"What Is...?" Wednesday

Mothman

The Legend of the Mothman centers around events that culminated in a horrific catastrophe at Point Pleasant West Virginia. During the late Autumn evening of December 15, 1967, the Silver Bridge collapsed, spilling dozens of vehicles into the Ohio River, resulting in the deaths of forty-six people.


Many believe that the mysterious creature known as the Mothman was involved either directly or indirectly with that disaster. For thirteen months before the bridge collapse, there were several sightings of a man sized bird-like creature in the region of Point Pleasant. After the fateful night of the collapse, the sightings of the Mothman trickled to a complete halt a couple of months later.

Throughout world history there have been reports of mythical creatures and mysterious beings that share our planet. Most reports have never been supplied with ample proof nor have they been dismissed due to lack of proof and the same goes for the Mothman.




In 2002, a movie was made about this legend, starring Richard Gere.  All in all, it's sometimes fun the entertain the thought..."What if...?"

Tarot Tuesday

The Seven of Swords  usually refers to deception and betrayal. We can see the thief seems to be sneaking off with some swords but the soldiers in the distance may be well aware of his actions. He may be caught simply because he was not careful enough. As we all know, it's often very difficult to "get away with something." When we do something in secret and think we are safe and undiscovered, something goes awry and our secret is revealed to our embarrassment. 


The card urges caution when attempting to use cunning to gain an advantage, because it could very well backfire upon us. The Seven of Swords also may refer to the need to act shrewdly and the long run, deception does not produce the reward we desired and may in fact cause much damage to our relationships and reputation 


In a reading, it is an indication that caution and wisdom are necessary in the face of a temptation to achieve gain by dubious means. Sometimes the Seven of Swords means that you are running from something - commitment, responsibility, hard work, love. You may be letting problems slip because you don't want to deal with them but  we  have to face what has to be faced and the Seven of Swords lets you know when you might be making things worse by running away.

Serenity Sunday

Things are finally coming together for me in regards to getting my tea business up and going. The next three weeks or so it's going to be really hectic for me, so until things calm down a bit, I'm only going to post Serenity Sunday's, Tarot Tuesdays and "What Is...?" Wednesday's....and my (semi-regular) From Comfortably Numb blog. I'm only going focus on two types of loose leaf teas to start but hope to add more as I go. The first tea I'll be offering is called "Sunset Spice"  which will be a blend of  Organic Rooibos, Hibiscus  Blackberry leaves and others herbs and spices and the second will be called "Quiet Evening" which will include Organic Chamomile, St. John's Wort, Lavender and other soothing herbs.

My List:

1.) My kids

2.) Warmer temperatures

3.) Great friends

4.) Optimism

5.) Hummingbirds

6.) Feather mattresses 

7.) Hugs

8.) Sappy movies

9.) Crocus'

10.) Lazy weekends

Sonnet Saturday

A Wiccan Sonnet

Do I see shadows of lifetimes past?

Do I hear a whisper in the breeze?

Do I feel the goddess's breath?

Do I understand the language of the trees?

Am I worthy of the divine blessings?

Will I work for the infinite good?

Will the elements aid and guide me,

To stand where the gods once stood.

I will follow the ancient pathways,

I will learn with a willing heart,

I will embrace the echoes of the spirit,

I will help the darkness to depart.

I will celebrate in nature's goodness,

I will bathe in the lunar light,

I will do good and harm no-one,

I will aid in the Green Mans plight.

I will hear the call of the mighty wolf,

I will dance under the glorious sky,

I will be at one with nature's glory,

I will obey the eagle's cry.

Debbie Fleet

Thoughtful Thursday

Here are some really simple ways to show your appreciation for those who impact your life in a positive way. 

~ A heart felt thank-you note/card.


~ Gift certificate to their favorite coffee shop.


~ Fresh baking for their early morning meeting.


~ Fresh cut flowers to be passed around the office. Include a card that says: A little something to brighten your day. I’m yours for two hours then give me away.


~ Invite your friend or co-worker out for a cup of coffee or a drink after work.


