Feeling jinxed?

In my line of work, it is quite common for someone to bring up the subject of feeling jinxed. People will write in, call or ask me in person about this subject. They are just hit with such bad and poor luck that they feel they have a hex or the evil eye upon them.

There are many reasons why this can occur. People can be jealous or envious of something that someone has or has going for them.

There are many spells that can be done to 'undue' this situation but it is always good to know where the problem lies or who has cast the 'negative' spell upon you.

If you should know who is casting the negativity upon you, you can do the Mirror Spell. I would highly recommend this spell, but YOU MUST KNOW WHO is wishing the harm upon you. As with all spells and all intentions, Lady Karma and Ms. Divine Justice is watching. Remember the law/rule/creed of Karma and threefold.

As I stated above, the Mirror Spell can be used when you KNOW someone is directing bad or negative energies/words/deeds your way. It is a very strong way to work the 'return to sender' magic. You can use any mirror to do this, but you must make sure that it is facing in the direction of the persons house or their place of work while you recite the spell (it doesn't need to be compass point or latitude/longitude perfect).  First, you must ensure the mirror has been cleansed and blessed. **Do not use the mirror of your choosing for the spell for any other purpose afterwards until you thoroughly cleanse and bless it again.**


You can always strengthen this spell by adding other devices to it-like a black candle for protection, dragon's blood incense or oil for protection and help amplify against negativity, use crystals such as amythest, black obsidian, tigers eye (blue or red), jasper, citrine -  many to choose from. Wear the color black to cast the 'return to' spell since this is the color of protection and hold or wear your pentagram and decorate your altar, if you can.

Here is how the spell SHOULD read: (Start with a plain mirror-no writing upon it)

This mirror I place before my name,
Returning negativity from whence it came,

This mirror protects me from words and deeds
Returning the hate to where it breeds.

(Name of person) take heed in the words I speak
Lest you get harmed by what you wreak.
As is my will, I ask you now
Bestow the charm that I have sown.
So Mote It Be!!

You can adjust this spell to suit your own purpose and needs to make it more personal, but remember you need to know from which direction the harm is coming from.

**As with any spell, do not dabble unless you know what you are doing. It's not a game, its a way of life. Repurcussions can and may happen. Be sure to do your spell in the correct moon phase. Always protect yourself. Once spell is over, let it go. Mother Universe will do her work at her will. ***

What is the 'Evil Eye?' How do I know if it's upon me?

Everyone at one time or another will have a run of 'bad luck' here and there. It don't matter who you are. At one time or another, we will all experience some negative things in this lifetime. It's a learning lesson and if you do not heed and learn from it the first time, it will keep repeating until you do learn from it...so heed it, recognize it and break the habit so it will not repeat.

There are instances where a run of sheer poor luck/bad luck could be caused via a curse/hex. Sometimes, you can just feel it, yet at other times, you are in the lurch wondering. For those of you wondering, there is an easy way to find out....
The Evil Eye is an ancient belief in many parts of the world and is commonly thought to be caused by envy. It is believed that some people have the power (even within their eyes) to cause harm to another through jealousy or hatred. What I mean by 'within their eyes' is that some people can look at a person or a picture of a person and cast the evil eye upon the person. In some cases, a curse can and will be involved as well. There are many ways to combat the Evil Eye but first of all you need to know whether it has been put on you.
Diagnosing the Evil Eye:


You will need:
1). A bottle of spring water/ moon water
2). Olive Oil
Pour room temperature water into a bowl. Put 3 drops of olive oil slowly into the water. If the drops merge together then the Evil Eye is present, if they stay separate then you are clear. This is based on the knowledge that separate drops of oil will stay isolated when placed in water - should they merge then there is something amiss.
****Do not perform a removal of the Evil Eye without performing this test first. As with all things magickal, the echoes will return to you if the spell is not necessary.***   People who are highly vibratory or in tune with themselves can use any way to determine this. Some use crystals or meditation. I find that most highly sensitive people are just annoyed or amused by this and have their own methods of dealing with. Some people are protected by their 'force field' so they are not affected by any of this and tend to send a warning back stating - Do not do this again....   Removing the Evil Eye

So, once you have diagnosed the Evil Eye as being present, there are a number of things you can do to remove it. A very simple way is a talisman to protect yourself such as the Evil Eye bead/disc (which was usually blue or green-but now comes in many colors) which is believed to 'outstare' the Evil Eye itself, protecting the wearer from the harm that has been directed to them. I find this is better used as an instrument of protection AGAINST having the Evil Eye put on you in the first place. If you do not have that, here is another way to remove it:

You will need:
1). A lemon
2). 9 Iron nails-must be iron-do not substitute

Take the lemon and visualize the lemon as the eye itself. Drive the 9 nails deeply into the lemon, visualizing the nails piercing an eyeball and put to one side. **Be careful that you do not visualize a specific person's eye.  Whether you think it's them or not, this can have disasterous consequences for both you and that person.**

The lemon should have started to decay after 3 days which shows that the removal has worked. If the lemon is still fresh after 3 days, you will need to repeat this using a fresh lemon. By doing this, you are externalizing the evil eye, thus placing it away from you so as not to cause harm to yourself.

Once the lemon has started to decay, you will need to bury it in mother earth, preferably far away from you. The nine nails represent the power of 3x3, and iron itself is considered a magickal metal of protection and luck which is why iron nails are used.

Blessed Be and brightest blessings to all.   As with any spell or writing posted, I am not liable for any action you take in reference to anything posted.

Clearing a space by smudging.

In recent weeks, I have had many people write in to ask about smudging. Smudging is a simple but potent way to clear a space from negativity.
A smudge stick is a dried bundle of sage or white sage. At times lavender, rosemary or cedar will be included in the bundle. The smoke from a smudge stick can cleanse anything that is holding negativity from crystals to houses/workplaces or work spaces. There are times when I would recommend a saging for a new item that you purchase especially if it comes from an antique store, wiccan/witch store, a new tarot deck, jewelry and the list goes on. It's always good to clear a new tarot deck before you start to season it and the same with other items. You want to clear all negativity from it before you wear or use it. Even if an item is blessed, you never know-the mail carrier could have had a bad day the negative vibes could rub off on item if it's not protected well.

If you do not have a sage stick/wand, you can use sage leaves-as long as they are dried out first.

You will need:

1). A smudge stick (bought ones are fine)
2). A large feather/implement to 'waft' the smoke, ie. fan
3). A cauldron/bowl to catch ash and embers.
Light one end of your smudge stick and allow any flames to die down or blow the flame out so it is just smoking like an incense would do. Then you can walk around with it in your hand or place it in your bowl or cauldron so it is easier to carry.
Smudge your house or workspace by walking in and around each room, wafting the smoke with the feather, making sure you get the smoke into all the corners and over the upholstery. As you do so, recite some wording to cleanse the space. (Something like - negativity beware, here comes the cleansing spirits of Earth and Air (air for the smoke, earth for the herbs). I cleanse this space so negativity make haste, away with bad, in with good. Peace, comfort and calm will return and remain, this space is cleansed like an invisable rain. Light and love, blessed from above, as I will it, so mote it be, Blessed Be)! I am sure you get the gist of it. Make up your own wording and walk through the rooms/area and bless each one. 

If you work with a specific deity, you can ask the Spirit element (deity) you choose to ask for help or simply replace with 'Goddess'.
To smudge an object, simply hold the particular object in the smoke of your smudge stick and say similar words to those above - as with all spellwork, you can create your own words to say or simply adapt the words I used above and revise them for your particular need. You can also light the smudge stick, place it in your cauldron on a heat proof surface and leave it smoking for a while to allow the smoke to dissipate around the space. This works well also.

You should try to do this every month or you can repeat as needed or as often as you feel neccessary.

Sukkot Celebration & Festivities

The Feast of Tabernacles (Feast of Sukkot or Feast of Booths) is a celebration - Christian festival (the Season of our Joy) about the establishment of the 1000 year messianic kingdom to be set up at the second coming of Yeshua the Messiah (Christ). It is one of the three pilgrimage festivals God gave the children of Israel in the Bible (Leviticus 23). It was during these festivals that the Israelites would bring their offerings and firstlings to the Temple in Jerusalem and enjoy a feast!

Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles ) is not a "Jewish festival", but rather a "Hebrew" festival, for it was given to all the Israelite tribes, not just Judah. Today, it would be observed by all of God's people since ". . . if ye be Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal 3:29).

To learn more about Sukkot like it's origins, laws and prayers, please check out the following website:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukkot

Brightest blessings to all.
____________________________________________________________________________
The Jewish Feast of the Tabernacle, Sukkot, begins at sundown on Sept. 30, 2012, and ends at nightfall on Oct. 7. The Festival of Booths, as Sukkot is also known, is observed from the 15th to the 21st of the Tishrei in the Jewish year of 5773.

For the eight days and seven nights of Sukkot, Jews traditionally eat and sleep in a sukkah, a temporary dwelling with a thatched roof, from which the holiday gets its name. Two other components of the holiday are inviting guests, or ushpizin, and waving the four species, known as the lulav and etrog.

