The Seeds You Plant: Cat’s Angel Message for February 2, 2020
February’s Theme: Trusting in the “unseen” and believing in yourself puts you on the path to manifesting your dreams and goals.
Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap,but by the seeds that you plant.– Robert Louis Stevenson
22: Good Morning my Little Seedlings, today is Imbolc, Candlemas, the Festival of Light. The Universe is asking us to embrace the faith we have in ourselves and in the new beginnings, this faith brings. Imbolc is a time of renewal and our number for today is one power and purpose. Just like the first signs of spring we push towards the light in an effort to grow. As we reach towards this light our faith empowers us to find fulfillment in achieving our dreams and goals. Don’t force to make things happen. This is another lesson that we can learn from nature. Grow with purpose yet allow things to unfold. By doing so we achieve an overall sense of balance which restores us to harmony. Take time today to reaffirm your faith and where you are on your path as you move into this new cycle. Open your mind and heart and guide your thought seeds toward the light.
The celebration of Imbolc honors the Celtic goddess Brigid. This Triple Goddess of flame and light helps us to purify ourselves and our thoughts. She also promotes inspiration, creativity and the fertility needed to help our thought seeds grow and flourish. She tells us “Today we begin a journey towards the light. Gather the seeds that you have collected and choose the ones that best represent your path. Tell me of your dreams and desires as you plant your seeds within your heart and mind and allow fire and light to fill you. Hope and optimism shine like the sun and like the sun they hold powerful energy. This energy will help you find your way as you nurture the seeds in your care”
Sacred Stones associated with Imbolc include the following:
Amethyst helps us to make decisions by promoting common sense and spiritual insight. It also enables us to set realistic goals and sets us on the road to personal achievement. This crystal is a powerful protector and helps to shield us from unwanted energies while dispelling anxiety and fear. It helps the thought process by providing focus and clearing the way to good decision making.
Bloodstone gives us the ability to adapt to the changes that are taking place more easily. It strengthens our intuition and promotes good decision making. It gets our creativity flowing and infuses our being with courage and vitality.
Carnelian is used for motivation and increased creativity. It teaches us to trust in ourselves and helps us find creative solutions to current issues as it boosts self-esteem and invites us to embrace our personal power while promoting positive life choices which enhance our ability to draw new forms of prosperity and abundance.
Bright blessings for a magickal day!
I invite you to share my work as long as no changes are made and to check out my websites:
Cat’s Morning Bits for January 31, 2020 “Imbolc 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
_________________________
“Candlemas’ is the Christianized name for the holiday, of course. The older Pagan names were Imbolc and Oimelc. ‘Imbolc’ means, literally, ‘in the belly’ (of the Mother). For in the womb of Mother Earth, hidden from our mundane sight but sensed by a keener vision, there are stirrings. The seed that was planted in her womb at the solstice is quickening and the new year grows. ‘Oimelc’ means ‘milk of ewes’, for it is also lambing season. The holiday is also called ‘Brigit’s Day’, in honor of the great Irish Goddess Brigit. At her shrine, the ancient Irish capitol of Kildare, a group of 19 priestesses (no men allowed) kept a perpetual flame burning in her honor. She was considered a goddess of fire, patroness of smithcraft, poetry and healing (especially the healing touch of
midwifery).”
– Daven’s Journal – Imbolic
gardendigest.com
____________________________
Pagan Library: Bulb Planting Earth Chant by Eileen
breath of the stone is strange to me
i know it lives as i can’t see
force of the earth is strong and free
sustenance and beauty be
born of the stars and sprang from the ground
Mother, Goddess all around
Wheel must turn as the seasons show
what lies dead shall surely grow.
ThoughtCo: Smooring the Fire—A Prayer to Brighid
Alexander Carmichael was a folklorist and author who spent nearly five decades traveling around the highlands of Scotland collecting stories, prayers and songs. His most noteworthy work, the Carmina Gadelica, is an interesting blend of early Pagan tradition mixed with the influences of Christianity. Smooring the Fire is from Carmichael’s Carmina Gadelica, published 1900, and is a Gaelic hymn to Brighid, honoring the tradition of smooring, or dampening, the hearth fire at night, and particularly on the night before Imbolc.
An Tri numh (The sacred Three)
A chumhnadh, (To save,)
A chomhnadh, (To shield,)
A chomraig (To surround)
An tula, (the hearth)
An taighe, (The house,)
An teaghlaich, (The household,)
An oidhche, (This eve,)
An nochd, (This night,)
O! an oidhche, (Oh! this eve,)
An nochd, (This night,)
Agus gach oidhche, (And every night,)
Gach aon oidhche. (Each single night.)
Amen.
At Imbolg, the Maiden aspect of the Goddess might be represented in a great variety of ways — by a simple ear of dried corn, a figure made of grain at Lughnasadh, or straws or wheat braided into an intricate design. One representation of the Goddess is Brigid’s Cross. Although the original design may well have been made from rushes, wheat versions have been recreated for centuries. Make a cross for each room in the house to invite the blessings of the Goddess into them.
Patheos: Brighid the Dawn Goddess of Imbolc and Spring
The Goddess Brighid is one of the oldest and most popular Celtic deities. She is a paragon meaning that she is used as a standard to live up to or for mortals to be compared with.
Crafting a take-home ritual for Imbolc celebration attendees.
____________________________
The Old Farmer’s Almanac: Groundhog Day 2020 Groundhog Day Forecast, History, Folklore, and More
Groundhog Day comes from our agricultural past and marks the halfway point to the spring equinox. Here are the facts and folklore about Groundhog Day. It’s much more than a wacky weather prediction from a plump marmot!
Patheos- Raise The Horns: A Solitary Imbolc Ritual
I’ve always loved the quiet nature of Imbolc. As someone who first discovered Witch- craft in the American Midwest, early February was always a time of cold, snow, and at least another month of winter. But despite the cold, Imbolc always spoke to me of pos- sibilities.
