Away

I haven't been blogging a lot the last days. I didn't write myself and I didn't visit other blogs. Nothing serious, but I'm not feeling too well. Headaches, dizzy, very tired and weak. I didn't go to my aquaspinning class Wednesday, I sleep a lot and I do the things I have to if I can. Mentally I'm okay, but my body isn't really cooperating.
I'll be back, I just thought I'd let you know!

COT #13: Meet Bagheera!

CATS ON TUESDAY is a group of cat lovers

who share pictures and/or stories about their cats once a week,

hosted by Gattina.

I have adopted a new cat.... My totem animal is a black panther, so I decided I wanted to do something for a real black panther. Her name is Bagheera! Of course she doesn't live with us; she lives at Big Cat Rescue, an educational sanctuary and a home for more than 100 big cats in Tampa, Florida.

Bagheera
DOB March 1 (1989)

Here's her bio:

Bagheera came to Big Cat Rescue on May 27, 1995 from Oklahoma, with Adonnis. Watch this movie clip done by Julie Hanan as a thank you to Vern for building the cage expansion for them that she won in a contest at Big Cat Rescue. Play clip.
Bagheera had also been declawed and it was the intention of her owners to keep her as a pet. As usually happens, this plan just didn’t work out. When they moved, they had no room for their leopards. How sad that people refuse to think of the long term consequences of impulsive decisions like buying an exotic animal to raise as a pet. It rarely works out for the owners, and definitely not for the animals involved. Though she was bottle fed, she is definitely not tame enough to handle safely.
Luckily, Big Cat Rescue was able to rescue these leopards. It was thought that Bagheera may have been pregnant when she arrived, but she was not. She has always had a very large growth in her belly region giving her the appearance of being pregnant. With her large belly and tiny, laid back ears, she is definitely not the most attractive leopard you will ever see, but Adonnis loves her dearly. It was a wonderful day when they were reintroduced to life together. Captivity is lonely enough without someone with whom to share your days...

Busy, busy weekend

Friday evening I did a Ritual Apart Together with the Ara Lowlands group, all at our own homes. We met in our astral temple. I had been very busy, so my preparation was not that extensive... In the beginning I couldn't concentrate fully, so I did an extra relaxation exercise. That worked, but I had to hurry to catch up with the others. There was a beautiful full moon above the temple (as it was in real life outside). I evoked the Moon Goddess. We charged ourself with the energy of the full moon and directed the rest into a bowl with water.
We made a journey with the purpose to ask the Moon Goddess what we need in the near future. To me it was as if she talked to me from the moon down. I was restless and she calmed me down with her voice. She smiled and suddenly I saw my mum and dad approaching. We hugged and cried from happiness to see each other. It felt so good to be with them, really feel them. We walked along the beach together and then to my meditation spot. Mum and dad sat down and I curled up in front of them in fetus position. Dad sat by my head and mum by my legs. I felt their love and warmth surround me. It was like they were all around me, forming a cocoon of loving energy around me. I felt so good, safe and secure. They whispered to me: stop pushing yourself, take rest when you need it, listen to your body, take care of yourself, we are proud of you, we are always with you. I just relaxed and enjoyed being there. Together we walked back. I didn't want to say goodbye, but I had to. They said it wasn't a farewell, because I can always come back to them whenever I need it.
After a while I returned in the temple, where I just sat and reflected on that wonderful journey. For the cake & wine we used the charged water and mooncookies. We thanked the elements, I thanked the Moon Goddess, we opened the circle from hand to hand deosil, clockwise (normally we do it widdershins, anti-clockwise). We walked down the hill and returned to our own homes.

Saturday Ron and I went to the Elf Fantasy Fair on the grounds of Castle De Haar in Haarzuilens. Every year in April since 2001, around 25,000 people from all over Europe come to this fantasy event which includes fantasy, medieval and witchcraft. Two-third of the visitors transform themselves into orcs, magicians, witches, dragons, knights, vampires, elves, unicorns or a combination of these. There was a lot to see, to do and to buy! We had a great day.
I bought a book featuring the art of Peter Pracownik, who has a remarkable knowledge of myths and legends, especially when it concerns Celts, Saxons and King Arthur. This knowledge has been a huge influence on his art work. It has an aura of magic, enigma and mystery; full of legend and lore. Peter’s work is used for cards, posters, cd covers (Blackmore’s Night), band t-shirts (Grateful Dead), Tarot decks and more. I have his LOTR Tarot. I have always loved a certain pentagram art image, but I didn't know Peter made it! I bought a card and a little tile of it. Peter signed my book.

