Bi-Weekly Tarot Reading  6-01-14 through 6-14-14

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Blog #18:  Do Plants Have Consciousness?

 

 

LEGACY OF THE DIVINE TAROT

 

 

 

 

5 OF CUPS:  It is time to let go of negative thinking and focus on what is good in your life. This can be a month of success and joy if you allow it to be so. Whenever you recognize that your thoughts are negative or fear-filled, immediately stop them and replace them with something that is more uplifting. You will see a difference for the better in how you feel.

 

FAITH:  This can be a time of spiritual growth and rebirth if this is what you want. Have faith and trust in yourself, and believe that all that happens is for your best good. Trust divine inspiration and follow your heart.

 

THE WORLD:  The next two weeks will be optimistic and full of happiness and success.  You have been working hard, and now is the time to start seeing the benefits of your efforts. Set a positive intention each day, and then let things develop just the way they were meant to--for your highest and best good.

 

BI-WEEKLY THEME:  Release every negative thought that comes to you, and then in its place think of something positive and upbeat. Remember that thoughts are things, and you have the power to control them through your mindfulness.  Believe in yourself and go with the flow, allowing things to unfold the way they were meant to.  Enjoy the success and joy that is headed your way, for you deserve it. See your hard work and persistent efforts paying off.

 

 

Blog #18—Do Plants Have Consciousness?

What is consciousness?

Consciousness is defined as:  the condition of being conscious; the normal state of being awake and able to understand what is happening around you. (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consciousness)

A recent article in The New Yorker by Michael Pollan entitled “The Intelligent Plant” discusses new research revealing that plants do have abilities to sense and react to the world.  In other words, they are able to understand what is happening around them.  Even more amazingly, “they can sense, learn, remember, and even react in ways that would be familiar to humans.” (http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-01-09/new-research-plant-intelligence-may-forever-change-how-you-think-about-plants)

As also noted in the article cited above, plants are able to process information they gather and then react to it.  For example, research has shown that plants react to the sound of a caterpillar eating leaves by secreting defensive chemicals.  In addition to the senses of hearing and taste, they can also sense gravity, the presence of water, and recognize when something is blocking their roots.  They can actually shift directions to avoid obstacles.

While this may not be considered “thinking” by some scientists, plants still have an unbelievable array of abilities that have been unknown to our modern biologists, until recently.

Can plants feel pain? The answer to this is still unclear, although plants do respond to anesthetics.

How plants are able to react is still unknown.  Although they don’t have nerve cells like we do, they can send electrical signals and produce neurotransmitters (just like the human brain uses to send signals, such as dopamine or serotonin).

Do plants have memory?  Biologist Monica Gagliano showed that plants have memory, i.e., they can learn from experience. She dropped a mimosa plant every five to six seconds without hurting it, and each time, its leaves collapsed in response to the disturbance.  After five or six drops, they stopped responding, as if they “knew” that the dropping was irrelevant.  As Pollan noted:  “This is a very important part of learning—to learn what you can safely ignore in your environment.” (http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-01-09/new-research-plant-intelligence-may-forever-change-how-you-think-about-plants)  Although not all researchers would call this learning, plants can do amazing things.

Another researcher says:

“Plants definitely have several different forms of memory, just like people do.  They have short term memory, immune memory and even transgenerational memory! I know this is a hard concept to grasp for some people, but if memory entails forming the memory (encoding information) retaining the memory (storing information), and recalling the memory (retriving information), then plants definitely remember.” (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-plants-think-daniel-chamovitz/

Are plants intelligent? There are many definitions of intelligence, which can  refer to abstract reasoning or judgment, or to problem-solving ability. While most scientists would agree that plants do not have abstract reasoning, they may be able to solve problems related to their survival.  The difference between us and plants may just be a difference of degree rather than kind.

Another scientist, Daniel Chamovitz, says too that, “A plant. . .can see, smell and feel.  It can mount a defense when under siege, and warn its neighbors of trouble on the way.  A plant can even be said to have a memory.”  (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-plants-think-daniel-chamovitz/). He also discovered genes that are important for a plant to determine if it’s in the light or the dark.  Surprisingly, he found that these genes are also part of the human DNA.  He says, “This led me to realize that the genetic difference between plants and animals is not as significant as I had once naively believed.”