Live in the Northern Hemisphere? If so and you’ve never seen the planet Mercury – or even if you have – take advantage of your golden opportunity to see Mercury after sunset these next few weeks. February 2020 showcases a good evening apparition of Mercury at northerly latitudes.
________________________ Patheos-Pagan: Imbolc Sabbat Index: Craftings, Cleansings, and Rituals for a Witch’s High Winter
Imbolc (im’-molk), is the Witch’s grand sabbat of High Winter. I celebrate the peak of the winter season when the sun reaches 15 degrees Aquarius, which falls sometime during the first week of February.
“Ideas can come from anywhere and at any time. The problem with making mental notes is that the ink fades very rapidly.”
— Rolf Smith
Insights and inspiration come to us for a reason. Don’t let them disappear on you!
When a great idea pops into your mind, write it down and capture it. Keep a mini-journal or piece of paper with you at all times.
Reflect on your insights. How might you anchor this great idea so it enhances your life?
“Everyone who has ever taken a shower has had an idea. It’s the person who gets out of the shower, dries off, and does something about it that makes a difference.”
— Nolan Bushnell
higherawareness.com
_____________________________
A Note from the Universe
When you don’t know what you want it’s probably time to begin enjoying what you have.
You’ve done so well for yourself,
The Universe
tut.com
_________________________ Recipes for a Pagan Soul: Imbolc
Food and drink: Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, poppyseed cakes, muffins, scones, breads, all dairy products, peppers, onions, garlic, raisins, spiced wines and herbal teas, chives, curries, honey, and lamb
_________________________ Daily Wisdom January 30, 2020
Beginnings & Endings
“Every exit is… an entrance somewhere else.”
-Tom Stoppard
This sounds like an optimistic way of looking at things. It’s the same as “when one door closes, another one opens.” But it’s so true. Look at the opportunities that arise when something ends. All that energy has to go somewhere – so new situations and circumstances are created. It’s exciting! Change is good. Beginnings are good.
-Lissa Coffey
coffeytalk.com
_________________________________
Daily Tarot: The Magician
You have a magic touch today. The right word or action at the right time can instantly turn things around and morph a challenge into an easy opportunity. This is not something to take for granted or to exploit, though. Use your power with a very light touch, if at all. It’s possible that a mere thought or unspoken intention could have influence.
astrology.com
___________________________
About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts are reblogged from various email newsletters that I receive each day.
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
_________________________
If January calends be summerly gay,
It will be winterly weather till the calends of May.
-Proverb
____________________________
ThoughtCo: History of Imbolc
Imbolc is a holiday with a variety of names, depending on which culture and location you’re looking at. In the Irish Gaelic, it’s called Oimelc, which translates to “ewe’s milk.” It’s a precursor to the end of winter when the ewes are nursing their newly born lambs. Spring and the planting season are right around the corner.
MBG: How Healing The Solar Plexus Chakra Could Lead To Radical Self-Acceptance
The chakras are concentrated points of energy, and they add a spiritual dimension to health. Just as every structure in the physical body has a physiological purpose, each chakra has a spiritual one.
Plants are a great way to liven up your indoor decor. Creative pots and other plant vessels bring out more of your style, and DIY planters are an even greater way to add a personal touch to your home. These easy, simple ceramic planters are a great beginner project and can be customized in any color.
MNN: 9 quirky facts about the platypus
These odd critters are full of surprises and mysteries
It’s possible to run out of adjectives when it comes to describing the platypus. This unique creature, endemic to Australia, has confounded scientists since its discovery. We still don’t know a great deal about the semi-aquatic animal, or the secrets that it holds.
Tonight, let the constellation Orion the Hunter show you the approximate possible position of the hypothetical Planet 9 in the starry sky. As of now, nobody has yet seen this solar system planet, sometimes called Planet X. If it exists, it’s large and very distant.
________________________ Patheos-Pagan: Working with Brighid as a Water Goddess
Imbolc is right around the corner, the feast day and celebration of the Goddess Brighid! This is one of my favorite Sabbats. I love the merging of Water and Fire; I love the snow on the ground and I absolutely love making Brighid’s Crosses.
“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
— Mother Teresa
We know the power of thoughts to create. Consider, then, the impact of our judgments. When we judge someone critically, those judgments have the power to affect the one being judged, if they are open to our perceptions. This is the case even when we don’t say what we’re thinking.
For example, if I judge someone to be fat, and that individual perceives him or herself to be fat and is sensitive to the opinions of others, my thoughts will reinforce their ‘fat’ experience.
Being aware of the impact of our judgments helps us let go of our tendency to judge.
“There are three kinds of violence: one, through our deeds; two, through our words; and three, through our thoughts. …The root of all violence is in the world of thoughts, and that is why training the mind is so important.”
— Eknath Easwaran
higherawareness.com
_____________________________
A Note from the Universe
Actually nobody “needs” to be corrected.
They know when they’re acting up, or will soon enough find out.
__________________________________ Magical Correspondences for Wednesday
Intentions: Rules healings, the mind, Communication, Divination, Writing, Knowledge, Business Transactions, Debt, Fear, Loss, Travel and Money Matters, Addictions, Young People, Messages, Perception, Self Expression.
Incense: Jasmine, Lavender, Sweet Pea, Cinnamon, Cinquefoil
Planet: Mercury and Chiron (though this is a moon of Pluto)
Sign: Virgo
Angel: Raphael
Colors: Orange, Light Blue, Grey, Yellow and, Opalescent colors and Violet
Herbs/Plants: Fern, Lavender, Hazel, Cherry, Periwinkle
Stones: Aventurine, Bloodstone, Hematite, Moss Agate and Sodalite
Oil: (Mercury) Benzoin, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Lavender
Goddesses: Aset [Isis], Demeter, Ceres, Spider Woman, Bona Dea, Oya,
Devi-Kali, Hella, Rhiannon, Coatlique, Maman Brigette, Sekhmet, Het Heret
[Hathor]
_________________________ Daily Wisdom January 28, 2020
Beginnings & Endings
“We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.”
