Cassandra's Mega Birthday Party

Welcome to Cassandra's mega birthday party, ya'll!

Hi yas! Glad to see you arrived and are here to help me celebrate! As day turns into night, my friends and I will be updating this post with new information, adding pictures, and winner announcements for the various door prizes. Also, a little later in the party, we'll draw the two winners from my Valentine's Day contest entries. Each update to this original post will start with the words UPDATE in red and include a time stamp, so you can catch the new stuff as well as zip past old updates as you scroll. I hope this makes things easier than a ton of same day posts that are confusing. There can only be one...(post, that is), hmm...I remember that phrase from somewhere...? lol
The comments section is where you'll want to leave your open bar drink orders, song requests, birthday wishes for me, etc. My goal is to get over 100 comments today, just to see if we can. Yeah, I'm goofy that way. :) The more you comment, the more your name is entered into the kitty for the various door prizes. There are fifteen door prizes in all, so you'll be seeing that red update a lot in this post. But I think you'll enjoy dropping in and seeing what I'm doing next. :D  ~ Cass
::birthday bad girl::

Let's get this party started!

  
Birthday Wishes and Stardust Dreams...

If you could give Cassandra anything in the world, what would you wish for her? Be creative, no holds barred. Leave a comment with your birthday wish for Cassandra and you'll be entered for the first door prize of the day, a $10 Subway gift card, the perfect treat for lunch.

UPDATE! 12:15pm >> The winner of the 1st door prize is: CRYSTAL ATKINS!
Congratulations, Crystal! Please email assistant@cassandracurtis.com with your snail mail address, so we can get your prize out to you asap! :)

Check back and see if your name is listed HERE! :)

The *live* band will be here later this afternoon, 
but until then, help yourself to free virtual drinks at the open bar.

OPEN BAR
Order your drinks here and click on the video to learn how to make five of the best party cocktails ever.

Remember to watch for door prize announcements to be added throughout the day and don't forget to leave a comment to enter to win after each update. Scroll up (or down) for more door prizes and fun. Unless stated differently, all door prizes will be drawn and the winner announced during the birthday celebration 
(party til midnight, February 16, 2014).


The second door prize will be drawn when at least ten people have checked in by leaving a comment with their drink order and letting us know they're here.  Want to see the second door prize?

Faceted amethyst gemstone and silver pendant.

UPDATE! 7pm>>> The winner of the 2nd door prize is: TESSA
Congratulations, Tessa! Please email assistant@cassandracurtis.com with your snail mail address so we can get your prize out to you, asap!  

The *live* band has arrived, I hope you enjoy the awesome tunes. 

UPDATE! 7:22pm >> Door Prize#3
Item: Silver and Amethyst pear drop natural amethyst earrings and 3 strand genuine amethyst bracelet.

The winner of the 3rd door prize is: Ginger R.!
Congratulations, Ginger! Please email assistant@cassandracurtis.com with your snail mail address so we can get your prize out to you, asap! 

 What is one of your favorite singers or rock bands? 
Leave a comment and let me know.  

UPDATE! 7:45pm >> Door Prize #4
The winner is: Tigger! Congratulations, Tigger! 
Please email me directly so we can set up a time to do your reading. 
Item: This door prize includes a 45 minute tarot reading with interpretation and consultation.

I'll be drawing for the Valentine's Day Contest winners in a few minutes...in the meanwhile—
Do you have any requests for the band?

UPDATE! 7:50pm>>Drawing for The Month of Romance Valentine's Day Contest!
Date:  2-14-14 Two winners of amethyst earrings & ebooks on Valentine’s Day.
Garnet silver heart earrings & Natasha Moore ebook, Her Royal Masquerade
Prize Winner is:  Michelle A.

Amethyst silver heart earrings & Cassandra Curtis ebook, Song of The Sea
Prize Winner is:  Night Diva!

Congratulations to both Michelle and Night Diva! Please contact me directly via FB or email to receive your prizes!

UPDATED! 8:45pm>>Want to see Door Prize #5?

Item: ROSE QUARTZ+RAINBOW MOONSTONE+AMETHYST earrings & NATURAL 7 3/4" AMETHYST Bracelet
The winner is Tina Green!
Congratulations, Tina. Please email assistant@cassandracurtis.com with your snail mail address. Thanks!


Door Prize #6 is a Papa John's $10 Gift Card!

UPDATE! 9:15pm >> The winner of the Papa John's gift card is... HOTCHA! Congrats, Hotcha. Please email assistant@cassandracurtis.com with your snail mail addy so we can send your door prize. Enjoy!

