Tag: Business

Daily OM for Jan. 30 – Waiting for Someday

Waiting for Someday
Why Not Now?

 

All the joy and passion you can envision can be yours right now, rather than in a future point in time.

The time we are blessed with is limited and tends to be used up all too quickly. How we utilize that time is consequently one of the most important decisions we make. Yet it is far too easy to put off until tomorrow what we are dreaming of today. The hectic pace of modern existence affords us an easy out; we shelve our aspirations so we can cope more effectively with the challenges of the present, ostensibly to have more time and leisure to realize our purpose in the future. Or we tell ourselves that we will chase our dreams someday once we have accomplished other lesser goals. In truth, it is our fear that keeps us from seeking fulfillment in the here and now—because we view failure as a possibility, our reasons for delaying our inevitable success seem sound and rational. If we ask ourselves what we are really waiting for, however, we discover that there is no truly compelling reason why we should put off the pursuit of the dreams that sustain us.

When regarded as a question, “Why not now?” drains us of our power to realize our ambitions. We are so concerned with the notion that we are somehow undeserving of happiness that we cannot see that there is much we can do in the present to begin courting it. Yet when we look decisively at our existence and state, “Why not now, indeed!” we are empowered to begin changing our lives this very moment. We procrastinate for many reasons, from a perceived lack of time to a legitimate lack of self-belief, but the truth of the matter is that there is no time like the present and no time but the present. Whatever we aim to accomplish, we will achieve it more quickly and with a greater degree of efficiency when we seize the day and make the most of the resources we have at our disposal presently.

All the joy, passion, and contentment you can envision can be yours right now, rather than in some far-flung point in time. You need only remind yourself that there is nothing standing between you and fulfillment. If you decide that today is the day you will take your destiny into your hands, you will soon discover that you hold the keys of fate.

Daily Motivator for Jan. 30 – Make use

Make use

You don’t have to keep running to catch up. You can make use of the opportunity of today to get out in front of life.

You don’t have to settle for less than the best. You can make use of your unique perspective, skills, knowledge, experience and passions to make life outstanding.

You don’t have to waste any more time. You can make use of each precious moment to bring beautiful, meaningful and satisfying fulfillment.

There are valuable possibilities stretching out in every direction. There is great abundance in this life and you are exquisitely equipped to tap into it.

Lovingly dive deep into your essence and feel your authentic passion. Make use of the energy of that passion to make a difference wherever you are, with whatever you have.

Make use of the immense and magnificent opportunity that is your life in this moment. Make use, and make life even more beautiful by the way you live it.

— Ralph Marston

The Daily Motivator

30 Things in Your House That Could Explode

30 Things in Your House That Could Explode

  • Chaya, selected from Networx

By Philip Schmidt, Hometalk

Surely there’s nothing funny about an explosion in a home, but in a kid-science sort of way it’s fun to think about all the everyday things around you that can blow up. Without even counting obvious hazards, like fuel cans and leaky gas pipes, any household has at least 30 things that can go BOOM under the right conditions. In fact, you might even live with some whose temper can be described as ignitable or explosive; if so, you should certainly add this person to the list.

Note: While all of the items listed here are potentially explosive and therefore potentially hazardous, the explanations for why these things blow up are not comprehensive (not by a long shot). In other words, DO NOT use this list as a guide for how to prevent explosions.

1. Hot water heater

That valve thingee with an open pipe on your water heater is called a temperature and pressure relief valve, or TPR valve. If the TPR valve and the heater’s thermostat fail at the same time, your water heater has the potential to take off like a space shuttle.

2. Food storage containers with spoiled food

If you leave your leftovers in a sealed container long enough, gasses from the decomposing food can build up and blow off the lid. Mold spores, anyone?

3. Baked potatoes

We all know this is true because it happened to Pa on Little House on the Prairie. You really do have to pierce a potato’s skin before baking it.

4. Sausages

Hot dog aficionados (such as myself) refer to a blown-up hot dog affectionately as a “splitter,” but sausage explosions can be painful, as boiling-hot juice squirts out of the casing toward the unsuspecting griller. Maybe this should be called a “spitter.”

