Herb of the Day for April 15 is White Camphor

Herb of the Day

White Camphor

CAMPHOR, WHITE (Cinnamonum camphora) – When undiluted, familiar smell of Camphor – penetrating, slightly sweet or flowery, quite strong. Diluted, has a “fresh” type of scent, and is commonly used in various household cleaners, room sprays, and disinfectants. It has been used particularly against pneumococci (one type of bacteria which causes pneumonia), and is reported to be of benefit when applied to boils. Antispasmodic. Anti-inflammatory (used externally to soothe joint/muscle pain, and bronchitis). Feels cool to the touch. Numbs the local peripheral nerves, thus has a local analgesic effect..

I’m sorry

Good Thursday Morning, my sweets!

I suppose you are wondering what I am apologizing for. I have not been doing my daily postings the way I like too. This is due to the fact, I have been sick. The doctors aren’t really sure what is wrong with me. On the back of my head, I will have a knot that just rises out of the head. This knot is about the size of a cut in half golf ball. It also has veins coming from it and they run in all directions. It is very painful and the pain runs down into my neck and shoulders. This is the second time I have had this. The first time, the doctors was baffled and they didn’t know what it was. So I was diagnosed with shingles and they gave me an antibiotic and sent me on my way. Well this time when the knot came back, it was bigger and much more tender than before. It hurt to do anything to my hair. It hurt to move my neck. So we pack up and go to the doctor’s again. This time I laid down on the slab and the doctor rummaged through my hair. I showed her where the knot was and she found it and it was like “oh, sh–.” Doctors aren’t that gentle. Anyway, she said with me laying down she could trace the knot. She said the knot had veins that were puffed up. She could trace were the knot was going.  So now, I am on an antibiotic and another one medication that is for anti-viral medication. The anti-viral makes me sleepy and I take it three times a day. So I have been posting through naps, lol!

I just wanted to let you know what was going on. I didn’t want you to think I was trying to get out of my job. You can’t get rid of me that easy, lol! I would ask a favor from you though, please keep me in your prayers. This is very painful, every joint in my body hurts. I would deeply appreciate your prayers. I am going to start posting. If you hear zzzzzzzzzzzz, you know what happened, the drugs kicked it, lol.

Thank you so much for your understanding,

Lady A

Your Daily Number for April 12: 9

Your Daily Number: 9

Today is a wonderful day for finances, or for doing something creative with your mind. You may feel a bit misunderstood today and under some emotional stress. Any sense of melancholy will pass.

Fast Facts

About the Number 9

Theme: Encompassing a love for all, Compassion, Patience, Selfless
Astro Association: Virgo
Tarot Association: Hermit

Gemstone of the Day for April 11 is Jasper

Gemstone of the Day
 
 
Jasper

Chalcedony qtz. Multicolored, solid. Yellow, orange, brown, green. Yellow for stomach, intestines, liver, spleen areas. earthy grounding. Green: Respiratory/Heart Chakra. General tissue regeneration; mineral assimilation; general healing. Darker colors: more grounding. Suggested to be used for elixirs because it will not over-stimulate any part of the body. Considered more effective if it is used for long periods of time because it works slowly. It is a methodical and meticulous worker. Each color of Jasper has additional specific qualities when used alone. Jasper works well in conjunction with Opals. Recommended for executives as an aid to quick thinking. Also helps them endure stress.
Brown Jasper: Helps one find stability and balance. Benefits ailments that result from environmental pollution. Boosts the immune system and assist in extracting pollutants and toxins from the body. Keep in mind that this process takes some time since Jaspers work slowly. Helps one become more ecologically aware. Well suited for use by people who wish to relive past events through regression or analysis.
Green Jasper: Especially suited to tempering aspects of your life that have taken on too great an importance. Works as a gentle daily reminder that the whole is only the result of all the parts. Works best on ailments of the upper torso, digestive tract, and the cleansing organs.
Red Jasper: Much like Bloodstone in its link to the circulatory system. Beneficial in battling diseases of the blood and detoxifying blood-rich organs like the liver. It helps bring problems to light before they are a threat.
Yellow Jasper: Beneficial to the endocrine glands and the cleansing organs. Makes one feel stronger and in better physical condition.

