The Desert Path

The Dusty Ramblings of a Desert Pagan

Cat’s Morning Bits for May 16, 2019

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Cat

CMB green

Cat’s Morning Bits for May 16, 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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May come up with fiddle-bows,
May come up with blossom,
May come up the same again,
The same again but different.
-Louis MacNeice (1907-63)

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Spirituality & Health: Pilgrimage as Presence

BY ANTONIA MALCHIK

The physical act of walking brings us more fully back into the present. Author Antonia Malchik shares, “Walking is what we turn to when we wish to show our devotion to our gods, and how we move when the precariousness of our precious human existence is laid bare.”

https://spiritualityhealth.com/articles/2019/05/08/pilgrimage-as-presence

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ThoughtCo: Frog Magic and Folklore

Frogs and toads feature prominently in magical folklore in many societies. These amphibious critters are known for a variety of magical properties, from their ability to help predict the weather, to curing warts to bringing good luck. Let’s look at some of the best known superstitions, omens and folklore surrounding frogs and toads

https://www.learnreligions.com/frog-magic-and-folklore-2562494

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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.

astrology.com

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Daily Good: Humanity’s Path to a Flourishing Future

“I discovered that what makes humans unique is that we–to a greater extent than any other species–have what I call a ‘patterning instinct:’ we are driven to pattern meaning into our world. That drive is what led humans to develop language, myth, and culture. It enabled us to invent tools and develop science, giving us tremendous benefits but also putting us on a collision course with the natural world.” Jeremy Lent, author of “The Patterning Instinct: A Cultural History of Humanity’s Search for Meaning” shares more

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2313/humanity-s-path-to-a-flourishing-future-jeremy-lent/

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Elephant Journal: Why I’m Celebrating Life & Friendship by the Light of May’s Full Flower Moon.

Throughout history, the naming of full moons has been an honored tradition, often signifying the connection of the moon to the seasons.
As we know, April showers bring May flowers, so it is no wonder that the May full moon is aptly called a “Full Flower Moon.” The Full Flower Moon was seen as a symbol of increased fertility signifying to the ancient tribes that now was a safe time to bear children and plant crops as the weather was warming.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/05/by-the-light-of-the-full-flower-blue-moon/

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Away With The Witch: Never not broken? There’s a goddess for that.

I struggle with the illusion of completeness.
It gives false expectations and sets you up to fail because life is a constant ebb and flow. We never truly ‘have it all’ because we’re all broken.
And there’s a Goddess for that: the Hindu goddess Akhilandeshvari is the Goddess of Never Not Broken. I’ll come to her in a moment.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/awaywiththewitch/2018/11/never-not-broken-theres-a-goddess-for-that/

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EarthSky News: How Leo the Lion lost his tail

See how – on old star charts like the one above – the tail of the constellation Leo the Lion curves around? There’s a star there, Beta Leonis or Denebola, whose name means tail.

https://earthsky.org/constellations/skylore-leo-lion-lost-tail-hair-queen-coma-berenices

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Beneath the Moon: Sun Magic: Solar phases, properties and sun altars

Sun phases for magic
Just like the moon, the sun has phases which can be used to tie in with your magical workings to add an extra boost of power. The sun measures time, where it sits in the sky denotes what time of the day it is, and a sun dial would be quite useless without the sun to cast a shadow! I also think that point between night and day and vice versa, that moment of hand over is quite special.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/beneaththemoon/2019/05/sun-magic/

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Inner Journey:

THE FIRST STEP TO FORGIVENESS

“To get to forgiveness, we first have to work through the painful experiences that require it.”
— Christiane Northrup

To forgive, we do not have to say that whatever happened was okay. In fact, before we can forgive, we need to allow ourselves to really feel the pain of the experience. If we don’t fully acknowledge our hurts, we will continue to carry them subconsciously and they will drain our energy.

To forgive, we need to decide that we won’t allow the memories of the event to poison us any longer. We’re ready to heal this wound from the past and open to a fresh new beginning.

The blessing is that when we’re really ready to experience our pain and we open to it, it usually fades away. By honouring our pain, we release it.

“We must let ourselves feel all the painful destruction we want to forgive rather than swallow it in denial. If we do not face it, we cannot choose to forgive it.”
— Kenneth McNoll

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Gotcha we heard your, “Thank you!!!!”s.

And your, “Whooohoooo!!!!”s and “Holy Cow!!!”s.

If you keep celebrating like this, before anything even happens, we’re going to have to reinforce time and space so that it doesn’t split when all the king’s horses and all the king’s men march in to party with their nearest of kin… (code for: huge party because great things are happening in one’s life).
TBT,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Deity: Greek Goddess Iris

Iris was known as the goddess of the rainbow and another messenger for the gods in Greek mythology.
She is depicted as a beautiful golden goddess, with wings (for flight), sandals, a staff, and a tunic. There is often much art, such as vases and murals, shown of her because she is worshiped and very beautiful. She was also seen briefly in Homer’s Legacies.

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Today’s Recipe: Recipe: Pineapple Coleslaw

I have never found a homemade coleslaw recipe that I liked, so this is a result of my own experimentation.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/tf/Recipes/Salads/Fruit/Pineapple-Salad-Recipes.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
May 16, 2019

Body

“The body says what words cannot.”

-Martha Graham, 1985
We express ourselves with our bodies. Our body “language” tells things about us that we cannot hide. Our emotions are broadcast to the world through our posture and our physicality. Our bodies are our instruments – and we can play them with dance and athletics and joy!

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 5 Affirmations for a Discouraged Spirit
Sometimes, we are our worst critic. Whether at work, home, or in a social setting, the lens we train on ourselves can be brutally harsh

Cat’s Morning Bits for May 9, 2019

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Cat

CMB green

Cat’s Morning Bits for May 9, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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Then came fair May, the fairest maid on ground,
Decked all with dainties of her season’s pride,
And throwing flowers out of her lap around:
Upon two brethren’s shoulders she did ride,
The twins of Leda; which on either side
Supported her like to their sovereign queen.
Lord! how all creatures laughed, when her they spied,
And leaped and danced as they had ravished been!
And Cupid self about her fluttered all in green.
-Edmund Spenser (1552-99)

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Spiritual Unite: What Does Dreaming About Cats Mean? – Identify Your Feminine Side

Cats have long held symbolic meaning for people across many cultures. When we dream about cats, this symbolism applies to our lives and through dream interpretation we can gather useful guidance.

