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G Kumar asked:


Tantra – The Serpentine Ascent – Part I

Occult Vibratory Chemistry existed in India by the name of Tantra.

Tantra is derived from two Sanskrit words – Thanoti ( to expand ) & Trayaten ( to liberate). This Science has the power to expand and liberate !

Expansion means to grow beyond one’s boundaries. Expansion upto Infinity. Thanothi means the expansion of Consciousness ad infinitum.Individual consciousness should expand to Universal Consciousness for mergence in

the Supreme Self.

Trayate means to liberate, to liberate man from bondgage, from the Seven Deadly Sins which bind him to the sublunar world. The purging of mortal dross is a must for Self-Actualisation and the ” inner enemies of man ” Lust, greed, anger, jealousy, sloth, covetousness & attachment ) are the real blocks in the way of Self Actualisation

Liberation is not possible without expansion of Consciousness. When our individual Consciousness expands to Cosmic, we feel whole & are liberated from the thraldom of matter.

The Upanishadic Philosophy was based on the Five Concentric Sheaths known as the Five Koshas. The outermost concentric Sheath, the Anna Maya Kosha, is known as the Material Sheath. It envelopes the other four sheaths – vital, mental, intellectual & bliss.

Tantra, on the other hand, speaks about the Six Chakras, dynamoes of Cosmic

Energy in the human body.

These Chakras are ( in ascending order)

1. Root Chakra ( Muladhara )

2. **** Chakra ( Manipura )

3. Solar Plexus Chakra ( Swadhistana )

4. Heart Chakra ( Anahata )

5. Throat Chakra ( Vishuddhi )

6. Eyebrow Chakra ( Ajna )

The Five Great Elements ( Earth, air, water, fire & ether ) & Mind reside

in the Six Chakras.

Earth-Principle resides in the Root Chakra

Water-Principle resides in the Navel Chakra

Fire-Principle resides in the Solar Plexus Chakra

Air-Principle resides in the Heart Chakra

Ether-Principle resides in the Throat Chakra

Mind-Principle resides in the Eye Brow Chakra.

The Microscomic representative of the Macrocosmic Shakti ( Cosmic Power ), the Kundalini, sportest as the Six principles in the Six Chakras in Her Cosmic Play.

O Infinite Power ! Thou art the Mind-principle in the Eye brow Chakra

In the Throat Chakra , Thou sport as the Ether-principle

In the Heart Chakra, Thou sportest as Air- principle

In the Solar Plexus Chakra, Thou art Fire-principle

In the Navel Chakra , Thou exist as Water-principle

In the Root Chakra, Thou art the Earth _Principle, O Mighty Mother !

And in the Crown Chakra, Thou sportest blissfully with thy beloved Consort !

She lies coiled in human beings as the Coiled Serpent Power ( Kundalini). She rises during Mediation and Yogic processes.

Her rise can be felt by the meditator. When She rises, a subtle warmth will be felt in the body. Voice changes. Voice becomes musical, ” propertied as the tuned spheres”. The personality of the native becomes very attractive due to the influx of Jupiterian energy. Wisdom and learning grace the individual. When She rises furthur, torrential bliss will be felt. And when She reaches the Crown Chakra, it is Cosmic Consciousness for the native !

She sports as Universal Power in the Macrocosm; and in the microcosm as the coiled Serpent Power!

Infinite Power of the Absolute art Thou!

The Cause of the Universe as Maya

The entire Creation is Thy Play

Thy blessing is Bliss Absolute !

The essence of all sciences art Thou

All women Thy manifestations !

The visible Universe Thou art

And the dormant Serpentine Power !

One of the pioneers in Tantra Research was Sir John Woodroffe , who had written many scholarly treatises on the subject. His magnum opus is the “Serpent Power”, which is a scientific treatise about the Kundalini. His

practice of Tantra endowed him with personal magnetism. He became the cynosure of all eyes. There was a special lustre on his face, he possessed the Golden Tongue of Good Report & there was a spiritual halo around him. He had developed his Auric Field ( the human electro-magnetic field ) due to Tantric techniques and bacame a dynamo of spiritual energy. His masterly book is a scientific diagnosis about Tantra.

The heart and vocal nervous centers are intimately related physiologically. Bhava Shuddhi or purity of Heart makes the voice innocent and musical. The true Initiate is he whose voice is true and who possesses the Golden Tongue of Good Report!

The Cosmic Shakti is the Force behind the Universe & the entire Universe is her play & display. Kundalini is Her microcosmic representation. She has been depicted as the Mother Goddess in Pagan philosophies.

Nature is visible Intelligence; Intelligence is invisible Nature. The Spiritual & the Natural are not different. That which is spiritual is natural in its ascent & cause. That which is natural is spiritual in its descent and being.

She is the female component of the Ultimate and all systems deal with the male and the female components of Reality. The male component is He ! Consciousness and Force, the Supreme Self and Nature, Matter and Spirit, Being and Becoming, the One and the Innumerable, the Formless and then a delirium of Forms – She and He, two in one, inseparable ! He, outside Time, outside Space, pure Being, pure Consciousness, the Great White Silence wherein everything is contained in a state of involution, contained, yet formless !

She flings forth from Him in an outburst of joy, again to find Him playing in Time, She and He, two in one , inextricable! Can Nature exist without her Lord ? Can He exist without Nature ?

This is the Purusha and Prakriti of Sankhya, the Brahman and Maya of Vedanta , the Sive and Shakti of Tantra !

Without Him, I exist not

Without Me, He is unmanifest ! – The Mother of Auroville

It is due to Her Grace that a man becomes a material success. It is She who gives the successful man the indomitable Will Power needed for success.

On the other hand, it is also Her Grace which giveth spiritual success. It is She who gives the devotee the necessary Self-knowledge, makes him do altruistic acts & leads him to Self-Actualisation. In other words, She has two aspects, material & spiritual and Her Grace is absolutely necessary for success in both the spheres. .

It is said that She, as the Prakriti ( Nature ) of Purusha ( Supreme Self), is the base of the Universe & when She becomes supremely pleased with the devotee, confers on him Self-Actualisation !

