Day: March 5, 2014

‘THINK on THESE THINGS’ for March 5

‘THINK on THESE THINGS’
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

So you missed an opportunity! And they say that opportunity knocks only once – but, only if you believe it! Opportunity has been known to pound on the door and go unnoticed, and it has been known to whisper and be heard. It is all according to how hard we require opportunity to knock before we recognize it.

Our awareness of opportunity will reveal to us how many times it presents itself; so subtle, it may not be recognized by the casual eye. And usually it seems to be completely unprofitable to us personally. More often than not it is service to others without thought of return. It is humility, a willingness to accept the most humble beginnings. It is joy in finding communication with others and finding a kinship with them.

Have you heard of an opportunity fund? Some call it saving for a rainy day. Rainy days can be lovely, too. A rainy day can be an opportunity to get things done. But an opportunity can be any day, rain or shine.

Do you often have the opportunity to speak to your neighbor? It seems to happen too infrequently these days.

The most fun we can have comes when we’ve the opportunity to squelch an ugly rumor. You know, “curst be the tongue whence slanderous rumor, withering friendship’s faith….” Sometimes a little friendship does wither, but if it really amounts to anything it will survive.

What a splendid opportunity to sit quietly and mentally forgive with such depth and joy as to start life anew. There is no greater blessing, no greater opportunity fund.

American editor A.E. Dunning writes, “Great opportunity come to all, but many do not know they have met them. The only preparation to take advantage of them, is simple fidelity to what each day brings.”

A missed opportunity may well be another opportunity to prepare for a bigger and 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 – March 5

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – March 5

“I have always searched for my place and my people.”

–Wendy Rose, HOPI/MIWOK

For every human being to feel connected, we must have the feeling of belonging. That is one of the values and benefits of a culture: it creates the feeling of belonging. If for some reason, while you were growing up, you did not develop the feeling of belonging, a search will be triggered and a restlessness will be present in your heart. You will have a hole inside you, something missing, until you find your place and your people. Remember, we can get this feeling of belonging when we realize we belong to the Great Spirit and that He really loves us a lot.

My Creator, today, I belong to You. Let me feel Your presence. Thank You.

March 5 – Daily Feast

March 5 – Daily Feast

It is sad when our children have not been able to reply on us to build their self-esteem. The Cherokees call it, qa lv quo di. Even those of us that have come a long way have memories that need a loving touch. Parents teach only what they know to teach. But we are not set forever in one direction. We reach an age when we must teach ourselves. We learn to forgive and to understand that when we get to the fork in the road we will know the right way. Why go the wrong way because someone before us did? If our self-esteem has been damaged, feeding it more pity and more ill-treatment is not healing it. Criticism is passed to us the same way blue eyes and dark hair are inherited. But criticism can be changed and replaced with love. This is a decision that changes our lives – and those who follow as well.

~ Civilized people depend too much on man-made printed pages. I turn to the Great Spirit’s book which is the whole of his creation. ~

TATNGA MANI

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

Daily Motivator for March 5th – Keep working

Keep working

When you doubt yourself and your efforts, keep working. Your creative energy,  persistently applied, will soon make the doubt go away.

When you’re simply not making any progress, keep working. The breakthrough  you seek may be just one more effort away.

When you’ve enjoyed a great success, keep working. Instead of resting on your  achievements, make them even more meaningful by making good use of them.

When it feels like all your energy is drained, keep working. Your determined  efforts will create their own energy.

When you’re not sure what to do, keep working. The more you do, the more you  learn, and the more clearly you’ll be able to see the way forward.

Life works best when you keep working at it. Keep working, and keep making  life truly amazing.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

Daily OM for March 5th – Constructive Connections

 

Constructive Connections
Sharing with Your Neighbors

 

by Madisyn Taylor

 

If you are craving community look to your own neighbors to forge new relationships and build something new together.

 

Many of our relationships can be fleeting or do not deepen past a superficial level, yet these connections, as trivial as they can seem, often have the potential to grow into something much more essential. When we crave community, we should focus our attention on these casual acquaintances. To forge a bond with neighbors, we need to work together with them so that we have a context from which to begin a more mature relationship. Sharing tasks that are part of living can be a wonderful way to become a part of a larger community, make new friends, and lighten the workloads of everyone involved.

