February 2013 Enchanted Forest magazine

7/29/2019 February 2013 Enchanted Forest magazine

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Prayer of WolfPosted by Blazing Eagletree

Great spirit watch over meThrough the darkness of the night

As I go to quell my hungerGuide me with the moon's light

I know that I am hatedBy Man deep within his mind

But this world is one of the predator

That is how it was designed

I ask only to be left in peaceSo that I may live from day to dayAnd for room to raise my family

So they may run and feed and play

And when I answer that final lonesome howl

As my ancestors who have gone on beforeI hope that I will meet them

At heavens very door

I pray that will be the placeWhere man can live at our side

Where the valleys are deep, mountains are highand the spaces are forever wide

That then he may finally seeThat I am his brother and not his foe

for only through losing hatredMay our spirits ever grow

Jack Spirko11-5-95


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The sacred union of marriage..Should we?

Posted by Willow Raine

Deciding Whether To Marry

Though we may make many commitments throughout our time on earth, few have a lifelongmpact on the path our lives will take. The decision to marry someone you love-to bond yourseo them completely-is unlike any other and can reshape your existence. When two people haveimilar goals, values, and needs, marriage can result in a lifetime partnership of love and respehared laughter and tears, friendship, and intimacy that is ultimately fulfilling. Love is often cs the sole prerequisite of a strong and stable married life. However, the decision to get marriehould be made with the mind and the soul as well as with the heart. Carefully considering

whether you truly want to get married, both individually and as a couple, can ensure that if yo

o choose to marry, your relationship can grow to unimaginable depths.

The decision-making process you employ to determine whether you should marry should be ahoughtful and honest one in which you appraise not only your partner but also yourself.

Consider that love and attraction do not guarantee long-term compatibility. If your relationshs not secure, marriage will not make it so. Likewise, if your partner is not as attentive, loving,ind as you would like, your becoming spouses will not change that. Marriage has no power toermanently fill any emotional or spiritual gaps in your life. Before you choose to marry, askourself whether you and your partner are adept at resolving conflict, can speak openly to onenother, and fully respect one another. Your attitudes regarding the nature of maritalommitment, children and child rearing, and marital roles may be the same or they may differs your shared responsibility to discuss your similarities and come to agreements regarding yoifferences that will predict how successful your future marriage will be. Often times, youngerouples rush into marriage just for the wedding dress, the ring, the party, and honeymoon.

Would you still be willing to be married if you couldn't have these things?

Remember that planning a wedding is simplewhen compared to the intricacies of

urturing a marriage. The honeymoon and

esting period will eventually wear off, andwhat you are left with is a partner for life.When you work together with your partner,eassure and support one another, and areonest about your feelings regarding marriage,ou'll come to the right decision.


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Not having what you wantPosted by Willow Raine

We all know what it feels like to want something we don't have. It may be a pair ofxpensive jeans, a romantic partner, or rent money; it may be a certain attitude, a car, or aavings account. This is part of life, and in the best-case scenario, we experience a constant flowf money, companions and experiences, in and out of our lives. However, many of us linger in tate of wanting and not having, a state of lack that never seems to subside. We consistentlyerceive ourselves as not having what we need or not having what we want. This is annergetically draining state to be in. It is also self-perpetuating because how we feel abouturselves determines what we are able to create for ourselves.

How we feel profoundly influences how we perceive our reality. When we feel we are lacking,

ook around and see what is not there. On the other hand, if we feel abundant, we can look at tery same situation and see a completely different picture, one full of blessings and advantageshe more we see the blessings, the more abundant we feel, and the more blessings we attract.imilarly, if we see lack, we tend to create and attract that energy.

f you find yourself habitually residing in a feeling of lack, it may be due to a core belief formen your childhood or even in a past life. It may be because you are out of touch with your innerivinity, which is the source of your abundance. In any case, know that your perception of lackmisperception that can be corrected with awareness and effort. It can be as simple as taking r 15 minutes each day to quiet your mind and imagine yourself in a state of unlimitedbundance, handling the financial demands and others in your life with total ease, drawing fron endless supply of resources. Know that it is your birthright to be fully supported in theulfillment of your needs and desires.


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Well its cold season againPosted by lillie watcher

ince it that time of the year again. figured I would do a blog on some of the things we do arou

my house to deal with the cold season.

umber one washing hands so important to prevent the spread.

econd a staple of when any one is sick in my house is chicken noodle soup with garlic powder,nion powder and Italian spice. if it for me I usually add real garlic and onions and mushroomut for the kids have to sneak it in. Also little small snack or meals throughout the day insteadhree big ones.

ot fluids , hot fluids, hot fluids, for the kids I will make honey tea just hot water and honey. f

myself tea especial peppermint or chamomile or both. with lots of honey.

ssential oils in the bath for me and Nat also seem to really help such as lavender, pepperminnd eucalyptus. I also recently found a eucalyptus room spray that I really like.

ots of rest

nother thing I have been trying lately is cutting an onion and having set in the room to absorbacteria not too sure if its working but cant see it hurting

now this part may be the neat freak in me. so bare with me on top of wiping everything downan possible think that the kids may touch I wash all their jackets hats mitts , bedding this is do try to min their exposure to the germ really starting to think it may be just the clean freak in

me. well hopefully this gives ya some ideas oh I also put vinegar in with their bedding.


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WHAT HOPE MEANSPosted by SpiritWitch)O(

Hope is gentle cold breeze on a hot summer day

Hope is to remain positive when going gets toughhope is seeking more when others think u had enough

What hope means

Hope is dreaming of tomorrowHope is simmering under sorrow

Hope is sparkles when tears in our eyesHope is a beautiful thing and beautiful things never dies

What hope means

Hope is as light as a featherHope keeps all of us together

Hope is ubiquitous and free of cost

Hope is the last thing ever lost.....


11/51

I Am Witch )O(Posted by SpiritWitch)O(

I am a Witch

With rhymes and reasons

I am a changeling like the seasons.

My Mother is the Moon

My Father is the Sun.

With Goddess Earth I am of One.

I am a Witch, Pagan child

Mother Nature's spirit Grows within me,

Meandering like a spellbound stream.

Enchanting my every waking dream.

I breathe the air of liberation,

I tend the fire of transformation.

I drink the water of creation.

Earth magic is my conjuration.

I am a Witch of shadow and Light,

Of Avalon mists and Ravens flight.

I am a Witch, with pride say I,

For a Witch's soul does never die..


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NASA: New Planet Candidates Discovered, With SomeThought To Be 'Habitable'Posted by Blazing Eagletree

An artist rendering shows a newly discovered planet about a year ago called Kepler 35

NASA's Kepler mission has identified 461 new planet candidates, the space agency announcedoday.

our of the planet candidates orbit in their sun's "habitable zone," meaning liquid water mighxist on their surfaces, NASA said. The new findings are based on an analysis of data collectedrom May 2009 to March 2011.

Kepler has now identified a total of 2,740 potential planets orbiting 2,036 stars. NASA estimathere are billions of Earth-size alien planets in the Milky Way galaxy alone -- perhaps 100 billi

r more.

Here's how NASA discovers a planet candidate:

The Kepler space telescope identifies planet candidates by repeatedly measuring the changerightness of more than 150,000 stars in search of planets that pass in front of, or "transit," thost star. At least three transits are required to verify a signal as a potential planet.

The latest data show a 43-percent increase in potential Earth-size planets and a 21 percent jumn "Super Earth" planet candidates.

There is no better way to kick off the start of the Kepler extended mission than to discover mossible outposts on the frontier of potentially life-bearing worlds," Christopher Burke, a Kepcientist leading the analysis, said of the discoveries.

