Tarot Reading for October 2016

  AND

 Blog #61: Why We Are More Powerful Than Our Genetics

 

Legacy of the Divine Tarot

 

 

3 OF COINS:  Take time during the month to do something that you enjoy, something that you can lose yourself in.  There may be many distractions coming up, so the best thing to do is to focus on an enjoyable activity, hobby, or work that gives you pleasure.  This will be far better than paying attention to fear-mongering news programs or newspapers.  It is ok to follow the news, because we do need to be aware of what is going on in the world, but do not allow it to put you into a fear-based state that you carry around with you.  Stay in a calm, peaceful state, and this will be projected outward.  You can spread positive energy just by keeping yourself grounded and focused on peace.

THE EMPRESS:  As we continue the transformation from the Age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius, we will see more and more the impact of the Divine Feminine energy, which was suppressed for so long.  We are entering a time where the patriarchal and feminine energies will balance each other.  The kind, nurturing, and supportive feelings will start coming to the forefront as we move along our paths.  Feel this beautiful sense of helping others, providing aid when needed, and spreading unconditional love as you go about your day. We are on the brink of something wonderful, despite all the negative events that are occurring. Let the Empress energy fill you, bringing you love, support, and guidance.

 

2 OF SWORDS:   Blinders continue to be removed as we learn more about what is truly happening in our world. Seek out the truth, being careful to use discernment when exposed to new ideas and information.  Do not be afraid of what you might learn; sometimes the truth is hard to accept.  You may have a choice to make—blindly following what is being told through the mainstream media, or striking out on your own, researching other sources of information.  Buddha said: “Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.”   We are at a point where this is truer than ever, so we need to keep our eyes and ears open, and be willing to not believe all that is broadcast. 

 QUEEN OF WANDS:   With all the changes that we are being confronted with, it is important for us to be self-confident and self-assured as we deal with whatever comes our way.  Do not let anything stand in your way of seeking out the truth, of following your own path, and staying true to your inner self.  Let your authentic self come forth and trust that you will be given the courage and fortitude to handle any difficulty or issue that arises.  We all have the Queen of Wands energy somewhere within us; we just need to believe in ourselves and have faith that we can overcome any obstacle that lies in our path.

 TRENDS FOR THE MONTH:  As change, uncertainty, and a bit of chaos continue to exist in our world, we need to take care of ourselves so we do not get caught up in this whirlwind of negativity.  Refrain from getting too immersed in the mainstream media, choosing instead to focus on something that you enjoy. This is a far better distraction than getting caught up in information that may be questionable.  Let the Empress energy surround and engulf you, so you can freely give love, kindness, and support to those who need it, as well as to yourself.  Pursue the truth, remembering that all will come out eventually.  Draw on your own inner strength, letting your confident self shine through.  Now it is more important than ever to trust and believe in ourselves, knowing that we can make a difference in the world.

Blog # 61:  Why We Are More Powerful Than Our Genetics

Retrieved from: www.edx.org

 

Dr.  Bruce Lipton, the author of Biology of Belief and other books, explains quite clearly the true role that genetics plays in our health.  We have been led to believe that our genes control our bodies and our health, rather than we ourselves being in charge of our bodies, and therefore must just accept our "genetic fate" that we have inherited from our parents.

Here are just a few highlights from his article “The Wisdom of Your Cells”.

Ø  In his cell culturing experiments with muscle stem cells, he found that although all the muscle cells were genetically the same, the outcome of their growth was determined by the environment he put them in.

Ø  Our body is actually a community of 50 trillion living cells; health occurs when all the cells are getting along and working cooperatively together; dis-ease happens when something disrupts the relationships of the cells in the community.

Ø  Every one of the body systems and functions (digestive, respiratory, reproductive, nervous, etc.) exists in each and every cell of our bodies.
 
Ø  Researchers at first thought that genes in a DNA strand controlled only the physical body, but more study showed that genes also influenced behavior and emotion.

Ø  When it was discovered that DNA copies itself and it controls the protein, the first conclusion reached was that basically our lives are controlled by DNA, and we end up being “victims” of heredity.

