In the Service of Her Majesty The Queen

[Scryler]

I hope you had a good day and that the night is going well.

The moon is close to full. I can feel it's energy, and as usual
it is not happy energy for me.

From what I have learned in the tarot discussion classes I've been to,
it is helpful to understand the background of the various decks, what
the maker of the cards had in mind, the traditional meanings, etc. But
your own 'take' on the cards is primary.

We look at a card, magnified view, and go around the circle with each
person pointing out something/some meaning that 'jumps' out at them.
At some point, the 'teacher' tells us what the traditional meanings are.
It's a very interesting class, and (much to my surprise) I have more
than a little 'feel' for the cards. I always thought tarot was not my
thing.

I've done the I Ching for years. I love the way the yarrow sticks feel
in my hands (and yes, I gathered them myself) but understanding
the hexagrams, presenting images from another culture, and from it's ancient past at that, is murky at best.

So I am looking forward to using the cards.

And EtC, you don't necessarily have to shuffle and shuffle the cards to embue your energy into them. They come to you because you are ready for them, draw you to them, even. All you really have to do is to hold them, sitting quietly and feel them. Some incense burning (guess which one I will use) and maybe whatever essential oil you prefer dabbed on your forehead and hands is probably helpful, as well.

I have been given some direction recently to pray to the Lady for willingness, but I don't think I am. I'm going to pray for clarity and acceptance instead. I think I am more in need of that than willingness.

Perhaps the moon's energy will be kind for a change.

Tonight, at dusk, I saw 5 maybe 6 blue herons flying one behind the other toward a nearby lake. I thought herons migrated, so I was surprised to see them. There is no mistaking those big birds, even in dim light. Their long necks and bodies are as straight as an arrow. I held my breath watching them and didn't realize I was doing so until I had to breathe again.

And a hungry, very bushy raccoon scurried away across the dead leaves on top of the mulch where I work when I came out of the door later on when it was dark. We have a family of at least 3 raccoons who are very fond of our dumpster and are nearly always somewhere around but it's the first time I've come that close to one. Once it was safely out of easy range and behind a tree, it peered around the tree trunk looking at me.

It is a little warmer tonight. My hands are not as cold as they have been.


To all who sleep tonight on this side of the earth,

The Nightly Mission:

Tuck the covers all around to save
your body heat and sleep soundly;
the Lady holds the blessings and
will give them as she wills.

Wake up tomorrow and ask the
Lady yet again for what you need.

May the Lady smile
on you and me too.

G'Night.

[Zephyr8965]

If you don't mind me asking, Scryler, what faith do you believe in?

[Emirkol the Chaotic]

[QUOTE+Scryler]And EtC, you don't necessarily have to shuffle and shuffle the cards to embue your energy into them. They come to you because you are ready for them, draw you to them, even. All you really have to do is to hold them, sitting quietly and feel them. Some incense burning (guess which one I will use) and maybe whatever essential oil you prefer dabbed on your forehead and hands is probably helpful, as well.[/QUOTE]

Thanks. You are correct, of course. Quite a bit out of practice.

Incense...? Hmmm, I'd say Frankincense or Dragon's Blood (more likely). The crystalline form, right? Sprinkled over a charcoal brazier? Good Nag Champa's good, too. The good, authentic stuff.

Which reminds me...

[Scryler]

Originally Posted by EMIRKOL THE CHAOTIC

Incense...? Hmmm, I'd say Frankincense or Dragon's Blood (more likely). The crystalline form, right? Sprinkled over a charcoal brazier? Good Nag Champa's good, too. The good, authentic stuff.

Which reminds me...

I like Frankincense on a charcoal brazier. Clouds and clouds of it that way.

Didn't know Dragon's Blood (yep, that's my fav) came that way. I'll have to check that out.

[Scryler]

I hope you had a good day and that the night went well.

Moon looks full enough to me.

This will be a double whammy full moon, terrific power. I may have to put myself in a straight jacket. (Hopefully, that will not occur!)