Sukkot is one of three biblically mandated holidays for which the ancient tribes made a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. The holiday is based on the verse: "Every resident among the Israelites shall live in booths, in order that your [ensuing] generations should know that I had the children of Israel live in booths when I took them out of the land of Egypt" (Leviticus 23:42-43). The sukkah is a physical remembrance of the "clouds of glory" that surrounded and protected the Israelites as they wandered the desert after escaping from Egypt.

The commandment regarding the "four species" -- the lulav (palm, willow and myrtle) and etrog (citron) -- also comes from chapter 23 of Leviticus: "And you shall take for yourselves on the first day [of Sukkot], the fruit of the hadar tree [myrtle], date palm fronds, a branch of a braided tree, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for a seven day period" (23:40). The lulav and etrog are held together and, after reciting a blessing, waved in six directions -- forward, backward, left, right, up and down -- in acknowledgment of God's dominion over all creation.

Another important aspect of Sukkot is welcoming of guests (ushpizin in Aramaic) into the sukkah. While people actually invite friends, family and strangers into their hand-built temporary homes, on each night of Sukkot a different ancestral guest, leading the entire group of "holy shepherds," is said to enter the sukkah, and Jewish teachings are invoked in their names. The ushpizin -- Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David -- embody seven different spiritual paths that, together, bring humanity and all of creation to a more perfected state: Abraham is lovingkindness, Isaac is strength, Jacob represents harmony, Moses is eternality through Torah, Aaron is divine splendor, Joseph is spiritual foundation and David embodies sovereignty.

Do you believe in dreams? If not.....why?

I have touched on this subject a few times in the past. Do people dream? Do they remember dreaming? Why do some people think that they don’t dream? Why do some believe that dreams are just fluff? Can we really learn from our dreams?


Actually, dreams are really important. It can tell you how to deal with and all about a problem you will face and how to overcome that problem. But only if you listen and pay attention. These are the ways in which your own higher guidance or ‘spirit’ communicates with you through the dream realm. Some people believe that you are communicating with God, himself, through the messages of dreams or His angels, which are also considered your angels. God also has many names, Buddha, Allah, Great Spirit in the sky, etc. No matter who you believe in and what you call Him, remember we are all in His hands and he does communicate with us.

In my other articles, I have touched on the different parts of dreaming. Just in case, I’ll explain it again, there is the beginning, which can give you the time, place and people involved. There is the presentation, which is basically the appearance of the dreams problem coming to light. Then, there is the climax. This is where the transformation has taken place and the situation or catastrophe is unveiled. And, finally, there is the conclusion or the closing phase of the dream. Are you starting to understand what I’m talking about?

I do have some customers who do believe in power of dreams and the interpretation of them. For some, they wake up and jot it down. For others, in order for them to get the full benefit, they find it helpful to keep a dream journal. Either way, it all works out. However, the longer we wait to write down our dreams, the more apt we are to omit details or just forget about them altogether. Even if you just write down a few key details, it helps to trigger the memory at a later time when you are writing or typing them out to have interpreted. I keep a journal for dreams so I can refer back to it and if I don’t understand the lesson, I will at a later time when I am presented with the situation. This way, I am able to keep using the lesson and knowledge throughout my lifetime. Another way to look at the dream journal is that by keeping one, we are sending a message to God that we hear Him and that we take what He says seriously. Many people actively ask God to speak to them through dreams. For those of you who do not believe in the power of dreams, then the information may not generally be volunteered to you. It may or it may not - it all depends on you and your open mindedness to it. It’s there for the taking, but if you do not heed it, then it may disappear until you ask for it.

The details of a dream are important, no matter how minute and small you think it is because it would not be put in the dream if it wasn’t significant in one form or another. If we don’t pay attention to these small details, we’ll miss the valuable information and messages to be received. Dreams are like a puzzle and the pieces need to be put together in order to solve the mind mystery and understand and unlock the message that is meant for us. Dreams don't always mean what you think they do. Dream meanings are not the same as waking meanings. For example, if you die in a dream, it is not foretelling that you or someone will depart this earthly realm. Or if your teeth are falling out, it doesn't signify that you have a periodontal problem. The same holds true for dreaming that you are at an AA or NA meeting-it doesn't mean that you will suffer the effects of being addicted to drugs or alcohol. I have studied dream interpretation for over a decade and have much professional experience with the subject and giving guidance. I can’t stress the point enough that you should be careful and not assume that you know the interpretation of the dream through your own personal and natural way of thinking. By trying to do that, you run a risk of having a marred and unclear version of what God wants to speak to you about, especially if you end up taking the details of your dream literally, and using your natural and personal way of thinking to figure it out. Instead, you must consider trying to understand their symbolic nature. Because dreams are usually symbolic, what they look like on the surface is often not at all really what they are about or what the point trying to get across is.

Drawing the interpretation of our dreams solely from dream books is another mistake to be avoided. Dream books can be useful and do have an advantage, however, your dreams are highly personal, and meanings of details and purpose in them are often tailored fit to you specifically. Dream books list what certain items have meant commonly to many people, or may fall in a category but it does not necessarily follow that an object must mean this or that or even what the dream book says it represents.

If and when you are ready for some insight, please don’t hesitate to check me out. This is one of my unique gifts. I have much experience with this wisdom and guidance.

Remember, we are all in God's, Allah, Great Spirit, Buddha, God/dess hands. Brightest blessings!

(Article written by L.A. 3/08: reposted 9/12 - any duplication of article is prohibited without authors consent)

Tools of the witch.

In the past few weeks, many have wrote in to me asking questions about certain tools that are used by witches, High Priestess', etc. and the role these tools play when doing rituals and prayers. So, let me touch on a bit of that. Below you will find a list of items and hopefully this will anwser some of those questions.

Tools of the Craft - Bell

The bell can be used to represent male and female. The Outer shell of the bell would represent the female while the hammer/clapper represents the male. Bells can be used to mark the time, to purify the air of unwanted influences,  aid in the calling of spirits or help create an altered state of consciousness.

Bell Folklore

In Europe, the bell is used to announce a death and even as a means of protection.

In Italy, bells are often attached to livestock to help prevent them from getting the Evil Eye. They are also attached to household pets to protect them from baneful spirits. (Taken from Pagan Lore)

Don't have a bell, that's okay, a singing bowl can be used instead of a bell. This is a metal bowl that 'sings' when a wooden stick is drawn along the edge of the bowl. The sound and vibration is said to clear the air of any negativity before doing altar work or to draw spirits near when doing seance work.
____________________________________________________________________________

Tools of the Craft - Altar Pentacle

The pentagram has existed for thousands of years. For some people the word “pentagram” may associate with worshiping the devil, but the fact is that in the past, it was used as a protection sign from evil and was even used by the Catholic church. Today it is a Wiccan symbol of faith.

A pentagram is a five-pointed star. The pentagram is known as the endless knot because it’s possible to draw it with a continuous motion, without lifting your pencil or writing utensil.

A pentacle is a pentagram inside of a circle. It can be made of wood, stone, metal or clay. It is a very powerful protection symbol and Wiccans usually put it on an altar. Pentacles and pentagrams can take material form or be completely abstract-whatever your preference. If you should draw a pentagram in the air above a certain object, it will be just as protected as if you had put a material pentacle on it or next to it. Pentacles and pentagrams have always been associated with mystery, magic and protection from evil.

A little history: The pentagram became first associated with evil during the Inquisition in the form of Baphomet, a goat creature, which was considered a demon and a personification of the devil. It was believed that the pentagram represents the devil‘s goat head. If you should turn it upside down, that is the symbol that is used and most associated with devil worship.

The corners of a pentagram represent the Akasha (or Spirit Self) and the four elements, the substances which are responsible for all living things. Some pentagrams have colored corners, when each color is associated with a specific element (water – blue, fire – red, air – yellow, earth – green, spirit – white or purple). Some witches believe that the pentagram is a personification of the trinity of the Goddess (Maiden, Mother and Crone) and the dual-unity of the God (light and dark). Yet in some other traditions, the corners of the pentagram represent the four elements and the magical intention. Spirit is at the heart of the pentagram and is connected directly with each of the corners.

For more on the pentagram, see my other blog specifically about the pentagram by clicking here.
__________________________________________________________________________________

Tools of the Craft - Boline

The boline is a white handled knife and usually has a curved blade, like that of a crescent moon. It is used for more practical uses than the athame. Examples of using the boline would be harvesting and cutting herbs, inscribing candles with symbols, sigils or even cutting ritual cords. Unlike the athame, the boline is used in the physical process of magical works (like ritual cutting as an example). The boline serves for the physical plane while the athame serves for work in the spiritual/astral plane.
____________________________________________________________________________

Tools of the Craft - Chalice

Ah, the chalice or otherwise known as the cup, is used on the altar to represent the Female principle of Water. Another chalice (or cauldron or bowl) is or can sometimes be placed in the West as well.