Ø  Dr. Lipton discovered that the brain of the cell (the “controller”) is its skin or membrane—the interface of the cell and the environment.  It is this functional element that controls life, leading to a most significant conclusion—we are not victims of our genes.

Ø  His remarkable insight:  “When we understand that genes are just respondents to the environment from the perceptions handled by the cell membrane, then we can realize that if life isn’t going well, what we have to do is not change our genes but change our perceptions” (i.e., our thoughts about what is happening around us).

Ø  We can never be separated completely from our environment.  “Quantum physics says the invisible energy is 100 times more efficient in conveying information than are material signals (e.g., drugs).  What we are beginning to recognize is that there is an invisible world that we have not dealt with in regard to understanding the nature of our health.”

Ø  This is why it is important for modern medicine to take a more holistic approach to health, recognizing that energy, though invisible, is very real.  Albert Einstein said that the field, the invisible source, is the sole governing agency of the physical reality.

Source

https://www.brucelipton.com/resource/article/the-wisdom-your-cells

 

 

 

 

Tarot Reading for September 2016

  AND

 Blog #60: The Mind-Body Connection:

 Effects of Negative Emotions on the Body

 

 

Legacy of the Divine Tarot

 

 

 

3 OF SWORDS:  There will continue to be fear and anxiety in the world as we get into September.  All the unsettling news of the summer will have an impact on how the world is viewed and the perception that things are still going awfully awry.  Although we can do little to impact the behavior of others who cause chaos, we do have the ability to alter the way we look at all that is happening.  Despite the bad news, we can continue to envision the world bathed in pure white light, surrounded by St. Germain’s violet light of transmutation.  We can send love and healing energy to those who are adversely affected by any negativity.  We can stop watching mainstream news, which just encourages the fear instilled through all the negative events to continue on and on.  We also must believe that things will get better, but they may get worse before we see the light at the end of the tunnel.

2 OF SWORDS:  It is time to remove the blinders of what is truly going on in the world. Rather than trusting the news shown on mainstream TV stations, why not choose to explore alternative news sites on the internet to get a different perspective? The truth is being hidden from us, and as more people awaken to this fact, change can happen, starting at the grassroots level.  The sadness created in the last few months is a wake-up call for those who have been sleeping and have been oblivious to what has been occurring in our world.  We must continue to educate ourselves and dig for more information, then use discernment to decide for ourselves what to believe.

ACE OF SWORDS:  By looking for other sources of information, we provide to ourselves new mental energy and new ideas.  Let all the Swords energy of this month help you cut away the lies, deceit, and disinformation so you can free yourself from fear and worry.  It is up to us to seek answers to what is going on under the surface.  We may not get to the whole truth, but we will learn the importance of trusting ourselves, our own intuition, and our heart.

7 OF SWORDS:  This card is a summary of what we have been dealing with for quite a while in our world. Deception, disinformation, double talk, distortion of information—this is what we have been exposed to, but the truth is starting to come out.  Do not get discouraged by all the negative news, and do positive things for yourself that will help you cope whenever you hear of another tragedy. Pray for those that have been hurt, send them love and healing energy, surround yourself with white light, and then let it go. It does no good to dwell on the bad state of affairs and what an awful world we live in now.  Yes, there is a lot of chaos and pain, but we can rise above it if we so choose. Do not wallow in fear, for this does nothing but makes things worse. Stay in a positive frame of mind as best you can.

TRENDS FOR THE MONTH: September is a Swords month, which means that there will be a lot of cutting away of whatever is not in our best interest or not for our highest good.  More and more people are awakening to the truths that are beginning to be exposed and changing their beliefs about many things. It may be a time of discomfort and cognitive dissonance, but we will move through this as we remember that it is always darkest before dawn. We have free will, so we can choose to be influenced by all the negativity around us, or we can choose to turn off the fear-mongering TV news and focus on sending out unconditional love to everyone. Visualize an Earth where we are all living in peace, with no more war and strife. It starts with us—we must change ourselves from within to see positive change manifesting outwardly.

