http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/imblocfebruary2/p/Imbloc_History.htm Imbloc, is the time for the annual weather forecasting ritual. People in France look to the bear to see if winter is over. Germany kept their eye on the badger. Canada and the United States of America same tradition apply the groundhog. The weather forecasting ritual gives a glimmer of hope for an early spring. If a hibernating groundhog casts a shadow at Imbloc, winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen then spring will be delayed. Over many generations the animal forecast have been accurate. http://timeanddate.com/holidays/canada/groundhog-day According to ancient British weather lore it is the hedgehog that emerges at Imbloc, to fortell if winter will soon be over. When a hedgehog wakes from a deep sleep, and emerges from its burrow in mid-winter and sees its shadow, because the sun is shining, it will forecast that winter will only continue for another six weeks. If the weather will be bad, the hedgehog will remain inside its burrow. An eighteenth century American rhyme advises: "Observe which way the hedgehog builds her nest, to front the north or south or east or west, for if 'tis true what common people say, the wind will blow quite contrary way." Quote taken from-Cassell Dictionary of Superstitions Author-David Pickering
According to Druidic doctrine, we have an attraction to a specific tree, animal or ancestor. These totems are already part of our being.
TOTEMS - a type of plant, animal or object chosen and treated with superstitious respect as the symbol of an intimate and mysterious relationship.
I have an attraction to oak trees, wolves and my grandfathers. In my childhood, in the farmyard near the big barn grew the strong spread of oak ansd maple trees. I would climb as close as possible to the highest boughs pointed to the sky with a canopy of green above me and sit for hours with my imagination.
In my later years a spell which involved an oak tree and acorns introduced me to the Druidic Tradition. My Dad's dad owned a German Shepherd dog named Duke, that resemble a Timber wolf. The wolf perhaps the most feared in terms of superstition because back in the day they were feared for attacking wild, domestic animals and humans alike.
Humans are high on the food chain. It is our responsibility for prevention of waste of human's physical environment, including wildlife, timber, fertile topsoil, and pasture according to the Conservation of Natural Resources. We need to find the compromise to co-habitat. We need to be fair.
As far back as I can remember I've been fascinated by the sharp, yellow intense stare of the wolf. It's amazing the eyes speak without the wolf saying word.  When I open the book of my memories to the good times I've experienced the Sunday visits at my mother's parents farm in the peace of the countryside always warms my heart. My uncle and his family owned garden centre were just a few steps away.
Back then family life was strong, simple and modest. It was all about parents and their children and the country way.
When I was a small child during the warm summer days surrounded by the haunts of birds, other wild creatures, domestic animals, large trees and sculptured landscapes my brothers, sisters, cousins and I played.
The image of coffee brewed and the older generation sharing knowledge with the younger generation around my grandparent's kitchen table was a familiar sight. My uncles would come and go discussing livestock, planting, harvest or equipment that needed repair. My grandmother, mother and aunts spoke of our lifestyle. At the head of the table sat my granddad.
My granddad was an elderly man who had endured a hard life when he died. As a young girl I attended his funeral. His dying brought out many people. It was a sad day. Sorrow was shared.
The special bond between tree - oak, animal - wolf, and ancestor - grandfathers have their roots that go deep into my personal history.
The reason I believe this likeness in the smoke is that of my mother's father is because of the widow's peak (hair style), nose and strong chin.
The Dragon is the fifth sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal signs. The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. In ancient China, the celestial Dragon represents an emperor and power. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness. May the celestial Dragon bring great good luck to everyone. In Sung Dynasty (a Chinese imperial dynasty lasting from AD 960 - 1279) texts, the dragon is described as having the head of an ox, muzzle of a donkey, eyes of a shrimp, horns of a deer, body of a serpent covered with fish scales, and feet of a phoenix. The dragon usually clutches a pearl symbolic of its super-natural powers. Invariably accompanied by thunder and rain, dragons move like lightning and whirlwinds - - all powerful yet totally unpredictable.
