The Desert Path

The Dusty Ramblings of a Desert Pagan

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 21, 2019 ~ Midsummer Edition

Posted on June 21, 2019 by Cat

Litha

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 21, 2019~ Midsummer Edition

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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“Summer set lip to earth’s bosom bare
And left the flushed print in a poppy there.”
– Francis Thompson

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Spiritual Unite: Lion Spirit Animal Meaning – Embody Courage To Roar

When the lion spirit animal empowers you, you draw on your inner strength and courage to face the difficulties that will soon come your way.
When Challenges Arise, The Lion Roars
The lion spirit animal usually arrives in your life when you are about to face a difficult challenge.
Events are getting out of your control, and it will take you wielding your strength to keep everything handled.

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/lion-spirit-animal-meaning-embody-courage-to-roar/

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ThoughtCo: 10 Deities of Litha: Summer Solstice Gods and Goddesses

The summer solstice has long been a time when cultures celebrated the lengthening year. It is on this day, sometimes called Litha, that there is more daylight than any other time; a direct counterpoint to the darkness of Yule. No matter where you live, or what you call it, chances are you can connect to a culture that honored a sun deity around this time of year. Here are just a few of the gods and goddesses from around the world that are connected with the summer solstice.

https://www.learnreligions.com/deities-of-litha-2562232

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MBG: Happy Solstice! 5 Rituals To Ring In The Longest Day Of The Year

The summer solstice is a celebration of the longest day of the year, and it marks the height of the waxing season: a time when nature is blooming. Summer is synonymous with love, romance, and joy. Even the month of June was named after the goddess Juno, whose domain was love.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/5-spiritual-rituals-to-celebrate-the-summer-solstice

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Daily Good: Island of Plenty

Eva and her family live an isolated life on the remote island of Stra Dmun, in the middle of the North Atlantic Sea, with the occasional helicopter visit their only connection to the outside world. While they are geographically isolated, Eva states that she never feels lonely. Eight generations of her family have lived on this island, with children seeing first hand the full cycle of life all around them. Summer and winter are both enjoyable to Eva, who feels rich because she gets to be a caretaker of the natural life here. She rejoices in the many small good moments that make up her days.

http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=8358

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Elephant Journal: A Powerful Ritual to Celebrate the Sacred Summer Solstice.

Celebrating the solstice can be deep, sacred, and generate connection.
My true understanding, love, and appreciation for rituals started during my time spent living in the Andes mountains of Ecuador with a shaman and his family.

Their entire house was infused with natural light. Large windows without screens lined the exterior walls, and there were skylights across the ceiling of the wide hallway and in all the bedrooms.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/06/a-powerful-ritual-to-celebrate-the-sacred-summer-solstice-kelly-mckinstry/

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MNN: 7 things to know about the summer solstice

One of the best things about summer are the extra hours of daylight, and the summer solstice is the ultimate day in that regard.
Although summer is just getting started, the days will start to get shorter from here on out. The next thing you know, you’ll be trading in your sunblock and shorts for scarves and hand warmers. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Here’s a look at some interesting facts about the unofficial first day of summer

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/climate-weather/stories/7-things-know-about-summer-solstice

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EarthSky News: Happy solstice, everyone!

If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, the June solstice is your signal to celebrate summer. If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, winter starts at this solstice. This 2019 June solstice takes place on June 21 at 15:54 UTC; translate UTC to your time. In North America and U.S. time zones, that’s June 21 at 12:54 p.m. ADT, 11:54 a.m. EDT, 10:54 a.m. CDT, 9:54 a.m. MDT, 8:54 a.m. PDT, 7:54 a.m. AKDT (Alaskan Daylight Time) and 5:54 a.m. HAST (Hawaiian-Aleutian Standard Time). At the instant of this June 2019 solstice, it’s sunrise for the Hawaiian Islands, and sunset in the Middle East and Africa. It’s noon in South America and midnight in eastern Asia. The solstice happens at the same instant for all of us, everywhere on Earth; only our clocks and calendars are different.

https://earthsky.org/tonight/solstice-brings-northernmost-sunset

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Patheos-Pagan: Illuminate the Sanctuary and Empower a Talisman ~ A Summer Solstice Meditation Ritual

Here is a simple Summer Solstice meditation ritual to charge a talisman with the powers of the light, and to illuminate your inner Sanctuary, using techniques from my book the Secret Country of Yourself.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/dirtheartwitch/2019/06/illuminate-sanctuary-empower-talisman-summer-solstice/

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Softly

Walk softly through the twilight~ feel the lavender blue magick surround you, feel the breath of night, soft as fae wings as it eases the cares of the day.

Look softly through the twilight~ find the first stars in the lavender blue, pinpoints of fairy light glitter softly in the canvas overhead. Fill your senses.

Stand softly in the twilight~ fill yourself with the lavender blue magick, experience the essence and the heartbeat of the coming night.

Feel the magick, Be the magick~ Walk softly through the twilight.

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Inner Journey:

CONNECT WITH THE LIFE FORCE

“The spirit down here in man and the spirit up there in the sun, in reality are only one spirit, and there is no other one.”
— The Upanishads

We regard our lives as made up of an infinite number of separate bits and pieces. That is how our senses perceive our universe.

But science has now affirmed what the sages always knew. The life force is the foundation of all, unseen and untouched though it may be. It flows through everyone and everything. It is impossible to exist separate and apart from the source of all creation.

“Everything you see has its roots in the unseen world. The forms may change, yet the essence remains the same. Every wonderful sight will vanish; every sweet word will fade, But do not be disheartened, The source theycome from is eternal, growing, Branching out, giving new life and new joy. Why do you weep? The source is within you And this whole world is springing up from it.”
— Jelaluddin Rumi

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Generosity and gratitude turn good into great.

