Journey of the Soul Extract

In all my transactions today, I intend them to come from a place of love within me, to a place of love within others. From a place of honesty in myself to a place of honesty within others. From my integrity to the integrity of others. From a place of openness, as I respect the rights of all living things. I intend to be gentle, kind and forgiving. I intend to be aware of the wonders of the universe and to greet them all with gratitude and awe. And I welcome whatever flows into my life to teach me today, and to listen to the conversation that the universe is trying to have with me. I intend to be inspired, to have joy, to be grateful for all that I have in my life, and for every opportunity I’m given. I intend to use my intuition and all my other spiritual gifts in all transactions today and to help wherever I can, even if that help is in standing still and doing nothing, or letting go of someone I love. I intend for peace and harmony, and that, wherever I can make restitution, I shall have the courage and willingness to do so. I intend to live my humanity and divinity simultaneously today and move further along my path to enlightenment. I dedicate my life to love, to peace, to harmony, to healing, to teaching, to my spiritual growth, and the spiritual growth of others.

How to make mulled wine

To make mulled wine, firstly choose a good red wine.

Bring a saucepan of water to the boil, add lemon/orange peel and a little fruit juice. Crush cloves and crush fresh root ginger, add them with bay leaves, some powdered all spice, cinnamon and nutmeg, and some star anise. Heat the mixture - not boil - but lightly bubble for 5 minutes. Put the liquid mixture through a fine gauze filter.
Add brandy and honey to taste.
Serve in a heated cup.

Confession: I pour my finished mulled wine into my favourite tea pot (used exclusively for mulled wine). It is ideal when entertaining to have a special pot and special cup for mulled wine.

Shortbread, oatcakes and Fingers of homemade bread with a wedge of cheese are ideal serving suggestions.

From the Wendy Stokes Recipe Book

If - A Poem

 

Alone - A Poem

O let me be alone awhile! 

No human form is nigh; 

And I may sing and muse aloud,

No mortal ear is by.

Away, you dreams of earthly bliss,

Ye Earthly cares be gone! 

Depart, ye restless, wondering thoughts, 

And let me be alone!

One hour, my spirit, stretch their wings

And quit this joyless sod;

Bask in the sunshine of the sky, 

And be alone with God.

End Times

 Words by Jesus about the End Times:

“Though I was hungry, you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you took me in.”

“That day of wrath, that dreadful day, shall the whole world in ashes lay, as David and the Sibyls say. What horror will invade the mind, at the last trumpet’s wondrous sound, and through the rending tombs, rebound, and wake the nations underground. The judge ascends his awful throne, He makes each secret sin be known, and all with shame, confess their own. Forget not what the ransom cost, nor let my dear-bought soul be lost. Prostrate my contrite heart I rend. Do not forsake me in my end.” Funeral song in the Requiem Mass. 

The Pregnant Dolphin - A Story

”The famous Italian diver Enzo Mallorca dived into the sea at ​​Syracuse. He was talking to his daughter Rossana who was aboard a boat and felt something slightly hit his back. He turned and saw a dolphin. Then he realized that the dolphin was trying to express something and as the dolphin dived, Enzo followed.

At a depth of about 12 meters, Enzo saw, trapped in an abandoned net, another dolphin. Enzo quickly called to his daughter to grab diving knives and join him. Soon, the two managed to free the dolphin, which issued an "almost human cry".

Abou Ben Adhem - A Poem

Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)

Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,

And saw, within the moonlight in his room,

Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,

An angel writing in a book of gold:—

Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,

And to the presence in the room he said,

Horse Whispering

The art of horse whispering was kept a family secret, and horse dealing was conducted using handshakes and passwords to avoid charges of witchcraft. In Essex, 'Cunning Murrel' was used by farmers to heal livestock. Dan Wickett from Polperro, Cornwall, was a wort healer and had also horse whispering abilities. East Anglia was a major area for horse whispering. They often used in horse racing, talismans for 'drawing' - attracting horses, or 'jading', - repelling the horse. A wedge found in a foal's mouth'milt' or 'pad' was dried and soaked in oils to draw. To jade, a frog or natterjack toad was killed and impaled on a whitethorn to dry and buried for a month. It was then thrown into a running stream. One bone would float, and this. was kept as a talisman. This bone was the ileum or pelvic girdle and looks like a wishbone. It was carried in a pouch with flesh and other repellents and when placed in the horse's hoof would stop it from running fast. Herbs were used to attract, such as sorrell, bryony, cinnamon, rosemary, and tansy. Raw ginger under the horses tail would make it 'prance', called 'gingering up'. A twitch in the mouth would create pain and focus the horse's attention on the front of its head for operations at the back. Spiders web, chesse rind and harness leather were used to heal fleshwounds. Horse hair was used to make necklaces to cure goitre. 

The London Stone

William Blake thought that Druids sacrificed human victims on the London Stone! 

