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We at the Enchanted Forest are honoured to support and host the live chats
given by Susun Weed on a monthly basis. Susun is an expert in her field of
Herbs and this is a great opportunity for all to increase their knowledge
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New Year spells and rituals

Posted by Whispr

New Year spells and rituals

To Refresh Your Spirit For The New Year

This is not for making new years resolutions which are usually broken by most
people. Instead this is to inspire New Spirit for the New Year. It is to purify
and to refresh your spirit. It should be performed in the morning and then again
in the evening. It should also be done outside, but if this is not possible then
inside.

In the morning go outside and immerse your hands in the snow( if performing
inside then immerse in a bowl or basin of chilled water) until they are chilled
through, then anoint your brow and say...

"substance wasted, substance spoiled,

now be redeemed.
Seeing thyself in substance undefiled,
forming thyself a new from this frail substance
gathered and revived."
Repeat in the evening

Snow Person Healing Spell

Make a mini-snow person that represents your friend or relative. Make twenty-one
snow balls.
As you make each snowball, think of your friend and of banishing the illness
from him or her.
Set the snowballs around the person to form anice circle. Chant the following:
Surround her, enfold her, heal her, hold her,
Walk around the snowballs in a counterclockwise (widdershins) direction as you
chant. Clap if you think no one is watching.
When you feel you are finished, hold your hands towards the snow person and say:
Winter winds on a winter day
Winter sun melt her troubles away.
Wheel revolve, death to birth
Air to fire, water to earth!
May this spell not reverse, or place upon me any curse.
May all astrological correspondences be correct for this working.
So mote it be!
Snow Wishes

With your finger or your wand, carve a wish into the snow. Ask the goddess to
grant your wishes. Draw a circle around the wish you wrote in the snow for it
will symbolize the closing of the circle through actions to make your wish come
true.
Write a wish on a piece of paper and bury it in the snow under a tree near you
or where you find peace. Wait for the snow to melt.

12 Great Decorations for a Pagan Yule Tree

Posted by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

1) Crystals - just wrap some thin floral wire around them and hang them on the tree.
The lights will bounce off of them and they'll look gorgeous. I especially like clear
quartz; they remind me of icicles.

2) Snowflakes - what commemorates the winter season more? Either buy some
snowflake shaped ornaments, or cut out your own out of paper.

3) Dried fruit - give your tree a woodsy, natural look with dried fruit. Hang slices of
dried citrus- oranges, tangerines, grapefruit and lemons. Hang them in front of a light,
they are translucent and the light shines through. They look like little slices of the sun.
Dried apples are also great for the season, especially if you can cut a slice sideways
showing off the pentacle imbedded within.

4) Cranberries - just string cranberries to create a beautiful, vibrant red garland to

drape over those lush, green branches. Or, make a hole in them and stick and ornament
hanger in it and hang larger ones individually.

5) Cinnamon sticks - either stick an ornament hanger inside of the small tube, or string
them on a long length of twine. They not only look great, but will make your room
smell fantastic.

6) Pomanders - create pomanders by pushing cloves into small fruits, such as lemons,
tangerines or apples, and roll them in seasonings until they dry. Put a wire through
them with a ribbon around the top and you've got a beautiful, scented ornament.

7) Stars and Suns - make them out of clay and a cookie cutter or template, or cut them
out of heavy cardstock and paint glitter on them.

8) Animals - purchase some small toy or decorative animals, glue some ribbon on them
or hook an ornament into them, and display some furry woodland creatures on the tree.

9) Birds - likewise, get some small bird statues. Glue some ribbon to the bottom of
them and tie them on a branch as though they are sitting on it.

10) Pine Cones and Acorns - hang them as natural as you found them, or paint them to
make them sparkle and shine.

11) Punched Tin Moons - reserve your aluminum can tops. Put them on some scrap
wood and poke holes in them with a hammer and a nail to create crescent shapes, or
make a pentacle design on them. Spray paint them silver first if you want them to
shine.

12) Herbal sachets - cut a circle of lace, and fill it with seasonal potpourri or your
favorite seasonal herbs. Gather it, tie it with a ribbon and hang it on the branches.

The wind of Life

Posted by Cynthia G
The wind of Life

I give thanks for the life I have had.

