Get A Jump On Tomorrow, Your Horoscopes for Sat., May 17th

Considering the impact of our behavior increases the chances of reaching our goals, yet we pay a price for our ambitions today. Luckily, the Moon enters earthy Capricorn at 4:11 am EDT, allowing us to set aside irrational emotions in favor of more calculated responses. However, we may wind up being successful in the outer world, but without inner fulfillment. Happiness also depends on embracing our feelings, even if this makes us more vulnerable.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You might not be very happy today, for it could feel as if someone is raining on your parade; however, this is just a test of your character. You must change your attitude to take the problems you now face in stride. Thankfully, you’re able to overcome obstacles, but you will have to get more serious when it comes to your commitments. Rolling up your sleeves and putting in the effort early in the weekend increases your chances for fun later on.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

You’re dedicated to living your life in accordance with your beliefs, but there could be differences of values that arise today, requiring a frank discussion with a friend. Don’t make the mistake of taking questions from others as personal attacks, for you might be overly sensitive now. Be as clear as possible in all communication while accepting criticism gracefully. Cooperation breeds success.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

If someone presents you with an intriguing opportunity today, don’t assume it’s a final offer. You could have some serious negotiations ahead and you have a better chance of getting what you want if you think through your strategy in advance. However, the other person may end up dictating the terms if you try to make it up as you go along. Doing your homework can make all the difference in the world.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Channel the creative energy of the past few days into something constructive now. Your dreams will fade unless they are stabilized with concrete action, yet dedication and focus can transform fantasies into reality. However, this process also requires discipline and sweat, but it could surely be worth your extra effort. You’ll never know unless you try.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You don’t have to relinquish any authority today, but neither do you need to be everyone’s parent. Although you may be more serious now, your playful inner child will come out to have some fun when it feels safe. Your imagination is lit up in vivid colors, so use your new sense of creative confidence to turn drudgery into spontaneity. Remember, a more joyful approach to life can actually improve the quality of your work.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

The high-flying ideas and big talk of the past few days are now put to the test of reality. Honesty and optimism are surely admirable traits, but they require a solid commitment to transform them into something tangible. Be a planner today and apply your energy wisely to make the difference between success and failure. Patience and hard work are an unbeatable combination in the long run.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Your recent efforts are coming to fruition and may begin to pay off now. This might not be the best moment to sit quietly on the sidelines, but you’re not quite ready for the big debut yet. Take small steps to offer guidance to your peers today, but don’t attempt to run the entire show. There’s no need to assume full responsibility for your new direction yet; just plant the seeds and let everyone respond accordingly.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

A serious mood washes over you today, but your somberness doesn’t have to mean the end of the fun. It’s just that more important issues are coming back into focus. Be sensible now and manage your resources carefully. Remember, you are the archer; aiming your intentions with consciousness increases the chances of hitting your mark

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You wish everyone would come down to earth and talk about the future with you because you believe you know exactly what to do. Even if no one seeks you out for advice now, overplaying your authority card won’t bring the results you seek. Don’t worry; your knowledge will still be greatly appreciated as long as you don’t make others feel inferior. A little humility goes a long way.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You and your friends may have hatched some brilliant ideas recently, but now you must make something happen in the real world. Talk is cheap; it’s time to turn theory into practice. Don’t try to avoid the practical necessities today. Play by the rules and demonstrate how your plan can help you and others be more successful. Roll up your sleeves and get to work.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You have been carrying a heavy load, but now others are ready to jump in and help you bear the burden. Unfortunately, you might have grown weary along the way. If so, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance since playing the role of a martyr rarely pays off. There’s plenty of support available to you, if only you let others know exactly what you need today. You may be pleasantly surprised with the results if you’re willing to show your vulnerability and delegate some of your work

Your Horoscopes for Friday, May 16th

Opening our eyes reveals the world from a new perspective as today’s philosophical Sagittarius Moon widens our horizons and expands our visions beyond the normal boundaries. Additionally, a connection between the radiant Sun and optimistic Jupiter instills us with confidence. However, we still might not be ready to take a leap of faith as a Mercury-Saturn alignment reminds us we can see possibilities now without needing to act on any of them.

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

Your need for adventure could get the best of you today. Even if you have important responsibilities to fulfill, you still might ignore them to make more time for pleasurable pursuits. Although you may feel invincible now, you probably won’t be able to escape unnoticed. Don’t act surprised if you are held accountable for any impetuous actions. As is often the case, you’re eager to leap into action before thinking about the consequences. However, counting to ten before you make a move makes more sense.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

It’s unproductive to spend a lot of time today doubting your own priorities. Nevertheless, your desires may not be as altruistic as someone else’s now. Keep in mind that everyone is different and comparing yourself to others is a pointless exercise. Leave competition on the playing field where it belongs and simply do the best job you can. Being true to yourself is the surest route to success.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

Others may encourage you to take on more than you can handle today as the enthusiastic Sagittarius Moon visits your 7th House of Partners. Fortunately, you could be revitalized by your accomplishments if you agree to contribute to someone’s project. However, you might already be busy and turning down an invitation places you in an awkward position. Nevertheless, it’s better to be honest now than sorry later. There’s no point in making promises you can’t keep.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