Sunday we were up early to go to Wonder in Rijen, where we would have a meeting with the team organising the Beltane 2008 celebration. It was a good meeting and we dotted the i's and crossed the t's. We are really looking forward to the gathering!
In the afternoon Ron and I drove with Wonder to Leiden. We were invited to a book presentation of "Het Heksenhuis" by Jacqueline Zirkzee, a historic novel about witches and witches persecution in the 17th century. I have invited her to our Beltane meeting and she gladly accepted to present her book there once again. This was the official presentation of the first book though, with a talk by the publisher and a special dance by 4 dancers. Afterwards we bought the book and let it get signed by Jacqueline.
We drove Wonder back to Rijen. His mother was out for the night, but had prepared dinner for us nevertheless. Yummy!

All in all a pretty busy weekend! A bit too much for me, I'll need some time to recover. I was worth it though!!

TT #79: Reiki

Thirteen things about Reiki Some years ago I've done Reiki level I and II. This week I started with Reiki level III to become Master. In this TT I'll tell you some more about this form of healing. The name Reiki derives from the Japanese pronunciation of two Japanese characters that describe the energy itself: 霊 rei (meaning 'unseen' or 'spiritual') and 気 ki (meaning 'energy' or 'life force'). The most widely used English translation is 'universal life energy'. Reiki is a healing method that is both magnetic and radiatory, and which operates on all levels of being - physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. The energy that is channelled through the hands does not have to be directed into specific areas of the body, as it will flow to where ever it is needed - just as the sea smooths the sand on a beach, filling the holes and levelling the sandcastles. Mikao Usui is the founder / developer of the system of Reiki. It is based firmly on the esoteric principles that were represented in Japan in the early part of last century. Usui brought together, in a unique way, the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, energy transfer techniques like Chi Kung (in its Japanese form of kiko), Tendai Buddhism in terms of energy exercises, empowerments and spiritual teachings, and Shintoism in terms of techniques used to control the energies. Reiki is not a religion. It is very spiritual in nature, but there is no belief required in order to learn and use it. The beauty of reiki is that it will work regardless of whether you believe in it or not. Level I: Learning to apply the Reiki energy. It includes information and hand positions for self-healing, direct healing with others and pets, and group healing teams. Level II: Learning to radiate more profound healing and healing from a distance. Using the first three Reiki symbols: the distance symbol, the mental symbol and the power symbol. Level III: Learning to work with the master symbol that transfers healing energy to the source (cause) of the symptoms, learning to teach and attune/initiate others. The most important parts of each stage are called the initiations (meaning new beginnings and abilities). These are also called attunements, and are just that: a tuning in to the Reiki energy which brings about a remembrance and a reawakening of the healing capacity and transformational powers accessible to each person. Animals, like people, benefit from Reiki. Whether you have cats, dogs, birds, fish, ferrets, horses, or other larger animals, you can use Reiki to help your pets. Any animal that receives regular grooming from a human is probably receptive to being touched for Reiki. If you want to give Reiki to an animal who is not usually touched, such as fish or wild animals, techniques can be used for Reiki from afar, such as beaming and distant Reiki. Anyone, from children of 5 to people in the last stages of their lives, can learn Reiki. It is not necessary to have any special knowledge, experience or talents, only a desire to learn. It is not even necessary to believe in Reiki, although experience of using it soon makes it hard to deny its existence, even if it remains an unexplainable mystery. A Reiki treatment supports the whole person: physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. When a Reiki practitioner places his/her hands on an area of their own or a client's clothed body, energy flows through the practitioner into the client. This transfer may be felt as any type of sensation (heat, cold, vibration, tingling, unusual heaviness, etc.) or sometimes as no sensation at all. Reiki is not intended to be a cure. It does however improve the body's natural ability to heal itself. Reiki is not intended to replace a physician or other health care provider! It can be a very valuable addition to other treatments though. There are 5 Reiki Principles (exact words can vary): Just for today, - do not be angry - do not worry - give thanks for your many blessings - devote yourself to your work - be kind to every living being Mikao Usui (1865-1926) ~*~*~*~ Links to other Thursday Thirteens! ~*~ Robin ~*~ Holly ~*~ SJ Reidhead ~*~ Chelle Y. ~*~ Sue ~*~ Nicholas ~*~ Claudia ~*~ Malcolm ~*~ SandyCarlson ~*~ siteseer ~*~ Adelle ~*~ Karen Bastille ~*~ Lori ~*~ Gattina ~*~ grace ~*~ Darla ~*~ marcia ~*~ xakara ~*~ Harmony ~*~ Chris ~*~ Candy Minx ~*~ storyteller ~*~ Randilin ~*~ Tempest Knight ~*~ Nicole ~*~ byrningbunny ~*~ Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

