Archive for the ‘Health and Healing’ Category

Trees Purify the Mind I came across a quote that started me thinking, “Trees purify the air; they also purify the mind….if you want to save your world, you must save the trees”We all know that trees purify the air; the rain forests are the lungs of the earth.However, the thought that intrigued me was the idea that they purified the mind. How do they do this? What follows are just my thoughts.Bring into your mind an image of an ancient beech. How it stands tall and proud how it has been there for generations the things it has seen does this not lift your spirit?Brian Bates in his book Sacred Trees says “Trees bridge the gap between earth and air” Trees are a symbol of our reaching out to the Divine, rooted deep in the earth and yet reaching out to the heavens this is I believe how we should live our lives.Also for trees to purify the mind, we need to regain the awe and wonder that I think our ancestors had when they looked at a tree. The mystery they saw in the cycle of a tree the apparent death each autumn when the leaves withered and died only to return each spring. To them this must have appeared a miraculous thing. Indeed, it was the miracle of life.One way to let trees purify your mind is to walk among them (something I do not do nearly enough). Ruskin Bond said, “To return to my own trees, I went among them, acknowledging their presence with a touch of my hands against their trunks”. Although I am not a newager when was the last time you hugged a tree?When was the last time you just sat with a tree, communed with, and let it impart its wisdom to you? By the way, I am asking these questions of myself as well.To look at a tree is to see the divine when you commune with a tree you are communing with the divine and with the whole of creation. Therefore, trees are sacred beings able to teach us if we are willing to learn.Trees provide us with all that we need our air, our homes, our fuel, and our books in an endless act of giving.However, this should not be a one-way transaction. We need to give in return, so, what can we do? Well one thing is plant more trees, either personally or by supporting organisations that do. Care for the ones we already have even if the only thing you do is clear the litter others have left.Another thing we can do is increase our knowledge of these great beings, I am the first to admit that my knowledge of trees and their lore is not good but I can learn. Learn which tree is which, learn the individual things each tree has to teach me, for they all have lessons to impart to us.Therefore, this is my goal to let the trees purify my mind and in return honour them.

The integration of movement and dance into spiritual practices and religious rituals is not a new concept. Since before recorded time, man has been using gestures and movements and dance, both choreographed and improvised, to raise energy, heal the sick, connect with Deity, and foster a sense of community connection. One useful purpose for sacred movement is as a tool to facilitate and enhance the achievement of the altered state known as “trance.” Once again, modern man is not inventing this concept, but rather reviving it, for the “trance dance,” like all other sacred movement, has its roots in antiquity. Many trance dance traditional rituals have survived intact and are still being used in religious ceremonies and healings to this day.

Sufis perform a trance dance called “whirling” (mostly associated with Dervishes of Turkey) as a part of a formal religious ceremony known as the Sema, which is performed in order to reach religious ecstasy and a connection to Deity.

The Anastenaria is a traditional celebration found in Northern Greece and Southern Bulgaria, in honor of Saint Constantine and Saint Helen. At the end of the celebration, participants carry icons of the Saints and dance around a large fire for hours, until they enter a trance and are called by the Saints to walk barefoot over the glowing-red coals, unharmed by the fire.

Zar Cults of the Middle East are groups with specific members who perform their healing trance dance in order to contact and communicate with the spirit(s) causing particular illnesses or afflictions, not to exorcise them, but rather to work out a mutually agreeable symbiotic accommodation or “living arrangement.”

The Guedra, part of the culture of Morocco’s Tuareg Berbers, or Blue People (the dye from their deep blue robes impregnates their skin), is a moving meditation performed as a ritual of blessing and celebration of life, usually performed by one or a few dancers, supported by a drummer, hand clappers, and chanters; all come together to build powerful energy and bring blessings, spiritual ecstasy and connection to Deity.

The pizzica is a folk dance from Italy that comes in three highly symbolic variations. In the first, the pizzica de core, a man and woman circle each other suggestively but are never allowed to actually touch. The second, the danza della scherma, is a mock sword battle performed by two men. The third dance, the pizzica tarantata, is a strange ritual with an almost primitive history, dating from a time in which women suffering from a variety of mental or emotional disorders of the sort that used to be labeled “hysteria” were believed to have been bitten by a poisonous spider. The Tarantella Dance music is probably the most recognized song of all the Italian folklore music.

