Wedding Flowers By Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor University of Vermont Planning to walk down the aisle this summer? The flowers you choose for your wedding may reveal more about you than you know. Special meanings have been associated with flowers since the Victorian era. Men who were shy about expressing how they felt about a woman would send flowers. Pansies meant "I'm thinking of you," yellow roses signified friendship, Calla lilies spoke of her magnificent beauty, and irises meant "I'm about to ask you an important question." The question was usually, "Will you marry me?" If the answer was yes, the bride-to-be would start thinking about what flowers she wanted to use on that special day to convey her feelings and sentiments. Although flower selection is often based on personal preferences and availability, modern day brides also can send messages to their intended through the flowers and herbs they include in their bouquets, wedding favors, and table displays. Roses are always a popular choice for weddings. White stands for innocence, charm, love, and beauty. Red signals passion and desire. Dark pink represents thankfulness that you've found each other. Ivy is for fidelity and marriage, alestromeria--devotion. Tulips are a good way to declare your love for your spouse. For a less formal bouquet, use primroses to tell everyone you feel cheery, joyous, and youthful. Add daisies for innocence and romance and larkspur for humor and laughter. Just think twice about using daffodils, which say "no regards" in the language of flowers! Many brides also like to include symbolic herbs in their bouquets or decorations. Marjoram stands for happiness, sage for domestic virtue, and thyme for courage and strength. Rosemary is for remembrance. Lavender is for love and devotion. If you add a stalk of wheat, this means you are hoping for prosperity. These flowers and herbs can also be used in table centerpieces and decorations for the church or place where the ceremony is held. How about an ivy wreath? Ivy, as I mentioned, stands for fidelity and marriage. The circle shape represents everlasting life. Tuck in a few sprigs of rosemary or lavender to add remembrance and love. For tables, make topiaries of ivy in a heart shape. Or take a handful of red tulips, strip away the leaves, and wrap with florist ribbon in your "wedding colors." Pop into a decorative glass container, and pack moss around the sides to hold up the flowers. You can also use flowers for favors. How about a seed packet of "your" flower or herb? Daisies, larkspur, thyme, and rosemary are all a good choice as they have special meaning and are easy to grow in Vermont. Or put sachets of herbs, rose petals, and lavender at each guest's place. The possibilities are endless!

Tale of Three Gardeners: A Floral Conversation by Carol Wallace Violet was shy. She spent her days tending her garden, her nights reading garden books and watching TV. One day the new man on the block passed her on the street and, because he had no hat to tip, instead handed Violet a sprig of lilac which he had absently picked from a shrub while strolling. >From all her reading, and the floral industry's insistence that people "Say it With Flowers" Violet was thrilled to the bottom of her shy little soul. Lilacs, as she knew, express the first emotions of love. Too timid to reply, she instead went home and planted a thornless rose - a symbol of early attachment - and underplanted it with ferns to show her fascination. A planting of moss rosebuds and myrtle declared to the world (and supposedly to the young man) a confession of love. And so that no one would mistake the intended recipient of the message, Violet planted clusters of Sweet William around the doorstep, for the young man's name was William. The meddling and jealous spinster next door deciphered the message, and began to plot. First she moseyed on over to William's house in her tightest jeans and sexiest sweater and advised him to add a little curb appeal to his house. White candytuft, she told him, would show off beautifully against the red brick of his home. Violet saw this, and was crushed, for she knew all too well that candytuft signified indifference. Sadly she cut back the roses, and in their place planted deep red carnations, which meant "Alas for my poor heart!" Meanwhile Jezebel, the jealous spinster was sending another message, mainly for Violet's benefit. The meddling woman planted a Spanish jasmine to imply sensuality, and a drift of yellow iris to signify passion. For color contrast, and as a direct message to Violet she planted purple columbine - determination to win. While Violet shrank, William was fascinated by the loveliness of the gardens the two women had created, and took a trip to the nursery. Worrying strictly about color and form, he came home with pots of ferns and lily of the valley. Little did he know that this particular combination meant, to Violet, "Your unconscious sweetness has fascinated me." Overjoyed, she rushed out to plant a dog rose to express the combination of pleasure and pain that their floral conversation had so far afforded her, and a white rose, which was supposed to say to William "I am worthy of you." Poor William only saw how well the white rose would look in his own all white garden, and added one of his own. While this thrilled Violet, it sent Jezebel rushing out to plant again. Soon her yard bristled with yellow roses, to show her jealousy, and a small stand of hellebores which begged William to "relieve my anxiety." Oblivious, William went out and added a small new bed of flowers to the side of the house: columbine, daylilies, witch hazel and colored daisies. Little did he know that what he was telling his passionate neighbor was "your folly and coquetry have broken the spell of your beauty." Violet, afraid that the message was meant for her, planted daisies, to proclaim her innocence. When William, who had been spending an amazing amount of time at the nursery, next planted a filbert tree, to Violet it signaled reconciliation, and a sign that all was well. She planted drifts of heliotrope to signify devotion, while Jezebel, unsure of what went wrong, planted nightshade, to chide William for what she perceived as his falseness, and white carnations to show her disdain for his seeming perfidy. William, still oblivious, neglected the lawn in his new fascination with flowers and so it sprouted a fine crop of white clover. To Violet, this said "Be Mine!" and she rushed right out to buy a Spirea prunifolia, known as bridal bush. This proved to be her undoing. The next day William actually crossed the street, and for the first time spoke to Violet in words. "What a lovely shrub," he commented, and Violet, her heart all aflutter could only respond by handing him a sprig of myrtle, which signified love. But William wanted to cut some of the spirea instead, since the local nursery that he spent so much time at didn't carry that particular kind. "It will be lovely as a wedding flower," commented William, and Violet, totally overcome, could only respond by planting a Provence rose to show that her heart was in flames. The next day, William married the lady at the local nursery, who, rather than sending symbolic messages had shown him how to plant a lovely garden, and shown him a good time, as well. Jasmine ripped out her garden and planted grass. Violet replanted her yard in bleeding hearts, knowing full well that even one so dense as William couldn't miss the implication. And William's house, thanks to its lovely landscaping, netted him a profit of nearly $20,000. The moral? Gardens should be a topic of conversation, not the conversation itself. And be careful when you plant of the messages you may inadvertently be sending.

