"What Is...? Wednesday

Singing bowls And Mysterious Ringing Rocks

Historians believe that metal working artisans perfected the techniques for making Tibetan Singing Bowls nearly 2,500 years ago,although there is not a lot of written history to trace the origin of these wonderful objects of art, fortunately, there is a rich tradition of oral history that tells us that the bowls came to Tibet from India at the same time that Buddhism was introduced to Tibet by the great Buddhist master, Padmasambhava.Therefore, one might say that the history of Tibetan Singing Bowls goes back to at least the 8th century A.D.

Why are they called singing bowls and what exactly makes them sing? To put it simply, because they sing by running a special wooden mallet along the rim of the bowl lightly, therefore causing it to "sing".Striking the side of the bowl will also produce sound, much like ringing a bell.

The vibration of the bowl produces a distinct sound in the much the same way that a crystal goblet would if you ran a wet finger around the glass.The pitch depends on the size of the bowl and the thickness of the metal.Bowls typically range in size from five inches to thirteen inches in diameter.You can increase or decrease the sounds by rotating the mallet around the outside of the bowl faster.

The singing quality is an important part of the Tibetan Singing Bowl's history...in Buddhism, and in Hinduism, sound is an important part of spiritual practice.In the Buddhist doctrine, there are nine methods of realization of reaching enlightenment.The seventh way was sound.For this reason, the sound produced by the bowl was used by Buddhist practitioners as part of their


Now, on to the Ringing Rocks.....

Ringing Rocks Park is a 128 acre park nestled in the woods in Buck's County Pennsylvania. The park is a field of boulders, about 7-8 acres in size, that have an unusual property. When the rocks are struck with a hammer or another rock, they sound as if they are metal and hollow and ring with a sound similar to a metal pipe being struck. 


Curiously, though made up of the same materials, not all of the Ringing Rocks ring...only about 30 percent of them, according to those who have experimented with them.Though this is undoubtedly a natural phenomenon, it is an odd one for which no fully satisfactory explanation has ever been proposed. 


In 1965 geologist Richard Faas of Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, conducted laboratory experiments using sensitive equipment. He learned that when he struck a ringing rock, a series of subaudible frequencies were produced, and these added up to a tone that could be heard by the human ear. He could not, however, determine a specific physical cause.

Some have asserted supernatural claims for the rocks and the field in which they are found. They note that little vegetation and animal life (including insects) inhabit the area. This is not surprising, though, as the boulder field, which is some ten feet thick and seven acres in size, is hotter than the surrounding forest and provides little food or shelter.

 Claims have been made that compasses don't work there, but attempts to see if the area has any unusual properties, beyond the rocks themselves, such as high background radiation, abnormal magnetic fields, or strange electromagnetic activity, have yielded nothing.

The phenomenon of ringing rocks is not limited to Pennsylvania. They have been found all over the world. Interesting enough, though, ringing rocks at other locations are often composed of different materials. What physical characteristics they have in common with those in Pennsylvania that might explain the ringing is still unknown to geologists to this day, so..... the mystery continues.


~To my viewers in Ireland, please introduce yourself, if you haven't already, I love meeting new people!~

Tarot Tuesday

My favorite card has always been The Moon card, whatever the deck but The Deviant Moon Tarot deck tops them all with Patrick Valenza's rendition of the Moon, with gossamer strings coming down from a full moon and it's two characters dancing on the end of them like marionettes.

Down through the millennia, people have always had a close affinity with the Moon. The lunar cycle affects oceans and all natural tides and if you've ever worked in a nursing home or home for the mentally ill, you can identify with this behavior, sometimes even starting a few days before the full moon occurs and a few afterward. 


Many say, from hospitals, 911 call centers to the local police stations, that people are more emotionally disturbed and active when the Moon is full, hence the origin of the word lunatic. The Moon can affect our emotions because our emotions, desires and dreams come from the inner, hidden part of us.


The Moon can be one of the most complex of tarot cards... it represents the inner depths of the psyche, the powers of intuition and illusion. It is a card which represents the subconscious and tells you that there is something which isn't as simple as it may look. Often, the Moon suggests that you dig deeper into an issue.


In a tarot reading, the Moon beckons us to make a decision. Do you want to rise into a higher consciousness or remain attached to illusion? Beware of inconsistencies in your life. Something is not what it appears to be. Perhaps now is the time to trust your intuition and feelings more than your logic in worldly matters.

