Month: March 2014

Life Lessons

Witchy Comments

Life Lessons

While walking along a moonlit path
A gentle breeze grazes my brow
A silent touch
A passing in the night

Distant memories
My own I wonder
Uncertainty prevails
Spiraling through the maze

A Spirit of silence
Cast into the void
Chaos all about
Wisdom is but a fading dream

From the meadows of bliss
To the fields of despair
A flower wilting
A cloud strewn sky

And yet through the mist a patch of blue
A hope for this life
A knowledge of death
Outcome in the balance

The torch within
Lighting the way
A glint of hope
Decisions to make

To the shades we shall return
A life beyond the realm
Wiser or not
Life lessons shall tell
Author
Crick
Website

A Little Humor for Your Day – ‘You Are Getting old when…’

 You Are Getting old when…

 

You know you’re getting older when…

Everything that works hurts, and what doesn’t hurt doesn’t work.

You feel like the morning after, and you haven’t been anywhere.

Your little black book only contains names ending in M.D.

Your children are beginning to look middle-aged.

Your mind makes contracts your body can’t keep.

You look forward to a dull evening.

Your knees buckle and your belt won’t.

Your back goes out more than you do.

You sink your teeth into a steak, and they stay there.

You know all the answers, but nobody asks the questions.

Source:

Aha! Jokes

Astronomy Picture of the Day – Orion Nebula in Surrounding Dust

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

Orion Nebula in Surrounding Dust
Image Credit & Copyright: Robert Fields

Explanation: What surrounds a hotbed of star formation? In the case of the Orion Nebula — dust. The entire Orion field, located about 1600 light years away, is inundated with intricate and picturesque filaments of dust. Opaque to visible light, dust is created in the outer atmosphere of massive cool stars and expelled by a strong outer wind of particles. The Trapezium and other forming star clusters are embedded in the nebula. The intricate filaments of dust surrounding M42 and M43 appear gray in the above image, while central glowing gas is highlighted in brown and blue. Over the next few million years much of Orion’s dust will be slowly destroyed by the very stars now being formed, or dispersed into the Galaxy.

Daily Feng Shui News for Mar. 25th – ‘Pecan Day’

Don’t think that I’m nuts when I tell you that today is ‘Pecan Day.’ According to magically delicious legend and lore, the pecan is used in many money-attracting recipes, as well as those that will help you find a job. Today, eat anything pecan related or simply enjoy the nut by itself if you are intent on being more prosperous and happily employed.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Your Charm for March 25th is The Amulet Box

Your Charm for Today

The Amulet Box

 Today’s Meaning:
There are papers in your near future. This aspect is affect by legal papers of some kind–a contract, a deed or a license of some kind. These papers will bring improvement to your life.

 

General Description:
The people of Tibet are most superstitious. It is the custom for almost everyone to wear charms. The Amulet-box illustrated contains small inscribed scrolls covered with magical characters. These magical formulae are written and blessed by their Lamas. The scrolls are believed to be all powerful spells for appeasing evil spirits, keeping the wearers from all physical harm, safeguarding them from every kind of danger, and protecting them from the blighting effects of the evil eye. Many of these charm boxes are of gold elaborately chased, and encrusted with turquoise.

 

Your Animal Spirit for March 25th is The Coyote

Your Animal Spirit for Today

Coyote

Taking yourself too seriously? If you are, Coyote will throw a banana peel in your tracks just to see you take a silly spill. Coyote medicine is Trickster medicine—the practical joker, the chaos maker. If Coyote appeared in your reading today, be ready for a curveball thrown in your direction. Remember, though, Coyote uses the bizarre to help us learn lessons we just can’t seem to get any other way.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for March 25th is Solitude

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

Solitude

Solitude is represented by a single person standing at the end of a boardwalk staring out at a vast, empty panorama. They are truly alone, but may not feel loneliness. They are at a place in their life where the need to withdraw from the our secular world is strong, because their focus should be on their inner self, their morality, and their dreams. The view before them is empty, but it is a canvas on which they may paint their future–a future restricted only by the size of their imagination and courage. For them Solitude is a choice. They chose to take the walkway that distances them from the rest of us. It is also a choice that can be undone. Just as they chose to take a path that leads them away from us, they may choose to turn around and come back at anytime.

