Tag: Charity shop

Your Daily Horoscopes for Monday, November 12

We’re not interested in compromising for the sake of a relationship today; our perceptions are non-negotiable. The Moon’s shift into fixed Scorpio at 6:10 am EST encourages us to believe that what we perceive is absolutely real, settling a previously unstable situation. However, her afternoon conjunction with taskmaster Saturn requires us to defend our feelings. Fortunately, we’re still standing on solid ground even if others disagree with us.

 

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You may be required to face the consequences of your desires today. From a positive perspective this process can deepen a relationship, allowing you to grow more intimate with another person. It’s about going further than you normally choose to go. However, difficulties arise if you try to blast through resistance without taking responsibility. Make the most of your time now by slowing down to address the softer side of the story.

 

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

It seems as if nothing is simple now as powerful feelings impact your connections with others. Your current inclination to peel away the layers of the onion to see what’s underneath can be a welcome opportunity to take a relationship to the next level. But dissatisfaction might be revealed that leads to renegotiating a partnership agreement or even ending it. Be courageous and accept the changes that are inevitable parts of life.

 

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

A task that you thought was already completed could require additional work now. If you rushed through it the first time around, expect to put more effort into it again today. This is an excellent time to do some maintenance, even if you are not very excited about the idea. Cleaning up at home or at work can bring satisfaction if you pick one job and do it thoroughly, rather than spreading your energy too thin.

 

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

Intensity is the keyword for the day, and there’s no way you just want to kick back and relax. Power and passion can bring fulfillment — and this means taking risks with your heart, even if the situation is complex. Life doesn’t have to be simple now to be good. Romance may shine brightly on your horizon today because you’re capable of discovering new heights of pleasure with the right partner.

 

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

Expect to face issues of power and control now, especially in family dynamics. You might see a potential conflict as a difficult situation that must be avoided, but it can also be a rare opportunity to break unconscious patterns that limit your choices. Be fearless and know that greatness comes from addressing the toughest issues with frank openness, rather than avoiding them as a matter of pride.

 

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

Sometimes strategically telling a secret is quite useful, but it can also be very dangerous. The risk is that while you get closer to one person, you might lose the trust of others who are not included in the conversation. The positive side is that you may receive objective insights from someone who has a very clear take on the issues. Use your keen analytical mind today to make sense out of a previously mysterious situation.

 

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

Although it’s the start of the workweek, your mind may be set on doing some serious shopping today. You have an eye for bargains that will help you spot a real deal. This is perfect for hitting thrift stores or buying antiques, and even if it’s not your style to argue over prices, you can be an extra successful negotiator now. Put your money sense to work for you and buy something that appreciates in value and makes you happy.

 

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

Although differences of opinion are normal, you don’t need to escalate them into outright conflict today. You’re the passionate type who doesn’t take a half-hearted approach, giving you strength of vision when things get tough. But this intensity can also trap you in an extreme position now. Keep an open mind and a healthy sense of humor. Remember, it isn’t worth damaging a relationship just to make your point.

 

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

Although your motto might be live and let live, it seems like you could lose some of your easygoing attitude today. Even a simple conversation can build in intensity and volume until tempers grow out of control. Naturally, you have a right to your opinions, but nothing is gained by getting upset now. Keep things on friendly terms or just drop the subject for a while. Make a peaceful exit from the scene before blowing your cool.

 

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

Others seem to make situations more difficult today, especially if you are inflexible in your attitude. You prefer to stick with your plan, but should prepare yourself to make adjustments if you want to avoid conflict. Don’t use force to get your way; instead, step back and try to understand the opposing viewpoint. You may not agree with the ideas, but you can maintain harmony now if you respectfully listen to what’s being said.

 

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

You are a great believer in freedom and individuality. Exerting power over other people might not interest you, but you have responsibilities today that require you to step up to the plate and be a leader. Working within specific structures can succeed if the rest of the group shares your enthusiasm for the cause. You may be able to accomplish the impossible now with a dedicated team effort.

 

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

Someone might require your emotional support today, but all you can bring is a wider perspective on the situation. Your faith and spirituality help create a larger context to balance a sense of loss. Although a situation may seem hopeless, your innate wisdom is comforting to those in need. Trust in your ability to reduce pain and suffering, even if you feel like you’re not doing all that much now.

Modern Tools for Ancient Arts

Modern Tools for Ancient Arts
 
Though the mortar and pestle were definitely useful to our forefamilies, most of us today just don’t have the time to sit around grinding herbs. Most of us don’t have time to wait several weeks for magickal herbs to dry or for ritual oils to fix. Even if we did, who wants to?
Today, we use many types of modern kitchen conveniences to ease our lives. The days of slaving over a hot stove are gone. Gone, too, are the incessant “When is dinner going to be ready?” questions and those “I’m starving” whines. We just yank something out of the freezer, pop it into the microwave, and in a matter of minutes–presto!–dinner is served. We make fancy salads in seconds with the help of the food processor. The blender is a multi-faceted kitchen wonder, and I know of no working person alive who can manage without a crockpot.
With the high availability of such wonders, we would never dream of going back to consistently cooking on a wood stove or, even worse, an open fire. To even suggest such a thing would be absurd. What’s more, we use these devices to best serve the needs of our most precious commodity–our families.
Why, then, don’t we use them to increase our magickal efficiency? It is probably because we get so caught up in the “ancient” part of the magickal arts, that it never crosses our minds. We continually seek out obscure objects to use as magickal tools because we think we are supposed to. The fact is that magickal implements don’t have to be ancient to be useful. They don’t have to look like the ritual tools of old. The only pre-requisite for magickal tools is that they work efficiently for the jobs we designate.

 

Today’s convenience items have the capacity to increase efficiency in the magickal household and cut preparation time in half. Using these time-savers will not decrease magickal power. Spending less time on a working does not mean putting less of yourself into it. Saving time does not mean cutting corners. Instead, it means increased productivity and more time for magickal work. If you are still concerned about using today’s technology for use in the magickal arts, here is some food for thought. The mortar and pestle was once a modern convenience, too.
 
When the Earth was young, grinding grain and herbs was a painstakingly slow process. The only way to accomplish such a feat was to rub the substance between two rocks and hope for the best. Much later, someone invented the mortar and pestle, a vast improvement over the earlier method. It allowed portability, grinding ease, and a greater amount of productivity. At the time, folks probably viewed the mortar and pestle as a modern convenience. Did our forefathers scoff at the new device? Did they refuse to use it because the ancient way was better? Did they think it would hamper their magick? No. Obviously, they acquired it and used it. If they hadn’t, we wouldn’t think of it today as one of our most valuable ritual tools.
 
If you decide to use modern appliances for magickal purposes, please remember that they then become magickal tools. In other words, using the same appliance for mixing love sachets and frozen margaritas isn’t a good idea (unless you are counting more on magick than drink ingredients to pack the intended wallop). Use appliances for magickal purposes only and consecrate them as such. If you don’t have extras and don’t want to give up your kitchen appliances, check at your local second-hand store or thrift shop. You can usually find appliances in good condition there for a very nominal charge.
 
“Everyday Magic”
Dorothy Morrison