5. Light bulb

A light bulb is like a vacuum tube and actually implodes rather than explodes when it breaks, but the difference is essentially semantic to the observer. A drop of water landing on a hot light bulb can cause it to “explode,” in addition to the usual causes.

6. Beer bottle left in the freezer

There’s no sadder way of ruining a perfectly good beer.

7. Opening sealed containers in high altitudes

Alpine residents learn to open sealed packages carefully, especially those full of powders.

8. Aerosol cans in sunlight or heat

Anything from cooking spray to WD-40 really can explode if the can gets too hot.

9. Pumpkins (and other thick-skinned vegetables)

If left outside, your uncarved Halloween pumpkin can freeze and turn into a boo-bomb.

10. Electrical explosion

These are more common on power poles than houses, but a large service panel (breaker box) can have an explosion due to a short circuit overwhelming the breakers.

11. Natural gas

It’s worth noting that anything, including your house, that uses natural gas can potentially become a bomb.

12. Soda bottles

Explode when shaken too much, particularly when dropped during excessive shaking.

13. Wood stove

Numerous homeowners have blamed backdrafting (which provides oxygen) and unburned gasses (which newer stoves are designed to prevent) as the causes of minor explosions that can fill the room with dust and ash.

14. Non-oven-safe glass containers used in the oven or microwave

Looks like you’re eating out after all.

15. Boilers

Hot water boilers have TPR valves just like water heaters. Good thing to test periodically.

16. Portable propane tank (for barbecue grill)

Carelessness can turn your meal of seared tuna into a summer on a seared patio.

17. Flour

Boring, old baking flour is highly flammable and has the potential for explosive flare-ups.

18. Botulism-tainted canned food

A bloated can (or jar) is bad. An exploded can is much, much worse.

19. Carpenter ants

The next time you’re at a dinner party in Southeast Asia, you can wow the other guests with your knowledge of nine species of local carpenter ants that can literally blow themselves up to kill their rivals.

20. Water and hot oil

You never see this on TV cooking shows, but many a home chef knows the sting (and sound) of water droplets hitting a pan of hot oil.

21. Espresso machines

The words, “Do not remove filter unit when under pressure,” are good advice. You know this if you’ve ever had to clean up the aftermath of a coffee bomb.

22. Boiling salted water

The scientific jury is still out on this one, but I personally witnessed a panful of salty water explode upward and outward about 2 feet, with very serious results. Current theory points to overly salinated softened water as the cause.

23. Ice cubes dropped in hot liquid

Exploding ice can actually break the glass or mug.

24. Hot/cold glass filled with cold/hot liquid

Seems like you can do this a hundred times with no problem, but sometimes the glass shatters, even violently.

25. Firewood

The familiar popping of a real wood-burning fireplace is actually little explosions of trapped pitch, sap or water. Cozy, no?

26. TV tube

An old fashioned TV tube is much harder to break than a light bulb, but it implodes just like one. A very good reason not to buy a real tool set for your two-year-old.

27. Batteries

Many household batteries are theoretically explosive, while car battery explosions are by far the most common.

28. Septic tank

Problems with a system can lead to methane buildup. Not the best place for plumbers to take a smoke break.

29. Trees

Trees can explode due to fire or a lightning strike, both of which heat the water in the wood. Extreme cold can freeze the sap inside maple trees, causing it to expand.

30. Mentos and Diet Coke

If you haven’t tried this awesome kid experiment, suffice it to say that you should never wash down 11 Mentos candies with a half-liter of Diet Coke.

Tools Necessary for Herbalism

Tools Necessary for Herbalism

 
The first step in herbalism is to gather the tools you will need, and that is the main point of this first message. I have found the following useful and in many cases vital to learn and practice the use of herbs.

