Archive for January, 2009

Posted on January 31, 2009 - by Andrew

Valentine’s presents for a Wiccan girlfriend

It’s a debate. If your girlfriend or boyfriend is Wiccan and not Christian do you treat them with something for Valentine’s Day?

Many people would argue that a Valentine’s Day gift is a nice and thoughtful gesture irrespective of religion. Others may note that the modern Valentine’s day is a reinvention fueled by the greeting card companies and that the feastday of Saint Valentine was removed from the Roman Catholic Calendar of Saints in 1969 simply because nothing other than a burial location is known of Saint Valentine.

Here at In Pure Spirit we think the 14th of February is a good day to buy a little gift for someone you care a lot for. It doesn’t have to be called a Valentine’s Day gift.

All six gift suggestions in this post come from Pentagon Direct. That’s because we have a special discount offer to share with our readers.

Discount Code: Enter VDAY09 at check out for a 5% discount. This is valid until the 16th of February 2009.

Aroma Mini Duck Set – Banana, Apple and Blueberry

Cute! Designed by Bud these bath ducks are enhanced with lovely spells. The banana scent is used to encourage wisdom and positivity, the apple scent enhances that love connection and the blueberry assists balance and calm.

Crystal Bag Holder

These are strange looking devices are actually extremely useful. The flat crystal head is balanced on the tabletop, which allows the metal arm to reach under the table and become a hook for your bag.

This means you can sit down at a table in the pub or restaurant and keep your back safe and sound beside you. There’s no need to put the bad on the dirty ground either.

Leather Pandora’s Box

A sneaky idea! This box may look like a book – just the sort of large tome that some people like to collect – but it is actually a hideaway for secret items.

Home Spa Lights

This is a classic gift. The spa lights turn any bathroom into a relaxing and calming spa sanctuary.

These spa lights are not floating tea lights (less fire hazard) but are powered by AAA batteries. They’ll shine for 120 hours and light from a button push.

The spa lights are sold in sets of two.

Sky Glow Flying Lantern

An ancient and impressive gift. Flying lanterns are nearly 2000 years old and an invention of the ancient Chinese.

These Khom Lay fill fly for up to 20 minutes once their fuel block is lit.

Wild Hibiscus Flowers

Hibiscus is commonly used by Wiccans in incense form as part of love rituals. As a tea it is said to help reduce blood pressure, aid the removal of toxins and has a reputation as good hangover remedy. For Valentine’s Day we are suggesting an alternative use of Hibiscus – simply pop the flowers into a Champagne flute and enjoy the wonderfully sweet syrup of the edible flower.

Posted on January 30, 2009 - by Andrew

High Peak Estate

The High Peak Estate is an area of moorland protected by The National Trust*.

The dramatic Pennne moorland is a popular location for walkers even in the winter and for bird watchers. In particular the moorland around Derwent Edge is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is home to the Mountain Hare, Ring Ouzel, Eurasian Golden Plover and the Red Grouse.

Odin Mine, also in High Peak Estate, is one of the oldest lead mines in the country and has become disused.

The Kinderlow Bowl Barrow is situated in a south-western spur of the Kinder Scout plateau. The Barrow, currently fenced off, is an early Bronze Age (2000 to 1500 BC), burial mound. It is a scheduled monument and protected from damage legally by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.

Kinderlow Bowl Barrow was fenced off due to concerns that the archaeological deposits were under threat from erosion.

In Pure Spirit

Have you been to the High Peak Estate or the Peak District? Where you able to visit either Odin Mine or the Kinderlow Bowl Barrow?

Disclaimer: Links marked with stars* are revenue links

Posted on January 30, 2009 - by Andrew

Derby’s City General brings in exorcist to fight the hospital ghost

The new City General hospital in Derby has an old problem – a ghost. The hospital, which is about to be renamed the Royal Hospital, is built on the site of the original City General. Staff have reported a black-clad figure in a cloak roaming the wards.

The Sun has been told that there have been dozens of sightings of the apparition in recent weeks.

“Several have seen a male figure cloaked from had to toe in black darting between rooms and through walls – especially in departments near the morgue.

“It’s affected morale so much that bosses decided they had to act.”

Debbie Butler, a senior manger at the hospital, admitted that an exorcist has been called to the £334,000,000 hospital. She told staff, “I’ve spoken to the Trust’s chaplain and she is going to arrange for someone from the cathedral to exorcise the department.”

The Catholic Church does still offer exorcisms but only as a last resort. Each exorcism requires approval from a bishop.

A popular theory as to the identify of the ghost is that it may be the spirit of an angry Roman solider. When the original hospital was built in 1920 it was built covering one part of an ancient Roman Roads despite protests.

A less well known theory is the connection of the Derby cemetery. Both the City General and the cemetery are on Uttoxeter Road. In 2003 safey inspectors discovered that many of the headstones where unstable and laid some of the smaller ones flat. The cemetery was later completely sealed off to the public.

