Lifestyle

Memorial Day

Memorial Day in the United States honors military personnel who died in the service of their country. More specifically, it honors those who died in battle or as a result of wounds they sustained during battle. Below are 5 facts in regards to the Memorial Day.

Civil War

By the time the Civil War ended in the spring of 1865, it claimed 620,000 soldiers’ lives, the most of any conflict in American history. General John Logan, came up with the idea of Memorial Day known at the time as Decoration Day. He wanted a way to honor the fallen soldiers of the Civil War. The first Memorial Day celebration was on May 30, 1868. It was held at Arlington National Cemetery with a crowd of 5,000 people decorating the graves of over 20,000 military personnel with flowers.

World War I and Official Declaration of a National Holiday

It wasn’t until after World War I that Memorial Day was expanded to honor all veterans who died in any American war. After World War I, as the day came to be observed in honor of those who had died in all U.S. wars, its name changed from Decoration Day to Memorial Day. In 1971, Decoration Day became officially known as Memorial Day and Congress passed an act declaring it a national holiday.

Memorial Day Poppies

People wear poppies to honor America’s war dead in a Memorial Day. The tradition that dates back to the poem “In Flanders Fields,” written in 1915 by John McCrae. Inspired by the poem’s image of red poppies scattered through cross-shaped grave markers, American Moina Michael and France’s Anna E. Guerin started selling artificial poppies as a fundraiser for children affected by the war. Now, many Americans pin a poppy on their shirt as a sign of respect.

The poppy is worn in many of the countries that were Allied during World War I. These countries include Great Britain, France, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. The poppy is often worn on and leading up to Armistice Day (also known as Remembrance Day) on November 11th. November 11th is Veterans Day in the United States. The poppy is also worn on ANZAC Day (April 25) in New Zealand and Australia. April 25th commemorates the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps troops who served in the 1915 Gallipoli Campaign. However, in the United States, the poppy is worn on Memorial Day, not Veterans Day.

National Moment of Remembrance

President Bill Clinton signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act” in December of 2000. The law encourages all Americans to pause at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence. In order to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

Visit a local Veterans Cemetery

On Memorial Day, it is custom to bring flowers and lay them by a grave that does not have flowers.

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Mother’s Day

I realize different countries have different times to celebrate Mother’s Day. However, Mother’s Day in the United States falls on the second Sunday in May. To celebrate Mothers around the world, I have eight fun facts about Mother’s Day.

In the vast majority of the world’s languages, the word for “mother” begins with the letter M.
In the United States alone, around 122 million phone calls are made to moms on Mother’s Day.
Approximately $14 billion dollars is spent on Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day sees around one quarter of all flowers purchased throughout the year falling on this holiday.
In Greek mythology spring festivals were held in honor of the maternal goddess called, Rhea. She was the wife of Cronus and was believed to be the mother of many deities.
Mother’s Day is the busiest day of the year for the restaurant industry with 62% of Americans dining out.
In 2019, 27 was the average age in the United States for first-time mothers, according to the CDC.
According to the Insure.com 2021 Mother’s Day Index, the various tasks moms perform at home would be worth $116,022 a year in the professional world. That’s a 23% increase from $93,920 in 2020.

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Magnificent Gibeon Meteorite

As I randomly scroll through Etsy in a moment of boredom, I notice a new material that is being used in rings. I use to work at a jewelry store, so this material truly intrigued me. This material is the Gibeon Meteorite. Mind Blowing! Meteorite in a ring, how cool is that. Naturally, I decided to look into it and learn more about the Gibeon Meteorite.

What is Gibeon Meteorite?

The Gibeon meteorites come from broken asteroid fragments or an exploded star and radiometric dating places the age at around 4 billion years old. Gibeon meteorites are composed of an iron-nickel alloy containing significant amounts of cobalt and phosphorus. The crystal structure of this meteorite provides a classic example of fine octahedrite and the Widmanstätten pattern. The Gibeon meteorites have been collected since 1836 in Namibia. It was first found in Gibeon, Namibia. Hence the name Gibeon meteorite.

Now onto the meaning and properties of the Gibeon meteorite. It has been said that meteorites engage the energies of the universe. The meteorite will help with clairvoyance. Supposedly, it also helps with meditation and to deeply contemplate your spiritual roots. Meteorite also encourages strength and stamina required for endurance. It is also said to activate Ajna, The Third Eye Chakra and they are associated with the outer planets Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

When you have a chance to check out a Gibeon meteorite ring, I think you will be impressed. I like anything that allows me to be closer to the stars.