I give thanks for the family I have shared with
I give thanks for the friends i have met along the way.
I give thanks to have been given the gift of appreciation and love.
Life has been full, and I count my blessings for having had the opportunity to play my
part in it.
Now that I have reached the fall season of my life,
I continue to look forward to many more adventures on the morrow of life.

Love
Cynthia

Ten Ways to Beat the Holiday Blues

Posted by Whispr

Tips for overcoming the stresses of this season of high expectation.

It's that time of year again, when into the dark little month of December we squeeze
Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve, and myriad other celebrations.
Throw into the mix a generous dose of unrealistic expectations, budget-busting
shopping, darker days, colder weather, excess eating and drinking, and no wonder that
along with "peace on earth, goodwill toward men," come anxiety, exhaustion, and
depression. But this year, with Omega Institute cofounder Elizabeth Lesser's soulful
tips, you can do something to spin your stress into the gold that is the promise of the
season.

Tip #1: Be Realistic

The reality of many people's holidays includes too much to do and not enough time,
too much to purchase and not enough money, and too much to eat and not enough
willpower. On the other hand, some people experience not enough family, fun, and
friendship.
Fighting against the reality of your life at this moment will only make you bluer.
Instead, be kind to yourself, seek support, and even laugh at yourself every now and
then.

Tip #2: Create Your Own Traditions

As families change and grow, traditions change as well. For example, if you are a
working woman who had a stay-at-home mother, instead of trying to reproduce the
exact old-fashioned holiday of your childhood, do only what you can. As long as you
do them with a joyful heart, the meals, decorations, and celebrations you create will
become your family's cherished rituals.

If you are divorced, be as harmonious and generous as you can with your ex. It will be
the best gift you give to your kids this year. If you are single or far away from your
family, invite others into your home and give the words "extended family" new
meaning.

Tip #3: Help Others

Not because you should, but because it is the best antidote to self-pity and seasonal
sadness. Find someone who is struggling more than you are, lend them a helping hand,
and remember the real meaning of the holidays.
Check out Beliefnet's Charity & Service channel for more on how serving others is
good for the soul.

Tip #4: Seek Sacred Space

Drop into a church, mosque, synagogue, Hindu temple, or . . . you get the idea.
Sometimes just sitting in sacred space can remind you of the true meaning of the
holidays.
Most places of worship welcome all people, even those just looking for a touch of grace
in the midst of a stressful day. Instead of hurrying by that church you have passed a
hundred times on the way to work, take a moment to enter its doors and sit quietly,
imbibing the atmosphere and the prayers of its members.

Tip #5: Care for the Temple of Your Body

Eat well, drink a lot of water, exercise, and then be merry. Instead of making one more
feeble New Year's resolution to join a gym or take a yoga class, do it right now. You
will be amazed at how the smallest bit of movement will lift your spirits, and how
reducing the amount of junk food, sugar, and alcohol you consume will reduce your
blues.
And sleep--for goodness' sake, do whatever it takes to get enough of it. Sleep
deprivation is at the root of many people's depression.

Tip #6: Be Financially Responsible

Don't close your eyes the next time you use your credit card. Overspending during the
holidays will not only increase your stress now, but will also leave you feeling anxious
for months afterward as you struggle to pay the bills.
Buck the holiday system of excessive gift-giving, and practice simplicity, creativity, and
basic human kindness.

Tip #7: Breathe

Several times during your busy day, put down what you're holding--your shopping
lists, your third cup of coffee, your date book, the phone call you should be making-and sit quietly for just 60 seconds. Take in a full breath, let it pool gently in the bottom
of your lungs, and then release it slowly. Inhale deeply again, and exhale with an
audible sigh.
Inhale again; exhale with a long "aaahh." With each exhalation, let your shoulders drop
and your jaw relax. Do this a couple of times, with your eyes closed. Let the "aaahh"
sound emerge from your belly, move up into your heart, and drift out into space as you
exhale, slowly, smoothly, steadily.

Tip #8: Grieve

If a friend or family member has recently died, honor his or her memory. Create an
altar with pictures of those you love; light candles every night for someone you have
lost; play sacred music and allow yourself to cry, remember, and heal.

Tip #9: Forgive

Forgiveness is the salve that heals a broken spirit. Forgive all sorts of people this
holiday season--those from your past, your work, your family, and the ones in the news
you love to hate.
Read the stories of people (like Martin Luther King, Jr., or Pumla Gobodo Madikizela
of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission) who have used forgiveness to
move mountains. If they can do it, so can we.

