Metaphysics
The Healing Energies Of Plant Spirits
Here in Latin America there is a rich tradition of herbalism and ceremonial, shamanic spiritual medicine. There has also been in recent times a global revival of plant medicine and natural healing practices, as well as a renewed interest in related indigenous wisdom traditions found in many cultures all over the world.
As a result of modern science, we have largely abandoned and forgotten the fountain of knowledge the aborigines had regarding healing and natural harmony. It took us several centuries to realize what we have lost and overlooked in the process.
Herbalism is however not only about natural medicine potentially having fewer side effects than modern pharmaceuticals. It is also about the innate energetic qualities we share with a particular plant. This approach to healin stems from a worldview that fully integrates man and nature.
In local tradition, near the Andes, the timing is just as important as the type of plant used for healing purposes. Depending on the season, or the phase of moon, for instance, the plant’s properties will vary, and its effectiveness less than optimal if used at the inappropriate time.
Both the healer and their patient’s attitude towards the plant itself is also an important factor in the healing process, as the respect and gratitude shown to the plant will determine its healing ability.
In shamanic herbalist practices it vital to understand that all entities are considered to have elemental energy, including plants and humans. This is the metaphysical premise of all plant medicine and magic. In fact, for the traditional herbalist all plants have spirits. And each one has specific faculties and properties at different levels or frequencies that can heal us in mind, body and soul.
A Strange Sign From The Heavens
The tradition of Christmas lights and the nativity story of The Star of Bethlehem all took on a whole new meaning for me over the holidays with a mystical experience that changed me forever.
I was doing my usual evening meditation, looking out over the city lights in the distance, beyond the woods that divide my backyard from the neighbors. It was later than usual, which made it an even more peaceful and perfect moment of spiritual bliss.
Sitting there, in a state of completely serenity and oneness with all that is, I suddenly notice unusual lights in the sky hovering close to my home. They were beautiful, white lights hovering in one place, but constantly changing shapes – from a triangle, to a star, then to a circle, and so on. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before!
I wanted to call and tell someone, but it was a bit too late at night for that, and what if I was the only one who could see it? I was also afraid it might vanish as fast as it appeared, and how foolish would I look then?
Meanwhile, my mind was trying to make sense of what I was witnessing. Was this otherworldly? A ghost or angel? An unidentified flying object (UFO)? Alien or earthly technology?
Then I intuitively sent out a telepathic message to the lights, “Please confirm if you are able to connect with my thoughts? If so, please give me a sign.”
Suddenly, the apparition shapeshifted from a circle of lights into the shape of the Holy Cross, and then into what looked like a heart. I was in a state of shock. I could not believe my eyes. I wanted to ask it another question, but it disappeared just as swiftly as it had appeared.
Seasonal Crystals To Prepare For The Spring
The second half of the winter season, after the solstice, is an ideal time to establish new patterns and laying the groundwork for the coming spring and summer. Now is the ideal time to start adopting healthier lifestyle habits and plant spiritual seeds that will bloom in the months ahead.
Crystal that pairs well with this kind of winter energy work is clear, transparent quartz. It is a metaphysical staple for many practitioners, regardless the time of year, as it facilitates mental and emotional clarity and helps clear out negative energies. However, like a pristine winter pool of icy water, it also does not tolerate shadows and secrets.
Another winter-friendly crystal is selenite, which resembles an opaque spike of white ice. It acts as a cleanser, sweeping away the painful memories of the past and embracing the transition into a new year. Selenite is also closely associated with guardian angels and spirit guides, so it helps us to tap into their guiding wisdom more clearly.
Warmer, more fiery crystals can also help us generate some sparks and bring new heat to even the coldest, most hibernated of intentions. Citrine, with its inviting citrus hues attracts good luck and prosperity to the bearer. This crystal helps us stick to our goals and fulfill our greater purpose.
If you are wanting to increase your creativity and productivity this year, try fiery carnelian, with its sweltering deep orange and red-brown overtures. Its leading energy associations are inspiration, determination, and tenacity. Also, red or fuchsia garnet (appropriately also the birthstone for January) increases motivation and allows us to manifest our goals and aspirations.
Astrology Forecast January 23 – 29, 2023
After all the cosmic upheaval of last week’s planetary shifts, you may be pleased to know that this week starts out on a much calmer note under a Waxing Crescent Pisces Moon.
A waxing crescent moon phase is a hopeful and positive time to recover, restore and rebuild, and in Pisces this becomes an especially healing energy to release what does not serve us. Fully embrace this harmonious, restorative, liberating vibration today and tomorrow, because on Wednesday the fiery Aries Moon will spur us back into action.