 

Blog #60:  The Mind-Body Connection: Effects of Negative Emotions on the Body

Retrieved from www.quantumhealingnaturopathicmedicine.com

 

After experiencing a challenging situation or a difficult problem, have you noticed that you begin developing aches and pains in your body that were not there before? 

Did you know that when we have strong emotions, they do not just go away?  Since emotions are basically energy, they are stored in the cellular memory of our bodies, as well as specific parts of the body.  That is why health conditions are attached to our feelings and how we react to what happens to us.   Louise Hay, a metaphysical author and teacher, has written a best-selling book describing various mental causes for a host of physical illnesses—Heal Your Body.  It is a good reference book to help you determine the root cause of an illness or condition; it helps you begin healing the cause, not the symptoms.  The medical field focuses mostly on the symptoms, which is why often a condition is treated continually with medication, rather than being eliminated.

For example, Louise says that cancer is caused by “Deep hurt. Longstanding resentment. Deep secret or grief eating away at the self.  Carrying hatreds. (Asking) ‘What is the use?’ “ (Heal Your Body, p. 22.) Another example--Knee problems:  “Stubborn ego and pride. Inability to bend. Fear. Inflexibility. Won’t give in.” (p. 46).

A negative attitude leads to negative emotions, which are eventually expressed physically in the body, if we allow them to.  That is why it is so important to stay positive, which raises our vibration, thus helping us to develop a good immune system.

Our emotions cause our body to release different hormones, such as serotonin, dopamine or oxytocin if we are happy and in a good frame of mind.  If we are stressed, the body releases cortisol, which hinders our immune system from working properly since we are in survival mode.  Continued elevated cortisol levels lead to inflammation, where most if not all illnesses begin.

So how can we improve our emotional health?

Ø  Try to recognize emotions and why we are having them.

Ø  Express feelings in appropriate ways.

.

Ø  Live a balanced life—deal with negative emotions but focus on the positive in your life.

Ø  Develop resilience—learn how to cope with stress in a healthy way.

Ø  Calm the mind and body—relaxation methods, meditation, music, guided imagery, yoga, tai Chi.

Ø  Take care of yourself—have a regular routine for eating nutritious meals, getting enough rest and exercise.

Some positive emotions that can help include:

Ø  Forgiveness

Ø  Gratitude

Ø  Emotional resilience—bouncing back from a negative experience rather than staying in a negative state of mind

It is also important to let go of anger.  Some of the illnesses that Louise Hay attributed to anger include: sore throat (holding in angry words), pink eye (anger and frustration), liver problems (seat of anger),  injuries (anger at the self), carpal tunnel syndrome (anger and frustration at life’s seeming injustices).

Ways to overcome anger:

Ø  Acknowledge the anger—be mindful of what you are feeling

Ø  Realize where your anger is coming from—ask yourself why you are angry

Ø  Take a step back—take some deep breaths, go for a walk, distract yourself until you feel calmer

Ø  Deal with the issue—just ignoring it will not make it go away

Ø  Talk to someone about what is bothering you

Ø  Let go of unhealthy thoughts that lead to a negative mindset—appreciate what is good in your life rather than looking for problems or thinking the worst

And finally, remember that perception is so important in how a negative situation affects us.  Our reaction to a problem is more crucial than the problem itself.

Sources

Hay, Louise L. Heal your body: The mental causes of physical illness and the metaphysical way to overcome them. Hay House: Carlsbad, California, 1988.

http://galacticconnection.com/the-effects-of-negative-emotions-on-your-body/#sthash.DN9aYPuV.dpbs

http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/negative-emotions-impact-health/

http://fractalenlightenment.com/15116/life/the-effect-of-negative-emotions-on-

our-health

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/04/11/the-effects-of-negative-emotions-on-our-health/

http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/prevention-wellness/emotional-wellbeing/mental-health/mind-body-connection-how-your-emotions-affect-your-health.html

   http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/enhance-your-wellbeing/health/thoughts-emotions/how-

   do-thoughts-emotions-impact-health

     http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-cynthia-thaik/emotional-wellness_b_4612392.html

 

 

Tarot Reading for August 2016

  AND

 Blog #59: What's So Great About Yoga?

