The Pagan origins of St Valentines Day

It is Valentine's Day on Saturday and at the moment it feels like the world has gone crazy with red roses and hearts everywhere!

I'm not against most of these celebrations that we have it just feels like every year there is more and more stuff you can buy! As someone selling things to folk though I don't feel I can complain too much about the commercialisaion of these celebratory days that we have!(http://www.astarte-moon.co.uk if you want to check the site out, sorry unashamedly advertising there but girl's got to pay her bills!!)

It is estimated that approximately a billion Valentine's cards will be sent around the globe on February 14th! I wonder how many roses will be sent to accompany them!

http://www.astarte-moon.co.uk

February 14th was originally a Pagan festival of love celebrated in Rome. It was the feast day of Juno, Queen of the Gods and the Patroness of Marriage. This day was followed by the feast of Lupercalia. The feast was named for Lupercus the hunter of Wolves, he has also gone by the name of Pan (Greek), Baal, and Nimrod in other Pagan cultures. The God Baal was known as the Sun god to the ancient Pagans. It is also said that the symbol of the heart was obtained from the Babylonians and that the word for heart was 'bal'. Thus the heart became the symbol for Nimrod or Baal.This could be the origin of the heart we now associate with Valentines Day.

Couples that had been matched together during the feast of Juno would stay together throughout the celebrations of Lupercalia. The match making occurred from the boys pulling the names of the girls they would be with out of a jar. Often these unions despite how they started would prove to be deep and long lasting. 

It was towards the end of the 5th century that the Christian church decided to ensure there were no Pagan overtones to the day and dedicated February 14th to St Valentine.

However you celebrate and whatever you call the day I hope you enjoy some time with your loved ones.

With love light and blessings to you all, AstarteAlison

http://www.astarte-moon.co.uk

“Get your dreams in line and then just shine, design, refine ‘til they come true.” Inspirational Quote Dolly Parton

 “Get your dreams in line and then just shine, design, refine ‘til they come true.” Dolly Parton

I thought I would give you this quote today after Dolly's amazing performance on the stage at the Glasontonbury festival this year. At the fabulous age of 68 she drew the biggest crowd on the Glastonbury 2014 stage, a wonderful feat. She demonstrates such a zest for life and down to earth fun that you can't help but be caught up with her enthusiasm. She teaches us that we can follow our bliss! I love this quote, she shows us to go for our dreams, they may need refining along the way but we can still reach our end goal if we reach hard enough for it. 

"You don’t need to have it all figured out, just start where you are. What is it that excites you most right now? Take action. The more you pursue what you love, the more opportunities will come your way. They may not be what you expected — they may be even bigger and better than you imagined! But go ahead and get started. Get to livin’ because life is your canvas, cowgirl."http://mindbodyspiritofacowgirl.com

Shining blessings to you, Alison 

May you be filled with love and light, spiritual quote

May you be filled with love and light, today and always. 

Another lovely frosty pic for you showing the beauty of mother nature. My fingers were so cold that day snapping away yet I couldn't stop, there were so many wonderful pictures all around me just waiting to be captured!

Blessings of love and light to each and every one of you, AstarteAlison xx

Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along. Rumi quote on love

The minute I heard my first love story I started looking for you, not knowing how blind that was.  Lovers don't finally meet somewhere. They're in each other all along. Rumi,
The Illustrated Rumi: A Treasury of Wisdom from the Poet of the Soul

Rumi's book  The Illustrated Rumi: A Treasury of Wisdom from the Poet of the Soul is a wonderful collection of his work. "The great Shaikh Jalaluddin Rumi is rightly considered the most outstanding mystic poet of all time and one of the most popular and widely read poets today. Anyone who purchases this outstanding, beautifully illustrated book will see why. It contains most of Rumi's well known stories, all with excellent translations.

This is a book anyone needing guidance through the difficulties of life will greatly appreciate." Amazon

Another book worth picking up is Rumi's Little Book Of Life: The Garden of the Soul, the Heart, and the Spirit , this is a wonderfully uplifting read I would recommend to anyone. "This collection of mystical poetry focuses on one of life's core issues: coming to terms with the inner life. During the course of life, each of us is engaged on an inner journey. RUMI'S LITTLE BOOK OF LIFE is a guidebook for that journey. The poetry is a companion for those who consciously enter the inner world to explore the gardens within - out of the everyday 'world of dust'- through an ascending hierarchy that restores one's soul to the heart; the heart of the spirit; and in finding spirit, transcending all." http://www.amazon.co.uk

May sparkly wings lift you to towards all your dreams, blessings, Alison

We can't always know the pain our friends feel but we can be there for them. Positive quote on friendship

We can't always know the pain our friends feel but we can be there for them. We can never truly understand another's pain, we cannot walk in their shoes. What we can do though is just be there. We can't take the pain away but we can be a shoulder to cry on and a friend to talk to, eventually a friend to laugh again with. The best thing about having a true friend is that you are not alone, there is someone to turn to when times are hard.

