Sunday, September 28, 2008

Photos are ready

Happy Sunday Everyone
If you have clicked on this LINK
you will see that I now have started posting slide shows of my trip to Gettysburg. That will be the permanent link for the trip with the exception of the paranormal side of the trip. That you will find Here I do have the first post ready on that blog so if you are the lest bit interested in "ghost" stop in. Stop in even if your not a believer..I will be posting photos on this blog that will only be found on that blog and some will include history

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Saturday, September 27, 2008

My Trip

Hi Eveyone, I have the first day ready to show you so please stop in to

My Trip To Gettysburg

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Friday, September 26, 2008

I'm Back

Hi Everyone
We are home from Gettysburg and exhausted, I had hoped to post about my trip today but we got home late last night. We had a wonderful time, but got a late start back to VA and hit traffic, then we had car problems which gave us a BIG delay and on top of that we hit MORE TRAFFIC and RAIN and MORE Traffic and RAIN due to the Nor-Easter that came through our area yesterday. It was almost midnight before we got in here, so I have not even looked at the photos yet much less do anything with them.
I took over ONE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED photos during the five days, so it is going to be awhile before I get them in any kind of order to present. I will warn you that I have decided to do them in slide shows and will be putting them on a separate page from this blog so come back for the link. I will probably do a few at time so check back later today

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Sunday, September 21, 2008

Countdown To Gettysburg

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Off We Go

I know this is only Wednesday, but I have decided to make this my last post until I return from my trip. I leave you with this thought


"Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth upon this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal ... We here highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the Earth."
- Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg




This most famous and most important Civil War Battle occurred over three hot summer days, July 1 to July 3, 1863, around the small market town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It began as a skirmish but by its end involved 160,000 Americans.
Out of those Fifty-One Thousand men were killed or wounded. The soldiers actually only fought for about 24 hours out of those three days.
This means that for every hour they fought 2,125 men were shot. Every minute almost 36 men were hit by flying metal. Every TWO seconds, a man was hit..For twenty-four hours....



Please return and join me On Friday September 26 as I present to you
GETTYSBURG!!

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Sunday, September 14, 2008

One Week To Go

It is finally down to one week now until our vacation and with no bad luck next Sunday at this time I will be half way to Gettyburg!
It feels like it has taken a long time to arrive. Remind me next year to NOT plan so far ahead when I want to go somewhere ok.
I feel like I have a million things to do, but If I push came to shove I could get it ready and in the car in about an hour and go. OK, make that two hours, but I do have most of it together. At lest it is together in my head.

I have a list made and have begun to mark things off on it as I get them ready. Actually it SEVERAL list. I divided things up to make sure I don't forget anything. One list for camping stuff like flash lights and batteries, the grill, charcoal, ice chest etc.
The next list is for cooking. Things I need like a hand held can opener, paper plates a sharp knife, a table cloth, and lots of other stuff.

Then I have listed all the food I want to cook and the clothes we need to bring. 99% of MY clothes are packed (the hubby has to do his yet, but he owns fewer clothes than I do so he can't pack until the last minute) and the food of course can't be put in the car until the last minute.

The last list is my "ghost hunting" things. Of course we can't afford "real" equipment like you see on TV but I do have
The camera, extra batteries, the charger a compass, the tape recorders, and even a small outdoor thermometer. (Did you know that drops in temperature have been reported when paranormal occurrences are about to happen?) And last but not lest the books by Mark Nesbitt on the Ghost of Gettysburg (gotta check out some of the places)

Anyway I probably won't be posting much this next week. After today I only have one more day off work before we leave and I want to have it all in the car (except for the food) before then. I will pop in to say goodbye and let everyone know we are on the way and I will try and read your blogs of course but if you don't see anything here for awhile don't worry.
Life is good, just busy.

