April 16, 2009
Give in to Grace
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope
Strong whims can commandeer your thought processes today, causing you to focus your attention on your desires. Your initial impulse may be to give in to these newly-developed predilections as you likely see yourself as deserving of a little pleasure. You can ensure that you do not treat yourself to luxuries that add little value to your experience today by taking the time to consider your whims consciously. In your musings, you may discover that simple desires are indicative of a mounting need to find significance in your life’s journey. However you choose to answer this call for meaning, you will likely find that there are many ways you can give yourself the gift of satisfaction without veering away from your values.
There are many tempting indulgences that can potentially provide us with opportunities to achieve new levels of inwardly directed consciousness and outwardly directed awareness. To bring to light these purposeful luxuries, we must think carefully about what our cravings signify rather than giving in to them hurriedly. Our willingness to examine our whims in order to discover whether they are as straightforward as they initially seemed, or if they represent deeper emotional needs, enables us to seek out those extravagances that will add depth to our experiences. The impulses we then satisfy will open our eyes to parts of ourselves of which we were previously unaware, and give us a means to extend our limitations. When you scrutinize your desires today, you will discover that there are many ways to fulfill yourself not only thoughtfully, but also constructively.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Help Stop The Madness!
There any many ways, FREE ways, we can all help save animals, nature, and even people. Without nature, we all die. It's all linked and too many of us don't see that. Here is a great website where you too can make a difference!
Love,
DE
Love,
DE
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
An Interesting Article
Witches exhibition casts a spell
September 19, 2008 - 11:14 AM
«»1 / 2 Image caption: Burning witches in Zurich in 1580 (Wickiana/ZB Zürich) Related stories
24.06.2008
"Last witch" to be declared innocent 16.01.2008
Voodoo casts spell on Geneva Between 1423 and 1666, the small town of Sursee in central Switzerland hosted 59 witchcraft trials. Most defendants were found guilty, beheaded or burnt at the stake.
Just a few steps away from the scene of public executions, a museum is currently taking a look at the witchcraft hysteria of the 15th and 16th centuries.
For Sursee was not unusual; this fear of witches was especially common in the area encompassing present-day France, Switzerland and Germany.
"Suddenly, the cow stopped providing milk. A hailstorm ruined the crops. Or maybe the husband was impotent," explains Sibylle Gut, curator at the Sankturbanhof museum in Sursee.
"People were looking for scapegoats to take the blame."
She and her team have created an exhibition that plunges visitors back into the days of darkness and superstition.
« People were looking for scapegoats to take the blame. »
Sibylle Gut, curator Unsettling times
The first part of the exhibition takes guests back in time through the senses of sight, sound and even smell.
The ceiling is low, the lighting dim; antique household items and farm tools create the atmosphere of the time. The sounds of creaking horse-drawn carts and crying babies are mildly unsettling, while incense adds a whiff of mystery.
With the scene set, visitors have the chance to arm themselves with holy water, salt or bread in the effort to ward off witchcraft.
But as other exhibits show, in the past people weren't content with these simple means of protection. In addition, some carried ornately decorated pouches that contained pictures of the saints.
Others went so far as to swallow the image of the Virgin, conveniently available in a tiny notebook with tear-off sheets. Yet others wore necklaces featuring gnarled bird feet and sharp rodent teeth.
And then there were "witch glasses".
"People believed that witches glowed in the dark, a trait observable with the aid of witch glasses," says Gut. Real glasses weren't necessary; either a key with a large ring or a stone with a hole in it could do the job.
Women dress up as witches for the Belalp Hexe ski race, in memory of a local witch who was burnt at the stake (Keystone)Supernatural
Literature and woodcuts dating back to the 1400s illustrate the supernatural characteristics of witches.
One item on show is a book printed in 1494 — a field guide to witches, their identifying behaviour, and the proper way to destroy them.
Seen as a threat to Christianity, those suspected of witchcraft were persecuted without mercy. A person formally accused of putting a hex on a neighbour was likely to face terrible consequences.
The authorities would probably torture the defendant until she confessed to that deed and others, such as having sexual relations with the devil. While up to 90 per cent of accused witches were women, it is worth noting that some were men.
