esoteric traditions
12 Universal Spiritual Laws You Need To Know
Most spiritual seekers today are familiar with the universal Law of Attraction. But did you know that there are several other universal spiritual laws that govern our existence?
The origins of our understanding of the universal spiritual laws are deeply rooted in various religious and philosophical traditions, as well as in the collective wisdom of human experience since the dawn of time.
Many of these spiritual laws are rooted in ancient wisdom traditions from around the world. These traditions evolved over thousands of years as sages, scholars, and spiritual leaders refined and elaborated upon the fundamental principles that govern all existence.
Mystical traditions within various religions have also played an important role in the development and interpretation of these spiritual laws. Mystics tend to explore the deeper, esoteric aspects of their faith, seeking direct experience of divine truths. Their insights and revelations have contributed to a deeper understanding of spiritual principles beyond literal interpretations of religious texts.
Philosophical traditions in ancient Greece, China, and other civilizations also contributed to the development of spiritual principles that later evolved into universal laws. Thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, and Laozi explored concepts related to ethics, metaphysics, and the nature of reality that influenced later spiritual teachings.
The Seven Angels Of The Planetary Week
If you are reading this, you are probably familiar with the idea that the angelic realm watches over us. Angels are divine beings who constantly protect, guide, and support humanity.
Each of us has a guardian angel assigned to us at birth, who remains by our side throughout our lives, providing constant protection and guidance.
While guardian angels have a more intimate and personal role in our lives, archangels oversee broader aspects of our existence and can provide specialized support, guidance, and assistance. For example, Michael offers protection, Raphael provides healing, and Gabriel helps us communicate.
It is often assumed that archangels are a purely Christian concept, when in fact they are deeply rooted in various religious, mystical, and cultural traditions. Our modern knowledge of the archangels can be traced back through a complex interplay of mythology, theology, and mysticism across many civilizations and time periods.
Early accounts of such powerful celestial beings can be found, for example, in the mythologies of Mesopotamia and Canaan. These cultures had divine messengers who can be seen as precursors to the concept of archangels. One of the clearest early influences on the development of archangelic figures can be found in Zoroastrianism. The Amesha Spentas, or “Holy Immortals,” are divine beings who serve Ahura Mazda, the Supreme God. These beings resemble later archangelic figures in their roles and attributes.
What is also not commonly known about the archangels is that each day of the week is traditionally associated with a specific angel. This tradition is rooted in a fascinating blend of ancient astronomy, mythology, and religious mysticism, including Kabbalistic teachings, Christian mysticism, and angelology. It is the result of associating the days of the week with the seven classical planets, which in turn are traditionally associated with seven archangels.
The True Spiritual Meaning Of The Pentagram
Perhaps no other spiritual or religious icon is as misunderstood as the pentagram, or pentacle. The true symbolism of the pentagram, a five-pointed star often surrounded by a circle, is commonly misrepresented.
Contrary to popular misconceptions that associate it with darkness, evil, or Satanism, the pentagram has multiple meanings within various spiritual and religious traditions, most notably within Paganism and modern Wicca.
The pentagram has been a spiritual symbol of significance for millennia, long before its association with modern religious movements.
Historically, it has been used by cultures around the world, often to represent celestial bodies, principles of harmony, or mystical concepts. Its use first appeared in ancient Greece and Mesopotamia around the 1st millennium BC.
It is not widely known that there are significant historical connections between the pentagram and Christianity. Prior to the widespread use of the cross, the pentagram was a popular symbol to adorn the jewelry and amulets of early Christians, often alongside an “X” or a phoenix. This symbol was associated with the five wounds of Christ and also represented the concept of Alpha and Omega united, as the star could be drawn in one continuous movement of the pen.
In contemporary contexts, particularly within Wicca and related neo-pagan belief systems, the pentacle has positive connotations. It’s seen as a symbol of protection, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of the elements. Each point of the star represents an aspect of balance, holistic existence, conscious living, and the cyclical nature of life.
Yoga Can Unlock Your Psychic Potential
Yoga has long been celebrated for its profound effects on physical vitality, mental health and spiritual growth. However, its benefits extend beyond physical well-being and mental clarity, as yoga is also a powerful practice for developing heightened intuition and psychic abilities.
