Coyotes, also known as the Desert Wolf, are recognizable by their thick bushy tail, pointy nose, and ears. In the winter their coat grows thick to protect them from the harsh weather. They can run up to 30 mph, and their call will be heard up to 3 miles. Coyotes can live in urban areas as long as food and shelter is available. They form loose family groups which form for short periods of time then break apart, depending on the food supply. This large group formation will work together to catch deer. Normally coyotes hunt alone or in pairs. In this situation, one may intentionally chase small prey into the jaws of another coyote so they both can share a meal. A good way to tell a coyote apart from a wolf is its tail, which they carry low while the others carry their tails high.
Coyote teaches us to laugh at our mistakes so we won’t get mired in the pain of life’s lessons. Coyote comes into our lives when we need to understand the balance of wisdom and foolishness.
Tag: Biology
Cougar
This cat goes by several names including Mountain Lion, Panther, and Puma. They are solitary cats who, unlike other cat species, are active during the day. They are also the most widely distributed cats in the Americas. These elusive hunters will pounce on their prey with a strong short burst of energy after studying its movements, never hesitating, showing none of its movement is wasted.
Cougar spirit will teach us to assert ourselves, and take control of our life so we can become leaders. Cougar’s graceful swiftness shows us how to understand the natural flow of our environment and move into a position of leadership.
Bears
Although bears are thought to be ferocious carnivores, they are actually quite playful and eat less meat than some smaller animals — supplementing their diets with plants and fruit. Bears are astonishingly swift for their size, running 35-40 mph in short distances.
The most common bear is the black bear. This name can be misleading since some black bears are various shades of brown. The Grizzly is most famous for its ferocious strength but is not aggressive by nature. The largest bear is the Alaskan Brown
Bear who is a relatively solitary animal. The “cute” Polar Bear is the most aggressive of all bears — the best hunter and the most dangerous.
Bear teaches us to respect our natural hibernation cycles. Just as Bear rests during winter and reawakens during spring, we need spaces of rest and rejuvenation. Bear calls us to awaken the potential within ourselves and the power of our unconscious mind. Bear reminds us there is a time for playfulness and a time to be assertive.
Totem Hummingbird Spirit Guide, Power Animal or Animal Familiar
Totem Hummingbird Spirit Guide, Power Animal or Animal Familiar
Joanne E. Brannan
A hummingbird totem or spirit guide is nimble ally in Shamanic work, and with delicacy and lightness of touch comes great power!
Learn how to understand and work with a hummingbird power animal. Shamanic practitioners fortunate enough to enjoy a hummingbird spirit guide have a good natured and hardworking companion who will help them to achieve goals with agility and speed. Always regarded as a magical animal, the hummingbird makes a wonderful power animal with a wide range of powers. Do not be fooled by the light build and gentle nature of the hummingbird, he is a truly transformational creature! He brings bright colors and incredible skill to every aspect of his, and your, life.
Universal Hummingbird Shaman Symbolism
The hummingbird power animal has many positive characteristics:
- The hummingbird is a remarkably long-lived and wise creature, his life force is strong and as straight as a laser.
- The hummingbird is incredibly hardworking and energetic, he can lend you strength and steadfastness in your shamanic journeying.
- Hummingbirds can often be revived from seemingly hopeless stupors with a little food, warmth and love. The hummingbird animal familiar signifies remarkable powers of renewal and resurrection.
- A hummingbird power animal offers joyfulness with his persistent good natured love and support.
When Hummingbird Shamans should call on their Spirit Guide
A hummingbird power animal is of particular service to you, his Shamanic companion, when:
- You find yourself to be tired or disheartened, your hummingbird spirit guide will be sure to comfort and encourage you.
- A difficult situation calls for careful negotiations and skillful maneuvers, the hummingbird power animal will instantaneously find the best approach and the most tactful words.
- You feel short of inspiration and creativity. The hummingbird totem animal brings an abundance of ideas and a fertile imagination.
- You need a little sweetness in your life! Your hummingbird spirit guide can help you tune into the love and tenderness that are always present in any situation, even seemingly dark and desperate ones.
