I Had Acne, Too, & I’m Here To Help

April 28, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Jessica Denyer, thebirdonfire.org Editor-in-Chief

No matter who you are or what you do, everyone in the entire world has had at least a pimple in life. Acne and general skin problems are recurring issues that billions of people deal with every day. I was one of them. I know how terrible it is to feel like you need to hide your face under pounds of makeup or try a new skin product every week. For those of you still suffering, I am here to help! Please, just listen!

Throughout most of middle-school and into my high-school years, I dealt with progressively worsening acne. It was really bad. No, like really bad. I have spent many nights crying into my serums just wishing that some day one of them would finally be the magic fix I needed. I know when I write these things, I’m really personal, but I know I’m not alone here, and I seriously want to help.

I tried Clearasil. I tried Cetaphil. I tried every drug store brand. I tried every expensive brand. I tried Microblading. I tried special facials. I tried prescription creams and pills. NOTHING. Around the end of freshman year it was really starting to take a toll on me. Mentally, I was exhausted, and it was making me depressed. I would turn down plans regularly, and people would even try to talk to me in regards to my acne. “Have you tried….?” “Do you wash your face?” “You’d be so pretty if you could just get the acne under control.” Yes, these are all real comments I would get on a regular basis. Not to be dramatic, but it was totally ruining my life. I was at my wits’ end, until I heard about a skin expert and acne specialist named Nicole and her company Meta Skin Studio which was located in downtown Palm Springs but has since moved to Borrego Springs.

Nicole Mandallaz, or as I simply know her, Nicole, has been in the esthetics industry for over 13 years and has worked on everyone from Hollywood celebrities to little old me. For her, skincare isn’t just about getting the check; it’s about helping people and making them feel as confident as possible in their own skin.

Now, of course, I was skeptical, but anyone that knows me knows that I am never one to give up. I went home and checked out her website, and it seemed promising. I booked an appointment with her, and when I got there she was so lovely, and I could tell right away she was going to help me. I remember my mom even leaned over to me and said, “I think this one might finally work!” She assessed my skin, but also went on to ask me about my diet and regular habits. She was very detailed and wanted to know everything about me. No one else had ever gone into such detail. I think the thing I liked most about Nicole was the fact that she didn’t make me feel disgusted about my skin. She made me feel comfortable and confident that she was going to get me looking right.

So besides her wonderful personality, what makes Nicole so special?

Nicole’s products contain ethically sourced, active plant extracts and botanicals that haven’t been diluted like most skincare companies, and they have research-backed results. Her products are all cruelty free, and her packaging is all completely environmentally friendly. I started on a special acne treatment of various products that she had hand picked for me, and she told me to try cutting out sugar, as my skin was inflamed, and sugar apparently contributes to that. After doing this for only two days, I couldn’t believe the immediate results I was having. My skin was less red; the acne itself had gone down, and the rest of my face was soft and smooth. I continued my treatment for six months, and by that time my acne was completely healed. Of course, I still get the occasional zit, who doesn’t? But, overall, my skin was perfect compared to how it once was. Now I use a different set of everyday products from her to keep my skin clear.

So, what is the point of me writing this? So that the good people of this school who may also be dealing with similar skin issues as I did can finally have some relief. Meta Skin Studio is a small business whose products really work, and I want as many people to know about it as possible both for the prosperity of your skin and her great business.

A message from Nicole:

“You can think you’re doing everything right from what you read on the internet, but treating acne takes many things internally and externally to help you get clear. It’s not going to be as easy as taking a couple pills or using a few creams, and everyone is unique. What I do is help give you tools to manage acne for the long run. The results are all you, I just help along the way.”

Nicole has relocated recently to her beautiful new spot in Borrego Springs. If that feels too far a drive, you can have an online meeting with her and send her photos of your skin. She can give you an assessment remotely.

If you want to learn more, reach out to Nicole at (760) 835-2004 or at www.metaskinstudio.com.

