Do you ever wake from a dream only to realize you are still in a dream state? A dream within a dream, a false awakening dream, is actually a surprisingly common experience. And, unlike typical dreams, which are often fantastical, dreams about waking up are not only often very realistic but can also be signs of deep spiritual connections.

What Is a False Awakening Dream?

As the name suggests, we retain an element of perceived consciousness while we dream in a false awakening dream. This means that while we take most of our dreams at face value, we understand the separation between reality and our dream state in false waking dreams. And we also tend to remember better the dreams that we falsely awakened.

Understanding False Awakening Dreams

Understanding false awakening dreams helps us think about what is happening physically to us as we dream. Research says that those who dream false awakenings are also more likely to experience other dream phenomena. This can include sleep paralysis, out-of-body experiences, and sleepwalking. These types of dreamers are often more lucid, with activity in the brain closer to a waking state than an asleep one.

The Spiritual Meaning of False Awakenings

Spiritually, a false awakening dream is like a wake-up call about the illusion of our waking lives. It suggests that we might be going about our daily routines without truly being spiritually aware or mindful as if we’re still asleep to our deeper truths. It encourages us to question what’s real and urges us to dive into our consciousness, inspiring us to explore the deeper meaning of existence.

Those who have false awakening dreams fairly often are likely to have strong ties to shadow energies. Shadow work is a practice that involves exploring and integrating the darker, unconscious aspects of oneself, known as the “shadow.” Coined by psychiatrist Carl Jung, the shadow represents the parts of our personality that we often try to repress. This can include our fears, insecurities, and negative impulses.

False awakening dreams may aim to bring these hidden aspects into the light of consciousness. By facing the shadows head-on, we can understand, accept, and integrate traits we may have previously deemed negative. This makes it possible to achieve greater self-awareness, emotional healing, and personal growth.

Types of False Awakening Dreams

Dreams about waking up happen most often before you wake up in the early morning. In this lucid state, you may notice yourself getting ready, symbolizing a need for preparation. If there are recurring themes of not being ready, this can be an optimal time to reorganize and structure what is in your control.

Here are some common scenarios in false awakening dreams.

Getting Ready for the Day

In some false awakening dreams, the dreamer prepares for the day. These dreams can symbolize an important tie to being or feeling prepared. If you have a big change or challenge coming up, this could be your mind preparing to be fully present. Alternatively, a dream where you are going through the motions may signal a need to change your routine or the desire for spontaneity.

Visiting the Bathroom or the Kitchen

When waking in the middle of the night, visiting the bathroom or kitchen before returning to bed is common. Sometimes, this visit is purely dreamt. Take note of the room you visit during your false awakening dream. An important object, person, or lesson may be tied to that room. You may also find that an aspect of your physical well-being is being neglected, and this may be your subconscious desire for self-care.

Exploring the Dream Environment

Sometimes, when waking from a dream, we are aware that we are still dreaming. This could be an intuitive feeling or clued in if your surroundings are not familiar. Sometimes, we wake up in our beds only to realize we are in an uncanny dream state outside of our normal environment. In your dream state, small details will often be different. This could be odd shadows, lights that do not work properly, or doors that do not actually lead where they are supposed to lead.

What Are False Awakening Loops?

A false awakening loop is when you falsely wake up multiple times during a dream. Sometimes, you may believe you are awake and will think about the dream you just had during the first part of your sleep. This can signify that the previous dream had a strong message for you. Your spiritual guides emphasize the deep meaning they are trying to convey with the symbols of the first part of your dream.

Figuring Out Why You’re Waking Up in a Dream

Just as the dream can deceive you into thinking you are awake, it can also indicate that you’re becoming more aware of false perceptions shaping your spiritual journey. When you finally wake up, think about your feelings during the dream. Were you at peace? Distressed? Curious? Our feelings in our dreams are great indicators of what they could mean.

Keeping a dream journal by your bedside helps you track and understand your dreams more effectively. This practice allows you to interpret the meaning of your false awakening dreams when you’re more lucid so you can uncover valuable insights for your personal growth journey.

Have you had a false awakening dream? Are you still unsure of what it could mean? There’s more to your dreams than you think! That’s why a Dream Analysis Reading can get to the bottom of your dreams and discover what they have to say about your past, present, and future. Our Dream Analysis Psychics know that no two dreams are alike. Aren’t you curious about your dreams? Learn more about our psychics from real testimonials and read through our Dream Analysis Blog. Find a Dream Analysis Psychic or learn more about Dream Analysis Readings today.

About California Psychics:
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Aligning our skincare routine to the Phases of the Moon can be one of the most empowering and aligning rituals that we can do. This also helps us become more in tune with the cycles of nature. Using the Lunar cycles as well as the symbolic energy of Venus – the planet of beauty – will ensure that our skin is healthy, glowing and feeling nourished from the inside out.

Venus rules anything rose-related, so as much as possible, we’ve included this delicious flower in your Lunar Cycle Rituals and Tips to enhance your natural beauty and support you in feeling spoiled, indulged and cared for. We would also recommend having these products on hand:

• Shea Butter
• Coconut Oil
• Rose Essential Oil
• Facial Towels
• A Skin Serum
• A Rose Quartz Skin Roller

So, let’s get started!

Skincare Tips and Rituals for the New Moon Phase

The New Moon Phase is all about new beginnings. This is the most perfect time to kick off your new skincare routine, whatever that may be. We suggest a total cleansing at this phase. Booking yourself a skin consultation with an expert – there are many free offerings out there – is an ideal way to get started, especially if you’re not sure what your skin type is, or if it’s changed over the years.

After you’ve had your consultation, be sure to go out here and purchase your new skincare range best suited to your skin. Create an intentional space where you can spend time in the mornings and evenings caring for your skin. Make sure you have some yummy rose-scented candles, scented oils and a pretty mirror to inspire you. While you’re at it, create a morning skincare playlist to get you in the mood! Make this exciting and inspiring for yourself.

Skincare Tips and Rituals for the Crescent Moon Phase

The Crescent Moon Phase is all about taking that first, brave step out of our comfort zones and embracing change. It’s about pushing ahead with our goals. Our skin at this point is ready to take in as much nutrients as possible, making it a delicious time to create a serum for your skin.

Great ingredients to use include Vitamin C, Rosehip and Vitamin E, which are all friendly skin products. You may also want to create a rosewater spritz to refresh your face and hydrate it. This is a simple solution of actual rosewater with fresh spring water. You might even want to chant a little blessing over it as you create this skin potion, making it even more potent and healing.

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Skincare Tips and Rituals for the First Quarter Phase

The First Quarter Phase is the ‘action’ phase. It’s when we can start to see the results of all the work we put in during the New Moon Phase. Our skin is ready to shine at this point, making it a great time to book a facial massage. This will help to get the blood circulation going and bring more plumpness and juiciness to the skin.

It’s also a lovely time to make a natural moisturizer with something such as Shea Butter or Coconut oil. You might even want to sprinkle a few drops of pure rose oil in to make it smell heavenly. Obviously, test a little patch on your skin to ensure you have no allergies. When you rub the shea butter or coconut oil in, make it a slow, sensual and loving experience. The more love you give your face, the more it will love you right back!

Skincare Tips and Rituals for the Gibbous Phase

The Gibbous Phase is one that happens right before the Full Moon. It’s a moment when we’re just about to see the results of all of our efforts. Our skin may be very close to glowing, so supporting it to be the best it can be at the Full Moon is how we can make the most of this phase.

We recommend making a scented compress, using a facial cloth, rose petals, serums, coconut oil or whatever else you feel appeals to you. Make sure that you have a bowl of steaming water nearby, sprinkling it with rose petals and oils, and soak your face cloth in it. Lay down, put on some meditation music and place it on your skin. Do this as many times as you like! make it a full body relaxing experience.

Skincare Tips and Rituals for the Full Moon Phase

The Full Moon Phase is a potent one! This is when our skin should be glowing at its brightest, just like La Luna. This is a time to go out and be seen, to socialize and show the world just how gorgeous you are.

Your Full Moon ritual can involve an hour of pure pampering in terms of makeup. For example, you may want to experiment with a new eyeshadow look, or play around with glitter, metallics or shimmers. Put on some fun music, invite your friends over and explore your creativity. This can be a wonderful ritual that you end up doing every month!

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Skincare Tips and Rituals for the Disseminating Phase

Moving into the waning Moon phases, this is a time when your skin is less absorbent and needs a little more TLC. We recommend a facial steam, which is similar to a compress but not quite the same.

Prepare a bowl – or your bathroom sink with boiling hot water. Get a towel ready, one that will cover your whole face and shoulders. Purchase a little eucalyptus oil, and perhaps a touch of rose oil, too. Drop a few drops in the hot water, and then place the towel over your head as you lean over the bowl (don’t place your face in the water). Stay there for about ten minutes and inhale the delicious smells. Feel your pores opening and being cleaned from the inside out! Don’t forget to put a yummy toner and moisturizer on afterwards!

Skincare Tips and Rituals for the Third Quarter Phase

This is the penultimate Moon Phase, and thus, is a time for beginning the process of cleaning out. A wonderful ritual to do would be to declutter your entire makeup and skincare cupboard. Put some calming music on, light a few candles, and get started. Be brutal about what’s worked for your skin, and what’s no longer needed. You’re getting ready for a whole new phase! Be sure to wipe down all surfaces to make them clean and sparkly.

You may also want to experiment with a skin roller – one made with Rose Quartz is the most supportive and gentle on your skin. Set aside a few minutes each evening to roll it over your skin, massaging out any toxins and smoothing it, supporting the aging process, no matter what age you are.

• Lunar Phases and Menstrual Patterns

Skincare Tips and Rituals for the Balsamic Phase

The Balsamic Moon Phase is the final Moon phase, making it one to rest your skin and give it a break. We would recommend a face peel where all old toxins can be pulled out and cleansed. You may want to create your own face mask with ingredients such as coffee beans, coconut oil, honey or other natural products.

Then, run yourself a bath, fill it with rose petals and light as many candles as you like, place your face mask on and lie back to relax. Listen to a guided meditation or inspiring podcast. Let the bathwater run out, imagining everything you’d like to let go of. Moisturize your face after the mask with something natural and nourishing. Make sure that you get enough sleep over this phase as your soul, mind and body detox and let go. It may also help to take your journal and write down what worked for your skin in this past month, and what didn’t. Reflecting is a lovely ritual to do around this time.

That’s a wrap! If you have any other skin care rituals you’d like to include or get creative with, go right ahead! There’s no limit to the possibilities of making the Lunar Phases work for your skin.

The post Harnessing Lunar Energy for Radiant Beauty: Moon Rituals and Skincare appeared first on askAstrology.

Bridal divination can offer a unique perspective into the dynamics of your relationship and the potential obstacles that may arise.

If you are in the process of preparing for marriage, consider exploring the sacred art of bridal divination as a tool to gain insights and guidance for your marriage journey as well as your wedding. Here are some ideas you can explore.

Go See A Relationship Astrologer

Marriage is a very sacred experience, it is the meeting of two souls who promise to walk the path of life together. However, whenever two people meet in partnership the journey is bound to have its ups and downs. This is why it is such a brilliant idea to consult a relationship astrologer before entering into the sacred bond of marriage.

An astrologer can analyze your birth charts and provide insight into the compatibility between you and your partner. Before we get into this, it is important to remember that there is no perfect synastry and that all relationships have their strengths and their weaknesses and we can see this in the Astrology chart.

This consultation can help you gain clarity on the challenges you may face as a couple and how to navigate them together. It can show you both how you want to be nurtured and how you want to be loved, and provide guidance on how to strengthen your bond and create a harmonious partnership.

There is so much that can be seen through Astrology, and getting on the same page with your fiancé can be an absolute game-changer for your relationship, as it allows you to understand each other’s needs and expectations on a deeper level. What more could you want?

Choose A Crystal Wedding Band

Diamonds are usually the go-to when it comes to engagement or wedding rings, but my witches out there might want to consider something a little more esoteric and energetically aligned with their marriage union. One option to consider is a crystal wedding band, instead of a ring with a diamond.

Choosing a crystal wedding band can add a unique and meaningful touch to your marriage journey. Think about the intention you want to embody throughout your marriage and which crystals signify those qualities.

For example, if you want to enhance love and harmony in your relationship, you could choose a wedding ring with a rose quartz crystal. This crystal is known for its ability to promote unconditional love, forgiveness, and emotional healing.

Another crystal you could choose for your wedding band is amethyst. This crystal is associated with spiritual growth, intuition, and protection, which can bring a sense of clarity and wisdom to your marriage.

Connect to the crystals you are drawn to and consider their meanings and properties and see if they align with your personal intentions and desires for your marriage. This can really add an extra push of energy and intention to your marriage journey, making your wedding band a powerful symbol of your commitment.

• The Numerology of Your Wedding Date

Cleansing Rituals To Release Previous Partners

Cleansing rituals to release previous partners can be a powerful way to let go of past energy and create space for new love in your marriage. This can be done at your bachelorette party or on your own as you lead up to your wedding.

Cutting these bonds can be really powerful and allow you to fully let go of any lingering attachment or energy from past relationships, creating a clean slate for the start of your marriage.

This ritual can be very symbolic, say writing a letter to your previous partners expressing your gratitude for the lessons learned and the growth experienced, then burning or burying the letter as a way to release that energy.

But it is important to equally bless the new chapter of your life and invite positive energy into your marriage. One way to do this is through a blessing ritual. During this ritual, you can gather with just your partner, and create a sacred space where you feel safe and supported to set intentions for your marriage.

This can involve lighting candles, saying prayers or affirmations, and visualizing the future you want to create together. This is a beautiful bonding experience that can bring you closer as a couple and set the tone for your marriage journey.

Setting these intentions can be so powerful so take it quite seriously and see if the two of you are on the same page regarding your goals, values, and aspirations for your marriage.

Cultivate Sacred Space with Crystals And Altars

It is your wedding and you can literally do whatever you want to make it a unique and meaningful experience for you and your partner. One way to cultivate a sacred space during your wedding is by incorporating crystals and altars throughout the venue.

This can create a really sacred and serene space for you and your partner, as well as your guests, to connect with the spiritual energy of the occasion. Marriage isn’t something to take lightly, and by creating a sacred space with crystals and altars, you are reminding yourself and your loved ones that this is a truly sacred and important moment in your lives.

The energy of the crystals and the altars can help to enhance the spiritual connection between you and your partner, as well as invite blessings and positive energy into your marriage.

Crystals have such a beautiful way of transforming energy and creating whatever feeling you want to invoke on your wedding day. Rose quartz are obviously ideal to place all over your venue as they are known for their loving and nurturing properties, perfect for a wedding ceremony.

Meditation And Yoga Before The Big Day

Meditation and yoga can be powerful practices to incorporate into your wedding preparation. You could even create a space for you and your guests to really ground themselves before the ceremony through a guided meditation or gentle yoga session.

This should help to calm your nerves and bring a sense of peace and presence to this important day. By setting aside time for meditation and yoga, you are intentionally creating a sacred space within yourselves, connecting to your inner selves and finding balance amidst the wedding chaos.

This sacred introspection and mindfulness can translate into a more centered and grounded presence on your big day, allowing you to fully embrace the joy and significance of your marriage journey.

• Timing Your Wedding with Astrology

Seek Guidance from Spiritual Leaders or Guides

Taking this big step into marriage is not something that should be done alone. Seeking guidance from spiritual leaders or guides can provide valuable insights and support as you navigate your marriage journey.

These experienced professionals can help you deepen your connection with the divine, offer guidance on how to live your life in the best way and provide healing and wisdom as you embark on this sacred union.

Marriage takes a lot of work and speaking with spiritual leaders or guides can provide you with the tools and wisdom to strengthen your relationship and to help overcome any obstacles that may arise.

Create A Special Wedding Bag

Another special ritual you can take part in is to create a special wedding bag for you to carry around the day of the wedding. The items in this bag should serve as symbols of love and positivity, representing the hopes and blessings you carry into your marriage.

These can include meaningful trinkets or photos, small crystals or stones that hold significance to you, and handwritten notes or affirmations. Perhaps you can ask your finance to write you a little note to include in the bag, expressing their love and commitment to you.

The creation of a special wedding bag serves as a tangible symbol of the love, hopes, and blessings that the couple carries into their marriage journey. After the wedding, you can place this bag on your altar as a reminder of the love and commitment you made on your special day.

Create Smudge Sticks As Wedding Favors

You might be wondering how you can incorporate your witchy vibes as a wedding favour to your guests, one of the easiest ways to do this is to create your own smudge herb bundles to give as wedding favours.

These smudge sticks can be made with dried herbs such as sage, lavender, and rosemary, all known for their cleansing and purifying properties. Creating these smudge sticks as wedding favours allows your guests to bring a piece of positive energy and purification into their own lives.

Another tip is to get someone to smudge every person who enters the ceremony space, cleansing their energy and creating a sacred atmosphere for the wedding. This ritual not only adds a unique and spiritual touch to your wedding but also serves as a way to honour and share your beliefs with your loved ones.

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Embrace the Power of Tarot Readings

Another fun journey you can go on in preparation for your wedding is to embrace the power of tarot readings with your fiancé, or perhaps make it an activity at your wedding.

Through tarot readings, you can gain insights and guidance about your marriage journey, deepening your understanding of each other and uncovering hidden aspects that may influence your relationship.

By embracing the power of tarot readings, you and your partner can tap into the wisdom of the cards to gain insights and guidance for your marriage journey, helping to navigate challenges, make decisions, and deepen your connection.

With the Tarot present at your wedding, you can create a sacred and transformative experience for both yourself and your guests. By offering tarot card readings at your wedding, you not only provide a unique and memorable experience for your guests, but also invite the energy of intuition and spiritual guidance to infuse your special day. Everyone can receive a special message from the cards, bringing an added layer of meaning and connection to the celebration.

Incorporate the Ancient Celtic Tradition of Handfasting into Your Ceremony

You could also integrate a handfasting ceremony into your wedding to symbolize the binding of your lives together. Incorporating the ancient Celtic tradition of handfasting into your ceremony is a beautiful way to symbolize the binding of your lives together.

Handfasting is a symbolic ritual where the couple’s hands are tied together with ribbons or cords, representing their commitment and unity. Handfasting is a beautiful way to honor the ancient Celtic tradition and symbolize the binding of your lives together in marriage.

It is such a beautiful way to infuse your wedding ceremony with the richness and depth of ancient traditions, creating a sacred and meaningful experience for you and your partner.

Singing Bowls Create Harmonious Vibrations

During your wedding ceremony, you can incorporate the use of singing bowls to create harmonious vibrations and promote a sense of peace and unity.

Singing bowls are a traditional instrument used in Buddhist and Hindu practices, known for their ability to produce resonant tones that calm the mind and harmonize the energy in a space.

By incorporating singing bowls into your wedding ceremony, you can create a sacred and serene atmosphere, inviting positive energy and harmony into your marriage journey.

Nothing will set the tone quite as well as the singing bowls, as their enchanting tones resonate through the venue and create a sense of peace and tranquillity for everyone present. It will create a vibe no one will ever forget, leaving a lasting impression of the sacredness and spirituality of your marriage.

A Blessings Book

Creating a blessings book is a beautiful way for you to get your loved ones involved in the spiritual aspects of your marriage journey. Let them write a little message of love, well wishes, and blessings for you and your partner to treasure for years to come.

Allow their wisdom and heartfelt words to provide guidance and inspiration as you embark on your marriage journey together. There is a lot you can learn from others and their paths, and having a blessings book allows you to carry their love and support with you always.

The post Magical Wedding Rituals: Incorporating Esoteric Practices into Your Big Day appeared first on askAstrology.

Lucid dreaming is when you become aware that you are dreaming and can actively participate in shaping your dream experiences.

There are so many different esoteric techniques, such as reality checks and dream journaling, to enhance your lucid dreaming abilities and explore the realms of your subconscious mind.

How Does Lucid Dreaming Work?

Everyone dreams, but not everyone dreams in a vivid state where they are aware they are dreaming and have the ability to control their dreams, which is lucid dreaming. Even though the phenomenon of lucid dreaming is being studied, there is still a lot unknown about it. However, the findings show lucid dreams develop in the brain’s prefrontal cortex.

When you have typical dreams, you will be aware of events, objects, and people, but you believe you are in a state of reality and are not aware that you are dreaming when those dreams are not lucid. However, lucid dreamers are aware that they are sleeping and dreaming, which gives them the advantage of controlling their surroundings in the dream. Researchers who observed lucid dreamers found that the activity in the prefrontal cortex when lucid dreaming is similar to being awake. Therefore, lucid dreaming may be known as the hybrid sleep-wake state.

Typical dreaming can happen at any stage of sleep, but lucid dreams happen during the REM state, which is the last part of the sleep cycle. Lucid dreams originate from typical dreams, so how can you be a consistent lucid dreamer? Let’s review some esoteric techniques to help you become a lucid dreamer.

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Keep Your Sleep Hygiene Clean

The first thing you need to do if you want to start lucid dreaming is to ensure your sleep hygiene is clean, which means cutting out caffeine by 2 pm and staying away from adult beverages. Establish good bedtime routines that will help you maintain a healthy sleep schedule. That means doing a bedtime ritual to help you sleep well, such as bathing with Epsom salts and other sleep-inducing flower petals such as lavender or chamomile, and ensuring the water is lukewarm before bed. You can enhance the esoteric experience by dimming the lights and placing purple candles by the tub ledges.

You can also read a calming book before bed, and if you decide to take a bath, you can read as you soak in the tub. You can also adopt a sleeping ritual by meditating or doing yoga stretches before bed. However, you want to develop a bedtime ritual before you head to bed, which will heal your relationship with sleeping if you struggle.

You must also keep your room dark to help promote melatonin production and keep away from screens a half hour before you go to sleep. Developing a healthy relationship with sleep is essential before you even begin attempting lucid dreaming. Therefore, if your sleep hygiene is not clean, you must clean it. It is also important to note that you want a consistent sleep/wake schedule. Please don’t stay up late only because it is the weekend to sleep in. Keep it consistent no matter what.

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Get a Dream Journal and Use It

It is essential to have a dream journal if you want to practice lucid dreaming because you need to begin recollecting your dreams. Keep the dream journal by your bedside to start writing them down after you wake up. Don’t worry about trying to make sense of them immediately, as you want to write down what you dreamed of immediately because you will quickly forget your dreams as the day progresses.

That means if you have a habit of scrolling on social media before waking up, you need to break that habit. First, write down what you dreamed in your dream journal to become a lucid dreamer. After that, you can start scrolling on your social media.

If you prefer not to keep a dream journal, you can always take your smartphone and record your dream by voice. Either way, you must jot down whether you use a journal or record it on your smartphone.

Once you have your dreams written or recorded, you can analyze them. You can always go online and look for dream interpretations of the types of dreams you have if you need some help with processing your dreams to find meaning. As you get into the habit of recording and writing down your dreams, you will begin to see patterns and piece stories your subconscious tells you.

However, if you have distressing dreams or nightmares, find out what they are telling you, as those types of dreams are there because your subconscious is warning you that you have a serious imbalance that is creating more stress in your life. You will want to examine that and find out what you need to learn from them to work on those areas causing stress.

You do not want to focus on distressing dreams; you will want to cleanse your psyche if you have them by envisioning a protective light around you as you do that. You want to focus on the dreams that excite you and pique your curiosity. However, it is essential to work through the demons that are stressing you.

• An Introduction to Lucid Dreaming

Begin to Explore and Process Your Emotions Subconsciously

If you want to begin ludic dreaming, you will need to face what demons are causing you to have distressing dreams. When lucid dreaming, you want to be in a pleasant landscape. Tap into your intuition as you work through your subconscious and process what you discover. You want to heal whatever is stressing you, and if you need to work with a healer or therapist, do that if you need help.

However, sometimes distressing dreams happen if you are balanced because they are warnings from your guides and loved ones that there may be a troublesome situation entering your life that they want to prepare you for. Use your intuition to tap into these situations so you can prepare yourself. Also, once you can heal from whatever stressors you are facing based on troublesome dreams, you will want to explore the landscape of the dreams you frequently have.

Begin Exploring Your Dream Landscapes

When you dream, you will have a common landscape or place where the dream takes place. Do you often dream of beaches and forests? Or specific buildings such as hotels and airports? Do you dream of mansions? Do you dream about a place or landscape significant to you? If you dream about a place or a landscape often but don’t know why, then take the time to explore it.

Do some research by searching online for dream interpretations of a specific place or place that keeps showing up in your dreams. You can find out what they symbolize for you. The more you become familiar with your dream place, the more you learn about it. Now, after doing some intuitive exploration, digging into your subconscious, and understanding your dreams, you will want to take some herbs and crystals to help you with lucid dreaming.

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Harness the Power of Herbs and Crystals That Help With Lucid Dreaming

When you want to begin lucid dreaming, you will want some crystals and herbs to help you remember your dreams and dreams vividly and be in a place where you are in a dream state and know that you are while you control what happens. That is why you will want to harness the power of some crystals and herbs to help you as you begin lucid dreaming.

Crystals such as amethyst, moonstone, lapis lazuli, hematite, and tiger’s eye are great for helping you with having vivid dreams and recollections. You want to keep those crystals by your side on your nightstand or underneath your pillow when lucid dreaming, but there are others that you will want to help boost their energetic powers. The following stones are known to help with lucid dreaming:

• Azurite – This stone supports astral travel and can help heighten your intuition, which opens the doors for lucid dreaming.
• Lodolite – This shamanic dream stone has been used for lucid dreaming and heightening clairvoyance for centuries.
• Rainbow moonstone – The general moonstone helps you to get into a relaxed state to help you dream. Still, the rainbow version enables you to get into a lucid dreaming state, keeps you protected from negativity as you do, and enables you to access past-life memories.

The herbs recommended for you to take to help you remember your dreams, such as mugwort, lemon balm, valerian, catnip, and yarrow, can also help you with lucid dreaming. That is if you also use them with the energetic support from crystals. You can also look for teas online that help enhance dreaming and support lucid dreaming if part of your nighttime ritual is enjoying a cup of tea before bed.

There is one more tip you can utilize to help you get into a lucid dreaming state and support you through it.

Use Binaural Beats To Induce Lucid Dreaming

In addition to using crystals and herbs to help support lucid dreaming, you can also use binaural beats, which are frequency sounds you can play in the background while sleeping. However, you must wear earbuds as you cannot hear it well without them. If you don’t like earbuds, you can use isochronic tones instead, as that is one beat, whereas binaural beats are two beats that play in each ear.

These beats work to get into a frequency, and they can help raise your vibration, which will help you remove fears and blockages. Not only do binaural beats help you sleep, but they can help induce a lucid dream as they activate your theta wave, which is from 4Hz to 8Hz frequency. You can find apps that provide binaural beats; YouTube has plenty of them. However, if this is a step you do not want to take, you do not need to, as the above steps should suffice.

Everyone dreams, and when you are in a place where you remember your dream, you do not know you are dreaming as you believe you are in a state of reality and you have no control over what happens in your dream. However, when it comes to lucid dreaming, not only are you aware that you are dreaming, but you can control how your dream pans out, which so many people want to experience.

The good news is everyone can experience it. However, if you do have a sleep disorder such as narcolepsy, you will want to talk to your sleep specialist about whether or not lucid dreaming is a good idea. However, you can try it if you are healthy with your sleep! Ensure you have good sleep hygiene and do some sleep rituals before bed. Be sure to explore your dreams and work on any challenges. Take advantage of the best crystals and herbs that can support you. If you choose, use binaural beats to help you induce a lucid dream. Then go and enjoy the experience.

The post Lucid Dreaming: Harnessing Esoteric Techniques for Conscious Dream Control appeared first on askAstrology.

Why Do You Laugh?

You may wonder why you can laugh because you may not understand its purpose. By the time they are three months old, babies start laughing well before speaking, and apes also laugh. A few scientific reasons have been discovered for why humans laugh and why it serves a social function by signaling someone else to connect with them. That is why it has been found that you are a lot more likely to laugh in a group than you are solo. Even young children between the ages of two and four are likelier to laugh with others if they see a funny cartoon than if they are unaccompanied.

From an evolutionary standpoint, laughter plays a vital role in survival since it is a social signal for connection. Now you see you are likelier to laugh with a group or friend than solo. However, who is to say that laughing is not possible if you were to watch a funny video, movie, television show, or read a funny book solo? You will still laugh because that is how you respond to something amusing. You will want to do that more often because having a good belly laugh has many benefits.

• HelpGuide: Laughter is the Best Medicine

Laughter Puts You Into a Better Mood

You already know how laughter lifts your spirits if you have been feeling down, and that is why an excellent remedy for that is to turn to comedy. Laughter makes you happier because it increases your happy hormones, which are endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin, while it reduces stress hormones, adrenaline, and cortisol.

The months of January and much of February and March can lower your mood because of winter cold and long nights; you will want to have plenty of laugh-worthy material in your reach so you can watch a funny video, a comedy, or read a funny book to help you get through the rest of the winter.

Laughter Makes You More Creative

Another fantastic benefit of laughter is that it can help promote creativity. Studies show that those who watch many comedy shows can better develop creative ideas and solutions for dilemmas than those who do not. The reason is that laughter relaxes the mind and body, allowing you to think freely. As you already know, laughter will increase the blood flow, increase the brain’s oxygen, and help your cognitive thinking.

Therefore, if you plan to go into a creative field such as writing or the arts, start watching more comedies or reading funny books. You will be amazed at how easy it will become to develop new ideas for your creative work. You may not often struggle with facing creative blockages such as writer’s block.

• How Sound Harmonics Can Heal Your Chakras and Your Soul

Laughter Is Great For Forming and Maintaining Healthy Relationships

You know that laughter increases your endorphins, which boosts your mood and can help you better communicate when discussing challenging topics with a more optimistic point of view. That is one way that laughter can help you improve your existing connections and help form new ones. Another way laughter helps with your relationships is that it can help improve intimacy, where people can feel close to one another.

Additionally, suppose a conflict is happening, and you can laugh at a situation without it being at anyone’s expense. In that case, the individual you are fighting with will not be able to help but laugh as well, and that right there can help you resolve the issue by finding common ground.

So why not arrange a get-together, watch a comedy, or tell some jokes? You will have a great time and strengthen your connections through laughter.

Laughter Is Good For Your Breathing

According to research, the more you laugh, the stronger your respiratory function will be. Your abdominal muscles contract when you laugh while your diaphragm moves up and down, which means your lungs will take in more air, increasing the amount of oxygen you take in.

You are also breathing deeply when you laugh, and you breathe rapidly, too. Therefore, consuming more oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide is essential for overall health. You need oxygen to function, and the more you take in, the more positive it will be for your overall health.

Laughter Gives You An Internal Workout

You know how essential it is to exercise. Your internal organs also need a workout, and having a good belly laugh often will give your organs that opportunity—your diaphragm contracts when you laugh while your abdominal muscles relax as this internal movement massages your organs. Your lungs, digestive system, and heart get that workout when you laugh, as your blood flow and oxygenation increase, making it easier for nutrients to make it to the organs to promote their functions.

• Opening the Heart Center

Laughter Is Good For Your Heart

After learning about how much laughter helps your health, it is unsurprising that it would benefit your heart health, too. That is because when you laugh, those endorphins you release are good for your cardiovascular system. After all, they help lower blood pressure. Keeping your blood pressure at a normal range can help keep heart disease at bay.

The reason that laughter helps to keep blood pressure low is that it helps widen the blood vessels’ diameter, as it allows blood to flow easily. And that is how it can help improve your heart health. Now, that does not mean you can eat an unhealthy diet of fast food and foods that will increase your bad cholesterol all of the time, as laughter will not cancel out the harm it would do.

However, a healthy diet while giving yourself belly laughs daily will do your heart health a lot of good and keep the odds of staving off heart disease in your favor.

Laughter Is Good For Your Waist

If you want to lose or maintain your weight, you will want to add belly laughs to your daily regimen. Studies have found that laughter can be good for your weight loss or maintenance plans because laughter helps release energy, so having good belly laughs can burn more calories.

If you laugh for about 15 minutes, that can burn anywhere from 10 to 40 calories, which does not sound like much. However, remember that when you are laughing, you are giving your internal organs a workout, which also adds more calorie expenditure, which becomes more substantial.

Another reason that laughter is good for your waist is because, in addition to extra calorie expenditure, it reduces cortisol, and cortisol causes weight gain.

Laughter Is Great For the Immune Function

Another benefit of laughter is that having several belly laughs daily can help boost your immune function as it also increases antibodies, which fight infections. Also, laughter can increase the number of potent cells in your body as it can help keep cancer and other diseases at bay.

Laughter keeps stress hormones low, which also helps strengthen the immune system because too many stress hormones wreak havoc. That is another reason you will want to watch comedies, read funny books, and watch funny videos during this time of year when so many sicknesses are rampant. Of course, it does not guarantee you won’t get sick, but odds are you will have a much easier time fighting it, which means you will likely not be hit too hard.

• Soul-Nurturing And Rejuvenating Ideas For The Best Girls’ Night Out

Laughter Can Help Lower Pain Levels

If you accidentally sprained an ankle, stubbed your toe, or are healing from surgery, grab material that can help make you laugh. Read funny books or watch comedies as you rest and recover because laughter can help lower pain levels. Your body releases endorphins when you do laugh, as they are your natural painkillers. Endorphins block the pain signals from hitting the brain, which can help lower physical and psychological pain levels. Does that mean laughter can help you stay off of Tylenol or other painkillers? It depends on the injury, but only sometimes; however, they work well together if you must take it.

Now you see how well having a good daily belly laugh can be great for your mind, body, and soul, and it is not hard to imagine how laughter can also promote longevity. Having a good belly laugh at any time of year is essential, but it is even more critical to do it when it is dreary and drab with the long nights and cold winter days. It is Belly Laugh Day on January 24th, which means you will want to ensure that you take the opportunity to laugh on that day and any other day. Watch funny videos on TikTok or YouTube, watch comedies on Netflix, and get some humorous books. Remember to get together with friends with whom you can share some laughter, as it is excellent for all of you.

The post How Laughter is Medicine for the Mind, Body, and Soul appeared first on askAstrology.

Handwriting Is at Risk to Go Extinct

With modern technology taking over, which has for many years, handwriting is a human activity that may disappear, and the evidence shows that many schools in various countries worldwide have stopped teaching cursive writing. However, some schools have brought it back, which is excellent news. Even though modern technology has helped in various ways, such as adding conveniences and finding effective treatments for many ailments because technology has aided medical advancement, there are downsides, too.

One downside is that modern technology is why handwriting appears to be a thing of the past. However, let’s attempt to preserve it because it has so many spiritual benefits. Studies have shown a link between handwriting and success, and let’s begin talking about the spiritual benefits of the craft.

Handwriting Strengthens Memory

Think about it. When you are writing something on paper, it requires your undivided attention and focus while having the motivation to write. Before technology took over, everyone had no choice but to write (though they also did type as typewriters were around for a long time). However, people wrote notes instead of typing them, and the more people wrote, the better their memory was. When writing, you can use the entire power of consciousness, which you cannot do when typing. If you have to type for work and, let’s face it, for convenience, it is understandable because of how technology has changed how you express yourself. However, what you can do to preserve your memory by handwriting is by journaling.

Journaling has so many benefits, and helping to keep your memory strong is one that you will want to do through handwriting in your journal. Not only does it help you express yourself through writing them out, but journaling does help you keep your mind fresh this way.

• 20 Reasons to Write by Hand, According to Science

Handwriting Helps You Develop Ideas

Do you feel a blockage when you want to type something because you are unsure what to type? When you look at your computer screen with various tabs open, your mind cannot focus, and you develop a fog. That is because your mind is on autopilot while working on your computer, so you are not overly motivated when you are about to type.

If you put your devices away or step away from your computer and begin to take a pen and write in a notebook or on a pad of paper, you will find that ideas magically start flowing. While you write, your thoughts come to your mind, and you can express them easily, which means you are inspired to develop ideas. For example, if you want to write an article or a manuscript, it is understandable to type it because you must submit your manuscript through documents or upload your article to your blog. However, before you do that, take a piece of paper and a pen and begin writing your ideas for what you want to write.

You will find that writing it will banish writer’s block, and you will develop ideas of what to write for the content. Also, write your outline in a notebook to organize your thoughts easier before you begin typing them.

Handwriting Is Therapeutic

Researchers have found that handwriting is an excellent form of therapy. That is because when you write something, you can reflect, and expressing what you genuinely want to say becomes more natural than when you type. Therefore, it is much more natural to share secrets and confessions through handwriting because when you write, you are tapping into a high consciousness level, allowing you to express your true self. Handwriting will help you see your best and worst sides yourself, which means it will help you accept yourself more easily. Again, that is why having a journal is one of the best things. That is why journaling is therapeutic.

Handwriting Helps With Learning

Think about it. Sitting in a lecture and taking notes by hand helps you understand what you are learning more because as you write, you tap into your consciousness, which helps you process the information you are getting. Transcribing what you hear by typing will not provide you with the same benefits as handwriting because, through transcribing, you cannot tap into your full consciousness, which does not allow you to process it the same way as handwriting.

When you take notes by hand during a lecture or study period, you use your learning repertoire combination as you think of specific pieces of information. That way, you create the note in your mind, and then you can write the correct combination of words. Therefore, the more you write, the more you can improve your learning skills.

Handwriting Calms You Down

You already know handwriting is highly therapeutic as it helps you express your truth. Another way that handwriting is therapeutic is that it calms your nerves. When it comes to writing soothing words, that is known as graphotherapy. The way it works is that you will repeatedly write peaceful and relaxing sentences about 20 times a day, such as “I will be calmer.” By doing that, you are retraining your mind by helping yourself become more calm. Over time, you will become more peaceful and find methods to handle stress more efficiently. It is a great thing to do in the evening as you wind down to write down soothing sentences, as it will relax you, and you will have a much better time falling asleep. It is a free form of therapy, and you do not have to rely on sedatives for this!

• What is Automatic Writing?

Handwriting Can Help You Believe In Yourself, Which Can Help Manifestation

You must know the importance of reciting affirmations to make the Law of Attraction work for you. Repeating them to yourself does help, but writing them down several times a day will retrain your brain and help you believe in the affirmations you are saying. The more you write down your affirmations, the easier it is for you to believe them, making it easier to recite them yourself.

When you begin to recite affirmations without writing them down, you will feel you are lying to yourself. For example, if you want to manifest more money but are financially struggling and in debt, saying, “I am financially well off,” will make you feel like you are lying to yourself. However, if you are writing it down, you will still feel like you are lying, but you can also write down why you feel you are lying to yourself. Even though it is not true for now, you can delve into your fears and doubts about becoming wealthy and write them out to help you process your thoughts and worries more.

The more you process them, the easier it will be for you to write down your affirmations because you will begin to believe in yourself and believe you can attract that wealth. Therefore, reciting affirmations and not feeling like lying to yourself will be easier. Belief in what you are manifesting is what propels you to take action so you can manifest what you want.

Handwriting Helps You Complete Your To-Do List

It is easy to create a to-do list or even type it out to complete it. However, you will quickly forget that you made the list. When you write your to-do list, you are solidifying what you intend to complete on paper, and it helps you organize your list so you tackle your first set of tasks that you had prioritized to do. And when you finish each task, you cross it off, which will get you moving to the following written task in the order you had written them.

Why are you more likely to complete your tasks written on paper instead of the ones you type? Some psychologists believe that writing is a method of thinking that will help you derive information from your experience that will help you guide your emotions, thoughts, actions, and perceptions. Therefore, writing your tasks will help motivate you to finish them. That is why when taking action on something you want to manifest, you will want to write it down on paper or in a journal instead of typing it out.

Handwriting Helps You Develop Critical Thinking Skills

Thinking about the words to express can be challenging, especially in a challenging situation. Therefore, when you have to think hard about choosing words, you use your critical thinking skills to find the appropriate words. Therefore, when you are handwriting in your journal or on a pad of paper, you can think more clearly about the information you are putting out. Handwriting helps you to expand on your thoughts and create connections between them, which will help you strengthen your critical thinking skills. Remember, when you are typing, you are not tapping into your full consciousness, so typing will not benefit you when developing and honing critical thinking skills.

• The History of Automatic Writing – Psychography

Evolving technology has caused you to do less handwriting and type more, and even though typing is convenient, you are not utilizing the benefits that handwriting can provide you. After learning how handwriting can benefit you in many ways, you should spend time each day doing some handwriting. If you have a journal, that is a great way to do it. January 23rd is Handwriting Day, when you will want to challenge yourself to do as much handwriting as possible, that does not involve the work you do if typing is required. Why not make handwriting a goal to stick to in 2024 and beyond?

The post The Esoteric Benefits of Handwriting appeared first on askAstrology.

Handwriting Is at Risk to Go Extinct

With modern technology taking over, which has for many years, handwriting is a human activity that may disappear, and the evidence shows that many schools in various countries worldwide have stopped teaching cursive writing. However, some schools have brought it back, which is excellent news. Even though modern technology has helped in various ways, such as adding conveniences and finding effective treatments for many ailments because technology has aided medical advancement, there are downsides, too.

One downside is that modern technology is why handwriting appears to be a thing of the past. However, let’s attempt to preserve it because it has so many spiritual benefits. Studies have shown a link between handwriting and success, and let’s begin talking about the spiritual benefits of the craft.

Handwriting Strengthens Memory

Think about it. When you are writing something on paper, it requires your undivided attention and focus while having the motivation to write. Before technology took over, everyone had no choice but to write (though they also did type as typewriters were around for a long time). However, people wrote notes instead of typing them, and the more people wrote, the better their memory was. When writing, you can use the entire power of consciousness, which you cannot do when typing. If you have to type for work and, let’s face it, for convenience, it is understandable because of how technology has changed how you express yourself. However, what you can do to preserve your memory by handwriting is by journaling.

Journaling has so many benefits, and helping to keep your memory strong is one that you will want to do through handwriting in your journal. Not only does it help you express yourself through writing them out, but journaling does help you keep your mind fresh this way.

• 20 Reasons to Write by Hand, According to Science

Handwriting Helps You Develop Ideas

Do you feel a blockage when you want to type something because you are unsure what to type? When you look at your computer screen with various tabs open, your mind cannot focus, and you develop a fog. That is because your mind is on autopilot while working on your computer, so you are not overly motivated when you are about to type.

If you put your devices away or step away from your computer and begin to take a pen and write in a notebook or on a pad of paper, you will find that ideas magically start flowing. While you write, your thoughts come to your mind, and you can express them easily, which means you are inspired to develop ideas. For example, if you want to write an article or a manuscript, it is understandable to type it because you must submit your manuscript through documents or upload your article to your blog. However, before you do that, take a piece of paper and a pen and begin writing your ideas for what you want to write.

You will find that writing it will banish writer’s block, and you will develop ideas of what to write for the content. Also, write your outline in a notebook to organize your thoughts easier before you begin typing them.

Handwriting Is Therapeutic

Researchers have found that handwriting is an excellent form of therapy. That is because when you write something, you can reflect, and expressing what you genuinely want to say becomes more natural than when you type. Therefore, it is much more natural to share secrets and confessions through handwriting because when you write, you are tapping into a high consciousness level, allowing you to express your true self. Handwriting will help you see your best and worst sides yourself, which means it will help you accept yourself more easily. Again, that is why having a journal is one of the best things. That is why journaling is therapeutic.

Handwriting Helps With Learning

Think about it. Sitting in a lecture and taking notes by hand helps you understand what you are learning more because as you write, you tap into your consciousness, which helps you process the information you are getting. Transcribing what you hear by typing will not provide you with the same benefits as handwriting because, through transcribing, you cannot tap into your full consciousness, which does not allow you to process it the same way as handwriting.

When you take notes by hand during a lecture or study period, you use your learning repertoire combination as you think of specific pieces of information. That way, you create the note in your mind, and then you can write the correct combination of words. Therefore, the more you write, the more you can improve your learning skills.

Handwriting Calms You Down

You already know handwriting is highly therapeutic as it helps you express your truth. Another way that handwriting is therapeutic is that it calms your nerves. When it comes to writing soothing words, that is known as graphotherapy. The way it works is that you will repeatedly write peaceful and relaxing sentences about 20 times a day, such as “I will be calmer.” By doing that, you are retraining your mind by helping yourself become more calm. Over time, you will become more peaceful and find methods to handle stress more efficiently. It is a great thing to do in the evening as you wind down to write down soothing sentences, as it will relax you, and you will have a much better time falling asleep. It is a free form of therapy, and you do not have to rely on sedatives for this!

• What is Automatic Writing?

Handwriting Can Help You Believe In Yourself, Which Can Help Manifestation

You must know the importance of reciting affirmations to make the Law of Attraction work for you. Repeating them to yourself does help, but writing them down several times a day will retrain your brain and help you believe in the affirmations you are saying. The more you write down your affirmations, the easier it is for you to believe them, making it easier to recite them yourself.

When you begin to recite affirmations without writing them down, you will feel you are lying to yourself. For example, if you want to manifest more money but are financially struggling and in debt, saying, “I am financially well off,” will make you feel like you are lying to yourself. However, if you are writing it down, you will still feel like you are lying, but you can also write down why you feel you are lying to yourself. Even though it is not true for now, you can delve into your fears and doubts about becoming wealthy and write them out to help you process your thoughts and worries more.

The more you process them, the easier it will be for you to write down your affirmations because you will begin to believe in yourself and believe you can attract that wealth. Therefore, reciting affirmations and not feeling like lying to yourself will be easier. Belief in what you are manifesting is what propels you to take action so you can manifest what you want.

Handwriting Helps You Complete Your To-Do List

It is easy to create a to-do list or even type it out to complete it. However, you will quickly forget that you made the list. When you write your to-do list, you are solidifying what you intend to complete on paper, and it helps you organize your list so you tackle your first set of tasks that you had prioritized to do. And when you finish each task, you cross it off, which will get you moving to the following written task in the order you had written them.

Why are you more likely to complete your tasks written on paper instead of the ones you type? Some psychologists believe that writing is a method of thinking that will help you derive information from your experience that will help you guide your emotions, thoughts, actions, and perceptions. Therefore, writing your tasks will help motivate you to finish them. That is why when taking action on something you want to manifest, you will want to write it down on paper or in a journal instead of typing it out.

Handwriting Helps You Develop Critical Thinking Skills

Thinking about the words to express can be challenging, especially in a challenging situation. Therefore, when you have to think hard about choosing words, you use your critical thinking skills to find the appropriate words. Therefore, when you are handwriting in your journal or on a pad of paper, you can think more clearly about the information you are putting out. Handwriting helps you to expand on your thoughts and create connections between them, which will help you strengthen your critical thinking skills. Remember, when you are typing, you are not tapping into your full consciousness, so typing will not benefit you when developing and honing critical thinking skills.

• The History of Automatic Writing – Psychography

Evolving technology has caused you to do less handwriting and type more, and even though typing is convenient, you are not utilizing the benefits that handwriting can provide you. After learning how handwriting can benefit you in many ways, you should spend time each day doing some handwriting. If you have a journal, that is a great way to do it. January 23rd is Handwriting Day, when you will want to challenge yourself to do as much handwriting as possible, that does not involve the work you do if typing is required. Why not make handwriting a goal to stick to in 2024 and beyond?

The post The Esoteric Benefits of Handwriting appeared first on askAstrology.

The best tools that you can utilize to enhance your dreaming experiences are crystals, herbs, and ritual work. Explore specific stones and botanicals known for their dream-enhancing properties and esoteric rituals to create a sacred dream environment and invite meaningful insights and guidance into your dreams. Therefore, you will have a significant dream experience once you take full advantage of them.

Why Is It Important to Remember Your Dreams?

You likely woke up most mornings and did not believe you had any dreams because you did not remember them. The only mornings you woke up knowing you had a dream were when you remembered them because they were impactful for you to remember them. You will also not forget those dreams you had right before you woke up. However, as the day progresses, the memory of the dream fades. That happens when you are fully awake and conscious, so your focus shifts to your daily events. Not to mention, the dreams you do remember are stored in the short-term memory area of your brain. That also explains why you forget them as the day progresses.

However, it would be best if you remembered your dreams for several reasons. Firstly, your dreams can be a source of ideas that you can use in your daily work. For example, the late Russian scientist Dmitri Mendeleev, who devised the periodic table, saw it in his dream. Also, the late painter Salvador Dali inspired his art through his dreams.

Therefore, if you remember your dreams, you will improve your creativity and problem-solving abilities. Dreams play a critical role in consolidating your memories, which will only strengthen your memory skills. That can keep your brain healthy for a very long time.

The other benefit is that remembering your dream can deepen your intuition, as you will dream about symbols, signs, and relevant events. These components of your dreams are messages from your subconscious, guides, and even deceased loved ones, letting you know what you need to focus on in your life. For example, if you dream about your teeth falling out, it is unsettling, but it is a message that you must work on your communication skills. You will also intuitively sense that.

Since you will forget your dreams quickly after awakening, you will want to get a dream journal to jot down anything you remember from your dream before it fades. That way, you can look at patterns when jotting down subsequent dreams. Let’s discuss how you can remember your dreams by making them more vivid. You will want to focus on grabbing crystals and herbs and doing rituals to enhance your dreaming experience. Let’s discuss several crystals you will want to keep in your bedroom each night to help you dream more vividly so you can increase your chances of remembering them.

• Ayurvedic Sleep Rituals: Energy Harmonization for Deep Rest and Well-being

The Best Crystals For Dream Enhancement

If you are looking for the best crystals to help with dream enhancement and recollection, I will discuss the ideal ones you want to keep by your bedside each night. You can place them underneath your pillow or on your nightstand. That way, you will benefit from these crystals’ energetic influence. If you are comfortable doing so, though not always recommended, you can wear jewelry with the crystals as charms in your sleep. Let’s discuss them now.

Moonstone

The moonstone crystal has been linked to restful sleeping and even promoting lucid dreaming for hundreds of years, as this stone is connected to feminine energy and the moon. Not only do they help you remember your dreams, but they keep your dreams pleasant, as this stone is known to promote peace and harmony. Therefore, you can place a moonstone crystal underneath your pillow or on your nightstand.

Amethyst

Amethyst is an excellent stone to help promote restful sleep and dream recollection, as it is known to calm the mind and the nervous system. It can also help promote pleasant dreams, as it is a stone of happiness and spirituality and can help you explore the mystical side of dreams. The size of this stone does not matter, as small amethyst crystals are just as potent as large ones.

Lapis Lazuli

The lapis lazuli crystal has been associated with its mystical properties as it is known to heighten psychic ability and increase your chances of tapping into your subconscious mind. It is an excellent stone to help you not only tap into your dreams so you can remember them but also to help you understand them as it can help you gain profound insight into them. It is one of the best stones to connect to the spiritual realm.

Tiger’s Eye

Another fantastic dream-enhancing stone is the tiger’s eye. Placing it by your side or under your pillow before you sleep can help improve your focus, allowing you to experience a potent dream experience. This stone has been known to help you understand the messages you receive from your dreams, and it can also help keep unsettling dreams and nightmares at bay. This may be the best stone for enhancing your dream experience, so try this one.

Hematite

Hematite is another excellent dream-enhancing crystal as it helps you ground yourself before heading to bed, and it can help you improve your focus, concentration, and clarity. Another thing that this stone can do is prevent you from getting lost in the astral plane when you are dreaming. Additionally, it can help improve your memory so you can retain your dreams longer and process the information the dreams give you. Lastly, and just as important, hematite can help you manage your anxiety and stress.

Those are the best crystals you will want to utilize for dream enhancement. Now, you will want to focus on herbs as well. Let’s discuss that.

• The Power of Sacred Rituals: Creating Meaningful Practices in Everyday Life

The Best Herbs For Dream Enhancement

The crystals recommended will help you enhance your dreams so you can dream in a more vivid state; however, they can only help on an energetic level. You will want to use herbs to help you dream more potently, increasing your chances of remembering them clearly upon awakening. Let’s discuss five ideal herbs that you can take that will help enhance your dreams.

Mugwort

Mugwort, also known as Artemisia vulgaris, is ideal for dreamwork as it is known to help make your dreams more vivid and will add color to your dreams if you dream in black and white. It also helps with lucid dreaming if that is what you want to do, as well as enhancing the clarity and frequency of your dreams. Finally, mugwort will help you with dream recollection so you have a much better time remembering your dreams. You can use the capsule, tincture, tea, and mugwort sage smudge spray.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm has been used since medieval times for soothing qualities as it is a brain supplement that helps you enhance cognitive functions and memory. It also supports calmness at night and has sedative qualities to help you sleep. It may not help make your dreams more vivid, but lemon balm does help you with dream recollection, so you will have a much easier time remembering your dreams upon awakening. If you take this supplement before bed, you can take it in capsule form, tea, or as a tincture.

Yarrow

Yarrow, also known as Achillea millefolium, helps improve energy flow as it is a circulatory herb with many dreamwork benefits. Not only does it help you remember your dreams more clearly, but it can assist you when it comes to astral travel, and you may even find yourself having prophetic dreams if you take this herb. It also has defense magic, which will help protect you when you dream as you travel in the astral plane. You can take yarrow as a tea, tincture, and flower essence.

Catnip

Catnip or Nepeta cataria is a soothing herb for your cat and ideal for you to take before heading to bed. It is an excellent sleep aid as the herb contains nepetalactone, a sedative that helps you reduce the noise in your mind as you head to sleep. It is also a dream enhancer that will make your dreams more vivid, which enables you to remember them upon awakening. If you want to enhance the effects of catnip, you can take it with mugwort. You can take catnip in a capsule or as a tea.

Valerian

Valerian or Valeriana officinalis is a muscle-relaxant with sedative attributes and can help you sleep. It comes in capsules, flower essence, teas, and tinctures, but if you want to use it to help promote your dreamwork, add the tincture to your tea (any tea) and stir it well. When you consume it, take it beneath your tongue, which will help you fall asleep quicker, make your dreams more vivid, and help with dream recollection so you can understand the hidden meanings behind your dreams.

Because of their calming properties, you can take herbs that can help with sleep and dreamwork, such as chamomile and lavender. However, the herbs listed above are the most potent when assisting you with dreamwork. Before heading to bed, you also want to get into some esoteric rituals.

• Relax with Candle Scent That Fits You Based On Your Zodiac Sign

Esoteric Dream Work Rituals

You can do several dreamwork rituals before bed, which are entirely up to you, as you can do one or several of them. Let’s discuss a few.

Blessing Your Dream Journal

You know you need a dream journal for your dream work, as you will quickly forget your dreams as the day progresses after waking up. You can bless it the night before to prepare it to begin jotting down your dreams once you use it the following day. How you bless your journal is up to you. And it will be the most powerful when you bless your journal during the New Moon.

You can surround your journal with purple candles or herbs that promote dreams, such as the ones listed above. You can also smudge it with sage and put an amethyst stone on top.

• Journal Prompts For Each Zodiac Sign

Do Some Energy Clearing and Ask For Protection

Here is a ritual that is highly recommended to do before you head to bed each night. It will help you remember your dreams more clearly, sleep better, help ward off nightmares, and protect you during astral travel. You will want to cleanse your room by smudging or using a sage or palo santo spray. Then, place a bowl of sea or Himalayan salt by your bedroom door, and when you head to bed, ask for your guides and Archangel Michael to protect you. Thank them. It can be a form of a prayer, or you can do a simple ask; that is up to you.

Take A Warm Bath Before Bed

Another wonderful thing you can do before you head to bed is to take a warm bath, and you will want to add Epsom salt, chamomile, lavender, and any other dream-enhancing herbs to your bath. Soak it in, and you will want to dim the lights and light purple candles at the edge if that is what you want, and you can put on some ambient music. That will help get you into sleepy mode and set you up for a night of vivid dreaming!

Meditation

You can always meditate before bed, as there are plenty of guided meditation exercises you can find on sleep aid apps, and you can choose the exercise you feel you can do. Meditating before bed will not only put you into a state of relaxation but will also help set you up for a night where you can have vivid dreams and remember them easily because meditation clears your mind. You can use quiet ambient music in the background if you choose.

Do Stretching And Breathwork

Stretching and breathwork before bed will help calm your mind and relax you enough to sleep well and dream vividly. There are bedtime yoga poses that you can look up online and try one that best suits you. Also, daily yoga can help make your stretching and breathwork for bedtime easier for you to do. All you need to do is five minutes of it, as you can add this ritual to other bedtime rituals to enhance the effects of it.

Another essential thing to mention is that you will want to keep your sleep hygiene clean, such as putting away screens a half-hour before bed and keeping your room dark so you can produce the sleep hormone melatonin more easily. Also, cut caffeine consumption by 2 pm, and limit adult beverages and too much sugar. If you don’t do any of those things, you cannot sleep and dream well. You can begin to remember your dreams as you keep your sleep hygiene clean, use the best crystals and herbs, and incorporate esoteric rituals for vivid dreaming! Be sure to journal them each morning, too!

• Why Some People Always Remember Their Dreams and Others Forget

The post Esoteric Dream Enhancers: Crystals, Herbs, and Rituals for Vivid Dreaming appeared first on askAstrology.

Why Is Astrology So Important For Fashion?

All seven classic planets are linked to various hues, textiles, styles, and overall “vibe.” If you wish to incorporate more of that planetary influence into your life, dressing in a manner that reflects or signifies the planet’s energy can assist you in aligning with the associated themes. It’s likely that you’re already expressing this concept in your own unique style: an individual with significant Venusian influences may gravitate towards flowy fabrics, soft colors, and romantic silhouettes, while someone with a strong Mars presence might prefer bold and edgy pieces with vibrant colors and sharp lines. I can promise you, that you are probably already unconsciously dressing according to the energies of your ruling or dominant planet in your chart. But now you can learn to harness that energy consciously and utilize it to your advantage through your fashion choices.

Remedial Fashion Tips Based on Your Astrology – Why You Need It

Remedial fashion tips based on your astrology can help you not only align with the energies of your ruling planet but also balance and enhance the planetary influences in your birth chart. You might have too much energy in one aspect of your life, and lacking in another. What your fashion choices can do is to balance out this energy to help you live a more harmonious life.

Dressing With The Moon

• Do you ever struggle with emotional repression? Like you don’t allow yourself to truly feel your emotions, especially during moments of stress or sadness? Perhaps you struggle to relax, be vulnerable, and open up to others, then you might need some Moon remedial fashion tips.
• Wearing soft, muted colours such as whites, beiges, and pastels can help you tap into the calming and nurturing energy of the Moon. You can also have fun and wear fabrics that have a reflective quality to them such as satin or silk, as they mimic the ethereal glow of the moonlight. Wearing silver accessories can also enhance the lunar energy and promote emotional healing and intuition. And don’t forget about crystals such as the moonstone or opal that can help you to harness the feminine and receptive energy of the Moon.

• Dress to Impress: Which Color Looks Best for Your Zodiac Sign?

Dressing With The Sun

• If you often feel a lack of confidence or struggle with expressing your true self because you are scared of letting people see the true you then dressing with the Sun might benefit you.
• Wearing clothing in bold, vibrant colors such as fiery reds, oranges, and yellows can help you tap into the confident and radiant energy of the Sun. These colors can boost your self-esteem and help you shine brighter in any situation. Materials that catch the eye, such as sequins or metallic fabrics, can also help you embody the Sun’s energy of self-expression and showmanship. Additionally, incorporating gold accessories or jewelry can enhance your solar energy and bring a sense of joy and abundance into your life.

Dressing With Mercury

• If you often struggle with communication, expressing your thoughts clearly, or feeling scattered and disorganized, dressing with Mercury can help bring some balance. You might need to wear clothing that can soothe your mind and facilitate clear communication.
• Opt for calming colours like blues and cool tones that can help you focus and find mental clarity. Wearing structured and tailored pieces can also give you a sense of organization and help you feel more put together as the structure of the garments can translate to a sense of structure in your thoughts. Wearing glasses as an accessory can also symbolize Mercury’s association with intellect and communication.

Dressing With Venus

• You might be struggling within your relationships and feeling disconnected from love and beauty. Perhaps you don’t see your innate value and the worth you bring to the world, this is a clear sign that you need to work with Venus energy. Balancing the masculine and the feminine within you is key.
• You can wear clothing that embodies femininity and sensuality, such as flowing dresses, soft fabrics, and floral patterns. Colours such as white, green, and pink can help you connect with Venus’ energy of love and beauty. Elaborate jewellery, like statement necklaces or earrings, can also enhance your Venusian energy and bring a touch of luxury to your outfits. If you are a woman and you usually wear pants, then switching things up and wearing more skirts and dresses can immediately switch on that Venusian energy. And undergarments are a must, the more feminine and delicate, the better!

Dressing With Mars

• If you’re feeling low on energy, lacking motivation, or struggling to assert yourself, it’s time to tap into the fiery energy of Mars. This planet is associated with passion, motivation, and assertiveness. When it wants something, it goes out and gets it with determination, but if you are lacking in this energy it may manifest as feeling lethargic or passive in your life.
• To dress with Mars, opt for bold and vibrant colors like red, black, and fiery tones that can ignite your passion and motivation. Wearing fabrics such as leather or denim can help you tap into your inner strength and assertiveness. Another option is to go for clothing that is a bit more athletic or sporty, like activewear or structured suits, which can embody the energetic and competitive nature of Mars. Anything that makes you look just a little bit intimidating and scary can do the trick to embrace the energy of Mars.

• Which red carpet dress would your zodiac sign wear?

Dressing With Jupiter

• If you’re feeling stagnant or limited in your life, it’s time to embrace the expansive and abundant energy of Jupiter. Perhaps you are keeping yourself small and narrow-minded, to scared to think outside the box and see the vast possibilities that life has to offer you. And especially if you are struggling to be optimistic and positive, then Jupiter is definitely the energy you need to work with.
• To dress with Jupiter, go for oversized and loose-fitting clothing that allows for freedom of movement and a sense of expansiveness. The colours that work with Jupiter the best are purple, yellow, and dark blue, as these colors resonate with Jupiter’s energy of abundance and optimism. Wearing loud and bold pieces of clothing and jewellery can also help to embody Jupiter’s expansive energy. Materials such as velvet and suede work best with this energy.

Dressing With Saturn

• If you’re feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities, struggling with discipline, or experiencing a lack of structure in your life, it’s time to embrace the grounding and disciplined energy of Saturn.
• To dress with Saturn, opt for structured and tailored clothing that exudes professionalism and authority. Choose colours like black, navy blue, and grey, which symbolize seriousness and reliability. You may also want to opt to wear clothing that can be seen as a little restrictive, such as fitted blazers or pencil skirts, to embody Saturn’s energy of discipline and structure. If you want to take this up a notch, then investing in a corset can really help you feel the structure you need.

Dressing With Uranus

• If you’re feeling stuck in a rut, craving change and freedom, and longing to embrace your own unique individuality, then your soul might need some Uranus energy and flare in your life.
• To dress with Uranus, embrace unconventional styles and experimental fashion choices. Think outside the box and mix and match different patterns, fabrics, and colours. The cookier the better when it comes to tapping into the energy of Uranus. Accessories like funky hats, statement sunglasses, or unique footwear can also help to embody Uranus’ eccentric energy. You want to stand out and express your individuality through your clothing choices.
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Dressing With Neptune

• If you’re yearning for a sense of dreaminess, creativity, and spiritual connection, then Neptune’s energy is calling you. Your soul might need some extra depth of spirituality and divine connection in your life.
• To dress with Neptune, embrace flowing and ethereal clothing that captures the essence of water and dreams can help to evoke Neptune’s energy. Opt for soft, flowing fabrics like chiffon or silk in oceanic hues such as sea green, aqua, or lilac. Basically, allowing yourself to dress like your own inner mermaid will help you channel Neptune’s energy and help you feel more weightless and connected to the spiritual realm.

Dressing With Pluto

• If you’re seeking transformation, empowerment, and a deeper understanding of your own personal power, it’s time to tap into the intense and transformative energy of Pluto. Perhaps you feel out of control, and like you don’t know how to embrace your own inner power, dressing for Pluto can help you to unlock this transformative energy.
• To dress with Pluto, embrace bold and powerful fashion statements that exude confidence and strength. Opt for structured pieces with clean lines and a touch of mystery. Going for darker colours that help you to express your shadow side can be effective in channelling Pluto’s energy. Wearing jewellery with obsidian or garnet stones can also enhance the transformative energy of Pluto. You can be daring and seductive with this energy and incorporate leather, lace, and statement accessories like bold rings or chokers.

A Last Word about Ruling Planet Fashion

Remember that dressing to embrace planetary energies is about self-expression and aligning with the energy that resonates with you. It’s not about following strict rules or trends, but rather using fashion as a tool to enhance your own personal journey and growth. Play with these different energies and see if you feel any different after incorporating them into your wardrobe. It is all about experimentation and exploration to find what truly resonates with your inner self, and what your soul truly needs to thrive and express itself authentically.

The post Ruling Planet Fashion: Dressing to Embrace Planetary Energies appeared first on askAstrology.

Aries

Aries, you are bold, passionate, and fiery and will gravitate towards bitter and spicy dishes. The color red is what represents your sign. Therefore, red fruits and vegetables, such as radishes, beets, red apples, and red peppers, are ideal for you to add to your diet, and if you eat meat, you can add some red lean meat.

Aries also rule the head, which means you will want to eat foods that can help stave off headaches, such as leafy greens, bananas, nuts, watermelon, and berries. Be careful about coffee, cocoa, and black tea consumption, as too much caffeine may cause too much stimulation.

Taurus

Taurus, you are reliable, stoic, steady, and sensual, given you are an earth sign. You appreciate good food and may enjoy comfort food a little too much, as you want to eat that all in moderation. Never deprive yourself because if you feel you are depriving yourself of the foods you love, you will overdo it, leading to regret.

The colors associated with you are brown, green, and orange, so citrus fruits, peaches, nectarines, orange peppers, carrots, leafy greens, and nuts are good choices for you to add to your diet. You want to consume plenty of vitamin C as citrus fruits are rich in them, and you may be prone to sore throats.

Gemini

Gemini, you are versatile, communicative, and adaptable, and you are constantly moving around, given that you are an air sign. The ideal foods you will need will contain plenty of energy, but you want to ensure they are nutrient-dense, such as nuts, peanut butter, quinoa, seeds, whole grains, and lean meats if you are not a vegan or vegetarian. Yellow is associated with your sign, so bananas, yellow peppers, and yellow fruits are good to add to your diet.

You may also be prone to respiratory issues and anxiety, so you must include Vitamin C-rich foods such as citrus fruits, berries, and leafy greens. Like Aries, you will want to limit your caffeine consumption as too much of it can lead to overstimulation, which can potentially worsen anxiety.

• How Each Sign Would Take The Best Care Of Their General Health

Cancer

Cancer, you are emotional, sentimental, and family-oriented, as you are the most watery sign in the zodiac. Like Taurus, you love comfort food, and you may find yourself having a sweet tooth often. Therefore, you can indulge in your sweet tooth by enjoying dark chocolate in moderation and various fruits such as berries, and you will want to ensure you add leafy greens to your diet, such as lettuce, spinach, and kale.

Comfort foods in moderation, such as lean meats, legumes, and potatoes spiced with various savory herbs, are a good fit for you. You may be more prone to digestive issues as Cancer rules the digestive tract, and the lunar phases will affect you more. Drink plenty of gentle herbal teas on your digestive tract, such as chamomile or ginger, especially during the Full Moon. White and silver are associated with your sign, so it is important to drink plenty of water.

Leo

Leo, you are fiery, charismatic, passionate, and inspirational, as you appreciate certain culinary dishes. You enjoy intense flavors, so you want garlic, onions, radishes, and ginger; they have excellent properties. Many Middle Eastern dishes are what you enjoy, as the spices are savored with appreciation.

Your color is gold, and foods such as bananas, golden potatoes, citrus fruits, and lentils are excellent to add to your diet. Be cautious not to consume too much starch, however. Since Leo rules the cardiovascular area, you will want to consume foods to help keep your blood pressure in check, such as salmon, beets, radishes, and sweet potatoes.

Virgo

Virgo, you are analytical, detailed, and attentive, as you are a naturally health-conscious earth sign. Your colors are green and brown. Therefore, the foods you should add to your diet are whole grains, brown or whole-grain rice, nuts, leafy greens, and mushrooms. Fish such as tilapia and salmon are good choices.

You will also want to add healthy fats such as nuts, avocados, and seeds into your diet, as it helps you keep your brain sharp. Your sign rules the lower digestive tract, so oats, apples, flaxseed, asparagus, and yogurt are ideal to add to your diet. You may want to ensure you take probiotics, too.

• Zodiac-Inspired Cuisine: Exploring Astrological Flavors and Culinary Delights

Libra

Libra, you are all about balance, fairness, and peace, and relationships are important to you, being a social air sign. If you feel imbalanced, then you suffer a lot. The color pink is associated with you, and any foods that are red, green, blue, or purple would be ones to include in your diet, which will help bring you balance. Therefore, foods include blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, apples, leafy greens, cabbage, and whole grains.

You also like the finer things in life, given that Venus is your ruler, so you will enjoy finer dishes, such as ones that include lean meats, especially lean chicken breasts with delicious herbs and spices. Remember that the area of your body that Libra rules is your kidneys, so you want to stick to foods that can help keep your kidney function balanced, as the foods listed above can. Garlic and olive oil are also excellent additions.

Scorpio

Scorpio, you are intense, passionate, private, and mysterious, the most intense water sign. Your color is black, and yes, blackberries would be great for you, but water-rich fruits and vegetables are what you need, which will help keep you balanced. That means leafy greens, including iceberg lettuce, as it has more nutrients than is given credit for, as well as watermelon, berries, pineapples, apples, and bananas.

You also want to eat fiber-rich foods, including nuts, whole grains, and the listed fruits and vegetables. The area of your body that your sign rules is your reproductive system and your colon and bladder, so watery and fiber-rich foods are essential. Garlic, ginger, turmeric, cayenne, and cinnamon are also good for your reproductive health.

Sagittarius

Sagittarius, you are adventurous, optimistic, and passionate, as you are a fire sign, and your color is purple. Therefore, the ideal foods for you would be blueberries, plums, eggplant, blackberries, carrots, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes. Since Jupiter rules your sign and you tend to do things in excess because of your nature, you may be prone to weight gain, leading to other complications.

Therefore, sticking to lean meats and whole grains and limiting sugar is important. The areas of your body most affected by your sign are your eyes, thighs, liver, and sciatic nerves. You also want to ensure to add citrus fruits, leafy greens including Brussels sprouts and broccoli, shellfish, lean red meat (unless you are vegetarian or vegan), eggs, whole grains, seeds, nuts, and salmon in addition to other coldwater fish. Garlic, ginger, turmeric, licorice root, and green tea are good for your liver.

• The Spiritual Connection to Food: Exploring Esoteric Diets and Their Benefits

Capricorn

Capricorn, you are ambitious, goal-oriented, and a hard worker, as you are highly practical given that you are an earth sign. Your colors are brown and grey, so nuts, lentils, sardines, potatoes, and lean meats are ideal for you. Not to mention, the areas of your body that your sign rules are your back, skin, joints, bones, and teeth. You want to ensure that you eat foods high in calcium, so low-fat dairy in moderation is good for you.

Leafy greens also have plenty of calcium. Turmeric, black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, and garlic are good for your joints and bones. Sweet potatoes, avocados, sunflowers, red or yellow bell peppers, and walnuts are also foods to include in your diet as they are good for your skin and help keep it in good shape.

Aquarius

Aquarius, you are unique, humanitarian, and friendly, as you are an air sign, and you march to your beat. The color associated with you is blue, so the ideal foods for you would be blueberries, plums, and eggplants. Your zodiac sign rules your circulation, so you want to eat foods that will help improve it. Those foods include the few mentioned but also fatty fish such as salmon, onions, garlic, turmeric, citrus fruits, walnuts, pomegranates, tomatoes, and leafy greens.

You want to be cautious when eating too much red or fatty meat and too many foods with a high starch count. That can hinder your circulation. You tend to beat to your drum, and you are the type that wants to do your thing, but you do want to exercise caution when it comes to your diet.

Pisces

Pisces, you are imaginative, intuitive, and sensitive, which are common water-sign traits, and your color is light green. Since your sign rules the nervous system and thalamus, you want to stick to foods that will be good for your brain health, liver, and blood circulation. Leafy greens are essential, and being a water sign, various types of fish are ideal for you, whether it is shellfish such as shrimp or coldwater fish such as salmon, and they are good for your brain and blood health.

Other foods such as avocado, which matches the color that you represent, berries, green grapes, nuts and seeds, especially walnuts, turmeric, and a little bit of black coffee, but in moderation, and dark chocolate in moderation are ideal foods to add to your diet. Limit sugary foods as they can hinder your brain and circulatory health.

How to Eat During the Main Lunar Phases

If you want to attain optimal health, you will also want to pay attention to the lunar phases because each lunar phase affects your body in ways you would not even consider. That is because the lunar phases affect your water composition and how well you eliminate wastes and toxins.

The New Moon is a time for new beginnings, and your body is cleansing itself to prepare for the new cycle. Therefore, you want to consume fiber-rich foods like leafy greens, nuts, whole grains, and fiber-rich fruits like apples. When the waxing period begins after the New Moon, you will have more energy to expend, so you will want to eat protein-rich as well as complex carb-rich foods such as fish, meats (or vegan or vegetarian replacements), fruits, nuts, and any foods that are ideal for your sign. You can also indulge in moderation in less nutrient-dense foods, but moderation is key.

And when it is the Full Moon, it is the ideal time to detox for three days before and after. It is perfect to drink at least eight cups of water daily and consume whole and water-rich foods, primarily vegetables and fruits. Finally, during the waning phase of the moon, you will want to consume fiber-rich foods that will help you eliminate toxins that you may have consumed over the last twelve days or so. And when the New Moon arrives, you begin the cycle again.

You always want to consult with a dietician when you change your diet. If you have a particular health condition, your dietary needs may not match the Astro-nutrition guidelines, so you want to consult your doctor and dietician. However, if you are in good health and ready to make some changes, then the Astro-nutrition guidelines are something to consider. You will also want to follow your intuition and stick to what you intuitively feel that your body needs, and you will find that eating in line with the lunar cycles is helpful, too. Therefore, enjoy it, and have fun with it in good health.

• What Does Your Star Sign Say About Your Health?

The post Astro-Nutrition: Eating with the Stars appeared first on askAstrology.

Why Are There 27 Nakshatras in Vedic Astrology?

According to Vedic astrology, Nakshatra refers to the lunar mansion where the planet Moon stays for approximately one day. Each lunar mansion spans about 13°20’ and is divided into four quarters known as Pada, with each pada measuring around 3°20’ in length. These 27 Nakshatras are believed to represent the cosmic energy and vibrations that influence human lives and experiences. Each Nakshatra is associated with a ruling deity, an animal symbol, a ruling planet, and specific qualities that shape an individual’s character and destiny. Simply use a Vedic Astrology birth chart calculator online to find out what yours is. And just remember that Vedic Astrologers use a different system than Western astrologers. So don’t be alarmed when you know that you are a Taurus in Western Astrology, but in Vedic Astrology you might be an Aries. Here is the list of 27 Nakshatras.

Source: Animals Of All 27 Nakshatras And What It Represents – Part 2

Ashwini Nakshatra 0.00 Aries – 13.20 Aries

Ashwini Nakshatra, the first Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology, is associated with the celestial horse-headed twins known as the Ashwini Kumaras. These divine twins bestow qualities of speed, vitality, and healing upon those born under Ashwini Nakshatra. Individuals born under Ashwini Nakshatra are often independent, ambitious, and possess great communication skills. They have a natural inclination towards taking on leadership roles and tend to be quick decision-makers.

Bharani Nakshatra 13.20 Aries to 26.40 Aries

Bharani Nakshatra, the second Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology, is connected to the god Yama, who represents death and is symbolized by a yoni (female genitalia). Individuals born under Bharani Nakshatra are known to possess strong willpower and determination. They are often responsible, disciplined, and have a natural sense of justice. They often exhibit a creative and artistic streak in their personalities and have a deep connection to their emotions.

Krittika Nakshatra 26.40 Aries to 10.00 Taurus

Krittika Nakshatra, the third Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology, is linked to Agni, the fiery deity in Hinduism. Individuals born under Krittika Nakshatra are known for their courage, determination, and strong sense of discipline. They are often passionate and have a natural inclination towards leadership roles. They are usually ambitious, competitive, and have a strong protective instinct.

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Rohini Nakshatra 10.00 Taurus to 23.20 Taurus

Rohini is the fourth Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology, associated with Brahma, the creator of the universe, and symbolized by a chariot. Individuals born under Rohini Nakshatra are known for their beauty, charm, and sensuality. They have a deep connection to nature and possess nurturing qualities. Rohini Nakshatra individuals are often creative, artistic, and have a strong appreciation for aesthetics.

Mrigashirsha Nakshatra 23.20 Taurus to 6.40 Gemini

In Vedic Astrology, Mrigashirsha Nakshatra is linked with the moon god Soma and represented by a deer’s head symbol. Mrigashirsha Nakshatra individuals are known for their intelligence, curiosity, and versatility. They possess a keen sense of observation and are often excellent communicators. They have a natural flair for storytelling and enjoy exploring different subjects.

Ardra Nakshatra 6.40 Gemini to 20.00 Gemini

The sixth Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology is Ardra, linked to the deity Rudra, who represents storms and destruction. Its symbol is a teardrop. Ardra Nakshatra individuals are known to be dynamic, intense, and transformative. Ardra Nakshatra individuals are often highly expressive and may experience intense emotional ups and downs. They also possess an analytical and curious mind, making them skilled problem solvers.

Punarvasu Nakshatra 20.00 Gemini to 3.20 Cancer

In Vedic Astrology, Punarvasu Nakshatra is linked to Aditi, the mother of all deities, and symbolized by a quiver of arrows. Punarvasu Nakshatra individuals are known for their nurturing and caring nature. They are often compassionate, adaptable, and have a strong desire for growth and expansion. They possess a natural talent for communication and enjoy connecting with others.

Pushya Nakshatra 3.20 Cancer to 16.40 Cancer

In Vedic Astrology, Pushya Nakshatra is linked to the deity Brihaspati, known as the guru of the gods, and symbolized by a cow’s udder. Pushya Nakshatra individuals are known for their nurturing and supportive nature. They are often responsible, empathetic, and have a natural inclination towards helping others. They possess a nurturing and protective energy, making them excellent caregivers and providers.

Ashlesha Nakshatra 16.40 Cancer to 30.00 Cancer

The ninth Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology, Ashlesha Nakshatra, is linked to the serpent deities known as Nagas and symbolized by a coiled snake. Ashlesha Nakshatra individuals are known for their intuitive abilities, deep emotions, and transformative nature. They often possess a magnetic presence and can easily influence others. Ashlesha Nakshatra individuals are often highly intuitive and have a deep connection to their subconscious mind. These individuals are often mysterious and have a profound understanding of human psychology.

Magha Nakshatra 0.00 Leo to 13.20 Leo

Magha Nakshatra, the tenth Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology, is associated with the deity Pitris, the ancestors, and the symbol of a throne. Magha Nakshatra individuals are known for their regal and authoritative nature. They often possess leadership qualities, a strong sense of responsibility, and a deep respect for tradition. Magha Nakshatra individuals have a natural desire to leave a lasting legacy and make a significant impact in their respective fields.

Purva Phalguni Nakshatra 13.20 Leo to 26.40 Leo

The eleventh Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology is Purva Phalguni, and it is linked to the deity Bhaga, who represents wealth and prosperity. It is symbolized by the front legs of a bed or hammock. Purva Phalguni Nakshatra individuals are known for their charisma, creativity, and love for luxury. They possess a natural charm and have a magnetic presence that draws others towards them. Purva Phalguni Nakshatra individuals have a strong sense of aesthetics and are often drawn to artistic pursuits. They value relationships and are known for their romantic nature.

Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra 26.40 Leo to 10.00 Virgo

The Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra is the twelfth Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology, linked with Aryaman, the deity of agreements and unions. Its symbol is a bed. Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra individuals are known for their diligence, practicality, and sense of duty. They possess a strong work ethic and are committed to their responsibilities. They strive for success and are often highly organized and efficient in their approach to work. Uttara Phalguni Nakshatra individuals have a strong sense of justice and fairness, and they value harmony in their relationships.

• Ayurvedic Sleep Rituals: Energy Harmonization for Deep Rest and Well-being

Hasta Nakshatra 10.00 Virgo to 23.20 Virgo

Hasta Nakshatra, the thirteenth Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology, is connected to Savitar, the deity representing the Sun god of creativity and skillful work. This Nakshatra symbol is an open hand. Hasta Nakshatra individuals are known for their manual dexterity, detail-oriented nature, and craftsmanship skills. They have a knack for precision and are often skilled in fields such as art, design, or architecture. Hasta Nakshatra individuals are meticulous and methodical in their approach to work, and they strive for perfection in whatever they do.

Chitra Nakshatra 23.20 Virgo to 6.40 Libra

Chitra Nakshatra, the fourteenth star in Vedic Astrology, is linked to the god Vishvakarma, who is known as the celestial architect. It is represented by a radiant jewel or gleaming gem. Chitra Nakshatra individuals are known for their creativity, artistic talent, and attention to detail. They have a natural inclination towards beauty and aesthetics and often excel in fields such as fashion, design, or decorative arts.

Swati Nakshatra 6.40 Libra to 20.00 Libra

In Vedic Astrology, Swati Nakshatra is linked with the deity Vayu, who is the god of wind. It is represented by a young sprout swaying in the wind. Swati Nakshatra individuals are known for their independent and free-spirited nature. They possess a strong sense of individuality and value their personal freedom. Swati Nakshatra individuals are adaptable and flexible, able to navigate through life’s challenges with ease.

Vishakha Nakshatra 20.00 Libra to 3.20 Scorpio

The Vishakha Nakshatra is linked to Indra, the god-king, and is represented by a victorious archway symbol. Vishakha Nakshatra individuals are known for their determination, leadership qualities, and ambition. They are highly goal-oriented and have the drive to achieve success in their endeavours. Vishakha Nakshatra individuals are often influential and charismatic, drawing others towards their vision and goals.

Anuradha Nakshatra 3.20 Scorpio to 16.00 Scorpio

The seventeenth Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology, Anuradha Nakshatra, is linked to the deity Mitra, who represents friendship and is symbolized by a lotus flower. Anuradha Nakshatra individuals are known for their deep and sexual nature. They look innocent and sweet on the outside, but inside they possess intense passion and desire. They are often charismatic and have a magnetic charm that draws others towards them.

Jyeshta Nakshatra 16.40 Scorpio to 30.00 Scorpio

The 18th Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology is Jyeshta, linked to the deity Indra, who is the ruler of gods. Its symbol can be an earring or umbrella. Jyeshta Nakshatra individuals are known for their strong-willed, authoritative nature. They possess leadership qualities and have a natural ability to influence others. What they say goes. They have a strong sense of self and are unafraid to assert their opinions and desires.

Mula Nakshatra 0.00 to 13.20 Sagittarius

The nineteenth Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology is Mula Nakshatra, which is linked to the deity Nirriti and symbolized by a cluster of roots tied together. It represents the goddess of destruction. Mula Nakshatra individuals are known for their transformative and intense nature. They have a natural inclination towards delving deep into the mysteries of life and seeking knowledge. Mula Nakshatra individuals are often drawn to spiritual practices and have a strong desire for self-discovery and personal growth.

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Purvashadha Nakshatra 13.20 to 26.40 Sagittarius

The Purvashadha Nakshatra, the 20th Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology, is linked to Apas, the deity of water, and symbolized by a hand-held fan. Purvashadha Nakshatra individuals are known for their creative and expansive nature. They possess a natural affinity for the arts, and their imaginative and expressive abilities make them great storytellers, artists, and performers. Their creativity knows no bounds, and they have the ability to think outside the box and come up with innovative ideas.

Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra 26.40 Sagittarius to 10 Capricorn

The Uttara Ashadha Nakshatra is the twenty-first one in Vedic Astrology and is linked with Vishvadevas, who represents universal power, and an elephant tusk. These individuals are known for their determined and ambitious nature. They are often in positions of power and authority, as they have a natural drive for success and achievement. Their ambitious and determined nature propels them to set lofty goals and work tirelessly towards them and upholding their responsibilities with great diligence.

Shravana Nakshatra 10 Capricorn to 23.20 Capricorn

Shravana Nakshatra is the 22nd Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology and is linked to Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, and symbolized by three footprints. Shravana Nakshatra individuals are known for their attentive and perceptive nature. They possess a natural curiosity and love for learning. Shravana Nakshatra individuals have a keen ability to listen and observe, making them excellent communicators and problem solvers.

Dhanishta Nakshatra 23.20 Capricorn to 6.40 Aquarius

The Dhanishta Nakshatra is linked with the deity Vasus, who is considered to be the god of wealth and abundance. It is also represented by a drum symbol. These individuals are known for their materialistic desires and abundance. These individuals have a strong potential for financial success and may excel in careers related to finance.

Shatabhisha Nakshatra 6.40 Aquarius to 20.00 Aquarius

Shatabhisha Nakshatra, the twenty-fourth Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology, is associated with the deity Varuna, the god of the cosmic waters, and the symbol of a thousand flowers. Shatabhisha Nakshatra individuals are known for their humanitarian nature and deep spiritual understanding. They have a strong sense of justice and are often drawn to social causes and helping others.

