culture
Small Gestures Of Kindness In A Time Of Cruelty
Many people are feeling anxious or uncertain in recent years with everything that has been happening in the world.
Some are fearful and others stressed or unsure how to act appropriately in these restless times. Some even act out in destructive or dramatic ways, taking their frustration out on others.
It is common knowledge that the digital age and social media has spawned a generation of computer warriors and online bullies who express their insecurities and fears, in often extremely mean and cruel ways, from the comfort of their living rooms and basements.
This savage lack of empathy and decorum has seemingly now spilt over into our streets and neighborhoods too.
It is easier for many to be critical and judgmental, to complain and argue, instead of facing facts, dealing with the truth and seeking lasting solutions.
Often not knowing the entire story, many people choose to see only see one side of things, while telling others off for disagreeing with their limited point of view. The computer has unfortunately given some people a platform to spread strife and hatred, instead of love, hope and kindness.
I pray that more people will strive to seek the truth and learn to look for the good and kind in others. Showing tolerance, patience and kindness is always the better, more open approach. And always remember that if someone attacks you directly, then it often means they are somehow struggling or hurting. It usually serves no real purpose to attack them back. Continue reading
The Difference Between Soul Rescue And Soul Retrieval
In shamanic and spiritual traditions, soul recovery practices are based on the understanding that a person’s soul essence or ‘life force’ can become fragmented or lost due to trauma.
While these two shamanic arts are closely related and often assumed to be the same practcie, they refer to different contexts of healing. There is a subtle, but key difference.
Soul retrieval is the most common term used in modern shamanism and it is based on the idea of soul loss.
When a person experiences a severe physical or emotional trauma, such as an accident, abuse, grief, or a difficult breakup, a part of their vital essence may abandon the body to survive the experience. This is essentially a spiritual survival mechanism, similar to dissociation in psychology.
This disassociation might be related to the trauma of a car accident or extreme injury, or perhaps a memory of a time in someone’s life when an attribute of their soul felt threatened or fearful.
Other typical examples include physical, sexual or emotional abuse as a child; a feeling of abandonment after the death of a relative; financial ruin; nearly dying; or loss of a job.
Someone suffering from this kind of soul loss might feel “spaced out,” numb, incomplete, or like they are watching their life from the sidelines. Chronic depression or a sense that “I haven’t been the same” since the traumatic event are common indicators.
The Subconscious Secrets Of Dream Symbols
Clients sometimes ask me to help them interpret a dream that’s intrigued them, or which has been of great concern to them.
I feel that the best people to interpret dreams are the dreamers themselves, but I will always give my take or feeling on the deeper meaning of the dream, and suggest they take my version on board only if it truly resonates for them.
Our dreams have been a source of fascination since the beginning of time. Many cultures see dreams as life lessons, as a means for our ancestors or loved ones in spirit to connect with, and to communicate with us. Amongst those cultures, much emphasis is placed on dreams as a means of prophecy.
Often these dreams are meant to guide us or to warn us of impending danger, but sometimes they are meant to just to show us that we are indeed loved by those in the spirit world.
Often too, I have found, we can wake up with a sense of peace in our hearts, knowing we’ve communicated things to another soul. This could be something which was perhaps left unsaid at the time of their transition to the other side.
The veil between this world and the next is a thin one, and using our dreams can help us to build a bridge between the worlds.
Although some people tell me they never dream, we all have the ability to dream when we slip into an altered state of consciousness during our sleep cycle. Our dreams are a natural part of life’s rich tapestry, revealing parts of ourselves which we otherwise might fail to see. In opening up to the dream state we can work on healing our deeper fears and issues.
The Mythical Mysteries Of Crows And Ravens
People have been fascinated by crows and ravens for thousands of years. There’s something about their glossy black feathers, their watchful eyes, and the way they seem to understand more than they let on that makes one wonder what they might know that we don’t.
Throughout history and across many cultures, these amazing birds have been seen as more than just animals. They are traditionally seen as messengers, guides, and keepers of spiritual wisdom.
Their stories are all about myth, religion, and folklore, and they give us a pretty interesting look at how different peoples saw the mysterious world around them. Even now, in our modern time of screens and certainty, many still feel a quiet sense of magic when one of these birds crosses their path.