However much you feel you can't help, you can, just by being there xxx

Love is never outside ourselves: love is within us. Louise Hay positive affirmation

"Love is never outside ourselves: love is within us" Louise Hay

You can find more wonderful quotes from the great Louise Hay here:
Power Thoughts: 365 Daily Affirmations


This is an example from her Power Thought Cards (Beautiful Card Deck)

Louise Hay's Power thought cards are "A Deck of 64 Affirmation Cards to Help You Find Your Inner Strength"  Packaged in a beautiful gift box, this deck of 64 cards contains 128 unique pieces of art exquisitely illustrated by five artists. Each vibrant card contains a powerful affirmation on one side and a visualization on the other to enlighten, inspire, and bring joy to your life.

Everything I touch is a success. Louise Hay

The Gratitude Pumpkin, a fabulous way to celebrate Samhain

OK here is my next attempt at decorating a pumpkin! Just like my pentacle pumpkin this one is really easy too, you just need a permanent marker, preferably in black so that it stands out nicely. And of course a pumpkin!

So, this is the Gratitude Pumpkin. I got the idea from the website http://www.oneartsymama.com Amy there has loads of wonderful ideas for things you can do with children, well worth a visit.

In making my gratitude pumpkin I first lit a candle, orange to honour Samhain; I then sat for a while meditating on all the I have in my life to be grateful for. I then proceeded to put write some of those things onto my Gratitude Pumpkin. I just wrote the words around the pumpkin, trying to follow the curve but it's not that easy to do, your attempts may come out more artistic than mine! You could write the words randomly all over the pumpkin that would look fabulous too I think.  

This is an exercise that all the family can join in. Children could make their own with supervision or can join in with a Family Gratitude Pumpkin. Most of all, have fun and as you do it, really feel in your heart, the gratitude that you feel knowing you have all these things in your life.

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” 
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

My Gratitude Pumpkin in front of my Wendy Andrews Samhain Altar

I do try and practice gratitude every day, thinking of three things to be grateful for before I fall asleep each night. Writing the words down like this really cements that gratitude in your mind, reminding you that however difficult life gets there is always so much to be grateful for.

So enjoy getting creative and make your gratitude pumpkin today. I would love to see any examples of your work!

Samhain blessings, Alison 

When there is darkness dare to be the first to shine a light. Steve Maraboli. Positive inspirational quote

When there is darkness dare to be the first to shine a light. Steve Maraboli

Let your light shine, allow the rest of the world to catch a glimmer of your inner sparkly self. You are amazing and your light will shine in the darkness.

Love and light, Alison

*´¯`•.¸¸.☽◯☾ *´¯`•.¸¸.

It is the sweet simple things of life which are the real things after all. Beatrix Potter Gratitude Quote

It is the sweet simple things of life which are the real ones after all. Beatrix Potter

It is often the simple things that we forget and they are often the things that we should be most grateful for. How can we not express the deepest gratitude for a beautiful sunset or the warm touch of a child's hand in ours? If we practice this gratitude daily we learn to appreciate these sweet simple things are realise just how amazingly important to us they really are.

Sweet blessings to you, Alison xx

Look what happens with love like that. It lights up the sky.” Inspirational quote Rumi

“And still, after all this time, the Sun has never said to the Earth,
"You owe me."
Look what happens with love like that.
It lights up the sky.”

Rumi

Wow I just adore this quote. Unconditional love. Pure. Simple. To love someone unconditionally like a mother does her children. You love them no matter what they do and never expecting anything in return. It is an amazing thing. I hope that we all learn to love more like this, love others and love our Mother Earth, Gaia as she does us, as the Sun does  the Earth. As we do to the Sun, as the Moon does to us and we love the Moon.

Love light and blessings to you all, AstarteAlison

Free e-card for you to send to friends and family. Show them how much you care.

Life is often a complex series of emotions and ups and downs. But always know that you always have me to help you when times feel harder. 

This is a free e-card for you to send to someone who you feel might be in need of it right now. We all go through periods in our life where things seem bleaker than at other times and it is lovely to be reminded that we are not alone. So go ahead, make someones day by letting them know that you are there for them.  Send a friend or family member this free e-card. Show them that you care and that you are there.  Show them that you love them. I'm sure they know already, however it is always nice to be reminded and always nice to receive something other than junk mail!

To send the free e-card just right click on the image and send as an attachment in your email or you could print it out and make a proper card if you were feeling particularly creative! Image available for non commercial purposes only.

Smiles and blessings to you, Alison xx

Love is always the answer. Louise Hay positive affirmation

"Love is always the answer to healing of any sort"  http://www.louisehay.com/

"The body, like everything else in life, is a mirror of your inner thoughts and beliefs. Every cell responds to every single thought you think and every word you speak. A wonderful affirmation to use is: I LISTEN TO MY BODY'S MESSAGES WITH LOVE.