The Kepler space telescope has been detecting potential alien planets since March 2009. You cnd more about the "Search For Another Earth" at PlanetQuest, a website maintained by

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.


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Imbolc breadPosted by Blazing Eagletree

or Imbolc:

rep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

ngredients:

loaves frozen bread dough, thawed (this is in the frozen foods section at the grocery store)egg

Wateresame seedsreparation:

Allow the bread loaves to defrost at room temperature. Before it begins to rise, cut each loaf inalf with a large pizza cutter or a knife. Roll each half out until it's about 18" long, and about

nch thick. You'll end up with six of these long strips.

Take three of the strips, and braid them together, trying not to stretch them out too much. Whou've reached the end of the braid, tuck the ends underneath themselves. Repeat the process

with the other three strips, making a second braid.

lace the braids either on a baking stone, or on a pan that has been sprinkled with cornmeal.

eat the egg in a small bowl, and add 2 Tbsp. water. Lightly brush the egg and water mixturever the braids, and then sprinkle with sesame seeds. Let them rise in a warm place for about our, or until doubled in size.

ake at 375 for 30 minutes, or until a light golden brown color. Remove from baking sheet, anllow to cool for 15 minutes or more before serving.

* Note: if you want to really jazz this up, use different types of bread, such as white and wheaThe end result is visually very appealing, with the different colors braided together.


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Why Wolves Are Forever Wild, butDogs Can Be Tamed

Posted by Blazing Eagletree

Jan. 17, 2013Dogs and wolves are genetically so similar, it's been difficult foriologists to understand why wolves remain fiercely wild, while dogs can gladly become "manest friend." Now, doctoral research by evolutionary biologist Kathryn Lord at the University

Massachusetts Amherst suggests the different behaviors are related to the animals' earliestensory experiences and the critical period of socialization.

Until now, little was known about sensory development in wolf pups, and assumptions weresually extrapolated from what is known for dogs, Lord explains. This would be reasonable,xcept scientists already know there are significant differences in early development between wnd dog pups, chief among them timing of the ability to walk, she adds.

o address this knowledge gap, she studied responses of seven wolf pups and 43 dogs to bothamiliar and new smells, sounds and visual stimuli, tested them weekly, and found they didevelop their senses at the same time. But her study also revealed new information about how wo subspecies of Canis lupusexperience their environment during a four-week developmental

window called the critical period of socialization, and the new facts may significantly changenderstanding of wolf and dog development.

When the socialization window is open, wolf and dog pups begin walking and exploring withouear and will retain familiarity throughout their lives with those things they contact. Domesticogs can be introduced to humans, horses and even cats at this stage and be comfortable withhem forever. But as the period progresses, fear increases and after the window closes, new sigounds and smells will elicit a fear response.

hrough observations, Lord confirmed that both wolf pups and dogs develop the sense of smege two weeks, hearing at four weeks and vision by age six weeks on average. However, these tubspecies enter the critical period of socialization at different ages. Dogs begin the period at f

weeks, while wolves begin at two weeks. Therefore, how each subspecies experiences the worlduring that all-important month is extremely different, and likely leads to differentevelopmental paths, she says.

ord reports for the first time that wolf pups are still blind and deaf when they begin to walk axplore their environment at age two weeks. "No one knew this about wolves, that when theyegin exploring they're blind and deaf and rely primarily on smell at this stage, so this is veryxciting," she notes.


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he adds, "When wolf pups first start to hear, they are frightened of the new sounds initially, when they first start to see they are also initially afraid of new visual stimuli. As each sensengages, wolf pups experience a new round of sensory shocks that dog puppies do not."

Meanwhile, dog pups only begin to explore and walk after all three senses, smell, hearing andight, are functioning. Overall, "It's quite startling how different dogs and wolves are from eather at that early age, given how close they are genetically. A litter of dog puppies at two wee

re just basically little puddles, unable to get up or walk around. But wolf pups are exploringctively, walking strongly with good coordination and starting to be able to climb up little stepnd hills."

These significant, development-related differences in dog and wolf pups' experiences put themistinctly different trajectories in relation to the ability to form interspecies social attachmentsotably with humans, Lord says. This new information has implications for managing wild anaptive wolf populations, she says.

Her experiments analyzed the behavior of three groups of young animals: 11 wolves from thre

tters and 43 dogs total. Of the dogs, 33 border collies and German shepherds were raised byheir mothers and a control group of 10 German shepherd pups were hand-raised, meaning auman was introduced soon after birth.

At the gene level, she adds, "the difference may not be in the gene itself, but in when the gene iurned on. The data help to explain why, if you want to socialize a dog with a human or a horsll you need is 90 minutes to introduce them between the ages of four and eight weeks. After thdog will not be afraid of humans or whatever else you introduced. Of course, to build a real

elationship takes more time. But with a wolf pup, achieving even close to the same fear reduc

equires 24-hour contact starting before age three weeks, and even then you won't get the samttachment or lack of fear.


16/51

Mixed Forests More ProductivePosted by Blazing Eagletree

Forestry and nature conservation can benefit from promoting a diversity of tree species, newtudy finds.

Modern forestry is largely based on monocultures -- in Sweden usually pine or spruce -- mainlecause it is considered more rational. However a forest contributes more ecosystem serviceshan timber production, such as biological diversity, carbon storage, and berries. A new studyrom the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and Future Forests shows that miorests, in comparison with monocultures, have positive effects on several different areas,ncluding production.

Many people have suggested that high diversity of tree species has a favorable impact onrocesses in the ecosystem, but until now this connection has primarily been studied in terms one process or ecosystem service at a time," says Lars Gamfeldt from University of Gothenbur

who directed the new study.

he study, performed by an international research group, is based on material from the SwedNational Forest Inventory and the Swedish Forest Soil Inventory. By examining the role playe

y the occurrence of diverse tree species for six different ecosystem services (tree growth, carbtorage, berry production, food for wildlife, occurrence of dead wood, and biological diversityhe study demonstrates that all six services were positively related to the number of tree specie

Different trees contribute to different services. For example, the amount of spruce is related toigh tree growth and the amount of pine to berry production, while carbon storage was foundlots with more birch. In order to attain more of all services, forestry may thus need to make uf different tree species. Other studies of forests in Central Europe, the Mediterranean regionnd Canada support these findings.

he study also investigated the relationship between the various ecosystem services. For examigh tree growth appears to be negatively related to the production of both berries and food fo

wildlife and to the occurrence of dead wood. On the other hand, food for wildlife was positivelssociated with both berry production and biological diversity in ground vegetation.

It's not so simple that you can always get more of everything. Sometimes you have to considerade-offs between different ecosystem services," says Jon Moen from Ume University.

he new study, which is published in the scientific journalNature Communications, runs partlounter to conventional thinking in forestry in Sweden. According to 2011 data from the Swed

National Forest Inventory, only about 7.5 percent of the productive forest land has mixed fore

Our findings show that both forestry and nature conservation stand to gain by promoting areater variety of tree types, thereby providing more diverse ecosystem services," says Janengtsson, from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.


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When does the Age of Aquariusbegin?

Posted by Blazing Eagletree

When does the Age of Aquarius begin? And what is the Age of Aquarius? The Age of Aquariuot part of astronomy. Its an astrological age, which occurs because of a real motion of Earth

nown as the precession of the equinoxes, which, for example, causes the identity of the pole sto change over time. The cycle of precession lasts 25,800 years, and there are 12 constellations he Zodiac. So, roughly every 2,150 years, the suns position at the time of the March, or vernaquinox moves in front of a new Zodiac constellation. The Age of Aquarius begins when the

March equinox point moves out of the constellation Pisces and into the constellation Aquarius

When will that be? Theres no definitive answer. Various interpretations give different answero this often-asked question.