Plants are complex and live rich lives thanks to their senses.  For example, plants are rooted in one place so they cannot get up and move somewhere if the environment does not suit them.  Therefore, they had to develop very complex sensory tools that would allow them to survive in a changing environment.  They need to see where their food is, feel the weather, and smell danger.

How can plants smell?  As an example, consider fruit trees.  When fruit starts to ripen, it releases a hormone called ethylene, which is sensed by nearby fruits, causing the fruit of a whole grove of trees to ripen at about the same time.

What about hearing? Plants have not really needed to hear, due to their evolution. In animals, sound is a fast way to communicate back and forth, and to get moving in the face of danger. But because plants can’t move, there has been no need for them to hear sounds. However, some recent research does show that plants responds to certain vibrations (and all sound is vibration).

At a basic level, plants do communicate with one another, in the sense that they respond to cues from other plants and through signals passed from root to root.  (http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-plants-think-daniel-chamovitz/)

One author points out that in Africa there is a species of tree that not only reacts to animals eating its leaves, but also sends signals to other trees of the same species whenever a giraffe starts eating its leaves.  It was observed that after a group of giraffes had eaten the leaves for 15 minutes, the leaves would turn sour on the trees within a radius of half a mile.

This same author says there have been many studies proving that gardeners with special connections to their plants tend to produce larger and healthier plants, citing the Findhorn experiment (http://www.findhorn.org/) as a prime example. As unbelievable as it sounds, at Findhorn vegetables are grown larger than the usual size, in “very inhospitable ground, using the power of love and encouragement.  Talk to anyone who loves gardening, who spends time daily with plants, and you might be surprised to hear what intelligent and well-educated people have to say about the consciousness of plants.” (http://www.learnmindpower.com/articles/do-plants-have-consciousness/)

This author goes on to say that many indigenous people from all over the world have a special connection with nature and plants. Their traditions encourage respect and communication with nature.  He notes that “There is a consciousness in every living thing.  Plants, animals and humans.  Each consciousness may be different from the other, but we are all plugged into the same mystery of life. The plants are indeed our brothers and sisters, and we have much to learn from one another.” (http://www.learnmindpower.com/articles/do-plants-have-consciousness/

Sources

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consciousness

http://www.pri.org/stories/2014-01-09/new-research-plant-intelligence-may-forever-change-how-you-think-about-plants

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-plants-think-daniel-chamovitz/

http://www.learnmindpower.com/articles/do-plants-have-consciousness/

http://www.findhorn.org/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Bi-Weekly Tarot Reading:  5-18-14 through 6-01-14

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Blog #17:  Why Energy Healing Works

 

LEGACY OF THE DIVINE TAROT

9 OF SWORDS: You may be feeling a bit of anxiety and stress, which are caused by fear. To get yourself out of a space of negativity, start thinking of something positive rather than expecting the worst. Sometimes we become our own worst enemies by dwelling on what is wrong, what may or may not happen, and dreading rather than looking forward to what is to come. You have the power to change any fear-based thoughts into positive ones that are rooted in love.

THE WORLD: The next two weeks will lead to joy, contentment, and a sense of fulfillment in some area of your life, so release all that is holding you back and enjoy what the immediate future holds. You have worked hard to get to this point, even if you think you have not done much. Every little step forward that you take is a step in the right direction, so celebrate each success, no matter how large or small.

THE LOVERS: Partnerships and working with others will play a role in the upcoming weeks. Use discernment when making choices, which means to observe without judgment.  Decide on the best course of action for you as objectively as possible and move on.  Support from others will enter the picture, so be cooperative and grateful for any help received.

BI-WEEKLY THEME: Although you may be feeling a bit anxious at the start of the week, you have the ability to change any fear-based thoughts by paying attention to what you are thinking and replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Once you do this, you can look forward to a beautiful time where you give yourself a pat on the back for exactly where you are now and what you have accomplished. Look for partnerships to come to the forefront as you realize the value of support from others and are discerning in the choices you make.