Thank you, you’re welcome

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Summer Solstice Strawberry-Mint Sun Tea Recipe

Summer is here, and the weather is showing it. Our gardens are growing in full force with an abundance of mint. We have Orange-Mint, Mojito-Mint, Peppermint, and Spearmint and a couple of other varieties I think adopted our yard. I find myself wondering what to do with this abundance of mint http://www.themagickkitchen.com/summer-solstice-strawberry-mint-sun-tea/

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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
June 21, 2019

Comfort

“I simply cannot understand the passion that some people have for making themselves thoroughly uncomfortable and then boasting about it afterwards.”
-Patricia Moyes, 1961

This passion seems to be particularly prevalent today – you can see it on “Survivor” and “Fear Factor” and shows like that. So what’s the spiritual message here? I guess we could look at it several different ways – but let’s choose one: When we challenge ourselves, and break outside of our comfort zone, we discover things about ourselves and reap rewards!

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Tetraktys: Litha Ritual : Drawing Down the Sun on the Summer Solstice

Hello witches! We’re now officially in June… the days are longer, the sun is brighter, and summer is coming! Since summer is my favorite season, I am more than happy to write this post. This week, I am writing about the upcoming summer solstice festival, known as Litha or Midsummer. First, we will talk about the spiritual meaning of the Summer Solstice. Then, I will share with you a ritual that I plan to perform for my own Litha celebration. So let’s get started!

https://www.thetetraktys.com/2018/litha-ritual-summer-solstice/

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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 June 14, 2019

Posted on June 14, 2019 by Cat

CMB green

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 14, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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O dwellers in the stately towns,
What come ye out to see?
This common earth, this common sky,
This water flowing free?
-John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-92)

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Spiritual Unite: Monkey Spirit Animal Meaning – Allow Yourself To Play

Your monkey spirit animal appears when you need a little more energy in your life.
The inquisitiveness, sociability and childlike nature of the monkey spirit animal hold much guidance for you at this moment in your life.

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/monkey-spirit-animal-meaning-allow-yourself-to-play/

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ThoughtCo: Water Folklore and Legends
A Feminine Energy Connected With Aspects of the Goddess

Each of the four cardinal elements – earth, air, fire, and water – can be incorporated into magical practice and ritual. Depending on your needs and intent, you may find yourself drawn to one of these elements more so that the others.

https://www.learnreligions.com/water-element-folklore-and-legends-2561689

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MBG: This Much Time In Nature Boosts Mental & Physical Health, Finds Study

In recent years, science has made it clear: Humans need exposure to vast green spaces, to feel their toes in the grass, and to breath in fresh woodland air from time to time. Around the globe, there’s mounting research to support the idea that exposure to nature improves both physical and mental health—and it goes well beyond a momentary mood boost.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/this-much-time-in-nature-boosts-mental-and-physical-health-finds-study

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Herbal Muse: Essential Oils for a Summer First Aid Kit

Summer is here, which means that most of us will do at least a little bit of traveling. There’s nothing like being away from home and having some sort of an illness or wound, only to realize you don’t have natural remedies with you that you need. It’s a good idea to put together a traveling kit with first aid essential oils for such times.

https://theherbalacademy.com/first-aid-essential-oils-summer-travel-kit/?ap_id=herbalmuse

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Elephant Journal: June 17th Full Moon in Sagittarius: Make Wild Love & Manifest Abundance.

This full moon brings clarity and focus to deliver our gifts and intentions to the universe.
Use this time to delve into your deepest self, uncovering your own mystery and seeking a deeper knowledge about your life path.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/06/june-17th-full-moon-in-sagittarius-make-wild-love-manifest-abundance-monika-carless/

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MNN: It’s never too late to reinvent yourself
How architect Le Corbusier, a 13th-century abbey and a busload of tourists taught me some lessons.

In 1953, the architect Le Corbusier was working on the design of La Tourette, a convent for the Dominican friars. His client, Père Marie-Alain Couturier, recommended that the architect visit Le Thoronet Abbey, built in the 12th and 13th centuries in southeast France. Le Corbusier was impressed; Architect Susan Jones quotes him:

https://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/eco-tourism/blogs/its-never-too-late-reinvent-yourself-le-corbusier

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EarthSky News: Strawberry Moon and Jupiter from dusk to dawn

On both June 16 and 17, 2019, the moon will appear full to the eye as it shines close to the king planet Jupiter all night long. The crest of the moon’s full phase comes at a specific instant, though – the instant the moon and sun are most opposite each other on our sky’s dome for this month

https://earthsky.org/tonight/strawberry-moon-jupiter-from-dusk-till-dawn

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Patheos-Pagan: A Sand Dollar Spell for Prosperity
I adore working magic on the sea shore. I have had the pleasure of being able to practice on the sacred shores of Okinawa Japan, in the mysterious ancient energy of the Chesapeake bay, the calming serene energy of the Atlantic ocean, and all the way across to the cold Pacific! This is a pretty simple spell but it can be quite powerful, especially for someone deeply connected to the salty waters

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/waterwitch/2018/01/sand-dollar-spell-prosperity.html

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Inner Journey:

WHAT IS YOUR BODY SAYING?

“Many people treat their bodies as if they were rented from Hertz — something they are using to get around in but nothing they genuinely care about understanding.”
— Chungliang Al Huang

“As we explore the extraordinary interplay of energies between the many aspects of our personality — our needs, unconscious reactions, repressed emotions, aspirations and fears — with the functioning of our physicalsystem and its capacity to maintainm itself, we soon realise how very wise the body is. With its intricately detailed systems and operations it portrays infinite intelligence and compassion, constantly giving us the means to understand ourselves further, toconfront issues we are not looking at, and to go beyond that which is holding us back.”
— Deb Shapiro

Scan your body with your awareness. Are you experiencing any aches and pains? Any stiffness?

What might your body be trying to tell you about how you are living your life?

“Your body is the ground and metaphor of your life, the expression of your existence. It is your Bible, your encyclopedia, your life story. Everything that happens to you is stored and reflected in your body. In the marriageof flesh and spirit divorce is impossible.”
— Gabrielle Roth

“What is always speaking silently is the body.”
— Norman Brown

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Sometimes on a day during which nothing seems to happen everything gets way better.

You just need a little more time to see the manifestation.

