Spiritual Christmas Traditions

Christmas is a special time of year, and each person or family celebrates it in their own unique way. Traditions bring people together, and having traditions to look forward to can make the holiday even more enjoyable and memorable.

Many aspects of the modern Christmas celebrations derive from ancient Pagan traditions, including the Christmas tree and the Yule log. There are many ways to tap into the spiritual roots of the holiday, so here are our ideas for some special Christmas traditions to incorporate into your celebrations this year.

Enjoy the calm before the storm

Families with small children (or even big ones) know that the earlier you wake up on Christmas Day, the happier they will be. However, waking up before the sun to deal with excited kids and stacks of presents can often be a stressful start to the day. Even those without children most likely have busy days planned out, and so don’t have much time to relax.

Start your day off right by waking up a little bit earlier, and enjoy the calm before the storm. You could use this time to meditate and reflect, or simply have a cup of tea and enjoy the peace and quiet before the craziness of the day begins. Starting your day off in such a calm way will help you feel less stressed and more prepared throughout the day, which will make everything more enjoyable!

Practice Gratitude

It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of opening presents on Christmas Day. We’re often so busy rushing to open gifts and see what everybody else has, that we can forget to practice gratitude. This year, take a few minutes to pause and reflect. Go round the room, and have each person say what they are grateful for.

Another great way to practice gratitude is to write thank you letters to each person who sent a gift, or even those who helped you in some way throughout the year. This could be a family member, a friend, a teacher, or even the person who serves your coffee every day. A small token of thanks can easily put a smile one somebody’s face, and make them feel appreciated.

Give back to the needy

Christmas can be an especially lonely and difficult time for those in need, such as the homeless, the elderly, or children living in group homes. Why not do something to make their day a little brighter?

There are many charities and other companies that run Christmas programmes, such as collecting boxes of gifts for children, or essentials for the homeless. Alternatively, you could volunteer your time. Visit a nursing home and give the residents some company, or volunteer at a soup kitchen. Or if you know somebody who will be alone at Christmas, why not invite them to join your family for Christmas dinner? It won’t be much trouble for you, but it will mean the world to them.

Look to the future

As the year is coming to a close, most people begin to look forward to the next 12 months. We all have things we want to achieve, and many of us will make new year’s resolutions. Why not share your hopes and dreams for the future with your loved ones? During dinner, go around the table and have everyone talk about what they hope to do in 2018. This act of sharing will make everybody feel closer, and it will be great to have people who know what you want to achieve  to cheer you on throughout the year.

Celebrate light

Give a nod to the history and meaning of the Winter Solstice during your Christmas celebrations, and celebrate light. The Yule Log tradition comes from the ancient Solstice traditions of lighting fires to represent the light and heat of the sun.

Honour the power of the sun during your Christmas celebrations. If you have a working fireplace, you could carry on the tradition of the yule log. If not, light some candles; there’s the added bonus that they add a wonderful atmosphere to the room with their flickering glow.

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What is the Winter Solstice?

Christmas is fast approaching, but before it gets here there is another day to celebrate, and you may have heard people talking about it. The Winter Solstice has been celebrated by Pagans for thousands of years, and many of the modern Christmas traditions are actually rooted in the early Solstice celebrations. So when is the Winter Solstice and what does it mean? Here we look at this very important date and how it is celebrated.

When and What is the Winter Solstice?

Thursday 21st December marks the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. Many people think that the solstice is the name for the full day, but it is actually a specific point in time. The 2017 Winter Solstice will happen at 4:28pm GMT, and it is the moment that the sun will be shining directly overhead the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere, and the North Pole is tilted furthest away.

The term Solstice comes from the Latin ‘solstitium’, which literally means ‘stand still’. On the day of the Solstice, the Sun appears to stand still in its position over the Tropic of Capricorn, and then changes its direction.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the day of the Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, with exactly 7 hours, 49 minutes and 59 seconds of daylight. However, from this point on, the days will begin to get longer as we approach Spring. Of course, in the Southern Hemisphere the seasons are reversed, meaning that for those people it is the Summer Solstice, and the longest day of the year. Those people will begin to experience shorter days until their own Winter Solstice in June.

For those people who live in the North of the Arctic Circle, they won’t actually get any daylight on this day, as the North Pole tilts away from the sun at the point of the Solstice. This is called a polar night.

How is the Winter Solstice Celebrated?

The Solstice has been celebrated for thousands of years, and it is a very important date for Pagan people, as it is a day of rebirth. Stonehenge was built as a monument to track the sun’s progress throughout the year. Each year, as has been done throughout history, Pagans travel to Stonehenge to watch the sunrise, and take advantage of the daylight on the shortest day of the year.

Many of the traditions we associate with Christmas are also derived from the ancient Solstice celebrations, including the Christmas tree. The ancient Celts and their priests – the Druids – used evergreen trees, along with mistletoe and holly, to symbolise eternal life during their Solstice rituals and celebrations.

However, unlike modern Christmas traditions, the Druids did not cut the trees down and place them in their homes; they would have seen this as a destruction of nature. It is believed that it was actually Saint Boniface who cut down the first evergreen tree after he came across a group of Pagans worshipping it in 8th Century Germany. Legend has it that after he chopped it down, a fir tree grew in its place, and the Pagans returned the following year to decorate it.

The Feast of Juul was observed in Scandinavia pre-Christianity, at the time of the Winter Solstice. To celebrate, people lit fires to symbolise the heat and light of the sun. A special Juul – or Yule – log was burned in the fire to honour Thor.

