Sometimes

Sometimes

Sometimes life is hard

Sometimes there's is no hiding

Sometimes it hurts

Sometimes there's no words

Sometimes there are tears

Sometimes many

Sometimes you feel helpless

Sometimes it's ok

Sometimes you need to be gentle with yourself, and

Sometimes trust

Moon - First Quarter 53%

Yoga - Tadasana, Marjaryasana/Bitilasana, Virabhadrasana Eka & Dvi, Parasita Padottanasana, Utthita Parsvokonasana, Goddess, Vrikshasana, Setu Bandhasana, Halasana, Hanumanasana & Ardha Matsyasana.

Card Message - Two of Wands
The energy and potential of a partnership.  Allowing the relationship between two ideas, projects, or feelings to unfold and open up new areas of possibility.  Although you are satisfied that you have everything you need, you may also long for more.  You may be searching for deeper meaning, or contemplating taking a journey.

31st January - February Eve/Norns/Disir and Valkyries
February Eve, start of the festival of Imbolc or Brigantia.  Also a day sacred to the Valkyries, and the Norns.

Gratitude - Trust

Peace & Satyagraha

Peace

I am sitting watching 'Birdsong', BBC's adaptation of Stephen Faulk's book, based around World War 1, peace seems so far away in this world of trenches and war.  Yet I know that peace is what these men fought for, peace for everyone to enjoy.  Seeing as today is a day sacred to Pax - Roman goddess of peace, as well, I thought I'd explore deeper into the virtues of peace. 

'Peace' comes from the word 'Pax', Latin for 'freedom from civil disorder', a name given to a Roman goddess.  Pax the goddess was recognised in Augustus' reign, she is often depicted with an olive branch, signifying peace, and also a cornucopia signifying prosperity.  With these two symbols together it would make sense that the message is, that with peace comes prosperity.

In many languages the word for peace is also used a greeting or a farewell, for example the Hawaiian word Aloha, the hebrew word Shalom, as well as the Arabic word Salam.

Peace is an important prospect to all that live on earth, side by side, and in harmony.  Many great leaders of  people have shared their thoughts on peace with us, these words are heart felt, meant for the good of all........

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace.
Buddha

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
Mother Teresa

Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.
Martin Luther King Jr.

We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.
Dalai Lama

It's interesting to note that given the choice most people, will opt for peace rather than conflict.  Most of us do not actively seek out conflict and disharmony.  Animals are sensitive creature too like us, and will make their escape, at the first sense of negativity and hostility.

Peace is the banner that many organistions and movements work under, the 1960's peace movement in America, and the United Nations.  One of the most widely recognised sign for peace now is the CND sign - Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
Satyagraha is the philosophy and practise of non-violent restistance, it's a sanskrit word meaning, insistance on truth, or truth-force.  It was deployed by Gandhi, in the campaigns for India's Independence, and also influenced Martin Luther King Jr, in his civil rights campaigns across America, and Nelson Mandela, in his struggle with apartheid in South Africa.

So peace is important to us all, whether we are seeking inner peace, or peace worldwide.  So sending you all love and peace X

Moon - First Quarter 46%

Yoga - None today

Card Message - Ace of Swords (aces - gifts, beginnings, potential, promise) & (air, thinking/intellect, mind). 
The opportunity to cut yourself free from outdated or negative  attachments.  The beginning of a phase of productive intellectual work.  Triumph in legal or academic fields, or in literature or science.  A clean break heralds a new beginning.

30th January - Festival of Peace
Festival of Peace, dedicated to the Roman goddess Pax.

Gratitude - Health

Planning a magical garden

Planning a magical garden

With Imbolc fast approaching, and the promise of new growth, my thoughts have turned to to our garden.  It is really overdue a facelift, I did start a few years ago, but then we got a puppy and she ate all the flowers, dug holes everywhere for her bones, and used the lawn as a racetrack!!!  She has grown out of most of these naughty habits now, so the magical garden plans are back on!!!

When I say 'magical' garden I'm talking about creating an outdoor space that is filled with beautiful plants, healing plants, a haven for wildlife, and an environment for nature spirits.  When I was growing up I often played in my grandparent's garden, it was a huge area with lots of borders of cottage garden flowers, large vegetable patches and fruit bushes, and orchard, and lots of pathways criss-crossing all around these areas.  It was a magical garden, my grandparents were very keen gardeners, and their garden was a garden filled with love.

