The Desert Path

The Dusty Ramblings of a Desert Pagan

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 24, 2018

Posted on December 24, 2018 by Cat

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Cat’s Morning Bits for December 24, 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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Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Blinks but an hour or two; and then,
A blood-red orange, sets again.

-Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-94)

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MBG: Get Ready, Because The Last Week Of 2018 Will Be A Roller Coaster

On Monday, Neptune squares Mercury, and it’ll speak to our soft, emotional sides.
This Monday, December 24, head-in-the-clouds Neptune muffles logical Mercury’s input levels as the two lock into a dynamic square. This compassionate combo could turn events into pure poetry. Raise a touching toast, even if you scrawl it impromptu-style on the back of a cocktail napkin.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/weekly-horoscope-december-24-30-2018

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Daily Good: Dealing with the Darkness of What Humans Do to Humans

The darkest capacities of humans to hurt fellow humans and destroy the natural world offer us the challenge of shifting our consciousness to discover what humanity can achieve through awareness, to create something alive and dynamic instead. Two organizations, Rising Women Rising World and FemmeQ have identified five of the outstanding qualities of feminine intelligence –available to men as to women — that could enable us to achieve tangible long-lasting results through awareness.

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2169/dealing-with-the-darkness-of-what-humans-do-to-humans-scilla-elworthy/

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Elephant Journal: Crazy Coincidence or Wink from the Cosmos? Finding Meaning in Synchronicities.

Last week, I taught a class to a group of seventh and eighth graders using the metaphor of a tree to talk about life and all the different elements important we must have in order to grow.
For example, how a tree’s roots represent our foundation and what we need to help us stay grounded, and its fruit—our dreams and the gifts we came here to share.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/12/crazy-coincidence-or-wink-from-the-cosmos-how-to-find-meaning-in-synchronicities/

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MNN: This 100-year-old Mexican Christmas tradition involves carving giant radishes

The city of Oaxaca, Mexico, has a creative way to bring attention to the harvest, particularly the cherished radish crop. Dating back to 1897, market vendors would carve the vegetables into various figures to make their radishes look more appealing. The mayor created a festival around the carvings — La Noche de Rábanos, or Night of the Radishes.

https://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/blogs/Night-of-radishes-unique-mexican-christmas-tradition

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EarthSky News: Moon and Gemini on December 23 and 24

On December 23 and 24, 2018, the waning gibbous moon – just past the solstice full moon – passes to the south of the two brightest stars of the constellation Gemini. These two stars are noticeable for being bright and close together. In sky lore, they represent the starry eyes of twin brothers. One star is Castor, and the other is Pollux. On these nights, the moon is also passing to the north of Procyon, the Little Dog Star

https://earthsky.org/tonight/moon-and-gemini

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Patheos-Pagan: Inviting in the New: Another Witch’s New Year Plans

I like the new year. I like new things, new spaces, and new shifts in my own awareness and action. The invitations to do something different, to make something better, and to expand who I am in my heart — and in the world.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/chargedbythegoddess/2018/12/inviting-in-the-new-another-witchs-new-year-plans/

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Inner Journey:

WHERE’S YOUR ATTENTION?

“Only one thing has to change for us to know happiness in our lives: where we focus our attention.”
— Greg Anderson

What do you usually focus on: problems or solutions?

When our mind dwells on a problem, we stay stuck. Woe is me! But when we can shift to ask how we might achieve a solution to our problem, our subconscious mind, thinking and creativity move into gear. New possibilities open up.

Get in the habit of asking for solutions!

“Every choice moves us closer to or farther away from something. Where are your choices taking your life? What do your behaviors demonstrate that you are saying yes or no to in life?”
— Eric Allenbaugh

higherawareness.com
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Today’s Recipe: Pretzel Rolo Turtles (Gluten Free)

Several years ago, our daughter made these for me, gluten free, and brought them when she came for Christmas. They were delicious and I have been wanting to try to make them ever since but never seemed to get around to doing it until today. I try not to eat a lot of sweets but when it’s Christmas, I go wild. Oh, gosh! These are so good and so quick and easy to make

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Pretzel-Rolo-Turtles-Gluten-Free.html

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Magical Correspondences for Monday

Intentions: Psychic Sensitivity, Women’s Mysteries, Tides, Waters, Emotional Issues, Agriculture, Animals, Female Fertility, Messages, Theft, Reconcilliations, Voyages, Dreams, Medicine, Visions and Merchandise

Incense: African Violet, Honeysuckle, Myrtle, Willow, Wormwood
Planet: Moon
Sign: Cancer
Angel: Gabriel
Colors: Silver, White and Gray
Herbs/Plants: Night Flowers, Willow Root, Orris Root, Birch, Motherwort, Vervain, White Rose and White Iris
Stones: Carnelian, Moonstone, Aquamarine, Pearl, Clear Quartz, Flourite, Geodes
Oil: (Moon) Jasmine, Lemon, Sandalwood

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
December 24, 2018

Blessings

“Yes, there is a Nirvanah: it is in leading your sheep to a green pasture, and in putting your child to sleep, and in writing the last line of your poem.”

-Kahlil Gibran

Our blessings are right in front of us, every day. The little things that make us happy, those are the things that make life worthwhile. It’s easy to see the big blessings, they get our attention – but the sweet, simple, small events that make us smile, for those we must be grateful, too.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 7 Simple Ways to Practice Gratitude Daily

Gratitude is an essential part of building happiness. It helps us realize what we have and helps puts situations into perspective. Gratitude is the expression of being thankful and having an attitude of appreciation and not taking things for granted in life. The benefits of practicing gratitude are infinite

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 21, 2018

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Cat

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Cat’s Morning Bits for December 21, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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Late lies the wintry sun a-bed,
A frosty, fiery sleepy-head;
Blinks but an hour or two; and then,
A blood-red orange, sets again.

-Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-94)

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Coffey Talk: Numerology of the Number 9
And finally we complete our numerology series with the number 9!

For those born on day 9, 18 or 27, Mars is your ruling planet, and the qualities of Mars are also in you. Mars is depicted as a strong masculine figure, dressed as a warrior. The qualities of a warrior include a strong sense of purpose, duty, order, and discipline. 9 people express this, as well as courage, patience, and self-confidence. 9’s can also be short-tempered, restless, argumentative and egotistical. Those under the influence of Mars enjoy sports, hunting, politics, and martial arts. They are competitive, but also good sports.

