Cat’s Morning Bits for August 15, 2018

Posted on August 15, 2018 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for August 15, 2018

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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Where-e’er you walk, cool gales shall fan the glade,
Trees, where you sit, shall crowd into a shade,
Where-e’er you tread, the blushing flow’rs shall rise,
And all things flourish where you turn your eyes.
-Alexander Pope (1688-1744)

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MBG: Are Your Self-Care Rituals Making You Unhappy? This Doctor Thinks So

‘m a holistic psychiatrist, so when patients walk through my door, they’re usually already A+ students when it comes to yoga, meditation, eating clean, taking Epsom salt baths, and surrounding themselves with essential oils and salt lamps. Who am I to call any of these lovely practices and rituals into question? I do many of them myself!
And yet, I’ve often wondered if there are times when we do so much self-care that, ironically, it starts to get in the way of our ability to take care of ourselves and can actually contribute to burnout.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/the-negative-effects-of-self-care-practices

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Daily Good: How to Unhijack Your Mind from Your Phone

What if we didn’t unplug, but changed the way we used our phones? Would it increase productivity? Would it improve your mood? See what a former Google employee has to say about mindfulness, and how to avoid unnecessary phone time. { read more } http://www.dailygood.org/more.php?op=get&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedium.com%2Fthrive-global%2Fdistracted-in-2016-reboot-your-phone-with-mindfulness-9f4c8ad46538

Be The Change

Take at least one of the tips in the above article and implement them in your daily phone usage this week. How do you feel once the week is over?

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MNN: Never underestimate the power of a good thank-you note

The bottom drawer of my desk contains two things: stationery to write letters, and notes from others that I’ve received in the past few years. On top of everything in the drawer is a three-page letter, forwarded to my writing partner and me by the publisher, from a woman who wrote that she was grateful for the female-centric history book we wrote. In my attic is a box of more notes that have been sent to me over the years

https://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/blogs/power-written-thank-you-gratitude

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Tetraktys: Everyday Magick: 10 Rituals That Take Less Than 10 Minutes to Perform

Hello witches! This week’s post is about everyday magick. In this article, I will show you how to incorporate small rituals into your daily routine. Instead of performing time-consuming and complicated rituals only one in a while, why don’t you infuse your everyday life with magick?

https://www.thetetraktys.com/2018/everyday-magick-10-rituals-10-minutes/

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EarthSky News: Moon, Venus, Jupiter August 14 to 16

After sunset on August 14 to 16, 2018, look west to see three brilliant worlds – the moon, Venus and Jupiter – beautifying the evening twilight. Each successive evening, after sunset, watch for the waxing crescent moon to move away from Venus and closer to Jupiter. This daily eastward movement of the moon relative to the background stars and planets of the zodiac is due to the moon’s motion in orbit around Earth.

http://earthsky.org/tonight/moon-venus-jupiter-august-14-to-16

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MNN: The surprising beauty and benefits of driftwood

Trees are pillars of their communities, a role they can maintain even in death. An upright dead tree offers vital habitat to certain birds and bats, for example, while a fallen tree is a bonanza for life on the forest floor, including future trees.

Yet rotting in place is not the only natural afterlife for a tree. Sometimes, instead of giving back to its birth forest, a tree will embark on an odyssey to pay it forward, carrying its ecological wealth away from the only home it has ever known

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/blogs/driftwood-beauty-benefits

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Inner Journey:

WHAT ARE YOU PROCRASTINATING?

“The greatest amount of wasted time is the time not getting started.”
— Dawson Trotman

Procrastination seriously drains our energy and our morale. What remains undone nags at us. What are you avoiding?

Make a list of items and then review each one. Does it really need to be done? After you’ve reviewed your list, prioritize it and start one task today.

Please do not procrastinate taking one minute to write down your answer to this question. Capture it on paper and this will help build awareness, commitment and discipline.

“How soon not now, becomes never.”
— Martin Luther

“Talk does not cook rice.”
— Chinese proverb

“Do you know what happens when you give a procrastinator a good idea? Nothing!”
— Donald Gardner

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Lilac pandas, dancing flowers, sugar mountains, and rainbow houses, don’t even hint at the splendor of where you came from. But then, your friends back “home” can’t imagine crimson sunrises, falling snow in moonlight, twirling dolphins, wagging tails, purring hearts, ocean mists, or bare feet in grass.

You’ve so impressed the Joneses.

Another day in paradise,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Summer Squash Lasagne

I had a big summer squash, leftover turkey breast, and leftover cheese. I decided to try putting them together lasagne style, and was pleased with the results. The squash replaces the noodles, so it is low in carbs. You can vary the cheeses, meats, and seasonings. I had basil and kale, so I added them in as well. If I had have ricotta or cottage cheese I would have used that, too.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Summer-Squash-Lasagne.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
August 15, 2018

Success

“I am not the smartest or most talented person in the world, but I succeeded because I keep going, and going, and going.”