So what do I want to put into my garden?? 
I want an area for 'Sun' plants - sunflowers, marigolds, chrysanthemums, heliotropes. 
An area for 'moon' plants - datura, nicotiana, jasmine, gardenia, camellias, white lilies, pale poppies
Mythical and magical statues
Water feature (I have this covered as we have 2 wildlife ponds)
Fire feature - would like to get a fire pit
Some bells or chimes
A sacred spot, that I can use for meditating in
Stone features - stone planting
More wildlife habitats
Nostalgia plants - ones I love and remember from my grandparents garden, such as lilac and foxgloves
Healing plants and herbs

Sacred Stones - stone planting

According to the ancient Greeks, stones are the very bones of the Earth Mother, Gaia.  In every garden, stones are the key earthing points and elements.  The art of stone planting is a complex and deep practise in Asia, where stones in a garden mark the flow of vital energies and the positioning of them creates special states of mind.  Stones placed in a circle, spiral or other primal pattern, are said to concentrate the natural flow of earth's energy.Stones with natural holes in them grant wishes, and should be hung up in a garden.  Semi precious stones can be used in the garden too, to bring in their beautiful powers.

I am going to try and garden with the phases of the moon too....
So, cutting sod and turf, removing it and pulling up plants - the last quarter of the waning moon.
Turning the soil and adding compost - after the new moon, first quarter of the waxing moon.
Planting seeds - last quarter of the waxing moon

Hopefully by the time that summer is at it's height, I will have a magical garden - I'm so excited about this little project.  And in true tradition, I will take a before and after photos   X

Moon - 39%

Yoga - Surya Namaskara, Gate Sequence, Ardha Matyasana

Card Message - Ace of Pentacles (aces - gifts, beginnings, potential and promise) & (pentacles - earth, sensation/the senses and body.
Material benefits.  A job offer, promotion or salary increase, or an inheritance or windfall.  A new contract or career change could auger well.  In a relationship, a situation that is well grounded: secure peaceful and enduring.
29th January - 1959 England Fog Causes Major Chaos on Roads    Dense fog brings road, rail and air transport in many parts of England and Wales to a virtual standstill.  
Gratitude - Good Fortune

The astrolgical ME

The astrological ME

I've always had a curious interest in astrology, but never enough to delve into the deeper aspects of the subject.  For a period of time in the past I got quite into Chinese astrology and Feng Shui, rearranging the house and researching the signs of members of family.  I really hadn't given it much thought to be honest in many years, until now.  I was watching a programme on 'Illumination' - the ancient practise of illuminating text with pictures, found in old manuscripts, bibles, and tomes.  It seems that back in Medieval times astrology was a highly regarded science, and the royal court had it's own astrologer.  This was a very important role and awarded the practitioner many rewards, as long 'of course' as you predicted correctly.  King Henry VIII's astrologer predicted he would father many, many healthy strong sons (which of course he did, but they were bastards), but records show that this astrologer disappeared after a few years - after only Edward was born.

The next marker was finding out about the element and animal for the Chinese new year, it was an interesting journey back to what I was once very much into.  Interesting to find out too, that up to this new year there has been a long period of disharmony with the year element and animal element, but the Water Dragon ( this years element and animal) is changing all of that.  I rest my case with that one, because within this first week, we've had two major changes/news that are positive and have seemingly come from nowhere.

The third marker came as I was reviewing my approach to art and crafts, and I realised that I really was displaying quite a few of the characteristic of my western star sign Aries.

So I thought I'd revisit my astrologically assigned self and see if now I'm a little older and wiser, I can see anymore of myself in them.........

Aries

20th March - 19th April

Element - Fire

Quality - Cardinal, associated with spring, strong, creative thrust and powerful expression of energy

Ruling Planet - Mars, the planet of activity and assertiveness, also competitiveness, impulsiveness, and instinct to act spontaneously
The Sun is also strongly associated with this sign, which it governs by exaltation. The solar-
association is seen as adding expression of the ego, and the desire to make a mark as an individual.

