Saturday Special Stones - Hematite

Hematite

Hematite, an iron ore, occurs in opaque red, red-brown, gray or black. It often has a silvery almost metal look to it. Hematite has a high iron content; 70 percent. With the high iron it is subject to rusting although the iron does not make it magnetic. Hematite can be found in Brazil, Canada, England, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Scandinavia, Spain, Sweden, and US, Venezuela. The worlds largest deposits of hematite are found in the Lake Superior region. In 2000 crystalline gray hematite was discovered near the Martian equator.
Its name is something of a mystery. To ancients, hematite was what we now know as bloodstone, so virtually all magical information relating to "hematite" in old books refers to bloodstone. It is interesting to note, however, that hematite, when worked on a lapidary wheel, "bleeds" and produces stains that look much like blood. Powdered Hematite has been mixed with water and used as a blood substitute in some religious rituals.
Hematite is said to be powerful in drawing illness from and strengthening the body. It is said to help bring a positive influence to those giving birth, undergoing surgeries,or fighting tumors, nervous disorders and alcohol abuse. Because of it's high iron it is said to help with blood and blood-related illnesses like hemophilia, anemia, heart, kidney, liver disease, cardiovascular disease as well as circulation problems (muscle cramps). It heals and cleanses the blood and improves memory. As with all stones, it is held in the hands while visualizing, then placed on the skin directly over the afflicted area. A necklace of small stones can also be worn for healing.
Hematite also possesses the curious property of "healing" itself. Make a small scratch on the surface of the stone, then rub your finger over it. The scratch may disappear.
Hematite's energy is grounding - a protective stone that helps to bolster low self-esteem. During the middle ages, pieces of Hematite where given to warriors before they went into battle for strength and protection. It offers the wearer courage and the strength to face changes. It is also used as an aid in astral projection and meditation to help connect you to your true spirit self, as well as for scrying. Hematite was traditionally used as a magic mirror that had the power to reflect back negative energy. Hematite forms a reflective shield around the wearer, letting negativity bounce off and return to the sender. ***The bearer should remember however, that their own negativity will be reflected to them if they are its source. It is therefore a "lesson stone" teaching us to be aware and to release and ground our negativity. Hematite is said to have a beneficial effect on legal situations, to protect warriors, to win petitions before those in authority, enhance focus, concentration, bring balance, increase psychic abilities and help in grounding. It brings stability, courage, confidence, optimism and trust. Hematite is also used in magical amulets.
In Ancient Egypt it was used for protection amulets in ceremonial pillows to magically uplift the head of the deceased. It was also used in the creation of their magic heart amulets and head rest amulets, which were used as treatments for madness and inflammation. In ancient Rome, soldiers used to rub the red powder that came from the stone on themselves and their weapons to protect them during battle and make them invulnerable. It is also worn or carried as a protective stone.
In modern times it is used to help with jet lag.
If you are looking for a bit of willpower to get you though the days, this may be the perfect stone to travel with you in your journeys.

Information, in part, obtained at:

AAWC

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic

Friday Form A Circle - Solitary Midsummer Ritual

Midsummer Ritual
by Boudica

The Wheel of the year turns again and we arrive at Summer Solstice. This is a magical time of the year, with long, hot days and warm, short nights. Midsummer is the perfect time to hold ritual out of doors. I would like to offer you a ritual that can be done by a single person (or maybe two), out of doors in a public place. Often Solitaries would like to perform ritual out of doors but feel embarrassed or are afraid of what others might think. If we perform our ritual in its purest form, with our minds and by pure thought, no one will need know or think anything.
I am not including any of the tools or trappings, making this a portable ritual. However, if you happen to be doing this in your backyard or some other private place, then by all means include your candles, altar or whatever you wish. Sitting in the grass would be perfect, or a park bench will do. Close your eyes. Don't worry if you think someone's watching. They will probably think you are catching some sun. Ground and center yourself, meditate for a short bit, concentrate on clearing your mind, releasing the mundane world and all of it's problems and cares. Find within yourself that still point where you are yourself and no one else.
In your mind, cast your circle around yourself. Make the circle glow in your mind and cast it three times round. If you have a casting spell you usually use, say it to yourself. With your voice from within, call your quarters, watchtowers, directions, elements or whatever you call to your circle. You know the words, but let them mean something. Feel them. One of the benefits of not having the trappings, I think, is that we are not distracted by them. We can concentrate on the meaning of the words, giving them power and deepening their meaning.
Call the God and Goddess to your circle, welcome them and all your visitors to your circle. You have now created the Sacred Space in which you are going to work. If you are seated alone in a tranquil setting, don't worry about people walking by. Your space is around you, they will not cross into it.There are many things you can do now that you are within your Sacred Space. You can enjoy that moment between the worlds with your Spiritual thoughts. You can contemplate the God and Goddess, focusing on the meaning of Midsummer. This is a time when the earth ripens, as does the mother with her child. She gives us an image of a healthy woman caring for herself and her unborn baby. We can carry this imagery into our own lives; in caring for the Earth, or caring for ourselves and each other. It is respect for life, a duty we should all pursue actively.
There is the enjoyment of the season, as the Mother enjoys the blossoming of her belly, full with child. She is aware of the joys she will have. We should always be aware of the joys of family, friends, good health, clean air, and a healthy planet. We can contemplate the relationship between our God and Goddess. In my own belief system, I seek balance, equality, pulling together and equal bonding. Your path may be different. It is an individual thing, but whatever Their relationship in your path, it is one of love and respect for one another.
Finally, we examine how our path reflects our beliefs. How do we reflect our beliefs? Do we reflect our spiritual life into our mundane world? How do we, each day, incorporate our spiritual beliefs into our daily life? Do we seek to improve our mundane world by incorporating our spiritual paths? Do we walk the walk as well as talk the talk? How can we do better? These may seem like big questions and high goals, but if we stretch our minds just a little bit every day, we can get a good start on it.
Once your meditations are over, you can do a small spell of positive affirmation if you want. If not, you can take out the "cakes and ale". Don't worry, it will look like you are having lunch or a snack. When you are done, dismiss the elementals, directions or whatever you called to join your circle. Send them on their way, ask them to bless all they pass.
Thank the God and the Goddess for joining your circle, and ask them to return again.
Before you get up, ground yourself to the earth. Allow any extra energies you have to be returned to the Earth. Clear your mind, and allow yourself to return to the mundane world. Take a deep breath, focus on those things going on around you and return to the world you had left behind for a while.
Stand up, stretch and give thanks again for a pleasant Midsummer Circle.
This ritual was found on The Goddess Within

