Thymus vulgaris, also known by its common names Common Thyme and Garden Thyme, is a rather well known herb, having its multiple uses. It can be used for aromatic flavouring to, as I’ve heard it, almost anything. During the medieval times thyme was a gift from men to women to show love.
Thyme is associated with the element of water and the planet Venus. Described as a feminine herb. Magical properties of this herb is of health, courage, bringing restful sleep and purification.
When doing a healing ritual, thyme can be used. This herb is said to be a good choice to use during divination.
Thyme with its properties can also protect against nightmares, making it a potential use in pillows for the very purpose. A sprig of fresh thyme can also be worn to protect others from the sadness of others and to the ancient Greeks thyme was used as an incense to help lively up a spirit, which thyme can be used as an incense today for the same reason.
Ancient Greeks also used thyme by burning it to purify temples and to this day, thyme can be used to purify any area. Thyme is also thought to increase one’s psychic ability, while burning or wearing the herb is for the purpose of good health.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Loving The Sunshine
One day to another, life has been slightly busy.
I’ve noticed my lack of posting about how the very gourds I’m raising, amusing how I’ve posted so little on the very thing I am attempting to give the best care. At least I can say the very plants I am growing are doing well.
What I find most interesting is not long ago there was plenty of rain, a contrast to what is now a period filled with sunshine. The warmth from the sun is both plentiful and much adored by me.
I’ve noticed my lack of posting about how the very gourds I’m raising, amusing how I’ve posted so little on the very thing I am attempting to give the best care. At least I can say the very plants I am growing are doing well.
What I find most interesting is not long ago there was plenty of rain, a contrast to what is now a period filled with sunshine. The warmth from the sun is both plentiful and much adored by me.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Gods And Goddesses: Jade Emperor
The Jade Emperor is known by many names and titles that include Heavenly Grandfather, Most Venerable Jade Emperor of the Heavenly Golden Palace, Supremely High Emperor of the Heavens, Holder of Talismans, Container of Perfection and Embodiment of Tao, Most Venerable and Highest Jade Emperor of All Embracing Sublime Spontaneous Existence of the Heavenly Golden Palace, the Pure August Jade Emperor, August Personage of Jade, Huanling High Sovereign and Peace Absolving, Central August Spirit Exalted, Ancient Buddha, Most Pious and Honourable, His Highness the Jade Emperor, Xuanling High Sovereign.
While he is the ruler of Heaven and the realms below, the Jade Emperor is below to three known as the Three Pure One’s.
Interestingly a crater discovered by the spacecraft Voyager 2 on Saturn’s moon Rhea is named after the Jade Emperor. The birthday of the Jade Emperor is said to be the ninth day of the first lunar month and on this day incense and food offerings are given to the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor is also worshipped by many on the day before the first day of Chinese New Year as it is said to be the day the Jade Emperor makes his annual inspection of the deeds of mortals, rewarding and punishing accordingly.
Originally the Jade Emperor was the assistant of Yuanshi Tianzu (whom is said to be the limitless and eternal creator of Heaven and earth) who picked the Jade Emperor as a successor as a ruler of Heaven. It is said that the successor of the Jade Emperor will be the god of war, Guan Yu.
The Jade Emperor has many sons and daughters that include Tzu-sun Niang-niang (fertility goddess who grants children to couples), Yen-kuang Niang-niang (goddess whom provides good eyesight) and Zhi Nu (who is responsible for weaving colourful clouds in Heaven). The wife is the Jade Emperor is known as Wang Ma and is said to have had ten sons, nine who were killed by the divine archer known as Houyi.
The Jade Emperor’s daughter Zhi Nu would go down to earth everyday with the help of a magical robe so she could bathe, with one day being different as a lowly cowherd named Niu Lang spotted Zhi Nu bathing in a stream. Niu Lang fell in love with Zhi Nu and stole her rove, when Zhi Nu left the stream she was left unable to go back to Heaven and Niu Lang grabbed her, carrying her to home. When the Jade Emperor heard of this he was furious but he couldn’t do much seeing as by the time he learnt of what happened, his daughter already fallen in love and married the cowherd.
