The ABC's With Monarch13

A- A is for Animal Legends and Lore 

"If a man aspires towards a righteous life, his first act is abstinence of injury to animals." - Leo Tolstoy

Symbols of The Sacred Dove

The Dove universally symbolizes innocence, gentleness, faith, marital affection, peace and constancy. The deepest kind of Peace and Faith is symbolized by the Dove. It's image stills our worried and troubled thoughts, and shows us how to find renewa...

Horse Legends and History

The Horse symbolizes success, freedom, travel, courage, strength, power, nobility, wisdom and loyalty. It is also a symbol of life and death, grace and beauty. As a symbol of loyalty and devotion; he believes completely in his rider. The Horse can...

Legendary Chinese Dragons

The legend of the Dragon is woven throughout ancient Chinese civilization and has continued to influence their culture today. Chinese people around the world, proudly proclaim themselves "Lung Tik Chuan Ren", Descendants of the Dragon. Chi...

Butterfly Symbolism and Gift Ideas

The Butterfly is a universal symbol of change, resurrection, transformation, celebration, young love and the soul. ~ As a symbol of transformation; the butterfly represents everlasting life, stemming from it's various stages of life. 1. Birth (the c...

Sacred Turtle Symbolism and Lore

The Turtle is an Ancient Symbol, Representing Order, Creation, Endurance, Strength, Stability, Longevity, Fertility, and a Gentle Innocence. The Turtle also Offers Protection, Good Fortune , and Can Bring Forth Happiness and Good Omens. One of four...

A- A is for Aphrodisiacs 

"Love is often gentle, desire always a rage." ~Mignon McLaughlin

Common Kitchen Aphrodisiacs

Over the years, spices and herbs have offered mouth-watering tastes, enticing aromas and have often been included in love potions and other concoctions designed to improve a lovers desire and excitement. What is even better, you don't even need...

Herbs of The Gods

Throughout history, herbs have provided many practical uses. Their aromatic leaves have been used for cooking, decorating, medicinal purposes and many myths and legends have come to be associated with them. With their natural beauty, fragrance and...

7 of Nature's Own Love Potions

In ancient times, aphrodisiacs were used as medicinal remedies, to increase fertility and to enhance male potency. Most of these "love potions" originate in myth and folklore; however some current scientific research actually supports thei...

B- B is for Biographies 

"What we do flows from who we are." ~Paul Vitale

Doctor Virginia Apgar

Virginia Apgar (1909 - 1974), was a brilliant physician and humanitarian. She is best known for her development of the Apgar Score in 1952, a system to determine whether a newborn infant needs special attention to stay alive. Newborn Testing In most...

Sir Winston Churchill

Soldier, politician and finally prime minister, Winston Churchill was one of Britain's greatest 20th-century heroes. A man of action, born in Oxfordshire, England, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill (1874-1965), was the leader of Great Britain dur...

C- C is for Community 

"The best portion of a good person's life are little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love." ~William Wordsworth

Whatever It Takes - Celebrity Gift Designs for Charity

Whatever It Takes is a unique charity artwork project. The concept is simple. They gather an artistic symbol of hope, a self portrait and a message of hope for the future from leaders in all fields; design, film, music, sports, etc. These artworks ar...

Angels Who Touched My Life and My Lenses

I realize as I enter the Giant 100 Club, how many Angels have helped me along the way. It has been almost a year and a half since I joined Squidoo, and it is high time I thank them publicly! When my lenses ranked very low, in the beginning, their bl...

Simple Lens Graphics and Resources

Have you ever wondered how some people add cool dividers and animated graphics to their lenses? Curious about Jaqueline Stone's butterflies, PartyAnimal's magic flowers, Jaguar Julie's dancing angels, EnslavedbyFaeries' twitter banner, or a lot of o...

C- C is For Color! 

"Color possesses me. I don't have to pursue it. It will possess me always, I know it. That is the meaning of this happy hour: Color and I are one. I am a painter." ~ Paul Klee

Designing With Artichoke Color Hues

The artichoke is in the thistle group, of the sunflower family, it was originally native to the Mediterranean. The "vegetable" that we eat is actually the plant's flower bud. If allowed to flower, the blossoms measure up to seven inches in diameter a...