The London Stone was first mentioned in a gospel book of the West Saxons before 940 A.D. Stow, in 1598 describes the stone on the south side of Cannon Street as fixed in the ground, very deep, fastened with bars of iron and otherwise so strong that if carts run against it, their wheels be broken but the stone remains unshaken. The original function and significance of this limestone remains a mystery. In the Middle Ages, proclamations would be issued from it and binding agreements sworn over it. When Jack Cade, leader of the Kentish rising in 1450 occupied London for three days, he went straight to the London stone which he ceremoniously struck with his sword. A clue to the stone’s significance is other similar stones, such as the Coronation Stone at Westminster Abbey and the Kingston upon Thames stone upon which seven Anglo-Saxon kings were crowned. It is now thought that the London stone was also originally a symbolic source of power and authority.

The Wraggle-Taggle Gypsies - A Poem

 The Wraggle-Taggle Gipsies - Anon

Three gypsies stood at the castle gate
They sang so high, they sang so low
The lady sate in her chamber late
Her heart it melted away as snow

They sang so sweet, they sang so shrill
That fast her tears began to flow
And she lay down her silken gown
Her golden rings and all her show

She took it off her high-heeled shoes
A-made of Spanish leather-O
She would in the street in her bare, bare feet
All out in the wind and weather-O

 

Getting to Know the Goddess Course 1:1

Goddess-Pages online course, visit: goddess- Pages.co.uk
This  purse is practical as well as educational, and it has made me think about so many aspects of my life and society in general, as well as put me in touch with antiquity, with womanhood throughout the ages, and about many of the women in my life that have influenced me. I had never thought of ‘Goddess’ as a diminutive word, such as waitress, but She is the original, the first, She was the one and only, and therefore maybe I will attach a prefix such as this when describing Her. 
I have a connection with the Goddess and relate to many of Her archetypes. She is healing, and when focussing, and meditating on ‘the Lady’ especially in Springtime, as Flora, my meditations are wonderful, and full of images of beauty of all kinds. I love the early archaeological discoveries of the sculptures of the ‘Venus’ types. I am reflected in these images. I am very concerned about the incredible temples in the Middle Eastern war zones, unexplored, with the ground full of wonders, many, I am sure, would reveal much more about Her if protected for the future. I feel very aggrieved about the archaeological atrocities, despite many being in protected World Heritage sites. (Not to say anything about the animals, and rare species especially those that are badly affected by war, the ecological damage – as well as human suffering beyond our ability to imagine). I am against war, war on people, animals, and the delicate ecology of the planet.

Ancient Wisdom

Every Springtime, Egypt has an the 'inundation', as the great Nile River floods across the land from the South and flows into the Mediterranean Sea. Rich soil is deposited and this provides for the crops that have sustained the people for millennia. All kinds of fruit and vegetables grew to feed people and animals. This excellent pasture supported healthy people who could fish and hunt water birds, make music and dance, tell stories and create art, sculpture, architecture and paintings. If a society had the means to write, they had the very rare and valuable ability to record their life. The Egyptian priests learnt to read and write and perform mathematics (especially astrology, geometry and algebra) and were very intelligent and knowledgeable and their glory and fame spread throughout the known world.

Goddess 2.0 - An Extract

Goddess 2.0 - Advancing a New Path Forward by Rev. Dr. Karen Tate, published by Megalithica Books, paperback 188 pages £10.99

You are not alone if you believe domination and authoritarian patriarchy are destroying countless lives and our planet. There is a more sustainable alternative and it's not new. In fact it's ancient. Exiled for a time, but making a return, the Sacred Feminine has become indelibly integrated into our lives, reminding humanity during this time of crisis that the ideals of the Great She offer a pathway to secure a more sustainable future. As people lose faith in organized religion, as the paradigm of power shifts across the globe, as climate change quickly approaches a point of no return, people are leading using their divine intelligence gleaned from Goddess teachings to find solutions and sanctuary. They're listening to their consciences, heart wisdom, and intuition to manifest a new normal. They're practicing partnership, generosity, and compassion to establish a new way of being. They're tapping into their empathy and morality as they hit the reset button. We are witnessing this awakening across the globe as people from all walks of life and cultures turn to Goddess, deity, archetype and ideal, to evolve from the malignant chaos we face today. Using the wisdom and activism suggested in Goddess 2.0; Advancing a New Path Forward, we see through the lens of spiritual, cultural and political leaders, old and new, male and female. They share the many ways Goddess Spirituality has grown and matured in the minds of Her advocates to inspire the birth of a new world and usher in a time of security, peace, joy, equality and prosperity for all.

