White Lotus Magazine

“The direction of our actions creates the direction of our lives. The direction of our lives creates the direction of our world.” – from Living Wabi Sabi, the True Beauty of Your Life by Taro Gold

by Annamaria Geresdi

Most people are endlessly chasing the perfect life, the perfect partner, the perfect job, the perfect house, the perfect car, and so forth – hoping to find joy. But joy is not a result of a ‘perfect life’: joy comes from a place of contentment. Every one of us can experience joy, regardless of who we are, where we come from, what we do, and what we have. Wealth, fame, power, and possessions are irrelevant to experiencing joy. Joy comes from within. It is rooted in acceptance. When we make peace with our imperfections, when we accept ourselves, our lives, and others as they are, we can feel joy under any circumstance.

Perfection is just a figment of your imagination. We are not perfect: we are perfectly imperfect individuals in a perfectly imperfect world – just how we were meant to be. Life will never be perfect; life simply is.  When we accept life as it is, when we find beauty in the imperfections and lessons in the challenges, when we recognize the potential for good and growth in every unfortunate situation, then we can discover true joy and peace in every moment of our lives.

Happiness is a choice – one we all can make for ourselves regardless of our conditions and outside influences. In fact, by shifting our focus from the conditions and external influences we have no control of to the simple beauty of life, we can feel a sense of peace and contentment. We are constantly surrounded by miracles. We just have to keep our eyes and heart open to perceive them. Recognizing the wonders and blessings that are all around us will instantaneously awaken gratitude and bliss in our hearts.

There is beauty in simplicity. The more we overcomplicate life, the harder it gets. Living a simple life is about finding joy in the simplest things. It is about being content with ourselves and the choices we make, giving less attention to material possessions, embracing solitude, enjoying stillness, and savoring each moment. In order to invoke peaceful simplicity, we can choose to let go of our struggles, attachments, clutter, toxic relationships, distractions, and mental habits that complicate our lives. Choosing a simple life can help us create balance and inner peace.

However, life is not always filled with smiles. Some things we just can’t control. We all experience worry, pain, loss, and hardship of some sort in the course of our lives. Small or big, internal or external, fixable or not, problems are an innate part of life. But we can choose to see the opportunities or lessons in every situation, instead of dwelling on our misfortunes. We can transform our difficulties into empowerment: we can use our imperfections to enrich our lives. Our weaknesses can become sources of insight and strength. Our challenges can inspire and motivate us to become who we want to be, provide valuable lessons, and help us grow.

Every hardship we encounter could lead to personal empowerment, profound inner journeys and finding our greater purpose. When we embrace life as it is, when we recognize the beauty and the value of life’s imperfect aspects – including our own flaws, mishaps, setbacks, and uniqueness – then we’ll be able to experience the true joy of living in this very moment.

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION: Living Wabi Sabi, the True Beauty of Your Life by Taro Gold

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10 Simple Things you can do to find true joy in Life

(Based on Living Wabi Sabi, the True Beauty of Your Life by Taro Gold)

1. Seek always progress rather than perfection.
2. Celebrate the perfectly imperfect uniqueness of you and me and everything.
3. Start valuing the whole of your life here and now, just as you are.
4. Channel your energies into more productive and enjoyable endeavors.
5. Remember that the flow of destiny is yours to change.
6. Feel the greatness of the little things inside yourself; and you will feel the littleness of great things outside yourself.
7. Recognize the value of your flaws and imperfections – they can bring forth strength and empowerment.
8. See your life as a fertile field in which you can plant any seeds you wish, creating a harvest of your own design.
9. Align your intentions with those of the Universe and your life will naturally move towards your greatest purpose and noblest dreams.
10. Appreciate this and every moment, no matter how imperfect, for this moment is your life!

by K.T. Alaimo & Annamaria Geresdi

The vision of Biodynamic farming is to heal the planet through agriculture. It encompasses the true meaning of growing food naturally and sustainably.

Harvest Bee Farms shares this vision and exists as one of the region’s only farms focusing on the use of Biodynamic principles. This approach works in harmony with nature, without relying on synthetic chemicals or GMOs, resulting in farm-fresh, nutritionally balanced, and extremely tasty produce for the Naples community.

Harvest Bee Farms is the brain child of Chuck Ritter, a local business owner and healthy food advocate, and K.T. Alaimo, a young, aspiring farmer and environmental enthusiast. Their Certified Naturally Grown micro farm, located in Golden Gate, grows over 50 varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and edible flowers. The farm is also a licensed apiary and is currently in the process of expanding its bee operation. “The bee was chosen for the name and logo of the farm because of its extreme importance to the growing of sustainable and, for all intents and purposes, real food,” K.T. explains. “We desperately need to save these most precious of organisms as conventional farming methods continue to destroy their populations in favor of corporate greed,” he adds. Hence, their passion and commitment for keeping bees safe.

What really sets Harvest Bee Farms apart from other organic farms is its commitment to minimizing inputs, (fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides) of any kind, including even organic ones. Alaimo grew tired of the lax rules given to products labeled as organic, yet whose methods to create them were “questionable at best and totally inorganic at worst.”

“The end result of this approach is what we hope will be an experience of consuming food in its purest form, whereby what you taste is 100% of the food itself, nourished by the soil and the soil alone,” K.T. says. This is no easy task, he admits, but after his experience as co-owner of Wild Heritage Farm, formerly a UDSA certified organic operation, he began the switch to using Biodynamic methods, acknowledging how confusing and distorted the actual organic label had become. He believes that “what passes for organic these days can hardly be called organic and people definitely deserve better: they deserve real food grown in an honest manner.”

While many local farmers abide by the true meaning of ‘organic’, K.T. and Chuck both agreed that a different, a more focused label was needed to separate themselves from others. Thus, they began the long, arduous task towards obtaining their Biodynamic certification from Demeter Association, Inc. by committing to primarily, and if possible only, using their own on-farm made compost and worm teas.

The Demeter Biodynamic® Farm Standard reflects the Biodynamic principle of the farm as a living organism: self-contained, self-sustaining, following the cycles of nature. In practice, Biodynamic farming meets the ‘organic’ standard, including the prohibition of synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. But it goes much further. Biodynamic farming puts emphasis on the generation of farm inputs out of the living dynamics of the farm itself, instead of being imported from the outside.