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Purva Bhadra Nakshatra 20.00 Aquarius to 3.20 Pisces

Purva Bhadra Nakshatra, the twenty-fifth Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology, is associated with the deity Ajaikapada, the one-footed goat, and the symbol of a sword. Purva Bhadra Nakshatra individuals are often very compassionate and empathetic towards others. They have a spiritual inclination and are known for their ability to see the bigger picture in life.

Uttara Bhadra Nakshatra 03.20 Pisces to 16.40 Pisces

Uttara Bhadra Nakshatra, the twenty-sixth Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology, is associated with the deity Ahirbudhnya, the serpent of Ahiravana, and the symbol of a serpent. These individuals tend to bring luck and fortune to those around them. They are known for their wisdom and intuitive abilities. Their intuitive abilities often guide them towards spiritual pursuits and the search for deeper meaning in life.

Revati Nakshatra 16.40 Pisces to 30.00 Pisces

Revati Nakshatra is the twenty-seventh and last Nakshatra in Vedic Astrology. It is linked with Pushan, the deity who nourishes all beings, and its symbol is a fish. Revati Nakshatra individuals are known for their nurturing and caring nature. They often have a deep connection with nature and a strong desire to protect and care for others. Revati individuals have a natural inclination towards artistic pursuits and may excel in creative fields such as music, writing, or visual arts.

The post The 27 Nakshatras In Vedic Astrology – Find Out Who You Are Truly Meant To Be appeared first on askAstrology.

That is understandable, as many have to deal with work, family, finances, home responsibilities, etc. Therefore, those juggling all those things will lose themselves and end up with imbalances affecting them negatively. February is Time Management Month, where it is time to focus on how to manage time effectively, and when you manage time, you will learn how to balance your life.

What Does It Mean To Find Balance In Your Life?

Finding balance in your life means you have a peaceful and harmonious relationship between your family, work, and personal life. Balancing professional, family, and personal commitments while prioritizing your health and well-being requires time and energy management. The problem with most people is that they forget or never could successfully attain that because they don’t properly manage their time and energy. Therefore, that leaves them stressed, resentful, and angry, and it is a sign that their mind, body, and soul are imbalanced. Therefore, these individuals end up resigning to living mediocre lives, not living for themselves, and going through the motions.

There is so much pressure to give, but the truth is, if you don’t meet your needs, you will not be able to offer anyone anything. Balance is about give and take. If you manage your time and energy and meet your needs, you can show others what they need and create a harmonious relationship between your work, family, and personal life. Let’s discuss what you need to do to balance your life.

You Need to Acknowledge and Examine The Lack of Balance

Before you attempt to do anything to create balance in your life, you need to sit down and reflect. Acknowledging that you only have an unhealthy relationship between your personal, work, and family life, but reflect on how you will work on it. You will know you have imbalances by realizing your overall health is not ideal. You will see that your state of mind is poor, and perhaps you are dealing with physical ailments such as headaches, indigestion, and fatigue. You may be apathetic and irritable as well.

When you examine these areas of imbalance, you must be honest with yourself and realize what areas you neglect. Once you have acknowledged and examined areas of your life that need balance and work, you can begin to take steps to create balance. You will feel some relief after this first step because you will see that creating balance is possible and that you can make some positive changes.

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Prioritize and Set Goals

Now that you have examined the areas of your life that need balance and how you can create a harmonious relationship between your work, family, and personal life, you will want to think about the goals that you want to set. That requires you to prioritize what is the most important to you that will help you attain those goals.

For example, if you feel that you are living to work and all other aspects of your life are secondary to you, that will stress you out. You will likely be working 12 hours a day, which means you have less time for your family and personal life. Your life is imbalanced, leaving you stressed, apathetic, and irritable with those around you. After you reflect and see this significant imbalance, you will realize that you need to cut down the time you are working to make time for yourself and your family.

If you are worried that this will affect your finances, you may need to look for another job or additional income streams that will not be so taxing so you can spend more time with your family and meet your needs. However, if you don’t feel that working less will impact your finances too much, you must reflect and see why you are throwing yourself into work. If it is because you are unsure of how else to spend your time, then it is time to look into some interests you can develop.

Then, you will also want to see how you can spend more time with family to have still time to work and develop interests and hobbies. That is when you will want to set goals that will involve finding time to spend with your family and to create and nurture your interests in addition to working. You will want to prioritize what is most essential to achieve that balance. For example, suppose you want to develop an interest in playing an instrument and spend more time with your parents while fulfilling your work responsibilities. In that case, you want to prioritize those, requiring you to set a schedule to ensure you can meet those goals.

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Create and Maintain a Schedule

Setting and maintaining a schedule is critical once you realize how you want to bring more balance into your life by using time for your work, family, and personal life. If you don’t set and maintain a schedule, you will lose track of your time and create an imbalance again. Therefore, a schedule will help you balance your life in the essential areas. It will also help you balance how you spend your time and attain goals as you want to set a schedule based on your priorities based on each week.

For example, if you have a set number of hours to work, add your work to your schedule. However, what will you do after you get home or finish work at home if you work from home? If it is a nine-to-five work day, you will have dinner after you come home and spend time with your family. Therefore, schedule time to spend time with your family for a few hours. If you also have a hobby involving learning an instrument, you can schedule a time to do that after your family time. And remember to schedule a winding down time before bed.

You also have weekends to spend your time wisely. You may schedule your Saturdays for weekly grocery shopping and chores. That is the best time to accomplish that. You will also want to schedule seeing friends on the weekends so that you can use Saturday evenings or Sunday afternoons for that. Everyone’s life situation is different; some have their own families, and others do not. Everyone has a set of additional responsibilities. However, what happens if you have too many responsibilities impeding your ability to balance your life and time? Let’s discuss that.

Set Boundaries, Ask For Help, and Delegate

Many mothers cannot create balance in their lives because they have too many childcare responsibilities on top of work (if they are working), house chores, and ensuring that they are paying their bills on time if they are with a partner; unfortunately, many times, the mothers shoulder most of the responsibilities, which leads to resentment (and resentment towards their partner is a sign of imbalance right there). However, single mothers who don’t have a reliable ex-partner find they have no choice but to shoulder all the responsibilities.

However, help is available because these mothers can always find ways to delegate. The moms who are shouldering the responsibilities for home and childcare and who are with a partner will have to learn to set boundaries and ask them to pitch in and take on responsibilities so these moms can find balance in their lives and care for themselves. Single moms can always reach out to their places of worship or community centers to ask for help.

For instance, they can look into carpooling if their children are not bused to school. It is essential to set boundaries, ask for help, and delegate. They can hire a cleaning company once weekly or monthly to clean the house if they can afford it. They can also order readymade meals from supermarkets to serve for dinner to save cooking time. Looking for ways to delegate as much as possible will allow these parents to allow themselves the time they need to balance their lives.

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Sometimes, It Is Necessary To Compromise

If you have a partner, sometimes you will need to make compromises, and they will have to do the same if there is an area of life you are focusing on or vice versa. For example, if you are looking for a new job, you will have to put more time and energy into searching for work while taking on the responsibilities you usually focus on, such as cleaning the dishes. If your partner has to concentrate on something important, then you must do the same for them.

Therefore, you will have to make some sacrifices once in a while so your partner can fulfill an essential need, and vice versa. Or sometimes, for yourself, you will have to make compromises if you want to attain a goal that takes a lot of time. For example, if you start a business, much of your time will be focused on getting it off the ground, which means you will have to reduce time for other things, such as spending time with friends. There is another thing that you need to do to balance your life.

Connect With Your Spirituality

You need to find balance by finding time to fit your work, family, and personal into a balanced life. However, you also want to ensure that you don’t neglect your spiritual side because even if you manage your time with everything else, you will find that something is “lacking,” which is your spirituality.

If you want to gain a deeper connection to your religion, you can always go to your local place of worship and look and see the times of services, as you want to balance your time to set that into your schedule, too, if that is what you want to do. Or, you can get books about your religion and make time to read.

If religion is not important to you and you would rather focus only on spirituality, then there are plenty of books on that. Also, make time for meditation, yoga, or anything else to help you connect with your spiritual side. Connect with others who share the same spiritual beliefs as you as well. There is one more essential thing you need to find balance in your life.

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Ensure You Get Adequate Sleep

Sleep is essential for your mind, body, and soul, and if you don’t get enough sleep, it will create more imbalances in your life because it will negatively impact your mind, body, and soul. Sleep helps you regenerate so you can function well during the day. If you don’t get enough sleep, you will also be irritable and impatient, impacting your overall productivity and health.

It is not always easy to get seven to nine hours of sleep, or even the minimum six hours of sleep recommended if you have small children or other caregiving duties. In that case, you must make time during the day to nap. However, other than that, you need to make it a priority to ensure you get good sleep each night. That means to cut the caffeine consumption after 2 pm.

Always wind down in the evening by reading a book, listening to relaxing music, removing screens a half-hour before bed, and keeping your room dark. That will help you produce melatonin and get yourself in the mode to get a good night’s sleep so you can be refreshed for the next day.

February is Time Management Month, and the focus for this month is to balance your life; the way you do that is to acknowledge the imbalances in certain areas of your life and begin to examine them. For example, if you spend too much time working but need more time with your family and your hobbies, that is an imbalance. You will realize this because you will feel that your mind, body, and soul are suffering. Once you examine how you can create more balance, you will want to set some goals to create a balanced life and begin to develop a schedule so you can spend the time needed to make that happen. Ensure you make time for self-care and sleep; with a plan, you can live a balanced life that will bring you peace and harmony.

The post How Do You Balance Your Life? appeared first on askAstrology.

However, the good news is that it does not have to be that way! February is Declutter for a Cause month so that you can donate unwanted items and gifts to non-profits, and on behalf of that, let’s review Feng Shui decluttering tips to remove what you no longer need to bring you balance, peace, and prosperity.

What Is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese tradition of arranging objects and furniture, creating space, and placing specific objects in rooms and hallways to help provide prosperity and luck. The primary purpose of Feng Shui is to achieve balance, harmony, and peace, increasing the chances of prosperity. Feng Shui has roots in Taoism. However, it spread throughout China and the Western world.

Placing objects and furniture in specific areas of rooms and hallways allows the qi (energy) to flow to bring balance and prosperity. You need to have space to allow the qi to move freely. That is why clutter blocks the qi from moving freely, which is why you may feel sluggish, low, unenthusiastic, apathetic, and feel blockages stopping you from making decisions. Now, you understand why clutter harms your mind, body, and soul. Let’s begin to review Feng Shui tips to help you remove clutter.

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Start Going Through Your Closet

Do you have a lot of old clothing that you no longer need? You will only know if you go through your closet. You may find some clothing that no longer fits from a decade ago, which only creates more blockages in your space, blocking the qi from flowing. Therefore, go through your closet and examine your wardrobe.

The clothing you no longer need or want will want to be removed from your closet, so take a garbage bag and toss your used and old clothing that no longer serves you. You are creating more space and allowing the less fortunate to wear good clothing by donating your old ones to them.

Grab A Bag And Begin To Fling Unwanted Items Into It

Here is a project you can do once a month: take a large bag, go through your home and office, and fling any unwanted item into the bag. Don’t hesitate for a moment whether you need the item in the future. If you don’t want it, you will not need it. Therefore, toss it into the bag and keep doing it until you hit every room in your home or office. After completion, you will be amazed at how quick and easy it was to declutter. If none of what you tossed into the bag was garbage, you can always donate the bag to a non-profit for them to take. The less fortunate have items they can use but no longer need while you have a less cluttered space! That is a win-win.

Clean Out And Declutter The Kitchen

One of the areas of your home (or office) that can get cluttered quickly is your kitchen. It is not a surprise as you are constantly working in it, cooking, cleaning, but you will be leaving pots, pans, cookware, etc., out on the counter or stove. Therefore, after those items dry, you will want to put them in your kitchen drawers to keep the clutter at bay.

However, what if you don’t put your cookware into your drawers because they are full of other cookware and items that keep them full? Then, it is time to clear out your kitchen so you can remove any items you no longer need so there is space for the cookware you need.

Another reason you will want to clear out your kitchen is that you want to realize that a healthy and clean kitchen is the center of your family or yourself if you are the only one living in your space, which, in Feng Shui terms, is also a symbol of prosperity and health. Therefore, you want to keep your kitchen clean and spacious with little clutter.

That also means you must go through your fridge and freezer, remove expired food, go through your pantry, and toss away anything past its best-before date.

Another way to improve the Feng Shui in your kitchen is to allow as much natural light as possible, which means keeping the windows open (when you are home) and filling the space above the cabinets with tchotchkes. Glass cabinets can also help with Feng Shui. It is a good investment if you can invest. However, if that is not an option for you, that is okay.

It is more important to declutter, remove expired food, and remove old cookware that you no longer need by tossing it or donating it if is usable.

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Clear Your Drawers

You will have a large job to tackle, but if you want to improve the Feng Shui in your home or office, you will want to clear your drawers. You may feel that only because you have very little visible clutter, you have good Feng Shui if you stuff everything into your drawers (or closet). However, that is not true. You still have a very cluttered space if your drawers have too many items, which could be junk. The junk in your drawers will block the flow of qi.

Therefore, since you have plenty of drawers, which include your kitchen, desk, dresser, nightstand, etc., you should go through your drawers slowly and remove any unwanted items or junk. You would be surprised to see old and bent paper, worn-down pencils, inkless pens, rubber bands that break if you stretch them, and old Post-it notes no longer relevant in your drawers. Items such as those will immediately go into the trash. However, you may have other usable items you no longer need or want in your drawers, which are the items to donate. The remaining items you need can stay in your drawers, which should take up little space.

Another excellent tip for the items in your drawers that you do need is to organize them. You can place specific items in specific areas of your drawers, and an organized drawer will be better for good Feng Shui.

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Remove Any Books You No Longer Need

Is your bookcase full of books you no longer need, and does it have books you don’t remember even buying? You will want to spend a day going through your bookcase and all of your books. There will be books that you will want to keep, and you should keep those. However, there is a good chance that you have plenty of books that you have no interest in keeping. Therefore, you will not want those to take up space. Consequently, you can sell those books, or you can donate them. However, if you find that overwhelming because you will have to worry about shipping costs for your books if you decide to sell or carry a heavy bag full of books you don’t want to donate, there are other ways to release your unwanted books.

You can give your unwanted books to friends and family. If they don’t want them, you can conveniently ‘forget” them in cafes and supermarkets, and there are used bookstores around where you can trade them. There are ways to remove unwanted books with very little hassle. A less-cluttered bookcase that only holds your desired books will improve your Feng Shui.

Remove Any Mailbox Clutter

It is easy to allow ads and other mail you are not in a hurry to open to clutter your spaces. However, you will want to ensure that you immediately toss away any ads and mail that you do not need into the recycling bin. Otherwise, you will let it clutter your tables, desks, etc. If there are ads that you will end up using or you feel you will use them, then hang them up on your fridge with a magnet or a piece of tape. Look at the expiry date of the ad and log it into your phone as a reminder. If you do not use the advertisement by that date, you will get a reminder on your phone to remove it. And if there is any needed mail you need to save, place it in a safe space.

February is Declutter for a Cause month, which is here, as that applies to all of February. Whatever items you receive from the holidays you do not need; you will want to donate to your favorite non-profit. Also, if you bring prosperity for the year, you will want to declutter your home and office and go through all the rooms, including the drawers, to remove unwanted items and junk. Open spaces will improve the qi flowing through your home which also improves Feng Shui, which will only bring you positive things!

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The post Quick Feng Shui Decluttering Tips That Can Help Allow Energy To Flow To Help Bring Prosperity appeared first on askAstrology.

New Moons are also, usually, a time when we tend to draw back and go inward, a time when we need a little more time out. Many of us may feel a touch more introverted during a New Moon, making it the ideal time to soak in water and rest.

We can make a New Moon bath even better if we use scents, herbs and flowers most aligned to our zodiac sign, helping the New Moon energy to be stronger and more intentional. Plus, it’s always fun – not to mention grounding – to get creative. Creativity is often a wonderful thing we can get busy with when we don’t feel like being with people, which is often the case during New Moon. Full Moons are the time to enjoy socializing and being out in the world.

Meditation rituals are also another lovely way to get in touch with the New Moon energy, and what better place than to do them in the bath when we’re already relaxing? Or, you may want to drink a delicious, intentional drink that nourishes you from the inside out. Or, perhaps you want to make a candle with your favorite scent. The options are endless, and can be overwhelming. We know that, so we’ve prepared a bespoke list of ideas for each and every zodiac sign, based on your personal preferences for you to savor and enjoy!

Aries New Moon Bath Ritual

Aries, you’re a bit of a pyromaniac. AKA, you love fire. Your New Moon ritual needs to involve candles – plenty of them. Get as many as you can, preferably red ones, and place them all over your bathroom. Make things as hot as possible. Create a sweat lodge of sorts for yourself. You need a bit of a challenge to make sure you don’t get bored or impatient with your bath. Once you have plenty of steam and flames, relax back into the boiling hot water and close your eyes. If you have a few drops of cinnamon oil, use that – it’s your special spice and will serve to warm up your blood.

If you want to get extra-witchy, imagine each candle you light as an intention – something you’d like to manifest. Let it burn all the way down before getting out of the bath.

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Taurus New Moon Bath Ritual

You were made for this, Taurus! There are endless options for your New Moon Bath ritual, but we can only pick one. For you, what would be most fun and beneficial would have to be creating a bath bomb of some kind. You’ll need:

• A Cup of baking soda
• 1 Tablespoon melted coconut oil
• A Tablespoon of essential oil (we recommend Rose Oil for you)
• A half tablespoon of citric acid
• Some water in a spray bottle
• a mold (ice trays could work, but it has to be big!)

Mix everything into 1 large bowl and spray by spray, add water with your spray bottle until you have a satisfying clump. Then, press the mixture into your mold and let it dry. Voila! Drop in your bath and enjoy the soak.

Gemini New Moon Bath Ritual

Gemini, your New Moon bath ritual is easy-peasy. Being an air sign, you love ideas, thinking and knowledge. Your New Moon Bath ritual needs to involve an excellent Podcast you’ve been dying to listen to. One that inspires you to make your own new beginning, in whichever area is best for you.

So, get your headphones ready (make sure they’re waterproof), find your podcast(s), run that bath, light some candles and relax.  Don’t forget to bring your journal if you want to make some notes.

Cancer New Moon Bath Ritual

Cancer, you’re a true waterbaby. There’s nothing you love more than a good soak. Even just lying in the bath feels cleansing and good for you. Yet, if you want to make this an even better and more intentional experience, then go ahead and have a ritual. The one we would recommend for you is to listen to a story of some kind. An inspirational story, one that’s preferably fictional and has something to do with family, home mothering and/or children. This will take you down a beautiful walk on memory lane, helping you to tap into your own inner child’s needs and desires. perhaps even help you to set a few new intentions to nourish yourself going forward. Let the tears come, Cancer. This is as cleansing for you as a bath.

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Leo New Moon Bath Ritual

Your New Moon bath ritual, Leo needs to involve mirrors, and plenty of them. Go on and grab yourself any mirrors you can find in your home and place them around the bath. Get a few candles too – preferably luxurious, scented candles so that you can be cast in your most flattering light. Do your hair up beautifully (remember, this is your lion’s mane!), and pour yourself a glass of bubbly or your favorite luxury drink. Buy yourself the most expensive bubble bath that you can find and settle yourself in nice and deeply. When you catch a glimpse of yourself, remind yourself of how beautiful, talented and worthy you are.

Virgo New Moon Bath Ritual

Being a health-orientated sign, Virgo, your New Moon bath ritual needs to be all about nourishing your body from the inside out. For you, we would recommend sprinkling herbs into your bath along with some Epsom salts so that you can top up your magnesium whilst inhaling scents that will heal you. Think of an ailment that’s bothering you – maybe you have clogged sinuses, for example, making it nice to have some eucalyptus oil on hand, or peppermint leaves in your bath. Or, you need your circulation to improve, which makes mustard mixes good to add.

What’s more, you may want to mix up a delicious nutritious drink to have whilst you’re in the bath. Maybe a turmeric tea or a cacao smoothie to enjoy whilst you ease your body and reset. 

Libra New Moon Bath Ritual

Libra, you’re ruled by the planet Venus, making it important for you to enjoy a New Moon bath ritual that involves delightful scents and a romantic atmosphere. Although you’d love to share your bath with someone, it’s also important that you give yourself this treat and romance yourself.

For you, your ideal New Moon bath needs to have plenty of rose petals and yummy essential oils. Go on and sprinkle those petals everywhere and light some scented candles. Make your bathroom a beautiful place of harmony and peace. Put on meditation music and pour yourself a glass of good wine or any other drink. Now, relax.

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Scorpio New Moon Bath Ritual

What you’ll appreciate from your New Moon bath ritual is the ability to drain away and purge that which no longer serves you, Scorpio. So, do whatever you like to make your bathtime delicious – maybe light only one candle and bathe in the darkness so that you can focus completely on what you want to drain away.

Once you’ve meditated on this and know what you want to get rid of, let the water out and imagine all toxic issues – relationships and situations – slowly leaving your life as the bathwater runs down. Stay in the bath until all the water is gone.

Sagittarius New Moon Bath Ritual

Your New Moon bath ritual needs to be a whole lot of fun, Sagittarius. Thus, go out there and get yourself some yummy bubble bath and chuck in some eco-glitter to make it pretty. Your bathtime needs to be a party, basically. Get those floating bath ducks too – why not?

Once you’ve created your atmosphere, choose a documentary or mind-expanding book to make things more interesting. You can set up your laptop – safely -on a table or mini pedestal in a place far away from the water so there’s no damage. Or, you can just bring your book into the path – preferably a spiritual book or one that’s travel-inspired. Enjoy!

Capricorn New Moon Bath Ritual

Being an earth sign, you want a ritual that involves creating something physical, Capricorn. For you, bath salt is the way to go. What you’ll need is:

• Four cups (minimum) of bath salts
• A cup of pink Himalayan salt
• Essential oils – palo santo, sandalwood, frankincense and other ‘heavy’ scents are good for you and very grounding
• Dried rose petals

Mix these all together and mindfully put them into your bath when the hot water is running. Climb in and feel all you heard work of the month draining away from your muscles. Remember to turn your phone off and not answer any work emails, Capricorn, no matter how tempting!

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Aquarius New Moon Bath Ritual

Your ideal New Moon Bath ritual has to involve something like breathwork, Aquarius. There are many available online, so go on and find one best suited to you. Make sure it’s at least ten minutes long, or even longer. It’s also nice to find one that has good music, so that your mind can focus.

Afterwards, you may want to have a self-help book on hand, as you love learning and growing in philosophy. Or, you might want to listen to a workshop, course or some other learning – based podcast that will get you inspired.

Pisces New Moon Bath Ritual

Pisces, your New Moon bath ritual simply must involve good music. Even if there’s nothing else, the music you choose will help take you away to another land. Go through your playlist or find one best suited to your mood before you do anything. Then, add your candles, bubbles, and a glass of wine or kombucha. If it’s where you are, and safe, you can have a touch of CBD oil or microdose to make the experience even more relaxing.

You’ll also enjoy a guided visualization by any one of your favorite spiritual teachers or gurus Pisces. Go ahead and pick one to make this experience even richer. The chances are strong that you’ll be in the bath for many, many hours anyway!

The post A New Moon Bath Ritual Based on your Zodiac Sign appeared first on askAstrology.

What Is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment using essential oils from plants to promote your well-being, and it can be good to help lift you out of low moods. The fragrances from essential oils can help nurture your mind, body, and spirit, which can also help improve your emotional health. Doctors are beginning to recognize aromatherapy as a supplement treatment for many ailments such as anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and so on. However, it is believed to be both an art and a science.

Aromatherapy has existed since ancient cultures in India, Egypt, and China as practitioners would create mixtures of plant components containing fragrances in oils, balms, and resins for religious and medicinal purposes. During ancient times, practitioners believed that they had psychological and physical benefits.

The Persians in the 10th century were known to distill essential oils, though that practice was around before then. However, it was known to the general public in the 16th century as German practitioners would publish information about it. The recognition for treating many ailments happened in the 19th century when French physicians published work about it.

It was not until 1937 that the term aromatherapy was coined by French chemist and perfumer Rene-Maurice Gattefosse as he wrote a book about how lavender was used to treat burns. Even though Western modern medicine was on the rise, plenty of holistic practitioners utilized aromatherapy for treatments.

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How Does Aromatherapy Work?

Aromatherapy works through smelling fragrances from essential oils and skin absorption if you apply them to your skin. There are many methods to utilize this holistic treatment, whether a diffuser, inhaler, facial steamer, hot and cold compress, bathing salts, clay masks, body oils or creams, or lotions for massage or applying them topically.

You want to remember that these essential oils are potent and use only a tiny amount, whether diffuse or topically. For example, if you use a diffuser, fill it with water and only add a small amount of essential oil. If you want to use essential oils as a topical lotion or cream, you will want to take a carrier oil, shea butter, or coconut oil and mix a few drops of essential oils into it. Putting essential oils alone on your skin will burn it.

Hundreds of essential oils are around, and they have many healing properties. You will want the correct essential oil for whatever ailment you wish to treat with a holistic practitioner specializing in aromatherapy.

For example, if you are looking for an essential oil to help you sleep because you struggle with anxiety, you will want to utilize one like chamomile or lavender, which has properties known to relax you. You do not want to use an essential oil known to invigorate you, such as peppermint, which would defeat the purpose. Now, let’s discuss many of the benefits of aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy Can Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Unfortunately, when it comes to life, there are only a few guarantees, which are death, taxes, heartbreak, and stress. Therefore, you cannot avoid stress. Stress can be good for you in moderate amounts because it keeps you motivated. However, when there is too much stress, it can be problematic if you cannot manage it properly. Too much stress can kick up your anxiety and cause you to have poor sleep.

However, using aromatherapy can help you manage stress and reduce anxiety by calming the nervous system, which can also help lower blood pressure and heart rate. Aromatherapy can rewire brain waves to relax you. The ideal anxiety and stress-reduction essential oils are lavender, chamomile, jasmine, geranium, and lemongrass. Stress and anxiety can also reduce your energy, making you sluggish. Therefore, when you need to calm down later in the day by utilizing these essential oils, there are other essential oils for aromatherapy you will want to utilize for energy-boosting in the morning or if you are struggling with the afternoon slump.

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Aromatherapy Can Help With an Energy Boost

Are you struggling with finding your mojo each morning, or do you have it from a cup of coffee only to deal with a slump in the afternoon? You know that having coffee later in the afternoon will put you at risk of keeping you up at night, even if you utilize calming aromatherapy for the evening because the caffeine in the system will keep you up. The good news is aromatherapy can help you boost your energy too. If you are looking for an essential oil that can give you that pick-me-up energy, peppermint oil is great, as it will help boost your performance, reduce tiredness, and improve concentration.

Another essential oil that can help boost your energy levels is limonene, as it has naturally energizing properties as well, so if you don’t like peppermint, you can go for limonene. However, what if your energy levels are not an issue, but you are finding that your attention and focus are? Aromatherapy can help with that, too!

Aromatherapy Can Help Improve Your Attention Span and Focus

Do you struggle with paying attention to a task you must do? Do you daydream or want to go after your gadgets when you are supposed to be working? Aromatherapy can help improve cognitive performance, concentration, and memory, and the ideal essential oils are sage, basil, and rosemary. These essential oils contain antioxidants, which can also explain why brain function can improve with aromatherapy utilizing those oils.

Studies have shown that aromatherapy utilizing these essential oils can be helpful for patients with dementia, mental illness, and Alzheimer’s. However, it will not replace their medical regimen; aromatherapy is an excellent addition. What about aromatherapy for sleep?

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Aromatherapy Can Help You Sleep

You already know that aromatherapy can help reduce stress and anxiety, but what if you can manage your stress and anxiety, but you still find yourself tossing and turning at night? Some essential oils have sedative properties that can help you sleep; the ideal ones are lavender, bergamot, and ylang-ylang. These oils can help you relax so your brain can move out of beta.

There has been scientific proof as well that lavender can help you not only fall asleep but can help improve sleep quality through studies conducted. To help you sleep, you can create a lotion with a carrier oil and a few drops of lavender (or the other two oils). After you take a warm shower, you can apply the lotion on your body, which will help calm you! What if the pain keeps you up? Aromatherapy can help reduce pain as well.

Aromatherapy Can Help Reduce Pain

The first thing you do when you are in pain is an attempt to grab Advil or Tylenol, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, if that is not enough to help banish your discomfort, aromatherapy can also help reduce pain. The ideal oil for pain reduction is ginger, turmeric, thyme, chamomile, and eucalyptus. These oils are effective in lowering postoperative, gynecological, or obstetrical pain.

Therefore, if you are having surgery or are close to giving birth, then you will want to have any of those essential oils on hand for pain reduction. If you have any concerns, talk to a naturopathic doctor before you do anything. Aromatherapy can also help with other types of discomfort, such as indigestion or stomach upset.

Aromatherapy For Indigestion or Stomach Upset

If you are having indigestion, feeling queasy, or feeling as if you will have the runs, the good news is that you can utilize aromatherapy for helping to soothe any stomach upset. Some essential oils can help with your digestive health because they have properties that can promote your digestive enzymes to keep breaking down nutrients. If you are struggling with gas, nausea, or abdominal pain, then ginger oil is very helpful. If you have IBS, you will want to have peppermint oil on hand. Other essential oils that can help are juniper berry or fennel. There is another health benefit that aromatherapy can bring.

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Aromatherapy Can Help Boost Immune and Endocrine Function

You are hearing a lot about antibiotics that no longer help because the bacteria or fungi that cause infections are resistant. Aromatherapy can also help with oregano, ginger, frankincense, myrrh, tea tree, lemongrass, or eucalyptus oil and has been known to have antibacterial and antiviral properties. Many teas with flower extracts can help boost your immune system and supplements.

Like there are essential oils that can help to boost the immune system, there are also oils that can help women with hormonal regulation who have PCOS or are dealing with menopause, as these oils can affect estrogen levels. The oils that can help are thyme, geranium, and sage. Aromatherapy can help with so many other ailments, but there is one more ailment that can help, and it is one that everyone is feeling around Blue Monday.

Aromatherapy Can Boost Your Mood

Because of the post-holiday blues, you may be experiencing other stress, pain, insomnia, digestive upsets, and other imbalances. You already know what essential oils help you reduce anything bothering you from those things. However, why not try using aromatherapy to boost your mood?

In addition to utilizing the help from a lightbox, you will want to utilize the best mood-boosting essential oils when using aromatherapy to help you get out of that emotional slump. The ideal oils for boosting your mood are bergamot, rosemary, frankincense, peppermint, and lemon. You may not feel perfect, but aromatherapy with these oils can help you feel a lot lighter.

Aromatherapy is one of the best holistic treatments for many ailments, and I covered only a few of the many ailments that aromatherapy can help. The best thing to do when you want to utilize aromatherapy for a holistic treatment for something is to talk to a naturopath. Even though I listed many essential oils that can help with specific ailments, some may not be best for you, so you will want to talk to a holistic doctor.

You can utilize these oils in any way you choose, whether you use them in a diffuser that you leave running in a room, make lotion or creams with them by mixing a few drops with a carrier oil, or use an inhaler with them, they can be therapeutic. If you have not tried aromatherapy to treat an ailment, you will want to look into it!

The post Winter 2024: The Benefits of Aromatherapy appeared first on askAstrology.

Many individuals with this trait may be more attuned to subtle energies, intuitive insights, and the emotions of others. This heightened sensitivity indicates a deeper spiritual connection or heightened psychic abilities. Exploring hypersensitivity from a spiritual angle can offer valuable insights into one’s inner world and facilitate personal growth and self-awareness. Let’s discuss this more.

What Are the Traits of Hypersensitivity?

You may be hearing a lot about hypersensitivity or highly sensitive people, also known as HSP. Highly sensitive people are known to be incredibly empathetic to the point of putting their needs at the backburner and tend to be people-pleasers, as they are highly attuned to others. They are a type of empath, as they are also highly attuned to their environments and may become fearful of loud noises because their hearing is very sensitive.

They are highly sensitive in sensory processing, as bright lights, disturbing images, and strong-tasting food can overwhelm them. That is also why they are often introverts.

These individuals were born with a unique nervous system, composed differently from most of those who are not hypersensitive. Unfortunately, the majority of those who are hypersensitive have grown up thinking something is “wrong” with them or seeing themselves as different from others.

HSPs are also known to have vibrant inner lives and are highly creative, innovative, and self-aware. They tend to overanalyze and overthink but are hypercritical of themselves. They also take anything others say personally, as they are sensitive to criticism. The issue is, because their highly sensitive nature is seen, those who don’t have the best intentions can see them as prey, as HSPs as children often were targets of bullying, and even adults can be targets of bullying at work. That is because they also don’t stand up for themselves, as conflict scares them. Additionally, many HSPs have endured some childhood trauma and often struggle to work through it.

• 5 Most Empathetic Zodiac Signs: Are You One Of Them?

Additionally, HSPs freeze under pressure as too much stress and pressure can make them anxious. That is another reason HSPs fear decision-making, as there is always worry about making the “wrong” decision. They can fall into the trap of perfectionism, which only creates overwhelm, which can lead to burnout. Being an HSP is exhausting, but if they can shield themselves energetically, learn to ask for help when feeling overwhelmed, and lower their standards themselves, they will cope much better.

As stressful as an HSP is, they share a gift: the ability to connect with other realms. That is because studies have shown that the brains of HSPs are wired in a way where they have a strong sixth sense.

The Sixth Sense Is Potent Because of the Way the HSP Brain Is Wired

The HSP’s brain areas involving empathy and awareness of self and others become more easily and profoundly activated than those in non-hypersensitive persons. As a result, they are attuned to others and the environment due to feeling and integrating sensory information. A person with this wiring is highly sensitive, thinks deeply, loves deeply, and processes life around them deeply. That is what gives them a heightened sixth sense.

The sixth sense makes one psychic as they operate on a higher frequency, picking up about 85% more energy than those who do not have the hypersensitive trait. Therefore, hypersensitive people can pick up what is happening in other realms to develop a profound spiritual connection. Suppose you are an HSP who has been upset about your hypersensitivity because of how it causes you to feel that you do not fit in. In that case, you have an inner calling to develop a profound spiritual connection to hone your psychic gifts and connect with others like you.

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As a Hypersensitive Person, You Are Spiritually Gifted, and You Want to Nurture That

When you’re an HSP, you operate on a high vibration, which lends itself to understanding other people’s energies, enhancing your capability for healing, mediumship, and psychic abilities. This is a gift that those who are not hypersensitive don’t have. Everyone can be psychic, as everyone is also intuitive on some level, but those who are not HSPs will not be nearly as gifted in it as someone who is.

Think about someone who is not particularly gifted in math and someone who is. Someone gifted in math can excel at it easily and pursue a career involving sciences and physics. In contrast, someone who is average in math may choose not to go into a career involving mathematics because they will find it is not their forte even though they have no problems with doing basic math such as budgeting.

However, if someone gifted in math does not keep flexing their mathematic muscle, they will not necessarily lose their gift, but they will also, in some ways, let it go to waste. If they allow distractions to keep them from excelling at their gift, they will not utilize it properly.

The same goes for HSPs not using their gift effectively, as they may allow their gifts to go to waste if they allow themselves to become overwhelmed and hurt by the actions of others. There are ways for HSPs to help themselves stay focused and calm so they can utilize their gifts to communicate with other realms effectively.

Trusting One Self And Their Own Abilities Is The First Way To Nurture Their Gifts

As a hypersensitive individual, you would be extremely in tune with your needs. You know what you need, like, dislike, and want and intuitively know what path to take to attain your needs or wants. However, you find yourself second-guessing because you don’t trust yourself.

You don’t know if it is your intuition guiding you or your emotions that are tricking you. The rule of thumb is that intuition does not guide you if you are emotional about a path you should take. However, if you feel something is best or not for you without any emotional influence, that is intuition, which you need to listen to. The more you can trust that, the easier it will be for you to trust yourself when it comes to relying on your intuition when making decisions.

However, when you use your gifts and want to use them to the best of your ability, then you must ground yourself. You must do it, which can be challenging since you are hypersensitive to your surroundings. Though, it is necessary.

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It Is Essential To Ground And Manage Your Sensitivities

You must manage your sensitivities by grounding yourself to hone your spiritual and metaphysical gifts. The only way you can do this is to be mindful and be in the now. If you find yourself anxious, stop, breathe, look around you, and ask yourself what you see, feel, hear, and other senses are activated right now. That does calm you down. The more you can do that, the easier it will be to ground yourself.

It is also necessary to meditate or get into a meditative state daily. You can meditate while walking or doing house chores if you cannot sit still and meditate the traditional way. However, meditation does clear your mind and is another way to ground yourself.

It is also essential for you to shield yourself if you are going to be with an individual you do not like or if you have someone in your home visiting an individual, you do not like, as they will bring back the energies from that individual, which can set you off.

You also want to shield yourself if you are going to a crowded area, and it is an excellent idea to protect yourself by shielding yourself each morning before you step out of the house and the last thing you do at night before going to bed. You can encounter low-level entities when sleeping.

The way you shield is up to you, but the most common way is by envisioning a white light surrounding you, protecting you, and thanking your guides for providing protection. It does save your energy, and you will feel unbothered if you shield regularly. You will also see that your energy is intact if you shield as no one can drain it, which leaves you strong enough to keep up with your spiritual gifts.

Addressing Traumas Is Essential to Make the Most of Spiritual Gifts

Another thing that can cloud an HSP’s spiritual gifts is the effects of trauma. If you are an HSP who is struggling to tap into your spiritual and metaphysical gifts because of childhood or early adulthood trauma, then you need to address it as challenging as it is. You have to do shadow work, and working with a therapist or coach can also help you manage the issues affecting you today.

Be prepared to be uncomfortable as you do it, but the more you can address the problems clouding your abilities, the easier it will be for you to tap into your gifts and communicate with other realms. You do not have to be 100 percent healed to do this, as that may never happen. However, you must be aware and constantly be a work in progress to hone your spiritual and metaphysical gifts.

You Have a Lot of Light to Share to the World

One of your purposes as a hypersensitive individual is sharing your light with the world. You can tune into the oneness and understand the importance of life, which is compassion and love. You have a desire to make others feel good, and that is because you have a lot of light to share. You have the potential to create a ripple effect of love and light, and that is what the world desperately needs. It is challenging since so many others are not on board, which is why terrible things happen. Horrible things are happening in the world, so that is more of a reason to keep sharing your light.

Being a hypersensitive individual is not easy because you easily get overwhelmed, emotional, anxious, and get hurt easily. You likely endured trauma growing up that affects you today, which would have affected your self-esteem and belief in yourself. However, as a hypersensitive individual, you also have some unique spiritual and metaphysical gifts as you have a heightened sixth sense, which means you can connect to other realms. That is why you are hypersensitive. The good news is you can manage it through grounding, meditation, and shielding, which will help you hone your unique gifts as you share your light with others.

To learn more, read this Healthline article: Being a Highly Sensitive Person Is a Scientific Personality Trait. Here’s What It Feels Like.

The post The Sensory Alchemy: Exploring Hypersensitivity and its Spiritual Dimensions appeared first on askAstrology.

What is Moon Journaling?

Suppose you do not know what moon journaling is. In that case, you will be in for a treat because this type of journaling is a beautiful way to connect with yourself on a soul level by following your feelings, levels of motivation, and other emotions you are experiencing based on all of the moon phases. Moon journaling also helps you work with the Universe to be at your best and work at your best.

Like the moon phases, you go through different cycles, which you can compare to the moon cycles. If you are feeling down and doubtful and struggling with motivation, you can see a correlation between a moon phase and you feeling this way. Therefore, you will understand why you suddenly feel so low while in much better spirits the other day.

The moon in astrology represents your emotions and anything personal to you, such as your values, fears, and dreams. It can also represent your sleep cycles. It has everything to do with your mood, so since it is involved in any form of journaling, you will gain a more profound understanding of your moods when you are moon journaling. Like the moon phases keep evolving and changing, so does your mood. When getting the right moon journal, you can get any type of notebook. You can buy moon journals from Etsy or Amazon if you prefer to make it more official and don’t mind spending the money. Let’s delve into the meaning of each moon phase before discussing how you can use moon journaling to make the most of it.

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What Are the Moon Phases?

If you look at all of the moon phases each month, there are eight. They are the New Moon and the Waxing Crescent Moon, the First Quarter Moon, the Waxing Gibbous Moon, the Full Moon, the Waning Gibbous Moon, the Third Quarter Moon, and the Waning Crescent Moon. Some moon journal experts say it is ideal to focus on the four main moon phases: the New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Last Quarter because they impact your moods and sleeping cycles the most. However, each of the eight moon phases does impact you on some level. It is entirely up to you to journal the moon during each moon phase or the primary four phases. Let’s now discuss each moon phase in detail, how they affect you on an emotional level, and how they affect your sleep.

The New Moon

The New Moon is the beginning of a lunar cycle, and you will not see the moon as it is conjunct with the sun, which makes it the darkest phase. The gravitational pull of the New Moon affects you in a way where you will desire to create new beginnings, as it is a great opportunity to manifest anything. You can set the intention to accomplish any goal you have in mind during this phase, whether it is a long-term or short-term goal, and it can be as simple as setting the intention to create better habits. You want to write that in your journal during the New Moon. The next is the Waxing Crescent Moon.

The Waxing Crescent Moon

With the Waxing Crescent Moon, you see some illumination of the moon happening, and it appears as a crescent-like sliver, and you will see it several days after the New Moon. Once you have set your intentions with the New Moon, this is the time to do more envisioning with the manifestations you want to see turn into reality and thank the Universe in advance for them. Write in your journal the steps you plan to make your manifestation materialize during this phase. Write down affirmations that are true to you to help you keep manifesting them. Then, you will get ready to journal for when the First Quarter Moon comes.

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The First Quarter Moon

The First Quarter Moon comes a few days after the Waxing Crescent Moon, approximately a week after the New Moon. The moon is around 90 degrees to the sun, and half of the moon is lit up on the right side. During this time, your manifestations are beginning to show up, as this is a time when you will feel energized and excited.

Write down in your journal how your manifestations are beginning to take place and how you feel about them. Are you excited, scared, frustrated, or happy about what is starting to show up? Note it. And this is the time to write down more about other action steps to help it manifest quicker or more straightforwardly. The next phase is the Waxing Gibbous Moon.

The Waxing Gibbous Moon

The Waxing Gibbous Moon happens a few days after the First Quarter Moon, and about three-quarters of the moon is illuminated as it is nearing the Full Moon. This phase marks the adjustments you need to make in your life, and you may find that what you manifest is being challenged, and you may find yourself being impatient and frustrated at this time.

Sometimes, the planned action steps may not work as well as you hoped. That is okay, as you will want to note it in your moon journal about how you are feeling. Pay attention to the signs from the Universe pointing toward you to take the best action going forward. Connect with your inner wisdom, and draw some tarot cards to help guide you on what to do going forward so you have a better plan of action in place by the Full Moon.

The Full Moon

The Full Moon is when the entire moon is lit up, as the sun and moon oppose one another, 180 degrees apart. The Full Moon happens around a week after the First Quarter Moon and two weeks after the New Moon. That is when you harvest the seeds you planted during the New Moon.

You will be feeling so many feelings at this time, and you may find that you could struggle to sleep during the Full Moon, or you may sleep very well. It is essential to write down in your moon journal what has manifested, how you are feeling, and express gratitude for what you have received so far; it is also a time to do shadow work, which means to work on areas of yourself that need improvement. It is a potent moon phase; the next is the Waning Gibbous.

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The Waning Gibbous

The Waning Gibbous Moon occurs around a few days after the Full Moon, and the illuminated area of the moon is beginning to decrease, as it is around 75 percent illuminated now. It is a time to slow down, and it is a time to connect with your friends and family whom you have not talked to in some time (unless they are estranged); you must do this if you are upset with them during the high energy of the Full Moon. In your moon journal, you will want to write how you feel during this phase and what steps you will take for self-care. The next phase is the Third Quarter Moon.

The Third Quarter Moon

The Third Quarter Moon happens a few days after the Waning Gibbous as the sun and earth are away from one another by 90 degrees, and you will see the illumination of half of the moon on the left side. It is a time to cleanse and let go, which means it is a time to release what no longer serves you. It is a time to clear your mind, clean your closet, and remove any items you no longer need or want by donating them or tossing them away. Write in your moon journal about the things you no longer need or want that are not serving you, how you feel about them, and what it feels like to release them.

You may get emotional at this time because even if you no longer need or want something, you can get teary-eyed when you think about it. It depends on what it is, or you may be happy that you can release something that may have been burdensome to you.  If you have been thinking of letting go of a toxic friendship or cutting ties with a bad relationship, this is the perfect time to do that, too. Let’s talk about the last moon phase of the cycle, the Waning Crescent.

The Waning Crescent Moon

The Waning Crescent Moon happens a few days after the Third Quarter Moon, and you only see a sliver of light as the sun and the moon are close in conjunction with one another, as it happens days before the next new lunar cycle. This is a time for rest and recharging, as it is the time to relax and indulge in self-care. Take out your moon journal and note how you will recharge your relaxing plans, whether unwinding while reading a good book with tea or taking a walk in the park. Don’t worry about your new intentions for the new lunar cycle until it is the New Moon again in a few days. This is the time to relax so you have the energy for that later. Those are all lunar phases; you should know how often to write in your moon journal.

How Often Should You Write In Your Moon Journal?

How often you write in your moon journal is up to you! Suppose you want to make the most of your moon journaling experience. In that case, you will write in it every three to four days when the moon moves into each phase, as you will cover your intentions, your plans of action to make your intentions manifest, how you are feeling, the results of your actions, and how you are releasing energies and anything that no longer serves you towards the end of the lunar cycle. That way, you can connect yourself with the moon phases, which can help with your manifestation goals, get in touch with your feelings by reflecting on them, and take care of your needs by releasing what no longer serves you.

However, if you don’t have the time to write every few days in your moon journal, you can focus on writing in your moon journal during the four main moon phases, which are the New Moon, First Quarter, Full Moon, and Third Quater, which takes place once a week.

Summary of the Purpose of Moon Journaling

Moon journaling allows you to write anything that aligns with the moon phases, as when it is the New Moon, you will write down your intentions and what you want to manifest. It can be as minor as making a to-do list, or you want to work on changing a habit. That is what you write during the Full Moon. When it is the Waxing Crescent Moon, if you choose to write in your moon journal during that time, you will write more about how you act on what you manifest and reflect on your feelings. When it is the First Quarter Moon, write down how you are feeling and make note of any signs of your manifestations starting to show up. When it is the Waxing Gibbous Moon, write down the frustrations you are feeling now, reflect on those feelings, and write down any obstacles you are facing and any change in plans of action you want to make.

When it is the Full Moon, write down what you have successfully manifested your feelings about it, reflect on your feelings as you may be pretty emotional, and also what changes you can make for next time. When it is the Waning Gibbous, write down in your moon journal, if you choose, about how you will indulge in self-care, as that is a crucial thing to do during this phase. When it is the Third Quarter Moon, this is a time to purge what no longer serves you. Note that in your moon journal and your feelings around it. Finally, when it is the Waning Crescent Moon, this is the time to relax so you can use your energy for the next lunar cycle commencement. And you can write how you plan to relax in your moon journal and reflect on your feelings about the previous lunar cycle. Write about your intentions when it is the New Moon again. Once you are used to moon journaling, you will love it!

The post Have You Ever thought about a Moon Journal? appeared first on askAstrology.

The falling away of human identity structures, beliefs, and patterns. When something appears to be falling apart, know that it is making room for a higher state to rise forth. 

Right before a huge shift in your life, the bottom falls out from underneath you. This happens to all of us… even the most enlightened souls, experience a loss of some kind. 

If you live on this planet, you are prone to Universal laws. Even if we don’t remember that we chose to incarnate into a world that serves duality, darkness, and chaos as well as light, love, and order. 

Once we realize that this was our soul choice, we can begin to seek the reasons why we came to visit planet earth at this time.

Many of us are surprised when we encounter the cruelty and darkness of this world. We can be disillusioned with the outside world and want to disconnect from what we see and experience. 

But if you are a light warrior, this injustice triggers a twinge of service and power deep inside your soul. You seek to discover a Source of motivation to heal yourself and this beautiful planet. Yes, you start to remember that there is a bigger picture that exists within your Soul DNA. 

Any ending is preparing for a new beginning

Your life is going through cycles of transformation, and this is always for your highest good.

However, it can be challenging – and confusing compared to your earlier life. Be gentle with yourself and listen to your intuition. Perhaps you feel like not being around others as much as you used to. Perhaps your dietary preferences are changing. Perhaps old connections are fading away… These are all signals that your vibration and alignment are changing.

Tune into what feels right and good for you from moment to moment and journal about your experiences. This helps externalize any heaviness and lighten up solutions and positive steps forward. Know above all ‘that you will never be pushed beyond your capacity.

It may feel uncomfortable at times, it may feel beyond your comfort zone… But everything happens in Divine order and timing.

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Living in alignment with Egyptian numerology

While Egyptian numerology’s primary focus is on numbers, those who study with me know that to access our highest possibilities, an evolution in consciousness must take place.

In the process of raising our awareness, we are perceptive to signs, symbols, and synchronicities in nature—like number sequencing. We learn to see, hear, feel, and sense other realms because they are doorways into a greater understanding of the dimensions around us.

Our souls crave connection, and we are ultimately pulled in countless directions throughout our lives. What causes our attraction to specific people, places, things, events, and circumstances? Is it random, or are there underlining forces within and outside of us at play?

Egyptian numerology believes that we all made a contract or agreement in the spirit realm with our guides and angels to achieve specific goals, learn certain lessons, and be of service to humankind. This contract is decoded in the numerology of our birth dates and names. These agreements come with an enormous amount of detail. We all have two guides, or angels, that support us and help keep us on track. One is called the timekeeper, and the other is the record keeper.

The timekeeper ensures all people, places, things, events, and circumstances are orchestrated and met on time. The timekeeper works with life cycles, including the stars, moon, sun, planets, and seasons. The record keeper organizes all our affairs and details, including appointments we make, messages and information we receive, books we read, and important chance meetings we have with others.

We set up timelines (cycles) and circumstances to occur in our lifetimes, and these guides are with us to make sure everything runs according to our plans. This is part of our akashic records, and all this information is in our special book.

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We set up everything before we are born, including when we are born, where we are born, what family we are born into, what education and religion we are subjected to, our hereditary illnesses, biology, and culture. We come into this lifetime to undergo specific challenges, clear past karma, learn vital lessons, or teach others. Can we change the plans once we get here? Absolutely! We are born with free will and can choose to ignore the opportunities we have previously assigned to ourselves. Are there consequences? Absolutely! We are given several chances to get back on track once we miss our marks, but ultimately, our lessons and lives will not make sense to us if we reject the paths we have previously laid out to follow. Our lives will just feel off, and we may become restless, irritable, and depressed.

No matter what we choose, our soul learns from every experience, even though the journey back home may take a longer route. There is nothing wasted because ultimately our soul uses every experience for our advancement, and in time, all is used for our highest good.

Being in alignment with our soul-life agreement is a natural wonder. It is compared to the feeling one has when bowling a strike, winning a marathon, hitting the bull’s-eye on the dartboard, winning the lottery, holding twenty-one in blackjack, or striking the target at the rifle range. But the feeling of being in alignment with our soul-life agreements is not a momentary elation. This feeling of euphoria is induced within us every morning when we open our eyes, accompanies us throughout the day, visits every decision we make with confidence, and kisses us gently when we go to sleep at night.

Our soul wants to be in alignment and will send clues and nudges when we struggle to find that balance. Unfortunately, sometimes when we manifest wrong turns, we find ourselves experiencing divorce, unemployment, illness, and depression.

The universe, angels/guides, and our higher selves use all means necessary to lead us back to alignment with our soul life agreement because in essence, these are our road maps, our GPS, and our North Stars to what makes sense to us vibrationally. There are obvious signs we witness when we are in or out of alignment with our sacred treaties.

 Signs of Being out of Alignment

• fear about the future
• procrastination
• addiction
• anxiety
• depression
• insomnia
• guilt
• low esteem
• lack of motivation
• illness
• resentment
• worry about finances
• fatigue
• self-centered behavior
• complaints and unhappiness
• anger and disappointment

• The Harmonic Journey: Exploring the Esoteric Power of Sound and Music

Signs of Being in Alignment

• security and passion about the future
• confidence
• emotional, physical, mental, social, and spiritual balance
• inner peace
• lucid dreaming
• light work
• clear chakras
• personal power and boundaries
• a feeling of being present
• forgiveness
• acceptance
• health/energy
• resourcefulness
• manifest abundance
• generosity
• bliss

Becoming aligned is not a goal but rather a by-product of right living. Spiritual fitness is a conscious choice we make daily. What we think, do, and say determines a whole series of events. If we lack clarity, direction, and understanding with our purpose in life, we risk becoming distracted and falling out of alignment with our soul-life mission. Being and staying true to our soul-life agreement is possible and achievable. We are changing lives every day.

The post How to Live In Alignment? appeared first on askAstrology.

Whether it’s embracing your inner goat or learning to balance your big goals with relaxing in the tub, we’ve got you covered. Pour yourself something to drink, tea or something stronger, no judging here, and let’s get into loving yourself. We’ll go through it step-by-step with a fun Capricorn attitude. So relax and enjoy!

Balancing Ambition with Self-Care

You’re a natural-born leader, often climbing the career ladder faster than most, but hey, remember to breathe! It’s okay to not always be the powerhouse of productivity. Sometimes, self-care means saying no to that extra project and yes to a cozy night in. Imagine this: you, a fluffy robe, and no emails after 8 PM.

Revolutionary, right? Learning to balance your go-getter spirit with some quality me-time isn’t just nice, it’s necessary. So, schedule in those bubble baths like you do your meetings, and watch your world transform, one chill moment at a time.

The Capricorn Challenge

Let’s chat about finding a good work-life balance. It can feel like everyone else is taking a break but you, working non-stop like it’s your job. Even Beyoncé takes a day off sometimes! Balance is key.

Imagine you nail your presentation like usual but then actually leave the office on time to make it to your yoga class. Crazy right? We gotta transform that drive into power that includes time for yourself too. Conquering your to-watch list on Netflix can be just as satisfying as conquering another work project sometimes.

You gotta remember, it’s about enjoying the journey, not just pushing to the top. Take a minute to stop and smell the roses along the way.

Also, learn more about what is Capricorns love language.

Stability and Personal Growth

Part of learning to love yourself is learning how to navigate the balancing act of stability and personal growth. You’ve got the stability part down like a pro, always the reliable one in a crisis. But remember, growth isn’t just about climbing the career ladder, it’s about expanding your horizons too.

Try something new, like salsa dancing or maybe a pottery class. It’s about adding some spice to your life without tipping over. It’s okay to wobble a bit while learning new steps – that’s where the growth happens. Keep your roots steady but don’t be afraid to sway with the winds of change!

Connecting with Your Inner Goat

So you’ve got that ambitious, practical side to you that loves a challenge, right? That’s your inner goat. It’s the part of you that plans everything out step-by-step but isn’t afraid to butt heads if needed. Embrace that resilient spirit! Try something physically and mentally tough, like a really hard hiking trail or a super tricky puzzle.

And don’t forget to laugh at yourself if things don’t go perfectly – even goats slip on the rocks sometimes! It’s all about celebrating your inner strength and persistence, while also realizing that even goats like to have fun in the meadow now and then. So go on, embrace your inner Capricorn, climb those mountains, but don’t forget to enjoy hopping around and playing along the way too.

Mindful Practices for Capricorn’s Earthy Energy

Alright so let me tell you about a couple relaxing things to do in the mornings to get your energy just right for the day.

1 Card Tarot or Oracle Pull

First, I really enjoy pulling a single tarot or oracle card to set my intention for the day. It does not matter which you choose, as both tarot and oracle cards will give you an insightful message. It’s not so much about predicting what will happen, but more about gaining a little insight or perspective. The card might suggest being patient, taking action, or focusing on reflection – then I just try to keep that in mind as I go about my day. It’s a nice, easy way for me to get centered on whatever I need to focus on.

Nature Time

Spend some time in the garden. Even if you just have a little outdoor space, it can be really grounding to get your hands dirty in the soil. It’s a great way for you to connect with nature and relax the mind. Plus, you never know – you might end up growing some tasty herbs or pretty flowers while you’re at it! Gardening is a real zen activity in my opinion.

Practical Affirmations

Start your day by reminding yourself, “I am a problem-solving queen” or “I tackle challenges with grace and a touch of sass.” It’s like giving yourself a pep talk, but with the practicality of a to-do list. This isn’t just fluffy feel-good stuff; it’s about setting the tone for a day where you’re in charge, with a wink and a smile.

Guided Meditation for Building Capricorn Resilience

Before we start our meditation for building resilience, let me set the scene. Take a few minutes to relax and connect with your inner strength. This meditation is about turning your natural grit into a calm kind of power. So get comfortable, let the stress of the day melt away, and prepare to look within. With each breath, you’ll feel more centered. Are you ready?

1. First, find a nice spot where you won’t be disturbed. Maybe pile up some pillows or unroll your yoga mat.
2. Next, set the mood – light a candle or two to make it cozy. Lavender scent is always relaxing, right?
3. Now breathe deep. Inhale confidence, exhale doubt. Imagine breathing in strength and breathing out any worries.
4. Picture yourself on a rugged mountain trail. Each step represents a challenge you’ve overcome.
5. Feel the wind and Sun, and the Earth beneath your feet. You’re as steady as the ancient rocks around you.
6. Finish by thanking yourself for being so awesome. A little self-appreciation goes a long way!

Self-Care Routines that Suit Capricorn’s Determination

I know you’re all about getting things done and accomplishing your goals. But even the hardest working person needs to take a break sometimes to recharge. This guide is meant to help you find a good balance between working hard and taking care of yourself. It’s not about being lazy, these are strategic self-care activities that will fuel your success.

Dedicated Me Time

First up, schedule dedicated relaxation time each day. Even just 15 minutes to read or listen to music makes a difference. Make it as important as any meeting, your well-being is a priority too. See it as a board meeting with yourself, attendance is mandatory but comfy clothes are optional!

Goal Focused Workouts

Choose workouts tied to specific goals like strength or taking on a 30-day yoga challenge. It’s about enjoying the sense of accomplishment along with the health benefits. You’ll be checking things off your fitness list while also giving your body some love. It’s efficient, like knocking out two tasks at the same time!

Read more in our guide on how to self care according to your zodiac sign.

Harnessing Practicality for Personal Development

You know how you’re really practical and down-to-earth? Well that can actually be really helpful when you’re trying to better yourself. But how do we really do this?

Let’s start by setting some realistic goals that fit with what you want long-term. Maybe it’s something like learning a new language or getting really good at your job. Then, break those big goals into smaller, daily tasks. The important thing is celebrating the little wins, like finally getting your closet organized or mastering a new recipe.

It’s not just about checking things off a list. It’s about making self-improvement a fun journey. Each practical step will bring you closer to being your best self. And it’ll all happen with your natural efficiency and sense of humor.

Deepening Self-Love Through Self-Discipline

You know being disciplined goes beyond completing tasks. It’s a way of demonstrating self-respect. Imagine if you treated your aspirations seriously as work deadlines. Whether it’s staying committed to an exercise routine, eating well or making time for hobbies it’s about honoring the promises you make to yourself.

This disciplined approach to self-care is not productive but also empowering. It’s like telling yourself “I value myself enough to stick to these commitments.”. Remember, while it’s important to be dedicated to your goals don’t forget to give yourself some leeway and find joy in the process. All even the structured routines can be made more enjoyable with a little laughter.

Conclusion

You’ve mastered the art of balancing your ambition with self-nurturing practices. Remember, taking care of yourself is not a one-time event, it’s a journey. Embrace your practical side as you embark on growth but also leave room for spontaneity and enjoyment. Celebrate your accomplishments, find humor in the challenges and above all treasure the qualities that make you a Capricorn.

You’re not just scaling life’s mountain, you’re also pausing to appreciate the breathtaking views, along the way. Keep pushing, stay grounded and always remember to embrace and love the fabulous goat that embodies who you are!

The post The Ultimate Self-Love Guide for Capricorn Zodiac Sign appeared first on askAstrology.

All credits to Gucci.

Decoding the Language of Symbols: The Esoteric Symbolism in Gucci’s Designs

Gucci’s mysticism stems from its utilization of esoteric symbolism in fashion, which adds an element of intrigue and depth to its designs. By incorporating symbols from various occult, mystical, and spiritual traditions, Gucci creates a visual language that goes beyond mere aesthetics.

These symbols encompass a range of meanings, from ancient alchemy and astrology to mystical creatures and divination practices. Through this symbolism, Gucci embodies a sense of mystery and transcendence, inviting wearers and admirers to connect with something beyond the physical realm.

Many people might not realize the symbolism behind the designs they wear, but Gucci’s use of esoteric symbols creates a connection to ancient wisdom and hidden knowledge, elevating the brand to a realm of metaphysical exploration. Let’s explore some of these symbols:

Psychic Palmistry: A Journey To Explore Time

In 2018, Tippi Hedren (a Hitchcock darling) was featured in the jewellery campaign for Gucci, where she was seen bringing the character of a psychic medium to life. She donned intricate and ornate rings with nods to the occult and unseen mysteries of the world inviting the audience to delve into the world of divination and explore their own destinies.

Going to see a psychic medium is often quite a personal experience and one is often asked to bring with an item that holds sentimental value, such as a piece of jewellery or a personal belonging.

This image is depicted beautifully in this Gucci campaign, as Tippi Hedren’s portrayal of a psychic medium invites viewers to embrace the mystical realm of palmistry and explore the notion of fate and destiny.

All of this creates a certain vibe and aura around Gucci, making it more than just a fashion brand but a gateway to the esoteric and spiritual realms.

• Dior and Tarot: Decoding the Symbolic Journey

Gucci Dionysus: Channelling the Deity of Ecstasy, Pleasure, and Fertility

The Gucci Dionysus bag is a testament to the brand’s exploration of esoteric symbolism, as it draws inspiration from the Greek god of wine, pleasure, insanity, and theatre.

This deity embodies the idea of indulgence, hedonism, and uninhibited creativity. By associating their bag with Dionysus, Gucci not only taps into the allure of ancient myth and history but also encourages wearers to embrace their own desires, passions, and creative instincts.

By connecting with the energy of Dionysus, Gucci invokes a sense of liberation and celebration of life, inviting its customers to unleash their wild side and embrace the pleasures and joys of existence.

And what is more pleasurable than indulging in a luxurious Gucci handbag that not only exudes style but also connects its wearer to the divine energy of Dionysus?

The Snake Motif: Symbol of Transformation and Rebirth

The snake motif is another prominent symbol in Gucci’s designs that adds to its mystical allure. It is associated with transformation and rebirth in many cultures and belief systems. Gucci’s use of the snake motif signifies a journey of personal growth and evolution.

Through its incorporation of the snake motif, Gucci encourages wearers to shed their old skin, embrace change, and embark on a path of self-discovery and transformation.

The snake motif also carries a sense of mystique and ancient wisdom, evoking the image of serpent goddesses and their connection to intuition, healing, and cosmic knowledge.

The Kingsnake with its red, white, and black coloration is particularly significant in Gucci’s designs, as it symbolizes power, wisdom, and transformation.

The Bee Symbol: Honoring the Divine Feminine and Community

The bee symbol is another mystical element utilized by Gucci, representing the divine feminine and the power of community. By incorporating the bee motif in their designs, Gucci pays homage to the queen bee, a symbol of strength, leadership, and fertility.

The presence of the bee on Gucci products also symbolizes harmony, cooperation, and social interconnectedness. The Bee is seen as a symbol of collective intelligence and unity, reminding wearers to cherish their connections with others and work together for the greater good.

The Bee is particularly poignant as the world would cease to be without the essential work of bees in pollinating plants and ensuring the survival of ecosystems. Honouring nature and the interconnectedness of all living beings comes through in Gucci’s use of the bee symbol, further deepening its mystical significance.

• Pet Spirituality in Native American Culture: Honoring Animal Guides and Totems

The Dragon Symbol: A Manifestation of Power and Protection

The dragon symbol is yet another mystical element employed by Gucci, embodying power, protection, and auspiciousness. The dragon was used in Gucci’s 2018 Fall/Winter collection and has continued to be a recurring motif in their designs.

Models walked down the runway holding baby dragons, symbolizing the power and protection of oneself that needs to be nurtured and looked after. We all have an inner dragon within us that represents our personal strength and resilience, but this needs to be nurtured and looked after if we want to access these powers and abilities.

The dragon is often associated with good fortune and prosperity in many cultures, making it a fitting symbol for Gucci’s luxurious and aspirational brand image.

The Third Eye of Gucci: Unlocking Inner Vision and Intuition

In 2018, the Gucci designs were especially esoteric, seeing models walk down the runway with prosthetic third eye attachments. This unconventional and provocative addition to their fashion show signifies Gucci’s exploration of inner vision, intuition, and spiritual awakening.

The Third Eye usually represents vision beyond the physical realm. Gucci’s incorporation of the Third Eye symbol encourages wearers to tap into their inner wisdom, intuition, and higher consciousness.

When your third eye is open and activated, you are able to see beyond the surface and gain deeper insights into yourself and the world around you. Gucci’s inclusion of the Third Eye symbol in its designs suggests a desire to awaken and expand the consciousness of its wearers, urging them to embrace their innate intuitive abilities and embrace a higher level of self-awareness. All this is done so cleverly and really reaches the subconscious in its symbolism.

The all seeing eye is another symbol used by Gucci, representing a higher perception and omniscience. The symbol is often used in relation to the Illuminati secret society, further adding to the mystical and enigmatic nature of Gucci’s designs.

• Opening the Third Eye

Gucci And The Cosmos: Exploring Celestial Symbolism in Fashion

Gucci’s May 2022 show took inspiration from the cosmos, showcasing celestial symbolism in their designs. From celestial prints and patterns to intricate constellations, Gucci’s incorporation of celestial symbolism adds to its mystical allure.

By drawing upon the celestial realm, Gucci invites wearers to connect with something greater than themselves and explore the mysteries of the universe. It is a way to show case that no matter your culture or location in the world, we are all connected through the cosmos.

The stars are often used as motif in Gucci’s designs, symbolizing guidance, intuition, and cosmic energy. We are reminded that we are all unique in the Oneness of the universe, and Gucci’s celestial symbolism serves as a reminder to embrace our individuality while acknowledging our interconnectedness.

The celestial realm represents the infinite possibilities and unseen forces that shape our lives. Gucci’s incorporation of celestial symbolism in its fashion designs evokes a sense of wonder and fascination, reminding wearers of the vastness and interconnectedness of the universe. We are all one.

Astrology And The Tarot in Italy: A Homecoming For Gucci

Astrology and the Tarot has been revered in Italian culture for centuries, and Gucci’s recent embrace of these esoteric practices further solidifies its mystical allure. This homecoming to its Italian roots embraces the rich traditions of divination and symbolism that have been deeply ingrained in the culture for centuries.

Through incorporating astrology and Tarot-inspired motifs and designs, Gucci taps into the collective search for greater understanding of the Universe and the place we have within it.

Astrology has become a major theme within in the world of Gucci over the last year. So many of their designs have incorporated the signs of the zodiac, celestial bodies, and other astrological symbols.

The use of Astrology and Tarot has gained great popularity in recent years, as people seek spiritual guidance and connection to something beyond the material world. People are turning away from religion to explore alternative forms of spirituality, and Gucci’s embrace of astrology and Tarot taps into this growing trend.

Gucci Equilibrium: Balancing the Material and the Spiritual

Gucci’s sustainability effort, known as Gucci Equilibrium, reflects the brand’s commitment to finding a balance between the material and the spiritual aspects of fashion.

The logo is an emblem of the scales, referencing back to the sign of Libra, the zodiac sign associated with balance and harmony. Gucci aims to not only create beautiful and luxurious products, but also to engage with sustainability and ethical practices in the fashion industry.

Using the scales as a symbol of equilibrium underscores Gucci’s mission to harmonize the physical and metaphysical realms, but also the impact fashion has on the Earth.

Any initiative that promotes harmony and balance, both within ourselves and with the world around us, can be seen as a step forward for humanity.

The Alchemical Transformation of Fashion: Gucci’s Esoteric Alchemy

Gucci’s utilization of alchemical symbolism in their designs and branding represents a transformative process within the world of fashion. It emphasizes the idea of turning something ordinary into something extraordinary, just as alchemists sought to turn base metals into gold.

And with fashion, the wearer can often access a sense of transformation and self-expression. Wearing a piece of clothing can totally change the way you see yourself and how you present yourself to the world.

This is all alchemical in nature, as it signifies the transformation of the individual through their fashion choices. Fashion is a powerful tool for personal transformation and self-expression, and Gucci harnesses this power by incorporating esoteric alchemical symbolism into their designs.

The Multifaceted Mystique Of Gucci

In conclusion, Gucci’s integration of esoteric symbolism, such as astrology, Tarot, and alchemical imagery, into their designs reflects a larger societal shift towards alternative forms of spirituality and personal transformation.

By embracing these symbols, Gucci not only appeals to individuals seeking deeper spiritual connections but also aligns itself with the growing trend of exploring holistic and symbolic dimensions of life.

Furthermore, Gucci’s commitment to sustainability through Gucci Equilibrium demonstrates a harmonious approach to fashion, emphasizing the balance between material and spiritual values.

The post The Mystical Influence of Gucci: Exploring Esoteric Symbolism in Fashion appeared first on askAstrology.

The company produces and distributes dry foods, whole foods, and portable solar technology for emergencies and established the Celebration of Life Month for you to celebrate each day while nurturing your bodies and, in turn, feeding your souls. Let’s discuss how to celebrate your life so you can help minimize the effects of the post-holiday blues.

Remember That Tomorrow Is Not Guaranteed

It sounds dark, but the truth is, you always have to remember that tomorrow is not guaranteed. Therefore, if you keep that in mind, each morning you wake up, be thankful for what lies ahead of you, and whatever task you have to do, even if that means having to take that long and tedious commute to work, do it with any degree of enthusiasm. If you have a mundane chore to do your grocery shopping, be thankful that you can do that. The point is you want to not take your time here for granted while you are able and healthy, which will change your perspective regarding your need to fulfill your responsibilities and duties that you groan about daily.

Gratitude Makes A Difference

When you develop an attitude of gratitude, it does help you shift your perspective immensely in a positive way. You want to be authentic about what you express gratitude for, which means if it feels wrong to be grateful for some hardships you have encountered, then look for the things that you consider blessings. Take a journal and a pen and express the people, places, and things you are grateful for in your life, bringing you great joy. Journal the things you are thankful for each day, and if something positive happens to you, be sure to journal that. If you are consistent, you will notice how your responses will evolve as you read what you have written before.

Unwind Somewhere Comfortable And Reflect Each Day

When it is the end of your day, find somewhere comfortable to sit, brew some tea, and reflect on the day. If you have not had the best day, feel the emotions based on that and acknowledge that every day may not be positive. However, you will also want to focus on the positive things that happened during that day and think about what you learned from the day that you could improve. After you reflect, unwind from the day by reading your favorite book, watching a television show, or doing something relaxing. Taking the time to unwind and reflect at the end of the day is another way to make your day count.

• Embracing Your Inner Goddess: Esoteric Beauty Practices for Self-Love and Empowerment

Talk To Your Inner Self

You can make the most of your day by conversing with your inner self about something you need to analyze or reflect on or by weighing the pros and cons when deciding. Whatever you do, do not make it heavy, as you want to make this a calming experience instead of making you anxious. All you need to do is have a quick conversation with you and your inner self. By doing this, you may develop ideas for goals you want to achieve. If you do this, it will also encourage you to reflect more and hone your analytical skills.

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Delving into the unfamiliar can be scary, so you may prefer sticking to anything familiar. For example, you stay working at a job you dislike and feel undervalued because you can’t even think of venturing out to look for another job that may better fit you. However, you stick around there because that is what is comfortable, even though you are unhappy.

You also may not be the one who has ever traveled outside of the country, and you use lack of affordability as an excuse even though there is so much information out there about how to travel abroad on a shoestring budget. However, when you stick to the familiar, you are stagnating, and stagnation will cause you to be tired of life and become apathetic. Therefore, one of the ways to celebrate life is to get out of your comfort zone once in a while. Do something you have never done before! Or, if you are unhappy with a situation, such as working at a job that makes you feel like you are stagnating, start looking for other jobs! It is daunting, but it is a sure way to celebrate life.

Define Your Purpose And Make a Statement

Many people mutter through life without knowing their purpose, and you may not even know. However, there is one thing that you need to learn about having a purpose. You can have various purposes in your life, as you don’t have to have one purpose that defines your life. Your purpose can define a goal you want to accomplish or a change you want to make. For example, if you realize that you are too much of a people-pleaser and want to create a goal to begin setting boundaries, then your purpose for this time will be to be a great boundary-setter because you are not there to please the world.

• Top 4 Most Confident Zodiac Signs

Stop Doom Scrolling! Stick To Happy News

It is important to stay informed about what is happening worldwide and in your community; otherwise, avoid the news. If you constantly read about several wars occurring right now, virus outbreaks, and other devastating stories, that will harm your mind, body, and spirit. Instead, focus on positive news such as stories of shelter animals getting adopted, a story about an act of kindness, or something that can provide some hope. If you surround yourself with stories and news that will uplift you, that will do wonders for your mind, body, and spirit. And not to mention, you will find those stories inspiring, too.

Do Something Kind For Someone

When you are kind to someone, it makes you feel good. However, you want to ensure that you are genuine about your intentions to do something kind. You don’t want to go out of your way to help anyone who may not appreciate what you do, or else that will stir up resentment and cause you to be less likely to do something kind in the future.

You have to want to do it truly; when it is genuine, it will make you feel great. For example, if you are at a coffee shop waiting in line to get a coffee, surprise the stranger behind you by buying them a coffee. That may have been the best thing that could have happened to them, especially if they experienced something disappointing or devastating.

• Truths And Myths About Kindness

Hang Around Those Who Make You Happy

Sometimes, you will have to face people you are not fond of, such as at family get-togethers or work. You don’t always have a choice of who you will be around in situations like that. But all you can do is minimize their presence by shielding your energy by envisioning a protective bubble around you.

Otherwise, choose to be around those who make you happy, such as your friends who support, validate, uplift, and motivate you, family members you get on well with, and work colleagues you enjoy being around. If you choose to be with those you enjoy more often than not, you will find it easier to celebrate life! How others treat you and their demeanor will impact you, whether you realize it or not.

Get Active Daily

One of the ways you can nurture your mind, body, and soul and celebrate life is by being active. Square a half-hour a day to do that if you are at a sedentary desk job. Take a brisk walk outdoors if possible, or if you cannot do that because the weather is unpredictable for that day, you can always go to a mall or walk on your treadmill if you have one.

Or, if you have a community indoor pool nearby, go for a swim, do some aerobics, or sign up for a Zumba class! Or, do some stretching exercises or yoga. Either way, get active! Exercise releases endorphins that will make you feel good, as it is a natural antidepressant. Being active for a half-hour or even 20 minutes a day will help brighten your mood, which is a great way to celebrate life.

• 51 Celebrate Life Quotes

Spend Time Outdoors If the Weather Permits

If you live in a colder climate, spending too much time outdoors may be tricky at this time of year in the middle of winter. However, unless it is a blizzard or a polar vortex, bundle up and stroll outdoors, as spending time outdoors is one of the most nurturing things you can do. It does not matter if you take a walk on your street or you go to a park; the outdoor energy and air are good for your mind, body, and soul, and that is why you will want to spend enough time outside as being indoors too much will make you feel stuffy, lethargic, and gloomy.

When dealing with the post-holiday blues, you feel gloomy and in a slump, especially now that the part of winter you are in is long, dark, and cold. However, one of the best ways to get your vibe up and your mind away from that is to celebrate life. That is why January is the Celebration of Life month, as Food for Health International established Celebration of Life for January a while ago. Instead of focusing on the long winter ahead after the excitement of the holidays ends, focus on gratitude, spending time with those you love and enjoy, unwinding after a stressful day, getting out of your comfort zone, and defining your purpose. Most of all, tomorrow is not guaranteed, so make the most of your life!!

The post January is Celebration of Life Month. How Do You Celebrate Your Life? appeared first on askAstrology.

Where do Dreamcatchers come from?

Historically, it is said that dreamcatchers originated from the Ojibwe Native American tribe and spread from Canadian regions to North American areas. Several legends share the creation of dreamcatchers.

First legend

One such legend is that of the “spider woman”. In the Ojibwe tribe, the spider, often despised and repelled, was seen as a sign of comfort. A woman, known as the “spider woman”, ensured the spiritual protection of newborns, babies, and children with spiderwebs. As the tribe expanded and births increased, the “spider woman” couldn’t protect all babies. She came up with the idea of creating the Native American dreamcatcher, mirroring the pattern of protective spiderwebs. Following this model, Ojibwe women began making dreamcatchers to safeguard their families from a distance.

Second legend

Another story involves a Native American hunting a moose for the moon feast. During his quest for the symbolic animal, he entered a cave. A beast emerged and nearly took his life. Returning to his village without meat and his bow, he was plagued by nightmares that kept him from sleeping. After weeks of daily fears, he left the village and slept on the ground. The night was serene, without nightmares. Opening his eyes in the morning, he saw a spiderweb covered in dew. It is said that he spent the rest of his life sleeping near the web, free from nightmares.

• Pet Spirituality in Native American Culture: Honoring Animal Guides and Totems

What is the Meaning of Dreamcatchers?

Legends have shown us that dreamcatchers ward off nightmares; they are talismans of protection. These mystical objects, laden with symbolism, have traversed time, retaining their essential role in various indigenous cultures. Let’s discover how dreamcatchers fit into the richness of traditions and continue to captivate with their protective power.

First and foremost, the purpose of dreamcatchers is to protect the most vulnerable from bad dreams and allow them to sleep peacefully, without the fear of being attacked by a monster or malevolent creature. Indeed, Native Americans believed that the night was the realm of bad dreams and monsters. Dreamcatchers, therefore, let dreams pass through and capture nightmares in the spiderweb. An essential point to remember: it is crucial to let daylight through the web so that the dream reaches the person and the nightmare is burned away.

Periodically, Native Americans purified their dreamcatchers to release bad dreams and negative energies. For this, they hung them on a tree or from the ceiling for a day, allowing the sun’s rays to cleanse and restore their powers.

The dreamcatcher teaches us a lot about Native American culture and the role of spirituality and beliefs in their daily lives. We understand that dreams have a strong influence on the dreamer’s life, and the unconscious plays a crucial role in its construction. We also comprehend that the dreamcatcher is a tool for personal development. Its psychological benefits are undeniable, as individuals with dreamcatchers are less likely to experience nightmares and, consequently, less susceptible to anxiety or stress. Its spiritual power is such that it can help open our minds to various beliefs and make us more empathetic, understanding, and tolerant.

• Why Am I Being Chased in My Dream?
• Answers To The Most Common Pregnancy Dreams That Be Unsettling Or Confusing

How to Use a Dreamcatcher?

In Native American culture, dreamcatchers were hung above the beds of young children to offer them restful and nightmare-free sleep. The chosen location for hanging the dreamcatcher was not arbitrary but rather imbued with symbolism and spiritual considerations. Traditionally, these objects were positioned to capture the sunlight, a source of power and vitality in many indigenous cultures. The belief was that the benevolent energy of the sun interacted with the dreamcatcher, reinforcing its ability to fulfill its protective mission during the night.

Therefore, here are some preferred places to hang a dreamcatcher, according to Native American tradition:

• Above your bed
• On the entrance door of your room
• At the window of your room
• On the rearview mirror of your car (for protection on all occasions)

By following these recommendations, you not only respect Native American tradition but also establish a symbolic connection between the dreamcatcher and the beneficial forces of nature, fostering an environment conducive to peaceful and protective dreams. Today, dreamcatchers are no longer reserved for Native Americans. They have entered the public domain, and it is not uncommon to find a large one above an adult’s bed or adorning the ears of a bohemian-style young woman. WickedAF and ethnicANDgroovy on Etsy sell beautiful dreamcatcher earrings.

• Ayurvedic Sleep Rituals: Energy Harmonization for Deep Rest and Well-being

How to Make a Dreamcatcher?

Families used to craft their own dreamcatchers with natural elements: wood, strings, leaves, beads, stones, feathers. They created a wooden hoop, often of willow (which bends easily), adorned with a natural fiber net representing a spiderweb. They could then decorate the dreamcatcher with feathers or stones, symbols of spiders or dreams.

On your part, you can also make your dreamcatcher. To create your own homemade dreamcatcher, you will need a wooden or metal hoop to form the base, as well as feathers, colors, and accessories to give it a unique personal touch.

Materials

• A metal/wood/bamboo hoop
• Wool or string
• Beads (wood, glass, plastic, metal) in natural or colorful shades
• Charms
• Feathers
• Ribbons
• Leather strips

In a Few Steps, you can Craft your Dreamcatcher

• Take the hoop and wrap it with wool (optional).
• With 2 or 3 meters of string, create the spiderweb weave.
• Adorn the dreamcatcher with ribbons, beads, feathers, dried wood.
• Hang the dreamcatcher in an optimal location.

For further explanations, check out Emilie Lefler’s video “DIY Dreamcatcher | How To Make A Dream Catcher Tutorial”.

The post Understanding the Symbolism of Dreamcatchers and Crafting Your Own appeared first on askAstrology.

The Essence of Mandala Stones

Understanding Mandala Stones

Mandala Stones are hand-painted rocks adorned with mesmerizing geometric patterns, inspired by the ancient art of mandalas. From simple and symmetrical to complex and detailed, each stone becomes a unique piece of meditative art.

Materials and Creation Process

Creating Mandala Stones is more than just painting rocks—it’s a hands-on adventure with unique perks. Crafting these stones by hand offers a personal touch, letting your energy and creativity shine through. Plus, the unpredictability of handmade gives each stone its own charm, making it one-of-a-kind, unlike mass-produced options.

But here’s the real kicker: making Mandala Stones is downright fun! It’s not just an artistic task; it’s a chance to unwind, express yourself, and have a blast in the process. So, why settle for the ordinary when you can embrace the joy of crafting something uniquely yours? Dive into the handmade magic, enjoy the quirks, and let the fun of creating Mandala Stones add a touch of delight to your creative journey.

• Spirituality Tools: Stones and Sound

Materials Required:

1. Smooth Stones: Opt for stones with a smooth surface, preferably flat and round.
2. Acrylic Paints: Select a variety of colors to express your creativity.
3. Fine Brushes: Essential for intricate detailing.
4. Pencil and Eraser: Use these for sketching your mandala before painting.
5. Sealer or Varnish: Apply this to protect the paint and enhance colors.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Prepare Your Workspace: Choose a quiet, well-lit space for your creative process.
2. Clean the Stones: Ensure your stones are free from dirt and dust for a smooth painting surface.
3. Sketch Your Mandala: Lightly outline your chosen mandala pattern using a pencil. You can find many easy-to-draw symbols for your Mandala Stone in the next section.
4. Paint with Precision: Apply acrylic paint with fine brushes, focusing on symmetry and balance.
5. Add Layers and Details: Enhance your mandala with multiple layers and intricate details.
6. Allow to Dry: Patience is crucial; let your creation dry thoroughly before moving on.
7. Seal the Design: Apply a sealer or varnish to protect the paint and intensify the colors.
8. Admire Your Creation: Take a moment to revel in the beauty of your Mandala Stone and its harmonious design.

Significance of Mandala Stones

Meditation and Mindfulness

Mandala Stones serve as powerful tools for meditation. The repetitive, symmetrical patterns draw the mind into a state of focused tranquility, aiding in mindfulness and stress reduction.

Spiritual Symbolism

In various spiritual traditions, mandalas are symbolic representations of the universe, wholeness, and unity. Creating Mandala Stones can be a spiritual practice, connecting you with these deeper cosmic meanings.

Yin and Yang:

The ancient Chinese concept of Yin and Yang symbolizes the interdependence of opposites, representing balance and harmony. Drawing this circular symbol with its two contrasting elements is not only spiritually significant but also remarkably simple, making it an accessible choice for Mandala Stones.

Tree of Life:

The Tree of Life, found in various cultures and belief systems, is a symbol of interconnectedness, growth, and wisdom. Its depiction often involves a central trunk and branching patterns, creating a visually striking yet straightforward design that can be easily incorporated into Mandala Stones.

Lotus Flower:

In Eastern spirituality, the lotus flower signifies purity and enlightenment. Drawing its petals radiating from a central point is not only a delightful artistic exercise but also a meaningful representation of spiritual growth and beauty.

Infinity Symbol:

Representing eternity, empowerment, and boundless possibilities, the infinity symbol (∞) is a timeless esoteric icon. Its simple, continuous loop is a breeze to draw, offering a profound yet easily accessible addition to your Mandala Stone creations.

Eye of Horus:

Derived from ancient Egyptian symbolism, the Eye of Horus is associated with protection and insight. Its distinctive shape, resembling an eye with sweeping lines, adds an element of mystique to Mandala Stones while remaining simple enough for artistic exploration.

