Yoga

Anyone can do this - any age.or fitness level . I have a great local teacher where I live - but having the time is difficult. She is going to show me how to do quicker routines with similar health benefits.
looking forward to it..

Yoga for Flexibility

Yoga poses work by stretching your muscles. They can help you move better and feel less stiff or tired.

At any level of yoga, you'll probably start to notice benefits soon. In one study, people improved their flexibility by up to 35% after only 8 weeks of yoga.

Strike a Pose for Strength

Some styles of yoga, such as ashtanga and power yoga, are very physical. Practicing one of these styles will help you improve muscle tone.

But even less vigorous styles of yoga, such as Iyengar or hatha, can provide strength and endurance benefits.

Many of the poses, such as downward dog, upward dog, and the plank pose, build upper-body strength. The standing poses, especially if you hold them for several long breaths, build strength in your hamstrings, quadriceps, and abs. Poses that strengthen the lower back include upward dog and the chair pose.

When done right, nearly all poses build core strength in the deep abdominal muscles.

Better Posture From Yoga

When you're stronger and more flexible, your posture improves.

Most standing and sitting poses develop core strength, since you need your core muscles to support and maintain each pose.

With a stronger core, you're more likely to sit and stand "tall."

Yoga also helps your body awareness. That helps you notice more quickly if you're slouching or slumping, so you can adjust your posture.

Breathing Benefits

Yoga usually involves paying attention to your breath, which can help you relax. It may also call for specific breathing techniques.

But yoga typically isn't aerobic, like running or cycling, unless it's an intense type of yoga or you're doing it in a heated room.

Less Stress, More Calm

You may feel less stressed and more relaxed after doing some yoga.

Some yoga styles use meditation techniques that help calm the mind. Focusing on your breathing during yoga can do that, too.

Good for Your Heart

Yoga has long been known to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. A slower heart rate can benefit people with high blood pressure or heart disease, and people who've had a stroke.

Yoga has also been linked to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and better immune system function.

Halloween Month

Clearly our ancestors where pre occupied about who they were going to marry !!! Still it s fun to try out for you single folks out there.

If no one speaks at the table during dinner on Halloween, spirits will come to the table.

If you are a single woman and you put Rosemary under your pillow on Halloween night, you will dream of your future husband.

If you want to know if you will have a long life, on Halloween night you have to make an unbroken apple peel, which will estimate how long you will live, the longer the peel is, the longer you'll live.

It is thought that the colours, orange and black, became Halloween colours because orange is associated with harvests (Halloween marks the end of harvest) and black is associated with death.
Black cats were originally believed to protect witches’ powers from ‘negative forces’.

Folklore has it that ringing a bell scares away evil spirits.

Legend claims that if you see a spider on this particular night, it could be the spirit of a deceased loved one who is watching over you.

Another folklore tale states that if you care to encounter a witch, put
your clothes on inside out and walk backwards on Halloween night.

A note from a REAL witch on Halloween

A Witch's Thoughts on Halloween
Most people celebrate Halloween as a children's holiday of candy
and costumes. However, I will be celebrating tonight as Samhain
("Sow-wen"), the Celtic New Year, the night for remembering loved ones
past and looking toward the future. For I am a Neo-pagan, a follower of
the Old Religion, a Wiccan. I am a Witch.
There are probably as many definitions of Wicca as there are prac-
titioners of the Craft--one of the joys of this path is that there is no
"one, true way"; intuition is as valuable as teaching. This then is my
personal definition of what Wicca is to me.
First, what Wicca is not is devil-worship. Wiccans don't believe
in an entity of all-evil. (I personally don't believe in evil per se;
all evil is simply a perversion or excess of something that is good when
present in a proper balance.)
Wicca is a religion based on experience of Deity as male and
female. It is pantheistic--seeing all things as part of God/dess, and
seeing the Earth Herself as a living organism of whom we are part. It
is also a religion of immanence--seeing God/dess present in each of us
and in the world around us, not "out there somewhere" but part of daily
life.
Wiccans celebrate eight major holidays, or sabbats--the beginning
and midpoint of each season. We also celebrate the phases of the moon:
some only celebrate the full moon while others celebrate full, waxing,
and new moons. Each of these rituals helps keep us in touch with
Nature. These celebrations are in small groups usually called circles,
covens, or groves and are usually led by a Priestess, and often a
Priest. Some groups share duties and avoid titles.
Wicca is also a "Craft". We practice magic through chants,
visualizations and spells, all to focus our will on something we want to
happen. We believe that everything we do, good or ill, comes back to us
tripled, which is why we don't "hex" or "curse" anyone. We also believe
that many psychic talents are real and simply haven't been studied
enough by science to be catalogued as such.
Wiccans for the most part accept reincarnation, not as dogma to be
believed, but as fact based on personal experience. Many of us remember
past lives. As one who has studied science, I know that every atom of
my body once was part of something else, and I am continually losing
atoms that become part of others. Knowing this, it makes sense that my
soul also is "recycled".
Wicca is a positive philosophy. The only "law" is 'An it harm
none, do as ye will": Enjoy life to its fullest, and remember to help
everyone else enjoy it as well. Wiccans don't preach; Wiccans don't
evangelize. Everyone has to find his/her own path, and we welcome the
diversity this brings.
So tonight, when you dress up as a "wicked witch", know that there
are "good witches" celebrating as well. Know that I and thousands like
me throughout the world are celebrating the cycles of life through the
dance of the Lord and the Lady, trying to make this world we all share
a little brighter through our cauldron fires in the darkness. Know we
are not out to convert you; know we mean you no harm. All we ask for
is understanding, tolerance, and the freedom to practice as we choose.

