Friday, November 30, 2012
Frigga Queen of the Gods
--~--
Pantheon: Norse
Element: Air
Sphere of Influence: Love and Birth
Preferred Colors: Blue, White
Associated Symbols: Cat
Magickal Day: Friday
Associated Animals: Cat
Strongest Around: Yule
Best Moon Phase: Waxing Moon
Friday
Days Of the Week: Friday
Day: Friday
Planet: Venus
Colours: Light Blue, Green, Pink, Copper Hues
Crystals: Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Rose Quartz, Coral, Emerald, Malachite, Copper
Aroma: Rose, Yarrow, Cardamon, Venus Oil, Strawberry, Sandlewood, Saffron, and Vanilla
Herb: Thyme
Days Of The Week: Friday
The day of Venus, Friday takes its name from Frigga, the Goddess of Love and Transformation. She rules the spiritual aspects of people as they manifest on the physical. Because of this, Friday is sometimes thought of as unpredictable. Magical aspects: love, friendship, reconciliation, and beauty.
Friday has often been associated with relaxation as it is at the end of the week, but the good feeling that comes with Friday also has a lot to do with the fact that it is ruled by the planet Venus - The Goddess of Love. Lusterless relationships and disputes may be settled on Fridays with the aid of a spell to Venus and perhaps a small personal sacrifice.
Friday is also associated with Caribbean wealth spells and has been known to improve friendships, Platonic love and increase your desirability. Be careful what you wish for on Friday, Venus' eyes could be smiling!
This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving love, romance, marriage, sexual matters, physical beauty, partnerships, friendships, social activities, strangers, pleasure, music, incense, perfumes, nature, and arts and crafts.
Day: Friday
Planet: Venus
Colours: Light Blue, Green, Pink, Copper Hues
Crystals: Jade, Lapis Lazuli, Rose Quartz, Coral, Emerald, Malachite, Copper
Aroma: Rose, Yarrow, Cardamon, Venus Oil, Strawberry, Sandlewood, Saffron, and Vanilla
Herb: Thyme
Days Of The Week: Friday
The day of Venus, Friday takes its name from Frigga, the Goddess of Love and Transformation. She rules the spiritual aspects of people as they manifest on the physical. Because of this, Friday is sometimes thought of as unpredictable. Magical aspects: love, friendship, reconciliation, and beauty.
Friday has often been associated with relaxation as it is at the end of the week, but the good feeling that comes with Friday also has a lot to do with the fact that it is ruled by the planet Venus - The Goddess of Love. Lusterless relationships and disputes may be settled on Fridays with the aid of a spell to Venus and perhaps a small personal sacrifice.
Friday is also associated with Caribbean wealth spells and has been known to improve friendships, Platonic love and increase your desirability. Be careful what you wish for on Friday, Venus' eyes could be smiling!
This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving love, romance, marriage, sexual matters, physical beauty, partnerships, friendships, social activities, strangers, pleasure, music, incense, perfumes, nature, and arts and crafts.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Large Celtic Skull
Hand painted cold cast resin Measures 13 1/4" High.
If interested click on the link...http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0094SXAN8?ie=UTF8&seller=A2ZI824SAUKPOT&sn=The%20Amber%20Crystal%20Shop
History of Paganism
Apolonius of Tyana is probably the most famous classical magician, little is known about him, according to Philostratus he was member of the Pythagorean School, preaching asceticism, spiritual enlightenment achieved through work, training, self-control and self-denial, believed in reincarnation and in personal soul and was against violence. He travelled the known world, even to India, where he met a lot of powerful magicians. He is said to have performed many miracles, like dematerializing and materializing, curing sick with a touch of the hand and rising people from the dead. After the death of Apolonius, the people from Tyana raised him a temple, and there is a legend that the ghost of Apolonius appeared to a Roman centurion when he tried to conquer Tyana.
Apuleius is born in the North African Roman colonies about the first century AD. He is chiefly remembered for his book Metamorphosis, better known as the Golden Ass. His second book Apologia de Res Magia we obtain some more information about his magical works. The book was his defense used in court against the accusation that he married a rich widow using his magical abilities. The accusers are of course the widow's relatives who don’t want to see the widow's money going to Apuleius. In his Apologia, Apuleius not only defends himself and is proclaimed innocent by the court, but he also shows his great knowledge of magic. He, among the first, divides magic into harmful and useful, i.e. black and white, and shows how magic can be used for curing and beneficial goals. In his next work De Daemonum Socrates, Apuleius discusses the existence of gods and demons, as well as the ways to communicate with them.
Modern Magic
The revival of magic is usually taken to begin in 1855-56 with the printing of the Eliphas Levi's books "The Dogma of the High Magic" and "The Ritual of the High Magic." Many books, long forgotten on library shelves, are re-discovered and studied with zeal. New books, with new ideas on the subject of Magick would be written as a result of this renewed interest.
The end of 19th century is also marked by the creation and destruction of the "Golden Dawn," probably the most influential magical order in Europe. Although the order lasted for only 20 years, some of its successors orders and their influences are still active today.
Charles Leland (1824-1903) published a book in 1899: Aradia: Gospel of the Witches. Leland was the founder of the Gypsy Lore Society, editor of the Philadelphia Bulletin, and a prolific author and folklorist. Aradia deals mainly with the Goddess Diana. It is presented as an ancient document which recorded the doctrines of La Vecchia Religione (The Old Religion) -- Italian witchcraft. Leland claims to have received the information from an Italian strega (sorceress) named Maddalena. How much of this is a valid account of La Vecchia Religione is anyone's guess. However, the book played a significant role in the later development of modern-day Neopaganism.
Margaret Murray (1863 - 1963) Authored The Witch Cult in Western Europe and The God of the Witches. These books promoted the concept that some of the Witches who were exterminated by Roman Catholics and Protestants during the "Burning Times" (circa 1450-1792) were remnants of an earlier, organized, and dominant pre-Christian religion in Europe. Her writings have not been well received by anthropologists. However, they were very influential in providing background material for the Neopagan traditions.
Gerald Gardner (1884 - 1964), a British civil servant, who: has written that he joined an existing Wiccan Coven in 1939, taking the (then) usual vows of secrecy persuaded the coven to let him write a book in 1949 about Wicca in the form of a novel, High Magic's Aid. He carefully revealed a few of the Old Religion's beliefs and the historical persecutions that they endured. He added many rituals, symbols, concepts and elements from ceremonial magick, Freemasonry and other sources to "flesh out" the coven's beliefs and practices, most of which had been long forgotten. He wrote Witchcraft Today in 1954 in which he described additional details about the faith. His other book The Meaning of Witchcraft which described in detail the history of Wicca in Northern Europe.
According to Gardner, Wicca: began in prehistory, as ritual associated with fire, the hunt, animal fertility, plant propagation, tribal fertility and the curing of disease. It later developed into a religion which recognized a Supreme Deity, but realized that at their state of evolution, they "were incapable of understanding It" . Instead, they worshipped what might be termed "under-Gods": the Goddess of fertility and her horned consort, the God of the hunt. They continued their predominately Moon based worship, even as a mainly Sun-based faith of priests, the Druids, developed and evolved into the dominant religion of the Celts. By this time, Celtic society had gradually spread across Northern Europe into what is now England, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Scotland etc. They never formed a single political entity, but remained as many tribes who shared a common culture and religions, surviving the Roman, Saxon, and Norman invasions by going underground.
During the 'Burning Time', pagans and witches suffered major loss in numbers during the active Christian genocides, which continued into the 18th Century, but had reached a low ebb by the middle of the 20th century. It is worth pointing out that many of those accused of witchcraft and subsequently burned or hung (which was the usual outcome in England) were probably not witches or pagans.
Doreen Valiente (1922 - 1999)
http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/an_introduction_to_paganism/history_of_paganism.asp
Cybele Great Mother
Goddess of fertility, caverns and mountains, walls and fortresses, nature, and wild animals. The celebration of the death and return of Attis, processions of joyful worshipers danced through the streets and then attended ceremonies at Cybele's temple.
--~--
Pantheon: Greek (Phrygian)
Magickal Day: Thursday
Strongest around: Vernal Equinox
Associated Animals: Lion, Bee
Associated Symbol: Crown, Chariot
Musical Instrument: Drums, Flute, Cymbals
--~--
Pantheon: Greek (Phrygian)
Magickal Day: Thursday
Strongest around: Vernal Equinox
Associated Animals: Lion, Bee
Associated Symbol: Crown, Chariot
Musical Instrument: Drums, Flute, Cymbals
Thursday
Day: Thursday
Planet: Jupiter
Colours: Purple, Deep Blue
Crystals: Amethyst, Lepidolite, Sugilite, Tin
Aroma: Melissa, Clove, Oakmoss, Jupiter Oil, Cinnamon, Musk, Nutmeg, and Sage
Herb: Cinquefoil
Days Of The Week: Thursday
Ruled by the planet Jupiter and dedicated to Thor, god of thunder and agricultural work. His parallels in various European Traditions include Zeus, Taranis, Perun, and Perkunas. Magical aspects: controlled optimism, energetic growth, physical well-being, material success, expansion, money/wealth, prosperity, leadership, and generosity.
Thursday is the day of Jupiter, the largest of the planets and said to be the most powerful. Spellcasters would be wise to use this day for attempting wealth, success and prosperity spells. Thursday is also associated (in Greek mythology) to Thor - Thor's day - and some even say that Jupiter and Thor are one in the same. Both are strong and powerful, yet wise and just.