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

From the Grimoire of a Blond Witch

How to Turn Your Wardrobe Black

Needed:
Dark sunglasses
Late at night, close all the curtains and turn off all the lights. In your bedroom, open all your drawers and closet doors. Stand in the center of your bedroom with sunglasses in your hand. Close your eyes and say:

"Hocus bogus Color out of focus!"

Carefully put on your sunglasses and open your eyes. Your wardrobe should now appear black.
*PLEASE NOTE: This spell will only last as long as it is dark.

Giggle Fits

She may already be unintelligent but the giggle fits will rid her of the finer gents And bring to notice your wit and charm. When she is in plain view, spew:

"Giggle wiggle,

Start as a gentle tickle,

Down her ribs to her belly hollow.

Tickle harder and make her holler!"

Proper Hair Removal

If the razor burns and the waxing hurts and still the mustache prevails, then chant this spell that rids all of your woeful hairy ails.

"By dungeon dust
And oxen musk,
I so here decry!
My hairy lip
And legs to slip,
Smooth of pip,
And soft to thine eye."

Banishing Circles

Casting circles takes little effort for the well bred blond. Unfortunately, we are rarely told how to banish circles once they have set in. Covering circles with a foundation is highly discouraged because of the element of water which would make the circles reappear. To properly banish circles under the eyes, thinly slice an unused cucumber. Place a slice over both (two) eyes while lying down.
Chant:

"Ooooooo...
Ahhhh......
Mmm....."

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Wednesday What Herb Is This - Make Your Own Oils

Making Oils:

To make your own anointing oils, start with a good vegetable oil base, Virgin Olive Oil is good. Into your pestle and mortar pour two ounces of oil and add two Tbsp of herb or mixture and crush into the oil. Store in a previously consecrated place for three days. On the fourth day, check to see if the oil has absorbed the scent of the herb, mixture or flower. If the oil has a weak scent use a piece of cheesecloth (tea balls work well, too.) and strain the oil. Add two more Tbsp of herb/mix. (if necessary add more olive oil to bring back to orig. two oz.) Store for three more days. Repeat until as strong a scent as you want is obtained.

Charging Oils

How you prepare your oils and what type to use is strictly up to you. Some extract the oil from their own garden of herbs and plants. While I admire such dedication, many of us rarely have the time or resources to dedicate to such purity. One must bear in mind though, that what one puts in to their efforts will be returned I usually purchase my oils from a source that knows the difference between good oils and cheap ones. To those just starting I might point out that you should stay clear from synthetic based Essentials and stick to the natural Essential oils. Keep in mind a known acronym - "GIGO", Garbage In, Garbage Out.
Set about your workspace the Runes you wish to invoke. I frequently use another set of Rune stones that I use for spell work. Blend your oil using the base of your choice, if its meant to be worn. Otherwise, combine your oils carefully. After pouring the oil into its vial, meditate on the Runes you've selected and the energy you wish to send. Charge the oil, hold it, and set it down carefully. At this point I like to let the oil set overnight, with the Runes surrounding it. The cone formed by the Runes surrounding the vial help protect it and lets it "mature" to its fullest potential.
Optional: If you wish to go a step further, you can write your spell for which you are preparing your oils in Runes, usually on parchment. The spell can be prose, verse, a single word, or a binding rune. Anoint the parchment with a touch of the oil. Set the parchment in your cauldron and light the paper. This acts as the initialization of the oil, activating it.

Scents & Oils

It has long been one of man's beliefs that different scents effect us on many levels including the spiritual One of the main reasons for perfumes and colognes is this belief. Here is a brief list of properties distributed by Connections Candles, a company the makes candles and sells them at metaphysical gatherings. (I tried to find a link, but there doesn't seem to be a website for them...)

Apple: Peace of mind, relaxation, love, wisdom.
Bayberry: Luck to the home, money to the pocket.
Burgamot: Protection from harm.
Cedar: Instills confidence, protection from misery and misfortune
Cinnamon: raise and enhance spiritual vibrations, stimulate clairvoyance, aids focus and concentration, good for personal protection.
Citronella: Attracts friends and customers, protection from insects.
Clove: Strengthens memory, protects from hostile negative forces.
Eucaluptus: Promotes healing of any hurt, depression or illness. Especially good for colds or flu.
Frankincense: Frees one of obsessions and destructive habits, brings spiritual blessings, protects, exorcises, purifies.
Heliotrope: Increases clairvoyance, assists meditation, protects from physical harm.
Honeysuckle: Aids in understanding non-physical realities, sharpens intuition, brings prosperity.
Jasmine: Psychic protection, cleanses the aura, stimulates creativity and originality, attracts spiritual love.
Lavender: Frees from emotional stress, brings inner calm and peace, gives increased awareness, brings stability and permanence, good for headaches.
Lemon: Evokes protective spirits.
Lilac: Helps recall past lives, draws good spirits, helps decision making, improves memory.
Musk: Instills self assurance, confidence and strength, heightens passions.
Myrrh: Guards against evil, brings peace, assists in understanding personal sorrow.
Orange: Brings harmony, raises power.
Pine: Cleanses, ends useless recriminations.
Rose: Unconditional love, peace, harmony, tranquility.
Sage: Powerful clearing and cleansing, removes negative energy.
Sandalwood: Stimulates clairvoyance, aids in seeing past lives, healing, clearing, protection, calms the mind.
Sweetgrass: Invokes spiritual blessings, aids transformation.
Vanilla: Vitalizes energy, brings happy occasions to the premises, draws good fortune.
 
Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Tuesday Try A New Taste - Stuffed Mushrooms

Stuffed Mushrooms
Ingredients:
12 fresh mushrooms
1/2 pound ground beef
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon chili powder
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Remove and chop mushroom stems. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until beef is no longer pink; drain. Mix in chopped mushroom stems, 1 tablespoon butter, bread crumbs, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in cream. Dip mushroom caps in 1/4 cup melted butter, and stuff generously with meat mixture. Arrange stuffed mushrooms in a baking dish. Sprinkle with chili powder. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in the preheated oven.

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Monday Make A - Midsummer Ideas

Bonfires and Outdoor Activities

Is there any way you can take a camping trip over the Midsummer holiday? If so, do it! Your kids will thank you for it, especially if you incorporate some of these nifty ideas into your agenda. Even if you can't find a way to get out into the forest this year, any old yard will do provided you call your local fire department and inquire about fire safety and legal limitations on outdoor burning.

~ Burn a Wicker Man: On Midsummer the Oak King is defeated in battle by the Holly King, or God of the waning light. Why not include this myth into your ritual by creating a wicker god and burning him in your holiday bonfire? Just gather some sticks, driftwood, live vines (make sure they are not poisonous first), a bit of twine or hemp string, and bundle it together in the shape of a man. You can add gifts, tokens of appreciation, or other trinkets to your figure, and when the time is right, toss him on into the flames!

Picture from 2 Camels

~ Double Your Fire: Why not light two bonfires this year? In ancient times, people would drive their livestock between the bonfires on Midsummer night because the smoke was thought to purify them and ensure health and fertility. If you are indoors, try lighting two candles and having everyone walk between them. Tell your kids a little bit about the history of the holiday as you are doing this (it never hurts to add a bit of learning into it whenever you can!)

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Mercury Going Retrograde - Again...ARRRRGGGGGHHHHH!

Alrighty folks, Mercury is going retrograde, again, and it is NEVER a good thing. Communication gets confused. Mechanical things seem to gain a life, and uncooperativeness that is just WRONG! I will include here what I have that is relevant. Not a pretty time for anyone, so fasten your seatbelts and hold on tight!

Work for the next few weeks....from "A Low Man's Lyric"

Life for the next few weeks...from Cartoon Stock

And finally, an anti-stress kit

for immediate relief...from Email Goodies

This from Witchvox, one of the best pagan websites out there. You can find out just about anything about just about anything pagan there. A great resource, interesting articles, currently relevant news & articles, as well as an archive just full of great information. One of my personal favorites...***please note, this article is from 2002, so the dates may seem a bit "off" LOL***

Mercury Has Left the Building



Author: Wren

Posted: January 21st. 2002

Times Viewed: 4,044

The oven broke. Three out of the eight light bulbs in our apartment burned out in the same afternoon. (Okay, one of those was cat related.) Our dot.net isp dumped all of its DSL customers (including us) without notice. The new credit cards- the ones that we had to order because our dot.net isp dumped us without notice- got lost in the mail. Christian evangelists who won't take 'no thanks' for an answer spammed half of the Pagan web. And then, Fritz's computer fainted. Who knew that electronics could actually pitch a fit of the vapors?

I am sure you'll understand then if during this upcoming week I don't want to give my heart to Jesus, enlarge various parts on my body, refill the toner and ink cartridges, open a bank account with millions of dollars for anyone from Sierra Leone, invest in a 'hot' guaranteed-to-go-up stock or learn how to beat the casinos at their own game. I have other priorities.

I simply want an oven that works, a computer line that is fast and stable, e-mail messages that do not contain the words 'burn in hell', a government without any '-gates' in it, and my snail mail delivered to me on time and without powdery substances. But I can take a hint: This may not be the right time to ask.

For three weeks, four times a year, our dear little solar system sharing planet Mercury goes retrograde. And this past Friday welcomed in that time of the year once again. Hold your applause. Because if the days leading up to this periodic trifecta of havoc is any indication, I'll be taking Bette Davis' advice and fastening my seatbelt because "it's gonna be a bumpy, bumpy ride!"

Mercury retrogrades come and go. Each one is different and each one affects different people in different ways. So your own mileage in terror may vary. This one, according to Terri McCartney over at Astrology Resources, is bludgeoning its way through my tenth house. The tenth house rules "public life and standing in the community, vocation, profession, career, reputation, business, achievements, parents, people with power & authority." Looks like I'll be writing on eggshells for the next three weeks...

As a planet (not including the Sun or Moon) crosses the sky, it periodically appears to be spinning backwards. It is not actually spinning backwards; it just looks that way to we Earthlings from our vantage point. But there does seem to be an impact on how the energy of each particular planet affects us when this orbital back-stroking occurs. When any planet appears to do a reverse spin, it is said to be in 'retrograde' and when it returns to normal spin, it is said to go 'direct'. The point at which the movement changes from one direction to another is called a 'station'. Here the planet seems to be standing still. A station point from which a planet is poised to go retrograde is generally considered by astrologists as not to be the best time to begin anything using that planet's energy. Apparently just minding one's own business is no big safety net either.