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Alpaca Power

I went to an Alpaca farm a couple of years ago with a friend and had a great time. We each fed the Alpacas and then learn a great deal about their wool. I have a couple of Alpaca sweaters and they are by far some of the warmest and non-itchy sweaters I own. Just want to share some of the interesting facts in regards to Alpacas and Alpaca wool.

Please see 10 amazing facts below:

Alpacas occur in many different shades from white and light grey over to a reddish brown and black. There are 22 natural base colors to choose from.
Alpaca wool is graded Class 1 fiber. It is use in clothing and furnishings in the U.S. by the standards of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Alpaca fleece is flame and water resistant.
Alpaca yarn is hypoallergenic. The alpaca fleece is lacking in lanolin. This makes it hypoallergenic and also allows it to be processed without the need for high temperatures or harsh chemicals.
Alpacas are used as therapy pets.
Alpacas were domesticated by the Incas, and alpaca fiber has been used for a very long time in the Andes. The fiber was introduced in Europe and the US during the 19th century.
Pure alpaca wool does not absorb moisture or odor, but wicks it away.
Alpaca wool is breathable.
If you are using alpaca wool for socks there are several benefits. It is silky-soft and doesn’t rub, constrict or bind. It doesn’t cause blisters and won’t irritate sensitive feet – it even reduces callus buildup and blisters.
Alpacas are sheared once a year in the spring. They will yield between five and ten pounds of fleece per animal.

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Beyond-Fabulous Birthstones

I was wondering on what I should write about today. So many ideas! However, soon my thoughts turned to the month of April. As I utilized the search engine Google to discover interesting facts about April, birthstones popped up in the search. Perfect subject! To begin with, I began wondering how birthstones came into being. Apparently, Titus Flavius Josephus, a Romano-Jewish scholar, connected each stone that was wore on the breastplate of Aaron, high priest of the Israelites to the 12 signs of the zodiac. The idea went mainstream by 1870, when Tiffany & Co. published a pamphlet outlining each month’s birthstone. In 1912, the American National Jewelers’ Association compiled a new birthstone list. A few amendments later, including the addition of Tanzanite in 2002, and Spinel in 2016, and we have the list we use today.

Wearing your birthstone is said to enhance the mystical and healing powers of the gem itself. Discover what makes your birthstone a powerful statement of your finest qualities by scrolling below:

January: Garnet

The name “garnet” originates from the medieval Latin granatus, meaning “pomegranate,” in reference to the similarity of the red color. However, garnet comes in a large range of colors. According to Indian astrology, garnet helps eliminate negative feelings, instill greater self-confidence, mental clarity and peace of mind. In ancient and medieval times, garnets were also thought to be remedies for inflammatory diseases and to soothe the angry heart. On the Mohs hardness scale it rates a 6.5 to 7.5 out of 10.

February: Amethyst

The name “amethyst” derives from the Greek amethystos, which means “a remedy against drunkenness,” a benefit long ascribed to the purple birthstone. Amethyst was also believed to keep the wearer clear headed and quick witted in business affairs. Renaissance Europeans thought it calmed lovers overrun by passion. Amethyst lore also includes that it would convey strength and wit to those who wore it. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 7 out of 10.

March: Bloodstone and Aquamarine

Bloodstone’s alternate name heliotrope comes from the ancient Greek word that means “to turn the sun.” In ancient times, these March birthstones were believed to turn the sun red if they were placed in water. Several metaphysical properties have been attributed to this March birthstone. They include increasing strength, giving invisibility, and preserving health and youth. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 6.5 to 7 out of 10.

Aquamarine’s name comes from the Latin for seawater, and ancient mariners claimed the gem would calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea. This March birthstone is thought to bring happiness in marriage. The aquamarine is also given as a present for the 19th wedding anniversary. On the Mohs hardness scale it rates a 7.5 to 8 out of 10.

April: Diamond

In India, diamonds were gathered from the country’s rivers and streams. Traded as early as the fourth century BCE, diamonds were coveted by royalty and the wealthy. The first diamond engagement ring on record was given by Archduke Maximillian of Austria to his betrothed, Mary of Burgundy, in 1477. The April birthstone was even believed to have healing powers. Over the centuries, the diamond birthstone was thought to be an antidote to poison and provide protection against the plague. Some claim that it is a boon for longevity, strength, beauty and happiness. On the Mohs hardness scale it rates a 10 out of 10.

