Month: April 2014

Your Daily Horoscopes for Tuesday, April 29th

Looking back at the previous month brings anticipation for the weeks ahead. The practical Taurus New Moon at 2:14 am EDT is a Solar Eclipse that reveals how our need for security stands in the way of our next phase of growth. Although Taurus likes stability, we can’t cling to the status quo. Fortunately, communicator Mercury’s smooth trine to evolutionary Pluto enables us to discuss our deepest concerns and eliminate self-destructive patterns.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You must become more practical now by leaving the preparatory phase of a project and entering into the building phase. The Taurus New Moon Eclipse rattles your 2nd House of Self-Worth, forcing you to focus on producing tangible results and letting go of your unrealistic ideas. But you don’t have to perform miracles overnight. Even a little bit of progress today gets you heading in the right direction and gives you a foundation on which to create enduring success.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

You are at the edge of a magical initiation that can lead you in an entirely new direction. Today’s Solar Eclipse falls in your sign, shocking you with a fresh array of feelings and requiring you to react with integrity. However, you must proceed cautiously because your mind is running ahead of your actions now. Thankfully, as long as you don’t get caught up in your own whirlwind of thoughts, you should be able to turn your best ideas into reality

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

Something isn’t as it seems today, since the Taurus New Moon Eclipse emphasizes your 12th House of Secrets. Significant pieces of the puzzle may still be missing from your big picture, making your perspective incomplete until you unearth the additional data. Take everything that happens without an apparent reason as a clue now. Following the mysteries without knowing where you’re going can lead you on a circuitous route into uncertainty. Have faith; there are treasures lurking in the shadows if you have the courage to look.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

Although others can help you stay on task, don’t just blindly follow all the advice that is offered to you today. Luckily, your friends may be the source of valuable guidance now that the pragmatic Taurus Solar Eclipse shadows your 11th House of Social Networks. You are at a fork in the road; once you pass this point you won’t be able to circle back and make a second choice. Give yourself plenty of time to consider the consequences of your current decision before you commit to any one direction.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You might feel as if someone is rapidly flipping the switch of the spotlight that’s shining on your career today. The strobe effect is shocking and the Taurus Solar Eclipse in your 10th House of Public Status casts a whole new perspective on your professional path. Luckily, you can make choices that positively alter your long-term goals if you are thinking ahead of the curve. But don’t spend too much time lost in thought. Planning time is over; get busy and manifest your dreams.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Applying the energy of today’s Taurus New Moon Eclipse empowers you to make pragmatic plans for your future. However, its emphasis on your 9th House of Adventure also suggests you could be planning a weekend getaway. Or, perhaps you are dreaming about turning your life upside-down by moving to a foreign country or embarking on a spiritual journey. Nearly anything is possible now if you remember to proceed slowly through the changes with careful deliberation. If it’s worth doing, it’s also worth taking the time to do it right.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Exploring ways to experience new pleasures takes center stage now that the earthy Taurus New Moon Eclipse highlights your 8th House of Intimacy. Nevertheless, attending to your priorities while also leaving time to indulge in sensual delights such as delicious food, soulful music or relaxing massage is tricky. You don’t have the luxury of simply idling the day away; you must also be proactive to get the most out of this moment. Carefully consider what you want on your path of life, for whatever choices you make today could have a powerful impact on your future.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Relationship stability is a double-edged sword now. You like the emotional security, but too much safety can make you complacent. One way to raise the stakes is to create a ritual with a close friend or partner since the powerful Taurus Solar Eclipse sets the stage for metaphysical magic in your 7th House of Companions. Try something as simple as lighting candles and giving voice to your intentions for the month ahead. Whatever you choose to do today, just be sure that everything is done with conscious purpose.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

This is a great time to handle any health concerns now that the physical Taurus New Moon lands in your 6th House of Self-Improvement. Make an appointment if you are due for your yearly exam or are overdue for a dental checkup. Set aside a bit of time now to reevaluate your diet and exercise program. Examine how you can improve you wellbeing by making small changes in your daily regimen that stand up to the tests of time. Living a life of adventure demands that you take excellent care of your body.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