Counselling Training Essay

Unconditional positive regard and congruence in Client Centred Therapy

The counsellor’s genuine caring and responsibility needs to be in evidence. If the counsellor is only pretending to have unconditional positive regard, it would be obvious, and a client with healthy discernment would seek help elsewhere. On this particular subject, I had a conversation with my counselling trainer, Tony Merry, who told a story of when he was a counsellor. This particular client had no friends because he was so boring! In the course of therapy, the counsellor had felt so bored for seven consecutive therapy sessions that on the seventh occasion, the counsellor stated that he too was bored.The client grew very angry (which was not boring for the counsellor), and from that point onwards the counsellor was not bored by the client. 

I think this was wrong for two reasons. Firstly, the client was not working through his material at his own pace, and secondly he felt the need subsequently to be in therapy to interest his counsellor. I think it is important that a counsellor is congruent, but in a non critical way. 

When I Was One and Twenty - A Poem

 A poem remembered from my childhood:

When I was one-and-twenty

       I heard a wise man say,

“Give crowns and pounds and guineas

       But not your heart away;

Give pearls away and rubies

       But keep your fancy free.”

But I was one-and-twenty,

       No use to talk to me.

When I was one-and-twenty

       I heard him say again,

“The heart out of the bosom

       Was never given in vain;

’Tis paid with sighs a plenty

       And sold for endless rue.”

And I am two-and-twenty,

       And oh, ’tis true, ’tis true.

The Romany Rye - An Extract

One day Cogia Efendy went to a bridal festival. The masters of the feast, observing his old and corse apparel, paid him no consideration whatever. The Cogia saw that he had no chance of notice; so going out, he hurried to his house, and putting on a splendid pelisse, returned to the place of festival. No sooner did he enter the door than the masters advanced to meet him, and saying, "Welcome, Cogia Efendy," with all imaginable honour and reverence, placed him at the head of the table, and said "Please to eat, Lord Cogia." Forthwith the Cogia, taking hold of one of the furs of his pelisse, said "Welcome, my pelisse ; pleased to eat, my Lord." The masters looking at the Cogia with great surprise, said, "What are you about?" Whereupon the Cogia replied, "As it is evident that all the honour paid is paid to my pelisse, I think it ought to have some food too." - Pleasantries of the Cogia Nasr Eddin Efendi 

Sir Patrick Spens - A Poem

 Poems from my childhood....

The King sits in Dunferline toun,
Drinkin the blude-reid wine
‘O whaur will A get a skeely skipper
Tae sail this new ship o mine?’

O up and spak an eldern knight,
Sat at the king’s richt knee;
‘Sir Patrick Spens is the best sailor
That ever sailt the sea.’

Self Development

Take charge of your life. Write your life story. What have been the major turning points, successes, reversals and relationships?

What is your life purpose? What gives your life meaning?  What is your greatest fear? What is your greatest regret? What has been your greatest defeat? What makes you angry? What opportunities present themselves to you today? What are the main beliefs you have about yourself and the world? Are these self limiting beliefs? What have you always wanted to do? What preparations have you made for it? What target date have you for it? What are you in denial about? How can you improve your attitude? What are you grateful for? Write down what you want and put a time on it. Do you need to burn bridges? 

Keep a journal with the following sections: Health: Finances: Career: Family: Social: Educational: Home: Emotional: Mental. What will you do in 6 months? What will you do in 5 years? What will you do in 10 years? How might you sabotage yourself? 

Cognitive Dissonance

 

What is cognitive dissonance?

Karma and Dharma!

Karma - what is described as a ‘law’ but is only a belief! A belief in reincarnation is required! Are we really punished and rewarded for actions in past lives that we have long forgotten? I doubt it! We see unscrupulous people in prestigious circumstances, and the very kindest in appalling squalor. This is not divine justice! And not very intelligent either! 

Dharma! Life Purpose! We are here to discover who we are, not who we hope we will be, or might be, but who we really are! Inside us is a budding beautiful person, with compassion, caring, thoughtful consideration and endless capacity for service to others to create a better world for everyone. 

You are unique! No-one has ever existed or ever will exist who is like you. You are at one off in the entire universe. Remember your uniqueness! Seek your highest self, your best self, your most generous self, your kindest self. This is your divinity, your eternal self, the one who meets your maker at the end of days. 

Rape in a War Zone

War Rape is not a violation that is exclusively committed against women alone. Many men are also raped in war, usually by an object, rarely by another man. 

Remember - A Poem

Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into that silent land; When you can no more hold me by the hand, Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay. 

Remember me when no more day by day You tell me of our future that you planned; Only remember me; you understand It will be late to counsel then or pray. Yet if you should forget me for a while and afterwards remember, do not grieve:

For if the darkness and corruption leave A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad.  

Psychic Discovery Meditation

With thanks to Dawn Rumsey for the voice-over and video creation

 

The Highwayman

 Poems from my childhood.... The first part only…. The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes

The wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees, and the moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas. The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor, and the highwayman came riding, riding, riding, the highway man came riding, up to the old inn door. 

