Mana

Good Saturday afternoon.  It's a gorgeous day outdoors.  I was out in the back for awhile today just soaking in the breeze, and it was wonderful to have the place to myself...for awhile at least...because it wasn't long before the next yard was filled with about 20 kids who immediately ran over to the fence to gawk.  I'm an alien, you know.  LOL!!!  Seriously, though, it's very annoying to have a bunch of little kids laughing and teasing you. I am 63 years old, not a child, and it's so disheartening when kids act that way.  I am fascinated with the religion, but I just wish the mom's would teach their kids some manners...or at least pay attention to them.  Maybe if they SAW what they were doing.... 


The next principle of Huna that we will discuss is MANA (all power comes from within); this is often a misunderstood word which is usually taken to mean energy alone. But it means so much more.  Mana is the energy that gives us life; it is our life force, the energy that you can utilize to create what you want to be experiencing in your life.  It is the power of the waves of the sea; the wind that blows across the land and the sea. Mana is found within the trees, the rocks, and all the rest of the elements and objects of our natural Universe...including the earth herself. It is the source of power within each thing in this great Universe of ours. 


Most of us in Western society have been raised to believe that power comes from without...from the Sky God who is separate from his creation, from our government, from our spouse...our parents...virtually any place but within oneself.  We give our power away.  But, even though there are laws in our society, at our places of employment, laws that we must obey, no person can have power over our destiny unless we allow them to have that power.  No other person can have power over you unless YOU decide to let him/her have it.  When we think that another person has more power over our lives, we diminish our own power...a lesson I very painfully learned.  The same holds true that no one else can make us unhappy.  We make ourselves unhappy or sad because others don't act the way you want them to or the way you think they should.

The key to  creating comes from owning our own authority...by recognizing that we have the power in our lives...and acting in ways that express this.  One way we might do this is to begin speaking with authority when we talk about what we believe about ourselves and what works in our lives. Each of us has free will. For example, if we choose to live in a certain country, then we also CHOOSE to abide by its laws or be punished for various transgressions against those laws. This is where we hold power.  The Mana flows through us and gives us the power to do what we believe we can do.  


Thus, when you begin working to consciously create what it is you want to experience in your life, it would be helpful also to notice how you might be habitually reacting to situations and then choose to respond with awareness in a way that serves you in your life.  Remember what works and forget what doesn't. Remember how long I was unhappy about and ranted about my office mate until I found a way that worked?  You will find that when things begin to flow more easily, it is easier for you to remain positive....and when you are being positive, everything also flows more easily.

Aloha

Good morning, everyone.  It's Friday.  Another work week done.  Seems like it was only yesterday that I last said that.  Wish I could find a way to make time slow down.  Well, the weather has cooled off some, and it was quite pleasurable out today.  The only unfortunate thing is that we didn't get much of the promised rain yesterday.  Only a brief shower in the morning.  The trees and the plants...and the grass desperately need this rain.  I looked this morning and my neighbors lawn was strawlike and yellow.  Where has the beauty of summer gone?

The fifth principle of Huna is ALOHA--To love is to be happy. The universe exists because of love.   What a wonderful principle, isn't it?  Aloha is so often taken to mean only hello and good-bye. But, Aloha is so much more than what most of us think of as love. In fact, Aloha has so many meanings that it is like an underlying tone for living life.  The Hawaiians use the idea of Aloha to define their society and their philosophy of life.   As with most Hawaiian words, each syllable of ALOHA is a sacred sound and its own esoteric meaning.  


A = AKAHAI =Kindness to be expressed with tenderness.
L -Lokahi = Working with and in unity, to be expressed with harmony.
O = Oiaio = Truth; honesty...being authentic to the self       responsible to others.
H = HAA-HAA = Humility, to be expressed with modesty.
A = AHONUI = Patient perserverence.  

Being in Aloha allows one to see that the universe exists because of love in its being and becoming, and that the more love you create in your world, the happier you are and the better everything actually is.  To love is to be happy with.  Aloha requires loving without conditions...accepting and not judging.  The more we can allow ourselves to be in Aloha, the easier it is to think positive thoughts about ourselves and those around us...which, in turn, creates more love and joy for us all...(MAKIA =Principle 3 = energy flows where attention goes.)  

Huna Prayer
By Max Freedom Long

If I have hurt someone today

With thought or word or deed,

Or failed another in his need,

I now repent.

If I can take those steps again,

Tomorrow will I make amends

And heal with love those hurts.

I do this pledge.

And if a hurt has struck me deep

And no amends are made,

I ask the light to balance all.

I count the debt as paid.

Parental Spirits whom I love,

And who I know love me,

Reach through the door I open wide.

Make clear my path to Thee.

So mote it be!

