Blue Phoenix Dreams

Improve health and strengthen brain function

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 21:33:16 GMT

Meditation Improves Health and Strengthens Brain Functions

Monks are considered the superstars of meditation, but benefits can come from a variety of repetitive, mind-clearing practices that elicit the so-called relaxation response. Such as swaying in prayer, saying the rosary even knitting.

Under that broad definition, about one-half of Americans perform some sort of meditation.

Massachusetts General Hospital researchers scanned the brains of 20 people who meditated regularly.

These people had four regions of cortex -- the rind of the brain, associated with higher functions like memory and decision making -- that were thicker than in 15 subjects who didn't meditate.

In addition, the researchers found signs that one area of the cortex seemed to have aged less quickly than it did in non-meditators. The study did not look at whether those brain differences had a noticeable impact on behavior, but researchers are now doing follow-up work to assess that.

The findings ''provide the first evidence that alterations in brain structure are associated with Western-style meditation practice, possibly reflecting increased use of specific brain regions," said Sara Lazar, of Harvard.

In other Harvard-affiliated work, researchers reported that by using a device that can analyze every breath a person exhales, they could objectively measure the depth of relaxation a person had achieved. People who reached deeper states of relaxation exhaled more nitric oxide, a gas known to relax the smooth muscles in arteries, and aid blood flow.

''Our results provide initial evidence of how the relaxation response intervention and other mind/body approaches might lower blood pressure," said Jeffery A. Dusek. ''In the near future, it may even be possible to use our new technique to determine an effective 'dose' of meditation for a given person, or to identify characteristics of individuals who best respond to the relaxation response intervention."

Another new study, from the University of Kentucky, found that meditation could offset the sluggishness of sleep deprivation better than a nap.

Researchers tested volunteers on a button-pressing speed task, and found that even novice meditators improved their performance more after 40 minutes of meditation than after a 40-minute nap. Meditation helped even after a full night of sleep deprivation.

Ultimately, scientists aim to understand not only the powers of monks but the everyday experiences of amateur meditators for lowering high blood pressure and increasing energy.

There are many ways to meditate. Here’s one that I enjoy.

Focus on your breath flowing deep into your abdomen. Contract the abdomen lightly on the exhale. Breath slow and regular, don’t hold or force inhalation or exhale.

Count each breath beginning at 1. Count upwards ending at the 5th breath. Then count each breath beginning at 5 and going down to 0. Then mentally, silently say a single syllable word that gives you the desired sensation with each breath. Word examples are Peace, Joy, Love, One, Wealth.

This meditation can be done in waking consciousness throughout the day as you need a spot of relaxation (in traffic or meetings) or sitting with eyes closed in a longer session.
http://mindcontrolwithhypnosis.blogspot.com/

Crystals as Amulets and Talismans

Before continuing, a distinction needs to be made between amulets and
talismans. An amulet is used for protection, be it from illness,
diseases, specific dangers (such as protection from lightning, while
travelling by sea, etc) "evil" (like the evil eye, evil spirits or
people) or anything else. A talisman is used to attract desired
qualities or situations, such as fertility, wealth, luck, success (in
business, litigation, hunting, fishing, etc), strength, etc. A charm
is generally an amulet, though the term is often used
indiscriminately to describe both amulets and talismans.

One of the oldest uses of crystals, exemplified by the Ancient
Egyptians, is making amulets and talismans from crystals: carnelian
was a particular favourite, being known as the "blood of Isis", and
seemed to be viewed in the same way as rowan has been as a
particularly potent protection from negative witchcraft and
sorceries. This protective talisman theme is also seen in ancient
myths, such as Prometheus wearing a sapphire ring when he stole the
fire from heaven, and Orpheus carrying a piece of agate as a
protective talisman when he descended into the underworld,.
Protective talismans were considered necessary for any dealings with
spirits from the underworld - one Greek manuscript details a heart-
shaped amulet of magnetite with the Underworld Goddess Hecate carved
on it; reference is made to the amulet being "sweet smelling",
suggesting the use of aromatic oils to anoint the talisman, possibly
as part of an offering.

Egyptian amulets were usually small carved crystals of deities (who
would protect from a particular ailment or condition) or (afflicted)
parts of the body (such as hand, eye, foot, etc). This principle of
sympathetic magick can be seen in early Europe through Celtic times
right up until recently, with votive offerings (though usually wood,
stone or metal) of afflicted body parts being thrown into rivers,
lakes and holy wells and springs. Other early cultures contemporary
with the Egyptians also used amulets and talismans, so fine examples
may be found amongst, e.g., the Sumerians, early Chinese culture,
etc, and as time went by, the Greeks and Romans and other cultures
continued this useage and maintained the tradition of crystal and
mineral amulets and talismans.

Amulets have a long tradition of useage by sea-faring peoples, to
provide protection from the fury that could be faced at sea. Many
amulets and stones were used for this purpose (especially aquamarine,
beryl and coral), and a Greek lapidary from 3-4th century CE details
seven amulets to be made for differing forms of protection. The
number seven might suggest the amulets were each used for a specific
day of the week, though each amulet did provide a specialised form of
protection. The amulets were thus:

1. A carbuncle (garnet) and a chalcedony - to protect sailors from
drowning.
2. Quartz or corundum - to protect from extreme weather.
3. Aquamarine - to banish fear.
4. Agate - to protect against the evil eye.
5. Coral, placed in strips of sealskin attached to the prow - to
protect the ship from winds and waves.
6. Banded agate - to protect from the surging waves of the ocean.
7. Jet - providing major protection for any travelling by river or
sea.

The Christian Church decided at an early date to declare its
opposition to the use of amulets. At the Council of Laodicea in 355
CE Canon 34 decreed "Priests and clerks must be neither enchanters,
mathematicians, nor astrologers, and that they must not make what are
called amulets for these are fetters of the soul, and all who wear
them shall be cast out of the church". As the centuries passed this
canon was used or ignored as was convenient by those in power in the
church, as is witnessed by the talismanic use of gems by the rich and
powerful, and indeed the use by the church of differing gems to
depict rank and station.

As man entered the Middle Ages, more and more crystal usage became
concerned with protection from ailments, particularly the plague.
Many stones were thought to protect from plague, the most striking
example being the Abraxas Stone. These stones beautifully illustrate
the thinking going into the talisman, being engraved on one side with
the image of a deity (who is appealed to for assistance/protection)
and on the other side with a magickal formula embodying the
protective formula - Abracadabra being derived from the Chaldean
phrase meaning "to perish like the word", reduces to an "A" and
perishes like the word, so likewise by sympathetic magick any
contagion or plague symptoms should also perish.

One of the most common themes found in Middle Eastern charms is
protection from snake bites and scorpion stings, a fact of daily life
in many countries. Thabit Ibn Qurra (836 - 901 CE) recorded details
of an interesting charm to rid a dwelling of scorpions. First an
image of a scorpion was made out of either copper, tin, lead, silver
or gold whilst Scorpio was in the ascendant in the heavens, and the
glyph of Scorpio (Z) and appropriate astrological information
engraved on the image. The scorpion charm was then buried under the
place afflicted by scorpions, whilst reciting "This is the burial of
it and its species, that it may not come to that one and to that
place." It was considered more effective to make four charms and
repeat this ritual, burying them at the four corners of the dwelling.
This is a lovely example of sympathetic magick, using the image of
the creature to be protected against, and the most propitious
astrological times, to ensure success in the desired spell.

Protective charms are still in use in some parts of the world today,
particularly the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Red coral charms
shaped like a crescent moon, representing the protective hand gesture
of index and little finger raised are still given to babies and worn
through life as a protection against the "evil eye". Agate eye stones
have been used in this manner for many centuries and their use
continues still.

In India crystals were most prized in combination in amulets. The two
famous amulets are the five gem Pancharatna, comprsiing amethyst,
diamond, emerald, gold and pearl; and the nine gem Navaratna,
comprising amethyst, cat's eye, coral, diamond, emerald, pearl, ruby,
sapphire and topaz.

Crystals can be found to suit any attribution you may require for a
talisman, and are easy to charge and carry indeed simply carrying a
crystal and playing with it while you are doing things will help it
build up charge and also focus your unconscious mind on the energy of
the talisman and help move you accordingly.

