Bucket List Locations ~ Palo Alto

Palo Alto is a city in California’s San Francisco Bay Area. It’s part of Silicon Valley and home to Stanford University. On campus, Cantor Arts Center’s broad collection includes a notable group of Rodin sculptures. University Avenue runs through downtown Palo Alto and has casual and upscale restaurants, plus well-known chain stores and independent boutiques. East are the marshland trails of Baylands Nature Preserve.

Weather: 69°F (21°C), Wind NW at 4 mph (6 km/h), 54% Humidity

10 TOP THINGS TO DO IN PALO ALTO

Located about an hour south of San Francisco, Palo Alto is located in the heart of Silicon Valley and is best known for being the home of Stanford University and its warm weather. The university itself is definitely worth checking out (if only for its stunning architecture), but make sure to set aside some time to explore other highlights in the area. Whether you decide to make it a day trip from SF or stay a few days, here are the top things to do in Palo Alto and the surrounding area that should be on your list.

• COMPUTER HISTORY MUSEUM

Located in Mountain View, this museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the information age and the technology that came along with it. Interactive exhibits include the opportunity to sit in a self-driving car to trying your hand at coding. There are also rare artifacts on display like one-of-a-kind computers, including an Apple I. If you’re interested in learning about the innovative history of the area, this should definitely be on your short list. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

• STANFORD UNIVERSITY

Start at the Main Quad, (including the Memorial Church) which is the historic and academic heart of campus. Drop by White Plaza for merch at the Student Store. Other on-campus highlights include the Hoover Tower, the Rodin Sculpture Garden, the Arboretum, and the impressive Cantor Arts Center. If you want to learn more about the history of this famous university, join one of the free guided tours that leave from the Stanford Visitor Center.

• HP GARAGE

Know as the Birthplace of Silicon Valley, this humble garage is where Hewlett Packard was started in 1938. This private property is not open to the public, but visitors can still view the garage along with a commemorative plaque out front. The address is 367 Addison Avenue in Palo Alto, just keep a lookout for the forest green garage doors located behind an iron gate.

• DOWNTOWN PALO ALTO

There’s plenty to see and do in downtown Palo Alto, including notable restaurants and shops along University Avenue. Stop by the beautiful historical Stanford Theater for a classic movie and if you’re around before or after the 7:30pm show you might hear the Mighty Wurlizer Organ.

• NASA AMES VISITOR CENTER

Located in neighboring Mountain View, this informative museum has exhibits on all things space, including models of a lunar glove box and a Mercury Redstone capsule, as well as life-sized cutouts of historical Mars missions. There is also a gift shop where you can purchase unique NASA souvenirs. Double check the hours here.

Update: as of 1/15/18 this visitor center is currently closed due to lack of government funding.

• DOWNTOWN MOUNTAIN VIEW

A lively stretch of shops and restaurants on Castro Street, that is great for wandering around on a warm day. Grab a coffee at Red Rock Cafe, where there’s a spacious second floor overlooking downtown. The dining options are diverse and delicious, including Cafe Baklava, a Turkish restaurant with great breakfast options. There’s a farmers’ market every Sunday from 9-1pm in the Cal Train Parking Lot.

• BAYLANDS NATURE PRESERVE

One of Palo Alto’s best outdoor spaces, where you can take a break from city life. You can go on a short walk, a longer hike or a half-day bike ride. The scenic marshland has plenty of wildlife sighting opportunities, including ample bird-watching with over 15 miles of easy, walking trails. During non-summer months, bring an extra layer, since the wind can pick up quickly.

• GOOGLEPLEX

The corporate headquarters of Google located in Mountain View, is a great place to wander around and soak in the atmosphere of one of the largest tech giants in the world. The campus itself is huge (12 acres to be exact) and the public is only allowed on the outside grounds. From the multi-colored bikes, to the famous Google sign, plenty of photo opps abound.

• THE DONKEYS OF BARRON PARK

These adorable animals are local celebrities, and have been part of a long time tradition of donkeys in Barron Park since the 1930s. The donkeys are located on a farm that is right by a walking/biking path that you can take a nice stroll on afterwards. Currently, Jenny and Perry (who was the inspiration for the donkey in the movie Shrek) reside on the property and if you’re lucky will come up and say hi.

• SHORELINE LAKE PARK

Situated near Googleplex, this scenic park has plenty of outdoor activities including kayaking and paddle boating on the lake, as well as walking trails around the surrounding marshlands for strolling, running, and biking. There is also plenty of space for picnics on the surrounding lawns, as well as a bistro on-site that serves burgers, salads, and sandwiches for lunch. Parking can be a bit difficult on the weekends, especially if there’s an event going on.

• WHERE TO EAT IN PALO ALTO

There’s no shortage of good spots to eat in Palo Alto, but one of my favorite restaurants hands down is Esther’s German Bakery in nearby Los Altos. They have a menu full of German comfort food, as well as a bakery and a biergarden out back. Anatolian Kitchen is also a top choice if you’re craving Turkish food. Odori Sushi and Teppanyaki is great for Japanese food.

• WHERE TO STAY IN PALO ALTO

Staying at one of the many hotels on El Camino Real is recommended for those wanting to be close to downtown Palo Alto and Stanford University. Prices for hotels tend to be high, but there are always deals to be found. Keep in mind, the third week of September is move-in week for students and hotels can be a bit scarce at this time with all the families in town.

1. DINAH’S GARDEN HOTEL ~ A hidden oasis in the middle of Palo Alto, this centrally-located and affordable hotel features grounds with a lush garden landscape complete with a koi pond. There are also two on-site restaurants that are local favorites: the more casual Dinah’s Poolside Restaurant, and the more upscale The Sea.
2. HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON PALO ALTO ~ A great option for a reasonably priced suite that includes a sitting area, a kitchenette, and a separate bedroom that makes it feel like your home away from home. Amenities include a complementary nightly happy hour with beer and wine, as well as a hot breakfast.
3. HOTEL AVANTE ~ Located on El Camino Real in Mountain View, this hotel is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a solid boutique option. The hotel itself is modern and has quirky touches like old school toys in each room and artwork scattered around the property. A hot breakfast is included.