Age of Aquarius begins when vernal equinox point

moves out of constellation Pisces and into

Aquarius. Theres no definitive answer as to when

that will be.

Leonardo da Vincis famous Vitruvian Man, a

drawing created circa 1487, with the 7 chakras orenergy centers indicated.
http://en.es-static.us/upl/2012/10/7_Chakras.jpeg


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Age of Aquarius from astronomical perspective. First of all, we give the answer from anstronomical point of view. The International Astronomical Union (IAU)which in the 20thentury assumed the duty of officially naming and defining all things astronomicalcreatedfficial constellation boundaries in 1930. From the perspective of astronomy, then, the beginnif the Age of Aquarius is based upon IAU constellation boundaries, which astrologers or New

Age practitioners might or might not choose to use in their computations.

According to the Belgian astronomer and mathematical wizard Jean Meeus (bio here), who do

dhere to the IAUs definitions, the sun at the March equinox passed from being in front of thonstellation Aries and to being in front of the constellation Pisces in 68 B.C. Looking ahead,gain according to Jean Meeus, the March equinox will cross over into the constellation Aquarn 2597. Once again, these are the astronomical dates, based on IAU constellation boundariesstablished in 1930.

Other interpretations for the beginning of the Age of Aquarius. The constellations as defined bhe IAU are different sizes. Astrologers often like to divide the Zodiac into twelve equal sectionor example, the constellation Piscesas defined by the IAUspans more than 30o along thecliptic, or suns annual path in front of constellations of the Zodiac.

Astrologers, though, might disregard the span of the constellation Pisces on the skys dome, annstead regard an astrological age as a precise 30o shift of the March equinox in front of theackdrop stars.

ut even if you equalize the size of the signs of the Zodiac, you need to consider when the Age isces started to be able to know when the Age of Aquarius begins. Apparently, theres no firm

onsensus among astrologers as to when the Age of Pisces began, either. And thus there is noonsensus as to when the Age of Aquarius begins. In The Book of World Horoscopes, Nicholas

Campion suggests that approximated dates for entering the Age of Aquarius range from 1447 o 3597 AD. Campion also reviewed published material on the subject, from astrological sourc

He says that most writers claim the Age of Aquarius arrived in the 20th century (29 claims). T4th century is in second place (12 claims). Campion, by the way, is director of the Sophia Cennd Course Director of the MA in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology at the University of Wal

ampeter. See Campions credentials here.-Continued after Craft class ad-


20/51

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UUUKKK---111 aaammm


21/51

ome astrologers say the Age of Aquarius actually begins in 2012. Thats because they believetar Regulus in the constellation Leo the Lion marked the ancient border between theonstellations Leo and Cancer. This star moves to within 30o of the September equinox point i012, meaning that Regulus leaves the sign Leo to enter the sign Virgo this year. Presumingqual-sized constellations in antiguity, that places the border of the constellations Pisces and

Aquarius at 150o west of Regulus, or at the March equinox point. By this reckoning, the Age oAquarius starts in 2012.

ut again, although there is firm reckoning by many for the beginning of this astrological age,

here is no agreement. Wikipedia lists what various writers have claimed.To reiterate, we at EarthSky look at the subject from an astronomical persepective. If anynowledgeable astrologers out there would like to show us other ways of determining the Age

Aquarius, please do! We welcome your comments.The equinox point moves westward in front of the backdrop stars. Image credit: WikimediaCommonsDefinition of terms: March (or spring or vernal) equinox point. This is the point on the imaginelestial sphere surrounding Earth at which the eclipticor path of the sun across our skyntersects the celestial equator, or line around the sky directly above Earths equator. Itsometimes called the First Point in Aries, because the sun used to be located in front of the

onstellation Aries at the time of the vernal equinox. For the past two thousand years, though,un has been located in front of the constellation Pisces at the time of this equinox. Thats theignificance of the so-called Piscean Age. At some point, the sun at the equinox will be in front

Aquarius. Thats when the Age of Aquarius begins.How did the Age of Aquarius enter popular culture? The Age of Aquarius in the U.S. is

ssociated with the hippies of the 1960s and 70s, and now with the New Age movement. In bot

ases, the arrival of the Aquarian age has been associated with well, harmony and

nderstanding, sympathy and trust abounding. And that brings us to the 1967 smash-hit musiHair, with its opening song Aquarius, by a musical group called the 5th Dimension. The song

pened with the lines:

When the moon is in the Seventh HouseAnd Jupiter aligns with MarsThen peace will guide the planetsAnd love will steer the starsThis is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius

ts hard to describe how Hair, which seems daring even today, affected people when it opened

roadway in 1968. It subsequently ran for 1,750 performances on Broadway and 1,997

erformances in London, with simultaneous productions in cities across the United States andEurope, and with accompanying recordings (the original Broadway cast recording sold threemillion copies). Almost single-handedly in the late 1960s and early 1970s, this Broadway music

rought the Aquarian Age concept into the popular culture. The video below isnt the original

ut youll get the idea.ottom line: The Age of Aquarius is an astrological age, which shifts roughly every 2,150 year

ts defined by the suns position at the time of the March, or vernal, equinox. The Age of

Aquarius begins when the March equinox point moves out of the constellation Pisces and into onstellation Aquarius. But theres no definitive answer as to when that will be. This post

xplores some of the possibilities.


22/51

The Ancient Akitu Festival of MesopotamiaPosted by stormcat (saille)

Akitu is the earliest New Year's festival for which we have written records, as well as one of ldest Mesopotamian festivals, dating back to the middle of the third millennium B.C.E.

Although it was initially observed on a semiannual basis, due to a local system of six-monthquinox years, it sometimes came to be celebrated with more emphasis on one of its two datesome of the region's city states. Thus, in Babylonia, it started on the new moon closest to thepring equinox to honor the sky god Marduk; the Akitu nearest the fall equinox in Assyriaonored the high god Ashur; and Akitus were held on both dates each year in Uruk to honor tky god Anu. In each case, there would be a procession to a temple called "Akitu house" alonganal out in the fields, cultic dramas reenacting the creation of the cosmos by the god beingonored, and the sacred marriage of a god and goddess to ensure the land's prosperity.

