< Previous
Next >

Divorce and Empowerment: How the Goddess Helps You Cope

Posted by August 29, 2011

When men go through a divorce, they enjoy (more or less) a sardonic support group known as Guys. Guys will offer each other comfort, if not actual advice, dropping such philosophical gems on the divorcee as you’re better off or at least you’re single again. Gratifying, yes; soothing, perhaps, but not overly helpful. When it comes to women, they are often fortunate to have a “sister circle” of support that brings benefits far exceeding the superficial.

A Belief System to Behold

In such circles of support, each woman is considered to be a Goddess, and they can turn to each other for help in the most troubling of times. Women have a great way of filling each other’s emotional sails. They prop each other up in the worst of times, and it really is a belief system that they deploy, with many a divorcee finding herself carried along as if on a sea of hands, above the fray, as it were.

The Pack that Has Your Back

Goddesses and their fellow girlfriends also have the comfort of turning to each other with the kinds of anecdotes that simply cannot (or should not) be shared with family members – even those of the same gender. And, whereas men may take the “lone wolf” approach to re-entering the dating scene, Goddesses stand together and guard the female divorcee’s vulnerable side until they know she has her feet back under her.

This informal sorority is empowering to women who may feel as if they are at their lowest point – and it happens on many a plane of well-being. Book or movie groups are popular among social Goddesses. They offer a distraction from the pangs of reality, and provide a forum for support and networking. Goddesses often make for good gym partners, muscling the divorcee along in her quest for a singles-compatible body. Most of all, Goddesses offer a newly-single women plenty of feedback as she begins to come out of the grueling divorce process. Hail Goddesses (married or otherwise)!

Are you interested in a getting an attorney in your area, such as an Arlington divorce attorney.

Leave a comment

Natural Remedies may not be Enough When it Comes to Eyesight

Posted by August 23, 2011

Natural remedies, home remedies, holistic treatments, do it yourself; all great ideas. But do they work? Not all the time. What do you do when they don’t work? When it comes to vision it may be time to consider laser eye surgery.

Mother, I’d Rather do it Myself

If you’re trying natural, home remedies to correct your vision good for you; be prepared however to need a little more assistance than fruits and vegetables. Vitamin A is a big deal when it comes to healthy vision. Great sources of vitamin A are cabbage and spinach; fruits such as carrots, zucchini, sweet potatoes, mangoes and apricots are good sources as well. In fact, older adults lacking in thiamine and vitamin A are more prone to glaucoma, so by yourself a fruit basket next time it’s your 40 something birthday. Thiamine can be found in cereal, peas, nuts, chicken and other meats; while two additional sources of vitamin A are eggs and poultry so they sort of overlap there.

When it Comes Right Down to It

All the vitamin A, thiamine, vitamin C, vitamin B, carotene, protein, vitamin K, spinach, olive oil and blueberries… And any amount of other vision healthy vitamins and foods… May simply fall short of improving many people’s vision. Should that be the case you may want to consider laser eye surgery. Thanks to amazing technological advancements many people these days are finding themselves able to set down those eyeglasses forever. It’s very nearly becoming a trend. Soon people will be lying about laser surgery just so they can appear to be with the in crowd. Okay maybe not that far, but it is an option that hundreds of thousands have taken advantage of.

Whether it’s eating the right foods or laser eye surgery Chicago, your eyes are the only ones you’ll ever have; be good to them.

Leave a comment

A Witches Garden- Herbs and Plants Every Goddess Should have at her Disposal

Posted by August 5, 2011

Wiccan culture has thrived throughout the ages, and has thoroughly enjoyed a renaissance in the last 20 or 30 years. What its adherents lack in numbers, they more than make up for in enthusiasm. Today’s witches aren’t the type to run around turning people into toads (necessarily). They’re more into keeping their own spirituality in tune with the natural world around them.

Fresh is Better

As such, Wiccans have a thorough understanding of the herbs and plants that surround us all, and are mindful of the properties that lurk within some of the most ordinary kitchen fare you might imagine. The most effective use of any herb or plant, however, is derived from its freshness – so a witch’s garden might look just like anybody else’s. Fruits and vegetables, in particular, have spiritual gifts that are thought to be just as beneficial as their nutritional properties.

Garden-Variety Magic

Corn and cabbage, for instance, are believed to be lucky. Onions and garlic provide a boost in healing. Carrots help with fertility, as do bananas and grapes. Strawberries and rasperries act as love potions (as do limes and papayas). Plums are also known to assist in healing. These are only some of the many foods that most people only view in dietary terms, and they’re only the tip of the iceberg.

Herbs also play a large role in Wiccan culture. St. John’s wort, marjoram, saffron and (of course) catnip are among those herbs that help provide happiness. Mint is key in both luck and love. Thyme has healing properties, and dill brings good fortune. Flowers and plants also have their place among Earthly goddesses, with daisies and geraniums lendling luck and fertility. And, although not everyone can grow them, nuts of all kinds are beneficial across the board, even having to do with prosperity.