SOURCE:

https://www.smallworldthisis.com/10-top-things-to-do-in-palo-alto/

Your Goddess Connection

• Shitala

Her Story:

Shitala is the Hindu goddess of disease, attributed with the creation of small pox, among other insidious maladies. Ironically, it is Shitala you call upon to cure illness, to cleanse the body of disease. What a paradox this goddess is! She despises filth and dirt. When invoking Shitala, you must physically cleanse your home or sacred space, and you must have a ritual cleansing bath before beginning. To disregard these actions would mean an unsuccessful invocation.

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Healing Candle Spells

For physical maladies, go with the Element of Earth, the color green and all the other correspondences that are connected to this element and this type of magick. (You’ll find correspondences for the elements, as well as other information to help you craft your magick and cast your spells, at the end of this book.)

But there’s so much more to it, and there are so many ways to be ill, or other reasons people need healing:

For mental illness, you will call upon the element of Air, and your candle color will be yellow. For a victim of physical violence, or sexual abuse, you’ll use the energies combined of Earth (green for physical healing), Air (yellow for mental healing), and Water (blue for spiritual healing). For someone who is terminally ill, you will call upon Spirit, and your candle will be white. It will ease their passing and light the path for their journey to the other side. It will invoke their spirit guide, who will take them by the hand, helping them travel safely as they cross over.

Household Blessing

The tools: white candles; sage, or a cleansing incense like sandalwood, and a bowl or holder for this; bells, if you fancy them; a broom, for symbolism and to “sweep” away negative energy from each room; a bowl of salted water to asperge (sprinkle) each room, as well as every nook and cranny.

The method: I start from the bottom and go up, so begin in the basement, if there is one, or the lowest floor. Basically, you’ll go from room to room, cleansing it of negative energy, moving it out and “sweeping” it along until you push it right out of the house with the last room or space you clear.

Enter a room, demand the negative energy and ghosties (or other spirits) leave. Walk clockwise around the room with the salted water first, dipping your fingers in it and sprinkling the space as you go. Then do the same with the incense, smudging the rooms, making sure that you include any closet space or cubbies. Energy lurks in these spaces, you know. That’s why children, who are more in-tune with it, are often afraid of these little dark closets and corners. For a final flourish, and to make your point to the spirits or other entities trying to take over this space, use the broom to symbolically “sweep” the negative energy right out the door. Sweep from east to west in large whooshes. The broom doesn’t even need to touch the floor. After all, you’re literally sweeping a space, not the floor itself. Make sure, as you do this, that you are ordering the spirits to leave, that you are reclaiming this space, and that you are in charge. Put some emotion into it!

As a side-note, don’t be alarmed if you feel a rush of goosebumps up your legs as you’re doing this. It’s nothing scary, and it’s nothing that will harm you. It’s just the energy that you’re moving; you can often feel it. (Yes, peoples, it’s an actual “Real” thing.)

Embracing the Goddess:

Call upon Shitala for the most obvious of reasons: to banish physical illnesses and maladies. Be respectful, be wary, be sure that you appease her with ritual cleansings. Remember that this goddess not only cures illness, she creates it.

Shitala’s Correspondences:

Herbs: columbine, lemon balm, myrrh,

thyme, lilac

Color: blue, silver

Planet: Moon

Day: Monday

Element: Water

Feminine Face: Crone

• Snake Woman

Her Story:

Snake Woman is often considered to be a household and fertility deity, as well as a powerful goddess and priestess. Seduction is her forte. Within the serpent lay her power. She represents the Feminine Mysteries and holds within her realm of magic healing and empowerment throughout all stages of a woman’s life. A goddess of Crete, Snake Woman is often depicted bare-breasted, clutching a snake in each hand.

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The small group of women, wrapped in brightly colored blankets or clutching a soft shawl about their shoulders to keep off the early morning chill, tread softly on the well-worn path in sandaled feet, rising up through the trees, ever higher onto the hilltop.

At the end of this path, in a small clearing, a flat stone altar has been erected. The centerpiece of this altar is a tall ceramic statue of Snake Woman, her breasts bare to the morning sunrise, two writhing serpents in each of her raised hands. Placed around Snake Woman are a ring of tall red pillar candles rolled in herbs, one candle for each of the women in the group. Within the center of this altar stands a large cast iron cauldron.

From beneath their blankets and shawls, the women bring forth small scraps of paper with their intentions written upon them…healing for an illness; the strength to make a necessary change; power to transition from mother to crone, from maiden to mother; the desire to find love, to re-ignite the passion of an old love, to celebrate lasting love.

The women stand in a circle around the large flat stone, each woman stepping forward in turn, placing her written intention into the cauldron and then bending to light the red candle before her. When all the candles are lit, the women stand around the circle once more, hand in hand, each one chanting their personal affirmation, their desire, invoking the spirit of Snake Woman. As the chanting rings clear, becoming louder and more intense, one of the women bends to ignite the paper in the cauldron. As the flames rear up, a unified shout rises from the group…and then silence descends.

Embracing the Goddess:

If you feel that you’ve lost the passion in your life for love, passion that drives you to succeed, passion that enables you to wake each day eager to leap into the fray of life, embrace Snake Woman and learn to turn the wild-woman within you loose. Cut the ties that bind with the enthusiasm and energy of this goddess.

Snake Woman’s Correspondences:

Herbs: black snakeroot, coriander, goldenseal

Animal: snake

Colors: red, orange, yellow

Planet: Sun

Day: Sunday

Element: Fire

Feminine Face: Maiden

Symbols: the snake, wild bare-breasted women

• Sophia

Her Story:

Sophia is one of the most powerful of goddesses, a goddess of the middle-east, entrenched in the legacy of the Gnostics, of Judeo/Christian culture. She is the ultimate Divine Feminine, the personification of divinity, the ultimate sacred feminine energy and entity of the universe. This goddess takes the patriarchal personification of “god” and stands it on its ear. Sophia is the voice of wisdom from the divine. She is the creatrix of all the universe. It’s believed that every human in existence carries a sparkle of her energy within them.

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“Conversation with The Divine”

Universe, I know you’re listening. You can be really, really quiet sometimes, trying to trick me into life and stark reality; but I know you’re there, and I know you’re listening. And I know you can hear me.

Life is running its course…figuratively and literally.

How? How do I know this?