Development Which gods were involved depended on the current political fortune of thearticular Mesopotamian city state that had them as patrons, since each would reenact with an

Akitu festival a god's original triumphal entry to take possession of it. Each city had a calendas own, with months named after local religious festivals. That of Nippur, which was the religienter of legitimate authority for the region and where all its local practices converged,ventually became the standard calendar. This calendar incorporated the dates that originated

Ur for the Akitu festivals. One of these Ur Akitus was celebrated in the first month (lasting abweek) and the other in the seventh month (lasting eleven days) when the equinoxes occurred

he Nippur calendar, one Akitu was celebrated in the fourth month (for five different deities!)nd the other in the twelfth month, but the names of both months sounded like those of the Ur

months for the Akitus. These imported festivals were absorbed by preexisting agriculturalestivals after which these months were named in Nippur, and they lost their connection to the

moon, whose god, Nanna, was the one Ur worshipped (though the original Ur dates were stillbserved much later in the Akitu festivals of Babylon and even Hellenistic Uruk). In its Nippuersion, Akitu provided a model for other cities in Sumer and then Mesopotamia (the culture tucceeded Sumer in a larger area between the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates, which is now at theart of Iraq), since each city also wanted to show its god the respect due it in a triumphal

welcome (the equivalent of a medieval prince's royal entry into one of his cities), in return forwhich the god would rule the city justly and grant it a happy fate. Thus, there was an Akitu fUrash in Dilbat and one for Belit in Sippar. In some cities, other deities beside the local patrouch as the more broadly regional goddess Ishtar, might also be welcomed into the city at tim

f the year that did not conflict with their chief god's Akitu. In the course of the secondmillennium B.C.E., Babylon became the political capital of Mesopotamia, and its god Mardukncorporated the attributes of the agro-pastoral god Tammuz he largely supplanted in the newtate religion. In the process, the semi-annual Akitu festival held previously by the Akkadianswhose kingdom held sway in the region from the twenty-fourth to the twenty-second centurie.C.E.) in honor of Tammuz (who emerged with the spring shoots and rose again with fallarvests after his death in summer droughts) became strictly a spring event. It even absorbed all New Year's festival called Zagmuk. It filled the gap between the end of the solar and lunarears with a dozen-day celebration tied to the spring equinox (just like the twelve days of

Christmas that follow the winter solstice in European tradition).


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Having started out as a sowing and harvest festival, it came to prominence in Babylon as theroper occasion for the crowning and investiture of a new king. On this occasion, the reigning

monarch's divine mandate was renewed in connection with the sky god Marduk's victory overiamat, the goddess of salt water. As a spring festival, Akitu thus bound together the renewal ature's fertility, the reestablishment of the king's divine authority (formerly a fall ceremony),nd the securing of the people's favorable destiny over the coming year-especially the scorchinummer heat-while putting an end to the sterility of the winter months when the world seemedld and worn out.

easonal Ordeals of Gods and Kingsn Babylon, the year's most important festival began with ritual preparations on the first threeays of the month of Nisan. On the fourth day, a high priest, the sheshgallu, recited the creatiopic Enuma elish (which was written down in the late twelfth century B.C.E.) in praise of

Marduk (also known simply as Bel or Lord), who was the city's patron and head of its pantheoMeanwhile, the king went to Borsippa to fetch an effigy of that city's patron, the sky god's sonNabu. He brought back the statue of this god of vegetation and of writing in a solemn ritual

rocession that arrived the next day by barge. In the interval, residents and pilgrims roamed t

treets of Babylon looking for Marduk, whose captivity inside a mountain (like that of Tammuis predecessor as supreme god) explained the land's desolate 6 | akitu condition in the winter.

he shrines of Marduk and Nabu were purified on the fifth day, when the king would enter threat Esagila temple to be greeted by a priest, who proceeded to lead him to Marduk's shrine.here, the priest stripped the monarch of his regalia, slapped his face, and pulled his ears. Asart of this royal penitential rite, the king had to kneel before the god and assure him he had neglected his duties toward his city Babylon and his temple Esagila. Only then could he beeinvested with the insignia of Marduk's kingship and partake again of his divine powers. It heen suggested (Cohen 1993, pp. 440-441) that this ceremony of the humbling of the king, whicormally occured after his arrival from the Akitu house, was put on the fifth day because that

was when time was available for it in the midst of the festivities associated with an Akitu of Nahe latter went on until the eighth day, followed by an abridged Akitu of Marduk which went

or another three and a half days (since the Akitus of Borsippa and Babylon seem to have beenombined due to the growing regional importance of the cult of Nabu in the first millennium.C.E.).

fter Nabu's own triumphal entry on the fifth day, mock battles were staged to reenact histruggle to avenge and free his father from his enemies. The enemies were represented by two

mall figurines, one made from tamarisk and the other from cedar. These were decapitated aurned on the sixth day. On the eighth day, Nabu could serve as a scribe to register the decref an assembly of all the gods, whose statues were arranged and carried following a strictierarchy. The king would "take Marduk by the hand" (i.e., escort him) first to the temple'sourtyard and then to his Throneof- Destiny on the Sacred Mound to proclaim the solar skyod's sovereignty over all the other gods for the beginning of the New Year on Zagmuk. Then

would "take Marduk by the hand" again to lead a grand procession of the gods, who went inattle order to the Euphrates in carriage boats to fight the forces of chaos. There, real boatswaited the royal party to take it upriver to the Akitu house (Bit Akitu), or "House of Offeringorth of the city, for a "banquet of the gods," which celebrated Marduk's triumph and theesulting prosperity of his Babylonian kingdom.


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Ritual Dramas of Divine Victory and Sacred Marriage As part of the ritual drama of thisbanquet of the gods," the story of the Enuma elish (meaning "When on high . . .") waseenacted, either with the gods' statues or by humans, including the king who represented

Marduk. It related the story of the sun god Marduk's victory over the titanic powers of chaos,which were unleashed by his great-grandmother Tiamat (turned sea dragon in her wrath) aga

er unruly divine progeny, and the resulting creation of the universe out of her carcass. WithMarduk's enthronement as head of the gods, at which Babylon's gods annually renewed their

onsent to be governed by him, the dominance of the city's royalty was also reaffirmed as thearthly representation of the order of the universe created by its national god. However, therwas a period during the second half of the thirteenth century B.C.E. when Assyria defeated

abylon and took over its Akitu along with the statue of Marduk, only to cast him in a lesslorious role: that of one who abused his commission in the cosmic battle by trying to claim forimself the legitimate supreme leadership of Anshar, the true hero of the Enuma elish in thislternate reading, allowing him to be identified with Ashur. In this version, Marduk appears tave been made to go through an ordeal and admit to having wronged Assyria's national god,efore being allowed to return to his captors' capital and rejoin the assembly of his divine peet the conclusion of their banquet in Babylon, the king, in the role of Marduk, would normally

onsummate his "sacred marriage" or hierogamy with a priestess of royal blood, representingod's consort Zarpanit-"she of the city Zarpan."

ince the days of Sumerian civilization, what made kings divine were the marital relations theyad with the goddess of the land they ruled at the beginning of a new year. This assured that

would ease this delicate transition and bestow her protection beyond it, bringing some seasonegularity to the unpredictable environmental conditions of the region. On the festival's eleveay, the gods' statues were brought back by road to the Esagila from the Akitu house-whose murpose was probably just to provide a city's primary god with a "home away from home." Th

ourney gave him an excuse to reenter the city in the same glory as on the mythical day he firstook possession of it.

udgment and Celebration

nother assembly of the gods would take place in Babylon's Shrine of Destinies on the last daykitu. It represented the one held after Marduk's initial victory, when the gods decided to creaumans as servants to work for them and to reward or punish them accordingly. For this was

when the gods ratified what had been decreed about the kingdom's fate over the coming year ahe previous assembly. It was followed by a final banquet of the gods. (Soon after Rosh

Hashanah-the Jewish New Year festival of God's enthronement and "Judgment Day," which irobably derived from Akitu-a similar ten-day interval separates God's decree from its finalatification on Yom Kippur.) In addition to this ritual drama, many sacrificial offerings were

made; they stemmed from agrarian rites that were used for Akitu when it was celebrated in thmonth of Nisan- whether as a spring festival or as the New Year-on which this public, political

imension had come to be overlaid.


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This solemn state affair thus also had a lighter counterpart in popular feasting and streetelebrations. They included joyful songs and dances that were fostered by the "sweet sounds" yres, harps, tambourines, and other instruments, as described in the allusions of ancient textuch occasions where the festive spirit of the Babylonians (like that of the Sumerians beforehem) had always found an outlet in fun and games. Once Akitu was over and a new year hadegun, gods and men returned from Babylon to their native cities and regular functions,eassured that they might get the kind of treatment they expected from each other to prosperheir respective spheres.