You might surprise yourself with your desire to participate in someone’s plan now, especially if you need to relinquish control in the process. It may even be a relief to be a passenger without having to also play the role of a back-seat driver. It doesn’t matter what kind of activities you already have on your calendar; the thought of doing something different today brings a smile to your face. Oddly enough, sometimes playing a supporting role is more fulfilling than being the star of the show.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You have the green light to put on your party shoes and kick up your heels today as the fun-loving Sagittarius Moon travels through your 5th House of Play. No matter how popular you are now, set aside some time just for yourself. Get outside for a walk, schedule a massage, or do something creative that helps you to unwind. A bit of solace is enough to recharge your batteries. Today, it’s truly all about you.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Your coworkers often rely on you to think critically and calmly analyze the situation at hand. However, you may not be very logical now because you’re seeing the world through a very optimistic lens. Even if your life is in really good shape, you still might be happier if you delay an important decision and simply kick back and enjoy yourself today. The Moon’s visit to your 4th House of Family suggests that you should find some time to relax at home instead of making your imprint on the world.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Your I-can-do-it attitude tempts you to say yes to every good idea and every intriguing invitation that comes your way today. Unfortunately, your eyes may be bigger than your stomach now because pursuing each opportunity takes time and you will run out of room in your day while you’re still adding items to your plate. Scale back your expectations just a bit; you can still partake in pleasurable activities without overdoing it. Moderation is key.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Your idea of a successful day includes a bit of relaxation. Unfortunately, you won’t likely have time to slow down and take a break today. Your willingness to adapt to changing circumstances can be your secret weapon now. Even though you must follow through on your commitments, you know that improving your attitude makes all the difference in the world. It’s even possible to have fun while maintaining your hectic schedule, especially if you understand that you can rest on another day. Whistle while you work and see who joins in.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You may be eagerly lost in your current exploration of all the things you want to accomplish today. Unfortunately, you might not make much progress if you try to do too much. Your energy level is probably quite high now that the Moon is visiting your sign, enabling you to respond to others quickly. However, you can easily burn through your reserves faster than you expect. Even if you think you’re the Energizer bunny, it’s smarter to react slowly and steadily like the tortoise if you want to finish the race.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Your natural tendency is to control your exuberance even when you’re excited. However, your enthusiasm is even more invisible to others today as the inspirational Sagittarius Moon visits your 12th House of Secrets. Nevertheless, there’s a quiet spirituality about you now; others know that more is going on than meets the eye. Let your friends and acquaintances draw whatever conclusion they may. Just remember that you don’t need to waste your energy on maintaining privacy when you have more important things to do.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Playing down your confidence is a clever way to sneak in beneath the radar today. If your coworkers are aware of your positive energy, they will likely expect even more from you. However, if they can’t see the twinkle in your eye, you might be able to get away with a bit of social mischief. Although your strategy may be sound, your plan can still backfire. You have a better shot at achieving satisfaction now by letting the good times roll and not worrying about anyone else.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Your coworkers may be the source of inspiration today as they unexpectedly include you in their adventurous plans. Unfortunately, things can grow complicated if there are overlapping events because you obviously can’t do two things simultaneously. Make smart choices early in the day to lessen the stress that could arise if you try to juggle too many activities. For now, less is definitely better than more

Overview of Your Love Horoscope for the Weekend May 16 – 18

Weekend Love Horoscope

May 16-18: Overindulged and Unfulfilled

Maria DeSimoneMaria DeSimone on the topics of love, horoscopes, astrology

The weekend begins with a hint of promise thanks to the Moon being in “glass half full” Sagittarius on Friday. By early Saturday morning however, things take a decided turn. The Moon enters Capricorn where she’ll remain for the rest of the weekend. Here, lunar needs become stifled and difficult to fulfill. It’s time to carry on with a stiff upper lip and not cry like a baby if your lover isn’t meeting your needs. At least that’s what the Moon in Capricorn makes us believe we should feel.

Making this weekend more complicated is the fact that Venus will square off with Jupiter. Usually, this aspect points to overindulgence of some kind. Anything Venusian is fair game, whether it is socializing, romance, sweets or indulgent spending. If you try to win your lover over with an expensive gift or expansive gesture it’ll likely be met with disapproval. “How wasteful!” your sweetheart may exclaim. You may be wounded. But of course you won’t show it. Never. Not with the Moon in Capricorn.