In Scandinavia, a piece of the log was traditionally kept for good luck, and then used as kindling for next year’s log. However, in England, Germany and other countries in Europe, the log was burned completely, and the ash was then scattered in the fields to be used as fertiliser, or otherwise used in medicines. This is of course, where the tradition of the burning the Yule Log at Christmas comes from.

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CAPRICORN INGRESS CHART – 16.28, Thursday 21st December 2017, London, UK.

At 16.28 on, Thursday 21st December 2017, the December Solstice occurs. The word ‘Solstice’ means ‘Stationary Sun’.  At this moment, the Sun in its apparent path around the Earth, reaches its lowest or southernmost point in the sky and appears to stand still before ascending North again. The word ‘Ingress’ comes from the Latin word ‘ingressus’ which means to ‘go in’ or ‘enter’. The chart for the moment of the Solstice marks the entry of the Sun into Capricorn It also marks the beginning of Winter in the Northern Hemisphere and Summer in the Southern Hemisphere. The chart for this moment, known as the Capricorn Ingress, is thought to give a general picture what we can all expect over the next 3 months.

The Ascendant is in Cancer and is, therefore, ruled by The Moon. For us, as individuals, the Moon represents our emotional reactions and what we need to feel secure and emotionally nourished. The Moon, which represents the people of a country, or the world, is in the 7^th House, which is associated with a country’s relationship with other nations. This is likely to be a dominant theme and the focus of public attention during the next three months. For us in the UK, this, of course, relates to Brexit, which is still the issue which seems to dominate the country’s news and political debate. The Moon is square to Mars, which relates to disputes as well as war, terrorist attacks and the military forces of a country. So perhaps these and the nation’s security are issues that will be debated in Brexit negotiations and in our talks with other countries outside the EU. The Moon is also square to Jupiter, which relates to a country’s law and justice system. Therefore, the issue of British law and its connection with EU law is likely to be another topic of discussion.

The Moon I 7^th House (relations with other countries) square to Mars (war/disputes) in 4^th House (land) and Jupiter (religion/spiritual values) suggests that the feelings of conflict, competition and territorial or religious differences with other countries are mainly prevalent in the attitudes of the people. But the conjunction of the Sun, which signifies our Prime Minister, Monarch and Cabinet ministers or people in authority with Venus gives hope that our leaders are looking for peaceful and diplomatic solutions that will improve our relationship with other nations. However, the fact that the Sun and Venus are also in conjunction to Saturn suggests this will not be achieved quickly and that the solutions might contain more limitations than we might have hoped for.

In the astrology of the collective, Venus is associated with women’s issues and equality.  Recent news has highlighted the fact that the UK still has some work to do in terms of equality for women, such as equal pay. Venus in the 6^th House (work and employment matters) in conjunction with the Sun (those who govern) shows that this could be an area the government will be required to focus on, over the next three months.

Venus also relates to a country’s artists and the arts and entertainment. Its conjunction with the Sun (those who govern) suggests that, over the next three months, artists and entertainers may highlight values and political issues that the government might have preferred not to be challenged on. The chart implies that artists could potentially have a powerful influence on government policy. The conjunction of The Sun and Venus with Saturn, the planet of limitation, also suggests that the efforts of artists may limit the government’s power to exert their own will without giving due consideration to others and to fairness and justice.

The Sun’s conjunction to Saturn, which is associated with the elderly people of a nation in the 6^th House (health, sickness and the health service) may also suggest that how the country cares for its elderly people is another issue the government might be forced to pay attention to. Hopefully, the Sun-Venus-Saturn conjunction will see the government forced to have to look at all the ways it may be failing to promote equality and well-being in all social groups.

The position of The Sun (head of state) conjunct Venus (relations with other countries) may bring other countries’ heads of state into the spotlight in the UK. It has been mentioned that American president Donald Trump may visit the UK ‘early in 2018’. But the Sun’s conjunction with Saturn may signify that this will be delayed, or subject to some kind of limitation. So perhaps we will not see him visit the UK in the next three months. Or, he may visit, but the event could be lower key than what might normally be expected. It has been suggested that, as the heads of state of the UK may be somewhat reluctant to roll out the red carpet for him, his arrival in the UK may be treated as something less than a state visit.

In the ingress chart, Neptune, which can be can be associated with loss or sacrifice, is culminating on the MC of the chart. The MC is associated with authority figures such as the monarch, Prime Minister or government. Could this signify that we might see the Queen abdicate or be succeeded, the Prime Minister leave office, or a change of government?

In the astrology of world events, Mercury is associated with a country’s communication, trade and commerce, local transport and the way it conveys information through news and the newspapers. In the Capricorn Ingress chart, Mercury is square to Neptune, which can relate to secrets, confusion and deception. It may be interesting to observe the way the nations press, media, transport networks retailers and commercial outlets behave and conduct themselves during the next three months.

However, more positively Neptune signifies our search for the ideal and for collectivism rather than division. When two planets are square to each other, there is conflict between the two planetary principles, but the fact that they are connected also shows that there is an opportunity, through hard work and effort to reconcile those principles. Therefore, over the next few months, we could conclude that there is a potential for the country’s press and media to focus less on division and try to bring people together in a more united way. This could also apply to the world of trade and commerce. With Mercury in the 6^th house (work and trade) and Neptune in the 9^th House (long distance or international communications, philosophy, morals and ethics, could this, perhaps, be an ideal time to argue, throughout the world, for a more ethical capitalism?

Although, as in any chart, there are areas which suggest conflict and challenges, as always there are other features that seem to offer hope and the potential for positive things. The conjunction of the Sun, which could be seen as the heart of any chart with Venus (fairness, justice, affection and unity) hopefully indicates that, at this time of year, the spirit of goodwill toward all others is still present in most of us.

