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From the Rev Dr Peter Mullen (recently retired Anglican Priest):
"LOVE LIFE: LIVE LENT"
"
"The Archbishop of York is taking seriously his responsibility for the spiritual life of the nation. He has written the Foreword to three booklets to guide us through Lent: one for "The Family"; one for "Adults and Youth" and the other for "Kids." Or is that last one for nanny goats? "
"These glossy booklets feature Mr Men style cartoon pictures whom we must suppose are meant to represent the general public. Achingly politically-correct with all races represented - but no fat people or smokers. Dumbing-down beyond the farthest reaches of infantilisation, the booklets urge us to "Do fun things together. Create a space in your home...a corner of a room...an understairs cupboard... a shelf...make a prayer den using furniture and blankets...gather some objects that are fun to touch, feel and smell: a piece of velvet, feathers, a tray of sand, lavender bags or pine cones." These should be enough to satisfy at least some of the more mentionable fetishists among us."
"And what are we supposed to do in the prayer space? "Take in some pebbles, shells or feathers" - presumably to demonstrate impeccable ecumenical relations with primitive animists and tree-huggers. And prayers are supplied: "Dear God, make wrong things right..." But this is not God; only the sentimental wish-fulfilment of Father Christmas or the Tooth Fairy We are even educated into the correct manual acts to perform while praying this desolate prayer: "Shake your finger from side to side for 'wrong' and then do thumbs up for 'right'."
"You feel there should be a caution not to do this near a window in case the neighbours see you and phone for the men in white coats."
"Lent involves us in acts of practical devotion too. So, "Give a lollipop to your lollipop person."
"Of course, as always in the Church of England these days, the sheer blithering inanities only faintly disguise the right-on political hard sell:"
"Email or write to your MP about a global poverty issue... Buy a fair Trade Easter egg" But what, if you follow the advice of many leading economists who claim so called Fair Trade does nothing to help the poor, and recommend free trade instead?"
"The only orthodoxy we find in these booklets is environmentalist demagoguery and the pagan superstition of global warming: "Help lighten our load on the planet... defrost your fridge and find out how climate change affects poorer people...help stop global climate change: recycle your rubbish save trees, use both sides of the paper..."
"(When doing what, by the way?)"
"Lent is supposed to be a time when we repent of our sins. But the only sins found here are those of not subscribing to the Christian socialist manifesto and global warming denial."
"No wonder the pews are emptying faster than ever, when these booklets represent the mind of the Church of England. Lent is for deepening our understanding of the faith and for growing nearer to God. These booklets contain no nourishment for those tasks. "
"What might the Archbishop have offered, if he had been in his right mind? That we should all begin and end the day by saying the Lord's Prayer. Read the Collect, Epistle and Gospel written in the matchless English of The Book of Common Prayer for each of the six weeks of Lent. Perhaps say the Psalms set for every day. Try to attend an early morning or lunchtime weekday service of Holy Communion. Competent shepherds of their sheep would also have recommended some spiritual reading."
"These patronising booklets are worse than a joke, worse than useless. They ape the trite and gaudy language and images of a debased advertising culture, babyfied and debauched, and apply it to the Christian Gospel. But faith cannot be taught in this way. It cannot be communicated by the thing it is not, the thing that is actually anathema to it. People have to be taught. These booklets only insult the intelligence of the public. There is no Christianity in "Live Life: Love Lent" - only a blasphemous parody of the faith."*
Source: mysteryvoodoo.blogspot.com
STONES
Folk Lore
Opals - the "old wives tale" dates only to the late 1800's to a popular book in Victorian England wherein the heroine purchases a cursed opal and later commits suicide. Current folklore says someone not born in October (Birthstone is opal),
wearing it has bad luck. Opals are very soft and tend to crack and scratch easily.
Sapphires - Are said to dull if your lover is cheating on your and are more intense
in color when given by your true love.
Rubies - Usually associated with "Christ's Blood" folklore. Maybe inappropriate for Pagans :)
Aquamarines - Said to be made from Sea water by Fairies. Worn for good luck by sailors.
Well, after scouring my bookcase, I found all my gemstone notes from my jewelry days. I'm posting here due to a large numbers of requests.
