Cat's Bits & Pieces

Cats Bits 5-20 Gardening: A Harvest of Healing

05/19/2012 08:42:00

Cat's Bits for the Week of May 20 - May 26

Upcoming Events & Holidays

May 20: New Moon at 7:47 pm EDT / Sun enters Gemini/
Solar Eclipse at 7:23 pm EDT
May 28: Memorial Day

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Thought of the Week:

Do not believe on the strength of traditions even if they have been held in honour for many generations and in many places; do not believe anything because many people speak of it; do not believe on the strength and sagas of old times; do not believe that which you have yourself imagined, thinking a god has inspired you.

Believe nothing which depends only on the authority of your masters or of priests.

After investigation, believe that which you yourself have tested and found reasonable, and which is for your good and that of others.

~ Buddha

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Article for the Week:

Gardening: A Harvest of Healing
posted by Maria Rodale

Why do we do it-garden-when it makes us sweaty, sore, and often cranky? By the end of the harvest season, our faces are red from cooking tomatoes and putting up food either into the pantry or the freezer. Our hands are calloused and nails dirty. And yet.and yet.when it's all said and done and autumn winds chill the night air, what we're left with, besides a stocked-up pantry, is a deep feeling of strength and satisfaction. It's true. With gardening, we harvest more than food and flowers; we harvest health and healing.

It starts with the health that comes just from physical activity: Gardening is proven to be great exercise. And that, I think, comes from our stubbornness; gardeners want to have things a certain way, so we find superhuman strength to move plants, rocks, logs, or whatever else it takes to make our gardens just right. All that weight lifting, bending, and stretching, while leaving us sore the next day, also builds good bone strength and muscles-especially as we age. I bet there are few gardeners who have insufficient vitamin D thanks to gardening in the sun (and occasional rainfall)!

Eat Vegan: Be Healthy, Well-Fed, and Kind

Another health bonus is also the healing power of the food and flowers we grow-whether it's bouquets that bring stress relief and feelings of joy or the super-nutrient-rich foods we cook, eat, freeze, dry, and can fresh from the vines. There's a powerful feeling of security and safety seeing my bags of berries, green beans, and savoy cabbage and jars of tomato sauce and pesto lined up in my freezer.

This year, same as last year, I froze single servings of homemade chicken broth (using free-range chickens from the farmers' market), with one single homegrown cayenne pepper suspended in the golden broth. It's my cold cure for grown-ups only (kids get the plain old broth). One day, when I have more time, I'd like to study the healing power of herbs, flowers, and plants so that I can grow and make actual medicines for my family. Ever since I was little, I've had a feeling that if I was lucky enough to get old, I'd be one of those scary witchy ladies who lived at the end of the lane. So far, so good.I'm on my way!

Freeze with Ease

The garden also offers another type of healing that is not physical, but spiritual, which is perhaps the greatest harvest of all: A hard day spent quietly weeding provides an opportunity to pull out weedy thoughts so productive ones can flourish; a morning spent sitting quietly and watching chipmunks and woodpeckers do their business can teach us about the joyfulness of work. In a garden, we see firsthand the cycle of birth, reproduction, beautiful aging, and then death-and see new life born from the old. We witness the healing that happens after storms and crisis and know that with good soil and good gardening practices, we too can recover.

As organic gardeners, we can add an extra level of healing-the healing of our planet. We know that the ground we tend without toxins is always better off than when we started, the soil will be richer in nutrients and carbon, the wildlife more diverse and healthy. I'm always thrilled when I find bats, bees, frogs, butterflies, and birds. If they are happy and healthy in my garden, then I know that my family and I are likely to be healthy too. Gardens are more than just places to show off our landscaping skills, or to produce enough food to get through the winter (although both of those are good things!). Gardens are microcosms of our approach to living on this planet. If we heal the land, the land heals us. And then we have a bountiful harvest of healing.

courtesy of Lisa Day rec'd 10-28-2010
© http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Spiritually_Speaking
spiritually_speaking-subscribe@yahoogroups.com : )

Permission to share freely as long as footer is included.

Brightest blessings for a magical week!

Cat

======================================

Brought to you by:

Sacred Spirals at Ning (a place for all paths to meet)
http://sacredspirals.ning.com

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This work is compiled by Cat from The Witches Datebook, EzineAticles.com & Spiritually Speaking. This page may be shared with other Groups as long as NO changes are made and ALL Credits, Links, Photos and Copyrights remain intact. All Cat's Bits Graphics are created and © 2007-2012

Cats Bits 5-6/5-12 42 Flowers You Can Eat

05/05/2012 20:42:00

Cat's Bits for the Week of May 6- May 12

Upcoming Events & Holidays

May 13: Mothers Day
May 20: New Moon at 7:47 pm EDT / Sun enters Gemini/
Solar Eclipse at 7:23 pm EDT
May 28: Memorial Day

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Thought of the Week:

If you watch how nature deals with adversity, continually renewing itself, you can't help but learn.
- Bernie Siegel

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Article for the Week:

42 Flowers You Can Eat
posted by Melissa Breyer

The culinary use of flowers dates back thousands of years to the Chinese, Greek and Romans. Many cultures use flowers in their traditional cooking-think of squash blossoms in Italian food and rose petals in Indian food. Adding flowers to your food can be a nice way to add color, flavor, and a little whimsy. Some are spicy, and some herbacious, while others are floral and fragrant. The range is pretty surprising.

It's not uncommon to see flower petals used in salads, teas, and as garnish for desserts, but they inspire creative uses as well-roll spicy ones (like chive blossoms) into handmade pasta dough, incorporate floral ones into homemade ice cream, pickle flower buds (like nasturtium) to make ersatz capers, use them to make a floral simple syrup for use in lemonade or cocktails. (See a recipe for Dandelion Syrup here.) I once stuffed gladiolus following a recipe for stuffed squash blossoms-a little out-there, I know, but they were great. So many possibilities.

Eating Flowers Safely
So. As lovely as eating flowers can be, it can also be a little.deadly! Not to scare you off or anything. Follow these tips for eating flowers safely.

