Self-Care
Toxic Friendships: End It, Or Mend It?
Like all relationships, friendships have their ups and downs, testing the bonds that bind us together.
A true friend is someone who genuinely wants the best for you, celebrates your victories, and supports you through challenges. They offer encouragement, share your joys, and lend a sympathetic ear during difficult times.
The presence of true friends adds value to your life and fosters growth and positivity. You have a healthy friendship that thrives on mutual respect and care, where both parties feel uplifted and inspired to be their best selves.
In stark contrast, a toxic friend is often self-absorbed, putting their own needs and desires above all else. They manipulate situations to get what they want, with little regard for how their actions affect your happiness.
This type of friendship can feel draining, leaving you emotionally drained and questioning your self-worth. Instead of celebrating your achievements, a toxic friend may resort to jealousy or criticism, undermining your confidence.
Toxic friendships can deeply affect our emotional and mental well-being, often leaving us feeling drained and undervalued. These relationships are characterized by manipulation, constant criticism, and lack of support, creating an environment where one party consistently takes more than they give.
The dynamic can include jealousy, competition, or even emotional abuse, making it difficult to feel safe and authentic. Over time, toxic friendships can lead to diminished self-esteem and increased stress, underscoring the importance of recognizing and addressing these unhealthy connections.
The Ancient Art Of Facial Reading
Physiognomy is an ancient belief system that the face reveals the hidden truths of the mind, body, and spirit. In many cultures, the face is seen as a reflection of the soul or inner self.
This belief that a person’s physical characteristics, such as the shape of their face, eyes, or nose, can reveal something about their inner nature has roots in various ancient cultures and has been practiced for thousands of years. In some esoteric traditions, facial characteristics are believed to also reveal past life influences and karmic imprints.
The face is more than just a reflection of our emotions; it is a map of our physical health, life experiences, and even our spiritual state. By observing our facial features and learning to interpret their subtle messages, we can gain valuable insights into our health and well-being.
One of the earliest and most detailed systems of face reading comes from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Chinese face reading, or Mian Xiang, dates back more than 3,000 years. Practitioners view the human face as a map of a person’s life, health, and destiny. They divide the face into different areas, each corresponding to different internal organs and emotional states. Facial analysis is used to diagnose imbalances in the body and mind.
Physiognomy was also practiced in ancient Greece. The philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC) wrote about it, arguing that certain facial features could indicate personality traits and that there was a connection between a person’s appearance and their character. Greek scholars believed that external features, such as facial structure, could provide insight into a person’s moral and psychological makeup.
Tarot Forecast October 2024: Ten Of Wands
The card this month is the Ten of Wands, which predicts the potential for life’s challenges to feel overwhelming in the weeks ahead, but this will also offer us the opportunity for personal growth through perseverance.
When we push through difficulties, we not only build strength, but also shape our perception of success. It’s important to remember that how we view our challenges often determines whether we see them as victories or defeats.
The burdens that life places on us make us grow and know that we are resilient when things don’t go our way. Knowing that even when we see situations not working in our favor, if we see value and learning in it, we dare to stand up for ourselves and go for it anyway.
This month it may feel like we’re juggling a lot at once, but in these challenges lies the opportunity to gain wisdom and clarity. It may feel heavy, as if we have too many responsibilities or carry an emotional burden that’s hard to release.
The central image depicted on the Ten of Wands cards is a figure burdened by having to carry ten heavy wands, symbolizing an overwhelming load or heavy burden. The figure is struggling under the weight, illustrating the concept of carrying too much responsibility or facing numerous challenges. It emphasizes the physical and emotional strain that can result from over-commitment or excessive obligations.
The figure is also walking along a narrow path or road, suggesting a journey or direction. The path indicates that the stresses are part of a larger journey or goal, implying that the challenges are necessary to achieve something significant.
Astrology Forecast September 30 – October 6, 2024
The week begins today with a mix of intense and motivating energies as the Moon in Virgo opposes Saturn in Pisces. This aspect can make us feel a bit constrained or burdened by responsibility, creating an urge to retreat into overthinking or self-criticism.
Fortunately, the Moon’s sextile to Mars in Cancer will provide a balancing boost of emotional drive and determination. You’ll find the energy to tackle your tasks, especially those related to home, health and nurturing. It’s an excellent time to focus on practical matters and get things done, even if you feel some inner resistance or self-doubt.
The Moon’s sesquiquadrate with Pluto however may add an undercurrent of intensity that brings deep-seated emotions to the surface. You may feel a bit edgy or sensitive, but this energy can be channeled into transformative work. Use this energy influence to identify and release any emotional patterns that may be holding you back.
