The constellation Taurus was one of the earliest to be named. It includes the star cluster known to us as the Pleiades in Greek, the seven sisters or seven daughters of Atlas, whose rising has been used all over the world to mark the dates of Spring festivals. The Pleiades are named Subaru in Japanese and are known as the seven seeds signifying the time to plant seeds. Yes, the auto company's logo is a stylized glyph of the constellation.

Taurus, like Spring itself, represents productivity and growth. The symbol of Taurus is the bull or cow, an animal long sacred to the Goddess. Cattle have had religious significance all over the ancient world dating back at least to the last Ice Age. They have also been used as a ritual sacrifice by many cultures. The horns of cattle are symbolic of the moon in Eastern art. The cow's milk exemplifies motherhood and nurture. The Milky Way of the heavens was mythically derived from the milk of the Egyptian cow goddess or from the milk of the Greek goddess Hera as she suckled Heracles in the heavens.

The monthly installment of The Great Astrological Light Bulb Joke: 

Q. How many Taureans does it to change a light bulb?

A. One, but just try to convince them that the burned-out bulb is useless and should be thrown away.

Note: I have no idea who originally wrote this. Erika sent it to me years ago and I still think it’s as funny as it is insightful!

Happy Birthday Taurus!

April 19^th   is a New Moon in Aries and the Sun enters Taurus: The Moon and Sun are conjunct in the sky. The moon is dark and gradually increases to a crescent. This is the time to begin a new project, a ritual or to ask for a new vision. This has really been the most beautiful New Moon I have ever seen. The “new moon cradled in the arms of the old” effect has been visible from my home for 3 full nights. Generally, that is a one night thing.

To learn more about actively using the Moon's energy in your life, see The Moon Through the Signs and Moon Phases. These guides are located in our Library.

May 1st is Beltane or May Day: This is the holiday associated with the Maypole in Europe. The maypole is a 30- to 40-foot pole, planted in the ground. Attached to the top of the pole are alternating red and white colored ribbons, one per person and usually 50 feet long. The men take up the red ribbons and the women take up the white ribbons. They dance around the pole, the males all moving widdershins (counterclockwise), and the females all moving deosil (clockwise) This causes the ribbons to become interwoven about the pole. In some traditions a large wreath is held at the top of the pole by the outstretched ribbons and moves its way down as the pole becomes wrapped.

Another tradition is the Bel-fire. This is a bonfire into which all discarded, cursed or worn out amulets or symbolic objects are to be cast. Then, as the party goes on into the night people run and jump over the flames.

To celebrate Beltane you could build a bonfire or light a fire in a small charcoal grill, or even a candle placed in a cauldron... Write the name of a habit you wish to end or choose something to symbolize a problem to want to rid yourself of and cast it into the fire. Then, visualize, chant, say, and/or write down the things you wish to nurture in this new season.  

May Day is Labor Day in most of the rest of the world. It celebrates the Haymarket Riots in Chicago on May 1st 1886. Workers organized a city wide strike to bring attention to the need for an eight hour day.

May 1^st and 2^nd Inga and Kim have a booth at The Body Mind Spirit Expo: Come and see us! We’ll have a full selection of jewelry available. Click here to read about it.

May 4^th is a Full Moon in Scorpio, as well as a Lunar Eclipse: The Moon and Sun are opposite each other in the sky. The Moon reflects all of the Sun's light. This is the time to perform rituals for protection, clarity of vision and consecration. To learn more about actively using the Moon's energy in your life, see The Moon Through the Signs and Moon Phases. These guides are located in our Library.

May 7^th is the First Friday of the month and the Dunthor Open House! Click here to see details below. Stew and Darla suggested that May should be a Mexican potluck in honor of Cinco de Mayo. So bring whatever you like and we'll have chile colorado on the stove. “Cinco de Mayo commemorates a Mexican military victory. On May 5, 1862, a relatively small Mexican force defeated invading French troops in the Battle of Puebla. Today, Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican culture and heritage.” -- According to Encarta.

May 7th is also Scott and Inga's 22nd wedding anniversary.

May 18^th is a New Moon in Taurus: The Moon and Sun are conjunct in the sky. The moon is dark and gradually increases to a crescent. This is the time to begin a new project, a ritual or to ask for a new vision.

