The Desert Path

The Dusty Ramblings of a Desert Pagan

Cat’s Morning Bits for September 25, 2018

Posted on September 25, 2018 by Cat

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Cat’s Morning Bits for September 25, 2018

Good Morning Beautiful Souls, grab a cup of your favorite morning brew and start things off with “Today’s Inspirations”. I hope you find something here that will make you feel good or help you on your path today.

Blessings, Cat

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Now the beautiful business of summer is over,
Earth wraps herself in a bright, leaf-patterned shawl.
The hives cement the prodigal juice of the clover
And spendthrift gold is hoarded in bin and stall.

–Jean Starr Untermeyer (1886–1970)

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Spiritual Unite: Psychic Empath Definition | Are You One of The Special Ones?

If you want to know what a Psychic Empath is, then you have come to the right place! Psychic Empaths are very rare and very special. They hold great power to heal others and to influence the world for the greater good. Knowing what makes a Psychic Empath will help you to see if you or someone you know …

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/psychic-empath-definition-are-you-one-of-the-special-ones/

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MBG: Tonight’s Harvest Moon In Aries Is Begging You To Be Bold & Speak Up

Are you craving a little more autonomy or space? Dive into a passion project at the fiery full Harvest Moon in Aries, or debut the one you’ve been working on since the corresponding Aries new moon this past April 15.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/harvest-moon-in-aries-2018

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Tetraktys: Life Goals – Why You Need Them in Order to Be Happy and How to Find Yours

I don’t know about you, but I’m under the impression that a lot of people around me are quite unhappy. My wife and I are far from rich and we have to face difficulties from time to time. But still, we consider ourselves happy and we are always under the impression that the future is bright for us and our future children. It doesn’t seem to be the case for most people.

https://www.thetetraktys.com/2018/life-goals-why-you-need-them-in-order-to-be-happy-and-how-to-find-yours/

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Elephant Journal: 8 Ground Rules for Better Emotional Self-Care.

As a thinking, feeling human, I’ve made a discovery.
Yes, self-care is important.
However, the self-care it seems we really need isn’t just regular exercise, drinking smoothies, and getting massages.

What I’m talking about is emotional self-care because basically, life is hard.
That’s why I’ve put together the following set of ground rules for better emotional self-care.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/09/8-ground-rules-for-better-emotional-self-care/

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MNN: World’s first recycled plastic bike path opens in the Netherlands

News that the world’s first bike path made from recycled plastic has been completed in the Netherlands is impressive — and also not at all surprising

Cat’s Morning Bits for September 24, 2018

Posted on September 24, 2018 by Cat

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Cat’s Morning Bits for September 24, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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Over! the sweet summer closes,
The reign of the roses is done.
–Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809–92)

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Spiritual Unite: These Are The Best And The Worst Matches For Your Zodiac Sign

We’re all looking for the perfect relationship, but is there such a thing? Relationships are hard and take both time and effort to maintain, especially if you and your partner have different values. Compatibility in love is everything when it comes to long-term relationships, so to make sure you don’t end up in a bad relationship, we bring you the …

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/these-are-the-best-and-the-worst-matches-for-your-zodiac-sign/

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MBG: A Crystal Ritual For People Who Don’t Believe In Crystal Rituals

I’ll admit it: Until pretty recently, I found the idea of using crystals as anything but jewelry or decorative bookends pretty ridiculous. How could little rocks possibly have any sort of magical powers—able to somehow pull you closer to the dream life that played on a projector in your head? The whole thing sounded very Disney Channel Original movie, and while I respected those who worked with crystals, I decided I was most definitely not one of them.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/fall-equinox-crystal-ritual

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Daily Good: The Psychology of Self-Righteousness

“When it comes to moral judgments, we think we are scientists discovering the truth, but actually we are lawyers arguing for positions we arrived at by other means.” The surprising psychology behind morality is at the heart of social psychologist Jonathan Haidt’s research. He explains “liberal” and “conservative” not narrowly or necessarily as political affiliations, but as personality types ways of moving through the world. His self-described “conservative-hating, religion-hating, secular liberal instincts” have been challenged by his own studies. { read more }

http://www.dailygood.org/story/1865/jonathan-haidt-the-psychology-of-self-righteousness-on-being/

Be The Change

Challenge your own judgements of other people this week. See what insights surface in the process.

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Elephant Journal: 6 Daily Positive Actions for when Life isn’t quite Working Out.

Have you ever had these huge goals (for your career, relationships, or health) that feel really far away?
And even though they feel far away, you know that you’re going to live that life one day, and so you start to feel unhappy with the life you’re living now?