Shapes which work particularly well for protection are the sphere and
egg. When casting a magick "circle" you are really casting a sphere,
representing the universe, with you as the centre of the sphere (and
of course we are all the centre of our own universe, so don't feel
this is presumptuous). Having a sphere as your focus can enable you
to perceive the balance and uniformity of the sphere and the energies
in it, and engender a more protective atmosphere about you. The egg
also tends to produce a very protective feeling, corresponding as it
also does to the universe (as in many creation myths where the
universe is formed from an egg), and to the spirit tatva (tatvas are
elemental symbols representing the elements), particularly if the egg
is black or purple as the spirit tatva is coloured. Visualising
yourself in the centre of the sphere or egg, with the sphere/egg
being the centre of the sphere you have created can also produce
a "double glazed" effect, increasing the protection around you.

Cut crystals were also used in the past as a badge of rank, though
this may well have been due to the crystals being thought to be
imbued with magickal properties, as with the lapis lazuli feather of
Mayat (representing truth) worn by Egyptian judges set in gold and
worn on a heavy gold chain.

Amber is a very good general storer of charge and jet is hard to beat
as a protective absorption talisman (though it needs regular
cleaning, of course), which may explain the witches' traditional
amber and jet necklace. These were also sometimes interspersed with
bones, such as snake spine bones. The reasons for this are not clear,
but there are a number of possibilities, such as passing on the
enduring qualities of bone, drawing on qualities of the snake such as
wisdom, regeneration, etc.

As can be seen from all these examples, crystals have a long history
of use to attract qualities or to protect from events, so why not
spend a bit more time meditating with one of your crystals, and see
what comes up?

Extract taken from the book CRYSTALS - Healing & Folklore (Capall
Bann, 2002) by David Rankine. Available from Capall Bann Publishing

Herbal remedies for
high blood pressure
Heart disease and high blood pressure are often thought of as a
middle-aged man's disease. However, their occurrence is increasing rapidly among
younger people and women as well.

Fatty diets, high salt intake, smoking and a sedentary lifestyle all
increase the likelihood of developing high blood pressure. Treat this
condition by adopting a healthier lifestyle, including regular exercise and a
low-fat diet, and consider some traditional herbal remedies. Herbal solutions Plant
extracts reduce blood pressure in three ways. They can thin the blood,
so it can flow through constricted arteries more easily. As part of a balanced
diet they can help lower cholesterol. and they can also act as an antioxidant,
helping to stop plaque forming in the arteries.
Garlic and ginkgo are good for boosting circulation and reducing fatty
deposits on arterial walls. Turmeric is a good antioxidant, and herbs
that reduce, anxiety, such as mother wort and mistletoe, can also lower blood
pressure.Regular exercise and a healthy diet, including herbal treatments, can
help to reduce high blood pressure.
What is high blood pressure?
For blood to reach every organ in the body it needs to be pumped by
the heart. As blood moves through the arteries, a certain amount of
pressure builds The amount of resistance the heart encounters when pumping blood is
the level of blood pressure.

If you're healthy, your arteries will be flexible and will allow the
blood to pass through easily.
RISK FACTORS
If you're unhealthy, the pressure builds in the arteries, and in
severe cases, this can result in heart attacks or even strokes. High amounts
of cholesterol in the arteries can cause blockages, which can contribute
to arterial problems and serious heart complaints
Warning!
If you suffer from high blood pressure you should consult your doctor
before trying any of these treatments.

Herbs to treat high blood pressure
There is a range of herbs that can help you to lower blood pressure,
and most are easily available in your local stores.

Turmeric
A brightly colored Asian spice, turmeric is a close relative of
ginger. Its knobbly rhizome can be used fresh or dried to make tinctures or herbal
infusions Turmeric's active antioxidant ingredients act to lower blood
lipids and cholesterol and prevent blood clot formation It's also known to
strengthen blood vessels.
Garlic
The ultimate heart food, garlic lowers blood pressure by reducing the
stickiness of the bloodand cutting cholesterol levels It helps dissolve blood clots and
prevent plaque from adheringto the artery walls. The pungent odor of garlic cloves is due to
active volatile oils Itsflavor is sweetened by cooking, especially by baking. Fresh garlic is
much more effectivethan the deodorized garlic "pearls."
Hawthorn
This humble, thorny hedgerow shrub is a remarkable herbal cardiac
tonic. Hawthornregulates blood pressure, strengthening and balancing the heart and
circulation. It helpsto prevent heart disease by dilating blood vessels, especially the
coronary arteries. Antioxidant proamhocyanins and bioflavonoids also reduce
arteriosclerosis.Take hawthorn as a tincture, using the flowering tops
of the shrub, as a decoction of fresh berries.

Rosemary
The aromatic leaves of this Mediterranean herb are packed with
volatile oils and flavonoids, which lower blood pressure by inhibiting the damage
free radicals can cause to the arteries. Flavonoids also strengthen the
heart and improve circulation Rosemary also lifts the spirits and calms anxiety,
reducing stress, which is a risk factor that increases the likelihood of high
blood pressure.Rosemary is a refreshing heart tonic, especially when taken as a tea.

Mistletoe
Mistletoe should be taken under professional supervision, as its
berries are potentially toxic Decoctions of the leaves, branches and berries of this parasitic
evergreen creeper are all used to reduce hypertension. Once common in orchards,
mistletoe is harvested in fall. It contains glycoprotems and
visotosjns, which relieve anxiety and promote relaxation.

SHITAKE
Increasingly familiar on your supermarket shelves, this
Oriental mushroom has many different therapeutic properties. It can
lower cholesterol by up to 15 percent, Its active ingredients are protective

Make a tasty sweet potato and onion soup to reduce lipoprotein and
cholesterol and lower blood pressure.Onions have been shown to reduce lipoprotein and cholesterol, helping to lower blood pressure. This tasty soup incorporates both onion and
garlic.
For this recipe you will need the following-
2 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
2 large onions, sliced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 carrots, diced
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 qt vegetable stock
1 cup natural yogurt
1 Saute the vegetables in the oil for five minutes, until the onions
are translucent but not browned.
2 Add the vegetable stock and gently bring to a boil.
3 Cover and simmer for around 25 minutes, until the vegetables can be
pierced with a fork.
4 Blend the mixture until it is smooth using either a hand blender or
a liquidizer.
5 Bring back to a boil and pour into individual bowls. Before serving,
add a few spoons of the yogurt and a little fresh cilantro as a garnish for your
soup

You Shook Me All Night Long/ la mejor cancion de la historia..

She was a fast machine
She kept her motor clean
She was the best damn woman I had ever seen
She had the sightless eyes
Telling me no lies
Knockin' me out with those American thighs
Taking more than her share
Had me fighting for air
She told me to cum but I was already there

'Cause the walls start shaking
The earth was quaking
My mind was aching
And we were making it and you -

CHORUS:
Shook me all night long
Yeah you shook me all night long

Working double time
On the seduction line
She was one of a kind, she's just mine all mine
She wanted no applause
Just another course
Made a meal out of me and came back for more
Had to cool me down
To take another round
Now I'm back in the ring to take another swing

'Cause the walls were shaking
The earth was quaking
My mind was aching
And we were making it and you -

CHORUS

And knocked me out and then you
Shook me all night long
You had me shakin' and you
Shook me all night long
Yeah you shook me
Well you took me

You reall took me and you
Shook me all night long
Ooooh you
Shook me all night long
Yeah, yeah, you
Shook me all night long

Your really took me and you
Yeah you shook me, yeah you shook me
All night long

George

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 22:03:07 GMT

George Jones - He Stopped Loving Her Today

He said "I'll love you till I die."
She told him:"You'll forget in time."
As the years went slowly by,
She still preyed upon his mind.

He kept her picture on his wall,
Went half-crazy now and then.
He still loved her through it all,
Hoping she'd come back again.

Kept some letters by his bed,
Dated nineteen sixty-two.
He had underlined in red,
Every single "I love you".

I went to see him just today,
Oh, but I didn't see no tears.
All dressed up to go away,
First time I'd seen him smile in years.

He stopped loving her today,
They placed a wreath upon his door.
And soon they'll carry him away,
He stopped loving her today.