Blessed Be,

Cecylyna Brightsword
High Priestess, Thalia Clan
P.O. Box 681092 . Indianapolis, IN 46268-1092 . (317) 579-3083

Competition time ******
Here are my attempts over the years at Pumpkin Carving - there are more in albums - Love Halloween 2 days to go!!!
So once again I will be sitting down with the kids and doing our creations on our pumpkins - its a tradition in our house.
So I want you all to post your Pumpkin carvings on here and the best 2 will win a Free Tarot reading from me - to celebrate the turning of the seasons and remembering those who have passed away.
Happy carving everyone!!!!

Competition time ******
Here are my attempts over the years at Pumpkin Carving - there are more in albums - Love Halloween 5 days to go!!!
So once again I will be sitting down with the kids and doing our creations on our pumpkins - its a tradition in our house.
So I want you all to post your Pumpkin carvings on here and the best 2 will win a Free Tarot reading from me - to celebrate the turning of the seasons and remembering those who have passed away.
Happy carving everyone!!!!

Scorpio – 24^th Oct – 22^nd Nov

Element – Water

Ruling Planets – Mars and Pluto

Birth Stone – Topaz

Celebrities birthdays

Wayne Rooney – Footballer – 24^th October

Katie Perry – Singer- 25^th Oct

Pablo Picasso – artist – 25^th Oct

John Gotti – Criminal (Gambini Family mafia) – 27^th Oct

Karlis Betins - world class chess player – 27^th Oct

Bill Gates – Entrepreneur – 28^th Oct

Ellen Johnson – African Leader – 29^th Oct

Tony Abbot – Australian Prime Minister – 4^th Nov

Gordon Ramsey – Chef – 8^th Nov

Leonardo Di Caprio – Actor – 11^th Nov

Ryan Gosling – Actor – 12^th Nov

Anne Hathaway – Actress – 12^th Nov

Charles Manson – Criminal – 12^th Nov

King Hussein of Jordon – 14^th Nov

Claude Monet – Artist – 14^th Nov

Goodluck Jonathan – Nigeria leader – 20^th Nov

Carly Rae Jepsen – 21^st Nov

          

Linda Bellingham OBE, born a Gemini on the 31st of May 1948 has sadly passed away aged 66 on Sunday after loosing her fight with Colon Cancer. She was best known from our childhoods as the mum in the long running series of "OxO family" adverts. The Actress and TV presenter also filmed her last series on Loose Woman just weeks ago. All tributes coming through from people who knew her through out her life use terms like " a great ball of energy, fun and honest"
Although her thousands of fans will miss her antics on TV, our hearts truly go out to her husband Michael and two sons Michael and Robbie. May the Angels wrap their loving wings around them now with the comfort that Linda is now Resting In peace.

I have pulled this extract from a Wicca website. Included this because I use the parking spell all the time - except I ask my Angels 
"Please Angels can you find me a space " It works everytime. I now have my mum, children and many friends using the Parking spell.