Try a small prayer to Jupiter before commencing any ritual on Thursday as a sign of respect.
This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving luck, happiness, health, legal matters, male fertility, treasure, wealth, honour, riches, clothing, money, desires, business, group pursuits, joy, laughter, and expansion.
This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving communication, divination, writing, knowledge, business transactions, teaching, reason, skill, self-improvement, debt, fear, loss, intellectual pursuits, and flexibility.
http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/the_elements/days_of_the_week/thursday.asp
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Grigory, Nephilim, Do they exist?
Why are they hiding this information?
The Giants Of Ancient America: “8′ Tall With Double Rows Of Teeth”
The Moundsville Mound Complex in West Virginia
This fascinating video about the true ancient history of America from Jim Vieira shares the story of our true ancestors, 8′ Giants with double rows of teeth. Are these ‘giants’ the same creatures who once inhabited these amazing and mysterious ‘mound’ homes that were aligned to the rising solstace sun? This TedX talk exposes misinformation and corruption from the Koch Brothers and throughout the Smithsonian Institute and widespread lies from our leaders. What are they trying to hide? Does this have anything to do with the so-called Nephilim Giants who were once rumored to inhabit the Earth? As the mysterious and controversial truth emerges, the matrix that has surrounded our true past for hundreds of years is quickly laid to rest.
Jim Vieira’s research over the last 20 years has led him down a bizarre road of intrigue and mystery surrounding the races and structures of Ancient America. Vieira has compiled thousands of accounts of giant skeleton reports from the New York Times, Smithsonian Ethnology Reports, American Antiquarian, Scientific American as well as town and county histories to make the case that the history of our past has not only been deliberately covered up, but is vastly different then what we are told.
This fascinating video about the true ancient history of America from Jim Vieira shares the story of our true ancestors, 8′ Giants with double rows of teeth. Are these ‘giants’ the same creatures who once inhabited these amazing and mysterious ‘mound’ homes that were aligned to the rising solstace sun? This TedX talk exposes misinformation and corruption from the Koch Brothers and throughout the Smithsonian Institute and widespread lies from our leaders. What are they trying to hide? Does this have anything to do with the so-called Nephilim Giants who were once rumored to inhabit the Earth? As the mysterious and controversial truth emerges, the matrix that has surrounded our true past for hundreds of years is quickly laid to rest.
Jim Vieira’s research over the last 20 years has led him down a bizarre road of intrigue and mystery surrounding the races and structures of Ancient America. Vieira has compiled thousands of accounts of giant skeleton reports from the New York Times, Smithsonian Ethnology Reports, American Antiquarian, Scientific American as well as town and county histories to make the case that the history of our past has not only been deliberately covered up, but is vastly different then what we are told.
Published on Nov 20, 2012 by TEDxTalks
With passions in writing, researching, ancient stone work, spirituality and metaphysics, Jim is a stone mason and co-owner of North Wind Stonework in Ashfield, Massachusetts, USA doing dry masonry in and around the Berkshire Highlands for 15 years. Jim belongs to the Northeast Antiquities Research Association, a clearinghouse of information regarding mysterious monuments of antiquity. Jim is a regular contributing columnist for the Shelburne Falls & West County Independent and the national publication, Ancient American Magazine.
With passions in writing, researching, ancient stone work, spirituality and metaphysics, Jim is a stone mason and co-owner of North Wind Stonework in Ashfield, Massachusetts, USA doing dry masonry in and around the Berkshire Highlands for 15 years. Jim belongs to the Northeast Antiquities Research Association, a clearinghouse of information regarding mysterious monuments of antiquity. Jim is a regular contributing columnist for the Shelburne Falls & West County Independent and the national publication, Ancient American Magazine.
Balanced Rock, North Salem, NY State – with huge orb
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
Photo credits to http://megalithomania-america.blogspot.com/2012_09_01_archive.html
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
Photo credits to http://megalithomania-america.blogspot.com/2012_09_01_archive.html
Maya Art and Calendar at Xultun Stun Archaeologists
Archaeologists working at the Xultun ruins of the Maya civilisation have reported striking finds, including the oldest-known Mayan astronomical tables.
The site, in Guatemala, includes the first known instance of Maya art painted on the walls of a dwelling.
A report in Science says it dates from the early 9th Century, pre-dating other Maya calendars by centuries.
Such calendars rose to prominence recently amid claims they predicted the end of the world in 2012.
The Mayan civilisation occupied Central America from about 2000BC until its decline and assimilation following the colonisation by the Spanish from the 16th Century onwards. It still holds fascination, with many early Maya sites still hidden or uncatalogued.
The ruins at Xultun were first discovered in 1912 and mapping efforts in the 1920s and 1970s laid out much of the site's structure.
Archaeologists have catalogued the site's features, including a 35m-tall pyramid, but thousands of structures on the 30 sq km site remain unexplored.
In 2005, William Saturno, then at the University of New Hampshire, discovered the oldest-known Maya murals at a site just a few kilometres away called San Bartolo.
in 2010, one of Dr Saturno's students was following the tracks of more recent looters at Xultun when he discovered the vegetation-covered structure that has now been excavated.
When Maya renovated an old structure, they typically collapsed its roof and built on top of the rubble. But for some reason, the new Xultun find had been filled in through its doorway, with the roof left intact.
Dr Saturno, who is now based at Boston University, explained that despite it being under just a metre of soil today, that served to preserve the site after more than a millennium of rainy seasons, insect traffic and encroaching plant and tree roots.
"We found that three of the room's four walls were well preserved and that the ceilings were also in good shape in terms of the paintings on them, so we got an awful lot more than we bargained for," he said.
'Different mindset'
The excavation was carried out using grants from the National Geographic Society, which has prepared a high-resolution photographic tour of the room.
It measures about 2m on each side with a 3m, vaulted ceiling, and is dominated by a stone bench, suggesting the room was a meeting place.
The east wall features a number of seated figures, nearly life-sized, dressed in black and wearing elaborate headdresses similar to a bishop's mitre.
They all look toward the north wall, on which a more elaborately dressed figure in orange holds a stylus in a hand outstretched toward a figure that Dr Saturno believes represented the king of Xultun.
"The seated figures that we see around them are involved in some narrative in which the king is being portrayed impersonating a Maya deity and these guys are in attendance at that impersonation," Dr Saturno explained.
The relevance of the figure with the stylus seems clear: "We think this room was used as a writing room, that it's part of a complex associated with the work being done by Maya scribes."
Perhaps most intriguing among the finds were several finds related to astronomical tables, including four long numbers on the east wall that represent a cycle lasting up to 2.5 million days.
The east wall is mostly covered by tabulations of black symbols or "glyphs" that map out various astronomical cycles: that of Mars and Venus and the lunar eclipses.
The wall also features red marks that appear to be notes and corrections to the calculations; Dr Saturno said that the scribes "seem to be using it like a blackboard".
The Xultun find is the first place that all of the cycles have been found tied mathematically together in one place, representing a calendar that stretches more than 7,000 years into the future.
The Maya numbering system for dates is a complex one in base-18 and base-20 numbers that, in modern-day terms, would "turn over" at the end of 2012.
But Dr Saturno points out that the new finds serve to further undermine the fallacy that this is tantamount to a prediction of the end of the world.
"The ancient Maya predicted the world would continue, that 7,000 years from now, things would be exactly like this," he said.
"We keep looking for endings. The Maya were looking for a guarantee that nothing would change. It's an entirely different mindset."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18018343
Wednesday
Planet: Mercury
Colours: Yellow, Grey, Mixed Hues
Crystals: Citrine, Agates, Aventurine, Mica, Pumice, Quicksilver, Zinc
Aroma: Lavender, Eucalyptus, Mercury Oil, Jasmine, Sweetpea
Herb: Lavender
Days of the Week: Wednesday
Dedicated to the Teutonic god Woden or Odin, an aspect of the "All-Father" god of knowledge wisdom enlightenment and combat, the parallel of Hermes. Wednesday is ruled by Mercury. Magical aspects: the conscious mind, study, travel, divination, and wisdom. This is the best day to engage in anything dealing with communication.
With Wednesday brings the beauty of luck, the satisfaction of psychic work, increased communication and the retail success that it brings. If you feel that lady luck has been rather mean with her glances recently, it might be worth asking for a little extra something on a Wednesday and await the returns.
http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/the_elements/days_of_the_week/wednesday.asp
Goddess Scrying Amulet
This is a truly beautiful pendant; an enchanting moon goddess design with a 30mm cap of black onyx forming the back. Wear this necklace to increase your psychic abilities and strengthen your ties with the feminine. This pendant is made of lead-free pewter and approx. measures 1 1/4" in diameter.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0087KCPY4?ie=UTF8&seller=A2ZI824SAUKPOT&sn=The%20Amber%20Crystal%20Shop
Lunar Goddess Amulet
Charged with the energy of the goddess, this amulet is crafted of the highest quality lead-free pewter, and is 1 inch long and 1 inch wide. Fashioned into a crescent moon presented with a female face, each amulet is accented by a colorful, faceted gem dangling from the top of the moon, radiating protective, centering energies that will help you stay balanced and free of negative influences. This amulet comes with a 30 inch cord with which to wear it close to your heart, keeping the goddesses protective energies close to heart.
