Face Fengshui

Chinese doctors have used the ancient art of face reading since the time of Confucius as an aid to diagnosis and a way of helping their patients. Close observation of the face afforded them a deep knowledge of the personality of their patients.

There were also professional face readers during this time that combined the roles of priest, astrologer and counselor. They were well-educated men with great compassion for human frailty. The Chinese understood the concept that the face represents the energies, health and fortune of a person and they wished to live in harmony with these, and with the prevailing energies of the five elements, yin and yang, and the seasons. This wisdom has seen a huge resurgence in the West during the past 20 years with the growth of acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Feng Shui and Qi Gong.


Chinese face reading is as relevant today as it was in the past and its use is cross-cultural. We all have a blend of elements and all faces reflect part of nature pattern. Face reading first appeared in China during the 6th century BC, possibly as the specialty of magic men not affiliated to any religion. It is thought that they were probably Taoist shamans from rural areas such as Szechwan who specialized in non-traditional deviational arts. By 220 BC, the art of face reading was established in Chinese life and classic treatises, such as the Golden Scissors and Bamboo Chronicles, were written at this time.



















The Principles of Face Reading:
The starting principles of face reading are the cosmic energies of the five elements and yin and yang. The elements are symbols and represent qualities of energy within each person that are reflected in the face. An elaborate physical, psychological and emotional profile can be built up, incorporating the energies of the features, the life points of the face, the three divisions from top to bottom (forehead, mid face and lower face) which show the nervous, circulatory and digestive systems and the facial zones which represent the internal organs.


Each face is a map of the past, present and future. The past would be described as our inherited constitution, our mother’s pregnancy, our childhood and adolescence, with either difficulties or support in the family, and our early years as we start out in the world. The present reflects our health at the time of the reading. This is something we create ourselves. Coco Chanel said: Inappropriate diet, persistent negative emotions, drugs, toxins and stress all contribute to lines, congestion, and colors on the face. The facial zones affected are related to the internal organs under stress. In the same way that the feet are a microcosm of the whole in Reflexology, so the face shows the inner health status and the person behind the persona. The future is not predestined in Chinese philosophy: acts of compassion can lengthen one’s life, and taking greater care with health can resolve possible future symptoms. Sometimes destiny and the ups and downs of life can be improved by facial surgery? Correcting squints helps one’s fortunes during the years 35-40. However, nose jobs, which expose the nostrils and shorten the nose can affect the end of the 40s.



Balance and proportion are important in face reading, as in Chinese paintings. There needs to be harmony between the mountains (the yang element, represented in the face by the bones) and the rivers, (the yin element which is the soft tissue). Although a face may be considered beautiful by society, in face reading terms it may be too yin (upturned nose, large wide mouth, eyes too far apart, thin eyebrows). Many models have this look. In our language we have many expressions to describe character traits: pay through the nose, two faced, keeping one’s nose clean, chinless wonder? We may have forgotten how these came into a language in the first place, the mouth relates to communication, and the chin signifies determination, ambition and practicality. So, face reading can be used to sum up a person’s energies, to get a health read-out, to assess character, to help gain self knowledge and to plan for good health.


There are numerous ways to read a face in Chinese physiognomy: 3 Quarters, 8 Trigrams, 108 Spots, examining the shapes, the colors, the wrinkles and the moles, just to name a few. A master of face reader usually employs the combination of several techniques to gain multiple perspectives and perform cross-examination.


Following is a brief introduction to the 12 Houses method.
1. Fortune House (Fude Gong)
It gives an overview of your general fortune trend. An ideal Fortune House should be round, full and smooth with no visible marks, lines or scars. Flaws in these areas reflect problems in your life, which can be in the form of bad health, distressful relationships or money troubles.


2. Parents House (Fumu Gong)
It is associated with Heaven Luck; in this regard its state is quite a testimony to the situation that your parents were in and your relationship with them. A forehead that is wide, round and shinning speaks of a good family inheritance, a comfortable upbringing and early achievement, while a small, bony or disfigured one illustrates an uneasy childhood.


3. Career House (Guanlu Gong)
Again, being broad, round and smooth is the basic criteria to identify a good Career House. If on the top of that, you also have prominent cheekbones and protruding eyebrows, you shall have a great chance to achieve a great success in your chosen field.


4. House of Travel (Qianyi Gong)
If it is in any way disfigured with scars or deep lines, you might be better off saying put. Furthermore, jobs or businesses involving transportation, tourism or import/export are, understandably, not your best choice.


5. Life House (Ming Gong)
The key to your fortune is deposited here. Naturally, being smooth and shinny is ideal, which suggests a trouble-free life journey. If it is receded, dimpled or scared; or there are permanent horizontal lines between the brows; or eyebrows meet in the middle, you may face a bumping road ahead.


6. House of Siblings (Xiongdi Gong)
Eyebrows and the areas directly above them represent it, and it also oversees your relationship with your friends and colleagues. The state of your hair has a direct connection to the physical conditions of your parents at the time when you were conceived, which means it has a lot to do with your genetic make-ups. Brows that are dark, thick, long, smooth, orderly and located high above eyes indicate a healthy hormone level that gives rise to affection, calmness and courage. If they look sparse, thin, pale, short, or chaotic, or too close to eyes, or marked with a scar, you could be tormented by your own physical or emotional states.


7. Assets House (Tianzhai Gong)
Your eyes betray your intelligence and temperament, and the very quality of these dispositions plays important role in your asset acquisition endeavor. Good Asset Houses are constituted with eyes that are long with large pupils and clear whites, and up-eyelids that are broad and full. Deep-set or dazed eyes disclose dumbness, while recessed or narrow eyelids exhibit impatience. If the whites are colored with red streaks, and worse, if the streaks pass through a pupil, you should brave yourself for a severe storm when your financial aspect is concerned.


8. House of Marriage (Qiqie Gong)
Being full and smooth in appearance indicates a happy marriage. A receded House however rings alarm bell on extra marital affairs. If the area bears visible spots, scars, black moles or messy lines, your marriage could be in serious trouble due to some unscrupulous conduct.


9. House of Children (Ernu Gong)
This area is closely related to cerebellum and also governs your love and sex life, so again, being full and round is better than being flat or receded. Dim moles or slant lines across the area are especially undesirable, suggesting some problems regarding your own sex life or your children’s future development.


10. Health House (Jie Going)
If the House is broken or marked with horizontal lines, or if it is stained with spots, marks or discoloration, you shall pay extra attention to your health, especially your digester system.


11. Wealth House (Caibo Gong)
A nose that has high and straight bridge, big and round tip, full and fleshy wings, and invisible nostrils, not only indicates sound physical health, a positive mental attitude, also denotes success in career and abundance in wealth. On the other hand, a nose that is low, or crooked, pointed, or narrow, bony, or with contoured bridge, upturned tip, visible nostrils, reveal a problematic personality, a troublesome financial situation or a difficult career path. If blood vassals are clearly visible, or a dim blue color tones the surface, an illness or a money loss is on the way. When a nose turns bloody red, which is dubbed Fire in Lounge in Chinese physiognomy, it should be viewed as a serious warning sign - an impending disaster is near.


12. Popularity House (Nupu Going)
This House rules your relationship with your colleagues, subordinates or younger generations, and foretells your situation in your old age. When they are round and full, you can expect to enjoy your popularity among your followers. But if it sharps off, or appears crooked or bony, you probably should forget your dream about being a politician. And what’s more, you’d better prepare for self-support during old age.


