Chakra Balancing Goes Mainstream

It was about 7 years ago that I started to learn about chakras.  I had heard the term but knew very little so I attended a guided meditation to clear and balance each chakra.  I felt relaxed but revitalized when we finished.  There must be something to this!  I began to do more research. I read books, looked up info on-line and even purchased a CD of guided Chakra meditations (which I still love using).  I began to draw protection and inspiration from the Goddess’ bright light that is always there for me.

Back then chakras were only known to my friends who were serious yoga students, interested in ayurveda health, or those old, hippie metaphysical types (I hadn’t even heard the term reiki yet).  Chakra wasn’t in most folks vocabulary in these parts.

But now you can go to your local major chain spa and have a Chakra Balancing Massage.  A friend and I had been planning a spa day so this was too intriguing to pass up.  I scheduled a Chakra massage and a steam detox.

As I readied myself for my adventure I lounged in the sauna and sipped on lemon-infused water.  I then met Brian who explained the procedure.  There were 7 cards on the table.  I was asked to look at them and select three that I felt drawn to…. Grounded…. Nourished…. Intention…. Harmony…. Expressive…. Insight…. Wisdom.  I chose Wisdom (surprise, surprise), Intention, and Harmony.  As I was relaxing and listening to the soothing music (complete with birds chirping) I was invited to smell 3 different oil blends, each one corresponding  with the 3 chakras represented on the cards I had picked.  I was asked to choose the one I liked. 

The oil’s orangy scent filled the room (I thought it was bergamot, but found out later it had mandarin in it).  Brian started with a traditional deep tissue massage (thank the Goddess because I had some huge granny knots in my neck and shoulders).  He then began the energy work.  He placed his hands lightly on the first chakra asked me to visualize a red spinning light and think about being grounded.  He did this with all 7 chakras spending 3 or 4 minutes on each one, spending a bit longer on the three I had chosen.  Foot massage and reflexology was next.  Ahhhhh.

Brian put the detox steam tent around me, adding more of that wonderful oil.  He slowly massaged and worked on specific spots on my hands then moved to my face, forehead and ears.  I felt pampered, relaxed, AND balanced. 

The oil I had selected had corresponded with Harmony (the heart chakra). It was made of sandalwood, mandarin, and palmarosa oils.  I wasn’t at all surprised that I intuitively chose the heart chakra to specifically cleared and balanced.  I had been dealing with some “stuff” (yeah, we all know what “stuff” is) and had been feeling unbalanced and apathetical….just didn’t give a damn about too much of anything.

“You’re in a good place now,” Brian said as he was walking me out.  And you know what?  I was!

Does Not Wisdom Call Out?

 

On a recent Sunday I found myself attending a service at a Christian Church.  It was in an old, stunning building with many people I knew and beautiful organ music.  I believe that things happen for a reason.  We may be steered to unexpected places for unexpected reasons.

When visiting a church I find myself searching for signs of the Divine Feminine.  She is always there… in the triquetra (trinity knot), the stained glass windows, the roses or lilies on the altar, the statues…. She always smiles down on her daughters and sons.

And then came the First Reading:  A reading from Proverbs (8:1-4):

“Does not Wisdom call out?

Does not understanding raise her voice?

At the high point along the way,

where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

beside the gate leading into the city,

at the entrance, she cries aloud:

To you, O people, I call out;

I raise my voice to all mankind.”

Whoa….talk about a sign of the Divine Feminine!!  How many there actually heard this?  How many understood?  I noticed my heart rate pick up, my lips curled into a smile and I silently answered, “I hear you, Sophia, I hear you, Mother!

"Sophia" is the Greek word for wisdom.  In Judeo-Christian beliefs Sophia is the “wisdom of the Deity” (Divine Inspiration, maybe?).  She is known as the Wise Bride of Solomon by Jews, as the Queen of Wisdom and War (Athena) by Greeks, and as the Holy Spirit by some Christians.  And that Holy Spirit comes offering gifts, a fruit basket filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  How feminine is that??

 She knew I was there….She affirmed my path…. She gave me her message, “To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all humankind.”

The Goddess is calling out!  Raise your voices, Sisters!  We have no fear of our Wisdom!  Blessed Be!

Mom is in the Details

Mothers' Day, for many of us who have said good-bye to our moms, is a day of reflection.  While going through my files (I was looking for something else) I came across a file named "September 18", my mom's birthday.  I wrote this about 4 years ago (on September 18)....it is still a heartfelt tribute to the woman who loved me with her whole being:

I thought about the story “The Alchemist” as life unfolded today.  The hero learned to pay attention to the signs that the Universe was giving.  Last night as paid my bill, the waitress at the Mid-Eastern restaurant left a cup with 4 Jordan almonds.  As I ate 2 of them I had to think about how much my Mom loved Jordan almonds.  The light went on, so to speak, as I remembered her birthday was the next day (she would have been 96 today).  The other 2 almonds came home with me.

