The Tarot: Major Arcana and the Story of Our Lives
My first thought on including anything Tarot on my blog was: it dosn't fit. Then I thought I do have a little bit of Astrology on my blog and that doesn't really fit either. My decision to include the Astrology was easy because I think for Sensitive people understanding why we may be feeling out of sorts or just unusual in our bodies - physical, mental and emotional - can be a real relief. It is helpful to have an explanation for what we may not comprehend but are definitely feeling. For me (and I suspect for others) Astrology helps to explain. As we are a part of the planet and the larger universe, when there are changes and movements in the air up there, no doubt we are affected. Seems reasonable. So maybe its reasonable to make a little room for Tarot on my blog, too. I hope it will be helpful to those who want to explore the Tarot as a way of getting in touch with the Higher Self or their Potential or The Hero in themselves.
******
Just yesterday I saw a mother and her little boy together at the bookstore. He showed her the book he wanted to get.I didn't see what book it was until after they had abruptly left the book section. For as soon as he had shown his mother what he was interested in having, she replied, "You want that? Why do you want that? Those cards are not good, why do you want that?." She was clearly uncomfortable and she quickly lead him out of the book section they were in. He followed her, he had no choice in the matter. Looking disillusioned he answered innocently, "Because I want them."
I thought to myself, 'what is the controversy?'and when I saw what he was showing her I realized the controversy. He had wanted a traditional set of Rider Waite Tarot cards. I felt sad for him. He was denied. In fact, he couldn't even have a conversation around it with her. His mother wasn't having it. She was ignorant of the positive qualities of these cards and reacted fearfully.
The thing that made me feel sad about this was that because, as a Sensitive myself, I know that it's not your everyday 9 or 10 year old boy that is interested in the Tarot. He must have a genuine reason, a sincere interest coming from somewhere within himself that is asking his mother to nourish this part of him. After all,it wasn't the vampire deck he was interested in or the Shaman's deck; it was the traditional Renaissance Rider Waite deck. Often, this deck is the first one with which most Tarot explorers begin their own journey of spiritual growth. It is safe and has friendly imagery to begin to unlock the imagination and the world of symbols. Maybe I felt sad for him because it reminded me of myself at that age, feeling the proximity of the Beyond but being unable to have the tools,resources or support to understand what I felt.
Learning about the Tarot helped me to connect with a part of me that I had some difficulty getting in touch with. I've always prayed and journeled and while those are central spiritual practices of mine, the Tarot inspired me through its symbols, archetypes, and imagination. Recently, I was inspired to write about the Tarot, specifically the Major Arcana, so that I could roughly describe the story it contains of personal growth. The use of symbols and archetypes are so creative and offer help in creating one's very masterpiece. Yep, still working on mine ... but I've gotta lifetime!
The Tarot is a great tool to help you understand your life purpose and to show at what juncture you find yourself. I'll be focusing on the the Major Arcana. Traditionally, it is a set of 22 cards, 0-22. The 22 cards are symbols that weigh heavier than the Minor Arcana cards in that their symbols speak to the more Sacred in our lives; they represent the archetypes of our higher purpose. Whereas,the Minor Arcana tends to deal with the mundane; matters of immediate significance in our daily lives.
The next post will be the first Major Arcana card - 0 The Fool or El Loco.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Holistic Healing Traditions, Ancient and Global
Holistic Healing and all that it includes is a wide and vast space. It’s nearly impossible to study all of it in- depth. Usually, a practitioner will pick one area of focus, or perhaps assemble complimentary areas to bring together in their studies and practice. Today I want to provide for you a loose overview of some very old Holistic Healing traditions from around the world. My hope is that it starts to give you an idea of what the heck holistic healing is.
Beginning with Western Europe, Hippocrates was a key player in the holistic healing traditions, going back to about 460-375 BC. He’s been dubbed the father of medicine. He was a physician in ancient Greece that believed the body had an innate ability to heal itself. He believed that the body could do this by keeping the four humors in balance. The humors, according to Hippocrates, are: blood, black bile, yellow bile and phlegm. When at least one of these humors was out of balance, the entire body would fall ill. Treatment was of the individual not the disease, and the treatment was of the whole body, not of any one part of it.
The role of physician was to assist nature in its own natural healing process, rather than get in its way by directing this process. Hippocrates believed that diet was the physician’s main tool to assist nature in the restoration of balance in the body. More directive means of assisting were used, but seldom. Should diet fail, drugs and surgery were last resorts. He also believed in the practice of “rubbing” or what is now called massage. He has been quoted as saying, “that the physician must be experienced in many things but assuredly
rubbing.”[i]
Theophrastus, a student of Aristotle back in 380-287 BC, was the father of botany. He was the first known author in Europe to classify plant life with added commentary about their medicinal properties. However, he wasn’t the one who made herbalism classic medicine. That was left to an ancient Greek soldier named Dioscorides (40-90 AD) who traveled far and beyond with Nero’s army. All during his travels he wrote extensively on the herbs and plants.