No long sagas about the birds and animals tonight. Too busy to notice any.

First time in awhile, I actually cooked today. Amazing!


To all who are probably already asleep on this side of the brightening earth:

The Nightly Mission:

Seek clarity. Avoid confusion.
Sleep well and warm.

Wake up in the morning and
look in the mirror. Yep that's
you. Clarity.

May the Lady smile
on you and me too.

G'Night!

[Scryler]

I hope you had a good day and that the night bodes well.

The full blue eclipsed moon is on! (Eclipse is over, though.)

The flock of buzzards that hangs around this area (often over my house)
came to roost in a live oak behind my house about 50 yards or so away by the highway overflow pond. Maybe the nearby water made it a trifle warmer there. They were all fluffed up and looked humongous.

There may be some truth that buzzards are the harbingers of change. I have been plagued by them this past year, and this year has seen me go through some of the most significant changes in my life, both emotionally and spiritually. Not to mention mentally.

I wonder how it has been for other forumites? I doubt I have to explain the changes I've been through, I've blatted them out all through the year here, but few others have been so um forthcoming.

And I fully expect that I will be seeing more of the buzzards. The changes in my life are not done with me yet.


To all who will eventually sleep on this side of the bright earth,

The Nightly Mission:

Go to bed with cotton in your ears
so the maniacs outside firing off
their guns to scare away the dark
don't stop you from sleeping or
muddy up your pre-sleep daily
reflections. (I guess you could
just pass right out too, heh.)

Wake up tomorrow with some
clarity, strength, hope and
acceptance.

May the Lady smile
on you and me too.

G'Night!

[Zephyr8965]

This has been a year full of change, for me, too, both mentally and in my life. I spent a year and a half unemployed, which gives a person a great deal of time to rethink their life, and I found many of my points of view and emotions changing. I've grown up a lot simply by rethinking a lot of things, and now I'm finally moving toward a true goal in life, which is to become a high school math teacher. Having a goal that I feel is really worthwhile and possible makes many things in life seem so much different.

[Emirkol the Chaotic]

Originally Posted by Scryler

I wonder how it has been for other forumites? I doubt I have to explain the changes I've been through, I've blatted them out all through the year here, but few others have been so um forthcoming.

Without going into too many details over an open forum, lets say that 2009 shaped up to be pretty good for us. Until I threw a monkey wrench into the works in early December.

Things are not that bleak, but I still managed to set us back a good 6 months or so just as we were getting better financially as a whole. No, neither if us lost our jobs or anything like that, we were working hard on paying down bills and dealing with an increased mortgage payment. Our mortgage had finally dropped and a few bills were ready to be killed off in full, freeing up even more of our cash.

Then I happened. My amazing stupidity caused us to lose a good chunk of a very good Christmas Bonus and I'm still facing additional fines, penalties, etc that are just going to hold us back even longer. The uncertainty of the future and how this will play out remains to be seen, but I can only try to remain optimistic, hope for the best, and worry about today only. I'll deal with the future (for this scenario) as it comes. It's all I can do.

Now, you'd think that if a husband, etc. messed up the finances via their own idiocy, the wife, etc would probably say "See Ya!". Granted in my mind I feel I probably deserve it. Not with J. No, not with J. She was very mad the night of the occurrence but after lots and lots of talking (no yelling or screaming, seriously) we're good. In fact things were infinitely better the next morning, 7:00AM CST to be exact. (nope, not gonna forget that one! ) She's still scared about the uncertainty and outcome of this incident but is dealing with it, like I am.

We'll survive and we'll get over this, I'm just furious at myself for causing the set back. Very furious. But I'll deal.

[GuardianAngel82]

Sounds like taxes.

[Emirkol the Chaotic]

Originally Posted by GuardianAngel82

Sounds like taxes.

I wish. That would be much easier and less painful to deal with.

