Speaking of celebrating birthdays in October

Speaking of celebrating birthdays in October, warm wishes go out to Hilary Rodham Clinton. Happy Birthday Hilary! One way to make a birthday special and make your dreams come true is to blow out the candles and then blow some bubbles -- literally. 

Any evening around the new Moon, just as the Sun is setting and dusk is afoot, take a bottle of bubbles and blow your wishes to the wind, one-by-one. In Eastern traditions, blowing these bubbles into the wind at dusk during new Moon energies will bring hopes and dreams into the mouth of the Sky Dragon, who then grants your dreams and desires. 

And it's eco-friendly too, the perfect way to wish our political friend a warm, wonderful and bubbly day!

Celebrate the founding of the United Nations

We can celebrate the founding of the United Nations today by thinking about how we can bring harmony and balance into our own lives. The brilliant Taoist philosopher Lao Tsu reminds: 'If there is peace in the world, there must be peace in the nations, there must be peace in the cities. If there is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors. 
If there is to be peace between neighbors, there must be peace in the home. If there is to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart.' What he is highlighting is the power of the ripple effect. 

One of the easiest and seasonally sensational ways to bring peace to the home is to have a wooden bowl of apples out on the kitchen or dining room table. Long considered a token of peace and friendship, when you create an atmosphere of loving peacefulness in your own environment you have also just contributed those same powerful sentiments for the planet! United with peace, for all Nations we stand!

The Harvest Moon

As night descends today, what's known as the harvest Moon -- or the full Moon closest to the Autumnal Equinox -- will rise. This particular full Moon is termed the harvest Moon because it allows farmers extra light, and therefore additional time, to bring in their harvest. This moon always hangs low in the sky and often has an orange, red or even pink glow.

 This full Moon is also believed to be a particularly fruitful time of culmination, manifestation and promise -- particularly where romance, relationships and love are concerned. Since the Moon is the heavenly body most associated with granting wishes, let's try some time tested techniques: as you catch sight of this particularly evocative and truly beautiful moon, stop and gaze at it. Literally bathe yourself in the rays of the moon, continually staring into it.

 Concentrate on your wish and desire and then give it a voice. Speak to the Moon, asking in a clear and articulate way for what you want. Tradition says you should see some form of your petition come true before the next new Moon!

The Energies of Libra according to the Western Zodiac

The beginning of October is associated with the energies of Libra according to the Western Zodiac. This sign is said to rule both the lower back and the kidneys. If you are suffering from any sort of kidney ailment (and only after consulting with a qualified physician), you should you consider using the energy around you to heal from the outside in. 

First, be sure that your home is not water deficient in any way, as that represents or translates to kidney deficiencies as well. Fix all leaky faucets and toilets in the home and workspace (this will save water as well!). Eat black beans, soy, kidney beans (duh!), blueberries and blackberries while avoiding excessively spicy foods. 

Finally, put a white vase filled with blue flowers directly inside the front door of your home to stimulate a healthy flow of energy and bringing balance to the body. All of these efforts can help flush any anxiety caused by kidney ailments away and restore vital Chi to those important organs.

Quite a Historical day

This was quite a historical day for the state of Oklahoma, where in 1802 the first non-Indian settlement was established. It must have been interesting for the Native Americans to watch and see how their brother blessed and cleansed his new space as compared to the ancient ways of the indigenous. 

Information from Indian archives advises that to cleanse or clear any space we should use some dried sage leaves. Put a few leaves of dried sage into any non-flammable container and light with a match. Allow the sage to burn for a few seconds before blowing the fire out. 

Now, waft the smoke from the sage into all the corners of each room to be cleansed or just walk around the main floor of your space in a clockwise direction letting the smoke clear and cleanse the air as you walk a spiral to the center or the heart of the home. 

This ancient ritual not only sends negative energies packing but will allow them to be accompanied by any energies left over from people who lived on the land before you, called in Feng Shui 'predecessor' energy. Get a fresh start and bring balance and harmony to your home by clearing it first. A wonderful way to begin anew.

I learned a poem about Christopher Columbus in grammar school once upon a time that went something like: 'In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.' That's all I remember about this poem, but, c'mon, to remember something so abstract from the second grade, it goes to show the power of rhyme -- especially as I am learning how this power can help to manifest our intentions.

 Many traditions hold that when you pray or 'ask' for anything that will improve life (yours or someone else's), that those words should have both a cadence and some rhyme in order for them to be both effective and activate those intentions. 

Today, why not explore your own empowerment and intone an affirmative adaptation from F. S. Shinn and the School of New Thought: 'The tide of destiny has turned for me today. Everything now begins to go my way.' Say this silently and aloud for nine days straight and then flow, baby, flow!

Your wardrobe

Shorter, sunny days and longer, cooler nights might have many of us pulling out the sweaters instead of swimsuits. As the seasons shift, so should your wardrobe, but you must be careful never to wear anything that has outlived its purpose, no matter how old and dearly loved. 

Clothing that is torn, ripped, pilled or stained should be ousted along with the negative energies they carry. In Feng Shui, tattered clothes are believed to posses a 'poverty' energy and will bring the wearer bad fortune and grim luck. Gather all the clothes in your closets that have seen better days and get rid of them. 

The room you make in your closet now won't be empty space for long!

Blackberries

Long ago, there was a folkloric belief that blackberries should not be picked (or eaten) after October 11. After this day, it was said, the Devil happened to fall into a thicket of blackberries and then cursed the thorns by spitting on the fruit -- turning it black. Ironically, blackberries are one of the fruits most associated with this seasonally transitional month. 

The entire blackberry bush has a high content of tannin, and both the bark of the root and the leaves are believed to be powerful astringents and medicinal tonics. The fruit itself is sometimes used as a natural remedy for diarrhea, dysentery, upset stomach and is also used to treat sore throats. From the holistic perspective, blackberries are believed to alleviate whooping cough, boils and rheumatism.

 Not to mention the sweet rewards of eating the berries! It is said that eating blackberry pie or jam, or simply eating some fresh berries will attract money. A big bowl of oatmeal topped with fresh berries is the ultimate breakfast of champions, as this meal will bring you both recognition and wealth. The next time you want to shine a spotlight on the fruits of your labors, eat this fruit. 
Just be sure to do it before tomorrow!