Part of the Biodynamic certification also includes planting according to lunar cycles, as well as planting within and around natural landscapes rather than removing the native plants. “These practices are intended to bring integrity back to the way we grow and eat food; and at the same time, to understand that there is scientific reasoning for when and why to engage in certain farm activities according to the laws of nature,” K.T. explains. The concept of Biodynamic farming seems actually quite simple: healthy farms mean healthy food, and healthy food means healthy people and a healthy planet! But achieving and maintaining the certification is a constant, strenuous work – one that can only be carried out with love, devotion, and integrity.

According to Alaimo, the CNG (Certified Naturally Grown) certification entails many of the same focused and strict principles that Demeter’s Biodynamic Farm Standard includes, which is why the farm started off with the CNG certification first. Both agencies, however, are much more adamant about maintaining the integrity of growing food compared to the USDA’s certification, in his opinion, as well as unequivocally more rigorous in their inspection process.

Harvest Bee Farms is proud to be one of the few Florida farms that are Certified Naturally Grown and the only farm south of Tampa to carry this distinction. K.T. explains that “unlike the USDA organic certification, this label guarantees that your food will be free of any synthetic chemicals and sprays, including those allowed by the USDA that should have no business touching the food we eat.”

The work at Harvest Bee Farms began in 2014, with a three-year plan to prepare the land and the soil to get it to a point where food could be grown sustainably and sold to the community. While the land may not quite be where they feel it needs to be to reach its maximum production, thanks to the hard work of Chuck and K.T., as well as a handful of enthusiastic volunteers, the farm has been sharing its bounty around town for several years now.

Harvest Bee Farms does not sell directly from the land. However, they sell their goods seasonally at the Pine Ridge Road Farmers Market on Sundays from 9am to 2pm. They also offer a 21-week CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program that brings ‘shares’ of their produce to the market each week for member pick-up. The CSA shares include various veggies, salad greens, edible flowers, herbs, and fruits every Sunday. Members also receive farm fresh eggs periodically throughout the season and many other goodies and surprises. Soon, they hope to add honey and teas, along with fresh-cut flowers.

Harvest Bee Farms is deeply rooted in the community and is committed to educating people about their farming methods through farm gatherings and events, tours, and volunteer services. They have also partnered with private chefs and local restaurants, including Organically Twisted and Juicelation to provide farm-fresh, healthy ingredients for their culinary creations.

Alaimo believes that “the connection between farmer and land is without a doubt a Destiny Unbound, involving a sincere dedication and love for the land without bounds, and a commitment to growing wholesome food with all its ups and downs,” as well as a testimony of his appreciation for good music. According to him, “Labor really does pay off when you love what you do and do what you love.” If you taste Harvest Bee Farms’ fresh produce, you will absolutely agree. The reward is in every bite!

by Annamaria Geresdi

I’m not a competitive person. I don’t envy others and am not spiteful. I’m simply happy for other people’s achievements. Having a prestigious career, money, and material possessions somehow have never been motivational forces for me. I’m grateful for what I have and I feel content with my life.

Unlike some people, I’m not driven by the thrill of chasing success, power, or wealth. And I don’t find enjoyment in trying to outdo others or get a rush from winning. This doesn’t mean that I am apathetic or dispassionate, only that I have a preference for finding peaceful solutions, helping  others, and working together.

Even when I was a kid, I steered away from competition. I didn’t sign up for school contests or tournaments, and I enjoyed letting my friends win when we played cards or board games. This strange dislike of competing followed me into adulthood. I developed somewhat of an aversion to any type of rivalry, not only in my personal but also in my professional life.

I strive to create a peaceful home and work environment and I try to avoid situations where I’d find myself having to cross swords with anyone. I don’t feel comfortable in the demanding and competitive world of business where everyone tries to do better or more than the other, stepping on each other to get ahead. To me success means something other than attaining popularity or riches. I believe that the true measure of success in life is not how much money we make or how many cars and houses we own, but how many lives we impact.

I believe that the real empowerment lies in helping and inspiring each other, not in trying to impress or outshine our fellow peers. Each one of us is a unique individual, with different goals, lessons, and potentials, yet we all are connected. Finding and cherishing these connections is what’s important, I think, not focusing on the differences that may separate us.

Life is a journey, not a competition. It is a journey where no one is more ahead of you or behind you, where no one is more enlightened or evolved than the other. We are exactly where we are supposed to be. We all are teachers and we are all students at the same time.

“Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.” ― Albert Camus

Salt plays a major role in our health: it is a well-known fact that too much salt, as well as the lack of it in our diets can lead to serious health concerns.

The truth is, salt is essential for life. We cannot survive without it. Even the smallest processes in our bodies need salt or its ionized form. So how is it possible that our consumption of salt poses a threat to our health?

Perhaps it is not emphasized enough that there is a huge difference between processed salt (commercial table salt) and pure, unrefined, wholesome salt, like Himalayan crystal salt. The reality is that commercial table salt is no longer the salt that is essential for life. It has nothing in common with the natural salt of the primal oceans all life emerged from.

Commercial table salt is typically 97.5 percent to 99.9 percent sodium chloride with added iodine. Most commercial table salts undergo a bleaching process, and most often contain anti-clumping agents and other additives that are harmful to our health. During the process of chemical cleaning, essential minerals and trace elements are removed as ‘impurities’. The result is an unnatural, aggressive substance that is highly toxic to our bodies. [1]

This unwholesome, hazardous substance is found in salt shakers all across the world and also in processed foods as a preservative. While our body only requires a minute amount of salt (0.007 ounces) a day, the average daily consumption of table salt in the U.S is between 0.4 ounces and 0.7 ounces per person. [1] The body recognizes table salt as a hazardous cellular poison and wants to eliminate it as quickly as possible. However, it can only excrete 0.17 ounces to 0.25 ounce a day though the kidneys, depending on age and gender. This causes a constant overburden on the organs of excretion. The body keeps trying to eliminate or neutralize the excess salt in different ways to protect the cells and the organs, but in the long run, the damage is unavoidable.