COT #12: eyes

CATS ON TUESDAY is a group of cat lovers

who share pictures and/or stories about their cats once a week,

hosted by Gattina.

All three cats have beautiful eyes of their own, but they have different colours. Freyja has blue eyes, Bastet has golden or yellow and Maia's are greenish. I have tried to make good pictures of them, but that's not easy! Finally I came up with these:

Last week I finally added them to Catster (and the dogs to Dogster). Do your cats have their own page on Catster? Feel free to share it, so I can add them as friends!

Join the Catster community

First Communion

This weekend we stayed with our friends in Groesbeek to go to and celebrate our godchild Jaimie's first communion in the catholic church. Saturday night I did a tarot spread for Jaimie's mother and one for his older brother Leslie. I really have to do it more often!
Jaimie was very nervous for his communion, but everything went okay. He looked very handsome in his new clothes. Unfortunately we weren't allowed to make pictures in the church, because they hired a photographer and his pics will be sold.
Back home people trickled in to celebrate with Jaimie. He got a beautiful cake, a bike from his parents, presents and a lot of money. He was the radiant centre of attention. I talked to a lot of people, but also spent time with Balou, their 11-year-old (!) Saint Bernard.
Late in the afternoon on Sunday we drove home. We went to bed early, knackered! :-)

Druid Plant Oracle

My favourite tarot deck (and thus the one I work with) is the Druidcraft Tarot by Philip & Stephanie Carr-Gomm, illustrated by Will Worthington. I also have their Druid Animal Oracle.
Recently I heard about the release of a third deck: the Druid Plant Oracle. I had earned a lot of gift vouchers by filling in online polls and surveys, so I ordered it right away. This week it arrived and it is everything I suspected. I love it! The cards are beautiful, and the companion book gives a wealth of folklore, myth and interpretations for each plant and gives both oracular spreads and ways of working with plants that can act as guides, allies and healers. The cards can be combined with The Druid Animal Oracle cards to give readings from the animal and plant realms. The cards are the same size and, similarly, they possess borders of leaves and berries. There are 36 illustrated cards and 3 that are blank. If you have an affinty for a particular wild plant not featured in the oracle, you can take a photograph and paste it onto one of the blank cards.

Doctors

Yesterday morning I had an appointment with the internist. My bloodpressure was much better: 130/90 (in December it was 150/100). The thyroid values are good. My cholesterol level is too high, my iron value is still too low. I told him the fatigue has gotten worse and I don't feel okay, but he just talked over it. Ron and I both tried again, but he didn't say anything about that. I get the feeling he thinks it's all "between my ears", but he can at least say that. Now I don't feel taken seriously, that hurts and makes me angry!

After my appointment we drove to Rijen to see Wonder. He had to go to the hospital for a check-up on his leg and to take out the stitches. They also made new x-rays. The leg is healing at a normal rate (slow), the doctor was quite content. He has to come back in 4 weeks and is not allowed to walk on his leg until that time. If everything goes as it should he can start to put weight on it from then very gradually. The whole process from the accident until more or less complete recovery will last around 6 months.
We stayed for dinner with Wonder's mum and to keep him company for some time. It was very good to see him again! We talked some things through about the Beltane meeting and chatted for a while. Much too early it was time to go home again.

I'm a dog...