Mercury retrograde can result in lost letters, garbled communications, and various sorts of technical difficulties, misspellings and misunderstandings. Since a retrograde planet's regular energies are 'reversed', delayed fruition or delayed timing can result. Rituals that usually work with the planet's energy may not manifest until that planet again goes direct. Mercury and Venus are called the "personal" planets-they are the ones closest to us- and their effects tend to be more noticeable to us since both communication and affections can affect us in a very 'personal' ways indeed! The little darlings also turn retrograde more often as their orbits are shorter than those of the outer planets. Lucky us!

It's not all bad news however. Retrogrades can be useful. The period just before a planet goes direct-the station- is a very powerful time to do any ritual involving that planet's energy. When the planet does go direct again, the energy will then get a 'kick start' which can propel your magic(k) forward in quite exciting ways. Little Mercury will go direct again on February 8th, 2002 at 12:28pm (EST). You can start making your plans for that now. You may have to rewrite those plans a few times, but at least that will keep you out of the chat rooms where you will have to explain to everyone what you really meant to say many more times than that.

Kate, a Strega friend of ours, had one of those old Mercury head dimes made into a pendant that she would then wear during each Mercury retrograde. Other Witches of our acquaintance wrap an orange ribbon around their left ankles to help dilute some of the effects. Orange ribbons can also be tied to the mirror in your car, on the bottom of your computer chair and around your palm pilot and phone. I don't know if any of this stuff really works, but it is a good way to use up some of those leftover Samhain decorations.

Maintaining a sense of humor helps a lot, too. If you can do it. I particularly like The Weekly Horoscope over at Humor.com. Warning: If you are kidding yourself about possessing a 'wonderful sense of humor', don't go there. If you are in doubt about whether or not you actually do possess a wonderful sense of humor, you can ask your friends. Of course, if you ask your friends about your wonderful sense of humor during Mercury retrograde, these people will probably then no longer be your friends. So just restrict the asking of the humor question to those friends who you really don't like all that much anyway.

The oven did get fixed and so we can have cookies again. The computer lines are little slow, but at least they are working. Our ex-dot.net isp guy swears that a check for the advance payment will be in the mail. At least one of the new credit cards showed up yesterday. Fritz's computer turned out to be fine. After an hour of purring like a kitten for the tech guy at the mall, we surmise that it just wanted to take a trip to the Apple store in order to see the new iMac. I have an extra package of light bulbs in the closet. I only had to rewrite this column five times. I haven't yet strangled anyone with an orange ribbon. The pot is still making coffee. Most of my friends and some of my relatives are still talking to me. And so with only nineteen more days to go, I'm feeling pretty darn optimistic.

But I am definitely not going to ask anyone what he or she thinks about my 'wonderful sense of humor'.

Walk in Love and Light,



Wren Walker

Co-Founder - The Witches' Voice

Monday, January 21st., 2002

From Patricia Kirkman

Hold On Tight:

Mercury Goes Retrograde May 26

Shadow Period May 18 - June 28.

The next retrograde will be with from September 24 to October 15, 2008.

Well, it’s that time again, and it's working on us from the get go. Mercury goes retrograde once again. It happens 3 times a year and it lasts for about 3 weeks. This time is from May 26 to June 19, 2008. Remember that there is a shadow period that goes with the retrograde, so we are already into it. And it will stick with us to the end, around June 28.

Mercury's retrograde creates communications issues of all kinds, and screws up any thing that depends on electronics. Any issues that deal with studying, communication, businesses, travel and the like, you’ll find under attack. You will find it affects the study of new subjects and all forms of communication with the others. Travel, businesses, and communications you will find having problems and delays. Computers, telephones, answering machines etc., will have problems and may experience crashes or unexpected failures. Prevent important papers and information from being lost, back up you information, double check what has been put together and double check yourself so as not to leave any loose ends. Remember to save your work more often. Nothing seems to move in the right direction so relax and let the period pass. You might want to just get away from it all and go on vacation - well it sounds good anyway - but we will just have to make do until it passes.

This is not a good time to start anything new, nor is it a good time to sign any legal documents or any papers of importance. It's not a good time to purchase expensive items and of course this isn’t a good time to marry. Of course there is one exception, that is if you were born during a retrograde. For you, it's a great time to go over unfinished business and start to review and redo it. You will find that this is an excellent time to work on old projects that have been left unfinished. So, think about the things you started and never finalized.

Survival Techniques During A Retrograde Mercury retrograde can be an extremely productive time if you know how to use the period properly. It's all about energy. During a retrograde the energy from Mercury is reduced significantly, but not cut off completely. You get in trouble because you are not aware that this energy output has been reduced, so your frustration is misdirected. Mercury governs the logical and/or mechanical processes. This includes contracts, communications of all sorts including talking, email, regular mail, cars, computers, and all other electronics. Mercury governs all mechanical things. Prepare for the cycle by making needed mechanical repairs in advance. For example, have your car tuned up before the cycle, not during it. During the retrograde, stay in your spiritual center. Pack plenty of humor and heaps of patience. It's not affected by the retrograde. Use positive avoidance with people who might be having problems with the energy shift, don't start new projects, don't sign binding documents, exercise caution when you are around mechanical objects, and, finally drive defensively. Just because you are aware, doesn't mean the other guy is.

There are meaningful, and productive things you can do during a retrograde. It's a great time for introspection. During a retrograde you can review things for a full three weeks. But don't take any actions or make decisions until Mercury goes direct! A Mercury retrograde can be a very quiet and restful period. Don’t start anything new or making any decision during this period. for a while. This can be an ideal time for research. Things left undone at other times will pop up to be corrected or redone. Consider retrograde a "catch up" period. Consider this the time to finish up old business, reflect on past issues left undone and look into things in a new way. When Mercury goes direct, you will have fresh ideas and insight that will enable you to make better decisions.