Using grow lights may seem counter intuitive, but getting the herbs you need year round is important.

Leave a comment

Ancient Secrets for Beautiful Skin

Posted by June 18, 2011

The Greeks, Romans, Egyptians and Phoenicians all knew the secret to natural anti wrinkle treatments. Even now, women of the Mediterranean keep their skin ageless and elegant with the use of olive oil.

What Can this Little Fruit Do?

Oh, you’d be surprised! Olive oil assists your skin in maintaining its youthful elasticity; ads softness and shine when used as a hair conditioner; allows your skin’s natural radiance to shine through with accentuated smoothness; and even helps with nails by softening cuticles, and healing brittle and dry nails. Using olive oil in its natural form can be a little messy, so if you’re not into home remedies there’s no need to worry. Because manufacturers are fully aware of the natural anti wrinkle treatments used by the ancients, so they have created all of the following:

  • Moisturizing cleansers containing olive oil
  • Hair products containing olive oil
  • Sumptuous soaps with olive oil in them
  • And of course, body butter containing olive oil

Is There any other way to Benefit from Olive Oil other than Applying it to my Skin?

Well of course there is. And it’s tasty, too! Putting it right on your skin is great but in order to appreciate the benefits of olive oil without ingesting it we go right back to the Mediterranean and their natural anti wrinkle treatments. Eat it! That’s right, eating olive oil will allow you to incorporate this wonderful oil into your diet, preferably on a regular basis. Not only will you improve the appearance of your skin, you will enhance your body’s health.
The ancients did and baby soft skinned Mediterraneans know what they’re doing, so take it from them. Olive oil with its anti oxidant rich, anti aging properties is the one secret to beautiful, younger looking skin; one that can not only be used outside but inside your body as well.

Leave a comment

History Of The Midwife

Posted by May 21, 2011

Many mothers to be are familiar with the term “midwife” but what exactly does it mean? The first recorded use of the word “midwife” was used in the year 1300. Midwives have been used for centuries to care for woman during normal pregnancies and enable them to have their babies at home safely or in the hospital.

Midwifery Training

Midwives have been revered and valued in cultures all over the world for centuries. Many cultures have written documentation of the use of midwives. Back in the year 1560 midwives in Paris were required to pass an examination plus follow rules and regulations in order to practice in the field. In England midwives didn’t receive the same formal training and were able to practice without being licensed until the year 1902.

In America, women learned how to become a midwife by working as an apprentice under experienced midwives. As the early twentieth century came midwives in America came under scorn by the medical profession because they weren’t exposed to the latest scientific advances as doctors and nurses were.

Both fields were at war with each other in many ways until 1955 when the American College Nurse Midwives was created and standards plus licensing examinations were put into place that enabled midwives to stay on the same level with their peers in the medical community.

Midwifery Today

In this day and age many mothers are opting for natural child birth alternatives and are even deciding to have their babies at home thanks to midwifes.

For a woman to become a midwife she must go to a midwifery school to obtain certification as a midwife, complete required science requirements and continue ongoing training required to maintain her certification as a midwife in her state.

Since the 1920’s many midwives are also registered nurses and have the ability to write prescriptions and provide a variety of benefits that nurses in hospitals worldwide are able to offer their patients.

Looking for Gerber products, such as Gerber daisy wall stickers?

Leave a comment

A Basic Witchcraft/Nature Goddess Glossary

Posted by March 12, 2011


Witches, or goddesses of nature, speak in a distinctive language, as well as think and act in a manner different than the rest of ordinary individuals. Many of these terms are erroneously labeled “new age” terms but they originate from the language of witches. Some of these words and their meanings are:

• Charge–a command that is given by the High Priestess or the Goddess

• Fairy ring–a natural place, usually deep in a woods, where witches perform spells

• Wand–a rod or small staff imbued with magical powers

• Sabbat–a term used to denote a one of eight seasonal festivals

• Triple Goddess–the most important female goddess in the Wiccan religion

• Coven–a group or gathering of witches

• Chakra–this is where spiritual energy initially enters the body

Other Important Terms

Rituals are occasions when a group or a person acting alone utilizes traditional or handed-down practices which promote the ability to concentrate all of one’s energies towards a specific purpose. This purpose is usually manifested in the form of a spell which is meant to heal, empower, transform or protect. Sometimes the act of “smudging” is performed before a ritual, which is a purifying preparation borrowed from Native Americans. It involves tightly wrapping a bundle of sage, lighting the sage, and then wafting the smoke around the person or coven performing the spell. Purifying eliminates any negative energy that may be hindering the complete presence of positive, natural energy. Also, it is standard practice to “devoke” when casting a spell, which means you are thanking a deity for attending the ritual and inviting him or her to either stay or leave, depending on what they want to do.