Alexandrite - Supposedly discovered on the coronation day of Alexander II. A very expensive and rare stone, it changes color with different light sources, most dramatic change can be seen under black light as it goes from a purple-gray to a light green. Supposed to bring good fortune during the day, and increase amorous feelings at night.
Amber - Greek legend holds that two sisters convinced their brother, a Greek god, to race in a chariot ride that proved fatal. As punishment they were turned to trees and amber is their tears, hardened by the sun. Thought to bring cure to soar throats, and save the wearer from being poisoned.
Amethyst - Greeks believed drinking out of a cup with amethysts on it would keep you from getting drunk. Also said to protect you from overeating. Used to symbolize protection of the family, as well as humility and sincerity. It protects the wearer from treason and lies, prevents baldness, and keeps away nightmares.
Aquamarines - Greeks thought it was made from sea water and water nymph tears. Sailors kept them to keep the seas calm during travels. Romans thought aquamarines aided in ending wars, and carved frogs out of the stone, believing the talisman would make their enemies friends. Christian myth has it that it gives you power over the devil, and if you put the stone in your mouth, you cannot be lied to. Said to keep marriage happy, and if you break up with your mate, will help to reconcile you. Used to be put in a crib to keep babies safe.
Citrine - Protects the bearer from plague, acne, and wards of snakes.
Coral - Egyptians believed it warded off the "Evil Eye", and was (snicker snicker :) kept men safe from falling to the ways of witches, and women free from the evils of warlocks. (Oh My! Hope my SO doesn't hear about this... Oh.. I forgot - he's Wiccan too. Better toss out my coral earrings then.) Romans made their children wear coral necklaces to keep them safe from evil. Believed to aid women wanting to get pregnant.
Emeralds - Christian myth says that when Lucifer was cast from heaven an emerald fell from his crown and was later carved into the Holy Grail. (Which makes me wonder what Druid legends there are about it.) Believed to aid vision, people with eye problems were advised to stare into emeralds to rest their eyesight and improve vision. Believed to improve memory and prevent diabetes.
If kept under a pillow, you would dream about the future. Makes the wearer more honest.
Garnet - In my first post, I said that Ruby was usually associated with
"Christ's Blood" legends, but I was mistaken :O Its the red garnet that is associated with them, since its brownish hue makes it look like dried blood.
Hebrew legends said Aaron's breastplate was made from garnets and the Koran says that garnets are used to illuminate the Forth Heaven. Garnet was believed to let travelers at night see and ward off nightmares and poison.
Jade - Used by religions all over the world for carving religious statues and figures, and ceremonial items like knives were carved from it by pagans. (My notes don't say which pagans or sects.) Bearer is gifted with pure thoughts and long life.
Opal - The story about opals that gave it the bad rep is Sir Walter Scott's
"Ann of Geirstein" where the heroine buys a cursed opal and later dies. Before that, blond women used to buy the opal since it was believed to keep their hair from getting dark. Also believed to allow the wearer to be invisible.
Peridot - Said to ward off evil, terrors of the night, and bad dreams. The best way to ward off evil though, was to string peridot on the hair of a mule and wear it on your right sleeve. Said to cure sinus infections.
Ruby - (Just a side note, a Ruby is a red sapphire. Sapphires come in all colors.) Believed to be magical if flawless. In India it was believed that offering flawless rubies to Krishna guaranteed the person to be reincarnated as an emperor. Rubies should always be admired when seen, because it was believed that if you ignored a ruby, it dulled in color. Russians believed it cured diseases of the blood.
Sapphire - Legend is that the Ten commandments were engraved on Sapphire.
Wearing a sapphire acted as an antidote against poisoning and if rubbed on a wound would stop bleeding. If given to a mate it would dull if you were ever unfaithful. If a wicked person wore it, it wouldn't shine and would crack.
Spinel - It was used in the 18th century to find out if someone had
"supernatural" powers. If you approach a witch with it, she would start to shake - thereby revealing her.
Topaz - Egyptians thought they were made by Ra the sun god. St. Hidegard prescribed putting topaz in wine and then drinking the wine to cure eye problems.
Zircon - protects travelers from harm and stops wounds from getting infected.
Gave wisdom in financial matters to make you richer. If you wanted to counter a spell cast on you, you were to bake bread, then rub the zircon on the top of the bread and eat it.
