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Interesting Tidbits
I am planning to post here daily, but it may turn into weekly depending on just how much life tries to get in the way. These are just little interesting tidbits of information that most folks don't know. Some will help you make connections, some will help you see those connections that need to be broken....some....well....they're just interesting. Comments are MORE than welcome....let me know what you think as I go.
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Permalink Reply by DD on
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Here is the first installment of "Interesting Tidbits"
December 3, 2008
Engagement Rings:
The origins of the jewel-set engagement ring may lie with the ancient Romans, who wore uncut diamonds set in plain gold rings as protective talismans. By the Middle Ages, possession of a diamond was thought to bring immunity to poisons and diseases and protection from nightmares, demons and devils--the latter of which was especially true when the jewel was set in gold and worn on the left side of the body.
From the diamond's perceived power to ward off evil came the custom of men giving diamond rings to a fiancee to keep the loved one safe from harm. Diamond engagement rings also symbolized enduring love in medieval Italy, due to the ston's seemingly invulnerable qualities that associated it with eternity.
Thanks for tuning in to Installment one of "Interesting Tidbits"
DD
All posted information I post in this section is from "Enhancing your Mind, Body and Spirit" unless otherwise noted.
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Good day and welcome back to "Interesting Tidbits". This is Installment 2.
December 4, 2008
Choosing birthday gifts for you Gemini friends. (May 22 to Jun 21)
Gemini's wide range of interests means that you have a pretty good chance of getting them something they will really like. The love things that arouse and/or satisfy their curiousity. Suggestions include
1-Books, CDs, DVDs
2- Concert Tickets
3-Gadgets
4-Clothing
Good night and thanks for tuning in to Installment 2 of "Interesting Tadbits:.
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Wow, I just couldn't spell last night, could I? I suppose I was more tired than I thought. OOps
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Hello again and thank you for tuning in for "Installment 3" of Interesting Tidbits
December 4, 2008
Eternity Rings
The European tradition of giving your partner an "eternity ring", a ring set with stones running around the entire circumfrence, dates back 4000 years to Ancient Sumeria. The word "diamond" comes from the Greek "adamas", meaning "unconncquerable", and so the gem shows that the love bewtween the couple connot be broken. Other stones used in eternity rings symbolize different things. A yellow stone for generosity, red for nobility, blue to show wisdom and green stones for happiness. Rings may have several different stones to embody the all these quantites.
That was "Interesting Tidbits, Installment 3. signing off..............
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You tell me, what do you want to see? I have a TON of source material on TONS of different subjects....I can just keep going at random or you can ask about something in general..or even in particular....this group is less for me than everyone else. Your wish is my command.....mostly anyway. lol
DD
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Hail and welcome to Installment 4 of "Interesting tidbits"
December 5, 2008
The Magic Of Runes
Runes are a sacred writing systed used throughout Scandanavia, Germany and Britian from around the time of Christ until the Middle Ages. They enjoyed a resurgence in the 20th century as runes were studied by both academics and occultists.
The tune masters inscribed runic characters on stone and metal, but would hide mystic messages in the text, which is why people with an enthusiasm for the esoteric are attracted to runes.
Individual Properties
Each of the 24 letters - or staves - in the runic alphabet has certain unique meanings, representing univresal signs such as fertility or strength. You can use them for divination when place next to each other in patterns, or as tools in meditation, helping to focus your mental energy.
Runes for Inspiration
Their geometric shapes make runes ideal symbols with which to form sigils - simple visual representations of your personal hopes and ambitions. Pick some runes to represent your personal aspirations - success at work or contentment and family unity at home. Then form a unique design with them on a table surface, of whatever image or shape instinctively comed to mind. This is a great way of keeping your ambitions firmly rooted in your mind's eye and making them the focus of your mental energy. Then they are all the more likely to come true.
MOre on runes in the next installment of "Interesting Tidbits" Thanks for tuning in....see ya next time. Same witch time, same witch channel....
Ok, so not ever the same time two days in a row....lol....sue me, then you'll be broke too...lol
Blessings all of you to you and yours.
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Hello and welcome once again to "Interesting Tidbits" This is installment 5.
5 December 08
Runes for Divination
As with Tarot and other forms of fortune telling, runes can't give a definitive account of future events - rather they provide those seeking guidance with a fresh perspective of the situation in question. With the infinite number of interpretations that even a simple rune reading offers, they should help shed new light on subjects and give pause for reflection - if not actually providing a categorical "yes" or "no" answer. Your divination will be most effective if you focus your thoughts onto the issue at hand before consulting the runes, and then ask for their comments.
Harmony From Runes
For centuries, Scandanavians understood the symbolic power of the runes and how each sign of the runic alphabet resonates with a particular energy, which can be used as a way of restoring our harmony with the natural world.
The Vikings believed that everything in nature has a spirit that can be communicated with - and runes, as signifiers of these spirits, can reconnect us with the natural. Each rune stone is associated with a plant or tree. For example, the runes named ansur, geofu, wynn, hagall and ehwaz all correspond with the ash tree.
