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July 9th, 2008
verginiamus
 | 12:18 pm - Smudging
The smudging ceremony is a sacred ritual for Native Americans and for other peoples. It is a ritual of cleaning and purification. Indian People burn tobacco, cedar, sage, and sweetgrass in offerings to the Four Directions. The Journey of Life begins in the East and ends in the North. By offering to the Four Directions, the person opens themselves to guidance and wisdom from the Spirit. “Smudging” which is the burning of sacred plants is a time honored method for healing. People bath themselves in the smoke of the burning herbs. Sage, one of the sacred plants, drives out the negative energy. Sweetgrass helps brings in the positive energy. Smudging helps to restore the person to spiritual health. 
Often, people will burn tobacco or sweetgrass as offerings to the various spirits – plant, stone, animal, and earth. The smoke purifies people, their homes, and sacred things. Smudging is a method of inviting the spirit to come and be with you. I often smudge my altar to make an offering, and to purify the room. I keep the sage in a medicine pouch. When I am ready to burn it, I place the sage in an abalone shell. After getting the fire going, I fan the embers with a feather to spread the smoke. I leave a window cracked open to allow the spirits to leave. I sage the room, starting in the East, moving South, West, North, and East again. Smudging can be done by anyone. All you need a fireproof bowl and sage. Light the sage and fan the smoking embers. Let the smoke drift over you and feel yourself opening up to the Spirit. Please do not gather the sage, sweetgrass, tobacco, or cedar yourself. These plants are regulated under various laws, and can be only harvested by selected groups such as Native Americans.
Resource: “Sacred Sage, How It Heals” by Wendy Whiteman.
Current Location: at the kitchen table thinking
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/classic/smile.gif) good
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dqg_neal
 | 11:47 am - I'm a resource hog
(Yes, hog is a replacement for another term I could have put there.)
This month since the GSHW editor is currently away traveling, I've taken over duties to put together the Graveline Newsletter for the month.
I've officially gone overkill trying to find useful material to put in the newsletter, especially since it seems we have sufficient content from members this issue. My target goal in page count for the newsletter this month is 10 pages. (at one point my layout brought the thing up to 17 pages, but I'm correcting that.) I always find it a little ironic that a newsletter for writers actually doesn't tend to have much written content. Technically I'm sure there is fiction that folks wrote that could go in it, but I imagine most folks want to go for money on their first print rights. Not to mention a newsletter calls for flash fiction or really short short stories, whereas from what I've seen many of the writers go for novellas or novelletes.
You know I wish I could tell whether my lack of moderation is that I just go full into topics... or whether I just love to gather information in the same form that made me useful when I worked in the Library field. (Books!!! books!!! books!!! I just love books and knowledge... and probably read way too many author, agent, editor blogs in my free time. )
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duriyah
 | 10:36 am - Cuddleslut
Right on the nose. (Also, I miss my Kaylee icon that I lost when I let my paid subscription run out 2 weeks ago. :(
Your result for The Attachment Style Test... The Cuddleslut19% Anxiety Over Abandonment and 18% Avoidance Of Intimacy 
You're mostly secure, but sometimes you need a little extra reassurance to make it through the tough times. You are usually affectionate and sweet, and you find it easy to fall in love. An encouraging word from a crush or a loved one can motivate you for weeks. Fictional character with whom you might identify: Kaylee (Firefly/Serenity), Hiro Nakamura (Heroes) Take The Attachment Style Test at HelloQuizzy
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staghuntress
 | 10:17 am - Mommy, I can see the ANGELS!
Doing LBRP with my 6 year old son in the room...
Opened my eyes at one point to see him mirroring my gestures...
And afterwards he was talking excitedly about "the angels."
Now for the Bibiomancy Du Jour:
48. Pity not the fallen! I never knew them. I am not for them. I console not: I hate the consoled & the consoler.
Current Location: home
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/elizabethia/gothicsally/silly.gif) amused
Current Music: Bach Flute Sonatas
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mitakola
 | 09:25 am
Jimmy had his Doc appointment yesterday and he has to go for another scan in Knoxville next week to see just how far the bone cancer has spread and if chemo is even an option at this point. It is a shame when all you can base an opinion on is from past experience. Mam-maw did not have chemo, she did not live as long, but the quality of her life was not so bad those last two months. Mother opted for the radiation and chemo, her quality of life was horrible, there were no opportunities to form any fond memories, just day after day of relentless pain, puking, diarrhea and death….horrible death. Each person is different. Jimmy is getting to the point of crying pain. That is when it is bad. But he can still sit on the porch and even laugh at my stupid stories, he can eat and function and think and share and love…and receive love. The chemo may change all of that. His entire life may turn to shit and then he will just die anyway. OR, it could help. Who really knows? And he has to make this decision. And….I have to support him in it, even if it scares the hell out of me. We had a quiet evening at home. I needed that after work yesterday. It seems like there is something in the air that is making everyone rip each other’s throats out lately. I have no clue what it is but it is just everywhere and it is sad. I think I broke up 3 fights here at work yesterday, one between staff that should have NEVER escalated to the point it reached. I myself even wanted to choke one of the other social workers for screwing up nutrition assessments for 3 of my clients (that will ultimately cause me at LEAST 3 days work to fix!) Maybe it is the heat, the atmosphere, the world itself. Things are getting so bad for people with the economy, jobs closing down, people having to change jobs or trying to change to a healthier job, the stress of bills and frustrations of trying to make it through this crazy life to begin with…it just is all building up and starting to explode around the world right now. I don’t recall a time when people’s tempers were so short and people were so quick to tell another person “goodbye”. It is all sad and although I don’t know where it is all heading, it is certainly not a good feeling and can just destroy people emotionally. Already this morning I have discovered one place that has employed 3 of my clients can no longer afford to pay them and they are all losing their job. One of those clients cannot comprehend the entire process so he just exploded and beat the hell out of his roommate for no reason. Another came in upset because his family cannot make their summer trip as they have for 40 years, they cannot afford it this year, so his only way of coping was beating the hell out of his face until he busted his nose and lip and bruised his entire face before I could stop him. Life is changing for everyone and people handle it differently I guess. And how do I cope? Beat myself? Beat others? Say “goodbye”? I have no clue yet. I want to pull away more. I can tell that. I want to take myself deep into my own little hermit world. I almost feel like the secluded home we built is not secluded enough and I have thoughts of a tiny 10x12 log cabin deep in the backwoods of the property with just my books, a wood heater, a chair. Dare I do it? I could…but I have to make myself NOT. Because I know if I did, I would just pull away more and go deeper until the path closes in behind me and I cannot find my way back out. So no, I will stay. I will work and live and do what life needs me to do right now. I will post these ramblings here that will eventually drive you all insane, frantically grab any knowledge I have in my head and post it on the Hedgewitch site, try to take care of Occult Corpus and let it continue to thrive, make my quilts and paint and prepare for death. Not mine yet, but that of others that I always seem to be forced to face and prepare them for. All I ask is that I not have to hold that garbage can this time. Maybe Jimmy will get hospice soon and I won’t have to be the one to suction and clean up the blood. One can hope I guess. Damn love….. Sometimes love can produce just pure torture. Where would we be without it though? If not the love of another human, the love of a pet, be it dog, cat or rat. Without it we just become that lonely hermit…but then again….there is love in that as well. Love of a life that will some day be gone…regardless. Aside from all of that, a coyote woke us up before daylight, howling like mad at the edge of the property. Thank goodness the chickens were safe. Life is life at home….and always will be. Always things to do, too many things, and always things to make you so tired mentally that you do not feel like doing the things that need to be done. But regrets? Not yet. I cannot speak for the future, who can? But as of today, I have no regrets in this decision. I just hope my strength holds and Mason’s voice calling to me from the backwoods holds off a bit longer. Sometimes when we give in and go all the way…. We become too stubborn to come back. Another sad part of human nature I suppose.
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odilla
 | 09:13 am - I would have thought Big Bird...
You Are Ernie
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Playful and childlike, you are everyone's favorite friend - even if your goofy antics get annoying at times.
You are usually feeling: Amused - you are very easily entertained
You are famous for: Always making people smile. From your silly songs to your wild pranks, you keep things fun.
How you life your life: With ease. Life is only difficult when your friends won't play with you!
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anivair
 | 08:47 am - names
This morning's top news story: Mathew McConaughey nammed his son Levi. They went on to talk about wacky celebrity baby names (like Apple and Suri and whatever, though they left Kal-el out) and whether it was acceptable.
Seriously? Levi?
That's a name. It's a real name. I have known people named Levi. A guy named LEvi invented jeans, for crying out loud! Just because he had the audacity to name his kid something that you're not used to and that may sound vaguely Jewish is not a reason to make the guy top news.
And by the way, I just created a login here for a collector named Shanellia. Why the fuck isn't her mother on the news with reporters asking her what the hell she was thinking?
