"Slate" by Anna Aquene, holds a special dedication to Steve who began his journey from earth Dec. 2, 2004

"Slate", preview is located in the journal area.

"This ain't your Mommas kitchen"  ( brief preview)

With grief comes knowledge.  I feel, my believes are fairly simple.  Trusting there is a tranquil place filled with the peacefulness of a gently flowing stream on a mid-summer morning.

This place is Heaven. Angels sing with a susurration of gentle harmony as, they welcome their loved ones of passed days here on earth.

I also believe the breath of a ghost is the mere kiss of an angel. Just popping in to bring "I love you's" and reassurance that our loved ones are still amoung us. Holding them too tightly may bind their wings. At times we may feel, to loosen our grip will render our departed loved ones gone, from us forever. So, we tend to secure our grief in our lives, unable to let it subside. After awhile the holding of such a strong negative feeling of grief can make us physically and emotionally ill. We all go through our own phases of grief. There is not a "right" or "wrong" way to grieve. I don't believe if you are still feeling the affects a year or more after, your loved one has passed that you, are not "normal". This person after all, was a huge part of your life and their memories can't simply be washed of your mind. Try to give your sorrow a positive turn around. Don't sit around thinking of them as "being gone". Try not to play the events of their death over and over in your mind. Concentrate on the joy they brought to your life and the lives of others. Remember the happy times you shared together. When you are smiling over your blissful memories your loved one is smiling with you. If your grief is taking you to a level of isolation, days filled with more sorrow than laughter and or the inability to continue to, show love to family and or friends or even accept love, then perhaps it is time to turn to a professional for some help. Also, if youare holding "constant conversations" with your departed loved one instead of conversing with those that are still alive, then this is not a healthy situation for you.

It is okay to be sad, angery, confused etc. just don't let negative emotions be the heart of who you are. We don't necessarily have to "let them go" so to say. We may try to say goodbye. Goodbye, until we are joined together again by another gentle visit or until we are greeted by them in heaven or that special place you believe you journey to when leaving earth. I realize first hand, having a loved one journey from earth is a trying emotional journey to bear. My beloved son Steve, began his journey from earth December 2, 2004. Emotions collided rendering me damn near helpless. Deciding it was time for me to pick myself up when I relized I was no good to Steve like this. Nothing would bring him back. My four surviving children would gain nothing positive from a Mother who spent more time, with her memories of her departed son then continuing to make more memories with the living of whom she loved and held dear to her heart. The time had come to stop asking why, accept what had happend and learn to grow again. I had to grow again because, the person I was before my son left, no longer existed. I have lost loved ones in the past. Never before, ever feeling the emotions, that exploded within me until, the police informed me that my beloved Steve would not be coming home again. My brain had become imbedded with my eldest daughters wails of disbelieve as, I was barely able to whisper her older brothers demise. Steves, Uncle Otter was his best friend. Word of Steves journey, delivered a blow so hard it brought his towering cold hard steel Uncle Otter straight, to his knees where he wept as if he were, a helpless puppy someone had kicked across the room.Fragments of my heart pounded wildly about my chest as I watched my daughters and my youngest brothers (Otter)  world crumble before them. Never before had I ever felt  this helplessness. Though the events surrounding Steves departure are still fresh in my mind. I have learned not to dwell. Instead having the memeries of all the joy and laughter Steve gave to those who's lives he touched fill my heart and carry me through to new tomorrows. Steve would not want me nor anyone else to live a life of sadness. He would ask, that I hold his brothers and sisters close and love them as I loved him when he was of earth. Steve was a gentle, kind, loving spirit when he was of earth. I believe Steve is a guardian of children now.

All who love Steve and hold him close ask, that a random act of kindess be performed in his honor. If you are of the grieving and need a knowing ear  please, don't hesitate to contact me.