He’d a French cocked-hat on his forehead, a bunch of lace at his chin, a coat of the claret velvet, and breaches of brown doeskin. They fitted with never a wrinkle, his boots were up to his thigh, and he rode with a jewelled twinkle, his pistol butts a twinkle, his rapier hilt a twinkle, under the Jewelled sky. 

Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn yard. He tapped with his whip on the shutters, but all was locked and barred. He whistled a tune to the window, and he should be waiting there, but the landlord’s black eyed daughter, Bess, the landlord’s daughter, platting a dark red love knot into her long black hair.

I Shall - A Poem

 

I shall pass this way but once - through this toilsome world!

Alas! Once and only once! And if I can show kindness to any human being, let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again! 

The Greatest Knight - Book Extract

In the dark hour before dawn, all the shutters of the great hall were closed against the evil vapours of the night. Under the heavy iron of the curfew, the fire was a quenched dragon's eye. The forms of slumbering knights and retainers lined the walls, and the air sighed with the sound of their breathing and resonated with the occasional glottal snore. 

At the far end of the hall, occupying one of the less favoured places near the draughts, and away from the residual gleam of the fire, a young man twitched in his sleep. His brow pleated as the vivid images of his dream took him from the restless darkness of this vast Norman castle to the smaller, intimate chamber of his family's keep at Hamstead...... 

Lead from a burning church roof had destroyed his father's right eye and melted a raw trail from temple to jaw, leaving him with an angel's visage one side and a gargoyle’s mask of a devil on the other....

"Will I be gone a long time?" his dream self asked in a high treble. "That depends on how long King Stephen wants to keep you." "Why does he want to keep me?" "Because I made him a promise and he wants you beside him until I have kept that promise." His father's voice was as harsh as a sword blade across a whetstone. "You are a hostage for my word of honour". 

Music Choice

 Song Laboratory Labotorium Piesni * Belarusian traditional song 'Shtoj pa moru' ['Out there on the sea'] - recorded in Świątynia Dźwięku - Sound Temple Andara  in Borsk in Kashubian region (Poland).

Third Force Field Analysis

Gossip is good for us, providing it is positive and true! Avoid critical gossip and lies! 

Give people more than they expect! 

When you lose, don’t lose the lesson!

Keep improving yourself!

How can you change your life for the better?

Each day, learn something valuable, read a poem, listen to a piece of music, walk in nature, speak to someone in a meaningful way, perform an act of kindness. 

Listen as well as talk!

Define your life path!

Remember no-one is perfect, and we argue with others when we are most unhappy with ourselves. 

Put values of caring, truth, understanding and compassion at the centre of your relationships. 

Look at difficult situations from all perspectives. 

Better Relating

Are you listening to the other person? 

Do you understand each other’s frustration? 

Do you display a sense of superiority, making them feel worthless? 

Do you recognise the other person’s achievements? 

Do you refuse to shared household activities because you consider yourself the breadwinner and therefore deserve to get easy in the home? 

Are you just playing laser and caring? 

Is there some other deep-seated anger, which motivates your unwillingness to understand the other persons problems? 

Do you want to be happy?

Rules of Loving

Don’t score points. Be supportive not judgmental. Win-win. Practice forgiveness. Be prepared to say you are sorry and thank you. Decide you really want the relationship to work 100%. Be in the relationship for the long run. Don’t play tricks or deceive. All vulnerability. Celebrate differences. Compromise. Ask for what you need. Learn to handle conflict by listening, caring and allowing times of upset and hurt to heal. Spite will finish the relationship. What qualities are you looking for - and what qualities do you offer? Commit to doing the best for your partner and the relationship. 

Better Relationships - Part Three

Towards creating better relationships: 

Cut out negative self talk. Admit and celebrate differences. What do you need to do differently? 

Get a picture in your mind’s eye of a typical difficult situation. Reduce it in size, colour and volume. Replace the negative scene with a positive memory. Increase the colour, volume and size. 

Ask questions! Why do you say that? Can you give me an example? What is the cause of the problem? How can we resolve this so we can move forward? Answer with thoughtful caring: I apologise for my part in that because I didn’t notice. I understand you are angry with me about that and I will be careful not to repeat it.

Relating styles: 

Prescriptive - this is what you should do!  

Informative: I share this knowledge with you.  

Confronting: You are not OK.  

Cathartic: Emotional.  

Catalytic: Reflective.  

Supportive: Empathic.  

Cognitive: Cerebral. 

Personal Growth Part 1

Are you able to solve complex problems in your life? If not, why not? 

Can you maintain yourself as a competent, intelligent, skilful, resourceful and resilient person whatever the stresses on you?

Are you capable of controlling your feelings? This is self empowerment. 

Be motivated from within yourself rather than from the world outside yourself. 