Blog #17:  Why Energy Healing Works

Retrieved from www.jenniferlshelton.com

You may have heard of energy healing, or energetic healing, or energy medicine.  One author describes it as “. . .any umbrella term for any therapy that manipulates the energy circuits in our physical or subtle bodies to regain balance and facilitate our body’s innate healing mechanisms.” (http://www.healingenergy.com.au/energetic healing.shtml)

The energy field surrounding the body is referred to as the aura or biofield.  Other energetic systems in the body are nadis, chakras, and meridians.  Nadis are energy channels in the subtle body that connect to the chakras, which are energy centers.  Meridians are a network of channels running throughout the entire body through which life energy (chi, qi, or prana) flows. It is believed that illness or dis-ease is caused by disturbances or blockages in these energy fields.

Some different types of therapies to get the energy fields in balance include:

Ø  Reiki
Ø  Reflexology
Ø  Acupuncture
Ø  Acupressure
Ø  Tai chi and QiGong
Ø  Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
Ø  Crystal  healing
Ø  Color therapy
Ø  Light and sound therapy
Ø  Aromatherapy and use of essential oils

The author referenced above goes on to say that there are many things that cause our energy fields to get disrupted, such as the following internal factors:

Ø  Trauma
Ø  Phobias
Ø  Anxiety and stress
Ø  Childhood programming
Ø  Limiting beliefs
Ø  Remaining in situations that are not in harmony with our needs

External factors include:

Ø  Environmental toxins and pollutants
Ø  Poor nutrition and diets that include too many unnatural ingredients
Ø  Lack of exercise
Ø  Poor posture

The basis for energy healing

Energy healing is rooted in the fact that everything is energy.  David Cameron says this: (as cited in http://www.one-mind-one-energy.com/energy.html)

“It (energy) is the building block of all matter.  The same energy that composes your flesh is the same one that composes the bricks of your house and the trees outside.  It is all the same. It is constantly at flow, changing form all the time. This is a very simple explanation of a rather complex thing.”

Thus, we can conclude that our bodies are nothing but energy.  They are filled with cells containing energy called mitochondria (“cellular power plants”). These cells are made of molecules, which are made of atoms, which are made of sub-atomic particles.  These sub-atomic particles are pure energy,  as proven by quantum physics. (See Blog #14—"The Power and Science of Belief" for more information on this.) Not only that, but everything affects everything else because all of energy is connected to all other energy (the “Quantum Entanglement Theory”).  There is a sea of energy or an energy field all around us.

Think of it this way, as one author puts it:

“All material things are made of atoms. . .which are 99.99999 percent energy and .00001 percent matter. Think about it—every physical thing in our life is not solid matter but rather fields of energy or frequency patterns of information.  Matter is more ‘no-thing’ (energy) than ‘some-thing’ (particles). Our physical bodies and the body of the physical Universe are as proportionately empty as is all of space.” (http://www.thehealersjournal.com/2013/05/05/quantum-physics-explain-how-everything-is-made-of-energy/)

So isn’t it about time we start focusing our attention on the 99.99999 percent of what makes up our physical world?  Actually, our ancestors from the earliest times knew far better than we do about how important energy is. Energy healing was used in ancient times and only recently is starting to come into the forefront in our society, thanks to the discoveries of quantum physics. No longer are the body and mind seen as separate; rather, a more holistic approach is being used as it is realized that the body and mind are connected.

How energy healing works

Everything is made of energy, which is invisible (like air) but yet is the basic building block of our whole reality.  This means that our thoughts and emotions are energy.  The difference in the vibrational frequencies of energy is what gives us the illusion of substance and separation.  For example, when water changes from a gas (steam) to a liquid to a solid (ice), its vibration is just going from a faster rate to a slower one.

