The Desert Path

The Dusty Ramblings of a Desert Pagan

Cat’s Morning Bits for February 5, 2021

Posted on February 5, 2021 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for February 5, 2021

Good Morning Beautiful Souls and welcome to a new year! 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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February is derived from the Latin word “februs” meaning “to cleanse.” The month was named after the Roman Festival, Februalia, a month long festival of purification and atonement.

February Events

Feb. 2: Imbolc/Candlemas and Groundhog Day

Feb. 5: World Animal Reiki Day

Feb. 7: Super Bowl Sunday

Feb. 11: New Moon at 11:05 am PST/ 12:05 pm MST/ 2:05 pm EST

Feb. 12: Chinese New Year of the Ox

Feb. 14: Valentines Day

Feb. 15: Presidents Day and Lupercalia

Feb. 16 Mardi Gras

Feb. 18: Sun enters Pisces

Feb. 19: National Caregivers Day

Feb. 20: Mercury goes DIRECT

Feb. 27: Full Moon at 12:17 am PST/ 1:17 am MST/ 3:17 am EST

Spirit Library: Self Care is Essential Now (a message from Kate Spreckley)

Our current process of growth and development is urging us to learn how to live from an expanded state of consciousness. This state of consciousness asks that we perfectly balance our heart with our mind, our body with our soul and our inner life with our external life.

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What Are Fairies? (Celtic Mythology Explained)

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Spiritual Unite: THE NUMBER 17 MEANING AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

If you are born on the 17th of any month or have 8 as your life path number, then you have the expression of abundance and power.

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ThoughtCo: Ritual Fasting

Fasting is something that is done in many different religious groups. Muslims abstain from eating during the holy month of Ramadan, Jews often fast in observation of Yom Kippur, and Hindus sometimes fast as part of worship.

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Patheos Pagan: Utilizing Glamour Magick

There’s no denying that there is power in how we dress and make ourselves up. We can create myriad impressions as well as influence the way people view us depending on the clothes and makeup we choose to wear and how we choose to wear it.

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MBG: Why Astrologers Map Their Solar Return Charts On Every Birthday

Looking for a new, astro-inspired birthday tradition? Enter: the solar return chart. Referring to this handy map of the cosmos is a fun annual activity that can give you insights into what’s to come for you in the year ahead.

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KarmaTube: The Song of Grandmother Cricket

This beautiful animated short film, inspired by a myth from the Bolivian lowlands, was created by a group of Bolivian animators in collaboration with The Animation Workshop of Denmark. When Abuela Grillo (Grandmother Cricket) sings, it rains, and in a country marked by water shortages, the film is a response to the privatization of Bolivia’s water resources by foreign corporations. The Cochabamba water wars of 2000 was a series of massive protests by the indigenous community to retain access to their water supply, which eventually pressured the government to revoke the international contract. Voiced by Bolivian singer Luzmila Carpio, traditional Quechua singing weaves indigenous melody throughout the film, further illuminating the cultural roots of this fight for the universal right to pure water.

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Danheim & Heldom – Runamal (Official Video)

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Treehugger: 8 Mystical Ocelot Facts

The ocelot, or Leopardus pardalis, is a wild cat that lives in Central and South America and a few parts of the Southwestern United States. Though they are often confused with jaguars or leopards,

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EarthSky News: Moon and Antares before dawn February 6

Watch for the waning gibbous moon to pair up with Antares, the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius the Scorpion, on the morning of February 6, 2021. After that, you can try your luck at catching the Venus-Saturn conjunction in a bright twilight sky, which will be hard to catch, even with binoculars. We elaborate later in this post.

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Patheos-Pagan: The Greater Lunar Cycle: 6 Months Of Manifestation

Lunar witchcraft is one of my most important magical practices. I’ve gained so much from it. When I started paying attention to both the short and longer moon cycles, my magical progress ramped into hyperdrive. I call the longer cycles the “greater lunar cycles.”

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Today’s DIY: Spellcraft Sunday Jacy’s Florida Water

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Inner Journey: DIRECT YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND

“The power to move the world is in the subconscious mind.”
— William James

Our subconscious mind creates our lives perfectly according to how it has been programmed. It works 24 hours of every day, 365 days per year. It accepts instructions from the conscious mind, checks on old inner programming and executes.

The subconscious mind acts on old beliefs stored over a lifetime. Many of those beliefs you may have accepted without thinking. Or you may have absorbed them when you were too young to exercise choice. Many of the beliefs that govern your life may no longer match what you now hold to be true.

Nonetheless, the subconscious mind is the director till you rewrite the scripts. Put some effort into getting it working on your positive, conscious intentions instead of your old limiting, unconscious beliefs and your life will change.

“If a man devotes himself to the instructions of his own unconscious, it can bestow this gift [of renewal], so that suddenly life, which has been stale and dull, turns into a rich unending inner adventure, full of creative possibilities.”
— Marie-Louise von Franz

higherawareness.com

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A Note from the Universe

Considering… the sage knows all goodbyes are temporary, the prophet knows happiness has nothing to do with what others say or do, and the mystic knows life is always fair even when circumstances are not, we were wondering if your mastery over any of these tricky-to-grasp concepts is why you always seem to glow?

You misty, sagey, prophet, you.

Happy Friday Halo-Kid,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Winter Berry Smoothie Bowl

This easy smoothie bowl is filled with frozen berries, and topped with nutrient-rich toppings. It’s healthy enough for your next breakfast, lunch or filling snack.

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Magical Correspondences for Friday

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers and Matters of the Heart

Element: Earth

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

Sacred Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmarosa, Rose, Yarrow

Deities include Aphrodite, Eros, Freya, Venus

Friday is ruled by Venus. It’s energies are warm, sensuous, and fulfilling. Efforts that involve any type of pleasure, comfort, and luxury, as well as the arts, music, or aroma (incense and perfume) can be done on this day. As Venus lends its sensuous influences to the energies of this day, use it for any magical work that deals with matters of the heart.

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Daily Wisdom
February 5, 2021

Choice
“Guess if you can, choose if you dare.”

-Pierre Corneille

Sometimes making a choice is being courageous. It’s movement forward. It’s going ahead. When we can’t choose we’re stuck, and immobile. Once we choose then action can take place. And then as things happen we’ll have more choices to make. That’s just natural progression. We can adjust, we can learn, and choosing makes that possible

-Lissa Coffey coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: The Moon

You may not be prone to anxiety, but today could get on your nerves. If you find yourself noticing only the things going less than perfectly and you start feeling edgy and insecure, have a cup of tea and let your feelings settle down. Quell these uncomfortable feelings before they grow worse and significantly affect your performance and frame of mind.

astrology.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 January 29, 2021

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for January 29, 2021

Blessings, Cat

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January is named for the Roman god Janus, protector of gates and doorways. Janus is depecited with two faces, one looking into the past, the other into the future.

January Events

Jan. 1 Happy New Year! Welcome 2021

Jan. 1 Ellis Island Day

Jan. 3 J.R.R. Tolkien Day

Jan. 5 Twelfth Night

Jan. 12/13 New Moon 9:00 pm PST/ 10:00 pm MST/ 12:00 am EST

Jan. 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Jan. 19 Sun enters Aquarius

Jan. 20 Inauguration Day USA

Jan. 21 Celtic Tree Month of Rowan begins

Jan. 27 Holocaust Memorial Day

Jan. 28 Full “Wolf” Moon 11:16 am PST/ 12:16 pm MST/ 2:16 pm .m. EST

Jan. 30 Mercury Retrograde until Feb. 20

Sabbat Series: IMBOLC! (Origins, Ritual Ideas, My Plans)

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Spiritual Unite: 9999 MEANING – THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NUMBERS 9999

It’s a unique number with a sequence of 9, 99, 999, and 9999.[1]

It’s no surprise that you are reading this article because you have been searching for its meaning.