Free yourself from the need for approval. 

Set your own rules of conduct for yourself and boundaries with others. 

Be free from the desire for accomplishment, money, and success. 

Accept yourself but improve yourself where you can. 

Can you deal with disagreements, conflicts and compromises? 

Be free from hero worship. No one is perfect! 

Become a doer rather than a critic? Easy to criticise if you don’t do much yourself well. 

Welcome new people, places and hobbies and interests into your life. 

7 Spiritual Laws

1. The Law of Stillness:

Each day, make time for quiet reflection. This will provide a ‘time-out’ from the routine general demands of your day. In this vacuum, listen to hear the ‘still small voice inside’. This will provide inspiration, allow you to take stock, and be rested and uplifted. If you do not create a time for contemplation, you can become pre-occupied and over-stressed and miss what is truly important in your life. It is sufficient to reserve twenty minutes to sit in comfort, alone and without interruption, with nothing to do except daydream. Listen to your thoughts and you will receive revelations.

 

Like Wake Vigil

In a communication to Wendy Stokes from Philip Lewcroft. October 7, 1999.

 "This is one of Yorkshire’s oldest songs, used by the poorer people for their funerals, especially those taking place on high points of the moors. This tradition is thought to go back to the Norsemen, or even further, to the Bronze Age. The tune is mentioned by the diarist John Aubrey in 1642. Its last recorded use for a funeral was at Kildale around 1800. The Lyke is the lych gate, where the coffin would wait for pallbearers to take it to the church for the service, the Wake (wake meaning vigil) was a dirge provided for the corpse on the night before burial. In recent years, the same name has been given to a pilgrimage ‘walk’ from Cleveland Hills to the coast at Ravenscar, 40 miles, which is undertaken by thousands annually, sometimes taking 24 hours)." 

The Great Bell Chant

For peace, truth, justice, kindness, compassion, and all spiritual values

Wendy Rule

Wendy Rule is an award winning Australian singer-songwriter. She has carved a special niche with her exceptional album compositions. 

A few track titles: Flowers, Thanatos, Dark Shadow, Above and Below, In Life is Death - In Death is Life, The Dark Earth Opened, The Curse, The Temple, All Is As It Must Be, The Ascent. 

Wendy Rule has been a practicing witch for the past twenty years and her music reflects the cycles of nature, tarot, astrology, and pagan/polytheistic beliefs. She tours extensively playing live at conferences and festivals.    

Meeting the Crow Tribe

Les Fuller Interview ‘MEETING THE CROW TRIBE OF EAST LONDON

Les is a trained healer and platform medium and has worked in the Essex/East London area for over 40 years with his partner Jacci (pronounced Jacky) who quietly supports him with her own healing and mediumship skills.

Les has had many tutors and mentors, but he also has worked closely with his own spirit guides to enhance the empathic and authentic spiritual life path that he walks. Over these many decades of working with Spirit, Les has been inspired and encouraged by his First Nation/Indigenous American spirit guides to work in new ways which provide relaxation, joy and upliftment and can be profoundly moving experiences for those who attend his workshops and meetings. One of his early mentors was the late Ernie Alexandra of Waltham Abbey, a recruiting medium who recruited Les and Jacci to his training circle. Edmonton was another early centre of gaining knowledge of spirit and spirit messages and he has worked at Cheshunt giving talks and at Manor Park.

If Nobody Smiles Poem

If nobody smiled and nobody cared, and nobody helped us along; If every fellow looked out for himself, and the good things all went to the strong; If nobody cared just a little for you, and nobody thought about me; And we stood all alone in the battle of life, what a dreary old world this would be.

Life is sweet because of the friends we love, and the things that in common we share; And we want to live on, not because of ourselves, but because of the people who care. It's giving and doing for somebody else - on that all of life's splendor depends; And the joy in the world, when you've summed it all up, is found in the love of our friends.

 

The History of Don Quixote - An Extract

   His armour being scoured, his morion transformed into a helmet, his horse named, and himself confirmed with a new name also, he forthwith bethought himself, that now he wanted nothing but a lady on whom he might bestow his service and affection; for the knight-errant that is loveless resembles a tree that wants leaves and fruit, or a body without a soul: and therefore he was wont to say, ‘If I should for my sins, or by good hap, encounter there abroad with some giant (as knights-errant do ordinarily), and that I should overthrow him with one blow to the ground, or cut him with a stroke in two halves, or finally overcome, and make him yield to me, would it not be very expedient to have some lady to whom I might present him? 

Paying Compliments

 I constantly learn from you.

The way you treat people is beautiful.

You are strong. I like that.

You are such a good listener and pay good attention to me. I always feel heard by you.

I appreciate your authenticity. 

I like how you will stand up and be counted. 

You step up to the plate. I like that about you. 

Having your confidence is something I aspire to. 

You make me feel that I belong.