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/09/6-daily-positive-actions-for-when-life-isnt-quite-working-out/

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MNN: Green Bay shelter volunteer naps with cats — and inspires amazing donations

About six months ago, Terry Lauerman, a retired teacher, walked into Safe Haven Pet Sanctuary in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and asked if he could volunteer. He just wanted to brush cats.

Cat’s Morning Bits for September 21, 2018

Posted on September 21, 2018 by Cat

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Cat’s Morning Bits for September 21, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.
–Robert Frost (1874–1963)

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Spiritual Unite: My Soul Is Tired? How To Fix Your Tired Soul

One of the most common problems for people who are awake spiritually, in this day and age is soul tiredness. If your soul is tired, you can suffer a variety of symptoms that can drastically affect your quality of life. When your soul is tired, life becomes so much more difficult. But what causes soul tiredness?

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/my-soul-is-tired-how-to-fix-your-tired-soul/

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MBG: A Ritual For Boosting Your Self-Esteem As Soon As You Get Out Of Bed

Most of us start the day by looking in the mirror and judging (negatively) our appearance. This literally means our first interaction with anything or anyone is negative. Rather than starting our days by undermining ourselves, we should spend our first moments affirming our worth. In this short video, Kathryn Budig guides us through an easy trick for getting inspired and energized in the first five minutes of your morning.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-25547/a-ritual-for-boosting-your-selfesteem-as-soon-as-you-get-out-of-bed.html

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Daily Good: Awakening Through Writing

Albert Flynn DeSilver’s latest book is out, Writing as a Path to Awakening: A Year to Becoming an Excellent Writer and Living an Awakened Life. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon interviews the author, poet, and leader of writing workshops about the difference between writing as a creative endeavor and writing as a gateway to spiritual inquiry. They also discuss how to explore difficult subjects such as failure and death, and how such deep inquiries can help open us to the present moment.

http://www.dailygood.org/story/1826/awakening-through-writing-tami-simon/

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Elephant Journal: What Venus Retrograde wants to Teach Us about Love. {October 5 to November 16}

I got married once, during a Venus Retrograde.
I consulted with an astrologer about the date, and she explained that marriage under a Venus Retrograde period was not considered auspicious.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/09/what-venus-retrograde-wants-to-teach-us-about-love-october-5-to-november-16/

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MNN: 9 peculiar facts about praying mantises

If you’re the kind of gardener who hopes to find predatory insects among your plants and flowers, be careful what you wish for when it comes to praying mantises. They eat good bugs as well as bad bugs.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/peculiar-facts-praying-mantises

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EarthSky News: Day and night exactly equal at equinoxes?

We’re coming up on an equinox, a word that means “equal night.” Days and nights are nearly equal across the globe now. Nearly, but not quite. Here’s why.

http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/why-arent-day-and-night-equal-on-the-day-of-the-equinox

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Patheos-Pagan: Review: Protection Spells By Arin Murphy-Hiscock

A large part of this book is concentrated on spells for children and young folk. There are spells here for general fears, anti-bullying, and also nightmares, things that can plague folks of any age, but are particularly troubling for youth. There are also simple ways to both ground and center yourself which can be helpful for anyone. A large part of protection magic is designed to provide comfort and security and that is what this book provides.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/voodoouniverse/2018/09/review-protection-spells-by-arin-murphy-hiscock/

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Inner Journey: THE FIRST STEP TO FORGIVENESS

“To get to forgiveness, we first have to work through the painful experiences that require it.”
— Christiane Northrup

To forgive, we do not have to say that whatever happened was okay. In fact, before we can forgive, we need to allow ourselves to really feel the pain of the experience. If we don’t fully acknowledge our hurts, we will continue to carry them subconsciouslyand they will drain our energy.

To forgive, we need to decide that we won’t allow the memories of the event to poison us any longer. We’re ready to heal this wound from the past and open to a fresh new beginning.

The blessing is that when we’re really ready to experience our pain and we open to it, it usually fades away. By honouring our pain, we release it.

“We must let ourselves feel all the painful destruction we want to forgive rather than swallow it in denial. If we do not face it, we cannot choose to forgive it.”
— Kenneth McNoll

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

I just met with someone very, very fond of you.

Actually everyone here is very, very fond of you.

Anyway, this friend said to tell you that just because most people are looking for what they think they don’t have, doesn’t mean they don’t have it.

She also said you still look fab in black.

Weird, huh? (I mean the first part…)

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Grain-Free Cheesy Jalapeno Bread

I made these bread for a friend who is on a strict keto diet that’s to help with a certain ailment. The flour that you’d usually find in this bread has been replaced with Parmesan cheese, and you’d almost never know it. For only having 4 ingredients, this bread is chewy, moist, and crazy delicious! You can up the heat factor by adding more jalapeno, but I kept it on a medium-heat level here.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Grain-Free-Cheesy-Jalapeno-Bread.html

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Magical Correspondences for Friday

Intentions: Love, Pleasure, Affairs of the Heart, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers, Peace, Healing, Beauty, gentleness and Women’s Issues.