 

Daily Cosmic Calendar for May 16th

Today starts under the delightful vibes of the Moon in Sagittarius trine Venus in Aries (12:27AM). The creative arts, social affairs, and love ties can usually benefit under the auspicious aegis of this nurturing, 120-degree alignment. However, the bloom is off the rose quickly as the Moon makes its monthly polarity to Mercury (12:44AM) — simultaneously setting off a long void lunar ambiguity cycle that lasts until 1:13AM tomorrow. One rule of thumb during a void-of-course Moon is to finish odds and ends with a flourish while putting a hold on new, bold ventures. Despite the uncertainty present under today’s lunar condition, enjoying fun, games and sports — in a leisurely manner — is in the cards. Pallas — which had been in Virgo from November 9, 2013 until March 5, 2014 — makes its return to this sign of work, organization, efficiency, health and nutritional matters at 1:20PM. This time Pallas — strongly connected with the themes of knowledge, wisdom, genius, problem-solving and strategic thinking — will remain in Virgo until August 10. If you are beginning to pick up on strong desires and emotions coming from family members, friends and co-workers, it is probably due to Mars in Libra slowing down in retrograde motion as it nears a station and return to forward motion on Monday May 19. [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 Friday, May 16th

Calendar of the Moon
16 Huath/Thargelion

Maia’s Day

Color: Dark Blue
Element: Air
Altar: Upon a cloth of dark blue set seven stars, with the largest one in the center, and seven grey candles behind them, and incense of sweet herbs.
Offering: Take a risk.
Daily Meal: Cold, light, raw food.

Invocation to Maia

The Pleiades shine bright in the sky,
Seven stars and seven sisters.
But what is known and not known
Is that one sister came to earth,
And loved the great god Zeus,
And brought his child forth from her womb.
It was Maia who brought forth words,
It was Maia who brought forth precocity,
It was Maia who bought forth thievery,
It was Maia who brought forth quickness,
It was Maia who brought forth magic,
It was Maia who brought forth skill,
It was Maia who brought forth healing,
It was Maia who brought forth the serpent’s tongue,
It was Maia who brought forth the guide to the Underworld,
And it was Maia who brought forth the messenger of Gods.
For when you bring forth a new thing,
A child of any kind,
Womb or mind or heart or soul,
You can never know what it will be
The day that it leaves your door
And flies like the rushing winds
Into its own destiny.

Chant:
I am word
I am wind
I am breath
I am spinning
On the edge
Of the blade

[Pagan Book of Hours]

 

Calendar of the Sun for Friday, May 16th

Calendar of the Sun
16 Thrimilchimonath

Eir’s Blot

Colors: White and blue
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of white and blue set twelve white candles, one sky-blue candle, a great jug of mead, and a pot of healing salve. Throughout the next three days, the altar stays the same, and one more candle is lit. On this day, light the blue candle and nine white candles.
Offering: Inventory the medical supplies. Help those who are poor and ill. Do things correctly.
Daily Meal: Soup or stew. Bread with cheese, meat, or jam.

Invocation to Frigga’s Handmaidens

Call: Twelve maidens hold the halls of Asgard!
Response: Twelve virgins hold the pillars of heaven!
Call: Twelve mysteries hold the luck of Asgard!
Response: Twelve virtues hold the Law of heaven!
Call: Twelve words of power resound through Asgard!
Response: Twelve stars light up the dome of heaven!
Call: We call upon the power of Virtue!
Response: We call upon the mysteries of heaven!

Invocation to Eir

Hail, healer of Asgard!
Physician who ministers to many wounds,
You teach us that there is never enough healing,
Never enough time, never enough resources,
Never enough hope that anything will survive,
And yet even in face of this helplessness
You teach us that we must go on,
And never give up until the end.
And this is the wound of Creation,
That can never be healed
And yet we must keep trying.
For Perseverance is more than merely stubbornness,
It is the living embodiment of Hope.
Chant:
Cloth of honor from the thread of truth
Weave your heart into all you offer

(A libation of mead is poured out for Eir, and the jug replaced for the next day’s ritual. Honor should be given today to those with chronic illnesses, and they should be given privileges for their perseverance in the face of pain.)

[Pagan Book of Hours]

 

Current Moon Phase for May 16th – Full Moon

Full Moon

(waning/86% of illumination)

A veil of self-absorption is lifted and suddenly you gain access to an unbiased view of others. This is a rare moment when you can see yourself objectively and become aware of whether or not what you want in your heart is actually beginning to manifest in your life. Traditionally, the Full Moon phase stirs emotion, and this is because when you “see” what is happening, you may become upset if you’re experiencing the “same ole, same ole” — rather than the things you would like. If the Full Moon phase is a disappointment, on the next New Moon it’s time to take creative action in the direction of your dreams.

Witchcraft and Love Magic in the Ozark Mountains

Nature Comments & Graphics

The Witches Magick for May 16th

Various Love Attraction and Lover Return Spells from the Ozarks

 

Wear a yellow garter to attract a man and keep him faithful.

Carry a wasps nest to attract men. If you attach it to the aforementioned garter, so much the better.

The following love charm will probably only be practical if you work in a morgue or have legal access to dead bodies. You must obtain a needle that has been stuck into a dead body. Cover it with dirt in which a corpse has been laid. Then wrap the whole thing in a piece of cloth cut from the shroud that has covered a dead body. Keep this charm with you to make any woman fall in love with you.

If you take the needle from the above charm and stick into the footprint in your own yard where your lover has stepped, he will have to stay with you whether he wants to or not. If he leaves you, he will get sick and if he stays away very long he will die.

Use the following spell if your lover has been away from you for a while and you want to see him. This spell is said to work regardless of circumstances and is most effective on married men or those otherwise engaged or involved.

Arrange your shoes in a “T” shape. As you do so recite the following incantation:

“When my true love I want to see, I place my shoes in the shape of a ‘T’.”