I go to work,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Basil Salad Dressing

A delicious vinaigrette dressing that may easily become a family or personal favorite.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Basil-Salad-Dressing-Recipes.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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Beliefnet: Multifaith Prayers for Animals
Animal blessings, prayers for sick or deceased pets, and a covenant liturgy for animal guardians

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 7, 2019

Posted on June 7, 2019 by Cat

CMB green

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 7, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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It is the month of June,
The month of leaves and roses,
When pleasant sights salute the eyes,
And pleasant scents the noses.

-N.P. Willis (1807-67)

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Spiritual Unite: Intense Chemistry Between Two People – Perfect Companions

Have you ever met someone and the two of you have got along so perfectly?
Chemistry exists between two people when they are able to interact seamlessly with each other.

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/intense-chemistry-between-two-people/

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ThoughtCo: Eleven Legendary Buddhist Temples

These eleven temples are among the most legendary in Buddhist history, including Shaolin, Angkor Wat and the Temple of the Tooth.

https://www.learnreligions.com/eleven-legendary-buddhist-temples-450158

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Spirit Library: Inspiration for the Week – Releasing Past Patterns

The Gabriel Message Card for this Week

Do not allow yourself to dwell in past patterns. Simply accept those choices and move ahead.

Does it seem like all your old patterns are in your face right now?

https://spiritlibrary.com/shanta-gabriel/inspiration-for-the-week-releasing-past-patterns

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Today’s Deity: Papa Legba and Other Spirits of the Crossroads

Papa Legba has his origins with the Fon people of Dahomey (Benin) Africa and is said to be the guardian and trickster of the crossroads and entrances. He is one of the most widely served African deities.

https://exemplore.com/magic/papalegba

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Elephant Journal: How July’s Mercury Retrograde will Help us Communicate our Desires

On June 26th, Mercury, the planet of communication, enters the bold sign of Leo.
This means we’ll have ample energy to speak our minds until July 7th. When Mercury goes into retrograde on July 7th, it will stay in Leo until July 19th. This will give us opportunities to work on healing the past or revisiting issues we haven’t laid to rest

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/06/how-mercury-in-leo-can-help-you-get-your-point-across/

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EarthSky News: Moon in Leo the Lion on June 8 and 9

On June 8 and 9, 2019, use the moon to find the Regulus, the brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion. This blue-white gem of a star is of 1st-magnitude brightness and is the 21st brightest star to light up the nighttime sky.

https://earthsky.org/tonight/moon-and-regulus-on-june-8-and-9

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KarmaTube: Forest Magic
This enchanting visual poem from Finland is a feast for the senses. It takes us on a magical forest tour as we experience the miracles of life there through time and seasons, through silence and nature’s songs, and through flights of imagination prompted by soaring birds. “The magic weaves through my mind, the more I search the less I find, the less I try, the more I heal.” Come, experience the magic, and carry the forest in you

http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=8315

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Daily Tarot: The Hermit

Think twice before you speak or act and avoid any slip up or oversight that could make extra work for you tomorrow. Exercise more discretion, check the facts, and don’t automatically believe everything that you’re told. Be clear that you’re not suspecting the world of lying to you; you’re simply being prudent and cautious. It shows how much you care about getting things set right for everyone.

astrology.com

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Patheos-Pagan: That’s Not My Goddess-Hekate

If you’re someone who is merely dabbling in Witchcraft; or experimenting with Paganism–this article is not for you. However, if The Craft is the heartbeat of your spiritual life, and you have a personal, intimate relationship with your Deity, then you are someone I want to address.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/throughthegrapevine/2019/06/thats-not-my-goddess/

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Inner Journey:

HONOUR YOURSELF

“I’d gone through life believing in the strength and competence of others; never in my own. Now, dazzled, I discovered that my capacities were real. It was like finding a fortune in the lining of an old coat.”
— Joan Mills
Take a moment to stop and think about what you give to the people and life around you. Don’t think about what you’re not doing right. Look instead at all you do that is a blessing. Many of us continually beat ourselves up for not doing or being enough. But imagine for a moment that you are great just as you are. Feel the relief this brings! Now open to the possibility that this is not a daydream. It’s true! Believe it!
“People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking that they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success.”
— Norman Vincent Peale

“We cannot rise higher than our thought of ourselves.”
— Orison Swett Marden

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

We just want you to know that those animals you’ve known, who’ve moved beyond the veils of time and space:

Were forever changed by your love,

are all alive and well, and

they’ve banded together to ask me a favor…

that I make sure you get this message.

Bark, meow, chirp, ergle –

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Coco-Mango Glazed Palitaw

This sticky snack is called “palitaw” from the word “litaw” which means float. Its called palitaw because the round flat sticky pieces floats when they are being cooked.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Coco-Mango-Glazed-Palitaw.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
June 7, 2019

Progress

“I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving: To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it – but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.”

-Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809-1894)
To progress we must make the effort. We must forge ahead. We must put ourselves out there and be open to experiences that challenge us. We can start right where we are, by knowing where we want to go.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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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 May 31, 2019

Posted on May 31, 2019 by Cat

CMB green

Cat’s Morning Bits for May 31, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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Buttercups have honeyed hearts,
Bees they love the clover,
But I love the daisies’ dance
All the meadow over.
-Marjorie Pickthall (1883-1922)

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Spiritual Unite: Best Tarot Cards For Beginners – Picking The Deck For You

When learning to read tarot, it is vital that you find some tarot cards that work for you. To help you out, we have put together this list of the best tarot cards for beginners.
Finding a deck that you vibe with is the first big step towards being an intermediate tarot reader

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/best-tarot-cards-for-beginners/

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ThoughtCo: Miscellaneous Magical Herbs & Plants

We have a number of magical herbs and plants profiled here on About Pagan/Wiccan, in particular on the pages entitled Ten Magical Herbs to Have on Hand, and in the Magical Herb Image Gallery. For the plants and herbs that didn’t make it into those collections, here are a few more herbs and plants that you can include in your magical workings.