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Friday, September 12, 2008

Sky Watch




For more Sky Watch photos visit Tom

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Thursday, September 11, 2008

Where were you....Remembering 9-11

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love

The greatest is love
The greatest is love

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day

(Alan Jackson)

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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

H is for Hat

It is time for ABC Wednesday


 

H is for HAT and this one is at South Of The Boader, which can be found between North and South Carolina
Posted by Picasa

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Why Me

Grrrrrr
I just did a 15 day forecast for Gettysburg and guess what. It is suppose to rain on Monday....Can you believe the bad luck. At lest we are going in on Sunday and will have that afternoon on the battlefield. I am so mad. I sure hope the forecast changes between now and then and if anything it is scattered showers. I am sure we can find plenty of indoor things to do, but what a pain in the butt to be there in the rain. Everyone start singing..Rain Rain Go Away

On the up side if it turns out to be thunderstorms that is a plus for Ghost Hunting. It is said that the energy of the storm helps manifest the spirits. So we will see what happens. All I know is I don't want the whole day wasted due to rain.

I have my list made and have started to gather together the things I need to take with us. I don't think I have ever been camping for four days before and even staying in cabin, I have come to realize that I need to take a humongous amount of things with me. I think I need a vacation to get ready for the vacation

Just 10 days to go now!

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Monday, September 8, 2008

Monday Monochrome




While I was out blog suring this morning I ran across a new Meme that will done every Monday. It is called Monochrome Monday and can be found HERE This is the first week it is being done. The idea is to post a monachrone (black and white photo) on your blog with a link back to the host blog.
It should be a lot of fun.


I don't think the photo has to be old as long as it is done in black and white/monachrone but I love the old ones and since I have a few I thought I would start with this one of my Grandpa and his brothers and sisters. Probably taken in the late 1940's

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award


My blog friend from Bringing up Salamanders has awarded me with this award. That you!
The idea is to pass it on to other bloggers. I can never pick just a few so everyone please feel free to take this and pass it on to your readers who you think deserve it.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

You might have noticed

You might have noticed my countdown calender has changed. If you look closely you will notice that is HAS BEEN MOVED UP A DAY!!
Yep, we decided that we would leave to go up there on Sunday the 21st instead of Monday morning. Both my husband and myself are off and we started thinking about how we were just wasting a day of vacation, so I called and booked us early.

To be honest I am really surprised the cabin was open for that day. I had called a couple of weeks ago to try and get it for an extra day at the end of the reservation and it was already booked. Matter of fact we had already packed the tent on the off chance that we wanted to stay an extra day. This really works out great because now the cabin is in our name for four days instead of three, and we don't have to worry about finding something else if we want to extend.

This means with no bad luck, two weeks from now I will be sitting around a campfire enjoying life....unless the ghost gets me ha ha.
See
THIS POST
if you don't know what I am talking about.

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Saturday, September 6, 2008

Just my luck

While blog surfing at a favorite of mine The Paranormal Blog today. I learned the following News: That Most Haunted will be broadcasting LIVE on Oct. 10th from GETTYSBURG PA.!!
It figures, I am going up there Sept. 22nd and will miss the live show by just a few weeks. To top it off that day is my birthday, and I almost waited to take my vacation that week. Sigh.
Oh well I know I will probably enjoy the show more knowing I have seen the places they are going to visit, and have done my own investigations.
Here is what the shows website has to say




Join the Most Haunted team on Friday, Oct. 10, for the first-ever live broadcast from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the most haunted town in America.

Starting at 8 p.m. ET, The investigative team will begin an extraordinary 7-hour LIVE paranormal investigation of some of the most historically significant locations and landmarks in and around Gettysburg.

For three long days in 1863, the south and the north faced off in the deadliest clash of the civil war: The Battle of Gettysburg. Every two seconds a man was shot, the streets ran red with the blood of the dead, and nearly every dwelling served as a makeshift morgue or hospital.

Viewers at home will be able to take part in this interactive investigation by monitoring live webcams and communicating with the team via the message boards, text messaging and psychic art.

