What's Black Friday all about?

Shopping to get the requested Christmas Gifts

Black Friday is an American conceptualized marketing strategy.  It was created to stimulate and kick off holiday shopping by offering some, substantially reduced items.

Always following the day after American Thanksgiving Thursday, the already statutory day (for most), benefitted from having masses of people off work and school.  

Over the years, the date has become well known for shopping frenzies and has bled into Canada.  But things are changing.  Clever retailers have learned to feed the growing trend with online purchasing.  In fact a growing number of consumers are realizing that they can forgo the mayhem and enjoy - at home browsing and benefit with the additional bonus of free shipping, when offered.  

Although some people enjoy the outing, many do not.  Will there always be a Black Friday?  As long as there will be a commercial Christmas, there will always be a Black Friday - when retailers across the land experience profit and cannot claim they are in the red. Of course, it’s also just a precursor to Cyber Monday...which was created to get the last of kick off shopping by promoting online buying power. Items are further reduced to entice the exhausted Thanksgiving Holiday shopper.  

I support a family cherishing holiday, I think Christians should always have the opportunity to symbolize Christ, and I personally like a winter solstice type gathering of fires burning, good food and wintery outdoor lights.  I just think the value of merchandise can be reduced and the stress of expectations be evened out a bit.  But Happy Shopping - none the less!

All About Smudging

Originally a Native American ceremony, smudging now has become a common practice among those who believe in all spiritual energy. Indigenous people use smudging as an accompaniment to prayer and those of wider reaching spirituality, use it to also cleanse or repel negative spirits and bad energy.

The burning of sacred herbs for ceremony is a method that uses the healing properties of the plants chosen.   NeoPagan followers & NewAge inclined, use the scent released and the smoke in their ceremonies, for each herb has a specific characteristic.

Sage, for example; drives away bad spirit, feelings or negativity.  Cedar is believed to purify and be direct communication to the creator and Sweetgrass announces your intention to pray. There are so many variations and there is no wrong way of smudging, because it all relies on intent. The purpose is to cleanse with reverence. 

You can create your own smudge sticks by gathering herbs, binding them with string or thread while they are fresh and then allow them to dry out.  When setting them on fire, it is recommended to do so over a non combustable container.  Ignite and allow to burn out (or blow out flame), then waft the smoke in circular motions through out your home. 

I am one of those, who believe a home feels better after a smudging.  There is a lovely lingering scent and a subtle calm.  

Remembrance Day: War Slaughter Score Cards, Silent moment for the Fallen

Remembrance Day exists because we need to validate the loss of our loved one’s lives & souls.

I had quite a few War Veterans in my family.  They were either physically scarred or empty souled. Two drank.  One had lost limbs.  All of them were damaged.  

They didn’t fight for their countries, they were forced to fight for ally countries.  They were young, scarred and didn’t have a choice.  

Growing up, I noted that Remembrance Day was somber.  It was sad. People died. 

Doing school projects about the origins of war made me question the volatile nature of political leaders.  They, for the most part are bullies.  They insist, they proclaim then an opponent disagrees, everybody picks sides and a war ensues. 

And then the men die or are forever broken.  What was to be proud in that?   The leaders keep the score cards and the glory.  As an adult I learned the importance of standing one’s ground,  but I learned it always came with consequence.  I have been on both sides of rebuttal and the best advice anyone had ever given me, was a police sergeant who told me to avoid a hostile neighbour - at all costs.  Avoidance of course does not get rid of the problem, as I have learned with unreconciled relationships, for there is nothing more empty then “pretending to be civil”.  

Why must we have war?  History shows that it is not always successful. 

Remembrance day isn’t about the battle.  It’s the time taken to feel sorrow for the pawns that fell by the wayside, to acknowledge that they mattered, their spirit is cherished and that they are not just a check on a political score card.  And this dear friend, is how the custom of Remembrance Day - came to be. 

   May all souls have peace. 

Two Finnish born brothers who became  Canadian Immigrants.

My Great Uncles Tauno & Tysto Lehikoinen (or to us - Tony & Ty) 

with my father & uncle (as children)

Ty served in WW2.  

Tony also served in WW2 & Korean War.  Neither had any children of their own. 

Belief in Psychics & Mediums

SEE or Perceive?

A Psychic is a person who claims to have an ability to perceive information.  Perceive.

A Medium is a person who feels they are a “go between” for spirit on the otherside.  They do so by “channelling”.  Psychic lingering of energy or thought, is a metaphysical study that is part of every culture and vein of spirituality.  

From my own experimentation, research and study, I find that such incidences in my own life are intermittent, subtle but definite. I note that the practitioners (I have met so far) do not live day by day, continually being 100% accurate in their perceptions.  But I have faith.  The more I delve into research organizations like: Forever Family Foundation (US)  & Metaphysics Research Canada (medium7.com), the more I believe the acceptability of this phenomenon. 

I watch Long Island Medium - Theresa Cuputo & John Edward on TV. I even get tickets to their shows.  I used to watch Kim Dennis of Canada, but she is no longer on.  I read, I study, I experiment myself.  I like the “science” of the Afterlife.  Maybe even the spirituality.  But not the haunting. I have witnessed, I am absolutely certain.  But I cannot prove.  Heck, I even read Tarot cards. Belief in Psychics and Mediums is often presented in the magazine app I am editor for. 

I note that historically the evidence of such research has always been suppressed and I for one, would like to explore why.  It is difficult to capture and validate, so I'd like to see more research done. 

Some people cling to the memory of past loved ones. Some experience the surviving essence of a life lost.  But how is it, and how fascinating it is..... that a person can have the ability to perceive even a trace of validating information.   And I am indeed, in awe.