The three massive blue white stars, Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka, in the belt of the constellation Orion. This is how they might have looked about 1,500 years ago. The plate is a composite from shots taken between 1987 and 1991 by one of the telescopes at the Mt Palomar observatory and shot through a series of color filters.
This is a suggested prayer to ask for healing for the human spirit. Creator knows we need it.
Our Mother Earth, Great Lady of Creation, you who have given birth to every land and all creatures and plants, and all peoples we call upon you. We know that you can heal and restore the balance of nature, as you have done before. We know that after every human catastrophe, you have clothed the land again, in flowers. After each abuse, or after war, you break down poisons. Over years, you cover buildings and battlefields with plants and creatures and bring back the beauty. We ask you to change us, restore us, within our spirits. Let your wise magic make us new in harmony, that we may live in peace, and creativity, and in adventure, with harm to none. Bring us to wisdom.
by Rae Beth
Spiral galaxay NGC 4526 with supernova remains in the lower left hand cornor. The galaxy is part of the Virgo cluster. Shot was taken in 1994.
Another journal posted the lyrics to this song too. It's the wonderful "Ring Out Solstice Bells" by the group Jethro Tull in their album Songs of the Wood . It came out back in the seventies. And I'm looking for the cd to replace my old vinyl.
Ring Out, Solstice Bells
Now is the solstice of the year,
winter is the glad song that you hear.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Have the lads up ready in a line.
Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.
Join together beneath the mistletoe.
by the holy oak whereon it grows.
Seven druids dance in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.
Ring out these bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.
Praise be to the distant sister sun,
joyful as the silver planets run.
Seven maids move in seven time.
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming.
Ring out those bells.
Ring out, ring solstice bells.
Ring solstice bells.
Ring on, ring out.
Ring on, ring out.
So ring out those bells, the sun will be coming back. We should have some crocuses by the end of January. The elder is budding, and the winter heather is blooming. The fields around town have greened up and are so bright when get that rare sunny day. Go ring a bell. :-)
Mary Barker's Heather Flower Fairy
Although this is the darker time of the year the heather is just beginning to bloom. Not a very warm time of the year for the little fairies. I think ours may be wearing their long johns instead of those cute little shorts.
by Caitlin Matthews in the Celtic Devotional
Bide the Wiccan Law ye must,
In perfect love and perfect trust,
Eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill,
An' ye harm none, do what ye will,
What ye send forth, comes back to thee,
So ever mind the Rule of Three,
Follow this with mind and heart,
And Merry Meet and Merry Part!
