The Victorian Christmas Bush is a shrub/tree botanically called Prostanthera lasianthos, growing typically up to 4.5m high and between 1.5-3m wide. It naturally grows along water courses in forests of south-eastern Australian.
Its leaves are toothed and lance shaped and its flowers are white to pale mauve marked with orange and purple in its throat. It needs well drained soil and takes preference to some shade and well composted soils. It needs full sun and is frost tolerant.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Gods And Goddesses: Uzume
Uzume, also called Ame-no-Uzume-no-mikoto or simple Ame-no-Uzume, is the goddess of dance, joy, good health and dawn. Her brother is Ninigi and is married to Saruta-Hiko.
It was Uzume who got the sun goddess Amaterasu out of the cave with her dancing, where she exposed her breasts and played with her genitals. It was this dance that caused the other deities to laugh, causing Amaterasu to become curious and to investigate.
Uzume also accompanied Ninigi to earth when Ninigi was to be the first emperor of Japan. It was a monster that appeared when Ninigi was about to descend that caused Uzume to approach this monster bare breasted and with a laugh. Uzume asked who this monster was, the answer was Saruta-Hiko, the god who later became Uzume’s husband.
It was Uzume who got the sun goddess Amaterasu out of the cave with her dancing, where she exposed her breasts and played with her genitals. It was this dance that caused the other deities to laugh, causing Amaterasu to become curious and to investigate.
Uzume also accompanied Ninigi to earth when Ninigi was to be the first emperor of Japan. It was a monster that appeared when Ninigi was about to descend that caused Uzume to approach this monster bare breasted and with a laugh. Uzume asked who this monster was, the answer was Saruta-Hiko, the god who later became Uzume’s husband.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Totem: Worm
Worms are well known for being creatures of under the earth and thought to be able to become two worms when cut in half by some. They are used for the purpose of consuming natural wastes such as leftover food to create a fertilizer.
There is nothing wrong getting dirty and work that gets one dirty is promoted by the worm. The most basic form of this is through one’s job, where it is expected to get dirty, it can be a job involving sewers or cleaning up. Sadly, this cannot always be done and it has to be done in spare time and can be easily done with gardening itself.
The worm also reminds how the past influences the future, a ripple effect. Everything done in the past affects those around, allowing the present to be as it is, and helps shape the future even in the most minor of ways.
To the worm, the earth is given great focus by it as it is its home, a place to live and a place to care for. Helping the earth is a great thing to do and should be done, whether it be environmentalism, minimalizing waste or reducing waste.
There is nothing wrong getting dirty and work that gets one dirty is promoted by the worm. The most basic form of this is through one’s job, where it is expected to get dirty, it can be a job involving sewers or cleaning up. Sadly, this cannot always be done and it has to be done in spare time and can be easily done with gardening itself.
The worm also reminds how the past influences the future, a ripple effect. Everything done in the past affects those around, allowing the present to be as it is, and helps shape the future even in the most minor of ways.
To the worm, the earth is given great focus by it as it is its home, a place to live and a place to care for. Helping the earth is a great thing to do and should be done, whether it be environmentalism, minimalizing waste or reducing waste.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Black Wattle
Black Wattle is a common name of a tree botanically called Acacia mearnsii, a medium sized tree growing up to 10m and is a fast grower. It flowers in spring and summer, giving off ball shaped flowers cream in colour.
A hardy plant, it is tolerant of drought and frost. It can also grow in either clay, loam or sand. Its seeds are harvested by some seeds and can be grown at least fifty years after it is produced by the tree
A hardy plant, it is tolerant of drought and frost. It can also grow in either clay, loam or sand. Its seeds are harvested by some seeds and can be grown at least fifty years after it is produced by the tree
Monday, March 19, 2012
Change
Change is one thing that can be expected in life with absolute certain. It can be alike to death in aspect of being the kindest friend or the cruellest beast, where of which it remains truly in shadows until it happens. With change, it is to be learnt to be accepted (alike with death).
Certain changes become normal early on, aging, the gain or loss of someone or something important, a new leader of the country. Many changes remain uncertain and hence feared. A change may be one that brings blessings, a time of greatness, or go in the completely opposite direction with sadness and despair filling the surrounding air.
Such uncertain changes need to be dealt with, experience being a factor of how to deal with the change that proves to create a tough period. Experience proves impractical when young, with history being a tool to learn from. As time goes on experience gives power as it allows for better understanding, something youth does not have, where learning from the older generations is a tool that is useful.
Change may be positive and easy to deal with, but dealing with negative change can be a very tough time. Knowing how to deal with change is understanding, first-hand experience and learning how it was dealt with from others first-hand experiences being the means to gather the needed understanding.
Change itself is normal, it is a blessing and it is a curse. Ability to deal with changes come along, major and minor, are personal as many changes are.
Certain changes become normal early on, aging, the gain or loss of someone or something important, a new leader of the country. Many changes remain uncertain and hence feared. A change may be one that brings blessings, a time of greatness, or go in the completely opposite direction with sadness and despair filling the surrounding air.
Such uncertain changes need to be dealt with, experience being a factor of how to deal with the change that proves to create a tough period. Experience proves impractical when young, with history being a tool to learn from. As time goes on experience gives power as it allows for better understanding, something youth does not have, where learning from the older generations is a tool that is useful.
Change may be positive and easy to deal with, but dealing with negative change can be a very tough time. Knowing how to deal with change is understanding, first-hand experience and learning how it was dealt with from others first-hand experiences being the means to gather the needed understanding.
Change itself is normal, it is a blessing and it is a curse. Ability to deal with changes come along, major and minor, are personal as many changes are.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Gods And Goddesses: Dian Mu
Dian Mu is the goddess of lightning and wife to the thunder god Lei Gong. Dian Mu can distinguish good from evil with her mirrors and is the goddess of justice for this reason. She creates lightning with two large mirrors and is also known as Tian Mu. Dian Mu personally has a festival held on the sixth day of the tenth month of the lunar year.
Dian Mu was once accidently struck by Lei Gong’s thunder, and due to this strike was killed. She was made the goddess of lightning to help Lei Gong see where to throw his thunder using her two mirrors.
Dian Mu was once accidently struck by Lei Gong’s thunder, and due to this strike was killed. She was made the goddess of lightning to help Lei Gong see where to throw his thunder using her two mirrors.
Friday, March 16, 2012
Totem: Frog
Frogs come in variety and are easily recognized amphibious carnivores. Many species of frog are threatened by pollution and habitat destruction.
The frog teaches to let others know how one is; this can include tiredness, happiness or any other emotions, especially those which are negative. Letting others know, especially those close, can be a benefit in one form or another.
Having a dream journal may be a good idea, as the frog teaches to look at one’s own dreams. Dreams can tell a lot, and keeping track of dreams can tell plenty about one’s past.
Being adaptive is nothing new, yet remains forgotten by many. The frog teaches to be adaptive in situations which are tough and to environments which can be highly unfavourable to stay in.
The frog teaches to let others know how one is; this can include tiredness, happiness or any other emotions, especially those which are negative. Letting others know, especially those close, can be a benefit in one form or another.
Having a dream journal may be a good idea, as the frog teaches to look at one’s own dreams. Dreams can tell a lot, and keeping track of dreams can tell plenty about one’s past.
Being adaptive is nothing new, yet remains forgotten by many. The frog teaches to be adaptive in situations which are tough and to environments which can be highly unfavourable to stay in.
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