Tip #10: Love...Everything

Love it all. From the corny Christmas music to the house guests who won't leave. Love
even the hard times; even the cranky and crooked people of the world; even yourself,
with all of your imperfections.
Click here to read Elizabeth Lesser's thoughts on how to have an imperfectly happy
holiday.

Surviving the Holidays With In-laws

Posted by Whispr
Surviving the Holidays With In-laws
by Bethanne Black
Holidays with her family can be stressful. But there are coping techniques that will
help you survive the insanity and bring you two closer together.
You've left holiday shopping to the last minute, and you can't tolerate another
rendition of "Jingle Bells." It can't get any worse, right? Wrong! Your significant other
announces that she wants you to spend the holidays at her family's home, but your
idea of holiday cheer doesn't include her family. Don't let the prospect of spending the
holidays away from your own turf develop into a full-blown argument. All is not lost.
The holidays can still be an enjoyable, spiritual time of year.

Many people experience an enormous amount of stress, depression or disappointment

during the holidays, which makes spending holidays with in-laws or family
particularly difficult. Mark Gorkin, L.I.C.S.W., popularly known as The Stress Doc, is
the Internet's "online psychohumorist." When asked why the holidays cause so much
stress for couples, Mark replies, "I realized with all this talk of pressure during the
holidays, I needed to distinguish between 'Holiday Blues' and 'Holiday Stress.'
Holiday blues is the feeling of loss or sadness that you have over the holidays when,
for whatever reason, you can't be with those people who have been, or are, special and
significant. And holiday stress...is when you have to be with some of those people!"
The following guide provides some tangible coping techniques to deal with spending
the holidays with your spouse's family, whether you are out-of-town or in your own
place.
1. Negotiate
If your significant other wants to spend the holidays on the opposite coast with her
folks, try to negotiate some intimate time for the two of you (and the kids, of course, if
you have any). Have a trim-the-tree party for just your immediate family. You can also
exchange gifts together at your home, instead of with her family.

2. Create a Tradition
Have a holiday dinner together, address holiday greetings or cut firewood and cozy up
to a roaring fire. The goal is to establish a tradition that is part of your special time
together. Be creative, or pull some ideas from books on historic holiday traditions. The
tradition does not have to be expensive or complicatedsome of the most joyful events
come from taking part in simple pleasures.
3. Discuss Expectations
This is an important aspect of enjoying your holidays. Dr. Susan Forbes, a clinical
psychologist explains, "We may not admit it to ourselves, but everyone has a set of
expectations about the holiday season. For some folks, gifts are very important. Other
people value family time and catching up with old friends." She adds, "Be sure to tell
your significant other what you want out of the holiday. Then, you won't end up feeling
cheated or disappointed."
4. Compromise
If her family is out of state, agree to spend the holidays out of town one year, and at
home the following year. "We stay at home for Thanksgiving, but we drive to
Pennsylvania for Christmas to be with my family," says Karen Anderson, a human
resources executive. "This gives us quality time at home, and we aren't constantly on the
road. My husband and I also spend New Year's Eve at home with friends, so we have a
satisfying balance during the holidays."
5. Have a Back-up Plan
If you are traveling during the holidays, create an alternate plan in case events don't go
smoothly. This may mean buying airline tickets that are easily changed, without a fee or
penalty. That way, you can re-evaluate your plans if a situation becomes too tense or
emotionally charged at her folks' place. This is much easier to accomplish if you have
discussed an alternate plan prior to your trip.
6. Go Out on a Date
If your in-laws begin to invade your space, grab your significant other and get out of
the house. This maneuver can work wonders for your relationshipand your mental
health. Getting out will give both of you time to vent, share thoughts and enjoy the
peace of the season. A great place to find serenity is a bookstore that also contains a
caf. Hold hands, sit in overstuffed chairs, have a cup of cappuccino and read a good
book.