Using Rune for Self-Discovery
One of the best ways for beginners to approach runes is to draw one at random from the set - this will become your personal rune. Examining different meanings of your rune can give you insight into your state of mind.
As your familiarity with runes increases, this single rune can provide a quick and basic overview of an entire situation.
And that concludes this snippet on Runes. Thanks for tuning in to "Interesting Tidbits" and I hope to see you back again soon. Let me know what kinds of things you want to see.
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Greetings and welcome back to "Interesting Tidbits" This is installment 6.
December 5, 2008
Simple Feng Shui for your bathroom
Most bathrooms are decorated in blue and whites to reflect water, but according to Feng Shui, you should use the opposite of this element to tempter its transient nature.
When we think of the bathroom, we think of water. Pure water is essential to our ecosystem, bringing vitality and abundance. But when it is impure - for example water in drains, sewer and stagnant ponds - it can have a detrimental effect. As bathrooms are more associated with cleaning and waste than life, it is essential not to overstimulate water's influence.
Feng Shui designers tend to locate the bathroom in the quieter areas of the home. Since water's own colors are black or blue, choose other ones for the walls and towels to achieve a balance. Water is supported by metal, so reduce the use of white, chomes and silver. Drain some of the water by bringing in plenty of wood - achieved by introducing a green theme to the room.
Here are some tips that are great on a tight budget or in a rented home/apartment where you can't just rip it all out and start again.
Counter the stark, sterile effect of most bathroom decor with soft, forest-green towels, washrags and handtowels.
You should take extra care in the arrangement of your bathroom if it is located in the southeast sector of your property. The southeast in Feng Shui is associated with luck, wealth, prosperity and abundance. It is not the ideal place to put a bathroom, a place from which things usually drain away. This can be remedied by always keeping the door shut and making sure the toilet seat and lid are down when not in use. (Not to mention the fact that whatever is in your toilet when you flush shoots tiny particles into the air and rains down on everything within about 15 feet of it for about 4 hours! Now you tell me what is on your toothbrush when you put it in your mouth. GROSS! Ladies, this is also a great argument (because it's true) to use on the men in your home to get them to put the seat down.)
Odd numbers are considered lucky in Feng Shui, so introduce odd numbers of green plants into your bathroom. The peace lily has a gentle ionizing effect on any room that it occupies, and three of these would be a perfect addition. If the room does not get much light and has a tendency to be damp, introducing ferns in hanging baskets would be very effective. Odd numbers of green plants in your bathroom increase the luck in your life.
If your bathroom is positioned close to the entrance of your home or within view of your kitchen, keep the door closed at all times. Bathrooms near the front door can indicate a loss of opportunity, whereas those close to a kitchen can be connected with health problems. This is best remedied by purchasing a mirror and attaching it to the outside of the bathroom door. This will help reflect away negativity.
Thanks for tuning in once again to "Interesting Tidbits". Hope to see you again soon!
Make sure and let me know if you have a request for a specific topic or bits about specific things!
Blessings to you and yours.
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Hail and Welcome to installment 7 of "Interesting Tidbits"
December 9, 2008
Today I am going to teach you about making your own aromatherapy vapor rubs....this is going to be a long one, but I thought it was fitting to the crazy weather....at least the crazy weather here in Texas lately.
NOTE: None of the information below is meant to be use in leiu of medical treatment or advice. Always talk to your doctor before taking any herbal remedies, especially if you are on any kind of medication. Medications may react with natural remedies and could cause serious illness or injury.
I recall my mother putting Vicks vapor rub on my chest as a child to help me breathe better and sleep better....I use it with my son now, it still works wonders. So.....let's get started shall we?
You can tailor your aromatherapy vapor rubs to suit your exact needs and include you favorite scents and lotions.
Inhaling therapeutic oils from a vapor rub is an effective way of relieving the symptoms of colds and flu and tackling minor respiratory infections. A blend of warming, expectorant essential oils in vaseline, ointment or a vegetable carrier oil will help to ease congestion.
Easing Discomfort
The addition of antiseptic oils such as myrrh and tea tree will help to combat the annoying secondary infections that often come with a cold, including bronchitis and sinusitis.
Vapor rubs applied to the throat, neck and chest are particularly suitable at nighttime.
The decongestant vapors in the rub are released through the night, aiding in a restful sleep. Add some stimulating oils for a daytime vapor rub.
Headaches and nervous tension also benefit from vapor rubs. Apply them to the forehead and temples to ease muscles, adding relaxing, pain relieving essential oils.
Children's Remedies
Vapor rubs are very useful for children who are prone to respiratory infections. A little vapor rub on the chest will help them breathe easier and will ensure they have a good night's sleep.
Choosing Your Carrier Product
Natural carriers are needed for vapor rubs to allow the vapors to come through unimpeded.