-Sylvester Stallone

There is a lot to be said for persistence and perseverance. How much drive and enthusiasm have we put into our efforts? When we pursue something “whole-heartedly” then we simply can’t give up. When we invest our Selves into our plans, we can’t help but succeed!

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 9 Ways to Live an Authentic Life
If you’re struggling with redefining your life and need some insight – check out these nine ways to live an authentic life.

Cat’s Morning Bits for August 8, 2018

Posted on August 8, 2018 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for August 8, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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If the first week in August is unusually warm,
The winter will be white and long.
-proverb

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Spiritual Unite: Worn Out Souls- A Story of Soul Contracts and Synchronicity

There are no coincidences in life. A coincidence is defined as a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent connection or significant meaning. Again, these do not exist because all coincidences have meaning — which is what Carl Jung defined as a synchronicity. Synchronicities refer to the law of unity, that we are all linked through our unconscious. There … https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/worn-out-souls-a-story-of-soul-contracts-and-synchronicity/

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MBG: This Is The Most Important Thing You Can Do To Prevent Alzheimer’s (No Matter Your Age)

By the year 2050, the United States will have 14 million people in need of full-time care for Alzheimer’s disease, a number equal to the populations of New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago combined. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting 40 million adults, and issues like brain fog are finally being taken seriously.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/alzheimers-prevention-101

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Daily Good: 9 Scientists Share Their Favorite Happiness Practices
Where do you seek happiness? In your relationships? Your work? Your hobbies? This highly sought after feeling can be elusive and hard to hold on to. Once we do obtain it, the good feelings it brings are often fleeting and we begin our quest all over again. What if you could bring happiness into your life in more lasting ways? In this article, 9 scientists share their favorite practices for increasing happiness and well-being. From loving-kindness practices to regular exercise, they offer up a wealth of different tools. { read more } http://www.dailygood.org/story/1997/9-scientists-share-their-favorite-happiness-practices-kira-m-newman/
Be The Change
Choose one of the suggested practices that you haven’t tried before and do it consistently each day for one week. Share about your experience in the comments section below!

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Elephant Journal: When “Self-love” becomes a Barrier to Loving Others. {Poem}

When does Self-love become Self-righteous?
When do the words we build ourselves up with
Become walls that surround us
To such a great height
That we can no longer see friend from foe?

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/08/when-self-love-becomes-a-barrier-to-loving-others-poem/

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MNN: Catching up with the squirrel of many hats

When Mary Krupa was a freshman at Penn State in 2012, she began feeding the squirrels on campus. She never envisioned she’d one day be making miniature hats for one of them.
But the more she fed them, the friendlier the critters became. One squirrel in particular was comfortable enough to eat straight from Krupa’s hand.

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/the-squirrel-that-wears-many-hats

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EarthSky News: August 8 and 9 before sunup: Moon in Gemini

On the mornings of August 8 and 9, 2018, you’ll find the waning crescent moon in front of the constellation Gemini the Twins. Gemini’s two brightest stars, Castor and Pollux, represent twin brothers in Greek mythology, despite the fact that these two stars don’t look alike. If you look closely, you’ll see that Pollux is slightly brighter than Castor. Pollux is also more golden in color.

http://earthsky.org/tonight/moon-in-gemini-on-august-8-and-9

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Patheos-Pagan: Speaking Magick

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the American cultural idea of work. When my son was born, 2.5 years ago, I reduced my work hours to ¾ time – 30 hours a week. Working 30 hours a week with a newborn and now a toddler, I still feel like there’s so little time. I often feel overwhelmed with all that must be done, and there never seems to be enough time in the day. And I have a very present and committed co-parent, though she works more than I do and further away

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/naturessacredjourney/2018/08/speaking-magick/

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Inner Journey:

VALUING THE MOMENT

“… the only time you ever have in which to learn anything or see anything or feel anything, or express any feeling or emotion, or respond to an event, or grow, or heal, is this moment, because this is the only moment any of us ever gets. You’re only here now; you’re only alive in this moment.”
— Jon Kabat-Zinn

Many people regularly squander their time. They live under the assumption that they’ll live forever. As a result, they don’t value the present as a precious opportunity that will never come again.

Others continually race against time, trying to cram too many activities into each hour, and suffering stress in the process.

In our view, we are more effective and most happy when we balance being and doing. We continually ask ourselves what’s most important to get done. And we’re learning to BE — fully present — when we do. We also regularly give ourselves permission to relax.

Make today really matter. It’s all you’ll ever have.

“Very few of us know how much we can put into life if we use it properly, wisely, and economically. Let us economize our time — lifetimes ebb away before we wake up, and that is why we do not realize the value of the immortal time God has given us.”
— Paramahansa Yogananda

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

Be there. Go there now and never leave. Imagine that your dreams have already come true. Live your life from that mindset. Predicate your behavior on that reality, not the illusions that now surround you. Filter every thought, question, and answer from there. Let your focus shift and be born again – because dwelling from, not upon, the space you want to inherit is the fastest way to change absolutely everything.

See the difference?