Learn more by clicking the link...http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006M69S40?ie=UTF8&seller=A2ZI824SAUKPOT&sn=The%20Amber%20Crystal%20Shop
Lunar Lord Amulet
Charged with the powerful forces of the God, this amulet is crafted of the highest quality lead-free pewter, and is 1 1/4" long and 1 1/4" wide. Fashioned into the shape of a crescent moon presented with a wise male face, each amulet is accented by a clear, multi-faceted gem dangling from the top of the moon, radiating protective, centering energies that will help you stay balanced and free of negative influences. This amulet comes with a 30" cord with which to wear it close to your heart, keeping the Lunar God`s protective energies close to your heart. It has been made in the USA.
Click this link to purchase...http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0053U4WIS?ie=UTF8&seller=A2ZI824SAUKPOT&sn=The%20Amber%20Crystal%20Shop
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Tibetan Singing Brass Bowl with Leather Hammer
A powerful instrument of meditation and prayer, the singing bowl is sometimes used to accompany mudras, and other such hymns and prayers. The vibration that is felt in the brass when it is struck and played is often held to help remove negative energy and help find peace within meditation, aligning the chakras, and other such ritual practice. Much like other bells and noise makers, they can also be used in chasing off evil spirits, or otherwise cleansing a ritual space before intensive prayer and ritual magick. This particular singing bowl is decorated in an elaborate Tibetan script around its outer surface, with further symbols of religious significance embossed in bell`s inner surface, all surrounding an image of Buddha, sitting in the lotus position within the petals of the lotus flower, cupping a singing bowl in one hand. Measuring 4" wide at its widest point and 2 1/2" high, this bowl is a wonderful addition to any altar or space, coming with a wooden, leather-coated hammer with which to make it sing.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005JUC018?ie=UTF8&seller=A2ZI824SAUKPOT&sn=The%20Amber%20Crystal%20Shop
Triquetra Herb Cupboard
This enchanting Herb box is perfect for holding your ritual herbs, smaller ritual tools, or even your jewelry. Carved of wood, it stands 8 3/4" tall at its highest point, 4 3/4" deep and 5 1/2" wide. Carved with the intricate, knotted design of a Triquetra, it presents a 4" by 4" by 4 1/4" cubby based at the bottom, with a door that swings open at the tug its pull ring. Atop this is a smaller, pull-out drawer that can readily fit your herbs, pendulums, smaller gemstones, and jewelry. Crowning the top is a hinged lid, opening to reveal a deep tray offering safe-keeping for your favorite treasures. The whole, accented with metal stars riveted into the wood, offers an antique look that will be perfect for your altar, kitchen counter, night stand, or where ever else you see a place for it in your home. Price: $45.95
Purchase at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IG9SPG?ie=UTF8&seller=A2ZI824SAUKPOT&sn=The%20Amber%20Crystal%20Shop
The Goddess
A Goddess is a Divine female being of supernatural powers or attributes, believed in and worshiped by people and is often believed to be the source of life and being and worshiped as the principal deity in various religions. For thousands of years, around the world our ancestors are believed to have worshipped a Divine and powerful Mother-Goddess, who was honoured as the Mother of all life.
Where is the Goddess? Does the Goddess dwell within us? Is the "still small voice" of conscience, a manifestation of the immanent deity within ourselves? For many, the immanent Goddess provides a immense and satisfying intimacy with the inner Goddess. Finding a connection to the divine within ourselves, seeking the strength of the Goddess within to better our lives, can be a transformative, enlivening and empowering experience.
The immanent Goddess need not be confined to human form, many cultures perceive the immanent Goddess within nature, in plants, trees, mountains and stars, each inhabited by a unique Goddess spirit that is both mortal and immortal. For every star that dies, another is being formed in nebulous gases in the universe. For each plant or tree that dies, another is waiting to be reborn in the seeds of the previous, the spirit of the Goddess becomes immortal in that this energy always exists in uncountable forms.
To others, the Goddess is transcendent, and exists outside ourselves, here the Goddess becomes the Universe, Gaia, Mother Nature, the Great Goddess or the Great Mother. The transcendent Goddess is vast beyond measure, timeless and immortal, a unfathomable spirit that is at once everywhere and in all times.
Many that walk the path of the Goddess see the divine as both immanent and transcendent, believing that the Goddess within can be called upon for strength and vision in facing the challenges of life. Whilst perceiving that the energy of the Goddess exists throughout nature where each fragment is the Goddess, yet no one fragment contains all and she exists as a force beyond individual plants, animals and people.
The immanent Goddess need not be confined to human form, many cultures perceive the immanent Goddess within nature, in plants, trees, mountains and stars, each inhabited by a unique Goddess spirit that is both mortal and immortal. For every star that dies, another is being formed in nebulous gases in the universe. For each plant or tree that dies, another is waiting to be reborn in the seeds of the previous, the spirit of the Goddess becomes immortal in that this energy always exists in uncountable forms.
To others, the Goddess is transcendent, and exists outside ourselves, here the Goddess becomes the Universe, Gaia, Mother Nature, the Great Goddess or the Great Mother. The transcendent Goddess is vast beyond measure, timeless and immortal, a unfathomable spirit that is at once everywhere and in all times.
Many that walk the path of the Goddess see the divine as both immanent and transcendent, believing that the Goddess within can be called upon for strength and vision in facing the challenges of life. Whilst perceiving that the energy of the Goddess exists throughout nature where each fragment is the Goddess, yet no one fragment contains all and she exists as a force beyond individual plants, animals and people.
Our prehistoric ancestors were hunters and gatherers, who depended on the earth to provide, food, clothing, shelter and life itself. The importance of fertility in crops, in domesticated animals, in wild animals and in the tribe itself were of paramount importance to their survival. Their society was probably matriarchal and that children took their mothers' names. Their life was based on lunar (not solar) calendar and time was experienced as a repetitive cycle, not linearly as we think of it today. Thus, the Female life-giving principle was considered divine and shrouded in mystery.
Natures Mother who bringest all to life and revives
all from day to day. The food of life Thou grantest in
eternal fidelity. And when the soul hath retired we
take refuge in Thee. All that Thou grantest falls
back somewhere into Thy Womb.
Third Century AD Prayer to Terra Matris.
Cave paintings and rock carvings of Goddesses, some as old as 35,000 years B.C.E. or earlier, depict the Divine life-giving Goddess. The Venus of Willendorf, is perhaps the most well known of these ancient Mother-Goddess deities, most of the early images of the Goddess show an abundant, round, full figured being. An early symbol in human history is the zig-zag, which was used by Neanderthals around 40,000 B.C. and has been interpreted as representing water. The Goddess is closely associated with water and births.
In mediaeval times, it was claimed that Britain was given to their ancestors by the Goddess Diana. In 1136, Geoffrey of Monmouthshire, describes in his "History of The Kings Of Britain" how refugees escaping the siege of Troy, were seeking a new homeland. Their leader called upon Diana to help them:
" O powerful Goddess,
terror of the forest glades,
yet hope of the wild woodlands,
you, who have the power to go into orbit,
though the airy heavens and halls of hell,
pronounce a judgement that concerns the Earth.
Tell me which lands you wish us to inhabit.
Tell me of a safe dwelling-place,
where I am to worship you down the ages,
and where, to the chanting of maidens,
I shall dedicate temples to you. "
In the ancient world, Goddesses were commonly patronesses of cities, justice, was, handicraft and home life, agriculture, love and learning. They were seen as standing for aspects of human nature and civilisation rather than that of nature and the elements.
Apuleius in his work Metamorphoses, declared that Isis was the embodiment of all other Goddesses and identified with the Moon and nature. It would be this concept of the Goddess that would become dominant in modern paganism.
The faces and aspects of the Goddess are not static or frozen in time but are forever changing, evolving and metamorphosing. In each age, like children growing, so the Goddess grows and changes with us.
So it was during the years 1300-1800, in English love poetry, the most popular Goddesses were Venus - Goddess of Love, Diana - Goddess of Chastity and Hunting, Minerva - Goddess of Wisdom, and Juno as a symbol of Queenliness.
After the 1800's Juno is replaced by Proserpine - Goddess of the Seasons or the Dead, by 1830 Minerva is replaced by Cere or Demeter - Lady of The Harvest. The Goddess Venus also undergoes changes during this time, acquiring dominion over the woodlands or the sea, and Diana becomes associated with the Moon, the greenwood and wild animals.
Natures Mother who bringest all to life and revives
all from day to day. The food of life Thou grantest in
eternal fidelity. And when the soul hath retired we
take refuge in Thee. All that Thou grantest falls
back somewhere into Thy Womb.
Third Century AD Prayer to Terra Matris.
Cave paintings and rock carvings of Goddesses, some as old as 35,000 years B.C.E. or earlier, depict the Divine life-giving Goddess. The Venus of Willendorf, is perhaps the most well known of these ancient Mother-Goddess deities, most of the early images of the Goddess show an abundant, round, full figured being. An early symbol in human history is the zig-zag, which was used by Neanderthals around 40,000 B.C. and has been interpreted as representing water. The Goddess is closely associated with water and births.
In mediaeval times, it was claimed that Britain was given to their ancestors by the Goddess Diana. In 1136, Geoffrey of Monmouthshire, describes in his "History of The Kings Of Britain" how refugees escaping the siege of Troy, were seeking a new homeland. Their leader called upon Diana to help them:
" O powerful Goddess,
terror of the forest glades,
yet hope of the wild woodlands,
you, who have the power to go into orbit,
though the airy heavens and halls of hell,
pronounce a judgement that concerns the Earth.
Tell me which lands you wish us to inhabit.
Tell me of a safe dwelling-place,
where I am to worship you down the ages,
and where, to the chanting of maidens,
I shall dedicate temples to you. "
In the ancient world, Goddesses were commonly patronesses of cities, justice, was, handicraft and home life, agriculture, love and learning. They were seen as standing for aspects of human nature and civilisation rather than that of nature and the elements.