-T.S. Eliot (1888-1965)
There is a phrase we often use about “coming full circle” meaning that we’ve ended up back where we started, but with a newfound knowledge. Life is not linear. Some say it is like a spiral, others say it is like a ball of yarn. We go around seeing things and people and experiences that we’ve seen before, but we see them with new eyes because we have more understanding as we grow.
-Lissa Coffey
coffeytalk.com
_________________________________
Daily Tarot: The High Priestess
Let intuition be your guide today and you won’t go too far wrong. If something doesn’t need to be done or delivered instantly, take your time and let events, situations, and people claim the time and attention they seem to want. Things want to sort themselves out for you, in the best ways. Don’t introduce complications. Be decisive when necessary but otherwise step up, too, and be pleasantly surprised
astrology.com
___________________________
About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts are reblogged from various email newsletters that I receive each day.
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
_________________________
Now is the time of the deep snows
and thrice blessed is the neighbor who will plow you out.
-The Old Farmer’s Almanac, 1946
____________________________
Spiritual Unite: What Does The Colour Purple Mean Spiritually?
Purple is one of the most symbolically meaningful colours on the visible spectrum.
Over the course of human history, purple has been seen as a special colour – from the hue of royalty to the uniforms of widows.
In many modern-day Pagan belief systems, there is a good deal of focus on the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water. A few traditions of Wicca also include a fifth element, which is spirit or self, but that is not universal among all Pagan paths
MBG: How The Sacral Chakra’s Shadow Could Be Keeping You From Your Soul Mate
The chakras are like invisible organs of the subtle, or energetic, body. Just as each organ in the physical body has a physiological purpose, each chakra in the subtle body has a spiritual function. Understanding the unique purpose of each chakra is an invaluable tool for holistic healing.
Refresh the carpets in your home with this homemade carpet freshener. The baking soda will neutralize odors and the rest will leave a light citrusy fresh scent. Read more….
____________________________
Elephant Journal: Sacred Tea Bath—Putting the Ritual Pleasure back in Self-Care
Most of us need more self-care in our lives.
We may even be making an effort to do so. Yet, when was the last time you let yourself fully, deeply, and blissfully enjoy your self-care? How has taking care of ourselves become such a burden and endless to-do list?
Hummingbirds get little relief from hunger, thanks to the fastest metabolism of any vertebrate animal. Native plant nectar is usually their best food source, but since hummingbirds can starve after just a few hours without food, humans often lend a hand.
________________________ Patheos-Pagan: Imbolc Invocation to the Fire Goddesses
This Imbolc honor more than just Brighid. Here’s an invocation many the fire tending goddesses each of whom has Her own take on fire tending. So light some candles, make a Brid’s Cross and call on the goddesses of fire to keep you and your hearth warm this winter.
“To be tested is good. The challenged life may be the best therapist.”
— Gail Sheehy
What holds you back from being all that you are?
In your journal, list at least 5 things that hold you back.
Now review your answers. Have you blamed people or factors outside of yourself?
It’s important to understand that ALL obstructions are rooted in our internal blocks. Even the problems that appear to be outside of us are only reflecting back to us problems we have inside. Once we address our inner issues, the outer problems disappear.
Be personally accountable for everything in your life and watch your perspectives shift. We claim our power when we accept responsibility for our lives.
“Conscious evolution begins as we take responsibility for clearing our own obstructions.”
— Dan Millman
higherawareness.com
_____________________________
A Note from the Universe
For as long as you wish to keep them in your life whoever they may be, understanding them, as opposed to changing them, will wildly improve chances they’ll also wish to keep you in their life.
Oh wow, how I love you –
The Universe
tut.com
_________________________ Today’s Recipe: Mushroom and Onion Dutch Baby
For a quick and easy recipe that’s packed with vitamin D, try this flavorful and nutritious Mushroom & Onion Dutch Baby.
__________________________________ Magical Correspondences for Wednesday
Intentions: Rules healings, the mind, Communication, Divination, Writing, Knowledge, Business Transactions, Debt, Fear, Loss, Travel and Money Matters, Addictions, Young People, Messages, Perception, Self Expression.
Incense: Jasmine, Lavender, Sweet Pea, Cinnamon, Cinquefoil
Planet: Mercury and Chiron (though this is a moon of Pluto)
Sign: Virgo
Angel: Raphael
Colors: Orange, Light Blue, Grey, Yellow and, Opalescent colors and Violet
Herbs/Plants: Fern, Lavender, Hazel, Cherry, Periwinkle
Stones: Aventurine, Bloodstone, Hematite, Moss Agate and Sodalite
Oil: (Mercury) Benzoin, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Lavender
Goddesses: Aset [Isis], Demeter, Ceres, Spider Woman, Bona Dea, Oya,
Devi-Kali, Hella, Rhiannon, Coatlique, Maman Brigette, Sekhmet, Het Heret
[Hathor]
_________________________ Daily Wisdom January 22, 2020
Heart
“The tiny flame that lights up the human heart is like a blazing torch that comes down from heaven to light up the paths of mankind.
For in one soul are contained the hopes and feelings of all Mankind.”
-Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931)
Love is strong, love is powerful – love makes all things possible. This same strength is within each one of us. Physically, our heart is the “engine” that drives our whole body. Emotionally, love is what keeps us going. Love lights the way for us.
-Lissa Coffey
coffeytalk.com
_________________________________
Daily Tarot: The Tower
Your emotions and instincts are working overtime today and this can distract you from doing the simplest of things. Whatever difficulties you encounter today – and they should be small ones – you will create more problems for yourself by being too psychically overactive. If someone is preoccupied with you and wishing you to have a rough day, you’ll know it but maybe not know who it is.
astrology.com
___________________________
About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts are reblogged from various email newsletters that I receive each day.