If you have quarreled with your true love and want to make up, prick the middle finger of your left hand with a needle. Write your initials on an ironwood chip and bury it. He’ll be back within three days.

If you want to inspire desire and lust in your lover, keep dried turkey bones in the room or car where the two of you will meet. This will put him or her in an amorous mood.

The dried tongue of a turtle dove, likewise concealed, will render a girl unable to resist your advances.

There are many more spells and customs among the people of the Ozarks, but it’s difficult to know how many people still practicing such things. The area, especially around Branson and the Lakes has become the new home for a lot of fundamentalist Christians who believe that theirs is the only history. And, they are very fearful of anything that seems to them to be witchcraft. So, witches in the area are very much in the closet.

Source:

Witchcraft and Love Magic in the Ozark Mountains
Old-fashioned Love Spells
A. Giovanni, Yahoo Contributor Network

Let’s Talk Witch – Granny Magick

Let’s Talk Witch – Granny Magick

Most people who have seen the old television comedy “The Beverly Hillbillies” have no idea about some of the little grains of truth in the show. The show’s creator, Paul Henning, was a native Missourian who was clearly very familiar with the area and the people of the Ozark Mountain region. On the show, the Clampetts make visits to such locations as Silver Dollar City, Springfield and Joplin, Missouri.

What most people who have watched the show never guess is that Granny was more than just Elly May’s grandmother. Granny, who once says she comes from Taney County, which is the southwestern Missouri county where Branson is located, is a “granny woman” which is an old Ozark term for conjure woman. The word “medicine” is another word for potion among old-timers.

The term “hillbilly” is perceived by some a pejorative term and probably to others it seems like a joke. The rest of the world probably can’t imagine what the area is still like – even today. It’s probably especially hard for city-folk to imagine that there are such people as those who live in the hills outside of beautiful, modern Branson, Missouri. They’ve have always been secretive and distrusting of outsiders and for years nobody knew much at all about them until a folk researcher named Vance Randolph married an Ozarker and spent decades trying to ingratiate himself into their culture (impossible for anyone who wasn’t born among them).

In the 1940s he published several books, but arguably the best one is “Ozark Mountain Magic and Folklore.” The ancestors of the original Ozark Mountain settlers came from England and Scotland by way of Appalachia. And, as is alluded to in a two-part episode where the hillbillies go back to England to find their noble ancestors, their ancestors were probably among the earliest American arrivals and were made of a rough, tough stock of people who could survive even the worst adversity.

The Ozark Mountains is still very rough terrain, but 100 years ago, it was only a special breed of people with strong survival skills who were able to live there. The winters are hard and the people live in relative isolation from each other in the hills and “hollers.” Before recent modernization of the highways and literally cutting through the rocks of mountains made travel easier, they were isolated from the outside world and often from each other. They had to rely on what they knew about the environment, animals, insects, plants and herbs and the practice of witchcraft, which grew and thrived among them.

They had magic for all the important aspects of life, but love and courtships was very important, especially for young women. Although, young men, also, practiced love magic. Girls conducted a variety of spells to see their future husbands or to know his name. They used charms and potions to induce love and lust and to dominate their boyfriends and husband.

The following are just a few love spells collected by Randolph in the Missouri Ozarks.

Beltane, the 1st day of May, is a very important day for those who want to know the identity of their future husbands.

If you would like to see your future husband, you must go to a well at noon on May Day and hold a mirror in such a way that it reflects the daylight into the darkness. Then, look into the water and you should see the face of your future mate. But, if you happen to see yourself lying in a coffin, you will die before the next May Day. If you see nothing, you’ll probably be an old maid.

A variation on this procedure requires you to have a glass of water, a gold ring and a mirror. Place the glass in front of the mirror and gaze fixedly at the reflection of the ring in the water.

If you want to see the face of your future husband, rise very early on May 1st and go to the well carrying a guinea egg and a glass. Once at the well, break the egg into the cup and gaze into the water. There you should see the initials of your husband to be reflected in the water of the well.

Similarly, if you wake early on May 1st and look into the reflection of a mirror, you should see the reflection of your future husband’s face or his initials

If you would like to dream about your future mate, look at the over your right shoulder at night and repeat the following incantation:

“New moon, new moon, do tell me

Who my own true lover will be,

The color of his hair, the clothes that he will wear

And the happy day he will wed me.”

Source:

Witchcraft and Love Magic in the Ozark Mountains

Old-fashioned Love Spells

A. Giovanni, Yahoo Contributor Network

The Witches Correspondence for Friday, May 16th

Nature Comments & Graphics
The Witches Correspondence for Friday, May 16th

 

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers and Heart
Incense: Strawberry, Sandalwood, Rose, Saffron and Vanilla
Planet: Venus
Sign: Libra and Taurus
Angel: Ariel
Colors: Green, Pink, Aqua
Herbs/Plants: Pink Rose, Ivy, Birch, Heather, Clematis, Sage, Violet and Water Lilly Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmrosa, Rose, Yarrow
Friday belongs to Venus, and its energies are warm, sensuous, and fulfilling. Efforts that involve any type of pleasure, comfort, and luxury, as well as the arts, music, or aroma (incense and perfume) works well on this day. As Venus lends its sensuous influences to the energies of this day, use it for any magical work that deals with matters of the heart.

