Space Clearing Tips article

Bright Blessings Cosmic Family~ Since I have been posting about clearing work and simplifying our lives, I wanted to share this wonderful article by Christian Hummel in regards to Space Clearing tips. The article can also be found at this link below. Love & Light

http://earthtransitions.com/Space-Clearing/Space-Clearing-Tips.htm

Space Clearing Tips:

How to Keep the Clutter Away
by Christan Hummel

While professional organizers and "clutter busters" are the rage these days, with even Oprah and Donald Trump singing the praises of these clutter gurus, few of us realize how to keep that clutter from reappearing once we've moved it out. Do we ever really ask the question, "Why does the clutter keep coming back?" As if having a life of its own, we all know the uphill battle most of us fight trying to keep our homes looking like the ideal we have in our minds of that photo on the front of the magazines. We have the closet organizers, the desk files organizers, the special toy dressers that double as an ottoman, and all the fun goodies that our professional organizer has recommended, and yet IT KEEPS COMING BACK into our lives! Why?

Obviously much of our clutter is in fact related to a lack of proper organizing of our space, and if that is ALL that is involved, then you simply need to find one of those magical interior alchemists to help out. However, if you find that your clutter keep reappearing, then you may need to look at the more underlying causes of its reappearance, and this will take you in the field of working to shift the underlying energetic matrix of your home, the energy field that is stuck, stagnant, or somehow blocked, which is attracting the clutter to accumulate in the first place.

In Feng Shui, this concept is referred to as "Space Clearing." It is based upon the assumption that our homes reflect the vibrational imprints of the past, either ancient past, or more immediate. In this case, the battles, and history of the land is reflected and imprinted upon our home environment and may well be contributing to the cause of your clutter.

If you consider the ever popular concept of "Ch'I" in a home--that infamous current loured into our homes by well placed mirror, wind chimes and brightly colored, it is analogous to the life flow of energy in a property. Having sufficient flow of this Ch'I is considered the cause of prosperity, health and good relationships. Conversely, a blocked flow of this Universal life energy produces the converse, chaos, blocks in communications, money, relationships and the whole bevy of problems that lead most of us to call in a Feng Shui consultant in the first place.

However, we do not need to rearrange our whole house to avail ourselves of the magical benefits of a space clearing. With just a few simple space clearing tips, even a novice can begin to clear their environment of vibrational imprints of the past -- to sweep out the old to make way for the new, and isn't that why we are de-cluttering our homes in the first place?

Six Simple Space Clearing Tips to Keep Your Clutter Away

1. Bring Your Life Energy Back Into Where There is Clutter:

To our subconscious mind, clutter triggers images of stagnation, stuck energy and places where Life doesn't move. It usually represents the things we resist and places that we don't want to put our attention. Simply put: clean out the clutter. Piles of laundry, papers, boxes, mail...whatever it is, when we see clutter, our mind equates it with chaos and dead energy. So make a point to dive into your clutter like a heat seeking missile. Go straight for it, you know where it lives! Put it away, find a home for it--address it! By putting your attention and focused awareness into that place where clutter has collected, you are reclaiming the places in your environment where you have vacated your consciousness! So really do it with some enthusiasm, with the knowledge that you are putting your Presence back into this space and that it is YOURS to reclaim. Once you move that dead energy in your home, you will be surprised at how it moves in your life!

2. Corners:

These are the places where the Life energy or Ch'i of our environment comes to a stop like traffic at a four way stop sign. Take a moment to tune your consciousness into that part of your environment to discover the plants, artwork, or objects which will move the energy of your corners. The flowing water of a fountain, the flow of air represented by wind chimes, or even the life sustaining energy of a plant can be enough to keep the energy moving and flowing instead of stagnating in your corners. Allow your intuition to guide you towards solutions that redirect the dead energies of a corner into more harmonious, peaceful and joyful spaces.

3. Closets:

They are the bowels of our homes and offices, the storage bins for old, dead energy. If you don't use it, loose it! Keep your closets clean, neat, and free of unwanted, old, unused items. Don't allow your closets to become black holes, or they will reflect that energy. Once you have cleared out those closets, offer a simple ceremony of smudging of sage or incense to clear the old lingering vibrations that were there as well. This keeps those closets from reacquiring their old residents again. Some people prefer to use lemon grass, or an essential oil mixture of peppermint and lemon to freshen up the vibes.

4. Ceremony:

Ceremony is a time when we honor life, the seasons, and those aspects of living beyond the physical. It brings us in touch with the worlds beyond our everyday, and reminds us of a vastness of Life beyond our immediate attention. When we make time for ceremony in our life and homes we open a doorway into another dimension beyond this one allowing fresh new ideas, inspiration and energies to flow into our homes.

By ceremonially burning a candle each night we reinforce to our subconscious mind the symbolic of letting the problems and worries of the day as we offer them to the candle's fire. It is a simple ceremony and one that keeps the energies of your home clean and clear of the burdens of the day. It is also a great way to let go of the past, an ending of a business, a relationship, an old job -- all are energetically &quit;released" through simple ceremonies so that their energetic baggage doesn't follow us into our future.