Chinese Herbal Wedding Traditions >From The Herbs Place Ginseng for men's sexual health has been known and used in China for centuries. The Chinese favored herb for women is Dong Quai. A betrothed female may expect to get little gifts containing this herb as small tokens of her future husband's interest in her fertility. In China, Dong Quai is included in all kinds of candies packaged in all shapes and sizes and even packaged in special gift boxes like jewelry.

My Debs is a Pisces. Pat Las Vegas Kath wrote: > Pisces > "The Fish" > > Planet: NEPTUNE > Element: Water > Lucky Color: Sea Green > Therapeutic Gemstone: Amethyst > Lucky Number: Nine (9) > Tarot Card: The Empress (Dreams) > Lucky Month(s): March and October > > How to Identify a Pisces > > The Pisces is never comfortable at a party where there are a lot of > bodies > and even more hot air. They will escape to the garden or the balcony > for > relief. You can identify a Pisces by their otherworldly beautiful > eyes, soft > hair and voice, modesty and ultra femininity. > > How to Talk to a Pisces > > To talk to a Pisces, discuss Astronomy, Yoga or Meditation. Pisces > have many > interesting dreams and love to talk about them. Never treat a Pisces > roughly > as their feelings are easily hurt. Be kind, considerate, gentle and > affectionate and you will hook a Pisces forever. > > Famous Pisces Personalities > > Joanne Woodward (Feb. 27), Doctor Seuss, Liza Minnelli, Fats Domino, > Bobby > Fisher and L. Ron Hubbard. > > Where to go on Vacation > > Disneyland, Germany, Brittany and the Meditteranean. These places will > carry > you away in fantasy. Ideally, you would love to live at a holiday > resort. > Your best vacations carry you away from the modern world. > > Best Way to Travel > > Pisces prefer to travel by ship or train. A cruise is your best > vacation. > April or any of the summer month are your best times to travel. Avoid > traveling on weekends. > > What to do on Vacation > > Go to sport events, enjoy the night life, and hear live music. You > enjoy > going with close family and friends. You may blame yourself for > leaving > luggage behind when it is time to return home. > > Your Health > > Pisces rules the feet, and this area of their body is very vulnerable. > Much > consideration should be applied when choosing shoes. Pisces have > alternate > stages of excitement and then depression which has a deep effect on > their > physical wellbeing. Pisceans need to fight strenuously to balance > their > emotions so they can remain healthy. > > What Makes You Happy > > Pisces love the gentle side of life. Nursing a sick animal or watching > a > beautiful sunset are their highlights. The most difficult task in the > world > for a Pisces is to find the right person with whom to share their life > with. > Pisces love children, old movies, nature and loves to give. Pisces can > be > the happiest sign as they have the ability to find pleasure in things > that > others fail to notice or take for granted. > > Affirmation > > I now easily take charge of my feelings and my life. > > Advice > > Ground yourself in experience. Without losing your enthusiasm, get > involved > in the practical areas of life. Tend to daily tasks and learn from > them. Do > not be afraid to let things go. > > Meditation > > Flowers and butterflies are delicate, but also surprisingly strong. > > ==== FOLKLORE Mailing List ==== > To Subscribe or Unsubscribe: > send email to FOLKLORE-L-request@rootsweb.com for List or > FOLKLORE-D-request@rootsweb.com for Digest. > Leave the Subject line blank, and in the message write only > "subscribe" > or "unsubscribe" without quotation marks.

Thanks Janis. Enjoyed this. :-) kath > This is nuts! Enjoy!! > > > http://www.nobodyhere.com/justme/nose.html > > > ==== FOLKLORE Mailing List ==== > "Folklore Family" Listresses: > Missi Richiele3@aol.com & Kath mzmouser@home.com > »§«:*Ž`³€³ŽŽ`*:»§«:*Ž`³€³Ž`*:»§«:*Ž`³€³ŽŽ`*:»§«:*Ž`³€³Ž`*:»§« >

A newly trained teacher named Mary went to teach at a Navajo reservation. Everyday, she would ask five of the young Navajo students to go to the chalkboard and complete a simple math problem from their homework. They would stand there, silently, unwilling to complete the task. Mary couldn't figure it out. Nothing she had studied in her educational curriculum helped, and she certainly hadn't seen anything like it in her student teaching days back in Phoenix. What am I doing wrong? Could I have chosen five students who can't do the problem? Mary would wonder. No, it couldn't be that. Finally she asked the students what was wrong. And in their answer, she learned a surprising lesson from her young pupils about self-image and a sense of selfworth. It seemed that the students respected each other's individuality and knew that not all of them were capable of doing the problems. Even at their early age, they understood the senselessness of the win-lose approach in the classroom. They believed no one would win if any student were shown up or embarrassed at the chalkboard. So they refused to compete with each other in public. Once she understood, Mary changed the system so that she could check each child's math problem individually, but not at any child's expense in front of his classmates. They all wanted to learn--but not at someone else's expense.

And the wind said: May you be as strong as the oak, yet flexible as the birch; may you stand tall as the Redwood, live gracefully as the willow; and may you always bear fruit all your days on this earth. Native American prayer

The Invitation It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your hearts longing. It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive. It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain! I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own; if you can dance with wildness and let ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, or to remember the limitations of being human. It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself; if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore be trustworthy. I want to know if you can see beauty even if its not pretty every day, and if you can source your life from God's presence. I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the sliver of the full moon, "Yes!" It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for the children. It doesn't interest me who you are and how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back. It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away. I want to know if you can be alone with yourself, and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments. Lord knows if truly do we live on earth? Not forever on earth, only a little while here. Although it be jade, it will be broken, although it be gold, it is crushed, although it be quetzal feather, it is torn asunder. Not forever on earth, only a little while here.

