Tag: Environment

10 Tips for Creating a Zero Waste Home

10 Tips for Creating a Zero Waste Home

  • Erica Sofrina

By Erica Sofrina, Author of Small Changes Dynamic Results! Feng Shui for the Western World

I do my part to recycle and bring my own bags for purchases, but I am far from producing zero waste. While lugging multiple recycling bins to the curbside every week it has occurred me that I have a lot of recycling for only one person. I never totally connected the dots that the goal should be to have a system where all of the wrappers, junk mail, jars and cans don’t enter my home to begin with!

I was recently inspired by a television show where Bea and Scott Johnson of Mill Valley, California talked about their Zero waste lifestyle. They produce the equivalent of a quart jar of waste per month for their entire family of four. Now that is pretty close to Zero Waste and a goal I am going to aspire to!

In a recent article about them in Sunset Magazine. I was inspired by their commitment as a family to leave a lighter foot print. Their children are just as committed to the cause, and wrap their lunches in large cloths which they roll up and carry to school and reuse the next day. They have simplified their lives so completely that they are able to pack up on a dime and spend extended periods of time traveling and doing things they love.They pay for the trips by the 40% less they are spending on living expenses! They also rent their home while they are gone and use it as a teaching tool with detailed instructions for the renters on how they can create a zero waste lifestyle.

I yearned for the freedom from encumbrances that they have achieved, and the good feeling that comes from knowing my lifestyle is completely in alignment with my ethics about sustainability for the planet. I am inspired by their example to do more!

In Bea’s recent article in Yes Magazine, she outlines ten tips to help the average person get on board and move closer towards Zero waste. Here are some of her great suggestions:

  • Refuse what you do not need.
  • Reduce what you do need.
  • Reuse by using reusables.
  • Recycle what you cannot refuse, reduce, or reuse.
  • Rot (compost) the rest.

 

Refuse

1. Fight junk mail. It’s not just a waste of resources, but also of time. Register to receive less at dmachoice.org, optoutprescreen.com and catalogchoice.org.

2. Turn down freebies from conferences, fairs, and parties. Every time you take one, you create a demand to make more. Do you really need another “free” pen?

 

Reduce

3. Declutter your home, and donate to your local thrift shop. You’ll lighten your load and make precious resources available to those looking to buy secondhand. Yes, I couldn’t agree more!

4. Reduce your shopping trips and keep a shopping list. The less you bring home, the less waste you’ll have to deal with.

Reuse

5. Swap disposables for reusables (start using handkerchiefs, refillable bottles, shopping totes, cloth napkins, rags, etc.). You might find that you don’t miss your paper towels, but rather enjoy the savings. – Noted!

6. Avoid grocery shopping waste: Bring reusable totes, cloth bags (for bulk aisles), and jars (for wet items like cheese and deli foods) to the store and farmers market. (I always keep reusable totes in my car.)

Recycle

7. Know your city’s recycling policies and locations—but think of recycling as a last resort. Have you refused, reduced, or reused first? Question the need and life-cycle of your purchases. Shopping is voting.

8. Buy primarily in bulk or secondhand, but if you must buy new, choose glass, metal, or cardboard. Avoid plastic: Much of it gets shipped across the world for recycling and often ends up in the landfill (or worse yet, the ocean).

Rot

9. Find a compost system that works for your home and get to know what it will digest (dryer lint, hair, and nails are all compostable).

10. Turn your home kitchen trash can into one large compost receptacle. The bigger the compost the more people will use it. (I will add you want to have a bin that has a lid and is an attractive receptacle.)

I hope you will join me in working toward these Zero waste goals in your own household. I am going to start today with stopping the junk mail, which has been a goal of mine for ages and I am ashamed that I haven’t gotten around to….Done!

WATER SCRYING

WATER SCRYING

You will need a large, deep bowl made from glass, brass or silver. It must have a smooth and even rim.
You must set your base on some sort of tripod for best results. A tripod made of laural boughs is the best.
You will need to do your own testing to find out which bowl works best for you and how much water you should use. Do not use water from a tap. Get clean, fresh water from a stream.
The ancient Greeks believed that nature spirits dwelled in fresh water. The water may be stored in a vessel and used again.
However it is a good idea to replace your water once a month. Never collect the water of a day time. Water should only be collected at night preferably on a full moon.
To make your wand use a branch from a bay tree, hazel tree or the laural. The end of the wand should be covered in dry tree sap or resin.
Dip the end of the wand into the water until it becomes wet. Wet the rims of the bowl.
The best time to scy is at night when it is quite. By gently drawing the rim of the wand around the bowl it will cause it to resonate.
The action of the resonating basin will cause circular ripples to form in the basin. The water seems to breathe with the sounds.
It is the harmonics that seem to whisper forth predictions of the future. These are interpreted with the help of a gaurdian angel.
You may also recieve visual impressions which Nostradamus likened to that of a “burning mirror”.

 

Scrying

Scrying

 
Divination through scrying in to water has a long history. Water is used
in a variety of ways and one of my favourites is using it to pour melted
candle wax in to and use the shapes to tell what the upcoming year will be
like. Some water gazers prefer to have the light of a candle reflected on
the water surface. Others take the bowl outside on a cloudless night and,
capturing the moon’s reflection, divine by its appearance on the water.
Still others take crystals, place them in the bottom of the bowl, swish the
water a bit then divine the meaning from the shapes and patterns the
crystals make.The ancient Greeks believed that nature spirits dwelled in fresh water and
so I believe this is the best kind of water to use however any water will
do. More traditional people feel that you should not use water from a tap
and so if you do get the chance to visit a stream or sacred well, collect
some water for use in your scrying.