Rather than follow recipes about which ceremony is "right" for your space, feel the unique connection you have with your space, and allow yourself to follow the ceremony you are guided to use. Look for a ceremonial act that seems to match your energies the intentions you wish to inaugurate into your space. Whatever the ceremony, when you do it with intention and awareness that ceremony heralds in the energies of your intention in a much more profound manner than when we simply and perfunctorily go perform the same act.

5. Consciousness:

The power of this cannot be overstated in my opinion. Find the places in your home or office where you have vacated your consciousness, those closets, corners, and dead zones that you pretend are not there, or wish weren't. That room where the kids used to live, or the pile of paper in the office that calls out for help, but we ignore. Put your consciousness into that space, with intention, and yes, even ceremony, and notice the MAGIC that happens when you do! Energy flows where attention goes!

6. Cycles:

There is a rhythm to Life, a time for growth, and a time for death. Cycles are important to observe: moon cycles are often used for planting, cutting hair, beginning new projec ts. Similarly, observing the cycles of the sun of day and night, being more active during the daylight hours, and winding down in the evening when there is less energy available. As well there are the larger seasonal cycles, solstices, equinoxes. When we align consciously with these cycles of nature, the rhythm of Life, we find more harmony and balance in our lives.

When we follow these cycles, we harness the Life energy of the planet begin to dance to the same beat of Life. So by paying attention to the cycles of Life, we begin to work with them to receive the gift of their energy.

Fall is a perfect time to let go of the past and release the old habits and holds we have on our "stuff" allowing a new energy to flow in its place.

With some small investment on our part, we can dramatically change the energies of our environment making our homes a sanctuary to reflect our highest intentions and dreams.

Happy All Hallow's Eve/Samhain!

Magickal Blessings,

All Hallow’s Eve has always held a special place in my heart and soul. It invokes ancient memories of bonfires, music, drums and dancing outside under the moon and the stars; smells of the crisp air and autumn leaves, apples and cinnamon…and of course frolicking and merry making! But most of all it is a day to honor all of those who have gone before us, the spirits, our ancestors.

In honor of this magickal night, I thought I’d touch on some history. There is a lot of it so I am just giving you the bare bones here! No pun intended-lol

The word Hallow means ‘sacred’, ‘holy’ and also ‘saints.’ Halloween or All Hallow’s Eve is also known as Samhain (pronounced sow-en or sa-ven) It is a deeply magickal time, a festival of the sacred Celtic New Year and also considered one of the ancient Celtic fire festivals. At this time of the year, it is officially end of the harvest. Cattle and animals were often slaughtered then and any plants left out in the fields past Samhain were considered taboo, under rein of the nature spirits.

Samhain also means “summer’s end”. In the Scottish-Gaelis dictionary, “sam” plus “fuin” put together is “Samhain” or Hallowtide, the Feast of All Souls. It is a time to celebrate before we enter the dark half of the year. It is a magickal window, considered outside the laws of time and space. So the night may be used to view any other point in time. The veils between this world and the spirit realm are very thin, revealing an ideal time to communicate with those who have passed on as well as the nature spirits. It is a night where those of the otherworld walk amongst the living. Divination was often practiced on this night in ancient times, as it was and still is believed the spirits could aid us in foreseeing the future and also help us. Samhain is about honoring and welcoming the cycles of life, death and rebirth. It is a wonderful time to honor and celebrate the lives of loved ones passed on. It was common for the Celts and many ancient religions or spiritual practices to honor the dead and our ancestors. Celebrations and practices exist in other cultures around the world honoring the dead, such as Dia De Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, in Mexico, and All Saints’ Day festival, which spans many countries across Europe and the Mediterranean, Czech Republic, Romania and the Philippines. It is a beautiful custom, one I feel that became lost in America over time and one that I choose to practice now. It also reminds us that the soul is eternal.

Interestingly, since Samhain is rooted in Celtic history and Europe, the pumpkin was not around then. Pumpkins are an American vegetable so back in ancient times, mostly turnips and root vegetables like beets or even potatoes were used in decoration and for making lights. I think since pumpkins were more readily available, they were/are much easier (and more fun) to carve than turnips. The pumpkin is connected to the feminine aspect of the Divine, being that it is round in shape. It is ruled by the moon and resonates with the water element. The magickal associations with the pumpkin are protection and abundance of harvest.

The celebration commences at sundown and lasts for 24 hours. A wonderful and simple Samhain/All Hallow’s ritual one can do is just to put pictures of loved ones out on a small table or altar. If you don’t have pictures it’s ok, too. You can just sit quietly with a black candle (or white) and connect with the energy, offer prayers and gratitude to all of those whom are passed on, your ancestral lineage, those you are grateful for in spirit form. You can also honor those whom are living. Such as someone who helped you, maybe someone you look up to or admire, whether you know them or not, even spirits of children and animals unborn…Take a moment to relax and send out your own personal prayers, gratitude and love.

Many enjoy leaving offerings out. It can be an extra plate of food left at the table or outdoors. The fairies especially enjoy sweets like honey and cakes or breads. You can also adorn your altar or tables with apples, the fruit of Samhain, or pumpkins, gourds, corn, turnips, acorns, sage, autumn leaves such as Oak… You may leave them outside under your favorite tree as an offering as well. Make it as personal and creative as you wish. Even though the spirits don’t physically eat, they take in the essence of the food. =^_~= I believe with Halloween, while candy has become a major focus in America, it does have its roots in offerings of the ancient past.

