The Desert Path

The Dusty Ramblings of a Desert Pagan

Cat’s Morning Bits for January 17, 2020

Posted on January 17, 2020 by Cat

CMB Blue

Cat’s Morning Bits for January 17, 2020

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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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.

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ThoughtCo: Magical Banishing Spells

In many traditions of Paganism, banishing is done to get rid of negative or unwanted energy, or even people who may be causing problems in our lives. While some traditions frown upon banishing as manipulative magic, on the theory that it impacts the free will of another, if your tradition has no prohibitions against such things, then there’s no reason you can’t do a banishing spell.

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MBG: 10 Immune-System-Boosting Teas, According To A Functional Medicine Doc

Tea is packed with nutrients, each variety (white, green, black, oolong, and herbal) boasting its own unique set of benefits. And while I like to drink all types, there are certain varieties I gravitate toward depending on the benefits I am looking to tap into.

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Daily Good: Micah Mortali: Rewilding

“Micah Mortali is the director of the Kripalu School, and a longtime wilderness guide. With Sounds True, he has published Rewilding: Meditations, Practices, and Skills for Awakening in Nature. In this episode of Insights at the Edge, Tami Simon speaks with Micah about humanity’s growing disconnection from the earth and how “rewilding” can help slow that trend. They talk about rewilding both as individuals and as part of whole ecosystems. Micah also shares the story of an intense, revelatory trail encounter with a bear and comments on the “species loneliness” of urban environments. Mulling the sense of grief they have for humankind’s effects on the environment, Tami and Micah consider how modern people can grapple with being in exile from the natural world. Finally, they discuss the barriers many have to reentering nature, as well as ways to initiate your own rewilding experience no matter where you are.”{ read more }

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Today’s DIY: Kitchen Witch Makes: Witch Bottles

Something I have made for years are witch bottles. I always keep a couple in the house and renew them regularly.
Their purpose in my home is to soak up negative energy and keep the house full of happy positive vibes. However, witch bottles can be made for any intent.

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Elephant Journal: This Dalai Lama Quote about Happiness is what we all Need to Read Today.

What is happiness?
At some point in our lives, we’ve all ruminated on that question.
Every single person on this earth seeks to understand the meaning of happiness and how to pursue it. We might not openly chase it, but one way or another, almost everything we do implies that we want it.

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EarthSky News: Look for Cassiopeia and the Big Dipper

Tonight, look for the northern sky’s two most prominent sky patterns – the constellation Cassiopeia the Queen and the Big Dipper. Both circle around Polaris, the North Star, once a day. They are opposite each other, one on either side of the North Star.

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Patheos-Pagan: Four Gemstone Moon Waters to Work With in your Practice

Moon water is probably one of the most made and used magical water in paganism, witchcraft and the magical community today. I thought it would be fun to share some Moon Water Recipes and what to use them for.

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Inner Journey:

ATTEND TO THE GAPS

“Practice silence and you will acquire silent knowledge. In this silent knowledge is a computing system that is far more precise and far more accurate and far more powerful than anything that is contained in the boundaries of rational thought.”
— Deepak Chopra

When I was being taught Vipashyana meditation, I was guided to experience the stillness that naturally arises in the moments between the in and out breaths. And Eckhart Tolle recommends becoming aware of the spaces between words. He says that stillness brings awareness of silence, and it’s in the silence that we can experience being fully awake. Consciousness is beyond thought activity. There’s more power in the gaps between the words than in the words themselves.

“In the sweet territory of silence we touch the mystery. It’s the place of reflection and contemplation, and it’s the place where we can connect with the deep knowing, to the deep wisdom way.”
— Angeles Arrien

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Have you ever seen a complete stranger across a room, street, or hallway, and sent them a silent, “You are loved,” just for the good it might do?

I have.

But then, to me, they’re not really strangers.

Neither are they to you –

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: 3 Better-For-You Bagel Recipes For National Bagel Day (Or Any Ol’ Morning)

Bagels are delicious, but unfortunately, they aren’t the healthiest breakfast option. As we know, eating balanced meals in the morning can keep us from feeling sluggish or making unhealthy decisions later on. While that information can seemingly prevent us from indulging in bagels that may lead to a blood sugar crash, they shouldn’t keep us from the beloved breakfast food altogether.

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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, Palmarosa, 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
January 17, 2020

Flowers

“Where is the fountain that throws up these flowers in a ceaseless outbreak of ecstasy?”

-Rabindranath Tagore (1803-1882)

The source – the fountain – from which this vast array of beauty is born, is the same source that gives us life. And the spirit in which these amazing displays of ecstasy are created is the same spirit with which we were brought to this place and time. We are here to grow, to bloom, to share our gifts with the world.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: The Sun

It’s the perfect day to resolve to be happy about every and any thing. You may wake up with a smile that lasts all day long. No matter how you feel, know that people will look at you to be cheered up. This kind of happiness is cosmic and the best thing you can do today is appreciate it and find joy in all those little things that surround you.

astrology.com

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About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts 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 January 16, 2020

Posted on January 16, 2020 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for January 16, 2020

Blessings, Cat

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Frozen brook
I hear a murmur faint and sweet,
And lo! The ice breaks as I look,
And living waters touch my feet.
-Jane Goodwin Austin (1831-94)

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Spiritual Unite: The Dragon Keeper – A Symbolic Story About The Kundalini Rising Inside All Of Us

A symbolic fictional story about the kundalini Rising inside all of us.
Once upon a time, in a far away land, a dragon was formed. This dragon was a creative aspect of you because, energetically, you are a serpent of life. You are the womb of all creation. You were born from the egg. You are destined to be the fire breather, as the raging beast that you are.