Pumpkin Orange A Color for All Seasons

The rich warm orange color of Pumpkin is reminiscent of sunrises, sunsets, and autumn leaves. Spiced-up colors can add a fiery glow to any room, with a palette that is not too bold and yet not too dull. Pumpkin Orange is energizing like the sun, so...

Eggplant Purple Designer Color Trend

Adding a touch of rich dark purple colors, like eggplant, otherwise known as aubergine, can really add drama and style to any room's decor. Bold shades of deep purple are a classy yet understated way to put a touch of color into a room, while s...

Mustard Yellow Fashion Trends

Change your wardrobe from bland to bold with this season's latest color sensation; mustard yellow. Mustard yellow might be just the thing to add zip to an otherwise bland style, says designer, Michael Kors. Kors says mustard yellow seamlessly transi...

Nutmeg Colors To Spice Up Your Bedroom

Spices offer delightful tastes, alluring aromas and have often been included in love potions and recipes for improving sexual desire and arousal. Now you can add these spicy colors to your bedroom, with accents of nutmeg. These colors add a beautifu...

C- C is for Crafts 

"And I believe that the best learning process of any kind of craft is just to look at the work of others." ~ Wole Soyinka

Colorful Fall Craft Ideas

Wondering what to do with all those beautiful leaves in your yard this fall? Well, preserve nature's beauty by bringing the outside in with these four simple, colorful autumn craft ideas. "Everyone must take time to sit and watch t...

Creative Candle Craft Ideas

  Candles are beautiful and special all on their own, but when you combine them with a few unique design elements, you can create a special piece. Be sure to incorporate the candle's color, style and scent when choosing your craft for add...

Simple Seashell Summer Crafts

Wondering what to do with all those seashells you and your family collect over summer vacations? Well, bring the seashore home, and bring the outside, indoors with these five simple and beautiful seashell craft ideas. "Today is a smooth white seas...

D- D is for Design and Art 

"Love of beauty is Taste. The creation of beauty is Art." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Optical Illusions in Art

What exactly is an "illusion"? An illusion is a deceptive trick that alters our perception of reality. Our senses in effect, perceive something entirely differently than what actually exists. The word illusion comes from the Latin verb, illudere, wh...

Kitchen Decorating with Chili Peppers

Spice up your kitchen fiestas with something different! Chili peppers are a staple of the Southwest culture and are a unique design element. There are so many colorful ways you can "spice" up your home and kitchen with these sizzling hot...

Southwestern Design and Cultural Icons

T he traditional art and icons of the Native American, Spanish and Mexican cultures are quite common in the American Southwest and have come to symbolize a unique southwestern style of decorating. Some popular design themes include; Native American...

F- F is for Feng Shui 

Feng Shui, is the art of living in harmony with the earth.

7 Feng Shui Symbols to Bring Good Fortune

In "The Top 10 Symbols Behind The Art of Feng Shui" we explored some basic icons from this ancient practice. Now lets probe even deeper, into a few of the Feng Shui icons and symbols, thought to activate the positive energies of fortune, good luck an...

Feng Shui for Children

By applying some basic Feng Shui principles at home and at school, parents and teachers can create a more nurturing environment, reduce behavioral problems, and stimulate a child's mind. The main goal in transforming any children's space, is to crea...

Food and Your Feng Shui Kitchen

Chi or "energy" - the basic premise of Feng Shui must be free-flowing in order to be in balance. All things in the Universe have two opposite yet complementary energies known as Yin and Yang. You can enhance the energy in the kitchen with colors, ma...

Fashion, Feng Shui and Color

The proper use of colors and color combinations are very important factors in enhancing Feng Shui energy. Each color in feng shui is associated with a certain meaning and a specific energy that affects people emotionally. Every color vibrates with i...

Discover The 5 Feng Shui Elements

No matter how big or how small your garden area, your ideal Feng Shui Garden incorporates basic Feng Shui principles to either calm or energize the space as needed. Your Garden Design should allow the movement of Chi (life force energy), throughou...

G- G is for Gifts! 