Crystals and stones are wonderful to have out or give as offerings as well. Some crystals associated with Samhain are: smoky quartz, obsidian, jet, fairy quartz (also called spirit quartz,) onyx. I think some of the orange stones are great too, such as carnelian.

Samhain is also the most powerful time for letting go. We embark upon the descent within our souls; looking within, facing the shadow aspects of our psyche, learning what we need to and letting the rest go to start anew, rebirth ourselves. One can call upon the spirits of our loved ones and ancestors for extra support or assistance during this process. (Always surround yourself in white light or violet light and ask, pray for Divine protection first) It is a great time to release negativity and negative energies we may have accumulated in our energy fields. Samhain is also an ideal time for forgiving and healing broken relationships, at least for making peace within ourselves and our hearts. The cosmos is very supportive of this process at this time.

In addition, you may wish to reflect upon how far you have come, how much you have grown and put your intentions out there as to what you wish to cultivate for the upcoming year. (Just as many write New Year’s Resolutions the end of December)

I am not sure where the scary aspect comes in with devils and all that… But one of my *feelings* is that over time as the Christian church deemed these practices unacceptable, the concept of honoring and communicating with the dead was considered evil or scary. So it was more fear of the unknown- lack of being connected to our roots & the Divine, a lack of understanding knowledge combined with the fear the church instilled into many people. Personally, I think many in America here that are obsessed with devils, ultimate scare, gore and candy o.d. are missing the big picture. Some chills and scares… ok yes. Tis fun to sit around the fire and tell ghost stories. (Except none of those killed babysitter ones- thank you friends in my childhood-LOL) I have read it was acceptable for the Celts to engage in mischief and play practical jokes on this night. Partially because they viewed it as a psychological release before the onset of the dark and cold winter.

Whether you choose to call it Samhain, All Hallow’s Eve, Halloween, All Souls Day... remember you are partaking in a mystical festival that has a historical lineage of more than 6,000 years- possibly being older than that! Honor this night, and all of those who have gone before us, the spirits, yourself. Enjoy this truly magickal time and be safe! Choose to stay centered in peace, love, gratitude and light.

A wonderful book to read about the history and customs of Samhain/Halloween is “Halloween” by Silver Ravenwolf. It is full of fascinating information, customs, rituals, spells, recipes and activities. I am including her recipe for Witches Brew below.

♥ Witches Brew ♥

1 gallon apple cider (love)

One orange (love)

One apple (love, wisdom, knowledge, health)

3 cinnamon sticks (love and psychic powers)

1/8 tsp. nutmeg (fidelity)

One handful rose petals (love) -You can also use dried rosebuds-

One big pot

Pour the apple cider into a large kettle. Peel the orange and squeeze its juice into cider, discarding the pulp. Tear the orange peel into 1-inch strips, and add to mixture. Core apple and cut into ¼ inch slices. Add to mixture. Break the cinnamon sticks in half and add to mixture. Add nutmeg. Warm over low heat for 2 hours. Do not bring to a boil. Stir often, saying:

From the moon to the vine

From the vine to the fruit

From the fruit to this brew

May the Goddess (or Lady) send her blessings

May the God (or Lord) grant your desires

Serve warm in your favorite punch bowl and sprinkle with rose petals.

Simplifying Your Life Part II- Clutter and Home energy clearing

Greetings Cosmic Family,

It is joyfully cooler here and the tree leaves are turning to gold and other warm colors. The wind is also helping to shake off their leaves, just as we are doing now also.

In the last post, the bare bones of simplifying our lives was mentioned with some additional ideas. Now I’m going to get into what most of us rather not get into… dum dum dum! House cleaning & clearing! (groan… Lol)

When we are focusing on simplifying in the home, one thing that needs be tackled first is clutter. Meaning, anything around your house that is getting under your skin. Such as a pile of papers you promised yourself you’d go through ages ago and they are still sitting there taunting you… Also, clothing you don’t wear anymore, any personal items, old gifts you don’t use, collectables, cookware, old electronics, others furniture, holiday items, photographs, even email falls into here somewhere.

Closets are notorious for hiding things and accumulating too much. As well as garages, sheds, attics, basements, any room or area you don’t use that much.

Why is it important to clear your spaces? First of all, as we grow and evolve, our energy and personal tastes do as well. It is just part of the cycles of life. So its only natural one will feel inclined to clear out the old and start anew. Also, clutter collects an energy of stagnation, which is reflected in our lives and may create a block to positive energy flow. So each item you hang onto, if you don’t truly love it, there is a decay-like energy that it accumulates over time plus whatever emotional association you may have with it.

Energy flows where there is a clear path. Granted, it can move around like a snake but it is much better to clear away all that you can to bring in fresh new energy. That way, energy will flow much better into your life and your home. What you want to do is create a space/environment that will support your spirit and bring you feelings of peace and happiness.

It is said that if you haven’t used something in 6 months, and definitely if it has been 1 year or more, then toss it. You can donate your items, give them to a friend or someone else who needs them, bring them to a Goodwill store, sell them on eBay, have a garage sale (for the brave-lol), recycle them or throw them away. Or, even more fun- burn or shred what you can! Of course only paper items and nothing toxic. There is something very satisfying about watching old parts of your life burn away. It brings closure and is also a sacred ceremony.