Over time, Zhi Nu grew homesick and did miss her father. Zhi Nu did one day find her magic robe that allowed her to go back to Heaven, letting her to see the Jade Emperor once again. The Jade Emperor summoned a river across the sky (notably, this is the Milky Way) making Zhi Nu to get back home and see Niu Lang again. The Jade Emperor took pity on the two and once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month he allows Zhi Nu and Niu Lang to meet. The seventh day of the seventh lunar month is a holiday known as Qi Xi, which is also called Chinese Valentine’s Day by some.
The Jade Emperor is said to be originally the crown prince of a kingdom of Pure Felicity and Majestic Heavenly Lights and Ornaments. Upon birth a light filled the entire kingdom and when young the Jade Emperor is described to have been kind, intelligent and wise, helping those in need. When the Jade Emperor’s father died the Jade Emperor himself took his father’s place on the throne, where he made sure that everyone within his kingdom found both peace and contentment.
It was the Jade Emperor who said to his ministers that he wished to cultivate Tao on what is known as the Bright and Fragrant Cliff. Story goes that after 1550 kalpas (one kalpa being 129,600 years) the Jade Emperor attained ‘Golden Immortality” and after another one hundred million years of cultivation of Tao finally became the Jade Emperor.
How the Jade Emperor came to be ruler of Heaven starts at the beginning of time where the earth was vastly different to today. This was a time of not many gods but plenty of demons. The Jade Emperor was at the time an immortal at this time who helped as many people as possible.
Eventually the Jade Emperor retreated into a mountain cave to cultivate Tao, where it is said he went through 3,200 trials, each lasting three million years. A demon wanted to become the ruler of the entire universe and did the same as the Jade Emperor to try to expand its own power although at a later time.
This demon went through the trials and was confident, recruiting an army of demons to attack Heaven.
The gods fought this demon and were unable to defeat this demon and the immortals were preparing themselves to fight this demon. The Jade Emperor fortunately came along and defeated the demon, allowing for the army prepared by this powerful demon to be defeated. Due to this the Jade Emperor became the ruler of Heaven.
While he is the ruler of Heaven and the realms below, the Jade Emperor is below to three known as the Three Pure One’s.
Interestingly a crater discovered by the spacecraft Voyager 2 on Saturn’s moon Rhea is named after the Jade Emperor. The birthday of the Jade Emperor is said to be the ninth day of the first lunar month and on this day incense and food offerings are given to the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor is also worshipped by many on the day before the first day of Chinese New Year as it is said to be the day the Jade Emperor makes his annual inspection of the deeds of mortals, rewarding and punishing accordingly.
Originally the Jade Emperor was the assistant of Yuanshi Tianzu (whom is said to be the limitless and eternal creator of Heaven and earth) who picked the Jade Emperor as a successor as a ruler of Heaven. It is said that the successor of the Jade Emperor will be the god of war, Guan Yu.
The Jade Emperor has many sons and daughters that include Tzu-sun Niang-niang (fertility goddess who grants children to couples), Yen-kuang Niang-niang (goddess whom provides good eyesight) and Zhi Nu (who is responsible for weaving colourful clouds in Heaven). The wife is the Jade Emperor is known as Wang Ma and is said to have had ten sons, nine who were killed by the divine archer known as Houyi.
The Jade Emperor’s daughter Zhi Nu would go down to earth everyday with the help of a magical robe so she could bathe, with one day being different as a lowly cowherd named Niu Lang spotted Zhi Nu bathing in a stream. Niu Lang fell in love with Zhi Nu and stole her rove, when Zhi Nu left the stream she was left unable to go back to Heaven and Niu Lang grabbed her, carrying her to home. When the Jade Emperor heard of this he was furious but he couldn’t do much seeing as by the time he learnt of what happened, his daughter already fallen in love and married the cowherd.