This is from Karmastrology

Retrograde Mercury is the most commonly known astrological signature for Murphy's Law ("If something can go wrong, it will"), and is one of the first features intermediate astrology students learn about. Say it to a seasoned astrologer and you'll likely get an amused smile and some delightful stories about how things can get quite unexpectedly unhinged. Computers crash, software develops unexpected glitches, traffic jams ensue, telephone service snarls up, letters get lost on the mail, machinery breaks down, new projects fail. Ah, yes, the trickster Mercury is up to his old pranks again. In fact, at least three times a year for about three weeks each time Mercury has his way with us.

First let's look at what Mercury retrograde is, and then look at what can be done about it. Those of a keen astronomical bent actually watch the planets each night as they travel through the zodiac. Mercury, which is only visible just before sunrise or just after sunset travels in a forward direction most of the time. But three or four times a year, if you care to watch carefully, it appears to turn around and go backwards for about three weeks! Now Mercury really isn't going backwards. It's just an optical illusion based on the relative speeds and orbits of the Earth and Mercury around the Sun. Here's an easy example. Think of riding in a fast car on an expressway which is passing a slower-moving car. The slower moving car appears to be moving backward, but it isn't really. It's just the relative speed and direction of the two cars gives that illusion. Retrograde Mercury is similar to that. The apparent backward motion of Mercury is called retrograde, and it has been known and studied in western astrology for thousands of years.

In general the effect of Mercury retrograde is annoyance. Little things get snarled up and a low-grade frustration emerges. Anything involving communications, verbal activity, technology, short trips and journeys, primary education, and siblings can be affected. While Mercury retrograde usually is in the minor irritant category, every now and then a colossal screw-up can take place. Consider the Bush-Gore 2000 American presidential election in Florida. Now there's a classic colossal screw-up. For reasons best known to the Americans, they chose to have their 2000 presidential election on the day when Mercury retrograde energy peaked, called stationary direct. Oh, my goodness. In the end, after weeks of wrangling and legal battles, George W. Bush was declared the winner. History now records what a mess he made of virtually everything he did, a classic Mercury retrograde presidency. FWIW, astrologers, too, learned much from that election. For instance, prior to the Florida election I had always thought a dimpled Chad was a good-looking man.

With only a small amount foresight here are the precautions you can take to prevent colossal screw-ups in your life during the next Mercury retrograde:

• If at all possible, avoid signing legal documents.


• If at all possible, finish projects which involve communication before the retrograde.


• If at all possible, avoid closing big deals during the retrograde.


• If at all possible, avoid launching new projects during the retrograde.


• If at all possible, avoid scheduling meetings to make a big decision.


• Allow extra time when traveling.


• Backup your hard drive before the retrograde.


• If at all possible, avoid installing new computer software during the retrograde.


• Do needed repairs on machinery before the retrograde.


• Do not hold an election during the retrograde.

This is not to say Mercury retrograde is always a bad thing. Far from it. It is actually an ideal time to do some other things, like:

• Do the follow-ups on a project already started


• Wrap up or complete a project already started


• Research a new project thoroughly


• Catch up on paperwork


• Hold an information-sharing meeting


• Enjoy someone's wacky sense of humor

To find out how Mercury retrograde might affect you personally usually requires a fair knowledge of astrology (which could take months or years to learn) or a visit to your friendly local astrologer who can check the unique placements in your natal chart and guide you appropriately. Check the table below for the next few times when Mercury will be retrograde. Note that the retrograde is particularly strong at the very beginning and the very end. These beginning and ending points are called stations by astrologers.

****All dates and times have been changed to my time zone, which is Eastern (Indiana). You can change to your zone as needed.

Upcoming Mercury retrogrades

Begins: (stationary retrograde) Ends: (stationary direct)

Mon, May 26, 2008 10:43 a.m. Thurs, June 19, 2008 9:28 a.m.

Wed, September 24, 2008 2:11 a.m. Wed, October 15, 2008 3:01 p.m.

Sun, January 11, 2009 11:37 a.m. Sun, February 1, 2009 2:05 a.m.

Wed, May 6, 2009 11:56 p.m. Sat, May 30, 2009 8:18 p.m.

Sun, September 6, 2009 11:40 p.m. Tues, September 29, 2009 8:08 a.m.

Sat, December 26, 2009 8:32 a.m. Fri, January 15, 2010 11:47 a.m.

Sat, April 17, 2010 11:01 p.m. Tue, May 11, 2010 5:23 p.m.

Fri, August 20, 2010 2:53 p.m. Sun, September 12, 2010 6:04 p.m.

Sat, December 10, 2010 6:58 a.m. Thurs, December 30, 2010 2:16 a.m.

What Your Soul Really Looks Like

I found this on BlogSoldiers, while trolling. Unfortunately, when I clicked the link to go to the test, it closed the blog, so I can't link it :( I imagine I'll run across it again, when I do I'll add the link - or, if you posted this to your blog and you land on mine leave me a comment and I'll link to you :)

I made this link so it will open in a new window, so you won't lose me if you go there...

What Your Soul Really Looks Like

You are very passionate and quite temperamental.
While you can be moody, you always crave comfort.
You are not a very grounded person.
You prefer dreams to reality.
For you, it's all about possibilities.
You believe that people see you for how you are, not how you look.
But deep down, you know that's not exactly true.
Your near future is still unknown, and a little scary.
You'll get through wild times - and you'll textually enjoy it.
For you, love is all about caring and comfort.
You couldn't fall in love with someone you didn't trust.