I also believe, there is a place of great calculated darkness, despair and animosity. Wind filled by cold  gasps escaping the mouths of those forever damned. An atmosphere of heat and flames so great that it  would melt the roaring lava of a great volcano.  I have tried to avoid the clutches that have a way of latching onto one and pulling with, temptation,  greed, jealousy, anger and many other negative emotions that open doors and encourage, us into a place we have come to know as hell. Doing as I can to avoid this place when my time comes for departure from earth. There are those whom are filled with such dark monstrous ways at times I have, felt earth is one with hell.  But, then there comes a warm balance of light released from the heart of a positive being. One who's energy is so great it shifts the negative energy  into a possitive of which releases earth from the grasp of evil. Angels on earth? Could be. There may also be a place between Heaven and Hell. A place other than earth. A place not filled  the sorrows of earth, the bitterness of hell or the tranquility of heaven. This is a place where one may go for a brief rest before moving forward to heaven. There is no pain. There are only contemplations of what occured with ones self while on earth. A sort of layover while ones spirit readys itself to journey a higher place. There may also be a place one hangs in that is just beyond the inconspicuous walls of earth. A place filled with those whom for whatever reason will not move forward. Their demise may have been of a violent nature, suicide, etc. The one who passed may have unfinished business, a message or simlpy need the forgiveness of a loved one. It is said, though we may not always be able to see a ghost, spirit etc. or hear the words of ghosts, spirits etc. they can in fact hear and see us. The spirit, ghost etc. may just be stopping in to say, "Hello".

If you encounter a spirit, ghost, etc. try not to panick. They mean you no harm. Instead, embrace this wonderment as a moment you have been blessed with. Not all of us get this opportunity. In circumstances where a ghost, spirit, etc. is just  flat out annoying you and or your family ask them, (ghost, spirit, etc.) to leave you alone. Tell them to come back at  another time if, you don't mind their presence. Remember the home may have been their home at one time and they may not understand why you are now living there. Some ghosts, spirits, etc. don't even know they are deceased. So please, do try to be gentle with your words. Explain, you will be more than glad to share your home with them only if they (spirit, ghost, etc.) will behave themselves. If you have a ghost, spirit, etc. who is troubling your child or children it may be best to bring someone better equipt (psychic, medium, ghost seeker etc.) to handle the situation. Be sure the person you bring in is knowledgeable of what  they are doing. You don't want someone stirring up more trouble than you already have.

So where do the elements of earth fit in? All things of earth, consist of its own energy. As well as all planets above. We as humans house a great energy flow from our beings. We can create many positive matters from within ourselves. Bringing them out to the surface can at times, be a trying task. A healthy orientation of ones self is needed to reach a favorable level of happiness within ones self. Putting it simply, the more positive you feel inside the more positive your energy flow will be in helping you to achieve your goals in life. If your up for a big promotion you can "cast" all the spells you like, if you have it in your head your not getting the job then chances are, your not going to get the promotion/job you were hitting for. Prepare yourself mentally for your goals. You should also prepare yourself mentally for any  "spells" you may want to engage in. Have your mind quiet. Try a short meditation exercise before begining your spell. It is best to engage in "spells" not of anger but of, favorable means for yourself or another. keep in mind, whatever you conjure against another will, surely come back to you. Don't bring to others what you don't want brought down upon yourself. Angry energy will only cultivate negative results in the end. If a person in your life is bringing you heartache and you can't seem to avoid them try, to prepare  yourself ahead of time for their presence. Keep in mind this person may be putting you down due to a low self-esteem they bare. Encase yourself with a positive attitude and don't let them shake you of it. Don't give into feeling sorry for yourself. We all have things in our lives to be grateful for. True we could all have more but, we could have less as well. I can sit and feel sorry for myself all day, everyday because my son is no longer of earth. The fact is as sorrowful as Steve being gone from me is, I still have my other children of which, I am blessed to have, as well as being forever thankful, I had the chance to know someone as wondrous as he. There are usually positive ways we can look at any given situation. Finding the positives in your life can help stimulate a healthy, positive energy of your mind, of which can help you to be of healthy body and spirit. We can after all, accomplish more if we are of sound mind and body. So remember, find the things in your life that make you happy inside and your beauty will be able to shine from within. Bringing forth positive enegry can also help to raise the spirits of those around you.