Liturgical dance is a modern form of religious trance dance that is made a part of worship services, usually as an expression of prayer or worship through movement of the body. Liturgical dancing can be spontaneous or can be choreographed in advance in order to fit into the lyrics of a particular hymn or song, or the focus of a religious service. It is relatively new in the West, but its roots go back to accounts of religious dance in the Bible’s Old Testament.

But not all trance dancing is related to healing or banishing or exorcism. Anyone who has spent some time on a dance floor at a modern night club can attest to the power of dancing and the “group consciousness” that can be created through rhythm, music, lights and movement. Electronic trance dance and all of its alternate forms (such as Rave, Euro, Techno and House) are characterized by music with rhythms that fall within the 130 to 155 beats per minute range, a tempo that, combined with a dancing style of repetitive movement, is perfect for inducing a trance or altered state of consciousness.

Modern trance dancing uses rhythmic sounds, sights such as pulsing lights, and repetitive movements as activators to influence the brain and bring brain wave vibrations into alignment with the rhythm, and thus to the trance level. This use of outside influences such as rhythm and repetitive body movements to help achieve a trance state is known as “entrainment.” The more senses that are involved in this process, the easier it is to attain and maintain a trance state. Transformative breathing, pulsing lights or flames, and incense, when combined with music and rhythms and repetitive body movements, can allow the dancer to slip into a powerful trance.

Want to give it a try?

The wonderful thing about trance dancing is that anyone can do it. You don’t need to be a certain age, you don’t need any dance training or ability, and you can even do it from a chair if you are unable to stand. What you look like when you dance is not even an issue; the most important part is what you feel while you are dancing. Actually, too much worry about your outer form will distract you from the trance.

Trance dance is essentially a meditation, with movement as the tool used to bring your awareness to a place where meditation, trance and communion with Deity can happen. By allowing your body to freely express the rhythms and movements created by the catalyst of sound, you are brought to a meditative state and enter into a deeper mythic reality.

Repetitive movements can act as a focus for your mind similar to that of a mantra or chant; when repeated long enough the movement will fade from your awareness and shift your attention from your physical surroundings to a state of dreaming. While any repeated motion can be used to attain and maintain a trance; the ideal movement would be one that is strenuous enough to get the endorphin effect of exercise, but simple enough to be easily repeated without the worry of getting it wrong.

To set up a trance dance session, you will need to find a block of time when you won’t be disturbed, at least 45 minutes. You will need to arrange your furniture so you won’t injure yourself, and you will need some music, any kind of music as long as it truly inspires you. You might want to also dim the lights or burn some pleasing incense, but be careful of any open flames.

Begin by following the rhythm with your breathing; then consciously relax and invite the music into your body. Begin swaying back and forth with the rhythm. As you put your body into motion, be aware of what feels good in a sensual or physical way; don’t worry about what you look like, for no one is watching. Allow your mind’s chattering and preoccupation with your physical world to fade, along with awareness of conscious movement.

Your aim is to reach a purity of experience that is just the rhythm and the motion and you and the sound; this is the moment of your entry into a trance state. Try not to stop dancing; continue moving without conscious choice until you feel the trance is completed. Slowly begin to decrease your movements and lessen their intensity until you are once again back to swaying to the music. Then bring even that to an end and stand still; experience the absence of motion with as much sensual awareness as you experienced motion.

Through trance dance our physical bodies and our physical world “disappear,” and we become more like spirit, and less attached to life’s ordinary difficulties, making it possible at these moments to let these problems go, and sometimes to become aware of viable solutions to these problems. Trance dancing is also a wonderful way to cleanse the cobwebs from your mind and rejuvenate your body.

Sources:

Wikipedia – Trance
Sacred Mists Sacred Movement Extension Class

“Reiki” is the name of a spiritual practice from Japan that offers techniques for relaxation, stress reduction and healing.  The name itself is a compound word that joins “rei,” which can be translated to mean “spirit,” “divine,” and “etheric body,” and “ki,” which can be translated to mean “breath,” energy,” “life force,” “emotion” and “intention.”  Some direct Japanese translations for Reiki are “feeling or atmosphere of mystery,” “an ethereal atmosphere (that prevails in a sacred place),” and “to feel or sense a spiritual or divine presence.”  In English, Reiki is used both as a noun, representing the spiritual life force energy in the form of ki and the therapeutic methods related to its application, and as a verb, representing the actual use of the therapy and application of the ki into and onto the recipient.