 

Legacy of the Divine Tarot

 

  

THE FOOL:  A new path and a fresh start await those who are adventurous and willing to embrace change.   Now is a good time to strike out on a new course of action, perhaps doing something that you have considered but put on the back burner because you thought you weren’t ready.  Now you are, and now is the time.  Maybe you have always wanted to travel to a special place, but put it off because you told yourself you were too busy, you didn’t have enough money, or you had other more important obligations.  Maybe you have wanted to try a new hobby or project, but procrastinated for similar reasons.  Procrastinate no longer! The energy of change is in the air, and there is no better time than this month to take advantage of this spark that could ignite wondrous things in your life.

 

3 OF COINS:  Is there something in your life that brings you such bliss that when you are working or engaged in it you feel as if time stands still?  If so, you are very fortunate to have found this, so take time now to engage in this work, play, or activity that brings such joy.  If you have nothing in your life that matches this description, then use this month as the jumping off point for you to find something that fits the bill.  It could be something as small as going to a nearby park to spend time in nature, going back to an abandoned hobby that you truly enjoyed, or spending more time with good friends.  Whatever it is, you will feel more energetic and revitalized if you take time to meet your own needs by doing something that brings you joy.

JUSTICE:  August is the month where truth shall continue to prevail.  More and more people are awakening to the fact that there is something quite amiss in our world.  Things are not what they seem, and fear is rampant in some areas.  Rather than giving in to fear of the future or fear of where our country and the world are headed, focus instead on all that you have to be grateful for.  It does you nor anyone else any good to wallow in the bad news that seems to surround us.  Keep yourself in a space of unconditional love for yourself and others who are going through a rough time or just need support.  We can change the world through love, and this is a good month to continue along this path.  Remember, it is always darkest before dawn, and we are on the precipice of a new age.

3 OF SWORDS:  If sadness, disappointment, loneliness, anxiety, worry, or fear come your way, the best thing to do is to allow yourself to experience these feelings in your body and heart, and then let them go.  Don’t try to suppress them, for this may just make the hurt and pain feel worse.  This is not always easy to do, but if you give yourself a certain amount of time to feel sorry for yourself and then distract yourself by doing something different, you may find that you are able to move forward.  Pain will happen, but how long we allow ourselves to suffer with the pain is up to us.  Choose to help yourself heal by releasing the pain or fear, or get the help of someone else who is equipped to assist you.

TRENDS FOR THE MONTH:  Much opportunity awaits those this month who are willing to help themselves in a variety of ways.  Doing something different, getting out of your routine, accepting rather than fighting change—these are all ways of taking advantage of the August energy. Take time to do things that bring you pleasure, and if faced with worries or fears, remember that “This too shall pass”, and you can get through it.  Don’t let the fear-mongering going on in the world now affect you, and recognize that many truths are being brought into the light.  Have faith that things are getting better, for they are.

Blog #59:  What’s So Great About Yoga?

Retrieved from www.dailyreckoning.com

 

Have you ever thought about taking a yoga class to see what it was all about? And do you wonder why more people are practicing yoga?

In this short article, a history of yoga will be given, as well as some types/styles and the numerous benefits of yoga. You will find that there is a lot that is great about yoga!

History of Yoga

The origin of yoga goes back more than 5,000 years to India, designed as a practice to unite the mind and the body.   This helps with a more positive outlook and experiencing more serenity and peace. 

The word “yoga” means union, especially “union with the divine”, although today the spiritual aspect may not be emphasized as much.  The physical aspects of yoga consist of a series of stretches and poses combined with proper breathing techniques.  It is a wonderful way to bring more balance into your life by stretching and strengthening your body, focusing your mind, and relaxing yet rejuvenating your spirit.

