Sneezing all the way

It's a been a long time and I apologize! Like many of you, I've been attending the typical family gatherings for the holiday season, and like so many of you, have been forced to endure not only insults and gossip, but coughing and germs. It's so difficult to remain gracious and giving when you're amid total chaos. But it is important to stay gracious and giving. And calm.

So, I had the flu around Thanksgiving, and then I caught something else and was disappointed and tired and upset and . . . it actually turned out to be an allergy. To the Christmas tree! I felt like I was dying and was really, really cursing being sick again, when my neighbor stopped by, looked at the tree and said, 'We can't have a real one in our house because my son has allergies.' Ding! It all became so clear. It was the tree making me sick. The burning throat, the red itchy eyes, the fatigue and the cloudy brain. But I have endured. The kids love having a real tree and I refused to haul it out, ripping ornaments off along the way. That wouldn't be fair. No, I just upped my allergy meds and bought some eye drops. But I am totally counting down the hours until I get that thing out of the house! Sorry, kids.

But going back to being around family and germs, I wanted to say something about all that hand sanitizer we use this time of the year. If you're worried about getting the flu, but hate those little bottles of clear gel that dry out your skin, I have a nice alternative. Just buy a little spray bottle at your local store and fill it with vodka. That's right, vodka. Then, drop in a small amount of your favorite essential oil. Voila! Instant hand sanitizer. You just shake it up, and spray. I use mine after leaving the store—I wait until I get in the car of course—after attending school events, doctor's appointments, etc. You get the idea. It works and it doesn't turn your skin into leather, and it smells good. There's also been some reports about phthalates and Triclosan being in Hand sanitizer, so switching to a natural alternative is not only good for your skin, it's good for you.

But the best rule of thumb is to wash your hands with good old soap and water, just like Mother told us to do. Yes, the same lady who tells us our dress looks horrible at Christmas dinner . . .

And if I'm not back before it happens—Peace and Blessings to you for a Happy New Year! Thanks so much for reading!

Achoo!

Alrighty then, I've gone inactive haven't I? I've caught the flu or bad cold or something, which is ironic as this is a 'healthy living' blog. Well, sometimes it happens. But being sick has given me time to think about what I really want to do here, and that is to move the tarot talk to a whole other blog and let this one remain in its original intention.

So, since I'm sick I guess it's a good time talk about what I do to keep healthy, or how to get over a sickness should I unfortunately become straddled with one. First of all, I don't care what they say about not catching a cold from being cold. Rubbish. Almost every time that I've gotten sick, it's happened right after a cold snap, or maybe I had wet hair and went out without a hat on, scarf, etc. I think some of us have delicate immune systems and we should know where our weaknesses are. Mine is my throat. If my head/throat/chest is cold, I get sick. Maybe for other people it's their feet--a lot of heat is lost through the soles of your feet. Or maybe it's what we eat and drink. I do know that being dehydrated has a huge affect on my immunity. Water is so important! One of my favorite things to do if I feel like a cold is coming on, is to heat up a mug of water, squeeze some lemon into it, and sip it slowly so that it has a chance to work on my throat. I've gone from feeling under the weather to being back to normal with just one cup.

But as for herbs, last year I found out about astragalus. I buy it in capsule form from my local grocery store--I have a great one with an organic/health market along with all the regular foods. When I started taking astragalus a few things happened: my cystic acne cleared up, I lost a few pounds and . . . I stopped getting sick every few weeks in the winter. Oh, I also my migraines stopped coming around as often. However, there is a warning against this herb—it has blood-thinning properties, which is probably why my migraines slowed down, so you should check with your doctor before taking it if that concerns you. But for me, it's been a miracle herb.

Oil of oregano is a great choice if you feel something coming on and just want to 'nip' it in the bud. Personally, the strong flavor is way too much for me, so I take the capsules. Also, watch out for any stomach irritation it might cause, and do be aware that some people have had allergic reactions with a high dosage. But if you're worried about antibiotics, then definitely give oil of oregano a try.

This is funny, but my mother swears by these healthy remedies: siting next to a sunny window, and chicken soup. And you know what? I think she's right. Chicken soup has healing qualities, and sunlight offers a good dose of vitamin D-- a great addition to any healthy person's regimen. Also, don't forget that daily exercise is a great preventive to illness.

Lastly, it's always good to remember that sometimes we just get sick, and when we do, it isn't the end of the world. Use it as a time to rest, to watch a favorite movie, or read a new book. Being happy and rested is the best remedy of all!