Stocks, the rack and hot pliers were just some of the torture devices employed. A low-tech method involved hot eggs held under the arms. The woodcut illustrations bear gruesome witness to the fate of many of the accused.
A gleaming highlight of the exhibition is a sword once used to decapitate witches in Zurich. Even its victims were probably happy to see it, for it saved them from the agony of being burnt alive.
« You can't just speak of black and white magic. There are hundreds of thousands of colours! »
Willie "Dreamdancer" Haas, witch Witches today
Through the use of short video installations, the museum provides modern-day insight into real and imagined witchcraft. It includes a 1960s interview with a woman from central Switzerland whose life was shattered after her neighbours accused her of being a witch.
The exhibition also features interviews with real Swiss witches. One of them is Wicca, a high-priestess living in canton Aargau.
Asked what a witch is, she says, "A witch is someone who is very connected to nature. We make a lot of teas and salves." She also mentions a possible genetic aspect to witchcraft, saying that some people seem to inherit special powers.
Then there's Willie "Dreamdancer" Haas, witch and owner of Zwischenwelt, an esoteric boutique in Lucerne.
"You can't just speak of black and white magic," insists Haas, "There are hundreds of thousands of colours!"
He wryly suggests that people who participate in bullying could be accused of black magic.
And while a muggle – as Harry Potter would say - may never know whether that evil colleague is actually a bad witch or not, Haas is clear where he stands: "It's wonderful to be a witch!"
swissinfo, Susan Vogel-Misicka in Sursee
This article is courtesy of swissinfo.ch
This article
September 19, 2008 - 11:14 AM
«»1 / 2 Image caption: Burning witches in Zurich in 1580 (Wickiana/ZB Zürich) Related stories
24.06.2008
"Last witch" to be declared innocent 16.01.2008
Voodoo casts spell on Geneva Between 1423 and 1666, the small town of Sursee in central Switzerland hosted 59 witchcraft trials. Most defendants were found guilty, beheaded or burnt at the stake.
Just a few steps away from the scene of public executions, a museum is currently taking a look at the witchcraft hysteria of the 15th and 16th centuries.
For Sursee was not unusual; this fear of witches was especially common in the area encompassing present-day France, Switzerland and Germany.
"Suddenly, the cow stopped providing milk. A hailstorm ruined the crops. Or maybe the husband was impotent," explains Sibylle Gut, curator at the Sankturbanhof museum in Sursee.
"People were looking for scapegoats to take the blame."
She and her team have created an exhibition that plunges visitors back into the days of darkness and superstition.
« People were looking for scapegoats to take the blame. »
Sibylle Gut, curator Unsettling times
The first part of the exhibition takes guests back in time through the senses of sight, sound and even smell.
The ceiling is low, the lighting dim; antique household items and farm tools create the atmosphere of the time. The sounds of creaking horse-drawn carts and crying babies are mildly unsettling, while incense adds a whiff of mystery.
With the scene set, visitors have the chance to arm themselves with holy water, salt or bread in the effort to ward off witchcraft.
But as other exhibits show, in the past people weren't content with these simple means of protection. In addition, some carried ornately decorated pouches that contained pictures of the saints.
Others went so far as to swallow the image of the Virgin, conveniently available in a tiny notebook with tear-off sheets. Yet others wore necklaces featuring gnarled bird feet and sharp rodent teeth.
And then there were "witch glasses".
"People believed that witches glowed in the dark, a trait observable with the aid of witch glasses," says Gut. Real glasses weren't necessary; either a key with a large ring or a stone with a hole in it could do the job.
Women dress up as witches for the Belalp Hexe ski race, in memory of a local witch who was burnt at the stake (Keystone)Supernatural
Literature and woodcuts dating back to the 1400s illustrate the supernatural characteristics of witches.
One item on show is a book printed in 1494 — a field guide to witches, their identifying behaviour, and the proper way to destroy them.
Seen as a threat to Christianity, those suspected of witchcraft were persecuted without mercy. A person formally accused of putting a hex on a neighbour was likely to face terrible consequences.
The authorities would probably torture the defendant until she confessed to that deed and others, such as having sexual relations with the devil. While up to 90 per cent of accused witches were women, it is worth noting that some were men.