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ThoughtCo: Hold An Imbolc House Cleansing Ritual

No one really likes to clean, but we all know we feel better when our physical space is tidy. It’s one of life’s necessary chores. Start your spring off with a good thorough cleaning, and then follow that up with a spiritual cleansing.

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Spirituality & Health: a Guided Meditation For self Love

In this Valentine’s month, it’s very important to spend some time loving ourselves. Honoring the relationship with our own hearts goes a long way towards supporting our relationships with other people, whether or not we’re in a partnership. This simple meditation focuses our intention on loving all parts of ourselves no matter what.

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MBG: Our Numerology Forecast For 2021 Is In: What To Expect In The “5” Year

Whether or not you made New Year’s resolutions, most of us intuitively feel a profound energy shift whenever the calendar turns. In numerology, that transition is a big deal: It marks the passage into a new Universal Year.

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Daily Good: The Blue Hour: A Celebration of Nature’s Rarest Color

I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child — our own two eyes. All is a miracle.

Thich Nhat Hanh –

The Blue Hour: A Celebration of Nature’s Rarest Color

“Blue, Rebecca Solnit wrote in one of humanity’s most beautiful reflections on our planets primary hue, is the color of solitude and of desire, the color of there seen from here the color of longing for the distances you never arrive in, for the blue world, a world of many blues a pioneering 19th-century nomenclature of colors listed eleven kinds of blue, in hues as varied as the color of the flax-flower and the throat of the blue titmouse and the stamina of a certain species of anemone. Darwin took this guide with him on The Beagle in order to better describe what he saw. We name in order to see better and apprehend only what we know how to name, how to think about.” Maria Popova shares more in this lovely exploration of ‘The Blue Hour’, a book by French author, illustrator Isabelle Simler. { read more }

Be The Change

What does the color blue evoke for you? Try and be aware of the places this shade shows up in your life today. What do you notice that you perhaps might have missed before?

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Today’s DIY: Imbolc Watercolor Greeting Card – Magical Crafting, Witchcraft, Celebrate Imbolc, Wheel of the Year

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Elephant Journal: “Desiderata”—a Poem that Reminds us it’s Still a Beautiful World.

My favourite poem is the famous “Desiderata” (Latin for things desired), written by Max Ehrmann in 1927.

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Treehugger: 9 Striking Skunk Facts

Skunks usually need no introduction. And in the rare cases when they do, they have a knack for making a strong first impression.

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EarthSky News: A winding river of stars called Eridanus

Tonight, you’ll need a very dark sky in order to see Eridanus the River. You won’t see this one from the city, or even the suburbs. Eridanus the River begins near the star Rigel in the constellation Orion the Hunter – and wells up in a great loop before ambling back down toward the southern horizon.

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Patheos-Pagan: Living a Charmed Life: Spell Books for Any Occasion

I was scrolling on Facebook the other day and came across a post asking for recommendations for Spell Books. My mind went racing back to my witchling days

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Pagan Playlist: Stolen Child – Loreena McKennitt With Lyrics

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Inner Journey: STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

“The burden is equal to the horse’s strength.”
— The Talmud

What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses?

If you make a list of the two and study them, you may discover they match.

Life needs us to bring our strengths to the world. To encourage us to do so, we have weaknesses that give rise to problems that require us to call on our strengths to solve them. Ingenious, don’t you think?

“Our weaknesses are divine gifts that when embraced will enable us to make our purposeful contribution to the whole, which is why we incarnated in the first place.”
— Andrew Schneider

“We acquire the strength we have overcome.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

higherawareness.com

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A Note from the Universe

Young souls lean on science..

Mature souls lean on faith.

And old souls, Cat, prefer long walks and short talks; whistling to hip-hop, country, or rock; and on occasion, tree spotting.

There! On the horizon! Oak!

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Shari’s Shredded Chicken Enchiladas

These shredded chicken enchiladas are a family favorite and easy to prepare.

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Magical Correspondences for Friday

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers and Matters of the Heart

Element: Earth

Sacred Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmarosa, Rose, Yarrow

Deities include Aphrodite, Eros, Freya, Venus

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Daily Wisdom
January 29, 2021

Challenge
“The fruit that can fall without shaking,
Indeed is too mellow for me.”

-Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, 1803

There are a lot of analogies along these lines. “Go out on a limb, that’s where the fruit is!” The fruit that falls is ready and ripe – but it is ready and ripe before it falls. Sometimes a little shake is just what it needs to get it where it needs to be! Otherwise it might rot on the vine. As people, we get a little bit comfortable where we are, we’re happy to “hang around,” maybe longer than we should. Sometimes a challenge, a little shake-up, gets us goin

-Lissa Coffey coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: The Fool

This is one of those days when everything is up in the air and you doubt that you could do much even if you tried. Nonetheless, things can go well when some unexpected good luck comes your way. Your carefree attitude can attract some unexpected help to keep you going and to make things interesting if not fun. Uncertainty can be inspiring in its own way.

astrology.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 January 22, 2021

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for January 22, 2021

Blessings, Cat

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January is named for the Roman god Janus, protector of gates and doorways. Janus is depecited with two faces, one looking into the past, the other into the future.

January Events

Jan. 1 Happy New Year! Welcome 2021

Jan. 1 Ellis Island Day

Jan. 3 J.R.R. Tolkien Day

Jan. 5 Twelfth Night

Jan. 12/13 New Moon 9:00 pm PST/ 10:00 pm MST/ 12:00 am EST

Jan. 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Jan. 19 Sun enters Aquarius

Jan. 20 Inauguration Day USA

Jan. 21 Celtic Tree Month of Rowan begins

Jan. 27 Holocaust Memorial Day

Jan. 28 Full “Wolf” Moon 11:16 am PST/ 12:16 pm MST/ 2:16 pm .m. EST

Jan. 30 Mercury Retrograde until Feb. 20

Spirit Library: Agile, Creative & Innovative (a message from Kate Spreckley)

These are unprecedented times where very little seems to make sense. The underlying energy is pretty volatile which is creating an impulsive and unpredictable environment.

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Messages From the Goddess Gaia, Goddess Wisdom Oracle Cards, Magical Crafting, Tarot & Witchcraft

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Spiritual Unite: MEANING OF SOUL URGE NUMBER 2

What Does Soul Urge Number 2 Signify? The soul urge number 2, just like other numbers in numerology is a great way to understand human life.

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ThoughtCo: 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.

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Emergence Magazine: The Druid Renaissance
by Lucy Jones

“How does one cope with being alive in the most ecologically disconnected and destructive culture in human history? How do we get back in touch with the natural world before it’s too late?”

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MBG: Mantras & Affirmations Can Only Go So Far: 5 Things I Do When They Fall Short

Six years ago I was recruited by a producer at The Rachael Ray Show. I thought I was about to have the biggest break in my food blogging career…until she revealed she was looking for: Couples who had design disagreements that a celebrity designer could help them resolve on-air.