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My little one is gifted afraid to lose the connectionPosted by haw

I been noticing lately there are a few parents who have young children who seem to bexpressing gifts they have and at times this concerns the parents.. and one of the first things toe done is a shield ..but our kids have a natural shield allready with the Love the parents prese

nd hold for them so dont try too worry so much about that..It is things like scary movies werew up with thinking of the influence of our young ones with nightmares and they soon go awealizing it was just a movie..but with gifts many parents know whats out there and have seen ealt with situations unlike movies..been there myself ..ut you never undermine your natural shield for your child never lose confidence in that shiel

when you feel in fear of your child your not giving power to that shield but power too that therpossibility of something happening..and that is actually feeding that possibility..so never letour guard down..allways KNOW that your child is protected by your love or any other trinkeou gave power to protect your child..the worse thing a parent can do is think first thing when

hild is experiencing various gifts that its something negative..your only opening a doorway fohat..just KNOW its not possible . is the best thing you can do for your child..and as I have posreviously about gifted children do not try to force answers from them..at times they cannot..anfortunatly for some the child via the higher source has blocked parents from knowing and toncerns them..We have to learn and except a child is gifted even if is our little darling..I ameeing parents fear as if their child is growing too fast ..But many of us knew that the childrenoday are more advanced then some of us who knew we were gifted since a young age and werew too understand..we didnt come with manuals.

ut these kids are more protected and will have more intelect with their gifts then we did..they

will be closer to the higher source then we were at first..We ran the test of life as we grew..aesolve or decision was made by our results and now our kids are the ones who will be the one

who make the changes we have exposed..Again do not ever take first thought of an incident when child comes to you as being something

egative..they will come to you with dreams and symbols and maybe utter words you maynotnderstand..and at the same time you will notice your child is not scared or in fear..maybeonfused but all that will work out in time..I may get with Fox too do a break down on how to

maintain dealing and teaching your young one at different levels so the parents can better worwith their child and not fear them of having these gifts..you do and you trust in your higher

ource and are protected by that so dont deny your child of their gift..

There still are subliminals out there like scary movies that do not help gifts what so ever.. too mhese days its a sensitive situation when your child has insight and gifts that they watch somethke freddie kreugar it can mess up their inner site somewhat..

havent watched TV in 4-5 years and my clarity is so much better into things ..instant responsnd answers ..so I am little concerned about the subliminal input givin to the child in a normalnviroment of growing up..not quite sure how sheilded they are from that..


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have a feeling about most things in this all good..but the earthly things such as scary moviesave to consider who makes them and what they are known for .Hollywood been known forubliminals since cartoons of the 30's Simple as mikky d commercial..make you hungry or niceew car to make you want it..there are messages in the movies that do promote violence and

makes em ok too be a hero..

o all that has too be worked out in time.. primarily this discussion is too let parents know you

ot losing your little one ..you are their Mom and dad and allways will be that will never and cever be takin away from you or them..But do help them when you can if they come with some

wierd off the wall mumbo jumbo or symbols..write it down or draw what they see or have themraw..but only when they mention it.. please never go back and try too give them the 3rd degror what they saw..for a child they may feel they have done something wrong and will huddle ishell and for some you will never be told anything else they receive..so is imperative to not shway your child..

Take what you get told and write it down..it maybe messages translated to us too figure out wh

me is right ..and some things they may say probably wont sound of the english Norm" so donry too force a word they say too be something else again parents can take a word out of conteext thing you know its something evil and parents are smudging their kids ..NO.

Most I know keep their surroundings cleansed if you trust in that then you have no worries..nd give these kids something too work with complicated things..their minds like too work..hey will bore easy at times..their minds are complex and some of us know how that feelsspeacially when suddenly we find ourselves with idle hands..Let your child be the child it is bhey are somewhat different in different ways within their minds ..DNA and their innerrotection is much stronger and defined..

o love your child and be a parent as usuall but dont freak thinking your losing your youngne..you were chosen to have this child for a very speacial reason and purpose and that alone iift in itself..not just any parent deals with this..their heart and intent has to be in right place tven raise a gifted child as I have seen with few that have had concerns of losing their littlene..wont happen never will..One simple suggestion I made to a parent was too put your handour childs chest and feel the love you have for them and think of a color you both like and whou place your hand on their chest thinking of that color ..you can make that their sheild anytiou think about them ..think of that color and it will reinforce that sheild you give them..fromegative..

NOTE::: Yes Life has been around for centuries but the generation we grew upto be were themost gifted in long time..we were the change of all the history by what we seen and how weffected those we were around and the vibrations we set in motion..so is why the time now is so

much different thus so our kids are more advanced..}

Much peace

Huggs

hadow


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UUUKKK--- 111222 aaammm

Feb 18 /GarlicMarch 18 /SkullcapApril 15 /Coffee

May 20 /Sugar(s)June 17 /Ground IvyJuly 15 /Chicory

August 19 /BerriesSept 16 /QuinoaOct 21 /Yellow dock

Nov 18 /Miso & SoyDec 16 /Sauerkraut


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As I look amongst these stars I wonder where you are .. So far and vast with Lo

that lasts. always bright and in my sight but not so close to touch. The beautyradiates night after night. As I know I can look out every night and there they a

all the stars. Hoping one day the one that comes closer is the one I seek with y

on it is what I see .when I sleep Dreams Far and Wide as the stars in the night s

shine too me your home your star from afar. Fore every night as I gaze I will ne

give up thru the starlight haze as one shoots by I hope it is but not your star lo

gone forever. But the one I sit and stare with wide eyes glare. And knowing on

day you will be standing right here.


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Imbolc LorePosted by Whispr

Imbolc, (pronounced "IM-bulk" or "EM-bowlk"), also called Oimealg, ("IM-mol'g), by theDruids, is the festival of the lactating sheep. It is derived from the Gaelic word "oimelc" whichmeans "ewes milk". Herd animals have either given birth to the first offspring of the year or thwombs are swollen and the milk of life is flowing into their teats and udders. It is the time of

lessing of the seeds and consecration of agricultural tools. It marks the center point of the daalf of the year. It is the festival of the Maiden, for from this day to March 21st, it is her seasonrepare for growth and renewal. Brighid's snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Motherest the weather, (the origin of Ground Hog Day), and in many places the first Crocus flowersegan to spring forth from the frozen earth.

he Maiden is honored, as the Bride, on this Sabbat. Straw Brideo'gas (corn dollies) are creatrom oat or wheat straw and placed in baskets with white flower bedding. Young girls then cahe Brideo'gas door to door, and gifts are bestowed upon the image from each household.

Afterwards at the traditional feast, the older women make special acorn wands for the dollies old, and in the morning the ashes in the hearth are examined to see if the magic wands left

marks as a good omen. Brighid's Crosses are fashioned from wheat stalks and exchanged asymbols of protection and prosperity in the coming year. Home hearth fires are put out and rend a besom is place by the front door to symbolize sweeping out the old and welcoming the ne

Candles are lit and placed in each room of the house to honor the re-birth of the Sun.

Another traditional symbol of Imbolc is the plough. In some areas, this is the first day ofloughing in preparation of the first planting of crops. A decorated plough is dragged from doo door, with costumed children following asking for food, drinks, or money. Should they beefused, the household is paid back by having its front garden ploughed up. In other areas, thelough is decorated and then Whiskey, the "water of life" is poured over it. Pieces of cheese anread are left by the plough and in the newly turned furrows as offerings to the nature spirits. considered taboo to cut or pick plants during this time.

