An opening of one's knowledge,capabilities, vision and guidance. The Kenaz is about creating a relationship,learning and allowing room for interpretation. When you are in the darkness,an opening with light is the best and most gracious thing to have bestowed upon you. This is a great time for putting energies into new opportunities. Come share my world as I see it.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Spring Tarot and Rune Reading

What does Spring 2009 have in store for me?






The Celtic Cross spread is one of the most popular Tarot spreads, providing varied insight into many aspects of a complex situation and your role in it. The Cat People Tarot paints a picture of faraway lands trod by mystical archetypes and their feline companions. This deck is a perfect tool for dreamers and idealists, and is a great choice for divining the nature of human imagination.
































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Click for DetailsThe card not shown but at the center of the cross, represents the atmosphere surrounding the central issue. King of Pentacles: An experienced and successful leader. A person of character and intelligence. Business acumen. Mathematical ability. Loyal friend. Reliable marriage partner. Successful businessperson. Wise investments. Ability to acquire money and valuable possessions.
Click for DetailsThe card visible at the center of the cross represents the obstacle that stands in your way - it may even be something that sounds good but is not actually to your benefit. The High Priest: Mercy. Kindness. Goodness. Forgiveness. Inspiration. Compassion. Servitude. Overt reserve. Captivity to one's own ideas. Tendency to cling to ideas and principles even if outdated. A person to whom one has recourse. Conformity. A religious r spiritual leader. A person with a sense of historical importance.
Click for DetailsThe card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. Seven of Swords (Futility): New plans. Wishes. Fortitude. Perseverance. Hope. Confidence. Fantasy. Design.
Click for DetailsThe card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Nine of Swords (Cruelty), when reversed: Doubt. Suspicion. Slanderous gossip. Shame. Scruple. Timidity. Shady character. Reasonable fear.
Click for DetailsThe card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Seven of Wands (Valor): Success. Gain. Overcoming obstacles and challenges. Advantage. Victory.
Click for DetailsThe card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Nine of Pentacles (Gain): Accomplishment. Discernment. Discretion. Foresight. Safety. Prudence. Material well-being. Love of nature.
Click for DetailsThe card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Five of Cups (Disappointment), when reversed: Hopeful outlook. Favorable expectations. New alliances. Affinity. Return of an old friend. Reunion.
Click for DetailsThe card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Ten of Swords (Ruin), when reversed: Benefit. Profit. Temporary gain. Improvement. Passing success. Momentary advantage. Temporary favor.
Click for DetailsThe card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Six of Swords (Science), when reversed: Stalemate. Unwanted proposal. No immediate solution to present difficulties. Confession. Declaration.
Click for DetailsThe card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Knight of Pentacles: A mature and responsible person. Reliability. Methodical and patient person. Persistence. Ability to conclude a task. Laborious, organized, capable and dependable person.







































The Cross spread is used to plot the arc of your life and the forces acting on it. It is the most popular spread, giving a very complete view of the situation. Ice Runes are most commonly used for questions about struggle, conflict, and achievement.
The left rune represents an important element of the past. Othila is the homeland. Land was the purest form of immovable wealth in Norse civilization, distinct from the movable wealth represented by Fehu. This rune speaks of stability and safety stemming from inheritance, both material and genetic. With respect to the question asked, consider the background of the people and families involved...
The middle rune represents a deciding element of the present. Wunjo is the rune of joy. The reversal of this rune suggests that joy is withheld. Since joy is frequently communal, this rune often suggests loneliness. Alternatively, some have seen Wunjo as the rune of perfection and the rune of the gods. Therefore this rune reversed could signal a feeling of separation from one's deity, or as imperfection in an important work.
The top rune represents a force that works for you. Laguz is the most strongly feminine of runes, representing water. Deep sexuality is suggested by this rune. Through Laguz, water is seen as the ocean - vast, uncontrollable, ever-changing, and vital. When interpreted as the returning tide, Laguz can also predict the inevitable return from a long journey.
The bottom Rune represents a force that works against you. Dagez means daylight, and represents divine light. This rune generally refers to dawn (the initial sparking of energy) or to midday (the climax of energy). Both dawn and midday are symbolic of change, but unlike the changes in the perpetual circle of the year which are slow and subtle, the changes over a day are much faster and more dramatic. The breaking of a new day is symbolic of the rapid illumination of dismal circumstances, and is suggestive of Satori. Be careful - although this rune generally suggests a positive change, the symbology of a peaking point suggests that there must be a change downward as well. Fortunately for some, this rune is cyclic and irreversible, and so permanence is not promised - the only thing you can be sure of is an exciting ride.
The right rune represents the critical element of the future, at the core of the final outcome. Inguz is the rune of completion and fertility. The presence of this rune suggests that tasks which have been initiated will come to fruition. This rune is associated with Ing and Frey, it is this connection that explains its connotations of both fertility and sexuality. The variant of this rune shown here is reminiscent of the twin strands of life, and of the challenge and rewards of bringing together things complimentary.