Oh my! What a refresher. Although its been a couple of years since I worked with jewelry, I had forgotten most of the myths :) I find most of them much more humorous than I did a few years ago, before I became pagan :)
CRYSTALS & GEMS AND THEIR POWERS
Blue Lace Agate - Psychic, peaceful energy
Moss Agate - Healing, riches, happiness, longevity, friends
Amethyst - Dreams, overcoming, indulgences, healing, psychic powers,
protection, courage, emotional love, success
Aventurine - healing, peace, calming, luck, intelligence, eye sight, money Azurite - psychic powers, dreams, divination, healing, meditation
Bloodstone - stops bleeding, victory, wealth, strength, self-confidence Carnelian - cures jealousy, anger, healing, protection, sexual energy Citrine - Protection, psychic awareness, creativity, dispells nightmares Hermatite - healing, grounding, divination, intuition [hematite?]
Jasper - Healing, health, beauty, protection
Lapis Lazuli - Healing, love, fidelity, psychic powers, protection, courage,
beauty
Moonstone - love, psychic powers, divination, youth, moon magic, sleep, dreams,
dieting
Onyx - protection, defensive magic, helps control passions and emotions Rhodochrosite - energy, love, peace
Sodalite - peace, meditation, wisdom, healing
Sugilite - psychic powers, spirituality, healing wisdom
Tigereye - money, protection, courage, luck, divination, earth energy Tourquoise - Luck, protection, courage, money, love, friends, healing
Clear quartz - Magnifies psychic and healing energy, a power and protection
crystal
Smokey quartz - Overcomes depression, fatique, good for grounding empowering Rose quartz - Love energy, calming, happiness
Rutilated quartz - energy stone, magical
Here is an information on the proposed conduction of the Athirathra homa in Kerala. The last time it was conducted was in 1975. An article on the homa and the Kirlian photography experiments of that homa were reported as a full page article in The Hindu at that time. It was reported that the smoky atmosphere (made so by the homa) at the time of the Purna ahuthi showed a massive image of dancing Shiva through Kirlian photography. I am curiously looking forward to this Homa next year.
A related article on this can be read in the following link in this blog.
http://jayasreesaranathan.blogspot.com/2008/08/homa-to-be-monitered-by-scientists.html
Given below is the news item on the upcoming homa in 2011.
OLDEST VEDIC RITUAL ATHIRATHRAM TO BE HELD AFTER 35 YEARS
Agencies
Posted online: 2010-11-11 15:38:46+05:30
KOCHI
ATHIRATHRAM considered as the oldest vedic ritual in the world, will be held at Panjal, a sleepy village in Keralas THRISSUR DISTRICT, IN APRIL NEXT YEAR, AFTER A 35 YEAR GAP.
Considered THE ULTIMATE INVOCATION OF VEDIC SCRIPTURES FOR UNIVERSAL HARMONY, the 2011 Athirathram, aims to promote universal harmony, peace, prosperity and spirtitual enlightment, and will be held from April 4-15 at the vicinity of Panjal Lakshmi Narayana temple, Dr Shivakaran Namboodiripad, P Neelakantan and Advocate K Krishnakumar, all trustees of the Ottapalam based Varthathe Trust, the organisers, told reporters here today.
Panjal was the venue of the Athirathram held in 1975 under the leadership of the US Harvard and Berkeley Universities and Finlands Helsinki University. The event had made global headlines for its message of peace, universal oneness and solidarity.
Puthillathu Ramanujan Somayajippadu will be Yajamanan and Dhanyapathanadi as Yajamanapatni.
Krishnakumar said the preparations for the ritual are on in full swing. Yajurveda and Samaveda practices that precede the Athirathram have begun at the Panjal Thotttathil Mana and Kavupra Maarath Mana. Preparation for the ritual began after obtaining the customary consent from Shukapuram temple.
The choice of Panjal as the venue for Athirathram is also in line with geographic and vaasthu principles. The yagashala (where the ceremonies will be performed) is positioned to imbibe the energy of the sun, Dr Shivakaran said.
The expenses are estimated to touch rs one crore and the organisers are expecting at elast 15,000 people to witness the rituals daily.