An Object Is But An Object. You can take any given object you may have and make it your very own treasure.Have you ever gone to a yard sale, flea market etc. and found yourself drawn to an object but, not really sure why? The object may have been charged with positive energy. It may even become your good luck piece.The positive enegry you draw from it may, help to encourage positive enegry to build within you.  While at a flea market I spotted a antique wood horse that had, been beautifuly hand carved. The gentleman seller explained, his great grandfather had caved many different pieces from fine woods of the world. This was how he fed his family during hard times. The gentleman seller also explained, he did not really want to sell his grandfathers past but, his family was at odds and wanted money instead, of the items their grandfather had left behind. Though his work was beautiful to look at, holding it  was another story. The beautifully carved wood horse gave off a very negative energy. Although, negative items can be re-charged with positive energy, I did not purchase this item. The negative feeling was intensely strong and I had a feeling of great despair while holding it. I tend to steer clear of items with such a tense negative nature. Items will be charged with the energy that you and or another puts into them. If you believe a cross is sacred then, that cross is sacred but, if you believe it to be nothing more, than a charm dangling from a chain then, that is what it is. Nothing more. So, your beliefs will play a role in charging your treasures. If you have an item you feel is a strong money attracter then use, that item only for the purpose of attracting money. If you have a charm you feel brings, you protection then use it for that purpose. Don't try to use it to bring you money. So on and so forth. You have a red candle. You feel very strongly the red candle is your money candle. Hold the candle in your hands and say to yourself, "This candle will help to bring more income into my life." Use this candle when you are performing a candle burning spell. Even though, you did not use a green candle this does not mean your red candle can't work the same magic as the traditional green candle. You can use all kinds of herbs, candles, trinkets, etc. to cast spells. If you don't have a positive enegry flow within you and also believe in the power of the items you are using then, your spell will not work or may run amuck. Be careful of what you are asking. Say you are doing a spell for more income. Be sure to make it perfectly clear that you, do not want your extra income to come to you through, anothers death or misfortune. You don't want your gain to be from anothers loss.

You may also perform positive spells for others. Say  you have a friend or acquaintance who is in need of extra income.

Place three quarters, three dimes, three nickles and three pennies into a jar. Sprinkle a small amount of cinnamon onto the coins. On a blank piece of paper write, a very brief note asking that the (write their name if you know it) person in need be brought money to ease her/his financial burdons. Fold the note twelve times. While folding the note say to yourself, "I am asking for this person (say their name) to be brought a bountiful gift of money to ease their financial burdons. I ask that this gift come to (their name) in bounty not with death or loss to another." Place the note in the jar with the coins. Place the lid on tightly now put the jar in a dark place. After two days remove the jar from it's dark area now place the jar of coins in a window for one day. The following day, open the jar. While opening the jar ask that, "Money flow to (their name) not through death or anothers despair. Please, make (their name) finacial burdons dispel into air".These coins (from the jar) are to be used as a "gift"to another. Do not throw them in your change bowl or use them toward purchase or payment. Drop them into a collection plate or a jar at the quick mart where one is collecting for anothers well-being, etc. Bury the note in your garden or in your favorite spot. If the climate wont allow (heavy snow etc.) for burying, place the note in a safe place and bury when the weather permits or you may bury the note within the container of a house plant.

I'm afraid I have and will use the word "spell" to describe what I call, "The calling of positive nature and or energy".

Not exactly seeing the usage of herbs, candle etc. as  "Spell Casting" so to say. I see it more as mentioned before of a, "Calling of positive nature and or energy". I don't go to meetings where all are in black and blood of a bat must be drawn to evoke a sure spell. Nor do I dance beneath a full moon naked. My neighbors  would find that a humorous sight. If they moved soon after it would, not be due to any spell I had cast. So, if your picturing me sitting at my desk in a black pointy hat with my black cat on my lap (she's white) you can remove the image from your mind now. All but the white cat, that I do have, but she is a member of the family not a spell enhancer (wink).

