The Soulful Practice Of Kirtan Chanting
An ancient spiritual practice less known in the West has transformed my spiritual routine in recent years. It is known as kirtan a beautiful form of devotional chanting that originated in ancient India.
The term “kirtan” comes from Sanskrit and means “narrating, reciting, telling, describing” of an idea or story, particularly in a religious context. This enchanting practice weaves together music, meditation, chanting, and a deep sense of spiritual expression.
Kirtan is a central practice in the Bhakti Yoga tradition, which emphasizes love and devotion to a personal deity. It involves the repetitive chanting of mantras and divine names, traditionally in Sanskrit, accompanied by musical instruments such as the harmonium, tabla, and cymbals.
Traditionally, kirtans focus on chanting the names of deities like Krishna, Rama, or Sita. The kirtan leader sings a line and the congregation responds, creating a rhythmic and melodic interplay that is both meditative and invigorating.
While Kirtan remains rooted in its spiritual origins, it has gained global popularity beyond India and the Bhakti tradition. As the practice of yoga has boomed worldwide, kirtan too has seen an immense rise in popularity. It’s a testament to the universal appeal and transformative power of this captivating practice.
Kirtan events and gatherings are known for being welcoming and inclusive, focusing on the shared experience of chanting rather than strict religious adherence. Unlike the typical musical experience in spiritual settings, kirtan invites everyone to participate in a soulful, call-and-response chanting that creates a profound connection to the divine and brings people closer together.
Practical Techniques For Psychic Protection
Psychic protection, also known as spiritual or energetic protection, is a practice I hold dear because it helps shield me from negative energies, psychic attacks, and unwanted influences.
The concept is not new. Mystical protection practices can be traced back to various ancient civilizations, indigenous traditions, Eastern philosophies, and Western esoteric practices.
In ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, amulets and talismans were worn and protective deities invoked to ward off negative energies and evil spirits. Indigenous cultures in the Americas and Africa used smudging and rituals to summon ancestral spirits for protection.
Eastern religious traditions such as Hinduism and Buddhism use mantras, yantras, and meditation for spiritual protection. Kabbalistic traditions emphasize the use of specific prayers and rituals to create spiritual shields. These practices reflect a deep-rooted belief in the power of divine intervention and sacred symbols to provide protection.
In Catholicism, believers recite prayers such as the Lord’s Prayer or the prayer to St. Michael for protection from evil. They may also use holy water, crucifixes, or medals of saints as protective symbols. In Judaism, the recitation of Psalms and the use of amulets inscribed with Hebrew verses are common practices for protection against negative influences.
Contemporary spiritual communities have adapted these ancient practices to include the use of crystals, energy healing, and visualization techniques. Workshops, books, and teachings offer a wealth of methods for psychic protection, all aimed at maintaining a balanced, protected, and positive state of being. These diverse traditions and modern adaptations underscore the universal spiritual need to protect ourselves from unseen negative energies and dark influences.
The Subtle Psychic Power Of Flower Essences
Flower essences are one of my favorite spiritual resources. These vibrational imprints of flowers in water, preserved with alcohol, are a powerful tool for personal and spiritual development. They have been used for centuries to promote emotional well-being, balance and healing.
I come from a long line of female herbalists on my mother’s side of the family. They were seers, healers and mystics who combined their psychic gifts with natural healing practices.
That’s why I’ve always been interested in the metaphysical properties of plants, especially herbs and flowers. I love to alchemize them into tinctures, potions and remedies!
The main reason I love flower essences and remedies in particular is that, unlike essential oils and herbal remedies, flower essences are easier and safer to work with on a subtle energy level over the long term, making them particularly effective for enhancing psychic development and spiritual growth.
Flower essences were popularized in the early 20th century by Dr. Edward Bach. He was a British homeopath and bacteriologist who believed that the dew collected from flowers contained the healing properties of the plant. His research led to the creation of the Bach Flower Remedies, a set of 38 essences, each targeting a specific emotional state.
Bach’s remedies were based on the idea that certain flowers have healing properties that can help balance emotional states and promote overall well-being. Dr. Bach believed that emotional and mental states significantly influence physical health, and by addressing negative emotions, one can facilitate healing and prevent illness.