Herb of the Day for April 11th is Black Cohosh

Herb of the Day

 
Black Cohosh
Botanical: Cimicifuga racemosa (NUTT.)
Family: N.O. Ranunculaceae

Synonyms—Black Snake Root. Rattle Root. Squaw Root.
Bugbane.
Part Used—Root.


Habitat—A native of North America, where it grows freely in shady woods in Canada and the United States. It is called Black Snake Root to distinguish it from the Common Snake Root (Aristolochia serpentaria).

Description—The seeds are sent annually to Europe, and should be sown as soon as the season will permit. It flowers in June or early in July, but does not perfect seed in England, though it thrives well in moist shady borders and is perfectly hardy. It is a tall, herbaceous plant, with feathery racemes of white blossoms, 1 to 3 feet long, which being slender, droop gracefully. The fruits are dry.

The plant produces a stout, blackish rhizome (creeping underground stem), cylindrical, hard and knotty, bearing the remains of numerous stout ascending branches. It is collected in the autumn after the fruit is formed and the leaves have died down, then cut into pieces and dried. It has only a faint, disagreeable odor, but a bitter and acrid taste.

The straight, stout, dark brown roots which are given off from the under surface of the rhizome are bluntly quadrangular and furrowed. In the dried drug, they are brittle, broken off usually quite close to the rhizome. In transverse section, they show several wedge-shaped bundles of porous, whitish wood. A similar section of the rhizome shows a large dark-colored, horny pith, surrounded by a ring of numerous pale wedges of wood, alternately with dark rays, outside which is a thin, dark, horny bark.

Constituents—The chief constituent of Cimicifuga root is the amorphous resinous substance known as Cimicifugin, or Macrotin, of which it contains about 18 per cent but the bitter taste is due to a crystalline principle named Racemosin. The drug also contains two resins, together with fat, wax starch, gum, sugar and an astringent substance.

Medicinal Action and Uses—Astringent, emmenagogue, diuretic, alternative, expectorant. The root of this plant is much used in America in many disorders, and is supposed to be an antidote against poison and the bite of the rattlesnake. The fresh root, dug in October, is used to make a tincture.

In small doses, it is useful in children’s diarrhea.

In the paroxysms of consumption, it gives relief by allaying the cough, reducing the rapidity of the pulse and inducing perspiration. In whooping-cough, it proves very effective.

The infusion and decoction have been given with success in rheumatism.

In infantile disorders, it is given in the form of syrup. It is said to be a specific in St. Vitus’ Dance of children. Overdoses produce nausea and vomiting Preparations—Fluid extract, U.S.P., 15 to 30 drops. Fluid extract, B.P., 5 to 30 drops. Tincture, U.S.P., 1 drachm. Tincture, B.P., 15 to 60 drops. Cimicifugin, 1 to 6 grains. Powdered extract, U.S.P., 4 grains.

THE GODDESS IS ALIVE

THE GODDESS IS ALIVE
              
Moon shines down upon a sea of Light,
Shifting sands lay singing in the Heart of the Night.
I looked upon a scene that gripped me to the core,
White-clad maidens below were dancing on the shore.
  
Sweet sounds slipped from moon-lit throats,
Wind whipped hair abound,
Lit by the light within and without,
The Women circled ’round.
  
As I stood, water engulfed my feet,
My body swayed to your Heavenly Heart beat.
Wind and wave and fire light,
Paled in my mind Earthly delight.
  
Time slipped by me as you held your embrace,
And windblown spray covered my face.
Protected deep within your Womb,
I could feel the tender pain of Life’s bloom.
 
Candles flared high as the Dance progressed,
Deep inside with a healing touch you blessed.
All around, wind, wave and fire shouted of your life,
Your light speared deep within, soothing my strife.
 
Divine Mother, Goddess of Light,
To you I come seeking protection from the night.
Come home to shelter within your arm,
Surrounded by Love, hidden from harm.

Holy Mother, Queen of Heaven and Earth,
From you we all trace our Birth.
Heavenly Goddess, light from above,
Shine down upon us, we pray for your Love.

Today is Monday, April 11th

Monday is ruled by the moon

Archangel: Gabriel

Candle colour: Silver

Incenses: Jasmine or Myrrh

Crystals: Moonstone or Opal

Use Mondays for spells for fertility, protection especially while traveling for home, and family and to increase psychic and healing powers.