Triquetra:

A Celtic symbol representing the trinity, the triquetra is a timeless emblem of unity and interconnectedness. Drawing its three interlocking loops can be a meditative and straightforward process, infusing your Mandala Stones with deep spiritual significance.

• The Power and Purpose Of Astrological Symbols

Personal Expression

Each Mandala Stone is a unique expression of the artist’s creativity and emotions. Through the choice of colors and patterns, individuals can convey their innermost thoughts and feelings.

Rituals Surrounding Mandala Stones

Creating a Sacred Space

Before commencing your Mandala Stone creation, set up a sacred space. Light candles, burn incense, and play calming music to foster an atmosphere conducive to mindfulness and creativity.

Intention Setting

As you embark on your artistic journey, set intentions for your Mandala Stone. Whether it’s inner peace, spiritual growth, or simply joy, infuse your creation with positive energy.

Meditative Painting

Turn the act of painting into a meditation itself. Focus on each brushstroke, immerse yourself in the colors, and let your mind enter a serene state.

• Non-Traditional Forms of Meditation

Placement and Purpose

Once created, decide where your Mandala Stone will reside. Some place them in meditation corners, while others scatter them in nature. Choose a location that aligns with the energy and purpose of your creation.

Conclusion: Embracing Tranquility Through Mandala Stones

In a world filled with constant stimuli, the practice of creating Mandala Stones offers a sanctuary of calm and creativity. By infusing these stones with personal meaning, spirituality, and intentional rituals, you not only produce visually stunning art but also embark on a journey of self-discovery and mindfulness. So, gather your materials, find your quiet space, and let the transformative art of Mandala Stones guide you to a place of serenity and inner balance that resonates far beyond the painted surface.

The post Mandala Stones: A Deep Dive into Creation, Significance, and Rituals appeared first on askAstrology.

See A Moonbow

One of my spiritual goals for 2024 is to witness the beauty and magic of a moonbow. A moonbow is a rare phenomenon where a rainbow is formed by moonlight instead of sunlight. It is said to be a powerful symbol of divine guidance and illumination.

Where – In the United States you can see a Moonbow close to certain waterfalls including Niagara Falls, New York, Yosemite National Park, California and Cumberland Falls, Kentucky. It is also possible to witness one in Hawaii.

When – Moonbows occur when the Moon is low and not obscured by a cloud. The best time is 2/3 hours before sunrise or after sunset. There also needs to be the presence of mist or water droplets in the air for the moonlight to refract and create a rainbow.

With whom – Witnessing this phenomenon can be extremely special so sharing this with a loved one or a close friend would be a beautiful and memorable experience.

Plan a Sacred Pilgrimage

Embarking on a sacred pilgrimage is another significant item on my spiritual to-do list for 2024. A sacred pilgrimage can provide a powerful opportunity for reflection, transformation, and connection with the divine. This journey can be to a holy site that holds personal significance or a destination known for its spiritual energy. This journey can really connect you deeper to yourself as nature has a beautiful way of bringing introspection and peace.

Where – Some popular sacred pilgrimage destinations include the Camino de Santiago in Spain, Mount Kailash in Tibet, and Varanasi in India. In North America you could follow in the footsteps of Sheryl Strayed in her memoir “Wild” and hike the Pacific Crest Trail or visit sacred sites of indigenous peoples such as Chaco Canyon in New Mexico or the Black Hills in South Dakota.

When – The timing of a sacred pilgrimage is deeply personal and can be guided by intuition, religious holidays, or auspicious dates associated with the destination. And of course, when the weather permits.

Create A Sacred Altar

Another item to add to your spiritual to-do list for 2024 is to create a sacred altar. A sacred altar serves as a tangible space where you can connect with the divine, express gratitude, and set intentions. This sacred space can be personalized according to your beliefs and spiritual practices, incorporating items such as crystals, candles, incense, statues or images of deities or spiritual figures, and meaningful objects or symbols.

Why – Creating a sacred altar provides a focal point for meditation, prayer, and reflection, helping to cultivate a sense of peace, grounding, and connection with the divine. It also serves as a reminder of your spiritual journey and can provide a sense of comfort and inspiration in times of need.

When – When to create a sacred altar is entirely up to you. You can change it with the seasons or perhaps when you enter a new phase in your life. The timing is totally up to you and what feels aligned with your spiritual journey.

How – To create a sacred altar, start by finding a peaceful and dedicated space in your home. Clear the area and cleanse it energetically with sage or palo santo. Arrange your chosen items with intention and meaning, placing them on a table, shelf, or dedicated altar. You can check out this article for more inspiration on how to create a sacred altar and different elements you can incorporate into your space.

• Crafting Magical Altars: The Enchanting World of Witchcraft

Attend A Sacred Ritual

Attending a sacred ritual can be a transformative experience on your spiritual journey in 2024. This is a beautiful way for you to connect to a higher power and immerse yourself in the wisdom and traditions of a specific spiritual or religious practice. A sacred ritual could be absolutely anything from attending a traditional religious ceremony at a church or temple to participating in a sacred circle or ceremony led by knowledgeable healers.

How – To attend a sacred ritual, start by researching local spiritual or religious communities to find out about upcoming events or ceremonies. Keep an eye out on community boards or on social media. It is also worth going to your local esoteric store as they often have information about upcoming fun spiritual events.

When – It is always a good idea to attend a sacred ritual when you are on the precipice of a new chapter in your life or when you feel the need to deepen your connection with the divine. High holidays such as Yule or Samhain are also a wonderful time to seek out sacred rituals and ceremonies. You could also create your own sacred ritual or ceremony at home by setting intentions, creating a sacred space, and engaging in meaningful practices such as meditation, prayer, or journaling.

• The Power of Sacred Rituals: Creating Meaningful Practices in Everyday Life

Explore Lucid Dreaming

Lucid dreaming is truly a magical practice that allows you to become aware and conscious of your dreams. It opens up a realm of possibilities for self-exploration, spiritual growth, and connecting with higher realms of consciousness. You can quickly become aware of how powerful your mind is and how it can shape your reality, even within the dream state.

How – To explore lucid dreaming, start by keeping a dream journal and writing down your dreams as soon as you wake up. This will help increase dream recall and make it easier to recognize patterns or themes in your dreams. Next, practice reality checks throughout the day to develop a habit of questioning whether or not you are dreaming. Ask yourself if you are dreaming, look for inconsistencies or signs that indicate a dream state. This takes practice and consistency but can greatly increase your chances of becoming lucid in your dreams. This article will teach you exactly how to achieve this state.

When – When it comes to exploring lucid dreaming, it’s important to make it a regular practice. Set aside dedicated time each day to work on techniques such as reality checks, journaling, and meditation. This will help you develop the skills and awareness needed to become lucid in your dreams. And of course, every evening set aside time before bed to focus on your intention to have a lucid dream and engage in any induction techniques that resonate with you, such as visualization or mantras that can help you enter a state of lucidity during your dreams.

Participate in a Sound Healing Ceremony

One of the most incredible healing practices to explore in 2024 is participating in a sound healing ceremony. My favourite sound medicine modality has to be Inner Dance, which combines live music, guided meditation, and energy healing to facilitate deep relaxation and inner transformation.

Why – Sound healing has been used for centuries as a means of promoting physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Sound healing ceremonies can help to release blocked energy, reduce stress and anxiety, promote meditation and mindfulness, and facilitate a deeper connection to oneself and the divine.

Where – There are many Inner Dance facilitators all over the world who offer both live and online healing journeys. My favourite facilitator happens to do online journeys, check out Dance and remember.

Create and Charge a Crystal Grid

Creating and charging a crystal grid can be a powerful spiritual practice to explore as well. Crystal energies can be harnessed to amplify intentions and manifest desires. When you create a crystal grid, you arrange different types of crystals in a specific pattern and charge them with your intention.

Why – Crystal grids can help amplify the energy of your intentions, manifest goals and desires, and create a sacred space for healing and spiritual growth. You are just increasing the effectiveness and potency of your personal intentions and manifestations.

When – When it comes to creating and charging a crystal grid, you can do so at any time that feels right for you. However, creating one with the phases of the Moon can add an extra layer of energy and intention. Remember the New Moon is about setting intentions and manifestation, while the Full Moon is great for letting go and releasing what no longer serves you.

How – To create and charge a crystal grid, follow these steps:

• Set your intention: Decide what you want to manifest or heal in your life.
• Choose your crystals: Select crystals that align with your intention and resonate with you. You can go by colours, chakras, or whatever speaks to your soul.
• Cleanse and purify your crystals: Before placing them on the grid, cleanse your crystals using your preferred method, such as smudging with sage
• Arrange your crystals: Lay out your crystals in a geometric pattern that feels intuitive to you.
• Charge the grid: Activate the energy of your crystals by connecting with them and infusing them with your intention.
• Meditate and visualize your intention while placing your hands on the crystals.

Learn a New Divination Method

Learning a new divination method can be a fascinating and enlightening spiritual practice. By exploring different divination techniques, such as tarot, astrology, runes, or pendulum dowsing, you can tap into your intuition and receive guidance from the spiritual realm. Plus, it is so much fun to get to know yourself better on a deeper level and uncover hidden insights into your life’s purpose and path.

Why – Learning a new divination method can provide insights, guidance, and a deeper connection with the spiritual realm. It can bring you closer to yourself and a higher power. It can bring you a deeper understanding of yourself and what your patterns are in this life, allowing you to make better decisions and navigate through challenges with clarity and wisdom. There is nothing better than deeper self-discovery.

How – Learning a new divination tool is a lot easier than you may think. There is a wealth of knowledge available in books, online resources, and even courses or workshops that can help you learn the ropes of a new divination method. Youtube is probably the best starting point as you can try out different teachers and figure out who you vibe with best. A good starting point would be to decide what modality you would like to delve deeper into, is it Tarot, Lenormand, Astrology, Numerology, or any other divination method that calls to you?

• 15 Different Forms of Divination

Embark on a Spiritual Retreat

Spiritual retreats are the place to be in 2024! Embarking on a spiritual retreat is a powerful way to deepen your spiritual practice and recharge your mind, body, and soul. These retreats offer a space for introspection, connection with like-minded individuals, and immersion in various spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga, energy healing, and mindfulness. By dedicating time to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of daily life, you can create a sacred space for reflection, growth, and self-discovery.

Where – Choosing to go on a spiritual retreat can open up many possibilities for where to go. You could go to renowned spiritual centres or retreats in places like Sedona, Bali, Peru, India, or Costa Rica. When considering a spiritual retreat, it’s important to research and choose a location that resonates with your personal spiritual journey and aligns with the type of spirituality you are seeking to explore. Figure out what you would like to accomplish during your retreat – whether it’s deepening your meditation practice, connecting with nature, receiving spiritual guidance, delving deeper into yoga and other holistic practices, or simply taking time for self-care and rejuvenation. This can help you to decide on the best location and retreat program for your specific needs and goals.

Visit A Sacred Site

Visiting a sacred site can be a transformative experience that connects you to the spiritual energy and history of a particular place. There are so many of these amazing places on earth that hold deep spiritual significance. Visiting a sacred site can provide an opportunity to tap into the ancient wisdom and mysticism that resides within such places.

• Where to Have Spiritual Fall Breaks in the US?

Where – Whether it’s the ancient pyramids of Egypt, the sacred temples of Angkor Wat, or the serene beauty of Machu Picchu, each sacred site offers a unique and profound experience. When choosing a sacred site to visit, consider your personal spiritual interests and connections. Which location feels like it resonates deeply with your soul?

Why – Visiting a sacred site can provide an opportunity for spiritual growth, connection with higher energies, and a deepening of one’s faith or beliefs. There is a special energy that lives on in these sacred sites that can have a profound impact on your spiritual journey and personal transformation. People are forever changed by their experiences at these sacred sites, gaining new insights, clarity, and a sense of awe and wonder.

Which of these options are going to make it on your own personal To-Do list?

The post My Spiritual To-Do List for 2024 appeared first on askAstrology.

Every day is a new day and every year is a new year; to help you turn your thoughts to the future, here are three witchy rituals to step into your creative power in 2024.

Create a Vision Board

A vision board is a carefully compiled collection of images, phrases, words and qualities related to your goals and aspirations. Every time you look at it, you will be reminded of your priorities, and re-oriented to stay on track.

First, identify your goals for the coming year. This may include desired outcomes, like the acquisition of a new house, car, lover, job or object. In addition to finite outcomes, you may also contemplate desired qualities of life. Ask yourself questions like: “How do I want to feel in 2024? What activities do I want to spend my time doing?” Try to capture the essence of how you want your state of mind to be on a day-to-day basis.

Next, search for images which match your desired outcomes and emotional qualities. You may print images that you find online, cut out snippets from magazines and newspapers, or create your own images. You may also include quotes and affirmations which evoke the qualities with which you are wishing to imbue your year.

Collect these images and style them as a collage on a cork, foam or paper board. Make it visually pleasing and enjoyable to look at, using colors and textures that delight and inspire you. Take care to style this board well, as though you are creating a sacred altar— for it is an altar for your mind. Hang your vision board somewhere you will see it every day.

• Journal Prompts For Each Zodiac Sign

The vision board helps you stay motivated and focused on your goals, even at subconscious levels. It is very important—magically speaking— to keep your goals at the forefront of your consciousness, even on days when you are not actively working on them, as this awareness of what is wanted sets certain forces in the Universe in motion to work on your behalf.

You may spend a few minutes in meditation on your board each morning, or place incense, crystals and other sacred items around it to magnify its attracting power. Regular meditation on your vision board will summon epiphanies, inspiration and collaborators to you.

Your board can be added to or changed over time. Although vision boards are usually a collection of many goals you can also make smaller and more focused ones, separating each intention out into its own organized space.

Crystal Color Breathing

This method of breathwork may seem gentle yet it is an extremely powerful tool for healing and manifesting. Magic moves upon light, and crystals are ‘frozen’ pieces of light radiating at different frequencies, indicated by color. We may involve the colors of our crystalline friends in meditation or visualization to amplify our manifestation practices with magical, high-frequency light.

Select a crystal of the color that matches your intention, or use one of your favorites.

Red: Security, safety, stability, grounding

Yellow: Healthy boundaries, self-esteem, self-worth, healing grief

Orange: Motivation, releasing anger, harmonious relationships

Green: Acceptance, love, tranquility, non-resistance

Blue: Self-expression, clarity of thought, education, study, honesty

Indigo: clear perception, visions, insight, courage

Violet: spiritual connection, revelation, unity

Choose the appropriate crystal and a candle of the same color (or a white one). Place the candle so that the light of the flame shines through your crystal.

Gaze into the crystal. Feel the energy of this color emanate all around it.

Slowly and mindfully inhale the colored light into your field through your nose. Do this for six counts. Visualize the air that you are breathing in is the color of the crystal. Allow the colored light to permeate your whole being.

Hold the breath in for three counts. In your mind’s eye, visualize the outcome you wish to bring into being, or mentally state an affirmation.  Slowly exhale for six counts and infuse this intention with the colored light. Hold out for three counts, in neutrality.

Continue this cycle of breath, filling your aura with more and more celestially colored light. Once you and your visualization are filled with light, you may wish to spread this color around your aura, your room, your house, to other people, and even to the whole world.

Close by resuming normal breath, gazing into the crystal. Make a note of any illuminations or intuitions that occur to you.

• Navigating the Zodiac with Crystals: Real-world Examples and Practical Guidance

Let Go Into Sacred Time

Witchy rituals, manifestation practices and visualizations do not create the outcomes that we want. In fact, those outcomes already exist in complete form. When we spend time in rituals becoming clear about what we want, lining up our thoughts, words and actions with a desired outcome, and using magical implements to magnify our intentions, it is not in order to indicate to the Universe what we want— for the Universe already knows.

These rituals help us to align our present moment with a timeline of a potential future that is already complete, merging our now-selves with our future-selves and accelerating the transfiguration from what-is into what-will-be. The point of these rituals is to unify ourselves in the present moment with what we want through a very pure and joyful awareness of it.

What you want is already done. You don’t have to make it, force it into being, or create it. It is important to remember this, and to simply let go of your intention by taking sacred relaxation time where you don’t think about it. This may sound counter-intuitive, but taking time to NOT work diligently upon your intention communicates to the Universe your faith, trust and confidence in the reality of your desired outcome. Your relaxed awareness of its completed reality is, in fact, the most powerful manifestation ritual you could engage in.

Think about it this way: manifestation is all about living the reality of your desired outcome, conjuring the feeling that it is already so. if your intention were already physically manifested right now, how would you be thinking, acting and feeling in your free time? If you already had your dream job, for instance, would you spend your evening reciting nervous affirmations about getting a job? Would you be visualizing a job interview going well? Would you be working diligently with crystals to correct your lack of confidence or self-limiting beliefs about employment? No!

If you already had the job of your dreams, you would spend your free time in some way that pleased you, and none of these concerns would be on your mind, because they would already have been resolved. Therefore, if having this dream job is your intention, you should step into the mindset of this reality and start living it now. Remember that it is done, that there is nothing you need to do, and that you can and should let go into sacred time. Take a walk, draw a relaxing bath or spend time with friends and family— and do so with the conscious intention of letting go. Let this choice to spend time relaxing be a gesture to the Universe of your total and complete trust that your wish has already been fulfilled.

• Where to Have Spiritual Fall Breaks in the US?

The post 3 Witchy Rituals to Attract your Biggest Wish in 2024 appeared first on askAstrology.

All photographs are sourced from the official websites of the featured brands.

Memo Paris

Memo Paris is a mystical niche perfume brand that takes inspiration from exotic destinations around the world. Their scents are like fragrant passports, transporting you to far-off places and captivating your senses with their intoxicating blend of unique notes. And to boot, the bottles are works of art themselves, adorned with intricate designs that further enhance the mystical allure of the perfumes. My favourite scent from this brand is Sintra, a bewitching fragrance that captures the essence of the enchanting Portuguese town with its notes of Orange Blossom and Vanilla. Totally intoxicating and addictive!

19-69

My personal favourite brand has to be 19-69. This niche perfume brand offers scents that are influenced by various historical moments and countercultural movements, creating a sense of nostalgia and intrigue. Their fragrance Purple Haze is a nod to the psychedelic 1960s and features notes of cannabis, palmarosa, and patchouli. However, my personal favourite has to be Kasbah, a scent that draws inspiration from the vibrant and bustling streets of Morocco with its blend of spices, incense, and sandalwood. Another stand out is Female Christ, a bold and unconventional fragrance that challenges traditional gender norms with its blend of patchouli, rhubarb, and amber.

Vyrao

Vyrao is another mystical niche perfume brand that deserves your attention. I have been dying to give this brand a go! Even the bottles themselves have an air of magic and mystique, they are dark and mysterious. Vyrao consulted a psychic to create their scents, infusing them with energy and intent, and intuitively using certain ingredients in each perfume. Each fragrance is said to have a specific purpose, whether it’s to attract love, promote spiritual growth, or enhance intuition. The Sixth scent, in particular, is said to heighten psychic abilities and intuition. They are all about creating the correct vibes. Witchy Woo is definitely one of the scents I would love to give a try.

Parfums de Marly

Parfums de Marly is a luxurious and enchanting niche perfume brand that draws inspiration from the opulent world of 18th-century French royalty. What is more mysterious and alluring than that? Their scents evoke the grandeur and elegance of Versailles, with notes of rose, oud, and vanilla that transport you to a bygone era of decadence and indulgence. Athalia is one of their standout fragrances, with its blend of orange blossom, iris, and amber creating a mesmerizing and regal aroma. There is something so captivating about the way Parfums de Marly captures the essence of an era long gone, transporting you to a world of luxury and nobility that is truly enchanting.

• What Are The Magical Properties of Vanilla?

Maison Matine

Maison Matine is a contemporary and edgy niche perfume brand with a twist. Instead of following traditional gender norms, Maison Matine embraces individuality and self-expression with their vibrant and unique scents. A stand out for me personally has to be Lost In Translation, a scent that captures the essence of wanderlust and adventure with its blend of juniper, black pepper, and leather. It’s the perfect fragrance for those who have a free spirit and love to explore the unknown. Avant l’Orage has to be the most witchy fragrance I’ve come across from Maison Matine. With a blend of sandalwood, pink pepper, and vanilla bean, it exudes a dark and mysterious aura, reminiscent of a stormy night.

By Kilian

By Kilian is a high-end niche perfume brand that offers a range of scents that are sensual, mysterious, and luxurious. There is something for everyone in their collection, from rich woody fragrances to intoxicating floral scents. Rihanna is believed to favour Love Don’t Be Shy by By Kilian, a sweet and seductive fragrance with notes of neroli, rose, and marshmallow. However, for those of you who are after something a little darker and more mysterious, Black Phantom Momento Mori by By Kilian is the perfect choice. With its notes of rum, coffee, and cyanide, Momento Mori creates a mystical and captivating scent that is perfect for those who embrace the hidden treasures within the shadows.

Byredo

Byredo is a renowned niche perfume brand known for its unique and artistic scents. There is truly something for everyone in their collection, from fresh and airy fragrances to rich and opulent blends. De Los Santos, a fragrance from Byredo, is a bewitching and enchanting scent that captures the essence of mystical nights in the desert is among their most enchanting scents, with its musky, incense undertones and hints of palo santo. Another magical fragrance from Byredo is Gypsy Water, a scent that evokes the spirit of nomadic Romani wanderers with its notes of bergamot, lemon, and juniper berries.

Diptyque

As one of my personal favourites, Diptyque has it all, but especially for those of us with a witchy sense. Their fragrance, Eau Duelle, is a spellbinding blend of vanilla, rockrose, and ambroxon that transports you to a mystical realm. The bottle is exquisite, capturing an old Mosque and the scent itself is warm, spicy, and evocative of ancient rituals. Another magical fragrance from Diptyque is Philosykos, which captures the essence of a mythical fig tree with its intoxicating blend of green leaves and milky sap. Figs are often associated with wisdom, creativity, and abundance.

• The Magical Use of Oils

Penhaligon’s

Penhaligon’s is a prestigious niche perfume brand that offers a range of enchanting scents. Their fragrance, The Bewitching Yasmine, is a mesmerizing blend of jasmine, ylang-ylang, and incense that evokes the image of a mystical forest at twilight. And just take a look at the bottle – it’s like a potion bottle straight out of a fairytale. And who doesn’t love having a cat is a familial and witchy companion? Then of course, there is The World According To Arthur, a scent inspired by the East’s love for dragons, this scent is spicy, yet sweet.

Le Labo

Le Labo is a sought-after niche perfume brand that embraces the concept of personalization and craftsmanship. It is almost impossible to walk around a big city without getting a waft of Santal 33, but for good reason. This scent is intoxicating and stays with you as it evokes all kinds of memories. Le Labo’s fragrance, Rose 31, is a bewitching blend of rose, cumin, and cedar that captures the essence of a mysterious and passionate love affair. If you ever need assistance in embracing your inner girly femininity, then this is definitely the scent you need to go for to add a touch of allure and elegance to your aura.

Which perfume are you going to give a try first?

The post Mystical Niche Perfume Brands You Need to Try appeared first on askAstrology.

But what does it mean to ‘work with’ this energy? It means to engage in a ritual or practice that is in tune with the symbolism of the planets. Rituals are ways to mark time and to manifest more of what we desire. They’re also a way to celebrate the tuning of a season as well as the beginning or end of a cycle. Sure, the word ritual has a bit of a witchy sound to it, but the truth is that we’ve been doing rituals for centuries, whether religious or spiritual. Rituals help us feel grounded and connected to our lives and to the world around us.

Seeing as the year is ending and there’s a Full Moon right around this time, it would be remiss of us not to mark this ending in an important way, thus helping us to get ready for what’s to come. This Full Moon in Cancer has themes of emotional release, creativity, the Inner Child, family and the past.  And so, the rituals we do now should contain at least one of these themes. We’ve come up with three to pick from, three rituals that will help us bid farewell to the past and make room for the new opportunities that are on their way, come 2024’s New Moon in grounded, goal-oriented Capricorn.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into some fun and inspiring rituals – feel free to do one, two or even all three of them. Full Moons are active for at least three ways before and after, so perhaps you’d even like to do one per day. Why not?

Ritual One: Inner Child/Emotional Release Ritual

Cancer is a water sign, and with the Full Moon illuminating this energy, we’re bound to feel a little more emotional, seeing as water rules the realm of feelings. Tears may come, our hearts may open and certain sensitivities may rise to the surface to be processed. What better way to end the year and make space for the new year by releasing these big emotions in a mindful, nurturing way?

What you’ll need:

• A quiet, very safe space – your bedroom or a special spot only you know of
• A soft blanket and comfortable cushions sit on
• 10-15 minutes of gentle meditation music or soft, emotional music that takes you back to your childhood (take your time unpacking this – if it stirs your heart and brings up emotions, you’re on the right track)
• A picture of you as a child
• Candles, incense, and some flowers to surround your picture with
• A Journal and pen

Now that you have all your props, set yourself up by creating a nourishing ritual space. Make sure you won’t be disturbed. Light your candles, incense and put flowers around your picture. Wrap yourself in your blanket and sit on your cushion. Make sure there’s music close by.

Close your eyes and put your hands on your heart. Take at least five deep breaths in and out of this space. Notice how you might be feeling, what emotions are coming up. Witness compassionately.

Now, switch your imagination on. Picture yourself as a child. Let your subconscious take control by not forcing the image. Let it come. Imagine you are this child’s parent, and curiously ask this child what they need from you right now. Let them speak to you, to play with you or even just to sit with you and be held. Now, allow any big emotions to come up and be released – these are emotions from your Inner Child that need to be processed. They might be joy, fear, anger or anything else.  Express those feelings by crying, shouting, laughing or smiling.

When you feel ready and when your Inner Child feels seen, open your eyes and take up your journal. Write down whatever came up whilst focusing every now and then on your picture so as to keep the connection, Finish by making one small promise to your Inner Child to carry with you into 2024.

• Quiz: Do you live with the moon?

Ritual Two: Rock Painting and Release

Cancer is an extremely creative sign. You’ll often see people who have this in their birth charts: painting, drawing, singing, writing or making crafts. What better way to see the New year off than by letting our Inner Child get creative. This is a fun ritual, so if you’re in the mood to step out of your comfort zone, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get going –

What you’ll need:

• 5 – 10 small pebbles or rocks, big enough to draw/write on
• Color markers or acrylic paint
• A Journal and Pen
• A place where there’s water – a river, lake, dam or ocean is ideal
• A picnic blanket and anything else to make you feel comfortable outside.

The biggest part of this ritual is finding a spot with water. Maybe one comes to mind right away, or perhaps you have to do a little research to find a place nearby. Once you do this, the rest will just click! A private spot is always a benefit, but not if it risks your safety. Keep this in mind.

Armed with your props – your pebbles, markers and journal, make the journey to your spot. Blast the music in your car or on your headphones, and get happy, get emotional – whatever emotion feels appropriate for you. Once you arrive, set your picnic blanket up and get settled. If it’s safe to do so, close your eyes and place a hand on your heart. Take at least 10 – 20 deep, very long belly breaths. Think about what you’d like to let go of, where you’d like to make room, so that you can embrace the opportunities to come in 2024. This may be a relationship, a family member, a home, a career, a behavior pattern – anything that is no longer aligned to you.

Open your eyes and pick up your journal. Write down whatever comes to mind. Allow the emotions to come, because letting go is not easy! Cancer is a sign that tends to hold on, so be gentle with yourself.

Then, make a list of at least three things you want to release. Pick one word for each, and then paint/draw this word on your pebble. Once you’re done and the paint is dry, stand up and throw the pebbles into the water, one by one. Doing this physical act of letting go may feel extremely emotional (yet very empowering!), so focus on really becoming mindful every time you throw. Allow yourself to return lighter, and ready for the year!

• The Best Moon Astrology Books

Ritual Three: Cord Cutting Ritual

The last and final ritual is not for the faint of heart. Cord cutting rituals are for when we are very, very ready to release a certain person from our lives. In this, we’d advise that you pick a family member, partner or ex partner that is only causing you hurt. A cord cutting ritual is not an act of hatred or anger – it’s more learning to release the influence of this person so that it’s no longer an influence for you. So, if you have such a person in mind, let’s begin –

What you’ll need:

• A photograph of the person you’re doing this with/for
• A piece of strong and scissors
• Candles and some incense
• Gentle meditation music
• Tissues
• A journal and pen
• A safe, quiet space such as your bedroom – in the light of the Full Moon, if possible.

Create your safe space by turning the lights low or off and lighting your candles. Place the photograph somewhere where you can see it. Get comfortable, close your eyes and take 5-10 deep belly breaths.

Now, imagine four Angels at each corner of your bed/the room. These Angels are here to protect and help the process. Bring to mind the person whom you wish to cut cords with. Notice where there may be energetic cords running from you to them. They can be from the heart, from the belly, the head – anywhere. You’ll intuitively know which of those cords need to be cut. Sometimes, we keep the heart cord, especially if the person isn’t someone with whom we have a very heavy toxic energy.

Ask the Angels to help you cut whichever cords are appropriate, whilst thinking of the message you’d like to say to the person in question. Maybe you’d like to say “I’m sorry. I forgive you. I love you”. Keep it simple but keep it personal. Allow the emotions to come up – they need to be processed so that you can make space for new connections and situations to come your way in 2024.

Observe the Angels cutting the cords with a flaming sword or any other tool. Wherever they cut, sending healing energy to those areas – bright white light or a gentle orange flame (or anything else you can think of) may be appropriate. Remember to keep in mind that this is for yours and their highest evolution.

Once you feel ready to come out and feel healed and surrounded by light, you can open your eyes, focus on the photograph and perhaps write a letter to this person to say goodbye. Feel free to burn the letter or keep it as a reminder. Be gentle on yourself in the days to come – you have just done a very big thing!

• Your New Year’s Resolutions By Zodiac Sign

The post Full Moon Release Rituals: Letting Go for a Fresh Start appeared first on askAstrology.

 I’ve consulted the best crystal ball reader I know to address key questions surrounding this mystical practice. We are going to name him “P.” From the authenticity of crystal ball gazing to choosing the right sphere and initiation techniques, we’ll uncover valuable insights and seasoned perspectives.

Crystal Ball Readings: Decoding the Symbols and Patterns

While symbols hold endless meanings, it can be helpful to explore common interpretations. A chart of symbols is provided, not as rigid definitions but as a tool to inspire your psychic intuition. When encountering these symbols in your readings, feel free to adopt suggested interpretations or use them as a foundation for developing your own. Enjoy the journey!

• Apple – success moral decision
• Baby – new project, a beginning
• Cascade of water – intense emotions, disappointed efforts
• Daisy – love ahead, hope, simplicity
• Egg – fertility, prosperity, good things to come
• Finger – pointing the way, warning, indicator
• Goat – stubbornness, moving forward
• Human figure – take your cue from their appearance and surrounding symbols
• Ice – clarity, cold exterior
• Key – discovery, the way through, new home
• Lightning – inspiration, high energy
• Mirror – look at what’s in front of you, illusion
• Ring – wedding, contract
• Sun – creative energy, health, higher power
• Tree – family, related with all life (look at the type of tree)
• Wheel – karma, cause and effect

Adopting the right perspective allows everything to serve as a symbol in readings and daily life, transforming your connection to the world. Working symbolically opens your eyes to new interpretations of your surroundings. Embrace this shift in perspective to learn from your experiences, paying attention to meaningful coincidences as potential gateways to the unknown. It’s crucial to note that the meaning of one symbol may significantly change when combined with two or three other symbols.

• Crystals and Sports: Using Gemstones for Strength Training in Athletics

Choosing the Right Crystal Ball: A Comprehensive Guide

“The first time, one doesn’t have to start with a big crystal ball if they haven’t worked with crystals before. The foundation is to connect with your crystal. The same knowledge applies to reading through simple senses; yes, that means beginner crystal balls are definitely quartz crystals because they are so-called metacrystals. Metacrystals mean they can almost assume any function of other crystals, and they are also transparent, making gazing easier for beginners. However, you can just as well work with another crystal material, such as glass, as long as it’s quartz. Still, I would recommend investing in a small crystal ball rather than in a big one. And, as I mentioned, for beginner crystals, one must always be mindful to keep the crystals clean and consistently recharge them. However, crystal balls can be very tricky for beginners. Choosing the right one also depends on the properties within the crystals. For instance, if I take Smoky Quartz, I bring in the Earth element and grounding.”

Of course, if you are passionate, you can get one for each element or type of ritual you like to do, if you are a grounded person but you feel like your third eye is blocked you can choose amethyst.

Here are some websites with a nice selection of crystal balls of multiple sizes:

• Satin Crystals
• ETSY
• Nature’s treasures

Many crystal gazers prefer natural quartz for its veils and inclusions, which enhance both beauty and reading. Veils, resembling wispy clouds, and inclusions, resembling cracks, can act as doorways or inner landscapes during gazing. Colored mineral deposits, like green-chlorite, create landscapes within the crystal ball. Internal fractures or inclusions, such as rainbows, add beauty and can be used for astral travel. Highly prized rutilated quartz, featuring slender needles, aids in visualization and interpretation of pictures suggested by inclusions. Phantoms, resembling pyramids, are used for messages, healing, or projection into inner worlds.

Though your quartz crystal ball will be cleansed and charged to some degree just by being in contact with the water, the charging will be stronger to the degree to which you can consciously and one- pointedly focus on your intention. Concentrate on your crystal ball as you put it in a running stream, for example, intending that the water energize it. If you’re having trouble main- taining your focus, you might say the words in your mind, “Ener-gize, energize.” When you’re really focused, you can even feel it charging in your body.

• How to Protect Your Property and Personal Space Using Crystals

Crystal Ball Reading and Its Connection to Spirituality

Discussing various methods of crystal ball reading, P. highlighted the option to quickly connect with the third eye. However, traditional gazing requires about 10 to 30 minutes to reach the right state. The focus is on the state of gazing, allowing oneself to feel where to go and what to look for. “Another approach involves quickly connecting through the person, using the crystal ball as an accumulator which strengthens your clarity about their expression and soul. This method allows you to perceive multiple lines, such as the money line and love line, and zoom in and out of them.” In classic scrying, the practitioner noted seeing things like 3D movies or visions before his eyes, but more commonly, symbols appear, deviating from their conventional meanings.

For beginners, creating a triangle between the eyes and the point of focus, essentially forming a three-edged pyramid, is suggested. The practitioner emphasized the individualized nature of the learning process, highlighting the importance of understanding how they connect and why, as the gazer’s spiritual path is mirrored in what they see.

Shift from self-serving to serving in your crystal ball gazing and spiritual pursuits. Approach your work with the attitude of service, dedicating it to the higher good and the well-being of all. Make a conscious decision to transcend automatic tendencies, steering clear of ego-driven desires. Prioritize serving over self-centered pursuits, finding greater happiness in contributing to the larger picture. In some traditions, this attitude is considered a path to connecting with the Higher Spirit.

• Karmic Echoes: Signs from Your Past Lives

HARMONIZE WITH YOUR CRYSTAL BALL!

Once you are centered and balanced, take both hands, palm-to- palm, and rub them together very quickly for about thirty seconds. Your hands will feel like they’re heated and tingly, warm from the friction of the rubbing. Focus your attention on your hands as you do this.

Now open your hands, palms up, and breathe very lightly over them, from your palms to your fingertips. This will sensitize your hands. When you are ready, place one hand on each side of your crystal ball. Feel the ball between your two palms, between your right and left set of fingertips. Move your hands a little away from the ball and see if you can feel almost buoyancy and/or a slight breeze or buzzing sensation. When you feel that, set your hands lightly on the crystal on either side and, with your eyes closed, keep them on until you feel a gentle pulsation, as if the ball was breathing in and out. At this point you have joined your energy field to that of the ball.

Now, begin rubbing the crystal ball with your hands, going round and round slowly, without letting go of your feeling of connection. Do this with your eyes closed at first, then open, looking at the ball. The ancient teachers used to say that this establishes an empathetic connection between the crystal ball and you. Not only are you getting to know it, but you are also implanting it with your vibration. Think of it as becoming friends with it, so that it begins to feel as if it’s part of you. Once you have felt this, you are ready to begin your reading A large part of successful interpretation is asking your questions properly. Not only is it important to ask your questions without adding your own emotions, but it’s important to ask as directly, simply, and clearly as possible because the answer that you get will directly reflect all of the parts of the question that you ask. If you don’t frame your questions so they are direct and simple there will be so many complications that your question may be unanswerable with any clarity or accuracy. You may really have asked several questions in one and there may even be parts to it or implications of which you’re completely unaware. A simple question may call up other events or elements that you were unaware of, but you can track them down and make sense of them. If you do have a complicated question, ask it in one step at a time.

Using crystal balls for complicated tasks such as to find people or lost objects has a long past and an active present. The techniques used today to “see” a lost person in your crystal ball are the same that the fortune-tellers used to track down thieves, stolen goods, and missing people during the Middle Ages. They are the same used by the ancient shamans. Even today crystal ball gazers and other psychics are asked to help search for lost people or crime victims.

To do this, you use the crystal ball the same way that you do to find lost objects. Focus IN the crystal ball, clearing your mind of anything but the person as you search for them. As with finding lost objects, pay attention to every impression that you get in any form, and don’t analyze your thoughts. Just report your visions, feelings, and impressions. Analyze later.

The Science Behind Crystal Ball Readings: Fact or Fiction?

Beware the trap of embellishing visions, especially when seeking to impress others or maintain credibility. The pursuit of money, fame, and a captivated audience can lead to fabricating details and gradually diluting authenticity. Desperation may drive seers to invent visions, becoming mere calculators of odds to sustain attention. The subtle danger lies in convincing oneself that half-truths or embroideries are acceptable, ultimately compromising integrity. To avoid this, refrain from forcing visions and allow genuine insights to emerge naturally, resisting the pressure to deliver fabricated content regularly. Sometimes, it’s best to accept not seeing anything rather than succumbing to the allure of constant fabrication.

Discussing the scientific perspective, P. noted that the microchips are our most precious modern technology, emphasizing that they are made from quartz crystal. “Quartz crystal can convert mini electrical impulses into plus and minus, acting as an electrical transistor. Scientifically, crystals can strengthen vibrations through their physiological abilities, with the Piezo Effect demonstrating their capacity to generate or harness electricity. While current technology doesn’t allow for storing information received from crystals, I’m confident that those who genuinely attempt to connect receive actual new information. Despite some considering it a myth, I anticipate that science will gain a better understanding in the next 20 years. While there’s no solid basis to prove it yet, there’s also no evidence against.”

• Empowering Your Inner Witch: Embracing Magic and Manifestation

The post The Art of Crystal Gazing: A Beginner’s Guide to Scrying with Crystal Balls appeared first on askAstrology.

What Dark Feminity really is, is a reclamation and redefinition of feminine power, strength, and influence. Drawing inspiration from pariah femininities, Dark Femininity challenges societal expectations and stereotypes by embracing traits such as assertiveness, confidence, and strategic manipulation. Does this sound like what you need? Then keep on reading to find out how to unleash your inner Medusa and harness the power of Dark Femininity.

What Does It Mean To Be Feminine?

What images does the word ‘femininity’ conjure up for you? Do you see it as something that is weak and frail? Do you associate it with passivity and subservience? For many people, the concept of femininity has been shaped by societal norms and expectations that often limit women’s power and agency. We might think we are expected to be less than and not step on someone’s toes in order to be ladylike and seen as acceptable. But, ask yourself, is this the truth? And do you have to live by these notions? Is there really only one definition of femininity, or can we redefine it on our own terms? Can we reclaim femininity and tap into its inherent power and influence? By embracing Dark Femininity, we can break free from these confining stereotypes and explore the full range of our abilities and potential.

What Is Dark Femininity?

Dark Femininity is a representation of the aspects of femininity that have been historically marginalized, repressed, or overlooked. It is a way to reclaim and redefine femininity on your own terms, embracing traits that have been deemed “dark” or unconventional. This is important, especially for women who feel like they have been abused or misused by people, or have had to suffer under societal norms and expectations of what a woman is supposed to be. By embracing Dark Femininity, women can tap into their inner strength, assertiveness, and strategic thinking to navigate the world and get what they want.

• Building Divine Matriarchy into Your Lifestyle

Embracing Dark Femininity

Do you wonder what dark femininity looks like exactly? Here is a list of traits and characteristics associated with Dark Femininity:

• Assertiveness: Express your desires and needs without fear or hesitation.
• Confidence: Being confident in your abilities and knowing that only you can be you.
• Independence: Being self-reliant and able to stand on your own two feet without relying on others for validation or support.
• Strategic: Thinking critically and strategically without getting too emotional.
• Passionate: Embrace the expression of intense emotions, passions, and desires without apology or restraint.
• Seductive: Use your allure and charm to influence others.
• Magnetic: Draw others towards you, by captivating their attention and commanding respect.
• Transformational: Allowing yourself to grow, and evolve, embracing change and embracing your own power.

As you can see, all of these qualities are actually incredibly positive and empowering, often misunderstood as bad or unladylike. But, by fully being in your power you are more able to be there for others and you are unlikely to people please or compromise your own needs and desires. If you are out of alignment, you may end up acting in strange ways, such as always being dependent on others, saying yes when you actually want to say no, giving into manipulation, and faking who you really are.

How To Heal Your Inner Dark Seductress

Healing your inner dark seductress involves embracing and integrating the traits and characteristics associated with Dark Femininity in a healthy and balanced way. And you might be surprised how gentle this actually is. Here are just a few things you can do:

Journal All Your Feelings

As women, we think that we are quite in touch with our emotions, but when you first start writing down how you feel, you may realize that there is a lot more going on beneath the surface. By starting a journaling practice and being fiercely honest with yourself about your feelings and emotions, you may come to pin point all the negative traits you have attached yourself to. Journaling gives you an opportunity to process through these emotions and understand their origins, allowing you to release any negative patterns and embrace a healthier and more authentic expression of self. Let everything come out, this is a really safe space to explore and express your true emotions without judgment.

Give Into Your Witchy Side

Every woman has an innate witch living within her, maybe you have met her already, or maybe she’s been waiting patiently for you to acknowledge her presence… Allow yourself to explore through the world of esotericism such as Tarot or Astrology to really come to understand the more shadowy aspects of yourself. By diving into these practices, you can tap into your intuition and connect with the deeper layers of your being. This exploration can help you uncover hidden strengths and access your personal power. Allowing yourself to explore and embrace your witchy side can be a powerful tool in healing your inner dark seductress.

• Daily Rituals for the Modern Witch: Incorporating Magic into Every Day Life

Spend Time In Nature

Spending time in nature is a powerful way to reconnect with your true self and heal your dark femininity. Nature has a way of grounding us and reminding us of our interconnectedness with the world around us. This is an opportunity for you to be raw and real with yourself and connect with the wilderness within. By immersing yourself in natural settings, such as forests or the ocean, you can tap into the healing energy of the earth and allow it to nourish and empower your dark femininity. Let the power of nature heal you through her cycles and rhythms, allowing you to embrace your own natural cycles and unleash your full potential as a dark feminine force.

Connect To Your Cycle

Connecting to your menstrual cycle can be a powerful way to harness and embrace your dark femininity. In the modern world, we have learned to completely ignore this sacred time in our lives and see it as an inconvenience or burden. Meanwhile, your menstrual cycle is one of the most powerful and magical processes within you. Understanding and honoring your menstrual cycle allows you to tap into the deep wisdom and innate power of your body. Stop seeing this part of yourself as something shameful and ugly, and instead embrace it as a source of strength and empowerment. By tracking your cycle, you can align your activities and energy levels accordingly, allowing yourself to fully embrace the different phases of your femininity. What is more magical than that? Knowing your cycle is knowing yourself and the innate power you get to harness.

Allow Yourself To Feel

Positivity is one thing, but something that has been harming women is this toxic positivity and belief that we need to see the good in everything all the time. This is absolutely exhausting and unrealistic. Instead, give yourself permission to embrace the darkness and complexity of your emotions. There is absolute power in allowing yourself to feel the emotions that make you feel bad, uncomfortable, or vulnerable. If you keep denying yourself these opportunities to feel and express your true emotions, you are denying yourself the full range of your dark femininity. You can stop setting yourself up for disappointment by allowing yourself to acknowledge and embrace the full spectrum of your emotions, both light and dark.

• Embracing Your Inner Goddess: Esoteric Beauty Practices for Self-Love and Empowerment

Find A Dark Goddess To Tap Into

Throughout history, there have been so many dark goddess archetypes that have been shunned, such as Lilith, Medusa, or Kali. These powerful, dark feminine figures embody the raw and unapologetic aspects of femininity that have been suppressed and demonized by patriarchal societies. By connecting with a dark goddess who resonates with you, you can tap into her energy and use it to fuel your own empowerment. You can call on her guidance and support through rituals, meditation, or simply by studying her mythology and incorporating her symbolism into your life. This can have a great impact on how you view yourself and your own power as a woman.

Dress More Seductively

Dressing more seductively can be a powerful way to embody and express your dark femininity. It allows you to embrace your sensuality and tap into your innate power as a woman. Dressing in a way that embraces your sexuality can be empowering and can challenge societal norms around female modesty and objectification. Of course, you don’t have to be smutty, you can dress more seductively and still remain graceful and elegant. It could be as simple as wearing darker colours, or using red lipstick to accentuate your lips.

Be More Open

There is a misconception that embracing your Dark Feminine means that you need to close yourself off from others, and that you need to be more stoic, and masculine. But this is not the case, embracing your Dark Feminine actually means being more open and vulnerable. Allowing your heart to lead and being authentic in your interactions with others. This means being honest about your desires, setting boundaries, and expressing your needs without fear of judgment or rejection. This is not about hiding away, and being less than, this is about becoming more connected with your true self and using your authentic power to get what you want.

Final Thoughts

Embracing your Dark Feminine is about embracing all aspects of yourself, both light and dark, and using them to empower yourself. It is important to recognize that embracing the dark feminine is not about conforming to societal expectations, but rather about understanding and accepting the complexities of femininity. By embracing the dark feminine, you are challenging traditional notions of womanhood and reclaiming power in a patriarchal society. Furthermore, healing and empowerment are essential aspects of embracing the dark feminine. By acknowledging the suppressed and demonized aspects of femininity, women can reclaim their autonomy and personal power. You can find healing through self-love, connecting with nature, and allowing yourself to be authentically free.

• Dior and Tarot: Decoding the Symbolic Journey

The post Unleashing Dark Femininity: A Guide to Power and Influence appeared first on askAstrology.

Ayurvedic practices and rituals can optimize your sleep and enhance overall well-being. Techniques such as aromatherapy, pranayama (breathing exercises), and energy balancing create a peaceful sleep environment, balance your doshas, and promote restful and rejuvenating sleep. Let’s explore this further. However, before doing that, let’s discuss why sleep is essential for your well-being.

Why Sleep Is Essential for Your Well-being

Sleep is one of the basic biological needs, aside from food, water, and shelter. When you get good-quality sleep, your body can repair any cellular damage from being awake during the day. You need sleep to create balance to stay as healthy as possible. But a few hours of sleep each night will not help you stay healthy, as you need at least six hours of good-quality sleep and no more than nine if you are healthy.

Continuous poor sleep can put you at risk for physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health problems. Not only can continuous poor sleep put you at risk for depression, continuous brain fog, and anxiety, but it can also put you at risk for cardiovascular ailments, blood sugar imbalances, obesity, and many more problems.

That is why you want to do what you can to get the best quality sleep possible, even if you have needy dependents or a demanding work schedule. You can always recharge yourself with naps if necessary. You will want to know about utilizing Ayurvedic rituals to sleep properly.

• How Much Sleep Do You Need According to Your Zodiac Sign?

You Will Want To Know About Utilizing Pranayama

Pranayama or breathwork can be beneficial for helping you fall and stay asleep. There are several Ayurvedic breathwork exercises that you will want to try, such as the 4-7-8 breathing method, box breathing, or doing the three-part breath. The most popular pranayama technique for promoting sleep is the 4-7-8 breathing method, as it is meant to calm your mind so you can drift off.

You get comfortable and then take a few breaths to get started. Then, begin inhaling and counting to four. Then, hold your breath as you count to seven, and then exhale while counting to eight. You can take a break and resume if you need to do it again.

Another type of common pranayama technique for promoting sleep is box breathing. During box breathing, you retain air at the top of your inhale and at the bottom of your exhale. This is known as Sama Vritti breath or equal-length breath. Take a deep breath for four counts after getting comfortable. Exhale for four counts before holding at the bottom for the exact count.

For a few rounds, decide whether four is a comfortable breath count, and make it longer or shorter as necessary. Take a few minutes to practice this breath pattern. After you get comfortable, you can move on to another round or take a brief break before starting a new one.

The three-part breath is the last helpful pranayama technique for helping you fall asleep. The three-part breath is a simple and effective breathing technique. As you inhale, you breathe first into your belly and chest and exhale. Slowly and deliberately inhale into the belly, up into the chest, and effortlessly exhale. With each exhalation, soften deeper and be fully present with the breath for around five minutes. Now, let’s go into how aromatherapy can help promote sleep.

Aromatherapy Works Too

Aromatherapy has many benefits, as the calming scents of essential oils have been shown to improve sleep and reduce stress. However, when it comes to utilizing aromatherapy to help promote better sleep, you will want to choose the best essential oils. For example, you do not want to use peppermint oil to help with sleep because it will do the opposite, as it helps with keeping you awake and invigorated.

Therefore, the best essential oils to help you promote sleep in aromatherapy are lavender, chamomile, bergamot, clary sage, and cedarwood oil. They all have calming compounds that will help quiet your mind and body and encourage you to get into a deep sleep. Some oils work better than others for some people, so it may be trial and error for you to land on the best one to help you sleep.

However, you can utilize these oils in several ways. Add a small dab of any of those oils, mix it with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, and rub it onto you. Not only will the aroma of it calm you, but you will feel the physical calming effects. You can also put a dab of the best oil onto your pillow, inhale the aroma as you fall asleep, or use a diffuser.

Many people love diffusers as you can add any oil into water, and the diffuser will create a mist in the air with the aroma, which will immediately calm you so you can get into a good slumber. There are other Ayurvedic methods to try.

• The Healing Power of Plants

Try Ayurvedic Soothing Drinks or Specific Teas Before Bed

Consider making some warm organic or almond milk before bed. Consider adding a little nutmeg, which has myristicin, as this component helps you relax. However, regardless of the type, you can always sip on lavender, chamomile, valerian root, lemon balm, or passion flower tea if you don’t like milk. There are various teas you can find at the supermarket that can help you sleep, as there are teas designed for helping you sleep as they contain different calming herbs.

However, you will want to ensure you don’t drink too much of it, or else you will have to go to the bathroom often at night, defeating the purpose. One small cup is all you need for it to do the trick. It will put you in sleepy and relaxing mode. However, it also matters when you sleep, as it impacts your doshas, which are the Ayurvedic mind and body traits that influence your energy or qi throughout the day. Therefore, you must go to bed before 10 pm to balance your doshas.

• The Spiritual Connection to Food: Exploring Esoteric Diets and Their Benefits

Get To Bed Before 10 pm

You must get to bed before 10 pm to balance your doshas. Your body has its natural rhythm, which means the day does too. The Ayurvedic belief is that there are two 12-hour cycles that have three four-hour cycles ruled by a particular dosha, as these doshas influence the daily energy.

The first daily dosha is called Vata, as space and air rule it as it is an ideal time for creativity in the daytime and for dreaming at night. The Vata cycle lasts from 2 am to 6 am. The next dosha is the Kapha cycle, which lasts from 6 am to 10 pm, as earth and water rule this dosha, which can make you feel tired. The last dosha is Pitta, lasting from 10 pm to 2 am; as fire rules it, it helps with daily productivity and nightly metabolic processes. You want to go to bed before Pitta time to balance your doshas.

Ayurvedic doctors explain that it is ideal to go to bed before 10 pm before the fiery Pitta energy begins, and it is best to wake up by 6 am because the lethargic Kapha cycle begins. It may be a challenging cycle, but if you want to balance your doshas and make the daily ones work for you, you can practice it slowly until you can get there. That also means you will want a good routine to help you straighten your sleep hygiene.

Get on a Good Routine While Improving Your Sleep Hygiene

To help you get the best sleep schedule so you can get the best quality sleep means you want to get yourself on a great routine to keep your sleep hygiene clean. When your routine is imbalanced, it will disturb your sleep. That means you will want to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day, as going to bed before 10 pm and waking up before 6 am is ideal based on keeping your doshas balanced, but do your best with that. You also want to eat simultaneously daily by maintaining caffeine at bay by 2 pm.

Also, unplug for at least a half-hour before bed, and keep screens away. Keep your room dark, as the darkness will help promote melatonin production, the hormone you need to sleep. Do some meditation before bed to help you get into a calm state while taking advantage of the calming essential oils mentioned earlier in the article. Journaling before you turn off the lights is also a good idea.

Journaling Helps Before Bed

Because of having busy days, your mind is active, and the more stress you have in a day, the more active your mind will become. You cannot turn off your brain like a switch as soon as you lie on your bed and put your head on your pillow. That will lead to a poor night’s sleep quality with tossing and turning. Therefore, journaling before bed is the best way to clear your mind. You can meditate, but journaling will help you release those thoughts even more.

You may have so many thoughts about your to-do list, so spend a few minutes journaling them, and leave them in your journal so you don’t need to worry about them in bed. When you journal, write down your worries from the day, the to-do lists that you want to tackle the next day, and also positive experiences you had to remind yourself that there are good things in life, too, mixed with the stress.

Having a gratitude journal can help you, too, as you can focus on what you are grateful for before hitting the sack, putting you in a good place before bed.

If you struggle with insomnia, you will want to try those Ayurvedic rituals before bed to get a restful sleep. Firstly, staying on a set daily routine while keeping your sleep hygiene clean is essential to get yourself in place for a good restful sleep. Utilize calming essential oils, drink Ayurvedic drinks for sleep, whether warm milk or a calming tea, and journal before bed. Attempt going to bed before 10 pm and waking up by 6 am as that will help you balance the doshas, but if you struggle with it, do your best. Utilizing these Ayurvedic rituals will likely help you sleep well, but if not, then you will need to see your doctor.

If you want to know more, you can read this article by Healthline.

The post Ayurvedic Rituals for Restful Sleep: Harmonizing Energy and Promoting Deep Rest appeared first on askAstrology.

Our editorial team has crafted an esoteric and spiritual wishlist to kick off the year 2024 in the most beautiful way!

Essential 1: In Year 2024, Take Stock

Reflecting on the Past Year

We often rush ahead without looking back at the path we’ve traveled. Before anything else, take a moment to assess the year 2023. What have you accomplished, succeeded in, failed at, spoiled, lost, or gained? Do you feel happy, sad, proud, lucky, unhappy, lonely, well-accompanied? What did you love, adore, hate, regret?

There are no rules on how to do this. Our advice is to give yourself an hour. You can play music, light a candle, prepare a drink or pastry. You can close your eyes and reflect internally or write it down. It’s up to you!

Significance of Renewal

Like any new cycle, the new year symbolizes renewal. It marks the change of seasons, the shift from December to January, and the transition to a new year.

Each of us sees the end of one cycle as the beginning of a new one. After winter comes spring, after holidays comes work, after life comes death.

The new year represents the opportunity to start afresh. It’s often at this time that we make new resolutions to become a better version of ourselves (quit smoking, get back into sports, eat less chocolate, learn a language, change jobs). The power of the new year is potent; it makes us feel capable of anything, like a reset button has been pressed.

Setting Goals (vision board)

You’ve taken stock, and you’ve chosen what you want for the year 2024. But how do you put that into action?

Here, we introduce the vision board technique. It’s a visual representation of your desires. Want to travel? Stick the flag of the country you dream of visiting! Want to learn to cook a specific dish? Paste it on!

You can create your vision board on paper with printed or cut-out images. Display it in your room or bathroom to see it constantly and not forget your goals. You can also create a virtual version on your phone using the Canva app, which is handy and intuitive for such projects.

Essential 2: Recharge Your Body and Mind

You can’t start the year right if you’re not in good shape. Health relies on three factors: sleep, diet, and physical activity.

Sleep

It’s no secret: without sleep, progress is hindered. We might think, after a short night, that we can tackle our daily tasks and repeat the cycle the next day without catching up. But that illusion can be costly.

Take the time to sleep. If you enjoy watching a movie in the evening, start it a bit earlier (during dinner, for example) to fall asleep earlier. During lunch break, close your eyes for a few minutes instead of scrolling through your favorite social network. Unbeknownst to you, you’ll gain rest time and, consequently, energy to accomplish all your desires the next day.

For more advice, read our article on Ayurvedic Sleep Rituals: Energy Harmonization for Deep Rest and Well-being.

Food

We all know about festive indulgences. Sugar, fat, a bit of champagne, and a lot of indulgence. The mouth loves it, but the stomach may struggle to digest it. So, give your stomach a break for a few weeks.

Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables. Remember to hydrate with water, vegetable broths, soups, and infusions. Don’t stop eating! Eat better, and your body will thank you! Above all, maintain these new good habits in the long term. Nutrition is the foundation of health, so consider what you eat!

For more advice, read our two articles:

• The Spiritual Connection to Food: Exploring Esoteric Diets and Their Benefits
• Zodiac-Inspired Cuisine: Exploring Astrological Flavors and Culinary Delights

Physical activity

Winter is often conducive to rest. Days are sometimes shorter and colder (depending on the cities, of course, thinking of the lucky ones spending the New Year in the sun!), and the desire to exercise in the evening may be absent.

However, movement is essential. Walk during your lunch break, take the stairs instead of the elevator, carry your shopping bags instead of putting them in a cart, sign up for boxing, dance, or badminton! Treat yourself and use your body! The more you move, the easier it will become, and you won’t be able to do without it!

To find the sport that suits you the most, discover our article Your Olympic Sport Based On Your Zodiac Sign.

Essential 3: Integrate Spirituality and Esotericism into Daily Life

At AskAstrology, we’ve made astrology, spirituality, and esotericism our mission. Simple tools and practices can help us know ourselves better and get closer to our dreams for 2024.

Activities to Understand Universal Signs in year 2024

We know that spirituality exists in everyday life. It can exist through meditation, zodiac signs, witch rituals, etc. Everyone has their way of incorporating it into their life to use it to achieve their goals.

To help you continue or start an esoteric-related activity, we’ve decided to list 10 dedicated articles. We hope this helps you in the year 2024!

• The Esoteric Art of Tea Leaf Reading: Unlocking Hidden Messages in Your Cup
• The Power of Sacred Rituals: Creating Meaningful Practices in Everyday Life
• How Sound Harmonics Can Heal Your Chakras and Your Soul
• Crafting Magical Altars: The Enchanting World of Witchcraft
• Empowering Your Inner Witch: Embracing Magic and Manifestation
• Where to Have Spiritual Fall Breaks in the US?
• Daily Rituals for the Modern Witch: Incorporating Magic into Every Day Life
• Embracing Your Inner Goddess: Esoteric Beauty Practices for Self-Love and Empowerment
• The Benefits of Being Spiritually Aware
• The Holy Trinity of Spiritual Practices: Meditation, Concentration, and Contemplation

Astrology Worn on The Skin

For 2024, you can also integrate esotericism into your life through jewelry, makeup and even clothes.

We can mention the brand Gorjana, which offers pendants depicting your zodiac sign.

Melt Cosmetics on the other hand, has produced four makeup palettes representing the four elements: fire, air, earth, and water.

Finally, the clothing brand FARM RIO offers models representing the zodiac signs, including this embroidered black set.

Books

Finally, of course, reading can help you have the best year in 2024. Books help us take time for ourselves, lower our heart rate, and channel our impulses. They offer us new worlds and share hundreds of thousands of data and knowledge. They are our allies for growth, evolution, and success in our year 2024.

(Re)discover our book selections:

• The Classic Book You Should Read According To Your Zodiac Sign
• What Children’s Book Did You Like Based On Your Zodiac Sign?
• The Best Moon Astrology Books
• Spirituality in Popular Culture: Chakras in Comic Books
• The Best Relationship Astrology Books
• 4 Must-Have Books to Start Studying Astrology

And much more! To explore all our articles related to books, simply type “book” in the search bar

You have all the tools at your disposal to start and continue 2024. Happy New Year and good success!

The post Our Esoteric Wishlist For A Great Start To 2024 appeared first on askAstrology.

Yule falls on December 21st, which it often does every year, and it is one of the eight Sabbats that pagans celebrate. Let’s review the sentiment behind Yule, as well as common pagan traditions, and then do a collective Winter Solstice tarot reading.

Yule Is About Rebirth And Renewal

Yule is a festival of the sun, and it is about rebirth and renewal, which is known as Midwinter. Samhain marked the death of the year, and Yule is when a new year is born. Since this Sabbat celebrates the return of the sun that has been waning to the point it reaches its lowest point during the Winter Solstice, the sun slowly begins to wax each day after the solstice. Light is a significant element in this Sabbat, so plenty of lights are flickering at this time of year. It does not matter whether they are lighting from bonfires, holiday lights, candles, etc, but these all represent the sun’s rebirth.

Yule provides the opportunity for you, whether you are pagan or not, to reflect on the year as you look forward to the upcoming new year. While this is a time for reflection, Yule is a time to spend time in nature (if the weather allows it) and to connect with your friends and loved ones. Before reviewing the common Yule traditions, let’s briefly review the history.

• Samhain 2023: Traditions and Tarot Spread to Celebrate the Witch’s New Year

The History of Yule Celebrations

Europeans have celebrated the Winter Solstice for thousands of years. When you look at traditional winter customs, you can see the Norse and the Germanic pagans initially called the festival Jol. The celebration was partly to prepare for the long winter ahead of them as locals and farmers would head over to the heathen temple to bring food, and they did a lot of toasting to many gods, as Odin was the main one.

They used evergreen trees to represent new life, decorated them with ornaments, started giving gifts, and did caroling. There is speculation that Yule has roots in the ancient Roman week-long holiday, Saturnalia, which was celebrated around the time of the Winter Solstice and involved enjoying feasts, giving gifts, and celebrating and honoring Saturn, which happens to be the ruler of Capricorn. The season of Capricorn begins on the day of the Winter Solstice. The Celtic druids had their Yule celebrations.

Mistletoe comes from oak trees and was a blessing during the Winter Solstice by Celtic druids. They believed that the sun stayed stationary for 12 days and lit logs, known as Yule logs, to ward off evil and attract good luck. Wreaths made with oak or evergreen leaves were also known to represent life and to ward off evil.

Pagans and Wiccans today say that Yule is a time when the dark half of the year, represented by Holly King, gives strength to the Oak King, meaning the light time of the year. The Oak King is reborn during Yule, develops, and becomes more potent during Imbolc and Ostara until it reaches its peak during Litha. Then, after that, the Oak King loses its power as the Holly King begins to gain strength during Mabon.

Even though you know that Yule is a pagan celebration and one of the eight Sabbats, you can see that Christmas decorations stemmed from Yule decorations. Why is that?

• The Wheel of the Year and the 8 Wiccan Sabbats

How Does Yule Relate To Christmas?

The Christmas tree, feasts, ornaments, wreaths, logs in the fireplace, lights, and you can see how all of these from Yule traditions are now used for Christmas. When Christianity phased paganism out during the sixth and seventh centuries in Europe, Christmas celebrations included the pagan Yule traditions.

That is because people in European towns did not want to sacrifice those Yule traditions when they began to celebrate Christian holidays, so that is why they were incorporated into them. It is the same for Easter regarding the rabbits and eggs, which are also Ostara Sabbat traditions celebrating the Vernal Equinox. Yule traditions have stayed with Christian holiday traditions since then. Now, let’s go over how pagans celebrate Yule and how you can, too, even if you are not pagan but want to get into the Midwinter spirit.

How To Celebrate Yule

Yule is the birth of a new year, and this is the time for reflection and release; it is a great Sabbat to create plans and do some goal-setting. You don’t have to be pagan to reflect and release what is no longer good for you and to do some planning for the upcoming year.

What you can always do is make an evergreen wreath using pine, ivy, mistletoe, and yew, which represents prosperity and life. You can also create a solstice bush by putting those plants in the soil in a pot if that is what you would instead do. Yew is a tree that represents rebirth, pine is healing, mistletoe brings abundance, and ivy and holly keep away negativity.

You can also light a yule log by taking an oak log and putting dried berries, pinecones, holly, cinnamon sticks, and mistletoe, and you can either put it in your fireplace or create a bonfire. The purpose is to release anything from the past that no longer serves you that you do not want to carry into the new year. It also is a way to welcome the sun’s reappearance.

And don’t forget about having a Yule feast with friends, family, or anyone you choose. You can enjoy any food you wish, and you will also want to do a wishing ritual. Think about the goals you want to attain and how you will go after them so you can turn them into reality. You can light a candle and visualize these goals manifesting.

Don’t forget to declutter, as decluttering is also a way to remove what you no longer need, and you will also want to sage your home to remove any negative energies lurking among the clutter.

If you don’t want to create a wreath, get too crafty, or light logs on fire, you can always create a Yule altar.

• Which Christmas Movie Should You Watch Over The Holidays Based On Your Zodiac Sign

Creating A Yule Altar

If you want to create your altar for Yule, you can use any small table for it and set it in an area that you consider sacred to meditate and do tarot readings for yourself. The seasonal colors are red, white, and green, so any cloth with those colors will do. Red is about passion and prosperity, white is purity, and green is fertility and prosperity, which you want to bring into the new year. Therefore, put white, red, and green candles on your altar, as candles in gold and silver would work too to celebrate the sun’s return.

You can also add pine, holly, oak leaves, yew leaves, evergreen leaves, mistletoe on the altar, and birch branches. Therefore, you will use these to keep negative forces at bay and bring fresh starts and prosperity. You can also hang bells on your altar for the same reason. You can add nuts such as walnuts, hazelnuts, and pecans. The decoration of your altar is up to you, but those are the colors and items you will want to keep for celebrating Yule. And you will want to do a tarot reading at the altar. Let’s do a collective one and see what energies you will face this Yule.

Yule Tarot Reading for 2023

You will want to do your Yule tarot spread to see what energy to expect for the season. However, I did a collective four-card Yule spread, as you can lay them apart, with the first card being on the left, leading to the fourth card on the right. The first card represents the types of gifts Yule is bringing to you. The second card represents your blessings to acknowledge, and the third indicates what you need to let go of to make room for what you need. The fourth card tells you what area in your life you need to focus on after the new year as the sun begins to wax again.

The cards I got were the first card, the Knight of Wands; the second card, the Emperor; the third card, the Six of Swords; and the fourth card, Two of Pentacles. Let’s review what they mean for you.

Card One: Knight of Wands

The first card represents the gifts the season brings you, and you get the Knight of Wands. The Knight of Wands represents passion, energy, and action. This card suggests that your desires drive you and that you are ready for new challenges. It signifies that this season is bringing you excitement and enthusiasm that you may have been missing for some time, and the message from the Knight of Wands is for you to pursue your goals with confidence and determination. You can use this gift to fulfill your goals in the new year. Let’s go over the next card.

Card Two: Emperor

The second card encourages you to acknowledge your blessings and keep them, and you get the Emperor. The Emperor symbolizes authority, stability, and leadership. This card suggests that you have it in you to take control of your life and make rational decisions. It represents a time of structure and organization. The Emperor advises establishing a solid foundation and taking responsibility for your actions. Therefore, remember the times in the past when you accomplished something that took a lot of discipline and hard work. That will remind you that you can do it again, especially if you have a lot of self-doubt clouding your vision. Your ability to stay disciplined to accomplish what you need is a blessing to acknowledge! Let’s go and look at the third card.

Card Three: Six of Swords

The third card represents what you need to let go of to make room for better things, and the Six of Swords comes up. The Six of Swords represents transition, moving on, and finding peace. This card suggests that you are leaving behind a challenging situation or a troubled period. It signifies a journey towards a calmer and more stable future. The Six of Swords encourages you to embrace change and trust that better times are ahead. Therefore, this card is highly fitting for this position as you can leave behind what did not work for you over the past year so you can work through the pain and disappointments to create some fresh starts next year.

Card Four: Two of Pentacles

The fourth card tells you what area in your life you need to focus on after the new year as the sun begins to wax again and the Two of Pentacles comes up. The Two of Pentacles represents balance, adaptability, and juggling multiple responsibilities. This card suggests that you must prioritize what is essential in your life as you manage various aspects, such as work, relationships, and finances in the new year. There will be a need to find equilibrium and prioritize your tasks effectively. The Two of Pentacles advises you to focus on being flexible and adaptable to handle the challenges that come your way.

Overall, this tarot spread suggests Yule gives you the gift of action and passion (Knight of Wands) while acknowledging that you can be good at maintaining stability and leadership (Emperor). You will want to leave behind the problematic phase and move towards a more peaceful future (Six of Swords). However, you may need to find balance and adaptability in managing your responsibilities (Two of Pentacles). Therefore, the message from this Yule spread is to embrace change, take control of your life, and prioritize effectively to achieve success and stability.

Yule is a Sabbat that marks rebirth and renewal, as it is also known as Midwinter, and it celebrates the emergence of the sun as it reaches its lowest point and the start of a new year. It is the time to reflect on the year that has passed and set goals for the upcoming year. It is a time to connect with friends and your loved ones so you can all celebrate the Midwinter celebrations together.

The post Yule Traditions And Tarot Read 2023 appeared first on askAstrology.

Ultimately, there is no difference between you, me, the chair, the dog, the paper clip, the Waterfall, Jupiter, the solar system, and the Universe. It is all one energy.

This one energy has five modes of expression. These modes or patterns of energy are understood as the five elements: Air, Fire, Water, Earth and Ether.

Five elements

All of life can be understood in terms of these five elements. There are five elements within your body, and five elements within your psyche. There are five elements in any creative undertaking, and within any functioning business or enterprise. There are five elements within any relationship, and five elements in the relationship among all the parts of your life. All of your activities, and all the activities of Nature, can be understood in terms of five elements.

The five-element system can be used typologically, as one element usually predominate in temperaments, bodies, endeavors and relationships. Some people have a fiery temperament, while others have a distinctly Earthy temperament. Each person has an elemental body type which is characterized by certain patterns of metabolism, weight distribution and musculature. Many relationships have a signature element, a certain energy or focus that formulates the bond fusing two or more people together.

When we understand each element well, we have the ability to bring holistic balance to any body, entity, relationship or undertaking. We have an enhanced ability to discover the root cause of any issue by identifying which element is lacking and which is in excess. We have an ability to bring the holistic balance of the cosmos itself into our daily routine by making sure to integrate some of every element into every day, or even into every activity in every day!

Let’s explore the meaning of each element.

• The Power and Purpose Of Astrological Symbols

Ether

Ether is the ground or field from which the other elements arise. It is a unified field which creates subtle space for the movement of other elements. The basic qualities of this element are stillness, harmony and balance. While the other four elements are in dynamic relationship to one another, Ether is not a dynamic, moving element, but one which provides the space for the movement among the others.

Ether governs the qualities of mind which relate to tranquility, peace and stillness. This peaceful quality is also related to aesthetic sensitivity. Great natural beauty, such as beautiful flowers, a peaceful forest, a stunning sunset can help us to touch the place of introspection and peace. Beholding such wonders does not coming from doing but from being without needing to do, achieve or become.

Ether also creates the space for emotions to flow freely. We all know what it feels like to become so busy that we do not even know what we feel. The mind and body become so cluttered with words and deeds that there is no room for our emotions to flow. A contracted Ether field leads to either depression and lethargy or explosiveness.

In any creative process or undertaking, Ether corresponds to the stage before creation within which a desire or need is realized. Without Ether, there is no place for inspiration to flow into. We must be somewhere in a field of experience in order to discover that something is needed or wanted. Temperamentally, Ether corresponds to those people who are good at “holding space” and maintaining neutrality. Such people may have a therapeutic or uplifting effect even without realizing it, and may seem generally serene and tranquil.

Air

Air is identified with movement. Movement is necessary for any process. Fire without the movement of Air can’t start. Water without movement grows murky and toxic. Earth without movement becomes calcified and rigid. The expression of Air in the world is speed and motion, and it combines with other elements to create various qualities of movement.

Air governs the movement of our thought processes, our emotional life and our internal physiology. Congestion of Air in any of these processes produces rigidity, stagnation and buildup in that sphere of life. In the body, Air corresponds to the cleansing processes of the body such as the removal of waste by the kidneys, lungs, colon and skin. Imbalance of Air in the body may underlie rigid, stiff joints, or lack of movement in the digestive process.

On the level of mind, an ‘Airy’ person may “quick-witted” with fast reflexes and a fast sense of humor, while some one lacking in Air may be rigid and unable to flow with new ideas or approaches. On the level of our emotions, Air brings the refreshing wind of a change in perspective or the transformation of feeling. One without this movement becomes excessively attached to pain or craving, refusing to let anything go.

Thought is also movement and the Air element governs mental activity in general. In creative process, Air corresponds to the stage of thinking, planning, designing and visualizing. An Airy person tend to be caught up in thought, out of touch with their emotions and their bodily sensations, appearing “above it all” or detached from earthly realities. People with imbalanced Air can also over-think to the point of never acting.

• Fate And Free Will: How do they Work Together?

Fire

While Air is movement, Fire is the warm expansive impulse behind the movement which directs its course. Fire is the driving force behind bodily functions, the vital force of the body’s energy system, and the primary directive of the human will. Fire is the animating desire that gets us out of bed in the morning and the drive to life that is within every single cell. Fire is propulsive, expansive and outward moving— specifically directed toward its aim.

Fiery people have a lot of enthusiasm for life and focus that enthusiasm effectively into activity. They have the “get-up-and-go” quality of high achievers and world leaders; they are often highly charismatic, magnetic and willful. An imbalance of this quality can be seen in selfishness, callousness or bluntly direct speech.

In the body, Fire corresponds to the healing processes like fever which cleanse and purify, as well as digestive processes which provide us with the fuel we need to “burn” to get things done. Fire is seen as the spark of life itself, and this is often visible in the eyes. People with a lot of energy and vitality often sparkle in the eyes, while lethargic people often have cloudy or bleary eyes.

Fire is also associated with “insight” on mental and emotional levels. Insight is not the same as mere knowledge; in order to have insight, we must have a desire and an aim. In processes, Fire correlates with the animating inspiration which is necessary to keep people driven toward a common aim. It is associated with a sense of purpose, meaning and faith in something greater than the self.

Water

Air and Fire are expansive and light; Water and Earth are contractive and dense. Water governs the unconscious, emotions and deep feelings. It corresponds to the plane of dreaming, intuition and a Knowing beyond reason.

When Water is flowing well, we are in touch with our feelings and allowing those feelings to be as they are without becoming attached. We can process whatever it is that we’re feeling, whether it’s grief, anger, fear or joy, without getting bogged down in it. We can use the strength of Water— the ability to move freely around any obstacle and seek the path of resistance— to our advantage. When Water is constricted, our behavior is governed by highly unconscious processes and we are permanently in a reactive mode of being, rather than a responsive one. We become overly attached and identified with how we feel: addicted to pleasure, needful of joy, clinging to rage, indulgent in self-pity, wallowing in guilt, and so forth.

In the body, Water corresponds to the fluids of the body including sexual fluids, lymphatic system and the mucus glands. It is associated with the processes of cleansing a regeneration. Watery people are highly subjective, intuitive and emotional, while people with a Water imbalance may be materialistic, closed-minded and out of touch with feelings. In creative process, Water corresponds to the grounding of abstract  ideas through action, just as Water grounds down into the Earth, nurturing all life into being.

• What is Your Destiny? A Step by Step Guide to Finding Out Your Destiny Number

Earth

Earth corresponds to physical manifestation and form. The Earth upon which we rest is steady, solid, consistent, sturdy and trustworthy. Similarly, an Earthy person is reliable, predictable, and competent because he is rooted in the hard facts of physical reality.

The Earth element is associated with a firm foundation, whether that is a firm foundation in our thinking processes, our emotions or our physical bodies. When we are grounded, our thoughts are based in sound reason and fact, and our words match our actions. Our emotional reactions are proportionate, measured and sensible, and our physical bodies are strong, sturdy and well-balanced.

When we are imbalanced in Earth, our thoughts are unrealistic and we don’t physically act in ways that match our words. We can become highly one-sided, overreactive or irrational in our emotions, and our body can become frail.

In a creative process, Earth is associated with bringing things all the way through to completion. Earthy people are practical and able to plod through anything until the objective has been accomplished.

The post Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Ether: Using the 5 Elements to Create a Fulfilling Life appeared first on askAstrology.

Even introverted children can develop their social skills by being encouraged to make a few friendships. So, let’s discuss the dynamics of social interactions among children based on their zodiac signs. The best way for kids to mix with their peers of different sign signs is by enrolling your children into programs that foster positive connections, understanding, and cooperation among children of different sun signs. That will help promote a harmonious and inclusive play environment.

Aries – Enjoys Physical Action

Your Aries child is a born leader and will always need physical stimulation. They are extroverted and will enjoy anyone’s company if they can keep up with their physical activity levels. That is not surprising, given their ruler is energetic Mars.

Therefore, the Aries child would do well in sports, and signing them up for sports programs is a great day to help them socialize as they get their physical stimulation. Since they are born leaders, they can encourage their peers, regardless of their signs, to enjoy physical activity as much as they do. Kids with other signs will also participate in sports or programs involving physical activities, such as gymnastics, to help them become well-rounded. Aries kids can be good mentors to them.  Parents can also arrange playdates for their Aries kids that involve physical activity with their peers.

Taurus – Cooking Or Art

Your Taurus child is stoic, needs routine, and is an introvert. They can have a stubborn side, and it may be challenging to encourage them to socialize since they enjoy doing their thing independently. However, because Venus rules Taurus, which is the planet of beauty, your child will have an appreciation for aesthetics and food.

One way to encourage your Taurean child to socialize and meet others who may be like them is to enroll them in art or cooking classes. They may make a few friends, and when they do, encourage them to have art or cooking playdates. Their peers with different sun signs can learn from them why art and cooking are appealing. But you will want to tell your child you want to do that because they do not like their routines interrupted.

Gemini – Anything That Encourages Reading Or Learning

Your Gemini child is friendly and loves to talk to their friends and receive intellectual stimulation. They are curious, creative, and extraverted. Your Gemini child would be happy in extracurricular activities involving anything regarding learning, such as joining book or trivia clubs. Communicative Mercury rules the sign, so it is not a surprise.

Your Gemini child would be glad to invite any friend they make to their home so they can enjoy playing board games or trivia with their friends and encourage them to enjoy learning, reading, and playing games. When it comes to kids with different sun signs, your Gemini child can encourage them to play stimulating games involving anything related to their interests. The bonus is that Gemini has many interests, so they can find fascinating things to discuss with their peers of other signs. You can arrange playdates for your Gemini child involving games that foster cooperation and promote stimulation.

• What Children’s Book Did You Like Based On Your Zodiac Sign?

Cancer – Activities That Promote Relaxation

Your Cancer child is sensitive, nurturing, and introverted, ruled by the empathetic Moon. You will find that your Cancer child is not keen on crowds and can get very irritable if they are overstimulated or slighted. The Cancer child needs relaxation. Enrolling your child in classes promoting that, such as mindfulness, yoga, or meditation, is important.

Your Cancer child will be a natural at learning how to develop calming habits, and parents of children with other signs would want their kids to learn mindfulness techniques. Summer camp is great for your child for this reason, too.  Your Cancer child can teach them that in a nurturing way, which can help develop a friendship.

You can arrange playdates for your Cancer child involving the outdoors. It would be great as the outdoors can be calming for your child and their friends.

Leo – Any Activities Involving Creativity And Theatre Arts

Your Leo child may be quite creative and may crave being in the spotlight, as the powerful Sun rules the sign. You may find that your Leo child may want to be the center of the universe, which can be frustrating as a parent who wants to teach their children that others must shine, too. However, here is the thing about your Leo child that you may not know.

They are likely quite generous, and if they feel they are getting noticed, they will encourage others to shine, too. That means you will want to sign your Leo child up for programs involving arts and crafts and theatre arts, as they can enjoy sharing their creative side while helping to encourage their peers of different zodiac signs to do the same. Your Leo child wants fun and excitement; these programs will make that happen while they interact with their peers in a fun way. In no time, they will want you to arrange playdates with their new friends so they can bring the fun at home.

Virgo – Any Activities That Involve Hands-On Work And Intellectual Stimulation

Your Virgo child is meticulous, hard-working, and analytical, and you may find that they want to help others. You may worry that your Virgo child may do favors for others without getting anything back in return. And that will be something that they will have to learn. They may also be introverted type and may not be keen on socializing. However, if you want to ensure that your Virgo child develops social skills to do well in all areas of their lives, they will need to go into programs to help them develop that while they indulge in their interests.

Therefore, extracurricular programs such as chess or puzzle-solving clubs where they can meet other peers with different sun signs allow them to socialize with them. Other programs that interest your Virgo child would involve pottery, arts and crafts, and ceramics, where they will socialize with others. They can make a few friends, and you can arrange playdates to help them come out of their shells.

• How You Celebrate World Children’s Day Based On Your Zodiac Sign

Libra – Any Activities Involving The Arts

Your Libra child is likely the type that needs peace to be happy, needs to have plenty of friends, and loves to socialize. Therefore, they are extroverted and can develop social skills early because they enjoy being around others. However, they will be happy if they are in programs that involve their interests, which would involve the arts.

The ruler of Libra is the beautiful and social Venus, which is why your Libra child may be into fashion, art, and music. Therefore, enrolling your Libra child in arts and crafts programs, music and dancing classes, drama, and anything else that allows them to express beauty will make them happy. And they can interact with their peers of different sun signs and find things in common with them. Your Libra child has an easy time making friends, so they will want plenty of playdates.

Scorpio – Any Activities Involving Sports Or Intellectual Stimulation

Your Scorpio child is passionate, intense, and has a lot of energy to burn off because they hold so many feelings in, and they have an easier time expressing them through physical or brain-stimulating activities. Transformative Pluto and passionate Mars rule the sign, which is why your child is intense. You may find that your Scorpio child struggles to trust anyone immediately, so that they may be introverted.

The best thing to do is to get them into activities that expose them to peers. Hence, they can develop their social skills and create friendships. Activities involving sports and gymnastics that emphasize outdoor survival skills would stimulate them and allow them to connect with their peers of various sun signs. Your Scorpio child would also enjoy programs involving trivia or anything that can allow them to solve mysteries. They can meet others, connect with them, and develop bonds, which is important for them to learn it is okay to trust. Playdates may not happen for a while, but when they do, your Scorpio child will make the most of them.

Sagittarius – Activities That Satisfy Their Adventurous Side

Your Sagittarius child is adventurous, outgoing, and a daredevil. They want to see the exciting side of life, so they fear boredom and need intellectual and physical stimulation as jovial and expansive Jupiter rules the sign. However, if you enroll your Sagittarius child into a program, the best thing to do is enroll them in something they have not done before because they are adventurous and want to try new things. Your Sagittarius child is open to different programs involving sports, arts, or quiz clubs. They would be happy in programs highlighting foreign cultures, such as language classes.

Sagittarians are extroverts, so they would be happy to socialize with their peers, and they could encourage their peers to become adventurous and leave their comfort zones. Kids with zodiac signs with adventurous traits, such as Aries, Leo, or Gemini, would not need much convincing. Still, kids with more introverted signs, such as Taurus or Cancer, will need plenty of convincing. However, the Sagittarian’s excitement and optimism will rub off on them so that they may be receptive. When your Sagittarian wants playdates, they may not want them to occur at home. They may prefer having them in fun places like the arcade or the mall.

• How to Raise Highly Intuitive Children

Capricorn – Any Activity That Promotes Goal-Setting

Your Capricorn child is ambitious and desires to become a leader, and they may be mature for their age as stern Saturn rules the sign. They may be introverted and prefer to focus on schoolwork because they are industrious. However, they must socialize and join groups that help promote leadership and managerial skills.

Even though they are not the type to be into sports, enrolling them in sports groups would be a great idea, as being involved with sports can help them build their social skills and help them with goal-setting. Besides, energetic Mars is exalted in Capricorn, so these kids would be open to sports. They will mix with other kids of various zodiac signs in these groups, and they can inspire them to set goals, have ambitions, and work hard through their actions.

Encouraging your Capricorn child to have playdates with their peers at home as often as possible will help them get out of their shells, and they can be a good influence on their new friends by encouraging goal-setting and having ambitions.

Aquarius – Activities Promoting Activism And Innovation

Your Aquarius child is a non-conformist interested in science and activism and is more of an extrovert but detached. That is why your child would do well in programs involving volunteering or science, such as robotics clubs. But you can always enroll them into traditional arts and crafts programs to socialize with their peers of different sun signs. Your Aquarius child wants to stand out, as they value their uniqueness, as rebellious and revolutionary Uranus rules the sign.

Encouraging your child to mix with their peers of various zodiac signs will allow them to encourage their peers to value their uniqueness and understand the appeal. For example, suppose your Aquarian child is in an arts program and creates an unusual art masterpiece. In that case, they can encourage others in the program to express themselves authentically.

Your Aquarius child will love to have playdates as they enjoy socializing and can encourage their more introverted friends to come out of their shells and that it is healthy to express themselves through art. Therefore, having playdates involving arts and crafts would be great for your child.

Pisces – Any Activity Involving Art, Writing, Or Any Creativity

Your Pisces child is creative and sensitive and loves the arts. They are likely introverted as they can become overwhelmed by too many people. However, socialization is essential, which is why sending your Pisces child to programs involving arts and crafts, music, and programs encouraging creative writing can be a great way to help them build their social skills.

