Ramadan Mubarak 2015

Front of the Quran
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ramadan Mubarak to all!

(Forgive my mistakes and stay blessed!)

Ramadan is a holy month for Islam - probably the holiest. It is a time when Muslims 'Sawm' (fast) for 30 days and nights. Sawm is considered the third (of 5) pillar of Islam and is believed to be the duty of all Muslims in good health and of age. (It was during Ramadan that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) received the final testament; the Qur'an is the last and final messenger to mankind.) Ramadan commemorates on the night of 'Laylat Al Qadr', the time that the Qur'an was revealed to Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).

Because it is observed by the luna calendar -and the cycle of the lunar calendar does not match the solar calendar- the dates of Ramadan shift by approximately 11 days each year. (This year that is June 18th.) Those exempt are: pregnant or menstruating women, the old or infirm, and children before the onset of puberty.

Justin Welby urges General Synod to vote in favour of female bishops

Justin Welby, the bishop of Durham, has urged the General Synod to vote in favour of landmark legislation allowing women to become bishops as his appointment as the next archbishop of Canterbury was confirmed by Downing Street.

Read More @ Guardian »

Welby set to be archbishop of Canterbury

Bishop of Durham Justin Welby, an Eton and Cambridge-educated former oil executive, looks set to be named as the next Archbishop of Canterbury replacing Rowan Williams, who has held the post for a decade.

Read More @ Financial Times »

Early Winter

.: heavy rain during bank holiday weekend :.

Early Winter?

With the onset of cold, wet weather hitting Britain it feels a bit like an early winter.

Paralympics
This feeling wasn't helped last night by the Paralympic 2012 opening ceremony with a display using umbrellas (for the not so spectacular display).

Vodou Cookies - Metaphysical Munchies

When you hear the phrase "food for the soul" do you too think of chicken soup and matzo balls? I'm not even Jewish, and yet it's there in my subconscious. It's comfort from within with a metaphysical twist. That's how you could describe this set of articles - comfort from metaphysical munchies!

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The Vodou Man
& the Yummy Pin-Dolly 

This time we will look at a Vudon charm fit to make the mouth and the eyes water.

Vodou originates in the 18th century, when Africans were suppressed their religious practices. It began in the Frenchised slave colony of Saint-Domingue. African slaves were forced to convert to Christianity - mainly Catholism. It's predecessor being West African Vodun (as practiced by the Fon and Ewe). Vodou also incorporates elements and symbolism from Roman Catholic Christianity and European mysticism.

Winter Magick

Winter Magic

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The sounds of drums, calling forth winter…
The battle between the light and darkness wage its daily war in the hearts of all humans, as it has for thousands of years.
       -MoonShadow

Northern Light
In the Northern hemisphere, as the dark nights draw in -and the days shorten- our hearts turn towards the winter holidays. Call them whatever you feel appropriate, they are a time to dwell on the both life and death issues - as they always have been. We see the lessening of sun-hours and the lengthening of night's dark oppression and it depresses even the most civilised of us.

Magic Time (Part 5)

Magic Time

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.: On Hallowe’en. Digital ID: 1587792 :.

by New York Public Library @  Flickr 

In this fifth (and last) article on Magick, we'll look at potential and viability.

We've talked over opportunities and the power of a positive mental attitude to bring to you whatever it is you wanted. Now we need to talk about the business of potential and how to market that potential.

Moon Cookies - Metaphysical Munchies

When you hear the phrase "food for the soul" do you too think of chicken soup and matzo balls? I'm not even Jewish, and yet it's there in my subconscious. It's comfort from within with a metaphysical twist. That's how you could describe this set of articles - comfort food with that metaphysical twist!

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Wiccan Moon Goddess

This time we will look at a Wiccan Sabbats and Esbats to find a magical morsel.

Within Wicca there are major Sabbats and the minor Esbats. The major connect to festivals on the wheel of the year (8 to be precise – the Wiccan year runs from Oct 31st through Oct 30th). These connect with the two equinox and the two solstice and four pagan festivals dotted in between. (they are: Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lughnasadh, Mabon). Each of these majors have their own special foods to go along with each festival. And all individual groups have their own preferences.

Magic Time (Part 4)

Magic Time

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.: "Power of me" (Holding and controling fire by magick) :.

by D.A.K.Photography @  Flickr 

In this fourth article on Magick, we’ll build on what we already have - how to harness your personal needs.

Consider what your opportunities are. As I told you before, the universe will not do all the hard work for you. You have taken a move closer to what you want to gain, but that isn't enough for it to come to you. It takes a few little tweaks to make that happen.

More Lughnasadh Blessings

A blessed be to all on this 2nd Lughnasadh morning. May you reap the benefits this harvest time.

This is simply an update; a 'more thing to be thankful for' sort of thing. For my actual Lughnasadh Blessings for 2012 go here.

Yesterday I thanked the gods and goddesses for a lot of things that are good in my life but I did missed a few: Like, I'm grateful to be alive. (Found out this morning off s friend that someone I see most morning -and have talked to most jovially- has just undergone a quadruple bypass. She said he looked shocking, that he was being held-up by his wife. This was a tall, proud and fit man the last time I saw him a few week earlier. This is what reminded me how glad I am to be alive this morning.)