                                               

Manawa--Now is the Only Moment That Exists

Good morning, everyone.  We've got some rain headed our way, and that will be a good thing.  I was looking out the window at work yesterday, and the trees across the street were wilting so...and further down, the tree looks as if it is in the throes of autumn.  And as far as us humans go, this rain should usher in some cooler and less humid air.  All I can say is "Yippie!!!  It's about time."

As you all know, I've been posting daily on the Seven Principles of Huna; by now, some of you may be saying, "But I know all this. This sounds so familiar. This is nothing new. It is a part of all beliefs and traditions."  And, indeed it is, but what I've discovered from reading the history of Huna is that it is believe that most beliefs and traditions actually descended from what is now  called Huna; the true name of Huna is not known.  In fact, Huna is actually an incredibly old science which, some believe, may be around 35,000 years old, as old as mankind itself, and a part of the teachings of the original peoples of the earth.  While legend traces it back to Mu and later to Atlantis, we find the first historical indication of its presence can be found in ancient Egypt.

Huna also has its own secret language called the Huna Code. This fact came to light in 1900 when Max Freedom Long, a westerner who studied Huna for 50 years, discovered a secret language which the ancient Kahuna's had created in order to make sure that the knowledge of Huna continued to be passed down from one generation to the other, and until Long's discovery, only the initiates knew of it.  It seems that this secret language formed the roots of another language which could be openly used, and that no matter how the outer language was used or what beliefs it was attached to, the root knowledge would remain like a well-preserved secret.  


To decipher this secret language, Long began to inspect the religious literature of the world's religions for possible traces of Huna.  He basically concentrated on those works where secret knowledge was implied.  He then translated passages into Hawaiian and examined the root meanings of the words he had translated.  Then, he translated those results back into English.  The results were astounding...especially in regards to the New Testament.  It appears that the early Christian writers and possibly even Jesus himself were initiates of Huna or had knowledge of the teachings.  And as Long went on, he discovered that time after time, the principles of Huna were hidden within the outer teachings.  And, what Long accomplished can can be duplicated by anyone with Hawaiian dictionary and a knowledge of Huna...so anyone with any doubts can work this process themselves.

The fourth principle is the principle of MANAWA (man-ah-wah); this is the idea that NOW is the only moment that exists.  There is no real power in the past and there is no power in the future because there is nothing we can do with either one of them at the present moment. Think about it, what can we do with the past right now? There is nothing we can do. The past is gone...over.  And, what can we do with the future right now? Again, we can do nothing. The future hasn't yet arrived.  All the power for changing your life exists only in the immediate present. There is no other time. There is only now.  We are not bound by our experiences of the past, nor by our perceptions of the future. In today's world, many of us tend to be living in either the past or future, but not in the present moment. Just take a moment before we continue to imagine all the many people living in the world today who aren't really here.  Their attention is either focused on memories of the past or on their projects into the future. 

"You can't get wet by yesterday's rain, and you can't get burnt by tomorrow's sun."--Serge Kahili King 

As humans, we operate from patterns which are usually based on belief systems that we took on at a very young age. To the Toltec these are dreams. And it is these dreams/beliefs that create our own reality.  For example, if we see beauty in our lives, then we are creating that beauty NOW.  We can increase that beauty by enjoying and appreciating it...NOW.  But, once we stop appreciating it, we start to lose our sense of beauty, and suddenly, the world around us also seems to lose its beauty. So, it is not what we have been, but what we ARE that makes what we have in any given moment.  The future is created in every present moment by the seeds we plant now.  Remember the teachings of Huna....as you change your mind, you change your experience.

"You are not bound by any experience of the past, or by any perception of the future.  Therefore, you are free to the degree that you realize this and act upon it."--Serge Kahili King

Makia....the Third Principle

Good morning to everyone out there in Blogland.  Well, the humidity's up again, and the temperature is rapidly rising.  It's nice to know, though, that fall is on its way.  I just love those crisp, cool breezes.  I will say this though, "this certainly has been a summer to remember".  

And now on to the third principle.  Originally, I hadn't planned on posting on all of them at once, but on second thought, I felt it would be best.  Too many different posts in between, and I lose my complete train of thought. Plus, I have been reading this book with breakneck speed and although I have ordered another book on Huna, there's no telling which book I will pick up and read next.  I've also been considering taking an online course.  I've been looking around for a good one, and think I may have found it.

The third principle of Huna is Makia (ma-Kee-a)--energy goes where our attention goes.  In other words, be focused. Focusing your attention on a particular object or idea causes the energy to flow in that direction, and wherever there is a flow of energy and attention, events are created....according to the nature of your thoughts. So, if you are putting out positive thoughts, then you can expect to have positive energy flow back.  On the other hand, if you are put negative energy out in the universe, this will bring back negative energy in the world around you as well; hence, negative results come into your life. 

