Rainbow Candles Light Your Chakras

June 17, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Chakra Jar Candle Set - Palm Wax Light up and balance your energy with Chakra candles! Our Jar candles are made with pure vegetable EcoPalm Wax™. They are unscented, so those with sensitivities can burn them, and if you do want sent, you can chose your own by adding a drop or two of aromatherapy essential oil.

Whether you’re celebrating the latest seasonal fire festival, pride in diversity, or working on your meditation or yoga practice, these Chakra candles have you covered with all the colors in the rainbow. The Chakra labels can be peeled off if you are using the jar candle for a different tradition.

Each 16 ounce candle has a burn time of approximately 100 hours. These candles are cut above your ordinary jar candles, because they are made of clean burning pure vegetable palm wax with cotton wicks. Discover the Benefits of EcoPalm Wax™.

Note: You don’t have to use a jar candle, if you want a shorter burn time, we also have Eco-Palm Wax Taper Candles in all the Chakra Colors, as well Read more

Posted by Jane Hansen | Filed Under Features, Meditation & Yoga

Into the Mystic Faerie Tarot

June 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Step inside the enchanting world of the fey. Rich watercolor images by renowned artist Linda Ravenscroft capture the vibrancy and grace of faeries, sprites, elves, and nymphs in their lush gardens. Each suit tells a “faerie tale” as the nature spirits embark on magical adventures. A water nymph and wood elf learn that love is a gift not to be taken lightly, while two foolish fae nearly allow their home to be overtaken by a magical blue rose. These stories offer lessons and fresh insights in all matters of life, while remaining true to tarot archetypes.

The Mystic Faerie Tarot kit includes a 78 card tarot deck, 288-page book that introduces tarot and describes the major and minor arcana in detail, and a beautiful and handy gold organdy bag with a satin cord.

Perfect for beginners, you’ll also find sample readings, a quick reference guide to the cards, and Read more

Posted by Jane Hansen | Filed Under Features, Tarot

Tall Dark Stranger

February 12, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Tall Dark Stranger “For centuries, the Tarot has been used to answer questions about love and romance. From teenage girls in Renaissance Italy to contemporary cartomancers, the cards have been shuffled and spread in search of tall, dark strangers.”

So begins Chapter One - Tarot’s Romantic History in Tall Dark Stranger - Tarot for Love and Romance by Corrine Kenner. Romance is a mystery of the heart that bring many to the Tarot to search for answers, and Ms. Kenner has written a book that explores exactly how tarot can do that. In Part 1: History and Mystery, the Elements of Attraction are explored as they relate to the tarot, as are the Astrological influences on the Major Arcana that have an effect on our relationships. Deciphering all these signs and symbols to understand how they teach us about our love relationships is a true art, and Kenner is a master at explaining things in language you can understand.

Part II consists of detailed definitions of all the cards, as they relate to love and relationships and beyond. Over all, Tall Dark Stranger is a well rounded book, never forgetting the most common reason people turn to the tarot in the first place, the quest for love. This book goes beyond the love match, and would make an excellent starter book for the novice tarot enthusiast, as well as a great addition to the experienced reader’s library.

As it says on the back of the book, Corrine Kenner is a certified Tarot Master who specializes in bringing metaphysicial subjects down to earth. She holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and she has taught Tarot classes and workshops since 1998. She’s also a nice person, I’ve met her and went to one of her workshops. She even gets personal in the introduction and talks about the reading she gave herself when she first met her husband.

So if you’re looking for love, love the tarot, or just want a good book written by a seasoned Tarot professional with a fun and informative voice, Tall Dark Stranger just might be your perfect match.

Posted by Beth Hansen-Buth | Filed Under Features, Tarot

Forms of Feminine Spirit

January 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Aspects of the divine feminine have been explored by artists dating back to pre-history in cultures around the world. Small figures have been found at many sites, and it is believed that they were so portable due to the nomadic nature of earlier people. Have goddess, will travel! Today these forms of the feminine spirit come to us fresh and unblemished through the elegant sculptures of Maya Hill. Her series called JourneyStones are small pocket-sized goddess figures that can be carried wherever you go.