FYI, It's got nothing to do with infidelity, past unknown children, or anything along those lines. Thankfully, I'm waaay too smart to make those kinds of mistakes. OK, paranoid would be a better term.

As a co-worker of mine said, "It's too expensive to have a wife and a girlfriend."
Good advise, that.

[Zephyr8965]

Lol, I always just say that it's complicated enough to have one woman in your life, so why would you want another?

Anyway, sorry to hear about your setback. Just remember, you're human, like the rest of us. Learn from your mistakes and there's no sense beating yourself up anymore. Another thing I always say is that we only feel regret because we haven't properly learned from something yet.

[Scryler]

I hope you had a good day and night.

The full moon is still beaming down it's craziness on me.

Last night it felt different.

All the way to work this evening, there were buzzards. Here and there all along the back road to town.

It is cold enough that all the homeless shelters are opening their doors to anyone who doesn't have a warm place to sleep. Tomorrow night it is supposed to be 22 degrees, which is very very cold for Florida. Most homeless people here aren't prepared for that type of weather.


To all who sleep tonight on this side of the earth,

The Nightly Mission:

Sleep warm. Stay safe.
Wake up in a warm house tomorrow.

May the Lady smile
on you and me, too.

G'Night.

[Emirkol the Chaotic]

Originally Posted by Zephyr8965

Anyway, sorry to hear about your setback. Just remember, you're human, like the rest of us. Learn from your mistakes and there's no sense beating yourself up anymore. Another thing I always say is that we only feel regret because we haven't properly learned from something yet.

Oh yeah, I know. It's more of a personal honour thing, now. I knew better and I still proceeded along the wrong path. What's worse is that in the past I've been critical of those who've made the same mistake, vowing "Not me!, Not Ever!" Yeah, right.

[Scryler]

I hope you had a good day and that the night went well.

29 degrees and falling.

Arm warmers on.

So far, so good.

I found a tree frog next to the office door last night, and it was cold enough that I wondered if it was hibernating right there on the wall. I touched it, and it jumped, so I guess not. I felt sorry for it, and made a little tepee for it out of dead leaves, but it didn't like it, and crawled out. So much for helping little frogs.

The moon is still mostly full and the energy shooting through me over the last couple of days (last night in particular) has burned me out.

I am tired and have already written more than I intended to, so...


To all who sleep tonight on this side of the earth,

The Nightly Mission:

Repeat a suitable mantra
after the nightly rellection
on recent events, stay
warm and sleep.

Wake up and hope it is
warmer.

May the Lady smile
on you and me too.

G'Night.

[Zephyr8965]

Originally Posted by EMIRKOL THE CHAOTIC

Oh yeah, I know. It's more of a personal honour thing, now. I knew better and I still proceeded along the wrong path. What's worse is that in the past I've been critical of those who've made the same mistake, vowing "Not me!, Not Ever!" Yeah, right.

Well, then you should be thankful you made this mistake. Maybe not for the consequences, but for the wisdom you've gained in realizing that you, too are human and capable of making mistakes. True wisdom lies in knowing that you know nothing. Perhaps you should focus on the wisdom you've gained, rather than what part of your pride you've been freed from.



Oh, and Scryler, I think the frog was simply too paranoid to enjoy your teepee, rather than not liking it.

Can't blame small creatures for being afraid of large ones.

[Scryler]

I hope you had a good day and the night is good as well.

Still a heavy duty moon out there, but waning finally.

It feels colder today than yesterday, although the weather web
site I use says it isn't. Maybe because the house was warmer
yesterday to start with than it is today.

And here I am, sitting in a cold house eating ice cream. Craving
chocolate...and the only chocolate in the house is Phish Food.
I have hot chocolate, but that's doesn't cut it when you are
wanting lots and lots of strong chocolate.

I rummaged around in my closet and found the slippers that someone
gave me that I hated because when you walk around in them, it
feels like you are in a row boat. I'll just have to remember not
to walk around in them.

