Stars of The Sacred Hoop ~ Total Lunar Eclipse Dec 2010

Stargazer li keeps the storytelling oral transmitted tradition alive by adapting her presentation to the informationsphere and applying it to our lives, and how we reach out or receive info. She also has wicked cool remedies. Enjoy~!

Schizandra

Schizandra is one of my favorite adaptogens. Helpful for the destructive tendencies of stress, inflammation, energy levels and many other things~wu wei zi is finally getting notable reliability in today's growing market.


http://www.naturalnews.com/023200_schizandra_Wu_Wei_Zi_herbs
China Botanic achieves three million RMB sales of new product

pleasure treasure

The 8 Rules of Vegetable Enjoyment

1. Bottom Line: Mom was right. Vegetables are good for you.

2. They aren't just good for you, when you buy them fresh they are full of flavor

3. Eat in season. When you do the vegetables taste better and cost less

4. Make a worthwhile investment: though high quality/better harvested vegetables cost a little bit more, the difference in taste is exponential

5. Choose vegetables from good farmers who don't use any chemicals.

6. Vegetables can be prepared a thousand different ways

7. Don't overdress your raw vegetables and don't overcook your cooked vegetables. Lay low on the salt and let the true flavor shine through. You'll be surprised how little you need to do in order to love your veggies

8. Vegetables will make you smile. How can you not fall in love with something that tastes good and makes you feel good

we walked to chinatown for noodles

It's interesting to be a grad student when planetary stuff happens. How do you explain mercury retrograde to your finals or responsibilities? How does the pluto/mars/solstice/chiron connection make it's way into an excuse for your inability to focus on memorizing material? I'm not one for many excuses. And who cares? It is an art to be able to decide what we will and can spend our attention and energy on. Though my intention is to do well in my classes and with studying, life happens!

My TCM studies have accentuated my relationship to the universe and cosmos. And though many of the esoteric Taoist practices can be considered "new agey" or "far out" i'm drawn to the medicine because of the groundedness of it and the alternative paradigm to understand the nature of our very own existence, from an animistic, rather than creationist perspective. My performance is also related to the cosmos however, and this trimester has not been easy!

For those of you who have no idea about astronomy or energetics of the cosmos, here is a link to a recording that can tune you in to the framework we are working with in the moment and until solstice~ and then...

as we meet the universe in extreme syzygy…
Monday night Dec 20th into Tuesday sunrise 21st
Schedule of Events (Pacific Time, approximate):


4:30pm Sun Set and Full Moon rise
10:30pm Beginning of Eclipse
Midnight Peak of Totality
2:00am End of Eclipse
7:30am Moon Set Sun Rise

There’s even a 10-minute Video of the heart of the story ~

http://stargazerli.com/happenings/winter-solstice-2010-total-lunar-eclipse When all else fails (and hopefully I don't!), walk your amazing self into chinatown for noodles. (Rang Dong is a wonderful place for Pho.)

A Celebration of Wild Mushrooms: 41st Annual Fungus Festival | Lawrence Hall of Science

This event is always a blast! I must admit I like the coziness of the previous location---and actually visited the Oakland museum because I assumed it would be in the same place. The lawrence hall of science on the UC campus is a local alternative to the academy of sciences. Located at strawberry canyon, a day with better weather suggests a perfect post botanical garden outing.
The multiple rooms at lawrence hall were disconnected, and the two floors made it a little confusing. With that said, even in the rain the specimens were very worth it! And KQED was there taping. This years highlights for me were the microscopes at both the entry and the lichen society booths.

A Celebration of Wild Mushrooms: 41st Annual Fungus Festival | Lawrence Hall of Science

shiny happy people

Samhain

entering the darkest part of the seasonal shift, we are reminded of our own ability to decompose those things that no longer serve us. We can look to the mushrooms at this time as an example of how valuable and intrinsic this process of release and replenishment is as it turns into the compost that will later nourish the seeds of growth.

Manifesto of the Phantom Tree Planters

Planting trees opens our hearts to Nature's wisdom. Nurturing them gives exposure to life's vulnerability and teaches how to build ecological and human community.