The consequences of consuming table salt are clearly dangerous, yet people continue to use it day after day. And even though the daily salt intake per capita in the U.S. is way higher than the amount required by the body, most people are mineral deficient. Mineral deficiencies can lead to a wide array of health problems in fact. The solution might be as simple as replacing commercial table salt with a natural, unrefined, mineral-rich salt, such as Himalayan crystal salt.

Himalayan crystal salt is said to be over 99 percent pure. In addition to sodium, which actually is vital for many bodily functions, it also contains essential minerals and trace elements that the human body is comprised of. Himalayan crystal salt is relatively high in iron, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and chloride. It also contains traces of boron, fluoride, iodine, zinc, selenium and copper, all of which are necessary for our health. [2]

Himalayan crystal salt comes from the Punjab region of Pakistan, from salt mines thousands of feet deep below the foothills of the Himalayas. The salt from these mines has formed over millions of years under intense tectonic pressure and has sat untouched for millions more, making it one of the purest salts on the planet. Himalayan salt is believed to be composed of remnants of the original, primal oceans. Its pinkish color is indicative of its mineral content.

Consuming Himalayan crystal salt offers numerous health benefits: it regulates the water levels within the body for proper overall functioning; balances the body’s pH levels; encourages healthy blood sugar levels; promotes cellular energy creation; improves digestion and the absorption of nutrients from foods; aids vascular health; provides circulatory support; improves bone strength; promotes kidney and gallbladder health; regulates the metabolism; encourages better sleep patterns; and reduces the appearance of aging. [3]

Even though Himalayan crystal salt may offer many health benefits, it still is naturally high in sodium. Therefore, it should be consumed in moderation.

Himalayan crystal salt also has antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Consequently, it has many therapeutic uses as well. In a salt bath, it can help draw out toxins, remineralize the body, and improve several skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema. As a salt scrub, it exfoliates and deep cleanses the skin. When inhaled, it can improve allergies and respiratory problems. Himalayan salt lamps are often used to purify the air by attracting and trapping pollutants. They also release negative ions into the air, which may reduce stress, improve breathing, and increase focus.

The benefits of Himalayan crystal salt seem to be endless. So where can you find it? The one place in Naples where you are guaranteed to find tons of Himalayan crystal salt –actually 20 tons of it – is an alternative health center located at 4962 Tamiami Trail N., called the Salt Cave.

In 2009 the Salt Cave was opened to bring a unique therapy, called Halotherpay or Salt Therapy to Naples. This natural health modality is based on recreating the therapeutic environment of naturally occurring salt caves with the use of dry salt vapor to combat respiratory ailments, skin irritations, allergies, stress, fatigue, and many other health concerns.

In order to recreate the healing microclimate of the ancient salt caves, an actual ‘salt cave’ was built within the Salt Cave. The salt cave itself is a completely separate space, isolated from the rest of the facility. It was designed to resemble a cave or rather an old salt mine. The floor, the walls, and the ceiling are covered with fine, food grade Himalayan crystal salt. Tons of large, illuminated salt rocks fill the room, placed along the walls and also in wooden crates. The salt concentration of the air during therapy is approximately 73.5 mg (0.0002592 oz) – similar to the consistency of salty air at the beach on an average morning. The salt aerosol emerging from the salt generator consists of salt particles in sizes of 1-5 micrometers. These tiny particles can easily penetrate deep into the lungs and deposit upon the skin to offer relief for many reparatory and dermal conditions. In addition to its health benefits, the beautifully constructed and welcoming salt cave also provides a peaceful and spiritual experience for those who are open to it.

Nevertheless, there is way more to the Salt Cave than its name suggests. In the past nine years, the Salt Cave has grown into an extensive and versatile healing facility, offering many alternative health modalities besides Halotherapy, including Biofeedback, Far Infrared Sauna, VIP Light Therapy, Ionic Detox Footbath, Compression Therapy, Electrotherapy, Crystal Bed Therapy, Cupping, Herbal Protocols, and Spiritual Healing.

With the help of these natural therapies, the Salt Cave has assisted many people to successfully treat/manage their ailments and also in many cases to prevent illness. The owner is passionate about educating and helping anyone who comes to the Salt Cave to find natural ways to regain their optimal health.

In addition to the multiple services, the Salt Cave offers a variety of Himalayan salt products, herbal supplements, CBD oils and edibles, crystals, gemstone jewelry, and lamps for sale. Over the years, the Salt Cave has become a popular destination – sort of a one-stop shop – for those seeking relief and a natural approach to their health concerns.

For more information, visit www.saltcavenaples.com or call 239-403-9170.

REFERENCES:
[1] Water & Salt: The Essence of Life by Dr. Med Barbara Hendel and Peter Ferreira
[2] https://www.livestrong.com/article/26690-health-benefits-himalayan-salt/
[3] https://draxe.com/pink-himalayan-salt/

Honey has been used as a medicine for thousands of years. In ancient Egypt, Greece, China, India and countless other cultures, honey has been an invaluable substance for wound care and used as a natural cure for infections and diseases. Early thinkers like Homer, Pythagoras, and Hippocrates mentioned that people should eat honey to preserve their health and vigor.

Today honey is a popular ingredient in many foods, desserts, and skincare products, and is still extensively used as a home remedy for the treatment of wounds, colds, coughs, and allergies.

COLDS & COUGHS
When you are coming down with a cold, you can easily relieve your symptoms by consuming honey. Honey has antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties that fight against the virus, bacteria, and fungus to treat the cold and its underlying symptoms. It helps to soothe a sore or scratchy throat naturally and relieves irritation. It boosts the immune system, which reduces the severity of colds and also prevents future colds and other viruses. Take one tablespoon of honey at the first sign of a cold or cough or add honey and lemon juice to tea or warm water.

ALLERGIES
Honey is well known to reduce or eliminate the suffering from seasonal allergies. This effect is essentially because you’re pre-exposing yourself to allergens in a contained and controlled manner. Honeybees collect pollen, a.k.a. allergens, and turn that pollen into calorie rich liquid. So when you’re consuming that honey you’re basically immunizing yourself against what causes your allergies. But you will not get this effect from pasteurized and commercial brands of honey. For true allergy relief you must consume local, raw, unfiltered, totally natural honey.