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Friday, March 20, 2009

4 Canadian soldiers killed, 8 wounded in Kandahar















I found this fitting song composed by MacPhee, Schram, Howe in my files simply entitled "Ode To The Canadian Soldier "and uploaded to imeem. Please give a listen. The lyrics pay tribute to the men and women who are "Fighting for freedom and staying the course.


Master Cpl. Scott Francis Vernelli, Cpl. Tyler Crooks, Trooper Jack Bouthillier and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes

Four Canadian soldiers were killed and eight others wounded in two separate roadside bomb blasts outside Kandahar City on Friday. Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli and Cpl. Tyler Crooks — both of November Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment — died when an improvised explosive device exploded near their patrol in the Zhari district, about 40 kilometres west of Kandahar. The incident happened about 6:45 a.m. local time. One Afghan interpreter was killed and another injured in the attack.

Trooper Jack Bouthillier and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, both of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, were killed when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb around 8:45 a.m. local time in the Shah Wali Kot district. That region is about 20 km northwest of the city and has seen an increase in Taliban activity.

All the soldiers who died were based in Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. All of the injured soldiers are in stable condition in Kandahar and were able to call their families.

The soldiers were nearing the tail end of a four-day offensive that was the largest joint U.S.-Canadian offensive since the Korean war. The offensive, which began Tuesday, saw Canadian and U.S. soldiers split into two battle groups. They went into a large swath of land in Kandahar's Zhari district to engage Taliban forces, who usually try to organize munitions and prepare plans for the fighting season in the summer.

These wonderful Canadian men were, at the moment of their deaths, engaged directly in the continuing work to keep the insurgency sufficiently at bay to ensure safety for the population and to preserve our ability to meet the objectives of the Afghans, the international community, and the government of Canada.

And those objectives are intended to meet the needs of a desperate Afghan population. Success in war is costly.

Vernelli, 28 was married with a six-month-old daughter, described as an enthusiastic and dedicated father. A terrific athlete, very funny and, ironically enough, always able to joke at the worst of times.

Crooks, a native of Port Colborne, Ont., was a keen and motivated soldier who loved dirt-biking and was a Texas Hold 'em card shark. He died on his 24th birthday. He's remembered by his friends as the kind of guy who would do anything for you without even being asked.

Bouthillier, was a 20-year-old from Hearst, Ont., was a joker who always had everyone laughing. His enthusiasm and his unswerving duty for work inspired other soldiers.

Hayes, 22, who grew up in Ripples, N.B., was a proud and dedicated soldier who always put his friends and family before himself, his friends remember him not only as a friend and a comrade-in-arms, but a brother who Inspired them to stand up in the face of danger and do what was right.
-Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance

The latest deaths bring the number of Canadian military fatalities in Afghanistan to 116 since Canada's combat mission there began in 2002. One diplomat and two aid workers have also been killed.

Peace.



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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Term limits for city politicians not a bad idea

When it comes to electing people to city government, voter turnout is often embarrassingly apathetic commonly hovering just over 30 per cent in Hamilton. But this doesn't stop us from bitching about the problems with the pivotal services the city provides like water we drink, the transit we ride, the sewers, policing and fire protection.