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ThoughtCo: Greek Paganism: Hellenic Polytheism

The phrase “Hellenic polytheism” is actually, much like the word “Pagan,” an umbrella term. It is used to apply to a wide range of polytheistic spiritual paths that honor the pantheon of the ancient Greeks.

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Pioneer Thinking: Growing Basil Indoors

Just because it’s the winter season doesn’t mean that you have to stop growing your basil. Moving your favorite herb indoors and continuing its growth can be easy and even more convenient. Let’s take a look at a few tips for growing basil indoors.
Read More….

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Today’s DIY: Mini Spell Book | Witchy Crafting

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Elephant Journal: Cold Comforts: Tips for Tapping into the Wisdom of Winter.

For many of us who live in the northern climates, winter is a season to be endured rather than enjoyed.
Mid-winter is especially challenging because the festive glow of the holidays has faded into the frigid darkness, seemingly leaving us nothing to look forward to until spring.

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MNN: Scientists just found the oldest material on Earth — and it smells funny
7 billion-year-old stardust found on Australian meteorite.

Fifty years ago a meteorite landed on Earth near Murchison, a rural village located in Victoria, Australia. Over the years, scientists have studied each crevice of the celestial rock.

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EarthSky News: Moon and Spica from late night to dawn

Unless you’re a night owl, you probably won’t see the moon and Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo the Maiden, rising up into your eastern sky before your bedtime. The twosome will come up quite late tonight, at or around midnight. That applies to most everywhere worldwide.

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Patheos-Pagan: The Witch’s Compass: Finding Direction With The Seven Winds

Within Traditional Witchcraft, the concept of the Compass sometimes erroneously replaces that of the Circle. This is a common misconception that frequently identifies these as synonymous terms.

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Inner Journey:

DREAM!

“The most pathetic person in the world is the person who has sight, but no vision.”
— Helen Keller
What’s the big picture for your life? Always have a larger, purposeful, even spiritually ideal picture of where you are going. Your mind needs to have a clear and challenging vision to draw you ever upwards.
“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and follow where they lead.”
— Louisa May Alcott
“The only limits are, as always, those of vision.”
— James Broughton

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

It’s not difficult. It’s easy. Everything is easy.

Time and space aren’t supposed to be the Harvard of the cosmos. They’re more like kindergarten… at recess.

The life you long for already exists. You’re supernatural. I’m your partner. Together we’ll get there and you can have it all.

See this,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Slow Cooker Chai

“Easy version of chai tea, using whole spices and sweetened condensed milk. To vary the flavor, try adding a bit of star anise, fennel, allspice, vanilla bean, or nutmeg. For a sweeter tea, stir in a bit of brown sugar.”

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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
January 15, 2020

Flowers

“Beautiful, tender flowers grow upon the lava lips of Mono craters, pines ascend their ashy slopes, and it is just where the glaciers have crushed heaviest that the greatest quantity of beautiful life appears.”

-John Muir (1838-1914)

Life has a way of showing up. Grass makes its way through cracks in a sidewalk. Daffodils poke through previously frozen ground to find the sun. We might think of flowers as delicate and fragile, but they are strong, and full of life!

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: Death

A change has been in the air for some time and today the actual transformation could happen. There’s nothing to be afraid of, or to dread, or to fear losing. Room is being made and energy is being set aside for something new and better for you. It could be something small or something large, but whatever it is will be meaningful and affect your daily life

astrology.com

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About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts 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 January 15, 2020

Posted on January 15, 2020 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for January 15, 2020

Blessings, Cat

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For age is opportunity no less
Than youth itself, though in another dress,
And as the evening twilight fades away
The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-82)

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Pioneer Thinking: 5 Easy Relaxation Techniques

From getting the kids to school, prepping family meals and everything in between, it’s a 24/7 job and can be hard to find a moment to stop and take a breath of fresh air. While the home should be a sanctuary to relax and de-stress, the reality is that a lot of life’s biggest activities happen there. The good news is that it only takes a few minutes to ground yourself through meditation. Learning a few easy meditation techniques will give you the ability to power through even the toughest days.

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ThoughtCo: Celebrating Imbolc With Kids

Imbolc is a festival of fire and light – it’s one of the cross quarter days – and falls on February 2 in the northern hemisphere (it’ll be on August 1 if you’re one of our readers below the equator).

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Daily Good: Kahlil Gibran on Befriending Time

“There is something odd about this notion of time as property. We are asked to give things time; we speak of taking time off of something, time toward something. But how do we give or take this fine-grained sand that slips through the fingers the moment we try to cup it? Perhaps time is not so much the substance in the hand as the substance of the hand.” Maria Popova explores Kahlil Gibran’s reflections on time in this post.

{ read more }

Be The Change

How do you relate to time in your own life?

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Today’s DIY: Witchy Crafts- DIY Hand Offering Bowl, Candle Holder, Spell, Etc!

A perfect way to hold your treasures or honor the Goddess and God!

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Elephant Journal: 4 Ways Mindful Daydreaming can Enhance our Lives.

In our nonstop, wired lives, the benefits of mindfulness are numerous.
People who meditate regularly have a more exceptional ability to focus, become more appreciative of the present moment, learn how to regulate their emotions more effectively, and are generally happier.