Marks, spots, scars on, and even shapes of your face can change over time, meaning your fate can alter through the years. You can utilize your Man Power (your attitudes - good deeds, better learning and hard work) and the Earth Power (your environment - favorable Feng Shui) to neutralize the Heaven Power (your time of birth - what you have inherited from your parents and your previous lives). Ultimately, you are the real creator of your own fate. When you change your heart, you change your face; when you change your face, you change your fate.
http://english.eastday.com/e/zx/userobject1ai4042447.html

GEMSTONE attract MONEY POWERS

CITRINE GEMSTONE MONEY POWERS
CITRINE is known as a MONEY STONE. As well its Called Success Stone and Merchants Stone of Wealth. Citrine is known as the "success stone" because it Promotes Success, Prosperity, and Abundance. It particularly promotes Success in Business and Money Involved Situations. Citrine is a stone of Good Fortune, and Sometimes brings it when you dont expect it. It is a stone of manifestation, helping manifest abundance in many ways. Along with Prosperity and Good fortune, Citrine dissipates negative energies of all kinds. Since citrine eliminates negative energies, it helps generate stability in all areas of your Life, and is Extremely Good for General Protection. Citrine is a stone that brings Happiness and cheer to one who carries or wears it. Sensuality and sexuality can also be heightened by Citrine. It will Give Joy and Love to the owner. Citrine helps to manifest your goals and attracts abundance and personal power. The stone not only helps acquire wealth but maintain it, because it vibrates to prosperity in all its forms, as it is a Powerful MONEY Stone.


GREEN AVENTURINE MONEY POWERS






Aventurine has been used as a lucky talisman and is a popular stone for gamblers. Green Aventurine is like the good luck shamrock of the mineral kingdom. It helps bring in good fortune, money, abundance and overall happiness. Its name is derived from the Italian word "aventura" that means by chance. Green Aventurine is extremely powerful. Green Aventurine is often referred to as the Money Stone. It is thought to help those who enjoy games of chance and attracts money and luck to the owner. Has a reputation as a "gambler’s stone", bringing luck into the game of risk and chance. Good career stone for those in stressful situations at work. It assists in realization of potentials and alternatives. It gives a calmness and balance, which enhances creativity, career success, prosperity, and independence

http://www.wowamulets.com/pages/Naturally-Energized-Crystals-to-Attract-Good-Luck-in-Money.html

THE TABLE CLOTH

THE TABLE CLOTH (TRUE STORY)

Beautiful story.... makes you understand that things happen for a reason
The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned
to their first ministry to reopen a church
in suburban Brooklyn , arrived in early October
excited about their opportunities. When they saw
their church, it was very run down and needed
much work. They set a goal to have everything
done in time to have their first service
on Christmas Eve.
They worked hard repairing pews, plastering walls,
painting, etc. and on December 18
were ahead of schedule and just about finished.

On December 19 a terrible tempest - a driving
rainstorm - hit the area and lasted for two days.

On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church.
His heart sank when he saw that the roof had
leaked, causing a large area of plaster, about
20 feet by 8 feet, to fall off the front wall
of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit
beginning about head high.

The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor
and, not knowing what else to do but postpone
the Christmas Eve service, headed home.
On the way he noticed that a local business was
having a flea market type sale for charity, so he
stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful,
handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth
with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross
embroidered right in the center. It was just
the right size to cover the hole in the front
wall. He bought it and headed back to the church.
B y this time it had started to snow. An older
woman running from the opposite direction was
trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor
invited her to wait in the warm church for
the next bus 45 minutes later.

She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor
while he got a ladder, hangers, etc. to put
up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor
could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and
it covered up the entire problem area.
Then he noticed the woman walking down the center
aisle. Her face was like a sheet. "Pastor,"
she asked, "where did you get that tablecloth?"
The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check
the lower right corner to see if the initials 'EBG' were crocheted into
it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman and she had
made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria .
The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor
told how he had just gotten "The Tablecloth". The
woman explained that before the war she and
her husband were well-to-do people in Austria .

When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave.
Her husband was going to follow her the next week.
He was captured, sent to prison and she never saw her
husband or her home again.
The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth
but she made the pastor keep it for the church.
The pastor insisted on driving her home. That
was the least he could do. She lived on the other
side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn
for the day for a housecleaning job.
What a wonderful service they had on Christmas
Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the
spirit were great. At the end of the service the
pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door
and many said that they would return.

One older man, whom the pastor recognized
from the neighborhood, continued to sit in one of the
pews and stare. The pastor wondered why he
wasn't leaving.
The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on
the front wall, because it was identical to one
that his wife had made years ago when
they lived in Austria before the war - and how
could there be two tablecloths so much alike?
He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he
forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was
supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and
put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home
again all the 35 years between.
The pastor asked him if he would allow him to
take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten
Island and to the same house where the pastor
had taken the woman three days earlier.
He helped the man climb the three flights of
stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on
the door and he saw the greatest Christmas
reunion he could ever imagine.
True Story - submitted by Pastor Rob Reid,
who says God does work in mysterious ways.
I asked the Lord to bless you as I prayed for
you today, to guide you and protect you as you go
along your way. His love is always with you. His
promises are true, and when we give Him all our
cares we know He will see us through.
S o when the road you're traveling seems
difficult at best, just remember I'm here
praying and God will do the rest. Pass this on
to those you want God to bless and remember
to send it back to the one who asked God to bless
you first.
When there is nothing left but God, that is when
you find out that God is all you need Take 60
seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply
say the following small prayer for the person
who sent this to you.*
F**ather, **G** **od, bless all my friends and family in what* *
ever it is that You know they may be needing this
day! May their lives be full of Your peace,
prosperity and power as they seek to have a*
*closer relationship with You. Amen.*
T hen send it on to five other people, including the
one who sent it to you. Within hours five people have
prayed for you and you caused a multitude of people
to pray for other people. Then, sit back and watch the
power of God work in your life.

P. S. Five is good, but more is better.

Make PEACE not war

50 Peaceful Things

50 Peaceful Things
by Lori Deschene

“Peace is not something you wish for. It’s something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away.” ~Robert Fulghum

Recently I’ve been spending a lot of time visiting 1000 Awesome Things, a blog devoted to the many simple pleasures in life. Some of them remind me of being a kid, like this one about celebrities on Sesame Street. Others remind of me I’m stronger than I think, like this one about getting through difficult situations.

With that in mind, you can imagine how excited I am to receive a copy of Neil’s upcoming book, aptly named The Book of Awesome. I’m even more excited that I’ll be able to give away two autographed copies when I write my review. (Coming soon!)

In the meantime, as a way to pay tribute to this awesome book and my awesome new friend, I’ve decided to create my own awesome list, tinybuddha style.

Here are 50 peaceful things to help you be mindful and happy throughout the day:
1. Laying in bed for a few minutes in the morning before hopping into your day. There’s no reason to rush.

2. Eating breakfast slowly, at a table, instead of grabbing something on the go.

3. Listening to your favorite music on the way to work, and remembering when you first heard it. Where you were, who you were with, how you felt.

4. Hugging someone you know long enough to make it meaningful.

5. Appreciating something you take for granted, like your feet for taking you where you need to go.

6. Focusing solely on the smell of your coffee as it brews.

7. Noticing something thoughtful a stranger does for someone else. (There are a lot of beautiful people out there).

8. Watching a coworker get proud about doing something well and feeling happy for them. Nothing’s more calming than focusing on someone else and forgetting yourself for a while.

9. Getting into the zone typing, like finger-moving meditation, maybe set the rhythm of a great tune on your iPod.

10. Doing only one thing, even though you have a lot to do, to fully enjoy what you’re doing.

11. Knowing you did a good job and taking a few minutes to bask in self satisfaction. You’re pretty awesome.

12. Expressing how you feel and then letting it be without feeling pressure to explain (pressure we usually put on ourselves).