Eat flowers you know to be consumable-if you are uncertain, consult a reference book on edible flowers and plants.
Eat flowers you have grown yourself, or know to be safe for consumption. Flowers from the florist or nursery have probably been treated with pesticide or other chemicals.
Do not eat roadside flowers or those picked in public parks. Both may have been treated with pesticide or herbicide, and roadside flowers may be polluted by car exhaust
Eat just the petals, and remove pistils and stamens before eating.
If you suffer from allergies, introduce edible flowers gradually, as they may exacerbate allergies.
To keep flowers fresh, place them on moist paper towels and refrigerate in an airtight container. Some will last up to 10 days this way. Ice water can revitalize limp flowers.

Allium
All blossoms from the allium family (leeks, chives, garlic, garlic chives) are edible and flavorful! Flavors run the gamut from delicate leek to robust garlic. Every part of these plants is edible.

Angelica
Depending on the variety, flowers range from pale lavender-blue to deep rose and have a licorice-like flavor.

Anise Hyssop
Both flowers and leaves have a subtle anise or licorice flavor.

Arugula
Blossoms are small with dark centers and with a peppery flavor much like the leaves. They range in color from white to yellow with dark purple streaks.

Bachelor's Button
Grassy in flavor, the petals are edible but avoid the bitter calyx.

Basil
Blossoms come in a variety of colors, from white to pink to lavender; flavor is similar to the leaves, but milder.

Bee Balm
The red flowers have a minty flavor.

Borage
Blossoms are a lovely blue hue and taste like cucumber!

Calendula / Marigold
A great flower for eating, calendula blossoms are peppery, tangy, and spicy-and their vibrant golden color adds dash to any dish.

Carnations / Dianthus
Petals are sweet, once trimmed away from the base. The blossoms taste like their sweet, perfumed aroma.

Chamomile
Small and daisylike, the flowers have a sweet flavor and are often used in tea. Ragweed sufferers may be allergic to chamomile.

Chervil
Delicate blossoms and flavor, which is anise-tinged.

Chicory
Mildly bitter earthiness of chicory is evident in the petals and buds, which can be pickled.

Chrysanthemum
A little bitter, mums come in a rainbow of colors and a range of flavors range from peppery to pungent. Use only the petals.

Cilantro
Like the leaves, people either love the blossoms or hate them. The flowers share the grassy flavor of the herb. Use them fresh as they lose their charm when heated.

Citrus (orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, kumquat)
Citrus blossoms are sweet and highly-scented. Use frugally or they will over-perfume a dish.

Clover
Flowers are sweet with a hint of licorice.

Dandelion
Read a whole post about dandelions here: Eating and Harvesting Dandelions. (I am nuts about dandelions.)

Dill
Yellow dill flowers taste much like the herb's leaves.

English Daisy
These aren't the best-tasting petals-they are somewhat bitter, but they look great!

Fennel
Yellow fennel flowers are eye candy with a subtle licorice flavor, much like the herb itself.

Fuchsia
Tangy fuchsia flowers make a beautiful garnish.

Gladiolus
Who knew? Although gladioli are bland, they can be stuffed, or their petals removed for an interesting salad garnish.

Hibiscus
Famously used in hibiscus tea, the vibrant cranberry flavor is tart and can be used sparingly.

Hollyhock
Bland and vegetal in flavor, hollyhock blossoms make a showy, edible garnish.

Impatiens
Flowers don't have much flavor-best as a pretty garnish or for candying.

Jasmine
These super-fragrant blooms are used in tea; you can also use them in sweet dishes, but sparingly.

Johnny-Jump-Up
Adorable and delicious, the flowers have a subtle mint flavor great for salads, pastas, fruit dishes, and drinks.

Lavender
Sweet, spicy, and perfumed, the flowers are a great addition to both savory and sweet dishes.

Lemon Verbena
The diminutive off-white blossoms are redolent of lemon-and great for teas and desserts.

Lilac
The blooms are pungent, but the floral citrusy aroma translates to its flavor as well.

Mint
The flowers are-surprise!-minty. Their intensity varies among varieties.

Nasturtium
One of the most popular edible flowers, nasturtium blossoms are brilliantly colored with a sweet, floral flavor bursting with a spicy pepper finish. When the flowers go to seed, the seed pod is a marvel of sweet and spicy. You can stuff flowers, add leaves to salads, pickle buds like capers, and garnish to your heart's content.

Oregano
The flowers are a pretty, subtle version of the leaf.

Pansy
The petals are somewhat nondescript, but if you eat the whole flower you get more taste.

Radish
Varying in color, radish flowers have a distinctive, peppery bite.

Rose
Remove the white, bitter base and the remaining petals have a strongly perfumed flavor perfect for floating in drinks or scattering across desserts, and for a variety of jams. All roses are edible, with flavor more pronounced in darker varieties.

Rosemary
Flowers taste like a milder version of the herb; nice used as a garnish on dishes that incorporate rosemary.

Sage
Blossoms have a subtle flavor similar to the leaves.

Squash and Pumpkin
Blossoms from both are wonderful vehicles for stuffing, each having a slight squash flavor. Remove stamens before using.

Sunflower
Petals can be eaten, the bud steamed like an artichoke.

Violets
Another famous edible flower, violets are floral, sweet, and beautiful as garnishes. Use the flowers in salads and to garnish desserts and drinks.

For more on edible flowers: How to Make Candied Flowers, Edible Lilac, Eating Violets

Excerpted from the book True Food: Eight Simple Steps to a Healthier You (National Geographic, 2009) By Annie B. Bond, Melissa Breyer, and Wendy Gordon

courtesy of Lisa Day rec'd 6-6-2010
© http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Spiritually_Speaking
spiritually_speaking-subscribe@yahoogroups.com : )

Permission to share freely as long as footer is included.

Brightest blessings for a magical week!