If you recently had trouble finding time to relax, play or pursue a romance, a change of schedule marks the beginning of a new phase. It’s not likely that something magical will just happen to you now; you must be the one who initiates the action. Fortunately, the Taurus Solar Eclipse rocks your 5th House of Self-Expression, encouraging your spontaneity these days, whether it’s about indulging your inner-child, exploring your creativity or shining your love light. Relentlessly chase your dreams if you want them to become real.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You must face very basic issues today, such as what price you’re willing to pay for the emotional security you receive from your home and family. This is a time of profound soul-searching; however, it’s not constructive to just wander around in the memories of your childhood, lost in the recesses of your subconscious mind. Oddly enough, revisiting your past can help you decide what you want in your future now that the Taurus New Moon Eclipse activates your 4th House of Roots. Breaking unconscious patterns makes your relationships healthier in the long run.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

The pace of your daily rhythm is speeding up again, even if your life is already busy. But even with the additional distractions, you can still make your ideas very clear to others in a way that they quickly understand. The Taurus New Moon Eclipse stimulates your noisy 3rd House of Communication, initiating a highly active and interactive month ahead. There’s no time to nostalgically reminisce about the way things were. Jump into the data stream, share what’s on your mind and don’t miss any opportunities that come your way.

New Moon Solar Eclipse in Taurus Horoscopes

New Moon Solar Eclipse in Taurus Horoscopes

You must release the past to move forward now

Jeff JawerJeff Jawer on the topics of taurus, sun, solar eclipse, new moon, moon, eclipse, astrology

The New Moon Solar Eclipse in placid Taurus on April 29, 2014, is about making peace with the past. The Moon’s passage over the face of the Sun signals the need to complete unfinished business, especially related to self-worth, property and financial issues.

Ending a conflict by making a compromise is called for with the integrative Lunar North Node in accommodating Libra. Resources will flow more easily in the future if you let go of old battles now.

Look up your sign below to find out what area of your life this New Moon Solar Eclipse will affect the most!

Aries (March 21 – April 19)

The restless side of your personality is about to be kicked into a higher gear. This explosive New Moon is a spark that sets you on fire. You can use the intensity of these times to fight against others, but it’s much more helpful when you recognize that the battle is within you. Open your mind to see with fresh eyes and you will realize that the only limits you face are of your own making, and that you have the ability to free yourself.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20)

The New Moon in your sometimes-stubborn sign is a Solar Eclipse that exposes where you’re holding on too tightly. Maybe you’ve backed yourself into a corner or just feel you don’t have any options: You do! Start by looking for partial solutions instead of sticking to an all or nothing position. Altering your look and attitude reinforce the vital idea that it’s time for you to make changes to get your life moving ahead.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20)

Ghosts from the past may come to the surface with this New Moon Solar Eclipse in your 12th House of Secrets. Confronting feelings, people and situations you’ve been avoiding doesn’t sound like fun, so it’s wiser to take the initiative and complete unfinished business. Asking for help from others and connecting with your spiritual side are positive sources of support when dealing with deep issues.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22)

A New Moon is usually a time of beginnings, but this one is a Solar Eclipse that’s as much about endings. It lands in your 11th House of Groups, where it can challenge you to address issues with friends and colleagues. You’re likely to encounter stubborn individuals, but if neither of you is willing to change, the relationship may have run its course. Yet clearing out useless alliances makes room for more rewarding connections.

Leo (July 23 – Aug. 22)

Shifts in your professional life are possible with this New Moon Solar Eclipse in your 10th House of Career. Don’t let your pride or someone else’s bullying behavior stop you from making necessary changes. If you’re not appreciated in your current position, altering your approach is smarter than simply holding your ground. Recognizing your true value will help come closer to fulfilling your heart’s desire at work.

Virgo (Aug. 23 – Sept. 22)

Travel and education plans might need adjusting with this Taurus New Moon Solar Eclipse in your 9th House of Faraway Places and Higher Learning. You could also find your belief systems challenged, but this can be just what you need to get out of a mental rut. What was absolutely right and true for you yesterday might not provide you with the perspective you need to ensure a more rewarding future.

Libra (Sept. 23 – Oct. 22)

Financial and personal partnerships are up for re-evaluation with this Solar Eclipse New Moon landing in your 8th House of Deep Sharing. You don’t have to stick to agreements that no longer fit your needs and might also find that others want to change the terms of an intimate or business alliance. It’s better to face the discomfort of renegotiations than to silently settle for less than you desire or deserve.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 – Nov. 21)

This Taurus New Moon Solar Eclipse occurs in your 7th House of Partners to stir up relationship issues. If you’ve been quietly enduring an unfulfilling alliance, or not been treated as an equal, it’s time to rock the boat. The point is not to undermine trust and cooperation, but to revive them with some straight talk. But if you’re seeking a personal or professional alliance, changing your perspective should be your next move.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 – Dec. 21)

