The Waning Moon

(I am going to try something for a while and see if you find it useful, so I will need some feedback through the comment link, please. I will, at the beginning of the daily (hopefully) post, give the day of the week's color, Planet and a few Aspects of that energy. Just so you can use that information to go with the flow. So here we go for today:)

The day: Monday
Color: White or Silver
Planet: Moon
Aspects: Peace and Balance, Celebrate Lunar Deities

The Full Moon is past and now we are in the waning phase of the Moon. And what that means to those of us who use the Moon's energy in our daily lives is that we should work towards diminishing things or pushing things away. Whether it be whittling away on the mental stumps in our field of dreams, or pushing away the negativity that is coming towards us from an outside source (or sometimes from within), now is the time to work with that Waning Moon energy. If you are involved with people or a situation that is negative by nature or design - push away! Diminish the affect those people or things have on your life by distancing them. Just because the Moon is not gathering power, you don't have to stop working towards your goals, it just means you have to change the energy you use. If it's money or prosperity you have in the Works when the moon wanes, instead of trying to draw it to you - start getting rid of the obstacles between you and that prosperity! Remember: just because the Moon is not full, you don't have to stop or interrupt your Workings to wait for it to wax again! On the Mundane level, you can use this phase of the moon to start that new diet, or to push away those bad habits that are getting in the way of your daily happiness and prosperity (stop gambling away your money, put down that extra piece of cake, try not to squabble with your partner, etc.)Just remember that even though the Moon isn't full, it has still a very powerful and awesome energy - use it to your advantage!Having said that, here are the herbs and their uses:

Fern:
Mental clarity, cleansing, purification, and dispelling negativity. Keep in room where studying is done to help concentration. Burn a sprig of fern before an exam. Use in sachets and amulets for powerful auric protection. I find using the live plant rather than bits of dried fern is much more productive (also helps oxidize the air in your home)

Feverfew:
Protection against accidents and cold/flu. Use in charms or sachets for love magic or spiritual healing. Keep flowers in suitcase or car when traveling.
Also Called: Featherfew, Rainfarn, Wild Quinine, Featherfoil, Prairie Dock, Missouri Snakeroot, Flirtwort, Parthenium, Febrifuge Good to add to a basic tea, sweeten with honey and drink hot when you have a cold

Flax Seed:
Used for money spells and healing rituals. Mix seeds with red pepper and keep in a box in the home to protect it. Put in a sachet to protect against hostile magic. Place some in shoe or in pocket, wallet, purse, or altar jar with a few coins to ward off poverty. Sprinkle an infusion made with flax seed around the area before divination to get a more accurate reading of someone's future. Burn for divinatory powers.

Gardenia:
Promoting peace/repelling strife, protection from outside influences. Carry or wear to attract love or friendship. Burn with other healing herbs to bring peace and comfort to one who is ailing. Use dried flowers in healing incenses and mixtures. Scatter around a room to bring peaceful vibrations.

Here' a recipe for today:
Garlic and Mint Chicken Breasts
Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 12 mins Rest Time: 4 h Total Time: 27 mins
Ingredients
4 chicken, breast
mint, fresh
1/2 cup(s) mint, fresh
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon oil, olive
1 tablespoon soy sauce, reduced-sodium
4 clove(s) garlic
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper, black ground
couscous
scallion(s) (green onions)

Place chicken in a resealable plastic bag set in a shallow dish.2. In a blender, combine the 1/2 cup mint leaves, the lemon juice, oil, soy sauce, garlic, chili powder, and pepper. Cover and blend until smooth; pour over chicken. Seal bag; turn to coat chicken. Marinate chicken in refrigerator for 4 to 24 hours.3. Drain chicken, discarding marinade. Place chicken on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals. Grill for 12 to 15 minutes or until tender and no longer pink (170°F), turning once. If desired, serve over hot cooked couscous. If desired, serve with grilled green onions and garnish with additional mint leaves.
Nutritional Info (per serving):Calories: 202, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 229mg, Dietary Fiber: 0g, Total Fat: 6g, Carbs: 2g, Cholesterol: 82mg, Protein: 34g Exchanges: Lean Meat: 4.5 , Fat: 1

Well, that's all I have for now,
may the Universe Bless you and yours!