Now, it’s important to note that much of Hippocrates’ work was influenced by and came from Ancient Egyptian healing practices. Ancient Egypt had an excellent reputation in its time. In fact, rulers of other empires would ask Egyptian pharaohs to send them their best physician to treat their loved ones. What Ancient Egyptians did was to blend magic and religion into their everyday life. There really wasn’t a clear distinction between the calling of a priest and physician. The supernatural was thought to be responsible for many ailments. Treatments involved a supernatural element, such as an appeal to a deity. They also used herbal remedies and practiced massage. They advised patients to look after their diet and to mind their hygiene. Surgery was a rare part of treatment. Healer Physicians were highly specialized in that each one treated a particular aspect of the body, i.e. eyes, teeth, stomach. Ingrained in their practices was the belief that magic is effective together with medicine [and] Medicine is effective together with magic (From the Ebers Papyrus).
In Asia, Traditional Chinese Medicine has been around for thousands of years. It includes a range of practices that are considered mainstream medical care in East Asia. Some of these practices include herbal medicine, acupuncture, diet therapy, and as far as the body work it incorporates Tui na and Shiatsu massage. Physical exercises that are associated with TCM are Qigong and TaiChi. The philosophy of classical Chinese medicine derives from the same place that Taoist and Buddhist thoughts come from which are spiritual philosophies. TCM also reflects classical Chinese belief that the lives of human beings (physical, mental and emotional) are closely connected with nature and that this relationship is healthy when it is harmonious. Should this relationship get off balance it is no longer in harmony. This could lead to ailments or illness. TCM works to restore balance of the body’s five elements - water, wood, fire, earth and metal. Balance is necessary in order for the individual to retain good health.
Possibly even older than TCM is India’s Traditional Medicine – Ayurveda. Ayurveda may have even influenced traditional Chinese medicine. It literally means the science of life and is considered to be the oldest holistic health system today. It includes writings of ancient wisdom on themes such as: health (diseases, injuries, fertility, mental - health), astrology and spiritual living. It also includes discussions on herbs that cure, diet, and like in Chinese medicine, includes 5 natural elements – earth, water, fire, air and ether. Ayurveda is not limited to knowledge of the body or physical symptoms; it provides thorough wisdom regarding spiritual, mental and emotional aspects. The system bases itself on balancing the body, mind and soul. It offers a holistic blend of science and philosophy that encourages the balancing the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual components of the individual that are key to health.
Native American medicine is based upon a spiritual view of life. For example, most tribes have healing traditions that root from the specific tribe’s beliefs about how the individual fits into the whole web of life. The individual, tribe, humanity, nature and universe are all considered to be interconnected. Health exists when there is harmony within the web. Healing focuses on the person as a whole rather than the symptoms. Health exists when there is a balance of life energy in the body, balance of ethical and just behavior, and balanced relationships with family, community and nature. Healers receive their teachings often through initiation, visions, stories, and dreams, which are passed down from generation to generation. Their practices are rarely written down. Their traditions have been passed down through thousands of years by word of mouth. Healing sessions are never the same, because no one person is the same. Such tools as: herbs, smudging, chanting, prayer, counseling, massage, sweat lodging, imagery, or vision questing (shamanic journeying) may be employed but more important than the tools is the healer’s intuition, sensitivity, and spiritual power.
This is just a brief overview for you to begin to get an idea of what holistic health is and what it includes. You should be able to see that all of these very old traditions address much more than symptoms of disease or illness. They all address a spiritual aspect of a person and of nature itself. They consider the individual as a whole person, not only a person who is ill. This is holistic healing and it may also be referred to as holistic health. Don’t forget though that this is just touching one general aspect of it; the world of holistic healing is wide and vast.
Foolish ... But
"You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm."
Colette, French Novelist 1873 – 1954
Colette, French Novelist 1873 – 1954
Friday, January 8, 2010
Following Your Bliss
"If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track, which has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living." - Joseph Campbell
To Live Creatively
"To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong." - Joseph Chilton Pearce
Within My Power
"It is within my power either to serve God or not to serve him. Serving him, I add to my own good and the good of the whole world. Not serving him, I forfeit my own good and deprive the world of that good, which was in my power to create." - Leo Tolstoy
Thursday, January 7, 2010
St. Jude's Prayer
Hello, Hello friends,
Tonight I share with you a very significant prayer for me. I have passed it along to many others, whether they believed or not, and their prayers were answered. Saint Jude is one of my Saint Buds. No, really, I have buddies that are Saints, no lie.
What I mean by that is that I consider some of the Saints that I pray with and to as Spirit Helpers of mine. Together, we co-create. I have to share with you the Prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus because it has helped me so much in my life and is very powerful. If you are in desperate need, Saint Jude is the guy to call on. In particular, I have called upon him in situations that relate to employment and money.