1) A Good mortar and Pestile, one of stone or metal is
prefered. If wood is used you will need two, one for
inedibles and one for edibles – make sure they do not
look identical, as you do not want to accidentally
poison anyone!!!
2) Containers. Although you can buy dried herbs over the
counter in many places these days, do not store them
in the plastic bags they come in, as these are usually
neither reuseable nor perfectly airtight. Rubbermaid
style plastic containers are good, but expensive. I
have used glass coffee and spice jars/bottles to good
effect, as well as some medicine bottles. The more you
recycle the better ecologically, just make sure they
have been thoroughly washed and dried before placing
anything inside them.
3) Labels. This is vital! None of us in this day and age
can possibly recognize each herb in its various forms
simply by sight. Always label your containers as you
fill them, and if possible date them when they were
filled so you don’t keep spoiled stock on the shelf.
4) Tea Ball. A good metal teaball of the single cup
size can be very useful in the longrun when your are
experimenting, and when you are making single person
doses of teas and tonics.
5) CheeseCloth : Useful for straining a partially liquid
mixture and occasionnally for the making of sachets.
6) A Good sized teakettle. Preferably one that will hold
at least a quart of water.
7) A Good teapot for simmering mixtures. I use one from
a chinese import store that has done me well.
8) A good cutting board and a SHARP cutting knife for just
herbal work.
9) A notebook of some sort to record the information in
as you go, both successes and failures. Always record
anything new you try that may or may not work, and
also and research information you get from various
sources (like this echo!)
10) An eyedropper.
11) White linen-style bandages. Some ace bandages are also
useful in the long run.
12) A metal brazier of some sort, or a metal container
that can withstand heavy useage and heat from within
or without, useful for several things including the
making of your own incenses.
13) Reference sources. Shortly you should see a list of
books that I have read from in the past that I
consider useful, build from this as a starting point
to others and to your teachers help.

Thats it to start, you’ll pick the rest up as you go. Take your time studying, take lots of notes, compare your sources and your own personal results on each herb and on herbal mixtures of any kind.

An List of Some Poisonous Plants

Some spells & concoctions were writtern with out modern facts we have learned a great deal over the years. Though many of the old ways are superior to some new science. This list should be a help to you to discover how to protect yourself from some mistakes. This is not a complete list but a good start. I will add to it as the info comes my way. BEWARE! Aconite Ilex

Apple (balsam) Impaatiens Pallida
Apple (bitter) Indian Arrowroot
Baneberry Inbberry
Bittersweet Jack-In-The-Pupit (root)
Black Nightshade Jurusalem Cherry
Bloodroot Jimson Wood
Blueflag Labumum (seeds)
Burning Bush Laurel (seeds)
Bryony Mandrake
Black Brynoy May Apple (roots, Leaves, seeds)
Europeon White Brynoy Mistetoe (seeds)
Calabar Bean Oak
Calotropis Poinsetta
Cherry Laurel Poison Dogwood
Camphor Poke Root
Castor Oil Plant (seeds only) Rosebay
Cowbane Sumac
Daffodils Springle Tree (seeds)
Deadly Nightshade Spurge
Dog’s Mercury Swollow Wort
Elf Wood Thorn Apple
Ergot Tobacca (concentrated tobacca is
Flag Lily Poison when Eaten!)
Foxglove Wahoo
Gelsemium Wake – Robin
Hemlock Water Drop Wort
Hellebore White Hemlock
Henbane White Rose
Holly (seeds) Wood Anermone (seeds)
Honeysuckle (vines & fruit) Yellow Jasmine
Horse Balm Yew (seeds & berries)
Perwinkle
 
STAY AWAY FROM THE FOLLOWING HERBS!!!!!
Boldo Leaf Sassafras
Calamus Savin
Yellow Comphor Southernwood
Mug Wort Transy
Pennyroyal Wintergreen
Rue Wormwood
Wormseed

Money Drawing Powder (1)

Money Drawing Powder (1)

 
This is said to Draw money to you..You Will Need:

  • 1 Oz. Of Powdered Sandalwood
  • ¼ Teaspoon of Cinnamon
  • 1 Tablespoon of Powdered Five Finger Grass
  • 1 Teaspoon Of Powdered Yellow Dock
  • ½ Dram Of Frankincense Oil
  • ¼ Dram Of Patchouli Oil
  • ½ Dram Of Myrrh Oil
  • 4 Oz. Of Talc

[If you dont have a tool for this, Mix in a bowl, jar, Etc]

Spell Of The Day for Jan. 29th – A Spell To Gain Energy

A Spell To Gain Energy

Materials: A bright red or orange candle, a spicy incense, a glass of clear pure cold water, and a bowl of sea salt. If is sunny out you may want to start the spell by going outside for a few minutes and breathing in some fresh air.

Sit in front of the candle and say:

“Give me energy to happily complete the task I have been given to do.

I will feel better for having done it. The completion of the task will be my reward.
”

Sprinkle the sea salt around the candle and say,
“Give me strength, O sacred Earth.
”

Pass your hand near the candle and say
“Give me strength O sacred Fire.
”

Pass your hand through the smoke of the incense and say,
“Give me strength, O sacred Air.
”

Drink the water down and say
“Give me strength O sacred water.
”

Now immediately get up and go do your task.

The Law of Return

The Law of Return

by Amanda Silvers

 

The threefold law of return: We hear much about this, but do we really comprehend the meaning? What you put out comes back times three (or more), means unequivocally that, good or bad, you reap what your actions have sown.

How do we define “putting something out”? A thought, a deed, a word are all actions that contain energy. Think about this: If you disburse money willingly, with the focus that you are contributing to the prosperity of the community, the prosperous energy returns to you. Not always in the exact way that you want; sometimes in the most unexpected ways!

If you choose to live in lack, feel like there is never an adequate amount of anything and attempt to hoard and hold onto everything, the flow stops. It’s akin to putting a dam on the energy flow. If you are broke, give a little away, whether it’s time or energy or money. Doing so will create a vacuum effect, which will then help to get the flow started back toward you instead of away from you.

Money is only paper with numbers on it, it is used to represent energy. You expend your energy for some of it and then give it away for something someone else put energy into. Just like everything else, it goes around in a never-ending cycle; there is an ebb and flow to it. Sometimes you have more, sometimes less, but there is always a coming and going of cash; that’s why it’s called cash flow!

This philosophy also works in other areas of life, love for instance. Do you suppose that you have only a limited amount of love? Is it to be rationed out as you go through life? Will you run out? I think not. The more affection you give, the more you generate, the more you experience, the more you give! Just like that. The cycle turns the wheel.

Try this in another area. Have you ever been frightened of having something happen and then had it happen just as you hoped it would not? Or have you ever said “I will never ______ (fill in the blank)” and found yourself doing just that shortly thereafter? Magickal components are a part of everyday life. You have an intent, put emotion (energy) into it, take action and bring it into being. You begin to create with nothing more than a word or thought. It works remarkably well for those things that you say never about, because you feel intensely about them and put a lot of energy into them. What do you think would have more power: “I wish I could win the lottery!” or “I will never have enough money!”?

Your subconscious mind does not recognize the word “not”; it’s a non-word. When you say “I do not want to do that,” it is a direct command to your brain; you are basically saying that you really do want to do whatever it is. If someone says to you, “I do notwant to hurt you,” be careful!

If you sit around all the time, agonizing about your bills, your job, your health, your love life… what kind of energy are you putting out? How might that energy be contributing in a magickal sense to your circumstances? Would you do a spell to get a job you hate, or to get into a bad relationship? Of course not! So why sit around and put energy into negative crap when you could be furthering your positive wishes? The universe is a bountiful place; the Goddess is generous with her gifts. There is plenty for all. Does this ring true for you? If not, you might ask yourself, “Why not?” What beliefs that you hold to be true are sabotaging you?