Creating a network of neighbors who agree to pool certain resources and share daily duties can be as easy as taking the initiative. If you are willing to take the first step by reaching out to the individuals and families who share your building or your street, you will likely find that others are receptive to the notion. Starting small, with just a few people, can help you orchestrate a smoothly running system. Together, you will need to decide what chores you want to do communally and what resources can be shared. Ideas for community sharing are child care, errands, housework, keeping a joint garden, cooking for the group, and carpooling. For instance, if you cook large meals for four neighbors once a week, you take off four nights after that. As you grow to trust one another, you can begin adding new members to your evolving network or introducing new tasks to your shared roster of duties.

Actions speak louder than words, so working closely with neighbors to ensure the well-being of the group can be a wonderful way to build a sense of community in your locale. Not everyone you approach will be open to the idea of becoming a part of a network of sharing. As you connect with those who do appreciate the merits of such a system, you will discover that others are just as eager as you are to create interpersonal connections that are defined by substance.

Daily OM

 

RITUAL TO FIND YOUR SPIRIT GUIDE

RITUAL TO FIND YOUR SPIRIT GUIDE

Items Needed
Altar Candle
Day Candle (Monday-white, Tuesday-red, Wednesday-purple, Thursday-blue,
Friday-green, Saturday-black, Sunday-yellow)
Offertory Candles – 3 Violet Candles
3 White Candles

Tools
Athame to inscribe candles
Crystal ball or clear glass of water

Incense
anise, cardamom, and coriander.

Oil
jasmine, lemon, rose and sandalwood

Timing
Best done during the Mercury hour of the day, although any hour should work.
Any moon phase is appropriate.

Preparation
Breathe deeply and build a ball of protective light around you. While soaking
in your ritual bath, meditate on the whole ritual: the steps you will take
and what you wish to say to your spirit guide when you make contact.

Ritual
Enter the circle in the Hour of Mercury. Light the incense. With the oil,
dress the Altar Candle and the Day candle while concentrating on the purpose
of the ritual. Light your Altar Candle and Day Candle and state your intent:

I am here to make contact with my Spirit Guide, and to acknowledge him or
her.

With your Athame, inscribe Violet Candle #1 with the word “Spirit.” Dress it
with oil. Light the Violet Candle #1, direct your energies into it and say:

Here do I light the first Lamp of Spirit.
May its light reach out across the barriers from this world to the next.
May it make contact with that World of Spirit into which we will eventually
enter.

Take your censer or incense wand and swing it around, sensing the whole area
around the altar while rhythmically repeating the word “Merge” and building
up energy to focus. Replace the censer and pick up Violet Candle #2.

Inscribe it with the word “Spirit” and dress it with oil. Put it back on the
altar, light it and say:

Here do I light the second Lamp of Spirit.
May its light also reach out across the barriers from this world to the next?
May it make contact with that World of Spirit and help spread the light,
illuminating the passageway between our worlds.

Again take the censer or incense wand and sense the entire area around while
chanting the word “Merge.” Build up your energy to focus. Take Violet Candle
#3, inscribe it with the word “Spirit,” dress it with oil, charge with your
energy, light it and say:

Here do I light the third Lamp of Spirit.
May the light from these three lamps blend and grow, dispelling all darkness
and lighting the way that my Spirit Guide may come to me and speak with me
here today.

Inscribe the three white candles with the word “Truth” and anoint each candle
with oil. Light the three candles in the order of 1, 2, 3, and say:

Here do I build Truth.

As these candles burn throughout this ritual, their power generating nothing
but truth in all that transpires between this world and the next. Through
these candles there is truth in all communications that come to me. Again
cense the altar area while chanting “Merge.” Replace the censer and continue
chanting. Sit comfortably while chanting, and gaze into the crystal ball, or
the clear glass of water. Continue chanting until you feel it is right to let
the chant taper off. Continue to quietly look into the crystal ball or glass,
not trying to picture anything. Keep your mind blank, so whatever comes will
appear and will come in it’s own free will. Gaze into the center of the
crystal, there is no need to try not to blink. Look into the crystal and
blink naturally. Try not to notice anything in your peripheral vision, just
the center of the crystal. Eventually a face or figure will appear. This may
take a long time, or it may appear almost immediately. If it doesn’t come at
all within approximately 20 minutes, abandon this attempt, extinguish the
candles in the order in which they were lit, leave the altar set up, and try
this ritual again in three days.

