The Desert Path

The Dusty Ramblings of a Desert Pagan

Cat’s Morning Bits for July 3, 2019

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Cat

CMB green

Cat’s Morning Bits for July 3, 2019

Good Morning Beautiful Souls, grab a cup of your favorite morning brew and start things off with “Today’s Inspirations”. I hope you find something here that will make you feel good or help you on your path today.

Blessings, Cat

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Great is the sun, and wide he goes
Through empty heaven without repose;
And in the blue and glowing days
More thick than rain he showers his rays.
-Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-94)

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Spiritual Unite: Lynx Spirit Animal Meaning – Use Your Patience

The Lynx spirit animal appears in your life when there are hidden forces in your life.
Lynx spirit animal symbolizes:

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/lynx-spirit-animal/

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ThoughtCo: Holding a Pagan Blessing Ritual for New Babies

In a powerful scene in the landmark miniseries “Roots”, his jubilant father holds the infant Kunta Kinte up to the sky, and says, “Behold, the only thing greater than yourself.” In the same miniseries, many years later, the adult Kunta Kinte does the same thing with his own child, despite the fact that they are thousands of miles from his homeland.

https://www.learnreligions.com/how-to-hold-a-baby-blessing-ritual-2562529

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MBG: Feeling Stuck? Here’s An Exercise To Help You Discover Your Life’s Purpose

Are your needs for general physical health, safety, and human connection basically met? Are you looking for something else—an understanding of your purpose beyond the basics? Do you know that you have work to do in the world but you’re not quite sure what it is or how to do it?

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/feeling-stuck-heres-an-exercise-to-help-you-discover-your-lifes-purpose

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Daily Good: What Does it Take to Be Racially Literate?

Few people really believe that race does not affect their lives in some way, but most of us are unwilling to admit it. We avoid discussing these differences and do ourselves a disservice. Priya Vulchi and Winona Guo are two high school students who decided it was time to bring this discussion out in the open. The key, they say, is to face the issue with both our hearts and our minds, for our minds lead us to understand and our hearts lead us to care.

http://www.karmatube.org/videos.php?id=8177

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Elephant Journal: 14 Surprisingly Inspirational Quotes from Someone who Doesn’t Give a F*ck.

Mark Manson, author of best-selling books The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck and Everything is F*cked: A Book about Hope, looks at self-help with a cold eye.
He believes that happiness requires struggle and that positivity is a side effect of handling the negative things in our lives.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/07/14-surprisingly-inspirational-quotes-from-someone-who-doesnt-give-a-fck-david-baumrind/

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MNN: National park poster artist aims to inspire a new generation of nature lovers

Rob Decker visited his first national park when he was 6 years old. That trip to Yosemite made an impact. Two years later, on a 10,000-mile cross-country trip with his family, Decker visited five more national parks. He photographed them with a Kodak Duaflex camera with black-and-white film and was hooked.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/blogs/national-park-posters-rob-decker

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EarthSky News: Watch for a young moon after sunset

Over the next few evenings – July 3 to 6, 2019 – watch for the young moon in the west after sunset. Fresh from the July 2 South American solar eclipse, the moon will be a very thin crescent and hard to catch on July 3. But, especially if you live in the Americas or on an island in the Pacific, you might catch it shortly after sunset.

https://earthsky.org/tonight/go-young-moon-hunting-after-sunset

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Daily Tarot: High Priestess

Even if it’s a busy day at work or with loved ones, it may still be an introspective kind of day when you need to frequently take a quiet moment to reflect. Be organized and perform your tasks well, but also find those quiet instances when you can make sense of your feelings and impressions. You can get a great deal done today, and feel inwardly satisfied about it.

astrology.com

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Patheos-Pagan: Foxglove: Digitalis and the Faery Realm

The Queen of Elphame, the Faery Queen is an important figure in traditional witchcraft. With her consort the King of Elphame they rule over the People of Goda as they are known in the initiatory tradition based on the teachings of Robert Cochrane, the Clan of Tubal Cain. Foxglove or Digitalis purpurea, one variety of the plant has gone by many names that indicate its connection with the Faery Realm and the beings that populate it.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/poisonersapothecary/2019/07/02/foxglove-digitalis-and-the-faery-realm/

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Inner Journey:

CONTEMPLATE UNITY

“Poverty is in separatism. Abundance is in unity.”
— Torkom Saraydarian

Watch for those times when you perceive yourself to be separate from the rest of the world. When you find yourself feeling uncomfortable, threatened or isolated, remember Neale Donald Walsch’s words: “there’s only one of us in this room.”

When we perceive differences in thinking and behaving, we might remember that these are merely different expressions of the one universal life force. We can release judgment as to whether those differences are right or wrong or good or bad. We can drop the labels that divide the world into pieces, and simply appreciate the rich variety of ways that energy can manifest as form.

“If we are to achieve a rich culture, rich in contrasting values, we must recognize the whole gamut of human potentialities, and so weave a less arbitrary social fabric, one in which each diverse human gift will find a fitting place.”
— Margaret Mead

higherawareness.com
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Today’s Deity: The Three Norns

There are three Norns (Old Norse: “Nornir”) in Norse mythology and they live at the well Urd in Asgard (home of the Gods and Goddesses). Their names are Urd “What Once Was” (Old Norse “Urðr”), Verdandi “What Is Coming into Being” (Old Norse “Verðandi”) and Skuld “What Shall Be” (Old Norse “Skuld”), the three Norns are the Goddesses of fate in Norse mythology.

https://norse-mythology.net/norns-the-goddesses-of-fate-in-norse-mythology/

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A Note from the Universe

Of course you’re strong enough.

Or what would be the whole point?

Go forth,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Strawberry Lime Cake

This is an elegant looking yet easy to make cake for these warmer months. The juice from the strawberries seep into the sponge and makes for a really moist cake. Using both the juice and the zest of the limes really gives it a nice kick. I hope you enjoy this cake!

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Strawberry-Lime-Cake.html

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Magical Correspondences for Wednesday

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

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

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

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Daily Wisdom
July 3, 2019

Meditation

“The very best and utmost attainment in this life is to remain still and let God act and speak in thee.”

