A To Z Blogging Challenge: Tea Leaf Reading Dictionary “D”

Hi, and welcome back to the A to Z Blogging Challenge – Tea Leaf Reading Symbol Dictionary! We are already at the letter D today, and I am having so much fun sharing this exciting info with you.  For some extra fun, I wanted to share with you a short list of other forms of divination, you might not have heard off. There are of course many more, but then this would become a little to long for a blog post. Enjoy!

ARITHMANCY or ARITHMOMANCY is an earlier form of NUMEROLOGY where divination is made through numbers and the number value of letters.

ASTRAGLOMANCY or ASTRAGYROMANCY is a form of divination by dice where the faces of the dice bear numbers and letters.


‘AUGURY is the general term for the art of divination and is chiefly applied to interpretations of signs and omens.

AUSTROMANCY is divination by the study of the winds.

AXIOMANCY is divination through the observation of how an ax or hatchet quivers or points when driven into post.

BELOMANCY is an ancient form of divination performed by tossing or balancing arrows.

BIBLIOMANCY involves divination by books.

BOTANOMANCY is divination from burning tree branches and leaves.

CAPNOMANCY is the study of smoke rising from a fire.

CATOPTROMANCY is an early form of crystal gazing that utilizes a mirror turned to the moon to catch moonbeams.

CAUSIMOMANCY is divination from the behavior of objects placed in a fire.

 

But now, let’s get back to our Tea Leaf Reading Symbols.

Letter D:

Dagger: this symbols has been interpreted to both mean favors from a friend as well as potential danger, with its distance from the person read for the deciding factor of how worrisome  that danger actually is. I personally find that in a reading this symbol should be considered a weapon and therefore as a warning, but not necessarily a physical danger.

Deer: a bad symbol for business ventures – the path you are taking mostly likely will lead to failure, adjustments are in order to calm the situation, or better yet a complete change in course direction

Dogs: this symbol should be read while considering what dogs mean to the person read for. If they are a dog person, this is generally a favorable sign, if they are afraid of dogs, than this speaks of their inner-most fears, fears that need to be overcome.

Dove: a lucky symbol, with a very personal message attached, comfort and hope, and for the business person this is a very fortunate omen. Look out for more guidance, maybe even from someone who has passed on, or is too far away to reach you in person. A messenger bird with a happy meaning.

Dragon: great and sudden changes with an element of disruption and possible danger

 

Plan Ahead – Editorial Calendar And Marketing Planner For Creatives, Artists, Bloggers and More (Free PDF)

Creating relevant content for the upcoming months, means to be up to date on major and minor holidays. But it gets more complicated, when you add to these often celebrated holidays those minor and less often remembered celebrations, such as National Pancake Day or the Summer Solstice.

This information can be not only useful for bloggers, who can plan their content around those holidays, but also adds a volume of potential marketing possibilities for Product on Demand Artists, Photographers, Writers, Affiliate Marketers and other creative people who have an online presence.

In order to make it easier for you to plan your marketing strategies for this year, I have combined a list of strategies and lesser known holidays and celebrations, as a gift for you. Simply click on this link: Editorial Calendar And Marketing Planner Year  and download it, to print out to build your own strategies for the upcoming months.

Please do not alter this pdf  in any way. You may share the PDF with your friends, in a non-commercial setting, but only un-altered.

Download it now!
Editorial Calendar And Marketing Planner Year

 

Because it is Friday, which on this blog means, it is time to talk about gratitude – I wanted to share with you what I am grateful for this week:

1. I am grateful that despite the fact that my husband was stuck in snow this morning, while traveling in Dallas, he was safe due to the fact that he had snowchains with him. Apparently everyone has been driving safely, because he has not seen an accident. That is a very good thing.
2. I am grateful that instead of being in snow, I am in Las Vegas to 85 degree weather. I will cherrish every moment of warmth today.
3. I am grateful that my daughter is feeling better after having had a cold. She was invited to a picnic last weekend, and got promptly sick, due to the fact that it was still a little bit more windy then everyone expected. But she is on the mend now.
4. I am grateful that it is Friday, which means it is bill paying day. It might seem a little weird to be happy about paying bills, but I am grateful that I can, when I know how many have to make decisions between eating and paying the electric. I am blessed in every way, and I am grateful for that fact.
5. I am grateful for the abundance of items I have on my list this week. I am exited to share with you those wonderful new products, and some special deals, which I have carefully weeded through. More on that over the next few days. (Some of these are for you pet owners out there)

What are you grateful for this week? Share with us here, or write a blog post, and join the many blogs that are participating in the following blog hops:

Thankful Thursdays

No Rules Weekend Blog Party

Winter Is Leaving

Share With Me Blog Hop

Be Inspired 

Celebrate The Small Things

Writer’s Reference: Birthstones

Ever wondered which birthstone fits best with your character? No matter what genre, this information can be useful. Take this example: A thoughtful gift within a romance novel can showcase how much the two main characters care, by adding just the right detail such as the inclusion of a birthstone. Or a birthstone can leave just the right clue in a mystery. During my research for a story I was  working on recently, I compiled a list of birthstones and some of their meanings and associations for you. Enjoy! 