Cat

======================================

Brought to you by:

Sacred Spirals at Ning (a place for all paths to meet)
http://sacredspirals.ning.com

Cat's Treasure Trove (pagan, metaphysical and just plain fun)
"add a little magick to your day!"
http://catstreasuretrove.com

Cats Bits 4-22/4-28 Endings are Doorways to New Beginnings

04/21/2012 08:09:00

Cat's Bits for the Week of April 22 - April 28

Upcoming Events & Holidays

April 22: Earth Day
April 30: Walpurgis Night
May 1: Beltane / May Day

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Thought of the Week:

Buddha was once threatened with death by a bandit called Angulimal.

"Then be good enough to fulfill my dying wish," said Buddha. "Cut off the branch of that tree."

One slash of the sword, and it was done!

"What now?" asked the bandit.

"Put it back again," said Buddha.

The bandit laughed, "You must be crazy to think that anyone can do that."

"On the contrary, it is you who are crazy to think that you are mighty because you can wound and destroy. That is the task of children. The mighty know how to create and heal."

~ Anthony de Mello

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Article for the Week:

Endings are Doorways to New Beginnings
Author: Theresa Crabtree

Have you ever experienced sadness or a sense of urgency when a project or event is about to end? Often, there are deadlines accompanied by much stress to "get the deed done." Rarely is a sense of accomplishment relished, for you already have your sights on the next goal.

Consider releasing the stress associated with getting to the goal. Instead, learn how to relax and enjoy each moment along the way. For projects that seem overwhelming, break them down into smaller chunks. Be creative in how you approach each step. Feel gratitude for what you are doing, whether it is monetary gain to feed your family or for having the health and abilities to perform the tasks. Staying in the moment with joy and gratitude is a major key to happiness.

There will always be deadlines. Pace yourself as much as possible so that you don't feel pressured as the deadlines draw near. This will allow you to keep your focus rather than a future timeline. Many impose unnecessary deadlines on themselves. Try looking at why you push yourself to do things that really could wait or accomplished within a larger timeframe. Many keep themselves locked into busy-ness as a way to avoid emotions or tasks they have convinced themselves as being mundane or undesirable.

There is no task that is undesirable, unless you convince yourself it is so.

No matter what the task is, there is at least one person in the world who either enjoys doing it, or can maintain a sense of joy while performing the task. Why is this so? Perhaps the person innately enjoys the skills and talent for the specific job. For example, there are many who loathe various aspects of cleaning their habitat or keeping it organized. On the other hand, there are those who get a great sense of accomplishment by cleaning and organizing. Others may enjoy a task that you consider to be mundane or tasteless because they have learned to be in the moment and have found ways to stay in joy no matter what task is at hand. Your attitude towards any activity is a matter of choice. The goal is to find ways to be in joy each step of your journey and to release stress related to timelines.

Often, negative emotions are attached to an ending. Whether it is a death, the end of a job or project, graduation, etc., there may be sadness mingled with celebration. There is nothing wrong with feeling any emotion, however, when prolonged grieving or unresolved anger are kept alive by repeatedly re-living or talking about the issue, these repeated negative thought forms glop together, creating layer upon layer of low energy that eventually go beyond emotional dis-ease and cause physical ailments.

Take time to go within and look at times when you felt unrest during an ending. Are you still complaining about the time you got fired? Do you still bad-mouth those who did you wrong? Have you forgiven those who upset you so much that you ended their friendship? Do birthdays, anniversaries or the end of the year leave you with a sense of emptiness? Look at the endings in your life and isolate those which have feelings of discomfort attached to them.

Open your mind and allow yourself to objectively look at the new beginning that was allowed once the door to the prior event closed. Perhaps you were jolted out of your routine and found a better job. Maybe you now choose better relationships. Look for the blessings you experienced since last New Year's Eve.

Gratitude in all things, especially those that cause dis-comfort can throw open the doors to the future, making all seem brighter and lighter. No matter what is happening in your life, your attitude towards it is your choice. Have you every been happy in a situation or performing a project until someone came along and made negative comments about what you were doing? Remember they are operating from their belief codes. You would be wise to look closer at what you are doing before deciding that you don't want to do that project anymore, based on their comments.

It is not uncommon for people to change belief codes on whims, not looking deeply into why they held the previous belief. When a person is easily swayed back and forth by others' opinions, life will be like a ship in a storm, being tossed to and fro causing one to become dizzy and imbalanced.

Make your choices in the moment. Pay attention to ways you can create joy and peace each step along the way. Know that each door that closes will open new possibilities. Having gratitude for every person and experience you encounter will help you to grow and to have the courage to move forward with ease. Releasing fears along the way will make your goal of a fulfilled life more awesome than you can imagine.

You already have everything you need within yourself to accomplish whatever your heart desires. You need not give over your power to leaders or gurus. You simply need to have the courage and desire to move forward. The ethers around you are filled with infinite possibilities. Dream big, follow your intuition and watch the magic unfold!

courtesy of Lisa Day rec'd 4-1-2011
© http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Spiritually_Speaking
spiritually_speaking-subscribe@yahoogroups.com : )

Permission to share freely as long as footer is included.

Brightest blessings for a magical week!

Cat

======================================

Brought to you by:

Sacred Spirals at Ning (a place for all paths to meet)
http://sacredspirals.ning.com

Cat's Treasure Trove (pagan, metaphysical and just plain fun)
"add a little magick to your day!"
http://catstreasuretrove.com

Cats Bits 4-8/4-14 20 Ways to Make Today Unforgettable

04/07/2012 07:55:00

Cat's Bits for the Week of April 8 - April 14

Upcoming Events & Holidays

April 8: Easter
April 15: Celtic Tree Month of Willow begins
April 19: The Sun enters Taurus at 12:12 pm EDT
April 21: New Moon at 3:18 am EDT
April 22: Earth Day
April 30: Walpurgis Night
May 1: Beltane / May Day

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Thought of the Week:

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm ... As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

Audrey Hepburn

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Article for the Week:

20 Ways To Make Today Unforgettable

The memories of a man in his old age are the deeds of a man in his prime.
- Pink Floyd

Today is a perfect day to make lasting memories - the kind you may someday share with your grandchildren. Here's how:

Try something totally new. - Variety truly is the spice of life. You can see or do something a million times, but you can only see or do it for the first time once. As a result, first time experiences usually leave a reflective mark in our minds for the rest of our lives. So spice it up!

