August 23,2012

I just got back from spending 2 nites with my friend Sandy in Coden, AL. We painted goddesses using Shiloh Sophia's DVD. It was my 3rd goddess painting & Sandy's first.

Craft-Tea Time: Foley High Class of '95 Most Crafty Senior

Craft-Tea Time: Foley High Class of '95 Most Crafty Senior: Yes, it's true. I was voted the Most Crafty Senior girl of 1995. I know, hard to believe I graduated high school that long ago! But I did. I...

Go see Sarah-Star's new blog @ www.craft-teatime.blogspot.com

Mothers Day @ Sandy & Doug's

Into the wild world

Going to visit Sandy & Doug

XVI DESIRE jade nephrite

What can I do to help keep the earth singing?
What joy can I make in the lives of others?
How can I create peace in myself
& my relationships with others
so we can have peace and harmony
in our world?
Do I let the Divine guide my hands and feet
and my walks in the paths of life
so that we may be
channels of blessings
to all we meet?
Is my mind in attunement with
the law of force
that brought my soul into being
so that it becomes spiritualized
in it's activity?
Do I make my life in accord with
the laws that are manifested
in spiritual activities?
Am I developing god~likeness
in my soul
with my activities?
Am I growing in grace
knowledge
and understanding
of the Divine?

Our French Foreign Exchange Daughter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaP6K1BeyOc

Listen to Sandy talk about indigenous people in Australia

I just recently also listened to India's Arundhati Roy's Come September speech from way back in 2002
You, too, can listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ET7I9jvP4Ic

Food for thought...

IV FAITH amethyst

AMETHYST
[inspired by Cassandra Eason's
THE ILLUSTRATED DIRECTORY OF
HEALING CRYSTALS]
PROPERTIES
TYPE: Quartz with very large crystals.
Translucent,
semi-transparent
and transparent
COLOR: From pale lilac
to deep purple;
also white
SYMBOLIC ASSOCIATIONS
ZODIAC SIGN: Aquarius
PLANET: Jupiter
ELEMENT: Air
CANDLE COLOR: Dark lilac/purple
GUARDIAN ANGEL: Cambiel
CHAKRA: Brow
HERBS, INCENSES AND OILS:
Dusky rose petals,
patchouli,
lavender,
chamomile,
and sweetgrass (smudge)
FLOWERS:
Lavender,
violet
and lilac
ASSOCIATED CRYSTALS:
Rose quartz,
moonstone
and jade
MYTHOLOGY AND HISTORY:
Amethyst is considered to be the stone
of lovers
and Saint Valentine.
Indeed Saint Valentine reputedly wore
an amethyst ring
engraved with an image of cupid.
The Greeks believed it to be
particularly effective against drunkeness
-hence the name amethustos,
which means not to be drunk.
Wealthier Greeks,
and later the Romans,
would make wine goblets out of amethyst
to guard against
the excessive effects of wine.
Legend tells that Amethysta,
a beautiful maiden,
attracted the unwelcome attention
of Bacchus, the god of wine.
Diana, the virgin goddess of the hunt,
saved Amethysta by turning her into
the gleaming gem,
saying henceforward all would behave
in a restrained manner
in her presence.
Amethyst is also the stone of integrity
and was worn by Egyptian soldiers
in battle so they would not
lose their courage in dangerous situations.
In the Christian Church,
amethyst was the gem of purity
and is associated with bishops,
who traditionally wear an amethyst ring,
especially in the Roman Catholic Church.
Amethyst is the stone of the Buddha
and is popular for Buddhist prayer beads,
especially in Tibet.
In Northern Africa it is
a rain-making stone,
and is dropped into water
by medicine men and women.
DIVINATORY SIGNIFICANCE
Amethyst indicates that you may be
feeling stressed or exhausted,
or have experienced difficulties recently
and need to give gentle love to yourself
until energy flows again.
HEALING AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Often called the all-healer,
amethyst is one of
the most effective crystals
for any kind of healing work.
It is effective for people,
animals
and plants
and can even recharge other crystals
with healing powers.
It is potent for ailments of both
mind
and body,
especially emotional problems.
It is particularly helpful
for addictions,
including those to alcohol
and food.
Placed on the stomach or liver,
amethyst helps to soothe
problems in these areas.
If worn when sleeping
or kept under the pillow,
amethyst prevents insomnia
and nightmares.
It soothes headaches
if placed on temples
or the point of pain,
relieves eyestrain
and helps maintain
the blood-sugar balance.
It is excellent for
absent healing.
An amethyst in the soil
of a plant in the workplace
will restore energies
depleted by noise
and over-bright lighting.
You can set tiny amethysts
in a polluted place
or around the edges of a photograph
of a despoiled or war-torn land.
Light a purple candle
and leave it to burn through.
USES AT WORK AND HOME
Amethyst soothes anger
and impatience
and is therefore good
to have in the workplace
or at home in a room
where you may have to deal
with awkward or truculent visitors.
Place amethyst geodes
or amethyst pyramids
around your home and workspace
and focus on one
if you become anxious
about potential conflict
or feel overwhelmed
by any difficult tasks
you have to finish.
If your home or workplace
feels unfriendly
or always seems cold and dark
even in summer,
you may be suffering from
streams of dark psychic energy
beneath the building.
Place amethyst inclusions
over any spot that feels hostile
and near doors and windows.
Amethyst are naturally protective
against technological pollutants,
such as a constantly ringing telephone
or jangling fax.
They are especially good
placed on a computer table
to avoid excessive strain
on eyes
and mind.
CHILDREN AND ANIMALS
Children who suffer from
nightmares
can use an amethyst geode
or sphere
as a talisman.
They should be encoraged
to look at the crystal
while breathing slowly
and imagining that they are
breathing in purple light
and exhaling darkness.
Finally, they should
visualize themselves
as safe and secure
in a crystalline castle
for the night.
To bring peaceful sleep,
soak an amethyst
in still mineral water
for eight hours
and serve as a bedtime drink.
Amethyst water is also good
in the daytime
if a child finds it
hard to relax
and settle to activities.
Pets that are ill can drink
amethyst water
to energize them
and to calm hyperactivity.
This helps to stop
excessive barking in a dog
or feather ripping in a bird.
Amethyst also deters fleas.
PSYCHIC ASSOCIATIONS
Amethyst is particularly effective
in meditation
and psychic work
to develop clairvoyance
and clairaudience.
It also brings memories
of past worlds and lives
if placed in the center
of the brow.
A powerful psychic enhancer,
an amethyst under your pillow
will bring peaceful
but psychic dreams.
An amethyst pendulum
aids personal decision making,
using a yes/no response.
Alternatively, hold it
or a pointed emethyst crystal
over a series of written options
and see over which of the choices
the pendulum or crystal
pulls down.
RECHARGING ITS ENERGIES
Recharge amethyst under
the light of the moon
rather than the sunlight.
A large unpolished
piece of amethyst
will cleanse
and restore energies
to any other crystal
you have used for
healing,
divination
or protection.
Carefully wrap the crystal
with the amethyst
in dark silk.