Reiki is considered a holistic therapy which helps to bring awareness, balance and healing on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels of existence.  Reiki is offered through a technique commonly called “palm healing” or “hands-on healing,” where the ki is transferred through the palms of the practitioner and into the body and personal energy field of the recipient.  Reiki operates through the belief that our emotions, our mental state and our level of spiritual fulfillment are directly connected to and interact with our physical body and its health and vitality, and thus healing and balance brought to one level of existence will transfer to the other three in order to help heal the entire “self.”

It is a simple method to learn, and much of the techniques and focuses are not taught in the usual manner, but rather are transferred during a Reiki class through an “attunement” given by a Reiki Master/Teacher which allows the student to tap into and access the unlimited supply of ki in order to improve health and enhance the quality of life.  The ability to become a Reiki practitioner is not dependent on intellectual capacity or spiritual development, and is available without restrictions of age or background.

Generally, Reiki is taught in three basic levels or degrees, although there are many equally effective variations to these levels; each level requires at least one attunement.  The first level, sometimes called “Shoden” (Japanese for “elementary/entry teachings”), teaches the basic theories and procedures, and hand placements thought to be the most conductive to offering ki in a whole body treatment.  The second level, sometimes called “Okuden” (Japanese for “inner teachings”), teaches the symbols that act as catalysts and enhance the strength and distance over which Reiki can be applied.  This level allows the practitioner to offer “distance healing,” the ability to apply Reiki without being physically present with the recipient.  The third level, sometimes called “Shinpiden” (Japanese for “mystery teachings”), brings the practitioner to the Reiki Master/Teacher level.  Once reaching this level, the practitioner has the knowledge and experience to teach the three levels, as well as the ability to attune students to Reiki energy.

During a typical full-body treatment, which can last for a half hour to an hour or longer, the recipient is seated or laying down as the practitioner places his or her hands on or near the recipient in various hand positions.  Recipients and practitioners alike often feel warmth, cold, tingling and/or pressure in the area being treated, whether or not the practitioner is touching the physical body of the recipient.  A state of deep relaxation and a general feeling of well-being are the most common effects noted immediately after a treatment, although emotional releases can also occur.  Other positive effects can be felt over the following hours and days as the treatment stimulates and encourages the body’s natural healing processes.

Reiki was developed by Mikao Usui in 1922, while he was performing a 21 day retreat on Mount Kurami which involved fasting, mediation and prayer.  Usui received the information and methods of use that we call Reiki, as well as a series of sigils or symbols to be used by Reiki practitioners as keywords or sacred catalysts, through mystical revelations that came to him toward the end of his retreat.

In the process of documenting the symbols and instructions he received into a system that could be used both as a healing method and as a way to teach the system to others, Usui also incorporated a set of ethical affirmations based on teachings of Buddhism and the writings of Emperor Meiji, now commonly known as the Reiki Principles, which encourage a release of anger and worry, and a cultivation of gratitude, kindness and honesty.

After Usui’s death, his student, Chujiro Hayashi, continued passing on Reiki teachings.  Hayashi also simplified the original teaching and application techniques and added a focus on physical healing.  Hayashi trained Hawayo Takata, who is accredited with bringing Reiki outside of Japan and to the United States.  When she died in 1980, Takata had trained many Reiki Master/Teachers.

There has always been debate as far as scientific proof of the effectiveness of Reiki treatments; however, recently scientific and medical experts have made amazing strides in their ability to create physical measuring devices that are sensitive enough to measure non-physical techniques such as Reiki.  Through documenting and measuring the electro-magnetic field of the human body, researchers have found that both the entire body and each individual physical organ pulses or vibrates with a particular resonance; these vibrations or auras have been show to change if illness occurs.  These same researchers have been able to measure the palms of Reiki practitioners, which have been shown to emit electro-magnetic energy during Reiki treatments that pulses within the healthy range.  The healthy energy being emitted by the Reiki practitioner has been shown to act as a catalyst to bring the resonance or vibrations of the recipient’s aura back into a healthy range, thus promoting healing.  While still being debated by some, more and more scientists and conventional medical experts are recommending the inclusion of Reiki treatments within an all-encompassing health promoting regime.