Where possible, work close to any water and, as a bonus, by moonlight.

Your Daily Influences for April 11th

Your Daily Influences
April 11, 2011 
 

Tarot Influence

Rune Influence


Charm Influence
Knight of Swords Reversed
Given to bragging. A bully, prone to fighting. Possibly self destructive.
Mannaz
Now is the time for you to explore your inner self and those of others. Your intelligence and creativity are very well honed at the moment. Cooperation from and with others should be very easy to attain.
Magic Nails
Your sleep may be disturbed by restless spirits over the short period. They will not pass until the next waning moon. Their presence is to influencing a major decision you must make although which way they may not reveil. This aspect is affected by psychic restlessness.
Your Daily Influences represent events and challenges the current day will present for you. They may represent opportunities you should be ready to seize. Or they may forewarn you of problems you may be able to avoid or lessen. Generally it is best to use them as tips to help you manage your day and nothing more.

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for April 11th

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for Everyone:

59: Dispersing

Monday, April 11th, 2011

Hexagram 59
 
General Meaning: Nothing survives forever, not even rocks, not even the most rigid of structures. The erosion of that which has been solid is not necessarily bad: it can mean that something new is being created. The image is of ice floes, hardened in winter, dispersing in the warmth of spring; when the ice melts, a mighty river emerges.

Rigidity in the hearts of men and women tends to breed a separateness that can only be thawed by a greater force: typically, some strong spiritual stirring. The thawing of cold hearts always improves conditions.

The first thing to dissolve is any internal rigidity that separates you from others. Try to work more closely with your mates, concentrating on common activities which evidence your integrity and native goodwill. Sudden, strong action in support of a greater good can lift the spirit, and lead toward new possibilities in many areas. Spiritual impulses — including a strong sense of justice — should be honored, and acted upon. They can provide the initial impulse to important and constructive change.

And if you should have any lingering business or partnerships which are inactive or not working, you might consider dissolving these as well.

Motivational Thought of the Day 4/9

 “I’m strong of mind… strong of heart… I’m strong in spirit. There’s strength within my soul, strength in my body. I have passion & ambitions. I am driven… determined & I will not go down without a fight because I have fire burning on the inside. There’s something that whispers within & tells me…don’t give.up! I swear it. I won’t give up!”
Written in 2011 by Brianna G. — Pennsylvania

TGIF! It’s Friday People, Wake Up!

First of all please let me apologize for yesterday. The No Posting Thing, you know! Well it had been eating at me for a while to redo the graphics. So I said what the heck, go for it. I didn’t honestly expect it to take that long but the graphics didn’t want to cooperate and I still have some left to do.

I don’t seldom make request from you, reader. But now I need to ask for your help. My hubby is going to retire. He is not old enough to draw his full pension and also I can’t get him to a damn thing around. This is broke and it needs fixing or something else is tore up and it needs fixing. I can’t get the man to do anything. I would deeply appreciate it, if you could say a prayer and light a candle for us. It would be deeply appreciate.

Thank you so much,

Lady A

Herb of the Day for 4/6 is Aloe Vera

Herb of the Day 

 

Aloe Vera

 

 

Aloe vera, Aloe spp.
MEDICINAL: The gel of the inner part of an aloe leaf is used to treat burns, skin rashes, and insect bites, as well as chafed nipples from breastfeeding, when applied to the affected area externally. Internally it can be used to keep the bowels functioning smoothly, or when there is an impaction, although it can cause intestinal cramping when taken internally, and there are other herbs that do this job better. It aids in healing wounds by drawing out infection, and preventing infection from starting. The fresh gel is best to use, rather than “stabilized” gels found in the stores. The fresh gel was used by Cleopatra to keep her skin soft and young.

RELIGIOUS: Growing an aloe vera plant in the kitchen will help prevent burns and mishaps while cooking. It will also prevent household accidents, and guard against evil. It is reported that aloe was used to embalm the body of Christ.

GROWING: Best grown indoors in pots. Those living in the deep South, as in southern Texas or southern Florida, can grow aloe outdoors. Remember that Aloe is a succulent, not a cactus, so it needs water to keep the leaves fleshy and juicy.