They are empathetic but will connect with those with whom they have a soul connection, as they will form a friendship with them. Your Pisces child can encourage their peers to be empathetic while they have the potential to create bonds with them. Your Pisces child will only want to have playdates with those with whom they feel connected; when they do, they can indulge in creativity together.

When it comes to creating harmonious social interactions among children of various sun signs, the best way to get these children together other than in school is to enroll them in various extracurricular programs based on their interests. That way, your child will connect with other kids of different signs, as many of them share interests, allowing them to make friends and have playdates outside those programs.

When children of different sun signs interact with one another and develop their social skills, they learn to connect with people who are very different from them, which will help them become well-rounded people who can develop relations with others later in life.

The post Zodiac Playdates: Creating Harmonious Social Interactions among Children of Different Sun Signs appeared first on askAstrology.

Here is the thing. Even though there is a lot of excitement with the holidays, it is a time that many people dread because of how much stress the holidays bring. And the holiday stress can damage the mind, body, and spirit. That is why it is common to hear about those struggling with holiday stress facing disconnection, burnout, and depletion. Not to mention, it is when people feel the effects of financial strain because of gift buying. However, it does not have to be, which is why there are helpful tips on how to keep your mind, body, and spirit healthy during the holidays.

Attend Fewer Holiday Parties If They Stress You

How are you spending your time during this holiday season? Do you have three parties to attend this week? When you receive a holiday party invitation, you may RSVP “yes” out of excitement. But after that, when you think about these parties, do you feel a wave of dread coming towards you? That is when it is time to determine whether you are going to these holiday parties because you want to go genuinely or are doing it out of obligation. You did say you were attending, but remember that things can change. If it is a work or family function, you may not have a choice.

So if that is the case, go to the party but spend less time there and head home early. But if an acquaintance is throwing a party and even if you agreed to attend, you don’t think you can handle any more parties, then you can always tell them that you are unwell and apologize for not going. These parties or gift exchanges don’t nourish your soul if you feel nothing but dread when you think of them. Therefore, spend your time relaxing at home, doing something that nourishes you, like reading a good book or watching a good movie. All you can do is remember for the following holiday season only to agree to attend a few essential holiday functions.

• What Kind Of Holiday Party Do You Prefer To Have Based On Your Zodiac Sign

Stay Mindful During The Holiday Season

Mindfulness is one of the best practices you can utilize when it comes to nourishing your mind, body, and spirit because you are being immersed in the present moment. And that is what you will want to do during the holiday season. Pay attention to your feelings without changing or judging them. Just be aware and allow yourself to have these emotions. Are you angry, annoyed, sad, or anxious? Or are you happy, content, or hopeful? Pay attention to how you feel so you can observe your position and your breathing and find out where in your body you are holding the stress. You can do a body scan and find out how to calm yourself.

Maybe all you need is to take a walk or eat something nourishing. Especially if you are having a conflict with someone. That is why mindfulness is important because you will see what you need during the present moment to feel better. It is easy to get caught up in worrying about what could go wrong in the future or dredging up something that upset you from the past and causing you to stress over that during the holidays on top of the other issues causing tension. Therefore, practicing mindfulness is the best way to cope and a great form of self-care.

Embrace The Imperfections

Imagine hosting a holiday meal with family and friends, and then the next thing you know, you have a roast in the oven, and you leave it in a little longer than planned. Therefore, you unintentionally burn some of the roast, and then you understandably become upset. Therefore, in this incident, even though most of the roast is fine, you are extremely upset by burning part of the roast, which affects the ideal dinner you want to serve your friends and family. And you are upset by this situation. Not only has it added extra stress to you, but it has caused you to become irritable and caused you not to enjoy the concept of having your friends and family around for the holidays.

Therefore, the message here is to embrace imperfections that will happen during the holidays, whether you are the one who is hosting a party if you are attending a party, or if you accidentally rip the gift paper you use to wrap a gift, misbehaving children, or a drink spilling. The list can go on what could go wrong, in your eyes, during the holidays are endless. How do you keep your mind, body, and spirit protected during this time? Firstly, you must adjust your expectations and realize that not everything will go as planned. You cannot stop these unsavory incidents from emerging during the holidays.

The best thing you can do to keep your mind, body, and spirit healthy during the holidays is to embrace imperfection and look at it from another perspective. The things that can go wrong as long as no one’s life is at stake during the holidays can become a laughable moment and become a funny memory. If you have crying kids, instead of allowing that to stress you during the holidays, look at it as even though they are not behaving in the way you wished, you are spending precious time with them, something that not everyone can experience. Embrace the imperfections that happen!

• How To Self-Care According To Your Zodiac Sign

Plan Out What You Eat

There is a reason that weight loss and gyms advertise heavily after the holidays, and it is a known fact that many people overindulge and gain a lot of holiday weight from eating foods they usually do not eat much of during other times of the year. However, if you want to enjoy yourself and not deprive yourself of delicious holiday foods such as cookies, chocolates, cakes, stuffing, pasta, casseroles, etc. (as you should not), eat them in moderation and focus on eating healthy meals.

For instance, if you know you are going to a holiday dinner party with many unhealthy foods, plan it out. Eat two healthy meals earlier in the day with a lot of vegetables, protein, healthy fats, and other sources of fiber. That will not only nourish you but keep you satiated enough for hours. Therefore, you will eat fewer highly caloric foods at the dinner party, and that means you will be eating them in moderation. Consequently, you can enjoy yourself, but within reason. Deprivation does not work. It can lead to binging, and deprivation is not good for the mind, body, and spirit.

Stay Consistent With Your Sleep Cycle

One thing that causes a lot of imbalances to people during the holiday season is that they tend to stay up very late, and that can cause them to wake up much later than they usually do, or they end up getting four to five hours of sleep, at best, if they have to be up for their kids. The best thing you can do to help keep your mind, body, and spirit healthy is to ensure your sleep cycle is as consistent as usual. That means going to bed at the same time each night as you do at other times of the year and waking up at the same time. Get at least six hours of good quality sleep and at most nine hours unless your health is poor and you require more sleep. Don’t stay up too late if you go to a holiday party, and there is nothing wrong with leaving earlier than everyone else, so you make your health a priority.

You also don’t want to drink any adult beverages too late and anything that is highly caffeinated past 2 p.m. And if you are juiced up from having so many activities earlier in the day at night, spend time meditating before bed, and keep your room as dark as possible while putting away any gadgets and turning off the TV at least a half-hour before heading to bed.

• Best Self-Care Tips For Women Of Each Zodiac Sign

Ensure You Remain Active

A great way to ward off stress is to keep active. If you have had a stressful day and you forgot to stay mindful in the midst of it, the worst thing you can do is sit back down and watch TV. That will cause you to ruminate, and being sedentary for too long is not good for your mind, body, and spirit. That is why you will want to stay active by taking walks or hitting the gym. Only some people want to join a gym, which is a personal choice.

Gym memberships can be expensive, the gym atmosphere is not always a fit, and driving somewhere further away to work out is something only some people want to do. And if the gym is not your thing, that is fine, but ensure you square time during the day to stay active. If the weather allows you to walk, take a brisk walk outside. Or, you can get physically busy with an activity at home if the weather does not allow it. If you have some gym equipment at home, take advantage of it. Exercise for at least a half-hour a day, and you will see how much you feel better after doing a workout or taking a brisk walk after a busy or stressful time.

The holidays are a stressful time for people, especially for those who have had a challenging year. Even if they have not, it can be stressful because it is the hustle and bustle time of year when so many people are rushing to shop for gifts, have holiday parties and gift exchanges, and it is a time when you engage with many people, which can impact your energy. The only thing you can do to reduce your stress levels is by doing what you can to nurture your mind, body, and spirit during the holidays. That means practicing mindfulness, eating well by sticking to healthy eating and eating fun foods in moderation, staying active, getting your sleep, and embracing imperfections. Enjoy the holidays, and take excellent care of yourself as you do.

The post How To Keep Your Mind, Body, And Spirit Healthy During The Holidays appeared first on askAstrology.

Aries: shades of red and fiery colors

Ruled by the planet Mars, this fire sign is suited for all shades of red. If you have Aries in your big three then it’s likely that you have naturally red or strawberry blonde hair, but if you don’t then this might be the perfect switch to make to your look in order to bring out your natural beauty. Incorporate pops of red and warm tones to give your style a powerful boost!

Taurus: shades of light green

As an earth sign it’s a no brainer that shades of green will look and feel best on you. Taurus sun, moon and risings feel their best when wearing lighter shades of green such as avocado green, lime green or pale green. Even if you’re more of a sleek all black or neutral tone wearing Taurus, you’ll still want to incorporate a flash of green with nail polish, a belt, sunglasses, etc. in order to bring forth your grounded power on a day-to-day basis.

Gemini: shades of yellow and other bright colors

Geminis are as bright and bubbly, just like the color yellow! This is a color that inspires happiness and curiosity, which is the perfect vibe for this Mercury ruled air sign. Yellow tends to look incredible on those with a darker skin tone, so those with a paler pallor may want to invite other bright colors into their wardrobe such as lime green, neon pink or bright blue. Once you find the color that pops and brings out your natural charm and pizazz, don’t be afraid to be bold with your fashion choices because Gemini’s are not here to blend into the crowd!

• How Your Fashion Style Is Linked To Your Zodiac Sign

Cancer: silver and white neutrals

Cancers are ruled by the moon, which is why silver looks so incredible on them. Of course, silver jewelry is an easy and effective way to imbue any outfit with your lunar powers, but you should also incorporate white, gray, and any other light neutrals. Flowy and ethereal styles look great on you as well, so give wide legged pants, linens and bell sleeves a try if you want to lean into your Cancerian side and the power of intuition it brings.

Leo: gold

Leos are ruled by the sun, so naturally gold looks incredible on this fire sign. If you’re a Leo sun, moon or rising then you should absolutely invite more gold into your personal style. Big and bold gold jewelry looks incredible on every Leo, but there’s another “color” that always seems to bring out the bombastic and bright energy of a Leo… animal print. Yes, as any Leo knows, animal prints like cheetah and zebra are included in the color wheel! Whether it’s a jacket, a shoe, a belt or your glasses frames, animal prints bring out your powerful leadership energy.

Virgo: white and neutrals

Something Virgos don’t get enough credit for is their timeless fashion sense. Virgos aren’t as flashy as the Leos and Libras that bookend them, but they do have an eye for earthy beauty that is hard to replicate. Flowy and elegant white and light colored neutral shades really highlight your ethereal qualities, but try to stick with clean lines and avoid busy prints. You’re going to look and feel your best when your closet is filled with solid colors and basic styles, it’s your own powerful energy that can make a basic piece feel and look spectacular!

Libra: pinks and reds

Libra is the air sign that rules over our romantic nature, so naturally shades of pink and red tend to look quite stunning on Libra sun, moon and risings. No one catches the eye quite as much in a little red dress as a Libra, but something more subtle like a pink pair of socks hiding under your business suit can still have a similar effect. While reds and pinks can often feel like a POP, adding more of these colors into your wardrobe actually adds a softening effect which aids you in being a better moderator.

• Your Best Hair Style Based On Your Zodiac Sign

Scorpio: black

Black is flattering on everyone, but there is something magical that happens when a Scorpio sun, moon or rising dons their all black attire. This water sign is ruled by the planet Pluto, the planet farthest away from us here on Earth which has a deep power of transformation. Black helps Scorpios rise up from the ashes and find their own power and strength in the day to day hustle and bustle of life.

Sagittarius: orange

Orange is a color that inspires creativity and excitement, two qualities that are inherent in any Sagittarius sun, moon or rising. There is a certain joie de vivre that this fire sign has for most aspects of life and orange is the color which best expresses it–certainly no one knows how to have a good time quite like Sagittarius! So try adding some more orange into your wardrobe in order to invite more of your fearless and free Sagittarius energy into your life.

Capricorn: gray

Capricorn suns are born right smack dab in the middle of winter time here in the northern hemisphere, but regardless of whether or not the skies are gray during your birthday, anyone with a Capricorn sun, moon or rising is going to feel their best in the many shades of the gray winter sky. Whether it’s a tasteful blazer, a killer pantsuit, a cocktail dress, or a muted manicure, Capricorns can make this sometimes dull color sparkle and shine with their steely glare and wicked sense of humor.

Aquarius: shades of blue, especially dark and electric blue

Aquarian people are known for turning heads with their wild and off beat fashions, so it’s interesting to know that their power color is blue–the most common favorite color! All shades of blue are going to be flattering for these trend setters, but dark blues and electric blues are going to give you the most power. Try dying your hair super dark almost black blue, or try rocking a funky blue pair of glasses. Don’t be afraid to take a risk when it comes to fashion, it’s what Aquarius sun, moon, risings do!

• Color Psychology: How Do Colors Affect Mood & Emotions?

Pisces: greens and blues

Pisces is ruled by the planet Neptune and, as the last sign of the zodiac, there is a dreamy, otherworldly quality to these water signs. Colors that inspire the weird and wonderful world of the ocean are best suited for Pisces sun, moon and risings, which is why shades of green and blue are Pisces power colors. You’ll look particularly riveting with seafoam green or turquoise hair!

The post Dress to Impress: Which Color Looks Best for Your Zodiac Sign? appeared first on askAstrology.

Aries: shades of red and fiery colors

Ruled by the planet Mars, this fire sign is suited for all shades of red. If you have Aries in your big three then it’s likely that you have naturally red or strawberry blonde hair, but if you don’t then this might be the perfect switch to make to your look in order to bring out your natural beauty. Incorporate pops of red and warm tones to give your style a powerful boost!

Taurus: shades of light green

As an earth sign it’s a no brainer that shades of green will look and feel best on you. Taurus sun, moon and risings feel their best when wearing lighter shades of green such as avocado green, lime green or pale green. Even if you’re more of a sleek all black or neutral tone wearing Taurus, you’ll still want to incorporate a flash of green with nail polish, a belt, sunglasses, etc. in order to bring forth your grounded power on a day-to-day basis.

Gemini: shades of yellow and other bright colors

Geminis are as bright and bubbly, just like the color yellow! This is a color that inspires happiness and curiosity, which is the perfect vibe for this Mercury ruled air sign. Yellow tends to look incredible on those with a darker skin tone, so those with a paler pallor may want to invite other bright colors into their wardrobe such as lime green, neon pink or bright blue. Once you find the color that pops and brings out your natural charm and pizazz, don’t be afraid to be bold with your fashion choices because Gemini’s are not here to blend into the crowd!

• How Your Fashion Style Is Linked To Your Zodiac Sign

Cancer: silver and white neutrals

Cancers are ruled by the moon, which is why silver looks so incredible on them. Of course, silver jewelry is an easy and effective way to imbue any outfit with your lunar powers, but you should also incorporate white, gray, and any other light neutrals. Flowy and ethereal styles look great on you as well, so give wide legged pants, linens and bell sleeves a try if you want to lean into your Cancerian side and the power of intuition it brings.

Leo: gold

Leos are ruled by the sun, so naturally gold looks incredible on this fire sign. If you’re a Leo sun, moon or rising then you should absolutely invite more gold into your personal style. Big and bold gold jewelry looks incredible on every Leo, but there’s another “color” that always seems to bring out the bombastic and bright energy of a Leo… animal print. Yes, as any Leo knows, animal prints like cheetah and zebra are included in the color wheel! Whether it’s a jacket, a shoe, a belt or your glasses frames, animal prints bring out your powerful leadership energy.

Virgo: white and neutrals

Something Virgos don’t get enough credit for is their timeless fashion sense. Virgos aren’t as flashy as the Leos and Libras that bookend them, but they do have an eye for earthy beauty that is hard to replicate. Flowy and elegant white and light colored neutral shades really highlight your ethereal qualities, but try to stick with clean lines and avoid busy prints. You’re going to look and feel your best when your closet is filled with solid colors and basic styles, it’s your own powerful energy that can make a basic piece feel and look spectacular!

Libra: pinks and reds

Libra is the air sign that rules over our romantic nature, so naturally shades of pink and red tend to look quite stunning on Libra sun, moon and risings. No one catches the eye quite as much in a little red dress as a Libra, but something more subtle like a pink pair of socks hiding under your business suit can still have a similar effect. While reds and pinks can often feel like a POP, adding more of these colors into your wardrobe actually adds a softening effect which aids you in being a better moderator.

• Your Best Hair Style Based On Your Zodiac Sign

Scorpio: black

Black is flattering on everyone, but there is something magical that happens when a Scorpio sun, moon or rising dons their all black attire. This water sign is ruled by the planet Pluto, the planet farthest away from us here on Earth which has a deep power of transformation. Black helps Scorpios rise up from the ashes and find their own power and strength in the day to day hustle and bustle of life.

Sagittarius: orange

Orange is a color that inspires creativity and excitement, two qualities that are inherent in any Sagittarius sun, moon or rising. There is a certain joie de vivre that this fire sign has for most aspects of life and orange is the color which best expresses it–certainly no one knows how to have a good time quite like Sagittarius! So try adding some more orange into your wardrobe in order to invite more of your fearless and free Sagittarius energy into your life.

Capricorn: gray

Capricorn suns are born right smack dab in the middle of winter time here in the northern hemisphere, but regardless of whether or not the skies are gray during your birthday, anyone with a Capricorn sun, moon or rising is going to feel their best in the many shades of the gray winter sky. Whether it’s a tasteful blazer, a killer pantsuit, a cocktail dress, or a muted manicure, Capricorns can make this sometimes dull color sparkle and shine with their steely glare and wicked sense of humor.

Aquarius: shades of blue, especially dark and electric blue

Aquarian people are known for turning heads with their wild and off beat fashions, so it’s interesting to know that their power color is blue–the most common favorite color! All shades of blue are going to be flattering for these trend setters, but dark blues and electric blues are going to give you the most power. Try dying your hair super dark almost black blue, or try rocking a funky blue pair of glasses. Don’t be afraid to take a risk when it comes to fashion, it’s what Aquarius sun, moon, risings do!

• Color Psychology: How Do Colors Affect Mood & Emotions?

Pisces: greens and blues

Pisces is ruled by the planet Neptune and, as the last sign of the zodiac, there is a dreamy, otherworldly quality to these water signs. Colors that inspire the weird and wonderful world of the ocean are best suited for Pisces sun, moon and risings, which is why shades of green and blue are Pisces power colors. You’ll look particularly riveting with seafoam green or turquoise hair!

The post Dress to Impress: Which Color Looks Best for Your Zodiac Sign? appeared first on askAstrology.

In this guide, I will talk about how the Sagittarian spirit, with its unique challenges and joys, can embark on a fulfilling quest for self-love, finding balance between the wild call of adventure and the quiet, nurturing spaces within.

Balancing Adventure with Inner Peace

In your eyes, life is never boring, it’s an adventure to be experienced. You are never dull or inactive and your soul yearns for adventure and the unknown. However, in this pursuit to keep on moving, there is need for introspection and self-care. You should learn to incorporate peace into your adventurous life.

Think of self-care as an internal journey, an exploration of your own depths. Integrating practices such as mindful meditation, quiet nature walks, or reflective journaling can help you discover peace from within. This balance allows you to enjoy your adventures fully while nurturing your inner world, enhancing your journey towards self-love and understanding.

Want to know how your beauty routine can make you feel more confident? Read about beauty practices for self love and empowerment here.

The Sagittarius Dilemma

To you, life is an exhilarating journey across uncharted territories, filled with the promise of endless adventure and discovery. Nonetheless, the need to be free and experience new things often overshadows the internal journey. Your active vitality, like a wild river, heads swiftly toward new goals, but in doing so it may miss the quiet ponds of reflection and renewal.

The challenge to you is to pass through this huge, magnificent territory that is the landscape of life without losing your calling for your inner world. It’s all about a fine line between the uncharted wilderness of the external Universe and the bottomless unknown elements within your soul.

Freedom and Self-Discovery

Your soul is the fire of curiosity and wanderlust. Go explore this fiery essence with solo voyages that are epic journeys where you discover yourself. Imagine wandering through ancient cities, where every cobblestone whispers stories, or hiking in the wilderness where the only sound is the rhythm of your heartbeat. Such trips are your ‘mirrors’ that clearly show the zenith of your daring soul.

What about the hobbies that make you feel alive? Each of them can prove an effective way of expressing yourself, like archery that echoes your zodiac symbol, to some outdoor activities like rock climbing or horse riding. Or you could experiment with photography or paint your experiences, endowing it with your spirit, or you might be interested in astrology and assimilate the stars into your personal experiences.

New hobbies, separate journeys, each of them is a step into undiscovered territories of your soul. They are opportunities to learn, to grow, to fall in love with every aspect of yourself. In embracing these adventures, you’re uncovering the vast, untamed wilderness within, and what could be more thrilling than discovering the true depths of your own spirit?

• Who is your Ruling Goddess Based on your Zodiac Sign?

Connecting with Your Inner Archer

Your spirit could fly as high as the sky and plunge as deep as the ocean. Mindfulness can be the anchor for you in your ceaseless quest for knowledge and adventure. Try to practices like yoga, which do not only suit your energetic nature but also provide space for soul searching.

Maybe immerse into meditation, like a kind of guided meditation where you must visualize some fantastic country or alien world. Recall the self through the simple acts such as walking mindfully in nature, with each step constituting a connection with the earth and the present moment.  This mindful exploration is not about stilling your fiery spirit, but about channeling it into a deeper understanding of yourself and the universe around you.

Mindful Yoga For Embracing the Sagittarian Energy

Yoga is more than just another chore. For you, it is a wholesome adventure of body and spirit. Imagine your yoga session to be your playground, and the dynamic forms of Vinyasa or Ashtanga are your roads to discovery. Each movement, each breath is a bold step into uncharted territories of strength and self-awareness. As you move from one posture to another, you’re not just stretching your limbs, you’re broadening the boundaries of your internal self, uniting your passion for physical exploration with the serenity of meditative contemplation.

Guided Meditation Journey for Exploring Philosophical Depths

Your philosophical soul craves more than just earthly travels, it craves vast journeying through the universe. Your spaceship can be guided meditations which will take you to the most remote galaxies or to the great knowledge of the world. Picture a meditation journey to the stars or a plunge into ancient lost lands. These voyages are explorations of the universe within you, aligning with your thirst for knowledge and the thrill of the unknown. So, in this quiet vastness of your mind, you’ll discover profound insights and deeper connections with the universe.

Self-Care Practices Aligned With Sagittarius Energy

Align your self-care to your fiery and adventurous energy. Choose energizing pursuits that become an outlet for your need to investigate. Introduce nature activities into your physical workout, like hiking or bike touring. Practice mindfulness outside, so that the greenspace will help increase the sense of peacefulness within.

Another type of self-care may involve cultural exploration. Go to new exhibitions, taste different food, learn new philosophies. Such activities satisfy your demand for adventure and knowledge.

There is a difference between self-care and self-love. Learn more about Sagittarius self care practices in this article.

Outdoor Adventure Workouts For Embracing Nature’s Energy

For you Sagittarius, self-care is best when there is a sense of an adventure in it. Try spending time in nature, going hiking, running the trail, and even doing yoga in the open sky. Each step, each breath in the fresh air isn’t just exercise; it’s a celebration of your connection with nature. Feel the earth beneath your feet, the sun on your skin, and the wind in your hair. Here is the place you get charged up, find calm in the cadence of nature, and draw power from its inexhaustible resources.

1. Select Your Adventure: Choose an activity that calls to your wild heart. Perhaps a forest trail run or a mountain hike.
2. Gear Up for the Wild: Equip yourself appropriately. Get comfortable shoes for running, secure gear for climbing.
3. Breathe In Nature: As you begin, deeply inhale the fresh air, feeling the energy of the wilderness.
4. Challenge and Explore: Push yourself to new limits, discover hidden trails or climb higher peaks.
5. Mindful Connection: Pause to truly connect with your surroundings, feel the earth, listen to the wind.
6. Nature’s Cool Down: End with a gentle yoga session under the sky or simply relax and watch the horizon.
7. Reflect on Your Wild Journey: Afterward, think about the challenges you overcame and the exhilaration you felt.

• Well-Being Activities to Energize Your Body and Soul

Cultural Exploration is A Feast For the Sagittarian Soul.

Try walking through museums, taste different foods from new destinations. Go to a music festival or attend a showing of a foreign film. Each of these experiences is a mosaic of the world’s rich tapestry, offering you a feast of knowledge and sensory delight. Self-care for you is not mere relaxation, it’s widening your horizons, feeding your perpetually hungry spirit, and appreciation of multi-colored beauty in the world.

1. Choose Your Cultural Experience: Whether it’s a local art exhibit, an international cuisine night, or a cultural music festival.
2. Immerse Yourself in Preparation: Read about the artists, the cuisine’s origin, or the history behind the music.
3. Fully Engage Your Senses: Taste every flavor, observe every color, listen to each note.
4. Learn and Grow: Seek to understand the story behind each experience, opening your mind to different worldviews.
5. Capture the Essence: Keep a journal or a photo diary to capture these cultural moments.
6. Share and Enrich: Discuss your experiences with others, exchanging views and insights.
7. Contemplate Your Cultural Path: Reflect on how each experience has enriched your understanding and connection to the world, fostering a deeper appreciation for its diverse beauty.

If you want to know more, read our article about 12 self-love tips and tricks to make you smile.

Harnessing Optimism for Self-Growth

Your optimistic nature is not just a characteristic; it’s a lively voyage in itself that pushes you towards self-improvement with every stride. The amazing thing about this unsaddled optimism is it transforms stumbling blocks into stepping-stones along your road of self-discovery.

You are the hero of your own story with challenges as plot twists to great discoveries. Your optimistic and level-headed predisposition makes you plunge into the experiences that life offers and gather wisdom and joy from them. This is a flame that does not just light up the dark corners of doubt; it is a flame that burns through the heart, that kindles the soul and that reinvigorates the body.

Throughout this journey, every setback is an opportunity, and every success is a testament to your unconquerable will. Taking such a perspective, the voyage of self-love is an adventurous expedition where every obstacle is faced with a grin and every triumph adds up to your experiencing of miracles.

Deepening Self-Love Through Understanding

Being a seeker of truth and wisdom, your journey to self-love is inherently entrenched in philosophy and spirituality. Your nature pushes you to want to know the deeper sides of life. This is not just about collecting knowledge; it is a journey to the core of your being. It is about scratching below your skin to expose the bare essence of who you are.

Upon your exploration of various philosophies, you realize to your surprise, that you get a glimpse of yourself in all the teachings. Exploring new philosophies is not a smooth trip all the way and necessitates that you face challenging and uncomfortable truths, question long-held beliefs, and sometimes accept that there are no clear answers to many things in life. However, in the exploration and questioning of yourself, you develop a true sense of self-love. This self-love stems from understanding and accepting yourself in all your complexity, as a being driven by both instinct and intellect, bound to the earth yet always reaching for the stars.

Conclusion

As a Sagittarius, at some point you will come to realize that self-love is an act of liberating yourself to chase the freedom your heart desires. Your path toward loving yourself is unique, it’s exciting, maybe a bit stressful at times, but one thing you can bank on, is that it is as colorful and inspiring as you. Your journey does not involve candlelit baths with fancy oils, or a shopping spree buying designer clothes. While these methods can help for some zodiac signs, for you, the only way to feel happy in your skin is to chase your sense of adventure and exploration you have been naturally born with.

If you want to know more about the Sagittarius zodiac sign, we have written a Little Handbook for the Sagittarius Sign

The post The Ultimate Self-Love Guide for Sagittarius Zodiac Sign appeared first on askAstrology.

The first thing to remember is not to feel guilty as you need to work or you have other reasons you cannot spend too much time with your pet all of the time. If you want to spend more meaningful time with your furry baby, consider incorporating rituals into the daily lives of your pet.

The Importance of Pet Rituals

Why not consider incorporating a pet ritual daily? That will banish your guilt about not spending enough time with your dog or cat.  Some excellent pet rituals include blessing ceremonies, meditation with your pet, or honoring your furry baby during seasonal celebrations. Those are some examples of rituals you can utilize with your pet to develop an esoteric connection and mutual understanding with your pet.

When you develop an esoteric connection with your pet, you can communicate with your pet better telepathically. That means you will intuitively sense what your pet needs from you. For example, you will immediately know why your pet is restless because it is hungry even though they had their full meal for the day.

You don’t want to overfeed them so that you can give them a few treats. Or, if your pet seems depressed, you will immediately know that they are not sick but bored, so there is no anxiety about having to take them to the vet. You will find an activity with them instead, such as playing fetch. Now, let’s discuss some rituals you can do with your pet, starting with meditation.

• 10 Mental Health Benefits of Pets

Meditation With Your Pet

One potent daily ritual you can do with pets is meditation. Meditating with your pet can help you center yourself better for the practice. You may wonder why meditation would be necessary for animals since humans don’t have complex thoughts, but the practice can also benefit them since it will be very calming. Not to mention, meditation for your pet can boost their moods.

How can you do it? You will want to find a comfortable place in your home without distractions and bring your pet. You can use calming ambient music in the background or follow a guided meditation.

As you meditate and begin your breathwork, your pet will energetically feel the calmness from the session and center themselves with you. While you meditate, stroke your pet, which will add to the calmness of the session for both of you. If you meditate with your pet for 15 minutes daily, you will develop an extraordinary and unbreakable bond where you will telepathically communicate. You can find many guided meditations for your dog or cat on YouTube.

While you can meditate daily with your pet to build an esoteric connection with them, consider pet blessing ceremonies.

• 4 Zodiac Signs That Are Cat People

Pet Blessing Ceremonies

When you think of pet blessing ceremonies, you may immediately think of the religious ceremony of honoring your pets in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. But what if you are not Catholic or follow any organized religion, meaning that blessing your pet would not apply to you? The good news is that you can follow any religion and bless your pets. Suppose you do follow a religion, but you are not Catholic. In that case, your local church, synagogue, temple, or mosque will hold pet blessing ceremonies, as you will want to follow the news from their newsletter about upcoming pet blessing ceremonies.

However, you can conduct your pet blessing ceremony at home. You can do this daily as well. There is no wrong or right way to perform a pet blessing ceremony. You can conduct it at any time of the day, and it will only last for a few minutes. Before bed is an excellent time to do a pet blessing ceremony. An idea for one is placing your pet in front of you and reciting a prayer or an affirmation. Give thanks to your Higher Power or the Universe for providing you with the pets that bring you happiness and for them being your teacher by teaching you the value of unconditional love.

After you recite your prayer or affirmation, you can give your beloved pet a small treat (unless you choose to do the ceremony before bed). You can add something more to a pet blessing ritual or leave it as reciting a prayer or affirmation with your pet. Pet blessing ceremonies are excellent for strengthening your bond with them, and your pet will intuitively know that you are blessing them, which will also deepen your connection with your pet. You can also honor your pets during seasonal celebrations.

• Learn more about the Spirit of the Dog

Honoring Your Pets During Seasonal Celebrations

There are so many ways to honor your pets during seasonal celebrations. For starters, if you celebrate the eight Sabbats, whether pagan or not, you already know that feasts are associated with them. Therefore, you can include your beloved pet while feasting. While they are eating their pet food, you are enjoying yours. That is one easy way to do that.

Another way you can honor your pets during seasonal celebrations is by taking photographs with them. For example, place the seasonal eggs in a basket next to your pet for Ostara, take a picture, and frame it. Will your pet know you honor them by taking their pictures during seasonal celebrations? No, but they will intuitively know you are honoring them in your presence, which means everything to them.

Always take them on seasonal outings. For example, if you are celebrating the beginning of spring, take them for walks (even if you have a cat, you can do this) and talk to them about the changing season from winter to spring. Tell your pet your goals for spring and what you want to let go of that you held onto during the winter, for example. Talk to your pets about anything as you celebrate each new season. You may not think they understand, but animals are intuitive, which means, on some level, they do, and their presence is bringing you their support.

Another thing you can do is create your pet’s own altar for Sabbat celebrations. You have your altar and create one for them. You can use a stool, place a cloth over it with some crystals, and use colors associated with the Sabbat you are celebrating. For example, if you are celebrating Yule, have a cloth that is either red or green and place it over a stool, which would be your pet’s altar with the crystals and other items for Yule, such as small wreaths.

Those are some ways that you can honor your pet during seasonal celebrations. That will only enhance your connection with your pet, and even if your pet, on a conscious level, does not understand what you are doing, on a subconscious level, they do! It makes them feel wonderful!

• The Ideal Dog Breed For Your Zodiac Sign

Play With Your Pets Daily

One of the best ways to strengthen your bond with your pet is not necessarily an esoteric way, but one that your pet will love, and that is always to square away time to play with them. Yes, you may be busy with your family and work, but if you have a pet, you do owe it to them to spend special time with them, and playing with them will give them so many benefits. You can play fetch, frisbee, run around in the home, or if the weather permits, in the yard, etc.

Once again, you will develop a powerful bond with your pet by playing with them. When you play with them, they get the attention and love they need, which will also improve their behavior and help them feel secure, and they will trust you. You also become their source of happiness, and that is what you want.

There are so many ways you can honor your pet through spiritual rituals to strengthen the spiritual bond with your pet. You may be busy with other responsibilities, whether working or managing your family, which will determine how much you can spend time with your pet. However, it is essential to square away time to spend with your pet so you can develop a special bond, and it is essential for their mental health. That is also why you will want pet rituals, including meditating with your pet, having pet blessing ceremonies, and honoring your pet during seasonal celebrations. Your pet is your special companion, and you want to create a special bond with them.

The post The Power of Pet Rituals: Strengthening the Spiritual Bond with Your Furry Friends appeared first on askAstrology.

However, what scent is ideal for you? In honor of Candle Day, on December 3rd, established by Bath & Body Works in 2013, let’s go over the perfect candle scent for your zodiac sign (whether it may be your sun, moon, or rising sign).

Aries – Ash

Aries has a fiery energy, and the ideal candle scent would be one that will keep Aries invigorated. That is why ash-scented candles are ideal, as one great brand for that is Boy Smells. The ash-scented candle has a smoky aroma, and there is a small aspect of a juniper berry aroma to balance the scent. The ideal candle will burn for over two days to keep those with this fiery sign to stay active and energized. It can be easy for Aries to go into a slump during the colder seasons, and this scented candle will help to stop that from happening.

Taurus – Orange Blossom

Taurus is highly sensual, so the ideal scent should be enjoyable and not overwhelming. Also, the fragrance should help keep the Taurus grounded, which is why orange blossom is perfect for those with this sign. Taurus will appreciate this aroma as it will keep the association with nature and earth for them. Taurus needs to have this candle lit when they cannot spend time outdoors if the weather does not make it possible or easy. Therefore, this candle scent will help keep them grounded when they cannot spend time outdoors.

Gemini – Ylang Ylang

Gemini is in constant need of socialization and intellectual stimulation. However, it is easy for those with this sign to become overstimulated and nervous. That nervousness can turn into sleep struggles, worsening Gemini’s state of mind. Therefore, the ideal candle scent for those with this sign is Ylang Ylang, and the reason for that is that it can help soothe anxiety, stress, and tension and bring relaxation to a busy mind. It can also promote sleep.

Therefore, if Gemini feels overwhelmed with too many thoughts after being online, reading the news, talking to people, or learning new facts, they should keep this candle around to help promote calmness.

• How To Relax And Unwind Based On Your Sign

Cancer – Coconut

Cancer is emotional and sentimental and values home and family. Those with the sign enjoy this time of year only because they spend more time at home and love being home with their family. However, the cold weather can still get them down, and they will need a pick-me-up for the perfect scented candle. Therefore, the coconut-scented candle would be a great fit for those with this sign because it is calming and provides a fragrance that mimics baked goods, especially if there is a hint of vanilla. And nothing can beat that aroma when finding comfort at home.

Leo – Lemon

Leo wants to be full of life and is expressive and creative. Therefore, any fragrance that brings out their sunny side is ideal, as the cold weather and long nights can dampen their joyful side. Any citrus-scented candle would be good for Leo, especially lemon-scented fragrances. A hint of sandalwood fragrance can help brighten up the environment. Therefore, if Leo feels glum because the weather is too cold to spend time outdoors, and it is a dark and gloomy day, then a lemon-scented candle can rescue and help restore Leo’s joy.

Virgo – Vetiver

Virgo is analytical and service, health, and work-oriented. Because Virgo can be too analytical, leading to obsessive thinking and nervousness, which is why a calming scent is ideal. However, because Virgo is an earth sign, an earthy scent would be best, and the vetiver-scented candle would be perfect for those with this sign. It has a woody scent, and it is considered to be warm and dry. It is the ideal scent for Virgo to help ground them when they become lost in their thoughts from being overly analytical. Being cooped up indoors can affect them during the cold weather.

Libra – Floral

Libra values balance in every area of life, so they come off as diplomatic and want peace. Those with this sign desire relationships, as they do not like to be alone, but they also clam up if there is a conflict in the air, as Libras avoid it. The bottom line is that a Libra is not in good spirits if there is a lack of balance, and any floral-scented candles can help bring the balance within Libra that they crave. Any floral scent will do, especially rose-scented candles, which will help restore balance for Libra. That means Libra will want to grab floral-scented candles to light up at home or in the office when stressed or feeling imbalanced.

• Creating Magical Ambiance: How to Set the Mood for an Esoteric Date Night

Scorpio – Myrrh

Scorpio is mysterious, intense, and passionate, and private. Nothing excites Scorpio more than delving into the unknown, which is why they are attracted to anything mystical. Therefore, any scented candle with a magical aroma is ideal for Scorpio, such as myrrh. There is a mysterious element around myrrh-scented candles, as you can describe the aroma as smoky, spicy, and balsamic.

The aroma can help provide a calming environment, as that is what Scorpio needs, as they can sometimes be overly intense. However, nothing is more comforting to a Scorpio than having a dimly lit room with myrrh candles lit in the corners as it creates the esoteric setting that the Scorpio loves.

Sagittarius – Saffron

Sagittarius natives are those who have a strong sense of adventure and want to try new things with an optimistic point of view. You can best describe Sagittarius as passionate, driven, and passionate about travel. Many say that this fire sign is the gentlest of all, as Sagittarius can be direct and blunt, but most of the time, they do what they can to lift you up because of their optimistic nature.

Therefore, the best type of candle for Sagittarius would be one that gives off an intense aroma with a hint of sweetness, which is why the saffron-scented candle is great. It has a spicy aroma with a hint of honey, and it can invigorate Sagittarius if they are feeling glum because of the darkness and the cold. Even though Sagittarius is the type to look at the glass half-full, they still can get down, as they are human.

Capricorn – Chamomile

Capricorn is ambitious, goal-oriented, and hardworking and is the type that chooses work over fun. This can be problematic because that only causes them to become stressed, and the added darkness and cold from the winter approaching can cause Capricorn to be uptight and feel down.

Therefore, the ideal aroma for Capricorn would be chamomile, which is the candle they should grab to put around their home and office on challenging days. Chamomile has a scent that resembles citrus and apple, with a hint of spice and slight floral. The chamomile aroma can help soothe irritability, the mind, and the soul, as it can help anyone feel more zen. That is what Capricorn needs since they are constantly thinking of work.

• The Essential Oils that Every Household Needs!

Aquarius – Vanilla

Aquarius is progressive and can think far into the future, making them happy but also bringing on worry and exhaustion. Their humanitarian nature can contribute to this because if they see that there is a lack of peace and justice, then they will have a hard time not being able to be the ones to fix it. Still, they can attempt to donate or contribute to helping a cause dedicated to something that needs attention and setting in the world.

Aquarius does not like to accept their emotions, as this is common for air signs, but when they become too nervous and agitated, they can’t deny their emotions. That is why the vanilla-scented candle is ideal for them. Vanilla helps to promote calmness and can be mood-boosting. Vanilla-scented candles are what Aquarius should be keeping with them during the dark days of winter.

Pisces – Ocean

Pisces is a dreamer and is sensitive, intuitive, and creative. When it is cold and dark as winter approaches, this can be challenging for Pisces. That is because Pisces enjoys spending time outdoors as the outdoor energy can stimulate their imagination, so the ocean-scented candle would be a great fit for those with this sign.

The aroma from the ocean can bring them back to the beach and stimulate their imagination as they can do creative writing, create music, arts and crafts, or anything else they enjoy. Remember that Pisces is a water sign, which is also why they would find the ocean-scened aroma comforting.

Never underestimate the power of aromatherapy, which is why scented candles are popular and many people find them comforting. However, if you want to make the most of it, you will want to get the candle scent ideal for your sun, moon, or rising sign, as the scents may calm, invigorate, or stimulate your mind, body, and soul.  Bath & Body Works established Candle Day on December 3rd, the day to go candle shopping since winter is approaching, the coldest and darkest time of year. Therefore, you can stay upbeat and calm with the perfect fragrance coming from the candles.

The post Relax with Candle Scent That Fits You Based On Your Zodiac Sign appeared first on askAstrology.

However, there is one ancient divination practice that many people forget exists sometimes, which is tea leaf reading, which is also known as tasseography.

Let’s talk about its esoteric practice, the symbols and patterns in tea leaves, and how you can interpret them to gain insights into one’s life, destiny, and future. However, firstly, let’s delve into its history.

The History of Tasseography

When it comes to tasseomancy, it can involve reading coffee grounds in addition to tea leaves. However, most tea leaf readers stick to tea instead of coffee. The origins of tasseomancy are unknown. However, it is believed that medieval European fortune tellers began the practice by reading wax splatters. Slavic and Baltic countries started to pick up the practice, and fortune-tellers in those countries began to read coffee grounds and tea leaves to look into someone’s past, present, and future.

Then, in the 16th century, Ottoman Palaces began to have practitioners using tasseomancy, mainly using coffee grounds. However, in Arabic countries, at a future time, metaphysical workers picked up the use of tasseomancy, which spread to Asia and eventually the Western World. However, what tasseomancy readers did was when they were bored, they would drink coffee, read people’s fortunes by looking at the appearance of the grounds, and gossip to one another about it. Even though some of those practicing tasseomancy still use coffee grounds, it is most commonly used with tea leaves, which is likely because when the Romani people picked up the practice, they used that. Now, let’s discuss how tasseography works.

• 15 Different Forms of Divination

How Does Tasseography Work?

Tasseography is about directing energy the same way as other forms of divination are, which means when you focus your magical and esoteric intention on the tea leaves, they become energetic conduits that can represent your experiences, which includes those that have not yet happened, which is why tea leaf readings are popular when it comes to predicting the future based on the path you are taking.

When it comes to predicting the future, it is never set in stone because if you decide to change your path, your prediction will be different. That is the gift of free will. For example, if you are job hunting and two employers accept you after your interview but are still determining which one to select, you may need some extra insight. However, a more significant part of you is considering accepting company A over company B to work for, and you want to know if you are making the right decision by choosing to work for company A.

Therefore, you hire a tea leaf reader to ask them about your job experience if you decide to work for company A. Once the tea leaf reader does the reading, and the outcome of your working for that company does not appear to be an appealing experience, you may decide to look into working for company B.

If you have the tea leaf reader, do a reading to see the position of the tea leaves after you ask them to see how your experience working for company B would be. They say it appears more favorable, then that is the insight you need that will influence your decision to work for company B instead of A. That is why the future is always flexible because you have the free will to change your path if you don’t like how the outcome of the current one appears.

The way the mechanics of tasseography work, if you ask a question to the tea leaf reader or do a tea leaf reading yourself, the reader or you drink the tea (it has to be sipped in a specific way, which will be discussed a little later), and the leaves left will reveal your answers. The position of the leaves will show you hidden obstacles, offer insight, and show your future (based on your current path).

The shape of the wet leaves, color, density, and position give you esoteric messages. The position of the tea leaves shows themselves through symbols, and now let’s discuss how you can set the intention to do a proper tea leaf reading.

• Divination: Am I Ruled by Fate or Free Will?

How To Set The Intention To Do A Proper Tea Leaf Reading

The first thing you do when preparing for a tea leaf reading is make your cup of tea. You will want a white teacup or a light-colored one to see the leaves. Heat your water, and you will need loose tea leaves, as tea bags will not give you what you need to do the reading. The leaves in the tea bag are ground too finely, so they cannot create the symbols you need to see in the reading. If you are new to tasseography, the recommended leaves are the loose black tea leaves, but you want to ensure you find the flavor you like. The last thing you want to do is get tea leaves that don’t give off the flavor you enjoy.

Therefore, research what tea flavor would be ideal for you. Once you find the perfect tea leaves, you will want to put them right into the cup, and there is no need to worry about an infuser or a strainer. There is no need to steep since they are in the cup. After you heat your water, allow it to cool down and pour it into the cup. And while you wait for the water to cool down, focus on your query; that is how you can send your energy to the tea leaves.

As you pour water into the cup, focus on your question and make it as specific as possible. You do not want to ask a general question, or you will not get a concise answer from the tea leaves. Allow the water to cool more if you choose, but you can start sipping the tea if the temperature is comfortable. And as you consume, keep focusing on your question. Sip your tea until there is about a tablespoon of fluid left.

Once that little liquid is left, you will want to put the cup in your left hand if you drink it from the right. Begin to stir the contents in the remaining tea counter-clockwise three times. After that, with your left hand, slowly put the cup on the saucer upside down and leave it in that position for one minute. After that, turn the cup three times on the saucer before putting it back up while you put the handle in the southern position. Then, you will see the tea leaves in various shapes and masses on the bottom of the cup, providing the answers you want.

• Find out about various oracles used for divination

How Do You Identify Tea Leaf Symbols?

You may be confused about how to interpret the symbols that you see that the leaves are making for you. That is why you will want to get some books and other literature on how to read tea leaves so you know what the symbols mean, as there are many helpful tutorials online for you to use that tasseographers have created. For instance, there is one that lists 150 classic tea leaf symbols that can get you started, labeled Reading Tea Leaves.

However, know there will be five symbols, ranging from letters, numbers, items or structures, animals, and mythical entities. For example, if you see the leaves forming a bridge, then it signifies that you will have a favorable journey. However, if you see the leaves forming an image of a bull, it warns you that someone is slandering you. Once you understand the symbols, you will utilize your intuition to interpret the symbols you see based on the nature of your query. For example, if you are concerned about a coworker making trouble for you and you want to see what the tea leaves show, if you see a bull, then that is confirmation that a coworker is spreading harmful gossip about you in the workplace. Now, let’s review the cup parts and see what they signify.

What Is The Importance Of Each Part Of The Cup?

You may believe that the tea leaves compose all of the components of a tasseography reading. However, the areas of the cup are essential as well. Remember that the handle is the conduit of the energy coming from you to the answer you receive based on the position of the tea leaves. It does not matter if you are the one doing the reading yourself or if you are doing it for someone else. The cup handle is the energy conduit between you and the tea leaves.

If the tea leaves clump near the handle on the bottom of the cup, then it affects the querent’s immediate surroundings and internal issues. However, if the tea leaves clump across the handle, that represents external influences and issues. The cup has three sections for looking at the present, immediate future, and far future. The cup’s rim indicates what is presented in the tasseography reading is occurring right now. Therefore, if the leaves are at the rim, they show what you currently face. If the leaves end up at the sides of the cup, then what will happen will happen shortly.  If the leaves end up on the bottom, it represents what will happen in the far future.

There are other ways to look at the areas of the cup than timing. It can represent your connection to something, whether emotional or physical or how intense a situation is, as if the leaves end up on the rim. You are dealing with an extreme situation. Let’s do a sample reading.

Sample Tasseography Reading

If you are starting a business and want to know how it will turn out after creating a marketing plan, you can consult your tea leaves for a reading. Therefore, you prepare the tea and focus on the question, “Will my business be successful after I execute my current marketing plan?” After you sip your tea, leave a little liquid behind, stir the contents, flip over the cup, and do your reading.

You find that the clump of tea leaves forms the symbol of a cow, and it is all at the bottom. Therefore, the cow represents prosperity, and if it is on the bottom of the cup, it will happen further in the future.  Therefore, that is a promising reading, which will be motivating to keep up with the marketing efforts.

Try tasseography or tea leaf readings if you want a new divination method. Fortune tellers in Eastern Europe and in Arabic countries have been using this method to predict the future for centuries. It is easy to learn as many tasseography resources online and books will teach you the meanings of the symbols that the tea leaves in the cup make. It is easy to do; you will need to use tea leaves but not from tea bags, and no steeping is involved.

You pour the leaves into the cup, and as you heat the water, focus on your question and make it as specific as possible. Once you begin to sip your tea, focus on your question while doing your ritual before you do the reading. Once you do the reading, you can learn what to expect in your future based on your specific path. The bonus of a tasseography reading is that you will nourish yourself with calming tea.

The post The Esoteric Art of Tea Leaf Reading: Unlocking Hidden Messages in Your Cup appeared first on askAstrology.

Some ceremonies and rituals have become popular, and it is customary to practice them daily as you may have some sacred rituals for the morning or have them before bed. You may not realize that you perform these rituals when you do your everyday activities, but you often do without realizing it. The more you perform your daily rituals while doing mundane activities, the more spiritual you will become, bringing you peace. Let’s discuss how you can incorporate sacred rituals into daily routines to promote mindfulness, intention-setting, and connection with the divine.

What is a Sacred Ritual?

A sacred ritual is a series of actions performed in a prescribed order during a ceremony or religious service. In addition to songs, dances, offerings, performances, and gestures, they involve a variety of practices and symbols. Repeatedly and voluntarily, people will perform them at specific times and places. Prayers are also everyday sacred rituals that people do before they eat, go to bed, or do something else that gives them a reason to pray as it helps them connect with their Higher Power.

You have to remember that everything around you is sacred. You are blessed, your friends and family are, your food is sacred, and your home is sacred. Even your work, whether you like it or not, is sacred. So once you remember that everything around you is sacred, you will have a much easier time remembering to do those rituals more often.

Let’s now distinguish between a sacred ritual and a ceremony. For example, if you do a custom spring or fall cleaning, that is a ceremony. In addition to using symbols, ceremonies follow a specific protocol and follow specific conduct rules. Therefore, ceremonies usually last a lot longer than rituals. Now that you know what sacred rituals are, let’s discuss how you can use them daily to become more mindful and spiritual and use them to set intentions.

Even if you do some sacred rituals daily, let’s discuss how you can incorporate them into mundane activities because each time you do a sacred ritual, it only helps you connect more with the divine. It is good for your mind, body, and soul.

• Practicing Mindfulness: A Guide to Creating Space for Yourself

Use The Sound of Soft Chimes For Your Alarm with Morning Stretches

If you wake up to a loud buzzing alarm each morning, that will set your day off in a stressful way. When you are in a peaceful sleep, and suddenly the loud buzzing alarm wakes you up, you will jolt awake, which does not give you an excellent start to the day. You may find yourself more irritable, stressed, and anxious. Therefore, the alarm tone can impact your day without any unforeseen circumstances.

Therefore, one simple thing you can do is set your alarm tone to soft chimes, and you can make it loud enough to awaken but keep it quiet. That way, the gentle chime alarm will gently bring you out of your sleep. You will also want to stretch to prepare your body for the day while you are in bed after waking up. That alone will help you feel more at peace, and you will be calmer, more mindful, and more patient through the day – unless an unforeseen event happens, but assuming that is not the case, you will have a better day.

Read Something Inspiring Before Getting Out Of Bed Or Before Going To Bed

You may enjoy reading inspiring messages throughout the day. Still, you can create a ritual by reading these inspirational messages before getting out of bed each morning, before going to bed each night, or you can do both. After you do your morning stretches in bed, as noted above, you will want to take a book with inspirational content and read a passage from it so it sticks with you throughout the day. It will help you start your day on the right foot.

You can also read an inspiring message before going to bed each night so you fall asleep with the impact of the message, which will also impact how you wake up the next morning. It does not matter if you follow any religion, and the right book to get those inspiring messages is from a Holy book or a book that belongs to your culture. If it brings you comfort or inspiration, keep it as a source of inspirational messages that you can wake up to or fall asleep.

• Daily Rituals for the Modern Witch: Incorporating Magic into Every Day Life

Express Gratitude Before Eating A Meal

Suppose you were raised to say prayers before your meals, and you have stopped doing it over time because you fell out of the habit or no longer practice the religion you were raised with. In that case, this is a sacred ritual you want to keep up each time you are about to eat, whether it is a meal or a snack.

You can express your gratitude in any way you choose before eating, as it does not have to be the same type of prayer you recited that you may have been raised with if that does not feel right. However, creating a ritual out of expressing gratitude or reciting any prayer before eating shows that you are grateful for the blessing of being able to nourish yourself. By doing that, you will generally develop an attitude of gratitude over time.

Create Your Own Sacred Ritual Before Doing Chores

Doing chores such as cleaning, washing dishes, paying bills, doing laundry, etc, is one that no one likes doing. And that is because it involves no excitement and is mundane work. However, you can create your sacred ritual to connect yourself to the divine while doing chores, as you can feel lighter, peaceful, and more spiritually connected.

Your sacred ritual can include doing chants as you do the chores, singing, or following your breathing. It does not matter what you do as long as it feels sacred to you and to ensure you utilize it while doing a chore. You will view chores differently over time. That does not mean you will suddenly love doing chores, but you will feel more peaceful about doing them if you incorporate your sacred ritual with them.

• 5 Ways To Improve Your Relationship With Yourself

Commit To Doing Grounding Exercises Each Day

It is easy to get lost in the hustle each day, so the way you can slow down is to begin incorporating grounding into your day. Create a ritual where you will pay attention to your breathing and your surroundings and look around. Do some breathwork if needed. That will help you stay grounded. You only need to do that for a few minutes each day. Do you worry that you will forget to do that because of being so caught up in work or something else? There is an easy fix for that.

Set a reminder on your phone to practice mindfulness at a convenient time for you. Once you begin to practice this type of grounding, you will get into the habit of doing it more. And the best times to be mindful are during times of stress. For example, suppose your boss is tossing projects at you, and you are feeling stressed and anxious and used to doing those mindfulness and grounding exercises. In that case, you will immediately remember to do that during the time of stress. Therefore, you can approach the work in a calmer state.

Pause And Create A Sacred Ritual During Natural Daily Transitions

Natural transitions happen daily, which are sunrise, noon, sunset, and moonrise, and those are the times you will want to pause and do a sacred ritual. Whether it is a prayer, mantra, a short meditation, affirmation, or some blessing, getting into the habit of doing that will help you connect with the divine, which will be good for your mind, body, and soul. And if you are at work while a daily transition happens, you can say it quietly to yourself or say it in your head. There is no right or wrong way to do it.

Listed above are examples of how you can create sacred rituals to create meaningful daily practices to help you become more mindful, find inner peace, set intentions, and connect with the divine. There is no right or wrong answer regarding how you can create sacred rituals. You must be authentic about how you incorporate them into your daily routines because if you create sacred rituals, they will help you change for the better. As you make a habit of doing them daily, you will see over time how much you are evolving and becoming more spiritually aware and connected. That is a wonderful way to nurture your mind, body, and soul.

• News in Health: Can Living in the Moment Improve Your Health?

The post The Power of Sacred Rituals: Creating Meaningful Practices in Everyday Life appeared first on askAstrology.

In this post, we will delve into the heartfelt tributes shared in honor of Matthew Perry. Additionally, we will address the sensitive topic of grief, offering valuable advice to guide you through the challenging journey following the loss of a loved one.

“Thank you for your open heart in a six-way relationship that required compromise.”

Lisa Kudrow posted a photo of a photo. Regardless of the quality, it’s love and friendship that matter. She reminisces about their Friends years and Matthew Perry’s brilliant character. 

David Schwimmer fondly reminisced about the Friends years, highlighting Matthew Perry’s remarkable ability to bring laughter to both the stage and real life. He emphasized how Perry’s comedic talent enriched the show’s dynamic and created moments of joy for the cast and audience alike. 

Matt Le Blanc mentioned the unwavering friendship he had with Matthew Perry: “It was an honor to share the stage with you and to call you my friend. I will always smile when I think of you and I’ll never forget you.” To lighten the mood, he reprises his role as Joey Tribbiani and concludes with a joke: “And I guess you’re keeping the 20 bucks you owe me.” 

Courteney Cox, in her heartfelt tribute, honored the memory of “Matty” and the camaraderie she experienced with Chandler. As Monica, Chandler’s on-screen wife, she reflected on the cherished moments of connection and shared laughter that defined their bond throughout the Friends years. 

Finally, Jennifer Aniston shared her grief, the loss of her “little brother.” The flow of her words shows that the Friends family has endured through the years, even more than 20 years after the series ended: “In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been poring over our texts to one another. Laughing and crying then laughing again. I’ll keep them forever and ever.” 

The Friends were touched by the loss of one of their own and aim to give him the tribute he deserves. Rumors suggest that the actors are considering organizing a public tribute at the Emmy Awards scheduled for January 2024.

• FRIENDS: Do the Characters Embody Their Astrological Signs?

This tragedy reminds us that there is no universal way to grieve. Everyone reacts differently to the loss of a loved one. Some prefer silence, seeking comfort in solitude, while others express their sadness aloud, shouting their pain in the hope of lightening their heavy hearts. If you are currently going through the painful experience of losing a loved one, we invite you to continue reading our article for advice and support tailored to your grieving journey.

Grieving: How to Overcome It?

The 7 stages of grief

The grieving process is often described in seven stages, and it is imperative to go through each one to initiate the path to reconstruction.

1. Shock: individuals may experience a numbing of emotions, where they might not feel anything.
2. Denial: defense mechanism to reject information and shield oneself from the pain associated with it.
3. Anger: it often manifests as a sense of injustice, and may even evoke feelings of repulsion and disgust.
4. Sadness: this period of despair is crucial in the grieving process. The profound sense of loss becomes deeply felt, and the individual grapples with the emotional weight of the absence.
5. Resignation: The grieving person loses their bearings and hope, losing the battle.
6. Acceptance: The person acknowledges and recalls both the good and bad moments, relearning how to live.
7. Reconstruction: At this stage, the grieving person rediscovers a taste for life and becomes aware of their existence once again. They start making plans.

• You can read this article to know more about the stages of grief

Accept and wait

This advice, while simple, proves to be one of the most realistic and effective. It relies on the inevitable acceptance of the reality of grief and, above all, on the need to never deny the suffering it generates. Death and endings are intrinsic aspects of life, and recognizing this reality can be the first step towards true healing. Accepting the inevitable is not only an act of courage but also a way to allow the pain to express itself and follow its natural course, thus paving the way for understanding and reconstruction.

Next, you must wait. Waiting, although difficult, allows this natural process to unfold, providing the opportunity to understand, accept, and progress to a new phase of life after the loss of a loved one.

You must experience and fully embrace your emotions to move forward. The grieving process demands to be lived and accepted, even if it brings intense pain. It is by experiencing your emotions that you will understand them and accept your pain.

When you start feeling better, don’t hesitate to welcome positive emotions. Getting better does not mean forgetting; it also doesn’t mean stopping thinking about the person you lost. On the contrary, allow yourself to appreciate moments of joy and happiness while honoring the memory of your loved one. Healing doesn’t erase the past; it simply allows you to learn to live with the loss.

Activities to Feel Better

Express yourself through artistic activities such as coloring, painting, or even singing loudly and dancing for hours. These creative practices are often effective ways to divert the mind while reflecting the depth of your thoughts.

You can write the thread of your thoughts in a journal. To help you, we have developed journal prompts for each zodiac sign.

You can also meditate. Guided meditations can provide guidance, but if you know the practice, you can also meditate in the way that suits you best.

Grieving has no strict rules. It is unique, shaped by the departed person and the relationship we had with them. Avoid imposing unnecessary pressures on yourself; live each moment, even in its pain. Better days will come, and despite the passing of time, you will never forget the person who holds a special place in your heart and is dearly missed.

The post Remembering Matthew Perry: What Friends Cast’s Tributes Teach Us About Grief and Ways to Cope appeared first on askAstrology.

Frequency and resonance

Your body has a frequency or resonance, which is the sum total of all parts. Yet you are not one perfectly coherent stream of energy; you are more like a symphony, as each organ, bone, tissue and cell in your body vibrates in its own way.

As each part of your body resonates, it emanates a sound that is contributing to an overall harmonic of health. The condition of health sounds like harmony, as each piece of the bodily orchestra plays along with the others. In state of disease, the body has fallen into disharmony; the components are out of tune and out of rhythm with one another. Balance among the parts is more important for overall health than the robustness of any individual part; for this reason health in one person may look quite different than it does in another.

• The Magical Use of Sound

The frequency of each of these parts of your body is the result of your physical, emotional and mental habits. The way you predominantly think about your life contributes to a certain resonance in your liver and your kidneys; it creates a certain resonance in your spine and in your feet. The way you eat contributes to a certain frequency in your brain, your heart and your gut. Parts of your body may be nourished well while others are in a state of entropy; indeed, the very same choice may contribute to a raising of frequency in one part of the body and a diminishment in another, for each part has a unique set of needs.

The subtle correspondence between thought and body is clarified though an understanding of the Chakra system. Each part of the body is governed by one of the seven chakras or, put another way, is the physical counterpart of these “energetic organs”. The chakras correspond to modes of consciousness and domains of life; when a given chakra is open, we can assimilate a certain kind of experience or awareness with relative ease. When a given chakra is constricted, we have some resistance to a certain area of life, awareness or mode of expression. A certain action may manifest directness and self-assertion — indicating an open third Chakra — while simultaneously serving to hide us from our own vulnerability — a constricted sacral chakra. Thus one single habit may strengthen and nourish some organs while depleting others.

• What Is Your Most Powerful Chakra According to Your Zodiac Sign?

There are many ways to open and balance chakras, including psychotherapy, reiki, crystals, shadow work and hypnosis. Simple mindfulness and the careful, consistent application of new habits will balance chakras, and thus heal the body. However, since we are vibrational beings, resonating at certain frequencies, sound is a particularly helpful “shortcut” for opening blocked energy centers.

Sound Healing

Pythagoras, the Greek mathematician from sixth century B.C., famous for his world-changing theorems, had a lesser-known mystery school which taught about the esoteric meaning of sound.

Pythagoras believed the “music of the spheres”, the sounds of the heavenly bodies as they moved through space, was reflected in the sounds of vibrating strings. The reverberation of any humble instrument had the power to heal the body and spirit due to a note’s natural correspondence with Universal principles. This is a manifestation of the alchemical axiom, “as above, so below”. Each tone of the scale was associated with a color in the rainbow and a quality of the divine Godhead. Thus initiates of this Mystery school, in learning the secrets of acoustical proportions— the geometry of sound, as it were— were given direct access to the transmuting and healing energies of the heavens.

• Tibetan Bowls Used for Healing & Sound Therapy

Pythagoras was not the only one to recognize this sacred order underlying sonic frequencies. In the East, sonic formulas called mantras are recited over and over creating changes in the body, mind and spirit. Mantra means protection of the mind; the mantra functions as a portal through which we may enter into higher realms of consciousness by entraining with the frequency of the sound. As we reverberate or tone the mantra— either mentally or vocally— we merge with the force, essence or deity associated with that sound, thus taking on that frequency ourselves.

As each tone corresponds to a color and quality, each has a natural affinity with the modes of consciousness known as the chakras. Lower, denser pitches, which are often felt as vibrations more than they are heard, resonate with the lower chakras. Higher pitches, including those so high that they are also felt more than heard, resonate with the higher chakras.

Each chakra also resonates with a certain vowel sound, and these may be used to create vibrational shifts in the energy body. We spontaneously tone all the time— yawning in fatigue, moaning in pain, cheering in excitement, or sighing in relief. Toning helps release tension, trauma and blockages. Sacred toning is the intentional use of elongated vowel sounds to create resonance, harmony and balance, making use of natural correspondences between chakras and sound frequencies.

Vowel Sounds

To tone the Root Chakra, use the vowel sound ‘uh’. Sing this sound in the lowest pitch you can sing, and visualize this sound resonating at the base of your spine in a vortex of swirling red energy.

To tone the Sacral Chakra, use the vowel sound ‘ooh’. Sing this sound in a pitch slightly higher than the Root chakra, and envision this sound reverberating in a yellow vortex of energy swirling three inches below the navel.

To tone the Solar Plexus Chakra, use the vowel sound ‘oh’. Sing this sound in a mid-range voice, and envision this sound reverberating at your diaphragm in a yellow vortex of energy.

To tone the Heart Chakra, use the vowel sound ‘ah’. Sing this sound slightly higher in mid-range, and envision this sound reverberating in a green vortex of energy at your Heart center.

To tone the Throat Chakra, use the vowel sound ‘eye’. Sing this sound in your upper-mid-range, and feel this sound resonating within a blue energy vortex in your throat.

To tone the Third Eye Chakra, use the vowel sound ‘aye’. Sing this sound in a high falsetto, and sense it reverberating at the center of your brow within an indigo vortex of energy.

To tone the Crown Chakra, use the vowel sound ‘ee’. Singing in the highest pitch possible, feel this sound resonate within a violet energy vortex at the top of your head.

The post How Sound Harmonics Can Heal Your Chakras and Your Soul appeared first on askAstrology.

This year, it takes place on November 25th. Small businesses often struggle because customers and clients usually go to more prominent outlets to purchase the same products and services that they offer. However, small businesses can do well with good business and marketing tactics. Let’s go over the best small business advice you would hear from each zodiac sign.

Aries – Keep Hustling

Aries is known to be competitive, energetic, and passionate. The one thing to always remember when owning any business is to stay motivated and eager to succeed. Therefore, Aries would give you advice when it comes to owning a small business to keep hustling and always continue because if you do, then you will not maintain your business, as clients and customers can come and go. Refrain from getting attached to any idea of having a particular client or customer, and keep doing what you must do to get your business out there. That even means doing cold messaging in addition to running ads. Clients and customers will catch on if you keep at it.

Taurus – Never Give Up During Difficult Seasons

Taurus is known to be stable, stoic, and tenacious, and they have the gift of patience. A small business owner who is a Taurus can tell you so many times how often their business was on the brink of dying because of dealing with slow seasons and clients and customers leaving. However, their business is going strong because they did not give up when the business was struggling. All they did was keep looking for solutions to break through obstacles, and they believed that, in time, things would stabilize. Therefore, their advice to small business owners is never to give up no matter how challenging the situation is and keep asking for help to look for solutions if necessary.

Gemini – Always Network

Gemini is a communicative sign and highly social. Therefore, a Gemini business owner would advise small business owners to network as much as possible to connect with others who can lead them to business opportunities. They tell you that you have better odds of landing an opportunity by clicking with someone linked to someone you know. That is why you will want to take advantage of networking opportunities in your area. You can develop a relationship with those you meet so they can lead you to some business in the future. You can never have too many people in your professional network. Word of mouth is a great way to get new business.

• Financial Tips for Each Zodiac Sign

Cancer – Understand Your Clients or Customers Needs

Cancer is highly emotional and empathetic, and Cancerian entrepreneurs would advise small business owners to understand the needs of their customers or clients fully. Never assume they need something without asking them first. Ask them about the issues you can solve if they hire you. Use your intuition, which will also help you understand their needs. Be sure to listen carefully to what they tell you so you can provide them with a product or service that they can use to help them solve whatever issue they have. If a client or customer knows that the business owner truly cares about their needs and is not only looking for a sale, they will have repeat business and a solid relationship.

Leo – Show Off Your Business In Anyway Possible

Leo loves to be in the spotlight and wants everyone to notice them. Therefore, they will do whatever they can to make the world notice what they are doing. Therefore, the business advice you would receive from Leo would be to show your business off so you can make everyone know about it and do it most creatively. They will tell you that it is essential to do video marketing and other visual marketing through platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, or Pinterest. Visuals get the best attention more than text, and they will also advise you to be as creative as possible so your business stands out from your competition.

Virgo – Always Have A Business Plan

Virgo is highly analytical and organized, so many small businesses do not have a business plan. Virgo would advise every small business owner on the importance of a business plan because it can work out in the long run. You want to have a business plan and stick to it because it will outline the goals and help you ensure the company remains on track while it evolves. It will outline the business goals, strategies to accomplish them, financial forecast, and the target market. And if you already have an existing business without a proper plan, it is not too late to create one. You can also revise it if the current one is not working for you, but Virgo highlights that you need a plan.

• Business Numerology: Best Numbers for a Successful Business

Libra – Stay Diplomatic No Matter What

Libra is the peacemaker and is the sign that represents balance, and when it comes to business, there will be times when you get frustrated with clients, customers, and even your service providers. No matter how upset they make you, it is essential to remain calm and diplomatic. That does not mean taking any abuse that your customers or clients toss at you if they are unhappy, but the best thing to do is to talk to them in a way that will help them stop and listen so they understand your perspective. The old saying “the customer is always right” is untrue, and even when it comes to a situation where the customer is in the wrong, you have to be cool, collected, and diplomatic.

Scorpio – Understand Your Customers’ And Clients’ Needs Inside-Out

Scorpio is passionate and has excellent skills in discovering secrets and unraveling mysteries. That is why a Scorpio business owner would tell you that you need to know your clients’ and customers’ inside-out. This is not the same advice Cancer would tell you regarding being empathetic towards your customers’ and clients’ needs. You need to know what customer or client you want to sell to instead of creating some generalized profile hoping that someone would buy from you.

When you attend networking events and create new connections, tell them about what you are selling and ask them how they can best benefit. That does not mean that those new connections will give you business, and you should not expect them to, but they can give you a good idea of what type of clients or customers you want. Once you get them, you will want to learn about them inside-out to tailor them to their needs.

Sagittarius – Take Any Incredible Opportunity That Comes Your Way

Sagittarius is known to be the adventurer, the opportunist, and the optimist, and any Sagittarius business owner will tell you that if you are offered an opportunity that can help grow your business or help you build a strong reputation, take it, no matter how risky it is. Sagittarians are risk-takers, too, so they will advise you to get out of your comfort zone when it comes to growing your business. Sure, you want to be sensible and don’t want to waste your money, but don’t be afraid to invest in an opportunity that may be a little out of your budget if you intuitively feel it can help skyrocket your business. You can always arrange a payment plan.

• How to Improve Your Business with Feng Shui?

Capricorn – Failure Is Your Friend

Capricorn is the most goal-oriented zodiac sign and highly ambitious, and you may be surprised to hear their advice, which would be to embrace failure. Failure is the only way to success because if you don’t fail, you will not learn; if you do not, you will never know how to succeed. Your overall goal is to have a successful business; the only way you can do that is by taking risks that may turn out successful and some will not. Therefore, when you take a not successful risk, learn from it and utilize what you learned when you take subsequent risks. Eventually, you will get it!

Aquarius – Look For Learning Opportunities

Aquarius is progressive and innovative, and Aquarians are another group that will encourage you to keep moving past your comfort zone. Their advice to small business owners is always to continue learning. Please don’t pass up trying something new all because you are not familiar with the process, whether it is a new way to market your business or adding a new skill to your offerings.

Each time you encounter a way to market your business, and it does not sound like it appeals to you, instead of shunning it, how can you make it work for you instead? Learn more about the marketing method, and take a course if needed, for example.

• 10 Tips For Starting A Small Business That’ll Get You Excited To Take The Plunge

Pisces – Never Stop Dreaming

Pisces is the dreamer, but it does not mean they don’t have their logical side either. Therefore, a Pisces business owner will advise small business owners never to stop dreaming. If they think that a goal they set is unattainable, the advice they would give is to not give up on that. However, make the steps to achieving that goal achievable so you have much better odds of reaching it.

As important as it is to dream, you must take appropriate action to turn your dream into a reality gradually. Capricorn’s and Aquarius’ advice also comes into play, as you will need to expect to fail sometimes when trying something new and never stop learning! That is the only way you can make your dreams come true.

If you are a small business owner or aspiring to be one, pay attention to what you can learn on Small Business Saturday, which this year takes place on November 25th, the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. Running a small business takes a lot of money, energy, and time, and the advice you receive from each sign will help you succeed. If you are a small business owner, what advice would you give to others who are also entrepreneurs or who strive to become one?

The post The Best Small Business Advice You Would Hear From Each Zodiac Sign appeared first on askAstrology.

You don’t want to be someone known to fight with others on Black Friday while you were giving thanks the day before. And how do you truly spend your Thanksgiving? Do you only look forward to the day because it is a day to celebrate and eat, or do you want to enjoy having a spiritual celebration for the day? Let’s first discuss the meaning of Thanksgiving and how you can have a spiritual holiday.

The Meaning Behind Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is an American holiday that the pilgrims established, and Canada celebrates it too, but in October, it is somewhat different. The celebration of Thanksgiving is to give thanks for the harvests of the past year. During farming in previous times, there have been times of scarcity, and every time there was a rich harvest, it was time to celebrate it.

One thing associated with Thanksgiving is the cornucopia, which represents food, prosperity, and abundance, and the origin of it comes from mythology. The Roman goddess of luck, Fortuna, carried around the cornucopia, and she quickly developed an association with good luck and was there to ward off anything harmful. Now, this goddess is known as Lady Luck.

Therefore, the spiritual way to celebrate Thanksgiving is to express gratitude for all of your blessings, and you are also expressing gratitude for the gifts that will come to you in the future. Therefore, what you do when you celebrate the true meaning of Thanksgiving by expressing gratitude is practicing the Law of Attraction without even realizing it. Now, let’s get more into the nitty-gritty of how to celebrate a spiritual Thanksgiving.

Reflect What You Are Thankful For Even If Life Is Challenging Right Now

Life is never meant to be easy, and without any stress, you would never have the opportunity to evolve. However, sometimes, life can throw you too many wrenches to the point that it is too overwhelming. That is why so many people struggle with burnout, and that makes stress management more essential than ever. If you are going through a challenging time, one spiritual way to honor Thanksgiving is to show gratitude for your blessings, no matter how small they may be, including a sunny day with mild weather. If that is the only thing you can express gratitude for right now because you have too much stress and grief that is wearing you down, that is okay. You want to make it genuine, and if you give thanks for your blessings, then the Universe will provide you with more blessings to come. If you can enjoy a hearty meal despite dealing with hardship, don’t forget to thank the Universe for that, too.

• What Kind Of Thanksgiving Feast You Will Have Based On Your Zodiac Sign

Spend Time With The People You Care About

One of the best gifts you have is having your loved ones around. And you want to ensure you can spend Thanksgiving with those who mean a lot to you and make the day meaningful. If you have no family that can see you or if you have a strained relationship with your family, you will want to spend time with some friends. And even if you don’t have genuine friends, you can count on, besides not having family, plenty of places of worship and community centers offer Thanksgiving dinners for those in your position.

You also have an opportunity to connect with those in your community who are in similar circumstances to you, and you have the chance to create some meaningful friendships. That is a beautiful gift from the Universe. Therefore, there is never a reason that you should spend Thanksgiving alone, regardless of your situation regarding family and friends.

Don’t Worry About Having “The Perfect” Thanksgiving Dinner

If you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year, don’t get too hung up on having the ideal Thanksgiving dinner consisting of turkey, gravy, stuffing, etc. Remember, you are hosting the dinner to spend quality time with the people who mean a lot to you. If you get too hung up on having the ideal dinner, you focus on the wrong thing about the holiday. Besides, you will not enjoy the holiday if you are stressed with having to cook everything and then clean. You can always make it easy by ordering pizza or Chinese takeout. Focus on enjoying the time you have with your friends and family. There is nothing more sacred than that.

• What Is The Fall Pie That Is Best For Your Zodiac Sign to Bake?

Lend A Helping Hand

Is someone close to you who needs some help with something right now? You may have a loved one or a good friend who is moving, and they need help with organizing and packing. Do you have a friend or a loved one who has young kids and could use a nap or some time to themselves, and the only way they can have that is if someone watches their children for an hour? If you have someone close to you who needs a helping hand with something, offer it to them. Of course, you do not want to do it at the expense of your needs. Offer it at a time when you truly can help them. They will be highly appreciative and do not have any expectations either.

If you are dealing with some stress right now and you are unable to offer a helping hand, then give those who mean everything to you the gift of sending them messages to check in on how they are doing, also by being there to listen to them if they are struggling with something.

Call Or Text Someone Important To You

This point is an extension of the last. If you cannot offer a helping hand, check in with those who matter to you. However, even if you can offer someone a helping hand, pick up the phone anyway. Call anyone who means a lot to you who is unable to see you during the Thanksgiving holiday and ask them how they are. Tell them you have been thinking of them and wanted to check in, and they will appreciate it. Even if your time is limited, square a few minutes in a day to make the call or send a text if you prefer to avoid speaking on the phone. You may also get some surprise calls from old friends you have not heard from for a while, making you feel nice. However, again, don’t have any expectations.

• This Is Your Love Language Based On Your Zodiac Sign

Do Some Volunteering Or Donating

One way to have a spiritual Thanksgiving is by volunteering for your favorite cause or calling your local community center or place of worship and asking them if they know of any organizations that could help. It will make you feel good if you volunteer your time to help an organization that needs it, which is always great for raising your vibration. If you do not have the time to volunteer, you can always donate to the cause of your choice, even if you can only spare a little bit of change to do that. The energy behind it is what counts. And remember, when you can give your time or money to a cause that needs it, it is a great thing to put out to the Universe as it is a way to manifest abundance.

Express Gratitude On Social Media

Thanksgiving is the day to express gratitude for your blessings, and one of the best ways to attract abundance and think in abundance is to share your appreciation online. There are several reasons you want to express what you are thankful for on social media. Firstly, the Universe is listening, and secondly, the energy of gratitude will impact your followers, and they will be inclined to do the same thing, which is a beautiful energy to put out there. Therefore, spend several days expressing gratitude for the people who have positively impacted your life over the past year, as well as other blessings that you have gotten. Even if you have had a challenging year, indeed positive things have happened to you, so acknowledge those things to get into the spirit of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is known for having a turkey and stuffing feast with cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie for dessert. However, if you want to have a spiritual Thanksgiving, you will want to look beyond the feast and get into the spirit of gratitude, spending quality time with those who mean a lot to you and doing good deeds for others. It is a time to think about others and their well-being, but never at your expense. Thanksgiving is a time that reminds you to raise your vibration by doing those things as you can attract abundance

The post How To Have a Spiritual Thanksgiving Celebration appeared first on askAstrology.

Bigger Energy, Bigger Strength

Crystals make it easier for your energy to grow. And if your energy grows quicker, so does your strength. What the crystal does to your body: is synchronizing the energy flow of each specific chakra it is supposed to work with, thus harmonizing the fluids, your blood, and the neurons of that area. The end result is, that you can use more of your willpower, more of your muscles, within that region, because they’re more relaxed, they’ve healed more than usual. Done correctly and with the right methodology, you’ll be able to grow yourself at a much quicker pace than someone who isn’t using the benefits of crystals.

Now, as an athlete, the main chakras or energy centers you want to be working with are the lower 3. That is your genitals, stomach, and diaphragm area. Muldhara, Svadhisthana, Manipura, in the Sanskrit terminology. This is where all the physical strength within the human body is produced. And this is where we’ll be focusing. It is also recommended that you do not work with the higher chakras at the same time, whilst working on the lower chakras. In general, we recommend not touching the higher chakras too much, as energy should always get unlocked from bottom to top, gradually. Hope this is clear and well respected.

So, let’s get right into it.

• Exploring the Powerful Connection Between Planets and Crystals in Astrology

Different Crystals, Different Activities

Carnelian is your go-to crystal if you’re looking to strengthen up. With that beautiful orangey, reddish, yellowy color, it taps right into your lower 3 chakras, all at once. Carnelian is an extremely powerful crystal, but it is not to be used for too long within one session. It directly increases and works with your physical energy, self-confidence, life force energy, and strength. Place it in the middle of your belly while lying down, before training, for 5 minutes initially. When you feel the energy has been given to you for the day, remove the crystal from your belly and go about your session. You can build the exercise up to 20 minutes, but we don’t recommend going longer than that, as the crystal also needs time to reset and clear. Don’t worry if your stomach burns afterward, it’s just how it goes.

Now if you’re in a more competitive sport where you have to use tactics to outsmart the opponent, like boxing or fencing so to say, you might find also great benefit in the calmness and grounding properties of the Pyrite crystal. Also known as “fool’s gold”, due to its metallic form and brassy yellow color, it is a rather common mineral but you will almost always find it near volcanic deposits. This crystal, unlike the Carnelian, can be used for long periods, often seen in people’s offices or on living room tables, it doesn’t necessarily need that direct physical touch as the Carnelian does. You may also place it in the room of your home where you are the most active, or simply have it in the training area while you practice your craft. Its subtle grounding properties will gently, but significantly, improve your concentration during your practice.

The next crystal we recommend for athletes is the alluring, deep, Black Onyx. Often referred to as the marathon crystal, with long-distance runners often picking this one up to increase their stamina and strength. Its black color gives it abyssal properties, allowing it to continuously eat your weakness and also reset on the spot by itself (black crystals do that). It is a great gemstone to wear as a necklace or ring, or simply hold it in your pocket, whilst training or throughout the day. It is currently placed on a silver ring on my middle finger, as this article is being written. The important thing is to make sure you don’t forget to take it out at night, as it might be too intense for your sleep, where you actually wanna have almost no crystals on you.

The next crystal we advise for athletes is the so-called Tiger’s Eye. This precious yellow-brown gemstone is made to enhance your confidence through practical activities, giving you the necessary extra courage to reach for that next level in whatever it is you desire, and solidify this next level through your repetition of it, it is why people often call the Tiger’s Eye, the lucky crystal. In reality, it doesn’t make you lucky, it just pushes you upwards and kind of forces you to back it up with skills (all that brown in it). This one is similar to the Pyrite in its maintenance, meaning that you can have it in your room, practice area, or simply in your home to receive its benefits. It can of course, also be held in the hand, ideally your left (for right-handed humans) or in your right, if you are left-handed.

And last but not least, the famous Hematite. Deriving from the Ancient Greek word “hema”, meaning blood, it is the go-to crystal for the neutralization of the blood pH. It directly works with the arteries and veins of your system, bringing harmony and coherence within those tubes. For the vast majority of people, it seems to act as an alkaline compound, helping the acidic body go back to neutral. But who knows, you might be too alkaline (rare, but possible), and it might take an acidic positioning for you. The ideal spot for this crystal is a necklace that is right at the base of your throat, under what we call “Adam’s Apple”, as this is the central point for blood circulation. In case, you don’t want it to be visible to others, then you can wear it with a normal necklace. Regardless, this is the crystal to have within your chest area, as this is the main region where most of your blood flows.

• Navigating the Zodiac with Crystals: Real-world Examples and Practical Guidance

Crystal Your Way To The Top

Now it is not so much which crystal you pick. Most likely you’ll probably go through a handful of ones anyway, as once you’re done with one, you need to find the next energy you are to integrate. All the aforementioned five, are some of the strongest for physical strength and endurance enhancement. Go with your feeling. Each crystal might have slight differences per person. It is why the feeling knows best. Guided by the soul, whichever crystal excites you, probably has something for you.

And the best part about them? They’re like lovers. Once their job is done, they find a way to disappear from your life. You might lose them. Maybe you’ll feel that a friend will need the crystal now more than you, and you’ll pass it on, or it will stay in a corner of your house for years, while rarely being mingled with again, except given the occasional loving gaze, bringing back memories, knowing what the two of you had together and what it did for you and your journey.

Because you see, crystals are alive. Just because you can’t hear or feel them yet, doesn’t mean there’s nothing there. They’re much older than you and I. And have guided humanity for eons. And will continue doing so. In doubt? Well, you never know unless you try.

Are you ready to pick your new friend?

Or in the case of the pro athlete, a strengthening buddy.

Go on then, where’s the nearest crystal shop?

May magic guide your way.

All the Love.

• Developing Intuition for Working with Crystals

The post Crystals and Sports: Using Gemstones for Strength Training in Athletics appeared first on askAstrology.

The lower three centers of Root, Sacral and Solar Plexus correspond to the “lower self,” the individual personality with which most of us consciously identify. These centers regulate our sense of our own tastes, preferences, characteristics, feelings, modes of relating, personal boundaries, memories and the physical body.

The Upper centers of Throat, Third Eye and Crown correspond to the Higher Self— the eternal, spiritual essence of an individual which persists throughout many lifetimes. In these centers we find access to universal wisdom and awarenesses which transcend the sphere of the physical senses. In contrast to the subjective and finite consciousness found in the lower three centers, the consciousness belonging to the upper centers is transpersonal, without boundary and detached from personal biases.

• The Chakra System and the Tree of Life

The Heart center is the bridge between these two planes of the Self. The Heart Chakra is the springboard from which we may launch into higher levels of awareness and understanding, gaining a more objective or transcendental perspectives on ourselves and life itself. The “prerequisite” for entrance onto these higher planes is the unconditional love or total acceptance which is cultivated in the Heart Center.

In order to see and experience on a higher level of reality, we must be able to unconditionally accept the truth of the moment. This includes acceptance of that which appears outside of us as physical circumstances and other people, as well as acceptance of that which we meet within, in our emotions, desires, needs, ideas, preferences and personal boundaries.

To love unconditionally does not mean to like. Acceptance does not necessarily mean finding a way to appreciate something undesirable. True acceptance means the ability to be with the reality of a situation openly and honestly without needing it to change.