I know this by the living “Flow” of life, in a figurative way, a physical way, an undeniably human/mother nature way:

I know this by moving rushing water in streams, and rivers, and bubbling brooks. I know this by the blood rushing through my veins in a mortal journey between my heart and the rest of my body. I know this by the miraculous flow of blood from a mother’s heart to her unborn child. I know this by the flow of sap from the roots to the limbs of a tree, all the way to the very top. I know this through the flow of moisture from a tree’s roots up through the trunk to each and every single leaf. I know this through the white and nourishing flow of milk from every human mother’s breast, and from the breast of every mother creature.

Life is flowing…it never stops. When it ceases in one spot, it resumes somewhere else; forever, and ever, in an endless immortal blaze of Nature.

Embracing the Goddess:

When you need personal power, when you need divine guidance, when you need protection or healing, when you need relief from mental anguish, when you need to connect with the divine on a personal universal huge in-your-face way…invoke Sophia.

Sophia’s Correspondences:

Herbs: bittersweet, pine, sage, star anise,

anise, slippery elm

Animal: dove

Color: yellow

Planet: Mercury

Day: Wednesday

Element: Air

Feminine Face: Mother

• Thalia

Her Story:

The Greek goddess Thalia is a goddess of vegetation and foliage, the “Blooming Goddess”, one of the three Graces. Thalia is the goddess of springtime. She represents the earth’s bounty, it’s abundance and fertility.

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Thalia’s Garden

Whether you live in a house with a nice-sized plot of land to till what you want for a garden space, or whether you are a city apartment dweller with only a balcony and some pots, you can create a magickal garden devoted to the goddess using the energy of Thalia. The following garden layout is equally do-able with both of the above scenarios. It’ll work. It’s about size and dimension and the relativity of it all.

At the 4 corners: Plant hibiscus, to honor the goddess and your own feminine energy and power.

To the North: Plant primroses, for the element of Earth. May they bring to you physical well-being and manifestation of your magick into the world of atoms and matter.

To the East: Plant sage, for the element of Air. May it bring to you mental well-being and manifestation of your magick into the world of the mind and it’s ever winding labyrinth of thought.

To the South: Plant marigolds, for the element of Fire. May they bring to you all the energy you need for all the passion it will take to make a difference in this lifetime and beyond.

To the West: Plant asters, for the element of Water. May they bring to you inspiration in the form of dreams and spirit contact; inner sight; honest emotions; and a cleansing of your body, mind, and spirit.

And at the center of Thalia’s garden, what do you plant?

Plant yourself. Stand, sit, or lay in this sacred center, absorbing the energies all around you, the energies of the elements, the energies of the plants, the energy of the goddess.

Embracing the Goddess:

Thalia’s energy can be invoked for your spring planting, or to celebrate spring and the sprouting of the world once more into a magickal green blossoming realm. Thalia can be invoked when abundance is needed, abundance on many levels: material things– money, food; immaterial things– more…more laughter, more spontaneity, more happiness, just “more”…whatever it may be.

Thalia’s Correspondences:

Herbs: vervain, corn, knotweed,

patchouli, wood sorrel

Color: brown, green

Planet: (Gaia) Earth

Day: all seven

Element: Earth

Feminine Face: Maiden

• White Buffalo Calf Woman

Her Story:

White Buffalo Calf Woman influences agriculture, basic survival, and enrichment rituals and ceremonies. She embraces the nurturing side of our nature; she is what prods us to excel and succeed in the rough arena of the world. White Buffalo Calf Woman is who we invoke in rituals and ceremonies to honor the Mother in us all, the caretaker. It is her energy that is present in every woman holding a baby to her breast, raising a child, caring for the animals of the earth, sharing her life with a man. This goddess is what compels us to place another person’s well-being before our own.

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Women Surviving the Modern World

1. Start each day with a small ritual. It doesn’t have to be complicated– light a candle, or anoint yourself with an oil, or be still for a 5 minute meditation, or write down a thought in your journal.
2. When you become frustrated with the circumstances you are dealing with, put everything on hold for a half an hour and have a Starbucks. Yes, you are worth a $5 cup of coffee. You’re worth a gazillion $5 cups of coffee.
3. Take a solitary walk in a favorite spot, or take a walk with your best friend, or take a walk with your dog– who just might be your best friend.
4. Watch a movie that inspires you, that makes you laugh; or watch a movie that makes you cry…even though you’ll think you’re crying because of the movie, you’re really not, you’re cleansing yourself from bottled up emotion.
5. Do something creative: If you write, start a book, even if this means writing just the first sentence in an empty notebook, just one sentence, and you’ve started a book, more will come later. If you paint, start a painting, even if this means painting a canvas all over with one color; call it the background, and eventually you’ll think of things to put on top of it. If you sculpt, pick up a lump of clay, even if all you do is roll it in the palm of your hands to form a ball, and call it good; eventually the ball will turn into something else.
6. Give away something to someone who needs it. Soon after you do this, you’ll feel all warm and fuzzy inside. This is the Universe, rushing back at you with positive energy and lots and lots of Love.
7. Clean out your refrigerator. You won’t really just be cleaning out your refrigerator, you’ll be cleaning out all the unnecessary junk that’s cluttering up your life. When you’re all done (with the refrigerator), and you stand there holding the door open, admiring all the sparkling clean shelves and extra space, know that you’re not just looking at a refrigerator.
8. Call someone who’s lonely. The unexpected connection will jump start a chain reaction of positive energy. When you finish talking to this person, you’ll feel an inrush of their energy, and then a burst of Sun-Rays-Are-Coming-Out-My-Fingertips feeling. This is magick.
9. Buy: 1) a pair of earrings; 2) a new lipstick; or 3) a pair of shoes. This sounds so material, but what’s wrong with that? Know that you’re not just purchasing Stuff, you’re creating an affirmation with a physical action. In reality, you’re shouting to the Universe: “I’m worth it!”
10. Be the first one to say: “I love you” or “I’m sorry”.

Embracing the Goddess:

Invoke this goddess in rituals honoring the “Mother” aspect of the goddess, as well as the human “Mother” in us all. For deep within us all, every individual has the capability to nurture. It’s the print of humanity.