You know, she came to see him one last time.
Aww, an' we all wondered if she would.
And it kept runnin' through my mind:
"This time he's over her for good."

He stopped loving her today,
They placed a wreath upon his door.
And soon they'll carry him away,
He stopped loving her today

if adventures do not befall a young lady in her own village, she must seek them abroad. (Jane Austen)

The World In A Bright Light
Grateful

Everyday is a blessing, and in each moment there are many things that we can be grateful for. The world opens up to us when we live in a space of gratitude. In essence, gratitude has a snowball effect. When we are appreciative and express that gratitude, the universe glows a bit brighter and showers us with even more blessings.

There is always something to be grateful for, even when life seems hard. When times are tough, whether we are having a bad day or stuck in what may feel like an endless rut, it can be difficult to take the time to feel grateful. Yet, that is when gratitude can be most important. If we can look at our lives, during periods of challenge, and find something to be grateful for, then we can transform our realities in an instant. There are blessings to be found everywhere. When we are focusing on what is negative, our abundance can be easy to miss. Instead, choosing to find what already exists in our lives that we can appreciate can change what we see in our world. We start to notice one blessing, and then another.

When we constantly choose to be grateful, we notice that every breath is a miracle and each smile becomes a gift. We begin to understand that difficulties are also invaluable lessons. The sun is always shining for us when we are grateful, even if it is hidden behind clouds on a rainy day. A simple sandwich becomes a feast, and a trinket is transformed into a treasure. Living in a state of gratitude allows us to spread our abundance because that is the energy that we emanate from our beings. Because the world reflects back to us what we embody, the additional blessings that inevitably flow our way give us even more to be grateful for. The universe wants to shower us with blessings. The more we appreciate life, the more life appreciates and bestows us with more goodness.

Wurm¹¹
Also known as Guivre, Worm, and Wyrm. These dragons are completely limbless, leaving no legs nor wings for them. However, they are usually huge serpentile creatures with thick bodies.

Most portrayals of these creatures hold a snake-like head and body type. However, many have begun portraying them with wedge-shaped heads. (This is the same thing as Western Dragons.) They also have hard, protective scales as well as rigid underbellies.

Wyrms play a prominent role in English literature. Many famous Wurms are from this area, none more so than the ever known Lambton Worm.

Boulevard of broken dreams - Green Day

I walk a lonely road
The only one that I have ever known
Don't know where it goes
But it's home to me and I walk alone

I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
and I'm the only one and I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk aloneI walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone

Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Ah-ah,
Aaah-ah,Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Ah-ah

I'm walking down the line
That divides me somewhere in my mind
On the border line
Of the edge and where I walk alone

Read between the lines
What's fucked up and everything's alright
Check my vital signs
To know I'm still alive and I walk alone

I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk alone
I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone

Ah-ah, Ah-ah, Ah-ah,
Aaah-ahAh-ah, Ah-ah

I walk alone
I walk a...

I walk this empty street
On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Where the city sleeps
And I'm the only one and I walk a...

My shadow's the only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart's the only thing that's beating
Sometimes I wish someone out there will find me
'Til then I walk alone...

To Make Someone Leave You
Alone
You Will Need:
paper
black pen
an airtight container
water
magical herbs - clover, lovage, lilac, garlic, basil or pepper
black string or thread
This must be performed during a waning moon.
On a piece paper write the name and birth date of the person you are wishing
"away". Now fill an air-tight container (like a baby food jar or Tupperware
container) with water. Add a pinch of one or more of the above magical herbs.

Take the paper with the name on it and fold it three times. Tie a black
string or thread around it and drop it in the water. Seal the container up and
bury it in a safe spot in your garden, yard or flower box. Once the person has
left you alone or no longer poses a problem to you, open the container and empty
it to the earth.

Odin

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 20:16:55 GMT

DRYING PLANT PARTS

Aromatics: These herbs should be dried according to the part that is to be used, but be very careful that they are not piled (a single layer is best here) and that drying is moderate; always in the shade or indoors.
Bark: Most barks are best used fresh, yet they retain their medicinal value well when dry. For easy handling and usage, bark should be cut into moderately small pieces before drying. These may be dried outdoors with moderate sun heat, laying them on sticks, slats, boards, etc. a few inches apart to allow free air circulation, but must be taken indoors at night into a well ventilated room, allowing spaces between pieces for free air circulation. Barks may be tested for dryness by bending slightly, and if no moisture is present, they will snap immediately.
Buds: Dry similar to leaves.
Bulbs: These can be dried in the shade with good air circulation, or better still, they can be hung from rafters in net bags.
Berries: These must be dried in the shade in moderate temperature, and never too quickly. There should only be one layer of berries on the drying rack because they mold very easily.
Excrescents: Appendages of plants (such as burrs, briefs, or galls of oaks) require only a few days' exposure to the air on a table before storing.
Flowers: Flowers are usually used fresh, but can be preserved in the form of syrup (as cloves or poppy), in conserves (cowslip), or dried, although the drying must be done quickly and carefully. Flowers are dried variously--some use only the petals, some are preserved in the whole head, others retain the leaves about them, while still others remove the flower and use only the hip. Flowers should not be exposed to direct sunlight during drying, and the addition of a slight degree of artificial warmth is best to hasten the process. A good test for flowers is that medicinal value is lost when the color and odor are gone.
Fruit: This is dried variously, and in most cases it can be dried in the sun (the fruit should be cut into relatively thin pieces, as chunks that are too large will mold readily), but fan drying and the application of artificial heat is good. There are many dehydrators available, buy one that has a thermostat so you can keep a close watch on the temperature.
Gum-Resins: These do not have to be dried when they are kept in closed containers, or they may be dried and crystallized (either way is good).
Herbs: Remove dead or decayed matter, spread thinly on a drying rack or tie in very small bunches and hang about one foot apart on lines across a well ventilated room, until completely dry.
Leaves: Pluck from the stem (except those with small leaflets such as thyme and wintry savory). Spread loosely upon a drying rack away from direct sunlight (allowing free air circulation over and under), and stir sufficiently to avoid molding.
Rhizomes: Dry same as roots.
Roots: Most roots may be dried and preserved for a period of time, but certain roots lose their medicinal virtues by drying (such as poke root), and must be used fresh or kept buried in the sand or covered with soil to keep them from deteriorating rapidly. The roots to be dried should be cleaned (a brush is excellent or a little cold water may be used) and the decayed matter, fibers, and little roots removed and, with the exception of certain resinous roots, the worm-eaten roots should be discarded. The thick and strong roots should be split, cut, and sliced immediately into small pieces (while the roots are yet green and fresh), as this will hasten the drying and curing process, and after mold. If the root is covered by a tough bark, peel it off immediately; the longer you wait, the more difficult it will be. Non-aromatic roots (consisting principally of fibers or a small top) may be dried artificially with heat under 100 degrees F.- aromatic roots should be dried in a current of cold air and turned frequently. It is always better to dry roots in a dark room, as sunlight will turn the lighter hue to a darker and more unsightly one. Before storing roots in some appropriate container, always test for dryness, which is--if they snap in two when slightly bent, then they are thoroughly dried.
Seeds: Seeds growing in umbels, naked heads or pods should be left on the plant until ripe, then separated (as heretofore described), spread onto drying screens, on heavy cloth, or on canvas laid on the floor of a well-ventilated, warm room, and left five to six days; then the chaff should be removed (as heretofore described) in a gentle breeze; then the seeds are spread out again on the cloth-covered drying screen another seven to ten days, turning them frequently. The seeds of fleshy fruit, after they are separated from the surrounding membranes and wet matter, should be placed on a table or dry place and rubbed occasionally during the drying process, so that they will be clean when dry. Generally, seeds are gathered when fully ripe, however, they need little care, and after three to four days on a clean floor or wire mesh (where there is free passage of air, but not exposure to sun), the seeds are ready for storage.
Sprouts: Dry the same as leaves or herbs, indoors, and away from sunlight.
Stems: Dry same as leaves and twigs.
Stalks: Dry same as bark, because they are a tough type of herb.
Tops: Dry carefully, as with leaves and flowers:
Tubers: Dry similar to roots.
Twigs: Dry same as leaves, but slightly longer.
Woods: Dry same as barks, but here, any sunlight will turn the lighter woods dark

GENERAL DRYING INSTRUCTIONS

Outdoors: Spread a thin layer of the herb on a drying screen (ordinary window screens covered with cheesecloth, fiberglass screening) mounted on saw horses or legs, placed in racks, propped on chairs, etc., to permit free air circulation both over and under, turning the herb occasionally. Drying should be done in the shade, never in direct sunlight, as quickly as possible so that both the volatile principles and leaf color are retained (three to four days are usually sufficient). Herbs that are dried too slowly (not enough warmth, too much moisture in the air) or with too much heat (direct sunlight), will lose active principles or the volatile particles.