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/what-does-dreaming-about-cats-mean-identify-your-feminine-side/

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ThoughtCo: The Role of Prayer in Paganism
A prayer is our way of saying to the gods, ‘I could sure use some help

Our ancestors prayed to their gods, long ago. Their pleas and offerings are documented in the hieroglyphs that adorn the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, in the carvings and inscriptions left for us to read by the philosophers and teachers of ancient Greece and Rome

https://www.learnreligions.com/role-of-prayer-in-paganism-2562574

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Daily Good: Breathing into Balance

We’ve discovered that breathing more deeply helps us center ourselves, but did you know why? Dr. Shawna Darou explains the mechanics of how it works. The secret is to activate the Vagus nerve, which travels all the way from the brain to the digestive system, operating via the parasympathetic nervous system. Read on for some exercises that can help us reduce inflammation in the body, as well as bolster a flagging immune system

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2101/breathing-into-balance-patty-de-llosa/

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MBG: Plants Are Super Powerful In Feng Shui — Here Are 5 Reasons Why

It should come as no surprise that plants and trees are pretty incredible. They clean the air, create more grounded energy, connect us to nature, provide food, and so much more. Here are a few reasons that I consider them such a vital part of good feng shui, inside your home and out:

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/5-reasons-plants-are-so-powerful-in-feng-shui-philosophy

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Elephant Journal: Enough is Enough: how to Prioritize Self-Care when we’ve Forgotten our Worth.

Does anyone else find themselves slowly sinking down that “priority list”—the one we mentally refer to throughout our (often overloaded) day?
Let’s be honest: do we feature on it at all?

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/05/enough-is-enough-how-to-prioritize-self-care-when-weve-forgotten-our-worth-amanda-harridge/

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MNN: 11 curious truths about Stonehenge

Humans have spent centuries studying Stonehenge, yet it still has a few tricks up its sleeve. In recent years, for instance, research has shown the size of the world’s most mysterious megalithic monument is much larger than previously assumed, giving enthusiasts a whole new set of questions to ponder.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/10-curious-truths-about-stonehenge

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EarthSky News: Crescent moon in Gemini on May 9

Tonight – May 9, 2019 – the waxing crescent moon lodges in front the constellation Gemini the Twins, shining to the south of the Gemini stars, Castor and Pollux. The bright star on the other side of the moon is Procyon, the brightest star in the constellation Canis Minor the Little Dog.

https://earthsky.org/tonight/crescent-moon-in-gemini-on-may-9

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Patheos-Pagan: May Full Moon: The Power of Hekate’s Fires

Hekate’s Wheel of Fire comes full circle on the May Full Moon, when her torches ignite new life. Gone is the decay of autumn and the gloom of winter. It’s time we exit her cave deep in the Under World. The rebirth cycle complete, we walk anew, strengthened by her fire that burns within each of her witches. Celebrate Hekate’s Wheel of Fire with a ritual honoring her, calling forth their power and igniting your own unique flame.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/keepingherkeys/2019/05/celebrating-hekates-wheel-of-fire-on-the-full-moon-of-may/

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Inner Journey:

How aware are you?

“The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention.”
— Julie Cameron

How aware are you of:
– your senses?
– your body — its condition, needs and wisdom?
– your fears?
– your defences – how you hide what you’re really feeling?
– your self talk?
– your beliefs and their power to create your reality?
– your passions?
– your purpose?

Go on a treasure hunt to discover your authentic self and the truth of life in and around you!

“Relative to the level of awareness that is possible for us, our ordinary state of consciousness is as far from a direct experience of reality as sleep is from waking consciousness.”
— Don Richard Riso & Russ Hudson

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Your job is not who you are, your car is not who you are, your looks are not who you are, not even your body is who you are.

You’re simply on a journey, just trying things out, to see what you like, to see what you don’t… because you can, because it’s temporary, and because it’s all on the way “home.”
Ohh-h-h-h-h-h…

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Sugar Coated Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potato is one of the best snacks that we serve because it is one kind of food that is easiest to find. Also this kind of snack is kid friendly.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Sugar-Coated-Sweet-Potatoes.html

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Today’s Goddess: Nut

Nut is a daughter of Shu and Tefnut. Her brother and husband is Geb. She had four or, in some sources, five children: Osiris, Set, Isis, Nephthys, and in some sources Horus. She is considered one of the oldest deities among the Egyptian pantheon, with her origin being found on the creation story of Heliopolis. She was originally the goddess of the nighttime sky, but eventually became referred to as simply the sky goddess. Her headdress was the hieroglyphic of part of her name, a pot, which may also symbolize the uterus. Mostly depicted in nude human form, Nut was also sometimes depicted in the form of a cow whose great body formed the sky and heavens, a sycamore tree, or as a giant sow, suckling many piglets (representing the stars)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nut_(goddess)

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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
May 9, 2019

Learning

“You learn more from getting your butt kicked than from getting it kissed.”

-Tom Hanks

We often call life experiences the “school of hard knocks” because we learn from going through those rough times. And we end up being better people because of it! As hard as it may be at the time, we can be grateful for the tough times, because they give us the opportunity to learn and grow.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 10 Ways to Unleash Your Creativity
Need to be inspired? Get into the flow by unleashing your creative spirit. Here are ten simple and practical ways to stimulate the creative process in your own life.

Cat’s Morning Bits for May 2, 2019

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for May 2, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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The woods were full of deer;
and running
everywhere
fresh water-
brooks, rundles,
springs and creeks.

-Charlies Reznikoff (1894-1976)

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Spiritual Unite: White Owl Totem – Giving You Laser Sight

The White Owl is an animal with strong symbolism across many different cultures.
If the White Owl is your animal totem, you can be expected to have a lean towards connecting with natural wisdom, insight and intuitive vision.

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/white-owl-totem-giving-you-laser-sight/

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ThoughtCo: Including Kids in Pagan Practice

As the modern Pagan movement progresses and evolves, the Pagan community has grown to encompass people of all age levels. Those who discovered Paganism as teens or college students two or three decades ago are now raising their own children, and so the demographic within the Pagan community is constantly changing. It’s not uncommon at all to meet families in which one or both parents are Pagans or Wiccans, and they may have kids who follow a variety of religious paths.

https://www.learnreligions.com/include-kids-in-pagan-practices-2561804

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Spirit Library: Magical Breakthroughs – May 2019 Energy Forecast

Hi my friend,

We have so much to catch up on, so let’s get right to it!

Magical Experiences

The month of May will offer us a combination of energies that will help us create more magical experiences and synchronicity in our lives, in a grounded and steady way.

https://spiritlibrary.com/emmanuel-dagher/magical-breakthroughs-may-2019-energy-forecast

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Elephant Journal: How Empathy Improves our Relationships—All of Them.

No two humans are exactly alike.
From different upbringings, experiences, genetics, personalities, and dispositions, it’s unlikely for anyone to walk through life without conflicting with someone else’s beliefs. Disagreements are inevitable.

Since human connection is so important to our well-being, how do we resolve human conflicts healthily, in order to have strong, long-lasting relationships?

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/04/how-empathy-improves-your-relationships-all-of-them/

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MNN: 11 astonishing facts about jellyfish

Did you know jellyfish have outlived the dinosaurs by hundreds of millions of years, and some have been to space?

