Ronda Snow's Blog, page 27
December 14, 2013
The great holiday red-up
Cleaning a bit for those holiday guests? I’ve been using this handy spray, based on a recipe by Noelle Katai, and it works well – better still, makes the whole house smell like holiday-time
8 oz spray bottle
4 oz white vinegar
4 oz bottled, filtered, spring or distilled water (the chlorine in tap water diminshes the scent)
10 drops each of cinnamon, clove, and orange essential oils
Combine in spray bottle…shake vigourously. Shake well before each use.
External use on hard, non-pourous surfaces only. Keep out of eyes. Do not use on fabrics. Do no use on marble.
December 13, 2013
Elfcon Hitting the Fan
It’s turning out to be a bit busier than I expected this week, and probably next week too.
Since I don’t earn anything through blogging – am going to have to lead by example and triage to manage my own holiday stress. Blogging is going to moved down on the list over the next couple of weeks, so let me say Happy Holidays to everyone.
With our family largely living in other states, my holiday will stop being hectic once all the handmade gifts hit the mail. That means, even with other Holiday activites, I’ll have more time to work on doing New Years Tarot readings by email if anyone is interested. As always, the readings are about food for thought, guidance, advice and spirit…not predictions. Think of the reading as ideas to help you make the most of the New Year. I suggest the “Four Seasons” reading in either Tarot or Cartomancy for that. Please click HERE to visit my tarot sight for ordering instructions if you are interested. I like doing readings this time of year. It helps get the new year started on a positive, proactive, forward – looking, empowered way.
It’s also a nice treat for yourself after you’ve done all that baking, shopping, wrapping, decorating and so on…don’t you think?
Happy Holidays and a Wonderful 2014 to everyone!
December 10, 2013
The Arkside of Design
Reblogged from The Arkside of Thought:
So, this is most definitely not the most amazing work anybody's ever seen. I've a lot I need to do to build up a portfolio, but this is a start. I figured I needed to start somewhere, though, because, until I find gainful employment, I need to do something to make a living.
So, perhaps I can design stuff for people.
This man is talent in tennis shoes. Please do consider his work if you have any design needs
Tao Tuesdays – Chapter 28
Every Tuesday, Amy Putkonin posts a chapter from her version of the Tao Te Ching and invites other bloggers to comment. I highly recommend her blog, her version of the Tao Te Ching, and her collection of commentary. Please visit www.taotechingdaily.com to learn more.
To know one’s strength, stay passive.
Be a valley beneath Heaven.
Constant virtue never diminishing,
The eternal river returns again to one’s childlike innocence.
Know your purity,
But stay open to your darkness.
Be a pattern for the world, ancient virtue never failing,
Returns to a place of unlimited perfection.
Know your glory,
But maintain humility.
Become a valley below Heaven.
The world’s valley – always virtuous,
Returns to the simplicity of uncarved wood.
Carved wood becomes useful tools.
Great leaders use the tools without carving the wood.
The first part of this chapter, as I see it, resonates with the Socratic axiom of “know thyself” coupled with the idea of quiet confidence. Which comes right back around to the Taoist treasure of authenticity. Be who you really are, in your totality, both purity and darkness. When we relax and realize ‘it is what it is’, an open, accepting childlike appreciation of the world can return…the water returns to the valley.
Maybe Popeye the cartoon was a Taoist…”I am what I am”. Just as an uncarved block of wood is what it is, without apology, without aspiration…yet full of potential.
True that the wood block can be formed into many things, but the better way of leadership is to accept people for who they are (even if they are humble blocks of wood) and do nothing to diminish their potential, and allow them to become what they will, as they will. This is something that is very much a part of a Tarot reader’s and Reiki practitioner’s path. It isn’t for us to force our idea of good, right, health or healing on other people. It isn’t for us to carve the wood block. We use our tools to honor their path and help them along it…not to define that path for them. We use our tools without carving the block.
November 29, 2013
The Ghosts of Failures
Reblogged from The Arkside of Thought:
What day is not a
good day to live and to die
in rains of glory?
-
My own vanity
makes mockery of my deeds,
pretending through life.
If you want to feed your mind and spirit as well as body this Thanksgiving, may I suggest The Arkside of Thought blog by Sahm King. Lovely reading.
Tarotbytes - 2 of Cups raised to the Holidays
Reblogged from Modern Oracle Tarot:
It's no secret that I view the world, Tarot included, through a Taoist tinted lens. To my way of thinking, authenticity is importent.
The other color on my life-lens is a non-diestic naturalistic view, so I celebrate the Winter Solstice. I like to do that with a full-on Yule kind of thing - tree, lights, cookies, the wholy holly-jolly thing. It is common ground, or at least adjacent ground with the christian factions of the family, even the uber evangelicals.
From ModernOracleTarot.com:
More Tarot inspired thoughts about beating holiday stress
Today's Leftovers
Reblogged from The Vampire Diet:
Turkey Noodle Soup
Pan drippings from yesterday's turkey, strained before refridgerating
1-2 cups rough chopped turkey meat
1 cup sliced raw carrots
2 Tbs dried parsley
Water, salt, pepper, garlic poweder or other seasonings to adjust pan drippings to taste for soup base
Warm pan drippings in 1 cup of water unitl liquid again. Add water and seasonings to adjust to taste.
From The Vampire Diet: Actually fairly heathy...certainly wholesome, home-made and minimally processed (that's why I use that brand of pasta...higher fiber, traditionally made, minimal ingrediants)
November 27, 2013
Death
Reblogged from The Arkside of Thought:
To you I should say
that the only death we face
is in not living.
Senryu/Haiku inspired by the Daily Post’s Weekly Writing Challenge.
Now you can see why Sahm King is one of my favorite poets.
Buy Nothing Day, redux
Reblogged from Eco Women: Protectors of the Planet!:
Enviro Girl had much to say on this topic last week, but now Recycla is chiming in: This Friday stay home, go to the library, a movie, have coffee with an old friend, or deck your halls — but DO NOT SHOP! It’s Buy Nothing Day, during which you are encouraged to keep your green in your wallet.
I'm so doing this!
Tarotbytes - 3 of Cups
Reblogged from Modern Oracle Tarot:
My favorite Tarot card for the holiday season is far and away the 3 of cups.
I don't know who said it, but the adage "If you're not having fun, you're not doing it right" certainly applies here.
It is the cure for holiday stress. If you are having fun, then other people likely are too. If not, that is for them to deal with.
from my other other blog