Apuleius in his work Metamorphoses, declared that Isis was the embodiment of all other Goddesses and identified with the Moon and nature. It would be this concept of the Goddess that would become dominant in modern paganism.
The faces and aspects of the Goddess are not static or frozen in time but are forever changing, evolving and metamorphosing. In each age, like children growing, so the Goddess grows and changes with us.
So it was during the years 1300-1800, in English love poetry, the most popular Goddesses were Venus - Goddess of Love, Diana - Goddess of Chastity and Hunting, Minerva - Goddess of Wisdom, and Juno as a symbol of Queenliness.
After the 1800's Juno is replaced by Proserpine - Goddess of the Seasons or the Dead, by 1830 Minerva is replaced by Cere or Demeter - Lady of The Harvest. The Goddess Venus also undergoes changes during this time, acquiring dominion over the woodlands or the sea, and Diana becomes associated with the Moon, the greenwood and wild animals.
Is the Goddess only for women?
No, during the Goddess worshipping era of the past, the Goddess was the central figure, and was celebrated by men, women and children. The Goddess embodies all mystery and magic and by giving her this allegiance, man sanctified and purified himself.
She was both nurturing and fierce. She was the one the all things came from and all things returned. A renaissance of Goddess worship has take place during the middle of this century with the re-emergence of Wicca. Here both men and women celebrate the Divine Goddess and God, a spiritual balance is taking place, acknowledging both the female and male aspects of Divinity, the New Age Aquarius, with its feminine energies, hopes to bring balance to the destructive aspects of the Piscean Age.
She was both nurturing and fierce. She was the one the all things came from and all things returned. A renaissance of Goddess worship has take place during the middle of this century with the re-emergence of Wicca. Here both men and women celebrate the Divine Goddess and God, a spiritual balance is taking place, acknowledging both the female and male aspects of Divinity, the New Age Aquarius, with its feminine energies, hopes to bring balance to the destructive aspects of the Piscean Age.
Does anyone still believe in the Goddess?
Yes, many cultures never lost touch with the Female Divinity, the Hindus of India have many Goddesses amongst their pantheon of deities. In Japanese culture, the great Sun Goddess, Amaterasu is still honoured as the Divine Mother of the Japanese people. In China the Goddess of Mercy, Kwan Yin (Quan Yin) still attracts many devotees. A feminine presence was added to Christianity by the Council of Ephesus in 431 CE when the Virgin Mary was named Theotokos (Mother of God). With the re-emergence of Wicca, Dianic Wicca, Goddess and Neo-paganism, more and more people are incorporating Goddess worship into their beliefs.
What kind of Goddesses are there?
There are many thousands of Goddesses, throughout the world, each region had its own aspects of the Goddess, the Great Mother Goddess, however appears to have had a universal following. The Goddess has been known by many names and aspects in many different cultures and ages: Anat, Aphrodite, Aradia, Arianrhod, Artemis, Astarte, Brighid, Ceres, Demeter, Diana, Eostre, Freya, Gaia, Hera, Ishtar, Isis, Juno, Kali, Lilith, Ma'at, Mary, Minerva, Ostare, Persephone, Venus, Vesta, etc.
The Goddess is often visualized in her three aspects: Maiden, Mother and Crone, and her corresponding sacred colours white, red, black.
I wove it once with colours white,
With black I wound it through
Then I did dye it with a red
That binds the life to you.
These aspects are mirrored in the phases of the moon: waxing, full and waning. The Maiden represents youth, emerging sexuality, the huntress running with her hounds. The Mother symbolizes feminine power, fertility, and nurturing. The Crone is wisdom, the compassion which comes from experience, and the one who guides us through the death experience. All aspects of the Triple-Goddess represent different types of healing and growth.
The Goddess is often visualized in her three aspects: Maiden, Mother and Crone, and her corresponding sacred colours white, red, black.
I wove it once with colours white,
With black I wound it through
Then I did dye it with a red
That binds the life to you.
These aspects are mirrored in the phases of the moon: waxing, full and waning. The Maiden represents youth, emerging sexuality, the huntress running with her hounds. The Mother symbolizes feminine power, fertility, and nurturing. The Crone is wisdom, the compassion which comes from experience, and the one who guides us through the death experience. All aspects of the Triple-Goddess represent different types of healing and growth.
Reclaiming the Goddess
The Goddess did not simply die out or go into cold storage, only to be revived in the same forms she manifested then, instead she remained veiled and denigrated and ignored most of the time or else she is exalted, hymned and pedestalled as an allegorical abstraction of female divinity.
In allowing the Goddess to become an abstraction, we have lost touch with the Goddess. We no longer speak the language of the Goddess, we have forgotten how and we have allowed the concept of the Goddess to be almost erased from consciousness.
With the resurgence of modern Paganism, with it views on a balanced human and divine nature, so some have found that the Goddess has always been there, yet somehow humanity forgot and so the idea of a Goddess as a central point of creation is finding a welcome response.
In allowing the Goddess to become an abstraction, we have lost touch with the Goddess. We no longer speak the language of the Goddess, we have forgotten how and we have allowed the concept of the Goddess to be almost erased from consciousness.
With the resurgence of modern Paganism, with it views on a balanced human and divine nature, so some have found that the Goddess has always been there, yet somehow humanity forgot and so the idea of a Goddess as a central point of creation is finding a welcome response.
Modern Goddess Worship
The Neo-pagans, modern witches and even scientists, are starting to view Gaia after the Greek Goddess, or Mother Earth, as a bio system and we are all dependant upon each other for survival. She attributes consciousness to the earth and believes it to be spiritual as well. In other words, Gaia is a living and evolving being that has a spiritual destiny. Goddess worship is an attempt to reintroduce the sacred aspect of the earth and to remind us all that She is our ever- bountiful Mother. The Goddess is the giver of all life and is found in all of creation.
An acceptance of the Goddess is important to both men and women, for men it allows them to acknowledge the feminine energies within and to accept their desire and need of a protective, nurturing feminine presence. "The importance of the Goddess symbol for women cannot be overstressed. The image of the Goddess inspires women to see ourselves as divine, our bodies as sacred, the changing phases of our lives as holy, our aggression as healthy, and our anger as purifying. Through the Goddess, we can discover our strength, enlighten our minds, own our bodies, and celebrate our emotions."
When an individual seeks the Goddess either through Wicca, the feminist movement, the New Age, or the liberal church, he or she is beginning a journey to bring to balance the female and male energies. We are a blending of both male and female energies, so it it natural to want to balance our spiritual lives, by accepting the Goddess and God, we start our quest to discover our inner 'higher self'. This higher self, is often referred to as the "god self," and is the path to pure truth, deep wisdom. The Yin Yang symbol is a perfect reminder of the balance that is achieved when these two energies come together in a positive way.
An acceptance of the Goddess is important to both men and women, for men it allows them to acknowledge the feminine energies within and to accept their desire and need of a protective, nurturing feminine presence. "The importance of the Goddess symbol for women cannot be overstressed. The image of the Goddess inspires women to see ourselves as divine, our bodies as sacred, the changing phases of our lives as holy, our aggression as healthy, and our anger as purifying. Through the Goddess, we can discover our strength, enlighten our minds, own our bodies, and celebrate our emotions."
When an individual seeks the Goddess either through Wicca, the feminist movement, the New Age, or the liberal church, he or she is beginning a journey to bring to balance the female and male energies. We are a blending of both male and female energies, so it it natural to want to balance our spiritual lives, by accepting the Goddess and God, we start our quest to discover our inner 'higher self'. This higher self, is often referred to as the "god self," and is the path to pure truth, deep wisdom. The Yin Yang symbol is a perfect reminder of the balance that is achieved when these two energies come together in a positive way.
Starsign: Sagittarius
22nd Nov - 21st Dec
The Archer.
A Masculine, Mutable Fire sign.
Sagittarius is associated with the earthy pleasures of good food and the possessive love of the physical realm.
The Archer.
A Masculine, Mutable Fire sign.
Sagittarius is associated with the earthy pleasures of good food and the possessive love of the physical realm.
Sabbats
Nothern Hemisphere
Imbolc - Feb 2nd
Ostara - Mar 21st/22nd
Beltane - April 30th/May 1st
Lithia - June 21st/22nd
Lammas - July 31st/Aug 1st
Mabon - Sept 21st/22nd
Samhain - Oct 31st
Yule - Dec 21st/22nd
The Next Sabbat is: Yule in 24 days.
Imbolc - Feb 2nd
Ostara - Mar 21st/22nd
Beltane - April 30th/May 1st
Lithia - June 21st/22nd
Lammas - July 31st/Aug 1st
Mabon - Sept 21st/22nd
Samhain - Oct 31st
Yule - Dec 21st/22nd
The Next Sabbat is: Yule in 24 days.
Moon Phases
Moon Phases
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Tuesday, 27 November 2012
Next full moon is
in about 0 day
Last Quarter Nov 7 00:36
New Moon Nov 13 22:08
First Quarter Nov 20 14:31
Full Moon Nov 28 14:46
Monday, November 26, 2012
Large Anne Stokes Greenman tile
Perfect for displaying the sacred Greenman upon your altar or where ever else you might like his visage, this large tile can be hung, laid flat, or propped up on a stand that extends from its back. Featuring the artwork of Anne Stokes, the tile displays the Greenman in all of his verdant greenery, with leaves and vines sprouting from his face as would facial hair from the face of an ordinary man. With clear, kind eyes and a slight smile upon his face, he seems a kindly old man in this representation of nature`s wisdom and power. The whole tile measures approximately 7 3/4" wide and 11 1/2" high and comes with several hooks upon its back to hang it as you desire or set back upon its rest. Price: $22.99
Order through the link...