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
_________________________
Then welcome, cold, welcome, ye snowy nights!
Heaven midst your rage shall mingle pure delights.
-Robert Bloomfield (1766-1823)
____________________________
Daily Good: Speaking of Nature
“We have a special grammar for personhood. We would never say of our late neighbor, “It is buried in Oakwood Cemetery.” Such language would be deeply disrespectful and would rob him of his humanity. We use instead a special grammar for humans: we distinguish them with the use of he or she, a grammar of personhood for both living and dead Homo sapiens. Yet we say of the oriole warbling comfort to mourners from the treetops or the oak tree herself beneath whom we stand, “It lives in Oakwood Cemetery.” In the English language,. { read more }
___________________________
ThoughtCo: Create a Portable Altar Kit
Why create a portable altar kit? Well, the obvious reason is that a portable altar is… well, portable. For some people, that’s a desirable thing. You may wish to have a portable altar for any number of reasons. Perhaps your job requires you to travel a lot.
The seven chakras are the main energy centers of the body. You’ve probably heard people talk about “unblocking” their chakras, which refers to the idea that when all of our chakras are open, energy can run through them freely, and harmony exists between the physical body, mind, and spirit.
Natural Living Ideas: 22 Impressive Pine Needle Uses You’d Never Have Thought Of
I kind of have a thing for pine trees.
If you were to ask my family how I feel about pine trees, they would probably roll their eyes and groan. When it comes to our fresh-cut Christmas tree, my eyes are always bigger than our ceiling.
Soft, shiny, and clean hair can be yours with this natural shampoo and conditioner, whipped up for just pennies with ingredients most of us have in the kitchen.
Elephant Journal: A 5-Minute Technique to ease Emotional Overload
For years, I have sat with clients experiencing strong emotions: anxiety, fear, anger, grief.
As a psychotherapist, I have learned many treatment methods in educational and professional settings, but what has been most helpful to my clients in modulating emotion is a deep breathing technique.
EarthSky News: Observer’s Challenge: Moon, Jupiter before sunrise
Up for a sky watching challenge? The king planet Jupiter is now playing hide-and-seek before sunrise. But these next few mornings – January 21 and 22, 2020 – you can use the slender waning crescent moon to locate Jupiter in your sky. Very simply, the lit side of the lunar crescent points in the direction Jupiter.
“Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.”
— Lin Yutang
Do you feel a desire to simplify your life?
If you say ‘yes,’ then set an intention to reduce the demands, stimuli, interruptions and busyness in your life. We each have the power to do this – we simply have to begin to say ‘no’ to those activities that don’t directly serve what we want for our lives.
Everyone of this planet deserves to have some free time to think, relax and have fun. If you long for this, begin now to clear your plate and allow a new level of experience to happen in your life. Take charge. Eliminate time wasters. Make some decisions about what matters to you.
“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.”
— Hans Hofmann
higherawareness.com
_____________________________
A Note from the Universe
What if from now on and forevermore, people stopped using the word “evil” and replaced it with “ignorance”?
Yeah, less fear, more better; global transformation.
Let’s,
The Universe
tut.com
_________________________ Today’s Recipe: Baking Bread and Making Sourdough (from Wise Woman Ezine)
by Anne-Marie Fryer Wiboltt
Flour, water, and salt is all that is needed to make a natural sourdough bread with a wonderful wholesome flavor. During the process of making the bread, the protein in the wheat flour, called gluten, sucks up moisture. When the dough is kneaded the gluten proteins stick together and become ‘rubber like. The gluten can then hold little pockets of gas given off by the sourdough as it breaks down the starches in the wheat.
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
_________________________ Daily Wisdom January 17, 2020
Flowers
“Thou canst not stir a flower
Without troubling a star.”
-Francis Thompson (1859-1907)
There is a connection between the flowers, the stars, the rivers, between all of life. There is an exchange of energy that takes place that can help us to thrive. When we tend to a garden, we encourage growth. The flowers on our table make us smile. The fruits we eat nourish our bodies. It’s all good.
-Lissa Coffey
coffeytalk.com
_________________________________
Daily Tarot: The Star
Despite any confusion of the day, you’ll be the calm and serene center of any activities. Your calmness will be contagious, too, so look forward to being surrounded by people who want to cooperate with you and be helpful before being directly asked. Take your calm state of mind into the evening, rest well, and see how much you can take with you into tomorrow.
astrology.com
___________________________
About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts are reblogged from various email newsletters that I receive each day.
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
_________________________
For age is opportunity no less
Than youth itself, though in another dress,
And as the evening twilight fades away
The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.
-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-82)
____________________________
Pioneer Thinking: 5 Easy Relaxation Techniques
From getting the kids to school, prepping family meals and everything in between, it’s a 24/7 job and can be hard to find a moment to stop and take a breath of fresh air. While the home should be a sanctuary to relax and de-stress, the reality is that a lot of life’s biggest activities happen there. The good news is that it only takes a few minutes to ground yourself through meditation. Learning a few easy meditation techniques will give you the ability to power through even the toughest days.
Imbolc is a festival of fire and light – it’s one of the cross quarter days – and falls on February 2 in the northern hemisphere (it’ll be on August 1 if you’re one of our readers below the equator).
“There is something odd about this notion of time as property. We are asked to give things time; we speak of taking time off of something, time toward something. But how do we give or take this fine-grained sand that slips through the fingers the moment we try to cup it? Perhaps time is not so much the substance in the hand as the substance of the hand.” Maria Popova explores Kahlil Gibran’s reflections on time in this post.
A perfect way to hold your treasures or honor the Goddess and God!
