Mobile pages for those who use Mobile to visit Enchanted

Forest!!
Ning Mobile Upgrade
Redesigned mobile version goes live this week
This banner will appear on your phone and will update
you on latest activities on site, blogs and latest activities in
groups.
Have also added "My Page"
This is in Beta stage so if you have any questions or
problems let us know so we can report it..
Thank you
Shadow and Breeze

Enchanted Forest Magazines

These are magazines we put together from articles posted on site by all members.
These magazines are Free!! We have done these since almost the beginning and have
over 70 in our Scribd Library.
On the right side of the Forest pages you will see current magazine covers shown..
Just click on those and they will take you to the magazine.. no sign up required and
Free download.
If you would like to submit an article please check out our magazine group tab on
site menu. There will have the instructions on how to send in your article and want
to Thank all those who have supported our magazine through the years.. great read
with allot of helpful information.
Thank you
Shadow and Breeze

We at the Enchanted Forest are honoured to support and host the live chats
given by Susun Weed on a monthly basis. Susun is an expert in her field of
Herbs and this is a great opportunity for all to increase their knowledge
and skills by learning from Susun FREE !!!
To come along to these chats join
http://enchantedforrest.ning.com/group/herbswithsusunweed
Times of classes below
USA
Central - 6 pm
Eastern - 7 pm
Western 4 pm
Mountain Time 5 pm
Australia (Melbourne) - 11 am
UK - Midnight

BEING THE CHANGE

AT YOUR WORKPLACE
Posted by Kate

Let It Begin With You

No matter where you work, chances are there's room for improvement. Let change begin with
you. No matter what your position is, you can be the catalyst for positive change in your
workplace.
Let your employer or supervisor know that you'd be interested in organizing teams to
enhance the work environment. Most employers will be open to this because it doesn't cost
them anything. Talk about what changes you feel would benefit the company. Have a plan of
action to present how positive changes such as fund raising, neighborhood clean up, or group
yoga, could easily be instituted.
Going "green" is easier than most people think. Advocate for the use of natural cleaning
products and the use of recycled materials at your workplace. Many places already have
recycling programs, but if yours doesn't, it's easy to start one. Volunteer to be in charge of
arranging for the pick up of paper, cardboard, cans, and bottles. Then set out marked
containers for each item. This is all that most people need to cooperate in a recycling
program. Also, look into programs that recycle computers and printer cartridges.
Encourage community involvement by starting food, clothing, and toy drives. Get walk teams
together to fund raise for the many charity walks that happen several times a year. Enjoy
fresh air and get some exercise during lunch by gardening and picking up trash around the
neighborhood. You might even get together a group of volunteers to tutor children or start a
mentor program at your work. Not only will you and your co-workers be giving back to your
community, but you'll be building team spirit for a better work environment.
Working conditions are enhanced by creating a family atmosphere. Organize monthly
potluck lunches or if your work place has a kitchen, take turns cooking. Encourage "veggie"
lunches once a week. Instead of coffee breaks, lead your co-workers in yoga breaks, group
walks, or a ten minute meditation.
Even if you can't implement big changes, you can be the positive change in your work place
with your attitude of peace and cooperation. Start with small improvements and watch the
joy spread. Be the change.

MAKING A LIST
OF WHAT YOU WANT
Posted by Kate

Outlining Your Intentions

The universe is aware of both the concrete goals we actively pursue and the nebulous dreams
we have not yet begun to refine. Neither our struggles nor the daydreams that inspire us are
beyond the range of universal perception. Yet to manifest our aspirations, we not only need to
know what it is we generally wish to achieve; we also need to clearly articulate these aims to
ourselves and the universe. When we create a list of what we want, citing each item in as
much detail as possible, our aspirations take on new substance. What was once a mere wish
becomes real and achievable when put into words. As you pour the contents of your heart and
soul into your list, your well-defined ambitions become a part of you, and the universe
responds to your new determination by placing opportunities related to your objectives in
your path.
Whatever the nature of your desires, your list can help you channel your intellectual and
emotional power into your efforts to realize them. The list you create should not simply be a
record of your individual goals. Rather, it should be a comprehensive, exhaustive catalog of
each target you want to reach and your reasons for aiming for them. This may mean that
your list will encompass many pages of text, since when you write down and review your
ambitions, you empower yourself to more accurately direct your goal-realization efforts. You
then also have a framework in place that helps you distinguish success from setbacks. If you
keep your list in a convenient spot and review it daily, you will inadvertently reaffirm your
conviction to your aspirations, demonstrating to the universe that you are truly devoted to
your chosen path while keeping your objectives fresh in your mind. If you have an altar, this
would be a great place to keep your list.
As you compose your list, try not to edit or judge what you have written. Some of what you
want may seem outlandish when considered in the context of your current circumstances.
Whether you are destined to fulfill the items on the unique long-term agenda you create in a
year, 10 years, or 20 years, if you are free with your ideas and understand that you may not
bring these dreams into the realm of reality for some time, your list will attract the universe's
benevolence even as it energizes and inspires you.