Although it is mainly spiritual in nature, Reiki is not a religion; it has no dogma, no required adherence to a particular spiritual tradition or path, and is not dependent on any other beliefs.  Reiki does encourage living within ethical ideals which are nearly universal across all cultures.  The techniques for relaxation, balancing and healing associated with Reiki are not meant to replace the advice of a medical professional, but rather are meant to be used in conjunction with the advice of health care professionals who specialize in treating the physical, mental and emotional bodies.

References:
Sacred Mists Sacred Usui Reiki Training Course
Wikipedia
The Molecules of Emotion by Candace Pert, Ph.D
The Intention Experiment by Lynne McTaggart

One of the most unique and interesting items for healing and cleansing your home and sacred space is also a very natural and magickal thing as well.  It’s mined salt crystal and when used it helps to release negative ions into the air to cleanse and refresh your space and your spirit.

Most salt crystal used today in these lamps come from the Himalayan mountains though it is also found in Russia and parts of central Europe.  The salt that is mined is often very, very old (some miners claim the salt to be millions of years old) and therefore the pieces have a very high mineral content.  When the salt is mined it is then hollowed out in the center either to allow a light bulb to be placed inside from the bottom or to allow for a candle to go into the center from the top of the crystal.  When lit, the bulb or candle flame heat the salt and cause a release of negative ions into the air.  The negative ions connect and attach themselves to positive ions in the air, which take the form of pollutants, and help to neutralize them.  When the positive and negative ions connect they essentially become too heavy to stay in the air and end up falling to the ground and being removed from the air circulation.

One way that the negative ion release from the salt lamps can be extra helpful is through countering the positive ions released from electrical equipment which can cause something known as “electrosmog”.  Electrosmog is an overabundance of man-made electro magnetic energy that we find surrounding us in our homes and offices.  If you’re someone that sits at a computer most of the day, you’re someone that may find themselves effected by this.  But even things like your cell phone, television and cooking appliances like your microwave contribute to a sometimes unhealthy level of EMEs in your environment.  Symptoms of overexposure include sleeplessness, irritability, headaches, and fatigue (and you thought your boss was just drinking too much coffee during the day).  This can lead to even more serious health concerns, and some people have suspected the EMEs could contribute to certain kinds of cancers, but the fact is there is little we can do to completely avoid them, so having things like salt lamps in the home to help neutralize the positive ions put off by these devices can be a good place to start.

The way it works is simple.  Like we’ve seen, there is the release of negative ions through the application of heat to the salt crystal.  When the salt becomes warm it attracts humidity and the surface of the salt crystal itself can become moist.  The ions build from the moisture and release into the air and attract to the positive ions in the area.  But this isn’t the only thing that has an effect.  The color of lamps themselves, colors that range from a light pink or salmon color to deep, rich oranges, have a therapeutic quality in themselves.  The wavelengths of the colors fall between 600-700 nanometers (a form of measurement that is often used to measure wavelengths and is essentially one billionth of a meter).  This measurement is in the upper part of the range making it visible to the eye and this particular color and range within the lamps creates a calming effect and is the same frequencies used in certain medicines used to treat skin cancer.  There have also been studies done to test on children and adults that have various disorders such as ADHD and sleep disorders to see how the salt lamps would impact them.  In these tests it was found that when the lamps were in the rooms with the patients for a week their symptoms subsided but once removed they came back.

So while not specifically a medical device by any means, having salt lamps, whether in the form of candle holders or as plug in lamps around the home, you will find that they can help to reduce some of the issues that many of us tend to come in contact with on a regular basis, including sleeplessness and even frequent colds, the flu and allergy symptoms.  Placing several around the home in key spots, such as the bedroom and at your home office or desk area, you will see the effect grow over time.

These lamps come in all shapes and sizes.  The shapes are generally either conical or pillar forms, though the smaller lamps are often more like a small round ball.  Shapes range and vary based on the natural characteristics of the piece mined.  There are also lamps that come in what is called “crafted shape” which is basically a piece of salt crystal that has been shaped to look like something.  A popular shape used is that of a bowl with chunks of salt rock inside it.  When looking at the lamps that plug in they often come in sizes ranging from 4lbs to 40lbs.  Different size lamps are good for different sized rooms.  Here is a guide that can help you pick the right lamp for your space.