These authors explain how energy healing works:

“The energy systems of the body (aura, chakras, nadis and meridians) are connected energetically to our physical organs, glands and bodily systems.  When the energy supplied to these bodily systems is disrupted, the body organs and systems are less able to defend against disease and injury.” (http://www.healingenergy.com.au/energetic healing.shtml)

 “Healers attract positive energy from the unified energy field and through their own energy field, transmit that energy to the patient, thus changing the patient’s own energy field. They also clear the blocked energies that prevent free flow of energy in the body, allowing the body to heal itself.”  (Chris Grosso in http://www.in5d.com/ancient-secrets-the-truth-about-energy-healing.html)

Conclusion

Energy healing works simply because we are energy.  In our technology-related and scientific-based society we are led to believe that anything invisible does not exist.  However, as more scientific knowledge is gained, we are beginning to see that our physical world is but a small, small part of our true reality.  Once we understand this, grasp the full impact of this concept and believe it to be true, energy healing can be an extremely effective treatment for imbalances in the mind and the body.

Sources

http://www.one-mind-one-energy.com/energy.html

http://www.thehealersjournal.com/2013/05/05/quantum-physics-explain-how-everything-is-made-of-energy/

http://www.healingenergy.com.au/energetic healing.shtml

http://www.in5d.com/ancient-secrets-the-truth-about-energy-healing.html

http://www.whatisenergyhealing.net/

 

Bi-Weekly Tarot Reading:  5-4-14 through 5-17-14

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Blog #16:  What Is Earthing?

 

LEGACY OF THE DIVINE TAROT

KING OF WANDS: The next two weeks are a period of motivation where you feel energized and ready to get some big things accomplished.  Create a vision of what you want to achieve, focus on your goals, and activate plans on how to reach them. There is a special energy in the air this month, so use the Wands influence to take advantage of a productive time.

7 OF CUPS:  You may be feeling overwhelmed with all you have to do and the decisions to be made. Take it one step at a time and look carefully into each situation. There is no need to rush, but do not procrastinate either. Now is the time to contemplate your next actions and do your homework before moving forward.

THE HERMIT:  A time of reflection, contemplation, and meditation.  We truly have the answers within us if only we will listen to our intuition and inner self.  Spend time alone or take a walk outside to be closer to the Earth, which will lead to a period of self-discovery.

BI-WEEKLY THEME:  A time for showing the self-confidence of the King energy as you bring into your reality what you want to achieve. Let the fire of the Wands ignite a spark of high intensity action as you see your goals coming to fruition. Take each decision in stride, and think carefully about what you want to do before going forward with plans. Use this time as a time for listening to your inner guidance and for connecting more with the Earth.

Blog #16:  What Is Earthing?

You know how good it feels to walk barefoot on the beach, where you feel as if you get a burst of energy with every step you take in the soft sand?  Or have you ever simply walked barefoot in grass and felt more relaxed?  Have you ever wondered why you don’t feel this way normally, when wearing shoes that have rubber or plastic soles?

The reason has to do with something called earthing (or grounding), originally developed by Clint Ober, as described in his book Earthing: The Most Important Health Discovery Ever?.  Earthing is simply grounding your body to the Earth by walking barefoot (or in shoes that have a leather sole).  Although skin is a good conductor of energy, the best part of the body for connecting is the middle of the ball of your foot.

How does earthing work?

During metabolism, the body generates free radicals (“reactive oxygen species”) which are important partly because they attack and destroy unwanted organisms in our bodies, such as bacteria and viruses.  However, too many free radicals are not good, because they are involved in inflammation when they attack healthy cells.

Inflammation is caused by a lack of electrons in our tissues.  Free radicals in our bodies are important molecules that quickly destroy bacteria that get through the skin.  If any cells are damaged, the free radicals break them apart so there is room for healthy cells to enter and repair the tissues.  This is the inflammatory response.

When we are grounded, there is a transfer of free electrons (which are very strong antioxidants) from the Earth into our bodies.  This is very beneficial, because research has shown that chronic inflammation is the cause of many diseases, and antioxidants decrease the levels of inflammation. 

Dr. Mercola has described this process as follows:

“…grounding research has now discovered that if you place your feet on the ground after an injury (or on a grounded sheet, or place grounding patches on the balls of your feet), electrons will migrate into your body and spread throughout tissues.  Any free radicals that leak into the healthy tissue will immediately be electrically neutralized.  This occurs because the electrons are negative, while the free radicals are positive, so they cancel each other out.” (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/04/29/james-oschman-on-earthing.aspx)

The theory is that positive electrons (free radicals) can build up in our bodies, so direct contact with the ground balances this out, because it is a negative grounding charge that neutralizes and reduces free radicals.