Yellow Day of the Dead Skull Box
Created in imitation of the sugar skulls made in celebration of the Mexican Day of the Dead (Dia de lose Muertos), this skull-shaped box is a rather beautiful creation. Decorated with patterns of flower, a Cross, and similar colorful patterns against a yellow backdrop, the skull stops being a macabre image and becomes a celebration of the dead. Lift up the top portion, and you will also find a spacious container in which you can place sacred herbs, offerings, and any manner of ritual item that you can think of. The whole box, sculpted of cold cast resin, measures 4 1/2" tall and 3 1/2" wide, with interior dimensions of approximately 2 1/2" by 2 1/2". Price: $20.95
Order now at the link. http://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Day-Dead-Skull-Box/dp/B0086JVIT4/ref=?ie=UTF8&m=A2ZI824SAUKPOT
Soapstone Triple Moon diffuser
Beautifully cut to stand 3 1/2" tall and 3" square, this soapstone oil diffuser has the triple moon, symbol of the goddess, carved into three sides of its candle holder base. Easy to clean, with a removable oil bowl and smooth surfaces, this diffuser using only a tealight candle to heat the oil and release its scent about the room. Price: $17.95
http://www.amazon.com/Soapstone-Triple-Moon-diffuser-OD5069/dp/B0053U1O84/ref=?ie=UTF8&m=A2ZI824SAUKPOT
http://www.amazon.com/Soapstone-Triple-Moon-diffuser-OD5069/dp/B0053U1O84/ref=?ie=UTF8&m=A2ZI824SAUKPOT
Amber Resin Necklace
http://www.amazon.com/Nino-Cerruti-AzureGreen-Amber-Necklace/dp/B000VUYF32/ref=?ie=UTF8&m=A2ZI824SAUKPOT Go to the link above to order.
Amber Resin from the Himalayas is boxed in a beautiful brass charm, and comes on a 24" black satin necklace cord. The charm is also quite elegant worn on a gold or silver chain, or on a choker. The intoxicating aroma is calming, yet helps to balance the body, mind and soul. Wear it to attract the one you love or simply to create an inner sense of harmony. Its rich, wonderful scent will last for years. Brass charm can be square (7/16") or round (" dia.).Price: $24.95
http://www.amazon.com/metapot-com-Moons-of-Magic-Pendant/dp/B0026Y89HO/ref=?ie=UTF8&m=A2ZI824SAUKPOT
Price: $15.95
Friday, November 9, 2012
Sunday is Remembrance Day
O.K. Folks we are all here because of the brave people from the past. The ones who stood up for what they believe in.
This Sunday is Remembrance Day. This is for the fallen.
IN MEMORIAM
Buy a poppy, proudly wear the flower.
Remember them at the eleventh hour.
When we think of the hardship they went through,
Quiet reflection's the least we can do.
Let's bear in mind each selfless sacrifice.
Too many people pay the highest price.
Giving all with courage and conviction,
Through their own volition or conscription.
With dignity these people gave their lives,
Facing bayonets, bullets, bombs and knives.
Two minutes for the unknown soldier's ghost
Cannons salute, the bugler sounds Last Post.
On the line they put themselves everyday,
So those who disagree can have their say.
Pay tribute to them all, alive or slain
So liberty and free speech can remain.
© 08/11/08 MICHAEL DENNIS 'The Black Cab Poet' As featured on and the inspiration for The Janice Long Spoken Word Sessions B.B.C. Radio 2, 18/04/12. Over 40 poems read out on Steve Allen's Early Morning Breakfast Show L.B.C. 97.3FM. Featured on the Jeni Barnett Show B.B.C. Radio London 94.9FM 29/5/11, in an article in The Metro 06/05/08, in Will Self's article in The Standard 20/05/08, The Chav Bird Song as played by David Rodigan on Kiss 100 FM, Complete and Utter Banker Song www.youtube.com/theblackcabpoet tweet@theblackcabpoet www.facebook.com/theblackcabpoet garfieldpark@talktalk.net www.soundcloud.com/theblackcabpoet www.cowbird.com/theblackcabpoet
THE BLACK CAB POET A Collection of Poems available at Amazon on Kindle http://t.co/ybTSB0OS
Is Water Alive?
Masaru Emoto was born in Yokohama, Japan in July 1943 and a graduate of the Yokohama Municipal University's department of humanities and sciences with a focus on International Relations. In 1986 he established the IHM Corporation in Tokyo. In October of 1992 he received certification from the Open International University as a Doctor of Alternative Medicine. Subsequently he was introduced to the concept of micro cluster water in the US and Magnetic Resonance Analysis technology. The quest thus began to discover the mystery of water. He undertook extensive research of water around the planet not so much as a scientific researcher, but more from the perspective of an original thinker. At length he realized that it was in the frozen crystal form that water showed us its true nature through. He has gained worldwide acclaim through his groundbreaking research and discovery that water is deeply connected to our individual and collective consciousness. He is the author of the best-selling books Messages from Water, The Hidden Messages in Water, and The True Power of Water. He is a long-time advocate for peace in relation to water. He is currently the head of the I.H.M.General Research Institute and President Emeritus of the International Water for Life Foundation, a Not for Profit Organization. Mr. Emoto has been visually documenting these molecular changes in water by means of his photographic techniques. He freezes droplets of water and then examines them under a dark field microscope that has photographic capabilities. Some examples from his works include: Water from clear mountain springs and streams had beautifully formed crystalline structures, while the crystals of polluted or stagnant water were deformed and distorted. Distilled water exposed to classical music took delicate, symmetrical crystalline shapes. When the words "thank you" were taped to a bottle of distilled water, the frozen crystals had a similar shape to the crystals formed by water that had been exposed to Bach's "Goldberg Variations"- music composed out of gratitude to the man it was named for. When water samples were bombarded with heavy metal music or labeled with negative words, or when negative thoughts and emotions were focused intentionally upon them, such as "Adolf Hitler", the water did not form crystals at all and displayed chaotic, fragmented structures. When water was treated with aromatic floral oils, the water crystals tended to mimic the shape of the original flower. Sometimes, when we cannot see the immediate results of our affirmations and or prayers, we think we have failed. But, as we learn through Masaru Emoto's photographs, that thought of failure itself becomes represented in the physical objects that surround us. Now that we have seen this, perhaps we can begin to realize that even when immediate results are invisible to the unaided human eye, they are still there. When we love our own bodies, they respond. When we send our love to the Earth, she responds. For our own bodies at birth are more than 60 percent water, and the percentage of water in our bodies remains high throughout life (depending upon weight and body type). The earth's surface is more than 60 percent water as well. And now we have seen before our eyes that water is far from inanimate, but is actually alive and responsive to our every thought and emotion. Perhaps, having seen this, we can begin to really understand the awesome power that we possess, through choosing our thoughts and intentions, to heal ourselves and the earth. If only we believe. Whether you participate in global meditations, or simply do this inner work in the quiet of your own loving mind and heart -- we can heal the body of our earth and recreate a clear, pristine world to hand down to our children for seven generations. Office Masaru Emoto: http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/e_ome_home.html Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masaru_Emoto Music by: Antony Raijekov-Photo theme Peace, love and light.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
2 states legalize pot, but don't 'break out the Cheetos' yet
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Pro-pot groups cheered passage of referendums legalizing recreational marijuana in Colorado and Washington state as the "light at the end of the tunnel" in their 50-year campaign to make the drug legal nationwide.
"Yesterday's elections have forever changed the playing field regarding cannabis prohibition laws in America (and probably in large parts of the world, too)," Allen St. Pierre, executive director of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, wrote in a celebratory blog Wednesday.
But Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper warned it's too soon to "break out the Cheetos," because his state must still navigate federal laws before citizens can legally buy and sell cannabis.
Highs and lows of using marijuana
The Drug Enforcement Administration quickly tried to spoil the Rocky Mountain high, issuing a statement Wednesday morning saying the DEA's "enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act remains unchanged."
"In enacting the Controlled Substances Act, Congress determined that marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance," the DEA statement said. "The Department of Justice is reviewing the ballot initiatives, and we have no additional comment at this time."
Voters in Massachusetts -- and possibly Montana, pending final vote counts -- also approved medical marijuana referendums, allowing doctors to prescribe the drug to patients suffering serious medical problems, which were carefully spelled out.
Colorado, Washington pass marijuana legalization; Oregon says no
In Massachusetts, a doctor who has a "bona fide" relationship with a patient would have to certify the patient suffered "a debilitating medical condition, such as cancer, glaucoma, HIV-positive status or AIDS, hepatitis C, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS, or multiple sclerosis."
Medical marijuana is already legal in 17 states, including California, where it was estimated two years ago that Los Angeles County had more medical marijuana shops than liquor stores.
Salesmen invited tourists walking along the Venice Beach boardwalk into a store, next to the T-shirt and sunglasses stall, to see a doctor who would give them a marijuana license and prescription.
The smell of burning cannabis wafted through the air along Hollywood streets and neon green crosses marked where citizens could get their pot supplies.
In the past two years, however, local city councils have enacted restrictions on where the shops can locate, forcing many to close.
"Some medical marijuana clinics have been taken over by illegal for-profit businesses that sell recreational marijuana to healthy young adults and attract crime," Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said in September.