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aichmetes
 | 08:42 am - Dumb Quiz!
Your result for Which Chess Piece are You Test?... The King's BishopCongrats! Only 3-4% of the population score this! 
To others, the King’s Bishop projects confidence. This can be mistaken for arrogance; but its source is easy to find. From an early age most of the King’s Bishops are specialized in their knowledge. When it comes to an area of expertise the King’s Bishop has several. They can know immediately if they can help you and how. They know what they know, but more importantly they know their limits. This Bishop is a perfectionist. They will always attempt to improve upon anything of interest. They have an unusual independence of mind which frees them from authority, convention or sentiment. Anyone who is slacking will lose respect – and be made aware of this. The King’s Bishop can be secretive when making critical decisions. However they are even-handed and will recognize contributions others give. This Bishop is highly ideal with their goals. They attempt to pursue high degree of quality in solutions and can be critical of ideas that compromise this quality. Because of their unwillingness to accept ‘good enough’ they can be unrealistic. They are at their best when they have time to think through a problem, at which point they may have a plan to solve the dilemma. The King's Bishop is an individual with a very analytical attitude. They are like the Queen's Rook, in that they prefer the ascetic quality of solitude. They are not as sociable as others, but are quite prepared to lead if they deem the current leadership as weak. They are thankfully pragmatic and logical individuals. They have very low tolerance for emotional rampaging or the spinning of 'truths'. Take Which Chess Piece are You Test? at HelloQuizzy
Current Location: Aelur's Dam
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/neko/kaokitty/awake.gif) awake
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tn_roadmap
 | 05:58 am - 2 powers medittion
As I was waiting for my dedicant package to arrive after joining the ADF I downloaded many of the things I thought could be useful to me while I waited. One of them being the 2 Powers meditation done by ian Corrigan.
I just tried it from my campsite here in the mountains of North Carolina, and had some of the most awesome experiences with it. I left it on my laptop as an mp3 file and used some plug-in headphones to hear it best, which I think helped me because it was very direct. I sat out in a camp chair out it the open with the trees and mountains surrounding me.
It is a windy early dawn here right now and with the fountain of energy rising and the light energy warming the winds picked up which added to my experience bu cooling me on the wind facing side and distorting the flow of the fountain by just a bit. Even though I had head phones on i could still hear the chirping of the little birds and the rushing of the winds through the trees.
What a way to start the day. I feel very energized and revitalized!
Current Location: KOA Boone NC
Current Mood: chipper
Current Music: chirping little birds
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brennamor
 | 07:00 am - COTD - 4 of Wands (Vanessa Tarot & Tarot of the Magical Forest)
Current Location: NYC
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/charitycam/suns/happy.gif) chipper
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othershore
| 08:28 am - The Alchemist
http://www.mazikeen.com/blog/othershore/2008/07/the_alchemist.html The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a book that tends to divide readers. Some find it a deep inspiration while others find it simply garbage.
I read The Alchemist the spring of 2007. At the time it had a message that I needed to hear. Yes, I found the story simple and the story telling simple but it did speak to me regardless (additionally English is not its native language, so I can only judge the book in translated form).
I gave the book to two people who are very special to me, in hopes it may aid them or bring them comfort. It was a very large action for me: I do not give books lightly. Sure, I will send picture books or art books to friends/family, but to send a work of fiction shows I have great trust in the individual and that I care for them.
Right now, through July 14th, iTunes has the audio book version of The Alchemist available for free.
Even if you do not like Paulo Coelho or this book I think you may enjoy this audio book as it is read by Jeremy Irons, and who doesn't like Mr. Irons?!
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alvita_felis
 | 08:47 am - Imbas 2008 with Brigid, Oghma and many mischiefs
On Saturday we went by car to the mountain-locked Liberec, some 90km north from Prague, the capital where we live. It happened that the biggest challenge was to find the right highway exit in Prague... ehm. So after like an hour we headed our way cheerfully to Liberec.
On the site it was clear that a planned "celebration of summer, fire and inspiration" will have to be carried without the summer and sunny thing, and the fire we´ll carry in an oil lamp. We headed to an old grove, from the times of the original woodlands there. There, the presiding Druid opened his ceremonial speech:
"This was a sacred tree for me even before I knew that a Druid is something more than a AD&D class." 
The couple have charming voices, I might add, and I could feel the inspiration going through them. I took the part in reading The Song of Creation which went on well, considering my lack of training in reciting English. We sacrificed to Oghma and Brigid and Nechtan was the gatekeeper. I believe we received an omen from Danu, the Earth Mother, who sent in bees right after he sacrifice of milk for her.