“Try” is another one of my pet peeves. When a person says they will try to do something, it is just an excuse for not doing it, as in “I tried! I just couldn’t.” Think about what you say. Instead of saying “I will try,” see how much power there is in actually committing. Say “I will do it!” Also, how much power is there in saying no to those things you really don’t intend to do. Wow, what an enormous amount of energy you free up by just saying no in the first place! Then you don’t have to worry till the last minute whether you should actually do it, then have to make an excuse for not doing it – not to mention maybe having to do something you’d really rather not. You will find people will respect you more and value your energy more when you can be believed and counted upon to do what you say, as well as for your being in control of your boundaries.

Finally, be careful what you wish upon someone else, because just as positive thoughts come back to you, so do the negative ones aimed at others. Don’t wish on someone else something you would not like to have happen to you and yours. Be careful of those things said thoughtlessly or in jest. How might you feel if the nasty thought you thought when you were angry at your friend or mate were to happen?

Make your statements in the positive. Strive to be conscious of your every thought and word and the energy around them. Focus on the here and now and what’s happening. If you can accomplish this, the law of return will work in your favor and only good things will come to you.

Be careful what you ask for; you just might get it!

Wishing You & Yours A Very Beautiful Saturday!

Have a Good, Great Day Images, Pictures, Comments

Good day, my luvs! I am going to make it short and sweet today. I hope everyone is having a very relaxing and enjoyable Saturday. Thanks for stopping by and spending some of your day with me.

Have a great one, sweeties!

 

Affirmation of the Day for Saturday, Jan. 28th

“I turn my attention inward to sense the tug of hidden desires. Clear in my self-awareness, I am now free to make my choice.”

 

Thought of the Day for Saturday, Jan. 28th

“The significance of a man is not in what he attains but rather in what he longs to attain.”

Kahlil Gibran

(1883-1913)

 

Empowering An Object With Your Intent

Focus On A Pebble

You can use a pebble as a talisman to act as a focus for your ambitions and goals. Hold the pebble in your hand and focus your attention on it. Look at the smooth grain of its surface and the variations in hue, and feel the cool hardness of th pebble against your skin. Now close your eyes and squeezing the pebble tightly in one hand, wish for the fulfilment of an important dream or goal. As you do so imagine that the stone is glowing in your hand, charged with the energy of your wish. Put the stone in a place where you will see it on a daily basis to remind you of your goal. Whenever you are about to take a step toward achieving your goal and require an extra boost, squeeze the stone in your hand to summon your energies and focus your mind.

As well as pebbles, there are many other things that you can use as talisman – for example a semi-precious stone or crystal, a pendant, or a small toy or doll.

 

BREAKING A BINDING SPELL

BREAKING A BINDING SPELL

Ingredients

Some binding spells can cause physical manifestations.
You feel as if invisible strands of hair or thin strings are wrapped around you.
You can’t see them but you can feel them and nothing you do can make that sensation stop.
Here is a way to dispel a binding.
Cut a bit of your own hair and set it in a small bowl.
Light 3 candles, 1 red, 1 white and 1 green. In a fire safe bowl or incense brazier, light a
piece of charcoal and add some myrrh, patchouli and sandalwood incense (powdered kind
not cone or stick). Take a sterile needle or pin and prick your right index finger.
Squeeze three drops of blood into the smoldering incense.
As you drop the hair onto the lit incense repeat these words:
With blood, candle and scent times three
No longer shall this binding be
Free to live and free to soar
Let me leave the house once more.
As I burn this hair, a part of me
Let my heart and soul be free!
And for those who doth cast despair
Binding me with sightless hair
I send to them this well-earned curse
Let their evil spell reverse!
Teach them mercy and love’s sweet gift
Once learned, this simple spell shall lift.
As is my will, so mote it be!
Let the incense burn out and scatter the ashes outside.
Lifting the binding spell should take care of the problem. Keep an eye on those around you.
Someone who wished you ill will start to experience the torment they put you through.
Once they understand that what they did was wrong, then the sensation will fade
and they will be back to normal.