You should have results within a month at most. When a figure does appear,
ask if he/she is your Spirit Guide. You will hear an answer, you may not hear
it out loud, or even see the figures lips move, but you will be aware of the
answer. This is how most conversations will proceed. You will ask your
questions mentally (or out loud) and the answer will be clear inside your
mind. Ask if you have more than one Spirit Guide. If yes, ask them to appear
also. You may ask anything you wish to know, but it is better to establish a
connection first where your Spirit Guide may appear to you at any time, or at
specific times, so that you can converse with any other spirits through
him/her. When you have finished speaking with your guide, thank him/her, then
sit for a moment with your eyes closed, meditating on all that you have
learned. Extinguish the candles in reverse order to clear the circle.

CALLING YOUR POWER ANIMAL

CALLING YOUR POWER ANIMAL

There are different names for this exercise in different cultures. It is a way for a person to get in touch with their animal aspects through dance. Keep in mind that a Guardian Spirit can appear in animal or human form.

Undertake this exercise in a quiet, half darkened room which is free from
furniture that can hamper your movements. It is helpful if you have the use of one or two rattles, but these are not necessary.

There are two parts to this exercise, 1- The Starting Dance, and 2- Dancing your animal. In both dances, you loudly shake a rattle in each hand and dance in time to the rattle. In all dancing, you keep your eyes half closed. This allows you to cut down on the light and at the same time enables you to know where you are in the room.

The Starting Dance
Standing still and erect, face east and shake one rattle very rapidly four
times. This is the signal that you are starting, ending or making an important transition in serious shamanistic work. Think of the rising Sun and the power it brings to all living things.

Still standing in place, start shaking one rattle at a steady pace of about 50 beats per second. Do this for about half a minute in each cardinal direction while thinking of the element or power animals of that direction. For example, you can think of an Eagle in the East, a Lion in the South, a Serpent or Dolphin in the West, and a Bull in the North. Move clockwise.

Return to the East and shake the rattle above your head at the same rate for
about half a minute. Think of the sun, moon, starts and the entire universe
above. Now shake the rattle towards the ground and think of the earth, our home and the gifts she gives to us.

Still facing the East, begin shaking both rattles at the same rate and dancing along with the beat as if you were jogging in place. In this starting dance, you are giving proof of your sincerity to the power animals wherever they may be, by making a sacrifice to them of your own energy in the form of dance. Dancing is a form of praying and evoking the sympathy of the Guardian Spirit.

Stop dancing and stand still. Shake one rattle four times to signal that you are about to make an important transition.

Start shaking your tattles loudly, but in a slow tempo of about 60 beats per
minute. Start dancing around the room in time to the rattle. Move slowly and in a free form. Try to pick up the feeling of some kind of mammal, bird, fish, reptile or a combination of these. Once you feel the sense of something, concentrate on it and slowly move your body in accordance with the creature. Be open to the experience and emotion of the creature.

Don’t hesitate to make noises or cries. By keeping your eyes half closed, you
might be able to see the non-ordinary environment in which the animal is living.You may even be able to see the animal. Do this for about 5 minutes. Without pausing, shift to a higher state of rattle shaking and movement. Do this for about 4 minutes. Another shift to a still faster pace of rattle and body movements. Do this for about 4 minutes.

Stop dancing and mentally welcome the animal into your body. To do this, shake the rattle four times and draw it and the animal towards your solar plexes.

Face the East and shake the rattle four times, while standing still. This is the signal that your work has ended.

Once you have successfully gained your power animal, make it content enough to say with you. This is done through exercising your animal through dancing and singing songs of the animal.

Guardian animals usually only stay with a person for a few years, and then
depart. So in the course of a life long shamanistic practice, a person will have a number of animals.

Code of Ethics for Spiritual Guides

Code of Ethics for Spiritual Guides

Preamble
People have long sought to enrich their lives and to awaken to their full
natures through spiritual practices including prayer, meditation, mind-body
disciplines, service, ritual, community liturgy, holy-day and seasonal
observances, and rites of passage. “Primary religious practices” are
those intended, or especially likely, to bring about exceptional states of
consciousness such as the direct experience of divinity or of cosmic unity.

In any community, there are some who feel called to assist others along
spiritual paths, and who are known as ministers, rabbis, pastors, curanderas,
shamans, priests, or other titles. We call such people ‘guides’: those
experienced in some practice, familiar with the terrain, and who act to
facilitate the spiritual practices of others. A guide need not claim exclusive
or definitive knowledge of the terrain.