White Buffalo Calf Woman’s Correspondences:

Herbs: quince, bistort, wheat, sage, hyssop

Animal: white buffalo

Color: white, purple, green, brown

Planet: Jupiter

Day: Thursday

Element: Earth

Feminine Face: Mother

Symbol: buffalo

This is an excerpt from one of my books,
The Spiritual Feminist, by Amythyst Raine

Purchase your copy @ Amazon

Love Reading (video)

• LOVE Reading ~ Is your instinct trying to warn you about this connection? Is your new love interest really free to begin a new relationship, or is he still entangled in a past relationship? 
• If you'd like me to continue this reading for you personally, go to The Tarot Parlour and use the Paypal widget beneath the menu at the top of this page to purchase a reading. 
• Shoot me an email telling me it's this LOVE Reading you want: witch_of_endore@yahoo.com

http://tarotreadingswithamythystraine.blogspot.com

The Tarot Parlour ~ (video)

The Tarot Parlour

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The Witch's Corner ~ Update

UPdate: I finished the final draft for my new book, and I'm ready to resume making magickal merchandise @ The Witch's Corner. You'll find the following pages up and running...

Items for Protection ~

https://amythystraine.blogspot.com/p/spells-for-protection.html

Items for Health ~

https://amythystraine.blogspot.com/p/spells-for-health.html

Items for Money ~

https://amythystraine.blogspot.com/p/spells-for-money.html

Items for Love ~

https://amythystraine.blogspot.com/p/spells-for-love.html

Your Daily Tarot Cards

Daily Tarot Cards has resumed at The Tarot Parlour's FB page:

READING #1  ~

click  HERE

READING #2 ~

click  HERE

READING #3 ~

click  HERE

EDIT

I've finished the final draft of my book and so have decided to take off again with the very popular "Daily Tarot Cards" that I post at The Tarot Parlour's FB page.  At the Facebook page, you'll find the written version of these daily cards, but I also record an audio version of these daily readings to post at The Tarot Parlour.

I'm also doing something a little different with these daily readings.  Each card I pull is the beginning of a reading.  If you'd like me to continue this reading personally for you, you can go to The Tarot Parlour and purchase a personal reading with the Paypal widget found at the top of the page, beneath the menu.  Let me know if you want Reading 1, 2, or 3.

I'm also going to post the audio version of today's daily readings here for your convenience.  Enjoy!

Disclaimer

Tarot Readings are done for 

Entertainment Purposes only. 

• I do not solve personal problems; I do not give medical, financial, or legal advice.

• Your psychic/tarot consultation is subject to your own personal interpretation. The information provided does not constitute legal, psychological, medical, business, or financial advice. The client receiving the psychic/tarot reading is responsible for all of their own choices and/or actions.

Your Ultimate Tarot Guide...

The Ultimate Tarot Guide ~

For Your Personal Tarot Journey

It’s about so much more than the cards.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1790491517/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i4

(EXCERPT)

The Planets

When I first began my own tarot journey, the one thing that I was most struck by was the inter-connectedness of everything. I was amazed to discover that it all works together, all of it, and it’s all tied to the cards: the energies of the planets, of colors, and herbs, and crystals, even to the letters of the alphabet, numbers, and zodiac signs. This realization was an eye-opening “aha” moment.

Below you’ll find the basic energies and correspondences for the planets. You should know, and some of you will realize, that these correspondences not only relate to the tarot, they also relate to a variety of pagan spiritual paths and are incorporated into the practices of many of us.

I wanted this book and the information contained here to specifically focus on tarot, and I even toyed with the idea of paring these sections down and trying to keep them solely focused on the cards. I soon realized this was folly. Certain connections exist and cannot be denied without diminishing their energy and their power.

• Sun

The Sun is filled with healing and hope, warmth and the promise of growth. It’s imbued with masculine energy and is closely connected to the god.

As it pertains to tarot ~ for clients male issues often come to the forefront, their health, happiness, fulfillment, optimism for the future. But it’s energy is also all encompassing for everyone. You’ll find an abundance of strength, unwavering support, and ridiculous amounts of in-your-face positive energy. The future can only be looking up, and if healing is needed in some aspect of your life, you’ll know it’s coming up with the Sun.

Day of the Week: Sunday

Color: yellow, gold

Herbs: angelica, bay, carnation, cedar, chamomile, eyebright, frankincense, ginseng, goldenseal, juniper, marigold mistletoe, peony pineapple, rosemary, St. John’s Wort, sandalwood, sunflower, tea, witch hazel

Stones: amber, carnelian, diamond, sunstone, tiger’s-eye, topaz (yellow)

Element: Fire

Energies: magick for the god, male health issues, passion, healing, spiritual connection, transformation, relationship issues

• Moon

The Moon embodies the pagan goddess in paramount magical waves of silver energy. All three aspects of her, maiden, mother, and crone.

As it pertains to tarot ~ All feminine aspects rise to the surface. Women’s issues become relevant and the focus is on health, embracing natural gifts, healing, and expanding our energy and magick to the universe and beyond. Femininity becomes divine. But there is another side to this planet, the dark side. Deception and hidden motives will be revealed. Shadows will be illuminated, warnings given, gray areas of life highlighted. In this aspect, the Moon becomes a friendly enemy. As a look out or scout, the Moon will give a warning cry.

Day of the week: Monday

Color: silver, blue, gray

Herbs: bladderwrack, calamus, camellia, clematis, club moss, dulse, gardenia, grape, passion flower, jasmine, lily, lotus, moonflower, moonwort, myrrh, poppy, sandalwood, willow

Stones: aquamarine, chalcedony moonstone, mother-of-pearl, sapphire, quartz (clear)

Element: Water

Energies: magick for the goddess, healing, visions, dreams, intuition, divination, clairvoyance, women’s issues, motherhood, fertility

• Earth

The Earth embodies our connection to the physical plane and embraces our materialistic existence.

As it pertains to tarot ~ Sometimes this planet’s energy is a much needed anchor, grounding or re-grounding us to reality, to our bodies and the life lessons we learn from it, to the energy of other living things around us, whether plant or animal. The Earth helps us to retain a connection with our ancestors, our traditions, and our lineage with humanity.