She is the Creatrix, She is the Mediatrix, She is the Dispensatrix and the Executrix of the absolute mechanism of Universal Justice.

Power is Divine and not to be condemned

It is this Power aspect of Consciousness which India has depicted as the Divine Mother. It is a mistake of the ethical and the religious mind to condemn Power as something unworthy because it is in its very nature corrupting and evil. Despite arguments to the contrary ( Power corrupts and absolute Power corrupts absolutely), Power, Shakti, Will is the mover of the worlds and basically is spiritual in origin and divine in character !

A Power to call Eternity into Time

And make the body’s joy as vivid as the soul’s !.

The highest philosophic concept is that of the Philosopher-King, he who possesses powers both eternal and temporal. They were known as Raja-Rishies in India. Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, King Janaka were all Raja-Rishies. Marcus Aurelius & Augustus Caesar in the West were also reputed Philosopher-Kings. They did not renounce power !

Tantra as related to Astrology

Tides are caused by the Moon. The human body is 65% water. ( Even the Archbishop of Canterbury is 65% water ). If Moon can effectuate tides, what effect will he have on the human body which is predominantly water? And what about the effects of other planets ?

More information about Mundane Astrology & Transit Forecast can be had

from http://www.eastrovedica.com/html/transat.htm

The New Age Movement

New Age – A Paradigm Shift to Divine Consciousness & a Universal Philosophy

The New Age Movement (NAM) is a revival of spiritual and divine values and can be called as a Divine Regeneration Movement. New Age Philosophy has conquered the West intellectually and Western culture is currently experiencing a phenomenal shift – sociological, spiritual & ideological. It’s a secular, multi-cultural, multi-religious synthesis, of the Oriental mystical philosophies, mainly Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism & Western Occultism, emphasising Holism, the doctrine that Reality is organically One ( now taught in American Universities after Einstein’s Theory of Relativity ).

Behind the evolution of the species, there is an evolution of Consciousness. The aim of Life is Self-Actualisation, to evolve to the level of Unity Consciousness, defined as the 7th state of Consciousness in Transcendental Philosophy.

The social disturbance caused by the Vietnam War, the threat posed by AIDS, the disillusionment with materialistic ideas and the erosion of faith in Morality & Ethics brought a sense of futility & meaninglessness in the Western psyche.The limitations of the Western system of Chemotherapy & adverse side-effects of antibiotics, sedatives and certain other drugs and the disillusionment with the promises of science & technology made millions turn to Oriental philosophies, occult practices & systems of therapy.( Interest in Alternative Medicine developed to such an extent that there are now more than 180 systems of Alternative Medicine.

Exponents of New Age Philosophy in Europe and America include Transcendentalists like Thoreau, Emerson & Walt Whitman, Wordsworth, Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772), , & Theosophy introduced by Madame Helena Blavatsky (1831- 1891) & Col Olcott & the philosopher, Annie Besant. As the world witnessed a Consciousness Revolution, Transcendental Meditation, Yoga ,Zen, Carlos Castañada, the Beatles, Holistic Medicine ( both Western and Ayurveda ), Tantra, Astrology ( both Western & Vedic ) all became popular .

There are 6 million New Age sites on the Web and the NAM consists of a massive & well organised network consisting of thousands of groups, trusts, foundations, clubs, lodges, and spiritual groups whose goal and purpose is to prepare the world to enter the coming Aquarian Age. ( The Age of Aquarius ). In astrological symbolism, Aquarius represents Spirituality and Pisces Rationality. The Piscean Age, an age of Computer and Cybernetics revolution, will be followed by an Age of Consciousness Revolution or a Spiritual Revolution, the Aquarian Age.

Some New Age Organisations are : California New Age Caucus, New World Alliance, World Goodwill, The Church Universal and Triumphant, The Theosophical Society, Amnesty International, Zero Population Growth, the Forum, Planetary Initiative for the World We Choose, the Club of Rome, Church Universal & Triumphant, Christian Science, and the Unity School of Christianity.

New Age believes in the essential goodness of Man and the Divine Spark in Man and the New Age movement is not a unified cult system of beliefs and practices, even though its roots derive from Vedic Philosophy. There is no central authority, no official leader, no headquarters, nor membership list, but instead is a network of groups working toward World Peace and Universal Love. There are millions of worldwide followers of various New Age practices and the world is moving from Chaos ( Disorder ) to Cosmos ( Order ) ! This is a Phase Transition from Entropy ( Disorder ) to Order !

Significant influence has been gained by NAM affecting almost every area of Occidental culture—Sociology, Psychology, Medicine, the Government, Ecology, Science, Arts, Education, the Business Community, the media, entertainment, sports, and even the Church. Organised spiritual forms such as Christian Science, Unity and even forms of Witchcraft ( from the German ‘ Wicca’ meaning the Wise; Witchcraft means the Craft of the Wise ) are all its expressions. Various Human Potential Seminars, Transcendental Meditation, Zen Meditation and some Alternative Holistic Medicine practices are also its manifold manifestations.

Some popular New Age publications and journals are New Age Journal, the Z Files, Clarity, Body Mind Spirit, Yoga Journal, Gnosis, East West, Noetic Sciences, the Millenium Being and Omega. The new tendency of people now is to view everything from a New Age perspective

The major goal of the New Age Movement is to prepare Man for entering the Aquarian Age and to bring world peace in an already bruised world. “All is wrong with the world” said Shaw & some of the other goals of the NAM are to establish an entirely New World Order in the fields of Economy & Government. The idea of a World Government was proposed by Bernard Shaw earlier and was implemented by Mahesh Yogi and occurs in the writings of the foundational apostle of the New Age Movement, Alice Bailey.

The word ‘Initiation” is derived from the Latin “In ire” to go within and Initiates were termed by the Great Master as the salt of the Earth. The mystic Ward defined Reality as “Within and within and within and within” . Another mystic described it as “It is hidden, it is hidden and it is hidden”. To the mystic, self evolution is the means and only by changing and correcting ourselves can we change others . The primary goals of the movement then, are to prepare the world to receive the Divine Consciousness and to enter the Age of Aquarius, thus establishing the New World Order.