Assembling
an Herbal First Aid Kit
Posted by Whispr

I've always been fascinated by first aid kits. As a child I loved going to sporting goods
stores where I would run to the camping department and would (clandestinely) open
the first aid kits. I was always amazed at what was inside, and what wasn't inside.
Always, the kits had Band-Aids, surgical tape, bandages, and an ointment. Some kits
had a razor blade and suction cup for snake bite (I never met anyone who had used
this). Some kits had aspirin. First aid seemed to mean cuts and scrapes and possible
snake bite.
I'm still fascinated by first aid kits, but have changed my question from "what's
inside?" to "what do I need to be prepared?" Things I needed to be prepared for have
included:
* Cuts and scrapes
* Burns
* Bug bites
* Contact rashes
* Upset stomach
* Diarrhea
* Muscle aches
* Bleeding and Bruises
* Poison Ivy and Poison Oak rash
* Sore throat, colds, upper respiratory problems
* (So far, no snake bites)
A great first aid kit, would handle more than just cuts and scrapes. Ideally, I would not
include any chemical preparations. The medicines would be all-natural, potent and
effective. I would include the following:
1. Antimicrobial healing salve. A comfrey based salve, including herbs such as
plantain, St. John's wort, calendula and echinacea, will soothe, accelerate healing, and
disinfect. Essential oils such as lavender and rosemary strengthen the effects. Use for
any breaks in the skin and for burns. (Do not use initially on puncture wounds, use an
antiseptic such as echinacea tincture instead)

2. Insect repellant. Essential oils (lavender, citronella, eucalyptus, cedarwood, lemon

grass, pennyroyal) suspended in a base of water and alcohol, are pleasant smelling to
humans and noxious to bugs. The combinations work better than the single oils. Make
your own or use the all-natural commercial preparations. Note that eating sugar and
sweets increases your attractiveness to many insects! (Caution: Although pennyroyal
essential oil is widely used for insect repellants, I recommend against this use. It can be
toxic even in moderate doses and is specifically contraindicated for so many people especially pregnant women. It is powerful and can effect people and pets in the vicinity
of the user.)
3. Muscle aches and pains liniment for external use: Arnica, witch hazel and St. John's
Wort tinctures in combination and essential oils of camphor, eucalyptus, rosemary and
clove bud are all excellent. Note that some people are sensitive to arnica: STOP if
adverse symptoms result. Do not use arnica on broken skin.
4. Poison Ivy and Poison Oak liniment for external use. Jewelweed (impatiens)
specifically neutralizes the Rhus toxin and works well. Use fresh or tinctured, but
jewelweed can be hard to find. Other remedies include grindelia, combined with
echinacea, calendula and white oak bark.
5. Echinacea tincture. Don't leave home without it. Internal and external antibiotic,
provides temporary boost to the immune system. Good in case a cold threatens.
Antidotes poison.
6. Ginger capsules. Great remedy for tummy upsets, including motion sickness,
morning sickness and gas. Helpful for menstrual cramps. Alternatives: fennel and
peppermint.

7. Bentonite clay or charcoal tablets, for diarrhea. These are to assist with detoxification,
in case of poisoning. (Of charcoal, take 4 every hour, of bentonite clay, take 1 teaspoon
in water, 3-4 times per day). Drink a lot of water. Helpful herbs include blackberry root
or leaf (root is preferred for its greater astringency: simmer root for 20-40 minutes or
steep leaf for tea for 10-30 minutes). Similarly, use wild strawberry root or leaf.
Raspberry leaf provides a very mild remedy for diarrhea. Slippery elm tea also
provides a fine remedy (but is still an endangered plant!). Blackberry and strawberry
root and leaf also will reduce internal hemorrhaging. Cooked white rice works wonders
at reducing diarrhea.