Mars is a planet of fire – it has an intense heat that is hard to take. This makes 9 people restless, it’s hard for them to sit still, they are always on the go and involved in activities. They’re always prepared for a battle, so they can create enemies with their constant state of alertness to danger. 9’s are outspoken and volatile, they are easily provoked and explosive. They are fiercely independent and have lots of energy. They can go to extremes as they are fearless. They have a strong sense of responsibility and they hate to be criticized. But since they are so domineering they often bring resentment and criticism to them.

9’s have been described as being like coconuts – hard on the outside and sweet on the inside. They are kind to people who work under them. They like to have authority and control, without it they get bored. Honor and prestige drive them. 9’s need attention, and spend a lot of their energy to get it.

Tuesdays and Fridays are lucky for 9 people, especially when they fall on a 9 day, or days 3, 6, 15, 21, 24 oe 30. Reds and pinks are auspicious for 9’s as red is the color of Mars. They can wear it, decorate with it, use it in every way to help them feel fresh and energetic. Coral is the best stone for 9’s. They can also use red stones like carnelian or jasper.

When you see the number 9 repeated it is a sign that something needs to be completed. It could be a project or a relationship that needs resolution. Think about what you need to finish up, so that you can move on and be productive.

Sharon Osbourne and Vin Diesel were both born on 9 days.

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MBG: Today Is One Of The Most Spiritual Days Of The Year. Here’s What It’s Trying To Tell Us

Today is the winter solstice—the shortest day of the year and the darkest time in Earth’s northern hemisphere. It also marks the beginning of the sun’s life cycle as it starts growing in strength again. Even though life appears cold and dead outside, this is actually a pivotal moment in the cycle of growth.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/winter-solstice-2018-how-to-welcome-it

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Daily Good: Leftover Women Take Over the Marriage Market

In China, a woman who is unmarried by age 25 is considered a “leftover woman.” She feels like an outsider, and in a culture with great respect for parents, she may feel like a failure. A group of such women went to the Marriage Market and put up large photos of themselves, and messages like “don’t give up love for suitability” or expressing the wish not to marry. Their fundamental message is “Don’t let pressure dictate your future

http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=8284

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Elephant Journal: 10 Rituals I use to Welcome Light Back into my Life in Time for the Winter Solstice.

Life is full of ups and downs, and winter has traditionally been somewhat of a bummer for me.
The seemingly endless cold nights, paired with missing long lost loved ones during the holidays, and lack of garden fresh vegetables have normally found me lying in a heap of tears on my living room floor.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/12/10-little-rituals-i-use-to-welcome-light-back-into-my-life-in-time-for-the-winter-solstice/

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EarthSky News: December full moon falls within a day of the solstice

December 22, 2018 will bring the final full moon of the year, falling less than a day after the December solstice. How close are the solstice and full moon in 2018? The solstice is December 21 at 22:23 UTC. The full moon is December 22 at 17:49 UTC. So the solstice and full moon fall less than one day apart. That means that – although the Northern Hemisphere has its longest winter night on December 21 – the lamp of a nearly full moon will light up the nighttime from dusk until dawn.

https://earthsky.org/tonight/full-long-night-moon-on-december-22

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Patheos-Pagan: May The Light Keep You

Now is the time when the light wanes, and darkness grows, and people come together during this time of year to reconnect with one-another.
When I look at our major holidays and celebrations during this time of year, I find in them this theme of light and illumination.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/naturessacredjourney/2018/12/5739/

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Inner Journey:

YOU ARE BIGGER THAN YOU THINK

“He who would be serene and pure needs but one thing, detachment.”
— Meister Eckhart

We are the ocean — vast, deep, powerful and rich. Nourishing and nurturing. Dive down into the dark stillness of being. Sense the rising and falling of surface thoughts and emotions, sometimes gentle, sometimes violent. Always shifting. Always in motion.Draw back and watch the waves of your life at play. Know you are the unfathomable depths — surface agitations can’t disturb you. Know that you are bigger than the little things that aggravate you.

“The bird of paradise alights only on the hand that does not grasp.”
— John Berry

“It’s best not to get too excited or too depressed by the ups and downs of life.”
— Dalai Lama

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

The great thing about feeling deep, profound, earthshaking love, is that you can start with anyone.

Next,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Angel Snowflake Sugar Cookies

This is a recipe that I got from my mother over 40 years ago. She called them drop sugar cookies, so I renamed them this year. These are crispy cookies that melt in your mouth. Almost every time I take them to a potluck party, I am asked for the recipe.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Angel-Snowflake-Sugar-Cookies.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
December 21, 2018

Experience

“What is it which is bought dearly, offered for nothing, and then most often refused? Experience, old people’s experience.”

-Isak Dinesen, 1934

We learn from our experiences. And it is our privilege to share those experiences with other people. We’re here to help each other. Whether or not we learn from each other is an individual choice. The gems of experiences that are collected over the years form a treasure chest of wisdom that longs to be distributed. Why not tap into that wealth? And in turn, we’re giving someone the gift of being recognized and valued.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 10 Self-Care Tips for a Happier Life
These 10 self-care tips are what you need to live a happier life. You need to step back and take some time to rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. Using these tips will help you relax and reenergize…

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 19, 2018

Posted on December 19, 2018 by Cat

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Cat’s Morning Bits for December 19, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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Now see stern Winter nearer draw,
Sol’s feeble rays refuse to thaw.

-William Cole (1919-2000)

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Spiritual Unite: Red Chakra Meaning And Its Significance

Red is the colour of the Root chakra or Muladhara. This is the first of the seven primary chakras, and it deals with our base needs and wants.
The Root chakra is often overlooked for the more metaphysical, high-minded chakras that deal with consciousness, oneness, love and other “noble” ideals.

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/red-chakra-meaning-and-its-significance/

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MBG: 5 Things Everyone Gets Wrong About Using Ayurveda To Heal Digestion & More

Ayurveda is gaining prominence in the mainstream, as yoga becomes increasingly popular, and fashionable eateries serve turmeric lattes (aka Golden Milk) and bliss balls (aka Ladoos). That said, many people in the West are still confused about this ancient philosophy and how to integrate it into their everyday. Since releasing my ayurveda-based cookbook East by West, I’ve found that people often have a lot of misunderstandings about what ayurveda actually is. Here are the top five myths, busted:

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/biggest-myths-about-ayurveda-busted

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Daily Good: Native Women Reclaim Land Plot by Plot

In the San Francisco Bay Area, demand for land seems endless. Property values are sky-high, rents are backbreaking, and people just keep coming. Over 2 million more are expected to settle here by 2040. Today’s land rush is nothing new. For more than 200 years, there has been a run on Bay Area real estate a relentless wave of colonization, then suburbanization and now gentrification that left the Ohlone, the Bay Area’s first people, landless. Corrina Gould, a Chochenyo and Karkin Ohlone leader and her partner in crime Johnella LaRose, who is Shoshone-Bannock and Carrizo; founded the Sogorea Te Land Trust in 2012 to reclaim Ohlone land in the Bay Area.

