SGC Admin Bits and Pieces

August 31 2012: Blue Moon…Full Moon.. Meditation/Cleansing/Deleting

Ah…. A Blue Moon, it sounds so romantic, so magical….  :) 

illustration of a night scene. Stock Photo - 8717197

Graphics: http://www.123rf.com

The term Blue Moon relates to a 2nd full moon in the same month, and they usually happen every 2.5 years and 2012’s ‘blue moon’ occurs in the sign of Pisces: Compassion and Deception…

This may indicate a pull towards more compassionate subjects, situations or people. 

You are advised to be careful when making commitments of a seemingly compassionate nature, research into the subject is recommended.

You are also advised to be aware of people/situations who may seem “too good to be true” as it may be easy to deceive and be deceived during this time. 

It is said that a Full Moon is a good time to end projects, to put away things no longer needed… to let go, so as to allow room for growth… personal growth, spiritual growth, financial growth, relationship growth and physical growth. 

It sounds really good, and it would be fabulous if we could just say poof and all our worries, misfortunes etc could be taken away…. However, it’s easier said then done…. but it doesn’t hurt to try and make things better, it doesn’t hurt to help ourselves believe that things can get better, it doesn’t hurt to allow ourselves to get in touch with nature and our inner selves all the while consciously understanding the need to eliminate, to let go and trying our best to do so… 

I am not an expert on rituals by any means, but I have read some stuff, and I have listened to others and at times I have been honoured to witness and take part in such…. With this in mind I would like to share with you a “ritual” (a way to connect) relating to the Full Moon and letting go…. I sense that any intention given out this night will be stronger because of the “Blue Moon” :) 

Before the evening begins, write down all the Things/people/emotions you would like to have removed from you and your mind….

This could be Things such as the old chair, not no longer can serve”: People such as a teacher, boss, neighbour etc who no longer helps you to grow, but instead may hinder you: And Emotions such as Jealousy, Envy, Anger, Hate, Selfishness: 

Be honest with yourself, and write with Good Intentions Only... this means that nothing you wish to rid yourself of will have a negative effect on someone or something else. You cannot wish someone harm or bad will just to please yourself or to fill your own agenda… 

Get comfy for the evening, have a shower or a bath if needed and find comfy clothes to wear…

As the evening draws near, find a place outside you are comfortable with, get yourself a lighter or a match and an ash tray or other heat safe holder.

Grab a drink and your list and relax until darkness falls and the moon appears,  if you can see the Moon look towards it…. Appreciate her, she is beautiful and represents all of our emotions….welcome the positive traits of the Pisces moon inward, feel compassion for all living things…

Breath in for a count of four.. hold for a count of four and then breath out for a count of four… do this several times, until you feel you body relaxing, beginning at your toes and moving all the way up to the top of your head…. breath... relax... feel the compassion.… breath… relax... feel the compassion….

When you are ready, take the paper on which you have written down what you want to get rid of…. take your lighter or match and hold both over the ashtray or heat-resistant surface…..

Pray or “speak with spirit”… ask for guidance, say thank you, and something like… “

“Spirit, I ask that you help me in getting rid of those things, people or emotions that can no longer assist me with my growth. I wish no harm to come to anyone connected to cleaning..”

Then light the paper and let it fall into the ashtray to burn out….

You have now informed the Universe of what it is you don’t want….

It may be wise to end your “ritual” by saying…

” I wish to practice Gratitude, and I ask that any space now opened for growth be filled with love and light also”

:) Then just relax and let Spirit and Universe take care of the rest…

It is likely some stuff/people will remain, and if they do remember it is also likely that either you or they have either 1) a Karmic Debt to repay or 2) A lesson is still needed to be learnt…  :) 

Enjoy your evening everyone… no matter what you believe… as it’s sure to be a beautiful one…. Peace…. 

Greta McKenzie: Editor: 

SGC Admin Bits and Pieces

Contest…. :) Our local paper wants to see your “wacky” vegetables..