In this sense, opening the Heart Center is largely a matter of cultivating the state of neutrality. When the Heart Center is open, we are able to be with anyone just as they are without resistance or resentment. We are able to listen to any idea without becoming “triggered” by it. We are able to sustain inner peace no matter what environment or condition is surrounding us. While we may not like the idea, people or circumstance, we are nevertheless able to remain completely present with the reality of the moment, without reacting to it with resistance, resentment, judgment, denial, aggression or blame. We are not attached to an outcome that is different than what currently is; we accept reality just as it is.

This non-resistance or unconditional acceptance of the Heart Center is the state referred to in teachings about “turning the other cheek” or loving thine enemy. There is tremendous power in a non-reactive state, for it enables one to remain in sovereignty and freedom instead of becoming entangled with what is unwanted. Whatever we resist persists, while acceptance is the first step to transforming whatever is unwanted into something better.

• Interplay Among Chakras: How To Live Your Life To The Fullest Thanks To Your Chakras?

Techniques for Opening the Heart Center

We may open the heart center by practicing compassion, tolerance and forgiveness of others, as well as acceptance of all aspects of the Self.

For instance, make a practice of trying to find commonalities between yourself and others— especially those people whom you judge as different or even hostile. Try to identify the way you and your enemy are similar— even if your statements are as general as: “We both need food, water and shelter.” “We both need love and acceptance.” “We are both doing what makes the most sense to us, given our past conditioning.”

If you have trouble accepting something that happened to you in the past, see if you can find approval for it in some way. Identify any positive aspects of this situation, no matter how small. Identify what lessons you learned or what skills you developed as a result of this situation. Name the things that went right during that situation, and the positive developments that have transpired as a result. This will help cultivate acceptance for even horribly painful or unfair events, which will, paradoxically, help you release the pain and move forward.

Any activity which inspires connection, appreciation, love or relief is also beneficial to the heart chakra. Any soothing, uplifting or awe-inspiring activity which elicits appreciation and a sense of connectedness to all life is beneficial. Physical touch, whether with loved ones, animals and even plants, is especially beneficial for opening the Heart center.

• What Is Your Most Powerful Chakra According to Your Zodiac Sign?

Meditation— especially a mindfulness practice like Vipassana— is an excellent way to cultivate the ability to unconditionally be with what is. Place your attention squarely upon the breath or the processes of the body; notice when thoughts, feelings and sensations come, but then, without judgement, release them and return to the breath.

This practice cultivates the abilities of non-interference or non-interruption. We are practicing being with what is without changing what is, as well as our ability to let go and detach from emotional reactions or the runaway train of thought. Many people have reported that even twenty minutes a day of this kind of work enhances their ability to be responsive rather than reactive in life at large. In this very simple practice of continually returning our attention to the breath, we hone our ability to be in the world, but not of the world. That is, we practice being present where we are, exactly as we are, amidst everything just as it is, and maintaining a neutral state of.

Essential Oils

Essential oils cause frequency changes in the chakras. Diffuse and/or place a few drops of the following oils on the Heart Chakra.

Lavender helps one be calm, adaptable and accepting, promoting connection to all life.

Peppermint stimulates, soothes and balances an agitated or over-active nervous system, helping one find calm and balance.

Sacred Sounds

Use the vocable ‘YAM’ to awaken this energy center. Focus on your Heart Chakra as you rhythmically repeat YAM and visualize the sound accelerating the spinning in this center.

You can also try resonating the Vowel Sound, “Ay” (as in ‘play’).

Listen to the Solfeggio frequency of 639 Hertz. This frequency releases grief and establishes spiritual connection.

Crystals and Gemstones

Hiddenite facilitates the flow of spontaneous love.  It orients one toward true love and away from manipulative emotional dynamics. Hiddenite also helps a wounded heart to heal and feel love again.

Variscite enhances cognition, logic and reasoning.  Variscite brings tranquility to the mind and courage to the heart.

The post Opening the Heart Center appeared first on askAstrology.

The lower three centers of Root, Sacral and Solar Plexus correspond to the “lower self,” the individual personality with which most of us consciously identify. These centers regulate our sense of our own tastes, preferences, characteristics, feelings, modes of relating, personal boundaries, memories and the physical body.

The Upper centers of Throat, Third Eye and Crown correspond to the Higher Self— the eternal, spiritual essence of an individual which persists throughout many lifetimes. In these centers we find access to universal wisdom and awarenesses which transcend the sphere of the physical senses. In contrast to the subjective and finite consciousness found in the lower three centers, the consciousness belonging to the upper centers is transpersonal, without boundary and detached from personal biases.

• The Chakra System and the Tree of Life

The Heart center is the bridge between these two planes of the Self. The Heart Chakra is the springboard from which we may launch into higher levels of awareness and understanding, gaining a more objective or transcendental perspectives on ourselves and life itself. The “prerequisite” for entrance onto these higher planes is the unconditional love or total acceptance which is cultivated in the Heart Center.

In order to see and experience on a higher level of reality, we must be able to unconditionally accept the truth of the moment. This includes acceptance of that which appears outside of us as physical circumstances and other people, as well as acceptance of that which we meet within, in our emotions, desires, needs, ideas, preferences and personal boundaries.

To love unconditionally does not mean to like. Acceptance does not necessarily mean finding a way to appreciate something undesirable. True acceptance means the ability to be with the reality of a situation openly and honestly without needing it to change.

In this sense, opening the Heart Center is largely a matter of cultivating the state of neutrality. When the Heart Center is open, we are able to be with anyone just as they are without resistance or resentment. We are able to listen to any idea without becoming “triggered” by it. We are able to sustain inner peace no matter what environment or condition is surrounding us. While we may not like the idea, people or circumstance, we are nevertheless able to remain completely present with the reality of the moment, without reacting to it with resistance, resentment, judgment, denial, aggression or blame. We are not attached to an outcome that is different than what currently is; we accept reality just as it is.

This non-resistance or unconditional acceptance of the Heart Center is the state referred to in teachings about “turning the other cheek” or loving thine enemy. There is tremendous power in a non-reactive state, for it enables one to remain in sovereignty and freedom instead of becoming entangled with what is unwanted. Whatever we resist persists, while acceptance is the first step to transforming whatever is unwanted into something better.

• Interplay Among Chakras: How To Live Your Life To The Fullest Thanks To Your Chakras?

Techniques for Opening the Heart Center

We may open the heart center by practicing compassion, tolerance and forgiveness of others, as well as acceptance of all aspects of the Self.

For instance, make a practice of trying to find commonalities between yourself and others— especially those people whom you judge as different or even hostile. Try to identify the way you and your enemy are similar— even if your statements are as general as: “We both need food, water and shelter.” “We both need love and acceptance.” “We are both doing what makes the most sense to us, given our past conditioning.”

If you have trouble accepting something that happened to you in the past, see if you can find approval for it in some way. Identify any positive aspects of this situation, no matter how small. Identify what lessons you learned or what skills you developed as a result of this situation. Name the things that went right during that situation, and the positive developments that have transpired as a result. This will help cultivate acceptance for even horribly painful or unfair events, which will, paradoxically, help you release the pain and move forward.

Any activity which inspires connection, appreciation, love or relief is also beneficial to the heart chakra. Any soothing, uplifting or awe-inspiring activity which elicits appreciation and a sense of connectedness to all life is beneficial. Physical touch, whether with loved ones, animals and even plants, is especially beneficial for opening the Heart center.

• What Is Your Most Powerful Chakra According to Your Zodiac Sign?

Meditation— especially a mindfulness practice like Vipassana— is an excellent way to cultivate the ability to unconditionally be with what is. Place your attention squarely upon the breath or the processes of the body; notice when thoughts, feelings and sensations come, but then, without judgement, release them and return to the breath.

This practice cultivates the abilities of non-interference or non-interruption. We are practicing being with what is without changing what is, as well as our ability to let go and detach from emotional reactions or the runaway train of thought. Many people have reported that even twenty minutes a day of this kind of work enhances their ability to be responsive rather than reactive in life at large. In this very simple practice of continually returning our attention to the breath, we hone our ability to be in the world, but not of the world. That is, we practice being present where we are, exactly as we are, amidst everything just as it is, and maintaining a neutral state of.

Essential Oils

Essential oils cause frequency changes in the chakras. Diffuse and/or place a few drops of the following oils on the Heart Chakra.

Lavender helps one be calm, adaptable and accepting, promoting connection to all life.

Peppermint stimulates, soothes and balances an agitated or over-active nervous system, helping one find calm and balance.

Sacred Sounds

Use the vocable ‘YAM’ to awaken this energy center. Focus on your Heart Chakra as you rhythmically repeat YAM and visualize the sound accelerating the spinning in this center.

You can also try resonating the Vowel Sound, “Ay” (as in ‘play’).

Listen to the Solfeggio frequency of 639 Hertz. This frequency releases grief and establishes spiritual connection.

Crystals and Gemstones

Hiddenite facilitates the flow of spontaneous love.  It orients one toward true love and away from manipulative emotional dynamics. Hiddenite also helps a wounded heart to heal and feel love again.

Variscite enhances cognition, logic and reasoning.  Variscite brings tranquility to the mind and courage to the heart.

The post Opening the Heart Center appeared first on askAstrology.

Understanding the dynamics of collaboration and the different personalities involved is crucial to creating a positive work environment and maintaining successful teamwork.

Luckily, understanding Astrology can really help to navigate these work relationships and improve collaboration. Keep on reading to find out some tips to help you have better work relationships.

The Influence of Astrological Signs on Work Relationships

Astrology has long been used as a tool to gain insight into individual personalities and traits, and it can also be useful in understanding work relationships.

Each astrological sign is associated with specific personality traits, communication styles, and conflict resolution approaches. By understanding the astrological signs of your coworkers, you can gain valuable insight into how they operate in a professional setting.

For example, individuals born under the fire signs are known for their assertiveness and drive. They thrive in leadership roles and are often motivated by competition. On the other hand, earth signs tend to be practical and detail-oriented. They excel in tasks that require organization and attention to detail.

Air signs, such as Gemini and Aquarius, are known for their ability to communicate effectively and think analytically, making them valuable assets in brainstorming sessions and problem-solving discussions.

Whereas water signs like Cancer and Pisces are known for their empathy and emotional intelligence, making them excellent collaborators in team settings. By recognizing these astrological influences, you can tailor your approach to each coworker based on their unique strengths and communication styles. Understanding these astrological influences can help promote better communication, collaboration, and teamwork in the workplace.

Applying Astrological Insights in the Workplace

To effectively utilize astrological insights in the workplace, it is important to approach it with an open mind and use it as a supplementary tool, rather than relying solely on it. Here are some practical ways to apply astrological insights in your work relationships.

Adapt your communication style

By understanding the communication preferences of your coworkers based on their astrological sign, you can adapt your approach to ensure effective communication. For example, if you’re collaborating with a fire sign, be direct and assertive in your communication to match their assertive nature. On the other hand, when working with a water sign, take a more empathetic and supportive approach to foster a comfortable and open dialogue.

Recognize strengths and weaknesses

Astrological insights can shed light on the strengths and weaknesses of individuals based on their astrological sign. By understanding these traits, you can assign tasks and responsibilities that align with their natural abilities. For instance, if you have an earth sign on your team, consider assigning them tasks that require attention to detail and organization. This way, you can optimize their performance and productivity.

• How Working Moms Can Best Manage Their Time Based On Their Zodiac

Resolve conflicts effectively

Conflict resolution can be challenging in the workplace, but astrological insights can provide you with tools to navigate these situations. By understanding the conflict resolution approaches associated with each astrological sign, you can tailor your approach to effectively address conflicts. For example, if you’re dealing with an air sign, approach the conflict with logic and rationality, presenting facts and logical arguments.

Promote collaboration and teamwork

Astrological insights can be used to foster collaboration and teamwork by leveraging the strengths and tendencies of each astrological sign. For example, if you have a team project, consider pairing up signs that complement each other. This can create a harmonious dynamic where each team member can contribute their unique skills and perspectives.

Cultivate a positive and inclusive work environment

Embracing astrological insight can help create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and understood, regardless of their astrological sign. However, incorporating the Astrological signs can really help to foster greater awareness and understanding of those you work with.

• The Laziest Zodiac Signs and The Most Hardworking Ones According to Astrology

How To Get Along With Each Sign At Work

Aries

When it comes to working with an Aries coworker, it’s important to acknowledge their natural leadership abilities and competitive nature. Aries individuals thrive in roles where they can take charge and make decisions. To get along with an Aries, show them respect for their ideas and allow them to take the lead on projects whenever possible. Keep communication direct and to the point, as Aries values efficiency and may become impatient with excessive details. It is easy to butt heads with an Aries coworker, so it’s important to approach conflicts with diplomacy and open-mindedness. It is good to give an Aries individual tasks that allow them to showcase their independent and pioneering spirit. They make good leaders but need to be challenged and given opportunities to take on new projects and initiatives.

Taurus

Taurus individuals are known for their reliability and determination. To work well with a Taurus coworker, establish a sense of trust and demonstrate your commitment to the work at hand. Give them space to work independently, as they value autonomy and may become resistant to micromanagement. A Taurus at work may appreciate tangible rewards and recognition for their efforts, so be sure to acknowledge their contributions and offer praise when deserved. They are really hard workers and appreciate a stable and consistent work environment. They can be very reliable and can be counted on to consistently deliver high-quality work.

Gemini

When collaborating with a Gemini coworker, embrace their versatility and adaptability. Gemini individuals have a knack for multitasking and thrive in environments that offer variety and stimulation. To work effectively with a Gemini, be open to new ideas and approaches, as they tend to be innovative and creative thinkers. If you have a Gemini colleague, be prepared for lively discussions and brainstorming sessions, as they love to explore different perspectives and possibilities. There is a lot these people can teach so it is important that they are encouraged to share their knowledge and experience with the team.

Cancer

Cancer individuals are known for their nurturing and empathetic nature. When working alongside a Cancer coworker, create a supportive and caring environment. Show empathy and understanding towards their emotions and provide them with a sense of security. Collaborate with them in a way that prioritizes emotional well-being and teamwork. Working with a Cancer coworker requires creating a safe space where they feel comfortable expressing their emotions and concerns. They can be very creative and intuitive, so it is important to listen to their insights and incorporate them into the work. A Cancer needs extra trust and encouragement, as they may be sensitive to criticism and easily affected by negative energy in the workspace.

Leo

Leos are natural-born leaders who thrive in positions of authority and recognition. To get along with a Leo coworker, show appreciation for their contributions and let them take the spotlight when appropriate. Acknowledge their need for praise and validation, and offer constructive feedback in a respectful manner. When working with a Leo coworker, it’s important to recognize their desire for leadership and allow them to shine in their role. They want to be the star and tend to be at their best when they get the praise and recognition they desire. At work , it’s important to support and respect their leadership qualities, while also maintaining open communication and collaboration with them. Libra individuals value harmony and balance in their work relationships. To foster effective collaboration with Libra coworkers, it is important to create a harmonious and cooperative work environment.

Virgo

To navigate a work relationship with a Virgo coworker, it’s essential to recognize their meticulous and detail-oriented nature. When working with a Virgo colleague, be prepared to provide them with accurate and well-organized information. They appreciate efficiency and precision, so make sure to double-check your work and ensure that everything is in order before presenting it to them. Additionally, Virgos value structure and organization, so try to create a workspace that is neat and tidy, as this will contribute to their productivity and overall satisfaction. Be open to their suggestions for improvement and actively listen to their insights, as they have a keen eye for identifying areas that can be optimized. By working together in a methodical and detail-oriented manner, you can establish a strong and productive partnership.

Libra

In collaborating with a Libra coworker, embrace their diplomacy and focus on creating a harmonious work environment. Strive to maintain open lines of communication with your Libra colleague, as they value fairness and equal participation. Seek their input and involve them in decision-making processes to ensure that everyone’s perspectives are considered. Libras have a natural talent for mediating conflicts, so if any disagreements arise, rely on their diplomatic skills to find a mutually beneficial solution. Encourage collaboration and cooperation among team members, fostering a sense of unity and shared goals. Libras thrive in environments where teamwork and cooperation are prioritized, so emphasize the importance of working together towards a common objective. Additionally, recognize and appreciate their creativity and artistic sensibility by incorporating their ideas into projects and brainstorming sessions.

Scorpio

To navigate a work relationship with a Scorpio coworker, it’s crucial to understand their intensity and desire for meaningful connections. They might be emotional and intense, but Scorpios are very driven and resourceful. When working with a Scorpio coworker, be prepared for their strong sense of determination and desire for depth. They are driven individuals who seek meaningful connections in their work and relationships. To foster a successful partnership with a Scorpio colleague, it is important to show a genuine interest in their ideas and opinions. Engage in deep and meaningful conversations, allowing them to express their thoughts and insights fully. Additionally, Scorpios appreciate individuals who are reliable and trustworthy. Demonstrate your commitment to your work and follow through on your commitments to gain their respect and trust. Be prepared to provide concrete evidence and data to support your ideas, as Scorpios value facts and evidence.

Sagittarius

When collaborating with a Sagittarius coworker, embrace their adventurous and optimistic spirit. Tap into their adventurous and optimistic spirit by encouraging innovative and out-of-the-box thinking. Sagittarius individuals thrive on new experiences and opportunities, so don’t be afraid to propose bold ideas and explore unconventional approaches to problem-solving. To cultivate a strong work relationship with a Sagittarius coworker, foster an environment that supports freedom and independence. They value their autonomy and can excel when given the space to explore their own ideas and work at their own pace. Avoid micromanaging and instead provide them with the resources and guidance they need to succeed. Embrace a positive and enthusiastic attitude when engaging with a Sagittarius colleague. Their optimism is contagious and can help create a positive and energized work environment.

Capricorn

To collaborate effectively with a Capricorn coworker, understanding their ambitious and goal-oriented nature is key. Capricorns are known for their disciplined work ethic and drive to succeed. To foster a productive partnership with a Capricorn colleague, it is important to align with their professional goals and demonstrate a shared commitment to success. Show that you value their determination and dedication by taking their ideas and contributions seriously. Capricorns appreciate structure and organization, so providing clear timelines and deadlines for projects can help them stay focused and motivated. They are also detail-oriented individuals, so ensuring accuracy and precision in your work will earn their trust and respect.

Aquarius

When working with an Aquarius coworker, it’s important to embrace their independent and progressive nature. Aquarius individuals thrive on independence and have a unique perspective on things. To collaborate effectively with an Aquarius coworker, encourage their innovative thinking and celebrate their out-of-the-box ideas. They are often ahead of the curve when it comes to trends and technology, so be open to their suggestions and embrace change. In order to foster a strong work relationship with an Aquarius coworker, create an environment that promotes creativity and freedom. Allow them to explore their own ideas and give them the space to work at their own pace. Avoid rigid structures or micromanaging, as this may stifle their creativity and hinder their productivity. Aquarius colleagues value collaboration and teamwork, so involving them in brainstorming sessions or group projects can be an effective way to tap into their innovative thinking and problem-solving skills.

Pisces

When collaborating with a Pisces coworker, it’s important to embrace their compassionate and intuitive nature. Pisces individuals are known for their empathy and understanding, so to effectively collaborate with a Pisces coworker, it’s important to create a supportive and nurturing work environment. Show genuine interest in their ideas and listen attentively to their perspectives. Pisces colleagues appreciate open and honest communication, so encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings without judgment. In order to foster a strong work relationship with a Pisces coworker, it’s important to acknowledge their intuitive nature. They often have a knack for sensing the needs and emotions of others, so allow them to use their intuition to contribute to problem-solving and decision-making processes. Their insights and intuition can bring a unique perspective to the table.

The post Navigating Work Relationships with Esoteric Wisdom: Astrological Insights for Effective Collaboration appeared first on askAstrology.

Witchcraft is a centuries-old practice that encompasses a wide range of beliefs and traditions. At its core, it involves harnessing the natural energies of the universe to bring about positive change. Crafting magical altars is a fundamental aspect of this practice. The magical altar serves as a gateway between the physical and spiritual realms. It is a sacred space where witches connect with their intentions and the energies of the universe. Each altar is unique and tailored to the witch’s personal beliefs and goals.

Crafting a magical altar is a deeply personal and symbolic act. It allows practitioners to set intentions and create a focal point for their magical work. The items placed on the altar hold significance and represent the practitioner’s goals and desires.

The choice of colors in crafting a magical altar is significant. Different colors correspond to various intentions and energies. For example, white represents purity and protection, while green signifies growth and abundance. Keep on reading to discover the meanings of colors and beautiful creations…

Crafting a Magical Altar

Now that we’ve introduced you to the enchanting world of witchcraft and the significance of magical altars, let’s explore the steps to create your own powerful altar.

• Setting the Stage: Before you begin crafting your magical altar, it’s essential to choose a suitable location. Find a quiet and peaceful space where you can focus your energy and intentions. Ensure your altar remains undisturbed.
• Selecting Your Tools: The items you place on your altar are essential. These can include candles, crystals, herbs, figurines, and symbols that hold personal meaning to you. Each item should align with your intentions.
• The Role of Colors: As mentioned earlier, the choice of colors is crucial in witchcraft. Select candles, fabrics, and decorations that correspond to the energy you wish to invoke. Ensure the colors resonate with your intentions.
• Arranging Your Altar: How you arrange the items on your altar is a creative and personal process. Some witches prefer symmetry, while others opt for a more eclectic layout. Trust your instincts and place items intuitively.
• Regular Maintenance: Your magical altar is a living, breathing representation of your intentions. Maintain it by cleansing and charging your items regularly. This ensures the energy remains pure and potent.
• Working with Intentions: Once your magical altar is set up, take time each day to connect with it. Light candles, meditate, and focus on your intentions. Your altar is a tool for manifestation, so use it with purpose.

Meaning of colors and Altars’ examples

Black Altars

Let’s start with Black Altars. They are often associated with protection, banishing, and absorbing negative energies. It can also symbolize the unknown and hidden mysteries.

We advise you these black stones to create your altar:

• Black Tourmaline: A protective stone that wards off negative energies and psychic attacks. It’s often used for grounding and protection.
• The Labradorite stone is known for its mystical and transformative properties. It’s used for inner exploration, enhancing psychic abilities, and connecting with higher realms.
• Hematite: A grounding and protective stone. It’s used for shielding from negative energies and enhancing focus.
• Obsidian: A powerful protective stone. It’s used for banishing negative energies and psychic protection.
• Onyx: A stone for strength and self-control. It’s used to ward off negative influences and promote emotional balance.

White Altars

White Altars represent purity, spirituality, and truth. It’s often used for cleansing, purification, and invoking higher spiritual guidance.

Among the white stones, you can use these two ones to create your altar:

The Clear Quartz is known as the “master healer” and is used to amplify intentions, purify energy, and aid in divination.

The Selenite crystal is a purifying and cleansing stone. It’s used for clearing energy and enhancing spiritual awareness.

Here are the different flowers you can use to create your altar:

• Daisies are used as an innocence and purity symbol. They are associated with childlike qualities and simplicity.
• Lily are a symbol of fertility and motherhood. Lilies are often used in spells related to childbirth and nurturing.
• Jasmine represents spiritual love and divination. Jasmine is used in rituals to enhance psychic abilities and attract spiritual love.

Red Alttars

The Red Altars serve passion, love, and energy. It’s used in love spells and rituals, as well as for courage and strength.

The Red Agate stone symbolizes protection from negative energies and psychic attacks, while also fostering courage and vitality. It’s often used for grounding and manifesting desires, making it a versatile and powerful stone in various magical practices.

The Tulip flower represents love and passion. Tulips are often used in love spells and to promote romantic feelings.

And the Hibiscus is one symbol of passion and love. Hibiscus flowers are associated with attraction and lust.

Green Altars

Now let’s admire Green Altars. Associated with nature, growth, and prosperity, they are used in money and fertility spells, as well as for healing.

As you can notice in this picture, you can choose a Green Orchid. Available in many colors, orchids symbolize beauty, refinement, elegance and are often used in rituals for glamour and attraction.

Here are two stones appreciated to create a green altar:

The Aventurine, known for its properties of luck and prosperity. It’s used for attracting wealth and abundance.

And the Malachite stone, known for its transformative and healing properties. It’s used for personal growth and emotional healing.

Blue Altars

Blue altars symbolize wisdom, truth, and communication. They are used in rituals for clarity, divination, and psychic abilities.

You can use these charming blue stones to create your altar:

The Lapis Lazuli is often associated with wisdom, truth, and communication. It’s used in divination and enhancing psychic abilities.

And the Apatite stone, known for its properties of manifestation and inspiration. It’s used for personal growth and goal setting.

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Purple Altars

Now, let us be captivated by Purple Altars. Purple is a color of spirituality and psychic power. It’s used for enhancing psychic abilities, divination, and connecting with the spiritual realm.

Two kinds of stones are particularly appreciated for purple altars:

The Amethyst: A powerful stone for protection, healing, and spiritual growth. It’s often used for enhancing psychic abilities and promoting inner peace.

And the Fluorite: A stone of mental clarity and protection. It’s used for enhancing concentration, intuition, and spiritual growth.

The Violet flower is used as a protecter and healer. Violets are used in spells to protect against evil and bring healing energies.

Yellow Altars

The sunny Yellow Altars suggest intellect, creativity, and confidence. It’s used in spells for mental clarity, communication, and confidence.

The Citrine stone symbolizes abundance and prosperity. It’s used for manifesting wealth and success.

Each word you read brings you closer to understanding the profound connections between intentions, colors, and the art of witchcraft…

Orange Altars

Now the Orange Altars. Associated with enthusiasm, attraction, and success. They are used in spells for motivation, vitality, and ambition.

The Carnelian is an orange semiprecious stone symbolizing vitality and creativity. It’s used for boosting energy, passion, and motivation.

To adorn your altar, you can use orange Roses like in the examples, but Marigold flowers are also appreciated. They bring protection and success. Marigolds are used to ward off negative energies and promote positive outcomes.

Did you know that fruits can also be used? For example, oranges in witchcraft are associated with attributes like good fortune, prosperity, and abundance. They are often used to invoke the energy of the sun, making them symbols of warmth and positivity. Additionally, oranges can be incorporated into rituals or spells to attract happiness, luck, and success.

Pink Altars

The Pink Altars symbolize love, compassion, and nurturing. It’s used in love spells and rituals for self-love.

The famous Rose Quartz is the symbol of love and compassion. It’s used in love spells, self-love rituals, and to attract loving relationships.

The less famous but not less pretty Rhodonite stone can have a place on your altar too. Also associated with love and compassion, it’s used for emotional healing, forgiveness, and self-love.

We can suggest two flowers to decorate your altar. The first one, quite an obvious one, is the Rose. It’s a famous symbol of love, passion, and romance. Different colors of Roses have varying correspondences, such as red for love, white for purity, and pink for friendship.

There’s also the Carnation that symbolizes affection and admiration. Carnations are used to express love and admiration for someone.

• Empowering Your Inner Witch: Embracing Magic and Manifestation

Brown Altars

The brown color in witchcraft represents stability, grounding, and protection. Brown Altars are used in spells for protection, connecting with the Earth, and home-related rituals.

The Tiger’s Eye is a stone of courage, strength, and protection. It’s used to boost self-confidence and personal power.

Silver Altars

Silver Altars are often used in moon-related rituals and for enhancing psychic abilities. This color is a color of reflection and intuition.

The Moonstone is a stone tied to the lunar cycle and intuition. It’s used for enhancing psychic abilities and connecting with the divine feminine.

Golden Altars

The Golden Altars are associated with wealth, abundance, and success. They are used in money spells and rituals for personal power.

Don’t miss out on the expert tips and wisdom waiting for you in the following sections…

Gray Altars

The gray color symbolizes neutrality and balance. A Gray Altar can be used when you want to remain unnoticed or to meditate on complex issues.

The Smoky Quartz is a valuable stone in a Gray Altar. It’s a grounding and protective stone used for dispelling negativity and enhancing stability.

• Daily Rituals for the Modern Witch: Incorporating Magic into Every Day Life

Copper Altars

Copper Altars represent energy and balance. They are used in spells for harmonizing and balancing energies.

We’re about to explore some powerful techniques that can transform your life, so don’t stop now…

Magenta Altars

And finally, the Magenta Altars. Magenta symbolizes high spiritual vibrancy and is often used for rituals that require a strong connection to the divine. Here are 2 wonderful examples:

Let’s finish we this magical creation…

Keep in mind that the meanings of colors in witchcraft can vary among different traditions and individual practitioners. It’s essential to trust your intuition and research the specific color correspondences within your chosen path or practice.

It’s the same for stones and crystals for which the meanings and uses can vary among different traditions and practitioners. When using gemstones in your practice, it’s important to research and trust your intuition regarding their specific correspondences and energies for your magical work.

Crafting a magical altar is a transformative journey into the world of witchcraft. It’s a deeply personal and meaningful practice that allows you to connect with your intentions and the mystical realm. By understanding the power of colors, intentions, and the secrets of witchcraft, you can create a magical altar that resonates with your goals and desires.

FAQ

What is the significance of colours in crafting a magical altar?
Colours in witchcraft carry specific meanings and energies. They are used to align with intentions and enhance the power of magical work. For example, red symbolizes love and passion, while blue represents healing and communication.

How often should I cleanse and charge the items on my magical altar?
It’s a good practice to cleanse and charge your altar items at least once a month or whenever you feel the energy has become stagnant or heavy. Trust your intuition and perform these rituals as needed.

Can I create a magical altar if I’m a beginner in witchcraft?
Absolutely! Crafting a magical altar is a beautiful way to start your witchcraft journey. It’s a personal and meaningful practice that can help you connect with your intentions and the magical realm.

Are there specific rules for arranging items on a magical altar?
There are no strict rules for arranging items on your altar. It’s a creative and intuitive process. Trust your instincts and arrange the items in a way that feels right for you and resonates with your intentions.

What can I use as a symbol on my magical altar?
Symbols on your altar can be anything that holds personal meaning to you. This could include statues, symbols, or objects that represent your goals and desires.

How can I enhance the power of my magical altar?
You can enhance your altar’s power through regular meditation, visualization, and focused intention. The more you connect with your altar and infuse it with your energy, the more potent it becomes.

The post Crafting Magical Altars: The Enchanting World of Witchcraft appeared first on askAstrology.

Each personality type has a different orientation to life, including sets of talents, strengths, weaknesses, stressors and values.

The enneagram system provides tremendous value both in what it teaches us about our own psychology and in the insight, we may gain into the psychology of others. Perhaps the greatest lesson we might learn from of any typological system is just how different we are from one another at the very roots of our psyches. For one person, the most “real” element of experience is the emotional or subjective experience, while for another person it is the concrete world and measurable achievements. Some people actually thrive when they are put under intense pressure, while others are profoundly traumatized by it.

There are many tests online which you may take to discover which type you are. However, the best way to determine your type is to learn as much as you can about each type and see which one best fits your values and behavior patterns.

Type One: The Ideologue

You prioritize perfection, purity and certainty. You deeply value a sense of being right. You are highly organized, careful, idealistic, contemplative, observant and scrupulous. You believe that there is a correct way to do things, and that there is only one correct way. It is very important for you to feel that you are morally righteous, organized, observant and on a constant path of self-improvement. You find a lot of satisfaction in “perfecting” things, even if it is just the simple satisfaction of balancing a checkbook, cleaning the house, or a work of art that seems like every piece is just in its perfect place. Often Ones are religious leaders and men of deep faith, with a tendency toward zealotry and orthodoxy. You hold yourself to the highest standards of nobility, honor, generosity, unity and reason.

Type Two: The Caregiver

You have a deep need for love, approval and overt affection. You crave the feeling of being of service to other people, especially in taking care of their personal or emotional needs. You are always there when someone needs a shoulder to cry on, an extra pair of helping hands, or a happy playmate. In fact, you can be whatever or whoever is most needed at the moment — you have an instinct for what others like, what they will respond to, what they need and how they can be best served. As you look around any room, you may find yourself naturally and even unconsciously melding into the personalities around you so that you can be more pleasing to them. Twos are often in the position of being a “right-hand man” to people of influence, for instance a personal assistant or secretary, because they are so proficient at reading and anticipating the needs of others. You feel deeply fulfilled when someone is counting on you, or when you have successfully aided someone in some way. You also enjoy recognition, gratitude and affection for these labors, for while you may be genuinely motivated by a spirit of selfless service to others, deep down you are actually seeking love and validation.

• Which Cards of the Tarot Major Arcana Match Each Enneagram Type?

Type Three: The Performer

Threes are hard-working, calculating, competitive, high achievers and action-oriented. Threes immerse themselves intensely in their work and identify completely with the products that they create and the roles that they play. You like to appear to others as image of perfection, success and accomplishment, and mold your sense of identity according to what is expected of someone in your position. You do this in all areas of your life, seeking to project an image of perfection in your job, as a parent, as a spouse, as a friend, etc. You figure out what it is that you are supposed to say, and you say it, whether you truly mean it or not. This behavior like has its roots in your childhood; in one way or another you may have been taught that you will be loved for your accomplishments, successes and general flawlessness, as opposed to for who you are as a human being or what you truly feel. You thrive in competitive environments where you can climb a ladder to achieve success. You will work tirelessly for days on end, and are extremely adept at putting aside all emotions and external considerations to get the job done.

Type Four: The Romantic

Fours are mysterious, withdrawn, poetic, romantic, creative, inspired, sensitive and given to extreme mood swings. We can recognize the Fourth type in the stereotype of the “tortured artist”, one with great emotional and artistic sensitivity, and one who is highly temperamental and sometimes dramatic. Fours are in a constant conquest for a deep and all-consuming love which they feel will redeem them, complete them or bring wholeness where they feel broken or empty. Often Fours experience abandonment early in life from a parental figure through death, divorce, neglect or abuse and this early experience of pain/rejection has a profound effect on the formation of the personality.

• Zodiac Signs Ranked from Most Romantic to Least Romantic

Type Five: The Sage

In a word, the Five is contemplative. You are reclusive, introverted and quiet by nature, and you enjoy watching others, while avoiding being watched yourself. You are capable of deep and penetrating insight, and laser-like focused concentration, and you build your life around these skills, carefully crafting a kind of secluded fortress that keeps out all that would distract you. Fives can make great philosophers, scientists, artists, writers and scholars; you excel at activities which require detached study and rational understanding, and are happy to live an isolated life of a hermit if it deepens and enhances your work. Fives tend to seek out philosophical, religious and psychological systems for understanding humanity and the world at large. You like to understand the essentials; you are not interested in anecdotes or tidbits, but instead want an understanding of the whole, and how all the parts fit together.

Type Six: The Worker

Sixes are organized, strategic, persevering, humble, loyal and devoted. You are intensely observant and watchful, and you have a knack for being able to spot the weak spots, potential downfalls or flaws in an organization or enterprise. You are great at coming up with solutions, and you will work day and night to ensure the security and stability of whatever you are working on — be it professional, romantic, in the household, or anywhere else. Your mind often drifts to the worst-case scenario wherever you are, and this may lead you to develop elaborate theories about hidden motivations, latent diseases, potential collapses, failures or disasters, and this mental habit is likely to bring a lot of needless worry and anxiety into your life. At the same time, however, it is this inborn tendency which makes you an absolute master at organizing, planning and streamlining, because you can anticipate problems and defects even before they have had time to show up.

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Type Seven: The Enthusiast

As a Seven, you are motivated by a need for freedom, new experience, and sensual appetites. You enjoy the best of the best when it comes to food, art, wine and company. You may tend toward thrill-seeking, and be the sort of person who leaps at the chance to go white water rafting or sky-diving at a moment’s notice. Even if you are not the outdoors type, you probably have many different areas of interest or skill, and you absolutely hate the prospect of boredom. You are always looking for the maximum excitement at all times and this can lead to over-indulgence in food, alcohol or drugs, as well as promiscuous sexual behavior, but it can also mean a long, full life of learning, expansion and adventure. Sevens often retain an “eternal youth” as you are highly open-minded and curious.

Type Eight: The Boss

As an Eight, you are protective, assertive and a natural leader. You like to work for yourself by your own rules and make your decisions based on your “gut instincts”, which are quite powerful and usually trustworthy for you. The “Boss” types tend to speak bluntly and even aggressively, and you are masterful at applying pressure— psychological, emotional or physical— so that things get done and things get done your way. You love to be in positions of power and are quite good at directing, guiding and even forcing conditions to bend to your will.

• Top Four Zodiac Signs That Make The Best Bosses

Type Nine: The Buddy

Nines are supportive, easy-going, friendly and indecisive. You have a deep need to feel peaceful, accepted and a sense of ease in your life. You avoid confrontation, conflict, self-assertion and decision-making. You do not like to have to take one point of view over another, mostly because you really don’t like alienating other people, but also because you are a basically agreeable person. You would rather refrain from taking any side and flow with the opinions and decisions of whoever you are with, or the larger group of your community, society or family. You are definitely a people person, and enjoy working in groups or teams, socializing at big events and parties, and spending lots of time with your friends and family.

The post Begin Your Journey of Self-Discovery: What Enneagram Type Are You? appeared first on askAstrology.

This article will look at the role of the sign of Scorpio in a child’s chart, which means looking at more than the Sun sign.

Get Your Child’s Chart Cast Here!

As you can read from the introduction, it’s not just about the Sun sign, but also which points in a child’s chart might be ruled by Scorpio. When you run a child’s chart using our Birth Chart Calculator, you will get a result that tells you which points are in which signs. The AskAstrology Birth Chart Calculator will give you 15 points to consider, beginning with the Sun and ending with Pluto. The list of points will also include two angles, the Ascendant and the Midheaven, the Nodes of the Moon (North and South), as well as the Part of Fortune.

Scorpio

Scorpio, a Water sign ruled by Pluto and Mars, embodies intense emotions, transformation, and mystery. People born under this sign are known for their passionate and determined nature. They delve into the hidden depths of life, seeking profound truths and emotional connections. Scorpios possess strong intuition and can be fiercely loyal, but their intensity can also lead to jealousy and secrecy. Ultimately, Scorpio symbolizes the journey of self-discovery through deep emotional exploration.

• Scorpio Daily Horoscope

Sun in Scorpio (Core Identity of the Child)

A child with the Sun in Scorpio carries an intense and perceptive energy from birth. This astrological placement bestows them with deep emotions, determination, and a natural curiosity about life’s mysteries. They may exhibit a strong-willed and passionate nature, often pursuing their interests with unwavering focus. These young Scorpios possess a unique ability to perceive underlying truths and are driven to explore the profound depths of their own emotions and experiences.

The Ascendant (How the Child Approaches New Experiences)

A child with Scorpio as their Ascendant (rising sign) displays an enigmatic and intense aura from an early age. They may appear more reserved or secretive, masking their true feelings behind a facade of composure. This Scorpio influence bestows them with strong emotional depth and determination. They possess an innate ability to perceive hidden aspects of people and situations. As children, they may exhibit a strong desire for privacy, often engaging in activities that involve introspection and exploration of their inner world. This Ascendant encourages them to embrace their inner strength and delve into life’s mysteries as they grow.

Moon in Scorpio (Inner Emotional World of the Child)

In a child’s natal chart, the Moon in Scorpio signifies an emotionally intense and perceptive nature. These young individuals possess a deep well of emotions and are keenly attuned to the feelings of those around them. They may experience their own emotions with great depth, sometimes veering into extremes. As children, they exhibit a curiosity for life’s mysteries and may be drawn to exploring hidden aspects of themselves and their surroundings.

Venus in Scorpio (Play and Friendship)

A child with Venus in Scorpio radiates intense and passionate affection from an early age. Their emotional nature is profoundly deep, often leading to strong, enduring bonds with loved ones. They may possess a magnetic allure that draws people towards them. However, their expressions of love and affection can also be marked by intensity, sometimes leading to possessiveness or jealousy. As children, they may show a fascination with the complexity of human emotions and relationships.

• What Type of Mom Are You?

Mars in Scorpio (Excitement and Drive of the Child)

A child with Mars in Scorpio possesses an intense and determined energy from an early age. Their willpower and drive are formidable, often leading them to pursue their goals with unwavering focus. These young Scorpios have a strong desire to delve into life’s mysteries and are not afraid of challenges. They may exhibit an innate ability to uncover hidden truths and are persistent in their pursuits. However, their intensity can sometimes lead to power struggles or conflicts with others.

Jupiter in Scorpio (Learning)

A child with Jupiter in Scorpio approaches learning with a deep and intense curiosity. They have a natural inclination to explore profound subjects and seek a deeper understanding of life’s mysteries. These young Scorpios are avid learners, often drawn to topics related to psychology, the occult, or transformation. They embrace challenges with enthusiasm, viewing them as opportunities for growth. However, their intensity may occasionally lead to a tendency to become overly absorbed in their pursuits or to a need for privacy during their learning journeys.

Saturn in Scorpio (Responsibilities)

Children with Saturn in Scorpio exhibit an early sense of responsibility and commitment. They approach tasks with determination and a desire to succeed. These young Scorpios embrace challenges, recognizing them as opportunities for growth and transformation. However, their intensity and need for control may occasionally lead to power struggles or a fear of relinquishing control in certain situations.

• The Diplomatic Dynamo: Parenting the Peaceful and People-Pleasing Libra Child

Chiron in Scorpio (Wound in Need of Healing)

In a child’s natal chart, Chiron in Scorpio suggests early encounters with deep emotional wounds or transformative experiences. These young individuals may confront issues related to power, trust, or intimacy from a young age. While these challenges may be intense, they ultimately offer opportunities for profound healing and growth. Scorpio’s transformative energy encourages them to face these wounds courageously, leading to personal empowerment and resilience.

Uranus in Scorpio (the Authentic Self)

In a child’s natal chart, Uranus in Scorpio signifies a generation marked by transformative and unconventional energies. These young individuals may exhibit a natural inclination towards embracing change and innovation in the realm of emotions, intimacy, and power dynamics. They may challenge traditional norms and seek unconventional paths to understanding life’s mysteries. This placement encourages them to explore the hidden realms of human experience, fostering a sense of individuality and a fearless pursuit of the unknown.

Neptune in Scorpio (Destiny)

In a child’s natal chart, Neptune in Scorpio reflects a generation with deep emotional sensitivity and a fascination with the mysteries of life, death, and transformation. These young individuals may possess a profound connection to the hidden aspects of existence, often exploring the realms of intuition, spirituality, and the occult from an early age. Their imaginative and empathetic qualities can lead to a heightened awareness of the world’s complexities, inspiring them to seek spiritual truths and transformative experiences.

Pluto in Scorpio (Dealing with Major Life Changes)

In a child’s natal chart, Pluto in Scorpio signifies a generation marked by an intense and transformative energy. These young individuals are drawn to the profound mysteries of life, often confronting issues related to power, control, and deep emotional transformation from an early age. They possess an innate desire to uncover hidden truths and may exhibit a fearless approach to exploring the complexities of human existence. This placement encourages them to embrace personal growth and resilience in the face of life’s challenges, ultimately leading to profound transformations.

The Midheaven (Education and Work)

In a child’s natal chart, the Midheaven in Scorpio suggests a future marked by a determined and intense pursuit of career and life goals. These young individuals are likely to be drawn to professions and endeavors that involve deep emotional engagement and transformation. They possess a strong desire to uncover hidden truths and may excel in careers related to psychology, research, or investigative work. Their path to success often involves overcoming challenges and embracing personal growth.

• The Perfect College Degree For Your Zodiac Sign

North Node Scorpio/South Node Taurus (Goal/Release)

In a child’s natal chart, the North Node in Scorpio signifies a path of deep emotional growth and transformation, guiding them to seek profound connections and embrace change. With the South Node in Taurus, they may carry past-life comfort tied to material possessions but are destined to release materialism, focusing on emotional and spiritual evolution. This placement urges them to embrace inner exploration, fostering personal empowerment along their transformative journey.

North Node Taurus/South Node Scorpio (Goal/Release)

In a child’s natal chart, the North Node in Taurus indicates a life path focused on stability, practicality, and appreciating life’s simple pleasures. These individuals are meant to cultivate a sense of security and material comfort. With the South Node in Scorpio, they may have carried past-life experiences related to intensity, power, and deep emotional transformation. However, their soul’s journey in this lifetime encourages them to shift towards a more grounded and serene approach, finding fulfillment in life’s tangible and harmonious aspects.

Part of Fortune (Gift of Luck)

The Part of Fortune in Scorpio, in a child’s natal chart, suggests that they may find happiness and fulfillment through exploring the deeper, more intense aspects of life. This placement encourages them to delve into subjects related to transformation, psychology, and uncovering hidden truths. By embracing these Scorpio themes, they can uncover their own sources of joy and success as they navigate their life’s journey.

The post Secrets of Scorpio Kids: Understanding Your Mysterious Child appeared first on askAstrology.

This article will look at the role of the sign of Scorpio in a parent’s chart, which means looking at more than the Sun sign.

Get Your Chart Cast Here!

As you can read from the introduction, it’s not just about the Sun sign, but also which points in a child’s chart might be ruled by Scorpio. When you run your chart using our Birth Chart Calculator, you will get a result that tells you which points are in which signs. The AskAstrology Birth Chart Calculator will give you 15 points to consider, beginning with the Sun and ending with Pluto. The list of points will also include two angles, the Ascendant and the Midheaven, the Nodes of the Moon (North and South), as well as the Part of Fortune.

Scorpio

Scorpio, a Water sign ruled by Pluto and Mars, embodies intense emotions, transformation, and mystery. People born under this sign are known for their passionate and determined nature. They delve into the hidden depths of life, seeking profound truths and emotional connections. Scorpios possess strong intuition and can be fiercely loyal, but their intensity can also lead to jealousy and secrecy. Ultimately, Scorpio symbolizes the journey of self-discovery through deep emotional exploration.

Sun in Scorpio (The Primary Drive of the Parent)

In a parent’s natal chart, the Sun in Scorpio signifies a passionate, determined, and intense nature. They bring a deep emotional depth and an unwavering desire for authenticity into their parenting style. These individuals are often fiercely protective and deeply committed to their children, encouraging them to explore life’s mysteries and embrace personal growth. Their Scorpio energy infuses their parenting with a profound transformative quality.

• The Diplomatic Dynamo: Parenting the Peaceful and People-Pleasing Libra Child

The Ascendant (How the Parent is Viewed by the Child)

In a parent’s natal chart, the Ascendant in Scorpio brings an enigmatic and intense aura to their parenting style. They may appear reserved or secretive at times, masking their true feelings behind a facade of composure. These parents exhibit a strong sense of emotional depth and determination, offering their children a unique perspective on life’s mysteries. They encourage their children to explore their inner worlds and often foster a sense of resilience and self-discovery.

Moon in Scorpio (Inner Emotional World of the Parent)

In a parent’s natal chart, the Moon in Scorpio signifies an emotionally intense and perceptive nature. These parents possess a deep well of emotions and are keenly attuned to the feelings of their children. They nurture their children with profound care and dedication, often encouraging them to explore the hidden aspects of life and emotions. These parents value emotional authenticity and teach their children the importance of embracing the complexities of human emotions and experiences.

• To learn more about the Scorpio Sign, check out our Little Handbook for the Scorpio Sign

Venus in Scorpio (Nurturing and Affection)

With Venus in Scorpio in a parent’s natal chart, their nurturing style is deeply intense and emotionally rich. They nurture their children by fostering profound emotional connections and encouraging them to explore the depths of their feelings. These parents value honesty and authenticity in relationships, teaching their children the importance of forging strong, transformative bonds. Their nurturing approach often involves guiding their children through experiences that encourage emotional growth and empowerment.

Mars in Scorpio (Demands and Expectations)

With Mars in Scorpio in a parent’s natal chart, their expectations from their children are characterized by intensity and a strong desire for empowerment. They expect their children to approach life with determination and passion, encouraging them to face challenges fearlessly. These parents value authenticity and teach their children the importance of confronting hidden truths and navigating the complexities of life with courage. They expect their children to harness their inner strength and pursue their goals with unwavering focus.

Jupiter in Scorpio (Teaching)

With Jupiter in Scorpio in a parent’s natal chart, their teaching style is marked by a deep exploration of life’s mysteries and a desire for profound understanding. They encourage their children to approach learning with curiosity, particularly in areas related to psychology, the occult, or transformation. These parents foster a love for delving into the hidden aspects of existence and guide their children to seek spiritual truths. They teach their children to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and transformation, imparting a sense of resilience and personal empowerment.

• How Parents Can Nurture Themselves So They Can Be At Their Best When Parenting Gets Stressful

Saturn in Scorpio (Discipline)

With Saturn in Scorpio in a parent’s natal chart, their approach to discipline is characterized by a strong emphasis on responsibility and personal growth. They teach their children the importance of confronting and overcoming challenges, often related to issues of power, control, or deep emotional transformation. These parents expect their children to take their responsibilities seriously and value inner strength. They may discipline with a focus on learning and personal development, encouraging their children to face difficulties with courage and determination.

Chiron in Scorpio (Wound in Need of Healing)

With Chiron in Scorpio in a parent’s natal chart, their parenting style may involve helping their children confront and heal deep emotional wounds. They teach their children the value of exploring life’s mysteries and encourage them to face and transform their emotional pain. These parents offer guidance in navigating intense emotions and help their children build resilience through understanding the complexities of human experiences.

Uranus in Scorpio (the Authentic Self)

With Uranus in Scorpio in a parent’s natal chart, their parenting style is likely to be unconventional and transformative. They encourage their children to explore the hidden aspects of life and embrace change with enthusiasm. These parents value individuality and may teach their children to challenge traditional norms. They foster an interest in psychology, the occult, and innovative thinking, urging their children to pursue unique paths of self-discovery and transformation.

• Unlocking Your Child’s Potential: The Power of Birth Charts in Parenting

Neptune in Scorpio (Spirituality)

With Neptune in Scorpio in a parent’s natal chart, their parenting style involves nurturing their children’s fascination with the mysteries of life, death, and transformation. They encourage exploration of the hidden aspects of existence, fostering their children’s spiritual and intuitive gifts. These parents value empathy and may teach their children to embrace their own and others’ deep emotions. They offer guidance in navigating the complexities of human experiences, promoting a sense of compassion and sensitivity.

Pluto in Scorpio (Dealing with Major Life Changes)

With Pluto in Scorpio in a parent’s natal chart, their parenting style is marked by an intense and transformative approach. They encourage their children to confront and navigate issues related to power, control, and emotional depth. These parents value personal growth and teach their children to embrace life’s mysteries. They guide their children through experiences that lead to profound transformations, fostering resilience and inner strength. Their parenting emphasizes the importance of authenticity and facing challenges with courage.

The Midheaven (How They Provide)

With the Midheaven in Scorpio in a parent’s natal chart, their approach to providing for their family is characterized by a determined and intense pursuit of success. They teach their children the value of hard work, often in careers related to psychology, research, or investigative work. These parents emphasize the importance of embracing change and exploring the hidden aspects of life to achieve personal and financial success. They encourage their children to pursue their passions with unwavering focus, guiding them toward transformative and fulfilling careers.

• Your Numerology as a Parent

North Node Scorpio/South Node Taurus (Goal/Release)

With the North Node in Scorpio and the South Node in Taurus in a parent’s natal chart, their parenting journey is marked by a shift from material comfort (South Node) to embracing transformation and emotional depth (North Node). They teach their children the importance of exploring life’s mysteries and forging deep, transformative connections. These parents encourage their children to let go of material attachments and focus on inner growth, fostering resilience and self-discovery along their life’s path.

North Node Taurus/South Node Scorpio (Goal/Release)

With the North Node in Taurus and the South Node in Scorpio in a parent’s natal chart, their parenting journey involves a shift from intense emotional depth (South Node) to embracing stability, practicality, and material comfort (North Node). They teach their children the value of security and enjoying life’s simple pleasures. These parents encourage their children to let go of emotional intensity and embrace a more grounded, serene approach, fostering inner growth and well-being along their life’s path.

Part of Fortune (Gift of Luck)

With the Part of Fortune in Scorpio in a parent’s natal chart, their parenting style emphasizes the pursuit of happiness and fulfillment through deep emotional experiences and transformation. They teach their children to explore life’s mysteries, encouraging them to embrace their passions and uncover hidden truths. These parents guide their children toward pursuing their own sources of joy and success, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and emotional growth in their life’s journey.

The post The Zodiac Guide to Parenting: Scorpio Edition appeared first on askAstrology.

Therefore, it is a form of self-preservation. In honor of World Kindness Day on November 11th, it is time to begin busting some myths about kindness and speaking the facts. The first thing to remember is that kindness is not the same as weakness.

Kindness is Not the Same as Weakness

Over the years, many people have chosen to be rude to others, such as not opening doors to stores or other buildings or neglecting to thank the ones who do. People often do not say hello to strangers when they pass them as they walk and do not offer to help others when they are in need. It is not that most of these people who have chosen rudeness over kindness are genuinely that way.

They fear that showing kindness in any way shows they are weak, which is the major misconception about kindness. The last thing anyone wants to show themselves is that they are weak, and people need to understand that kindness is not the same as weakness. Let’s now review other myths that come with kindness that go beyond weakness so people can understand the truth about being kind.

Myth One – Kind People Get Taken Advantage Of

One reason that so many people fear being kind is that they are afraid that others will take advantage of them. Therefore, those who have this fear because of this myth will purposely be rude and not show any kindness to others because they do not want others using them. Perhaps others used them in the past, creating fear about showing kindness. Those who do get taken advantage of are the ones who are weak. Those who do not have boundaries and are there only to please others.

You can be kind by being empathetic, checking on those struggling, donating to causes that matter to you, and opening doors for those behind you as you enter buildings and have boundaries. When you have boundaries, you will make it clear that you will not allow others to take advantage of you; that does not take away the fact that you are kind. You can be strong and kind, and kind people will also detect those manipulating them and will stand their ground to them tactfully.

• How Altruistic You Are Based on Your Zodiac Sign

Myth Two – Kind People Let Others Ignore and Disrespect Them

Kind people do not stand for others, ignoring them or disrespecting them. For example, if a kind person has an appointment with someone and that individual is extremely late, the kind individual will want an explanation and will ask why they did not inform them that they would be late for the appointment. And the kind individual would also not stand for lack of an apology by the individual who was late without giving them an explanation.

Therefore, kind people do speak up if they are disrespected. That also means if the kind person has something important to tell someone and they feel others are ignoring what they are saying, they will also stand up for themselves and ask them to listen. A weak person will put up with being disrespected and ignored because a weak person does not have boundaries. Kind people do.

Myth Three – Being Kind Is Synonymous With Being Nice

To be “nice,” one must treat others well and be liked by them. To be kind, one must act in the best interest of another, even when doing so upsets that person. Pleasant, polite, and sunny are synonyms for being nice. Kindness, on the other hand, is synonymous with generosity, morality, and goodness. Therefore, being nice means you would please others, while being kind is about morality. If you are “nice,” you would only care about making others happy and not doing what is right. Therefore, being “nice” often means you are weak.

For example, if you are dealing with bullying in a workplace, your “nice” coworker would not join in on the bullying but would be a bystander and tell you privately that they are sorry you are enduring that. They do not want to rock the boat because they do not like conflicts, so they keep out of it. A kind coworker will not only console you but also do the right thing by informing HR and asking the bullies why they need to bully you. A kind person is willing to have a conflict for the right reasons.

• Nice Vs. Kind: A Helpful Guide To The Difference

Myth Four – Kind People Are Always Agreeable

If you are nice, you will agree with what others say because you do not want to upset anyone. You are only concerned about pleasing others. However, if you are kind, you will not always agree with what others tell you because you have your beliefs and truths, and if you disagree with someone, you will be respectful and explain why you disagree with them. As a kind person, you do not want to hurt their feelings, so you will be as gracious as possible as you explain why you think they are wrong. Therefore, kindness does not mean being agreeable.

Myth Five – Kind People Are Never Critical

Nice people will always find something positive to say regardless of how they feel. Remember, they do not want to hurt anyone’s feelings. For example, if a nice person goes to a restaurant and receives subpar service, they will not complain, will thank the wait staff anyway, and leave a generous tip. They may even leave a positive review for the restaurant online because the nice person will never want to hurt anyone’s feelings, even though they received poor service.

However, someone who is kind may not want to hurt someone’s feelings as well. But that does not mean the kind person will not be critical if there is a good reason for it. If a kind person went to that same restaurant and received the same level of service, they may empathize with the wait staff that they are juggling to serve many customers. However, they will still express their displeasure about the service. Especially if they do not get served their dinners an hour after ordering and the food is cold. They will still tip the wait staff only because they understand it is a difficult job juggling different customers. But it likely will not be a generous one.

• How You Make Life Beautiful Based On Your Zodiac Sign

However, the kind person will leave a mediocre review with a detailed reason why they are unhappy with the service. But they would do it respectfully. Therefore, a nice person will be afraid to criticize, and a kind person will leave constructive criticism while being empathetic towards the one they are being critical of since they understand there is no such thing as perfection.

Now you understand what kindness is and what it is not. Kindness is not the same as being weak or nice; kindness is all about being empathetic, moral, and compassionate while there are boundaries. Weak or nice people will do everything possible to please others and avoid conflicts, even if someone’s well-being is threatened. Kind people never want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but they will not be afraid to disagree with you if what you believe in goes against their truth or belief but will do so respectfully.

They will also not be scared to criticize you constructively if there is a good reason for them to do so, and they will fight for someone or something if their well-being is threatened. Therefore, do not be afraid to be kind. Open that door for the stranger behind you when entering a building. Say ‘hello” to a stranger on the street when walking past them. Say something to someone that will help lift their spirits. You can do all those things while standing up for what is right and exerting your boundaries. World Kindness Day is on November 11th, honor the day by being kind everyday.

• How Does Your Zodiac Sign Express Kindness?

The post Truths And Myths About Kindness appeared first on askAstrology.

In this guide, I’m gonna dive real deep, Scorpio-style. I’m not skimming the surface; I’m exploring the deep waters of your emotional world. Trust issues? Check. Control freak tendencies? I’ve got you. I will break down what’s holding you back and give you the tools to love yourself like nobody’s business.

So light some candles, brew some tea, or whatever gets you in the zone. Get comfy; we’re about to get into the nitty-gritty of what makes you, you, and how to love yourself for it.

If this sounds like gold to you, also read about these beauty practises for self love and empowerment.

The Scorpio Dilemma

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: your emotional intensity and need for control. You guys feel things so deeply that it’s almost like you’re a walking, talking, and very charming pressure cooker. That intensity, as intoxicating as it can be, can also be your Achilles’ heel.

You’re not just living life; you’re feeling every moment of it, sometimes to the extreme.

You love control. The thought of things spiraling out of your grip makes you break out in a sweat. You like to be the master of your Universe, and there’s no shame in that game. However, sometimes, that control freak flag flies a little too high. You want to orchestrate every detail, and heaven forbid someone else tries to take the reins.

That emotional intensity and control habit can mess with your self-love journey. When you’re too busy guarding your emotional castle or micro-managing life, you might forget the numero uno person who needs love and attention: you!

As we navigate this self-love guide, we’re gonna tackle these two heavy hitters. How can you channel that intensity in a positive way? How can you find balance and maybe loosen that grip just a smidge?

The Art of Letting Go

Let’s talk about a concept that might seem almost alien to you: The Art of Letting Go. Yeah, I know; just hearing that probably makes you a little antsy.

When you’re always in control mode, you kinda limit your experiences. Imagine holding a bird so tight that it can’t fly. That’s what you’re doing to yourself. By constantly needing to steer the ship, you’re missing out on life’s beautiful surprises. And more importantly, you’re missing out on the chance to show yourself some real love.

Why do Scorpios find it so hard to relinquish control? That’s because you like depth and substance. Surface level doesn’t cut it for you, and that means you dive deep into relationships, work, and even your hobbies.

Holding onto control as if it’s your lifeline isn’t loving yourself; it’s boxing yourself in. To genuinely love yourself, you’ve gotta take off the armor sometimes and allow vulnerability to take the stage. Yeah, it’s scary as hell, but that’s where the magic happens. That’s where you grow.

How about, for starters, you try to let go of just one thing you’ve been controlling? Trust the process and trust yourself. And you’ll find that the love you’re able to give yourself expands, and it feels good.

Exercises to Practice Letting Go and Embracing Vulnerability

Let’s get practical with some exercises that can help you loosen that iron grip and embrace a bit of vulnerability.

Journaling on Fears

Grab a notebook and pen, and let’s get down and dirty with those fears. What makes you want to control everything? Is it fear of failure? Rejection? Write it all out. There are no judgments here; it’s just you and the paper. Afterward, read it out loud to yourself. It makes a world of difference to actually hear your fears; somehow, they become less monstrous.

Check out Journal Prompts For Each Zodiac Sign.

Trust-building Exercises

If you’re lucky to have someone you’re close to, why not engage in some trust falls or two-person meditation? The key here is to consciously decide to trust someone else, even if it’s just for a moment. The rush you’ll feel is called vulnerability, and it’s not as bad as it seems.

Deep Breathing or Meditation to Release Control

You Scorpios love your intensity, but a little chill time never hurt anyone. Try some deep breathing exercises or a guided meditation focused on releasing control. Visualize your fears and controls melting away as you exhale. Inhale courage, exhale doubt.

The trick with these exercises is consistency. Make them a part of your daily or weekly routine. You can’t just flip the switch and go from control freak to Zen master in one day. But every little step counts, and before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to embracing vulnerability and showing yourself some mega love.

Self-Care Practices Aligned with Scorpio Energy

Scorpios go deep in everything they do, no half-measures! So your self-care’s gotta pack a punch, too.

Want a Scorpio themed self-care routine? Read this guide!

Deep Dive Meditation

You know those late-night thoughts where you’re unraveling the mysteries of the Universe? Let’s channel that energy into some deep-dive meditation. Imagine plunging into an ocean, shedding all your stress and emotional baggage as you go deeper. Trust me, a quick 5-minute session won’t cut it for you. Aim for like 20-30 minutes. You’ll come up feeling like a new person.

Transformation Rituals

Moon Ritual

Scorpios are all about transformation, so why not make it official with some rituals? Get some candles, pick out your fave crystals, and jot down what you want to kiss goodbye and what you’re inviting in. Burn that paper (safely, of course!) and just feel the change in the air. Try doing this during a New or Full Moon.

Given your ruling planets, Mars and Pluto, you’ve got a thing for cycles and transformations. New Moon rituals can be powerful for setting new intentions related to self-love.

Empowerment Nights

Self-care doesn’t have to be a one-person show. Call up your crew for an empowerment night. Share those “aha” moments, talk about stuff that’s changed your perspective, or just meditate together. The goal is to leave everyone feeling pumped and ready to take on the world.

Loving Yourself Through Emotional Awareness

Being in tune with your emotions is like your secret weapon for self-love. You guys are naturally intuitive, so leaning into that can bring about some serious self-awareness.

As you dive deeper into loving yourself, check out these 12 self-love tips and tricks!

Facing the Shadow: Scorpios, you’re not afraid of diving deep, even if it’s into your own psyche. The more you understand your darker emotions, the less they control you. That’s empowering!

Passion Power: You’re passionate beings. The same energy you pour into relationships and work can be redirected to loving yourself. When you’re emotionally aware, you know exactly what fuels your fire.

The Healing Sting: You have a talent for transformation. Being aware of your emotions means you can also better understand what needs healing. Addressing it head-on can be liberating.

Building Boundaries: Emotional awareness can help you set better boundaries. You’ll know what vibes just aren’t right for you and keep ’em at a distance. This is self-love in action.

Emotional awareness is a practical tool to build a life you’re passionate about. Tap into those deep waters within, and you’ll find treasures of self-love you didn’t even know existed. There are many ways to learn to love yourself!

Tools and Techniques for Emotional Clarity

Setting Emotional Boundaries for Scorpio

• Identify your limits. Know what you can and can’t tolerate.
• Communicate clearly. Don’t assume people know your boundaries; you gotta say it.
• Be firm but kind. Say “no” without guilt.
• By setting boundaries, you create a safe space for yourself, emotionally and mentally.

Utilizing Intuition for Scorpio

• Pay attention to gut feelings and physical cues. Your body talks!
• Create time for solitude to tune in. This can be through meditation, journaling, or even spending time in nature.
• Intuition is a muscle; the more you trust it, the stronger it gets.

The Link Between Self-Love and Vulnerability

You’re already tuned in to the deeper emotional currents. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable isn’t a leap; it’s more like a next step. By being vulnerable, you let those layers peel back a bit. This self-exposure can be liberating and lead to genuine self-love.

Transformation is your jam. Vulnerability acts as the catalyst for change, and embracing it can transform self-doubt into self-love. You grow stronger through your emotional experiences.

For Scorpios, emotional depth and intimacy are kinda inseparable. Being vulnerable strengthens your relationships, which, in turn, makes it easier for you to love yourself. It’s like a feedback loop of love and support!

Some might think vulnerability is a weakness, but not for you. It’s empowering because it allows you to own your feelings and experiences. You’re in control, even when you’re vulnerable.

Strengthening Relationships by Loving Yourself

When you treat yourself with love and respect, you set a standard. It’s like telling everyone, “Hey, this is how you gotta treat me ’cause I’m worth it,” and they will. Or at least, the right people will.

By focusing on self-love, you make room for healthier, more balanced relationships. No need to keep score or hold onto grudges. You’ll be more willing to compromise, forgive, and, most importantly, let go. And for a sign that’s famously hesitant to release control, that’s a big deal.

It’s high time to use that magnetic energy of yours to draw in not just the love of others but your own love. The better relationship you have with yourself, the more enriching relationships you’ll have with others.

Manifestation Techniques for Scorpio

Why not channel your intense energy into manifesting some epic self-love? When a Scorpio sets their sights on something, not much can stand in the way. Let’s dive into some Law of Attraction techniques that vibe with your unique energy.

Law of Attraction Techniques to Boost Self-Love

Intention Setting: You’re not one for superficial stuff. You want the real deal. So, when it comes to manifesting, get deep and be specific. Write down your intentions for self-love in as much detail as possible. Visualize it, feel it, basically marinate in it. Your intense focus will act like a magnet for your desires.

Deep meditation: I know you love to probe the depths, whether it’s a mystery or your own psyche. So, go on a meditative journey to explore what self-love truly means to you. The more you know yourself, the easier it’ll be to attract the kind of energy you want and need. Make this a regular thing; your future self will thank you.

Emotional Release Rituals: You’ve got a lot of strong emotions bottled up. But holding onto those emotions, especially the negative ones, can mess with your manifestation. Create a ritual to let that stuff go. Light a candle, write down what’s bothering you, and then safely burn the paper. Watch those troubles turn to ash, and let the emotional release boost your self-love game.

Crystals and Other Spiritual Practices That Align with Scorpio Energy

Crystals For Scorpio

Obsidian: This is like the Scorpio of crystals. Obsidian is all about protection and revealing the truth, something you can definitely relate to. Keep this bad boy around to ward off negativity and help you confront those darker emotions in a healthy way.

Malachite: This crystal is all about transformation, which is basically your middle name. It encourages risk-taking and brings about change. Malachite is your go-to crystal if you want to take your self-love to the next level.

Deep Meditation Techniques

Shadow Work Meditation: You’re one of the few signs that can actually handle this. Dive deep into your subconscious to face your ‘shadow self.’ It’s all about acceptance and transformation.

Chakra Balancing: Focus on the lower chakras to ground yourself, and then move up to the heart and beyond. This can help balance out your intense emotional energy, making room for more self-love.

Final Words

You’re full of emotional depth, intensity, and transformation. But with that kind of power comes the challenge of self-control and vulnerability. The journey to self-love isn’t a straight line; it’s more like a spiral where you keep coming back to core issues but with a new level of understanding each time.

So, stop hiding behind that tough exterior for a second. Let yourself feel, let yourself heal, and let yourself love, especially when that love is aimed at you. You’re a complex being, but that’s what makes you magnetic and incredibly lovable.

Here’s to loving yourself as fiercely as you love others. Now go rock this self-love journey like only a Scorpio can!

The post The Ultimate Self-Love Guide for Scorpio Zodiac Sign appeared first on askAstrology.

This newfound accessibility has allowed us to uncover the crystal companions that celebrities hold dear and gain insight into how they incorporate these precious gemstones into their lives. Keep on reading to find out which crystals are favored by well-known individuals and the ways in which they incorporate them into their daily routines and rituals.

Bella Hadid

A prominent figure in the fashion industry, Bella Hadid is known for her stunning looks and fierce runway presence. But behind the scenes, she also embraces the power of crystals for their energetic properties. One crystal that Bella Hadid is particularly drawn to is amethyst. Amethyst is known for its calming and soothing properties, promoting relaxation and easing stress. Hadid often carries a small amethyst crystal with her when she travels or walks the runway, using it as a source of comfort and positive energy.

Katy Perry

Katy Perry, the multi-talented singer and songwriter, is no stranger to incorporating crystals into her life. One crystal that Perry is known to favour is rose quartz. Rose quartz is a beautiful pink crystal known as the stone of love and compassion. Perry often wears rose quartz jewellery, such as necklaces or bracelets, as a reminder to open her heart and promote self-love and empathy. She is quoted as saying, “I carry a lot of rose quartz, which attracts the male. Maybe I need to calm it down with amethyst.”

• Navigating the Zodiac with Crystals: Real-world Examples and Practical Guidance

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie, renowned actress and humanitarian, is known for her love of crystals and their energetic properties. One of the crystals that Jolie incorporates into her daily routine is black tourmaline. Black tourmaline is a powerful grounding stone that helps to protect against negative energy and promote a sense of stability. Jolie often carries a black tourmaline crystal with her, especially when she is working on intense film sets or engaging in humanitarian efforts.

Naomi Campbell

Naomi Campbell, the iconic supermodel, is no stranger to the power of crystals. One crystal that Campbell finds solace in is clear quartz. Clear quartz, also known as the “master healer”, is believed to amplify energy and provide clarity of mind. She often travels with crystals as a way to calm her mind and maintain a sense of peace amidst her busy schedule.

Spencer Pratt

Spencer Pratt, reality TV personality and crystal enthusiast, has gained attention for his strong belief in the power of crystals. He is often worn seeing crystal jewellery and has even started a business around selling crystals. Spencer Pratt is known to have a wide variety of crystals in his collection, but one crystal that he frequently talks about is citrine. Citrine is a vibrant yellow crystal known as the stone of abundance and manifestation. It is believed to attract wealth, success, and positive energy.

David And Victoria Beckham

David and Victoria Beckham, the power couple of the entertainment world, are known to be avid crystal enthusiasts. They have both confessed to being crystal fanatics. David was once quoted saying, “We’ve both been into crystals since moving to L.A.” This couple is clearly very spiritual and believe in positive energy.

• Exploring the Powerful Connection Between Planets and Crystals in Astrology

Adele

Adele, the Grammy-winning singer, has also expressed her love for crystals and has said that crystals have helped her with anxiety through her tours. She is said to hold some crystals while she performs to calm her nerves. One crystal that is great for calming anxiety is Labradorite. Labradorite is a beautiful stone that is said to have calming and protective properties.

Megan Fox

Megan Fox, the renowned actress is known for her deep spiritual beliefs and her connection to crystals. She is a self-proclaimed witch. One of the crystals that Fox is often associated with is jade. She believes that crystals change your vibration and frequency. Jade is a healing stone that is believed to bring balance and harmony to the body, mind, and spirit. Megan Fox loves crystals so much that she launched a nail polish collaboration with UN/DN LAQR inspired by crystals and gemstones.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow, the actress and entrepreneur behind the popular lifestyle brand Goop, is well known for her interest in alternative healing methods. She has created a whole lifestyle brand around her love for crystals and other New Age practices. She has openly spoken about her love for crystals and their healing properties. Gwyneth Paltrow has even partnered with crystal healer and author Colleen McCann on her website.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian, one of the most influential celebrities in popular culture, is known for her love of crystals. She has mentioned that she turned to crystals after her traumatic robbery in Paris as a tool for healing and protection. One of the crystals favored by Kim Kardashian is clear and rose quartz. Clear and rose quartz are believed to promote love, healing, and emotional well-being.

• How to Protect Your Property and Personal Space Using Crystals

Jenna Dewan

Jenna Dewan, the actress and dancer, has also embraced crystals in her daily life. She has shared on social media that she carries crystals with her for various purposes. For example, she has been seen wearing a crystal pendant for grounding and protection, as well as using crystals during meditation and yoga practices.

Miranda Kerr

Miranda Kerr, the Australian model and entrepreneur, is another celebrity known for her affinity for crystals. She has even incorporated her love for crystals in her cosmetics line Kora. One of her favorite crystals is rose quartz, which she believes promotes self-love and harmony. She uses her crystals to cleanse her body and let go of any stagnant energy. She is said to always carry crystals with her to help with healing and protection. Check out this video: “Miranda Kerr’s Love of Crystals Comes from her Grandparents”.

The post Celebrity Crystal Connections: Unveiling Famous Figures and their Crystal Rituals appeared first on askAstrology.

The practice of Ayurvedic sleep rituals can be traced back thousands of years and is based on the belief that optimal sleep is essential for maintaining good health and overall well-being. Are you someone who struggles with their sleep? Then maybe you need to explore the world of Ayurveda and its rituals for restful sleep. Keep on reading if you want to discover how to reach a more restful Lalaland.

Know Your Dosha

Understanding your dosha, or mind-body type, is essential in Ayurveda for promoting restful sleep. Your dosha can give you insights into your unique physical, mental, and emotional characteristics, as well as your sleep patterns. Knowing your dosha can help guide you in choosing the most effective Ayurvedic practices and rituals for restful sleep based on your individual needs.

Energy balancing is a crucial aspect of Ayurvedic rituals for restful sleep and knowing your dosha can help you to understand how to balance your energies through proper nutrition, supplementation, and lifestyle choices. Consider taking an online quiz to find out what your dosha is and the appropriate changes you need to make for your type. But here are the highlights of each Dosha:

Vata Dosha

Those with a Vata Dosha are recognized by their air and space elements. These people often feel spaced out and scattered. They tend to feel constipated and can sometimes experience bouts of insomnia. They also often have cold hands and feet and are usually quite slim and struggle to gain weight. They have a mind that moves quickly and are prone to worry and anxiety.

Pitta Dosha

Those with a Pitta Dosha are characterized by their fire and water elements. They have a strong metabolism and tend to be ambitious and driven. They are prone to experiencing stress and this is often reflected in their skin as they are prone to rashes and acne. They usually carry quite a bit of acid in their body, which can lead to indigestion and acid reflux. They also sometimes struggle to fall asleep due to stress.

Kapha Dosha

Kapha Dosha individuals have a predominance of earth and water elements. They tend to feel sluggish and unmotivated at times and may have a tendency to oversleep. They gain weight very easily and often have cravings for food. Depression and lethargy can be common for those with a Kapha Dosha. When they get stressed they tend to shut down.

• The Spiritual Connection to Food: Exploring Esoteric Diets and Their Benefits

Aromatherapy for Restful Sleep

One popular Ayurvedic ritual for promoting restful sleep is aromatherapy. Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils derived from plants to create a calming and soothing sleep environment. The inhalation of essential oils has been found to have a positive impact on sleep quality. In particular, lavender essential oil has been extensively studied for its sleep-enhancing properties. Other essential oils that have been found to improve sleep quality include bergamot and chamomile. A way to use these oils is through diffusers, room sprays, or even adding a few drops to your pillow before bed.

Pranayama for Deep Relaxation

Another Ayurvedic technique for promoting restful sleep is pranayama, which refers to breathing exercises. These breathing exercises can help to calm the mind, relax the body, and prepare for sleep. Pranayama exercises involve conscious control and regulation of breath, such as deep belly breathing, alternate nostril breathing, or slow and steady inhales and exhales. These techniques help to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for promoting relaxation and inducing a state of rest.

• What is Prana?

Herbal Remedies

In addition to aromatherapy and pranayama, Ayurveda also emphasizes the use of herbal remedies to promote restful sleep. Herbs such as ashwagandha, brahmi, and jatamansi are commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to calm the nervous system, reduce stress and anxiety, and promote deep restful sleep. These herbs can be ingested in the form of herbal teas, capsules, or powders.

Create A Sleep Routine

To optimize sleep and enhance overall well-being, it is important to establish a regular sleep routine. This is one of the cornerstones to an Ayurvedic lifestyle. A consistent sleep routine can help regulate the body’s internal clock and signal the brain that it is time to wind down and prepare for sleep. This can include going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, creating a bedtime ritual that promotes relaxation, and establishing a comfortable sleep environment that is conducive to sleep.

Energy Balancing

In Ayurveda, it is believed that imbalances in the body’s energy or doshas can disrupt sleep. Therefore, another important aspect of Ayurvedic rituals for restful sleep is energy balancing. Ayurvedic practices focus on balancing the three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha – to promote overall well-being and restful sleep. Energy balancing techniques in Ayurveda may include practices such as massage, yoga, and meditation to help align and harmonize the body’s energy.

• Reiki, Reading, Energy: The Power of the Intuitive Arts

Mindfulness Practices

In addition to energy-balancing techniques, mindfulness practices can play a significant role in promoting restful sleep. Mindfulness practices such as meditation and yoga can help calm the mind, reduce stress and anxiety, and prepare the body for a restful sleep. These practices cultivate present-moment awareness, allowing individuals to let go of racing thoughts and connect with a sense of inner peace and relaxation. Taking out a moment of your day to ensure peace of mind can do wonders for your sleep quality.

Create Your Daily Routine (Dinacharya)

Creating a daily routine, known as Dinacharya, is another key aspect of Ayurvedic rituals for restful sleep. Dinacharya involves establishing a structured routine that aligns with the body’s natural rhythms and promotes balance in the doshas. This routine typically includes waking up early, practising self-care rituals like tongue scraping and oil pulling, engaging in gentle exercise or yoga, taking a warm shower, and setting aside time for meditation or reflection. Sticking to this routine can help regulate the body’s internal clock and promote a sense of stability and harmony, which are essential for restful sleep.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Ayurvedic rituals for restful sleep offer a multifaceted approach to harmonizing energy and promoting deep rest. Through techniques such as aromatherapy, pranayama, and energy balancing, individuals can create a peaceful sleep environment and balance their doshas to achieve optimal sleep and overall well-being.

• The Benefits of Being Spiritually Aware

The post Ayurvedic Sleep Rituals: Energy Harmonization for Deep Rest and Well-being appeared first on askAstrology.

In this article, we’ll be breaking down how to properly do energy work, in conjunction with your sports routine. Are you an athlete or someone who understands the necessary energetic components of physical exercise? Well, keep reading, who knows what might click for you.

What Are Chakras And How Do They Function?

Well, technically chakras are energy itself. Or energy-gathering centers within our physical, biological body. Yes. Chakras aren’t just an abstract concept in the ethers. They can be traced and pinpointed based on the neurological clusters you have in your body. Aka, wherever there is a mass gathering of neurons, that is a primary chakra of yours.

Because you see, the very definition of energy is information floating in space/time that cannot be seen with your physical eyes. Whether that’s thoughts, feelings, or an intention itself. It is all energy. Energy is the primordial source that makes things go. And it doesn’t always come from the productivity of matter, even though it may seem like so. Energy comes from a rather unseen source, it is information flowing within and throughout you. But you see, this information has to flow through a physical component, it can’t just exist in nothingness.

This is where your neurons come in. The neurons are the holders of your energy. Talking to one another, they send electromagnetic signals from organ to organ, communicating and organizing your cellular structure, without you even noticing it. But what if you do, what if you do become aware of those subtle mechanisms, taking place within you?

According to Hindu tradition, there are 7 main chakra points traced along the vertical central line of the human body. Pituitary gland, pineal gland, throat, heart, diaphragm, stomach, and genitals. These are fine to start with.

However, we will argue here, that our DNA, the human cellular structure, has been greatly involved since this spiritual system was coined a couple of thousand years ago, and we will be siding here with the points presented by Ra Uru Hu, founder of the Human Design system who claimed that since the discovery of Pluto in 1930, the human DNA evolved and became more spiritual, more intuitive and therefore developed 9 primary energy centers or chakras, thus making us more psychic, more connected, and more at ease with life.

He introduced the spleen and the thyroid as 2 extra centers, with their primary functions being a counterbalancing aspect to the logical, survival brain of the human vessel.

But those details aren’t for right now. First one must understand why it is important to work with his or her energy field and of course, how to do this, in a practical, consistent manner… like a pro athlete would.

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Why Should I Work With My Energy Field And Chakras?

The answer is simple.

To level up.

All energy, or life force energy if you like (chi), always enters through our creation organs. Our genitals. Sexual energy is creative energy. The energy you use to procreate is the energy you use to run a marathon or write an article. It is all the same. It is all One.

This fundamental concept is unknown to most people. It is why we live in a culture of sexual hedonism, where the genitals aren’t even seen as an organ of procreation, but of pleasure and pure enjoyment. And they are. But not only.

If you’re unable to move the energy from your genitals to other parts of your body, you’ll have no choice but to eventually release it through ejaculation/orgasm. You can only hold so much sexual energy at the base of your spine.

You can use your conscious will, your willpower, to circulate it throughout your body and strengthen other areas, other organs, that need healing or enhancing.

The doorway for energy is through your sexual organs.

Once energy enters there, it may be moved, with your Willpower, to other organs of your body that require healing and strengthening.

And the best part? There is no ceiling to this. No limit. There’s unlimited energy to collect and transmute inside of you. It’s all a question of:

How much can you take?

How strong can you get?

The denser you become, the more you’ll attract.

The energy field is like a magnet. The strongest magnet will pull all lesser magnets to it. Kinda how in a pack of lions, every lion will gather around its king. Well, this isn’t only in the animal kingdom or within the world of magnets, this is a universal law of harmony.

Energies always move towards the densest, strongest source.

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The densest energy body will outpower the opponent in combat or win the so-called energy dance, if you like.

The most energetically dense runner, will champion the marathon.

The energetically “heavier” boxer, will outcompete his opponent.

Simply because the weaker energy is drawn to the strongest.

The energy knows, that the strongest source in the room, is the one to harmonize it and send it back home. It is why the weaker always loses to the stronger.

So naturally, the question arises:

“How do I become energetically denser, stronger?”

How To Energy – The Art of Harmonizing

To build energy density within your body, it is done in many different ways.

First and foremost, it starts with the repetition through and into mastery of the desired neural activity. Whether that’s a sport, physical exercise, chess, running, sales calls, or any sort of area where One has the ability to continuously level up with little ceiling, but himself. This is the obvious aspect of building energy density within oneself.

According to influential author Robert Greene, it takes about 10,000 hours of concentrated practice upon one specialty, to become a master or an expert at it. Preferably under the guidance of a mentor or within an apprenticeship, as he calls it, it roughly takes about 7 years of daily practice to reach that 10K hour mark.

This is the primary way of fortification of one’s energy body. The actual practice itself.

Eating healthy nutritious foods, spending enough time in “darkness” for recharging purposes, having fulfilling and enriching social relationships, and receiving and giving affectionate touch, all those things are energy fortification mechanisms.

Because everything is energy. It’s just a matter of perceiving it as such.

Now, outside of all these human activities, which you already know of, there’s one more thing you can do.

And that is to directly work with the experience of energy itself.

Working with the entirety of your electromagnetic beingness or simply like a surgeon, working on a specific blockage at a specific area (chakra). The latter is for later in your journey. To start with, all humans are to connect the Mother and the Father through their breath. To reconcile the opposites within them and bring their being back home.

• Daily Rituals for the Modern Witch: Incorporating Magic into Every Day Life

The Mother, The Father, The Breath

The Mother represented as the eternal creative life-giving energy that enters the base of your spine, your root chakra.

The Father represented as the masculine mental principle which organizes and forms order and harmony in the world, situated at the top of your spine, the crown chakra.

Gently becoming aware of these two points, top and bottom of your spine, and gently with your breath, following that path.

Breathing in from the Mother, pausing at the heart, and bringing it up to the Father.

And then from the top of your head, the Father, bringing it down to the heart, pausing, and finalizing your breath at the Mother, the root.

Repeating this process, up, and down. From Mother, to Father. Recrystallizing the electromagnetic structure of your being within yourself. Uniting the blue and the red principles within you, into the royal purple, ultraviolet universal law that always is.

Bonus tip: gently squeeze your kegel muscle halfway to enrich the experience of this exercise

The real secret though is oxygen. It is where the energy lies. Where the Ruach (Hebrew for Holy Spirit) or the Agio Pneuma (Greek) is found. Becoming aware of the life force energy existing within every breath, as the gift that it is… is all it takes to refortify the natural electromagnetic crystalline protection that you always naturally had.

To become, polarized.

You don’t have to work with each chakra individually.

All you got to do, at least to start with, and for a large part of your leveling-up practice, is to learn the proper diaphragmatic breath, and combine it with an extra or two spiritual components.

Sit still for 15 mins. Locate your diaphragm. And begin.

“From the Mother.. to the Father.. and from the Father.. back down to the Mother.”

The Two are One. And the One is Two. Always and Forever.

The Eternal Dancer, Dancing the Eternal Dance.

• Reiki, Reading, Energy: The Power of the Intuitive Arts

The post Chakras and Sports: Balancing Energy Centers for Peak Athletic Achievement appeared first on askAstrology.

What Is Samhain and What Is Its Significance?

Samhain is the Witch’s New Year, and it takes place on October 31st, as it is the midpoint between Mabon, the Autumn Equinox, and Yule, the Winter Solstice. It is known as Halloween or Hallowmas, a holiday in North America for respecting the ancestors and welcoming winter’s darkness. It is also when the veil between the spiritual and physical is the thinnest, allowing you to mingle with your ancestors and spirits. Samhain is a Sabbat that pagans and Wiccans celebrate, but you will notice that others from different cultures and religions celebrate this time of year.