The Witches Almanac for Friday, May 16th

Nature Comments & Graphics
The Witches Almanac for Friday, May 16th

Friday (Venus): Love, friendship, reconciliation, and beauty.

St. Honoratus’ Day

Waning Moon

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

Moon Phase: Third Quarter

Moon Sign: Sagittarius

Sagittarius: Encourages flights of imagination and confidence. This is an adventurous, philosophical and athletic Moon sign. Favors expansion and growth.

Incense: Cypress

Color: Purple

It’s Friday! Oh, Glorious Friday, You Just Don’t Come Around Enough, LOL!

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters! How are you doing today? For me so far so good, at least I am awake. And while I am, let’s get this show on the road……

 

I am a Solitary Witch
Walking alone the Ancient Path
Finding my own road to faith and wisdom
Goddess, bless me with your shining moonbeams
To light my way as I travel
And shelter me with Your loving arms.

 

May the Earth protect me with its strength.
May the Water wash away my troubles.
May the Air blow in clarity of thought.
And the Fire warm and cleanse me.
 
 
I am a Solitary Witch
And I am blessed.
So Mote It Be.

 

 

 

Don’t nobody run off, I am getting ready to run…..

I wanted to apologize for today’s postings. Not really the postings but taking so long in getting them done. I actually took a hour nap while doing them. I know I am so ashamed of myself. But it was all due to the previous night.

 

On every Full Moon, I make it a habit of blessing and protecting the outside of my home with salt. It was a horrible night, it was cloudy and over-cast, no Moon to be found any where. I went out on the porch and did my usual blessing the salt ritual. While I was doing it, I kept getting distracted by the sounds under the porch. I knew it was the cougar’s babies (which by the way, ain’t too little these days, good grief!). I eased my mind by thinking the babies were the ones around. HA! Anyway, I got up and started at the corner of the house. Did the first corner, then walked down the side of the house. As I was walking, I heard something behind me. I stopped, turned around and didn’t see anything. I started my ritual back up. As I got to the second corner, I got hit in the side by what felt like a Mac Truck. Come to find out, guess who decided to come home. You got it, momma was back. I have to admit she is a wonderful guard animal but plowing me down was a little uncalled for. I flipped over on my back and screamed at her, “What the hell do you think you are doing?” She stopped and recognized my voice. She started backing off of me and letting me up. In the meantime, my Razzy (bob-kitty) was sitting in the window watching this. No one messes with her momma. She came flying out the window and landed right on top of the cougar. They started their tumbling around and I was close enough (even in the dark) I could see momma cougar open her mouth. Darn, what teeth she has! She was getting ready to bite Razzy. If she did, I know she would have killed her or did some real damage.  Stupid me put my arm right in front of her mouth so she couldn’t bite Razzy. Of course, I get bit me but after I screamed at her again, she realized it wasn’t fur she was biting but instead skin (and it happened to be my skin). She broke the skin and when I got in the house, I was a bloody mess. But I picked up Razzy and just run for the closest door. You really ought to try running with a 50-lb bobcat in your arms while being chased by a full-sized cougar. You haven’t lived till you have. I made a dive into the front door. The cougar hit the glass on the door and glass when flying. I did have the good sense to shut the main door as the glass was flying.

 

But after all the excitement, I cleaned up Razzy and myself. I think after all was said and done, I went to bed around 4:30 or 5:00 this morning. While I was posting it caught up with me. If I don’t go to bed pretty soon I will be asleep again. I just went outside tonight and thanked momma cougar for taking care of the wild dogs around here.  I also told her it was time for her and her babies to return to nature. If I have any kind of luck at all, she will be gone within a day or two. In the meantime, I have a two glass panes to replace and a screen. Razzy is fine. Her fur was messed up and she got a few scratches and nicks on her. I brushed her and she looks almost normal. I know it could have been a lot worse. My arm is sore but all in all, I guess we are all fine and dandy. There is never a dull moment around here that is for sure.

 

Hopefully, today I won’t be taking any naps. But I probably will be because I am up late explaining to you why I was asleep during today’s postings. If I start to feel a nap coming on, I will run and get the toothpicks to prop the old eyelids open with.

 

Well I am off to bed now, I hope (around here you never know, lol). I will see you in a few hours. Have a great evening and sweet dreams!

Luv & Hugs,

Lady A

Recently Nominated for the Liebster Blog Award

liebster award
I was recently nominated for the Liebster Blog Award by mchelsmusings. It was definitely a surprise and a honor to even be considered for this award. I appreciate it very much and I will proudly display it on our site. Thank you again, sweetie.

 

Now a little bit about the award… It is an award that is given to bloggers by bloggers and has German origins, with Liebster translating as ‘dearest’.
1) Thank the blogger who gives it to you.
2) Answer the eleven questions he/she asks.
3) Nominate eleven bloggers with less than 500 followers.
4) Ask these eleven bloggers eleven questions.
5) Let these bloggers know that you have nominated them.