Incense: Strawberry, Sandalwood, Rose, Saffron, Verbena and Vanilla
Planet: Venus
Sign: Libra and Taurus
Angel: Ariel
Colors: Green, Pink, Aqua
Herbs/Plants: Pink Rose, Ivy, Birch, Heather, Clematis, Sage, Violet and Water Lilly

Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmrosa, Rose, Yarrow, Apple Blossom, Musk, Ambergris

Goddesses: Astarte, Aphrodite, Erzulie, Aida Wedo, Eve, Venus, Freya, Diana, Aset [Isis], The Witch Of Gaeta, Chalchiuhtlique

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Daily Wisdom
September 21, 2018

Solitude

“The secret of solitude is that there is no solitude.”

-Joseph Cook, Conscience (1880)

So the secret is out! When we understand that we can never be “alone” because God is always with us, then we will never be lonely. We will cherish our solitude, and consider it time alone with God.
-Lissa Coffey

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: The 7 Greatest Strengths of an Introvert
What others might call weakness is an introvert’s greatest strength.

Cat’s Morning Bits for September 20,2018

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Cat

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Cat’s Morning Bits for September 20, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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The mellow moon, the changing leaves,
The earlier setting Sun,
Proclaim at last, my merry boys,
The harvest-time begun.
–Charles G. Eastman (1816–60)

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Spiritual Unite: Orb In Photos And Their Meaning

One of the most common experiences we have with the spirit world shows up in places that we might not expect photography. Specifically, the little (or large!) balls of energy that show up in photos, that are commonly called orbs. The spiritual energy that runs through our world may be as old as time, but strangely enough, it is…

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/orb-in-photos-and-their-meaning/

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MBG:How To Have Epic Outdoor Adventures (Even When You Work A Desk Job)

What do you think of when you imagine an outdoor adventure? Maybe you’re envisioning thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, summiting Denali, or traveling the country in a converted van—something big, bold, and ambitious.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/how-to-have-outdoor-adventures-even-when-you-work-a-desk-job

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Daily Good: Betty Peck’s Magic Mirror

Imagine a magic mirror that you look into to discover how truly wonderful you are. That is the kind of mirror that Betty Peck, a kindergarten teacher with more than 50 years experience, had in all of her classrooms. Whenever one of her students felt worried or unsure, Betty would gently guide the student to look into the magic mirror and say, “How could you forget how wonderful you are?!” In this short film created by a former student of Betty’s, this wise woman, now well into her 90’s, encourages us to have just such a magic mirror in every kindergarten, every household and every garden. In that way we can all say, “Thank you for every magic moment that makes it possible for me to stand here and to feel how truly wonderful I am.” { read more }

http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=8167&coord=1

Be The Change

Give thanks today for all the magic moments in your own life. If you’d like, you can send a note of gratitude to Betty Peck for the countless seeds of goodness she planted in so many hearts

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Elephant Journal: Equinox, September 23rd—We are Two Halves of the Same Heart.

Come September 23rd, our closest and most precious star will align with the centre of the earth.
At precisely 3.54 a.m., Central European Time, the sun will shine directly over the equator, and the equal length of night and day will be the same—everywhere in the world.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/09/equinox-september-23rd-we-are-two-halves-of-the-same-heart/

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MNN: People like you more than you might think
(No, seriously, they do … we have research to prove it.)

For many people, the moments after a conversation — and sometimes even during the conversation — can be filled with self-doubt. There’s a lot of second guessing, like what did the person on the other side of the conversation think? And double the speculation if you’re meeting for the first time.

https://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/stories/liking-gap-people-like-you-more-than-you-think

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EarthSky News: See Venus at its brightest

On and around September 20 and 21, 2018, look for the brightest planet, Venus, now looming low in the evening twilight, dazzlingly bright. It’s now Venus’ time of greatest brilliancy, a time when the planet takes on an odd appearance; many will report it as a UFO in the days ahead. It’s a precursor to Venus’ disappearance from our evening skies in the coming weeks.

http://earthsky.org/tonight/see-venus-at-greatest-illuminated-extent

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Patheos-Pagan: Mind Over Spirit: Be. QUIET.
We’ve heard the whole thing about ‘mind over body’. I can say from experience that this is a legitimate thing—the strength of the mind, the logic and rationality and sheer strength of it, kept elements of my body in check until I was alone and free to fall apart.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/kacealexander/2018/09/be-quiet/

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Inner Journey:

ON SELF-HONESTY

“No man, for any considerable period, can wear one face to himself, and another to the multitude, without finally getting bewildered as to which may be true.”
— Nathaniel Hawthorne

“You cannot fake a relationship and feel right with yourself or anyone else. Changing yourself to fit what you think other people want doesn’t work. Pretending to be someone other than yourself only broadens the distancebetween the person you are and the one with whom you’re trying to establish closeness.”
— Mary Manin Morrissey

“Just as surely as distress must follow self-deceit, healing must follow self-honesty.”
— Vernon Howard

“Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got.”
— Janis Joplin

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Whatever you have to say, say it with love.