Entertain yourself with real-world experiences. - Great memories are the product of interesting life experiences. So turn off the television (or the computer) and get outdoors. Interact with the world, appreciate nature, take notice of the simple pleasures life has to offer, and just watch as life unfolds in front of you. (Read 1001 Things To Do If You Dare.)

Work on something that's meaningful to you. - Engage yourself in a meaningful personal project. Or pull the trigger on doing something you've wanted to do for a long time, but haven't yet had the resolve to do. Life is short. Today is the day to take action.

Challenge your mind and body. - Learn a new skill. Be creative. Build something from the ground up, no matter how small. Run farther than you've ever run before. Push yourself to the limits!

Concentrate on less, but give it your best. - Slow down. Pay close attention to what you're doing. Don't waste time juggling forgettable tasks. Instead, concentrate on a few things that really matter. Engage fully in this day.

Say "yes" to a spontaneous opportunity. - Everything in life can't be planned. Some of the greatest opportunities will knock on your door when you least expect them to. Be flexible, be spontaneous, and just say "yes."

Complete an important piece of unfinished business. - Today is a perfect day to finish what you started. Few feelings are more satisfying than the one you get after an old burden has been lifted off of your shoulders.

Document your day. - Take lots of pictures. Keep a journal. Document your day so you can review it in the future. Many moons from now, these old photos and journal entries will ignite your recollection of great memories from the past.

Smile and notice what's right. - Everything that happens in life is neither good nor bad. It just depends on your perspective. And no matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should. Either you succeed or you learn something. So stay positive, appreciate the pleasant outcomes, and learn from the rest. (Read How Full Is Your Bucket?)

Be authentic. Be true to yourself. - Judy Garland once said, "Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of somebody else." Live by this statement. There is no such thing as living a good day in someone else's shoes. The only shoes you can occupy are your own. If you aren't being yourself, you aren't truly living. you're merely existing. And no day spent in a phony state of mere existence will ever be memorable or worthwhile.

Assist someone in need. - In life, you get what you put in. When you make a positive impact in someone else's life, you also make a positive impact in your own life. Do something that's greater than you, something that helps someone else to be happy or to suffer less. I promise, it will be an extremely rewarding experience. One you'll likely remember forever.

Take part in something you believe in. - This could be anything. Some people take an active role in their city council, some find refuge in religious faith, some join social clubs supporting causes they believe in and others find passion in their careers. In each case the psychological outcome is the same. They engage themselves in something they strongly believe in. This engagement brings happiness and meaning into their lives.

Share time with a good friend and experience life together. - There are few things more satisfying than recounting the greatest moments of your life with your closest friends who lived these moments alongside you.

Make a new friend. - People are interesting creatures, and no two people are exactly alike. So meet someone new today. Find out what makes them tick. They'll likely open your eyes to fascinating ideas and perspectives. And you never know, they just might change your life.

Do something fun and laugh it up. - Some of the most memorable moments in your life will be moments spent in laughter. (Read This Book Will Change Your Life.)

Spend quality time with children. - Children live by their instincts openly and without hesitation. They are enthusiastic about life, eager to learn, and curious about everything.

Watch how they play, how they live, how they create, how they ask questions. Play with them. If you have some of your own, great. If not, play with a child you care about. Lose yourself in the play. Be a dinosaur, or a gorilla, or a superhero. Make them squeal in delight, and feel free to do the same. If you don't play with children often, I guarantee it will be a memorable experience.

Forgive someone and reconnect with them. - Grudges are a perfect waste of happiness. If there's someone in your life who deserves another chance, give it to them. If you need to apologize, do it. Give your story together a happy ending.

Do something you've always wanted to do. - Take a small dream and make it a reality.

Act like today is already an awesome day. - Do so, and it will be. Research shows that although we think that we act because of the way we feel, in fact, we often feel because of the way we act. A great attitude always leads to great experiences.

Be present. Be here now. - I purposely left this bullet for last because it perfectly encompasses all of my previous points. Don't let your life slip by. Instead of dwelling on the past, or worrying about the future, just practice being and living in the 'now.' Remember, right now is the only moment guaranteed to you. Right now is life. Don't miss it.

Go now and make today unforgettable!

courtesy of Lisa Day rec'd 6-6-2011
© http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Spiritually_Speaking
spiritually_speaking-subscribe@yahoogroups.com : )

Permission to share freely as long as footer is included.

Brightest blessings for a magical week!

Cat

======================================

Brought to you by:

Sacred Spirals at Ning (a place for all paths to meet)
http://sacredspirals.ning.com

Cat's Treasure Trove (pagan, metaphysical and just plain fun)
"add a little magick to your day!"
http://catstreasuretrove.com

Cats Bits 4-1/4-7 10 Tips for Staying Balanced in a Teetering World

03/31/2012 08:15:00

Cat's Bits for the Week of April 1 - April 7

Upcoming Events & Holidays

April 1: April Fools Day
April 6: Full Moon at 3:19 pm EDT
April 8: Easter
April 15: Celtic Tree Month of Willow begins
April 19: The Sun enters Taurus at 12:12 pm EDT
April 21: New Moon at 3:18 am EDT
April 22: Earth Day
April 30: Walpurgis Night
May 1: Beltane / May Day

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thought of the Week:

[Human rights begin] in small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerned citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

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Article for the Week:

10 Tips For Staying Balanced In A Teetering World
By Flynn Johnson

If you are finding it difficult to make your way through the chaos and confusion that prevails in the world today as we teeter on the threshold of a major cultural shift in awareness, it may be helpful to take the following natural living tips to heart:

Find the sacred today. As the relevancy and moral authority of many traditional religions recedes, folks are exploring the pathless path between these traditions and finding the right pieces that resonate with their individual needs and longings. As they create a mosaic of sacred practice, they are freeing themselves from the restrictions of dogma and opening themselves to the direct experience of the sacred.
Remember the heart of the spiritual quest is to be who and what you truly are. We cannot become Buddha, Christ or anyone else. The spiritual journey is about following your unique thread of destiny woven within the threads of family and cultural circumstances. The song of creation becomes more vibrant as each person sings his or her own unique song.