Join Yvette Fielding and the rest of the Most Haunted team as they scour the streets of Gettysburg in search of the spirits left behind.

Don't miss it! Watch Most Haunted Live: Gettysburg, on Friday, Oct. 10, from 8 p.m. - 3 a.m. ET.

Be sure and stop by the Most Haunted web page for a sneak preview

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Saturday Morning

It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring. (Children's Nursery Rhyme)
Or at lest he would have been if we had not been woke up at 5:30 this morning by the phone. It was my daughter calling to let me know that she was on the way to the ER with my grandson who was running a fever over 102. I live close to the hospital, so I threw my clothes on and met her there. Thankfully no one else was there and they got us right in. The Dr. seems to think he is just catching a bad cold, and advised Tylenol/Motrin (did you know it works better if you alternate). They did a test for step throat (which was negative) and sent her home. Normally she doesn't panic when he first gets sick, but with the storm expected to hit here today she didn't want to take any chances. From there we went to McDonald's for breakfast and then to the store for more meds. She dropped me off and now it is only 8:15 in the morning.
The rain has started, but not hard yet, with very little wind. It seems to come in gust then stop for awhile. They say as the day goes on it will be worst, but the weather man is predicting that the worst of it will be west of our area and is heading up to Richmond. I hope it keeps going. My husband is getting ready for work and I have to go in at 2 and stay until 11. You might remember that the hubby and I share the car, so I am giving it to him today so I don't have to go out on my dinner hour and pick him. One of my co-workers is picking me up and he will get me at the end of my shift.
I suspect with the rain and storm that the store will be dead. I know long before 11 we will not have anything to do. God, this is going to be a L O N G day. I think most people shopped yesterday and we were busy until later in the afternoon.
Of course there is always a few die hard shoppers and I am sure some idiot will be there tonight to buy that $4.00 blouse that she just can't live without. Never mind that a tropical storm is raging outside.
Matter of fact, we did have one customer call and demand that our coupon for the morning special yesterday be extended because she didn't want to come out in the rain today. She actually told the girl who answered the phone that she didn't think she should have to take her life in her hands to come in and shop, that we (the store) should extend the coupon.
Somehow I find that sad. She really needs a life. People...Shopping is NOT a priority in our life. Sigh!
Oh well, it should be fun today *NOT*
Take care everyone and I will check in again soon

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Sky Watch Friday/Saturday

Usually on Fridays I do the SKY WATCH but wanted to wait until today to post my photos so I could show the sky as the Tropical Storm Hannah comes in. As you can see it is gray....Sorry I don't have anything better to show this week.



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Friday, September 5, 2008

Rain Rain Go Away

Just a quick post to say if for some reason I disappear for a few days it might be due to power outages. We are expecting a lot of rain and winds here from the tropical storm that is expected to come in off the cost of North Carolina and Virginia. They are already predicting that we may be without power. Just peachy huh. Of course everyone here is in the usual "oh my gosh we might get a hurricane/storm panic" and the grocery stores are empty of bottled water and snack food. I never give these warnings much thought (however I do go get a few things at the store and make sure I have either batteries or candles...this time I have both since I have recently bought new flash lights for our trip to Gettysburg)
Anyway the bad weather is suppose to come in here sometime late tomorrow and last until at lest sometime Saturday night before it moves on up the coast.
I wouldn't mind so bad if it wasn't that I was scheduled to work on Saturday from 2-11 pm. (Don't you just love retail stores). It is our big One Day Sale and the store manager has already informed us that we will be open. Our store is one of the large anchor stores in the mall and we are the last to close in any type of emergency. (Stupid people)
Sooooo like I said if you don't see me for a few days, don't worry. I will be back ASAP
(and of course if this is another false alarm, which 99% of the time they are..I will be on line over the weekend)

TROPICAL STORM WATCH
Issue Date: 1110 PM EDT THU SEP 04 2008
Expiration: 1115 PM EDT FRI SEP 05 2008