As a daily card, Solitude suggest a period in which you need to distance yourself from those around you and explore your inner-self, what is driving your day to day life and decide if you are really on the life path that is best for you. This is a time to revitalize your spirit, and draw your dreams for the future.

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for Mar. 25th – 54: Careful Affection

54: Careful Affection

Tuesday, Mar 25th, 2014

hexagram09

 

 

 

 

 

Affection is the basis of all lasting relationships, but must be channeled properly in order to bring satisfaction, and support the self-esteem of both parties. For example, a married person’s lover would necessarily have conflicted feelings: affection coupled with insecurity. Relationships based mainly on personal attraction, especially those that are outside the mainstream, require special caution and tactful reserve.

If you assert yourself too much, or try to make yourself indispensable, you will only incur misfortune. It is never easier to make disastrous mistakes than when you venture outside the bounds of propriety. If you are in doubt as to whether you should follow your heart or your head, allow for some time to pass, and perhaps the answer will become clear. Initiating any action could bring misfortune. Do not attempt to be too creative or attract favorable attention at this time.

Daily Overview of Your Chinese Horoscope

Daily Overview

The way is now open to you to successfully launch your various professional projects; in addition, your tremendous energy will help you move mountains! In society, you’ll show yourself affable and conciliatory; but in business you’ll be ruthless. Almost nothing will come to disturb your life and you may feel some boredom; well, if you want some excitement, then why not go and visit your mother-in-law?

Your Daily Horoscopes for Tuesday, March 25th

We aren’t very sentimental today as the Moon’s visit to earthy Capricorn encourages us to control our feelings. Our emotional experiences are less important now than our social and cultural worlds since Capricorn’s ambitious nature doesn’t have time for nostalgia. We can’t remain inactive because a powerful Moon-Mars square motivates us to get ahead. We become less attached to what happens after the Moon shifts into airy Aquarius at 6:38 pm EDT.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You are caught between two different ways to manage the energy of your day. On one hand, you have work that must be completed and others are depending on you to follow through on your promises. On the other hand, you have your own desires that cannot be easily suppressed. Instead of trying to ignore your needs, do a balancing act between the two extremes. Don’t blow off your responsibilities, but be sure to schedule some time to explore your dreams, too.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

You want meaningful connections with your peers now that the Moon is traveling through your 9th House of Higher Truth. However, it might help to find someone special who shares your goals. In spite of your high hopes, it’s not easy to let go of your relationship concerns, which could place unnecessary boundaries between you and a friend. Instead of allowing your fears to get in the way, be willing to talk about your feelings. Once the ice is broken, take the path that opens up in front of you.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

Unchangeable circumstances prevent you from sharing everything that’s in your heart today, even if you want to take a relationship to the next level. Unfortunately, you must watch what you say now or you could create an uncomfortable situation. Keep in mind that there’s more time than you think to deliver your message. If you sense any awkward energy, just let it rest for a day or two before reactivating any kind of romantic pursuit. Timing is everything when it comes to matters of the heart.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

Figuring out what to do is challenging today because your natural rhythms are disrupted by something that’s completely out of your control. Naturally, your self-confidence empowers you to find your way, but you must settle for less comfort than you normally prefer. Keep in mind that whatever occurs now is a small part of the larger shift that continues to unfold during the months ahead. Your positive attitude is key to your success.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Even if you’re sure you know what you want today, it’s still not easy to determine the most reliable way to get it. Your thoughts may be stuck on sweet pleasures that are hard to come by at this time. You might believe that everything will ultimately be okay in spite of your insecurities about how to proceed in your pursuit of happiness. Don’t be distracted by external circumstances now; instead, seek joy from within.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You might feel pleased with your cautious approach to self-expression today. Your current obligations actually give you a solid framework of safety, establishing limits that are already being placed upon your time. Even if you long for something more spontaneous, it’s still easy to settle back into the emotional security of your predetermined schedule. It’s okay to wait until you are ready; there’s no need to rush the inevitable. Trust your intuition to tell you when the moment is right.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You may feel as if you are on an emotional see-saw and are weary of the extremes that exist in your life. Obtaining what you want is fraught with delays these days as Mars continues its retrograde dance in your diplomatic sign. Unfortunately, jumping off a ride while it’s still in motion is significantly trickier than getting on it in the first place. Do everything necessary to keep your hopes and dreams alive, but proceed carefully so you don’t upset the current balance.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