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The myth behind the Chinese zodiac – Megan Campisi and Pen-Pen Chen

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Elephant Journal: Loving-kindness Meditation: A Practice that Helps us Forgive Others.

Loving-kindness meditation is also known as metta meditation.
“Metta” means directing good will and love toward all sentient beings. This form of meditation aids us in developing an attitude of kindness and compassion, especially for the people we are on bad terms with.

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Treehugger: 8 Intriguing Orangutan Facts

Orangutans are tree-dwelling great apes that live in Malaysia and Indonesia. There are just three species of orangutan: Sumatran, Bornean, and Tapanuli, all of which live in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra and are categorized as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

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EarthSky News: Moon in Taurus on January 22, 23 and 24

These next three nights – January 22, 23 and 24, 2021 – 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.

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Patheos-Pagan: Central Themes of Paganism & Witchcraft

(Originally published with the Irish Pagan Digest in July 2020, now released for my public readers).

In a world that feels a bit bizarre to most of us, with a pandemic of historic proportions locking down the world, there might not be a better time to look to paganism, or at least what I would consider core pagan practices.

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Pagan Playlist: Karliene – All The Magic – A Yennefer Fan Song

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Inner Journey: DAILY FORGIVENESS

“As long as you don’t forgive, who and whatever it is will occupy rent-free space in your mind.”
— Isabelle Holland

We cannot avoid daily resentment and thoughts of guilt. They are a part of human nature. What we can do is release their grip on us. We can forgive others and ourselves daily.

Forgiveness requires nothing in return. There are no conditions. It gets rid of old baggage and clears up unfinished business. It leads us to a life of authenticity, lightness and directness. Forgiveness is the highest form of letting go of resentment andego.

True forgiveness is more than an apology, understanding and acceptance. There is an element of recreating and re-imagining. There is a need to envision ourselves as more loving, interdependent, courageous and compassionate. Forgiveness requires honouringthe sacred journey of learning about life – our life and others’.

“Whatever we have done, we can always make amends for it without ever looking back in guilt or sorrow.”
— Eknath Easwaran

higherawareness.com

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A Note from the Universe

Each challenge adds to the suspense, adds to the mystery, adds to the chaos, adds to the possibilities, adds to the romance, adds to the adventure, adds to the joy.

And I say anything that adds to the joy should be embraced.

Cool?

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Bob’s Little Known, Less Cared About Chili

Savory, smoky, easy-to-make chili. Sometimes I add a can of corn, too. Maybe have some sweet corn bread muffins with honey on the side. You could use black beans, pinto beans, pink beans, or small red beans in place of the kidney beans.

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Magical Correspondences for Friday

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers and Matters of the Heart

Element: Earth

Sacred Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmarosa, Rose, Yarrow

Deities include Aphrodite, Eros, Freya, Venus

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Daily Wisdom
January 22, 2021

Sleep
“I believe the greatest asset a head of state can have is the ability to get a good night’s sleep.”

-Harold Wilson

We could take this quote a couple of ways. When we sleep well, we are strong, and we make good decisions. And when we have done our best, and made what we feel are good decisions, we have a clear conscience, so we can get a good night sleep without having nagging thoughts keeping us up at night. This is true for anyone, not just a head of state.

-Lissa Coffey coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: The Fool

The day may be full of confusion but you don’t have to go through it naively and unaware of what’s happening around you. It’s not a good day to flirt with taking silly risks, some of which might turn out to be semi-dangerous or costly. You may be too hyper to want to play it safe, but at least make an effort to not be naïve or irresponsible.

astrology.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. AND 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, 2021

Posted on January 15, 2021 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for January 15, 2021

Blessings, Cat

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January is named for the Roman god Janus, protector of gates and doorways. Janus is depecited with two faces, one looking into the past, the other into the future.

January Events

Jan. 1 Happy New Year! Welcome 2021

Jan. 1 Ellis Island Day

Jan. 3 J.R.R. Tolkien Day

Jan. 5 Twelfth Night

Jan. 12/13 New Moon 9:00 pm PST/ 10:00 pm MST/ 12:00 am EST

Jan. 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Jan. 19 Sun enters Aquarius

Jan. 20 Inauguration Day USA

Jan. 21 Celtic Tree Month of Rowan begins

Jan. 27 Holocaust Memorial Day

Jan. 28 Full “Wolf” Moon 11:16 am PST/ 12:16 pm MST/ 2:16 pm .m. EST

Jan. 30 Mercury Retrograde until Feb. 20

Spirit Library: Be in the Moment (a message from Kate Spreckley)

Navigating our way forward at this time can be challenging as our basic instinct may be to stop and wait for the chaos to calm. However, this is a period of global upheaval and change which will continue for some time.

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Yeyeo Botanica: Crossroads for Divine Help

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Spiritual Unite: ASH TREE SYMBOLISM – HEALTH AND REBIRTH

The Ash tree grows in Europe, Asia and some parts of North America.

It is very common, with the Common Ash being the 3rd most common tree in the UK.

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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

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Patheos / New Visions: Are You Listening to the Still, Small Voice Within?

If you read enough books about the soul, you’ll come across a reoccurring theme. It’s the idea that we all have a small, still voice within us that is there to guide us as we make our way through life. The voice represents the deepest, truest part of us, our soul, and it knows what we want and need from life—if only we would listen to it

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MBG: Why Sagittarians Need To Watch Out For Burnout In 2021

Oh, Sagittarius, is there anything you can’t do? Your fiery and adventurous nature gives you the stamina that other signs could only dream of—but everyone has their limit, and yes, even you are susceptible to burnout.

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Savitri and Satyavan: The legend of the princess who outwitted Death – Iseult Gillespie

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Elephant Journal: The Lure of the Stars: A Beginner’s Guide to Astronomy.

Stargazing is a wonder-full way to recharge, download your stress, and it won’t cost a thing.
There is something quite magical about starwatching: a solitary pursuit that can simultaneously relax and inspire. It’s been a mainstay for many during these unsettled times.

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Treehugger: Why Red Squirrels Depend on Good Neighbors

Even though red squirrels are loners, living near familiar neighbors helps them survive.

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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: The Cleansing Power of Salt Bowls: Removing Negative Energy From The Home

There’s a reason why the beach feels so energetically clean and refreshing. For millennia, all over the world, salt has been considered a protective and cleansing agent, both physically and metaphysically.

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Pagan Playlist: Earth My Body

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Inner Journey: OPEN TO TRUST

“When I grip the wheel too tight, I find I lose control.”
— Steve Rapson

WE SEEK TO CONTROL OUR LIVES WHEN WE DO NOT TRUST, WHEN WE DO NOT LOVE. Our ego, perceiving itself to be vulnerable and insecure, uses control in an effort to protect itself.

At the root of our need to control, we find FEAR. It may be fear of the unknown. Fear of not coping. Fear of loss. Or possibly even fear of looking stupid. And as our efforts to control other people and events invariably fail, our fear increases.

Trust, on the other hand, is a quality of the soul. While control is a tool of the mind, TRUST AND FAITH ARE ASPECTS OF THE HEART. Trust comes with the deep knowing that we are spiritual beings in physical bodies. When we trust enough in life to give up our need to control, we can relax and open to the flow of energy in our lives. This brings peace of mind.

“The only real security in life lies in relishing life’sinsecurity.”
— M. Scott Peck

“Do not abandon trust when your ego thinks things should be different than they are.”
— Wayne Dyer

higherawareness.com

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A Note from the Universe

Whatever.

