The Magic of Candles in Our Daily Lives

Candles have been used for many things throughout the years. They are used for comfort, ambiance, prayers, celebrations, rituals, and spells, to name a few. Let's take a look at some of the ways we use them.

I can't count the many times I lit a candle to lighten the atmosphere of a room or a mood. Sometimes I may choose a candle by color or scent to facilitate this shift. Imagine the scent or color of your favorite candle, remember how it made you feel when it was lit, the flame flickering and carrying your cares away, the scent soothing what ails you. Doesn't that feel good? Many of us do this without even thinking. We know that it will make us feel better. We don't question why, we just do.

In celebration we sometimes light candles for the blessings of the here and now, and for the hopes of what is yet to come, it lifts us up and adds to the joy. Think of weddings, birthdays, holidays, the list goes on. For each occasion the candle has a significance and we light the candles with purpose, with intent. 

As we light our candles with purpose and intent we are focusing our intentions on the candles. As they burn, the smoke raising up, the flame flickering, the scent wafting, we are placing these intentions, our hopes upon them to carry them off to the Universe, in hopes that our intentions are met. It is magical. 

Think of a birthday candle, "make a wish" we often say as the candles have been lit in celebration, the intended makes their wish (their hopes, intentions) then blows the candle out. It is this very act that is magical. Wedding candles lit for hopes of a blessed union, prayer/ritual/spell candles in hopes that our intentions and hopes will be lifted up.  It is the same. 

Candles are a perfect visual to connect us to the spiritual. Because of this, they help us stay focused. They are wonderful tools to add to our spiritual toolkits. Use them well, use them wisely. Remember your intent, light with purpose, light them often, and let the magic of happiness, comfort, peace, and deliverance from our burdens happen.

Be good to yourselves - Blessings!

Chakras, What Are They and Why Are They Important to Maintain?

Chakras are the energy centers of our being. They are thought to affect our physical, mental, and emotional facets of who we are. There are seven main Chakras. There are more, but that is for another time. If the energy is blocked in our Chakras it can often lead to illness, It's important to understand where each Chakra resides and what it represents in order to keep this energy flowing freely. This chart shows how our thoughts and behaviors can bring about blockages to our Chakras. Knowing this can help us identify what we need to work on, release and clear the thoughts and behaviors that no longer serve us, and make new intentions for growth.

 

Following is a listing of the Chakras and their reported

correlation to our mind/body centers and our spirituality.

Root Chakra — Represents our foundation and feeling of being grounded

The Root Chakra can be found at the base of spine in the tailbone area. It is known to be tied to survival issues such as financial independence, money and food.

 Sacral Chakra — Our connection and ability to accept others and new experiences

This Chakra is found in the lower abdomen, about two inches below the navel. It is known to be connected to our sense of abundance, well-being, pleasure and sexuality.

 Solar Plexus Chakra — Our ability to be confident and in control of our lives

Located in the upper abdomen in the stomach area the Solar Plexus Chakra is said to house the ego and our feelings of self-worth, self-confidence and self-esteem. It is the source of your "own power".

Heart Chakra — Our ability to love

Found in the center of the chest just above the heart is our Heart Chakra. It is what powers our ability to feel and share Love, joy, and inner peace.

Throat Chakra — Our ability to communicate

As its name implies this Chakra is found in the throat. It is known to influence communication, self-expression of feelings and the truth.

 Third Eye Chakra — Our ability to focus, see the big picture

The Third Eye Chakra, also known as the Brow Chakra is found in the center of the forehead between the eyes. It is said to be the overseer of our intuition, imagination, wisdom and the ability to think and make decisions.

Crown Chakra — The highest chakra represents our ability to be fully connected spiritually

It can be found at the very top of the head, the crown.

This Chakra is the home of our perceptions of our inner and outer beauty, our connection to spirituality, and pure bliss.

If you want to learn even more about Chakras and keeping them well. I offer classes to give you the keys to your health. Until then, here is a helpful meditation to focus on while working with your Chakras and another chart that shows some stones that may be helpful as you begin working on strengthening and maintaining your Chakras. Be good to yourselves - Blessings!

Our Responsibilty To Ourselves As Sentient Beings

                             

Being a sentient being means being responsive to or conscious of sense, impression, sensitive in perception or feeling, being aware. What exactly does this mean, what does this definition encompass? In my opinion, it includes all life(energy).

                                             

We as humans tend to think we're above all life. I do not think so. All energetic beings have an energy frequency that makes us who/what we are. We are unique, but similar. Our frequency is what makes us what we are. A blade of grass, a tree, an animal - of the field, sea, or air, rocks, water, and air all have energetic frequency. Now the question would be do we feel more than any of these, or just differently?


                                 


                                             

It was once thought that because these other energetic beings didn't seem to communicate discomfort or joy, that they were not sentient. This is where mainstream gets the notion that we as humans are better/higher beings. Again, I disagree. I am glad to see Science coming around and recognizing that we are not the only sentients on the planet.