Boredom or lack of progress at work could become issues with this stubborn Taurus New Moon Solar Eclipse in your 6th House of Employment. But you may find inspiration from a career dream of your past that might be ready for revival. Commitment to healthier habits could be a key to finding the energy and enthusiasm you need to put your professional life on a more desirable track.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 19)

Play, romance and children are key issues with this New Moon in your 5th House of Self-Expression. This event is a Solar Eclipse that can cast shadows of doubt on your ability to maintain control and perform at your best in these areas. Yet if you’re willing to examine your behavior and expectations, you’re likely to discover what needs to be released to free up more passion and your powers of persuasion.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 – Feb. 18)

Domestic matters are up for review with this New Moon Solar Eclipse in your 4th House of Roots. Family issues that have not been attended to could boil over, but dealing with the practical concerns in your household is a priority. This event can also awaken memories from your past that remind you where, how and why you’ve gotten stuck. Recalling personal history could be painful, but it is a powerful step toward healing.

Pisces (Feb. 19 – March 20)

Communicating with clarity is a must with this practical Taurus New Moon in your 3rd House of Information. This lunation is a Solar Eclipse that serves you when you think and listen carefully. Your capacity to learn and to make yourself understood may depend upon you recognizing old habits that get in the way of sharing your ideas and learning from others. Facing awkward conversations patiently is a hard, but healthy, thing to do.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for Tuesday, April 29th

The last four New Moons — before the one last night — have all occurred under duress, caused by the conflicts associated with unruly planets. Monday’s Taurus New Moon happened just after Mercury and Mars conducted another skirmish while Saturn attempted to add a dour note to Mercury’s harmony of the spheres. There are at least four sour sky tones that can make today’s melodies sound off-key as Juno forms a frictional, 45-degree tie with Chiron (12:56AM), Pallas makes the same kind of abrasive, 45-degree aspect with Mars (4:01PM), Venus contacts Pallas via an off-kilter, 150-degree liaison (8:31PM), and then the Moon in Taurus makes its monthly opposition to Saturn in Scorpio (8:58PM). While this quartet of naysayers is not nearly as contentious as other four-fold discordant aspects on other days, it could interfere with your ability to utilize the potency of the New Moon to take several giant leaps ahead. Neutralizing the apparent obstacles to forward progress are the monthly Moon-Mercury union in Taurus (7:08AM), the Moon forming a supportive, 60-degree sextile with expansive, optimistic Jupiter (9:57AM), and a splendid, research-promoting trine of 120-degrees between Mercury and Pluto in earth signs (10:31AM). Therefore, despite some of the disagreeable sky patterns occurring throughout the day, you should be able to be a winner when it counts the most and when people are depending on your wise judgment. [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.]

Current Moon Phase for April 29th – New Moon

New Moon

(waxing/0% of Full)

The New Moon is a time best suited for new beginnings! For the first 48 hours following the exact time of the New Moon each month, a window of opportunity opens for making wishes that, if noted, come true in the days and months ahead. There is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm in the atmosphere, making it a great time to go forward and begin projects that you feel instinctively attracted to initiating. Follow your impulses and let yourself make new starts in areas that are important to you.

WOTC Extra – Tools of A Kitchen Witch & Their Correspondence

Book & Candle Comments

WOTC Extra – Tools of A Kitchen Witch

Your own kitchen should provide everything you will need. Common utensils with suggested symbolism strengthen your enchantments. There are hundreds of them, look around with a magical eye, it’s there! Choose between different tools according to your magical goals. Make your own blessing and charge your tools with them. For example: Take a wooden spoon, carve or draw the symbols for Health, Harmony, and Love onto the handle of the spoon. Visualize these things for your family, while you light a white candle for Purity, Truth, and Sincerity. Say, “With this spoon I stir Love, Health, and Harmony, into our food”. Keep saying and visualizing until you feel it is done.