I really mean that.

Whatever, whatever, whatever.

You can have it.

Anything you want,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Popa’s Simple White Chili

A simple version of white chili that can be made on the stove top or in a slow cooker. This is our go-to chili for those chilly winter days. Cook on Low in a slow cooker for 4 hours if preferred. Serve with garlic cheese bread. Enjoy.

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Magical Correspondences for Friday

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers and Matters of the Heart

Element: Earth

Sacred Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmarosa, Rose, Yarrow

Deities include Aphrodite, Eros, Freya, Venus

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Daily Wisdom
January 15, 2021

Speech
“Violence of the tongue is very real – sharper than any knife.”

-Mother Teresa, 1983

We used to hear “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me.” Well, forget about that one! Words can hurt – terribly! And it’s okay to admit it. The good news is that words can also heal. Think about how good if feels to hear “I love you.” Look at the way a person’s face lights up when you say “You look so beautiful!” The world needs to stop using words as weapons, and work more on using words as medicine.

-Lissa Coffey coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: The Chariot

If you’ve been working hard toward some goal or specific result, you could see victory today. Feel like a winner, project the confidence of a winner, and perhaps behave as though you have already won. Keep your spirits high no matter what happens and be pleased with how many people are happy for you. No matter how huge or trivial, it is still a big step forward

astrology.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. AND 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, 2021

Posted on January 8, 2021 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for January 8, 2021

Blessings, Cat

______________ _________________

January is named for the Roman god Janus, protector of gates and doorways. Janus is depecited with two faces, one looking into the past, the other into the future.

January Events

Jan. 1 Happy New Year! Welcome 2021

Jan. 1 Ellis Island Day

Jan. 3 J.R.R. Tolkien Day

Jan. 5 Twelfth Night

Jan. 12/13 New Moon 9:00 pm PST/ 10:00 pm MST/ 12:00 am EST

Jan. 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Jan. 19 Sun enters Aquarius

Jan. 20 Inauguration Day USA

Jan. 21 Celtic Tree Month of Rowan begins

Jan. 27 Holocaust Memorial Day

Jan. 28 Full “Cold” Moon

Jan. 30 Mercury Retrograde until Feb. 20

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Spirit Library: Era of Pure Potential (a message from Kate Spreckley)

For too long our world and our lives have been governed by the need to survive. We have lived with the idea that life follows a monotonous and predictable path of experience.

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Spiritual Unite: SPRUCE TREE SYMBOLISM – RESILIENCE AND STRENGTH

The spruce tree is one of the most famous trees in western and Mediterranean culture and has been for thousands of years.

Perhaps the most famous use of the spruce tree is as a Christmas tree.

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ThoughtCo: Spirit Wolf

Have you ever been visited by wolf spirit either in real life, during meditation, or in your night dreams? Listed here are stories shared by our readers detailing their connections with wolf totem.

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Patheos / New Visions: For a Better 2021, Ask Yourself These 2 Questions

January is often the time we make resolutions. For many of us, this includes eating healthier and exercising more—and hopefully shedding the extra pounds we’ve put on during our prolonged COVID lockdown :-). But this year, along with improving your physical health, why not strive to improve your spiritual health as well?

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MBG: Want More Joy In Your Life? Here’s How To Find It, Based On Your Astrology Chart

In 2021, we’re focusing on joy. After the year we’ve had, cultivating and celebrating small moments of happiness as they come has never felt more cathartic, life-affirming, and essential to lasting well-being. In the coming weeks, we’re going to laugh, experience new things, and revamp stale aspects of daily life

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The Son of Athena and Hephaestus (Erichthonius) – Greek Mythology Stories – See U in History

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Today’s DIY: 8 How Art Journaling Heals My Soul | There is a life in everything

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Elephant Journal: The Kick-Ass Affirmation we all Need.

Be forewarned…the affirmation I am about to present to you may seem simple.
It may seem like just a few words that won’t go anywhere and couldn’t possibly accomplish anything.

But that is not my experience with this important affirmation.

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Treehugger: 10 Rules for Proper Trail Etiquette
As people flock to multi-use trails, it’s crucial to use them properly.

The great outdoors has never been more inviting than it is now, with gyms closed and many people feeling cooped up indoors. This situation has led to a surge of interest in walking and hiking trails, with trail use up more than 60% across the United States since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

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EarthSky News: Planetary trio low in west at dusk

For the first time since October 2015, sky watchers have the chance to view a planetary trio, or three planets all bunched up together on the sky’s dome. At evening dusk – January 8, 9, 10 and 11, 2021 – watch for the planets Mercury, Jupiter and Saturn to pop out low in the sky, rather close to the sunset point on the horizon. Jupiter is the brightest of the bunch, followed by Mercury and then Saturn.

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Pagan Playlist: Gealdýr – Völuspá (Official Track Premiere)

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Inner Journey: RAISE YOUR AWARENESS

“Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts.”
— Albert Einstein

Take awareness to new levels. Explore experiencing yourself in the act of being aware. Be aware of awareness itself. To do this, we need to go beyond our old mechanical patterns, compulsions and rejections. We need to uproot the arrogance of ego.

Higher awareness is conscious of spirit and form working together. We must be conscious and present within before we can tune in to the guidance of our soul. Develop awareness to hear the subtlest whispers of intuition through your thoughts, feelings andsensations.

“Most of us are in touch with our intuition whether we know it or not, but we’re usually in the habit of doubting or contradicting it so automatically that we don’t even know it has spoken.”
— Shakti Gawain

higherawareness.com

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A Note from the Universe

Here’s a trick, for dealing with someone who’s disappointed you:

Imagine how they looked as a very young child — timid, a little scared, really cute, and truly not knowing any better — and realize this is who you’re dealing with now.

Aw-w-w-w,

The Universe

tut.com

_______________________

Today’s Recipe: Bacon-Ranch Chicken Enchiladas

Not authentically Mexican in the slightest, but holy buckets are they good! Great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken.

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Magical Correspondences for Friday

Friday (feminine)

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers and Matters of the Heart

Element: Earth

Sacred Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmarosa, Rose, Yarrow

Deities include Aphrodite, Eros, Freya, Venus

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Daily Wisdom
January 8, 2021

Expectations
“To wish to act like angels while we are still in this world is nothing but folly.”

-Saint Teresa of Avila

We put such expectations on ourselves! And look at the expectations we put on our children, our parents, and all the people in our lives. We are human. We are here to learn. We are going to make mistakes, it’s all part of the process. When we relax our expectations and just go with the flow – approach our challenges as lessons rather than failures – then our experiences in life are more meaningful.

-Lissa Coffey coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: Wheel of Fortune

You may be in high spirits today and see everything in a fresh light. If this interferes with your mundane duties, take pleasure in the small, lovely, often overlooked aspects of what’s around you. Discoveries can be made in even the most repetitive activity when you look closely enough and appreciate why things are the way they are. This exuberance is short-lived, so enjoy the day and learn something new!

astrology.com

____________________

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. AND 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 1, 2021

Posted on January 1, 2021 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for January 1, 2021

Blessings, Cat

______________

“January is here, with eyes that keenly glow,
A frost-mailed warrior
striding a shadowy steed of snow.”

Edgar Fawcett

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January is named for the Roman god Janus, protector of gates and doorways. Janus is depecited with two faces, one looking into the past, the other into the future.