13. Taking a break without anything to do besides breathing and noticing little details in your environment. How soft the rug is after having been cleaned. How sunlight from your window leaves shadows on your desk.

14. Holding someone’s hand in both of yours when you thank them.

15. Listening to someone talk–really hearing them–without thinking about what you’ll say next.


16. Remembering a time when you felt peaceful, and going back there in your head.

17. Writing a thoughtful, hand-written note to someone, even if you could email, because you feel more connected when you write it out.

18. Channeling your inner Kevin Rose and savoring a cup of loose leaf tea.

19. Forgiving someone, not just in words, but by feeling compassion for them.

20. Writing down thoughts that keep racing through your head, crumpling up the paper, and throwing it away. Being done with them.

21. Letting yourself have lunch without any thoughts of work.

22. Doing something slowly and finding it more fun than you realized when you rushed through it.

23. Holding a smooth rock in your palm and feeling stable and grounded.

24. Believing someone else when they say everything will be OK.

25. Feeling whatever you feel without judging it, knowing it will pass. It always does.

26. Making a short video of your child or niece, and watching it in the middle of the day when the world seems to be moving too fast.

27. Watching something in nature and letting yourself be intrigued. Feeling wonder at something simple that man hasn’t touched or changed.

28. Finding something beautiful in chaos, like the love between your loud family members at the dinner table, or one raindrop dripping down your window as you navigate a traffic-congested road.

29. Thinking something and realizing you can change your thoughts whenever you want. You don’t have to dwell in a painful memory–you can make a better one right now.

30. Telling someone you love them, not because you want to hear it back, but because you feel it too deeply not to express it. Because expressing it makes you happy.

31. Realizing there’s nothing to worry about. You can be happy right now–you have everything you need to smile.

32. Doing something creative and childlike, like making someone a card or coloring. Even as an adult, it feels good to pick all the right colors and stay mostly in the lines. Or go out of the lines and embrace it. It’s your picture!

33. Giving someone you love the benefit of the doubt to put your mind at ease and maintain a peaceful relationship.

34. Rolling down the window when you drive and feeling the pressure of the cool air on your face.

35. Calling one of your parents in the middle of the day to thank them for everything they’ve done–everything they’ve given you that one crazy afternoon can’t diminish or take away.

36. Taking a walk with no destination in mind, just to see what’s out there to be seen.

37. Letting go of something you’ve been holding onto that does nothing but stress you out.

38. Telling someone why knowing them makes you lucky.

39. Letting someone have their opinion; knowing you can honor it without changing or compromising yours.

40. Setting out on a joy mission–looking for something to do solely to experience fully present, open-to-possibilities bliss.

41. Defining peaceful for yourself. If peace is yelling, “I’m the king of the world!” while jogging around a track, do it with abandon.

42. Listening to a song that gives you goosebumps and creating a mental montage of moments that made you happy.

43. Turning off all your electronics to read without distractions.

44. Doing something by candlelight and remembering a simpler time.

45. Closing your eyes and dancing to a song you can feel pulsating in your veins.

46. Turning off your cell phone, no matter who might call or text, because there’s something you’d like to do with all your heart and attention.

47. Sitting in a sauna, and letting the heat melt all your stresses away.

48. Finally making time for something you want to do but always say you don’t have time for.

49. Making eye contact with a stranger and feeling connected to a world larger than your own.

50. Letting yourself lay in bed at night without making a mental inventory of things that went wrong today or could go wrong tomorrow.

And one last peaceful thing: being grateful for new friends with awesome ideas, and letting them inspire you.

The Holy Alphabet

The Holy Alphabet

Whoever came up with this one must have had some Divine guidance!


A-Although things are not perfect
B-Because of trial or pain
C-Continue in thanksgiving
D-Do not begin to blame
E-Even when the times are hard
F-Fierce winds are bound to blow
G-God is forever able
H-Hold on to what you know
I-Imagine life without His love
J-Joy would cease to be
K-Keep thanking Him for all the things
L-Love imparts to thee
M-Move out of 'Camp Complaining'
N-No weapon that is known
O-On earth can yield the power
P-Praise can do alone
Q-Quit looking at the future
R-Redeem the time at hand
S-Start every day with worship
T-To 'thank' is a command
U-Until we see Him coming
V-Victorious in the sky
W-We'll run the race with gratitude
X-Xalting God most high
Y-Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but ...
X-Zion waits in glory ... where none are ever sad!


'I am Too blessed to be stressed!' The shortest distance between a problem and a
solution is the distance between your knees and the floor.

The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peace be with
you forever, Amen.

SOLID CRYSTAL BALLS

SOLID CRYSTAL BALLS
Solid crystal Balls are highly prized and best used to energize the Earth element in Feng Shui practice as well as to create very useful harmonizing effects within the home. This is acknowledged by many Feng Shui masters because a solid crystal Ball has the most pure and powerful earth energy.

Green is the color of balance, which is in the center of the rainbow spectrum. A Green colored crystal is generally said to balance our energies, bring stability,
increase love and compassion. Being the color of the nature, it brings peace and harmony.


A Blue colored crystal is generally said to increase career opportunities, business, finances, and leadership qualities. It also awakens intuition and eases loneliness.


A Yellow colored crystal is generally said to promote optimism, help you go through changes, aid memory, boost will-power and improve concentration. It also helps you feel expressive and joyful.

A Purple colored crystal has the power to attract and concentrate chi. It can improve the chi of the house/office.

A Pink colored crystal may help people pursue and grasp love. They can improve personal relationships.



Here are how you can utilize Crystal to Feng Shui your way to a better life.



o 1. Place the Crystal in the Southeast sector of living rooms, office, shops, work desk, near cash registers and important areas in your business premises to bring in more sales and achieve more monetary gains and successes, increase income and windfall luck. The Southeast sector governs Wealth Luck.



o 2. Display the Crystal in the Northwest to increase money luck and opportunities from helpful people in your business pursuits or career. The Northwest is the universal sector for Mentor Luck based on the Bagua 8 Life Aspirations Theory and its element is Metal. Crystals represent earth energy, and Earth produces Metal in the productive cycle of elements.



o 3. Display the Crystal in the Southwest corner of your living room to enhance relationship and romance luck The Southwest corner is the universal corner for Love and Romance based on the Bagua 8 Life Aspirations Theory and its element is Earth.



o 4. Place the Crystal in the Northeast of a bedroom to embellish the occupant's educational luck.




o 5. Place up to six pieces of Crystals in the center of the home to ensure ultimate wealth success and to magnify your windfall and speculative luck in life, and to achieve greater harmony in the family. They can me made up mixed crystals. This Feng Shui practice is highly recommended by many Feng Shui masters.

http://www.squidoo.com/thecrabbynook

crystal balls

GOLD Healing

Gold Healing

An excellent all-purpose, high level gem amplifier and electrical conductor, especially on Solar plexus and Heart Chakra. Strengthens meridians, nerve system, digestion. Positively charged with warming sun energy. Often worn by teachers/healers, especially after much self-healing (addictions, childhood...) Attracts prosperity, stores, amplifies thoughts/emotions/energy (Greed too). Yang. Pink = Gold + copper. Lovingness, warmth, spirituality. Amplifies gem effects. White: Combines sun and moon's energy, thus higher conductor and amplifier. A regenerator, helping one renew oneself. Works on the physical, mental, and spiritual planes. It benefits the nervous system and improves the ability of the nerves to transmit information in the most efficient manner. Helps digestion and helps the body in the proper assimilation of food. Benefits the circulatory system and blood. Helps control hormonal and chemical imbalances. Can be of great importance to individuals with degenerative diseases, such as heart disease or arthritis. Helps the brain work more efficiently. It works well with all crystals and gemstones. Can be used in conjunction with Copper and Silver, which aid in boosting its abilities in specific instances. Gold settings: Gold is ruled by the Sun a masculine planet, and therefore imparts a more assertive energy to crystals & minerals that are mounted in it.