For example, Christians celebrate this time, and their holiday is known as All Souls Day. Those in the Jewish faith celebrate this time as it is the harvest, known as Sukkoth, and it is the Russian time to celebrate the harvest, known as the Goddess Festival Baba Yaga.

However, Samhain originated from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition, as the name of this celebration is a Gaelic word as the ancient Celts marked Samhain as the most essential fire festival. After completing the harvest, Druid priests would take the wheel, representing the sun, to create friction and spark flames to light a community fire.

When it was the Middle Ages, the celebrations of Samhain continued, and those who celebrated it began to carve turnips and attach them to sticks and strings, embedding them with coal, as they were the Jack-o-lanterns, as it stems from the Irish legend of Stingy Jack who tricked the Devil and was condemned to stay earthbound forever. Therefore, Jack had to keep a carved-out turnip with a candle inside so he could see his way. In Ireland, eventually, pumpkins replaced turnips for the Jack-o-lanterns.

Therefore, the purpose of the carved pumpkin is to celebrate the memory of the lost souls and keep Stingy Jack’s memory alive—now you know a little bit about Samhain’s history and significance. Now, let’s review the Samhain rituals.

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Common Pagan Samhain Rituals

There are plenty of Samhain rituals that pagans and Wiccans involve themselves with during this essential Sabbat, and they often build altars and add pumpkins, squash, turnips, apples, and other fall crops to mark the end of the harvest. They also place nuts, acorns, dried leaves, and berries. They will also place skeletons and skulls on the altar; yes, they can be fake to represent the spirits of the dead. They will also put pictures of deceased family members and their ancestors to honor them on the altar.

Sometimes, pagans will bake a special dark bread to add to the altar to feed the visiting spirits. Some will cast a circle to honor and share stories about their deceased loved ones. Others will see the cemetery of their loved ones to keep them if they are physically able to do so.

Many pagan families will hold Samhain ceremonies, which include a feast involving dark rye or pumpernickel bread, wild game meat, root vegetables, and fall fruits. The dinner table will have candles as they set the food on the table and apple cider drinks. After the ceremonial dinner, everyone places the leftovers in the garden to offer a part of their celebration to the dead.

Some will hold seances on the evening of Halloween to connect with the deceased. However, many will reflect on that evening over their lives during the year and review photos, blogs, journals, and meditate. It is also a time to do a Samhain tarot reading to gain extra insight, and I will do a collective one now.

• The Wheel of the Year and the 8 Wiccan Sabbats

2023 Samhain Tarot Reading

When you plan to do a tarot reading for Samhain, you must find a sacred place and meditate before you do. However, I want to share a collective tarot reading with you, and this five-card Samhain tarot spread is from Moody Moons, known as Veil Between the Worlds. You are communicating with the Other Side with this spread.

The first card, which you will place on the left, represents the spirit attempting to connect with you from the Other Side. The card you pull will depict the characteristics of the spirit trying to communicate with you. It does not matter if it is a card from the Major Arcana, a Minor Arcana card, or a court card.

The second card, which you will place on the top center, represents your understanding of the Other Side. It allows you to reflect on your fears and feelings about what is beyond the physical life. If you feel it will be a better place than the physical and where you will reap the rewards, does it motivate you to live a meaningful life where you are doing your best? That is something to reflect on.

The third card, which you place in the middle, represents your connection to the Other Side, whether you have a spiritual gift or if your line of work connects you to the astral or a common ancestor. This card is your “spiritual thread”.

The fourth card, which you place on the bottom center, represents the message from the other side of the Veil. It can indicate suppressed dreams or subconscious thoughts that can help you evolve. This card challenges you to search for what is there instead of what you wish to see. If you are open, you will get the message you need to help you.

Finally, the last card, which you place on the right, represents how you relate to those who passed. What is your relationship with those who passed on during the year? In some cases, it will be positive, negative, or neutral.

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Let’s give this a try. Here is what I have:

Card one: The Magician

Card two: Ace of Swords

Card three: Four of Cups

Card four: Six of Cups

Card five: Three of Pentacles

Let’s delve into this further.

Card One: The Magician

The first card represents the spirit attempting to connect with you from the Other Side, and the Magician comes up for that. The Magician describes someone who stepped into their personal power and manifestation and could create their reality. This card suggests that the one who is attempting to connect with you is telling you that you have the potential to harness your inner magic and manifest your desires. It encourages you to tap into your skills and resources for positive change. Now, let’s take a look at the second card.

Card Two: Ace of Swords

The second card represents your understanding and feelings of the Other Side. The Ace of Swords signifies new beginnings, mental clarity, and potential breakthroughs, which means how you feel about the Other Side is that there is another life there to create new beginnings. If you want to make the best of it when it is your time, you will want to gain a fresh perspective and work to overcome any mental obstacles or challenges.

It encourages you to embrace the power of your thoughts and make decisions that align with your highest truth. In other words, you know there is something beyond what you see here, and you feel there are rewards to reap, but that means to make the best of your life you have now. Let’s look at the third card.

Card Three: Four of Cups

The third card represents your literal connection to the Other Side. You get the Four of Cups, and The Four of Cups means introspection, contemplation, and a sense of dissatisfaction. This card suggests that when you feel emotionally withdrawn or dissatisfied with certain aspects of your life, you can meditate and communicate with your Higher Self and your guides to provide the guidance you need.

It is also a reminder to self-reflect and explore your inner world to better understand your emotions and desires when you feel that way. Your guides are there to help you, and if you can quiet your mind, you will hear what your Higher Self and your guides say. Let’s go to the fourth card.

Card Four: Six of Cups

The fourth card represents the messages from the Other Side, which you may have suppressed in your subconscious, and it is the Six of Cups. The Six of Cups symbolizes nostalgia, childhood memories, and emotional connections. This card suggests that you receive messages from spirit and your Higher Self to find comfort and healing during Samhain by reconnecting with your past, embracing nostalgia, and fostering meaningful relationships. It encourages you to honor your roots and seek solace in the familiar.

You may want to go back to trying out a childhood hobby or an older hobby you enjoyed to find comfort, as an example. Let’s look at the last card.

Card Five: Three of Pentacles

This card indicates your relationship with someone who passed over the past year, and the Three of Pentacles comes up. The Three of Pentacles represents collaboration, teamwork, and mastery of skills. This card suggests that someone with whom you had a relationship that passed, you had worked harmoniously with.

It did not matter whether it was someone you worked with or if it was a cooperative family member or friend. That is the one who is showing up. They are sending a message to encourage you to seek support from like-minded individuals and engage in collaborative projects that can lead to long-term success, even if that is not professional.

With this reading, there was communication with the Other Side, which is why this is ideal for Samhain. The one attempting to come through for you was someone who stepped in their power and knew how to create their reality, as they are giving you that message. You also gained insights on your thoughts on the Other Side, as you feel it is a time to create fresh starts and to be rewarded; you want to make the most of the life you are living now by changing perspectives.

That also means when you feel dissatisfied with an area of life, it reminds you that you can connect with your Higher Self and spirit guides through meditation to gain insight on making necessary changes. There are also messages in your subconscious suggesting that you go back to comfort through old hobbies and anything that can bring you back to your roots. Finally, there is another message from someone who recently passed that you worked well with to go and find others to have a good working relationship as well, as it is crucial for your growth and social connections.

Samhain, or the Witch’s New Year, is celebrated on October 31st, as it is the midpoint between Mabon, the Autumn Equinox, and Yule, the Winter Solstice. The holiday, known as Halloween or Hallowmas, is celebrated in North America to honor ancestors and welcome winter. The veil between the spiritual and physical is at its thinnest during this time, allowing your ancestors and spirits to mingle with you. That is when you want to connect with those who passed on, your ancestors, and your spirit guides for guidance for the upcoming year, which makes this a crucial pagan sabbat.

Discover our Tarot Deck Review: The Halloween Oracle

The post Samhain 2023: Traditions and Tarot Spread to Celebrate the Witch’s New Year appeared first on askAstrology.

The Meaning Behind Halloween Costumes

Many may believe Halloween is a pagan holiday because it originated through Samhain, which Celts started celebrating two millennia ago. And even though Halloween is not a pagan holiday, as it is one that anyone, regardless of faith and culture, can enjoy, Samhain plays a vital role in today’s Halloween celebration, including wearing costumes. As you know, Samhain is a holiday celebrating the rich harvest and the commencement of winter.

The belief is that Samhain is the day when the veil is the thinnest between the spirit and the mortal world. Therefore, it was the day when the dead and the living could mingle. However, because some spirits don’t have the best intentions for the living, people would begin to wear costumes to scare them away. They also feared that spirits and some ancestors would attempt to kidnap them. Samhain rituals included celebrating harvests and offering food to keep the ill-intended spirits at bay because of the positive energy emitted by doing those acts. Low-level spirits do not like anything that is higher vibrational.

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However, those who wore costumes in the earlier days to scare away spirits with malicious intentions did not dress in makeup, hats, and other costumes you would see today. They wore animal skins to disguise themselves and to keep away any malicious entities, and they did it to play tricks, too.

Eventually, mumming became common as children wore garbs to appear like frightening creatures, but kids would dress up in exchange for treats. And those kids dressing up in fur for goodies established new Halloween traditions for America as over the 19th century, you would see an evolution of Halloween rituals.

Eventually, communities would create harvest events and gather around to share ghost stories, and they would sing, dance, and keep dressing up to keep warding off the evil spirits from Samhain. Towards the end of the 19th century and into the 20th, many Irish immigrants came to North America and brought their Halloween traditions to North America, including trick-or-treating in costumes. That was when Halloween costumes evolved from being a form of protection to keep away evil spirits to everyone wanting to be creative and scary.

As you know, many people wore animal skins to ward off evil spirits, but let’s now look at the evolution of standard costumes starting from the late 19th century. Halloween costumes you see today are like night and day from the ones that started becoming popular in the late 1800s in America.

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Witch and Ghost Costumes Were Standard in the 1870s to the 1890s

Store-bought costumes in the late 19th century were not a thing. Therefore, people’s Halloween costumes represented what you see associated with the celebration today, such as ghost and witch costumes. They were handmade, involving white sheets of black clothing and black pointy hats. Therefore, when Halloween was approaching, you would find that people would gather up clothing or white bed sheets that would be appropriate for the holiday so they could prepare them to wear as costumes. It was pretty simple at the time, but with the need for more technology and innovation, it is unsurprising that Halloween costumes would be so essential.

Americans in the Early 20th Century Wore Costumes Associated With Asia and the Middle East

You would never see Americans wearing costumes that have associations with other cultures because of the awareness of cultural appropriation in current times. However, in the late 19th and early 20th century USA, people wore costumes associated with Asia and the Middle East. For example, kids would wear costumes related to Chinese culture by wearing clothing and accessories worn in China.

Girls would wear outfits that resembled what their Egyptian peers would wear by wearing apparel, jewelry, and makeup. Those Halloween costumes were typical during Victorian America because they were fascinated with other cultures, mainly Middle Eastern and Asian. You may have seen children occasionally wear those costumes even in the later part of the 20th century and the early part of the 21st century, but as mentioned, you will not see it today.

Paper Costumes and Buckram Masks Were a Hit Between 1900 and 1920

Between 1900 and 1920, Halloween was becoming more popular, and even though many people wore Middle Eastern and Asian clothing and accessories for Halloween in the early 20th century, you saw many kids wearing paper costumes and buckram masks, too. You saw more of that once the cultural costumes fad was fading. The Dennison Paper Company mass-produced disposable crepe paper costumes that consisted of aprons with cats, hats, and paper masks. They also had color, and the colors used in the paper were purple, black, orange, and yellow, standard for Halloween. This was when you would see mass Halloween celebrations in schools, and everyone wore these disposable paper costumes, particularly from 1910 to 1920.

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In the 1930s and 40s, Boxed Character Costumes Became Popular

During the Great Depression and WWII, Americans became hooked to radio and books that featured cartoons and other well-known characters. Therefore, the typical Halloween costumes featured ready-to-wear boxed costumes with a rayon and plastic mask depicting those famous characters. However, before WWII, those costumes were luxuries; after the war, they became more affordable so everyone could afford them. During the Great Depression, only wealthy people could afford those costumes. However, some crafty people who could not afford those boxed character costumes before the war ended would be able to create them.

Halloween Costumes in the 1950s and 60s Had to Do With Television

Radio and books evolved to television during the 1950s and 60s, so Halloween costumes at that time had to do with popular television shows. Therefore, that quickly became a fad, so you would see plenty of little girls wearing costumes for Halloween resembling Little Orphan Annie, Tinkerbell, Snow White, Minnie Mouse, and so on. Little boys would wear costumes depicting Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Peter Pan. It is not a surprise that those costumes featured Disney characters.

The Halloween costumes in the 1960s continued to depict popular television characters, such as Flipper the Dolphin and The Addams Family and even expanded to rock stars. There were plenty of Halloween costumes depicting band members of The Beatles. Therefore, Halloween costumes evolved heavily between the 1940s and 1960s, which led to more creative ones in the latter part of the 20th century.

Movies Inspired Halloween Costumes in the 1970s and 80s

During the 1970s and 1980s, you would see that Halloween costumes depicted movie characters, such as many kids wearing costumes resembling the coneheads from Saturday Night Live and John Travolta’s character from Grease. That means kids would have to apply a lot of makeup and wear apparel resembling those characters. However, many kids also wore plastic masks depicting these characters.

In the 1980s, the movie trend continued, and in 1982, everyone wore E.T. costumes because the movie won many Oscars, and the E.T. fad lasted for a long time. You would also see other costumes depicting standard horror flicks from the 1980s, such as Freddie Kruger or Jason from Friday the 13th. Plenty of red makeup was used for gore in the latter part of the 1980s.

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Costumes Went Dark in the Late 1980s and 1990s

As horror films became popular, you saw gory costumes, but it became more of a fad in the late 1980s and 1990s. Those who were inspired to wear gory costumes found inspiration from John Carpenter’s 1978 movie Halloween, and it took almost a decade for the movie to catch on regarding influencing Halloween costumes. However, at that time, television shows and films were not as censored as they were decades earlier. Therefore, it is not a surprise that Halloween costumes would follow suit.

You can see the fascinating evolution of Halloween costumes from when they became popular in the late 19th century, as people made basic ghost and witch costumes out of clothing and white sheets. Then, in the early 20th century, you saw children wearing apparel, particularly in the Middle East and Asia, for Halloween because of the fascination you would not see today. After that, disposable paper costumes with color became popular, followed by costumes depicting book and radio cartoon characters.

From the 1940s onward, you saw Halloween costumes depicting television and movie characters in the 1970s. Halloween costumes were tame until the later part of the 1980s when horror movies were popular, and there was inspiration for it by John Carpenter’s Halloween. It is fascinating to see the evolution of Halloween costumes over nearly two centuries.

The post The Magical Art of Transformation: Exploring Makeup Rituals for Halloween and Samhain appeared first on askAstrology.

Authentic Chocolate Is Not What You See In The Stores

When you think of chocolate, as mentioned, you would think of candy bars and any sugary treat that is not healthy. However, that is not what authentic chocolate is because it is medicine in its purest form, and the Aztecs and Ancient Mayans used it for ceremonial and spiritual reasons. There are so many additives in chocolate because chocolate itself that is not sweetened is exceptionally bitter, known as cacao.

However, you can make dark, healthy chocolate and sweeten it with natural sweeteners such as stevia to give it more flavor by using healthy fats such as avocado. You will want it to be at least 70 percent cacao, which would be pure enough to give you the spiritual benefits you need but tasty enough to enjoy. Now, let’s discuss the spiritual benefits of chocolate that you will want to know and utilize.

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Pure Chocolate Helps To Open The Heart Chakra

Have you heard the expression “Eat some chocolate for breakfast” said to those who are cranky and full of negativity? There is truth to that expression. The chocolate that those who say it refer to are the sugary processed store-bought candy bars. That will not provide you with any benefits! But the chocolate in the purest form will help open your heart chakra so you can begin to feel love for yourself and others.

When you open your heart chakra, you are allowing your wisdom and inner spirit to become accessible, and you will also have a much stronger connection to your Higher Self, which would be your intuition and spiritual side. And once you can do that, you will begin to follow your path intuitively. You will develop an awareness of things that have been preventing you from living the life you love, and that feel authentic to your heart, leading to you not having more love but being spiritually and physically healthier too.

Pure Chocolate Is Great For Your Creativity

If you consume dark chocolate daily (in moderation), you will find that your imagination is more robust, allowing creative ideas to flow easily. Whatever creative blocks hinder your creative side will disappear, allowing you to become inspired quickly as inspiration stirs creativity. Therefore, if you want to write articles or a book or even develop some problem-solving abilities for a dilemma you are facing, you will become creative enough to do that.

Because your creativity would become more robust, you may enjoy hobbies such as writing, music-making, painting, drawing, sculpting, or anything involving your imagination. And that can open up many opportunities if you become interested in any creative pursuit. You may even get to the point of creating fun videos that go viral if that is the direction you choose to go. Therefore, if you struggle to become creative and face many invisible obstacles, you should start enjoying some dark chocolate each day.

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Pure Chocolate Can Help With Mental Clarity

If you want to improve mental clarity, cacao can help make that happen. It has a way to help you change your perspective as you can begin to see and then remove any limiting beliefs that are holding you back. If you eat a piece of dark chocolate each day, you will find that your mental clarity will improve as you can work through past traumas and old habits that are no longer serving you. Therefore, you will also be able to slow down and not allow the daily hustle to rule you and step out of it while you can connect with your Higher Self. As you can do that, you will recognize your skills, talents, and creativity and figure out your life purpose.

Cacao Can Be A Great Energy Booster

If you are looking for a quick energy boost, you may have the temptation to grab a coffee or something sugary and get a boost from that. However, what happens when the boost runs out? You crash, and then you are tired and feel sluggish again. Suppose you want a powerful energy boost without dealing with a valley after a peak. In that case, cacao will be a perfect source for that, as you can attain that boost and retain it throughout the day without going through any crashes.

When you are energetic, you will also think more clearly and be able to accomplish a lot more, which will also be good for your psyche. When you are more energetic, you will think more optimistically, whereas if you get your energy boost from an artificial source such as an energy drink, the sluggishness you will feel after peaking will negatively affect your mindset. Therefore, if you need a good pick-me-up, eat some natural chocolate.

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Chocolate Can Help With Meditation

One of the things you need to do to maintain a spiritual life is to take time out of your day and dedicate it to meditation. It does not have to be you sitting in a darkened room and saying “Ohm” repeatedly. You can meditate when walking or doing a daily task such as vacuuming. However, cacao can be beneficial for you to meditate regardless of how you do it because it provides you with the ability to help you connect with your spirit and mind, which gives it an opportunity for you to meditate in a profound state as it can help you quiet your mind and to help remove the chatter that goes on in it.

Pure Chocolate Can Help Balance Male And Female Energies

There is yin and yang, light and dark, night and day, and you need those to support any existence, so you have that within you, which are the masculine and feminine energies. You may feel imbalanced because those male and feminine energies are not balanced. Therefore, cacao can help balance those energies so you can feel more balanced, live harmoniously, and be more effective. The feminine energy allows inspiration to affect you, and the masculine energy causes you to act on it. Therefore, if you find yourself procrastinating even though you have so many ideas, or if you are the type that acts before thinking, that is a sign of an imbalance between the masculine and feminine energies within. Chocolate can help fix that issue.

When you think of chocolate, you may automatically think of an unhealthy snack, but it all boils down to the type. The chocolate in vending machines is processed and full of sugar and unhealthy fats. Therefore, you are not getting any spiritual benefits from a candy bar. You may get that initial pick-me-up from having a dopamine fix satisfied after eating it, but then you become sluggish and feel worse. The chocolate you want to pay attention to that will be so good for you is natural chocolate made of at least 70 percent cacao and sweetened with natural and healthier sweeteners with healthy fats. Even raw chocolate is calorie-dense, so you will want to eat it in moderation. Still, a piece of natural chocolate a day has so many spiritual and healing properties that will help improve your life, and you will want to do this in honor of Chocolate Day on October 28th.

• Zodiac Signs Ranked from Most Romantic to Least Romantic

The post Inner Peace: The Spiritual Powers of Chocolate appeared first on askAstrology.

Want to learn how to tap into your witchy roots and celebrate this season like a true blue witch?

Then look no further than these four simple tips and tricks for handling spooky season like the pros.

Samhain

First off, it’s pronounced SOW-ann, not sam-HANE. This common mispronunciation likely stems from the fact that this a Celtic pagan holiday and the Celts pronounce their letters quite differently from the English.

Samhain is one of four lesser sabbats. For earth based religions, the four big sabbats align to the solstices and equinoxes, the lesser sabbats are the midway points between the solstices and equinoxes. For the northern hemisphere, Samhain falls between the Autumnal equinox in September and the Winter solstice in December (for the southern hemisphere it falls between the Summer solstice and Vernal equinox).

For the Celts this time of year, from sunset on October 31st to sunset on November 1st, marked the official end of Summer and harvest season. This celebration was also a sober welcoming of the season of death that lay ahead. It is believed that as October 31st draws near the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead becomes thinner. This is why it’s popular to associate this time of year with things like ghosts, ghouls and goblins!

• The Wheel of the Year and the 8 Wiccan Sabbats

Candle Magick

Nothing says spooky season quite like a fall scented candle, but what if those candles had a bigger purpose than simply making your home smell delicious? Candles have long since been associated with this time of year since the days are progressively growing longer and the natural light of the sun is waning.

Candles are thought to not only light our way in the dark, but also to help guide the spirits who have gotten lost. With the veil between the worlds so thin this time of year, the use of candles is meant to create a path and guide the spirits who have wandered away from their loved ones. So, as you light your candles this year you can help out your local spirits by repeating this incantation, “candle, candle light the way for all the spirits who have gone astray” to help all the spirits around you find their way back home.

Candles also make for an excellent magickal tool if you’re looking to manifest or even clear away some energy from your life. My favorite way to practice candle magick is by using a pillar or a chime candle, anything that is free from a glass or metal container. Once I have my candle I dress it in some oil–any household oil will do, but it can be nice to use an oil made specifically for magickal purposes–by gently rubbing the oil into the candle. Then I grab a few herbs such as cinnamon, rosemary, or lavender and press or sprinkle them onto the dressed candle (the oil helps the herbs stick into place). You can even add on an extra step before you dress the candle and inscribe a phrase or sigil onto the candle to set in your intention.

Once the candle is dressed the way you’d like it, place it in a metal bowl or dish (metal is safest, especially for candles that will be burning for a long time) and light your candle. I like to spend some time watching the candle burn at the beginning and the end. You can ascertain a lot of information about how this intention will come to fruition by watching the flame dance and jump.

Careful!

We have two eclipses this October! There is a Libra new moon solar eclipse on the 14th and a Taurus full moon lunar eclipse on the 28th. It’s important to refrain from any kind of manifesting during eclipse season since the energy tends to be more chaotic. It’s kinda like throwing a football into a tornado, you can try to aim as best as you can but it’s not likely to end up where you intended it to go.

• Halloween, The Moon and Hecate – The Goddess of Ghosts and Crossroads

Make an Ancestor Altar

Since spirits are far more likely to walk closer to this earthly plane, it’s a common practice to set up an ancestor altar during the month of October.

Ancestor altars are an easy, effective and nourishing way to celebrate Samhain like a true witch. All you need is a photo of your loved ones, something they owned or loved when they were alive, and some offerings to entice them to visit you. For example, I often set out a picture of my grandmother with some jewellery that belonged to her. Once a day I’ll fill up a cup with grape juice (her favorite), making sure to dump out the juice from the day before each time. On special occasions I will prepare an old family recipe and leave out a dish for my ancestors to enjoy while I eat my portion sitting by the altar, therefore inviting the spirits of my loved ones to share a meal with me.

Pro tip:

Don’t set up your altars in your bedroom! The spirits of our loved ones who’ve passed tend to gather by the altar and this can make sleeping in the same room as your altar quite difficult.  Our loved ones like to watch out for us, but sometimes they can accidentally wake you up by being near. If there is no other place for your altar than in your bedroom you can always ask your loved ones to give you space at night and return in the morning when you’ve woken up. Don’t forget to thank them before they go!

Talk to the Dead

This last and final step for celebrating spooky season like a seasoned witch should only be performed with extreme caution because, though the veil may be thin, it takes a pro to safely commune with spirits from the other side.

Repeat after me, protection is key when it comes to opening yourself up to communication with spirits! Amulets, like those made of pure iron, can help protect you from trickster spirits and fairies, but a simple and valuable spell for protection is that of casting a shield of light around yourself. To do this, first close your eyes and see yourself in your mind’s eye. Then imagine a bright light surrounding you like a dome. Hold that imagine in your mind as you open your eyes, and voila!

If you dare, tools like pendulums, ouija boards and even tarot cards can be used to speak directly with spirits who are wandering the earth this October. Aside from protection, practice and knowledge, you’ll need a strong intuition. Some spirits may claim to be someone they are not, and the best way to tell the difference between a ghost who wishes you well and one who doesn’t is to tune into your intuition. If something feels off, trust that it is off.

For extra protection, cleanse yourself of any energy that may be lingering after you use a ouija board or pendulum. Draw a bath and use epsom salt to neutralize any lingering ties that have formed between you and the spirit world.

And remember, if something goes bump in the night, you can always ask it to leave you be. Most spirits will listen…

The Best Fall Activities For Your Zodiac Sign

The post How to Celebrate Halloween Like a Witch appeared first on askAstrology.

Anyone who has been in love knows how being hit by the arrow of Cupid can feel— almost nothing else matters, as you fall tumbling and swooning in spirals of appreciation for the man or woman who has stolen your heart.

Typically in our culture we portray Cupid’s archery as somewhat random, like we can never know when or at whom he will point his arrow, and like we have no say in the matter whatsoever. But we want our readers to understand that you have the power to act as your very own Cupid, and to attract to yourself the soul-mate of your dreams, with a basic understanding of something called Law of Attraction.

If you’ve never heard of the art of deliberate creation, or “manifesting”, in short it works like this: the Universe operates by way of a principle called the Law of Attraction— “that which is like unto itself is drawn.” This means that whatever belief or emotion you are activating at any given time, by means of your focus upon it, is actually sculpting the circumstances of your life around you and molding your future; whatever you give your attention to, you attract more of.

• 7 Essential Tips to Make the Law of Attraction Work for You!

An Energetic Universe

You are, at your very root, a vibrational being, and you are at all times emanating some vibrations more powerfully than others, depending on your focus. If you are focusing upon people, circumstances or ideas that inspire you to feel appreciation and joy, then you are emitting the vibrations of appreciation and joy, and are thus attracting situations which will inspire more of those same feelings. If you are focused upon aspects of your life that make you feel frustrated, angry or unloved, then you are emitting these vibrations, and so you will attract more situations which cause you to feel frustration, anger or loneliness.

If you have ever experienced the reality of the expression, “when it rains, it pours”, then you understand what Law of Attraction means— when you feel like you’re on fire, then everyone loves you and you’re the life of the party! And when you feel lonely, ignored and unattractive, then no one answers your calls, the bus splatters mud all over your dress and even your cat won’t give you the time of day!

A master of Law of Attraction thus understands that in order to create the life of her dreams, she must get up ahead of the circumstances of the present and project the vibrations of the reality she wishes to see reflected in her life. Rather than staring at the empty space where you want your soul mate to be and mourning his or her absence, a deliberate creator finds the feeling of love and connection—before the physical arrival of the lover!— and practices emitting these feelings, until, due to the absolute binding nature of the Law of Attraction, reality catches up to this vibration and physically manifests the lover who matches the vibration.

It is sort of like metaphysical method acting— you find the “character” or “mood” that matches the experience you wish to have, and then act it out as though it is already real, and then reality will morph to reflect the vibration and bring you this experience! You are like a magnet to the universe, drawing unto yourself people, situations and objects which mirror your thoughts— so choose wisely what you are focused upon! The more time you spend activating a certain vibration, the more powerfully you are attracting manifestations which match that emotion.

Understanding all this, we see how we can use the power of imagination to attract a soul mate, by meditating inside the vibration of connection to a perfect companion, and spending as much time as possible activating the feeling-experience of this kind of relationship.

• Embracing Your Inner Goddess: Esoteric Beauty Practices for Self-Love and Empowerment

Manifesting Your Soul Mate

Here is a simple exercise you can use to attract your soul mate. Sit with a pen and paper and consider for yourself what a connection like this would feel like. What kind of experience are you wanting, and what would it feel like to live it out? Everyone is a little different, and we all have different preferences for the kind of relationships that we want.  List some very general qualities of the experience of uniting with your perfect lover. You might write things like: “easy and fun communication”; “laughter”; “mutual understanding and rapport”; “emotional support”; “we promote each other’s health and well-being”; “positive influence”; “expansion”; “shared interests”; “physical chemistry” and so forth.  Write as many qualities down as you wish in a relaxed, joyful spirit; have fun exploring the feeling of this experience, keeping in mind that you are basically painting the relationship of your dreams into being! Let the feelings rise up authentically within you, and try to really embody the experience, like an actor.

Try to make it as real to yourself as you can. You can observe successful relationships of your friends and family and note the positive aspects that you would like for yourself, or you can think back upon your past relationships, and remember the positive qualities that you enjoyed and wish to experience once again. Really remember and activate what it felt like. You can also reflect upon what qualities you did not like and write down the opposite quality as a preference. For instance, if your ex was a highly jealous person, you can write down “security, trust and ease”, or if you fought a lot, you can write down “joy and fun”.

After you have a substantial list of qualities, go back over each quality and write a few points which describe why you want this quality. For example, for “shared interests” you might write, “because I love going on fun outings together” or for “rapport” you might write “because I love deep and fascinating conversation”. Getting into the ‘why’ for each quality helps prolong your activation of this vibration; as you look within yourself for the roots of your desires, you are spending more time emanating this vibration, which is lending power and speed to your manifestation.

• These 4 Signs are the Luckiest in Love

Revisit this exercise as often as it feels good to you. You can repeat this exercise and describe the qualities of the relationship, or you can do the same exercise describing the personality or circumstances of the lover you are wanting.

Then, to further activate the vibration of your soul mate, as you move about in your day, seek out evidence of the qualities that you wrote down in your physical experience. For instance if you see a mother and child happily holding hands, take mental note of it— emotional support. If you see a happy couple kissing, affirm it— physical chemistry. If you see qualities that you like that you hadn’t thought of, add them to your list. Keep in mind that in affirming these qualities and giving your focus to them, you are summoning that kind of experience to yourself. Any focus given to these qualities activates that vibration, so the more time you spend focused upon them, the better!

If you can turn your gaze away from loneliness and longing, and instead place your focus on examples of appreciation, support, love and so forth, then you are essentially sending a long spreadsheet to Cupid of precisely the qualities you are looking for in a soul mate!  The longer you can spend focused upon these qualities, the more swiftly Cupid can deliver them to you.

Take the quiver and arrows into your own hand— the lover of your dreams is right around the corner!

• The Manifestational Power of Unconditional Love

The post Be Your Own Cupid: Using Law of Attraction to Manifest Your Soul Mate appeared first on askAstrology.

All credits: DIOR

The High Priestess

The High Priestess is one of the most prominent Tarot cards that Dior incorporated into their designs. When the High Priestess card is drawn, it represents wisdom and the sacred feminine. It serves as a gateway to uncovering secrets, undiscovered talents, and meaningful experiences in life. This exploration helps individuals gain introspection and delve into their inner selves.

By incorporating the High Priestess into their designs, Dior taps into the power of this archetype and invites wearers to embark on a journey of self-discovery and inner wisdom.

Representing the culmination of personal growth and inner exploration, this character symbolizes the resolution of one’s journey through the Major Arcana cards in a tarot deck. Her purpose is to guide individuals towards self-discovery and intuitive insights, fostering a deep sense of trust in oneself that comes with maturity.

Dior’s use of the High Priestess in their designs signifies a call to connect with one’s intuition and tap into the wisdom that lies within. This character represents the internal guidance that originates from within oneself, prioritizing one’s intuition over external influences and even ego.

The moon symbols on the card represent the culmination of femininity and womanhood. This figure embodies all goddesses, holding a book that is seen as a spiritual guide or source of wisdom.

In her interpretation, Chiuri includes a key to symbolize unlocking one’s potential and divine nature in a non-religious context. Chiuri dresses the High Priestess in an elegant robe and crown that reflect her status as an all-knowing goddess who has fully embraced her power. The film’s protagonist selects this card, marking the beginning of her journey towards self-discovery and empowerment through trusting her intuition and embracing feminine strength.

Justice

Next, she is welcomed by Lady Justice herself, who embodies fairness, judgement, and the consequences of our actions. This tarot card serves as a reminder that every choice we make has an impact and may not always result in equal outcomes.

Representing the ideals of Libra, Lady Justice seeks to uphold morality and hold individuals accountable for their choices. She prompts us (or those close to us) to take responsibility for our actions and abide by ethical codes.

This card often resonates with those grappling with notions of right versus wrong or fairness versus injustice; deep down inside they know what is truly just. Moreover, the presence of the Justice card also signifies karma – reflecting that good deeds are rewarded in due course.

Dior’s inclusion of the Lady Justice tarot card in their designs speaks to the theme of accountability and the understanding that our actions have consequences.

They remind us that in a world driven by instant gratification and individualism, it is important to consider the impact of our choices on others and strive for fairness and equality.

The character is dressed in a modest and understated silk gown selected by Chiuri for a specific purpose. In the tarot, Lady Justice symbolizes values such as worthiness and actions, as well as how one presents themselves to others.

This card represents a serious approach that prioritizes inner qualities over external appearances. Even though the lead character looks stunning wearing Look 1 from the collection, this does not sway her when it comes to making important decisions. In the film, Justice prompts the protagonist to make choices and consider their consequences carefully.

The Fool

The main character of the film is at a crucial point in their decision-making process when they are interrupted by the Fool, representing an unexpected distraction. The Fool embodies innocence and signifies making impulsive choices without careful thought or reflection.

Just as the fool disrupts key decisions in Chiuri’s story, life often throws us off course with unpredictable circumstances. Drawing this card prompts us to consider how we can find a balance between our inner childlike qualities and our intuition.

The first card in the Major Arcana deck is numbered 0 and represents a spiritual essence before taking on human or divine form. In this depiction, the Fool is portrayed as a playful figure, adorned in Chiuri’s vibrant mini dress with bell sleeves.

The tarot deck symbolizes the journey of the Fool from spirit to human to divine being. It is understandable why Dior’s interpretation of the Fool character aims to momentarily distract the protagonist before guiding her towards her next destination on her personal journey.

This particular card resonates more with unconscious thoughts rather than conscious ones. When seen alongside the High Priestess, it encourages individuals to trust their own judgement and make independent choices despite any distractions that may arise along their path.

The symbolism of the tarot cards in Dior’s portrayal of Lady Justice and the Fool highlights the importance of considering the impact of our choices on others and the need to prioritize inner values over external appearances.

The Hanged Man

The Hanged Man, or in this case the Woman, symbolizes intuition and the unknown. This archetype reveals secrets by offering a fresh perspective or alternative viewpoint, rather than possessing complete knowledge like the High Priestess.

The Hanged Man challenges conventional thinking and invites the protagonist to see things from a different angle. In Dior’s interpretation, the Hanged Woman is depicted as a powerful figure suspended in mid-air, defying gravity and societal norms.

This card symbolizes the act of surrender, as depicted by the character who physically surrenders. It signifies a step towards enlightenment and is not bound by time. The card represents transformation and being open to releasing something without immediately seeing its outcomes.

In Dior’s film, the Hanged Man guides the protagonist to a door that unexpectedly opens on its side, showcasing how perspectives can shift with alternative viewpoints. The sideways-opening door represents an alternative way of perceiving things, prompting our character to embrace this new perspective and venture forward in her journey.

Temperance

As the horizontal door swings open, it reveals the presence of Temperance. This particular card symbolizes various aspects such as wisdom, balance, self-control, and deep contemplation. It corresponds to Sagittarius and possesses a fluidity in its gender representation similar to how this sign can embody both masculine and feminine energies or neither at all thanks to its Mutable quality.

With its emphasis on alchemy, this card reflects the harmonious fusion of spirituality, intellectuality, and physicality – beautifully depicted by the triangle positioned at the heart centre within this character in the deck. The two water jugs she holds symbolize the conscious and unconscious aspects of the mind. The flowing water between them represents unity, flexibility, and boundlessness, as well as a release from dualistic thinking.

This card symbolizes the equilibrium between contrasting elements, such as femininity and masculinity. It is especially relevant considering that our main character’s feminine and masculine traits are currently pursuing separate paths in Dior’s film, but are soon to intersect once more.

Pay attention to the ships and faraway lands depicted in the background of this card. This represents embarking on journeys, but with caution before diving into unfamiliar territories. It carries a spiritual essence, symbolizing enlightenment.

The protagonist in Dior’s film is prompted by this card to embark on a significant journey through the tarot deck and Chiuri’s fashion collection, bringing her closer towards her destination of self-discovery and transformation.

The Star

The card of Temperance guides Dior’s protagonist’s journey towards the Star, which represents the vastness of the universe and offers insight into celestial patterns.

The Star card reveals the enchanting aspects of existence, capturing the essence of freedom with a positive perspective such as hope and joyfulness. It’s fitting that while Dior’s protagonist connects with the Star, there is also an encounter with the Devil down the line illustrating that life can’t be all positive all of the time, struggle is necessary on the journey.

This tarot symbol reminds us to appreciate life’s wonders, mysteries, and pleasures. Amongst the 22 Major Arcana cards that unlock valuable lessons about life, drawing The Star brings hope and acts as a source of healing and blessing.

The Star represents the Aquarius card, symbolizing a water bearer of astrology and higher faith. Depicted on the card, like Temperance, the Star holds two water jugs. Rather than overlooking a landscape, this character is kneeling at the water. The water symbolism of both cards interplays nicely with the fluid transition of this woman’s journey, which eventually ends in the water as well. The Moon, like the Star, also holds or controls water in her own right, so it’s no surprise that both would lead these two—or is it one?—characters to water.

Depicted on the card, similar to Temperance, the Star also holds two water jugs. Instead of overlooking a landscape, this character is kneeling at the water. The symbolism of water in both cards contributes effectively to this woman’s fluid journey that ultimately concludes with her immersion in water.

Similarly, just like the Star, the Moon has dominion over or influences over bodies of water as well. Hence, it comes as no surprise that both these figures—whether they are separate entities or one and the same—would be led towards significance by their association with water.

The Devil

As the story unfolds, one character encounters The Star card while the main protagonist with her distinctive pink hair finds herself trapped in The Devil’s domain. Symbolically, The Devil represents our hidden and darker aspects that cannot be easily evaded, as exemplified by the lead’s futile attempts to flee from this influence.

The Devil card is known for its associations with temptation, materialism, and addiction. The Devil card serves as a reminder that we may find ourselves entangled in unhealthy patterns or negative influences.

The Devil urges us to confront our fears, acknowledge our hidden aspects, and bravely face them. This card represents the allure of excess, pleasure-seeking, and enticing distractions. It signifies sexuality, sensuality, the pursuit of desires, alluring seduction, and intense emotions in the deck.

This card represents self-acceptance and exploring your sexuality; it’s not surprising that this character is dressed in a nude-coloured outfit resembling lingerie to symbolise her divine allure. The scene in Chiuri and Garrone’s film presents an optimistic interpretation of The Devil.

When drawing The Devil card, she initially resists but eventually surrenders, embracing her inner darkness and experiencing a sense of liberation. This particular card depicts a devil holding two figures captive with shackles at its feet, representing their desire for freedom.

True freedom is found in the realization that our darker aspects are not inherently harmful, but rather an integral part of who we are. By confronting the devil within us, we can liberate ourselves from those parts that have succumbed to its toxic influence. This interpretation of the tarot card encourages us to embrace our shadow and incorporate our primal instincts into a transformed and evolved self.

The Moon

After emerging from her encounter with The Devil, the muse is welcomed by The Moon card, which guides her towards Death. The Moon card represents intuition, dreams, and the unconscious mind.

The Moon card symbolizes a sense of stillness, darkness, and allure. It portrays The Moon’s influence on the rising tide, representing the connection between water and emotions. This particular tarot card is associated with an intensification of feelings.

In the movie, The Moon guides our character towards both water and Death. Symbolizing illusions and deceptive appearances, the moon reveals that things are not always as they appear. We have mistakenly believed that there are two main characters in this fashion film; however, it appears that these two individuals are actually different facets of a single entity.

It seems intentional that Maria Grazia chose a radiant blush fabric and incorporated moon-shaped curves in the neckline and bodice. These design elements create an opalescent effect and give the illusion of grandeur, making The Moon appear more prominent. Additionally, as the wearer moves, the train of the dress waxes and wanes like a moon phase.

Death

The Death card urges you to let go of the façade and reconnect with your true self. It signifies a conclusion, whether it be the end of a phase in life, ego dissolution, or transformation. Embracing the transformative power of Death is an essential part of the journey. In tarot, the Death card can be seen as a representation of rebirth and transformation.

Though commonly perceived as negative, this card typically represents closure and renewal. Embracing vulnerability and releasing attachments allow for personal growth embodied by the Death card’s symbolism. Dior’s incorporation of the Death card in their fashion collection signifies a departure from conventional interpretations.

The elegance of the Death’s ballgown, designed by Dior, along with a jewelled executioner’s mask could symbolize the seriousness and importance of this occasion. Death signifies a significant spiritual transition, and the opulence and theatrics of the gown and its accessories depict the magnitude of that transformation.

The post Dior and Tarot: Decoding the Symbolic Journey appeared first on askAstrology.

British musicologist and academic Michael Spitzer explains in his video on Big Think, “Music’s Power Over Your Brain, Explained”, talks about how music impacts and benefits your psyche, limbic system, memory, and pain relief. Also, the power of sound, such as binaural beats, has a healing effect, and music impacts humans so profoundly that it affects the DNA. Let’s first dive into how music affects your brain that impacts your mood, memory, and pain receptors.

The Impact of Music on the Brain

Music profoundly impacts the mind, body, and soul, and everyone knows it makes them feel better when they listen to it. For thousands of years, people used music for soothing and comfort, and music also helps you tackle challenging projects, so you want to listen to it to keep you motivated and productive. That is also why you must have music playing if you are doing a grueling workout. That is because music improves your mood.

Music has a way of increasing blood flow to the emotional areas of the brain. Those brain regions help you control your memory and process emotions. When you hear a song you love, you also get a surge of dopamine, which is that pleasure chemical in your brain, which is why you feel good when you hear it. Therefore, that is why music positively impacts your mood, even if you cannot recall the rhythm or notes. If you hear a song that you do not like or upsets you, the notes and rhythm likely trigger an unpleasant memory from when the melody or the rhythm was popular. If you had a traumatic event, a song from that time will trigger your memory and bring back the trauma. Therefore, that is one of the few times when music may not positively impact you.

According to scientists, music impacts memory because a significant overlap exists between working memory for verbal and musical stimuli. Your working memory works through each piece of music and decodes it like your brain decodes letters as you read. Emotions also magnify your memory, as you may be able to recall each word you heard in a song that you enjoyed listening to in your youth, whether you were in high school or college.

Studies show that listening to music helps brain cells process information more efficiently and helps the brain’s adaptability. That is why it has been said that stroke survivors who listen to music daily will have more verbal memory and cognitive gains than those who don’t listen to music or only listen to audiobooks. Music also helps those with Alzheimer’s disease and those who suffer from cognitive decline engage in conversation when they hear songs from when they were younger for the same reason.

Since music significantly impacts the emotional area of the brain, it also affects the areas of the brain that govern pain. Therefore, that means that music can be tied to pain relief. That is because, as mentioned, music helps with dopamine generation, contributing to your overall well-being. The dopamine increase will lessen the pain perception, and music can also help you distract yourself from the pain that you may be feeling.

Scientists believe that sound waves in music can impact the physical body vibrations, as sound therapy uses low-frequency sounds to create beats, which therapists use on the body, as it has already shown improvement in those who struggle with motor skills function. Sound therapy involves using different frequencies to help treat various ailments, such as binaural beats and isochronic tones.

• Why — and How — Music Moves Us

The Benefits of Sound Therapy

Sound therapy is a form of therapy that utilizes frequencies for healing mental and physical health. Sound vibrations from 174 Hz to 963 Hz can profoundly affect your mental, physical, and spiritual health, which is why these frequencies in this range are known as the “Holy frequencies.” or “Solfeggio frequencies.”

In ancient history, these frequencies were basic sounds used in Eastern Indian regions and Western Christianity, as they were used in chants by Indian Sanskrit leaders and Gregorian monks. In the 1970s, researcher and doctor Joseph Puelo found the Holy frequencies and began speaking about it. Dr. Puelo found six tones that help the body recover through using mathematics.

As a result of Dr. Puelo, other scientists discovered additional evidence that Solfeggio frequencies profoundly affect the conscious and subconscious mind. Therefore, these frequencies can promote vitality and healing. After more studies on Solfeggio frequencies, scientists have found why frequencies ranging from 174 Hz to 963 Hz are the Holy frequencies therapists use in sound vibration.

• How To Relax And Unwind Based On Your Sign

At the bottom of the Holy frequency chart, scientists found that 174 Hz provides sound to help with physical pain relief and can be used in chronic pain patients. The frequency range of 285 Hz can help boost immune function and restore tissues while balancing the root chakra. Researchers find that at 396 Hz, the frequency can help remove negative beliefs such as doubt. In contrast, at 417 Hz, the sound vibration can help remove environmental negative energy and help remove anger while balancing the sacral chakra. That is the best vibration to listen to for sleep.

At 432 Hz, that is known as the “Heartbeat on Earth” as its frequency aligns with the Earth’s magnetic field and can help reduce blood pressure and heart rate. It can help induce grounding and relaxation. At 528 Hz, the frequency that John Lennon wrote in “Imagine” is known as the love frequency. It has been found that this frequency can help alleviate stress and reduce cortisol levels.

At 741 Hz, researchers found that this frequency can help release emotional blockages and toxicity from the environment while balancing the throat chakra. At 852 Hz, one of the higher Solfeggio frequencies can allow you to access profound conscious states while stimulating intuition. Finally, at the highest end of the Holy frequencies, 963 Hz is the “God frequency,” as it helps to bring clarity and removes brain fog. It also enables you to create a connection to the Universe and the divine through meditation.

Therefore, Solfeggio frequencies heal many ailments involving pain, mental health, insomnia, and other imbalances within the chakra system. However, different sound frequencies can heal many ailments not part of the Holy frequencies, as scientists have made other discoveries with sound vibrations.

Lower-frequency sounds that can heal pain management, emotions, anxiety, and insomnia are isochronic tones and binaural beats. Isochronic tones are single sounds, whereas binaural beats are tones played together as these tones stimulate brainwaves. These beats correspond with five brain wave states: beta waves when you are fully conscious, alpha waves when awake but not alert as you are in that state upon going to sleep or waking up, theta waves when you are in REM sleep or a deep meditative state, and delta waves, when you are in a dreamless and deep sleep.

Other than the lower-frequency states of isochronic tones and binaural beats, the difference between these frequencies and Solfeggio frequencies is that the binaural beats and isochronic tones create a rhythmic sound, whereas Solfeggio frequencies create an even sound. You also need to wear headphones to make binaural beats effective, as both ears need to capture the sounds, but you do not need to do that with Solfeggio frequencies and isochronic tones. Whatever sound therapy method someone may need depends on what works for them and their preference. You may wonder how music and sound can profoundly impact the human body.

• Music Genre That You Are the Most Attracted to According to Your Zodiac Sign

What is the Science Behind Music and Sound Frequencies?

Researchers have worked for a long time on studying the effects of music and sound on the human body, and biochemist Dr. Glen Rein discovered in 1988 that sound and music impact human DNA. Dr. Rein took similar DNA vials, exposed them to classical, rock, Sanskrit chants, and Gregorian chants, and measured the absorption rate through UV light. That is how Dr. Rein began to assess the effects of the different types of music on the human body. He found that Gregorian and Sanskrit chants raised the UV light, which showed healing and other positive effects. Classical music increased the UV light a little less, and rock music decreased the absorption of UV light, suggesting that rock music can harm your well-being.

That tells you that the music you listen to will impact your overall health and well-being. Since there is nothing wrong with listening to rock music sometimes, it is not the music to listen to if you need spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental healing, as you will want to opt for music with vibrations in the Holy frequencies.

Universal Music Day is on October 14th, the day to explore the wonders of music. You will want to explore how music and sound therapy can benefit you. That is the day to listen to music with vibrations in the Holy frequency range to connect with your mind, body, and spirit and get you into a calm state. Again, if you love rock music, you do not have to stop listening to it even though, scientifically, it is not ideal for your overall well-being. But it is a great day to explore healing Gregorian and Sanskrit chants, and you will feel more balanced.

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The post The Harmonic Journey: Exploring the Esoteric Power of Sound and Music appeared first on askAstrology.

You’re ruled by Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and social graces. Your life is often like a never-ending quest for balance, fairness, and harmonious relationships. While it’s amazing, it can also get exhausting if you’re not careful.

If you’re out of whack, everything else is too. You wouldn’t let your partner go around unbalanced, would you? So, why do it to yourself? Self-love isn’t just a trendy phrase; it’s the key to achieving that perfect equilibrium you crave.

Are you learning to love yourself? Get ready, because we’re going to break down everything you need to know to invite more self love into your life. Spoiler alert: you might just end up being your own favorite person by the end of this!

Are you a different zodiac sign? Check out this How To Self Care According To Zodiac Sign Guide

The Libra Dilemma

We all have our quirks and struggles, no zodiac sign is without ’em. But for Libras, two biggies are the need for external validation and the infamous indecisiveness.

You’ve got this knack for seeing the beauty and worth in everyone around you, which is awesome! But sometimes you’re looking for that same applause to come your way. Don’t get me wrong, a little validation is great and all, but it shouldn’t define you.

Should you wear the blue shirt or the green one? Should you go out or stay in? The struggle is real, and the decision-making process can feel like a full-time job. It’s like you’ve got a mental scale, and you’re always trying to weigh each and every option.

When you’re so busy seeking validation and fretting over choices, you can easily lose sight of numero uno, you. When your worth becomes a mirror reflection of what others think or when you’re paralyzed by options, guess what suffers? Your self-love and self-care.

The Art of Saying No

You’re a people-pleaser. Don’t deny it; it’s like a Libra superpower or something. But just like any superpower, it can be both a blessing and a curse. So, let’s talk about the art of saying “No,” shall we? It’s time to set some boundaries, and trust me, your future self will thank you.

You’re the peacekeeper, the mediator, the one who wants to make sure everyone’s chill and getting along. But sometimes, that means saying “Yes” when you really wanna scream “Heck, no!” It’s all in the name of keeping the peace, but at what cost?

Boundaries aren’t just lines on a map or walls around a house. They’re your personal safety net, keeping you from stretching yourself too thin or letting others overstep. They allow you to be you without feeling guilty, stressed, or drained.

Exercises to Practice Saying No and Setting Limits

Roleplay: Grab a friend and simulate scenarios where you typically say yes. Practice saying no and gauge how it feels.

The ‘Maybe’ Technique: If a straight-up “No” feels too abrupt, try saying, “Let me think about it,” giving yourself time to decide without pressure.

Mirror Work: Stand in front of a mirror and say “No” to yourself. Feel the power of that word. Own it.

Learning to say “No” is like flexing a muscle; it gets easier the more you do it. So, why not start today? Your sense of balance and harmony will thank you, promise!

Aso, check out these 12 Self-Love Tips and Tricks to Make You Smile.

Self-Care Practices Aligned with Libra Energy

Let’s chat about something you probably love but might not be maximizing: self-care. And for a Libra like you, it’s not just about any self-care; it’s about those activities that really vibe with your natural love for beauty, harmony, and, let’s be honest, a bit of indulgence.

You’re like a moth to a flame when it comes to beauty and aesthetics. Whether it’s art, fashion, or a perfectly curated Instagram feed, you get it. This stuff fills your soul. So why not channel that into your self-care routine?

Here are some Libra-style self-care ideas:

Spa Day: Treat yourself to a day where you’re the star. Facials, massages, the works.

Art Sessions: Grab a canvas or some watercolors and let your creativity flow.

Social Gatherings: A wine night or brunch with friends? Perfect for balancing your social scales.

Loving Yourself Through Decision Making

Decision making, ugh! The dreaded D-word, right? When you’re faced with a choice, it’s like you’re a kid in a candy store, but the candy store is infinite and you can’t decide which sweet to pick. Stressful, right? What if we turn that into a way to practice self-love?

Let’s be honest: making decisions isn’t exactly your forte. The scales wobble, and so does your peace of mind. It’s not just about picking A or B; it’s about the whirlwind it creates in your head. That indecisiveness isn’t just annoying, it can genuinely mess with your mental health.

Tools and Techniques for Decisive Action

Pros and Cons List: Classic but effective. Write it down and weigh it out.

Time Limit: Give yourself a deadline for small decisions to prevent overthinking.

Trust Your Gut: Sometimes, you gotta feel it out rather than think it out. Your intuition knows what’s up.

The Link Between Self-Love and Assertiveness

Making a choice and sticking with it is basically telling yourself, “I trust you.” By being assertive in your decisions, you’re practicing self-love. It’s you saying, “Hey, I value my opinion, and that’s good enough for me.”

The next time you’re stuck in the decision-making loop, take a step back and turn it into a self-love exercise. Trust yourself a bit more, and watch how it not only clears your mind but also lightens your spirit

Strengthening Relationships by Loving Yourself

You know the saying, “You can’t pour from an empty cup”? It’s especially true for Libras, who live for relationships. You’re the sign of partnership, so you might as well put a bow on yourself; you’re basically a gift to anyone you’re in a relationship with. But let’s get real—you’re even more of a gift when you’re in a good relationship with yourself.

When you’re vibing with yourself, it shows, and not just in your aura. A Libra that practices self-love tends to be happier, less needy, and way more fun to be around. You become a magnet for positivity and healthy relationships because, guess what, you’re setting the tone for how others should treat you. People start to think, “If they love themselves this much, they must be worth loving,” and you are!

A self-loving Libra is like a breath of fresh air. When you’re confident in who you are, you’re not out there trying to tip the scales in anyone’s favor, not even your own. That sense of internal fairness brings an amazing freedom to your relationships. It’s like you’re giving both yourself and your partner permission to be authentic.

Manifestation Techniques for Libra

Self care is super important for the happiness of your soul as a Libra. You’re all about balance, beauty, and harmony, but sometimes it feels like others didn’t get the memo, right? Good news: You’ve got the power to bring what you desire into your life, including a hefty dose of self-love. So let’s manifest some good vibes, shall we?

Law of Attraction Techniques to Boost Self-Love

Vision Board: Put all the things that symbolize self-love for you on a vision board.

Positive Affirmations: Daily mantras can set your mood. Try “I am deserving of love” or “I am balanced in my love for myself and others.”

Gratitude Journal: Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, focus on what you’re grateful for. It’s an instant mood booster.

Crystals and Other Spiritual Practices That Align with Libra Energy

Rose Quartz: Literally the love stone, perfect for cultivating self-love.

Lapis Lazuli: Great for balancing that charming Libra energy.

Meditation and Yoga: A balanced body leads to a balanced mind, ya know?

Journal Prompts or Affirmations:

• What does self-love mean to me?
• Where in my life could I use more balance?
• I am deserving of all the love and beauty life has to offer.

Final Words

We’ve gone through the whole shebang, from understanding your natural tendencies to practical steps like setting boundaries and getting in tune with spiritual practices.

You’re not just a people-pleaser; you’re a harmony-lover. Embrace that. Don’t just say yes because it makes things easy. Saying no can be liberating! The world won’t end if you make a wrong choice; it’s all part of the journey.

Spoil yourself a little; you deserve it. This stuff has a ripple effect. Loving yourself doesn’t just make you feel like a million bucks; it literally changes your life and relationships. Imagine being so filled with love that you’re oozing it out for everyone else.

So, what are you waiting for? Today’s the perfect day to start loving yourself more. You’re already a masterpiece, but even the Mona Lisa needs a touch-up now and then. Let’s get that self-love going, and trust me, you’ll love the person you become!

The post The Ultimate Self Love Guide For Libra Zodiac Sign appeared first on askAstrology.

What Is Tantra And How Does It Work

Tantra is a universal technique, or “inner technology” as the word translates to from ancient Egyptian, an inner guidance system that allows you to steadily advance upon your spiritual path without needing an external teacher or guide for constant checkups. It’s a way to rediscover and reawaken that co-pilot consciousness you’ve been gifted with, forever.

Despite common misconception, the physical guru, or your Master if you like, is nobody at all. He or she is simply a doorway, a mirror into the depths of yourself. The guru wasn’t meant to be your guide or to teach you towards enlightenment. Within Tantra, you are to discover your own power source. Your own stream of life force energy. Your guru is merely there to hold that space for you. He is there to embody himself, to be himself. And through his example of Activated-Consciousness, inspire your Activation.

But we are obviously in 2023, not everybody is up in the mountains training with a Master or the Hindu monks in a monastery on how to transmute and alchemize energy.

So where do we find our guru?

Through all people, things, circumstances and events. Everywhere, where there is life, there is an opportunity for your self-actualization. There, there is a mirror for you to reflect back into the abyss of yourself. There, there is a chance for you to breakthrough, through and have a moment outside of this Earth matrix, experiencing the freeing shock of reality.

Within all people, lies a hidden gem. A hidden power source that has birthed, is birthing and will keep birthing all things. Call it the Holy Spirit if you like, or Chi energy. The name matters not. But there is this ineffable source of energy which seems to just make things go. Perhaps Harmony would be a better suited word for it.

And to be a tantrika, to practice tantra, is to first and foremost, recognize that innate source of energy within yourself, and of course, the other. To hold illusions, attachments and energy cords steady to the ground as you try to find, witness, and cater to that power source of the person you’re interacting with.

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When you’re talking to someone, where is their power on/off button?

Where is that switch that keeps their system running?

The tantrika locates that, and talks to that. Communes with that. Makes Love to that.

To be a tantric practitioner is to constantly commune, make love to, or get intimate with the Other. But not the Other only as a Personality. The Other as their True Self. Their Higher Self, OverSelf or Soul if you like. Everyone always has a mirror side to themselves. A version that is unseen. And yet is always living in those unseen, invisible worlds. And to tap into that, you got to tap into the mechanism of life itself.

Now let’s get started with one or two basic, and yet powerfully important tantric principles.

The Power Of Non-Action

There is a famous concept in ancient Japanese Zen called “Wu Wei”, or in English, the Art of Not Forcing. Having its roots in the origin of Buddhism, the art of not forcing or the power of in-action, is the primary technique for anyone who wishes to alchemize energy within the astral realms. It is the mechanism of life itself, waiting to eliminate what is false or illusory. One perhaps has already noticed how across many situations, to have acted later, or patiently have waited longer, might have been more harmonious for yourself but also for all participants involved.

But what if we take that concept to an extreme? What if we say, to wait for as long as we can, to not act, to not say, to not do, for as long as we humanly can hold that inactive state for?

What would happen then? Where does the silence end? Where does the darkness come to its close? Well, that is a journey for you to discover. But you might just need one more tool.

Mantrism – A Tantrika’s Sword

What does it mean to not act, to not do?

It means patiently waiting for the life force energy to rise up within you while calmly assessing your next move. Whether that be to move in silence, communicate something or act upon a circumstance. Like a mountain at the edge of a cliff by the sea, you sit while the ocean waves splash upon your being. Everstill. Everpresent. Unmoving. Unhurt. Unwounded.

You don’t feel pain like others do.

You don’t get your heart broken as others do.

You don’t react like others do.

You don’t behave like others do.

You just are. There. Present. Encompassing the entire room. Being in the room, and outside of the room, with everyone’s higher selves, at the same time.

But how to do that? How is it, that the fakirs are able to lay upon an iron-spiked bed for hours without feeling hurt? How is it, that saints, Yeshua and other Masters, are able to teleport, heal by touch, and materialize or dematerialize at will?

Well. They’re tuned into something else.

They’re tapped into a power source that completely transcends the laws of this physical reality we’re in. And most of them got started or applied this one principle.

Mantrism – to perform a mantra till your consciousness evaporates into nothingness and the Holy Spirit state is achieved

It is a simple, yet powerful technique that gives you context, a bridge to the higher realms, and the opportunity to test the strength of your soul and willpower to see how far you can go.

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How many prayers can you do a day?

Can you maintain them throughout your waking day or only while being alone, quiet in your room?

Do you feel the energy diluting, thickening, and dispersing as you recite the sacred words?

• Yeshua’s mantra was: “I am the resurrection and the life.”
• Christian Orthodoxes use: “Lord Jesus Christ, Have Mercy On My Soul”
• Hindus use: “Om Namah Shivayah”
• Modern spiritualists have recommended something along the lines of: “May you be blessed.”

The words don’t matter. As long as its personal, resonating and activating for you.

And once you have identified your mantra, start practising. Do it daily. A bit every day. You’ll be surprised how far you’ll travel within the depths of yourself. And then the question will always remain.

“How far down the rabbit hole are you ready to go?”

And you might just hear from the depths of darkness, a cold whisper:

“All the way.”

Last Tip

When you do your mantra, focus on collecting energy through the dancing of oxygen in your belly. The switch is under the diaphragm, a couple of inches inside, for all humans. Stay in that void.

May the artist and the art be One again.

• Spirituality: Individual Creation, Co-Creation, and Fate

The post Tantra: Your Highway To Enlightenment appeared first on askAstrology.

Big Island, Hawaii

If you did not get to Hawaii this past summer, but the idea of going there interests you, you will want to visit the Big Island. The Hawaiian islands are known to be spiritual, but the Big Island has some unique features that will make the autumn trip extra special for you. The goddess Pele rules the volcanic activity, and fire on the island is present there; you will feel the energy as you trail across the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You should take advantage of heading there when it is a clear night, as it will give you a fantastic opportunity to stargaze.

You also want to head over to Pu’u Loa on the Big Island, as it is in the same park. It is highly spiritual there, giving you an excellent opportunity to connect to your Higher Self as you calm your mind and feel your chakras align. Not to mention, it is beautiful there as it has a breathtaking landscape.

If you are a spiritual traveler, you may have seen yoga retreats advertised on the Big Island. Many historical landmarks will allow you to learn about the people of Hawaii and their spiritual beliefs. If you have already been to the Big Island and are looking for another spiritual destination, you are in luck because there are still plenty of others to review.

Lily Dale, New York

Lily Dale, New York, is one of the most spiritual places in the eastern part of the USA, and even though many visitors like to go in the summer, the fall is a great time to go too. Lily Dale is renowned as one of the world’s oldest and largest spiritualist communities. It has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century and continues to attract spiritual seekers from all over. The community offers a unique and immersive experience for those interested in spiritualism, mediumship, and psychic phenomena. The town is known for its abundance of certified mediums that offer readings and consultations. That means you can connect with loved ones who have passed away, receive guidance, and gain insights into their spiritual journey.

You are in luck if you are looking at great workshops and events. Lily Dale hosts a variety of workshops, lectures, and events throughout the year, including in the fall season. These programs cover many spiritual topics, including mediumship development, energy healing, spiritual growth, and psychic abilities. Attending these workshops can provide valuable knowledge, tools, and experiences for personal and spiritual development. Let’s also remember that Lily Dale is nestled in a picturesque setting, surrounded by serene lakes and beautiful forests.

The fall season brings vibrant foliage, creating a breathtaking spiritual exploration and reflection backdrop. The peaceful and natural environment can enhance the overall spiritual experience and provide a sense of tranquility and connection with nature. Lily Dale offers a welcoming and inclusive community of like-minded individuals. That means you can connect with others with similar spiritual interests and beliefs. Engaging in conversations, sharing experiences, and participating in group activities can foster a sense of belonging and create lasting connections, which is why you will love it. If you want to check somewhere else out, you are in luck. Let’s talk about the next destination.

Sedona, Arizona

You may have heard that Sedona is where so many spiritual retreats happen because it is a potent energy vortex and one of the most powerful worldwide, making it a highly spiritual area. Some say it contains a sizeable energetic space, and some say it has four main ones: Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock, Airport Mesa, and Boynton Canyon.

The type of spirituality Sedona is known for falls in the New Age form, which focuses on yoga, Reiki, and sound baths. There are plenty of spiritual-based businesses, yoga studios, and spas. Many hosts in the Sedona areas that run Airbnbs provide a space that is quite healing and peaceful for the guests.

You will see that Sedona has many waterfalls, forests, and red-rock canyons, which, as the beauty, adds to the spiritual aspects of the city. If you have been to Sedona, consider retaking a spiritual vacation this autumn to help find balance within again. If you would like to go somewhere else you have yet to go to in the USA, there are still plenty of other spiritual places to visit.

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Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville, North Carolina, is another spiritual place to visit in the fall, as you will first love its vibrant spiritual community. Asheville is known for its spiritual and diverse spiritual community, attracting people from various spiritual backgrounds, including New Age, alternative healing, yoga, meditation, and more. The city offers numerous spiritual centers, retreats, and workshops where visitors can explore different practices and connect with like-minded individuals. You also cannot go wrong with the gorgeous beauty and serenity.

Asheville is nestled in the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. The fall season brings vibrant foliage, creating a picturesque backdrop for spiritual exploration and reflection. The serene environment, with its mountains, forests, and waterfalls, provides spiritual seekers with a peaceful and grounding atmosphere. Let’s remember its wellness and holistic healing offerings.

Asheville has numerous wellness centers, spas, and alternative healing practitioners. Visitors can indulge in various healing modalities such as energy work, sound therapy, acupuncture, and more, promoting physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In addition to that, there are many meditation centers, retreats, and mindfulness practices. You can participate in guided meditation sessions, mindfulness workshops, and silent retreats. These practices can help cultivate inner peace, clarity, and spiritual connection, especially when nature’s transformative energy is palpable during fall.

If you appreciate the arts, then you are in luck. Asheville has a thriving arts and culture scene, strongly emphasizing spirituality and self-expression. The city hosts numerous festivals, art exhibits, and performances celebrating spirituality, mindfulness, and conscious living. You can immerse yourself in the creative energy and find inspiration for your spiritual journey. If you want to head out to California for your spiritual vacation, there are some places you will like.

Mount Shasta, California

You may not know this, but some think that Earth has a chakra system, and Mount Shasta is known to be Earth’s root chakra. Mount Shasta is an active volcano that holds a lot of energy, even though the last eruption was centuries ago, and it is a giant energy vortex, which is why those who want to connect with their spiritual side wish to visit Mount Shasta.

For the longest time, Native Americans perform ceremonies and rituals at Mount Shasta, but you will see a larger group of people doing the same thing. Many Reiki healers like to visit this area and hold retreats and yoga and meditation teachers. It is a great place to help you connect with your Higher Self, and there is another excellent spiritual destination in California that you will want to visit, too.

Joshua Tree, California

If you have already seen Mount Shasta and you want to go somewhere far away from busy cities such as San Francisco, San Diego, or Los Angeles, the Joshua Tree is an excellent spiritual destination in California. This is the perfect place if you love nature and want to hang in a desert with Joshua trees.

Those who visit Joshua Tree find this the ultimate spiritual destination in the USA, as there is a sense of magic and mystery in the desert. This destination is intriguing because many believe alien life forms visit Joshua Tree. The Integration building is there for communication with alien life. It is a place where you can go for healing sessions, and there are yoga and wellness spas in the area, too. You will also want to visit Joshua Tree National Park, as you will get a significant mystical feel around there, which will help you connect with your spiritual side. If you have “been there, done that,” why not look into Iowa?

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Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa

If you are looking for a spiritual getaway to immerse yourself in nature, head over to the Effigy Mounds National Monument. Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa is a sacred place you will want to see as it is home to over 200 prehistoric Native American mounds, including animal-shaped effigy mounds. These mounds were built by Native American cultures over 1,000 years ago and hold significant historical and cultural value. Exploring the monument allows visitors to connect with the rich Native American history of the region.

You will also love the calm, peaceful, and breathtaking environment. The monument is located along the Mississippi River and offers a serene and picturesque natural setting. The surrounding forests and prairies in the fall showcase vibrant autumn colors, creating a stunning visitor backdrop. The peaceful environment provides an opportunity for reflection, connection with nature, and a sense of tranquility. You can also enjoy birdwatching as so many various birds are in the area in addition to other wildlife.

Effigy Mounds National Monument features several hiking trails that wind through the mounds and the surrounding landscape. These trails offer a chance to explore the area’s natural beauty, observe wildlife, and immerse oneself in the peacefulness of the surroundings. The fall season provides pleasant outdoor weather, allowing you to enjoy the trails fully.

Let’s also talk about the various educational programs, guided tours, and interpretive exhibits that provide insights into the Native American cultures once inhabited the area. You can learn about the significance of the mounds, the practices of the ancient civilizations, and the importance of preserving these historical sites. If you want to head south, there is another place to visit.

Taos, New Mexico

Suppose you want to try a different spiritual destination from Sedona or the Big Island in case you have visited those places and to gain a different spiritual experience. You should check out the small desert town of Toas in New Mexico. Spanish colonists settled in this area in 1540, and plenty of adobe chapels gave the city a spiritual feel. However, today, Toas is known to have a biotecture village, which are innovative homes known as Earthships that are there to protect the environment. There is something very spiritual about those living in the community who live in a way that helps preserve the environment.

There are also places where you can take spiritual retreats that offer sound healing, meditation, yoga, and more, such as the High-Frequency Loft and the Blue Sky Retreat. If you are looking for a spiritual place that may be larger and offers a little more but want to stay in the same general New Mexico area, then you should check out Santa Fe.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Toas is a tremendous spiritual destination, but you should head to Santa Fe for a more extensive spiritual experience. Many people believe that Santa Fe is the original spiritual hub of the country as plenty of artists, yoga and meditation teachers, energy healers, and psychics love to hang out there, which gives the city a mystical energy. The one place you will want to head to is Canyon Road, where plenty of art galleries can help take you away from daily stresses!

Santa Fe has many spiritual landmarks, such as the Santuario de Chimayo, established in 1813, as it can provide healing energies if you visit it. There is also the Upaya Institute and Zen Center, a world-renowned Buddhist temple, as you can head over there for meditation sessions and other spiritual events. With the combination of spiritual landmarks, you can see that it is the home for spiritually inclined people, and you will gain a genuine spiritual experience if you head over to Santa Fe. There is one more spiritual destination you will want to know if you are looking for more places to visit this autumn.

If you are looking for a place to connect with your spiritual side differently, you will want to consider Salem, Massachusetts.

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Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, Massachusetts, is the place to go, and autumn is the best time to visit the city famously known for its historical association with the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. This dark historical period has made Salem a hub for those interested in witchcraft, Wicca, and the occult. Visitors can explore the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, Witch House, and other historical sites to learn about the town’s witchcraft history and its impact on modern spirituality.

Not to mention, Salem is home to numerous psychics, mediums, and tarot readers who offer their services to visitors. Whether seeking guidance, spiritual insights, or connections with loved ones, Salem provides many psychic readings and consultation opportunities. With its mystical ambiance, the fall season adds an extra layer of intrigue to these experiences.

You will also want to check out the boutiques and metaphysical shops, as Salem has so many of them. These shops offer crystals, herbs, candles, divination tools, and other spiritual supplies. Browsing through these stores can be a fascinating experience, allowing visitors to explore different spiritual practices and find unique items to enhance their spiritual journey.

If you go to Salem, you will want to go during Halloween or Samhain. Samhain, a pagan festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, is celebrated in Salem with various events and rituals. Visitors can participate in Samhain ceremonies, bonfires, and other pagan-inspired activities. These celebrations provide an opportunity to connect with the cycles of nature, honor ancestors, and embrace the spiritual significance of the season.

Salem’s haunted history adds an element of the supernatural to the town’s spiritual atmosphere. Ghost tours and haunted walks are popular attractions, allowing visitors to explore Salem’s eerie past and hear tales of paranormal encounters. These tours can provide a unique perspective on the spiritual energy and folklore associated with the town.

Salem hosts various spiritual workshops, lectures, and events throughout the year, including in the fall. These programs cover various topics such as witchcraft, astrology, energy healing, and divination. Attending these workshops can offer opportunities for learning, personal growth, and connecting with like-minded individuals. You can see how this could be a popular fall destination! If you have “been there, done that,” there are still plenty of others to see!

Moab, Utah

If you want to look at a remarkable landscape and head to the mystical Arches National Park, you should head to Moab, Utah. If you want to get in touch with nature, this is the place to visit. As you will see, there are fascinating rock formations and canyons, and these incredible arches are sacred to Native Americans. They worship these gifts from Mother Nature as they see them as Earth’s protectors.

Those who are spiritually inclined go to Moab so they can connect with nature as they do it through sound healing and meditation. They also have various spiritual ceremonies in the area. You will want to stay at the bed-and-breakfast retreat known as the Red Moon Lodge, as it is a solar-powered hotel for sustainability. There are areas in the hotel that are meant for prayer, meditation, and yoga. There is one more spiritual destination you will want to remember for this fall!

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana, is considered a great spiritual place to visit, and if you have already been to Salem during Samhain in the past, this is a great destination to check out during Samhain this year. New Orleans is renowned for its rich history and cultural diversity, including its association with voodoo and hoodoo traditions. You can explore the city’s voodoo shops, attend voodoo ceremonies, and learn about the practices and beliefs of these spiritual traditions. The fall season adds an extra layer of intrigue to these experiences with its mystical ambiance.

New Orleans is known for its unique above-ground cemeteries, such as St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. These are historically significant and hold a spiritual allure. You can take guided tours to learn about burial customs, folklore, and the spiritual significance of these resting places. The fall season can enhance these visits’ atmospheric and reflective nature, so Samhain is a great time to visit this city.

Also, remember that New Orleans hosts several spiritual festivals and celebrations throughout the year, including in the fall. One notable event is the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience, a festival celebrating the city’s spiritual and cultural heritage. These festivals provide opportunities to immerse oneself in the vibrant energy, music, art, and spirituality of New Orleans.

Also, the city is home to numerous psychics, mediums, and tarot readers who offer their services to visitors. Whether you’re seeking guidance, spiritual insights, or connections with loved ones, New Orleans provides many opportunities for psychic readings and consultations. The fall season adds an extra layer of intrigue to these experiences with its mystical ambiance.

Not to mention, New Orleans is known for its unique architecture, including its historic churches, cathedrals, and spiritual landmarks. Visitors can explore iconic sites such as St. Louis Cathedral and the Ursuline Convent, which hold historical and spiritual significance. These architectural marvels offer a glimpse into the city’s spiritual heritage and provide a serene and reflective atmosphere.

If you appreciate music, New Orleans is famous for its vibrant music scene and cultural traditions. The city’s jazz, blues, and gospel music have deep spiritual roots, often intertwining with religious and spiritual practices. Visitors can immerse themselves in the soulful sounds of New Orleans, attending live performances and experiencing the spiritual energy that permeates the music.

Therefore, if you are looking for a spiritual destination to head to this autumn to escape the stress from work and family, then you will want to take a few days out of your week to go to one of these places so you can get the opportunity to connect with your Higher Self.

Listed here are twelve highly spiritual areas that you will head over to find peace and harmony and get the recharging and rest you need. You can also get psychic or mediumship readings in many of these destinations if that is what you want, as that also gives you a tool to help you self-reflect. That way, after returning home from attending any of these spiritual places, you will be at a place where you can work and handle almost anything!

• Here’s Where You Should Live Based On Your Zodiac Sign

The post Autumn 2023: Where to Have Spiritual Fall Breaks in the US? appeared first on askAstrology.

Radiating feminine energy is all the buzz at the moment, I don’t know about you, but my algorithm is full of videos showcasing women embracing their divine feminine energy. As someone who has spent most of her life being quite masculine, I find this really inspiring.

I have seen the benefits of being more in my feminine over the last few years, and I can see how much it has changed my life. I no longer want to control every outcome, I am less anxious, I feel more beautiful, and it is a lot easier for me to attract what I want. Here are some of the esoteric practices that have helped me become more feminine:

What Is Feminine Energy?

Feminine energy is an attitude some women carry in their day-to-day lives. This attitude influences their behaviour and the way they show up in the world. This energy describes someone who is soft, nurturing, caring, playful, sensual, compassionate, vulnerable, intuitive and empathetic.

It is an energy of being instead of the masculine way of doing and leading. Feminine energy receives and responds. It is about attracting what you want in life, without chasing after it. It is about sitting back and letting good things come to you.

How To Increase Feminine Energy – Here Are Some Practical Tips

Prioritize Your Self-care

Although self-care is a bit of a buzz word, it is so for a reason because of how important it is. For you to be in your feminine energy, you need to be able to put yourself first and KNOW that you have worth.

Self-care is about spoiling yourself and making yourself feel good. This makes you responsible for the way you feel about yourself. Through this, you gain more respect for who you are, and you are less dependent on others to make you happy.

Here are some ways you can enjoy self-care:

• Writing in your journal about the things you are grateful for
• Going to the hair salon regularly
• Reading a book on self-improvement
• Drinking a warm beverage and savouring every sip
• Taking a long walk in nature
• Having a warm bath with essential oils/bubble bath/bath salts
• Doing gentle exercises such as yoga or Pilates
• Getting enough sleep
• Eating nutritious and nourishing meals

It doesn’t really matter what you do, as long as you are taking moments out of your day where you prioritize yourself and do something that makes you feel good.

• 5 Ways To Improve Your Relationship With Yourself

Meditation

Meditation has so many countless benefits, but if you are serious about embracing your feminine energy, then meditation is definitely something you might want to add to your day-to-day routine.

Taking a few moments to quiet your mind in stillness and just be is literally the definition of feminine energy. As I mentioned before, this energy is all about being and not doing.

Simply quiet your mind for a few minutes every day and connect with your breath. This should help to soothe your nervous system and get you in a mode to receive energy instead of leaking it out everywhere.

Set Healthy Boundaries

Setting healthy boundaries is the cornerstone of feminine energy. Having boundaries with people means that you know your worth and won’t allow anyone to treat you less than what you know you deserve. This is the ultimate act of self-love because you will not stand for any ill-treatment.

Some might think that having boundaries is more of a masculine trait, but knowing when to say no and stepping back is the pinnacle of feminine energy. You are letting people know where you stand and that they can’t abuse your kindness and caring nature.

This one is really tough to master, I know, speaking from experience. It is really easy to get roped into other people’s dramas and before I even know it I am trying to fix and solve things for others.

However, stepping back and only giving energy to the things and people that give me energy has taught me a lot about who I am, and what makes me happiest in my life.

Listen To Subliminals/Affirmation Tapes

One of the most powerful changes I personally made to increase my goddess energy was by starting to listen to subliminals and affirmation tapes targeted at increasing femininity and beauty.

Every night when I go to sleep I put on one of these tracks and I quickly noticed how I started investing a lot more in the way I look and taking better care of my appearance, but I also started to feel more confident.

The number of compliments I would get from strangers was crazy. I just started feeling so good about myself, this is when I really started to see the value in cultivating that feminine energy. Not only did I start feeling more beautiful, others started mirroring this to me as well.

Here are some of my favourite videos I recommend you listen to :

• MANIFEST WEALTH, BEAUTY, LOVE AND JOY while you SLEEP
• Change Your Beliefs While You Sleep: Body Positivity, Self Love & Physical Glow Up

Use Affirmations And Matras

Repeating affirmations or mantras every day to boost your feminine energy is a wonderful way to invoke your goddess energy. It is a very simple, yet effective way to make yourself feel good and to boost your confidence.

Here are some of my favourite affirmations:

• My energy is sacred
• I effortlessly create beauty in my life
• I receive and attract with ease
• I embrace my femininity
• I am magnetic
• I don’t chase, I attract
• I am enough
• My intuition always guides me
• My body is a sacred gift
• I carry myself with poise and elegance
• I take pride in my appearance
• I let go and trust that everything is always working out in my favour
• I honour my divine goddess energy
• I am joyful and playful
• I have loving relationships and connections
• I am aligned with my soul’s purpose

Repeat these affirmations whenever you feel like you are going into your masculine energy. Remind yourself that your power comes from leaning back and being. 

• Best Self-Care Tips For Women Of Each Zodiac Sign

Dress More Feminine

There was a time in my life when I was always wearing super baggy, masculine clothing because I wanted to hide my body and my inherent femininity. I didn’t want anyone to look at me.

It took a lot of inner work for me to get to a place to really appreciate and love my body. But since I have been able to do that, the way I started to dress has changed tremendously. I know where a lot more skirts and dresses because it helps me feel more feminine.

And funnily enough, this has made me feel more powerful and confident, when before I thought hiding and dressing more masculine would make me feel that way. You’ll see that wearing skirts or dresses feels natural and it’ll help you to feel in flow.

Listen To Your Intuition

As a woman, your intuition is one of the greatest gifts you have been given. It is always trying to tell you something. It is that little voice in your head giving you deeper insight into the things you cannot see but simply know.

You are doing a great disservice to yourself by not listening to this sacred gift you have been given. Why not trust in yourself and start paying closer attention to your intuition? This may feel strange at first, but the more you listen, the easier it will become to hear.

If you do this you’ll notice that making decisions will become a lot easier, you’ll start to feel happier and lighter, but you will also attract more abundance and prosperity into your life because you are allowing the Universe to flow through you. 

When something feels good, pursue it, when it stops feeling good, stop it immediately. This is how simple your intuition works. Always follow your heart and listen carefully to what it is trying to say.

Set Up A Divine Altar

Creating a sacred space in your home is a wonderful way to boost feminine energy and honour the goddess within you. Create a little altar of sacred items such as candles, flowers, and crystals. It is your altar, you make the rules.

This could be the space where you do your meditation or journaling, or it can simply be a spot in your home that reminds you to connect with your femininity. It really doesn’t have to be complicated.

Be More In Your Heart

It is so easy for me to be stuck in my head, repeating old negative beliefs and patterns. I overanalyze and think of ways where I can find solutions because it gives me a feeling of control when I experience anxiety.

However, embracing my feminine energy has helped me to move away from a space of always being in my mind, and instead allowing myself to make decisions from a heartspaced place.

Being in my feminine energy means using compassion, intuition, trust, unity, and kindness when making decisions. It means that I don’t have to micromanage every aspect of my life and that I can simply trust everything is going to work out perfectly.

This means that things that used to give me a lot of anxiety and stress, I can step away from. I trust that I will find the solution with ease, and I don’t stress myself out further by creating more drama from the narrative in my head.

• Find The Perfect Lipstick For Your Zodiac Sign

How Can Embracing The Inner Goddess Help You

As a woman, embracing your femininity can help improve your life in so many different ways. I can honestly say stepping into my power as a feminine being has made my life so much better in so many different ways.

Here are a few to mention:

• Your relationships with men AND women will improve
• The stress in your life decreases because you no longer need to control everything
• You become more beautiful because you are taking better care of yourself
• You get to relax and rest without feeling guilty
• Abundance and prosperity just flow into your life with ease
• Your health and well-being improve dramatically
• You feel more connected to the cycles of nature
• The amount of drama in your life decreases
• You gain increased self-awareness and know when you have stepped out of your femininity
• You feel more grounded, balanced, and centred
• It is easier for you to feel happier

I hope this article has inspired you to take a chance on embracing your feminine energy more. Which changes are you going to make moving forward?

The post Embracing Your Inner Goddess: Esoteric Beauty Practices for Self-Love and Empowerment appeared first on askAstrology.

Between ignorance and enlightenment there are varying degrees of spiritual awareness, and having a more spiritually aware understanding of the world often brings many benefits. This article will discuss some of those benefits.

What Does it Mean to be Spiritually Aware?

Spiritual awareness is what we experience when we get beyond normal sensory input, reactive thinking, and living just to function and survive. We do not just exist in our surroundings, we become conscious of them and seek meaning for and in our existence. When you question “why” regarding just about anything, you are brushing up against spiritual awareness, no matter what the topic, how hard you pursue the answer, or how often you attempt to see “beyond the veil.”

Getting beyond “just existing” is a very good thing, and while it can make life “feel harder,” it will make it more rewarding. Spiritual awareness often creates psychological, emotional, and life consequences that help us deal with struggle, disappointment, loss, and hardship in ways that give us hope and allow us to heal.

• The Challenges of Being Spiritually Aware

Some of the Benefits

This list is not exhaustive, just some examples to help you understand the rewards involved in developing spiritual awareness that are worth knowing, which will, hopefully, encourage you to pursue spiritual awareness or greater spiritual awareness, so you can be more prepared, safe, and perhaps, less resentful about life. Yes, spiritual awareness can lead to healing and emotional fortitude.

The World is Messy, and It is Supposed to Be

I am far enough along in this life journey and many, many reincarnations to be confident enough to see that being a spiritual being having a physical experience is a constant oscillation between the physical and spiritual realms without an end goal to stay in the spiritual realm or make the physical realm a spiritual place. The coin, as they say, has two sides and it keeps flipping endlessly.

As I watch the world progress and regress at one and the same time, it is spiritual awareness that allows me to see how both are functioning and always functioning in this way across the whole of human history, written down, remembered, forgotten, and lost. There is nothing new under the sun, when it comes to spiritual beings incarnating in the physical world. We may have “moved the needle” at different times in history, like improving medical knowledge or technology, but we have not changed the needle.