January Events

Jan. 1 Happy New Year! Welcome 2021

Jan. 1 Ellis Island Day

Jan. 3 J.R.R. Tolkien Day

Jan. 5 Twelfth Night

Jan. 12/13 New Moon 9:00 pm PST/ 10:00 pm MST/ 12:00 am EST

Jan. 18 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Jan. 19 Sun enters Aquarius

Jan. 20 Inauguration Day USA

Jan. 21 Celtic Tree Month of Rowan begins

Jan. 27 Holocaust Memorial Day

Jan. 28 Full “Cold” Moon

Jan. 30 Mercury Retrograde until Feb. 20

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Spirit Library: January 2021 Ascension Energies – Focus (a message from Jamye Price)

Here we go into another year! May it be more graceful than the foundation-adjusting 2020! Actually 2021 does feel a little lighter than last year, though that doesn’t mean no challenge

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Spirituality & Health: A Goddess Guide to the New Year
BY JULIE PETERS

“The New Year can come with a lot of pressure. Our bodies are still in hibernation mode, no matter what the date may be. Now is the time, perhaps, to get a little bit fierce about our right to stay quiet in the dark.”

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Patheos / New Visions: 9 Tips to Soothe the Soul This Winter

With a grim election season in the rearview and a seemingly grimmer winter on the horizon, it’s time to reinvigorate the soul…to find light in the darkness and prepare yourself to face down whatever comes next.

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MBG: Making Peace With A Lost Year: How I’m Processing The Grief Of 2020

If you’ve come to the end of 2020 feeling sad, lost, angry, lonely, exhausted, or any combination of the above, I promise you’re not alone. We’re living, as we keep being reminded, through unprecedented times that have been embodied by loss.

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January Correspondences

Nature Spirits: Brownies & Gnomes
Herbs: Cones; Holy Thistle; Marjoram & Nuts
Colours: Blue-Violet; Black & Brilliant White
Flowers: Crocus & Snowdrop
Scents: Mimosa & Musk
Stones: Chrysoprase; Garnet; Jet & Onyx
Trees: Birch
Animals: Coyote & Fox
Birds: Blue Jay & Pheasant
Deities: Ch’ang-O; Freja; Hera; Innana, Sarasveti &Sinn
Power Flow: Conserving Energy by working on problems which involvenobody else; Protection; Reversing Spells

(originally found here; mystiksangelrealm.com/months.html)

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Artemis Goddess Of The Hunt & Moon – (Greek Mythology Explained)

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Elephant Journal: Five Buddhist Quotes for an Empowered New Year.

We all approach the New Year with plans, dreams, desires, resolutions or goals of some sort.
It seems impossible to arrive on this doorstep, this milestone in the passing of time, without any thought of what we want our year ahead to look like

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Treehugger: Are Birds the Reason You Feel Good in Nature?

There have been many studies that show being in nature is good for your health.1 Walking in the woods boosts your well-being. Living near trees can help you live longer.1 Being around water can improve your mood.

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EarthSky News: Earth closest to sun on January 2, 2020

Our planet Earth will reach its closest point to the sun for 2021 on January 2, at 13:51 UTC. In United States time zones, that’s January 2 at 8:51 a.m. Eastern Time, 7:51 a.m. Central Time, 6:51 a.m. Mountain Time, 5:51 a.m. Pacific Time, 4:51 a.m. Alaskan Time and 3:51 a.m. Hawaiian Time

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Patheos-Pagan: A Tarot Adventure Through Magic: The Fool’s Journey

A common practice among those who make a serious study of the Tarot is to develop a story that takes The Fool, the first card of the Major Arcana, on a journey.

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Pagan Playlist: Morrighan – Damh the Bard

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Inner Journey: STAR CONNECTIONS

“The interchangeability of matter and spirit means the starlit magic of the outermost life of our universe becomes the soul-light magic of the innermost life of our self. The energy of the stars becomes us. We becomethe energy of the stars. Stardust and spirit unite and we begin: One with the universe. Whole and holy.”
— Dennis J. Kucinich

Ponder the spectre of yourself as one human being in the over six billion people on Earth. See Earth as one tiny planet in a galaxy of billions of stars, and that galaxy as just one of billions of galaxies in our expanding universe. We are so minute as tobe nonexistent. And yet, we have the power to visualize, to imagine the entirety of the cosmos.

In your journal, write about the paradox of being both microscopic and immense.

“I think we would be able to live in this world more peaceably if our spirituality were to come from looking not just into infinity but very closely at the world around us — and appreciating its depth and divinity.”
— Thomas Moore

“I would rather live in a world where my life is surrounded by mystery than live in a world so small that my mind could comprehend it.”
— Harry Emerson Fosdick

higherawareness.com

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A Note from the Universe

I do hereby proclaim that today shall be the first day of the most exciting time of your life.

Think of it –

The Universe

tut.com

_______________________

Today’s Recipe: Peppermint Hot Chocolate Baked Alaska

Ice cream nestled on cake and wrapped in toasted meringue is so irresistible. We’re struggling to figure out why the baked Alaska disappeared from popular culture in the ’60s. As luck would have it, this impressive layered dessert is poised for a comeback, and we’re leaning into it hard with our peppermint hot chocolate-inspired version.

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Magical Correspondences for Friday

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers and Matters of the Heart

Element: Earth

Sacred Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmarosa, Rose, Yarrow

Deities include Aphrodite, Eros, Freya, Venus

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Daily Wisdom
January 1, 2021

Goals
“An ignorance of means may minister
To greatness, but an ignorance of aims
Makes it impossible to be great at all.”

-Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1851

A lot of times we hear stories about entrepreneurs who say they didn’t know just how they were going to make their business work, they just knew they were going to do it. They had a goal, and worked toward that goal diligently. When we keep our “eye on the prize” it’s easier to let obstacles fall by the wayside. We become creative in our quest.

-Lissa Coffey coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: The Emperor

Kindness will take you very far today. It’s not a show of weakness or inferiority to engage in that random act of kindness. Think of it as acting out of generosity of spirit. The bigger your heart today, the more respect and cooperation will come your way. Make sure your kindness is genuine and from a genuine place. Then you’re virtually unassailable.

astrology.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. and Cat’s Treasure Trove …. an eclectic collection of jewelry & gifts! https://thedesertpath.com

Sacred Spirals (the place where all paths meet)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SacredSpirals/

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 18, 2020

Posted on December 18, 2020 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 18, 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.

Stay healthy, Stay safe!

Blessings, Cat

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December’s Events

Dec. 7 Pearl Harbor Day

Dec, 10 Hanukkah

Dec. 14 New Moon at 8:16 am PST/ 9:16 am MST/ 11:16 am EST

Dec,15 National Cat Herders Day

Dec. 20 Ugly Sweater Day

Dec. 21 Winter Solstice/Winter Begins

Dec. 21 Moon 1st Qtr 3:41pm PST/ 4:41 pm MST/ 6:41 pm EST

Dec. 23 Festivus

Dec. 24 Christmas Eve

Dec. 24 Celtic Tree month of Birch begins

Dec. 25 Christmas Day

Dec. 26 Kwanzaa

Dec. 29 Full Moon at 7:28 pm PST/ 8:28 pm MST/ 10:28 pm EST

Dec. 31 New Years Eve

Dec. 31 Hogmanay

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Spirit Library: Closing Ancient Cycles (a message from Kate Spreckley)

The intensity of the incoming energies is accelerating our awakening and healing journey. We are finishing off aspects of an old cycle and bringing to a close the ancient karmic entanglements that have kept us stuck in the past

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Spirituality & Health: Winter Solstice 2020 and the Golden Age of Aquarius

The threshold that comes with the winter solstice is the gift of the coming season, and waits for you to claim it. The gift is for all of us, independently and collectively.