General astrological compatibility of Aries with other signs

Sign	Highest compatibility	High compatibility	Low compatibility
Aries	Sagittarius, Leo	Gemini, Libra, Aquarius	Taurus, Scorpio, Pisces, Cancer, Virgo, Capricorn

According to Alan Leo, generally considered to be the founder of modern psychological astrology and sun sign astrology, people born with the sun in Aries are "always looking forward, they are leaders in ideals and pioneers of advanced thought. They have great mental energy but are inclined to be very headstrong and impulsive. They are always prophetic, and love to predict things that will happen. They can look ahead into the future and foresee things with remarkable clearness of vision. When freed from other influences and not slaves to their personality, they become truly clairvoyant, and are remarkably gifted in this direction. This sign gives extreme ideality, and those born under it are more ideal than practical. They are always full of new schemes and plans, ever exploring and originating. They are fond of constant change, loving novelty, romance and speculation and nearly always live in a world of theory. They are very highly strung, sometimes hyper-sensitive and are remarkable for their perception. They seem to live more in the perceptive region of their brain than the reflective, and they are rarely deceived where perception is concerned."
^{(TAKEN FROM WIKIPEDIA)..........}

This is me....no denying it, faults and all.....I think all the time, rarely switch off....and strangely when pulling tarot cards, 'Swords' always come out - thinking, intellect and mind!!!!


So my Chinese Astrological sign......

Metal Boar 1911, 1971

This is a proud, passionate Boar with overpowering sentiments, who values their reputation.  Intense and more dominating than other Boars, often with excessive appetites and may lack refinement or tact.
Will exerts less control over their personal life than the other Boars, and can't help being sociable, extroverted and openly demonstrative with affections.  Not likely to be secretive but will be direct and and trusting, even credulous.  As a result, will underestimate enemies and overestimates his friends.  Ambitious and forceful, but not always objective, the Metal Boar could be a dangerous opponent, as he can be violent in expressing his anger or resentment.
The Boar will not concede defeat graciously.  He will never be a quitter and relied on to have immense powers of endurance.  An active doer blessed with great positive strength, the staunch Metal Boar will have enough vigour for ten.
(from The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes)


Compatibility - Rabbit, Sheep and Boar
Incompatibility - Snake

Oooo some of these attributes make me wince, thankfully I can say I'm not a violent person, volatile, but not violent!!  Another astrological sign of power...am I doubly blessed or cursed???


Ehwaz

I was born in the half-month of Ehwaz 30th March - 14th April.......

Sound: “e” as in “every”
Stands for: Horse
Colour: Red (White)
Casting meaning: Ehwaz reminds us that in order for success there must be a natural flow in the task at hand. With this rune to give us power as well as it making use of our good intentions we can surely achieve such success. 

So here we have 'me' in a nutshell...a full on person, that flows through thoughts all the time, with the passion and energy to see every event through to end, but also enough energy to fire up ideas and arguments alike!!!

Moon - 32%

Yoga - Surya Namaskara, Gate Sequence, Ardha Matyasana

Card Message - The Hermit (Major Arcana)
Turn away from the distractions of the outer world, and seek guidance.  In silence and solitude discover new depths, and refresh your soul at the source of all life.

28th January - Runic half-month of Elhaz commences
This half-month is a period of optimistic power, protection and sanctuary.

http://www.therunesite.com/runic-half-months/

Gratitude - Faith

A Journey With Music - Music Inspired By The Snow Goose

A Journey With Music - Music Inspired By The Snow Goose

Music Inspired By The Snow Goose - Camel has got to be an old music favourite of mine.  It takes me back to my childhood, and brings back memories of my dad.  It was one of his prog rock records in his collection; one that I don't ever remember him playing, but one that I used to play and play......... especially after he died, all those years ago

When I play this now it brings my dad close, it feels like he is right here with me - music is a powerful tool!

The music was written as a tribute to Paul Gallico's novella The Snow Goose, published 7th April 1941, it was hailed as a timeless legend and the most sentimental of stories.

The Snow Goose is a simple, short written parable on the regenerative power of friendship and love, set against a backdrop of the horror of war. It documents the growth of a friendship between Philip Rhayader, an artist living a solitary life in an abandoned lighthouse in the marshlands of wartime Essex because of his disabilities, and a young local girl, Fritha.