https://www.learnreligions.com/miscellaneous-magical-herbs-and-plants-2562041

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Daily Tarot: The Lovers

Preconceived notions and old ideas could make it hard to deal with all the new and different situations and requests that could crop up today. It’s possible that you’re not actually being presented choices that must be made now or soon. Just as likely you’re being tested or tempted. It may be hard to resist a knee jerk reaction or two. Avoid committing to anything definite if you can.

astrology.com

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MBG: Sleep Better & Improve Your Balance With This Foot Massage (Yes, Really)

On the list of indulgences, foot massages are right up there near the top. But who among us regularly treats themselves to a foot massage, save for the occasional pedicure or those of us with very kind partners? Well, let us be your excuse: You deserve foot massages for a plethora of self care reasons—and a few scientific ones, too.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/what-are-the-health-benefits-of-foot-massages

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Today’s Deity: Circe
The daughter of Helios and Perse, Circe was a powerful enchantress versatile in the arts of herbs and potions and capable of turning human beings into animals. She did just that to Odysseus’ sailors when they reached her dwelling place, the secluded island of Aeaea. Odysseus,

https://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/Circe/circe.html

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Elephant Journal: A Short Practice to Open the Heart.

Hanuman, who is known as the great monkey God in Hinduism, is one of the most influential stories of the human condition known to mankind.
Each of the Gods from the Hindu pantheon represent an archetype of the human condition and that of the enlightened mind. Hanuman is the archetype of our innate animalistic nature—the “monkey mind” that can be transcended by entering into the portal of the heart.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/05/how-hanuman-the-monkey-god-can-help-us-jessica-jayne/

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Wise Woman Herbal: Empower Yourself…
Seven Directions Movement Meditation
by White Feather

It was a warm summer evening on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation in western New York when Grandmother Twylah,( we called her “Twy” back then around 1985) asked me to join her for a talk she would be giving at a place called Lilly Dale. I was happy to be her driver as I would often do at that time.

She invited me to sit up front and before I knew it she was introducing me to the audience and explaining to them I was going to teach them the Seven Directions Movement Meditation.

http://www.wisewomanmentor.com/articles/7462396

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EarthSky News: A Dragon and a former pole star

Tonight, if you have a dark sky, you’ll be able to pick the constellation Draco the Dragon winding around the North Star, Polaris. The image at the top of this post shows Draco as depicted in an old star atlas by Johannes Hevelius in 1690. See the circle? That circle indicates the changing position of the north celestial pole over a cycle of 26,000 years

https://earthsky.org/tonight/see-draco-the-dragon-and-a-former-pole-star

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Patheos-Pagan: A Pagan Creed For Non-Creedal Pagans

Modern Pagans have no creeds. The Charge of the Goddess comes close, but it’s still more about what Wiccans do than what Wiccans believe. And most polytheists see it as not particularly relevant to our traditions.
We don’t have creeds because we don’t need them

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbeckett/2019/05/a-pagan-creed-for-non-creedal-pagans.html

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Inner Journey:

REMEMBER YOUR SPIRITUAL SIDE

“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”
— Soren Kierkegaard

Reminding ourselves often of our spiritual natures truly changes the quality of our lives. It helps us relax, slow down, lighten up, and generally find more space and joy in life.

When we get down on ourselves or life, we can pull back and ask, “How might my soul regard this situation? What am I being invited to experience?”

This shift in perspective helps us let go of the resistance that always comes with negativity. As energy once again begins to flow, our outlook brightens.

“Spirituality is the sacred center out of which all life comes, including Mondays and Tuesdays and rainy Saturday afternoons in all their mundane and glorious detail. … The spiritual journey is the soul’s life commingling with ordinary life.”
— Christina Baldwin

“It is not my business to think about myself. My business is to think about God. It is for God to think about me.”
— Simone Weil

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

First, there were rumblings.

Then, there were flashes.

And now, there are sparkles everywhere you go.

Your greatness is starting to show.

All bow,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Rhubarb Salad

Not only is tart vegetable delicious in pie and jam, but you can use this in salad recipes.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Rhubarb-Salad-Recipes.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
May 31, 2019

Self-Realization
“Most people are like a falling leaf that drifts and turns in the air, flutters, and falls to the ground. But a few others are like stars which travel one defined path: no wind reaches them, they have within themselves their guide and path.”

-Hermann Hesse (1877-1962) Siddharta

You are a star! You are a shining star! I wrote a song once with that title, and the rest of the lyrics in the chorus go: “You are my shining star, you are who you are, you are special to me! No matter where you are, if it’s near or far, you shine bright as can be!”

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 21 Tips for Staying Strong and Carrying On
When times are tough, what should you do to stay strong and carry on? Readers share their best advice on how to get through tough times.
When times are tough, what should you do to stay strong and carry on?

We asked readers to share advice on how to get through bad days and tough times. We collected dozens of awesome ideas for staying the course when life’s challenges come your way.

Cat’s Morning Bits for May 24, 2019

Posted on May 24, 2019 by Cat

CMB green

Cat’s Morning Bits for May 24, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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I lie stretched out upon the window-seat
And doze, and read a page or two, and doze,
And feel the air like water on me close,
Great waves of sunny air that lip and beat
With a small noise, monotonous and sweet,
Against the window-and the scent of cool,
Frail flowers by some brown and dew-drenched pool
Possesses me from drowsy head to feet.
-Stephen Vincent Benet (1898-1943)

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Spiritual Unite: Awakening Your Light Body – Higher Consciousness

In order to move to higher levels of consciousness and reap all the benefits of doing so, you will first need to undergo light body activation – the act of awakening your light body.
The light body is thought of as one level below the soul, but one level above the chakras of the subtle body

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/awakening-your-light-body-higher-consciousness/

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ThoughtCo: Sunflower Magic and Folklore

When summer is at its peak, its not uncommon to see rows of sunflowers blooming in all of their colorful glory. Ranging from just a foot or two high to well over eight feet in height, sunflowers come in a variety of yellows and oranges. Sunflowers have been growing in North America for ages, so there is a significant amount of folklore surrounding them. Let’s look at some of the superstitions and customs about sunflowers from various cultures and societies

https://www.learnreligions.com/sunflower-magic-and-folklore-2562037

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Daily Good: Kitbull: A Moving Story of Friendship Between Dog and Cat