I have a “rule” for myself now that if I am buying something new, something old must go out. So you may very well enjoy adopting this also, if not already.

I know how hard it can be to get going at first. Personally, even though I like things clean and organized, there are few times I actually like to clean and I have to pretty much force myself to do it. But once you get going, its not so bad and can even feel liberating. You may even want to power through it warrior style.

A great book I highly recommend is Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui by Karen Kingston. It definitely illuminates much about what exactly is clutter and how it affects you, plus she gives awesome information and advice.

So where do you begin and how to approach this seemingly daunting task?

First of all, if need be, it helps to change your attitude about it. Instead of dreading it and thinking ‘it will take forever,’ etc., remind yourself you are doing it for yourself, the outcome will be so worth it and it can be done in small steps. Remember it is freeing up all this new space for magickal, fresh beginnings in your life. And since it took time to create whatever you are cleaning up, there is also time that can be made to address it.

Second, don’t beat yourself up or carry any judgment about it- especially towards yourself or a spouse, partner, roommate, etc.. It happens. As Sonia Choquette has said, “Bless your mess” J

That alone will shift the vibration in a positive way. What’s important now is that you are working towards improving the situation. Because the more you focus on ‘how did this happen… or look at all this crap’ (lol) the more a negative attachment is formed and your energy is compromised. So just let it go. Free yourself- forgive yourself, forgive your significant other if necessary, it’s all good. Breathe…. ahh…

Ask for Divine help and/or the Angels of Feng Shui and Energy clearing to help you. They are happy to do so! I have not talked about angels much on my blog, which is another topic all together. I think many of you whom read here work with the Angelic realm also. But just in case, briefly put, Angels are Spiritual beings, pure love and light, created by God/The Divine Creator/Source whatever one may wish to call it… They are here for us, created by the Divine to help us. It does not matter what your spiritual preference is, where you are on your path or what your religious practices may be. We just need to ask for their assistance because there is law of free will and they cannot intervene unless asked first. I like working with Archangel Jophiel and also Archangel Michael. All you have to do is pray, mentally ask for them to help you with clearing your space and brining you all you need for the process. Be it motivation, time, energy, focus, positive thoughts, alone time in the house, whatever…

Another thing that may help you is to give yourself some incentive. Like a sea salt bath with essential oils, a funny movie, a lovely dinner, a massage…. Have a reward already set up for yourself so that when you are done, it’s something to look forward to.

Also, don’t hold any expectations about how you think the whole process should go or how long it should take. (Though I do suggest carving out a certain amount of time that works best for you.) The key is not to put pressure on yourself. So allow yourself room to go with whatever. If you and a friend or partner are tackling it together, don’t be barking orders-lol. It won’t make things any easier. There are some that need a positive motivator or coach also.

People can become emotional when clearing clutter, even afterwards. Especially if he/she is sentimental and may be dealing with items that are from deceased loved ones. This is because the old energy is being cleared away. So.. patience. If you become emotional, its ok. Allow yourself to feel for a moment, take a break if you need to, and let it pass…its important though not to become lost in a sea or dwell on the feelings.

Take breaks. Everyone has their own unique way of operating during the clearing process. Some may feel a rush of adrenaline and some of you may tire out sooner. If you do feel tired or sore, stop. Listen to your body and honor your needs. Even if its been hours and you feel great, don’t push yourself into the danger zone. Remember, its all about one step at a time.

If you are challenged in any way with a health issue or condition, plan to ask for help and/or have a friend or someone to help you out. Always ask for help when you need it.

Start with just one area first. You may want it to be the kitchen, for example, or a closet. But begin with clearing a cupboard or cabinet, a drawer, a desk, a shelf, a box... (A poodle, a noodle, a doodle…lol That is a line from the movie What About Bob) Then move on after that little by little. You will be glad you did.

Have some big garbage bags, garbage cans or containers, and boxes. Plan a designated area where you can put things into manageable units and label them like: Donate, Recycle, sell, Garbage, Undecided. Or however you wish. You can always go back to the Undecided later.

The big questions to ask yourself when faced with indecision about an item is this:

Are you really going to use it or do you use it regularly?

Is it really going to help you by keeping it?

Does this item support my spirit and reflect my heart’s desires?

Do you love it? Does it lift your energy?

The third is most important. If you love it and it lifts your energy- awesome. Keep it. Otherwise, toss it.

Probably one of the hardest things for women, I think, is clothes that are newer but they may be a smaller size. Ladies, how many times have you bought a cool new dress or other item, even though it may be (cringe) *snug*, intending you will be able to fit into it soon? Or even hang onto something you used to fit into years ago with that same intention. I think this is the equivalent of saying, ‘You are not good enough to wear this now but soon will be.’

Its terrible right? Then you end up with a closet full of different sizes. Free yourself now from this pattern. You want to have something beautiful you can wear now. Honor and love yourself exactly as you are in this moment! ;)

You will feel soo much better by buying and wearing something that you look great in NOW.

Another tip: Don’t go shopping when you are upset. At least don’t buy anything. I hear so many women talk about how shopping is “therapy” and feel this is so far from the truth! It is more a diversion tactic set up by the ego to avoid how you are truly feeling.