Today we had parent teacher conferences; I was tired and a bit frazzled.  After work I went to run some errands.  As I walked out into the parking lot I looked up to see the most incredible rainbow!  I then realized it was reflected twice & it was a double rainbow.  I just stood and gazed, remembering a day that my mom & I sat & watched a rainbow over the Mississippi River until it faded.  My mom loved rainbows.  When I was little she would stop & pull the car off the road so we could sit & watch the rainbow.

When I got home I put water on to boil….. when tired, upset, happy, feeling good, feeling bad, have a cup of tea!  That’s what my mom taught me.  As the water came to a boil, I dressed 2 candles with lavender oil (my mom’s favorite scent), placed her picture on my kitchen altar, grabbed the almonds, and pulled out some Lady Grey Tea. I lighted the candles, talked with her, thanked her, told her I loved her.  I fixed the tea with a teaspoon of sugar (the way she liked it).  I went out in the garden, poured some tea out and left the almonds as an offering. Our ancestors can help us and guide us… just ask.  My mom (who never was subtle) reminded me of that today!  Thanks Mom!

Thanks for letting me tell my story (many of my friends just wouldn’t understand).

Goddess’ blessings to all of you and to your matriarchal line!

Happy Mothers' Day!

One Must Be Bold to Live Their Own Truth

New Moon…my time to connect with my Goddess, my time to express my gratitude, my time to ponder what the Goddess has in store for me.

I am truly in a time of transition.  No need to go into the gory details but there may be big changes coming.  While these changes are a bit intimidating (“a bit” did I say?) I relish the outcome.  We have all been there, stay with the familiar or boldly go where you’ve never gone before (yeah, bad paraphrase).

I acquired a set of affirmation cards a while back.  I hadn’t read any of them.  They were still neatly ensconced in their yellow organza bag.  While preparing for my New Moon connecting time I was drawn to these cards.  I put them on my altar. At my “pondering” time I spread the cards out and selected one (or maybe it selected me).  I decided that I would put the card in plain sight so I could see it everyday until the next New Moon.  I turned the card over and read these words:

One Must Be Bold to Live Their Own Truth

            So I see that it’s time for soul searching.  To live my truth, I first must be sure of what my truth is!  And am I being truthful to myself?  Is this really MY truth or is it a convenient (or easy) truth?  This is going to be more complicated that planned!  But I realize that these are the important questions I need to ask as I continue on this journey.  When I am confident in MY truth then I’ll have the confidence to live bold and be bold.

            New Moon Blessings, and may you boldly live your own truth!

The Drum

My "small stone" for January 22

My feet hear the beat and they change their stride.

They move to the rhythm of the drum.

Suddenly I am no longer walking,

But twirling and dancing!

This is one of those divine times

She smiled…

I was sent just what I needed,

and I didn’t even know I needed it!

            Just about a month I ago I took a trip to the labyrinth.  It was sunny, warm, and I needed some contemplative time.  As I was walking my path a woman appeared.  She was carrying a percussion box and several drums.  She set up and began to tap out a rhythm, one easy to amble to.  My feet moved in time with her cadence.  Slow….faster….swaying……

            I could hear her softly chanting and I remember thinking that she had a sweet voice.  Still my feet moved.  As I headed back out of the labyrinth I was dancing, I was smiling, I felt better!

            I walked over to her and thanked her.  I said it was just what I needed.  She said that she felt called to practice at the labyrinth that day.  We spoke for while, realized we had friends in common and even exchanged phone numbers.  I hadn’t really thought about that “chance” meeting until yesterday.

            The seemingly endless rain had stopped.  The sun was out.  It was a beautiful day and a holiday…time to commune a bit with Mother Earth, time to go to the labyrinth. 

            I watched the squirrels frolic, took a few breaths and began my walk.  The world melted away and then I heard that beat…you know, the one my feet can’t resist!  I looked up, saw her and smiled.  She waved back.  I continued to walk, she continued to drum,  both in our own little worlds but conscious of one another.  Chanting, swaying, singing, dancing…I had needed some positive energy and here She was, the drumming Goddess!

            “I came out here to celebrate,” she told me, “It’s my birthday!”

            “Happy solar return,” I smiled.

            We said our good-byes, yet, I get the distinct feeling our paths will cross again!

           

Back Into the Womb

My "small stone" for 1/15

Bombarded!  Attacked!  

By the media,

Reports of murder, rape, and destruction

Violent movies, suggestive lyrics

All day, every day…

Assaulted!  Ambushed!

By the government

Guns or no guns, diminishing rights of women’s control of their bodies,

Should a rapist sue his victim, INSANITY

All day, every day…

Confronted!  Hammered!