"We Make a Living by What We Get, We Make a Life by What We Give" ~Churchill

Yummy, Philosophy Fragrances and Gifts

Indulge yourself in these rich decadent flavors without the guilt or the calories! Philosophy soothes both your soul and your body. This unique collection is based on everyday comforting scents that give us a sense of home and family. Wrap yourself...

Clever, Unique Gift Ideas for Women

Find Unique, Funny, Clever, Sometimes Irreverent, Gift Ideas for the difficult-to-shop-for woman on your gift list! "I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of i...

Sentimental Collectibles and Gift Ideas

Some people always have just the right gift for even the most difficult to please person, their wrapping is seamless and their cards are witty, funny, heartfelt and perfect for the occasion. Here is some help for the rest of us...

Inspiring, Quotable Gifts

"A quotation at the right moment is like bread in a famine." ~Talmud Inspirational, thought-provoking quotes are a great way to keep motivated and energized no matter what the situation. Here are some great quotable gift ideas for yourself or to gi...

G- G is for Groups 

Groups I run

Symbolism and Design Headquarters

Symbolism and Spiritual Design Symbolism transcends the limits of words by using conventional designs to express the spiritual or intangible universe. "The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with...

Symbols From Around The World Headquarters

Symbols From Around The World "Symbols are the imaginative signposts of life."~ Margot Asquith The legends and the history behind famous symbols; featuring The Symbolism Series of lensmaster Monarch13.

H- H is for Healthy Children 

"The greatest wealth is health." ~Virgil

Family Health and Safety Basics (Supports SquidAid)

Proper nutrition, exercise, and rest are very important for health. However, providing a safe and loving home and spending time together - can also make a big difference. Here are some practical tips on home safety, including preventing falls, fires...

Allergy and Asthma Tips for Kid's

The concerned parent with a child who has asthma or allergies needs to be extra cautious when purchasing potential symptom triggering gifts because allergens can be lurking everywhere. Asthma and Allergies affects nearly 50 million Americans. With...

A Guide to Healthy Classrooms

Children spend a large portion of their time at school, here are some ways that both parents and teachers can help create healthier classrooms, schools, and children. 1. Learn the status of your school district's wellness policy by contacting your d...

Parent's Basics to Healthier Children

You are not alone in your quest to "grow" a healthy child; learn tips and find tools to help your child eat right, exercise more, make smart decisions, and grow up to be a healthier, happier adult. Being the parent or other responsible adult in our...

H- H is for Healthy Lifestyles 

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." ~ World Health Organization, 1948

Quitter's Basics to Smoking Cessation

FACT: Cigarette smoking causes approximately 440,000 deaths annually in the United States. It is also the most preventable cause of death in the country. FACT: Smoking is associated with an increased risk for at least 15 types of cancers. In fact, i...

Beginner Fitness Basics

When first beginning any fitness program, remember patience is essential. Don't try to do too much, too soon and don't quit before you have a chance to experience the rewards of improved fitness and health. Exercise must become a habit, one of those...

Health Promotion Campaign Ideas

Health promotion, as defined by the World Health Organization, is "the science and art of helping people change their lifestyle to move toward a state of optimal health." Individuals, health professionals, teachers, and community groups c...

FREE Healthy Habits Motivational Guidebook

Get an expert Healthy Habits Motivational Guide FREE from a Certified Health Coach! This unique guidebook was designed to help you set personal health and wellness goals, focus on ways to increase physical activity, eat healthier and change your li...

Coping with Your Anger

Why learn to manage your anger? 1. Chronic anger is a physical strain on your cardiovascular system and can lead to heart disease, heart attack and stroke. 2. Anger doesn't solve problems. By learning to control your anger and channel it into...

H- H is for History 

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again." ~ Maya Angelou

Ancient Mythology of The Calendar

In English, most of our weekdays are derived from Ancient Anglo-Saxon and Norse Gods, often translated from the French, who named their days of the week after Roman Gods. Many Saxon and Roman Gods are actually the same, just called by another name,...

Proud American Symbols

This is a tribute to the American symbols that unite us all and represent the love and proud history of our country. "Love your neighbor as yourself and your country more than yourself." - Thomas Jefferson, letter to Thomas Jefferson Smith, February...

