Once again the Western World prepares to celebrate the Winter Solstice, which usually falls around the 21st December.

This is a magical time of the year and throughout the ages of mankind religions have gravitated toward this date to hold major ceremonies, celebrations and sacred observations.

Our modern age strangely sees us returning to the age-old customs of noting and paying respect to the sacred cycles of nature and the part we play in it, for we are intrinsically tied to these cycles of nature whether we like to admit it or not, influenced by the stages of the moon with its ebb and flow of energy. The sun ‘ the life giver ‘ marks the days of death and decay back into regeneration and growth. None of us that live on this planet can escape Mother Nature, the Goddess and her womb, or Father Time, the God and his creation of all life from the elements. Light and dark, all is one, all religion, all life blessed be!

RETURN OF THE SUN/SON!

Winter Solstice is the shortest day and the longest night of the year. It marks the gradual return of the sun and signifies birth when new seeds of life will spring forth. Similarly, Christianity uses this time of year to mark the birth of the son, signifying life eternal for all who partake of the light and become the body of Christ.

A good way to remember this special Solstice is, as the hours of daylight grow, so too, we can let our inner light of understanding, love and intuitions grow. Allowing both the dark and the light to resonate within us, for it is part of us and we can practice new beginnings of unity, compassion, empathy and global love.

PREPARE FOR THE WINTER SOLSTICE

Spend the Solstice in candlelight, meditation, reflection and look forward to new dawn. Prepare some seasonal incense and an appropriate meditation for the magical night of dreams ahead. Decorate your home with the colors of winter; white to represent the winter snow, dark green winter foliage, red winter berries and fruits, gold to represent the returning energy of the sun and silver for the delicate frost that settles all around at this cold time of year. A Winter Solstice incense blend:

Fill A heatproof bowl with about an inch of sand or salt. Metals, stone & ceramics are ideal that have feet to hold them safely above a surface, or you can buy purpose made incense burners. Beware of hot ash falling when the incense burns, keep safe. Prepare by crushing the ingredients together.

CITRUS SOLSTICE

1 tbsp dried Orange Peel, 1 tbsp dried Grapefruit Peel, 1 tbsp dried Lemon Peel, 1 tbsp dried Tangerine Peel, 1 tsp Orange extract, 1 tsp Lemon extract.

WINTER SOLSTICE

One part Pine Needles, One part Cinnamon, One part Apple Rine, One part Myrrh, One part Frankincense

Experiment and find a blend you like!

SEVEN REFLECTIONS WINTER SOLSTICE MEDITATION;

There is an Old Russian divination that took place on the evening of Winter Solstice where – usually a young lady – would set up two mirrors and two candles into a position that they would reflect each other. One should then peer into one of the mirrors and seek the seventh reflection, where she would catch a glimpse of her future or her one true love!

Find a comfortable place where you are least likely to be disturbed. Get your mirrors and candles ready, be sure to position them facing each other with the candles reflecting in each – use a stable, fireproof surface. Please take care that you cannot fall into the mirrors or candles as meditation can have a very hypnotic effect! Position them safely & far enough away.

You should sit facing the mirrors so that you can see into either mirror with the reflection of the other, if in a chair sit with your feet flat on the floor or sit in your usual meditation position. Do not hunch your back but sit upright and relaxed with your hands resting on your thighs. Start the sound session.

First, concentrate yourself fully on the following breathing technique (do this about five – ten times, you don’t have to count ‘ do what feels right);

Take in a deep, slow breath, fill your lungs, expand your abdomen, hold for a few seconds then very slowly breathe out, try to take about twice as long to breathe out.

Now begin to look into one of the mirrors, whichever one is up to you, search for the seventh reflection. After a while the image may change in the mirror, other faces may be seen or other images. Allow your mind to go along with the experience and always write the details in a diary immediately afterwards – this is for later reflection and things may make sense later that were not obvious at the time.

THE LAWS OF ATTRACTION MEDITATION

Before beginning the meditation, read the following reading I personally got during meditation regarding ‘THE LAWS OF ATTRACTION’ and try to understand the message contained within.