May: Emerald

From Egyptian pharaohs to Inca emperors, emerald has enchanted royalty. The word “emerald” comes from smaragdos, ancient Greek for a green gem. Emeralds thought to provide psychic powers. Some believed it made one an eloquent speaker and exposed lovers who made false promises. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 7.5 to 8 out of 10.

June: Peral, Alexandrite, Moonstone

Pearls grow inside the tissue of a living saltwater/freshwater mollusk (either an oyster or a mussel). Natural pearls form when the mollusk secretes a substance called nacre around an irritant such as a piece of sand or a parasite that has invaded its shell. Pearls have long been associated with purity, humility and innocence. n the ancient Sanskrit text the Atharvaveda, pearls were said to bestow long life and prosperity. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 2.5 to 4.5 out of 10.

Alexandrite is the rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl that changes color in different lighting. The gem was named after the young Alexander II (1818–1881), heir apparent to the Russian throne. Alexandrite is a good stone for meditation if someone has difficult to concentration. It will also help make you calm and help you concentrate. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 8.5 out of 10.

Moonstone has been linked with both the Roman and Greek lunar deities. Hindu mythology claims that it is made of solidified moonbeams. Moonstone is often associated with love, passion and fertility; it is believed to bring great luck. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 6 to 6.5 out of 10.

July: Ruby

Ruby is the July birthstone and the name is derived from the Latin word ruber, meaning “red”, which is the color of love and passion. Burmese warriors believed it made them invincible in battle. Medieval Europeans maintained that rubies bestowed health, wisdom, wealth and success in love. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 9 out of 10.

August: Peridot, Spinel and Sardonyx

The word “peridot” comes from the Arabic faridat, meaning gem. This August birthstone was valued in many ancient and medieval cultures. For centuries, the peridot birthstone has been used as a protective talisman, shielding the owner from evil spirits and “terrors of the night.” On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 6.5 to 7 out of 10.

The name “spinel” comes from the Latin word spina, which means thorn, in reference to the shape of spinel crystals. This second August birthstone comes in a wealth of colors: intense red, vibrant pink, orange, purple, violet, blue and bluish green. Red spinel, along with other red gems, was thought to be a remedy for all types of blood loss and inflammatory diseases. The red gems were believed to ease anger and promote harmony. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 7.5 to 8 out of 10.

Sardonyx is a combination of two types of chalcedony (cryptocrystalline quartz): sard and onyx. Roman soldiers wore sardonyx rings with the image of Mars carved on them for protection in battle. This August birthstone is associated with courage, happiness and clear communication, bringing stability to marriage and partnerships. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 7 out of 10.

September: Sapphire

“Sapphire” comes from the Greek word sappheiros and blue sapphire is one of the most popular colored stones. Sapphires have associated with royalty and romance. The September birthstone was reputed to have healing powers as well. The elite of ancient Greece and Rome believed that blue sapphires protected their owners from harm and envy. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 9 out of 10.

October: Opal and Tourmaline

Opal is believed to have originated in India (the source of the first opals brought to the Western world), where in Sanskrit it was called upala, a “precious stone.” In ancient Rome, this became opalus. Ancient Greeks thought opals bestowed the gift of prophesy and protection from disease. Europeans long maintained opal to be a symbol of purity, hope and truth. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 5.5 to 6 out of 10.

Tourmaline comes from the Sinhalese word toramalli, which means “stone with mixed colors.” Different colors of tourmaline have their own healing properties. Black tourmaline protects the wearer and give a sense of self-confidence. Pink tourmaline embodies love, compassion and gentleness. Green tourmaline promotes courage, strength and stamina. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 7 to 7.5 out of 10.

November: Topaz and Citrine

Some believe the word “topaz” comes from the Sanskrit word tapas, which means “fire.” Others trace it back to the Greek topazos. The ancient Greeks believed that topaz gave them strength. Europeans thought it could thwart magic spells and dispel anger. In India, when the topaz worn above the heart assures long life, beauty and intelligence. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 8 out of 10.

Citrine could derive from the French word for “lemon” (citron). During the Victorian era, citrine was particularly popular in colorful Scottish jewelry. The citrine combats negative and unwanted energies, paving the way for success into every aspect of life. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 7 out of 10.