Day of the week: all seven

Colors: green, brown

Herbs: barley, beet, corn, cotton, fern, honeysuckle, mugwort, oats, oleander, patchouli, potato, primrose, rhubarb, tulip, turnip, vervain, wheat

Stones: agate (green), agate (moss), coal, emerald, hematite, jasper (brown), jasper (green), malachite, Peridot, salt, tourmaline (black), tourmaline (green)

Element: all four

Energies: grounding, healing your inner self, connecting with ancestors, fertility, expansion, overcoming impossible odds, durability

• Mars

Mars embodies the spirit of the warrior and pushes us with a merciless shove forward to stand our ground and fight our battles.

As it pertains to tarot ~ Mars commands us to be strong, relentlessly thrusting the sword and spear in our shaky uncertain hands, forcing us to take a stand, face an enemy, make a point. It shines brilliance and shameless illumination on the-principle-of-the-thing. The energy of this planet demands that we dig deep and discover within ourselves integrity and potential.

Day of the week: Tuesday

Color: orange

Herbs: allspice, basil, blood root, cactus, chili pepper, dragon’s blood, garlic, ginger, holly, horseradish, mustard, nettle, onion, pepper, pine, radish, snapdragon, thistle, tobacco, wormwood

Stones: bloodstone, garnet, jasper (red), ruby, tourmaline (red)

Element: Fire

Energies: defensive magick, regaining lost territory, assertion, resolving disagreement, successfully handling disruption, goals

• Mercury

Mercury connects us to the magic of communication and ethereal creativity.

As it pertains to tarot ~ This planet salvages lost ideas, unspoken thoughts, and words ripped from our lips by the winds of uncertainty and hesitation. Mercury has the ability to reconnect us with loved ones, ideas, and most importantly, it reconnects us to ourselves. This planet highlights and plugs into the inter-connectedness of the human psyche.

Day of the week: Wednesday

Color: silver, yellow

Herbs: almond, bracken, caraway, clover, dill, fennel, flax, lavender, lemongrass, mandrake, marjoram, mint, papyrus, parley, pistachio, senna, slippery elm, wax plant

Stones: agate, jasper (mottled), citrine, topaz (yellow), amber

Element: Air

Energies: creativity– writing, painting, sculpting, music, etc.; creativity, mental issues, learning energy, summoning spirits

• Jupiter

Jupiter is all about expansion and growth, making more of something, or making it bigger.

As it pertains to tarot ~ Jupiter likes to speed up the process. This planet is all about developing and building on your ideas, your plan, your potential. It’s bigger-than-life energy will take us beyond our modest dreams, and ideas, and visions, elevating us and our efforts to new planes of success and growth. Things are going to happen when this planet is involved, and they usually happen in a big way.

Day of the week: Thursday

Color: purple

Herbs: anise, borage, cinquefoil, clove, dandelion, dill, fig, honeysuckle, hyssop, liverwort, maple, meadowsweet, mint, nutmeg, patchouli, sage, star anise

Stones: aventurine, amethyst, mystic topaz, jasper (brown), peridot, malachite, tourmaline (green)

Element: Earth

Energies: magick for expansion and growth, money and legal issues, employment, abundance, material opportunities

• Venus

Venus embodies love, healthy sexuality, romance, physical beauty, and the love of beautiful things in our lives, whether it be our surroundings, or the things we fill this space with.

As it pertains to tarot ~ Venus is all our fairy tales and dreams come to life, with a healthy dose of reality thrown in. Hopeless romantics will never give up on finding the perfect mate, and this planet will make sure this pursuit will have a promising, if not perfect, ending. We chase physical beauty the same way we chase love, and Venus will address this timeless pursuit as well, often redefining this attribute for us.

Day of the week: Friday

Color: pink, green

Herbs: African violet, apple, apricot, aster, barley, birch, bleeding heart, cardamom, catnip, columbine, crocus, cyclamen, foxglove, geranium, goldenrod, heather, hibiscus, hyacinth, iris, larkspur, lilac, magnolia, willow

Stones: blue lace agate, moonstone, selenite, crystal quartz, chalcedony, rose quartz

Element: Water

Energies: magick for love and romance, sex, lust, passion, fidelity, beauty, resolving relationship issues, friendship

• Saturn

Saturn is full of dark and sometimes dangerous energy, and this is the very energy we have to be brave enough to utilize if life calls us to it.

As it pertains to tarot ~ The sweet taste of revenge often cloys in our mouth when this planet appears. The very idea makes many of us uncomfortable, some of us still enveloped in archaic and conservative modes of consciousness. But from the black depths of the universe, as well as the murky corners of our minds, we realize that there is a time and a place and a reason for Saturn’s darkness. Hopefully not all of us will have need of it, but do not fear it, and do not flinch from it, should it come up in your life.

Day of the week: Saturday

Color: black

Herbs: amaranth, beet, belladonna, boneset, comfrey, fumitory, hellebore, hemlock, hemp, ivy, knot weed, mimosa, morning glory, mullein, quince, skullcap, slippery elm, tamarisk, wolf’s bane

Stones: jet, onyx, apache tear, obsidian, tourmaline (black), coal, hematite

Element: Earth, Fire

Energies: protection, hexing/cursing, retribution, dark magick, revealing truth

• Neptune

Neptune hangs on tenaciously to reality for dear life, constantly bombarded by delusions and addictions.

As it pertains to tarot ~ The dark side is dangerously close to the surface when Neptune appears. It can encompass the diffused hazy world of drug addiction and mental illness. The energy of Neptune, if broken like a wild horse, tamed, and put to good use, can be a startling illumination of incredible awe inspiring intuition and insight. There’s a very thin line between genius and insanity. Neptune takes us there.

Day of the week ~ Thursday

Colors ~ green, blue, lavender

Herbs ~ bulrush, lobelia, morning glory, night-blooming jasmine, pine, reed, reed canary grass, water lily

Stones ~ coral, aquamarine, platinum, neptunium

Element ~ Water

Energies ~ dissolving boundaries, expanding upon ideas, changing established rules, intuition, idealism, sacrifice, glamour, illusion, evolution and decay

• Uranus

Uranus digs it’s stubborn heels into the soul of the individualist, celebrating eccentricity and rebellion.

