meditation affect us? How does  it shift our priorities, enable us to make friends with ourselves, to find  answers to our questions?

Here are eight ways meditation can make your life more meaningful and  enjoyable!

1. Living With Kindness

No one deserves your kindness and compassion more than yourself. Every time you  see or feel suffering, every time you make a mistake or say something stupid and  are just about to put yourself down, every time you think of someone you are  having a hard time with, every time you encounter the confusion and difficulty  of being human, every time you see someone else struggling, upset, or irritated,  you can stop and bring loving kindness and compassion. Breathing gently,  silently repeat: May I be well, may I be happy, May I be filled with loving  kindness.

2. Lightening the Load

In a stressed state, it is easy to lose touch with inner peace, compassion  and kindness; in a relaxed state, your mind is clear and you can connect with a  deeper sense of purpose and altruism. Meditation and  medication are derived from the Latin word medicus, to care or  to cure. A time of quiet calmness is, therefore, the most effective remedy for a  busy and overworked mind. Anytime you feel stress rising, heart closing, mind going into overwhelm,  just bring your focus to your breathing and quietly repeat with each in- and  out-breath: Breathing in, I calm the body and mind; breathing out, I  smile.

3. Letting Go of Me

Stillness is always there between the thoughts, behind the story, beneath the  noise. What keeps us from experiencing our natural state of being is the  habitual and ego-dominated monkey mind. Meditation enables us to see clearly, to  witness our thoughts and behavior and reduce self-involvement. Without such a  practice of self-reflection there is no way of putting a brake on the ego’s  demands. From being self-centered, we can become other-centered, concerned about  the welfare of all.

4. Dissolving Anger and Fear

We do not accept or release our negative feelings so easily; we are more likely to repress  or disown them. But when denied they cause shame, depression, anger, and  anxiety. Meditation invites you to openly meet these places, and to see how  selfishness, aversion and ignorance create endless dramas and fears. Beneath  these is a quiet stillness where you can get to know yourself; this is a  wondrous and beautiful experience. Whether you practice for just ten minutes a  day or longer does not matter. You are releasing your limitations, while opening  to self-acceptance and awareness.

5. Awakening Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself and  others. As you sit in meditation and watch your thoughts and feelings moving  through you, so you can observe that who you are now is not who you were just a  moment ago, let alone a day, a week, or a month ago. Who you, or someone else,  was when pain was caused is not who you are now. When you experience your  essential interconnectedness you see how the ignorance of this creates  separation and suffering, so that forgiveness for such ignorance arises  spontaneously.

6. Generating Harmlessness

Simply through the intent to cause less pain you can bring greater dignity to  your world, so that harm is replaced with harmlessness and disrespect with  respect. Harm is usually caused unintentionally, whether by ignoring someone’s  feelings, putting yourself down, reaffirming your hopelessness, disliking your  appearance, or seeing yourself as incompetent or unworthy. How much resentment,  guilt, or shame are you holding on to, thus perpetuating harmfulness? Meditation  enables you transform this through recognizing your essential goodness and the  preciousness of all life.

7. Appreciating Appreciation

Take a moment to appreciate the chair you are sitting on. Consider how the  chair was made: the wood, cotton, wool, or other fibers, the trees and plants  that were used, the earth that grew the trees, the sun and rain, the animals  that maybe gave their lives, the people who prepared the materials, the factory  where the chair was made, the designer and carpenter and seamstress, the shop  that sold it—all this just so you could be sitting here, now. Then extend that  deep appreciation to everything and everyone in your life.

8. Being Aware

Awareness is the key to awakening. Through awareness you can see your monkey  mind and all its mischief. Almost everything we do is to achieve something: if  we do this, then we will get that; if we do that, then this will happen. But in  meditation you do it just to do it. There is no ulterior purpose other than to  be here, in the present moment, without trying to get anywhere or achieve  anything. You are just aware of whatever is happening, whether pleasant or  unpleasant. No judgment, no right or wrong. Simply being aware. Enjoy!

Let Me Breathe: A Simple Abundance Meditation

Let Me Breathe: A Simple Abundance Meditation

It’s okay that you feel afraid, wild one, but it is not serving you. Pause  for a moment to release it now, and then return to this meditation any time you  feel the shadows begin to creep back in. Take a long, deep breath into your body  and then release it. Wonderful, do that again… breathe in even more slowly and  more deeply, holding it in for a moment and the release that breath from every  corner of your being, and hold that emptiness for a moment as well. Good. Now,  read along as you continue to breathe these same deep, cleansing breaths.

