Friday, June 21, 2013

Winter Solstice and Supermoon 2013

Two celestial events coincide this month, the Winter solstice and supermoon.  The Winter solstice occurs on Friday, 21 June and on Sunday, 23 June we will be treated to the largest full moon of the year known as a supermoon.  This is when the moon will be at its closest to the earth all year, making it appear much larger and brighter than usual.  With the full moon in Capricorn and the sun in Cancer, this is an emotional time of deep dreaming and strong feeling.  We are challenged to manifest our emotional and intuitive sides into physical reality in a positive way. 

To coincide with the supermoon, we also have the energy of the winter solstice.  The name solstice literally means 'sun stands still' and marks the longest night and shortest day of the year.  For many, this is a sacred time of reflection and celebration.  It’s a time to turn inward and reassess our connection to our spiritual side and life purpose.  We are also encouraged to reflect on the shadow side of our personality so it can be acknowledged, transformed and healed.  Symbolically, it’s a time for letting go of the old to allow the new to emerge and to set goals for the coming year.  This is the perfect time to nurture and balance the spiritual, physical and emotional aspects of ourselves so we can be symbolically reborn and transformed from inner darkness into light.  Many light a candle in honour of the festival to call back the sun and be recharged for Spring. 

Friday, January 4, 2013

Welcome to the Year 2013

Many people felt that the world would end on 21 December 2012.  Thankfully, this didn’t happen but it was a significant milestone nonetheless. 

Humanity is entering into a new phase as we shift from the Age of Pisces into the Age of Aquarius.  This is a time when subtle changes are taking place as people are beginning to become more self aware and in tune with their environment. 

This process has already begun with people looking inward for answers instead of outward to money and material possessions. The focus on humanitarian and environmental issues has increased. More and more people are seeking alternative lifestyles that focus on community and self sufficiency. All this will continue to grow as we connect with our authentic selves. The cloak of materialism will begin to fall with an emphasis on humanity, kindness, truth, spirituality and enlightenment. 

You may have noticed that previous subjects that were considered unpopular are now becoming mainstream, such as vegetarianism, alternative medicine and healing.  These subjects will become increasingly common place as people become more aligned with their spiritual selves.
To coincide with this shift, 2013 is a six year in numerology.  A six represents home, hearth, responsibility and caring for others.  This year with the strengthening of our focus on humanitarian issues we will be more compassionate in our search for solutions.
On a personal level, I have been called to further my studies into spiritual healing.  Last year I began my journey in shamanism which will continue into 2013 and beyond.  I hope to integrate these new modalities into my practice this year, with healing taking place at a much deeper level.
Finally, as we become more awakened and enlightened on an individual level, we can integrate this into society and the wider community.  In the Age of Aquarius, we have the opportunity to reinvent ourselves and break free from out dated concepts.  This allows us to create a new reality, one that is based on love, peace and unity.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

How to Cleanse your Home with Sage

Sage smudging is an ancient cleansing ritual used by shamanic cultures to remove negative energy from a space. There are a number of reasons why you would want to perform a space cleansing:

Welcome in the new year
Cleansing your home of any old or negative energy is a great way to make a fresh start to the new year.

Moving into a new home
Houses absorb energy and retain memories, both good and bad. Sometimes the previous occupants have left behind negative or unwanted energy and it needs to be shifted.

Personalising your own space
Making your home your own is important and can help foster feelings of security and well being.

Ghosts or Hauntings
Sometimes spirits of those that have passed get caught in the astral plane and can 'haunt' a space or home. Typical signs that you may have an unwanted guest include strange noises, smells, cold/hot areas, feeling a presence around you or poltergiest activity.

Here is a simple ritual you can do yourself using a smudge stick to cleanse your home. A smudge stick can be purchased from most new age stores.
  • Open all the windows and doors of your house and light your smudge stick. Give it a couple of minutes until it starts to smoulder. Make sure you hold a suitable vessel underneath to catch any embers or ash.
  • Walk around each room waving the smoke into the corners and around the windows and doors, allowing the smoke to circulate and cleanse the energy and space. While doing so, set your intention and visualize all negative energy leaving the house. You can say a cleansing prayer such as "I cleanse this room of any impurities, negativity, or anything that does not support the people that live here".
  • Do this ritual around the entire house, all the while visualizing any negative energy leaving and being replaced with a bright light of positive energy.
  • After you have cleared your entire home, wave the smudge stick around your entire body from head to toe and front to back to force any energies not your own away from your body. Do not inhale the smoke.
  • When finished, extinguish the smudge stick or take it outside to a safe place and allow it burn down. I usually only use one smudge stick for each ritual. Allow the remainder of the smoke and smell to leave your home before closing your windows and doors. Happy smudging!