By people,

Negative, words, racial slurs

Things said to wound and belittle

All day, every day…

It’s time for me to turn off the television,

Unplug the radio, recycle the newspaper,

At least for a while…..

Read something uplifting, something to make me smile…

It’s time for me to turn off my computer,

Log off of FaceBook,

At least for a while….

Make my own music, create my own art…

It’s time for me to block toxic people,

Time to say something positive to counteract their rhetoric,

Then, calmly and confidently walk away….

I came home today feeling battle-worn and defeated.  The dismal weather, flu symptoms abounding around me, and being tired I’m sure contributed to this feeling.  I wanted to hide, pull the blanket over my head, crawl back into the womb and be protected.

Hmmm…..back into the womb….. 

A while back, after a life-changing event in my life, I would create a sphere of white light around me before walking out of the door.  I’d gotten out of the habit.  So this had been working, it had helped, I just didn’t realize it.

Shielding protects us taking on other people’s bad moods, depression, and anger.  Sometimes negative thoughts or energy is purposely aimed at you.  Your “shield” is like the American Express card, “Don’t leave home without it!”

There are so many shielding and filtering techniques.  Find one that works on your path.  Doing it everyday helps you get better and stronger.  This is so worth getting up an extra ten minutes earlier.  I know I will.  (And I think I’ll wear my black onyx necklace tomorrow for extra protection)

Hmmm…..back into the womb…..

Yes, my sphere of white light, is a place of protection…like going back into the womb.

Barefootin'

My "Small Stone" for Sunday, January 13.

She slipped out as I went to the laundry room.  Her old kitty legs still moved spryly down the stairs.  After putting the laundry in, I found her peacefully bathing herself on a soft green patch of winter rye grass.

Instead of picking her up to go inside I sat down.  I took my shoes off and wiggled my toes in the garden soil.  How long had it been since I touched the earth with bare skin?

And there we sat, feeling the pulse of our Mother Earth, feeling grounded, feeling connected, feeling nurtured.   Our Mother does take care of us if we let Her.

Going barefoot, connecting with the rhythms of nature, transferring of electrons from the earth to you, grounding…..all of this is what is now being referred to as “Earthing”.  There is a plethora of information out there about how Mother Earth is a comforter, a stress-reliever and a healer.  We were created to connect to the Earth, to walk barefoot.

“And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” Khalil Gibran

I love this quote from Khalil Gibran.  It is a reminder that the Mother “delights to feel our feet.”  She longs for us to come to Her.  She calls to us to partake of her healing power.

Gaia calls her children to Her.  Let us go to Her!  Let us be healed!

All I Know about Coping I Learned From Scarlett O'Hara

My "small stone" for today.

January 11, 2013

It was a Scarlett O’Hara type of day. 

When the unexpected came up at work I thought: “As God is my witness, as God is my witness they're not going to lick me.”

By lunchtime my focus shifted:  “I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow.” (or at least after lunch)

As I closed the door and walked out at the end of the day I knew there was always one more thing to do.   I smiled: “After all... tomorrow is another day.”

******************************************************

I'm not sure why Ms O'Hara crossed my mind today.  But it dawned on me that Scarlett was quite the goddess.  Think about it!  I'm surprised there's not one of those "All I Know About Life I Learned From Miz Scarlett" books. 
She has relationships figured out, "Why does a girl have to be so silly to catch a husband?"
Scarlett makes it through the dark, dangerous times.  As she digs in the parched garden she teaches us about the strength of a woman's spirit and convictions:  raising herself from the dirt, shaking her fist she declares  "As God is my witness..I'll never be hungry again.." 
She knows her goal: "Tara! Home. I'll go home."  Home to Tara.
home to the Goddess, home to our Mother.  Such wisdom!
As you slip into slumber, dream well  “After all... tomorrow is another day.”

And It Rains

"Small Stone" for Thursday, January 10

And the storm weakens, yet it still rains.

And it rains, and it rains, and it rains.

As the rain washes away the dust of the past days,

And refreshes the streams and the air,

It also beats out a gentle rhythm,

A pulse that makes it easy to relax,

A cadence whispering “sleep.”

And so it’s time to go to bed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's been a crazy past few days for me.  My focus was shifted......life has a way of doing that!  But a slow, steady rain can slow things down.  Like the earth, I am also refreshed and revived by this rain.  In gratitude, I thank the Goddess:

Thank You Great Goddess for this day
for the blessings and lessons that came my way
May my sleep be peaceful in dreams and rest
and tomorrow may I do my best

(By Abby Willowroot, 1999)

http://spiralgoddess.com/Homage.html

Good night, all.  Goddess Bless!

Inside, Warm and Dry

Sunday, January 6, 2013
My "small stone"

It's damp and miserable outside.
I watch the rain trickle down the window's glass
and I realize I'm so glad to be inside, warm and dry.