December: Turquoise, Tanzanite and Zircon

Turquoise is a semi-translucent to opaque gem that ranges from blue to green and pharaohs and other rulers of ancient Egypt adorned themselves with it. The gem also possesses many beneficial powers, such as breaking into several pieces at the approach of disaster. Hindu mystics maintained that seeing a turquoise after beholding the new moon ensured fantastic wealth. In Tibet, it is believed to grant health, good fortune and protection from evil. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 5 or 6 out of 10.

Tanzanite is found in the Merelani Hills of northern Tanzania. It was discovered in 1962. Tanzanite stimulates the throat chakra, third-eye chakra, and crown chakra. It activates our psychic abilities and vibratory rate, facilitating communication with the higher spiritual dimensions. Tanzanite is a stone of transformation that can help dissolve old patterns of disease and karma. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 6.5 out of 10.

Zircon is believe to come from the Arabic word zarkun, meaning “cinnabar” or “vermilion.” Zircon could lull one into a deep sleep and scare off evil spirits. In the Hindu religion, zircon alternates with hessonite garnet as one of the nine gems of the navaratna. On the Mohs Hardness scale it rates a 6.5 out of 10.

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Finding Home

Where do you feel like you are home? Have you found where you belong? If you have not, I may have a tool that can help you. The tool is Astrology. I know it may sound crazy, but I think there may be something to this. Astrocartography, otherwise known as locational astrology, projects your birth chart over a map to determine which cities around the world are best for career success, happiness, romantic relationships, and spiritual growth.

I have lived in several different areas in the United States and in the United Kingdom. So, I decide to review the locations I have lived in and put Astrocartography to the test. To my surprise, It was pretty dead on to what I experienced. One of the locations I use to live was influenced by the planet Uranus. Uranus energy lines are ideal for reviving one’s everyday existence. However, I experience a darker side of Uranus as well. All of my established structures, true and tried ways of thinking, and old associations was blown apart, without any warning.

The lines on the map are called planetary lines, which have different cardinal points associated with them. The planetary lines indicate the areas in the world that were influenced by planets at the time of your birth and impact how you relate to that specific longitude and latitude.

Astro.com has a free Astrocartography chart for you to utilize (click here for chart). The website will also describe each planet line you click on after you enter your birth data. Test it out to see how close it was to your experiences in different locations. I was so impressed on the accuracy; I am thinking my next move will be where the sun-line crosses.

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Fun Facts for St. Patrick’s Day

Tomorrow is the day, where the leprechauns dance and the green beer flows. With a four-leaf clover behind my ear, I hold my arms wide open to embrace St. Patrick’s Day. To prepare you for such a glorious day as well, I have listed fabulous facts about this day below.

Almost 12% of Americans claim Irish ancestry. More people of Irish ancestry live in the United States than in Ireland. More than 100 Saint Patrick parades are held across the United States.
St. Patrick’s Day has been observed by the Irish as a religious holiday for more than 1,000 years.
In 1798, the color green became officially associated with St. Patrick’s Day. Prior to this the color blue was associated with St. Patrick before the adoption of green as the color for the festival. The color blue was featured both in the royal court and on ancient Irish flags.
Guinness (an Irish dark beer) sales almost doubles on St Patrick’s Day as compared to the regular days when 5.5 million pints of it is sold.
The first St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the United States was held in Boston in 1737.
World’s shortest St. Patrick’s Day parade is held in Arkansas, which runs for a total of 98 feet.
St. Patrick’s Day parades began in North America in the 17^th century. However, they did not spread to Ireland until the 20^th century.
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated in countries including United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and Russia.
Finding a four leaf clover on St. Patrick’s Day is considered lucky as you only have one chance in 10,000.
More than 1 million people take part in the St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin every year.

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Unusual Ways to Unstress

Fancy some number counting or how about playing in the mud? I can’t think of better ways to decrease stress than knitting and gardening. Both have been studied and the results show that there is a decrease in anxiety and an increase in wellbeing. I have participated in both activities. Both are a work in progress. My knitting has had some issues. Sometimes many rows will need to be undone. My gardening seems to have followed a similar path. However, I have not quit and I am determined to reduce my stress through these activities. Let us begin the journey of destressing by discovering the benefits of knitting.

Knitting

I have just begun my knitting journey and feel that it does seem to calm my nerves. I use a small loom. This helps me because I can’t count to save my life and everything ended up in a circle before using the loom. Research shows that knitting has a measurable effect on calming anxiety and relieving stress. In one international survey, a strong link was revealed between knitting and feelings of calm and happiness. Knitters can also find benefits in the social nature of knitting.