7. Be Realistic
Forget the notion of the perfect family. Every family has its own set of problems and
secrets. Remember that you are spending time with your partner's family because you
love herwith or without her family. Accepting your spouse unconditionally means
being civil towards her family, even if they are strange, drink heavily, or are just plain
disrespectful. Remember, you don't have to have a miserable time over the holidays
just because you aren't at home.
8. Rewrite "The Twelve Days of Christmas"
Remember the old Christmas carol? Rewrite the "twelve days" to suit you and your
partner's holiday plans. That is, plan twelve special days for the two of you. Make sure
the days include time with your immediate family onlyno outsiders or in-laws. Not
only will you have plenty of fun deciding how to spend your days, you will also
ensure that there is time for you, your partner, and any children.
9. Be Clear About Gift-giving
Many couples argue about gift buying and gift giving. It's important to be upfront
about how you wish to celebrate the holiday season, including whether or not you
want to exchange gifts. If you are newly married or experiencing financial difficulties,
you may not be able to buy gifts for your partner's family. Keep in mind that the
holidays are not about material things. Focus on what the holidays mean to you.
10. Find Some Alone Time
Finding some alone time for yourself is crucial during the holiday season. This means
that you spend time doing something that is important and valuable to you. My idea of
alone time is writing in my journal or taking a walk to clear my head. Watch endless
TV if that makes you feel better. Go for a long drive. The key is to not feel guilty about
needing this space for yourself. You'll feel rejuvenated and stress-free after you treat
yourself to some time alone, which makes you a better partner.
11. Prepare for the New Year
Think about what The Millennium means for you. Perhaps it means searching for a
new job, ditching a few bad habits or volunteering for a good cause. During this
holiday season, don't let negativity overtake the joy of the moment. Simplify your life
during the holidays and take time to enjoy the good stuff.
12. Share the Wealth

HOLIDAY BLAHS
Posted by Gothic Misstress
Everyone one during this time of the year get to the point of wanting to give up and
throw in the towel. Everyone seems to think that they must do this and that and all the
hustle and bustle that comes with today's more commericalized holiday seasons. Here
is somethings that might help rejuvinated some of the holiday spirit.

1.) Think of one child that has to eat only one meal a day and has no shoes.

2.) Think of one person that is simply fighting to survive day to day.

3.) Think of one elderly person who's children have simply put them in a place so they
no longer have to bother with them.

4.) Think of one person that lost their job and is simply just trying to get by.

When you have done this you will find more examples and when you do think of your
situation and say maybe I am better off. Then just do one of the following.

1.) Give a child that has no shoe a pair of shoes.

2.) Give that person that is fighting to survive a simply bless you.
3.) Give that person that has no job something that they could use.

Let us get back to what the season is for. It is for celebrating and living. The joy of
being with friends, family, and maybe someone we do not even now.

Spirit Whispers:
Carer Souls and Building Blocks
Posted by Ha-nu

Sending out huge awesome, cosmic hugs to all the Carer Souls in this change energy.
You know I kind of want to explain what has been going on for the last couple of
months so you can see it in a more empowering way than feeling the pinch of the
changes.

We incarnate and we incarnate again and again, with purpose most of time. Carer Souls
have been down on the planet in abundance to help with the Suffer to Learn learning
philosophy. In my understanding which is based on the way I see colour in people
and around people, that say about 70% of the planet is Carer Souls. They have been
down here for years helping people, nurturing people for 2000 years and more and
being wonderful in their ability to nurture others.

Note I said OTHERS. Now I have explained in previous blogs that changes for the
Carer Souls were going to happen and that the responsibility requirements would
change again as well. So a little bit deeper into the incoming frequency, I notice that
there are some huge impacts going on with these beloved Carer Beings.

They think they are being battered by the Universe into not caring. They are struggling
to care at all, about anything, they think. Now, Gorgeous, Gorgeous Carer Souls,
please understand this. If for centuries you have put others needs before your own
over lifetimes and lifetimes, do you not see that you are having to rebuild yourself into
your own needs and this is completely and utterly unfamiliar territory for you as well.
For the first time in a long time you are being hit with unfamiliar feelings of selfworth, self value, and self-love. It was easy to love other people and avoid yourself
but you can now no longer do this.

Now you are being confronted with your own needs and it is very, very important not
to start resenting others and yourself about what is being shown to you within your
own feelings and understanding. It can make you feel extremely picked on and
wonder what is the point of being here. I am seeing many people feeling this way
and I have been wallowing in feeling like that for a while as well. Each of us are here
to experience being true to ourselves, in the face of the change of philosophy we are
feeling a bit bereft and isolated in misunderstanding what is actually changing.