Indoors: Dry in a dust-free room, at mild temperature, and away from direct sunlight (an attic with cross-ventilation is especially good). The herbs may be spread out on a drying screen, or they may be tied in small bundles and hung with the flower heads downward from a line or cord stretched across the room (this is especially good for leafy foliage and when the whole herb is dried). When a drying rack is used, turning the herb occasionally will prevent molding; and in all instances, the herb must be crackly-dry (snap or crumble at slight bending or pressure) before storing, or else the moisture remaining in the herb will cause molding. Those herbs dried on a line or cord should be removed as soon as fully dried, for they will attract dust and insects.

Artificial Heat: Oven drying is generally poor because of the difficulty in accurately regulating the temperature and, if done improperly, the oils evaporate and the herb becomes scorched. But when controlled, artificial drying is possible (under 100 degrees F.), infinitely more value will be retained by this quick drying process. The herbs dried quickly will have little odor when they are perfectly dry, but after a period of time some moisture is absorbed again from the atmosphere and they regain their proper odor. When artificial heat is being used (such as an electric burner or a gas burner), have a fan with an automatic switch, so that whenever the heat is on, the fan is on, and whenever the fan is off, the heat automatically stops. The fan may also be operated by itself. A thermostat would do this automatically.

Separate and label: Be sure to keep all herbs separated and labeled during the drying process as the dried herbs look different from the green plant, and in most cases, identification will be most difficult.

Odin

Odin was the chief god in the Norse mythology, and the father of Thor, Balder, Hoder, Tyr, Bragi, Heimdall, Ull, Vidar, Hermod and Vali. His wives were Fjorgyn, Frigga and Rind. He had a bad habit to roam around Midgard in human disguise seducing and impregnating women. This is why many mortals were able to trace their ancestry back to him.

Thor

Thor was the son of Odin and Fjorgyn. He was the god of thunder, the sky, fertility and the law. Armed with his strengthgiving items, a belt and the hammer Mjölnir, he had a simple way of righting wrongs: he more or less killed everything that moved. The other gods -mostly Loki- occasionally took advantage of Thor's simplicity.

Loki

Loki can be called the 'wizard of lies' and is in many ways the most interesting god in Asgard. Loki was related to Odin, but their relationship was rather strange. He came to Asgard either as of right or because Odin and he entered into a blood-brotherhood.

Frey

Frey was a fertility god of the the Vanir race. He was the son of Njord and came to Asgard as a hostage along with his father and sister Freya.

Freya

Freya was the goddess of sex and later also war and death. She married the god Od, who deserted her. After being abandoned she divided her time between mourning his absence and being promiscuous.

Idun

The goddess of spring and immortal youth was called Idun. She was the daughter of the dwarf Ivald and married to the god Bragi.

Sif

Sif was the goddess who married Thor and bore his stepson (by Odin), Ull. The vikings (and their gods) admired golden hair, and she was exceptionally proud of hers, so Loki cut it all off while she was asleep.

Hel

Hel was a goddess (or a monster), a daughter of Loki and Angrboda, who ruled over Niflheim, which was the land of the dead. There were different opinions of whether she was alive or dead. Ull, in his role as god of winter, was supposed to spend a few months each year as Hel's lover. Hel and her ghostly army were going to support the other gods at Ragnarok, after which her domain would go out in flames.

http://www.rosala-viking-centre.com/gods.htm

Odin

Title:	The Cunning God					Relations:	Father of Thor, Tyr and Balder
Saxon name:	Woden					Day of week:	Wednesday

Odin was the chief and father of the gods. He had drunk from the spring of Mimir which had made him very wise. He invented Runes, the secret writing of the Saxons and Vikings, which not only stored knowledge, but could be used for magic. He was born from Ymir, the creation giant, and made Middle Earth from his body. He also built Asgard.

He had a wonderful horse called Sleipnir, which had eight legs, and could travel over land and water. He had two ravens, who brought him news from far away.
http://www.gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/nordic/odin.htm

BuffaloAbundanceThe buffalo or bison is considered by many tribes to be a symbol of adundance for it was the meat of the buffalo that fed the people, the hides that provided clothing and shelter, the bones and sinew provided tools of survival. The Lakota's trace the origin of the sacred pipe to the appearance of the White Buffalo Calf Woman who promised abundance for the tribe as they honored, by prayer, the Great Spirit and all of their relations, meaning the other creations of nature. "Buffalo Medicine" means to bring a special honor, reverence or appreciation for all of the things that the Earth provides for her children.The Origins of the Buffalo DanceWhen the buffalo first came to be upon the land, they were not friendly to the people. When the hunters tried to coax them over the cliffs for the good of the villages, they were reluctant to offer themselves up. They did not relish being turned into blankets and dried flesh for winter rations. They did not want their hooves and horn to become tools and utinsels nor did they welcome their sinew being used for sewing. "No, no," they said. We won't fall into your traps. And we will not fall for your tricks." So when the hunters guided them towards the abyss, they would always turn aside at the very last moment. With this lack of cooperation, it seemed the villagers would be hungry and cold and ragged all winter long. Now one of the hunters' had a daughter who was very proud of her father's skill with the bow. During the fullness of summer, he always brought her the best of hides to dress, and she in turn would work the deerskins into the softest, whitest of garments for him to wear. Her own dresses were like the down of a snow goose, and the moccasins she made for the children and the grandmothers in the village were the most welcome of gifts. But now with the hint of snow on the wind, and deer becoming more scarce in the willow breaks, she could see this reluctance on the part of the buffalo families could become a real problem. Hunter's Daughter decided she would do something about it. She went to the base of the cliff and looked up. She began to sing in a low, soft voice, "Oh, buffalo family, come down and visit me. If you come down and feed my relatives in a wedding feast, I will join your family as the bride of your strongest warrior." She stopped and listened. She thought she heard the slight rumbling sound of thunder in the distance. Again she sang, "Oh, buffalo family, come down and visit me. Feed my family in a wedding feast so that I may be a bride." The thunder was much louder now. Suddenly the buffalo family began falling from the sky at her feet. One very large bull landed on top of the others, and walked across the backs of his relatives to stand before Hunter's Daughter. "I am here to claim you as my bride," said Large Buffalo. "Oh, but now I am afraid to go with you," said Hunter's Daughter. "Ah, but you must," said Large Buffalo, "For my people have come to provide your people with a wedding feast. As you can see, they have offered themselves up." "Yes, but I must run and tell my relatives the good news," said Hunter's Daughter. "No," said Large Buffalo. No word need be sent. You are not getting away so easily." And with that said, Large Buffalo lifted her between his horns and carried her off to his village in the rolling grass hills. The next morning the whole village was out looking for Hunter's Daughter. When they found the mound of buffalo below the cliff, the father, who was in fact a fine tracker as well as a skilled hunter, looked at his daughter's footprints in the dust. "She's gone off with a buffalo, he said. I shall follow them and bring her back." So Hunter walked out upon the plains, with only his bow and arrows as companions. He walked and walked a great distance until he was so tired that he had to sit down to rest beside a buffalo wallow. Along came Magpie and sat down beside him. Hunter spoke to Magpie in a respectful tone, "O knowledgeable bird, has my daughter been stolen from me by a buffalo? Have you seen them? Can you tell me where they have gone?" Magpie replied with understanding, "Yes, I have seen them pass this way. They are resting just over this hill." "Well," said Hunter, would you kindly take my daughter a message for me? Will you tell her I am here just over the hill?" So Magpie flew to where Large Buffalo lay asleep amidst his relatives in the dry prairie grass. He hopped over to where Hunter's Daughter was quilling moccasins, as she sat dutifully beside her sleeping husband. "Your father is waiting for you on the other side of the hill," whispered Magpie to the maiden. "Oh, this is very dangerous," she told him. These buffalo are not friendly to us and they might try to hurt my father if he should come this way. Please tell him to wait for me and I will try to slip away to see him." Just then her husband, Large Buffalo, awoke and took off his horn. "Go bring me a drink from the wallow just over this hill," said her husband. So she took the horn in her hand and walked very casually over the hill.

