Green (and free!) Detergent

by Gerdie van Wingerden

washing, prepared for you, called Ivy. Use the one with the large leaves. Lots of people will s easy to find. All you need is a pair of scissors and cut about nine or ten leaves, without stems. You might want to wear gloves if you find the plant is an irritant to your skin.

How to use Ivy as free detergent

 Cut nine or ten leaves off, using fresh leaves for each wash.

 Rip the leaves into small pieces, using the natural lines made by the leaves.

As most of my children have left home, I don’t use the washing machine as much. When they were all teens, there was so much washing each time! If only I had known then that there was this great way to save money on detergent... And it was growing, right in front of me! We had a low hedge between us and the neighbours, covered in ivy. Now, it takes me a two-minute bike ride to get some, which is not bad.

By sharing this on my blog, I hope others can benefit. For the full article as well as other materials about home and living, go to my blog.

Free detergent

Last week, I saw this heading: Free detergent for coloured washing. I was sure it would be some hippy tip that doesn’t actually work, it just sounds nice and green. In this case, it was a great idea! Free detergent for coloured

 Put all the pieces in a thin sock or little washing bag. Don’t forget to tie the sock...

 The sock or bag goes in the washing machine

 Wash normally, then take the sock/bag out and put the used leaves into the food bin/ compost

There are a lot of things working together in Ivy, as I explained in the full blog. It also makes the plant mildly poisonous, so don’t eat ivy.

I tried it myself, together with my sister-in-law. I wasn’t sure at first, and as I was worried my washing would smell of ivy, I added a few drops of washing perfume to mine. My sister-in-law said hers smelled fine, a little bit like nature...

This morning, I did a wash using just the leaves, and she was right, the smell is fine! It smells outdoorsy and clean. Of course, you could add something to it if you want, but it does make your washing clean, for free! So there you are, another way for you to save money this Spring!

Gerdie van Wingerden is a Dutch blogger and mother of four children. She loves to share her passion for homemaking and interior design. Gerdie works in a Home and Giftshop as a stylist, as well offering her services as advisor on her website, No34.nl, where her blogs are regularly posted as well. www.NO34.nl.

Astrologer Zayin Cohen

by Val Tobin

Astrologer Zayin Cohen has practiced astrology for over fifty years.

At age 14, his now late parents hired his first private astrology tutor, with whom he studied for two years. At age 16, he started doing free readings for anyone who was interested. He did free readings until age 18, when, on March 18, 1974, he officially opened his professional astrology practice. In 1980 he earned his Diploma from The Faculty of Astrological Studies, located in Oxford, UK.

I first connected with Zayin on Facebook I don’t even remember how or when but his astrology-related posts got me curious about his background and knowledge of the subject.

I sent him some interview questions, and he agreed to answer them for Mom’s Favorite Reads readers. The result is an interesting discourse on western astrology. Responses are edited for clarity.

Western Astrology’s History

VT: How did western astrology evolve? I thought it originated with Vedic astrology.

ZC: “Western Astrology is the oldest form of Astrology. It started around 3,000 B.C.E. as Babylonian astrology, with Hebrews under Babylonian control.

“The Hebrews were the first people to apply astrology to personal human everyday events and personality traits. Before then astrology was applied to only Kings and world events. Vedic did not exist until around 1,200 B.C.E. as Hinduism was then highly evolving. From the beginning Vedic astrology applied to both world and everyday personal events. To this day it’s the most predictive form of astrology, except for Horary Astrology.

“

Horary astrology is the branch of astrology that deals with answering a question by studying the astrological charts set for the exact time and place of asking a question. It’s the most ancient branch of predictive astrology. The astrologer answers a question by constructing a horoscope for the exact time at which the astrologer received and understood the question.”

A Future Written in the Stars?

VT: Does astrology imply everything is preordained? How much is within our control?

ZC: “No. Astrology is simply a guide to the probable outcomes of events, and the outcome can be changed with foreknowledge. We all have free will. The amount of control varies based on one’s knowledge and the type of aspect that is involved. For example, Transits are 50% internal and 50% external. Progressions are mostly always internal events, while Solar Arc Directions are mostly always external.”

VT: What can someone with a dismal chart do to affect the outcome?

ZC: “One cannot change their birth chart; however, one can use the highest level of even a negative aspect in their chart. For example, someone with, say, negative Neptune accepts, which can manifest as drug addiction or as a high spiritual path, has free will. With knowledge, he or she can avoid drug and other addictions and instead study meditation, spirituality, and other positive sides of Neptune.”

Benefits of Chart Analysis

VT: What are the benefits of having an astrology chart done?

ZC: “Gaining knowledge of the true self and one’s true paths, which the chart provides. To truly know oneself and view the probable outcomes in life. An astrology chart arms a person with the knowledge of current and future patterns in their life. It lets them know and understand their true strengths and weaknesses and helps them fulfill the destiny they were born with. Often, this involves using a unique set of techniques or a different application of the core principles of the system to a different area.

“Astrologers divide every tradition of horoscopic astrology into four branches that are directed towards specific subjects or used for specific purposes. Many other subsets and applications of astrology are derived from the four fundamental branches.”

Four Major Branches of Horoscopic Astrology

ZC: “The four major branches of horoscopic astrology are:

“

Natal astrology, which is the study of a person’s natal chart to gain information about the individual and the individual’s life experience.

“Katarchic astrology, which includes both electional and event astrology. The former uses astrology to determine the most auspicious moment to begin an enterprise or undertaking and the latter to understand everything about an event from the time at which it took place.

“Horary astrology is a system of astrology used to answer a specific question by studying the chart at the moment the question is posed to an astrologer.

“Mundane or world astrology is the application of astrology to world events, including political, weather-related, natural disasters, and the rise and fall of empires or religions.”

More about Zayin Cohen

Zayin Cohen currently lives in the United States and creates astrological charts for clients. He holds three other degrees, unrelated to Astrology, and while living in America, he has worked three careers simultaneously. Zayin has clients in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Europe, Japan, South Korea, India, Israel, New Zealand, and Australia.

You can reach Zayin Cohen via his website, cohenastrology.com

References

Image: Zayin Cohen, Courtesy of Zayin Cohen Cohen, Zayin. Cohen Astrology (Accessed March 8, 2023).

Image Venice_ast_sm.jpg: Zachariel, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Scientific Astrology: Max Heindel, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Val Tobin writes speculative fiction and searches the world over for the perfect butter tart. Her home is in Newmarket, Ontario, where she enjoys writing, reading, and talking about writing and reading. Discover more about Val on Mom’s Favorite Reads website: https://moms-favorite-reads.com/moms-authors/val-tobin