...TROPICAL STORM HANNA HEADING TOWARD THE SOUTHEAST UNITED STATES
COAST...
.AT 1100 PM EDT...THE CENTER OF TROPICAL STORM HANNA WAS
ESTIMATED NEAR LATITUDE 26.5 NORTH...LONGITUDE 76.3 WEST OR ABOUT
50 MILES EAST OF GREAT ABACO ISLAND AND ABOUT 540 MILES SOUTH OF
WILMINGTON NORTH CAROLINA.
HANNA IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTHWEST NEAR 14 MPH. A GRADUAL TURN
TO THE NORTH WITH A GRADUAL INCREASE IN FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED
ON FRIDAY. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE CENTER OF HANNA WILL CLEAR
THE NORTHWESTERN BAHAMAS EARLY FRIDAY...AND WILL BE APPROACHING
THE SOUTHEAST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES BY LATE FRIDAY.
HOWEVER...RAINS AND WINDS ASSOCIATED WITH HANNA WILL REACH THE
COAST WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE CENTER.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 65 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. ONLY
SLIGHT STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST PRIOR TO LANDFALL... ALTHOUGH IT
IS STILL POSSIBLE FOR HANNA TO BECOME A HURRICANE.
TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 315 MILES...
MAINLY TO THE NORTH AND EAST OF THE CENTER.
ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 987 MB...29.15 INCHES.
ANZ630>632-650-652-654-656-MDZ021>025-VAZ075-077-078-084>086-
089>091-093>100-060315-
/O.CON.KAKQ.TR.A.1008.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM SMITH POINT TO WINDMILL POINT VA-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM WINDMILL POINT TO NEW POINT COMFORT VA-
CHESAPEAKE BAY FROM NEW POINT COMFORT TO CAPE HENRY VA-
COASTAL WATERS FROM FENWICK ISLAND DE TO CHINCOTEAGUE VA OUT
20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM CHINCOTEAGUE TO PARRAMORE ISLAND VA OUT 20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM PARRAMORE ISLAND TO CAPE CHARLES LIGHT VA OUT
20 NM-
COASTAL WATERS FROM CAPE CHARLES LIGHT VA TO NC VA BORDER OUT
20 NM-DORCHESTER-WICOMICO-SOMERSET-INLAND WORCESTER-
MARYLAND BEACHES-WESTMORELAND-NORTHUMBERLAND-LANCASTER-GLOUCESTER-
MIDDLESEX-MATHEWS-SURRY-JAMES CITY-YORK-ISLE OF WIGHT-
NEWPORT NEWS/HAMPTON-NORFOLK/PORTSMOUTH-SUFFOLK-CHESAPEAKE-
VIRGINIA BEACH-ACCOMACK-NORTHAMPTON VA-
1110 PM EDT THU SEP 4 2008
...TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT...
...NEW INFORMATION...
UPDATED CURRENT POSITION OF STORM.
...AREAS AFFECTED...
THIS STATEMENT RECOMMENDS ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN BY PERSONS IN...
THE CENTRAL CHESAPEAKE BAY...THE SOUTHERN CHESAPEAKE BAY...THE
MID ATLANTIC COASTAL WATERS...THE LOWER EASTERN SHORE OF
MARYLAND...INTERIOR SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA...SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS
VIRGINIA...THE EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA...THE MIDDLE PENINSULA
OF VIRGINIA...THE NORTHERN NECK OF VIRGINIA AND THE PENINSULA OF
SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA.
...WATCHES/WARNINGS...
A TROPICAL STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA
AND VIRGINIA BORDER NORTHWARD TO GREAT EGG INLET NEW
JERSEY...INCLUDING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY.
...PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
WHEN MAKING YOUR TROPICAL STORM PLAN...GIVE FULL CONSIDERATION TO
WHETHER YOU SHOULD LEAVE OR STAY IF A WARNING IS ISSUED FOR YOUR
LOCATION. HEED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
OFFICIALS IF ASKED TO EVACUATE.
FILL AUTOMOBILE GAS TANKS...AS POWER MAY BE LOST AND GAS STATIONS
MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DISPENSE FUEL. FILL CLEAN CONTAINERS WITH
WATER. PLAN ON AT LEAST ONE GALLON OF CLEAN WATER PER PERSON PER
DAY FOR DRINKING...IN ADDITION TO WATER NECESSARY FOR
COOKING...CLEANING...AND FLUSHING TOILETS.
STOCK UP ON CANNED FOOD...ESPECIALLY FOOD THAT CAN BE EATEN
WITHOUT COOKING OR HEATING. CHECK FOR ADEQUATE SUPPLIES OF
PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS.
HAVE WORKABLE FLASHLIGHTS OR PORTABLE LANTERNS AND A BATTERY-
POWERED RADIO. HAVE A SUPPLY OF SPARE BATTERIES. USE BATTERY-
POWERED LIGHTS INSTEAD OF CANDLES SINCE FIRE FIGHTERS AND
EMERGENCY PERSONNEL MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REACH YOU DURING THE
HURRICANE.
PREPARE TO BOARD UP WINDOWS IF NECESSARY. STORE OR SECURE LAWN
FURNITURE...BARBECUE GRILLS...GARBAGE CANS...AND OTHER LOOSE
OUTDOOR OBJECTS.
...STORM SURGE AND STORM TIDE...
STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 2 TO 4 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE
LEVELS...ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE
EXPECTED ON SATURDAY ALONG THE BEACHES OF VIRGINIA AND MARYLAND.
COASTAL FLOODING WILL BE GREATEST AROUND THE TIMES OF HIGH TIDE
WHICH WILL OCCUR FROM AROUND NOON UNTIL THE EARLY AFTERNOON HOURS
ON SATURDAY.
...WINDS...
SUSTAINED TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS OR GUSTS ARE EXPECTED TO
AFFECT EASTERN VIRGINIA AND THE EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND
SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING...MAINLY IN LOCATIONS
ALONG THE IMMEDIATE COAST.
...INLAND FLOODING...
RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 5 INCHES ARE EXPECTED ACROSS PORTIONS OF
THE LOWER MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE AND EASTERN PORTIONS OF
VIRGINIA...WITH ISOLATED HEAVIER AMOUNTS.
...NEXT UPDATE...
THE NEXT TROPICAL STORM HANNA LOCAL STATEMENT WILL BE ISSUED BY
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN WAKEFIELD VA BETWEEN 5 AM AND 6 AM
EDT.