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EarthSky News: See the Unicorn on dark January nights

Tonight, treat yourself to a visit with a mythical beast, the constellation Monoceros the Unicorn. It’s well placed for viewing in the January evening sky, but you’ll need a very dark sky to see it. Monoceros will be out nearly all night long. It’ll be higher up and easier to see in the later evening hours.

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Patheos-Pagan: Pumpkin Spice Magick Spells

People get intense over pumpkin spice. I have nothing against the deliciousness of anyone’s coffee, but the same delightful flavors you love in your cup or doughnut, also pack a pretty powerful kind of pumpkin spice magick.

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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, Lavender, Hazel, Cherry, Periwinkle
Stones: Aventurine, Bloodstone, Hematite, Moss Agate and Sodalite
Oil: (Mercury) Benzoin, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, 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
January 15, 2020

Flowers

“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”

-Jesus (A.D. 1st cent.) Matthew 6:28

Consider the effortlessness with which flowers grow and bloom and share their glory. We are like flowers, each individual, each unique – and yet, how often do we try to change our colors to fit in with a particular landscape? We can learn from the simplicity and beauty of nature. We can choose to bloom where we are planted.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: The Moon

It’s possible that you’re putting yourself under more stress and pressure than anyone or anything else going on around you. It’s not necessary to beat yourself up emotionally like this. Things are fine and you can make things even better if you curtail the urge to obsessively dwell on only what and who is letting you down. Be your own best friend and give yourself credit for what you’re doing right.

astrology.com

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About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts 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 January 14, 2020

Posted on January 14, 2020 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for January 14, 2020

Blessings, Cat

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For age is opportunity no less
Than youth itself, though in another dress,
And as the evening twilight fades away
The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-82)

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Spiritual Unite: Coloring Meditation – Why Coloring is the new Meditation

Currently 20 of the best selling books on amazon, six of those books in the top 20 are adult coloring books. For many its a favorite of the past time for those who have graduated from kindergarten, it has been gaining popularity, its an easy way to express yourself and at the same time to relief stress as well.

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ThoughtCo: Magical Metals

Study Paganism and magical practice for any length of time, and at some point, you’re going to hear about correspondences. Often we discuss correspondences, which are tangible things associated with non-tangible aspects, in terms of herbs, crystals, even planets. Oddly, there’s occasionally a tendency to overlook one of the most useful sets of magical correspondences: metals.

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The Individualogist: 5 Feng Shui Rules that should Never be Broken

In designing your own home, considering Feng Shui rules is a crucial step in ensuring the good flow of energy. By taking into account these fundamental steps, you are essentially allowing positive energy to flow freely in your house.

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Wise Woman Herbal Ezine: Cronewort

Cronewort (Artemisia vulgaris)

The little leaves of my friend cronewort (AKA mugwort), minced, will add a savory, slightly bitter bite to our salad.

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**This project would be perfect for an Imbolc decoration! Found this on YouTube.

Today’s DIY: Sheep Plushie

SO TODAYS video i absolutely love as this guy is the CUTEST plushie sheep i have ever seen!! Now i may be being biased because i made him but, omg so cute!!

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Elephant Journal: The Art of Perception: Adjusting your View of the World—& Within.

On this particular night, it’s hard to swallow the swirl of emotional soup that comes from turning 28 years old, it’s still hot.
While 27 was the best year of my life, a touch of sadness and fear arises from within. Fear from the unknown certainty of the future, and sadness for the waning years of my youth.

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MNN: Australian wildlife officials air-drop carrots, sweet potatoes to help struggling wallabies

Wallabies, koalas and kangaroos affected by the massive Australian wildfires have been in desperate need of water and food.
You may have seen one of the many viral videos on social media of wildlife approaching people for something to drink or eat.

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EarthSky News: Orion the Hunter is easy to spot

Tonight – or any winter evening – look for the constellation Orion the Hunter. It’s probably the easiest to pick out of all the constellations in the Northern Hemisphere winter sky (Southern Hemisphere summer sky). It’s identifiable by Orion’s Belt, three medium-bright stars in a short, straight row at the mid-section of the Hunter.

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Patheos-Pagan: Am I Really a Pagan?

This is a question I ask myself often. When it comes to my main practice, the Otherfaith, it can be fairly argued either way. It is a polytheistic tradition, and it grew out of my experiences with the Pagan and polytheist communities.

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Inner Journey:

TIME TO STOP SEEKING?

“If there are so many seekers, why are there so few finders?”
— Eckhart Tolle

Perhaps we’ve misunderstood the whole concept of a spiritual journey. The term ‘seeker’ means we are looking for something we believe we do not have now. It places all hope on the future because as a seeker, we haven’t yet found our salvation.

Tolle encourages us to experience the truth of who we are by being present right now. If we do that, we don’t have to seek anything. We already have everything and can relax and rejoice in the power of being.

“There is surely nothing other than the single purpose of the present moment. A man’s whole life is a succession of moment after moment. If one fully understands the present moment, there will be nothing else to do, and nothing else to pursue.”
— Hagakure

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Live as if.

Always,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Pad Thai Popcorn

In this video, you’ll see how to make a sweet and spicy popcorn inspired by the classic noodle dish, Pad Thai.

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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
January 14, 2020

Flowers

“Earth laughs in flowers.”

-Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Flowers are an expression of joy. It seems like a miracle that the earth can produce such a variety of species, so colorful, vibrant and full of life. Is it any wonder that we’ve made such a tradition of giving flowers in courtship? Sometimes flowers say what words cannot.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: The Magician

You have your A game going today, but don”t let it go to your head. As the Magician, you”re at your most capable. If someone tries to spring a surprise request on you, you”ll probably see it coming. Be low-key, don”t build expectations, and then excel. So long as your ego doesn”t exceed good sense, you”ll be able to accomplish just about anything!

astrology.com

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About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts 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 January 13, 2020

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Cat

CMB Blue

Cat’s Morning Bits for January 13, 2020

Blessings, Cat

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O Winter, ruler of the inverted year,
Thy scattered hair with sleet like ashes filled,
Thy breath congealed upon they lips, thy cheeks
Fringed with a beard made white with other snows.
-William Cowper (1731-1800)

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Spiritual Unite: This is The Spiritual Symbolism For Lemon

Lemon is a yellow coloured fruit of the small evergreen tree of the Rutaceae family. It has a distinctive sour taste that makes it an essential ingredient for many of our favourite food and drinks.

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ThoughtCo: A Collection of Prayers for Imbolc

If you’re looking for prayers or blessings to celebrate the sabbat of Imbolc, here’s where you’ll find a selection of original devotionals that bid farewell to the winter months and honor the goddess Brighid, as well as seasonal blessings for your meals, hearth, and home.

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MBG: This Week’s Horoscope Is Here To Shake Up Your Daily Routine

Today, the AstroTwins are breaking down how this week’s astrological transits could inspire some out-of-this-world innovation and creativity.
Life takes a turn for the poetic this Monday, January 13, as enchanting Venus floats into ethereal Pisces.

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Wise Woman Herbal Ezine: Winter Medicine: An Overview of the Pantry and Medicine Chest
by Linda Conroy
I live in a cold climate, where the winter months can be quite long. Because fresh, local, wild food and herbs are not as readily in the winter months, I spend a lot of time during the fall months preparing food and medicine to have on hand for winter.

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Today’s DIY: How to Make Corn Husk Dolls: 13 DIYs

Children and mothers used to make fashionable dolls out of corn husks wherever corn was grown as a crop. The custom though mainly prevalent in native and colonial American families seeped into the modern American culture down the ages.

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Elephant Journal: Making Love with Nature: a Letter to the Alder Trees.

Inside the meditation hall, I sit with my hands in my lap, breathing into the hollow of my palms.
Left hand lying gently inside the right, thumb tips just barely touching, center point of concentration in the posture of Zen meditation. Back straight, mind deep in the body, the hands open and connected to the motion of breathing. I think of the image suggested by the Vietnamese Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh—a baby Buddha nestled in my hands,

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MNN: Scientists discover 10 new birds
5 new species, 5 subspecies found on small islands in Indonesia

A group of scientists set out on a six-week expedition near Sulawesi, Indonesia, in hopes of learning more about the region’s bird population. What they discovered was far more exciting — undiscovered bird species.

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EarthSky News: Tonight is New Year’s Eve, in the Julian calendar

Today is January 13, 2020, in our calendar, the Gregorian calendar, but it marks the last day of the year by the Julian calendar, which was first introduced to the world by Julius Caesar in 46 B.C. The Gregorian calendar’s January 14, 2020, is January 1 of the same year by the Julian calendar. It’s the Julian New Year, sometimes called the Old New Year or the Orthodox New Year.

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Patheos-Pagan: 2020 Witches’ Wheel Of The Year

This guide to the Witches’ Wheel of the Year is a journey through the lunar, astrological and seasonal energies of 2020, with spells, rituals, and spiritual practices to strengthen your connection to the deeper world.

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Inner Journey:

WATER WISDOM

“When flowing water … meets with obstacles on its path, a blockage in its journey, it pauses. It increases in volume and strength, filling up in front of the obstacle and eventually spilling past it….

“Do not turn and run, for there is nowhere worthwhile for you to go. Do not attempt to push ahead into the danger … emulate the example of the water: Pause and build up your strength until the obstacle no longer representsa blockage.”
— from the ‘I Ching,’ presented in ‘To Build the Life You Want, Create the Work You Love: The Spiritual Dimension of Entrepreneuring’ by Marsha Sinetar

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

A philosophical journey from here to there…

Do you think that if ten million dollars were to be suddenly deposited into your checking account, that over the following months and years you’d have fewer and fewer challenges? Or do you think, perhaps, that your challenges would simply evolve and change?

Right, evolve and change.

And do you think that with your extra $10 million, you’d gradually be presented with more and more opportunities to be happy? Or do you think, perhaps, that your opportunities would simply evolve and change?

Right, evolve and change.

Now, doesn’t that answer everything?

Beeb, beeb –

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: 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)

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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

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
January 13, 2020

Confidence

“If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t you’re right.”

-Mary Kay Ash (1985)

How many times do we sabotage ourselves from a lack of self-confidence? We are such powerful, creative people – and yet we doubt our own abilities! If we feel stuck, like we’re not getting anywhere – we have to look carefully to see what is holding us back. And most of the times, the answer is ourselves. When we have confidence, we can soar!

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: The Lovers

If you’re hesitant to do something or to make a decision, that’s OK. What urgently needs to be done will be done, so don’t worry about it. There may simply be too many options and too many conflicting requests coming up all at the same time. Sometimes hesitation can be a sign of prudence and a refreshing change from impulsiveness.

astrology.com

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About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts 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 January 10, 2020

Posted on January 10, 2020 by Cat

CMB Blue

Cat’s Morning Bits for January 10, 2020

Blessings, Cat

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Then came old January, wrapped well
In many Weeds to keep the cold away:
Yet did he quake and quiver like to quell,
And blow his Nails to warm them if he may.
-Edmund Spenser (c. 1552-99)

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Spiritual Unite: Koala Spirit Animal – Relaxing Is A Must

When the koala spirit animal appears in your life, it is a message that you need to slow down, take some time off and reconnect with your energy and with nature.