“Every negative word, deed, glance, thought, and action will come back to you. It is the indisputable law, the law of attraction. If you play with it, study this in earnest, you will find it, without doubt, to be true.

Imaging you are communicating with the physical world via a mirror. The person who stares back at you is the equivalent of every other person in the world. Frown at the person in the mirror, the person frowns back at you. Become angry at the person, see what comes back to you, look at the anger on that face and look into the eyes. How does that make you feel ‘ good? Bad? Imagine a child being confronted with that face, those eyes, that anger. Imagine if that small child was you!

Smile and you receive the same, laugh and the image laughs with you. This is how we create our world, by reflection. This is a warning so don’t discard it. Keep it with you and discover it!

But what if you are a child? You didn’t yet throw anything into the water to cause a ripple. You were born in innocence! No! You chose to be a victim for a short time. You agreed in your ancient wisdom to become the effect of a cause and those who peer into the mirror will see you. Your reflection will call to action better judgment, better discernment and a better future for all.”

NOW, get your mirror ready and find a comfortable place where you are least likely to be disturbed. You should sit in a chair facing the mirror with your feet flat on the floor. Do not hunch your back but sit upright and relaxed with your hands resting on your thighs. Start the sound session.

First, concentrate yourself fully on the following breathing technique (do this about five – ten times, you don’t have to count ‘ do what feels right);

Take in a deep, slow breath, fill your lungs, expand your abdomen, hold for a few seconds then very slowly breathe out, try to take about twice as long to breathe out. Keep your breathing deep and regular and begin to stare at your reflection in the mirror, focusing on your eyes. Imagine that every other person in the world reflects the image that stares back at you.

Notice the expression, smiles, frowns, anger, study what comes back at you through the mirror.

Now allow yourself to absorb the powerful sounds and simply stare at the mirror. After a while the image may change, other faces may be seen or other images. Allow your mind to go along with the experience and write the details in a diary immediately afterwards Allow yourself to adjust when your meditation finishes and drink a fresh glass of water.

This Adam Sandler original has become a holiday classic.
]]> http://www.ask-bob.com/adam-sandler-original-chanukah-hanukkah-song/feed/ 24 http://www.ask-bob.com/hanukkah-bird/ http://www.ask-bob.com/hanukkah-bird/#comments Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:42:31 +0000 admin http://www.ask-bob.com/?p=215 Hanukkah Bird:

An original Hanukkah song by comedian Eric Schwartz aka Smooth-E. Animation by Emily Alexander (www.superbeans.com/emilycartoons).

From the album “Kosher Kuts: Hungry For More” in stores and iTunes.
]]> http://www.ask-bob.com/hanukkah-bird/feed/ 23 http://www.ask-bob.com/christmas-wreaths-and-winter-solstice-celebrations/ http://www.ask-bob.com/christmas-wreaths-and-winter-solstice-celebrations/#comments Sun, 14 Dec 2008 10:07:17 +0000 admin http://www.ask-bob.com/?p=198

Christmas wreaths have a seasonal connection with the pagan feasts of the winter solstice. Winter solstice happens on the shortest day of the year when, in the northern hemisphere, the earth is tilted farthest away from the sun. The sun has its lowest arc in the sky of the year on winter solstice.

Winter solstice ceremonies were performed by many cultures over time. Fear that the sun would never return were the motivation for these ceremonies. Ceremonies and celebrations gave hope. Many of these cultures were pagan sun worshipers. Some of the greatest architectures of ancient cultures were built to align with the solstices and equinoxes – temples, tombs, cairns and sacred observatories.

The earliest Christmas wreaths were made from holly during Roman times. Holly was looked on as having magical powers to the ancient Celts as it was one of the few plants to survive and look beautiful in the winter. The Celts picked holly boughs and put them in their houses to ward off the evils they believed lurked about in the darker months. Roman soldiers are believed to have brought the idea of decorating with holly back from Britain.

Holly was used by the Romans during their winter solstice celebrations and became sacred to Saturn, the sun god the Romans worshipped. The week long winter solstice celebrations of the Romans honored Saturn. Holly wreaths with their bright red berries were given as gifts. Holly was everywhere during these celebrations – on the public buildings, in the streets and shops, inside and outside of homes. The tradition of giving wreaths as gifts started here. Holly was thought to be lucky so the more you had the better off you were.