Over time, Zhi Nu grew homesick and did miss her father. Zhi Nu did one day find her magic robe that allowed her to go back to Heaven, letting her to see the Jade Emperor once again. The Jade Emperor summoned a river across the sky (notably, this is the Milky Way) making Zhi Nu to get back home and see Niu Lang again. The Jade Emperor took pity on the two and once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month he allows Zhi Nu and Niu Lang to meet. The seventh day of the seventh lunar month is a holiday known as Qi Xi, which is also called Chinese Valentine’s Day by some.
The Jade Emperor is said to be originally the crown prince of a kingdom of Pure Felicity and Majestic Heavenly Lights and Ornaments. Upon birth a light filled the entire kingdom and when young the Jade Emperor is described to have been kind, intelligent and wise, helping those in need. When the Jade Emperor’s father died the Jade Emperor himself took his father’s place on the throne, where he made sure that everyone within his kingdom found both peace and contentment.
It was the Jade Emperor who said to his ministers that he wished to cultivate Tao on what is known as the Bright and Fragrant Cliff. Story goes that after 1550 kalpas (one kalpa being 129,600 years) the Jade Emperor attained ‘Golden Immortality” and after another one hundred million years of cultivation of Tao finally became the Jade Emperor.
How the Jade Emperor came to be ruler of Heaven starts at the beginning of time where the earth was vastly different to today. This was a time of not many gods but plenty of demons. The Jade Emperor was at the time an immortal at this time who helped as many people as possible.
Eventually the Jade Emperor retreated into a mountain cave to cultivate Tao, where it is said he went through 3,200 trials, each lasting three million years. A demon wanted to become the ruler of the entire universe and did the same as the Jade Emperor to try to expand its own power although at a later time.
This demon went through the trials and was confident, recruiting an army of demons to attack Heaven.
The gods fought this demon and were unable to defeat this demon and the immortals were preparing themselves to fight this demon. The Jade Emperor fortunately came along and defeated the demon, allowing for the army prepared by this powerful demon to be defeated. Due to this the Jade Emperor became the ruler of Heaven.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Zebra Stone
The zebra stone, as the name implies is a stone that is black and white pattern, this stone is also known as zebra jasper. This stone is able to protect one’s own aura.
During religious work it is the zebra stone that does a good job of keeping one grounded with the earth. A stone great to use for meditation along with being the stone when dealing with the first, third and sixth chakras. The zebra stone is the stone with the power to remind to live in balance with nature, to protect and revere it.
When carried is said to have the ability to increase one’s compassion and understanding of others. A stone with the ability to help connect to the earth and universe, such connections with earth and universe is claimed to help see our true nature and see past illusion.
Zebra stone benefits stamina, endurance, bone disorders, osteoporosis, teeth, gums, muscle spasms and heart palpitations. Anxiety and depression is also helped along with a bit of protection is by this stone. Certainly a stone that helps with pain.
Relief of stress and increased appreciation for life, helping one to escape over-thinking. Helping with the transition from the material plane to the astral plane. This is what the zebra stone does.
During religious work it is the zebra stone that does a good job of keeping one grounded with the earth. A stone great to use for meditation along with being the stone when dealing with the first, third and sixth chakras. The zebra stone is the stone with the power to remind to live in balance with nature, to protect and revere it.
When carried is said to have the ability to increase one’s compassion and understanding of others. A stone with the ability to help connect to the earth and universe, such connections with earth and universe is claimed to help see our true nature and see past illusion.
Zebra stone benefits stamina, endurance, bone disorders, osteoporosis, teeth, gums, muscle spasms and heart palpitations. Anxiety and depression is also helped along with a bit of protection is by this stone. Certainly a stone that helps with pain.
Relief of stress and increased appreciation for life, helping one to escape over-thinking. Helping with the transition from the material plane to the astral plane. This is what the zebra stone does.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Totems: Vulture
The vulture is a creature that is disliked by many due to its connections with death. Lessons of this totem includes accepting appearances, embracing death and energy conservation.