In this heartwarming Pixar short, an unlikely friendship forms when a stray cat encounters an abused pit bull. Together, the pair discovers that trust and companionship can mend even the most painful of wounds. Watch their journey unfold here.

http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=8380

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The Wild Hunt: The great hunt for Witch bottles project

LONDON – The United Kingdom Arts and Humanities Research Council is currently funding a project based on witch bottles, in an effort to understand more about this type of practice. It’s being helmed by Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), “an experienced and innovative archaeology and built heritage practice” and MOLA’s finds specialist Nigel Jeffries is in charge, along with Owen Davies, and Ceri Houlbrook from the University of Hertfordshire – both experts in the history of witchcraft and magic

Cat’s Morning Bits for May 17, 2019

Posted on May 17, 2019 by Cat

CMB green

Cat’s Morning Bits for May 17, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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Come rambling awhile through this exquisite weather
Of days that are fleet to pass,
When the stem of the willow shoots out a green feather,
And buttercups burn in the grass!

-Edgar Fawcett (1847-1904)

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Spiritual Unite: Double Shooting Star Meaning – Pay Attention

The night sky has fascinated humanity since we first stood on two feet and looked upwards. One of the most compelling sights in the cosmos is the shooting star.
Shooting stars have held cosmic meaning for almost every culture through history, and double shooting stars have been especially meaningful.

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/double-shooting-star-meaning-pay-attention/

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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. These aromatic and dense plants are packed full of essential oils, which are often extracted for use in a variety of religious rituals, aromatherapy, and even in medicine.

https://www.learnreligions.com/using-sandalwood-in-magic-2562036

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Elephant Journal: Full Moon in Scorpio: How will you Embody your Truth?

We are experiencing such a potent moment in the mass awakening of consciousness across the planet—right here, right now.
Can you feel it?
Some may say it’s a wonder that science is finally catching up to what mystics and ancient prophecies have spoken into for millennia—proving that we can heal our bodies by aligning our minds, activate dormant DNA, empathically sense energy in other living beings, and affect the collective whole with our individual intentions and actions for starters.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/05/ascension-energy-update-know-this-in-your-bones/

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MNN: 10 things you didn’t know about koalas

Long before we started going loopy for lemurs, slow loris and sloths, we had koalas — the original poster child for cute and cuddly animals that make us go “Aww!”
Although most people know that koalas live in Australia and eat eucalyptus leaves, there is so much more to know. Here’s the lowdown on the marsupials from Down Under.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-koalas

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EarthSky News: May 18 Blue Moon near Antares, Jupiter, Ceres

These next several nights – May 17, 18 and 19, 2019 – the moon will be full, or nearly full, and many will call Saturday night’s moon a Blue Moon. Wait. Is it the second full moon of this month? No, folklore allows for another kind of Blue Moon: the third of four full moons to occur in a single season

https://earthsky.org/tonight/seasonal-blue-moon-on-may-18-2019

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Today’s Deity: Corn Gods & Goddesses

First grown in Mexico about 5,000 years ago, corn soon became the most important food crop in Central and North America. Throughout the region, Native Americans, Maya, Aztecs, and other Indians worshiped corn gods and developed a variety of myths about the origin, planting, growing, and harvesting of corn (also known as maize).

Corn Gods and Goddesses. The majority of corn deities are female and associated with fertility. They include the Cherokee goddess Selu; Yellow Woman and the Corn Mother goddess Iyatiku of the Keresan people of the American Southwest; and Chicomecoatl, the goddess of maize who was worshiped by the Aztecs of Mexico. The Maya believed that humans had been fashioned out of corn, and they based their calendar on the planting of the cornfield
Read more: http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Ca-Cr/Corn.html#ixzz5o5y2N6cC

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Tea Addicted Witch: Not All Spells Will Do: Why The History Of Magical Practices Matters

I’ve talked in the past about what goes into the careful planning and debugging of spellwork, but another important feature is considering the elements within said spell very carefully.
Some deities and daimons work better with some elements than others, and it’s similar with spell ingredients and technique.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/teaaddictedwitch/2019/05/history-magical-practices/

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Daily Tarot: The Magician

Be organized, stick to your personal routine, and don’t gloss over any steps if you want to get the results you have in mind. This could be a day better for practice than for performance. Do your best, be forgiving of yourself about any minor slip-ups, and have no regrets. You know what you’re already good at, so focus on that and glide through the day.

astrology.com (daily email )

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Inner Journey:

FORGIVENESS BRINGS JOY

“The greatest evil that can befall man is that he should come to think ill of himself.”
— Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Do you feel worthy of having joy? Do you feel you deserve it?

The first step to activating our inner joy is to eliminate the blocks to it. We can start by truly forgiving ourselves and all others. Forgiveness calls for a shift in our perception. It is easier to forgive ourselves and others when we really understand that each of us has always done the very best we knew to do at that time.

“If we don’t forgive ourselves for our mistakes, and others for the wounds they have inflicted upon us, we end up crippled with guilt. And the soul cannot grow under a blanket of guilt, because guilt is isolating, while growth is a gradual process of reconnection to ourselves, to other people, and to a larger whole.”
— Joan Borysenko

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Did you know that there’s always someone from here, who loves you more than words can say, at your side with you there?

Oh, ooh, wow…

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Irish Soda Bread

This recipe makes a loaf that is light, moist, and a little sweet. It’s perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Irish-Soda-Bread.html

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Magical Correspondences for Friday

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

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
May 17, 2019

Body

“The body is wiser than its inhabitants. The body is the soul. We ignore its aches, its pains, its eruptions, because we fear the truth. The body is God’s messenger.”