Hummingbird Animal Familiar Unlocks Deep Mysteries and Powers
With the company of your hummingbird power animal you will be both quick to react and remarkably powerful, though always gentle. Relax and ride with the uplifting energy of the good natured and hardworking hummingbird. Seek out the good things in life with the intense precision of the hummingbird, treat passing events with the lightness of touch of his wingbeats and persist with people and situations that are important to you with his persistence and strength!
Herb of the Day for November 17th is Maidenhair
Maidenhair
Folk Names: Maidenhair Fern Venus Hair, Rock Fern
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Deity: Venus
Powers: Beauty, Love
Magickal Uses: Immerse some maidenhair in water, then remove. If worn on the person or kept in the bedroom after this process it will grant you grace, beauty and love.
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs Scott CunninghamPrecious Pet of the Day for November 11th
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| Name: | Rous |
Age: | Six months old |
| Gender: | Male |
Kind: | Opossum |
| Home: | Eugene, Oregon, USA |
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This Rous, and he is an opossum, which is North America’s only marsupial species. His mother was hit by a car, and he developed neurological issues because of this. He was the only one who survived. Rous cried and cried for his mother for two days straight. After I become his new mom, anytime I left he would cry for me. Cry = high pitched bark. My boyfriend is in love with him. If anything happened to him he would be very upset. Rous is very much a loved member of our family. He is getting neutered next week and I plan on using him for educational purposes.
He was about two months oop (out of pouch) in the baby photos, and here he is now. He’s all grown up. It’s amazing to think he used to be so darned tiny. He adores the kids, anyone really. Especially the cats. His favorite thing to do is climb onto the counter when I’m cleaning cages. He is probably the easiest pet to care for. Also, he will do anything for a grape or marshmallow. He absolutely loves them. Opossums are the most bizarre sleepers! Rous loves to hang onto something even when asleep. When they get tired they will close their eyes and then just fall over sideways and be totally knocked out. It’s the strangest thing. He is a bit spoiled. He is litter trained, non destructive and mild mannered. His vet even pondered the thought of adopting an opossum for a pet. We all love Rous.  |
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Eucalyptus Banish Bad Habits Spell
The eucalyptus tree is believed to possess potent banishing properties. If you have a eucalyptus tree, it’s simple to make a decoction:
Place leaves, twigs and loose bark into a pot and cover with water. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently for an hour or more. Otherwise you can create an infusion from dried eucalyptus, available at herbal supply stores. Pour boiling water over the herbs and let them steep until the water cools.
Either way, strain out the herbs and add the infusion to your bathwater, to destroy evil ties that bind, whether bad addictions, bad habits or bad company.
A Taste of Autumn
A Taste of Autumn
Author: Lady Rain StarDragon (Teresa Garcia)
Over the past several days, I’ve watched the maple tree between the laundry room window and the Mountain. Slowly, the vibrant green has yellowed to gold, and today, the whole tree now blazes a brilliant vermilion. Other trees still wear their green, like our own maples, while yet others are changing into their yellow robes. Across the street and all through the neighborhood, those that have apple trees have the golden and scarlet fruits of the season.
The air bites when I step out into the chill, sending a delicious shiver down my spine. I am constantly in a state of in between, my dragon self balances well with my human self, and so I can sense when my plumes stand up a little, and the shiver passes clear to the tip of my tail. When walking in this, the blasts of wind the town site was chosen for combs through my head and I can’t always resist the urge to spread my wings and revel in the feel.
Now is the time for hot apple pies heavy with cinnamon, and soon the pumpkins will be ready for harvest. Thoughts of warm pumpkin bread and persimmon cookies dance through my head. Sometime soon, I know that I will give in to the desire for pie, and indulge in the ecstasy that comes with baking, and then eating the fruits of my labors with loved ones.
The sky is gray, the clouds high and not touching the Mountain; yet again I’m sure the Mountain will wear a little more white. The wind and rain that caresses the land at night brings forth a purr from me, and inwardly I coil. Now is not the time to den though. This is the season of the harvest and the hunt.