8. Meadowsweet tincture or aspirin. Fast acting, anti-inflammatory, pain-killers. Willow

bark tea works well.
9. Thyme essential oil. A "must bring" for camping. Two drops in 4 ounces of water for
mouthwash for toothache or sore throat. Same recipe used externally for crabs, lice, and
all external parasites. Two drops placed in recently boiled water, inhale the steam for
cold, flu, or bronchitis.
10. Rescue Remedy or Five Flower Formula. Outstanding emotional support for all
trauma. Very safe. Don't leave home without it.
11. Cayenne capsules. Proven styptic. Open and apply externally to stop bleeding. (Yes,
it does burn, but it works). It will also warm cold feet, sprinkled inside your boots.
Alternative styptics: comfrey and yarrow. Comfrey is perhaps the finest internal antihemorrhage we have and is great externally as well, but it recently has come under FDA
criticism (read some good herbal texts and decide for yourself. Me, I think it's a great
herb).
12. Bug bite and itch relief. Witch hazel, plantain, grindelia, comfrey and St. John's
Wort all provide relief from insect bites and general itching. Tinctured combinations of
these seem to work best and are applied directly to the skin. Juice from the plantain is
mildly effective and it grows throughout this region (just crumple the leaves and rub
onto the skin). Lavender essential oil may be applied directly to the skin and works
well. It enhances any tincture combination.
13. Relief from bruises. I think of these as wounds where the skin is unbroken, often
accompanied by discoloration. Useful herbs, typically applied topically in tincture
form, include Tienchi ginseng, hyssop, myrrh gum, prickly ash bark, cayenne,
calendula, comfrey and arnica. Make your own, use the all-natural commercial
preparations, or obtain a "dit dat jao" from a Chinese herbalist. Helichrysum italicum
essential oil, applied neat, works very well and is non-irritating. Application of the
tincture combination, jao, or essential oil immediately following the bruise may
prevent the bruise from forming. Do not use these remedies on the eyes or mucous
membranes and wash thoroughly after use.
14. The hardware: Band Aids, Bandages, 1/2 inch surgical tape, small scissors, single
edged razor blade, tweezers, cold pack (cools on impact), ace bandage, bandana. Eye
cup (or shot glass). Carry case (soft sided, waterproof) for the kit.

So go ahead, assemble a kit for yourself, your friends, or your family. They make great
gifts. Remember, these are suggestions only and are based upon the assumption that
any first aid kit will have space and weight limitations. There are other choices for all
of the categories given. If you are sensitive to any of the suggested remedies, don't use
them. Read, listen to your body, and educate yourself. Use common sense and seek
additional assistance when necessary.
(Oh yes, the echinacea is helpful when it comes to snakebite.)

How To Make
Tonics And Shrubs
Posted by Harobed

This one is long but worth it especially since its the season of plenty.There is
absolutely nothing like your own fresh tonics!
Tonics are classified in several ways but for this I sorted them into two basic forms;
refreshment and medicinal.
In the U.S.A. we have our own original tonic Root Beer. The origins of this drink come
from the revolutionary times of America. Root Beer can contain many different
ingredients with only one common thread, Sassafras root.In the beginning this drink
was a "kitchen sink cure"
Root Beer was used for everything from the common cold to a general spring tonic
.Ingredients such as wintergreen, dandelion root, juniper berries,honey and burdock
root all went into this tonic.
How its done........
Water volume is however much tonic you wish to make. The ratio of herbs to water is
simple.
For every cup of water, you want ounce of herbs. You can use more herbs, but keep
in mind that some herbs should not be used in too high of a concentration for safety
reasons.
So please be sure to consult a good reference on herbs and their usage if you are a
beginner. Most standard tea bags use the ratio of one-cup water for 2.5 grams of tea. A
good conversion
to remember: 1 ounce is equal to 28 grams, ounce is equal to 7 grams, three tea bags
are
7.5 grams. I use almost three times the amount of a tea bag in making a tonic.
From this you can see that tonics are not meant for prolonged consumption. You can
use the lesser amount if you want to make a bottled beverage to consume multiple
times per day.

Tonics are best consumed once or twice a day. Most tonics are only consumed one to
three times a week.The purpose of a tonic is for health maintenance not in treating an
illness.
For treatment it is recommended that you use the weaker tea versions. For every cup of
water and quarter ounce of herbs I use one to two teaspoons of sweetener.
You can use more or less as your tastes dictate. If you are using an artificial sweetener,
take one cup of water and add the sweetener to it in small doses till the desired effect is
reached. All sweeteners should be added as the last step in brewing, right before you
bottle. If you prefer, no sweetener need be used.
When brewing your tonic, do not bring the water to a boil unless a particular herb
requires it. If that is the case, boil the water and that particular herb, remove the water
from the heat source and cool to about 190 degrees before adding the other herbs.
Boiling the herbs that do not require it will remove some of the essential oils and
potency of the herb. Steep the herbs in the water until the liquid reaches room
temperature. When the brew is cooled, but before completely cold, add your sweetener
and stir until dissolved.
Now you are ready to bottle up your tonic. If you are planning on using your all the
tonic you made with in two weeks, then simple refrigeration will do for preserving
your brew.
However if you want to use it over a longer duration without brewing up a fresh batch,
then some type of preserving method must be used. One of the best is a simple canning
method.
Here is the modification that must be used.
First brew the tonic as normal, at the end when the tonic is cooling, add your sugar and
with that add one teaspoon of lemon juice for every cup of liquid. This will adjust the
acid (ph must be between 3.0 and 3.8) in the liquid for long-term preservation. Next you
must use canning jars with lids. Put the liquid in the jars as soon as you add the lemon
juice and sugar. Put on lids and tighten bands to snug, do not crank on the bands, as
they will not remove later.