History of Honey The healing properties and value of honey were praised in song and story throughout the ancient world. In Greece, honey was the main ingredient in ambrosia, the food of the gods on Mt. Olympus. Democritus, known as the laughing philosopher, believed the very aroma of honey prolonged life; Hippocrates used honey daily and recommended it to his patients for wounds, ulcers, sores and numerous other ailments. In Egypt the symbol of the bee appears in tapestries, inscribed in tombs, pictured in heiroglyphs and carved on the Rosetta Stone. The Papyrus Ebers praise honey and pollen for its use in surgical dressings, on burns, for ulcers, and infections of the eye. In the Jewish Talmud, there are recommendations that honey be used to cure gout, heart trouble and to heal wounds. Bees are a remarkable and enduring species without whom life ,as we know it would not exist, for it is their appointed task to pollinate the majority of trees and plant life we see around us. Each hive contains a treasure trove of life-enhancing and healing products. Nearly every culture around the world knew of these natural resouces for health and healing and the modern world is just beginning to appreciate the miraculous honeybee and her works. Research has indicated that honey neutralizes acids in foods and in one's stomach as well. It is pre-digested by the bee, it requires no digestive changes before one's body can assimilate it: thus, it is the quickest source of energy for the growing child, athelete, or health conscious adult. Bacteria cannot live in honey, and this quality has led to its use as a dressing for wounds, ulcers, and even gangrenous tissue. Honey also draws moisture to itself naturally--thus it is the ingredient of many cosmetic preparations such as facial masks, cleansers, lotions, soaps and conditioners: an excellent moisturizing mask is made from beaten egg whites and honey, for example. Honey's unique water-drawing quality makes it a wonderful dressing for burns of all kinds. It is also a really soothing poultice, when mixed with wheat germ oil, for eczema, psoriasis, and other skin inflammations. And ,of course, for beestings and ant-stings, cool honey on a gauze bandage helps prevent itching and subsequent infections. Bee pollen is the male seed of the plant that must be joined to the female element so that reproduction can take place. The female workerbee mixes the pollen with nectar and saliva, then packs it away in special hollowed-out cavities on her rear legs, called pollen baskets. Pollen is a powerhouse of natural energy, exploding with vitamins, proteins, amino acids, antibiotics, enqymes, minerals and hormones. We find not only B-complex vitamins in large quantities, but also vitamins A, D, E, and C. Bee pollen is of varying color from light cream to deep golden brown; it is best when used fresh as a granular powder (but not freeze-dried), and can also be taken in tablet or capsule form. It can be taken with raw honey to alleviate symptoms of allergies and hay fever, provding it is taken for three months before the expected pollen season, and continued throughout. Royal bee jelly is a milky white substance secreted from the glands of female worker bees to feed the bee larvae and the Queen Bee. The Queen is the largest bee in the hive; fed exclusively on royal jelly, she produces up to 2,000 eggs per day and lives an average of 3 years, while the other bees die in 3-6 months. Royal jelly is white to pale yellow, has a slight cheesy smell, and a consistency like condensed milk; it tastes slightly sweet and mildly acid. Bee jelly contains all the essential amino acids, a rich complex of B vitamins, potassium, manganese, calcium and zinc, and a compound called 10-HDA which kills bacteria and microbes and reinforces the immune system.

Celtic Astrology Jan 01 to Jan 11 - Fir Tree Jan 12 to Jan 24 - Elm Tree Jan 25 to Feb 03 - Cypress Tree Feb 04 to Feb 08 - Poplar Tree Feb 09 to Feb 18 - Cedar Tree Feb 19 to Feb 28 - Pine Tree Mar 01 to Mar 10 - Weeping Willow Tree Mar 11 to Mar 20 - Lime Tree Mar 21 - Oak Tree Mar 22 to Mar 31 - Hazelnut Tree Apr 01 to Apr 10 - Rowan Tree Apr 11 to Apr 20 - Maple Tree Apr 21 to Apr 30 - Walnut Tree May 01 to May 14 - Poplar Tree May 15 to May 24 - Chestnut Tree May 25 to Jun 03 - Ash Tree Jun 04 to Jun 13 - Hornbeam Tree Jun 14 to Jun 23 - Fig Tree Jun 24 - Birch Tree Jun 25 to Jul 04 - Apple Tree Jul 05 to Jul 14 - Fir Tree Jul 15 to Jul 25 - Elm Tree Jul 26 to Aug 04 - Cypress Tree Aug 05 to Aug 13 - Poplar Tree Aug 14 to Aug 23 - Cedar Tree Aug 24 to Sep 02 - Pine Tree Sep 03 to Sep 12 - Weeping Willow Tree Sep 13 to Sep 22 - Lime Tree Sep 23 - Olive Tree Sep 24 to Oct 03 - Hazelnut Tree Oct 04 to Oct 13 - Rowan Tree Oct 14 to Oct 23 - Maple Tree Oct 24 to Nov 11 - Walnut Tree Nov 12 to Nov 21 - Chestnut Tree Nov 22 to Dec 01 - Ash Tree Dec 02 to Dec 11 - Hornbeam Tree Dec 12 to Dec 21 - Fig Tree Dec 22 - Beech Tree Dec 23 to Dec 31 - Apple Tree APPLE TREE (the Love) - of slight build, lots of charm, appeal & attraction, pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive, always in love, wants to love & be loved, faithful & tender partner, very generous, scientific talents, lives for today, a carefree philosopher with imagination. ASH TREE (the Ambition) - uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, can be egotistic, very reliable & trustworthy, faithful & prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over the heart, but takes partnership very seriously. BEECH TREE (the Creative) - has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, good organization of life & career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.) BIRCH TREE (the inspiration) - vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature & in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm & content atmosphere. CEDAR TREE (the Confidence) - of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, determined, impatient, likes to impress others, many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions. CHESTNUT TREE (the Honesty) - of unusual beauty, does not want to impress, well-developed sense of justice, vivacious, interested, a born diplomat, but irritates easily & sensitive in company, often due to a lack of self confidence, acts sometimes superior, feels not understood, loves only once, has difficulties in finding a partner. CYPRESS TREE (the Faithfulness) - strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, content, optimistic, craves money & acknowledgment, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic, & careless. ELM TREE (the Noble-mindedness) - pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest & faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical. FIG TREE (the Sensibility) - very strong, a bit self-willed, independent, does not allow contradiction or arguments, loves life, its family, children & animals, a bit of a social butterfly, good sense of humor, likes idleness & laziness, of practical talent & intelligence. FIR TREE (the Mysterious) - extraordinary taste, dignity, sophisticated, loves anything beautiful, moody, stubborn, tends to egoism but cares for those close to them, rather modest, very ambitious, talented, industrious, uncontented lover, many friends, many foes, very reliable. HAZELNUT TREE (the Extraordinary) - charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make an impression, active fighter for social cause,popular, moody, & capricious lover, honest, & tolerant partner, precise sense of judgment. HORNBEAM TREE (the Good Taste) - of cool beauty, cares for its looks & condition, good taste, is not egoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable & disciplined life, looks for kindness & acknowledgment in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious. LIME TREE (the Doubt) - accepts what life dishes out in a composed way, hates fighting, stress, & labor, dislikes laziness & idleness, soft & relenting, makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious enough to make them blossom, often wailing & complaining, very jealous but loyal. MAPLE TREE (Independence of Mind) - no ordinary person, full of imagination & originality, shy & reserved, ambitious, proud, self-confident, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress. OAK TREE (the Brave) - robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action. OLIVE TREE (the Wisdom) - loves sun, warmth & kind feelings, reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression & violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read & the company of sophisticated people. PINE TREE (the Particular) - loves agreeable company, very robust, knows how to make life comfortable, very active, natural, good companion, but seldom friendly, falls easily in love but its passion burns out quickly, gives up easily, everything disappointments until it finds its ideal, trustworthy, practical. POPLAR TREE (the Uncertainty) - looks very decorative, not very self-confident, only courageous if necessary, needs goodwill & pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, artistic nature, good organizer,tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership seriously. ROWAN TREE (the Sensitivity) - full of charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, & even complications, is both dependent & independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive. WALNUT TREE (the Passion) - unrelenting, strange & full of contrasts, often egotistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult & uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous & passionate, no compromise. WEEPING WILLOW (the Melancholy) - beautiful but full of melancholy, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful & tasteful, loves to travel, dreamer, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with, demanding, good intuition, suffers in love but finds sometimes an anchoring partner.