-Erica Jong, Fear of Fifty, 1994

The body definitely gives us signals, but do we pay attention? We should! Look at all we can learn from the body! It tells us when we’re tired, under stress, hungry, nervous. We may try to fight it, or ignore it, thinking we know better – but there is an innate intelligence at work in our cells that we can benefit from. This “gut instinct” that we get, that’s Spirit talking right to us. Listen up!

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 8 Ways to Stop Holding a Grudge
Sometimes letting go can be a lot harder than holding on, but it’s the only way to ease the internal pain. Here are nine ways to get a grip on the pain and find the strength to let it go.
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 May 10, 2019

Posted on May 10, 2019 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for May 10, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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Month of bees, and month of flowers,
Month of blossom-laden bowers;
Month of little hands with daisies,
Lovers’ love, and poets’ praises;
O thou merry month complete,
May, thy very name is sweet!
-Leigh Hunt (1784-1859)

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Spiritual Unite: Benefits Of Waking Up At 3am – Perfect Time For Soul Work

Waking up at 3 am regularly can be frustrating, especially if you function particularly poorly on broken sleep. But did you know that there are benefits to doing this?
People who are undergoing awakening or ascension to new energy levels tend to wake up at 3 am regularly

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/benefits-of-waking-up-at-3am-perfect-time-for-soul-work/

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ThoughtCo: An Introduction to Wildcrafting

In addition to growing your own magical herbs in your garden, in many areas you can harvest herbs from their natural environment—in the wild. This is known as wildcrafting, and is becoming a popular pastime. If you’re one of the many Pagans or Wiccans who enjoys working with herbs, you may want to look into wildcrafting.

https://www.learnreligions.com/what-is-wildcrafting-2562016

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MBG: The Best Way To Relieve Stress, Based On Your Personality Type

Let’s face it: Relaxation has never been so complicated. From acupressure to Zumba, from breathwork to salt scrubs, the health world today is filled with ideas for de-stressing. Sorting it out can be a stress-maker in itself. How are you supposed to know where to begin?

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/how-to-relieve-your-stress-based-on-your-personality

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Bellaonline: Car Cars – Dream Symbol
A car is our personal transportation vehicle, and what is going on with the car in your dream reflects how your life is going.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art300860.asp/zzz

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Today’s Deity: Epona

In Gallo-Roman religion, Epona was a protector of horses, ponies, donkeys, and mules. She was particularly a goddess of fertility, as shown by her attributes of a patera, cornucopia, ears of grain and the presence of foals in some sculptures. She and her horses might also have been leaders of the soul in the after-life ride, with parallels in Rhiannon of the Mabinogion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epona

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Oak & Olive: One Ring to Balance All

I have written a lot of spells over during my time writing for Llewellyn’s almanacs. Ones where you can make something crafty are among my favorites. This wreath for balancing your home’s energies is a simple, easy spell to complete

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/oakandolive/2019/05/one-ring-to-balance-all/

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EarthSky News: Why can’t I find the Milky Way in May?

If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere this month, searching for the starlit band of the Milky Way during the evening hours, you won’t find it. That’s because, on May evenings, the plane of the Milky Way lies in nearly the same plane as that of our horizon as viewed from the northern part of Earth’s globe. The starlit trail doesn’t cross the dome of your sky after sunset in May. Instead, it lies nearly flat around your horizon on May evenings

https://earthsky.org/tonight/milky-way-galaxy-flat-around-horizon-may

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Patheos-Pagan: The Spirits of Nature are Terrifying

I am an easily impressed person. A lot of things stir awe in me, and often a healthy amount of fear. Looking over the edge of a high cliff, standing in the vastness of the ocean, watching the waters rise dangerously in the creek near my home; these things make me afraid. So while I adore the spirits of the land and the waters, and I revel in their beauty, I acknowledge that sometimes they are absolutely terrifying.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/heathenatheart/2019/05/the-spirits-of-nature-are-terrifying/

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Inner Journey:

HOW DO YOU PLAY YOUR ROLES?

“What concerns me is not the way things are, but rather the way people think things are.”
— Epicetus

When we are basically unconscious, we live according to social roles. We perform as sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, employers and employees, as society expects us to.

As we grow in awareness, we gain the freedom to bring our own unique perspectives to these roles. We can express ourselves authentically and creatively, without letting our roles dictate how we should behave.

“Risk! Risk anything! Care no more for the opinion of others, for those voices. Do the hardest thing on earth for you. Act for yourself. Face the truth.”
— Katherine Mansfield

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Every act of kindness gets the nod, opens the heart, dampens the fear, turns the page, ups the ante, tips the point, heightens the joy, changes the world, rows the boat, adds to the love, and if you’ve been rather extraordinary lately, turns Thursdays into Fridays.

See?

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Banana Walnut Spread

This is an easy to make banana walnut spread that will up your plain toast to make it taste like warm and comforting banana bread. You can lessen or add powdered sugar to your taste. The banana’s ripeness also plays a role in how sweet it is. No baking required!

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Banana-Walnut-Spread.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
May 10, 2019

Learning

“I am still learning.”

-Michelangelo (1475-1564)

Michelangelo was a master – no one would dispute that. And yet, he knew there was always room for growth. I think we go around a little too confident in our own skills, and then we get reminded that we still have much to learn. We drive around everywhere, especially here in Southern California, almost on auto-pilot, not really aware of what we’re doing… until one day we get a ticket, and our attention turns to the laws of the road while we’re sitting in traffic school. There are spiritual laws that we know about, too, but are we paying attention to those? We can always learn more.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Spirit Library: I am the Light of Quan Yin (a message from Gillian MacBeth-Louthan)

Quan Yin is such a beautiful expression of the Divine Mother. She is known as the Great goddess and Mother of Compassion and Mercy, and is loved and revered throughout the world no matter religious beliefs

https://spiritlibrary.com/gillian-macbeth-louthan/i-am-the-light-of-quan-yin-0

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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 May 3, 2019

Posted on May 6, 2019 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for May 6, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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Hebe’s here, May is here!
The air is fresh and sunny;
And the miser-bees are busy
Hoarding golden honey!