Your resilience is inspiring. 

I like that you will always apologise when you are wrong. 

I admire your passion.

Your resilience is inspiring. 

Circus - A Story

 “When I was a teenager, my father and I were standing in line to buy tickets for the circus. In front of us there were eight children, probably under the age of 12. The way they were dressed, you could tell they didn't have a lot of money. The children were well-behaved, standing in line behind their parents. They were excited about the acts they would be seeing.

The ticket lady asked the man how many tickets he wanted? He responded, "I'd like to buy eight children's tickets and two adults." The ticket lady stated the price! The man's lip began to quiver. Then he leaned a little closer and asked, "How much did you say?" The ticket lady again stated the price. He didn't have enough money. How could he tell his eight children?

Basics of Good Relationships

Does this person like you, are they interested in you and in how you’re feeling? Do they listen to you and validate your emotions? Are they loving, do they appreciate you and feel proud to be with you? Do they treat you as an equal? Do they believe you are an individual and respect your independence? Do they get on with your friends and family? Do they make excuses for bad behaviour or apologise and make every effort not to upset you again? Can they admit to being wrong and take responsibility for their actions? Do they take an interest in your hobbies? Are they honest and straightforward? Do they play games with people’s feelings? Do they respect you and your choices and wants you to be happy? Do they try to push you into anything you’re uncomfortable with? Are they trustworthy? Do you feel safe and relaxed around them? Do they respect people and keep good company? Are they reliable? Do they understand that no means no? Do they keep secrets? Do they respect your privacy? Do they understand that everyone has a right to end the relationship.

Distance Healing - Harry Edwards Healing Sanctuary

Free Gong healing video

Who was Harry Edwards? 
Harry Edwards was born in Balham, south London, in 1893, and was one of nine children born to his father, who was a printer, and his mother, who was a dressmaker. This was a dedicated Church of England family and at the age of twelve, Harry joined the London Diocese Church Lads' Brigade, and later, as a young man, he trained with his father as a printer until the outbreak of war and in 1914 he enlisted as an engineer in the Royal Sussex Regiment and was promoted to Captain. He served in India and the Middle East. 

What is Oneiromancy?

The study of dreams and their divinatory interpretation. From ‘oneiros’ a Greek word meaning dreams and ‘mancy’ meaning divination. The Oneiroi were winged spirits of the realms of sleep. They lived in Erebos, Land of Darkness, and contacted sleepers through one of two gates. One gate was made of horn, the other of ivory. Prophecy and prediction came through the horn gate, fantasy and delusion through the ivory gate.

Quote: I do not hesitate to affirm at the outset that occurrence of dreams foretelling a future event with accuracy must be accepted as certain. Camille Flammarion. Premonitory Dreams and Divination of the Future. 

Quote: Why does the eye see a thing more clearly in dreams than in the imagination while awake? Leonardo da Vinci.

Quote: Man is a genius while he is dreaming. Akira Kurosawa.

Herbs

Sunflower: Cultivated 3,000 yrs ago, dedicated to Sun God, Helios. 

Hops: Pliny 1st century, and used for brewing by 8th century. 

Agrimony: Used as a heal all in Anglo Saxon times. From Agrimone Greek. Used for eye and skin disorders 

Hyssop: from Hebrew, a holy herb used for purifying temples and rituals. 

Elecampane: Helen of Troy was gathering this herb when she was abducted by Paris. 

Lavender: Used by Greek and Roman from lavare to wash. Insect repellant properties.

Meadowsweet: a strewing herb used in Elizabethan England for church weddings and bridal garlands. Sacred to the Druids.

Meditation - A Free YouTube Video

This is a meditation titled 'Your Spirit Guide' written by Wendy Stokes and presented by hypnotherapist, Sherry Wakeman. To visit Sherry's website, click on the hyperlink:
http://www.sherrywakeman.com/

The Hole in the Boat - A Story

A man was asked to paint a boat. He painted the boat a bright red, as the owner asked him. While painting, he noticed a small hole in the hull, and repaired it.

When he finished painting, he received his money and left. The next day, the owner arrived and gave the painter another cheque for more money. The painter was surprised and said “You've already paid me for painting the boat!”

“But this money is not for the paint job. It's for repairing the hole in the boat.”

“Ah! But it was a small service... it's not worth paying me such a high amount for something so insignificant.”

“But you do not understand. Let me tell you what happened:

“When I asked you to paint the boat, I forgot to mention the hole.

“When they children took the boat out this morning, they did not know that there was a hole. I was not at home at that time and when I returned, and noticed they had taken the boat out and I was desperate because I remembered that the boat had a hole in it. Imagine my relief and joy when I saw them returning from fishing.

Then, I examined the boat and found that you had repaired the hole!

Freemasonry Origins

Possibly… 

Freemasons created lodges near their places of work while they worked on a temporary project. These communal living places fostered a close connection between the ‘brothers’. 