Following the ritual we went back to the hosts´ house for a bardic contest. Well, I didn´t win anything, but here´s some of my Divine Inspired (TM) poetry (and I admit I like it):
words drawn: straw -burn - sweat
Fiery-eyed woman
lying bare faced on the straw
her sweating body burns
contours in the groud
Summer fever by the riverside
Current Location: Prague
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/charitycam/goth_girl/happy.gif) calm
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July 8th, 2008
fionnabhar
 | 08:22 pm
Dulce Et Decorum Est
Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.
Gas! Gas! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling,
And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime . . .
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.
In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.
If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est
Pro patria mori.
--Wilfred Owen
If you haven't been to the National World War I Museum at the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri, go. You really need to go.
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/growf/dwaggins/think.gif) contemplative
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sarjanya
 | 04:36 pm - Summer Storm
After threatening to rain every evening for the last 3 days, but never showing up, a grandmother of storms just hit us. We had several close hits from lightning, the yard has 4 or 5 inches of water in some spots, and there are probably many new fallen limbs to use for firewood this winter.
I was also able to collect some rainwater.
On a sadder note, I've just heard three sirens go by, so there must have been an accident or fire close.
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staghuntress
| 03:12 pm - Allure of the Otherworld
My Shaman-teacher once warned me of the danger of trying to live THERE instead of HERE.
You journey for a reason.. so that you can bring back what you need for your Work. But that work is to be done HERE.
And I am definitely in the danger zone, because I am spending a great deal of my time HERE wishing I was THERE.
Which means it is time to change HERE.
But I don't know how.
Current Location: Home
Current Mood: ![[mood icon]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/mood/elizabethia/gothicsally/gabby.gif) crazy
Current Music: cauldron bubbling
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mitakola
| 09:54 am
Rambling Quickies for Tuesday: People are such idiots sometimes It takes two people to fight and the right one is usually the one who walks away Chris brought a stray cat home last night and when we went to bed it assumed it was supposed to sleep between us, and pee in the bed….ARGH! Lakota had a blast at Dollywood with Austin and I am thrilled for her The cooler is working well Jimmy wants to live Perrin is not colored, he is just black (or so he says out of the blue for no reason! LOL) Perrin weighs 31 pounds and is 39 ¾ inches tall. I slept like crap last night Some people are just rude, others do not know how to react to random acts of kindness Chris is funny…another video coming soon Fake personalities are worse than bad personalities that are real A fake laugh is wasted noise and energy I updated my www.lostcreekwitch.com site under “ailments” and started a new section called “Folklore” (put LOTS of new info on it for those who are interested)
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brennamor
| 07:19 am - COTD - 2 of Swords reversed (Vanessa Tarot & Tarot of the Magical Forest)
I'm looking at both these cards and once I get passed the cuteness (and they are really cute) I try to see the message they have for me. The kitty on the Tarot of the Magical Forest is posed in the traditional way - blindfolded, seated before a large body of water and holding the swords crossed before her. There is so much she is unable to see and understand - the crescent moon hanging in the night sky, the clouds which seem to be forming a pattern over her head and landscape behind her. However she seems serene and calm sitting there. She reminds me of the scene in Star Wars where Luke learns about the Force by wearing a blindfold and learning how to use a light saber. I get the sense that although she is unaware of some things, she is more open and sensitive to others. Maybe she can sense what is around her and knows when it is time to move those swords. She doesn't need to take off her blindfold because she is in no way handicapped by it.
On the Vanessa Tarot the sword lady looks like she's preparing to walk across a tightrope. Her swords are helping her keep her balance. But she is confident and assured as she ventures forth. As I was looking at this card I had an "a-ha" moment. I now see a new meaning for this card - balancing my need to be truthful and honest with the need for diplomacy and tact. I have a tendency to give truth and honesty (or at least my versions of truth and honesty) preference in all situations. But I may need to focus on the fact that sometimes diplomacy and tact may be the more useful path. After all, most people do not realize their own bullshit and when called on it the become defensive. Then the swords become weapons of mass destruction as I slash them to ribbons for their foolish delusions. But if I am more delicate in my approach and use my wits and occasionally gifted tongue to be shall we say a bit more subtly instructional, I might achieve better results. As the saying goes, you get more flies with honey than with vinegar. But vinegar has its place too. The trick is to know when to use them.
Current Location: NYC
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