-Thomas Bailey Aldrich (1836-1907)

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Spirit Library: May 2019 Energy Report

Welcome to May, a month of madness, mayhem, and miracles which everyone will experience according to what’s going on in their energy field and on their life path. We have some big things happening this month at the collective level, the culmination of the work we have been doing all year. So if things start happening in your life and you experience mayhem instead of miracles, take a good look at what you have really been asking for because the energy is moving quickly now and manifestation works according to our deepest, often hidden intentions. Buckle up, keep your hands and feet in the car and enjoy the ride, the roller coast has started

https://spiritlibrary.com/jennifer-hoffman/may-2019-energy-report

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ThoughtCo: The Green Man, Spirit of the Forest

For our ancient ancestors, many spirits and deities were associated with nature, wildlife, and plant growth. After all, if you had just spent the winter starving and freezing, when spring arrived it was certainly time to give thanks to whatever spirits watched over your tribe. The spring season, particularly around Beltane, is typically tied to a number of pre-Christian nature spirits. Many of these are similar in origin and characteristics, but tend to vary based on region and language. In English folklore, few characters stand out as much–or are as recognizable–as the Green Man

https://www.learnreligions.com/the-green-man-spirit-of-the-forest-2561659

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MBG: Weekly Horoscope: Mercury Is About To Give Us All A Pair Of Rose-Colored Glasses

On Monday, Mercury moves into Taurus and asks us to find the magic in the everyday.
Look up from that mobile screen and take in the beauty of the world around you. Beginning this Monday, May 6, mindful Mercury decamps to slow-jamming Taurus, adding a decadent dimension to our interactions

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/weekly-horoscope-for-may-6-12-2019-by-the-astrotwins

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Tetraktys: The Wheel of the Year in Wicca – A Complete Guide

The Wheel of the Year represents the never-ending cycle of the seasons. As the wheel turns, the seasons change, and when a year has passed, the cycle starts over. Just like a calendar, it regroups the eight Wiccan Sabbats that are observed throughout the year

https://www.thetetraktys.com/2019/wheel-of-the-year-wicca-guide/

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Elephant Journal: Using the Body’s Natural Defenses to Help us Relax: a 5-minute Meditation.

Sometimes, I find it impossible to unplug myself from the chaos of this busy world we live in.
I’m pretty much always on the move and often feel overwhelmed by endless to-do lists, not to mention the constant interruption of notifications (thanks to the glorious invention of the smartphone).

I’m so busy, in fact, that I have to actively relax. As in, I have to actually schedule “time to relax” on my calendar.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/05/using-the-bodys-natural-defenses-to-help-us-relax-a-5-minute-meditation-becki-sams/

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MNN: What is plant blindness?
When we don’t notice the green all around us, it’s bad for the planet.

Imagine taking a walk in the woods and seeing a deer or a rabbit. You’ll no doubt remember the encounter — it might even be the highlight of your outdoor adventure.
But what about all the plants, trees and flowers you passed while hiking? There’s a good chance you paid little attention to the greenery on your path

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/what-plant-blindness

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EarthSky News: Young moon, Mars after sunset May 6-8

These next several evenings – May 6, 7 and 8, 2019 – find an unobstructed horizon in the direction of sunset, and watch for the young moon and the planet Mars to pop out in your western sky as evening twilight gives way to darkness. Be sure to look for the moon rather soon after sunset on May 6 because the lunar crescent will be quite thin and may set before nightfall (depending on where you live worldwide).

https://earthsky.org/tonight/young-moon-mars-after-sunset-may-6-8

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Patheos-Pagan: Awesome Moments are Magick

The definition of magick is a tricky one. It is slippery and misty. It is something that is elusive and undulating. Trying to define it is like trying to hold a fistful of sand. You almost get it, but it tends to slip right through your fingers. One of my favorite definitions of magick comes from Dion Fortune said: “magic is the art of changing consciousness at will”.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thewitchesnextdoor/2019/05/awesome-moments-are-magick/

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Inner Journey:

ARE YOU HAPPY?

“It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.”
— Agnes Repplier

Are you happy?

Don’t answer too quickly. Sit with this question for a long time and you’ll be introduced to brand new dimensions of who you are and of what matters in your life.

“Happiness comes only when we push our brains and hearts to the farthest reaches of which we are capable.”
— Leo C. Rosten

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Have you ever wondered why trees are such a happy lot?

They’ve mastered patience.

Not bad for wood, huh?

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Sweet Potato Chips

I am always looking for ways to preserve food and make it delicious. I was given a bag of huge sweet potatoes and decided to dry them. My first attempt was not that great to eat as a snack, so a friend suggested cinnamon and brown sugar – yum!

https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf73524512.tip.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
May 6, 2019

Learning

“What we learn to do, we learn by doing.”

-Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

There’s a difference between theory and practice. We may know how to meditate – all the technical points and benefits of meditation that we hear so much about. But until we actually meditate ourselves, we haven’t really learned anything about it! On a recent episode of the TV comedy “Frasier,” Frasier and his brother were trying to learn how to ride a bike by reading a book. Now we know how silly that is! And yet, that’s the same kind of thing we often do in our spiritual practices. We read about prayer, and chanting, and mantras – but to really “get it” we’ve got to do it!

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: What Your Favorite Flower Says About Your Personality?

Which of nature’s stunning flowers are you most drawn to? Your favorite flower can do more than just beautify your surroundings. The characteristics of these remarkable plants may give some insight into your personality traits.