Love you,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Buko-Pandan Cake

Natural is always a good thing especially with food. This recipe uses coconut and no artificial colors and flavoring are added.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Buko-Pandan-Cake.html

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Magical Correspondences for Thursday

Intentions: Luck, Happiness, Health/ Healing, Religion, Legal Matters, Male Fertility, Treasure and Wealth, Honor, Riches, Clothing Desires, Leadership, Public Activity, Power and Success, Trade and Employment

Incense: Cinnamon,Henbane Nutmeg and Sage

Planet: Jupiter
Sign: Sagittarius and Pisces
Angel: Sachiel
Colors: Purple, Royal Blue and Indigo
Herbs/Plants: Cinnamon, Beech, Buttercup, Coltsfoot, Oak
Stones: Sugilite, Amethyst, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli and Sapphire
Oil: (Jupiter) Clove, Lemon Balm, Oakmoss, Star Anise

Goddesses: Juno, Hera, Kwan Yin, Mary, Cybele, Tara, Mawu, Mlaba Mwana Waresa, Ishtar, Nuit

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Daily Wisdom
September 20, 2018

Solitude

“We’re all of us sentenced to solitary confinement inside our own skins, for life!”

-Tennessee Williams, Orpheus Descending

There comes a time when we realize that there’s no escaping it, we have to live with ourselves! How do we treat ourselves? Are we kind and loving, do we show appreciation and forgiveness? Too often we’re our own worst critics! We’re hard on ourselves when we really need a break once in awhile. Let’s work on being the kind of person whom we want to be with – and spend some time being ourselves, by ourselves.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 6 Uses for Honey

The Egyptians used honey as an antiseptic, a way of preventing body decay, and also to aid upset stomachs. During World War I soldiers were treated with a mixture of honey and cod-liver oil on open sores. Today, honey is just as remarkable for cuts, scrapes and to keep a youthful appearance
Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/wellness/health/6-uses-for-honey.aspx#Kedu8GRxIXjLTR5W.99

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About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily post are reblogged from various email newsletters that I receive each day.

I invite you to check out my websites!

The Desert Path: The dusty ramblings of a desert pagan. https://thedesertpath.com/

Cat’s Treasure Trove …. an eclectic collection of jewelry & gifts! https://thedesertpath.com
Sacred Spirals (the place where all paths meet)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SacredSpirals/

Cat’s Morning Bits for September 19, 2018

Posted on September 19, 2018 by Cat

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Cat’s Morning Bits for September 19, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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Now by the brook the maple leans
With all his glory spread,
And all the sumachs on the hills
Have turned their green to red.
–William Wilfred Campbell (1858–1918)

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Spiritual Unite: Kundalini Awakening Symptoms And Dangers

The process of kundalini awakening has a host of symptoms and dangers associated with it. Rightly or wrongly, some warn against embarking on kundalini awakening while you are still inexperienced in yoga and meditation. We believe they are a little over the top, but they raise a good point. As long as the process is undertaken with proper care, and

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/kundalini-awakening-symptoms-and-dangers/

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MBG: Be The Change: This Checklist Has 10 Actionable Items That Actually Make A Difference

By now, we’ve all gotten the message that our environment needs as much love as humanly possible, and we’re doing our part to help make that happen. Still, while we have the best intentions to be all eco-friendly all the time, just thinking about how much work still needs to be done can get overwhelming—and make even the greenest person feel a little blue.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/be-the-change-this-checklist-has-10-actionable-items-that-make-a-difference

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Daily Good: Change the Worldview, Change the World

At the heart of every culture is a story of how the world came to be and what that means for us. Look closer and you’ll find many more narratives that comprise our collective consciousness. In the case of the Western world, problems like white supremacy, misogyny, and ecological hostility are all disconnected storylines that have been kept alive year after year. In this compelling essay, author Drew Dellinger calls upon us to reexamine the stories in Western society–their sources and consequences–and consider a wider worldview.

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2079/change-the-worldview-change-the-world-drew-dellinger/

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Elephant Journal: The Best Way to Get Out of a Funk.