All the darkness and light of consciousness keep the world a messy place in order for our souls to keep learning, to feel challenges and overcome them, or fail and fall, and learn from that experience as well. It’s not that nothing matters; its that everything matters, in different ways and to different degrees and for different reasons, for each of us.

• The Conscious Awareness Number

Difference is Invigorating

Spiritual awareness can and often does lead to a richer life experience, just like anything that increases specialization. Think of spiritual awareness as a form of consciousness specialization that can and will push you to higher levels of understanding where you can be helpful to more people, especially if you excel at it. Using a physical metaphor is an easy way to explain this challenge. Professional athletes are very rare when compared to the society as a whole. They represent the pinnacle of human physical and mental performance, showing what is best and great about the human physical form.

Spiritual awareness is very much like physical talent; there are varying degrees of it, and vast numbers of people who do not have the talent, desire, or circumstance to play football, or develop spiritual awareness.  Those that do and pursue it to higher and higher levels will find people want to be inspired by them and get joy from watching them perform at the highest levels. They can become role models and change the course of culture and society through their talent and success.

Keeping a Positive Attitude

Certainly one of the most valuable girts of spiritual awareness is that it can lead to a better or happier life. Deepening the layers of understanding helps us appreciate our journey through life. Being aware can put a lot of wind in your sails, depending on what you think about and how you feel about the awareness you attain. At best, spiritual awareness is almost always useful, in that it can help you avoid danger, be more realistic, and be “more nimble” in life. While it does not guarantee a better life, it will help you keep the best perspective about the life you do lead.

At its best, spiritual awareness can offer you the potential power to turn “lemons into lemonade,” making something sour into something sweet through a chemical process that introduces additional components to turn something “sharp” into something palatable. Getting the right mixture is not always easy or guaranteed, which is why spiritual awareness requires a lot of effort. What spiritual awareness ultimately does is teach us that the world is complex, and that we should embrace and celebrate the complexity as gift of consciousness and our spiritual journey.

• Self-Awareness and How to Connect with Your Inner Consciousness in 6 Steps

The post The Benefits of Being Spiritually Aware appeared first on askAstrology.

Between ignorance and enlightenment there are varying degrees of spiritual awareness, and having a more spiritually aware understanding of the world often brings many benefits. This article will discuss some of those benefits.

What Does it Mean to be Spiritually Aware?

Spiritual awareness is what we experience when we get beyond normal sensory input, reactive thinking, and living just to function and survive. We do not just exist in our surroundings, we become conscious of them and seek meaning for and in our existence. When you question “why” regarding just about anything, you are brushing up against spiritual awareness, no matter what the topic, how hard you pursue the answer, or how often you attempt to see “beyond the veil.”

Getting beyond “just existing” is a very good thing, and while it can make life “feel harder,” it will make it more rewarding. Spiritual awareness often creates psychological, emotional, and life consequences that help us deal with struggle, disappointment, loss, and hardship in ways that give us hope and allow us to heal.

• The Challenges of Being Spiritually Aware

Some of the Benefits

This list is not exhaustive, just some examples to help you understand the rewards involved in developing spiritual awareness that are worth knowing, which will, hopefully, encourage you to pursue spiritual awareness or greater spiritual awareness, so you can be more prepared, safe, and perhaps, less resentful about life. Yes, spiritual awareness can lead to healing and emotional fortitude.

The World is Messy, and It is Supposed to Be

I am far enough along in this life journey and many, many reincarnations to be confident enough to see that being a spiritual being having a physical experience is a constant oscillation between the physical and spiritual realms without an end goal to stay in the spiritual realm or make the physical realm a spiritual place. The coin, as they say, has two sides and it keeps flipping endlessly.

As I watch the world progress and regress at one and the same time, it is spiritual awareness that allows me to see how both are functioning and always functioning in this way across the whole of human history, written down, remembered, forgotten, and lost. There is nothing new under the sun, when it comes to spiritual beings incarnating in the physical world. We may have “moved the needle” at different times in history, like improving medical knowledge or technology, but we have not changed the needle.

All the darkness and light of consciousness keep the world a messy place in order for our souls to keep learning, to feel challenges and overcome them, or fail and fall, and learn from that experience as well. It’s not that nothing matters; its that everything matters, in different ways and to different degrees and for different reasons, for each of us.

• The Conscious Awareness Number

Difference is Invigorating

Spiritual awareness can and often does lead to a richer life experience, just like anything that increases specialization. Think of spiritual awareness as a form of consciousness specialization that can and will push you to higher levels of understanding where you can be helpful to more people, especially if you excel at it. Using a physical metaphor is an easy way to explain this challenge. Professional athletes are very rare when compared to the society as a whole. They represent the pinnacle of human physical and mental performance, showing what is best and great about the human physical form.

Spiritual awareness is very much like physical talent; there are varying degrees of it, and vast numbers of people who do not have the talent, desire, or circumstance to play football, or develop spiritual awareness.  Those that do and pursue it to higher and higher levels will find people want to be inspired by them and get joy from watching them perform at the highest levels. They can become role models and change the course of culture and society through their talent and success.

Keeping a Positive Attitude

Certainly one of the most valuable girts of spiritual awareness is that it can lead to a better or happier life. Deepening the layers of understanding helps us appreciate our journey through life. Being aware can put a lot of wind in your sails, depending on what you think about and how you feel about the awareness you attain. At best, spiritual awareness is almost always useful, in that it can help you avoid danger, be more realistic, and be “more nimble” in life. While it does not guarantee a better life, it will help you keep the best perspective about the life you do lead.

At its best, spiritual awareness can offer you the potential power to turn “lemons into lemonade,” making something sour into something sweet through a chemical process that introduces additional components to turn something “sharp” into something palatable. Getting the right mixture is not always easy or guaranteed, which is why spiritual awareness requires a lot of effort. What spiritual awareness ultimately does is teach us that the world is complex, and that we should embrace and celebrate the complexity as gift of consciousness and our spiritual journey.

• Self-Awareness and How to Connect with Your Inner Consciousness in 6 Steps

The post The Benefits of Being Spiritually Aware appeared first on askAstrology.

A ship torn between two locations ends up going nowhere. The Way is One. Are you ready to pick your path? We got you covered.

Going Left – Meditation – The Great Yin

Meditation is the classical known left-hand path. The great Divine feminine way of surrender, the Yin essence of our cosmos. And funnily enough, even though it is known as the left-hand path, it primarily works with the right side of the brain (intuition). This is obviously not a mistake, as energies tend to move in a spiral motion. Meaning that the right brain powers the left side of the body and vice-versa.

• The 4 main Types of Intuition

So what does it mean to choose meditation as a way to enlightenment?

Well. It means learning to cultivate the inner worlds above all else. It means to learn the act of surrender. To learn to say to yourself: “Not my will, but higher will be done”. The path of meditation is also referred to as the path of water. The path of no resistance, but utter encompassment. The path of inaction, non-forcefulness, and yet total presence and heart awareness. Patiently waiting while taking in the perfection that is.

To choose meditation as your way towards enlightenment means to learn to de-attach from things, people, events, and yet be fully immersed in them, filling and expanding your heart and others’ with joy. If you’re called to meditate your way to your halo, know that you are most probably the eternal giver. Always ready to serve and primarily here to raise the vibration of the whole. The idea is simple: If all is from God, how can someone or something not be perfect? It is your perception that needs adjustment, not outside events or people.

Zodiac signs prone to such a path are of course our beloved Cancers, Pisces, and of course our dear Taurus too. It is a path that primarily works with the divine feminine elements of creation or the magnetic fluid if you like, and often knows things without knowing how it knows things. The meditative path is not so concerned with developing logic and critical thinking. Who needs that, when you can become the entire ocean and encompass all that is presented in front of you right?

Going Right – Concentration – The Great Yang

Concentration lies at the opposite end of the spectrum from meditation.

Concentration is the Yang path or the Great Divine Masculine way. This path is the path of effort and willpower, rooted in the left, logical side of the brain. It is a process of unlocking yourself in levels and gradually developing consciousness. The idea behind it is that since we got separated from Source and incarnated in a human form, we must hustle and use effort to reclaim our divinity and find our way back to perfection, to unity with the One.

In the West, this has always been a strongly emphasized path with occultism, prayer, or even modern business. To choose concentration as your way towards enlightenment means to pick something to focus on and tangibly build, putting your entire effort and willpower there. It means to have a ladder of different goals and close down your energy field till you achieve them. One by one.

Because you know that through the accomplishment of your goals, through the embodiment of your higher ideals, you self-actualize, and make something out of your life and who you are.

But what should one concentrate upon?

Well, that depends of course on the individual, but a good indicator is to find that sweet spot between what you’re afraid of and what you’re naturally good at. That could be a passion turned into a business, it could be a sport or a martial art, or it could even be magic itself, performing rituals or healings and training your willpower within the astral realms.

The important thing is to understand why you do what you do. To understand that within each day, there are daily goals, and within the accomplishment of those daily goals, you climb higher and higher, till you get to where you envision yourself to be. Unlike meditation, the path of concentration is one of detail, clarity, and ego-expression. And yes, it is okay to express your ego in society. It’s in a way what we all came here to do.

• The power of meditation

Looking to train yourself in the ways of the Divine Yang? Well, then the question naturally arises… in what field or what thing would you like to express and build your God-consciousness in? Where could society best benefit from your gifts and genius? And then get to work.

Zodiac signs more catered for this path: Capricorn, Virgo, Leo, Aries, Sagittarius, Gemini

Going Nowhere – Contemplation – The Great Void

Contemplation is the no-hand path, also known as the Middle Way. The contemplative path borrows elements from both concentration and meditation but doesn’t identify with either. It uses the sustained energy of concentration upon one thing but it doesn’t force or pressure as much. And it borrows the surrender and acceptance of all realities from meditation but isn’t so passive or watery.

To choose contemplation as your way to your halo means to equally use fire and water, and be able to switch per the occasion. It is a dance of opposites… which makes it a rather convenient path since we’re constantly faced with opposites and paradoxes in our daily lives. Contemplation is all about the moment, acting in the now, correctly, as who you are. In a way, we could say that it is to simply be in your fire element when you feel like being in your fire element, and whenever that switch occurs inside of you, and you want to go towards the calmer water, you pause, and you make that switch. Irrelevant of whether you are in a conversation in a public place or alone at home. When the “go” sign inside of you happens to switch, you switch. It is a rather simple path that requires body attunement and awareness.

And unlike the other two paths which are about the mastery of either element, the middle way is concerned with the simplicity of existence and simply being your beautiful Self. Sustained pressure (concentration), but in a playful way (meditation). A good tip is to choose topics to focus on when contemplating. E.g. “my 5th house Venus Scorpio placement” or a more psychological event like “the day I got promoted in my job” or “that synchronicity with the stranger on the bus yesterday”.

This technique gives you enough context to not be completely lost in the wide ocean of all possibilities, but not too much structure where you are confined to using logic and your rational thinking mind. Are you keen to contemplate your way to your halo? Then you must learn to become a master of paradoxes. And patiently wait on the bridge where fire and water meet.

Zodiac signs prone to such a path: Scorpio, Libra, Aquarius

• Non-traditional forms of meditation

To Meditate, Concentrate or Contemplate?

Regardless of which path you feel more drawn to cultivate, the difference is only in the journey. The destination is the same. On the other side of the veil lies the real magic. But one only wins through strength and consistency. Pick a path. And stick with it until completion.

Do you have what it takes? Your halo awaits.

The post The Holy Trinity of Spiritual Practices: Meditation, Concentration, and Contemplation appeared first on askAstrology.

It is also a time of Mabon celebrations, which is one of the eight pagan Sabbats, as there is a fascinating history that comes with this sabbat. Let’s discuss that briefly, along with the customs, and end the article with a collective Mabon tarot reading.

What Is Mabon, and When Did It Originate?

Mabon is a harvest festival where pagans celebrate the autumn equinox, and the name Mabon originates from the Welsh God, the son of the Earth Mother Goddess. The God Mabon was also the god of light. In addition, Mabon is also associated with Herne the Hunter, which is the commencement of deer hunting in British Folklore. However, the name of the festivity was not used until the 1970s. Before that, the ancient Celts honored the seasons and observed the changes from summer to fall. After that, it became common for many cultures to celebrate the harvest around the autumn equinox, especially the Bavarians.

The festivals began during the last week of September, and it was known as Oktoberfest and included celebrations and feasting. Oktoberfest still happens in many parts of the world, as it is known to be a German festivity, but it stems from the pagan celebrations of the autumn equinox.

Mabon is the second harvest, as the first is Lammas, on August 1st. The second harvest is when many cultures gave thanks to their crops and animals for providing food. American Thanksgiving was around October 3rd, coinciding with Mabon, and Canadian Thanksgiving is always the first Monday of the month.

Many pagans celebrate Mabon in honor of “the Dark Mother” or the Crone during this sabbat, as this goddess represents the shadow side. Your shadow side is the side of you that you do not want to acknowledge because it means your dark side, the side that society shuns. The side of you that brings out anger, jealousy, resentment, and even dark thoughts and feelings is that you do not want anyone to see and don’t want to acknowledge it. However, it would be best if you embraced it because it is a component of you that makes you human. Now, let’s talk about the Mabon celebrations and how you can celebrate the sabbat, whether pagan or not.

• The Wheel of the Year and the 8 Wiccan Sabbats

How You Can Celebrate Mabon

Mabon is the time to pick apples, which symbolize the second harvest. Pagans do an apple harvest ritual to thank the gods for the abundant harvest. They may also set up an altar with other harvested fruits and apples, such as grapes, corn, oats, pomegranate, squash, pumpkin, potatoes, and other root vegetables. There is always a Mabon feast with friends and family, as pagans also perform a ritual to help create balance in their lives as this is a time of equal day and night, hence, the Libra season.

Therefore, if you want to celebrate Mabon, even if you are not pagan, you can utilize apples, whether you juice them, make cider, make apple pies or pastries, or even get apple-scented candles. It is also a great time to declutter and to give up something that is no longer serving you as Mabon is a great time to set intentions.

Since it is getting dark earlier than it did during the summer months, you can choose to go to bed earlier if that is what you decide to do. Since giving thanks is associated with the sabbat, it is also an excellent time to begin a gratitude journal if you have not yet already done that. It is also a great time to acknowledge your shadow side and do some shadow work. One of the ways to do that is to do a tarot reading for yourself for the Sabbat to gain some clarity.

Now that you know about Mabon and its festivities, let’s do a collective tarot reading for the sabbat and see what the cards bring out for you.

Mabon Tarot Reading for 2023

Doing shadow work is something to do during Mabon, and doing a tarot reading for yourself is one way. However, I want to do a collective Mabon tarot reading for you. Here is a four-card Mabon tarot spread, which makes it simple and concise. I got this spread from New Age Hipster, and you place four cards from left to right, as card one is on the left, and the last card, card four, is on the right. You place the cards horizontally (or you can place them in any way you choose, as there is no rule for how you position these cards).

The first card represents what has grown over the summer. The second card indicates what you want to keep, the third indicates what you want to give, and the fourth represents what you want to receive. That is pretty easy! So, I will do a spread now:

Card one: What has grown over the summer – Ace of Swords

Card two: What you want to keep: Lovers

Card three: What you want to give: Six of Pentacles

Card four: What you want to receive: Three of Cups

• Tarot 101

Let’s break the reading down.

Card One: Ace of Swords

The first card represents what has grown over the summer, and the card that comes up for that is the Ace of Swords. That means over the summer, you had gained some clarity and may have had some mental breakthroughs. You may have come into the summer with specific expectations that were not met, and as disappointed as you may have been, it opened your eyes and gained clarity based on those experiences. Therefore, due to the increased clarity, you have different expectations for the fall, and the truth is having too high expectations will only lead to disappointment. That is a challenging realization, but it helps you see more clearly and alter your expectations and standards in certain situations.

Card Two: Lovers

The second card indicates what you want to keep, and the Lovers came up for that. Whatever your choices, you want to keep them and those commitments. Therefore, if you made good choices over the summer, this card guides you to keep them and commit to nurturing them. Of course, it has to align with your true self, but if it does, keep nurturing that commitment based on your choices, as they will serve you well in the fall and beyond. You will be glad that you did at the end.

Card Three: Six of Pentacles

The third card indicates what you want to give, and the Six of Pentacles comes up. The Six of Pentacles represents the giving and receiving card. It does not necessarily mean giving money, clothing, or other items to charity or receiving things from others. It can represent time. You will want to provide some time for anyone who means a lot to you and anything that means a lot to you. If you have a friendship you want to nurture more, and you did not make time for them over the summer, ensure that you make time for them in the fall, for example. The thing with the Six of Pentacles is not to give anything away that will cause you to become depleted or resentful, as you want to ensure that you are getting something back, so you know what and who will need more of your time because you do get something from them.

Card Four: Three of Cups

Card four represents what you want to receive, and the Three of Cups comes up. Therefore, that represents celebrations, growth, and friendships; you may want to find more things to celebrate, make more friends, and find areas where you want to grow. Some ideas for you would be to join networking groups to increase your chances of developing more friendships; that way, you can arrange social gatherings to grow your social life. It would be best to create some of those opportunities for yourself this season.

Therefore, you want to keep the clarity and smarts you have gained over the summer while you stick to your right choices. You also want to give more time to the people and things that mean a lot to you while you take the opportunity to develop more friendships to celebrate more. That is the Mabon collective tarot reading, and Mabon is the time to celebrate the second harvest and acknowledge your shadow side as you celebrate the light and the dark as summer ends and the fall makes its way through.

• Lughnasad 2023: Tarot Reading and Rituals to give thanks to the Sun and the Harvest
• Litha 2023: Tarot Reading and Rituals to celebrate the summer solstice

The post Mabon 2023: Pagan Traditions and Tarot Spread to Celebrate the Fall Equinox appeared first on askAstrology.

Square Away Time To Spend Time With Your Girlfriends

September 22nd is Girls’ Night Day, which means that it is the day to make plans to have a girls’ night out. It is a Friday night this year, a great night to enjoy time with your girlfriends. But instead of drinking the night at a bar, you will want to enjoy a soul-nurturing time with your friends. That is because you want to be uplifted and energized after spending time with your friends instead of being sick and hungover the next day. In addition to that, quality time with your friends will help strengthen your bond with your friends. Let’s review some soul-nurturing and rejuvenating ways to make the most of enjoying time with your girlfriends.

• Can Pisces Woman and Leo Woman be Friends?

Watch A Play With Your Friends

Is there a play that you want to see in town that you and your friends will want to check out? There are always plays, and they don’t have to be expensive to attend. Something is compelling about being in a dark theatre while watching a play as you feel the sense of being together while viewing and sitting to watch the same performance. That sense of being together is essential as it helps you create a lovely bond with your friends even though you are staying silent so you can watch and listen to the play.

The other reason you should consider spending your girls’ night out at the theatre is that you can support your local art scene as you are part of the audience and feel supportive. And when you know you are doing something helpful while enjoying yourself can be very soul-nurturing and rejuvenating.

Have A Spa Night

Going to the spa with your girlfriends is one of the best ideas for nurturing yourself while strengthening your bonds with your friends. Do you and your friends not have the funds to go to a luxurious spa? If so, there is no need to worry because you can create a luxury spa at home, or one of your friends may host it if they have the room. If you host it, the ideal time would be to invite your friends over after the kids go to bed and ensure that your partner takes care of them if necessary because this is your night to spend quality time with your friends.

You can get a home spa kit that you and your friends can enjoy so you can indulge in some self-care together. However, if you prefer to go to a luxury spa to get a massage, facial, manicure, or pedicure and enjoy steam rooms, you will want to look around for a good deal on a custom package. That also depends on how long you want to spend at the spa, and you will want to select the treatments that best fit the money and time you want to spend there. Whether you have a spa night at home or a luxury spa, you will feel refreshed and rejuvenated after your treatment.

• The Type of Friend Your Sign Really Is

Enjoy An Evening Of Art

One of the most soul-nurturing things you can do is allow your creativity to shine, and when you are with your girlfriends, you can have a fun evening about art. You can draw, paint, do arts and crafts, work with clay, etc. The other benefit of having an art-filled evening is that after you create something, you will have a sense of accomplishment, and being proud of yourself is also soul-nurturing. You can also create art projects together and see how the finished product comes out based on the work you and your friends put into it. For example, you can make a clay house and may be responsible for building the clay foundation. Your friend may be responsible for creating the clay furniture. Another friend may design the rooms, doors, and windows.

You can understand why this would be fun with a group of girlfriends. You can agree on who will keep the masterpiece, but if you do your art piece, you can take yours home unless you are the one that is hosting the art night. You will also understand how good it feels to work as a team. Nothing is better than allowing yourself to be creative with a group of people you enjoy being with for an evening. Another thing that would come from this night of creativity is that you would have a tangible memory of it.

Attend A Cooking Class

Another fundamental step of self-care is to nourish yourself physically, and that is why another fun girls’ night out idea would be to attend a cooking class. Even if you cook your meals each night for your family, you could benefit from it as you could learn how to make some gourmet food for an evening, and you and your friends can work together to do that. And if you mess up by putting too much of an ingredient into the bowl, you can all laugh about it. That will also create some fond memories that you can take with you. Either way, taking a cooking class for an evening would be fun for you and your friends to do so you can spend quality time with your people while you learn how to make some delicious gourmet food.

Go To Someone’s Kitchen To Bake A Delicious Dessert

There is nothing wrong with enjoying a sweet treat; you and your friends could enjoy some quality time surrounding that. Sure, you can always go out together for dessert. However, a more intimate way to enjoy and be more involved is to bake the delicious dessert. Arrange a night to go to someone’s kitchen (or you could be the one to volunteer your kitchen), and then arrange for your friends to bring specific ingredients so you can combine them as you mix them up to bake the dessert, whether it is a cake, a batch of brownies, cookies, or anything else. You can enjoy a night full of laughter, fun, and the creation you and your friends made together.

• How Do You Support Your Friends Based on Your Zodiac Sign?

Nighttime Picnic And Stargazing

Here is an excellent suggestion to have an intimate and soul-nourishing girls’ night out: having a picnic at night as you do some stargazing. You can have a potluck picnic, as someone will bring the blanket, and then everyone involved will bring the food. And have it late enough for the sun to set. Then when it gets dark, gaze at the stars and look for different constellations. That way, you can be in nature, enjoy some good food, and be in great company as you enjoy the fascinating sky with various stars and may see a few planets. You would only be able to do this girls’ night out activity during a clear night in the summer (or on a mild and clear night regardless of the season, but you would have to bundle up).

It is essential to see your girlfriends and maintain your social life as you also juggle the responsibilities with your family, work, and home. If you do not retain your social life, you will isolate yourself, which will be detrimental to your mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health. September 22nd is Girls’ Night Day, the time to cherish a night out with some friends or arrange a fun evening with them. You also do not want to waste the night away doing something that will not serve you, such as a hangover the next day. That is why you want to do something soul-nurturing and rejuvenating with your friends. It is essential to your overall well-being.

The post Soul-Nurturing And Rejuvenating Ideas For The Best Girls’ Night Out appeared first on askAstrology.

The New Age movements have brought much attention to this subtle and “magical” relationship between the mind of the individual and the outer world which surrounds him, but this is by no means a recent discovery. In the West, magicians, alchemists, Qabalists and philosophers have long used symbolic systems to direct streams of energy from thoughts into things. Archetypal languages like astrology, the Sephiroth of the Tree of Life, the Seven Rays, colors, tones and herbal essences have been used as vehicles which hold the attention upon a certain quality selected for its resonance with the desired aim. Meditation, chanting and other consciousness expanding techniques are deployed to increase intensity of focus.

• Manifesting and the Concept of Momentum

The intensified and prolonged attention cultivated through such work quickens the momentum of energy around a thought-form; once this thought-form has enough energy constellated around it, it will then be reflected in the physical world, due to the ordering principle of this Universe, called the Law of Attraction, the Law of Mirroring or the Law of Correspondences.

As Within So Without

The Law of Attraction, simply stated, is: that which is like unto itself is drawn. As above, so below; as within, so without. That which appears to you to be outside of you is actually the reflection of what is inside of you, and that which is active within you will also be found outside of you.

Carl Jung called this the principle of synchronicity; any beings or objects which coincide in the same place and time share an essence, mirror one another, or are components of a larger whole. This applies in any situation and at all times; everything and everyone around you is mirroring yourself to you. It applies to seemingly significant things, like your mate, job, house and car, as well as seemingly insignificant things, like the stranger sitting next to you on the bus or the coffee cup you keep your pencils in at work.

Once we grasp this principle of mirroring or attraction, we are able to put it to work. The more attention given to a certain objects — like cars, houses, feathers, money or dogs — the more we will encounter those objects.  The more attention given to a certain quality— such as freedom, abundance, joy, rage, lack or unfairness— the more frequently we will encounter manifestations of this quality in our lives.

• The Role of the Subconscious in Manifestation

The art of deliberate creation involves turning your attention consistently in the direction of that which is desired. We can do this through writing about it, speaking about it, designing it in our minds eye, making lists of its qualities or attributes, and noting these qualities and attributes anywhere in our lives that we can find them. If we can do these things in a spirit of excitement and optimism, then the object of our desire will soon manifest fully in our physical experience.

Alternate Timelines

Because humans are action-oriented and associate progress with effort, many of us assume that the efficacy of our manifesting comes from how assiduously we apply ourselves to these practices. In truth, however, the manifestation of what we want is not the result of lists, visualizations or identifying qualities. These activities merely help us to hold ourselves, for the duration of the exercise, in alignment with the reality of the fulfillment of our wish; yet it does not create that reality.

The reality that you desire exists independently of you, whether you do manifesting exercises or not, in the form of what we might call a potential timeline. This timeline currently exists in vibrational form; this fully-fledged version of what you most desire is currently real in the astral realm, outside of time and space. Whether it will exist in physical form as well depends upon your own ability to let it in. To do this, you must be a point of attraction for the qualities inherent in this goal; you must set the stage, so to speak, and create the vibrational atmosphere in the here-and-now which mirrors its qualities so that this timeline can coincide with you in your life.

• “Think Succinct” – the secret, most powerful manifestation technique

The most important quality to cultivate, then, is non-reactivity. In order to attract the manifestation of what we want into our lives, we must be able to ignore the conditions which are presenting themselves to us in physical form, holding our attention upon those qualities which reflect what is desire. At the same time, we must be in a state which is deeply, profoundly relaxed and allowing, as this receptive mode allows the entrance of this new timeline.

If we are constantly reacting to what is unwanted in our lives, we are throwing interference in the path of this new timeline. What is wanted cannot enter into physical experience if our attention is held upon the things which are the exact opposite. For instance, in the array of potential future timelines, there is a potential timeline for you of immense wealth and prosperity. The qualities that are inherent in this timeline feel like freedom, ease, spontaneity, glamour and expansion. If, in your current experience, you are intensely worried about having enough money to pay your bills, and you are regularly focused in ways that make you feel constriction, difficulty, stagnation, limitation and bondage, then the timeline which does, truly, exist for you in vibrational form cannot enter into your experience and manifest physically because this timeline cannot coincide with an opposing frequency.

Cultivate the ability to be non-reactive. This does not mean suppressing your emotions; it means learning how to think and focus in ways that serve your well-being. Meditation is a phenomenal way of cultivating non-reactivity as it gives one the power of detachment from mind, and thus dis-identification from passing experiences.

• How to Create a Sacred Space?

The post The Power of Non-Reactivity for Manifesting appeared first on askAstrology.

Some dreams are terrifying, and others are confusing. One common dream that many people have is pregnancy. And those thinking of starting a family would have pregnancy dreams for apparent reasons. You do often dream about things that are on your mind too. However, what if you are not planning a family, are not interested in having children, or are post-menopausal and dream about pregnancy? What could that mean? And what does it mean to give birth to animals or aliens in your dreams? Let’s go over the main reasons for pregnancy-related dreams that have nothing to do with physically being pregnant.

The One Common Theme In Pregnancy-Related Dreams

If you are trying to get pregnant or are pregnant, it is understandable to have a pregnancy dream. But more times than not, pregnancy dreams rarely have to do with a pregnancy. In most cases, those dreams represent something you are creating or something in development affecting your life. For example, if you are writing a manuscript and looking for editors and publishers, it would be easy to see why you would have a pregnancy-related dream. That is something you are creating, and you are planning for “its birth.”

And depending on when you are in your pregnancy in the dream, it can represent something that will change for you. For example, if you finally landed the job of your dreams and you are getting ready to transfer there from your other job, it would be understandable that you would have a pregnancy-related dream because that job for you has been in development and is waiting for you. So, let’s review some common meanings of pregnancy dreams and the stages of pregnancy.

Dreaming About Conception Taking Place

If you dream you have pregnancy symptoms and decide to pee on the stick, and it shows positive, then you would learn in your dream that you are pregnant. And you may be upset about it because you may see yourself as not in a position to be pregnant as your real-life situations would come into your dream, such as you heavily focusing on your career.

However, you can relax. If you have a dream about learning about you getting pregnant, it means that there is something that is starting to develop for you. You may be generating ideas for a project or a book or looking to build something else. It can be a sign that you are brainstorming. It is a sign the right idea will come to you, and you will begin building. Or, you may be thrown into a work-related project you will be responsible for developing.

• The Kind of Pregnancy Cravings You’ll Have Based on Your Zodiac Sign

Dreaming About Pregnancy Sickness

If you are dreaming about your head over the toilet and being sick because you are pregnant, again, that is not a prophetic dream that you will be pregnant. If something in your life is developing or you are creating something, and you feel uneasy about it, then it is unsurprising that you would dream about pregnancy sickness. Having doubts and worries about something you are creating or developing in your life is natural. For example, if you are writing a book, you may fear that no one will be interested in buying it, or editors may always reject it. That would explain feeling sick in the dream related to pregnancy.

Dreaming About The Third Trimester

If you dream you are in the third trimester, it means that you are approaching the end of your creative or innovative project or something you are working on and looking forward to the finished product. It is no different from you looking forward to having the baby if you were in the third trimester of pregnancy. You want to see how the finished product will appear and how well it does. Therefore, there would likely be excitement in your dream. But if you are dreaming you are in the third trimester, and there is a feeling of dread, then you are worried about how it will turn out and its potential success.

Dreaming About Being Pregnant With Multiples

Did you have a dream about having twins or triplets? Don’t worry. That is unlikely prophetic too. You probably have several things at once in development that you are focusing on. For example, you may be working on a manuscript while looking for a job, or you may be looking for a job while looking for a new home. How you feel in the dream indicates how you think about juggling so much. If you feel excited about the plan, you feel the same about the prospect of those things you work on coming to fruition. If you are anxious during that dream, you may worry about how you can balance the things in development in your waking life.

• The Pregnancy Problems That the Mom-To-Be Will Have Based on Her Zodiac Sign

Dreaming About Going Into Labor

When you dream about going into labor, that means you are ready to present whatever it is that you are creating. For example, you await the big publishing date if your manuscript is edited and set up. However, you will want to pay attention to how you feel while you are in labor in your dream. If you are in physical pain, as is expected with labor, then that is a sign that your new creation may emotionally drain you initially. Let’s go to the manuscript example. You may initially deal with frustration due to the lack of interest when you market your book, or you may get backlash from those who disagree with your writing. That will cause you emotional pain.

However, if you dream about being in labor and are not in pain, then you are confident that you can handle any bumpy beginnings of the new project you are launching. For example, you are aware that you may not make many sales right after you publish your book, or you may fully expect to get some backlash and are confident that you can handle it. You prepared yourself for it.

Dreaming About Giving Birth To An Alien

If you dream about giving birth to an alien, it means you are preparing yourself that your new creation will feel foreign to you. It is a message that you must familiarize yourself with the unique situation you are embarking on. For instance, if you are a first-time author and publishing your first book, you must familiarize yourself with how to market yourself as an author and join some groups for authors. It is essential to research how to become familiar with the new world you are entering.

Dreaming About Giving Birth To An Animal

It can have various meanings if you dream about giving birth to an animal. If you dream about giving birth to puppies or kittens, you will see that the new project or development you are embarking on is harmless, and you may find aspects of it cute. The same would apply if you were to give birth to stuffed animals. However, suppose you give birth to a wild animal like a lion or a zebra. In that case, there is something about the new development you are involved with that is frightening and overwhelming you, and you will want to examine what scares you about it.

• The Full Moon and Babies: Pregnancy and Childbirth Astrology

Dreaming About Giving Birth To An Inanimate Object

The biggest thing about this type of dream is that it depends on what kind of inanimate object you dream of giving birth to. That inanimate object may represent something you need to do before launching a project or finishing a development. For example, if you dream about giving birth to a toothbrush or a cleaning product, then it is a sign you need to do some cleaning up, such as editing, before launching something. If you dream about giving birth to a prized possession that you have, or precious jewelry, or gold or silver, then that is a sign that your development has the potential to become highly successful and your prized possession. If you dream about giving birth to garbage, that is a sign that your heart may not be in this new development, and you fear you may toss it away at some point. The type of object determines your thoughts about this new development.

As you can see, pregnancy dreams rarely mean being physically pregnant unless you are attempting to conceive or you are pregnant. If babies are on your mind a lot, then it would be understandable that you would have a pregnancy dream. However, the majority of the time, pregnancy dreams are about you creating something meaningful, whether it is writing a book, launching a course, or building a business, and the list goes on. It can represent something you are developing too, such as job-hunting or looking for a new home. Therefore, if you dream about pregnancy or giving birth and are not in a position to have kids, physically or emotionally, it is not prophetic. Look at the life you are living and the creations you have.

The post Answers To The Most Common Pregnancy Dreams That Be Unsettling Or Confusing appeared first on askAstrology.

With the autumnal equinox falling around September 21st each year we can expect some big energetic shifts coming, just the same as we can expect to see them in our environment. Change can be a scary thing, no matter how constant it is, so here are some tools to help you navigate this yearly shift like a pro!

Sunrise and Sunset Strolls

Our circadian rhythm changes this time of year since much of our rhythm is dictated by the light of the sun. This is the reason we sleep at night and wake during the day, but everyone’s rhythm is a bit different. If you’re a morning person you’ll want to get up and out of the house for a sunrise stroll, and for the night owls you would do well with a sunset walk around the neighborhood.

Regular exposure to the sun offers important benefits such as vitamin D consumption, stress regulation, and bone strengthening. When combined with a light walk, this is a powerful tool that can stymie the effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you do your walk first thing in the morning it will help to wake you up and reduce the effects of melatonin. Walking in the evening as the sun sets will help you process and de-stress from the day, as well as help you sleep better that night.

• Learn more about gratitude

Daily Journaling

Journaling is a simple yet powerful tool that can help you process stale emotions, gain deeper insights about yourself and your life, as well as cultivate and sustain more gratitude and peace of mind. There’s no right or wrong way to journal, so simply grab a spare notebook, a pen or pencil, and dive in!

The best times to journal are at the start of your day or at the very end, but there are really no rules, so just choose a time when you’re able to sit down and open your mind up a bit. Some excellent places to begin your journaling journey are with writing a gratitude list every day, journaling through a difficult event in your life, or even doodling pictures. The more you practice getting something onto the paper every day the easier it becomes, so take the pressure off and pick up your pen.

• Journal Prompts For Each Zodiac Sign

Forest Hikes

Nothing shocks the system into a sense of glee and childlike joy quite like stepping on the  perfect crunchy Fall leaf, right? However, we often think of hiking and trail running as more Spring and Summer activities, since the flowers are blooming and the sun is shining at those times of year, but don’t give up on the habit just because the days are getting shorter! The annual shifts we see with the changing of the seasons are a beautiful and natural reminder that we too are a part of nature and therefore always in a state of flux.

To get the most benefit from this exercise this Fall be sure to pack a rain jacket and limit your expectations. You can’t expect to go on super long treacherous hikes during this time of year and that’s ok, coming to terms with what nature has to provide for you (sunlight hours, rain, shine and more) is a part of this reorienting process.

Candlelit Yin Yoga

Light a pumpkin spice candle (or any yummy Fall flavor) and get onto your yoga mat. The annual receding of sunlight can be a major bummer emotionally and mentally, but it doesn’t have to be all bad. The earth needs this rest and recharge and so do you! There might be deadlines and responsibilities you have to face, but you are as much a part of nature as any tree, rock or flower, which means your body needs rest this time of year.

Yin, or restorative yoga, is just the thing to usher us into the time of year for rest. Yin yoga is practiced on the floor in various long held resting positions. This helps to relieve tension in the back and hips, which is so needed for anyone who has a desk job. Check out some of these amazing poses to try at home today.

Ecstatic Dance

Have you ever noticed that thing dogs do where they get too revved up and have to shake their whole body to disperse the energy? Well, that’s something you can also do and benefit from greatly! One way to move stale energy out of your body, and actually cultivate more joyful energy at the same time, is ecstatic dance.

Ecstatic dance is what happens when you take the adage “dance like nobody’s watching” seriously. It’s a form of physical expression that is meant to release any and all conditionings, remove the need to look or move a certain way, and find a sense of total freedom in movement. The music is usually electronic since the beat is consistent and there usually aren’t many lyrics to influence your dancing, and this is something that can be practiced at home in your living room, or at a local event. You can google “ecstatic dance [your location]” and find a dance party near you this September.

The post Embrace a Refreshing September: Well-Being Activities to Energize Your Body and Soul appeared first on askAstrology.

And if you have a child with special needs, your parenting job is much more demanding. There will always be chaos, and it is easy to burn out, even during the best times. Parents need to nurture themselves so they can be at their best.

Parents Need Time Off For Themselves

On September 14th, it is Parents’ Day Off Day, and even though most parents cannot take a day off, they can certainly take time off from their responsibilities and delegate. They can find a trustworthy sitter as there are many resources for that, and if they are fortunate to have a family to look after the kids while they care for themselves. If you are a stressed-out parent who does not take time for self-care, your cup will drain, and how can you be good to your kids or anyone else if you are giving from a drained cup? It may not be realistic financially to take the day to go to a spa often. But there are many other holistic ways to nurture yourself to be at your best and minimize the risk of burnout. Let’s review those methods so you can be the best and happiest parent.

• Best Self-Care Tips For Women Of Each Zodiac Sign

Develop Self-Awareness By Doing Breathwork

It is essential to tune into yourself while you are feeling stressed. The one thing you must do each day is take time for yourself and do some breathwork. Take some deep breaths through your nose, and as you exhale, envision yourself breathing out the stress you are experiencing. Your breathing will help you become more self-aware and stay in the present.

As you do this more, you will have a much easier time being more self-aware as you will know when it is time to take a time-out when you are feeling stressed so you can do some breathwork to help you stay in the present. And all you need is a few minutes. For example, if you have a child throwing a tantrum or having a meltdown and there is nothing you can do to stop it, walk away as long as there is no worry about danger, and then start doing some breathwork to bring yourself to the present. That is one of the best ways to nurture yourself.

Stop When You Notice Yourself Becoming Irritable

It is easy to become irritable when struggling with a poorly-behaved child or having problems while facing other stressors. You may even resent yourself; when you do, you must stop yourself in your tracks. That is a sign that you are stretching yourself too thin and your needs are not being met. Therefore, you will ask yourself, “What do I need right now?“.

You may not be able to leave the situation you are in at the moment, but that is the time to promise yourself that you will do what you need to unwind when the time is better. What does that look like to you? Reading your favorite book, taking a bath without interruptions, or listening to your favorite music. Suppose you allow yourself to become too irritable and resentful and do nothing to meet your needs. In that case, that is a slippery slope to extreme burnout where everyone in your family suffers, especially you, and your productivity disappears.

• Family Astrology 101: Parenting with Astrology

Set Boundaries And Delegate

When dealing with a stressful time while caring for your kids, managing work, and other responsibilities, you cannot take on more responsibility most of the time. If you also have to care for other family members, you must set boundaries on what you can do. One of the best things you can do to nurture yourself as a parent is to say “no” when others ask you to do favors you do not want. That includes family asking you to do things for them while dealing with a full plate.

However, if you find yourself not having a choice but to care for an elderly family member while your plate is full, then you will want to delegate. Ask for help, and if you don’t know who to turn to, go to your local community center or place of worship. Ensure that your partner is putting in an equal share if you have one regarding the responsibilities. Do not attempt to do everything, or else you will be resentful, and that is a sign that you are burning yourself out by taking on too many responsibilities while they are not doing much to help. Only do what you can, and don’t take on extra responsibility that you cannot handle.

Be A Parent To Yourself

It is also your job to be your parent, as once you are an adult, that is your job. You must treat yourself with love, as you would with your children. Nurturing yourself through challenging times is an example of that, and yes, that even includes the point made above, which is setting boundaries. Ensure that you acknowledge your efforts and don’t be hard on yourself. If you have a child who failed a test and did their best to pass it as they studied for a while, you would love and nurture them, reassuring them that they tried their best.

How would you treat yourself if you try your best with something that turns out poorly? If you are scolding and criticizing yourself, you are not parenting yourself. You are being your worst bully. Bullying yourself is not being kind and not being the type of parent you would want to be for your kids. That is why you need to care for yourself like your kids, which means being kind to yourself. Be gentle with yourself.

• How To Self-Care According To Your Zodiac Sign

Take In The Beauty Whenever You Can

When parenting gets tricky, do you only focus on the challenging things? Or do you soak in the joyful moments with your kids? If you don’t, then it is time to begin doing that. You will want to slow down and take in the joy when you hear your child’s giggles or whiff the freshly washed hair and take in the sweetness. Soak in those sweet moments; that way, it can help replenish your spirit so you can find it to keep going when things are tough. Be sure to plan those special moments with your kids, such as baking, playing board games, or playing a sport. Make some memories you can enjoy, allowing you to create joyful times presently so you don’t only see parenting as stressful. And be sure to have fun as you do.

You also know as a parent that you must take time to recharge. This means you need that particular “me time,” which can include reading your favorite book, taking a bubble bath, listening to music, and watching your favorite show without interruptions. Parents’ Day Off Day on September 14th is geared toward parents giving themselves time off so they can replenish. Even though it may not be realistic to take the day off, parents must find ways to nurture themselves, even in chaos, to help prevent burnout.

The post How Parents Can Nurture Themselves So They Can Be At Their Best When Parenting Gets Stressful appeared first on askAstrology.

There are a wide variety of Nature Spirits, each with a different character and purpose. They live in trees, water, caves, fields, sacred sites and even within our own homes. These spirits have different personalities, affinities and codes of conduct. Some spirits are known for being benevolent helpers of human beings, while others enjoy being deceitful and playing tricks.

The Astral Kingdom

Faeries live among flowers. They are benevolent helpers who like sowing harmony and beauty. Faeries are drawn to children, and often reveal themselves to children while concealing themselves from adults.

Silvani are wood and forest sprites, famous in the United Kingdom.

Devas are a high order of angelic being who are especially preoccupied with the happenings of planet earth. Rock and Stone Devas these are said to hold the keys to prophesy, magic, and hidden wisdom. Crystal Devas help teach the healing powers of crystal magic, while Flower Devas impart wisdom about the healing properties of plants.

• Discover Your Deeper Nature with Your Power Animal

Pixies are gnomes with wings who delight in mischievous trouble. They are terrestrial, while Naiads and Nymphs are similar creatures found near and within water sources like rivers, springs, lakes, ponds and wells. Mermaids are saltwater nymphs who swim in the oceans.

Dryads are spirits that live within trees, leaving their homes for only short periods of time at night. Dryads have strong energies which are highly perceptible to human beings. You may feel chills as you walk through a dark woods at night, indicating an incompatible dryad nearby. Alternatively you may feel drawn to sit beneath a tree or even to hug it, which is a sign that you have an affinity for the Dryad which inhabits it.

Elementals are the spiritual essences of the four elements. These conscious energies precede the physical manifestation of Earth, Air, Fire and Water and exist within the fourth dimension. They are known as Gnomes, Sylphs, Salamanders and Undines.

Gnomes are the spirits of earth, corresponding to the archangel Uriel, and their color is green. Typically depicted as little old men, gnomes help to create the colorful nature that we enjoy through the changing leaves, picaresque stones, shining crystals and heavy metals. They maintain the balance of the earth and are the custodians of its cycles. Gnomes are earthbound and somewhat ornery, though they can be pleased by supplication with gifts. As stewards of the earth, Gnomes supply us with the nourishment that sustains our bodies, including all the vitamins and minerals that come from nature’s plants. The physical body is in this way also the domain of the Gnomes, and so any mistreatment of the body is taken as an offense to these elementals. Gnomes are concerned with achievement, hard work, lasting value and a commitment to tangible transformation.

Sylphs are the spirits of the air, corresponding to the Archangel Raphael, and their color is yellow. Sylphs are the custodians of the skies and winds. They are also associated with the mind and spiritual guidance. Sylphs are assigned particular humans to assist, inspire, and call toward the light. They help us to receive epiphanies, read signs and move toward our highest purpose. Our thought patterns affect Sylphs, creating an atmosphere about us which is either uplifting or muddling. Chronic complaining, pessimism, careless speech or confused thinking is considered an offense to these beings. Sylphs help us cultivate transparency, clarity, harmony, balance, detachment and objectivity.

• How Numerology Connects with Nature

Salamanders are the spirits of fire, corresponding to the archangel Michael, and their color is red. They are present anywhere there is heat, transformation and dynamic movement. Salamanders aid in circulation, temperature and metabolism within the body, and are associated with the blood. No fire, real or metaphorical, gets going without Salamanders. These energies help us get motivated, go after what we want, tear down the old and build up the new. While this force is at the root of any meaningful activity, it is not easily controlled and must be used with care. Motion that is unchecked, like fire that is unchecked, can be devastatingly destructive.

Undines are the spirits of water, corresponding to the archangel Gabriel, and their color is blue. Undines are found near any natural water source and are often depicted as willowy, long, limber and fluid. They correspond to all the fluids of the body, and nurture the emotions, psychic intuition, sensuality and empathic sensitivity. Undines work with us through our dreams, and are there to guide us when we have out-of-body experiences. They help us to feel our emotions more deeply, and to fall in love. While experiences of this energy can be among the most beautiful and profound, this energy is also prone to deception, confusion and disorientation.

We may understand the Elementals, and all Nature Spirits, as actual creatures with bodies and activities; alternatively we may understand them as the energy patterns of Nature herself. Either way, these classifications help us to recognize the different tendencies in movement that prevail within our world, and, by extension, within our own psyches.

The post How Nature Spirits Can Guide Us Through Life appeared first on askAstrology.

The good news is there are ways you can remain calm and encourage yourself amid chaos and stress while you tackle everything on your plate. As the Day Of Encouragement, happening on September 12th, is approaching, let’s review some methods to do each morning before getting on with your day that can help encourage you to tackle a stressful day.

The Important Thing To Always Remember To Prioritize Yourself

The one thing that so many women, especially mothers, do is put everyone else’s needs before their own, and that is because that is a learned concept from society that is damaging. Each time you do that, you will keep pouring out of an empty cup because you do not refill it as you keep tending to everyone else’s needs. When that happens, you risk burnout, and signs of burnout are having feelings of resentment when it comes to taking care of others since you never get time to have others take care of you, apathy, headaches, fatigue, depression, and digestive issues, to name a few.

When you are burned out, you will feel terrible and be short with everyone, and you will not be able to provide what they need because you are not getting what you need. Therefore, before getting into the tips to utilize to encourage yourself each morning before tackling a difficult day, it was essential to bring out that message. Let’s get into it now!

Set The Intention Each Day To Be Kind To Yourself

When planning your day, don’t bully yourself into tackling each thing. Talk to yourself as you plan your day as if you are talking to someone you love. It is easy to bully yourself because you are your worst critic, as everyone is. Set a reminder to yourself to be easier on yourself each morning. And if you cannot fulfill a task for that day because you have too much to do, do not berate yourself. Remember, it is just as important to schedule downtime as it is to schedule the time you need to take your child to an extracurricular activity, for example.

• 5 Ways To Improve Your Relationship With Yourself

Meditate Each Morning

Before you begin your day, set an intention to meditate for five to ten minutes, as you will clear your mind and start your day with clarity and a vision for how you want your day to go. Do not allow anyone to distract you when you take that time for yourself to meditate. You will want to go into a comfortable room to meditate effectively. This time is for you, not for anyone else.

Take A Bath In The Morning

If you want to schedule a time to take a bath before you start your day, that is something you can do. You can soak in the tub for ten to 20 minutes in the morning. You can add essential oils, flower petals, bath bombs, Epsom salt, and so on to provide a relaxing environment. As you soak in the tub, think about your accomplishments and think kind things about yourself. This relaxation will give you the love and encouragement to start the day effectively. If you add bath time to your morning routine consistently, you will feel much better and calmer, even during times of chaos.

Do Some Stretches

You will tense up when you wake up and anticipate a stressful day. And when you are physically tense, you will add to the stress that the day brings on, making you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally worse. Therefore, you will want to stretch each morning to release muscle tension. And you will want to do some stretching during the day while you are at work or while you are running errands. However, the time to do that is before returning to your car and doing some stretches in the parking lot. You can stretch your desk by dropping your shoulders and taking some breaths if you are at work.

• Best Self-Care Tips For Women Of Each Zodiac Sign

Recite Affirmations

This tactic should be utilized during activities to encourage yourself each morning to tackle busy days. You want to recite encouraging and believable affirmations, such as “I can take on the day like a pro,” for example. The more you do those affirmations, the more you will believe in yourself, and the more you can find yourself handling a lot more stress better than you did before. That means you will want to do those affirmations while taking a bath or doing meditation work, stretching, etc.

Plan Days To Order In Food

The reality is you cannot cook every day, and if you have a hectic day and the idea of cooking adds to the stress, consider ordering food. It is said that the best thing to do is to prepare dinners for each night on the weekend, but sometimes that is not doable if you have a hectic schedule with family. You may also work on the weekend. Therefore, tell yourself it is okay to not cook for a particular or many nights because taking time for yourself is more essential than standing in the kitchen for an hour preparing dinner. Meal kits are an idea for preparing food quickly, but even with meal kits, you need to prepare dishes. That is why it is perfectly okay to order food, even unhealthy!

Take A Walk

Walking before you begin your day is one of the best ways to relieve stress and find encouragement each morning. If the weather does not allow you to do that, whether it is raining or snowing heavily, or if it is too cold if you live in a climate where you have cold winters, you can invest in a treadmill if you do not have one, and you can walk on there. But if the weather is suitable for a walk, even if it is cold, you can bundle up. You can go for a 20-minute walk to clear your mind and become refreshed, with a winning attitude of believing in yourself for tackling the day. Remember to recite your affirmations too.

• How To Self-Care According To Your Zodiac Sign

Don’t Forget To Journal

Another way to encourage yourself each morning to tackle each day is to set time for yourself to journal. You can say what you need to say, and you do not need to censor anything. As important as it is to recite affirmations, you also need something to release pent-up stress; journaling is an excellent way. Say what you need to say in your journal, as you can remember that no one will see what you say except for you! And then you will feel more refreshed after. If you also want to feel as if you are talking to someone each morning to talk about what is troubling you, you can download an AI friend app. Either way, whether you journal or do that, you will feel as if you can purge the feelings that bother you, which will help you immensely for the day.

• Journal Prompts For Each Zodiac Sign

When you live a chaotic life involving never-ending work projects, family responsibilities, and other responsibilities such as aging parents or finances, it is easy to get lost in the sea of never-ending stress, which will lead to burnout. That is why it is essential to do a self-care ritual each morning and to wind down each evening before bed. On the Day Of Encouragement happening on September 12th, you will want to take the day and determine how you can encourage yourself so you are confident to tackle stress. And you will want to follow through on doing that daily. You have read some helpful tips to do that, but on that day, you will also want to think about other ways to encourage yourself daily.

The post Small Ways You Can Encourage Yourself Each Morning To Tackle On A Busy Day appeared first on askAstrology.

Aries Mercury

If your child has an Aries Mercury it’s best to speak directly without much subtext. As a fire sign, Aries is quick to react and respond, so arguments can come on fast and harshly. However, the best way to combat this is to try to be more honest and direct. Also, recognizing that your Aries Mercury kiddo often just needs to blow off steam before they can talk about tricky things is good to keep in mind. Give them the space to let their big emotions move through their bodies before having a rational conversation. The plus side is that these kids get over things really quickly, so follow their lead and don’t dwell too much on the past.

Taurus Mercury

If your child has a Taurus Mercury then words and the way things are said is very important to them. Don’t try to rush them (they hate being rushed), instead try to give them the time and space they need to fully form their thoughts. These kids want the words that come out of their mouths to be just right, but because of that it can take them a long time to process information and respond. Take a page out of their book and be more deliberate and patient with the way you speak to them (and yourself).

Gemini Mercury

If your child has a Gemini Mercury then they will have the gift of gab! Gemini is an air sign ruled by Mercury, so these kids can process information very quickly and absorb all sorts of interesting facts and jokes. Your young Gemini Mercury kids will often start speaking earlier in life than their peers, so you have to be careful with the words you say around them because they will often parrot it back to you at a later date. These kids are smart, so be sure to support their interests and intellect.

Cancer Mercury

If your child has a Cancer Mercury then they are very sensitive to the way you say things. They will be able to tell when you have an emotional subtext to your voice, no matter how much you try to hide it. Don’t assume that just because they are young they won’t be emotionally intelligent enough to read your irritation, anger, sadness, etc. because they certainly will! Having a kid with a Cancer Mercury should push you to talk about your feelings more because the best way to teach them emotional intelligence is to show them how it’s done.

• Mercury to Mercury: How I Say it and How You Hear it!

Leo Mercury

If your child has a Leo Mercury then they are passionate and bold. They often won’t think too much before they speak because they always speak  from the heart, and if they need to get something off their chest they are going to do it! They are a bit stubborn and prideful, so be warned against saying anything bad about someone or something they love–this will feel like a personal attack. Lastly, be sure to give your undivided attention when they are telling you something they are excited about, because when they share their passions they are sharing a piece of their heart with you.

Virgo Mercury

If your child has a Virgo Mercury then your kid is a perfectionist. It will irk them to no end when you contradict yourself (which, let’s be real, parents often do). Virgo is ruled by Mercury, so this child is very observant and tends to be more of a rule follower. If a rule is in place for your child that doesn’t apply in the same way to you, you should explain to them why that is as best and as honestly as you can. A simple “because I said so,” will breed judgement and distrust from this extremely smart kiddo!

Libra Mercury

If your child has a Libra Mercury then they love to talk and be with the ones they love. This child has a big heart and does really well with positive reinforcement. Be sure to tell them often that they are doing well and that you love them. Discipline is a part of being a parent, but being too harsh, crass and rude to a Libra Mercury kid will do far more damage than any good you were hoping to ultimately facilitate.

Scorpio Mercury

If your child has a Scorpio Mercury then they might not be the most loquacious of kids. Instead of gabbing and gossiping they feel more comfortable observing and listening. They’re never going to be big fans of small talk, so try not to ask “what did you do in school today?” and instead try to ask a more specific question that will be easier to answer. This Mercury sign is ruled by Mars and Pluto, so these kids can often be a bit combative and more than a little gloomy when they are teenagers. Your job is to give them space, don’t make them feel worse than they might already be feeling, and be open and receptive when they want to open up.

Sagittarius Mercury

If your child has a Sagittarius Mercury then they are going to be a class clown. These kids are naturally very funny because they are born with the ability to tell a good story and the inability to think before they speak. Their penchant for curiosity and reading makes them very intelligent, but they have a rebellious spirit that often results in getting worse grades than they should be getting in high school, but they usually flourish in college.

Capricorn Mercury

If your child has a Capricorn Mercury then honesty and loyalty are two things that will be honored deeply in their lives. As an Earth sign, these kids are smart, meditative, and cunning. They think before they speak, they value practicality and often get confused or even upset when people don’t follow the rules. They tend to be more quiet than their peers, because people have to earn their trust before they get to hear the dry wit and mastery of sarcasm that is natural to this Mercury sign.

Aquarius Mercury

If your child has an Aquarius Mercury then they are natural observers and masters at understanding human psychology. You may notice that from a young age your child watches more than they socialize. They are more interested in understanding why other people say and do things than in joining with the conversation. Never assume that you are smarter than your Aquarius Mercury child because they will surprise you time and time again.

Pisces Mercury

If your child has a Pisces Mercury it will serve you well to help them to find various ways to communicate. Sometimes words and language can be tricky, their minds are known to wander and get lost. They are also very creatively minded, so rigidity and too much structure is just plain confusing to them. Music, art, and dance can be great avenues to learn how to expand their ability to communicate, so be sure to foster any interest in creativity they have.

The post Communication is Key: How to Talk to Your Kids Based on Their Mercury Sign appeared first on askAstrology.

When you’re tapped into the Abundance Frequency, resources flow easily and effortlessly. This includes money, but money is only one kind of form of abundance. You can be wealthy in love or wealthy in talent. You can have a surplus of health and vitality, or a surplus of talented, intelligent, competent employees.

Abundance is the frequency of having a self-replenishing or never-ending supply of some kind of power. It is a useful frequency to be aligned with!

So, how do you tap into this frequency? Here are the top 3 ways:

1. Crystals

Crystals hold such high vibrational frequencies that simply being around them can raise your frequency dramatically. This is due to the Law of Entrainment.

All frequencies are constantly entraining with the frequencies of the beings and objects in their magnetic fields. This means that any two beings within the same field will come to mirror or match each other’s vibration after a period of time.

Whichever being is holding the more cohesive, coherent or single-pointed frequency will magnetically attract the vibration of the other into its range. The weaker vibration will shift towards matching the stronger vibration. If the two beings have vibrations of equal intensity, they will match each other in a middle ground.

We have all experienced this phenomenon in the uplifting power of nature. Forests, plants and moving water hold such a positive frequency in a supremely sturdy way that a simple walk in the woods, even on the very worst day, makes us feel dramatically better. Our frequency entrains with the powerful frequency of the legion of trees, waters, minerals and creatures around us, and we experience this emotionally as relief, contentment, euphoria, love and peace.

Among all the physical structures in reality, crystals have the most balanced, cohesive and intentional frequencies. The vibration of a crystal is extremely focused and its innate energetic pattern is incorruptible. When you share your space with a crystal, you will always entrain in the direction of the crystal’s strong, single-pointed frequency.

It is of great benefit to spend time near crystals and entrain to them. You can wear them as jewelry, keep them in your workspace, place them under your pillow at night, or hold them while meditating.

There are many types of crystals, each with its own “character” or healing properties. Each crystal is focused in a slightly different way. One radiates at the frequency of love or acceptance, while another radiates at the frequency of organization or clarity.

Crystals of particular assistance in raising the abundance frequency include:

• Citrine
• Clear Quartz
• Green Aventurine
• Amazonite
• Pyrite
• Peridot
• Yellow Sapphire
• Amethyst

• Navigating the Zodiac with Crystals: Real-world Examples and Practical Guidance
• Developing Intuition for Working with Crystals

2. Affirmations

Words are spells. Words create worlds.

You can immediately experience the power of words by paying attention to how you feel when you speak. How do you feel after hours of complaining with your coworkers? How do you feel after writing a list of everything you’re grateful for?

If you want to ruin your entire day, you need only get up in the morning and speak for fifteen minutes on anything you’re resentful about. Notice what that does to your vibration. Notice what it does to your mood. Notice what the cascading effects are in the events of the day.

A far better experiment is to get up and speak aloud for fifteen minutes on anything you find beautiful, loving or good. See what that does to your vibration and watch what it does to your day.

Words that we repeat consistently have magnified power. The Universe gives you more of whatever you are affirming, whether you like what you are saying or not. In response to any affirmation, the Universe always says “Yes!” Whether you are talking about something you like or about something you dislike, that you are speaking about it at all means you are calling for more of it to come into your life.

Many of us speak at cross-purposes with our desires for abundance. Throughout the day we affirm beliefs like:

• “I am so broke”
• “I will never get a good job”
• “Money goes out faster than it comes in”
• “It’s hard for poor people to make it in life. ‘The man’ doesn’t want us to win.”
• “Life is so hard”
• “I don’t know anyone who can afford this.”
• “Rich people are not happy”
• “I am too young/old to get wealthy”
• “More money, more problems.”
• “I can’t charge that much for my business/services. There’s no way people will pay that.”

In this world, you get what you expect. You find what you are seeking. If you expect to fail, failure will come knock on your door. If you’re looking for positive qualities, opportunities, success, and wealth, then like a magnet, they WILL find you.

• The Role of the Subconscious in Manifestation

For this reason, spending time every morning on an affirmation practice is extremely beneficial in manifesting. Affirmations help restructure your fundamental assumptions about life and your deepest beliefs about yourself. and affirmations help you change your expectations.

Affirmations only work when you truly believe them. Your vibration does not lie. If you doubt what you are saying, the Universe will respond to the vibration of your doubt rather than to your words.

Therefore, as you work with an affirmation like “I am so wealthy”, ask yourself: how is this statement ALREADY true in my life— even in the smallest way?

For instance, recall a time where you did effortlessly and easily attract money— even if it was a tax rebate or you found a $20 bill on the street. The specifics of the memory are not important. It doesn’t matter how much money it was or how it came. The relevant factor is the energy you embodied when attracting even that small amount of money into your reality. When did money come joyfully, easily or without looking for it?

Try to hold the energy of how that moment felt when speaking this affirmation. If it happened once, can’t it happen again?

If you are having trouble believing your affirmations then find a thought that is closer to this higher frequency belief than where you are now. You may not immediately be able to believe: “I am a millionaire!” But you can search for a thought that makes you feel better about your current financial prospects. As long as the affirmation is higher than where you are currently, then you are raising your frequency.

Here are a few affirmations you could start with:

• I have some money in my bank account and that feels better than none.
• I do have a job and that makes some things much easier.
• I’m grateful for my car that gets me from A to B.
• I love that I have enough money to pay the bills.
• If I really wanted, I could learn how to be a bit more resourceful with my money which would allow me to save something every month towards something else that I want.

Whenever a negative thought surrounding money comes up— pause. Withdraw your attention from it. Put your focus instead on one of the positive affirmations above. Soothe yourself into a better feeling place concerning your financial well-being, and do not allow yourself to be pulled back into worry or doubt.

• Opening the Doors of Perception

3. Gratitude

When you practice gratitude for all of the abundance that already exists in your life, you immediately raise your vibrational frequency.

What abundance do you currently have in your life?

Turn on your faucet. Do you see unlimited, ever flowing water flooding out?

Can you walk outside and experience an unlimited and abundant amount of sunshine and oxygen?

Do you receive abundant and unconditional love from a family member, friend, or partner?

Can you take a look out of your window on a clear night and view an unlimited number of stars?

Even if you don’t have a dime to your name, you’re already surrounded by so much abundance.

Appreciating the abundance that you already have ushers in the energy of abundance in all aspects of your life, including your finances, for we get more of what we focus on.

Take some time out every day to write out a list of things that you are grateful for and watch how the Universe gives you more things to be grateful for.

• The Power of Visualization
• Receptive Manifestation

The post Tapping into the Abundance Frequency appeared first on askAstrology.

Do Some Stargazing Indoors

One of the investments to have a mystical date night is to get a laser projector that will convert your ceiling into a starry night. You and your partner can sit on the sofa cuddling with one another as you look up to the stars on the top, which will appear like the night sky.

Plenty of laser projectors will make your ceiling appear that way. There will be a fantastic nebula cloud on the top of the ceiling which will not only provide a calming atmosphere, but it will help set the mood for things to become extra spicy. However, that is only one component of creating a magical ambient environment for your date night.

Turn On Some Ambient Music On A Low Volume

The music you listen to during your meditation sessions is known as ambient music, an instrumental music genre that focuses on sound patterns instead of melody. Hence, it creates a more mystical atmosphere and can alter your mind; therefore, putting ambient music on your smartphone or tablet at a low-level volume will enhance the magical environment you want to create for your date night.

Some ambient music artists are Brian Eno, Biosphere, and Steve Roach. If you wish to search for them on your Spotify account, YouTube has random ambient music videos that can play for hours. You must check for that beforehand to prepare for your esoteric date night. Listening to ambient music as you do some stargazing at home will set the mood for a magical date night, but there are other things you can do to enhance it more.

• Summer Dates: The Best Ideas For Dating Based On Your Zodiac Sign

Get Some Incense Sticks To Help Put You In The Mood

You have ambient music and a laser projector to stargaze indoors. Another addition to your esoteric date night is getting the right incense sticks that give off fragrances that will set the mood even more. The scents you want to focus on are those that can be a great aphrodisiac which will also help you relax and unwind so you can enjoy the experience even more. Cinnamon, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, and lavender are the best fragrances. If you don’t want to use incense sticks, you can always get some essential oils and put a few drops in a diffuser. If you don’t want the scent to be too strong, you can only put a drop of the essential oil of your choice in plenty of water in the diffuser. There is still more you can do to enhance the mood.

Don’t Forget To Light Some Candles

You have ambient music, stars on the ceiling, and a relaxing aroma in the picture. Remember to light some candles and place them around the room you and your partner spend time in (or you can put them across the house or apartment if you want to go into different rooms). The candles will provide the glow you need to enhance the mood even more.

If you do not want to worry about setting a fire intentionally if you accidentally knock a candle down if you and your partner become spicy together, you can always get electronic candles that you can turn on and off safely. Leaving candles unattended is also only a good idea if they are electric.

You may want to leave some candles in the bathroom and the bedroom, in case you want to take a bath with your partner, and you will want some candles in the bedroom for the apparent reason. Does this sound like a mystical date so far? You can do other things on the date that will add to it even more if you choose!

• Romantic Date Ideas For You, According To Your Zodiac Sign

Create A Spa

You and your partner want an intimate time together to unwind, and you can always create a luxury spa at home. While enjoying your ambient atmosphere, you can take it further by picking up some face masks, filling the bathtub with warm water, and adding some bubbles. Toss some bath bombs into it or lavender salts, and enjoy soaking up with your partner in the tub together. Remember to keep the candles in the bathroom as you keep the lights dimmed while the ambient music is playing. That intimate time together will encourage you to do something extraordinary: have profound conversations.

An Esoteric Date Night Will Encourage You To Have Deep Conversations

You will be urged to have profound conversations in this magical setting in your home during your date night. Topic ideas revolve around psychology, spirituality, religion, or anything you consider profound. However, you likely fall into talking about these deep topics based on the esoteric atmosphere you have created in your home. For example, you may find yourself talking about how you believe that your partner is someone who you had a connection with a previous life and explain why. See what your partner would say about that. Your date night would need some other essential component which would be food!

Add Gourmet Food Into The Mix

While you are enjoying this ambient atmosphere, you will get hungry. You are not going to want to order fast food when you are having such an intimate time because while fast food tastes good, it is not something that would fit in too well for a magical date night. Instead, you will want to order gourmet food, or if you’re going to become even more intimate with one another, you can cook some up.

You can make gourmet pizza, for example, and you can make it an enjoyable experience. You want to keep the lights dim in the kitchen to maintain the esoteric atmosphere but bright enough so you see what you are doing as you prepare your dishes. Remember your dessert too! Gourmet chocolate would be a great addition to this esoteric evening. There is one more thing you will want to add for the evening!

Fit Some Meditation Or Yoga Into The Date

One wonderful thing you can do with your date is practice meditation or yoga to relax and strengthen your bond. And if you don’t have much experience in that, you can always go on YouTube to check some beginner poses you can try. However, you do not have to be a pro at either. Have some fun with it, and you will want to do meditation or yoga in the room where you have the laser projector that turns the ceiling into a starry night. The ambient music in the background will also help you with your yoga and meditation.

There you have some great ideas for an esoteric date night, as the evening would create the magical ambiance you want. You can start the date by dimming the lights and placing candles around your home or apartment (or your partner’s if you are not living together). Burn some incense and put on some ambient music at a low volume. You can bring in some gourmet food and dessert or make some, then enjoy some time stargazing indoors, and then take your intimate bubble bath, leading to intimate conversations. And then finally, do some yoga poses or meditation, which can relax you more and lead to a spicy time in bed. Now you have your perfect esoteric date night.

The post Creating Magical Ambiance: How to Set the Mood for an Esoteric Date Night appeared first on askAstrology.

Being pursued by someone in such a situation is genuinely terrifying. As you keep running, the dark figure advances quickly towards your back, and you are breathing as you are exhausted and terrified. When you get closer, you can see the terrifying features on the face of the figure. What does it mean when you dream of someone chasing you like that? Let’s talk about that. 

The Meaning Behind Chasing Dreams

It’s normal to have unsettling dreams like falling, being naked in public, or losing teeth. Another distressing dream that many people experience is being chased.

Dreams about being chased by someone or an animal may indicate internal conflict regarding an unfinished task. The entity chasing you represents the nagging thought of not completing the job, which could cause feelings of guilt or dread. However, the interpretation of the dream ultimately depends on its unique context.

For instance, if you promised to clean out your cluttered closet but only finished half of it and left the rest undone.

You may have needed to finish the task, making excuses and finding other things to focus on. However, allocating a few minutes each day to complete it is essential.

You may be aware of this, but you tend to overlook it. Your subconscious mind may reflect this in your dreams, where someone may be chasing you, symbolizing the unfinished cleaning tasks weighing on your mind. However, there could be different interpretations of these chasing dreams. Let’s delve into this further.

Is it Possible That Your Dream of Being Chased is Related to a Previous Life?

It is possible to dream about past lives as those memories may reside in your subconscious mind. Sometimes, fragments of those memories may surface in your dreams. For instance, if you were pursued in a previous life, you may have a dream that includes a snippet of that memory.

Do you know why that memory is resurfacing now? For instance, if you dream about being chased, which happened in a previous life, it may relate to your current fear. This fear could be related to not taking action and failing. Why might this memory be coming up for you?

You may have a lesson to learn in this lifetime that you agreed to work on before birth, but you may need to fulfill it. One of these lessons could be standing up for yourself, especially if you allowed others to take advantage of you in a past life.

You may find yourself repeating a lesson because you need to learn it. For example, if you have two friends who mock you and you laugh with them to seek their approval, standing up for yourself and calling them out on their behavior is essential.

You’re afraid that if you do that, you’ll lose your friends and be left without any. So the lesson is that it’s better to have no friends than friends who act like enemies.

If you continue to let someone cause you harm and distress, you may experience a dream about your past life where you are being chased. This could involve an enemy riding a horse and chasing you back in medieval times, possibly even a current “friend” who is mocking you.

Regardless of the reason, if a dream leaves you distressed, it may continue to recur if you allow yourself to be taken advantage of by specific individuals who claim to be friends.

It’s essential to control your well-being and let go of the fear of losing friends or causing conflict. However, chasing dreams may not always be related to past-life memories. There are other common reasons to explore.

• You may be interested with: Interpreting Your Dreams

Chasing Dreams Can Represent A Prognostication

Following your dreams may be a sign of intuition. For example, your instincts may try to communicate with you when you are under stress, and you are less likely to have these dreams when you are calm.

It’s important to remember that when you’re awake, your Beta brain waves are dominant. This is because you’re problem-solving. On the other hand, you’re in the Gamma brain wave state when you’re working and thinking.

To understand your subconscious, it’s essential to be relaxed and meditative and reach the Delta and Theta states. These states are known to be very relaxed and offer insight.

If you want to experience a more relaxed state more frequently, spending more time in the Delta and Theta states is recommended. These states promote vitality and good health and can result in more peaceful dreams.

You don’t have to worry about having anxiety-inducing dreams of being chased by someone. If you dream about being chased, we can discuss if the person in the dream reminds you of anyone.

Do You Know Anyone Who Reminds You of The Chaser?

Do you remember your most recent dream of chasing someone? Were they so close to you that you could feel their breath? Did you observe their facial features and body movements or recognize anyone you know?

If you’re anxious but aren’t sure why, you may deal with anxiety or chronic stress without a specific trigger.

What if someone close to you was chasing you, and you feel angry towards them but haven’t expressed it yet? Do you want to cut ties with them? It’s important to understand why you feel this way. Take some time to reflect and consider if they are controlling or selfish.

The dream may suggest that you establish more boundaries with that particular person. If you want to maintain a relationship with them, setting boundaries is crucial to ensure they don’t dominate your life. Additionally, dreams about being chased by animals are also frequent, and it’s worthwhile to explore their meaning further.

Discover the Meaning Behind Being Chased by an Animal in Your Dreams

If you have a dream where an animal is chasing you, it’s important to understand the symbolism behind various animals. For instance, the meaning behind a lion chasing you could vary depending on the context. If you tend to let others take advantage of you in real life, a lion chasing you in a dream may signify a need to adopt the lion’s traits of bravery, fortitude, and dominance.

If you have a dream with a dog chasing you, it may indicate you feel powerless and angry in a particular situation. On the other hand, if a snake is chasing you, this could represent toxic people that you should remove from your life. However, if a small animal like a rabbit is chasing you, it suggests that something you perceive as threatening may not be as scary once you confront it. Although chasing dreams can be unsettling, it is possible to prevent them from occurring.

How To Stop Having Chasing Dreams

Are you afraid to sleep because of recurring nightmares where you are being chased? The good news is that you can prevent them from happening. However, the only way to stop them is by confronting your personal demons and being completely honest with yourself.

Connecting with your subconscious to reprogram your mind and overcome nightmares is important. Meditation is a great way to achieve this, but it may take time and the assistance of a coach or therapist. With dedication, it is possible to break free from these troubling experiences.

Chasing dreams are terrifying, and it does not matter who is chasing you. It is unsettling whether it is a stranger, someone you know, yourself, or an animal. However, each time you dream, your subconscious is at work, delivering messages. Therefore, chasing dreams of any kind signifies that you need to have certain things sorted out during your waking life that are causing you a lot of anxiety. To get a handle on those nightmares, you may need to talk to a therapist and sort out the issues causing stress and anxiety.

• Read more: 6 Common Dream Themes and Their Meanings

The post Why Am I Being Chased in My Dream? appeared first on askAstrology.

Parenting is a challenging task, as any parent would agree. Also, as a parent, you would want to help your child maximize their chances of leading happy and successful lives. And giving them encouragement and love is necessary to increase the chances of that happening. However, another thing you can do as a parent is to understand the concepts of astrology and learn to study birth charts. Therefore, you can utilize the help from your child’s horoscope to appreciate their abilities, personality, gifts, skills, strengths, and potential and work towards helping them through their weak or challenging points.

You can also learn about your child’s emotional needs and learning style through their birth charts. Let’s go over how you can nurture your child in the best way possible by utilizing their birth chart so they can have the highest chance to reach their potential.

Understanding The Birth Chart Basics

The Planets

The first thing you need to know is that the main three components of any birth chart are the Sun, Moon, and rising sign. Although heavily emphasized, the Sun sign is less impactful than one would think because of the other factors in the chart. The Sun, however, rules the ego, who you are, and your vitality levels. It can also indicate the kind of relationship one was to have with the father.

The Moon represents the emotional side, the emotional reaction to environmental stimuli, what brings you emotional comfort, and the mother. And you also have the three personal planets, Mercury, which rules communication, thought processes, and movement. Venus also represents what brings you the most pleasure, how you are in your relationships, and attitudes towards material items, including money. Then there is Mars, the assertive and active planet, and it indicates your passions.

You also have the social planets Jupiter and Saturn, as Jupiter indicates expansion and luck and can indicate your gifts. Saturn represents lessons and karma and can show the areas of work and limitations you have. Finally, are the outer planets, which will only impact you based on the planet’s location in the horoscope and how they relate to the other planets.

The outer planets are Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto. Uranus is revolutionary and rebellious, Neptune is psychic, artistic, and sensitive but dissolves boundaries and is not engaged in reality, and Pluto is power and transformation.

• TRY OUT our Birth Chart Calculator

Elements And Modalities

When you read your child’s chart, you can see the location of their planets, inner, social, and outer. And then, it is essential to understand the four elements and three modalities. Fire is one element that represents passion, energy, and enthusiasm. Air complements fire through communication, thoughts, learning, and expression. Then you have Earth which does not complement air or fire, which is all about material and practicality, and then there is Water, which complements Earth and is about emotions, intuition, and feelings.

Then there are the modalities, the nature of the signs, and they are cardinal, the initiator, then fixed, which is stability. And mutable, which is adaptability. Then before going into the zodiac signs and houses in the birth chart, let’s talk about aspects.

Planetary Aspects

The next thing to understand is the planetary aspects. They are trine, sextile, opposition, square, and quincunx. The trine is when planets are at a 120-degree angle, and it is an easy-flowing aspect that can indicate the gifts that you or your child has. A trine would include planets in the same element. Therefore, if your child has a fire trine, they will be active and have the gift of being easily motivated and passionate. Your child would likely enjoy sports.

If your child has an air trine, they would have learning, reasoning, and communication strengths. Therefore, they would thrive on books, conversations, and learning. If there is an earth trine, it would be highly practical, hardworking, and good with money. The child may enjoy building things as they would like arts and crafts and may want to start a business at a young age. And if there is a water trine, the child is empathetic, intuitive, imaginative, and mystical. The child would enjoy visual arts and music and thrive in calm environments.

Sextiles are planets that are 60 degrees from one another, representing areas of opportunity which means the planets are 60 degrees from one another in elements that complement one another, such as fire and air or earth and water. Oppositions are when planets are 180 degrees from one another, which means the planets would be in opposing signs, which would be in compatible elements but the same modality, which is a hard aspect. It would represent a challenge you face each day, as it would be an area in your face, and you would constantly devise ways to tackle it.

However, squares are planets that are 90 degrees from each other, and they are a very hard aspect as they represent areas of struggle and stress, as the planets are in the same modality but with incompatible elements. Therefore, if your child has a cardinal square, they may struggle with impulse and will start things with no intention of finishing them. If there is a fixed square, the child may struggle with stubbornness that could hurt them in the long run, or if it is a mutable square, then they would struggle with not finding an area of stability or direction. The quincunx is a 150-degree aspect between planets in elements and modalities that do not understand one another. Therefore, adjustments in those areas need to be made all of the time, which can be areas of struggle for your child. Now, let’s talk about the zodiac signs and houses.

Zodiac Signs And Houses

The zodiac signs are the twelve constellations that the Sun passes through, and each planet will rule one or two zodiac signs, depending on its nature. Each zodiac sign will have an element and a modality. And the zodiac sign has a corresponding astrological house, which is the area of the chart that rules a particular area of life. The zodiac placements of each house in anyone’s horoscope depend on their rising sign. Now let’s go over each zodiac sign and the corresponding house:

Aries – Ruled by Mars, cardinal, fire sign rules assertiveness, competition, and energy, and is the natural ruler of the first astrological house that represents you as a whole.

Taurus – Ruled by Venus, fixed, earth sign rules materialism and comfort, tenacity, routine, and stability, and is the natural ruler of the first astrological house that represents talents and possessions.

Gemini – Ruled by Mercury, mutable, air sign rules movement, communication, and learning, and is the natural ruler of the third astrological house that represents short-distance travel, early childhood education, communication, thoughts, and siblings.

Cancer – Ruled by the Moon, cardinal, and water sign, rules emotions, family, and the home as the natural ruler of the fourth house representing early childhood, home, and the most nurturing parent.

Leo – Ruled by the Sun, fixed, a fire sign that rules the ego, creativity, and enjoyment, and is the natural ruler of the fifth house that represents fun, creativity, and leisure.

Virgo – Ruled by Mercury, a mutable earth sign that rules work, service, health, and pets, and is the natural ruler of the sixth house that represents work, service, pets, and health.

Libra – Ruled by Venus, the cardinal air sign that rules relationships, beauty, and friendships, is the natural ruler of the seventh house that represents any relationships one has.

Scorpio – Ruled by Pluto and Mars, a fixed water sign that rules mystery, secrets, and intensity, is the eighth house’s natural ruler representing transformation and belongings from others, inheritances included.

Sagittarius – Ruled by Jupiter, a mutable fire sign that rules spirituality, religion, culture, and foreign travel, is the natural ruler of the ninth house that rules the same thing.

Capricorn – Ruled by Saturn, a cardinal earth sign that rules hard work, getting to business, work over pleasure, and having plenty of responsibility, is the natural ruler of the tenth house that rules career, public image, reputation, and most disciplinarian parent.

Aquarius – Ruled by Uranus, a fixed air sign that rules uniqueness, humanitarianism, and progression, is the natural ruler of the eleventh house that rules friendships, wishes, and humanitarianism.

Pisces – Ruled by Neptune and Jupiter, a mutable water sign that rules creativity, imagination, and intuition, is the natural ruler of the twelfth house, representing solitude, karma, dreams, and spiritual work.

• If you want to learn more: Houses in Astrology

Does this mean everyone’s first house corresponds to the zodiac sign Aries? No, unless that is the rising sign. For example, if your child’s rising sign is Sagittarius, their first house would begin in Sagittarius as the rising sign begins the first house. Their second house then would be in Capricorn, and so on.

Also, your child’s ruling planet would be the planet that rules its rising sign. For example, if your child’s rising sign is Sagittarius, their ruling planet would be Jupiter. And their ruling planet would significantly impact them, so let’s now talk about activities you can do for your child that would be appropriate for their ruling planet, in addition to trines they have so they can make the most of their gifts.

Nurturing Activities For Children Based On Their Ruling Planets

Let’s briefly talk about the best activities you can do for your children based on their ruling planets and other gifts they have in their charts.

Sun, fire trine, or a lot of fire in their charts, or three or more planets in the fifth house

Expose your child to anything that will nurture their creative side, such as getting them into arts and crafts, encouraging them to take drama classes, take them to the theatre, and allow them to put on shows for you.

Moon, water trine, or a lot of fire in their charts, or three or more planets in the fourth house

Your child needs a lot of reassurance and nurturing, and what happens in their childhood will significantly impact them in adulthood. As important as it is to encourage your child to socialize, respect them for needing solitude or spending time with you, as your child will likely be introverted. They’ll evolve at the pace right for them.

Mercury, air trine, or a lot of air in their charts, or three or more planets in the third house

Your child needs a lot of mental stimulation, and having trivia night and playing games is something they would enjoy. Your child will also want a lot of social interaction, and encourage that. Get plenty of books, and encourage them to write, but be sure to put safety measures on their internet devices as they are curious.

• Book for children according to their zodiac sign

Venus, earth or air trine, or three or more planets in their second or seventh houses

Your child’s self-esteem is based on appearances and possessions. Therefore, you will want to encourage them to appreciate what they have and be sure to get them stylish clothing and allow them to enjoy dressing up, wearing jewelry, and trying different hairstyles. They need plenty of social interaction and ensure they have access to it. They may also like cooking, so enroll your kids in cooking classes.

Mars, fire trine, plenty of fire in their charts, or three or more planets in their first house

Your child will be naturally competitive and energetic. Get them involved in sports or anything active. They must learn to take turns and to share with others at a young age, as they may be more naturally self-involved. Let them enjoy the outdoors as much as possible, get them a bike, and they may enjoy taking hikes.

Jupiter, fire trine, or three or more planets in the ninth house

Your child will take a liking to different cultures and may enjoy subjects such as history or geography. Get them exposed to different cultures as much as possible, and get them games that will help them learn new things, and your child may be more optimistic and want to laugh a lot, so encourage clean jokes, and they need socialization. Overnight camp would be an excellent experience for these kids.

Saturn, earth trine, or three or more planets in the tenth house

Your child will have a serious demeanor. Please encourage your child to set boundaries and expectations for themselves and encourage them to set achievable goals. Teach your kids negotiation skills, and give them activities to strengthen their problem-solving skills.

Neptune, water trine, three or more planets in the twelfth house

Your child will be likely introverted and imaginative. They must socialize, but allow them to have time for solitude. Involving them in music arts, such as painting and drawing, will enable them to nurture their imaginations. Get them into child yoga classes as they can learn about mindfulness at a young age and tap into their spiritual side.

Uranus, air trine, three or more planets in the eleventh house

Your child is expressive and may be rebellious. Rules are essential to place, but allow your child to express who they are, and do not repress them if they are not doing anything inappropriate. Encourage them to journal, and get them into drama class, arts and crafts so that they can express their creativity. Please encourage your child to go after their dreams.

Pluto, water trine, or three or more planets in the eighth house

Your child will be intense and need delving into mysterious matters. Activities that can help strengthen their problem-solving skills would be excellent for them, and they would enjoy games like Clue. Your child may be prone to developing obsessions, so you want to ensure they are healthy. So you will want them to go into arts and crafts, where they can do activities such as molding clay. Get mystery books for them, such as Nancy Drew. Give them projects such as cleaning the garage or yard.

Now you have an idea of how to nurture your child based on their astrological chart, as you can see that nurturing based on their sun sign alone would not be helpful to them, as the sun sign only makes up a fraction of their chart. You can always go to an astrologer to have them decipher your child’s birth chart if learning astrology is not something you want to do. Still, you will want to ensure you follow the recommendations for your child based on the astrologer’s words. You must nurture your child the best way possible in their formative years so they can become well-rounded adults.

The post Unlocking Your Child’s Potential: The Power of Birth Charts in Parenting appeared first on askAstrology.

In this article we are going to talk about the training exercises you can do to strengthen your intuition and learn to live a more intuitive life!

Why Should You Strengthen Your Intuition?

Think about the last time you had to make a big decision. You probably found yourself going back and forth between the options, trying to weigh out which was the best choice. You asked your friends for advice, but still felt in the dark about how to move forward, wishing you could know for certain which choice was the right one to make.