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Cheap and Thoughtful Christmas Gift Ideas

Christmas is fast approaching, and the shops are full of frantic shoppers trying to find the perfect presents for their loved ones. Christmas can be a stressful and expensive time for a lot of people, and it can be especially difficult if you don’t have much money, and feel as though you can’t afford to buy gifts for those in your life. However, not all presents have to be expensive or flashy, and there are many ways to give people gifts they will love without spending much, or even any money. Here are some of our best cheap and thoughtful Christmas gift ideas.

Make them a mix-tape

Though cassettes are hardly used these days, the idea of a mix-tape still exists. This is an oldie, but a goodie, and it guaranteed to make anyone smile. Get a blank CD and burn all of the songs that are special to you and the recipient. Every time they listen to it, it will fill them with joy and happy memories of the two of you.

Cook up a homemade recipe book

Do you have a friend or family member who loves to cook? Make them a scrapbook of all of your favourite recipes. Get creative and add in some pictures and add your special notes or tips for how to make it the best way. They will appreciate the effort and time you took to make it, and they might even thank you by inviting you round for dinner and testing one of the recipes out on you!

Show off your skills

If you have a particular skill or talent that a friend has always envied, offer up your services to teach them whenever they want. You could make them a gift voucher that they can ‘cash in’ for your time and expertise. Not only is this free for you and them, but you will get chance to spend some quality time together whilst you teach them.

Create a homemade cinema night

Everyone loves watching movies, so a great, no-fuss gift is a homemade cinema night. Get creative and make a ‘cinema ticket’ for your loved one, inviting them over to your house for a night of movies. Buy some popcorn and drinks, and make a movie gift basket with the ticket included. It’s inexpensive, but will lead to a lovely night with your friend watching your favourite movie.

Bestow your favourite book

Books are precious and sharing your favourite story with somebody is extremely thoughtful and intimate. You can either buy them their own copy, or gift them your own copy. You could make notes or highlight your favourite parts to make it even more personal, and to help them understand just why you love the story so much. You could even read the book together, or at least the same time, and then meet up once you’re finished to discuss what they thought about it.

Put together a photo album

It can be pretty cheap to get photos printed these days, so why not put together a photo album for your friend or family member? It could be a collection of photos from the last year, or from throughout their life. Or it could be a photo story of your relationship. Inexpensive, thoughtful, and full of fun memories that will last a lifetime.

Get poetic

A lovely, inexpensive present for a loved one is to write out a poem and frame it. You could get creative and write a poem yourself, or just choose one of your favourites. Print it on nice, white card in your fanciest writing, and put it in a frame so they can proudly display it in their house. If you’re not a fan of poetry, you could choose a favourite inspirational quote to motivate your friend for the year ahead.

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How to Improve at Meditation

Meditation has a large number of benefits, from helping  you to connect with your higher self or your spirit guide, to providing time to reflect, or even to simply take some time out of your schedule and relax. Our lives are often busy and many of us don’t get much chance to take time for ourselves and unwind.

Meditation is the perfect way to get this sacred peace and quiet, but for beginners or even those who have been meditating for a while, it can sometimes be hard to switch off from buzzing thoughts and  focus on the task at hand. Often people give up on practicing meditation because it’s ‘too hard’ and they don’t feel the benefits. However, good meditation takes practice, and you should give yourself time to get used to the process. Here are our tips on how to improve at meditation, so that you can take advantage of the many benefits.

Create a dedicated space

If you simply plonk yourself down in front of the TV and expect to be able to focus on your meditation, you’ll never succeed. Meditation is a powerful spiritual practice, and so it should be treated as such, with respect and deep thought.

To be able to meditate well, you need to be in a quiet, comfortable place. Creating a designated meditation spot that is welcoming and comfortable, as well as away from noise and other distractions, will allow you to relax and focus.

Meditate at the same time every day

Similar to having a dedicated place to meditate, it is also a good idea to have a set time in your schedule to focus on the practice. Many experienced and successful meditators actually practice twice a day, often at sunrise and sunset, but this is obviously difficult for many people to fit into their schedule.

However, finding a time in your day to dedicate to meditation will help you form a healthy and regular habit, and will also help prepare your body; just as our bodies get hungry just before a regular mealtime, your body will anticipate the feelings of stillness and calm that are associated with meditation, and this will make it easier to focus.

Let go of expectations and self-doubt

Meditation is different for everybody, and what works for one person won’t necessarily work for another. It can also be different for the same person on two different days. Try not to focus on how you think meditation should be, as that will cause unnecessary worry and will be counterproductive.

If you’ve had a particularly difficult or busy day and are finding it hard to focus your mind, don’t beat yourself up and quit. Instead, just use the time to simply sit and breathe, and give yourself chance to unwind from the stress of the day. Meditation doesn’t always have to be a huge spiritual experience; sometimes it can be just an opportunity to get some peace and quiet. So let go of any expectations and self-doubt, and just go with the flow.

Don’t try to control your mind

Our brains are complex organs, and trying to control our thoughts is often a fruitless tasks. When you meditate, you are sitting still and silent, and not being distracted by the business of life. This gives you the opportunity to really focus on your thoughts, and you may be surprised where they lead.

Often when we are meditating, our thoughts can surprise us. Without the constant noise and distraction in everyday life, we have time to notice and acknowledge things we may ignore otherwise. The key is not to try to control your mind; instead, let the thoughts and feelings flow, and accept them as they come. Though some may be surprising, they are important and need to be acknowledged.