There are many types of yoga to choose from, depending on what your goal is. Here is a partial list.

Ø  Hatha yoga—is the most popular in the U.S.  It emphasizes physical postures (called asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama).

Ø  Iyengar yoga—focuses on alignment and uses various props to help hold various postures. Its movements are fluid and dance-like.

Ø  Ashtanga yoga—is intense and fast-paced, and sometimes called power yoga. It helps build endurance and strength; postures are linked to breathing patterns.

Ø  Bikram yoga—is practiced in a very hot room.  It consists of 26 postures done twice per session.

Ø  Restorative yoga—is not as active as those above, focusing instead on relaxation.

Some benefits of yoga

Ø  It is a wonderful workout for your body. You can adapt the postures to your own speed and comfort, whether in a class or practicing using a video.

Ø  It helps you get more in touch with your body.  As you move your body to increase strength and durability, you are able to notice when a part of your body does not seem to be working properly.

Ø  It helps you focus on your breathing.  Many people nowadays breathe too shallowly or not often enough. Yoga helps you pay attention to breathing, emphasizing deep breathing, which is good for your lungs and whole body. Proper breathing is also a good stress reducer.

Ø  It helps you improve your posture by teaching you proper body alignment, such as pulling the shoulders back, positioning the head over ears, and sitting/standing with a straight back. You will find yourself walking taller and more confidently.  A wonderful side effect of good posture is a reduction in back pain, because pain is an inflammation caused by the body being out of alignment.  Yoga helps strengthen back muscles while teaching proper alignment.

Ø  It helps your balance and stability.  Balancing poses require core strength and focus; the more you practice yoga, the better will be your balance.

Ø  It can develop your physical and mental strength.  A combination of lunges, stretches, twists, and other postures requires that you use most of your muscles, and while doing so, it is important to focus on the moment.  It gives you a clear mind because your intense focus does not allow your mind to wander.  In fact, one of the most important benefits of yoga is the quieting of the mind and learning to pay attention.

Ø  It helps quiet your mind for meditation. Yoga is a form of meditation, because it requires intention and focus.  Poses done without concentration and thought are just that—poses, not yoga.  If you meditate, you may find that a regular yoga practice helps you meditate more easily.

Ø  Yoga therapy is on the rise.  Yoga therapy includes any yoga technique that systematically helps alleviate physical injury or pain, or mental and emotional stress or trauma.  Research is showing that yoga can help with back pain, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.  It can also help to lessen the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

If you want to age gracefully and have functional strength for your whole life, then you may want to see if there are any yoga classes that you can attend, just to try out.  If you stick with it, you will be amazed at not only the physical effects on your body but the sense of well-being, clarity of thought, and serenity you experience as well.

Sources

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/7-reasons-you-should-start-doing-yoga-immediately.html

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=2767

http://www.active.com/fitness/articles/7-reasons-you-should-practice-yoga

http://www.yogajournal.com/article/health/western-doctors-prescribing-yoga-therapy/

 

 

Tarot Reading for July 2016

  AND

 

Blog #58: What Is Chemicalization?

 

Legacy of the Divine Tarot

 

 

 

QUEEN OF COINS:  July will be a month of using your manifesting ability to bring into your life what you want by focusing on your intuition and third eye. Open this chakra so you can connect to your divine feminine and let the blessings flow.  Recognize your power and be open to receiving what you have been working toward and what you deserve. This can be a month of rewards and material gifts by knowing that you have the strength and skill to achieve whatever you want. How you go about it is up to you, so just believe that you can do it.

THE MAGICIAN: If you still doubt that this could be a good month for you, the Magician is here to tell you even more strongly that if you set an intention for what you want to create, focus on it, believe you have the ability, carry out the action steps to bring it to you (without expecting a specific outcome), then you will be successful.  This is very powerful creative energy that we all possess, except that for many of us we don’t believe that we are capable of accomplishing this.  It is up to you to decide if you are tired of not having things work out, or if you feel like you are struggling and going nowhere. Now is the time to take definite steps towards changing your reality for the better.