You are actually being presented with the most empowering and wonderful
opportunity as we move into the new Create to be philosophy over the next years.
You are being given permission to rebuild you beyond responsibility and into the light
of creation. Its not like being given a clean slate, you are being asked to look and
clearly define all the areas where you have taken on too much responsibility, both in
this life and others and to free yourself from that responsibility on self. This is
personal responsibility where you FEEL responsible for sorting everything out, which
is vastly different from actual responsibility.

These are the areas where you claim responsibility which is now no longer yours to
carry and you do not even have the energy nor, as you are horrified at yourself to find,
no longer even WANT to. The first thing is to stop beating yourself up. You have
another four months transitioning into your new foundations, so start staring at the old
ones and start acknowledging what you are being shown. This is the very seat of
conscious choice. The level that your soul has been released from that old
understanding and like a shedding skin, you are stretching, pulling and redefining
yourself into a new space.

Stop feeling guilty about it and start acknowledging the absolute honour that is being
bestowed upon you. The Suffer to Learn philosophy means you are still expecting to
suffer in this, and you are fighting knowledge that you already have in the depths of
your soul, that things are changed. THAT is still suffering energy and you are only
fighting with you as you try to figure it out. Please come back to acknowledgement,
that this is how it is supposed to be now and each time you try and pull yourself back
into that old frequency you are zapping into resentment and frustration at everyone
else and yourself.

Its a pivotal time of rebuilding, of allowing yourself freedom to choose not on the basis
of supporting everyone else, but for you. It will completely feel like you are feeling
around in the darkness trying to find a foundation for yourself, but that is the whole
point. YOU get to build the foundation and I suggest you start with one block. Giving
yourself permission to rest. Your soul is sooo tired of all the wonderful hard work you
have done, that its going Im done.
Well you arent done. You are DONE with the
old philosophy only and that is why it is time to declutter both symbolically and
physically so you are free to move into stage two of your empowerment.
Stage two is building what you really love. You remember all the times you told
yourself you would love to have the freedom to do something wonderful, but you have
to do this, do that, fix this, fix that. This is not about going stuff people, Im over them
and Im going to be selfish. Lord, you dont have a selfish bone in your body, you just
need to do some things for you and its a reward time, so its perfect! The best way I can
explain what I have been shown is this is a re-educate time.
Re-educate yourself about your needs in living and breathing the beautiful life you
want to have, by creating it and you as a Carer Soul get to lead the charge in this. You
re-educate you on how to create what you want for you and then you get to teach, by
example, others how to do the same. So if you notice, you are still nurturing others by
teaching them, but not this time at the cost of you.
You will teach by BEING, fully present, fully caring, full acknowledging and fully
creative in nurturing your own soul. When you do this, others will think I want that
too and they will ask you how you did it, and so beautiful, divine Carer Souls, your
new purpose is empowered. Teach you how to be free from the suffer to learn
philosophy and you teach by example others to change too.
I am so excited (or will be once I put some more building blocks in place) of the
potential of this new Create to be planetary alignment, I feel like I have been waiting
for this my whole life. There will still be personal life lessons but not the
overwhelming need of support people, as people slowly but surely evolving into the
new understanding. Now some wont. Human nature says we fight to hold on, we
fight to let go, but at the end of the day, those who want to evolve and their souls know
it. They are already ahead of the eight ball. Keep going, keep changing, keep leading
the charge as you so wonderfully and beautifully do but stop beating yourself up with
an old philosophy that is no longer even you.
This is why you came, for this pivotal change. Step into empowering you and start with
yourself.

My Formula for Emotional Control

Posted by Hedral

Emotional Control

The Human Condition is shaped largely by feeling and by the nature of this physical
realm; subjectivity rules. True objectivity is not possible. However; by knowing this, we
can choose to control our ego/emotional responses. This allows us to view our
environment, ourselves and others in a more objective way. Here lies the key to
observing the man made illusions of this plane, working them without becoming part of
the illusionary patterns. It is the basis of creating better personal realities for ourselves.

From the time I was very young, I was an extremely emotional person with no idea how
to process my feelings properly. I either repressed them; pretending not to feel what I
felt, or I responded without thinking. Both of these choices proved to be very damaging
to my sense of self and my self esteem. My responses engaged my ego to rise up and
represent me for so many years. By doing this I shaped a personality facade that was not
representative of my total being. Just my emotions and ego.