Where Tia is, I know that she feels similar urges to mine. If I close my eyes, even during the day I can hear the short pant of her breath as we run through the forests in our dreams. Though we are different species, there are things that we share…
However, it is the waking world of physical form that I am in now, not the metaphysical one where not all is as it seems at first glance. Even in this waking world, I can practice my art. I can be One with Nature, draw it deeply into myself.
I have noticed that lately I have started wearing clothes that echo the changing leaves, a subconscious nod to the stately trees that teach me so much. The trees begin to draw their essence further inside of themselves, and I do as well.
The chill encourages this, this time of introspection and preparation. Now is a good time to finish things, and then I can have a little rest. The earth murmurs softly as the wind passes by, a reminder that change is the only constant.
The ranges around are still mostly green; various evergreens make up most of our forests here, despite the deciduous trees that are beginning their turning.
It is said that at this time, the veil between worlds is thin, and I’m inclined to believe it. I’ve always noticed that at this time of year, dreams become easier to recall and more vivid. It could be inspired by the weather, which inspired deep contemplation, but there is more to it.
The pendulum swings and the wheel turns, this is the way of my world. The voices grow louder, and sometimes even those that aren’t particularly open have interesting experiences.
It is also said that, in folklore and traditionally, anything left in the fields after the 31, must be left for the fey folk. Not only is it easier to pass between worlds, but they need food as well… It’s said that they blight anything left in the fields, I have sometimes wondered whether it’s because of the freeze possibility messing with the food, or whether it’s from them taking the essence… or some combination. At any rate, much of modern society doesn’t seem to follow this.
Perhaps it is a good idea to let the late stuff stay though… the nutrients return to the ground to nourish the earth, and animals have food to eat… The deer will not be quite so hungry, and the predators will benefit from this, but so will those prey animals that are fed upon. With the scat and vegetation turned under, the soil will be richer, and we will have a little less impact. But these are random thoughts as I let myself mingle with the season.
The waters grow colder with the temperature changes, and soon enough the lakes will begin to freeze. Ice will form over the rivers, though some larger ones will stay unfrozen. Small streams will sleep. But for now, we are between, and Summer mixes with Winter to make this Autumn.
Some traditions depict this time as a War between the two Kings of Summer and Winter. I’ve often thought of it more as the union of Summer and Winter, the blending and uniting of the two… male and female each season, yet neither sex as well. Two forces or essences swirling and merging, pressing into each other until at last… one gives with a last sleepy sigh and gentle nuzzle.
Summer sleeps then in the arms of Winter, and he/she covers them both with a mantle of snow as he/she watches the Beloved sleep and incubate the new life, resting for the next shifting in the Spring.
This is the Deep Magic, working with these forces that eternally shift and merge, draw apart and dance together again. This is what holds me trapped as I dance with Life and Death, Growth and Rest.
When people ask me what I think about the weather, I never know how to answer them in the moment. It is the weather, and the season, and I am a part of it, responding ever to the promptings. I’d like to share the ecstasy that a good gust of wind gives me as it passes by, leaves swirling giddily in its wake.
This is all that I can do… leave you with a taste and a touch, and let you hear the sighs of Summer and Winter in their Autumn Meeting.
A Tree Spell for Strength and Courage
You can carry out this spell with an Oak, Ash or Redwood, which are traditionally associated with courage and strength. But all trees are intrinsically powerful and so if you have a favorite grove of trees or piece of woodland, you can choose any tree you especially like. You could also use your magick tree.
By adapting the words you could, alternatively, use the tree spell to heal yourself, especially if you have a debilitating or chronic condition or suffer a lot of pain.
There are lots of ways we can return strength to trees, for example by picking up litter in woodlands, planting saplings in memory of loved ones in local woodlands on tree-planting days or campaigning for the preservation and regeneration of forests.
Timing: If possible, as sunlight filters through the leaves, but any bright morning.
You will need: A chosen tree. If you carry out the spell in an unfamiliar place, touch a number of trees and feel which one seems receptive to your energies.
A red (for strength and courage) or pink (for healing) biodegradable ribbon – not synthetic.
- Touch your chosen tree with both hands at about waist height so that you can comfortably place your upright outstretched palms against the tree to create a circuit. Loop the ribbon round your power hand.