Nature is amazing… most of the time she helps the plants including vegetables to grow big and strong and virtually perfect…. :) But on the odd occasion she decides to have some fun and creates some fabulously huge and wacky looking produce… :) 

harvest of vegetables and fresh produce garden Stock Photo - 12062216

Photo: http://www.123rf.com

As the growing season comes to a close and the harvesting begins…. Whitby This Week invites you to send in your photos of your larger than usual or odd-shaped vegetables…. :) It’s a contest, and the most votes on photo wins the prize…. :) Approximate prize value of each prize is $100:00

Contest Begins: September 4 2012 @ 9 am 

Contest Ends:    October 1 2012 @ 5 pm

To send in your entry or to find out more…. :) 

Go to: www.durhamregion.com/topic/contestdr 

Or

www.facebook.com/newsdurham 

Good Luck Everyone…. 

Source: Whitby This Week August 23 2012

SGC Admin Bits and Pieces

New Product from the Magical Blend Montreal

From the Editor: From our Inbox to You… 

The Magical Blend Newsletter announces new products… please Click Here to visit their website… or to contact them directly about any of their products, classes or to be added to their contact list. 

 Magic potion, illustration Stock Photo - 7637848

New Products! 

The Magical Blend has just gotten in a number of exciting new titles! Take a look at some of them below!

 

Magical Gardens: Cultivating Soil and Spirit ($20.95)

by Patricia Monaghan
“Nurture your love of the earth with a garden rooted in your spirituality. In this updated 15th anniversary edition of the beloved classic, Patricia Monaghan offers fresh advice and guidance for creating a magical garden that will nourish your soul. Bursting with ideas and inspiration, this guidebook shows you how to plan, grow, and tend an enchanting garden that is sown with your unique spirituality. Along with gardening advice for every climate and season, Magical Gardens weaves together myth and ritual to help you bring added power and meaning to your garden space. Discover the best plants for your site—being mindful of sun exposure, soil type, and climate zone—and learn about composting, controlling pests and weeds, gardening organically, and caring for plants at all growth stages. Perform meditations based on the year’s gardening cycle, and celebrate each season and every milestone in your life with rituals, prayers, and ceremonies.

This book features more than a dozen themed designs for sacred perennial gardens that you can re-create in your own backyard or out on your patio. Easy-to-follow designs will show you how to create a garden in honor of:

—Angels
—Aphrodite
—Cats
—Dragons
—Fairies
—Kwan-Yin
—The Sun . . . and more” 

 

The Magickal Retreat: Making Time for Solitude, Intention and Rejuvenation ($19.50)

by Susan Moonwriter Pesznecker
“When was the last time you took a break from the busyness of everyday life and worked magick just for your own delight? The more hectic life is, the more important it is to take time to refresh and recharge your spirit. This easy-to-use workbook walks you through the process of creating a personal and rejuvenating magickal experience. Using Joseph Campbell’s model of the hero’s journey, this inspiring book helps you identify your intention and tailor a retreat to meet your needs. You’ll also find individual retreat plans for specifically focusing on:

—Magickal Skills
—Pathwork
—Home Arts
—Arts and Crafts Green Magick
—Physical and Magickal Wellness
—Psychic Arts Cosmological Practices
—Ceremonial or Ritual Magick Dark Arts
—Science and Technomagick

With this guidebook, you’ll set your goal, choose a format—seclusion, sanctuary, vigil, or vision quest—and determine the time, place, and activities desired. You’ll return from your retreat renewed and energized, with a clear vision of how to integrate the wisdom you learned into your daily life.

Packed with creative ideas, you (or your group) will want to use this book over and over again—anytime you feel the need to slow down, step out of the ordinary, and revive yourself in your own private, sacred, magickal space.” 

Meditation for Multitaskers (with CD): A Guide to Finding Peace between the Pings($22.99)

by David Dillard-Wright

“If you think it’s impossible to live mindfully in a world roaring with rings, pings, and rings, think again. You can recover your focus, enhance your creativity, increase productivity, and connect with your inner self—not just your phone or computer! With this book, you’ll cut through the blur of your busy life and get the relief you sorely need, whether you’re in the office or in the comfort of your own home. Offering timely lessons in mindfulness on the go and a CD of guided meditations designed for tight schedules, this book will also help you:

Improve your concentration
Fight memory loss
Reduce stress
Encourage innovation
And much more!