I was fortunate to have a strong connection to my spirituality. I dont know why or how
but I did. And thankfully my Inner Guidance stepped in and helped me to slowly
change my emotional response patterns. It took me years to finally get it but once I did
the results were amazing. And even though I get the idea and know how much better I
handle things, it is still hard to break old patterns. But it can be done. The benefits are so
worth the effort. I havent shared this with many for several reasons. It is one of those
things that presents so simply that it appears complicated and difficult to explain in a
way that satisfies the minds demand for understanding. As you work with it; if you
choose to, you will notice a noticeable transformation in the way you handle difficult
situations and how you view the world in general.

My Guidance gave me a formula to use as a basis for controlling my emotions.

Stimuli--------->Perception-------->Interpretation--------> Reaction----------->Response-------->Actions

Stimuli
The first one is obvious. It is merely what the environment is for that moment, hour,
day, etc...It can be anything. Everything in this physical plane can be stimuli. Our minds
register millions of pieces of data that is stimuli all the time. And it is processed
unconsciously every second.
Consciously working this formula is helpful when you are aware of discomfort inside.
Anything that triggers fear, anger, hurt feelings, guilt etc..is the time to consciously
utilize the formula. For example, someone says something to you that rubs you the
wrong way. That is the time to stop and work the formula. Stimuli is a fairly objective
form at this stage.
One other thing about stimuli. It is not always the reason for the emotions to
engage..sometimes stimuli is merely a trigger. Triggering something that was repressed
and long buried inside us. Sometimes the actual stimuli has nothing to do with what we
are feeling about it..it is just the trigger and nothing more.

Perception
How the stimuli is first processed. The first response to the stimuli is how you sense it.
Where do you sense it. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you sense it?
This is where the stimuli changes shapes and becomes subjective. For example, you
wake up and the day is rainy. You can perceive the stimuli as either just rain or a sense
of forboding, a sense of anticipation.

Interpretation
This is where it starts to get tricky. What are you interpreting from your perception of
the stimuli. Example, it is raining..your perception is irritable when you note it is
raining; your interpretation is the weather is going to ruin your whole day.

It is the place where you really begin to internalize and process with your emotions how
you perceived the stimuli. This is where you start feeling it in your solar plexus. The
beginnings of angst. You have interpreted the weather, the remark, the way your hair
looks, the way your house looks not in a good way and the solar plexus begins to churn.

Reaction
At this point the feelings engage. The process is felt in the solar plexus and the second
chakra.

A Word on Emotional Repression

Repressed emotions are generally stored in the second chakra for women, the solar
plexus for men.

Repressed emotions are things that were upsetting, devastating or traumatic to us that
we did not process. It is a mistaken belief that if we ignore or shut out hurtful or
unpleasant feelings that they have gone away. This is a pseudo attempt at emotional
control and it doesnt work.
The feelings we repress are pushed down into the second chakra and/or solar plexus.
Its like shoving things we dont know what to do with in a damp basement. The things
we put there change shape. They swell up from the damp environment, growing mold
and fungi until they are no longer recognizable.

Just because we shoved them in the basement and forgotten them doesnt mean they
went away. They merely took on a life on their own, fed by more and more things
shoved down there.
They take up space that we could use more creatively. The space becomes unhealthy and
impairs the potential for improving our quality of life. They spread out and no matter
where you step, you jar something that explodes in a wave of unpleasantness. It
becomes a huge monster size living dump of the feelings we did not process.

The second chakra and/or solar plexus becomes a storage of pain and discomfort. As it
fills, we become less receptive to ourselves. Our emotions are then triggered by things
that are not even related to what is actually happening at the time span we are in. When
these unhealthy storage areas inside us are triggered, we could be responding to
something that happened years and years ago. The perfect breeding ground for
sickness, bitterness and perpetual anger. And this mix will eventually erupt like a
volcano all over your life.

Processing Feelings to Prevent The Basement Disaster

Be your own best friend! And that means legitimizing how you feel. Stop for a bit
when you are feeling angry, sad, confused etc...and give yourself permission to feel this
while you observe it. Acknowledge your discomfort and observe the flow of these
feelings without trying to make it feel better, push it away, resist or understand it. Let it
flow through you. Notice where you feel it the most inside of you as it flows through
you. Acknowledge that you feel sad, hurt, angry, confused, etc...This allows you to
process and observe without actually interacting with the flow as it comes though you
and leaves.