Keep a meditation journal

A good way to keep track of your meditation is by keeping a journal. Once you’ve finished your meditation, take a few minutes to write down the thoughts and feelings that came into your mind during. This is a good way to reflect on what your subconscious deems important in your life, and what you should focus on.

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How to Celebrate Thanksgiving

Thursday 23rd November marks Thanksgiving, a day when families get together to recognise and express gratitude for the blessings in their lives. Though the holiday is rooted in American history and is primarily celebrated in the US and Canada, it is becoming increasingly popular to take part in other countries around the world.

What is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is celebrated every year in the USA on the fourth Thursday in November, and in Canada on the second Monday in October. The day celebrates the anniversary of the first Thanksgiving, which is believed to have been held in 1621, though there is some debate around the precise date.

Long before the Mayflower landed on the east coast of America, bringing 101 men, women, and children from England to the ‘New World’, the area was inhabited by Native American tribes. These people knew how to hunt, fish and harvest the crops to survive the cold winters, and when they discovered that the settlers (known as Pilgrims) were struggling to prepare for the winter months, they made an agreement to help.  Once they had finished hunting and gathering their supplies, there was a huge three-day feast, and the English and native people celebrated together, sharing their bounty.

Modern Thanksgiving celebrations in the US and Canada are family-centred. People travel to their family homes and enjoy a big meal,  during which they take turns to express their gratitude and share what they are thankful for, and to commemorate that first successful harvest that enabled the pilgrims to survive.

Even if you’re not in North America, this is the perfect holiday on which to get in touch with your spiritual side. So if you want to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, here are our tips.

How to Celebrate Thanksgiving

Take time to reflect

Thanksgiving is all about gratitude and thankfulness, so this is the perfect day to pause and take some time to reflect on your life, and what it is that you’re thankful for. Start the day off right by practicing meditation, and thinking about all of the good things in your life.

To help you remember the things you’re grateful for, why not write them down in a gratitude journal. Take a notebook, and jot down a few things every day that you’re thankful for. This is a great way to reflect, and to remind you of the good things. This is particularly useful when life is hard or challenging, and you’re struggling to find things to be grateful for; you can  read through your journal, and remember that you have lots to be happy about.

Thank the special people in your life

Everybody loves to hear that they’re appreciated from time to time, so make the effort this Thanksgiving to show your thanks to those special people in your life. Call your parents and tell them how much you love and appreciate them; buy your spouse a surprise gift; or treat your children to something special.

Or maybe you have a friend who always has your back and deserves to be thanked, or a colleague who always goes the extra mile, and should be given a pat on the back. Whoever it is, make sure that you take some time to show them just how much they mean to you, and how thankful you are that they are in your life. You will probably make their day!

Spend time with family

The traditional Thanksgiving celebration centers around the feast, to honour the successful harvest. Join in these celebrations by hosting your own Thanksgiving dinner and inviting your friends and family. It’s common to eat turkey, but this isn’t mandatory. Why not ask everybody to bring a dish, so that there is a wide variety of food to enjoy?

During the meal, go around the table and have everybody take turns to express what they are grateful for. You could even play the ‘A to Z game’, where each person says one thing they are thankful for beginning with a letter of the alphabet, until you get to Z.

 

Give back

When we stop to reflect on our lives, we often realise that we have a lot to be thankful for. Even in difficult times, most of us have family and friends around us to offer support, and jobs that pay us enough to keep food on the table.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for everybody. Many people are going through extremely hard times and facing challenges, from poverty or homelessness, to illness or bereavement. If you’re feeling lucky and thankful for your life, now is the perfect time to give back, and you can do this for volunteering for a good cause.

Maybe there’s a homeless shelter whose staff would appreciate some extra hands for a few hours, or nursing home residents who would enjoy some company. Or if you don’t have time to volunteer, you could donate to a charity. Anything you can do to give back and help somebody in need is the perfect way to spread the joy of the holiday.

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The Sun, The Solstice and the Christmas Spirit

The Day the Sun stands still

As the autumn days grow heavy with dark skies and longer evenings it’s time to consider the return of the light in the coming weeks. The lights are appearing in the shops and house reminding us of the coming of the light for us all.

Soon the Solstice will be upon us sharing the Light that has been denied us for so long . It’s apt that at Christmas time the 21 st of December gives us new hope. It’s as if a new light is brought to us on the day that the sun does stand still for a short time. It reminds us that even though dark days are ahead there is promise of a new season ahead of us.

The Star is a major card that traditionally symbolises the Christmas period and for me is also symbiotic of a new start for us all. When you wish upon a star you dreams come true? Maybe. And what a time for us to be looking forward as the New Year approaches. Spend time wondering what you want The Universe to offer you and what you to should be thankful for.

The Sun is also a card that reaches out to us throughout the year as is often a foreteller of the coming warmth that will be coming. To contemplate the Star and the Sun is to consider fresh hope and new hopes for the future.

As the Ace of Wands sets us considering what creative elements might be at paly then maybe we should look to the birth of ideas at this time of year. I don’t think it would upset the Universe too much if you spent time focussing on the Ace of Swords at this time of year as we contemplate new ideas for a New Year’s resolution.

As we approach that time of the year when new birth both physically and spiritually is close to us let’s spend some time considering the Sun and its special meaning to us both in the tarot reading and its place in our lives and do remember that on this day the Sun does stand still for us to enjoy her on this special day when in fact.

The Solstice and the New Year are like the Pages of cups and Pentacles. A message of hope and new light for us all.

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Why is Friday 13th Unlucky?