Gold’s long history of use by mankind has given rise to a great number of healing myths. No doubt, its monetary value, which wells from a human lust for gold that is almost archetypal, has amplified the powers that healers attribute to the metal. That New Age healers call gold, “the Master Healer” is of little surprise considering how the desire that gold inspires approaches worship of the metal.

Physical Healing
Gold’s lack of toxicity and its scientific properties of incredible malleability and ability to conduct energy, while remaining resistant to wear and corrosion, make it highly useful for Medical Science. Medical uses based on science have included the treatment of Arthritis, dental fixtures, and more.

Healing uses for Gold based on the beliefs of the New Age include the treatment of blood, skin, neurological and heart disorders. They believe Gold to be an energy generator and remover of blockages with the power to strengthen, amplify and conduct energy in the body for the treatment of autism, dyslexia, epilepsy and scoliosis.

Mental Healing
To those who use minerals, metals and crystals for healing Gold symbolizes the purity of spirit and they attribute the power of cell regeneration, energy conductivity, communication transmission and energy purification to the metal. According to their belief system, Gold spurs the regeneration of neurotransmitters in both lobes of the brain and creates a balance of brain function between creative and logical thought. It also benefits the nerves with its ability to improve the flow of information through the body. In the world of spiritual healing, Gold has the emotional power to ease tension, feelings of inferiority, an anger as well as encouraging the realization of one’s potential and bringing comfort.

http://www.crystalsrocksandgems.com/Healing_Crystals/Gold.html

Animals as good luck symbols

Iguana
Her finest lessons are:

* Contentment
* Awareness
* Confidence
* Expectation
* Contemplation
* Appreciation
If iguanas or lizards are coming into your awareness, it could be a clear sign to bask in the art of appreciation.

It really is an art form too. Many of us are trained to work, slave, do, do, do - it can be a real effort to stop and smell the roses . Iguana energy beckons us to value the beauty around us, envelope ourselves in a good book, get lost in a good meal, revel in ecstasy over a few spare moments to just relax.

And speaking of relaxing, another symbolic meaning of iguana deals with contemplation. Spike is always observing. My human mind believes she's always suspending judgment about what she sees too.

Rather, she just observes and contemplates with youthful acceptance and peripheral curiosity. She seems to ruminate over every little thing for no other reason other than she can. From the birds that fly overhead, to the leaves that change color with the season - nothing is lost on her awareness. She drinks in her surroundings with an openness and marvels at the spectacles available for her contemplative pleasure.

Same holds true for us. The iguana encourages us to put ourselves in a mindset of utter wonder.

Rabbit
I'm not even going to touch the rabbit's foot thing. However, rabbits are lucky. They're considered extremely auspicious in matters of childbirth and fertility. Ever wondered about the Easter bunny? It's a throwback from fertility rites in which Eostre, a hare-headed goddess derived from ancient Saxon people would hail the blessed beginning of spring. If you'd just endured months of barren winter (maybe even facing starvation) the sign of the rabbit (and the coming of spring) was lucky indeed. I haven't written a page on the rabbit yet (but I'm sure I'll get around to it). However, our stargazing ancestors recognized faint silhouettes of hares hopping around in the moon, and I have written a page about lunar symbolism here.


Spider
I'm going to get derision about this one, I just know it. I realize not everybody is a fan of spiders (I happen to love them), but you can't deny spiders are good luck symbols to many cultures. In fact, spiders are attributed to saving the life of Christ as an infant. Apparently, the Holy Family needed a hideout to elude Herod. They hid in a cave, and spiders wove a thick web at the entrance of the cave making it appear abandoned (and icky) so Herod avoided looking for the Christ child in the cave altogether. Superstition insists it's unlucky to kill a spider.



Dog
In Chinese symbolism, dogs are also considered a harbinger of friendship. The legendary Fu Dog is also a guardian of sacred spaces and embodies concepts of protection too. Dogs are considered very auspicious. In Asian wisdom dogs are symbols of: Good Luck, Loyalty, Obedience and Prosperity.

A short-list of dog meaning includes symbolic attributes like:

* Fidelity
* Loyalty
* Assistance
* Intelligence
* Obedience
* Protection
* Community
* Cooperation
* Resourcefulness
* Communication
* Sensory Perception

The theme of communication becomes heightened when we peer into histories and discover dog meaning and symbolism is connected to the metaphysical realms. The dog has long been considered a liaison between the physical and non-physical dimensions. Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Celtic and beyond have all prescribed the dog as a sacred guardian of the Otherworlds - those realms outside our daily/mundane experience. If you hear of dogs being symbols of death - this is the connection: Dogs are the guardians of ephemeral domains, and can even serve as spirit guides in non-physical journeys.

Consider Anubis, the Egyptian god whose charge is to insure safe transitions from common reality (physical life on Earth) into the Afterlife experience. With the head of a jackal (of canine ilk), Anubis dons the super-powerful sensory perception of the dog. Further, that dog connection represents the epitome of protection, guidance, loyalty and adherence to the flow of unseen spiritual energy. To be sure, safe passage from "life" to Afterlife will be seen to success under the governance of the dog/jackal-headed Anubis. In this ancient light, we get distinct impressions of: Security, Guardianship, Protection.

Dogs are sacred to Hecate, the Greek-Roman overseer of lots of things - but surely a matron bound to protect that which is misunderstood. It seems (to me) where there is senseless lashing out against that which is misunderstood, Hecate comes ferociously in justification - her dogs baying with equal verve at her side. Death, darkness, wild wandering, lunar moodiness, midnight journeying...Hecate defends the soul's right to wander in these little-known, oft-misunderstood alleyways. With her highly perceptive hounds guiding the way (and protecting the body as the spirit wanders), astral travel becomes eons easier.

http://www.whats-your-sign.com/dog-meaning-and-symbolism.html

Dolphin
In Celtic animal symbolism, the dolphin as a highly honored creature as it was seen as the protector of sacred wells and sacred water. The dolphin, to the Celtic mind, is the watcher of the waters, and the guardians of all things water-associated.

A quick-list of symbolic dolphin meaning includes:

* Playfulness
* Transcendence
* Gentleness
* Harmony
* Intelligence
* Contentment
* Friendship
* Community
* Resurrection
* Generosity
* Power

Christian symbolism conveys the dolphin as an aspect of Christ. Dolphins seen in Christian art are symbolic of resurrection. Some artists utilize the protective, stabilizing, compassionate demeanor of the dolphin as a message of wellbeing to the pure of heart. Some artistic renditions speak of dolphins transporting the spirits of the faithful to Christ's side upon leaving their physical bodies.

This dolphin meaning is mimicked in ancient Greece where legend tells us the dolphin was responsible for carrying the souls of the dead to the Islands of the Blessed.

Also in Greece, the dolphin is a compatriot of both the god Apollo (sun) and the goddess Aphrodite (moon). Both lunar symbolism and solar symbolism are represented in the dolphin.

* Sun Dolphin meanings: Active, Life, Vibrant, Health, Renewal, Intelligence
* Moon Dolphin meaning: Hidden power, Intuition, Dreams, Conception, Feminine
http://www.whats-your-sign.com/dolphin-meaning-dolphin-symbolism.html

Bad luck

BLACKBIRD
If this bird makes a nest on your roof, this is said to be a traditional sign of good luck. In fact most people believed that if this bird nests anywhere near the house it a positive sign. Seeing the sight of two together is unusual and a sign of good luck as the blackbird is very territorial.