Armpit-gate

February 8, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

Hopefully, we all regularly use deodorant for our day-to-day lives. We don’t give much thought to it though, and the reality is that there are questions that need answering. What’s the deal with aluminum? Why are “clean deodorants” better than extra strength? This week, conspiracy theorist Jessica Denyer goes armpit-deep in the world of Big Deodorant to expose their dirty secrets. – Editor Levi Kassinove

By Jessica Denyer

I have a conspiracy theory. The last time you went to buy deodorant you probably noticed that there are a few new brands such as Native or Schmidts who are advertising their “clean” deodorants. The main feature of these deodorants is that they are aluminum free. Popular brands like Secret and Dove are also trying to capitalize on this new clean deodorant market. But what does aluminum free in our deodorants even mean? Is aluminum bad for you? What is the deal with these new deodorants? These are questions I asked.

Now before I start this, I feel like I have to clarify a confusing fact. Antiperspirant is made to stop you from sweating so much. Deodorant is to make you smell less bad. However, nowadays deodorant companies have antiperspirant in them but still advertise them as deodorants. The antiperspirant part is the part that has the aluminum. (Healthline.com)

After a research dive into the internet, I learned that sweat itself does not have a smell, but when it touches your bacteria-ridden skin it does. When the sweat touches the skin of your armpit, which is a warm dark place, the bacteria on your skin mixes with your sweat to give you that classic armpit funk. This is what deodorant is for. It is meant to deodorize, or really remove bacteria from your armpits, or hide smell. WebMD says, “Deodorants offer two forms of protection against odor. The first is antimicrobial properties that reduce the number of bacteria producing odor. The second is a fragrance that masks odor that is produced” (webmd.com). A common concern is that aluminum in antiperspirant/deodorants can cause breast cancer and other not-so-great things, so many choose to avoid aluminum in antiperspirants. The American Cancer Society says, however, that there is no scientific evidence of the link. (Healthline.com)

This got me thinking. I have always been someone who would buy extra strength or clinical strength deodorant out of fear of smelling bad. I’ve always been an athlete, and we live in the desert heat, so sweating is an understandable fear. I would still find myself having to re-apply multiple times a day to achieve my goal of no smell. I would always think to myself, “Geez, it’s not like I have a sweating problem, imagine the people that do. What would they even use?”

Fast forward on my conspiracy journey to summer of 2021. I was standing in the deodorant aisle at Target, and I decided to smell the Native deodorant for fun. Native claims to be aluminum free, vegan, and cruelty free. I had no plan to buy one as I figured if the extra strength deodorant doesn’t work, the clean deodorant would do absolutely nothing for me. However, I smelled one of them, and it smelled so good that I decided to buy a travel-sized one. The next day I applied it just in the morning, and throughout the day I could smell only the deodorant. By the end of the day, I realized that the deodorant not only kept the “funk” away, but the smell of the deodorant itself was fragrant and lasted all day long. This inspired more research which leads to my actual conspiracy.

So, if the old regular deodorant doesn’t work, and the clinical/extra-strength deodorant only kind of works, then why all of a sudden does this new clean deodorant do the trick? What do they have figured out that everyone else doesn’t? Or do they…

I began researching ingredients, and Native’s website clearly and plainly states that they use baking soda and magnesium hydroxide to act as the antibacterial (anti-stink) component of their deodorant. These are both extremely common things found in everything from antacids to toothpaste and are harmless to the body. There are only 10 ingredients in their extremely effective deodorant, and all of them are natural (Native). On the flip side, when you go onto the Secret website and go to their line of aluminum-free deodorants, they do not list ingredients, just very blankly state that they are just aluminum free (Secret). This is where my conspiracy was born.