If you want to use this prayer, my suggestion is to pray it 9 days in a row and then let your concern go. Let go and let Jude. I have read before that praying out loud is more effective. I think it's a personal choice, although I will say that I have found that I can more easily become entranced and experience a deeper meditative state when I pray aloud in a low repetitive voice.
St. Jude, glorious apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many. But the church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of difficult and desperate cases. Pray for me who am so miserable. Make use, I implore thee, of that particular privilege accorded to you to bring visible and speedy help where help was almost despaired of.
Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly - (here make your request) - and that I may bless God with you and all the elect through out all eternity.
I promise you, O blessed Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you as my special and powerful patron and do all in my power to encourage devotion to you.
Saint Jude, pray for us and for all who honor and invoke thy aid.
By the way, Thaddeus is Greek name meaning "great hearted one", and as far as I know, this is accurate.
Please let me know what your special experiences are with St. Jude. I'd like to hear!
Tonight I share with you a very significant prayer for me. I have passed it along to many others, whether they believed or not, and their prayers were answered. Saint Jude is one of my Saint Buds. No, really, I have buddies that are Saints, no lie.
What I mean by that is that I consider some of the Saints that I pray with and to as Spirit Helpers of mine. Together, we co-create. I have to share with you the Prayer to St. Jude Thaddeus because it has helped me so much in my life and is very powerful. If you are in desperate need, Saint Jude is the guy to call on. In particular, I have called upon him in situations that relate to employment and money.
If you want to use this prayer, my suggestion is to pray it 9 days in a row and then let your concern go. Let go and let Jude. I have read before that praying out loud is more effective. I think it's a personal choice, although I will say that I have found that I can more easily become entranced and experience a deeper meditative state when I pray aloud in a low repetitive voice.
St. Jude, glorious apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor has caused you to be forgotten by many. But the church honors and invokes you universally as the patron of difficult and desperate cases. Pray for me who am so miserable. Make use, I implore thee, of that particular privilege accorded to you to bring visible and speedy help where help was almost despaired of.
Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolation and help of Heaven in all my necessities, tribulations, and sufferings, particularly - (here make your request) - and that I may bless God with you and all the elect through out all eternity.
I promise you, O blessed Jude, to be ever mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you as my special and powerful patron and do all in my power to encourage devotion to you.
Saint Jude, pray for us and for all who honor and invoke thy aid.
By the way, Thaddeus is Greek name meaning "great hearted one", and as far as I know, this is accurate.
Please let me know what your special experiences are with St. Jude. I'd like to hear!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
My Healing Art
My Healing Art, Ki Healing
Although many of you know that I am a certified massage therapist, many of you might not be very clear on what my work is about. This is probably because it has been evolving quite a bit especially over the past two years! It’s true that I am a massage therapist. I consider massage to be the foundation of my work and it’s important to note that it’s spiritually based. That means that I cater to the well being and nurturing of your spirit self. Call me a spiritual counselor if it makes it easier to understand. For me to be able to counsel, nurture, and cater to your spirit, I offer different ways to do this. One way is through massage therapy, another is through Reiki. Reiki is Japanese for Universal Life Force. This body treatment is subtle, nurturing, illuminating, balancing and of course, healing. CLICK FOR MORE ABOUT REIKI
Another aspect of my work is through Spiritual Direction, a companioning of your spirit’s journey. It’s so important to have someone help us navigate our unique faith journey as we grow deeper into ourselves and draw nearer to God (feel free to replace ‘God’ with other terminology you are more comfortable with, i.e. Source, Universe, Higher Power). With this offering, I help you to notice and respond to the movements of God as experienced in the events of your life and in your prayer. As a spiritual director or I am a listening and supportive companion who creates a sacred space for you to look honestly at your relationship with the Sacred (God) as it is lived out in every day life.
CLICK FOR MORE ABOUT SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
For those who seek guidance from their guardian angels and/or their spirit guides, I provide two similar services: Angel Card Readings and Channeled Readings/Guidance. With this offering, I help you in different areas of your life to gain clarity and focus, with discernment and confirmation, to see “big picture” perspective, and finally to move out of feeling “stuck”. Specifically with this offering, I work with your Angels and Spirit Guides.
Most of these services are ways to help you manage your energy, but I also provide Energy Management consultations to address what may be happening in your life at particular times. I provide you with supportive listening and coaching to help you get grounded and balanced anew. I also offer special mineral (gemstones and crystal) therapy products to assist you with the management of your energy. I am affiliated with VibesUp. CLICK FOR MORE ABOUT VIBESUP
Stay tuned for more evolutions ... there definitely will be.
Ki Healing
Keep Your Vibes Up; Feel Good Be Well
Vibes Up is based on the belief and fact that nature has innate healing energies. These healing energies can be used to help us attract particular energy frequencies that we specifically need and want, such as Love, Passion, Peace and much more. Vibes Up uses crystals, gemstones (mineral life), and essential plant oils to help us raise a particular energetic frequency. They have a patent pending on their Liquid Crystal coating that works to amplify the specific energy even more.