Spiritual practices, and especially primary religious practices, carry risks.
Therefore, when an individual chooses to practice with the assistance of a
guide, both take on special responsibilities. The Council on Spiritual Practices
proposes the following Code of Ethics for those who serve as spiritual guides.

1.[Intention] Spiritual guides are to practice and serve in ways that cultivate
awareness, empathy, and wisdom.

2.[Serving Society] Spiritual practices are to be designed and conducted in ways
that respect the common good, with due regard for public safety, health, and
order. Because the increased awareness gained from spiritual practices can
catalyze desire for personal and social change, guides shall use special care to
help direct the energies of those they serve, as well as their own, in
responsible ways that reflect a loving regard for all life.

3.[Serving Individuals] Spiritual guides shall respect and seek to preserve the
autonomy and dignity of each person. Participation in any primary religious
practice must be voluntary and based on prior disclosure and consent given
individually by each participant while in an ordinary state of consciousness.
Disclosure shall include, at a minimum, discussion of any elements of the
practice that could reasonably be seen as presenting physical or psychological
risks. In particular, participants must be warned that primary religious
experience can be difficult and dramatically transformative.

Guides shall make reasonable preparations to protect each participant’s health
and safety during spiritual practices and in the vulnerable periods that may
follow. Limits on the behaviors of participants and facilitators are to be made
clear and agreed upon in advance of any session. Appropriate customs of
confidentiality are to be established and honored.

4.[Competence] Spiritual guides shall assist with only those practices for which
they are qualified by personal experience and by training or education.

5.[Integrity] Spiritual guides shall strive to be aware of how their own belief
systems, values, needs, and limitations affect their work. During primary
religious practices, participants may be especially  vulnerable to suggestion,
manipulation, and exploitation; therefore, guides pledge to protect participants
and not to allow anyone to use that vulnerability in ways that harm participants
or others.

6.[Quiet Presence] To help safeguard against the harmful consequences of
personal and organizational ambition, spiritual communities are usually better
allowed to grow through attraction rather than active promotion.

7.[Not for Profit] Spiritual practices are to be conducted in the spirit of
service. Spiritual guides shall strive to accommodate participants without
regard to their ability to pay or make donations.

8.[Tolerance] Spiritual guides shall practice openness and respect towards
people whose beliefs are in apparent contradiction to their own.

9.[Peer Review] Each guide shall seek the counsel of other guides to help ensure
the wholesomeness of his or her practices and shall offer counsel when there is
need.

———-

This draft for public comment was released 17 October 1998. The current version
is available on the Internet at http://www.csp.org.

Copyright © 1995 – 1998 Council on Spiritual Practices

Box 460820 csp@c…
San Francisco, CA 94146-0820 http://www.csp.org
USA

Permission is hereby given to reprint this Code, provided that the text is
reproduced complete and verbatim, including the CSP contact information,
copyright, and this notice of limited permission to reprint.

Power Animal: Dog

DOG

DOG’s medicine includes loyalty, protection.

“DOG, TEACH ME THE IMPORTANCE OF LOYALTY.

SHOE ME THE JOY OF BLIND LOVE.

I FOLLOW MY HEART TO SEE THE UNSEEN.”

Dog is a watcher and protector. He is loyal and trustworthy. Dog is true to himself and lets nobody change his values. His love is absolute and unconditional. Once you have befriended Dog, you have made a friend and guardian for life.

A Dog person is kind and caring. There is nothing Dog won’t do to help their family and friends. Dog doesn’t ask for anything in return for its services as watcher and protector. A gentle touch, a kind word or a friendly gesture has more meaning then money or material treasures. A Dog person also has a tendency to “smell” something bad – they sense trouble from a distance and can tell when a person has evil intentions simply by being near them.

The down side of Dog is that he can be too trusting, allowing himself to be taken advantage of. If you are a Dog person, do not let yourself be walked all over. Don’t let others abuse your generous and loyal nature.

Power Animal: Coyote

COYOTE

COYOTE’s medicine includes shapeshifting, intelligence, cunning.

“COYOTE, TEACH ME THE PARADOX OF LIFE,

THE BALANCE OF THE DARK AND LIGHT,

THE SACREDNESS OF WHAT IS NOT SACRED AT ALL.”