Cat’s Morning Bits for May 3, 2019

Posted on May 3, 2019 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for May 3, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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The sun was warm but the wind was chill.
You know how it is with an April day
When the sun is out and the wind is still,
You’re one month on in the middle of May.
But if you so much as dare to speak,
A cloud comes over the sunlit arch,
A wind comes off a frozen peak,
And you’re two months back in the middle of March.
-Robert Frost (1874-1963)

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Spiritual Unite: How To Recognize Your Soulmate – 4 Sure Fire Ways To Know

For most people, finding love is the first reason for living.
We spend our whole lives looking for that one person, and when we find our soulmate, we experience the kind of joy that is all too rare

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/how-to-recognize-your-soulmate-4-sure-fire-ways-to-know/

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ThoughtCo: Make Your Own Besom

The besom is the traditional witch’s broom. It’s associated with all kinds of legend and folklore, including the popular notion that witches fly around in the night on a broomstick. In addition to being good for playing Quidditch, the besom is a great addition to your collection of magical tools.

https://www.learnreligions.com/make-your-own-besom-2562738

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MBG: An New Moon Practice To Help You See The Divine In The Everyday

I spent the last five days at a meditation retreat contemplating awareness and space, and one message kept coming loud and clear: Meaningful change begins in the body, not by escaping the body.
For eons, different spiritual traditions have considered the body the space of evils: unholy, dirty, and shameful. Something to want to tame and control.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/new-moon-may-2019-an-embodiment-ritual-to-harness-taurus-energy

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Daily Good: Becoming a Blessing

“A good story is like a compass, it points to something true and invites us to orient our own direction according to it and perhaps to live a little better.” With these words Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen proceeds to tell stories that enthrall and enchant and indeed help to orient us and guide us to seek to live better. She shares stories of her grandfather, whom she calls a “flaming mystic,” that were told to her as a very young child and yet still resonate for her today. She speaks of the power and web of connection among people and how that can be evidenced by blessing each other out loud. This video itself is a blessing to be cherished and shared.

http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=8341

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Witchwood Teahouse: So… I made Moon Water. Now What?

Moon, Sacred, or Holy Water is one of the many staples I keep stocked in my magickal cabinet. The moon is the symbol of the Divine Feminine and the Holy Mother Goddess. She is nurturing, bold, and unapologetic in her brilliance. She is emotion and because of this, we are deeply connected to the moon’s energy. When a full moon is building, we might feel ourselves becoming a little irrational, angry, or irritable. Our emotions are great indicators of what we should work on in our lives as we seek out balance and stability.

http://www.themagickkitchen.com/so-i-made-moon-water-now-what/

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MNN: Why do bumblebees have stripes?
Think of them as a warning label.

If you’ve ever seen a bumblebee rummaging clumsily in the garden, you’ll know those aren’t racing stripes. The genus bombus is known neither for grace nor speed.
But what you may not have known is that those stripes come in hundreds of different patterns. You’d be forgiven for not taking a closer look. Even though bumblebees aren’t the stinging type — only females even have stingers and they’re reluctant to use them — these little buzzing balls can seem a little intimidating

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/why-do-bumblebees-have-stripes

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EarthSky News: Eta Aquariids before dawn May 4, 5 and 6

Before dawn these next several mornings – May 4, 5 and 6, 2019 – watch for meteors in the annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower to streak across the heavens in an inky dark sky unmarred by moonlight. We expect the morning of May 5 to showcase the peak number of meteors. But try the morning before and/or after as well, as this meteor shower has a relatively broad peak.

https://earthsky.org/tonight/star-hop-to-the-radiant-of-the-eta-aquarids

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Patheos-Pagan: Bird Migrations and the Stars: The Science Behind the Connection

Birds and Stars in the Lore
Birds are often connected to transformation, the Otherworlds, and death. In the Lithuanian tradition the souls of the dead are said to turn into birds and fly along the milky way, which they call Paukščių Takas, The Way of Birds, or Vėlių Kelias, The Way of Souls. The Estonians called it Linnutee, The Bird Way, and the souls are said to be lead by a white bird with the head of a woman and the souls she leads take the form of a goose, duck, diver, or bluebird.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/dandelionlady/2019/04/bird-migrations-and-the-stars-the-science-behind-the-connection.html

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Inner Journey:

WHAT IS YOUR BODY SAYING?

“Many people treat their bodies as if they were rented from Hertz — something they are using to get around in but nothing they genuinely care about understanding.”
— Chungliang Al Huang

“As we explore the extraordinary interplay of energies between the many aspects of our personality — our needs, unconscious reactions, repressed emotions, aspirations and fears — with the functioning of our physical system and its capacity to maintainm itself, we soon realise how very wise the body is. With its intricately detailed systems and operations it portrays infinite intelligence and compassion, constantly giving us the means to understand ourselves further, to confront issues we are not looking at, and to go beyond that which is holding us back.”
— Deb Shapiro

Scan your body with your awareness. Are you experiencing any aches and pains? Any stiffness?

What might your body be trying to tell you about how you are living your life?

“Your body is the ground and metaphor of your life, the expression of your existence. It is your Bible, your encyclopedia, your life story. Everything that happens to you is stored and reflected in your body. In the marriage of flesh and spirit divorce is impossible.”
— Gabrielle Roth

“What is always speaking silently is the body.”
— Norman Brown

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

My own personal policy as the Universe is to only do those things that I want to do, with whom I want to do them.

That’s part of the reason I’m always hanging around you.

Hungry?

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Chocolate Banana Smoothie Recipes

Not only are they delicious but chocolate banana smoothie are packed with good nutrients as well. They make a great fast breakfast option and can also give you nice recharge after a workout.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Chocolate-Banana-Smoothie-Recipes.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
May 3, 2019

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: What Does Your Palm Say About Your Personality?
The marks on your hand can reveal information about your characteristics.

Have you been curious about the lines on your palms? According to Psychic Library, “palmistry reveals individual personality and character traits through the study of the shape, size and lines of the hands and fingers”. The practice of palmistry started in India, where it is still a common practice to this day.

Cat’s Morning Bits for April 26, 2019

Posted on April 26, 2019 by Cat

CMB canva sm
Cat’s Morning Bits for April 26, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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While the bright radiant sun in centre glows,
The earth in annual motion round it goes;
At the same time on its own axis reels,
And gives us change of seasons as it wheels.
-The 1793 Old Farmer’s Almanac

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The Wild Hunt: US Festival Roundup: Beltane and Litha Seasons

– This article continues The Wild Hunt series on U.S. festivals of interest to the Pagan community. We briefly summarize information about upcoming festivals that are open to the public and may be of interest to the community.

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