Crystal Quartz (a major ingredient in the liquid crystal) is able to oscillate very precise transmissions of information, i.e. crystal quartz clocks, liquid crystal displays or LCD TVs (a.k.a. crystal technology). It also can amplify/expand energy --- expanding and amplifying precise bits of information that carry particular frequencies, such loudspeakers or cellular phones (crystal technology).
Basically, Vibes Up products work very much like tiny loudspeakers or tiny LCD TV's that transmit or vibrate out to the universe the specific energetic frequency you need and want. The transmission goes out and receives a “like” frequency, and brings it back to you. This is how Vibes Up:
A) keeps your vibes up and B) keeps you connecting to the specific energy you seek in your life.
I love these products because they have brought me and my family many good feelings as well as many positive changes in our lives. Whenever I am feeling down and out I make sure that I have at least one of the products on me or touching me. Literally, it’s a matter of minutes before I experience a shift in my energy.
One of the first bracelets I bought was a Love bracelet. I felt like my heart was closed off and had intuited that I needed to work on opening it more. At the time, I wasn’t totally sure how I could or what I would do to open it. Like kismet, I met Kaitlyn Keyt, the founder of Vibes Up. I was literally drawn to her natural creations. When I entered her space (filled up with crystals and gemstones) I felt a fantastic energetic buzz. I felt really good there. I knew that I had stumbled upon something really special that completely resonates with me.
Since that fateful day, just one year ago, I have worn my Love bracelet and my heart has drastically opened. It has opened much more than I ever expected in ways that I couldn’t have thought of myself. And just like, "Suddenly Seymour", I even met a special someone that is now my special honey. Because the products resonate with me and truly do work,I sell them, too!
Crystal Quartz (a major ingredient in the liquid crystal) is able to oscillate very precise transmissions of information, i.e. crystal quartz clocks, liquid crystal displays or LCD TVs (a.k.a. crystal technology). It also can amplify/expand energy --- expanding and amplifying precise bits of information that carry particular frequencies, such loudspeakers or cellular phones (crystal technology).
Basically, Vibes Up products work very much like tiny loudspeakers or tiny LCD TV's that transmit or vibrate out to the universe the specific energetic frequency you need and want. The transmission goes out and receives a “like” frequency, and brings it back to you. This is how Vibes Up:
A) keeps your vibes up and B) keeps you connecting to the specific energy you seek in your life.
I love these products because they have brought me and my family many good feelings as well as many positive changes in our lives. Whenever I am feeling down and out I make sure that I have at least one of the products on me or touching me. Literally, it’s a matter of minutes before I experience a shift in my energy.
One of the first bracelets I bought was a Love bracelet. I felt like my heart was closed off and had intuited that I needed to work on opening it more. At the time, I wasn’t totally sure how I could or what I would do to open it. Like kismet, I met Kaitlyn Keyt, the founder of Vibes Up. I was literally drawn to her natural creations. When I entered her space (filled up with crystals and gemstones) I felt a fantastic energetic buzz. I felt really good there. I knew that I had stumbled upon something really special that completely resonates with me.
Since that fateful day, just one year ago, I have worn my Love bracelet and my heart has drastically opened. It has opened much more than I ever expected in ways that I couldn’t have thought of myself. And just like, "Suddenly Seymour", I even met a special someone that is now my special honey. Because the products resonate with me and truly do work,I sell them, too!
Spiritual Direction (roots of)
A little curious about the history of Spiritual Direction?
So was I, so here are some history highlights about Spiritual Direction. “S.D.” is practically as old as we are. In early oriental Christianity spiritual direction began primarily with the formation of monks in the desert communities of Egypt, Syria, and Palestine. The spiritual director was called “abba” or father. Among the Israelites of the Old Testament, Moses gave spiritual direction to the people of the desert and even appoints elders to assist him with the spiritual direction. In the New Testament, Jesus spent most of his public ministry giving spiritual direction to his disciples. Desert Fathers of the 4th and 5th centuries continued the tradition of spiritual direction for neophytes who flocked the desert seeking wisdom from these anchorites.
By the way, in case you were wondering(as I was), Anchorites are those who withdraw from secular society, like hermits, to be able to lead intensely prayer oriented lives, like monks. Anchoritic life is one of the earliest forms of Christian monastic living.
In the 16th century, the Carmelites and Jesuits practiced spiritual direction not only among their own religious community but also among lay people, both to men and women. In France, spiritual direction was practiced especially among lay people and became very popular there by the end of the 19th century. Social Scientists have discovered similar traditions of spiritual guidance in other cultures other than Judaism and Christianity, for example, the Eastern Gurus within the Hindus and Buddhists or the shamans among the Eskimos, and Medicine Men of American Indians.