New Age Philosophy believes that human evolution can be accelerated, if not in the entire mass of humanity, at least in suitable individuals. Human nature is perfectible, through an intensive process of purification and Initiation.

The New Age Movement is secular & universally diffused over the earth’s surface & its basic underlying philosophy emphasises Gnosticism and Occultism. (Gnosticism is an ancient philosophy stating that Divine essence is the highest reality, and that the Self of man is actually this Essence. Behind the phenomenal world is the Transcendent Reality which Intuition alone can see ). It bears a remarkable resemblance to the Universal Religion that H.G. Wells predicted would one day take over the world.

The six main characteristics of New Age thinking are: (1) All is Unity; (2) All is Divine (3) Humanity is divine (4) A change in Consciousness; (5) All religions are One; and (6) Cosmic Evolutionary optimism.

Basically Dialectical Integralism, New Age Philosophy unites both Matter and Spirit.

Spirit shall see through Matter’s gaze

Matter shall reveal the Spirit’s face !

The 13 main principles of New Age Philosophy are:

(1) One Global Order – One World Governement, One Currency, One Universal Being.

(2) Universal Energy, Universal Matter, Universal Life, Universal Soul As God

(3) An Eternal Universe – Uniform in Space and Unending in Time

(4) Divine practices ( Astrology Yoga & other esoteric arts)

(5) Syncretism ( Unity of all Religions ).

(6) The need for Meditation ( for generating altered states of Consciousness );

(7) Life is Cyclical- Everything is cyclical, subject to the cyclical upheavals of Time.

(8) Holistic Medicine & Vegetarianism (The patient is more important than the Doctor & Alkaline diet)

(9) Pacifism ( Anti-war activities);

(10) Reincarnation; ( The Law of Conservation of Soul )

(11) The Evolution of Man into Divinity; ( The latent Life Force evolving naturally to the Divine )

(12) The Union of Man with the Divine; ( Merger of man into the Infinite )

(13) Matter’s Illusoriness; – Esse est percipii – Perception is Essence; Mind is Substance.

The practices of the New Age are psychic practices like : Astrology, Reiki, Bioenergy, Chi energy, Chakras, Nirvana, Christ- Consciousness,Spiritualism, Native American Spirituality, Prajna, Out-of-body/near- death experiences, Reincarnation, Yoga, Meditation and the occult disciplines, as well as psychotherapeutic techniques and scientific applications of the healing powers of crystals and pyramids.

Some commonly used New Age terms are: Quantum Healing, Transmutation, Transfiguration, Guided Imagery, Reincarnation; Positive Thinking; Human Potential; Holistic; Holographic; Synergistic; Unity; Oneness; Transformation; Awakening; Networking; Communal Sharing; One-world/globalism/new world order (i.e., One language, One Government, One currency, One religion); Cosmic Consciousness; Zodiac, etc.

Some New Age practices are: Transcendental Meditation, Parapsychology, Inner healing; Biofeedback; Yoga; I Ching; Reflexology; Therapeutic Touch; Transpersonal Psychology; Witchcraft; ; Magick; Tai Chi; Shamanism; Hypnotherapy; Acupuncture/Acupressure; Martial arts; Zen; Relaxation; Silva Method (formerly Silva Mind Control); Visualization; etc.

Some prominent New Agers are: Jeremy Rifkin, Norman Cousins, Elizabeth Clare Prophet, John Denver, George Lucas, Norman Lear, Alice Bailey, Alvin Toffler, Dr. Barbara Ray, Benjamin Creme, Levi Dowling, George Trevelyan, Fritjof Capra, Abraham Maslow, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Ruth Montgomery, Shirley MacLaine, J.Z. Knight, Marilyn Ferguson and David Spangler.

Soothing audio environments are created by New Age musicians and they believe rightly that Music has psycho-therapeutic properties. ( This concept is derived from the Vedic Philosophy that All music is Samaveda, the 4th Veda of the Indians ). Born of an interest in spirituality and healing in the late 1970s, it is often used as an aid in meditation.

Essentially meditative, New Age Music is soothing to the Soul. Isnt Music defined as the food for the Soul ? Harmonic consonance, uplifting themes, contemplative melodies & nonlinear song forms are the characteristics of New Age music. Even natural sounds or sounds from Nature and traditional electronic instruments are used by New Age musicians. With roots in classical music or Eastern Music, New Age music is often meditative. Prominent New Age musicians include vocalist Liz Story; harpist Andreas Vollenweider, electric violinist Jean-Luc Ponty , electronic-music pioneer Brian Eno, multi-instrumentalist Kitaro & solo-piano artist George Winston.

New Age practices have almost conquered the world. Athletes are using guided imagery. Graduate schools of business are invoking T M, Yoga, and Tarot cards in teaching courses on creativity in business (e.g., Stanford Graduate School of Business). Based upon Astrology, the Science of Time, stock market gurus employ Fibonacci numbers and “Wave Theory” in their forecasting.

We can summarise that the term New Age is an innovative term derived from the mother of all sciences, Astrology, indicating that this earth is undergoing an evolutionary transitional phase from the Piscean Age of Scientism to the Aquarian Age of Divine Wisdome, Cosmic Consciousness , Knowledge and Love.

Since the New Age is a conglomeration of spiritual practices, let us analyse the basic principles of N A M

1. The Divine Source of Authority. New Agers do not claim any source of authority—Only Inspiration by the Divine. By the Divine we mean a principle within, the Divine Spark or the Self and many are there who receive the revealations of the Self within or the intuitive insights of the Self.

2. The Lord. – Since Matter and Energy can neither be created or destroyed and the sum total energy in the Universe is an absolute constant ( Universal Being ), the Lord did not create the world, He became the world. Monism—( “All is Unity” ) averrs that there is only One Essence in the universe, everyone and everything being a part of that essence. The Self is an utter Being and all these are its Becomings. New Agers view God as an Impersonal Life force, Consciousness, or Energy (e.g., the “Star Wars Force”) mainly but they also believe in His personal aspect, as the Ocean ( which is Formless ) can take the form of an iceberg! They averr that every human has a divine spark within him because all created beings are reflections of the Divine Idea. The eternal state is called by various terms among different New Age groups, i.e., God-consciousness, Universal Love, Self-Realization, the I AM, Higher Self, Brahman, Nirvana, etc.