Embrace your fears. As you draw nearer to the door of your destiny, fears and wounds from the past will become activated. To truly embrace the power and beauty of one's unique calling can be frightening. The dogs of conformity and mediocrity will wake up and snarl as you approach the depths of your true self. The only way to transmute the shadows cast by your fears is to bring more light to them.

Follow the longing of your heart. It is the arrow of passion that will bring you home. The mind will always find a thousand and one reasons for not setting out on this great quest. It takes courage, which is derived from the Latin word cor, meaning heart, to trust the longing of your heart to guide you to the fullness of who you are.

Accept the challenges of your soul. Each of us comes into the world with our own set of limitations and wounds, giving unique shape and texture to our gifts. Do not reject your shadow for that will only strengthen it. As countless folktales recount, the gold of our authentic self lies buried in the compost heap in the backyard. We have to dig through the muck to uncover it.

Polish the gold of your true self. The alchemical process of transformation requires that we find ways to honor and polish the gold of our soul's destiny, allowing more and more of our inner beauty to shine through. Often this involves a practice of some kind marrying effort and surrender so that we do not forget that we each carry a spark of divinity within us.

Honor our young people on the threshold of adulthood. Our youth are calling on us to recognize and honor the quest they are on to discover who they are and what gifts they have to give to a world reeling from its imbalances and excesses. We must honor the momentous significance of the passage from childhood to adulthood, as indigenous people around the world have done for thousands of years.

Practice the spirit of the giveaway. Among American Indian tribes, people are not judged by how much they own, but by how much they give away. The community elder or leader is the person who places care for the wellbeing of the tribe above his or her own personal needs and ambitions. Without care for others, community disintegrates into isolated individuals.

Tend to the anima mundi, the soul of the world. The soul of the world flows through each of us like the waters from a great medicine lake. We may drink from this lake and be healed, but we must also feed it with our prayers of gratitude and our tears. In these difficult times of ecological and social crisis, the anima mundi cries out in sorrow and we must listen and respond with love and care.

Revere Mother Earth. She is literally the ground upon which we stand and the sacred landscape that mirrors our souls. Without her we are lost; in communion with her we are rooted and whole; in prayer and gratitude to her we are holy.

Flynn Johnson, MA, is an author, shamanic healing practitioner and the founding director of The School of Natural Wonder, which has been offering wilderness vision quests and nature-based healing programs in Vermont and New Mexico since 1993. To learn more please visit www.schoolofnaturalwonder.org.

courtesy of Lisa Day rec'd 6-5-2011
© http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Spiritually_Speaking
spiritually_speaking-subscribe@yahoogroups.com : )

Permission to share freely as long as footer is included.

Brightest blessings for a magical week!

Cat

======================================

Brought to you by:

Sacred Spirals at Ning (a place for all paths to meet)
http://sacredspirals.ning.com

Cat's Treasure Trove (pagan, metaphysical and just plain fun)
"add a little magick to your day!"
http://catstreasuretrove.com

Cats Bits 3-25/3-31 Wiccan Voices with Crystal Blanton

03/23/2012 20:06:00

Cat's Bits for the Week of March 25 - March 31

Upcoming Events & Holidays

April 1: April Fools Day
April 6: Full Moon at 3:19 pm EDT
April 8: Easter
April 15: Celtic Tree Month of Willow begins
April 19: The Sun enters Taurus at 12:12 pm EDT
April 22: Earth Day
April 30: Walpurgis Night
May 1: Beltane / May Day

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Thought of the Week:

The spiritual life does not remove us from the world but leads us deeper into it.

- Henri J. M. Nouwen

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Article for the Week:

Wiccan Voices
with Crystal Blanton

An understanding of the interconnection of the self, with all things that come together in the creation of self, is essential in any form of spiritual enlightenment and is part of the basis for understanding a world beyond this physical place. Spirituality often fills the void in a person's life by creating a storyline which helps to create an outline that makes sense, gives meaning, purpose and direction. Without a spiritual understanding for what we go through and what it means, life can often feel cruel and meaningless.

Spirituality helps to take the pieces of our world and create a basis of understanding when there is otherwise none. Each experience, moment and connection we have made within life creates the person we are and who we will grow to become. Without those experiences we would have a different outlook and have a different basis for thinking about the world.

This is the understanding of what the Buddhist call interbeing. It is the sum of all our parts which create the whole being. It is hard to look at a building without thinking of all the trees used for wood, the nails, labour, tools, wiring and cement all coming together to create the final product. There is no building without the sum of its parts, much like with a spiritual being.

Within Pagan spirituality as a whole, there are many understandings to the interconnection between one another and how our actions effect the energy of the universe. Not often do we discuss this on the level of our individual selves and being the sum of all parts. This is very important in the development of the self and coming to the conclusion; all things are a part of our lives because they are meant to move something within us to create the creation of who we are individually and collectively.

Simply stating something is the "will of the Gods" is not enough to explain the overall importance it could and will play in the progression of a person's life.

If I am the creation of all my experiences and my spiritual community is interdependent on each person, then our story has meaning and it is powerful beyond previous understanding. Every moment is just as important as the previous one for it is the nails and the glue of the building I call home.

Take a moment and reflect on the many different experiences which have made you who you are. Think on those things that have provided spiritual meaning and purpose. What are the nails and the glue holding together your spiritual house?

While I know I am fashioned by a collection of painful and happy moments, I can see how those moments became the very walls of my home - protecting me, containing me and giving me room to plant and grow. While these walls define me and provide a sense of containment, they also can be the self-imposed restrictions which limit me from learning the lessons I need to learn.