Well, that decision would have been a lot easier to make if you had a stronger sense of intuition! Your intuition is your natural sense of knowing and perceiving, so when that muscle is strong you become less indecisive and more surefooted. Sounds great, right?

Lifting Too Heavy

Newbies usually make this one big mistake: trying to lift too heavy.

Think about going to the gym for the very first time and picking up the 50 lbs dumbbells, thinking you could try to shoulder press them over your head. You can’t because weights that heavy have to be worked up to, starting with smaller weights and working your way up to the heavier ones. The same thing goes for intuition! You can’t expect to be able to make an intuitive decision about whether or not to move across the country if you haven’t been using your intuition in smaller daily ways before then.

Intuition or Anxiety

You may be thinking, “how do I tell the difference between intuition and anxiety?” That’s a great question! One of the biggest hurdles people face when beginning to work with their intuition is anxiety. Anxiety can be an insidious thing that can even throw off people who have a strong sense of intuition!

Both intuition and anxiety often manifest as an inner monologue, but one comes from a place of fear and the other is something more spiritual–so how do we tell the difference?

The short answer is that intuition is quiet and it’s usually brief, while anxiety is loud and persistent. Intuition is more like a sweeping gust of wind that dances around you and then dissipates, and anxiety is a torrential downpour. The more you flex your intuition muscle the more you’ll be able to tell the difference, but even the most skilled intuitives can still get caught up in an anxiety spiral, so what do you do when that happens?

The answer is simple: trust yourself.

The basis of all intuition work is learning to trust yourself, because intuition is the voice that comes first to your mind whenever you are met with a decision. When you learn to trust that voice the moment it speaks up you’ll be actively working against anxiety, which is the voice that comes afterwards. When I find myself unable to discern between intuition and anxiety I simply make a choice, because I trust myself and I know that no matter what happens I can handle it.

When we take the pressure off of discerning between the two we are actually strengthening our intuition!

How to Strengthen Your Intuition

Here are a couple of my tried and true methods of strengthening your intuition muscle. Give them all a go and see what works for you!

How to develop your intuition

Intuitive Journeys

For this activity I usually like to take a walk, but you can ride your bike or skateboard, or even hop in your car for a relaxing drive. When you take your walk or drive, do your best to clear your mind, especially as you approach a crosswalk or stop light. Listen for your intuition, it will tell you to go right, left or forward, and your job is to listen to the directions and follow them wherever they lead. Do your best to not plan out your walk at all, the more you allow yourself to make that snap decision, the stronger you’re working your intuition.

Intuitive Days

You make a lot of decisions every day from which coffee cup to use, which road to take to work, whether or not to work out, etc. Choose one day out of the week, every week, to make all your decisions based on intuition. This requires you to surrender, be decisive and trust the process. This is one of the single best tools you can use to strengthen your intuition, because the more you can practice making intuitive decisions on the small stuff, the better you will get at being able to use your intuition when it comes to the bigger choices you have to make in life.

Intuitive Art

Art is an intuitive act. We’ve all heard about artists hitting a creative block (some of us have been in one ourselves), but on the opposite side of that is the artistic flow state which comes from being able to create a strong relationship with your intuition. You don’t need to be a great artist to reap the benefits of this practice though, all you need is a pen or pencil, some paper and your intuition. Begin doodling whatever pops into your mind and keep doodling until you fill up the whole page. It can be as simple as drawing lines and dots, or more intricate like flowers and people, the point is to not try to plan out what you’re going to doodle next. Instead, allow your mind to be present and when it comes time to doodle a new thing on the page, do the first thing that pops into your head.

This is also an excellent practice for learning not to judge oneself. Trust in the process and you’ll be surprised at how good it all looks once you’ve covered a whole page in intuitive doodles!

And if you desire to be more spiritual and deepen your connection with your Higher Self or the Source, consider adopting an esoteric diet. That does not mean you have to convert to veganism unless you want to, but there are some diets you will want to adopt so you can learn about the health benefits and how to incorporate esoteric principles into daily meal planning.

What Is an Esoteric Diet?

Esoteric eating is when you incorporate a balanced and healthy diet into your spiritual practices, as you stick to foods that nourish your mind, body, and soul. Any esoteric diet consists of wholesome, nutritious food to increase your vibration and connect with your Higher Self or the Source. There is more than one type of holistic diet if you want to stick to eating nutritional and high-vibrational foods to incorporate into your spiritual practice or for self-improvement.

There are several esoteric diets, but I will delve into raw food, Ayurveda, macrobiotics, and Mediterranean diets. Let’s review each diet and talk about they promote holistic well-being and how to incorporate esoteric principles into daily meal planning on any of these diets.

• How the major arcana is associated with food

The Spiritual and Energetic Aspects of the Raw Food Diet

The raw food diet is plant-based and consists of nuts, seeds, vegetables, and fruits. It also consists of these foods not being cooked in temperatures higher than 118 F, which is 48 C. You also do not pasteurize or treat foods with pesticides or process them, but you can blend, juice, soak, sprout, and dehydrate food in this diet.

The raw food diet can be vegan for those who use it, but it does not have to be, as many who utilize it can consume raw fish, meat, eggs, and dairy. However, those who are not vegan and incorporate the raw food diet into their lives know how to ensure that essential animal byproducts and meat is clean without cooking, processing, or pasteurizing them.

The belief is that cooking, pasteurizing, or processing foods are not healthy as it ruins the natural enzymes in food that provide you with the life force. Those who incorporate the raw food diet into their lives find improved vitality: excellent weight management (or loss if that is what they choose), healing chronic conditions, and increased energy. And the foods help them with more mental clarity and positive thinking, which raises their vibration.

Unsurprisingly, those who want to create a spiritual life and improve their spiritual connection with their Higher Selves and Source would adopt a pure diet such as the raw one. You will find that your lifestyle changes for the better when you adopt any holistic diet, as you will spend more time grocery shopping and in the kitchen, and as your diet changes, you will incorporate more spiritual activities in your life, such as meditation and yoga.

The raw food diet may help you change your routine by carefully planning your meals as you develop a connection to the Source, which will help you incorporate other spiritual practices into your life. Now, look at another esoteric diet, the Ayurvedic diet, and see what is involved.

• 5 fortune-telling foods
• What are the foods to avoid according to your zodiac sign?

How The Ayurvedic Diet Can Benefit You

The Ayurvedic diet has been around for thousands of years, centering around Ayurvedic medicine from India and focusing on various energy points in your body which will make you healthier. The Ayurvedic diet is not a one-size-fits-all diet as it is all about the foods you should and should not eat based on your body type as it is meant to improve your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

In the Ayurvedic tradition, the universe consists of five elements: Prithvi is earth, Vayu is air, Teja is fire, Jala is water, and Askash is space. These elements form the three main physiological functions known as doshas. The dosha that controls your hunger, thirst, and temperate is the pitta dosha. Your movement and electrolyte balance is maintained by vata dosha, and your kapha dosha governs your joint function.

The Ayurvedic diet is there to help you find your dominant dosha, and you will eat the foods that nourish it while balancing the other two doshas. For example, you have a medium build if your predominant dosha is pitta, which consists of water and fire. You may be at risk for heart disease, digestive problems, hypertension, and being short-tempered and industrious. You will stick to foods that best support this dosha while balancing the other two.

Those with the vata dosha as the dominant one are known to be light-framed, energetic, and creative and may struggle with fatigue and anxiety if there is an imbalance. And those with the predominant kapha dosha may be calm, loyal, and grounded but have a heavier frame and struggle with obesity, diabetes, and depression. Therefore, they would stick with the diet that supports their dominant doshas. The foods you eat that support your dominant dosha will help promote inner peace so you can live a more spiritual life, promoting mindfulness and incorporating spiritual practices in your everyday life.

If your dominant dosha is the vata dosha, you should be on a diet consisting of moist, warm, and grounding foods and limiting raw vegetables, dehydrated fruits, and bitter herbs. If your dominant dosha is the pitta, you will focus on eating cool foods with plenty of vitality while limiting specific spices, nuts, and seeds.

Finally, if your dominant dosha is kapha, it is best to stick to vegetables, legumes, and fruits while limiting heavier foods such as nuts and seeds. An Ayurvedic doctor will need to assess you to help you discover your dominant dosha and create a diet that will help bring you the balances you need to live a healthier and more spiritual life. Let’s now talk about the macrobiotics diet.

• Find out the best spice for your zodiac sign!

What Are The Benefits of The Macrobiotics Diet?

The macrobiotics diet is a diet that consists of eating wholesome foods, chewing food slowly, and having some dietary principles that are based on Buddhist spirituality and living a balanced life. Macrobiotics means large and energy, and the diet became popular in the 1970s as the diet is intended to not only bring you a life force and create a balanced life.

The diet employs the yin and yang principles as you will want to combine yin foods, such as grains, with yang foods, such as vegetables, to create balance. One goal of the macrobiotics diet is to avoid toxins from fried and oily foods and dairy. The diet comprises beans, sea vegetables, fresh vegetables, and grains. You will also consume white fish, seeds, nuts, and seasonal fruits several times weekly.

Except for white fish, the macrobiotics diet is a plant-based diet that not only helps you maintain a healthy weight range but keeps the risks of many diseases at bay or lowers the odds of developing them if genetics were to play a role. Additionally, the diet promotes calmness and intuition. If you want to live a more spiritual life where you incorporate yoga and meditation into your daily practices, this is a great diet to support that. There is one more esoteric diet that helps promote balance, weight management, and intuition.

The Mediterranean Diet Benefits

The last esoteric diet to cover is the Mediterranean diet, a popular diet for those who want to improve their health, which will help them live a more positive and spiritual life. This diet is derived from countries around the Mediterranean region that consists of cooking methods and flavors from the area.

The Mediterranean diet includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, fish, eggs, poultry, spices, herbs, and olive oil. This diet has Nothing off-limits, as you can still enjoy red meat, dairy, and even processed foods in moderation. This diet encourages you to enjoy eating with those you care about, as it can help strengthen relationships. Therefore, this diet is there to help nourish your mind, body, soul, and relationships.

The other benefit of this diet is that healthy foods slowly release energy, which increases vitality and promotes activity and exercise. Being active helps develop a positive mindset, which will help you connect with your Higher Self and the Source. Like with the other diets, you can incorporate spiritual practices within your days in addition to time for working out.

If you want to become more spiritual and change your diet to develop your connection between what you eat and your spirituality, you will want to look into one of the leading esoteric diets. You can choose between raw food, Ayurveda, macrobiotics, and Mediterranean diets, as you will want to go with the one you intuitively feel you can adopt. They all share one thing: sticking to wholesome foods whether you choose veganism or not. The raw food diet is the best if you want to go with veganism. Either way, any esoteric diet you select will cleanse you, nourish your mind, body, and soul, and help you develop the spiritual life that you want to live while enjoying good health.

Ultimately, these are two modes of expression of the self-same energy of All-That-Is.

Divine Masculine or Divine Feminine?

The Divine Masculine mode of expression is active, kinetic, forward-moving and aggressive. The Divine Feminine mode of expression is receptive, restorative and Reciprocal. The masculine archetype is identified with the Sun, which radiates the energy of heat and light outward with such force that we cannot even stare directly into it. The Moon, on the other hand, does not shine of her own accord, but is illumined by receiving the light of the Sun. The feminine archetype is identified with dark, cool, damp and void, while the masculine archetype is identified as hot, dry and light.

Divine Masculine energy is initiatory, exemplified in the image of the God who creates the Universe: “Let there be light!” The Divine Feminine energy is receptive, exemplified as the primordial space within which this Universe was made. The archetypal Goddess energy is also often described as the Great Sea whence all life rose—the matrix of all matter, older than time, undifferentiated and pure.

Nurturing the Inner Goddess

When we in our modern times hear the word ‘receptive’, we may be inclined to impose a value judgment upon it, associating receptivity with weakness or passivity. Western civilization places much more value in action and ‘doing’ than receptivity or ‘being’. Yet without the still void of being-ness, light would have nowhere to shine.

Divine power expressing through receptivity is no less powerful than divine power expressing through activity; it simply has a different mode of functioning. There is clearly nothing weak about the primordial Goddess Gaia, the most ancient earth— she who gives form to what was only formless force. Within the stillness of the earth all plants, trees, minerals and fossil fuels are fostered, nurtured, and born into being. Within the stillness of a womb a human soul is brought forth into physical incarnation. Water is receptive, as it will accept, consume and absorb any object or obstacle into itself without resistance, and yet water can wear down stone, wipe out entire cities and is the one element required by every single living being to survive.

Many artists, mathematicians, scientists and philosophers attest to the power of the receptive mode; it is common to hear that one’s most brilliant ideas come, not when one is laboriously working upon a perplexity, but instead when one is at rest and least expecting it. The conscious mind, which is identified with the masculine archetype, is a brilliant tool, but it can easily become too narrowly focused so as to obscure the full truth. The unconscious mind, identified with the feminine archetype, is undifferentiated, transpersonal and unconstrained by logic or reason. The collective unconscious contains, not only the personal deep mind, but the deep mind of the entire human race throughout history. In relaxed states, including trance, sleep, intoxication, fatigue, meditation or simple contentment, the contents of the Unconscious mind are made available to the conscious mind. When we create space within the mind, we allow brilliant solutions, visions and revelations to come forth as though from beyond ourselves.

Patriarchy and Matriarchy

A patriarchal lifestyle is organized by assertiveness, initiation, activity, logic, competition and hierarchy. There are positive, healthy expressions of patriarchy— expressing the Divine Masculine attributes of protection, security, order, reason and justice— and negative, unhealthy expressions of patriarchy, which involve excesses in the need to control. The symbol of the masculine God energy is the forward moving line or arrow— as in Zeus’ lightning bolts or Ares’ spear, and we may witness that patriarchies function by the drawing of lines— whether these are boundaries of territories, orders of rank, delineations of duty, the limitations of law or the designations of ownership.

A matriarchal society is structured around reciprocity, nurturance, balance and cycles of renewal. The symbol of the feminine Goddess energy is the circle— a shape without end or beginning. Goddesses are often pictured with the Moon, with round life-giving bellies or as the circular planet of earth herself, and matriarchies function by way of circles, which manifest as the gathering together in collaboration, the dissolution of boundaries and the orientation to the cosmic rhythms or cyclical nature of time.

The earth— whom we often refer to by feminine names like Gaia or Mother Nature— is the ultimate example of the matriarchal structure. In a healthy forest, every independent plant, tree, animal, mineral and element lives in a reciprocal relationship with every other living being. Predators operate in perfect balance with prey to maintain the equilibrium of the ecosystem. As a tree dies, it drops the seeds that sprout the next generation, and its rot feeds the soil with nutrients that further the life of all beings in the forest. Nature, left to herself, is eternally self-sustaining and self-renewing, with nothing wasted and nothing lost. It is an expression of a purely reciprocal and unconditionally nurturing structure.

Building Matriarchy in Daily Life

Here are some tips for building a matriarchal lifestyle:

Be in the Moment: While patriarchies aim to build static structures which hold forth steadfastly against the vicissitudes of time, matriarchies are mutable. The Goddess witnesses the world in a constant process of transformation with no situation exactly like any other and no binding ties of permanence. What was appropriate in winter may no longer apply in summer. Matriarchies are structured to maintain openness to the unique subjectivity of each individual as well as the uniqueness of each and every moment. Try to create structures within which you may organically respond in a new, feeling-based way on a moment-by-moment basis.

• Manifesting and the Concept of Momentum

Live the Lunar Calendar: The solar calendar deals with “objective” time wherein every day of the year is more or less the same. The lunar calendar deals with “subjective” time— that is, the time of unfolding, development, momentum, growth, maturation, ripening and seasons. Each phase, a period of approximately 3.5 days, has its own personality— a quality, mood or mode of consciousness which predominates during that period. There is time for introversion, extraversion, initiation, completion, work and play. When we align ourselves to the rhythm of the Moon, our every action becomes exponentially more powerful, since we undertake the proper action at precisely the most propitious moment.

Practice Gratitude and Appreciation: Maintaining an openness to life is essential to activating the Goddess energy. Holding yourself in a state of pure positive focus softens and opens your auric field, relaxes the body and releases stress from the mind. Gratitude puts one immediately into a receptive mode of being-ness, and in this state we open up to higher realms of inspiration, insight, illumination and revelation.

When you take time out of every day to count your blessings, you open your heart to life in a welcoming, inclusive, matriarchal spirit. Make time every day to do some activity for the simple joy of it— even if it is as small as petting a cat for ten minutes or dancing to a song.

Enjoy Beauty: Beauty is essential for the happiness of the inner Goddess, whether that means spending time in beautiful scenery, enjoying or creating art, bringing more aesthetic harmony into your personal space, or primping yourself! Uplift yourself with pleasing scents, sights, sounds, and textures simply for the sensory joy. Do not get so obsessed with doing that you forget about the thrill of being.

The post Building Divine Matriarchy into Your Lifestyle appeared first on askAstrology.

Sound healing works through frequency. The cells of our bodies are currently vibrating at a given resonance as a result of our physical, emotional and mental habits. The thoughts we think, the substances we ingest, the emotions we hold, express or repress, the experiences we live through and the environments we live in all affect us at a cellular level. These factors can leave long-lasting traces of themselves, remaining in cellular memory for days, weeks and even years.

Subtle Planes

What is held in cellular memory is not easily accessed by therapeutic intervention of the conscious mind or physical medicines. We may believe ourselves to be completely healed of a particular trauma on the emotional or physical level, yet our cells are still holding onto the experience, “convinced” that the traumatic situation is still happening. In such a case, shamanic modalities like sound healing can be tremendously beneficial, as the sound can permeate the cellular plane of the body, catalyzing transmutation of energy upon the subtle plane of frequency.

The reverberation of carefully chosen tones permeating our cells, tissues, muscles, bones and brain can yield very remarkable results both as to physical energy and the extension of consciousness. Our cells respond immediately to the changes in the magnetic field of the room when such sound is introduced, and this catalyzes changes in our nervous system, emotional state and physical bodies. On the spiritual plane, sound therapy directs the currents of energy in the aura, cultivating the chakras and the channels connecting them, which can be trained just like muscles.

This phenomenon happens by way of entrainment. If you press and hold down the key of a piano gently enough that it does not sound, and then simultaneously strike another key, the first key will sound at the same note as the second, even if they are octaves apart. This is entrainment. When an opportunity is created, one vibration will entrain to another so that both reverberate at the same frequency. In shamanic sound healing, the patient is put into a light trance or deeply relaxed state so that when the sound is introduced, the cells of the body will then entrain to the frequency of the sound.

• The Magical Use of Sound

Primordial Frequencies

It is important to realize that although we hear sound by means of ears, we are actually bathed in the sea of the vibration that is sound all the time— even when our ears or minds do not register it. The sound which strikes upon our eardrums is only a small part of the actual sound vibration, and it is this greater part which is striking both upon one’s body and upon the surrounding surfaces. To the ordinary person this may seem meaningless, but to the spiritual seeker this is quite an important consideration.

As we encounter a given note, our auras are infused not only with a sound but with a frequency, for each note is a sonic expression of an archetypal force. A frequency is not a static entity, but a mode of operation, a way of being, a character, a state of change or tendency in movement. Therefore its manifestations are innumerable as it may turn up in any and all spheres of life activity.

We may encounter the self-same frequency through different organs of perception or faculties of mind. A frequency can manifest as a certain color to the eyes, a certain sound to the ears, a certain mood in the emotional faculty, a certain medicine in the plant kingdom, a particular number, symbol, gesture or deity in a ceremony, or a certain mode of awareness, perception or relating in a given situation. The frequency which represents visually as GREEN as a color also has a manifestation in the mineral kingdom and in the celestial zodiac; there is a note which is the sonic mode of this frequency, and this frequency also corresponds in esoteric psychology to an entire mode of consciousness, quality of idea and domain of life experience. We have all felt the possession of one of these archetypal modes, as though we are being worn as a garment by some primordial agent taking action through us; this is the experience of entraining to a given frequency.

• Tibetan Bowls Used for Healing & Sound Therapy

Mind-Body Connection

As we introduce a frequency into the energy field, it creates changes in consciousness, which in turn creates changes in our physical body or circumstances.  As we enter the “portal” to the dimension of a certain frequency, we can translate it on physical, emotional and mental levels. Depending on how we are translating the frequency, we may be initiated into a certain philosophy or way of thought; we may have a revelation through an epiphany or a vision. We may discover a deeper level of feeling or emotion that we had been unaware of, recover lost memories, or feel subtle, nearly physical sensations like heaviness, buzzing, floating, spinning, heat, cold, etc. All of these are different ways our auras translate, “metabolize” or integrate the frequencies that are infusing into our fields through the vehicle of sound.

These different effects have been studied and interpreted as the results of varying brain wave states. Scientists have observed that certain activities seem to transpire when certain brain wave states are induced through sound. Beta states correspond to relaxation, Alpha states correspond to healing, Theta states to encounters with the Higher Self and spiritual awareness, and Delta to deep sleep.

This principle of sympathetic resonance or entrainment is the key to all magical, ritual and shamanic work, all metaphysical healing and all esoteric study. Simple practices like meditating upon a color or humming a sound have far reaching consequences. Volume and timbre also affect the frequency which is carried into the body. Experiment how different pitches, instruments, vowel sounds, volumes and octaves affect your mind, heart and body.

• Spirituality Tools: Stones and Sound

The post Shamanism: How To Use Sound To Heal Your Soul? appeared first on askAstrology.

This article delves into the captivating realm of astrology and crystal healing, shedding light on the profound relationship between these elements and their influence on our lives.

People have been interested in astrology and crystals for hundreds of years. Understanding its mysteries captivates a lot of people’s interest. Astrology is a unique field of study that tries to figure out how the positions of planets and stars affect how people act. It’s like a picture of the stars that shows us who we are and where we’re going.

Just as the planets have unique properties and energies, crystals also do. Working with crystals has been shown to benefit physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual well-being.

Understanding Astrological Planets and Their Influence

To understand the exciting world of astrology, you need to know how the planets work and what they do. In astronomy, planets represent different kinds of energy that affect other parts of our lives.

Each planet has its qualities and traits, and where they are when we are born can significantly affect how we feel, what we do, and what we go through in life. By looking into what these celestial bodies mean and how they affect us, we can learn much about ourselves and how the world works.

Planetary Influences

In astrology, the positions of planets at the moment of our birth hold profound significance. This cosmic snapshot, known as the “Natal Chart”, acts as a celestial compass, guiding us on a journey of self-discovery and understanding.

By analyzing the unique arrangement of planets, astrologers gain valuable insights into our personality traits and the unfolding of our life events. Planetary aspects reveal the intricate interplay between these cosmic forces, impacting various facets of our lives, including relationships, careers, and personal growth.

Understanding how planets interact with one another allows us to gain self-awareness, tackle challenges with resilience, and embark on self-discovery and happiness.

Planetary Energies and Symbolism

In astrology, each planet has its force and symbolic meaning. Let’s look at how some important planets affect us:

The Sun

The Sun is a sign of hope and creativity. It’s a metaphor for our uniqueness and ability to think and say things in our way. It changes how we feel about ourselves, how well we can lead, and our role in life.

The Moon

As a symbol of our unconscious and emotional wants, the Moon gives us a glimpse into our inner world. It changes our way of thinking, our ability to understand other people, and our ability to talk with our thoughts.

Mercury

Mercury, in charge of communication and intelligence, controls how we think, learn, and show ourselves. It changes how we feel, how we talk to each other, and how well we can adapt.

Venus

Venus stands for love, peace, and beauty because it helps people get along well with each other. It changes how we think about love and desire and develop ideas.

Mars

Mars is about being determined, not afraid of anything, and in good shape. It shows how you are enthusiastic, active, and willing to take charge. It makes us excited and driven to do well.

Jupiter

Jupiter stands for wealth, good luck, and material success. It affects how lucky we feel, how hopeful, and how dedicated we are.

Saturn

Saturn, which stands for self-control and duty, controls life’s limits, structures, and learning chances. It changes our sense of duty, our ability to stay with things, and the long-term goals we set.

Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto

These planets affect whole generations, and their places in a person’s birth chart show how they affect society and bring about big changes in people’s lives.

Exploring the Energetic Properties of Crystals

Crystals, with their inherent energy, offer an intriguing avenue to explore in conjunction with astrology. These natural formations have been revered for their beauty and metaphysical properties throughout history.

How Crystals Formed

Crystals are formed through a process called “crystallization”, where atoms and molecules come together in an orderly manner. Factors such as temperature, pressure, and the presence of specific elements influence the formation of crystals, resulting in a diverse array of unique structures.

Temperature plays a crucial role in crystal formation. As something cools down, atoms or molecules move closer together and slow down. When they align in a repetitive pattern, crystals begin to form. Each crystal possesses its distinct qualities based on the temperature at which it formed.

Pressure also contributes to crystal formation. Higher pressure leads to the development of larger crystals, while lower pressure results in more porous and open structures. The tightness of atom or molecule packing depends on the pressure applied, ultimately affecting the crystal’s properties and capabilities.

Relationship Between Planets and Crystals

When examining how planets and crystals work in harmony, we witness the exciting interplay of their energies. In astrology, each planet is associated with specific qualities and effects, and based on these properties, certain crystals align with these planetary energies.

Let’s use Mars as an example to illustrate this connection. Mars represents fiery energy, and crystals like Red Jasper and Carnelian align with its essence. These crystals enhance our Mars energy, fostering courage, passion, and physical strength.

In astrology, planetary forces impact the twelve zodiac signs, and each sign resonates with a corresponding crystal. Mars governs the sign of Aries. Individuals born under the sign of Aries can benefit from crystals like Bloodstone and Citrine, as they align with the sign’s fiery nature, promoting assertiveness and passion.

Similarly, Venus governs Taurus. Crystals like Rose Quartz and Green Jade complement Taurus energy by fostering love, security, and abundance. These crystals assist Taureans in connecting with the balancing energy of Venus and bringing out their best qualities.

Each zodiac sign has unique crystals harmonizing with its distinct traits and strengths. By tapping into the positive energies of these crystals and planets, individuals can utilize their powerful influences for personal growth, balance, and alignment with the harmonious vibrations of the universe.

Harnessing the Power: Crystal Usage in Astrology

Crystals possess potent energies that can be harnessed to align with specific planetary influences and zodiac traits. Here are some practical ways to incorporate crystals into your astrological journey:

Wearing or Carrying Crystals

One way to harness the power of crystals in astrology is by wearing or carrying them. You can amplify their energies throughout the day by choosing crystals that resonate with your zodiac sign or the planetary influences you wish to enhance.

For example, wearing a Jade pendant can promote abundance and stability if you’re a Taurus. Carrying a Citrine crystal can boost motivation and assertiveness, aligning with the fiery energy of Mars.

Enhancing Meditation with Crystals

Meditating with crystals aligned to the current astrological season can deepen spiritual alignment and promote healing. Hold or place a crystal corresponding to the prevailing planetary influence or zodiac sign during meditation.

Meditating with a Sunstone during the season of Leo can amplify confidence and creative expression. This practice helps you connect deeply with your inner self and the cosmic energies.

Creating Crystal Grids or Altars

Create crystal grids or altars by arranging crystals in a geometric pattern or on an altar. Choose crystals that align with specific planets or zodiac signs. This placement amplifies collective energies, providing a sacred space for manifestation and connection.

Enhance the qualities and intentions of the crystals by aligning them with specific planets or zodiac signs. Remember the importance of cleansing and recharging your crystals to amplify their energies.

Final Thoughts

Astrology shows us that the planets that are in charge of us have a big effect on our lives. Getting in touch with these planets can bring good energy into our everyday lives. This link lets us use their ability for personal growth and well-being.

By learning more about the deep link between planets and crystals in astrology, we can open ourselves up to a world of growth, harmony, and expanded awareness. Let the wisdom of the stars and the power of crystals lead you toward a life with purpose, balance, and joy.

Author:
Suzie Sandoval

https://www.allcrystal.com/author/suzie/

The post Exploring the Powerful Connection Between Planets and Crystals in Astrology appeared first on askAstrology.

Somewhere deep within you, though, there is a silence. In this silence is awareness. The awareness is awake. The awareness is alive. This silence cannot be imposed from the outside. It grows from deep within you like a plant, and it has always been there. Within this silence is the full truth of who you are.

As your thoughts chatter like the morning birds, they clutter and obscure this essential Being-ness that is your true self. This true self is simply awareness. It watches. It is a silent and all-seeing witness to your life. It does not judge nor interfere— it only observes. To rouse yourself to consciousness, therefore, you too must watch. You must become mindful, and in so doing, you create space for yourself.

Physical Mindfulness

Most of us eat without tasting, listen without hearing, and speak without noticing what we are saying. No matter where we might be, at our fingertips there is a whole universe of complexity to wonder at, yet we fail to even notice it is there.

If you begin to pay attention, every bite of food has a wealth of flavor. Every environment is abundant with beautiful colors and textures. Every moment is full of details to observe, acknowledge and appreciate. Every moment is infinitely complex if you stop and witness all the elements that are involved. A sea of stars hovers just behind the veil of sky at all times, unnoticed, and yet all you have to do is look up to see.

As you move through your physical environment, practice becoming aware. As you bend to pick up an object, notice the sensations in your body. As you walk outside, notice the wind on your cheek. As you perform simple tasks like doing the dishes, practice becoming totally present with every sensation involved.

As you become more and more aware, your hastiness ceases. You will stop needlessly rushing, and you will bring awareness into the parts of your mind that have atrophied and grown numb. As you become more watchful, the light of clarity will begin waxing in you. All of the energy that has been wasted upon chattering thoughts and impulsive cravings will be directed instead into sharpening your alert, hawk-like attention. As you become more aware of your body and its movements, unnecessary and counterproductive activities will fall away. Your body will become more relaxed, your senses will become more keenly sensitive and you will remain more deeply balanced within the vicissitudes of life. You will stop fidgeting, pacing about in circles and squandering your energy in ways that waste your potential.

Soon enough, your mind will be simply a pool of pure consciousness. This pure consciousness existed before you were born, and merely entered your body to use as a vehicle for experience. This pure consciousness is like a pair of eyes with a constant gaze looming at the depths of your being. One day your physical body will die, but this pure consciousness lives on forever as part of a cosmic whole. Even then it will be watching, awake, aware.

Read more about mindfulness:

• The Technique of Trance
• Feeling the Light Body
• Opening the Third Eye
• Ritualizing the Every Day

Mental Mindfulness

The next phase of mindfulness is to become aware of the movements of the mind. You may be surprised when you begin to observe the constant flitting about of your thoughts. You may be amazed to discover how often your attention wanders, and even more surprised at what your attention settles upon.

As an experiment, take fifteen minutes to yourself alone, and write down exactly what is going through your mind at that moment. Do not consciously pick a topic, or interpret, edit or change what it is. Simply write down the truth of what is going on within the walls of your mind— even if you have to rip it up and throw it in a fire later!

After ten minutes, read what you have written. This will give you great insight into the content of the streams that run like an undercurrent in your daily life. How often are you at work or driving or spending time with your family with your mind somewhere altogether different?

You may think your wandering attention has no effect upon what your body is doing, but it has a very great and dire effect. These unconscious happenings impact not only the results of the work that you do— they affect your entire perception and experience of life itself. The physical world is not as real as you think. Only the consciousness of your mind is real. Therefore, if you are not in the present moment, you are like one who is sleep-walking or intoxicated. You are not really seeing—you are only stumbling by and reacting in a random and haphazard manner.

When you catch yourself drifting into “auto-pilot”, simply acknowledge what has happened and return to the present. Do not judge yourself when this happens, but instead affirm the benefit of the awareness of your thought patterns as they really are. Becoming conscious of the truth as it is in this current moment means that you are on the path to becoming more awakened. All of your power lies in your ability to be fully mindful. Once you become awake, reality becomes ever more real, and you yourself become more real within it.

Want more?

• Magic and Yoga
• The Magical Use of Color
• The Role of the Subconscious in Manifestation
• Understanding the Human Shadow

Temporal Mindfulness

Most of us spend our whole lives living in the present and the future while completely abandoning the present. We spend our days planning, plotting and worrying things to come, and fall asleep at night stewing over what is already over and done with. Both the past and the future are only figments of our imagination that do not really exist.

The past is only kept alive by attention to it. If you withdrew your attention from things which angered or upset you, they would cease to be real. So many of us dwell upon our grievances, living and re-living the injustice anew every day, yet only our attention and fixation is real, while the event is not.

The future operates according to its own plan and cannot be accurately predicted or altered. You may spend weeks, months or years living in a future that you are anticipating, only to have something completely different happen instead. What, then, did you do for all that time? The majesty of the present was sitting there for you and you let it pass by, living instead in a world that never was.

Each time you catch yourself living in the past or the future, do not judge yourself. Simply return to the present. Your attention will wander again and again and again, because you have lived your whole life training your mind to operate in this way. The more you continually practice redirecting your attention back to the present over and over, the stronger the muscle of your mind will become. Your mind will become used to living in the present.

The post Practicing Mindfulness: A Guide to Creating Space for Yourself appeared first on askAstrology.

Every sabbat celebrates each seasonal change or turning point, as Lughnasad marks the midway between the summer solstice, Litha, and the autumn equinox, Mabon.

Lughnasad celebrates the grain harvest, as it is essential. Families could starve if the grains were not harvested from the fields on time.  Harvesting grains before Lughnasad in early Ireland was a bad idea because farmers were failing their communities since the grains were not ready. Let’s now talk about the traditions and celebrations.

What Are The Traditions And Celebrations For Lughnasad?

Lughnasad honors Lugh, a Celtic god that rules craftsmanship, fighting, and blacksmithing. Some say that the celebration of Lughnasad is because August 1st was the date of Lugh’s wedding feat or that Lugh held a harvest celebration to create a tribute to his foster mother, Tailtiu.

Many pagans celebrate Lughnasad by baking bread as they welcome the early harvests of fruit such as raspberries, black currants, pears, grapes, root vegetables, corn, and wheat. Many also make corn dolls out of husk leaves or wheat sheaves as they hang them around their homes. They use these corn dolls to reach out to Lugh and other deities to bless their efforts to bring a good harvest.

Another thing that many pagans do when celebrating Lughnasad is by going to a farmers market and pick up seasonal fruits and vegetables or grow their own in their gardens. Typically feasts involving harvest foods are held to celebrate the sabbat. Desserts such as pies and cakes, including the grains and fruits associated with the sabbat, are typically enjoyed. In addition to that, pagans set up their altars for Lughnasad.

• The Wheel of the Year and the 8 Wiccan Sabbats

Decorating A Lughnasad Altar

Part of the Lughnasad celebrations is decorating an altar for the sabbat. If you want to do this, you will want to find an area of your home that you find sacred or quiet to decorate the altar. If you use a cloth, then you will want to use one that contains red, orange, or yellow, which is the color that represents the sun. You can also use earth colors such as brown or green.

As you have your altar base set up, you can layer it with items that mean a lot to you. Some ideas are yellow, orange, or red candles, corn dolls, sunflowers, grapes, honey, grains, and root vegetables. You can also add crystals such as amber, sardonyx, green aventurine, citrine, and carnelian. Remember, there is no right or wrong when decorating the Lughnasad altar, and you want to decorate one that is ideal for you.

You will also want to do a Lughnasad tarot reading to add to the celebration, as I will do a collective Lughnasad reading based on a spread found on Ethony.com.

Lughnasad Tarot Reading

This Lughnasad tarot reading is a five-card spread emphasizing the concepts of the first harvest and using your skills and talents to get where you want to go. The first card indicates the theme for Lughnasad, and you place the card in the middle. The second card is on the left of card one, slightly elevated, and it represents the goals you have and wants to focus on achieving during the seasonal cycle.

• Tarot 101

The third card is located on the right of card one, slightly elevated, and it indicates inspiration, as what energies you can rely on to help make you your best during this cycle. Card four is on the left of card one, lower and beneath card two, representing the harvest which focuses on what you must be grateful for during this cycle. Finally, card five is on the right of card one and lower, and beneath card three is Lugh’s bread, and the focus is on what you need to release so you can prosper. Now, let’s do a tarot reading for Lughnasad.

Card one: Death

Card two: Two of Wands

Card three: High Priestess

Card four: Ten of Cups

Card five: Star

Let’s now elaborate on each card and what message each one has for you.

Card One: Death

The theme for Lughnasad is Death, which means there will be endings, and you can expect many transformations to happen. You can interpret that in any way that makes the most sense to you, but you will expect significant changes during this season. You may be changing jobs, or something will transform your relationships, whether it is your romantic relationship or friendship. You may be going through significant transformations yourself. Whatever it is, the shifts you will go through are the theme. Transformations are complex, and you will want to give yourself grace for these changes. Let’s look at the next card.

Card Two: Two of Wands

The second card represents your goals and wants that you want to focus on to achieve during this seasonal cycle. The Two of Wands comes up, a card indicating planning and making decisions. It is a card that shows that you should not entirely take action as there are steps you need to focus on before you take any action and make any decision. What this card represents would be relevant to card one. Therefore, whatever transformation you face during this season, your goal is to make plans and decisions around it without taking any action.

Card Three: High Priestess

The third card represents inspiration and what energies you can rely on to make the most of the season. The High Priestess comes up, which means psychic ability, intuition, and secrets. That is a reminder never to doubt your intuition and rely on it because it tells you how to handle your situations best. Reflecting on card one, Death shows that you are undergoing some transformations, which will be challenging. The challenge is to separate your emotions from your intuition and rely on what your heart is telling you. Also, the challenge is not to second-guess yourself about what you feel deep down and go with it.

Card Four: Ten of Cups

Card four represents the harvest and what you should be grateful for this season, and the Ten of Cups comes up. That means focusing on your friends and those you consider family and their support. The Ten of Cups is also the happiness card, meaning you will want to focus on whatever makes you happy and be grateful for it. And that is also a reminder if you are going through some challenging times during this cycle, lean on your family (blood or not) as they are there to help you through any transformations and transitions you face.

Card Five: Star

Card five represents Lugh’s bread which is whatever you need to release during this time so you have the best chance to prosper. The Star comes up, and that may sound counterintuitive that a card representing hopes and aspirations means what you need to release. However, it would be best if you thought hard about whether the fact or not that the hope you have may be something you are clinging to too much. This does not mean not having any hope that things will go well, but it is a message of letting go of the attachment of it and allowing things to unfold as they are meant to unfold. It is okay to hope with detachment as you remain realistic.

My collective reading for Lughnasad indicates that you will undergo major shifts and transformations this season. And the advice is to make plans and decisions around it carefully without taking any unplanned action. Trust your intuition as you do this, and rely on the support of your friends and family as you go through these shifts. Also, be sure to stay realistic and not cling to any fantasies and false hope.

Lughnasad is a sabbat marking the midway point between Litha and Mabon, and it is a time to celebrate the grain harvest, as many traditions happen during this sabbat. Feasts involving grains, root vegetables, and fruits such as raspberries and grapes occur, and the colors to focus on are red, orange, and yellow. When building an altar for Lughnasad, you would utilize those colors. And you may want to do a tarot reading to provide insight into what you are facing during the sabbat. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate Lughnasad. Enjoy the festivities and your celebration of Lughnasad.

• Litha 2023: Tarot Reading and Rituals to celebrate the summer solstice

The post Lughnasad 2023: Tarot Reading and Rituals to give thanks to the Sun and the Harvest appeared first on askAstrology.

Do you want to learn about useful ways to use zodiac gems daily?

Then you’re in the right place.

Zodiac crystals are unique gemstones related to each zodiac sign based on their energetic qualities and vibrational frequencies. Each zodiac sign has its own traits and energies reflected in these crystals. They boost a person’s skills and good qualities while balancing and helping them in areas where they may need to grow.

This article aims to offer practical examples and applications of zodiac crystals. We’ll help you choose the right crystals based on your zodiac sign and personal preferences.

No matter how much you know about crystals or how new you are to them, our easy-to-understand advice will help you handle the zodiac with crystals and unlock their potential to change your life.

Understanding Zodiac Crystals

Zodiac signs and crystals are interconnected through their properties and healing benefits. Each zodiac sign represents distinct personality traits and energies; similarly, crystals possess unique vibrations. When these two elements align, they create a harmonious synergy.

For instance, if a specific zodiac sign is known for its capacity for creativity and communication, then a stone with traits promoting those qualities can greatly benefit.

Understanding the connection between zodiac signs and crystals allows us to tap into the specific energies and healing benefits that align with our individual zodiac signs, supporting our well-being and personal growth.

What are Zodiac Signs

Astrology is a set of ideas that says people are born with certain traits and qualities that are based on their birth charts. In astrology, zodiac signs are used to explain things. The Sun’s location at the time of a person’s birth determines their zodiac sign.

There are 12 zodiac signs, each associated with a different month. People often link these signals and different parts of their personalities, skills, and weaknesses.

Zodiac crystals are gemstones linked to each zodiac sign based on their energy and metaphysical traits. People believe these crystals resonate with the energy of the associated zodiac sign, boosting its good qualities and helping to find balance in areas that may need it.

For example, a person whose astrology sign is Leo may have a zodiac crystal linked to courage, self-expression, and self-confidence. All of these are things that people often think of when they think of Leos.

 Using zodiac crystals, people can connect to their zodiac sign’s unique strengths and traits, which can help them grow and feel better.

Understanding Zodiac Sign-Element Correspondences

In astrology, the zodiac signs are connected to four elements: Fire, Earth, Air, and Water. Each element represents distinct energies and characteristics, which can guide us in selecting the right crystals for each zodiac sign.

Fire Signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius)

Individuals born under a fire sign are characterized by their bustling energy and intense passion. They possess a fiery drive that compels them to take action and work diligently to achieve their goals. These signs exude confidence and often assume leadership roles, naturally inspiring others.

Fire signs constantly seek new adventures and eagerly embrace challenges. Their warm and charismatic nature makes them captivating and easily approachable. They possess abundant energy and are often pioneers in exploring new ideas or pushing boundaries to attain what they desire.

Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn)

Individuals born under an Earth sign exhibit groundedness, dependability, and a practical outlook on life. They have a strong connection to the physical world, valuing stability and security. These signs pay meticulous attention to detail and approach tasks systematically.

Earth signs deeply appreciate nature, finding solace and tranquility in its beauty. They embody kindness and reliability, always ready to lend a helping hand and guide others. With their strong work ethic and practical mindset, they excel in material pursuits and demonstrate efficient resource management skills.

Air Signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius)

Air signs are known for their intellect, effective communication skills, and sociable nature. They possess sharp mental agility and engage in meaningful conversations, eager to exchange ideas. These signs have an innate curiosity, constantly seeking new knowledge and alternative perspectives. They excel in articulating their thoughts and emotions with clarity.

These individuals value harmony and fairness, consistently striving for equitable interactions. They thrive in social environments, effortlessly forming connections with others and creating an atmosphere of liveliness. With their visionary mindset and innovative thinking, they often introduce fresh ideas and original viewpoints.

Water Signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)

People born under a Water sign are characterized by profound emotional depth, heightened intuition, and sensitivity. They possess a keen awareness of their own emotions and empathize with the feelings of others. These signs possess an inherent ability to understand and care for the emotional well-being of those around them.

Water signs are intuitive and often pick up on feelings that aren’t always obvious. They are naturally drawn to things that are creative and artistic. These caring people often take on nurturing jobs, helping and supporting those who need it.

• Developing Intuition for Working with Crystals

Selecting Zodiac Crystals

When choosing zodiac crystals, it all begins with knowing your birth sign. Each zodiac sign is associated with specific qualities and strengths, and researching crystals connected to your sign can help you find the ones that resonate with your energy.

For instance, crystals like Carnelian or Citrine can boost your confidence and passion if you’re an energetic Aries. Another is a grounded Taurus; you may find stability and balance with crystals like Jasper or Hematite. Exploring different crystals and their associations with your birth sign can guide you in discovering the ones that align with your unique energy.

However, while zodiac correspondences provide valuable insights, personal preferences, and intuition are equally important in crystal selection. Each crystal has its own distinct energy, and you may feel drawn to certain crystals that resonate with you, regardless of your zodiac sign.

Trusting your instincts and choosing crystals based on your feelings is key. Crystals that catch your eye or evoke positive emotions often have significant meaning for your journey.

Remember, the power of a crystal lies in its ability to connect with your energy and intentions. So, honor your intuition and select the crystals that truly resonate with you, regardless of traditional correspondences.

Examples of Zodiac Crystals

Crystals can powerfully affect our lives; each sign element can uniquely benefit from them. Let’s look at some of the best gems for each element and the possible benefits they can bring.

Best Crystals for Fire Signs (Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius)

• Carnelian: Boosts energy and confidence
• Citrine: Promotes creativity and abundance.
• Sunstone: Enhances vitality and personal power while
• Amber: Brings warmth and positivity.
• Pyrite: Can amplify motivation and success.

Best Crystals for Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn)

• Green Aventurine: Promotes abundance and emotional balance.
• Hematite: Grounding and protective properties.
• Tigers Eye: Enhances practicality and focus.
• Moss Agate: Fosters stability and growth.
• Jasper: Provides a sense of stability and security.

Best Crystals for Air Signs (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius)

• Blue Lace Agate: Enhances communication and soothes the mind.
• Clear Quartz: Amplifies clarity and concentration.
• Amethyst: Promotes spiritual growth and intuition.
• Selenite: Clears the mind and creates a peaceful environment.
• Aventurine: Brings opportunities and enhances curiosity.

Best Crystals for Water Signs (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces)

• Moonstone: Enhances intuition and emotional balance.
• Rose Quartz: Promotes love and compassion.
• Aquamarine: Encourages emotional courage and clarity.
• Sodalite: Enhances communication and self-expression.
• Labradorite: Amplifies intuition and spiritual connection.

Maintaining the Vibrancy of Your Zodiac Crystals

To maintain the energy and effectiveness of your zodiac crystals, consider the following suggestions:

• Regular Cleansing: Clean your crystals often to eliminate any bad energies that have built up and to bring back their natural vibrations. This helps make sure your crystals work as well as they can.
• Intentional Programming: Make sure your crystals know what you want them to do by holding them in your hands and thinking about your goals or plans. Imagine your intentions being put into the crystals and working harmoniously with your energy.
• Respectful Handling: Be careful and respectful when you handle your crystals. Don’t drop or treat them roughly because they are fragile and could chip or break. Treat them with love and respect, and remember that they can heal and change.

By following these care tips, you can maintain the energy and effectiveness of your zodiac crystals, allowing them to support and enhance your journey. Trust your intuition and listen to what your crystals guide you towards. Experiment with different methods and find the ones that resonate most with you and your crystals.

Final Thoughts

Zodiac Crystals use the unique energies and properties of crystals to improve and align with the qualities and traits of each zodiac sign. When we connect with zodiac crystals that match our birth sign, our energy and the crystal’s vibration work together well. This alignment can help us in many ways, like building on our skills, dealing with problems, finding a good balance, and growing as people.

Author:
Suzie Sandoval

https://www.allcrystal.com/author/suzie/

The post Navigating the Zodiac with Crystals: Real-world Examples and Practical Guidance appeared first on askAstrology.

Flying Dreams: A Deeper Look

Flying dreams often have spiritual significance, as they can evoke a sense of liberation. You may have recently overcome a barrier or obstacle in your life. This newfound freedom may be reflected in your flying dream.

If you feel like you’ve lost control and have nothing to ground you, you might experience anxiety-inducing flying dreams. These are just a few examples of the spiritual meanings behind flying dreams, but there are many more to explore. People often have flying dreams in negative situations.

• Let’s discover the Top 6 Dreamers Of The Zodiac

Having a Need to Escape

There has been a time in everyone’s life when they have needed to escape. Maybe you had a flying dream when you went to school and couldn’t wait until the school year was over, so you felt free and happy that you had escaped a cruel teacher. You may not have gotten along with your parents when you were a college student, but you did not have the means to live independently.

Living with your parents when you’re not getting along with them can feel suffocating. This is especially when you’re at an age where you should be moving out alone, but money is a barrier. During those difficult times, you may have dreamed of flying, giving you freedom. Similarly, those flying dreams may have provided a brief respite from pain and stress when dealing with caregiving challenges.Sometimes one can be trapped in a monotonous and stressful situation, leaving their body desperate for rest. It is not unusual to experience a flying dream that feels like a blissful escape. This represents the only moment of freedom from a time-consuming and energy-draining obligation. Such a dream provides momentary respite. Another common reason for a flying dream is feeling powerful.

Feeling Powerful

It’s common to feel empowered when dreaming of flying. This exhilarating experience allows you to become a superhero and become powerful. However, this feeling does not necessarily translate to reality. In fact, you may feel powerless in your waking life. The flying dream may represent your subconscious desire for extraordinary qualities, such as flying ability.

It’s possible that you don’t feel completely helpless and instead want to take control of your life. People with these aspirations may feel empowered after waking up but then struggle to find the energy and strength to progress in their everyday lives. However, this feeling may be deceiving.

• You want to know more? 6 Common Dream Themes and Their Meanings

Sometimes Flying Can Make You Feel Like You Have No Power

Regarding flying dreams, the opposite of feeling in control may be true. You might feel powerless and unable to move, much like in falling dreams that can be terrifying. Perhaps you are experiencing a significant change in your life, causing you to feel scared and unbalanced, struggling to find your footing. These flying dreams can bring on anxieties, but they can also remind you to take things one step at a time and be gentle with yourself. It’s okay to be afraid, and it’s essential to approach the situation with patience. Now, let’s discuss the next interpretation.

You Can Gain A New Perspective

When you dream about flying, it doesn’t always mean you feel free or out of control. Flying allows you to see things from a different perspective as you soar above and witness things you may have never seen before. Unless you’re in a balloon, helicopter, or airplane or viewing drone footage, you won’t experience this perspective. Flying can instill confidence, but if something is weighing you down, a change of perspective may be just what you need to overcome it.

When flying at a lower altitude and experiencing the world from an entirely different perspective, your guides and subconscious can help you gain a fresh outlook on your situation. Additionally, you’ll sense the clouds and nearby birds as they soar alongside you. Furthermore, flying above traffic allows you to avoid obstacles.

Imagine driving in heavy traffic with road blockages, only to realize there’s been an accident further down the road causing the slow movement. Despite the sluggish pace, you keep inching forward. However, if you flew above the scene, you’d have a broader perspective and be able to see what’s happening. This shift in perspective can instill confidence and help you avoid traffic and accidents. However, if you still feel defeated, it’s time to consider a fresh perspective.

Imagine a scenario where you dream of flying to gain a fresh perspective. You may be currently job hunting in a highly competitive field and experiencing rejection after rejection. Although you remain confident in your abilities and hopeful for success, constant setbacks weigh you down. It’s understandable to feel defeated in such a situation, but it’s imperative to keep pushing forward and maintaining your determination.

It’s understandable to feel disappointed about not finding a suitable job. However, it’s important to believe that the perfect opportunity is still out there and the ones you turned down weren’t the right fit. If you accepted them, you may have been unhappy and unchallenged in those roles. Keep faith that the right job will come your way, and don’t give up your pursuit. There is also another interpretation of flying dreams that relate to the ego.

• Learn more about Lucid Dreaming

You Need To Control Your Ego

If you are experiencing no sense of defeat but possess excessive confidence, you might encounter a dream about flying for a different reason. This could indicate your superiority complex, where you perceive yourself as superior to others, which can be detrimental in the future. The dream serves as a reminder to keep your ego in check as you may look down on others physically and metaphorically.

Your upbringing may not have been easy, but you have succeeded independently. However, it’s important to remember that not everyone has had the same opportunities and experiences as you. You may be unintentionally developing a sense of superiority over those who have struggled to overcome their trauma. Checking your ego and approaching others with empathy and understanding are imperative.

It is said that having a dream of flying signifies not underestimating anyone. Everyone has their own path and strives to do their finest. Encountering someone who triggers an unresolved issue may cause you to stumble and fall from grace. Therefore, it’s critical to approach others with humility.

Flying dreams can have various meanings based on the situations you face in your waking life. Perhaps you are in a stressful situation and long for an escape, or you are allowing your ego to get out of control. It is up to you to interpret their significance and understand how they relate to you personally. Each dream holds importance, and by comprehending its message, you can better address the underlying situation. You can find dreams’ meanings by looking at online dream dictionaries and learning about what your dreams mean through that.

• How to Manifest Your Dreams with the Law of Attraction

The post What Does it Mean When You Dream About Flying? appeared first on askAstrology.

Fate And Free Will

For centuries, philosophers and religious leaders have debated whether life is governed by fate or free will. Many religious leaders believe what happens to you is fated because the Higher Power is responsible for how things turn out. According to this belief, hardships are meant to help you grow closer to your Higher Power or God.

Because of this, they believe everything you experience results from God’s will. Others, however, believe you can’t escape situations because of karma. It may be so. In other words, they may say your life is predestined based on the experiences you agreed to have in your life to grow spiritually rather than karma. Therefore, you will not grow from pleasant life experiences. If everything was going perfectly for you, where is that growth? It becomes s stagnant bliss.

However, plenty of people believe that the circumstances you face result from free will, and they do not believe in destiny. Their attitude is that life happens at random and that random stuff happens! Atheists and skeptics hold this belief.

Alternatively, some believe that life is a combination of the two. Your life experiences are likely the result of destiny and free will, even though no concrete proof exists. You can intuitively sense this belief as true, even though there is no way to prove it.

• Read our article Divination: Am I Ruled by Fate or Free Will?

Do You Know How Free Will And Destiny Can Rule Your Life?

The definitions of destiny and free will should be discussed briefly before answering that question. Your destiny is everything that your soul plans to happen in your life before you are born. Therefore, you are fated to experience specific situations regarding destiny, and there is no escape from it. However, free will refers to everything that happens due to your decisions. Most psychics, intuitive workers, and even spiritual leaders find that the events in your life result from both at work.

While it may seem counterintuitive, free will cannot influence your life if everything goes according to plan. Even though you cannot escape certain situations, you can choose how to handle them.

For example, you were born into a family that did not have much money. Because you didn’t have the money to eat, you lived on government assistance during your childhood.

The reality is that you do not have to remain poor as an adult. Instead, you may come across someone who will influence you to change your mindset from lack to abundance as one of your destiny points.

However, free will has a role in this by deciding whether to continue living in poverty or learn how to change your mindset to attract abundance. Despite meeting someone meant to change your thinking, you may not think you deserve to make money. Keeping that way of thinking depends entirely on free will.

Often, predestined challenges cause your soul to grow if you’ve been dealt a challenging hand. Unfortunately, allowing these challenges to define you can lead to you living a mediocre life because of your ego. When you allow your challenges to define you, you display victim-like thinking that would be a misuse of free will.

In other words, destiny is determined by your Higher Self, and your ego determines free will. The best way to deal with challenges is to tap into your intuition and higher self. Do some destiny points develop while you are incarnated, or are they all predetermined before birth? Let’s discuss that.

Before Birth, Are All Destiny Points Determined?

It’s something I’ve discussed. According to some gurus, all destiny points were predetermined before birth. However, I disagree. You have some pre-determined destiny points, but many new ones are created due to your choices. Your soul creates the new destiny points for your evolution and growth while you sleep, so you won’t remember creating them. You do know that your soul leaves your body as you sleep, so that is when you discuss new destiny points with your guides. Your soul is attached to a silver cord, so you return to your body upon awakening.

Let’s return to the low-income family example. While growing up on government assistance, you would have experienced poverty as part of your evolution. It was a fated childhood for you, given that you were born into this situation. In adulthood, you can choose what type of life you want to live. Despite the possibility of living a more prosperous life, you may continue to live a poor life. However, it is also possible for you to learn how to improve your financial situation in the future.

Your fate also determines that you will come into contact with someone who can help them improve your financial situation at some point in their lives, which would be known as a soul contract with someone who can give you that opportunity. Individuals’ choices are determined by their free will.

Say you felt unworthy of living wealthier and chose to maintain your parent’s lifestyle. Therefore, you will create new destiny points based on that decision. For example, if you were evicted from your apartment and could only afford an apartment in a crime-ridden neighborhood, one new destiny point would provide the purpose of having to fend for yourself to build resilience.

Choosing a wealthier lifestyle, however, would not create that destiny point in your soul’s plan. On the other hand, when you build a business and break away from the impoverished mindset, you create new destiny points that nurture that decision. For example, you would generate destiny points that would help you develop resilience when dealing with competitors and even losses and opportunities for building problem-solving abilities.

Therefore, you are likely born with a set of destiny points in life that you cannot escape, but because you also have free will, you can create new destiny points. Therefore, regardless of your situation, making the best of it is essential.

• Understanding Money and Work in Your Astrology Chart

What Can You Do With The Cards Life Deals You?

A person with an advanced soul will choose more challenges to evolve than someone with a less developed soul. However, even those who have had the most challenging lives can also come out as winners, and that is because they learned to play their cards right despite the challenges they faced. And they used their free will to their advantage to come out to the other side better.

Let’s return to the example of being born into a low-income family and you decide to adopt a wealthy mindset and live in wealth instead of poverty. You have the free will to make that positive change. And that means your free will can be put to the best use in a similar situation. Also, you should develop an attitude of gratitude that can improve your life.

If you did not have free will, you wouldn’t be able to change your life and only live the life of what your soul decided would happen in life before your incarnation. That can be terrible for so many reasons, as that does not give your soul the opportunity to evolve.

Free will allows you to improve your life, but you want to maximize it. You can achieve that regardless of your challenges due to fated events. Get support if you’re choosing to succeed. As a result, you can learn to win at life even though your soul decided to hand you a challenging hand before your birth, and those who support you can positively influence you and help you come up with solutions to improve your life.

The post Fate And Free Will: How do they Work Together? appeared first on askAstrology.

In addition, many families are taking the time to go on summer vacations. And you will want to cool down with cold drinks, ice cream, and dishes.

The start of the summer season marks a celebration, and that is known as Litha. Litha is a pagan holiday celebrating the summer solstice, typically on June 20th or 21st in the Northern Hemisphere, but it falls on June 21st this year. Many not following pagan traditions may have their own way of celebrating Litha. There are many Litha customs, and whoever honors the Sabbat will celebrate it in their own way. However, there are many standard customs; let’s go over those right now.

Dancing Around Bonfires

Lighting a bonfire is a common tradition during Litha. The fire is believed to represent the sun and its power. The sun is the closest to the Earth during the summer, and it is always right over the Tropic of Cancer, which is June 21st when Cancer season starts. The sun over the Tropic of Cancer makes the summer solstice official, and it is the time when the nights are short and the days are longer.

Those who observe Litha will dance around the bonfire. Dancing around the bonfire is a traditional way to celebrate Litha. It is believed to bring good luck and fertility. So even if pregnancy is not something you are looking for, you can dance around the bonfire because the belief is that it can bring wealth too. So if you want to bring prosperity to you, you will want to dance around the bonfire lit during Litha.

• The Wheel of the Year and the 8 Wiccan Sabbats

Feasting

In addition to dancing around the bonfire, those honoring the Sabbat will be feasting. Sharing a meal with family and friends is a tradition in Litha. Foods in season, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, are often served. Other foods will include honey, and the meals will contain plenty of herbs. And, of course, you have to take advantage of the barbecue. If you are not a vegan, you can throw your favorite meat on there, or if you are, enjoy it with some jackfruit. Many desserts made with herbs, such as cookies and cakes, are often served.

Decorating The Altar With Flowers

Flowers symbolize the season and are often used to decorate outdoor altars and other sacred spaces. Therefore, when setting up your altar for Litha, you will want to set it outside. Still, if it is raining or you don’t have enough space outdoors, you can set it up by the window so there is some sunlight (even if it is raining, keep it by the window as it will eventually stop raining) hitting it.

You will decorate your altar with plenty of flowers, as there is no right or wrong way to do that. You can add as many flowers to your altar as you like or as few as you would like. And you will want to add some orange candles, as they symbolize the sun. Orange is the color of the sacral chakra, which represents fertility, creativity, and empowerment, which is relevant to Litha.

You will want to also add some crystals to the altar, such as ruby, citrine, garnet, carnelian, Tiger’s Eye, and Sunstone, representing the summer solstice.

• Summer Solstice, reincarnation & The Sun card

Wearing Flower Crowns

It is traditional to make flower crowns during Litha, which symbolizes the season’s abundance and fertility. Therefore, you can wear them as you dance around the bonfire to help bring prosperity and good luck. And while you are having the summer feast, you can wear them too. Anyone can wear them; these flower crowns can also lighten your mood as they contain light and prosperous energy. This is a time of creativity, so you can be as creative as you like when you make them.

Sun Rituals

Sun rituals are a standard part of the Litha celebrations in many pagan traditions, like the bonfire. Other rituals include sun salutations. Sun salutations are a yoga practice involving a series of sequences of poses. During Litha, some pagans perform sun salutations to honor the sun’s power and energy. There are also meditations.

Meditation is a common practice in many pagan traditions, and some practitioners may perform special meditations during Litha to connect with the energy of the sun and the season. Finally, there are offering rituals. Some pagans perform offering ceremonies during Litha to thank the sun for its energy and blessings. Offerings may include flowers, herbs, or other items associated with the season.

Divination

Litha is a potent time for divination, and some practitioners may use sun rituals to perform divination to gain insight into the future. Reading tarot is a common practice for sabbats, and that includes Litha.

• Tarot 101

Here is a five-card Litha tarot spread from Ethony, which focuses on where you are currently, your power, strength, and abundance. The spread is a cross, with three cards across, one card above the middle, and one below it. Cards one, two, and three are in a vertical position. Card one is in the middle, card two is above it, and card three is below it. Then card four is on the right of card one, and five is on the left.

Card one focuses on the self, as it points to the energies surrounding you and where you currently are. The second card indicates your power, as it shows what is powerful at the moment and how you can make the most of it. Then, card three represents your strength, showing your inner strength and how to utilize it so you can focus on your energies.

Card four indicates abundance, showing what is abundant for you right now. Finally, card five is your blessing. What is blessing you right now, and how can you acknowledge your gifts in life currently?

Let’s do a collective Litha reading now. So this is what I have.

Card one: Strength

Card two: Four of Swords

Card three: Ten of Cups

Card four: Chariot

Card five: High Priestess

Card One: Strength

Right now, Strength indicates that you are in a position where you have to rely on your inner strength. Perhaps you had had a challenging spring or time before that, which you had to dig into your inner reserves to handle. You may be tired, but the message from this card is that you are stronger than you think.

This card can also indicate physical strength. You may be deliberately strengthening your muscles and focusing on fitness for the summer. However, you may also have to be strong for those around you.

Card Two: Four of Swords

Right now, the most powerful thing for you is what the Four of Swords represents. It is funny how Strength means yourself, but the power within that is represented by the Four of Swords, which is the card representing rest and recovery. Therefore, the only way to continue to be strong is to ensure you get plenty of rest to recharge yourself and continue to function at your best.

You must never underestimate the power of rest and recovery; if you do not take advantage of it, you will burn out, which is the last thing you want to happen.

Card Three: Ten of Cups

This card shows what is deep in your inner strength, and the Ten of Cups shows up, which is a strong indicator that you need the support of your friends and family, whether they are blood-related, to be at your very best. Without the support of your friends and family, you will struggle to find the strength within.

The Ten of Cups is the happiness card, which means you have to do what makes you the happiest to be strong. If you are unhappy, you will lose your strength.

Card Four: Chariot

This card indicates what is abundant for you, and the Chariot comes up. That shows you have drive. No matter how down you get, you will find it within to keep going because you have drive. When there is a will, there is a way. That is always the message from the Chariot.

When you look at card three, the Ten of Cups, you also have that to rely on as that fuels your drive. You would never want to let your family and friends down anyway.

Card Five: High Priestess

Finally, the last card is the High Priestess, which indicates your blessing and is the best gift you want to utilize. You have the advantage of intuition and want to use that best, let alone never dismiss it. Intuition is a gift and use it well. Go with what you feel. The High Priestess is also psychic; everyone has some ability, and others have more, but everyone is somewhat blessed with it. Ensure that you pay attention to it and allow it to help you with your decisions, as long as you can find a way to keep emotions apart.

The message is you are stronger than you think, but take advantage of those times to rest. Also, rely on your friends and family to help you get through challenging times, and you will do it because you have drive and they motivate you. Finally, always rely on the gift of intuition when making decisions and making the best of your life.

Litha marks the start of the summer solstice, and this is a time to celebrate the sunshine and the hot weather and a time of abundance. Dance around the bonfires, create an outdoor altar with plenty of flowers, and enjoy the Litha feast of fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, and barbecue meals. Take advantage of the outdoors, as the weather will often be in your favor. Have a wonderful summer!

The post Litha 2023: Tarot Reading and Rituals to celebrate the summer solstice appeared first on askAstrology.

They have been and are invoked in prayer and meditation to help a person or society receive wisdom and provide grace in the area overseen by the deity.

This article, and ones that follow, will look at various deities, their roles, and how to invoke them as guides and benefactors. The deity for this article is Horus.

Who is Horus?

Horus was an important ancient Egyptian deity who fulfilled a variety of roles, including God of kingship and the sky. From at least late prehistoric Egypt until the Ptolemaic Kingdom and Roman Egypt, he was revered. Different versions of Horus have been documented throughout history, and Egyptologists treat them as separate gods. These diverse forms could be different representations of the same multi-layered deity, with different traits or relationships emphasized, not necessarily in antagonism but complementary to one another, as the Ancient Egyptians perceived reality’s many faces. He was frequently shown as a falcon, most likely a peregrine falcon, or as a man wearing a falcon mask.

His Most Famous Symbol, the Eye of Horus

The Eye of Horus is an ancient Egyptian symbol of royal power and protection from deities, specifically Horus or Ra. Horus’ mother, Isis, and other deities related with her are depicted with the sign. This symbol was known as “wedjat” in Egyptian language. It was the eye of Wadjet, one of the earliest Egyptian gods, who was later identified with Bastet, Mut, and Hathor. This emblem began as Wadjet’s all-seeing eye, as she was a solar deity. Hathor is also shown with this eye in early artwork. The Eye of Horus was frequently carved into funerary amulets.

The Wedjat, or Eye of Horus, is “the focal part” of seven bracelets found on Shoshenq II’s mummy, made of gold, faience, carnelian, and lapis lazuli. The Wedjat’s purpose was to “guard the king [here] in the afterlife” as well as fend off evil. To ensure safe sea sailing, Egyptian and Near Eastern sailors would regularly paint the sign on the bow of their ship.

A Modern Take

Here is his card in the oracle deck, Gods and Titans, by Stacey DeMarco:

From the booklet:

About Horus: “Horus is the Egyptian eagle headed God and son/twin flame of the goddess Isis. He is known for his foresight, psychic awareness, and ability to travel between the worlds. He can help us move into the cosmos with our mind, meditations, and prayers so that we can harness the natural magic that surrounds us. He was known for ritual magic in the past, and now he helps to create pockets of energy in the world where we can access light, wisdom, and insight. If you are seeing the symbol of an eye appearing around you, know that Horus is asking you to become aware of how you are influencing the energy around you, and how in turn the energy is influencing you.”

Extended Message from Horus: “You are connected to the Universe and have the ability to manifest miraculous experiences. Your thoughts, words and actions are like magnets drawing the energy that creates and cultivates your world. You have a stellar gateway chakra above your hear, a vortex of energy that is influenced by our own energy. You can place ideas into this vortex to create what you are seeking. The Universe also offers you guidance, abundance, support, and healing based on your capacity to connect to it and accept it. You have a real opportunity to further that connection now by sending prayers and intentions our into the cosmos.”

Why Invoke Horus?

You would choose to invoke Horus when you need to transition or move through a gateway in your life and spiritual journey. You also want to invoke him when you to manifest an outcome and want to do so with “clear vision” and focused intention. Horus is the god you want to help you navigate storms, treacherous circumstances, and questionable relationships.

Horus is also a god to invoke when you need a blessing to get a complicated task done or to see your way to the best conclusion. If what you need to do involves significant choices and outcomes, then Horus is a deity to have guiding you.

Specific Request, Temporary Guide, Council Member

All deities are available to us. Some may prove to be spiritual council members for us, while others serve as temporary guides, or best fulfill a specific request.

You can ask Horus’ guidance for a specific request, such as, “Help me understand how I got myself into this mess and how to get out of it?” Or “Help me move in the direction of my soul purpose”. If you decide to ask for a specific request and he is not a member of your council, then be sure to make a proper sacrifice or payment ahead of or during your request. You may honor him by donating to a falcon sanctuary, like the Carolina Raptor Center.

You can ask him to be a temporary guide through a drawn-out spiritual quest. Any process that will test your spiritual mettle or deepen your insight can be something Horus can help you move through, successfully. The greater the request, the greater the honor, so you might want to purchase and wear his talisman (a falcon or bird of prey on a necklace). Or you might consider getting his eye symbol tattooed on your body, for more permanent access to his power and blessing.

If you recognize that Horus is a member of your council, he does not need to be the head of your council, just a valued member. Much of his invocation deals with specific moments when you need to see clearly, address the truth, and move from one state of being to a higher one.

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What Does It Mean When Butterflies Visit After A Loved One Passes?

Many people know that the spiritual meaning behind the butterfly means transformation and rebirth, and that is why butterflies are chosen as the messengers from your loved ones and friends beyond the veil to let you know that they have not died; they have only transformed from being in the physical to the spiritual realms. Butterflies transform through a metamorphosis as they become butterflies after their infant caterpillar stage.

Will a butterfly suddenly fly over to you in the middle of winter if your loved one passes during the fall or the winter? If you live in a colder climate, no, as they are hibernating. However, butterflies will come to you differently if it happens during the coldest time of the year. You may dream about butterflies, which would be your loved ones and friends from the Other Side letting you know they are okay unless they decide to visit you in the dream themselves. Or, the symbol may come to you in other ways.

For example, you may walk into a clothing store, and the first thing you see is a pajama top with butterflies. Yes, your loved ones on the Other Side are letting you know they are okay. You may also see butterflies on TV. Therefore, the butterfly does not have to visit you when your deceased loved ones and friends want to message you during the winter or the fall. Anything you encounter with butterflies, whether it is Thanksgiving, around Christmas, or Valentine’s Day, is relevant.

However, during the spring and summer, you will likely have a butterfly land by you when your deceased loved ones and friends are messaging you.

• You may like : The Transformation of the Soul: What’s the Symbolism of a Butterfly?

How Does The Caterpillar Transform Into A Butterfly?

When you see those tiny fuzzy caterpillars slithering on tree branches, railings, decks, patios, or grass, you may find it hard to believe and confusing how these creatures can become beautiful butterflies. You may have learned what happens during the caterpillar’s metamorphosis in science class. However, life gets you busy, and you will quickly forget those details, so let’s talk about that now.

What happens is that, eventually, the caterpillar enters the cocoon phase, and that is death. Enzymes that emerge during the cocoon phase decompose the caterpillar while it transforms and restructures itself. Finally, after the restructuring and transformation, the gorgeous and colorful butterfly emerges. That is why the butterfly is the symbol of death and transformation.

You cannot find a better symbol for that, and there are likely some tarot decks with butterflies on the Death card, as that card symbolizes everything that the butterfly does, which is transformation. With transformation, there will be endings so that new beginnings can happen. But, unfortunately, when it comes to your deceased loved ones and friends, they shed their physical bodies and are now in spiritual bodies residing in another realm.

You may wonder about something else regarding receiving visits from butterflies: the colors. Why would you receive a message from a blue butterfly after your beloved grandmother passed, and your friend told you she received a visit from a red butterfly after her father passed? The colors signify meaning as the deceased’s messages can be specific, going beyond letting you know that they are visiting you.

What Does The Message From The Blue Butterfly Mean?

If you are feeling down and having a difficult day because you are missing your loved one or friend, you may see a blue butterfly appearing, whether it flies and lands by you or you encounter one. The blue butterfly is the messenger that your loved one or deceased friend sends out to remind you that they are with you, they are safe, and it is one to encourage acceptance of where they are now. The blue butterfly reminds you that they have transformed from the physical to the spiritual. Now, let’s look and see what the green butterfly means.

What Does The Message From The Green Butterfly Mean?

Green represents prosperity. If you encounter a green butterfly after your loved one or friend passes, they send you a message letting you know they are prospering where they are currently. That should relieve you, especially if they struggled so much on Earth before they passed, whether it concerned their financial, health, or family situation. That is a message of so much hope and a lot of joy. So let’s see what the purple butterfly’s message means.

What Does The Message From The Purple Butterfly Mean?

It is rare to see a purple butterfly. However, that is a good thing because seeing a purple butterfly after someone close to you passes makes the message even more powerful. Purple is highly spiritual, and not only does it give you the message from your passed loved ones or friends that they are happy and at peace, but it is a message of healing to you. They are attempting to heal you through their love from the spiritual realm. What about a yellow butterfly?

What Does The Message From The Yellow Butterfly Mean?

Yellow means hope, and if you see a yellow butterfly soon after your friend or loved one’s passing, they are giving you a message of hope that you will meet them when it is your time, and they are giving you hope that you will have a brand new life when the time comes, as there is nothing to fear. They also give you a message of hope that you will be okay if you are struggling with the grief of their loss. After receiving a message of hope, you should feel some relief. Let’s now talk about the red butterfly.

What Does The Message From The Red Butterfly Mean?

Seeing a red butterfly after your loved one’s or a friend’s passing can mean a few things. If the ones who passed were passionate, they would carry that passion and power into the other realm. They are letting you know that they have not lost that side of themselves. However, it can also be a message if you struggle with anger due to their passing. They are trying to help you release it if they send a red butterfly to you. They encourage you to open your heart to free yourself from those emotions. What about an orange butterfly?

• What color is your aura?

What Does The Message From The Orange Butterfly Mean?

The orange butterfly you see after a loved one or friend’s passing sends you a message of love. They are letting you know that there is life after death and that you are very much loved, and they will be sending you messages periodically to send you their love to you. Likewise, you may see an orange butterfly when you feel very alone, so the butterfly reminds you that you are not alone. What about a brown butterfly?

What Does The Message From The Brown Butterfly Mean?

When you see a brown butterfly, it is not a good omen. You are being sent a message of caution by your deceased loved one or friend. Perhaps you are starting a new relationship or venture, and they warn you not to rush into anything because things could go wrong. You do not want to be afraid if you see a brown butterfly, but you want to be careful and mindful of your actions. They are looking out for you. What about a white butterfly?

What Does The Message From The White Butterfly Mean?

The white butterfly carries the opposite message as the brown one, as it is a good omen; if you see a white butterfly, it is a message from your deceased loved ones or friend that good luck or prosperity is on the way. For example, if you are in a new relationship or starting a new venture, you receive a message that good things will come from it, which should be comforting and make you hopeful. However, the black butterfly also sends an important message.

What Does The Message From The Black Butterfly Mean?

If you see a black butterfly, your loved ones or friends on the Other Side are letting you know that something for you will end. That does not necessarily mean a negative thing because if you are going through a challenging time, you want it to end. For example, if you are looking for another job because you cannot stand the one you have, take that as a good omen. However, if you start something new that you like and see a black butterfly, unfortunately, that can mean it will only last for so long because it likely will come to an end too.

• Read our article about the Magical Use of Color

Now you see why butterflies are significant after a loved one or a friend passes. Butterflies are their messengers to you, and the message depends on the color. You will grieve after their passing, so you may see plenty of butterflies that provide you with comforting messages, such as yellow, orange, blue, or purple butterflies.

On the other hand, if you are stuck in the anger phase due to grief, you may see a red butterfly sent from your loved one or friend on the Other Side to encourage you to open your heart.  Your deceased loved ones and friends are around you sending you messages, and since they often come in the form of butterflies, you want to pay attention to the ones they send to you.

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The parents of Baby Boomers consist of members of the Greatest Generation and the Silent Generation, which are generations who faced great struggles and adversity during the war and the great depression. 21.19% of our current population consists of Baby Boomers, making them the second-largest generation group on earth.  

Pluto In Leo and Pluto in Virgo

Baby boomers are linked to the transit of Pluto in Leo (1939-1956) and Pluto in Virgo (1957- 1971)

Pluto In Leo

Pluto in Leo is a proud and robust generation. These individuals are extremely tough, and just like the lion, will attack and defend any enemy that threatens them. Many Pluto in Leo natives have military experience and can fight and win battles most would be too terrified to engage in. Being highly on defense, Pluto in Leo natives often sees the world as dangerous and can overemphasize the need to protect and be on their guard at all times. Being so distrustful results in a personality that is always ready to defend what they have and who they are at all costs. They also feel the need to protect and defend what they believe in if something external threatens what they believe. Leo is a sign of leadership, and some of the world’s most significant authority figures and leaders belong to the Pluto in Leo generation. Pluto in Leo encourages unique self-expression, and many members of the Pluto in Leo generation changed and revolutionized the music and film industries.

Pluto In Virgo

The Pluto in Virgo generation is highly aware of discrepancies, inconsistency, and imperfection in the world, and how this impacts us negatively, and is on a mission to create a fair and functioning world and society. Many are highly aware of what should be changed in society and have no fear of speaking out and acting out against what they do not see as part of a functional, improved bigger picture. This generation can be somewhat nitpicky, calling out others on things they believe should be changed to create a more harmonious world. The catch is that by attempting to create harmony, they create more disharmony, as enforcing their views and structures onto the younger generations rarely results in favorable outcomes. Medical science started booming once baby boomers came of age due to the Pluto in Virgo generation’s ability to blend biology and science to bring new ways to nurture and heal the human race.

• Understanding Generation X

What Makes Baby Boomers Unique?

Most Baby Boomers are retiring now, and we will start to hear less and less of them, but they will still have a massive impact on the economy in this world. Currently, baby boomers remain the largest consumers of traditional media, such as cable television, radio, newspapers, and magazines, and it is because of them these industries are still surviving. Baby boomers are said to be stuck in the past, with current technology expansions being somewhat overwhelming and confusing to them. Baby boomers were raised by parents who taught them to be highly cautious and always be prepared for the worst. They grew up in times of war and economic instability, which makes Baby Boomers a tough generation ready to handle any challenges headed their way.

Interesting facts about Baby Boomers

Infamous Workaholics

Baby boomers are known to be workaholics who struggle to achieve work-life balance. Being more committed to their work than other generations, they are willing to spend most of their waking hours dedicated to their duty and can fail to learn new hobbies and skills to keep them preoccupied in their spare time.

Need a Lot of Recognition

Most boomers are motivated by the praise and rewards they gain for their hard work. When they are taken for granted or their efforts go unnoticed, they will speak up and demand their fair share to be given to them, which can be a good thing, as they are not willing to settle for anything less than what they deserve.

Technologically Challenged

Baby boomers are one of the least tech-savvy generations and find it challenging to adapt to new technology in the workplace and the household. They prefer to keep things simple and advocate traditional methods of working and running a household, still using old school devices and appliances such as typewriters or film cameras.

Challenging Authority

Baby boomers have no fear of speaking up to or disagreeing with authority when they do not see eye to eye, especially if the authority is part of a younger generation. In addition, most baby boomers are currently in senior roles in companies and organizations, as they possess more knowledge and experience than younger generations.

Mixed Social Views and Values

Baby boomers all have varying social views and values, with some leaning toward conservatism and others leaning toward liberalism. But, of course, it all depends on who raised them. Many had parents who were part of the military and enforced strict schedules and regimes, or they had parents who opposed government rule and embraced freedom. What their parents enforced when they grew up will dictate which social values they stick to.

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This is to effect a separation between the ego and the personality.

The Nature of the Mind

The ordinary conscious mind consists of a ceaseless streaming of images across the screen of consciousness, like a never-ending movie projected on an illuminated screen. This ceaseless succession of ideas appears to be the very essence of the nature of consciousness. A simple exercise will demonstrate this to you.

Envision in your mind’s eye a simple shape, like a white triangle on a black square. While it may be easy enough to summon this image initially, it is considerably more difficult to hold this image constant and still. Try as you might, the triangle will move about, as though on a pendulum, or fade from view as other thoughts come rushing in. The mind is profoundly dynamic and the ability to bring it to stillness takes many years of devoted practice.

• The power of meditation

It is a maxim of esoteric magic that where the attention is directed, there the soul is present. As long as the attention of consciousness is held within the tides of sensations derived from the body, the soul is, as it were, “in the body”. Two trains of thought cannot occupy the focus of consciousness simultaneously, even though the alternation can be so rapid that we may believe ourselves to be multi-tasking or multi-thinking. For this reason, we must “turn down the volume” of one level of consciousness so that we can hear the transmissions coming it at higher levels. When the constant stream of images ceases to pass through the mind, the ego is no longer bound to the body; as the mind is slowed and attention is liberated from these images, the soul becomes free to enter upon much higher planes of being.

The unconsciousness of trance differs from that of anesthesia or concussion in that the separation between the higher and lower aspects of consciousness takes place at a different level. In anesthesia and other forms of “physical” unconsciousness, it is the physical vehicle of consciousness that is put out of commission so that the ego cannot make use of it. The separation is between the physical body and the personality, as opposed to between the personality and the higher self. In sleep the separation takes place between the lower and higher aspects of the personality so that a certain amount of the personality and its consciousness remains with the physical body. Thus, the higher self is still bound to matter because the higher aspects of the personality are associated with it and therefore in ordinary sleep it is not free to function on its own place.

Preparing for Trance

The first step in entering trance must then be to withdraw all attention from the body. First the medium must lie down, completely relaxing every muscle of the body. Dim light is necessary and relative quiet. Light affects not merely the eyes, but the aura, and even a blindfold and thick covering rug are no protection against it. Absence of noise is necessary to enter into trance, but once depth of trance is obtained, some light noise is fine so long as it is not loud or sudden. Light has a far more drastic effect than sound in interference with trance; a shade slipping slightly on a lamp will break a trance that street noises do not affect.

The next stage consists in building up intense concentration upon a symbol of some kind; this concentration must be so complete that no physical sensation is felt, not even the kinesthetic sense which tells us the position of the limbs in space. The modality used by trance mediums varies in this stage. Some are helped by a hypnotist, who uses words and somatic cues to focus consciousness. Some use other audio assistance, like binaural beats. Some mediums find sitting in water to help induce the trance state as water is a natural conductor of energy. Others visualize the picture of the master or teacher who is going to be communicating from the other side. Whatever the object of attention, it must be held with intense yet gentle fascination until the body and consciousness enter into a deep sleep.

Depending on the method chosen, as the medium withdraws attention from the phenomenal world, one of three things will happen. As the medium passes into a subjective condition, she will either become objective on a higher plane, allow the higher self to come into manifestation within the body, or step aside entirely for another entity to speak.

In the first case, the mirror-like mind reflects all that passes before it on the astral plane. Any and every image is reflected without any selective power. The thoughts of the living, the thought-forms in the mental atmosphere, the images in the consciousness of any kind of being on the inner planes can all be reflected by the mirror-like consciousness of the passive trance.

In the second case, the subconscious mind is in communication with the superconscious mind and communication is received from the higher self of the medium.

In the third case, the medium concentrates so intensely upon an image of a communicator that consciousness becomes identified with it. The medium becomes a vessel for a master, teacher or spirit, conveying higher wisdom and mysteries.

The consciousness of the medium must be highly developed so that a suitable vehicle exists for use by the communicating entity. There must be a wide range of ideas knowledge and words available for use by the communicator. If a medium is limited in knowledge or vocabulary, this will limit the communication that can be conveyed through this vessel.

Additionally, the emotions need to be calm and still when mediumship is being practiced so that in addition to a highly developed mind there must be an integrated and harmonized nature. Emotion on the part of the subject gives rise to fantasy and delusion— a source of much confusion in psychic circles. Neutrality must be maintained since desire holds the focusing part of the ego to the level of repressed wishes. Watch well for the wish fulfillment of the subject’s unconscious, and always evaluate the communications that have come through on the basis of their utility and effects in real, practical life. As it is said, “Ye shall know them by their fruits”.

• 5 Powerful Self-Hypnosis Techniques You Can Try

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 Another element, at the very core of our being, is the spiritual nucleus— the animating spark of life. The spiritual nucleus is the channel for a limitless flow of force from the unmanifest or “source”— that ineffable and mysterious powerhouse of the whole manifested universe.

 Between these two lies the Light Body— the electro-magnetic energy field which surrounds and suffuses all parts of the human system.

Esoteric Science

The existence of the Light Body is a well-established fact, though esotericisms call it an “aura” while scientists refer to it as a magnetic field. They also have different perspectives of the relationship of this Light Body to the physical body which it permeates.

Scientists regard the magnetic field of an individual as an emanation of the physical body, with its energy is derived therefrom. They understand the Light Body to be “feeding” off the energy of the body; if the physical body dies, then the magnetic field subsequently vanishes.

So, what is the feeling the Light Body looks like?

Esoteric philosophers believe exactly the reverse— that the physical body derives its existence from the Light Body, which nourishes and sustains it.

They understand the Light Body to be a system of magnetic stresses which provide the framework into which each cell of the physical body is built. It is on the level of this etheric double where cell metabolism takes place.

This process of selection takes place on the level of the “soul” of the cell, rather than on the level of the physical cell. The magnetic field surrounding the individual is the unabsorbed portion of this basic energy.

Physical body and Light body

Each element of the human energy field must receive nourishment upon its respective plane. The physical body is of the earth; it is material. The body thus absorbs energy from physical sources of food, which power the physical processes of chemistry, physics, mechanics, and hydraulics.

The Light Body receives nourishment from etheric sources. The energy substance of this “soul” is called by various names, including etheric energy, elemental energy, odic force or prana.