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Crispy Parmesan Chicken Breasts

These chicken breasts are so juicy, and bursting with flavour. The exterior gets a delicious crunch without the use any kind of breading or flour. The trick is in stuffing Parmesan cheese right under the skin and finishing them in high heat. I am in love with this dish!

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Crispy-Parmesan-Chicken-Breasts.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
August 8, 2018

Soul

“All religion, all life, all art, all expression come down to this: to the effort of the human soul to break through its barrier of loneliness, of intolerable loneliness, and make some contact with another seeking soul, or with what all souls seek, which is (by any name) God.”

-Don Marquis (1878-1937)

Yes! Our connection with one another is there, and we are seeking to experience it. And by experiencing our connection with one another, we can experience our connection with God. God expresses through each one of us. Do we notice? Are we listening? Each person we come into contact with has something for us, some piece of the puzzle large or small. We are searching for ourselves, so why don’t we make it easier and stop hiding from ourselves?

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 5 Ways to Overcome Negative Thinking
If there is one reason why you should work to overcome negative thinking, it is this.
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 August 1, 2018 Blessed Lughnasadh!

Posted on August 1, 2018 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for August 1, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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A languid atmosphere, a lazy breeze,
With labored respiration, moves the wheat
From distant reaches, till the golden seas
Break in crisp whispers at my feet.

-James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916)

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Spiritual Unite: 4 Common Signs Of Spiritual Growth

Along with our spiritual journey, we will enter into periods of accelerated spiritual growth, but what are the signs that tell us that we are experiencing this progress on our spiritual journey? It’s important we know. After all, how can we know we are making progress without tangible signs?

https://www.spiritualunite.com/articles/4-common-signs-of-spiritual-growth/

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Mara Freeman’s Celtic Spirit Newsletter

Good tidings to you at Lammas!

Love’s Harvest
It’s high summer – time to celebrate the old Celtic festival known as Lughnasadh in Ireland and Lammas in Britain – the traditional time of pilgrimage in the northern Celtic lands where for centuries people have rejoiced in the endless light-filled days by climbing sacred hills, drinking at holy wells, or voyaging to green islands set like jewels in a sunlit sea.

As we pause in our labours, celebrate the warm weather and enjoy the fruits of our daily work, we have an opportunity to take stock of what the seasons so far have yielded: to reflect upon our hopes and dreams that were sown in the dawn of the year, came to life in the springtime, and are now maybe ready to bear fruit. On the spiritual level, we can ask ourselves what wisdom we have garnered so far this year: What will be the harvest of our souls?

For as the wheel turns, the life-giving triumph of the harvest must give way to death, reminding us that nothing stands still, and that on the human level, for whatever is gained in our lives, there must be an equal giving-away, a sacrifice, so that cosmic balance and order can be maintained.

‘Sacrifice’ can be a bit of an alarming term, implying that something we hold dear must be given up. But this is only part of the truth. For in loosening our tightly-bound identity as a small, separate individual, disconnected from each other and from the Divine, we create an opening for Love to pour in – for all beings, including the Earth herself, and the hidden worlds beyond our senses – and so reap a greater harvest of compassion, peace and joy.

http://www.chalicecentre.net/

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Daily Good: Green Museum

“I think artists have the opportunity not just to call attention to problems and preach, but to really help solve problems, to help create things that work better, that are just more beautiful and right. We’re far more likely to do things that are good for us as a society if we’re drawn to them because they look better, are more meaningful and tasty. These are things we’ll choose to do simply because they feel better.” This interview with artist Sam Bower shares more. { read more } http://www.conversations.org/story.php?sid=201

Be The Change

Start with your own environment — back yard, front yard, window box, roof? Let your imagination go to work. Come up with one or two or three things you can do to make your own environment more beautiful, healthier, more tasty.

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“As in the bread and wine, so it is with me.
Within all forms is locked a record of the past
And a promise of the future.
I ask that you lay your blessings upon me, Ancient Ones,
That this season of waning light
And increasing darkness may not be heavy.
So Mote It Be!”
– Faille, Lammas Ritual

gardendigest.com

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Elephant Journal: Bringing back Connection, Relationship & Handmade Treasures to our Present Lives.

Though only 35 years old, I’ve lived the great privilege of growing up in a world very different than the world we live in today.
It was a truly ancient way of living, where everything had a name and a purpose, and if we listened, we could come to know what those were.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/07/bringing-back-connection-relationship-handmade-treasures-to-our-present-lives/

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EarthSky News: Orion the Hunter returns before dawn

Around early August, if you’re up early and have an unobstructed view to the east, be sure to look in that direction in the hour before dawn. You might find a familiar figure – a constellation that is always returning to the sky around this time of year. It’s the beautiful constellation Orion the Hunter – recently behind the sun as seen from our earthly vantage point – now ascending once more in the east before sunrise.

http://earthsky.org/tonight/orion-the-hunter-ghost-of-the-summer-dawn

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Patheos-Pagan: A Child’s Lammas Ritual

Performing rituals with your children is it’s own magical experience. Their sense of wonder and discovery can be infections, as well as their suspension of belief and their sense of play. The following ritual was written with all of this in mind and is aimed at providing parents a simple ritual that they can perform with their own children.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/oakandolive/2018/07/a-childs-lammas-ritual/

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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

Truth be told, it takes so very, very little to be happy.