Now, technically I have nothing to back this up, but due to this circumstantial evidence, I am now a firm believer in this claim: I think that big deodorant brands choose to leave out a component (natural or not) that is completely anti-stink so that you have to use their product more often and therefore buy more. I feel like this is not too outlandish of a claim. Where before I was buying a deodorant every 2-3 months, I have now been using the same stick for almost 6 months.

Believe me or don’t, but either way I recommend switching to any deodorant that is aluminum free.

Drop a comment if you’re with me here.

The Mermaid’s Treasure: Aquamarine

January 5, 2022 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

On this week’s Crystal of the Month, blogger Jesse breaks down the crystal aquamarine. She goes in depth about its history, its geography, and how and what it does for you. Enjoy reading about the unique characteristics of aquamarine! – Retired Editor Roman Rickwood

By Jessica Denyer

Welcome back!

This week I am going to be talking about my next Crystal of the Month: Aquamarine. This rare stone has a lot of interesting history and myths behind it making it one of the most sought after crystals. Its properties are also valuable, making it even more popular. So let’s jump right in and learn about Aquamarine.

History

Widely known as “The Mermaid’s Treasure ” and “The Sailors’ Stone,” aquamarine has a rich ancient history. To the Ancient Romans, the gem was heavily associated with sailing and luck. The famous historian Pliny the Elder was the first person to record the existence of aquamarine, saying, “The lovely Aquamarine, . . . seems to come from some mermaid treasure house. In the depths of a summer sea, has charms not to be denied” (varianceobjects.com). The Ancient Greeks also had a similar idea about aquamarine relating it to Poseidon and the Sirens who were known to seduce sailors and lead them to a watery death. Either way history is on the same page about aquamarine having protective powers.

Where is it found?

Aquamarine is mainly found in Brazil; however, it is also found in places like Nigeria, Zambia, Pakistan, and Madagascar. There have been some massive pieces of aquamarine found, including one mined out of Brazil that weighed almost 240 pounds. What is so cool about aquamarine is that every piece is different and truly looks like it came from the depths of the sea. This however also makes aquamarine pretty expensive. At my old job at the crystal store, we had massive pieces of aquamarine on display in a pretty glass case that made all the little details of the crystal show. People would always want to know how much the biggest piece was but would always promptly walk away after hearing it was almost $400. I myself own a piece of aquamarine a little bigger than a quarter, and I paid $20 for it. Aquamarine is one of my most expensive crystal purchases to date. It’s not as outrageously expensive as the famous moldavite, but don’t expect a piece of “Mermaid’s Treasure ” to be cheap.

What does it do?

Aquamarine is obviously a great protective stone (not just for sailors). Besides that, aquamarine is known to be a very soothing and relaxing stone known to ease anxiety and tension. It is also great for helping to push you to do things you might not otherwise do out of fear and anxiety. At my old job we used to say aquamarine was good for “living in the moment.” So if you struggle with anxiety and have a bad habit of holding yourself back from experiences or opportunities, invest in some aquamarine, it might just change your life.

So that’s it!

Thanks for reading!

Jesse your Crystal Connoisseur

The Houses of the Zodiac and What They Mean for You

December 8, 2021 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

By Jessica Denyer, Amateur Astrologer

Welcome back!

I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving break under the rambunctious Leo moon.

Today I am going to be talking about the different houses of the zodiac.

Jesse, what does that even mean? you might ask.

Let me explain.

It is a division of the zodiac signs into 12 different houses that is less dependent on date and more dependent on time and location of your birth. If you’ve ever had your birth chart read, you should have a sign in every planet. That planet and sign are in a corresponding house. You can have multiple houses in one planet, and every house has a meaning. This seems very confusing, but once I start explaining, I think you will understand. So let’s jump right in.

House 1

House 1, also known as the House of Self, controls how you feel about yourself and your appearance, the first impressions you make, your sense of identity and your approach to life. For example, my 1st House is in Taurus, and it is my ascending sign meaning that I am always in search of love even of self, and prefer to be natural over fake. I prefer to enjoy life while using all of the senses. I tend to be rather cold seeming and hard headed, and I will do anything to chase a personal goal.