Mild Energy Tonic for Fatigue

This is an excellent tonic for travelers or those recuperating from chronic illness or surgery.

1   tablespoon Siberian ginseng root

1   tablespoon ho shou wu (foti)

1   codonopsis dang shen root

2   slices (or 2 tablespoons ground root) astragalus yellow vetch

1   tablespoon suma root (optional)

Simmer all in 2 cups of water, covered, for 1 1/2 hours, or tincture in brandy to cover for 1 month. Drink 1/2 cup of tea daily or dilute a teaspoon of tincture in boiled water. It is safe for elderly folks and children in half doses. For elderly folks, drink 1/4 cup of tea twice daily. Children over 10 years old may drink 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of diluted tea daily for 1 to 2 weeks of the month. If suma and Siberian ginseng are not available as roots, use a tablespoon of dried herbs or buy a tincture (an alcoholic tincture of these roots is often available in health food stores) and add a few drops to your tea.

Energy Tonic

Drink this in the midafternoon when your energy levels begin to slide.

1    American ginseng root

1    teaspoon fenugreek seeds

1    (1/4-inch) slice ginger root or 1 piece licorice root

Simmer in 2 cups of water for 1 hour covered. Strain and drink a half cup for a morning or a mid-afternoon boost.

*Note: Ginseng and ginger are not recommended for inflammatory disease or for women on estrogen blockers. Licorice root is not recommended for hypertensives.

Attunement

Before choosing a tonic for yourself or a loved one, allow yourself to attune to the needs of the recipient. First, choose a tonic that most suits the symptom.

Is the symptom acute or chronic and recurring? Acute symptoms need quick acting, bitter, sedating, or cooling tonics. Chronic, recurring symptoms require warming and nurturing herbs. Roots and barks often have nurturing qualities. Leaves and flowers are cooling  and can reduce the vitality of one with chronic symptoms if used without building roots and soothing barks. Plan a tonic with long-term results for long-term or recurring problems. Stimulating herbs and spices may be used sparingly to allow the system to accept their warmth. Long term and heavy detoxification is not recommended for chronic disease.

Choose herbs that support the personality and awareness of the recipient. It is normal to have emotional manifestations when the body’s chemistry is not in balance. If the individual is displaying anger, choose herbs that will not overstimulate or heat up their system such as spearmint or chamomile. Do not choose a heating root like ginseng in the combination. If the individual is weepy, choose herbs that promote diuresis. When the kidney flush, they will move out excess fluids and metabolic wastes. Use the tonic long enough to achieve the desired  effect. Longer uration is only acceptable for longevity tonics recommended by an experienced practitioner. If someone tells you “it;s natural, it can’t hurt you,” run homme and make a tension reliever tea. You probably know more about herbs and have been blessed with greater common sense.

Become acquainted with as many herbs as you can grow organically or obtain locally. It is better to be well acquainted with a few herbs than to know little about many. When in doubt, use local compresses, external application, and aromasignatures before ingesting a questionable tonic.

Hearsay and whaat works for your neighbor is not the safest way to choose a tonic. We wouldn’t think of sharing a prescription drug. Make sure you use tonics as a good and not a drug. Each individual has a body that knows hoe to heal itself. Give yourself that chance as you enjoy the rapport you will experience from growing organic herbs and cooking a tonic, as an elixir for radiant health.

Altar Blessing and Empowerment

Altar Blessing and Empowerment

Supplies: Scented oils or perfumes (ingredients you hold sacred to yourself).

Instructions: Pass the four elements (red candle, incense, salt and water) over the altar three times in a clockwise direction. Imagine that you are sitting positive energies into action. Once this is done, place the incense in the east, the fire in the south, the water in the west, and the salt in the north. Dab the scented oil on each corner of the altar, and then in the middle, saying.

I bless and consecrate these, O sacred altar, in the name of Spirit. May you repel negative energy and collect positive energy from this day forward until the end of time. So mote it be.

Draw an equal-armed cross in the air over the altar surface to seal the positive energies to the stone/wood. Tip the edge of the altar four times, once for each direction. Then say:

As above, so below. This altar is sealed. So mote it be.
You are now ready to work any kind of magic.

