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My Week of Dragon Sightings

 

In tracking any dragons that I saw in a week, I decided not to include my dragon collection. (That alone contains classic dragons, dragonets, a sea serpent, and a wyvern.) I wanted to find out if dragons appeared in other places. I was pleasantly surprised.


Date: June 20, 2009
Place: Supermarket Parking Lot. On a company truck: Tyson Land Excavation.
Description: Red, bat wings, four legs, and a pointed tail.
Type: Classic
Notes: I think the company wanted us to think of them as strong and capable of moving land.

Date: June 21, 2009
Place: Public Library: New Book Section: “Tale of Briar Bank”, Susan Albert, book cover
Description: Green, bat wings, two legs, and long.
Type: Lindwurm
Notes: Dragon character in this book was called Torvaald, who was a guardian of treasure.

Date: June 22, 2009
Place: My Space: Dog World Application: Store
Description: Mother and baby, gold, bat wings, four legs, and pointed tails.
Type: Classic, dragonet
Notes: This application encourages people to support the ASPCA. Dragons are named Goldie and Skylar. She blinks, and he sneezes out smoke.

Date: June 23, 2009
Place: Live Journal: A friend’s page. They adopted dragon eggs to hatch.
Description: The ten eggs hatched into dragons. They were all colors and shapes.
Type: Amphitere (legless, wings), classic, firedrake (red one), ice drake (white one),
Notes: An on-line application that encourages people to adopt dragons as pets.

Date: June 24, 2009
Place: Mail catalog (Fire Mountain Gems, June 2009)
Description: Bat wings, two legs, and pointed tails.
Type: Wyvern
Notes: Pewter beads for sale

Date: June 25, 2009
Place: Mail catalog (Rings and Things, 2009-2010)
Description: Green, black, blue, small, bat wings, four legs, and pointed tails.
Type: Dragonet
Notes: Ceramic beads for sale

Date: June 26, 2009
Place: TV: PBS: “Dragon Tales”
Description: Several: small and pink, large and teal, green and purple two-headed. All have bat wings and four legs.
Type: Classic, dragonet, hydra
Notes: Came upon it while channel surfing. Program encourages children to read. Pink female - Cassie, teal male - Ord, and two-headed one – Zak and Wheezie

Date: June 27, 2009
Place: TV: NBC: “Dragon”
Description: Small, blue, no wings, large nose
Type: Ice drake
Notes: Came on after a news show, in the morning. Program for young children. Dragon is friendly and childlike.

Pictures from "Dragon" TV Show (http://www.qubo.com/Dragon_show.asp)
 

Dragon Heraldry

Introduction

Heraldry began as a way to identify armored knights. Like fingerprints, each shield design was unique to that knight. Eventually, heraldry became a symbol of family identify. Every coat of arms handed down through each generation told the story of that family’s deeds and attributes.

To that end, heraldry developed a complex language of symbols, colors, and placement to convey specific meanings. The colors were red (fortitude), blue (loyalty), black (constancy), green (joy), and purple (sovereignty). Gold and silver were the metals symbolizing generosity and peace respectively.  The two decorative patterns were ermine (purity) fur and squirrel (resourcefulness). Furthermore, the shield was divided from top to bottom – chief, fess, and base; and from right to left – dexter, pale, and sinister. Placement of symbols on the shield determined the bearer’s status.

 Stances of Dragons on a Shield

Depending on what the animal is doing, every position of the animal on the shield has a specific term. There are some sixty different positions depending on the animal’s attitude (posture).

Statant: standing erect, all feet on the ground.

Guardant: statant with dragon facing out.

            Reguardant: statant with dragon facing away.

Passant: standing erect, one foot off the ground.

Salient: standing erect, two feet off the ground.

Rampant: standing erect, with only one foot on the ground.

            Guardant: rampant with dragon facing out.

            Reguardant: rampant with dragon facing away.

Combatant: rampant face to face.

Addosse: rampant back to back.

Couchant: Lying down, with head raised.

Dormant: Lying down with head down.