Our bodies are made of energy, which is why earthing is so important in our society now.  Many of us have a large amount of positive electrons built up in our bodies due to electromagnetic waves in our environment as well as Wi-Fi and mobile/cell phone waves.

It is also believed that aging happens because of the accumulated damage caused by free radicals.  We do not want to get rid of all free radicals, but it is important to have a good balance of antioxidant electrons in our bodies to make sure that any damage from free radicals is not excessive.

Another fairly recent discovery is that earthing thins the blood, which is very important as related to cardiovascular disease (the #1 killer in the world).  Just about every aspect of this disease has been correlated with high blood viscosity (meaning that the blood is too thick).  When we ground to the Earth, our red blood cells have more surface charge, forcing them apart from each other. This causes the blood to get thinner and flow more easily.  It also causes blood pressure to drop.

What are some good places for earthing?

The best location is on a beach and close to or in the water, since sea water is a great conductor. Our bodies are mostly water, so that creates a great connection.   If a beach is not handy, the next best thing is a grassy area, especially in the morning when it is covered with dew.  Unsealed concrete also works. However, asphalt, wood, and insulators like plastic or the rubber soles on shoes do not allow electrons to pass through, so are not suitable for earthing.

Although 20-30 minutes per day of earthing is considered ideal, even just 10 minutes a day is good.

What are some of the benefits of earthing?

The research being conducted shows that earthing can be beneficial for:

Ø  Reducing inflammation

Ø  Reducing chronic pain

Ø  Improving sleep

Ø  Improving energy level

Ø  Reducing stress hormones

Ø  Improving blood pressure and blood flow

Ø  Relieving muscle tension and headaches

Ø  Speeding up healing

Ø  Shortening recovery time from injuries or athletic activities

Ø  Reducing or eliminating snoring

Although there are some skeptics who are waiting for more research to convince them of the value of earthing (see http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAAA401221/Is-There-Anything-to-Earthing.html), the research done thus far points to earthing as a viable solution to our disconnection with Earth, which is causing much distress in our world today.

There are many websites that give more information on earthing, as well as products that are helpful (such as shoes with leather soles, grounding bed sheets, and grounding mats).  Leather was the main material used for shoes, sandals, and moccasins going back 14,000 years, and it truly helps us connect with the natural energy that flows from the Earth.

Sources

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/04/29/james-oschman-on-earthing.aspx

http://drbriffa.com/2012/04/18/earthing-important-discovery-or-mumbo-jumbo/

http://wellnessmama.com/5600/how-to-get-healthy-while-you-sleep/

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAAA401221/Is-There-Anything-to-Earthing.html

Bi-Weekly Tarot Reading:  4-20-14 through 5-3-14

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Blog #15:  The Effects of Food Preservatives/Chemicals on Our Spiritual Bodies

 

LEGACY OF THE DIVINE TAROT
 

 

THE LOVERS:  The next two weeks will highlight partnerships in which cooperation and compromise are important.  Seek discernment in the choices you make regarding your interactions with others, whether they be in your personal or business life. 

THE TOWER:  A significant life event will occur in some way, so be open to whatever comes your way.  Change is in the air, and if something unexpected happens, just "roll with the punches" and allow it to run its course. There is a reason why this event has occurred, and eventually you will see the good in it.

4 OF CUPS:  You may be feeling a bit of discontent, as if something is just not right.  Do not allow this feeling to cause you to miss opportunities that may be available to you.  Keep your eyes open, and focus on what you want to accomplish.

BI-WEEKLY THEME:  Pay attention to your working relationships and dealings with others, especially partners or those with whom you associate closely.  Make sure that the choices you make related to these partnerships are in your best interests.  A significant change is on the way, and although it may just come "out of the blue", accept it and move on. See what lessons you can learn from it. Be aware of all possibilities that are coming your way over the next two weeks, and let any feelings of unrest or discontent fall by the wayside. Now is the time to take action and get things done.

