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Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Happy New Year..taken from The Chimes By Charles Dickens




Here is an excerpt of The Chimes, By Charles Dickens.
A Goblin Story of some Bells that Rang an Old Year Out & a New Year In.


"They were ready for  a  dance in half a second ( Meg and Richard at the top), and the Drum was on the very brink of leathering away with all his power; when a combination of prodigious sounds was heard outside, and a good-humoured comely woman of some fifty years of age, or thereabouts, came running in, attended by a man bearing a stone pitcher of terrific size, and closely followed by the marrow-bones and cleavers, and the bells; not The Bells, but a portable collection, on a frame.
Trotty said " It's Mrs. Chickenstalker!" And sat down, and beat his knees again.
"Married, and not tell me, Meg!" cried the good woman. "Never! I couldn't rest on the last night of the Old Year without coming to wish you joy. I couldn't have done it, Meg. Not If I had been bedridden,. So here I am; and as it's New Years Eve, and the Eve of your wedding too , my dear.
I had a little flip made, and brought it  with me".
Mrs. Chickenstalker's notion of a little flip, did honour to her character. The pitcher steamed and smoked and reeked like a volcano; and the man who had carried it, was faint.
"Mrs Tugby!" said Trotty, who had been going round and round her, in an ecstasy.
"I should say, Chickestalker--Bless your heart and soul! A Happy New Year, and many of 'em! Mrs Tugby", said Trotty when he had saluted her: "I should say, Chickenstalker--This is William Fern and Lilian".

The worthy dame, to his surprise, turned very pale and red.

"Not Lilian Fern whose mother died in Dorsetshire!" she said.
Her uncle answered "Yes", and meeting hastily, they exchanged some hurried words together; the upshot of was, that Mrs Chickenstalker  shook by both hands; saluted Trotty on his cheek again, of her own free will; and took the child to her capacious breast.
"Will Fern!" said trotty pulling on his right-hand muffler.
"Not the friend that you was hoping to find?".
"Ay!" returned Will. putting a hand on each of Trotty's shoulders. "And like to prove a'most as good a friend, if that can be, as one I found."
"oh!" said Trotty .
"Please to play up there. Will you have the goodness!.
To the music of the band, the bells the marrow-bones and cleavers, all at once; and while the Chimes were yet in lusty operation out of doors; Trotty, making meg & Richard second couple, led off Mrs. Chickestalker down the dance, and danced it in a step unknown before or since; founded on his own peculiar trot......



So may the New Year be a Happy one to You, Happy to Many more whose Happiness depends on You! So may each Year be happier than the last, and not the meanest of your brethren or sisterhood debarred their rightful share, to what our Great Creator formed them to  enjoy."

I hope your parties are full of own made "Flip" and you have dances upon dances for a Happier and Healthier 2014, just like Mrs Chickenstalker and Trotty.





Saturday, December 28, 2013

Preparing the HOME for the upcoming New Year and all it's Possibilities

There's NO place like HOME!

With this in mind, NOW is the time to prepare your home for the upcoming New Year, if you want to harness all the potential of 2014, then you have to make room for it!

Now is the time to tidy up your space.
Remove anything that is not used any more, give more things to Charity resale stores or animal shelters (who need old blankets, towels & etc).
Also clear out any old worries from your mind...managing is just that, it is not losing sleep and not eating, that is not managing that is worrying, and that leads to too much stress on the system.

Be good to your self, these next few days..give your self a break.
Change you routines, don't make outlandish New Years resolutions..the easiest to follow are to want to be happier, healthier and learn from your mistakes.

Light more candles ( white preferred for New Year) in safe places, as you do so voice your intentions for the upcoming year...do not leave lit candles unattended.

Now is the best time of year to sort out all your old herbs and spices..anything not  opened and not used in 6 months...throw onto compost pile/compost bins.

  Do the same with anything stale in your pantry/fridges/shelves.
Try and remember to date mark all packages as they are purchased then you can use them wisely.
Dried beans and grains DO DRY out and become stale if kept longer than 12 months in a reg, home kitchen, as does dried pasta.






