spiritual traditions
A Beginner’s Guide To Tasseography
Tasseography is the ancient, yet little known, art of tea-leaf divination. As a little girl in the 1960s, I was fascinated to learn that the patterns of tea leaves at the bottom of my teacup had special meanings, so much so that I asked my mother never to use the tea strainer again!
Tasseography, also known as tasseomancy or tealeaf reading, is a form of divination or fortune-telling that involves interpreting patterns formed by tea leaves or coffee grounds left in a cup. The practice has ancient roots and can be traced back to various cultures and regions, but it originated in ancient China, where tea was first cultivated.
Tasseography also has ties to Middle Eastern cultures, particularly in the Ottoman Empire. The practice spread through trade routes and cultural exchanges. In the Middle East, coffee grounds were often used for divination, and the leftover grounds would be interpreted for insights into the future.
Tasseography gained popularity in Europe in the 17th century, particularly during the Victorian era when tea became a fashionable beverage. It is also associated with the Romani people, who incorporated tea leaf reading into their traditions. As the Roma traveled and interacted with different cultures, the practice spread.
Unstuck Your Life With A New Spiritual Practice
One of the most transformative things we can do in life is to step out of our comfort zones and infuse our lives with new vitality. As creatures of habit, we tend to get stuck in life with repetitive routines and recurring patterns that drain our energy and stifle our personal and spiritual growth.
When conventional methods fall short, exploring spiritual or esoteric practices can breathe fresh air into our lives and help us break free from the shackles of monotony.
Feeling stagnant, experiencing a lack of fulfillment, or longing for personal growth are all signs that it’s time to break free from a comfort zone, a soulless daily routine, or a recurring toxic pattern that no longer serves our highest good. These indicators often signal the need for change to invigorate or even reinvent our lives.
By adopting a new spiritual practice and delving into realms beyond the ordinary, we embark on a new journey of self-discovery and soul expansion that unlocks our hidden potential and transforms our destiny. Exploring esoteric and occult traditions offers alternative perspectives and transformative experiences that can expand our consciousness and provide profound insights. It can uncover hidden knowledge and help us tap into higher realms of consciousness that enrich our lives.
Blessing Your Food And Drink
I am convinced that a cup of coffee or a sandwich always tastes better when a dear friend or loving relative has made it. Maybe it is because it was prepared with love and good intention?
I also believe that when food or drink is prepared with love, the intention behind its preparation is more beneficial to our bodies and well-being. This idea often comes to me when I’m a guest at someone’s table.
My belief is not just a personal fancy; it is based on the metaphysical notion that food is just energy, as are our bodies, minds, and spirits.
Energy is transferred through touch, and both good and bad energy can be transferred or exchanged through physical contact. Even without speaking, subtle, invisible thought forms and intentions also pass from one person to another.
It therefore makes sense that this would also happen when one person prepares food and another consumes it.
I believe this is one of the reasons why many religions and cultures have a tradition of blessing food and drink before consumption.
Invoking Archangel Michael In Your Spiritual Practice
Archangel Michael, the divine warrior and champion of truth and justice, is a powerful figure in many spiritual traditions. He is a prominent figure in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, the Baha’i Faith, and Neo-Paganism.
His name in Hebrew means “Who is like the Lord?” and his title “Archangel” means “Prince of Angels.” Michael is the leader of the angelic realm and is known for his strength, courage, and protection. He fights for good, empowers the faithful, and accompanies the souls of the righteous to heaven.
He is typically depicted as a warrior, complete with sword and shield. He is also often shown defeating a dragon or other monstrous creature. In Christianity, he is specifically mentioned in the Book of Revelation as battling Satan.
In some depictions, he is shown holding scales. This is a reference to his position as guardian of the dead as their souls leave the earth. Just as the Roman god Mercury accompanied souls to the underworld, Michael is said to accompany the recently deceased on their journey to the other side.
Michael is a venerable spiritual figure and is often invoked in prayer, meditation, and other spiritual practices. Believers invoke his presence for protection, guidance, and spiritual strength.
The True Meaning Of Holiday Gifts
While wrapping Christmas gifts for family and friends today, I thought about whether it is better to be on the giving or receiving end of presents during the holiday season?
In my childhood, receiving presents was undoubtedly the best! But my parents also taught me the importance of giving. They gave my sister and me a small allowance during the holidays to buy gifts for others. It was fun to shop for small items to give to our loved ones. With much anticipation, wetried to pick things that people would actually like and appreciate.
I therefore learned early on that while receiving gifts can be exciting and fun, giving them can be even more rewarding.
My parents were certainly on to something, because the value of giving has been scientifically proven to be more than just a sweet sentiment. For example, according to a study by the American Psychological Association, giving to others increases life expectancy by at least five years! Another study found that people who give to others experience lower blood pressure, less depression, and lower stress levels. In addition, giving to others can increase happiness and well-being. A Harvard Business School study found that giving money to someone else increased participants’ happiness more than spending it on themselves.
Navigating Loneliness During the Holidays
The holiday season is traditionally portrayed as a time of togetherness, love, joy, and belonging. We are inundated with media images of families gathered around a festive table, friends celebrating, and communities coming together.
Paradoxically, for many people, this time of year is instead filled with feelings of loneliness, isolation and disconnection.
The root cause is the societal stereotype and cultural assumption that everyone should be joyful, happy, and surrounded by loved ones during the holidays. If you’re not, for whatever reason, it can lead to feelings of inadequacy, isolation, and social failure.
Holiday loneliness is exacerbated by the stark contrast between our actual circumstances and the commercially driven, idealized versions of holiday gatherings and celebrations we see in advertisements, television shows, movies, and social media. This increases feelings of disconnection, low self-esteem, and even depression.
Loneliness during the holidays can have a significant impact on mental health. Feelings of isolation and disconnection during this time of year can exacerbate existing mental health issues and lead to the development of new ones. The constant reminders of togetherness and joy, combined with a lack of social connections and meaningful interactions, can increase feelings of loneliness, leading to emotional distress, feelings of emptiness and hopelessness, and a decline in overall well-being.
The Basics Of Chakra Balancing
Did you know that we have two bodies? Not only do we have a physical body, but we also have a light body.
Our physical body is our visible and tangible form, made up of bones, muscles, organs and other tissues. It is our physical manifestation in this earthly realm and is subject to the laws of physics and biology.
Our light body, on the other hand, is the subtle energy system underlying to the physical body. It is the energetic bridge between our physical body and our higher, soul existence beyond the physical body. The light body is invisible to the naked eye and is subject to metaphysical or universal laws.
The concept of the ‘body of light‘ or ‘luminous body’ is found in various esoteric, occult, and mystical teachings and is also known as the aura, human energy field, astral body, subtle body, spirit body, radiant body, sidereal body, or celestial body.
The main feature of the light body are the chakras, an intricate network of energy centers or vortices that play a vital role in our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. According to some teachings there are as many as 114 to 88,000 chakras, but this is not a commonly accepted understanding in the fields of yoga and energy healing.