 

Blog #15—The Effects of Food Preservatives/Chemicals on Our Spiritual Bodies

Retrieved from: www.ifood.tv

We have heard how bad food preservatives and other chemicals can be for our bodies physically.  These substances, such as emulsifiers, fillers, artificial colors, artificial flavors, and chemicals that allow foods to last longer than they normally would, also affect our spiritual bodies (as well as our mental and emotional ones).  These substances are damaging because they are not naturally-occurring in our bodies and may result in extremely damaging effects, even in small amounts.

Another thing to be aware of is that foods that are over-processed can have the life boiled, pressured, drained or compressed out of them.  We need to give our bodies foods that are whole, natural, and organic so that our bodies and spirits can receive nourishing life from what we eat.

How exactly does food affect our spirit?  Janice Polansky explains it this way:

“Your body’s desire for food has its roots in your soul’s need for spiritual substance.  Your attitudes and beliefs about yourself and what you eat determine the choices you make in what you eat.  As we grow spiritually, we often see our body as a temple in which our spirit dwells, and we realize our connection with all living things.  We want to be healthier in our thoughts and actions and live in harmonious ways that align us with the spiritual truths and natural laws  and ecology of our body, our planet, and the universe.” (http://www.personalhealthdynamics.com/How%20Food%20Affects%20Your%20Mind,%20Body%20&%20Spirit.htm)

Eating healthy, natural food helps us better align with nature and thus leads to healing of our bodies and spirits.  We begin to be more aware of our own inner sensitivity to foods that do not help us feel good.  We pay more attention to how we feel after eating certain unnatural foods laden with preservatives and other chemicals.  We make conscious choices that lead to better physical and spiritual health.

For example, a vegetarian diet is all-natural and has wonderful effects.  This concept is explained beautifully as follows:

“Vegetables bring the light and energy they absorb and store through photosynthesis into your body.  Grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds bring into your body the light, energy, and life force that can create a new living plant. … The energy of natural food changes the vibration of your nervous system so that it forces the lower vibration, negative thoughts out of your system. . . . You transform your body into a temple in which your spirit can live with integrity, in harmony with your mind and body.”  (http://www.personalhealthdynamics.com/How%20Food%20Affects%20Your%20Mind,%20Body%20&%20Spirit.htm)

Way back in 1973, Dr. Benjamin Feingold linked food additives to learning and behavior difficulties in children. Chemicals are truly poisonous to our bodies because they affect the body’s chemical systems, thus leading to food sensitivities.

We all have physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies.  Good health is a matter of integrating all of these bodies and recognizing that they are all connected.  We are beginning to understand how emotions affect our physical bodies (for example, negative feelings can lead to negative effects in our bodies).  We are also realizing that mental stress and anxiety can have a damaging effect on our health as well. 
However, as one author has noted:

“Few today write about how we are spirits living a human experience.  As spirits we need to nourish our spirit selves as well as our physical, emotional, and mental/intellectual selves, to be able to maintain a high vibration and excellent health.  A high vibration reflects excellent vibrant health and a low vibration reflects poor health.”  (http://www.mkprojects.com/fa_foodsensitivity2.htm)

Even food preparation is important.  Food that is prepared lovingly adds more nourishing energy that helps food digest easily.  Food we prepare for ourselves and others should be prepared slowly and peacefully, as if we were fixing a meal for an honored guest.  This attitude and intention when preparing the food is like an energetic healthy boost to what is offered.

Foods to avoid:

Ø  Foods containing refined sugar and sweeteners (high fructose and regular corn syrup)

Ø  Packaged foods containing fillers, preservatives, and other chemicals (i.e., the ingredients include things you don’t recognize or can’t even pronounce)

Ø  Diet foods, which often include highly processed, chemically-derived sugar substitutes, and even have added sugars if they are called “reduced fat”

Ø  Fried foods, which contain saturated and trans fats (that have been linked to disease and other health problems)

Ø  Fast foods, which are probably the worst of the lot; they are mass-produced, processed, and filled with preservatives, artificial flavorings, colorings, and other additives.