2. The Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Christ Consciousness or the Divine Consciousness is what the New Age advocates mean by Christ. . In other words, Christ is a Divine Principle rather than an individual, such as Jesus. This idea of Christ Consciousness asserts that Jesus was only one of the Christs, but that He equipped Himself to receive the Christ Consciousness (i.e., He was a great Master who attained Christ Consciousness), as did other prophets like Buddha, Krishna, and Mohammed. New Agers believe Dr Paul Brunton who stated the Jesus spent 18 years in India absorbing Indian Mysticism and that he was initiated into the highest esoteric doctrine.

3. Human Destiny. Man is the measure of all things and is more divine than the animals & hence the salvation of the world depends upon Man. Cleansing the negative elements from the collective subconscient should be the aim of humanity. Once Negativity is cleaned from the collective subconscient, the human positive energy will shine forth and the noble ideals of the New Age will be actualised in an era of Enlightenment. Since man is intrinsically divine and perfect, his only real problem is ignorance of that fact. Gnosis means experiential knowledge and Salvation in the New Age is for man to become enlightened through this Divine Gnosis. New Age groups offer various spiritual techniques to enable individuals, and ultimately the world, to evolve into this Unitive Consciousness . These techniques may include psychotechnologies for attaining altered states of consciousness – Transcendental Meditation, Yoga, Zen, Attunement , Channeling (Spirit guides), Psychics, Acupuncture, etc.

4. The Ethical Opposites, Good & Evil – Believing in the Oriental philosophies, New Agers make the distinction between good and evil. All wickedness is weakness and Evil is imperfection. By the method of Trial and Error, we come to know what is good and what is bad for the world and we have to transcend the dualities.

5. Reincarnation. New Agers believe in the ancient Vedic philosophic concept of Reincarnation—that through a long process of rebirths, man can eventually attain Divine perfection. They also teach the Universal Law of Karma -(( The Law of Cause and Effect ( Every effect has a cause ), the Law of Action and Reaction, the Law of Retribution )) that what a person sows , he shall reap. This is also the doctrine of God’s non-responsibility, that the Self is not responsible and it is the Ego which experiences bitter & sweet mental experiences due to its own Karma.

6.Salvation is Self-Actualisation and Sin is Ignorance – SSome theoreticians taught the concept of Man’s Original Sin. New Age exponents teach the concept of man’s essential goodness. Instead of systems which emphasised the human negative aspect and sin, New Age highlights that every man is essentially divine and it is a sin to call man a sinner ! However, New Agers speak of troublesome desires which are natural impulses which retard human evolution and make the Ego move away from the Self. Sin is merely ignorance of man’s essential divinity. The atrophied spiritual consciousness of the normal man who lives in ignorance of his Divine Self is Sin. Like the Law of Conservation of Energy which states that Energy cannot be created or destroyed, the Law of Conservation of Soul states that the Soul can neither be created nor destroyed. Matter exists in 3 states, liquid, gaseous and solid and matter cannot be created or destroyed. Nothing ever begins to be. Similarly Life does not at physical birth begin to be. It merely enters physical conditions and assumes physical guise. It merely undergoes a parallel transformation into conditions which preexisted in other conditions. The Soul is reincarnated in different bodies in a continous succession of lives. The good or bad Karma earned in the present lifetime determines one’s subsequent incarnation. Attaining higher states of Consciousness should be our aim.There are many different paths to the goal of Divine perfection and we should be tolerant of other paths.

The divine Aurobindo predicted that spiritual influences from India will trigger off a global spiritual movement.There will be Mass Incarnations ( many people divinely inspired ) who will work for World Peace and Universal Love !

I saw them cross the twilight of the Age

The massive barrier breakers of this world

The sun-eyed children of a marvellous dawn

The architects of immortality

Carrying the magic Word, the mystic Fire

Carrying the Dionysian Cup of Joy !

The four systems of Philosophy which triggered the N A M are Hinduism, a product of 5,000 years of development, Buddhism, circa 560 B.C., Taoism, circa 500 B.C & Druidism, circa 300 B.C, the religion of the Celts, which extended upto the Middle Ages.

Article by G Kumar, Astrologer, writer & programmer of www.eastrovedica.com. Recently he was awarded a Certificate by the Planetary Gemologists Association Global ( www.p-g-a.org ) as a Planetary Gem Advisor. He has 25 years psychic research experience in the esoteric arts. To subscribe to his free informative Ezine, the Z Files mailto:info@eastrovedica.com?subject=SubscribeZF. His blog is up at http://www.zodiacastrology.blogspot.com Mobile 091 9388556053

Jeffrey Seymour asked:


Your lawn consists of thousands and thousands of tiny little plants that group together closely to form patches of grass. Plants need fertilizer to grow healthy. We know we need to fertilize our garden and house plants, but often, the lawn is overlooked. A green lawn needs food to grow and thrive.

Fertilizer is any material supplying one or more essential plant nutrients. Most common turf grass fertilizers include nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, but they may also include other essential mineral elements for turf grass growth.

Fertilizers do more than make your lawn green. They help the grass grow too, but there’s a little more involved. Fertilizer will help grass seed germinate quicker and get started out of the ground. After the plants have established, fertilizer will make the grass thicker and healthier.

The most common questions asked by homeowners regarding fertilizers is how much and when. Generally speaking, most lawns will need four applications of fertilizer per year.

Spread fertilizing out 60 days apart starting in early spring approximately 30 days before the growing season starts in your area. Continue fertilization through the growing season until fall. Spring fertilizing gets the grass off to a fast start giving you that rich green color everyone wants.

As in watering, you should avoid using too much fertilizer. General guidelines should be included on the bag. Too much fertilizer will cause excess growth, lead to fungus growth and weaken the grass.

What type of fertilizer should you use? Well, the answer depends on your and your needs. However, there are two basic types: complete and balanced. Complete fertilizers contain nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, but they may also include other essential minerals elements for turf grass growth.