Reading about the different kinds of astrology was illuminating. Chinese and Western astrology, the most complex, have the longest histories of use. Meanwhile, the more modern forms – Celtic Tree and Medicine Wheel – seem more fluid when compared to the older forms of astrology. However, the Medicine Wheel astrology is based on Western astrology, and Celtic Tree astrology on samples of people born at certain times of the year. All these systems are dedicated in being accurate to help people. Therefore to me, they are equally valid. Each system works towards the goal of allowing people a better understanding their current and future actions.  Although each is based on a different concept of the Cosmos and its effect on people, they do attract a subset of people seeking that style of knowledge. Each system does achieve the same type of results for the people using it.

The brief horoscopes in the newspapers and elsewhere are too broad to be useful. These forecasts are fun and entertaining but they are so general that they could apply to anyone. I have always found them to be too vague to be helpful. Also, it seems to me that the same information is recycled for other Signs on different days. For me, they are entertaining bits of fiction.

Because of newspapers and periodicals, a lot of people find astrology quite accessible to them. In addition, astrology seamlessly combines the science of mathematics and astronomy with the art of divination and imagination. This provides material for many people to study and never tire of, since there is always something new to consider. Astrology gives people an orderly universe and reassures them when something happens that is beyond their control. Moreover, people find astrology comforting because it unfolds the future in an orderly way. 

After reading descriptions of the various Astrological Systems in different cultures, I decided I am a Libra. My friends tell me that I am diplomatic and tactful.  Since I am an enthusiastic leader, my friends also think I would make a splendid Fire Dragon of Chinese astrology. Meanwhile, in the system of Medicine Wheel Astrology, I relate mostly to Beaver, because I like these animals immensely. They build and improve their surroundings. In the Celtic Tree Astrology, I prefer Birch because I am always seeking the light. In addition, many people tell me that I am tolerant and resilient.

After studying the dates for each of the Astrology Signs that I chose, I realized that they are at different seasons of the year.  Because I am in tuned with the seasons, I can transition easily from each, and look forward to the next one. For me, the beaver builds in the spring after the birch of winter seeks the light. Autumn, the great equalizer symbolized by Libra, cools the heat of summer stoked by Fire Dragon. Since I am a generalist, I am not surprised by any of this. As a rule, I have always had trouble specializing in any one subject. 

My Sun Sign is Virgo (Aug. 24 to Sept 23). According to many sources, people born under this Sign are diligent and methodical. Modest and fussy, many Virgos gravitate to careers in libraries and museums. Since they are both organized and determined, Virgos are a natural choice to have on a long-term project. Because they tend to over think, Virgos will worry to excess. As perfectionists, they will also take a long time in finishing projects.

For me, the opposite Sign of Virgo is Aries (March 21 to April 21), which is my son's. Hot to Virgo’s coolness, an Aries will plunge ahead in doing new things. Dynamic and adventurous, they will overwhelm Virgo’s native modesty and reserve. Like their Star Sign symbol, the Ram, Aries are stubborn and impulsive. Moreover, the stubbornness of an Aries against the tenacity of a Virgo will result in disaster for both of them. However, if they can work together, the dynamism of Aries and the analytical skills of a Virgo will create a powerful whole.

As part of my spring cleaning efforts, I wrote out an action plan for my physical health. I asked Hygeia, the Goddess of Health, to help me in my efforts to improve my physical health. Since I am quite obese (and consequently in poor health), I went to my doctor to develop a plan. We decided to work on increasing my exercise by walking daily, and by adding fruits and vegetables to my diet. (In two months, I lost twenty pounds.)

As I focused on feeding my body nutritious food, I felt a change in my health. During daily walks, I became more reacquainted with my body. I began to appreciate the efforts my body did on my behalf. As I worked on helping my body, I felt cleansed. My body was glad, for now we were on the same team. 

For the spring cleaning of my spirit, I took daily nature walks around my neighborhood. As I walked, I watched the green shoots come up and bud -- first the daffodils, then periwinkle, and finally roses. Enjoying the change in color from grey to green, I delighted in discovering new flowers that were blooming daily. I enjoyed finding plants in odd places where squirrels moved the fall bulbs from the local landscaped areas. Meanwhile, the trees leafed out, with first the maple and then finally the oak. When the barn swallows returned, summer was officially here.