The 17th century has been referred to as the Golden Age of spiritual direction. I have a strong feeling that we are entering another one of spiritual direction’s golden ages. We're at a point in our evolution where we are seeking out and allowing ourselves to have our direct experiences of God. We are moving to a place where we find God living within us, daily and at each moment. Our faith is being renewed because we are discovering that it is actually living and breathing and evolving
(kinda like us, eh?) ... evolving deeper into "Godness". We are moving away from prohibitive and authoritative religions and churches whether it be a conscious decision or whether one not so deliberate. It's obvious that many of us are just losing interest in religion and the strict doctrines of faith.
Of course, I haven't any issues with church goers or people who have religion ... as long as they don't have any issues with me -- a casual church/sangha goer, contemplative prayer/meditation practitioner, and a sort of modern mystic.
So was I, so here are some history highlights about Spiritual Direction. “S.D.” is practically as old as we are. In early oriental Christianity spiritual direction began primarily with the formation of monks in the desert communities of Egypt, Syria, and Palestine. The spiritual director was called “abba” or father. Among the Israelites of the Old Testament, Moses gave spiritual direction to the people of the desert and even appoints elders to assist him with the spiritual direction. In the New Testament, Jesus spent most of his public ministry giving spiritual direction to his disciples. Desert Fathers of the 4th and 5th centuries continued the tradition of spiritual direction for neophytes who flocked the desert seeking wisdom from these anchorites.
By the way, in case you were wondering(as I was), Anchorites are those who withdraw from secular society, like hermits, to be able to lead intensely prayer oriented lives, like monks. Anchoritic life is one of the earliest forms of Christian monastic living.
In the 16th century, the Carmelites and Jesuits practiced spiritual direction not only among their own religious community but also among lay people, both to men and women. In France, spiritual direction was practiced especially among lay people and became very popular there by the end of the 19th century. Social Scientists have discovered similar traditions of spiritual guidance in other cultures other than Judaism and Christianity, for example, the Eastern Gurus within the Hindus and Buddhists or the shamans among the Eskimos, and Medicine Men of American Indians.
The 17th century has been referred to as the Golden Age of spiritual direction. I have a strong feeling that we are entering another one of spiritual direction’s golden ages. We're at a point in our evolution where we are seeking out and allowing ourselves to have our direct experiences of God. We are moving to a place where we find God living within us, daily and at each moment. Our faith is being renewed because we are discovering that it is actually living and breathing and evolving
(kinda like us, eh?) ... evolving deeper into "Godness". We are moving away from prohibitive and authoritative religions and churches whether it be a conscious decision or whether one not so deliberate. It's obvious that many of us are just losing interest in religion and the strict doctrines of faith.
Of course, I haven't any issues with church goers or people who have religion ... as long as they don't have any issues with me -- a casual church/sangha goer, contemplative prayer/meditation practitioner, and a sort of modern mystic.
Reiki Simplified For The Curious
I love Reiki because basically, it is a very simple, experiential, enjoyable healing technique and in the same breath it is so very profound. Reiki is the name given to this system of natural healing for the body and mind, developed by Dr. Mikao Usui who lived in Japan during the the 19th century. The ‘Rei’ means ‘universal’ and the ‘ki’ means ‘life force energy’. Reiki is also referred to as a path to personal growth.
While many people cannot yet physically see ‘Ki’, physics explains that energy exists in everything and that it’s everywhere. It is in the air we breathe, in the food we eat, in the light from the sun and the moon. Inanimate objects have energy too, just lower frequencies of energy, though.
This Life Force Energy is the creative force behind all of life. It is that which nourishes and sustains natural life cycles such as cycles of birth, life and death of all living things. When we are connected with this energy through Reiki or through Prayer or Meditation we will feel less separate from other living beings and things. Rather than separate or isolated, we feel more whole within ourselves and within all of creation. We feel a greater sense of unity to all that surrounds us. We also start to feel supported, safe, and confident to be all that we are.
This Life Force is within us. It is a subtle energy that exists within our bodies and minds. It also exists in plants, flowers, trees, rocks, minerals, and crystals – in nature.
For me, taking walks in nature has a very healing effect. Part of me doesn’t know how it actually happens, but I don’t need to know because I experience a shift in my subtle inner energies. If I feel pre-occupied or anxious there is hardly anything else more effective to calm me than a walk among “my” trees. After I emerge out of their natural care, I am new again. Magically, anxiety is far removed from me. This healing effect happens each time. It always works. Amazingly, the natural energy from the trees, rocks, sun etc. has a corresponding effect on my body, my mind, and my spirit.
This Life Force Energy runs through our bodies through subtle energy pathways called meridians. When these pathways are blocked or out of balance because of stress, let’s say, illness can result. Like other alternative/complimentary therapies, Reiki helps the body, mind, and spirit to rebalance itself and to unblock the energy pathways .This promotes health and well being in us.
Reiki does not have any dogma or belief systems attached to it. It is practiced in almost every country in the world. Thankfully, its healing intelligence transcends religious, cultural, and political boundaries. It can fit practically into any lifestyle physically, mentally, and spiritually. It is truly universal.