Here are a few more:

In this world of change I choose to be flexible at all times.

I am willing to change myself and my beliefs to improve the quality of my life and my world.

My body loves me in spite of how I may treat it.

My body communicates with me, and I now listen to its messages.

I am willing to get the message.

I pay attention and make the necessary corrections.

I give my body what it needs on every level to bring it back to optimum health.

I call upon an inner strength that is mine whenever I need it.

I love and appreciate my beautiful body!"

This is a wonderful message from Louise Hay. Our body does respond to our thoughts therefore we should be very careful of the thoughts that we are thinking. If we are thinking positive thoughts filled with love then our bodies will respond in a positive manner and that is the start of any healing message. We have to be open to receiving those positive messages and willing to let go of any limiting beliefs that may be causing obstacles in our path.

Louise Hay is the author of the wonderful book You Can Heal Your Life and

Heal Your Body both of these books give you wonderful insights into how the way you think can affect your life and your health. Love and blessings to you, Alison xx

Everything in the universe has a purpose. Wayne Dyer inspirational manifestation quote

Everything in the universe has a purpose. Indeed, the invisible intelligence that flows through everything in a purposeful fashion is also flowing through you. Wayne Dyer

We are all connected and we can draw strength from this interconnection if we choose to tap into this amazing source of energy and intelligence. We are at one time both individual and part of this amazing universe in which we dwell. Draw strength from the fact that you are never truly alone and each one of us has his or her unique part to play in this wonderful web of life. Following your bliss and believing in yourself  and the part that you play is an important part to your inner harmony and happiness. 

"This is from an article by Wayne Dyer on inspiration and purpose "When you are inspired by a great purpose, everything will begin to work for you. Inspiration comes from moving back in-spirit and connecting to the seven faces of intention. When you feel inspired, what appeared to be risky becomes a path you feel compelled to follow. The risks are gone because you are following your bliss, which is the truth within you. This is really love working in harmony with your intention. Essentially, if you do not feel love, you do not feel the truth, and your truth is all wrapped up in your connection to Spirit. This is why inspiration is such an important part of the fulfillment of your intention to live a life on purpose.

When I left the work that no longer inspired me, every single detail that I had worried about was almost magically taken care of for me. I had spent several months working for a large corporation where I was offered a salary three times higher than I had been paid as a teacher, but I was not in-spirit. That prodding inner knowing said, “Do what you are here to do,” and teaching counseling became my manifested daily purpose." http://www.drwaynedyer.com

"Combine your strong knowing with the faith that Spirit will provide, and you acknowledge the power of intention at work. Your trust in this inner knowing is all you need. I call it faith, not faith in an external being to provide you with purpose, but faith in the call you are hearing from the center of your being. You are a divine, infinite creation making the choice to be on purpose and to be connected to the power of intention. It all revolves around your being harmoniously connected to your Source. Faith eliminates the risk when you choose to trust that inner knowing about your purpose and become a channel for the power of intention."

Wayne Dyer has written many amazing books, one brilliant book that I like is  Wishes Fulfilled: Mastering the Art of Manifesting This is a book that shows you how you can truly achieve all that you desire. You really can realise your dreams and achieve your destiny.

Another great book written by Wayne Dyer is and based on Taoist wisdom is Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life: Living The Wisdom Of The Tao "In this book, Dr Wayne W. Dyer has reviewed hundreds of translations of the Tao Te Ching and has written 81 distinct essays on how to apply the ancient wisdom of Lao Tzu to today's modern world. Each chapter is designed for actually living the Tao or the Great Way today. Some of the chapter titles are "Living with Flexability", "Living without Enemies", and "Living by Letting Go". Each of the 81 brief chapters focuses on living the Tao and concludes with a section called "Doing the Tao Now".Wayne spent one entire year reading, researching, and meditating on Lao Tzu's messages, practicing them each day and ultimately writing down these essays as he felt Lao Tzu wanted you to know them.This is a work to be read slowly, one essay a day. As Wayne says, "This is a book that will forever change the way you look at your life, and the result will be that you'll live in a new world aligned with nature".Amazon

I also personally find mediation CDs very helpful when I want to mediate but just can't stop the 'monkey chattering' of my mind on that particular day. Some days are better than others. Wayne Dyers CD I AM Wishes Fulfilled Meditations is a fabulous one to listen to, really inspiring.

Remember you do not have to walk your path alone. Free e-card on love

Remember you do not have to walk your path alone, I will always be there for you when you need me.

Free e-card, simply right click on the image and save it to send to someone near to you. Let someone know how important they are to you today and that you will always be there for them! I'm sure we all know somebody who would like to be reminded of this from time to time, we all have our strong and our not so strong days and it is good to know that we are not alone and that we are loved. Blessings, Alison xx

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.Martin Luther King Jr Quote

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." Martin Luther King Jr.

Spread some love around the world today! Love can make the world a better place.  Allow your light to shine so that others may see it and feel your love.  Blessings of love and light, Alison