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ThoughtCo: History of Imbolc

Imbolc is a holiday with a variety of names, depending on which culture and location you’re looking at. In the Irish Gaelic, it’s called Oimelc, which translates to “ewe’s milk.” It’s a precursor to the end of winter when the ewes are nursing their newly born lambs. Spring and the planting season are right around the corner.

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MBG: Grab The Tissues: The First Full Moon Of The Decade Is Also An Emotion-Stirring Eclipse

Don’t underestimate the power of feelings this Friday, January 10. At 2:21 p.m. ET, the first full moon of the decade arrives—and it’s also a soul-stirring lunar eclipse in Cancer. Under the emo moonbeams of this Full Wolf Moon Lunar Eclipse, the floodgates may burst open.

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Wise Woman Herbal Ezine: How to Lead a Joyous Life
by Susun Weed

I aspire to be a joyous human being. As with most aspirations: It is easier said than done. Easier imagined than put into practice. Easier to search for than to have.

I want joy to roll like thunder across the hills and valleys of my life; I want surging winds of joy to carry me through loss and disappointment; I want joy to be an electrical rush that lights up my entire body when I succeed. What does it take to create a joyous existence? Is it possible to experience joy daily, not just in special circumstances?

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Elephant Journal: The Self-Help Myth that’s Ruining our Healing.

Self-love, self-care, self-help, self-improvement, it’s the new hot thing.
Everywhere we look there are courses and coaches and influencers popping up to capitalize on our desires to feel great, or good, or even just a little bit better than we feel now.

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MNN: 6 health benefits of green tea

Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world, with some reports stating that tea is second only to water in worldwide beverage consumption. Tea is embedded in culture: The British have tea time, and Asian communities still practice ancient tea ceremonies.

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Patheos-Pagan: Awaken: The Earth Needs Her Wise Ones

Last Summer, I heard several elders of the Pagan community give voice to a shared message. The refrain is echoing and gaining strength. Ancient deities are calling. The Earth Mother is reclaiming those who once worked within her sphere as priestesses and priests. The Wise Ones are awakening. Now, we must be about our business once more.

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Inner Journey:

FEELING SAFE

“Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are — chaff and grain together — certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away….”
— Dinah Craik

We cherish our best friends and our special communities because we feel safe to be vulnerable when we’re in their embrace. And yet I have discovered that as long as I identify with my self-image, with my ego, there’s no safety possible anywhere. When the ego is on watch, even a dear friend’s truth may trigger reactions like anxiety, self-criticism and fear.

The only true safety exists in living the truth of our soul, our essence.

“Open your body and your mind to the subtler levels of experience, letting go of your attempt to control, to be right, not worrying about appearances, not trying to be safe.”
— Stephen Levine

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

BIG, life-changing ideas rarely first appear as BIG, life-changing ideas.

No, hardly, that would be too easy.

BIG, life-changing ideas usually show up as plain, little ideas that when given a bit of muscle, gradually evolve into things like Space stations, best sellers, or a new beautiful vacation home for everyone in the family. Which means they can often sneak right under the radar and go completely undetected.

Got any little ideas? I ask because I know you do….

Ou-u-u-u-u-u-h!

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Asian Lettuce Wraps

“Delicious and bursting with flavor, Asian lettuce wraps are a great idea for entertaining or a family style meal. Each person can build their own fresh, delicious wrap. Just be sure to have plates or napkins available since the mixture can sometimes drip a little. To serve, allow each person to spoon a portion of the meat into a lettuce leaf. Wrap the lettuce around the meat like a burrito and enjoy!”

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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, Palmarosa, 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
January 10, 2020

Confidence

“Nothing so bolsters our self-confidence and reconciles us with ourselves as the continuous ability to create; to see things grow and develop under our hand, day in, day out.”

-Eric Hoffer (1902-1983)

We are creating our lives every day. When we see the fruits of our labor, we feel good about ourselves and our abilities. By attending to our spiritual practices every day, we are growing spiritually. We can be confident that we are on the path, and headed in the right direction.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: The Empress

Everything you touch or talk about today is going to get bigger, so be careful with your words and actions. While today will be easygoing and agreeable, a few days from now something you set in motion today may come back in a bigger form. Watch out for exaggeration, even about good things. Go light on the flattery, and even sincere compliments, since it all may become grander than you intend.

astrology.com

___________________________
About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts 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 January 9, 2020

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Cat

CMB Blue

Cat’s Morning Bits for January 9, 2020

Blessings, Cat

_________________________

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
-Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-92)

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Spiritual Unite: Pine Tree Symbolism – Protection And Immortality

The pine tree is one of the most recognisable trees in the world.
The Pine Tree is one of the most widely used tree symbolism the world over. The pine tree is about as culturally significant as a tree can get.

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ThoughtCo: The Rule of Three
The Law of Threefold Return

Many new Wiccans, and plenty of non-Wiccan Pagans, are initiated with the cautionary words from their elders, “Ever mind the Rule of Three!” This warning is explained to mean that no matter what you do magically,

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MBG: This Zodiac Sign Will Have The Luckiest 2020 Of Them All

By now, I’m sure you’ve eagerly scanned this year’s sign-by-sign horoscope and know exactly how 2020 is poised to play out for your sun, moon, and rising—but just in case you haven’t, here’s the gist: Every sign will go through a roller coaster in the astrological arena this year, but Capricorns could have more highs than lows.