Amazingly, machines were used to pump foam underground in the cometary in an attempt to stabilise it. It has been suggested that this foam has been responsible for the irritation or erosion of tombs below the ground and this as awoken a restless spirit.

In Pure Spirit

What do you think? Has the hospital done the right thing by calling in an exoricst? If this is the ghost of a Roman Solider why has he started to appear now?

Posted on January 30, 2009 - by Andrew

Druids battle over skeleton

In 1929 the archaeologist Alexander Keiller discovered the remains of a skeleton near Windmill Hill, a Neolithic site.

The skeleton, which has been named Charlie, has been on display in the local museum since the  museum opened.

The Council of British Druid Orders argued in 2006 that the skeleton should be re-buried. The resulting peroid of public consultation is due to end this weekend when English Heritage and the National Trust* will make a decision.

The skeleton will eiter remain in the museum or be reburied at Windmill Hill.

Rollo Maughfling, the archdruid of Stonehenge and Glastonbury, said: “Beyond all the other philosophical, scientific and religious arguments, in the end it comes down to something called common human decency.”

The move is opposed by academics who worry that any decision to rebury Charlie will result in a trend of other  important archaeological finds  being returned to the earth.

Dr Josh Pollard from Bristol University told the BBC, “I think it could set a very dangerous precedent, one in which we would find a situation where all prehistoric human remains held in museums, held in other collections across the United Kingdom, have to be reburied.”

In Pure Spirit

What do you think? Should Charlie be reburied? Is Charlie different from any other ancient skeleton unearthed by archaeologists? Or are you concerned that once we start to rebury skeletons found near historic sites that our ability to rediscover and learn from the past will be impaired?

Disclaimer: Links marked with a star* are revenue links.

Posted on January 29, 2009 - by Andrew

Ectoplasm: Spirit energy manifest

Ectoplasm is a visual (sometimes physical) manifestation of spirit energy.

It is suggested that some spiritual entities wrap themselves in ectoplasm in order to interact with the living realm. It can be theorised that ghosts and other spiritual entities made visible are using ectoplasm in someway.

Mediums in a trance can sometimes produce ectoplasm from the orifices of their body.

It is also theorised that ectoplasm or invisible ectoplasm is the active agent in telekinesis – that it is the substance of the ectoplasm that physically moves objects.

Mina “Margery” Crandon (1888 – 1941) was a well known and controversial American medium associated with ectoplasmic manifestations. Mina was said to be able to product an ectoplasmic rod from her body.

Origin of the word

The word ectoplasm was formed from the Greek ‘ektos’ meaning ‘outside’ and ‘plasma’ meaning ‘something formed’.

In Pure Spirit

Have you ever seen ectoplasm? Do you think the attempts of people like Mina Crandon to produce and proof ectoplasm to the scientific world are helpful or harmful to the spiritualism community?

Posted on January 28, 2009 - by Andrew

How to arrange your feng shui animals

There are five animals used to represent the energy field of your chi according to feng shui teaching.

• The phoenix
• The dragon
• The tiger
• The snake
• The tortoise

Feng shui teaches that your chi flow will be at its most healthy if you can sit or even rest with the five animals arranged correctly around you.

The phoenix should be in front of you. Try to sit so that there is as much of an open space in front of you as possible. This will allow the phoenix to spread out and rise up. Sitting facing a wall is the very oposite of what you should do.

The tiger is there to defend you and move with you. It should be positioned to your right (even if you’re left handed). This means you want something solid and squat be to your right. Feng shui books often suggest a low wall should be on your right and whereas this may be possible in cafes this can position can be challenge in the office place. One tactic is to have a half sized filing cabinet. In the home a bedside cabinet* can be used.

The tortoise should be behind you. It represents protection. You should have something large and solid behind you – a wall is ideal.

The dragon represents new opportunities and is positioned to your left. The dragon is a lighter form of chi than the tiger so rather than a cabinet something like a small table is ideal. The best place for a water fountain (bagua map depending) is to your left.

The snake – rather interestingly – represents you. It stays in the centre where you are.

In Pure Spirit

Do you work, rest and play in a feng shui ideal environment? DO you think many of us do or can expect to?

Disclaimer: Links marked with stars* are revenue links.

Posted on January 27, 2009 - by Andrew

Eat naked? No, eat nakd

Nakd is a vibrant young company trying to make the world a better place. Their stated goals are to increase happiness through healthy snacks, humour and by being helpful!

Nakd make tasty snacks; Trek bars, Nakd bars and their Amazin’ Raisins among others.