House 2

House 2, also known as the House of Value, controls how you view money, work, and values; it also controls your preference of daily routines, habits, and priorities. It also controls how you view your material possessions. My 2nd House is in Gemini, meaning I tend to show my love for others through money and material possessions. Gift giving is my love language. This sounds very cold, but it is how I show my affection, and I put a lot of meaning and thought into gift giving. I am also very fastidious with my routines and live by habit.

House 3

House 3, also known as the House of Sharing, controls your mind and how you think and communicate. It also controls how you handle social activities and situations. My 3rd House is in Cancer, meaning that sometimes I carry heavy emotions in my mind although rarely show them outwards. I am very emotionally aware in social situations and have a great sense of emotional range.

House 4

House 4, also known as the House of Home & Family, controls your sense of self within your home. I do not have any signs in the 4th house.

House 5

House 5, also known as the House of Pleasure, controls your romantic life and how you love. It also controls your sense of creativity and self expression. My 5th House is in Virgo, meaning that I find success through romance, self expression, and creativity. They are my outlets for letting loose and being who I am.

House 6

House 6, also known as the House of Health, controls your ideas of health and fitness, sense of usefulness, and how you function as a system. I do not have a sign in the 6th House.

House 7

House 7, also known as the House of Balance, controls your relationships in life whether that be a marriage or a business partnership or what have you. I do not have a sign in the 7th House.

House 8

House 8, also known as the House of Transformation, controls how you show intimacy and how you deal with joint ventures with others. My 8th house is in Sagittarius meaning that I am down for team work as long as both sides of the work are equal, that goes for relationships as well. I will give it my all as long as the other person does too.

House 9

House 9, also known as the House of Purpose, controls your sense of purpose, your philosophies in life, and the wisdom you hold and use. I do not have a sign in the 9th House.

House 10

House 10, also known as the House of Enterprise, controls your likely career, long term goals, structure, and sense of reputation. My 10th House is in Aquarius, meaning that I am steadfast in my goals and will work endlessly to complete them and complete them the right way. I am extremely structured and hate when my structure is disturbed.

House 11

House 11, also known as the House of Blessings, controls your hopes and wishes for the future. My 11th House is in Pisces, meaning that I have a mediocre sense of hope and optimism by nature, and I tend to always expect the worst and try to rebel against things that will make me happy in the end–as weird as that sounds. Love a good self sabotage.

House 12

House 12, also known as the House of Sacrifice, controls your beliefs, karma, and sense of healing and closure. My 12th House is in Aries which means that I tend to deal with things rather quickly and never take time to dwell on things or receive healing and closure. However, I do spend a lot of time fantasizing about my dreams hoping they will one day come to fruition.

So that’s it! Want to know more about your houses? Email me the date/time/place of your birth, and I can tell you all you need to know about your chart. Come back next week where I will be doing the next installment of Crystal of the Month. We’ll look at one of my favorite crystals: aquamarine.

Thanks for reading!

Your Amatuer Astrologist Jesse

Shape Up Your Crystals

November 30, 2021 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

By Jessica Denyer, Crystal Connoisseur

In this week’s post, Jesse talks about different crystal shapes and their spiritual connotations. Different crystal shapes can invoke metaphysical change, such as a heightened ability to manifest, love yourself, and be an active spirit in society. — Ike Spry, Editor

Welcome back!

I hope everyone enjoyed the last post about the different teachers’ zodiac signs, and have been judging them ever since. This week I am going to be talking about crystals and what their different shapes can mean. Now of course every crystal is different, but sometimes you can buy them in specific shapes, and those shapes actually add meaning (and usually value) to the crystal. So let’s jump right in!