____________________________
Elephant Journal: 4 Ways Mindful Daydreaming can Enhance our Lives.
In our nonstop, wired lives, the benefits of mindfulness are numerous.
People who meditate regularly have a more exceptional ability to focus, become more appreciative of the present moment, learn how to regulate their emotions more effectively, and are generally happier.
MNN: Gingko biloba trees guard a secret fountain of youth
As humans age, our bodies start to slow down and get creaky. But the same doesn’t happen with the ginkgo biloba tree.
It’s hardly a fair comparison, as these living fossils with the iconic fan-shaped leaves can live more than 1,000 years. Some of the oldest fossilized ginkgo leaves date back to 200 million years ago.
EarthSky News: See the Unicorn on dark January nights
Tonight, treat yourself to a visit with a mythical beast, the constellation Monoceros the Unicorn. It’s well placed for viewing in the January evening sky, but you’ll need a very dark sky to see it. Monoceros will be out nearly all night long. It’ll be higher up and easier to see in the later evening hours.
People get intense over pumpkin spice. I have nothing against the deliciousness of anyone’s coffee, but the same delightful flavors you love in your cup or doughnut, also pack a pretty powerful kind of pumpkin spice magick.
“When coasting in our comfort zones, we don’t grow. We continue to do more of the same…. Maintaining a comfort zone can, paradoxically, lead to discomfort in the long run. If by being comfortable we avoid important life issues, internal tension accumulates…. Eventually, as both internal and external pressures for change persist, the ‘comfort zone’ ceases to serve us.”
— Eric Allenbaugh
It takes effort to change. What do you most want to change in your life? Make a list of what you can do to start the process. Try journaling, perhaps. Read books. Take a course. Find a mentor. Seek out support.
How will you commit time to make it happen? When are you going to start? Your life is passing quickly!
“Be not afraid of changing slowly; be afraid only of standing still.”
— Chinese Proverb
higherawareness.com
_____________________________
A Note from the Universe
I think you already feel it but a really HUGE wave of LOVE is coming your way.
Once-in-a-lifetime HUGE.
Hang ten,
The Universe
tut.com
_________________________ Today’s Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Cheesy Potato Soup with Ham
“This rich, thick, and creamy soup is a great way to use up leftover holiday ham! Made in your slow cooker, and using shortcuts like frozen hash brown potatoes, this delicious soup requires very little effort on your part.”
Intentions:Rules healings, the mind, Communication, Divination, Writing, Knowledge, Business Transactions, Debt, Fear,Loss, Travel and Money Matters, Addictions, Young People, Messages, Perception, Self Expression.
Incense: Jasmine, Lavender, Sweet Pea, Cinnamon, Cinquefoil
Planet: Mercury and Chiron (though this is a moon of Pluto)
Sign: Virgo
Angel: Raphael
Colors: Orange, Light Blue, Grey, Yellow and, Opalescent colors and Violet
Herbs/Plants: Fern, Lavender, Hazel, Cherry, Periwinkle
Stones: Aventurine, Bloodstone, Hematite, Moss Agate and Sodalite
Oil: (Mercury) Benzoin, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Lavender
Goddesses: Aset [Isis], Demeter, Ceres, Spider Woman, Bona Dea, Oya,
Devi-Kali, Hella, Rhiannon, Coatlique, Maman Brigette, Sekhmet, Het Heret
[Hathor]
_________________________ Daily Wisdom January 15, 2020
Flowers
“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”
-Jesus (A.D. 1st cent.) Matthew 6:28
Consider the effortlessness with which flowers grow and bloom and share their glory. We are like flowers, each individual, each unique – and yet, how often do we try to change our colors to fit in with a particular landscape? We can learn from the simplicity and beauty of nature. We can choose to bloom where we are planted.
-Lissa Coffey
coffeytalk.com
_________________________________
Daily Tarot: The Moon
It’s possible that you’re putting yourself under more stress and pressure than anyone or anything else going on around you. It’s not necessary to beat yourself up emotionally like this. Things are fine and you can make things even better if you curtail the urge to obsessively dwell on only what and who is letting you down. Be your own best friend and give yourself credit for what you’re doing right.
astrology.com
___________________________
About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts are reblogged from various email newsletters that I receive each day.
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
_________________________
O Winter, ruler of the inverted year,
Thy scattered hair with sleet like ashes filled,
Thy breath congealed upon they lips, thy cheeks
Fringed with a beard made white with other snows.
-William Cowper (1731-1800)
____________________________
Spiritual Unite: This is The Spiritual Symbolism For Lemon
Lemon is a yellow coloured fruit of the small evergreen tree of the Rutaceae family. It has a distinctive sour taste that makes it an essential ingredient for many of our favourite food and drinks.
If you’re looking for prayers or blessings to celebrate the sabbat of Imbolc, here’s where you’ll find a selection of original devotionals that bid farewell to the winter months and honor the goddess Brighid, as well as seasonal blessings for your meals, hearth, and home.
MBG: This Week’s Horoscope Is Here To Shake Up Your Daily Routine
Today, the AstroTwins are breaking down how this week’s astrological transits could inspire some out-of-this-world innovation and creativity.
Life takes a turn for the poetic this Monday, January 13, as enchanting Venus floats into ethereal Pisces.
Wise Woman Herbal Ezine: Winter Medicine: An Overview of the Pantry and Medicine Chest by Linda Conroy
I live in a cold climate, where the winter months can be quite long. Because fresh, local, wild food and herbs are not as readily in the winter months, I spend a lot of time during the fall months preparing food and medicine to have on hand for winter.
Children and mothers used to make fashionable dolls out of corn husks wherever corn was grown as a crop. The custom though mainly prevalent in native and colonial American families seeped into the modern American culture down the ages.
Elephant Journal: Making Love with Nature: a Letter to the Alder Trees.
Inside the meditation hall, I sit with my hands in my lap, breathing into the hollow of my palms.