It’s Friday 13th, thought by many to be one of the unluckiest days of the year. So many people believe that the day holds back luck that it can now be classed as a real phobia, called  paraskavedekatriaphobia. But where does this superstition come from? Here we examine the history of this superstition.

Why is Friday the 13th Unlucky?

The origins of the fear of Friday the 13th are slightly unclear. Throughout history, both Friday and the number 13 have been considered unlucky separately, and it wasn’t until the 19th century that people began to believe that together, they made up the unluckiest day of the year.

Friday is believed to be unlucky by a number of different people, for a number of different reasons. Sailors believe that it is bad luck to begin a journey on a Friday. It is also the day that public hangings were traditionally carried out in Britain, and so is a day that is associated with death.

The reasons that Friday is considered bad luck stem from the Bible; it is believed to be the day that Eve bit the apple from the Tree of Knowledge, leading to the downfall of man. Cain supposedly murdered his brother Abel on a Friday.  It is also said to be the day that the great flood began, wiping out everything not saved by Noah’s ark. There are also links to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, who died on Good Friday.

The fear of the number 13 can also be linked to Jesus; there were 13 people seated at the last supper on Maundy Thursday, the night before his death on Good Friday. It is now widely believe that is unlucky for 13 people to dine together, as the first to rise from the table will be the first to die.

Another, similar root of this superstition comes from a Nordic myth; 12 gods were having a dinner party at Valhalla when Loki entered, bringing the number to 13, and then arranged for one of the gods to be shot, bringing everybody into mourning.

It is not only in Christianity that the number 13 is considered bad luck; a gathering of 13 people is also considered extremely bad luck in the Hindu religion.

Friday the 13th throughout History

There are many unfortunate events throughout history occurring on Friday 13th, adding to the superstition that the day is bad luck. Here are some of the best known unlucky occurrences:

• One suggestion for the origin of the combined suspicion is Friday 13th, 1307. On this day, Philip IV of France arrested the Knights Templar. This event is referenced in several works of fiction, including The Iron King by Maurice Druon; The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown; and The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry.  When the Templar Grand Master, Jacques de Molay, was executed, he cursed the Pope and King of France, and this bad luck was believed to have carried on for generations.

• On Friday 13th September, 1940, Buckingham Palace was hit by five German bombs during the second world war. Both the King and then-Princess Elizabeth came close to being killed, whilst one member of staff unfortunately perished, and the palace chapel was destroyed.

• In 1976, a man in New York names Daz Baxter decided to stay in bed to avoid any bad luck in the streets. Unfortunately, the floor of his apartment block collapsed, and he was killed.
• The rapper Tupac Shakur was shot multiple times in a drive-by in 1996, but didn’t die until 6 days later, on Friday 13th September.
• On Friday 13th January, 2012, the Costa Concordia crashed off the western coast of Italy, and 30 people died.

Is Friday the 13th Unlucky?

Everybody from scholars to scientists to philosophers have debated the truth behind the superstition that Friday the 13th is indeed an unlucky day. In 2008, the Dutch Center for Insurance Statistics released data in a bid to discourage the idea that it was unsafe to travel on Friday the 13th, but actually proved the opposite; there were fewer recorded traffic accidents on Friday 13th over the span of two years compared to other Fridays, proving that it’s actually safer to travel due to the phobia keeping many people off the road, and making others be safer than usual.

Another theory is that Friday the 13th is actually a self-fulfilling prophecy, and that the fear of something bad happening on the day causes people to be more anxious and distracted than usual, making them more likely to have an accident.

What do you believe? Have you had a bad experience on Friday the 13th? Or do you think it’s just another day?

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Love and the Rules of Attraction

“Be a Creature unlike any Other”

“From The Complete Book of Rules “

Fein and Schneider

 

If you have ever read the rules book then by now you would be a Rules player. The Universe is a complex and vast thing but has some simple and quite specific rules. So has the way we attract and be attractive to the man or woman of our dreams. If you’re a bit tired of flicking left and want to be a bit more in control and finding Mr Right then start by raising your own way of doing thing and most importantly put yourself at centre stage.

So you want me to tell you how to go about attracting a relationship…well…rule number 1 is

1. Be a creature unlike any other.

What does that actually mean? Well if you come to me for a reading that’s what I most likely will tell you from the start. There’s no point is pussy footing about it…you have to be two things…yourself and like no one else. There is no point in aiming to be a Queen of Cups if you’re not going play by the rules. We all know that the Queen of Cups s is a sensitive and emotional woman (starting to ring any bells yet?) but she is also a separate person who keeps herself to herself and no none ever actually gets to understand her fully. She doesn’t need to be a copy of someone else she is herself. Any chaps this also includes you so be special and don’t be second guessed in any thing you do.

So if you’re out there ready to attract get ready to be you, like no one else and start feeling and vibrating at such a level that you ooze that personality and be the number 1 you really are.

You don’t have to be rich and beautiful to be a creature unlike anyone else but you have to have the attitude! It’s a confidence that brings out the best of you and remember He has to do all the work.

If it’s the Ace of Cups or the Knight of Wands you are looking for the first of all start preparing yourself to meet that Mr Right in your life. Let them come to you and never ever be the player .Your far too good for that and if he doesn’t ask for your number you never ask for his. If in doubt …next!

 

To be continued

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Understanding Dreams about – Going back to School

In our on-going ‘Understanding Dreams’ series, we discuss the most common dreams and their meanings. So far, we have looked at flying dreams, and running away dreams. This month’s dream theme is going back to school, a common dream among adults.