A note about carrageenan:

Carrageenan is a food additive that comes from a red seaweed, but it has no nutritional value.  In fact, it is an insidious, dangerous substance that can be found lurking in yogurt, ice cream, cottage cheese, deli meats, soy milk, other milk substitute products, and other processed foods.  Beware! Just because a product is deemed “organic” does not mean that it has no carrageenan, so be sure to read all labels carefully.
Why is carrageenan bad?  As one author says,

“The unique chemical structure of carrageenan triggers an innate immune response in the body, which recognizes it as a dangerous invader.  This immune response leads to inflammation.  For individuals who consume carrageenan on a regular or daily basis, the inflammation will be prolonged and constant, which is a serious health concern since prolonged inflammation is a precursor to more serious disease.  In fact, the medical community  has long recognized that inflammation is associated with more than 100 human diseases.” (http://www.cornucopia.org/2013/12/carrageenan-risks-reality/)

Sources

http://www.personalhealthdynamics.com/How%20Food%20Affects%20Your%20Mind,%20Body%20&%20Spirit.htm

http://www.mkprojects.com/fa_foodsensitivity2.htm

http://lightomega.org/Ind/Pure/Sacred-Consciousness-of-Food.html

http://life.gaiam.com/article/10-worst-food-additives-where-they-lurk

For more information on carrageenan, see:

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA401181/Is-Carrageenan-Safe.html

http://www.cornucopia.org/2013/12/carrageenan-risks-reality/

http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/carrageenan-natural-ingredient-you-should-ban-your-diet

http://foodbabe.com/2012/05/22/watch-out-for-this-carcinogen-in-your-organic-food/

 

 

 

 

 

Bi-Weekly Tarot Reading:  4-6-14 through 4-19-14

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Blog #14:  The Power and Science of Belief

 

LEGACY OF THE DIVINE TAROT

 

THE EMPEROR:  The next two weeks will be a powerful time where you will feel more organized and use the logical, analytical side of your brain to get results.  Use this time wisely so that you can manifest exactly what you want and progress along your path.

 

JUDGEMENT:  A time for renewal and evaluation.  Look at where you are and where you want to go.  Decide if it is time to move in a new direction and if so, use your Emperor energy to make this happen.  Nothing can stand in your way if you believe this is so.  You have the ability to do magnificent things.

 

6 OF CUPS: The past is impacting you in some way.  It is good for us to remember positive memories as long as we do not stay focused in the past. Remember that one of the best ways we can allow ourselves to be happy is to live in the present. It is also good for us to be more playful like a child, not taking things so seriously.

 

BI-WEEKLY THEME:  Use the power of the Emperor energy to forge ahead, believing in yourself, and expressing self-confidence that you can achieve whatever you want. (See the blog below for enlightening information on the power of beliefs.)  Spend part of the next two weeks looking at your life critically and deciding if you like where you are.  If you wish to move forward or in a different direction, now is the perfect time to begin this part of your journey.  Although you may be looking back into the past, perhaps wishing things could be the way they used to be, remember that the past is gone and it cannot be changed. But you can use the present to set goals for the future and create the reality you desire.

 

Blog #14:  The Power and Science of Belief

 Retrieved from www.vbschools.com

A belief is the way we choose to think about and perceive the world.  Having control over our beliefs is one of the most powerful things we can do to make our lives joyful and abundant.

Because this is true, we must understand where our beliefs come from.  Many of them were passed down to us while we were young from our parents, teachers, society, friends, and others who have played a significant role in our lives.  If we take time to think about what beliefs are holding us back, then we write them down and figure out where they came from, we will realize that we can change these beliefs into more positive ones.  The first step is to write what we want to change them to. 

However, few of us look at our beliefs critically; we accept what we have been taught as “the truth”.

So when we believe something, it becomes our truth.  Our beliefs determine the choices we make, and the actions resulting from these choices shape the world around us and therefore our lives.  Our beliefs act like a filter because when facts are presented to us, we either accept them (if they conform to our beliefs) or we ignore them (if they do not agree with our beliefs).