As the Moon enters Libra on Tuesday, the energy shifts from Virgo’s meticulous, detail-oriented focus to Libra’s desire for balance, harmony, and connection. After a somewhat intense and self-critical start to the week, this shift brings a refreshing breath of calm. You may feel a stronger pull toward social interactions, partnership and finding balance in your life. This influence is ideal for seeking compromise, engaging in creative pursuits, or simply enjoying a more peaceful atmosphere.
Wednesday’s annual solar eclipse during a Libra New Moon brings an opportunity to reset our relationships and seek harmony in areas of life that may feel out of sync. Libra’s energy emphasizes diplomacy, fairness, and the pursuit of inner peace. You may feel a strong urge to confront imbalances, whether in personal relationships, work, or your own sense of self.
Healing Your Chakras With Flower Power
Plants have long been regarded as nature’s healers, offering remedies for a wide range of physical ailments. But beyond their traditional medicinal uses, plants — especially flowers — have incredible energetic properties that can profoundly affect our well-being.
As a firm believer in the healing power of plants. I have seen firsthand how Mother Nature can work in harmony with our body, mind and spirit.
Flowers in particular, with their delicate beauty, aromatic essential oils and subtle vibrational frequencies, have powerful healing properties.
It is no coincidence that flowers are used in many cultural traditions to convey empathy and caring, to provide comfort, and to promote well-being. This is not simply because flowers are pretty and colorful, but because they have such powerful healing properties.
In many cultures, flowers are used to express sympathy and support. For example, it is common to send a bouquet of “get well soon” flowers to someone who is ill or recovering from surgery. Flowers such as lilies and daisies are often chosen for their associations with purity and cheerfulness, helping to lift the recipient’s spirits and contribute to emotional healing.
In Japan the practice of giving flowers, known as hanakotoba (flower language), is deeply embedded in cultural rituals. Each flower has a specific meaning, and their use conveys messages of sympathy, respect or congratulations. Chrysanthemums are associated with long life and are often given to the sick or elderly to wish them good health and longevity. The thoughtful selection of flowers is believed to bring emotional healing and comfort. Continue reading
Are You On The Karmic Path Of Grace?
Every step we take in life shapes not only how we feel, but also where we end up in life and how others respond to us.
Sayings such as “you reap what you sow,” “what goes around comes around,” and “your vibe attracts your tribe” represent the complex interplay between our choices and actions and the reality we experience each day.
This is known as the universal law of cause and effect, also known as the spiritual principle of karma. Every choice we make has consequences, whether seen or unseen. Every action we take – whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual – has a corresponding result or consequence.
Nothing in life happens by accident. Our values, beliefs, mindset and attitude all help to shape our life path and destiny. Our choices, behaviors, and even our thoughts have a ripple effect. Our free will choices ultimately determine our life journey and the legacy we will someday leave behind.
In essence, the energy or intent behind our actions affects the results we experience in life. Positive actions attract positive results, while negative actions can lead to challenges or difficulties. Over time, the cumulative effect of these causes and their consequences determines the course of our lives, affecting relationships, opportunities, and personal growth.
For this reason, it is essential that we be mindful of everything we say and do. We must cultivate self-awareness and take personal responsibility because every step we take affects our future and our destiny.
Angelic Energy Maintenance For Empaths
As an empath and psychic counselor, I have had to learn how best to navigate the intense energies that come with working with others.
Early on, I often found myself drained, overwhelmed, and weighed down by emotional clutter that wasn’t even mine. I didn’t realize how much I was absorbing from clients, loved ones, and even strangers.
Over time, I’ve learned that clearing and protecting my energy is essential not only for my well-being, but also for maintaining clarity in my work. By understanding how to release what doesn’t belong to me and strengthen my auric boundaries, I have been able to thrive both personally and professionally.
Being an empath means that you’re highly sensitive and deeply attuned to the emotions and energy of those around you. You naturally absorb the feelings of others, which can often result in you carrying the emotional weight of others.
This pattern shows up not only in romantic relationships, but also in work, family, and friendships. If you’re constantly picking up the extremes of other people’s energy, it can leave you feeling heavy, drained, irritable, and disconnected from yourself – as if nothing you try makes a difference. This happens because instead of directing your own energy, you’re constantly processing someone else’s.
Empaths are like emotional air purifiers, prone to absorbing the energies of everyone around them – whether it’s a stranger in the grocery store, your partner, your boss, or your family. When your aura becomes clogged and dysfunctional, you experience heaviness, discomfort, and emotional instability.