Dr. Herbert Benson, the author of “The Relaxation Response,” states that the repetitive action of needlework can induce a relaxed state like that associated with meditation and yoga. It can also lower heart rate, blood pressure and reduce harmful blood levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The benefits of knitting don’t stop there either. The Knit to Heal program in Toronto, conducts knitting therapy programs, to help smokers give up the habit and help for people coping with health crises.

Now I am going to do some major name dropping. There are numerous celebrities who knit. Here are some of the actresses who enjoy knitting: Amanda Seyfried, Julia Roberts, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Sandra Bullock, Whoopi Goldberg, Meryl Streep and Charlize Theron. The knitting list is extensive, far more than I have written down. Onto some of the actors who enjoy knitting: Ryan Gosling, Christopher Walkin, Ewan McGregor, Paul Rudd, Stephen West, and Russell Crowe. The list of actors who knit is also an extensive list and far more then I have recorded here. Also, Director George Lucas knits and Roosevelt “Rosey” Grier who played as a Defensive tackle for the NY Giants and LA Rams.

Gardening

My gardening is a slower process. I think I may lack a “green thumb“, but once in a while I can get something to grow. Keyword something. According to the Royal College of Physicians author Richard Thompson, there is increasing evidence that exposure to plants, green space, and particularly the action of gardening, greatly benefits mental and physical health. In this article, it discussed that in a Japanese study, the mere viewing of plants altered EEG recordings and reduced stress, fear, anger and sadness, as well as reducing blood pressure, pulse rate and muscle tension. The paper goes on to discuss numerous experiments including a randomized experiment in which post-operative patients were exposed to eight different species of indoor plants, the researchers than noted that both pain and length of stay were once again reduced and patients’ satisfaction with their hospital rooms was improved.

Gardening is a great physical activity which can include social interaction. Working in the garden restores strength, and the aerobic exercise that is involved can easily use the same number of calories as might be expended in a gym. By being in the moment and focusing your attention on gardening you are practicing mindfulness—a proven way of reducing stress.

I hope you will find time to try both activities, if you have not done so already. Let me know if you find either stress reducing.

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Fantastic February 14th Facts

Chocolates, flowers, hearts, harps… so, maybe not harps, but February 14th will soon be here and Valentine’s Day will once again grace us with it’s presence. I have my outfit ready. I will be wearing my pink gnome shirt with hearts and might even be super naughty and order a heart shaped pizza. Now that you have be privy to my epic Valentine’s Day plan, I have 5 Valentine’s Day facts that I think you will enjoy.

Have you ever wondered where the pastel-colored heart treats came from? Candy hearts date back to 1866. Daniel Chase, whose brother founded the candy company NECCO, came up with the idea of printing sayings right on the candy. NECCO started churning out miniature candy hearts, then called “motto hearts.” The candy hearts are an acquired taste, often described as tasting like chalk. Manufacturers combine sugar, corn syrup, cornstarch, flavors, gums and colors into a mixing machine to create a dough, which then goes into a machine that presses it flat, stamps it with sayings and cuts it into hearts. Today, more than 8 billion conversation hearts are manufactured each year. I am apparently one of the people who do enjoy the taste of chalk, as I look forward to them every year.

2. Where did XOXO come from? The most common theory states that the X comes from back in the Middle Ages when people used to sign letters that way, a symbol representative of Christ because of its similarity to a cross. They would then reverently kiss the X in a show of piety. The O is believed to have come from Jewish immigrants who, also unable to read or write, arrived in North America and refused to sign documents with the Christian-associated X. The O then made the jump to meaning “hug” simply as an opposite of X, which had already come to mean “kiss.” Another is that the “XOXO” symbol and the game Tic-Tac-Toe gained popularity at the same time, and thus X and O were already an established duo. According to Marcel Denasi, professor of semiotics and linguistic anthropology at the University of Toronto and author of The History of the Kiss: The Birth of Popular Culture, no one has kept a written record of why the symbols of XOXO were used; they simply began using them in letter writing.

3. Does wearing the color red make you more attractive? Valentine’s Day is often associated with the color red and there may be a scientific reason why red is the color of passion. Studies have shown that women wearing a standard, typical red or standing against a similarly red background in photos are seen as more attractive and desirable by men than women not wearing red or near those red backgrounds. Also, the studies showed that when men are in red or against red, women find them more attractive as well as more desirable and they are perceived as having higher status than men who aren’t wearing or near red. So, if you really want to impress your significant other, put on that red outfit you have in your closet.

