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    Divination with Ciara

     A Basic Introduction   There is a wide range of different things that can be filed under divination. It is something that is widely practiced, and often misunderstood by those who don’t. divination can be both simple, and complex. It depends often on the person doing, as much as the style of divination chosen.   Tarot cards are a common form of divination found not just in pagan practices, but also in pop culture. My favorite deck that I use is the Shadowscape Tarot.   A standard tarot deck has 72 cards; 22 Major Arcana, without suits and 56 tarot cards split into four suits.   The most common form…

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    Gems of the Goddess

    Aurora, Goddess of Dawn   Born at the dawn of time, the Roman goddess Aurora, known as Eos to the Greeks, rules over rejuvenation and renewal. Daughter of the Titan Hyperion (Bringer of Light), and granddaughter of Gaia (Earth) and Ouranos (the Heavens), she holds universal power as a direct descendant of the primal elements.   It is said her forearms and fingers shimmer in rose colored hues as she sweeps across the heavens, opening the gates for her brother, the sun god Helios, to guide his golden horse-drawn carriage into the sky while her sister, the moon goddess Selene, retreats into slumber.   Aurora has fallen in love many…

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    Astro Report for January 2013

    Mercury entered Capricorn Monday, December 31, 2012 – 8:48 am EST The Planet of Communication will enter the New Year with an air of caution. Don’t be afraid to speak up about what’s important, but measure your words. Be sure to express yourself with foundation or you will be ripped out from under your feet wondering what happened? New Year’s Day Tuesday, January 1, 2013 – 12:00 am EST Today is the day to make resolutions, right? And the most difficult thing is keeping your promises (to yourself). And as it happens, the small Train of Mars, Sun, Pluto, Mercury and Venus slide thru the 3rd and 4th Houses. Mars…

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    Interweavings

    A Book of Seasons   I invite you to journey with me as we create a Book of Seasons. This book will be a personal journal that will be a companion on our sacred walk through this new year. As individual as each of us, no two books will be alike. It can be a diary, art journal, spell book, daily gratitude list, or something unique that speaks to your heart.  My own Book of Seasons combines all of the above. Each month I will suggest a focus, affirmation, artistic activity and a food to explore.  This is one way of fully experiencing the “now” and bringing into our intentions…

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    Lavender’s Corner

                    Rose essential oil [Rosa Centifolia]   Rose water can be used for conjunctivitis. The oil of love. You can use this oil and a carrier oil with Rose Quartz in love meditations.   Correspondences of Rose; Planet~ Venus Element~ Water Deity~ Aphrodite, Antheia, Cloris, Ceres, Cerridwen, Diana, Flora, Frigg, Hathor, Hulda, Isis, Lada, Maia, Pomona, Rhea, Sita, Themis, Venus, Zillah, Adonis, Baal, Bes, Cupid, Eros, Vishnu, and St. Francis of Assisi. Archangel~ Haniel and Anael. Colours~ pale yellow or reddish orange. Other uses~ broken capillaries, dry skin, eczema, herpes, mature and sensitive skin types, wrinkles, palpitations, poor circulation, asthma, coughs, hay fever,…

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    Prunings from the Hedge

    Bumps in My Road   Sometimes turning points in our lives come seemingly by chance, like bumps in the road.  This is about some of the bumps in my road. When I was sixteen I was living with my father, stepmother and stepsister in West Hollywood, not far from Melrose and La Cienega, the vicinity of the famous Bodhi Tree Bookstore.  It had recently opened and its discovery by Shirley MacLaine still lay years in the future.  Nor had I discovered it as yet.  I was in high school, but school was out.  It was the great summer of surfing, 1962, but I wasn’t at the beach.  Just a few…

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    The Witch’s Cupboard

    An Herbal/Spice Blend to Kill Anything Over the Winter Season                       Some people call this fire cider, I call it, well nasty…Actually I call it Flu Juice.  Everyone has their own recipe, and I am no exception. So, without further ado, here it is: You’ll want to start this on the Full or New Moon 1 part Garlic 1 part Horseradish (The Fresh Root if you can get it but jarred is fine) 1 part Onion 1 part Fresh ginger 1/4 part Cayenne 1 part Honey Apple Cider Vinegar, with the Mother in it. (Non-filtered, Like Bragg’s) Chop the garlic,…

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    Magic of the Gods

    Ganesh – Remover of Obstacles               When I was thinking about how to start my new year column, I could think of no one better than Ganesh to start the new year with,  Ganesh (also known as Ganesha or Ganapati), is the elephant-headed, pot-bellied, Hindu God. He is one of the most beloved Gods in Hinduism. Even though there are many different sects of Hinduism in India and throughout the world, Ganesh is the one Deity that all Hindus love and worship. He is the “common thread” amongst all Hindus, or those practicing Hinduism.  But, admiration of Ganesh is not limited to India, his…