While one may imagine that Coyote represents a trickster (and he does), he also represents one worthy of trust. This is just one way he is a symbol of duality. He teaches us the importance of balance by being foolish and wise, silly and serious, simple and complex, happy and sad.

Coyote is humorous and funny, but sometimes his laughter is a mask for his sadness and desolation. His laughter is really at the very brink of teats. He will do anything to make people laugh, even if it means being a complete fool, as long as nobody discovers his secret pain.

The important lessons Coyote teaches us are to love our children, laugh at our mistakes and appreciate the paradox that is life – all is sacred, yet nothing is sacred at all.

Power Animal: Butterfly

BUTTERFLY BUTTERFLY’s medicine includes joy, transformation, courage.

“BUTTERFLY, REVEAL MY INNER BEAUTY.

GUIDE ME IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF MY SOUL.

WITH MY NEW WINGS, I RISE ABOVE THE CLOUDS.”

Butterfly is a magical animal. She represents change more so then any other power animal. She was a symbol of the soul in earlier times. The Greek work “psyche” meant both “soul” and “butterfly”. It was believed that when a person died, their soul became a butterfly.

A butterfly person loves to dance. The dance of Butterfly is full of bliss, joy and power. Butterfly will come to you at a point in your life when you are undergoing a change which requires courage. You are coming out of your cocoon, and that takes a lot of bravery, going to face something you have never faced before. When Butterfly comes to you, examine what changes you are going through.

Butterfly gives you the chance to make your transformation a beautiful experience. Once transformation is complete, your possibilities will have greatly expanded. Nothing can stop you as long as you use your wonderful new wings and fly.

Power Animal: Bear

BEAR

BEAR’s medicine includes: inner knowing, healing, dreaming, transormation,
introspection, solitude.

“BEAR, LEND ME YOUR GENTLE STRENGTH
SHOW ME THE WAY TO MY INNER CHILD
AS I EXPLORE THE MAGICAL SECRETS
OF THE DREAMTIME”

Bear is the keeper of the dreamtime. He stores your dream knowledge so tht you
may learn from it when you awaken.

Bear thinks his actions through very carefully. He is to quick to judge, but
rather thinks deeply about his decisions. When you ask Bear a question or ask
for an opinion, you can be sure that he will reply with an informed, well
thought out answer.

Bear is usually nourishing and gentle, but has quick reflexes and will readily
fight if necessary with brute strength and speed.

Bear loves to get his paws into sweet things but even more importantly, Bear
lives to feel comfortable and warm. Other people feel cozy with Bear. Bear
people are often sleepy and tend to “hibernate” more than others.

