DIVINATION

Divination by Astrology

The stars have mezmerized human beings since ancient times and the idea that they hold the key to our past, present and future is a subject that draws the imagination and peaks the curiousity. Astrology is seen as a "safe" form of divination; we see the ones posted in the newspaper and the generality protrayed gives us pleasant of room for interpretation. The best astrological readings are created for individuals and include the references for the place and time of birth as well as the date. A true comprehensive reading involves charting the stars and planets not only at the date of birth but also place and time.

Astrology has been used by many civilizations. It is believed that astrology began in Egypt and has been in use for about 5000 years. It spread to Mesapotamia and eastward with the conquorer Alexander the Great. The modern day astrology used by western civilization, was refined by the ancient Greek civilization with the use of mathematics, astronomy and Greek myth.

Astrology divided the year into 12 section, and each is ruled by a specific animal. They are well known Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. Although all personality traits belong to all people, some signs exhibit greater tendancy to those qualities and like all traits, they can have either be portrayed as a positive or negative depending the person. Those born on the dates where the signs change are born on the Cusp and will exhibit traits from both signs.

ARIES - March 21 to April 19 - Compatible with Leo and Sagittarius - Physical courage and enthusiasm, limitless energy, bold and daring in problem-solving, able to grasp abstract notions and ideas, independant, optimistic, cause champions, mental dexterity, optimistic, cause champions - Represents youth and renewal.

TAURUS - April 20 to May 20 - Compatible with Virgo and Capricorn - Steadfast characters, patient, practical, reserved or shy, enjoy simple pleasures, good administrative skills in business, methodical by choice, love of fine food, love of beauty, love of culture and life's finery, patience, practical, perserverance, loyal - Represents hopes to come.

GEMINI - May 21 to June 21 - Compatible with Libra and Aquarius - Mental dexterity, ingenious, resourceful, gentle, charming, vivacious, fine sense of appreciation for the arts, extremely adaptable, have the ability to rationalize facts into logical order and grasp complex ideas - Represents the power of thought.

CANCER - June 22 to July 22 - Compatible with Pisces and Scorpio - Deep abiding sense of family and community, loyal, faithful, prefer an ordered non-changing existance, sentimental, intuitive, tolerant, serene, a strong romantic streak, persistant, shrewd, thrifty, tenacious - Represents destruction and birth.

LEO - July 23 to August 22 - Compatible with Aries and Sagittarius - Strong sense of dignity, bold in thought and deed, suited to positions of authority or prominence, optimistic, open-minded, kindness, fidelity to causes, controled ambition, persistence, tolerant, very affectionate - Represents authority.

VIRGO - August 23 to September 22 - Compatible with Capricorn and Taurus - Mental dexterity, versatility, finely tuned discriminatory and critical awareness, great intellectual potential, methodical, proud of accomplishments, like learning, loyal, charming, tactful, intuitive, artistic, love to work, dislike pretentiousness, cautious with finances - Represents being ready for transformation.

LIBRA - September 23 to October 22 - Compatible with Aquarius and Gemini - Lovers of harmony and peace, desparately need a sense of harmony in their relationships, amiable, courteous, great respect for honour, will avoid friction with people by use of tact and compromise, justice minded, truthful, loyal, sympathetic, like good company and are excellent companions, balanced intellect, impartial, keen appreciation of beauty - Represents the attraction of opposites.

SCORPIO - October 23 - November 21 - Compatible with Cancer and Pisces - Very thorough in all endeavours, boundless strength of purpose, dignity, determination, tenacity, will to dominate, intensely emotional, strongly affectionate, deeply sympathetic, can be extremely cautious, courageous in the face of physical duress, reliable, responsible, secretive, magnetic personality - Represents transformation.

SAGITTARIUS - November 22 to December 21 - Compatible with Aries and Leo - Born extroverts, enjoy life to the fullest, delight in sports, keen sense of sportsmanship, very likable, optimistic, independant, honest, athletic, strong views on personal feedoms, religious, love to travel, impulsive, light-hearted attitude toward life, abundant supply of energy - Represents evolution and change.