-Meister Eckhart
All the wisdom of the universe can be found in silence, can be experienced through meditation. When we are quiet, we allow spirit in, we are in-spired! This is how we get the answers we seek, this is how God communicates with us.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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

The Wheel of the Year is at the core of the Wiccan practices and it is used by a lot of modern witches. If you follow the Wiccan path, understanding it is a crucial step in your spiritual journey. What is it exactly? Why do we practice it? How does it work? In this article, I am sharing with you all I know on this topic. You will learn that following the Wheel of the Year goes further than simply observing the eight Sabbats.

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

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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 July 2, 2019

Posted on July 2, 2019 by Cat

CMB green

Cat’s Morning Bits for July 2, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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Now summer is in flower and nature’s hum
Is never silent round her sultry bloom
Insects as small as dust are never done
Wi’ glittering dance and reeling in the sun
And green wood fly and blossom haunting bee
Are never weary of their melody.
-John Clare (1793-1864)

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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.
It can also warn you of your dark side, and to be wary of your temptations and desires.

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/spider-spirit-animal/

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ThoughtCo: Do Pagans Believe in God?

So you’re interested in Wicca, or some other form of Paganism, but now you’re a little worried because some well-meaning friend or family member has cautioned you that Pagans don’t believe in God. Oh no! What’s a new Pagan to do? What’s the deal here, anyway?

https://www.learnreligions.com/do-pagans-believe-in-god-2561833

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MBG: How To Tap Into The Emotional Force Of Tonight’s New Moon In Cancer

This July 2, the Cancer new moon, which is also a powerful partial solar eclipse, offers a healing moment to open our hearts and be more demonstrative with our loved ones. The zodiac’s Crab is all about security, and this new moon asks us all to examine: What does “home” mean to you?

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/new-moon-july-2019-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-cancer-moon

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Daily Tarot: The Hanged Man

Possibly a romantically disquieting day, you may begin to suspect that your love is not being returned, at least not in kind. Or perhaps you can’t bring yourself to return the affections of an ardent admirer. This might feel even worse. The head and heart don’t always speak the same language or have the same opinions. Be strong and as kind as you can.

astrology.com

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Elephant Journal: 7 Buddha Quotes that will bring Peace to your Chaos.

If someone can help us in solving modern-day problems with the help of just a line or a quote, then that lifesaver is none other than lord Buddha.

Siddhartha Buddha or Gautama Buddha was a sage who influenced a lot of people with his teachings and beliefs. The meaning of the word “Buddha” is “the enlightened one” or “the awakened one.”

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/06/some-quotes-by-lord-buddha-for-living-a-positive-life/

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MNN: What to see in the night sky in July

While fireworks will dominate the evening skies on the Fourth of July across the U.S., the rest of the month will feature visual spectacles of a different kind, from the full Thunder Moon to close encounters with other planets.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/space/blogs/what-see-night-sky-july

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Today’s Deity: Diana

In Roman mythology, Diana (lt. “heavenly” or “divine”) was the goddess of the hunt and moon and birthing, being associated with wild animals and woodland, and having the power to talk to and control animals. She was equated with the Greek goddess Artemis, though she had an independent origin in Italy.

https://www.crystalinks.com/diana.html

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Patheos-Pagan: Working With “Tarot For Troubled Times” By Shaheen Miro and Theresa Reed

I’ve been a fan of Theresa Reed since long before I met her, and then she became one of my favorite people of all time. When I heard she had, with Shaheen Miro, co-authored a new book called Tarot for Troubled Times, I was delighted. This book is what we all need right now. It’s a navigational tool in troubled times

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/doubletoilandresist/2019/07/working-with-tarot-for-troubled-times-by-shaheen-miro-and-theresa-reed/

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Inner Journey:

INTUIT AND DO IT

“If doubt is challenging you and you do not act, doubts will grow. Challenge the doubts with action and you will grow. Doubt and action are incompatible.”
— John Kanary

To reap the greatest benefits from intuition, we need ACTION. Be in motion. Act as if your highest expectations have already happened. Be in front of more opportunities and people. Let go of any blocks or attachments. Create mental space and physical space. Plan your work and work your plan.

Miracles rarely happen by doing nothing. Most miracles happen through other people.

What actions can you take that will move you towards your goals?

“Never forget that life can only be nobly inspired and rightly lived if you take it bravely and gallantly, as a splendid adventure in which you are setting out into an unknown country, to meet many a joy, to find many a comrade, to win and lose many a battle.”
— Annie Besant

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

You could always send a golden thought balloon to the most rocking possible version of your future self, and thank them for reaching back to you with inspiration, hunches, instincts, and impulses, to help you bridge all gaps, connect all dots, and leap tall buildings… you know, to bring about your quickest merger.

Love mergers,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Watermelon Cookies

You really have to allow yourself some space and time to make these. They are time consuming, but I won First Prize in 1998 at the Oregon State Fair for them, so for me, they were worth it.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf83580054.tip.html

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Magical Correspondences for Tuesday

Intentions: Courage, Destination, Physical Strength, Revenge, Military Honors, Surgery and the Breaking of Negative Spells, Matrimony, War, Enemies, Prison, Vitality and Assertiveness

Incense: Dragon’s Blood, Patchouli, Lignum Aloes, Plantain

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

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

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Daily Wisdom
July 2, 2019

Meditation

“You are used to listening to the buzz of the world, but now is the time to develop the inner ear that listens to the inner world. It is time to have a foot in each world, and it can be done.”
-Saint Bartholomew

It’s all about balance. Rather than getting inundated by the buzz of the world, we can tune in to the silence, turn on that higher frequency and experience what really matters. And then the beauty of meditation is that we bring that experience of stillness back into our activity, and find that life is just so much easier and more fulfilling. We are better able to feel the joy that is always there.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 6 Ways Moms Can Spiritually Nurture Themselves

Wearing caked on makeup from the prior day because you crashed on the sofa. Walking around with formula stains on your sweater and it’s too late to go back home and change. Such a glamorous life most bleary-eyed mothers live. Ordering diapers, having enough butt cream are normal.

Cat’s Morning Bits for July 1, 2019

Posted on July 1, 2019 by Cat

CMB green

Cat’s Morning Bits for July 1, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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When the heat like a mist veil floats,
And poppies flame in the rye,
And the silver note in the streamlet’s throat
Has softened almost to a sigh. It is July.
-Susan Hartley Swett (1860-1907)

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Spiritual Unite: The Third Eye, The Pineal Gland: How We Are Connected To The Cosmos

It all comes down to the mystical Third Eye. The Third Eye is an inner visual organ and a concept in mysticism.
It refers in part to the Ajna chakra of Eastern spiritual traditions. The Third eye is said to be the gate that leads into the spaces of higher consciousness within.