For example, let's say that you want more money in your life.  In this case you would focus on creating more money rather than focusing on having debts and not enough money.

Many cultures use this principle as a form of meditation. You are meditating whenever you are engaged in sustained focused attention.  By focusing your mind on one aspect of a situation, you reinforce its power.  The author, Serge Kahili King presents the following exercise to help you understand the possibilities that lie inherent in Makia.


To demonstrate how energy flows from where attention goes, pull up a chair and try to lift it by holding its back. Concentrate on the chair, feel its weight.  Now, repeat the exercise, this time focusing on the area located one foot above the chair.  If your focus is good, you will see that the chair seems much lighter.  "The energy goes where the attention goes."

You, too, can develop this skill and bring positive energy back into  your life.  Remember...do not focus on fear and anger, but focus instead on joy and happiness.  You CAN do this.  Start with the smaller things first.  You have the ability to change your life.  Change your attention and change your world.

KALA--The Second Principle

Good morning,everyone.  Another beautiful day in Brooklyn.  Now, if only summer would be like this, I'd have no complaints. I don't know about you, but I seem to have so much more energy since the heatwave broken.  Amazing the part that weather can play on how we feel.  

 

KALA: There Are No Limits
Corollary:
Everything is connected.
Anything is possible.
Separation is a useful illusion.
Message: Be Free 


Kala means to loosen, free, release, let go, to free oneself from any evil influence. With Kala there are no limits. In the Hawaiian perspective of the Universe, nothing is fixed; everything is in constant change, and in a world of change, the Universe is unlimited, and, therefore, our experiences are limitless, but, in our everyday lives, we experience limits. According to Huna, there are no limits to the possibilities....as long as one is willing to find a way. This includes giving up those limiting beliefs or habitual actions that stand in our way. We need to release those old patterns and and ways of looking at things and accept that the world as we know it is a dream.  

There are two kinds of limits we place upon ourselves--filtered and creative.  Filtered limitation is imposed by ideas and beliefs that inhibit creativity rather than enhance it...generating focus without the potential for positive action. Examples, of 'filtered limitation' is the belief that one is a 

victim or that the world is such a tough place, that you have to know someone if you hope to get ahead.  Filtered limitations instill one with anger, fear, hate, and hopelessness. 

Creative limitation assumes the purposeful establishments of limits within the universe in order to create particular experiences. They enable us to experience life as humans. Without creative limitations, we wouldn't be able to experience anything.  There would be only one color and one sound.  There would be nothing to compare them with; hence, we couldn't see or hear anything.  Think about the games we play.  These games are all based on rules....limits.  Without these limits would the game be able to exist?  If everyone was allowed to play the game in any way they liked, the game would cease to exist. This is why creative limitations are needed in this world.  

Kala'ana means forgiveness, absolution. There are times when guilt, resentment...or fear become obstacles to your goals in life.  The key for releasing these negative feelings is Forgiveness...letting go.  Everything is interconnected; hence, just a single thought of love or hate affects the entire Universe.  

"Forgiveness is basically a process of deciding that whatever happened is no longer important or doesn't matter anymore. In practicing blanket forgiveness assume that in any current condition of pain or discomfort there is some anger involved. We want to change the stress effects of that anger."--Serge Kahili King

Huna Principle One

Good afternnoon, everyone.  My goodness, just look how late it is. It's been such a busy day that I have barely had a chance to stop and catch my breath. Fortunately, the dreadful heat and humidity has finally broken.  It was actually a pleasure walking to work today.  It's been a long time since I've been able to do that. Maybe tonight I will finally be able to leave the AC and get out in the backyard for awhile. 

Once upon a time there were wise men and women who lived on the islands in the Pacific.  These wise islanders observed the patterns of nature, the behavior of plants and animals and all of humankind, and developed a deep inner knowledge about the ways of the Universe. They gave a name to this knowledge. They called it Huna, a modernistic classification which has been given to this ancient belief system. Huna ( hidden secret) is one of the original sciences of of healing and spiritual development; it holds the secret, hidden knowledge of the ancient Hawaiian peoples. It is fortunate for us that the teachings of the ancestors were successfully hidden and preserved in the chants and Hula dances.

From this knowledge the seven principles were developed; these are the principles that I will be sharing with you. The people who did this, who practiced this knowledge, were called the Kapua; nowadays they are called Shamans.  Once again, the seven principles are:

1. IKE - our ideas create our reality.
2. KALA - there are no limits.
3. MAKIA - energy flows where attention goes.
4. MANAWA - now is the moment of power.
5. ALOHA - to love is to be happy with.
6. MANA - all power comes from within.
7. PONO - effectiveness is the measure of truth.