Merkaba

The word Merkaba is actually made up of three separate words with three separate meanings:
“mer” meaning light, “ka” meaning spirit, and “ba” meaning body–in what is believed to be Egyptian. When you put the three words together, it means the union of the spirit and one’s body, surrounded by light (symbolsage.com). This is known to be an extremely powerful symbol. It is made up of two tetrahedrons that create a three-dimensional energy field. The symbol represents purity and divine energy. If you ever go somewhere that sells crystals, you will likely find crystals in the form of a Merkaba, and they will likely be more expensive. When you buy a Merkaba made of some sort of crystal, what you are receiving is an energy field of your crystal’s properties. So let’s say you buy a Merkaba of rose quartz. If you wear it, or keep it in your room, you will receive an energy field of love and self love, meaning it will surround you and provoke your body and spirit to love. If you want to completely encompass a crystal’s properties, I would recommend buying that crystal in a Merkaba necklace.

Pyramid

Crystals in a pyramid shape are known to enhance manifestation powers. Usually you will only find crystal pyramids made out of good manifestation crystals like citrine or green aventurine. The strong base of the pyramid acts to ground yourself so you can see clearly what you would like to manifest, while the pointy top helps you send this manifestation up and out to the universe. In the center of my crystal collection is my pyramid of opalite. Opalite is great for optimism, hope, and new beginnings. As someone who gets bored with life easily, and needs a lot of motivation to be optimistic, I decided to get a pyramid of opalite; I’m always ready for a new beginning and need to learn to be more optimistic, and through manifestation I have been seeing both come to life.

Sphere

Crystals in the form of a sphere are extremely powerful. They are meant to remind you that you are a part of a greater whole than just your being. You are a functioning part of society and an active spirit in the universe. I’ve seen spherical crystals of all kinds. It depends what energy you want to help spread through your spirit into the universe. Quick story–Remember the man from my moldavite story whose dreams all came true from his use of moldavite? That guy also bought a $3,500 sphere of chevron amethyst about twice the size of the average bowling ball while working at the crystal shop. Chevron amethyst is meant to help you grow towards a higher potential and to help you expand spiritually. He was so excited to buy specifically a giant sphere of chevron amethyst because he said he was going to use it to “get closer to his truer self,” whatever that means. But that guy seems to live a very amazing and enlightened life so maybe he’s onto something.

So that’s it! Not only do crystals have their own powers, but the shape of the crystal adds even more meaning. Come back next week where I will be talking about the different planets and what they rule in the zodiac.

Thanks for reading!

Jesse your Crystal Connoisseur

Your Teachers Based on Their Sign

November 16, 2021 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

In this week’s post with astrologer Jesse, we get more personal with learning about astrological signs through our very own Palm Valley teachers. You will get a deep dive into the personalities of your teachers and may find some similarities and differences that you have with them. — Editor Roman Rickwood

By Jessica Denyer, Amateur Astrologer

Welcome back!

I know I said that this week was going to be about celebrity astrology signs, but that is information you can just google. Nothing super interesting about that. You know what you can’t google? Teachers’ astrology signs. I don’t know the specific birthday, but I do know most of the teachers’ signs. So, today I will be telling you about a few teachers and their signs. Check my sign compatibility blog from a few weeks ago;… it might tell you something about some of your favorite and least favorite teachers.

Let’s start with some English teachers:

Mr. Griffin: Aries

If you’ve ever taken a class with Mr. Griffin, you know it’s nothing but sass and humor. Very no-nonsense, but always a great time–the sign of a true Aries.

Ms. Zachik: Sagittarius

Who doesn’t love Ms. Zachik? Her witty humor and charming personality make her a fan favorite. She’s adventurous and down for anything…. Just don’t make her mad…

Now some Social Studies teachers:

Ms. Coffey: Capricorn

Bubbly and fun, Ms. Coffey loves to have a good laugh. But, when it’s time to work, it’s time to work. A short fuse and limited social battery make her a classic introverted Capricorn at heart.

