From our inbox to you, From Patti Wigginton on: Handfasting

SGC Admin: Yep it`s getting to that time of the year when it`s most popular for “tying the knot`… If you have ever wondered what goes into the Pagan celebration of hand-fasting (or getting married) check out Patti`s article below… :) 

Hands tied with ribbon at wedding hand fasting ceremony Stock Photo - 3337510

Handfasting Season is Here!
Looking for information on how to hold a Pagan handfasting ceremony? Here’s where we’ve got it all covered, from the origins of handfastings to jumping the broom to selecting your cake! Also, be sure to learn about magical handfasting favors to give your guests, how to make sure you’ll have a magical ceremony, and who can actually perform your handfasting!

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Patti Wigington
Paganism/Wicca Expert
Handfasting History: An Old Tradition Made New  
Handfasting was common centuries ago in the British Isles, and then vanished for a while. Now, however, it’s seeing a rising popularity among Pagan couples who are interested in tying the knot. Many Pagan couples choose to have a handfasting ritual instead of a traditional wedding ceremony. READ NOW
Handfasting Tips: How to Have a Magical Ceremony  
Spring is here, and love is in the air! For many people of Pagan faiths, this is the time of year for a handfasting ceremony. If you’re lucky enough to have someone you love this much, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind while planning your handfasting ceremony. READ NOW
Handfasting Favors: Magical Gifts for Your Guests  
t’s become traditional to give each of your guests a small wedding favor. Typically, these are small trinkets with either the date of the event or the couples’ names on them. However, if you’re having a Pagan or Wiccan handfasting, rather than a traditional wedding ceremony, why not come up with an idea that celebrates your spiritual path, as well as announcing your commitment to the community? READ NOW
Who Can Perform a Handfasting?  
Handfastings are becoming more and more popular, as Pagan and Wiccan couples are seeing that there is indeed an alternative for non-Christians who want more than just a courthouse wedding. A common question among Pagans is that of who can actually perform the handfasting ceremony itself? READ NOW
More About Handfasting  
Wondering about jumping the broom, handfasting bonfire safety, deities of marriage, and how to choose the perfect cake? We’ve got it all here, including a sample ceremony template that you can use!

How to Choose Your Handfasting Cake
Jumping the Broom: A Besom Wedding
Handfasting Bonfires: What You Need to Know
Deities of Marriage and Love

Sample Handfasting Ceremony Template
Handfasting Basket (Thirteen Blessings)

READ NOW

 

About Paganism/Wicca 

From our inbox to you from: EarthSky News “Giant sunspot turns towards Earth“

SGC Admin: For all you budding astronomers out there… :)

A vector illustration of a young boy looking at stars in the sky using a telescope Stock Vector - 11973405
http://www.123rf.com: Copyright: Atristicco LLC

 

Giant sunspot turns toward Earth
Sun-watchers have had their eye on giant sunspot AR2529. Check out these photos from the EarthSky community. Aurora alert for April 13!
Kepler is OK! Spacecraft recovered from emergency
Kepler mission engineers still aren’t sure why the planet-hunting spacecraft went into Emergency Mode last week.
Leo? Here’s your constellation
Late March, April and May are good months for identifying Leo the Lion. How to spot it, its history, and the telescopic wonders in this region of the sky.
Tonight … Moon near Gemini stars
Tonight’s moon is approaching stars Castor and Pollux in the constellation Gemini the Twins. Pollux is brighter and golden in color. Castor is pure white.
Yes, we still have lunar calendars
Beautiful wall poster gives you moon phases for 2016.

From our inbox to you: From Dawn James: Part 3 on “How to Clear your Karma:

Hi Everyone..


I hope you enjoyed part 1 and 2 of this 3-part series about ‘how to clear karma’ and found it insightful and useful.

TELL ME- which of the 6 karma clearing tips resonated with you the most? EMAIL me!
 
WHAT IS KARMA

Karma is like a scale which we carry with us for a lifetime or many lifetimes. The scale can be as light as a feather or as heavy as a brick wall. The weight of the scale is affected by the quality of your thoughts and actions and this in turn creates karmic patterns in your life. The saying: what goes around comes around, applies to karma.

HOW KARMA AFFECTS US

Do you consider your life to be easy or simple? Are you living in the flow? Or do you see your life full of challenges, stagnation or disappointments? If the later description resonates with you, then I want you to remember this:  you are influencing the karmic patterns in your life- both favorable and unfavorable patterns.

The good news: karma is not fixed or frozen – it’s mutable. Why? Because energy is mutable and the energy of your thoughts and actions can be changed – by you!

KARMA CLEARING TIP #5

The Company you keep
 
Some people build us up, while some people tear us down.  I want you to take a good look at the people in your life, at home, at work, your social circles. Which category do they fall into? 
 
How to Associate with Positive People
(Excerpt from my book RAISE YOUR VIBRATION, TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE)

Step 1: Identify
Make a list of positive people you know from work, relatives, schoolmates and people from religious, recreational and other social organizations.