Embrace all the moments, for they are you and without them you would not be who you have grown to become. You can grow beyond your wildest imagination of who you are.

Crystal Blanton is a trained and experienced Registered Addictions Specialist in the field of drug and alcohol counseling, which enhances her understanding of spiritual balance and how behaviour and perceptions affect our everyday lives. Blanton is a High Priestess and ordained minister with Family Wiccan Traditions International (FWTI) and Dance of the Spirit Moon Tradition, is on the Executive Board of Directors for FWTI, Elder with Covenant of the Goddess and is a student mentor. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and children and tries to read as much as possible.

You can contact Crystal Blanton via email or visit her website at www.crystalblanton.com or www.touchofamethyst.com.

courtesy of Lisa Day rec'd 9-5-2011
© http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Spiritually_Speaking
spiritually_speaking-subscribe@yahoogroups.com : )

Permission to share freely as long as footer is included.

Brightest blessings for a magical week!

Cat

======================================

Brought to you by:

Sacred Spirals at Ning (a place for all paths to meet)
http://sacredspirals.ning.com

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Cats Bits 3-18/3-24 The Muse of Spring

03/17/2012 08:22:00

Cat's Bits for the Week of March 18 - March 24

Upcoming Events & Holidays

Mar 18 Celtic Month of Alder begins
Mar 20 Ostara /Spring Equinox
Mar 22 New Moon at 10:37 am

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Thought of the Week:

"Come, fill the Cup, and in the Fire of Spring
The Winter Garment of Repentance fling:
The Bird of Time has but a little way
To fly--and Lo! the Bird is on the Wing."

- Omar Khayyám

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Article for the Week:

The Muse of Spring
By Michele Geyer

Ostara, also know as Oestre, anchors the lineage of our celebration of Easter. She is the Goddess of fertility, standing at the balance point between day and night. Her legend is birthed from a healing egg found filled with serpent spittle on the first day of Spring. This is the time when the light expands in and around us, opening communication with our soul purpose. Ostara celebrates the essence of female creativity with life changes in both our inner and outer worlds. She lifts the sun, rising in the East, and watches as the Spring wind blows it up and overhead, higher and higher before it sets at days end.

Goddess Ostara, you bring us the light, and the balance of the night. We look to the East, feeling the wind on our faces, breathing in and breathing out, clearing Winter's dross: the external and internal cobwebs, making space for new inspiration.

In gratitude and honor, we bow to your fire as it mirrors both nature and humanity, the divine hologram in all things. Your elemental fire transforms the sprouts into seedlings, it encourages snakes to shed, and the birds to molt. We boldly embrace our connection to those elements, the directions and their seasons, the true support for heartfelt change in our inner and outer worlds.

Ostara, we synchronize ourselves to your maiden rhythms, pulsing excitedly with life and rebirth as we sing your name. We discover the eggs of renewal and fertility, as we open not only our hearts and wombs, but our bodies to your spirit, and our minds soon match the Sun's brightness as it increases ten-fold inside our cells and energetic matrices.

Together we alight on the feathers of intention, celebrating our cleansing, our healing, our awakening and our resurrection. Moving along the wheel as it spins toward the Eastern most point and the rising sun, we allow our spirits to soar, flying with you into the dawn as it breaks on the shores of the morning.

Here today and for the rest of your season, we sow the seeds for mental clarity, community vision and shared creativity. We've tilled the soil and now plant our gardens. Inherently knowing our boundaries, we waste no time in places that do not welcome us. Likewise, we cleanse our auras, establishing reciprocity and gentleness in our statements of ownership and grounding.

We hone our focus and call on you now, Ostara, Goddess of the Vernal Equinox, to show us the way to our soul's purpose, the reawakening of our deepest yearnings, desires and intentions. Like you, so many moons ago, we search for and find the egg that contains the serpent and its spittle. We bravely crack it open, taking the venom, ingesting and alchemizing its powerful resources to transform our cells, one day giving birth to the divine child within us.

Today we dance the dance of Spring, linking our hearts to yours, our hearts to the Goddess and to the land, and our hearts to one another in enthusiasm and love.

New Beginnings

The Element of the Season is Air. Feel the Wind on your face and let it blow through your hair; feel the warmth of the Sun on your body. Smell the Jasmine, the early Rose. Breathe into your nasal passages and down through your spine. Fill the Earth with the energy of old and watch as it's alchemized and transmuted.

Breathe into your head and into your feet, engaging the Sun and the Earth, feeling the energy of Mother and Father as they meet in your heart. Exhale out, filling your body with total balance and unconditional compassion. Observe yourself from the sacred space in the center of your head, experience the deep inspiration as a gift from source. Be with yourself here, in silence, for some time.

When you are ready, take a moment to write about what you learned about yourself during the Winter months, that which you'd like to know and release. Ask your inner voice to speak softly of the seeds you'd like to plant this Spring for the upcoming year.

On a piece of paper, draw a large spiral, writing your spiritual intention in the middle. Record your intentions on the next ring of the spiral for anything you wish to manifest in the mental realm. Record your intentions on the next ring of the spiral for anything you'd like to manifest in the emotional realm.

On the next ring as you spiral outward, record the physical changes you'd like to create for yourself, your community, your country and your planet. When you've finished, beginning in the middle of the spiral, place your fingers at the center, slowly sliding them outward along the rings of the spiral as you envision yourself, relaxed, rejuvenated and renewed.

______

The Energetic Connection offers a series of online courses through its sister site, Heart of the Mystic, focusing on self-mastery and the sacred feminine. All courses assist you in Opening your Body to Spirit. There are two six week courses: "Exploring Ceremony, Healing & Intuition;" "Balancing Fire & Water, Sun & Moon;" and a year-long course broken into 8 seasons following the Celtic Wheel of the Year: "Rhythms of Change." Each season may be taken as a separate course or as part of a year-long program. Join one of our classes today by visiting

[http://heartofthemystic.com]http://heartofthemystic.com.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?The-Muse-of-Spring&id=4210001] The Muse of

Brightest blessings for a magical week!