     Being mindful....I know there are homeless, too many in my neck of the woods, but as I wrote this I began to think, "What if I didn't have an 'inside, warm and dry' to go to?"  I've been a bit preoccupied about, with the rising cost of rent, car insurance, fuel, healthy food and so on, how I was going to stretch my income, which, of course, hasn't gone up.  I get so caught up worrying about what I think I need or about what could happen, I forget to be grateful for all that I do have.  Oprah Winfrey, a modern-day sage wisely said, "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." 
     Yep, these are words I need to remember when worry guides my life!   Mother Goddess, may I receive all your gifts with gratitude.
     

One of THOSE Days

My "small stone" for today, Saturday, January 5, 2013.

Repetition, familiarity, predictability, comfort ……..

It’s relaxing re-watching a favorite old movie.

     It’s been one of THOSE days.  Nothing really upsetting happened there’s just so very much to do.  You know how it is.  I had all my “regular” Saturday stuff to do plus all the extras that pop up.  Today the extras included attending a visitation to pay my respects to a gentleman who had an important role in my life during high school and going to an obligatory, but very nice party with co-workers.  I traveled from one end of the town to the other.

     Now my hubby’s gone to work, the hellions, oops, kitties have settled down and it’s time for that cup of green tea and ginger.  I plop on the couch.  My husband left the television on.  It’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade!  My work here is done (at least for tonight). 

The Pottery Bowl

Earth, the clay….

Centered,

Opening up to possibilities.

Air, gently flowing,

Gently drying.

Fire, adds strength,

Purifies.

Water, cleanses,

Reflects the beauty of the vessel.

Spirit, inside resides

The Spirit of the one who so lovingly made me this gift.

******************************************************
This is my day three of the "Mindful Writing Challenge."  My "small stone" was really a large and special surprise for me.  This beautiful bowl was made by one of my SIGs (Sister in the Goddess).  As I held it I realized it was created by earth, air, fire, water, and Spirit.....and this special gift was mine!
What a great reminder:  As this gift was so lovingly given to me, so does the Goddess lovingly share her bounty with us!

Friendship

Today is my day two of the Mindful Writing Challenge.  My "Small Stone" is:

"Time spent with a long time friend is precious, shimmering...and wine shared with that friend is oh so much sweeter."

     Obvious, yes, but in this busy time we live in we don't always make time for the really important things.  This was a beautiful way to live in the moment.  While we talked we created our own world, our right now world, without being worried or preoccupied.  We enjoyed our lunch, we enjoyed our wine, and most importantly we enjoyed being with each other....right in that moment.
     As I'm writing this I realize that she & I have been friends for 40 years this month. Nah....we can't possibly be THAT old!
    I'm far more blessed that I even realize! 
    Blessed Be!

Live in the Moment!

"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly."

Buddah 

     It has been so long since I've posted.  I've been collecting stories, ideas, and tidbits......I've written and rewritten entries, but somehow I haven't made it to the computer to actually publish them.  My attention had gone to mundane things, you know, things like figuring out how to make ends meet, telling myself I have to eat healthier, and of course, keeping the litter box immaculate.  What I realized was that I was worried too much about what has happened or what may happen.  I'd been breaking an important rule of life: Live in the moment!
     To live in the now means being in the present with all of my senses. It means not reliving the past or worrying about the stuff I can't control.  If I'd concentrate my attention on the present I could focus on the task at hand and give my full attention to what I'm doing.  Goddess knows I haven't been doing that.  I'm all over the board, not focused on any particular thing.
     Step one (for me) was to get a handle on focusing. That would mean trying to meditate daily and to try different "methods".   I feel good that this is now becoming a daily habit, not the hit-and-miss practice of old.
     But today while online I came across an interesting website called Writing Our Way Home. (http://www.writingourwayhome.com/p/river-jan-12.html#badge).  They proclaim "Welcome!  We want to help you slow down & and fall in love with the world through mindful writing."  I was intrigued!  Then I saw that a challenge was issued:
The Everso Quick Version: 1. Notice something properly every day during January.
2. Write it down.
     That was it...well sort of...One was to write a "small stone" daily.  "And a small stone is?" I asked myself.  I read on to find out that "A small stone is a very short piece of writing (prose or poetry) that precisely captures a fully-engaged moment."  Well, isn't that what I am trying to do, stay in the moment?
     I've always loved a good challenge!  This one could help me focus in the here and now and get me back into writing, journaling, and blogging.  Why not?  Be prepared, there's 31 days of this...any one want to journey with me?
Small Stone for January 2, 2013:
"As I move my hand I realize I am not alone....
There on my lap is a soft gray purring ball of fur.  I smile, scratch her ears and silently wonder, "How long has she been here?"