IKE  refers to the importance of our beliefs. What we believe is what is real for us. Basically, if  you think something is negative, you will experience it as negative. How you perceive something will determine how you react to whatever is happening...and this reaction is what creates  your reality.  For example, if you see the glass as half-empty, you will see nothing but pessimism around you, while the if you see it as half-full, you a world of optimism will surround you.  To the farmer, a sudden rainstorm may be good for the crops, but to the one who planned the picnic, it may  be messing up all of their plans. To some, the intrepid weather may be an obstacle that stands in their way, while others may view it as a challenge.

Simply put, positive thoughts attract positive people, and negative thoughts attract negative people and events. Thus, if you believe the world is a place which is full of struggle and hardship, then hardship and struggle will surely come your way, but on the other hand, if you believe that the world is a wonderful place to experience adventure and happiness, then you will surely experience the goodness of the world.

  

Corollary: Everything Is A Dream

In addition, Huna Shamans believe that our reality is another form of a dream; dreams are real, and reality is a dream. We share our dream with others; we share it with the Earth. Everything in our world, everything in our own reality, it all comes from our thoughts.  According to the Huna belief, as well as those beliefs of other ancient traditions, we must change our thoughts if we want to change our world. This means that if we wish to help change the world, we must begin by changing ourselves. It all begins with us. We must change the way we think, going from a belief in lack to a belief in abundance. This is 'IKE' working from within to create the outer world. All of the other principles of Huna stem from this one.

Shamanic Stone Casting

Good afternoon to all.  Been spending the morning relaxing.  I've been trying to fit more rest into my life.  I'm always so, so busy, and it is taking its toll.  Besides, this heat is knocking me for a loop...no energy whatsoever.  I've not even been making it out to the ocean because without going into the water, there is no relief...and that beach is just too darned crowded for me.  Today I thought I would finish up the topic of Shamanic stone casting.  I've been practicing, and I must say, I love it.  

Shamanic stone casting uses a total of seven stones...all of the same size and in the colors of white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.Now, remember, they don't actually have to be stones at all.  Plastic beads will do just as well as long as they are all about the same size.  Semiprecious gemstones are also very popular, and many people who like cystals have their own sets made.

The Yes/No Technique

For this casting, you will use only three stones

White or Clear stone - This is the foundation stone; it is called kumu.

Green stone - This is the yes stone.

Red stone - This is the no stone.

(The green and the blue stones are caled 'eo' or answering stones.  This means that the answer will come from the stone that falls nearest to the white stone, on either side of it.)

Your should relax and begin with breathing technique. Next focus on your question.  You may ask any question that can be answered with a yes or no. Be careful not to ask should questions for this can be very confusing to your ku (subconscious); such questions seem to be less effective. When you are ready, hold the stones in your hand, and toss them out in front of you. Look to see which stone is closer to the white stone (if green then yes, if red then no, if an equal distance then maybe).  Sometimes people are tempted to throw again if they do not like the answer they get.  This is a 'no-no'.  It indicates a lack of trust. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For open-ended questions you will use all seven stones. The white stone is still the kuma.

White represents the First Principle, IKE = Awareness.  The world is what you think it is. 

Red represents the Second Principle, KALA = Freedom.  There are no limits.

Orange represents the Third Principle, MAKIA = Focus.  Energy flows where one's attention goes.

Yellow represents the Fourth Principle, MANAWA = Persistence. Now is the moment of power. 

Green represents the Fifth Principle, ALOHA = Love. To love is to be happy with.

Blue represents the Sixth Principle, MANA = Confidence.  All power comes from within.

Purple represents the Seventh Principle, PONO = Flexibility.  Effectiveness is the measure of truth.

Begin with your relaxation exercise, and when you are ready  focus on a request for advice. Example questions would be, "What is the best way for me to reach my goal?" or "What is the best way for me to handle this situation?" Now, toss the stones and read the one which is the closest to the white stone. You will use a combination of the prinicple and the key word to derive your answer. 

Instead of asking for advice or a plan you might want to ask questions such as "What is in the way of achieving my goal?"
In this case, you will toss the stones and read the answer from the one nearest the white, only this time read it in its opposite sense:

Red = mental or physical stress

Orange = lack of focus

Yellow = procrastination

Green = anger

Blue = fear or doubt

Violet = rigid thinking 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Picture-casting is one of the greatest secrets of Shamanic divination. For this, you will once again use all seven of your stone. stones. This particular type of divination will require the use of your intuition. Relax; then focus on your question as you toss all seven stones without any regard as to which is kuma and which is eos.  Say aloud, "Give me an image of .... (your question). Toss the stones. Look to see what pattern they make.  What does the pattern remind you of?  The symbol or picture is the answer to your question.  Remember, though, although it is called a picture, the main sense comes from feeling.  While gazing at the stones, try to be aware of what associations or memories come to your mind.  This method may take practice. 