Daily Feast, Elder Meditation & Think on these Things for 4/5

  April 5 – Daily Feast

Power of some kind affects everything we do. But this power is not political or electronic so that one little glitch can wipe it out in seconds. The real power is what the Cherokee calls adadolisdi – which is prayer. Quicker than lightning, it if is handled the right way it can do anything. Born of spirit, this power is dynamite. It does not rely on outside currents of energy to keep it going, but thrives on self-generated faith that is properly fed and well-kept. We have no idea how dynamic this inner power is until we begin to rely totally on things and people outside ourselves. It is then that we feel the lack of joy needed to connect us to powerful adadolisdi, the language of love and worship. We can overcome the impossible with fire and nettle. We can grow in stamina with every breath – when we learn to use the power that is within us.

~ We may quarrel with men about things on earth, but we never quarrel about the Great Spirit. ~

CHIEF JOSEPH

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

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Elder’s Meditation of the Day – April 5

“As we plunge ahead to build empires and race for supremacy we should stop and listen to [the female] song of life. For without the female there is no life.”

Women are created with the ability to produce life. Women have a special tie to the Earth Mother. They have something in common. They are the source of life. The Earth Mother gives songs to the Woman to sing. These songs are about life, about beauty, about children, about love, about family, about strength, about caring, about nurturing, about forgiveness, about God. The World needs to pay attention and listen to Her. She knows.

Great Spirit, let me listen to Her songs.

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‘THINK on THESE THINGS’
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler

It doesn’t seem that a simple thing like going fishing could have such excellent results when the world suddenly seems too much. It is a very difficult thing to worry when your mind is fixed intently on a little red and white plastic float bobbing in the water.

Just taking one’s mind off the general routine of living for even a short time is like a much needed and appreciated vacation. We seldom recognize the need for getting away from the monotony of following each day with another day exactly like it. We lose the value of the hours and minutes and lump them all together and plod along expecting miracles to come someday and save us.

The effort we have to give is in releasing the problem and concentrating on something beautifully simple and uncomplicated. Living doesn’t seem so ominous when we can go fishing for a little peace and quiet, and sidetrack the things that weigh so heavily on our minds.

Good health is such a blessing. We don’t all realize how much we aid or harm our own health. In fact, we give much more thought to being careful not to get wet than being careful not to get angry. And it is said that anger can lower resistance to colds much quicker than getting wet.

It is a proven fact that to feel love builds a resistance to illnesses while resentment and hate can destroy both mind and body.

Longfellow once wrote that joy, temperance, and repose would slam the door on the doctor’s nose. There’s no doubt but that most doctor’s noses are safe. But they, too, would be glad if more patients would exercise their abilities to lift themselves out of much of their ill health by knowing some measure of joy rather than self pity, some healthy thoughts and less thought of self.

We lower our resistance to ill health in many ways, but none works against us as surely as worry, anxiety, and care, plus our inability to recognize the fact that we are our own greatest enemy.

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Available online! ‘Cherokee Feast of Days’
By Joyce Sequichie Hifler.

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for 4/4

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for Everyone:

62: Attention to Detail

Monday, April 4th, 2011

Hexagram 62

General Meaning: Ambitious undertakings are not in order now, but attention to small matters brings progress. Such is the case of a person whose resources are meager, but who, through modesty and perseverance, rises to accomplish great things.

The key to success when small potential influences the larger scene is to avoid pretentious ambitions and grandiose goals. The power of the small is served by slow and steady advancement, and succeeds through an honest awareness of its own limitations, without reservation.

Modesty stemming from recognizing your limitations is a fine quality, but it can be seen as weakness if it is not accompanied by conscientiousness. It is important to understand the demands of your situation, and not to expect success in big things right now. The wise person recognizes the nature of the time. So, know your own role, carefully attend to details and act with humility, and you can achieve your goal even with few resources.

Magickal Goody for 4/2 – INSECT REPELLENT

INSECT REPELLENT

2 oz. vegetable oil or vodka
1/4 tsp each citronella and eucalyptus essential oils
1/8 tsp each pennyroyal, cedar and rose geranium essential oil,

Combine ingredients and apply mixture directly to all exposed skin. Keep oil
away from eyes and mouth – take care not to rub your eyes right after applying
the repellent with you fingers