The following questions are the ones that I have been asked to answer. Here goes…

1) What is your favorite season? (tell why if you want) I have two favorite seasons. Spring & Fall. I love these seasons because Mother Earth is going to a very dramatic seasonal change at these times. And these seasons are truly beautiful. I love to open the windows, let the breeze it and enjoy!
2) Baseball, basketball, football or soccer? Hockey if you’re Canadian I know! 😀 I use to enjoy baseball and soccer but that was when the kids were playing. Right now, I don’t really enjoy any sports. I know its sad but I really don’t have time to watch any.
3) If you could have a day with anyone living or dead, who would it be? I believe honestly it would be my mother. I only had eleven short years with her. I would love to talk to her now about how she thinks I came turned out and the kids. It would just be great to see her and have a good old chat with her.
4) Favorite tv show? Right now, The Blacklist and The Games of Thrones. What can I say, anybody who watches these two know why they are my favorite, lol!
5) What type of books do you enjoy? Witchcraft books. Especially the older ones that contain the history and facts about the Craft.
6) Boxers or briefs? LOL 😛 Hmm, does this apply to women, lol!
7) Have you ever served your country? No
8) Have you ever played ‘light as a feather’ ? No
9) Stargate, Star Trek, or Star Wars? Out of the three it would have to be Stargate. I liked the film, “Stargate” that was released before the series. It had Kurt Russell in it. He is one of my favorite actors, anything he is in I try to catch.
10) What is your favorite type of medium for art? Bing! You can find anything on there you want to view and the plus, you don’t have to leave the house to view it.
11) Chinese, Mexican, or Italian? Chinese, yum! Love the General Chicken and the Sesame Chicken, I don’t know if you are familiar with these are not. I am sure for different regions they have different names. Darn, I am getting hungry just thinking about it!

It’s late right now, give me a little bit and I will come up with eleven nominates and eleven questions for them.

‘THINK on THESE THINGS’ for May 15th

‘THINK on THESE THINGS’
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

Whenever we stop to consider where we are on the road of life, we might also think about why we are there. Whether it is success or failure, or wavering in the middle of the road, we are where we are because of someone or something.

Nearly every person can pinpoint the time in their life when there was a turning point, a change for worse or for the better. And usually there is someone to whom they give the credit for such a change.

Throughout our lives we contact many people and they each leave an impression. As living continues the combination of all those thoughts and feelings and actions forms our opinions, our likes and dislikes, our fears and our loves. But there is one basic factor in all of this that turns us one way or other – the individual, the personal self. It is how we take life, what we expect, how we do our daily tasks, where we place our values that make the difference.

We are born with the right to choose – and whatever we choose there will always be someone there to help us be good or bad. But first, we must give credit where credit is due.

____________________________________________

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 May 15

Elder’s Meditation of the Day May 15

“We must have respect and understanding for women and all female life on this Earth which bears the sacred gift of life.”

–Traditional Circle of Elders. ONONDAGA

At a gathering of Native Elders we were told that many men of today had lost their ability to look at the Woman in a sacred way. They said we were only looking at Her in a physical sense and had lost the ability to look at Her sacredness. They said the Woman has a powerful position in the Unseen World. She has the special ability to bring forth life. They told us to start showing Her respect and to look upon her in a sacred manner. We must start this today.

Grandfather, show me how to see in a sacred way.

May 15 – Daily Feast

May 15 – Daily Feast

Our willingness to work at whatever we can opens doors to new opportunities. Willingness breathes life into us and gives us vision. Hope is good but determination is even better. It sets the tone to move, to do the thing set out for us. And we can do anything when we do not stop to consider what if we were to fail, or what is we are not appreciated. Cherokee women were never considered inferior to the men. They were honored and respected and educated themselves so they could teach their children. It meant hard work and determination to perfect what they could so they could pass it on. Sometimes, the main objective of our work is not just to prosper us but to do a worthwhile thing well. We keep labor on a high level, never taking the easy way out. There is honor in work – even in the most menial job. Success is short-lived when the work is done for appearances.

~ If our children should visit this place…..they may see and recognize with pleasure the deposits of their fathers. ~

SHARITARISH

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

The Daily Motivator for May 15th – Stay on the path

Stay on the path

If you want your actions to have power, repeat them often. Your solidly-established habits have much more influence than your occasional whims.

There are limits to what you can do in a single instant. Yet when you focus your actions over many days, months or years, you can achieve truly amazing things.

It’s great to have useful skills, valuable resources, and powerful friends. Yet without persistence, even the best advantages won’t get you anywhere.

With persistent actions, however, you can start from where you are and get yourself to wherever you wish to be. When you put real, focused effort into your dreams, again and again, those dreams cannot help but become real.

Which path you choose is important. What’s just as important is choosing to stay on that path, every moment, every day, until the destination is reached.

Give your life the power of persistence. And delight in the immense satisfaction of steadily working your way to your own unique fulfillment.

— Ralph Marston
Source:
The Daily Motivator

The Daily OM for May 15th – Below the Surface

Below the Surface
Finding Deep Strength

by Madisyn Taylor

When we look back on our lives we see that we have survived many trials and often to our own amazement.