TOTEM ANIMAL QUALITIES

TOTEM ANIMAL QUALITIES

——————————————————————————

WOLF – Earth wisdom, protection

BEAR – Healing, Inner knowing

FOX – Elusiveness, agility, cleverness

HAWK – Perception, Focus, protection

MOUSE – Innocence, faith, trust

EAGLE – High ideals, spiritual philosophy

DOLPHIN – Psychic abilities, initiators

HERON – Intuition, organization

HORSE – Stability, courage

RABBIT – faith, nurturance

JAGUAR – shamanic wisdom, focused power

DEER – physical pacing, body awareness

RAVEN – Inner journeys, dreams

OWL – symbolic wisdom, shadow work

MOUNTAIN LION – Strength, elusiveness

See What Your Celtic Animal Birth Sign Is

CELTIC ANIMAL BIRTH SIGNS

Date of Birth:  December 24 – January 20
Animal:  Stag
Gaelic Name:  Damh (Approximate pronunciation: Dav)
Ruling Planet:  The Sun
Key Words: Independence, Majesty, Integrity, Pride
Gift Quality or Ability:  Sensitivity to other worlds, shape shifting,
initiation, journeying
Birthstone: Crystal
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of adder and salmon.
Will also relate well to the signs of seal, otter & goose. Difficulties may be
expected in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: January 21 – February 17
Animal: Crane
Gaelic Name: Corr (Approximate pronunciation: Corr)
Ruling Planet: Uranus
Key Words: Secret Knowledge, Eccentric, Patient
Gift Quality or Ability: Crane people are unusually clever people with
specialized skills and talents, with a progressive outlook on life.  Sense of
the
evolving spirit.  Sensitivity to the other world, journeying, magick.
Birthstone: Peridot
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of bee and swan.  Will also
relate well to the signs of bear, owl and cat.  Difficulties may be expected in
relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: February 18 – March 17
Animal: Seal
Gaelic Name: Ron (Approximate pronunciation: Ron)
Ruling Planet: Neptune
Key Words: Spiritual, Loving, Super-sensitive.
Gift Quality or Ability:  Seal people tend to have great compassion and are
highly adaptable folk.  They are also the romantics and dreamers of life.
Artistic and emotional.  Sensitivity to the other world.  Shape changing and
connection with the Faerie folk.
Birthstone: Coral
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of otter and goose.  Will
also relate well to the signs of salmon, stag, and adder. Difficulties maybe
expected in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: March 18 – April 14
Animal: Bear
Gaelic Name: Art (Approximate pronunciation: A as in cat, R as in English, T as
in English Chin. AiRCH)
Ruling Planet: Mars
Key Words: Achieving, Primal Power, Instinct.
Gift Quality or Ability:  Bear people are very connected to their ancestral
roots.  Filled with courage and a sense of adventure.  Extremely physical,
extroverts.  Protection, journeying, and sensitivity to the other world.
Birthstone: Ruby
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of cat and owl. Will also
relate well to the signs of crane, bee and swan.  Difficulties may be expected
in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: April 15 – May 12
Animal: Adder
Gaelic Name: Nathair (Approximate pronunciation: na-CHair.  N, a in cat, T as in
Chin, h – silent, air.)
Ruling Planet: Moon
Key Words: Transformation, Healing, Life Energy.
Gift Quality or Ability: Adder people have a virtue of resourcefulness, that is
one of their greatest strengths. Strong interest in family.  Excellent memory.
Drawn to natural methods of healing.  Healing, magick, shape shifting and
initiation.
Birth Stone: Moonstone
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of stag and salmon.  Will
also relate well to the signs of seal, otter and goose.  Difficulties may be
expected in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: May 13 – June 9
Animal: Bee
Gaelic Name: Beach (Approximate pronunciation: beh-ach.  B, E as in gEt, A as in
cAt, CH as in German iCH.)
Ruling Planet: Vulcan
Key Words: Organization, Community, Analytical.
Gift Quality or Ability:  Bee people are very charismatic and full of new ideas.
Lively spontaneity and the ability to communicate on every level.  Influential
and very social. Fertility and creativity.
Birth Stone: Topaz
Compatibility:  Harmonious relations with the signs of crane and swan.  Will
also relate well to the signs of bear, cat and owl.  Difficulties may be
expected in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: June 10 – July 7
Animal: Otter
Gaelic Name: Dobhran (Approximate pronunciation: dav-rhan.)
Ruling Planet: Jupiter
Key Words: Family, Helpfulness, Intuitive.
Gift Quality or Ability: Otter people are enterprising with a wide breadth of
vision.  Very optimistic with a personal magnetism.  Protection, shape shifting,
and journeying.
Birth Stone: Diamond
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of goose and seal.  Will also
relate well to the signs of salmon, adder, and stag.  Difficulties may be
expected in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: July 8 – August 4
Animal: Cat
Gaelic Name: Kati (Approximate pronunciation: ka-Chi.) Ruling Planet: Earth
Key Words: Creative, Sensual, Nobility
Gift Quality or Ability: Cat people have a strong sense of personal integrity
and a firm set of values.  Loyal and trustworthy.  Deep devotion to family.
Affectionate.
Protection, shape shifting and sensitivity to the other world.
Birth Stone: Red Carnelian
Compatibility:  Harmonious relations with the signs of owl and bear.  Will also
relate well to the signs of the crane, bee, and swan. Difficulties may be
expected in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: August 5 – September 1
Animal: Salmon
Gaelic Name: Bradan (Approximate pronunciation: bra-TAN.)
Ruling Planet: Mercury
Key Words: Wisdom, Inspiration, Rejuvenation
Gift Quality or Ability: Salmon people have knowledge of the arts and science as
well as good reasoning powers.  Perceptive and clever.  Keen observers.
Initiation, shape shifting, connection with Faerie.
Birth Stone: Amethyst
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of adder and stag.  Will also
relate well to the signs of otter, seal and goose.  Difficulties may be expected
in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: September 2 – September 29
Animal: Swan
Gaelic Name: Eala (Approximate pronunciation: ellah.) Ruling Planet: Venus
Key Words: Beauty, Love and Soul.
Gift Quality or Ability:  Swan people are kind and gentle, adept in love and the
social arts.  Calm and serene with a strong domestic sense.  Connection with
faerie, shape shifting, and creativity.
Birth Stone: Emerald
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of crane and bee.  Will also
relate well to the owl, cat and bear. Difficulties may be expected in relation
to all other signs.

