New Year's Blessings

Daily Gratitude

Blue Skies, Blueberries, and Blue Moon Opportunities!

I love Summertime Blues! Fluffy white cumulus clouds dot a brilliant blue sky (or not), berries are ripening on the vines and shrubs as I patiently await their luscious sweetness.

To top it all off, this particular July of 2015 brings us a rare Blue Moon chance to focus on what we love about our lives

AND a once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity for me to travel to Australia! 

So, from the top:

Ever wonder why nature provides dark blue fruit precisely at this time of year? The anthocyanins in blueberries, chokeberries, and elderberries contain specific properties for rebuilding the body’s tissues and restoring the immune system. Mmmm. It’s a lesson in sharing with our feathered friends who already are intuitively aware of the medicinal value of each berry! Refer to links for more information.

Chokeberry (Aronia):

http://www.eattheweeds.com/chokeberry-bushy-health-food/

http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_arme6.pdf

http://joshfecteau.com/foraging-wild-fruit-black-chokeberry/

Blueberry:

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-blueberries.html

...and blue eyes!

Elderberry:

http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/mfruit/elderberries.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/043430_elderberry_natural_antivirals_health_benefits.html

Full Blue Moon July 31, 2015

Precise times of full moon in Syracuse, NY: 6:42 AM; South Australia: 8:12 PM

This full moon in Aquarius presents an opportunity “for radical re-assessment of who we are as individuals and how we relate our talents back into the world.” Elizabeth Peru

There are SIX planets in “retrograde” to assist us in slowing down and becoming introspective, including Saturn, Pluto, Neptune, Chiron, Uranus, and Venus. Each of them presents unique aspects of ourselves to be addressed and re-evaluated in the coming weeks and months.

”One of the most special aspects of this moon is that we won’t have another blue moon month until 2018. For many of us, we will be receiving our last bits of a long awaited wake-up call that actually began back in 2012, far before most of us were aware of the changes that were developing. We are being asked to notice where in our lives we have been neglecting the truth, or what situations we have been putting off.  This moon isn’t only encouraging it, it is making it a requirement.” Kate Rose

The Thunder Moon comes with a streak of fierce independence, combining Sun in Leo trine Pallas Athene in Sagittarius. Do something you promised yourself you’d do long ago and never did. Have an adventure. Strike out on your own. Do it your way. Use your intuition to tune into the needs of the tribe, then lead them to new ways. Don’t let the opinions of others stop you, but balance this with consideration of the group.” Jamie Kahl

What is a Blue Moon?

Full Blue Moon Ritual July 31, 2015:

Do one yourself or join a virtually-led experience like this one, or this one.

The energy of the Blue Moon lends itself nicely for setting goals and intentions that are big, important and lofty. Choose the life area that seem the most significant. 

1. Love and Happiness: Gems - amethyst, jade, rose quartz;

Colors - pink, red;

Essential Oils - cardamom, rosemary, ylang-ylang 

2. Physical Health: Gems - agate, bloodstone, ruby;

Colors - red, orange, yellow;

Essential Oils -coriander, eucalyptus, lavender 

3. Prosperity: Gems - turquoise, chrysoprase, emerald, opal;

Colors - green, pink;

Essential Oils - lemon, patchouli, ginger 

4. Protection: Gems - turquoise, citrine, garnet;

Colors - white, gold, black; 

Essential Oils - black pepper, clove, patchouli 

5. Healing: Gems -beryl, jasper, smoky quartz;

Colors - white, pink, purple, gold;

Essential Oils -coriander, eucalyptus, pine

Gather the chosen "tools", write down the goals or intentions and find a quiet spot, preferably out in nature under the light of the full moon. By sitting quietly, meditating and thinking about the goals, energy is drawn down from the Blue Moon and into the desired goals. The paper with the written-down goals can be either burned, shredded, or even kept until they are manifested.

First, mentally cast a bubble around you and the space you're in. This is a protective bubble that will keep only good energy moving in and out. Say that - that the bubble is a protective one. Light a candle.

Secondly, ask that your guides/angels/animal spirits/you-fill-in-the-blank be with you. Thank them for joining you, for protecting you, and for adding their energy.

Thirdly, ask the Universe/God/Goddess/You-fill-in-the-blank to hear you and to take your words and desires and manifest them physically. Describe in detail your desires.

Lastly, thank the Universe/God and your guide/angel for hearing you. Offer a token of thanks and blow out your candle, thus closing the circle and ending the ritual.

Once-in-a-Blue-Moon-lifetime opportunity:

Part of this beautiful Blue Moon energy is about traveling to new places, and my stars and planets have aligned at this time and space-place to provide me a flight to the land “down under”. Join me in celebrating the Thunder Blue Moon on July 31, 2015 via Facebook group!

P.S. I’ll be sure to photograph plenty of kangaroo adventures for next month’s post. Cheerio!

Riverside Dining

What is it about “nature” that intimidates people so? The responses from clients when asked “What do you like to do outside?” seem to be sadly typical of the general working populace: “There is no nature where I work/live/am.” “It’s too hot/cold/windy/rainy out there.” “I don’t have time to be just staring at some birds.” “My knee/hip/back/pain limits my activity.”

In my recent visit to Branson, Missouri, I encountered the typical navigational challenges while making my way down the too-narrow main street filled with vehicles jostling for position, their passengers looking and pointing at the myriad eateries and attractions, as tourists do.

I quickly realized that my heart was not in the tourist game, especially on a warm and humid day in June. I managed to go with the flow of traffic toward what seemed like the edge of the city only to find a shopping mall, a parking garage, a train station, and a Bass Pro Shop. My hands were gripping the steering wheel, my shoulders were tight, and I felt my blood pressure rising. Breathing deeply, I focused on the road beyond the crowded crosswalk. I saw water! Sure enough, nestled on the southeast side of the city was a parking lot right on the White River!