WOUND CARE
Honey has been used to heal open wounds for thousands of years. It’s antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties are well known. It has also been found to stop necrosis (cell death) in tissue when applied to wounds. Honey can be applied directly to open wounds. It is proven very effective to prevent infections while greatly decreasing the healing time.

ENERGY
Honey is nature’s energy booster! It provides a concentrated energy source that helps prevent fatigue and can boost athletic performance. Honey supplies two stages of energy: the glucose in honey is absorbed by the body quickly and gives an immediate energy boost; the fructose is absorbed more slowly providing sustained energy.

NOTE: Honey is a little higher in calories than sugar and should be considered the same as sugar to diabetics and treated cautiously.

Disclaimer: Pediatricians strongly caution against feeding honey to children under 1 year old. This is because of the risk of botulism. Honey can contain spores of a bacterium called Clostridium botulinum, which can germinate in a baby’s immature digestive system and cause infant botulism, a rare but potentially fatal illness.

SOURCES:

http://homeremediesforlife.com/honey-for-cold/

Honey For Wound Healing – Nature’s Miracle Drug

by Carol Glassman

This could be a very dangerous year. I was looking through cookbooks, some new and some old, when a few titles caught my eye. The danger is dual: not only do I have an extra large collection of cookbooks, but I also tend to use them. Let me be more specific:  I read them like novels when about to prepare a meal, canvassing several, taking the best from each, and then concocting my own version. On most occasions the results might be edible!

I’m immediately attracted to books about cooking Duck. That doesn’t mean, “Duck, I’m cooking.”

I like Duck Salad, but the last one I made inadvertently became Smoked Duck Salad. I intended to serve it for a large dinner party, before the main course, on New Year’s Eve. I fired up the barbecue, performed all the necessary functions, put the duck on the grill as usual, set a pan of water beneath to catch the grease, put the lid on, and went to finish preparations.

I noticed odd puffs of black smoke coming from the barbecue. It was windier and cooler than usual but this shouldn’t have affected my duck’s progress – I didn’t think. When I checked, the thermometer was correct but the thick black smoke pouring out the tiny air vent was daunting. Even though the lid should be left in place during cooking, I took a chance and peeked: there lay an ebony blackened duck. It still had another hour to cook – what should I do? (Run and buy one precooked?) “Leave it,” my cooking intuition said. “It’s raw inside.”

Reluctantly, I left it. When enough time had passed, I retrieved my black ball of duck and stared at it. When it was cool I debated giving it a bath or ditching it. No, more stringent measures were in order. I ‘peeled’ it. Amazingly enough, the inside (where I didn’t touch it with char-stained fingers) was pure white. Thus encouraged, I tasted a small sample. It was enough to make me wonder: could I char the duck like this each time? The salad was a roaring success. Only my trash can full of black duck skin knew the truth.

In the Land of Make Reservations for Dinner, there are several books encouraging ‘Rotisserie Chickens to the Rescue’. That should be a hit. Just think about what can be done with a pre-cooked bird, as long as you don’t try to pass it off as your own. There is no more recognizable flavor than a chicken from the supermarket or local delicatessen. In my opinion, roasting the hen is the easiest part. Now you get to prepare, slice and dice, and add all the other ingredients.

When I was young, my Dad conducted weekly marketing trips when we all piled into the car for visits to the butcher, the baker, the dairy, the fish market, and the poultry man. We visited a local green grocer more often and supermarkets were only for boxed items and cleaning supplies.

As much as I loved to eat chicken, I detested the place where we bought them. The unlucky fowl were caged in a storefront with no heat and a wooden floor covered with sawdust. After the customer chose his chickens, one swarthy fellow grabbed them by the feet and hauled them squawking to the rear lane where he performed his ritual. Thank goodness he removed most of the feathers before he returned to the back room where he lit a hand burner of some sort (a welding torch?) and singed the pinfeathers. When we got home, the chickens were still warm to the touch. We all knew the ceremony. Dad spread out the newspapers and proceeded to ‘clean the chickens’ while we took lessons in poultry anatomy. Patiently he named each part he removed and commented on its condition and function. It’s a wonder we didn’t become vegetarians! Nothing was wasted, from the tiny undeveloped eggs to liver, stomach and the feet, which we fought over once they were cooked in soup.

The first time I, as a newlywed, brought home a supermarket chicken and got ready to clean it before roasting, I was convinced I had been swindled. In agitation, I called my mother, reporting the ‘missing parts’. “Not everyone is as loony as your father,” she said. “Most people buy chickens that are already clean.”

How hard is it to roast a chicken? I guess the success of books like these will depend on the need not to prepare food from scratch.

Were you hooked on Fudge Ribbon Pie, Apple Dumplings, Cabbage Rolls, or New England Boiled Dinner? (I don’t think I could lick my lips over the last one!)  There are books of ‘Endangered Recipes – Too Good to be Forgotten’ that may remind you of all the comfort foods you grew up with, but tossed aside for low fat, gluten/dairy free, no sugar/carb , no taste diets. No wonder you’re so stressed!

Do you like to dish the dirt along with a meal? You might have an appetite for ‘Dishing Hollywood’, cookbooks that retell Tinsel Town Tales and scandals, with a recipe for each one. You may read about Gary Cooper’s (whose?) numerous affairs and prowess while enjoying a plate full of his famous griddlecakes.

With shelves full of books, I might as well let my imagination take over and be intrigued by titles like, ‘Slow Cookers Do It In The Kitchen’, ‘101 Things to Do With A Cake Mix,’ and ‘How to Make Love and Dinner at the Same Time’. A book like ‘Dinner at Buckingham Palace: A Unique Collection of Recipes, Anecdotes and Tastes of the Royal Household’ wouldn’t get my second glance.

So many choices – so few good cooks. You can lead people to cookbooks, but that won’t make them chefs.

In most cultures the bee symbolizes fertility, good luck, harmony, creativity, perseverance, dedication, and bliss. Bee is also a universal symbol of hard work – as represented by the common phrase “busy as a bee.” In Hinduism, the bee is associated with the God of Love, while in ancient Egypt, bees symbolized the highest degree of royalty. In Native American tradition, the Bee Spirit carries the message of wisdom hidden within beauty, strength, passion, endurance, cooperation, and of hope that what seems impossible may yet be achievable.