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Wednesday, September 3, 2008

The Days of September

The Days of September



September 1
On this date in the sixth century B.C., the Persian prophet and mystic known as Zoroaster was born. He founded the religion of Zoroastrinism, which teaches that all of mankind is trapped in a perpetual battle between good spirits and bad spirits.


September 2
On this date in ancient Athens, an annual Grape Vine Festival was held in honor of the Greek deities Ariadne and Dionysus. In Crete, Ariadne was worshipped as a goddess of the Moon, and Dionysus as the son of Semele (who was also a goddess of the Moon).


September 3
On this day, the annual Path Clearing Festival (Akwambo) is held by the Akan people of Ghana to honor and receive blessings from the ancient god of the sacred well.

The Maidens of the Four Directions are honored on this day each year by a Hopi Indian women's healing ceremony called Lakon.


September 4
At sunrise on this day, the Changing Woman Ceremony is held annually by the Native American tribe of the Apache in Arizona. The rite, which lasts for four consecutive days, marks the coming of age of a pubescent girl, who ritually transforms into the spirit-goddess known as Changing Woman and blesses all who are in attendance.


September 5
In ancient Rome, the Roman Games, in honor of the god Jupiter, began annually on this date and lasted until the thirteenth day of September.

Ganesh, the elephant-headed Hindu god of good luck and prosperity, is honored on this day throughout India with a parade and a festival of rejoicing.