Various other names for this Greater Sabbat are Imbolgc Brigantia (Caledonni), Imbolic (CelDisting (Teutonic, Feb 14th), Lupercus (Strega), St. Bridget's Day (Christian), Candlemas,Candlelaria (Mexican), the Snowdrop Festival. The Festival of Lights, or the Feast of the VirgAll Virgin and Maiden Goddesses are honored at this time.

Deities of Imbolc:All Virgin/Maiden Goddesses, Brighid, Aradia, Athena, Inanna, Gaia, and Februa, and Gods o

ove and Fertility, Aengus Og, Eros, and Februus.


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ymbolism of Imbolc:urity, Growth and Re-Newal, The Re-Union of the Goddess and the God, Fertility, andispensing of the old and making way for the new.

ymbols of Imbolc:rideo'gas, Besoms, White Flowers, Candle Wheels, Brighid's Crosses, Priapic Wands (acorn-pped), and Ploughs.

Herbs of Imbolc:Angelica, Basil, Bay Laurel, Blackberry, Celandine, Coltsfoot, Heather, Iris, Myrrh, Tansy,Violets, and all white or yellow flowers.

oods of Imbolc:umpkin seeds, Sunflower seeds, Poppyseed Cakes, muffins, scones, and breads, all dairyroducts, Peppers, Onions, Garlic, Raisins, Spiced Wines and Herbal Teas.

ncense of Imbolc:

asil, Bay, Wisteria, Cinnamon, Violet, Vanilla, Myrrh.

Colors of Imbolc:White, Pink, Red, Yellow, lt. Green, Brown.

tones of Imbolc:Amethyst, Bloodstone, Garnet, Ruby, Onyx, Turquoise.

Activities of Imbolc:Candle Lighting, Stone Gatherings, Snow Hiking and Searching for Signs of Spring, Making o

rideo'gas and Bride's Beds, Making Priapic Wands, Decorating Ploughs, Feasting, and Bonires maybe lit.


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9 Steps To Becoming a WitchPosted by Whispr By Kim K Brown

TEP ONE - discovering your path Read and study. Read everything you can get your hands on. You need toead anything that will tell you more about the beliefs of witchcraft, magazines, books and web pages. Whiletudying there are other forms of the craft that help. (nature) For example you could go hiking or go campingunbathe, moonbathe, watch animals etc.

TEP TWO - defining your path In a notebook, folder or journal start writing down some reasons why the crfor you. What does being a witch mean to you? What do you hope to achieve? How do you visualize the God

nd Goddess? What does the Divine mean to you? Be honest. This notebook will become your book of shadow

TEP THREE - Exploring magic - Magic is simply raising and channeling energy that is found in yourself, nand the divine. Before you begin working with magic you need to understand what it is. You also need to know

he basic structure of a ritual, casting circles, calling quarters, invoking the God/dess, raising and directingnergy, grounding and centering and closing the circle. Know the moon phases. Learn to feel how the moonffects your body. Keep records of all you have learned in your book of shadows.

TEP FOUR - learning to focus - Now you should start working on meditation and visualization exercises toncrease your concentration. Learn to be calm. You can start out by meditating at least 3 times a week for above minutes. You should do this for at least a month. Remember to keep a record in your book of shadows.

TEP FIVE - working with magic - Now you can begin some basic spell work. Start with a full moon ritual orew moon ritual.

TEP SIX - self dedication - After you have been studying for at least five or six months on meditating andworking with magic it is time to perform a self dedication ritual. Design it however you want. A self dedicationitual means you are dedicating yourself to the craft.

TEP SEVEN - the year between dedication and initiation You can initiate yourself when you feel you are reahe year you spend between your self dedication and your initiation you should spend celebrating the Sabbat

meditation, practicing your spellwork and studying. Use this time to learn about different forms of divinationuch as Tarot or Runes, and different forms of healing, such as herbalism. Make sure you are recording in yoook of shadows.

TEP EIGHT - Networking - You should spend a solitary year study after self dedication before a witch consi

oining a coven or a circle. This gives you a full year to celebrate the cycle of Sabbats.

TEP NINE - Initiation An initiation should be something that's meaningful to you. The ritual should be writnly by you. A coven initiation is a means of bonding a group together. Initiation into the craft should always olitary ritual.

You still have to learn and practice. If you truly want to be a witch be prepared to spend the rf your life studying and learning about this religion.


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7 Powerful Steps Towards WisdomPosted by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

I changed my mind."

These are four of the most powerful words in the English language. They can prevent you fromeing manipulated into an undesirable outcome, and launch you forward on the road to persond spiritual growth. Depriving yourself of the freedom to change your mind will lock you intoigid mindset that can hamper your successes and your development.

Early in life, you may have been led to believe that it's not good to change your mind. There arumerous words with negative connotations associated with those who do change their minds:ckle, indecisive, hesitant, unsure, wavering, erratic or wishy-washy. You'd much prefer to benown as steadfast, decisive, confident and sure - right?

killed manipulators use this near-universal conditioning against you every day. For example,as a salesman ever asked you, "Are you in a position to make a decision today?" Once you ago this proposition, you'll feel pressure to "make a decision today," and buy the product, even ou have reservations. After all, if you don't buy, you'd likely be considered "indecisive" byither the salesman or yourwn self-doubting ego.

But this is not what changing your mind is all about. Changing your mind means that afterhinking about the subject or after gathering more complete information, you came to a differ

onclusion - a better and more informed decision. This is not being indecisive. It's being logicarudent and wise.

Let's look at this matter from a different perspective. What would happen if you weren't allowo change your mind? You'd spend all your free time watching cartoons, eating ice cream orlaying tag. Or, more seriously, you'd be forced to believe the sun revolves around the earth.

Your evolution on every level depends on your ability to assimilate new information and "chanour mind" as to what it means andow it applies.sychologists call the unease you feel when you hold two conflicting opinions cognitive

issonance. The theory is that you will be naturally unwilling to simultaneously hold twopparently contradictory beliefs in your mind, and will attempt to modify one or the other to

minimize the dissonance or conflict.

f you told the salesman that you "would be in a position to make a decision today," and yet, yctually felt that you needed more time to gather additional information and think it through,ncomfortable feeling in your gut would mean that you were experiencing cognitive dissonanc

The skilled salesman would then try to use this to push you into a buying decision today! If heou think it over, you may not make the purchase or may buy from someone else. For example

's almost never a good idea to buy a new car after talking to only one dealer!


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magine what would happen in instances involving somewhat more deep-seated beliefs. You tho-and-so is the best candidate, or such-and-such is the finest restaurant or this-or-that comparoduces the fastest car. To complicate matters, also imagine that you are on record as publicltating that so-and-so is the best candidate, the finest restaurant is such-and-such or the fastesar comes fromhis-or-that company. You have invested your credibility in this belief. What happens when ne

vidence comes along that contradicts this deep-seated belief? Most likely, you'll immediatelyiscount it.

Not only do you have the dissonance associated with trying to hold two contradictory beliefs inour mind simultaneously, but, even worse, if you accept the new idea, that might mean the firne was WRONG and you've lost your invested credibility!

How would most people handle the situation? Most people don't like being "wrong;" so, theywould either ignore the new idea, or, even worse, come up with all sorts of counter arguments o why it's wrong, vehemently defending their original position. In extreme cases, they may

utright lie to others and to themselves, just to avoid the cognitive dissonance. To an independbserver, this appears totallyrrational. To a student of human behavior, it is understandable.