DOVE
Seen by many as a sacred bird since ancient times as the dove is the one bird into which the Devil cannot transform. The messenger of 'Venus', Goddess of Love, the dove is associated with lovers. For Indians the dove is traditionally believed to contain the soul of a lover, and that to kill one would bring misfortune. Miners though see the bird as one of ill omen and it is reputedly too dangerous to go underground after seeing this bird near a pitshaft. To have one tapping on the window or flying near the room of a sick person is also believed by some to be an omen of death, as is to see one circling a house. Today the dove is an international symbol of peace and also a Christian symbol of the 'Holy Spirit'. The dove is one bird into which reputedly a witch cannot transform.

DUCK
If this bird hisses or quacks more than normal it is said that rain is on the way. If the bird lays any dun-colored eggs it should be destroyed, along with the eggs, according to a traditional English belief that indicates that misfortune will follow should this event happen. At this and any time hanging a duck upside down is asserted to assure that negative energies and spirits can fall from it.

OWL
A bird with a poor reputation despite being known for being extremely wise hence the expression being a 'wise old owl'. Perhaps this stems from the fact that the owl leads a nocturnal and solitary existence and that the night has long been associated with the time when darker forces and negative energies are present. To see one by day is unlucky and to experience one flying around the house at night signals that death is present, which is thought to stem back to Roman times when the historian 'Pliny' in AD 77 was quoted as saying the bird was 'most execrable and accursed' and always brought bad news. Should an owl brush its wings against a window pain or be seen perching for a considerable length of time on a roof then it is traditionally believed that illness and even death is present within. To look into an owl's nest is reputed to leave the observer with a sad and morose soul. According to an old Welsh tradition if you hear an owl hooting amongst a densely built up area then a female in the locality is said to have just lost her virginity! To hear the hoot of the owl when pregnant, it is traditionally believed in France, means that the baby will be a girl. In Germany if one is heard as a child is being born then the life will be an unhappy one. In the Southern states of America an old traditional rhyme tells of the cry of the owl:

'When you hear the screech owl, honey, in the sweet gum tree,
It's a sign as sure as you're born a death is bound to be;
Unless you put the shovel in the fire mighty quick,
For to conjure that old screech owl, take care the one that's sick.'

A dead owl has served many purposes including mixing some of the flesh with boar's grease as an ointment to ease the pain of gout. Owl broth was once used to feed children to avoid whooping cough according to British tradition, perhaps because the owl itself never suffered in pain when making a similar sound. The eggs were also once thought to help prevent epilepsy, bad sight (for obvious reasons) and more amusingly to bring drunks back to their senses.

http://www.shawcreekbirdsupply.com/folklore_superstitions.htm

Peace of Mind Tips and Advice

Peace of Mind Tips and Advice
By Remez Sasson

Most people would be glad to have some peace of mind in their life. They would be happy to forget their troubles, problems and worries, and enjoy a few moments of inner calmness and freedom from obsessing thoughts.

What is peace of mind? It is a state of inner calmness and tranquility, together with a sense of freedom, when thoughts and worries cease, and there is no stress, strain or fear. Such moments are not so rare. They may be experienced while being engaged in some kind of an absorbing or interesting activity, such as while watching an entertaining movie or TV program, while being with someone you love, while reading a book or while lying on the sand at the beach.

When you are on vacation, do you experience some sort of mental numbness? At this time, the mind becomes calmer, with fewer thoughts and fewer worries. Even while you are deeply asleep, not aware of your thoughts, you are in a state of inner peace.

Such activities, and similar ones, take away the mind from its usual thoughts and worries, and bring about temporary inner peace.

The question is, how to bring more peace of mind into our life, and more importantly, how to experience it in times of trouble. You might also ask whether it is possible to make it a habit, and enjoy it always and under all circumstances. First, you need to learn to bring more moments of inner peace into your daily life. Later, you will be able to experience these moments in times of trouble or difficulties too, when you really need inner calmness and tranquility.

You can turn peace of mind into a natural habit, but to do so, special training is required, through concentration exercises, meditation and other means. Browse this website, and you will find articles, advice and techniques for attaining peace of mind, as well as a special book dedicated to this subject.

Here are a few simple things that can help you:

Reduce the amount of time you read the newspapers or watch the news on TV.

Stay away from negative conversations and from negative people.

Don't hold grudges. Learn to forget and forgive. Nurturing ill feelings and grievances hurts you and causes lack of sleep.

Don't be jealous of others. Being jealous means that you have low self-esteem and consider yourself inferior to others. Jealousy and low self esteem, often lead to lack of inner peace.

Accept what cannot be changed. This saves a lot of time, energy and worries.

Every day we face numerous inconveniences, irritations and situations that are beyond our control. If we can change them, that's fine, but this is not always possible. We must learn to put up with such things and accept them cheerfully.

Learn to be more patient and tolerant with people and events.

Don't take everything too personally. Some emotional and mental detachment is desirable. Try to view your life and other people with a little detachment and less involvement. Detachment is not indifference, lack of interest or coldness. It is the ability to think and judge impartially and logically. Don't worry if again and again you fail to manifest detachment. Just keep trying.

Let bygones be gone. Forget the past and concentrate on the present moment. There is no need to evoke unpleasant memories and immerse yourself in them.

Practice some concentration exercises. This will help you to reject unpleasant thoughts and worries that steal away your peace of mind.

Learn to practice meditation. Even a few minutes a day will make a change in your life.

Inner peace ultimately leads to external peace. By creating peace in our inner world, we bring it into the external world, affecting other people too.
http://www.successconsciousness.com/peace_mind.htm

Attaining Wealth Through Mind Power

Wealth
Attaining Wealth Through Mind Power

By Remez Sasson

The word wealth brings into the mind thoughts about riches, plenty of money and the ability to buy and enjoy whatever one wants. It brings thoughts about fancy houses, hotels, world travel, cars and everything money can buy. It is something most people want, but do not believe they can get and enjoy.

Wealth is all the above and much more. It is not restricted only to money and possessions. It manifests as plentitude in various and many forms in our life and in nature. A person can be wealthy with love, compassion, goodness, strength, energy, knowledge and wisdom. Nature manifests wealth in the many life forms and plants it produces, and in the endless stars and worlds it has created.

The Life Force, which is also called the Universal Consciousness, Spirit or Creative Power, desires to constantly express and manifest itself, and it does so through the physical frame of plants, animals and human beings. This power also expresses its desire to manifest wealth, which is the desire to grow, develop and become stronger and bigger. Yet, many find this desire and natural tendency for growth inhibited in them, due to negative programming, negative thinking and lack of faith in themselves and their abilities.



Understanding And Changing Your Attitude Toward Wealth
The first step to make wealth flow into your life is to change your thoughts and attitude toward it. The mind has to be cleared from its wrong concepts about wealth, before it can start to manifest. This is done by bringing to consciousness all of your thoughts and ideas about wealth, money and prosperity.

Take a pen and a sheet of paper, and find a place to be alone and undisturbed for a while. Think about wealth and what it means to you, and then jot down any thought that comes into your mind. Write down every thought, good and bad, positive and negative. Do this for at least ten minutes or until you do not find more ideas and thoughts.

After you finish writing, read, think, and analyze what you have written. You will be surprised at the stuff that comes out of your mind. This analysis will help you to find out where and why you are inhibiting yourself in regard to success, money, and prosperity. You will find out what thoughts and wrong concepts have been holding you back.

You will discover the fears that have been holding you from success, and from manifesting any degree of riches in your life. There might be various reasons to account for that. You may have been educated to regard wealth as bad and corrupting. You may have experienced lack in your childhood, and now you are locked into the belief that it is not possible to improve your life or that you do not deserve to possess money.