Now you need a boiling pot deep enough to cover the filled jars by
about inch with water. Bring the water in deep pot to a boil, add jars and bring back
to a boil. When the water is boiling with the jars, cover pot and leave the jars in water
bath for 60 to 90 minutes. The temp of the tonic must come back up to 190 degrees. This
takes about one to one and a half hours to attain. Remove jars and let cool down. The
lids must suck down tight to the jar and the center of the lid should not "pop" when
you press down on it. If it does pop, put it back in boiling water bath again. This is the
same method used when canning any food, if you are not familiar with the canning
method, go to the library and get a book on home canning. This will explain how to can
and preserve food at home.
Follow the directions!!
To make your tonics "fizzy" you have two choices. The first is to make a tonic
concentrate.
To do this, simply add two to three times the amount of herbs to your water amount
(one half to three fourths an ounce of tea for every cup of water) and sweeten to taste.
This concentrate should not be consumed as is rather it needs to be diluted before
consumption.
When you have the concentrate, use 1/3-cup concentrate to 8 to 10 ounces of
carbonated water. This makes an excellent fizzy tonic. You can try it with the normal
tonic concentrate (1/4 ounce herbs to every cup water) for a sparkling tea drink to use
several times a day, however if you make the high concentrate, consumption should be
limited to two to three times per week. In this fashion you have just reinvented the old
fashion "soda fountain" drink. You can make soda pop at home doing this; so do not
limit yourself to just drinks for health!
The second method for making sparkling tonics is to make the tonic in normal tonic
strength with real sugar, honey or fructose. For every quart of tonic you will need 1/8
teaspoon of wine or bread yeast. Add the yeast to the tonic when it is under 100o F. Let
it sit in the jar for 8 to 12 hours or until you notice fermenting activity.
Now you need to either bottle it in 12 ounce long neck beer bottles and seal with crimp
caps or use the canning jar with lid and screw band. Seal the jar/bottles and put into
the refrigerator. Plan on using the tonic within 10 days and always keep it in cold
storage until ready to drink. Be careful with this method, as the yeast will keep
growing slowly and create a bottle bomb if it sits to long.

Try not to use more than cup sugar per quart of tonic as this can cause an over
amount of foaming to occur in the bottle.
The other form of tonic is the Shrub.
For this very healthy drink, the vinegar takes the place of carbonation to add a mild
bite to the drink. Shrubs where traditionally used by 18th and 19th century Americans
as a thirst quenching drink.The idea was to soak Berries in a crock with apple cider
vinegar over night. After that it was strained and sweetened.
As mentioned above, the Shrub's primary ingredient is vinegar. In this case, apple
cider vinegar is the only type of vinegar to use. Apple cider vinegar has outstanding
health benefits and should be used daily regardless. The vinegar is used in a ratio of
one-cup vinegar to 12 to 16 ounces of fruit or 3 - 4 ounces of herbs.
To start a Shrub, pick the type of berry fruit you wish to use, fresh or frozen and a
non-reactive pot or bowl. In my case I use a stoneware crock with a lid. Add the fruit
or herbs to the container and pour in the vinegar. You will want to steep this mixture
at room or refrigerator temperature for 24 to 36 hours.
After steeping the mixture, strain through muslin or cheesecloth and gently squeeze
the excess liquid out of the cloth. To this add about one cup sugar or to taste. It will
take a bit more sweetener than a tonic. You may keep this mixture in the fridge for up
to 4 weeks.
To make the Shrub, take 1 to 2 ounces of this concentrate and add it to 10 ounces of icecold water. Even though it uses vinegar as a base, the taste is really good and barely
hints at vinegar. Shrubs can be used as tonics, but the primary use is for thirst
quenching.
Recipes...
Please note that in all the below tonics follow the brewing instructions from above
and you can add honey or raw sugar to taste

Tonics:
Feel good tonic
One part meadow sweet
One part peppermint
One part hibiscus
One part chamomile
One part rose hips
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Energizer Tea Tonic
One part ginger
One part lavender
One part lemon zest
One part green tea
One part Clover
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Warm Fire Tonic
One-part hyssops
One part orange zest
One part cardamom
One part vanilla bean
Shrubs:
Follow directions above for making Shrubs you can also add honey or raw sugar to taste
Summer Thirst
Raspberries/Strawberries/Blackberries Use whats in season
Hibiscus
Oatmeal
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Warm Breeze
Orange
Pineapple
Kiwi
Star fruit
ginger

ANIMAL RIGHTS QUOTES

Posted by Kate

Here are some good quotes to incorporate into your everyday living. Share them with
others: Life is life--whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there
between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own
advantage.
Sri Aurobindo
The question is not, Can they reason? nor Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?
Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832)
The beef industry has contributed to more American deaths than all the wars of this
century, all natural disasters, and all automobile accidents combined. If beef is your
idea of 'real food for real people,' you'd better live real close to a real good hospital.
Neal D. Barnard, M.D., President, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Who was the guy who first looked at a cow and said, 'I think I'll drink whatever comes
out of these things when I squeeze 'em!'?
Calvin & Hobbes
The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.
Charles Darwin
I have from an early age abjured the use of meat, and the time will come when men
such as I will look upon the murder of animals as they now look upon the murder of
men.