Here is a good summary:

“In a nutshell, the power of belief is key to creating your ideal reality.  You must believe that you already are or have that which you intend in the present moment.  The secret to belief is to take your intentions for granted to the point of indifference, not because you do not care if they materialize or not, but because you know they already have.  (italics added)  When you get into the mindset of being grateful for those things which have already been given to you, including your intentions, you will have learnt the secret to turbo charging the manifestation of your choices from the mental to the physical realm.” (http://www.mind-your-reality.com/power_of-belief.html#Part 2)

Is there a scientific basis for the above statements?  Yes, there is.  It is grounded in quantum physics, which studies, explores, and explains how everything in the physical world comes into existence. It explores the nature of reality beginning at the subatomic (unseen) level.  Quantum physics has shown that everything in our physical world is all energy.  It is a detailed study of the building blocks of the entire universe—the seen and unseen.

The purest form of energy is referred to by physicists as “wave forms of probability that exist within an infinite field of probabilities”. (http://www.abundance-and-happiness.com/be-still.html). Every past, present, and future exists as a wave form.

We all learned in school that everything in the physical world is made of molecules and atoms. Atoms are made of photons, electrons, and neutrons.  Scientists have more recently discovered that these particles can be broken down into even smaller particles called leptons, quarks, and bosons.

There are two kinds of physics:  Newtonian physics, which states that atoms are the fundamental building blocks of nature, and they are solid.  Then Einstein came along and declared that atoms could be broken down further, and that the subatomic particles are pure energy.  He proved that all things broken down into their most basic form is made up of the same “stuff”. This one energy makes up everything that exists in our world and the entire universe.  He believed that this energy was in the form of particles; that is, they appeared to be solid. However, another physicist, Thomas Young, believed that energy exists as a wave form and is not particles at all.

To make things even more confusing, another physicist, Neils Bohr, said that energy could be either waves or particles. Another way of saying this is:

“Anything and everything which exists in the entire cosmos…is merely a vibrating frequency of energy which joins together with energies of the same harmonious frequency to form what we ‘perceive’ to be reality and as a result determines what we experience in the physical world.” ((http://www.abundance-and-happiness.com/be-still.html).

As more technically sophisticated equipment was developed, the research showed that this energy (these subatomic particles) did consist of waves which behaved and turned into particles under certain conditions.  

What are these conditions? The energy cannot exist as waves and particles at the same time.  As was eventually shown, energy is waves and when attention is placed on it, all other probabilities collapse (wave forms) and a “particle” (matter) is formed.  The thoughts and perceptions of the scientists doing the experiments determined which it was—waves or particles.

Another way to say this is that the observation (attention) of the scientist doing the experiment converted wave forms of “probability” into “particles” of matter.

“The conclusion then was that this energy, these subatomic particles acted and responded in exact proportion to the ‘thoughts’ and ‘beliefs’ that the scientist who was studying them had at that moment. . . The obvious conclusion…is that YOUR thoughts are also creative….this energy, these initial ‘wave forms’ transmute into subatomic particles which are directly affected and TAKE FORM based on the thoughts and beliefs of the person thinking them.” (http://www.abundance-and-happiness.com/be-still.html).

Quantum physics has shown that our thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions of any and every event, condition, or situation in our lives determine how our life experience will manifest (be created) in the physical world.

Put another way,

“Your thoughts, (which are also energy) which are determined by your beliefs, which in turn form your perceptions, are broadcast outward into the infinite field of “wave” energy much like a radio frequency, transformed from waves (spiritual realm) to particles (matter) and join together with additional energies which vibrate at a harmonious frequency and collectively join to shape what you come to see and experience in physical form in the physical world.  YOUR physical world.” (http://www.abundance-and-happiness.com/be-still.html)

This is the scientific basis for the Law of Attraction.  If you can think of and believe in the materialization of your biggest hopes, dreams, and desires, they already exist as a wave in the quantum field as a probability of existence, only waiting for you to make them real.

Sources

http://www.mind-your-reality.com/power_of-belief.html#Part 2

http://www.abundance-and-happiness.com/be-still.html

http://uncommonsense.is/post/19867557991/the-unbelievable-power-of-a-belief

http://www.fragmentsweb.org/fourtx/powbeltz.html