Opinions

Birch

Botanical Name: Betula Pendula

The silver birch was  regarded as a symbol of spring - a tree of life and fertility. Folklore has honored it as a protector against demons, and the trees leaves, bark and sap have long been used to fight illness such as bladder infections, kidney stones, eczema and rheumatism.

Plant Facts: A member of the Betulaceae, or birch, family. It grows to a height of 100 feet and is recognized by its grayish-white, peeling bark and dark cracks at the base. The bark and leaves have an organic, bitter taste and act as an astringent.

The Intuition & Basic Ethics of the Tarot

Lesson 2: Intuitive Tarot Certification Course

All I can say is, WOW! So much useful and interesting information in this course. I learned about 2 very influential men, Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell.

Just a brief overview:

Carl Jung was a Swiss psychologist and founder of Analytical psychology, also called Jungian psychology. Originally he had no plans of studying psychology as it was frowned upon at the time. He later read that psychoses are personality diseases, which was of great interest to him. Jung had many childhood memories that left life long impressions, and realized this is what he was searching for. He was convinced as a boy he had 2 personalities; 1. A typical schoolboy living in the era of the time, 2. A dignified, authoritative and influential man from the past.

Indian Grilled Chicken

Prep time: 21 minutes
marinating time 12 hours
grilling time 16 minutes Servings: 6
Partner: Rice & Pasta Pilaf

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon water

• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

• 1 cup plain yogurt

• 1/4 cup lime juice

• 1 teaspoon crushed garlic

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon each cardamom, ginger, cumin and black pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1 (3-pound) chicken

• Lime wedges, optional for garnish

Preparation:

• Combine water and dry mustard in a medium bowl and mix well. Stir in yogurt, lime juice, garlic, salt, cardamom, ginger, cumin, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Pour yogurt mixture in a large resealable plastic bag.

Vitamin Deficiency

Important Vitamins:

• Pantothenic acid for the brain.

• Vitamin D for the bones.

• Vitamin B12 for the blood.

• Vitamin A for the heart and circulation.

• Thiamin for the muscles.

Every cell in the body relies on a sufficient supply of vitamins to do its metabolic work. Vitamins perform many functions, they promote blood formation and healthy skin, hair and vision, as well as the maintainability of  nerves and muscles. Most vitamins must be obtained from foods or supplements because the body cannot produce them.

History, Mystery & Basic Structure

Lesson 1: Intuitive Tarot Certification Course

So begins my journey into the world of Tarot. I will be using The Rider-Waite and The Witches Tarot decks. I picked up The Witches Tarot a while back, the artwork is what drew me to it. It has been used a lot in my photography, but never for divination. The second deck purchased was the Rider-Waite deck, honestly a store owner told me that this would be a great deck to learn on, so I bought them. I actually really like this deck now, and pleased that I have it. I’m sure I will purchase a few more decks throughout this course, right now I have my eye on the Dali deck.

Garlic

Botanical Name: Allium Sativum

Folk Names: Ajo, Clove Garlic, Poor Man’s Treacle, Stinkweed

Native to Central Asia, garlic is a species in the onion family Alliaceae.

The ancient Greeks placed garlic at cross-roads as a supper for the goddess Hecate, or for protection to ward off demons. Greek midwives would hang garlic cloves in birthing rooms to keep evil spirits away. Athletes would take large amounts of garlic before competition, and soldiers would consume garlic before going into battle. Roman soldiers ate garlic to inspire and give them courage. Egyptian slaves were fed garlic to keep up strength. Tibetan monks were forbidden from entering monasteries if they had eaten garlic. Nicholas Culpeper, (botanist/herbalist/astrologer) linked garlic with the planet Mars. A fiery planet also connected with blood. Dreaming that there is “garlic in the house” is known to mean you will discover hidden secrets.

FENNEL

Botanical Name: Foeniculum vulgare

Folk Names: Samar, Sheeh, Sweet Fennel

Fennel is a Perennial herb from the Apiaceae family. Native to the Mediterranean and Southern Europe, it grows to the height of 2-6 feet.

Fennel was hung above doorways and on rafters in order to ward off  evil in the Middle Ages. The seeds were placed inside keyholes to prevent ghosts from entering the house. In 470 b.c. the Greeks defeated the Persians at Marathon. They fought on a field of fennel and this led to the belief that fennel inspired courage and strength. Greek and Roman soldiers chewed fennel seeds before entering battle.

ECHINACEA

Botanical Name: Echinacea Augustifolia

Folk Names: Black Sampson, Coneflower, Rudbeckia

Echinacea is a Perennial plant from the the daisy family, Asteraceae. Native to North America, it grows to a height of 2-3 feet.

It was widely used by the Plains Indians for its medicinal qualities as a treatment for symptoms caused by the common cold. In the 1930s it became popular in both Europe and America as a herbal medicine.

DATURA

Botanical Name: Datura Stranmonium

Folk Names: Devil’s Apple, Devil’s cucumber, Devil’s Trumpet, Ghost Flower, Jimsonweed, Love-Will, Mad Apple, Madherb, Manicon, Moonflower, Stinkweed, Sorcerer’s Herb, Thornapple, Toloache, Witche’s Thimble, Yerba del Diablo (Spanish herb of the Devil)

Datura is an annual herb from the Solanaceae (nightshade) family. It is believed to be native to Asia or South America, origins are unknown. It grows to a height of 2-4 feet, reaching a diameter of 4-6 feet.

Everyone has an event that changes their perception of the world.  Be it a death in the family, war or an older sister chasing bullies with a broom, everyone goes through this process.

I had two, and oddly enough, they both had to do with my mother.  That never happens to anyone else, right?

The first started off simply enough.  I was in the car with my mum; I pulled out a book and began to read.  I was about seven years old and I had just discovered my love of reading.  I read anything with the voraciousness of a starving line backer.  Shakespeare, Blume, King, pretty much anything not nailed down.  The book I was reading that day was “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” The simple, innocent Christian allegory was fabulous, until my overly zealous Roman Catholic, Latin service mum saw the title, THE TITLE, and threw it out of the car window.  She then proceeded to run over it, not ,once but twice, with the car.  She then looked at me, with mildly validated eyes and said, “That will drive the devil out of it.”