Leonardo Da Vinci
Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on
Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.
Albert Einstein
A human being is a part of the whole, called by us the 'Universe', a part limited in time
and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate
from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind
of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons
nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our
circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its
beauty. Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such
achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security.
Albert Einstein, New York Post, 28 November 1972
About 2,000 pounds of grains must be supplied to livestock in order to produce enough
meat and other livestock products to support a person for a year, whereas 400 pounds
of grain eaten directly will support a person for a year. Thus, a given quantity of grain
eaten directly will feed 5 times as many people as it will if it is eaten indirectly by
humans in the form of livestock products.
M.E. Ensminger, Ph.D.
Wild animals never kill for sport. Man is the only one to whom the torture and death of
his fellow creatures is amusing in itself.
James A. Froude (1818-1894)
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals
are treated... I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to
protection by man from the cruelty of man.
Mahatma Gandhi
In fact, if one person is unkind to an animal it is considered to be cruelty, but where a
lot of people are unkind to animals, especially in the name of commerce, the cruelty is
condoned and, once large sums of money are at stake, will be defended to the last by
otherwise intelligent people.

Ruth Harrison, Animal Machines

Opinions founded on prejudice are always sustained with the greatest violence.
Hebrew Proverb
How good it is to be well-fed, healthy, and kind all at the same time.
Henry J. Heimlich
Now I can look at you in peace; I don't eat you any more.
Franz Kafka, while admiring fish in an aquarium
The philosophy behind vivisection, the sacrifice of creatures we regard as 'inferior'
beings, differs little from that behind the concentration camp or the slave trader.
Aga Khan (Prince Sadruddin) (1933- )
Humanity's true moral test, its fundamental test, consists of its attitude toward those
who are at its mercy: animals. And in this respect, human kind has suffered a
fundamental debacle, a debacle so fundamental that all others stem from it.
Milan Kundera, The Unbearable Lightness of Being
If you visit the killing floor of a slaughterhouse, it will brand your soul for life.
Howard Lyman
It should not be believed that all beings exist for the sake of the existence of man. On
the contrary, all the other beings too have been intended for their own sakes and not for
the sake of anything else.

Were allot more too much for mag. check link here for more
http://enchantedforrest.ning.com/profiles/blogs/animal-rights-quotes

ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS .....

Posted by

BZ

LESSONS
Posted by

BZ

Reminder to Self:
Life is an Adventure
Posted by Hedral

I am feeling a bit put out with life in general today. A little discouraged, disillusioned
and confused with a dash of anger to add to the mix. Why?? It really doesn't matter. I
know what the trigger is but to be honest, it isn't big enough on it's own to inspire this
wave of discontent.
I have been trying to get into a local herbal medicine class since last February. I have
jumped through all the hoops, signed the papers, gone to all the pre-class interviews etc.
I was told as soon as there were enough students, the class would start. I dutifully called
every two weeks to find out when and if the class would be starting. I was always told,
"not yet, but soon, maybe in a couple of weeks."
Well finally they called and told me to come and fill out another application and take an
introductory class. So I did. After arriving there I found out that a class had started in
April and was just now finishing up. What??? How could that be???
At first I was stunned, then frustrated and confused...and then I became angry. I
processed it all...allowed myself to feel it. And yes, I even cried about it. (After I got
home, of course)
I am savvy enough to know enough about myself now, to recognize my reaction is not
just about this discovery. It is a trigger for long buried reactions, responses, emotions
that I repressed. Add the "insolence of my ego" into the mix, and you have a recipe for
exaggerating the impact of this oversight.
I would like to say I am over it. I know it sounds like a small thing to react so strongly to
but it was a very important step for me. However, after processing the flood of emotions
that swept over me because of this, I find that the initial intensity has faded a lot.

In fact, I am now in a place where I can hear my inner self saying, "everything happens
for a reason, in it's own way and in it's own cycle". I believe it. I have done everything I
can do to be available for this class when it comes up again and now I will just move
along with my own projects. Keeping my eyes and heart open. Who knows what could
come along.
I have no idea what could happen next or what I could find. What I do know is this: I do
not want bog myself down agonizing over being overlooked for the class. I don't want to
be held down and captive by my emotions and my ego over any issue. I want to process
the things that bother me, learn from it, release it and move forward. I want to see what
could happen next.
I want to continue proving to myself that life is an adventure, not a prison sentence.