The Scottish version of the Old Charges was founded by the sons of Lamech who had written their craft secrets on old pillars. Then after The Flood of Noah’s time, Hermarius, a grandson of Noah, found the secrets of geometry and masonry and other sciences on the pillars and taught them to the builders of the Tower of Babel. Then Abraham when he lived in Egypt, taught the geometry to a student named Euclid, who took the knowledge to Greece. When the masons came to Jerusalem, they built the first temple for Solomon. When that was completed, the went different ways to find work. One ended up in France and hired Charles Martel, the grandfather of Charlemagne. Another, named Alban, brought the craft to Britain. Masons were sponsored by the son of King Athelstan whose name was Edwin and he became a mason himself, and wrote the charges down. 

La Papessa

Tarot (tarrochi) was a thirteenth century card game and it developed into a card deck used for divination in early 1500s. The word 'tarot' derives from the Italian word, 'tarroco' which means 'trump'. Both words come from the Latin, 'triumphi', or triumph. 

The first known deck of 1450 is called ‘Visconti-Sforza which was owned by the son of the Duke of Milan, Francesco Sforza and his wife who is thought to have commissioned the deck, Duchess Bianca Maria Visconti. One of the cards found in this deck is titled La Papessa and shows a woman wearing the three tiered crown of the Papacy. Some say her name is Pope Joan who pretended to be male to become Pope but had a child during a popular outdoor event. However, the true story is as follows: 

An Umiliati noblewoman and nun similar to the Beguines, Maifreda da Pirovano lived in Italy in 1300. She was the head of a sect who worshipped high born, possibly Princess, Guglielma of Bohemia, who died in 1281 and believed that Guglielma's resurrection would herald a new religion of women leaders. Guglielma had many followers (Guglielmites) who believed she was the incarnation of the Holy Spirit. Maifreda was elected Pope and

Psychic News Article

Automatic “or trance writing” is sometimes called “psychography”. It is a popular method of channelling, as teachers from the spirit realms deliver a message through a medium who writes the message rather than speaks it.  This might be a personal message, or it might be a message for society or for the world. Automatic writing is an activity which is usually carried out alone on a regular basis. 

Requirements: You need to ensure you are warm, comfortable and will not be disturbed for an hour. A ‘Please do not disturb’ note should be placed on your front door and all phones turned off. If possible, there should be soft lighting, such as a well shaded electric light (but not unshielded candles due to fire risk). Well chosen instrumental music can be played quietly in the background providing it doesn’t cause any distraction. A comfortable chair should be selected at a suitable table. You will need to buy a pencil and a large leaf notebook for dates times and written messages. The same writing implements, notebook, chair and table, should be used at every sitting and kept exclusively for the purpose of automatic writing. Certain items of jewellery or clothing can also be selected, such as a ring or headscarf. You need a clock with a delicate alarm. If you go to sleep, you should be woken gently.

Song for the Earth

 

Sharing this beautiful song for the Earth. You are welcome to share!

The Immune System

We are all familiar with the needs of our immune system which helps our lymphocytes fight disease. There are two types of these specialised defence  lord cells, basofils and neutrophils. Vitamin C, D3, and Zinc are thought to boost these defence cells. Maybe Echinacea, and possible garlic also. A healthy and varied diet with high fibre and exercise is also valuable. Small amounts of particular stresses also boosts these defence cells, a cold shower, public speaking and other short term stresses. Sleep is a major factor is boosting our immune system and research has shown the massage is also very effective. Our gut diversity of organisms has been proved to be necessary in having a well functioning immune system. 

Validations - A Story

A school teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could write about their classmates.

At the end of the class, each one handed in their paper.

At the next class, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.

 

At the following class, she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. Each student said 'I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!' and, 'I didn't know others liked me so much".

The Gypsy's Curse - A Story

Christina and Leah were two sisters who had been brought up in a French convent.When they were children, a cart-horse had run over them, leaving a scar across both their bodies. A gypsy who saw the accident made a pronouncement "Their destiny is tied to blood!" 

The date is 1910. Christina, the eldest is a maid looking after a lady and her daughter. They thought highly of Christina as she worked hard but she was paid very little. The convent often wrote to the mistress asking for money, which she gave. Within 5 years, Leah was ready to leave the convent and applied to join the small household. She was accepted but only at no further cost to the mistress. Both sisters slept in the same bed, as they had as children. But they argued about sending what little money they had to their mother who constantly asked for financial assistance, especially as they were not in good health. Christina used the money they would have sent to their mother to make lace ribbons and knitted garments for Leah. The mistress saw the beautiful clothes and thought they were stealing from her. 

Canine Catastrophe!

5 dogs go missing ever day in the UK. There are 8 million dogs in the UK. It is often not known by dog lovers that many thousands of dogs are suffering needlessly - and the huge expense in a 'merry go round' of sad lives.

