Happy Birthday, Pisces!

Birthday greetings to our dreamy, emotional friends, the lovable Pisces!

Ruled by Neptune, Pisces are naturally adaptable to change, and can help inspire change in others as well.  While they are constitutionally strong, many Piscean folk feel the need to have a little extra guidance in their life, valuing the advice and information that they can learn from others.  Helping other people is very important to Pisces, and comes naturally to them.  There are times when a Pisces must take care not to fall into depression, as this may lead to escapism or bouts of self-pity; however, when channeled into positive directions, this Piscean sensitivity can bring love and warmth to everyone it touches!

These are the true creative forces of the zodiac!  With a Pisces by your side, you've got a loyal and loving friend!

Happy Birthday, Pisces friends!  We love you!

P. S.  I made some cute birthday images of each zodiac sign... keep checking back all year for more!  I hope that you enjoy these!  They're licensed under "Creative Commons" (non-commercial only) so feel free to share them and use them on Facebook, Myspace, or wherever you like to network with your friends.  Have fun!

This work by ConsultTheSage.Com is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Cord Blood, Stem Cells, and a Promising Future

I was inspired by an article that I recently read I about the Gift of Life Foundation, and all of the good work that they do for people around the world who are suffering from terminal and life-threatening diseases such as leukemia.

The Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation was founded in 1991, and has helped to facilitate transplants of stem cells and bone marrow for patients worldwide. Gift of Life plans for its newest program, the Cord Blood Program, to be of great benefit to people with life-threatening and debilitating illnesses.

Cord blood is the residual blood which is left over from the placenta and umbilical cord after a baby is born. In the past, cord blood was viewed as medical waste, and was disposed of accordingly. However, we now know that cord blood is composed of a unique type of tissue which promises many advances in the treatment of various illnesses, due to the high content of stem cells that are contained within cord blood.

After a baby has been born, the cord blood can be harvested and preserved by freezing, and then stored in order to be used at a later point in the future. Cord blood collection is not painful to the baby or the mother, as the blood is collected after the umbilical cord has been cut and sutured. Harvesting cord blood does not cause any additional pain or risk to either the mother or baby; the delivery process remains the same, regardless of whether or not cord blood is collected.

After the cord blood is accepted by Gift of Life, it is shipped to the lab to be tested, processed, and stored until it is needed in the future for treatment of certain life-threatening diseases, as well as some genetic disorders.

I find the concept of using cord blood for life-saving stem cells to be extremely fascinating; the ability to harvest such vital components of potential cures for some of the world's worst illnesses, without any additional pain or risk to other life, to be such an inspiration! Such advances fill me with hope for a brighter and healthier future for the generations to come!

You can donate cord blood to the Gift of Life Foundation, as well as the National Marrow Donor Program.  By bringing a new life into the world, you may also be saving someone else's!

Q&A: Color-Changing Purple Aura

Recently, I had an anonymous question which was asked on one of my other posts.  My article about the purple aura had prompted a question from a mystery reader:

"in response to so my aura is a contstant purple, a mix between dark and light yet the ONLY time it has ever changed is when i become angry.. what does this mean?"

My answer is:  Fear not, Anonymous!  This is the sign of a completely normal, healthy aura.  Each aura is unique,  and aura patterns can contain many different shades of colors.  When you're dealing with high-stress situations, or experiencing intense emotions, the aura may change in color, pattern, brightness, or consistency.  For example, a person with a smoky grey aura might be depressed or self-absorbed, but perhaps during a time of crisis, the aura may lighten or change to another shade (say, a pale sky blue which indicates wisdom and sensitivity) as he or she gains awareness of his or her surroundings.  A solid aura may develop a sparkling texture, indicating the presence of a divine guardian, during stressful times as a departed friend or relative might be looking over your shoulder just when you need it.

Another possibility is that you are young or just not quite finished growing to your highest emotional potential.  As a result, your aura may change quickly as you flash from one state to another.  You might be experiencing a period of turbulence which makes the aura more quickly changeable than those of other people.  As things even out over the course of your life, you may experience more consistency in your auric shade.  Another thing that might help are some aura cleansing techniques.


Do you have any questions for me??  Please, feel free to leave me some comments and I'll be happy to post answers in an upcoming entry! :)

Q&A: Twitter Help Badges

A reader, Cypherinfo, has asked me for some assistance on Twitter help badges.  (I had a bronze one.)

"Hello, all of the users gained their Twithelp "Bronze Helper Badge" has seen disappeared their badge if any was embedded in their web site like me. The related web site is no more accessible; it seems that only its twitter account is still running at @twithelpme What to do now to see displayed again it please? My twitter handle is: @cypherinfo."
 

Well, Cypherinfo, it seems that you're right!  TwitHelp doesn't seem to be as functional as it was back when I got the badge.  That's very unfortunate too, because I thought it was a great service.  Who knows, maybe it'll be back in the future!  I did embed mine into my website through Twithelp.  I am no technological wizard, but I did want to try to help you out. Since you needed to find where to get it, I did a little bit of research & was luckily able to find a copy on the internet!
 
If you want to display it on your website or somewhere else...  feel free to download and use the one I have placed on this page!  I hope this helps you!  (And I'll be Tweeting you later this week to make sure you've read my Q&A!)

By the way... I am on Twitter as well, at @YourPsychicsSage -- so feel free to follow me or add me.  I love talking to people and helping out folks all over the world!

Does anyone else have a question I can help with?  Feel free to ask me in the comment section below!

Valentine's Day Spa Indulgence Ideas for Your Love!

While Valentine's Day can be fun and sensual for you and your romantic interest, you can enjoy these recipes with anyone -- have a good time with friends during your own personal at-home "spa party," or just relax and enjoy these recipes by yourself.  Here are a few ideas to pamper that "special someone" at home with a few easy spa-inspired preparations! :)

1. Make a rosewater toner using fresh rose petals! Pour a cup of boiling water over a cup of rose petals. Cover and steep the mixture until it's cool enough to handle. Strain the petals from the liquid, giving them a good squeeze to release all the yummy rose essence. Keep this in a sterilized spray bottle in the fridge for a cool pick-me-up anytime.

2. Bath salts are so easy to make! Get your favorite coffee mug, fill it halfway with any salt you happen to have around (epsom salt is great, but so is sea salt or even your standard iodized table salt!), a few pinches of baking soda, and a couple drops of your favorite essential oil. Pour this into your bath water for a purifying and enjoyable soak in the tub.

3. Take your favorite lotion and immerse the container in a sink filled with hot water for a soothing, warm massage.

4. Sugar scrub is another little treat that's sure to delight the skin when it's in need of a little exfoliation. Mix two parts sugar (white or brown) to one part olive oil. Add a few pinches of cinnamon and/or ginger from your spice rack, and voila, a luscious treatment for sexy, glowing skin!