Sunrise Rituals
Posted by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

by Selena Fox
Throughout the ages and across cultures, Sunrise has been a sacred time for personal
and community rituals. This change from night to day has long been a powerful and
transformative time for spiritual practice. Sunrise symbolizes new beginnings,
resurrection, and renewal.
Rather than being an exact moment, Sunrise, also known as Dawn, is a process. It begins
with the stage known as First Light, or Daybreak, when the dark of the Nighttime starts
fading and the light of the Sun first becomes apparent on the Eastern horizon. In the
next phase, the colors of Dawn create a beautiful light show in the Eastern sky. Then, as
the orb of the Sun appears to rise up over the horizon, the sky is filled with golden
brilliance. In the final stage, Sunup, the golden sky changes into the light blue of
Morning.
Sunrise rituals have been an important part of my spiritual practice throughout my life.
Over the years, I have developed a variety of Sunrise rites through my personal spiritual
work with and studies of the Sacred Sun. I share some of my favorite Sunrise rituals
here. When possible, do these outside in places with a good view of the Eastern horizon.
First Light Vigil
This ritual begins with a meditation during the darkness of the Night. This vigil can
begin an hour before Daybreak or it can be the culmination of a Dusk to Dawn
meditation. Sit it in a comfortable position and face East. If necessary, wrap yourself in a
cloak or blanket to keep your body warm and dry.

Center yourself by doing deep, slow, relaxed breathing. Close your eyes for a few
minutes to deepen your connection with the Night. Listen to Nighttime sounds. Attune
to the Night, experiencing its mystery, beauty, and power. Give thanks for the Night.
Now, with your eyes open, meditatively keep watch on the Eastern horizon for the first
signs of the light of Dawn. Also listen for changes in sounds and other sensations as
Daybreak approaches. Connect the power of anticipation. Sharpen your senses.
When Daybreak comes, stand up and stretch out your arms to greet the First Light of the
Day. Experience the magic of a new Day Dawning. Feel the power of rebirth within you
and around you. Speak a prayer or do an affirmation of blessing on the Day for yourself
and others. When you sense it is time to end your rite, conclude by giving thanks for the
Day.
Sunrise Walk
At First Light, take a meditative walk in a natural place. Let this walk deepen your
connection with Nature. See the beauty of the waxing light illuminating the landscape.
Enjoy the changing patterns of color in the sky. Breathe in the fresh morning air. Listen
to the sounds of birds and other creatures. Feel the growing warmth as the Sun rises.
Focus your thoughts on the awareness of being part of the Community of Life
experiencing early morning. After concluding your walk, sit quietly and recall your
experiences. Then, ask for a message for you and the Day, and reflect on what emerges.
Then, give thanks for your experiences, for your sacred relationships with Nature, and
for any message or guidance you receive. If possible and appropriate, take action on the
message during the course of your Day.
Colors of Dawn
One of the most powerful ways to attune to the colorful beauty of the Dawn is through
photography. Dawn photography can be a relaxing meditation as well as an educational
experience. Recording the changing colors of the sky at Sunrise and later viewing the
photos you have made can sharpen your powers of observation and deepen your
understanding of the vast array of colors, tints, shades, and hues in Nature's palette.
Photographing the Dawn also can be a fun ritual of creatively interacting with the rising
Sun.Dawn photography can be done in a wide range of locations and with most
cameras. For best results, however, use a tripod and a camera that allows you to vary
exposures and shutter speeds. Be sure to protect the well-being of your eyes and do not
look directly at the orb of the Sun. Be familiar enough with the operation of your
camera in order that you can focus your attention on enjoying and photographing the
colors of Dawn. When you are done with your photo session, give thanks.

Later, you may want to select one or more of your photographs to display and/or to use
as a Sunrise visualization aid.
Sunrise Labyrinth Journey
Journey to an outdoor Labyrinth an hour before Daybreak. Follow the protocols for the
use of the Labyrinth space. Enter the Labyrinth during the time it is still dark. As you
meditatively walk, experience yourself taking a sacred journey of transformation. As
you approach the center, dispel concerns and barriers to growth. Stand or sit in the
Center and meditate on the Dawning of inner Light. At Dawn, greet the Day, and then
begin to meditatively walk out of the Labyrinth. Experience the renewing power of the
Rising Sun in and around you as well as the magic of the Labyrinth as you journey
transformed back into the world. As you exit the Labyrinth, give thanks to the sacred
space, to the Sacred Sun, and to other forms of the Divine that you have worked with on
your journey.
Find a place to sit quietly and journal about your experiences.
Welcoming the Rising Sun
This Welcoming the Sun can be done as its own rite or as part of a morning ritual. Begin
this ritual at least one half hour before the orb of the Sun is likely to be visible on the
horizon of the ritual site. The time of Sunrise will depend on several factors, including
the time of year, latitude of the area, and the terrain and orientation of the ritual site in
respect to the Eastern horizon. Another factor to be considered is the amount, position,
and thickness of any cloud cover in the Eastern sky. This ritual works best on clear
days.
Bring a drum or other rhythm instrument to the ritual site. Burn incense sacred to the
Sun, such as frankincense or copal. Consecrate the site, yourself, and your rhythm
instrument with the incense. Then, facing East, begin making a slow, quiet, steady
rhythm as you look at the Eastern Sky. When the orb of the Sun first crests above the
Eastern horizon, speed up the rhythm. Shift your gaze from the orb of the Sun to an area
above it so that you are not harming your eyes by looking at the Sun directly as it rises.