Date of Birth: September 30 – October 27
Animal: Goose
Gaelic Name: Geadh (Approximate pronunciation: Gia-gh.) Ruling Planet: Moon
Keywords: Veiling, Direction, Vigilance, Stamina
Gift Quality or Ability: Goose people are generous providers but also thrifty
savers and investors regarding their future security.  They have a sharp
intellect as well as a wit.  Artistic.  Protection, fertility, and
creativity.
Birth Stone: Opal
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of seal and otter.  Will also
relate well to the signs of adder, stag and salmon.  Difficulties may be
expected in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: October 28 – November 24
Animal: Owl
Gaelic Name: Cailleach-oidhche (Approximate pronunciation: Kall-eeck Oheeche.)
Ruling Planet: Pluto
Keywords: Wisdom, Change, Detachment.
Gift Quality or Ability: Owl people have a powerful presence and personal
magnetism that can both attract and overpower sensitive people.  Highly
imaginative and passionate.  Initiation, sensitivity to the other world, magick.
Birth Stone: Jasper
Compatibility: Harmonious relations with the signs of cat and bear.  Will also
relate well to the signs of bee, swan and crane.  Difficulties may be expected
in relation to all other signs.

Date of Birth: November 25 – December 22
Animal: Raven
Gaelic Name: Bran (Approximate pronunciation: Bran.)
Ruling Planet: Saturn
Birth Stone: Lapis Lazuli
Gift Quality or Ability:  Raven people have a constructive approach to life.
They will continue a struggle that would defeat most people.  They are very
self-disciplined and patient.  Shape shifting, sensitivity to the other world,
connection to the Faerie.

contributed by Red Wolf

A Little Humor for Your Day – ‘Useful Work Phrases’

Useful Work Phrases

1. Thank you. We’re all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.
2. The fact that no one understands you doesn’t mean you’re an artist.
3. I don’t know what your problem is, but I’ll bet it’s hard to pronounce.
4. Any connection between your reality and mine is purely coincidental.
5. I have plenty of talent and vision. I just don’t care.
6. I like you. You remind me of when I was young and stupid.
7. What am I? Flypaper for freaks!?
8. I’m not being rude. You’re just insignificant.
9. I’m already visualizing the duct tape over your mouth.
10. Ahhh, I see the f**k-up fairy has visited us again.
11. I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.
12. It’s a thankless job, but I’ve got a lot of Karma to burn off.
13. Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.
14. No, my powers can only be used for good.
15. How about never? Is never good for you?
16. I’m really easy to get along with once you people learn to worship me.
17. You sound reasonable…Time to up my medication.
18. I’ll try being nicer if you’ll try being smarter.
19. I’m out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message.
20. I don’t work here. I’m a consultant.
21. Who me? I just wander from room to room.
22. My toys! My toys! I can’t do this job without my toys!
23. It might look like I’m doing nothing, but at the cellular level I’m  really quite busy.
24. At least I have a positive attitude about my destructive habits.
25. You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.
26. I see you’ve set aside this special time to humiliate yourself in public.
27. Someday, we’ll look back on this, laugh nervously and change the subject.

 

Quiz for the Week: What Does Your Favorite Aroma Say about You?

Your Favorite Aroma: What Does It Say About You?

Your favorite family of aromas or essential scents can tell a lot about your  personality–or that of your friends. This simple little quiz can give useful  information about all of you! Are you the outdoorsy type? Is your best friend a  romantic? Do you have an adventurous streak? And what colors, gemstones,  flowers, activities, and images will be appealing to you or your friends?

Take the quiz and find out!

Which aromas appeal to you most? (You may find you like more than one  grouping):

A fresh air, sea spray, citrus fruits

B old English roses, walking through a flower shop, scented candles

C cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, lichens, and moss

D a walk through the woods, linens drying in the breeze

E apple pie, birthday cake, fresh peaches, violets

F incense, gardenias, and night-blooming jasmine

G blackberries, fragrant wood burning, lilies, narcissus

H freshly mown grass, juicy oranges, hyacinths, ocean air

I raspberries, tuberose, old books, leather

If you chose A, you are a sporty, outdoorsy type.