Early Christians in Rome would decorate their homes with holly to avoid persecution during the winter solstice festivals even though they didn’t worship Saturn. Over time the meaning behind the tradition of holly Christmas wreaths blurred and it eventually became a symbol of Christian faith. It was used to explain the life and death of Christ. The leaves represented the crown of thorns and the red berries represented Jesus’ blood.

The Roman Emperor Constantine gave official status to Christianity and forced all the pagans to be baptized into the Roman church. He needed to join the Christians and pagans and so pagan rituals and idols took on Christian names and pagan holidays like winter solstice festival became Christian holidays. December 25th was the birthday of the Gods to the pagans. Eventually many pagan symbols and traditions were melded into Christian symbols and traditions.

Today Christmas wreaths are a seasonal tradition that most people in the United States follow. You don’t go by many houses without a wreath on the door during the holidays. The meaning of the wreath is not so much about religion as it is about showing seasonal cheer and good will to all.

Dujuan1973 asked:

I don’t think there is one standard of beauty. I remember working with some African children. They were some of the most beautiful children I have ever seen. These were kids from Somalia, Nigeria, Kenya, and Liberia. They had unique features common to people in their country. Not everyone in Africa looks the same, but they were all beautiful.

I think there is alot of beauty in Asian, Arabic, East Indian, Native American, and Latino cultures. Beauty is everywhere.

These are some of the people who are beautiful to me.

Gabrielle Union
Eva Longoria
Angelina Jolie
Scarlett Johanssen
Courtney Cox
Gwenyth Paltrow
Halle Berry
Kimberly Elise
Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Salma Hayek
Jill Marie Jones(formerly of Girlfriends)
Megan Good
Maya Campbell
Natalie Portman
Vanessa Marcil
Victoria Rowell

They are all beautiful, but they meet different standards of beauty.

TartCartRider asked:

I think she is completely BANGING!!! check out her picture

http://www.yesnetwork.com/announcers/bio.jsp?id=kjones

that aint right cregg lol

http://www.smoothE.tv

Comedian/Rapper Eric Schwartz aka Smooth-E reveals the gritty underbelly of the dreidel game. He is the chocolate-coin kingpin, the don of gelt and the lip-smackin’ chip stacker.

Directors:
Michael Gordon (www.digitalmynd.com)
Ramon Boutviseth (www.studiorb.com)

Cast:
Smooth-E: Eric Schwartz
Grandma: Grandma Jean Chinea
Dad: Allan Murray
Mom: Valerie Palinsky
Boy: Taylor Hubenthal
Girl: Rachel Hubenthal
Bim: Todd Rexx
Bom: Craig Robinson

Crew:
Exec Producer: Eric Schwartz
Wardrobe/Producer: Jenn Tseng
Makeup: Daniele Piersons
Graffiti Artist: JoeX2

Special Thanks: Lester and Renee Schwartz, Diane Dwyer, Stephanie and Dave Hubenthal, Barb and Steve North.

Bookings/Info: Barb North, (818) 347-5098, barb@comedynorth.com.

From the album “Kosher Kuts: Hungry For More” in stores now. Order online at SuburbanHomeboy.com

Create a video blog…instantly. ]]> http://www.ask-bob.com/hanukkah-chocolate-coins/feed/ 21 http://www.ask-bob.com/what-is-the-proper-attire-for-a-night-broadway-show-in-new-york-city/ http://www.ask-bob.com/what-is-the-proper-attire-for-a-night-broadway-show-in-new-york-city/#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2008 12:24:40 +0000 admin http://www.ask-bob.com/what-is-the-proper-attire-for-a-night-broadway-show-in-new-york-city/

firefightertn2000 asked:

What is the proper attire for a night Broadway show in New York City?

Probably will be going on a Wed. or Thurs night. 3 kids, 3 adults. thanks!

ianjohnfrancis asked:

Does anyone know what time today I should be able to download google chrome (the new google web browser) in GMT? Just looked and still not up.