Bee reminds us to make our lives fruitful and to enjoy the nectar of our efforts. No matter how great the dream is, there is the promise of fulfillment if we pursue our dreams.

If Bee has flown into your life:

• You might be guided to examine your daily habits and your productivity (mentally, physically, and spiritually). Are you doing all you can to make your life more fertile? Are you busy enough?
• Bee inspires you to take a step back and question your way of life. Ask yourself whether you are balancing the work in your life with simple pleasures. Are you making time to savor the honey of life – the sweet moments and memories?
• You might be encouraged to be more active and productive in your daily life and to give back to your community.

If Bee is your Spirit Guide:

• You have the ability to accomplish the impossible over and over again.
• You know how to enjoy the sweetness that life brings you and you understand the proper use of your own energy.
• Your intentions are always focused on a clear path and goal in life.
• You are self-sufficient, very focused, and a very hard worker.
• You work best when you are working with others.

Ask Bee’s help when:

• You need assistance in balancing your work life with rest and play.
• You have new ideas and projects that need to be put into action.
• You are seeking a community to belong to.
• You feel you are shouldering heavy burdens and need a solution.

SOURCES:

http://www.spirit-animals.com/honey-bee/
https://whatismyspiritanimal.com/spirit-totem-power-animal-meanings/insects/bee-symbolism-meaning/

• Honey never spoils. No need to refrigerate it. Unopened, it can be stored indefinitely at room temperature in a dry cupboard.
• Sealed honey vats found in King Tut’s tomb still contained edible honey, despite over 2,000 years beneath the sands.
• Due to the high level of fructose, honey is 25% sweeter than table sugar.
• Honey is created when bees mix plant nectar, a sweet substance secreted by flowers, with their own bee enzymes.
• To make one pound of honey it would take 556 workers and 2 million flowers.
• 50-100 flowers are pollinated during one collection trip.
• About one ounce of honey is all it takes to give the honey bee enough energy to fly around the world (although the farthest they usually fly away from their hive is six miles).
• To make honey, bees drop the collected nectar into the honeycomb and then evaporate it by fanning their wings.
• Honey has different flavors and colors, depending on the location and kinds of flowers the bees visit. Climatic conditions of the area also influence its flavor and color.
• In the days before biology and botany were understood, people thought it was a special kind of magic that turned flower nectar into honey.
• Honey contains vitamins and antioxidants, but is fat free, cholesterol free and sodium free!
• For years, opera singers have used honey to boost their energy and soothe their throats before performances.
• Honey has the ability to attract and absorb moisture, which makes it remarkably soothing for minor burns and helps to prevent scarring.
• Honey speeds the healing of open wounds and also combats infection.
• As recently as the First World War, honey was being mixed with cod liver oil to dress wounds on the battlefield.
• Queen Anne of England, in the early 1700’s, invented a honey and olive oil preparation to keep her hair healthy and lustrous.
• Modern science now acknowledges honey as an anti-microbial agent, which means it deters the growth of certain types of bacteria, yeast, and moulds.
• Honey and beeswax form the basics of many skin creams, lipsticks, and hand lotions.
• Recent studies have proven that athletes who took some honey before and after competing recovered more quickly than those who did not.
• Honey is the only food that includes all the substances necessary to sustain life, including enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and water; and it’s the only food that contains “pinocembrin”, an antioxidant associated with improved brain functioning.

SOURCE: http://kare.co.nz/honey-bees/interesting-facts-about-honey-bees/

• Bees have been producing honey for at least 150 million years.
• Bees have to fly over 55,000 miles to make 1 lb. of honey.
• 80% of the pollination of the fruits, vegetables and seed crops in the U.S. is accomplished by honeybees.
• Honey bees have five eyes.
• Honey bees never sleep!
• A queen is the largest bee in the hive. She can lay up to 2,000 eggs per day, twice her own body weight per day. She can also select the gender of the larvae. Most larvae that will be produced will be female.
• Worker honey bees are all females. Males do not know how to even feed themselves and their only reason for being in the hive is for reproducing with the queen. The males do not have a stinger and they are kicked out of the hive in the autumn, because there are no uses for them.
• Honey bees are very clean .They want their hive (which they made themselves, hexagon by hexagon) to be immaculately clean. If something dirties their hive, they will immediately get the offense out. The only honey bee in the hive that uses the bathroom inside the hive is the queen. She never leaves the hive, so her faithful workers get her mess right out. Bees will also make sure that when their time comes, they will die outside of the hive.
• There is only one queen per hive. The queen lives 2-3 years. The queen is made, rather than born. Worker bees will feed larvae royal jelly for a certain period of time. The royal jelly is secreted through the heads of the worker bees and is fed through their antennas to the larvae. The royal jelly has so many vitamins and nutrients it will allow for the larvae to become queens. Since there can only be one queen per hive, the potential queen bees will fight to the death until there is one queen remaining.
• Honey bees, like their name implies, are the only insects to make honey. Bumblebees make a honey like substance, but it tastes nothing like the sweet honey we know and love. They also make this in very small quantities. Honey bees though make honey in surplus so bee keepers are able to take a certain amount without hurting the bees or depriving them of food.
• In the summer a worker bee only lives for about 40 days. As no young are raised over the winter months, the workers born in the autumn will live until the following spring.
• The honey bee colonies each have a distinct odor which allows for them to identify the members. Often times bee keepers will need to assimilate colonies. A way to do that would be to place bees from each colony into a paper bag together. The paper bag should have a divider so each colony stays in its own side. Being in the container together the smells will mix and they will not be able to recognize the other bees as enemies due to their familiar odor.

ATTRIBUTES: Divine Love, Emotional Healing

ELEMENT: Water

CHAKRA: Heart

MINED IN: USA, Brazil, Madagascar, Afghanistan, and Pakistan

KUNZITE is a highly spiritual stone, connecting to the source of unconditional love, producing loving thought and action. This crystal centers the holder, projecting a sense of inner peace. Kunzite is a high vibrational stone and can be used to go into a deep, meditative state. It enhances creativity and self-expression. Kunzite can help fight depression and anxiety.