Federal prosecutors have aggressively worked to rein in the proliferation of pot distribution locations, contending the operations draw criminals because of the large amounts of cash involved.
Three forfeiture lawsuits were filed and warning letters were sent to 71 "illegal marijuana stores" in Los Angeles and Huntington Park, California, in September by federal authorities.
Voters approve same-sex marriage for the first time
Last month, a federal grand jury indicted 14 people "associated with a chain of nine marijuana stores" in Orange and Los Angeles counties on federal drug trafficking charges. The indictment included tax evasion and weapons charges.
NORML's main argument is that marijuana is "far less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco," which are the only recreational drugs more popular than pot in the United States.
"Marijuana is nontoxic and cannot cause death by overdose," while hundreds of thousands die from tobacco and alcohol use each year, NORML's website says.
Legalization could save U.S. taxpayers the $10 billion spent each year on enforcing marijuana prohibition, and eliminate the criminal cases against more than 750,000 people arrested per year for possession, which NORML says is "far more than the total number of arrestees for all violent crimes combined, including murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault."
"The voters have spoken and we have to respect their will," Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper said in a written statement released by his office.
"This will be a complicated process, but we intend to follow through. That said, federal law still says marijuana is an illegal drug, so don't break out the Cheetos or Goldfish too quickly," he said, referring to two snack food products.
Marijuana could be legal across Colorado within two months, according to a spokesman for the governor's office.
The 536 medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado could begin selling to the general public then, according to University of Denver law professor Sam Kamin.
Whether the federal government allows that to happen is "a billion dollar question," Kamin said.
"Every store that sells marijuana here is violating federal law," he said. "The federal government could come in and seize assets. They could charge people criminally. They could send people to jail for scores of years. They have chosen, so far, not to do that."
With almost half the states now legalizing marijuana to some degree, the federal government will have to make a decision, he said.
"It simply can't go on the way it is," Kamin said. "It can't be a big industry and a Federal crime at the same time."
Highs and lows of using marijuana
Amendment 64 in Colorado will alter the state constitution to legalize and regulate the production, possession, and distribution of marijuana for people age 21 and older.
The Washington state measure includes a 25% tax imposed when the grower sells marijuana to a processor, again when the processor sells it to a retailer, and a third time when the retailer sells it to a customer.
Supporters estimated it would raise as much as $500 million for the state -- a figure analysts say is overstated.
While Washington and Colorado voters became the first to legalize marijuana for recreational use, a similar proposal was rejected in Oregon Tuesday. And Arkansas voters narrowly said no to a medical marijuana referendum similar to the one that passed in Massachusetts.
"Will there continue to be fits and starts, federal government incursion into state sovereignty and obstinate politicians?" NORML's St. Pierre wrote. "Surely. However, the dye for major cannabis law reforms is now cast."
"The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is before us all."
CNN's Stephanie Oswald contributed to this report.
"Yesterday's elections have forever changed the playing field regarding cannabis prohibition laws in America (and probably in large parts of the world, too)," Allen St. Pierre, executive director of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, wrote in a celebratory blog Wednesday.
But Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper warned it's too soon to "break out the Cheetos," because his state must still navigate federal laws before citizens can legally buy and sell cannabis.
Highs and lows of using marijuana
The Drug Enforcement Administration quickly tried to spoil the Rocky Mountain high, issuing a statement Wednesday morning saying the DEA's "enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act remains unchanged."
"In enacting the Controlled Substances Act, Congress determined that marijuana is a Schedule I controlled substance," the DEA statement said. "The Department of Justice is reviewing the ballot initiatives, and we have no additional comment at this time."
Voters in Massachusetts -- and possibly Montana, pending final vote counts -- also approved medical marijuana referendums, allowing doctors to prescribe the drug to patients suffering serious medical problems, which were carefully spelled out.
Colorado, Washington pass marijuana legalization; Oregon says no
In Massachusetts, a doctor who has a "bona fide" relationship with a patient would have to certify the patient suffered "a debilitating medical condition, such as cancer, glaucoma, HIV-positive status or AIDS, hepatitis C, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS, or multiple sclerosis."
Medical marijuana is already legal in 17 states, including California, where it was estimated two years ago that Los Angeles County had more medical marijuana shops than liquor stores.
Salesmen invited tourists walking along the Venice Beach boardwalk into a store, next to the T-shirt and sunglasses stall, to see a doctor who would give them a marijuana license and prescription.
The smell of burning cannabis wafted through the air along Hollywood streets and neon green crosses marked where citizens could get their pot supplies.
In the past two years, however, local city councils have enacted restrictions on where the shops can locate, forcing many to close.
"Some medical marijuana clinics have been taken over by illegal for-profit businesses that sell recreational marijuana to healthy young adults and attract crime," Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said in September.
Federal prosecutors have aggressively worked to rein in the proliferation of pot distribution locations, contending the operations draw criminals because of the large amounts of cash involved.
Three forfeiture lawsuits were filed and warning letters were sent to 71 "illegal marijuana stores" in Los Angeles and Huntington Park, California, in September by federal authorities.
Voters approve same-sex marriage for the first time
Last month, a federal grand jury indicted 14 people "associated with a chain of nine marijuana stores" in Orange and Los Angeles counties on federal drug trafficking charges. The indictment included tax evasion and weapons charges.
NORML's main argument is that marijuana is "far less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco," which are the only recreational drugs more popular than pot in the United States.
"Marijuana is nontoxic and cannot cause death by overdose," while hundreds of thousands die from tobacco and alcohol use each year, NORML's website says.
Legalization could save U.S. taxpayers the $10 billion spent each year on enforcing marijuana prohibition, and eliminate the criminal cases against more than 750,000 people arrested per year for possession, which NORML says is "far more than the total number of arrestees for all violent crimes combined, including murder, rape, robbery and aggravated assault."
"The voters have spoken and we have to respect their will," Colorado Gov. Hickenlooper said in a written statement released by his office.
"This will be a complicated process, but we intend to follow through. That said, federal law still says marijuana is an illegal drug, so don't break out the Cheetos or Goldfish too quickly," he said, referring to two snack food products.
Marijuana could be legal across Colorado within two months, according to a spokesman for the governor's office.
The 536 medical marijuana dispensaries in Colorado could begin selling to the general public then, according to University of Denver law professor Sam Kamin.
Whether the federal government allows that to happen is "a billion dollar question," Kamin said.
"Every store that sells marijuana here is violating federal law," he said. "The federal government could come in and seize assets. They could charge people criminally. They could send people to jail for scores of years. They have chosen, so far, not to do that."
With almost half the states now legalizing marijuana to some degree, the federal government will have to make a decision, he said.
"It simply can't go on the way it is," Kamin said. "It can't be a big industry and a Federal crime at the same time."
Highs and lows of using marijuana
Amendment 64 in Colorado will alter the state constitution to legalize and regulate the production, possession, and distribution of marijuana for people age 21 and older.
The Washington state measure includes a 25% tax imposed when the grower sells marijuana to a processor, again when the processor sells it to a retailer, and a third time when the retailer sells it to a customer.
Supporters estimated it would raise as much as $500 million for the state -- a figure analysts say is overstated.
While Washington and Colorado voters became the first to legalize marijuana for recreational use, a similar proposal was rejected in Oregon Tuesday. And Arkansas voters narrowly said no to a medical marijuana referendum similar to the one that passed in Massachusetts.
"Will there continue to be fits and starts, federal government incursion into state sovereignty and obstinate politicians?" NORML's St. Pierre wrote. "Surely. However, the dye for major cannabis law reforms is now cast."
"The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is before us all."
CNN's Stephanie Oswald contributed to this report.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/07/politics/marijuana-legalization/index.html
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Night Sky: Visible Planets, Moon Phases & Events, November 2012
The night sky tonight and on any clear night offers an ever-changing display of fascinating objects you can see, from stars and constellations to bright planets, often the moon, and sometimes special events like meteor showers. Observing the night sky can be done with no special equipment, although a sky map can be very useful, and a good beginner telescope or binoculars will enhance some experiences and bring some otherwise invisible objects into view. Below, find out what’s up in the night sky tonight (Planets Visible Now, Moon Phases, Observing Highlights This Month) plus other resources (Skywatching Terms, Night Sky Observing Tips and Further Reading).
Monthly skywatching information is provided to SPACE.com by Geoff Gaherty of Starry Night Education, the leader in space science curriculum solutions. Follow Starry Night on Twitter @StarryNightEdu.
Editor's note: If you have an amazing skywatching photo you'd like to share for a possible story or image gallery, please contact managing editor Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com.
Moon Phases
Tue., November 6, 7:36 p.m. EST
Last Quarter Moon
The last or third quarter moon rises around 11:45 p.m. and sets around 1:15 p.m. It is most easily seen just after sunrise in the southern sky.
Tue., November 13, 5:08 p.m. EST
New Moon
The moon is not visible on the date of new moon because it is too close to the sun, but can be seen low in the east as a narrow crescent a morning or two before, just before sunrise. It is visible low in the west an evening or two after new moon.
Tue., November 20, 9:31 a.m. EST
First Quarter Moon
The first quarter moon rises around 1:00 p.m. and sets around 12:15 a.m. It dominates the evening sky
Wed., November 28, 9:46 a.m. EST
Full Moon
The full moon of November is called the beaver moon. In Algonquian it is called the “much white frost on grass” moon. Other names are frost moon, snow moon and hunter's moon. In Hindi it is known as kartik poornima. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is il. The full moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, the only night in the month when the moon is in the sky all night long. The rest of the month, the moon spends at least some time in the daytime sky.