Left hand lying gently inside the right, thumb tips just barely touching, center point of concentration in the posture of Zen meditation. Back straight, mind deep in the body, the hands open and connected to the motion of breathing. I think of the image suggested by the Vietnamese Zen teacher Thich Nhat Hanh—a baby Buddha nestled in my hands,
MNN: Scientists discover 10 new birds
5 new species, 5 subspecies found on small islands in Indonesia
A group of scientists set out on a six-week expedition near Sulawesi, Indonesia, in hopes of learning more about the region’s bird population. What they discovered was far more exciting — undiscovered bird species.
EarthSky News: Tonight is New Year’s Eve, in the Julian calendar
Today is January 13, 2020, in our calendar, the Gregorian calendar, but it marks the last day of the year by the Julian calendar, which was first introduced to the world by Julius Caesar in 46 B.C. The Gregorian calendar’s January 14, 2020, is January 1 of the same year by the Julian calendar. It’s the Julian New Year, sometimes called the Old New Year or the Orthodox New Year.
________________________ Patheos-Pagan: 2020 Witches’ Wheel Of The Year
This guide to the Witches’ Wheel of the Year is a journey through the lunar, astrological and seasonal energies of 2020, with spells, rituals, and spiritual practices to strengthen your connection to the deeper world.
“When flowing water … meets with obstacles on its path, a blockage in its journey, it pauses. It increases in volume and strength, filling up in front of the obstacle and eventually spilling past it….
“Do not turn and run, for there is nowhere worthwhile for you to go. Do not attempt to push ahead into the danger … emulate the example of the water: Pause and build up your strength until the obstacle no longer representsa blockage.”
— from the ‘I Ching,’ presented in ‘To Build the Life You Want, Create the Work You Love: The Spiritual Dimension of Entrepreneuring’ by Marsha Sinetar
higherawareness.com
_____________________________
A Note from the Universe
A philosophical journey from here to there…
Do you think that if ten million dollars were to be suddenly deposited into your checking account, that over the following months and years you’d have fewer and fewer challenges? Or do you think, perhaps, that your challenges would simply evolve and change?
Right, evolve and change.
And do you think that with your extra $10 million, you’d gradually be presented with more and more opportunities to be happy? Or do you think, perhaps, that your opportunities would simply evolve and change?
Right, evolve and change.
Now, doesn’t that answer everything?
Beeb, beeb –
The Universe
tut.com
_________________________
Today’s Recipe: These Caffeine Alternatives Will Give You A Natural Energy Boost
We all have our morning routines. Part autopilot, part ritual, what we do each morning helps us get ready for what the day brings. For some, it all starts with a staggering zombie walk to make coffee (I include myself in this category)
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
_________________________ Daily Wisdom January 13, 2020
Confidence
“If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t you’re right.”
-Mary Kay Ash (1985)
How many times do we sabotage ourselves from a lack of self-confidence? We are such powerful, creative people – and yet we doubt our own abilities! If we feel stuck, like we’re not getting anywhere – we have to look carefully to see what is holding us back. And most of the times, the answer is ourselves. When we have confidence, we can soar!
-Lissa Coffey
coffeytalk.com
_________________________________
Daily Tarot: The Lovers
If you’re hesitant to do something or to make a decision, that’s OK. What urgently needs to be done will be done, so don’t worry about it. There may simply be too many options and too many conflicting requests coming up all at the same time. Sometimes hesitation can be a sign of prudence and a refreshing change from impulsiveness.
astrology.com
___________________________
About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts are reblogged from various email newsletters that I receive each day.
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
_________________________
Then came old January, wrapped well
In many Weeds to keep the cold away:
Yet did he quake and quiver like to quell,
And blow his Nails to warm them if he may.
-Edmund Spenser (c. 1552-99)
____________________________
Spiritual Unite: Koala Spirit Animal – Relaxing Is A Must
When the koala spirit animal appears in your life, it is a message that you need to slow down, take some time off and reconnect with your energy and with nature.
Imbolc is a holiday with a variety of names, depending on which culture and location you’re looking at. In the Irish Gaelic, it’s called Oimelc, which translates to “ewe’s milk.” It’s a precursor to the end of winter when the ewes are nursing their newly born lambs. Spring and the planting season are right around the corner.
MBG: Grab The Tissues: The First Full Moon Of The Decade Is Also An Emotion-Stirring Eclipse
Don’t underestimate the power of feelings this Friday, January 10. At 2:21 p.m. ET, the first full moon of the decade arrives—and it’s also a soul-stirring lunar eclipse in Cancer. Under the emo moonbeams of this Full Wolf Moon Lunar Eclipse, the floodgates may burst open.
Wise Woman Herbal Ezine: How to Lead a Joyous Life by Susun Weed
I aspire to be a joyous human being. As with most aspirations: It is easier said than done. Easier imagined than put into practice. Easier to search for than to have.
I want joy to roll like thunder across the hills and valleys of my life; I want surging winds of joy to carry me through loss and disappointment; I want joy to be an electrical rush that lights up my entire body when I succeed. What does it take to create a joyous existence? Is it possible to experience joy daily, not just in special circumstances?
Elephant Journal: The Self-Help Myth that’s Ruining our Healing.
Self-love, self-care, self-help, self-improvement, it’s the new hot thing.
Everywhere we look there are courses and coaches and influencers popping up to capitalize on our desires to feel great, or good, or even just a little bit better than we feel now.
Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world, with some reports stating that tea is second only to water in worldwide beverage consumption. Tea is embedded in culture: The British have tea time, and Asian communities still practice ancient tea ceremonies.
EarthSky News: Penumbral eclipse of the moon on January 10
These next few nights – January 9 and 10, 2020 – watch for the full-looking moon, our nocturnal sun, to light up the nighttime from dusk until dawn. And if you live in the world’s Eastern Hemisphere, you might – or might not – detect Earth’s faint penumbral shadow on the full moon’s face on the night of January 10-11 (Friday night or Saturday morning.