A SPELL FOR BREAKING KARMIC CONTRACTS WITH PEOPLE

A SPELL FOR BREAKING KARMIC CONTRACTS WITH PEOPLE

Ingredients

(so they don’t continue to play the same detrimental roles in your further incarnations.)
On parchment or some other nice quality paper, write in red ink
(dragon’s blood ink, bat’s blood would be great too):
(Name) I declare our contract broken.
You no longer have power over me.
Never again will I be your servant, in this life or any other.
(you can use your own words, go into detail about how you feel you’ve been wronged
manipulated, whatever.)
Sign your name, burn it with a black candle. Get rid of the ashes.

Wiccan Book of Days for January 26th – Efficacions Eucalyptus

Winter Images, Pictures, Comments
Efficacions Eucalyptus

This day’s element is Air, which promotes clear thinking. But it is difficult to breathe, let alone think straight, if your sinuses are painful and your chest is congested with catarrh. So if you are suffering from a cold, turn to eucallyptus for help:  many commercial inhalanats and chest rubs contain this natural decongestant, but a home-made steam inhalation usually provides longer-lasting relief. Simply add 2 to 4 drops of the essential oil to a bowl of hot water, then lean over the bowl, cover your head with a towel, and start breathing in and out slowly and deeply; do this for up to five minutes.

“A Mystical Message”

Air is an agent of communication, for sounds are carried on the airwaves. Practice chanting a mantra, such as the Sanskrit Om, the mystical sound of creation in hindu belief, and you may find that this resonant repetition aids your meditation or trance-work.

The Wicca Book of Days

Heartwings Love Notes 347: The Goodness of Friends

Heartwings Love Notes 347: The Goodness of Friends

 
Heartwings says, “It is wonderful to have a good friend, and even better to have more than one.”
 
On Sunday Stephen and I slept late, had a nice brunch and prepared ourselves for a relaxed creative day. Then the clanking began again. The noises had gone on occasionally for the past week or so, once or twice waking Stephen up. We couldn’t figure out what they were, and they seemed to be getting worse.
 
From the basement where I had gone to investigate I heard Stephen calling. I rushed upstairs and into the sunroom. With three large windows and a slider, that room is often cold. That morning I discovered that several of my plants had frozen in the night. There was more to come. Water was flooding from the baseboard. We fetched a bucket and bailed to no avail.
 
Water poured on out. The rug was already soaked. I called a friend who had helped us get settled and knew the heating system to help me shut off the water to that room. It took time but we finally did. I opened the door to the garage. Water had come out of the broken pipes long enough to have soaked much of the garage ceiling. Water and plaster rained down on the car.
 
A second friend came and helped us by pulling most of the sheetrock down and carrying it away. He also brought over a large fan and a dehumidifier to help dry out the rug. His wife called their heating technician who came over today and now the pipes are fixed and the heat is back on in that room.
 
Even though the whole experience was quite traumatic, Stephen and I are extremely grateful for the way it all worked out. First, if it hadn’t snowed we would have been gone all that afternoon. Then if it hadn’t been for the help of our friends I don’t know what we would have done or how we could have managed. What a blessing it is to have friends and how grateful we are.
 
May you be given whatever help you need whenever you need it.
 

Blessings and Best Regards, Tasha Halpert

 

For more Love Notes or to subscribe: www.heartwingslovenotes.com.

My poetry and blog: www.gotpoetry.com under the Avatar of Pujakins.

Domestic Tranquility, conversations between me and Stephen and Cooking with Tasha are posted on You Tube under Stephen and Tasha Halpert.

Check Heartwings Place on YouTube to hear me read my Pujatales.

For Stephen’s and other humorous writing go to: www.funnywrite.com

To view Stephen’s art, go to www.stephenhalpert.com

 
 

SELECTING A CRYSTAL

SELECTING A CRYSTAL

To select a crystal, first put yourself in a calm space. Hold the crystal in your right hand with the point towards you. Feel it physically. Be open to sensations like tingling, or change in temperature. Also feel the crystal emotionally. Think of the purpose you want it for, and see if you feel attracted to it. Be more concerned with how it feels than how it looks.
Allow the crystal to pick you by interacting with it in this way. And remember to go with your initial feeling.