Unsurprisingly, school dreams can hold valuable lessons for us, just as our real-life school days taught us many things. Our school days are some of the most important in our lives; they are when we learn much about ourselves, and the world around us. It’s during our time in the classroom that we lay the foundations upon which we build our adult lives, so if you’re revisiting your old school, you probably have a lesson that you need to learn, or relearn.

There are many different possible interpretations of school dreams, depending on what is happening in the dream, and also your experiences as a student. Do you have happy memories of your school days, full of friendships and good grades; or do you look back and shudder, glad to be past the days of exams and teenage drama? Your feelings towards your school days have a big impact on what school dreams mean for you personally.

If there is a teacher in your dream, they will probably have a lesson to teach you, so pay attention to what they do or say. Think about your relationship with this teacher while you were a student; were they a positive figure, who acted as a mentor? Or was your relationship more difficult? What subject did they teach? These details will be big clues about what they are trying to tell you.

If the dream is a pleasant one, and you find yourself back in the company of your school friends, feeling carefree and happy, it could mean that you are feeling nostalgic for your childhood. Perhaps you’re dealing with a stressful or difficult situation in your daily life, and you are longing for the days when your biggest worry was homework or following the latest trend. If so, take a look at the stressful situation you are dealing with, and see if you can simplify it in any way.

This could also be a sign that you need to take a break, and have a little fun. Take a day or two off work and do something you enjoy. You could even use the time to catch up with old school friends, and enjoy reminiscing about your childhood.

If the dream has a more negative tone, it could be a message from your subconscious about an issue that you’re struggling with. Maybe you’re running late and simply can’t seem to get to class on time no matter how hard you try; perhaps you’ve not done your homework; or you could be facing an exam that you’re unprepared for. These dreams all have meanings you can’t ignore.

If you’re trying and failing to make it to school on time, it is a sign that you feel like you’re running out of time in real life. Are you up against a work deadline that you’re worried you won’t meet? Or maybe you’re worried about a more personal, hypothetical deadline; perhaps you feel as though you’re not where you’re supposed to be in your life, and you feel as though you’re falling behind.

If you’re struggling to meet a work deadline, speak to your boss, and see if there is anything you can do. Maybe you can have a little more time to complete the project, or perhaps you can enlist some help to get the work done on time? Your boss will appreciate your honesty soon rather than later.

If you’re worried about falling behind in your personal life, take some time to take stock of where you are, and where you want to be. What steps can you take to move in the direction you wish to be in? Writing down your goals, and how you can achieve them, should alieviate some of the anxiety, and help you feel more positive.

If you’ve forgotten your homework in your dream, or you’re sitting an exam that you haven’t studied for, it is a sign that you are feeling unprepared or underqualified for a situation you’re dealing with. Do you have an interview that you feel nervous about? Or maybe you’ve recently got a new job, or been promoted, and are feeling a little overwhelmed?

Another possible meaning of a school dream is more literal; perhaps you are entering a new period of study, and this is reminding you of your school days. Or, if you haven’t already, it could be a message from your subconscious that you have a desire to learn something new. Maybe there’s a skill you’ve always wanted to master, but haven’t ever got round to. Now is the perfect time to give it a try, as your mind is clearly eager for a challenge.

The post Understanding Dreams about – Going back to School appeared first on Psychic 2 Tarot.

source https://www.psychic2tarot.com/blog/dreams/1994/

Question of the Week: How to Channel Negative Energy

We love hearing from our community, and once a week we answer a question from one of our members, right here on the blog. This week we heard from Justin, who is having trouble with feelings of anger and stress, and is looking for healthy ways to channel this negative energy. Here is our advice.

Q – Hi, Justin here. I hope you can help me, because I’m really struggling at the minute; I work in a high stress job and it’s getting me down. I work long hours and the working environment is very negative due to the competitiveness of my colleagues. I come home feeling angry and upset, and I don’t know how to deal with these feelings properly. It’s starting to affect my relationship with my wife and kids, because I unfortunately end up taking it out on them by stomping around the house in a bad mood and shouting at everybody. Do you have any advice on how I can channel this negative energy in a healthy way?

A – Hi Justin, thanks so much for reaching out. It must be so frustrating when you work such long hours and don’t have any time to unwind and relax. Unfortunately, work often takes over our lives, whether we like it or not. For people who love their jobs, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, if your work is having a negative effect on you, it is definitely not ideal. Here are our best tips on how to channel negative energy so that you can feel happier and more balanced.

Leave work at the door

If you work long hours, then your job already takes up enough of your life without bringing that work home with you and letting it affect your free time too. If you have issues with your job, try to tackle them while you’re in the office, so that you can focus on other things when you’re at home.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of complaining to your colleagues, but this isn’t very constructive. If your work is having a negative effect on your life, you need to take these issues to your boss. If you’re worried about things getting heated and causing more trouble, a good way to get things off your chest is to write it down. Write your boss an email explaining what is happening and how to makes you feel. Once you’ve written everything down, you should feel better already.

The next step is to actually make changes. You can either send the email to your boss so that they can read it in their own time and avoid a possible confrontation, or you can use it as script and request a meeting. Keep things calm and professional, and try to work together to resolve the issues. Then, when it’s time to go home, leave your work in the office, and deal with it tomorrow.

Practice Meditation

You may have noticed that we recommend meditation to a lot of people here on our blog, and that’s because it’s such a powerful spiritual experience that can help so many people deal with all sorts of different problems or experiences.

There a countless benefits to meditation, and it is a fantastic way to expel negative energy. Just spending a few minutes each day focusing on your breathing will help calm and focus the mind; as you breathe out, imagine that you are expelling the negative energy and feelings, and breathe in positivity and light. To make the time even more relaxing, burn some calming essential oils such as camomile or lavender.