Magic Time (Part 3)

Magic Time

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In this third article on Magick, we’ll take a more in-depth look how to harness an individual's needs.

So consider where to go from here. It's no good sitting back on your laurels and expecting the universe to do all the hard work for you. It doesn’t work that way. You have to participate.

Soul Food - Metaphysical Munchies

When you hear the phrase "food for the soul" do you too think of chicken soup and matzo balls? I'm not even Jewish, and yet it's there in my subconscious. Comfort from with a metaphysical twist.


That's how you could describe this set of articles - comfort food with that metaphysical twist!

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Buddhism and Lotus Food

This week we will look at Buddhism and find the lotus flower for our souls.

It is important to remember that the lotus flower is important for Buddhism as a symbol of rising above the muddy difficulties of life to achieve enlightenment (or Dharma - the truth of the Buddha). This 'truth' is basically that each individual should take responsibility for their own actions.

Magic Time (Part 2)

Magic Time

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In this second article on Magick, we will take a more in-depth look at Magick Today, and how it can be harnessed to an individual's needs.

"Magick is the Science of understanding oneself and one's conditions. It is the Art of applying that understanding in action."
       -Crowley, Magick in Theory and Practice
[Aleister Crowley (1990). New York: Magickal Childe Publishing. ISBN 1555217664.]

Magical Thinking
For most, magick isn't something they believe in. People will tell (those who do believe) that it is all in their mind. A figment of the imagination. A trick played on inferior intellects.

If this is true, then magick doesn’t exist. The problem is this, magick not only exists, it affects every person’s individual lives - whether we realise it or not.
Each time a child blows out a candle and makes a wish ... Each time a person looks up their horoscope in the papers, or carries a lucky charm ... Each time someone walks around a ladder, or spills salt and casts it over their left shoulder...

Ramadan 2012

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Ramadan 2012

Ramadan 2012

The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said:

"Whenever you sight the new moon observe fast, and when you sight it break it and if the sky is cloudy for you, then observe fast for thirty days."

Ramadan is a holy month for Islam - probably the holiest. It is a time when Muslims 'Sawm' (fast) for 30 days and nights.

Sawm is considered the third pillar of Islam and is believed to be the duty of all Muslims in good health and of age.

Pollypill

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In the news at the moment are the so-called 'polypill' (an all-in-one pill four-medicine pill), which comprises layers; one for cholesterol and the other three for high blood pressure .

 
It has been reported that in a health group of individuals aged 50+ there is a 'cut' in cholesterol and blood pressure - down to that of a 'normal' 20 year old.

Wicca 2Day

Wicca

today

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The hows, wheres, whys, and wherefores of Pagan life in the Twenty-first Century …

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WICCA OF THE PAST…

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- Polytheism -
Greeks and Roman cultures were abound with gods and goddesses of all pantheons.
Sacrificial Rites were undertaken to keep the gods contented.
These early Polytheistic religions were the starting point for Wicca (as we know it today).

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- Witch Trials -
During the 16th and 17th centuries witch hunt took place across Europe and in America.
Somewhere between 40,000 and 100,000 individuals were exterminated under this banner.

Magic Time (Part 1)

Magic Time

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What is Magic?
Magic is the practice of influencing the physical by sheer willpower.
Google has this to say

mag·ic/ˈmajik/

Noun:

• The power of apparently influencing the course of events by using mysterious or supernatural forces.

Adjective:

• Used in magic or working by magic; having or apparently having supernatural powers: "a magic wand".

Synonyms:

• noun. sorcery - enchantment - witchcraft - spell - witchery adjective. magical - enchanting

The centre of ancient wisdom, both written and oral.
What it isn't is new ...
It isn't hokum!
And it isn't nonsense, either!!

A prehistoric painting on one wall of the Magura Cave
(Image from ezinemark)

Where did it come from?
Magic is so old, that it's origins are back in the mists of time.
Prehistoric hunters would paint animals they intended to kill on cave walls; creating the first ever written spells.

Placing the Mitre on Female Heads?

Dr Rowen Williams

Women Bishops

Canterbury to the Church of England, was urging the General Synod to resolve the issue over women bishops (36 years in the making).

The vote was taken on Friday in Parliament. It has initially been allowed - 123 in favour and 53 against (If the vote hadn't been passed it would have been shelved until 2015!).

When it comes to women in roles within the church, the men of god seem hell-bent on shooting themselves in the foot.

3 Ways How to be More Confident Right Now

Confidence! Free to a Good Home. Nurture it Here! 

Are you confident?
Do you wish you were more confident in all arrears of your life: work, friends, family, relationships, and socialising?
Keep reading. This article will help you (or someone you know) be more confident by the end of this blog.

Do you look at others as ask why they get the good job, have a nice life, are admired by other, and have great social standing?


If so, I have a question for you, why isn’t that you?

Suppose I could give you a magic pill that would increase your confidence, make you more attractive to others, or simply happier being who you are? Would you take it?

If the answer’s “No way!” I’d say, “Good!”  Because you obviously don’t need it.

However, if you’d have said, “Of course!” I’d give you the following advice…

That’s what this article is all about. There’s much more to confidence than just expecting it to magically appear.

In fact, here are 7 powerful ways to build your confidence right now (I look forward to hearing what you would think in the comments section at the end).