Go to any public land..parks, beaches, woodlands and scatter wild, native plant seeds for the upcoming spring (it is the intention of welcoming new growth that the universe recognizes), some seeds will take root, you are also feeding the wild birds.


Create a Wish/intention Family board:

A special notice board with all of the members of family's wishes and hopes for upcoming year then post photos/notes of accomplishments as the year progresses..this is a "spiritual growth marker, too".





Wherever possible bathe in lavender oil/soap.



When the New Year Chimes in, ring silver bells (this is where the tradition of Silver Bells at Christmas comes in).
Place more wind chimes around the house and listen to them, become aware of there tones, welcome in the New Year and it's limitless potential.



The morning of Jan 1st, wash all door steps and window sills on the outside of the home with a light mix of cold water and sea salt (1 tsp per gallon).
This is to keep bad luck and bad witches out. ( for high rise, you may use a spray bottle.).




2014 is a 7 year...Divine Intervention is afoot...so be ready for ANYTHING.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!



Friday, December 27, 2013

The gift of Flowers to the home and their meaning

In the holiday seasons, many folk, especially in winter months, receive gifts of cut flowers, to brighten the home or just to say thank you...here is what they mean:


ANEMONES..prevent disease.
Their message is that the bearer wants to spend time in your company

BUTTERCUPS AND DAISIES...
Buttercups means that the bearer is willing to share everything they have with the recipient
Daisies are a simple message of love

CARNATIONS.. were worn by Elizabethans to ward off executions.
They exude strength and help healing in sickrooms.
pink ones  serve as a thank you, for a message;
red ones speak of an urgent need to meet
yellow ones means affections are cooling due to betrayal

CHRYSANTHEMUMS....
Protect against anger of the gods or evil spirits.
Red ones mean desire, white ones honesty ( together red and white is bad luck)
Brown ones mean friendship, yellow mean the giver's heart belongs elsewhere.

DAFFODILS bring fertility and good luck to the home.
As spring flowers they signify new hope.

HYACINTHS signify love and happiness, if they are given the message is "I need to see you".

LILAC..can help clear a haunted house of the spirit that frequents it.
The are a protective gift.

LILIES keep away ghosts and dispell unwanted visitors from darkening your door.
Although they are ruled by Venus, they signify the breaking of any unwanted love spell.

ROSES are the flowers of love.
Sacred to Venus and often used in love spells
The rose brings harnoy and protection to the home.
Pink rose...the giver is afraid to show his or her feelings
red rose means true love
White rose means a secret romance

TULIPS protection against bad luck and poverty.
Tulips bring with them a blessing for Prosperity

VIOLETS  were believed by the Greeks to calm tempers and encourage sleep.
They also bring good luck.
They bring the message "You can rely on me".































Tuesday, December 24, 2013

IN THIS SEASON OF LIGHTS..become deLIGHTful






MAY IT BE DELIGHTFUL MY HOUSE,

FROM MY HEAD MY IT BE DELIGHTFUL,

TO MY FEET MAY IT BE DELIGHTFUL,

WHERE I LIE MAY IT BE DELIGHTFUL,

ALL ABOVE ME MAY IT BE DELIGHTFUL,

ALL AROUND ME MAY IT BE DELIGHTFUL.


NAVAJO CHANT



Wishing you LOVE & LIGHT this Holiday Season, Nigel



Sunday, December 22, 2013

DAILY PERSONAL BLESSINGS..GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF ....NOW





AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE HOLIDAYS AND PARTIES, TIME TO TAKE STOCK OF WHAT YOU HAVE AND HOW TO USE IT BEST.
DAILY BLESSING/RITUALS HELP TO GROUND YOU AND FIND YOUR CENTER; KEEP YOU SAFE AND EVEN MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF.
HERE ARE SOME IDEAS/TECHNIQUES THAT MAY HELP YOU:



Where ever you walk this week , try to become aware of your walking.
Feel your feet firmly on the pavement/ground, feel the air in your face, become conscious of your breathing.
Feel the  natural rhythm of your walking, and become aware of your surroundings...WHAT IS AHEAD OF YOU, WHO IS AROUND YOU..smile more.



any meal time even snacks. bless your food.
Take in the shape, smells and colors of the food ..be grateful you have food to eat.
Taste the food gently, feel it's texture try and enjoy every mouthful, and chew each well, and slow down.



