From our fire to yours…
Thank you “L” 🤗
The next full moon on Friday the 13th is in 2049.
This moon would be considered the Harvest Moon as farmers could stay up later by the light of the moon harvesting crops.
Blog
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Music Therapy 5
“When our hands connect with a drum that vibrates with our energy, vitality, emotion, exhilaration, hope, sensitivity, giving, sharing, and unity, we become whole again.” -Barry Bittman, MD
Beginner’s Drum Class
We were a small group this time, but we’re learning new rhythms!
The Photo used in the video is from Lee Pigott
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We Will Never Forget
We Will Never Forget
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We take this moment of silence to remember the sacrifices of many, and the loss and grief we share.
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Thoughts
Do terrorists represent all the people of a belief system? Or the few? Are monsters made or born? It can be difficult to separate the abominable acts of a few, from a culture or religion as a whole.
Radicals of hate crimes are found in every culture and belief system, so when, if ever, do they represent the whole? In the honor and name of what god, are these horrific acts blamed on? And what god would want the burden of being credited for these atrocities?
One I hope I’ll never know.
There are hate crimes committed and prejudice is handed out based on race or religious affiliation. And yet, do the “many” represent the reprehensible acts of the few?
I want to believe they don’t.
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Rose Hip Seed Oil
by Beth Haley
Rose hip seed oil is different from rose essential oil which comes from the rose petals. Rose hip seed oil is found in the rose fruit left behind when the flowers have finished blooming, and does not contain the typical rose fragrance found in the flowers. Rose hip seed oil goes rancid quickly, and should be stored in a cool, dark place or stored in the refrigerator.
This oil was used by ancient Egyptians, Mayans and Native Americans because of its healing qualities, and was even used as a wound healer. Today, most of the oil from the rosa canina rose bush, comes from Chile although it is also grown in parts of Europe, Northwest Africa, and Western Asia – or from the sweetbriar and musk rose in the Southern Andes.
It has been called a “dry” oil because it absorbs quickly into the skin and helps to return the skin’s natural balance, making it a good choice for all skin types.
Full of many Skin-Nourishing Vitamins and Fatty Acids
Vitamin E – known for calming and hydrating dry and sensitive skin
Essential fatty acids such as omega 3, 6 and 9 – known to help repair skin and help with skin cell regeneration
Vitamin C – known for its skin-brightening properties, can help improve the appearance of pigmentation (age spots/ dark spots) and restores skin tone
Vitamin A – also known to improve skin tone along with improving the skin’s texture
Both vitamins A and C are beneficial in the production of collagen, which we make less of as we age. This makes the oil a powerful anti-aging addition to your skin care regimen. Synergistically, vitamins A, C and E help to combat the visible signs of sun damage and reduces the harmful effects of UV exposure.
Overall
Rose hip seed oil helps to hydrate, moisturize, brighten and replenish your skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties have been helpful for acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. It softens skin and gives a brighter and more radiant complexion while also reducing the appearance of scarring, stretch marks, fine lines and wrinkles.
Patch Test
Test rose hip oil on a small patch of skin before using. After a day, if the skin does not show any irritation it should be safe to use elsewhere.
Cold pressed, organic rose hip seed oil is recommended for its purity and quality of benefits.
Note: If you are allergic to roses, chances are you’ll also be allergic to the oil, so make sure and do the patch test if in doubt.
Preparation
Rose hip seed oil can be used as a carrier (or base) oil to which you can add essential oils to.
This bottle has been disinfected, as you would do for baby bottles. To this I will add mostly rose hip oil and a few drops of frankincense essential oil. Frankincense also helps to rejuvenate, tone and firm. It balances oily/dry skin, helps deter wrinkles, and is healing. The roller bottle makes it easy to apply the oil to face, neck, and hands before bed.
Store in a dark cupboard or refrigerator. You can roll some of this oil onto the palms of your hands and let it warm up before massaging it into your skin.
Sources:
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Sacred Land
We hear it in the water
Flowing into the fjord
Blood of this earth
Soul of our soulWe hear it in the wood
Dancing in the fire
Passion and form
Bone of our boneWe hear it in the iron
Muscle and grit
Earth born
Strength of our strengthWe hear it in the stone
Shards in soil
Flesh of our flesh
Earth of our earthA song for water
A prayer for wood
A dance for fire
A call for Iron
Drums beat for stoneI send a prayer for the caretakers of a sacred land, and a prayer for the land, which is in the hands of caretakers.
For those who have been in the grips of the storm. And, even more: a prayer for people in the hands of hate.
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Zen Retreat
by Beth Haley
Sleeping Quarters
Turn your sleep space into your very own Zen Retreat! Find the tone, the mood, and the ambiance that makes it your peaceful haven and vacation from life.
“A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.” -Irish Proverb
Sleep is such a huge key for our health. I wish you peaceful rest.
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Echoes
I’m thankful that this is all we saw of Dorian here. For those who saw so much more of her: we pray the aid and help needed be close at hand.
Echoes
I hear the echoes of our voices along the swampy path as I retrace old footprints. The happy dogs are roaming again. The heron stands still for long, long moments; patience turns slowly on its own axis of time. Nothing seems to move fast here. Dragonflies, the size of birds, drift, rather than dart.
Treasures gathered, I step back through the moss-covered portal once again and return to this present time. Yet, I carry these echoes within me always.
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Light a candle and sit quietly before it. Focusing on the blue part of the flame, meditate on something that you’ve lost but still carry within your soul. Perhaps it is a person who has passed on, a dream that didn’t bloom, or a hope that was crushed.
Feel your heart beating with a hundred feelings; with all the feelings that surround this memory.
Choose one detail that you would like to save. It might be represented by a song or picture, a mannerism, or a favorite book or food. Hold this detail in your heart and looking at the bluish flame, meditate on this gift you carry within you toward a new day dawning.
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Challenge 2
by Beth Haley
Looking at the big-picture of health is to look at our health holistically. It’s what we eat but so much more. Elements such as sleep and relationships are just as important.
If you were to scan the whole picture of your health, what is one challenge you’d like to work on?
1. Write your challenge in the middle of a piece of paper.
2. Write down all the possible contributing factors around your challenge. For example, if your challenge is “sleep,” contributing factors may include not going to bed early enough, not taking enough time before bed to get into a relaxed state, atmosphere, stress, worry, or chronic pain – all things that could contribute to not getting enough quality sleep.
3. Choose a contributing factor and write down an action step you can take this weekend, and over the next week, that supports sleep, or your challenge area.
4. At the end of a week, notice any changes. How do you feel? Did anything change?
Atmosphere and Sleep
Preparing your sleep space is as important as preparing your mind and body for rest. Allowing the shift from the busy day to tranquil rest time, mentally and physically, is a process that continues as you step into your sleeping space.
Are the colors restful?
Do you need it completely quiet or do you need the sound of a stream flowing softly?
Is it dark enough?
What fragrances are restful to you?
Is there anything that causes a disturbance in this space?
Is the lighting right? Do candles help?
What makes your sleep space a restful retreat?
One disturbance to sleep I have remedied is with certain pets wandering in and out and making noise. They now have their own sleep room.
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Letting go
by Beth Haley
Walking through the swamp
I catch a glimpse of change
It’s in the air
Its stamped on the leaves
They show us how
Transformation is beautiful
From one form to the next
From new birth, to growth
From harvest to restful winter
Each season has a purpose
In nature and in life
Embrace each change
With the grace and beauty of autumn’s leaf
“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.”
-Unknown
Pilgrimage Studio 