Elements

The four elements–earth, water, fire and air–are vital to the practice of witchcraft, since it is these ingredients which are absolutely necessary for the existence and sustenance of all living things. Each of these elements correlates with specific qualities that represent the physical world. Air stands for the abilities of the mind to analyze and comprehend the mysteries of the universe. Air indicates morning light, rationality, insects and intuition. Fire connotes fierceness of the will, passion, purification by destruction, sexual desire, snakes and the God. Water is seen as a cleansing and healing tool, along with influencing emotions, dreams, and the ability to love and grieve. Creation and nourishment are represented by the element Earth, as well as fertility, strength, abundance, all food and life, death, birth and the Goddess.

There are many other terms used by witches and those who follow the Wiccan religion which can be learned either by reading or asking experienced witches about their meanings.

Leave a comment

How to be a Witch

Posted by March 11, 2011


To be considered a bona fide “witch”, i.e., someone who believes in the religion and magic of nature, one should start by reading as much as they can about the modern, less romanticized version of what it means to study witchcraft and cast spells. The so-called “magic” that is used by witches is not the hocus-pocus kind that you see done by clever illusionists. Rather it is the transformation of the laws of nature into a source of energy that you can tap into and utilize to achieve a certain, desired effect. A budding witch will also need to understand some basic principles of magic such as raising and guiding energy, casting circles, invoking the god/goddess, and the grounding, centering and closing of the circle.  The impact of moon phases are also important to learn, since its waxing and waning conditions have the power to decrease or intensify the potency of a spell.

 

Visualization

Practicing visualization and meditation are good habits to get into when studying to become a witch. This will help improve your focus and concentration when directing all of your energy towards a particular spell. You will need to learn how to draw strength from natural forces both here on Earth and in the universe. Calmness, quietude and an inward sense of strength will all assist you in communing with the natural power of Mother Earth, the God, and the Goddess. Witchcraft, paganism and Wicca are all forms of spiritual beliefs that are also a way of living in a world which rejects the notion of nature as a whole living system. This is why you will need to wholeheartedly embrace the principles of a creed which can be passionately experienced but remains invisible to the earth-bound eye.

 

Casting Spells

When casting spells, do not read them word for word but use a spell as a sort of template from which you can create your own spells and rituals. After some practice, you might want to think about joining a coven or a network of like-minded individuals who have also dedicated themselves to the art of witchcraft. Also, remember that if you attempt to hurt someone with a certain spell, this is considered unethical by the powers that be and you will face the consequences of such actions in the very near future. In addition, pay particular attention to the moon phases when casting spells, since this can literally mean the success or failure of a spell.

 

Becoming a true witch cannot be accomplished overnight. It takes years of experience, dedication and involvement in the religion of nature and the power it contains. But those who commit themselves to the craft will eventually be richly rewarded.

Leave a comment

History of Witchcraft

Posted by March 10, 2011


As one of the world’s oldest creeds, witchcraft existed even before Druidry, which was basically worshiping the sun while witches worshipped the Earth and nature. During the 5th century BCE, people living in the British Islands adopted Druidism as their official religion. Witches, however, came to co-exist with Druids and were initially Christians. At that time, the church believed in reincarnation until the original sin dogma was embraced, but this belief influenced witches into adopting the notion of heredity and knowledge that is passed through generations by physical and supernatural means. Around 1000 AD, witches were esteemed members of a village and were not feared. They were the ones who knew which herbs would eliminate pain and sickness in both people and animals. It was only later that witches became frightening and malevolent creatures, no doubt due to the Christian church attributing simple herbal treatments to something that could only be produced by the Devil

 

 

The Depravity of Witches

 

Sometime in the early 1500’s, witches began to be viewed as consorting with the Devil for evil purposes. Anyone exhibiting healing powers outside of the teachings of the church (such as using prayer) were immediately condemned and said to have received such power from the Devil himself. The Scottish Witchcraft Act of 1563 stated that people who even spoke to a “witch” about treating their illnesses were to be found guilty of practicing witchcraft. This is also a time when witches began being depicted in paintings and drawings as ugly, old and predominantly female. When the Black Plague swept through medieval Europe, it was attributed to witchcraft and God’s anger at impious individuals. Poor crops, livestock dying and extreme weather also was blamed on witches because people had no other way to explain incidents which cause needless suffering in a world controlled by a benevolent God.