Start by reading Is Magic Real if you haven’t already.
You need to come away with at least the tentative hope that, in fact, witchcraft is real. You need to suspend your disbelief long enough to give yourself a fair chance. As far as I know, anyone can do witchcraft, with the exception of those who are mentally incompetent, intoxicated or those too young or too old to focus their will effectively. White witchcraft, above all else, is about focus—not just mental focus but your entire Being.

But seriously, I often give the following Wicca for beginner spells to acolytes to help get their astral feet wet, so to speak. The first two came to me from a totally non-magical source years ago. I was taking a car trip by myself; and as is my habit, listening to books on tape. The one I had in the player was about the ways of successful people. I don’t remember much about the course but that at one point the author strongly recommended visualization and belief to get what one wanted.

The first example was about waking up at a specific time without an alarm clock. I remember thinking that anybody can do that, it’s not magic, not witchcraft, just a fact that we’re not completely unconscious when we sleep—far from it, in fact.

The other two examples, however, were from the author’s wife. This, I thought, was a completely different story. This involved external reality. The author may not have been aware of it but his wife was probably a bit of a white witch, at least. Lucky him. I still use both witchcraft spells and include them here to give your innate abilities a warm up.

The first one involves the everyday frustration of finding a parking place. The first time I used the spell I decided to give it a real test and try to use it on the worst place I knew to park, outside my NIA yoga/dance class. It was typical to have to park blocks away in this busy downtown area.

The spell is simplicity itself. No tools, ingredients, witchcraft symbols, or invocation prayers are needed, though you can add anything you like if it helps your focus.

Always remember: whether you think you can or can't, you're right. This goes triple for spells and witchcraft.

Simply visualize the parking space you want and know that you will have it. When you get there it will usually be free. The trick is to invoke the white magic spell at least an hour before you arrive. If you pull up and have forgotten to cast the spell you can’t expect a Buick or Toyota to levitate out of the way, though it will often happen that a car will pull out just as you pull up if the spell is working well and you planned ahead.

I have pulled this extract from a Wicca website. Included this because I use the parking spell all the time - except I ask my Angels 
"Please Angels can you find me a space " It works everytime. I now have my mum, children and many friends using the Parking spell.

Start by reading Is Magic Real if you haven’t already.
You need to come away with at least the tentative hope that, in fact, witchcraft is real. You need to suspend your disbelief long enough to give yourself a fair chance. As far as I know, anyone can do witchcraft, with the exception of those who are mentally incompetent, intoxicated or those too young or too old to focus their will effectively. White witchcraft, above all else, is about focus—not just mental focus but your entire Being.

But seriously, I often give the following Wicca for beginner spells to acolytes to help get their astral feet wet, so to speak. The first two came to me from a totally non-magical source years ago. I was taking a car trip by myself; and as is my habit, listening to books on tape. The one I had in the player was about the ways of successful people. I don’t remember much about the course but that at one point the author strongly recommended visualization and belief to get what one wanted.

The first example was about waking up at a specific time without an alarm clock. I remember thinking that anybody can do that, it’s not magic, not witchcraft, just a fact that we’re not completely unconscious when we sleep—far from it, in fact.

The other two examples, however, were from the author’s wife. This, I thought, was a completely different story. This involved external reality. The author may not have been aware of it but his wife was probably a bit of a white witch, at least. Lucky him. I still use both witchcraft spells and include them here to give your innate abilities a warm up.

The first one involves the everyday frustration of finding a parking place. The first time I used the spell I decided to give it a real test and try to use it on the worst place I knew to park, outside my NIA yoga/dance class. It was typical to have to park blocks away in this busy downtown area.

The spell is simplicity itself. No tools, ingredients, witchcraft symbols, or invocation prayers are needed, though you can add anything you like if it helps your focus.

Always remember: whether you think you can or can't, you're right. This goes triple for spells and witchcraft.

Simply visualize the parking space you want and know that you will have it. When you get there it will usually be free. The trick is to invoke the white magic spell at least an hour before you arrive. If you pull up and have forgotten to cast the spell you can’t expect a Buick or Toyota to levitate out of the way, though it will often happen that a car will pull out just as you pull up if the spell is working well and you planned ahead.

halloween

Halloween Month

Can you really see your future husband in the mirror at Halloween?
So the story goes - if a single girl wants to know who she's going to marry, she should place a veil over the mirror on Halloween. When the veil is removed she may see the face of her future husband.
Another tale on Halloween to find out your future bethrothed is to unpeel an apple in one whole piece. Throw the apple peel over your shoulder and the peel should reveal the initial of your future husband.
Also if a man wants to know what his girlfriend will look like in years to come he should pull up cabbage stalks and examine them - long and thin or short and fat will represent his future.