September 6
An ancient Inca blood festival called the Situa was held annually on this date to ward off the evil spirits of illness and disease. As part of the ceremony, parents would eat a special cake consecrated with the blood of their offspring.


September 7
Healer's Day. This is a special day dedicated to all women and men who possess the Goddess-given gift of healing and who use it unselfishly to help others.

Daena, the Maiden Goddess of the Parsees, is honored on this date each year with a religious festival in India.


September 8
On this date in the year 1875, the Theosophical Society (an organization dedicated to spreading occult lore and ancient wisdom) was founded by Madame Helena Petrova Blavatsky, Henry Steel Olcott, William Judge, and other occultists.


September 9
In China, chrysanthemum wine is traditionally drunk on this day each year to ensure long life and to honor Tao Yuan-Ming, a Chinese poet who was deified as the god of the chrysanthemum.


September 10
The Ceremony of the Deermen is held every year at dawn on the first Monday after Wakes Sunday (which normally falls on or near this date). As part of the ceremony, held at Abbots Bromley in Staffordshire, England, the Deerman, wearing antlers and carrying clubs surmounted with deers' heads, escort two young men dressed as Robin Hood and Maid Marian across the village.

On this date in the year 1930, Carl Llewellyn Weschcke (former Wiccan high priest and owner of Llewellyn Publications) was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. In 1972 he was initiated by Lady Sheba into the American Celtic tradition of Witchcraft, and in 1973 he helped to organize the Council of American Witches.


September 11
In Egypt, a centuries old festival called the Day of Queens is celebrated annually on this date in honor of Hatshepsut, Nefertiti, and Cleopatra, who were also regarded as goddesses.


September 12
On this date in the year 1902, actress Margaret Hamilton was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She is best known for her memorable role as the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. She died on May 16, 1985, in Salisbury, Connecticut.


September 13
Egyptian All Souls' Day. Every year on this date, the ancient Egyptians celebrated a religious festival known as The Ceremony of Lighting the Fire. Sacred fires were lit in temples in honor of the spirits of the dead and the goddess Nephthys, protectress of the dead and Queen of the Underworld.


September 14
In ancient Rome, the Feast of the Holy Cross was celebrated on this date in commemoration of a supernatural vision of a cross in the sky, as well as a battle victory of Roman Emperor Constantine I.

On this date in the year 1692, the Witch trial of two Pilgrim women opened in Stamford, Connecticut. One was found not guilty; the other was convicted and sentenced to die, but was later reprieved by an investigating committee.

On this date in the year 1486, ceremonial magician Agrippa von Nettesheim was born in Cologne, France. He was skilled in the arts of divination, numerology, and astrology, and wrote several books that had a great influence over Western occultism. He died in Grenoble, France in the year 1535.


September 15
The full moon of September, known as the Harvest Moon, normally begins on or around this date. Many believe it to possess great magickal powers, and numerous superstitions are connected with it. Harvest Moon rituals are performed throughout the world on the first night of the full moon by many Witches and Pagans, especially those who dwell in the country.


September 16
Feast of Saint Cornely. On this day, villagers and farmers who live in Brittany honor Saint Cornely, the patron of horned animals who is believed to have created the Carnac megaliths by magickally transforming enemy soldiers into stone. At midnight, oxen are blessed in a shrine dedicated to him.


September 17
On this date in the year 1964, Bewitched (the first television sitcom about a Witch) made its debut on ABC-TV. It became an instant hit and received twenty-two Emmy nominations.

In ancient Greece, the goddess Demeter was honored annually on this date with a festival of secret rites.


September 18
In the town of Berkshire, England, a centuries-old celebration known as Scouring the White Horse begins on this date. The festival of games and athletic competition takes place on a hillside carved with the huge figure of a galloping steed, and lasts for two consecutive days.


September 19
On this day in ancient Babylonia, an annual festival of prayers and feasts took place in honor of Gula, the goddess of birth.