As mystics, we're after the truth. Consequently, if it turns out that the second idea is moreccurate, serves us better, or is otherwise superior to the first, we owe it to ourselves and to otho accept it, at least until a better idea comes along. We may be forced to utter three words thare even more powerful than "I changed my mind":

I was wrong."

eing able to admit a mistake is a sign of humility, which is a prized mystic virtue. It does notmean you're a doormat or that you are subservient to somebody else. Acknowledging your hav

een mistaken about anything, and then changing your mind after gathering more completenformation and thoroughly thinking things through is a sign of being logical, thorough,houghtful and wise. Your primellegiance is to the truth, regardless of where it originates.

here is tremendous freedom in uttering these powerful words. Your cognitive dissonance

anishes. You don't have to expend any energy defending the idea of "being right." You are fro pursue the truth without baggage.

Once you get into the habit of allowing yourself to say "I changed my mind" and "I was wrong7 words), you will experience newfound freedom. You will have taken 7 powerful steps towardhe mystic virtue of wisdom.

est Wishes,


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You Have The Inner StrengthPosted by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

There are many ways to evolve energy in all the dimensions. Some souls have preferencewhile others randomly seek their place in different processes.

We have talked to many who do not have an appreciation for the physical. Some of it is due toifficult dramas while others are at odds with the energy vibration.

The truth of the physical participation lies in the unique ability the physical offers to souls of aevels. It does take great boldness from a soul to move through all the denseness of the linear. Ine can keep open to the energy, great evolution may be available to souls with the courage to

walk through it.

hysical life was designed for evolution of the soul. Great strength is required. Know that all oou have the inner strength to boldly walk through any life. Even the creation of difficultyepresents a soul with great boldness.

erhaps reconsider the experience. Be proud of your boldness. Move through it all while inlignment with your energy.

t is indeed possible.

The rewards infinite.

You are brave enough to do it.

redit site belowtp://www.innerwhispers.org/


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What is your truth? Arch Angel UrielJanuary 26thPosted by Willow Raine

A message from Archangel Uriel channeled by Jennifer Hoffman

Who you are, your life purpose, the purpose of your life, the journey you create and the choiceou make are all based in truth. Truth is not given to you or created for you, it is a vibrationalrequency that you create based on your judgments. In other words, truth is a perception thatreated when an energy flow that is frozen by a judgment. Each person has their own truth anou are joined to others through the intersections of your truths.

Freezing energy is how you create your reality because from spirit requires a dense reality to bn physical space. This is how you learn lessons and create the ascending evolution that isumanitys path. You create judgments and freeze energy in a specific truth so you can make alse, this is your healing journey. Through these judgments you create I am not scenarios so

ou can recall your I AM presence. Many of these I am not scenarios are mirrored by othe

hrough their actions and words. Instead of trying to change their truth, know that they areelping you to change yours.

The truth connections occur when someones truth resonates with a truth you also hold, even

ou do not believe it to be true for you. This truth is often an aspect of your I am not truth anou respond with rejection. But this does not make it untrue, and it holds powerful learning,

ealing and transformation for you. It is by acknowledge the painful truth as reflections of youwn beliefs and understanding that you achieve the healing these truths hold for you.

There are no lies because everyone acts, speaks and believes from their truth, which is a uniqumirror of their energy. You may call it a lie but it is true for them and reflects the truth theyhoose to believe, integrate and align with at that time. Do you feel an obligation to change theruth? What is it resonating with for you? What new truths can you create for yourself that seour lifes healing purpose, evolve your purpose into a higher aspect, manifest new potentials our life path and transform your journey from karma into creation?

That is the purpose of their truth and why you may find it annoying, frustrating, anger-causinr uncomfortable. When you feel this, you know that a truth connection has been made. Now an use this truth to activate a more powerful aspect of your IAM presence and change yourruth. Of course, you can be angry with the other person but that does not accomplish anythinn your healing journey. Instead of judgment, explore your truth and create a new truth for yfe that allows you to evolve into higher frequencies and explore expanded aspects of yournlimited I AM presence. Be the truth you wish to know yourself through and you will find theace, joy and love that is the truth of your soul.


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2013 Great Promise for a more loving humanityPosted by Willow Raine

message from The Council of 12 channeled by Selacia

t's a new year with new energies, even if you don't yet feel them. Chances are, you may even baving moments wondering if anything has changed since last year - so many things in your ou

world looking the same. Indeed, though, 2013 does hold a new energy and vast potential forositive movement in your life.

013 - Great Promise for a More Loving Humanity

his year holds great promise for a more conscious and loving humanity. This new reality isossible because of a very long cycle of awakening across the planet. You are a vital part of tha

rocess. Throughout countless lifetimes, you have been developing qualities such as kindness aatience, waking up to your true potential. In this current lifetime, you have experienced manytruggles and opportunities for growth. As you met them with courage, you developed an inneeservoir of strength and determination to complete what you were born to do this life.

s a divine changemaker you are awakening to your true power to create a life of passion, joynd purpose. Regardless of how far you feel you came in 2012, you indeed progressed by leapsnd bounds. Trust this.

uring these initial days of 2013, it's helpful to be more present-time focused so that you canptimally observe and respond to subtle shifts in energies. Looking back at expectations you hn 2012 can prevent you from seeing current things as they really are. Likewise, being futureocused, you can miss seeing signposts and opportunities only grasped in the moment.

012 and 2013 in Perspective

he year 2012 was associated with an accelerated waking up and an intense desire for a brandew type of world. People had a whole range of notions about what would really happen by yend, and what now would look like. While it's true that the cycle ending in 2012 was a marker

oint for humanity and the shift to a more loving world, it's short sighted to view what occurren a linear way. Black-and-white thinking will lead to disappointment and dilution of yournthusiasm.

You must endeavor to keep your enthusiasm and your passion alive - to have the inner strengtor the path ahead. Your emotional responses to what's occurring in the now will have a directmpact on your thinking, and potentially your actions. If you feel sad, honor that sadness but t

work with it skillfully to let it go. If you feel angry, recognize the anger but do not allow thatnger to impact what you say or do next.


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his type of skillful energy management is crucial for thriving and living in joy during 2013. Itn inside job - meaning no one can do it for you. Of course, you can receive help from outsideources, reaching out for assistance from healing tools and energy clearings from skilledractitioners. In the end, though, it is your responsibility to fully use the assistance you receivend to remember in the moment what you have learned about energy management.

Resolutions for 2013

f you have made resolutions for 2013, refer back to them from time to time to keep yourself onrack. Avoid, however, looking at your progress with a linear yardstick. Allow for flexibility andjustments over time. If you are hard on yourself, you won't get to your goals faster. Go gent

he most powerful new year's resolutions involve intentions to remember and connect with yorue nature - which is love. As you and others do this, sharing love with others, a more loving

world is catalyzed into being.

s the new year begins, intend to observe and experience life in a deeper, more spiritual way.nvite your higher self to show you new approaches to your life and to connect you with new

members of your spiritual family.

our Spiritual Progression

cknowledge that much has shifted within you this past year, allowing 2013 to hold new promo continue your spiritual progression, regularly invite spirit to show you what else needs to gou are a work in progress, after all, discovering your gifts and abilities while becoming awar

what remains in your way of success. Awareness of these things, indeed, unfolds more easily wou let go of resisting the natural process of evolving into your authentic self. Trust that this is

where you are headed, and be okay with what is in the meantime.