It might be that you shun the responsibility and the work that wealth might entail. Maybe you are afraid that you would not be able to handle wealth or that you will not know what to do with it. These reasons or any others might be responsible not experiencing prosperity and wealth. The inner inhibitions are mostly due to former mental programming, making you feel and believe that you are not worthy, do not deserve success or that wealth and money should be avoided.

If you perform this analysis sincerely, you will find out what thoughts and attitudes hinder your way to success, and it will be clearer to you what you should do. Now that they are out, it will be easier to handle these inhibitions, free yourself from their grip, and to start attracting wealth into your life. If one session is not enough, keep writing down your thoughts, and think about them every day until feel you have discovered what is holding you back.

After this analysis you will find it easier to start changing your thoughts and attitude towards money, possessions and wealth. You will find it easier, and experience less inner resistance when you visualize what you want to get or accomplish. It will take less effort to refuse negative or contradictory thoughts from entering your mind. Persistence in your efforts of holding an image of success in your mind until you realize your desire, and at the same time keeping an open mind for opportunities will lead you to do the right thing at the right time, and attract the right people at the right time.

An intense and concentrated thought possesses a vast power. All wealthy people focus their energies in a positive and powerful manner on what they desire to achieve. Some of them understand and practice consciously the laws of success, while others do so unconsciously.



Unlimited Thinking
The Universal Consciousness is unlimited and contains unlimited wealth. There is plenty of everything in it, and it constantly creates more of everything. It expresses itself through everything, including the individual unit that you consider as yourself. The problem is that negative thoughts and attitudes hamper the natural tendency of the Universal Consciousness to freely manifest its creative powers in unlimited ways.

You need to open your mind to prosperity and throw away your limiting thoughts. It does not matter how limited your life and circumstances are at the present moment, because if you choose to change your thoughts and attitudes, and start thinking without imposing limitations, your life will start to change. In your mind, refuse to be tied and limited by your circumstances. Think about possibilities, not about limitations.

Expand your unlimited thinking to what you consider as yourself, your personality and individuality. Your Consciousness is one with the Universal Consciousness. If you consider yourself as only a body you limit yourself. You are limitless consciousness, but erroneously identify yourself with the body and therefore feel limited. The feeling of limitation obstructs you from expressing the great powers of the Universal Consciousness. By being one with the Universal Consciousness you participate in the power of creation. Think about it, you are connected to the powers of the Universe.



Wealth And Detachment
In your search for wealth it is important not to be too attached to it. If you heed this suggestion you will save yourself a lot of trouble. Pursue wealth and material objects if and when they are necessary and add ease and happiness to your life, but do that without attachment.

By expressing detachment, you become able to avoid frustration, depression and anger if things do not turn out as expected. Material objects come and go. It is only temporarily that we own them. Attachment to possessions brings fear, anger and feelings of insecurity. On the other hand, detachment concerning possessions makes us feel free, and helps us to view the material life in a saner and more practical way.

Detachment is not indifference. It is a feeling of inner freedom and strength. If you develop this quality you will be able to stay composed and in control of yourself in every situation. This quality will also help you make new starts if things do not go well, without brooding over the past.



Mind Power and Prosperity
Prosperity and success can be yours if you seek them with an open mind. As suggested in this article, find out your inhibiting thoughts, analyze them and learn to get rid of them. Put into your mind positive and unlimiting thoughts, visualize your desire day after day, and gradually you will start to see your circumstances improving.

Thoughts possess great power. You should be aware of the thoughts you think and admit only positive ones. If you desire prosperity and riches, admit only these thoughts into your mind. Learn to free your mind from limiting thoughts as suggested earlier, and then use the power of your mind to attract success into your life.

Visualization is one of the most important keys to success. Visualize clearly your desire, put feelings into your mental images, add faith and belief, and you have created a mighty power. Keep an open mind, be willing to act and take up the opportunities that will come your way, and you are on the proper road to success.

http://www.successconsciousness.com/index_00000b.htm

Negative Electric Ions

Negative Electric Ions have excellent effects on the body’s fluids, cells and nerves. This not only improves the function of the internal organs, functions of the tissue are regulated, as well as, autonomic nerves. There are many sources of Negative Electric Ions in Mother Nature. For instance, in forests, near the waterfalls, or hot mineral springs.

ELECTRIC PEOPLE
http://amasci.com/emotor/zapped.html

While dry weather and carpet-scuffing will charge up your body, the source of some human-body sparking is a mystery. There are reports of rare people, "Electric Humans," who spontaneously develop high voltage on their bodies and who suffer the continuous problem of "static" sparks. Their sparking occurs regardless of footwear, clothing, humidity, or even motion! Electric humans are forever getting zapped whenever they touch other people, or when they touch large metal objects. For the rest of us, "static sparks" can only occur when humidity is very low, and we walk across certain carpets, or when we wiggle around while sitting upon certain car seats or chairs. And for the rest of us, the problem vanishes when the humidity is high, or when we go barefoot or avoid wool or nylon sweaters/pants, avoid plastic seats, etc.

But the bodies of "Electric Humans" are different, and seem to become electrified all the time, all by themselves, without involving the friction or the contact/separation of differing surfaces.

R.A. Ford mentions two cases of Electric Humans in chapter 13 of his book HOMEMADE LIGHTNING (1991 Tab Books). In one case from 1837 a woman could repeatedly jump sparks 1-1/2" long to a large smooth metal object while she stood unmoving on a thick carpet, or she could continuously create 1/16" sparks much faster (once per second.) Another case took place in 1920, when prison inmates in upstate New York suffering from Botulin food poisoning were found to be "electrified." They were able to attract paper, create sparks, etc., even when partially submerged in a bathtub. (Obviously the 1920s bathtub must not have been attached to grounded pipes, otherwise the excess charge would have vanished instantly.)

In modern times an Electric Human would have additional problems besides irritating sparks. Computers, stereo equipment, digital watches, etc., are easily damaged by high voltage and spark discharges. All sorts of electronic appliances would not survive very long under the electrostatic barrage. An electric human would be advized to buy mechanical watches, and to avoid buying any appliance which contains a microprocessor.

Unfortunately, scientific skepticism is currently at an all time high, so if a person with this sparking problem was to seek help, they would probably be ridiculed and their sanity questioned! Scientists don't believe in "electric people." Reputable scientists "know" that Electric Humans are mere superstition and cannot exist. Therefor anyone claiming to have this problem is irrational, perhaps deranged! At least the internet is there, giving opportunity for 'charged humans' to tell their stories.

What could cause the "Electric Human" problem? First, shoe sole material and clothing material needs to be eliminated as a possible cause. Maybe you aren't an "electric human" at all. Maybe you simply have electric shoes! If sparks are ALWAYS a problem, regardless of wearing various conductive clothing (cotton,) or various shoe soles (leather, metal foil, etc.), then perhaps the problem isn't from "frictional" charging, and it's something mysterious.

In order to create a static electric imbalance on our bodies other than through "contact electrification" or "frictional" methods, we would have to be sending out ELECTRICALLY CHARGED AIR (and so our bodies would take on an opposite charge.) Perhaps the skin does this somehow. Or maybe the membranes of our lungs can somehow emit air which is electrically non-neutral.

If a person were to constantly be breathing out negative ions (charged air molecules), then unless their body was electrically grounded to the earth, they would rapidly accumulate strong a positive charge-imbalance on their body; an imbalance which is equal and opposite to the charged air being breathed out. But why would our lungs be producing electrified air? One possibility: when microscopic bubbles burst, the natural surface-charge of the water will cause the spray of tiny droplets to have a negative charge. If the liquid on the inner surface of alveoli in our lungs should be full of micro-bubbles, then our lungs might become VandeGraaff generators.