Air~Breath

Thu, 26 Oct 2006 17:10:09 GMT

AIR~BREATH
by Anacksunamoon
Air is the element of intellect, independent thinking, movement and freedom.
It is all movement. Air rules Magick involving obtaining knowledge, moving things, freedom, breaking(away from), travel, instruction, finding lost items, discovering truths, developing your psychic abilities, magick of the Four Winds. Air carries our visualized wishes out toward manifestation. Spells that involve the Air element usually include dropping an object off of a high place so it physically connects with the element itself. When one lives in unison with Air they will have many great ideas and find ways to begin new things. Here are some other correspondences to Air.

Air Rules: The mind, clarity, discernment, wisdom, knowledge, abstract thinking, logic, the spoken word, the wind, breath. Intellect and theory. It is creative and is that which causes magickal intentions to become manifest. It is also associated with higher consciousness and wisdom, divination, and purification, mental and psychic work, intuition. clouds, inspiration, hearing, herbal knowledge, plant growth, freedom, revealing truth, finding lost things, instruction, telepathy, memory, learning the secrets of the dead, zen meditation, new beginnings and illuminations.

Air Cauldron
With a set of tongs, put a piece of dry ice in a small glass or ceramic bowl and place the bowl on a cloth in the bottom of the cauldron.

Allow the cauldron to smoke as long as the ice lasts.

The mists creates excellent images for scrying.

Element: Air
Direction: East
Season: Spring
Color: Yellow
Moon Phase: Waxing
Archangel: Raphael (Instructor, Traveler, Healer)
Energy: Projective, Masculine
Incense/Scent: Sandalwood, Mints
Posture: Arms raised parallel
Zodiacal Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Symbolic Creature: Eagle, Hawk and Butterfly
Alchemical Symbol: Right Side Up Triangle
Celtic name: airt
Qualities: Hot & Moist, Light & Active
Tattvic symbol: blue circle (Vayu)
Tattvic tide: June 21 - September 23
Major Arcana Card: Fool(0)
Minor Arcana Suit: Swords
Life-Aspect: Life
Life Cycle: Youth
Days: Wednesday & Sunday
Time: Dawn
Magickal Phrase: To Know
Sabbat: Ostara
Planets: Jupiter, Venus, Uranus,Mercury, Pallas
Metals: Tin, Copper, Iron, Gold
Elemental Spirits: Slyphs & Faeries
Element King: Paralda
Parts of the Body: Chest, Lungs, Throat, Ears, Vocal cords, Little Finger
Colors: All light hues, colors found at dawn.
White, Yellow, Light Blue, Lavender, Gray, Violet, Silver, Pastels, Purple,
Clear, Crimson, Gold,
Virtues: Intelligence, practical, optimistic.
Vices: Impulsive, frivolous, easily fooled.
Posture: (Arms raised) Palms parallel.
Season of Life: Youth.
Gems: Topaz, amber, citron, mica, flourite, crystals, amethyst,
yellow or blue stones, Aventurine, Chalcedony,
Sense: Smell, hearing
Symbols: Sky, Wind, Clouds, Incense, Feathers, Bells
God Phase: Youth
Gods: Mercury, Hermes, Shu, Thoth, Kephera, Zeus Enlil
God - Force: Clearness (thus, Universal Lawfulness), Purity, Wisdom
Goddess Phase: Maiden
Goddesses: Aditi, Aradia, Arianhod, Athena, Cardea, Nuit, Urania, Danu, Kwan Yin,
Iris, Ostara: Goddess of dawn and Spring, Artemis/Diana, Minerva, Inanna, Isis
Magickal Tools: Athame, Sword, Censer, Incense, Dagger
Type of Magick: Concentration, Divination, Visualization, Karma, Prophecy, WindMagick, Singing, Chanting, Numerology, To find an object that has been lost or stolen, magic of the four winds, visualizations, divination.
Key words: wind, movement, inception, emergence, flying, sound, germination, inspiration
Rules: Mind, Mental and Psychic work, Intuition, Knowledge, Wind, Breath, Clouds, Inspiration, Hearing, Herbal Knowledge, Revealing Truth, Memory, Telepathy, finding Lost Things, Freedom, Zen Meditation, New Beginnings, Plant Growth, Purification, Instruction, Illumination, Theory, Poetry, Sound, Learning the secrets of the Dead.
Vowel Sound: E
Action: Birth
Active Traits: Adroitness, Capacity for penetration, Cheerfulness, Clearness, Diligence, Familiarity, Independence, Joy, Kindness, Lack of grief, Optimism
Animals: All flying creatures, birds (especially owl), Eagle, Hawk, Raven, Spiders, Winged insects
Aromas: Bergamont, Caraway, Dill, Lemon balm, Pine, Sweet pea
Astrological: Sunrise
Celtic Queen/Goddess: Elayne/Viviana
Chakras: 5TH Throat 6TH Third Eye
Constellation: The Man (Aquarius)
Excess of Element: "Gas bloat", Inability to focus attention, "Spacey" thoughts
Exercises in Concentration/Meditation: Acoustic
Fundamental Qualities of the Mind: Intellect
Herbs/Plants: Artemisia, Aspen, Basil, Dill, Eucalyptus, Fennel, Frankincense, Hops, Lavender, Leaves, Marjoram, Mint, Myrrh, Thyme, Oregano, Pansy, Parsley, Primrose, Sage, Vervain, Violet, Yarrow, Acacia, Anise, Benzoin, Clover, Lemongrass, Pine, Mistletoe, Pansey, Almond, Broom, Eyebright, Japenese Mapleverbena, , gum mastic, Gum Arabic, Bergamot, Citron Peel, Mace,
Humidity: Dry
Incense: Galbanum, Frankincense (Olibanum)
Jewel: Opal
Life Phase: Birth/Rebirth, Childhood, Infancy
Manifests As: Sound
Mental State: Logical
Moon Phases: 1st QTR
Musical Insturments: All wind instruments, Flute
Natural Symbols: Breath, Clouds, Feathers, Fragrant flowers, Incense smoke, Mist, Storms, Vapor, Wind
Oils: Frankincense, Lavender, Lemon, Lily of the valley, Rosemary, Violet
Personal Qualities: Discrimination, Intellect (mind), Memory, Judgment
Physical State: Consciousness, Mind
Places: Airports, Beaches, Cloudy skies, Elevated areas, High towers/places, Libraries, Mountain peaks, Offices, Prairie open to the wind, Places of mental healing (such as a gathering of like-minded individuals), Psychiatrist/Psychologist/Hypnotherapist's offices, Schools, Travel agencies, Wind-swept plains and places
Plane of Existence: Spiritual
Polarities: Kinetic, Masculine, Positive, Yang
Realm: Astral
Represents: Ability to "know" and understand (the mysteries), Abstract learning/thought, All mental, intellectual and some psychic work, Breath, Change, Clarity, Communication, Concentration, Concepts, Contacting the angels, Cutting through problems, Electronics, Essential qualities, Fears, Finding one's truth, Flying, Fresh, Honesty, Ideas, Illuminating situations, Imagination, Inspiration, Intelligence/Intellect, Intuitive, Karma, Knowledge, Memory, Mental processes/powers, the Mind, Movement, Music, Power-raising, Prophesy, Psychic powers/work, Purification, Separating illusion from reality, Sound, Speech, Speed, Spiritual plane, Study, Suspending, Telepathy, Theory, Thought, Travel, to Unlock the secrets(of the dead), Vision, Weather magick Wisdom, Writing

Ritual Forms: Fanning light objects, Positive thinking, Suspending tools in high places, Tossing objects into the air, Visualization

Rituals: Divinatory study, Esoteric study, Freedom, Instruction, Knowledge, to Learn the truth of a matter, Mental healing, New beginnings, Recovering lost/stolen things/property/people, Removal of negativity/stagnation, Study,(safe) Travel (to anywhere)

