self-actualization
How To Embrace Your Shadow Self
Most people tend to shy away from acknowledging their dark or “shadow” side when it comes to spirituality.
In fact, the tendency to avoid the uncomfortable aspects of the self is due in large part to our religious or spiritual background. Throughout history, most traditions have encouraged people to suppress, deny, or transcend their human flaws and shortcomings in favor of higher ideals such as purity, salvation, or enlightenment.
This reluctance to face the shadow within continues to this day, with modern spiritual and metaphysical communities often favoring light, love, and positivity while largely ignoring the messy, difficult, and painful aspects of the human experience.
But by avoiding the shadow within, we deny ourselves the opportunity for a deeper understanding of our soul’s purpose and untapped possibilities for personal and spiritual growth.
According to Carl Jung, the famous Swiss psychiatrist who pioneered the concept of the “shadow” in psychology, “one is not enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious.” Enlightenment isn’t about avoiding the shadow. Instead, it’s about facing it and integrating it into our being.
When we face the shadow within, we reclaim parts of ourselves that hold immense power, creativity, and insight. By delving into the deeper truths of our shadow selves, we can unravel the unconscious patterns that dictate our lives, allowing for true healing, transformation, and enlightenment.
Always Stay True To Your Soul Path And Purpose
Visiting a nursing home or retirement community and interacting with the residents can be a life-changing experience!
I recently had the opportunity to interact with a group of seniors and one of the things I asked them was, “If you could go back in time and start over, what would you do differently?”
To my surprise, the biggest regret most of them have is that they wish they had been more true to themselves and lived their lives their own way instead of pleasing others. One lady says she realizes she should have followed the original path her soul intended for her, instead of trying to live up to the expectations of others.
Another lady recalls how her life was shattered when a man she loved dearly and had devoted her life to unexpectedly left her to be with someone else. She said that was the day she realized she had wasted so much time putting her own dreams and goals on hold to make someone else the focus of her life. If she could go back in time, she would have handled this relationship very differently. In fact, she would probably never have gotten involved with him in the first place! “Never live for someone else, that is what I have learned,” she said.
Some of the regrets seemed heavy and intense. Some realize that too much time has passed and they cannot undo the choices they have made. There are potential joys and opportunities for personal and spiritual fulfillment that are now forever out of reach. One gentleman added that while there is much wisdom and truth in the saying “it’s never too late,” there are also the practical realities of aging and “missed deadlines” for some things in life.
Some Will Only Know Joy In The Afterlife
Shortly after my father’s death in 2005, I began sitting in a monthly mediumship circle with three friends. At our third gathering, my father began the first of many communications from the other side.
This experience was made even more special by the fact that one of the sitters was my father’s hospice nurse.
How fortunate I was during those last six months of my father’s life to not only have the wonderful support of this earth angel, but also to feel so connected to her through our interest in things of a psychic and spiritualist nature.
What a bonus then to have her as an additional link to him in our psychic circle.
At one point, however, my father stopped communicating during our sessions for a period of about three months. When his presence finally returned, I asked him where he had been, and he replied, “Learning about joy!”
This was very surprising to me because my father never really knew or showed much joy when he was in this world. Or maybe he never allowed himself to experience joy. The only times he seemed really happy or joyful was when he had what he called “several sherbets under his belt,” meaning he’d be pretty intoxicated!
I felt both sad and happy. Sad because he had never known joy as I knew it – just rolling around on the floor playing with my pets, sharing a joke with a friend, or being elated when a client came back to say that their life had taken a turn for the better. But I was happy that he was finally allowing himself to learn about and experience some joy.
The Soul Secrets Of Your Known Name Number
Numerology, the ancient mystical study of numbers and its influence on our daily existence, goes far beyond calculating the meaning of your birth date.
While many people are familiar with the concept of the life path number, which is derived from one’s birth date, few realize that their known name number also holds profound insights into their character, destiny, and spiritual journey.
Also known as the expression number, the calculation of this number is a core component of numerology used by practitioners to explore one’s personality, potential, and life path. Calculating this number can be eye-opening and transformative.
Metaphysically, names are not arbitrary; they are energetic vibrations that carry specific meanings and influences.
Your known name is the name you go by in everyday life, whether it is the name your parents gave you at birth or a nickname that has stuck with you over time.