More about Dragon Reiki and Crystal Dragon Reiki :

from The Reiki Center of Venice

http://www.reikicenterofvenice.com/about_67.html

http://www.reikicenterofvenice.com/about_46.html

Pagans and Profit

By David Wm. Carper

I am not a Pagan, but my wife Virginia is. I have met many Pagans by attending Pagan functions with her, and I consider a number of them, my friends. However, what strikes me odd about Pagans is their attitude towards profit. Some expect free services, while others are reluctant to charge for the gifts that the Gods have given them. I have encountered those who barter for services because they feel that their gifts are somehow tainted by accepting money. Still others are very concerned about ensuring that they give back to the community. The implication seems to be that if a Pagan makes a profit, they have somehow betrayed the greater Pagan community.

It seems to me that a healthy model for any Pagan community to follow is Dorothy Morrison, a gifted psychic, author and philosopher. Moreover, she is a top notch Pagan businesswoman. She is not reluctant to charge for her books, her readings, or her classes. Nor should she be. Yet Dorothy Morrison gives back to each Pagan community, she visits, by bringing both income and advertising into local Pagan and New Age stores. Moreover, the money, Ms. Morrison makes, allows her to travel around the country, write her next book, and further advance her ideas.

The money that Dorothy Morrison generates moves through the community benefiting all. This is called in basic economics: the multiplier effect. Ms. Morrison brings business into a store, which then receives a profit from her classes. The store now has money to buy more goods. More goods mean that local Pagan suppliers receive more for their efforts.  They, in turn, can now pay for her classes. As the money flows, it becomes a circle of financial profit for everyone. 

One of the communities that has benefited from Dorothy Morrison is the Northern Shenandoah Valley, where she has contributed to Morgana’s Elementals’ profitability by appearing on a number of occasions. Morgana’s has always generously supported the Pagan community. Not only financially, but the store has also allowed psychic readers and teachers, who are not as well known as Dorothy Morrison, to have a chance to practice their trade. My wife has been a beneficiary of this. In this regard, we have always been very grateful to the store for this opportunity. However, unlike some in the Pagan community my wife recognizes that Morgana’s needs to make a profit, in order to have its owners support their family, buy new merchandise, and continue to provide a place for the local Pagan community. That is why my wife has always been very scrupulous about making sure that Morgana’s was properly compensated for her use of the store.   

One Pagan concept that sums this up is “the universe expects a gift for a gift”.  Profit is a gift that benefits all through the multiplier effect.  As the money moves through more hands, more people are brought into the circle of prosperity.         

For my spring cleaning work, I chose sage and lavender because I wanted to refresh myself and my home. After steadily cleaning my home for the past month, I wanted it to reflect the energies of spring. These herbs, in the form of essential oils, seemed to fit my needs.

Knowing nothing about essential oils, I had to learn how to use them effectively. After reading a few books on the topic, I noted their suggestions. Then, I purchased a diffuser and experimented with these two oils.

As an herb, sage cleans spaces when people use it in smudging. I was curious to see how it would work as an essential oil. In each room, I burned the sage oil daily, using the diffuser. The result was wonderful. Sage filled each room with sparkling goodness. With the stale air gone, the room breathed in freshness. The smell of sage reminded me of clothes that had been hung out to dry in the sun – a warm clean smell.

Because I have annual funks in the spring, I wanted to see how lavender could help. I sat next to the diffuser for an hour a day. Eventually, my moods evened out making me feel better. Lifting my spirits, the delicate smell told me I was loved. As I enjoyed the smell of lavender, I was reminded of warm hugs given by my favorite aunt.

Works Cited:

Morningstar, Sally, The Art of Wiccan Healing, Hay House, Carlsbad, CA, 2005.

Silver Wolf Walks Alone, Sacred Sage: How It Heals, Wolf Walk Collection, Taos, NM, 1992.

Sacred Sage Spirit Medicine, Wolf Walk Collection, Taos, NM, 2000.

Webster, Richard, Flower and Tree Magic: Discover the Natural Enchantment Around You, Llewellyn, Woodbury, MN, 2008.