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2167/native-women-reclaim-land-plot-by-plot-julian-brave-noisecat/

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Elephant Journal: This Winter Solstice, we become New Again

A few decades ago, I didn’t give winter solstice the time of day.
Instead, I regularly attended or hosted summer solstice parties.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/12/this-winter-solstice-we-become-new-again/

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New study dispels the green thumb myth that intimate attention is good for plant growth.

There are a lot of New Agey gardening tips that abound. Some gurus recommend playing music for your houseplants, or having conversations with them, or even giving them gentle massages or an intimate touch now and then. Most of these practices are probably more for the benefit of the gardener than the garden, but generally innocuous enough.

https://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/stories/plants-really-dont-be-touched

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EarthSky News: December solstice starts shortest season

The December solstice will come on December 21, 2018, at 22:23 UTC. That’s 16:23 (4:23 p.m.) CST on December 21 for those in the central time zone in North America. It’s when the sun reaches its southernmost point for the year. This solstice marks the beginning of the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere, and the start of the summer season in the Southern Hemisphere. And, no matter where you are on Earth, it marks the beginning of your shortest season

https://earthsky.org/tonight/years-shortest-season-starts-with-december-solstice

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Patheos-Pagan: Ded Moroz: The Cruel & Kind Grandfather Frost

Ded Moroz is a Russian character in a similar vein as Santa Claus, Father Christmas, and St. Nicholas. His name translates to”Old Man Frost” or “Grandfather Frost”. Ded Moroz has a very similar appearance to Santa, except he tends to be depicted as wearing blue with snowflake embroidery, having a wizard’s staff, and unlike his counterparts has a female companion. His female companion is his granddaughter Snegurochka, the Snow Maiden.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/matauryn/2018/12/17/ded-moroz/

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Inner Journey:

BIG MIND, LITTLE MIND

“It is the mind that makes one wise or ignorant, bound or emancipated.”
— Sri Ramakrishna

Zen distinguishes big mind from small mind. Big mind identifies with its process, is impersonal and participates universally. Big mind is unlimited possibilities, deeper understanding, forgiveness, acceptance, insight, connectedness, attention.

Small mind is self centred and focuses only on itself. It is compulsive, limited, reactive and mechanical. Small mind feeds on itself — fear reacts to fear, judgment reacts to judgment, anger sparks more anger.

Always seek higher perspectives and you will in time find freedom.

“If a pickpocket meets a Holy Man, he will see only his pockets.”
— Hari Dass

“Minds are like parachutes; they work best when open.”
— Lord Thomas Dewar

higherawareness.com

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A Note from the Universe

Whenever feeling utterly bamboozled or bored by life, seek a higher perspective.

Because being bamboozled or bored, means there is one.

Yeah,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Roasted Chickpeas

I had never thought about eating chickpeas until I saw a cooking demonstration on our local TV station. They were tasting them and saying how good they were. I pulled up the recipe on their website and the recipe they have is from Chop Chop magazine.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Roasted-Chickpeas-1.html

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Magical Correspondences for Wednesday

Intentions:Rules healings, the mind, Communication, Divination, Writing, Knowledge, Business Transactions, Debt, Fear,Loss, Travel and Money Matters, Addictions, Young People, Messages, Perception, Self Expression.

Incense: Jasmine, Lavender, Sweet Pea, Cinnamon, Cinquefoil
Planet: Mercury and Chiron (though this is a moon of Pluto)
Sign: Virgo
Angel: Raphael
Colors: Orange, Light Blue, Grey, Yellow and, Opalescent colors and Violet
Herbs/Plants: Fern, Lavendar, Hazel, Cherry, Periwinkle
Stones: Aventurine, Bloodstone, Hematite, Moss Agate and Sodalite
Oil: (Mercury) Benzoin, Clary Sage, Eucalytus, Lavender

Goddesses: Aset [Isis], Demeter, Ceres, Spider Woman, Bona Dea, Oya,
Devi-Kali, Hella, Rhiannon, Coatlique, Maman Brigette, Sekhmet, Het Heret
[Hathor]

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Daily Wisdom
December 19, 2018

Experience

“If it be knowledge or wisdom one is seeking, then one had better go direct to the source. And the source is not the scholar or philosopher, not the master, saint, or teacher, but life itself- direct experience of life.”

-Henry Miller (1891-1980)

There are all different ways of learning and growing. There are amazing works by brilliant people available to us at any time. And we can gain so much from the words of our fellow man. But where did they get these insights? At some point, the knowledge has to be experienced to be understood. And when it is understood, then it can be expressed. We all know what lessons we have learned from our experiences. And this is a big part of why we’re here – to experience life, to learn and to grow.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 5 Ways Archangel Michael has Your Back

All of the archangels are helpful entities, but Archangel Michael appears to be the archangel who shows up most regularly in our lives. While each archangel has access to enormous power and grace, archangels can at times have a subtle presence, or be working on your behalf behind the scenes without your knowledge, but Archangel Michael seems to have a more immediate, pronounced presence. Archangel Michael is an especially “hands on” archangel.

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 18, 2018

Posted on December 18, 2018 by Cat

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Cat’s Morning Bits for December 18, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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If the world seems cold to you,
kindle fires to warm it.

-Lucy Larcom (1824-93)

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Spirituality & Healing: CBD Oil for Insomnia
If you toss at night, glowering at the clock in frustration, you’re not alone. About 60 percent of Americans have insomnia a few nights per week, if not more often. This can be caused by stress, illness, medicines or other factors, and is more likely to affect females and those aged 65 and older. While there are many ways to treat insomnia, some people are turning to CBD oil for relief. You may have wondered if it’s worth a try, so let’s take a look at CBD for insomnia

https://spiritualityhealth.com/articles/2018/12/17/cbd-oil-for-insomnia#

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Daily Good: Consider Your Wake

Many of us like to consider the impact we make as a “footprint” we leave behind. But what if instead of a footprint, we imagined our actions leaving a wake? In this article, Andy Smallman explores how the metaphor of a boat in the water can be applied to our daily decisions and interpersonal exchanges. Just as a boat creates waves that affect the vessels around it, so too do our words and actions influence the unfolding of our days and the relationships with those whom we encounter. “Among the things I like about the wake image is that a wake is strongest when it’s new and close, and it comes in contact with lots of things as time passes,” Smallman writes. “In this way it is significant both right away AND in the future, the form of significance just being different.”