But you knew that.

Phew!

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Green Goddess Buddha Bowl

Buddha bowls—light, healthy meals comprised of a whole grain, lots of vegetables, a healthful protein source, and a flavorful sauce—are all the rage. This bowl combines the star nutrition power of whole grain sorghum and beans with cool green veggies, such as arugul, avocados, cucumbers, asparagus, and pumpkin seeds. Plus, it’s topped with a house-made, plant-based Green Goddess Dressing that is as tasty as it is pretty.

https://pioneerthinking.com/green-goddess-buddha-bowl

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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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“‘Lughnassad’ means ‘the funeral games of Lugh’, referring to Lugh, the Irish sun god. However, the funeral is not his own, but the funeral games he hosts in honor of his foster-mother Tailte. For that reason, the traditional Tailtean craft fairs and Tailtean marriages (which last for a year and a day) are celebrated at this time. As autumn begins, the Sun God enters his old age, but is not yet dead. It is also a celebration of the first harvest. The Christian religion adopted this theme and called it ‘Lammas’, meaning ‘loaf-mass’, a time when newly baked loaves of bread are placed on the altar. An alternative date around August 5 (Old Lammas), when the sun reaches 15 degrees Leo, is sometimes employed by Covens.”
– Wiccan Holidays, Lughnassad (July 31 – August Eve)

gardendigest.com

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Daily Wisdom
August 1, 2018

Silence

“Silence is the language of God.”

-Swami Sivananda (1887-1963)

Are we really listening when we are in silence? Or are we “thinking” and listening to our busy minds? Stop the chatter for awhile – breathe – get quiet – and allow those thoughts to pass as clouds drift across a blue sky. Then listen, and hear God.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 6 Powerful Choices That Will Change Everything

You need to make a fundamental change and making choices are part of the evolution of this method. Choices can be for the good or for the bad, depending on the election. Still, decisions can make us feel awkward and could even promote a sense of fright in people because of the unknown. And yet, it can be for our own welfare. It may help us obtain new friends, venture out into a new business or nudge us to consider visiting another land.
Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/inspiration/6-powerful-choices-that-will-change-everything.aspx#G87IJCa4ciek6V0u.99

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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 25, 2018

Posted on July 25, 2018 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for July 25, 2018

Blessings, Cat

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Summer is a glorious season,
Warm, and bright, and pleasant.
-Denis Florence MacCarthy (1811-82)

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Spirituality & Health: 5 Ways To Get Outside

According to outdoor supplier REI, the average American spends 95 percent of their life inside. Most of us work, study, eat and enjoy leisure activities like watching movies, all in the climate-controlled indoors. Yet study after study has shown that being out in nature has positive effects on our health, from reducing depression to lowering blood pressure and bad cholesterol. So why the disconnect? Let’s look at ways to get outside that can inspire even the most “indoor cats” among us to venture out.

https://spiritualityhealth.com/articles/2018/07/24/5-ways-to-get-outside#

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MBG: Houseplants Get Sunburns Too! Here’s How To Save ‘Em

Calling all plant parents! To ring in the height of summer (for half of the world at least), this week mbg is serving up the ultimate plant-centric lineup. Every day, we’ll be tapping expert green thumbs for their current plant obsessions, design hacks, and foolproof care tips. Get ready, get set, get growing.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/houseplant-care-tips-for-summer

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Daily Good: The Wordplay of Pathways

What is your idea of a pathway; both literal and figurative? And once you have started “down this path”, have you ever paused to consider the winding trail of words, meanings and phrases humans use to describe the act of traveling by foot? Find out in this delightful post from a project; dedicated to sharing the moments of life that make you say “Oh, I See”! { read more }

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2047/the-wordplay-of-pathways-joyce-mcgreevy/

Be The Change

Think of one thing you need to do today that you can accomplish on foot, from getting the mail to buying stamps. Take that walk with your senses wide open, traveling a “pathway” of discovery.

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Elephant Journal: Mercury Retrograde: 10 Things Not to Do. {7/26 to 8/19}

The planetary cosmos has an evil plot to make our lives go crazy from July 26 to August 19, 2018. It’s called Mercury retrograde.
For the uninitiated or the skeptical, just pay attention to your life experiences over the next three weeks. You may find yourself joining the millions of believers who plan their year by calling up their local astrologer to find out the dates when Mercury goes retrograde.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/07/mercury-retrograde-10-things-not-to-do-7-26-to-8-19/

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MNN: How to make frozen cat treats

If your cat stares at you when you’re eating ice cream, it can be tempting to share your tasty snack. But milk-based products can have some pretty unpleasant side effects for your feline friend.

https://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/how-make-frozen-cat-treats

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EarthSky News: Watch the moon sweep past bright Mars at opposition

On any of these next few nights – July 25 to 27, 2018 – watch for the moon and the very bright red object near it. That red “star” is really a planet, Mars. On July 27, Mars comes to opposition in our sky for the first time since May 22, 2016. That’s when our planet Earth, in its smaller orbit around the sun, passes more or less in between the sun and Mars.

http://earthsky.org/tonight/brightest-mars-in-15-years

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Patheos-Pagan: INTUITION AND SYMBOL

Because it’s counterintuitive, the prevalent view of the symbol is to regard it as belonging in the category that we call ‘intuition’.