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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.

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ThoughtCo: Winter Customs Around the World

Whether you observe Yule, Christmas, Sol Invictus, or Hogmanay, the winter season is typically a time of celebration around the world. Traditions vary widely from one country to the next, but one thing they all have in common is the observance of customs around the time of the winter solstice. Here are some ways that residents of different countries observe the season.

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Patheos / New Visions: Listening to Sacred Stillness: Taking Time for Stillness

When will we begin taking time for stillness?

We value our time. Some of us believe time is money. We do not want anyone else to waste our time. It is almost as if we could hoard spare moments or days in boxes to use them later.

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MBG: What Your Handwriting Says About You, According To A Graphologist

Have you ever wondered what your handwriting says about you? No, we’re not talking about “good” versus “bad” handwriting—we’re talking about graphology, or the analysis of handwriting as it relates to psychology.

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The Wisdom of Odin: Norse Pagan Symbols: The Vegvisir

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Today’s DIY: DIY YULE WINTER SOLSTICE HOLIDAY TREE ORNAMENTS

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Elephant Journal: This Winter Solstice, we become New Again.

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

These celebrations involved dancing to ABBA and filling my cup with “solstice juice.”

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Treehugger: 8 Completely Unique Types of Bears

Bears are found in all corners of the world, from the icy sheets of the Arctic and the verdant forests of North America, to the mountain regions of South America and even throughout Europe and Asia. Varying greatly in size, bears are mammals who prefer a solitary lifestyle, with the exception of mothers who care for their cubs.

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EarthSky News: Longest days accompany December solstice

When we say the longest days of the year come each year around the December solstice, we’re talking about the day not as a period of daylight, but as the interval from one solar noon or midday to the next. In December, a day – one rotation of Earth relative to the noonday sun – is about 1/2 minute longer than the average 24 hours.

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Pagan Playlist: Eve Goodman – Dacw ‘Nghariad [Welsh folk song]

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Inner Journey: DO YOU OWN YOUR LIFE?

“The meaning of life is to give life meaning.”
— Ken Hudgins

When we own our lives, we accept what we’ve inherited and the experiences we hold in our memories. We also claim our right to create new conditions if we’re not happy with what’s come before. We assume responsibility for changing what does not suit us. Weacknowledge our own special talents and skills, and truly comprehend our right to enjoy the journey. In short, we embrace the meaning and purpose, the mystery and the beauty of our lives.

Do you feel that you own your life at the moment?

“I think of life itself now as a wonderful play that I’ve written for myself… and so my purpose is to have the utmost fun playing my part.”
— Shirley MacLaine

“Life is too short to be little.”
— Benjamin Disraeli

“Every man dies, but not every man lives….”
— Garth Brooks

higherawareness.com

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A Note from the Universe

Forget would’ve, could’ve, or should’ve.

Because for all that you’ve already done, all of life’s elements have realigned to gain you an advantage, stack the deck, and prepare for legend making.

Yo! Ho! Ho!

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: 12 Luscious Fruit Desserts for Christmas

Christmas desserts are the holly jolliest desserts of the year, especially when they feature the bold colors and fresh flavors of the holiday season. Here are a dozen Christmas fruit desserts that showcase apples, pears, cranberries, and winter citrus in all their seasonal glory, perfect for your winter feasts.

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Magical Correspondences for Friday

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers and Matters of the Heart

Element: Earth

Sacred Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmarosa, Rose, Yarrow

Deities include Aphrodite, Eros, Freya, Venus

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Daily Wisdom
December 18, 2020

Joy
“Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow.”

-Helen Keller, 1905

We can find joy in anything we do. Joy is something that comes from within our selves, not from any other source. It fuels us, feeds us, nourishes us.

-Lissa Coffey coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: The Chariot

No matter how routine and ordinary you may feel about today’s duties and demands, you can bolster your spirit by remembering what inspires you. There are role models, ideals, dreams, and aspirations that can inform and improve even the simplest and most modest of your activities. Act with integrity and pride, and instill everything you do with that integrity and pride. Hold your head high.

astrology.com

____________________

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

I invite you to check out my websites!

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

Cat’s Treasure Trove …. an eclectic collection of jewelry & gifts! https://thedesertpath.com

Sacred Spirals (the place where all paths meet)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SacredSpirals/

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 11, 2020

Posted on December 11, 2020 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 11, 2020

Stay healthy, Stay safe!

Blessings, Cat

______________ _________________

December’s Events

Dec. 7 Pearl Harbor Day

Dec, 10 Hanukkah

Dec. 14 New Moon at 8:16 am PST/ 9:16 am MST/ 11:16 am EST

Dec,15 National Cat Herders Day

Dec. 20 Ugly Sweater Day

Dec. 21 Winter Solstice/Winter Begins

Dec. 21 Moon 1st Qtr 3:41pm PST/ 4:41 pm MST/ 6:41 pm EST

Dec. 23 Festivus

Dec. 24 Christmas Eve

Dec. 24 Celtic Tree month of Birch begins

Dec. 25 Christmas Day

Dec. 26 Kwanzaa

Dec. 29 Full Moon at 7:28 pm PST/ 8:28 pm MST/ 10:28 pm EST

Dec. 31 New Years Eve

Dec. 31 Hogmanay

__________________________

Spirit Library: Embrace Where Life Has Taken You (a message from Kate Spreckley)

We are in a time of integration as we assimilate the upgrades, shifts and changes we have experienced over the past year. Anything that isn’t in alignment with our soul has been transformed,

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A Simple Way to Add Witchcraft to Your Everyday

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Spiritual Unite: SPIDER SPIRIT ANIMAL MEANING – CONTROL YOUR DARK SIDE

When your spider spirit animal appears in your life, it symbolizes your creativity, feminine energy, and patience.

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ThoughtCo: 7 Goddesses of Empowerment

Think you’d like to embrace the sacred feminine as part of your spiritual development? Here are seven goddesses from around the globe who embody female strength and empowerment in a number of different ways. See which one resonates with you the most!

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Elephant Journal: Confessions of the Feral: Deconstructing Myths for Wild Women.

For as long as I can remember, I have struggled with being a good girl.
I’m not very good at it.

I’ve got a rebel streak as wide, wild, and winding as the Yellowstone River, which I grew up next to, and my nature is much like the mountainous climate where I live—unpredictable. I like me this way.

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Treehugger: Why Does My Dog Stare at Me?

If you’ve ever had a dog, it’s likely that, at one time or another, you’ve taken part in a staring contest with your pet. Read more…..

Why Does My Cat Stare at Me?

One of the more disconcerting moments in the lives of cat owners is waking up to a pair (or worse, pairs) of wide, glowing eyes watching them in the dark. Read more…..

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EarthSky News: Geminid meteors best on December 13-14

The annual Geminid meteor shower is expected to produce the greatest number of meteors on the night of December 13-14 (Sunday night till dawn Monday). The peak morning is likely to be Monday, December 14, 2020. These colorful meteors tend to be bright.