Complete fertilizers contain nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in the same product. If a fertilizer contains less than all three elements it is referred to as an incomplete fertilizer. If urea, a 46-0-0 incomplete fertilizer, is used for every application through the season, lower turf quality may result if other essential elements are not being supplied by the soil.

Balanced fertilizers provide nutrients in a predetermined ratio that best meets the plant’s requirements for those elements. Turf grasses require nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium in the approximate ratio of 3-1-2, 4-1-2, or 8-1-3. Remember that the right balanced fertilizer ratio will differ with grass type, and is also influenced by soil levels of certain elements

You may want to get a slow-release fertilizer that lets their nutrients out slowly over a period of time. These fertilizers are commercially produced and available at most home stores.

Because these lawn fertilizers release their nutrients over time, rather than all at once, you’re essentially stretching out the feeding. As nutrients are released, the root system of your grass fills in any bare patches. This in itself promotes lawn weed control, depriving weed seeds of a place to germinate. Before buying these or any other lawn fertilizers, read the instructions on the bag carefully (or ask someone at the store for details). A particular product may not be suitable for your type of grass. Likewise, when applying lawn fertilizers, follow directions explicitly, concerning how much to apply, how often they should be applied, and under what conditions they should be applied. Lawn fertilizers are best applied with spreaders. Be advised not to fill the applicator with the spreader parked on the lawn. Doing so invites grass-burn, as you may accidentally discharge too much while loading. Instead, fill the applicator somewhere else, then wheel the spreader onto the lawn.

Many people are going green with their growing using chemical free fertilizers and weed control. However, they don’t necessarily provide you with an advantage when fertilizing your lawn and garden.

Plants absorb nutrients in the same way, whether the source be organic or a conventional fertilizer. Turf grass roots will only absorb dissolved nutrients found in the soil water. Organic fertilizers do not offer any advantages to the care of your lawn. The choice is strictly personal preference.

In addition, there are lawn fertilizers that promote lawn weed control at the same time. Effective lawn weed control should, after all, go hand-in-hand with the application of lawn fertilizers: if the weeds **** up some of the nutrients that you’re supplying, those are nutrients being wasted, as they are not going to your grass.

Fortunately, applying lawn fertilizers and practicing weed control can be integrated into the same chore - if you play your cards right!

M Wakefield asked:


Sustainment programs should be prepared for trees and shrubs on your landscape. A dependable sustainment plan includes checking and containing insect and disease problems, restraining weed competition, and doing timely applications of water, mulch, and fertilizer.

Tree and bush fertilization is particularly important in urban and suburban areas of the nation where soils have been altered due to construction. These urbanised soils tend to be heavily compacted, badly aerated, poorly drained, and low in organic matter. Even where land has not been affected, fertilization may be needed as part of a maintenance program to step-up plant vigor or to improve root or top growth.

Trees and shrubs in residential and commercial landscape plantings are frequently fertilized to keep them healthy and attractive. Over-fertilization is prevalent, causing excessive growth, especially on young nursery stock. Trees growing in lawn areas usually receive some nutrients when the grass is fertilized. This is usually sufficient to maintain most trees in fertile soil. However, fertilization may be desirable on altered soils where unconsolidated fill material has been added or the topsoil has been removed. Managed urban areas where fallen leaves are taken off may also require a fertilization regime to enrich soil and replenish nutrients.

Fertilizer is no stand-in for environmental factors, such as sunlight and water, which must be in balance if a tree or shrub is to grow into its full potential. Trees and shrubs that are healthy and growing robustly are less susceptible to attack by insects and diseases. An application of fertilizer may, in some instances, improve the plant’s resistance to further infestations of certain pests. For example, maple trees will recover from mild cases of Verticillium wilt following applications of nitrogen fertilizer.

Objectives for Fertilizing

How and when to fertilize landscape trees and bushes hinge upon:

Sustainment aims (induce new vs. maintain existing growth)

Tree and bush ages (in general more for newer and less for older plants)

Plant strain levels

When to Fertilize

The best time to fertilize trees goes from late autumn, after the leaves have come down, through the winter and into early spring before new growth comes about. Fertilizer employed in the autumn has a lengthier period of time to infiltrate the soil enabling the roots to more efficiently assimilate it. The fertilizer is soaked up by the roots during the winter and is accessible to the plant for growth in the spring.

Trees that are rapidly developing should be fertilized annually. Well-established, adult trees usually call for fertilizer once every three to four years.

Newly Planted Trees Fertilizer Use

Newly planted trees usually do not need fertilizer during the first growing season. Most transplanted trees developed in the nursery have high levels of nutrients that last through the first growing season. Too much fertilization during the first year can damage the tree and reduce its rate of growth. After the first year, nitrogen can be applied in an approximately 3ft area around each tree. This will ensure a sufficient supply for continued growth. Do not apply fertilizer within 12 inches of the stem of the tree because fertilizer can burn and harm young stem tissue.

How to Determine Whether to Fertilize

Visual inspection of trees and shrubs is often the best overall factor to use in making fertilization decisions.

Look for:

Poor leaf color (pale green to yellow)

Reduced leaf size and retention

Premature fall coloration and leaf drop

Soil Test

Eighteen nutrients are essential for plants:carbon,oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium , calcium, magnesium, sulfur and nine trace minerals: iron , boron, copper, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, cobalt, nickel and chlorine. Carbon, oxygen and hydrogen function in the formation of plant cells and food creation, the first two obtained from the atmosphere and the latter gotten from water absorbed by roots.

A soil test furnishes specialised data on the potential for plant reaction to agricultural limestone and to phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. In addition it provides a verifiable basis for ascertaining how much of those elements to add once they are found to be lacking. A representative soil sampling can be a challenge to get, because most nutrient-absorbing roots of trees and bushes are in the upper six inches of the soil and may stretch out two or three times beyond the radius of the crown. Consequently, in determining the nutritional demands of trees and shrubs, it’s also essential to look at soil and moisture conditions; the species, age and vigor of the plants; and previous fertilization.