In addition, something you buy may not look so pleasing after you bring it home and try it on later. Because you were already distraught emotionally, it alters one’s clarity and decision making skills. And maybe you were drawn to a certain color because your aura was a different shade at that moment. So keep that in mind. It’s better to take a time out and allow yourself to feel what you need to rather than to avoid it.

Another thing you want to do is take a look around at all that you may have hanging on the walls or whatever artwork you may have, whatever you have adorning your home. This is all a reflection of yourself and others in your home. Too often, many of us have items that we like but may reflect something difficult in our lives previously (even lives past) and it has a rather negative influence on us in the present. Reading more about Feng Shui will really help one to grasp this concept further.

But as an example, I have a big painting I really like from the Medieval era. It is in direct view where all can see it in the living area and I gaze at it often. The artist is wonderful, it truly is a beautiful portrait although also haunting- a scene of a queen/lady of royalty tying a scarf around her beloved knight, bidding him farewell before he marches into battle. This was a difficult pattern that carried over for me from my past lives- many lovers or loved ones I lost or waited for. It didn’t *click* with me how this picture influenced my present life until after studying energy and Feng Shui! So… time to replace it with a happier picture.

So, take a look around your home. If you are single and longing to attract a wonderful new lover or relationship, then put up items in pairs or pictures of lovers, pictures of twos.. you get the idea... You can do this to enhance your current relationship as well. Also, the stone rose quartz is great to have in the Relationship corner of your home. It helps with attracting love and maintaining love, opening oneself more to unconditional love. The relationship corner is the area of your home that is farthest to the Right in the back when you are looking at it from inside your front door. It helps to also study the Bagua, a term used in Feng Shui placement. You can do a search online for it or find it in Feng Shui books. Here is a link to a Bagua map:

http://www.spiritofangels.com/fengshuitips.html

In the book I previously mentioned by Karen Kingston, I believe there is a basic chart of the Bagua in there as well.

Also, do you have any items that hang down? A few here and there is ok, but if you tend to keep a lot of decorations hanging down from the ceiling or shelves, even plants, this can have an effect on your energy. It has been said this lowers energy and contributes to depression. So what you want to do change those, have plants and decorations that go upward or reflect upward direction, expansion. If you can, adjust your plants to grow upward if possible. If not, then bring in new plants.

Another correlation with Feng Shui and one’s life and personal body is having storage up high on shelves or in the attic. Excessive items in the attic may block one's higher aspirations and has been said to possibly contribute to headaches, such as migraines and affect the mind, mental energy, as well as the crown and third eye chakras. Think of the top areas of your home as the crown of yourself, whereas basements symbolize the past.

After you are finished powering through all your clutter and happy with the results, ask for Divine help to seal the positive energy in, to seal the light and love. I would start by thanking the Universe, Heavens for this opportunity and ask that the new energy vibration be upheld and protected, for the flow of new energy to be continual. You may even want to say a prayer, ask for help with keeping things clear and/or with organizing. Visualize white light coming down like bright rays of crystal sunshine, entering your home, filling every space with pure light. You can also do this daily and in between your cleaning/clearing days. Violet light, the Violet Flame also work excellent for this.

Picture in your mind’s eye, the light expanding out of your home also, completely covering your property, the trees and living things in a sphere, bubble or large caccoon shape. Add your feelings of love and safety, peace and happiness. Be creative and personalize it, whatever comes into your thoughts is what will work best for you. Placing crystals around your home will also keep your space energized, protected and aid in positive energy flow.

Most importantly, have fun in your new and dreamy oasis!

♥ Until next time~ Happy clearing and Blissful blessings, Oceans of love to all of you! ♥

Happy Equinox and Simplifying part 1

Greetings everyone & Blessings,

It has been quite a long time since I posted anything here. I feel like I’ve been stretched every which way since the time I last wrote! But alas… Time for me to pull on my "big girl boots" and get up on the horse again-lol.

Today is Autumn Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere~ also known as the Pagan sabbat of Mabon. So happy Autumn Equinox & Mabon to all of you! And Happy Spring Equinox to those of you in the Southern Hemisphere!

The energy is powerful tonight and will be in the months ahead as well. Equinoxes are pivotal moments that ignite change; a time to reflect on how far we’ve come and put our gratitude, energy, intentions and prayers out there to the Universe & the Heavens as to what we wish to create in the months ahead.

Mabon is known as a time of second harvest before we go into the darker half of the year. To me it is a very special time of the year. Autumn is my favorite season and I am so ready for cooler weather! We also reap the fruit of what we have symbolically sewn in our lives. In addition, we have a full moon following right after. So celebrate tonight! Equally important is letting go… Now is a perfect time to do this. (And it is a message I have been reminded of many times!)

One thing that I crave now is simplicity. I have to admit there are times I just feel exhausted by the mundane earthly stuff- creating, cooking, the things we buy, sorting, cleaning, all the waste, recycling….Does it ever end? Lol I long for the days where I could manifest with a single thought with wand in hand! (Though yes that can be dangerous on the Earth plane with the ego paling along..)

One message I have received frequently is to “simplify simplify simplify!” And this is definitely a biggie when we are moving on to the next phase of our journey. Because we can’t take all that baggage with us when moving into our new and heavenly spaces, nor would we want to.