Stocks, the rack and hot pliers were just some of the torture devices employed. A low-tech method involved hot eggs held under the arms. The woodcut illustrations bear gruesome witness to the fate of many of the accused.
A gleaming highlight of the exhibition is a sword once used to decapitate witches in Zurich. Even its victims were probably happy to see it, for it saved them from the agony of being burnt alive.
« You can't just speak of black and white magic. There are hundreds of thousands of colours! »
Willie "Dreamdancer" Haas, witch Witches today
Through the use of short video installations, the museum provides modern-day insight into real and imagined witchcraft. It includes a 1960s interview with a woman from central Switzerland whose life was shattered after her neighbours accused her of being a witch.
The exhibition also features interviews with real Swiss witches. One of them is Wicca, a high-priestess living in canton Aargau.
Asked what a witch is, she says, "A witch is someone who is very connected to nature. We make a lot of teas and salves." She also mentions a possible genetic aspect to witchcraft, saying that some people seem to inherit special powers.
Then there's Willie "Dreamdancer" Haas, witch and owner of Zwischenwelt, an esoteric boutique in Lucerne.
"You can't just speak of black and white magic," insists Haas, "There are hundreds of thousands of colours!"
He wryly suggests that people who participate in bullying could be accused of black magic.
And while a muggle – as Harry Potter would say - may never know whether that evil colleague is actually a bad witch or not, Haas is clear where he stands: "It's wonderful to be a witch!"
swissinfo, Susan Vogel-Misicka in Sursee
This article is courtesy of swissinfo.ch
This article
Updates
Bright blessings on this beautiful Sunday! Wow it's been months since I have updated my blog or even posted anything new. I promise this will change very soon. With the new school year starting and beginning my new career path only a month ago, things have been hectic. Now that the chaos is settling down, I will have more time for my practice and blogging as well. Thanks for your understanding :)
Yesterday my bf and I went shopping. For years I have been searching for just the right tools for my rituals and magick work. Most of my supplies have been easy to come by as I am very lucky to live only minutes from an amazing metaphysical store. However, there are still some supplies I need that I just haven't found the right ones that I connect with.
I have a small temporary wand which I love, but I am still in search of a full size wand that I feel apart of. The search for a wand hasn't been as difficult though as the search for the right Athame. Yesterday while shopping, I accidentally found my perfect Athame and got a crazy deal on it to boot :)
I was at the mall and on my way out of the mall my bf and I decided to take a quick look inside of a knife store. After only about 5 minutes inside, there she was hanging on the wall and I just KNEW it was THE one for me. It was quite an exciting moment! I can't wait to use it now. I will post a picture of it soon.
Ok, it's back to work for me. I hope everyone has a wonderful day!
Blessings, DGE
Yesterday my bf and I went shopping. For years I have been searching for just the right tools for my rituals and magick work. Most of my supplies have been easy to come by as I am very lucky to live only minutes from an amazing metaphysical store. However, there are still some supplies I need that I just haven't found the right ones that I connect with.
I have a small temporary wand which I love, but I am still in search of a full size wand that I feel apart of. The search for a wand hasn't been as difficult though as the search for the right Athame. Yesterday while shopping, I accidentally found my perfect Athame and got a crazy deal on it to boot :)
I was at the mall and on my way out of the mall my bf and I decided to take a quick look inside of a knife store. After only about 5 minutes inside, there she was hanging on the wall and I just KNEW it was THE one for me. It was quite an exciting moment! I can't wait to use it now. I will post a picture of it soon.
Ok, it's back to work for me. I hope everyone has a wonderful day!
Blessings, DGE
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Wednesday Daily OM
I have recently signed up for regular updates from a website which e-mails daily OM's and Horoscopes however I am not receiving the e-mails JUST yet. Some of the messages are very powerful so from time to time I will post the Daily OM for everyone's view.
Also, I forgot to mention in my first post that I know that my page is still very bland and needs more "stuff". It is difficult for me to find 10 consecetive minutes to myself to input everything I want on my page so I promise to have more info up just as soon as possible!