Insofar as we can argue that the intuitive faculty is a visual faculty, I can see why the symbol, steeped in visual imagery, should be thought of as having to do with the creative part of the brain, the part that dreams in images and weird translations.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/cartomancer/2018/07/19/intuition-and-symbol/

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Inner Journey:

WHAT IS YOUR DESTINY?

“The significant business of your life is alive and well, awaiting discovery, within your very soul. You and I were born to come into ourselves as complete and distinctive persons. Accepting this, we build a valuable life.”
— Marsha Sinetar

What is the significant business of your life? What is your purpose? Andrew Schneider says that purpose “is more than just having a direction. It is about one’s place in the universe. It is the journey of finding that place and being there and living fully whatever that place is. It is your own unique place that nobody else has, had, or will have.”

How would you describe your place in the universe?

“We become powerful in the face of our fears when we have a sense that we make a difference in this world. Affirmations of purpose communicate the truth that we are all meaningful participants in this Universe and that we are worthy of giving and receiving love. Some affirmations of purpose are:

– I know that I count and I act as though I do.
– I spread warmth and love everywhere I go.
– I am a healing force in the Universe.”
— Susan Jeffers

“The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”
— Joseph Addison

higherawareness.com
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Inspirational Quote

“ Kindly words, sympathizing attentions, watchfulness against wounding men’s sensitiveness–these cost very little, but they are priceless in their value. ”

– F.W. Robertson

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A Note from the Universe

When you can look beneath their behavior that hurt you and you can see the frightened child, it becomes nearly impossible to be angry or carry a grudge.

And you so can.

ILY,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Kid’s Watermelon Grape Fizz

Shaken, not Stirred. Does this phrase ring any bell? This is how James Bond wishes his drink Martini, to be served. This Watermelon Grape Fizz while not shaken will be enough to give you the much needed fizz.

https://pioneerthinking.com/kids-watermelon-grape-fizz

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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
July 25, 2018

Inspiration

“I am one who, when Love inspires, attend, and according as he speaks within me, so I express myself.”

-Dante (1265-1321)

Writers and artists often speak lovingly of their “muse.” Love is a muse that all of us share. What could be more inspiring? When we are “in love” we are “in spirit,” we feel our connection with God. Yet that connection is omnipresent. So when we feel that connection, we can have that same feeling of being “in love” and use it to inspire our selves!

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: Five Compliments Guaranteed to Make Someone’s Day
Make someone’s day today.

I was standing in line at a grocery store behind a young man and his little boy. The boy was playing nearby and accidentally knocked over a large sign. Frightened, he burst into tears, and his father ran to his side and gently comforted him. I was touched by how sweetly he treated his son. After he left the store, I regretted the fact that I didn’t take the time to compliment him. I recalled the times that strangers had surprised me with genuine compliments and resolved to give them out more freely in the future. Here are a few ideas.
Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/wellness/galleries/five-compliments-guaranteed-to-make-someones-day.aspx#ik8DbpXWIRSErreu.99

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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 18, 2018

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for July 18, 2018

Blessings, Cat

_________________________

Build a castle, comb a beach;
summer’s ripe as any peach!
-The Old Farmer’s Almanac, 1996

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Spirituality & Healing: Inner Happy Hour:

5 Ways to Chill Out

I thought it was hot the other day at my home in midcity Los Angeles, with a reading of 105 degrees. Ha, chimed in my friends, who not far from me noted 114 and 113 degrees respectively. In Van Nuys, it officially hit 117. No matter where you live, though, climate change is creating hotter temperatures than ever and the need to cool down in summer is becoming urgent. Let’s look at five completely natural ways to keep your cool.

https://spiritualityhealth.com/articles/2018/07/16/5-ways-to-chill-out

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MBG: ‘Finding Your Purpose’ Could Be Taking Away From Your Happiness. Here’s What To Do About It

Many books have been written on the topic of purpose, and people talk about “finding your purpose” all the time. But what is purpose, and how does one find it? While the discussions may vary a bit, most contain a common theme: that finding and fulfilling your purpose is the most important thing you can do with your life, and life isn’t meaningful unless you do.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/finding-your-purpose-and-your-happiness

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Daily Good: Counter Mapping

The use of maps on our phones and on paper, show border lines and roads that don’t tell the deeper story of the land we live and travel on. Deep within the land are stories of ourselves and our ancestors that can enrich life as we rarely know it. Jim Enote is one such man who knows the soul stories that the land can hold. Jim is a traditional Zuni farmer and director of the A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center in New Mexico, USA. He is working with Zuni artists to create maps that bring an indigenous voice and perspective back to the land, countering Western notions of place and geography and challenging the arbitrary borders imposed on the Zuni world

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2052/counter-mapping-adam-loften-and-emmanuel-vaughan-lee/

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Elephant Journal: Summertime Chaos: 7 Planets & Healer Chiron in Retrograde.