Images: Sailing on azure seas under a brilliant sun. Munching crisp apples by  a lake covered in water lilies. A nest of robin’s eggs in a green, leafy tree.

Flowers: Hyacinth, water lily

Colors: Robin’s egg blue, butter yellow, fresh lime, apricot

Gemstones: Peridot, aquamarine

If you chose B, you are a dreamer.

Images: Bouquets of fresh flowers scenting the air. Roses releasing their  perfume as honeybees whirl about. Sweet, juicy  melons. Lilacs blooming over a porch railing as you rock in the warmth of a  summer day.

Flowers: Stephanotis, orange blossom, sweetheart rose

Colors: Blushing pink, misty blue, mint, lilac

Gemstones: Pink, green, and watermelon tourmaline

If you chose C, you are independent and unconventional.

Images: A mossy glen, secluded, filled with ferns and woodland flora.  Lichen-covered stones beside a crystal stream. At home, spiced cider by a  crackling fire of aromatic cedar wood.

Flowers: Carnations, chrysanthemums, poppies

Colors: Camel, aubergine, moss, acorn

Gemstones: Smoky topaz, amber, carnelian

If you chose D, you are outgoing, sociable, and energetic.

Images: An herb garden filled with tantalizing scents and tastes. Lavender  spikes perfuming the paths with their delicious, spicy aroma. Strawberries and  cream.

Flowers: Lavender, scented geranium

Colors: Sunset, teal, caramel, hunter green

Gemstones: Coral, jade, malachite

If you chose E, you are a romantic.

Images: A rock garden of violet and lilies of the valley. Delicate sweet peas  climbing a trellis. Tea and petit fours, sun warmed peaches and sparkling  champagne in crystal flutes.

Flowers: Sweet pea, lily of the valley, violet

Colors: Rose, periwinkle, celadon, peach, ivory

If you chose F, you are sensual, self-assured, and fashionable.

Images: The enveloping scents of tuberose and gardenia filling the velvet  night. Mellow pears, the smell of autumn, candlelight. Ruby cabernet swirling in  a goblet accompanied by rich canapés.

Flowers: Gardenia, heliotrope, tuberose

Colors: Burgundy, plum, cream, jade

Gemstones: Ruby, garnet

If you chose G, you are motivated and career-oriented.

Images: Creamy calla lilies reflected in silver mirrors. Blackberries lump  and juicy atop white chocolate mousse. Kir Royale shimmering like jewels.  Sandalwood carvings on a rosewood desk alight with vanilla-scented candles.

Flowers: Calla lily, damask rose, peony

Colors: Black, red, beige, ivory

Gemstones: Pearls, jet

If you chose H, you are elegant and somewhat formal.

Images: Mimosa blossoms dancing in the wind, lacing the veranda with sweet  perfume. Tea roses sway in a cobalt vase, spreading scents of lemon, myrrh, and  raspberry. Peach melbas rest on a dessert table with delicate glasses of  fragrant Chambord liqueur.

Flowers: Tea rose, jasmine, mimosa

Colors: Royal blue, deep rose, purple, pearl gray

Gemstones: Sapphire, lapis lazuli

If you chose I, you are naturally charming, extroverted, and love to  entertain.

Images: A wildflower meadow filled with the sweet scent of honeysuckle.  Picnicking by a pond, watching a beaver build its dam. Enjoying a juicy orange  while basking in the warmth of summer. Napping on grandma’s quilt spread upon  the verdant, scented grass.

Flowers: Freesia, lilac, honeysuckle

Colors: Forest, lavender, pearl, rose, azure

Gemstones: Emerald, malachite, moonstone

 

Daily Feng Shui News for March 5th – ‘Saint Piran’s Day’

If you are reading this in the British town of Cornwall then you won’t be surprised to hear that today is ‘Saint Piran’s Day,’ a day dedicated to celebrating the life of the patron saint of that British town. St. Piran quickly became a favorite amongst tin miners after he accidentally became the first person in Cornwall to teach tin smelting. Tin, or the metal element on the whole, plays a very important role in the Feng Shui philosophy. Metal is one of the five favored Feng Shui elements and is associated with the center or middle of the right hand side of your living space. The presence of anything metal placed in this ‘Children/Creativity’ area energizes that element and is believed to attract silver and gold. If you want to bring success and wealth as well as child-like wonder and tons of creativity into your life, you are well advised to place something metal in that space.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com