Inside the Room of Your Soul

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Sunday Surprise - Pagan Book List

I can't remember where this came from originally ***If it is your's please contact me so I can give you credit!***

If you do find a group, be sure to use good common sense in meeting them and in joining them. Not all people who use the term Pagan or Witch or Wiccan are nice and kind. In fact, Paganism has gotten large enough so that indeed there are a number of absolute a**holes and even psychopaths among us. So be careful, please. :-)
If you can't find a real life teacher, then look for information in the written word. I don't like How-To books particularly, especially the ones on Witchcraft. Most of them dumb everything down to the point of bland-simpleness and make it sound like all you need to be a successful Witch is to own the right tools and do spellwork like baking cookies with a set recipe. Better books are often those that are NOT written for a strictly Neo-Pagan audience... These are a few of the ones that were recommend as starters:

Books on Magick:
* Magick (Including: Magick in Theory and Practice, Book Four, Liber Aba, and Liber 777) by Aleister Crowley
* The Tree of Life - A Study In Magic by Isreal Regarde
* Psychic Self-Defense By Dion Fortune
* Egyptian Book of the Dead

History books that accurately talk about Paganism:
* The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft by Ronald Hutton
* Behind the Crystal Ball: Magic, Science, and the Occult from Antiquity Through The New Age by Anthony Aveni
* The Barbarian Conversion: From Paganism to Christianity by Richard Fletcher
* The Golden Dawn Source Book (The history of the Golden Dawn) by Darcy Kuntz

History books about Paganism in the USA specifically:
* Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler
* People Of The Earth by Ellen Evert Hopman and Lawrence Bond

Interesting Witchy Herbal/Tree books:
* Year of Moons, Season of Trees, by Pattalee Glass-Koentop
* Tree Medicine Tree Magic by Ellen Evert Hopman
* A Druid's Herbal by Ellen Evert Hopman
* The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl

Books on Sabbats and seasons:
* Wheel of the Year: Living the Magical Life by Pauline Campanelli & Dan Campanelli
* Ancient Ways: Reclaiming Pagan Traditions by Pauline Campanelli & Dan Campanelli

Books on Shamanism
* Entering the Circle: Ancient Secrets of Siberian Wisdom Discovered by a Russian Psychiatrist by Olga Kharitidi
* Hallucinogens & Shamanism by Michael J. Harner
* Riding Windhorses:A Journey into the Heart of Mongolian Shamanism by Sarangerel Odigon
* Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy by Mircea Eliade
* Shamans and Elders: Experience, Knowledge, and Power among the Daur Mongols by Caroline Humphery with Urgunge Onon
* The Archaic Revival: Speculations on Psychedelic Mushrooms, the Amazon, Virtual Reality, Ufos, Evolution, Shamanism, the Rebirth of the Goddess by Terence McKenna
* Ayauasca: Hallucinogens, Consciousness, and the Spirit of Nature, edited by Ralph Metzner
* Chosen by the Spirits by Sarangerel Odigon
* Entheogens and the Future of Religion by Robert Forte, Albert Hofmann, R. Gordon Wasson, Brother David Steindl-Rast, Jack Kornfield, Terence McKenna, Ann and Alexander Shulgin, Robert Jesse, Dale Pendell, Thomas Riedlinger, Thomas Roberts, Rick Strassman, and Eric Sterling

Misc Books:
* The Satanic Bible by Anton Le Vey
* Pagans And the Law by Dana Eilers
* Transformations of Myth Through Time by Joseph Campbell
* Anarchism: Its Philosophy and ldeal by Peter Kropotkin (Sorry, I can't find a link for this one...)

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.

Saturday Special Stone - Using Your Crystals & Stones

Using your crystals and stones

Learning to use your stones and crystals is a matter of intuition. You learn to listen, and then you understand instinctively how to use them. This requires getting attuned to the stone or crystal.
After cleansing the crystal or stone, hold it in your hand. Really look at it in detail, letting your mind explore every aspect of the stone. Note details such as the color, shape, size, and other physical characteristics of the stone. Let your mind jump freely to whatever aspect it finds interesting.
If you are right handed, your right hand is your projective hand and you left your receptive hand. You should try to detect energies with your left and project them with your right.

First, charge the stone with love by holding it in your right hand and imagining a bubble of love forming around and filling the stone or crystal. Imagine how grateful and happy you will be when the stone helps you with your daily life, and charge the stone or crystal with positive energies. The more often you do this, the better your results will be.
Now place it on a small table or area of the floor. Close your eyes and place your receptive hand a few inches off the surface containing the stone or crystal. Move your hand slowly around and feel for the energy of the stone. Let your hand feel the energy, it can do it if you allow it and intend it to be so.
Practice charging the stones and crystals with love and then finding them by the energy they radiate. Don't be discouraged if you can't do it right away. Just ask the stones to cooperate and keep trying.

Copyright 2001 EarthBow
Non-commercial use: Distribute freely
Commercial use: Prohibited

CRYSTAL REMEDY REFERENCE from Peaceful Mind
This is a quick reference to match ailments with crystals. Please note
any warning and safety issues regarding their use.