We have all faced moments in our lives when the pressure mounts beyond what we feel we can handle, and we find ourselves thinking that we do not have the strength to carry on. Sometimes we have just gotten through a major obstacle or illness only to find another one waiting for us the moment we finally catch our breath. Sometimes we endure one loss after another, wondering when we will get a break from life’s travails. It does not seem fair or right that life should demand more of us when we feel we have given all we can, but sometimes this is the way life works.

When we look back on our lives, we see that we have survived many trials and surmounted many obstacles, often to our own amazement. In each of those instances, we had to break through our ideas about how much we can handle and go deeper into our hidden reserves. The thought that we do not have the strength to handle what is before us can be likened to the hard surface of a frozen lake. It appears to be an impenetrable fact, but when we break through it, we find that a deep well of energy and inspiration was trapped beneath that icy barrier the whole time. Sometimes we break through by cutting a hole into our resistance with our willpower, and sometimes we melt the ice with compassion for our predicament and ourselves. Either way, each time we break through, we reach a new understanding of the strength we store within ourselves.

When we find ourselves up against that frozen barrier of thinking we cannot handle our situation, we may find that the kindest choice is to love ourselves and our resistance too. We can simply accept that we are overwhelmed, exhausted, and stretched, and we can offer ourselves loving kindness and compassion. If we can extend to ourselves the unconditional warmth of a mother’s love, before we know it, the ice will begin to break.

 

Source:

The Daily OM 

If It Aint Broke, Don’t Fix It!

If It Aint Broke, Don’t Fix It!

Author: Dances With Puppydogs 

I was broken.

There was always something wrong with me. Different…. And all I ever wanted was to be normal. Oh, I could fake it, for a while. But it never “took”. The effort of maintaining the phony façade would drain my energy to the point where I couldn’t keep it up for long.

Why am I such a freak? Why can’t I think, talk, act, be like everyone else. I even looked like a freak!

The long sleeved, high-necked dresses, always in an ugly dark brown, or rusty black that I was forced to wear. ‘Old Lady’ colors, I thought of them. Hems nearly to my ankles. My odd curly red hair — along with the suspicious comments, “Where’d that red hair come from? Nobody else in the family has red hair!” Hey, banana curls look cute on a three year old, but a thirteen year old? Going to public school? My curls gave me some hellish moments, let me tell you!

To top it off, I was FAT! Humongously, hideously fat. Now, in the particular society wherein I was raised, it was ok, nay, required for a female to be fat. It made them better baby factories, so it was thought, limited their mobility…how fast can you run from a husband who’s beating the crap out of you if you weigh 300 pounds? And God liked fat females .

Yeah, you heard me. God. Don’t ask me how they came up with that one…something to do with the Songs of Solomon, I think…

Right now, you might be a little confused. You might be thinking, ‘Where were you raised? A third world country? The Dark Ages?’ Nope. And Nope. Try Southeast Missouri, USA. I was born in 1953, into a Christian cult right in the middle of the Bible Belt. Needless to say, I was one confused, mixed up little girl.

At home: I was stupid, sinful, evil, female, property, devil possessed (my epilepsy was proof of that) , ugly, too skinny, and there was that suspicious red hair. Maybe Mama had been stepping out and there was that redheaded neighbor across the street. After all, she was female. Born evil. Maybe Daddy hadn’t beaten all the sinfulness out of her, after all!

In the Real World: I was too quiet; I had fits (epilepsy) . I wore freakish clothes and banana curls. I was stupid, fat, ugly, loser, freak, cow, and the list goes on and on.

At home, I wore one mask. At school, another. Of the two, the one for home was more important. At school, I would only get clobbered. At home, I could be tortured and killed! Home was a very dangerous place. There Were Rules:

1. Never smile. Smiling meant you were making fun of Grandfather, which meant you were making fun of God, since Grandfather was holy and so close to Him that they were one and the same. Get this, Grandfather couldn’t sin! He was so holy, that he could do anything he wanted and it wasn’t a sin. Anything. Neat, huh?

2. Never frown. You should have joy in the Lord.

3. Never, Never, Never Get Angry if you were a female. It showed you had a rebellious nature. Men could get angry. Their anger was the righteous anger of the Lord.

Indeed, I was broken. I wasn’t “normal” and never could be. At school, I buried myself in books. No monkey bars or swings for me. At home where reading anything but the bible was a mortal sin (and even the bible wasn‘t necessary for women. After all, they had men to explain God‘s Will to them, usually with their fists.) , I hid as much as I could. The cornfields, the woods, became my refuge.

But getting back to normal. Definitions:

Normal: conforming to the usual standard, type, or custom. Nope, not me. No way, no how, would I be considered normal. And that’s all I wanted.

Broken: inoperative, malfunctioning, faulty, defective, out of order, broken-down, kaput (informal) , conked-out (informal) , worn-out, wrecked, had it, busted (US, informal) , bust (informal) Me: all of the above.

A normal family, a normal home, a normal appearance…to think and act in a normal fashion. And I couldn’t have or be any of that. I was deeply terrified by the future. I knew I wasn’t equipped to live out there in the real world. I was so ignorant. How would I live, how would I get a job? Who in his or her right mind would hire someone like me?