DEATH:  Some more major energy will be with us this month—that of huge transformation and change. We are not talking just about changes in your outer world (such as a new job, a change of residence, or other changes in our personal lives), but this also speaks to the transforming of our inner selves.  Many more people are awakening to the truth of what our reality is all about, and they are becoming dissatisfied with the status quo. This is what serves as the impetus for making major personal transformations.  So if you are feeling like things are all out of kilter, or that sometimes things don’t make sense, just know that these are all symptoms of the changes that are perhaps occurring on a spiritual level within you.  Ride these feelings as if you were on top of a big wave, and see where it brings you.  Replace fear of change by welcoming the excitement it brings, and get ready for wonderful things to happen.

ACE OF SWORDS: All of this creative ability and transformation will have you flying high as new ideas start coming to you, or as you start seeking out information that previously you may have had no interest in. You feel your brain and mind being stimulated and expanded like never before, and maybe even feel the flow of new mental energy coming into you.  You will have a clearer understanding of illusions, using your sword to cut through fabricated confusion. Aces are new beginnings, and you are on the threshold of a new part of your life (as indicated also by the Death card).  So rather than fighting all things that are different or unexpected, welcome them with open arms.

TRENDS FOR THE MONTH:  We are in for quite a ride during July. Not only will we be infused with a motivation and urging to make our life circumstances better through our own actions, but we will be required to accept and gallantly move through the changes that are on the horizon. The end result of these transformative energies can be amazing if you will just allow them to come to you and then experience the excitement rather than worry about what the future brings.  Key words for the month are creativity, manifestation, abundance, magic, transformation, new ideas, and steadfast belief in yourself.

 

 Blog #58:  What Is Chemicalization?

Retrieved from www.articlesbase.com

 

Have you ever heard the expressions “It is always darkest before dawn”, “There is a light at the end of the tunnel”, or “Things usually get worse before they get better”?

In a nutshell, this is what chemicalization is all about.  It is part of the natural process of change and transformation, and is a side effect of what happens when we begin to make changes in our lives by manifesting what we want, generally by using the Law of Attraction.  It is the reordering of our lives to accommodate the manifestation of change that we work on during our Law of Attraction work.

Chemicalization is a term that is not often heard in connection with the Law of Attraction, but it gives another reason why the Law of Attraction does not always work.

It also explains perhaps what is happening in our world right now.  Everything seems to be in chaos and appears to get worse as each day goes by.  According to the process of chemicalization, it is necessary because something better and at a higher level cannot and will not emerge if the old is still in place.  It is uncomfortable, because we feel like we are being shaken to our core.  But once we understand how this process fits into the total scheme of things, then more of what is occurring begins to make sense.

You may have seen chemicalization take place in your own life too.  Perhaps you have worked on bringing some type of abundance into your life, only to experience just the opposite. Things seem to start falling apart right before your eyes, and you get discouraged thinking that nothing will turn out right.

One author describes the process this way:

“Consider an actual chemical process where two chemicals are mixed together and the mixture bubbles up.  We must learn how to look past what is happening at the moment and see what will happen after the chemical process has settled down and is complete.” (http://bodymindandspirit2.blogspot.com/2013/09/chemicalization.html)

Whether you are concerned about chemicalization happening in your life or in the world, there are some things we can do to relieve the stress that this process might bring.

Ø  Actively expect good things to happen.

Ø  Pay attention to your feelings at the moment, and stay in a positive frame of mind.

Ø  Trust that the Universe is working on the situation, and things will turn out exactly as they are supposed to.

Ø  Continue to pursue personal goals in a determined and resilient manner.

Ø  Detach from whatever outcome you would like to see happen.

Ø  Don’t criticize yourself or anyone else.

Ø  Remove yourself from a state of fear.

Ø  Stay in a high vibration state, remembering that vibrations are always matched and are aligned with feelings and emotions—the Universe responds to the level of our vibration.