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/11-astonishing-facts-about-jellyfish

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EarthSky News: Arc to Arcturus, spike to Spica

Tonight, look outside in the evening and learn a phrase useful to sky watchers. The phrase is: follow the arc to Arcturus, and drive a spike (or speed on) to Spica. You can use this phrase in any year.
First locate the Big Dipper asterism in the northeastern sky. Then draw an imaginary line following the curve in the Dipper’s handle until….

https://earthsky.org/tonight/follow-the-arc-to-arcturus-in-may

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Patheos-Pagan: The Birth of Artemis

To Artemis
I sing of Artemis, whose shafts are of gold, who cheers on the hounds, the pure maiden, shooter of stags, who delights in archery, own sister to Apollo with the golden sword. Over the shadowy hills and windy peaks she draws her golden bow,

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/adamantinemuse/2017/02/birth-goddess-artemis/

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Inner Journey:

FIND PEACE INSIDE

“All spiritual disciplines are done with a view to still the mind. The perfectly still mind is universal spirit.”
— Swami Ramdas

Getting into the habit of meditating, praying and/or resting daily helps us pull back from our preoccupation with the material world. In silence and solitude, we have an opportunity to pay attention to what’s happening inside rather than outside.

When we do this consistently, we learn to relax and to quiet and detach from our mental chatter and our turbulent emotions. As we begin to witness ourselves in personality, we also begin to experience our soul.

“Meditation may require a lifetime to master, but it will have been a lifetime well spent.” If you want to judge your progress, ask yourself these questions: Am I more loving? Is my judgment sounder? Do I have more energy? Can my mind remain calm under provocation? Am I free from the conditioning of anger, fear, and greed? Spiritual awareness reveals itself as eloquently in character development and selfless action as in mystical states.”
— Eknath Easwaran

higherawareness.com
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Wise Woman Herbal: Got Ramps?!

Worthy of its own festival, ramps are a springtime rite celebrating a Southern Appalachian delicacy. Smelly as a ram in spring, ramps get their nickname from the Old English word “ramson” for wild garlic. They are also affectionately known as the spring onion, wild leek, and in French, ail sauvage and ail des bois, which translates as (no surprise!) wild garlic.

http://www.wisewomanmentor.com/articles/7310369

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Today’s Recipe: Homemade Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate is one of our favorite morning beverages and we make it at home from fresh harvest cacao beans. The beans are sun dried, cooked and grinded then placed into molds to form blocks or bars of raw unsweetened chocolate. We call them “tablea”.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Homemade-Hot-Chocolate.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
May 2, 2019

Understanding

“Much learning does not teach understanding.”

-Heraclitus (540?- 480?)

Where do we find understanding? It doesn’t just come from education. It isn’t just in books. How easy that would be it if were so! Understanding is not something that is generated in our minds. It starts with our mind, but whatever it is becomes understood when it finds its way into our heart. We understand because we can relate, we can identify, we can see that we are not separate from that which we seek to understand.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 21 Reasons Driving Inspires Us
We asked readers what inspires them most about driving. They told of their passion for becoming one with their cars and hitting the open road. They shared special moments behind the wheel enjoying…
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 April 25, 2019

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for April 25, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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The thirsty earth soaks up the rain,
And drinks, and gapes for drink again.
The plants suck in the earth and are
With constant drinking fresh and fair.

-Abraham Cowley (1618-67)

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Wise Woman Herbal Ezine: Plant Medicine: Plants as Spiritual Teachers & Allies

Plants have been our allies, our protectors, our food and medicine as long as there has been life on earth. The physical and spiritual presence of plants is deeply interconnected with our earthly existence throughout our lives.

Photosynthesis helps create a breathable atmosphere. Plant life nourishes all animal existence. Plant mysteries and histories are interwoventhe Art of Phyllis Tarlow into our psyches and our mythology, present in our relations with one another, with all spiritual beings, and with our dear home, Planet Earth.

http://www.wisewomanmentor.com/articles/7300530

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ThoughtCo: Owl Folklore and Legends, Magic and Mysteries

Owls are a bird that features prominently in the myths and legends of a variety of cultures. These mysterious creatures are known far and wide as symbols of wisdom, omens of death, and bringers of prophecy. In some countries, they are seen as good and wise, in others, they are a sign of evil and doom to come. There are numerous species of owls, and each seems to have its own legends and lore. Let’s look at some of the best-known bits of owl folklore and mythology

https://www.learnreligions.com/legends-and-lore-of-owls-2562495

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MBG: 3 Steps For Volunteering In Your Community If You Don’t Know Where To Start

Helping others in need feels good and may even help us heal. Even so, it’s not always easy to know where to start when it comes to supporting your community. As spring rolls around, we’re looking for ways to start fresh and act on some of those intentions we’ve had for a while—like volunteering in our community. Here are some helpful tips and resources for getting started

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/3-steps-for-volunteering-in-your-community-if-you-dont-know-where-to-start

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Elephant Journal: How to Make your Home an Energy Sanctuary.

I first started learning about energy and crystals while working as a RN years ago.
I was in my first year as a new nurse—feeling exhausted, unbalanced, and stressed out, I was desperate to try anything.
I went to a shamanic healer who told me that I had unwanted negative energies in my aura from working in hospitals and, not only that, I was bringing them into my home.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/04/use-crystals-gemstones-to-make-your-home-an-energy-sanctuary-partner/

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MNN: 7 superlative flying animals
This impressive lineup includes birds, fish and even snakes.

Ah, flying. The ability many humans would love to have, but we have to settle for cramped seats in airplanes.
These animals, however, are natural fliers (or gliders in a few cases) and they’re all special at it in their own ways. So from the high flying to the slow flying, are some superior soaring animal

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/flying-animal-superlatives

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EarthSky News: Find Hercules between 2 bright stars

Tonight, try locating one of the coolest constellations up there. The constellation Hercules the Kneeling Giant can be seen ascending in the east-northeast on these Northern Hemisphere spring evenings. You can find Hercules between two brilliant stars: Arcturus and Vega. The chart at the top of this post shows the sky for around 8 to 9 p.m. local time (9 to 10 p.m. Daylight Time), when the constellation Hercules, and the two stars so essential for finding it, are well up in the northeastern to eastern sky

https://earthsky.org/tonight/two-stars-lead-to-constellation-hercules

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Patheos-Pagan: Beltane – A Solitary Ritual

Holidays and holy days are better with friends and family. But many Pagans maintain solitary practices. Even if you work with a group, sometimes you can’t be with them for one reason or another. And sometimes your group meets on a convenient day but you feel the need to celebrate on the exact day. Whatever the reason, many Pagans will be celebrating Beltane by themselves

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbeckett/2015/04/beltane-a-solitary-ritual.html

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Inner Journey:

FORGIVE THE HURTS

“Forgiveness will never fail to free you.”
— Jerrold Mundis

How do we forgive when we’re angry and hurt?