Observing Highlights
Thu., November 1, 9 p.m.
Jupiter and the moon
The moon will pass just south of Jupiter soon after moonrise in the eastern sky.
Sun., November 11, 6 a.m.
Venus, Spica and the moon
About an hour before sunrise, The Moon joins the planet Venus and the bright star Spica in the morning sky.
Wed., November 14, morning
Total eclipse of the sun
The path of this eclipse crosses northern Queensland, Australia before heading out across the Pacific Ocean. It will be visible as a partial eclipse over all of Australia and New Zealand, as well as most of the southern Pacific Ocean and southwestern South America.
New Moon
The moon is not visible on the date of new moon because it is too close to the sun, but can be seen low in the east as a narrow crescent a morning or two before, just before sunrise. It is visible low in the west an evening or two after new moon.
Tue., November 20, 9:31 a.m. EST
First Quarter Moon
The first quarter moon rises around 1:00 p.m. and sets around 12:15 a.m. It dominates the evening sky
Wed., November 28, 9:46 a.m. EST
Full Moon
The full moon of November is called the beaver moon. In Algonquian it is called the “much white frost on grass” moon. Other names are frost moon, snow moon and hunter's moon. In Hindi it is known as kartik poornima. Its Sinhala (Buddhist) name is il. The full moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, the only night in the month when the moon is in the sky all night long. The rest of the month, the moon spends at least some time in the daytime sky.
Observing Highlights
Thu., November 1, 9 p.m.
Jupiter and the moon
The moon will pass just south of Jupiter soon after moonrise in the eastern sky.
Sun., November 11, 6 a.m.
Venus, Spica and the moon
About an hour before sunrise, The Moon joins the planet Venus and the bright star Spica in the morning sky.
Wed., November 14, morning
Total eclipse of the sun
The path of this eclipse crosses northern Queensland, Australia before heading out across the Pacific Ocean. It will be visible as a partial eclipse over all of Australia and New Zealand, as well as most of the southern Pacific Ocean and southwestern South America.
Sat., November 17, 3 a.m.
Leonid meteor shower peaks
The Leonid meteor shower has at times produced incredible storms of meteors. This year is not predicted to be anything out of the ordinary, but there’s always a chance of seeing a good number of meteors, especially this year since there will be no Moon in the sky after midnight when meteors are most frequent.
Tue., November 27, before sunrise
Venus and Saturn in conjunction
A close approach between Venus and Saturn provides a rare opportunity to see two planets in the same telescope field, as well as being a treat for the unaided eye. Venus will be far brighter than Saturn.
Wed., November 28, 9 p.m.
Jupiter and the moon
The moon will again pass just south of Jupiter soon after moonrise in the eastern sky.
Wed./Thu., November 28/29
Penumbral eclipse of the moon
This eclipse is best viewed in Asia, Australasia, and the northwestern Pacific Ocean. It will be at maximum near the middle of the night, on the night which begins on the 28th and ends on the 29th. The moon will only be passing through the Earth’s penumbral shadow (outer circle), so will only be slightly shaded at maximum eclipse; you will need to look closely to see the shading.
Leonid meteor shower peaks
The Leonid meteor shower has at times produced incredible storms of meteors. This year is not predicted to be anything out of the ordinary, but there’s always a chance of seeing a good number of meteors, especially this year since there will be no Moon in the sky after midnight when meteors are most frequent.
Tue., November 27, before sunrise
Venus and Saturn in conjunction
A close approach between Venus and Saturn provides a rare opportunity to see two planets in the same telescope field, as well as being a treat for the unaided eye. Venus will be far brighter than Saturn.
Wed., November 28, 9 p.m.
Jupiter and the moon
The moon will again pass just south of Jupiter soon after moonrise in the eastern sky.
Wed./Thu., November 28/29
Penumbral eclipse of the moon
This eclipse is best viewed in Asia, Australasia, and the northwestern Pacific Ocean. It will be at maximum near the middle of the night, on the night which begins on the 28th and ends on the 29th. The moon will only be passing through the Earth’s penumbral shadow (outer circle), so will only be slightly shaded at maximum eclipse; you will need to look closely to see the shading.
Planets
Mercury is too close to the sun all month to be observed.
Venus is still a morning “star,” shining brightly before sunrise. It spends most of the month in Virgo, crossing into Libra on November 27.
Mars has faded into the west moving behind the sun. It moves from Ophiuchus into Sagittarius on November 12.
Jupiter is now in Taurus, close to Aldebaran and the Hyades. It rises about an hour after sunset, and is visible the rest of the night.
Saturn reappears from behind the sun in the morning sky around the middle of the month, just in time for a spectacular conjunction with Venus on November 27.
Uranus is visible most of the night in Pisces. It sets around 3 a.m.
Neptune remains in the depths of Aquarius all month, and sets around midnight.
SKYWATCHING TERMS
Asterism: A noteworthy or striking pattern of stars within a larger constellation.
Degrees (measuring the sky): The sky is 360 degrees all the way around, which means roughly 180 degrees from horizon to horizon. It’s easy to measure distances between objects: Your fist on an outstretched arm covers about 10 degrees of sky.
Visual Magnitude: This is the astronomer’s scale for measuring the brightness of objects in the sky. The dimmest object visible in the night sky under perfectly dark conditions is about magnitude 6.5. Brighter stars are magnitude 2 or 1. The brightest objects get negative numbers. Venus can be as bright as magnitude minus 4.9. The full moon is minus 12.7 and the sun is minus 26.8.
Terminator: The boundary on the moon between sunlight and shadow.
Zenith: The point in the sky directly overhead.
NIGHT SKY OBSERVING TIPS
Adjust to the dark: If you wish to observe faint objects, such as meteors or dim stars, give your eyes at least 15 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
Light Pollution: Even from a big city, one can see the moon, a handful of bright stars and sometimes the brightest planets. But to fully enjoy the heavens — especially a meteor shower, the constellations, or to see the amazing swath across the sky that represents our view toward the center of the Milky Way Galaxy — rural areas are best for night sky viewing. If you’re stuck in a city or suburban area, a building can be used to block ambient light (or moonlight) to help reveal fainter objects. If you’re in the suburbs, simply turning off outdoor lights can help.
Prepare for skywatching: If you plan to be out for more than a few minutes, and it’s not a warm summer evening, dress warmer than you think necessary. An hour of observing a winter meteor shower can chill you to the bone. A blanket or lounge chair will prove much more comfortable than standing or sitting in a chair and craning your neck to see overhead.
Daytime skywatching: When Venus is visible (that is, not in front of or behind the sun) it can often be spotted during the day. But you’ll need to know where to look. A sky map is helpful. When the sun has large sunspots, they can be seen without a telescope. However, it’s unsafe to look at the sun without protective eyewear.
by:
Mercury is too close to the sun all month to be observed.
Venus is still a morning “star,” shining brightly before sunrise. It spends most of the month in Virgo, crossing into Libra on November 27.
Mars has faded into the west moving behind the sun. It moves from Ophiuchus into Sagittarius on November 12.
Jupiter is now in Taurus, close to Aldebaran and the Hyades. It rises about an hour after sunset, and is visible the rest of the night.
Saturn reappears from behind the sun in the morning sky around the middle of the month, just in time for a spectacular conjunction with Venus on November 27.
Uranus is visible most of the night in Pisces. It sets around 3 a.m.
Neptune remains in the depths of Aquarius all month, and sets around midnight.
SKYWATCHING TERMS
Asterism: A noteworthy or striking pattern of stars within a larger constellation.
Degrees (measuring the sky): The sky is 360 degrees all the way around, which means roughly 180 degrees from horizon to horizon. It’s easy to measure distances between objects: Your fist on an outstretched arm covers about 10 degrees of sky.
Visual Magnitude: This is the astronomer’s scale for measuring the brightness of objects in the sky. The dimmest object visible in the night sky under perfectly dark conditions is about magnitude 6.5. Brighter stars are magnitude 2 or 1. The brightest objects get negative numbers. Venus can be as bright as magnitude minus 4.9. The full moon is minus 12.7 and the sun is minus 26.8.
Terminator: The boundary on the moon between sunlight and shadow.
Zenith: The point in the sky directly overhead.
NIGHT SKY OBSERVING TIPS
Adjust to the dark: If you wish to observe faint objects, such as meteors or dim stars, give your eyes at least 15 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
Light Pollution: Even from a big city, one can see the moon, a handful of bright stars and sometimes the brightest planets. But to fully enjoy the heavens — especially a meteor shower, the constellations, or to see the amazing swath across the sky that represents our view toward the center of the Milky Way Galaxy — rural areas are best for night sky viewing. If you’re stuck in a city or suburban area, a building can be used to block ambient light (or moonlight) to help reveal fainter objects. If you’re in the suburbs, simply turning off outdoor lights can help.
Prepare for skywatching: If you plan to be out for more than a few minutes, and it’s not a warm summer evening, dress warmer than you think necessary. An hour of observing a winter meteor shower can chill you to the bone. A blanket or lounge chair will prove much more comfortable than standing or sitting in a chair and craning your neck to see overhead.
Daytime skywatching: When Venus is visible (that is, not in front of or behind the sun) it can often be spotted during the day. But you’ll need to know where to look. A sky map is helpful. When the sun has large sunspots, they can be seen without a telescope. However, it’s unsafe to look at the sun without protective eyewear.
by:
http://www.space.com/16149-night-sky.html
Total Solar Eclipse and Minor Lunar Eclipse to Grace Nov. Skies
November's a good month for celestial shadow play. Stargazers will get two eclipses in about as many weeks, the first a dazzling total solar eclipse that will showcase the sun's corona approaching peak activity, and the second a subtler lunar eclipse that will be visible across much of the United States.