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2156/consider-your-wake-andy-smallman/

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Elephant Journal: A sweet, no-nonsense Holiday Survival Guide for Empaths & HSPs.

I have a confession to make before we dive in…
Sometimes, I dislike the words “empath” or “highly sensitive person (HSP).”

Maybe it seems to imply specialness—that we’re more special than other people, but I don’t believe that’s true.
Everyone is unique.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/12/a-sweet-no-nonsense-holiday-survival-guide-for-empaths-hsps/

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MNN: Sensitive Santas help autistic kids find the spirit of the season

The holidays have plenty of hustle and bustle, and it can overwhelm children on the spectrum. Sensitive Santas can help bring seasonal joy.

https://www.mnn.com/family/family-activities/stories/sensitive-santas-help-autistic-kids-find-spirit-season

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EarthSky News: Longest days accompany December solstice

When we say the longest days of the year come each year around the December solstice, we’re talking about the day not as a period of daylight, but as the interval from one solar noon or midday to the next. In December, a day – one rotation of Earth relative to the noonday sun – is about one-half minute longer than the average 24 hours.

https://earthsky.org/tonight/longest-days-of-year-accompany-the-december-solstice

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Patheos-Pagan: What You Can’t See Can Hurt You

The Calvinist idea that success is a sign of divine favor is dead wrong. It’s bad theology and it doesn’t hold up to even a casual examination of how the world actually works. I’m pretty sure most Pagans agree with me here.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbeckett/2018/12/what-you-cant-see-can-hurt-you.html

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Inner Journey:

THE FACE IN THE MIRROR

“Our inability to see beauty doesn’t suggest in the slightest that beauty is not there. Rather, it suggests that we are not looking carefully enough or with broad enough perspective to see the beauty.”
— Rabbi Harold Kushner

Who are you? You can gaze at your reflection in a mirror but you’re not likely to see your true likeness. You are beautiful, unique, perfect. Do you see that?

The world needs you to see how whole and complete you are — now. Can you begin to own your divinity? The world needs you to know who you really are so you can be the mirror for others.

“The sun shines not on us but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us, thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing.”
— John Muir

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Some folks are already wondering whether or not you’re “for real.”.

Same thing happened to all the other legends.

They’ll see,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Instant Pot Cranberry Orange Marmalade

I was craving my mum’s homemade orange marmalade the other morning but had ran out of it. She uses lots of orange zest in hers, which I love, so I thought I’d try to remake it with a bit of a twist in my Instant Pot… because I wanted it in an instant! I added fresh cranberries to it since we have so many around for the holidays. What a tangy delight! I’ll be making plenty of jars to give out for the holidays.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Instant-Pot-Cranberry-Orange-Marmalade.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

Perfumes: Hellebore, Carnation, Patchouli
Planet: Mars
Sign: Aries and Scorpio
Angel: Samuel
Colors: Red and Orange
Herbs/Plants:Red Rose, Cock’s Comb, Pine, Daisy, Thyme and Pepper
Stones: Carnelian, Bloodstone, Ruby, Garnet and Pink Tourmaline
Oil: (Mars) Basil, Coriander, Ginger

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

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Daily Wisdom
December 18, 2018

Experience

“A moment’s insight is sometimes worth a life’s experience.”

-Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894)
So where do these insights come from if not from experience? They come from the infinite wisdom of the Universe. We can tap into it at any time through meditation. Everything we need to know is right there for us. Meditation gives us direct experience of the spirit.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 8 Facts to Remember When Life is Unbearable
You can find the silver lining today.

A friend stepped over the smoldering debris of where her house once stood. Tripping over melted photo frames, broken pieces of furniture, the sound of broken glass being crushed beneath her feet added to the misery

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 17, 2018

Posted on December 17, 2018 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 17, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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Tis the year’s midnight, and it is the day’s,
Lucy’s, who scarce seven hours herself unmasks;
The sun is spent, and now his flasks
Send forth light squibs, no constant rays . . .

–John Donne (1572–1631)

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Pioneer Thinking: Aromatherapy Bath

In this article we will discuss various oils and their benefits when used in a aromatherapy bath. We will also provide a great recipe for you to use when you are taking your next aromatherapy bath.

https://pioneerthinking.com/aromatherapy-bath

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MBG: Weekly Horoscope: This Is The Perfect Time To Cozy Up With A Book — Astrology Says So

On Thursday, the sun trines Uranus, and it’ll bring out your inner bookworm.
Seasonal traditions are popping up at every turn, but feel free to color outside the lines this Thursday, December 20, when the Sagittarius Sun sends a solar-charged current to innovative Uranus in Aries. With a willingness to experiment, this once-per-year trine can awaken the slumbering genius within. Need a boost? Read books and watch TED talks by inspiring thought leaders.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/17-23-2018

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Daily Good: How to Live a More Courageous Life

When confronted with fear, the brain will seek relief in the form of old coping habits if left to its own devices. However, there are things we can do to help it change course. If we set the stage for courage, our awareness of what happens to us becomes our greatest ally. “The more you interrupt the old fear-based habits and replace fear-based responses with responses to boost courage, the more you create a ‘courage habit.’ By living your life with courage, you’ll be more likely to make the changes that will lead to greater fulfillment — whether that’s embarking on a new relationship or job, or helping to save the world.” In this article from Greater Good, five tips for changes in your life that will make you aware of how you experience fear, and support courage

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2158/how-to-live-a-more-courageous-life-kate-swoboda/

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Tetrakyts: The Pagan Origins of Christmas – From Paganism to Christianity

hristmas is coming and a lot of Neopagans will be celebrating it as “Yule”, on the 21st of December. The Neopagan Yule is loosely based on the Germanic festival of the same name, and I say loosely because we don’t have much information about what the original Pagan festival was, as most of the information we have on Germanic Paganism comes from Christian sources. Nevertheless, religions always build on what is already there and for this reason, you’ll see that a lot of Christmas elements actually have Pagan roots.

https://www.thetetraktys.com/2018/the-pagan-origins-of-christmas-from-paganism-to-christianity/

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MNN: Conservationists plant a ‘super grove’ of redwood trees cloned from ancient stumps

A new “super grove” of endangered coast redwood trees arose today in California, thanks to a nonprofit group that planted 75 saplings at a park in San Francisco.
Since their species is endangered, any new community of coast redwoods would be welcome news. Yet these 75 saplings are also newsworthy for another reason: They’re all clones, born of DNA that conservationists retrieved from ancient redwood stumps. Now growing together at the Presidio of San Francisco, they carry on a valuable genetic legacy that dates back thousands of years.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/blogs/super-grove-redwood-tree-clones