As a first step, we can be willing to truly feel our anger and hurt. Honouring our feelings by being fully present with them helps to release the feelings themselves.

And it helps to remember that people only hurt others when they themselves are in pain. When we can recognize the other person’s suffering, our heart can open in compassion. We can also remember that at some time or another, we too have hurt someone through our own unskilful action.

Only love can heal the rifts caused by a hurtful deed. Forgiveness holds immense power because it mends separation. It moves us towards the unity and love that lie at the core of our being. It is a fundamental part of the healing process.

“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.”
— Paul Boese

“God has a big eraser.”
— Billy Zeoli

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

It’s wild, huh, how many happy people there are in the world who claim to be otherwise.

Admittedly happy,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Flour Balls

This is a recipe we discovered in our local fish market. Vendors claimed it to be fish balls but obviously when you take a bite on it you’ll never taste anything but flour and spices. So my husband and I called it “fake balls” or flour balls. But we both do loved it actually and I will show you how it’s cooked. This is one famous street food that the locals sell for a living and many tourist would even come and go to buy them.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Flour-Balls.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
April 25, 2019

Effort

“I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor.”

-Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Yes! This is totally encouraging! In the choices that we make, we have the ability to change, and improve our lives! Where are we choosing to put our efforts? What endeavors have we chosen to pursue? I found another quote said: “Rowing harder doesn’t help if the boat is headed in the wrong direction.” (Kenichi Ohmae, 1989) If we happen to re-evaluate and decide that this particular endeavor has not rewarded our efforts in some way, we can choose again, change direction! And we take with us our experiences and newfound knowledge.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 5 Reasons You Have Nothing to Prove

We are people pleasers and depending on your experiences that were predominant during your growing up years, it could be wrecking your life. It is very simple to fall into this trap, especially during times of trials and angst.

Red 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 April 18, 2019

Posted on April 18, 2019 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for April 18, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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Again the blackbirds sing; the streams
Wake, laughing, from their winter dreams,
And tremble in the April showers
The tassels of the maple flowers.
-John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-92)

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Spirit Library: Master Every Moment?

Excerpt from the interactive book: A Course in Mastering Alchemy: Tools to Shift, Transform and Ascend.

At the beginning of this course, long before I knew it would be a course, Ascended Master Kuthumi told me that it is necessary (i.e. required) for me to be masterful of every thought, every emotion, every action … every moment. I swallowed hard and nodded, not sure how this was even possible and very clear it was far out of my reach.

https://spiritlibrary.com/jim-self/master-every-moment

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ThoughtCo: Understanding Omens and Symbols

For many practitioners of various magical traditions, there is a tendency to look for and find symbolism in everything, particularly in aspects of nature. Often, these symbols are interpreted as omens

https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-an-omen-2561765

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MBG: Tonight’s Libra Full Moon Is The Best Time To Do These 5 Things

Relationship check-in time! Peace and harmony is the Libra way—this balanced sign counts Gandhi, John Lennon, and Alfred Nobel (of the Nobel Peace Prize) among its ranks, after all. The Libra full moon tonight is occasion to celebrate our soft spot for all of humankind, passing out olive branches and extending our goodwill.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/april-full-moon-2019-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-libra-moon

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Daily Good: The Skittish Stallion

“There were two horses. One was a quarter horse and the other one was this big black stallion that had been abused. It was quite skittish. You couldnt get close to it. Of course, I was determined to become friends with that horse.” Rosemary Peterson shares more in this beautiful piece that speaks to the power of patience and intention in our relationships.

http://www.conversations.org/story.php?sid=171

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Elephant Journal: For the Wild Ones who Sing to the Moon. {Poem}

No matter
how hard they try,
they cannot
keep us apart.

They can pour concrete
over the rich, dark earth,
put us in a plastic chair
inside a Sheetrock box

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2019/04/for-the-wild-ones-who-sing-to-the-moon-kai-siedenburg/

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MNN: 10 curious truths about Stonehenge
The world’s most famous ring of standing stones has been studied for centuries, yet we learn something new about it all the time.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/10-curious-truths-about-stonehenge

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EarthSky News: April full moon shines in Virgo

On April 19, 2019, the moon turns full in front of the constellation Virgo the Maiden at 11:12 UTC. That is 7:12 a.m. EDT, 6:12 a.m. CDT, etc, and thus tonight’s moon might look more full for you than tomorrow night’s if you live in Earth’s Western Hemisphere. More about that shortly. In the meantime, for all of us around the world, as darkness falls on April 18, you’ll find an almost-full waxing gibbous moon close to Spica, the constellation Virgo’s one and only 1st-magnitude star.

https://earthsky.org/tonight/april-full-moon-shines-in-virgo

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Patheos-Pagan: Pagan Portals Sun Magic

Pagan Portals Sun Magic
An introduction to working with Sun magic, and how to live in harmony with the solar year and to utilise all the magical powers it provides.
A book filled with the basics of the sun cycle, the representations and correspondences, what magic to work and when. A look at the solar year, sun deities, sun spells, meditations, specific sun rituals, sun recipes and more..

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/beneaththemoon/2019/04/pagan-portals-sun-magic/

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Inner Journey:

TIME TO BLOSSOM

“The voice of our original self is often muffled, overwhelmed, even strangled, by the voices of other people’s expectations.”
— Julia Cameron

Many of us unconsciously believe that we’re unworthy or defective. We adopted this belief very early in our lives when the people we looked up to disapproved of our demands, wishes and behaviours. We concluded that we had to learn to be good.

Unfortunately, ‘being good’ usually meant giving up our own differences or uniqueness. We learned that we might get the love we wanted if we acted and felt like others wanted us to.

If we seek true joy and connection with life, we now need to remove these artificial masks and express our deep authentic nature.

“For all those years you’ve protected the seed. It’s time to become the beautiful flower.”
— Stephen C. Paul

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Have you ever stopped to consider that due to your eternal nature, you and everyone else live forever?

Of course you have.

And therefore, have you realized that in the truest sense, everyone beats cancer, AIDS, and starvation?

Un-hun, un-hun…

And you totally get that between now and forever, you will meet and fall deeply in love with everyone, and they with you?

Let’s not wait…

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Steamed Greens with Ginger and Water Chestnuts

This Asian–style recipe calls for water chestnuts, which add a crunchy texture to this flavorful leafy greens medley. Leafy greens contain fiber and folate, as well as lutein and other phytochemicals that help protect against many chronic diseases from cataracts to cancer.

https://pioneerthinking.com/steamed-greens-with-ginger-and-water-chestnuts

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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
April 2019

Praise
“My soul preached to me and said, “Do not be delighted because of praise, and do not be distressed because of blame.'”

-Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931)

We must not get too caught up in the teeter-totter of outside commentary on our works. There will always be some who appreciate what we do and others who disparage it. The ego is what gets caught up in this game of needing approval. The soul is wise, and knows that life is a balance of opposites. The soul itself can’t be affected by praise or blame.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

_________________________________

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

I invite you to check out my websites!

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

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

Cat’s Morning Bits for April 11, 2019

Posted on April 11, 2019 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for April 11, 2019

Blessings, Cat

_________________________

The grass of spring covers the prairies,
The bean bursts noiselessly through the mould in the garden,
The delicate spear of the onion pierces upward,
The apple-buds cluster together on the apple-branches.
-Walt Whitman (1819-92)

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Patheos-Pagan: Devotional Practices for Living with Limits

I think we’ve all had the fantasy about the big, elaborate shrine in a wild-ish place somewhere. We can see it in our mind’s eye – the natural stone, the altar, some vines creeping in a decorative-but-not-annoying way. Maybe we’ve even started on building one out in the yard, or on a nearby patch of unclaimed land. We imagine making our offerings there, in that perfect spot.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/naturessacredjourney/2019/04/devotional-practices-living-limits/

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Spiritual Unite: Types Of Soulmates – Can Be A Family Member

If there’s one misconception that television and movies have spread the furthest, it’s their idea of soulmates.
Soulmates are a genuine phenomenon, but contrary to popular belief not all soulmates are intended to be romantic partners

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/types-of-soulmates-can-be-a-family-member/

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ThoughtCo: Diana, Roman Goddess of the Hunt

Many Pagans honor the goddess Diana (pronounced di-ANN-ah) in her various aspects. Particularly in feminist and NeoWiccan traditions, Diana holds a place in the heart of a number of modern magical practitioners. Her name is believed to come from an early Indo-European word, dyew or deyew, meaning “sky” or “heaven.” This same root word later gave us variants such as the Latin deus, meaning “god,” and dies, which meant “daylight.”

https://www.thoughtco.com/diana-roman-goddess-2562631

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Daily Good: Caregiving: A Nascent Social Revolution

Caregivers and receivers are modeling how to integrate health care into daily life at home. They are the innovators, and creators of dynamic communities of support. “Community and care are inexorably linked. Care can never fully be rendered only by expert providers in formal settings but by a growing recognition that care is a democratic act that is about what we ‘give’, what we ‘receive’, and what we can ‘create’ together.”

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2272/caregiving-a-nascent-social-revolution-zachary-white-donna-thomson/

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Elephant Journal: 5 Things Never to say to Someone who is Struggling.

I’ll never forget that visit.
I was called to the ICU for a patient death.
I swiped my badge to let myself into the unit and went straight to the nurses’ station. The nurse manager led me into the room where an elderly man lay lifeless on the bed, his wife standing next to him staring blankly.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/04/5-things-never-to-say-to-someone-who-is-struggling/

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MNN: 13 must-see trees around the world

Natural beauties

The wonders of the world weren’t just built by human hands; Mother Nature has built a few of her own, among them a handful of trees that stand out for their longevity, size, historical significance, ecological value, beauty or just plain weirdness. These aren’t necessarily the superlative trees of their kind, but they are certainly noteworthy — and worth a trip.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/photos/must-see-trees-around-world/natural-beauties

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EarthSky News: Moon in Winter Circle April 10 and 11

On April 10 and 11, 2019, look for the waxing moon and Winter Circle (or Winter Hexagon) stars. It’s difficult to convey the humongous size of the Winter Circle that fills our western sky at dusk and nightfall now. This great star pattern even dwarfs the mighty constellation Orion the Hunter. In fact – as shown on the chart at the top of this post – Orion makes up the southwest portion of the Winter Circle, which is composed of 1st-magnitude stars (some of the brightest stars in our sky).

https://earthsky.org/tonight/moon-shines-inside-of-winter-circle

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Patheos-Pagan: Practice As You Will & Stop the “More Pagan Than Thou” Nonsense

“I have no idea where you ‘studied’ Pagan religion or ‘practiced’ it- maybe online?”
(The comment above was left on a blog here at Patheos Pagan, and the insulting tone kind of riled me up. We don’t all have to agree with each other, but comments like the one above do nothing to encourage discussion or intelligent discourse.)

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/panmankey/2019/04/dont-tell-others-they-arent-pagan/

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Inner Journey:

STRETCH YOURSELF

“People are defeated by easy, victorious and cheap successes more than by adversity.”
— Benjamin Disraeli

Today’s social standard is one of mediocrity. The status quo rarely challenges our individual creative power.

Create a brand new world for yourself, one that meets your deepest needs. By doing so, you will help raise the quality of consciousness of the entire world. Use your imagination! Sing your own song!

“Success means fulfilling your own dreams, singing your own song, dancing your own dance, creating from your heart and enjoying the journey, trusting that whatever happens, it will be OK. Creating your own adventure!”
— Elana Lindquist

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Sometimes the most obvious thing in the world isn’t obvious at all, in the absence of wonder.

Obviously,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Baked Apple Egg Rolls

We made these delicious apple egg rolls for dessert tonight! They were so easy to make and the vanilla whipped cream was perfect for dipping. 🙂

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Baked-Apple-Egg-Rolls.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
April 11, 2019

Purpose
“Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each tomorrow
Find us farther than today.”

-Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

This is from my favorite poem, “The Psalm of Life” which starts “Lives of great men remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and departing leave behind us, footprints in the sands of time.” It’s about following the examples laid before us, and at the same time, making our own way – becoming a new example, a new light to guide others. Longfellow understood that we need to keep going, to keep pursuing our spiritual growth, because that is our ultimate purpose.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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

I invite you to check out my websites!

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

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

Cat’s Morning Bits for April 4, 2019

Posted on April 4, 2019 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for April 4, 2019

Blessings, Cat

_________________________

The wild and windy March once more
Has shut his gates of sleet,
And given us back the April-time,
So fickle and so sweet.
-Alice Cary (1820-71)

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Spiritual Unite: Why Empaths Suffer From Dangerous Compassion Fatigue

Empaths are unique; they can put themselves in another person’s shoes. Allowing them to understand the emotions of that person.
One of the primary qualities of an empath is compassion. Psychologist Charles Figley has stated that too much compassion can lead to fatigue. It is known as Compassion fatigue

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/why-empaths-suffer-from-dangerous-compassion-fatigue/

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MBG: This Is How To Use The Aries New Moon To Be Your Most Confident Self

The other night I was in a car with two of my best friends, on the way to a silent art walk in LA, and I said out loud, “I am nervous to go to this workshop because of how beautiful and successful I currently feel. What if people don’t like me because of that?” I had never said those words out loud, and it felt terrifying.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/celebrate-the-aries-new-moon-with-a-confidence-boosting-ritual

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ThoughtCo: Lugh, Master of Skills