ABDOMEN- smoky quartz

ABSENT-MINDEDNESS- carnelian

ACNE- amethyst

ADDICTIONS- amethyst

AIR PURIFIER- quartz crystal

AIR TRAVEL STRESS- hematite

ANEMIA- coral, gamet, kunzite, ruby, tourmaline

ANGER- blue-lace agate, chrysoprase, moss-agate

ANXIETY- smithsonite, howlite

APPENDIX- chrysolite

ARTHRITIS- azurite, carnelian, ruby

ARTISTIC GROWTH- blue topaz

ASTHMA- malachite, rutilated quartz, tiger's eye

ASTRAL PROJECTION- angelite, hematite

AURA CLEANSER- lapis lazuli

AUTISM- sugilite, moldavite

AWARENESS- green calcite, orange calcite, celestite

BACK PROBLEMS- petrified wood

BLADDER TROUBLE- amber, coral, jade, jasper

BLOOD CIRCULATION (poor)- citrine, magnetite, ruby, yellow topaz

BLOOD DISEASE- amethyst, chrysolite, jasper, ruby

BLOOD PRESSURE- aventurine, blue sodalite, black or green tourmaline

BONE MARROW- amber, chalcedony

BRONCHITIS- rutilated quartz

BURNS- chrysoprase

CALMS BODY- agate, celestite, yellow topaz, blue topaz

CALMS MIND- agate, amazonite, amethyst, smithsonite, blue topaz

CERVIX- zoisite

CHAKRAS BALANCED- bloodstone, quartz crystal

CHAKRAS OPENED- fluorite, kyanite, quartz crystal

CHEERFULNESS- conicalite, ruby, tourmaline

CLAIRVOYANCE- chrysoprase

COLDS & FLU- yellow topaz

COLIC- coral

COMFORT- gold calcite, dioptase

COMMUNICATION- aqua aura, lapis, aquamarine, angelite

COMPASSION- chrysoprase

CONCENTRATION- blue topaz

CONFIDENCE, SELF- agate, aventurine, bloodstone, orange calcite,
diamond, garnet, rhodonite, tiger's eye

CONVULSIONS- amber, amethyst, carnelian, lapis lazuli, moldavite, quartz crystal

CREATIVITY- amethyst, aventurine, chalcedony, howlite, ruby

DEPRESSION- bloodstone, gold calcite, carnelian, chalcopyrite, citrine,
smoky quartz, diamond, chrysoprase, garnet, galena, howlite, jasper,
jet, lapis lazuli

DIABETES- citrine

DIARRHEA- quartz crystal

DIGESTION- howlite, yellow jade, jasper, peridot

DIRECTION IN LIFE- citrine

DIZZINESS- quartz crystal

DOUBT- staurolite

DREAM INDUCER- citrine, garnet

DREAMS, INTUITIVE- amethyst, jade

DRUNKENNESS- amethyst

EAR (Inner)- rhodonite

EARACHE- amber

ELOQUENCE- agate, amazonite, blue-lace agate, turquoise

EMOTIONS (bad)- peridot

EMOTIONS (blocked)- kunzite, blue tourmaline

EMOTIONS (calms)- moonstone, rose quartz

EMOTIONS (erratic)- herderite, selenite

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM- magnetite

ENDURANCE- sodalite

ENERGY- garnet, hematite, kyanite, rhodonite, ruby

ENERGY, BALANCED- larimar

ENERGY (Physical)- petrified wood

EYES- amethyst, aquamarine, aventurine, optical calcite, jade, jet,
lapis lazuli, lazurite, obsidian snowflake, peridot, rhodochrosite

EYESIGHT- malachite

FAITH- sapphire

FALLOPIAN TUBES- chrysoprase

FEAR (banishes)- agate, green calcite, charoite, diamond, jet

FERTILITY- carnelian, zoisite

FEVER (reduction)- agate, chrysoprase, peridot, ruby

FORGIVENESS- rhodochrosite

FRIENDSHIP- lapis lazuli, moonstone, rose quartz, sapphire, tourmaline, turquoise

FRUSTRATION- howlite, moss-agate

GALL BLADDER- orange calcite

GLANDS- aquamarine

GRIEF- amethyst

GROUNDING- apache tear, carnelian, fluorite, hematite, morion crystal,
snowflake obsidian, smoky quartz, tourmaline, unakite

HEMORRHAGE- quartz crystal, sapphire

HAPPINESS- malachite

HEADACHES- quartz crystal, rose quartz

HEALING (general)- agate, amethyst, azurite, boji stone, gold calcite,
dioptase, fluorite, kunzite, quartz crystal

HEARING- agate, rhodonite

HEART- aqua-aura, beryl, blue quartz, chalcedony, hematite, lapis
lazuli, onyx

HIP- petrified wood

HOSTILITY (fear of)- grossuralite

HUMILITY- chrysoprase

HYPERTENSION- apatite, aventurine

HYPOCHONDRIA- quartz crystal, tiger's eye

IDEALISM- bloodstone

IMAGINATION- galena, garnet, rose quartz, sapphire

IMMUNE SYSTEM- snow quartz

IMPOTENCE- carnelian

INFECTION (protection)- garnet, pearl

INFERTILITY- carnelian

INFLAMMATION- blue-lace agate

INSIGHT INTO SELF- tiger's eye

INSOMNIA- amethyst, aventurine, emerald, hematite, jacinth, peridot,
sapphire, blue sodalite, yellow topaz, zircon

INSPIRATION- tourmaline

INTELLECT- emerald, rose quartz, yellow topaz

INTESTINAL DISORDERS- amber

INTUITIVE AWARENESS- amethyst, green calcite, ruby, turquoise

JOINTS (pain in)- azurite

KIDNEYS- anhydrite, bloodstone, green calcite, jade, rhodochrosite,
quartz crystal, smoky quartz

KINDNESS- chrysoprase

KNOWLEDGE OF SELF- citrine, watermelon/pink tourmaline

LARYNGITIS- turquoise

LARYNX- morganite

LEADERSHIP- blue topaz

LIVER- aquamarine, beryl, bloodstone, lazurite, yellow topaz, zircon

LOGIC- sodalite

LONG LIFE- moonstone

LOVE- dioptase, emerald, garnet, moonstone, opal, rhodochrosite, rose
quartz, sapphire