Kunzite is a stone of romantic love. It’s said to be helpful for communication of love when you are nervous, as well as for healing heartaches. It is also a stone of self-love, promoting humility and self-tolerance. Kunzite can strengthen and cleanse the aura, and clear negative energy from a room or environment. It activates the Heart Chakra and aligns it with the Throat and Third Eye Chakras to support loving communication.

Kunzite can help those who are focused on the outside world, to become more introspective and contemplative. This crystal can be used for releasing energy blockages and increasing acceptance of love. Kunzite dispels negativity and removes emotional baggage, replacing the void with Divine Love.

POSITION
Hold or place as appropriate. Wear as a pendant over the heart or use as an elixir. Holding Kunzite over the Solar Plexus Chakra can help alleviate panic.

NOTE: Sunlight causes Kunzite to fade.

SOURCE:
The Book of Stones by Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian
The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall

ATTRIBUTES: Compassion, Love, Generosity

ELEMENT: Fire, Earth

CHAKRA: Heart, Root

MINED IN: Spain, Russia, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Sweden

RHODONITE nurtures love and encourages the brotherhood of humanity. It helps to balance the emotions and calm impatience. Rhodonite is a very supportive stone that works with the Heart Chakra to attract love and ground negative energies. Rhodonite allows you to see areas in your life that can be improved without criticizing or judging yourself. It can reveal your inner gifts, and bring much-needed love into the world. Rhodonite can also help you remember your soul-purpose of incarnation and facilitate living from the heart. This stone also helps you remember that the best rewards come from serving the highest good.

Rhodonite can assist you in discovering your true passion and learning brand new skills to enhance that passion, if necessary. Rhodonite encourages you to find ways to be of service to humanity and helps to draw in synchronization related to this goal. Rhodonite can enhance power in those who have truly altruistic intentions.

Rhodonite clears, stimulates, and activates the Heart and Root chakras. It is a stone of power that brings strength and vitality to the body and spirit, so that they can support higher vibrations needed for personal evolution.

POSITION
As appropriate. Place or wear as jewelry over the heart to heal emotional wounds. Carrying Rhodonite will help provide support to the Heart Chakra, which in turn will promote the service of Spirit.

SOURCE:
The Book of Stones by Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian
The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall

by Janet Weisberg

My name is Janet and Earth is my other body! Curious? To understand why I can make this statement please read on.

Trained as a Traumatologist, for years I have continuously searched for a simple, peaceful, and available solution to our dramas and traumas on the global, local, and personal stages. Several years ago I asked myself a very important question: “Is it normal for my awareness to be out of contact with the immediate moment of my life and where am I if not in the now?” I shockingly realized that I was spending most of my waking and sleeping time in the past or in the future. So the obvious next question was: “Why?”

We all have stories and dreams but most of the time they remain a painful distraction and we become resigned to the outcomes. The past holds our perceptions and beliefs (our stories) and the future holds our dreams. We seem to somehow feel rewarded for this addiction to limited stories and prayerful dreams. The tragedy is that we are not really living and I wanted to LIVE! And so did everyone else I knew. The answers came flooding through as I restored and reconnected to the present moment – which is where life thrives. It was simple, yet foreign.

Why didn’t I know about Earth’s real flow that supports all life? I’ve come to learn that this undeniably valuable information was diminished by the paradigm we collectively entered and so we lost our way. The reasons are sad, however, knowing the importance of our reclaiming and restoring its value is so exciting and life affirming! It is Earth’s nature to restore balance where there is none!

My personal declaration is that I am actively grateful to be living, enjoying, growing, and sharing my reconnection to Nature by following my natural attractions daily which are sensory by nature. I know that Earth supports, balances, and sustains all life without judgment. As part of Nature I’m sustained the same way if connected. Otherwise, I flounder with the rest of humanity, still living out traumas and dramas. The disconnected outcome is that we feel like visitors on this beautiful planet, living without the benefit of our 54 natural, self evident senses which are our inheritance.

The powerful truth I learned is that only in the now is Nature available and are our natural senses active, including our senses of reason and consciousness. In addition, only in the now can we make changes.

The July 4th, 2012 confirmation of the identity and role of the Higgs Boson “God particle” was discovered by physicists at the European Organization for Nuclear Research laboratory in Switzerland. The Higgs Boson was identified as the fundamental natural attraction “clumping” energy in the Big Bang of 14 billion years ago. Without the “Boson attraction energy net” things cannot hold together and be things from atoms to galaxies.

Life (matter) is sustained by natural attractions! The reason we suffer today from things coming apart is because we ignore the “natural attraction bonds” that we desperately need for unification.

TESTIMONIALS

“Janet was my Project NatureConnect Orientation Course teacher this summer, but is a mentor in life. Janet worked with me privately for ten weeks, sharing, experiencing, and giving. I was able to share and recover words that seemed to have been covered in a layer of dust. I knew what they were, however to communicate with someone openly and for Janet to receive so graciously, was immeasurable. When it came down to it, in true PNC fashion, the words did not matter, the expression and awareness did. Being able to be with Janet on an individual basis was community because of the quality connectedness we were able to share with life thriving around us.” – Mary Jane Nardulli, Private Client

“Nature holds a very magical healing balm for us to heal. When you are in the attraction all sense of time is gone. Stress reduces, our soul essences dances, our inner self soars, a greater sense of self esteem and so many more. Most importantly the means to thoughtfully obtain nonverbal information from nature that beneficially modifies destructive stories we carry.”– Lira Bennett. Pink Ribbon Restoration Yoga Teacher, PNC participant

“Project Nature Connect has given me another language in counseling to facilitate the healing process by coming back to the sensorial experience in nature, to mindfully, in the moment to moment experience with nature, allow self-healing and natural mechanisms to take over by bringing us back to balance. Nature’s presence is what heals, its life force which is what we have been disconnected and separated from. The Earth and the body both can repair themselves if we only let them without interfering with our fragmented thoughts, fear and desire to control.”– Ivette Gomez, Psychotherapist, PNC participant

ABOUT JANET WEISBERG
My life’s path and purpose are to speak the truths we’ve forgotten – the truths of who we are, why we are here now and how we need to accomplish real change together; and to offer opportunities that let Earth teach and bring communities together to learn and share.