Labrador Retriever
The Caretaker

Your family is what makes you tick, and you never "flea" from an opportunity to hang out with the whole gang. A family picnic complete with hot dogs, deviled eggs and a refreshing swim in the lake is hard for you to stray from. Your sparky temperament and dogged intelligence mean you are not only a blast to hang out with, but great to work with as well. Your close pals appreciate your patience and forgiveness, knowing you'd rather let sleeping dogs lie than dwell on the mishaps of the past. Your dashing good looks may one day lead to a modelling career, if only you can tame the unfortunate clumsiness that sometimes causes you to go flailing from the catwalk.

COT #11: computer desk

CATS ON TUESDAY is a group of cat lovers

who share pictures and/or stories about their cats once a week,

hosted by Gattina.

~*~*~*~

I'm very happy with my new computer in my new computer desk in the living room. The cats are very happy to have me downstairs all the time and they like the desk just as much... ;-)

Non-Fiction Meme

Some time ago (okay, it was in February) Darla tagged me for the Non Fiction Meme, created by Gautami from My Own Little Reading Room. I always bookmark a post that tags me, so I won't forget to do it. Guess what... I forgot nevertheless! :-)
But without further ado... Here it is!

What issues/topic interests you most -- non-fiction, i.e, cooking, knitting, stitching, there are infinite topics that has nothing to do with novels?
You'd better ask what issues or topics don't interest me! ;-) That's a lot less (including cooking, knitting and stitching, no offense...)!
But to give you an idea of what I like in non-fiction: occultism, witchcraft, spirituality, psychology, history, nature, animals, art, literature, (auto)biographies, mythology and sooooooo much more!

Would you like to review books concerning those?
Not as an assignment. I want to be free to read and review whatever book I want.

Would you like to be paid or do it as interest or hobby? Tell reasons for what ever you choose.
Hmmm... I'm afraid if I get paid for it, I'd feel an obligation. I don't like to have to do something. I read because I love it and that's how I like it!

Would you recommend those to your friends and how?
If I love a book, I'll definitely recommend it! Sometimes on my blog, but also in real life, e-mail and every way I know.

If you have already done something like this, link it to your post.
Not really reviews, but I recommend sometimes on my blog. The last one was Grandmothers council the world by Carol Schaeffer.
You can find some of my books (fiction and non-fiction) and how I rate them on My LibraryThing.

Please don't forget to link back here or whoever tags you.
Darla of Nichtszusagen! The blog title says she has nothing to say, but that is so totally not true! :-)

And to get this meme moving, you have to tag 10 people.
Sorry, no-do. I like memes, but I don't tag. Everyone who wants to play is very welcome to do so! Let me know if you do; I'd love to read your answers!

Best dad in the world

Today would have been my father's 73rd birthday. The last one we celebrated was his 61st though... The 4th day of the 4th month; he always picked 4 as his lucky number!
I still think of him every day, still miss him. I know he's with me in spirit, but I'd love to talk to him and give him a hug for real just once... To me he'll always be the best dad in the world. O sure, you could probably argue that he wasn't and why, but that doesn't matter. He wasn't a saint and I don't idealize him. He had his virtues and vices, so do I (some the same!). He was who he was and to me that is the best dad in the world. I'm so glad Ron has known him very good too, so we could reminisce together today.
♥ I love you, dad! ♥

April 1st in Brielle

Yesterday Ron, IJs and I went to the April 1st celebration in Brielle.
Every April 1st Brielle exuberantly celebrates the storming of the city by the rebellious "water-beggars", the Geuzen. On this annual occasion, along with a lot of visitors, the citadel relives its liberation year. On the momentous day in 1572, the Watergeuzen appeared before the north port of Den Briel and demanded the surrender of the small, but strategically important port in the Maas and Rhine delta. Den Briel (the old name of Brielle) had, as so many towns, not yet united in the uprising against the reign of the Spanish King and his envoy, the Duke of Alva. The town council felt nothing up to then for the fortification, in which, at that time, there were no Spanish troops present, without elaborating further. Then the answer to the cry “In the name of Orange, open the gate!” was held back too long, the Watergeuzen besieged the north gate and forced their way into the town, where they subsequently became substantial householders. Without any struggle, Alva lost his glasses (de bril = Den Briel) and the insurrectionists gained the first important victory in the Eighty Year War. In our time, hundreds of citizens dress themselves in historical costume and reconstruct the capture.
Although the weather was very unstable, we had a great time. Ron was experimenting with another digital camera, I had my own Canon Ixus. We both made a lot of pictures, you can see them here.