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Patheos-Pagan: The Herbal Magick of Mistletoe : Kiss Me Twice

Yule means trees, fires, and mistletoe. The darkest night of the year is traditionally a time for magick and mystery. Mistletoe has always carried a high spiritual vibration. In nature, it grows attached to another plant, usually an oak or other hardwood tree.

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Pagan Playlist: Loreena McKennitt Full Circle

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Inner Journey: OPEN TO AWARENESS

“Mindfulness means moment-to-moment, non-judgmental awareness. It is cultivated by refining our capacity to pay attention, intentionally, in the present moment, and then sustaining that attention over time as best wecan. In the process, we become more in touch with our life as it is unfolding.”
— Myla & Jon Kabat-Zinn

Why do we want to become more aware?

If we remain unaware, we:
•repeat the past,
•remain stuck in relationships,
•live superficial, literal and one dimensional lives,
•lack experiences of love and beauty, and
•have limited connection to others and the universe.

With awareness, we are fully involved with life. Awareness is sensing deeply and sensitively for what really is. To do this, we need to approach the present as totally new. When we can be open and attentive in each moment, we begin to free ourselves fromthe conditioning of the past and the suffering that it so often brings.

“If moment by moment you can keep your mind clear then nothing will confuse you.”
— Sheng Yen

higherawareness.com

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A Note from the Universe

A thought on the “hows”:

Just because you’re not to mess with them doesn’t mean you’re not to get busy doing all you can, with what you’ve got, from where you are.

The difference is in how you see what you do: you don’t do all you can with an eye to hitting a home run, but with an understanding that for each door you knock upon and every stone you turn over, you’re pitching the ball to me.

The more balls you pitch, the greater my options, and the farther the balls will sail.

Batter up,

The Universe

tut.com

_______________________

Today’s Recipe: Salisbury Steak with Mushrooms

A great from-scratch salisbury steak and gravy recipe I found a long time ago. The mushroom and onion gravy is wonderful over mashed potatoes or rice. The gravy is still good without mushrooms. I’ve made it for my husband that way.

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Magical Correspondences for Friday

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers and Matters of the Heart

Element: Earth

Sacred Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmarosa, Rose, Yarrow

Deities include Aphrodite, Eros, Freya, Venus

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Daily Wisdom
December 11, 2020

Morning
“It’s completely usual for me to get up in the morning, take a look around, and laugh out loud.”

-Barbara Kingsolver

Our attitude has everything to do with how the day goes for us. When we approach our activities with a sense of fun and light-heartedness, it affects our environment, and the people around us. Time passes by more quickly, and we enjoy ourselves so much more.

-Lissa Coffey coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: Strength

Act with boldness, but not too much, and make this an easy and productive day. If something challenging or unexpected arises at work or with family, be receptive and stand your ground. Don’t push back until you know what it is you’re up against. Then if needed, give as well as you get. You can do this tactfully.

astrology.com

____________________

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

I invite you to check out my websites!

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

Cat’s Treasure Trove …. an eclectic collection of jewelry & gifts! https://thedesertpath.com

Sacred Spirals (the place where all paths meet)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SacredSpirals/

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 4, 2020

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for December 4, 2020

Stay healthy, Stay safe!

Blessings, Cat

_____________________

December’s Events

Dec. 7 Pearl Harbor Day

Dec, 10 Hanukkah

Dec. 14 New Moon at 8:16 am PST/ 9:16 am MST/ 11:16 am EST

Dec,15 National Cat Herders Day

Dec. 20 Ugly Sweater Day

Dec. 21 Winter Solstice/Winter Begins

Dec. 21 Moon 1st Qtr 3:41pm PST/ 4:41 pm MST/ 6:41 pm EST

Dec. 23 Festivus

Dec. 24 Christmas Eve

Dec. 24 Celtic Tree month of Birch begins

Dec. 25 Christmas Day

Dec. 26 Kwanzaa

Dec. 29 Full Moon at 7:28 pm PST/ 8:28 pm MST/ 10:28 pm EST

Dec. 31 New Years Eve

Dec. 31 Hogmanay

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Spirit Library: Rest, Hydrate, Move (a message from Kate Spreckley)

December is incredibly powerful energetically. The incoming energies are increasing in intensity preparing us for the upcoming eclipse on the 14th as well as the Solstice and Saturn Jupiter conjunction on the 21st. As a result we are processing and integrating huge influxes of cosmic light. This light is expanding our consciousness amplifying our thoughts, emotions and feeling

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The myth of Loki and the deadly mistletoe – Iseult Gillespie

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Spiritual Unite: KANGAROO SPIRIT ANIMAL – EMBRACE CHANGE

The kangaroo spirit animal appears in your life when you are ready to escape a bad situation.

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ThoughtCo: Yule Craft Projects for the Winter Solstice

There are so many great ways you can decorate your home for the Yule season. Adapt store-bought Christmas decorations, or make your own Pagan-themed home decor for the season. Here’s how you can put together a Yule log of your own, some fun and simple ornaments, some seasonally-scented potpourri and incense, and more!

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Pioneer Thinking: A Holiday Tale: The Story Behind The Norfolk Island Pine

The traditional holiday fir, the Norfolk Island Pine, has a back story worthy of a Hollywood movie. When you see these delicately shaped pines at your favorite retail store, you’re taking home a bit of nautical history.

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How to smudge: Burning sage

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Elephant Journal: 25 Self-Loving Ways to Take Care of Ourselves when we Feel Sad.

The other night as I was closing my computer, I felt uncomfortable sensations inside my chest.
I had the sudden urge to go to the store. It was later than I’d usually go, but the impulse to walk, to go to the store, was strong.

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Treehugger: ‘World’s Loneliest Elephant’ Makes a Friend

Kaavan is lonely no more.

After spending eight years as the only elephant in Pakistan’s Marghazar Zoo, the Asian elephant has been moved to a sanctuary in Cambodia where he quickly reached out and made contact with another elephant.

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EarthSky News: Moon passes through Leo the Lion

The moon is some days past full, so it’s rising late at night. These next several nights – December 5, 6 and 7, 2020 – you might catch the moon and star Regulus – brightest star in the constellation Leo the Lion – rising in the east from mid-to-late evening.

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Patheos-Pagan: 15 Influential Pagan Voices From My Past

My Pagan rebirth began in England in 1983 and was a long labor, metaphorically speaking. Witchcraft came to me in a unique way that I treasure, which may be fodder for another blog post some day.

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Pagan Playlist: Ajeet – When She Rises [Official Music Video]

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Inner Journey: THE POWER OF SILENCE

“Growth takes place in a person by working at a deep inner level in a sustained atmosphere of silence.”
— Dr. Ira Progoff

How can we hear our wise voice of intuition if we are always thinking, talking and distracted by outer events?

If we take time daily to experience physical stillness and to direct our attention inside, we can begin to find the peace, love, will and wisdom that exist as our essence.

“Only when one is connected to one’s own core is one connected to others… And, for me, the core, the inner spring, can best be refound through solitude.”
— Anne Morrow Lindbergh

“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

One hundred years from now, it will not matter what was in your bank account, what kind of car you drove, or what style of home you lived in.

On the other hand, since one of the reasons you’re in time and space is to understand that you do, indeed, have dominion over all things… nailing these early on would be way cool.

Whoosh

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Making Your Own Granola Is The Best Batch Made Breakfast: 8 Recipes To Try

When you think of meal prep, breakfast probably isn’t the meal that springs to mind. After all, it’s easy enough to make up a quick smoothie or a bowl of healthy cereal—but if you’ve been looking for a way to bring a little something special to your morning routine, a homemade granola may be just the thing.

