Update on mythology blog.

Greetings, everyone! A few weeks ago I did a post about upcoming blogs on mythology. Well, school-wise, I only have a few short weeks left in my class, but I have found some really exciting stuff that ties in with what I wanted to blog about. I am going to get some of these listed so if you are interested in mythology, you will absolutely love what I will put up.

My one and only posting on mythology was about Zeus and how his legend came into being. That seems so long ago. I found more info on Zeus that is even better than anything I could have written about. It's a video that mentions much of what I wrote about, yet it includes much more detail-all very interesting. It also includes info that I wanted to write about in part two of Zeus's posting, but this video will hit on those things which will save me time in writing about it.

I am so far behind with all my blogs. I have been so busy these last few weeks, so I do apologize for taking so long in getting it 'together.' So stay tuned because I am working on this today and will have some info up today for sure.

Thank you for your patience and brightest blessings to all!

Hosting any fall parties? Here's a few interesting tidbits.

Okay, we all know that Autumn is the time of harvest where we gather the bounty of our efforts from our hard work. This is also considered the time of change, transition or death since the pace now quickens as winter hastens to kick in and the night becomes longer as the days shorten. During this time, we see brilliant displays of color splashed all around us - leaves on the trees, flowers and plant foliage and, of course, there are many displays of pumpkins, squash, gourds and colored corn. Hanging colored corn around a room or decorating a door with it can create a bountiful mood.

Here are some interesting beliefs about corn and it's magical qualities. White or snow/silver queen corn is believed to sweeten people up to a new idea or to form a friendship. Yellow corn would help seal a deal or bring out fullness of friends/relationships. Corn served with unsalted butter was believed to be good for emotional ties and corn with salted butter was to be good for business.

Squash and pumpkins are sacred to Oshun (African/Cuban goddess who resides over love and gold). In Native American and European lore, the pumpkin was eaten for prosperity or fertility. Spiced pumpkin is believed to make wishes come true. Jack-o-lanterns were believed to scare away harmful forces. You may also see many as table decorations, centerpieces or they are placed on porches and used to decorate outside.

Pomegranates, in Middle Eastern traditions, represent prosperity. In Greek lore, it represents female power and mystery.

Apples, of course, can be eaten at any time of year, but it is said that when they are ingested in the fall season, they bring special blessings. The apple has been known to be the fruit of the Goddess and represents her creative power. Should you take an apple and cut it in half (horizontally), you can see the five pointed star known as the pentagram. (For more on the pentagram symbol, please see my article/note about it).

Many types of spicy foods are served during this season. Spicy foods warm the blood, create energy and can open the sinus's to prepare the body for the oncoming winter. Have a joyous and festive fall season.

Sukkot begins.

The Feast of Tabernacles (Feast of Sukkot or Feast of Booths) is a celebration - Christian festival (the Season of our Joy) about the establishment of the 1000 year messianic kingdom to be set up at the second coming of Yeshua the Messiah (Christ). It is one of the three pilgrimage festivals God gave the children of Israel in the Bible (Leviticus 23). It was during these festivals that the Israelites would bring their offerings and firstlings to the Temple in Jerusalem and enjoy a feast!

Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles ) is not a "Jewish festival", but rather a "Hebrew" festival, for it was given to all the Israelite tribes, not just Judah. Today, it would be observed by all of God's people since ". . . if ye be Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal 3:29).

To learn more about Sukkot like it's origins, laws and prayers, please click here to check out the website.

Brightest blessings to all.

Happy Dussehra!

Dussehra is one of the major Hindu festivals of India. It is celebrated throughout the country with great zeal and enthusiasm. People all over the country participate in the occasion in their own way. It is the day when Lord Rama killed the ten headed demon king Ravana and gave the throne of his kingdom Lanka to his brother Vibhishana. Since that day, the day of Vijaya Dashmi is considered to be auspicious and festive by the people of India and is celebrated as the day that symbolizes the victory of ‘Good over Evil’.

People throughout the country celebrate the occasion in their own way. The Dusshera of Mysore is very famous in terms of grandeur and splendor. Each region of the country has its own specialty in the celebrations. While at some places people engage in public processions, at some places people participate in Ram Lila and some people organize Ravan Dahan in the city. Feasting and busting crackers are also an important feature of the Dusshera celebrations. At many places in the country, colorful fairs and exhibitions are also organized on this occasion.

In most of the places in the country right from ten days before Dussehra, the whole Ramayana is enacted in various parts of India. The occasion is also celebrated in many countries where people of Hindu faith are residing in a very similar manner to that of India. It is on the tenth day that people come out in processions and chant the greatness of Lord Rama and enact the whole Rama-Ravana war on the streets. It is said that this is a way to remind people of the fact that truth always triumphs and motivate them to follow the path of ‘dharma’.

Dussehra symbolizes the conquest of good over evil. It is thus considered as an auspicious day. Even today after burning the effigy of Ravana along with his subordinates Meghanad and Kumbhkarana on the Dusshera celebrations, we simply symbolize the power of goodness and humanity is above all kind of powers. As Lord Rama fought a battle of ten days with Ravana, who had abducted his wife Sita, the day of his victory is called ‘Vijaya Dashmi’, the tenth day of Victory. It is said that this day symbolizes not as the victory of Ram but also the victory of ‘mankind’. That is why this day is held in high regard by people who believe that whenever there will be chaos in the society and evil will try to take over humanity, God will appear in a the form of savior to protect his devotees.

(The above article was written and posted by iloveindia.com- feel free to check out iloveindia.com for more info on festivals, calendar of events and for recipes).

Practice what you preach!

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration, as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up.

He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted,photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the "What Would Jesus Do" bumper sticker, the "Choose Life" license plate holder, the "Follow Me to Sunday-School" bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, naturally...I assumed you had stolen the car."

The moral of the story is, LIVE WHAT YOU PREACH !!!!!!
Brightest blessings to all!