Breeders, from council estates, greyhound tracks, multiple occupancy kennels and pet shops, run a business with a small amount of capital outlay, yet puppies can sell for £1,000 each, especially if a pedigree features in a popular children's film or is a winner at Crufts or is seen with a popular celebrity.

Richard Dadd

Richard began his life with a tremendously promising career as a distinguished painter.

 Of the seven children of Robert Dadd’s first marriage, three, Richard, George, and Maria were to become completely insane, while Stephen had a private attendant but little more is known of his circumstances. Robert the eldest brother, born 13, July 1813 practiced as a chemist for many years in Whitechapel. George was the youngest of Richard’s full brothers, born 13, December 1822. He was a skilled carpenter at Chatham Dockyard. He began to show signs of mental instability when he was 20 yrs old and in 1843, the same year that Richard became unstable. He was admitted to Bethlehem and stayed there until his death in 1868. Though both brothers were confined in the same hospital, it is unlikely they met. John, a half brother, born to his father’s second wife and the second of two boys, was born 24, May 1829. He was apprenticed to Robert and went to America to establish a popular drug store. 

Anti-Social Personality Disorder

 What is “an Anti-Social Personality Disorder? 

Traits:

Those with ASPD have little regard for norms, standards, boundaries and issues of right and wrong and therefore have little regard for the wellbeing of other people. They will frequently antagonise, manipulate, exploit and demand, and suffer no guilt or remorse due to a lack of ability to reflect on their destructive behaviour. They often violate the law by behaving impulsively and recklessly, lying and cheating, and can act with great irritability and hostility due to lack of impulse control, and major addictions to drugs or alcohol. They can display charming behaviour when they want something and are consummate actors. But the charm belies a cynical and highly opinionated interior. 

Wm of Hastings

William of Hastings (steward to Henry II) granted meadowland (marsh) near the river Lea on the West Ham boundary to the Knights Templar Order to build two wooden water mills. Temple Mills was established in the 11^th century to mill crops, such as beans, wheat, oats and barley. The Temple Mills were used mainly for grinding from their extensive lands in Homerton and the marsh land of the River Lea. Other water mills were developed in the areas of Hackney and West Ham, one dated approx 1185 on meadow by St. Mary Hope in Leyton. Their water mill on Leyton land was dated 1278.

Gaslighting

What is Gaslighting? The term originates with an old film, as gaslights, as a source of light, produced dark forms and spooky shadows. When people practice 'gaslighting', they become a catalyst for the mental illness of others. They are usually psychopaths and narcissists who have no conscience, they resent criticism and refuse accountability, and turn to mind bending for their personal gains and entertainments. 

How do they perform this extraordinary function? They enjoy power, influence, money, etc., which they develop through manipulation, control and false hoods. They introduce a new form of warped reality - theirs! Yours no longer has any validity according to them! They do not respond to reason, logic or kindness. They will tell you that you are mad, which you will be in your attempt to relate to them! 

The Mother-in-Law - A Story

Scott Mann posted this story about his mother-in-law.

Sharon is my mother-in-law. She taught me it’s important work to see someone for who they are and not what you expect.

When I first met my mother-in-law, I had a hard time understanding her thick south Virginia accent.

And she seemed a little bossy in that southern passive aggressive yet polite way.

But I knew she was important to the love of my life, so I accepted her grudgingly as some of us do when family is forced on us. After 5 years I still didn’t really know her.

When my wife got leukemia at 30 years of age. Then our world was shattered and changed forever, Sharon very quietly moved, with her dependent Vietnam vet husband, into our house and became Michele’s caretaker too.

Over the last two years she bought most of the groceries, cooked almost every meal, did most of the laundry and cleaning, drove both dependents to almost every one of the 300+ doctor appointments, sorted tens of thousands of pills, and made sure they were all taken on time at every hour every day.

And she did this when she herself was diagnosed with cancer 6 months ago.

When she was getting a mastectomy and going through chemo.

Byron Katie

The Work! I heard this expression from Gurdjieff and others,  but Byron Katie has her own take on it with questions! Katie was so depressed she couldn’t get up and felt she didn’t exist any more. She asks of your self judgment statements, is it true? Can you absolutely know it is true? How do you react when you think this thought? How would you be without this thought? 

1. Who angers, saddens, frightens, or disappoints you? What is it about them that you didn't or don't still like?

Eg., I am angry at them because they gamble all our money, saddened because they are worth more than a dradful life of gambling debts, frightened because of their anger and aggression, confused because I work hard and have nothing to show for it. (Name) doesn't listen to me. I am angry because he/she doesn't appreciate me. I'm angry because he/she doesn't care about my health. I don't like him/her because he/she argues all the time. I'm saddened due to his/hergambling debts