~ Lend a hand when a friend or family member is painting or remodeling their home.


~ If you know your friend wants to get organized but is having a tough time starting, buy them a book on organizing, some containers and nice notebook.


~ Cook a meal so they don’t have to after a long day at work.


~ Frame one of their favorite pictures.

~ Share a plant or a plant clipping.


~ Pick up some groceries and drop them off  to someone homebound in your neighborhood on your way home.


~ Return a favor. If your neighbor always shovels your walk way or mows your grass get out there before him or her and do theirs for a change.


~ Watch your niece or nephew or neighbor's child(ren) for an afternoon to give their parents some time off.


~ Make reservations at their favorite restaurant.


~ Make a candle light dinner at home for your spouse.


~Give a hug. Simple as that.


~ Tell them what you think they are particularly great at.

~ Write notes to leave on a pillow, a computer keyboard, or in a lunch box.


~ Give a hand made gift. 


Make a special day just for them. Plan a day for them around what they enjoy. Go with them if it’s appropriate.


Our relationships with others are what enrich our lives. Take time to show the people who make your life better how much you appreciate them and how much they matter.

Quick And Easy Miso Soup

I found a great recipe for Miso Soup which I thought would make a great lunchtime idea and a nice hot cup of green tea goes great along with it.

Miso Soup


Ingredients


~ 2 teaspoons dashi granules
~ 4 cups water
~ 3 tablespoons miso paste
~ 1 (8 ounce) package silken tofu, diced
~ 2 green onions, sliced diagonally into 1/2 inch pieces
~ 1/4 c. Small shrimp (optional)


Directions


In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine dashi granules and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and whisk in the miso paste. Stir in tofu. Separate the layers of the green onions, and add them to the soup. Simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes before serving. I like to add some shrimp to mine.



(Dashi is a basic stock used in Japanese cooking which is made by boiling dried kelp (seaweed) and dried bonito (fish). Instant dashi granules are sold in conveniently-sized jars or packets and vary in strength. Add more dashi to your soup if you want a stronger stock. You can use yellow, white or red miso paste for this soup. Yellow miso is sweet and creamy, red miso is stronger and saltier.)

"What Is?" Wednesday

A Witches Bottle

Spell bottles (also known as "Witches Bottles), have been in use in England and the United States since at least the 1600's. Spell bottles were originally created to destroy the power of an evil magician or witch thought to have cast a spell against the bottle's creator. They were often ceramic vessels, filled with hair, nails, and even the victim's urine. They were also walled up into new homes as magical guardians. Spell bottles of this type continued to be used well into the 19th century.


These bottles are apparently of English origin, although one made from a glass wine bottle dated at 1740-1750 was found in Pennsylvania in 1976. Over the centuries these  protective devices have found their way from England to the United States with the colonists. Spell bottles of the type described above are rarely if ever made today. However, other forms are still in use. These consist of a container, usually glass, filled with various objects of magical potency.

Spell bottles are made for a variety of purposes, and are used in numerous ways. Some are buried or otherwise hidden, while others are placed in windows of the home or in other prominent spots. All are concentrations of energy, created and empowered for specific magical purposes.


The Witches' Bottle is a very powerful means of protecting your space. It is buried on your property (if you are an apartment dweller, you might try burying it in a potted plant at your door) in order to attract all negative things to it where it traps them. If you move, by all means, then dig it up and either destroy it or bring it to your new home.


Some Modern Spell Bottle Examples:

Witches Bottle For Protection 


Gather rosemary, needles, pins and red wine. Fill a small jar with the first three, saying while you work:


Pins, needles, rosemary and wine;
In this witches bottle mine.
Guard against harm and enmity;
This is my will, so mote it be!


Visualize these doing just that. When the jar is full, pour in the red wine. Then cap or cork the jar and drip wax from a red or black candle to seal. Bury it at the farthest corner of your property or put it in an inconspicuous spot in your house. Draw the banishing pentagram in the dirt above it. The witches bottle destroys negativity and evil; the pins and needles impale evil, the wine drowns it, and the rosemary sends it away from your property.