The Celtic Circle of Life The Circle of Life is presented here in the form of the Celtic Calendar. The Calendar represents the journey of birth, life, death, and rebirth that is reflected in all life on Earth through the seasons of the year. It is presented, not only to educate one on the old ways, but also to invite one to look at these celebrations with the eyes of a new age; that what was old is new and what has been, is still to be again. A journey that teaches one that all beliefs are similar and cyclical to each other and that the difference arises in the symbols that we as humans choose to remind us of the Light, the Sun/Son of God and the journey of life and rebirth. The Celtic religion and calendar is based upon the Lunar cycles of the thirteen moons which occur throughout the year. In mainstream today, the Solar calendar, which is based upon the cycle of the Sun's travel through the twelve signs of the zodiac is widely used. This can cause occasional conflicts regarding the exact date of some holidays, as they are merged from the lunar cycle into the solar calendar. The celebrations of the seasons bring about great joy and festivities, as well as serving as a time to reflect on past actions. The date of the celebrations was decided by the lunar cycles in conjunction with Earth Changes, Animal Migrations, Harvest Schedules and Astrological Alignments. One will find that these cycles and their celebrations are the same around the world, from the Aborigines in Australia, to Native Americans in the U.S., to the Celtic/Druids in Europe, the Mayan's in Mexico, and the Inca's in Peru. There is a circle of life and when one quiets their mind and listens within, the beat and the dance become apparent. It is the rhythm of the world and all of nature dances to her beat.

Deep Peace Deep Peace of the running wave to you. Deep Peace of the flowing air to you. Deep Peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep Peace of the shining stars to you. Deep Peace of the gentle night to you. Moon and Stars pour their healing light on you. Deep Peace to you. Gaelic Blessing

An Irish Blessing May there always be work for your hands to do, May your purse always hold a coin or two. May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane, May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near you, And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you! May the blessings of each day Be the blessings you need most. May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. And rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand. May the Irish hills caress you. May her lakes and rivers bless you. May the luck of the Irish enfold you. May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you. May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks. May your heart be as light as a song. May each day bring you bright happy hours, That stay with you all year long. For each petal on the shamrock This brings a wish your way Good health, good luck, and happiness For today and every day. Like the goodness of the five loaves and two fishes, Which God divided among the five thousand men, May the blessing of the King who so divided Be upon our share of this common meal.