To divine the future with your scrying bowl, pour water into it then let it
settle and ask your question. Sit with your back to the light in a darkened
room and gaze into but not at the water. As with a crystal ball, the water
may cloud. Eventually you may begin to see symbols within its cool depths.
Make note of any such symbols. When no further symbols are seen, begin the
process of interpretation.

 

Author Unknown

——————————————————

 

Scrying

Scrying is a facinating practice in that it enables you to literally “see” the future (or present or past). Almost any reflective surface can be used for scrying (pronounced to rhyme with “crying”). A crystal ball and gazing mirror are two of the best.

Another form of divination, sometimes used by Witches, is scrying into a fire, called fire scrying.

Author Unknown

Yemaya’s Unblocking Spell (2)

If you can’t swim or are afraid of water, you may still petition Yemaya.

  1. Sit down in the sand at the waterline.

  2. As the waves come in, greet them with your hands, gather up the water from the waves, and toss some over your head, some over your body.

  3. Throw seven white roses to Yemaya.

  4. Come out of the water without turning your back to the ocean. Let the candles burn out.

Cleansing Crystals with Running Water

If you’re fortunate enough to live near a stream, tie your stone in a pieces of cheesecloth or old pantyhose and with a piece of string fasten it to a branch or stone on the bank. Let the fabric wrapped stone rest in the water for at least twenty-four house. If you’re in an urban environment, you can set the stone in a strainer or colander and put it in your sink. Turn the cold water tap on and leave it three for a while. However, this method wastes a lot of water, so I don’t use it. Instead, I pour bottled spring water in a dish, and set the stones in it. Water absorbs energy whether it’s running or not, the movement simply add more energy to the process and gets it done faster.

Water is an excellent purifier. If you add a pinch of salt to it, it becomes even more powerful. Again, however, if there’s any metal attached to the stone, skip the salt and use pure water. Don’t subscribe earth for that pinch of salt in the technique, or you’ll end up having to rinse off the stone under the tap anyway.

Today’s Runes for June 20 is Berkana/Growth reversed

Berkana / Growth reversed

 

Aspects, hindering your growth are frightening you. Carefully revise your part in that process and the part of the others involved. If you realize, that you’ve put your own wishes above all, you might have found the source of the blockage. Gently free yourself from it and put new energy into reaching your goals. A positive outcome is guaranteed.

Stones

Stones are great to use in spellcrafting, because you can recycle them by cleansing and purifying them. Basically, this”washes” them clean of whatever energy with which you previously empowered the, as well as whatever energy they picked up during their work. Note that this does not remove their base energy. No matter what you do, you can never remove the basic energy encoded into the stones (or herb, or any component, for that matter). Once the stone has been cleansed, it’s ready to go again; a blank slate for you to program or charge for a new purpose. There are several ways to cleanse a stone.

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for June 2 is 12:Standstill

12: Standstill

Hexagram 12
 
General Meaning: A state of standstill is a state of decline. Confusion and disorder prevail. Inferior elements are on the rise, while the powers of clarity and creativity are waning. In such times, the wise take shelter in their own integrity and quietly remain faithful to their highest selves. Retreat from public activities and common exchanges until the time once again favors assertive action.

During periods of stagnation, inferior elements can rise to power. When the inmates are overrunning the asylum, summon up your fortitude, hide your worth and withdraw. Concentrate on your personal affairs with a quiet dignity, even if that means giving up short-term rewards.

Desiring to change a situation too quickly often creates extra conflict. By accepting hardship, while striving to maintain integrity, you are preparing for future growth. A seed of prosperity is often hidden inside the husk of misfortune.

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for May 4th is 63: After Completition

y’s I Ching Hexagram for Everyone:

63: After Completion

Wednesday, May 4th, 2011

Hexagram 63

 General Meaning: It is a fine irony that after completion of some project or great enterprise, there is still much left to do. Completion is merely a pause in the cycle of creation and decay, a momentary still point for the swinging pendulum of life. Though completion does imply a period of restful pause — one that usually has been well earned — it is not an actual end, but rather a uniquely harmonious flat spot in the constancy of change and movement.

The image of After Completion is that of a kettle of water boiling over a fire. When the forces are balanced, the water boils properly; but if the pot is too full, it may boil over and put out the fire; or, if the fire is too hot, it may evaporate all the water. In the equilibrium that follows the completion of something significant, the current dynamics must be watched carefully to assure that a proper balance is maintained.

After Completion is the time for fine-tuning, for refinements and embellishments of what has already been accomplished.

Even if we are enjoying a rewarding situation right now, the laws of the natural world dictate that influence and success will eventually decline. So, don’t let current good fortunes prompt careless or relaxed attitudes. A successful endeavor or partnership needs to be carefully tended and maintained. What is incomplete should be finished, and brought to fruition without delay.

Take satisfaction upon completion, but do not dwell on it. To do so could bring a halt to your influence and capability.

Lady A’s Spell of the Day: Hexbreaker Bath-Marie Laveau Bath

This spell is attributed in Marie Laveau.

  1. Draw a bath of warm water.
  2. Make an infusion by pouring boiling water over a dish containing one head of garlic (broken into cloves, but not peeled), one bunch of basil, one bunch of parsley and one bunch of sage.
  3. Let the infusion stand. Do not strain.
  4. Add eight ounces (about 250 ml) of geranium hydrosol.
  5. Stir in one teaspoon of saltpeter.
  6. The bathroom should be cleansed and fumigated.
  7. When you’ve ready get into the tub: either pour the entire dish of clearing materials over you or ladle it gradually. Then soak in the tub.
  8. Let the water out. Air-dry, let the water dry on you. Don’t worry about clearing up the tub for at least a hour, and preferably wait until the next day.
  9. Rub your body with Bay Rum