Mockingbirds are master imitators, and can mimic the calls of many other birds. They’re also fearless protectors of their nest, and will attack any bird (no matter how large) to protect their young. Mockingbird’s lesson for you today is twofold: to listen to how you might be mimicking others—instead of listening to your own true voice; and to examine the value of what you defend. Hmmm?
The Phoenix
The mythical, endearing Phoenix has long been a symbol of rebirth, renewal, and coming full circle. Tired in both body and spirit the aged Phoenix combust into flames and from its ashes is reborn. The Phoenix does not indicate change so much as it does renewal and revitalization. It denotes the completion of a cycle and beginning anew.
As a daily card, The Phoenix suggest you are at a place where some aspects of your life have reached the end of a cycle. Your energies may be weakened from use and stretched over too many arenas to be as effective as they once were. As a result, now may be a good time for you to take a step back and allow yourself time to revitalize both your physical and spiritual self.
The business of love in coming weeks
by Jeff Jawer on the topics of love, venus, capricorn, blogs, astrology
Expect a fresh look at relationships and self-worth issues during the next couple of weeks. The action starts on Tuesday, January 8, when alluring Venus enters hardworking Capricorn and romance becomes bound by rules.
This is an intentional process rather than just falling in love. It’s as if this is an involuntary process over which we have no control. The idea of being so attracted to someone that emotion takes over and all we have to do is follow its lead to eternal bliss is understandably appealing. It eliminates the work of thinking, planning and building a relationship over time, and it makes us feel like winners in the lottery of love. At least that’s what Hollywood taught us.
Venus in Capricorn is another story, though. It’s about earning trust, which requires time and effort. The first part, however, is not about impressing anyone else; it’s about respecting and trusting ourselves. The love planet’s presence in this responsible Earth sign makes discipline, commitment and patience sexy and appealing. Recognizing your own worth based on the progress you’ve made and the lessons that you’ve learned is the foundation for successful relationships with Venus in Capricorn. The road to love, pleasure and approval, though, turns bumpy from January 12-17.
Oh, the journey starts off sweetly enough with Venus’ supportive sextile to tender and imaginative Neptune on January 9. This is a lovely alignment of intention and self-control (Venus in Capricorn) with the sweet surrender of Neptune in Pisces. Sounds like the best of both worlds and an ideal environment for establishing a romantic mood. But the dreamy and forgiving feel of this aspect quickly gives way to more complex social patterns.
Darling Venus, all grown up in responsible Capricorn, runs into the cosmic storm of the ongoing Uranus-Pluto square, the transformational aspect that lasts from 2012 until 2015. Venus forms an edgy square with volatile Uranus on January 12 and joins pressure-packed Pluto on January 16. These are aspects that can provoke strange attractions and sudden shifts of mood, as well as intense desires and profound mistrust. On the plus side, unspoken issues can rise to the surface to be addressed openly, which helps to break relationship habits, adding new interest to an ongoing alliance or opening the way to a new one.
The control we seek with Venus in Capricorn is disturbed by these transits because they are meant to teach us to appreciate change. Shifts of values and tastes are gateways to greater tolerance, and they help us discover personal and professional opportunities in these transitional times.
Some people may feel as if they’re going over the edge, but a safety net opens on January 17 when Venus sextiles security-conscious Saturn. This positive aspect connects attraction and order in a well-balanced way, enabling us to regain emotional equilibrium if we’ve lost it and to manage radical change if it’s desirable.
Either way, being responsible without becoming rigid produces a fertile field in which love can grow.
The long void lunar cycle in Sagittarius finally concludes without a lot of fanfare at 12:55AM PST. Capricorn Moon now takes the lunar baton for a 48-hour run through the key sign of professional stature and career planning. Hard work and discipline are the dynamic duo that can guide you to the executive penthouse. Giving you a creative boost and added emotional empowerment to achieve your aims are monthly unions of the Moon with Venus (3:32AM PST), Juno (2:14PM PST), and underworld-ruling Pluto (4:23PM PST). The asteroid Pallas makes news by shifting gears from watery Pisces to fiery Aries (9:09AM PST). See this change as an opportunity to enhance your skills as a problem-solver and super-strategist by being a captain of industry or versatile entrepreneur. Avoid confusion and chaotic situations on the communication front as Mercury makes an abrasive, 45-degree tie with Neptune (3:49PM PST). If you feel the need to meditate for peace of mind and pull away from excessive social interactions, you are probably tuning into the increasing dark-of-the-moon vibrations or balsamic phase of the solar-lunar connection. Tomorrow’s New Moon in Capricorn is creating a temporary vortex of physical energy depletion where contemplation about forthcoming moves is more important than forcing things to happen your way right now.