Meditation expert Dr. David Dillard-Wright borrows from both Eastern and Western traditions to help you bring serenity and self-awareness back into your daily routine. With plenty of one- and five-minute exercises to get you started, this book is your guide to a calmer, richer life.” 

 
SGC Admin Bits and Pieces

wow… who knew… Runes & Runelore… Matt Risk The Magical Blend

From the Editor: From our inbox to you: Tidbit from The Magical Blend Newsletter… Enjoy… :) 

Close Up of Rune Stones Stock Photo - 7472722

Runes and Runelore 

This week, we are focusing on Runes. The Magical Blend’s own Matt Risk is one of our best authorities on the subject, and he has written up an excellent introduction to runes:

“The Runes are more than simply a system of writing. From their earliest incarnation, they have been associated with Mystery and Magic. In fact, the word Rune is most likely derived from the Old Norse Word Rún, which means ‘secret lore’, or ‘wisdom’. Throughout all linguistic permutations Rune retains this connotation of relating to the mysterious and to secret wisdom.

Systemic use of the runes dates back to about 50 CE, although it may be that they evolved over a longer period. Sometime around when ‘Germanic’ tribes came into contact with Rome, Runes became used to make records of events, to mark locations, and for a variety of magical and oracular uses.

Mythologically, the Norse believed that the Runes were discovered by the god Oðin as he hung from the World Tree Yggdrasil, sacrificing himself to himself for a period of nine days and nights. He suffered this ordeal in search of wisdom relating to the secrets of creation, and won the Runes as his prize. From this, we extrapolate that the Runes themselves are the secret keys to unlocking the mysteries of the universe.

Runes were used as an oracle, to understand the changes that occurred in the lives of their casters. Through the Runes one could understand the will of the Gods, and thereby know that was coming and why. Runes were also used magically, to bless weapons, armour, or other tools, to ensure victory in battle, to cure illness, to ward against danger or poison, and for a variety of other purposes.

Several Futharks (taken from the first six runes of the rune row the term Futhark refers to a ‘set’ of runes) have arisen throughout history, usually due to the phonetic needs of the different languages that have used Runes as a system of writing. The Elder Futhark contains 24 runes. The Viking, or Younger Futhark has 16, while developed concurrently, the Anglo-Saxon Futhark has 33. Each one is a complete model of the universe; however, they split the universe along different lines of demarcation.

People using the runes as a system of divination have often reported on their bluntness. There is no messing around with the Runes. There is no flowery side-stepping of the issue, but rather a wit as sharp as a spear point telling you bluntly what you need to hear, whether you want to hear it or not. Of course, this level of reading requires a certain level of investment of time and attention, but once achieved, it is as though the Runes speak right into your mind with the directness of a friend who is unafraid to tell you the truth.”

If you are interested in deepening your relationship with the Runes, check out the following books (or consult Oðin himself via your pineal gland): 

Runelore – A Handbook Of Esoteric Runology ($21.95)

by Edred Thorsson “A discussion of hidden lore, inner lore, rune worlds, runic numerology, runic psychology, runelore of the Gods, esoteric theology and more. Covers elder and Viking runes, and leads us to the contemporary runic revival.” 

  

Futhark: A Handbook of Rune Magic ($20.95)

by Edred Thorsson “Runes are the ancient Norse alphabet used for communication, divination, and magical work. In Futhark, American runologist Edred Thorsson introduces readers to the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark, their definitions, and mystic properties.

The runic system of magic and mysticism is one of the most powerful forms of metaphysical thought available to the Western world. This bestselling classic book on Runes continues to be required reading for those who seek true knowledge of the mystery of the Runes.

Thorsson’s presentation of this powerful system is lucid and profound and provides a valuable tool for spiritual transformation and self-development.”