 

 

Puritans

 

The Salem Witch trials are probably one of the more irrational and horrible events in American history, a period of time which saw the hanging of thousands of innocent people in the Puritan colonies of New England. If someone was accused of being a witch during the 1600’s in Massachusetts, they were those who had several of these traits:

     

  • -women who were barren

    •  

  • -spinsters

    •  

  • -ugly or physically deformed women

    •  

  • -independent  and willful women

    •  

  • -reclusive women

 

Very rarely were men accused of being a witch, since they were the ones who did all of the accusing! Also, anyone who decided to confess was not hanged but sent to jail for many years. If they happened to survive their incarceration and were released, they were immediately ostracized, which contributed little to their chances of survival.

 

Fortunately, witches are no longer treated so horribly but are considered to be followers of a natural kind of religion. There are many witches in the world today who openly practice their magic and are generally accepted by different communities as being harmless.

 

Leave a comment

Hecate, Goddess of Witchcraft

Posted by March 9, 2011


Hecate (sometimes spelled “Hekate”) is the Roman-Greek goddess of witchcraft, magic and necromancy. Also related to childbirth, doorways, lunar myths and torches, she is today said to be a goddess of witches, also known as the “crone goddess”.  Hecate’s appearance as a major Greco-Roman goddess is seen in Hesiod’s Theogony written as early as 700 BCE, along with appearing in an inscription from late Miletus claiming her as the goddess of entrances. In Ptolemaic Alexandria, she can be seen as a three-faced goddess presiding over witchcraft, curses and magic. Zeus is said to have honored Hecate above all other goddesses and gave her anything she desired.

 

Appearance and Character

As an independent goddess who cherished her solitude, Hecate was said to resemble her cousin Artemis as a goddess who did not want to sacrifice her autonomous nature in order to be married. Hecate is described as a luminous creature preferring to walk alone at night, through cemeteries or under the moon’s dark phase. However, some legends depict her as being invisible or simply a “will-o-the-wisp” type of light. Her constant companions were her sacred hounds, who had three heads so they were able to see everywhere around them at all times. Sometimes Hecate herself was illustrated with having three heads, that of a horse, a snake and a boar.

 

Persephone

When Persephone was abducted by Hades, god of the underworld, Hecate remained her only confidante. Hades was thankful for Hecate’s companionship, since Persephone could not leave the underworld, and considered her an honored guest whenever she visited the underworld. Her ability to befriend Hades and safely come and go from the underworld probably contributed to her reputation for having the power to conjure up ghosts, dreams and predict the future. This also enabled her to adopt the role of “Queen of the Night”, someone who frequently traveled with spirits or social misfits. She thus became later known as a protectress of oppressed individuals, or those who have been forgotten by society.

 

Due to her intuitiveness and perspicacity, along with her tolerance of that which most people consider immaterial or unknowable, Hecate was regarded as having great powers. Some consider her one of the greatest goddesses to have existed in Greek-Roman mythology.

Leave a comment

Modern Witches

Posted by March 8, 2011


When someone claims to be a witch, they are usually referring to the fact they belong to the Wiccan religion, which employs all kinds of modern day witchcraft. Wicca originated in Great Britain around 1900, and was later mainstreamed during the 1960’s. Wicca is considered a “duotheistic” religion because adherents worship both a god and a goddess called the “Triple Goddess” and the “Horned God”.  Wiccans also practice a type of ceremonial magic, which is comprised of ancient rituals and spells handed down from past witches. This magic is now blended with a code of morality called the “Wiccan Rede”. In addition, Wiccans celebrate the changing of the seasons by participating in festivals called “Sabbats”.

 

God and Goddess

Wicca views the Triple Goddess and Horned God as complementing each other in a way that a sense of balance is maintained, similar to the Yin and Yang of Taoism. These figures are symbolically represented by the Earth (Earth Mother) and the Sun, with the Horned God being the sun, wilderness, sexuality and the cycle of life. He is frequently referred to by other names such as Pan, Atho and Cernunnos. Sometimes the Horned God is seen as the “Green Man” a traditional folk figure depicted in European architecture and art correlating with the natural realm of life. The Triple Goddess, on the other hand, is occasionally viewed as the Moon Goddess who oversees wisdom, virginity and fertility. She can also be portrayed as a triadic figure constituting the Maiden, Mother and Crone goddess which represents the life cycle of women.

 

Wiccan Magic

The majority of Wiccans see magic as a powerful force able to manipulate the natural world. Aleister Crowley once defined magic as “the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with will”. It is thought by practicing Wiccans that magic is simply misunderstood and ignored by contemporary scientific thought.  It is not supernatural as many tend to believe, but rather a strong power which resides in the natural world waiting to be utilized by those who are aware of it. Also, a common belief about magic is that is it simply tapping into the full potential of the five senses and accomplishing unexpected results. However, other Wiccans state that they do not know how magic works but believe that it does produce a change in a condition based on the assumption that they have actually seen it work.

 

Wicca is an ancient and fascinating religion shrouded in centuries of rituals, magic and myths. It is also one of the fastest growing “religions” in the world today.

Leave a comment

< Previous
Next >