As it pertains to tarot~ This planet lets us know that we’re in up to our necks if we’re dealing with its energy. Getting anything done, like convincing the hoards that we have a good idea, or progressing at any acceptable rate with whatever we’re plunging into, is going to be a long difficult painful process. The energy of Uranus is maddening in it’s inability to compromise. It’s cursed with the ability to turn a blind eye, to avoid conflict at any cost, or to avoid assertion on every level. The lazy-ass energy of Uranus will lay, inert, at our feet.

Day of the week ~ Tuesday, Saturday

Colors ~ red

Herbs ~ hot herbs: cayenne pepper, jalapenos; blood root; hemlock; belladonna

Stones ~ red stones: jasper, garnet, ruby

Element ~ Fire

Energies ~ originality, eccentricity, sensuality, perversions, daring, idealism, conflict

• Pluto

Pluto comes streaking in with incredible force to destroy everything in its path. Everything in it’s wake seems to be touched by its terrible energy. We stand amidst ground zero, and we wail, we moan, we beat our chest, only to open our eyes and look around in profound wonder and amazement. All the crap is gone. The slate is clean. We can begin again.

As it pertains to tarot ~ This planet has much the same effect on us and our lives as the major arcana card The Tower. They share much of the same destructive and disruptive tendencies. However, Pluto is more discernible. It’s more apt to leave what we need and wipe out what was getting in our way.

Day of the week ~ Saturday

Colors ~ black

Herbs ~ angelica, black snake root, cinnamon, clove, dill, dragon’s blood, mustard, onion, shallot, thistle, peppermint, tobacco, wormwood

Stones ~ black stones: onyx, hematite, obsidian

Element ~ Fire

Energies ~ destruction, renewal, enlightenment, research, clearing, burning off, polar opposites, criminals, inspirational gurus

BOOKS BY AMYTHYST RAINE @ AMAZON

Signs He's a Keeper ~ Yeppa'

Some people find their true love and life-time partner right off the bat and spend the next five to seven decades in harmonious coupledom.  But there are others of us who will spend a life time searching for "The One".  And during this arduous, often tempestuous, and discouraging search, we will run into people and relationships that we thought were the right one, only to recognize a mistake, often well after it's been made.

When you finally hit the jack pot at the end of the proverbial rainbow, and your One True Love, aka Prince Charming, comes along.  You need to recognize him.  You need to acknowledge him.  You need to appreciate him.  And you need to Keep Him!

Good luck, Ladies!... I hope you are as fortunate as I am.

• EVEN WHEN LIFE GETS CRAZY HECTIC, YOU ALWAYS FEEL LIKE HIS NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

If he were to list all his priorities, where would you rank in the pecking order? If you think you’d come first, which is the only place you should be, he’s a keeper. Your guy should value your relationship above anything else. Yes, that includes sports, nights out with the guys, or past partners.  That’s not to say he can’t or shouldn’t have a life outside of your relationship but that you should feel loved and valued in the midst of it all.

• HE’S THERE FOR YOU EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T REALIZE YOU NEED HIM.

Is your guy there for you during a crisis, even if things get a little messy, or if the timing’s inconvenient? You know you’re with a good guy if he goes above and beyond to help you through a rough time. If you’re looking for a long-term partner, it’s essential for him to show you compassion, consideration, and empathy when you need it the most (and even when you don’t realize you need it).

• HE CAN’T IMAGINE A FUTURE WITHOUT YOU IN IT.

You know he’s not leading you down the garden path if he talks about you in his future. Does he ever mention you when he talks about his life goals? If he can’t imagine going through any stage of his life without you by his side, that shows he’s thinking long-term and means business about your relationship. Yup, he’s a keeper.

• HE WANTS TO GET TO KNOW THE OTHER PEOPLE YOU KNOW AND LOVE.

Your friends and family are important to you so they’re important to him too. If he’s invited to a family party or a friend's birthday, he’s excited to go with you. He considers getting to know the people who’ve helped shape the woman he loves a privilege, and that’s a rare thing.

• YOUR SUCCESS BRINGS HIM JOY.

Some men are intimidated by successful women. Their egos are too fragile so they can’t hack it when their girlfriends are totally killin’ it in everything they do. This can lead to jealousy, bitterness, and filthy arguments. If your guy’s genuinely happy for and proud of you for smashing one goal after another and even brags about your accomplishment to others, he’s a keeper. Your guy should be your biggest cheerleader, after all.

• HE ACTUALLY LISTENS TO YOU BECAUSE HE CARES ABOUT YOUR DAY TO DAY LIFE.

Does he not just hear what you have to say but actually absorb the information? If you have a big interview coming up or a daunting meeting ahead, does he remember? A simple text wishing you good luck, or a call to ask how it went, shows he genuinely cares about you and your well-being. Sure, he might not always find these things super interesting, but they interest him because they have to do with you.

• HE HELPS YOU BECOME THE BEST POSSIBLE VERSION OF YOURSELF.

Your partner should make you feel like a million dollars:  confident, fabulous, and beautiful. If you ever find your guy slowly chipping away at your self-confidence, or putting you down, kick him to the curb. The right guy for you will make you feel like a superstar every single day.

Can he make you feel better when you feel like poo? Whether he reminds you of an inside joke you share, surprises you with wine, or submits to binge-watching The Good Witch, he always knows how to put a smile back on your face.

• HE HAS HIS LIFE TOGETHER AND IS TRULY READY FOR A MATURE RELATIONSHIP.

There’s no point wasting time trying to turn a boy into a man. If you want to make long-term plans with this guy, he should have his own apartment because he’s done with the bachelor lifestyle. He should be focused on his career and happy to start settling down. Make sure you’re both on the same page with this, otherwise it’ll only lead to upset.

• HE TRULY VALUES YOUR OPINION.

Although he doesn’t always take your advice, he always asks for your opinion when it comes to major life choices. This is a sure sign he appreciates your input and takes you seriously. That’s the kind of guy you want to be with, right?

SOURCE:

https://www.bolde.com/man-10-things-hes-keeper/

Your Ex ~ Signs They Are Over You

With February's energy and Valentine's Day euphoria still lingering, I've been pouring over relationship posts in the land of Google.  There were some doozys about boyfriends and husbands sending their ex-wives Valentine's Day gifts, or making secret Valentine's Day phone calls, and the reaction from most relationship experts was pretty predictable for this scenario.  Basically, it was:  "What the the hell are you doing?"  Needless to say, the reactions of the new girlfriends or wives over this newly exposed revelation was pretty expected.  They were devastated.