- Your power hand will send your energy into the tree and it will flow out through your other hand, through your body and in again.
- Stand for a few moments and allow the connection to flow.
- Then say softly:
You are strong. Give me strength/courage/healing if it is right to be.
- You may be rewarded by a gentle breeze through the trees, a sudden shaft of sunlight, a pleasant buzzing vibration through your hands or a sense of peace and rightness. If the tree feels unresponsive, thank the tree nevertheless and try another one.
- When you feel the connection, press your hands more firmly against the trunk and allow the power to flow. Your whole body will feel more alive and energetic, and you will be filled with confidence, certainty and maybe even joy and harmony.
- When you sense the power ebbing slowly, remove the pressure until your palms are just lightly resting against the trunk.
- Thank the tree for its gifts and tie the ribbon round an accessible branch.
- Spend a few moments sitting against the tree looking up through the leaves. When you can, return the favor to nature.
A Tree Spell for Protection of Self and the Home
There are a number of variations of this traditional ritual. Especially in Scandinavia and Germany, red is a color of protection and was the color of Thor/Thunor, the thunder God whose magickal tree was the Oak.
Trees are believed to stand guardian over homes. If you don’t have one near your house, if you live in a potentially dangerous area or live alone and feel vulnerable indoors, you can use leaves to transfer tree power and as a portable symbol of protection. This spell is very effective for creating a psychic shield round yourself and your home.
Since the spell uses red leaves, it is easiest in Autumn, but copper beech and red Maple are just two tree with naturally red leaves. If you walk round an arboretum or ornamental garden, you will find a number of different species.
Timing: As the sky reddens at sunset
You will need: Three red leaves. Always remember to thank the tree even for a few leaves and do something small for nature, when you have time, in return for the power given. If you can’t find any red leaves, use three sprigs of any tree (oak is very effective) with a few leaves still on each stem. Tie the stems together with red wool or thread in three knots before you begin.
Any single tree essential or fragrance oil such as birch, cedarwood, cypress, laurel, pine or sandalwood.
A small red scarf or circle of fabric.
- Work in the open air, if possible close to the tree from which you take the leaves or if not where you can see the sunset. If you need to be indoors, light a red candle.
- Pick the red leaves, if possible close to or at the beginning of the spell.
- Set them on the red cloth and very carefully anoint each leaf or sprig with a drop of oil, saying as you do so, over each leaf:
- Fold the scarf of cloth round the leaves and knot the top three times to make a bag. Repeat the chant three more times as you make the bag.
- Hang the bag on the back of the main house door or your bedroom door if you sleep alone and are anxious.
- Repeat the spell when the leaves have crumbled or every three months, whichever is sooner.
Trees and Magick
Each tree species carries strength and healing, though obviously longer standing tree with deep roots and spreading branches have greater repositories of energy. Each kind of tree also has its own unique powers. These you may associate with the kind of nature essence dwelling in that species or more abstractly with the qualities filtered through different kinds of wood.
Hold a crystal pendulum close to different trees and you will feel in your hands and body, amplified by the crystal, the differing tree strengths. For example, a redwood may make you feel confident and a willow, dreamy and intuitive. Note these feelings in your nature journal along with any images or words that come into your mind.
There are variations in intensity even with different trees within the same species. Take time to explore these energies and to visit forests (children love them) to get yourself attuned.
An arboretum or botanical garden is a good place to start if you are not familiar with trees. Buy a small tree book to carry with you so you can identify trees wherever you go, even in cities.
THISTLE
Folk Names: Lady’s Thistle, Thrissles
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Deities: Thor, Minerva
Powers: Strength, Protection, Healing, Exorcism, Hex-Breaking
Magickal Uses: A bowl of thistles placed in a room strengthens the spirits and renews the vitality of all within it. Carry a thistle (or part of a thistle) for energy and strength.
Grown in the garden, thistles ward off thieves; grown in a pot and on the doorstep they protect against evil. A thistle blossom carried in the pocket guards it bearer. Thrown onto a fire, thistles deflect lightning away from the house.