Scent: Highly fragrant flowers including roses (preferably white, pink, or yellow), essential oils (especially lavender & lily of the valley)

Shadowy/Passive Traits: Air-headed, Blindly optimistic, Changeable, Contempt, Continual feeling of being affronted, Dishonest, Fickle(ness), Forgetful, Frivolous, Garrulity, being a Gossip(ing), Gullible, Incommunicative, Inconsistent, Lack of endurance, Mind blank, Non-comprehension of known data, Non-creative, Only able to understand that which appeals to the intellect, Overly analytical, Overly talkative, Restless, Shortness of breath, Slyness, Superficial, Two-faced, Unintelligent

Shortage of Element: Mind blank, Non-comprehension of known data, Shortness of breath
Spirit: Sylphs (under Paralda (very hard to see & know, teach mind control & how to level out thinking processes))
Sports: Archery, Bungee jumping, Hang gliding, Running, Sky diving, Snow skiing
Stones: Agate (moss), Aventurine, Citrine, Lapis lazuli, Light weight stones, Jasper (mottled), Mica, Pumice, Quartz (rose, normal), Sapphire, Sphene, Topaz
Tempreament: Phlegmatic, Sanguine, Thinking, Weak inhibitory
Temperature: Cool
Time of Day: Dawn, Morning, Sunrise
Tools: Arrows (stab air & convey message outer to inner), Axe (single-headed), Censer, Earrings, Fans, Feathers, Incense, Leaves, Nests, Picks, Pikes, Slingshots, Small twigs, Smoking pipes, Spear/javelin, Stangs (two-pronged tridents) Swords/Athames/Dagger/etc., Tridents, Wands/Staff, Wind instruments
Type of Energy: Projective
Type of Magick Ruled: Concentration, Divination, Mind, Self-improvement, Visualization, Wind magick
Visualization: Feathers, Floating leaves, Incense, Smoke
Voice: Whisper
Wind: Eurus
Zodiac Signs: Aquarius, Gemini, Libra

Ajowan

(Trachyspermum Ammi; Carum ajowan)

General:

Ajowan looks like wild parsley (similar to caraway, celery and cumin seeds) and is a native of India. It is grown throughout the country in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar and West Bengal. It is also grown in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Egypt. The striped seeds are used as the spice.

Growth:

Ajowan grows on all kinds of soil but does well on loams or clayey loams, both as a dry crop and under irrigation. Seeds are sown from September to November.

Harvest:

The plants flower in about two months and the fruits become ready for harvesting when then flower heads turn brown. They are pulled out, dried on mats and the fruits are separated by rubbing by hands or feet. Seeds may also be distilled for oil.

Medicinal:

Ajowan is much used as a medicinal plant is ayurvedic medicine for its antispasmodic, stimulant, tonic and carminative properties. The seeds are used to ease asthma and indigestion. It is also widely used to treat diarrhoea and flatulence. In the West, thymol is used in medicines against cough and throat irritation. The thymol content makes ajowan a potent fungicide.

An old healing/cleansing spell I learned a while ago goes something like this:

Meditate.

Sit or lie down so your comfortable, but not going to snooze.

Close your eyes, relax. (Sometimes it's best to do a little yoga & then meditate)

Picture yourself in a white room. It's all white, surrounded by many doors.

Walk through a door and onto a trail.

This trail can be where ever you want or look like whatever you want, but it leads to a place where you can relax and feel very tranquil.

Follow the trail. Sometimes you may meet people or things along the way (everyone's different)

When you get to the spot, lie down or sit down, (make yourself comfortable)

Imagine a white light opening up in the sky and shinning on you. Feel it penetrate your body, cleansing you. feel all the negative wash away into the ground where it will be cleaned and re-used by the earth.

Once you feel completely cleaned, thank the spirits (or whomever you believe helps you on these things)

Exit through the door you cam in and into the white room, then awake refreshed. (you don't need to go back down the trail)

Another thing to try:

opening your chakras. Sometimes having closed chakras will make you sick.

-Concentrate on each chakra in sequence down from the top (I've never tried it fromthe bottom).

-Locate each chakra.

-Relax the area and charge a little energy out of each of them.

-Concentrate on it until you can feel it.

-Feel the energy, feel how the chakra makes you feel. The way the chakra feels may give you some insight into problem areas in your life.

Never charged energy before? Bet yah have & didn't know it. Try this: hold your hands in front of you, arms relaxed, palms facing eachother about 3 inches apart. Feel one hand with the other hand without moving either hand. Another way is to picture you filling the space between the hands. You may feel tingling in your hands, your hands may get colder than usual, you may feel pulling of little sparks or a magnetic force between your hands. This is called "charging." It may take some practice to get it, and some time before you feel a little prick of energy. Also, excercise (such as yoga) raises your aparent energy level, making it easier.

FEEL BETTER!!

A SPELL FOR SUCCESS IN COURT

If you are facing a judgment in court, write down all possible verdicts on a piece of paper.

With scissors or a knife, cut out only the desired conclusion while focusing your mind on

a positive outcome. Carefully burn the unwanted portion, until nothing but ash remains.

Release or bury this ash so it is symbolically "lost" to you.

Carry the other piece of paper into court, wrapped in gold cloth, as a protective amulet.

Do this spell when the sun is brightest. Moon in Libra. Months of July and December. Tuesday.

JUSTICE SPELL

The color orange represents business and fairness. Do this: Sit in a quiet place.

Ground and Center. Light an orange candle.

Concentrate on the facts of the case (issue) try to see the situation as an outsider.

Take a deep breath and play out in your mind different scenarios that may happen while in front of

the judge (board). Keep the scenario's realistic. Picture yourself as calm and factual as possible.

Once you are satisfied that you have played through all of the options then focus back on the candle

Request (from whomever you believe in) that they open the eyes of the participants to see through the

emotion of the situation and see the facts. Run through any new scenarios that come to mind.

Then extinguish the candle. The key here is to see the situation from all angles.

If you only see your own point of view than you may be more vulnerable to surprise questions.

Don't Give Up.

by Angel of your darkness

In this world that surrounds us
We sometimes brake down and fall
Those who stand above us
Can make us seem so small

We tremble under the weight
Of the problems that hold us down
And when we start to collapse
There seems to be no one around

We try to fight in this world
That always seems to fight back
Sometimes were not strong enough though
There are too many things we lack

Well hide away in corners
Put upon ourselves pain
But theres no escape from this life
We all must suffer the same

But although we may struggle
And yes we all do fall
Ill stand by your side
Ill stay with you through it all

And if you start to tremble
Or even brake down
Im your shoulder to cry on
Ill always be around

We all have our faults
Are up and are downs
We cant always smile all the time
Everyone has to frown

No, no ones perfect
And no one is the same
Were in this world together
We all play the same game

If we stick together
No matter whats to come
With a little faith and hope
Anything can be done

We all get those bad times
Each and every one of us
But I promise it will get better
Just dont you give up

But when you feel like you want too
Please just remember this
You can die at any time
But it takes a strong person to live

Breathe, extend. Let your shoulders surrender toward your hips. Feel your back muscles ripple downward like a curtain falling. From your center extend in all directions. Lift yourself from your root. Be an inch taller. Breathe, extend. Claim all the space of your body, and more. Reach out from your spine to the tips of your fingers. Ground your feet firmly into the floor. Let your awareness fill each cell.

Be your full, beautiful self.

Lasik San Diego

home networking

Pagan Motto

Thu, 03 Aug 2006 05:39:24 GMT

...

A Pagan Motto is -

"DARE TO BE DIFFERENT, DARE TO BE SILENT, DARE TO BE FREE!"

Being a Pagan means you will be part of a religious minority, but also means you should be able to enjoy this freedom. To be silent is also good advice, because despite the legal right to freedom, some people, including those of the major religions, might not respect a Pagan's freedom to be different. A Pagan will explain quietly about their beliefs if asked, but do not shout them from the rooftops. It is not a good idea for someone of any religion to deliberately antagonise anybody from another religion, since intolerance is unfortunately common and gives rise to aggression.