Next we will delve deeper into the seven principles.  This should create a deeper understanding.

"Those who don't look forward, remain behind."--Anonymous

What is Summer Made Of?

"That beautiful season the Summer!
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape. Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."
--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow--

And a good afternoon to all of you.  I'm in a good mood because my cooking is almost done.  Got out early and did my shopping so I could beat the worst of the heat.  It's treacherous here in the city.  Could actually reach 100 by afternoon.  At any rate, with the humidity, it will be feeling about 105 out there.  Yikes!!!  That's unheard of. 

I just don't know what to do with myself this summer.  To be honest, I just want it to go away.  I try so hard to embrace each of the seasons...especially since time seems to be passing by so quickly. Just as the above quote says, summer was such a dreamy and magical time when I was a child; it was almost as if time stood still with endless days of fun and games....afternoons at the lake...the welcoming of a summer storm.  Why, spinning around in the drenching rains was far better than a simple sprinkler. Camping out in the back yard and sitting out under the stars when all the world was asleep around me.  Long walks through the woods, picking fresh strawberries and grapes off of grandma's vines.  Oh, how sweet they were!  Running from the chickens, catching tadpoles...fireflies.  Those are some of the things you never forget...and it is good to remember those times for all too soon, in a flash of an eye, childhood gives way to adulthood.

The time that appears to move so slowly, those endless summers of childhood, suddenly become  nothing more than a distant memory as  we grow into adulthood and find ourselves burdened with work and bills, responsibilities that we never knew existed.
...and the magic disappears; we have no time for it anymore. What once were those dreamy times of summer days now become those endless days spent closed up in the office, rushing home to fix dinner, to tend to the household chores...and as the days pass by, we pay little to know attention to them...for we have far more important things to do. There will be plenty of time for fun later... And then, in what seems to be a flash of an eye, we find ourselves in the twilight years of our lives.


And time appears to speed ; it passes us by so much faster than ever before...and we wonder where all those years went.  One moment we were just a mere child with flushed cheeks running home for dinner; and now, although time moves faster, we find ourselves, our bodies moving oh, so much slower.  Our backs hurt, and our knees ache...and we watch those in their youth pass us by...and as our eyes begin to well with tears, we remember...those dreamy, magical summers when we were young.

What is summer made of?
Of opening buds and flowers;
Of sunshine and of shadow,
And gracious little showers,
Of birds that in the tree-tops
Sing sweetly all the day;
Of buttercups and daisies,
And breath of new-mown hay.

Of butterflies that hover
O'er every fragrant rose;
Of bees that gather honey
Where the honeysuckle grows.
Of brooks that murmur softly,
And thro' the meadows glide:
Of shadows shifting gently
Adown the mountain-side.

Of rainbows after showers,
Of starlight nights so still;
Of moonbeams shimmering softly
O'er every brook and rill.
Of mornings dawning sweetly
O'er dew-wet grass and flowers,
Oh! summer time is only
A life of golden hours! 

 --Mary Dow Brine 1816-1913)--

TGIF

Top of the mornin' to ya.  All I can say is 'TGIF'.  It's been a long and busy week.  I've quite a busy weekend ahead.  It's my shopping and cooking weekend....not looking forward to it in all this heat.  Tomorrow it's supposed to go up in the high 90's.  You know, we tend to forget that we can suffer from heatstroke while indoors, too, so believe me, I plan to take it very easy tomorrow because I am sure my kitchen will get up in the 100's.  Yikes!!!!  Makes me want to eat out every night.

Time has really flown by this morning.  I'd wanted to complete my little piece on the casting of Shaman Stones, but, alas, group time is coming up quickly.  So, I will bid thee farewell for today.  I'd love to hear about your weekend plans.  Hope there is some fun included in them. May you all have a wonderful day.

I will leave you with the following thought:


"Fear less, hope more; eat less, chew more; whine less, breathe more; talk less, say more...and all good things will be yours."

--Swedish Proverb--

Hailona

Finally, a lovely morning...low humidity, a pleasant breeze.  Too bad it's only a tease, but I could sure use a lot more teases like this. For once, no complaints about the weather.  Of course, though, I come to work early so it hasn't really hit the 90's yet.  So Talk to me later about this one.   

I'm finding something odd here in blogland and wonder if any of you have ever encountered the same problem.  Actually, I don't even think it's a blogland problem; I think it may be more computer related.  Yesterday when I came here to Moontides on my work computer, I noticed that my new background was gone.  When I tried to get onto the background website, but a message came up and said the site was basically 'gone'; it was not able to be accessed.  So, there I was thinking that, after all that work, I was going to have to redo my blog; but, lo and behold, when I got home, not only was the background there, but the website was also able to be opened. I come here to work today, everything is gone again.  Strange...and unexplainable to a computer nerd such as I.