Driving awareness..this goes beyond looking in front of you...
feel the steering wheel in your hands, your feet on the floor or pedals.
How are your shoulders and neck..stressed? relax them a bit.
Set up a running commentary/a little song out loud, of what is happening, what color are the cars around you, any pedestrians, what colors are the lights ahead?, check your mirrors, who is behind you?..don't just listen to the radio and zone out.



Hate Mondays? make a blessing-ritual where Mondays become a joy..something to look forward to... "you are one day closer to the next weekend".."it will soon be pay day", be thankful you have made it to Monday!..LIGHT SOME INCENSE IN THE CAR/BY YOUR WORK BAG ON SUNDAY NIGHT..imagining a great start to the week!



Try and give yourself the Present of NOW ...everyday, in this case it is good to GIVE & RECEIVE




Saturday, December 21, 2013

HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE..blessings/invocations..INSTRUCTIONS



The Winter Solstice celebrates the old winter festival of the death and rebirth of the sun.
In Native American tradition it falls at the beginning of the renewal time
This Blessing can be done the night before the solstice or the night of.

you will need:
Paper and pen
Candles
Smudge stick/incense
matches
large feather/fan

Start tonight at dusk...if with a group, sit in a circle
Spend some time thinking of the people who are important to you, think about family either birth or chosen.
If you are on bad terms with anyone can you find it in your heart to forgive them?
If on good terms, give thanks.
If in a group you might want to say these out loud as invocations.
Imagine that you can give a gift (not a material one but some quality..like forgiveness, compassion, inner strength & etc) to the people in the circle/your life..write it on a piece of paper, or say it out loud as you light a smudge stick or incense.
Also light the piece of paper and let the smoke bear the message to the sun as it sleeps.

As the light fades light candles saying.."
 

The sun has risen, The new year has come, the old year has passed.

Smudge yourself and everyone with you...light more incense and candles..if outside..light bonfires as thanks for the rebirth of the sun.

Go indoors and bathe in a deep salt water bath, or shower with salt (just 1 tbsp on your head..allow the water to wash it off)

Stonehenge, England this morning,Druids celebrating the re-birth of the Sun
 

Thursday, December 19, 2013

GOING BACK TO THE SALT OF SANITY

Topanga State beach, Malibu, CA



Do not stifle me with the strange scent
Of low growing mountain lilies---
Do not confuse me
With the salubrious odor of honeysuckle!

I cannot separate in my mind
Sweetness from sweetness--
Mimosa from wild white violets;
Magnolia from Cape Jasmine!

I am from the north tide country,
I can understand only the scent of seaweed,
Salt marsh and scrub pine
Riding on the breath of an amorous fog!

O do not confuse me
With sweetness upon sweetness;
Let me escape safely from this gentle madness--
Let me go back to the salt of sanity
In the scent of the sea.




Sta Monica Bay,we had rain today..this being the driest year on record

DONALD JEFFREY HAYES

Saturday, December 14, 2013

JUST ENOUGH..live small




Soil for the legs
Axe for the hands
Flower for the eyes
Bird for the ears
Mushroom for the nose
Smile for the mouth
Songs for the lungs
Sweat for the skin
Wind for the mind
Just Enough


NANAO SAKAKI




Monday, December 9, 2013

Power is in every Seed..EVEN THE SEED OF THOUGHT







How shall the Mighty River
reach the tiny seed?
See it rise silently
to the sun's yearning, 
sail from a winter's cloud
flake after silent flake
piling up layer upon layer
until the thaw of spring
to meet the seedling's need.

Make tender, Lord, my heart;
release through gentleness
Thine own tremendous power
hid in the snowflake's art.


ANTOINETTE ADAM