Auras, our own personal rainbows. They are also described as Emotion in Motion. Anyone can see Auras, there's no mystery about seeing them. Follow these instructions to see an Aura. Find someone who is a willing subject and ask them to sit on a stool in front of a plain white wall. A stool is recommended because you want to be able to see the back of their head without the back of a chair interfering. Have the subject sit sideways on the stool so that you are looking at their profile. Look at the back of their head, then look at the wall behind their head, now let your eyes relax and do not look directly at their head anymore, look next to their head where it ends with the wall. Within a minute, you will see their aura. Once you see their aura, ask them to close their eyes and to think of something that makes them really happy, when they do this, you will see their aura level extend outward significantly. You will also see when they stop thinking of the happy thought, as the aura will shrink back down in size. At first, you may only see a light color or muted color, do not worry. The more your practice, the more you will grow and then begin to see the colors around the person's body. There is a life force, an energy field surrounding every living thing on earth. Researchers have announced the existence of this field, the Kirlian camera captures its color and motion. Yale researchers have determined that disease can be detected in the aura before it manifests in the physical body. The colors seen in one's aura can be associated with the colors of the chakras and energy levels can be detected through careful study of the aura with the chakra color. You can also read the auric levels of plants, trees, animals, any living object on the earth can be read. Remember, we are all energy beings surrounded and enveloped in various degrees of energy and motion. Edgar Cayce on Auras... Q - Give scale of auras, and what development of the soul each one means. A - These vibrations, that are emanations from the activity of an entity and its individuality, run in the same ratio as do the colors, that are known as primary colors, and their shades; running from the low red or orange through all of the colors to the higher reds, these being at the extremes. Each indicates a step of development, whether as the first, toward the purely carnal, material or earth forces, or to the mental proclivities, or to the higher forces, in the greens and reds that indicate the spiritual developments.(275-30) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- The Science of Auras To speak on Auras, we first should venture into the scientific realms, understanding that science and spirituality are completely linked in truly understanding the cosmos. One day, both sides will understand this and they will come together to work and gain deeper understanding of the Universe. There is a universal force of nature which is called Chi, or Qi or Universal Energy. If one could view Chi with the naked eye, you would see that it goes in spirals, similar to how the DNA molecule is viewed. It spirals down from the sun, the moon, the planets, the stars and on and on... As an astrologist, I try to explain this concept as each celestial body has an effect on us. To those who doubt, I ask them to at least examine what types of effects these bodies have on us in the physical realm.. for example, if the moon has the power to affect the massive oceans on Earth, does it not also affect your body, which is made of so much water? Does not the force of the Sun, give photosynthesis to plants to grow? What happens to your body physically if you stay out in the Sun all day, do you not experience sunburn, dehydration, heatstroke? If these bodies can affect our physical body, it is easier to prove scientifically rather than to disprove that they also have an effect on our mental and astral bodies as well. When we bring these theories down into a more personal level, albeit, I am glossing over a huge amount of information to get to here... we come to the study of our personal Chi. As noted psychoanalyst Carl Jung said, We are born at a given moment, in a given place, and like vintage years of wine, we have the qualities of the year and of the season in which we were born. We all have our own Chi, which begins at birth, when we take our first breath. The most profound statement that I could ever teach anyone, and I could spend decades teaching this one statement in greater detail is, THE BREATH IS THE LIFE! Our Chi is singular and unique and eminates within and throughout us as energy. With each breath we draw inward, we are bringing in Chi that is around us, with each exhale that we make, we are releasing Chi back to the universe. Let's think about this for a moment..... The Chi we breathe in, is taken from the air that is closest around us. Now given the fact, that Chi is energy and energy is neither positive or negative, it just is, but it can be charged with positive or negative sources, which we can create around us. For example, have you ever been around someone and just felt a strange vibe, or felt that this person was unhappy, spiteful, angry and you didn't even know them? Their emotions are spilling forth from inside their body, outward around them. So in this state, as they are angry and breathing in, they are breathing in the negatively charged air that they are creating and it serves to add fuel to the fire. It is easy to understand then how one can create and then be trapped in a cycle of thinking and then feel unable to snap out of that feeling. Take Depression for example.. the person becomes depressed over a period of time, as they become depressed, their thoughts are directed in this mood, and their energy is low. They feel fatigued, lethargic and they also tend to breathe very shallow. As their depressed thoughts extend outward from them, they continue to breathe in the same negatively charged chi and the cycle continues until something is altered to charge the air differently. Depending upon the severity of the depression, defines how easily or difficult the air and mood is lifted. A person who is feeling depressed because of a loss of a job or a love interest, may snap out of their feelings after a few weeks because of an incredible job offer they receive or meeting a new person. A person with a deeper depression, may require help from other sources such as a therapist to help them review and alter their thoughts and perceptions and in some cases, medication to help alter the chemical balance that has been created long term within the body from the depression that was created. This assistance helps the person to search within themselves and find within their soul, hope and purpose which gives strength to move forward and subconsciously renew their Chi and recharge their energy. If you think about this for moment, you will recall old sayings that we still use today... After a fight, someone might say.. We need to clear the air or someone who has been down and working too hard might say, I need a breath of fresh air, a vacation away.. or when something just doesn't feel right, but you can't place your finger on what it is.. someone may say, There's something in the air.... Our Chi eminates outside of our body and can be described as a type of force field that encompasses our body. This is what many describe as one's Aura. With modern advances, a type of photography has been created that can actually photograph the aura. A person who has studied auras can read much information from a person's aura, including their mood, emotions, and many aspects of the personality. While we're talking colors, how does color affect our life? Whether or not we realize it, we are all affected emotionally by the colors that surround us. In our home, the colors that we choose reflect our personality and our feelings at that time. Colors also influence our guests and the other family members in our home. Color researchers have found that when people are placed in red rooms, that their pulses and body temperatures increase, when the same people are placed in a blue room, the opposite effect occurs. The following are examples of emotional and psychological influences that color can cause and how choosng a color can change the feel and attitude of your home. RED... Red stimulates our nervous system and increases assertiveness. Reds make us feel empowered and energetic. they are great for areas where physical activity is happening, like a workout room. Do you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning? Paint your bedroom red and you'll jump out bed. Red seen in the aura indicates passion, courage, enthusiam, and excitement. ORANGE...Orange is also stimulating. Red and orange also increase the appetite. This is why these colors are so popular in restaurants and especially fast food restaurants. When these colors are present, not only are you hungry and want to eat a lot, but your nervous system is also stimulated so that you want to get out of there quickly. Orange is a great color for a dining room as it helps people loosen up and laugh more. Around orange, people are usually more gregarious, this perhaps is why designers for the Oprah Winfrey talk show picked orange and color as the dominating theme for the set on Oprah's show. In an orange dining room, dinner parties will last longer and seem more interesting. Orange seen in the aura indicates energy, optimism, and positive thoughts PINK...Pinks offer a sense of well being and make people feel affectionate and positive toward others. Pink was once the staple of little girls bedrooms, but new shades of rose, mauve and blush have become popular choices in carpets, furniture and social areas like living rooms. A light shade of pink can be used as a neutral background much like a gray. Pink seen in the aura indicates friendship, affection, devotion, and tenderness. YELLOW... Yellows remind us of the sun. They make a dark room appear to be bright and cheery. Yellow can visually expand the space in a small room, but pale yellow should be used in a small room or it can be overpowering. Yellow is terrific to brighten up a bedroom or a living room, especially when combined with royal blue. Yellow seen in the aura indicates luck, intelligence, and acadenic acheivement. GREEN... Greens are symbolic of gardens, meadows and forests. When we are surrounded by green, we feel calm, refreshed and at peace. Green is great for bedrooms, bathrooms and other areas where tranquility is desired. Green brings nature indoors, no matter where you live. It is also very helpful in cooling down a room that receives a lot of hot sunny weather. Green seen in the aura indicates money, prosperity, abundance, and a love of nature. Light Green indicates health, new beginnings, youthfulness. BLUE Blue is the most popular color of choice by most people. It symbolizes relaxation, serenity and a deep peace. Blue in the home can be used to psychologically cool a home in a warm climate and combined with contrasts of yellow or gold, blue can brighten a home and its occupants moods almost instantly. Blue seen in the aura indicates peace, calmness, communication, and intuition. Light Blue indicates spiritual and psychic development, and compassion. PURPLE...Purple is a deeply spiritual color and inspires awe and respect. When made lighter into lavender, it become comfortable and assuring. If you suffer from insomina, lavender is great in a bedroom, as it lowers blood pressure and relaxes the mind. Purple however is powerful and regal and makes a statement in any room. Small touches of purple can affect the mood of the entire room, even a few throw pillows in this color will excite the room. Purple seen in the aura indicates intuitiveness, confidence, and spiritual advancement. BROWN... Browns symbolize down to earth features. Brown is stable, secure and supporting. The brown family includes beige and taupe and are great for neutral areas in the home like kitchens. A rust color in a kitchen with copper pots combined with green or blue is breathtaking and offers a calm and supportive feeling. Browns bring rooms together, yet stay in the background. They neither activate nor pacify emotions, they cooperate with the other colors, serving to bring them to light. Brown can be considered the frame of a painting. Brown seen in the aura indicates stability, practicality, and acquiring land. According to the Millenium Interior Color and Design forecast, the following colors and textures will be highlighted. For the past decade, the best of modern design has taken its cue from all things natural. As the millennium approaches, a deeper palette and stronger organic shape emerge while continuing to pay homage to the outdoors. Gray blues remind us of sea and sky; aubergine and bark mimic the mountains. Furniture is contoured, closer to the ground. Shape and form, all important. An economy of means, a keen eye to proportion and subtle details look at once chic, new, and completely natural. According to Mel Cook, Marlite's product design and development manager, design trends are bringing the outdoors indoors. The colors for the near future will be more red/orange, will be cleaner, more pure color with a more natural look. We are still about the environment -- we'll pick colors from our environment and bring them indoors. The environmental emphasis means more woods, maple, curly maple, anigre, steamed beach and light and dark-toned cherry. Metals play an important part in design trends and there will be less grinding of metals as they will be specified in their natural state. As far as colors go, the desert colors are popular -- gold, tan and brown, with few bright colors. And, greens are getting bluer as we look at cleansing our world's water supply. What do others in the industry think about the trends? Read on for more opinions Sylvia Kwan, FAIA, of Kwan Henmi Architects in San Francisco, said, We're seeing a juxtaposition of natural against high industrial materials --sustainable construction. This doesn't always mean a natural look, she explained, saying her firm is using materials that are recyclable and ecycled. The result can be a look that is natural or industrial. Lots of metals combined with wood is a big combination we like to use. We're also heading back to more neutral tones -- whites, grays, pales, neutral," she added. Mike Dobija is the owner of Graphic Insights, an industrial design firm in Laguna Beach, Calif. According to Dobija, he is noticing a great interest in industrial materials. Metals, like titanium that were used before stainless steel, are experiencing a resurgence as they offer a "richer, artistic look. We're going back to construction grade instead of finished materials, he added. Katherine Day Sutton is the product editor for Interiors magazine in New York. Lately, she's noticed manufacturers trying to respond to what designers want. According to her, the trend is for things that look very natural, back to basics -- natural woods, basic metals and textures. In fact, the metallic look is even appearing in carpet while the look of glass is another popular texture. She explained that a clean architectural look is classic and timeless. It is simply experiencing a resurgence. In addition, Sutton has noticed strong Japanese influence in fabrics, colors and laminates. "People are going to beachy colors -- natural, tans, soft greens, purples. It looks simple, but there's a lot going on. It's a nice clean look, but up close, it's intricate," she said, adding the look is natural and classic, but not retro. In retail design, Steve Kaufman, editor of Display & Design Ideas in Atlanta, said today's retailers are mixing materials like wood, metal, glass, canvas and fabric. Whatever the trends are, Kaufman added, retailers are always experimenting with how to light the environment. There must be something better -- bigger windows, more skylights -- using light either natural or manufactured. The bottom line is choose colors that speak to you, that make you feel good, and your house will always feel like a home.