Delving deep in the mystery of womanhood, these flowing forms represent many aspects of the goddess that are being honored again today. Whether you are a girl or woman seeking to celebrate your feminine strengths, or anyone seeking a more intimate connection to the goddess, Forms of the Feminine Spirit brings it all into the palm of your hand. Faceless, they have a universal appeal that speaks to a broad audience of mysticism and devotion. Other themes that are explored include acceptance, balance, creation, desire, fertility, and wisdom.

Posted by Beth Hansen-Buth | Filed Under Features, Goddess Studies

Necronomicon Tarot is here

October 27, 2007 | 1 Comment

Grim Agents of Cosmic Forces…

In the early twentieth century, legendary horror writer H.P. Lovecraft described an ancient tome as “the unmentionable Necronomicon of the mad Arab Abdul Alhazred . . . a book which I had never seen, but of which I had heard monstrous things whispered.”

In the early twenty-first century, best-selling author Donald Tyson wove the myriad rumors and whispers of Lovecraft’s dread grimoire into the epic fantasy novels Necronomicon and Alhazred. Intended as a trilogy, the Necronomicon Tarot completes Tyson’s formidable work. Read more

Posted by Jane Hansen | Filed Under Features, Tarot

In Defense of Fluffy Bunnies

May 18, 2007 | 2 Comments

by Beth Hansen-Buth

A lot has been said and written about what’s wrong with a variety of pagan or new age spirituality sarcastically referred to as the Fluffy Bunny. Just search Google for Fluffy Bunny Wicca and you will see what I mean. Those who follow the FB tradition may call themselves White Witches, Pink Witches, or Lightworkers. They are different than the black-clothed goth-lings who get their kicks out of frightening their parents and delight in improving their psychic vampire skills. Those would be the Misguided Gothic Vampire Bunnies from Hell or MGVH.

A true Fluffy Bunny believes that God and/or Goddess is good, loves us, and wants what’s best in our lives. Fluffy Bunnies like angels, spirit guides, crystals and flower fairies a great deal; as well as healing just about anything with the help of angels, spirit guides, crystals and flowers. Fluffy bunnies glow with childlike joy when they talk about their Goddess, and work hard at opening their third eye without getting bogged down with complex tools like the Tarot or Runes. Their chakras put out pastel rainbow colors when they are doing their lightworking, which is just about all the time.

Fluffy Bunnies embrace love, life, springtime and high vibrational energies. Sometimes they jingle when they walk because they love wearing bells and baubles which sparkle and tinkle. This often makes many Serious Traditional Wiccans, or STWs, who prefer their Gods imperfect, dark, tricky and unknowable very uncomfortable around the FB’s. Their circles are filled with seriousness, angst, and secrecy, believing that’s how it always has been and always should be. Incapable of lightening up, they shun the light, soft comforting embrace of Fluffy Bunnies.

Those who follow the FB tradition love to hug you any chance they get, wear lots of pink and violet, and smell like flowers. The FBW, or Fluffy Bunny Wiccans, take the wiccan rede “Do as thou wilt an it harm none” to a place closer to “do as thou wilt an it heal and uplift all” in actual practice. They make spells out of nursery rhymes, love children, and enjoy singing happy songs. They sing praise to the Goddess and thank her for her beauty while wearing super sparkley eye shadow and lipstick.

They also offer a gentle bridge to people seeking alternative, new age or pagan spirituality. Sometimes they settle down and learn to dig in the dirt becoming Gaia Pagans, and start wearing earth tones and ecologically friendly make-up. But when the flowers bloom in spring you can see the FB in them come out in all it’s glory. For they are glorious in their joy. When you see the twinkle in the eye of an FB a part of you may even see the Goddess in all her dancing, shining Maiden and Mother-love self, while the Crone and the Hunter are off catching bunny rabbits for the children to play with. Maybe, just maybe, there’s some wisdom to be found in wonder and joy too.

About the Author
Beth Hansen-Buth is a Wiccan, Reiki Practioner, Faeries’ Oracle Reader and Artist with some Druidic tendencies. She thinks it’s high time for grouchy old Wiccans to lighten up and enjoy themselves and hug a Fluffy Bunny or three.