Stopping to look at just one of these, the Nakd bars, we can see the effort they put into their food. Nakd bars are rich in phytonutrients which helps fortify our immune system. The bars are a natural source of vitamins, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron which together boost the immune system defenses and strength bone. In fact, many people suggest these essential vitamins are ideal food to enjoy before after a long meditation as they’ll help you recover from any feeling of dizziness. As you would expect the bars are high in fibre and that brings all the blood sugar and digestion benefits you would hope for.

The bars are perfect for anyone with gluten or lactose intolerances as they’re wheat free, diary free and non GMO. They’re suitable for vegans and contain no extra sugar.

The Nakd website is a hoot and a useful resource. We only wish they would update their article section a little more often. Here’s a summary of their post back in July 2008 which lists 5 reasons to eat more slowly.

1. It helps you lose weight
2. It helps you enjoy your food
3. It helps you with better digestion
4. It helps you enjoy less stress
5. It’ll help you resist the fast food hectic culture we’re sometimes thrust into

The same is very much true about their twitter account – which is a funky idea but needs more attention. If you’re interested Nakd also have a Facebook page.

In Pure Spirit

Would you recommend Nakd and their healthy foods? What product would you like to see them work on next?

Posted on January 26, 2009 - by Andrew

The Year of the Ox – the earth Ox

Today is the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Ox. 2009, according to Wu Xing, is an Earth year and so today is the start of the Earth Ox year.

The Ox

The Ox is yin in polarity and associated with the element of water. People born in this year will have Oynx as a birthstone.

Ox is a hallmark of quite hardwork and stalwart determination. People born in the Year of the Ox are often born to lead. Although they can be quite they are dependable and naturally achieve what they need to achieve. Despite success, the Ox often remains modest, calm and tireless. However, those born to the Year of the Ox sometimes need quiet and time to reach their goals and once set on a target they can be tenacious in reaching it.

Ox tend to be grounded in common sense and logical. Although security is important them so is kindness and care. The Ox enjoys helping other people and dislikes being in debt or flying by wire.

Earth

Earth is balanced yin and yang and equally masculine and feminine. Earth, like the Ox (which is a water associated animal) represents hard work, patience but also stubbornness.

People born in the Year of the Earth Ox are especially likely to be hard workers but also prone to being stubborn.

Love compatibility for the Year of the Ox

The Ox is most compatible with people born in the Year of the Snake, Rooster or Rat.

How to celebrate the Chinese New Year

• Have a clean house – It is considered wise to sweep away any bad luck that might have built up during the previous year
• Decorate - Red is a lucky colour. It is common to hang red paper decorations on winds and doors.
• Don’t clean for a day or so – Avoid sweeping away the good luck the new year brings, don’t clean for the first day or two
• Offer a Nian Gao to the Kitchen God – Leave a Chinese sticky cake out for Zao Jun
• Gift packets of money – Give a little money wrapped in red paper to children
• Use a Tray of Togetherness – A circular or octagonal shaped tray with eight compartments filled with symbolic foods

In Pure Spirit

We wish you all a Happy Chinese New Year. How do you plan on celebrating?

Posted on January 25, 2009 - by Andrew

Muslins banned from yoga in Indonesia

Indonesia is the largest Muslin country in the world. Although officially secular some 90% of the 234 million population are Muslim.

The Council of Ulemas, 700 clerics and the country’s top Islamic body, explained that the use of yoga could erode the Muslim faith.  The ancient Indian practise is popular in Indonesia, especially Jakarta, but it contains ritualised elements of Hinduism.  The recital of Hindu rituals in yoga mantras is considered haram for Muslins.

The Council of Ulemas was formed in 1975 by then-President Suharto. The Council was initially founded to allow politics and religion to continue alongside one another in Indonesia without crossing paths. In recent years, though, the Council of Ulemas has become more involved in politics and the issuing of fatwas.

In Pure Spirit

What do you think? Is it a good idea to keep religion and politics separate? Is it possible?

Is it wrong of clerics to clearly spell out what is considered right or wrong according to their religious teachings?

Posted on January 25, 2009 - by Andrew

Kenyan pop-star Nyota Ndogo hunted by witchdoctor assassins

The popular Kenyan singer Nyota Ndogo is reported to have gone into hiding after reports that witches and witchdoctors had been approached to kill her.

According to Ndogo she received a call from a man who identified himself as a witch and who had been asked to trace and kill her. The witch, however, refused the contract as he saw no evil in the singer.

Ndogo told Kenyan newspaper The Standard, “I was so shocked. Somebody called me saying that he had been ordered to kill me but could not trace a good reason to do so as, according to his findings, I had not wronged anyone. He asked to meet me at my residence in secrecy to deliver the full message.”

Police in Mombasa are now investigating the incident.

A school drop-out, Nyora Ndogo has now released three albums and won Best Female Singer in the Kisima Awards n 2005.

In Pure Spirit

How would you react if someone approached  you, explained they were a witch and although they had refused to kill you that they were sure others would accept the contract? Really scary stuff!