> You are triplicating!!!! I got Sacred Flowers three times! :-) > > Pat > Las Vegas Big Oops~! Sorry Pat~! I think it hiccuped. :-) kath

Taurus "The Bull" Planet: VENUS Element: Earth Lucky Color: Pink Therapeutic Gemstone: Sapphire Lucky Number: Seven (7) Tarot Card: The Hierophant (Self-Starter) Lucky Month(s): April, August, and November How to Identify a Taurus Taurus is the warmest of the three earth signs. Everything about the bull is practical, yet at the same time, they are one with nature and the earth. Taureans have a thirst for elegance and are fairly materialistic. They don't enjoy any change that means shifting their possessions or creating any kind of upheaval. Taureans have a sensual walk and an appealing gaze which hints at inner strength. At a party, the male Taruean has the seat near the food, and the female Taurean is elegantly poised on the sofa with a drink and plate of food. Taureans will eat until they are full before even looking up at the opposite sex. How to Talk to a Taurus Remember, the bull is always irritable when hungry, so wait until after they have eaten and then be your natural charming self. Taureans hate prudes and snobs and are comfortable with people of all social classes and statures. Taureans have an off-the-wall sense of humor, and once you make them smile and laugh, you have won their attention. Famous Taurus Personalities Cher, Adolf Hitler, Al Pacino, Naomi Campbell. Where to go on Vacation Eastern Europe, the Greek Islands, and south coast of England. These places offer you serenity, contact with nature, and a familiar return to forgotten places. Your best vacations take you somewhere that evoke beloved childhood memories. Best Way to Travel Taureans prefer trains or airplanes. Once they have arrived, they enjoy local methods of transportation. Springtime and September are the best months for you to travel. What to do on Vacation Visit museums, art galleries, and stately homes. You will also spend time kicking yourself for not taking travelers cheques. You will enjoy your trip more if you bring along a childhood companion. Your Health Taureans natural vitality can be excessive and should be watched closely. Dangers to your health include self-indulgence, sensuality, gluttony and drunkenness. Throat problems and glandular disorders are common and strike when Taureans run themselves down. What Makes You Happy Taureans are happy when they are experimenting in the kitchen or dining at a great restaurant. They love when their opinion is requested regarding fine wine, especially when others agree they are right. Taureans love breakfast in bed, expensive perfume, and the discovery that last year's swimming outfit still fits. Affirmation I am growing and becoming more flexible every day. Advice Accept yourself as you are. Have faith in the ability of your children to go it alone. Focus less on the past and don't get carried away by your beliefs. Learn to be more playful and laugh with yourself. Meditation Only the painting feels no desire.