January

The Garnet is known to dispel sadness. This blood red stone used as a necklace ensures friendship and fidelity

 

FEBRUARY

The bright purple Amethyst was originally very expensive. Ancient Greeks decorated goblets and other expensive pieces with them. Often worn for protection from contagious disease, the Amethyst was also thought to bring tranquility to the wearer’s life.

 

MARCH

The Aquamarine has been thought to bring intelligence, youth, and happiness. The Bloodstone, another March gem, was carried by Roman soldiers to keep them from bleeding to death.

 

APRIL

The Diamond, the stone of April, is known as the “fire of love.” Diamonds bring love and protect from evil. They are also thought of as the frozen tears of past princesses.

 

MAY

This month has several stones, the main one being the Emerald, where value depends on the color and number of flaws. This brilliant green stone reinforces love and creates harmony in the family.

 

JUNE

The Moonstone protects against danger at sea and is thought to bring financial gain and protect against turbulence. Another present day stone for June is the Pearl which is said to preserve modesty, chastity, and purity.

JULY

The Ruby protects its wearer from fear and financial stress while its strength banishes evil spirits.

 

 

AUGUST

The stone of August is the Sardonyx. It is said to create courage and make the most timid brave. A present day addition is the Peridot, a clear, normally green stone of gem quality Olivine.

 

SEPTEMBER

The Blue Sapphire often heals the body of illness and despair.

 

OCTOBER

The mystical Opal is filled with all the colors of the rainbow. Historically, this stone was considered to cause disaster to those who wore it; but today it is said to bring only good fortune and happiness. The Tourmaline was added to the list in more current times.

 

NOVEMBER

The Topaz symbolizes good fortune and longevity. According to legend, this golden stone possesses the power to cure many diseases. Citrine, a transparent yellow quartz gem many of the best of which come from Brazil, is a current day birthstone for this month.

 

 

DECEMBER

The vibrant turquoise was believed to be a defender against bad luck to those that wore it. It has been said that cowboys always carry a blue turquoise on their journey’s so that they might be blessed with success. A present day addition is the Zircon, whose naturally found brown clear crystals are heated to turn into the beautiful blue gemstone.

Feel free to share this handy guide with your writer friends – just please include a link back to this post. Thank you!

 

Blessings

 

Claudia

P.S. This post is a part of the following blog hops:

Friday Finds 

No Rules Weekend Blog Party

Share with Me

Gratitude, Halloween And Honoring Those Who Passed

On this day before Halloween, I am usually pretty excited and giddy, getting ready to celebrate what is for me as a Pagan more than just a dress up in crazy clothes day. This year, though, I will work instead, and considering that we are in a temporary place, not celebrate with our usual abandon. Still, Halloween or Samhain will be exciting enough, as we celebrate and honor those who have left before us.

Therefore, my gratitude list today focuses on some special people and animals in my life that have moved on.

1. My grandfather
He passed away exactly one week after my 12th birthday, but during the short time I had him in my life, he made a lasting impression. Leaving me with an independent spirit and the freedom to choose my own path (he insisted that I would not be raised in any faith so I could make up my own mind later on), I honor him today.

2. My adopted Father
While he left me with many scars and wounds that will always define how I view the world, he introduced to me the need of taking care of our world around us. He taught organic gardening to many people, including me. He also gave me access to mythology and ancient traditions which define much of my belief system to this day.

3. Angel
Probably the strangest animal I have ever met, but also the most profoundly loving cat there was. After adopting his mother without knowing that she was pregnant, he was one of the 2  kittens (out of a litter of 6) who were completely bald. Sphynx cats are rare, and well, I must say ugly, but he was the most beautiful animal to me. After his death, I had sworn never to get another pet, because the loss was too great. But, I currently have two dogs and another cat. Still, he will always be my true Angel.

I am very grateful for having had many people in my life, briefly or for a long period of time, that made a large impact on me, and brought me to the choices I made to become me.

Whom are you grateful for in your life? Why not share that list via the Celebrate The Small Things Blog hop hosted by Lexa Cain? And stop on by Dory’s Backyard, where everyone is talking about shelter animals.