Because of this lethargic behaviour of voters incumbents in municipal office are notoriously difficult to unseat. As a result, many municipal politicians are able to cling to office for years, often well past their effective abilities. At Hamilton's city hall, for example, almost half the councillors have been in office for at least 15 years, the exact percentage as Toronto.

Fairness and accountability at the municipal level sounds like an oxymoron, especially in Hamilton going back in recent years to the DiIanni scandal and to the currant councils credibility issues. Term limits was one of Fred Eisenberger's promises in the last election and Progressive Conservative MPP Norm Sterling echoes the concern and is asking for a review to be undertaken at Queen's Park. Scheduled for debate in the Legislature on Thursday is Sterling's resolution calling for the creation of an all-party select committee to look at municipal governance in Ontario's big cities. The proposed review would focus on cities with a population greater than 500,000, such as Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton and Mississauga.

We need a compromise on term limits to encourage new blood to flow into city politics bringing with them enriched nutrients at the same time cutting out the cancers that kill any attempt at new growth and development . I suggest no more than two consecutive terms as a councilor, but no limitations on someone re-entering in the future for another two terms. It prevents councilors from becoming career pariahs sucking money out of municipalities in the way of wages and benefits without offering any useful input. Like we see in the Federal Senate where Senators spend less than a third of their time actually working.

Really good Councilors can, jump from councilor to mayor. That would give you 4 uninterrupted terms (16 years) in municipal politics before either jumping to the provincial or federal levels or taking a term off.


City of Hamilton
Members of Council (2006-2010) and their years of service.



Mayor Fred Eisenberger-Serving as Mayor since December 6, 2006.
City of Hamilton Ward Boundaries


Ward 1..................... Ward 2................ Ward 3 .................Ward 4
Brian McHattie .......Bob Bratina..... ...Bernie Morelli ..Sam Merulla
2003.........................2004......................1991.................2000



Ward 5 ...................Ward 6 ......................Ward 7 ................... Ward 8
Chad Collins ......... Tom Jackson .............Scott Duvall .............Terry Whitehead
1995........................1988...................2006....................2003



Ward 9 .........................Ward 10 ................Ward 11 .......................Ward 12
Brad Clark ...................Maria Pearson .....David L. Mitchell ........Lloyd Ferguson
2006......................1991....................... Glanbrook 1986 - 2000 .Ancaster-1984 to 1994
....................................................................Hamilton in 2001........Hamilton-2006


Ward 13 ......................Ward 14 ..................Ward 15 .............
Russ Powers ..............Robert Pasuta .......Margaret McCarthy
1982 Dundas..................2006.....................Flamborough 1994
2001 Hamilton............................................Hamilton 2000

Later,
Kenaz
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Monday, March 09, 2009

GTO Soldier latest to die in Afghanistan














I found this fitting song composed by MacPhee, Schram, Howe in my files simply entitled "Ode To The Canadian Soldier "and uploaded to imeem. Please give a listen. The lyrics pay tribute to the men and women who are "Fighting for freedom and staying the course.


Trooper Marc Diab, 22, from the Royal Canadian Dragoons was killed in an attack in Afghanistan on Sunday. He was serving as a member of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group based in Petawawa, Ont. The Canadian soldier died and four were wounded when a roadside bomb exploded near their armoured vehicle on patrol northeast of Kandahar city. The soldiers were conducting security operations in the mountainous region of Sha Wali Kot district — a known entry point for Taliban fighters.

Soldier was dedicated, religious and loved sports
-Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance talking about Trooper Marc Diab, 22

Diab's death brings the number of casualties in Afghanistan to 112 since Canada's combat mission there began in 2002. One diplomat and two aid workers have also been killed. There are 2,830 Canadian troops serving at Kandahar Airfield and Camp Nathan Smith, the home of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kandahar city.

Peace.



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Thursday, March 05, 2009

Bratina,Merulla sling mud in your eye

Councilors Bob Bratina (Ward 2) and Sam Merulla (Ward 4) have been slinging fices via email for the past few weeks over various topics including spending priorities for the city and the closing of US Steel The councilors sent their childish barbs to each other, plus the rest of council and all the local news media.