This summer, we will experience the dizzying influence of seven planets plus Chiron in retrograde—and six of these planets will be appearing to spin in reverse all at the same time

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/07/summertime-chaos-6-planets-healer-chiron-in-retrograde/

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MNN: Marine robot hunts starfish to save coral reefs

Can a killer robot destroy crown-of-thorns starfish that are plaguing the Great Barrier Reef?

Why target these poor, innocent starfish? Well, the truth is that they aren’t so innocent. When crown-of-thorns starfish population densities are under control, these beautiful creatures play a balanced role in the ecosystem of the Great Barrier Reef. But when………..

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/researchers-create-terminator-marine-robot-hunts-starfish

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EarthSky News: Deneb and Cygnus the Swan

Tonight’s chart has you looking eastward at the famous Summer Triangle. Today, notice the star Deneb, the northernmost star in the Summer Triangle. Its constellation is Cygnus the Swan. In a dark country sky, you can see that Cygnus is flying along the starlit trail of the summer Milky Way.

http://earthsky.org/tonight/summer-triangle-deneb-and-its-constellation-cygnus-2

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Patheos-Pagan: What is Witchcraft Now?

The question ‘what is witchcraft’ was raised recently and in the context of ‘what is witchcraft modern NOW‘?
When I first started my journey into all things witchy (about a gazillion years ago) there weren’t many study/learning options available to me. I like a structure to learning and the only thing around when I started was Wicca, which suited me at the time.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/beneaththemoon/2018/07/what-is-witchcraft-now/

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Inner Journey:

MAKE TIME TO PLAY

“If we fail to nourish our souls, they wither, and without soul, life ceases to have meaning…. The creative process shrivels in the absence of continual dialogue with the soul. And creativity is what makes life worth living.”
— Marion Woodman

Stress, fear, negativity, too much to do and doing things for others at the expense of our own needs — these all stifle our innate creativity. Relaxation, fun, meditation, and going after our dreams all get the creative juices flowing. Soul is always creative, always fresh and new.

How can you create more space in your life to allow the soul’s energy out to play?

“I learned… that inspiration does not come like a bolt, nor is it kinetic, energetic, striving, but it comes to us slowly and quietly and all the time, though we must regularly and every day give it a little chance to start flowing, prime it with a little solitude and idleness.”
— Brenda Ueland

“I lived in solitude in the country and noticed how the monotony of quiet life stimulates the creative mind.”
— Albert Einstein

higherawareness.com
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A Note from the Universe

When people see, for the first time, how everyone else on the planet is just another version of themselves – the same spark of God except for the pressures and desires unique to each life – some laugh, some cry, and some laugh until they cry.

May you live your life so that when this day dawns for you, you’re among those who laugh.

Tallyho, ho, ho –

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Chilled Cantaloupe Soup with Mint

Our cold cantaloupe soup will soon be a summer staple. Simple, refreshing and oh-so easy, this 5-ingredient starter is packed with vitamins. Garnish with seasonal mint and strawberries and enjoy al fresco all season long.

https://pioneerthinking.com/chilled-cantaloupe-soup-with-mint

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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
July 18, 2018

Enthusiasm

“Flaming enthusiasm, backed up by horse sense and persistence, is the quality that most frequently makes for success.”

-Dale Carnegie

Remember that formula! When we’re really excited about something, if we want to make something happen, all we need to do is to share our enthusiasm, use common sense, and don’t give up! It’s that simple. Success begins with enthusiasm.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 5 Ways to Neutralize Negative Karma
Karma is a complex and often misunderstood concept. In basic terms karma is the law of cause and effect.
Read more……………

___________________________

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 11, 2018

Posted on July 11, 2018 by Cat

Cat’s Morning Bits for July 11, 2018

Blessings, Cat

_________________________

Cool in the very furnace of July
The water-meadows lie;
The green stalks of their grasses and their flowers
They still refresh at fountains never dry.
-John Drinkwater (1882-1937)

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Spirituality & Health: Mindful Walking

In the children’s book Wacky Wednesday, Dr. Seuss imagines a world where people are doing very odd things indeed, like driving a car facing backward. That’s how I felt the other day in my neighborhood. I saw one lady pushing her stroller, totally ignoring her baby while staring at her text messages. Another walked her dog, equally mesmerized by her phone and ignoring her cute pooch.

https://spiritualityhealth.com/articles/2018/07/09/mindful-walking

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MBG: An Altar Ritual To Bring Your Intentions To Life — Just In Time For Tomorrow’s New Moon