Chalices can be of any material. Many use silver or pewter. (WARNING-be careful with untreated metals especially when serving wine). Ceramic ones are now becoming quite popular and are very readily obtainable and available. Some Witches prefer to have many different kinds for using in the variety and many different types of rituals. Practitioners will tend to avoid real "lead" crystal because of the Saturn energy influence plus it's ill affects should you drink from it. So be sure to read and understand what your chalice is made up of and made out of by checking the label or box it comes in. And as with any tool used in ritual, always cleanse and bless it before using.

The chalice is sometimes passed around the circle in a coven so each participant may take a sip from the cup. This is a bonding experience and often the words "May you never thirst!" are passed throughout the circle with the chalice. Libations of wine or water are often then poured outside to honor the Old Ones and "sabbat" cakes are also offered back to the Source in a similar manner. This pays honor/homage and respect to the Source.

The chalice is symbolic of the womb of the Goddess and is associated with fertility. It is used for drinking and for the offering of libations to the gods. It is believed that to drink from the cup is to drink of life.

Something to think about.

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package. "What food might this contain?" The mouse wondered. He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.


Retreating to the farmyard, The mouse proclaimed this warning: "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The chicken clucked and scratched,raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it." The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The pig sympathized, but said, "I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers." The mouse turned to the cow and said,"There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!" The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose." So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap. ....Alone....

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it. It was a venomous snake whose tail was caught in the trap. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital. When she returned home she still had a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup. So the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient, chicken.

But his wife's sickness continued. Friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. But, alas, the farmer's wife did not get well...She died. So many people came for her funeral that the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them for the funeral luncheon.

And the mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness. So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and you think it doesn't concern you, remember --- When one of us is threatened, we are all at risk. We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.

EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY. OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON. One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a FRIEND. Blessed be and Amen!

The Pentagram Symbol

The Pentagram symbol (as I have stated before in other blog postings), is one that is near and dear to my heart. And surprisingly, many people do not understand it's true meaning. Some find it a sign of evil and others a very treasured and sacred symbol. To me, it is a very sacred and powerful symbol. The pentagram, throughout history, has long been believed to be a potent protection against evil, a symbol of conflict that shields the wearer and the home. The pentagram has five spiked wards and a womb shaped defensive, protective pentagon at the center. The pentagram (amulet/talisman) can be made of nearly anything - stone, metal, wood, or even a combination of them. Just choose something that appeals to you.

The Pentagram is a symbol of a star and at times, it's encased within a circle. Always with 5 points (one pointing upward), each has its own meaning. The upward point of the star is representative of the spirit/self. The other four points all represent an element; earth, air, fire, and water. All these things contribute to life and are a part of each of us. (For example, your astrology sign can tell you what element you are closely related to). To wear a pentagram necklace or other form of jewelry, is to say you feel the connection with the elements and respect the earth.

A pentagram may be open, without a surrounding circle. This is the active form symbolizing an outgoing of oneself, prepared for conflict, aware, active. (One wearing an open pentagram must be physically aware of the danger of sharp points sticking in their skin from time to time). As a pagan religious symbol, the open pentagram represents an open, active approach.

A circle around a pentagram contains and protects. The circle symbolizes eternity and infinity, the cycles of life and nature. The circle touching all 5 points indicates that the spirit, earth, air, water and fire are all connected and is the passive form implying spiritual containment of the magic circle, in keeping with the traditional secrecy of witchcraft, and the personal, individual nature of the pagan religious path, of its non-proselytizing character.

Up until medieval times, the five points of the pentagram represented the five wounds of Christ on the Cross. It was a symbol of Christ the Saviour. Today, the pentagram is criticized by modern Fundamentalist Christians, as being a symbol of evil. The church eventually chose the cross as a more significant symbol for Christianity and the use of the pentagram as a Christian symbol gradually ceased.

The pentagram may be inverted with one point down. The implication is of spirit subservient to matter, of man subservient to his carnal desires. The inverted pentagram has come to be seen by many pagans as representing the dark side and it is abhorred as an evil symbol. Fundamental Christians, indeed, see any form of pentagram as such. However, these are recent developments and the inverted pentagram is the symbol of Gardnerian second degree initiation, representing the need of the witch to learn to face the darkness within so that it may not later rise up to take control. The center of a pentagram implies a sixth formative element - love/will which controls from within, ruling matter and spirit by Will and the controlled magickal direction of sexual energies. This is another lesson of initiation.

Now let's talk about the number five. The number five has always been regarded as mystical and magical, yet essentially 'human.' We have five fingers/toes on each limb extremity as well as five senses - sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste. We perceive five stages or initiations in our lives - eg. birth, adolescence, coitus, parenthood and death. The number five is associated with Mars, representing and signifying persuasiveness, spontaneity, daring/bold nature, action or a change in course. In Christianity, five were the wounds of Christ on the cross. There are five pillars of the Muslim faith and five daily times of prayer. Five also represented the virtues of the medieval knight - generosity, courtesy, chastity, chivalry and piety as symbolized in the pentagram device of Sir Gawain. The Wiccan Kiss is Fivefold - feet, knees, womb/abdomen, breasts/chest, lips/mouth. The number 5 is prime. The simplest star - the pentagram - requires five lines to draw and it is unicursal; it is a continuous loop.

So, as you can see, wearing the pentagram as a pendant is a great way to express your faith, but also to wear your protective talisman any where you go. I hope this helps to dispell the negative stories that the pentagram has so underserving received.

When Pentagram Night rolls around (February 26), it is a symbolic gesture to reaffirm your dedication to the craft of Wicca and The Old Ones. Most who celebrate this night, will do a dedication and make offerings-which is the norm.

Blessed Be/Brightest Blessings to all. In light and love.
(First posted by L.A. in 11/08).

Dog watches over his master - who is in the grave.

Talk about pulling and tugging on heartstrings....what a story. It's sad but honorable. People do not give animals the praise that they deserve. There is so much out there about how people hurt, abuse and abandon their pets that it just sickens me. I, personally, would starve to make sure that my furball babies are fed, warm and loved to pieces. Animals are very smart and deserve so much more credit for their existance as well as owning our hearts, forever love and being cherished. They do so much for us, like guard and protect us, love us unconditionally, are always happy to see and welcome us, give us exercise, laughs and tons of entertainment, they help to lower our blood pressure, they know when we don't feel well or are upset, can predict seizures and they can play a part as the culprit when our children do something mischievious as well as work with the police, military and help with the blind and disabled. Give these precious creatures credit where credit is most certainly due.

Now back to the article:

                                               Dog stands guard over deceased owner's grave

An extremely dedicated dog has continued to show its loyalty, keeping watch on its owner's grave six years after he passed away.

Capitan, a German shepherd, reportedly ran away from home after its owner, Miguel Guzman, died in 2006. A week later, the Guzman family found the dog sitting by his grave in central Argentina.

Miguel Guzman adopted Capitan in 2005 as a gift for his teenage son, Damian. And for the past six years, Capitan has continued to stand guard at Miguel's grave. The family says the dog rarely leaves the site.

"We searched for him, but he had vanished," widow Veronica Guzman told LaVoz.com. "We thought he must have got run over and died.' The following Sunday we went to the cemetery, and Damian recognized his pet. Capitan came up to us, barking and wailing as if he were crying." Adding to the unusual circumstances, Veronica says the family never brought Capitan to the cemetery before he was discovered there. "It is a mystery how he managed to find the place," she said.

Cemetery director Hector Baccega says he and his staff have begun feeding and taking care of Capitan. "He turned up here one day, all on his own, and started wandering all around the cemetery until he eventually found the tomb of his master," Baccega said. "During the day he sometimes has a walk around the cemetery, but always rushes back to the grave. And every day, at six o'clock sharp, he lies down on top of the grave, stays there all night."

But the Guzman family hasn't abandoned Capitan. Damian says the family has tried to bring Capitan home several times but that he always returns to the cemetery on his own. "I think he's going to be there until he dies, too. He's looking after my dad," he said.

To read the article from it's source online, click here: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/dog-stands-guard-over-deceased-owner-grave-six-190556479.html

To my fellow tarot readers & mediums-be safe out there.

Many people have often asked me why I do not do face-to-face readings anymore. No, I have never been physically hurt or had a negitive situation in which I had stopped doing them. I find that with age, and because I know myself so well now, that I just prefer to do email readings. Even over the phone, I've had times where the customer's dog will bark, the kids come home or they are doing dishes and I can hear the water running and pots/pans clanging and all that will distract me. Plus, people have a way of hearing what they want and then they zone out everything else I am saying to them. So they end up missing important details that I'm trying to get across and I am bombarded with five other questions when I'm still stressing to get out the answers received for their original question. That is the reason why I so LOVE email readings. I can concentrate on the person's energy and question to receive the insight they need. Not all readers can work this way. Some love the phone readings. Some love face to face readings. I, personally, just do not care for  either anymore. Love and light to all. And now, back to the purpose of this blog:

To all my reader friends: This is so scary. Be careful out there. (This did not happen to me but it did to another Medium).