Chasing the cold ice cream with hot chocolate.

I do some pretty idiotic things sometimes. Like decide not to
fix the heater because it can't possibly get that cold. Forgetting
that um yes, it can get that cold. Perhaps the spirits plan on
sending me to Alaska or Antarctica and want me to get suitably
tough.

If you didn't have to hop around in them like you were in a
gunny sack race, I'd settle for one of those snugglies about
now.

Slacker is playing one of my fav tunes, 'Touch Me I'm Going To
Scream Pt 2.' If anyone touched me right now, they would be
the one screaming, partly from how cold I am, partly because
I would throw myself into their arms just for the warmth (probably
knocking them over onto something that would give them some
type of serious head wound and a concussion and so forth and
so on).

Not that I'd have to worry about that from anyone here,
of course.

Ok, enough moaning about the cold.


To all who will sleep tonight on this side of the cold cold earth,

The Nightly Mission:

Ask the Lady for strength
before you shiver down into
sleep and hope you land in
sunny island dreams.

Wake up tomorrow and...be
strong.

May the Lady smile
on you and me too.

G'Night.

[GuardianAngel82]

Try Chocolate Roasted Almonds, Chocolate flavor, but good for you.

[Scryler]

Originally Posted by GuardianAngel82

Try Chocolate Roasted Almonds, Chocolate flavor, but good for you.

I don't just want chocolate flavor, I want intense all over the inside of your mouth chocolate. When I want chocolate, I don't want something that is good for me. lol. But thank you.

[Scryler]

I hope you had a good day and the night was good, too.

More cold.

Tonight at work, I started feeling somewhat faint and feverish. I took off
my quilted vest. Still felt almost sick. Took off my arm warmers. Still feverish. After awhile, I realized that my feet were very very warm. Too
warm. I had on my brother's socks, the ones he got from the hospital (because I never wear socks, so don't have any to speak of). I took them
off and almost immediately felt fine.

The point of all this um undressing story, is that I went to work dressed like I have been at home, because it is so cold in my house, and I just didn't think that maybe it wouldn't be cold where I work. It was like "Ok, this is what we do now," so there I was in mega layered clothing lock-down mode.


To all who sleep tonight on this side of the cold earth,

The Nightly Mission:

Sleep warm tonight
and dream of warmth
and comfort.

Wake up in the morning
and stay warm all day.

May the Lady smile
on you and me too.

G'Night!

[GuardianAngel82]

Originally Posted by Scryler

I don't just want chocolate flavor, I want intense all over the inside of your mouth chocolate. When I want chocolate, I don't want something that is good for me. lol. But thank you.

Have to respect someone who will accept no substitutes for her vices.

[Scryler]

Originally Posted by GuardianAngel82

Have to respect someone who will accept no substitutes for her vices.

When you have very few vices....

[Scryler]

I hope you had a good day and night.

Not quite as cold tonight, thus far.

A friend of mine and her hubs came out today so hubs could look at the heatpump. He thinks the wiring is messed up, but doesn't want to mess around with it because the engine was changed when the ac/heat guy came out last time and the schematic doesn't match anymore.

I think it is past the warranty for labor, if there is such a thing, but I will call and find out, anyway.

Still slugging down the hot chocolate.


To all who sleep tonight on this side of the earth,

The Nightly Mission:

Think of a hot tub as you
fall asleep and maybe
you will float warmly
away into dreams of
tropic climes, sails
in a lagoon, net fishing
under a hot sun.

Wake up in the morning
not needing a vacation.

May the Lady smile
on you and me too.

G'Night!

[GuardianAngel82]

Originally Posted by Scryler

When you have very few vices....

My vices run around and make a lot of noise.

[Emirkol the Chaotic]

Originally Posted by GA82

Try Chocolate Roasted Almonds, Chocolate flavor, but good for you.

Mmmm.... Chocolate Nut thingies.