How you begin something sets the tone for the rest of that thing. Your beginning energy mattewhether it's the start of a new day, new month, or new year. With the first days of 2013 now

nfolding, consider how you are starting out energetically. Remember that you can changeirection at any moment by shifting your focus and intent.

s you continue the journey of discovering your divine nature, we surround you with our love

nd blessings. We are The Council of 12.


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Meditate for AnswersPosted by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

One way to find an answer is to relax into a deep meditation. As we sit still the body calms andettles. Then by concentrating on breathing and saying a mantra we free space in the depthselow the rambling mind to pull out the answer to a problem.

Meditation

egin by gathering together a journal and pen to record insights from the meditation. Choose lace where you will have quiet and privacy. Light your meditation candle and burn incense ifou wish. I like to fill the air with the scent of sandalwood because it is clearing to me.

it on a cushion on the floor with your legs bent in, or sit on a chair with the soles of your feetrmly planted on the floor for balance. Keep your back straight but not rigid. Fold your hand

our lap or place them face up or face down on your thighs.

Close your eyes and begin even and regular breathing, which means like your everydayreathing. For example, breathe in one count, breathe out one count, breathe in one count andontinue this rhythmic pattern throughout your meditation.

Do not hold your breath at any time in your practice. If your thoughts stray during meditationently return to following the course of your breaths in and out, in and out.

he photo illustrates the use of mala beads when you use a mantra. Move one bead forward w

ach mantra repetition. Coordinate saying the syllables of your mantra to fit with the evenreathing. If your mantra has 2 syllables breathe in on the first and out on the second syllablehere are more syllables figure out how to divide them to keep the even breathing pattern.

All of this figuring out will keep your mind busy in a repetitive way to allow the deeper questiohe space to work itself out and bring the answer you are needing to the forefront in youronsciousness.

When the mind is calm and one-pointed, answers have room to swim to the surface of mind

without hitting and being delayed by extraneous thoughts.

After watching your breathing for a few minutes and saying your mantra if desired ask theuestion you wish answered.

ay a few prayers or affirmations of appreciation for new insights that arise to the surface.

inish your meditation session with a long breath in and a matching exhalation. Open your eytretch out, record your insights in your meditation journal now, while fresh in your mind.


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DRESSING A CANDLE FOR RITUALPosted by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

. Choose type and color of candle appropriate for ritual.

. Cleanse the candle of prior energies: you may use water, salt, pure soap, or baby oil (allreviously blessed and consecrated.)

. Bless and consecrate oil to be used, appropriate to ritual.

. State and engrave (if you wish) what the candle is to represent.

. Anoint the candle with oil and focus on desire (purpose of ritual.)

A. For ritual of achievement: anoint oil from the top of the candle to the middle in a downwarmotion, then from the bottom of the candle to the middle in an upward motion.

. For ritual of banishment: anoint oil from the middle of the candle to the top in an upwardmotion, then middle to bottom of the candle in a downward motion.

. Bless and consecrate the candle.

. Meditate on desired outcome.

ome people do not use matches to light candles, the sulfur is considered unclean.

f you feel this way, use an incense starter or stick to light your candles.

o extinguish a candle, snuff it out or wave your hand over it hard enough to make a breeze tout it out.

Do not blow or pinch it out. Blowing a candle out blows desires away, and pinching a flame

inches out desires.


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The Keeping Of The SoulPosted by Marjabella Le Fey

~BlackElk(Mystic)~

A Lakota Ritual for Keeping a Loved Ones Spirit Alive

n The Sacred Pipe, Lakota mystic Black Elk described a ritual that helped survivors establishew relationship to the deceased in the year following the loved ones death. The ritual was cal

The Keeping of the Soul, and served as spiritual therapy for everyonethe deceased, therieving family, and the entire tribe.Black Elk explained that the practice originated when aoung boy of the tribe died and his grieving father sought out the shaman for help. The shamaold the father, This boy seems to be dead, yet he is not really, for we shall keep his soul amon

ur people, and through this our children and the children of their children will become wakaholy].

he shaman then addressed the soul of the child: Behold O soul! Where you dwell upon thisarth will be a sacred place; this center will cause the people to be as wakan as you are. Our

randchildren will now walk the path of life with pure hearts, and with firm step! And to thearents: We shall gain great knowledge from this soul which has here been purified. Be goodand love it, for it is wakan.

he ritual itself was lengthy and involved a number of steps to be performed by the shaman, thamily members, and the rest of the tribe. In an early phase, the shaman purified a lock of hairhe dead person and wrapped it in sacred buckskin. This bundle then was seen as housing theoul and was hung in a special place in the familys tipi. The keeper of the soul, usually a famil

member, would take special care of the bundle. He or she would pray to it, feed it, and show

many other signs of respect. As the shaman would tell the parents:


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You are now keeping the soul of your own son, who is not dead, but is with you. From now on must live in a sacred manner, for your son will be in this tipi until his soul is released. You shoemember that the habits which you establish during this period will remain with you always.

You must take great care that no bad person enters the lodge where you keep the soul, and thahere be no arguments or dissensions; there should always be harmony in your lodge, for all thhings have an influence on the soul which is being purified there.

Your hands are wakan; treat them as such! And your eyes are wakan; when you see your

elatives and all things, see them in a sacred manner! Every day and night your son will bewith you; look after his soul all the time, for through this you will always remember Wakan-

anka [the Great Spirit]. From this day on you will be wakan, and as I have taught you, so youoo will now be able to teach others.

During the time that a soul was being kept, the keeper was not supposed to fight or use a knifeny reason. The people should love and honor this holy man, frequently bringing food and gio him, and the keeper of the soul should in turn offer up his pipe very often to Wakan-Tanka he good of the nation. In good weather, the bundle was to be hung outside. By bringing it gifnd praying before it, the people of the tribe gained blessings from this soul.he concluding part of the ritual, the Releasing of the Soul, would typically take place a yea

fter the persons death. Everyone participated in it. After offering gifts to the various powersarth and sky, the holy keeper spoke to the soul within the bundle:

You, O soul, were with your people, but soon you will leave. Today is your day, and it is wakanoday your Father, Wakan-Tanka is bending down to see you; all your people have arrived to

with you. All your relatives love you, and have taken good care of you. You and the holy womaf the four ages, who brought to us the sacred pipe, are now together here in this lodge. . . .he bundle was carried past the threshold of the tipileaving the circle of this lifeand thus the

oul was released. In its purified state, the soul was ready to rejoin the Great Spirit.he shaman would say to the parents, You loved your son, and you have kept him at the cent

f our peoples hoop. As you have been good to this your loved one, so be good to all other peohis sacred influence of your sons soul will be upon the people; it is as a tree that will always

loom.t was through this rite, Black Elk wrote, that we purify the souls of our dead, and that our loor one another is increased. Through purification the soul becomes one with Wakan-Tanka eed not wander the earth, he declared, as is the case with the souls of bad people. And furth

the keeping of a soul helps us to remember death and also Wakan-Tanka, who is above allying.hrough the survivors prayers, respect, and peaceful behavior, a mutual benefit would occur

he presence of the bundle continually reminded the family that how they behaved would affe

he soul, for good or ill. For a year they focused on the good that this soul was bestowing on thnd their tribe; they found inspiration in it to purify themselves and share this goodness withthers. Survivors gained consolation in knowing that their loved ones spirit remained near thnd that they were helping to prepare the soul for its journey.his ritual helped to make real the notion that the death of a loved one can serve life-givingurposes for those who remain behind. No soul ever truly leaves his or her loved ones. He or shemains with them for a time in spirit and, through their mutual love and respect, they create asting legacy of goodwill.


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February 2013 Enchanted Forest magazine

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