8×8 sq ft area = 4-5lb lamp
10×10 sq ft area = 6-8lb lamp
12×12 sq ft area = 9-11lb lamp
14×14 sq ft area = 12-15lb lamp
20×20 sq ft area = 30-40lb lamp

You might also want to consider the color of the lamps when picking one out.  Orange is the most favored because it gives off a very warm and inviting glow.  Pink lamps are popular as well but if the lamp is too lightly colored, or if the pink has speckles of black in it, that can indicated that the salt rock is brittle and might have not been mined from the most ideal places (and it might not be from the Himalayan Mountains which is the preferred source).  Red is another color that you might find in some of the larger, plug in lamps but beware ones that are too dark because they are not going to let any real light through.  The effect of the ions will still be there but the visual appeal of the lamp may not.  The last color you may find is white; white is very rare and not many people carry them because, in general, they are too bright and people are usually looking for the salmon or champagne colored glow of an orange or pink lamp.

The color can also impact the mood and therapeutic effects of the lamp.  Remember, color magick is simple and effective and with these lamps the color can be very useful beside just being pretty.

White lamps represent healing, cleansing and detoxification
Pink lamps are good for stimulating emotions, love and a sense of connection and partnership
Orange lamps help the nervous system, kidneys and bladder
Red lamps can help promote circulation and the heart

When buying a lamp, be sure to give it a good once over look.  The base of the plug in lamps should be a nice, even wood base and the bulb should be able to be removed either either pinching a spring clip or possibly loosening a few small screws.  This is important because you’re going to want to be able to change the bulb at some point.  Be sure the base isn’t cracked and be sure it sits evenly on a flat surface.  With the candle older kinds be sure that there is a depth to the salt rock so that you can get a candle inside the center and that it’s not just going to rest on top.  The candles used should always be tea lights unless there is a glass holder provided as part of the lamp to hold a votive candle.  Placing candles directly into your salt lamp without any way to collect and hold the hot, melted wax will ruin it quickly.

Caring for these beautiful lamps is a key part to keeping them working for a long period of time.  Remember, these are natural pieces of salt crystal.  They are not manufactured or treated, so they are susceptible to melting or crumbling if they get wet or if you have them in an area that has a very high level of humidity in the air on a regular basis.  Because of this, if you are using a candle holder lamp, be sure to keep it on a small dish or on a large pillar holder base so that if it does become damp or melt it wont ruin any surfaces.  You will want to wipe out the candle holders from time to time with a slightly damp cloth to get dust off and to also to get the black soot out from inside.  Be sure to dry the holder with a soft, dry cloth immediately.  If you’re using the plug-in lamp kind they are also possible candidates for melting so be sure to check from time to time to see if there has been any deterioration.  The lamps can be left on for whatever length of time you wish since the warmer they get the more ions are released and the greater a purifying effect it will have.  You should use a 7-15 watt bulb in them, though the larger 20-40lbs lamps can take a 20 watt bulb.  The size and base style is usually like that used in nightlights but you’ll know better when you are able to examine your lamp’s base.

Salt lamps are wonderful and simple ways to help bring healing and a natural cleansing process into your home.  They are simple to care for and can be found in a range of sizes and prices to fit your needs and budget.  Once you start gathering them it will be almost no time before you find that you have amassed a bit of a collection because they are a bit addictive since they are so beautiful.

You can find some beautiful lamps in the Sacred Mists Shoppe.
Salt Votive Holder
Salt Lamps that plug in
Fire Bowl Style

One of my favorite stones that can be quite unique from piece to piece is ametrine.  Ametrine is a form of quartz that contains both amethyst and citrine and carries energies of both stones along with bringing a powerful cleanings and balancing energy.

Ametrine takes many forms, but in it’s natural state, the colors can be very dark and blended together in a way that can make some pieces look like they are just very deeply colored amethyst.  Other pieces have clear yellow or gold citrine elements within them.  Ametrine is minded almost exclusively in Bolivia which is where it gets one of its trade names, bolivianite, though some ametrine has been found on parts of India and Brazil in recent years.