Posted by Beth Hansen-Buth | Filed Under Goddess Studies, New Age

Beltane - The Ritual of Summer Begins

April 25, 2007 | Leave a Comment

by Beth Hansen-Buth
Beltane, or May Day is a celebration of flowers coming into bloom, and is often considered a spring festival today. The celebrations usually begin on April 30th at sundown, and involve things like bonfires, selecting a May Queen & King, dancing the may pole, and other quaint old world customs. Today there is a renewal of celebrating this yearly fire festival around the world. In Scotland the Beltane Fire Society will be celebrating it’s 20th year of putting on this festival which attracts 12 thousand people to Calton Hill in Edenburg. Just as Halloween/Samhain marks the beginning of winter, Beltane marks the beginning of spring. Legends tell us that on May Eve the Fairy Queen rides forth to lure mortals to her realm.

In Germany, April 30th is known as Walpurgisnacht, and it was believed that witches flew on their brooms to the Brocken Mountain where they danced all night around bonfires. This night is named after St Walpurga, who came from England in the 8th century to become the abbess of a German monastery, who’s feast day is May 1st. In Sweden and Finland there are still huge bonfires on this night, and May Day picnics are the norm.

These ritual activities attune the community to the cycle of the year, and to each other as a part of the cycle of life. Donald Tyson has this to say about the importance of ritual:

Ritual is a mechanism for changing all four levels of being: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. We all know that our feelings affect our physical health and condition. We know that our minds, both the part we see and the part we do not see, control our feelings. What many do not realize is that there is a fourth level of spirit that determines the state of our minds…The greatest benefit of ritual may be, not its limitless power of transformation, but the way it allows those who practice it to perceive value in things they already possess, whether these are the forests and lakes around them, or the people in their lives.

Participating in a Beltane ritual allows us to welcome Summer with an attitude of excitement, celebration, and community. At the same time, we have the opportunity to honor and revere the cycle of life and nature as sacred. For over 30 years In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre has held a May Day Parade and Festival at Powderhorn Park, here’s the details of this year’s event:

This year’s theme is Somos Agua / We Are Water
Sunday, May 6 the Parade begins at 1:00pm at Bloomington Ave and 26th Street in South Minneapolis, proceeding south to 34th Street. The Tree of Life Ceremony and an all-day festival follows in Powderhorn Park.

Time: 1:00- 4:00
Cost: free

Weather permitting, the Eye of Horus Secret Garden Labyrinth will be available for walking and meditation during daylight business hours. Come and visit the flowers and have a happy Beltane everyone!

Posted by Beth Hansen-Buth | Filed Under Mythic Musings, Ritual

The Secret and the LOA

March 12, 2007 | 6 Comments

Is it really the Law of Attraction? Let’s examine that. This concept is being touted as a Universal Law, like the Law of Gravity. A Universal Law is something that demonstrably works every time. The clearest explanation I’ve found of why it ain’t so, Joe, is provided by Skeptico at: http://skeptico.blogs.com/skeptico/2007/02/the_secret.html.

Hey! You say. Isn’t this a metaphysical blog? Well, yes, Virginia, it is. As a rational, thinking practitioner of metaphysical philosophy, I can definitively state that what you think, manifests. Sometimes. Quite often, in fact. But often not in the way you think it will, often at an angle, and often not in any physical way whatever. If you want to say, “Always” then The Law of Attention might be a better term for this phenomena. When you pay attention to a thought, idea, or goal, you are more likely to notice opportunities you would have overlooked before. You notice the synchronicity Jung wrote about. All those odd little coincidences which lead you on a marvelous path. Now, if all you are doing is visualizing and not paying attention and following those clues, it ain’t gonna do you squat. Well, maybe it’ll bend a bit, but not quite squat. The fact is, if all you do is start paying attention more than the other schmucks in this pre-occupied splatter-punk modern world we live in, you will find new levels of living.

Law of Attachment
But the way this whole Secret/LOA thing is being presented is really more like a Law of Attachment (which means Buddhists need not apply) or the Law Of Avarice: I want what I want and how do I get what I want and I deserve what I want, so I believe. It’s easy to believe in something that promises you the world on a platter.