A question the vulture asks is if we are using too much of our own energy. Too much energy might be used throughout the day. It is the vulture itself that uses the wind and sun to move through life making little energy needed to be used, vulture teaches it is also possible to do this ourselves.
The importance of all roles in societies, big or small, is a teaching of the vulture. No matter the role, wether big or small, it is of importance. A job may seem small or even pointless, but it can be in fact quite important to society in some shape or form.
Another teaching is that it is okay to accept help from others, help is needed at times and asking for help when needed can indeed be of a large amount of help itself. Help doesn’t have to be getting an objective done quicker, it can be about getting food or a place to stay.
Embracement of death is notable as a lesson of death, but to also accept death. Death itself is a part of life, and it is vultures that can locate death and survive off of it. The vulture teaches to understand death, to embrace it and it can be of our own deaths or of others.
Appearances can be misleading, the vulture is known as an ugly creature. It is taught by the vulture that appearances aren’t important, it is more to do with the actions of a person that is important.
It is the vulture that is also associated with a mythological creature known as the harpy. Researching the harpy for those with the vulture totem is an idea and to look at the significance of the harpy in one’s own life will be an idea.
Vultures have a digestive system that can deal with bacteria that humans would be unable to deal with themselves. This totem suggests to look at one’s own diet, to see what foods and drinks we consume that causes more harm rather then good.
A question the vulture asks is if we are using too much of our own energy. Too much energy might be used throughout the day. It is the vulture itself that uses the wind and sun to move through life making little energy needed to be used, vulture teaches it is also possible to do this ourselves.
The importance of all roles in societies, big or small, is a teaching of the vulture. No matter the role, wether big or small, it is of importance. A job may seem small or even pointless, but it can be in fact quite important to society in some shape or form.
Another teaching is that it is okay to accept help from others, help is needed at times and asking for help when needed can indeed be of a large amount of help itself. Help doesn’t have to be getting an objective done quicker, it can be about getting food or a place to stay.
Embracement of death is notable as a lesson of death, but to also accept death. Death itself is a part of life, and it is vultures that can locate death and survive off of it. The vulture teaches to understand death, to embrace it and it can be of our own deaths or of others.
Appearances can be misleading, the vulture is known as an ugly creature. It is taught by the vulture that appearances aren’t important, it is more to do with the actions of a person that is important.
It is the vulture that is also associated with a mythological creature known as the harpy. Researching the harpy for those with the vulture totem is an idea and to look at the significance of the harpy in one’s own life will be an idea.
Vultures have a digestive system that can deal with bacteria that humans would be unable to deal with themselves. This totem suggests to look at one’s own diet, to see what foods and drinks we consume that causes more harm rather then good.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Sanzang
Sanzang, also known as Tang Sanzang, Xuanzang, Tang Monk and in some English translations of Journey to the West, Tripitaka. He is the monk that vowed to the Tang Emperor to go from China to India to get Buddhist scriptures and gained three disciples along the way; Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing.
It is said that Sanzang lived from 602AD to 664AD.
Sanzang himself has the ability to easily remember scriptures after reading it once and to meditate two or three years non-stop if needed. He is a compassionate and caring man who tries to help those in need, but can be easily fooled by demons along with easily captured. If it wasn’t for his three disciples he surely would have died during his travels to fetch scriptures.
Sometimes, a bodhisattva known as Ksitigarbha is mistaken as Sanzang or the other way round due to the two being portrayed similarly with robes, a crown and a staff of a monk. Sanzang is also described often as handsome.
Sanzang also appears in the games Warriors Orochi 2 and Warriors Orochi Z but as an attractive woman rather then handsome man.
Originally this monk was Jin Chan Zi, a disciple of the Buddha and was banished to earth due to being disobedient and didn’t pay attention to Buddha’s teachings. Over the course of ten lives Sanzang was a monk until he was born to a couple known as Mr. and Mrs Chen.