Mr. Winter: Aries

Why read about history when you could have Mr. Winter act it out for you in class? Lively and always full of energy, Mr. Winter is a classic Aries.

Science teachers:

Ms. Castellano: Taurus

Ms. Castellano is all business and likes to stay on track. She’s always down for an adventure and is the only person I’ve ever met that can find humor in nature, classic Taurus.

Mr. Killeen: Pisces

Mr. Killeen is always down for a new adventure and loves to get creative. He is pretty quiet, and I always catch him working outside when possible. Pisces feel very at home in nature making Mr. Killeen a classic Pisces.

And now, the man himself…

Mr. Coffey: Sagittarius

Mr. Coffey loves to be in the spotlight, so it’s only fair that he gets to be the grand finale. Very work orientated and focused, Mr. Coffey doesn’t come to mess around. However, he still does like to make dad jokes and practice his golf swing from time to time.

So, that’s it! I hope you learned something new about the teachers you see every day. Come back next week where I will be talking about what the different shapes of crystals mean.

Crystal of the Month: Carnelian

November 12, 2021 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

As a new month begins, Our Crystal Connoisseur has begun a new series, Crystal of the Month! For the month of November, Jesse talks about a crystal that went viral on TikTok! Let’s discuss . . . carnelian. — Editor Izumi

By Jessica Denyer, Crystal Connoisseur

Welcome back!

I’m so excited to start my new blog segment called Crystal of the Month. Each month I will pick a crystal to focus on and go into detail about. To kick off in the month of November we will be taking a closer look at the ever-so-popular carnelian.

You may have heard of this crystal because just like Moldavite, it became TikTok famous over the summer. While working at the crystal store, I can say hands down carnelian was our most popular, best-selling crystal of all time. Our carnelian was different from other stores’ as it was mined in Brazil and came with special streaks of blue and gray and came in perfect little square chunks. Not many places can afford carnelian mined in Brazil, but the owners of my store were from Brazil and always insisted on the best, and they definitely turned a profit on it.

So what makes Carnelian so special?

Carnelian really blew up among the teenage-girl community because of its many positive qualities. Carnelian is a motivator and restores creativity and clarity of the mind. It is also great for helping you gain courage and confidence. It promotes positivity and positive life choices and is known to repel negative energy. It helps you trust yourself and others. And, it is a beautiful crystal in itself. Its many red and orange layers and streaks of blue and gray make this crystal truly unique. No piece of carnelian is ever the same.

I have seen great success with my carnelian. I have a piece at home, and it is one of my favorite meditation crystals. It has such a calming energy to it, and I always feel recharged after meditating with it.

Fun fact: Ms. Coffey, my advisor, came to me recently asking for some crystal advice. She was wanting some crystal jewelry and wanted to know which crystals would serve her best. I recommended carnelian to her, and she has been wearing it almost every day for two months now, given that her outfit matches it. Here is what she says about her experience with carnelian.

“I have been loving my carnelian and I wear it most days. When I wear it, I feel like it empowers me as a communicator and reminds me to be open, honest, and bold with my words. It gives me the courage to speak the truth even when it is challenging.”
Ms. Coffey

So there you have it! If it compels you, go buy some carnelian. It will change your life.

Come back next week where I will be talking about teacher zodiac signs.

Who Ya Gonna Call?

November 4, 2021 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Our Very Own Ghostbuster, Jessica Denyer

We’ve made it through Halloween. In this post Jesse tells us a paranormal story that may just convince you to believe in the healing properties of sage, cedar, and palo santo. So, if you’re scared of spooky spirits catching up to you, you should consider reading this article. — Editor Ike Spry

Welcome back!