Begin chanting to welcome the Sun. This can be a freeform chant spontaneously created
at the moment or a Sun chant, such as "Sacred Sun, Come!" If you wish, dance as you
chant and make rhythms.
As the orb of the Sun increasingly appears about the horizon, increase the speed and
intensity of your chanting, rhythm making, and movement. When the orb of the Sun has
cleared the horizon, culminate your chanting and rhythm making, and then be silent for
a time. Close your eyes and meditate on the warmth of the risen Sun flowing around
you and in you. If this ritual is being done by a group, then the leader should signal the
group to peak the sound and then have silence.
After the silence, honor the Sun with a spoken or sung invocation of the Sun in one or
more Sacred forms. Then, be silent again and pay attention to any words, symbols, or
other impressions that may come to you. Give thanks to the Sacred Sun.
Selena Fox
Circle Sanctuary
Selena Fox is High Priestess of Circle Sanctuary and founder of the Circle Craft
tradition. She teaches and guides rituals at Circle Sanctuary Nature Preserve in
Wisconsin and elsewhere. Some of her writings, recordings, and photographs are
available on-line

Issues of Healing
Posted by Hedral

I am all about healing. First for my own self healing and the healing of others. Healing
is a primary focus for me now. Especially emotional healing. I have found that many of
my physical ailments are rooted in unresolved, repressed and unprocessed emotions. I
can see that this is the case for most of us.
As a nurse in a clinical setting, my primary focus has to be clinically appropriate and
that means I follow doctor's orders, assess patients in a scientific way and monitor
conditions. It is becoming more difficult for me to do patient care in this way. In my
mind it compartmentalizes and focuses only on the physical body instead of treating
the whole body, mind and spirit. It is beginning not to make much sense to me.
My healing modalities of choice are: Reiki, Auric Circulation and Cleansing, Chakra
Cleansing and Balancing, Meditation, Plant Medicine and Shamanic Healing. There
are more but these I have been formally trained or I am in the process of receiving
formal training for.
Reiki and Meditation are the methods I use the most. The other ones I mentioned are
much more involved and require more time for planning and delivery.
I actually have a small Reiki practice...and yes, I even do long distance treatments for
people who call me and ask me to.

While my clinical practice as a nurse and my practice as an energy healer are different
in procedure and structure; the two things that are the same for both practices.
First and foremost: I only give treatment to those who have requested the treatment
and gave permission for it.
Second and as important as the first one: I guard the privacy of my clients in both
settings and that means I regard the treatment I give, any information about the client
that I know because of giving treatment to be privileged and very confidential.

These two things are very important to me in both of my practices, morally and
ethically.
Years ago when I began learning about Reiki and receiving my attunements for each
level; I was amazed at how subtle yet soothing Reiki felt. I wanted to Reiki everyone
and everything. I thought it would be good for everyone.
I didn't do this because in my very first Reiki class, the teacher spent an enormous
amount of time explaining that a practitioner never gives a treatment without the
potential recipient's direct request for Reiki and permission to treat. No matter how
beneficial the treatment would be for the person, it would be ethically or morally
incorrect without permission.
I have strictly observed this from the beginning of my Reiki practice. Even though at
first I didn't understand. Now, I have a clearer knowing of why this is important.
People have their reasons for not wanting Reiki or other types of "energy" healing.
That is their right. It is not for me or anyone else to decide for them.
Privacy issues are very important as well. When giving any type of "energy" healing to
someone, it affects them on every level. Physical, Emotional and Etheric. A lot of times
emotions are released during a treatment and the client will cry, become angry or need
to talk about issues that they have buried for years. The client needs to trust and know
the practitioner will respect and honor the confidential nature of the treatment and all
it entails.
I feel the trust and respect between the practitioner and the client is one of the basis of
a successful and beneficial treatment.