BLENDER :

Mingling with others, Stirring up energy

COOKBOOK :

Book of Shadows, Excellence, Virtue

COOKIE TIN :

Sweet things in life, Pleasure
CRISPER :

Invigoration and Restoration
CUPBOARDS :

Savings, Supplies, Providence
DISH TOWEL :

Stricture, Determined precision
DISHWASHER :

Leisure, The Water Element, Convenience
DRAIN :

Troubles, Burdens, Bad habits
DRAWERS :

Hidden matters, Material goods
FOOD WRAP :

Prudence, Conservation, Control, Secrets
FORK :

Piercing, Penetrating, Perception
FUNNEL :

Flow, Unhindered order, Coaxing energy along
KNIFE :

Cutting away, Sharpness of mind, Separation
MEASURING CUP :

Evaluation, Allotment, Caution
MICROWAVE :

Acceleration, Legal expedition
OVEN :

Passion, Fertility, Fire Element
OVEN BURNERS :

The Four Directons/Elements
OVEN FAN :

The Air Element, Movement, Clearing vision
PITCHER :

Abundance, Invigoration, Refreshment
REFRIGERATOR :

Cooling temper, Preservation, Protection
ROLLING PIN :

Discipline, Moderation, Control
SIFTER :

Sorting out confusion, Organization, Filtering negativity
SPATULA :

Sensibility, Recycling, Changing directions
STEAMER :

Slow processes, Even temperament
TEA KETTLE :

Divination, Alertness, Kinship, Health
THERMOMETER :

Observations Skills, Analysis
WHISK :

Excitement, Increasing bounty
WINDOW :

Winds of change, Refreshment, Vital energy

Oh, Why Not Another Little Spell – Sweet Prosperity Spell

Book & Candle Comments

Sweet Prosperity Spell

Mix together a teaspoon of cinnamon for prosperity, a teaspoon of allspice to bring money, and a half a cup of sugar to sweeten your life. Mix the ingredients together, the pour into a glass container. Snap or screw the lid into place. Empower the mixture to bring prosperity into your life. Try this charm:

“Sugar and spice and everything nice,

Make up this Witch’s spell,

A pinch of magick, a bit of charm,

And all will turn out well.

 

You could put a pinch of this mixture into a charm bag, or seal a tablespoon of it inside an envelope and keep it in your bill drawer or the bottom of your purse to promote prosperity. Or just sprinkle a spoonful on your buttered toast in the morning to add prosperity and success to your day.

Source:

Cottage Witchery
Natural Magick for Hearth & Home
Ellen Dugan

The Witches Magick for April 29th – A Juicy Spell for Removing Bad Vibes

Book & Candle Comments

A Juicy Spell for Removing Bad Vibes

 

To remove sour feelings and bad vibes, take a small glass bowl, ceramic dish or coffee mug and sprinkle a few inches of salt in the bottom. Next squirt a bit of lemon juice on top of the salt. Say:

“Lemon juice and white salt, by mixing thee

No bad vibes will cling or hang around weet

Remove all the negativity and despair

By the powers of earth, water, fire and air.

 

Source:

Cottage Witchery
Natural Magick for Hearth and Home
Ellen Dugan

Let’s Talk Witch – Simple Kitchen Magick

Book & Candle Comments
Let’s Talk Witch – Simple Kitchen Magick

You want fast, quick and simple spells and charms? Try working a little kitchen magick and see what you can create. The following posts contain spells that you can use for ideas or adapt them for your own personal purposes. By adding your own flair, this will personalize the spells and make them uniquely your own. Most of the ingredients for the following charms are common and readily available. Rummage around the kitchen cabinets—I bet you have many of the supplies already.

Please use natural cooking supplies and dishes or containers whenever possible. Glass, wood, and ceramic ware are much more conductive to natural magick energies than plastic. Metal bowls or trays will also work (remember that metal is one of the five elements of Feng Shui). If salt is called for in a spell, you may use sea salt or table salt whatever you have handy or would prefer.

As you close up and bind these kitchen charms and spells, try using this oldie but goodie standard closing line:

 

“By all the powers of three times three,
As I will it, so shall it be.”

 

Sure this magickal line is used all of the time. It’s a good one. By saying this closing line you are verbally reinforcing that you accept and embrace the idea of karma. You are also stating that you are working positive magick and that you embrace the Rule of Three.

 

Source:

Cottage Witchery
Natural Magick for Hearth and Home
Ellen Dugan

Tuesday Is Ruled By Mars

Book & Candle Comments

Tuesday Is Ruled By Mars

Archangel: Samael

Candle colour: Red

Incenses: Dragon’s blood or cinnamon

Crystals: Jasper or garnet

Use Tuesdays for spells for courage, change, independence in home or business life, for overcoming seemingly impossible odds and for passion.

Where possible, work near a fire or a bonfire or with a huge red beeswax candle as a focus; alternatively work next to a flowerbed or large vase of red, orange and/or yellow flowers.