Let me breathe in the transformative love that flows with ease through  the universe, and breathe out the fear that aches in my chest. Let me breathe in  the healing light of the thousand angels who are holding me in this moment… and  breathe out the dark whispers that echo in my mind. Let me breathe in the warmth  of my spirit community and breathe out the lie of isolation. Let me breathe in  the simplicity I long for, and breathe out the hurt and complexities of  yesterday. Let me breathe in my wild and passionate nature, and breathe out  every obstacle to openness. Let me breathe in the truth that I AM, I AM… and  breathe out resistance to love. Let me breathe in divine abundance and then,  breathe out the need to deny the divine within. Let me breathe in the eternal  flow of love and abundance… and then breathe out to  release all that no longer  serves me.

Need An App for Meditating (Boy, they have everything these days, lol!)

Free Guided Meditation Tool

Have you been wanting to get into  meditation but didn’t know where to start? There’s an app for  that!

Former monk-turned-meditation-guru Andy Puddicombe wants everyone to learn  the power of meditation, and his Headspace project is all about helping people  learn how to meditate. His Headspace app for iPhone or Android is a powerful tool for  anyone looking to learn the basics of meditation and start a regular  practice.

If you’re not familiar with Puddicombe, check out his inspiring TED Talk  above about the power of taking 10 minutes to meditate each day. Or, as he calls  it “doing nothing.”

I just started using the app recently, and I’m already loving it! The basic  program is a series of ten ten-minute meditation practices, which you go through  in order. Each day builds on the previous day’s practice. After that, there are  a couple hundred other meditations that you can try in any order that you like,  though the additional programs are not free.

Before you do your first meditation, he also walks you through a short series  of videos to help you get in the right headspace for your practice. He  emphasizes that meditation is a skill, and that you shouldn’t force it. One of  the things I’m digging most about this program is that he frequently reminds you  that it’s OK if your mind wanders and it’s OK to have conscious thoughts while  you’re meditating. The key is noticing when that happens and observing those  things without letting them effect you.

I also love the tone of the program. There is no new-agey music, creepy  whispering narrator, or strange sound- or voice-effects. He just calmly walks  you through each day’s exercise. If you prefer more of a new-age spin on  meditation, this app might not be for you.

Take Ten, Day One  Video

This is the introductory video from the Headspace Take Ten series. The rest  of the series is available via the Headspace app for iPhone or Android.

Question of the Day, Please Participate If You Like!

Instead of a quiz today, I have a question for everybody. I would like as many as possible to participate. You know sort of start a conversation. Now here’s the question……

I was watching the History Channel last night. They were previewing a new show that is coming on. But in the commercial for it, the same question was asked again and again. So after about 4 times of seeing the commercial I got to thinking about the question. I actually gave it some serious thought (which is unusual for me, lol!). The question that kept reappearing was….

If you could go back in time and stop an event from happening (like 9/11, WWI, assassination of JFK), which event would you try to prevent?

My answer to the question came quickly to me. I would go back and prevent John Wilkins Booth from shooting Abraham Lincoln. I have always admired Lincoln and his life was cut way too short. I believe he would have probably been one of our greatest Presidents ever. He was President during some very turmoil times but his judgment was good and he did what he thought was right. But there is one thing that has always baffled me about Lincoln. He was so against slavery that he was willing to go to war to free all the slaves. But in reality he had slaves of his own. That never made a lick of sense to me, the President having slaves. Then I stop to think, Lincoln and I had some pretty similiar thoughts and ideas. I don’t believe in slavery and I don’t understand what was wrong with the people back then. Every man should be free and what our forefathers were thinking is beyond me. He believed in equality for everyone. In this country that should be a given. And most of all, he was willing to fight for an idea that he believed in. It is ashame the way he was killed. Shot from behind, only a coward does that. When Booth jumped to the stage he should have broken more than his leg. He should have broken his neck. If Lincoln had lived, there is no telling if this country would have been better off. But it sure could get any worse.

Now it’s your turn, what event would you stop?

Daily Feng Shui Tip for August 12 – "Peridot"

The birthstone most associated with August is the peridot, a beautiful green gemstone that is sometimes mistaken as an emerald. According to ancient traditions, wearing a peridot close to the skin will reduce stress of all sorts while also freeing the mind from anger and guilt. It has also long been believed that wearing peridot jewelry can slow the aging process while increasing endurance, confidence and self-esteem. This gemstone brings those blessings even if you weren’t born in August, so if this information rings true, then this might just be the most perfect jewelry for you.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com