While many people cannot yet physically see ‘Ki’, physics explains that energy exists in everything and that it’s everywhere. It is in the air we breathe, in the food we eat, in the light from the sun and the moon. Inanimate objects have energy too, just lower frequencies of energy, though.
This Life Force Energy is the creative force behind all of life. It is that which nourishes and sustains natural life cycles such as cycles of birth, life and death of all living things. When we are connected with this energy through Reiki or through Prayer or Meditation we will feel less separate from other living beings and things. Rather than separate or isolated, we feel more whole within ourselves and within all of creation. We feel a greater sense of unity to all that surrounds us. We also start to feel supported, safe, and confident to be all that we are.
This Life Force is within us. It is a subtle energy that exists within our bodies and minds. It also exists in plants, flowers, trees, rocks, minerals, and crystals – in nature.
For me, taking walks in nature has a very healing effect. Part of me doesn’t know how it actually happens, but I don’t need to know because I experience a shift in my subtle inner energies. If I feel pre-occupied or anxious there is hardly anything else more effective to calm me than a walk among “my” trees. After I emerge out of their natural care, I am new again. Magically, anxiety is far removed from me. This healing effect happens each time. It always works. Amazingly, the natural energy from the trees, rocks, sun etc. has a corresponding effect on my body, my mind, and my spirit.
This Life Force Energy runs through our bodies through subtle energy pathways called meridians. When these pathways are blocked or out of balance because of stress, let’s say, illness can result. Like other alternative/complimentary therapies, Reiki helps the body, mind, and spirit to rebalance itself and to unblock the energy pathways .This promotes health and well being in us.
Reiki does not have any dogma or belief systems attached to it. It is practiced in almost every country in the world. Thankfully, its healing intelligence transcends religious, cultural, and political boundaries. It can fit practically into any lifestyle physically, mentally, and spiritually. It is truly universal.
Monday, December 14, 2009
A Peace of Moment
Inside, sheltered from,
The cold and the rain.
Looking out at,
The rain fall,
Slanted
Wondering how,
Would it look
If it were,
Snow.
Imagining,
Snow's feeling,
Soft.
Season of Winter.
Christmas,
Pulled into the present,
With the arrival of
My hot cup of tea.
The cold and the rain.
Looking out at,
The rain fall,
Slanted
Wondering how,
Would it look
If it were,
Snow.
Imagining,
Snow's feeling,
Soft.
Season of Winter.
Christmas,
Pulled into the present,
With the arrival of
My hot cup of tea.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Angels 101
About Angels! – Concise and Practical Knowledge, Part 1
You’ve heard of Angels but do you know who they are? First and foremost, they are messengers of and for God [feel free to replace ‘God’ with other terminology you are more comfortable with, i.e. Source, Universe, Higher Power etc.]. Angels are God’s volunteers and often work very closely with us humans. However, angels are not human. They can be described as spiritual presences…little bit like holy ghosts or beings of light. These are loose descriptions because ultimately the experiencing an angel is an individual and unique event. Angels can and do incarnate into human form from time to time. Yet, at other times they employ fellow humans to act as angels on their behalf. Folks that work with angels (whether consciously or not) are often referred to as Earth Angels. Generally, Earth Angels are on earth to serve – serve the earth, serve humanity, serve God’s will. Think for a second about whom you know in your life who has been your lifesaver, comforter and bringer of peaceful feelings. Who is always ready and willing to help the cause whatever it be? These fellow friends of yours may very well be Earth Angels.
Can you recall a time when someone you didn’t even know came to help you in whatever kind of way, big or small, right at the very nick of time? Did you ever think that he or she was possibly an Angel incarnated? If so, you just may have been right on.
Angels are non-denominational. They are universal. They don’t just belong to certain religions or belong to biblical or Christian beliefs. While Angels do have roots stemming from Christianity to Hinduism, one of the most important points I must make is that Angels exist for every human being and always have -- agnostics, atheists, and believers alike. As God’s volunteers they serve to bridge the realm of humanity with that of the Divine. How we experience this connection or bridge may be different , for you, for me, or for your neighbor but be assured that angels have something to do with all that is divine.
How can we reach the Angels? I love answering this question about angels because they are just so easy to reach. Literally, all we need to do is ask them. What do you need? Just ask them. Call on them. They are always right by your side ready to assist you. In fact, your Guardian Angels never leave your side. Consider them your personal escorts, with you everywhere you are. A little puzzled you might wonder, “Hmmm, how do I know they’ve heard me.” Well, like anything else you try for the first time, you must be open to try, trust it’ll work out, and then let it be. Be expectant; be ready to see how they work for you. Angels are not complicated creatures. They answer our calls in very simple ways. For example, if you ask them for help to find something, you’ll find it. If you don’t find it, it’s not because they didn’t hear you, it’s simply because they’re working on strings to give you a bigger blessing. When you receive that bigger blessing acknowledge it and you will know the angels worked for you.