This upcoming new moon, which will occur during the wee hours of Friday, July 13, is also a partial solar eclipse. As the moon falls into the domain of caring, nurturing Cancer, an aspect of our emotional life could also be falling into place.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/new-moon-in-cancer-2018-ritual

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Daily Good: Cooking Stirs the Pot for Social Change

Every time we step to our stoves to make a meal we’re engaging with the society around us. Each ingredient that we use, every technique, every spice tells a story about our access, our privilege, our heritage, and our culture. The foods and dishes we consume are all part of larger forces that impact our lives. Our appetites and what we crave are the result of our place in the world at that time.

http://www.dailygood.org/story/2061/cooking-stirs-the-pot-for-social-change-korsha-wilson/

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Elephant Journal: Shift Happens: 20 Quotes for when we’re Afraid of Change.

Before I turned 18, my family had moved houses seven times.
I told myself that the constant moving had made me good at dealing with change. I prided myself on this.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/07/shift-happens-20-quotes-when-were-afraid-of-change/

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MNN: These wild animals can help guard your garden

When you grow plants for food, you’re part of a cultural revolution that dates back more than 10,000 years. It might not seem very revolutionary today, but agriculture helped our hunting-and-gathering ancestors sow the seeds of civilization. It was almost like humanity had finally begun to wean itself off the wilderness.

https://www.mnn.com/your-home/organic-farming-gardening/blogs/wildlife-can-guard-your-garden

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EarthSky News: Double moon on July 27? August 27?
Let’s be hoax-busters. This one is sure to be circulating, since it circulates every year. No. Mars will not be as large as the moon on July 27, August 27, or ever.

http://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/double-moon-on-august-27

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Patheos-Pagan: The Moon…what’s yours called?

Each monthly moon has a name and these are different in each culture, region, country, faith or religion – many, many different names but usually they refer to the season, the weather or what the people are up to at that time of the year.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/beneaththemoon/2016/11/the-moonwhats-yours-called/

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Inner Journey:

WE PROJECT OUR STRENGTHS

“Any situation that you find yourself in, is an outward reflection of your inner state of beingness.”
— El Morya

We have discussed that OUR WORLD MIRRORS WHO WE ARE BACK TO US. When we get upset by something outside of us, our reaction shows us that we have an inner wound to be healed.

Just as we can be unconscious of our wounds, we can also be unconscious of our strengths. If you are really drawn to the positive qualities in another person, you are being invited to own those same qualities in yourself.

“The people we are in relationship with are always a mirror, reflecting our own beliefs, and simultaneously we are mirrors reflecting their beliefs. So relationship is one of the most powerful tools for growth… if we look honestly at our relationships we can see so much about how we have created them.”
— Shakti Gawain

“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.”
— Henry Ward Beecher

higherawareness.com

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A Note from the Universe

If given just one wish for this year knowing that you could wish for anything at all and whatever you wished for was GUARANTEED to come true… would you wish for all things to be EXACTLY as they are?

Me too.

We bad,

The Universe

tut.com

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Today’s Recipe: Cranberry Apple Tuna Salad

This is a fun twist on a tuna salad, adding some crunch and vibrance. I make a batch at the weekend. It keeps well in the fridge for days, making for quick and easy lunches. I love serving this at my summer parties.

https://www.thriftyfun.com/Cranberry-Apple-Tuna-Salad.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]

_________________________

Daily Wisdom
July 11, 2018

Music

“Music is your own experience, your own thoughts, your wisdom. If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn. They teach you there’s a boundary line to music. But, man, there’s no boundary line to art.” -Charlie Parker (1920-1955)

Whatever we create comes through us. It is our own expression of music, or any kind of art, that makes it unique and original. Music is a part of the universe, and when we take the time to listen, we can channel it through to our everyday lives. There are infinite possibilities before us, and music is one way that we can experience that.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: A Spiritual Response to Daily Outrage

These days, we seem to be stuck in an endless cycle of awful news reports. Injustice seems more common than fairness. People in search of power or celebrity behave badly, sometimes with criminal cruelty. Social media seems to feed the cravings of drama addicts who pick fights just to enjoy watching folks spinning like tops in their fury. Who does not want to wash away the daily barrage of outrage?
Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/wellness/a-spiritual-response-to-daily-outrage.aspx#rVCFCDc0GLboZpYD.99

___________________________

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, 2018

Posted on June 27, 2018 by Cat

CMB canva sm

Cat’s Morning Bits for June 27, 2018

Blessings, Cat

_________________________

When sun-rays crown thy pine-clad hills
And summer spreads her hand,
When silvern voices tune thy rills,
We love thee, smiling land.
-Sir Cavendish Boyle (1849-1916)

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MBG: These 2-Minute Rituals Will Seriously Up Your Self-Love Game

How do we get through the dark cloud or the tough patch? How can we grow, even flourish, in the face of grief, loss, confusion, and transitions? We’re human, and such experiences are inevitable, after all. To avoid them is to deny the full range of being alive.

