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. 

The Wiccan's Halloween isn't Scary

Samhain, Samana or Old Hallowmas is a Pagan -  End of Summer celebration. It is known as the final harvest and the beginning of the dark winter half of the year. Historically it had been recognized sometime between October 31st and November 7th.  In Wiccan tradition, it is one of two “spirit nights” when, it is believed - communication is possible between our world and the world of the departed, called Summerland. 

Celtic traditions, originally placed great reverence on the Feast of the Dead.  Food was left on alters and door steps for the wandering dead.  Apples and carved turnips were left along roadways. It was believed the Wee Folk became active and pulled pranks on humans, so people, dressed themselves in white (like ghosts) which allowed them to travel unsuspectingly at night, avoiding these Nature Spirits. 

Child is holding a harvested corn, not a weapon 

In preparation for winter, cattle were slaughtered and butchered up leaving a community  with visual evidence of death and survival.  Any remaining crops left unharvested in the fields were sanctioned for creature and spirit.   Bone fires were lit in the night for warmth and to burn up carcasses after the celebratory feasting meals.  The bones were offered up to the fires in a ritualistic way to pray for good blessings.  The next morning, a hearth stone from the fire predicted the family’s yearly outcome and it was then, brought back into the home.  Remaining ash was scattered on the harvested fields in a form of protection and blessing. 

These were simple times, not scary.  It was known that there was a rebirth through death and that life itself was a necessary journey. 

The seasonal darkness, the blood from life sustaining slaughter, offering treats to the dead, tricking the nature spirits by costuming one’s self and bone burning are all rather  non threatening and primal acts. 

So why, has the Halloween of today become so gruesome?  So why is everyone afraid of a Witch?  No not the Person.  Know the Culture. This is how rituals, customs and beliefs are started. 

Are the Nations United? About United Nations Day

In 1947 the United Nations Assembly declared October 24th the anniversary of it’s day of observance.  In 1971 it was declared that the day would become an international holiday and was to be recognized as a public holiday by all members of state. 

Why can't we be friends?

 Different countries adapted different dates and generally the event became blurred into some kind of recognition, during the week of October 20th to 26th. 

There are meetings, discussions, exhibits and cultural performances and it is supposed to be an opportunity to unite the Nations in solidarity.   It originally was based on the coming together to stop indignities as they applied to War. After an “entry into force” in 1945, the ratification of this founding “law” was the international equivocal assertion of Mother World putting her foot down to discipline a few wayward country offspring. 

Although not really recognized here in my Canadian City, I do take note because I personally would like to see efforts made about the lack of a global Green Awakening, noting it - as a crime against humanity. I  personally pray for war efforts to be reduced and hope that mankind may one day realize that if we can’t get along then at very least, we should try to avoid each other. 

Civility is not a difficult word.  Love can only be had - when both sides play nice. And.... wouldn't it be nice to play upon a healthy land that we all, take part in caring for?

Why some people meditate

stolen moment while on a family vacation

I meditate.  Early Hindu traditions, Veda, Taoist China, and both early Buddhism and early Judaism; had meditative practices that were recorded in antiquity.  During the Middle Ages Islamic mysticism & Hasidic Kabbalistic religions involved reflection and study.  And then along came Christianity with it’s homage to prayer.  

Meditation is simply to read, ponder, pray, contemplate and to be still within yourself.

But our minds wander, so to counteract this we repeat mantras or comments in an attempt to zone ourselves out - as in transcendental meditation. I personally have repeated (almost in desperation) heal me, nurture me, love me, soothe me... show me the way.  Meditating does not naturally come to us and we often try guided meditation by listening to a leader in a group setting, recording or memorized script.  Millions go on magical trips into dwellings, the seashore, or the heavens in search of guidance. I know I have. 

Some people meditate to experience the healing benefits; decreased blood pressure, lowered cholesterol, reduced production of stress hormones and more efficient oxygen use. Research shows it decreases anxiety, depression and insomnia, it improves the immune system.  All valid reasons.  It’s good for you. In fact,  don’t even have to do it in the lotus pose, I mostly lay down comfortably and close my eyes. 

You see our brains are mysterious things, with meditation neurotransmitters can release benefits  that no pharmaceutical drug can ever replicate.  It just takes time. Time alone. 

That’s the key to mediation.  Alone.  You rehash the wrongs you felt inflicted upon you, you question why someone cannot express reciprocal feelings, you doubt your choices, you dwell.  This isn’t what stops the mediation process but what makes you human. 

I have tried to receive spiritual messages, open and cleanse all my chakras, heal my ailments and apologize to myself.  The time I have allotted to myself in mediation is akin to solitary confinement.  I have wept.  I have known humility.  I take the time to question other’s sense of entitlement and I ask repeatedly, just to be loved.

I think some people meditate just for validation from themselves.  No spiritual essence of yourself will ever judge you and I believe, if you really want to get to know yourself - be alone.