Halloween Month

Can you really see your future husband in the mirror at Halloween?
So the story goes - if a single girl wants to know who she's going to marry, she should place a veil over the mirror on Halloween. When the veil is removed she may see the face of her future husband.
Another tale on Halloween to find out your future bethrothed is to unpeel an apple in one whole piece. Throw the apple peel over your shoulder and the peel should reveal the initial of your future husband.
Also if a man wants to know what his girlfriend will look like in years to come he should pull up cabbage stalks and examine them - long and thin or short and fat will represent his future.

Halloween Month

Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the night of October 31. The word Halloween is a shortening of All Hallows' Evening also known as Hallowe'en or All Hallows' Eve.

Traditional activities include trick-or-treating, bonfires, costume parties, visiting "haunted houses" and carving jack-o-lanterns. Irish and Scottish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America in the nineteenth century. Other western countries embraced the holiday in the late twentieth century including Ireland, the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom as well as of Australia and New Zealand.

Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain (pronounced "sah-win").
The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture. Samhain was a time used by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and prepare for winter. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead overlapped and the deceased would come back to life and cause havoc such as sickness or damaged crops.
The Celtic theory is that on All Hallows Eve the family would set the table for themselves and for those family members that had passed away. Honouring their deceased loved ones and ancestors.

The festival would frequently involve bonfires. It is believed that the fires attracted insects to the area which attracted bats to the area. These are additional attributes of the history of Halloween.

Masks and costumes were worn in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or appease them.

Trick-or-treating, is an activity for children on or around Halloween in which they proceed from house to house in costumes, asking for treats such as confectionery with the question, "Trick or treat?" The "trick" part of "trick or treat" is a threat to play a trick on the homeowner or his property if no treat is given. Trick-or-treating is one of the main traditions of Halloween. It has become socially expected that if one lives in a neighbourhood with children one should purchase treats in preparation for trick-or-treaters. As a Celt I can tell you that Trick or Treating is an American term in Scotland we called it "Guising" as we were in Disguise.

The history of Halloween has evolved. The activity is popular in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and due to increased American cultural influence in recent years, imported through exposure to US television and other media, trick-or-treating has started to occur among children in many parts of Europe, and in the Saudi Aramco camps of Dhahran, Akaria compounds and Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia. The most significant growth and resistance is in the United Kingdom, where the police have threatened to prosecute parents who allow their children to carry out the "trick" element. In continental Europe, where the commerce-driven importation of Halloween is seen with more skepticism, numerous destructive or illegal "tricks" and police warnings have further raised suspicion about this game and Halloween in general.

In Ohio, Iowa, and Massachusetts, the night designated for Trick-or-treating is often referred to as Beggars Night.

Part of the history of Halloween is Halloween costumes. The practice of dressing up in costumes and begging door to door for treats on holidays goes back to the Middle Ages, and includes Christmas wassailing. Trick-or-treating resembles the late medieval practice of "souling," when poor folk would go door to door on Hallowmas (November 1), receiving food in return for prayers for the dead on All Souls Day (November 2). It originated in Ireland and Britain, although similar practices for the souls of the dead were found as far south as Italy. Shakespeare mentions the practice in his comedy The Two Gentlemen of Verona (1593), when Speed accuses his master of "puling [whimpering, whining], like a beggar at Hallowmas."

Yet there is no evidence that souling was ever practiced in America, and trick-or-treating may have developed in America independent of any Irish or British antecedent. There is little primary Halloween history documentation of masking or costuming on Halloween in Ireland, the UK, or America before 1900. The earliest known reference to ritual begging on Halloween in English speaking North America occurs in 1911, when a newspaper in Kingston, Ontario, near the border of upstate New York, reported that it was normal for the smaller children to go street guising (see below) on Halloween between 6 and 7 p.m., visiting shops and neighbours to be rewarded with nuts and candies for their rhymes and songs. Another isolated reference appears, place unknown, in 1915, with a third reference in Chicago in 1920. The thousands of Halloween postcards produced between the turn of the 20th century and the 1920s commonly show children but do not depict trick-or-treating. Ruth Edna Kelley, in her 1919 history of the holiday, The Book of Hallowe'en, makes no mention of such a custom in the chapter "Hallowe'en in America." It does not seem to have become a widespread practice until the 1930s, with the earliest known uses in print of the term "trick or treat" appearing in 1934, and the first use in a national publication occurring in 1939. Thus, although a quarter million Scots-Irish immigrated to America between 1717 and 1770, the Irish Potato Famine brought almost a million immigrants in 1845-1849, and British and Irish immigration to America peaked in the 1880s, ritualized begging on Halloween was virtually unknown in America until generations later.