So, we’ve talked about crystals; we’ve talked about astrology; heck we’ve even talked about chakras. What more useless knowledge could my brain possibly hold? As I pondered this question all of last week, I was finding myself sucked dry of all ideas for my next blog–that is until I fell into a conversation with members of the flag football team, who by force read my blogs and find them “interesting.” I told them a story about a crazy old woman that would come into my old work, yes, at the crystal store. She would ask if she could smoke various items claiming she could gain their powers if she did. (Disclaimer: I called this woman crazy for a reason.) One of the things she asked to smoke was a bundle of sage. That’s it! This brings me to my post about sage! Thank you, Ben and Desmond, for reminding me. This is also relevant because it was just Halloween when I was writing this, and everyone knows one of sage’s best uses is to cleanse places of bad ju-ju. So, let’s learn about saging….

As someone who has had many experiences with the paranormal, I would often wonder about the bundles of “cleansing” sage, palo santo, and cedar for sale at the crystal store. What do these really do? I wondered if burning them actually has effect. I thought, I’ll have to learn about that, one day. That day came one Friday evening when I received a random call from my cousin who would never call me at work. When I went on break, I called her back, and she was freaking out. She said that she kept hearing voices all night, that her kids were waking up with nightmares, and then she sent me her home camera footage of her doors opening and closing by themselves while she wasn’t home. As I’m sitting outside of a Starbucks listening and seeing all of this, I am trying to rationalize it in my head. Maybe it was the AC blowing the door. People have nightmares sometimes. Maybe you’re just being paranoid. But she pleaded for my help. So I told her that when I returned from my break I would finally read our little pamphlet about sage, palo santo, and cedar, and how to cleanse a house of spirits with them. I figured it was worth a shot, and if it didn’t work, at least the house would smell nice. From the pamphlet this is what I recall:

Burning sage is a ritual that Native Americans and other indigenous peoples have used to cleanse people and spaces of negative energies and mostly spirits. To burn sage properly, you light one end of the sage and let it float into the air. To sage an entire home you can walk around and use a feather or I guess anything to waft it around in every room to make sure you are covering everything.

Burning palo santo is done similarly but is focused more on personal energies and eliminating negativity in general in both people and places.

Cedar burning is done in the same way, except that it is a great follow-through after saging your home. It promotes positive energy and protects your home from negativity.

Now, I was ready to go ghost hunting. I bought a bunch of sage, palo santo, and cedar. I even bought the feather and this fancy shell bowl you’re supposed to sit the sage in while you burn and waft. The shell is abalone. I went to my cousin’s house after work, and when I walked in the door, what is usually a very warm, welcoming, upbeat place was very cold and dark. Like I said before, I’ve had many paranormal experiences, and this for sure felt like one. I immediately got busy saging the house. By the time I was done burning the sage, the palo santo, and the cedar, the house felt back to its normal order again. My cousin has had no issues since. She now regularly sages, palo santos, and cedars her home in hope of repelling any negative spirits from returning. To all the non-believers out there, I say, when you have a ghost experience for yourself one day, this story will have new meaning and relevance.

So that’s the story of how I cured a haunting by burning various different leaves and sticks. Come back next week for a new segment called Crystal of the Month, where each month I will pick a crystal of my choice to write in depth about (since people liked my blog about moldavite so much).

Thanks for reading!

Jesse your Astrology and Crystal Guru

What to Wear for Halloween, as Dictated by the Stars

October 20, 2021 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

Spooky season is here, and blogger Jesse has the perfect costume for you! See below to find just the right Halloween get-up for your astrological sign. — Editor Roman Rickwood

By Jessica Denyer, Amateur Astrologer

Welcome back!

Halloween is approaching fast and picking a costume can seem difficult. There are so many different ones to choose from. Well, you’re in luck! I’m going to tell you what costume you should wear for Halloween based on your zodiac sign (keep in mind I totally will be stereotyping).

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Killer Clown

A killer clown is the perfect costume for Aries. Aries are goofy and fun but still have a temper. Get creative with the makeup, but don’t go overboard… I know you want to.