We plant trees not for ourselves, but for those who will follow. Life gives unto life, and by dancing to its rhythms we can enjoy with clear conscience what has been handed down from the past.

Many people have never planted a tree because they think they do not own land This is mistaken. We are all children of the Earth. We share equally in the valleys, hills, rivers and seas. Let us no longer be deceived otherwise!

Phantom Treeplanters have no formal organisation, no joining fee, and only the Earth holds its membership list throughout time. To belong, simply plant a tree without expectation of material gain, help care for existing ones, or hold in your heart what they mean.

With due sensitivity, plant trees on any land and in any place where they have a chance of surviving. Do not be put off by feeling you always have to get permission. Nature sows without asking. You are part of nature. Reconstituting the world is a duty and a right which extends beyond legal concepts of land ownership.

You can buy suitable native species from nurseries. But better still, root a length of willow in a bottle or collect and sow seed from original local sources. Is it too long to wait for an acorn to grow? Maybe you do not need to live so fast that only instant results satisfy. Try starting some trees in a deep pot on the window ledge or dig up a stretch of lawn. Never mind if you cannot foresee where to transplant the seedlings. Grow them first. Life will work out the rest. when the time is right.

Do not worry too much about losses. Accept these as part of the process. Take heart that other treeplanters are also at work. What matters is not individual success or failure, but the overall process we share in.

Planting trees is about making love with the Earth. Phantom planting recreates wildness. So let us live and love wildly. Let us not be afraid to grow and change.

Let us celebrate - life itself.
REPOST

What a deal

Though some people find they use more shampoo than conditioner, I'm the opposite. In my case, my long thick hair drinks conditioner, and only needs a little shampoo. I also understand to have healthy hair, one must have a healthy scalp. Luckily on one of my recent visits to Vitamin Express on Shattuck in Berkeley I found one of my favorite all time conditioners. They cater towards samples and providing information. Right by the register they had a tester---which immediately caught me. If I can smell, try, drink, taste, touch whatever it is before I buy it, i'm stoked.

Tate's organic conditioner, is the bronners of conditioner. For those of you who don't know bronners, they are the everything soap. I do not camp or travel without this stuff. I have heard of plenty of people who tell me they brush their teeth with it! If you aren't that hardcore, but want to try something I absolutely love that is similar, check out: http://www.rupamherbals.com/Products.htm

I have had a "finicky" scalp for years, only being able to use Organix South's Neem conditioner. And though I attribute my deliciously shiny hair to Neem, not being able to buy it in bulk was a little troublesome for my mane and my pocketbook. http://www.organixsouth.com/theraneem.html
I'm also a product consumer that uses products known for a specific use for many other things. This technique often works, but sometimes doesn't. In this case, Tate's natural miracle conditioner, lives up to this trial and not by error. Tied to the bottle comes a booklet of recipes, uses, and testimonies http://www.ourtatefamily.com/

keep it clean

With the recent H1N1 scare, (some might say the new issue is the whooping cough epidemic) it was indicated that this particular virus is capable of living in the sinus cavity. Our nose, like our mouth is one of the avenues of transmission.

Growing up and still occasionally today I am plagued by chronic sinus problems and allergies. Eliminatory diets have helped but not succeeded in resolving the problem. Sometimes we do all we can on the inside and still have external symptomologies. I often apply reiki to the top of the nose and the bottom of my chin to ensure lymph drainage and have congestion stay at a minimum.
Luckily one need not have to use a neti all the time to have some of the benefits. Some of my favorite supplemental care options include

the aromatherapy inhaler by himalayan institute that is shaped like a nostril and great for on the go--neti-stick
http://www.himalayaninstitute.org/store/product/92ba658f-f84a-462d-8f4b-758a77862528.aspx
Great for children and the whole family, xclear-xylitol
http://www.xlear.com/nasal-spray.aspx
A luxurious post neti- moisture bringing about balance in the nasal passage, nasaya oil
http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/prodinfo.asp?number=3181
a perfect blend of ingredients to keep the passages clear and mucus to a minimum
http://www.planetaryherbals.com/products/GP1552/http://shop.nha4u.com/Emerald_Laboratories_Allergy_Health_60_vcaps_p/ul-all.htm Guaranteed to keep nose whistles down to a minimum.