Although the major present-day religions have developed from similar principles to Paganism, and often adopted previously pagan ideas, ceremonies & symbolism; they have developed along more organised and rigid lines, and many people stubbornly tend to think that only their way is right. (!) Following on from state takeovers of religion hundreds of years ago, followers of major world religions are nowadays usually told what to think and what to do, with very little emphasis on individual thought and initiative. Acceptance of rules without questioning is the normal course of events, and in the past people have been content to let the priests of their religion dictate what happens in that religion and tell their congregations what to think & what to do. (Politicians do this too.)

Pagans are encouraged to be individuals , to think things through and work out for themselves their own personal version of their faith - preferably under the guidance of "Elders" who have trodden the Pathway before and know the pitfalls. The price to be paid for the individual freedoms within paganism is that of effort - in studying and in learning ceremonies. This is not the easiest way, but it is better for all in the end!

A good motto for ALL religions is:

Keep FUNdamentalism out of life, but keep the FUN in!

Extremeism in any religion is dangerous and taking responsibility for one's own soul is hard work.

It is FAR easier to sit back and let someone else be in the religious "driver's seat". Unfortunately, to journey in a vehicle driven by a driver who might have forgotten that they should keep close communication by staying in touch and talking to their passengers, stimulating interest and enthusiasm in order to make the journey both more pleasant and more spiritually useful to the individuals concerned, is not helpful. In our times the growing lack of real involvement with their congregation of the "drivers" or priests of "major" religions is having two different effects -

either - the religion is becoming stale and lifeless with falling numbers of participants, - which causes untold damage to peoples' spirituality , mental health and reduces their quality of life,

or - the priests dictate more and more the thoughts and actionsof their dwindling congregations in an attempt to "save" the religion from declining further, and can even "inspire" them to harm others spiritually and physically through religious fanaticism - which in the extreme form can lead to terrorism, war and even genocide.

Instead of becoming fanatics, we should all try to keep both an open heart and an open mind.

The main requirement for any truly religious person of any faith is openness, but a guarded open-ness.

Prejudice harms both the originators and the receivers of it.

So, to be a true Pagan you will first need an open mind, a healthy curiosity, a thirst for knowledge, the courage to be different, the strength to hold back from over-enthusiasm, the courage to admit your mistakes, and the perseverance to carry on through adversity.

Sounds hard? Not really - remember it can be great fun as well!

In your enthusiasm for what you discover as you learn, you must remember that your joy in finding something you can believe in does not give you any right to force or persuade others to believe in it as you do. By all means share your joyousness with others, but then stand back and allow them to find their OWN truth in their own time and at their own pace. Everyone sees both colours & truth slightly differently. Remember that others may not be scheduled to find out the things & truths YOU are finding until later in their life or even until they are in another reincarnation!

Above all -DON'T BECOME A PAGAN FUNDAMENTALIST !

Fundamentalism is a dangerous thing in any matter, but where religion is concerned, it is deadly. NEVER think that you and your religious beliefs are right and all the other people and other religions are wrong. If you think them through properly, the things you come to know and believe will be right for you - but they will never be exactly the same for someone else. They could be almost the same or almost completely different. The BASIC principles of most World Religions ar very similar and give guidelines for living a good life. They only cause harm when they are taken to extremes,or the hierarchy of those organising the religion get hungry for power or riches. Jesus criticised The Pharisees outside the Temple at Jerusalem for letting their religion degenerate into an outward sham , and urged them to return to its inner basics. He did not try to forcibly convert them to his own beliefs.

As a Pagan, you must learn to appreciate the similarities between your religion and others, but accept and tolerate the differences you find. No true Pagan should attempt to force any another person to convert to Pagan beliefs.

Healthy religious discussion is acceptable behaviour. Fanatical evangelism is not!

A fanatical Wiccan Fundamentalist can cause damage and suffering to the lives of other people which is every bit as harmful as the damage and suffering caused by Christian Fundamentalists or Muslim Fundamentalists to those of religions other than their own. Remember The Wiccan Rede - and make sure that you "Harm None"!

Fanatical "Fundamentalists" of ANY religion are a danger to all humanity & life on Earth!

Fanatical Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus Christ, a citizen of their own country. Fanatical followers of Mithras in ancient Rome threw live Roman Christians to the lions. Fanatical Nazis caused the agonising death of Jews, Gipsies and other minorities in Europe under the Third Reich. Christian settlers in North America destroyed the Native American Tribes. During the Middle Ages, tens of thousands of witches (Wicce), mostly women followers of "The Old (pre-Christian) Religion" of Europe, were tortured and killed. Christian Crusaders went from Europe to kill Muslims in their own land of Palestine. Modern Palestinians have warred against the Jewish state of Israel. Christians, Muslims and Serbs - formerly peaceful neighbours, are killing each other in the former Yugoslavia. Tribal massacres are still occurring in African states. People disappear without trace in South America, presumed to be murdered. Terrorists kill innocent civilians in worldwide bomb outrages. Crazy gunmen kill schoolchildren in "civilised" Western democracies. Catholics and Protestants still kill each other in Northern Ireland, hundreds of years after the first Protestant settlers arrived there.

All over the world down through the ages people have been persecuted & killed, just for being "different". It might be "politically correct" nowadays to call such action "ethnic cleansing" in an attempt to try and lessen its impact; but MURDER is MURDER, and that's a fact! Whichever religion you are, you can be sure that The Supreme Creator (whatever you choose to name that being) does NOT approve of wanton killing & genocide.

Whenever those perceived as "different" have been tortured and killed, throughout history, the killers have convinced themselves that what they are doing is "right" - for religious, personal or political reasons - and that for them to kill is somehow "justified".

IT'S NOT JUSTIFED AT ALL!

So many deaths & persecutions in the name of religion - ALL totally unnecessary.

Deaths by natural causes often can't be prevented, despite modern medicine - but we do TRY to prevent them. Yet killing for political or religions reasons causes as many, if not more, deaths as "natural causes". Sadly, MORE human effort and MORE money goes into the promotion of war than the promotion of health. Contrasted to deaths by disease or starvation or natural disaster, deaths in war and through religion are illogically rationalised by most people as "necessary", "unavoidable" or "understandable" and largely ignored. Extremes of religious fundamentalism or political extremism, eventually lead to wars and to large-scale deaths.

For the sake of all humanity and life on Planet Earth, 'Do as you would be done by' and live in tolerance and peace with your neighbours in "The Global Village."

http://www.iol.ie/~plugin/pagpath.htm

Druidry – The Eightfold Year

the inner circle

Everything starts with a circle. It is an infinite, seamless path that has no clearly defined start or end. But as the circle cannot be entirlely round; it must consist of numerous angles that merely differ in degree; that in their unison form a common pattern. This circle is your life.

This circle has a center point. You can fit every other shape into this circle; within every reasonable and logical path or method of calculation. This center is your soul.

We have to define a tangential point that serves as a gate between birth and death, and if you draw a cross with the cardinal directions south, west, east, and north, marked out within this circle you will find this verging point at the north end of the cross. With north being death/rebirth; east will become youth; and south will become maturity; and finally west is old age. So it flows, seamlessly.

According to the teachings of Cornelius Agrippa each quarter of the cycle of life consists of 21 years. Thus north would be 84/0 years; east would be 21 years, south would be 42 years; and last, west would be 63 years.

quarter attributes
Now, for the quarter attributes we need another cross above the first, this one will represent the ordinal directions, northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest.
North – incarnation/conception, inspiration
Northwest – infancy up to 7 years, the children
West – late childhood (7-14 years), reception of wisdom
Southwest – early youth (14-21 years), intellect, maturity, accomplishment
South – young adulthood (20-30 years), expression
Southeast – adulthood (30-50), the family
East – maturity (50-70), recollection, physical and mental maturity, wealth, karma
Northeast – old age, reaping the benefits of previous periods and preparing for death

the outer circle

The outer circle is the world, and its center is the sun. Within this circle we find things like seasons, moon phases, and the time of day. All which connect and intertwine into a strong unity.

hours of the day
midnight
dawn/sunrise
noon
dusk/sunset

the seasons
Winter
Spring
Summer
Autumn

All these fit into what is called The Eightfold Year. This is the most important aspect of druidry, which revolves around the eight solar and lunar observances.

