Friday, April 1, 2016

 
  
Tarot Reading for April 2016

  AND
 
Blog #55: The Healthful Benefits of Himalayan Salt Lamps
 
Legacy of the Divine Tarot
 


 
2 OF COINS: You may find yourself faced with some decisions during the month that could have an impact later on.  It will be important to trust your intuition as well as what your logical mind is telling you.  Although the choices will not necessarily be “life or death”, you will still want to consider the various alternatives carefully before deciding on a course of action.  Try taking a playful approach to the whole situation, and then just go with what your heart and your mind are telling you.  Heart-centered decisions are the best way to make choices that are for your highest good.

 7 OF WANDS:  During the month it may be important for you to take a risk and get out of your comfort zone.  It is ok for you to hesitate about this, thinking carefully before proceeding.  But as with the 2 of Coins, it would be wise to meld your heart and mind for the best results.  It may take courageous action on your part, but remember that to do absolutely nothing is a decision in and of itself.  Push yourself a little as you decide what to do, and after careful consideration, go with what seems to be the best approach.  Have faith that your strength will support you.

THE HERMIT: Inner soul-searching is the order of the day as you go within to find out where you are on your path and where you want to go. Are you happy with what is going on in your life now? Do you realize that change is necessary but don’t know where to turn? Have you tried meditating but are getting no answers?  Whatever your situation, find a way to spend even just a little time alone to sort out your thoughts by leaving behind the noise and distractions of daily life. You can ask others for advice about what you should do, but in the final analysis you are the one who has to figure out what is best for you.  Ask your higher self to step in and give you guidance.  Ask for help, keeping in mind that the difference between praying and meditation is that when we pray, we are talking to source, the universe, and/or our guides, and when we meditate we are listening.

8 OF CUPS:  The many changes occurring in the world will continue, perhaps at an even faster pace.  Coinciding with this situation are the personal transitions occurring in our lives.  It is not just change we are talking about, but true transformation.  This is why the decisions you make this month may be far-reaching for your future—do you want to just stand still and perhaps feel miserable, or do you want to take a chance and do something that can change your whole outlook as well as your life itself?  Release what has been holding you back, and strike out on a new path.  t is up to you what you do with this energy of transformation that will be affecting us this month.

TRENDS FOR THE MONTH:  April can be an exciting (and maybe even scary) month.  It will be a time of not standing still any longer, but perhaps even forcing ourselves to make some decisions that can result in profound results.  Dissatisfaction with our lives is good, because it requires us to look critically at our current situation and choose to do something about it.  We truly do have all the answers within us, if we will only trust and believe that this is so.  Some actions to consider this month are meditating, taking some alone time, choosing carefully when a decision is required, taking a risk, getting out of a self-imposed comfort zone, accepting that change is a constant, and allowing decisions made to be heart-centered.

 Blog #55:  The Healthful Benefits of Himalayan Salt Lamps

 Retrieved from www.facthacker.com

Himalayan salt lamps are either large pieces of Himalayan salt with a small bulb inside, or smaller pieces of salt in a decorative container with a bulb nestled among  the pieces.  The colors can be white, opaque, pink or orange.
It is important to ensure that the lamp is made of pure Himalayan salt rather than merely rock salt, so ask about the origin to verify that you are getting the real thing.  For example, Himalayan salt is food-quality and can be consumed.

It should be noted that there is controversy about the true origins of what is called Himalayan salt, but it is only semantics.  Some seem to think that pink rock salt is usually from Pakistan, but the Himalayas do extend into Pakistan, so that is not really an issue. The main thing is that the salt is of high quality.
What are the benefits of salt lamps?

Here are some of the benefits that are attributed to salt lamps.  Not everyone agrees with all the beneficial qualities, so use discernment when deciding whether to get one for the health benefits.

Ø  Himalayan salt lamps cleanse and deodorize the air by removing dust, pollen, cigarette smoke, and other contaminants from the air.

Ø  They reduce allergy and asthma symptoms by removing microscopic particles of dust, pet dander, mold, mildew, and similar particles from the surrounding air.

Ø  They help your body filter the air more efficiently so any harmful particles that you might breathe won’t get into your lungs.  This is accomplished because the salt produces an increase of cilial activity. (Cilia are the microscopic hairs lining the windpipe.) The lamps also ease coughing through this same process.

Ø  They help neutralize electromagnetic radiation coming from electronic equipment such as televisions, computers, cell phones, tablets, appliances, etc.

Ø  They enhance the quality of sleep and promote more regular sleep patterns.

Ø  They improve mood and concentration not only by helping to increase the blood and oxygen supply to the brain and other organs, but also by heightening serotonin levels.

Ø  They help with seasonal affective disorder by providing a soft, natural light that somewhat resembles sunlight.

Ø  They can also help with skin conditions, stress-related disorders (such as the insomnia mentioned above), and headaches/migraines.

So how do Himalayan salt lamps produce these benefits?
In a nutshell, the salt lamps are natural negative ion generators.  Negative ions are good for us, and they occur more often in nature through lightning storms, wind, sunlight, moving water (waterfalls and ocean waves), and are even released by plants during photosynthesis.

On the other hand, positive ions (known as “free radicals”) are often created by electronic devices such as computers, TVs, microwaves and even vacuum cleaners.  Constant exposure to electromagnetic radiation can result in chronic fatigue, increased stress levels, and a decrease in the body’s immune response. Also, airborne mold, bacteria, and allergens often have a positive charge.

Negative ions neutralize (or at least lessen the amount of) positive ions (by bonding to the positive ions), and this is what helps clear the air and makes us feel better.  Also, negative ions increase the oxygen flow to the brain which results in higher alertness, less drowsiness, and more mental energy.
The lamps purify the air through a process called hygroscopy, which means that the lamps attract water molecules from the surrounding environment and absorb into the salt these molecules and any impurities they carry.  The lamp warms up the water molecules, and this now-purified water is released back into the air through evaporation.  The trapped particles of dust, pollen, smoke, etc. stay locked in the salt.

One issue that causes some to question the efficacy of salt lamps is that it is difficult to measure the amount of negative ions that are produced by the lamps because there are many variables to be considered. However, an interesting side note is that NASA uses negative ion generators to help astronauts recover after a journey into space.
Where to place salt lamps

The lamps should be placed in rooms where you spend most of your time, or where most of your electronic equipment is.  Good choices are bedrooms, living rooms, and offices.
It is best to keep the lamps on at all times so that their positive effects can be maximized. 

Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause the salt crystals to start melting, so they should be kept away from dishwashers, washing machines, or showers.

Final note
If you question the health benefits, do your own research and come to your own conclusion.  However, the lamps are beautiful and do seem to bring a peaceful, calm atmosphere to the rooms they are placed in.  As usual, though, use your own discretion.

Sources
http://wellnessmama.com/23569/himalayan-salt-lamp-benefits/