Originally Posted by Scryler

I don't just want chocolate flavor, I want intense all over the inside of your mouth chocolate. When I want chocolate, I don't want something that is good for me. lol. But thank you.

My kind of woman!! I must say, you do make eating chocolate sound so erotic!

Originally Posted by Scryler

When you have very few vices....

You go out and get a few more!

Originally Posted by GA82

My vices run around and make a lot of noise.

Animated, Chocolate Nut, Kid Shaped, candies??

[GuardianAngel82]

Originally Posted by EMIRKOL THE CHAOTIC

Animated, Chocolate Nut, Kid Shaped, candies??

Well, they are nuts. And chocolate is involved. And they are animated.

OTOH, cocoa-roasted almonds are GOOD for you, not a vice. But, they taste much better if you think they are bad for you.

[Scryler]

I hope you had a good day and the night went well.

I am blessedly warm. The heatpump is fixed. Life is good.

The weather forecast says warmer tomorrow at least in
the daytime, then more cold. This is the longest I remember
it being cold here. Maybe I just didn't pay attention before
because I was indoors and warm, but I think having a hard
freeze this long is unusual.

I wonder how the farmers are doing.


To all who sleep tonight on this side of the earth,

The Nightly Mission:

Ahhh, fluffy pillows of warmth
and comfort carrying you off
to sleep and sweet drifty dreams
in the night.

Wake up tomorrow feeling grateful.

May the Lady smile
on you and me too.

G'Night.

[Scryler]

I hope you had a good day and night.

Almost the next morning. Way late.

This cold weather is supposed to continue for another week
That's almost unheard of here. And now it looks like it might
actually snow.

I am glad the heat pump is fixed. Oh yes, I am.


To all who have already gone to sleep and maybe a few who haven't slept yet tonight on this side of the earth,

The (brief) Nightly Mission:

Sleep soundly.
Wake up in the morning.

May the Lady smile
on you and me too.

G'Night!!!

[Scryler]

I hope you had a good day and the night goes well.

I got pulled over by a law enforcement officer today,
but was only given a warning when I couldn't find
my registration and insurance cards.

Does anyone else get nervous and shaky when the
law pulls them over? I get so bad my mind goes
blank. I know those cards are in there somewhere
and I believe in a logical place to look, but darned
if I could find them.

I have a clean record, so she was nice.

Or maybe they always do that, I don't know.

Cold again, and on and on...this is so unusual for
Florida, that it must be some kind of record. But
it didn't snow...yet.


To all who will sleep tonight on this side of the earth,

The Nightly Mission:

Curl up with the warmest things
you have (in this case, a cat) and
sleep toasty, remembering that Spring
will come soon.

Wake up with thoughts of green green
green, fresh and new in the near future.

May the Lady smile
on you and me too.

G'Night!

[Emirkol the Chaotic]

It always depends on the cops themselves. Here, the suburban cops seem to be more a**holes than in Chicago proper, but I've had some "tense" run ins with a Chicago cop before. She nailed me for running a red light and not even a little flirting got me out of that ticket!

A clean record always goes quite a long way as to how they'll treat you along with your attitude with the cop. Be nice and while you may not get out of any tickets, it'll go along way come the hearing date. Basically, if the cop is an a**hole, don't you be. Don't argue, take the violation and fight them later.

Scry, in your case, you did get lucky with just a warning. Must of the time, you'll get cited for no registration and no insurance right off the bat. They're immediately dismissed in court with no penalties when you show proof, but you still have to take the time to go to court to take care of it.

My current situation is a little more severe. I'm not getting out of the violations and will be facing hefty fines along with other strong penalties (not jail time or anything like that). The best I can hope for is that the citations will result in supervision. I keep my nose clean for 12 months and they're off my record.

Yaay for stupidity!! Another hard lesson learned (and still being learned) by yours truly.

[Anakha92]

Wow, this has got to be the biggest thread I've ever seen on every forum I've ever been in lol. Just under 1,000 posts.. What on earth is this thread about?? lol