Feelings à Vibrations (Expectations) à Attraction (Manifestation)

 For more information:

http://bodymindandspirit2.blogspot.com/2013/09/chemicalization.html

http://www.creatavision.com/wordpress/why-chemicalization-is-necessary/

http://www.creatavision.com/wordpress/index.php?s=chemicalization

http://creationthoughts.com/category/chemicalization/

http://dynamictransitioning.blogspot.com/2007/12/chemicalization-process.html

http://nikrockstrom.com/blog/manifesting-and-the-strange-process-of-chemicalization/

http://ezinearticles.com/?Chemicalization-and-the-Law-of-Attraction&id=1887050

https://lawofattractionteachings.wordpress.com/2015/12/07/lesson-7-expectations-frequency-and-emotions/

Tarot Reading for June 2016

 

  AND

 

Blog #57: Why Is Mindfulness So Important?

 

Legacy of the Divine Tarot

 

 

 

 

6 OF COINS:  Practicing generosity and having compassion for others are positive actions we can take that will help us feel better in these discordant times.  There is a balance of giving and receiving that is important and becomes more so now.  We are not only talking about monetary or material gifts, but also the feelings associated with giving of ourselves—whether it is a random act of kindness, giving someone a sincere compliment, or just saying hello to someone who passes by.  Also, the idea of balance is embodied in this card—is your life balanced in a healthy way? Are you drawing on both your masculine and feminine sides? Are you using both your left and right brain hemispheres so you come to decisions that are right for you? Are you staying in a positive frame of mind and being grateful for the good things in the world, rather than focusing on what is wrong and how bad things seem to be? You have the power to get yourself balanced, and the rewards can be amazing.

THE LOVERS:  This card can represent not only love, friendship, relationships, or a partnership, but also choice, discernment, and (once again) balance.  The energy and changes in the air now are requiring many of us to make choices about a variety of things—deciding if we are truly happy and if not, what to do about it; realizing that dissatisfaction is a good thing because it makes us move out of the status quo; and understanding that the decisions we are making can be life-transforming.  That is why use of discernment and careful consideration are key.  The idea of self-love is also important, because many of us have been brought up to see this as being selfish. We can alter our feelings about ourselves for the better simply by looking in the mirror and saying to ourselves “I love you” every single day or doing something just for ourselves. Lack of self-love appears to be prevalent in our society, but asking yourself if you practice self-love can bring awareness to this part of your life.

QUEEN OF SWORDS: Some qualities this Queen possesses are being straightforward, independent, fair, analytical, and perceptive; yet also compassionate, quick, and gracious.  The truth is very important to her, and she can see through lies easily.  The current political state of our world is fraught with lies and disinformation. Rather than getting upset and frustrated with this situation, we can learn to be more like this Queen, who sees the truth yet is able to understand and perceive what is really going on (i.e., things are being played out now that have been occurring for many, many years).  She is compassionate and fair-minded, realizing that the truth cannot be hidden for long. Truth will prevail.

10 OF SWORDS:  We all have times in our lives when we think that our current situation is as bad as it gets. We do eventually move through the pain, knowing that there is an end in sight. This card could be a depiction of the state of our world right now—we wonder how things can get any worse. But 10—the number of completion—tells us that a fresh start is possible. So rather than feeling miserable and struggling against what is happening, just surrender to what will be and keep sending unconditional love to all those who are responsible for the sad state of the world.  Just know that things will get better—this is the Age of Aquarius after all!

TRENDS FOR THE MONTH:  The themes for June are balance, generosity, self-love, making wise choices, seeing the truth, and believing that we are at the end of one cycle of challenges and are in the process of moving into a better place. Practice kindness to others and yourself, look critically at your current situation to make wise choices about your future, see the truth without getting discouraged, and have faith that things can and indeed will change.  Keep a positive mindset as we all wait for this cycle to end, for a new age is dawning.

 

Blog #57: Why Is Mindfulness So Important?

Retrieved from www.mindfulness.colostate.edu

Mindfulness is focusing awareness on the present moment, and it does not require meditation or doing anything extra special.  It just requires putting awareness into everything we do in our lives. If practiced regularly, it can become a daily habit and life-long routine leading to happiness and a sense of well-being.