If you have had a spell cast against you, wear a shirt made of fibers spun and woven from the thistle to break it and any other spells. Stuff hex-breaking poppets with thistles. Thistles are strewn in homes and other building to exorcise evil.
Thistles are also used in healing spellls, and when men carry it they become
better lovers. Thistles also drive out melancholy when worn or carried.
Wizards in England used to select the tallest thistle in the patch to use as a magickal wand or walking stick. To call spirits, place some thistle in boiling water remove from heat and lie or sit beside it. As the steam rises call the spirit and listen carefully; they may answer your questions.
Reference:
Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs
Herb of the day for August 30 is Jujube Berries
Jujube Berries
Botanical: Zizyphus vulgaris (LAMK.)
Family: N.O. Rhamnaceae
—Synonyms—Zizyphus sativa. Brustbeeren. Judendornbeeren. Rhamnus Zizyphus.
—Part Used—Fruit.
—Habitat—Southern Europe.
—Habitat—Originally a native of Syria, Zizyphus vulgariswas introduced into Italy in the reign of Augustus, and is now naturalized in Provence, and particularly in the islands of HyŠres, where the berries are largely collected when ripe, and dried in the sun.
The trees average 25 feet in height and are covered with a rough, brown bark. They have many branches, with annual thorny branchlets bearing alternate, oval-oblong leaves of a clear green colour, with three to five strongly-marked, longitudinous veins. The small flowers are pale yellow and solitary. The fruit is a blood-red drupe, the size and shape of an olive, sweet, and mucilaginous in taste, slightly astringent. The pulp becomes softer and sweeter in drying, and the taste more like wine. They have pointed, oblong stones.
—Constituents—A full analysis has not yet been made, but the berries are valued for their mucilage and sugar.
—Medicinal Action and Uses—The Jujube is classed with the raisin, date, and fig as a pectoral fruit, being nutritive and demulcent. It is eaten both fresh and dried.
A syrup and a tisanewere formerly made from it, but the berries are now little used in medicine.
Jujube paste, or ‘Pâte de Jujubes,’ is made of gum-arabic and sugar. It may be dissolved in a decoction of jujubes and evaporated, but is considered as good a demulcentwithout their addition. It is frequently merely mixed with orange-flower water.
A decoction of the rootshas been used in fevers.
An astringent decoction of leaves and branchlets is made in large quantities in Algeria, and seems likely to replace the cachou.
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—Other Species—
Z. Lotos, sometimes also called Z. sativa, of Northern Africa and Z. Jujuba of the East Indies possess similar properties, and are used in their respective countries. Z. Lotos is thought to have been one of the sources of the famous sweet fruits from which the ancient Lotophagi took their name, the liqueur prepared from which caused those who partook of it to forget even their native countries in its enjoyment. The Arabs call it Seedra. In Arabia a kind of bread is made of them by exposing them to the sun for a few days and then pounding them in a wooden mortar to separate the stones. The meal is mixed with water and formed into cakes which after drying in the sun resemble sweet gingerbread.
Z. Bacleiis said to be used in the same way in Africa, and also for making a beverage.
Z. Jujubais largely cultivated by the Chinese, in many varieties as a dessert fruit, some being called Chinese Dates, and it is also one of the main sources of stick-lac.
Z. Cenopliaof India has edible fruits, and the bark is esteemed as a vulnerary.
In Cochin-China the berries of Z. agrestisare eaten.
In Senegal the fruits of Z. Bareleiare slightly styptic, and the negroes use the roots for gonorrhoea. It is probably the same species that is used there in venereal diseases.
A decoction of the dried leaves of Z. Napecais said to be used for washing ulcers in Arabia.
Z. spina Christi, or Rhamnus spina Christi, of Ethiopia, is said to be the source of the crown of thorns placed on the Saviour’s head. The Arabs call it Nabka.
ACACIA
Folk names: Cape Gum, Egyptian Thorn, Gum Arabic Tree, Kikwata, Mkwatia, Mgunga, Mokala
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Sun
Element: Air
Deities: Osiris, Astarte, Ishtar, Diana, Ra
Powers: Protection, Psychic Powers
Ritual Uses: The wood is used as fuel in sacred fires in India, and is also used in building temples.