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/the-third-eye-the-pineal-gland-how-we-are-connected-to-the-cosmos/

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ThoughtCo: Sun Worship

At Litha, the summer solstice, the sun is at its highest point in the sky. Many ancient cultures marked this date as significant, and the concept of sun worship is one nearly as old as mankind itself. In societies that were primarily agricultural, and depended on the sun for life and sustenance, it is no surprise that the sun became deified. While many people today might take the day to grill out, go to the beach, or work on their tans, for our ancestors the summer solstice was a time of great spiritual import.

https://www.learnreligions.com/history-of-sun-worship-2562246

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MBG: A Dancing Ritual For Rejoicing During The New Moon In Cancer

In today’s world, if you have the means and the time to commit to self-growth, doing so can be nearly addicting. It provides an opportunity for perfectionists like me to stay in the zone of continuous self-work—without taking a moment to just rejoice.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/new-moon-in-cancer-2019-a-dancing-ritual-for-rejoice

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Daily Tarot: The Sun

Not only may you be inherently happy today, you’ll be able to explore all manner of intellectual problems, puzzles, and concerns. Great satisfaction can come from even the smallest insight, and if you can connect with the right person, you may have a conversation that will enrich and inform you for months to come. You may be attracted to more difficult problems today, and you’ll be up to the challenge.

astrology.com

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Elephant Journal: July’s Astrology Report: 2 Dark Moons, 2 Eclipses (Plus “You Know Who” is in Retrograde).

When’s the new moon? There’s an eclipse? What sun sign are we in? Is it Mercury retrograde again?
These are the questions I receive daily from my tribe. It’s so much easier to follow the natural cycles of the cosmos when we don’t have to search for each bit of information separately.

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 28, 2019

Posted on June 28, 2019 by Cat

CMB green

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 28, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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Ten o’clock: the broken moon
Hangs not yet a half hour high,
Yellow as a shield of brass,
In the dewy air of June,
Poised between the vaulted sky
And the ocean’s liquid glass.
-Emma Lazarus (1849-87)

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Spiritual Unite: Moth Spirit Animal Meaning – Blinded By The Light

Your moth spirit animal signifies that you are hiding your problems from yourself and others around you.
It also represents optimism in the face of adversity, as well as searching for the light in your life.

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/moth-spirit-animal/

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ThoughtCo: Magical Days Of the Week

In many traditions of Paganism, days of the week are very important aspects of effective spellcasting. For example, spells to do with abundance or prosperity could be done on Thursday, because it is associated with riches and desire. When casting a spell concerning business or communication, one might prefer to work on a Wednesday due to its associations.

https://www.learnreligions.com/magical-days-of-the-week-2561697

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MBG: For The Judgy Among Us: 6 Things That Happen Every Time You Judge Someone

It may seem there’s something natural, even good about judgment. After all, just about every time our eyes alight on someone or something, we judge it as good or bad based on how it stacks up against our inner ideal of how things should be.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/why-judging-others-is-bad-for-us-and-how-to-stop-being-judgmental

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Daily Good: What We Should Know About Animals

It’s easy to assume that animals experience happiness (just think of a dog wagging its tail), but what about higher-level emotions and qualities like selflessness, empathy, or even love? In “Beyond Words: How Animals Think and Feel,” conservationist Carl Safina shares stories from decades of observing animals and combines it with new brain research to paint a picture of animals’ emotional landscape that sounds remarkably like our own. In this interview, he shares a story about a wolf who selflessly tries to distract other wolves from attacking his sister, and a whale who saves a seal. He also suggests that animals’ experience of life is not a limited version of our own, but rather a more vivid one.

https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/07/150714-animal-dog-thinking-feelings-brain-science/

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Elephant Journal: Venus & Cancer: A Powerful & Romantic combination to Deepen our Connections. {July 3 to 27}

From July 3rd to 27th, love and beauty planet Venus is in the sign of sensitive and romantic Cancer, allowing us to deepen our connections.
This marks a few blissful weeks where we can be softer, sweeter, and more attuned to the feelings of the people around us.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/06/deepen-your-connection-with-venus-in-cancer/

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MNN: What to see in the night sky in July
Saturn shines all month and Neptune’s at its brightest point all year.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/space/blogs/what-see-night-sky-july

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Today’s Deity: Meretseger

Meretseger (Mertseger, Merseger, Mereseger) was the goddess of the necropolis at Thebes (Waset, in the 4th Nome of Upper Egypt). Her name means “She Who Loves Silence”. She was believed to live on the mountian which dominates the skyline at Thebes and rises above the valley of the Kings and Queens. The mountain (known as “dehent”) formed a natural pyramid, and the word for “pyramid” in Egyptian was “mr” which formed a pun on the first sylable of her name.

https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/meretseger/

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Daily Tarot: Temperance

Instinct and impulsive action will cause more trouble than they can solve today, so spend more time reasoning things out and being careful about what you say and do. Asking questions is a good idea. It will get you information you need, and show how thorough, bright, and capable you are. It might take a bit longer, but it will save time and effort in the end.

astrology.com

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EarthSky News: See moon and stars of Taurus before sunrise

The moon is soon to swing by the Pleiades star cluster and star Aldebaran, which rank as the two most prominent signposts in the constellation Taurus the Bull. The moon swings to the south of the Pleiades cluster on June 29, 2019, and then to the north of Aldebaran on June 30, 2019. Finally, the moon will meet up with the planet Venus in the glow of morning dawn on or near July 1, 2019

https://earthsky.org/tonight/see-moon-and-taurus-before-sunrise

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Patheos-Pagan: Regional Cultus: Building a Local Religion

I have lived in Nebraska all my life. These rolling hills, wide rivers, and endless horizons have shaped me, made me who I am. When I first became interested in Paganism, I learned about Danu, Sequana, Sulis. River Goddesses from all over Europe are honored by Pagans in America.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/heathenatheart/2019/06/regional-cultus-building-a-local-religion/

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Inner Journey:

Soul lives in connection

“We all seek Soul. While Soul is always present, it doesn’t appear in our lives automatically. Soul requires our attention and reflection. Offering our respectful regard to the Soul is a way of loving it, caring for it,nurturing it.”
— Benjamin Shield and Richard Carlson

How do we experience soul in our lives?

