A to Z Blogging Challenge 2015: L is for Law

One of the few sensible modern conservatives.

Stating this does not mean that I agree with everything he says. However, I do agree with most of what he says in this video.

~Naila~

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2015: E is for Environmentalism

If we destroy the world for short-term gain, then what will become of us?

The late Wangari Maathai was aware of how important conservation of natural resources is. In 1977, she worked to stop state-backed deforestation in Kenya. She founded the Green Belt Movement, which has planted millions of trees in Kenya. 

Deforestation not only destroys the landscape but the habitats of many creatures, including certain humans. It makes the land more vulnerable to flooding and mudslides.

Deforestation brings short term gain to a few. Conservation brings long-term gain to us all.

~Lily~

Healing Spells: Simplifying the Process

I was previously using multiple healing spells for my son's friend who has bone cancer, and for my special friend who has multiple physical problems and is somehow, amazingly, still alive. This is not entirely a blessing by any means, as one of his problems is severe dementia.

I am now only using the healing spell from the Tarot Spells book by Janina Renee, one repetition each for my son's friend and for my friend.

I am now using the Doreen Virtue angel tarot cards. I thought that the Knight of Water was a fine significator for my son's friend (a young trans man) and I chose The Dreamer, as represented by the Archangel Metatron, for my friend. I thought the image looked a bit like him and the description fit his personality.

I still chose cards for each of the elements. I received Sensitivity from the Archangel Oracle in the position of the Heavens, St. Anthony of Padua in the Air position, Azure from the Healing with the Angels deck in the Water position, Forgiveness from The Answer Deck in the Fire position, and the Elk from the Medicine cards deck in the Earth position.

The Haniel card indicates a high sensitivity to energies and emotions at this time. The thoughts I have received from my special friend have been coming in stronger over the past couple of days. I've been grateful to be able to communicate in this way with him.

St. Anthony's message is "you found it!" This has great significance to me.

Azure's message is "your desired outcome will occur in the very near future. Have patience and faith, and don't try to force it to happen."

Patience has never been my strong suit, but I'll try.

The message of the Elk is that patience brings results. So, there's that patience message again.

The card of Forgiveness is in the position of Fire. This could have multiple indications. The thought that comes to me is that we have to forgive even those who abused us terribly, not because what they did was okay but because continuing to hold onto hate destroys us from within. We also have to forgive ourselves for past indiscretions and mistakes and try to learn from them. For my part, perhaps I need to "forgive" myself for my hypersensitivity.

It is nearly time to go to work again, so I'll need to wrap things up. I hope that by simplifying matters I'll be more likely to send out healing energies to those who so desperately need them on a more regular basis. I think that regular small spells are at least as effective if not more so than grand, elaborate ones.

Love and Light,

Cie



A to Z Blogging Challenge 2015: D is for Discovery

A spirit of curiosity is a gift. A desire to discover amazing artifacts such as the one described in the video makes the world a better place.

Understanding our history helps us understand ourselves and each other better. The more we know about our ancestors, the more we can understand why we are the way we are.

~Blooming Psycho~

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2015: C is for Crystals

Some people utilize crystals as a way of connecting to the energies of the Earth and/or the Universe. I thought it would be interesting to show how these crystals may be obtained.

~Quilla~

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2015: B is for Bias

The above video contains an example of cultural bias. This person is certainly not the only one to hold such views.

Bias:

a particular tendency or inclination, especially one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice.

The author of the above book, Michael Savage, refers to his views as "conservative nationalism."

First, I'll go with the idea upon which I agree with him.

When it comes to sex scenes, often less is more. I generally dislike overly explicit sex scenes in movies. If I wanted to watch porn, I'd watch porn. If I'm reading a book, unless I'm going for erotica, I don't want graphic sex scene after graphic sex scene. Before you ask, no, I am not a fan of "Fifty Shades of Grey."

As to what was offensive in the author's statement:

"If they were Islamists, they'd cut each other's throats. But since they're Americans, they usually have a drink and go to bed with each other."

Granted, the statement is hyperbolic. Obviously, if Muslims killed each other all the time, there would be no more Muslims. However, the statement is also a glaring generalization regarding Muslims.

Also granted, there are extremist Muslims. There are problematic attitudes in the Middle East regarding the treatment of women. However, not all Muslims are extremists. 

Believing that all Muslims are extremists is comparable to saying that all Germans are bad because of the actions taken by the Nazis. It simply isn't true.

Attitudes like Mr. Savage's do nothing to combat the extremist attitudes held by some Muslims. Instead, they create an attitude of bias against all Muslims.

Biased attitudes do not create solutions. They only create further animosity.

~Illsa~

A to Z Blogging Challenge 2015: A is for Activism

Without activism, no changes would ever be made. People such as the late Wangari Maathai are inspirations to us all.

Even if we can't devote our entire lives directly to the causes which matter as Wangari did with her life, we can make a difference in subtle ways. By simply treating others the way we would like to be treated, by living mindfully rather than wastefully, and by thinking of the way our actions now may affect future generations, we can make a difference.

Wangari made a great difference. The world is a better place for her having been here and a sadder place for her passing.

~Lily~