Shiva Lingam

The Shiva Lingam is revered by Hindus as the embodiment of Lord Shiva. The stone embodies masculine energy, dynamic expression and knowledge, with the markings being the feminine energy, wisdom and intuition.


Shiva Lingams come from the Narmada River, one of the seven sacred holy places of pilgrimage in India. The river periodically gives up these stones when the water level drops. The locals living by the river, following generations of tradition, then retrieve these special stones and hand polish them to bring out their individually unique markings.

The ancient practice of Feng Shui uses the sacred Shiva Lingam to direct the energy flow throughout one's home. It purifies the emotional environment in homes and temples. Place a Shiva Lingam in the Relationship/Marriage area of your home to bring you closer to your partner and other family members.

Lingams provide energy for the body, sudden clarity of mind in the face of confusion, the release of energy where there once was blockage, and the experience of self-acceptance, self-worth, happiness, contentment, unconditional love, and compassion.

Blood--it's Yours to Give

We've all seen that commercial about donating blood, how it can save a life blah blah blah etc. I know a lot of people who donate blood, my husband being one of them. And I admire them for it. They also vote in municipal elections, rather than stay home comfy/cozy like an unnamed person who I won't name.

Anyway, even though I liked those commercials about donating blood I felt far removed from the whole concept. After all, no-one I knew and loved ever needed blood. Note: I just watched a TED.com video with Brene Brown discussing vulnerability and allowing ourselves to show our true selves...so I may not have portrayed myself in the best light in the above. Just being my true self ya all.

Back to donating blood. Guess who needed a blood transfusion? I am now carrying 2 pints of a stranger's B+ in me. It saved me from having damaged organs in the nick of time. Needless to say, I am grateful to that person who took time out of his/her day to go to the blood donor clinic and have someone stick a needle in them and extract that precious substance from them. Probably got a little woozy and needed a cookie or juice or something. This was done, I'm sure out of a sense of humanity and responsibility and not for the sheer fun of it.

Here's a cute coincidence, last night a young highschooler who was doing his mandatory volunteering dropped off a poster advertising for a Blood Donor Clinic in Byron (where Moonstone Path is located) at the Byron United Church from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, January 11th of this year. He asked if I could put the poster up in our window. What was I gonna say...NO? Just kidding. I would have put it up in the window even if I hadn't needed blood, I'm not completely evil.

So...to all of you who donate blood...thank you.