It is with great sadness that I write this post today. This afternoon I was asked to visit an elderly lady to give her a reading. I have not been doing house parties (under police advice-as they said it was not too safe these days) plus, due to recent issues as most of you are aware of.
However, I thought this was ok and felt I would be safe. Bottom line, the person was fake (fictitious) and the person at the house address knew nothing about it! When leaving the house, I was attacked by two men, who knocked me down to the ground and really hurt me...they where showering me with verbal abuse and were intent on causing great physical harm to me. They where not aware that Kev was in the car and he was just turning it around when he saw it....after a long pursuit they lost him as the area was unknown to us....Because of this, I will NOT be doing any house parties..I am sorry if this causes any issues for anyone, but right now I can not. Although I will recover, my fear may remain for a while....

Like I said, this did not happen to me personally but this is a status I've just read off another Mediums wall, so BE CAREFUL OUT THERE PEOPLE!!

In light and love,
~Luna

Tarot question special - running now!

Got questions? Need some guidance with a situation? Are you worried about something? Well, if so, here is your chance to have some of those questions answered and to find some peace.

I'm running a special on tarot questions....meaning that each question you have will be answered discreetly, confidentially and within a few hours time. Only $6.00 per question. But hurry, this is only a limited time special.

Interested? Use section for Tarot reading or 3 & 5 questions and fill in your questions. I will answer you promptly. Paypal is the only method of payment I will accept and you will be invoiced for payment. Click here to get your questions in now before the special expires.

                                                        Where does your path lead?



Blessed Balsamic Moon! A magickal time!

Happy & Blessed Balsamic Moon to all. (September 12-14) This is the Wishing Moon and a great time to put wishes out there in the air. It is also called and known as the Witches Moon - a time to bring to mind those who need healing. Feelings invoke healing - meaning the deeper we feel, the deeper we heal.... This 'Wishing Moon' with Venus trine Uranus is an opportunity to invoke true love, world peace and creative prosperity. The deeper we feel, the more Moon magic we invoke for the new lunar cycle. This Balsamic Moon is most powerful as it comes before the 7th New Moon of the zodiacal year (when the world is created anew). Shadows before the New Moon can be cleared through deep breathing with paying close attention to the light of the crown. This is the time to invoke the new creation.


~Love and light to all.

The Great Chestnut Tree's of Europe are dying!

How incredibly sad is this? My neighbor has a towering chestnut tree in her back yard. It is a gorgeous tree. When you see it combined with other tree's, it's just a stunning tree-standing tall and proud. The squirrels just love this tree and the treat so nourished and protected by the tree. The article below just breaks my heart.

GHENT, Belgium (AP) — Visit the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris and chestnut trees greet you as you wander among graves of luminaries such as Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison. When Anne Frank was in hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam, the view of a monumental chestnut tree was one thing that cheered her up. In Cambridge, England, the two-century-old chestnut standing outside King's College chapel has become a beloved icon. In all those places — and over much of Europe — the horse chestnut tree is under threat.

Sometimes they crash across boulevards and smash cars, unable to bear the weight of their own foliage. At other times, city officials move in and cut them down before they collapse. In high summer, their leaves can become so rusty it feels like October. As autumn approaches, many stand naked while other trees still wear their crowns of green.

The culprits: a moth that produces leaf-eating larvae and a bacterium that makes trunks bleed and die. In a sense it is almost like a lethal cocktail," said Dr. Darren Evans of the University of Hull. "If it is under attack by moths, it is probably going to be more susceptible to this bleeding canker — which will kill it." A cure? Not immediately in sight. "It has spread throughout most of northern Europe," Evans said of the leaf miner moth in a telephone interview. "We still don't really know whether there is any effective way of controlling it." The same goes for the bacteria.

Without any clear reason, the moth became rampant and spread through much of Europe about a decade ago. In Britain, it first surfaced in Wimbledon in 2002 and soon spread across England and Wales. It has flourished across the continent. The moth lays eggs in leaves and the larvae start devouring them, causing foliage to turn color as soon as July. The rusting robs the tree of vital sunlight for key months and, weakened, some fall prey to other diseases such as fungi.

The moth was soon joined by a bacterium that came from the Himalayas and causes chestnut bark to bleed an oozing sticky liquid, sapping the tree and in many cases causing death. "The worst case scenario is that we lose most of our horse chestnut trees to this bleeding canker," Evans said. In Britain, which has up to 2 million chestnut trees, a 2007 survey showed that up to half could be infected with the disease. In countries like Belgium, France and the Netherlands, the alarm has also been raised.

There is historical precedent for the fears: At the turn of the 20th century, a fungus caused a mass extinction of the American chestnut tree in the eastern United States.

Europe's chestnuts came first from the Balkans and were introduced in western Europe about 500 years ago. It is a hallmark of cities rather than forests and, especially during the Victorian era, became a favorite for stately lanes, parks and squares.

In Ghent, Belgium, last month, a huge chestnut suddenly collapsed along the upper Scheldt river, smashing a car along a road usually busy with cycling students. As in many places, city councils have been increasingly checking the health of chestnuts and, if there's any doubt, cut them down as a safety precaution.

The chestnuts are all gone this summer from the city's Groentenmarkt medieval center, depriving weary tourists of reprieve from the sun.

The chestnuts, or marroniers, in Paris are also part of the attraction at Pere Lachaise. But last year, visitors could walk ankle deep through rusty leaves in the middle of July.

It's a problem all over Paris," said cemetery conservator Martine Lecuyer, although she said heavy rainfall made this year a little better.

In Amsterdam, officials are scrambling to try to save chestnuts within the famed canal belt. For Anne Frank's tree, help came too late. The 150-year-old tree, affected by the moth and fungi, weakened progressively and crashed to the ground two years ago.

If the darkest predictions prove true, many Britons will mourn chestnut trees as the passing of part of their youth: The game of "conkers," in which children take turns trying to smash chestnuts, was once a popular pastime on playgrounds across the country.

Just as bad for chestnuts is the way people deal with the problem: On Ghent's Groentenmarkt, the new trees are now linden, and the example is followed in many parts of Europe. "Many local authorities are then no longer planting horse chestnut trees because they fear — what is the point in planting something that is going to be susceptible to attack," Evans said. "Essentially, we could lose an entire new generation of horse chestnut trees."

To read the article on the web, click link below:
http://news.yahoo.com/great-chestnut-trees-europe-dying-080321320.html

Siberian Cranes being led in flight by Russia's Vladimir Putin

Putin leads young Siberian Cranes in flight


VLADIVOSTOK, Russia (AP) — Vladimir Putin flew on a motorized hang glider to lead a flock of young Siberian white cranes in flight, a characteristic stunt for Russia's action-man, animal-loving president that was tarnished by reports that endangered chicks had died while scientists were setting up the trip.

Dressed in a white costume meant to imitate an adult crane, Putin was taking part in a project to teach the endangered birds who were raised in captivity to follow the aircraft on their southern migration to Central Asia.

Putin has charmed many Russians while disgusting others with his feats, starting from 2000 when he flew into Chechnya in the back seat of a fighter jet. Over the years, he has ridden a horse bare-chested through the mountains, driven a Formula One race car and taken the controls of a firefighting plane to dump water on wildfires.

The flight in the hang glider proved to be a test of Putin's leadership skills. Only one crane followed Putin on his first flight, which he attributed to high winds that caused the hang glider to travel faster than usual, the RIA Novosti news agency reported. On the second flight, five birds followed Putin, but after a few circles only two had stuck with him for the full 15-minute flight.

Putin stopped off at the Kushavet ornithological research station on the Yamal Peninsula in the Russian Arctic on Wednesday en route to an international summit in Vladivostok, on Russia's Pacific coast. Once at the station, he paired up with a pilot, who sat behind him on the hang glider as they took the birds for a spin.

It was a scene reminiscent of the 1996 movie "Fly Away Home," in which an estranged father and daughter use an ultralight plane to help a flock of geese migrate. The movie was based on a real-life Canadian, who spent a decade teaching orphaned geese how to fly south.

Putin's moment dimmed, however, when a biology student at the station claimed online that two chick cranes died and several others were hurt in the hurry to be ready for Putin's arrival.

"One of the chicks got into a hang glider's propeller while training and waiting for" Putin, Mariya Goncharova wrote on her page on the Russian social netwroking website, vk.ru. "One more broke a beak and stripped its claws off on bad netting, and many simply flayed themselves" while being transported in boxes to the flight venue.

Goncharova deleted the post several hours after posting it, but it remained available on Russian search engines.

A researcher confirmed the death of a three-month-old chick before it was transported to the research station.

"An autopsy will give us the exact cause of death," Tatyana Kashentseva told The Associated Press. She said other birds arrived safely, although it was not clear how many there were.

Russian biologists say there are less than 20 Western Siberian white cranes left in the wild worldwide.

Putin's flight, given many minutes of airtime on Russian television, provoked an array of contemptuous jokes on the Internet, one of the most popular being "So Putin is off to wintering with cranes. Does this mean he's not going to be back before spring?"

Some of Putin's adventures have purported scientific connections, such as when he fired a crossbow at a gray whale while being tossed around in choppy seas to collect tissue samples.