It’s so simple! STOP AND PAY ATTENTION! Soul lives in connection. Whenever we are present and conscious, soul emerges.

To easily experience soul, find something you love to do and immerse yourself in it. Consciously savour a favourite piece of music. Consciously enjoy a walk in nature. Really experience your breathing and the pounding of your heart as you exercise. Really be present to your partner, your kids, your pet or another, and you will know the contentment of soul.

“I think that whenever soul is present, it’s because what you’re doing, whom you’re with, where you are, evokes love without your thinking about it. You are totally absorbed in the place or person or event, without ego and without judgment.”
— Jean Shinoda Bolen

higherawareness.com
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Today’s Recipe: Cucumber and Watermelon Salad

While the combination may sound strange, cucumber and watermelon combine to make a delicious salad.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Cucumber-and-Watermelon-Salad.html

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Magical Correspondences for Friday

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

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

Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmrosa, Rose, Yarrow, Apple Blossom, Musk, Ambergris

Goddesses: Astarte, Aphrodite, Erzulie, Aida Wedo, Eve, Venus, Freya, Diana, Aset [Isis], The Witch Of Gaeta, Chalchiuhtlique

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Daily Wisdom
June 28, 2019

Colors

“Black was bestlooking… Ebony was the best wood, the hardest wood; it was black. Virginia ham was the best ham. It was black on the outside. Tuxedos and tail coats were black and they were a man’s finest, most expensive clothes. You had to use pepper to make most meats and vegetables fit to eat. The most flavorsome pepper was black. The best caviar was black. The rarest jewels were black: black opals, black pearls.”
-Ann Petry, The Narrows, 1953

Black is elegant, and mysterious. Black is often said to be the absence of color, but I think it deserves a place as a color itself. The fashion world certainly couldn’t function without it! Maybe black has gotten a bad rap because it is associated with the villain’s hat – but black, like white, is like a canvas, and we can paint on it most vividly!

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: Action Steps ~ Learning to trust your Knowing
Taking action steps can be confusing when you are waiting for a sign! How do you know when it is time to act and when it is time to wait and allow? When you have been working towards important goals and…
Read more………………..

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

I invite you to check out my websites!

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

Cat’s Treasure Trove …. an eclectic collection of jewelry & gifts! https://thedesertpath.com
Sacred Spirals (the place where all paths meet)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SacredSpirals/

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 27, 2019

Posted on June 27, 2019 by Cat

CMB green

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 27, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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Spiritual Unite: Spiritual Awakening Symptoms – Anger – Assert Yourself

One of the most immediate and obvious symptoms of spiritual awakening is anger and frustration.
This destructive force comes on suddenly during the process of awakening and is actually a result of deeper parts of you “waking up” as you empower yourself.

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/spiritual-awakening-symptoms-anger-assert-yourself/

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ThoughtCo: Shamanism: Definition, History, and Beliefs

The practice of shamanism is found around the world in a variety of different cultures, and involves spirituality that often exists within an altered state of consciousness. A shaman typically holds a respected position in his or her community, and performs vitally important spiritual leadership roles

https://www.learnreligions.com/shamanism-definition-4687631

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Daily Good: A Primer for Forgetting

“We live in a culture that prizes memory–how much we can store, the quality of what’s preserved, how we might better document and retain the moments of our life while fighting off the nightmare of losing all that we have experienced. But what if forgetfulness were seen not as something to fear–be it in the form of illness or simple absentmindedness–but rather as a blessing, a balm, a path to peace and rebirth? A Primer for Forgetting is a remarkable experiment in…

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2345/a-primer-for-forgetting-lewis-hyde/

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Elephant Journal: 12 Brené Brown Quotes to Kick our Ass into Courage, Self-Worthiness & Vulnerable Imperfection.

Brené Brown is one of my go-to sources of inspiration, wisdom, and self-care.
She has a way of telling us the things that are hardest to hear—but they are also the reminders we need the most.

She pinpoints the humanity and imperfections and vulnerable soft spots in all of us

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/06/12-brene-brown-quotes-to-kick-our-ass-into-courage-self-worthiness-vulnerable-imperfection-kelsey-michal/

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MNN: The Ozark chestnut, thought to be long gone, is making a comeback

The Ozark chinquapin (Castanea ozarkensis), also called the Ozark chestnut, was once a common species found in the Ozark forests. The tree, which bloomed in late May to early June, was native to mountain regions of Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma but could also be found in several other states including parts of Texas, Louisiana, Virginia, Alabama and Mississippi.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/blogs/believed-be-long-gone-ozark-chinquapin-tree-back

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Daily Tarot: The Judgement

It may be a busy, perhaps chaotic, day but underneath it all will be a prevailing sense of good will. Judgement tells you that people will wish you well and want to help you, no matter how much work they create for you. You may enjoy a cheerful outlook, too, that will last all day and make you productive and popular. Enjoy some good times with people today.

asttology.com

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EarthSky News: Latest sunsets follow summer solstice

For people living around 40 degrees north latitude, the latest sunset of the year happens on or near June 27. And in the Southern Hemisphere, at 40 degrees south latitude, it’s the year’s latest sunrise that happens around now. That’s in spite of the fact that the Northern Hemisphere’s longest (or Southern Hemisphere’s shortest) day of the year fell on the June 21st solstice.

https://earthsky.org/tonight/at-midnorthern-latitudes-latest-sunsets-of-the-year-in-late-june

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Patheos-Pagan: An Earth Centered Lord’s Prayer for Those Who Are Doing the Work

Our Mother Earth who art with us always
Hallowed be thy Soil.
Thine river blood, thy sacred flood
On Earth as it was, be fertile.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/dandelionlady/2019/06/an-earth-centered-lords-prayer-for-those-who-are-doing-the-work.html

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Inner Journey:

DIRECT YOUR EVOLUTION

“Consciousness is the basis of all life and the field of all possibilities. Its nature is to expand and unfold its full potential. The impulse to evolve is thus inherent in the very nature of life.”
— Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Unlike other species, human beings can monitor our own evolutionary process. Better yet, we have the awareness and power to design our evolutionary path.