Taurus (April 20- May 20)

Fairy/Dragon

Taurus love to be one with nature, enjoying the simplicities of life. A beautiful fairy is the perfect costume for the Taurus. And, if dainty fairies aren’t cool enough for you, then dress as a dragon to get all of your pent up anger out.

Gemini (May 21- June 20)

Medusa/Jason

Allow your two faces to make a debut this Halloween–just kidding, love you guys. But seriously, free yourself this year, and allow your big personalities to take the spotlight. Medusa is great if you’re feeling like looking sassy and hot this Halloween, and Jason from the Friday the 13th series is great for a more “subdued” look.

Cancer (June 21- July 22)

Mermaid/Merman

As the first water sign of the zodiac, it’s only fair that Cancers should dress as the gods and goddesses and mythological creatures of the sea. And, if they cry in their costumes, the water can just be part of the look.

Leo (July 23- August 22)

Any Celebrity

We all know Leos love to be the center of attention, and what better way to achieve that on Halloween than to dress up as a celebrity. Leos, get ready to hit the red carpet and get all the attention you want and need. Be Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kim Kardashian, Kanye “Ye” West, or Doja Cat.

Virgo (August 23- September 22)

Political Costume

There’s only one thing Virgos love more than randomly organizing things and that is arguing with people. So what better costume for them to wear than a controversial political costume? Get a Nixon face, a Reagan haircut, a Hilary pantsuit.

Libra (September 23- October 22)

Ghostbuster

There, I made the decision for you so you won’t lose sleep over it. Libras love justice, so what better costume for a Libra than the bringers of ghostly justice, the Ghostbusters!

Scorpio (October 23- November 21)

The Devil

Everyone knows that one Scorpio friend that loves being the devil on your shoulder. To truly get in the manipulative spirit this Halloween, I think the devil would be the ideal costume for Scorpio.

Sagittarius (November 22- December 21)

Any Superhero

The Sagittarius loves to fix people, and what better way for the Sagittarius to save the day than to dress as a superhero for Halloween? Try out Spiderman, Iron Man, Wonder Woman.

Superhero costume found at spirithalloween.com

Capricorn (December 22- January 19)

A bat

Capricorns love being social but enjoy their quiet time alone just as much. In this costume, Capricorns can flutter around as much as they like but revert back to their introverted selves just as fast.

Aquarius (January 20- February 18)

A witch

Aquarians love nothing more than to sip their witches brew and watch the world burn. If they could cast spells they definitely would.

Pisces (February 19- March 20)

Any Food

Pisces love nothing more than a good laugh, and everybody knows the funniest Halloween costumes are the food ones. Pickle, hamburger, you name it.

Honorable Mention, 2018 PVS Poetry Competition

May 3, 2018 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

The English Department, Publications Club, and Blog Class sponsored the second annual Poetry Competition in the Middle and Upper Schools. Reprinted here is the Honorable Mention, “Old,” by 8th-grader Jessica Denyer. All 12 finalists can be seen on the bulletin board in the Upper School Lobby.

Old

By Jessica Denyer

Old collectibles hold more memories than any eye.

See the unseen and hear the unheard.

Books have seen more tears than any shrink.

Paper has held words that have been thought to say but never were.

Crumpled, thrown, and used to wipe away the tears.

Rocking chairs have seen more sunsets from an old porch than the people who rest in them.

Stopwatches have seen more pocket lint and business meetings than the money discussed.

Coffee tables have seen more beer spilled on game days than the stadium itself.

The 1942 Chevrolet convertible lying on the lawn has heard more karaoke singing than any corner bar.

But now most of these items retire in attics of old homes

Or consignment stores that are like retirement homes for the unwanted objects

Or on dusty driveways waiting to be bought and go on the next adventure.

Some of these things now reside on dirt roads

Where the unwanted things go to die

Or a lawn where they may proudly rust and depart,

For old things don’t last forever but memories last a lifetime.

Winning poems compiled by Blog Editor Shelby Armor