Saturday, January 12, 2013

Waxing moon: time to make a vision board!

A beautiful idea that a friend of mine introduced to me recently was the vision board.  A vision board is  a great way to put your subconscious desires down onto a piece of card to hang above your altar or even at work (if you can get away with having a small one!).

A few months ago I was feeling really flat and a great friend of mine said that I needed to produce myself a vision board to set my goals and intentions and clearly see my heart's desire in front of me.  She grabbed a pile of magazines, pens and newspapers and we sat for ages talking, pasting and writing all over our vision boards without any conscious thought going into the process - like automatic writing.

Now that I've achieved all of the goals that I had down on my first vision board I'm now onto my second one following the new moon and into the waxing moon where intentions can be set alight and developed.

I can't recommend it enough.  I paste mine above my altar so that I can meditate on my goals and see where I have set myself for the future - which literally with pictures and powerful words to guide me.  These vision boards help to guide my workings in both low and high magick, so get started!

)O( Elspeth.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Eco tip of the week: snap lock bags for your food storage

It sounds simple, right?  All you need do is buy a 50 pack of snap lock plastic food bags which you can clean out after each use.  You can freeze portions of food, including bread, store refridgerated items and separate your lunch box goods using them.  You'll find many different ways to use them.  Keep the rubber bands from your vegetables to tie them up that little bit tighter if you need to compact the plastic down before sealing the ends.

Image via Burnt Muffin

Some very wise words from a wise sister

I don't often put this kind of thing on here, but I couldn't resist sharing this one!  I've been meaning to write more on here and now that I've given up reviewing for the arts I can really dedicate more time to this blog, its interviews and more eco advice sections for readers.

And now to the lovely words of wisdom from Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio.



"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 42 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short – enjoy it..

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.

9. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

10. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

11. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

12. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

13. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it...

14 Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

15. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

16. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

17. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

18. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

19. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

20. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

21. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

22. The most important sex organ is the brain.

23. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

24. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

25. Always choose life.

26. Forgive but don’t forget.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does..

31. Believe in miracles.

32. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

33. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

34. Your children get only one childhood.

35. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

36. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

37. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

38. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.

39. The best is yet to come...

40. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

41. Yield.

42. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."