He also once shot a Siberian tigress with a tranquilizer gun so he could place a tracking collar around her neck. He patted the sleeping tiger's cheek affectionately as if she were a pet. A Russian environmentalist claimed later that the tigress died because Putin's security insisted on increasing the dose of the tranquilizer.

After leading the cranes, Putin said he didn't know what he would do next with animals. "That's for the specialists to decide," he said. "It shouldn't be just for fun, but should have some use."

Last year, Putin was caught short when one of his scientific events was revealed to be a set-up. He was shown scuba diving and bringing up fragments of ancient Greek amphorae, but his spokesman Dmitry Peskov later admitted the artifacts had been planted on the sea floor for Putin to grab.

The stunts irritate Putin's opponents, who regard them not as benign political entertainment but as part of an establishment of a cult of personality lionizing an authoritarian leader.

Marat Guelman, one of Russia's most well-known art gallery operators, wrote in a blog on the Ekho Moskvy radio station website that the flight shows Putin "has lost faith in us. He sees our treachery, greed, cowardice and cruelty. There's nothing to love in us anymore. Dolphins, cranes, horses — that's a different thing."

Masha Gessen, author of a book critical of Putin, left her post as editor of the travel and science magazine Vokrug Sveta (Around the World) this week, saying she was fired for refusing to send a reporter to the Yamal Peninsula, 3,500 kilometers (2,200 miles) northeast of Moscow, to cover Putin's flight with the cranes.

A statement from the magazine Tuesday said Gessen left by agreement with management because of "differences" on the separation of editorial and publishing powers.

Vokrug Sveta works closely with the Russian Geographical Society, whose board of trustees is chaired by Putin.

To read article on the web, click link below: http://news.yahoo.com/putin-leads-young-siberian-cranes-flight-064345762.html

Interactive gravestones link to online tales of life

Imagine visiting a cemetary and seeing QR codes on the gravestone/tombstone? In an instant, you can read some snippets of this person's character, life work or just view a tidbit of what they were like and who they were. Crazy thinking? Not really. 'Keeping the memory alive' is going to have a whole new meaning to it now. Check out the following article below because it's happening:

LONDON (Reuters) - Summing up the life of a dearly departed relative with just a terse description etched in stone may become a thing of the past with the introduction of interactive codes on gravestones. One funeral company in the southern English town of Poole is offering to add quick response (QR) codes to headstones which will link smartphones to online memorials illustrated with pictures, videos and contributions from family and friends.

Chester Pearce funeral directors said QR barcodes enable visitors to learn a lot more about the person buried beneath gravestones than the age, dates of birth and death and the odd biblical passage or literary quote usually written on them. "It's about keeping people's memories alive in different ways," managing director Stephen Nimmo told Reuters. "When you lose somebody, whether it be suddenly or ongoing, you can really struggle with things. Talking about them is very important, keeping their memory going is very important and this is just an add-on to that."

QR codes, a barcode that can be scanned with smartphones or QR scanners, allow users to pull up information on the internet and are frequently used in advertising and marketing campaigns. "It's a new technology, it's something that there will be people who like it, there will be people who don't and that's the same in everything that we do," Nimmo said. He said he has seen demand growing for QR codes as they catch the imagination of the public.

Chester Pearce charge about 300 pounds ($477) to create a code that can also be placed on gravestones, benches, trees or plaques and is linked to a page on their QR Memories website.

Gill Tuttiet, 53, was one of the first customers in Poole to use the technology for her late husband Timothy.
"Tim was quite outward-going and game for anything. I think this is the way forward and Tim would have wanted that, and it's making a process that's hard possibly easier," Tuttiet said.

The website linked to the code shows a profile of the departed, pictures, videos and tributes from family and friends. Close friends and family given a password are also able to add personal messages of their own. "We've all got a story to tell," Nimmo said.

To read the article on the web, click the link below: http://news.yahoo.com/interactive-gravestones-online-tales-life-133458195.html

Full Blue Moon Mania!

This Friday, August 31st, 2012, we will see a rare 'blue moon'.  So what is a blue moon? A blue moon occurs when there is an extra moon in a season. Typical years usually have 12 full moons that occur approximately every 28  days. In addition to those twelve full lunar cycles, each solar calendar year contains roughly eleven days more than the lunar year. The extra days add up, so every two or three years, there is an extra full moon, which is called the blue moon.

This month the Full Moon is in Pisces, the fish, and occurs this Friday, August 31, at 9:58 am (EST). Pisces is associated with psychic ability, contacting other planes, spirituality, past lives, karma, discovering secrets, examining the hidden, mental health, working with oils and incense, and secret societies. Use this Moon to work on developing psychic talents, perform divination such as Tarot or pendulum work, and to contact spirit guides. Basically, any sort of spell work is appropriate, especially since Pisces rules all magic-including high magic. 

The full moon is always, always, always an opportune time of the month for purging. This is also an excellent time for reorganizing, smudging, and physical and spiritual house-cleaning since Pisces rules those actions as well. The light the full moon offers illuminates those things that are interfering with our spiritual development. Once we have become aware of the things that are blocking us, the easier it is to let go of them. The full moon is ideal for rituals releasing or ridding ourselves of the things in our lives that no longer serve us, such as addictions (like certain foods, overeating, drugs, sex, or just for relinquishing the pain of a hurtful or ended relationship, and for discharging physical and emotional pain.

The full moon also tends to have an aura of mystery and magic about it. Not only is it tied to the ebbs and flows of the tide, but it is also tied to the cycle of a woman's body....the Maiden, Mother and Crone. Full moon mysteries cross every culture and continent, and celebrations and ritual involving the full moon go back beyond recorded time. Pretty cool and fascinating stuff, hunh? 

For example, in many cultures, the full moons of each month are named. The names often correspond to important events. In August, the Celtic tradition of the Full Moon is called the Salmon Moon. In Celtic Lore, the salmon, called Bradan, is the oldest of all animals. Bradan feasted on the hazelnuts that fell from the trees surrounding the sacred Well of Segais.  A small boy, set to guard the cooking pot of the great Bradan, stuck a finger in his mouth that had been splashed by the hot liquid, and was thus imparted all knowledge and wisdom. This small boy then became the great Fionn mac Cumhail of Irish legend.* In Native American culture, the August Full Moon is called the Sturgeon Moon, named for another great fish that is subject of many myths and legends.  

Everyone have a wonderful and blessed full blue moon. 

How to magically protect your home and self.

People are always asking about various ways to bring magic and spirituality into the home. Since clearing negative energy seemed to be the most requested topic, that is what I will touch on today.

Being who I am and doing what I do, both personally and professionally, I am surrounded by the tools of magic and spirituality all the time. I do not feel it is necessary for me to hide or disguise any of the representations of my faith, craft or aspects of who I am. My home is full of crystals, statues, altars, incense, candles, figurines, pictures and other bold evidence that 'A Witch Lives Here.' I understand that this is a blessing - although not everyone will agree with it or see eye to eye with it and I accept that and I am comfortable with that - and I know not everyone has that freedom, so in this article, I will cover versions of the Magical Household.

Smudging is my first recommendation to clear away the residual negative energy that comes from an argument or disagreement - whether it's a spouse/significant other, dealing with a disobedient child, a sibling or room mate, or any other negative emotional situation. It is also excellent for clearing away negative residue from extended illness or injury. Even without any of the examples I named above, negative or stale energy simply builds up over time, so making a point to do a spiritual cleansing regularly - well, its just simply a good idea. Doing a full spiritual cleansing doesn't just consist of lighting a sage stick/wand/bundle and just waving it around for a moment....no, not at all - you should open all the doors and windows, and make sure that the sage smoke gets into every corner of every room. This tends to take some time and it calls for you to really focus. I tend to do this when no one else is around to interfere. There are many different types of smudge sticks - just choose the one that fits your situation and personal preference best. For instance, here are some examples: Sage and Copal is a 'super-cleanse' combination and it's one of my personal favorites. Sage and Lavender is excellent for those who are dealing with anxiety and stress, and Sage and Dragon's Blood invites increased power (Sage and Dragon's Blood is a great combination and it's excellent before ritual and spellwork). Burning part of a Sweetgrass braid after your smudging invites positive energy in - so it's smoke fills the places where the negative has been dispelled.

Sage, cedar or copal incense is also a good cleanser, but incense works best for small spaces such as a single room. For those with allergies or health concerns that don't allow for the thick smoke of incense or burning sage, I recommend using Clearing Mist, Frankincense Mist, or Sage Mist. It works the same way as if you were burning sage, but without the smoke. Since burning sage leaves a strong residual odor, the sprays are also an excellent alternative for those who need to be more discreet about space clearing. Sage oil can also be used on doors, windowsills and mixed with mop water to help dispel negative energy. It can also be mixed with water in a diffuser, or added to boiling water on the stove, which can then be carefully carried around the house in place of smudging. Let the steam waft through rooms just like the smoke would - the residual odor is not as strong, and it doesn't aggravate those with asthma or other health problems as much.