The name you identify with carries an energetic signature that reveals much about your personality, your purpose, and the unique challenges or gifts you may encounter in this lifetime.
In the practice of numerology, the letters in your name are assigned numerical values based on a system known as the Pythagorean Number Table, where each letter corresponds to a number from 1 to 9. By adding up the numbers associated with the letters in your known name, you can uncover several key numbers that offer insight into your personality, strengths, and life purpose.
The Spiritual Significance Of 444
Spirit often communicates with us through numbers. It does this in many different ways, but a very common experience is to be “followed” by a particular number or sequence of numbers.
These repeating sequences of numbers tend to appear over and over again, in many different places. You may see these sequences on clocks and timers, license plates, receipts, addresses, calendars, and social media views, likes, or post times, to name a few.
But what does it mean when you see it? Basically, it is a reminder to check in with yourself and make sure you are aligned with the results you want to manifest in your life. Pause and reflect. What are you feeling right now? What are you thinking? Is it in alignment with what you want to create and experience in your life? What adjustments do you need to make to be more in alignment with the results you want to manifest?
In addition, the specific numbers you see also have a specific message. Each number carries a unique influence and gives you clues as to what aspects are important for you to pay attention to. In this blog post, I want to offer some insight into the number 4, or repeated, 44, 444, 4444, and so on.
The number four represents an important milestone in our spiritual, personal and practical development. It indicates that we have reached a point where our foundation is solid, where we have created a sense of stability in certain situations or circumstances in our lives. From this position of stability we foster a comforting sense of security from which we can grow and develop in new ways.
Personal And Spiritual Growth With Crystals
One of the most powerful ways to enhance our personal and spiritual growth is through the use of crystals. Crystals, with their captivating beauty and intricate structures, have been revered throughout history for their remarkable abilities to influence our energy field.
These natural mineral formations are not just ornamental but carry a deep, intrinsic connection to the earth’s energies, making them potent tools for anyone seeking to elevate their life journey.
The unique energetic and metaphysical properties of crystals can significantly support and accelerate our personal development. Each crystal vibrates at its own frequency, which resonates with various aspects of our being, helping to clear blockages, enhance positive attributes, and balance our energy.
Whether you are looking to boost your confidence, increase your motivation, or attract abundance, there is likely a crystal that can aid in these pursuits. The structured lattice within each crystal interacts with our energy fields, creating a harmonious environment that fosters growth and transformation.
In addition to personal development, crystals also play a crucial role in spiritual expansion. They enhance our connection to higher realms, deepen our meditation practices, and provide protection and clarity during spiritual exploration.
Crystals like amethyst, celestite, and clear quartz are particularly renowned for their ability to open up spiritual pathways and enhance intuitive abilities. By incorporating these powerful allies into our daily routines and spiritual practices, we can create a more balanced, harmonious, and enlightened existence, tapping into deeper levels of consciousness and inner wisdom.
Invoking The Power And Beauty Of Freya
The goddess Freya has a special place in my spiritual self-care routine. I often turn to her when I need extra guidance and support.
Freya is the ancient Norse goddess of love, beauty, fertility, and war. She is one of the most important deities in Norse mythology, embodying the ultimate ancient archetype for ‘girl power’ and ‘boss lady’ energy.
She is traditionally revered for her deep wisdom, boundless compassion, and fierce protection. Invoking her divine feminine power has brought much transformative and empowering energy to many aspects of my life.
In Norse folklore, Freya rides a chariot drawn by two large, powerful cats and is often depicted wearing the Brísingamen necklace, a symbol of her power and beauty.
The Brísingamen was created by four dwarves known for their exceptional craftsmanship. The necklace symbolizes beauty, desire and the power of attraction. It also represents Freyja’s connection to the earth and its fertility.
Freya is the leader of the Valkyries, the warrior maidens who choose those who may die and those who may live in battle. Freyja is said to receive half of the slain warriors in her heavenly field, Fólkvangr, while the other half go to Odin’s hall, Valhalla.
This dual role highlights her authority and revered status among the gods, bridging the realms of life and death. The Valkyries, under her guidance, serve not only as fierce selectors of the fallen but also as protectors and guides for these chosen souls, ensuring their honored place in the afterlife.