As creators, we are not limited to evolving through tiny, incremental steps. With our potent imaginations, we can design and manifest dramatic, profound change. How remarkable! What an awesome responsibility. What fun!

Our challenge is to break free of our present concept of reality to create brand new dreams that will bring the ideal to life.

“There is only one thing more powerful than all the armies of the world, that is an idea whose time has come.”
— Victor Hugo

“We lie in the lap of immense intelligence.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Remember you’re always granted lots of leeway, wiggle room, and tolerance when engaging life’s magic.

You pretty much just need to have a dream and show up, then wands start waving all over the place.

Abara-shazaam!

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Creamy Zucchini Bacon Soup

I had an overabundance of white zucchini so I thought I’d try to make a soup with it. You can use regular zucchini in lieu of white zucchini for this. I used bacon as the flavourful base for it, then topped it off with crispy bacon as a stir-in garnish. It was so hearty and delicious!

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Creamy-Zucchini-Bacon-Soup.html

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Magical Correspondences for Thursday

Intentions: Luck, Happiness, Health/ Healing, Religion, Legal Matters, Male Fertility, Treasure and Wealth, Honor, Riches, Clothing Desires, Leadership, Public Activity, Power and Success, Trade and Employment

Incense: Cinnamon,Henbane Nutmeg and Sage

Planet: Jupiter
Sign: Sagittarius and Pisces
Angel: Sachiel
Colors: Purple, Royal Blue and Indigo
Herbs/Plants: Cinnamon, Beech, Buttercup, Coltsfoot, Oak
Stones: Sugilite, Amethyst, Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli and Sapphire
Oil: (Jupiter) Clove, Lemon Balm, Oakmoss, Star Anise

Goddesses: Juno, Hera, Kwan Yin, Mary, Cybele, Tara, Mawu, Mlaba Mwana Waresa, Ishtar, Nuit

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Daily Wisdom
June 27, 2019

Colors

Of all colors, brown is the most satisfying. It is the deep, fertile tint of the earth itself; it lies hidden beneath every field and garden; it is the garment of multitudes of earth’s children, from the mouse to the eagle.”

-Mary Webb, The Spring of Joy, 1917

Brown isn’t one of the colors in the rainbow- and yet, could you imagine a world without it? To me, brown represents nature – tree trunks, dirt, things that are real. And chocolate! No, I couldn’t imagine a world without it…

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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

I invite you to check out my websites!

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

Cat’s Treasure Trove …. an eclectic collection of jewelry & gifts! https://thedesertpath.com
Sacred Spirals (the place where all paths meet)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SacredSpirals/

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 25, 2019

Posted on June 25, 2019 by Cat

CMB green

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 25, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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Oh that it were with me
As with the flower;
Blooming on its own tree
For butterfly and bee
Its summer morns:
That I might bloom mine hour
A rose in spite of thorns.
-Christina Rossetti (1830-94)

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Spiritual Unite: Raven Spirit Animal Meaning – Mysterious And Creative

The raven spirit animal comes into your life when you are seeking guidance from higher powers.
It symbolises mystery, wisdom, intellect and creativity. It can also symbolise mischief and intimidation as (partly) negative traits.

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/raven-spirit-animal-meaning-mysterious-and-creative/

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Pioneer Thinking: Yogurt Remedies

I didn’t grow up eating yogurt, I got introduced to it as an adult. At first, I was unimpressed, but I’ve gotten used to it, and I love some of the uses it can be put to. Many people point to its uses in cooking, and there are quite a few uses, but I’m more impressed by the other things it can be used for

https://pioneerthinking.com/yogurt-and-you-alternative-remedies

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MBG: Weekly Horoscope: There’s An Important Quarter Moon Coming Our Way

This week, the AstroTwins break down three major astrological transits we have in store.
Neptune squares with Venus on Monday, and it’ll leave us all feeling scatterbrained.
Too much of a good thing is, well, not a good thing. But everyone’s susceptible to overdoing it this Monday, June 24, as nebulous Neptune crashes into a boundary-challenging square with decadent Venus

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/weekly-horoscope-june-24-30-2019-from-the-astrotwins

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Daily Good: The Gift of Humility

The act of receiving a gift from another requires recognition of our dependence on those around us. Yet it can be difficult for us to live in a space where we’re confronted with the notion of giving up control. “From the air we breathe, to the body we each inhabit, we are living a profound gift, and yet, we can struggle to see and relate to life as a gift,” writes Colette Lafia, a San Francisco-based spiritual director, workshop leader, and writer. In this article from gratefulness.org, Lafia examines how we can bring more gratitude into our lives by accepting humility as a component of our humanness, and offers a practice to cultivate greater togetherness.

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2325/the-gift-of-humility-colette-lafia/

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Elephant Journal: How to Ward off Bad Energy using Sage & Palo Santo.

Have you ever used a bundle of sage and palo santo to ward off the bad energy or envy and to fill yourself up with goodness?
You should, it really works! You light the bundle on fire to clear the energy in your physical space—and you can even sage yourself.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/06/how-to-ward-off-bad-energy-with-sage-palo-santo-video-shilamida-kupershteyn/

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MNN: How to identify a tree by its bark

Glance at a tree and you no doubt first look at its leaves. There are all sorts of interesting shapes and sizes, and often people will learn to recognize a species based on its leaf fingerprint. Other times, you can recognize a tree by its flowers.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/blogs/how-identify-tree-its-bark

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EarthSky News: Come to know the Summer Triangle

We in the Northern Hemisphere can see the Summer Triangle for part of the night at any time of the year. But seeing it in summer is the most fun! As suggested by its name, the Summer Triangle is most prominent during the summer season, for us at mid-northern latitudes. Seeing the Summer Triangle again and again on summer nights is a deep pleasure that adds to the enjoyment of this season.

https://earthsky.org/tonight/summer-triangle-predominates-during-the-summer-seaso

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Patheos-Pagan: Spinning Without Motion Between Three Elements…

One looks with both eyes at the tip of the nose, sits upright in a comfortable position, and holds the heart to the centre in the midst of conditions. In Taoism, it is called the yellow castle, in Buddhism the centre of the midst of conditions. The two are the same. It does not necessarily mean the middle of the head.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/bythepalemoonlight/2019/06/spinning-without-motion-between-three-elements/

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Inner Journey:

LISTEN TO THE QUIET VOICE INSIDE

“To know how to choose a path with heart is to learn how to follow intuitive feeling.”
— Jean Shinoda Bolen

What ideas are teasing you these days?