In the ancient Greco-Roman world, birds were a big deal. They were thought to be divine messengers and living signs that connected the heavens and the earth.
The practice of interpreting their movements, known as augury, was very important spiritually and politically. It wasn’t just superstition; it was a big part of religious and community life.
Augurs, the trained soothsayers of ancient Rome, were responsible for “taking the auspices,” or reading the signs that the gods sent through bird behavior. From the way it flies to the sound it makes, every detail could mean something. Out of all the birds we saw, crows and ravens stood out in particular. People thought their appearance held weighty messages, partly because of their dark, striking plumage and partly because these birds seemed unusually intelligent and intentional in their actions.
The History And Hidden Blessings Of Halloween
As a child, I remember getting excited about dressing up as a witch on Halloween and enjoying all the treats, like toffee apples and spooky cakes, that my mom used to make.
But one year, my father ruined the holiday for me when he explained his views on the significance of Halloween to me. I was just 10 years old, and it upset me.
Because of his religious beliefs, my father then forbade my siblings and me from celebrating Halloween. This made us feel excluded from our community as we watched other children dress up and enjoy themselves.
As an adult, I learned that it was not the event itself that was the issue, but rather the assumed F.E.A.R. behind it: False Evidence Appearing Real.
Remembering those times recently, I was prompted to take another look into the origin of this holiday tradition and what it truly stands for.
On 31st October each year, the Celtic pagan festival known as Samhain is celebrated, symbolizing the end of the harvest period and the start of the winter season, sometimes referred to as the “darker half” of the annual 12-month cycle.
Long before it became a night of costumes and candy, it was a sacred festival rooted in ancient spiritual tradition. The celebration we now know as Halloween traces its origins to Samhain (pronounced Sow-in), a Gaelic festival that marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of the dark half of the year.
The Empath’s Guide To Toxic Friendships
Our friends are a beautiful and enriching part of our lives. In some cases, they even become our chosen family through the bonds of mutual caring and shared life experiences.
Healthy friendships are built on a foundation of balance. They’re marked by mutual support, trust, loyalty, acceptance, and honesty, all with a touch of compassion. But for the empath or highly sensitive person, friendships can sometimes be a bit of a rollercoaster.
We might feel like we’re always giving and giving, and sometimes we might even feel drained. It can be hard to know when to draw the line with someone who might be taking advantage of our energy.
Friendships can be so many different things, and it’s important to remember that not all of them are the same. They range from casual acquaintances to deep, intimate bonds we form with those we call our “besties.”
It’s so important to have a close friend you can trust with your most private fears, dreams, and vulnerabilities. But, sadly, this isn’t always the reality. If you’re the kind of person who is sensitive to the feelings of others, you know how hard it can be when you’re betrayed or disappointed by someone close to you. It can feel like the saying “keep your enemies close” is true in these situations.
Some of us are more outgoing and have a large social circle, while others are more introverted and have a small social circle. Empaths can fall into either category. Regardless of which category an empath falls into, it is wise for us to exercise discernment.
The Timeless Spirit Phenomenon Of Apports
The spirits of your departed loved ones sometimes interact with our physical environment to show they’re still nearby. They might move around objects in our home, like keys, books, or small decorations, especially ones that had personal meaning when they were alive.
It’s not uncommon to have a cherished object go missing from its usual spot, only to find it later in the most unlikely of places.
This kind of spirit activity often happens when we’re thinking of them, or during emotionally significant moments, as a way of offering comfort or making their presence known. It’s never random. It’s a gentle reminder that their energy hasn’t gone far.
I was about 20 years old when I experienced an in-depth, private sitting with a wonderful spiritualist medium known to me as Nan Lightfoot. My father had heard of her through the local spiritualist church, and as it turned out, she was an elderly lady who lived just two blocks from our house.
A warm friendship soon blossomed between us. I would help her with shopping and running errands whenever I could, until I eventually left England for many years.
After bringing in her shopping and putting it away, Nan would make us a cup of coffee. During our many conversations, she would occasionally offer wise advice channeled from her spirit guides. Often, right in the middle of an ordinary discussion, she would suddenly shift from speaking English into broad Welsh. These moments of Welsh chatter signaled that Nan was now channeling a message from one of her ancestral guides.