In the ancient art of Feng Shui, bells, chimes and gongs are the preferred tools of clearing a space and it's very discreet. Some bells and chimes, such as the Feng Shui Gather Protect Bell, have symbols that attract wealth or protection. Chimes and bells can be hung indoors or outdoors, can be placed on mantels, shelves or tables to be used at will. When clearing is needed, simply walk through your home ringing the bell, focusing on driving away all negativity. Windchimes do this all on their own - just clean and move the chime to another location from time to time to keep them energetically active.

Candles, especially white candles, are often used to clear negative energy from a space. Since candles are so common, this is also a very discreet way to keep your home free of negative energy. Any type of white candle will work, and anointing the candle with sage, cedar or copal oil gives it extra cleansing power. Inscribing the candle (use a toothpick or candle scribe) with your desire before anointing it will help focus the cleansing properties also. Selenite and onyx crystals are great deflectors of negative energy. Little bowls of these crystals, mixed with white sage and lavender can be placed around the home or office. Refresh them monthly with sage, lavender, or purification oil. They simply look like lovely decorations, but the combination of these herbs and stones packing a powerful cleansing punch. You can use stone or ceramic bowls - but I would highly recommend staying away from metal. Do not use metal - it can react with and become discolored by the oil.

Another good and effective way to defeat negative energy is clutter. Clutter is a receptacle clinger for negative energy. It grabs it (along with dust and detritus) and holds onto it like a child grabs a toy. Getting rid of clutter opens up your space for positive qi (universal energy). If you have a lot of dust and clutter, simply set a certain amount of time a day to deal with. For example, take 30 minutes a day to clear out your space and work one room at a time and - most importantly - stick with it. If you only have a little clutter, just take one whole day or weekend to deal with it and take itermitant breaks while doing it. By taking breaks, you can look at what you have done and feel good about it. You can rearrange things to your liking and once you do all of this, you will feel the energy of your space to begin to change and it will be almost immediately. Thenk, do not let the clutter re-appear. If clutter reappears, you have just defeated all the strides you have already made.

PART TWO

Once you have cleared your home or office, it is important to take the next step - protecting it from further intrusion by negative energy. Hardly a day goes by that I don't receive an email from someone that needs help designing a ritual or writing a spell for protection..... Examples are a nasty divorce, a child being bullied at school, being targeted for religious beliefs, jealousy/gossip/rumors, a cruel coworker....the reasons are many and varied and go on and on. Plus, at one time or another, we have all been vulnerable and encountered the negative energy of others-someone cuts in front of you in line, takes the parking spot you were waiting for or just cuts you off while driving.

Protecting yourself magically involves building a field of energy around you, your property, and your loved ones that keep destructive forces away. The more steps you take, the stronger this field will be. There are dozens of different ways to protect yourself magically. This article will help to cover a few of the basics (just a general protection magic) by using easily obtainable and readily available ingredients plus simple to use steps and basic instructions. 

A simple and basic form of protection magic is by using oils. There are numerous different types of protection oils, from blended concoctions and 'condition' oils used in hoodoo and voodoo practice to the essential oils favored by everyday witches. Common/basic ones include Peace, Protection, Benzoin, Coconut, Devil's Shoestring, Dragon's Blood, Jinx Removing, Lilac, and Snake oils just to name a few.

To use oils for protection:

Anoint and dress candles during your spellwork
Add a few drops to incense, charm bags or sachets
Anoint your magical tools and altars
Add a capful to bathwater or use as a perfume oil

Add to laundry or bucket when mopping floors
Burn in an oil warmer or diffuser
Add to inks for magical writings or journal entries or to journal page corners or covers (front/back)
Anoint walls, doors, car tires, door jambs, windows and thresholds

Incense is also an excellent way to add a protective aura to your environment. There are as many protection incense as there are oils.....and they come in a multitude of forms, like sticks, cones, and powders. To make your own protection powder incense try mixing together 3 parts clove, 1 part garlic, and 1 part copal. Crush in a mortar and pestle, then sprinkle with several drops of Dragon's Blood oil. When you are ready to use it, drop some on a hot charcoal block to release the protective properties throughout your environment.

I would also recommend gemstones and crystals - as they emit potent energy for protection. They serve as a shield, deflecting negative energy and influences away from you and your environment. Agate has strong protective properties when it comes to health matters. Bloodstone is used when dealing with legal matters and business. Blue chalcedony and selenite absorb negative energy. Fluorite is an excellent stone for empaths and mediums, protecting from negative influences of the mind and psychic vampires. Garnet, especially when worn as a necklace, will reverse any jinx, hex, or curse. Protective jewelry can range from a simple stone bracelet such as onyx or to a pentagram amulet charged specifically for protection. (When using crystals and gemstones, it is recommended that you cleanse and charge them before using).

A more complex, but enormously effective, way to use crystals for protection is to build a crystal grid in your home. This consists of using specifically shaped crystals such as hearts, pyramids, animals, or using hanging crystal prisms makes them look like charming decorations, with only you knowing that they have a much higher purpose.

Charm bags are an excellent  and easy source for general protection. They can be carried in a pocket or purse, they can be worn around the neck on a cord or placed in backpacks or a vehicle. To make a powerful charm for protection, simply try the following:

On a Saturday night during the waning moon, draw a pentagram in black ink on a small piece of parchment. Roll the parchment towards you and place it in a black drawstring pouch bag. Add to the pouch a pinch of sage, a pinch of wormwood herb, a small piece of lead (fishing sinkers are perfect for this), and a strand of hair from the person who will be carrying the bag. Tie the drawstring of the bag using three knots. As you tie each knot, say "Keep all evil away from me, as I will it, so mote it be." (You can substitute the hair with a fingernail).

PART THREE
Creating Harmony

So here's a recap on what has been covered and done so far:  You have cleared your home or office of all negative energy and then you have set the proper protections to keep it from coming back.  Now, it's time to go about creating a peaceful, calm, relaxing and harmonious environment where love and creativity can thrive abundantly.

As with protection magic, there are many different ways to attract peace and harmony to your home and self. Oils like vanilla, violet, Peaceful Home, Peace, or lavender can be used to promote peace and harmony. Anoint or dress Harmony candles during spellwork, add a few drops to incense, charm bags or sachets, add a capful to bathwater, or use as a perfume oil. You can even make your own oil to promote peace and harmony if you should choose to do so. Try mixing essential oils of Coriander, Chamomile, and Spearmint with a carrier oil. Add it to laundry, mop or scrub water, burn in an oil warmer or diffuser. Use to anoint walls, window sills, doors, door jambs, and thresholds.

Incense is such an easy way to promote a harmonious environment. There are as many peace-promoting incense as there are oils, and they come in a multitude of forms, including sticks, cones, and powders. Lavender, violet, sandalwood, Tranquility, Nag Champa, Harmony, as well as a sea of others, are all fantastic choices. The ancient art of Feng Shui is dedicated to helping us bring harmony and balance to our physical lives and relationships. The concept of Qi (universal energy, life force, the energy of all things) is the basis of the practice of Feng Shui. Qi is the balance between positive and negative energy, or Yin (female or yielding energy) and Yang (male or forceful energy). In Feng Shui, techniques and objects (called cures) are used to bring the yielding and forceful energies of a space into balance by locating the existing Qi and then moving it to where we need it to be. In this particular aspect, it's really no different than spellcasting....we are simply calling on universal energy to help fulfill a certain desire. (If you are interested in learning more about Feng Shui, there are many books available on the subject of Feng Shui.
Some basic Feng Shui for harmony that are easy to implement and incorporate are as follows:

•To help bond a family: Place an odd number of pillar candles infused or anointed with violet, vanilla, or lavender oil on a tray in the room where you would like the family to gather. Light them for an hour or two a day, when the family is home. You may begin the process by sitting there alone with a book or some hobby project, but soon the entire family will gravitate to that spot. To add a little candle magic to the candles, carve words such as family, peace, or harmony into the back or bottom of the candles.

•To call positive qui: Single bells and wind chimes are used in Feng Shui to attract positive, harmonic energy. Hang a bell in the window facing the street, or hang chimes on the area of the house facing the street to call in positive qui. If the bell is in the window, dust it often and ring it several times a week. For wind chimes, if you see that the positive energy seems to be waning, wash off the wind chime and move it to different spot on the porch or area facing the street. Chimes and bells shaped like or decorated with flowers bring qi related to joy and companionship. Silver toned chimes bring in qi for better communication and stable income. Silver chimes are the perfect cure for a family that tends to argue a lot.

•To bring stability to family/friend relationships: Place photos of your family and friends in the den or family room. Surround them with pretty pieces of raw or carved petrified wood. Petrified wood is used in Feng Shui to bring stability and balance. To add some herb magic to this display, place dried motherwort in a clear glass jar. Motherwort is traditionally used in talismans and amulets, burned with incense and used in rituals for magic involving home and family. Place photographs of your family/friends and the petrified wood around the jar. A 'happy home' charm bag can be worked into the display as well, or placed in others areas to stimulate a positive and happy environment.