Aries "The Ram" Planet: MARS Element: Fire Lucky Color: Red Therapeutic Gemstone: Bloodstone Lucky Number: Nine (9) Tarot Card: The Emperor (Authority) Lucky Month(s): March, April and September How to Identify an Aries Some signs strive to understand life, to explain its meaning, but not the Ram. Aries people are in this world for one main reason, ADVENTURE! They revel in new beginnings and have to fight to overcome rashness, impulses and selfishness. Aries have an incredible drive and want what they want when they want it. Although they can be a little grabby, when they get what they want, they are just as likely to give it away to someone else. They are not savers or misers. They have plenty of energy, but it comes in waves. They like to rush up to a challenge, fight with it and get it over and done quickly. How to Talk to an Aries A direct approach is the best way. Take a deep breath and introduce yourself. A firm handshake is good and forget flattery. If you are really interested in this person, be clever. Once the Aries is interested, leave for "another obligation" and suggest that you would love to continue the conversation another time. Famous Aries Personalities Elton John, Bette Davis, John Major, Timothy Dalton, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Where to go on Vacation East Africa, Scotland, and the Caribbean. These places give you fresh air, excitement and the chance to tackle new activities. Your best vacations take you away from your usual routine and are unusual and exciting. Best Way to Travel Aries prefer their own vehicle, where they can make the decisions. July and August are the best months for you to travel. What to do on Vacation Swimming, outdoor sports and mixing with the local people. You'll also spend time complaining that you packed the wrong wardrobe and advising the hotel manager that the linens are in bad repair. Your Health Healthwise, Aries is one of the healthiest signs, although their excess energy can be a danger to themselves. Aries are accident prone, especially where hot or sharp objects are concerned. Eye problems, migraines, headaches and other problems with the head and neck area are the hot spots for Aries. Aries people have a decline in health when they assume too much responsibility and refuse to delegate. What Makes You Happy Aries people are usually happy when they are beginning something new, like a job or buying a car. They enjoy purchasing a new status symbol or winning a game, though to them, nothing is really a game, they play with a life or death struggle each time. Aries like to be waited on and are at their happiest when they know that they are the most important person in someone else's life. Affirmation Patience and tactfulness now come easily to me. Advice Don't be too defensive or eager to sort things out. Allow yourself to be more trusting and relaxed. Be as accepting of others as possible, and if they don't bother you, just let them be. Keep a lid on your quick temper. Meditation The highest form of control is knowing when to let go...

Pisces "The Fish" Planet: NEPTUNE Element: Water Lucky Color: Sea Green Therapeutic Gemstone: Amethyst Lucky Number: Nine (9) Tarot Card: The Empress (Dreams) Lucky Month(s): March and October How to Identify a Pisces The Pisces is never comfortable at a party where there are a lot of bodies and even more hot air. They will escape to the garden or the balcony for relief. You can identify a Pisces by their otherworldly beautiful eyes, soft hair and voice, modesty and ultra femininity. How to Talk to a Pisces To talk to a Pisces, discuss Astronomy, Yoga or Meditation. Pisces have many interesting dreams and love to talk about them. Never treat a Pisces roughly as their feelings are easily hurt. Be kind, considerate, gentle and affectionate and you will hook a Pisces forever. Famous Pisces Personalities Joanne Woodward (Feb. 27), Doctor Seuss, Liza Minnelli, Fats Domino, Bobby Fisher and L. Ron Hubbard. Where to go on Vacation Disneyland, Germany, Brittany and the Meditteranean. These places will carry you away in fantasy. Ideally, you would love to live at a holiday resort. Your best vacations carry you away from the modern world. Best Way to Travel Pisces prefer to travel by ship or train. A cruise is your best vacation. April or any of the summer month are your best times to travel. Avoid traveling on weekends. What to do on Vacation Go to sport events, enjoy the night life, and hear live music. You enjoy going with close family and friends. You may blame yourself for leaving luggage behind when it is time to return home. Your Health Pisces rules the feet, and this area of their body is very vulnerable. Much consideration should be applied when choosing shoes. Pisces have alternate stages of excitement and then depression which has a deep effect on their physical wellbeing. Pisceans need to fight strenuously to balance their emotions so they can remain healthy. What Makes You Happy Pisces love the gentle side of life. Nursing a sick animal or watching a beautiful sunset are their highlights. The most difficult task in the world for a Pisces is to find the right person with whom to share their life with. Pisces love children, old movies, nature and loves to give. Pisces can be the happiest sign as they have the ability to find pleasure in things that others fail to notice or take for granted. Affirmation I now easily take charge of my feelings and my life. Advice Ground yourself in experience. Without losing your enthusiasm, get involved in the practical areas of life. Tend to daily tasks and learn from them. Do not be afraid to let things go. Meditation Flowers and butterflies are delicate, but also surprisingly strong.