Are you aware of any little gems floating around your consciousness these days? Charged little thoughts that beckon you to pay attention to them? Inspiration and intuition often bring powerful new ideas to us very subtly, very quietly. When you become aware of being teased by an idea, follow it!

“Get your ideas on paper and study them. Do not let them go to waste!”
— Les Brown

higherawareness.com
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Today’s Deity: Skadi (Norse)

Known as the snowshoe goddess, Skadi is the Norse giant goddess of winter, hunting, and skiing. She rules over mountains, wildernesses, winter, revenge, knowledge, damage, justice, and independence. Passionate in her pursuits, especially in the pursuit of justice, Skadi is also determined to live how she wants and not be told by the gods of Asgard.

https://norsegodsandgoddesses.net/goddesses/skadi/

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A Note from the Universe

Sometimes when circumstances or disappointments bump you off track, it’s the beginning of an even bigger dream coming true, that could not have come true on the track you were on.

Yeah, always.

Always, always –

The Universe

tut.com

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Daily Tarot: The Sun

astrology.com

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Today’s Recipe: Fresh Mango Shake

A mango shake is a refreshing drink for summers and extremely simple to make!

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Fresh-Mango-Shake.html

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Magical Correspondences for Tuesday

Intentions: Courage, Destination, Physical Strength, Revenge, Military Honors, Surgery and the Breaking of Negative Spells, Matrimony, War, Enemies, Prison, Vitality and Assertiveness

Incense: Dragon’s Blood, Patchouli, Lignum Aloes, Plantain

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

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Daily Wisdom
June 25 2019

Colors

“Red has been praised for its nobility of the color of life. But the true color of life is not red. Red is the color of violence, or of life broken open, edited, and published.” -Alice Meynell, The Color of Life, 1896

I don’t think there are any “bad” colors – just different emotions and connotations that we associate with them, just like we do with anything else. Red it interesting that way- it’s vibrant and bold – and yet can signal danger, and heat. Like anything, it’s our own perception that we impose on it.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Pioneer Thinking: DIY Lip Balm Recipes

These homemade recipes don’t contain preservatives, artificial colors or sweeteners. They are made with natural wax, oils and essential oils. If you can follow a simple recipe then you will have no problem making your own lip balms. Try these lip moisturizing recipes

https://pioneerthinking.com/delicious-lip-balm-recipes

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

I invite you to check out my websites!

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

Cat’s Treasure Trove …. an eclectic collection of jewelry & gifts! https://thedesertpath.com
Sacred Spirals (the place where all paths meet)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SacredSpirals/

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 24, 2019

Posted on June 24, 2019 by Cat

CMB green

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 24, 2019

Blessings, Cat

_________________________

Long about knee-deep in June,
‘Bout the time strawberries melts
On the vines
-James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916)

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Spiritual Unite: Elder Tree Symbolism – Protection And Reinvention

The Elder tree is a deciduous tree native to many European countries. It has featured in symbolism and traditional medicine across many European cultures for as long as we have records.
It is linked with symbolism related to death, rebirth, self-assessment and legacy

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/elder-tree-symbolism-protection-and-reinvention/

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ThoughtCo: How To Start Your Own Pagan or Wiccan Study Group

Many Pagans choose to form study groups rather than covens. The word “coven” implies some degree of hierarchy. In other words, there’s someone nominally in charge who probably has more knowledge than everyone else. This is typically a High Priest or High Priestess. With a study group, however, everyone is on an equal playing field and can learn at the same pace.

https://www.learnreligions.com/start-your-own-pagan-study-group-2562611

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MBG: How To Tune In To The Soft & Receptive Energy Of Cancer Season

Every 30 days or so, the Sun visits a new zodiac sign. During this “season,” everyone feels the prevailing energy, no matter what your Sun sign. Cancer season is a homespun solar spell that will emphasize domestic bliss and family affairs until July 22.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/heres-how-to-tune-into-the-soft-and-receptive-energy-of-cancer-season

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Daily Good: Happiness Experts on Why Mind Wandering Can Be So Miserable

In the last 15 years, the science of mind wandering has become a popular topic of scholarly study, thanks in part to advances in brain imaging. It turns out that our brains are wily, wild things, and what they do when we’re not paying attention has major implications for our happiness. In 2010, Matt Killingsworth, then a doctoral student at Harvard University, designed an iPhone app that pinged people throughout the day, asking what they were experiencing at that very moment. You’ll want to know his surprising discovery

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

Posted on June 21, 2019 by Cat

Litha

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

Blessings, Cat

_________________________

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Daily Good: Island of Plenty

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

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

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

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

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

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

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MNN: 7 things to know about the summer solstice

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

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

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EarthSky News: Happy solstice, everyone!

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

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

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

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

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

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Softly

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

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

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

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

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Inner Journey:

CONNECT WITH THE LIFE FORCE

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

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

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

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

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Generosity and gratitude turn good into great.

Thank you, you’re welcome

The Universe

tut.com

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

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

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Magical Correspondences for Friday

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

Stones: Rose Quartz, Moonstone, Pink Tourmaline, Peridot, Emerald and Jade
Oil: (Venus) Cardamom, Palmrosa, Rose, Yarrow, Apple Blossom, Musk, Ambergris

Goddesses: Astarte, Aphrodite, Erzulie, Aida Wedo, Eve, Venus, Freya, Diana, Aset [Isis], The Witch Of Gaeta, Chalchiuhtlique

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Daily Wisdom
June 21, 2019

Comfort

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

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

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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

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

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

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

I invite you to check out my websites!

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

Cat’s Treasure Trove …. an eclectic collection of jewelry & gifts! https://thedesertpath.com
Sacred Spirals (the place where all paths meet)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SacredSpirals/

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 20, 2019

Posted on June 20, 2019 by Cat

CMB green

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 20, 2019

Blessings, Cat

_________________________

Paula is digging and shaping the loam of a salvia,
Scarlet Chinese talker of summer.
Two petals of crabapple blossom blow fallen in Paula’s hair
And fluff of white from a cottonwood.
-Carl Sandburg (1878-1902)

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Spiritual Unite: Turkey Spirit Animal Meaning – Share Gratitude For Abundance

When the turkey is your spirit animal, you are resonating with Mother Earth and the natural world.
The symbolic meanings of the turkey are becoming central to your life at this point, so it is essential to pay attention to the message.

