Happy Birthday to all the Virgos!

The sign of Virgo is represented by the mythical figure of Demeter, the corn maiden, the goddess who rules the earth's fertility. This makes it the only sign of the zodiac to be represented by a woman. 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, practical, health conscious and hard working. It can also be perfectionist, petty and critical. Virgo’s two favorite words are appropriate and counter-productive.

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 the Goddess worshippers out there? The Catholic Church tried to fight the worship of Mary as heresy for centuries but eventually annexed the symbology. Interestingly, the medieval cathedrals, chapels & churches of France are said to illustrate the constellation Virgo by their placement.

The monthly installment of The Great Astrological Light Bulb Joke:

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

(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! -- Inga)

Inga's Celebration Calendar

August 22nd: The Sun enters the 30-degree portion of the space-time continuum ruled by the Zodiacal sign Virgo.

August 23rd is Scott’s Birthday: It is also Barbara Eden’s birthday. Click either of these links to read about I Dream of Jeannie: TVLand or I Dream of Jeannie.com.

September 2nd is the First Friday of the month and the Dunthor Open House: Click here to see details below.

September 3rd is a New Moon in Virgo: 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.

September 5th is Labor Day: See our archived newsletters for articles about Samuel Gompers & Labor Day.

September 17th is the Feast of Mithra and a Full Moon in Pisces: 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.

September 22nd is Mabon, the autumnal Equinox and the day the Sun enters Libra.

Stone of the Sign - Blue Cameo

This is a cameo depicting a woman and child. This cameo, like most cameos made after WWI, is actually resin. Yes, it is an artificial material. However, you can rest assured that no shellfish were harmed in its manufacture. The beauty of a resin cameo is that its detail is phenomenal. The background is a delicate, slate blue color. I wrapped it in 14k rolled gold wire. Gold is a soft metal that has been used for adornment since antiquity. It is easy to form into complex jewelry. According to tradition, it can balance the body’s energy fields. Wearing gold is said to remove negative energy from the chakras. It will enhance the energy of the stones it is worn with. It brings wealth, happiness and positive energy into one’s life.

On sale this month: 55.00 USD

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

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

Inga's Space

There are two great articles at Wikipedia about Demeter and Virgo. 

I found some wonderful, old pictures of King County online. Be sure to scroll down to the photo of SeaTac airport!

Here is a picture of Freya that I took with my cell phone at Ruston Way in Tacoma. We spent time at Ruston Way last weekend and the locks at Ballard this weekend and both have docks and boardwalks that she always avoided. So we decided to work at getting her used to walking on those uneven surfaces in order to increase her confidence and trust. As usual, even though she was nervous, she was still a trouper. The first time, she made it clear she didn’t like the moving surface with water visible below and we just walked from one end to the other meeting other dogs and watching them trot up and down the gratings. Then when we made it clear we would go without her, she put her ears down and trotted right down the center of the grating. The next ones were easier for her. Some were moving quite a bit and she just spread her stance to accommodate the motion. Then we took her to the Ballard Locks for a real test and even with the high walkways, she just sailed right through the crowds and down the center of the walkway like she had been doing it all along. The only challenge was having to explain to everyone why they can't pet her.

Click here to read about Ruston Way. Click here for the official website of the Hiram Chittenden Locks.

Letters from our Readers

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!

From Stephanie: Better tell Freya to stay vigilant about keeping the cats out of the office! You never know…

Also from Stephanie: Cinderella - The rest of the story:

Cinderella is now 95 years old. After a fulfilling life with the now dead prince, she happily sits upon her rocking chair, watching the world go by from her front porch, with a cat named Bob for companionship.

One sunny afternoon out of nowhere, appeared the fairy godmother. Cinderella said, "Fairy Godmother, what are you doing here after all these years"? The fairy godmother replied, "Cinderella, you have lived an exemplary life since I last saw you. If there anything for which your heart still yearns, I will give you three wishes." Cinderella was taken aback, overjoyed, and after some thoughtful consideration, she uttered her first wish: "The prince was wonderful, but not much of an investor. I'm living hand to mouth on my disability checks, and I wish I were wealthy beyond comprehension. Instantly her rocking chair turned into solid gold Cinderella said "Ooh, thank you, Fairy Godmother".

The fairy godmother replied, "It is the least that I can do. What do you want for your second wish?" Cinderella looked down at her frail body, and said, "I wish I were young and full of the beauty and youth I once had." At once, her wish became reality, and her beautiful young visage returned. Cinderella felt stirrings inside of her that had been dormant for years.

And then the fairy godmother spoke once more: "You have one more wish; what shall it be?" Cinderella looked over to the frightened cat in the corner and said, "I wish for you to transform Bob, my old faithful cat, into a kind and handsome young man." Magically, Bob suddenly underwent so fundamental a change in his biological make-up that when he stood before her, he was a man so beautiful that the likes of him neither she nor the world had ever seen.

The fairy godmother said, "Congratulations, Cinderella, enjoy your new life. With a blazing shock of bright blue electricity, the fairy godmother was gone as suddenly as she appeared. For a few eerie moments, Bob and Cinderella looked into each other's eyes. Cinderella sat, breathless, gazing at the most beautiful, stunningly perfect man she had ever seen.

Then Bob walked over to her, as she sat transfixed in her rocking chair, and held her close in his young, muscular arms. He leaned in closer, blowing her golden hair with his warm breath and whispered.........

"Bet you're sorry you neutered me."

The Monthly Dunthor Open House

Please come join in the community that has been created over the years with the friends we've made through Inga's Earth Magic. You'll find insight, sharing, healing and fellowship and you are most welcome. 

• 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!

The Duncan Domain

My 2005 Arivaca Adventure

My brothers and I have converged on Arivaca, Arizona, a very small town in the Sonoran Desert for our father's 70th birthday on March 19, 2005. Brother Paul has offered his two street motorcycles, a Harley Davidson Dyna Glide and a Yamaha FJR1300, to Eric and me as transportation from his home in Tucson to Arivaca, a sixty mile ride. Arivaca, just a few miles from the US/Mexico border, was originally a Native American village. European Americans started mining operations in the 1850s and as the mines played out, ranching took over. Today, Arivaca is a fascinating mixture of contrasts:

• The peacefulness of the desert landscape and the virtual martial law environment caused by the constant battle between Border Patrol and the illegal immigrants, and the DEA and the drug smugglers.
• The constant environmental stewardship required to maintain the vast Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge just West of town and the environmental damage being caused by the illegal drug and people smuggling trade.
• The old, crumbling abode buildings mixed in amongst the modern homes of residents.
• Superb micro-roasted coffee at The Gadsden Coffee Company in the middle of what should be pure Folgers country.
• The pro-Marijuana residents, the survivalists, the retirees, the ranchers and the tourists; an eclectic and diverse community to be sure.

Between time spent with family, cruising the local roads, feasting on good home cooking and drinking excellent coffee, a superb time was had by all. Click here for photos and more stories from the trip.

– Scott Bruce Duncan */:-)

New and Updated Pages on our Website

E-Commerce stuff!

Click on this link to visit the Amazon home page. If you buy a product through this link, Amazon will pay Inga's Earth Magic a referral fee that we'll use to help offset the cost of our web page. Thanks in advance!
 

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