Mr. and Mrs. Chen were taking Sanzang’s grandmother to a high post that was recently secured, with the grandmother falling ill on the way. Mr. Chen bought a carp for her and noticed this carp blinking, so he put it back into the sea as he thought it was a special creature. It was after this that the grandmother decided to stay at an inn, asking Mr. Chen and Mrs. Chen to go by themselves.
Upon taking a boat the couple were in trouble, the two men in charge killed Mr Chen and pushed him into the sea with one of them impersonating Mr. Chen. Mrs. Chen who also was heavily pregnant bore a son soon after, Sanzang, tying him to a board and throwing him into the nearby river seeing as she was fearful that he would be killed.
Sanzang eventually was found by the head monk of a monastery who raised him under the name of Jiang Liu. It was during this time that Mr. Chen’s spirit was revived by the Dragon King who found him. It was this Dragon King that turned out to be the carp that Mr. Chen had released and Mr. Chen’s body was preserved by a magic pearl, from then on Mr. Chen stayed with the Dragon King waiting for his family to find him.
Sanzang grew up as a monk known as Xuanzang, and it was one day that he would ask the head monk of his heritage due to being provoked by another monk. It was revealed to Sanzang a letter found with his body as a baby that explained his origins and what happened to his father. Sanzang vowed revenge and left the monastery.
Sanzang did find his mother who told him to go see Sanzang’s very grandfather, a powerful official. Sanzang’s grandfather lead troops to execute the people who caused his very family trouble. Sanzang went on to find his grandmother and found her just as he found his mother, bringing the old woman back to see Sanzang’s mother.
Upon the reunion, family went to the bank of the river that Sanzang’s father, Mr. Chen, died. Mr. Chen’s body was seen floating towards them on the river. Mr. Chen was pulled out and he started to breathe again.
Years after this, Sanzang was asked by the Emperor of Tang to hold a religious ceremony. It was during the ceremony that Sanzang was approached by Guanyin and her disciple in disguise whom gave Sanzang a monks staff and robe, telling Sanzang to find scriptures known as the Sanzang in India. Guanyin and her disciple left in their original forms and after this the Emperor became sworn brothers with Sanzang, giving him the surname of Tang and changing his name of Xuanzang to Sanzang.
Soon after the events during the religious ceremony, Sanzang left for the scriptures. During the travels he found his first disciple stuck under a mountain and freed him, this was Sun Wukong and he had a band put around his head to keep him under control.
In going to Gao Village Sanzang found his second disciple, Zhu Bajie, and his third disciple Sha Wujing was found in going to a river that needed to be passed.
Over the course of his travels, many demons have captured Sanzang. Many wanted to eat the meat of Sanzang for long life due to a rumour that the very meat of Sanzang will cause the consumer to live for a considerable amount of time. Some whom have captured Sanzang didn’t want to eat his meat, they wanted sex with him. Sanzang got away from all those who captured him thanks to the help of his disciples and eventually got the scriptures he so long he sought after, becoming a Buddha.
It is said that Sanzang lived from 602AD to 664AD.
Sanzang himself has the ability to easily remember scriptures after reading it once and to meditate two or three years non-stop if needed. He is a compassionate and caring man who tries to help those in need, but can be easily fooled by demons along with easily captured. If it wasn’t for his three disciples he surely would have died during his travels to fetch scriptures.
Sometimes, a bodhisattva known as Ksitigarbha is mistaken as Sanzang or the other way round due to the two being portrayed similarly with robes, a crown and a staff of a monk. Sanzang is also described often as handsome.
Sanzang also appears in the games Warriors Orochi 2 and Warriors Orochi Z but as an attractive woman rather then handsome man.
Originally this monk was Jin Chan Zi, a disciple of the Buddha and was banished to earth due to being disobedient and didn’t pay attention to Buddha’s teachings. Over the course of ten lives Sanzang was a monk until he was born to a couple known as Mr. and Mrs Chen.
Mr. and Mrs. Chen were taking Sanzang’s grandmother to a high post that was recently secured, with the grandmother falling ill on the way. Mr. Chen bought a carp for her and noticed this carp blinking, so he put it back into the sea as he thought it was a special creature. It was after this that the grandmother decided to stay at an inn, asking Mr. Chen and Mrs. Chen to go by themselves.