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/turkey-spirit-animal-meaning-share-gratitude-for-abundance/

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ThoughtCo: Litha Prayers

Midsummer is the time when we celebrate the bounty of the earth and the power of the sun. Our fields are flourishing, fruits are blossoming on the trees, herb bushes are fragrant and full of life. The sun is at its highest point in the sky, and it has bathed the earth in its warmth, heating up the soil so that when autumn rolls around, we’ll have a rich and bountiful harvest. These prayers celebrate the different aspects of midsummer. Feel free to modify them to suit the needs of your tradition.

https://www.learnreligions.com/prayers-and-blessings-for-litha-4051842

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Daily Good: Happiness is Practice, Not Pleasure

Put aside your preconceptions of happiness and join Krista Tippett with French born Tibetan monk Matthieu Ricard, author of Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life’s Most Important Skill. Ricard reframes happiness as not simply a pleasure or sensation to be experienced, but as a skill to be practiced and cultivated. He asks, “What are the inner conditions that foster a genuine sense of flourishing, of fulfillment?”

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2340/happiness-is-practice-not-pleasure-on-being/

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Elephant Journal: The Unconventional Way I Healed from Heartbreak.

I’m a statistic: just one of millions of women who have a failed marriage as a chapter in their life story.
I am also one of millions of women who discovered that having your heart ripped out of your chest can be a great way to learn how strong you are and to discover a whole new life waiting for you on the other side of the pain.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/06/how-a-trip-to-home-depot-saved-me-from-the-wreckage-of-my-divorce-rebecca-west/

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Daily Tarot: The Moon

You may be dwelling on your weakness or discomfort, and those things may be real enough, but take heart and know that these things are also temporary and are not going to last much longer. You underestimate or overlook your great powers of recovery and self-healing. You have too much love of life to be kept down for long. Give yourself a break and relax a bit.

astronomy.com

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MNN: 8 mind-boggling dolphin facts

Dolphins never cease to amaze. As researchers delve into the underwater world of these brilliant cetaceans, we’re learning how full of surprises these creatures are, from their intricate social lives to their intelligence. Here are just some of the ways dolphins are exceptional, both physically and mentally.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/7-mind-boggling-dolphin-facts

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Today’s Deity: Spider Woman

Spider Woman appears in the mythology of several Native American tribes, including the Navajo, Keresan, and Hopi. In most cases, she is associated with the emergence of life on earth. She helps humans by teaching them survival skills. Spider Woman also teaches the Navajos the art of weaving. Before weavers sit down at the loom, they often rub their hands in spider webs to absorb the wisdom and skill of Spider Woman.

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EarthSky News: Longest sunsets happen around the solstice

Here’s a natural phenomenon you might never have imagined. That is, the sun actually takes more time to set around the time of a solstice.
It’s true. The longest sunsets (and sunrises) occur at or near the solstices. The shortest sunsets (and sunrises) occur at or near the equinoxes. This is true whether you live in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere.

https://earthsky.org/tonight/longest-sunsets-around-solstices

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Patheos-Pagan: Finding Magickal Tools

What kind of magickal tools you use and where to find them has been a topic of hot conversation for as long as I can remember. Certain traditions have very strict rules about magickal tools. Outside of any traditions that you are a part of, you have a lot of flexibility when it comes to finding magickal tools. Here are the stories of a few of my faves.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thewitchesnextdoor/2019/06/finding-magickal-tools/

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Inner Journey:

APPRECIATION

“You can never get to peace and inner security without first acknowledging all of the good things in your life. If you’re forever wanting and longing for more without first appreciating things the way they are, you’llstay in discord.”
— Doc Childre and Howard Martin

Develop an attitude of gratitude. We discover a sense of wholeness as we appreciate both the small and big things in our lives. And it really helps to remember to appreciate ourselves. Appreciation is more than just acceptance — it’s respect and admiration.Let go of criticism and self-abuse.

“Generally, appreciation means some blend of thankfulness, admiration, approval, and gratitude. In the financial world, something that ‘appreciates’ grows in value. With the power tool of appreciation, you get the benefitof both perspectives: as you learn to be consistently thankful and approving, your life will grow in value.”
— Doc Childre and Howard Martin

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Even dwelling upon the end result, imagining all the glorious consequences, and feeling the joy you anticipate in advance still doesn’t compare to the power you wield, the dragons you slay, and the legions you command when you act as if your greatest dreams have already come true.
Olé…

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Pulled Pork Swineapple

What do you get when you cross pulled pork, pineapple, and bacon? Swineapple! This is a fun stuffed pineapple recipe for these hotter months that will make your friends and family squeal. Give it a try!

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Pulled-Pork-Swineapple.html

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Magical Correspondences for Thursday

Incense: Cinnamon,Henbane Nutmeg and Sage

Goddesses: Juno, Hera, Kwan Yin, Mary, Cybele, Tara, Mawu, Mlaba Mwana Waresa, Ishtar, Nuit

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Daily Wisdom
June 20, 2019
Comfort

“One sits uncomfortably on a too comfortable cushion.”

-Lillian Hellman, 1976

What I get from this is that there is such a thing as “too comfortable” and that’s not necessarily a good thing. We need a certain amount of change, and renewal in our lives to keep things moving, to keep things active. Life spurs us on – and one way it does that is by making us uncomfortable sometimes. We feel the need to seek comfort, and that causes us to grow.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Natural Living Ideas: 5 Genius Ways To Use Essential Oils In The Kitchen

Essential oils are handy to have around when you are working in the kitchen. They can be used from cleaning kitchen worktops, to providing the “right” ambience for your latest social gathering! However, it is essential that you understand how to use essential oils safely in this way to avoid unwanted accidents.

This article is a quick introduction on how to use essential oils in the kitchen. For a comprehensive look at the therapeutic properties of the individual essential oils mentioned, consult the appropriate essential oil profile.

https://www.naturallivingideas.com/kitchen-essential-oils/

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

I invite you to check out my websites!