Full Moon Prosperity Charm Bag

Full Moon Prosperity Charm Bag

First, you will need to make a small bag. You need two pieces of green fabric (green is used for prosperity matters.) 4" x 3" in size. Next, Place the two pieces together with the insides facing each other. Slowly sew three of the sides of the pouch together. Fold the top of the open edges down to 1/4 inch and sew  around the top (across one side seam but leave the other side seam unsewn.) Turn the charm bag right side out and using a small safety pin, attach a green cord or ribbon to it. 


Carefully thread the cord or ribbon through the opening until you can pull it out to an even lengths at the side of the charm bag. Remove the safety pin and knot both ends of the cord or ribbon (not together mind you)...Voila! You are the proud owner of your very own charm bag!


The ingredients 


A pinch of Moss 


A whole Basil leaf 


A pinch of All Spice


3 silver coins


Two green stones (such as Adventurine, Green Calcite or Chrysoprase)



Next


Put one ingredient into the bag at a time and while doing this say this chant:


"Spirits of Prosperity send abundance down to me... Spirits of Prosperity send me financial prosperity. Bring me success in all endeavors, for my highest good, harming none. So mote it be!"


After putting all of the ingredients into the bag (and saying the chant each time) tie the top of the bag with the green  cord or ribbon. You can carry this with you or hang it on the door knob or by the entrance to your home.


These bags also make great gifts for friends and family members. When given to someone with Love, will bring Good Luck and Prosperity.


(*small note, the picture of charm bag is not the description that I gave as how to make one, these are just simply instructions for those that may not sew well.)

Serenity Sunday

Lemon Thyme

A sweetly scented, evergreen herb and a cultivated form of wild thyme. It is a popular culinary herb due to its mild citrus flavor and is often used in stuffings, with chicken dishes or added to fruit salads and jellies.


Lemon thyme has therapeutic effects as well and is popular as an alternative to standard Western allopathic medicine for a variety of problems, including anti-ageing properties, relieving muscle spasms as well as easing a tight chest and promoting relaxation.


I have a couple varieties of Thyme in my herb garden and highly advocate adding the Lemon variety to yours, it's creeping and mounding nature adds a wonderful, scented addition around water features such as a pond or just as a terrific contrast along with other herbs.




My List:


1.) My kids


2.) Great friends


3.) LOTS of laughter

4.) Frogs serenading me from our pond at night.


5.) Weeding the flower beds


6.) The scent of Hyacinths 


7.) Roses bursting with foliage


8.) My readers..you guy's are the BEST!


9.) Mowing the lawn


10.) Smudging the house in honor of Spring

Silly Saturday, Pagan Humor

Q: How many Gardnerians does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Can't say. It's oath bound




Q: How many Dianacs does it take to change a light bulb?
A: Only one, but that bulb has really got to want to change.




Q: How many witches does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None... if a candle was good enough for Grandma, it's good enough for me!


Q: What do you call thirteen Witches in a hot tub?
A: A self-cleaning coven.


And last but not least....


A pagan and witch, on her way to Avebury for the Solstice, ran out of petrol a couple of miles from the nearest petrol station.


Despite being in full fancy dress, cloak, pointy hat, and robes, all in basic black, she hunted in the boot of her vehicle but she could only find two receptacles in which to collect some fuel, her chalice and a bedpan that she used in her professional capacity as a District Nurse. The choice was a no-brainer so she trotted off across a field, the shortest route, to the petrol station.


When she returned, carefully trying not to spill the precious fluid, stepped out from behind the hedge to find two young men watching her curiously.


She put the bedpan on the floor, unlocked the petrol cap and began to pour the fuel in.


One young man turned to the other and said 'If that bloody thing starts I'm turning pagan!






Have a very happy Saturday!

PSA Friday

Earth Hour 2010 takes place tomorrow, Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm (local time) and is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Europe to Asia to the Americas will stand in darkness. People across the world from all walks of life will turn off their lights and join together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

Whether you are an individual, a business, a school or a city, you can show your support for Earth Hour by turning off your lights at 8.30PM on March 27 wherever you are on the planet. To learn more about Earth Hour click on the link and find out just how you can participate.

Project Pagan Enough

I've had the Project Pagan Enough button on my page  for a little while now as some of you may have noticed...But I'd like to take this opportunity to stress just how important this project is. 