Every once in a while, I have a day where I am in a total funk.
Nothing particularly bad happens, but nothing seems to be going the way I want it to either. I feel tired, antsy, irritable, and generally unsatisfied with pretty much everything. In theory I want to do all the things; in reality I want to do none of the things

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/09/the-best-way-to-get-out-of-a-funk/

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MNN: Stunning video captures a triple whale breach off coast of Nova Scotia

A boat full of lucky whale-watching tourists saw the spectacle of a lifetime when three humpback whales launched themselves out of the water one-by-one in spectacular fashion

Cat’s Morning Bits for September 18, 2018

Posted on September 18, 2018 by Cat

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Cat’s Morning Bits for September 18, 2018

Good Morning Beautiful Souls!

Grab a cup of your favorite morning brew and start things off with “Today’s Inspirations”. I hope you find something here that will make you feel good or help you on your path today.

Blessings, Cat

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Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean
And the pleasant land.

Thus the little minutes,
Humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages
Of eternity.

–Julia A. Fletcher (1823–1908)

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Spiritual Unite: 9 Powerful Ways To Harness Positive Energy Into Your Life

Ah, positive energy the foundation of conscious living and mindfulness. Personal transformation, emotional balance, and holistic happiness are just some of the things that start with positivity. However, life often gets in the way of positivity, doesn’t it? Getting cut off in traffic, impatience, losing our tempers These are just some of the many minuscule occurrences that get in ….

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/9-powerful-ways-to-harness-positive-energy-into-your-life/

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MBG: How To Make Ink From Foraged Plants & Objects — AKA Our New Go-To Fall Activity

This story is excerpted from the new book Make Ink: A Forager’s Guide to Natural Inkmaking by Jason Logan, published by Abrams.

I am often asked what exactly ink is. It’s not paint—which is a liquid color used mainly for creating images or covering surfaces. What distinguishes ink from other art supplies is its use as a tool for communication. People have been leaving marks with berries, burnt sticks, or colored rocks since the dawn of humanity

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/how-to-make-ink-foragers-guide-to-natural-inkmaking

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Daily Good: Laura Grace Weldon: Four Poems

In the poem “Earthbound,” author Laura Grace Weldon describes the perfection that exists right before us at the same time we are looking elsewhere with desires and whims. A proponent of “free range learning, creative living, gentle encouragement, big questions, and occasional drollery,” Weldon is skilled at illuminating sources of hope in everyday places and people. This group of four poems from Moon magazine shares the inspiration found all around us–in women, nature, heroes, our breath

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2085/laura-grace-weldon-four-poems-laura-grace-wheldon/

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Elephant Journal: The 7 Chakra Personality Types & how we can Appreciate their Gifts.

Do you sometimes judge others?
I don’t mean the kind of judgment that you express outwardly, to someone in the moment.
But do you judge people behind their back?

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/09/the-7-chakra-personality-types-how-we-can-appreciate-their-gifts/

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EarthSky News: Moon sweeps near Saturn and Mars September 17 to 19

On September 17, 18 and 19, 2018, use the waxing gibbous moon to locate the planets Saturn and Mars. These two worlds look like bright stars, and they are easy to see with the eye alone. Mars is the brighter of the two, its ruddy color contrasting beautifully with the golden hue of Saturn.

http://earthsky.org/tonight/moon-saturn-and-mars-september-17-19

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Patheos-Pagan: Halegmonath: the “Holy Month” of Mabon

By linking together the astrological significance, mythology, and historical observances surrounding the festivals of Modern Paganism’s Wheel of the Year; one is able to discover deeper insights and intriguing connections linking the esoteric concepts that comprise the unique flavor of each sacred day of observance. Mabon, despite the modern origins of its nomenclature has significant connections with the ancient myths of Pagan cultures across Europe.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/poisonersapothecary/2018/09/17/halegmonath-the-holy-month-of-mabon/

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Inner Journey:

NO JUDGMENT

Everything in life holds both a blessing and a curse. We deny this when we label the events of our lives as either good or bad. The following old Zen story illustrates this lesson most effectively.

A farmer had a horse but one day, the horse ran away and so the farmer and his son had to plow their fields themselves. Their neighbors said, “Oh, what bad luck that your horse ran away!” But the farmer replied, “Bad luck, good luck, who knows?”

The next week, the horse returned to the farm, bringing a herd of wild horses with him. “What wonderful luck!” cried the neighbors, but the farmer responded, “Good luck, bad luck, who knows?”

Then, the farmer’s son was thrown as he tried to ride one of the wild horses, and he broke his leg. “Ah, such bad luck,” sympathized the neighbors. Once again, the farmer responded, “Bad luck, good luck, who knows?”