Here's to successful pranayama practice

thank you yoko!

YOKO ONO PLASTIC ONO BAND @
Fox Theater - Oakland @
- Tue, Feb 23, 2010 @
by whitelotus9
Location: Oakland
arriving with a video montage of the past, yokos contemporary art remains awe inspiring. We know from coming through where we've been we now are, and Yoko exemplifies this with her music. Most memorable for me were here opening words "I don't know how it happened, it happened when I least expected it.., but it happened." and other advice for a post-apocalyptic soothing agent "trust your intuition...we are all here together!" Her flashlight piece I LOVE YOU, and singing give peace a chance while dissecting today's newspaper. Ah, Yoko, you continue to inspire many. Thanks for being the indie version of Amma, spreading peace and love through sound and art forms.
YOKO ONO PLASTIC ONO BAND @
Fox Theater - Oakland @
- Oakland @
,CA @
- Tue, Feb 23, 2010 @
Favorite moment: birds chirping at intermission, before and after show @
Setlist: Because of the unique renditions of the plastic ono band, some old songs were easy to identify, some not so much. I'd love to see a complete set list if anyone did compile that. @
Opening act(s): Deerhoof was perfect, especially amazing when they joined the plastic ono band on stage.

detox naturally

After the accumulation of stress, poor diet and over indulgence, the change of the season brings about new momentum for growth, change and weight loss goals. As we approach summer, and swimsuit weather, everyone is curious about methods to rid themselves of extra weight and accumulation, to pursue the funner activities in life and actually be able to enjoy them.

When asked about detox here are some ideas i've collected over the years. As you probably are aware, our skin is our largest organ, so using it as an eliminatory path is really just making it work doing what it's already good at. In this way, I like to hydrate with only the purest water.

When bathing, try adding baking soda. This helps detox from EMF accumulations. Another option for purification is using apple cider vinegar. I promise the smell is minimal, when you try it, you'll feel incredible afterward.

Massage is great, and I do prefer a lymph drainage--the facials are fantastic. A great DIY tip is dry brushing your body before you get in the shower.
For dietary measures get cranberry juice---the 100% pure real stuff, and try mixing with flax is also fantastic. And lemon juice. You've heard of the master cleanse? I'm not a huge fan..but I did try for 8 days. I don't suggest fasting for everyone.

For body care, Giovanni and Collective wellbeing makes a line that I absolutely love with black charcoal and volcanic ash. http://www.giovannicosmetics.com/dtox_system.php
this helps remove stubborn flab and firm and tone. I would use the soap, scrub and wash. If you like lotion, get the lotion too.
http://www.collectivewellbeing.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage1&product_id=39&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=26&vmcchk=1&Itemid=26And for more of the DIY product devouries, check out MIspa
http://www.mi-spa.com/Bamboo-Charcoal-pr-6.html. I secretly love this soap bar, more than most things I eat!

and for the internal aspect, I would start with something like this:
http://www.n101.com/liddell-laboratories-detox-liver-detox-ld-363113265965.html

Heel Homeopathics also makes an incredible detox kit---http://www.heelusa.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?id=2801000&bc=DETOX KIT OD 3 x 50 ML
For more info about cleansing, detoxing and other information about related topics contact me

rainbow vibrations

Timetables for Transformation

One of the questions people most often ask about flower essences is, "How long will it take them to work?" One could as easily ask this about crystals or any other vibrational tool.

And there's no specific answer I can give to this question because how fast you or I change is an individual issue, based on four vital elements: Intention, focus, commitment, and willingness.

How Vibrational Healing Works

My favorite explanation comes from Dr. Edward Bach, who discovered and developed the Bach Flower Remedies. He believed the source of all illness (whether mental, emotional, or physical) is conflict between one's higher self and the personality (or ego).