THE WINDS
Posted by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)
THE WINDS
Harnessing the power of the winds can add incredible intensity to magi. The
vibrational gifts of the winds differ according to the direction from which they blow,
Allowing the practitioner a vast assortment of energies for spellwork. If you can't tell
which way the wind is blowing simply hang a windsock outside your window.
* EAST WINDS *
Easterly winds provide an excellent opportunity for spellworkings involving change,
transformation, new beginnings, and fresh perspective. They also lend their power to
inspirational, communicative, and creative ventures. They provide the perfect
conditions for spell-writing, ritual creation, and talking things over with your Spirit
Guide.
* SOUTH WINDS *
Though most commonly used by magickal practitioners for relationship spells
Involving love, lust, and passion, southerly winds provide us with many other
opportunities. They furnish perfect background conditions for efforts involving
vitality, initiative, courage of conviction, and determination, as well as those in which
anger, jealousy, and selfishness need to be resolved.
* WEST WINDS *
Winds that blow from the West have a healing, cleansing quality, making them good
conductors for spellwork involving issues on both the physical and emotional levels.
They also offer conditions conducive to strengthening the intuition and to efforts
involving both mental and physical fertility and productivity. Some Practitioners also
use this wind for working with matters of the heart.
* NORTH WINDS *
The cold strength of northerly winds provides a suitable condition for performing
efforts of a practical nature. They provide good conditions for working with financial
or home management matters or issues where keeping a level head is important.
When these winds blow, it is a good time to plan spells you intend to work when the
wind changes.

Happiness, Giving & Receiving

Posted by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

Your happiness is one of the greatest gifts you can give the world.
You are the source of your happiness. Happiness is a choice. Give yourself permission
to be happy. Make it a priority.
The more you depend on someone else for your happiness, the more you are bound to
disappointment.
What brings YOU joy? Do more of it! Be a joy-fountain and share your joy with others.
And remember that are the creator of your reality, that you are loved beyond measure,
and that you really can have it all.
You always deserve, and have within you the resources to create, to manifest, a happy,
loving, successful, abundant life overflowing all your heart's desires!
When you clear blocks and limiting beliefs, and align your vibration to the successes
you desire, sometimes all that is required a willingness and openness to receive.
Receiving creates a gateway through which the universe can bring gifts into your life.
It enables the magic of co-creation and the serendipitous possibilities beyond the
limits of your imaginings. The more you allow yourself to receive, the more elegant,
swift and bountiful your attraction can become.
Consciously open to receive. Make it your intention. Affirm it as a choice. Imagine
your desires flowing to you, receiving the love, success, abundance, joy, fun,
happiness.
Practice receiving in all areas of your life, whether it's compliments, gifts, the
experience of another, the beauty of nature. When you appreciate something and are
grateful for it, you allow it in, you receive it.
Giving and receiving are inextricably linked. Each gives birth to the other. So as well
as receiving, allow yourself to give.

Giving opens you to greater receiving and is one of the most joyous experiences in
life!
Let your abundance shine by giving to others, not just in the tangible physical sense,
but by giving of who you are and expressing your love, appreciation and gratitude to
those around you.
Gratitude engages both giving and receiving beautifully. When you are grateful you
give in the energy of your appreciation, and in such, open to receive more of the
same.
It activates your heart and mind with its focus on that which is positive and what you
love in your life.
Acknowledge and be grateful for the wonderful thinsg you already have or have had
in your life, however big or small.
Gratitude for ANYTHING will invite the energy of abundance in your life, opening
you to 'more-ness', whether that's more love, happiness, joy, friendship, success,
money, and so on.
The positive emotional resonance gratitude invokes is highly conducive to success.
The greatest of gifts is, of course, to give of who you are!
The more you heal, release negative self-concepts and love and accept yourself, the
more you able to BE yourself, love others, and share the amazing, beautiful,
magnificent being that you truly are!
Other ways of giving include:
Giving of your talents
Giving appreciation and acknowledgement
Giving encouragement and support
Giving ideas, inspiration and wisdom
Giving love and care

 Giving time and attention

Giving information
Giving touch
Giving your opinion
Giving joy
Giving positive thoughts, blessings or prayers
Giving acceptance
Giving understanding
Giving a listening ear
Giving tenderness
Giving enthusiasm
Giving of your presence/light just by 'being there'
Give in a way that brings you joy. Don't deny yourself or others the wonders and
rewards of giving.
Ultimately it is the intention behind your giving that is more important than the actual
means of giving. It is you desire to help, your love, care and your expression of that in
a way that feels right and true for you.

HELP WITH THE YEARLY SITE FEES

HOW YOU CAN DONATE
The site yearly fees are $600, this is at the moment paid for by
the kind donations of all our members - please help out if you
can.
IF YOU WISH TO DONATE MONIES TO THE FOREST IN
ORDER TO COVER THE YEARLY SITE FEES PLEASE CLICK
THE DONATE BUTTON ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF PAGES ;)
Many Thanks
Breeze and Shadow
Twitter and Facebook
Please take the time to share us on Twitter and facebook. Spread
the message about the site..
Where your friends can come to a friendly environment from all
the drama on the net that distracts so many from concentrating
on information that can help them improve their daily Life..