But what if the world isn’t yours, or mine, or God/Goddess’s to dole out to his/her favorites. What if the world is the world and we are part of it, not owners, not the shapers–at least not more of a shaper than a dolphin or a butterfly? Maybe we are just a piece in that puzzle. We do not exist to collect or control other pieces, but to figure out where we fit in and make the whole thing come into a balance and harmony. I mean, because once you know you belong, you realize you already have everything, because you realize you are a part of everything, which is the exact opposite of this Attachment and Avarice which makes bestsellers. Maybe The Secret “they” don’t want you to know is that “they” are doing their darndest so you don’t view things in such a way. They want you to want and need, and they’ll sell you The Secret.

Which brings us to:

The Law of Attrition
The Law of Attrition is demonstrated by true believers in the pyramid-scheme of abundance who managed to time their jump onto the bandwagon just right, and actually seem to manifest whatever they want. Anyone late to the game is considered not really serious, or they aren’t visualizing right or believing enough, etc. So the true believers have their proof using a circular form of false-logic. If it worked for them and the people they riff off of, it must be true for everyone. And everyone knows there is only one truth and everyone must benefit from the one truth, right? Right?

But really, maybe we should be looking at the pure diversity of life and philosophy embodied by all of the myriad definitions for LOA found on the TheFreeDictionary: http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/LOA

I mean, are all these people talking about the power of LOA really talking about the Lesbians Of America, or quite possibly, the periodontal disease of the Loss Of Attachment. Maybe it is Life Of Agony? It’s really enough to give one a Loss Of Appetite. But there’s one more possibility that any metaphysician worth his or her himalayan salt must consider:

Or is it really just the Loa playing with us? According to Wikipedia:
The Loa (also Lwa or L’wha) are the spirits of the Vodou religion practiced in Haiti, and other parts of the world. They are also referred to as the Mystères and the Invisibles.

It’s all just a mystery, and the powers don’t really care whether or not you get your corvette.

References:

http://skeptico.blogs.com/skeptico/2007/02/the_secret.html
http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/LOA
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loa

Posted by Jane Hansen | Filed Under New Age

“If come from inside, always right one”

November 27, 2006 | 2 Comments

A Philosophical Approach to the Karate Kid

by Illiani Eldorath

Growing up I found that I was always one step outside of the normal crowd. When The Karate Kid came to the movie theatre I found a character that I could identify with and a teacher that I came to admire and respect. It is a philosophy that many quote tongue and cheek but holds deep words of wisdom deeply ingrained with Asian beliefs, even if not seen so as done intentionally. In the next several essays I want to focus on a few of the wise sayings that come from the Karate Kid movies and the timeless wisdom of Miyagi.

When we are first introduced to Mr. Miyagi we see a quirky old man with an odd sense of humor. It is this Yoda like humor that is found throughout the movie but all with a sense of purpose. We’re brought into his philosophical world when after being asked by Daniel about his bonsai and his response is “If you like see, come inside”[1]. This seems to be a basic rule of thought in Asian wisdom. If you wish to learn from the Master then the Student must approach and show his interest.

There is a basic understanding that Miyagi seems to have of the world around him, the belief that there is always truth if it comes from inside the person. In a sense his words “If come from inside, always right picture”[1] models the basic Buddhist belief that a person must live his path free of outside influences. Read more

Posted by Jane Hansen | Filed Under New Age

Here Comes the Sun (Signs) - Romance, Astrology and You - Fire Signs

November 25, 2006 | Leave a Comment

By Heidi Richards

Is it easy for you to get close to someone or do you take your time in developing meaningful relationships? What does your partner bring to your relationship that either helps it blossom or keeps it from going anywhere? Are you finding love elusive or does it come easy? How do you relate to those you are romantically attracted to? What kind of relationship are you looking for? What kind of partner are you seeking?