A short time later, the ruler of the country recruited all young men to join his army for battle. The son, with his broken leg, was left at home. “What good luck that your son was not forced into battle!” celebrated the neighbors. And the farmer remarked, “Good luck, bad luck, who knows?”

“Do not judge, and you will never be mistaken.”
— Jean Jacques Rousseau

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

What if I told you that your every conflict, disappointment, struggle, or challenge with others and yourself, was merely a manifestation of what’s going on within your own thinking. Would you go there first to fix, mend, and allay?

Yeah, you might miss the drama.

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Beetroot Lemonade

This delicious, pretty, red lemonade is made from grated beets, fresh lemons, agave nectar, and water. Give it a try; you will be pleasantly surprised.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Beetroot-Lemonade-1.html

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Magical Correspondences for Tuesday

Intentions: Courage, Destination, Physical Strength, Revenge, Military Honors, Surgery and the Breaking of Negative Spells, Matrimony, War, Enemies, Prison, Vitality and Assertiveness

Incense: Dragon’s Blood, Patchouli, Lignum Aloes, Plantain

Goddesses: Aset [Isis], Soorejnaree, Pingalla, Anna, Aine, Danu, Yngona, Bellona, Aida Wedo, Sun Woman

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Daily Wisdom
September 18, 2018

Solitude
“Solitude gives birth to the original in us, to beauty unfamiliar and perilous – to poetry. But also, it gives birth to the opposite: to the perverse, the illicit, the absurd.”

-Thomas Mann, Death in Venice

To appreciate solitude we need space and time. We need space to be by ourselves and time to enjoy our own company. And from there we can experience silence, and go beyond space and time! Here there are infinite possibilities for us; here is where we find inspiration and creativity. Here there is peace, and joy, and bliss.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 7 Ways to Get Your Point Across So Others Hear You
Have you ever had something important to say, but you felt as if no one was paying any attention?

Cat’s Morning Bits for September 17, 2018

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Cat

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Cat’s Morning Bits for September 17, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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Give me the splendid silent sun with all his beams full-dazzling,
Give me juicy autumnal fruit ripe and red from the orchard,
Give me a field where the unmowed grass grows,
Give me an arbor, give me the trellised grape.
–Walt Whitman (1819–92)

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Spiritual Unite: When Your Birthday Is Between 2 Signs: The Cusp Sign Phenomenon

Sometimes people born during the last or first days of a new solar sign, can’t even tell which their zodiac sign is and feel connected to aspects of both astral energies. Although the rising sign determines the outer you, the ascendant energy that marks the hour of your birth, cusp sign is different; it occurs when the sun position is

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/when-your-birthday-is-between-2-signs-the-cusp-sign-phenomenon/

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MBG: 7 Small Steps To Letting Yourself Heal From Panic Attacks

The problem with panic attacks isn’t the sheer terror you experience when you’re caught up in one, nor is it the ensuing fatigue. It’s how preoccupied you are before having to face that same situation again. Perhaps it’s taking the train or plane, or speaking at a meeting—the thought of the situation alone makes your shoulders seize, and you have sleepless nights because the same circuits get activated in the brain simply by thinking about it.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/how-to-heal-from-panic-attacks-7-small-steps

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Daily Good: Surprise is a Seed

Every day we are met with wonders beyond our imagination and simple acts that inspire a deep sense of awe. Yet often these occurrences go unnoticed as we’ve come to see them as ordinary. If we tuned into what was happening around us with deeper awareness, we might be surprised at what unfolds: the key turning in the ignition to start our car’s engine or the bodily processes that operate tirelessly to keep us alive. Each of these, though simple on the surface, can be hard for the human mind to explain. “Surprise is a seed. Gratefulness sprouts when we rise to the challenge of surprise,” writes Br. David. Read on to learn how the big and small wonders of our days can awaken a genuine gratitude within us when we learn to witness them in the spirit of surprise. { read more }

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2028/surprise-is-a-seed-brother-david-steindl-rast/

Be The Change

Go about your day and try to see elements of surprise in ordinary moments. What do you notice? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Elephant Journal: Love is a Verb. It’s also an Attitude.