Want to see Door Prize #7? Here you go:

UPDATE! 10pm >> The Winner is... Judy Z.  
Congrats, Judy. Please email assistant@cassandracurtis.com with your snail mail info so we can send your door prize to you asap!
Item: BLACK ONYX & RED MADAGASCAR AGATE GEMSTONE 20 1/4" NECKLACE. This is a totally heavy, gorgeous beaded necklace, a true statement necklace that will go great with shirt and jeans or a slinky dress.

Time for a game!
You may know the birthstone for February is amethyst, but do you know the zodiac sign associated with amethyst?

UPDATE! 11PM >> Door Prize #8
The winner is...Mary Kirkland! Congratulations, Mary.
Please contact Marie Wyatt on FB to receive your gift certificate and order your chosen gifts.
Item: $15 Paparazzi Gift Certificate good for jewelry at Papparazzi



UPDATE! 11:36pm >> Door Prize #9

The winner is...Jodi Henley! Congratulations, Jodi!  
Please email assistant@cassandracurtis.com with your snail mail info so we can get your door prize in the mail, asap. :)
Item: Silver and Amethyst dangle earrings

UPDATE! 11:50pm>>Door Prize #10

The winner is: Silma!
Congratulations, Silma!
Please email and contact me directly to claim your prize.
Item: Mystery ebook lovers Gift Basket from authors
Jennifer Frishetto and Artemis Greenleaf

 

Update! 11:55pm>> Door Prize #11
The winner is...Tira!
Congratulations, Tira.
Please email me directly for your door prize. cass [at] cassandra curtis [dot] com (no spaces)
Item: Natal Birthchart Astrology


Update! 12midnight! Door Prize #12
The winner is Fedora!

Congratulations, Fedora. Please email assistant@cassandracurtis.com with your snail mail info.
Item: Silver, Druzy, Garnet, and Amethyst pendant

Update! 12midnight! Door Prize #13

The winner is Sally! Congrats, Sally!
Item: pewter manatee thumb ring sz. 8, and russet jade dragon necklace with magnetic clasp.


Update! 12midnight! Door Prize #14

The winner is... Susan! Congratulations, Susan!
Item: Honey Topaz and Ammonite fossil earrings

...and the final door prize of the night—Door Prize #15
Update! 12midnight! Item: $15 Amazon egift card 
 

The winner is...Pamela!  
Congratulations, Pamela. Please Email me directly.

Thanks all ya'll for spending your Sunday with me 
and helping me celebrate my birthday. 
May your wishes come true and my best wishes to you! Cass.

Must be 18+ to enter. The odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. Contest void where prohibited by law. I strive to make my prize winners happy, however, as with all my contests, it is the participant’s responsibility to check the blog to see if their name is announced as a winner, and/or to respond to winning notification emails in order to claim your prize. Prizes must be claimed within 30 days of contest winning announcement. If not claimed within 30 days, the prize will either be added to another contest, or a second chance drawing at my discretion. Not responsible for lost/stolen mail.

    

The Magical Lore of Amethyst

February's birthstone amethyst has been a prized gem for centuries. From ancient Egyptian pharaohs, to the British crown jewels, amethyst's lovely and varying shades of purple were associated with royalty. Some of the earliest  legends speak of the stone with the Roman god Bacchus.

In Norse mythology and folklore, the stone was believed to be favored by Thor. Many believed if you wore the stone on Thursdays, you were granted protection and luck by the great Norse god. 

The gemstone was believed to help mental acuity, to increase intellect, meditation and contemplation, help its bearer with bravery, and aid in healing. It was even said that if you carved the image of a bear on a hunk of amethyst, it would send daemons running away and toward the nearest portal. That's a pretty tall order for a simple purple stone.

The gem also came to represent the tribe of Dan, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. In the middle ages, amethyst became a symbol of purity and devotion, making it popular with Cardinals and Bishops, and wound up adorning a lot of silver crosses. 

Historically, amethyst was also used by pagans who practiced the art of the wise, who believed it aided in prophecy and healing magic. Those who practice green earth magic often use a geode of amethyst to bring life back to dying plants, or to cancel out negative energy pets can sense. If there is a corner of your house that your cat or dog will not go, try smudging the area with sage, and place five small amethyst points forming a pentagram in the area, leaving it overnight. In the morning, pick up the stones and see if you notice a difference in your dog's or cat's behavior. I bet you will. :)

Associated with the tarot card Temperance, the gemstone also represents balance and harmony, and according to legend, is a wonderful stone to use in helping stop addictive behaviors.