"Higher self" is his phrase. I prefer the phrase, "spiritual" self (as distinct from physical self). This is the eternal, nonphysical aspect of each of us. Not only is it our direct connection to universal spirit, it has (for those who believe in reincarnation) been present for each of our visits to physical existence and remembers all we've learned in each incarnation. When we open ourselves up to its wisdom and energy, life on the physical plane can be a powerful and joyful experience.

Think of the connection between your spiritual and physical selves as a channel through which your spiritual self is constantly sending the physical self empowering messages. "You are a worthy person. Love yourself. Appreciate yourself. Celebrate yourself." These messages are spiritual fuel, food to help you grow into someone who enjoys life and easily creates the fulfillment of your dreams.

Most people, however, are not getting this message. The one they hear says, "You made a mistake." "That person doesn't like you." "You won't get a raise." "You'll never find true love." These messages always have emotional components: guilt, self-judgment, resentment that other people seem to have easier lives, etc. Our channel becomes blocked with mental and emotional sludge, and the spiritual fuel of the higher self can't get through.

The role of vibrational healing, whether the specific method used is crystals, essences, Reiki, or any other modality, is to dissolve these blockages, thus clearing the channel and restoring the direct connection between the higher self and the physical self.

The Role of Intention

Choosing to take essences or to work with crystals, deciding which will be most appropriate, and taking the remedies or meditating with crystals on a regular basis are acts of intention. They announce that you want to release a condition/blockage limiting your life, and, in a more general way, that you choose to be happy and attuned to your spiritual nature. Such statements of intention set up a vibration that assists the essences or crystals in doing their work.

Sometimes that's all you need to do. Mild blockages or those recently acquired are more easily and quickly dissolved. Someone who's gone through a brief but intense period of stress and feels overwhelmed is likely to find she doesn't need to do anything more than take Elm for a few weeks to a month (with Star of Bethlehem added, if feelings of trauma accompany the stress), sleep or meditate with an amethyst or aquamarine crystal, or give herself extra Reiki treatments. You can, of course, do all three.

When Emotions are Habits

You can most effectively release more deeply rooted and/or longer-held blockages by making a commitment to focus your attention on clearing up the psychic debris and unraveling the patterns that have created the habitual response.

Practical steps for expressing this commitment can include:

Create an Affirmation. This will have most effect when expressed positively, i.e., not. "I don't want to feel guilty any more." Say instead, "I accept myself just as I am."

Meditate with Crystals Relating to Your Issue. Sugilite, for example, is a very good crystal for guilt. Rose quartz fosters love; while citrine and smoky can help to release blockages related to self-esteem. Quartz in all forms helps to release any kind of energy blockage.

As you meditate, visualize situations that in the past made you feel guilty. Imagine responding in a self-accepting way to these situations. Imagine yourself releasing any emotional charge these situations bring up and see yourself responding in a self-accepting way. When you do such visualizations, you are creating a future in which, when these situations come up in real life, you will respond in this positive way.

Also, imagine you are clearing up the channel between your spiritual and physical selves. Visualize that channel free of obstruction with any images you choose. Mentally sweep it with a broom, vacuum it, whatever works.

Keep a Dream Journal. Flower essences stimulate powerful dreams, and this is one way in which your being works through emotional blockages and releases them. When you're connected to your creative dream life, you can have insights about the origins of your particular blockage. Insights help to shift energy and dissolve blockages.

Be Aware. Sometimes you know in advance that particular situations may activate the emotions and/or behavior you are working on releasing. If, for example, you've set reasonable boundaries about your children doing work around the house, but feel guilty and give in when they complain, take some time to think about this. Explore the situation in meditation.

Listen to Your Thoughts. This relates to the point above. What thought patterns enter your mind when you choose to act on your commitment to adopt a way of being?

"If I were a better parent, they'd do what they were supposed to do." "I don't want to be strict like my mother." "Why don't they just do the housework?" "It would be easier to do it myself." Bringing these thoughts to the surface helps to weaken their energetic charge, which clears the way for more positive energy to flow through you.