Dragon Years: 02/19/1904 to 02/03/1905 (Wood), 02/03/1916 to 01/22/1917 (Fire), 01/23/1928 to 02/09/1929 (Earth), 02/08/1940 to 01/26/1941 (Metal), 01/27/1952 to 02/13/1953 (Water), 02/13/1964 to 02/01/1965 (Wood), 01/31/1976 to 02/17/1977 (Fire), 02/17/1988 to 02/05/1989 (Earth), 02/05/2000 to 01/23/2001 (Metal), 01/23/2012 to 02/09/2013 (Water). The Dragon Personality - as a symbol of royalty and authority, the Dragon is exuberant, brash, and full of self-confidence. Those born in this year play a leading role in life. Creative Thinking - Dragons can be relied on to have creative and imaginative approach to work; acute perceptive powers - unorthodox way to solve problems. Fresh Pastures - Dragons are drawn to anything out of the ordinary. Money Luck - tremendous business sense, gift for making and spending money.
The Chinese have always especially venerated the Dragon. As the only mythical animal among the 12 signs in the Chinese zodiac, this exotic and exuberant creature signifies Heaven's authority. As a result, dragons have a long been associated in authority. As a results, dragons have long been assciated in China with nobility, material power and success. Imperial insignia often employed dragon imagery, particularly during the Manchu dynasty (1644 - 1912). The lavish dragons embroidered on the Emperor's court dress had five claws, while those of lesser princes had four. The nobility, meanwhile, had to be content with only three claws.
Traditionally, the Chinese dragon was also linked with the gentle fertilising rains of spring. The rainy season has always heralded by the appearance of the Green Dragon constellation - one of the five great constellations into which Chinese symbolize rains and floods, and was belueved to live in deep pools and rivers. As one of the four benevolent spiritual animals (the others are the unicorn, the phoenix and the tortoise), the astrological Dragon is far removed from the fire-breathing monster of western legend. On the contray, this noble creature is considered by the Chinese to be their paramount symbol of luck and good fortune - qualites which are reflected in the characteristics of the sign.
January 23, 2012 signals the dawn of the Chinese New Year, and 2012 is the Year of the Water Dragon! The Dragon Year: Changes and upheaval are predicted for the volatile Dragon year. Such instability will be evident on a broad scale, embracing the world of nature as well as human affairs. The weather will be notable for unexpected storms and floods. Artistic and occult interest will also come to the fore and flourish at this time.
Politically, it is not an ideal period for democratic policies. People will tend to be drawn more strongly than usual to charismatic personalities. As a result, both monarchies and dictatorships are likely to become popular with their - for the moment - loyal bands of followers.
There are likely to be spectacular gains and losses, particularly in business and finance. Extravagant and risky plans are best inaugurated during the dragon year, which favours the imaginaative ans adventurous, rather than the careful, the well planned and the practical.
It follows that businesses which vcan meet the demand for excitement and spectacle will prosper; but the boom is destined to be short lived. Those who prefer a more staid and old-fashioned approach may find the current period a lean one, but they will reap the rewards later.
HOW THE ANIMAL SIGNS WILL FARE IN THE DRAGON YEAR:
The Rat - great excitement, travel to far off places, finances more secure, good news for the romantically inclined
The Ox - matters may move too fast, play it safe
The Tiger - excellent year for financially and romantically, public recognition for your achievements
The Hare - take care of health (unexpected changes), matters do not turn out as planned
The Dragon - full of achievements and successes, keep something in reserve (money)
The Snake - many personal ambitions realized, study trends carefully
The Horse - a very stimulating year, great opportunities for business, socail ambitions, romantically
The Sheep - not a good year, avoid getting irritated over trifles, minor mishaps are only temporary, be patient
The Monkey - all kinds of crafty schemes can come to fruition, be sure completed before the end of year or may lead to disaster
The Rooster - opportunities for social climbing, public recognition, finances less sure, romance may bring disappointments
The Dog - take creat care over matters at home, not ideal time to move, save rather than spend
The Pig - problems with family, difference of opinion needs to be sorted out, do not lavish money on relatives
(The Mammoth Book of Fortune, Telling Rbinson London)
Of all numbers, thirteen is the most starred.
It is simultaneously a lucky and unlucky number. It is considered to be a bad omen because the Knights Templars were arrested on October 13, 1307. However it is also the number of reincarnation and everlasting life. The number of everlasting life.
