Self-Care
The Ancient Spiritual Tradition Of Smudging
Just as our physical environment can become cluttered and unclean, our aura or energy field also accumulates stagnant and negative energy.
Regularly cleaning our homes and workplaces promotes health, hygiene and optimal function — and the same principle applies to our personal and spiritual energy. Clearing our energy field and environment helps to release negativity and toxic emotions, stress and anxiety, and promotes a sense of calm, clarity and balance.
Energy cleansing is essential for removing blockages that may be hindering personal and spiritual growth or disrupting your connection to spirit and the divine. Over time, lingering negative or toxic energy can even manifest as mental health issues, spiritual disconnection and even physical ailments.
By maintaining a regular practice of energy cleansing, you create a positive, harmonious flow of energy that supports overall health and well-being. In addition, a clear energy field sharpens your intuition and inner guidance, making it easier to align with your higher self and make decisions that are aligned with your greatest good.
Smudging is also a powerful way to clear negative energy attachments and banish malevolent spirit entities.
One of the most time-tested and effective methods of clearing unwanted energy is smudging, or smoke cleansing — an ancient purification ritual steeped in history and practiced by various cultures, religions, and spiritual traditions around the world.
Making The Most Of Void Of Course Moon
Did you know that the moon has an astrological “pause button”? Every once in a while, the Moon literally takes a celestial break. In astrology, this is known as the Void of Course (VOC).
During this time, the Moon is considered “void,” meaning that it is not forming significant aspects with other celestial bodies in its current sign, and it has not yet entered the next sign. It’s a brief pause, a momentary break in the Moon’s journey that invites us to take a time out to recalibrate, reflect, and reset.
The concept of the VOC Moon dates back to Hellenistic astrology in the first century BC. Ancient astrologers observed that activities initiated during this phase often produced unexpected or unfavorable results.
While its origins are ancient, its relevance remains, especially for those who seek to align their actions with cosmic rhythms. Traditionally, astrologers advise against making important decisions or starting new projects during this time due to the perceived unpredictability associated with this lunar phase.
The concept was popularized in the 1940s by American astrologer Al H. Morrison who spent decades researching and writing about this astrological phenomenon. He recommended using this time for subjective, spiritual, and non-material concerns such as prayer, meditation, or rest.
According to Chris Brennan, a prominent astrologer specializing in Hellenistic astrology, the term “void of course” comes from the Greek word kenodromía (κενοδρομία), which means “running in the void” or “running in emptiness.”
Energize Your Chakras With Lithotherapy
Lithotherapy, also known as crystal healing, is a popular alternative healing method for improving physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.
But lithotherapy is far from a modern trend. This healing modality has its origins in ancient civilizations, and many indigenous cultures around the world have traditionally used stones and other natural elements in their healing practices, rituals and ceremonies.
Derived from the Greek words lithos (stone) and therapeia (healing), this ancient art harnesses the energies of crystals, stones and minerals that interact with the human energy field to promote energy flow, alignment and balance.
Lithotherapy uses the natural energies of the earth for a holistic approach to healing without the use of synthetic chemicals or man-made materials.
Today, lithotherapy is a staple of alternative medicine and energy healing, and the practice has gained widespread popularity in recent years as more people now incorporate crystals and stones into their lifestyle and spiritual practice.
Each crystal has unique metaphysical properties, allowing practitioners to choose stones that resonate with their specific needs and intentions. One of the most common uses is chakra energy work to clear, balance, and align the body’s energy centers, known as the chakras.
Each of the chakras corresponds to specific physical, mental, emotional or spiritual aspects of our being, and certain crystals, stones and minerals resonate with each of these energy centers to help restore energy flow, function, balance and wellness.
New Year, New Habits, And A New You!
Many people make resolutions every year that are never kept. They make a sincere effort for a month or so, and then it just slips here and there until whatever they decided to do just falls by the wayside. This is normal, and you should never beat yourself up if you make a resolution or promise and don’t follow through. Growth is a process, not a straight line.
When I decide to do something, the first thing I do is meditate on it. I ask my guides and angels, “Is this right for me? Will this improve my life? If I don’t do this, will it hurt me or someone else? If the answers are yes, yes, and no, then I know it’s the right thing for me to do.
I do not reserve this for New Year’s resolutions. I do this throughout the year whenever I feel spiritual growth within myself or experience something that sparks change, whether positive or negative. A new year can begin any day you decide to change some aspect of your life. It doesn’t have to be January 1st; it can be any day.
Personally, I make a new “resolution” each month. At the end of each month, I reflect and ask myself if I’ve accomplished what I set out to do. If not, I set it aside and move on to something new. Eventually, I return to the unfulfilled goal, knowing that the timing wasn’t right. I don’t beat myself up about unfinished goals; instead, I send them love and leave them for later.