Another possibility: certain viruses grow outwards from cells using long filaments. Smallpox does this. If you catch a virus which spreads through the air because it launches viral "spores" from your lungs, those spores might carry enough of an electric charge that they will stick to any surfaces that they encounter (such as other nearby humans.) Evolution might favor such a capability. But the spores would also act as charged air, and whenever you breathed outwards, your body would aquire an increasing opposite charge. In other words, the "electric human syndrome" might be caused by viruses, it might be an actual static electricity disease that you could catch from another "electric human!" Think about it: cold viruses spread themselves by causing people to cough and sneeze. The "electric human" virus would spread itself by causing people to breath out virus-laden air (and the annoyance of the electric charging would just be a side-effect.) Hmmmm, maybe those prisoners in 1930 didn't actually have Botulin poisoning, maybe they had some other ...illness.

Another, more exotic possibility: maybe it's not static. Maybe it's something else, Torsion Fields for example. The Russians believe that Torsion Fields explain telepathy, psychokinesis, hands-on healing, and many other "paranormal" phenomena. If the human aura exists, then Torsion Physics might explain it, and the "electric human" effect might come about because of a super-strong torsion effect which surrounds a particular person.

NOTE: Exploding Light Bulbs! Here's an interesting bit of science trivia. When incandescent light bulbs get old and weak, sometimes they explode. This isn't an Unusual Phenomenon. Instead, it's caused by an electric arc inside the bulb. When the light bulb filament breaks in half inside the bulb, sometimes the two ends are close together. Sometimes a powerful electric arc leaps between the tungsten wires. When this happens, the light changes color. It becomes brighter, and much more white. But the bulb can't put out more than normal wattage, right? WRONG. If the filament happens to be rotated vertical inside the bulb, the electric arc can rise like a flame. It can skip around the filament and leap between the two filament-support wires. When this happens the bulb can put out up to 1400 watts! It glows intense blue white for an instant. But then the pressure of the hot gas inside the bulb causes the bulb to pop. BANG! Glass fragments all over your carpet! So, if you have an old incandescent bulb which is near the end of its life, and an "electric human" pushes it over the edge, it may just go dark. Or rarely, it may suddenly flash bright blue-white like an electric welder. Then go POW!

NOTE2: In private communications M. Foster mentioned that if you blast a hair dryer through a PVC pipe after first wetting the inner surface of the pipe, the pipe becomes highly electrified. The cause is unknown, but it might involve the bursting of microbubbles (which are known to launch negative water droplets into the air.) This might indicate a mechanism whereby human bodies can becomes mysteriously electrified WITHOUT scuffing any shoe soles on carpet. If the wetted PVC pipe is replaced by human lungs, and if the hair dryer is replaced by the act of breathing, we have an analogy for the infamous "electric human." But do the surfaces inside human lungs spew out droplets of water? We're not talking about condensation here; the wet surfaces would have to eject droplets. (Maybe they do, since doctors find that the air coming from the mouths of victims of chicken pox and other diseases can infect others.)

healing hearts

The vicious human rights crimes by the Hussein regime still haunt Iraq. Thanks to the atrocities committed by Saddam, the number of babies born with a birth defect is skyrocketing at rates nothing less than alarming. Depleted uranium weapons used by British and American troops in the liberation of Iraq contributed to the problem. In some parts of Iraq, nearly one in 10 newborns have a congenital heart defect. Our weapons are still killing. It’s time we use all the weapons of kindness we have to stop it. Congenital heart defects are the most common of all these birth defects, and sometimes require surgery to save the child’s life. Unfortunately, only an estimated 400 kids are operated on each year, while 30,000 children in Iraq need surgery. Children are dying.

This is a peace making and heart-healing mission. This war is measured by lives saved.

Preemptive Love Coalition operates on Iraqi children and trains surgeons. The goal of the group is set up a system for pediatric cardiology care in Iraq, but for now, Iraq needs visiting surgeons and nurses.

We’re supporting Preemptive Love’s Remedy Missions. During one mission, 20+ children receive life saving surgery, 5 surgeons are trained and hearts are healed, in more ways than one.

This is one war we can all support.

When you support Operation Healing Hearts through a donation, spreading the word, becoming a Blogger with Heart or holding a fundraiser, you’re directly benefiting Preemptive Love. All funds go directly to that tax exempt organization.

ROSARIES AND AMULETS

ROSARIES AND AMULETS
By Adan Makina
May 24, 2009

A myth is a religion in which no one any longer believes
James Feibleman

Rosaries and Amulets are two religious symbols whose historical significance has baffled researchers mainly those engaged in anthropology, sociology, and archeology. Mythological, religious or otherwise, the rosary is seen as a device that plays a great role in human contemplation of the unknowns as well as a revealer of unfathomable heavenly mystiques. An ordinary object of daily use for millions of committed adherents with differing religious, ideological, and cultural backgrounds, the rosary continues to dangle from the necks of Sheikhs, priests, Rabbis, knowledgeable hermits, spiritualists, and monks without losing its rightful role in society regardless of whether it is crafted from simple wood or made from precious gemstone.

The use of rosaries or prayer beads is widespread among the followers of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. In Buddhism and Hinduism, the Japa Mala or simply Mala, is a rosary of 108 beads usually worn by priests exclusively for chants purposes. In esoteric Japanese and Tibetan Buddhism, rosaries are used for counting the Mantras and also serve as attributes for some deities most notably the Avalokiteshvara who is the Bodhisattva of compassion. In almost all religions, as usual, the right hand is the regulator of the rosary in every session with the finger nearest the thumb being the one that flicks and counts the preferred chant. In Chinese, the rosary is called Nianzhu; in Japanese it is Nenju; in Vietnamese it is known as Tranghat; while it is Rosarium in Latin.

There is a lot of debate regarding the origin of the rosary among users. [(1)] “In Islam, however, the performance of the rosary is an act of piety. The word for "rosary" in the Arabic language is sibha or masbaha, which is derived from Subhana Allah (God be praised). According to Ali Gom'a Mohamed, professor of fiqh (Jurisprudence in Islam) at Al-Azhar University, the number of beads in the Muslim rosary varies: there is a 33- bead rosary which requires three turns around the circle of beads. Each bead represents one of the names of God mentioned in the Qur'an, the total of which is 99. Another is divided into three parts, each made up of 33 beads which are used at the end of each of the five daily prayers. There is also a 100- bead rosary used in accordance with Sunah. In his book, Manners and Customs of Modern Egyptians, Edward Lane mentioned a 1,000-bead rosary used for funerals.” To some Muslim scholars, the use of the fingers is more preferred than the rosary. They claim that the joints at the phalanges and metacarpals have been created to count prayer chants and that the rosary is an unnecessary innovation into Islam.

Abrahamic and philosophic religions, Pagan and animist practices display amulets of various makes, shapes, and colors worn around the neck with the promises of wealth, children, health, and other human allures or to ward off evil, magic, wicked spirits, and misfortunes. [(2)] “An amulet or charm is an apotropaic object or device, usually with writing on it, which provides prophylaxis against harm, whether of natural or supernatural origin. The use of amulets and charms is virtually universal across human cultures and across time, and Jews are no exception. Jewish amulets have been used to ward off a variety of ills: disease, mishap, sorcery, and/or malevolent spirits. They can also serve as love charms. They have been particularly used by Jews to protect women during pregnancy and to shield newborn infants.”

