symbolism
The Spiritual Significance Of Colors
Color permeates our very existence, profoundly affecting our homes, our work environments, the food we eat and the clothes we wear.
In every facet of our lives, color exerts a significant influence, shaping our moods, behaviors, and spiritual well-being.
In Kundalini Yoga, for example, teachers traditionally wear white outfits made of natural fibers, along with a white head covering. This custom is not just for practical or aesthetic reasons.
Just as the color white deflects the sun’s rays while black absorbs them, white also deflects negative energy while black attracts and absorbs it.
This practice thus serves a dual purpose: it symbolizes the purity and spiritual clarity that the teacher exemplifies, and it also protects the teacher from negative energy that may emanate from his or her students.
Kundalini Yoga can attract a wide range of students, from those who are highly developed spiritually to those who struggle with emotional instability. The white attire acts as a shield against negative energy that may be projected or “dumped” on the teacher.
In particular, the head covering protects the seventh chakra, which is located at the top of the head. This chakra is essentially our ‘spiritual umbilical cord’ that connects us to God, Source, Spirit, the Divine, so its protection is crucial.
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.
Seeing The Future In Precognitive Dreams
Many people will tell you that they’ve had a precognitive dream at some point in their lives. In short, this is a dream that somehow revealed or predicted a future event or circumstance. Literature, myth, and history are filled with stories of such dreams, from ancient times to the sinking of the Titanic.
The concept of precognitive dreams has fascinated mankind for centuries. In ancient cultures, dreams were seen as messages from the gods or the universe, guiding individuals through their waking lives.
The Bible, for example, contains numerous accounts of prophetic dreams, such as Joseph’s dreams that foretold his rise to power in Egypt. These stories underscore the long-held belief that dreams can provide glimpses into the future.
But how much truth is there in the idea of dreaming the future? Is it really a thing?
Throughout history, people have reported dreams that seemed to predict future events. These precognitive dreams, as they’re called, have included personal tragedies, world-shaping conflicts, and even scientific breakthroughs.
Carl Jung, a prominent Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, was interested in the phenomenon of precognition in dreams. He believed that dreams could sometimes contain elements of future events or insights that were not consciously available to the dreamer. Jung coined the term “synchronicity” to describe meaningful coincidences that defy conventional explanations of cause and effect, suggesting a deeper connection between the psyche and external events.
My Spiritual Encounter With A Bear
Imagine venturing deep into the forest, sunlight streaming through the ancient trees. The air is crisp, alive with the gentle whispers of nature. Suddenly, a colossal bear emerges from the underbrush, its presence a primal force in the serene scene.
Well, chances are this isn’t just another wildlife encounter – it’s a potentially powerful spiritual experience, imbued with profound symbolism.
My psychic mentor and I once had such a remarkable encounter with a bear that brought me some deep spiritual insights.
The forest has always been a happy place for me, and for this particular long-term retreat, I rented a cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. One crisp fall evening, while my friend was visiting me and we were enjoying the tranquility of twilight on the back porch, a large black bear wandered into the back yard.
At first, we were both gripped with fear. Seeing such a powerful creature up close is both awe-inspiring and very intimidating! Fortunately, the bear paid us little attention as he calmly foraged for food, his movements deliberate and unhurried.
After the initial shock, we found ourselves mesmerized by his presence. I am always on the lookout for signs and synchronicities from the universe. Decades of spiritual work have taught me that nothing is accidental or random, especially when you are in the wilderness.
Learning To Interpret Your Dreams
While the exact nature and purpose of dreaming remains shrouded in mystery, science at least tells us that it is a universal experience. We all dream, most likely every night. Many people don’t remember their dreams and therefore incorrectly assume that they rarely or never dream.
Research on dreams and dreaming has shown that an estimated 95 to 99% of people experience dreams. Dreaming is most common during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when brain activity is heightened and our eyes move about every 90 minutes throughout the night.
On average, a person may have several dreams per night, although they may not always remember them when they wake up. The frequency of dreaming can be influenced by several factors, including age, stress levels, and sleep quality.
There are many theories as to why we dream. Most believe that dreams help us consolidate memories, process emotions, solve problems, or even prepare us for tasks. However, the most important reason we dream is often downplayed or even ignored, which is that our dreams are inherently spiritual and serve a higher purpose.
The fact that our dreams are messages from the spirit realm and a higher power is unfortunately one of the most forgotten truths of ancient wisdom deeply rooted in many religious and spiritual traditions. Dreams have piqued human curiosity for thousands of years. Ancient civilizations, from the Egyptians to the Greeks, revered dreams as portals to the divine, messages from the gods, or glimpses of the future.
Enhance Your Spiritual Practice With Rune Yoga
As a professional psychic advisor, my days are filled with interpreting runes, connecting with energies, and guiding others through their life challenges and spiritual journeys.
To restore my own energy, maintain my inner balance, and ensure my holistic well-being, I engage in various spiritual self-care practices that nourish my own mind, body, and soul.
One of my favorite pursuits used to be traditional Indian yoga, until I discovered its Norse-Germanic counterpart known as Rune Yoga, Rune Standing, Rune Stances or Runic Postures.
Rune yoga is an ancient practice that essentially blends the ancient wisdom of the runes with the holistic benefits of similar mind-body traditions such as yoga, tai chi, qigong, pilates, and aikido.
Traditional yoga has always been a sanctuary for me, a place to reconnect with my body and mind.
But as I became so deeply immersed in the world of runes for my work, I found my way to rune yoga as an alternative practice that felt like a natural extension of my interests and professional experience.
Runes are the letters in a set of related alphabets, known as the runic alphabet, that were used to write various Germanic languages before the adoption of the Latin alphabet.
They were used primarily in Northern Europe, Scandinavia, the British Isles, and Iceland from about the 2nd to the 17th centuries. The word “rune” itself comes from the Old Norse word rún, meaning “secret” or “mystery,” underscoring their mystical and symbolic significance in ancient times.
The Soulful Practice Of Kirtan Chanting
An ancient spiritual practice less known in the West has transformed my spiritual routine in recent years. It is known as kirtan a beautiful form of devotional chanting that originated in ancient India.
The term “kirtan” comes from Sanskrit and means “narrating, reciting, telling, describing” of an idea or story, particularly in a religious context. This enchanting practice weaves together music, meditation, chanting, and a deep sense of spiritual expression.
Kirtan is a central practice in the Bhakti Yoga tradition, which emphasizes love and devotion to a personal deity. It involves the repetitive chanting of mantras and divine names, traditionally in Sanskrit, accompanied by musical instruments such as the harmonium, tabla, and cymbals.
Traditionally, kirtans focus on chanting the names of deities like Krishna, Rama, or Sita. The kirtan leader sings a line and the congregation responds, creating a rhythmic and melodic interplay that is both meditative and invigorating.
While Kirtan remains rooted in its spiritual origins, it has gained global popularity beyond India and the Bhakti tradition. As the practice of yoga has boomed worldwide, kirtan too has seen an immense rise in popularity. It’s a testament to the universal appeal and transformative power of this captivating practice.
Kirtan events and gatherings are known for being welcoming and inclusive, focusing on the shared experience of chanting rather than strict religious adherence. Unlike the typical musical experience in spiritual settings, kirtan invites everyone to participate in a soulful, call-and-response chanting that creates a profound connection to the divine and brings people closer together.