It started on February 12, with Councilor Merulla forwarding a news item from Citizens at City Hall (CATCH) about Mississauga's decision to drop out of the Pan Am Games bid for an aquatic facility.

In it, Merulla dismisses the games as an obscure 'third-rate event with fourth-rate athletes. To which Bratina asked Perhaps Councilor Merulla would consider apologizing to the young athletes in the Hamilton area who might aspire to participate in some of the events. Moments later, with the vigor of a fifth grader with a persecution complex, Merulla shot back asking Councillor Bratina to apologize to your residents who have been subjected to human feces floating in their basement as a result of the infrastructure deficit and yet you want to build an unsustainable stadium.

I would like to see a new multi-purpose stadium built with a track, football field, outdoor concert area, etc. Something like Toronto's BMO field, there is a bubble which allows for facility use 365 days of the year. There needs to be private investment to offset the cost to taxpayers, perhaps selling the naming rights for the new stadium. "Tim Horton's Field" sounds pretty good. Selling Name/Commemoration plates for seats (like at Hamilton Place) and common areas (Councilor Merulla Men's Room? Councilor Bratina Hot Dog's?)

I have never had respect for Councilor Merulla and his over the top, boisterous comments and yesterday's salvo of dumb dumbs didn't help. In response to the Hamilton Spectator's breaking news report that US Steel (formerly Stelco) is shutting down its Canadian operations (including its Hamilton and Lake Erie operations), Merulla sent an email to local media that reads simply: "Let's build a stadium!!!!!!! [sic]"

Councilor Bratina immediately responded, "This is not a matter for smug jokes." Glenn Johnson of CanWest News Service replied to all, writing, "Would you two call each other instead of wasting everyone else's time."

The US Steel closure of its Hamilton and Lake Erie operations could affect 2,100 workers, adding to the 700 of its 1,700 wage employees laid off in Hamilton.

I don't understand what Merulla is saying with that comment. Does he mean that building a stadium is a waste of money because we could use the $60ish million to do what for the tax payers of Hamilton. Use it to keep US Steel afloat while they sit idle until the global economy says it's time to start making steel again? Sam, shut up or say something constructive. Try saying something useful for once.

Sometimes for major changes to take place, a system must fail. The times ahead are going to be hard for some, harder for others. This is Hamilton's chance to show what it is made of and change a flawed system.

Later,
Kenaz
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Wednesday, March 04, 2009

March comes in like a lion for three Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan















I found this fitting song composed by MacPhee, Schram, Howe in my files simply entitled "Ode To The Canadian Soldier "and uploaded to imeem. Please give a listen. The lyrics pay tribute to the men and women who are "Fighting for freedom and staying the course.






Corporal Kenneth Chad O'Quinn, Warrant Officer Denis Raymond Brown, and Corporal Dany Olivier Fortin, killed March 3, 2009 during a patrol in the Arghandab District.


A roadside bomb killed three Canadian soldiers and injured two others Tuesday after it exploded near their armoured vehicle northwest of Kandahar City.

The Canadians were returning home after defusing an improvised explosive device in Arghandab District when their vehicle was hit. The area is normally quieter than the more anarchic Zhari and Panjwai Districts and the blast may mark the start of the spring and summer fighting season.

Killed in the explosion were Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown, a reservist from The Lincoln and Welland Regiment, based in St. Catharines, Ont., Cpl. Dany Olivier Fortin from the 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron at 3 Wing, based in Bagotville, Que., and Cpl. Kenneth Chad O’Quinn, from 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron, in Petawawa, Ontario.

Canada lost three outstanding soldiers,” said Brig.-Gen. Jon Vance, Canada’s top commander here. “The work they performed every day played an important role in establishing security, stability and safety for the people of Afghanistan and saved countless lives.


Their deaths bring the total of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan to 111. The two injured soldiers were taken by helicopter to the hospital at Kandahar Airfield and are reportedly in good condition.

Thankfully these are the first Canadian deaths in March. February was a quiet month for Canadian soldiers, with only one serious injury and no deaths. It was a welcome respite after a bloody December and January, when roadside bombs killed 11 soldiers.

Peace.

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