We tend to see love as a feeling directed toward another person.
Surely, this must be the fullest of emotions.
This desire to give all of oneself away, freely, to the beloved—for the taking.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/09/love-is-a-verb-its-also-an-attitude/

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EarthSky News: Orion’s Belt points to dazzling Sirius

It’s one of the neatest tricks in all the heavens … Orion’s Belt points to Sirius in the constellation Canis Major the Greater Dog. Sirius is the brightest star in the nighttime sky. It’s up before dawn now but will be shifting into the evening sky as the months pass. Orion is found in the predawn morning sky every September

http://earthsky.org/tonight/good-sky-trick-orions-belt-points-to-starsirius

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Patheos-Pagan: 8 Things to do for Mabon as a Solitary Pagan

Many Pagans are solitary practitioners, either by choice or by necessity. But a lot of Pagan activities for Mabon are designed for large groups. In 2014 and 2015 I wrote a series of rituals for those working alone on the Wheel of the Year. Every year they’re near the top of the list of most popular posts – here’s the Mabon ritual.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbeckett/2018/09/8-things-to-do-for-mabon-as-a-solitary-pagan.html

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Inner Journey:

VALUE THE PROCESS

“If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear … as it is, infinite.”
— William Blake

When we stop and pay attention to ourselves, we begin to see clearly the habits and patterns that have kept us asleep and confused and misled for so long. With awareness, we can choose to shift from the selfish and narrow outlook of our personality to theall-embracing generosity of our soul, simply by changing our perspective.

Change your mind and you’ll change your world.

“You watch your mind to see who you are not. I watch my mind to gain a sense of its content, which has always been my pain. As I watch it, I get a sense of its impermanence. Thoughts come and go as part of a process.I see how content dissolves into process and begin to see the patterns in the process. Realizing it isn’t MY suffering, MY pain, it becomes THE pain. I’ve gone from the tiny, the small, and the individual to the universal. I feel OUR pain. When we do, we gofrom fear to compassion. Fear is MY pain, compassion is THE pain.”
— Stephen Levine

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Yo! Ho! Ho! It’s time for more good news and bad news!

The bad news is that there are going to be a few more challenges.

RIGHT! That’s the good news, too!

Each proving that you’re even greater, cooler, and more lovable than you now realize.

You’re welcome,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Homemade V-8 Juice Recipes

If you own a juicer it can be easy to turn your extra veggies into a delicious tomato based juice like V-8. You can also make it with tomato juice.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Homemade-V-8-Juice-Recipes.html

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Magical Correspondences for Monday

Goddesses: Luna, Selene, Diana, Re, Gaeleach, Ida, Artemis [Whom The Greeks Associated With Bast], The Witches, Yemaya, Erzulie, Bast

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Daily Wisdom
September 17, 2018

Solitude

“Solitude is as needful to the imagination as society is wholesome for the character.”

-James Russell Lowell, Among My Books

Solitude, time spent alone, nourishes our soul. And yet, some of us associate time by ourselves with loneliness. Maybe it’s that we’re afraid of being bored, or that we’re so used to having company that the silence seems awkward. Yet solitude is necessary for our spiritual growth. This is where we learn, this is where we receive those valuable insights. Make a date with yourself today – and spend some time in glorious solitude!

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 6 Things You Should Stop Wasting Your Time On
Does it have purpose? Acknowledge the things in life that are important and serve a function. Otherwise, you will allow pointless matters to waste your time and your life.
Read more………………………

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About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily post are reblogged from various email newsletters that I receive each day.

I invite you to check out my websites!

The Desert Path: The dusty ramblings of a desert pagan. https://thedesertpath.com/

Cat’s Treasure Trove …. an eclectic collection of jewelry & gifts! https://thedesertpath.com
Sacred Spirals (the place where all paths meet)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SacredSpirals/

Cat’s Morning Bits for September 14, 2018

Posted on September 14, 2018 by Cat

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Cat’s Morning Bits for September 14, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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A shadow rests upon the fields.
As earlier Suns are setting;
The corn has reached the tasseled age,
Its silken tresses netting.
–Stephen H. Thayer (1839–1919)

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Spiritual Unite: Effective Methods For Healing The Crown Chakra

Crown chakra healing can be achieved by making some changes in your daily routine. This seventh chakra is located at the top of your head and associated with spirituality. The blockage of this chakra is responsible for many adverse physical as well as spiritual conditions. Confusion, tension, drowsiness, headaches, depression, chronic fatigue, and materialism, are few of the many things

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/crown-chakra-healing/

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MBG: Why Mindfulness Can Actually Make You Feel Less Pain

By now, the enormously powerful effects mindfulness can have on your mind and soul are well-documented: A good mindfulness meditation can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and other depressive symptoms, and being mindful can also help you process emotions more clearly, improve your memory and other cognitive functions, and even make sex more enjoyable.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/why-mindfulness-can-make-you-feel-less-pain

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Daily Good: Barbara Kingsolver: My Crazy Summer of Squash

Summer is the time of abundant harvest. In this humorous essay on the tribulations of too many zucchini, acclaimed writer, Barbara Kingsolver explains why country people lock their doors and cars and even gates at the end of the summer. { read more }

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2082/my-crazy-summer-of-squash-barbara-kingsolver/

Be The Change

Where in your life do you feel a blessed abundance? Reflect on how you can share your bounty whether material or otherwise with those around you.