Similar to the Roman god Mercury, Lugh was known as a god of both skill and the distribution of talent. There are countless inscriptions and statues dedicated to Lugh, and Julius Caesar himself commented on this god’s importance to the Celtic people.

https://www.thoughtco.com/lugh-master-of-skills-2561970

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Elephant Journal: Buddhism is Not a Religion — It’s Something Much Better

I get plenty of comments when I say that I’m not a religious person, but I am a practicing Buddhist. Here’s why Buddhism is not a religion.
“The dharma that I preach can be understood only by those who know how to think.” ~ The Buddha

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2016/05/buddhism-is-not-a-religion-its-something-much-better/

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MNN: Time-lapse captures bizarre beauty of Norway’s floating islands

If you were to pass by them, Norway’s floating islands wouldn’t warrant a second look. By all appearances, with a surface covered in green and sprinkled with trees, they betray little of their true nature from afar. It’s only when you attempt to step on one or, as shown in the video above, view them over time, that you notice something odd.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/blogs/norways-floating-islands-time-lapse

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EarthSky News: Leo loses his tail. We gain a constellation

Tonight’s chart shows the sky in April high to the south around mid-evening. To the upper left of the constellation Leo the Lion are dozens of very faint stars. They make up the constellation Coma Berenices, otherwise known as Berenice’s Hair. You need a dark sky to appreciate the constellation Coma Berenices. If you have one … it’s very beautiful

https://earthsky.org/tonight/leo-loses-his-tail-we-gain-a-constellation

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Patheos-Pagan: How I Learned to Love Daily Practice Again: Back to the Basics

I get up at 4am most days and on my calendar is an alert: Daily Practice.
My computer beeps, my phone beeps, and the Catholic guilt that’s etched into my soul nudges at me.
Get up. Get coffee. Do your daily practice.
No really. Do it.
Maybe tomorrow.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/chargedbythegoddess/2019/04/how-i-learned-to-love-daily-practice-again-back-to-the-basics/

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Inner Journey:

USE YOUR BREATH TO RELAX YOUR BODY

“Breath is the link between the inner and outer worlds.”
— Alice Christensen

We live in very demanding times, and our health depends on our being able to relieve our bodies and minds from constant stress. Breathing with awareness can focus and concentrate our attention inside. This slows down our pace and eases the pressure, anxiety, anticipation and excitement that are common stress reactions.

At any time, you can consciously experience your breathing to help you concentrate your mind and relax your body. Compare how you feel after your session with how you felt before. Write about your experience in your journal.

“Controlled deep breathing helps the body to transform the air we breathe into energy. The stream of energized air produced by properly executed and controlled deep breathing produces a current of inner energy which radiates throughout the entire body and can be channeled to the body areas that need it the most, on demand.”
— Nancy Zi

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Don’t you just love ’em?

Everyone. Absolutely everyone.

They’re all scurrying around so. All planning and scheming and dreaming. Defending, proving, and justifying. Laughing, crying, and feeling. All behaving, more or less, as you expect them to…

Ah yea-a-ah, they do that a lot…

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Granola bars make a great snack at home or on the go. Add some chocolate chips to your homemade granola bars for some sweetness and instant energy.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Chocolate-Chip-Granola-Bars-Recipe.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
April 4, 2019

Originality

“True originality consists not in a new manner but in a new vision.”

-Edith Wharton, The Writing of Fiction, 1925

Each of us has eyes through which we see the world, and no two visions are exactly alike. But because we are conditioned to go along with the crowd, our vision gets blurred, and starts to look like everyone else’s. When we close our eyes, tap into our Source, and let Nature’s creativity and intelligence flow through us, we can restore our vision and our originality. We allow our inner artist to shine through!

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: Spring is in the Air, a time for New Beginnings
The glorious scents of spring are in the air. I see the first buds coming up in my garden and I always get excited. Spring is about renewal as mother earth reawakens from her slumber. We had such a rough,…

Cat’s Morning Bits for March 28, 2019

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for March 28, 2019

Blessings, Cat

_________________________

Shout and sing for the Spring is here!
Laugh and dance, for Winter’s away!
-Agnes Mary Frances Robinson (1857-1944)

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Spiritual Unite: Have I Found My Soulmate – Connect The Dots

Soulmates are very important to us. They help us to learn about ourselves, learn about the experiences of others and, crucially, help us to experience love.
Some people spend their whole lives searching for their soulmate

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/have-i-found-my-soulmate-connect-the-dots/

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MBG: It’s Aries Season & Never Was There A Better Time To Try Craniosacral Therapy

The Sun sizzles through fiery Aries (March 20–April 20) infusing more courage, energy, and pioneering spirit into your life. During this monthlong cycle, your life may feel more playful and free. Using the following self-care strategies, you can fine-tune your well-being, foster vitality, and reduce stress

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/self-care-and-healthy-living-ideas-for-aries-season-2019

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Daily Good: The Problem with the Paradigm of Urgency

“Wouldn’t you like to be part of a different kind of revolution?” In this excerpt from The More Beautiful World our Hearts Know is Possible,” Charles Eisenstein presents an alternate view of being “revolutionary.” Rather than continuing along the same path of urgency and effort and struggling with a problem, which come from a place of scarcity and domination, he suggests we slow down, do nothing, approach “life in a spirit of ease and play” so we can first, truly identity the problem, and second, open ourselves to creative energies that will bring about “something truly new for civilization.

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2241/the-problem-with-the-paradigm-of-urgency-charles-eisenstein/

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MNN: 6 serious facts about the playful-looking roly-poly

Almost everyone loves a pill bug. Or maybe you know them as roly-polies, doodle bugs or wood shrimp. Kids are fascinated by these tiny little critters that defensively roll up into a tight little ball when disturbed. That’s a process known as conglobation. But there’s so much more to these familiar creepy crawlies than their acrobatic prowess. They play an important role in the environment.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/roly-poly-pill-bug-facts-important-environment

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EarthSky News: What exactly is twilight?

You can define twilight simply as the time of day between daylight and darkness, whether that’s after sunset, or before sunrise. It’s a time when the light from the sky appears diffused and often pinkish. The sun is below the horizon, but its rays are scattered by Earth’s atmosphere to create the colors of twilight.

https://earthsky.org/earth/twilight-2

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Patheos-Pagan: Witchcraft & Dion Fortune

Dion Fortune (birth name Violet Mary Firth, 1890–1946) is one of the most important figures in Witchcraft’s rebirth during the twentieth century. Though she did not identify as a Witch (or even a Pagan), many of her ideas would become a part of Wiccan-Witchcraft, and her 1938 novel The Sea Priestess articulated Witch ritual long before it would be made public.