Trick-or-treating spread from the western United States eastward, stalled by sugar rationing that began in April 1942 during World War II and did not end until June 1947.

Chilli

Chili peppers, despite their fiery “hotness” are one of very popular spices known for medicinal and health benefiting properties. The chili is actually a fruit pod from the plant belonging to the nightshade family of Solanaceae, within the genus; capsicum. Scientific name: Capsicum annum. Some common members of nightshade family are tomato, aubergine, potato, etc.
Health benefits of chili peppers

Chili pepper contains an impressive list of plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties.


Chilies contain health benefiting an alkaloid compound in them, capsaicin, which gives strong spicy pungent character. Early laboratory studies on experimental mammals suggest that capsaicin has anti-bacterial, anti-carcinogenic, analgesic and anti-diabetic properties. It also found to reduce LDL cholesterol levels in obese individuals.


Fresh chili peppers, red and green, are rich source of vitamin-C. 100 g fresh chilies provide about 143.7 µg or about 240% of RDA. Vitamin C is a potent water-soluble antioxidant. It is required for the collagen synthesis in the body. Collagen is the main structural protein in the body required for maintaining the integrity of blood vessels, skin, organs, and bones. Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body protect from scurvy; develop resistance against infectious agents (boosts immunity) and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.


They are also good in other antioxidants like vitamin A, and flavonoids like ß-carotene, α-carotene, lutein, zea-xanthin, and cryptoxanthin. These antioxidant substances in capsicum help to protect the body from injurious effects of free radicals generated during stress, diseases conditions.


Chilies contain a good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.


Chilies are also good in B-complex group of vitamins such as niacin, pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), riboflavin and thiamin (vitamin B-1). These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish.

Chili peppers have amazingly high levels of vitamins and minerals. Just 100 g provides (in % of recommended daily allowance):
240% of vitamin-C (Ascorbic acid),
39% of vitamin B-6 (Pyridoxine),
32% of vitamin A,
13% of iron,
14% of copper,
7% of potassium,
but no cholesterol.

Celebrity Birthdays
Libra – 23rd Sept – 23rd Oct
Ruling Planet – Venus
Birth Stone – Sapphire
Element - Air
Traits – ...
As with all Air signs Libra born people are fantastic communicators. They are charming and witty and can be very strong influencers. (see each week what jobs famous Libran’s do)
The people born under the Sign Libra are kind, gentle and lovers of beauty, harmony and peace. However, in their effort to keep everyone happy, they find it difficult to say ‘NO’ to anyone, and as a result, they end up getting stressed. They have a lot of positive traits, but some negative ones, too. Here we take a look at them to get a better idea about the qualities of a Libra.

Positive Traits Negative Traits

Balanced Indecisive
Romantic Unreliable
Charming Unrealistic
Fair People Pleaser – which could lead to being insincere
Diplomatic Lazy at times

Famous People born under Libra

Will Smith – Actor/Singer – 25th September
Hillary Duff – Actress – 28th September
Horatio Nelson – Influencer and World Leader – 29th September
Gandhi – Influencer and Civil Rights Leader – 2nd October
Vladimir Putin – Russian, World Leader – 7th October
Jesse Jackson - Civil Rights Leader – 8th October
Bruno Mars – Singer/ Song Writer - 8th October
John Lennon – Singer/ Song Writer – 9th October
Hugh Jackman – Actor – 12th October
Margaret Thatcher – UK, World Leader - 13th October
Usher – Singer – 14th October
Eminem - Singer/Rapper/ Song Writer – 17th October
Lee Harvey Oswald – Criminal – accused of killing JFK – 18TH October
Christopher Wren – Architect – 20th Oct


So as you can see from the list of Famous Libran’s they are generally Influencers on a grand scale and largely very popular. Wither they have influenced people through their music, politics, movies or philosophies – they clearly put their heart and soul into their beliefs and manage to charm followers from all over the world. See More

Superstitions
"Not got a pot to piss in" or "piss poor" What's that all about?
In the days when Tanneries used urine to tan the cow hides - the very poor collected the families urine in a communal pot and sold it to the tanneries. If they were very very poor - they wouldn't even have a pot to piss in!! Nice - thankfully we ve moved on from that era!!! Also if people were "dirt poor" It was because the couldn't afford stone flooring or rugs - instead they just had the ground inside their home.

Halloween Bags. GET READY FOR HALLOWEEN!! Reusable, tote with padded handles, hand painted and personalise if you choose. All designs have some 3d features.
Size 20 x 20 £6 each - p&p an extra £2.35 (10 photos)

Love area in Fen Shui
Your love area is situated at the furthest right hand corner of your home. Remember the areas are dictated from the starting point which is either your front door or the door in which you use ALL t...he time to enter your home. Needless to say this area should symbolise love with colours of pink for tenderness, red for passion and white for purity. I hang lots of clear crystals and have a rose quartz candle holder here. Obviously things in pairs are a good idea. I once went into home to work with a single female who was depressed as her husband had left her some years ago and she had no luck at all with any other relation ships. She is an attractive, well educated, funny woman in great shape. She did work very long hours but was ready for a loving relation ship. We did some work around acceptance of herself and lowering her expectations on the superficial "ideal man" who ever that is?? But most importantly she had a huge, beautiful canvas on her wall of a very sad looking female single female sitting curled up in a foetal position in her love area. OMG !!!! This was bad news - I tried to convince her to take it down -- and replace it with "the Lovers" or something vibrant and exciting - but she held a special fondness for this canvas as it was the last thing her husband had bought her!!! What was the subliminal message there??? She would not take it down and the last I spoke to her she is current single and has all but given up hope. So make sure you display the right messages you want to convey in this area - symbols of pairs , love hearts, two people entwined, etc. Do not put water in this area as it will cause tears. It is not always easy to accommodate this - I myself have a large fridge freezer in this area - not great- but Ive tried to offset this by putting love heart magnets and pictures of my husband and myself looking happy here. Good luck and let me know if you have any questions - I love to hear them. Maggie x See More

 Crossing your fingers for good luck - whats that all about?
Crossing your fingers is used to wish yourself good luck or ward off evil. It has derived from the thought that using the cross shape would conjure up prote...ction of the Christian cross. Children also cross their fingers when telling lies in hope that they will not be caught out and protection again any repercussion.(I have seen my own children do this often!!! However be warned - the fingers need to be on the same hand and look like a slanted cross - if you used fingers from each hand to make a cross sign this would be bad luck. Also crossing silverware to make a cross is also considered bad luck.
There is no evidence of this ritual before the late 19th century and this is only common in the UK, Ireland and North America. Wonder why that is??? See More

Veg soup with a wee kick

Its getting colder and my tummy craves soups - these are brilliant quick recipes for using up all the odd old veg hanging around in the fridge.

The ultimate vegetable soup is a meal in itse...lf, packed full with healthy veggies, spices and aromatics.

Ingredients
For the base ingredients
2 tbsp olive or sunflower oil, or 30g/1oz butter

1 onion, peeled and chopped

1 garlic clove, peeled and chopped

For the aromatics
1 bouquet garni

and/or 1-2 fresh red chillies, de-seeded and chopped

or 1 tsp or more curry paste or curry powder or spices, e.g. cumin, fennel seeds, cinnamon, etc

For the main ingredients
1 potato, or other thickener if needed, peeled and cut into chunks

500g/18oz vegetables, prepared as appropriate and roughly chopped

For the liquid
1-1.5 litres/1¾-2¾ pints) vegetable or chicken stock, or vegetable cooking water, or a mixture of water and milk

Seasonings
salt

freshly ground black pepper

Preparation method
1.
Heat the oil or butter gently in a large saucepan, then add the base ingredients, the aromatics and the main ingredients. Stir around to coat everything in the fat, then sweat very gently for 10-15 minutes.

2.
Add 1litre/1¾pints of stock or other liquid, saving the rest for thinning down (if necessary), and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bring up to the boil, then simmer gently for about 20 minutes until all the vegetables are tender.

3.
Liquidise in several batches, and return to the pan. Thin down with the reserved stock, water or milk as required, and check the seasoning

4.
Reheat when needed. See More

Fame and fortune area

this doesn't mean you are seeking to be famous - this is to enhance peoples opinions of you - especially if your having a little trouble with the neighbours or some friendship issues. It helps p...eople recognise you for your talents.This area represents fire. Place items here that are associated with Fire, candles, lanterns, lava lamp, lights, pyramid, triangle or anything with points (knifes), cacti, trophies and awards are very good to have in your Fame and Reputation area. I have my sink here which is unfortunate as it would have been better to have my cooker here - but I have tried to compensate by also having my toaster and kettle here - representing heat. I also have a smoky quartz shaped in a pyramid in this area which dispels negative energy

The Hierophant

This Major Arcana card is the male version of The High Priestess.
He is responsible for blessing births , marriages, deaths and all other spiritual events. He has one hand pointing to the heavens signing that... he has a higher connection and awareness and he want to pass on his blessings and teachings for you to become a blessed soul. In a spread he means exactly that - a christening a marriage or a death - you need to read the cards around this card to identify the true meaning. It has in the past meant a instructor of other kinds though - he has occasionally represented a driving instructor, a teacher and a doctor,

Career -new job or promotion
Use a yellow candle for this spell - preferably a yellow Beeswax candle as it produces negative ions in the air - which means it purifies the air around your home naturally. Great for a new beginning. If you want to use essential oils - cinnamon or Jasmine is great to have in a saucer next to your candle. It is best to light your candle on a Thursday - for money increase or a Sunday - which is the day for business and career. Put this candle in your career area (see last weeks Feng Shui tip on career area) in your home or your office if you work from home. Have a pen and paper handy. Whilst you watch the candle burn visualize what sort of job you would like to do. Think about your skills - are you a good communicator, do you need to around the kids, are you the organizer - play to your strengths. Now imagine how this will realistically fit in with your personal life style and why you want to achieve this....is it for more money - more recognition or because your job is boring and you want to be more creative.Write down any ideas that come to you in which you can achieve your goals. It could be more training, reading up on chosen job or looking in the right job search.Do this ritual every day on the same day - either a Sunday or a Thursday for one whole calendar month. Good Luck Mx

Birth Stone - Sapphire 
In the book of Revelation Sapphires are considered fairly sacred and thought to attract the power of God - Sapphires also are believed to bring good luck and ward away evil spirits. It has also been said that reptiles and insects would die immediately if they came into contact with the stone. Sapphire are alleged to bring wisdom and clarity of mind to those born in September.

Health benefits of Potato

Potatoes are one of the richest sources of starch, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. 100 g provides 70 calories, however, they contain very little fat (just 0.1 g per100 g) and no cholesterol.


They are very good natural sources of both soluble and insoluble fiber. The dietary fiber in them increases the bulk of the stool, thus, it helps prevent constipation, decrease absorption of dietary cholesterol and thereby, lower plasma LDL cholesterol. Additionally, its rich fiber content also helps protect from colon polyps and cancer.


The fiber content aids in slow digestion starch and absorption of simple sugars in the gut. It thus help keep blood sugar levels within the normal range and avoid wide fluctuations. For the same reason, potato is considered as reliable source of carbohydrates in diabetics.


The tubers are one of the richest sources of B-complex group of vitamins such as pyridoxine (vitamin B6), thiamin, niacin, pantothenic acid and folates.


Fresh potato along with its skin is one of a good source of antioxidant vitamin; vitamin-C. 100 g of fresh tuber provides 11.4 mg or 20% of daily required levels of this vitamin. Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin-C helps body develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.


They also contain adequate amounts of many essential minerals like Iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, copper and potassium.


Red and russet potatoes contain good amount vitamin A, and antioxidant flavonoids like carotenes and zeaxanthins.


Recent studies at Agricultural research service (by plant genetics scientist Roy Navarre) suggests that flavonoid antioxidant, quercetin present in potatoes has anti-cancer and cardio-protective properties

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/aug/10/supermoon-perseids-meteor-shower-star-perigee-comet
there a large Super moon and can be seen all over the world over the next couple of nights. It appears 30% larger than normal.See link above for more details.

Every morning Yiu have two choices- carry on sleeping with your dreams or wake up and live your dreams.
Which one are you?

2 TOUGH QUESTIONS

Question 1: 
If you knew a woman who was pregnant, 
Who had 8 kids already, 
Three who were deaf, 
Two who were blind,
One had severe special needs
And she had syphilis,
Would you recommend that she undergoes an abortion?

Read the next question before looking at the response for this one.

Question 2:

It is time to elect a new world leader, and only your vote counts..
Here are the facts about the three candidates.

Candidate A:
Associates with crooked politicians, and consults with astrologists.
He's had two mistresses.
He also chain smokes
And drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day.

Candidate B:
He was kicked out of office twice,
Sleeps until noon,
Used opium in college
And drinks a quart of whiskey every evening.

Candidate C:
He is a decorated war hero,
He's a vegetarian,
Doesn't smoke,
Drinks an occasional beer
And never committed adultery.


Which of these candidates would be your choice?

Decide first ... No peeking, and then scroll down for the response.



Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Candidate B is Winston Churchill.
Candidate C is Adolph Hitler.

And, by the way, on your answer to the abortion question:

If you said YES, you just killed Beethoven.


Pretty interesting isn't it?
Makes a person think before judging someone.


Remember:

Amateurs ... Built the ark.
Professionals ... Built the Titanic

I've had a few people coming to me lately just to talk about how they feel, almost embarrassed about their intuitive skills or their beliefs and worried about how some others may view them. Its natural to want to feel part of a community and not feel different - I can relate this - but I think you will find there are more like minded people out there than you may realize. Its nice to all link in together. Would love for some of you to start making this your page also by commenting and sharing your pictures.

#SuperstitionSaturday - Magpies - whats it all about??!!.When I see a lone Magie I always make sure someone else sees it and say" Good morning Mr Blackbird" - Am I right to do this??
The Rhyme goes...
1 for sorrow ,2 for joy,3 for a girl and 4 for a boy,5 for silver, 6 for gold, 7 for a secret never to be told!!
In the 18th century it used to be....
1 for sorrow, 2 for mirth, 3 for a wedding 4 for a death!!
Before the 18th Century though the meaning was different again.
If a Magpie was squawking noisily in a tree - Beware of an approaching stranger. If it was circling your house - someone might die in that household and also if you saw a magpie on the way to church - again DEATH!!! My My Mr Magpie -truly a worrying bird.
So people got accustomed to, on seeing a Magpie, to dob their hats/caps, bow to it and say this rhyme....
I cross the Magpie , The Magpie crosses me, Bad Luck to the Magpie and Good luck to me.
The Magpies sinister connections are even mentioned in the bible It was said that it was the only creature who refused to go in Noahs arc and instead perched on the roof - it was also believed that it was the illicit offspring from a dove and a raven - therefor not blessed in the eyes of GOD!!!
So guys - what is the conclusion??!!!! Are we still worried about how many? or if they are even worth worrying about??The story has changed so much over the centuries -I think the poor Magpie needs a break - except for the fat that it does steal baby birds and eggs from other birds nests - I've seen this with my own eyes. Comments please...

I am offering 25% OFF a 40 minute reading for the first 40 people to respond with code ICHING888.Visit my website www.maggietarotguidance.com -go to options, press option2, enter code in information form with your other requested details and I will respond personally to you within 24 hours to fix a date and time that is suitable for us both.
I have 25 years experience of reading Tarot - I have helped 1,000 of people over the years(including many psychics/spiritual workers and mediums) with decisions and giving guidance through Tarot and guidance finding your personal path in life. Enjoy my Gift .
Maggie x

Introducing Supertition Saturday - ever wonder what the origins of some superstitions are?it fascinates me!!!why do I touch wood when I don't want to tempt fate? Whats this thing with Magpies all about??? Well I've been doing some research behind all of these superstitions-I think you'd be interested to know the real stories behind them.catch me here on google + or on my FB page for answers.has anyone got questions on this for me???Leave a comment below.

Tarot Teaching Tuesday
(To learn more about Tarot reading and card meanings have a look at my book "Inside Tarot" on sale at Amazon in ebook format) or for a reading please visit
www.maggietarotguidance.com

Tarot card meanings- the High Priestess.

If the High Priestess comes up in a reading - I know that the person in front of me is highly intuitive.They have a very keen sense (a sixth sense) of energies around them, which is reflected back to them as having strong gut reactions about people and situations around them. To develop this skill more they need to trust these instincts - which we are all born with - just some people have developed them more than others. Does this happen to you? Does it freak you out or has it got you away from danger in the past? I'd love to hear of your experiences.Mx