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Daily Good: One Love

At five minutes to midnight on June 14, 2018, about 800 people waited to enter Jerusalem’s Tower of David Museum. Jews, Muslims and Christians, young and old, most of them strangers to one another, they were forgoing a night’s sleep for the chance to sing Bob Marley’s “One Love” in three languages and three-part harmony as a show of unity from Israel. { read more }

Submitted by: LuAnn Cooley

Be The Change

Do you know someone who effortlessly finds harmony with people from different backgrounds and beliefs? Send them a note of appreciation today.

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Today’s DIY: Crafts for the Imbolc Sabbat

Imbolc falls on February 2, and it’s a time to celebrate the goddess Brighid, as well as rejoice in knowing that the end of winter is coming soon. This is the season when the ewes are nursing their newly born lambs, and spring and the planting season are right around the corner. However, it’s still dark and chilly.

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Elephant Journal: 12 Gems of Wisdom from David Bowie.

David Bowie, without question, was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
As a songwriter, he habitually stretched himself to depths beyond anything that was being tried by his contemporaries—sometimes with great commercial success, and sometimes without

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MNN: Infamous nuclear disaster site transforms into unlikely refuge for animals

Whether it’s the unforgiving climes of Antarctica or the deepest ocean depths, animals have a way of finding places where humans dare not tread — and making it their home.
You might think they’re trying to get away from us — and they probably are

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EarthSky News: Full Wolf Moon eclipse on January 10

In North America, we sometimes use the name Wolf Moon for the January full moon. Other full moon names for January include the Old Moon, or the Moon After Yule. These next few nights – January 9 and 10, 2020 – watch for the full-looking moon, our nocturnal sun, to light up the nighttime from dusk until dawn.

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Patheos-Pagan: Vanilla Water: Magic To Taste The Sweetness Of Life

This simple spell for Vanilla Water was created for healing and happiness. It opens up the senses and gives you permission to taste the sweetness. However, like any magic, you must claim it.

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Inner Journey:

GETTING DOWN TO ESSENTIALS

“Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.”
— Lin Yutang

Do you feel a desire to simplify your life?

If you say ‘yes,’ then set an intention to reduce the demands, stimuli, interruptions and busyness in your life. We each have the power to do this – we simply have to begin to say ‘no’ to those activities that don’t directly serve what we want for our lives.

Everyone of this planet deserves to have some free time to think, relax and have fun. If you long for this, begin now to clear your plate and allow a new level of experience to happen in your life. Take charge. Eliminate time wasters. Make some decisions about what matters to you.

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”
— Hans Hofmann

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

To fix the world you must first see it as broken.

I’m not so sure I’d go there,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Spiced Caramel Snickerdoodles

Forget pies and sheet cakes – show off your baking chops with these Spiced Caramel Snickerdoodles. Made with caramel and cinnamon, these cookies can do no wrong.

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Magical Correspondences for Thursday

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
January 9, 2020

Confidence

“With self-confidence fulfilled,
You’ll find that folk have confidence in you.”

-Goethe (1749-1832)

As an audience, we are attracted to confidence, because we would like to exude that ourselves! We have confidence in people who are self-confident. It shows strength, it shows fortitude and determination. But mostly, it shows an inner resolve that comes from knowing the true self.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: Judgement

Change has been coming your way for a while now and today you may see the first explicit features of it. What happens today is only a beginning and you may look back in a few days/weeks/months and recognize that your life is in the process of making a turn for the better. It’s the nature of life to not stay the same, and you are being moved forward now.

astrology.com

___________________________
About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts 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 January 8, 2020

Posted on January 8, 2020 by Cat

CMB Blue

Cat’s Morning Bits for January 8, 2020

Blessings, Cat

_________________________

The icicles now fringe the trees
That swayed in summer’s gentle breeze,
When summer days were fair.
-Dora Read Goodale (1866-1915)

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Spiritual Unite: Mandalas: Spirituality, Art, And Therapy

Mandalas represent a whole world, God, the human being, life, and creation. This circular form is a symbol called archetype, that is, an image that is rooted in the collective subconscious that governs the inner order of nature, as in the zodiac signs system our birthday determines certain aspects of our personality.

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ThoughtCo: All About Imbolc

By February, most of us are tired of the cold, snowy season. Imbolc reminds us that spring is coming soon, and that we only have a few more weeks of winter to go.

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Modern Witch (Patheos) Getting Stoned with Moldavite

Picture it, 15 million years ago, humanity was just beginning to emerge and the world looked a lot different. Suddenly, over the skies of what is now Germany a light flashes in the heavens as a meteor enters Earth’s upper atmosphere and comes hurtling towards you.

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Tetraktys: Full Moon Spell for Clear Communication in an Argument

Hello witches! After a long break, I am glad to be writing again on this blog! Today I am sharing a spell that I created to resolve a relationship issue. If you need to set things straight with someone, that spell is meant for you.

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Today’s DIY: 15 Book Crafts to Upcycle Your Old Reads

Old books are a dime a dozen, and they make an ideal crafting medium. In fact, there are several creative ways to recycle old books without needing to be an artist.

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Elephant Journal: A Simple, Transformational Ritual for the Lunar Eclipse in Cancer. {January 10th}

A full moon generally packs a lot of emotion and heightened sensitivity.
They are also a recipe for change should you choose to accept the opportunity.