For a charm bag you will need:

One sweet bay leaf (also know as Laurel or Bay Tree) and one garlic clove for each member of the family
Small charm bag
Sea salt
Five Finger Grass (also known as Cinquefoil)
one Iron Nail
Van Van or any protection oil

Place one Laurel leaf (sweet leaf) and one Garlic Clove for each member of the family in the charm bag. For example: Four family members equals four Laurel leaves and four Garlic cloves. Add a pinch of salt, a pinch of Cinquefoil, and the iron nail. Anoint the bag with the oil and hang discreetly in the home. Anoint with fresh oil once a week.

With spellwork involving harmony, we may reach a point where magic tangles with the mundane and things can get a little more difficult. One can spend inordinate amounts of magical energy clearing a space, providing protection, and creating peace and harmony - only to ruin it with their own behavior or by allowing the behavior of a spouse, child or roommate to destroy it. Constantly dealing with a toxic person, drama queen (or being one yourself), completely negates and screws up any work toward having a peaceful environment to live in. If you are in that sort of situation, then it is important to deal with the underlying mundane issues before attempting something magical. Severe marital or relationship problems, mental or physical health concerns, poorly and badly behaved children, physical or emotional abuse, addiction, filth or clutter, and personal irresponsibility.....all of these can create an environment, that, no matter how much harmony spellwork you do, will never be peaceful. Magic can certainly be used to assist the process, but the proper physical processes must be completed as well. Please be sure to keep all this in mind.

Love, light and brightest blessings to all!

Opossums - are they the next test animal?

Opossums may someday provide an antidote to nearly all forms of poison, including everything from snakebites to ricin.

The Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins has found that the American opossum produces a protein known as Lethal Toxin-Neutralizing Factor (LTNF). And as the Boing Boing blog points out, the LTNF protein is exactly what it sounds like, seeking out otherwise lethal poisons that have entered an opossum's body and neutralizing them.

Amazingly, tests on the opossum LTNF found that the protein even left the marsupial creatures immune to poisons from snakes on other continents that the American opossum had not been previously exposed to.

The BittelMeThis blog goes into further detail, explaining that scientists then injected mice with the LTNF protein and subjected the rodents to venom from otherwise deadly creatures, including Thailand cobras, Australian taipans, Brazilian rattlesnakes, scorpions and honeybees. When the venom did not kill the mice, the mice were then exposed to deadly poisons, including ricin and botulinum toxin. And again, the LTNF protein was able to diffuse the poison, leaving the mice unharmed.

Interestingly, the journal entry on LTNF was published more than 10 years ago, in 1999. As several readers have pointed out, this raises questions as to whether the protein benefits would be applicable to humans and why the test results are only now making news.

As the journal's own abstract notes, "Thus, natural LTNF from opossum serum has potential as a universal therapy for envenomation caused by animals, plants and bacteria."


To read article from the web, click link below:
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/opossum-protein-makes-them-immune-nearly-poisons-could-190604532.html
_________________________________________________________________________________

As I read this article, I thought, wow, that is cool. However, the more I thought about it, the more I felt for the opossum. People can be so cruel and as I am Wiccan, a nature and animal lover, it puts me in a bad spot or gives me a feeling that unsettles me. Is this the next animal that will be the test monkey (so to speak). Most people don't even give opossums a second thought...they are the animal that is most seen laying dead in the street....as if they have no purpose or meaning in life and people just totally disregard them as unneccessary. And that totally saddens me.

Hummingbirds!

I just adore hummers. They are so pretty, so fast and can be so verbal....yes, verbal. I have them come by for a visit and a drink and they squeak this cute little sound. Talk about entertaining! They tell me about their day and travels...I just find them so precious.

I've had some inquiries about hummers and how to attract them. So, if you would like to attract hummers to your garden landscape, here's a few things to know and try. First, and foremost, always use sugar. Never, ever use a sugar substitute like splenda or sweet n low. Hummers need sugar.

The first year that I moved into my house, I bought a hummingbird feeder. I cleaned it out, made the liquid and hung it out. I didn't have one visitor - or at least I didn't think I did. So do not be discouraged if you do not have any visitors the first year. Have patience. You will notice the water level going down, however, I live on the east coast and it can get pretty hot and very humid here so the water will evaporate.

The second year, I had visitors. I tend to put the feeder out in May and will take it down in September. In the real hot weather, I will change the feeder food often-every other day. Sugar water can go stagnant, so be sure to change frequently.

To feed the hummers, you can buy the dry mix and just follow the directions on the box or if you prefer to make it yourself, it's just as easy. The key is one part sugar to four parts water. If you use one full cup of sugar, then be sure to mix with four cups of water. If you use less, like 1/2 cup of sugar, then mix with two cups of water. I do use heated water so I know the sugar will dissolve and I also make a lot at a time. Once the sugar water has cooled to room temperature, I will fill the feeder halfway and then refriderate the rest of the sugar water in a plastic container or pitchure for future use. I will change the feeder water at night, you do not have to do it night, but I prefer to make sure all my visitors have come and gone for the day. Then I will rinse the feeder out real good (including the part where they feed from-the spouts) and then refill it halfway and put it out. By morning, the feeder is a perfect temperature and it's fresh. Should you clean it during the day, no big deal. If they come by and it's not out, they will come back later to see if it's back out so they can feed.

Mildew will tend to grow within a feeder...so expect that. It's easy enough to clean. When this occurs in mine, I will bring it in, rinse it real good from the sugar water and then let it dry. Once the feeder is all dry, I will fill the feeder with about a 1/4 cup of dry (uncooked) rice, put my hand over the spout and shake the feeder up and down and side to side. Doesn't matter if it's white or brown rice. I find the rice to be non-abrasive but coarse enough to get the mildew off the inside and it's clean and pretty again plus healthy for the hummers to feed from. I will empty the rice out, rinse the feeder well and fill with sugar water. Be sure to clean the part where they actually feed from-the spouts that they put their beaks in. You can also put rice in there and shake well - empty the rice out, rinse to make sure no rice remains in there and then you can hang the feeder back out for the birds. If you notice mildew on the outside, I will clean it with a toothbrush. (If you do not have rice, you can try sand or coarse sea salt. Just be sure to really rinse out all the sand and salt grains/particles real good with water before you refill the feeder with sugar liquid).

If you are moving and want to break the hummers of the habit of coming to visit, do not put a feeder up. They do get used to and they will remember where a food source is for them. But if you do not know if the next owner or tenant will feed them, then do not use a feeder. The birds will come by, not see a food source, and eventually, they will stop coming by.

I hope you find this info useful and that I have answered questions adequately. Blessed be to all!

Understanding the Cauldron.

When you see a cauldron, what is the first thing you think of? Witches? Halloween? Potions?

Cauldrons have been used in ritual and magic from ancient times and are still around today in modern Wicca and witchcraft. Cauldrons are used for everything from cooking to burning incense, for divination and scrying, and as a fire resistant container for burning items in rituals and spells.

The cauldron represents fertility and femininity. It symbolizes the womb of the Goddess, and also represents rebirth and purification through fire. It's associated with the element of water, the west and has connections with reincarnation and rebirth.  The cauldron is considered as a very sacred vessel to the Goddess and is used to symbolize the feminine half in the ritual of the Great Rite, with the athame typically used as the masculine half.

In Celtic tradition, the cauldron represents the Goddess Cerridwen. Celtic legend also tells of a cauldron that was used by ancient Celtic armies. Dead warriors were placed into the cauldron and were given new life. The warriors then resumed battle until they were killed again. And according to Norse mythology, the god Odin received wisdom and intuitiveness from a cauldron.

A majority of quality cauldrons are made from cast iron (yes, like cast iron pots and pans), though some incense style cauldrons are made from brass or base metals. Cast iron is highly resistant to fire and is very durable. If a cast iron cauldron is seasoned and cared for properly, it will not rust, and can be handed down for several generations. Cauldrons can be used for making ritual brews like wassail or herbal teas, it can be used for burning resin or herbal incense on charcoal or it can be filled with water and used as a scrying tool. However, before using for food consumption or tea's, make sure your cauldron is food safe-meaning that there is no lead within it.

Cauldrons can also be used to represent the change of seasons, or to represent the elements in ritual or upon the altar. For fertility festivals (like Beltane or Ostara), fill the cauldron with fresh flowers and place on your altar. In banishing rituals, it is common to write a name, a bad habit or any problem on paper and burn it in a cauldron. By doing this, you symbolize the banishment. Wishing spells to bring a desired object - like a new car or job, and even bringing a person to you are often done in the same way. Remember to ALWAYS place a burning cauldron on a fireproof surface. ALWAYS practice safety when using your cauldron and when placing or using any volatile materials in it and you will enjoy your cauldron for many decades and in countless rituals/rites.

Cauldron Banishing Spell

What you will need:
•Black Candle
•Red Candle
•Banishing Herbs - To make your own, mix together two tablespoons each of rosemary, mugwort, and juniper. Add 1/2 tablespoon each of cloves, myrrh, and copal.
•Charcoal Tab
•Banishing oil for anointing the black candle - either a blended oil like Run Devil Run or Banishing, or an essential oil such as frankincense or basil
•Wishing oil for anointing the red candle - either a blended oil like Wishing or Mojo oil, or an essential oil such as cinnamon
•Fireproof Cauldron - ***this spell is best done in a medium or large cauldron, rather than the 'baby' style. It requires working with flames, and therefore needs a deeper well and more diameter than the baby cauldron provides.