Throughout most of these articles, one thing became really clear:  a boyfriend's ex-girlfriend, or a husband's ex-wife, is not going to go away UNTIL THEY TELL THEM TO.  And if a boyfriend or husband is shielding and protecting inappropriate or compromising communication with their ex, keeping it a secret from their present partner or wife, there can only be disaster ahead.  Nothing in this modern world of technology is going to stay secret forever, and when the secret is out, it will hit the fan.  If boyfriends and husbands are happy with their new partners, they better appreciate what they have and put all their effort and energy into protecting what they have... or they might lose it.

On to the article I chose for today.  Let's look at it from a new perspective, through the eyes of The Ex.  How do you know when you're beating a dead horse?  Read the article below for some insights.

Breaking up with someone that you care about is a really tough thing to do. Your entire world can completely change in a matter of moments and you might find yourself not knowing exactly how to move on from your ex.  If you have not really talked to him since the breakup, or if things ended messily, then you might be wondering if he still has some feelings for you. Is there any chance of the two of you resolving your issues and getting back together?

The most obvious way to find out the answer to your questions is by having a talk with him about how he feels and if he still feels anything for you at all.  In order to move on from a breakup, one of the best things you can have is closure. Without getting any closure, it can be very hard for you to move on with your life.

You might not be ready to see the signs that your ex could be over you, or maybe you just don't know how to read them. Below, you'll find signs that let you know your ex-partner has moved on, and it's time for you to move on too.

SIGNS YOUR EX IS OVER YOU

THERE IS SOMEONE ELSE

Many times, when an ex cannot get over you, they will avoid entering the dating pool for a while because nobody compares to you in their head. This happens when they are not ready to let go of you.

Maybe they will go on first dates, and their friends will try to set up your ex with someone so they can get over you. But if you are still on his mind, then he might not take any of those possibilities further because he is still thinking about you.

On the other hand, if your ex really is seeing someone else, then he is probably over you, or at the very least, he wants to give off that impression.  The act of seeing someone new can be anything from going on dates and having casual flings to settling into a serious relationship. Maybe he's even joined a dating website.

Any of those actions point to him trying to move on. If he is putting himself out there, and he has been back on the market since the two of you broke up, then he is clearly ready to move on from the relationship that the two of you had.

HE IS NOT NICE TO YOU

If he still has feelings for you, then your ex might still treat you differently than he would treat any other girl. He might go out of his way to be nice to you and he might still even flirt with you intentionally or unintentionally.

But if your ex does not try to be nice to you outside of what would be considered normal behavior, then it is highly likely he is over you. He probably now sees you as just another person, and not as the special person that used to be so close to him on an intimate level.

If your ex is over you then at best he will be civil towards you. In the worst case scenario, he will be kind of mean to you and he will not have the same patience for you that he did during your relationship.

Being around you might even irritate him. Now that you are no longer together, the rose-colored glasses have come off and you just no longer hold the same importance to your ex that you used to have. This, of course, would mean that your ex is over you.

He might not even be acting this way on purpose. Love can do crazy thing to us. It can even make us overlook every little thing that would normally bother us about a person.

Since you and your ex are not an item anymore, all of those qualities of yours probably stick out to him now, and they might even annoy him. If you were hoping that he might still have feelings for you, those chances are probably long gone.

HE ASKED YOU TO RETURN HIS THINGS

Sometimes if an ex is not completely over you, they will choose to not come back for all their things so that they have an excuse to get them from you at another time as opposed to collecting all of their belongings from you right after the breakup.

Doing so will give your ex an excuse and a chance to have to see you again. But if everything is in order and he already took all of his things back, or if he does not want his things back, then he is over you.

Basically, if he wants to forget about you or if he is over you, he will not leave your business unfinished. So if everything has been returned to their rightful owners and he has moved out of the place you shared, you can be sure that he has moved on.

HE RETURNED YOUR THINGS

People can easily get very sentimental especially about possessions when it comes to their romantic partners. This is why some of us end up holding onto things from our exes.

Even if the relationship is long over, sometimes people will hold onto a gift or a possession of their exes to just serve as a reminder of the relationship. For some people, these belongings or possessions that they have chosen to keep might even be like a souvenir or trophy to them.

If your ex gave all of your things back to you right away, then that is his way of showing you that he is serious about moving on. This is especially applicable if he gave back the things you gifted him as well.

Doing so essentially means he no longer wants anything to do with you and that he is trying to start over with a clean slate. In other words, he is over you.

HE DOES NOT CARE IF YOU ARE DATING SOMEONE

Strangely enough, we can get incredibly jealous of the people our exes date. It can be because you miss your ex or because the person they are now seeing makes you feel insecure about yourself.

One might even find themselves feeling territorial in this type of situation. If you are dating someone and your ex knows about it and does not seem to care, then he is over you.

Your ex might be completely indifferent to this new development in your life or he might even be happy for you that you have been able to move on from your previous relationship.

Either way, if you are seeing someone new and he does not seem bothered by it, it can mean that the two of you are working to keep your relationship in the past.

HE SEEMS HAPPY WITH HIS LIFE

Does your ex appear to be genuinely happy with his life? If this is the case, then it can mean that nothing is missing from his life, including you.

If he was missing you and what you used to have together, then he might express some dissatisfaction or regret that would hint at him not fully enjoying his life right now. You would see this on social media or he might even communicate to you or someone that you know that he is not happy.

But if you are seeing or hearing that he is truly happy with his life, try to be happy for him. He might be over you, but look at it as a chance for you to find your own happiness somewhere else. You do not need him in order to have a happy life.

HE IS NOT TRYING TO CONVINCE YOU THAT HE IS HAPPY

A sign that your ex actually is happy with his life is that he does not feel the need to go out of his way to tell you that he is happy.

Someone who is not really happy would go out of their way to try to convince people otherwise. They might even excessively brag about how great things are in their life.

If your ex really is happy with his life, then he will not feel the need to prove that to you or anyone else. If he seems happy and is not going out of his way to show that to people, then he is over you.