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Elephant Journal: Reigniting our Creativity & our Hunger for Life.

Happy is the chef whose labors satisfy and create appetite.
This chef, through an activity that she takes delight in and strives to be creative in, obtains fulfillment when she witnesses her customers with sated faces.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/09/reigniting-our-creativity-our-hunger-for-life/

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MNN: Watch as a bee covered in honey gets a hand from its fellow bees

We’ve all been told at one point or another that we should help a friend in need. While not every organism on the planet sets a good example, the bees shown in the video above certainly do.

Cat’s Morning Bits for September 13, 2018

Posted on September 13, 2018 by Cat

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Cat’s Morning Bits for September 13, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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The mellow moon, the changing leaves,
The earlier setting sun,
Proclaim at last, my merry boys,
The harvest-time begun.
–Charles G. Eastman (1816–60)

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Spiritual Unite: Overactive Crown Chakra

Situated at the crown of the head, the crown Chakra or Sahasrara connects the spiritual and material realms.

It regulates your emotional stability, creative thought, spirituality, inner wisdom and personal attachment

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/overactive-crown-chakra-16-signs/

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MBG: These Caffeine Alternatives Will Give You A Natural Energy Boost

We all have our morning routines. Part autopilot, part ritual, what we do each morning helps us get ready for what the day brings. For some, it all starts with a staggering zombie walk to make coffee (I include myself in this category). But for others who are seeking an alternative to caffeine to jump-start the morning, there are many natural energy-boosting options.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/caffeine-alternatives-for-healthy-natural-energy

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Daily Good: What Does a Compassionate Workplace Look Like?

Compassion in the workplace may sound foreign, but studies have shown that cultivating compassion at the office can have remarkable outcomes for product design, employee and customer engagement, and accountability. Compassion is at the root of delivering quality service, says Monica Worline, because “Service quality hinges on relationships, and relationships deepen when we listen and hear what’s going on in someone else’s life.

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2086/what-does-a-compassionate-workplace-look-like-nir-eyal-monica-worline/

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Elephant Journal: Every Day is a Prayer.

I don’t much believe in praying on our knees, hands clasped.
Still, I pray all day.
I grew up with the religious view of prayer, which felt like a pleading request for a temperamental God to step in and deliver what I asked for. It felt a bit like unworthiness waiting to be transmuted.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/09/every-day-is-a-prayer/

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MNN: ‘Tower of Voices’ honors the Sept. 11 bravery of Flight 93

“Tower of Voices,” a 93-foot musical instrument at the Flight 93 National Memorial, honors the passengers and flight crew who decided to fight back after terrorists hijacked their United Airlines plane on Sept. 11, 2001. The plane crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, never reaching its intended target but killing all on board.

Cat’s Morning Bits for September 12, 2018

Posted on September 12, 2018 by Cat

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Cat’s Morning Bits for September 12, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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September strews the woodlot o’er
With many a brilliant color;
The world is brighter than before,
Why should our hearts be duller?
–Thomas W. Parsons (1819–92)

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Spiritual Unite: Orbs Color Meaning: What Do The Different Colors Mean?

Orbs Color Meaning: Have you ever seen someone share a picture, where something orb like appeared in the photograph? Well orbs are very debated phenomena in the spiritual groups. Many say they are evidence of sentient being or spirits. However researchers have dismissed that idea of orbs being ghosts

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/orbs-color-meaning/

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MBG: How To Help Your Child Tap Into Their Inner Self

The ego is that part of us that subscribes to the conditionings of culture and all that we believe we “should” do in order to feel worthy and complete. We are raised by a set of prescriptions that dictate how we should be in life: College, career, marriage, and parenting are some of the few prescriptions set forth for us by the culture around us.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/the-opposite-of-tiger-mom-parenting-help-your-child-tap-into-their-inner-self

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Elephant Journal: The Difference between Setting an Intention & Magic Thinking.

I have to admit—like many people—I was under the misguided impression that “the law of attraction” was a viable belief.
At one point in my life, I watched the movie version of “The Secret” every night before I went to bed.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/09/how-to-actually-achieve-our-goals-its-more-than-magic-thinking/

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MNN: Helping pets in Hurricane Florence’s path

When people are in the path of a massive storm, they prepare their homes as best they can and get out of its way. For pets and strays, the situation is more complicated.

As Hurricane Florence bears down on the Carolina coast, many in the animal community are already helping get these animals out of harm’s way. Shelters and rescue groups hundreds of miles away are taking in animals from shelters that are directly in the storm’s path.

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