Not Your Average Witch. Upon entering your new friends home you notice a catnip wreath hung on the front door. The kitchen shares a special attractiveness of herbs hung to dry, along with specific stems of flowers. Spice filled jars are above the stove. Teas, coffees, dark chocolate and other goodies used to attract positive energies are housed in the pantry. Wish bones of turkeys are hung in the kitchen as well. I know of one whom, has a wishbone from a turkey her grandfather prepared fifteen years ago. A mirror may be hung behind the stove to encourage a healthy cooking or brew. Wreaths may adorn entrances windows and or walls of this home. Sachets might even be hung, neatly placed in a drawer, closet or even carried in a purse or pocket. Flower and herb gardens may be attractive. But, hold more meaning to the curator than just beauty. Certain ornaments placed in the garden may bear more than just a decorative piece to admire as well. The home you have entered may very well be the abode of a kitchen witch. Kitchen witches are those that use everyday ingredients to conjure up some goodness. Adding a spice here an herb there with a blessing of a healthy beginning with every meal served from their very own kitchen. Evoking natures positive energies and using them to the advantage of ones prosperity is what a kitchen witchs days bestow. Kitchen witches have been known to incorporate many believes into a single spell. The spiritual beliefs of one, may not be the same of another but, the energy of nature is there for all. One kitchen witch may pray to God above, asking for natures positive energy to be brought forth to ensure the well-being of another while, another may pray to a goddess. Kitchen witches can sit in church on sunday morn and return home to evoke a spell using the positive energy instilled within from the days sermon. If you believe spells are of evil then, that is what they will be.The kitchen is not the only room used for drawing up energy. Kitchen witches, homes are usually tended with great care. The entire structure of their abode as well as, their yards is a place of drawing positive energy within. Kitchen witches are not of evil or negative but rather, have the ability to bring forth the positive energy bestowed within natures bounty.You don't have to own a straw broom, cast iron cauldron, black cat, long black dress and wand to be a witch. Nor do you need to remove god of heaven above from you to practice the using of natures bounty. The ability to have visions, call spirits of the past etc. wont cast you to hell if your gifts are used in positive nature. Remember negative spells and or energy will only bring forth negative results. So cast your spells accordingly.

Using The Ouija Board. Calling of spirits, ghosts, entities etc. on the ouija should very well be left to those whom are knowledgeable. I have heard some pretty horrific stories of those that have messed around with the ouija board. But, if you must try it out. Please do the following. Never use the ouija alone. If possible have holy water. Bless all that are involved with the use of the ouija. Before opening the board, say a prayer asking for yourself and those with you be protected from harm or any evil. Keep a treasure, cross etc. that you believe, will bring you and those around you protection, against any evil or negative energies. Place your fingers on the pointer and ask that no negative or evil energies pass through. Concentrate on whom it is you want to correspond with. Ask one question at a time. If possible make notes as you go. Keep in mind the (person) on the other side may have a hard time communicating with you. It may take some time for you to understand what they are trying to tell you. If the pointer starts to go to all four corners make the pointer stop. If the pointer goes in "figure eight" over and over, then stop it from moving. Place the pointer in the center of the board and ask this (person) to go back. If vulgarity is being used by whom ever you called forth, place the pointer in the middle and ask the them to go back. If the (person) wont go back then close the board and try to re-open. To close the board; Ask that all who have come out please return. Tell them you are closing the board, wait a second or so and then remove your fingers from the pointer. When you re-open the board (with a prayer) if the same (person) is out again, stop the pointer, simply tell them you will not, correspond with one that is disrespectful. If they have something to tell you they need to calm their anger. If they refuse then, try to send them back by placing the pointer in the middle of the board and calling another to speak with you. If the "vulgar one" will not let another out then do a "closing of the board" and try again at another time. While corresponding with one from the ouija board. Thepointer may begin to go in circles only because the (person) one you are corresponding with is growing frustrated because they can't get across what they are trying to tell you or they may not care for the question you just asked. Stop the pointer and ask the (person) with whom you called forth to calm themselves. Ask them to try to tell you in another way or if you feel your question may have caused an upset, apologize and move to the next question.Don't spend alot of time waiting for one coming through to you on the board to provide proof, ie. move objects, etc. that they are there. They either will or they wont.You cannot "make" another come forth, or perform for you. They (ghost, entity, spirit etc) do what they want when and if they want. It is strongly advised that you, "do not" ask, the spirit, ghost, etc. to show proof that they are really there. You will be offering an invitation to them to enter your home, etc. You may be confronted with an evil presence, whom while speeking with you on the board merely pretended to be one of gentleness. Remember, try drawing only positive enegry from the ouija. Always close the ouija with the pointer in the middle, asking all who have come out to go back and say a prayer of protection for yourself, the others with you and protection of the area you used the board in.Calling one, from the past should not be taken lightly. Respect of the one you are calling should be given but keep in mind the one or many you call forth may not respect you and those with you. I have heard alot of very frightening stories. The use of a ouija board is not a "game" and really should not be used as such. Again, I do advise that you not use the ouija board at all or any other form of calling forth spirits,ghosts, etc. You may pull forth far more than you ever even imagined possible to exist within the realms of the outer walls of earth. If you want to contact a person who was once of earth please, contact someone who has knowledge of this form of communication so they may assist you.

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