The Solar Observances
Summer Solstice
Winter Solstice
Vernal Equinox
Autumnal Equinox

The Lunar Observances
Samhuinn
Imbolc
Beltaine
Lughnasadh

Magical Uses of Maple

Maple leaves are often used in money spells and love spells.
Often maple branches are used as magickal wands.
Maples helps increase one's ambitions.

Bless us Goddess, this Yule, with quietness
of mind; Teach us to be patient and always to
be kind. ~Author Unknown~

The Full Cold Moon and Crystal Cleansing

The Full Cold Moon; or the Full Long Nights Moon is time to cleanse
your crystals. During this month the winter cold fastens its grip,
and nights are at their longest and darkest. It is also sometimes
called the Moon before Yule. The term Long Night Moon is a doubly
appropriate name because the midwinter night is indeed long, and
because the Moon is above the horizon for a long time. The midwinter
full Moon has a high trajectory across the sky because it is opposite
a low Sun. This moon also appears the smallest in the sky due to its
lopesided orbital path.

Cleansing Your Crystals On a Full Moon

Several ways are suggested:

*Place your crystals under the light of a full moon/sun for 24 hours.

*Place in Sea Salt Water. One teaspoon of Sea Salt in a glass bowl in
cool water. Place the crystal in the water. Make sure the crystal is
covered with water. Let this bathe in the water for 24 hours. This is
a wonderful way to rejuvenate the power of your crystal. It washes
away the negative energy it has absorbed and recharges it with the
positive healing energy again. (Note: Some crystals should NOT be
washed/cleansed in salt water/sun for it changes their physical
properties (not their metaphysical properties), they are listed below.

Not to be cleansed in Salt Water:
*Calcite
*Carnelian
*Labradorite (Spectrolite)
*Lepidolite
*Moldivate
*Opal
*Turquoise
*Ulexite

*Use caution only with the softer Mica and crystaline stones

May fade in Sunlight:
*Amethyst
*Celestite
*Opal
*Turquoise

*Bury it in the earth (make sure you mark it!), for 24 hours.

*Smudge your crystal with sweetgrass, sage, cedar or incense. Pass
the crystal several times through the wafting smoke.

*Place your crystal on a large crystal cluster for 24 hours.

*Soaking your crystal in flower water with the petals of the flowers
such as rose, honeysuckle, orange blossoms for 24 hours will cleanse
the crystal of all it's negative energy.

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.
Peacefulmind.com
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit

Lasik San Diego

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Peace Correspondences

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 18:47:42 GMT

Peace Correspondences

Elements- Water Planets- Moon Days- Sunday Deities- Tailtiu, Athena, Artemis, Irene, Diana, Minerva, Nerthus, Neith, Ba-Neb-Tetet, Osiris, Auf, Imhitep Colors- White, Blue, Pink Herbs- Basil, Cumin, Frankincense, Rose, Valerian, Dulse, Eryngo, Gardenia, Lavender, Loosestrife, Meadowsweet, Morning Glory, Myrtle, Olive, Passion Flower, Pennyroyal, Scullcap, Vervain, Violet, Camomile, Lilac, Tuberose Oils- Apple, Bergamont, Broom, Catnip, Camomile, Freesia, Gardenia, Ginger, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Lily, Lily of the Valley, Marjoram, Meadowsweet, Plumeria, Rose, Spider Lily, Stephanotis, Tuberose, Water Lily, Ylang Ylang, Magnolia Incense- Basil, Cumin, Frankincense, Lavender, Pennyroyal, Valerian Stones- Aquamarine, Lepidolite, Rhodonite, Blue Tourmaline, Amethyst, Chalcedony, Sodalite, Calcite, Kunzite, Malachite

The male version of the well-known Charge of the Goddess.
Charge of the God Listen to the words of the Great Father, who was of old called Osiris, Adonis, Zeus, Thor, Pan, Cernunnos, Herne, Lugh and by many other names.

"My law is harmony with all things. Mine is the secret that opens the gates of life and mine is the dish of salt of the Earth that is the body of Cernunnos, that is the eternal circle of rebirth. I give the knowledge of life everlasting and beyond death I give the promise of regeneration and renewal. I am the sacrifice, the father of all things, and my protection blankets the Earth."

continued ....

Hear the words of the dancing God, the music of whose laughter stirs the winds, whose voice calls the seasons:

"I who am the Lord of the Hunt and the Power of the Light, sun among the clouds and the secret of the flame, I call upon your bodies to arise and come unto me. For I am the flesh of the Earth and all its beings. Through me all things must die and with me are reborn. Let my worship be in the body that sings, for behold all acts of willing sacrifice are my rituals. Let there be desire and fear, anger and weakness, joy and peace, awe and longing within you. For these too are part of the mysteries found within yourself, within me. All beginnings have endings and all endings have beginnings."

Brain Booster

by Green Valley Aromatherapy Team Try this blend if you've got an exam or some other appointment or event where you really need to be on top of your game mentally.

4 drops Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
3 drops Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
4 drops Clove (Eugania caryophyllata)
10ml jojoba oil
10ml roller ball

Pour jojoba into roller ball, add essential oils and shake well to blend. Use this blend on pulse points when a mental boost is in order.

It's the latest wave
That you've been craving for
The old ideal
Was getting such a bore
Now you're back in line
Going not quite quite as far
But in half the time
Everyone's happy
They're finally all the same
'cause everyone's jumping
Everyone else's train
- The Cure

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into
enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order,
confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a
home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings
peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
--Melody Beattie

“My true Identity abides in You.”

As I shift my identification toward being God's extension of Love, my identification with a body and personality image subsides. With that softened identification with an image of myself comes greater peace. I am not as likely to be disturbed or personally affronted by what anyone thinks of me or says to me or appears to do to me because I am not as attached to that image as what I am.

Remembering that my true Identity is in God, which therefore must be safe, unchanged and unchangeable brings me an awareness of harmlessness. I remember that I can neither harm nor be harmed, for I am Love along with All That is. The image of a form that seems to live a little while and then die is not me and it is not my brother either.

The freedom that comes with this awareness relieves me of all disturbances, for nothing can disturb changeless Love. My heart is filled with joy because in the recognition of the Love that I am, I can only extend that Love everywhere, for that is what Love does.

Today I dedicate to walking with the Holy Spirit, letting Him guide my thoughts, my words and my actions. Thus I will see a world reflecting the truth of my Identity as Love. I accept His vision as my own so that I may see the face of Christ in all things. I open my mind to the Holy Spirit's interpretation of all that I look upon and think about today. I would decide nothing on my own. I choose the Holy Spirit as my Guide today.

The whole Sonship is an extension of God's Love. Love extends only Love and so Love is what we all are. To be Love, Love must extend. Extension is inherent in what Love is. If I would return to my true Identity, I would be willing to extend Love as Love always does. If I experience anything else besides Love, it is a signal to stop and open my mind to Love again. If I think I see something in the world that is not Love, I need to stop and let the Holy Spirit show me what is truly there behind the false story.

My mind has believed in many false stories and made many wrong turns. It has not led to the experience of eternal happiness. Because I want to return to the experience of eternal happiness, my job today is to open my mind to receive and extend my one true Identity, Which is Love. This is the only thing that can bring me eternal happiness. This is where I reside forever in truth.

Today would I make illusions real or am I willing to recognize that only Love is real? Today I would practice accepting Love and extending That which I have accepted. Today I would let myself be carried by Love.

Lasik San Diego

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IGGY POP LYRICS
"Starry Night"

Stars in the sky
I like them better than you
Stars in the sky
They tell me what to do
I don't care about your city
Or your fat income
I don't care about your Vanity Fair
Or your f...ing sitcom

Starry night
Starry night
That starry night

Makes me feel alright
I heard a lotta mean talkin'
I met a lotta tough guys-they all look
Pretty ugly under the stars
Go out to the desert
And just look up
You can feel yourself
Under the stars
All man's buildings
Will soon be gone
'Cause something here
Is absolutely wrong

Starry night
Starry night
That starry night

Makes me feel alright
Like a human being
Take your building and your income and
Shove it up your ass-
Take your building and your income and stuff
It with your cash-
I heard a lotta big talk-met a lotta tough guys-
That shit looks ugly under a starry night-
Which country is the strongest?
Who plays the best guitar?
Who f...ing cares
Under the stars