Ka po nui ho'olakolako, ke ao nui ho'ohemahema.  (The inner world provides, the outer world ignores.)

As you all know, I've begun a study of Hawaiian Shamanism, Huna (Healing Using Natural Abilities). I really have to say I am loving it.  The book itself, "Urban Shaman" is very readable, one of those books you have trouble putting down. Gosh, I feel like I've already learned so much. Huna is a Hawaiian healing system which utilizes natural healing principles focusing on the  seven natural abilities found in all individuals--awareness, freedom, focus, presence, love, confidence, and flexibility to change.  Thus, along with the aid of other natural products such as plants and herbs, an individual can institute profound changes in their life. 

Hailona is the art of creative intuition.  One method of divination I have used the I Ching while others use skrying, the pendulum, or tarot cards.  There are many methods. Hailona is one of the Hawaiian methods of divination. It's literal meaning is 'to cast'. The process of casting can be found in the roots of the word.


Ha is the word meaning the breath, to energize.


I means to affirm or to state one's intent or question.


Lo means to obtain.


Na is to be peaceful and calm.


Thus, the first step is to breathe and energize yourself.  For this step, almost any deep breathing exercise will suffice. The purpose here is to relax the body. This sends a message to the ku which is the aspect of our consciousness that contains our memories, helps us to learn, develop skills, and maintain a balance within the body. It is our subconscious self.  Next, ask and focus on your question.  This allows the ku to search the universe for the answer. In Hawaiian shamanism as with other practices, everything is interconnected. Your focus creates an energy connection with your answer (the third step). Finally, you should receive an intuitive answer without the use of force or expectations.  

There are several ways to use stone casting for divination.  The one I will discuss today is called Oi-paha, which, in old Hawaiian means "odd-even" or "successful-unsuccessful". This is a rather simple technique which can be used when you want to determine the outcome of a certain event or a venture. For this you will need a small piece of cloth or a bowl and a pile of stones. You may also use plastic beads or marbles.  


First, lay out the cloths or bowls.  Next, designate one as representing yourself; the other will represent the person, venture, or event that you are concerned with.  Now, relax your body (breathe and energize)and focus on your question, Out of a pile of stones or marbles, take a random handful with each hand and place them under the cloths or in the bowls. Focus, focus, focus. Next, count those in your pile by twos.  This will save you time because if your pile ends up with an even number of stones, forget it.  This means that no matter how many are in the other pile, this is a sign of failure. Your venture will not work.  If your pile has an odd number and the other pile is also odd, this, too, can be seen as a sign of failure.  Actually, the two odds cancel each other out.  The final result, in which your pile is odd and the other is even, is a definite sign of your success.


Remember, though, that whatever information you receive has nothing to do with the future.  It is only a 'probable' outcome of your present attitudes and plans.  Change those and you change the result.

Wednesday Ramble

It's Wednesday, and another oppressive day of heat.  I'm tired of feeling like this...listless, tired...just don't have much interest in doing much of anything.  Time outdoors is no fun, and time indoors can be just as miserable with these brownouts they've been having.  I understand it's the lesser of the two evils, but that doesn't cut it when I awake in the morning with my head drenched in sweat.  My hair has grown to halfway down my back for the first time since I was a teenager.  Mostly I pull it back in a ponytail or pin it up, but it just means something to me to have it long...Don't ask me to explain because I don't know why it's so important either....probably because it took me over 40 years to grow it this long.  LOL!!!  Now, don't get me wrong.  My hair doesn't grow 'that' slow, but I was always chopping it when it reached a certain length.  

You know, sometimes things happen that at first cause us a great deal of pain, and then, as time goes on, and we learn to work with it, we find out it was actually a gift in disguise.  Amazingly, as time passes by, I find myself feeling so much less stressed and more at peace with myself here at work.  Believe me, this is not the way I really wanted it to be.  I don't like friction, but as the friction has worn down, and I have adjusted myself to the fact that we are no longer friends...if that's what you would call it...I've come to realize that this falling out was something that had been in the making for a long time now.  You all know how stressed I've been at work; I knew my office mate contributed to my stress, but didn't know how much until this happened.  

Ironically, nothing else has changed; she still spends much of her time on the phone or playing games, but I've learned to tune that out....and without the use of my headphones.  Why couldn't I have done this before?  Why did it take a strain in our office relationship to teach me how to focus and to tune out?  I don't know, but what I do know is that it feels good.  I guess it just takes some of us longer to learn.

And in closing, I would like to share a great quote I came across today.  

"People are like tea bags.  You find out how strong they are when you put them in hot water."--Anonymous

Somehow that says it all.  