Upon taking a boat the couple were in trouble, the two men in charge killed Mr Chen and pushed him into the sea with one of them impersonating Mr. Chen. Mrs. Chen who also was heavily pregnant bore a son soon after, Sanzang, tying him to a board and throwing him into the nearby river seeing as she was fearful that he would be killed.
Sanzang eventually was found by the head monk of a monastery who raised him under the name of Jiang Liu. It was during this time that Mr. Chen’s spirit was revived by the Dragon King who found him. It was this Dragon King that turned out to be the carp that Mr. Chen had released and Mr. Chen’s body was preserved by a magic pearl, from then on Mr. Chen stayed with the Dragon King waiting for his family to find him.
Sanzang grew up as a monk known as Xuanzang, and it was one day that he would ask the head monk of his heritage due to being provoked by another monk. It was revealed to Sanzang a letter found with his body as a baby that explained his origins and what happened to his father. Sanzang vowed revenge and left the monastery.
Sanzang did find his mother who told him to go see Sanzang’s very grandfather, a powerful official. Sanzang’s grandfather lead troops to execute the people who caused his very family trouble. Sanzang went on to find his grandmother and found her just as he found his mother, bringing the old woman back to see Sanzang’s mother.
Upon the reunion, family went to the bank of the river that Sanzang’s father, Mr. Chen, died. Mr. Chen’s body was seen floating towards them on the river. Mr. Chen was pulled out and he started to breathe again.
Years after this, Sanzang was asked by the Emperor of Tang to hold a religious ceremony. It was during the ceremony that Sanzang was approached by Guanyin and her disciple in disguise whom gave Sanzang a monks staff and robe, telling Sanzang to find scriptures known as the Sanzang in India. Guanyin and her disciple left in their original forms and after this the Emperor became sworn brothers with Sanzang, giving him the surname of Tang and changing his name of Xuanzang to Sanzang.
Soon after the events during the religious ceremony, Sanzang left for the scriptures. During the travels he found his first disciple stuck under a mountain and freed him, this was Sun Wukong and he had a band put around his head to keep him under control.
In going to Gao Village Sanzang found his second disciple, Zhu Bajie, and his third disciple Sha Wujing was found in going to a river that needed to be passed.
Over the course of his travels, many demons have captured Sanzang. Many wanted to eat the meat of Sanzang for long life due to a rumour that the very meat of Sanzang will cause the consumer to live for a considerable amount of time. Some whom have captured Sanzang didn’t want to eat his meat, they wanted sex with him. Sanzang got away from all those who captured him thanks to the help of his disciples and eventually got the scriptures he so long he sought after, becoming a Buddha.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Jera
Jera is the rune of the hour 23:30-0:30 and the fortnight of 13th December to 28th December. This rune is associated with the gods Baldur, Hudur and Loki along with having the meaning of both joy and celebration. 
Jera is the rune that has connection to the harvest, and with the harvest the celebrations that come along it. Because of this connection to celebration Jera is also associated with the winter solstice.
The tree that symbolizes Jera is the oak just as the herb rosemary also a symbol of this rune.
The rune Jera has no inverted interpretation for when it appears, and with that when Jera appears it tells of endings alongside new beginnings. Jera’s association to the harvest makes this rune the one telling to get the rewards from your work for the efforts you have gone through.
The likelihood of personal success is high as Jera notes and good times may be right in front of you.
Jera is the rune that has connection to the harvest, and with the harvest the celebrations that come along it. Because of this connection to celebration Jera is also associated with the winter solstice.
The tree that symbolizes Jera is the oak just as the herb rosemary also a symbol of this rune.
The rune Jera has no inverted interpretation for when it appears, and with that when Jera appears it tells of endings alongside new beginnings. Jera’s association to the harvest makes this rune the one telling to get the rewards from your work for the efforts you have gone through.
The likelihood of personal success is high as Jera notes and good times may be right in front of you.
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