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Magical Correspondences for Friday

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers and Matters of the Heart

Element: Earth

Sacred Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmarosa, Rose, Yarrow

Deities include Aphrodite, Eros, Freya, Venus

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Daily Wisdom
December 4, 2020

Personality
“I’m not hard, I’m frightfully soft. But I will not be hounded.”

-Margaret Thatcher

Personality is the image of ourselves that we present to the world. It is how others see us. This is not to be confused with who we really are. Who we really are goes much beyond our personality – we are so much more than that

-Lissa Coffey coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: The Pope

Speak and behave respectably and dispel all manner of potential difficulties and obstacles. You don’t have to fake any feelings or opinions you don’t really have. Simply act with decorum and tact, and then take your place on a somewhat bigger stage. Respectability is what will keep things under control and keep it all moving forward. Do as much as you can today and feel gratified.

astrology.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 November 27, 2020

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for November 27, 2020

Stay healthy, Stay safe!

Blessings, Cat

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November Events

Nov 1 All Saints Day

Nov 1 Daylight Savings Ends 2 am (Fall back 1 hr)

Nov 3 Election Day (USA)

Nov 8 Moon 3rd Qtr 7:56am PST/ 6:46 am MST/ 8:46 am EST

Nov 11 Veterans Day

Nov 14/15 New Moon at 9:07 pm PST/ 10:07 pm MST/ 12:07 am EST

Nov 14 Hindu Festival of Diwali

Nov 25 Celtic Month of Elder begins

Nov 26 Thanksgiving Day (USA)

Nov 30 Full Moon 1:29 am PST/ 2:29 am MST/ 4:29 am EST

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Spirit Library: Let the Light In (a message from Kate Spreckley)

The swirling, overwhelming energies of this year have been supporting us in releasing lifetimes of energetic programming and patterning. The internal shifts and transformations we have and continue to experience are rippling through the sea of our collective consciousness bringing a profound awakening.

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Beads Elekes Orisha Protections | Yeyeo Botanica

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Beneath the Moon: Practically Pagan An Alternative Guide…

Practically Pagan is a new series of alternative life style titles from Moon Books.

If you are pagan, practically pagan or just seeking alternative ways of living your life, this series is designed for you

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ThoughtCo: Spirits of Land and Place

Many Pagans work with spirits – often, this is focused on ancestral spirits, or even spirit guides. Typically, these types of spirits are rooted in our belief that each human being has a soul or spirit that lives on long after their physical body has left.

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MBG: How To Bottle Up Potent Lunar Energy By Making Your Own Moon Water

Full moons are intense times of culmination. Moon water is a tool that can amplify that energy even more: It’s simply water that has had time to sit under the light of the full moon and soak up some of its power. Here’s your beginner’s guide to brewing it and use it during the next full moon.

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Daily Good: Remembering Our Way Forward

What matters in life is not what happens to you but what you remember and how you remember it.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez –

Remembering Our Way Forward

“Perspective has carried me through a year that has been marked by the pandemics of Covid-19 and racism, political strife, and an escalating climate crisis. Ive held close as gently as possible reliable truisms: Change is the only constant. Life tends toward life. I affirm: I’m not alone. In the end, death comes to us all I have only to decide how to live life now. Showing up for myself, for others, and for what I care about with all my human imperfectness makes me more alive. I ask myself: What is the opportunity? What remains true?” More in this piece from Gratefulness.org. { read more }

Be The Change

What are your hopes for your life and the lives of those you love?

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The Witch of Wanderlust: I Worked With a Goddess for 7 Months{Sorcery of Hekate review}

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Elephant Journal: 9 Ways to Find Peace & Boost Spiritual Health when Life is a Drag.

Do you ever struggle with the meaning of your existence?
Do you feel lost? Does the question, “Why am I here?” take away your peace?

During COVID-19, you got a break from your daily routine (and probably felt useless).

These times made me restless too. My existence felt confusing. The disturbance pushed me to seek emotional and material shelter in the form of: eating (mostly junk food), gossiping, shopping, and scrolling through social media for hours.

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Treehugger: 100 Bison Released on Tribal Land in South Dakota

It was a true stampede as 100 plains bison were released this weekend from the National Park Service on the land of the Sicangu Oyate, commonly known as the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

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EarthSky News: Full moon, faint eclipse, November 29-30

In North America, we often call the November full moon the Beaver Moon or Frosty Moon. In the Southern Hemisphere, where it’s the opposite time of year, the November full moon is a fixture of the spring season rather than of autumn. But no matter where you live worldwide, this November 2020 full moon shines directly in front of the constellation Taurus the Bull, and presents the third and final full moon of this Northern Hemisphere autumn or Southern Hemisphere spring.

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Patheos-Pagan: Gardnerian Wicca: Outdated and Debunked?

Recently, an Instagram follower asked me an excellent question. They asked, “What would you say if someone told you that Gardnerian Craft is, in part, based on almost outdated and debunked academic books on witchcraft?” What a loaded question! But a good one, nonetheless.

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Pagan Playlist: HURDY GURDY WINTER SONG || medieval instrument ( Hurdy gurdy music ) – Zanfona

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Inner Journey: FOLLOW YOUR OWN PATH

“Life is complex. Each one of us must make his own path through life. There are no self-help manuals, no formulas, no easy answers. The right road for one is the wrong road for another … The journey of life is not paved in blacktop; it is not brightly lit, and it has no road signs. It is a rocky path through the wilderness.”
— M. Scott Peck

We each have our own pathways to develop both personally and spiritually. They are based on our character and past experiences. No one else can identify our paths for us. Tune in to your inner guidance system and follow its direction.

“What every man needs, regardless of his job or the kind of work he is doing, is a vision of what his place is and may be. He needs an objective and a purpose. He needs a feeling and a belief that he has some worthwhile thing to do. What this is no one can tell him. It must be his own creation.”
— Joseph M. Dodge

higherawareness.com

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A Note from the Universe

When giving careful and calculated thought on how else you might see certain situations differently than you now see them — including your entire life, for that matter — please keep in mind, Cat, that occasionally being on “the fringe,” is good.

Real good.

Come in Tokyo,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Yummy Sweet Potato Casserole

My family begs me to make this creamy baked dish every Thanksgiving and Christmas. What makes it so good is the pecan topping! Try it and I’m sure it will become your new tradition!

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Magical Correspondences for Friday

Magickal Intentions: Love, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers and Matters of the Heart

Element: Earth

Sacred Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmarosa, Rose, Yarrow

Deities include Aphrodite, Eros, Freya, Venus

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Daily Wisdom
November 27, 2020

Industry
“There is no substitute for hard work.”

-Thomas Alva Edison (1847-1931)

Good advice from someone who knows! We can take Edison’s word for it because we know he worked hard. And we know the work he did produced some amazing results! But, Edison didn’t just work hard; he worked smart. He was organized, and had a plan, and he didn’t give up

-Lissa Coffey coffeytalk.com

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Daily Tarot: Wheel of Fortune

It could be hard to sit still today and every little distraction may look more like an invitation to take a break or start the next thing. Get a lot done anyway by concentrating on short tasks and short conversations. A checklist helps keep things smooth and organized. Afterward, maybe take a nice long walk, stretch those legs, and shake the day’s dust off your shoulders

astrology.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/

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