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/panmankey/2019/03/witchcraft-dion-fortune/

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Inner Journey:

CELEBRATE DIFFERENCES

“Souls don’t have races or sexes or religions. They are beyond artificial divisions.”
— Brian Weiss

Intolerance of differences always exists in people who don’t know who they are, people who don’t have a strong sense of their own authentic self, the soul within.

Intolerance is rooted in fear.

The basis for having a strong sense of self-esteem is to replace our unconscious idea of basic unworthiness with a conscious knowing of our fundamental inherent goodness. As Matthew Fox argues in Original Blessing, the notion of ‘original sin’ must be replaced with the truth of ‘original blessing.’

Being in touch with our essential goodness, we can see the essential goodness in others as well.

“Beliefs separate. Loving thoughts unite.”
— Paul Ferrini

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

We love you with so much understanding.

We think of you, with so much pride.

And we watch you with so much envy.

Know this,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Easy Preserved Lemons

This is a simple way to make preserved lemons. A little drizzle of this stuff goes a long way when making salads, using as a topping, or in your marinades. It’s great because it doesn’t have just a lemon flavour, it’s also got the taste of the dissolved lemon rind, which is amazing. There’s nothing quite like it.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Easy-Preserved-Lemons.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
March 28, 2019

Transformation

“Any transformation of one person invites accommodating transformations in others.”

-R.D. Laing (1927-1989)

We’re all connected. There is a unity that can’t be denied. When one person changes, it can dramatically affect those around him or her, causing more changes, more transformation. Our lives impact each other; we can’t help it! So, let’s make it work for the good of all of us.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: How to Calculate Your Life Path Number and What it Means

Numerology is an ancient system of belief that shows us how numbers vibrate to energy. Each number in our birth date vibrates to a different energy; this energy helps create our persona. Numerology teaches us that the numbers 1 – 9 have specific characteristics that have negative and positive connotations. Pythagoras taught us that the world is mathematically created and expresses itself through numbers. He believed the single digit numbers represent the nine cycles of life. In numerology every number is reduced to a single digit number. For example, 23 is reduced to 5 or 187 is reduced to 7.

Cat’s Morning Bits for March 21, 2019

Posted on March 21, 2019 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for March 21, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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For glad Spring has begun,
And to the ardent sun
The earth, long time so bleak,
Turns a frost-bitten cheek.
-Celia Thaxter (1835-94)

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Spirit Library: Planting the Garden of Your Soul – March 2019 Equinox

Dear Ones,

Planting the Garden of your Soul invites the Grace of the Angels to work in your daily life. This focused activity demonstrates your desire to co-create what you need to harvest a more bountiful future. The Equinox is always a moment of Profound Balance — a time to reassess your life and choose anew. When you plant clear intentions for your most empowered future, the manifestation of your dreams will become your new reality

https://spiritlibrary.com/shanta-gabriel/planting-the-garden-of-your-soul-march-2019-equinox

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MBG: It’s Officially Spring & You Can Celebrate With These 5 Self-Care Rituals

Happy New Year—again! On March 20, 2019, at precisely 5:58 p.m. EST, the Sun will cross directly over the Earth’s equator. This moment is known as the vernal equinox (from the Latin vernare, “to bloom”) in the northern hemisphere. It also marks the beginning of a new astrological year, as we are entering the first sign of the zodiac, Aries. For centuries, we actually celebrated the New Year at this pivotal moment at the end of March/beginning of April.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/5-rituals-for-the-spring-equinox

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Daily Good: Why Shadows Were Invented

In ‘From These Wilds Beyond Our Fences,’ Bayo Akomolafe points out that when Seventeenth-century physicist Francesco Grimaldi directed a focused ray of sunlight in a dark room, managing the ray so that it struck a thin rod and produced a shadow on a screen, he proved that light behaves in unexpected ways. In fact, light is only one side of a whole,like yin and yang. Thus “darkness is not the absence of light — it is the very dance of light…Light and dark are not opposites or estranged cosmic forces that one side must defeatfor there are no “sides.””

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2243/why-shadows-were-invented-bayo-akomolafe/

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Elephant Journal: 13 Rumi Poems to Awaken the Love Within Us.

When anxiety fills me, and I feel disconnected from my essence—or when I’m simply out of love—I turn to Rumi.
Rumi didn’t start out as the 13th century Persian poet we all cherish today. He was a wealthy nobleman, theologian, and sober Islamic scholar—until he met the wandering dervish monk known as Shams Al Tabriz.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2017/07/13-rumi-poems-to-awaken-the-love-within-us/

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MNN: First-ever reef manta ray spotted in the eastern Pacific

Sometimes, you just need a change of scenery. A pregnant reef manta ray (Mobula alfredi) has been spotted swimming far offshore in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, near Cocos Island, which is a long way from the creature’s traditional home.
Reef manta rays — as their name implies — generally stick to coastal regions, and they prefer the tropical and subtropical waters found in the Indian and Pacific oceans.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/first-ever-reef-manta-ray-spotted-eastern-pacific

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EarthSky News: See the zodiacal light

The weeks around the spring equinox are best for viewing the zodiacal light in the evening. Now that the moon has left the early evening sky, the next several weeks present an excellent time for those in the Northern Hemisphere to view this mysterious light, which looks like a hazy pyramid extending up from the western horizon, when all traces of twilight have let the evening sky. You’ll want a rural location, as full darkness falls. About 80 to 120 minutes after sunset should be about right

http://earthsky.org/tonight/look-for-the-zodiacal-light-in-the-west-after-sunset

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Patheos-Pagan: Repaganizing Ancient Rituals

One of the problems I ran into in my earliest exploration of Paganism was encountering things that simply weren’t Pagan. Things like archangels, the Tree of Life, and the Key of Solomon. I knew these weren’t Celtic or Greek or Norse – they’re Jewish and Christian

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbeckett/2019/03/repaganizing-ancient-rituals.html

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Inner Journey:

WHAT’S YOUR BEST ROUTINE?

“For all my good intentions, there are days when things go wrong or I fall into old habits. When things are not going well, when I’m grumpy or mad, I’ll realize that I’ve not been paying attention to my soul and I’ve not been following my best routine.”
— Robert Fulghum

How do you need to bring more balance to your life?

Robert Fulghum has shared, “The older I get, the more I realize the importance of exercising the various dimensions of my body, soul, mind and heart. Taken together, these aspects give me a sense of wholeness. I want to be a whole human being rather than one who limps on one leg because I don’t know how to use all of my parts. Intellectual, emotional, and physical activity are not separate entities. Rather, they are dimensions of the same human being.”