________________________ Patheos-Pagan: Awaken: The Earth Needs Her Wise Ones
Last Summer, I heard several elders of the Pagan community give voice to a shared message. The refrain is echoing and gaining strength. Ancient deities are calling. The Earth Mother is reclaiming those who once worked within her sphere as priestesses and priests. The Wise Ones are awakening. Now, we must be about our business once more.
“Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are — chaff and grain together — certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away….”
— Dinah Craik
We cherish our best friends and our special communities because we feel safe to be vulnerable when we’re in their embrace. And yet I have discovered that as long as I identify with my self-image, with my ego, there’s no safety possible anywhere. When the ego is on watch, even a dear friend’s truth may trigger reactions like anxiety, self-criticism and fear.
The only true safety exists in living the truth of our soul, our essence.
“Open your body and your mind to the subtler levels of experience, letting go of your attempt to control, to be right, not worrying about appearances, not trying to be safe.”
— Stephen Levine
higherawareness.com
_____________________________
A Note from the Universe
BIG, life-changing ideas rarely first appear as BIG, life-changing ideas.
No, hardly, that would be too easy.
BIG, life-changing ideas usually show up as plain, little ideas that when given a bit of muscle, gradually evolve into things like Space stations, best sellers, or a new beautiful vacation home for everyone in the family. Which means they can often sneak right under the radar and go completely undetected.
Got any little ideas? I ask because I know you do….
Ou-u-u-u-u-u-h!
The Universe
tut.com
_________________________ Today’s Recipe: Asian Lettuce Wraps
“Delicious and bursting with flavor, Asian lettuce wraps are a great idea for entertaining or a family style meal. Each person can build their own fresh, delicious wrap. Just be sure to have plates or napkins available since the mixture can sometimes drip a little. To serve, allow each person to spoon a portion of the meat into a lettuce leaf. Wrap the lettuce around the meat like a burrito and enjoy!”
Intentions: Love, Pleasure, Affairs of the Heart, Romance, Marriage, Sexual Matters, Physical Beauty, Friendship and Partnerships, Strangers, Peace, Healing, Beauty, gentleness and Women’s Issues.
Incense: Strawberry, Sandalwood, Rose, Saffron, Verbena and Vanilla
Planet: Venus
Sign: Libra and Taurus
Angel: Ariel
Colors: Green, Pink, Aqua
Herbs/Plants: Pink Rose, Ivy, Birch, Heather, Clematis, Sage, Violet and Water Lilly
Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmarosa, Rose, Yarrow, Apple Blossom, Musk, Ambergris
Goddesses: Astarte, Aphrodite, Erzulie, Aida Wedo, Eve, Venus, Freya, Diana, Aset [Isis], The Witch Of Gaeta, Chalchiuhtlique
_________________________ Daily Wisdom January 10, 2020
Confidence
“Nothing so bolsters our self-confidence and reconciles us with ourselves as the continuous ability to create; to see things grow and develop under our hand, day in, day out.”
-Eric Hoffer (1902-1983)
We are creating our lives every day. When we see the fruits of our labor, we feel good about ourselves and our abilities. By attending to our spiritual practices every day, we are growing spiritually. We can be confident that we are on the path, and headed in the right direction.
-Lissa Coffey
coffeytalk.com
_________________________________
Daily Tarot: The Empress
Everything you touch or talk about today is going to get bigger, so be careful with your words and actions. While today will be easygoing and agreeable, a few days from now something you set in motion today may come back in a bigger form. Watch out for exaggeration, even about good things. Go light on the flattery, and even sincere compliments, since it all may become grander than you intend.
astrology.com
___________________________
About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts are reblogged from various email newsletters that I receive each day.
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
_________________________
The icicles now fringe the trees
That swayed in summer’s gentle breeze,
When summer days were fair.
-Dora Read Goodale (1866-1915)
____________________________
Spiritual Unite: Mandalas: Spirituality, Art, And Therapy
Mandalas represent a whole world, God, the human being, life, and creation. This circular form is a symbol called archetype, that is, an image that is rooted in the collective subconscious that governs the inner order of nature, as in the zodiac signs system our birthday determines certain aspects of our personality.
By February, most of us are tired of the cold, snowy season. Imbolc reminds us that spring is coming soon, and that we only have a few more weeks of winter to go.
Modern Witch (Patheos) Getting Stoned with Moldavite
Picture it, 15 million years ago, humanity was just beginning to emerge and the world looked a lot different. Suddenly, over the skies of what is now Germany a light flashes in the heavens as a meteor enters Earth’s upper atmosphere and comes hurtling towards you.
Tetraktys: Full Moon Spell for Clear Communication in an Argument
Hello witches! After a long break, I am glad to be writing again on this blog! Today I am sharing a spell that I created to resolve a relationship issue. If you need to set things straight with someone, that spell is meant for you.
Today’s DIY: 15 Book Crafts to Upcycle Your Old Reads
Old books are a dime a dozen, and they make an ideal crafting medium. In fact, there are several creative ways to recycle old books without needing to be an artist.
Elephant Journal: A Simple, Transformational Ritual for the Lunar Eclipse in Cancer. {January 10th}
A full moon generally packs a lot of emotion and heightened sensitivity.
They are also a recipe for change should you choose to accept the opportunity.
1. Do you feel as if you’re in a “sparring match” with someone around you? If so, dreaming of a boxing match could indicate that it’s not going to get any better and you need to take steps to end it.