You have ideas about what is possible now, but there are still so many hurdles to jump over before winning the race. You might actually succeed if you focus on your destination rather than taking a shortcut to avoid an unstable situation. Remember, setting ambitious goals is not problematic as long as you make certain that they are sufficiently supported by verifiable facts. It’s great to dream big but you still must do the work to make the magic happen.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

The truth could precipitate a storm today, yet if it does, the results probably won’t be as bad as you think. Actually, this clearing of the air may be your big chance to see things as they are, rather than as you wish them to be. When your dreams diverge from reality, it’s crucial to know the details so you can make intelligent decisions. Pay extra attention to the little signs as you search for clues about what to do next.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Change is in the air, especially with the moody Moon back in your productive sign; however, circumstances beyond your control still make you nervous. Of course you want to stabilize your feelings, but there’s too many unrelated events happening simultaneously today. Instead of trying to do the impossible, take a deep breath and step back from the chaos. The energy will become more manageable once you give up the idea of being in charge of everything.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You might wish you had more time to relax or meditate today but your busy schedule probably won’t allow it. You’re unable to stop your mind from spinning around and around in circles, leaving you with little time for anything else. Unfortunately, there is just too much going on now for you to ignore your responsibilities. Don’t be so hard on yourself if you can’t do everything; after all, you’re only human. Practicing self-acceptance is your best path to inner peace.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You are eager to put your best foot forward today, but you continue to fall short of your own high expectations because you keep getting caught up in everyone else’s dramas. If you attempt to retreat, your friends grow concerned about your well-being — which, in turn, adds to the intensity you’re already trying to avoid. It’s tricky walking the fine line between feeling compassion for others and taking care of your own needs. Thankfully, a deeper stability is beginning to emerge if you simply let it happen.

Your Daily Cosmic Calendar for March 25th

Three days ago — after a six-week wait — Mercury and Neptune finally came together in Pisces for their annual conjunction. Now these same two planets form a parallel (5:15AM) ten degrees south of the Celestial Equator. Any parallel can be just as powerful as a zodiacal conjunction, and this union reinforces your innate talents for creative imaginative achievements across the board. Don’t be too surprised if you pick up on someone’s feelings or thoughts by a kind of emotional osmosis or mental telepathy. Just 21 minutes later (5:36AM), the Moon in Capricorn squares off with Mars in Libra — starting a 10-hour void lunar uncertainty zone that lasts until 3:40PM. During the void-of-course time-span, be on your best behavior in key partnerships as Juno makes a fairly rare union with Uranus in Aries (7:52AM). Since Juno just squared Jupiter two days ago and will also square Pluto two days from now, today’s Juno-Uranus conjunction is no walk in the park. While flashes of genius and colorful insights can enhance relationships, strife can easily disrupt the usual and harmonious flow of understanding. In the meantime, the Moon’s entry into Aquarius (3:40PM) has the ability to draw you into team sports, group projects, community fundraising drives, and humanitarian causes. The Sun parallel to Ceres (10:57PM) can assist you in staying very productive in your main fields of expertise. [Note to readers: All times are calculated for Pacific Daylight Time. Be sure to adjust all times according to your own local time so the alignments noted above will be exact for your location.]

Calendar of the Moon for March 25th

Calendar of the Moon

4 Fearn/Elaphebolion

Alder Tree Month

Color: Crimson
Element: Fire
Altar: Upon cloth of crimson set a flaming brazier filled with charcoal and incense.
Offerings: Purification. Write what has been dragging your down, and place it in the fire.
Daily Meal: Hot, nourishing food.