Witches' covens traditionally have thirteen members. The number of the cult (there are 13 members in a covens and satanic cults (12 regular members and one high priest). This is a mirroring of 12 jurors+1 judge=13. It is also believed that there are 13 high occult families that run the world
FRIDAY 13th: - The superstition might be rooted in mythology. Friday is named after Frigga, who is the goddess of love and fertility. When Christianity took over Northern Europe, this female deity was labelled a witch and banished to a mountaintop. It was believed that every Friday, to get revenge, the goddess got together with eleven other witches and the devil to plan wicked things for humans. In fact, for centuries, Friday was nicknamed The Witch’s Sabbath by Scandinavians. In fact, the root of the world Friday comes from Freya – the name of the good goddess turned evil.
There is a rare phenomenon of Lucky Energy that lies hidden behind FRIDAY THE 13th, and it is going to last for an entire 52 days. Most people agree that FRIDAY THE 13th emits a particular kind of magnetism which can trigger “miraculous” events, especially as far as wins at games and finding true love are concerned. This is a very special time, when you can see hundreds of people who are in very difficult straits (emotional problems, family conflicts, financial difficulties and others) experience a surprising and rapid change in their lives, often in less than 30 days.
Superstition -
Friday, subjected to Venus, is widely held to be unlucky and a day when evil influences are at work - especially if it happens to be the thirteen day of the month. A day when anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
The day that Eve offered the apple to Adam in the Garden of Eden, Friday is favoured for the holding of witches' covens and was formerly the customary day for hangings.
Accents are more frequent on Fridays (though visits to the doctors are not advised), and clothes made on this day will not fit. Projects or trips begun on Friday will not prosper and any person who laughs on that day, says one proverb, will cry on Sunday.
Many people add that Friday is also inauspicious day for moving house or for weddings, and formerly in some parts if the British Isles those who courted their lovers on a Friday were hounded by friends and neighbours banging noisily on pans and kettles. According to one old Shropshire superstition, news received on a Friday makes a physical impression upon the hearer in the form of a new wrinkle for every tiding. Children born on Friday will prove unlucky, but will enjoy the gift of second sight and healing powers ( I was born on a Friday) Many claim that the weather on Friday will be repeated on the following Sunday. New undertakings of many other events of a personal nature, will also be postponed.
In the tarot decks the number thirteen is reserved for Death. Others assure us that the contrary is true, doubtless because the card XIII signifies rebirth Most unlucky of all is the discovery that one has sat down to dinner at a table where thirteen people are present, a reference to the fact that there were thirteen people present at the Last Supper, where Judas Iscariot was the thirteenth.
In reality, the prejudice against the number thirteen is of obscure origins, as evidence exists of it in Roman civilization long before Christ and the Last Supper, which is none the less usually cited as the source of superstition. Perhaps significantly, the number thirteen was to the ancient Egyptians the last step of the ladder via which the soul reached eternity, though other authorities have suggested Hindu origins.
*The Cassell Dictionary of Superstitions Author David Pickering Friday page 80, #13 page 258
A Love Prayer to honor and show your true intentions to the Divine Powers. Love, is the finest sense, vibrated. Recite the prayer from the very core of your heart.
I, a Light Worker of my Creator, in human form, believe fully and whole-heartedly in my Creator's Truth, Light, Love and Law. Only spiritual love dwells in my heart, mind, body and soul. I am one with Divine Love.
I, 'a Light Worker of my Creator', bless those who reside and believe in the dark negative forces. I also request my Creator to bless them to change their minds to loving thoughts and actions. As we are all creatures of our Creator, it is my intent to turn negative thoughts, pursuits and behaviors to positive, loving thoughts and deeds without prejudice or judgment.
It is my intent that this be done for the highest good of all concerned in the name of the Maiden, Mother and Crone as well as the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. In gratitude and trust, I thank the Divine Powers for these gifts that are given and know it will be done. Blessed Be.
EACH DAY'S A NEW BEGINNING, SO START IT WITH A SMILE, ENJOY THE ART OF LIVING, DO THINGS THAT ARE WORTHWHILE, LIKE LOVING AND FORGIVING, AND HAVING TIME TO SPARE, TO MAKE SOME PERSON HAPPY, BY SHOWING THAT YOU CARE.
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