The History of The Caduceus Symbol

The Caduceus (Kerykeion in Greek) is a winged staff with two snakes wrapped around it. It was an ancient astrological symbol of commerce and is associated with the Greek god Hermes, the messenger for the gods, conductor of the dead and protector of m...

Historical Symbols Found on Gravestones

Early grave markers, or gravestones, were actually heavy rocks and boulders that were placed on graves, because it was believed they were needed to keep the dead from rising from their graves. Eventually these boulders became grave markers and were...

The Great Depression Past and Present?

When the New York Stock Exchange opened on the morning of October 24, 1929, nervous traders sensed something ominous in the trading patterns. By 11:00 a.m. the market had started to plunge. Shortly after noon a group of powerful bankers met secretly...

H- H is for Holidays and Celebrations 

"Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving. Make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!" ~ Amanda Bradley

Easter Symbols and Celebrations

Pre-Christian Easter Origins: Easter, a Christian festival, embodies many pre-Christian traditions. Easter is thought to originally have been named after "Eostre", the Great Mother Goddess of the Saxon people in Northern Europe, she was the Teutonic...

Mexican Festivals and Celebrations

Mexico today is a unique cultural mix of ancient pagan influences, such as the Maya, Aztec and Zapotec, and the Catholic missionary efforts by the Spaniards. The Mexican people have preserved many of these ancestors' traditions by blending the...

Birth Month Signs and Symbols

  The year, month, and day of a person's birth is thought, by many, to be very significant in shaping an individual's destiny and character traits. There is a great deal of symbolism and meaning associated with your birthday; here ar...

Top 10 Christmas Symbols

Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holiday's in the world. It is a celebration of love, joy and unity; symbolized by familiar images that are designed to conjure up warm feelings of home and the spirit of peace, birth and giving. But...

Symbols and Traditions to Celebrate The New Year!

The celebration of the New Year is one of the oldest of all our holidays. it was thought to have first been recognized about 4000 years ago, in ancient Babylon. Most of our current New Year's traditions and superstitious rituals derive from anci...

I- I is for Inspiring Women! 

"Women really do rule the world. They just haven't figured it out yet. When they do, and they will, we're all in big big trouble." ~ Doctor Leon

Symbols of The Sacred Mother

"For the hand that rocks the cradle Is the hand that rules the world." - William Ross Wallace The tradition of honoring mothers dates back to ancient Greek spring festivals dedicated to the Mother Goddess, Rhea, and to the Roman tributes made to the...

Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou (1928 - ) is a prolific woman and a magical voice of contemporary literature today. Her screenplay, "Georgia, Georgia" (1972), was the first by an African American woman ever to be filmed, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Being a poe...

Ms. Gloria Steinem

Gloria Steinem has said, "If the shoe doesn't fit, must we change the foot?" This thread runs through her life as an activist and change agent, dedicated to creating a world that fits the needs of ALL of it's people. Background: Steinem's lifelong c...

Wise Women of the World

Wise Women know they are the power in their lives and that they have the ability to achieve any goal they desire. Wise Women deserve respect and attention for who they are and who they inspire others to be.

50 Inspiring Squidettes on Squidoo

Squidettes have the power and the ability to achieve any goal they desire. Squidoo Women are confident, capable, and qualified to handle all that life presents to them. Squidettes of the world, deserve respect and attention for who they are and who...

L- L is for Lens Of The Day! 

"I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks." ~ William Shakespeare

7 Scary Symbols of Halloween

BOO!! Halloween is currently celebrated all around the world. Started by the Celts and celebrated each year on October 31st, there are numerous Halloween symbols that conjure up scary imagery and haunting manifestations of the supernatural. Symbol...

L- L is for Love and Friendship 

"You call it madness, but I call it love." ~ Don Byas

Wedding Superstitions and Traditions

Many current wedding traditions and commonly held superstitions began in ancient times when betrothed couples were believed to be particularly vulnerable to bad luck and evil spirits. These beliefs resulted in an endless number of rituals, traditi...