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EarthSky News: Orion’s Belt and the Celestial Bridge

Tonight – December 16, 2018 – the constellation Orion rises in your eastern sky around 7 to 8 p.m. Orion climbs highest up for the night around midnight local time (the time on your clock no matter where you are on the globe). It then sits low in your western sky around 4 to 5 a.m. Notice the three stars at the mid-section of Orion. We know these stars as Orion’s Belt, but the Aymara people of Bolivia, Peru and Chile call them a Celestial Bridge.

https://earthsky.org/tonight/orions-belt-and-the-celestial-bridge

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Patheos-Pagan: Don’t Worry Be Happy and Other Abusive Folk Wisdom

At least a couple times a week I see a meme that says something along the lines of “your problems are nothing compared to what other people are going through – be happy.” And there are always comments that say “yes – people don’t realize how good they have it.”
These memes make me very angry.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbeckett/2018/12/dont-worry-be-happy-and-other-abusive-folk-wisdom.html

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Inner Journey:

DO YOU LOVE YOURSELF?

“At the heart of personality is the need to feel a sense of being lovable without having to qualify for that acceptance.”
— Dr. Paul Tournier

How do you see yourself as unlovable?

Take a few minutes to write down why you perceive yourself to be unlovable. Look at the list and see if you can identify where those characterizations originated. Can you pinpoint old messages from parents, teachers, and friends that led you to negative conclusions about yourself? Are those messages valid today?

The beliefs we adopt as children usually don’t hold when we view them objectively as adults. Can you let them go? Can you begin to see yourself as a unique expression of life, a genuine gift to the world?

“You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”
— Buddha

“Limitless like the ocean are your excellent qualities.”
— Dalai Lama

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Give with a truly glad heart for the sole purpose of the good it will do, and whatever you give shall return to you, multiplied, as if on wings, covered in sparkles.

Richly,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Pineapple Coconut Carrot Cake

A very sweet, moist, and fruity carrot cake, that is based on this recipe. Carrot cake can be dry so I am glad that the pineapple helped solve that. I am doubling the baking time because it literally took twice as long as what the link said.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Pineapple-Coconut-Carrot-Cake.html

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Magical Correspondences for Monday

Intentions: Psychic Sensitivity, Women’s Mysteries, Tides, Waters, Emotional Issues, Agriculture, Animals, Female Fertility, Messages, Theft, Reconciliations, Voyages, Dreams, Medicine, Visions and Merchandise

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
December 17, 2018

Experience

“We learn geology the morning after the earthquake.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
Aren’t we funny? This is so true! Sometimes it takes something to “shake us up” so that we can learn. And then we do – we learn from our experiences, both positive and negative. All of life is our classroom; every day there are lessons for us. It’s up to us if we want to do our homework and be prepared – and a lot of that is basically keeping up our spiritual practices. Or, we could goof off and take our chances that we won’t get hit with a “pop quiz!” Whatever happens, we will eventually figure it out.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: Making the Holidays Meaningful
For many of us, the holidays are disappointing. They are neither magical nor meaningful time. I find that to be incredibly sad. In my opinion, regardless of whether you are Christian, Jewish or atheist,…
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 December 14, 2018

Posted on December 14, 2018 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 14, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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In drear nighted December,
Too happy, happy tree,
Thy branches ne’er remember
Their green felicity-
The north cannot undo them
With a sleety whistle through them
Nor frozen thawings glue them
From budding at the prime.

-John Keats (1795-1821)

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Beliefnet Astrology: Six Ways Crystal can Change your Life

People have been calling me the Crystal Chick for years. I love crystals and their ability to subtly but profoundly change our energy, health and aura. We use crystals in computers and clocks but they can be very helpful in our personal lives. There are six main areas in which crystals can change your life for the better.
https://www.beliefnet.com/inspiration/astrology/6-ways-crystal-can-change-your-life.aspx#ffhERpcqfDiswcYo.99

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MBG: This Is What Actually Attracts People To You

Over time, I’ve learned to understand words like “beauty” and “attractiveness” in a different way—not in terms of physical appearances but in terms of what I refer to as radiance. Radiance is that je ne c’est quoi that spins heads when you walk into a room. It creates a door where there was once a wall. It has nothing to do with age, body shape, or physical features.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/more-attractive

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Daily Good: 8 World-Views and Practices by Mark Nepo

Since prehistoric hunters had to work together in order to survive, people have had to learn how to share both the workload and the harvest, and the problems and the joys. Through the centuries, traditions have formed and complexities have grown. But the health of all community depends on how we treat each other. This article explores eight worldviews and the practices they offer. Each can help us stay wholehearted, authentic, and in true relationship to life and each other.

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2157/8-world-views-and-practices-by-mark-nepo-mark-nepo/

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MNN: 8 things to know about the winter solstice

“A day without sunshine is like, you know, night,” quipped Steve Martin — and indeed, even a day with less sunshine can feel a bit dark. Our world depends on the light radiating from that big star we traipse around, and when it’s in short supply, we feel it. But if you count yourself among those who don’t love waking up before the sun rises and getting off work after it has set, things are about to lighten up. Hello, winter solstice!

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/climate-weather/stories/8-things-know-about-winter-solstice

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EarthSky News: Time to look for Mercury and Jupiter below Venus

Now – mid-December 2018 – it’s time to get outside in the early morning and try to spot our sun’s innermost planet, Mercury. Look east, the sunrise direction. You can’t miss super-bright Venus. Mercury is below it, near the sunrise point. If you look extra hard with the unaided eye or binoculars, you might spot bright Jupiter near the horizon, too, on a line with Venus and Mercury.

https://earthsky.org/tonight/seek-for-mercury-beneath-venus-at-dawn

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Patheos-Pagan: Yule Shopping? What To Get For The Witch Or Pagan Who Has Everything

Odds are pretty likely you’re still shopping for holiday gifts, or perhaps you haven’t even started yet. And maybe you have that friend whom you know is either a witch, pagan, polytheist, or some general form of occultist. What in the name of the gods above and below can you get them that doesn’t look like some generic “Here’s a random candle, knock yourself out!” type of a present?

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/teaaddictedwitch/2018/12/yule-shopping-witch-pagan/

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Inner Journey

REVIEW YOUR LIFE

“Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.”
— James Levin

Take a few minutes today to reflect on what has happened recently and to put the last week in perspective. What made an impact on you this last week? What do you want to set as a goal for next week?