LOYALTY- kyanite, moonstone

LUCK- smoky quartz, tiger's eye

LYMPH GLANDS- tourmaline

MEDITATION- amethyst, apache tear, aqua-aura, azurite, chrysoprase,
kunzite, magnetite, quartz crystal, selenite, snow quartz, tourmaline, turquoise

MEMORY- howlite

MENSTRUATION- carnelian, chrysoprase, malachite, moonstone, ruby

MENTAL BREAKDOWN- rhodochrosite, smithsonite

MENTAL CLEANSER- lapis lazuli, malachite

MENTAL DISORDERS- beryl, bloodstone

MENTAL POWER- selenite

METABOLISM, GROWTH- amazonite

MIGRAINE- aventurine, jet, rose quartz

MIND (troubled)- jasper

MISCARRIAGE- chrysoprase

MISFORTUNE- tourmaline

MOTOR RESPONSES- apatite

MOUTH- beryl

NECK STRAIN- chrysoprase

NEGATIVE VIBRATIONS- amethyst, chrysocolla, dolomite, fluorite,
snowflake obsidian, peridot, quartz crystal, smoky quartz, black or
green tourmaline

NERVOUSNESS- sapphire, turquoise

NERVOUS SYSTEM- atacamite, alexandrite, amazonite, amber, aquamarine,
chrysocolla, chrysoprase, galena, jasper, morganite, peridot, yellow
topaz, black or green tourmaline

NEURALGIA- amethyst, aquamarine, carnelian

OCCULT POWERS- peridot

OPTIMISM- chalcedony

OVARIES- anhydrite, atacamite, chrysoprase, smoky quartz

PAIN - EASES- quartz crystal, ruby

PANCREAS- alexandrite, green calcite, herderite, rhodochrosite, smoky quartz

PAST-LIFE RECALL- garnet, kyanite, petrified wood, quartz crystal, selenite

PATIENCE - chrysoprase

PEACE- chrysoprase, larimer, rose quartz, blue tourmaline

PEACE OF MIND- sapphire

PINEAL GLAND- lazulite, sugilite

PITUITARY- sugilite

PNEUMONIA- fluorite

PROPHECY- emerald

PROSTATE- chrysoprase

PROTECTION- sardonyx, turquoise

PSYCHIC DEVELOPMENT- azurite, howlite, lapis lazuli, opal, yellow topaz,
blue topaz

PSYCHO-SOMATIC PAIN- bloodstone, tiger's eye

PULSE (rapid)- hematite

PULSE (steady)- jasper

PURIFIER- smoky quartz

RHEUMATISM- amber, carnelian, malachite, ruby

RIGID MIND- sodalite

SCHIZOPHRENIA- larimar, lepidolite

SELF-CONFIDENCE- galena, ruby

SELF-CONTROL- sardonyx

SELF-LOVE- rose quartz

SELF-WORTH (lack of)- crocidolite

SEX IMPROVED- smoky quartz

SHOULDER STRAIN- chrysoprase

SHYNESS- lepidolite

SKIN DISEASES- garnet

SORROW EASED- chrysoprase

SPASMS- ruby

SPINE-DEGENERATIVE- abalone

SPIRITUAL CLEANSER- lapis lazuli

SPIRITUAL GIFTS- quartz crystal, blue topaz

SPLEEN (strengthens)- albite, alexandrite, bloodstone, green calcite,
chalcedony, herderite, lapis lazuli, rhodochrosite

STAR SOURCES- moldavite

STAMMERING- apatite, blue tourmaline

STOMACH- aquamarine, beryl, chrysocolla, citrine, jasper

STOMACH ULCERS- chrysocolla

STRESS- amethyst, blue-lace agate, herkimer diamond, yellow topaz

STROKE- lapis lazuli

STUPIDITY- beryl

TALENT- bloodstone

TEETH- aquamarine, fluorite

TENSION- (emotional) amethyst, blue-lace agate, celestite, dioptase,
tiger's eye

TENSION (muscular)- smithsonite

TESTICLES- alexandrite, atacamite, chrysoprase, smoky quartz, zoisite

THINKING- (improve) amazonite, tiger's eye

THOUGHT (clear)- aquamarine, carnelian, celestite

THROAT (chakra opened)- blue-lace agate

THROAT INFECTIONS- amber, aqua-aura, aquamarine, beryl, blue-lace agate,
larimar, blue topaz

THYMUS (strengthens)- albite, aqua-aura, blue quartz

THYROID- atacamite, galena, chrysoprase, morganite, blue tourmaline

TOLERANCE- chrysoprase

TONIC - GENERAL- garnet, peridot

TOOTHACHE- aquamarine, malachite

TRAUMA- aqua-aura, aventurine, rhodochrosite, rhodonite, rose quartz

ULCERS- agate

VARICOSE VEINS- yellow topaz

VENEREAL DISEASES- atacamite

VIRAL INFECTIONS- fluorite

VISUALIZATIONS- selenite

VITALITY (improving)- agate, aventurine, bloodstone, orange calcite, diamond

VITAMIN ABSORPTION- rhodonite

VOCAL PROBLEMS- chrysoprase

VOICE STRENGTHENED- carnelian

WHOOPING COUGH- coral

WILL POWER- chrysoprase, rutilated quartz, tiger's eye

WISDOM- jade, lapis lazuli, ruby, turquoise

WOUNDS- carnelian

Disclaimer: No one involved in this blog or its contents may be held responsible for any adverse reactions arising from following any of the instructions/recipes on this list. It is the reader's personal responsibility to exercise all precautions and use his or her own discretion if following any instructions or advice from this blog.