WHAT CRYSTALS DO

WHAT CRYSTALS DO

Quartz crystals are a gift from the earth. They have the ability to amplify or strengthen the things in you that are positive, and can help you put away things that cause you fear or anger. They can strengthen your ability to be a loving person, and can enhance your abilities to enjoy life and accomplish the things you want in life. They can amplify intention, reduce stress, help with centering (balancing or calming), strengthen healing abilities, and surround you with protection by amplifying white light. Any healthy quartz crystal point can strengthen these things and help produce personal growth by amplifying the subtle energies that flow inside you.

HOW CRYSTALS GROW

HOW CRYSTALS GROW

Generally, quartz crystals grow in a hexagonal (six sided) structure, with additional faces sloping towards a point at one end. A crystal with these characteristics is itself also called a POINT. Points may be totally clear and transparent, or they may contain streaks, lines, rainbows, water bubbles or other inclusions. They may also appear cloudy if they have grown in a place where it freezes in the winter. Optical clarity usually has little to do with
a crystal’s quality and its ability to amplify the subtle energies.

PROTECTION, The Five Pebbles

PROTECTION, The Five Pebbles

Go to a moving brook or stream. While standing in the water and facing downstream, remove five small pebbles from the stream bed As you do this, visualize your need for protection.

As your hand closes over the pebbles, see them beaming out protective energies. Just as the pebbles are hard and have weathered for eons, so too will they strengthen your protective shield.

Now carry them at all times for protection. If you wish, place them in a small pouch or a fold of cloth, or incorporate them into some form of jewelry.

Spell Of The Day – Celtic Tree Month of Rowan Begins

Spell Of The Day – Celtic Tree Month of Rowan Begins
Also known as the mountain ash, the rowan tree has long enjoyed magical eminence for its protective properties.
With the festival of Imbolc just around the corner, today is the perfect day to clear your space of negative energy
and make a protection charm for the remaining winter days ahead. Burn a sprig of rosemary to cleanse your home,
sweeping the rooms widdershins (counterclockwise) to banish stagnant energy. If possible, find a branch or twig
from a rowan tree. Or, if rowan is not available, use a sturdy branch of rosemary. Wind a red ribbon thrice around
the branch. With each wrap, say:
 
The power of rowan
protects me and thee.
 
Hang the branch above your door.
By: Karri Allrich

Daily OM for Jan. 20 – Releasing and Welcoming

Releasing and Welcoming
Energetic Sweeping

Sweeping the front porch every morning is an important cleansing ritual that prepares the ground for new energy.

In some of our lives, sweeping has become an activity performed without much thought. In many cases, sweeping is a lost art, replaced by the noisy, efficient vacuum cleaner. But in several cultures and religions, sweeping the front and back porch every morning is regarded as an important cleansing ritual that prepares the ground for new energy on every level—physically, spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. It is often employed to sanctify a space and prepare it for a ceremony. This seemingly simple action has the power to clear away the old and make space for the new. It stirs up the energy in a place, clearing out the astral buildup that is the natural by-product of the presence of humans.

This kind of sweeping is not about cleaning the area of dust. In fact, the broom doesn’t have to actually touch the ground to be effective. You might want to consider having two different brooms, one you use for cleaning dust and dirt, and one you use for energy clearing. If you are so inspired, you could decorate your broom by carving its handle, painting it, decorating it with gemstones and ribbons, or any other creative adornment that appeals to you. You can also make your own broom out of tree branches and twigs, or choose a naturally appearing broom from nature, such as a pine bough.

Sweeping each morning prepares the ground for the new day at the same time as it deepens our awareness of the importance of letting go of the past to welcome the present. As we clear the energy of our space, we clear our own energy systems. In addition, we create a space that feels clean, clear, and open to all who enter. Be sure to think welcoming thoughts as you sweep, manifesting what you need for the day. Making sweeping part of our daily ritual tunes us into the continuing cycle of releasing the old and welcoming the new that is the hallmark of a healthy energy system.