In the Chinese practice of Feng Shui, amethyst enhances material wealth, both giving and receiving. Basically, to those who give, more is given. Also, the gemstone is associated with the crown chakra at the top of the head where the divine essence of life enters us.

Leave a comment and enter to win!

 

 

Amethyst is also an awesome talisman for us creative types. In some circles it's called Cerridwen's Stone, since Cerridwen is the Celtic goddess of inspiration and the arts. Amethyst crystals can be scattered or arranged in the room where you write, paint, design, dream, quilt, or knit, to focus and intensify the divine energy used in creative endeavors.

How would you like to win the lovely pair of amethyst earrings pictured above? 

Leave a comment on this post and tell me the answer to this question:

What uses does a green earth witch have for amethyst? (the answer is in the article)

 

 

Contest ends midnight, Monday, February 10, 2014. Good Luck!

Must be 18+ to enter. The odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. Contest void where prohibited by law. I strive to make my prize winners happy, however, as with all my contests, it is the participant’s responsibility to check the blog to see if their name is announced as a winner, and/or to respond to winning notification emails in order to claim your prize. Prizes must be claimed within 30 days of contest winning announcement. If not claimed within 30 days, the prize will either be added to another contest, or a second chance drawing at my discretion. 

Not responsible for lost/stolen mail. 

February: The Month of Romance

Leave a Comment to Enter!

February is often called the month of romance. When I'm developing a story, I think of what's romantic and one of the things I look at is the setting.

Where and when does the story take place?

Many of my stories are set in the south (USA), but I've also set books in fictional towns and villages, even a fictional city state in Central America. As for when, I've even written a futuristic colony world on the far edge of the galaxy (Open Season).

Thinking of romantic settings, what would you consider a romantic place and/or time?

Contest ends midnight, Wednesday, February 5, 2014. Good Luck.

February bling— Amethyst earrings!

Must be 18+ to enter. The odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. Contest void where prohibited by law. I strive to make my prize winners happy, however, as with all my contests, it is the participant’s responsibility to check the blog to see if their name is announced as a winner, and/or to respond to winning notification emails in order to claim your prize. Prizes must be claimed within 30 days of contest winning announcement. If not claimed within 30 days, the prize will either be added to another contest, or a second chance drawing at my discretion. Not responsible for lost/stolen mail. 

Welcome to February Celebrations!

Hi ya'll! Happy early Candlemas!

So much going on this month, you'll want to drop back by from time to time and see what I'm up to, 'cause it's sure to be fun. 

First off, I'm determined for this February to be 100% better than last year's. For those of you who are regulars to this blog, you'll remember Feb. 2013 was hell in a hand basket for yours truly. Car problems, house problems, and then I did an #EPIC fail, or should I say fall? Whew. Not my best moment. Had to deal with the fall-out (pun intended) for months afterward, and even now, a year later, my nose still gets weird tingles if something brushes against it due to the nerve damage. ::sigh::

Second, February is my birth month and to celebrate I'm giving little love valentines, (like many of us did when we were in school), on special blog posts throughout the month. Do you love jewelry? Is your favorite color purple? Were you born in the month of February?

A winner will be drawn from each of these special valentine posts. So watch my blog in February and you could win some bling from me.

**actual prizes may differ slightly from pictures, also other types of jewelry are included in various contests this month.**

Third, my friends are helping me plan a virtual birthday party on the 16th, with music, games, and prizes. I hope you'll be able to attend.

Fourth, the fates willing, I hope to have all the edits done on a couple of my older ebooks and hope to rerelease them this month, as well as other material. *fingers crossed* 

Sending all ya'll love and light. Keep warm, merry, and bright.

Cass

>> oh, p.s. for those of ya'll who are wondering about Candlemas and St. Brigid's Day, I posted a couple of articles a few years back, check it out:  http://cassandracurtis.blogspot.com/2012/02/happy-imbolc.html and http://cassandracurtis.blogspot.com/2009/02/imbolc-and-la-fheill-brighde.html

February Love Contest

I love February and not only because Valentine's Day and my birthday are this month. To me, February is all about romance and I imagine many of my readers feel the same way. So to celebrate the month of love, I'm holding a contest here at my blog.

Leave a comment about your most memorable Valentine gift or Valentine's Day on this blog post, between now and February 14th and you could win a nifty prize pack!

Let's see what Cupid Cass has in her magickal bag o' goodies...

The historical Viking romance novel Fearless by Helen Kirkman, Luscious browns eyeshadow kit by E.L.F., collectible Winter Witch talisman pin, peach, purple, and white shell necklace to bring on summer days (dang, it's cold!) and a bookmarks and more bag! If you're interested, you know what to do.