Wedding Tips For The Groom-To-Be

We have all heard of the term, "Bridezilla", to describe that frantic, hysterical, stressed-out bride-to-be. The one who, while planning her "perfect" wedding day, needs to be calmed and reassured by everyone around her. She is th...

Symbols and Traditions of Friendship

"What is a friend? A single soul dwelling in two bodies". - Aristotle Friendship is one of the most divine gifts of any relationship, it is a unique blend of affection, loyalty, love and trust; a shared spiritual bond between two individ...

Symbols of Love...

The Symbols of Love If you desire more love in your life, or wish to see more love in the lives of those around you - all you need do is focus upon the universal signs and symbols that are attached with the expression of love. These symbols will s...

L- is for Lucky Charms and Talismen 

"For each petal on the shamrock this brings a wish your way. Good health, good luck, and happiness for today and every day." ~ Irish Blessing

Lucky Connemara Marble from Ireland

Connemara Marble is over 600 million years old. It is rare and found only in a remote area in the Connemara Mountains of Western Ireland. This unique gem has 40 different shades of green coloring and is often called "Ireland's National Gemstone".....

50 Signs of Good Luck From Around The World

Do you believe in Luck? Do you carry a Lucky Charm or a Symbolic Talisman to ward off Evil and bring you Good Fortune? There are many signs and symbols from around the world that are seen as lucky. Others are thought to bring good fortune, grant wis...

The Art and Magic of Hex Signs

Hex Signs were first seen painted on the sides of barns, stables and houses of the Pennsylvania Dutch in the 18th century. The custom of using these signs was derived from the Old World, brought from Germany and Switzerland by German immigrants who s...

Amulets and Symbols of Protection

Omens, Curses and Hexes that signify Dark Forces, Evil Spirits, Bad Luck and Negative Energy, are based upon Ancient Superstitions and Folklore. As a result of these Superstitions, many Cultures have Special Symbols used for Protection, Warding off...

Milagros (Miracle) Healing Charms

A milagro, (Spanish for "miracle") or ex-voto (from "my vow" in Latin) are small charms, generally made of gold, silver, copper or brass, which the faithful believe are endowed with spiritual powers, which when offered to a saint can heal and help pr...

M- M is for Magic, Mystery and Mysticism 

"Magic lies in challenging what seems impossible." - Carol Moseley Braun

5 Mystic Symbols for Your Home

Symbols can act in two ways: First, they can be used to focus and project your own personal energy. Second, a symbol can function as a magnifier and transmitter, in order to bring various energy forces into your everyday life. 1. Circle: The Circ...

Moon Magic and Myths

The Moon has always been associated with magic, folklore, superstitious beliefs and ancient rituals. Lets delve a little deeper into some of these moon myths that surround us everyday (or should I say every night). Perhaps we may surprise or enco...

Dark Omens and Superstitions

An Omen...   is a sign that signals a future event; many Omens are historically based upon ancient superstitions and cultural folklore. Some omens are indicative of good fortune, while others are symbolic of impending hardship and doom. Her...

Dream Symbols and Meanings

There are symbols found in the human unconscious that mean similar things to all of us. By understanding these symbols, it is possible to analyze our dreams and to learn from them. Various life experiences influence the interpretation of these symb...

Magical Gemstones and Mystical Crystals

Over the centuries, many cultures have contributed to the legends, lore and magic surrounding gemstones and crystals. Gemstones are usually mysterious crystalline geometric structures and every naturally formed crystal and gemstone is unique in it's...

N- N is for Nature 

"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fruits Fable and Folklore

Many fruits are surrounded by a long and colorful history of symbolic meaning and mythical tales. Apples, cherries, figs, pomegranates, and strawberries are found around the world, woven into religious tales, and ancient folklore. These bountiful...

How To Speak Through Flowers

Nature's gift of flowers, speak to us in many different ways and people have been expressing our deepest thoughts and emotions to one another through their beauty and symbolic meanings since time immemorial. Floriography- The language of flowers. A...

Bird Symbolism and Spirituality

Since ancient times, because of the Birds connection to the sky, they have been thought of as a supernatural link between the heavens and the earth. Middle Eastern and Asian cultures often speak of birds as symbols of immortality. In East Indian myt...

