Happy Halloween

 

Happy Halloween

Ok, I know, we've just had Xmas but how many of us love Halloween?

We get to dress up in fun costumes, play games, eat great food and watch 'scarry' movies. I have to be honest, it is my favourite time of the year!

But --- what is Halloween?

It's meaning goes back to 1745 and means 'Saints Evening' or 'All Hallows' --- "a celebration observed  on the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day." Also, it is said that it goes back to the ancient Celtic harvest festivals and was "Christianized" by the early church.

Well, whatever it's origin, it is great fun! Tick-o-treat / carving pumpkins / lighting bonfires / bobbing for apples.

It is interesting how witches and black cats and devils have become 'associated' with Halloween, when in fact, it was to celebrate the harvest --- a very human thing.

Now, please don't get me wrong, if someone believes that this is 'dangerous' then I do respect that --- if your faith gives you hope, please stay with it. It's just that I like to keep an open mind and enjoy the festivities that go with Halloween.

If you're interested in a more in depth study, click on Happy Halloween as it goes into the history of this celebration and the beliefs behind it.

As for me personally --- it's just great fun!

Happy Halloween!

The Birds Of The Oceans

DOLPHINS

The Dolphin is one of the most beautiful and lively creatures on this Earth. It sings beneath the Oceans and jump out of the waters to 'see' the world we humans live in.

The are so playful and yet in this way they communicate with each other. And they have the everlasting smile.

We can learn a lot from Dolphins!

Living in "pods" of 12 or more, dolphins are intensely social mammals that communicate with squeaks, whistles and clicks. They are warm blooded and so nurse their young, producing a single baby that stays with mother for up to 6 years.

Who wants to swim with dolphins?

There are 32 known species of dolphin, who share the Oceans of the Earth with us humans.

Let's make sure they are with us forever!

Live and Love Life!

Are Tarot Cards Real ?

 

The History Of Tarot

Tarot cards are very popular today. Whether we 'believe' in what they have to say or not, you and I are curious about them and whether anything they say will come true.

While it seems that each person who have Tarot cards have their own way of reading them, the cards themselves are real! All through the centuries, each card has it's own particular picture and its own meaning --- these two 'principles' never change!

The History Of Tarot

The earliest known Tarot cards were found in Italy and these cards were first painted and used as playing cards. The cards were often painted for the wealthiest of families, for example, the Visconti family of Milan had a set painted which consists of several of the dukes and barons. Then the printing press was invented, and Tarot now became available to everybody.

The History Of Tarot

The Rider-Waite Tarot deck is one of the most popular decks and is often used for 'teaching' beginners. A standard deck consists of 78 cards: 22 of the Major Arcana and 56 cards of the minor Arcana (sounds very much like the major and minor chords on a piano). Which ever deck you choose to work with, these basic cards never change. The pictures may be different but the actual names of the cards never change.

As with all things 'mystical', Tarot must be respected --- whether we believe in the cards or not. Dare I say it (and I hope I do not offend anyone), just like Ouiji, which very few will even touch, Tarot cards also must be treated with respect and care.

The History Of Tarot

We are fascinated by the future --- what will happen? How will it happen? Will I have an easier life? Tarot cards do answer these questions, but of course, it is our privilege as to whether we believe in them or not. The cards reflect the trials and tribulations that we face every day today but they do give hope, there is an almost "Cheer up and keep going" feeling about them.

Tarot cards are extremely Positive !

And anything that helps us to stay Positive in this society, is worth looking into.

Live and Love Life

 

The "Pack"

 

The "Pack"

Depression --- Beat It!

We can learn so much from wolves!

They live so closely as a "Pack" (family) that it is impossible to break the pack. True, there is a dominant 'alpha' pair --- but some one needs to keep control. Siblings will babysit siblings, caring for their younger brothers and sisters.

When it's time to hunt --- the pack will hunt and feed together.

Have you heard a wolf howl?

Imagine hearing the whole pack !

depression --- beat it!

As with all things within nature, we as humans can learn from "the Pack." Family or not, we are all part of the human family, struggling to survive within society and we do look out for each other. How many times have you offered the old lady your seat on the bus?

 Most of us try to be kind, caring and honest.

Have you seen how cautious a wolf is?

Yes, there are some 'strange' people about, but like the wolf, we too can be careful, looking after ourselves and our loved ones.

what we can learn from animals

Like every animal on Earth, including ourselves, wolves have a permanent 'smile.'

So, Live and Love Life and Smile while you're doing it!

Is Witchcraft Real?

 

the story of witchcraft

I know we've just has Christmas, a quiet but fun one, but my favourite time of the year is Halloween (as you may have guessed from the title). It's so much fun, with its games, costumes, 'scarry' films and --- smashing food!