In the mainstream religions I often hear of the bickering and comparisons about which religion is the right one and which individual is a better model of what Christianity stands for. I watch my television and see all the good little parishioner's going to their respective churches every Sunday but exhibiting the most inexcusable behavior first thing from Monday morning  right up until Saturday night. Sometimes I snicker to myself as it almost seems like it's become a competition of sorts as who has the nicest Easter dress,  fanciest jewelry or dressiest Sunday suit.

In recent years I've heard petty squabbles and references to how other pagans dress, what is the correct coven to belong to and even who's concept of Deity is a better one and it's beginning to become a troubling issue as well.... C'mon folks, what kind of examples are WE setting? Does The Goddess/God/Deity really care if your jeans are ripped, you wear hippie skirts or you prefer to wear a ceremonial robe in the produce isle at Safeway on a Wednesday afternoon...?Is it really that important if you listen to Nine Inch Nails...Sinatra or Paganini? We need to unite our community and accept that we have differences because those differences are what make us special, part of the bigger picture.

I made the promise to accept all pagans and wiccans, for who they are, regardless of sexual orientation, dress, musical tastes, fluffiness factor or just plain oddness. I urge you to head over to Fire Lyte's Project Pagan Enough and make the promise too...Put the badge proudly on your webpage or blog...let's stand together.

"What Is...?" Wednesday

The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn 

The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (or, more commonly called the Golden Dawn) was a magical order active in Great Britain during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and established by the Freemasons in England. The group practiced practiced theurgy (the practice of rituals, sometimes seen as magical in nature, performed with the intention of invoking the action or presence of one or more gods), especially with the goal of uniting with the divine and spiritual development.


It has been one of the largest single influences on 20th-century Western occultism. Concepts of magic and ritual at the center of contemporary traditions, such as Wicca and Thelema were inspired by the Golden Dawn along with authors William B. Yeats and Algernon Blackwood. A more notorious character recognized instantly by name was Aleister Crowley,who joined in 1898 and founded the rival Argenteum Astrum (1905) after his expulsion in 1900.

The structured hierarchy of The Golden Dawn was based upon the Tree of Life of the Kabbalah... there were ten grades or degrees corresponding to the ten sephiroth, with a eleventh degree for neophytes. The degrees were divided into the Outer, Second, and Third orders.

During its glory, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn possessed one of the greatest repositories of Western magical knowledge. The studies of the Second Order focused on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. Three magical systems were taught: the Key of Solomon, a grimoire, Abra-Melin magic and Enochian magic. Also, materials were incorporated from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, the Prophetic Books of William Blake and the Chaldean Oracles. Instruction was given in astral travel, scrying, geomancy, the Tarot and astrology.


There is much I have not elaborated on while researching and writing this article because all the information could fill every nook and cranny at the Smithsonian, so I picked out the easiest way to describe just what this group was (and still is today, although in a more modern form) all about. I hope you have enjoyed the article.

Tarot Tuesday

Continuing on with The Deviant Moon tarot, this morning I pulled The Three of Wands. In a small grassy area we can see a woman waiting expectantly for three wands to bloom. It seems as if she contemplates her journey that has brought her thus far and the expectant fulfillment of all her effort soon to emerge. 

The Wands suit in a tarot deck is all about passion and creativity, taking that spark of an idea and putting it into action in order for it to bear fruit and any problems or roadblocks are easily overcome with the Wand's drive and imagination.

You will notice that a living green vine emanates from the woman's navel and attaches to each of the soon to bloom Wands, this emphasizes how we draw upon our passion and energy and pour it into all of our creative pursuits... then we can take that passion and vision, with the aid of imagination, and bring them to fruition.

However, when the Three of Wands turns up in a reading, it may be cautioning  you to take the long view. Don't act in the heat of the moment, but ponder all of your choices and see just how they may figure into the greater picture. The Three of Wands tells you to dream beyond your current limitations. 


Taking a view of the larger picture is an excellent sign leadership, which is also an attribute of this card When we understand the complete picture, we can better steer others to their best future. When you see the Three of Wands,  you know that now is the time to accept your creativity and be confident that you can accomplish whatever task you have undertaken.

Archaeologically Speaking...

CNN has reported a very intriguing discovery this last week in England, just a stones throw from the 2012 Olympic sailing venue in Weymouth. Fifty one bodies were unearthed from a mass grave, all with their heads having been chopped off. Many of the executed men suffered multiple wounds, inflicted by a sharp-bladed weapon, to the skull, jaw and upper spine, all thought to relate to the process of decapitation . I know it sounds rather grisly but from an archeological standpoint, who they were is proving to be very interesting indeed.