What specifically can Angels do for us? Ohhhh, let me count the ways. Another reason that I love Angels is because they are practical healers! The things they can do for us address the goings on in our everyday ordinary (or extraordinary!) lives. These are just some of the things that angels can do for us: Help us to find our life’s purpose, be better at stress management, feel financial peace, cutting addictions, increase energy, help with sleep issues, with job responsibilities, healing your pets and the list goes on! You may be asking yourselves, “…but how do I come to the angels with these matters? They’re probably too busy for me anyway.” Remember what I mentioned above. All you need do is ask them for help. They are just waiting for you to call on them because that is their job, to help you. You can make up a simple prayer around your matter, write it down and read it as many times a day as you’d like or you can just start talking to them, ad-lib.
Go ahead. Start getting to know your Angels this season!
**I plan to continually post Angel prayers that I read, use, and write within this blog; feel free to change the words around to suit you. **
Monday, November 16, 2009
Irish Angel Poem
A friend of mine shared this poem with me and I liked it so much I wanted to share the poem here on my blog. I like the sound aid and the visual aid that go with the poem.
This is an updated posting because the original link I had tracked back to YouTube abd then it was removed from there. But, I ended up finding the poem again and then some! Frank Owen is absolutely amazing. I don't think I've been moved so much by poetry in the last 10 years! Although, I have been living under a rock (at least under the poetry rock).
The link below will take you to his blog, nekyia, where he graciously blesses his words upon us.
This - Frank Owen
This is an updated posting because the original link I had tracked back to YouTube abd then it was removed from there. But, I ended up finding the poem again and then some! Frank Owen is absolutely amazing. I don't think I've been moved so much by poetry in the last 10 years! Although, I have been living under a rock (at least under the poetry rock).
The link below will take you to his blog, nekyia, where he graciously blesses his words upon us.
This - Frank Owen
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Energy Shifts, Astrology and Healing
Whooo-whee! How about the energy out there these days? Maybe some of you have been feeling the subtle energies shifting and feeling as though everything is so intense, and it is just not letting up. I have been experiencing the energies as being really draining! I'm usually pretty optimistic and in high spirits, but lately it is has been painfully challenging to stay high. I know that many light workers and sensitive people are feeling this way. Even those that are not generally as sensitive but who are becoming aware of subtle energies for the first time in their lives are feeling the intensity.
I think a lot of us may feel like we are alone in having these feelings. We may think that whatever drama is occurring is only happening in our lives, but the vibrations we are sensing are very real.
Being the natural investigator/researcher that I am, it wasn't enough for me to just say, 'oh damn, it's just another set of miserable days for me, just gotta get through it.' Nope, just not enough. When I sense that the energies are shifting it is because I feel it as vividly as getting hit by a bat over the head. The small hairs on my back and arms are always on stand by and they can't seem to fall back into place. That's just not natural to me. So I just know something is up, but I can't explain it. Being that I am reasonable in nature, I seek an explanation. Well, you want one, too, don't you?
I found an article that really helped to clear things up for me. Let me forewarn though, if you are not into the dynamics of astrology it might not be your cup of tea. If you read your horoscope in the range of sometimes to often, then I think you should give the piece a chance. It is a wee lengthy, so prepare to read it with time and minimal interruptions.
For those that want the the nuts and bolts of it: we have a planetary conjunction that rates pretty high on the astrological events scale. The action won't stop until Feb 2010. The two major player planets are Chiron, the Wounded Healer and Neptune, God of the Sea -- do you know how deep the sea is? Of course you don't, but as you may have guessed, it's pretty deep. And we all know where deep goes -- to the depths of our souls and then up to where God lives. (smiley face here). We have Chiron begging us to delve into our painful pasts, dig up the hurt so we can heal it forever, coasting alongside Neptune, eager for spiritual enlightenment. This conjunction can really make a roller coaster ride of a recipe. And the planets have dark sides! Think of a strung out Cinderella. Not a pretty thought, I know. But, there is an upside.Think of a mythical Phoenix bird. Much nicer, right? So the question is, how are you going to approach these changing times? This planetary movement reaching it's exact conjunction? Have you been or are you acting like a drug addicted Cinderella or have you been attempting at flight like the transcendental Phoenix? My soul will be working it out so that I emerge as the latter. We have an opportunity to truly heal during these times. We have an opportunity to let go of all our past wounds forever and emerge as the divine beings that we are; the God like people that we are deep within. I pray for me, my family, my loved ones, the light workers, the emerging souls that we may work to create a beautiful planet earth where peace and love reign over humanity.
And now the feature article, "The Chiron/Neptune Conjunction of 2009 - 2010" - Lynn Hayes. For the full article, click this link. ChironNeptuneConjunction
One of the big astrological events for 2009 is the triple conjunction of Chiron and Neptune with Jupiter that will culminate at the end of May when all three planets are within 1 degree of each other in Aquarius. Although the exact conjunction won't occur until February 17, 2010, Chiron and Neptune are within a degree of a conjunction now, so this planetary event is definitely well underway.