Step 2: Interact                         
Try to spend time with them. Whether it’s a phone call, attending an event together or just hanging out, you will find positive people are confident and supportive and have an optimistic outlook on life. Their positive vibrations will be pleasantly infectious. When you surround yourself with people who have positive energy and are happy and well balanced, you too are more likely to be happy and well balanced.

Step 3: Reflect
Take time to reflect on the traits and characteristics that these positive people in your life possess. Reflect on how they respond to life’s ups and downs. Learn from their experiences and wisdom to assist you in handling situations that arise in your own life.
 
When you make subtle changes in your own expectations/attitude to perceive the world in a more positive manner, you alter your vibrational frequency so that you become more attuned to receive positive and higher vibrations, and subsequently, you draw more positive and harmonious experiences into your life. This is the essence of the third vibrational law: Changes in mental attitude and thoughts can affect the vibrational frequency of yourself, others you interact with and your experiences.

If you are able to walk away, say a simple farewell then its time to do that. If its not that simple then find a way to honestly tell them how you feel, or in what ways you can work together to make the relationship healthier, better or more satisfying.
 
In my opinion, if a relationship is toxic and causing more harm than good- then its time to leave. Remember when I explained in part #1 ‘ how karma affects us”: the quality of your relationships also affects the quality of your karma. Choose the company you keep wisely and consciously.

KARMA CLEARING TIP #6
Heal-thy-self
Healthy Self

What activities do you do or daily rituals do you practice to nourish your Spirit or feed your Soul?
 
Here are some quick tips to cultivate positive karma

  • seize opportunities to create good health and well being
  • hug your inner child every now and then, greet them with a smile
  • feel blessed for what you have
  • feel thankful for all the wonderful gifts and skills and talents you possess
  • perform random acts of kindness to people you know and don’t know
  • treat others like you would like to be treated
  • when you feel it, say it: ‘ thank you’, ‘ I appreciate that”, “ I am happy to have you in my life”

 
And always remember this:  you have the power to influence and create good karma through your conscious actions and conscious thoughts.

Being Conscious
 
We are what we eat
We are what we drink
We are what we say
We are what we think.
With that in mind, I say to mankind:
Conscious eating
Conscious drinking
Conscious speaking and
Conscious thinking.
Conscious Being!
~ by Dawn James 
author Raise Your Vibration, Transform Your Life (2010)

Quote of the month: “When you focus on others you create karma, when you focus within you clear karma” ~Anonymous

Costa Rica Retreat- Join Us!

Awaken Your Senses: 7- Day Costa Rica Retreat
Dates: Oct 1st – 7th 2016

Join us for a mind-ful, heart opening experience as we explore the five senses through nature and sound on the beautiful serene pacific coast of Costa Rica.

About the Retreat

Enjoy the natural beauty of Dominical Costa Rica, at Manu Retreat centre – perched on the mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with 30 acres of lush tropical rain forest. The surrounding landscape is peaceful and breathtaking, inspiring you to awaken your senses.

This retreat is ideal for anyone who:

Is looking to get away from the hustle and busyness of everyday life
Wants to connect with Nature and natural beauty
Appreciates soothing sounds, meditation and a peaceful pace
Is open to self discovery, trying new things and having good safe fun

Relax, Rest & Restore:

Dip into one of two infinity pools, walk through the tropical gardens, lounge and relax in the luxury of your Bali-style villa or bedroom, catch a glimpse of the colorful toucans, savor the delicious meals made with love, enjoy spectacular sunsets every night as you converse with friends, old and new; take in the harmonic and uplifting sounds of crystal and Tibetan singing bowls as you wind down each evening and indulge yourself in the elements of nature. Pause, breathe and enjoy personal time.

‘Awaken Your Senses’ Day trips – this retreat is inclusive of meals, accommodation, activities and day trips.

READ MORE ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES & DAY TRIPS
Save 35% on air travel to Costa Rica- Contact Dawn at 1.888.767.8423 ext 2 to

YMCA Employment Services

SGC Admin: Looking for employment is a job in itself, and it’s a competitive market out there…but you don’t have to do it all on your own… Check out what the YMCA can assist you with… Good luck to all the job hunters out there… “Never give up, Never surrender”… :) 

Diversity People Togetherness Friends Job Search Concept Stock Photo - 38514323
http://www.123.com:Copyright : rawpixel
  • What: YMCA Employment Services
  • Location: 3000 Garden Street, Unit 100a, Whitby L1R 2G6
  • What’s There: Free: Individual employment support & job leads:
  •                              Free:Help with resume and cover letter writing:
  •                              Free:Job interview preparation with mock interviews:
  •                              Free:Employment workshops:
  •                              Free:Access to computer, internet, printers, fax and job search                                             resources: 
  • Contact: 905-6668-0044: ymcagta.org/findwork