While reading about your sun sign is not the entire answer to the age-old challenge of finding the right partner, it can be a start. Your sun-sign is only one aspect of your persona, what makes you, you. Your Rising and Moon also determine the life you were born to lead. Romance, Astrology and You will shed some light on sun signs and romance. Beyond that, you may wish to you seek professionals who can prepare your chart and give you a more in-depth personality/life reading.

The signs are divided into the four elements which represent them. They are the elements of Fire, Earth, Air and Water. This first page covers the Fire signs - Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. The Earth signs - Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn are on the next page, Air signs - Gemini, Libra and Aquarius, the next and the last page is dedicated to the Water signs – Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces.

Fire Signs

Fire signs represent enthusiasm and energy. The hallmark of fire is inspiration. With a joy for life, they can be ardent, forceful and have a tendency to be extremely impulsive.

ARIES - (March 22 - April 20). Aries is ruled by Mars, and its symbol is the Ram. Aries is a Fire sign, impulsive and energetic. You are bold and impatient, easily infatuated, and often lose interest if boredom sets in. You tend toward impulsive rather than cautious when it comes to matters of the heart, making your interest known (sometimes too quickly), and you tend to be very direct – shy is not a word to describe the impetuous Aries. You quickly bounce back from rejection, although it isn’t something you are use to, as you like to get your way. Quips and quarrels are often seen as foreplay with the direct Aries. You like the conquest in romance and can play “hard-to-get”. You find it stimulating when the object of your affection plays the same game. However, in the long run you love to let yourself be caught, to be “swept away” with desire. You gravitate toward the confident, rather than those who appear needier. Aries loves to be caressed and told that you are the best.

LEO - (July 23 – August 22) Leo is ruled by the Sun and its symbol is the lion. As a Fire sign, Leo’s world revolves around the principles of identity and drama. You love to be the center of your partner’s adoration and attention. You tend to be flamboyant and melodramatic when it comes to matters of the heart. You crave attention and find ways to announce that you have arrived, whether it be with a look, the way you “waltz” into a room, the way you toss your head or even the way you walk up to someone and give them a gentle touch. You are a true romantic and have been known to write a poem or two. You have style, are generous and love to “surprise” the object of your affection with flowers and candy. In fact, surprises are second nature to you. You often sport an aristocratic air, even if you weren’t born into nobility. You love to be adored and admired and taking the lead in romance gives you a sense of power. You expect to be respected, and will act worthy of respect with one you desire. You know how to turn on the charm and raise the heat in a relationship. Leos love to be touched and admired.

SAGITTARIUS - (November 22 – December 21) Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter and is symbolized by the archer. This Fire sign is connected with the identity. You crave variety, new ideas, and new experiences. In fact, you can be a little “excessive,” which means you can over-do things a bit - or a lot. You love to explore new places, people and foods. Change is something you simply cannot live without. Routine is not a word that sits well with you and anyone romantically interested in the archer better be ready for adventure. You are a truth seeker, love to learn and your interests are eclectic and varied. You tend to embellish things a bit (almost to the point of exaggeration) especially when it comes someone who might be attracted to you. You want them to find you as interesting as you find life itself. You love your “space” and freedom and want your partner to feel the same. You find independence in others as sexy as it is second nature to you. Playful dates are a real turn-on for someone seeking a good-time.

When it comes to love-interests, you want to be “friends first”. Honesty is paramount to you and you expect it from those in your life, especially your mate. You can be philosophical one moment and class clown the next. You are very jovial and will seek a partner who makes you laugh. When it comes to spirituality, you consider yourself a guide along the long and winding road to self-discovery. And when in the learning mode, the Sagittarius will be a “seeker” or student to those who can teach or inspire you. Sagittarians are as turned-on by a stimulating conversation as they are by sensual exploration.

© 2005 - Heidi Richards is an Author, Professional Speaker, and Business Mentor. She is the owner of Eden Florist & Gift Baskets – http://www.edenflorist.com and the Founder & CEO of the Women’s ECommerce Association, International http://www.WECAI.org – an Internet organization that “Helps Women Do Business on the WEB.” BASIC Membership is Free. She can be reached at heidi@edenflorist.com. Permission is granted to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication is appreciated.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heidi_Richards

Posted by Jane Hansen | Filed Under Astrology

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