Ametrine forms naturally in the Anahi mines in Bolivia because of the various temperature combinations, air pressure and the natural chemicals in the mines which cause a natural oxidation process to happen within the iron of the crystal itself.  Since the temperatures and pressures vary so greatly in this specific mining area, the oxidation rate of the iron deposits are so different that some parts of the crystal form as a yellow/gold color, creating citrine, while other parts turn varied shades of purple, creating amethyst.  Sometimes during the process one area will oxidize at a slightly different rate, just enough to cause part of a piece that would normally have been all amethyst to have a portion that formed as citrine.

When looking for ametrine, especially for healing or magickal work, it’s important to look for natural, raw, or tumbled pieces that are very obviously not meant for the purposes of making jewlery.  Many pieces of ametrine that are made for or sold as jewelry, such as faceted pieces for rings, are quite often (but not always) synthetic.  Ametrine can be easily mimicked either with dyes being applied to heat treated clear quartz or even by using different heat treatments to plain amethyst.  One sign of an artificial piece of ametrine is when the definitions between the amethyst and citrine are very obvious, as though the two pieces were almost fused together with a defined beginning and end to each color.  While this can happen in natural ametrine it’s very rare and you’re more apt to find pieces where one color is more dominant than the other and they blend or swirl together in the stone.  Also, the color of the stone can be a sign of whether it’s natural or synthetic; if the stone has a greenish-yellow color to the citrine part or if the amethyst has a blue hue to it, it is almost definitely synthetic since these colors do not happen naturally in these stones.  Deep, rich purples, as well as deep golds, are a sign of a true piece of ametrine.

Ametrine can be used for a number of healing purposes.  As a stone that brings harmony to the spirit and body, if you are finding that you’re feeling “out of sorts” or if you have a sense of being disconnected, either from your thoughts or your body, meditating or just relaxing while holding the ametrine in your power hand will help to bring you back into balance.  Ametrine is also believed by many crystal healers to be a stone of male/female balance; if someone is having a hard time connecting to one of these halves of their personalities, or if there is a lack of balance between the two, ametrine can be used for bringing them into harmony.

Using ametrine in meditation can help to open up and empower the third eye.  If you or a client in a healing session are having trouble with their psychic senses, or if there is a feeling of not being in touch or in balance with your intuition or psychic senses, place a piece of ametrine on the third eye and let it rest, giving it a chance to open up and balance the third eye chakra.  Ametrine can also help clear out any lingering negative energy from emotional trauma or emotional worries and concerns which makes this a great stone for working with healing sessions for those that are experiencing issues with releasing and letting go from bad relationships, working through issues of abuse and overall problems with moving on from a bad patch in personal relationships.

When looking for some creative ways to use ametrine, consider the fact that both the properties of amethyst and citrine are contained in this stone, regardless of how much of each is evident from looking at a piece.  Amethyst contains the ability to bring serenity and calm as well as protection while citrine helps with creativity, mental clarity and inner strength and confidence.  Ametrine can be a great stone for students who want to create a talisman for helping with their studies.  Take a piece of ametrine and charge it for this by calling on the aspect of amethyst to grant you a calm, focused state of mind, and the citrine to help you better understand the work and have the confidence to display your understanding through homework assignements and exams.

The color therapy, or color magick, available in ametrine can be very powerful as well since the purple of the amethyst can help with visualizing and mentally creating the image of what you desire while the gold of the citrine can help with manifestation in the physical world.  Holding ametrine or using it as part of spells where manifesting something in the physical world can be quite helpful.  These two colors together can also help with balancing the third eye chakra and the solar plexus chakra.  These are two chakras, that when in balance, can help us to feel and follow our intuitions, our “gut feelings”, more confidently.

In healing for physical purposes ametrine can be used for a number of different purposes including releasing toxins, releasing muscle tension, reducing fever and helping with the aches and pains caused by head or chest congestion.  You can make an elixir with ametrine and take to help with any of these, but it can be especially useful in this manner for toxin release.  If you get massage regularly you know about the need to drink water to help with the flushing of the toxins that are released from the muscle tissue.  Taking 3-6 drops of an ametrine elixir in your water following a massage can help this process along and help you feel not only physically but also mentally refreshed after.

Ametrine is a great stone that has endless possibilities because of the unique combination of energies that it brings.  Even just a small piece can be used for a number of purposes and makes for a great addition to any set of healing crystals.