Magickal Uses: A sprig of the tree placed over the bed wards off evil, as it does when tucked into the turban in Eastern countries. When the wood is burned with sandalwood the psychic powers are stimulated. Acacia is also used in money and love spells, although in the latter case the outcome would be a platonic love.
Bird Migration
Bird Migration
Each year, with the onset of Winter, flocks of birds from the Northern hemisphere fly long distances to warmer territories in the South. Birds navigate their way by following internal compasses comprising tiny grains of a mineral called magnetite, stored in their brains. During rest stops they recalibrate their inner compasses using the positions of the stars to account for the fact that magnetic north lies 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometres) from the North Pole. When rest stops are too short, birds can get disorientated. In a similar way we possess a sense of inner knowing that helps us to find our way in life. But, unless we allow ourselves daily periods of time alone in which to tune into this inner knowing and recalibrate it against changing circumstances, we, like migrating birds, can lose our way.
Happy and Glorious Saturday to All!
I hope everyone is having a beautiful Saturday so far. I fell asleep in the floor last night and woke up this morning at 3:00 a.m., to Hitler invading Russia. Great to wake up to early, early on your Saturday morning. I got up when to wash dishes and here comes hubby wanting to know if there is any coffee made. Of course, seeing all the violence on TV, I wanted to pop him on the head with the coffee pot. Then I got to thinking coffee, not a bad idea. So I made us a pot, rather me a pot. He had one cup and went back to bed. Dawn was beginning to crack, so I did what I love to do. Take my coffee outside, curl up on my bench and watch the beautiful Sun come up. Curling up wasn’t in the picture this morning. Two of the wildcats were already outside waiting on me. The biggest one and the smallest one and would you believe they were occupying my bench, lol! They wanted to play and love. But out of all of them, the big one is the most hostile. It took me forever to befriend him. Now if there is any of the others out there, forget they don’t come close to me. We played and loved a little bit, then I broke up fights, then I went and got their food. I figured that was the only way I was going to get any peace.
I had noticed when I came back in the house, I had wasted an hour and a half playing with the cats. The sky was beginning to lighten up, so I figured it was a great time to water the garden (since I forgot to last night). I gathered up my pitchers and flashlight. Now remember I said it was just starting to lighten up, you still couldn’t see that great. I put the garden on the back side of the porch. Turns out it was a pretty smart move. I can stand on the porch and water the garden in cast it is super muddy. I forgot to mention, when I was digging this spot up the ground was just so soft and it took no strength what so ever to dig it up. This is very, very unusual for the ground around here. I didn’t think anything about it, I was just thrilled I didn’t have to kill myself. The day I dug up the garden, I went into to get a glass of ice water. When I came back I found out why the ground was so easy to dig, I was digging in a wolf spider’s nest. It was almost down right funny, I went to observe my handy work and there in the middle of the dirt had to be the grandpa of all wolf spiders. He was huge. I figured after I watered the ground some more, they would leave. I brought the hose around the house and started watering. Oh brother, did I get a reaction out of that spider. He jumped at me. Needless to say, I had forgotten they could jump and it scared the crap out of me. Now back to this morning, I had my flashlight and was up on the porch. I noticed one of my plants had been moved. Miss Perfectionist couldn’t stand that. She had to go and put it back in its place. I had totally forgot about the spiders. I pulled the plant up and move it over just a little bit. I wasn’t paying attention but I had opened the spider’s hole back up. I had just stood up and the evil spider jumped on my foot. I am sure I woke up every neighbor in a five-mile radius. I screamed a dirty word while dancing around on one foot. I never did think I was going to get that damn spider off of my foot. Finally after throwing my foot out-of-place, I got the spider off of me. Thank the Goddess he didn’t bite me. I can do some of the stupidest things at times. Please use this as a what not to guide when gardening.
Beware of soft dirty. (It is a mean, cruel joke played on you by some creature or critter)
If your plants get up and move on their own. (Leave them alone, the plant will be happier and so will you)
Never garden by flashlight. ( This should be a no boner)
If you find a spider of any kind in your garden, leave him be and maybe he will do the same. (If not, just give him a good drink of water and a shower. Hopefully the shower will do him in, lol!)