Analysis of the men's teeth shows they were Vikings, executed with sharp blows to the head around a thousand years ago and some of the men show evidence of other wounds, including a cut to the pelvis, blows to the chest and stomach, and defensive injuries to the hands. They were killed during the Dark Ages, when Vikings frequently invaded the region.


Quoting David Score, project manager for Oxford Archaeology. "Any mass grave is a relatively rare find, but to find one on this scale, from this period of history, is extremely unusual and presents an incredible opportunity to learn more about what is happening in Dorset at this time."


Radiocarbon dating had already placed the remains between A.D. 890 and 1030, before the Norman conquest of Anglo-Saxon England and further research has indicated  that these individuals came from a climate that had to be colder than Britain ... probably Sweden and Norway. Analysis of isotopes found that they ate a high protein diet, comparable to known sites in Sweden.

The leader of the Dorset County Council, Angus Campbell has said the construction of the road had already revealed prehistoric and Iron Age finds. "But we never would have dreamed of finding a Viking war grave."  "The burial pit took us all by surprise and its story gets more fascinating as the analysis goes on."

Serenity Sunday

I had ordered some Irish shamrock seeds this last week and hoped to plant them in my garden to usher in Ostara but it seems that they will be delayed and I won't receive them until tomorrow. I'm not that worried though, I'll get them planted and each year as they emerge from the ground with their unique green, tri-lobal leaves and tiny white flowers, it will remind me that Spring has arrived!

My List:

1.) My kids

2.) Bulbs bursting forth from the soil

3.) Warmer, sunnier days

4.) Roses beginning to put out shoots

5.) Longer evenings

6.) Terrific friends

7.) Coffee on the sunny deck

8.) New beginnings

9.) Meeting new people

10.) Sharing my love of Tarot

Blessed Ostara!

Greet the first day of spring today by creating one or more Ostara wreaths and hanging them on doors, windows and walls. These are excellent presents for people to celebrate the joyous season when days grow longer, seeds are planted for future abundance and perennial plants begin to grow to fruition.


Items Needed for Ostara Wreath’s Foundation The base is a grapevine or willow branch wreath which can be bought at craft stores. Children can make a foundation by cutting one out of cardboard, oak tag or poster board and pasting pictures of spring flowers on the wreath.

Light green, representing abundance and fertility, is the traditional color of Ostara. The colors of spring are pink and pastel shades of blue, lavender and yellow. The flowers, tree and bushes are bluebells, crocuses, daffodils, dogwood, forsythia, hyacinths, irises, jonquils, lilacs, narcissus, tulips and violets. make wonderful decorations.


Crystals are all agates, aventurine, carnelian, crystal quartz, jade, jasper, lapis lazuli and rose quartz. In addition to the green leaves of plants, some people prefer to use only one other color of plants and crystals for the wreath while others like a variety of colors to reflect the season.


Although the calendar dictates Ostara is here, some in the northern regions may still experience wintry weather and, possibly, a blizzard. People are warm inside, safe from the elements. Light a fire in the hearth or turn the electric stove on and think about the warm days to come.


Potted crocuses, hyacinths and tulips decorate the room in preparation for the Solar Festival of Ostara, filling the room with their fragrances. Savor chocolate dipped strawberries, and eggnog. Eggs are symbolic of Ostara. Plan the Ostara celebration, including foods for the feast. Discuss what flora to plant when the time is right.

Decide where to hang the wreath, welcoming spring. Give others their gifts specially made for them and see the pleasure reflected in their expressions. Reflect on Ostaras past and the joy they brought. Think about the flowering trees and plants that will soon bear fruit and vegetables. Start to get ready for the Fire Festival’s celebration and the feast. Vernal Equinox is the First Day of Spring – Light and Dark are Equal.

Hello to my viewer in Waterford Ireland!

Tag! I'm it And A Blog-A-Rama Of Awards!

I've received a couple of wonderful awards from fellow bloggers this last week  and one game of tag that is REALLY fun, so I hope you all read on and pass this great game of tag and two wonderful awards to those whom you think deserve it!

The first is a game of Picture Tag where I was 'tagged' by  

ONe PiNK FiSH

 ..