Fearn Invocation

Call: Now is the time of the warming of Earth.
Response: Now is the time of the Sun’s first warmth.
Call: Now is the time when the waters of Spring are banished.
Response: Now is the time when fire dries the flood.
Call: Now is the time when the heat rises within us.
Response: Now is the time when our tears are dried.
Call: Now is the time when our inner floods give way.
Response: Now is the time when our inner fields are greening.
Call: Like the birds who build their nests in the Spring….
Response: Like the creatures of the woods who brave the open fields…
Call: As they brave the world….
Response: So we now brave the world.
Call: As they seek sustenance of the body….
Response: So we seek sustenance of the soul.
Call: As they are driven forth by need and the cycle of life…..
Response: So we are driven forth by need and the cycle of life.
Call: No house can contain our souls….
Response: As no house contains the foundation on which it is built.
Call: We will be the piles that lift the house from the water….
Response: And we will lift our spirits from the winter’s flood.
Call: We will be the island in the river….
Response: The islands where the future is told…
Call: And we will see that future running like the current….
Response: Knowing not where it will lead….
Call: Save by the grace of the gods.
Response: Save by the grace of the Gods.
Chant:
We gather at the river
We bring fire to the water
Our fire burns within us
The river parts before us

 

[Pagan Book of Hours]

 

 

 

Calendar of the Sun for March 25th

Calendar of the Sun

Feralia: Day of Purification

Color: White
Element: Air
Altar: On a white cloth put a lit candle, incense, a cup of water, and a bowl of salt.
Offering: Although this day is not a day of total silence, it is a solemn day and talking should be done only when necessary and in quiet tones. Bodies should be thoroughly cleaned during the bathing hour, and then the altar area should be cleaned and purified with all four elements. Each person, upon entering the altar space at the beginning of Sponde should remove their clothing and be naked, and each body should be purified with the four elements and marked with water and salt, at which point they may enrobe again. Chores of the day should concentrate on cleaning and repair.
Daily Meal: Vegan and extremely simple and plain.

Feralia Invocation

Breathe the air into your body
And breathe out again,
And as you breathe out,
Let all grime and corruption
Depart on that breath
(All breathe together for twelve breaths.)
Feel the blood coursing through your body
And imagine it clean
Of anything but what should be there.
Feel the energy coursing through your body
And wash it clean
Of anything that does not belong.
Feel the Earth beneath you,
Remember that She can absorb all
Remember that all rot is her provenance
Draw her energy up into you
And give it back again.

(After this grounding, all breathe together again in a yogic breathing pattern for the next half an hour, after which all will go with water and salt and incense and fire to all rooms in the house and cleanse them. Great care should be taken for the rest of the day not to disturb the energy of the freshly cleaned house.)

 

[Pagan Book of Hours]

Current Moon Phase for March 25th – Last Quarter

Last Quarter Moon

(waning/38% of illumination)

The time of reaping is at hand. There is a feeling of completion infused into the atmosphere during the Last Quarter Moon. The opportunity opens to recognize how far you’ve come in various parts of your life. This is not a good time for new beginnings, but rather a reflective period suited to evaluating how you have been using your time and what has been accomplished. Issues of authority may arise. This Moon phase supports taking responsibility for actively tying up the loose ends of projects that are already underway.

WOTC Extra – Common Kitchen Herbs that Heal

WOTC Extra – Common Kitchen Herbs that Heal

What follows is a short list of herbs commonly found in kitchens, or easily found in most supermarkets. This list is alphabetical by herb. ——————————————————————————–

Anise (Pimpinella ansium) Anise helps expel gas, relieves nausea and stomach pain caused by gas. To use: crush anise seeds into a powder. Put 1 teaspoon of the powder into 1 cup of warm water. Drink up to three times a day to relieve symptoms.

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Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Basil is another anti-nauseant that also relieves gas, and promotes normal bowel function. To use: Make a strong tea using 1 teaspoon of the crushed dried herb in a half- cup of water. Drink as needed, not to exceed three cups a day. ——————————————————————————–

Capsicum or Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens) Cayenne helps stimulate the appetite and acts as a milk stimulant. It may reduce discomfort from the common cold. To use: make a tea out of the dried herb, 1 teaspoon per cup of hot water. 2 cups per day only. Note: Cayenne irritates hemorrhoids and should never be used by people with stomach problems. Do not exceed recommended dosage as high doses can cause stomach and kidney problems.

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Caraway (Carum carvi) Caraway works as an expectorant for coughs due to colds. It also improves the appetite and may increase breast milk in nursing mothers. To use: Chew some seeds three or four times a day.