Reflection helps us step back from the details of our lives and see the bigger picture with fresh eyes. It’s worth a few moments of your time. Review your week and come up with at least one conclusion, insight or learning and write it in your journal.

“Just because we increase the speed of information doesn’t mean we can increase the speed of decisions. Pondering, reflecting and ruminating are undervalued skills in our culture.”
— Dale Dauten

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Today don’t think or say, “I’m tired,” “I’m hurt,” “I’m angry.” Don’t even think or say, “I’m happy.”

Instead, think and say, “I’ve chosen to be tired, hurt, angry.” Or better still, “I’m choosing to be happy.”

You don’t get “hit” by feelings, you feel them based on your perceptions, and you perceive based on your beliefs, and you believe as you choose.

You are your words,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Holiday Veggie or Fruit Tree

A festive holiday centerpiece can be created with vegetables or fruits for family gatherings and parties. This page contains holiday veggie or fruit tree.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Holiday-Veggie-or-Fruit-Tree-1.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.

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
December 14, 2018

Service

“If we could all hear one another’s prayers, God might be relieved of some of his burden.”

-Ashleigh Brilliant
We are here as angels, emissaries, to do God’s work, to help each other. We can hear one another’s prayers if we just listen. We are all one in spirit, and we all want the same things – love, respect, acknowledgment, a purpose. Think about all that we can do for each other to provide those very important things. It could be so simple, and so beautiful, and mean so much.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 6 Easy Tricks to Feel More Confident

Confidence is something that almost everyone alive today wants. Single people proclaim loudly that confidence is seen as sexy. Employers claim that confident employees are a must. Even parents teach their children to value confidence.

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 13, 2018

Posted on December 13, 2018 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 13, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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As many mince pies as you taste at Christmas,
so many happy months will you have.

-Old English saying

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Tetraktys: 10 Ways to Celebrate Yule Without a Coven

Hello witches! If you didn’t know already, Yule is the pagan and Wiccan celebration of the winter solstice. This year, it will happen on December 21st. Did you know that a lot of Christmas traditions have pagan roots? For this reason, it’s very easy to celebrate the winter solstice and the holidays from a pagan point of view. This article contains my top 10 ideas to celebrate Yule. You don’t even need to be in a coven to do them!

https://www.thetetraktys.com/2018/10-ways-yule/

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MBG: Beware: Mercury Retrograde Vibes Won’t Wear Off Until This Day

Emerge from the depths and clear away confusion! On Wednesday, December 6, 2018, messenger planet Mercury snaps out of a befuddling three-week retrograde backspin through outspoken Sagittarius and then Scorpio’s chamber of secrets

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/mercury-retrograde-december-2018

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Daily Good: Eight Ways to Stand Up to Hate
There’s no denying it anymore: Hatred is erupting all over the United States, after having long simmered beneath the social surface. In less than one week, the Southern Poverty Law Center has tallied more than 400 incidents of “hateful intimidation and harassment”—and millions of Americans now fear becoming victims of verbal and physical assaults, possibly thanks to some very threatening and violent language coming from the very top of our society.

http://www.dailygood.org/story/1532/eight-ways-to-stand-up-to-hate-elizabeth-svoboda/

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Elephant Journal: Making Space for Grief During the Holidays.

Grief caught me by surprise this Thanksgiving.
Like holidays sometimes do, the day of gratitude fell short of my expectations. Our house was messy, the kids were restless and spending too much time in front of screens, and my husband and I kept snapping at each other.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/12/making-space-for-grief-during-the-holidays/

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MNN: ‘Sesame Street’ takes on homelessness

In its nearly 50 years of teaching children (and, let’s be honest, a whole lot of adults) about the world, “Sesame Street” hasn’t shied away from addressing tough issues. Characters on or associated with the program have grappled with death, HIV, bullying, racism, LGBTQ+ rights, autism, immigration and parental incarceration over the years.

https://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/responsible-living/stories/sesame-street-takes-homelessness

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EarthSky News: Christmas Bird Count starts December 14

The Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count is one of the longest-running citizen science projects in existence- it was started on Christmas Day in 1900 and is still going strong. During the event, people venture outdoors to designated areas and count the types and numbers of birds that they see and hear over the course of one day. The data are used to keep track of the health of bird populations in North America. This year’s count runs from December 14, 2018 through January 5, 2019.

https://earthsky.org/earth/audubon-annual-christmas-bird-count-starts-december-14

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Patheos-Pagan: 6 Easy Ways to Bring More Magick to Your Yule

Samhain is often considered “The Witch” holiday, but I disagree! Yule is packed with Magick. But are you looking for a few new things to add? See below for easy ways to bring even more Magick to this special time.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/doubletoilandresist/2018/12/yule/

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Inner Journey:

LOVE LIFE AND YOURSELF

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength while loving someone deeply gives you courage.”
— Lao Tzu

There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance.

We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.

“It matters not Who you love, Where you love, Why you love, When you love, Or how you love, It matters only that you love.”
— John Lennon

“Why not go out on a limb? Isn’t that where the fruit is?”
— Frank Scully

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Living in time and space, Cat, just might be the scariest, most heartbreaking, and lonely path an angel could ever choose.

Until, of course, they realize that being scared doesn’t mean they can’t make a difference, broken hearts can still love just fine, and that feeling lonely doesn’t mean they’re actually alone.

Then they’ll laugh an angel laugh, fluff their wings, and dare a new dare all over again.

Love your halo,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Almond Crescent Cookies

A twist on the classic sugar cookie recipe, these almond horns are perfect for a Christmas tea or enjoyed alongside hot cocoa on a snowy afternoon.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Almond-Crescent-Cookies.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
December 13, 2018

Service

“All altruism springs from putting yourself in the other person’s place.”