Nitrogen, the most typically depleted soil nutrient, furnishes the greatest growth response. Unfortunately, soil tests or analyses for accessible nitrogen are not very dependable. Nitrogen is present in different forms (e.g. nitrate, ammonium, urea) and these forms can alter rapidly in the soil. All the same, overall tree growth, especially root and shoot elongation, leaf color and leaf size, can be heightened with increases of nitrogen. Be sure not to overfertilize with nitrogen. Don’t overcompensate with greater amounts of nitrogen when fertilizing grass, bushes and trees. Nitrate leaches readily from numerous soils and can create water pollution problems.

Selecting a Fertilizer

An assortment of fertilizer types exist:

Complete (N-P-K) vs. Partial (one or additional select nutrients)

Organic vs. inorganic

Fast release vs. slow release

Dry (grained, pelletized, spikes, powdered, encapsulated) vs. liquid

To assist in determining the form of fertilizer to utilize, weigh these factors: type of flora, season, wanted rate of plant reaction, application program and equipment price, proximity to water sources, consequence of soil type and pH, type of deficiency, and outcomes of a soil test or additional sampling methods.

Nearly all landscape plants profit from a slow secreting nitrogen fertilizer that can be organic or inorganic. Remember that nitrogen is easily washed through the soil, but phosphorus and potassium are not, signifying they necessitate less frequent application.

Methods of Application

Fertilizers may be put on either directly or indirectly for plants. When sod is fertilized, tree and bush roots that stretch into the sod area absorb some of the fertilizer, and are consequently indirectly fertilized. Sod fertilization rates should be supplemented only if trees and bushes are demonstrating symptoms of nutritive deficiency.

Straight application of fertilizer could call for placement into the backfill soil or positioning in the planting hole at planting time. Nevertheless, the more common variant of direct fertilizer application, broadcasting, is typically the most useful, especially proportional to cost. Just broadcasting the fertilizer over the soil atop the tree and bush roots and watering it in is generally enough. Compressed soil should first be aerated or raked.

The most sensible and efficient way to fertilize large trees is to scatter granular fertilizer on the surface of the soil and allow rain or irrigation water to transport the nutrients to the roots. Evenly broadcast the fertilizer over the area to be fertilized - that area covering the outer two-thirds of the distance between the trunk and the drip line and extending at least 50 percent of the crown radius beyond the dripline.

An alternative method is to position granular fertilizer into holes in the ground that are four to twelve inches deep. These holes are constructed in a regular pattern at 2- to 3-foot separationsl, in the same expanse as broadcast fertilizer is applied. Divvy up the fertilizer amongst the holes. This process does not insure homogeneous coverage to all feeder rootsl, particularly in the upper few inches of the soil surface where the bulk of the roots occur. Strong concentrations of fertilizers in these holes can in addition injure roots located next to the hole.

A commonly used commercial method is to inject liquid fertilizers into the soil. A special injection rod is used and the fertilizer solution is injected under pressure. A comparable probe mechanism called a ‘root feeder’ is sold at most garden centers. The long probe attaches to a garden hose and water-soluble fertilizer cartridges distribute nutrients and water directly into the tree root zone. The tip of the injection needle should be inserted 4 to 12 inches into the soil at 2- to 3-foot intervals. Fertilizers suitable for liquid injection are typically more expensive per unit of nutrient and are frequently more difficult to apply than granular fertilizers.

Spikes are additional choice for tree or bush fertilization. These are rammed into the soil with a heavy hammer and can only be employed effectively when the soil is damp. The spikes don’t evenly broadcast fertilizer around the tree’s or bush’s major feeder roots. Tree spikes are a pricey choice. Their popularity is founded on simplicity and ease of application.

Foliar feeding is a short-run answer when a nutrient inadequacy has been diagnosed. The leavesl, buds and green wood are able to absorb some nutrients. Foliar nutrient sprays are put on with a pressure sprayer or siphon sprayer attached to a garden hose. The green-up from foliar spraying is fairly speedy but not long enduring. Generally deficiencies of micronutrients including ironl, boron or manganese are rectified by seasonal foliar applications.

Micro-injection is the straight injection of essential nutrients into the trunk of the tree or shrub. It is a customary commercial practice for relieving or invigorating trees showing stress or decline symptoms. Nutrients can also be placed in gelatin capsules and set in in holes in the tree trunk. Micro-injection research is relatively limited and results are often conflicting. Drilling holes, implanting or injecting fertilizer and sealing holes can lead to trunk disfiguration and decay. Foliar applications, injections or implants should only be considered when soil application of fertilizer is not viable. These measures are considered short-term cures for nutrient deficiencies and pest infestations. Ultimately, the proper soil and foliar applications must be engaged for a long-term cure.

Placement of Fertilizer

Fertilizer should not be concentrated around the base or trunk of a tree or shrub, but should be applied over as much of the plant’s root zone as possible. For trees and shrubs, fertilizer should be applied over an area twice as large as the crown spread. Since most landscape plant roots grow in the top foot of soi[l/c] surface, but not deep application, is recommended.

How Fertilizer Uptake is Affected

Many factors affect how well and well trees and shrubs absorb fertilizers. The most important uptake factors are:

Fertilizer form (inorganic, fast release, or liquid forms are absorbed faster than organic, slow-release,or dry forms)

Soil type (clay particles and organic matter soak up or bind more nutrients than sand, so fertilizer application needs to be more often in sandy soils, but with lower rates each time due to leaching potential)

Soil moisture content and soil warmth (nutrient uptake is faster in moist warm soils)

Plant vitality (plants under stress are less able to take up available nutrients due to damaged or reduced root systems)

Application Timing

Fertilizer should be given when plants require it, when it will be most effective, and when plants can readily take it up. Late summer and early fall fertilization may rouse new growth that is not winter hardy, and summer drought may interfere with nutrient uptake, but spring, fall, and winter applications are acceptable. A split application may be beneficial, applying half the yearly rate in early spring and the rest in the fall as or after plants go dormant.

If water is unavailable, do not fertilize at all - plants will be unable to take up the nutrients. (During a dry season, fertigation - application of fertilizer through an irrigation system can be valuable.)

Tree and shrub fertilization is only one ingredient of total plant maintenance. Fertilization may not assist a plant if it is under stress from poor soil aeration or drainage, saturated soil, inadequate light or space, or excessive pest problems. All factors influencing plant growth should be kept at optimal levels to ensure plant vigor.