Cat

======================================

Brought to you by:

Sacred Spirals at Ning (a place for all paths to meet)
http://sacredspirals.ning.com

Cat's Treasure Trove (pagan, metaphysical and just plain fun)
"add a little magick to your day!"
http://catstreasuretrove.com

Cats Bits 3-4/3-10 A Short History of Healing Stones

03/03/2012 09:13:00

Cat's Bits for the Week of March 4 - March 10

Upcoming Events & Holidays

Mar 8 Full Moon at 4:39 am EST
Mar 11 Daylight Savings begins (Spring ahead)
Mar 17 St. Patrick's Day
Mar 18 Celtic Month of Alder begins
Mar 20 Ostara /Spring Equinox
Mar 22 New Moon at 10:37 am

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Thought of the Week:

To keep the heart unwrinkled, to be hopeful, kindly, cheerful, reverent -that is to triumph over old age.
- Thomas Bailey Aldrich

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Article for the Week:

A Short History of Healing Stones
by Lillie Ruby

We have no idea when our ancestors began using stones for specific purposes. There is evidence that stones were used for tools and weapons, and that stones were used for building and even baking. We have even less of an idea when stones began to be used for other purposes like healing or energy balancing. Archeologists have a much easier time identifying a stone ax than coming to the conclusion that a random stone used to be tied to a leather thong that was long ago reduced to carbon, and that this was used as a pendulum or amulet.

Many if not all ancient sites were used for alignment and healing. There are examples of large blue stones planted upright in the earth. Sometimes they contained naturally occurring holes, however, more often large holes were drilled through them. Tradition tells us that people were bodily passed through these stones for healing. With the magnetic qualities of blue stone, it seems likely that this method of healing realigned energy pathways. Since they were planted in the earth, they grounded the energy too.

It would have been possible for an ancient healer to have assessed the energy of a client beforehand and provide a prescription of something like 1-100 passes through the hole until the Body Energy System was realigned. These standing Blue Stones were used much like the very expensive equipment in hospitals today that use magnetic resonance. People are even moved through these machines in much the same manner.

Cup rings and marks were also used to manipulate energy around objects and homes, similar to Feng Shui. A large stone alongside a road may have had cup rings carved into it to deflect the speeding energy from the road that brought disharmony to a home or transform it into something gentler. These stones may have energized and warmed the land for better crop growth.

Standing stones were inserted into ley lines to correct the energy rays, while stone circles created sacred geometry to increase the power and sanctity of the land. Even artificial stone mounds were built to direct wind, water and energy, creating an environment that promoted health and a better life.

The use of smaller stones for healing and as Talismans has been recorded in the Bible and also recorded by the ancient Egyptians. Tutankhamun was buried with 143 gems and Talismans. The older Greek civilizations also established healing uses for certain stones and frequently wore them for strength and protection in battle. Writings on the therapeutic use of stones are as old as the 10th century, but carvings tell us they were in use much earlier.

Although it's hard to say exactly when the first stone was dropped into a pouch or attached to a leather thong for healing purposes, the history of the use of stones for healing could just be as old as the stones themselves.

A fifth generation psychic, Lillie has been a Professional Energy Channel and Clairvoyant for the past three decades. Her studies have included Stone Healing and Vibrational Therapy. She creates Tiger Eye gem elixirs for pets and people. For more information, visit prairiespirit.webs.com Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lillie_Ruby

courtesy of Lisa Day rec'd 5-10-2011
© http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Spiritually_Speaking
spiritually_speaking-subscribe@yahoogroups.com : )

Permission to share freely as long as footer is included.

Brightest blessings for a magical week!

Cat

======================================

Brought to you by:

Sacred Spirals at Ning (a place for all paths to meet)
http://sacredspirals.ning.com

Cat's Treasure Trove (pagan, metaphysical and just plain fun)
"add a little magick to your day!"
http://catstreasuretrove.com

Cats Bits 2-26/3-3 Solitude

02/25/2012 08:54:00

Cat's Bits for the Week of Feb 26- March 3

Upcoming Events & Holidays

Feb 29 Leap Day
Mar 8 Full Moon at 4:39 am EST
Mar 11 Daylight Savings begins (Spring ahead)
Mar 17 St. Patrick's Day
Mar 18 Celtic Month of Alder begins
Mar 20 Ostara /Spring Equinox
Mar 22 New Moon at 10:37 am

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Thought of the Week:

Men fear silence as they fear solitude, because both give them a glimpse of the terror of life's nothingness.
- Andre Maurois

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Article for the Week:

Living. Naturally
~ Solitude ~
with Nicole Gardner

The irony is not lost on me, as I sit down to begin this article, that I have the house to myself right now. My children have gone on an overnight trip with their grandparents, and I am blessed with a weekend of solitude. It is strange and unusual, being alone here; the house feels very big, very empty. It is very quiet - the hum of the computer fan, the ticking of the analog clock in the other room, the occassional car going by down on the road.

Without the distractions, I can turn inward. I relish this moment, this blessed opportunity to nurture my intuition, to really focus 100% on my meditation practice, on my breath, and on this article. In this moment, I feel very grateful to be inviting, creating, and receiving awareness and inspiration into my life. Where it will take me, I do not know, but I feel so so blessed to be alone right now.

Don't get me wrong; I love being around my children, my family. I love the bustle of a family life, and all it entails. I love their voices, their hugs, their energy. I love their games, their play, their serious study of subjects of personal interest. I love them when they're sleeping. I love them when they're awake. I love my various responsibilities and roles, the numerous hats that I wear. Parenting, working, volunteering in the community, maintaining a household; I love every aspect of my life, but I also love solitude. I love time in Nature. I love not speaking. (People who know me are splitting their sides laughing at that one, but TRULY, being silent, in solitude, is a real gift.) It's true; being alone is wonderful.

