My Spiritual Batteries are Recharged
Have you ever gone through a time when you did not actively practice
the craft? You were too busy, too tired, uninspired and/or a host of
other excuses. I did. For the last few months our group holidays are
the only rituals I have participated in, I have not been casting spells
or doing rituals on my own. At first it bothered me. I felt like something
was wrong with me or that I was offending the Goddess by not practicing
my craft. Then I realized that there must be a reason for my lack of
ritual. I still felt She was with me and there was magick in my life,
just not formal acknowledgment of it. So I "let go and let Goddess"
(I actually hate that phrase but it seemed to fit).
Then I got a couple of hints that it was getting to be time to get
back into the swing of things. Small things, like some ideas that jumped
into my head and I felt the need to read some craft/magick books....just
for review and inspiration. The big nudge came in a meditation at the
last Goddess
meeting my sister held. I met two Guardians of Knowledge who told me
it was time to be me again. Most of the message was personal but it
was like a formal welcome back to the world of magicks. After that I
have felt very strong and empowered, able to handle the day-to-day stuff
and still have energy for ritual. At the new moon last tuesday, I gave
an offering of a deep red apple to Hecate to thank Her for all She has
given me and for this renewed energy.
The point? If you find yourself going through a phase where you don’t
actively practice, don’t fight it. Rest, relax, know that the God
and Goddess are still with you. When the time is right to begin again,
you will know. And you will feel recharged and refreshed, with new inspiration
and you will find yourself even more connected to Mother Earth and all
her energies. Trust me.....
More Chakra Stuff
I have been looking once again into chakra stuff as I took apart some
chakra pendulums and wanted to reuse the stones. (see my April
newsletter for more chakra info) I turned the small stones off one
chain into an anklet
and decided to make a pendulum
to match as I had used figaro chain in-between each stone and I really
liked how it looked. Also that pendulum was the only one I had that
I did not make so I had to redo it. I have been looking for the perfect
stone to use for the point and also deciding what to use on the other
end. And I got a new chakra book because I didn’t respond quick
enough to a book club : )
One thing I find interesting about the chakras is the color associated
with each one. According to Healing with Crystals and Chakra Energies
, this color association is quite new. The book states that seers
of ancient India saw the chakras as vortices in the energy of the human
body (as described in the Vedas , the primary source of all Hindu
cosmology and philosophy, codified around 3000 BC). Because the energy
seemed to them to be funnel-shaped, multi-colored and related to spiritual
qualities, they associated them with the sacred lotus. Thus the symbols
often seen in drawings of chakras are lotus-shaped with varying amounts
of petals. And these ancient drawings do not have the colors we now
associate with each chakra as part of these symbols. The book states:
"Since the 1970’s the seven chakras have been seen as
fitting in with the other sets of sacred sevens, and have become particularly
associated with the seven rainbow colours, with each chakra having
its own colour. Although this is a modern departure it works very
well, combining as it does an easy-to-remember colour code with the
qualities and functions of each chakra."
If you are familiar with the colors associated with each chakra, you
might not have liked one of my stone
sets as the stones were not the colors of the rainbow. I used hematite,
which is black, for the base chakra which is normally red. I used clear
quartz for the crown instead of a purple stone too. You might be wondering
if a set of stones, or any set of items for that matter, will work with
the chakras if the colors are not those of the rainbow. Well, of course
they will if the items picked relate to what the chakra does and/or
to healing or aligning the energy of that chakra. Which works better?
I think that depends on the person’s preferences. Both will work
equally well. It has more to do with an individual's energy and how
the items feel to that person. Some really like and respond to the rainbow
colors while others will respond to a different set. Go with your gut
when choosing which stones and/or colors to use when working with chakras.
While I like the look of the rainbow set, personally I go with the
energy that matches. Since I know that dark colored stones are very
good at keeping one grounded, I prefer to use them when working with
the base chakra. And altho I know amethyst is very spiritual, I like
the idea of clear quartz at the crown as to me this lets pure, uncolored
energy in and out of that chakra and I know that clear quartz is an
excellent stone for channeling energies. The third eye is where I put
the more spiritual stone, amethyst. Iolite is also a personal favorite
for the third eye as the energy off this stone is amazing.