The rules go like this:

1.  Open your first photo file.

2.  Scroll to the 10th photo.
3.  Post the photo and tell the story behind it
4.  Tag five more people.

So, off I went to find that mysterious 10th photo and this is what popped up...

In this picture is myself and the love of my life, Nibbles, whom I affectionately called "Squishy." Her mother, my Mitsuo Moto was a beautiful Chestnut Oriental Short Hair that was my little shadow for many years. Nibbles was a rare cat...she absolutely loved me to bits but goddess forgive anyone else who dared come near me. My husband, at the time, once yelled at her for something, I cannot recall at the moment, but she got her revenge later that evening when she peed all over his feet as he slept. When he suddenly woke up to find himself  cold and drenched he vowed never again to raise his voice to her, lest she retaliate! Sadly she passed away three years ago from cancer and to this day I miss her terribly...attitude and all!


My Tag-ees


Peggy from Laila and Minchie


MXTODIS at Moontides


Fire Lyte at Inciting a Riot


 Inannasstar   Ramblings of a Domestic Goddess

Annette at The Ward House


 For this award... I thank you SO much Mama Feonafay! I love your blog and make sure I read it everyday!

The rules are as follows:

1. Thank the person who gave you this award.


2. Share 7 things about yourself.


3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic!


4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.


My Seven Things:


1.) I have a pierced nose with a glorious gold hoop in it...let's people know ahead of time I may have a strong opinion and independent mindedness.


2.) I like music from Rage Against the Machine, Nine Inch Nails, and Disturbed as well as classical music and Celtic tunes.


3.) If there is a bird wandering  in the road, I will wait until it passes to keep 
driving


4.) I will often tell someone when they need to get "A clue"


5.) I can eat a whole double batch of rice crispy treats by myself...in less than a half our.


6.) I must have my naps.


7.) Standing up for what is right is the most important thing we can do as individuals.




My Nominees are:


1.) Sky from Between the Branch

2.) Witchful Thinking

3.) A Herbal Journey

4.) Delphyne from A Seven Year Old Witch


4.) An Instant In Time


5.) WitchBoy from Frogs:Fairies:Fools


6.) Spider Tribe's Bardic Blog 


7.) Mystic Mooma Makes Things

8.) Magaly Guerrero

9.)  Mrs B of Confessions Of A Pagan Soccer Mom 

There are so many wonderful new, as well as established,  blogs out there I couldn't possibly list them all here, so I will stop at seven. Congratulations everyone!




This  next award comes from both Willow from  Wandering in the Woods and Crystalrainbow from Sparkle and Shine Thank you so much ladies, I am doubly blessed!

Sunshine Award

Here are the rules:

1. Place the award on your blog or within your post.

2. Pass the award on to 12 Sunny Bloggers -- those whose positivity and creativity inspire others!

3. Link to the nominees in your post.

4. Tell the nominees they've received the award by commenting on their blogs.

5. Share the love and link to the person from whom you received the award.



Those whom have positive attitudes and creativity inspire:


 Kat at Antics of a Tameran Witch

Elfwench at Chronicles of An Elfwench

Creativity as a way of Life

Sue at Crochet and Garden

Sherry at Green Trinity

We Three, Ginger Cats Tales


Hyacinths For The Soul

Jacqueline's Cat House

Witchy Mom's Homeschool

Angela at The Pagan Mom Blog


Mama Bean at Save Moki

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year on March 17th, the day that it is believed that he died. In Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Day is both a holy day and a national holiday. The real St. Patrick wasn't Irish... he was born in Britain around A.D. 390 to an aristocratic Christian family with a townhouse, a country villa, and plenty of slaves. Patrick professed no interest in Christianity as a young boy. At 16, Patrick's world turned....

He was kidnapped and sent overseas to tend sheep as a slave in the chilly, mountainous countryside of Ireland for seven years. It was a terrible time for him but it was during this time that he was converted to christianity. Although it began in Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated in countries around the world. People with Irish heritage remind themselves of the beautiful green countryside of Ireland by wearing green and taking part in the festivities.

Saint Patrick’s Day is usually celebrated with a parade. The one in Dublin, Ireland is known to some as the Irish Mardi Gras. But the one in New York City is actually one of the biggest. It lasts for hours. Two Irish wolfhounds, the mascots of the New York National Guard infantry regiment the “Fighting 69th”, always lead the parade. More than one hundred bands and a hundred thousand marchers follow the wolfhounds in the parade.