N- N is for Nutrition 

"He who takes medicine and neglects to diet wastes the skill of his doctors." ~Chinese Proverb

Diet and Inflammation

What is inflammation and why do we need to worry about it? Inflammation is a key component of the body's natural healing system. It is the normal response to injury or irritation. It serves to bring more blood and immune activity to an injured area...

Nutrition, Food and Health

Did You Know? Fifteen of the world's leading researchers in diet and cancer recently reviewed more than 4,500 studies; vegetables and fruit came out on top as the food most likely to help reduce the risk of cancer? Nutrition, Health and Healing The...

A Healthy Diet and Stress

Muscle tension may be the number one symptom of stress, but more people go to their doctors and the emergency room for stomach ailments than all other physical problems; the majority of which have a very strong stress related component to them. Th...

Functional Foods for Optimal Health

What Are Functional Foods? Functional foods are foods that provide health benefits beyond just basic nutrition. Functional foods do more than just provide nutrients - they may play a role in reducing your risk of disease or in improving your overall...

P- P is for Purple Star Lenses 

"If at first you do succeed - try to hide your astonishment." ~ Author Unknown

Colorful Kitchen Recipes

Colorful creative recipes, are just the right ingredient to liven up any kitchen, stimulate everyone's appetite and really add drama and style to any meal! Go bright and bold with roasted red chili peppers, or spicy mustard chicken. Create a dr...

Colorful Yellow Kitchen Accents

Colorful Mustard Yellow Accents, are just the right ingredient to liven up any kitchen decor and stimulate everyone's appetite! You can go bright and bold with reds, yellows, and oranges, choose some simple, solid yellow, eye-catching tablewar...

Cleaning Clutter The Feng Shui Way

Some people may groan at the fact that when seasons change, cleaning time arrives again (myself included), but it does you a world of good in all aspects of your life. When we clear out the clutter from our daily lives, we are in fact saying to the...

Share the Gift of Men's Health

Why Men's Health Week? Due to a lack of awareness, poor health education, and risky lifestyle choices, the American male's health and well-being are at a greater risk now then ever before. The Goals of National Men's Health Week: The goal of Men's H...

10 Symbols Behind The Art of Feng Shui

Feng Shui is an art form that has been practiced in the Far East for over five thousand years. Feng means "Wind" and Shui means "Water" and Feng Shui is the "art of living in harmony with the earth". When we live our liv...

P- P is for More Purple Star Lenses 

50 Signs of Good Luck From Around The World

Do you believe in Luck? Do you carry a Lucky Charm or a Symbolic Talisman to ward off Evil and bring you Good Fortune? There are many signs and symbols from around the world that are seen as lucky. Others are thought to bring good fortune, grant wis...

R- R is for Rocket Mom Lenses 

"All mothers are working mothers." ~ Author Unknown

My Life's Lessons

I pause each year in june, the month of my birth, to pull the covers over my head, turn off my phone (eat gallons of ice cream) and reflect, reminisce and ruminate about my life. (sounds like barrels of fun, huh?) this year is a little different tho...

Cuckoo for Kokopellis

Traditional art and icons of the Native American culture are quite common in the American Southwest and have come to symbolize a unique southwestern style of decorating.The flute playing Kokopelli, figure is one such icon and dates back 3,000 years t...

10 Herbal Teas for Medicinal Use

Herbs have been used for centuries to treat a variety of medical illnesses. Many of the uses have come from folklore or cultural traditions. Scientific evaluation of herbals has only recently begun, here we will review 10 common herbal tea preparati...

Honey Bee Awareness Day

Can you imagine a world without the Honey Bee? Busy Bee Facts: - Worldwide we rely on honey bee pollination for one-third of our total food supply! - Honey bees as the main pollinators on the planet are responsible for seeding over 100 crops, inclu...

R- R is for Even More RocketMom Lenses 

"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers." ~ Jewish Proverb

Ribbons of Awareness

Since their introduction in the United States in 1991, colorful swirling Ribbons have quickly spread. They have wrapped their tendrils around the world to become a lasting symbolic, cultural icon representing awareness, unity, support and hope to t...