 This pendant is Jade wrapped in sterling silver wire. Jade is a light to dark green form of 2 minerals, the gem quality forms of Jadeite and Nephrite. Both minerals are similar in appearance and have the same gemological use, so a distinction is not usually made between the two types of Jade. According to tradition, Jade is a potent healer for kidney problems. Jade resonates to Taurus and Pisces, depending on whether it is light or dark green. Silver is a conductor of energy and is said to aid in communication, it improves the transmission of nerve impulses. According to tradition, it is a good metal for healing purposes because it is in tune with the body. Silver can reduce anxiety and help you to relax when solving problems. It is believed to help conduct the energy of stones into your body and auric field.

65.00 USD

Click here to see this item and more in my Catalog.

To learn more about how to use Gemstones in your daily life, see "What Gemstones Should I Wear?" guide in our Library.

Pet Stories: People always ask me how Freya and the cats get along. Last week Freya and I were downstairs visiting Grandma. Freya was lying in the middle of the floor. Angus came into the apartment and wanted to get by her. He stepped from side to side and fretted a bit but wouldn’t pass. Freya watched him and let out a long sigh, got up and flattened herself against the buffet so he could pass, when he walked by, she lay down again. Not bad for a big, scary black dog.

I washed a batch of wool Scott’s mom sent me and had it drying on a rack in the laundry room. It takes a couple of days to dry in our climate so it was just hanging out there. I walked past it to the dryer and the whole pile moved. It quaked like it was readying itself to pounce. Yes, I jumped at least a foot in the air. Then Malcolm stuck his head out and chirped at me. He actually stayed while I ran upstairs to get the camera.

We think of this newsletter as a community forum. You, our friends and clients, are welcome to participate. We celebrate diversity and we'll print whatever you send in be it Wiccan, Christian, Pagan, New Age, etc., as long as it reflects Love. You may choose a one-time holiday to write about or have a regular column. We'll give you space and a byline! Please send in your own book reviews, ideas for rituals, ideas about stones, your journal excerpts, your experiences and most of all, ask us questions. We love answering questions!

A story from Scott:

A flood was threatening a town, forcing everyone to evacuate. But Joe thinks, "I'm a devout man. God will save me," and stays put. As the waters start rising, Joe's neighbor comes by. "Joe, come with me. We've got to go." But Joe declines. "I'm a devout man. God will save me."

The waters keep rising. Joe scrambles to his second floor and out the window. A firefighter in a rowboat comes by. "Get in the boat or you'll drown," he says. Joe again declines. "I'm a devout man. God will save me."

Finally, the floodwaters are so high that Joe is forced up on his roof. A police helicopter comes by and throws down a rope. "It's your last chance, climb up or you'll drown," the policeman yells. "No," Joe says, "I'm a devout man. God will save me."

Soon, Joe drowns. He arrives in Heaven and challenges God. "I'm a devout man. Why didn't you help me?" "What do you mean?" God replies. "I did help. I sent a neighbor, a firefighter and a helicopter!" 

Quotes from Kristie:

Truth is eternal, knowledge is changeable.

It is disastrous to confuse them.

-- Madeline L'Engle

"We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare.

And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made"

--M. Facklam 

From Stephanie:

Subject: Things to learn from Gunnar

If a dog was the teacher you would learn stuff like:                                                                     

* When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.                    

* Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

* Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

* When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

* Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

* Take naps.                                                         

* Stretch before rising.                                                  

* Run, romp, and play daily.                                              

* Thrive on attention and let people touch you.                           

* Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.                                

* On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.                    

* On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.            

* When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.               

* No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends.                                   

* Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.                               

* Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.           

* Be loyal.                                                               

* Never pretend to be something you're not.                               

* If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.                    

* When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

We've always wondered what would happen if we got the friends we've made through Inga's Earth Magic (IEM) into a room together. Why? Because every one of us has a unique gift to offer to the world. And if we get enough of us in one place at the same time, something magical is bound to occur.

• When: The 1st Friday of every month. Please join us for dinner. We start eating around 7 PM. Or join us for dessert later on!
• Where: Our place (click on LIBRARY in the navigation bar at the top of the screen and then MAP ROOM for directions)
• What to bring: Just your enthusiasm and love! There's a big pot of pasta on the stove, salad, bread and plenty of microbrews and red wine. If you have specific preferences, please bring whatever you'd like.
• How long: Until the good conversation ends! If you'd like, you can spend the night on one of the couches with the kitties or bring your sleeping bag and mat and camp out on the floor of Inga's office.
• RSVP: Just let us know in advance via e-mail or phone if you are coming and if you are bringing guests so we don't run out of food or beer!