4. February 14th used to be a Roman fertility festival, Lupercalia. If you are into whipping your body with the skins of sacrificed dogs and goats, then this is your festival. You are probably wondering why anyone would do this and the reason was to become more fertile. Now this festival was partly for the women’s fertility and they would actually line up to get slapped with bloody hides. The feast of Lupercalia lasted from February 13th through the 15th.

5. Jewelry is the Valentine’s Day gift that people spend the most on. According to the National Retail Federation, the category that we typically spend the most on for February 14 is jewelry, at $5.8 billion in 2020. This amount of money spent on Jewelry is insane, but how did this come about? Jewelry came on the Valentine’s Day scene around the 1920’s. Designer houses of the day such as Krementz, Danecraft, and Jonette turned their attention to Valentine’s Day Jewelry, since they had a great deal of success marketing Christmas jewelry. Also, department stores such as Woolworth began offering inexpensive jewelry to celebrate the occasion. Although the traditional gifts of flowers, chocolates and cards remain dominant, public opinion at this time began to change. Feeling that the traditional gifts typically do not last, the public started to want jewelry, since it is something that can be kept for a lifetime. Marketed by department stores and jewelers alike, this sentiment has grown since the 1930’s. It became so popular that Hallmark even created their own line of Valentine’s Day Jewelry. By the 1980’s the Diamond Industry started to take notice of this shift in public opinion. This is when very high-end Valentine Day Jewelry began to be promoted.

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Lucky Symbols for Your Home

I want this year to be infinitely better than last year. So I was trying to think of ways of adding luck into my life. Since I am at home most of the time, one way to add luck into my life is to obtain lucky symbols. I thought I would share some of the lucky symbols I found on the internet. Please see 7 lucky symbols below that you can add to your home.

Acorns: The acorn is considered a symbol of luck, due to it’s association with the god in Norse mythology known as Odin. The Norse also believed that acorns could bring divine protection and placed them in the windows of their homes to ward off lightning. Acorns make fun lucky symbols to keep with you because they are so common in the fall. They are fun to gather and even more fun to decorate. Spray paint them gold and silver, or simply use acrylic paints to give them a gorgeous color.
Dream Catcher: The dream catcher was intended to protect the sleeping individual from negative dreams, while letting positive dreams through. The positive dreams would slip through the hole in the center of the dream catcher, and glide down the feathers to the sleeping person below. The negative dreams would get caught up in the web, and expire when the first rays of the sun struck them. The design of the dreamcatcher, its number of points made from tied-together strings or sinews, represent different histories and various strokes of luck. The dream catcher has been a part of Native American culture for generations.
Lucky Bamboo: Lucky bamboo is technically not bamboo, but a close relative called Dracaena. The more stalks a lucky bamboo plant has, the more luck it’s supposed to bring. A plant with three stalks is said to bring happiness, wealth and longevity to the owners.
Goldfish: Goldfish are believed to bring good fortune and prosperity to the homes that take care of them. According to Feng Shui: The number of goldfish in an aquarium must be kept at 8 to bring positivity; A minimum of 2 goldfish in your fish bowl is acceptable, because it is believed to bring harmony in a relationship; A black goldfish is also included in the mix to ward off bad luck.
Horseshoe: Horseshoes are recognized in many cultures as a good luck symbol. For hundreds of years it has been considered lucky to find a horseshoe in your travels, or to have a horseshoe hanging on your wall, or above your door. Finding a horseshoe was considered good luck mainly because of the value of the iron. For people who did not have a lot of money it was considered a sign that your luck was changing if you found one.
Ladybugs: Decorating with Ladybugs is supposed to bring good luck. The number of spots on a Ladybug can indicate the number of happy months that are ahead. Legend also suggests, if you catch a Ladybug in your home, count the number of spots, that’s how much money you’ll soon find. I love Ladybugs and I always feel lucky when I see them. Some ideas for ladybug charms include creating a cute ladybug pot for your computer desk or even a computer screen background.
Elephant symbols: The elephant represents many things, from maternity and fertility to luck and wisdom. The posturing of the elephant in the home is important to its symbolism. An elephant with its trunk in an upright position, for example, is thought to herald good luck.

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