The Witches Correspondence for Tuesday, April 29th

Book & Candle Comments
The Witches Correspondence for Tuesday, April 29th

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, April 29th

Book & Candle Comments
The Witches Almanac for Tuesday, April 29th

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

Green Day (Japanese)

Waning Moon

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

New Moon 2:14 am

Moon Sign: Taurus

Taurus: Things begun now last the longest, tend to increase in value, and become hard to alter. Bring out appreciation for beauty and sensory experience.

Incense: Basil

Color: Gray

Ok, just two more things and I’ll get to work, Promise!

Real quick, ha! First off, did you hear about the glitch in Internet Explorer 8. This morning they released it on the News about this glitch in IE 8. It seems to be a pretty evil glitch to me. Hackers can easily access your computer through this glitch and take it over. They recommended you either go to the Microsoft page and get a patch for it or you switch browsers. When I go to Microsoft it takes all day for me to get anything done (and I don’t consider myself computer ignorant). So I simply switched browsers. I am now using Google Chrome, which was one of the browser they recommended. This is just an observation but, have you noticed how hard the internet is getting hit with hacks, virus, malware and etc., here recently. Makes me stop and think, none of this use to happen so often till a certain person ran off with laptops full of government secrets. And you know as well as I do, some of those files had to be about the internet, how it operated and it weakness. Hmm, does make one wonder?

Ok, so much for that, now last but definitely not least…….there is numerous comments and questions in the back. If you are one that has wrote to me, then I will start answering them this afternoon. It is not my intention to ignore you at all, just been a bit busy. But hang with me and I promise you will get your answers.

Now, off to work I go, hi-ho, hi-ho, lol!

Have a great one!

Lady A

 

A Very Blessed Tuesday Morning To All My Dear Family & Friends!

Good morning, my dear, sweet family & friends! No, I’m not buttering you up for something. I just want you to know how much you mean to me. I know I don’t say it often enough but that is going to change. I guess it never really dawns on you how much some people mean to you till its too late. I was thinking this morning about all the tornadoes that struck all around us. I know there was lives lost and I can’t imagine, one minute your loved one is with you, then they are just wisped away. In a blink of an eye, your life changes forever. I just can’t comphrend that, my mind can’t grasp it. Perhaps being human we aren’t suppose too. But I do know there are lots of our brothers and sisters located in these areas hit by the tornadoes. They need our prayers, our love and our support.

What took so long this morning, I wrote a little prayer for those effected by these storms. If you have time today, please say it or one similar and light a candle for them. Our brothers and sisters need us now more than ever. Remember them.

 

Great Goddess, Almighty Mother,
Be with the tornado victims in the South
They have lost everything in this world,
homes, belonging and most of all loved ones.
In a matter of minutes, everything was gone.
Our words cannot ease their pain and confusion
they are experiencing at this time.
 
 
Great Mother, ease their pain and soothe their
battered spirits.
Bless them with the strength and courage to
continue on in the upcoming days.
Enfold them in your compassionate arms
Help them to move forward with their lives
 
 
Great Mother, let those who were so suddenly
taken now rest with you in the Summerland.
Let those left behind always remember them
in their hearts and souls.
Help them through this difficult time, let them
know their loved ones are now in a place filled
with love and beauty, waiting one day to embrace
them as they enter the Summerlands. Let them
not dwell on the grief but instead remember what
a joyous day it will be when they are reunited
with those who were lost.
 
 
Give them the strength to begin to pick up
the pieces of their lives and start to carry on.
Watch over them, dear Mother.
Let them know they are not alone,
they are in our hearts and prayers.
Bless them with your Almighty Love, Comfort
and Compassion.
 

As a child of Yours, Dear Mother, I humbly ask this.

So Mote It Be.

‘THINK on THESE THINGS’ for April 28th

‘THINK on THESE THINGS’
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

A lady of much wisdom has often remarked, “If you want to feel well all the time and feel alive, you have to keep the rhythm in your body.” Rhythm, the gentle, easy flow of life.

Ordinarily we think of keeping time with music when we think of rhythm. The very idea of allowing one’s self the frivolity of feeling rhythm – and such a wonderful idea!

There is an underlying rhythm to all of living. Wherever there is life, there is that pulsating rhythm that has everything on the move. There is harmony and there is a subtle smoothness to finding one’s own pace. When we get out of step and resist that pace, we have “one of those days” when everything goes wrong.

William Shakespeare wrote, “The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils; the motions of his spirit are dull as night, and his affections dark as Erebus. Let no such man be trusted.”

______________________________________

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 April 28

Elder’s Meditation of the Day April 28

“Indians living close to nature and nature’s ruler are not living in darkness.”