The rituals will begin every day with the vedic chantings and homas. On the last four days, the rituals would be held throughout the day and night without any break.
People of all relgious can particiapte in the Athirathram.
The organisers are also planning to approach the scientific community to study the various effects of the ritual on the atmosphere and the surroundings.
ANTIGONE, in Greek mythology, is a schoolgirl of the incestuous marriage connecting Oedipus, king of Thebes, and Queen Jocasta. Antigone accompanied her set up into exile but returned to Thebes overdue his death. In a intention haughty the throne her brothers, Eteocles and Polynices, killed each other. The new king, Creon, gave Eteocles an trustworthy burial but methodical that the individual of Polynices, whom he regarded as a spy, get up everyplace it had fallen. Antigone, believing divine law necessitate seize priority haughty mortal decrees, concealed her brother. Creon condemned her to be concealed existing. She hanged herself in the momentous, and her sorrowful lover, Haemon, Creon's son, killed himself. Antigone was the delivery of show business by the ancient Greek writer Sophocles and the 20th-century French writer Jean Anouilh.
Origin: wicca-teachings.blogspot.com
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Rise from: Ask Freed Psychics
Origin: pagan-wiccan.blogspot.com
It is kind of funny to me that I have started a journey on a path towards a mindful yoga practice. This is funny because most of my health related mentors have all been anti-yoga in their teachings and beliefs. Ideas that yoga creates hyper mobility in our joints or that yoga creates unbalanced bodies to the ignorant belief that yoga is a practice for wimps are all too common. Luckily I am humble enough to take all advice and beliefs with a grain of salt as they say. What I am learning from my new beginnings on my yogic journey is something that I have already been aware of for a long, long time. That is... LIFE; and also in my eternal health related quest IS ALL ABOUT BALANCE. Without balance in all aspects of our lives there may be health, happiness and even prosperity but in the long run an unbalanced life will only lead to unhealthiness, unhappiness and even poverty. Simply put... TOO MUCH OR NOT ENOUGH OF A GOOD THING WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO NEGATIVE OUTCOMES.
So it is with exercise and yoga alike. Too much exercise actually weakens the body not strengthens it. Too much yoga will lead to an unbalanced and hypermobil body. Too many vegetables or not enough clean meat, too much yin and not enough yang all lead to a state of unbalanced flow of energy/chi in our bodies and minds. Luckily any unbalanced exercise/yoga practice can easily be remedied with the correct ATTENTION to our INTENTIONS. Becoming mindful of our daily yoga/exercise practices is the first step to bringing balance into our health related goals. So to get the most benefit from yoga or from strength exercises just incorporate a sensible amount of both into your health practice and you will enjoy a strong, supple, toned and flexible mind and body.
The benefits of strength training are well documented and too numerous to name in this dialogue. But building muscle, stimulating bone growth and encouraging fluid circulation in the body are just a few of these. And when I say strength training I do not just mean lifting weights. Activities such as walking, cycling, yard work and rock climbing can all be considered strength training. As long as we get our heart rate up and push and pull with our muscles we are getting strength enhancing benefits.
The benefits of a yoga practice are also well documented. Increased flexibility, improved balance and stability and even spiritual gains are all beautiful outcomes from a balanced practice. Combine these yogic benefits with the strength practice benefits and you have the recipe for a long and healthy life. The one thing that I will concede about the yoga practice is a LACK OF PULL RELATED MOVEMENTS though. There are plenty of push movements and isometric poses but very few movements that require us to pull which will definitely cause postural imbalances. We get the same result when we focus too much on building our chest muscles with too much bench press in the gym. That being said this is hardly a reason to knock yoga as a practice. Instead a fine balance can be had by incorporating pull movements such as a CABLE SQUAT PULL or a DECLINE PULL UP with your non yogic body strengthening practices.
So yin and yang, night and day and strength training and yoga practice can all be considered as complementary opposites. But we need to have the sun in order to have the moon so that our mother earth can be healthy and vital. And in the same light we can incorporate a mindful and balanced yoga practice with a sensible exercise program that includes pull movements in order to bring health and vitality into our minds and bodies. Combine these with a CLEAN DIET and add CONSISTENCY to the practice and you will have THE KEY to happiness, vitality and health! Namaste!
Credit: master-of-tarot.blogspot.com