Resistance adds strength to the thing you are resisting. As your resistance grows, so
does the force you are trying to resist. Just let it flow through you. It may take a few
minutes, hours or days.

Just give yourself the time and space to legitimize and acknowledge how you feel.
Make a ritual of it, circulating your aura while you do this, connect with your Higher
Source, give yourself Reiki. I personally set aside time almost everyday to do this. I
have so much buried crap inside me. I set aside an hour..half hour sometimes 15
minutes. I light my candles and incense, sit in my favorite chair and allow the
discomfort to flow through me for a set time. Then I do something really good for
myself. Like soak in the tub, read a book, give myself Reiki or eat a piece of chocolate.

This will neutralize the urge to repress. It will disarm the egos litany of self
denigration. It allows you to make peace with yourself and keep your inner spaces clear
for your own creative works. It keeps you from burying the vast treasure you have
inside you.

Response
At this point the emotions will engage. This is where you decide what action will
manifest from this processing. Will it be angry words, an act guaranteed to make
someone feel guilty, a clever plan of revenge or a barrage of self hate. Or will it be a
decision to keep processing it until you make peace with yourself and the energy of the
emotions. A response ability that allows you to use the processing of your emotions as a
learning experience, utilizing wisdom and discernment on how to act on what is best for
you and your wellbeing.

Actions
There is no end or beginning to this formula. It is more like a cycle. Then end product is
still going to circulate in its spiral patterns. Processing is an ongoing thing. We all
process our emotions but we either do it unconsciously or consciously. Unconscious
processing leads to repression..Conscious processing of the formula leads to heightened
self awareness, self knowledge and wisdom.

The action you take after processing through the formula will always circulate back.
Incorrectly or correctly for yourself. For there is no right or wrong. Just what is correct
for you or incorrect.
What you manifest into the physical plane as an action will either be back for further
processing or help you process other difficult situations.
The good thing about doing this repetitively is after a while, it becomes second nature
and almost automatic.
If you decide to utilize this...it will make an immense difference in your quality of life
and how you view yourself and others If not, it will be fine. You will find a way.

Origins of the Yule Tree

Posted by L o

Yule trees go way back in Pagan tradition, and generally were outdoor live trees that
were decorated with hanging candles. The Yule tree lights and ornaments originally
symbolized the sun, moon and stars as they looked on the Tree of Life. The Yule tree
decorations also represented the souls of the departed who we remember at the end of
the year. And then there is the modern day gift giving which originated from hanging
sacred presents on the Yule tree as offerings to deities such as Attis and Dionysus. And
to think all of this sprung from the pinegroves equated with the Great Mother Goddess
Another custom dating back to Pagan roots is the burning of the Yule log. Originally the
Yule bonfire was meant to give renewed life and power to the sun, thus the sun was
reborn with the shortest day marking the time of year when the days started becoming
longer. Traditionally Yule logs are oak, with the oak tree symbolizing the Cosmic Tree
of Life, per Druid lore. Pine is also used to represent the dying Gods Attis, Dionysus
and Woden.

Cranberry-Apple Coffee Cake

Posted by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)
This coffee cake calls for a tart apple, such as a Granny Smith or a Pippin, combined
with cranberries and spices to make a beautiful topping for a delicious treat festive
enough for any brunch.

Ingredients:
Topping
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1-1/2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen, thawed, chopped (see Tip)
1-1/2 cups finely chopped peeled tart apple, such as Granny Smith (about 1 large)
1/2 cup cranberry juice cocktail, orange juice or apple juice

Cake
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup canola oil
3 tablespoons butter, slightly softened
3/4 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest

3/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for sprinkling

1 large egg
3/4 cup low-fat milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375F. Coat a 9-inch springform pan with cooking spray.

To prepare topping: Whisk brown sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon in a medium

nonreactive saucepan (see Note) until combined. Stir in cranberries, apple and juice.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring. Continue to cook, stirring,
until the mixture thickens and the berries soften, about 2 minutes. Remove from the
heat and let cool.

To prepare cake: Whisk all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, baking powder, salt and
baking soda in a medium bowl. Beat oil, butter and lemon zest in a large mixing bowl
with an electric mixer, first on medium speed, then on medium-high, until well
combined, about 1 1/2 minutes. Gradually add 3/4 cup sugar, beating until the mixture
is light in color and well blended. Add egg and beat until the batter is smooth, about 1
minute longer. With the mixer on low speed, beat in half the flour mixture until just
incorporated.