So, as mentioned earlier, this is a perfect time to clear away the old from our lives, which will make way for all the amazing things we want to manifest.

So what does “simplify” mean exactly? The main aspect of it is letting go of excess.

Letting go of what no longer serves you or your highest good but also anything that is weighing on you, your time and energy. I have to say the main thing is clutter. All forms of it. Yes, definitely in your home but I am going to start some other basics first.

So take a moment now and breathe… Think of what is pulling at your energy? Beckoning your attention? What do you need to simplify, to let go of? The first thing or ideas that pop in your head, trust and go with it. It may be as simple as tidying up your house or limiting your time on the internet or Facebook-lol.

For me this all started with simplifying things in the financial arena last year. I took a look at what was adding extra stress and eating up money, the first thing to go was cable tv. This decision was basically out of necessity but I am glad that my husband and I decided to let this go. I feel good about it now and don’t miss it much. It was an adjustment at first but I didn’t watch tv much anyway. Plus we still have dvds and NetFlix. J Oh and PS3 for hubby-lol.

One main thing that was pulling at my energy was that on tv. So I say to all of you, UnPlug yourself whenever possible! Free yourself! First of all, the media is very much fear based and focused on negativity. It is one of the best means to control people when you think about it. Do you ever actually feel good after watching the news? Plus we are inundated with advertising all the time- not just on tv but the radio, everywhere on the internet, billboards when you’re driving… I could go on… Its overwhelming. Remember the media won’t hesitate to misconstrue information and also lie for ratings.

Negativity, fear and more ads is not what I want to hear more of or focus on, it only brings my energy down. I choose what makes me feel positive and good, and tv wasn’t one of them. I prefer to focus on thoughts of peace, love and light. ;) So I unplugged. Best thing I’ve ever done!

I ask the Divine to let me know what I need to and when, and it is brought into my attention some way.

If you are trying to free up yourself money-wise, cell phones are another big expense. (At least for me-lol) I used mine mostly for business though- personally I don’t like being accessible 24/7. So take some time do some research, look for plans that offer less minutes, different companies. There are a lot of pay as you go plans now and also plans if you want to have your phone for driving or emergencies. When I called my wireless company and let them know my situation, they were eager to keep me as a customer. I started by bumping down the minutes. Also, if you call and let your provider know that you are considering stopping service entirely, they will give you other options first. So keep that in mind. Most are willing to work with you because they want your business.

Take your time with this process, there is no need to rush. Obviously you will know what is best for you and what needs attention first. If you don’t, pray and ask the Divine, your Angels and/or Guides for answers and help. Take some time to quiet your mind and relax, even if it is just for 5 minutes. Heaven will answer, we just have to be patient and surrender it also to the Universe so Heaven can help. This is an important thing many of us miss- we may worry or obsess about a situation, but really it helps us more to just let it go… Worrying is not going to accomplish anything but make you feel worse. (Take it from someone who knows all too well-lol) I know how challenging it can be sometimes. I think overall, many people are conditioned to worry and feel like it is “doing something” about your situation but truly it is not. It is more based on a lack of faith. Remember, choose peace and what makes you feel good, including thoughts of peace. You do have the power to change your situations and whatever you are not happy about.

If you need to distract yourself from thinking about it then go ahead. Allow yourself time for something you’ve put off, make time for fun or good movie or a book, a walk outdoors…

Your answer may arrive in the form of repetitive thoughts or it may be an idea you keep having. Even if it makes no logical sense, trust your intuition. It may very well be the answer to your prayers. Many times the heart or Divine does not make logical sense because the heart operates on the higher frequency and energy of love. Does the idea/thought bring you good feelings? Trust the feelings and the feelings in your body. You may hear a name being repeated to you or a place, an idea that the universe puts out there to you... ;) Breathe and know all is well. Just trust and have faith.

Whatever you are thinking too much about, choose to let it go for now. Especially today! Allow the Universe, Divine, your soul to intervene for you. Choose thoughts of peace and what makes you feel good. Take some time tonight and in the days ahead to think about what you really want and become clear about it. This is a powerful and amazing time to put forth changes our hearts desire!

If you are interested in reading about a Full Moon Release, scroll down and you'll find it here 10/3/09 in older posts.

I’ll be writing a Part II very soon, especially in regards to home clutter clearing.

♥ Happy Equinox Cosmic Family and Magickal, Blissful Blessings to all of you! ♥

From Death to Rebirth, the Metamorphosis

Hello Beloved Brothers and SiStars,

It has been some time since I have posted anything. I have been going through a huge transformation process which was ignited via a healing crisis for me. Because of this I had to close my business last year and take a hiatus for a while. The short version is I discovered I had an auto immune disorder/imbalance in Sept. It has affected me on multiple levels with tissue inflammation and pain, allergies, drained adrenal glands, low energy, etc. This invoked more tears and feelings of fear, like myself and my world was falling apart. This period has been challenging, emotional and also amazing. I was put in a position where I felt powerless and could not do much. Meaning, some everyday tasks that are normally easy were difficult for me. I had to learn to ask for help and just let go. There were days I felt like I was going out of my mind (lol) from having to sit still and relax. I have not said much to anyone about this transition besides a few who know me well, since it is personal plus there is not much one can say. ;) But by sharing it here, it helps to get it out and I share for all of you and what I've learned in hopes that it may help you in some way. In the beginning of the shift for me, I felt that since I am a healer, I had in some way failed- by not fully seeing the truth nor completely helping and healing myself. Truly though there are no mistakes; just choices and experiences. It is that we choose to overcome the challenges that matter. Many healers and lightworkers go through difficult trials like this and even healing crisis as a doorway to evolving and truly becoming. It does not make you any “less” of healer or person, or less powerful, even if it may feel that way sometimes. And while we go through these periods, we do often need to disconnect and focus on ourselves, truly listen to our hearts, find our inner joy.