Amulets have been in existence since the days of the Canaanites, Phoenicians, Assyrians, and Ancient Egyptians. In Turkey, Nazar boncuk, is a special type of amulet believed to protect one from evil eye. Amulets can be found all over Turkey; Turkish women use amulets as bracelets, earrings or necklaces. Turkish people hang them in their houses, offices and also inside cars while babies have specially designed amulets attached to their cloths. This leads us to the notion that the nation of Turkey is the leading producer of amulets in the world. Turkish amulets are mainly blue in color and look like an eye. Some Turkish amulets have magnetic fields making them easily stick to some select surfaces like the refrigerator door. There is a common belief among the Turkish people that even well-intentioned compliments have a conscious or unconscious measure of spite and resentment. For a Turkish amulet to guard a house, it should be hang at the entrance to the house.

An explanation of the origin of the amulet in Turkish superstition goes this way: once upon a time…there was a massive rock by the sea that could not be split asunder, cracked or broken into pieces despite the combined efforts of a hundred men and repeated dynamiting. After exhausting all energy and technical expertise, mention was made of a man who lived by the sea and who was known to carry the evil eye (nazar). Finally, a plan was hatched to bring the man to the rock venue so he could display his spectacular rock-splitting skills. Upon arriving at the scene and upon setting his sights on the rock, the man was heard to exclaim, “oh my God, what a gigantic rock!” The instant he finished his intonation, there was a crack and then a thunderous sound followed by violent convulsion that reduced the unbreakable huge rock into two pieces.

Moreover, in almost all superstitious communities, it is common for visiting neighbors and strangers alike to compliment on the health, shape, size, and color of newborn babies. For some reason, as fate would have it, the baby gets sick because the invisible evil eye penetrated the baby’s body and soul. At this point in time, parents and immediate relatives of the infant have no other choice but to contact a shaman or cleric to prepare an amulet to keep at bay all varieties of evil eyes as the baby undergoes various developmental stages of metamorphosis. In some communities, a crack on an amulet resulting from prolonged use denotes the wearer has received overwhelming protection and blessings for the duration the amulet was worn.

Egyptologists carrying out archeological excavations in the many burial sites scattered all over Egypt stumbled upon historical amulets made of papyrus finely encased in pharaonic sarcophagus. “Also, Coptic amulets dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries A.D. have been unearthed in Egypt. Some of the amulets found in Egyptian pyramids are written in Mandaic (an Eastern Aramaic dialect) and have not been translated to this day. In some rare amulets, ancient Egyptians displayed images of the two-headed god (snake and Ibis); there are amulets depicting the cock-headed-snake-legged god, others display the eagle-headed god, crowned hawks, papyri boats, symbols of deities and the ram-headed god. Uterine amulets helped control contraception and childbirth, others were meant for regeneration and eternity and for hip pains (sciatica).” [(3)] The discovery of Greco-Roman, Babylonian, and other varieties of amulets used by diverse ancient civilizations add flavor to the expanding infant archeological sciences.

In Somalia, amulet use is common among nomadic, urban and tribal communities. A well crafted amulet, depending on size and shape, typically is encased in leather while others are sheathed in fine threads. However, there is a type of amulet known locally as “Qardhaas” which is usually carved out of wood and worn around the neck.

Also, Qardhaas may be strapped round the neck of domesticated animals for protection against theft, disease, and the evil eye. The most remarkable trademark amulet known among Somalis is “Xirsi”- which is used for overcoming the whispers of the dreaded Jinni notorious for its mischievous use of supernatural powers. Whether one is seeking to expand a stagnated business enterprise, win the heart of a stubborn mademoiselle, embark on a treacherous journey, overcome the trauma of sterility or recover from a debilitating malady, owning an amulet that will dangle from one’s wrist, neck, leg, thigh, around the waist or other parts of the body, will, if determined by the amulet’s original designer or prescriber bring about abrupt changes and healing to the afflicted body and mind in the nick of time. In women, amulets may be worn to overcome gynecological ailments, vitamin deficiencies, urinary tract infections, migraines, infertility, schizophrenia, mental disorders and even to overcome jealousy.

Perhaps, humans used amulets to triumph over hardships at a time when modern medications other than herbal medicine were nonexistent. Natural hazards like Tsunamis, epidemics, flooding, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other unavoidable predicaments that decimated populations may have contributed to the discovery of amulets by shamans whose livelihood depended on the knowledge and skills of prescribing medication and healing the sick. Despite their dependence on trial and error techniques and despite premeditated medical malpractices, healers and shamans continued to be a source of inspiration for millions in need of medical attention.

Religious and historical accounts of human sacrifices as a last resort evolved as a result of appeasing virulent gods and deities whose anger could only be contained by spilling blood and goring human flesh in pagan and animist ritual practices-secret procedures found in some communities. The wave of secret murders of Albinos for ritualistic purposes and the rape of infants by HIV/AIDS sufferers in some countries epitomizes the continuation of ancient practices and the total disregard for the sanctity of human life.

People living in modern western democracies do attach importance to the use of amulets. Rock band musicians, reggae ragamuffins, gangsters, heads of government institutions, and people from all walks of society wear amulets in daily life either as ornaments or for protection against the unknowns. In the African continent, reports of leaders seeking consultations with magicians, shamans, and soothsayers, palmists and astrologers during election times is no secret. Thus, mythological experts have the power to instill fear in the hearts of their clients’ opponents or even cause them to suffer diseases unbeknownst to modern doctors. In some Asian cultures, shamans have mastered the art of shedding light on natural phenomena say like how a perceived volcanic eruption will affect surrounding inhabitants.

Amulets are widely worn as aphrodisiacs in some communities even with the advancement of medical technology. In some diverse cultures, dangling a piece of rhino horn around the neck is a prescription for erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and other aspects related to sexual genitalia malfunctioning. A man in need of instantaneous desirability from an unfriendly woman may resort to wearing a specially designed amulet meant to win her heart even when real love is not on her side. Likewise, women may influence men by wearing amulets of like kind and purpose. Wearing articulately designed amulets with religious inscriptions is a common occurrence across cultures.

However, amulets come in many shapes and designs depending on culture, religion, and intention. Primarily, women who are sterile may wear them around the waist right across where the uterus is located; it may dangle from the neck; it is worn on the wrist and it may also be worn around the thighs. It could be as tiny as a finger ring or it could even be a seed to be retained in the pocket. It is up to one’s preference and choosing how an amulet should be worn and how it should look like.

The emergence of religious fundamentalism has instilled terror among amulet wearers. Fear of retribution or the dread of being associated with certain cults has forced many to formulate assortment of amulets that dissuade the attention of religious fanatics. For example, the use of regular necklaces, finger rings, and even ear rings as amulets has made ancient amulet blueprints obsolete and replicated for modernity.

Thus, inscriptional amulets have been substituted with intentional amulets. This brings us to the idea that amulets need not be handwritten on a piece of paper by a cleric with verses from a divine scripture and then folded into shape anymore. Instead, reciting select verses on to a piece of jewelry is enough to hold the message as intention is superior to scribbling. In Africa, amulet use is widespread among cultures though its use among communities depends on the nature of religious practices and form of worship. Surprisingly, Tuareg amulets sell for up to $150 a piece on eBay. However civilized and transformed the world has become, amulet and rosary use will remain with humankind for a long time to come.

(1) http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/627/fe2.htm

(2) http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/amulet.html

(3) http://www.lib.umich.edu/pap/exhibits/magic/def1.display.html


http://wardheernews.com/Articles_09/May/Adan_Makina/24_Rosaries_&_Amulets.html

Symbols of Protection Against Evil

Symbols of Protection Against Evil
Omens, Curses and Hexes that signify Dark Forces, Evil Spirits, Bad Luck and Negative Energy, are based upon Ancient Superstitions and Folklore.