I guess it's about moderation. I wouldn't want to be alone all of the time, but I think it's a very valuable practice, to take time for one's self in solitude. I think there's a lot to be gained from spending time with only one's own self. The introspection such an act offers is profound. Being alone, I connect with my Self. I listen to that little, still voice within. I reflect on my life, on all aspects of my life, on things that have happened, on things I want to manifest, on issues currently floating around. I find that voice within and find my inner compass when I am alone. I connect with what it is I truly want out of life.

If we can't stand to be alone with ourselves, then how are we around others? Do we truly know who we are, what we stand for? Are we grounded? There's the potential to succumb to loneliness in solitude, although personally I haven't tried it for extended periods of time, like Robert C. Kull in Solitude - Seeking Wisdom in Extremes: A year alone in the Patagonia wilderness. That was a fairly eye-opening account of long-term isolation and its effect on one's psyche. Dick Proenneke in the documentary Alone in the Wilderness, spent much of his adulthood in the Alaskan bush. Although I'm sure at times he might have been lonely, this was not portrayed as a primary concern in the show; on the contrary, he seemed to enjoy his time alone. I think of people like this, and wonder if I have the inner strength to cope with solitude of an extreme magnitude, because even as an introvert, I do enjoy others' companionship.

But we're never truly alone, and that's where solitude allows us to strip away the perhaps more obvious layers - interaction with the people around us, and so on - and get down to the stillness within, to the deeper layers. Because even in Nature, I'm not alone. I am surrounded by the majestic conifers standing tall, the wind whispering through the branches, the animals of the forest, the fauna and flora of the temperate ocean-side rainforest. When I take the time to be fully present, I see that there are infinite numbers of creatures and plants surrounding me, all alive. The soil beneath my feet teems with microscopic life, and everywhere I look life abounds, waiting for me to connect.

Solitude is not about withdrawing from the world, although to some, it may initially appear so. People who go into solitude for spiritual growth are often thought of as similar to a hermit or recluse. Even the thesauruses lists synonyms for solitude in a negative light. But to me, a little time alone reaps big benefits: when I take time to nourish my soul, to connect within, then every aspect of my life benefits. When I take time to meditate, practice yoga or tai chi, when I take time to look within, for self-contemplation and thoughtful rumination, then the epiphanies and awareness I gain benefit everyone around me as I become more compassionate and considerate. I think solitude, in moderation, is not to be feared, but to be revered. A little solitude nourishes the soul in a big way. A weekend alone is very healing; having taken a little time for myself, I won't be at all resentful of the children returning home, but will instead be ready to embrace them unconditionally, and I think that makes for greater happiness all-around.

Nicole Gardner is a Raw Vegan, retired LLL leader and homeschooling mama with a B.A. (Psych). She's also a Reiki M/T who teaches Tai Chi and a Master Composter. Currently she's working on an organic farm and loving the experience.

She is most interested in living a life in accordance with her values. She believes in lifelong learning, permaculture, organic gardening, building with cob, nonviolent communication (NVC), hiking, rowing and has fasted for over 100 days. And if that's not a varied enough life, she also runs a business bringing monthly bulk raw food orders to the Sooke and Greater Victoria areas. You can learn more by visiting her blog rawfoodsooke.blogspot.com today!

She is also blessed to share a rural west coast lifestyle with her husband, children, one dog, two cats, and twenty-one chickens.

courtesy of Lisa Day rec'd 2-14-2012
© http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Spiritually_Speaking
spiritually_speaking-subscribe@yahoogroups.com : )

Permission to share freely as long as footer is included.

Brightest blessings for a magical week!

Cat

======================================

Brought to you by:

Sacred Spirals at Ning (a place for all paths to meet)
http://sacredspirals.ning.com

Cat's Treasure Trove (pagan, metaphysical and just plain fun)
"add a little magick to your day!"
http://catstreasuretrove.com

Selenite a stone for relaxation, meditation and more

04/05/2011 17:12:00

Hi everyone and welcome to Cat's Bits,

As I'm sure you've noticed C.T.T. does a lot with stones. We have jewelry made with them, crystals, wands and even small loose stones. For this installment of Cat's Bits I thought I would talk a little about selenite, the stone, a little lore and some of it's metaphysical properties.

Here in the store we currently carry Selenite Palm Stones, I also have small selenite worry stones that I will be adding very soon. These stones are white satin spar selenite and make excellent meditation stones. There are different kinds of selenite as you will see, however they all have the same metaphysical/ healing attributes.

Selenite: The Stone

Selenite is a variety of gypsum. The name comes the Greek "Selene" and from a Central European legend that says the crystals form during the increase of the moon. It makes a wonderful stone for moon magic and Goddess connection. Naturally occurring in transparent crystals or colored crystalline masses (roses). For you rock hounds out there MOH's hardness scale lists it at 1 1/2 - 2 which is pretty soft and can be found worldwide. Here in western Colorado you can find the Desert Rose variety as well as flat crystaline formations, which are quite fragile. At one time these flat transparent pieces were used as a protective covering for pictures of the Virgin Mary and were called "Marienglas meaning Mary Glass"

Selenite in Crystal Healing:

The stone itself has a very fine and high vibration and is linked to the light body, keeping it anchored within the Earth's vibration. Our Selenite Palm Stones are great for meditation, the weight is nice and the smooth finish promotes relaxation. It can be used in opening the crown and higher crown chakras as well as calming and soothing mind, body and spirit during meditation or any other spiritual work. It is also beneficial in past life work. It can help us pinpoint the issues that we are currently working on as well as the best ways to resolve them.

Selenite can also help in the following areas:

~angelic guidance

~promoting good business practices

~the removal of energy blocks from our etheric and physical bodies

~clearing other stones/crystals that are placed near it

If you are interested in purchasing one of the Selenite Palm Stones or checking out the other stones we have available they can be found here on our Stones & Crystals page or if you are interested in learning more about crystal properties for healing I recommend the following books:

Love Is In The Earth - A Kaleidoscope Of Crystals by Melody

The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall

Until next time!

Blessings,

Cat