•Clean paper or parchment about 3" by 2"
•Dove's blood ink and quill - or black marker
•Tongs or long tweezers
•Candle scribe or toothpick
•Banishing incense (stick is better than cone) - clove, frankincense or basil, or one made with blended oils specifically for banishing spells/rituals
•Envelope
•Pitcher of water - this is just in case of emergency. When you are working a spell using fire, it is important to take precautions in case you drop or knock over something.

On the black candle (Banishing candle), write what it is you want to banish from your life (depression, bad habit, destructive behavior, abusive person, bad luck, illness, etc). Write from the bottom to the top. Anoint this candle with the banishing oil, while focusing on what you want to banish. On the red candle (Quick Action candle), write from the top to the bottom what you wish to happen (be happy, quit smoking, have good luck, get well, etc). Anoint it with the wishing oil, while visioning and focusing on what you want to come in to your life.

Light the charcoal tablet and place it in your cauldron. If you have not used charcoal before, the charcoal tab will crackle and spark. This is normal - just let that run its course. The charcoal will begin to turn gray, just like on a charcoal grill. When it begins to turn gray, that is when it is ready to use.

On the paper, write what it is you wish to happen. For example, if you are trying to quit smoking, write, "I rid myself of the hold my tobacco addiction has on me." On your altar, set the Banishing candle on the left, the cauldron in the center, and the Quick Action candle on the right. Have the banishing mix ready in a small dish.

Call your corners or prepare for your ritual as your tradition requires. Using the incense stick, light your candles, then blow out the flame and place the incense stick in its holder. If you have prepared a spoken spell, chant or prayer, say it now. Using the tongs, pick up the parchment and repeat what you have written three times. Touch a corner of the parchment to the black candle, then immediately drop it in the cauldron. Sprinkle the banishing herb mix over the paper and the charcoal.

After the ashes in the cauldron have COOLED, pour the leftover contents into the envelope. Lay the envelope flat, then tip first the black candle, then the red candle over the closure of the envelope. Allow the candle wax to drip on the envelope seal, then press your thumb into the sealing wax. After the candles are spent - meaning have burnt out, take the leftover candle (wax and wick) plus the envelope, and dispose of them in a trash receptacle well away from your home, your work, or any place you frequent.

******Care instructions for your cauldron (cast iron)******

Many people - have cast iron pans (especially frying pans). To properly season cast iron, whether a cauldron or a pan, coat it inside and out with fat. The type you use can be dictated by personal or dietary preference....good choices are lard, Crisco, bacon fat, or corn oil. If your piece has a lid, make sure to coat that as well. Place the pieces upside down in an a low oven (275-300 degrees) and bake for an hour. Repeat this process again. The coating will protect the pan from rust and sticking. To clean cast iron, you can use sand or coarse salt, but a mild dish soap and scouring pad works just fine. After washing, place your cast iron in a warm oven or on the stove top on low heat to make sure it gets really dry - this keeps it from rusting. Repeat the seasoning process several times a year if you use your cast iron a lot - this will keep it in perfect shape, and it will last nearly forever.

Kitchen Witchery-how are your cooking skills?

Food. What comes to mind when you think of food? Hunger? Raiding the fridge or cabinet for a snack? Who doesn't love food?

Since man lived in caves, the hearth has been a source of light and heat, the place where food was made, and where the shaman or wise woman gathered folk to tell them the stories and knowledge that passed from generation to generation. Almost every culture has a deity of the hearth....the Greek goddess Hestia, and her Roman counterpart, Vesta, were offered small sacrifices before meals. For the Svan people, she was called Lamaria, who was the goddess of the hearth, women, and cows. Thab-lha was the hearth god of the ancient Tibetans, and a shrine to the kitchen god Zao Jun still appears in many Chinese households. The ancient Irish god, Dagda, of the Tuatha De Danann, carried a cooking pot from which no one is/was ever turned away hungry.

The magick involved in growing things translates to preparing them in the kitchen. Kitchen witchery comes to me almost without thought. It is completely natural for someone who sees the kitchen as the heart and soul of her home, an ideology that many people have been raised with. In most cases, gatherings and celebrations are always centered around food, and there is no occasion that doesn't warrant a casserole especially if you are from the south.

When most people think of the kitchen, magick and ritual is not what comes to mind. Translating magick from the altar to the kitchen is really quite simple though. All you really need to do is just look at your kitchen with a different sort of perspective. The kitchen is ,in itself, inherently magickal....it is a keeper of all sorts and varieties of elemental tools. There are athames (kitchen knives), and chalices (cups and bowls). There are also wands, (wooden spoons and metal spatulas), cauldrons (pots and pans), fire (oven, stove, grill), air (steam and exhaust fans), water (the faucet), and earth (herbs, veggies, salt and spices). Everything you could possibly need to make magick....well, it's right there at your fingertips in one room, one area, one space.

I'm sure there are many people who don't cook, don't like to cook, don't want to cook or have no interest in cooking, however, if you gave it a try, and approached the kitchen with the same reverence you possibly do as you would your sacred altar, that might change. Magick, even including kitchen witchery, is basically all about intent. Even the most simple and smallest dish can be magickal. All you have to approach it with the right attitude. Keep your mind open to the possibility. Everything can be a magikal experience.

Example, the tomato. Let's talk about that for a minute. What comes to your mind when you think of the tomato? It's extremely versatile. You can slice it to put on a sandwhich, chop it for stews, soups, salads. You can fry it, can it, stew it, puree it....The tomato, when planted outdoors, is a protective plant, and when placed in a window repels evil. The tomato, when eaten, inspires love. The color is of the lifeforce and it represents passion, strength, courage. An easy receipe that can be a magical dish is to slice a tomato, focusing on the beautiful red color, the color associated with love, sex, and the energy of fire. Place the slices on a cookie sheet, add a teaspoon or so of goat cheese to each slice and broil them for just a few minutes. You can drizzle olive oil on them, add garlic to them - jazz them up to your personal liking - and when you take them out of the oven, adorn them each with some basil. Basil has great connections with the properties of love; in Haitian voodoo lore, basil comes from Erzulie, the goddess of love. Women were once said to powder their breasts with basil to keep their husbands from straying. With just a few simple ingredients, you can have a readymade love spell, that not only looks wonderful, but it smells great and tastes delicious. Having a dinner-in date with your special someone? Serve this as an appetizer, and have some pretty candles anointed with a few drops of patchouli oil burning on the table. Come on, get inspired and have some fun while experimenting in the kitchen. You may just find that you enjoy kitchen witchery after all.

Why not try using the tomato's protective energy in your kitchen magic? When tomatoes are in season, try your hand at making fresh tomato sauce. (This receipe was forwarded from another witchy woman, Mama C. Always give credit where credit is due).

INGREDIENTS

2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1/2 large carrot, finely chopped
1 small stalk of celery, including the green tops, finely chopped
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
1 3/4 pound of fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet, and add the onion, carrot, celery and parsley. As you add the ingredients focus on the energy of the garlic, parsley and onions, which are all used in magic to repel evil and give protection. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes. Stir the vegetables occasionally.

When the vegetables are soft, add the minced garlic. Increase the heat to medium and cook the garlic for about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes, including the juice, and the basil. Season with salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Turn to low heat and cook until thickened, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. I like my sauce chunky, but if you want it smooth, just run it through a blender or food processor.

As you stir the ingredients, move your spoon in the shape of an invoking pentagram, and say these words:

I stir this pot with magic spoon, As I speak this witch's rune.
Garlic, carrot, parsley green, Lend yourself to this cuisine.
Tomato with your red, sweet fruit, Onion with your rounded root,
Bind I you with magic's haste, Shield and protect everyone who has a taste
Of this, my own, my magic dish, From harm or hurt or evil wish.
I set this spell, three times three, As I will it, so mote it be.

Tomato sauce can be a basic ingredient for so many dishes, homemade pizza, spaghetti, lasagna, baked chicken and broiled fish, soup, broth, etc.. Large batches can be canned or frozen for later use. Anyone you serve the sauce to is being issued a bit of magical protection just simply by tasting and ingesting it.

If you are the type of magickal practitioner that prefers strict traditions, and lots of rules, kitchen witchery is probably not for you. Kitchen witches tend to be an exuberant and eclectic lot, and we love to experiment! We want our food to transform you....to make you happy, to make you feel safe, to make you fall in love, make you feel healthy and energetic (to an extent). You will see us always muttering over a soup pot, or singing while we shuck corn, and even occasionally cursing while tossing something out the back door that didn't exactly turn out like we expected or invisioned it. (Yes, it happens to even the best of us from time to time). For the kitchen witch, working with food is a culmination of all of our own knowledge combined with all of the kitchen witches before us. It's a beautiful thing.

After all, women got the name 'witch' because of trial and error. Some things worked to heal, some things brought about a quick end, some things brought you more in tune with your self and gave you different perspectives, some put you in a happy and joyful mood. Keep your mind open and enjoy the moment. Brightest blessings to all!