                             

Consider this, houseplants respond to our emotions and our care of them. When it is tended well it is happy and vibrant. When neglected, not even grossly, it is limp and sad. In the forests where heavy toxic air is abound trees get sick. Animals in their natural environs thrive and are full of life, contain them and they do not thrive as well, though some may fare better if given good care it is still not the same as in their natural habitat. Water too, records all it is ever in contact with, it has a memory. It reacts and shows its fulfilment or discomfort by its quality. Rocks have the ability to aid in balancing human energies and are used for physical and emotional healing in the field of metaphysics. These beings may not use words but they do communicate and contribute to our lives, as we should also contribute to their greater good and mutual benefit.


                                           

I believe that as we show greater love and respect for all sentient/energetic beings we benefit. We receive so much from these beings and they too should benefit from us. This is why I feel it is so important for me to bless and send Reiki to all energetic beings. I am honored to share this existence with such an abundance of knowledge and energetic exchange with all life. There is much to be gained by giving and receiving fully and freely. I take to heart the lessons I learn from all energy.


                                   

We have much to learn. I truly hope that I can see the day when we as humans take the lessons from all energetic beings, apply them to their lives, and prosper from it. I long for a time of remembrance, connectedness, and the realization of all. We are all dependant upon each other. What we put out energetically affects all energy. May we find that love of all is what we need to heal our planet, ourselves and all therein.

Be good to yourselves and all around you and see the changes for good unfold.  I wish you life abundant with love, light, and peace - Blessings!

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Lessons From Nature

                  

Last Saturday, I had the good fortune to start my day with several visits from a lively yellow Finch. I took its message to heart and am grateful for the lessons learned as a result. I was open to receive many more revelations throughout the day, some that are personal and some I will share. 

I shared on the Facebook page a post about the bird's message, which was simple and direct. It wanted me to be joyous in discovering my own song, to find joy in the simple things of my life, and to make an honest connection with nature. It was a timely message as we had planned a road trip on the Harley and I would have ample time to put these principles to practice. 

We road the Beartooth Highway, Montana/Wyoming border. I saw creatures, various landscapes, skylines - cloud formations, it was a smorgasbord to the senses and spirit. I found joy, my heart did sing, and I felt truly connected with Earth Mother and the bounty of creation and creative inspiration she provides through nature. 


I was able to meditate on the messages Spirit had lined up for me and the knowledge of how to apply them in my life. I learned from the breezes to listen intently and speak softly. I learned from the clouds to pay close attention, what I perceive to be the message may not be, as life is constantly changing. I learned from the waters to go with the flow and to be happy to be not thinking or caring which way a passage will take me but to be happy just being and moving with the whole. There were so many lessons revealed, even with animal visitations.

The point I want to convey is to get out there, see, feel, do. Go seek with open heart the lessons nature may have for you. Be good to yourselves - Blessings!

Finding Offerings and Meditation in Our Labors

There are times when life seems to get away from us. We get pulled in many directions; family, community, jobs, personal interests, and all the responsibilities that come with these aspects of our lives. 

It is important to find time to connect with ourselves and make time to be in the present. In a post from my other blog I talk about finding joy in the mundane. here is the link...

http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com/2014/10/day-3-of-31-finding-whimsy-in-mundane.html 

Today, I celebrate the peace and joy I can find in the menial tasks of the day and how with the right state of mind, doing these tasks help keep me in the present as well as become my offerings or source for meditation.

I have been blessed lately to be building a yard and renovating my home, making it truly my own. As I till the ground and prepare for planting a sacred space, my herbal garden, I stay focused on the rhythm of the work as I break it up in repetitive motions. As I sift the broken soil clods I am sanctifying the area for purpose and offering my labor and creativity to establish the garden. As I plant seeds and transplant some plants into the area, I am consecrating the efforts of my labors, the intents for these plants, and showing gratitude for the opportunity to beautify the area. I am also making a sacred place with purpose, and honoring these gifts with the time, intent, and funds needed to create the offering that honors and blesses. All the while, being in the present, doing tasks that may seem tedious or mundane (such as washing dishes), I am able to instead of feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work, stress, fatigue, and other symptoms, I can find peace and joy in my offerings and meditations in the work of my day.  

I can also enjoy the abundance that blesses me as it all comes full circle. The fruits of my labors come to pass, honoring my offerings, meditations and intentions, and my being present. It truly is amazing that as we live in the moment, all else falls into place. There really is no need for worry, getting caught up in chaos, or living imbalanced, when living abundantly is in our own hands, hearts, and minds. We only need to set intentions and live accordingly to see it through, manifesting a life of our own creation.

Find a small project to focus on that would already be in your routine and see for yourself that we can be mindful, live in the present, and create a happier life, making offerings and meditations of our labors.

Be good to yourselves - Blessings!