Staying Positive And Staying Motivated

As artists, creatives and writers, we often do not see an immediate or obvious result from our efforts. We put ourselves out there, our art, in whichever form it presents itself, hoping that someone will connect with it as much as we have connected with it.

At times, this can be a long wait, through which staying positive and staying motivated can get really difficult.

In times like those, I tend to grab everything positive I can find. May it be a nice comment I receive, an additional follower on a social network, or simply the beauty of the designs my fellow artist put forth. Other times these efforts are a lot more deliberate, which is one of the reasons I participate in the weekly gratitude list on Fridays, and from now on will also participate in this positive blog hop: “Reasons To Be Cheerful”. Maybe the appeal is writing it down and sharing, maybe what I like about those hops is that it includes lists – and I am a list person – but the result is the same – it brings back some of the state of mind that keeps me going, keeps me motivated, and positive, an expect and state from which it is so easy to create from.

Here are my reasons I can be cheerful this week:

1. I finished another floral design!
Despite the fact that this week has been hectic, I managed to create another floral design last night. Considering how dark and dreary it had been outside over the last few days, I craved something bright, and it manifested itself into this very bright yellow flower. It is a digital manipulation of a picture of a flower I took quite a while ago. Adding the dark green background really made the brightness of the yellow come forth. Here it is:

2. I am getting used to my part-time job
I started a part-time job this week, helping in building a friend’s business. My husband and I are working on that as a team, and while it has been challenging, I am beginning to get to hang of it. New programs do not look as foreign anymore, and I do not feel like I do not know what I am talking about when I make necessary phone calls, which are a part of my job.

3. I was able to make a fellow artist happy!
I posted an interview with a Zazzle designer and author yesterday, and her reaction to the post was really cool! It was fun to talk to her about her work in the first place, but knowing that I made her happy was just wonderful.

What reasons do you have to be cheerful today? Why not join this blog hop and share your list with everyone!

Blessings!

Claudia

Entertainment, Cookies and Coffee – A Weekend Coffee Share Post

Friends and Coffee Poster by wildapple

If you would come over for coffee today, I would tell you about the books I have on my virtual shelf right now, waiting to be read. I would tell you that I love being a reviewer for NetGalley, but that the downside of that is, my reading list is usually very long. Seldom do I have less than 10 books waiting to be read and reviewed. Thankfully I have always been a fast reader.

One of the books is rather spiritual in a New Age kind of way. The Power Of Positive Living by Norman Vincent Pale is not a new book, rather an old classic, that is now being re-offered as a mass-market paperback. If you are interested in creating a positive life, I highly recommend checking his work out. I personally think we can always use more positive thinking practices in our lives.

The other one I want to mention is a book I got via Kindle Unlimited. Dollars Flow To Me Easily by Richard Dotts had raving reviews, declaring how great of a book about abundance it is. Considering that I was able to borrow it for free, I thought that it would do no harm to check it out.

When I am finished with both books, I will write a review promptly, sometimes in the next week.

Did I offer you yet cookies? How about some of these Brownie Roll-Out Cookies, a recipe I have come across recently. Enjoy!

If you would be over for coffee, I would start talking to you about the upcoming Fall TV season. While I do not see myself in having much time to watch television over the next few months, I make it a point to catch the premieres of my old favorites as well as the new ones coming up. I have collected a few trailers of the television shows I am most looking forward to watching:

Trailer “Blindspot”

Trailer “Code Black”

Trailer “WonderGirl”

Are there any shows, books or movies you are looking forward to watching or reading? What is on your list?

Before you go, I would urge you to join us with your own blog. Just follow this link, and sign up, so we can visit more often.

Happy Weekend!

Claudia

 

 

40 Hashtags Every Writer Artist and Creative Should Know And Use

The power of the hashtag is undeniable and constant. May it be to make it easier to find your projects on places like Medium and Wanelo, or the most commonly used hashtags on Twitter, which can make or break your visibility. But which hashtags are the most effective to use for a creative person to get noticed? I have compiled a list of popular, often used hashtags you should use and check out often:

For Writers:

#amwriting

#amediting

#WordCount

#AuthorLife

#writingtip

#writetip

#Ebooks

#AskAgent

#AskAuthor

#AuthorLife

For Visual Artists, Graphic Designers, and Print On Demand Folks

#GraphicDesign

#FineArt

#Design

#artwork

#illustration

#DigitalArt

For Photography 

#photography

#photog

#Foto

#picturesoftheday

#travel

#picture

#photographer

For Bloggers

#Blog

#Blogs

#Bloggers

#MondayBlogs

#Blogging

#Blogpost

#bloggingtips

#problogging

#lbloggers (lifestyle bloggers)

#Bbloggers (beauty bloggers)

#FBloggers (fashion bloggers)

Day Specific Hashtags:

#MondayBlogs

#TopTenTuesday

#WWWblogs (Women Writer’s Wednesday)

#ArchiveDay (Saturday – for sharing your older posts)

#WeekendBlogHop

#SundayBlogShare

I highly recommend that you print out this list, and utilize these hashtags in your postings, but also get actively involved in the communication around these hashtags.