First and foremost, yoga promotes the mind-body connection. Through physical postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama) and meditation, practitioners learn to synchronise body, mind and spirit. It promotes mindfulness and present-moment awareness.
The ajna chakra, or third eye, is associated with intuition and psychic abilities. Certain yoga practices, such as trataka (candle gazing) or meditation focused on the space between the eyebrows, activates and balances the third eye.
This heightened focus and awareness strengthens our mental faculties and intuitive awareness. Regular meditation practice cultivates a peaceful, centred mind and deepens awareness of our inner being and our connection to universal consciousness.
Yoga also reduces stress by calming the nervous system and promoting relaxation. A clearer, stress-free mind facilitates access to intuitive insights.
In addition, yoga promotes the flow of energy within the mind-body by focusing on the energy centres known as chakras, which are located along the spine. By practising yoga, we balance and activate these chakras, allowing energy to flow more freely.
The Meditative Art Of Sumi-e Painting
As a spiritual advisor and artist, I’ve always been drawn to the ways in which art and spirituality intersect to offer pathways to deeper self-awareness and tranquility.
One such path that has had a profound impact on my life is Sumi-e painting, also known as suibokuga or ‘ink wash painting.’ It is a traditional Japanese painting technique that uses black ink, typically in varying concentrations, to create brushstroke-based works of art.
Sumi-e is characterized by its minimalism, simplicity, and emphasis on capturing the essence or spirit of the subject rather than its literal representation.
Paintings often feature subjects such as landscapes, flowers, birds and other natural elements. Artists use various brush techniques to create different textures, tones, and depths using only black ink on absorbent paper or silk.
The art form has deep roots in Zen Buddhism, which emphasizes spontaneity, simplicity, and harmony with nature. Practitioners often meditate before painting to cultivate a clear and focused mind, which they believe enhances their ability to express the essence of the subject.
Sumi-e painting has had a significant influence on various art forms, including calligraphy and other East Asian brush painting styles. It continues to be practiced and appreciated for its timeless elegance and ability to evoke profound emotions with seemingly simple brush strokes.
The Mystical Properties Of Ancient Amber
Crystals, gemstones, and incense have been widely used in spiritual, esoteric, and healing practices throughout the ages and continue to be popular today.
But there is another type of natural material that does not enjoy the same level of widespread recognition and popularity, despite its unique metaphysical properties and significance in various cultures and mystical traditions.
Resins are less well known and used by modern practitioners. I find that many people are unfamiliar with the various types of resins available and their metaphysical properties.
Compared to crystals, gemstones, and incense, which have gained widespread popularity in recent years, especially through social media and the Internet, resins have received less attention and exposure.
As a result, people may be less likely to encounter resins in their exploration of metaphysical tools and practices.
I also find that people who are at least somewhat familiar with resins tend to associate them with their use as incense. Resins such as frankincense, myrrh, copal, and others are often burned as incense to purify spaces, objects, and individuals. The smoke cleanses negative energies, purifies the aura, and creates a sacred atmosphere for rituals and ceremonies. Continue reading
The Mystical Tradition Of Reading Coffee Grounds
Traditional Turkish coffee is unique in its preparation. Prepared without the addition of milk, cream, and other additives, it focuses on the pure, robust flavors of the coffee.
The art of brewing Turkish coffee is a meticulous process using a special coffee pot called a cezve or ibrik, which produces coffee with a strong flavor and thick, frothy texture. The grounds remain in the cup when it is served, contributing to the distinctive bitter taste that is a hallmark of this revered beverage.
In addition to its strong taste and aroma, Turkish coffee has a mystical appeal and a long history as a divination tool. The use of Turkish coffee grounds for divination, known as tasseography or kafemandeia, is a traditional practice in many cultures, including Turkish, Arabic and Greek.
In other cultures, tasseography is mostly practiced with tea leaves or wine sediments, but in Istanbul, coffee grounds became the preferred medium for this mystical art.
Steeped in history, the practice can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire, when coffee divination became popular in the 16th century in the harem of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent, located in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul, Turkey. This divination ritual was originally a way for the women of the harem to share news, gossip, and insights. At the time, women were banned from public coffeehouses, so fortunetellers, commonly known as “falci,” were allowed into the harem to read for the sultan’s wives. The term “fal” means “omen” or “fortune.”