Today’s featured picture
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Herb of the Day for May 23rd is EUCALYPTUS
Herb of the Day
EUCALYPTUS
Do not use on the faces of small children.
Folk Names: Blue gum Tree, Stringy Bark Tree
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Powers: Healing, Protection
Magickal Uses: The leaves are used to stuff healing poppets and are carried to maintain good health. To relieve colds, ring green candles with the leaves and pods and burn them to the socket, visualising the person (or yourself)) as being completely healthy. Also hang a small branch or twig of eucalyptus over the sick bed.
String the immature (green) pods on green thread and wear to help heal sore throats. Placed beneath the pillow,the pods guard against colds
The leaves are also carried for protection.
Your Animal Spirit for May 13 is The Otter
Your Animal Spirit for Today
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OtterOtter represents one of the most playful feminine energies on earth—and she has swum over into your reading to bring a message of joyful play. If life has been difficult or challenges overwhelming, relax a little—Otter is here to remind you that play is just as important as work—and NOT competitive play, but rather the kind you loved as a child. Hopscotch anyone? |
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Herb of the Day for April 28 is Mace
Herb of the Day
Mace
Botanical: Myristica fragrans (HONK.)
Family: N.O. Myristicaceae
—Synonyms—Arillus Myristicae. Myristica officinalis. Myristica moschata. Macis. Muscadier.
—Part Used—The dried arillus of the fruit or nutmeg.
—Habitat—Moluccas and Bandy Islands, New Guinea, West Indies, etc.
—History—The name is derived from a mediaeval word for ‘nut,’ meaning ‘suitable for an ointment.’ The tree is a small evergreen, not more than 40 feet in height, with smooth, greyish-brown bark, green on the younger branches. The alternate leaves are oblong-ovate, acute, entire, smooth, and dark-green. The flowers are very small and unisexual. The fruits, smooth and yellow, resemble a pear grooved by a longitudinal furrow and contain a single erect seed about 1 1/4 inch long, the nucleus being the wrinkled ‘nutmeg,’ and the fleshy, irregular covering, scarlet when fresh and drying yellow and brittle, the ‘mace.’
The principal harvest at Bencoolen is usually in the autumn, the smaller one in early summer. The fruits, which split open when ripe, are gathered with a long-handled hook and the products are separated. The mace when dried is often sprinkled with salt water to preserve it. If packed too moist it breeds worms.
Most of the supply comes from the Banda Islands by way of Java and Sumatra.
The ‘blades,’ ‘bands,’ or flattened, lobed pieces are about 25 mm. long, smooth, irregular, translucent, brittle or flexible, and if scratched or pressed exude an orangecoloured oil.
An inferior Mace is obtained from the long nutmeg, dark and very brittle and lacking the fragrant odour and aromatic taste of the official variety.
The medicinal properties resemble those of nutmeg, but it is principally used as a condiment.
—Constituents—The principal constituent is 7 to 9 per cent of a volatile oil, protein, gum, resins, sugar and fixed oil. The volatile oil contains much pinene, and a little myristicin, which must be distinguished from the glyceride of myristic acid.
Two odorous fixed oils have been separated, a yellow one insoluble in boiling alcohol but soluble in ether, and a red one soluble in either.
The powder is brown or buff, orangetinted.
Oil of Mace is practically identical with distilled oil of nutmeg or Nutmeg Butter.
—Medicinal Action and Uses—A flavouring agent, stimulant and tonic.
Both Mace and Nutmeg help digestion in stomachic weakness, but if used to excess may cause over-excitement. They increase circulation and animal heat. They have been employed in pestilential and putrid fevers, and with other substances in intermittent fevers, and enter into the composition of many French medicaments.
—Other Species—
Myristica malabarica, yielding Bombay Mace, which is deficient in odour and taste. Several chemical tests provide means of detecting the substitution. It yields a much higher percentage of ether-soluble matter.
M. argentea, yielding Macassar Mace, which is of a dull brown colour with an odour like sassafras. It is too acrid for medicinal use.
M. otoba, yielding a Mace which, incorporated with fat, is used in gout and rheumatism.
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