Beth/Poseideion II
Birch Tree Moon
Color: White
Element: Air
Altar: Upon cloth of white set the budded birch branches, a single white candle, the rune Berkana carved onto a piece of birch wood, and a bowl of clear water.
Offerings: White cakes with the Berkana rune carved upon them.
Daily Meal: Vegetarian with dairy and eggs.
Beth Invocation
Call: Now is the beginning of the year.
Response: Now is the time of stillness and cold.
Call: Now all is still and waiting upon the earth.
Response: Now the earth sleeps beneath her many blankets.
Call: Now is the time of patience.
Response: Now is the time of our longest wait.
Call: We are at peace with the Earth and with each other.
Response: We are at peace with the Earth and ready to begin.
Call: This is the month of indrawn breath.
Response: This is the time of all beginnings.
Call: May the year grow strong before us!
Response: May we grow strong before the year!
Call: For as the birch tree steps forth into the burned fields,
Response: So do we step forth into the aftermath of our own burning.
Call: For as the soft branches of the birch beat away the old year,
Response: So do we lower our heads for the strokes of the future.
Call: For as the pheasant hunts the snow for food,
Response: So do we seek through the ruins of the past.
Call: For as Frigga spins the clouds into thread,
Response: So do we circle like the spinning whorl,
Call: So do we take up the fiber of what has been,
Response: So do we bring forth the new year from our very hands.
Call: From our open hands,
Response: From our open hearts,
Call: From our open bodies,
Response: From our open souls.
Chant: Silver tree, in your branches
White of snow, stars are dancing
Tree of clouds, like thread of silver
Time runs through our hands.
10 Wolfmonath
Ilithyia’s Day of the Midwives
Color: Red
Element: Earth
Altar: The altar shall be the same as Sponde the previous day.
Offerings: Give aid to a midwife.
Daily Meal: Center around milk and dairy products.
Ilithyia Invocation
Slim maiden with quick hands
That bring forth the life of others,
Daughter of Hera, child of marriage,
Daughter of Zeus, child of kingship,
Your hands reach forth
To every matron’s opening womb,
Bringing the new bride into the world of family,
Bringing the maiden into the time of mothering,
Bringing the tribe a new life.
Let us learn from you, maiden midwife!
For though we do sometimes find ourselves
Bringing new life into the world,
More often we kneel in your place,
As you kneel between the laboring woman’s thighs,
Watching the opening of the sacred door,
Kneeling in honor of the power of birth,
We find ourselves assisting in the birth
Of the others who struggle,
Who writhe and twist and despair of being done,
Who need out skilled hands, our urgent voices,
Our love and care and attention
That what must be birthed shall come to be.
Teach us, Ilithyia, of how to better hold the labor of another
In our waiting hands.
Chant:
From the dark of the womb we bring forth life
From the dark of the mind we bring forth light
From the dark of the dream we bring forth sight
From the dark of the Wheel we bring forth fate
From the dark of the night we bring forth day
From the dark of the heart we seek the way.
This is a time to rest, reevaluate and reflect, pulling back into yourself to reconnect with inner sources of strength. Now is not a time to initiate anything new. It’s a phase suited to spending time with friends and getting in touch with the “big picture.” A window of opportunity exists for seeing your life objectively and becoming aware of what is important to you. At this point, what are your dreams and aspirations? What larger goals can you aspire to that will bring vitality and excitement into your life? This is a time for resting and gaining inner strength to prepare for a new cycle.