Evgheny Stivenson asked:


There might be some people who claim to have a very good IQ because they have scored good in some tests. Some go to the extent of displaying their IQ score wherein sometimes the score is said to be as high as 120! The intelligence is directly proportional to the score – so is the prevalent belief. But such a claim and belief is false and biased. Each IQ test is unique, hence a high score in one test may cannot be compared to an average score of another test.

A good IQ score is highly subjective. Raw score is what you obtain when counting the answers that are correct. They should be evaluated and interpreted using some rules, otherwise it would be useless. Psychometric principles may be used to compare two scores, but some issues discussed below cannot be ignored before coming to a conclusion about the IQ score.

The Title of the IQ Test

It is rather unfortunate that psychologists haven’t till now frozen on a system to compare two IQ scores from two varying tests. Comparing two scores just on the basis of their magnitude may not be a very good idea. To determine if a score is good you have to know what the test is about and what was the highest score that one secured.

How tough is the test

The second parameter to be focused on is how tough the IQ test it. It will be easy to know if the score is really good, if we know how tough is the test. Usually the tougher the test is the lower one scores. It is highly probable that the IQ scores of two tests with the same name differ. This is because the level of difficulty of both the tests is not the same. Those who design the test decide upon the level of difficulty depending upon the age group, education and other parameters.

The Matter matters

There can be a lot of tests which have the same title or name but have different matter or subject they focus on. A 120 IQ score on one test, say verbal capability doesn’t mean you have the same level on a test with the same name but focus on mathematical abilities. Usually IQ tests try to include subject from all other categories, but today IQ tests are becoming more and more focused. Hence the subject of focus of the test should also be given its due consideration.

Age: another parameter to be addressed

When you are young, you tend to be a high IQ scorer. As you grow up the intelligence start deteriorating. But the actual intelligence that you possess may be different. The label of test, the level of difficulty or the focus area of the test is crucial. The highest score that you have got in any IQ test may not be the correct indicator of your intelligence.

Standard Deviation Units may differ

Mental age was believed to be good enough to evaluate your intelligence. But soon it was found to be of no use and a concept of intelligence quotient (IQ) was born. It is ratio of mental age to chronological age interpreted in percentage. 100 is believed to be an average score and any difference is believed to be above of below average. This system was good until it was proved worthless, because the standard deviation is not the same throughout your life.

All IQ tests don’t use same standard deviation. One may use a standard deviation of 15 and another 20. it is obvious then that two different scores cannot be compared at the same level. Hence interpreting a good IQ score becomes all the more complex.

The foundation has vanished

You can find all the above discussed parameters - the level of difficulty, the matter, standard deviation explained in detail in the IQ tests. But you will never be able to find the systedm from which the test was designed.

The system is a perfect sample taken from the population. But the population cannot be perfect since the pubic varies a lot. The situation even more convoluted when you compare different societies. Hence no IQ score can be perfect or be considered the best, even though the variables remain stable.

IQ Score: does it exist?

No digit cannot be established as a good IQ score. Any such claim is false and biased. So there neither exists a good IQ score or a bad one for that matter. But the industry is not at all concerned to remove this misconception. No efforts are being taken to clarify this issue by anyone.

Andrew Bailey asked:


 

Shoppers can usually choose between wood, metal, and plastic play equipment. Plastic is the safest, but is only suitable for very young children, and doesn’t weather well. Wood is sometimes thought to be more attractive, but comes with a hefty price tag. The familiar metal swing set, however, scores well on all three fronts, as long as you take a little care.

 

Creating a mini-playground in a small yard takes a little planning. But once in place, it will provide your kids or grandkids with hours of entertainment and exercise. Today’s play equipment doesn’t have to be gigantic. You can choose from a wide selection of swing-sets, slide sets, play towers and sandboxes that are big on fun, but small in size.

 

When yard space is at a premium, the size of play equipment is an important consideration. Fortunately, manufacturers offer everything from small plastic play structures to downsized metal and wood play centres - complete with swings, tower and slide.

 

Metal swing sets are considered by many to be the sturdiest option on the market. However, it’s important to buy a quality set, made from galvanized steel that will not rust. Regular steel that has just been painted to retard rust will deteriorate if the paint film is ever damaged. Sets that don’t feature galvanized steel are also often of lower quality. There are a number of different styles and sizes of metal swing set. Some include slides, monkey bars, and other fun toys, while others have only basic swings.

 

Recently, wooden swing sets have gotten a lot more popular. These back yard structures offer the opportunity for kids to play near their own homes, safely, and for parents to keep an eye on them. They’re also visually attractive, durable, and fun. While older models were somewhat hazardous, new additions to wooden swing sets and play equipment, like plastic slides, coated chains, and well finished wood that helps kids avoid splinters make wooden sets a viable option. However, there are lots of models on the market, and choosing can be a real trick. There’s more to picking a wooden swing set than just buying the first one that looks good.

 

There are three basic types of wooden swing sets: do-it-yourself, plastic composite, and wood included. They all have their own benefits and drawbacks. For instance, doing it yourself is probably the cheapest route, if you happen to be a carpenter and have the tools to do the job. Maintenance is low, but you’ll have to transport and finish the wood yourself, as well as selecting the right set of plans. Remember that this will take longer than other kits.

 

Having a swing set of your own is a great way to thrill your children. There are many great children’s swing sets out there today, and when you pick out a great swing set, you can provide your kids with many great benefits.  One of the main benefits of having children’s swing sets for your own children is that they are a cost effective way to keep your kids entertained. Most swing sets are really not all that expensive, and they provide hours of entertainment and fun to your children. If you are looking for a great way to keep your kids entertained other than TV and video games, then a good swing set is a great idea for your home.

 

A metal swing set has its advantages, it is very sturdy, usually dependable, and very common—probably the most common kind of swing set. There are only a couple of little things to watch for: the surface underneath, as well as the poles on each side—that they are mounted sturdily into the ground.  Secondly the metal swing set must be well mounted into the ground. If the metal swing set seems or looks unsteady, avoid using it.