-Harry Emerson Fosdick
It’s all about empathy. We are all one. We share so much that we can understand another person’s heartache or sorrow. We can relate to each other. We want to do what we can to alleviate pain. This is how service begins.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 10 Commandments for a Smart and Simple Life
Once your priorities are firmly in place you can stay focused on living as simply and effectively as possible. Here are ten commandments for living a smart and simple 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 December 12, 2018

Posted on December 12, 2018 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 12, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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“Whatever causes night in our souls may leave stars.”
―Victor Hugo (1802–85)

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Tetraktys: Communing With Nature – A Guide For Modern Pagans

Modern paganism often comes with an appreciation of nature. Indeed, if you identify as being part of any Neopagan religion, there is a good chance that it’s one in which the core tenets have everything to do with nature and that you consider nature as divine in one way or another. If that’s the case, then communing with nature should be part of your spiritual practices, as you would be essentially communing with the divine itself in the process. This article will give you a few tips and a few of my thoughts about it

https://www.thetetraktys.com/2018/communing-with-nature-a-guide-for-modern-pagans/

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Daily Good: Shin Terayama: A Radical Healing

From his hospital bed one night, Terayama had a strange dream. He was looking at his body in a coffin. He was 47, and did not yet know he had cancer. That soon changed. After surgery, chemo and radiationwith his cancer now out of reach of medical curehe went home to face death. A few mornings later, I had a very strange sensation in my body. When the sun came up, the sunlight came into my heart, very strong energy. It was amazing.

http://www.conversations.org/story.php?sid=582

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Mind Body Green: Meditating With These 3 Essential Oils Changes Everything

For anyone who’s given meditation a try and called it quits after the first or second go, we get it. Our brains can focus, they can wander, but ask them to switch off while we sit in silence for a minute or longer, and they’ll probably put up a fight.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/3-essential-oils-that-make-meditation-easier

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MNN: How WildArk is saving biodiversity, one safe haven at a time

Land conservation is a big job, but one small not-for-profit group isn’t deterred by the size of the task.
WildArk is taking big swings to protect as much of the Earth’s biodiversity as possible by ignoring doom-and-gloom attitudes and encouraging cooperation instead.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/wildark-saving-biodiversity-safe-havens

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EarthSky News: Geminid meteors peak this week

These next several nights are probably the best nights for watching for meteors in the annual Geminid shower. The peak morning is likely to be December 14, 2018, but the morning of December 13 might offer a good display, too, and meteor watchers have been catching Geminids for some nights now.

https://earthsky.org/tonight/december-geminid-meteor-shower

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Patheos-Pagan: Purification is Basic Self Care for Magical People

Purification is not about doing anything wrong. It’s not about having sinned and needing to repent. Nor is purification about transcending this mortal plane, enlightenment, or Buddha mind

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/dandelionlady/2018/12/purification-is-basic-self-care-for-magical-people.html

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Inner Journey:

THE PAST IN THE PRESENT

“If you accept a limiting belief, then it will become a truth for you.”
— Louise Hay

Pick one aspect of your life, e.g. your health, your competence, your prosperity or relationships, and think back to when you were a child. What messages about this subject did you hear from adults at that time that are still playing on your subconscioustape recorder? Messages like: “Men can’t be trusted.” “Money doesn’t grow on trees.” “You’re not smart enough to succeed in business.”

How is your world reflecting your beliefs back to you, today?

“There are no limitations to the self except those you believe in.”
— Seth

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

The entire world will be a richer place, once you have financial security for myself and family and have your thriving business and a steady income.

We knew this when we helped you pick your dreams.

So let’s get cracking,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Christmas Coffee Cakes

This is a recipe that my Grandma made every year for the family at Christmas time. She started making them in the 70’s. We looked forward to getting these more than gifts.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Christmas-Coffee-Cakes-1.html

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Magical Correspondences for Wednesday

Goddesses: Aset [Isis], Demeter, Ceres, Spider Woman, Bona Dea, Oya,
Devi-Kali, Hella, Rhiannon, Coatlique, Maman Brigette, Sekhmet, Het Heret
[Hathor]

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Daily Wisdom
December 12, 2018

Service

“In the time we have it is surely our duty to do all the good we can to all the people we can in all the ways we can.”

-William Barclay
I believe that it is our duty to serve. I also believe that it is our nature to serve. We are here for each other, we are here to help each other. Many times, I think it is easier for us to help someone else than to ask for help for ourselves. But when we need help, we absolutely should reach out for it. When we need help, we are providing another person with the opportunity to serve, and this is truly a blessing.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 7 Ways to Figure Out Why You Are Not Happy
What is keeping you down in the dumps?

Everyone wants to be happy in life. You want to get up in the morning and greet the day with a smile, and you want to go to bed at night feeling content with life. Despite that understandable desire, you find yourself waking up with a groan and shuffling miserably through the day.
Read more at https://www.beliefnet.com/wellness/7-ways-to-figure-out-why-you-are-not-happy.aspx#4ohLMtxvhUvUHASH.99

___________________________
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 December 11, 2018

Posted on December 11, 2018 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 11, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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Heap on more wood! the wind is chill;
But let it whistle as it will,
We’ll keep our Christmas merry still.
―Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832)

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Pioneer Thinking: Using Cinnamon for Winter Decorating

Cinnamon comes from a small evergreen tree, native to Sri Lanka and Southern India. It comes from the bark, and is widely used as a spice. The flavor of cinnamon is due to an aromatic oil, which actually makes up less than one per cent of its composition.

https://pioneerthinking.com/using-cinnamon-for-winter-holiday-decorating

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Spiritual Unite: Higher Realms Of Existence – A New Energy Coming

In total, there are twelve realms of existence or dimensions of consciousness.
Most of the time, we are only really concerned with our physical world – but there are higher realms of existence that we encounter during our journeys.

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/higher-realms-of-existence/

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Daily Good: Hats Warm Heads and Hearts of Kids with Cancer

What started as an entrepreneurship project of two college students, Zachary Quinn and Brian Keller, grew into something much greater. Love Your Melon, founded in 2012, has taken the nation by storm and is supporting thousands of children with cancer each year. For every hat sold, one hat is donated to a child with cancer, helping to alleviate the shame and embarrassment that often accompanies the hair loss resulting from chemotherapy. The two founders view the hats as an icebreaker, providing physical and emotional warmth to the children they hope to get to know better during hospital visits. “We want to inspire communities to make this their own,” says Quinn. “And be able to continue it forever.”

http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=6141

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Did You Know?

Pollen never deteriorates. It is one of the few natural substances that lasts indefinitely.

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MNN: What is wassailing?
This tradition once got Christmas banned

You may be familiar with the first verse and the chorus of the Christmas carol “Here We Come A Wassailing.”
Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green;
Here we come a-wand’ring
So fair to be seen.

https://www.mnn.com/food/beverages/blogs/what-wassailing

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

Many Pagans are solitary practitioners, either by choice or by necessity. But a lot of Pagan activities for the Solstice 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 Winter Solstice ritual.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbeckett/2018/12/8-things-for-winter-solstice-solitary-pagan.html

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Inner Journey:

YOU ARE BIGGER THAN YOU THINK

“He who would be serene and pure needs but one thing, detachment.”
— Meister Eckhart

We are the ocean — vast, deep, powerful and rich. Nourishing and nurturing. Dive down into the dark stillness of being. Sense the rising and falling of surface thoughts and emotions, sometimes gentle, sometimes violent. Always shifting. Always in motion. Draw back and watch the waves of your life at play. Know you are the unfathomable depths — surface agitations can’t disturb you. Know that you are bigger than the little things that aggravate you.