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

Cat’s Treasure Trove …. an eclectic collection of jewelry & gifts! https://thedesertpath.com
Sacred Spirals (the place where all paths meet)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SacredSpirals/

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 19, 2019

Posted on June 19, 2019 by Cat

CMB green

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 19, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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Your voice, with clear location of June days,
Called me outside the window. You were there,
Light yet composed, as in the just soft stare
Of uncontested summer all things raise
Plainly their seeming into seamless air.
-Richard Wilbur (1921-2007)

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Spiritual Unite: Whale Spirit Animal Meaning – Community Spirit And Resilience Are Key

Whales are the biggest animals on the planet, and their symbolism holds the key to your success on your path.
Emotional Resilience
The whale spirit animal belongs to incredibly resilient people.
Whales dive deep in the ocean, withstanding pressure and managing to hold their breath for up to an hour and a half at a time.

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/whale-spirit-animal-meaning-community-spirit-and-resilience-are-key/

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ThoughtCo: Mortar and Pestle

The mortar and pestle set is a handy tool that many Pagans – and other folks – use for grinding and blending herbs and dried ingredients together during a magical working. The set consists of two pieces – the mortar, which is typically a bowl, although it can be flat as well, and the pestle, which is held in the hand. The wide end of the pestle, which is shaped a bit like a baseball bat, is often roughened to aid in the grinding and crushing of herbs, resins, or whatever else you may be working with

https://www.learnreligions.com/mortar-and-pestle-uses-2561906

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Daily Tarot: The Magician

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

astrology.com

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MBG: Why Making Offerings To Nature Is Part Of My Wellness Routine

We’re constantly in a conversation with the Universe—whether we’re aware of it or not. And I believe that one of the ways that the Universe communicates with us is through jewelry. Jewels that come from the Earth are old as humankind, and they’re embedded with symbolic meaning.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/why-making-offerings-to-nature-is-part-of-my-wellness-routine

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Natural Living Ideas: 21 Totally Unusual Essential Oil Hacks That Go Way Beyond The Obvious

There seem to be an endless number of choices when buying essential oils, and for every oil, there are at least a dozen uses. Still, even if you’re a tried-and-true essential oil expert, there are probably at least a few essential oil hacks that you haven’t heard about, including these

https://www.naturallivingideas.com/essential-oil-hacks/

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Spirituality & Health: The Empty Mind: Let Go of This Meditation Myth
Many people get deterred from meditation because they feel like their minds are racing. Letting go of the idea of a totally empty brain can help. Here are three tips to try this week>

Listen to your thoughts. Be aware, as thoughts come to you, that the mind is thinking—but you don’t need to get involved in the content. Spiritual teacher Ram Dass shares his insights on How to Cultivate Mindfulness by Listening to Your Thoughts.

Embrace the “full mind.” According to Buddhist teacher and author Bodhipaksa, who runs the site Wildmind, “When meditation brings us to the point where self-talk ceases, the mind is anything but blank.” As we become more practiced at meditation, self-talk slows but we also gain an awareness of the sensations, emotions, and mental imagery that pass through, so expecting a blank slate isn’t the goal.

Treat the mind as a friend. Contributing writer Julie Peters writes that she wouldn’t sit down with a close friend, “staring her down and shushing her every time she tried to say something. … The difficulty of listening, whether to our real live best friends or to our own selves, is learning not to interject with judgment or advice before the other has finished talking.” She recommends meditating while focusing on the breath in order to stay present with how you feel in your body as the thoughts scurry about. For more, read her piece, On Meditating Badly.

spiritualityhealth.com

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Today’s Deity: Unraveling the Nature and Identity of the Green Man

An enigma spanning thousands of years, the Green Man is a symbol of mysterious origin and history. Permeating various religious faiths and cultures, the Green Man has survived countless transformations and cultural diversities, enduring in the same relative physical form to this day. Although specifics about his beginnings and his worship are not fully known, due in large part to how far back and to what initial cultures he can be traced to, it is a testament to the widespread reach of his character that he is still remembered and worshipped to this day.

https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends/unraveling-nature-and-identity-green-man-002620

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EarthSky News: Circumpolar stars don’t rise or set

Circumpolar stars stay above the horizon all hours of the day, every day of the year. These stars neither rise nor set but always remain in our sky. Even when you can’t see them – when the sun is out and it’s daytime – these stars are up there, circling endlessly around the sky’s north or south pole.

https://earthsky.org/tonight/circumpolar-stars-dont-rise-or-set

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Patheos-Pagan: What Your Favorite Wheel-of-the-Year Day Says About You

Hello, beautiful creatures.
In my previous post, “What Your Favorite Ritual Tool Says About You: An Exercise in Humor,” I poked some gentle fun at those of us in the Pagan, polytheist, and occult movement who use magical and devotional implements, in the form of a goofy set of statements written in the style of Buzzfeed quiz responses.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/mishamagdalene/2019/06/favorite-wheel-year-day/

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Inner Journey:

LET GO OF BLAME

“My days of whining and complaining about others have come to an end. Nothing is easier than fault finding.”
— Og Mandino

We often expect other people to meet our needs. When they don’t give us what we want, we may feel anger, resentment and even revengeful. Rather than blaming others, we could choose to get in touch with our needs and then fill them ourselves.

“Take your life in your own hands and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame.”
— Erica Jong

“Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity or registering wrong.”
— Charlotte Bronte

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Pretty much everyone you know just wants you to love them.

Good thing it’s free, huh?

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Maple Peanut Butter Granola

Granola isn’t one of the cheapest foods but it is definitely nutritious and a great way to start your morning. You can play with the types of nuts and dried fruits you add into this.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Maple-Peanut-Butter-Granola.html

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Magical Correspondences for Wednesday

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

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Daily Wisdom
June 19, 2019

Comfort

“Give me a well-cooked, well-served meal, a bouquet, and a sunset, and I can do more for a man’s soul than all the cant ever preached. I can even do it without a sunset!”

-Anne Ellis, 1929
Is there anyone more comforting that Mom? I don’t think so! When a child is hurt, he wants his mother. When an athlete waves to the camera, he says “Hi, Mom!” We are each and every one of us our mother’s children. That never changes, and in that we can find comfort.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 7 Ways to Heal Yourself and Awaken Your Spirit

If you want to achieve wholeness, it’s important that we spend time focusing on our own health and well-being. Beginning the process of healing and awakening your spirit is a process. Too many of us are waiting for something big to change in our lives so that we can finally achieve healing and find true happiness.

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