Rock cliffs rose up on the eastern side of the river, two bridges traversed the moderate expanse and a small RV park was underneath the one closest to my right. I sighed deeply as I relaxed into the surroundings, feeling much less tense. My car positioned at the water’s edge, I pulled out organic veggies and hummus from the cooler and settled in to enjoy a riverside repast.

Visitors came and went in the parking lot, a traveling family also came to dine, a tram tour made its turnaround, boaters cruised up and down the river, 

a duck boat tour squawked a narrative as it passed by and soon a fisherman waded into the water to my left, startling the blue heron that had been sentry near the shore. 

Swallows flitted and chased, pigeons sat on the overhead wires, and a father mallard was coaching his brood in the art (and science to be sure) of swimming.

Three times the sky darkened and light rain fell, causing a beautiful mist to rise off the water, swallowing the heron.

Canada geese glided by undeterred, and I marveled at the beauty of raindrops as they hit the water.

I gave silent thanks to the city, town, county, state, and national parks and the caretakers of the grounds, plants, and trees that adorn our waterways, village streets, and parking lots with nature attractants. They are not recognized enough for providing healing places for humans to be. All we have to do is expand our awareness to see and experience the calming influence of the natural world surrounding us.

New Friends and Frenzy Pics

Wow! Have you looked out there lately? Nature has really let loose! Don't you wonder how she reinvents herself every year? Plants, animals, and trees adapt to the environment, the weather, human interference, pollution, and a score of other hurdles thrown at them. Yet, there they are, without complaint, happy to be alive. This delicate, 3-inch beauty's name is Goldthread.

Many thanks to the Karboski's for joining in our woodland "Fiddlehead Tour". We all learned a lot and made new friends in the process. Our first-ever Jack-in-the Pulpit was spotted by Judy!

Many other new friends have been sighted in these past two summer-like weeks of May. Bellwort, Starflower, and Indian Cucumber Root to name a few.

Wild Sarsaparilla is everywhere, the Pink Lady made a quick appearance, and the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail has returned to flit among the flowers.

For all who missed the amazing "Frenzy of the Fiddelheads" uncurling into their magnificence as full-grown ferns, albeit not very large in some cases, here are some photos of the phenomenon.

The grounds and trails are open at Holistic Horizons Fiddlehead Grove Retreat and Healing Center from Dawn to Dusk. No appointment needed. Come explore!

Lighten the Load

Watching Spring unfold here in the northeastern U.S. is truly enjoyable for me. The “spring peepers” woke up last night, just as the last of the ice over the pond melted away, and our resident tom turkey awakened me early this morning whilst chasing the ladies with his morning gobble. Ahhh, Spring. Signs of rebirth, renewal, and rejoicing at the return of the sun to our side of the globe are all around us!

The earth comes alive as the dainty crocuses bravely bloom in the receding patches of snow. Daffodils raise their lazy heads as they seemingly race to catch up with the calendar on this year’s late start to the season. Tulips, hyacinth, and hosta plants bravely poke out from the leaf-laden ground. The air is filled with the echoes of phoebes finding mates, robins busily building nests, and the tapping of the red-bellied, hairy, downy, and pileated woodpeckers. Chipmunks waste no time getting right to scurrying, and the koi fish come to surface in the sun-drenched pond.

Winter’s hibernation is complete once more, the atmosphere is lighter, the sun warmer. Nature’s spring foods are bright green, delicate, and full of new life. As creatures of nature, humans can do well by following this rhythm. The sudden urge to open the windows, let the fresh air in, and do “spring cleaning” is our natural instinct to prepare our nest for new life.

Spring cleanses are very appropriate this time of year and include not only physical cleansing of winter’s buildup of fat stores, but also de-cluttering our home environments, cleaning up our thoughts, clearing out habits and/or issues that no longer serve a purpose for us, and simplifying our lives. Remember how it feels to clean out a closet? To give away or return something you no longer need? To discover something you forgot you had, or something you lost? This is what our bodies need. To clear out the tokens of yesteryear and begin anew.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Drink green smoothies-more bang than the chew
• Eat salads-for fiber and chlorophyll
• Find a local spring water source-water direct from the earth assimilates easily with our body’s chemistry
• Consume minimal or no animal products-they are “dead weight”
• Stretch-gets the kinks out of the limbs
• Get out in nature-expands your awareness
• Laugh-it boosts the immune system
• Sing, Listen to Music, Dance-it frees the mind
• Puff your chest, strut your stuff, and lose the winter fur-advice from tom turkey and the deer (it works for them)
• Wash the bedsheets with drops of Lavender essential oil-freshens the room and you’ll sleep great too. *For an added treat, hang them outside on the clothesline. Delicious!
• Walk-gets the kinks out of the bowels
  
• Walk a Labyrinth-calms the mind and centers the soul
• Ride a bike-fun exercise
• Bathe in Epsom salts-magnesium for relaxing the muscles and organs
• Journal-putting it on paper changes perspective
• Meditate-finds your inner guru
• Share-speaking out loud to a sacred witness is a powerful way to synthesize and process emotions

Once you begin to lighten the load by eating lighter and cleaning your environment, you will notice your senses become more discerning and your intuition sharper. You will have more energy and motivation to do more of the deeper practices of meditating or journaling. You can do it! Find that Spring sprout buried in your belly (second chakra). Nurture it with sunny, loving thoughts and water it with fresh, clean water. Give birth to the creative soul that is you!

More of Cathleen's published writings can be found on Smashwords.com