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Daily Dream: Boxer, Boxing

1. Do you feel as if you’re in a “sparring match” with someone around you? If so, dreaming of a boxing match could indicate that it’s not going to get any better and you need to take steps to end it.
2. A boxer with a lot of injuries foreshadows a lot of ideas that are going to need further research and revisions. If the boxer is a woman, you’re nursing a lot of emotional scars that need more care than you’re giving them.

astrology.com

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EarthSky News: Moon in Taurus on January 6, 7 and 8

These next three nights – January 6, 7 and 8, 2020 – the bright waxing gibbous moon shines in front of the constellation Taurus the Bull. However, it will be difficult to envision the starlit figure of the Bull on these moonlit nights. Despite the lunar glare, you might see this constellation’s two major signposts: the star Aldebaran and the Pleiades star cluster, otherwise known as the Seven Sisters.

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Patheos-Pagan: The Corner Crone: Daily Practice – Blessing Bowl

I’m in my second reading of Jason Mankey’s terrific new book, Witch’s Wheel of the Year: Rituals for Circles, Solitaries & Covens, savoring the practical wisdom he so generously shares. While the book primarily deals with sabbat rituals, there’s one particular element I’ve taken on as a daily practice in these last several weeks: The Blessing Bowl

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Inner Journey:

IMPRISONED BY YOUR THOUGHTS?

“Problems exist only in the human mind.”
— Anthony de Mello

For most of us, there’s always a long ‘to do’ list. That’s a fact.

And it’s easy to feel victimized. ‘Poor me!’ That’s not a fact – that’s a choice.

Experiment with your life to explore how much your mind is your jailer. Simply let go of the ‘oh woe’ kinds of thoughts. Silence your mind. Be right here, right now. Decide what you will do now and do it, without buying in to the mind’s sob story. When one task is done, you can then choose another.

Allowing the mind to agonize about the size of the ‘to do’ list just makes us tired before we even get started. It doesn’t have to be this way.

“Don’t water your weeds.”
— Harvey Mackay

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

When you start taking life too seriously it becomes more difficult to saunter.

Tell a friend,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Ginger and Turmeric Hot Cider

Warm apple cider is the perfect winter comfort drink. This special version combines two potent spices, ginger and turmeric for a unique flavor and nutrition profile.

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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.

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
January 8, 2020

Confidence

“All history makes clear that an indispensable quality of any man or class that wishes to lead, to hold power and privilege in society, is boundless self-confidence.”

-James Burnham (1905 – 1987)

Think of the word “confidence” and who comes to your mind? Chances are it is someone who is successful. Whether it is an athlete, a businessperson, or a rock star, confidence brings with it a kind of charisma. We can’t help but notice! It seems the one thing successful people have in common, no matter what field they are in, is confidence. It radiates from them.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: Temperance

Patience is your secret weapon to face down all obstacles today. Take your good old time to make sure you understand what needs to be done, for whom, why, and how. This methodical approach may not be your natural or favorite one, and it might annoy someone who has a different opinion of how urgent the issue is. Nonetheless, patience will get you through the day with fewer, if any, mishaps.

astrology.com

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About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts 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 January 7, 2020

Posted on January 7, 2020 by Cat

CMB Blue

Cat’s Morning Bits for January 7, 2020

Blessings, Cat

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Wildness is the preservation of the World.
Every tree sends its fibers forth in search of the Wild.
-Henry David Thoreau (1817-62)

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Spiritual Unite: As Above So Below Meaning

Few phrases can claim to be as influential in human thinking than “As above, so below.”
This idea is central to many cultures, religions and belief systems – though many people do not fully understand the reasons why.

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ThoughtCo: The Magic, History, and Folklore of Sandalwood

Although not truly an herb, but a wood, sandalwood is an item found often in modern Pagan rituals. In fact, “sandalwood” is an entire class of wood, found in trees that are part of the flowering Santalum family.

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Daily Good: Reflection

Brandur Patursson is an artist from the Faroe Islands who works with light in the creation of his glass and metal sculptures. After losing 70% of the sight in one eye he started understanding what it is to really see. He realized that we see with our eyes, but how we perceive things is what truly gives them meaning in our lives. If we can literally see and reflect on someone’s else’s feelings instead of their effect on us, he suggests that we could be more tolerant. This short film is itself a mesmerizing reflection on how opening our eyes to who and what is around us allows us to be moved. { read more }

Be The Change

Try to consciously perceive today something you have seen before but not quite taken in. How does this new perception change how you feel?

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(Great idea for personal altar decorations!)

Today’s DIY: How to Make a Fabric Flower

These flowers are super easy to make, and if you use scrap fabric, they shouldn’t cost a penny. Use the flowers as a corsage or hairpiece, sew them onto a belt or pillow, or use as a gift topper — the possibilities are endless.

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Elephant Journal: Cancer Full Moon Eclipse: Stepping forward into Growth, Love & Healing. (January 10)

The Cancer full moon eclipse takes place on January 10, 2020. It’s been an intense time since the Christmas new moon eclipse, which put into motion a lot of karmic endings and new beginnings.

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MNN: 13 unexpected leap year facts

About every four years, February gains an extra day. We do this so our calendars don’t get out of whack, but Feb. 29 has also prompted some interesting traditions. Here are some surprising facts about the bonus day that comes only every so often.