The Snow Goose, symbolic of both Rhayader (Gallico) and the world itself, wounded by gunshot and many miles from home, is found by Fritha and, as the human friendship blossoms, the bird is nursed back to flight, and revisits the lighthouse in its migration for several years, as Fritha grows up. Rhayader and his small sailboat eventually are lost in the British retreat from Dunkirk, having saved several hundred men. The bird, which was with Rhayader, returns briefly to the grown Fritha on the marshes. She interprets this as Rhayader's soul taking farewell of her (and realizes she had come to love him).
Afterwards, a German pilot destroys Rhayader's lighthouse and all of his work, except for one portrait Fritha saves after his death: a painting of her as Rhayader first saw her—a child, with the wounded snow goose in her arms.
The book was a huge success in England where it remains popular with, and recommended for, readers of all ages.

The sentimentality of the story is conveyed so well in the music, and because it was my dad's music this brings in even more sentiment and emotion.  The story too, tells of love and death....which are the feelings that the music invokes in me, because of the connection I have with my dad.  So it's all so perfect, the sweet sadness, and the love.  X


Moon - Waxing Crescent 26%

Yoga - Tadasana, Goddess Sequence

Card Message - Nine of Cups
A time for enjoyment and celebration.  A rewarding emotional life.  Someone maybe missing from your life or you may feel strangely lonely.  Having been through difficulties in the past, now close relationships and warmth abound.  Inspiration and creativity.  Any obstacles will be easily handled.  Make sure you appreciate your blessings.

27th January - 1606 "Gunpowder Plot: The trial of Guy Fawkes and other conspirators begins, and ending in their execution on January 31."
1926 John Logie Baird makes the first television broadcast.

Southampton - with new eyes

Southampton - with new eyes

I love planning mini adventures, spontaneous ones.....just getting a feeling that today/tomorrow you're just going to do something different!!

What was I going to do....well money is tight, time is tight, so go local!  I've lived in the district of Southampton for 5 years now, and have visited it lots; usually for shopping.  I'm aware that it has a past, as all places do,  and I thought it was well over due to find out about Southampton. 

First stop was Southampton's Art Gallery, I've been here before a few years ago, but I love it.  There is a real mixture of classic and modern art on show, and usually an exhibition or two.  I have my favourites here......there is a William Holman Hunt - a founder member of the brotherhood of the Pre-Raphaelites - this painting is called,  'The Afterglow in Egypt'.

This painting is beautiful, it is so real......it's exquisite.  When I stand before this painting, I am mesmerised, as I was when I was a child stood before his other famous painting that hangs in St Paul's Cathedral, 'The Light of the World'. 
The other favourite is a whole room dedicated to Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, with his 'Perseus' series of paintings.  Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones was another Pre-Raphaelite painter, but he came in later, within the movement - it is one of the most amazing times of painting for me.  Taking religious subjects, mythological stories and symbolism, all wrapped up in the minutest of paint brushstrokes and a rainbow of colours.

Atlas turned to Stone

From the Art Gallery I then took a slow walk through Southampton's parks.  They are beautiful places, packed full of amazing peaceful trees, plants and monuments.  At the same time the parks are a buzzing place of human life, thoroughfares of busy people, with places to go.

I then began to follow the City's old walls, which were the city's defence in the medieval ages; protecting Southampton from outsiders.  There are about half of the original walls left, and many of the towers too, it's what is left after the blitz and the modernisation of the city took place.  These walls are interwoven between properties of all ages, Georgian, Victorian and Modern - when you look across Southampton it is like a patchwork quilt of architecture....modern and old, side by side.

The Tudor House Museum was a nice little find too, tracing the city's history with shipping and defence.  All manner of objects to look at, from ones you'd expect to see; such as figureheads from ships, and 16th century shipping graffitti, to a stuffed King Charles Spaniel, and Roman perfume bottles.

16th century shipping graffitti

It was lovely to soak it all up, to feel and touch history, to look at the world through another's eyes and be inspired, to share green spaces, to be apart of it all, and to marvel at the madness of the world and people that pass it all by. X

Moon - Waxing Crescent 26%

Yoga - Tadasana, Surya Namaskara, Earth Gratitude Sequence, Gate Sequence (standing & floor)

Card Message - The Lady (major arcana - soul)
Open yourself to the fertile nuturing power of the Goddess. This power will fill you with passion and the ability to be creative and to enjoy a life of abundance and sensual delight.

