Clearing The Air

I wanted to clarify my post on Lilo, she is not a stray, she lives with my ex room mate who is taking care of her. If for any reason she cannot afford the food for Lilo, I would be the first to step forward and help her out. I couldn't control the circumstances that found me without my kitties, by the choice of one individual who brought in a level 2 sex offender into the home where my children and I were living, I made the decision to remove myself from the situation. I gave my kitties to someone that promised me he would care for them and he let us all down.

I am sadder and wiser now. I'm sorry there were those of you who may have thought I just let them go without a care but it tore my heart out to the point that I'm not sure if I will be able to have another cat in my life for quite some time. When they are lost or pass away or even given up, it takes a part of your soul and it hurts like no other pain that you can imagine. I won't be posting about my cats anymore, it is too painful.

Tarot Tuesday

When you want to make things happen, look to the Magician. He knows how to use all the tools at his disposal... to come up with innovative plans no one else would think of. He is a  strong-willed individual that can rise to face any challenge. The Magician, are cards of intellect and mental abilities... a healthy mind is likely far more important to this person than a healthy body.

The Magician tells us that we have the ability to take the power of the Universe and manifest our desires. Those desires may be spiritual, physical, emotional, or mental. Another interpretation of why his hands are in that position is that he's taking the power of the Universe, channelling it through his own body and directing it to the physical plane.

Skill and initiative can be applied to accomplish all goals. Happiness and optimism will indicate a new beginning. Decisions that are made will have positive results. Want to begin something new, to "do, act, or go forward" and are hoping for a miracle in your life or affairs. A situation has been (or soon will be) presented that has all the inherent components to the manifestation of your desires. Take the best from it or move on it, because it is through this that a new potential will emerge.

He can manipulate others for good or bad but if he chooses to do so for ill, he will eventually reap what he has sown. The wise magician will use his skills and talents carefully. This card represents the magic within the soul, the ability of everyone to find the resources within themselves to deal with everyday life. When it turns up in a spread it suggests there is creativity, intelligence, experience or the know-how to cope with whatever lies ahead. This is symbolised on the card by all the tools of the tarot lying on the table in front of the Magician: the Cups, Swords, Wands and Pentacles

Where Was My Mind...

I am so sorry for the missing "Serenity Sunday" post...I didn't realize it didn't post but instead went to drafts. If I miss a regular post please feel free to email and say "Ahem....where's the post"

Serenity Sunday

I had a visitor yesterday, one of my beloved cats Lilo, it turns out now is living back at the house where I used to live. I was so happy to be able to see her and hug her, I dampened her fur with my tears. She recognized me right away after all these months. I had thought my ex had taken all of my kitties to the pound but apparently kept Lilo but couldn't care for her anymore and although I can't have her here with me, I'm sure we will visit daily!

My List:

1.) My kids

2.) Lilo

3.) Great friends

4.) 60 degree days

5.) Bulbs poking their heads up

6.) Laughter

7.) Herbal tea

8.) Memories

9.) Orange juice

10.) Hot baths with bubbles

"What Is...?" Wednesday

Ash Wednesday, originally called dies cinerum (day of ashes) is mentioned in the earliest copies of the Gregorian Sacramentary and probably dates from at least the 8th Century. One of the earliest descriptions of Ash Wednesday is found in the writings of the Anglo-Saxon abbot Aelfric (955-1020). In his Lives of the Saints, he writes, "We read in the books both in the Old Law and in the New that the men who repented of their sins bestrewed themselves with ashes and clothed their bodies with sackcloth. Now let us do this little at the beginning of our Lent that we strew ashes upon our heads to signify that we ought to repent of our sins during the Lenten fast." 


Aelfric then proceeds to tell the tale of a man who refused to go to church for the ashes and was accidentally killed several days later in a boar hunt... This quotation confirms what is said in many other sources, that throughout the Middle Ages ashes were sprinkled on the head, rather than anointed on the forehead as it is common practice today.


In the typical Ash Wednesday observance, Christians are invited to the altar to receive the imposition of ashes, prior to receiving the holy Supper. The Pastor applies ashes in the shape of the cross on the forehead of each, while speaking the words, "For dust you are and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). This is of course what God spoke to Adam and Eve after they eaten of the forbidden fruit and "fallen into sin."  This was then interpreted as Adam and Eve experienced the fruit of their sin, namely death. 

Today, this  Christian practice reminds parishioners of their sinfulness and mortality and their need to repent and get right with God before it is too late. Ash Wednesday is the day after Fat Tuesday (in Christian circles) or  as we all know it...Mardi Gras.

Tarot Tuesday

The Ace of Pentacles, like the Aces of the other suits, is representative of new beginnings, fresh energy, and inspiration. In this case, the pentacles represent the element of earth and therefore symbolize the material world and things associated with matter and the body. Pentacles also represent money and the financial concerns. 


The appearance of this card is usually the sign of a turn for the better in terms of fortune and wealth, and sometimes it can even indicate gifts of money, or inheritance from unexpected sources (the coin appearing from "thin air"). This gift does not necessarily mean money though... any kind of gift that has value to both the giver and the receiver can be indicated by this card.


 In relationship readings, the Ace of Pentacles may refer to wedding rings and proposals of marriage, which may seem out of place in the Pentacles suit until you realize that such proposals are the solid foundation upon which the castles of love must be built.


The Ace  can also represents the fertile soil in which ideas can be planted to grow and mature. This will be a slow growth, as the Pentacles never move at a fast pace but the success of the harvest is practically assured. The only caveat is that the Pentacles suit demands a realistic outlook. If you want to succeed... start now, hard work is the only thing that is going to produce results with the Ace of Pentacles. 


Keep your feet firmly planted in the Earth and let your common sense (and your intuition) guide you to success.




And speaking of material matters....

I've ordered two wonderful new decks this last weekend, the greatly anticipated "Shadowscapes Tarot" by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law which will be sent out the beginning of May and a signed, first edition deck of the Deviant Moon Tarot  by Patrick Valenza, which will be getting mailed to me after he returns from a trip this coming Friday. I'm SO excited! The Deviant Moon is a well spoken of deck and just unique enough to catch my attention...and the "Shadowscapes Tarot"  has been in the making for several years and Stephanie's artwork is simply stunning!

Serenity Sunday

While the history of Valentine's Day is sometimes debated, it most often is said to have links back to a Catholic saint named St. Valentine. The problem is there are actually three St. Valentine's-- one a priest, one a bishop, and little is known about the third. All were martyrs.In 469 A.D., Pope Gelasius declared Feb. 14th a day to honor St. Valentine, one of these three men.


One legend says that a Roman emperor banned soldiers from marrying in the third century, but St. Valentine took issue with this. He became an advocate for soldiers and was executed as a result of his outspokenness. Another legend says St. Valentine was executed for his beliefs in Christianity and just before he died, he left a farewell note for a loved one and signed it "From Your Valentine."


A conventional and widely accepted belief about the holiday itself is that Valentine's Day grew out of a Middle Ages tradition of celebrating Feb. 14th as the day "the birds began to pair." History.com notes that February has long been associated with being a month of love, and Feb. 15th was celebrated in ancient times as a fertility festival.


My List:


1.) My kids


2.) Great friends


3.) Chocolate


4.) Silly ringtones


5.) Bare root roses


6.) Insight


7.) Constructive criticism 


8.) Electric pencil sharpeners


9.) Rainbows


10.) Pina Colada scented lip balm

"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