Something else for a moment, please

When I created this blog, my intentions were definitely not to narrow the focus solely on tarot! Having said that, it is one of my major interests right now, and doing the daily card synopsis has already helped me learn about the cards faster than I could have ever imagined. I'm happy about it. And . . . sad that I've neglected the other subjects I'd planned on covering such as, natural skincare, natural living, spirit, and pretty much anything that happens to be crossing my path on any particular day. I do plan on getting into all that, but for a brief moment I'd like to again talk about the cards. I know some people find the divinatory arts quite scary. Some would even classify it as being in line with the occult, and I'll admit many years ago I felt the same way. But I had a change of heart after finding out that tarot actually has the effect of bringing you closer to spirit, not further away from it. There's a lot of self-discovery that comes with a reading. Each card, and combination of cards, has the ability to help you understand not only projected outcomes, but who you are, what it is you might be lacking in soul development, how others see you, what obstacles block your the path to happiness, and yes, what might come-to-be should you stubbornly ignore the cards' advice. You're basically asking your higher self to provide a little bit of wisdom, and I for one am very grateful for the help. But still, it goes without saying that some people are fearful, and a fearful reader or querent can bring on fearful results. The cards do not lie. They mirror you quite well. Subsequently, if you are high on the road to spiritual development, they will reward you. Regardless, I am not here to change anyone's mind, I only know how I feel. Please bear with me as I do the daily reading, and in time my focus will shift to other things.

At the moment, the art of astrology is calling out to me as well. Having my sun sign in Taurus, ascendant in Gemini, moon in Leo and being on the cusp of Aries . . . well, all I can say is I need to learn astrology if only to understand what the heck is going on with me! I'm not the best math student though, so woe to me when I get to charting my planets on a daily basis. For now, I'm learning about the signs, the twelves houses, and all that lovely stuff. It's rather fun. My ultimate wish is to do readings for other people.

So, that's it for now. Feel free to share any stories about the topic above, and thanks so much for stopping by!

Tarot of the Day: November 20, 2014

Today I pulled Strength, number 8 in the Major Arcana. This card is fairly easy to decipher—a woman graced with the symbol of infinity closes the jaws of a lion, whom it appears will soon be made subservient to her demands. Perhaps this act refers to the beast to be controlled inside of us, yet perhaps also those in the immediate and physical realm. But either way it does suggest we take control of that which overwhelms us using gentle, yet firm, measures. Keywords are self-control, compassion, patience, perseverance, kindness and discipline. It may also suggest that we have the power necessary for such undertakings and that at the times where we feel most overpowered, using peaceful measures as apposed to violence will yield a powerful commissary, which we can later harness at will.

Tarot of the Day: November 19, 2014

Today's card is the 9 of Cups, which is all about celebrating the good things in life. I heard once that it is often refereed to as the 'fat and jolly' card, a simple way to describe being graced with great abundance, contentment, wanting for nothing, and generally residing in the sweet spot of life. Of course, there are dangers with gluttony. If one has everything they wish, there's nothing left to drive us onward, and a person must have goals or they face the danger of disillusionment. In fact, the number 9 has associations with The Moon, whose light is only enough to outline that which surrounds us, without true revelation. Still, it is a good card and one that any querant should be happy to receive. We all need moments of satisfaction; of reaching plateaus and celebrating a good harvest. The trick is to know when to move on in the continuance of our quest for higher and better goals.

Tarot of the Day: November 18, 2014

Today I pulled The Hanged Man, a card of suspension, spiritual connection and sometimes, sacrifice. Some see this as a holy card because of the connotation incurred by the symbolism of a figure being held from a wooden structure, but along with that there is a sense of rebirth and awakening—of embracing life with no previous expectations, much as a child would do. The structure is actually a tree, which you can see by its ability to branch off and produce leaves. With death comes new life, new birth, and so I would say that what The Hanged Man is trying to tell us is that instead of mourning the loss of something (an idea, a situation, a person) we once believed should be held tightly, it is better to embrace renewal and find spiritual relevance in the act of letting go. Again, like a child, the only way to move onward in life is to release all previous forms of conjecture. From there you will find new ways to 'branch' out into the world, and all it has to offer.

Tarot of the Day: November 17, 2014

 

Today's card is the 7 of Pentacles. More rest and contemplation. Mondays are usually busy for most of us, and I know I spend a lot of my time on Monday cleaning the house, doing laundry, running errands and anything else that I feel is out of order and needs attention. For many of us, it's the first day of the work week, and not always one that's looked upon with joy. I think what the 7 of Pentacles is saying is that we need to slow down, take a breath, and count our blessings. The man on the card is looking over his harvest. There is much to be grateful for. He has completed his job, and though he may worry about future wealth, for now he has succeeded in his efforts. Another thing to consider is that when we slow down and take time to rest, new and greater ideas are given room to 'grow.' Use this day to not only plant future seeds of abundance, but to take stock of the valuable things or people that are in your life right now.