So what will this mean for us? Chiron teaches us to face the old wounds of our past and allow ourselves to be healed, opening us up to greater wisdom and understanding that we can then pass along to others. Neptune inspires us towards a more transcendent experience of our lives that encourages us to recognize the impermanence of life's mysteries. However, each of those planets have a darker face as well that can arise. If we resist the Chiron experience we can become stuck in our own wounds, unable to see that they are of our own making and unable to let go. If we resist the Neptune experience we can feel confused or become deluded by our fantasies and illusions.
Both Chiron and Neptune pose difficulty for the expression of the ego. Chiron requires that we process the wounds of the psyche before the ego can manifest in a truly healthy form, and Neptune calls for the transcendence of the ego into the divine unconscious: "from a drop of water to the endless sea." In Aquarius that transcendence of the ego is even more important as Aquarius is a transpersonal sign; the sign that loves mankind but isn't so crazy about people as individuals. The new "transhumanism" is a signature of Aquarius, in which technology and innovation are used to perfect the human being.
I think a lot of us may feel like we are alone in having these feelings. We may think that whatever drama is occurring is only happening in our lives, but the vibrations we are sensing are very real.
Being the natural investigator/researcher that I am, it wasn't enough for me to just say, 'oh damn, it's just another set of miserable days for me, just gotta get through it.' Nope, just not enough. When I sense that the energies are shifting it is because I feel it as vividly as getting hit by a bat over the head. The small hairs on my back and arms are always on stand by and they can't seem to fall back into place. That's just not natural to me. So I just know something is up, but I can't explain it. Being that I am reasonable in nature, I seek an explanation. Well, you want one, too, don't you?
I found an article that really helped to clear things up for me. Let me forewarn though, if you are not into the dynamics of astrology it might not be your cup of tea. If you read your horoscope in the range of sometimes to often, then I think you should give the piece a chance. It is a wee lengthy, so prepare to read it with time and minimal interruptions.
For those that want the the nuts and bolts of it: we have a planetary conjunction that rates pretty high on the astrological events scale. The action won't stop until Feb 2010. The two major player planets are Chiron, the Wounded Healer and Neptune, God of the Sea -- do you know how deep the sea is? Of course you don't, but as you may have guessed, it's pretty deep. And we all know where deep goes -- to the depths of our souls and then up to where God lives. (smiley face here). We have Chiron begging us to delve into our painful pasts, dig up the hurt so we can heal it forever, coasting alongside Neptune, eager for spiritual enlightenment. This conjunction can really make a roller coaster ride of a recipe. And the planets have dark sides! Think of a strung out Cinderella. Not a pretty thought, I know. But, there is an upside.Think of a mythical Phoenix bird. Much nicer, right? So the question is, how are you going to approach these changing times? This planetary movement reaching it's exact conjunction? Have you been or are you acting like a drug addicted Cinderella or have you been attempting at flight like the transcendental Phoenix? My soul will be working it out so that I emerge as the latter. We have an opportunity to truly heal during these times. We have an opportunity to let go of all our past wounds forever and emerge as the divine beings that we are; the God like people that we are deep within. I pray for me, my family, my loved ones, the light workers, the emerging souls that we may work to create a beautiful planet earth where peace and love reign over humanity.
And now the feature article, "The Chiron/Neptune Conjunction of 2009 - 2010" - Lynn Hayes. For the full article, click this link. ChironNeptuneConjunction
One of the big astrological events for 2009 is the triple conjunction of Chiron and Neptune with Jupiter that will culminate at the end of May when all three planets are within 1 degree of each other in Aquarius. Although the exact conjunction won't occur until February 17, 2010, Chiron and Neptune are within a degree of a conjunction now, so this planetary event is definitely well underway.
So what will this mean for us? Chiron teaches us to face the old wounds of our past and allow ourselves to be healed, opening us up to greater wisdom and understanding that we can then pass along to others. Neptune inspires us towards a more transcendent experience of our lives that encourages us to recognize the impermanence of life's mysteries. However, each of those planets have a darker face as well that can arise. If we resist the Chiron experience we can become stuck in our own wounds, unable to see that they are of our own making and unable to let go. If we resist the Neptune experience we can feel confused or become deluded by our fantasies and illusions.
Both Chiron and Neptune pose difficulty for the expression of the ego. Chiron requires that we process the wounds of the psyche before the ego can manifest in a truly healthy form, and Neptune calls for the transcendence of the ego into the divine unconscious: "from a drop of water to the endless sea." In Aquarius that transcendence of the ego is even more important as Aquarius is a transpersonal sign; the sign that loves mankind but isn't so crazy about people as individuals. The new "transhumanism" is a signature of Aquarius, in which technology and innovation are used to perfect the human being.
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