This is the Two Union Square building at 6th and Union in downtown Seattle. It's 58 stories tall. I work on the 19th floor. (click on the image to see the entire building)

It's hard for me to look at the building and not think of the World Trade Center buildings and 9/11. Then add the fact that this is earthquake country. I see people bustling to and fro in the lobby and they seem unconcerned about all this on the surface as they go about their business. But I can feel a subsurface tension in us all. Whether we ignore it, deny it, worry it or face it, we're having to deal with it on some level. I've been told that people needed counseling to cope with their fears after 9/11 and the 6.8 quake in early 2001. I don't doubt it. It takes either courage, faith or ignorance to work in a high rise these days and maybe all three.

In the short time I've been working here, there have been two alarms sounded. While I was still interviewing, a fire alarm was sounded on the 58th floor. The elevators were shutdown temporarily and I watched the fire department coming up 7th Avenue. Never having worked in a high rise, I felt a bit trapped. So I walked down 19 floors in the stairwell. I was halfway down when the all clear announcement was made. The next alarm came on my second day on the job. Some white powder was discovered in a package. The building was locked down and the police were called in. It turned out to be Cream of Wheat. On my 7th day on the job, we took a few minutes to practice doing an earthquake drill called Duck, Cover and Hold. As you huddle under your desk, you realize that the cleaning crew doesn't really do a very good job. One guy says he sees the same Tic-Tac that's been lying under his desk for years.

As I stand on the 19th floor and look out the windows, I marvel at the creativity and audacity of humans. To build such structures on the skin of the gigantic living creature we call Earth is mighty bold. It certainly hints at the complex and often troubled relationship we have with Her.

Nevertheless, the views from the 19th floor are wonderful. Looking to the South, Mt. Rainier can be seen on a clear day. The expressway you see is I-5. (click on the South image to see the entire view)

Looking to the North, you can see Lake Union which lies between Lake Washington and Puget Sound. The big expanse of rooftop below is the Washington State Convention Center. I can now see why rooftops are being landscaped more and more these days to absorb rainfall. (click on the North image to see the entire view)

Looking to the West, that's Puget Sound and the spit of land is Alki Beach. Off in the distance is the Kitsap Peninsula and on a clear day, the Olympic Mountains are visible. If you look carefully, you can see my reflection in the glass. (click on the West image to see the entire view)

Lastly, is the view to the East from my cubicle. From here I can see Pill Hill, where many of the hospitals are located, and Capitol Hill. I can actually see the hospital where I stayed for five days for my open heart surgery if not the room itself. What an excellent reminder of the lessons I learned from that whole experience. When you click on the photo, look for the arrow that marks the spot. (click on the East image to see the entire view)

Looking straight down from my cubicle, I'm overlooking I-5 and the Freeway Park. The noise from I-5 is so loud, we can hear it up on the 19th floor as constant background buzz. (click on the Freeway Park image to see the entire view)

The last image is of the Information Systems Department cubicle farm where my teammates and I work. (click on the photo to see the entire view)

On the street level, during the day, there is a constant hustle and bustle - stores, espresso shops, homeless people, business people, tourists, espresso shops, restaurants, scooters, bicycle couriers, motorcyclists, taxis, espresso shops, buses, cars, birds and yet more espresso shops. Trust me, I'm not exaggerating about the coffee situation! This town truly runs on caffeine!

On a magical note, there is an amazing outdoor courtyard with a waterfall at the foot of the building. I clearly sense a strong Elemental presence along with an invitation to create a sacred space, an energy portal of Light and Love, in the pool of water at the base of the waterfall. Using my shaman training, I have begun this process. Clearly, on some level, the architect of this courtyard intended to bring this energy into this space and others before me may have already blessed this place and connected deeply with it. So what I'm doing is adding my unique energy and intent to this space while linking it to the network of portals I am connected to. This, in turn, expands the global network that is being built. Once I'm tied to this space in this manner, I will be able to call on it to anchor, or ground, me in times of stress or when I'm needing greater clarity. It also enables a higher frequency of energy to flow into the area thus gently assisting the personal and planetary transformative process. I'll take a picture of this place for next month and report on my efforts then. -- Scott Bruce Duncan */:-)

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