CAPRICORN - December 22 to January 19 - Compatible with Taurus and Virgo - Diligent, hard working, ambitious, athoritative tempered with a very cautious nature, emotional, humanitarian, Thrifty, persistant, thorough, deciplined, meticulous, loyal, tactful, introspective, materialistic, stick with tried and true habits, intensely dislike change, perserverance, strong concentrational skills, prudent - Represents cold and contradiction, lies and hidden fertility.

AQUARIUS - January 20 to February 18 - Compatible with Gemini and Libra - True humanitarians, utterly truthful, kind, sympathetic, sincere, friendly, affectionate, serious outlook on life, independant, can be rebellious toward strict authoritarian rule, stable, able to ride out times of crisis, tolerant, idealistic, mentally flexible, intelligence, creative, keen sense of fellowship, progressive - Represents union of consciousness and unconsciousness.

PISCES - February 19 to March 20 - Compatible with Cancer and Scopio - Humanitarians, pure idealists, supporters of good and just causes, sympathetic, inspiring and inspired, great use of imagination, warm-hearted, peace-loving, will make great personal sacrifices, empathetic, spiritual, can be magnanimous in forgiving and understanding people, often misunderstood by loved ones, sensibility, great intelligence, amiability, strong affections for animals and pets, good listeners, naturally happy - Represents fertility, peace, and eternal return.

There are many good books for those interested in exploring this field of divination further.

CRYSTALS

Silver and Gold

The names are synonymous with wealth and prosperity. These precious metals have been used by almost every civilization, both ancient and current. Although the market value of silver has deceased due to the amount mined out of the North American deposits, both are valable to healing.

Silver has the ability to intensify and balance the strengths of any healing stones that are used with it. When crystals and minerals are set in silver, silver has the added abitily to speed the healing power into the body while boosting or diminishing the power of the crystals as required. One of silver's main abilities on it's own is to regulate the body's fluids, which can aid in weight loss, in creating a less acidic body and will help the body to detoxify with better blood circulation. With the addition of specific crystals silver can help to alleviate headaches, nausea and some arthritic conditions. Silver can be a benefit to those who suffer with irritability, poor concentration, emotional upsets, poor memory and irrational fears. Silver can calm people who are prone to outbursts of anger and rudeness and can be used to decrease anxiety brought on by problem-solving. If silver is worn as a belt buckle it can aid in sexual problems and can increase fertility.

Gold also has the ability to increase the healing strengths of crystals but it has a more difficult time trying to balance the engeries of stronger crystals. Crystals set in gold have a special energy, they can increase the wearer's self-esteem and confidence but the wearer must guard against arrogance. Gold on it's own has the ability to boost ones abitilty to love and to be faithful, in love and in mission. The heart and throat benefit mostly from gold.

Silver & Gold

CELEBRATE THE SEASONS

Smudging to Release Stress

This release can be done at home or at work. If you do not have the ability to smudge where you work, a few drops of lavendar oil, sweetgrass oil or an scented oil of chioce on a tissue may be used.

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

Dearest Mother, we ask that you comfort, protect and hold us close during this Christmas season as we celebrate the bounty of the season and the love of family and friends.

Dearest Father, we ask that you help us to keep our minds on the meaning of Christmas and on the knowledge that we are all Your divine children.

We ask that You surround us in the White Light of Love that is our connection to You, so that we may be reminded of Your part in this bounty we share. Help us to remember friends both far and near without tears, guilt or shame. Remind us of our connection with all living things and help us lift our hearts in celebration.

Amen.

MONTHLY MEDITATION

"Finding God in Joy"

"No matter what causes it, whenever a little bubble of joy appears in your invisible sea of consciousness, take hold of it, and keep expanding it. Meditate on it and it will grow larger. Watch not the limitations of the little bubble of your joy, but keep expanding it until it grows bigger and bigger. Keeping puffing at it with the breath of concentration from within, until it spreads all over the ocean of infinity in your consciousness. Keep puffing at the bubble of joy until it breaks its confining walls and becomes the sea of joy."