My most important resolution is to get closer to Spirit. I strive to understand what Spirit has in store for me and to guide me to become the best version of myself from the inside out. The outward appearance can be dressed up or down, but the true self must be healed, clear, and joyful. That joy doesn’t come from another person or thing – it comes from loving myself as it should be for you. Love yourself as you are in this moment, and nurture the new version of yourself with daily love, meditation, and surrender to your higher self.
Tarot Forecast January 2025: Two Of Swords
This month the energy of the Two of Swords takes center stage. It is a card of indecision, stalemate, reflection, and difficult choices, potentially predicting that we may face uncertainty, difficult decisions and the need for introspection as we move into the New Year.
The Two of Swords represents moments in life when we find ourselves at a crossroads, weighing options and feeling the need to pause before making an important decision. It often comes up in readings when there is a stalemate or dead-end situation where no progress can be made until a decision is made or some action is taken.
The Two of Swords depicts a blindfolded figure sitting by a still body of water holding two crossed swords. The blindfold symbolizes the inability or unwillingness to see the whole picture or face a choice. The crossed swords signify inner conflict or conflicting choices, while the water in the background suggests the emotional undercurrents influencing the situation.
Traditionally, the Moon also appears in the card, representing uncertainty, mystery, and the unknown. Together, these symbols paint a picture of introspection, duality, and the need to find clarity and balance.
The card signifies the need to balance opposing forces or ideas. It emphasizes the importance of finding balance in a challenging situation. It can also represent emotional turmoil or an inability to reconcile conflicting aspects of a situation.
The Two of Swords encourages us to seek clarity, face challenges head-on, and strive for balance in our choices and decisions. It reminds us that avoiding a problem won’t make it go away; instead, it’s important to face it with a clear mind and an open heart.
End Your Day With A Restorative Evening Ritual
How we end our days is just as important as how we begin them. Yet this time of the day is often overlooked as an opportunity to promote our personal and spiritual well-being.
Especially when navigating stressful situations or busy schedules, being intentional about how we transition into rest can significantly improve the quality and restorative nature of our downtime.
Creating a simple, personalized nighttime routine allows us to check in with ourselves and make sure we’re taking care of our mind, body, and spirit. It helps relieve the stress of the day and sets the tone for a restful night’s sleep.
There are countless ways to create an evening ritual or routine that resonates with your spirit. The important thing is that your practice feels authentic and meets your needs. It only takes a few simple steps to create a daily practice that helps us release the stress of the day.
Whatever practice you choose, make sure it works with your schedule and is relaxing, rather than feeling like it creates more daily tasks to complete.
Choose activities that help you relax and that you look forward to. Whether it’s journaling, listening to soothing music, or lighting a candle, choose activities that help you intentionally transition from the busyness of the day to the calm of the night.
Many people complain that they don’t have enough time in their day. For them, a daily spiritual routine is a frivolous luxury they cannot afford to waste time on, yet these same people often spend hours each night binge-watching television or endlessly scrolling through their phones. This modern paradox highlights how easily we prioritize mindless distractions over meaningful self-care. By consciously reclaiming even a fraction of this time, we can nurture our spiritual well-being every evening in a way that renews our body, mind, and spirit far more effectively.
Why You Need To Be Honest With Yourself
As a professional psychic, I frequently see clients stuck in unfulfilling relationships or careers, yearning for a deeper sense of happiness and purpose. Many of these individuals are forced to navigate a societal norm that encourages them to settle for less than what they deserve.
Furthermore, many of us were taught to avoid confronting our problems. This is wrong. We must face the root causes head-on, choosing temporary distractions over them.
This approach may provide a brief sense of comfort, but it is ultimately a futile attempt to perpetuate cycles of dissatisfaction. If you find yourself at a crossroads—questioning a toxic relationship, a stagnant career, or an unfulfilling life path—it is time for a transformative shift. The journey begins with radical honesty.
We must be brutally honest with ourselves. This is not self-criticism. It is self-love. Spiritually empowered people take responsibility for what they can change and refuse to make excuses. When we do this, we empower ourselves to move toward a more authentic, fulfilling life.
Denial and a lack of self-love are holding you back. The truth is our liberator. It shows us the way to greener pastures and a higher vibrational frequency.
Facing your inner truth is uncomfortable. Get over it. Embrace the temporary disruptions of change. It often demands that you release relationships, habits, or patterns that no longer serve your highest good. These shifts might initially feel like losses, but they are blessings in disguise. Each adjustment creates space for new, more aligned opportunities to manifest in your life.