Magickal Intentions: Luck, Happiness, Health, Legal Matters, Male Fertility, Treasure and Wealth, Honor, Riches, Clothing Desires, Leadership, Public Activity, Power and Success Incense: Cinnamon, Must, Nutmeg and Sage
Planet: Jupiter
Sign: Sagittarius and Pisces
Angel: Sachiel
Colors: Purple, Royal Blue and Indigo
Herbs/Plants: Cinnamon, Beech, Buttercup, Coltsfoot, Oak
Stones: Sugilite, Amethyst, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli and Sapphire
Oil: (Jupiter) Clove, Lemon Balm, Oakmoss, Star Anise
Jupiter presides over Thursday. The vibrations of this day attune well to all matters involving material gain. Use them for working rituals that entail general success, accomplishment, honors and awards, or legal issues. These energies are also helpful in matters of luck, gambling, and prosperity.
*Thursday (Jupiter): Expansion, money, prosperity and generosity.
Business God’s Day (Japanese)
Moon Sign: *Sagittarius
*Sagittarius: Encourages flights of imagination and confidence. This is an adventurous, philosophical and athletic Moon sign. Favors expansion and growth.
*Waning Moon
*The Waning Moon is a time for study, meditation, and little magickal work (except magick designed to banish harmful energies).
Moon enters *Capricorn 5:34 am
*Capricorn: Develops strong structure. Focus on traditions, responsibilities, and obligations. A good time to set boundaries and rules.
Moon Phase: Fourth Quarter
Incense: Myrrh
Color: Purple
thursdaeg (Anglo-Saxon) donnerstag (Germanic) dies jovis (Latin) vrihaspat-var or guru-var (Hindu) jumerat (Islamic) jeudi (French) moku youbi (Japanese)
Traditionally seen as the fifth day of the week. Originally associated with two gods, ‘Jove’ and ‘Thor’. Thor was the God of Thunder hence the day also being known a ‘Thunderday’. Jove was also known to be associated with thunder, with the French renaming the day ‘Jeudi’ which means ‘Jove’s Day’. ‘Maundy Thursday’ is the Thursday before Good Friday when in the Roman Catholic faith, the preparation of washing the feet begins. Traditionally those of high office within the church, including royalty would wash the feet of the poor on this day. In John, xiii, 34, the ceremony is outlined with ‘Mandatum novum do vobis’ meaning ‘a new commandment I give unto you’. The washing of the feet is associated with Jesus washing the feet of the poor, and also too of Mary of Magdala washing the feet of Jesus. In Germany (Europe) Thursday was believed traditionally to be the most unluckiest of the week. As a result the practice grew of ensuring that no important business should be carried out, no marriages and even that no child should be sent to school for their first time on this day. ‘Black Thursday’ was the name given to February 6 1851 in Australia when a powerful fire swept in from the bush to blaze a trail across Victoria. According to the English historian Richard Grafton certain dates of the month were unlucky as published in the ‘Manual’ in 1565. Days throughout the year were identified and of course could have related to any day of the week. The date was the most important point to consider. The work was reputed to have some credence with support given by astronomers of the day. Columba, or Columcille is associated with this day, as it is known that he was born on a Thursday in 521, on the 7 December. The Celtic church notes this feast day as 7 June, revered across the British Isles and Brittany as a truly sacred man of God hence the association in ancient times of this being a holy day.
Good morning or afternoon depending on your time of day! We hope you are having a good day. I wish I could say we were having a good day. Thanks to the fire yesterday, we are now a computer short. None of the fire department heard Lady A screaming at them, “the fire’s back here!” Instead they bust the door down of course, they are firefighters. Then they saw smoke coming through a vent right above Annie’s computer. One of the firemen picked up his ax and hit the vent. He came all the way down the wall right into Annie’s computer. Her computer is destroyed. We are now one computer short. The insurance deductible is $500, so the insurance won’t cover it. I’ll take that back the insurance might pay some of it but not all of the cost of a replacement. The fire department said forget it. Lady A said the, never mind what she said. She decided she would take a break and go and check on the animals. She got a new cougar in this morning at 7:00 am. We had always heard about a mythological cougar that roamed these parts but we never believed it. We do now. This cougar came from here. He had been mauling horses, killing cattle and coyotes. He tried to kill one too many cows. A farmer almost shot him to death. I don’t understand it. These idoits around here will shot an animal till it is almost dead then call someone. What the hell? Do they like to see the animal suffer in torment? I mean, if they are that angry then why not finish the job. All of a sudden, they get a conscious and say oh, no I shouldn’t have shoot that poor creature. Well if that is the case, they shouldn’t pick up the damn gun to start with. All they do is leave the vet and poor people like Lady A to stew and worry about pulling the animal back to life.