2. A boxer with a lot of injuries foreshadows a lot of ideas that are going to need further research and revisions. If the boxer is a woman, you’re nursing a lot of emotional scars that need more care than you’re giving them.
astrology.com
____________________________
EarthSky News: Moon in Taurus on January 6, 7 and 8
These next three nights – January 6, 7 and 8, 2020 – the bright waxing gibbous moon shines in front of the constellation Taurus the Bull. However, it will be difficult to envision the starlit figure of the Bull on these moonlit nights. Despite the lunar glare, you might see this constellation’s two major signposts: the star Aldebaran and the Pleiades star cluster, otherwise known as the Seven Sisters.
________________________ Patheos-Pagan: The Corner Crone: Daily Practice – Blessing Bowl
I’m in my second reading of Jason Mankey’s terrific new book, Witch’s Wheel of the Year: Rituals for Circles, Solitaries & Covens, savoring the practical wisdom he so generously shares. While the book primarily deals with sabbat rituals, there’s one particular element I’ve taken on as a daily practice in these last several weeks: The Blessing Bowl
“Problems exist only in the human mind.”
— Anthony de Mello
For most of us, there’s always a long ‘to do’ list. That’s a fact.
And it’s easy to feel victimized. ‘Poor me!’ That’s not a fact – that’s a choice.
Experiment with your life to explore how much your mind is your jailer. Simply let go of the ‘oh woe’ kinds of thoughts. Silence your mind. Be right here, right now. Decide what you will do now and do it, without buying in to the mind’s sob story. When one task is done, you can then choose another.
Allowing the mind to agonize about the size of the ‘to do’ list just makes us tired before we even get started. It doesn’t have to be this way.
“Don’t water your weeds.”
— Harvey Mackay
higherawareness.com
_____________________________
A Note from the Universe
When you start taking life too seriously it becomes more difficult to saunter.
Tell a friend,
The Universe
tut.com
_________________________ Today’s Recipe: Ginger and Turmeric Hot Cider
Warm apple cider is the perfect winter comfort drink. This special version combines two potent spices, ginger and turmeric for a unique flavor and nutrition profile.
__________________________________ Magical Correspondences for Wednesday
Intentions: Rules healings, the mind, Communication, Divination, Writing, Knowledge, Business Transactions, Debt, Fear, Loss, Travel and Money Matters, Addictions, Young People, Messages, Perception, Self Expression.
Incense: Jasmine, Lavender, Sweet Pea, Cinnamon, Cinquefoil
Planet: Mercury and Chiron (though this is a moon of Pluto)
Sign: Virgo
Angel: Raphael
Colors: Orange, Light Blue, Grey, Yellow and, Opalescent colors and Violet
Herbs/Plants: Fern, Lavender, Hazel, Cherry, Periwinkle
Stones: Aventurine, Bloodstone, Hematite, Moss Agate and Sodalite
Oil: (Mercury) Benzoin, Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Lavender
Goddesses: Aset [Isis], Demeter, Ceres, Spider Woman, Bona Dea, Oya,
Devi-Kali, Hella, Rhiannon, Coatlique, Maman Brigette, Sekhmet, Het Heret
[Hathor]
_________________________ Daily Wisdom January 8, 2020
Confidence
“All history makes clear that an indispensable quality of any man or class that wishes to lead, to hold power and privilege in society, is boundless self-confidence.”
-James Burnham (1905 – 1987)
Think of the word “confidence” and who comes to your mind? Chances are it is someone who is successful. Whether it is an athlete, a businessperson, or a rock star, confidence brings with it a kind of charisma. We can’t help but notice! It seems the one thing successful people have in common, no matter what field they are in, is confidence. It radiates from them.
-Lissa Coffey
-Lissa Coffey
coffeytalk.com
_________________________________
Daily Tarot: Temperance
Patience is your secret weapon to face down all obstacles today. Take your good old time to make sure you understand what needs to be done, for whom, why, and how. This methodical approach may not be your natural or favorite one, and it might annoy someone who has a different opinion of how urgent the issue is. Nonetheless, patience will get you through the day with fewer, if any, mishaps.
astrology.com
___________________________
About Cat’s Morning Bits: These daily posts are reblogged from various email newsletters that I receive each day.
The Fire and Light Of Imbolc: Cat’s Angel Message for February 2, 2019
February’s Theme: Trusting in the “unseen” and believing in yourself puts you on the path to manifesting your dreams and goals.
22: Today is Imbolc also called Candlemas or the Festival of Light. The Universe is asking us to embrace the faith we have in ourselves and in the new beginnings this faith brings. Imbolc is a time of renewal and our number for today is one power and purpose. Just like the first signs of spring we push towards the light in an effort to grow. As we reach towards the light our faith empowers us to find fulfillment in achieving our dreams and goals. Don’t force to make things happen. This is another lesson that we can learn from nature. Grow with purpose yet allow things to unfold. By doing so we achieve an overall sense of balance which restores us to harmony. Take time today to reaffirm your faith and where you are on your path as you move into this new cycle. Open your mind and heart and guide your thought seeds toward the light.
The celebration of Imbolc honors the Celtic goddess Brigid. This Triple Goddess of flame and light helps us to purify ourselves and our thoughts. She also promotes inspiration, creativity and the fertility needed to help our thought seeds grow and flourish. She tells us “Today we begin a journey towards the light. Gather the seeds that you have collected and choose the ones that represent your path. Tell me of your dreams and desires as you plant your seeds within your heart and mind and allow fire and light to fill you. Hope and optimism shine like the sun and like the sun they hold powerful energy. This energy will help you find your way as you nurture the seeds in your care”
The Sacred Stones associated with Imbolc include the following. Amethyst helps us to move forward. It is also a stone of change and helps us cope with the changes that new beginnings create. Bloodstone helps to get our creativity flowing and infuses our being with courage and vitality. Garnet stimulates our awareness of the now and helps us open the doors to our own unique creative energy and Turquoise provides mental clarity while promoting the peace and harmony necessary to simply allow things to unfold.
Bright blessings for a magickal day!
I invite you to share my work as long as no changes are made and to check out my websites:
