Cydira's Country Corner.

Ick.

Hi Folks!

We're still a house of plague here. I don't know what this bug is that my little man has caught but he's still feeling rotten. As he wants to stay in my lap, I'm not exactly going to be able to do readings today. I kinda need my hands free to hold the phone, among other things. I'm hoping he starts feeling better soon. I don't want him to miss preschool on Friday. He loves going.

When nap time hits, I will be available for a little while.

Sneaking Time In.

Hi Folks!

My little boy just fell asleep. As he naps, I will be available to take calls. When he is up, I'll be set to 'arrange call backs'. I will call you back as soon as I can.

Sorry...

Hi Folks!

I'm going to be a little hard to get a hold of this morning. I have a fussy little boy who wants extra cuddles from Momma. When nap time hits, I'll be back. Until then, I hope all of you have a great morning!

Tarot Peek for the Week of 5/7/2012

Hi Folks!

I apologize that I didn't get this posted up yesterday. It was incredibly busy over here over the weekend. If you are not familiar with my Tarot Peeks they are a quick set of readings for each day of the week. They are just a quick, general reading for the whole Keen community. It is my little way of giving back to the community. This said, let's jump into the reading!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Monday: 2 of Wands - Information is flowing from a capricious source. It brings much laughter and lightness of heart. Clients, keep your eyes open for divine guidance in the silliness around you. Readers, remember the blessings of joy that your clients can share with you!

Tuesday: 4 of Wands - A trusted adviser is going to guide you through some self growth exercises. Focus upon the guidance and the assurances of your guide rather then the discomfort of doing something new. Clients, be aware that self consciousness does not serve you here. Break that habit of hiding your light! You have fantastic potential for greatness! Readers, your calm assurance is inspiring. Your experience and wisdom is deeply appreciated by everyone who contacts you.

Wednesday: 9 of Wands - A measure of disappointment is met with consolation. While the one at your side can not take away your pain, they can help you bear it. Clients, don't hesitate to ask for help if you need it, that's what we're here to do for you! Readers, remember not to over extend yourself. Your compassion is a wonderful trait, but it needs to be tempered by the fact that you are only one person and can only do so much.

Thursday: The Lovers - Two hearts will beat as one. Deep communication of powerful emotions flow between them. Clients, today is the day if you want readings on love! The spiritual energies of this day are just right for this! Readers, this is the best day for love and relationship readings. The spiritual energies of the day give you a bit of a boost for reading on this issue.

Friday: 2 of Swords - Capricious false friends present smiles that cover ill intent. Clients, keep your eyes on where you want to be. Some of the people around you claim they want you to succeed when they really just want to use your success to further their own schemes. Readers, the clients are going to greatly need your help to see a safe path through the swirling influences about them.

Saturday: Judgement - Past issues have come to a head. Your discretion and intuition will help you determine the best way to resolve the conflicts that arise from them. Clients, don't let the past overwhelm you. It does not define who you are, though it does color your experience. Readers, be prepared to have some of your readings challenged by your clients. They are attempting to discern the best choice to follow, don't take it personally.

Sunday: 4 of Coins - A sorrowful friend seeks guidance and comfort from an experienced one. Clients, don't let the frustrations of the day rule you. You are not alone in your struggles! Readers, be gentle with your words. They have stronger impact today then you realize.

Rune of the day: Fehu

Hello folks!

Today's rune is Fehu/Feho. It is direct (upright). The rune looks like : ᚠ. It is the first letter in the Futhark alphabet and corresponds to the letter 'F' in the modern English alphabet. Traditionally, Fehu is associated with moveable wealth. As such, it is associated with cattle in the extrapolated ancient divinatory meanings. For the modern practitioner of rune magic and divination, we can replace the association of cattle with currency.

Feho comes to us today bringing the blessings of wealth. Following the spiritual high tide of the Milk Moon, this rune tells us that money is coming to those who seek it. Financial growth is the rule of the day.

See you this evening!

Hi Folks!

I'm just taking my boys out to visit with their friends. I'll be back this evening for a while after the boys are in bed. I hope that all of you get the chance to kick up your feet and relax a bit this lovely Sunday afternoon.

(And to you brave souls that are working their way through Monday, I hope you also get to have a little time to relax too. Start the work week with a smile, if you can!)

Holy Water

Hi Folks!

In some cases, even witches have need of holy water. It is difficult to envision a witch attempting to obtain water blessed by a different faith for use in their spells. This is because a witch is clergy of their own faith. In the case of Wiccan and religiously oriented witches, they are endowed with the spiritual authority to act. (Secular witches waive this aspect of witchcraft and generally do not involve themselves with such things). The Wiccan witches and religious witches have the spiritual authority to bless things, including water.

How does one get holy water? One way is to obtain it from a blessed source, such as a sacred well or spring. Another, more common way is to speak a blessing over a vessel of water. (In case you were wondering, this is what Christian clergy does as well.) In some traditions (sects) of witchcraft, placing a bowl of water out in the light of the full moon and the sun also serves to invoke the blessing of the deities as well.

How does one store holy water? If you have a small glass container, this is a good option. Failing that, any container that will hold water is an option. It is a question of aesthetics and convenience at this point. It is wise to label the container if you are storing it where others may possibly have access to it. This way no one accidentally drinks it on you.

It's a beautiful day!

Hi Folks!

Today is my 'off' day. If you still want to contact me, we can schedule a call. I'm spending the day with my boys. We're going to be going over to the park a little later and possibly even stopping and visiting some friends. I have a pile of housework that needs done but I'm not getting to worried over it.

I hope that all of you get the chance to spend some quality time with the people who are important in your life. Bonding time is always more important then we realize.

I hope you have a wonderful day!

I believe in Angels!

Hi folks!

Most people think of angels as a strictly Christian thing. While they are very prominent in the Abrahamic religions, I have learned that these benevolent beings are present to people of all faiths. They may be called by different names, but these spirits are always with us. They are willing to guide and aid us if we simply call upon them. They act as facilitators for communion with the Divine.

My first encounter with an angel was entirely bewildering to me. My devout Catholic friend invited me to pray with her in the chapel on campus, when we were at college. I was uncomfortable walking into the church, so I waited respectfully at the door way. There, in that dimly lit room, my friend knelt and bowed her head.

As she said her prayers, a luminous figure appeared beside her. The gender was indeterminate and all I could see clearly was their hands, folded in prayer. This figure remained at her side as she prayed. When she was finished, the figured held a hand over her head in a gesture of benediction. I have felt this presence about my friend ever since.

It is my sincere belief that it was indeed an angel that prayed with my friend. Since then, I have seen other angels. They've always been luminous beings of a kindly disposition. I have not yet had one speak to me. Someday, I may be so lucky. Until then, I am happy to tell YOU that your angels are most definitely real and at your side.

A wee bit of Garden magic!

As Spring swings into full force, the common 'weed' of the Dandelion pops up everywhere it can possibly take root. This plant is known as a solar plant because of it's sunny yellow blossoms and that it responds to daylight. As evening comes, the blossoms close at then end of the day. It is a perpetual favorite of children when in the seed stage, hence one of its alternate names: blowball.

Magically speaking, the dandelion is a powerful little plant. It harnesses the sun and the elements to seed itself vigorously. Medicinally, dandelion is the source of several powerful anti-cancer medications amongst other things. It even has a use in cooking, if you're so bold to try it.

If you do decide to add dandelion to your plate, make sure you harvest it from an area where there has been no pollutants in the soil or water. Pollution is passed from the ground and water into the plant and into those who consume it. For the adventurous, gather dandelion blossoms and fry them quickly in a bit of oil. The taste is reminiscent of fried dough. Or, gather leaves and toss them in a salad. Make sure that you collect your leaves from the plant before it bears blossoms. The blossoms make the leaves have a more bitter flavor.

Beltaine Fruit Fool for Lovers.

Hi folks!

Beltaine is often viewed like the pagan equivalent of Valentine's day. A great deal of emphasis is placed upon love, courtship, and sensuality. A wonderful way to indulge the senses and concoct a little love magic is cooking for your beloved, then sharing the meal. It doesn't have to be wine and roses. Indeed, the more off the beaten path you go, the more likely it will be a hit. Why, you ask? Because it shows that you have put some thought into just what your special someone would enjoy.  And little things like that helps keep relationships, health, happy, and strong.

Not everyone is cut out to whip off a souffle in the kitchen. Simple recipes are fantastic for anyone from the novice cook to five star chefs. The one I am sharing with you is called Fruit Fool. It is an old medieval recipe and it is called this because it is so simple a fool could make it. We'll be using strawberries because they are an aphrodisiac and they work exceptionally well with the cream. One other thing, the vanilla is also an aphrodisiac. The scent of it is considered to be highly erotic.

Ingredients
1 pint strawberries (cleaned, hulled, and quartered; reserve 2 for garnish)
1 pint heavy cream
1 tbsp vanilla
2 tbsp confectioner's sugar

Using a scrupulously clean bowl and whisk (both chilled in the refrigerator for 15 minutes), whip the cream until soft peaks begin to form. Beat in vanilla and confectioner's sugar until soft peaks form. Gently fold the strawberries into the whipped cream. Spoon into bowls and garnish with whole strawberry. Serve immediately.

Blessed Beltaine! & A Spell for You

To everyone in the Northern Hemisphere, I wish you all a blessed Beltaine! To you kind souls in the Southern Hemisphere, I wish you a blessed Samhain!

Beltaine is the fire festival that marks the solar cross quarter between the Vernal Equinox and the Summer Solstice. Samhain is the fire festival that marks the solar cross quarter between the Autumnal Equinox and the Winter Solstice. A large amount of what has been written about these two holy days focuses upon the Northern Hemisphere. It also places a heavy emphasis upon the Anglo-Celtic background of modern paganism.

To those who celebrate something different today, I wish you all a blessed day as well. I hope that everyone has a happy, fulfilling, and prosperous season ahead. In my tradition/sect of witchcraft, this is reckoned to be the beginning of the Summer season. As such, we plant our seeds for harvest, nurture that which was planted earlier in the Spring, and celebrate the waxing strength of the Sun.

Now, most other witches will focus upon the fertility aspects of this holiday. When this is in conjunction with the waxing of the moon phase, it is perhaps one of the most obvious elements of this holiday. I, however, am presenting a spell that taps into this rising magical/spiritual tide to remove something. This is a little spell that I have used many times with great success, regardless of moon phase or solar influences.

In timing it with the rising magical/spiritual tide, I call upon these forces to wash away the unhealthy aspects that we shall be containing and replace them with healthy ones.

What you will need:

• A clean glass jar, with a screw top lid
• Slips of paper
• A pen
• A white candle

Take your glass jar and open it. With your pen, write down on the slips of paper your fears and anxieties. Be as specific as you can. Use one slip of paper per item. Place these papers into the jar and close. Light your white candle and drip wax over the top of the jar, sealing it. As you do so recite:

Worry, worry in the jar
Worry cast away so far
Worry keep away from me
Worry gone, now I'm free

As you do your recitation, envision yourself free of the fears and anxieties. See your self healthy and happy, living your life with confidence. Discard of the jar and the worries it contains.*

*If you wish to recycle the jar, do not seal it with wax. Instead to the recitation as you are closing the jar. At a time where it feels appropriate, open the jar and burn the slips of paper. Scatter the ashes, cleanse the jar, and then recycle it.

Happy New Year!

Greetings!

My new schedule is up. I may be tweaking it some in the near future. With two toddlers, it is a bit tricky finding a good time for me to be taking calls. Please be patient and bear with me during this transition. I expect that by February my schedule will be set. Between now and then, there may be a few changes.

Aside from that, I sincerely hope that everyone had a safe and happy holiday season.

Brightest blessings and best wishes!
~Cydira

Today's Rune: Rad (reversed)

Hello folks!

Today the rune Rad has been pulled for us. It has previously visited us in the reversed orientation. This is a rune that discusses not only transportation but also communication. Usually, the reversed orientation indicates difficulties communicating or challenges in conveying ideas. Today, however, Rad is focused upon the more 'standard' focus, being that of travel. Those of us who are in the midst of traveling somewhere would be well advised to watch the weather and stay prepared for delays. I see here signs of difficulties for folks in the Midwest USA and Rockies that are especially weather related.

Remember, everybody, autumn is a season of highly changeable weather. Always keep stuff handy to cope with a sudden cold snap or an unexpectedly mild day. Those of us who are in the northern hemisphere may want to use the next few days as an opportunity to make sure that we are ready for colder weather. It only takes about a half hour to get together everything you need to winterize your vehicle.

Clean out your cars folks and use this checklist as a guide. If you get ready when it's autumn, you'll definitely have what you need when it's winter.

I'm Back!

After struggling with major illness, I am back to begin giving readings again here on Keen. My availability is going to be a little bit limited until I get my new schedule set. To my past clients, I thank you for keeping me in mind. For my future clients, I promise to do the best that I can to give you a reading that is fast, accurate, and helpful.

My primary divination tool is a tarot deck. I do, however, also use runes, crystal gazing, and mediumship. As we're coming up on Samhain (also known as Halloween), it is a particularly auspicious time for spirit contact. If you want the fun of visiting with your deceased loved ones with out the complication of an Ouija board, give talking to a medium a try.

Frequently, you find yourself with more of a conversation then simple 'yes-no' questions and a lot more spontaneity in the conversation. It's like having a translator helping you talk to someone who speaks a different language. Give it a try, you may like it!