(Optional ingredients
Glass jar with metal lid, Sea Salt, 3 bent rusty nails ,pins, needles, razor blades, cactus spines, rose thorns, broken glass, 1 egg, herbs such as: Frankincense, Sage, Basil, Mint, Mistletoe, Yarrow, Rowan berries,Rue, Sandalwood, Myrrh, Garlic, Rosemary, Sealing Wax,3 drops of your blood,Urine instead of wine.)



Pet Protection Spell Bottle


What you need:                        

~ 1 bay leaf                              ~1 tablespoon of dill seeds

~1 tablespoon of fennel seeds     ~1 carnelian stone       

~1 cup of soil                            ~1 cup of salt
~1 white taper candle                 ~ 1 bottle
~ 1 stick pin




Put half a cup of dirt into the bottom of the bottle. Add half a cup of salt on top of that (to make layers). Next add the bay leaf and the dill and fennel seeds. Put half a cup of salt on top of this and half a cup of dirt on top of the salt. Drop the carnelian stone on top of everything.


Use a stick pin to carve the word "Protect __pets name here__" in the taper candle stick. Fit candle into the top of the bottle. If the taper is too big wedge it in (by circling it) until it stays securely by itself.
Burn the candle when convenient. You don't have to burn it all down at once, but eventually the candle will burn itself out (you could maybe burn it once a week or so). When the candle will not stay lit any longer, put the spell bottle near the place your pet spends most of his or her time.




Discovery News: Witches bottle found from the 17th century.

Tarot Tuesday

Today I drew two cards that gave me a little ray of sunshine...the Four of Pentacles and the Two of Wands. The Pentacles are a suit of material possessions, industry, business, commerce, trade, finances, and security. They represent the Earth signs of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Earth covers the mundane material things of life, property, money, home and nature. They also represent manifestation, realization, proof and prosperity. 


Typically, the Four of Pentacles indicates security but is also the card of the miser, material possessions very important to him, showing that his thoughts are all about his "things". As we see in the card, it that he can't go anywhere because his feet are busy holding the coins down. He is so tied up with his possessions, that he can't do anything else. His possessions are so important it has affected his life view. 

The Wands, however, has to do with primal energy, growth, the will, inspiration, determination, strength, intelligence, intuition, and creativity.The Two of Wands represents a mature person who may provide you with assistance to obtain your desires. something good is about to happen and you may very well see it materialize. An offer is about to be presented.Always remember not sell yourself short or settle for less, though. There IS some thing better on the horizon.

I have struggled lately with (other's) personalities and viewpoints as well as digging up all the "icky rotten crud" from my past and these cards were absolutely a ray of sunshine for me today but that does not mean I can just sit back and wait for good news, it does mean that in order to have a happier outcome and brighter future, I must work for it. I must put in the effort and creativity to see the rewards ahead.

There are so many levels to these cards that build upon one another and they are oh so appropriate for my situation but it would take many more pages to describe and I really don't want you all overloaded. I'd like to say thank you to everyone for their kind words yesterday, I'm doing much better today.

I'm sorry I haven't got a post for today...it was not a very good day for me. I will be doing Tarot Tuesday tomorrow, I'm sorry for this inconvenience. 

Serenity Sunday

Healing

The stars are aligned

The moment is right

The timing is perfect
I'm ready for this fight


To send out this plague
Will take some energy
I'll need a few things
Thyme, clove, and rosemary


My hope is very simple
To heal and to cleanse
I need this now
I need to mend


So, those helping spirits
Shall hear my call
I'll force out this sickness
Once and for all

This is my goal
My real true wish
I need to heal
To feel unhindered bliss


This illness is a parasite
A dark blotch on my soul
I need to be healed
I need to become whole

Azariel Lavan

My List:

1.) My kids

2.) Therapy

3.) Great friends

4.) Herbal tea

5.) Foggy mornings

6.) Relaxing music

7.) Hot cinnamon rolls

8.) Deep thoughts

9.) Smiles

10.) Coloring books