Colorful Kitchen Recipes

Colorful creative recipes, are just the right ingredient to liven up any kitchen, stimulate everyone's appetite and really add drama and style to any meal! Go bright and bold with roasted red chili peppers, or spicy mustard chicken. Create a dr...

Find the Magic in Salem, Massachusetts

375 years of American heritage and maritime history come alive in America's most bewitching town - Salem, Massachusetts. Salem's name means "City of Peace"; however it's history is anything but peaceful. This city was where th...

S- S is for Spirituality 

"What matters is not the idea a man holds, but the depth at which he holds it." ~Ezra Pound

The Golden Spiral Symbol

Are Spirals a Sign of a Sacred Design? The Golden Spiral plays a harmonizing role in the Universe. It represents two well known shapes in sacred geometry: the golden mean or golden ratio (phi) spiral and the Fibonacci spiral. The unique thing abou...

Sacred Plants of The Shaman

A Shaman practices ritual ceremonies or magic to heal sickness, divine the future, and facilitate communication between the natural and the supernatural world. These religious community leaders often use sacred plants and other techniques to induce...

Legends of The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life is a Universal symbol found in many spiritual traditions around the world. It symbolizes life itself, with it's branches reaching for the Heavens "Father Sky" and it's buried roots, linking to "Mother Earth". Many ancient mythical s...

The Spiritual Art of Sand Painting

Sandpainting is the art of creating ritual paintings with multi-colored sand for religious, spiritual or healing ceremonies. It is also referred to as dry painting. Sand painting is known to have been practiced by three ancient cultures: Tibetan Bud...

The Endless Knot Symbol

Symmetrical knots that tie into themselves; without beginning or end; are a universal symbol of the eternity of life, the eternity of nature, and the eternity of love. The well-known expression, "tying the knot"; meaning to get married or engaged, o...

T- T is for Travel 

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." ~St. Augustine

The Desert Southwest in Tucson, Arizona

Tucson is a city founded upon change; from its birth to the present, it has built and reshaped its appearance, ideals, and industry. Over the years, the city has flown the flags of many different nations; Spain, Mexico, The United States and even bo...

Arizona's Summer Monsoon Season

The word "monsoon", originally comes from the Arabic word, "mausim", meaning "a season". It was first used to describe the winds over the Arabian sea, which blow from the northeast for six months and from the southwest...

Tis The Season For Visiting Snowbirds..

Snowbird Travel Season Just as Jack Frost begins nipping at your nose, it reminds us of the long winter that awaits. It is also a migratory signal to start packing and begin heading to warmer climates. For those escapees there is a name; they are c...

W- W is for Wellness 

"When it comes to eating right and exercising, there is no "I'll start tomorrow." Tomorrow is disease." ~V.L. Allineare

Workplace Wellness Guide

We spend the majority of our waking hours at work, therefore the workplace is an excellent venue to begin focusing on prevention and wellness. Half of all mortality in the U.S. is linked to changeable behavioral factors such as smoking, poor diet, a...

W- W is for Famous Women Firsts 

"We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future." ~George Bernard Shaw

Dr. Mary Walker The 1st Woman Medal of Honor Recipient

Mary Walker, M.D., (1832-1919) Physician and surgeon, was the first woman to receive the Medal of Honor for her heroic front line work in The Civil War. Much ahead of her time, Dr. Walker, in 1855, was also one of the first women in the United State...

Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell- 1st American Woman Physician

In 1849, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell (1821 - 1910) was the first woman to receive an M.D. degree from an American medical school. Elizabeth Blackwell said she turned to medicine after a close friend who was dying suggested she would have been spared her...

Frances Perkins- 1st Woman US Cabinet Member

In 1932 Frances Perkins (1880-1965) was the first woman to a hold a cabinet post in American history. She was appointed The Secretary of Labor by Franklin Roosevelt and served for his entire 12 year presidency. She was dedicated to improving the liv...

Janet Reno- 1st Woman Attorney General

Janet Reno (1938- ), the first female Attorney General of the United States, has had a life filled with "firsts." Background Reno graduated from Cornell University in 1960 with a degree in chemistry, in 1963 she went on to earn her law degree from H...