Ask Others to Help. Ask your spouse, partner, or a close friend to tell you when you're sinking into guilt. Don't get angry with them when they keep their promises to do so.

Healing/Crisis/Opportunity

Sometimes people experience healing crises when they take essences, work with crystals, or practice Reiki in order to deal with a long-term emotional way of being. A healing crisis is a positive development that doesn't always feel good.

Energetically speaking, a habitual way of being is embedded in one's being. Think of it as the psychic/emotional equivalent of physical toxins. In order to clear up the passageway to the spiritual self, the toxins have to leave the being.

When one physically detoxifies, the release of the toxins can cause physical symptoms such as headache, nausea, headaches, skin rashes, etc. One feels worse before feeling better. In like manner, one may feel emotionally worse (for example, intensified guilt) before feeling the release of the emotions.

Emotions may also become intensified because one is very aware of them. Because of your commitment to release your particular emotional blockage, you will notice whenever it comes up.

Being Willing to Change

Often, unconscious resistance can create or intensify a healing crisis. As physical beings, our fear of the unknown may be greater than our dislike of our emotional habits.

At this point, Rescue Remedy (containing Rock Rose for terror), Aspen (for fear of the unknown), and Charoite (for both known and unknown fears) can be very helpful.

I have also found it valuable to "make believe." This means, even if you don't think you've ever experienced the energy and guidance of your spiritual self, you can begin thinking and acting as if it exists. You can say to yourself, "I choose to feel the energy of my spiritual self" or whatever affirmation feels appropriate to you. When you meditate, imagine a greater, eternal you, who's visiting the physical plane.

That's who you really are, and when you go through rough spots in the process of transformation, remind yourself of this.

Or, as your spiritual self might say, "You are a worthy person. Love yourself. Appreciate yourself. Celebrate yourself."

Transformational Crystals and Essences

In addition to the crystals and essence I've noted in the course of this article, I find the following invaluable:

Danburite: I have become increasingly appreciative of this crystal. It helps us to view our lives from the soul perspective, and has helped me clean up psychic sludge many times.

Particular forms of quartz can be especially valuable in the work of transformation. Tabular quartz, for example, can act as a bridge between where we are and where we want to be.

Chrysocolla and amethyst are extremely calming crystals, wonderful to have around when nerves begin to fray.

If one of your issues is needing to screen out the negative energies of others, hematite is an especially helpful stone. Its flower essence equivalents are Yarrow (for general screening) and Pink Yarrow (for shielding from the emotions of those close to you).

Rhodochrosite is an indispensable crystal for anxious moments.

Walnut is one of the most popular Bach Flower Remedies, helping to ease traumas associated with transition and transformation.

Three Wild Earth Animal Essences are especially related to transformation in that the animals they are related to go through complete physical transformation several times in their lives.

They are Butterfly, Frog, and Salamander. In my experience, Butterfly helps to achieve a lightness of spirit about the process of transformation; while Frog can aid in emotional release. Salamander is a very subtle essence, which seems to guide one gently through the process of release and transformation.


You can read this online at http://www.rainbowcrystal.com/crystal/emotionalhabits.html

Debbie Ford's blessing

A BLESSING FOR YOUR FUTURE

Divine spirit
thank you for giving me the capacity for wholeness
Thank you for this very precious moment
A moment where I am present
to all the goodness that exists
inside and outside of me
A moment that inspires thoughts of a greater future
A future where I can love and be loved
where I can serve and be served
A future where I humbly and gracefully
contribute my soul's gifts to the world
A future that is filled with abundance and miracles
Today I open my arms to the loving presence
that will awaken me to my greatness
and fill my future with surprises
I surrender my life and will
to the greatest power in the universe
Today I accept my worth and my worthiness
And so it is

With love and deep respect,

The Garden Of Oz

The Garden Of Oz

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Co-op America: 21 Things You Didn't Know You Can Recycle

Co-op America: 21 Things You Didn't Know You Can Recycle