What is Imbolc/Candlemas?

Imbolc is also known as Candlemas, or the Feast of St. Brigid.  It is pronounced "IM-bolk."  Imbolc is one of 8 major pagan holidays.  It falls on Feburary 1st or 2nd, the midpoint between winter and spring.  Many ancient cultures celebrated some form of Imbolc, including ancient Eqyptian and Celtic people.  Imbolc honors St. Brigid, and celebrates fertility, fire, and youth.  Pagan people often use candles and bonfires as symbols of celebration for this holiday.  Celebrants often use straw fools in rituals.  These dolls may be kept throughout the year for continued good fortune.  St. Brigid's Cross, a symbol which honors her, is often associated with this holiday.  Imbolc is a time of renewal; it's a great time of year to make a fresh start! :)

"Pay off your credit cards every month."

Writer Regina Brett's life lessons are great little nuggets of wisdom.  There's something for everyone!
I'll be reflecting on this week's lesson:  "Pay off your credit cards every month." 

Oh boy, this one's a toughie for some people!  I do my best to pay my bills on time, but hey, sometimes it's hard to remember every last thing.  And we've all had our share of financial crises from time to time.  Things happen sometimes.  Cars break.  People get sick and need things that their insurance may not cover.  Things at home need to be fixed.  Clothing emergencies occur (and I'm talking about actual wardrobe malfunctions, not "Oooh my favorite store is having a shoe sale!).  Holidays come and go, along with the often high expectations of our loved ones.  And... let's face it... sometimes our favorite store has a shoe sale that we just can't resist!  When money comes in slow, it seems to go out quickly.  The trick is to live within our means.  We need to take a look around us, and really prioritize what we need over what we want.  Paying our bills are a legitimate "need."  If you're able to pay off your credit cards 100% every month, you'll sleep a lot better knowing that your charges aren't out there garnering crazy amounts of interest.  If you cannot do this, at least get your minimums paid... but then consider doing the work to get as far out of debt as you can.  Life is so much sweeter when you have lots of room on those credit cards for rainy days.

Visit Regina's website here.

How to Have a Spiritual Awakening

Maybe you want to know how to bring about your own spiritual awakening.  The invocation of your own spiritual awakening is a difficult and ambitious undertaking.  You cannot turn a spiritual awakening on and off; it must simply happen.  However, you can get yourself into the right mindset to become ready for it.  When you open your heart and mind, you are in a much better position to receive direction and enlightenment from the divine.  Because the spirituality of every individual is completely different, you cannot expect that what works for another person will work for you, and vice versa.  If you're letting nature take its course, you cannot force a spiritual awakening.  Just relax.  It'll happen in its own time.

"Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does."

Writer Regina Brett's life lessons are great little nuggets of wisdom.  There's something for everyone!
I'll be reflecting on this week's lesson:  ""Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does."

People often worry unnecessarily about what other people think of them.  It's human nature!  We want to look just right; we can become consumed with looking the part, acting like we know everything, speaking with confidence.  "Fake it 'til you make it" is an oft-heard mantra in the self-help game.  It's not terrible advice at all, but sometimes you have to take a step back and realize that most people are too absorbed in their own needs to be confident, to look great, and to sound intelligent -- just like you are!  Learn to laugh at yourself sometimes.  Realize that you are good enough as you are.  Aspire to your dreams, but never feel the need to put on airs or to feel shame for the person you are.  If you screw up, laugh and learn.  Then, when you're ready, try again!



Visit Regina's website here.

Opal and Its Mystical Properties

The opal has a rich and mysterious history behind it.  Many people revere this powerful gem... some are even afraid of its amazing virtues.  The pale milky opal often has a flash of colors within it; some of the prettiest opals actually have sparkling flecks and multicolored facets that can show every color of the rainbow.  The word itself is derived from a Sanskrit word, "upala," which means "precious stone."

It is said that those who are born in its ruling month, October, are doubly blessed to enjoy its powers.  However, those who are born other times of the year -- watch out!  The opal can actually give you the opposite of what you desire, or even be dangerous to you.  Is this legend based in truth?  Read on to find out the whole story.

Opals were actually prized at one time for their other amazing abilities.  One ancient legend has it that a necklace made of opals will prevent blonde hair from darkening or fading into other colors.  Opals were also known as "patronus forum," the patron of thieves, as it was said that opals could make the wearer invisible at will.  Opals are also associated with religious fervor, thought to strengthen the power of prayer and to instill hope in those who wore it.

The opal crystal has healing powers as well.  Like many stones, it has been thought to help ailments of the eye, as well as prevent more serious diseases.  It can also provide its bearer with good dreams, as well as loyalty and love from others.

By the way... that reputation for the opal to be harmful?  Completely false!  The opal's so-called evil reputation can actually be traced to one source only:  A novel called Anne of Geuerstein by Sir Walter Scott is actually to blame for this myth.  A character in the story called Lady Hermione was proven to be a demoness when a drop of holy water removed the color from the opal she wore in her hair (which turned red when she was angry, and sparkled when she was happy) and turned it black.  The opal was then seen as an evil gemstone with the power to harm others.  Within months of the novel's completion in 1829, the value of opals declined significantly as no one wanted to buy them.  But don't let this fictional story stop you.  Enjoy opals -- even if you don't believe in the myths and legends, they're just gorgeous and wonderful gemstones!