HE DID NOT CHOOSE YOU

If there was someone else and he ultimately chose that other person over you, then you have a definite sign that you were not his first pick.

There may have been more than one time where he had a chance to choose you and he never did. That action says a lot about how he feels.

Maybe you were hoping he would come to his senses and come back running to you. But if he did not pick you, then it almost definitely means that he is over you. Otherwise, he would not have risked losing you forever by not choosing you.

HE UNFRIENDED AND UNFOLLOWED YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA

As a couple, you were probably all over each other’s social media accounts. While some exes will remain connected on social media, others will completely disconnect from each other.

If he has unfriended and unfollowed your social media accounts, then that means he does not want you in his life because he is trying to move on.

For many exes, staying connected on social media is unhealthy and can leave the door open to communication. This could be why he no longer follows your accounts.

Try to not take it personally. Many exes unfollow one another on social media so that they can move on from each other.

HE DOES NOT FLAUNT HIS HAPPINESS 

If your ex was not yet over you, then he might be trying to make you jealous by showing off his new girlfriend all over social media. He would be bragging about his new lady.

But if he is happy and is over you, then he has no reason to try and make you feel jealous. If your ex is just living his life and not flaunting his new life without you, then he is probably over you.

HE HAS STOPPED CONTACTING YOU

You were once used to him reaching out to you all the time when you were in a relationship, but you are no longer together anymore. The next thing you know, you never hear from him anymore.

While it is completely normal for people to stop talking once the relationship ends, some people still stay in touch because they choose to stay friends or sometimes because they are not yet over each other.

If your ex has ceased to contact you, then he is over you. If you have not already deleted his number, then do it. The only reason to have his number is if you have children together. You deserve to move on as well.

HE TOLD YOU HIS FEELINGS ARE GONE

If your ex told you that his feelings for you are gone, then you should choose to believe him. Why would he lie to you about such a thing?

Try to accept that it is for the best and do your best to find happiness somewhere else as you go forward with your life. You cannot control how he feels about you and there is nothing you can do about that.

What you can do is appreciate the past you had together for what it was, and cherish the good memories. But let that stay in the past. The longer you go without your ex, the closer you will be towards ridding yourself of your romantic feelings for him.

HE MOVED

Moving on does not always have to be symbolic, sometimes it can literally happen. If your ex has moved away from you, then he is most likely moving on with his life.

While it is not always necessarily true, when someone stays and lives close to you, then they might not be ready to move on. Or you might at least get that impression because that person is still around.

If your ex moves away, then chances are that you will probably never see him again. There would be no more running into each other at the grocery store or realizing that a mutual friend invited you to the same party.

Him moving away can be a healthy way to give both of you the closure that you need, and it indicates that he is ready to begin a new chapter by himself and not with you.

HE DOES NOT FLIRT WHEN YOU TALK

Even if you are no longer together with him, you might still be put into situations where you have to see him and talk to him. This can occur if you work at the same place or if you have mutual friends.

When you do talk, you are going to be friendly with each other unless things ended badly. So how do you know if he is flirting or not?

Since you have been with him, you probably know how he flirts. But there are some very obvious signs of flirting as well.

Is he complimenting your looks or finding excuses to be around you? Does he find excuses to touch you as you talk, such as putting his arm around you or resting his hand on your shoulder?

These actions could all mean that he is flirting with you. But if he keeps things very professional when he talks to you, then he is over you.


HIS NEW LADY IS NOTHING LIKE YOU

Sometimes, when we are not over our exes, we consciously or subconsciously find someone new who reminds us of that person that we are no longer with.

This can mean that the new person physically looks like the ex and has the same hair color, eye color, or overall physical appearance.

Or it can mean that this person has the same profession or interests as the ex. Ask yourself this: is his new lady just another version of me?

If the answer is yes it can mean that he is not over you, or it can mean that he just has a very specific type that he is attracted to.

However, if this woman is nothing like you, then that is a clear sign that your ex is over you. After all, he has chosen someone completely different from you.

WHEN YOU RUN INTO EACH OTHER, HE DOES NOT BRING UP THE PAST

If you run in the same circles or go to the same school or work at the same office, then you are bound to run into your ex from time to time. You might even talk to each other when this happens.

Whatever you talk about with your ex, it should never be about the past if either of you is trying to move on. And if he never brings up the past with you, then that is another sign that he is probably over you.

HE DOES NOT RUSH TO RESPOND TO YOU WHEN YOU REACH OUT TO HIM

When you and your ex were both together, then you were at the top of his priorities. He probably used to respond to your text messages and phone calls as soon as he possibly could because you were important to him.

Now that you are broken up, does your ex rush to respond to your messages and calls with the same urgency that he had before? If not, then it means that you are not a priority to him anymore.

It is perfectly normal to not respond to your ex when they reach out to you, or to not be in a rush to respond if you choose to do it. You are not a big part of each other’s lives anymore.

If your ex is not responding to you when you reach out to him, then take the hint that he is over you and the relationship that you once had. Use that as yet another reason to move on.

HE HAS TOLD YOU TO MOVE ON

There is no clearer sign that your ex is over you than this one. And that sign is that he has told you to move on.

If your ex has told you to move on, then you have probably dropped hints that you are not over him. At this point, he is desperate to move on with his life without you being there to pine after him.

You might have your reasons for wanting to hold on to hope that you will get back together, but if he wants you to move on, then he does not share your feelings.

The best thing that you can do in this situation is to accept that your ex is over you. In this case, your time is wasted hoping he will change his mind.

Do the best that you can to put your energy to better use and put your history with him where it belongs, in the past.

CONCLUSION

To sum things up, there's a number of signs that will tell you if your ex is over you. Use your judgment to figure out if he might still have feelings for you or if he has completely moved on.

And remember that if you can, you should just ask him so you can get an honest answer. The biggest sign that your ex is over you is if he tells you that he is.

Source:

This article, Signs Your Ex is Over You, is not my work, and I lost the link to the original article when my computer unexpectedly rebooted.  I'll keep an eye out for this link, and when or if I find it, I'll post it here.

Also note, this article is posted completely unedited.  I more often than not wind up editing many of these articles because the original authors, as competent as they may be on the subject matter, don't always have the best editing skills.