Grounding and Protection

After much reflection and gathering of thoughts to share what works for me, as a way of helping others, to be better protected and grounded, I write this post.

As an empathic light worker, I have found that being well grounded and protected is vital to getting through day to day life and actually living. I have daily, weekly, preparatory, and occasional rituals. These include smudging, offering of herbs, crystal grids and intention alters, use of essential oils, candles, inscence, yoga, walks by the river and or in the woods, meditation, Reiki (personal, distance for Universal needs, Earth Healing, and clients - human and animal). These things are an integral part of making me the balanced healer I strive to be.

Herbs that I use to smudge with and burn as offering include White Sage, for cleansing/clearing and dedication, Sweet grass for purification and honoring my ancestors, Tobacco for greater communication with Spirit and to balance mind, body, spirit as a way to encourage and strengthen peace keeping, Palo Santo for purification and better connectivity to Spirit, Lavender to invite Spirit, Cedar to protect and cleanse(it is also called upon for healing sickness), Frankincense to invite and encourage better communication with the Spiritual Realm and as a pleasing offering, Sandalwood to help with psychic gifts, and also with meditation and protection. There are more, but these are my basic Staples.

I use other herbs that seem pleasing and I go by instinct in much the same way as with the above mentioned herbs. I use these in tandem with Reiki, amplifying the benefits, drawing on the healing, centering, and protecting powers of Reiki. I liberally use the symbols and call upon my guides - (angels, Ascended Masters, Reiki guides, ancestors, elemental, and others), they are invaluable to me.

For protection just about all the black stones are wonderful. Many take on negative energies and are self cleansing, though I still cleanse and infuse with Reiki. My go to crystals for protection are Black or Brown Tourmaline, Smoky Quartz and Flourite, these are grounding, protective, and uplifting stones. Hematite, a choice stone of mine, is an awesome grounding stone as well. It is protective as well as memory enhancing, especially concerning spiritual lessons.

There are times that being ungrounded is necessary, but protection during, grounding afterward, and stabilizing are vital when doing the work that would call for this.

These are some of the rituals that help ground me and what I do for protection:

I start my day before my feet on the ground with my hands at my chest and solar plexus, I speak my gratitude for the new day focusing on the outpouring of love from my heart and I in turn soak in the love that pours back through me from divine love and light confirming my gratitude and desire to serve this new day. I then recite the Reiki principles. I get up and partake of gassho meditation. If it's a hop out of bed get busy day, I instead ground myself with a quick meditation on my intentions and a mantra I use that helps me to quickly get there. This sustains me until I can have my morning gassho.

Some days don't agree with what I would like, so I live what I have. Either way, I am sure to visualize myself enveloped with white light that encircles me like a forcefield. This shield only allows positive energy and dispels and disperses negative energy, transmuting it into more positive energy as it is absorbed by Earth Mother where I am grounded and connected to the here and now, free to live life on my terms. I acknowledge my own power and boundaries and invite Universal Energy to course through me and be my constant companion. With these three components I am free to do the work of the day.

This really takes minutes, it can seem like a Narnian experience when one thinks they've been gone hours or days, but it was truly a blink of an eye. When I have the luxury of gassho first thing, I can allow Reiki to run fully through me, invite my angels, guides, ancestors, the directional spirits, and elements to be with me to lead, guide, nurture, sustain, and heal me as I work. I ask for discernment and wisdom to know when and where to send Reiki and to be present. I send Reiki to the Earth, her inhabitants, and the human situation daily. I then allow my guides to communicate and administer to me. I do this twice daily, at least. The first to offer myself, the second to reflect upon the day and my life lessons that were within, and to express gratitude for the honor to be of service. I also at some point in the day self treat at least once. Not always can I do all the hand positions. I don't worry so much about that as I trust in Reiki's ability to know and go where it is needed most. I try to tend to my Chakras daily, balance is vital to maintain grounding.

When I first started my Reiki practice, I was wide open and not as protected. I learned as an empathic light worker, I had to maintain myself for better flow and the ability to release energy that isn't mine back to the Universe.

I set different crystal grids with their intent. I create altars with crystals and herbs for healing, abundance, peace and harmony. These things bring me great happiness and assist me in my work. When life gets to be too much, I visit these altars and find peace. There are times when I may not be present, just seeing or passing them brings me back to recollection of what I am about. I of course have my personal medicine bag with what I'm guided to put together for my present needs. I also create blends of herbs and crystals for protection in the car or on the motorcycles. Reiki and direct communication with the spirits and Earth Mother are my most crucial protection.

Instinct is imperative to knowing what is best for us as we practice on ourselves and others. Trust what you feel drawn to do, trust in the knowing.

This is just an example of a normal day in my life. I have other rituals, but these are my daily routine rituals. I hope this helps some of you. Feel free to ask for clarification.

In Love and Light I share the little knowledge I have at this time. Be good to yourselves <3 Blessings!