If you've been brought up in certain "Faiths," this is a taboo subject and images of old, ugly women bowing to a strange looking thing come into our minds, as we have seen these pictures many times in our lives. Whilst I respect all teachings on this Earth, I wanted to do a little research myself on this subject and to find out if there are any 'real' witches living today.

live and love life

We all know the fairytale stories, whether from Disney or Grimms, and there is nearly always a wicked witch trying to hurt the beautiful, innocent princess out of sheer jealousy. Snow White has always been my favourite as it always reminds me of my mother (no, she was not a wicked stepmother!) as when I was about 5 years old, I remember holding her hand and watching Snow White go by in a float with the 7 dwarves. There was a poisoned red apple in the story and my mother always gave me red apples to eat (no, they were not poisoned!). It's just a very pleasant childhood memory that I have never forgotten --- 40-odd years later.

So, what do we actually know about "Witchcraft"?

We've been raised to believe that these 'women' turn into ugly looking things and ride in the sky on broomsticks, worshipping a devil. This belief was so real that at one point in human history, women were burned to death because people 'believed' this.

But I ask the question =

 have you ever seen anyone riding in the sky on a broomstick?

can a person really turn into another creature or is it just a 'magic trick'?

has anyone seen a devil?

Now, I'm not making fun of anyone who truly believes this, faith is needed in this world in which we live, and if your faith helps you to live everyday --- please stick with it !

I'm just trying to keep my own feet on the ground (please excuse the pun). I have personally met 'witches' and they look like everybody else --- they do not wear strange hats or carry strange things in their hands --- or eat strange food. They have Witchcraft in their lives because they believe it helps them in every day life.

And Witchcraft is a very Earthy faith as they do believe in herbs and crystals for healing.

Also, karma --- what you give out comes back!

It may be of interest to note that Witchcraft is now an official religion in the United States and Canada. I like this comment, from an actual witch herself: "the witch has done another magic trick, by turning from a fright into a figure of inspiration. She might show up in the form of your Wiccan co-worker, or the beloved musician who gives off a sorceress vibe in videos or onstage." (from Pam Grossman, the author of  "Waking The Witch).

the story of witchcraft

Every person has a reason for choosing their path in life and witches are no different. Maybe they find peace and quiet in their tarot cards, candles and spells.

Whatever we believe in, as long as it gives us the help we need to live on this very unique planet --- the Earth --- it's worth respecting.

"LIVE AND LOVE LIFE!"

TRY TO BE ALWAYS POSITIVE

 TRY TO BE ALWAYS POSITIVE

live and love life

Like so many of us today, I have a constant fight with depression. We've all had those terrible experiences in our lives which have affected us for the rest of our lives. But, rather than dwell on the negative, I want us to focus on the POSITIVE.

One thing that has helped me personally (and still does) is looking at beautiful pictures of this planet we live on. The Earth has everything we need to help us and heal us And it costs nothing to open a book and look at beautiful and Peaceful pictures of our home.

live and love life

 It is a medical fact that whatever we take into our minds, through our eyes, affects us mentally, which will affect us physically.

Meditating on this Earth and It's natural elements will bring "Magic" into our daily lives.

Smell the rose --- how does it make you feel?

Hear the waves from the Oceans --- how is your mind?

Our lives are so busy, our time taken up with family and work, that it seems that we live in an 'artificial' world, closed with no windows to look out of, just four walls and too busy to even lookup.

Life can feel like that --- young or old --- we are constantly worried about something.

LISTEN ! ! !

The birds sing in the morning and evening --- and usually --- during the day. When was the last time you or I stopped and listened to their beautiful little voices. The sound is so soothing to our minds, so Peaceful, quietening our emotions without us even realizing.

We can help ourselves, every single day, to stay POSITIVE and DETERMINED  to keep our lives as PEACEFUL as possible.

Click on the link "Live and Love Life" for some good ideas that we can use every single day of our lives.

"Live and Love Life!"

Motivational Studies

 What Motivates You ?

Every morning is a new day and a new beginning. Each day is a new start = to re-train the mind = mind-set is a skill!

Believe In Yourself!

Remember, it is up to YOU to keep going, to never say "I can't do this" but to say

"I CAN Do This!"

The greatest gift you can give to other people is a HAPPY You.

Motivate Yourself!

10 tips for Motivating Yourself

1 = set a goal, one you can reach

2 = plan ahead, what will you do tomorrow?

3 = track / write down your progress, this will motivate you to do your very best

4 = reward yourself every time you 'hit that goal', watch a movies / read a new book / eat a bar of chocolate

5 = remind yourself, write an email to yourself / write it in your planner --- what's the next step?

6 = surround yourself with people who "Motivate You"

7 = keep your work area tidy, a tidy desk is a tidy mind

8 = learn about people who Inspire you

9 = watch and listen to Motivation talks (Youtube / TED)

10 = listen to music which motivates you, builds up your mind, read Inspirational quotes.

Today is preparation --- for tomorrow!