Tarot Cards
Tarot cards have had a place in human society for a long time, at least five
hundred years and probably a lot longer than that. Their beginning is obscure
and unknown. The tarot cards represent the obstacles and growths that each
person must endure along the path of life. Reaching the end of a cycle is not
the end but a return to the beginning, to be repeated with new obstacles and new
challenges.
Tarot decks are normally divided into two sections, the major arcana and the
minor arcana. The major arcana represent stages and major influences on each
stage of your journey. The minor arcana represent the separate facets of
each stage. They are aids to understanding what is occurring or why something
has occurred.
The second card of the major arcana is "The Magician".
When "The Magician" appears in a spread be ready for a change.
"The Magician" represents creative possibilities and the energy and
intuitiveness to make things happen. If "The Magician" is reversed it can
be a warning against the abuse of power or people. It can also represent
the inability to get going with a project.
The third card of the major arcana is "The Empress".
When "The Empress" appears in a spread it is the beginning of a more earthly
phase of life. "The Empress" represents the bringing forth of something that
will require nurturing of the mother. Whether it be a marriage, birth of a child
or the birth of a creative dream, it will require patience and nurturing. Be
ware that this earthly phase can lead to stagnancy. If "The Empress" is reversed
it could be a loss of comfort, dream or money or it could be a difficult
relationship or birth.
|
The Magician
The Empress |
Crystals
The crystal shown is amethyst. In scientific terms amethyst is a purplish or
violet coloured quartz. It can range in colour from dark violet to a pale
lavender or almost clear. It is a semi-precious gem.
Amethyst has been long known for it's healing properties. Amethyst is known to
improve the production of hormones and aids in strengthening the cleansing
organs of the body, the circulatory system, the immune system and the body's
metabolism. Amethyst is also a powerful blood cleanser and energizer.
In ancient times amethyst was used to stop obsessive behaviours, such as
alcoholism.
Amethyst is the colour of the crown chakra, which allows the meditator to
begin to contact the higher aspects of oneself and to begin a spiritual journey
to find the divine.
Amethyst
Cleansing and Energizing Crystals
Whenever you obtain a new crystal, you should cleanse it. There could be
residual energies from other people and you want to remove those energies to
make the crystal your own.
A few of the simplest ways to cleanse crystals are the easiest.
One of the quickest ways is to bury the crystal in sea salt. The crystal only
has to be left in the salt for a few minutes. The ions in the salt attract the
negative energies out of the crystals. You should also cleanse the crystal if
you use it for healing. Another easy way to cleanse the crystal is to hold the
crystal in running water for a few minutes. Point the tip of the crystal downward
and visualize the negative energy flowing out and a clean white healing light
filling the stone from the top.
If you use a crystal for healing or as an aid in meditation, the easiest
way to re-energize he crystal, after cleaning it, is to leave it in the sun all
day. Place it in a dish on a window ledge so that it sits in the sun all day.
This is especially true if the crystal is used as a sleep aid.
|
Meditation and the Sounds of Silence
Is meditation hard to do?
Not really.
Is relieving the stress of the day in a daydream of drifting on the waves
hard to do?
No.
Meditation shouldn't be a chore. You can make it as simple as a daydream,
as long as you want to accomplish something.
Should make time and force yourself to stop, regroup and repair the body,
mind and soul?
DEFINITELY.
Pray to the divine, ask for guidance, if that's what you need to do, but
be ready for an answer. The answer may not be what you want but it probably
is where you should be heading. Losing yourself in a dream, in the sounds
of nature or in the utter silence that can come from closing off your senses
is a good thing for the soul to do at times. Our lives have become so load,
so busy and so complicated, it's hard to believe that something as simple
as meditation can make you feel so much better about yourself and your life.
|
 |
Hints to ease your path into meditation
At the beginning of your meditation decide on the course that your
meditation will take. Are you stressed at work or at home or do you just feel
out of sorts? Having a specific concern in mind you can sometimes help
prevent stray thoughts from entering in and distracting you. Once you are
comfortable it may help to visualize a threshold of some kind, like a door or
a gate. You may find it helpful to rephrase your concern. This will help
focus your thoughts and energies and make your meditation more fulfilling.
Visualize whatever will help you take your meditative state deeper. You can
decide that you will walk a path, float on a raft in a stream, float on the
clouds or whatever feels right for you. Your course will reveal itself a little
more each time that you meditate. Don't rush the result. They will come in
they're own time. At the end of your session, cross the threshold again and
slowly return to the here and now. Feel the room, your seat, the sounds of
your current life and what's important in it. Don't rush to rejoin the world,
it will be there when you're ready.
Think on one thought only and if your mind begins to wander gently return
the train of thought to the original idea.
Meditation Thought for the Month
I will fill my heart with the peace of meditation. I will pour heartfuls of
my joy into peace-thirsty souls.
By Paramahansa Yogananda,
"Metaphysical Meditations" |