Gradually beat in milk and vanilla until just incorporated. Add the remaining flour
mixture and beat until a smooth batter forms, about 1 minute, scraping down the sides
of the bowl as needed. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan, spreading to the edges.
Spread the topping in an even layer over the batter; do not stir.

Bake the cake on the middle rack until the top is puffed in places and a toothpick
inserted in the center comes out clean (the fruit topping will still be moist), 40 to 50
minutes. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar over the top. Transfer the pan to a
wire rack; let stand until cooled to warm, about 20 minutes. Remove the pan sides and
cut the cake into wedges.

Tip:

To make quick work of chopping cranberries, place whole berries in a food processor
and pulse a few times until the berries are coarsely chopped.

Note: A nonreactive pan - stainless steel, enamel-coated or glass - is necessary when

cooking acidic foods, such as tomato or lemon, to prevent the food from reacting with
the pan. Reactive pans, such as aluminum and cast-iron, can impart an off color and/or
off flavor in acidic foods.

Chicken n noodles for winter

Posted by myfamiliar1
We all know the importance behind chicken soup helping when sick. With the flu
and cold season upon us, I thought I would put in my G-grandmas pioneer recipe.
***Please use her name on this if giving to someone else!***
G-Gma Ruby's Pioneer Chicken n Noodles
1 chicken w/ skin and bone
3 eggs
flour
salt
pepper
*chicken stock if you'd like
In a large pot, put defrosted chicken and fill pot with water stopping about 3" from
top. Bring to boil, reduce head and simmer until chicken is fully cooked and meat
comes off the bone easily. Keep adding water as necessary as some will boil down.
Beat 3 large eggs in bowl and slowly add flour until dough is firm but able to be
rolled out. Cut dough in half and roll out each section onto a floured board or table.
Dough MUST be thin. Allow dough to dry some then taking one end, roll the dough
up. Take a sharp knife and cut so that noodles are about 1/4" thick. Allow to dry a bit
more but not dry out.
After cooling chicken (so you don't burn yourself), pull it apart and off the bone into
thin strips and add back to pot.
Slowly unroll each noodle and put into pot stirring occasionally to keep from
sticking. Simmer about 20 min more and add salt and pepper to taste. If the stock
isn't strong enough for you, add chicken stock (this means you are adding things to it
and it is no longer fully homemade).
Feel better, or make to just enjoy!

Cranberry Sorbet
Posted by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)
Cranberry Sorbet

1 pound fresh or frozen cranberries (4 cups; thawed if frozen)

5 cups water
2 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup fresh orange juice

1. Boil cranberries, 2 cups water, and 1/2 cup sugar in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot,
stirring occasionally, until cranberries have burst, about 15 minutes.

2. Pure cranberry mixture in batches in a blender until as smooth as possible (use

caution when blending hot liquids). Force through a medium-mesh sieve into a bowl,
discarding solids, and chill, covered with plastic wrap, until cold, about 2 hours.

3. Bring remaining 3 cups water and remaining 2 cups sugar to a boil in a 2-quart
saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then remove from heat and cool syrup 30
minutes.

4. Stir together cranberry pure, sugar syrup, and citrus juices and freeze in ice cream
maker. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze until hardened, at least 2 hours.

Fresh Apple Cookies

Posted by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)
1 tsp baking soda

Glaze

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup confectioner's sugar

1 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed

1 Tbs butter, softened

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp vanilla

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp ground cloves

1 1/2 Tbs milk or light cream

1/2 tsp nutmeg, fresh if possible

1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup apple juice
1 cup chopped apple
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup chopped raisins

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Sift the flour and baking soda together in a medium
mixing bowl. In a large bowl; cream butter, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, cloves,
nutmeg, and the egg. Add half the flour to the butter mixture and blend well.
Mix half the juice or milk. Add the apples, nuts, and raisins to the remaining flour.
Add the apple mixture to the butter mixture. Stir in the remaining juice or milk. Drop
the dough by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheets. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes, or until
cookies are firm. While cookies are warm, spread with vanilla glaze.
Glaze:
Blend all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl and mix until smooth.

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