–Walking Buffalo, STONEY

There are many Indian people who are living according to nature and according to ceremony and culture. They may not have a lot of material things, but that doesn’t mean they are not successful. What is success anyway? Can success be measured by material things? What is it we are really chasing anyway? The Elders say that what everyone really wants is to be happy and have a peaceful mind. Material things by themselves do not bring happiness and peace of mind. Only spiritual things bring happiness. When we live a spiritual life we will not have darkness. Instead, we will be happy.

Great Spirit, today, let me walk the Red Road.

April 28 – Daily Feast

April 28 – Daily Feast

How frightening to be out of touch – but how normal! There are times and places we go through that are strange – both in feeling and understanding. We experience an uneasy feeling and want to rush back to the familiar – even though it isn’t the place to be either. In growing, we go through strange places and think unusual thoughts. Fear of the unknown has made us wary, questioning, reaching for something to steady us, to give us direction and purpose. But we must expand our spirits, enlarge our thought to accept or reject what we have yet to learn. The American Indian has known the strangeness of new lands, new customs, has fought and lost – only to fight and win. Some are caught in between, but their staying power is in the Great Spirit who ever holds our hand and intercedes on our behalf.

~ I would that I could make the red people as great as the conceptions of my own mind, when I think of the Great Spirit that rules over us all. ~

TECUMSEH

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

The Daily Motivator for April 28th – This very day

This very day

Don’t wait any longer. Live your very best life today.

Don’t hold your happiness hostage waiting for some imagined perfect circumstance to come along. Choose to be happy, joyful and truly thankful for the moment you’re in.

You deserve a life that is magnificent. And you deserve to let yourself live it right now.

Don’t put off until someday the richness that you can live on this very day. Remind yourself what a fantastic opportunity you have, and go with it.

You can add unique beauty to life, so do it now. You can live in harmony with your highest vision, so do it now.

This very day, this very place is where you have the good fortune of being. Live it fully, with love, with commitment, with joy and grace, and live it now.

— Ralph Marston
Source:
The Daily Motivator

The Daily OM for April 28th – Clinging to the Core

Clinging to the Core
When Our World Falls Apart

by Madisyn Taylor

When external factors shift we have an opportunity to rediscover our core which is the only truly safe place to call home.

There are times when our whole world seems to be falling apart around us, and we are not sure what to hold onto anymore. Sometimes our relationships crumble and sometimes it’s our physical environment. At other times, we can’t put our finger on it, but we feel as if all the walls have fallen down around us and we are standing with nothing to lean on, exposed and vulnerable. These are the times in our lives when we are given an opportunity to see where we have established our sense of identity, safety, and well-being. And while it is perfectly natural and part of our process to locate our sense of self in externals, any time those external factors shift, we have an opportunity to rediscover and move closer to our core, which is the only truly safe place to call home.

The core of our being is not affected by the shifting winds of circumstance or subject to the cycles of change that govern physical reality. It is as steady and consistent as the sun, which is why the great mystics and mystical poets often reference the sun in their odes to the self. Like the sun, there are times when our core seems to be inaccessible to us, but this is just a misperception. We know that when the sun goes behind a cloud or sets for the night, it has not disappeared but is simply temporarily out of sight. In the same way, we can trust that our inner core is always shining brightly, even when we cannot quite see it.

We can cling to this core when things around us are falling apart, knowing that an inexhaustible light shines from within ourselves. Times of external darkness can be a great gift in that they provide an opportunity to remember this inner light that shines regardless of the circumstances of our lives. When our external lives begin to come back together, we are able to lean a bit more lightly on the structures we used to call home, knowing more clearly than ever that our true home is that bright sun shining in our core.

 

Source:
The Daily OM

A Covenant Liturgy for Human and Animal Companions

A Covenant Liturgy for Human and Animal Companions

Mindful of our kinship with all living creatures, and our responsibility to care for them, let us renew our covenant with the animals in our care.

Leader: Will you name this creature?

Human: (name of animal is given)

Leader: Will you care for [name], and love and protect him/her, in good times and bad, as long as he/she lives?

Human: I will.

(The human companion is invited to touch/pat/stroke the animal as a sign of the covenant reaffirmed between them.)

We give thanks for the creatures who live alongside us as companions and friends; for their loyalty, love, and trust which enrich our lives and give us joy. May we learn the value of kindness, the power of mercy, the strength of gentleness, and a new spirit of humility. Blessed Be.
–From Animal Rites: Liturgies of Animal Care by the Rev. Andrew Linzey