Work it out

Physical exercise is another excellent way to channel negative energy in a healthy way. Exercise is good for not only your physical health, but for your mental health and emotional wellbeing, too. Try to make 30 minutes each night to dedicate to exercise, and you will feel the benefits.

Running is a great exercise to help channel energy; running clears the mind, and helps boost mood. Imagine that as you are running, you are leaving your negative behind, and running towards more positivity and happiness. Another good way to channel energy is contact/combat exercise, such as boxing or martial arts. This is a safe, controlled environment where you can unleash your energy without you or anybody else getting hurt.

Express it creatively

Some of the best artists started making their art because they were hurting, and needed a way to express themselves and let those feelings out. Choose a creative outlet that suits you, and dedicate some time to it each day.

This creative outlet could be anything from writing, drawing, painting, to making music by singing or even playing a musical instrument. If you don’t know how to paint or play an instrument, maybe now is the time to learn by taking a class, or teaching yourself. This will not only help you channel your energy, but will also give you something to focus on that isn’t work, and will help give you a sense of achievement.

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Celebrate the Autumn Equinox

Friday 22nd September marks the 2017 Autumn Equinox, or Mabon, which marks the first day of Autumn in the Northern hemisphere, and the official end of summer. Here we look at the history of the Autumn Equinox, and how it is traditionally celebrated around the world.

What is the Autumn Equinox?

The Autumn Equinox is the moment when the sun crosses the equator, from north to south. This year, this will happen at 20:02 UTC. On this day, day and night will be exactly equal lengths, the word ‘equinox’ deriving from the Latin for ‘equal night’. After this, the days will grow rapidly shorter and the nights longer and darker.

The beginning of a new season is always exciting, and is celebrated across the world in a number of different ways. The changing seasons hold a significant role in human culture, and there are many traditions surrounding these times. Here are just some of the myths and traditions surrounding the day, and a few ways that you can join in the celebrations.

The legend of Persephone

One ancient myth surrounding the September Equinox comes from Greece. The story is that of Persephone, who was abducted from her mother, harvest Goddess Demeter, and forced to become the wife of Hades, the ruler of the underworld.

According to the legend, Demeter managed to rescue her daughter from Hades, but for only nine months of the year. For three months every fall, Persephone was forced to return to the underworld and her husband. During this time, Demeter refused to use her powers, causing plants to stop growing, which is believed to explain why we have three months of winter each year.

A Festival of Thanksgiving

The September Equinox is better known by Pagans as Mabon, and is one of eight seasonal festivals observed during the wheel of the year. It is a festival of thanksgiving, and the second of the three Pagan harvest festivals. It is a time to express gratitude for the fruits of the earth, and recognise the need to share them, to ensure the blessings of the God and Goddess during the barren winter months.

In China, the Equinox is celebrated at the same time as the Mid-Autumn, or Moon Festival. This festival celebrates the summer’s harvest, and people enjoy sharing the traditional moon cakes, round pastries full of bean paste.

In Korea, the three-day Chuseok holiday is celebrated around the time of the September Equinox. Chuseok, originally known as hangawi (meaning great middle of Autumn in archaic Korean) is a major harvest festival, celebrated on the full moon on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. The holiday is a chance for people to travel to their hometown and spend time with their family, taking advantage of the harvest by cooking and eating a huge feast.

How to Celebrate the Autumn Equinox

Here are some ways that you can get involved and celebrate the beginning of the new season.

Have a clean out

You’ve heard of a Spring clean, but why not try an Autumn clean? Take advantage of the new season and use it as a fresh start. Spend some time cleaning and organising your home, throwing away or donating anything you no longer need or is just taking up space, and organising the things you keep. They say a tidy home is a tidy mind, and cleaning up your space will help you feel much more organised and ready to accomplish your goals.

Focus on what you want to achieve

The start of Autumn means that the year is beginning to draw to a close. With just three months left until the new year, it is time to consider what it is you want to achieve before the clock strikes midnight. Think about the resolutions that you made in January; did you achieve them, or did they fall by the wayside soon after?

Now is the time to take control, and set out to achieve your goals. Make a list of everything you want to achieve over the next three months, and set a plan of action to help you tick these things off your list.

Create a Mabon Altar

The Equinox is a time of reflection and thanksgiving, so what better way to honour this than by setting up a Mabon altar to honour the Gods and Goddesses? All you need is a small table, or even a shelf, and add candles and other Autumn/harvest related things; it could be anything from a pinecone or autumn leaves, to a mini pumpkin or other seasonal fruits. Light the candle and say a prayer of thanks to the Gods, and ask for their blessings during the cold winter months.

Embrace the indoors

As the nights grow longer, darker and colder, being outside is less appealing than it was in Autumn. So why not take advantage of the opportunity for a bit of time spent indoors, and make yourself comfortable?

Spruce up your living room and bedroom, so that it feels comfortable and appealing, as you’ll be spending a lot of time here. Add warm, fluffy throws and comfy pillows, and a few scented candles to help set the mood.

This is a great time to unwind and get some much needed rest and relaxation. Start a new book, or get stuck into a creative project that you’ve been neglecting. Take some time to truly enjoy being still, and enjoy the peace before the hustle, bustle and stress of the holidays picks up.

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LIBRA INGRESS CHART – 22.01, Friday 22nd September 2017, London, UK.