Lady A is outside right now with the burns on her arm and leg nursing that cougar. She doesn’t know if he is going to make it or not. But I guarantee you, she will do her best to make sure he does. Someone ought to go and get the damn fool that shot him and make him nurse the cougar. People like that wouldn’t though. If they had cared anything at all about animals, they would have never picked the rifle up to start with. I know the man couldn’t let him eat all his cattle but there are other ways to scare it off. Shoot up in the air, shoot over his head, make lots of noise, do something besides shoot him. It just upsets me to see Lady being so upset over an animal. She will stay with him till she knows he is out of the woods. We will end up taking her food too. I guess if the male cougar gets on his feet, our momma cougar will have a boyfriend. That will be a treat keeping them two apart. I don’t even want to think about it. I will go off the deep end for sure.
I am going to get to work now. I have said my peace for the day. One thing before I go. I don’t suppose anybody out there is rich enough to have a old, good spare laptop? You know, one you just tossed aside because you wanted a new one? Well if you do, I know of a great, tax-deductible place you could donate it too. Stop to think about it, I bet you do too. We would appreciate it and it would surprise Lady A. Really I want to see her cry tears of joy for a change. Seriously think about it. If you do, we would really appreciate it. Or if you would like to make a donation, we would appreciate that as well.
Thank you for listening,
Have a very blessed day,
The Countess
More Thursday Comments
‘THINK on THESE THINGS’
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler
It takes such a little whiff of memory to carry us all the way back. Small things tucked here and there remind us of some place, some thing, some person who has played a special part in our lives.
We want to go forward, try new things, know new people, visit new places, yet how nice to slip on those comfortable old slippers of the familiar bygones and remember loving faces and happy times.
It is said that we should never return to places that have a sacred spot in our memories. Everything changes with time, so little remains recognizable to us. We begin to think that perhaps those hallowed places were not so wonderful as we remember.
But they were, for in their time and that place it was as it should have been, happy and meaningful. They may have changed, but so have we.
A little of every place and every person goes with us in the building of even happier times. We have not lost anyone or anything but it is the combination of all that we have lived and learned that builds our character and teaches us the way of life.
*<<<=-=>>>*<<<=-=>>>*<<<=-=>>>*<<<=-=>>>*
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 – January 9
“So, with the Native way, it’s not whether people find out about what you’ve done or not… that’s not nearly as strong as having your source of morality within you, having your morality arise out of an inner perception of what is wrong, ridiculous, or shameful. You are your own judge.”
–Eunice Baumann-Nelson, Ph.D., PENOBSCOT
Inside each of us is a voice. It is a quiet voice. It is a guiding voice. If we listen for it, it will guide us, and help us avoid disaster. It is especially active when we are afraid, when we are in doubt, when we are scared, when we need help, and when we get angry. If we are excited emotionally, it is hard to hear this voice. If we are angry, it’s hard to hear this voice because it is usually quiet. The best thing we can do is to practice getting quiet. If we don’t get quiet, there is another voice called the judge. It tells us to attack or say bad things to other people or to judge ourselves. This voice is loud and usually gets us into trouble.
Creator, Great Mystery, help me listen for the quiet voice. Let me know this voice of Yours. Your ways are gentle. Guide me with this voice. Thank you.
January 9 – Daily Feast
Sometimes great distances exist between the high points of our lives. Time moves swiftly and we tend to let it slip away without making it count while we wait on another high experience. We discount it as nothing unless we have reached some spectacular height and have passed ten other people on the way. The Indian does not consider himself idle when he stands still watching, listening, seeing the stars, or watching the sunset. His spirit-eyes absorb these signs and wonders to feed him when he cannot see the rolling hills, the flowing streams. A narrow view is one that constantly asks, What shall I eat? What shall I wear? What can make me feel secure? And all the time, the beauty and peace which cost nothing surround us unnoticed. Envy and lack of inner joy rob us of our peace of mind.