Tuesday Archetype

Good morning....Tuesday...Another hot day...Maybe not AS hot and  humid, but still pretty miserable to me. Today will make a week that my office mate hasn't spoken to me. I'm not hurting anymore; actually I am finding it quite funny.  It amazes me the way some people think.  You get caught doing something you are not supposed to be doing, and you take it out on your office mate.  And then, you continue to come in late like you just don't care.  I don't get it.

Yesterday an acquaintance was asking me for information on how to get your degree online, and I was explaining to her how it worked.  Of course, as with any other degree, you have your core subjects to complete, but after that, the courses and where you take them is all up to you.  That leaves a lot of room to take some real fun courses.  A course I had the most fun with and could barely put down was about fairy tales...but not your typical 'read the fairy tale' course.  This was a course on deciphering the hidden symbols and archetypes of the characters. That was really right up my alley because of my love of fantasy and my love of Jung and his archetypes.

Archetypes are not individual, but are the part we share with all humanity.  They are an inherited part of being human; they connect us with our past. Archetypes are universal; we find the same archetypes in many different cultures. They are ancient themes which have been represented throughout the ages in our myths, fables and fairy tales, and sometimes we may become trapped.

For example, in the fairy tale, Cinderella, we find the heroine being mistreated by her wicked stepmother and her stepsisters; they are making her life a living hell. Then one magical night, our heroine finds herself rescued by a handsome prince, and all looks well with the world.  But then, the magic wears off, and the handsome prince turns into a frog; he may have a drinking problem or perhaps a gambler.  He may be a bit too free with his hands...or with his mouth.  In any event, our heroine finds herself once again in the archetype of the victim.  And, she sinks back into despair.  She gets stuck in the nightmare.  No one comes to rescue her, and she is too wounded to search out the glass slipper and claim it as her own.  "I am too wounded to have any power in my life."  I am too wounded to ever find happiness." 

The Victim Archetype leads us into situations where we feel bullied or put down...used and taken advantage of.  I chose to write of the Victim today because at one point in my life...no, in all honesty, for much of my life, I was trapped within that archetype.  What is going on with my office mate would have made me cower...and offer apologies for something I didn't do. My office mate is the Bully Archetype, the one who needs to show power over others.  This is never more evident than in our staff meetings where she contradicts what others say and knows it all.  She is always right.  The bully is needed for the victim to survive...and the victim needs a bully to survive. It's evident that this little game can go on for years.  

Then one day the victim decides they have had enough of feeling helpless, and they learn to speak out and make sure their needs are met.  They find that glass slipper (their power) and turn victim into victory.  Usually, the bully will move on to find another victim; it is just as hard to give up your power as it is to find it.  And so, I no longer ask "How high?"  when the bully tells me to "jump".  And you know what?  It feels good.  Finding my power wasn't easy; it took me many years, but the journey was, oh, so worth it. 


If you are a victim, reach out.  Validate your pain for validating your pain will help you to discover your strengths and to learn valuable lessons.  Remember...once you are no longer a victim, the bully loses its power.  And remember, the bully lives through you.  Take that away and the bully no longer seems so frightening.
 

Monday Morning Blues

Monday morning.  Another scorcher.  You'd think we'd be getting used to this by now, but, heck, I can get used to the cold, but have never been able to get used to the heat.  Can't deal with it.  Can't stand the sweating...the wet head, the clothes sticking to your body.  Can't stand the heaviness of the air and the difficulty in breathing.  Last night they must have had another brownout.  That's when the lower the electrical amps so we don't receive full power.  Kept waking up throughout the night.  The AC was on, but it was hot.  

Sometimes I wonder.  What if this is a sign of things to come?  What if this is going to be 'every' summer from now on, and eventually, the winter, too?  What if?  Scary thought, isn't it?  The changes in our weather patterns appear to be a sign of upheaval....and, as weather patterns become more and more unbalanced, will we experience further temperature extremes?  And sadly, we have ourselves to blame for this mess.
 

"Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together.
All things connect.
--Chief Seattle, 1854--

Our earliest ancestors, those who lived through and survived the Ice Age, those who hunted in the forests, they had no need to get closer to nature ...or even to consider their relationship to it...for the fact is, they WERE nature...They were an intricate part of the natural world...and what a wondrous way it was to live.  