At 10.01 pm today, Friday 22nd September 2017, the September Equinox will occur. The word ‘Equinox’ means ‘Equal Night’. At this moment, the Sun, in its apparent path around the Earth is on the Equator. Therefore, all places on Earth get equal hours of daylight and darkness. The Equinox marks the entry of the Sun into Libra. It also marks the beginning of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and spring in the Southern Hemisphere. The chart for this moment, known as the Libra Ingress, gives a general picture what we can all expect over the next 3 months.

The Ascendant is in Gemini, which means the chart has Mercury, as its Ruling Planet. Mercury, in terms of world trends, relates to all forms of communication, such as speech and writing and information such as that found in newspapers, the media and the internet. Mercury is conjunct Mars, which is linked with aggression, war, military force, quarrels, disagreements and disputes. Looking around us in the world at the moment, we can see the leader of North Korea provoking the anger of other nations by testing nuclear weapons and hints of plans to use them in a warlike way. In the news, we also see the President of the USA responding to the aggression of North Korea with angry rhetoric and threats of possible military action. During the 3 month period beginning on 22^nd September, perhaps we can expect more disagreements, angry words and spoken or written threats of war. But as Mercury is also square to Saturn in the 7^th house of foreign relations, the verbal disagreements and angry talk might be tempered by reason from other world leaders. Legal restraints may also limit or frustrate the possibility of aggressive action. Mercury’s opposition to Neptune may also suggest that opinions could tend to fluctuate and there could be too much confusion and uncertainty over facts for action to be justified during this period.

Using London, the UK Capital, as the location for our chart the Mercury-Mars conjunction is in the 4^th House, which represents the homeland of the UK and patriotism. Perhaps this means that in the 3 month period beginning on 22^nd September, we may be hearing more tough talk over Brexit and what this might mean for British sovereignty. The conjunction is square to Saturn, which signifies law enforcement agencies in the 7^th House, which relates to other countries and our relationship with them.  Perhaps one of the main talking points is to be our relationship with European Law in a post-Brexit UK. However, the square to Saturn and the opposition to Neptune suggest that some plans and ideas could prove to be overly idealistic and not possible or likely to be achievable. Discussion may be slow or unlikely to result in decisive action any time soon. The Sun, which indicates our leader or head of state.

Mercury can relate to transport systems, especially road and rail.  Its conjunction with Mars and square to Saturn could indicate possible disruption and delays in transport. As Mars is linked to aggression, sadly, this could mean that terrorist threats or action may play a part in this. Or there could be disputes between those who control transport and make decisions about how it operates. As the conjunction is in the 4^th House, which can relates to the conditions of weather and the land itself, it is possible that weather conditions could be a factor affecting travel and transport. We have recently seen hurricanes and earthquakes elsewhere in the world. Perhaps in the next 3 months, the effect of weather patterns such as these might be worth watching out for. Mercury is also opposite Neptune, which is linked with the sea and water. This suggests that floods may be possible. In mythology, Neptune was the god of the Sea and was nicknamed the Earth-Shaker.

Another prominent pattern in the Ingress Chart is the opposition of Uranus in the 11^th House to the Moon-Jupiter conjunction in the 5^th House. The Moon is linked to women and issues affecting them. It is placed in the 5^th House which relates to entertainment and the arts. It also rules the 2^nd House, which is associated with money and how a nation handles it. Recently, it was revealed that the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) pay their female employees significantly less than they pay their male counterparts. This sparked a larger discussion about the differences in pay between the sexes in wider society. The Moon’s opposition to Uranus, which signifies radical reform to outdated concepts and the conjunction to Jupiter, which is linked with justice as well as increases and expansion could indicate that, in the next 3 months women might receive an increase in pay and enjoy greater financial equality with men.

As well as relating to women, the Moon also relates to the people or the masses and popular public opinion. The Moon’s conjunction to Jupiter and opposition to Uranus could indicate that the people may be more likely to stand up against what they think is unfair or unjust and demand radical change or reform. This could be in the form of peaceful protests, or something more dramatic such as strikes, riots or revolution. In the London UK chart, Uranus is in the 11^th House, which signifies friends and allies of a nation. So the people of the UK may be doing their protesting in solidarity with other countries.  As the Moon rules the 2^nd House, protests could centre on money and the economy may be an issue. Or its placement in the 5^th House could suggest that matters centring on children could also be a relevant issue. As Jupiter is linked with Higher Education and Mercury which is associated with schools is conjunct Mars, there could be disagreements and disputes over education and this could perhaps be one of the areas that sparks protests.

There is also a conjunction of Venus and Mars in the Ingress chart. In terms of world affairs, while Mars can indicate power, aggression and war, Venus represents peace, harmony and diplomacy. Perhaps the conjunction of these planets gives us hope that, during the next 3 months, nations can resolve their differences and disputes through diplomacy, negotiation and the seeking of common ground. In the UK Ingress chart, this conjunction is in the 4^th House, which represents the interests of the people and the party of opposition in politics. This House also represents hidden or private matters. Therefore, it is possible that amidst all the public disputes and aggressive communication, there may be diplomats trying to bring about peace in secret, or out of public view. This could involve both the government in power and its opposition.

This principle of the Venus and Mars conjunction may also have a bearing on us in our personal lives. Venus and Mars are well-known as symbols of male and female and their combination strongly suggests romance and passion. Therefore, maybe among all the talk of war, there will also be love for us all to celebrate. This could be an excellent time for anyone single to find love, or for those who are attached to enjoy a loving and passionate three months. So if you have feelings for someone, there may be no better time to act on them. More broadly, this could be a favourable time for ending disputes, resolving any differences and creating happier, more peaceful relationships  between yourself and others.

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