On this date in the year 1692, Giles Corey (a Massachusetts man charged with the crime of Witchcraft) was pressed to death by two large stones in Salem for refusing to acknowledge the Court's right to try him.


September 20
The Spring Equinox (South of the Equator) was celebrated approximately on this date by the ancient Incas. It was a time for honoring the Sun God, feasting, rejoicing, animal sacrifices, and divinations. Festivals were also held on this date throughout South America to celebrate the birthday of the god Quetzalcoatl.


September 21
Saint Matthew's Day. In many parts of the world, this is a traditional day for performing divinations of all kinds. In Germany, fortune-telling wreaths of straw and evergreen, made on this day by young girls, were used for love divination.

In ancient Greece, the birth of the goddess Athena was celebrated annually on this day.


September 22
On the first day of Autumn (which normally occurs on or near this date), the Autumn Equinox Sabbat is celebrated by Wiccans and Witches throughout the world. Autumn Equinox (which is also known as the Fall Sabbat, Alban Elfed, and the Second Festival of Harvest) is a time for thanksgiving, meditation, and introspection. On this sacred day, Witches rededicated themselves to the Craft, and Wiccan initiation ceremonies are performed by the High Priestess and Priests of covens. Many Wiccan traditions also perform a special rite for the goddess Persephone's descent into the Underworld as part of their Autumn Equinox celebration.


September 23
On this date (approximately), the Sun enters the astrological sign of Libra. Persons born under the sign of the Scales (the Balance) are said to be artistic, resourceful, extroverted, balanced, and often indecisive. Libra is an air sign and is ruled by the planet Venus.


September 24
In ancient Egypt, the annual death and rebirth of the god Osiris was celebrated once a year on this date. A festival held in his honor consisted of song, dance, and ceremonial plantings.

In West Africa, this day is sacred to Obatala, a hermaphrodite deity who was believed to have given birth to all Yoruban gods and goddesses.


September 25
On this date in ancient Greece, a feast of beans known as the Pyanopsia was celebrated annually in honor of the great Olympian god Apollo and the three beautiful goddesses of the four seasons known as the Horae.

The birthday of Sedna, the Eskimo goddess of both the sea and the Underworld, is celebrated annually on this date in Greenland, northeastern Siberia, and the Arctic coastal regions of North America.


September 26
Theseus, the great hero of Athens who slew the Minotaur and conquered the Amazons, was honored on this date in ancient Greece with an annual festival called the Theseia. The celebration lasted until the twenty-ninth day of September.

In ancient times, a goat sacrifice was performed annually on this day to appease Azazel, a Hebrew fallen angel who seduced mankind. He was associated with the planet Mars.


September 27
Moon Festival. On this date, an annual ceremony takes place in China to honor the Moon Hare and to give thanks to the gods for a harvest of abundance. The rites associated with the Moon Festival are always performed by women as the Moon represents yin, the female cosmic element.


September 28
On this date in ancient Athens, an annual Thesmophoria festival was celebrated in honor of the Greek goddess Demeter. The festival lasted until the third day of October.


September 29
Michaelmas. According to English folklore, it was on this day that the Devil fell from Heaven, landed on a blackberry bush, and cursed the berries. Therefore, it is unlucky to pick blackberries after Michaelmas. In parts of Scotland, special Michaelmas cakes are eaten by the superstitious on this day to ward off all evil and misfortune in the coming year.


September 30
On this date, the annual Meditrinalia festival was celebrated in the city of Rome in honor of the goddess Meditrina, a deity who presided over medicines
and the arts of healing.

In ancient Greece, the Epitaphia was held once a year on this date to honor the souls of the warriors slain to battle.

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Monday, September 1, 2008

Broom Magic


Broom Magic:

Items needed:

1 clogged vacuum cleaner hose
1 long handled broom

Directions:
Sit on couch, take vacuum hose in hand. Shove broom stick in hose.
Viola! Magic

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