The Spiritual Heart Of Watermelon Tourmaline
Watermelon tourmaline holds a special place in my spiritual practice, and in my heart! Not only is this captivating stone a feast for the eyes, it is also a powerful tool for personal and spiritual growth, especially in opening and healing the heart chakra.
As a psychic practitioner, I have witnessed the transformative power of this gemstone in opening the spiritual heart. From a psychic perspective, its energy is a bridge to the heart center, helping us to connect more deeply with ourselves and others.
Watermelon tourmaline is a unique and visually striking variety of tourmaline that features a color gradient resembling the interior and exterior of a watermelon. This gemstone typically displays a vibrant pink or red center, surrounded by a green outer layer, mimicking the look of a watermelon slice. This distinctive coloration is due to the natural zoning of different trace elements within the crystal as it forms.
Its unique coloring symbolizes the harmonious blend of heart chakra energies, with the green representing the nurturing and healing qualities of the heart chakra and the pink embodying love, compassion and emotional warmth.
The heart chakra, or anahata, is the fourth primary chakra, located in the center of the chest. It is the bridge between the lower and upper chakras, connecting our physical existence with our higher spiritual aspirations. When balanced, the heart chakra emanates unconditional love, empathy and emotional balance. However, energy blockages in this chakra can lead to feelings of jealousy, resentment and emotional instability.
Navigating Relationship Conflict With Astrology Humor
Navigating a lover’s quarrel can range from simple and fleeting disagreements to complex and time-consuming arguments and feuds.
In the midst of such challenges, a sense of humor can sometimes be a good thing, providing a quick relief valve and a broader perspective on the situation. A little humor can even prevent us from saying or doing things we later regret!
A great source of humor is our zodiac sign. Understanding how our partner’s sign and our own might handle relationship conflict differently can actually help one see the funny, lighter side of even a serious disagreement.
Throughout my years as a psychic reader, I’ve certainly noticed the humor in how different clients handle arguments with their partners based on their signs.
Different zodiac signs have different communication styles. Knowing your partner’s style and your own can help you appreciate the differences and find humor in miscommunication. Each sign also has its flaws, and recognizing them can help you approach conflict with a greater sense of humor. Instead of seeing flaws as insurmountable problems, see them as opportunities for growth and laughter.
Learning To Trust Your Intuitions
As we navigate life’s challenges, we too often question our inner guidance. Even after decades of psychic work, I sometimes also find myself questioning my own choices and decisions. One of the ways we can move beyond the deceptions of the ego mind is to learn the signs of spirit and how spirit communicates with us.
Everyone has an inner psychic ‘dictionary.’ This inner glossary of personal spiritual symbols repeats signs and patterns to convey a message to you. Although you may not think of yourself as highly intuitive or as a psychic visionary, you may be surprised at how psychic you really are when you allow your higher self to guide you.
Most people who attend my intuitive development classes soon learn that they themselves already own the intuition they are seeking. What I mean by this is that what we try so hard to find in the outside world in order to become more intuitive is actually already present within us.
We are spirit and are merely occupying the physical vehicle that is our body. I am sure you have noticed that sometimes your body knows the truth about situations before it registers in your mind? This is a psychic ability.
The People In Your Tarot Court Cards
In a psychic tarot reading, several court cards, also known as ‘people cards’, may come up in a spread. This can be challenging and even confusing, because the reader must now interpret not only the situational influences and circumstances revealed by the spread, but also the other people who are playing a role, or may still be involved in the matter.
There are many different approaches to interpreting tarot court cards, but my personal preference is to associate each card with an astrological sign of the zodiac.
There are 78 cards in a traditional Tarot deck. The first 22 cards are the Major Arcana and the remaining 56 are the Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana are divided into four suits that correspond to the four classical elements of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth.
The element of Air is typically represented in the deck design as swords, feathers, birds, or clouds. The element of Fire is usually represented as wands, batons, or staffs. The element of Water is represented by cups, chalices, bowls, or mermaids. And the element of Earth is represented as pentacles, coins, or stones.
Sixteen of the 56 minor arcana are the court cards. The court cards of each suit represent people who embody the personality, traits, or influence of the associated element. Occasionally, a court card may also represent someone who fits the physical appearance of a particular person card as depicted in the card’s design.