Vaseline: Derived from a mineral oil and not easily absorbed by the skin, this makes is suitable for use around delicate nostrils and other sensitive areas of the body. Using this as your carrier oil also will help prevent your skin from drying out.
Natural ointments: Ointment made from grapeseed, for example, provides a neutral, unscented and uncolored base.
Carrier Oils: Unrefined vegetables, grapeseed, olive or nut oils are suitable for chest rubs. Jojoba oil makes a non-greasy base for vapor rubs for the forehead and temples.
CAUTION: Children benefit from vapor rubs, but you should reduce the concentration of essential oil in the blend. Vapor rubs are NOT suitable for very young children, who may suck off the rub. As a general safety rule, mix oils for children at about one tenth the dilution you would use for adults.
CAUTION: Some oils can irritate the skin if used in high concentration, especially if you have sensitive skin. It's wise to do a patch test first on a small area of skin, particularly if the rub is to be applied to the nostrils, neck or throat areas.
Now let's get to the fun part.
VASELINE RUBS
Slowly melt 2 TBSP of vaseline in a heatproof bowl or a small pan over a low flame. Place the bowl in a pan of water and gradually bring the water to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer gently until the vaseline is melted.
Remove from heat and add 10-15 drops of esential oil, stirring to ensure even dispersal.
While still in liquid form, pour into dark, sterilized glass bottles with tight screw-fitting tops and store in a cool dark place until required.
OIL-BASED VAPOR RUBS
Blend 20-30 drops of essential oil with 4 TBSP of sweet almond or grapeseed oil in a small bowl. Store in a dark glass bottle. Use this to massage the temples or the neck and throat.
QUICK AROMATIC OINTMENT RUB
Simply add up to 20 drops of essential oil oil to 4 TBSP of unperfumed ointment or cream base; blend thoroughly and place in a screwtop glass jar. You should apply your rub regularly for best results, such as 2-3 times a day for asthma and hay fever sufferers. Applied around the nostrils, the rub will even catch some of the irritating pollen that causes hay fever and stop it from entering your airways.
BEST OILS TO USE
For Asthma:
Clary Sage
Cypress
Eucalyptus
Frankincense
Marjoram
For a chesty cough:
Cedarwood
Clary Sage
Eucalyptus
Ginger
Myrrh
Pine
Tea Tree
For Hay Fever:
Chamomile
Eucalyptus
Pine
Rose otto
For Sinusitus/Catarrh
Cajeput
Cedarwood
Eucalyptus
Lemon
Rosemary
Tea Tree
For Headaches:
Chamomile
Lavender
Peppermint
For Insomnia:
Chamomile
Lavender
Jasmine
Ylang ylang
Thanks for checking out "Interesting Tidbits" I hope to see you again here soon.
(All comments welcome)
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Hello and welcome back for Installment 8 of "Interesting Tidbits"
December 12, 2008
Understanding the five stages of sleep
Stage One
In response to external and internal cues, you become sleepy, go to bed, and start to doze. This stage makes up around 5% of the sleep cycle and is the transition between wakefulness and light sleep. It is during the first stage in the sleep cycle that you start to breathe more deeply and your heart rate slows. Other symptoms of this early stage are that your brain shows lows EEG activity and your eyes begin to roll slowly beneath your closed eyelids.
Stage Two
Your body enters a deeper sleep and you're no longer aware of your surroundings - the official onset of sleep. Approximately 45% of sleep is spent in this non-REM stage. Your body temperature drops and your heart rate and breathing are regular. Eye movement stops and brain waves become larger, suggesting increased brain activity.
Stage Three
The os one of the deeper and most restorative stages of sleep. During this stage your blood pressure drops, your breathing slows, your energy is regained, and hormones are released into your blood for growth and development. It is at this stage you become difficult to wake. You spend approximately 12% of your sleep time in this non-REM stage.
Stage Four
This stage of the sleep cycle is characterized by very deep sleep. If you are awakened during it, you will usually feel confused and disoriented. Brain activity appears to be highest at this stage and is characterized by larger brain waves. You spend around 13% of sleep in this non-REM phase.
Stage Five
After about 90 minutes of undisturbed sleep, your body enters the final stage: REM sleep. This is one of the most important stages of sleep as it is when the body and brain restore themselves. Adults spend about 20-25% of their sleep cycles in REM sleep. Your brain becomes active during this phase of sleep and you begin to dream, your eyes darting rapidly back and forth beneath your eyelids. (hence the term, Rapid Eye Movement) The obody become immobile as hormones are released that relax the muscles completely to prevent you from acting out your dreams. Your breathing and heart rate may become irregualr. Experts believe that during this stage of sleep your brain consolidates memories by sifting through all the information it has gathered throughout the day, discarding any this is unecessary or unimportant and passing useful information from the short term memory to the long term memory where it will be stored.
Thanks once again for tuning in to "Interesting Tidbits" See you next time.
DD (I have a lot going on tonight and have a young child's party to prepare for, so I will apologize now for any spelling mistakes as I won't be doing the self spell check on this one.
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