“There is an Indian Belief that everyone is in a house of four rooms: A physical, a mental, an emotional and a spiritual. Most of us tend to live in one room most of the time, but unless we go into every room everyday, even if only to keep it aired, we are not complete.”
— Rumer Godden

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

You can choose to go, do, be, and have, and in the end you’ll exclaim, shocked and bewildered, that because of all the synchronicities of your life, all the “clicks” and “coincidences,” and the many happy “accidents,” your bounty and good fortune must have been your destiny.
Or, you might choose to wait for a miracle, a savior, or divine intervention, and in the end you’ll exclaim, shocked and bewildered, that because of all the synchronicities of your life, all the missed chances and disappointments, and the many unhappy accidents, your lack and misfortune must have been your destiny.
Do you see what the difference is?
It ain’t me,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: My Mom’s Cheesecake

This cheesecake is a little bit different from many others I’ve had over the years. It has layers that you see when you cut into it. There’s a few cheesecakes with the sour cream added on top, but I’ve not tasted or seen any like this one; it is special. Everyone over the years has just enjoyed it to the max.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/My-Moms-Cheesecake.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
March 21, 2019

Compassion
“Spiritual energy brings compassion into the real world. With compassion, we see benevolently our own human condition and the condition of our fellow beings. We drop prejudice. We withhold judgment.”

-Christina Baldwin (1990)

As the world grows spiritually, we will grow compassionately. The Bible tells the story of the Good Samaritan. We know this is an example for us to live by. If we would all practice compassion, follow our hearts to help others in need, then the real world would be a lot a lot less scary place to live.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Ancient Origins: The Rape of a Goddess: How Demeter Beat the All-Powerful Zeus

Who were Demeter and Persephone? And why did their myth resonate so strongly with women of ancient Greece? The story of Demeter, goddess of the harvest, and her daughter Persephone, queen of the underworld, has inspired many. And while there are twenty-two variations of the myth, it is the Homeric Hymn to Demeter (hereafter called the Hymn), composed between 650-550 BC, that is believed to be one of the oldest…

https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-europe/rape-goddess-how-demeter-beat-all-powerful-zeus-009781

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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 March 14, 2019

Posted on March 14, 2019 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for March 14, 2019

Blessings, Cat

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March is a boisterous fellow,
And undeterred by fear,
With many pranks proclaims himself
The tomboy of the year!
-The 1931 Old Farmer’s Almanac

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Spirit Library: Benefit from Energy Openings – Reset Your Energy This Week

The turmoil of living now can be intense and chaotic. A key thing to keep in mind, especially now, is how quickly energies can shift. Sometimes the shift provides an opening to change the status quo. We’re sitting in one of those openings this week. Continue reading for tips on how to benefit from this opening and reset your energy.

https://spiritlibrary.com/selacia/benefit-from-energy-openings-reset-your-energy-this-week

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MBG: A Sign-By-Sign Guide To Breezing Through This Mercury Retrograde

It’s Mercury retrograde time again—for the first time in 2019. Three or four times a year, Mercury passes the earth in its orbit. As it rounds the bend, Mercury slows down and appears to stop (station) and spin backward (retrograde). Of course, it really ISN’T moving backward, but much like two trains or cars passing each other, this creates the optical illusion that one (Mercury, in this case) is going backward.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/how-to-handle-mercury-retrograde-in-pisces-by-sign

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MNN: Painted lady butterflies fill the skies over southern California

Painted lady butterflies are arriving in droves in southern California as they make their annual migration northward, and their arrival is a delight to many.

It’s also a reassuring sight to scientists who worried that the migration would be sparse this year. They have desert rains to thank for the surprising population boom.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/painted-lady-butterflies-fill-skies-southern-california

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EarthSky News: Moon and Winter Circle March 13-15

These next several evenings – March 13, 14 and 15, 2019, the waxing moon is moving inside the Winter Circle, sometimes called the Winter Hexagon. It’s a large circular (hexagonal) star asterism – not one of the 88 official constellations, but just a noticeable pattern of stars – consisting of six 1st-magnitude stars in six separate constellations:

https://earthsky.org/tonight/moon-points-the-way-to-the-winter-circle

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Patheos-Pagan: A Wonderful Devotional to the Earth: Early Spring Garden Goals and Tips

The first rule of Plant Club is: you talk about Plant Club. The second rule of Plant Club is: you talk A LOT about Plant Club. Pagans like green things, but just because you love the horned god doesn’t make you good at helping flowers get it on. As this gardening season marches on (pun intended) I’m going to be letting you all in on some of the tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years, as a horticulturalist, organic farm manager, and urban farmer. Demeter and Gerda agree with me, this gardening thing is a good plan for pagans

https://www.patheos.com/blogs/dandelionlady/2019/03/a-wonderful-devotional-to-the-earth-early-spring-garden-goals-and-tips.html

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Inner Journey:

LIVE YOUR OWN LIFE

“We don’t always know what makes us happy. We know, instead, what we think SHOULD. We are baffled and confused when our attempts at happiness fail…We are mute when it comes to naming accurately our own preferences, delights, gifts, talents. The voice of our original self is often muffled, overwhelmed, even strangled, by the voices of other people’s expectations. The tongue of the original self is the language of the heart.”
— Julia Cameron

We are each unique beings with a unique path in life. If we wish to be fulfilled, we need to go to our own hearts for direction. We might regularly ask ourselves:
• “What do I really want to do?”
• “What brings me greatest happiness?”
• “How can I bring more of these into my life?”

Life wants us to go for what brings us most joy and meaning.

“It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. …I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.”
— Oriah Mountain Dreamer

“Let me listen to me and not to them.”
— Gertrude Stein

“What you must dare is to be yourself.”
— Dag Hammarskjold

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Actually, the only effective way of changing another person is by changing yourself.

Works every time, guaranteed

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Edible Pots of Gold

This a super simple recipe for St. Patrick’s Day that is kid-friendly. These little pots of gold are made with peanut butter cups, but you can also use mini chocolate cupcakes or Rolo candies. Topped with a bit of frosting and edible gold glitter, these make great dessert toppers, or can be eaten as is.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Edible-Pots-of-Gold.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
March 14, 2019

Energy

“Life engenders life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich.

-Sarah Bernhardt (1966)

Energy is one of those things that seems to be contagious! Have you ever noticed how a low-energy meeting gets revved up when someone comes up with a great idea? We feed off each others’ energy all the time! How great is it to be the one who can light up a room?! Let’s do what we can to lift the energy around us every day – it could be as simple as sharing a smile.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Tetraktys: Witchcraft Troubleshooting: 5 Reasons Why Your Spell Failed

If, like me, you work according to the moon phases, you will easily know if a spell failed. If you set your intentions at the New Moon and release your expectations at the Full Moon, all your spellwork should run smoothly. However, if, when you reach the next New Moon, things have not improved, then something must have gone wrong. You will probably ask yourself “Why did it fail?” The truth is, even if you perform a spell perfectly, sometimes, the results won’t come. In this post, you will learn the 5 most common reasons of spell failures. I will also show you how to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.

https://www.thetetraktys.com/2019/witchcraft-troubleshooting-spell-failed/

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

I invite you to check out my websites!

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

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

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