 

Metal swing sets are also known as traditional swing sets. Compared with wooden swing sets, metal swing sets have fewer features. However, it contains slides of different shapes and swings of distinct use and kind. Certain metal swing sets feature mild exercising equipments.

 

Metal sets are sturdy and long lasting but it is still important to look for quality and preferably something that is galvanised. Metal sets can often be overlooked because of the visual appeal of a timber set but their sturdiness and minimal care requirements ensure that they are built to last a lifetime.

 

Swing sets are a great way to get kids out of the house and moving around, while keeping them entertained. Swing sets also help develop children’s coordination skills, strength, cooperation, and social interaction skills; this makes swing sets a practical and entertaining way to educate children. Once you’ve decided on a swing set, you need to choose among the materials available for swing sets: metal, wood, or plastic.

 

Perhaps the most important advantage that a metal swing set has over a wooden swing set is price; metal swing sets are somewhat more affordable than wooden swing sets and are probably the most cost effective option on the market, especially compared to non-metal swing sets. Even though they are more affordable, they don’t sacrifice much in terms of sturdiness and durability. Metal swing sets last for long periods of time and many models can also support the weight of adults. Furthermore, they can withstand a great variety of weather conditions and do not easy succumb to the effects of the elements.  One of the great things about wooden swing sets it that they allow you to build your own swing set. Anyone with a little DIY experience and initiative can tackle this job.

 

Wooden swing sets make a great addition to almost any backyard. Whether you’re looking for a simple swing for a toddler to enjoy or an elaborate playground setup that can accommodate the entire neighbourhood, there’s a swing set available to fit your needs.

 

Since they are very durable, wooden swing sets are a great investment for families with more than one child. If you’re looking for playground equipment that will be able to withstand years of heavy use, you can’t go wrong with a wooden swing set.

Swing Set Specialist asked:


Now that you have decided to buy a swing set, how do you get the best deal possible? Now more then ever, swing sets are being purchased online. Traditionally, swing set manufactures were either local or established franchises that would showcase, sell and assembly in a specific area.

Because of the internet, many manufactures have begun building “Ready-To-Assemble” swing sets. Basically these require know cutting. All that is required is assembly. With more and more of these types of playsets becoming available, an increasing amount of specialtyswing set retail websites have appeared online. These websites offer a tremendous amount of information that was not available five to ten years ago.

The first step to buying a swing set for less is determining which swing set you would like to purchase. I recommend doing your research online. There are hundreds of websites that provide reviews and suggestions. I always start with what features you are looking for and go from there. Once you have the actual playset narrowed down, it is relative easy to find the best deal.

Step 1: Start with a general search engine inquiry with the sku name. The results will give you several results that you can quickly go though and get an idea of where the pricing is at.

Step 2: Go to some shopping feeds such as shopping.com, Froogle.com, Bizrate.com or PriceGrabber.com. There are many more to choose from but theses will get you going. They will spit out five to six retailers that carry the product you are looking for and you should now have a basis of what the going rate of your desired playset is selling for online.

Step 3: Go to each of the retailers sites that you found in steps 1 and 2. Look at what promotions then have such as Free Shipping or Free Gifts etc. Look for links to social network sites such as Twitter or Facebook. More often then not, retailers post specials to their fans that lookers can not see. Become a fan. Write on their wall. Ask if the are planning any specials or if there are discount codes.

Step 4: Once you sort through all of the above, make one last ditch effort to contact each of the retailers that you deem to be the top tier retailers. Let them know that you are price shopping and more often then not they we come back with a better price.

Remember, you are not buying an inexpensive item. There are plenty of great specialty retailers that are well know that reputable shops. Take your time, do your resource and let the bargain shopping begin.

Brooke Hayles asked:


If you are smart, then you most likely know that you are smart, and do not really need an IQ test to validate that – though you may not have proved your intellect to the world by making some earth-shaking discovery. Nonetheless, if you still want to check where you stand on the IQ scale in comparison to known geniuses, maybe just for fun sake, then an IQ test is perhaps the best available option at present.

There are so many different versions of IQ tests available that sometimes one doesn’t know which one to go for. Basically, they all test the same skills – logical reasoning ability, puzzle-solving ability, computational ability cognitive skill, three-dimensional visualization skill, etc. – using a variety of questions.

Your IQ score generated from these tests will tell you the level of your intelligence in comparison to others who have taken the same test. For example, if your IQ score falls in the top 2% range, it means that you are smarter than 98% of the people who have taken the same test. Wow! Doesn’t that make you feel good, even though in the depth of your heart you had always known that? Modern tests usually give an overall score instead of an average score and an individual personal best score.

Some tests are better known than others, such as the ‘Expert Rating’, which even gives a certificate showing your IQ scores. You can use this certificate to impress your potential employer when you are applying for a job. If you choose to do a decent test, not the ones meant for fun, the results could be used for professional purposes. Obviously, the ones that are free of cost and state that they are just for fun cannot be used for professional purposes, and they cannot be fully relied on either.

Simple IQ tests meant for fun sake rate your general intelligence level for nonprofessional purposes, say, as a pastime activity among friends. The more serious ones give a rating for intelligence that would be recognized by many employers for professional purposes. This kind of tests are quite reliable as they explore all kinds of brain activity, apart from non-intellect-based intelligence like emotional intelligence, body intelligence, intuition-based intelligence, creative skills, etc.

As the intelligence level of a person is constantly evolving with time, experience and knowledge, the IQ of a person cannot be described by a fixed number and can improve substantially with time. Of course, a low-IQ person will probably never turn into a genius one day, or vice versa; thus one can say that serious IQ tests do give a reasonably accurate idea of a person’s intelligence level.

So if you are looking for a somewhat intellectual pastime activity, pick up one of the hundreds of free IQ tests available online, and try to beat your friends at it. Or if you are serious about adding value to your professional resume, then choose a more serious paid one that offers a certificate showing your IQ score as well as what the test indicates about your special abilities.

Summary:

Professional IQ tests yield a fairly accurate measure of the intelligence level of a person. Some of them even give a certificate that can be used for professional purposes. Sometimes such a test can reveal your aptitude for things you have never attempted before. Simple fun IQ tests are a good pastime activity among family and friends.