We may find ourselves saying no more to others or requests and simplifying our lives so we can just “be.” For me, certain things I used to do or people I used to spend time with no longer felt right for me. At times I looked in the mirror and was like “What the hell? What is happening to me?” I can't help but chuckle a bit as I write it now yet at the time it was quite unnerving. Much of my life fell away because it had to, so I could move on to the new. So much has shifted within me and keeps shifting. I continue to peel the layers of the onion and connect more with whom I really am, the Goddess within.

I also want to say thank you to all of you who read here and for your kind thoughts, words and prayers. It all means the world to me and I do believe with all my heart it all makes a difference.

I have chosen empowerment and gratitude for this experience, and I know I will heal completely, for I already am. It has lead me to a place I never could have imagined.

And for those of you going through difficult periods, whether it be your health, relationships, or any situation… or if it just feels like nothing is happening for you no matter how much you pray or how much you put into action, have faith. There are definitely Divine reasons for this. Our souls and the Universe always has a bigger plan in store, especially when we are on the enlightenment/ ascension path. One of the best things you can do is take some time to listen to the still voice within and ask for Divine guidance, be open to receiving it. Earth herself is going through huge shifts now; I believe everyone is. Sometimes we need to be still, as things are lining up for us. In addition, we are also 're-calibrating' so to speak. There are matters of Divine timing and our heart's desires are not something we can force, we just have to have faith and learn to enjoy the moment. A new chapter is unfolding. After our ducks are all in a row, then everything falls into place perfectly.

Also, so much is cleared away from within us during the healing and ascension process. It definitely takes a toll on a person at times- on multiple levels- depending on what you are healing. It always passes and we feel much lighter again. So there is a need to be in a safe space during this process. We may even be forced to get out of our own way ( the ego just loves to resist change! Lol) And we find we are searching for something even deeper within ourselves, deeper connection to Spirit/Source, a more simple way of living, loving deeply or learning to love more ( including and especially ourselves) among many other possible things! We are searching for Divinity, awe, magick, love, the God/Goddess within. To me, this is what healing truly is, re-connecting to our inner Divinity, our true Divine selves; and realizing and re-membering we are all beings of love and light and that we are all connected with all of life. As we do this, the old and any darkness falls away. We all deserve love, joy, abundance, all that is good. Remember to celebrate all of your steps, for each one is important and a contribution. You are honoring yourself & the Divine by taking care of yourself and your needs. As you heal yourself, you are also healing the collective.

Below I am including a story about a butterfly, that I find so inspiring and true!

♥ Oceans of cosmic love, blessings and bouquets of gratitude to all of you

♥

A story is told of a caterpillar named Yellow who was trying to find out what she should be doing with her life. In her wanderings she discovered another caterpillar seemingly caught in some gauzy, hairy filament. Concerned, she asked if she could help. He explained that this was all part of the process of becoming a butterfly.
When she heard the word butterfly, her whole insides leapt. “But what is a butterfly?”

The cocooned caterpillar explained: “It’s what you are meant to become.”
Yellow was intrigued but a bit defiant. “How can I believe there’s a butterfly inside you or me when all I see is a fuzzy worm?”
On further reflection she pensively asked, “How does one become a butterfly?”
And the answer?
“You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar.”
(From Trina Paulus, Hope for the Flowers [New York: Paulist Press, 1972], pp. 67- 75.)

Strawberry Love ♥ Love ♥ Love ♥

When I think of strawberries, usually summertime is the first thing that pops in my head. Growing up, my family had a large strawberry patch which soon after spread and yielded many wild strawberries throughout the backyard. (Thanks to help from our wild animal friends)

Strawberries are a magickal fruit, very much connected to the fairy realm. Fairies love strawberries! They represent passion, love, luck, rewards, temptation and gifts. Strawberries are ruled by the planet Venus and resonate with the element of water. They have an aphrodisiac- like quality to them and have been used for eons to invoke love and in love potions. So what better time to eat them than during this love month and on Valentine’s Day! One can see why strawberries and chocolate are a perfect and popular pair during this time.

In addition to their magickal properties they also have some wonderful healing properties. Strawberries act as a natural blood purifier, liver tonic, diuretic and also have wound healing properties. They also aid eliminating uric acid in the body, making them helpful for anyone with arthritis, gout or rheumatism. They are rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, which strengthen the immune system.

Below is a delightful recipe to get your strawberry mojo on! May you have a mystical Valentine’s Day, engulfed in oceans of cosmic love wherever you are!

And remember in the summer, grow a strawberry plant in your garden or in a pot to attract the fairies and watch the magick unfold!

Tip: Strawberries are among one of the most pesticide laden fruits. So whenever possible, choose organic if they are available. The bigger ones are not always the most flavorful, being they are usually hybridized.