One author defines mindfulness as

“. . . the awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally. That sounds pretty simple…but actually when we start paying attention to how much we pay attention, half of the time our minds are all over the place and we have a very hard time sustaining attention.” (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/30/habits-mindful-people_n_5186510.html)

Why is being mindful important?  As we start practicing mindfulness, we can enjoy life more, because we are actually more productive when we pay attention to what we are doing each moment.  Have you ever done a simple task, such as turning off a coffee pot, but not paying attention to what you are doing, and then can’t remember if you turned it off or not?  As you are driving away, you may keep wondering about that coffee pot.  This is an example of not being mindful.

 When we are mindful while eating, we can enjoy our food more and eat more slowly (which is better for digestion anyway).  If mindful while doing housework, we can change our perception of it from drudgery to something more—a task that makes us more aware of the floor we are sweeping or the furniture we are dusting, perhaps even grateful that we have a house and furniture to clean.

It does take practice, but if you just try it for even one hour, you may be amazed at how you feel.

Some ways to practice mindfulness

Ø  Do one thing at a time.  When eating, just eat. When brushing your teeth, just brush. Don’t multi-task.

Ø  Do each thing slowly and deliberately.  Don’t rush; take your time and move slowly. This helps your focus.

Ø  Do less.  Even if you are busy and feel you must rush from one task to another, you do have the ability to figure out what is important and letting go of what is not.

Ø  Don’t schedule things close together.  Give yourself time to fully complete one thing before going on to the next. This will help you feel more relaxed and less rushed.

Ø  Spend five minutes a day doing nothing.  Sit in silence, noticing your breathing, your thoughts, the sounds around you, what you see (you don’t have to close your eyes). Allow yourself to be comfortable with silence and stillness.

Ø  Rather than worrying about the future, focus on the present.  Become more aware of what you  are thinking—do you tend to worry about what has not yet happened?  Recognize when you are doing this, and bring your thoughts back to the present and what you are doing at that moment.

Ø  Be present when talking with someone.  When engaged in conversation with someone, instead of thinking what you will say next, or all the things you have to do, concentrate and focus on the person you are with, giving him/her your undivided attention so you can enjoy yourself more.

Tips that may be helpful

Mindful people:

Ø  Take walks and get outside.  A walk connects you with nature, calms the mind, and facilitates greater awareness.

Ø  Turn daily tasks into mindful moments.  Pay more attention to daily tasks as you are performing them.

Ø  Create.  Sing, play, dance, doodle—do whatever you enjoy and let your imagination soar. Creative activities help you get into a state of quiet flow.

Ø  Pay attention to their breathing.  Calming the breath helps to calm the mind.

Ø  Do only one task at a time.  This helps you stay in the moment.

Ø  Know when to disengage from the phone.  When interacting with others, give them your full attention.

Ø  Seek out new experiences.  To step into the unknown is to find balance between holding on and letting go.

Ø  Feel your feelings without suppressing them.  Accept what you are feeling without resisting it.

Ø  Meditate.  Go within, even for just a few minutes; it can be a walking meditation or just a short time being alone in silence.

Ø  Are conscious of what they put into their bodies and minds.  Eat healthy, nourishing food and spend some time away from television, social media, mindless gaming.

Ø  Don’t take themselves too seriously. Remember to laugh, even when things aren’t going well.

Ø  Let their minds wander when they feel like it.  Imagining and fantasizing can actually help us be more mindful.

So why not trying being mindful just once during the day? As you gain practice, you can increase the mindful instances gradually. It could become a wonderful habit.

Sources

http://www.mindful.org/five-steps-to-mindfulness/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/30/habits-mindful-people_n_5186510.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/30/habits-mindful-people_n_5186510.html

http://mrsmindfulness.com/3-habits-to-help-you-maintain-mindfulness-all-day-long/

http://tinybuddha.com/blog/7-obstacles-to-mindfulness-and-how-to-overcome-them/