The theatrics start on Nov. 13, when residents of northeastern Australia get a false-start sunrise. Just an hour after the sun breaks the horizon in the coastal city of Cairns, it will be fully obscured by the moon, whose shadow will darken the sky and bring the stars back into view for 2 minutes there.
The only visible part of the sun during the total eclipse will be its glowing corona, or outer atmosphere, protruding around the moon's silhouette.
"Occurring as [the eclipse] does within months of the expected solar max, the solar corona should take on a 'wound up' circular shape, with a high potential for tongues of pink nuclear fire leaping from the Sun's edge," said astronomer Robert Berman, who writes for Astronomy Magazine. [Solar Eclipses: An Observer's Guide (Infographic)]
The peak of the sun's regular 11-year activity cycle, usually marked by increased sunspots, solar flares and magnetic bombardments from the sun here on Earth, is expected to arrive in early or mid 2013.
Berman is part of a three-man crew who will be capturing and broadcasting the solar eclipse live with a telescope in northern Australia, the only land area that will witness the total eclipse. (People in parts of New Zealand and Chile will see the sun partially obscured as the moon crosses the sky.) Viewers from around the world can watch the Nov. 13 webcast for free starting at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (1930 GMT) on the Slooh Space Camera, an online service that allows users to observe the night sky from a global network of telescopes.
Slooh will also broadcast the month's second eclipse, a penumbral lunar eclipse that will take place on Nov. 28.
A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth, sun and moon align in the other possible configuration, with the Earth situated in the middle and casting a shadow on the moon. In a penumbral lunar eclipse, the moon never passes through the dark inner core of the Earth's shadow, the umbra, but only the hazy border, the penumbra.
November's penumbral lunar eclipse will manifest as a slight but noticeable darkening of the northern half of the moon; the dimming should be easily visible to the naked eye after most of the moon has dipped into the Earth's penumbra. The eclipse begins at 7: 14 a.m. EST (1214 GMT) and ends at 11:51 a.m. EST (1651 GMT), but the darkening will be most apparent between about 9 a.m. EST (1400 GMT) and 10 a.m. EST (1500 GMT).
Observers in the Eastern United States will miss out on the lunar eclipse, as the moon will already have set there when the eclipse begins. But the rest of the country can watch at least part of it, with the duration of visibility longest for people on the West Coast and in Alaska.
Skywatchers around the world can use this NASA graphic to check if they'll be able to watch the lunar eclipse from their backyard.
Editor's note: If you catch a great photo of one of the month's eclipses that you'd like to share for a possible story or image gallery, please contact managing editor Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com.
Eli MacKinnon, SPACE.com Staff Writer
Date: 05 November 2012 Time: 10:27 AM ET
Friday, November 2, 2012
Faith in action: Festivals, Pagan Pride, Bible study and more.Salt Lake
FolkFest
St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church will host its 15th annual FolkFest.
When » Sept. 8, 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sept. 9, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where » St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 7405 S. Redwood Road, West Jordan
Tickets » Free
Rally Sunday
Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church will hold a Rally Sunday Carnival, which will include a barbecue picnic and carnival. You can "dunk the pastor" in the dunk tank, and there will be a bouncy house, cotton candy and games for the kids. Visit www.oslcslc.org for information.
When » Sept. 9, noon
Where » Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 3900 S. 2500 East, Holladay
Tickets » Free
Pagan Pride Day
Salt Lake Pagan Pride will hold its annual Pagan Pride Day at Murray Park Pavilions 1, 2 and 3. There will be music and booths. For admission, bring a nonperishable food item to donate for The Road Home. Visit www.saltlakeppd.org for information.
When » Sept. 9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Where » Murray Park, 296 E. Murray Park Ave.
Tickets » Free
South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society minister
The South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society will welcome its new developmental minister, the Rev. Patty C. Willis.
When » Sept. 9, 10:30 a.m.
Where » South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society, 6876 S. Highland Drive, Cottonwood Heights
Bible Study Fellowship’s Genesis class
Women can register to study the Book of Genesis through the Bible Study Fellowship program. The class will meet Wednesdays from 9:10-11 a.m. except for Christmas and Easter breaks. Late registrations are accepted throughout the study year. For more information, visit www.bsfinternational.org.
Bible Study Fellowship’s Genesis class
Women can register to study the Book of Genesis through the Bible Study Fellowship program. The class will meet Wednesdays from 9:10-11 a.m. except for Christmas and Easter breaks. Late registrations are accepted throughout the study year. For more information, visit www.bsfinternational.org.
When » Sept. 12, 6:45 p.m.
Where » Mountain Life Church, 7375 N. Silver Creek Road, Park City
Tickets » $15
by:THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/faith/54833074-142/church-sept-tickets-free.html.csp
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Hurricane Sandy A Major Money-Making Opportunity For Many Businesses
Oct 31 (Reuters) - As historic storm Sandy pummeled the U.S. Northeast, knocking out power and crippling transportation in New York City and beyond, the enterprising American spirit was running high - mostly for good, though sometimes leading to accusations of gouging.
Giovanni Hernandez, a tree surgeon working in affluent Millburn, New Jersey, said demand for his services had reached "madness" levels with hundreds of phone calls from people with damaged trees on their property.
"People want us to show up right away but we can't get there because of all the power lines that are still on the ground," said Hernandez.
Sandy was the largest storm to hit the United States in generations, killing at least 64 people and leaving millions without power. One disaster-modeling company said Sandy may have caused up to $15 billion in insured losses, and many small businesses will have suffered a lot of lost sales.
But on Wednesday - the first day after the storm when people tried to return to some kind of routine - scads of businesses owners, street corner entrepreneurs and, occasionally, good old-fashioned hucksters, were out in force to make the most of a rare business opportunity.
For some, the opportunities were natural and obvious. Bad news for homeowners is simply good news for construction firms and home supply retailers, many of whom have struggled in recent years as U.S. home prices slumped and unemployment rose.
On Manhattan's Upper West Side, Beacon Paint & Hardware, a neighborhood staple, was inundated with customers on Wednesday, with long lines to get served.
Gasoline and generators were in big demand across the region, where commuting is a fact of life. The queues at the pump were exacerbated because more than half of all gasoline service stations in the New York City area and New Jersey were shut because of depleted fuel supplies and power outages, industry officials said.
Joe Saluzzi, co-manager of Chatham, New Jersey-based equities brokerage Themis Trading, said the roads were full of tension and angst.
"It's like Mad Max, the movie," he said, referring to the 1979 film starring Mel Gibson that takes place in a post-apocalyptic wasteland where fuel is at a premium.
"Everyone's looking for gas and protecting their gas when they buy it. We were actually on line before getting an extra bunch of gas to makes sure our generator goes on. Gas and generators are gold. They're more popular than an iPhone on release day."
The same could be said for livery drivers in New York. Black sedans and town cars were seen darting over to crowded bus stops in Manhattan's Inwood and Washington Heights neighborhoods to take on passengers tired of waiting for city buses, many of which were filled to capacity.
Fares, though, had usually gone up. Taxi meters weren't always on, lower early-riser car parking fees had disappeared, and a coffee and a pastry in a small deli could cost substantially more than its normal price.
RETAILERS GET CREATIVE
Some store owners found they didn't need to do much to lure in customers feeling cooped up after spending hours indoors.
Carl Darwisch, 45, and his cousin, Charlie, showed up Tuesday morning at their new store, Details Designer Shoe Outlet on the Upper West Side, to survey damage.
But they noticed the streets were teeming with people, who had no work to attend and were looking for things to do.
"I think it was cabin fever," Darwisch said from his packed store, adding that he sold more than 80 pairs of shoes.
Likewise, Orva Shoes, on East 86th Street between Third and Lexington Avenues, was bustling with customers shopping for rain boots.
Further downtown, L'Express, a restaurant on New York's Park Avenue at East 20th Street, set up a temporary counter outside its front door to sell $2 coffee. A sign proclaimed to passers-by: "We help you when there's no Starbucks," a reference to the popular coffee chain that closed its outlets during the storm.
Larger stores around the region also tried to lure in customers during and after the storm. Barney's New York had a "Settle in with Style" sale that began at noon on Monday, just as the hurricane-force winds were starting to pick up.
In a blast e-mail ad campaign, it offered sale prices on Japanese Sencha green tea, travel backgammon sets and $500 geometric throw blankets.
Some people were clearly drowning their sorrows as business was brisk at area liquor stores, an opportunity that Brooklyn's Gnarly Vines Wines and Spirits was quick to take advantage of. The store was open Sunday through Tuesday and saw a steady stream of customers, even during periods of high wind.
"Sunday was the busiest day of the year for us so far. Sales were almost as good as on last Christmas Eve," said store manager Ben Rosenthal, who said the store also worked through Hurricane Irene last year. "For us storms are basically the same as major holidays." (Reporting by William Schomberg, Caroline Valetkevich, Steven C. Johnson, Ilaina Jonas, Mirjam Donath, Patrick Flanary, Eric Platt, Edith Honan and Hoda Emam; Writing by Steven C. Johnson; Editing by David Gaffen, Martin Howell and Lisa Shumaker)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/31/hurricane-sandy-money-making_n_2052976.html?ncid=txtlnkushpmg00000029#slide=1701705
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