So when working with the chakras, don’t let someone else tell
you that you MUST work with this color and no other, unless that someone
else is a qualified chakra healer that can explain why you need a certain
color. When working on your own, let your instinct guide you to the
right color for you to work with.
I also want to share with you a personal experience regarding stones
and chakras. While researching for the April newsletter about chakras,
I read that the sacral chakra was connected to the lower back and that
lower back pain may be the result of that chakra being unbalanced. I
have had lower back pain since I was 18 that comes and goes, mainly
it is a result of my bending or lifting wrong but recently I suspected
other triggers like stress. And it was happening more frequently. My
back issues are with the muscles, not the spine, they seem to tense
up and won't relax causing pain and not being able to stand up straight.
So ok, what is the best stone for this chakra? According to ALL the
books I have, carnelian is THE stone for the sacral chakra. I just happened
to have a carnelian pendant so I started wearing it on a chain. Wow.
Amazing. My back has not gone out since. Some mornings I wake up with
a dull pain but once I put that necklace on, its gone. And I'm not even
wearing it near this chakra, just having the stone touch my skin and/or
being in my energy field is enough. Carnelian was already one of my
favorite stones and I have other jewelry with it so wearing or carrying
it everyday is no problem. And I'm inspired to learn other methods of
strengthening the chakra so I can heal the back pain forever.
Breathe Easy with Eucalyptus
When summer allergies hit, I always reach for eucalyptus for
relief. There are several varieties of eucalyptus, my favorite is eucalyptus
radiata from Australia. When you breathe in this variety, you can
feel a soothing sensation all the way into your lungs. When I get an
allergy attack, the scent helps clear my sinuses so I can breathe again.
When home I set up a potpourri burner with a few drops of eucalyptus
to fill the room with the scent. When not at home, a few drops on my
shirt sends the scent to my nose or, if I don’t want it on my shirt,
a few drops on a tissue occasionally sniffed helps.
Eucalyptus is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibiotic, diuretic,
analgesic, antiviral, and deodorizing. It is also an insect
repellent. It has been distilled from at least 1788 when two doctors
from Australia distilled eucalyptus piperata for treating colic
and chest problems, according to The Complete Book of Essential Oils
& Aromatherapy. It is the ingredient in Vick’s Vapor Rub
that clears your sinuses when rubbed on the chest. According to Aromatherapy,
An Illustrated Guide, Australian Aborigines used crushed leaves
to heal wounds, fight infection and relieve muscular pain. Also a solution
of eucalyptus has been used by Western surgeons to wash out operation
cavities, in India it is used to cool fever and contain contagious disease.
Uses for the home include clearing the head of stuffiness in cases of
cold or hayfever, its antiviral properties make it a good antiseptic,
disinfects a room, good for insect bites, burns, wounds and blisters,
can alleviate rheumatism especially if used in combination with juniper
and lemon oils, and, I didn’t know this, it can remove tar from
clothes or skin (always apply it in dilution). I use Dr.
Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap with eucalyptus to clean my house,
the scent is great and it kills all the germs.
Aromatherapy-wise it can cool down emotions and clear the
head, aid in concentration, strengthen the nervous system,
has a stimulating effect, and can be burned to clear the
air after an argument. I have this oil with peppermint as the
scent for my Mermaid's
Sea-cret and Poseidon
soaps. It really wakes you up when you use it in a shower.
If you purchase this oil, I’m sure you will find yourself using
it often. I have not used it for cuts myself as I reach for lavender
instead, knowing that lavender can be applied neat (undiluted) to the
skin. Whenever I have a cold, I use the potpourri burner to fill the
house with eucalyptus to kill the airborne germs. I carry a bottle in
my purse for those sudden allergy attacks. I have put a few drops on
a vacuum bag to leave a nice scent when vacuuming and cut down on airborne
allergens that may escape. I use the Dr. Bronner’s to clean the
kitty litter box so the scent is not overpowering to the kitty but the
germs are killed. A mix of eucalyptus and peppermint will stop the itch
of bug bites and disinfect them at the same time. In short, if you don’t
already have this oil, I highly recommend you get some and try it for
yourself.
Have a blessed and warm summer!
~~~~Rhiannon Rose