This delightful recipe is by Elaina Love. I made some minor changes, such as adding coconut to the crust for a little more umph. ;) For the entire recipe, it’s about 2 lbs. of strawberries. It is not necessary to soak the nuts, however it makes them more digestible and eliminates some of the fat. I would not recommend using all pecans, because they can get very oily once you process them. Psyllium husk powder can be found at many grocery stores now and health food stores. (For those of you in the area & U.S., Trader Joe’s has it)

Fresh Strawberry Pie
serves 8

Crust:
1 ½ cups almonds, walnuts, pecans or a combination, soaked for 4-6 hrs, then air dried -or- put in food dehydrator until well dried, crisp

3/4 cup soft pitted dates (soaked in purified water for about 20 min)

½ tsp. sea salt

2 Tablespoons dried, unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)

a pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Puree the nuts in a food processor until they are like flour. Add the remainder of ingredients and puree until the mixture sticks together or forms a ball. Press into a pie plate.

Filling:
- 2/3 cup firmly packed, pitted dates (soaked for ~20 min.)

- 1 1/3 cup berries (any kind of berry works great)

- 4-6 cups berries (slice if using strawberries)

- 2 Tbsp. psyllium husk powder

- 2 tsp. lemon juice

Slice the strawberries (4-6 cups) and put in a large bowl. Add lemon juice and toss until well coated. Add 1 Tablespoon of the psyllium and toss again until well coated.

Blend the dates and 1 1/3 cup berries in a blender or food processor until well mixed. Add 1 Tbsp. of the psyllium and mix again. If necessary add a bit of water (spoonful or so) to thin it out.
Take the blended mixture and add it to the 4-6 cups berry mixture. Stir all together gently until the berries are evenly coated. Fill the pie shell and refrigerate. Garnish with fresh edible flowers, if desired. ♥

For more recipes by Elaina Love, see her website: http://www.purejoylivingfoods.com/index.php

Powerrrrr Up with Maca

Most of us are good at powering down but how about powering up?!? If you are feeling hit by the winter slug bug or dealing with issues of fatigue or exhaustion, maca may be an answer to your prayers!

Maca is a root that originates from South America, native to the Andes of Bolivia and Peru. Known as the Incan superfood, it is both eaten as a root vegetable and used for medicinal purposes. In ancient times, the Incan warriors ate maca root in order to sustain them and give them strength before going into battles.

In its true form it looks similar to a turnip but can vary in size and shades. Maca is traditionally grown in the mountains at altitudes of approximately 13,000–15,000 ft in elevation.

Maca has many wonderful healing properties. One of the main ones being it is a major energy booster and nourishes the adrenal glands. In fact, maca is very supportive of the endocrine system. The endocrine system is made up of many glands that produce important regulatory hormones for the body. Some of the endocrine glands are: the adrenals, thryroid and parathyroid, hypothalamus, thymus, pituitary, ovaries and testes. So for those suffering with adrenal fatigue or burn out, this is a great supplement to restore your vitality again.

Maca also helps a number of ailments like hormonal imbalance, whether you suffer from PMS or irregular moon cycles or for post menopausal balance.

Maca is also known to be an aphrodisiac, increasing sexual libido & stamina. So.. it could be fun! LOL (I had to toss that in- for those of you familiar with those annoying male enhancement commercials!) In addition, it has been documented maca aids mood elevation, helping anyone with depression due to its molecular makeup being similar to the neurotransmitter serotonin.

How does it do all this? Maca is an adaptogen, which means that it will work naturally with your body’s own rhythms. For example, if you are weak in one area hormonally, maca will aid in boosting the production of hormones. Or if you are producing too much of another, it will assist in calming down an overactive gland/s. Adaptogens help strengthen the body’s resistance and aid in rebuilding a taxed immune system. All adaptogens have anti-stress qualities, which provide stabilizing effects on the endocrine system and help to regulate it. Many are also a great source of certain antioxidants.

Maca comes in many forms- capsules, powder and extract. Personally, I like the maca powder; mainly because it is simple to use and keep track of in this form. It has a mellow- sweet, earthy taste and is great to add in smoothies; it also mixes easily in a green or red drink blend. In addition, it can be sprinkled in foods like cereals.

As with all adaptogens, dose is rather experimental. It has been said to start with 1- 2 teaspoons maca powder and see how you feel for two weeks, making note of how you feel after each week. (www.macamagic.com) If you do not notice any changes, stop taking it for a week and be aware of subtle feelings- energy, mood, etc… The dose can be increased up to 3 tsp (about 1 Tbsp) or decreased as needed. Some people have said that they felt tired with maca at first but then noticed an energy increase after a week or so.

I have been using maca for the adrenals and noticed an increase in energy within a week. It varies from person to person, though. If you are attempting to cut your caffeine intake, substitute maca in the morning or afternoon. (I find it keeps me awake at night if taken too late) It will help you feel calm yet more energetic without the negative jittery side effects of caffeine.

Where to buy it? You can find maca at most health food and natural food stores. There are many great places to purchase it online also. The best place and price I have found for maca powder is on iHerb.com. (Which is a fantastic supplement and natural product store!)

Happy hunting!

Magickal maca blessings, Love & Light ♥

© Amie Schlichting