EXPERIENCE & TRAINING: Project NatureConnect/Natural Attraction Practitioner, Trainer, Guide, Counselor & Ambassador, B.S. Sociology, M.S. Applied EcoPsychology, Certified Traumatologist #1503, Certified Peace Ambassador, Doctoral candidate

For more information, please visit www.53senses.com or contact Janet Weisberg at janet@53senses.com or at (239) 280-8229.

by Carol Glassman

“You are what you eat”; the famous phrase by Anthelme Brillat-Savin, has been used often since 1826 (“Dis-moi ce que tu manges, je te dirai ce que tu es” – literally from the French, “Tell me what you eat and I will tell you what you are”).  It’s a frightening thought when you think of some of the things we ingest.  I’m not just referring to fried grasshoppers, roasted roaches, ants, worms and other creepy crawlies, but think of the bottom feeders such as halibut, flounder, eels, bass, grouper, snapper, catfish and shark, or scavengers such as shrimp, or frogs’ legs. Add to these, tasty dishes like brains, eyeballs, stomach linings and intestines, and other cooked delectable parts of animals’ and amphibians’ bodies. Where will it end? Read on —

Trust me, I am not here to sell you on a vegetarian diet, but to tell you of a newer food trend – and by the way, a vegan might love it.

I recently was made aware of a Parisian restaurant called Le Plat Sal (the dirty plate) owned and operated by Chefs Solange and Gael Gregoire. While plugged into my usual Saturday morning dose of National Public Radio, host Scott Simon was rhapsodizing about this new way of cooking. I wonder if it would be a challenge to those ‘greasy spoons’ or ‘greasy sleeves’ to which I have been subjected in the past? They didn’t look terribly appetizing either outside or in, but the food was magic.

The style of food in Paris known as Veritable Cuisine du Terroir (Real Food from the Earth) makes Le Plat Sal currently one of Paris’ hottest places to dine. I suppose I shouldn’t knock it until I try it, and I have tried a lot of unusual dishes in my day; but somehow I think hell will freeze over before I sit down to a meal of cooked rocks (artisanal or not) dirt, and mud, washed down with wine made from sewer water.

The main ingredient of one of the restaurant’s most popular soups, Ile de Cité, is nuggets of doggie ‘ordure’ which, the French chefs scoff, wasteful, spendthrift Americans throw away. Mmmm good! (Are you gagging yet?)

Deux Lorraine, is a sweetish, gran-colored stew made of water from a river drainage basin.

Scoff away, I say, pretty soon we’ll be sending them some of the earth from adjacent pig pens and cattle barns as well as fertilized fields, and we will be told how picky and nervous we Americans are for shunning these natural foods. They make genetically altered foods look rather appealing!

But wait a minute: the French chefs are not the only ones enamored of this cuisine – it has been adopted by some American chefs as well, who claim eating dirt has been around for years and “adding chunks from Wrigley Field” can make a stew really tasty. I guess all those expectorating shortstops really add flavor.

The New York entrepreneur who started The Shake Shack is rumored to be opening a chain named Rock and Roll.

Some years ago a restaurant in Tokyo, Japan offered dirt meals for $110 per adventurous person. The menu included a potato starch and dirt soup, salad with dirt dressing, dirt risotto with sautéed sea bass and dirt ice cream with dirt gratin for dessert.  The meal was described as delicious but the restaurant confessed it used  not just any old soil but the best dirt on earth,  bought from a company that makes organic compost with coconut husks imported from India and Sri Lanka, strictly testing products  for safety. That almost sounds like cheating. Instead of using the pebbles from a Parisian street that almost sounds like cheating!

Geophagy, the scientific name for eating dirt or clay, has been around for centuries and although some may feel it’s useful in strengthening the immune system other experts neither agree nor recommend the practice.

In America’s deep South, there is a belt of white clay (kaolin) running through the state of Georgia.  It has been reported that some convenience stores sell small chunks of it for snacks, as it has a low sand content and is smoother  and ‘healthier’ to eat than dirt. Apparently pregnant women exhibit  an appetite for this kind of “sand-lapping”.

‘Eat White Dirt’, a film addressing this phenomenon, treats the eating of kaolin in a matter-of-fact manner, pointing out that if you have ever taken Kaopectate for a stomach ailment, you have also inadvertently had a dose of white clay. The film maker said the purpose of making the film was to help people understand sand-lapping and to remove the stigma.

It makes one wonder if it is the desire to be really different or truly creative, which produces these trends. My impulse is to call them ‘bizarre’, but that might indicate that I have a closed mind (to go with my closed mouth) when it comes to experimenting with drastically new foods. Heaven forbid!

I can hope that global warning will not cause hell to freeze over in my lifetime, or I can simply invite these adventurous chefs to visit my house and garner ingredients from around my mailbox, where thoughtless neighbors walking their pooches refuse to stoop and scoop.

by Beth Brown-Rinella

The word “Goddess” brings different ideas to everyone. For some, the Goddess may evoke images of mythical deities, like Aphrodite, Pele, Lakshmi, Diana or Isis. For others, it may be screen goddesses like Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe or Angelina Jolie, or some other feminine idol. For me, the Goddess is very personal. The Goddess in my heart has MY face, MY ideals, and holds MY power.

The Goddess is a creative force and a strength that takes on many forms. It is a feminine energy that can be drawn from at any time, by everyone. The Goddess is right there next to God. She is the feminine version of the Source. She carries the softer, maternal energies and creates the balance that we all need. The Goddess is also a warrior energy that will not put up with nonsense. The Goddess energy is all that you need to help move you through life’s challenges.

It’s an energy that says, “You go for it!  What’s stopping you, but you? Don’t be afraid to take chances!” It’s a strength that doesn’t allow for abuse, belittling words, gossip, and unkindness. It is a vibration that brings forth ethics, right living, and taking the high road. It is like a pool from which we can drink and pull strength, power, and nurturing whenever we feel put down by life or someone else. This Goddess energy is available at all times, by everyone – male and female – whenever it is needed.

When you need a bit of Goddess energy, meditate, dance, sing out loud, write in a journal, ask for assistance through prayer, or take a long walk. All of these activities can make you feel better. They may not solve your problem, but they can offer you clarity, insight, or an open space to draw in what you need. The Goddess energy is an opening to energies readily available to you.