But then, as time went on, everything began to change.  Humankind discovered farming and no longer felt a part of the natural world.  Now they had learned that they could control it and bend it to suit their needs.  Mankind not only domesticated the plants and the animals, but they also sought to domesticate the landscape and to reshape the Earth to fit their individual needs.
And after centuries of abuse, it now appears to be catching up with us.  The world is in a state of neglect....with our smoking factories spewing toxic fumes into the atmosphere, garbage piles, dead and stagnant rivers and destruction of the rain forests.  These are the outward symptoms of our problems. The fact is,the root cause goes much deeper; it starts within us....when we stop loving, when we stopped caring for our Mother Earth, we began to pollute ourselves and our thoughts. Most people don't see the changes...or choose not to see the changes...the changes that are beginning to manifest everywhere.  Temperature changes, extinctions, severe weather patterns, earthquakes. For goodness sake, the Earth is crying out to us. Why is it so hard to listen?  We must stop polluting our environment and begin to show our gratitude to the Earth again.  She is our Mother and She loves and nourishes us with all that we need....even though we have ravaged and nearly destroyed her. It's time for us to wake up, and it's not just a matter of hugging a tree; it's a matter of survival for all of us.
 

Honor the sacred
Honor the Earth, our Mother.
Honor the Elders.
Honor all with who we
share the Earth--
Four-leggeds, two-leggeds,
winged ones,
Swimmers, crawlers,
plant and rock people
Walk in balance and beauty.
--Native American Elder--

Too Hot For Anything

"The beautiful season...the Summer of All-Saints.  Filled was the air of with a dreamy and magical light and the landscape lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood."--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Good Sunday afternoon to you all. Hope everyone's weekend is going well, and the heat is not getting you down. I wish this WAS a delightful season for me, but, truth be told, I've spent the entire weekend indoors and do not plan to leave the house until tomorrow when it is time to go back to work...not that it hasn't been warm in here, but at least I didn't have to be outdoors in that stifling air.  It's just a dreadful summer...so, so disappointing. I'd so many plans for this year, but it's just far too hot to do anything.  Why, I even canceled my trip to the 99 cent store because it was just too hot for even that.  The walk in the blazing sun, well, it's not that I needed anything, so it's just not worth being uncomfortable.  

"What dreadful hot weather we have.  It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance"--Jane Austin

And there is no relief in sight. Temperature is going to be in the upper 80's and 90's throughout the upcoming week.  Lawns that are usually so green in the summer are just brown and straw-like as they are in the winter.  There are few flowers to enjoy, and the leaves are already changing color. Even my yard at night is stuffy and hot. Those poor animals who live outdoors in our backyards...my heart goes out to them. We need a miracle.

The Loom of Time

It's Saturday already. Once again the hands of time have passed by quickly.  Soon July will end, and August will roll in. I have to wonder what it has in store for us.  Will it bring an early coolness, and early fall?  Or will we have more of the same as now?  Last night I was going through the poetry I have saved and I found the following that I wanted to share. 

THE LOOM OF TIME

Man's life is laid in the loom of time

To a pattern he does not see,

While the weavers work and the shuttles fly

Till the dawn of eternity.

Some shuttles are filled with silver threads

And some with threads of gold,

While others often but the darker hues

Are all that they may hold.

But the weaver watches with skillful eye

Each shuttle fly to and fro,

And sees the pattern so deftly wrought

As the loom moves sure and slow.

God surely planned the pattern:

Each thread, the dark and fair,

Is chosen by His master skill

And placed in the web with care.

He only knows of its beauty,

And guides the shuttles which hold

The threads so unattractive,

As well as the threads of gold.

Not till each loom is silent,

And the shuttles cease to fly,

Shall God reveal the pattern

And explain the reason why.

The dark threads were as needful

In the weaver's skillful hand

As the threads of gold and silver

For the pattern which He planned.

--Author Unknown--

Such a lovely poem, isn't it?....Yet, the author chose to remain unknown.  He/She chose to bless us with this special gift, these moving words that send one's Spirit soaring, that speaks of the interconnectedness of life, yet chose not be credited for the words.  There are several lessons  to be found within these words. 

The first is that should be given from the heart with no expectations in return.  A gift can be something simple as washing dishes for a friend or helping someone to cross the street.  Or, even the gift of time....just spending some quality time with a family member or a friend...never expecting anything from return...giving from the heart...feeling the joy of making another smile.

Secondly, we are all here for a reason.  We've something to complete, yet when we are born, we know not what. Each of us is here to learn. Some of us may have been told that our birth was a mistake, but none of us is a 'mistake'.  We are all a part of the pattern.  

There are silver threads, gold threads, and dark threads, and all are interconnected; all are necessary to complete the pattern...the hobo who sleeps in the cardboard box, the millionaire in his golden bed, to those of us who are considered 'average'...there is a plan for each of us. From the little brown field mouse, to the great black bear, to humankind...we are all interconnected, and whatever we do may in one place has an affect the entire universe. We survive here because we are dependent on others, on the Earth itself. And it all comes back to us for our moment-to-moment decisions not only shape our own lives, they shape the world as well; it all begins with us.  Let us make sure that the decisions we make are the right ones, that our decisions will not hurt another nor anything living on this planet.  Let us live in harmony and balance...and let it begin today.

Thanks for letting me share.