Also, I forgot to mention in my first post that I know that my page is still very bland and needs more "stuff". It is difficult for me to find 10 consecetive minutes to myself to input everything I want on my page so I promise to have more info up just as soon as possible!
May 21, 2008 Making The DecisionSaying Yes To The Universe
The hardest thing about saying yes to the universe is that it means accepting everything life puts in front of us. Most of us have a habit of going through our days saying no to the things we don’t like and yes to the things we do, and yet, everything we encounter is our life. We may be afraid that if we say yes to the things we don’t like, we will be stuck with them forever, but really, it is only through acknowledging the existence of what’s not working for us that we can begin the process of change. So saying yes doesn’t mean indiscriminately accepting things that don’t work for us. It means conversing with the universe, and starting the conversation with a very powerful word—yes. When we say yes to the universe, we enter into a state of trust that whatever our situation is, we can work with it. We express confidence in ourselves, and the universe, and we also express a willingness to learn from whatever comes our way, rather than running and hiding when we don’t like what we see. The question we might ask ourselves is what it will take for us to get to the point of saying yes. For some of us, it takes coming up against something we can’t ignore, escape, or deny, and so we are left no choice but to say yes. For others, it just seems a natural progression of events that leads us to making the decision to say yes to life. The first step to saying yes is realizing that in the end it is so much easier than the alternative. Once we understand this, we can begin examining the moments when we resist what is happening, and experiment with occasionally saying yes instead. It might be scary at first, and even painful at times, but if we continue to say yes to every moment through the process, we will discover the joy of being in a positive conversation with a force much bigger than ourselves.
You can view more and sign up for daily e-mails at:
http://www.dailyom.com
*Images and meditation are property of DailyOm.com
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Bright Blessings!
First let me introduce myself. My Spiritual name is obviously Dragyn Elm. I am a Solitary Wiccan and my path is very ecclectic. I already have a blog page on Blogspot but I felt it might be best to start a separate blog to record my growth and experiences as I travel along this beautiful spiritual path I have chosen.
I have been a practicing Pagan for 3 years now. I have a decent amount of study guides and awesome books written by some amazing High Priestesses from all over the world. I love to read and learn about the different ritual patterns, magick spells performed, and the unique ways other Pagans/ Wiccans practice their faith. It is such a beautiful experience. Much like artists, each Pagan is an individual and although each art piece will look different, they are all unique an beautiful to me.
More than just a Witch, I am also a loving single mother of two gorgeous kids; one boy and one girl. Both of my children choose to practice the Christian faith and I support their choices. They both are well educated in the Wiccan ways however they have full freedom of choice in the path that best suits them. I also have a full time career.
This blog is a blog of love and joy. It is a blog to help those without the propper knowledge of Pagan beliefs, to help eliminate the Hollywood stereotypes. I will only make reference to other faiths in a loving way as I have experienced a wide array of other Christian and non-Christian beliefs myself. This is NOT a "my faith is better than yours" page! I am open to any and ALL questions so long as they are respectful. Please help me keep this site open minded and loving in all regards.
Until my next post, Blessed Be to all!
DE
I have been a practicing Pagan for 3 years now. I have a decent amount of study guides and awesome books written by some amazing High Priestesses from all over the world. I love to read and learn about the different ritual patterns, magick spells performed, and the unique ways other Pagans/ Wiccans practice their faith. It is such a beautiful experience. Much like artists, each Pagan is an individual and although each art piece will look different, they are all unique an beautiful to me.
More than just a Witch, I am also a loving single mother of two gorgeous kids; one boy and one girl. Both of my children choose to practice the Christian faith and I support their choices. They both are well educated in the Wiccan ways however they have full freedom of choice in the path that best suits them. I also have a full time career.
This blog is a blog of love and joy. It is a blog to help those without the propper knowledge of Pagan beliefs, to help eliminate the Hollywood stereotypes. I will only make reference to other faiths in a loving way as I have experienced a wide array of other Christian and non-Christian beliefs myself. This is NOT a "my faith is better than yours" page! I am open to any and ALL questions so long as they are respectful. Please help me keep this site open minded and loving in all regards.
Until my next post, Blessed Be to all!
DE
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