The sign of Virgo is represented by the mythical figure of Demeter, the corn maiden, the virgin goddess of fertility. This makes it the only sign of the zodiac to be represented by a female. She symbolizes the harvest; the bringing in, winnowing and finally storing of the summer crop. The corn maiden chooses to use her creativity for organizing a project rather than supplying the vision for new projects.

Virgo is meticulous, discriminating, pure, practical, health conscious and hard working. It can also be perfectionist, petty and critical. Virgo’s two favorite words are: appropriate and counter-productive.

How many Virgos does it take to change a light bulb? Approximately 1.000000 with an error of +/- 1 millionth.

Speaking of Virgins… Mary, the mother of Jesus, eventually replaced those who previously bore the title Queen of Heaven: Ishtar, Inanna, Nut, etc. Mary is depicted standing over a snake or crescent moon with the 12 stars signifying the Zodiac in her crown. Do any of those symbols sound familiar to other Goddess worshippers out there?

News: Introducing a new soap flavor: Love Potion

This is a pearly pink Claddagh on a white cocoanut oil base. It is a great skin softener and moisturizer. No flowery scent either, just warm and exotic with patchouli and ylang ylang. This is the official shower soap around here and Eileen endorses it as her favorite!  

All Inga’s Earth Magic soaps are made with the purest vegetable glycerin from Canada, natural colors and essential oils. I don’t have the packaging worked out yet… so no fancy recycled paper boxes with tasteful labels (I’m working on it.) But, for now, I can wrap them in tissue paper to make them suitable as gifts. …………………….$2.99 per bar (waaay cheaper than soaps at Tenzing Momo)

August 22^nd - the Sun moves into Virgo

The last Zodiacal sign of Summer.  As if you didn’t notice that from the weather this week. Virgo around here means cleaning the basement and getting the yard furniture cleaned up.

August 23^rd is Scott’s Birthday!

September 2^nd is a Full moon

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.

September 3^rd is Labor Day

Labor Day is a most appropriate holiday for Virgo:

• It celebrates service, work and daily routine.
• There is no record of who proposed it.
• It marks the beginning of the school year.

"Labor Day differs in every essential from the other holidays of the year in any country," said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor. "All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation."

Click here for the US Department of Labor’s official Labor Day site.

September 7^th is the IEM First Friday Get Together

Note: There will be no October Party- See you all November 2^nd

September 17^th is a New Moon

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 ritual involving a new project, to ask for new vision.

Lapis Lazuli is a dark blue stone generally with flecks of golden pyrite and streaks of white calcite. It consists of several different minerals, including lazurite, sodalite, hauyne, calcite and pyrite. The finest, darkest, Lapis Lazuli comes from Afghanistan although the USSR, Chile and the USA all have large deposits.

Lapis Lazuli has been used for adornment since the most ancient times and lapis from Afghanistan is featured in King Tutankhamen’s mask. Lapis resonates to Virgo and is appropriate (there is that word again) for rituals involving healing, serving others, counseling and routine or maintenance tasks.

Interestingly, most historical uniforms are either Capricorn’s black or Virgo’s blue. Nurses used to wear white dresses with navy blue capes over them. Doctor’s scrubs are usually blue. Blue jeans (the most traditional work clothes) start out dark blue.

National Geographic presents: At the Tomb of Tutankhamen

Click here to learn more about purchasing Inga's Earth Magic Jewelry.

When God was a Woman by Merlin Stone

Merlin Stone was a University teacher of Art and art history. Her research into Middle Eastern Goddess sculpture led her to archeology as well as ancient religion for evidence of the Goddess’ place in history.  She traces the centuries of conflict between the matrilineal cultures and the rise of patriarchy. This was not a logical decision on mankind’s part or a natural evolution but conquest, over a period of centuries by Indo-European invaders.

Merlin Stone states: “When the ancient sources of the gender stereotyping of today are better understood, the myth of the Garden of Eden will no longer be able to haunt us.”

For those who do not think the myth of the Garden of Eden still haunts us, I invite you to read this little treat from the Southern Baptist Journal, August 1977: Why We Cannot Ordain Women 

"When God was a Woman" is one of the classics of feminist literature, or as it was referred to in High School: Clit Lit. This book ranks with Simone DeBouvier’s "The Second Sex" and Betty Frieden’s "The Feminine Mystique". I reread this book this month as a follow-up to "The Red Tent" by Anita Diamant. Then, to carry on the theme, I reread "The Mists of Avalon" by Marion Zimmer Bradley and now I am into Joseph Campbell’s lecture series on the Arthurian Legend called "Western Quest". Does anyone have any other suggestions along this vein? I’d like to set up a permanent booklist in the Reading Room but … what to call it?

Click here to learn more about purchasing this book from Amazon.com.

Journaling

Stewart gave me the gift of a beautiful purple Oberon journal. I spent some time thinking about what I was going to use it for since I keep my date book and book of shadows on my laptop. I thought about interesting quotes, a list of books I’ve read, an inventory of my nativity guys. anything but something as trivial as a journal of my ruminations!

So… I pulled a card and got JUSTICE. I interpret this to mean that journaling isn’t trivial at all because it is an aid to introspection and evaluation.  A few words written and examined can resolve a situation which otherwise might require a great deal of laborious mental work. It serves also as a reminder to look beyond the easy answer. 

I always tell clients to write out their hypnotherapy sessions when they get home. Just the process of writing can jog the memory and help you to get more detail from the session. Journaling can bring on its own meditative state and is a good adjunct to hypnotherapy.

Another thing that I have found that journaling does: it saves a lot of talking to yourself. So often we talk out an idea that would be more appropriately written out. Ye Gods, there is that word again! So … spare your partner, spare your friends and start a journal.

Most importantly: Thank you Stewart!  -- Inga Duncan Thornell >^..^<

Oberon Design’s official website: http://www.oberondesign.com/index.htm

The best deals I have found on Oberon Products are at: http://www.mystic-caravan.com/oberon.htm

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!

Inga: Here are two of my favorite Joseph Campbell quotes:

“My favorite definition of mythology is other people’s religion.”

“My favorite definition of religion is misunderstood myth.”

Click here for the Joseph Campbell Foundation website.

Lorinda sent in these great Canadian websites:

Wiccan Church of Canada

Congregationalist Witchcraft Association (CWA)in British Columbia

Covenant of Gaia

Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance

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 6:30 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 and plenty of microbrews and red wine. If you have specific preferences, please bring whatever you'd like.
• How long: Until the witching hour, midnight, at which time Scott turns into a pumpkin. It's quite a sight! 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!

Scott is busy working on other projects during the sign of Virgo. He'll return to tell you about them in Libra. 

• More photos and links on Inga's Honda Reflex page!
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