“The bird of paradise alights only on the hand that does not grasp.”
— John Berry

“It’s best not to get too excited or too depressed by the ups and downs of life.”
— Dalai Lama

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

After all these years, can you believe most people still think time is real, space is cold, and matter is solid?

If there’s anything you want to change in your experience, imagine it changed.

Real this,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Jalapeño Cheese Sauce

I put this recipe together for one of my best friends who adores spicy cheese sauce, mostly for steamed veggies and French fries. We used to order spicy cheese fries on indulgence-days, but soon realized they always cost way too much for what they were. Give this super creamy cheese sauce a try!

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Jalapeo-Cheese-Sauce.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
December 11, 2018

Service

“Serve self you serve society
Serve society serve yourself.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Besides helping other people, service has the added benefit of helping the person doing the serving! How could this be? Because service makes us feel good, it helps us to grow spiritually, it helps us to gain compassion. Service helps to make our society a better place, and it’s a place we all share! Because we are all one, what we do for others, we do for ourselves.

Lissa Coffey

Coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: Looking on the Bright Side – Quotes to Stay Positive
Here are ten inspirational quotes to help you stay positive and carry you on to your good day.

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 10, 2018

Posted on December 10, 2018 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 10, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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Welcome, friend! St. Nicholas, welcome!
Welcome to this merry band!
Happy children greet thee, welcome!
Thou art gladdening all the land.

-Mary Mapes Dodge (1831-1905)

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Spiritual Unite: Meaning Of Butterflies Crossing Your Path – Is It A Message?

Nature is often complicit in guiding you through life, and when butterflies cross your path, it is often a metaphysical message or symbol.
There are even some instances when these butterflies may be old souls or the souls of passed loved ones.

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/meaning-of-butterflies-crossing/

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MBG: Weekly Horoscope: How Will You Finish Off 2018?

On Wednesday, Mercury enters Sagittarius, and things could get intense.
After an extended spell of gaslighting, muddled messaging and “Wait…whaaaat?” moments, the truth will become more than self-evident this week. On Wednesday, December 12, Mercury, the cosmic communicator, joins a planetary posse in take-no-prisoners Sagittarius. With the illuminating Sun and candid Jupiter already firing arrows in the Archer’s domain, we won’t just let the cat out of the bag—we’ll be fiercer than a tiger mom when it comes to defending principles and ideals.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/weekly-horoscope-december-10-16-2018

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Herbal Muse: How to Make Elderberry Syrup

Medicinally, elder has been used for bruises, purging, to deter insects, as an eye wash and to treat colds and flu for centuries. Of these applications, the last holds particularly veritable promise. In fact, elderberry is one of the most important remedies to be found in your medicine chest when it comes to beating the sniffles.

https://www.herbalmusings.com/elderberry-profile

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Elephant Journal: I’m a Witch—& you Probably are, Too.

I haven’t always identified as a witch.
It took a breakup and a skilled healer named Paul to connect me to my witch roots.
I’ll keep the story short, because I want to get to the part where you, dear female reader, say, “I think I am also a witch!” or, “I am a witch, too—get me out of this broom closet!”

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/12/i-am-a-witch-you-probably-are-too/

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MNN: Is there any true wilderness left?

On one hand, there’s no place on Earth human beings haven’t made an impact. The burning fossil fuels has led to heavy metal contamination in fish, birds and other animals on entirely separate continents from the power plants. Climate change melts ice sheets around the world. A plastic cup used once ends up in a whale’s stomach in the middle of the ocean, killing him. Sea salt harvested from an unpopulated coast contains microplastics.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/blogs/there-any-truly-wild-land-book

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EarthSky News: See a celestial Chariot in December

Tonight, or any one of these long December nights, you can find the constellation Auriga the Charioteer. The Heavenly Chariot – with its brilliant yellow star Capella – starts the journey in the northeast at early evening, flies overhead around midnight and finishes up in the northwest at dawn

https://earthsky.org/tonight/celestial-chariot-high-overhead-around-midnight

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Patheos-Pagan: Pagan Groups: Greater Ability Means More Responsibility

I believe in you. I believe in every reader. My faith that my words do wonders for people I will never touch carries me to continue.
I believe in my grove. I believe in every member. My faith that my works do wonders for them carries me to continue.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/fromacommonwell/2018/08/pagan-groups-greater-ability-means-more-responsibility/

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Inner Journey:

SEEK YOUR LIMITS AND BEYOND

“If you’re proactive, you don’t have to wait for circumstances or other people to create perspective expanding experiences. You can consciously create your own.”
— Stephen Covey

Connect with the edge, the unknown, of your experience. Allow this pull towards unexplored territory to take you to new dimensions of yourself. Allow life to touch you in new ways. For this is how we truly live life. Become more alive as you grow through your consciousness barriers. Ask questions that seek answers beyond yourself. The depth of life is revealed as you go further into it.

“Nothing is lost upon a man who is bent upon growth; nothing wasted on one who is always preparing for – life by keeping eyes, mind and heart open to nature, men, books, experience – and what he gathers serves him at unexpected moments in unforeseen ways.”
— Hamilton Wright Mabie

“Nurture great thoughts, for you will never go higher than your thoughts.”
–Benjamin Disraeli

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

So much to be thankful for, huh?

Yet so little time.

Let me start with you –

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Cranberry Orange Relish

I love cranberries at the table for all my holiday meals, and this is a vibrant version to serve alongside your meats and veggies. It only uses a handful of fresh ingredients with zero fuss of cooking anything down. This was a hit at my Thanksgiving party, and will be making an appearance for Christmas!

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Cranberry-Orange-Relish-1.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
December 10, 2018

Service

“There is no greater satisfaction for a just and well-meaning person than the knowledge that he has devoted his best energies to the service of the good cause.”

-Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
All of us who have devoted our time and energy to worthwhile causes know the satisfaction that Einstein wrote about. It’s heart-warming. It’s validating. And in many ways, it’s addictive! There are so many good causes that it would be impossible to contribute to every one. When you find one or two that really speak to you, that you can really get behind, then go for it! Get involved, and be of service.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: The 5 Types of Guardian Spirits Watching Over You

When it comes to learning about the spiritual world, things can quickly get confusing. From all the different types of guides that are out there, it can be hard to understand what each spirit does and who is watching over you. How do you communicate with your spirits if you don’t even know who they are

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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/

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