~ O, listen! Hear! Sing with me, for I am joy. ~
CHEROKEE SONG
‘A Cherokee Feast of Days’, by Joyce Sequichie Hifler
Your life has limitless value. You are a bundle of the best possibilities you can ever imagine, and you are fully capable of bringing those possibilities into reality.
Think for a moment about what that means. Then go beyond thinking, and feel all of what it means to be you.
Realize that you are life itself, experiencing itself, and improving on itself. You are able to not merely think about love and joy, but to actually be love and joy.
Your life has limitless value, and with your actions you can translate that value into any good thing you imagine. Your life has limitless value, and you have the opportunity to share that value far and wide, with countless other people.
Visualize a life that’s full of joy and love, meaningful achievement and real, honest satisfaction. That life is yours to live the moment you choose to embrace its value.
Connect with what means the most to you, and go for it with everything you have. Your life has limitless value, so focus that value in ways that will lift your whole world.
— Ralph Marston
Having a Breakdown
Most of us have had the experience of holding back our emotions for such a long period of time that when they finally come out, we have something resembling a breakdown. For a certain period of time, the overwhelming flood of feelings coursing through our bodies consumes us, and we stop functioning. Often, these outbursts take us by surprise, welling up within us as we drive to or from work, watch a movie, or engage in some otherwise mundane task. We may feel like we do not know what triggered us, or if we do know, it does not make sense of our overpowering emotional response. This is because we are releasing feelings that have accumulated over a long period of time, and whatever inspired the release was just a catalyst for a much larger, much needed catharsis.
When we find ourselves in the midst of such an experience, it is important that we allow it to happen, rather than fight it or try to shut down. Wherever we are, we can try to find a private, safe place in which to let our feelings out. If we can not access such a place immediately, we can promise to set aside some time for ourselves at our earliest possible convenience, perhaps taking a day off work. The important thing is that we need to give our emotional system some much-needed attention. It is essential that we allow ourselves to release the pent-up emotions inside ourselves so that they do not create imbalances in our bodies and minds.
When you are feeling better, make a plan to find a way to process your emotions more regularly. You can do this by employing a therapist or making a regular date to talk to a trusted friend. Journaling can also be a great way to acknowledge and release your emotions, as can certain forms of meditation. Making room in your life for tending your emotions on a regular basis will keep you healthy, balanced, and ready for life.
Caffeine is my shepherd; I shall not doze.
It maketh me to wake in green pastures: it leadeth me beyond the sleeping masses.
It restoreth my buzz: it leadeth me in the paths of consciousness for its name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of addiction, I will fear no Equal ™: for thou art with me; thy cream and thy sugar they comfort me.
Thou preparest a carafe before me in the prescence of Juan Valdez: thou anointest my day with pep; my mug runneth over.
Surely richness and taste shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the House of Maxwell forever.
Our energies are going up, up and away on ‘Balloon Ascension Day’ and our wishes should be heading in that same direction as well. Feng Shui says that you can make a wish come true simply by sending it skyward on a balloon. Take any red helium filled balloon and with a black marker write your wish on the balloon. Be specific, concise and clear. Then, on any clear and sunny day, let the balloon go. Follow it with your eyes and your intention and once it begins to get close to the horizon visualize it as a small, round and golden orb. As the balloon disappears imagine that it is being gobbled up by the Sky Dragon, a mythical creature who holds the power to make your dreams materialize. Once this dragon swallows your wish it is said that it will soon come true. Forget the pie in the sky, put your delicious wish there instead and watch it unfold!
By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com
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Your Rune For Today
Uruz Uruz is the Rune of harmony, order and inner strength. Often it marks endings and beginnings of periods in our lives. Uruz also symbolizes your ability to tackle new challenges by confronting them with the powers that lie within you. Opportunities probably abound for you right now. |
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