The Aries Moon will offer a great time for the rest of the work week until Friday for brainstorming, making big plans, putting new ideas into action, and energetic negotiation. The Aries Moon conjunction with Jupiter in Aries on Wednesday bodes especially well for potential financial gains, ambitious action, and enhanced social influence. Wednesday morning will therefore be the best time this week for promoting your services, selling your products, and striking those deals!
Venus will be moving into Pisces on Thursday, turning our focus to magic, fantasy, and all things metaphysical. Our intuitions will be on higher alert, and following those random hunches could pay off handsomely over the next four weeks!
The weekend unfolds under a Taurus Moon, where we can choose to tackle the clutter at home, or simply drop on the couch and catch up on all those binge-worthy TV shows we’ve been wanting to stream. Or perhaps a more sensible mixture of both?. Either way, the weekend is for regrouping, restoring, and relaxing, so make the most of the homely vibes of Taurus comfort and security.
How To Interpret Your Dreams
Dreaming is the mind’s way of working through our everyday life experiences. Our dreams can tell us a lot about deeper self and what goes on in our subconscious mind. Dreams can reveal things we did not realize were weighing our mind or burdening our spirit. There’s a lot of value in paying attention to our dreams, and really diving into what they may be telling us.
Our dreams are however not only about processing daily life. It is also a powerful metaphysical conduit for communicating with our high self and spirit.
But which is which? When is a dream just a daily psychological ‘filing’ procedure, and when is it a profound psychic or spiritual phenomenon? Is there a way to tell? And how does one go about interpreting a particularly unsual dream when you sense it may be more than just an everyday recap?
Sensing that dream is more than just a dream is an intuitive hunch or gut feeling that one can develop through practice. It starts by simply by paying attention and becoming more aware.
The first tell-tale sign is a dream that is very profound, dramatic, or vivid. It is often also a dream you remember in every detail. What did the dream look and feel like? Did the dream seem any different from your usual dreams? Is there anything particular that stands out for you?
Psychic or spiritual dreams usually just feel very ‘different.’ This feeling of ‘difference’ is unique for everyone, so it’s best to trust your own intuition here. Once you start paying more careful attention, you’ll soon get a sense for what your ‘regular’ dreams feel like, compared to your ‘other’ dreams.
Pay Attention To Your Angel Numbers!
Are you repeatedly seeing the same numbers on the clock, license plates, store signs, and other places? It’s more common than you may think. It is known as ‘angel numbers’ and it simply means God, Source, Spirit, the Divine is communicating with you!
The magic and symbolism of numbers and numerology date back to the beginning of recorded human history and can be found in various ancient texts. Numbers are a spiritually significant, and also a powerful divination tool.
In grade school, we practiced arithmetic and memorized multiplication tables. For me it was fascinating to see the consistency in certain number equations where certain rules apply that made math easier. Well, the same principles can be applied to decode the meaning of your angel numbers!
What’s most important about interpreting angel number sequences when you first begin to see them is to identify what those numbers mean to you personally. When you repeatedly see certain number sequences, ask yourself what is going on in your life at that moment in time.
What were you just thinking about or focusing on? Have you been struggling with a particular issue that you must find a solution for? Are you feeling anxious or upset about a circumstance that does not seem resolvable at this time? Are you worried about your job, a relationship, or family member? Are you in need of comfort or healing? Do you want to manifest something new and important in your life?
Astrology Forecast January 16 – 22, 2023
This week there is a cosmic ‘musical chairs’ occuring with various planets shifting as the heavens align for the beginning of the Chinese New Year this weekend.
Today, the Scorpio Moon will carry an intense vibration, enabling us to get a lot of things taken care of that have been on the back burner since last year.
A lighter energy prevails tomorrow and Wednesday, as the Moon dances through Sagittarius, but we’ll have to watch out for overly sensitive people and potential emotional outbursts. This may partly be due also to Mercury turning direct in Capricorn on Wednesday. This return can cause miscommunication and technical glitches that are sure to try some folks’ last nerve!
The Sun will move into Aquarius on Friday and meet up with Pluto, giving us a sense of destiny and karma to guide our way forward.
On Saturday the Aquarius New Moon will announce the dawn of the Chinese New Year. To add to the drama, Uranus will also turn direct this weekend, after four months of backward motion. This aspect will cement the fact that new beginnings are upon us! With the rare trio of the Sun moving into Aquarius, as well as the New Moon in Aquarius, and Aquarius as the ruling planet of Uranus going direct (as well as Mercury), plus the Chinese New Year all happening within a matter of days, the writing is certainly on the wall: major change for the better is on the horizon.