26th January - Australia Day
Australia Day - On January 26, 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip guides a fleet of 11 British ships carrying convicts to the colony of New South Wales, effectively founding Australia. After overcoming a period of hardship, the fledgling colony began to celebrate the anniversary of this date with great fanfare.

1950 : India Formally becomes a republic no longer under British rule. The new President, Dr Rajendra Prasad, takes the oath of office. Dr Prasad was a key campaigner in the nationalist movement of Mahatma Gandhi, along with India's interim Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

Gratitude - Inspiration

                       

Eat Pray Love

Eat Pray Love

What a wonderful film.....and what an amazing story....even more so as it's real!!

I haven't read the book yet, but saw the film last night, and I loved it.  I'll defy anyone who isn't able to identify with Liz (the main character), at some point in the film....as we all go through periods of wonder who we are, what are we doing, and who are we doing it for?

It's easy to understand just where Liz is coming from in the beginning.  The need to do some soul searching...and the amazing pilgramage of finding herself, through the things she likes and wants to do. 
What a fabulous journey......it started through Italy where she fed her senses, and enjoyed pleasure just for the sake of doing so.  Then to India to find Spirituality/God, only to find that it dwells within us all, we just have to stop, be still and listen.  Finally to Bali, where she finds love, or rather where love found her.

Each part of the film was like a film in it's own right, a different location, characters and lessons.  In each part you are with Liz all the way, feeling her emotions, frustrations and teachings.  She meets some amazing characters, all with lessons for her....'Richard from Texas', was probably the most profound one, for me.  The person he seemed to be, was a stark contrast to whom he really was.  There was so much depth and understanding in him, and he recognised her frustrations instantly.

Throughout the journey there are some of the most amazing quotes, that come from all the characters, at various points.  Here are some that particularly resonated with me -

"In the end, I've come to believe in something I call "The Physics of the Quest." A force in nature governed by laws as real as the laws of gravity. The rule of Quest Physics goes something like this: If you're brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting, which can be anything from your house to bitter, old resentments, and set out on a truth-seeking journey, either externally or internally, and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher and if you are prepared, most of all, to face and forgive some very difficult realities about yourself, then the truth will not be withheld from you."

“People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life. “

“You need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. That’s the only thing you should be trying to control.”

I found myself time and time again, whilst watching the film, reconising similar patterns of behaviour, seeing frustrations I deal with myself, and following the lessons as she deals with them - much the same as the some of the lessons I'm dealing with now, myself.

Elizabeth Gilbert (left), Julia Roberts (right)

http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/eatpraylove.htm

It is the most amazing film about 'self discovery', I have seen to date.  So if you haven't seen it, I urge you to do so, you'll not be disappointed.   X

Moon - Waxing Crescent 12%

Yoga - Tadasana, Parsvottanasana, Virabhadrasana Eka, Dvi & Tri, Charioteer, Trikonasana,
 Prasarita Padottanasana, Marjaryasana/Bitilasana, Hanumanasana, Adho Mukha Svanasana - Urdhva Murkha Svanasana, Setu Bandhasana, Gomukhasana, Baddhakonasana, Spiral Yoga Mudra, Pranayama, & Mantra.

Card Message - Prince of Cups (princes' - action, impulse to serve & journeys) & (cups - water, feeling/emotion & heart)
Someone following their heart must try to avoid the pitfalls of illusion and glamour.  A conflict between the heart and a need to take action.  Inviting others to a social or artistic event.  Offering your help to others.  An impending journey over water.

25th January - Old Disting/Burns' Night/St Paul's Day
Important in old runic calendars, Disting is the feast of Disir, the Norse guardian goddess.  On this day a major festival of the gods was held at the temple in Uppsala, Sweden.  Burns' Night celebrates Robert Burns, the Scots poet.  Burns' Night revels are a modern continuation of Disting.
The day is also a weather marker:

If St Paul's Day be fair and clear,

It do betide a happy year.

But if it chance to snow or rain,

Then will be dear all kinds of grain.

If clouds or mist do dark the sky,

Great store of birds and beasts will die.

And if the winds do fly aloft;

Then wars shall vex the kingdom oft.

Gratitude - Forgiveness