Yet, I knew I wouldn’t stay with my family. Anything would be better than that! As soon as I could, I’d get out. So. I got married. I was fifteen. So was hubby. Stupid, stupid me. Being married to a fifteen year old alcoholic, who took the pastor’s words “Men, chastise thy wives in the name of the Lord, lest their weak, sinful nature bring shame to thee and thy God!” to heart, that’s better, huh.

At least, at home I could flee to the fields and woods occasionally when the mask I wore became too much to bear. In my new role, with adult responsibilities, such escape was impossible. Two weeks later, I ran away. I had only the clothes on my back, and little bit of food I stole from the kitchen.

Interlude: When I was very young, I was taught that to be a good person, you had to be perfect at everything…especially if you were female. If God had a chosen people, so did the Devil and those were the women. You never got angry. You never protested, no matter how you were treated and you never, ever said no to a male. Let’s see, how’d my grandma put it? “You should be proud to serve (as in ‘be a servant to’) your little brother.”

Perfection in itself wasn’t enough. Everything had to be done perfectly the very first time you did it. Practicing was cheating. A truly godly person didn’t need to practice. God would guide her. If you had to practice something, it meant you weren’t close enough to God. You were a (gasp!) Sinner!

Monster Me

I looked inside myself and to my horror, found a monster living there. All the things you weren’t suppose to be, to do, to think, were right there inside me. That creature, that hideous inner thing that gibbered with unchecked fury, that couldn’t be me, …could it? No, huh-uh, no way!

Panic time, ladies!

What if I did or said something that would let everybody know that monstrous thing was inside me? What if other people could see who, or what I really was! What if I lost control of that fuming seething cesspit of rage and actually hurt someone, maybe even killed someone!

Why was I like this, so different from everyone else? It seemed so easy for them. Was I born evil, like my parents told me I was when they dragged me to church time after time to have the devil cast out of me, born to burn in hell, forever?

I wannabee a Witch!

I turned to Witchcraft because it seemed perfect for someone like me. Misunderstanding what it really was, having been fed on false notions of Witchcraft all my short life, and already doomed to hell, what did I have to lose?

So I was a secret witchwannabee, ready to embrace Evil, and kiss the Devil’s backside. The trouble was, that Ole Devil never appeared with his big black book and his pen dripping with blood to sign me up. I did my petty little black deeds and waited and waited and waited………being evil is almost as exhausting as being good. I wasn’t good at being bad!

If it aint broke, don’t fix it!

Imagine my shock when I finally stumbled across my first book on true Witchcraft. This was more like it! This I could do! Full speed ahead! The book gave me life. I absorbed its knowledge eagerly. I wasn’t evil! Or crazy. Or broken. My feelings, my thoughts weren’t bad. They were normal! Everybody had them! I didn’t need fixing. I wasn’t horrible monster, doomed to die in sin and forever burn in hell. As a famous Vulcan would have said, “Hell is not logical.”

And God wasn’t a monster, either! He was kind and loving and good. Most incredibly He was also a She! God/dess!

For the first time, everything made sense. The ideas, the ways of thinking, the beliefs and philosophies, I had always felt and thought like that! For the first time, I was at peace. I was Home.

So, armed with my tattered little yard sale book, I gathered my little bit of courage, and my mountain of desperation, and fled. I spent that summer hitching rides from strangers, crisscrossing this alien country, learning. I learned about Rescue Missions. About soup kitchens and dumpster diving. I learned about hidey-holes and best of all, I learned about cans.

Yup, good ole sody cans. Gather them up in a garbage bag and carry them over to the scrap yard and they’d pay you for them…with real money. I remember how excited I was when another homeless person told me about cans. Now I could have an income. I could buy food! I could buy a tent, a sleeping bag! Thank you, Goddess!

It took me several months to save up enough but that first night, snuggled up warm inside my bag, reading my book by flashlight, my cheap little tent was a palace. When it got colder, I bought a second bigger sleeping bag and stuffed the first one inside it. A small camp stove made out of a coffee can allowed me to cook my meals instead of having to eat out of cans.

I even managed to accumulate a small library of books. You could buy used paperback for a nickel or dime back then. I was in heaven!

While I was learning to live in the mundane world, I was also learning more about Witchcraft. I read. Everything remotely pertaining to magic, the Goddess, and a zillion other subjects.

My small camp in the woods brought me close to nature. I gladly sacrificed edibles to the raccoon family, and the lone coyote that visited me in the middle of the night, watching their antics in the moonlight.

When I slipped from Witch, to Wiccan, I don’t really remember. It occurred so naturally, like breathing.

I lived there until I was twenty-three. My books gave me an education. I got my GED at nineteen. I continued in my path, finally managing to get a real job and an apartment but I never forgot my tiny camp in the woods and the happiness I found there.

When I look back, I feel both pity and love for the small, confused, hurting girl that I was. My childhood was very painful, but it also gave me strength. The Mother was wise. That strength was what I needed to survive the ordeals that lay ahead.

My spiritual path continues to evolve. I left Wicca. I felt a need for more balance in my life. I follow the path of the Shadow Witch, now, but that’s a whole other story.

Blessings to All.