Stay tuned for more tips and tricks on Marketing for Creatives.

Fast Five Friday – Most Adored Book Covers of 2014

Fast Five Friday Participant

Well, this weeks Fast Five Friday Post is a visual one. If limited to book covers, but not content, I will limit myself to books I came across 2014 (not necessarily published in 2014), that I found visually pleasing. Now this does NOT mean that I am commenting at this moment to the actual content, so be forewarned – these covers are simply very pretty.

  

 

I am really looking forward to seeing how everyone else interprets this weeks prompt.

Hugs and have a great weekend!

Claudia

Fast Five Friday – 5 Favorite Novels Read In 2014

A Fast Five Friday Blog Post

2014 was filled with many great books, so narrowing it down to just 5 favorite novels is not quite as easy as it might seem. Even though I did not keep track of how many books I have read, I know they were plenty.

Here are the 5 Novels, that stick out in my mind the most:

1. Beneath The Veil by Megan Hart

This book surprised me completely in it’s intensity, and even though I read (and reviewed) it in March, I am still raving about this novel to anyone who is willing to listen. Strong characters, well defined plot, and not one boring minute, I would highly suggest that you read this book. (read my more detailed review here) 

2. The Keepers: Declan by Rae Rivers

The best paranormal series I have read in a long time! I thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series, that contains Witches, and those who love and protect them, but I am featuring this book “Declan”, because it was the first one I read, thanks to Netgalley, who allowed me to review it, pre-publication. If you love paranormal novels as much as I do, Rae Rivers is your Author. (read a more detailed review of the book here)

3. Hyde by Lauren Stewart 

An urban fantasy, that I could not put down, written by an Author who writes also Young Adult books – this book is all grown up, and does not hold anything back. A new, unique Jekyll and Hide story, nothing like I expected (read my original review of the book here) 

4. Storm Front by Richard Castle

Yes, the Richard Castle, fictional character in the series Castle. What a surprise this book was! I did not expect to find such a fast paced, humor-filled spy novel, that worked as well as it did. Whomever actually wrote this book is really good! (read my original review of the book here)

5. Parker’s Passion by Sabrina York

Now for some fun at the end, I am throwing in an erotic romance that is not exactly for the faint at heart, but contains an interesting story line, that many books of this nature lack. While it is slightly rushed, it is the best book in the genre I read this year, and that is the reason I included it in this list. (read my original review of this book here)

I am grateful to be a part of this interesting blog hop, “Fast Five Fridays” and hope to connect with many of the participants.

 

My Three Favorite Vegan/Vegetarian Cookbooks

My daughter is vegetarian, and I try to eat as healthy and as concious as possible, which includes for me to cut back on the meat consumption. So more often then not, we look through cookbooks to find something that suits our varying tastes, and satisfies some of the hard core meat eaters in my family.

Here is a list of three really great vegetarian/vegan cookbooks I highly recommend:

Cooking Light Way To Cook Vegetarian – by Scott Mowbray (Editor)
This very visual cookbook is easy enough to follow along for a novice, but interesting enough for the more experienced home-cook. Very detailed with beautiful pictures, and no strange ingredients. A winner!

Vegan On The Cheap by Robin Robertson
Healthy and vegan does not have to be synanomous with expensive and hard to come by ingredients. Robin managed to bring together quick and easy recipes that will not break your bank, and taste delicious. A must have for full time or part time vegans!

Quick And Easy Vegan Comfort Food: 65 Everyday Meal Ideas for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with Over 150 Great-Tasting, Down-Home Recipes by Alicia C. Simpson
Besides having great recipes, this book includes helpful hints, such as substitutes and lists of common vegan ingredients, which makes it easier for those new to this lifestyle, or those who dabble by participating on Meatless Mondays to navigate this unknown territory of eating. And on top of that, the food featured in this book is simply delicious. Who could ask for more!

I hope you enjoy this books as much as I have.

This will be the last time I will review non-fiction books on this blog. While I will continue to review fiction here from time to time, all of my non-fiction writing will move to my new blog “ReVamp”, which you can find here. I hope you will also join me at this new location.

Happy Eating!