You are triplicating!!!! I got Sacred Flowers three times! :-) Pat Las Vegas

Chakras We are all One, One Energy, from One Light. Let us band together as Humans, with love for all of humanity, living each day in harmony with Mother Earth, our Sacred Garden. Hear what others say to you, but remain in tune with your inner voice. Explanation of the Chakras 1st Chakra (Base or Root Chakra) The color for the root chakra is red and it is grounded with your power. The base chakra is located at the base of the spine. When this chakra is open, you feel in good health and connected with your physical body. It is used to ground your essence into your physical body. This chakra gives you determination, grounds you and aids in survival in the physical realms. When this chakra is balanced, the masculine and feminine energy work together to make you strong and vital, when it is not balanced, the feminine aspects disappear and you can become overbearing and have difficulty with the ego. Physically, it governs the kidneys and the spinal column. To help activate this chakra, use red candles, clothes or lights. Use red sparingly as it can also strenghten anger if it is present. The symbol of this chakra is the Square. Crystals associated with this chakra include: Black Obsidian, Hematite, Garnet, and Black Tourmaline in Clear Quartz 2nd Chakra (Spleen or Sexual Chakra) The color for this chakra is orange. It is used for creativity, vitality and sexual expression and creates the balance between connectedness with other people and time spent alone. The spleen chakra is located in the sexual organs-- ovaries in women and testes in men. When the masculine and feminine energy is balanced in this chakra, adaptability and flexibility come easily. This chakra is connected to procreation and bringing in new life, when it is out of balance, it causes one to fear death. Physically, it governs sex and reproduction along with creativity, intimacy flow of body fluids and energy.. To help activate this chakra, eat oranges, and wear orange clothing. The symbol of this chakra is the Circle. Crystals associated with this chakra include: Citrine and Red Jasper 3rd Chakra (Solar Plexus Chakra) The color for this chakra is yellow. Yellow is very good for getting in touch with your power and to build confidence. It is your center of will. This chakra deals with the human ego, emotions and self-love. The solar plexus chakra is located near the stomach.The primary urge of this chakra is free will. Love essentially comes from the heart chakra, but the spark is often ignited in the Solar Plexus Charka. This chakra gives you strength and provides the ability to hold energy for personal power and emotional control. When it is unbalanced, it produces rage and destructive anger. Physically, it governs the pancreas, liver, spleen, stomach, gall bladder and the nervous system. To help activate this chakra, sunbathe, drink solarized water from a yellow bottle, eat yellow foods. The symbol of this chakra is the Triangle. Crystals that are associated with this chakra include: Sulphur, Yellow Jasper, and Black Tourmaline 4th Chakra (Heart Chakra) The color for this chakra is green. This chakra deals with physical healing, balance, harmony, compassion and love. The heart chakra is located near the heart. This chakra is most important in all facets of love, when it is balanced, you trust in others, take risks, love and feel loved. Physically, it governs the thymus gland, heart, blood, circulatory system and the immune and endocrine systems. To help activate this chakra, eat lots of green vegetables, surround yourself in nature, especially trees and plants. The symbol of this chakra is the Crescent. Crystals that are associated with this chakra include: Rose Quartz, Ruby, Kunzite, and Watermelon Tourmaline 5th Chakra (Throat Chakra) The color for this chakra is blue. This chakra deals with communication and expression. The throat chakra is located near the thyroid gland. Opening this chakra allows you to speak the truth and to express your true feelings with love. From here, you begin to know divine love and your personal power is strengthened with divine knowledge and wisdom. Physically, it governs the thyroid gland, lungs, vocal cords, bronchial apparatus and metabolism. To help activate this chakra, have water near you, and use blue candles. The symbol of this chakra is the Star. Crystals that are associated with this chakra include: Turquoise and Blue Tourmaline. 6th Chakra (Third Eye Chakra) The color for this chakra is indigo, a combination of red and blue. This chakra deals with clairvoyance and mental activity. The third eye chakra is located in the center of the forehead. When this chakra is open, you experience spiritual wisdom and enlightenment. It is the center of physical and spiritual understanding. Physically, it governs the pituitary gland, lower brain, nervous system, ears, nose and the left eye - the eye of personality. To help activate this chakra, flowers are extremely helpful. Clothing and lighting in this color also stimulate this chakra. The symbol of this chakra is the Pyramid and the sound made when connecting is the AUM. Crystals associated with this chakra include: Lapus Lazuli and Sodalite. 7th Chakra (Crown or Christ Consciousness Chakra) The color for this chakra is a mixture of Silver, Gold and White and Violet. It is the combination of All that Is and the Divine Connection. The crown chakra is located at the top of the head. The silver is the feminine energy of creation, the gold is the masculine energy of creation, and the white/violet light is truth and clarity which give clear vision of the truth and protection. When this chakra is open, you connect with the Godhead and the source of the White Light comes into your energy field. Physically, it governs the pineal gland, the upper brain and the right eye. Amethyst gems are helpful in activating this chakra when all is else is prepared. The symbol of this chakra is the Lotus in eastern cultures and the Rose in the western cultures. Crystals associated with this chakra include: Tiger's Eye, Amethyst, Citrine, and Smokey Quartz. The sound made when connecting with this chakra is a high octave version of the chant AUM. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Earth Chakras Earth chakras are described as energy sites that have been recognized as resonating an universal energy that affects the earth. Native cultures have described these sites as the heart of the world. It is said that earth's spiritual cord runs through the site much like how the chakras are connected in our body via our spinal column. The locations create the living Tree of Life which connects the spiritual with the physical, bringing spirit into the world of matter. It is unknown how far each sacred area reaches, though it is believed that depending upon the spiritual work that has been or is being performed in the area, serves to create a greater or lesser encompassing energy. I would like to say regarding earth chakras that while I believe that sacred sites have their purpose for the earth, much like our heart, lungs and other parts of our body have their purpose, I fully believe that all parts of the earth and the body are sacred and all should be revered in the highest esteem. Everywhere you walk, where-ever you are, is sacred ground! Kala The following is a list of reported Earth Chakras, I am looking for a complete list of earth chakras and meanings regarding each chakra center. If anyone has this information, please forward to me to add to this site. The sites listed below are in no particular order. Mt. Sinai Mt Shasta, California Haleakala, Hawaii Pyramids of Giza, Egypt Machu Pichu, Peru Stonehenge, Avebury, Glastonbury in England Sedona, Arizona Brazil and the Amazon Tibet and the Himalyas Mt Fujiyama, Japan Palenque, Mexico Jerusalem Bali Ayers Rock and Shark Bay, Australia