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-29965/these-2minute-rituals-will-seriously-up-your-selflove-game.html

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The Tetraktys: The Element of Water in Wicca – Connecting With the West and Finding Equilibrium

So, what is water? The element of water represents two things: water itself, or H2O, and things in their liquid form. Most of the time, in nature, the latter also has water in it since water is the universal solvent on Earth, which means that it can dissolve more things than any other substance

https://www.thetetraktys.com/2018/the-element-of-water-in-wicca-connecting-with-the-west-and-finding-equilibrium/

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Elephant Journal: Save Yourself the Disappointment: 5 Things to Avoid Doing while Mars is in Retrograde. {June 26 to August 27}

Have you ever been through a period of your life where your great expectations are met with huge disappointment and disbelief?
You look up at the sky with a grimace on your face and have what social scientists call a “W-T-F” moment as you think about the disaster that’s just happened in your life.

https://www.elephantjournal.com/2018/06/save-yourself-the-disappointment-5-things-to-avoid-doing-while-mars-is-in-retrograde-june-26-to-aug-27/

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MNN: Ancient engineers behind Stonehenge used Pythagorean’s theorem

While the ancient Greek mathematician Pythagoras is often credited with creating the first proof for what’s since become known as the Pythagorean theorem, there’s increasing evidence that this clever bit of math has been used for millennia by cultures all around the world.

According to the authors of the new book, “Megalith: Studies in Stone,” Stonehenge and other Neolithic sites were created using complex geometry that at some point became lost to the ages.

https://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/blogs/ancient-engineers-likely-used-pythagoreans-theorem-build-stonehenge

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EarthSky News: Strawberry Moon, Saturn June 27 and 28

These next few nights – June 27 and 28, 2018 – find the Strawberry Moon in the vicinity of the planet Saturn in the southeastern sky at nightfall. Then, at the month’s end, watch for the waning gibbous moon to pair up with the red planet Mars.

http://earthsky.org/tonight/this-years-full-strawberry-moon

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Patheos-Pagan: Do What Thou Wilt

If you attend any meeting of Thelemites someone is likely to say “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law,” which is always answered by “Love is the law, love under will.” What does that mean?
The phrase “Do what thou wilt” is part of the law of Thelema. It comes from the Book of the Law, Chapter I, line 40, dictated to Aleister Crowley by the entity Aiwass.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/starandsnake/2014/05/do-what-thou-wilt/

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Inner Journey:

ASK YOUR BODY FOR ADVICE!

“The body has its own way of knowing, a knowing that has little to do with logic, and much to do with truth, little to do with control, and much to do with acceptance, little to do with division and analysis, and much to do with union.”
— Marilyn Sewell

Are you aware of your body’s wisdom? Our bodies usually know us better than our minds do. If you have a decision to make, consult your body before making a final choice.

Reflect on an option before you and then pay attention to your body. Are you breathing deeply or barely at all? Are your muscles tense or relaxed? Is your energy blocked or flowing?

Your body knows what it likes and it feels good when it’s happy. As your body is the source of your vitality, your motivation, your inspiration and enthusiasm and most importantly, your intuition, it’s best to get that part of you on-side if you are venturing into a new activity.

“When you are saying that you are happy and you are not, there will be a disturbance in your breathing. Your breathing cannot be natural. It is impossible.”
— Osho

“Our inner guidance comes to us through our feelings and body wisdom first — not through intellectual understanding. …The intellect works best in service to our intuition, our inner guidance, soul, God or higher power — whichever term we choose for the spiritual energy that animates life.”
— Christiane Northrup

higherawareness.com

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A Note from the Universe

Upon confirmation that you would soon be living on planet earth at this wild and crazy time, as YOU no less, there was utter jubilation. And one of the many reasons you were so happy was because you knew there would never, ever be any shortage of people you could help, smiles you could spread, and love you could give.

You’re like me,

The Universe

tut.com

_________________________

Today’s Recipe: Mustard Chicken with Summer Vegetables

Few things go together better than chicken and an assortment of summer vegetables all cooked so that the flavors mingle. Convenient and easy to prepare, this dish makes a great complete summer meal.

https://pioneerthinking.com/mustard-chicken-with-summer-vegetables

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Magical Correspondences for Wednesday

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

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

_________________________

Daily Wisdom
June 27, 2018

Thoughts

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become.” -Buddha (563 – 483 B.C.)

Our thoughts direct our lives. The path we are on begins in our heart and in our mind. Each step we take moves us toward our greater purpose if that is where we want to go. We can become the person we want to be, the person we know that we truly are.

-Lissa Coffey

coffeytalk.com

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Beliefnet: 6 Ways to Incorporate Essential Oils in Your Home

For thousands of years, cultures around the world have been using the powerful properties of plants. These cultures have known the immense wellness benefits of plants, and in modern times, essential oils have brought to light what these cultures have known throughout the ages.

The Desert Path

The Dusty Ramblings of a Desert Pagan

Tag Archives: Wednesday’s Inspirations

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