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Dill (Aniethum graveolens) Dill eases indigestion and upset stomachs. To use: make a strong tea by steeping 2 teaspoons of dill seeds in 1 cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and drink one half-cup 2 to 3 times daily.

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Fennel (Foeniculum velgare) Fennel is a digestive aid and is known to relieve cramps. The oil is used to relieve stiff joints. To use: 15 drops of extract in warm water with honey, one daily, as digestive aid. Rub oil directly on affected area for pain alleviation. ——————————————————————————–

Fenugreek (Trigonella graceum) Fenugreek relieves sore throats and is useful for treating irritations and other inflammations. To use: as a gargle for sore throat – mix 1 tablespoon of pulverized seed in 1 cup hot water. Let steep for 10 minutes and strain. Gargle 3 times a day, every 3-4 hours. As a poultice for skin irritations – pulverize enough seed so that when mixed with 8 ounces of water, it forms a thick paste. Apply paste to affected areas once a day. ——————————————————————————–

Garlic (Allium satvum) Garlic helps fight infections, lowers blood pressure and may be able to destroy some cancer cells. To use: stir-fry cloves for a few minutes to cut down garlic-breath. Eat 2 or 3 a day for maximum effectiveness.

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Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) Ginger eases cold symptoms, soothes skin inflammations and minor burns, calms upset stomachs, and is a natural remedy for morning sickness. To use: for burn and inflammations – mash fresh ginger root, soak cotton ball and then rub juice on the affected area. For all else – add ginger extract to hot water, 10 drops per cup. This can be taken up to three times daily.

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Parsley (Petroselinium sativum) Parsley settles stomachs after meals. If also helps clear congestion due to colds and is soothing for asthma. To use: make a strong tea using 1 teaspoon dried, ground parsley in 1 cup hot water. Let steep 10-15 minutes. Take once a day. ——————————————————————————–

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Mint is an anti-spasmodic and is excellent for relieving cramps and stomach pain. It also relieves gas and aids in digestion. It can help reduce the sick feeling associated with migraines. To use: drink one cup as a tea. Commercial teas are available. (Make sure it is only mint, not mint flavored.) Drink as needed.

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Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Rosemary is used for most head pains. To use: as tea, to relieve nervous tension, make a strong tea. Rub rosemary essential oil on the temples to relieve headaches. Mix essential oils or leaves with olive oil to make a dandruff treatment. ——————————————————————————–

Sage (Salvia officinalis) Sage reduces perspiration and can be used to ease sore gums. To use: to relieve perspiration, medium tea, one time daily. To ease gums, strong infusion, gargled, 3 times daily.

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Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) Thyme is good for chronic respiratory problems, cold flu and sore throat. It is also an anti-fungal. To use: make a tea of the dried herb, drink daily. As an anti-fungal, rub extract on affected areas.

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Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Turmeric promotes good liver function and helps prevent gallbladder disease. It also may help prevent over-clotting of blood cells, and may help relieve arthritis symptoms. To use: take 300mg up to 3 times daily.

The Witches Magick for March 25th – A Little Kitchen Witchery, Spring Greenery Spell

The Witches Magick for March 25th – A Little Kitchen Witchery

Spring Greenery Magick

 

At this time of the year the branches of the trees and shrubs change every day. At first, in early spring, there is just a haze of color along these branches. As the weeks progress the buds burst open and blossoms and tender green leaves begin to appear. This season, try working with earliest blossoms of spring for a little enchantment to add to your hearth and home.

The forsythia is synonymous with early spring. Those bright yellow blossoms are so cheering after the dreary days of late winter. Snip a few small braches of blooming forsythia and bring them into your home to encourage cheer and good-natured fellowship between yourself and all who live with you. Work a few blooming stems into a vase and set them in the heart of your magickal home, or where you have set up your altar or hearth stone. Here is a springtime charm to go along with them:

Bright forsythia blooms do encourage good cheer,
May these blossoms, bless our home and bring joy this year.
Their energy radiates out from the heart of the home,
Strengthened by the powers of Water, Wind and the Hearthstone.
 

Close the spell up with:

From foundation to roooftop, this homey spell is cast
Elements four gather ‘round, help my magick hold fast

Source:

Cottage Witchery

Natural Magick for Heath and Home

Author Ellen Dugan

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