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EarthSky News: Identify stars in the Winter Circle

Our sky chart for the next few nights – January 8 and 9, 2020 – covers more area of sky than we typically show. It’s in answer to a reader in Nashville,

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Patheos-Pagan: 9 Ways To Improve Your Paganism In 2020

The starting point of the new calendar year may be a completely arbitrary human invention, but there’s still something special about it. The liminal period of the holidays helps the old year fade away (especially the bad things we’d like to forget) and we feel like we’re starting over with a clean slate.

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Inner Journey:

A NEW VIEW

A friend shared this moment of awakening. She was moaning, “I never get anything done.” Her companion replied, “Perhaps you never get EVERYTHING done.” Oh… of course!

A shift in perspective can bring both understanding and release.

“Besides learning to see, there is another art to be learned — not to see what is not.”
— Maria Mitchell

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

You’ve come a long way from the timid, shy soul you once were. Hiding out on distant planets, befriending alien tree forms, splashing in snow fed streams, and secretly planning your time on Earth with a beautiful vacation home and all.

So, what do you say we drop all the practical logic, rational reasonableness, and cautious optimism, and give those tree forms something to talk about… before they start making stuff up.

You know trees.

I’m totally with you on this –

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Easy Bulgogi (Korean BBQ Beef)

“Most Bulgogi recipes call for crushed pear. This is for tenderizing the meat. My boyfriend’s Korean mother says Coca-Cola® can also be used for the same purpose. This recipe uses very thin-sliced meat so tenderization isn’t necessary. Sugar is used instead.”

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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
January 7, 2020

Confidence

“Real confidence comes from knowing and accepting yourself — your strengths and your limitations — in contrast to depending on affirmation from others.”

-Judith M. Bardwick, 1988

Confidence is just one of the benefits that springs forth when we know who we are. We can refer back to ourselves, knowing that we have access to divine wisdom, and be comfortable with our choices and decisions. We don’t have to rely on any outside sources for personal validation.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: Strength

Although it may be a peaceful day, that calm may all be on the surface. If dissatisfaction or anger is brewing at depth, there could be thoughts or fantasies of revenge or anger to fuel the bad feelings. Face everyone and everything with great care and respect. You have more than enough strength to deal with whatever comes up. Obviously, don’t bait or antagonize anyone. Kindness wins out.

astrology.com

___________________________
About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts 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 January 6, 2020

Posted on January 6, 2020 by Cat

CMB Blue

Cat’s Morning Bits for January 6, 2020

Blessings, Cat

_________________________

January is here,
With eyes that keenly glow-
A frost-mailed warrior striding
A shadowy steed of snow.
-Edgar Fawcett (1847-1904

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Spiritual Unite: Apple Tree Symbolism – Think Adam And Eve

Appletree symbolism has a long and varied history across much of Europe and the Mediterranean.
From the earliest religious texts and tribal cultures to modern druidism and New Age beliefs, apple trees have always held deep symbolic meaning.

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ThoughtCo: Frankincense

Frankincense is one of the oldest documented magical resins–it’s been traded in northern Africa and parts of the Arab world for nearly five thousand years.

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MBG: How The Root Chakra’s Shadow Could Be Keeping You From Authenticity

Though chakras are not physical structures, they can be the source of wounds and dysfunction in the body. Each of the main seven chakras is a point of highly concentrated energy, and that energy relates to a unique set of themes.

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MBG: We Just Started 2020 & There’s Already A (Super) Rare Astro Event Coming

This week, the AstroTwins explain why there’s a little more baggage we all need to deal with—and possibly some tears to shed—before we barrel into this brand-new decade.
The week starts off on a flowy-yet-productive note as imaginative Neptune gets into a friendly formation with the Sun, then Mercury in Capricorn.

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Today’s DIY: DIY Dream Spell Jar for the Dark Moon

Inspire a deeper, more vivid, and insightful dream life with this clever little DIY dream spell jar.

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EarthSky News: Moon in Taurus on January 6, 7 and 8

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Patheos-Pagan: The Corner Crone: So You’ve Set Your Intentions – Now What?

‘Tis the season – and almost everyone since Babylonian times has been doing it around this time of year. Paying their debts. Making promises to their gods. Re-affirming commitments. Making resolutions.

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Inner Journey:

TRAVEL WITH AWARENESS

“…focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.”
— Greg Anderson

Travelling brings me wonderful opportunities to build awareness. When I get into the car, for example, I set an intention to drive well and stay alert to what other drivers and pedestrians are doing. When I realize that my mind has drifted and I’ve slipped into autopilot, I gently bring my focus back to the present.

It’s also a time when I can pay attention to my reactions. Does irritation arise when someone drives too quickly or slowly, or when I get stopped by a yellow light? Being aware of the irritation gives me the opportunity to acknowledge and then release it. If I choose to, I can be at peace anywhere – even on the road!

“Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going to fast — you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.”
— Eddie Cantor

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

If you want better from others, be better yourself.

Want better,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Instant Pot® Colorado Chile Verde

“This is a chili that you’ll find in the Mountain West–either Colorado or New Mexico. It has a medium heat and complex taste, thanks to green chiles from Hatch, New Mexico. The dish is a simple stew with a cohesive taste across different textures and flavors, that can be thickened as you like it. Serve with bread, tortillas, rice, or even over a breakfast burrito!”

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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
January 6, 2020

Vegetarianism

“The road to health is paved with vegetables, fruits, beans, rice and grains.”

-Polly Strand, 1993

Nature’s bounty is plentiful! The food with which we are provided is nature’s medicine cabinet. We have everything we need to keep ourselves healthy and fit. Nature’s intelligence works with us to sustain life

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: Strength

astrology.com

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About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts 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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