Celebrating spirituality January 10, 2013

Celebrating Spirituality

On this day:

In rural Europe the first Monday after the Twelfth Day of Christmas was Plough Monday and was considered to be the beginning of the agricultural year.  Very little work was done on this day.  Instead, a plough was decorated and dragged around the fields and through the streets of the village while its bearers begged for money.  Anyone who refused to participate was in danger of having his or her garden ploughed up.

The money the participants collected was used to purchase a large candle.  This was then placed on the altar in the village church.  The candle would then be blessed by the presiding priest to ensure good weather for ploughing and an abundant harvest.

Magical Activity:

New Year Success Spell

Items needed: One yellow candle; green ribbon; a small piece of parchment paper

To begin, inscribe your name near the top of the candle, then tie the green ribbon around its base.  Write out your wish for the coming year on the piece of paper.  Place the candle in a holder and set it on top of the paper. Light the candle and chant the following seven times:

 

Busy as can be,

Bright as a light.

The success I see,

Is mine from this night.

Allow the candle to burn for one hour and then extinguish. Repeat this spell for seven days, each day allowing the candle to burn for one hour.  On the seventh day the candle is allowed to burn out.  You will then want to fold the parchment paper into a small packet, secure with the green ribbon, and carry on your person.

 

Medical tip of the day:

 

To help with coughs:

Liquorice – for a soothing cough medicine, simmer 1-teaspoon of liquorice root in a large cup of water for about 10 minutes.  Strain, and drink while still hot.

Lemon & olive oil – Mix together an equal part of lemon juice and olive oil…sip small quantities as required.

Onions – Chop and cover with honey.  Leave to stand overnight.  Take a tablespoon of the juice every 2 hours.

Mustard – Mustard powder is excellent for coughs, colds, flu and general debility.  Mix a tablespoon of mustard powder into a paste, add this to a hot bath and stir.  You can either immerse yourself or just soak your feet in the hot mustard tub.

 

Herb of the day:

 

Sweetgrass

Element: Air

Powers: Calling Spirits

Magical Uses: Burn sweetgrass to attract good spirits, or beings, before performing spells.

Sweetgrass is traditionally braided and used as a smudge by lighting the tip. It does tend to burn out easily and therefore needs to be re-lit if used in this way. An alternative is to cut clippings / shaving off the braid of grass and burn on charcoal tablets.

Sweetgrass is commonly burned after White Sage, for purification but not always necessary to use in combination with others, it is sufficient on it's own, depending on your intention.

A great way to clean the energy in your home is to burn white sage while walking counter clockwise through your home, once complete, extinguish the embers.  Then light the sweetgrass and walk clockwise throughout the home, once complete, extinguish the embers.  Going clockwise with the sage expels negative energies out while going clockwise with the sweetgrass invites positive energies in.

Sweetgrass can instantly change the energy surrounding one's physical body and environment while improving the emotional state, bringing it to a renewed perspective. It draws with it feelings of abundance and uplifts the spirits immediately. It's positive actions on the auric field are useful prior to energy work, and energy healing practices.
If you feel like the energy is off, if you've had an encounter that felt uncomfortable, been in a disagreement or been in the presence of one who brought with them negative energy or drains energy with their presence, using sweetgrass is a method that will quickly bring your environmental state back to equilibrium and comfort.

 

Stone of the Day:

 

Tigers Eye

Tiger’s Eye combines the earth energy with the energies of the sun to create a high vibrational state that is nevertheless grounded, drawing the spiritual energies to earth.  Placed on the third eye, it enhances psychic abilities in earthy people and balances the lower chakras, stimulating the rise of the kundalini energy.

Tiger’s Eye is a protective stone that was traditionally carried as a talisman against ill wishing and curses.  It shows the correct use of power and brings out integrity.  It assists in accomplishing goals, recognizing inner resources and promoting clarity of intention.  Placed on the navel chakra, Tiger’s eye is excellent for people who are spaced out or uncommitted.  It grounds and facilitates manifestation of the will.  Tiger’s Eye anchors change into the physical body.

This stone is useful for recognizing both your needs and those of other people.  It differentiates between wishful thinking about what you want and what you really need.

Mentally, tigers eye integrates the hemispheres of the brain and enhances practical perception.  It aids in collecting scattered information to make a coherent whole.  It is helpful for resolving dilemmas and internal conflicts, especially those brought about by pride and willfulness.  Tiger’s eye is particularly useful for healing mental disease and personality disorders.

Psychologically, Tiger’s Eye heals issues of self-worth, self-criticism, and blocked creativity.  It aids in recognizing one’s talents and abilities and, conversely, faults that need to be overcome.  It supports and addictive personality in making changes.

Emotionally, Tiger’s Eye balances yin-yang and energizes the emotional body.  It alleviates depression and lifts moods.

Tigers Eye treats the eyes and aids night visions, heals the throat and reproductive organs, and dissolves constrictions.  It is helpful for repairing broken bones.

Specific colors:

Blue Tigers Eye – Calming and releases stress.  It aids the overanxious, quick-tempered, and phobic.  In healing, Blue Tiger’s Eye slows the metabolism, cools an overactive sex drive, and dissolves sexual frustrations.

Gold Tiger’s Eye – Aids in paying attention to detail, warning against complacency.  It assists in taking action from a place of reason rather than emotion.  Gold Tiger’s Eye is an excellent companion for tests and important meetings.

Red Tigers Eye – Stimulating stone that overcomes lethargy and provides motivation.  In healing it speeds up a slow metabolism and increases a low sex drive.