I feel that simply by thinking about how the Goddess resides within me, I get clearer information. It’s as if I am mentally walking on a road with a fork and the path to the left is the Goddess path, the path to the right is where I have been stuck. If I go to the left, answers come easily and will make sense.  If I stay on the road I was already on, the situation stays muddied, unclear, stagnant, and stuck. After so many years of walking in this way, the choice becomes easy.

The Goddess force is so present, so alive in our energies when we awaken her and invite her to come and stand with us in this life that we find our path to be clearer, more potent, and meaningful.

To awaken the Goddess in you or to spend meaningful time allowing the energies of the Goddess to pour through you is very simple. You can set up an altar with a Goddess statue, flowers, candles, anointing water or essential oils. These will help you to focus on calling in the Goddess. Spend time in meditation, getting centered and balanced. It doesn’t take long as she isn’t far. In truth, she is within you: you are Goddess. Not ‘a’ goddess, simply Goddess.

Another wonderful way to connect with the Goddess energy is through oracle cards. These differ from Tarot cards in that each oracle card has a message written on it. You can select a Goddess deck (there are many to choose from) and pull a card each day with a message from Goddess to you. Place the card on your altar or a special place where you will see it throughout your day. Know that the messages are usually spot on for what you have going on in your life. They are a daily source of fun and awe.

Bring the Goddess into your daily life. Draw from her strength, power, and wisdom.  Know that you hold these energies within you. Honor them and feel honored by them.  You are Goddess!

Namaste,
Beth

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Beth is the owner of Goddess I AM Healing & Art Center in Naples, Fl. She is available for appointments by calling 239-228-6949. Long distance and in-person readings are available. Visit www.GoddessIAM.com

Throughout our lives we may compete for attention, for love, for jobs, and for attaining wealth and possessions. Some people believe that competition is healthy: it pushes us to be the best versions of ourselves. I do not share that belief. The urge to compete with one another comes from the ego’s need for excitement and control. In order to become the best versions of ourselves, I believe the ego needs to be silenced; we shall be filled with love, and our thoughts and actions shall come from the heart.

If we are able to learn to live from the heart, we will be able to get in touch with our higher selves, our eternal essence. And that is the true goal of spirituality. Spiritual life is not so much about knowing, it is more about loving. It is about opening our hearts and living from the heart to such a degree that eventually there is no such concept in our lives as “others”. We all become one.

In every moment of our lives we have a choice – the ego or the heart, dishonesty or truth, anger or joy, hate or love. When we live from the heart, we choose to live in love, happiness, and the truth. We begin to tap into the universal love which surrounds us. This love is the source of everything; it is the fabric that makes up our very existence. When we experience universal love, we understand all aspects of our existence and we see everything in harmony with everything else. This is the natural response of our hearts to the essence of all of life.

1. Let love guide you

In any situation, look for the response that is peaceful, loving, and free of stress. Put aside your fears and conditioned habits, and let love guide you. Even when things get tense, drop your instant emotional reaction, try to focus on love and to avoid drama.

2. Silence your mind

Meditation has long been practiced as a way to achieve calm and inner peace. It is one of the best ways to quiet the mind. With a little practice, you can cut out the ‘chatter’ and dismiss the thoughts as they enter your mind, one by one, until your mind is a clear slate.

3. Move from the mind into the heart space

Stop using your mind to constantly analyze, plan, organize, and figure everything out. As you let go of all of that mind activity, you are able to relax into presence and move into your heart space, where there is no trouble and no resistance, only stillness and love.

4. Love yourself
When it comes to love, you are included, too. Be good to yourself, forgive yourself, be honest, and treat yourself well. Live as stress-free a life as possible.

5. Live in the now
Spinning stories in your mind about things that have happened in the past and what might happen in the future takes you away from what is right here and right now. When you are stuck in your mind, it is impossible to be fully in touch with the love that is in your heart. Let your attention explore this very moment. Open your senses, open your heart, and live from there.

6. Become aware of the oneness of love
Treat others the way you would treat yourself – be loving, understanding, honest, and forgiving to others. When you meet another, you are actually meeting the essence of yourself. When you understand this, love is impossible to deny.

7. Don’t obsessively plan
In fact, only plan when absolutely necessary. Planning takes place in the mind, and when you realize how little planning you actually need, there is space to recognize that you are alive right now. And in that aliveness, let your heart glow.

8. Let go
When you live from the heart, you begin to be very honest with yourself. You may realize that certain situations or people are not in alignment with your highest good. You will see your own tendencies that no longer serve you. Cultivate detachment. Sometimes, the most loving response you can make is a kind but firm “No”.

9. Honor your personality quirks
As conditioning falls away, your natural gifts and inclinations have space to be expressed. Let your creativity flow in whatever way it wants to. Go where you are guided, learn what you want to learn, enjoy yourself in all your activities.

10. Listen to your inner voice
Live from intuition, not logic. Intuition is the voice of the higher self. It is the most objective perspective that there is – which always is in alignment with your highest good.

11. Explore your heart space
When you relax away from the ego, from the ‘chatter’, and from all your conditioned habits, you will discover stillness, a formless space that is clear, open, and inherently loving. Become familiar with this space, as it is the true essence of your existence. Listen and let it guide you.

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION:

10 Love-Filled Ways to Live From Your Heart by Gail Brenner

10 Love-Filled Ways to Live From Your Heart

— A Cherokee Legend

Back in ancient times when the people were more pure and could converse with the animals and the Creator would visit them, the people asked the Creator for something that was ‘sweet’ to the taste. So the Creator sent the Bee, but the Bee had no stinger. Down came the Bee and it found a suitable tree in which they could build their hive, live in, produce honey, multiply and feed its young. Soon the people came to the Bee and asked for some of the sweet syrup and the Bee gave each person a container full. The people loved the syrup and greedily ate it, then went back to the Bee for more.

The people were angry and asked the Flower People to make more flowers so they could have more of the golden syrup to eat. The Flower People responded, “We made all the flowers we could and they are all pollinated. You will have to wait until Spring.” “No,” said the people, “We want more now!!” So they went back to the Bee’s hive and tore it apart killing almost all of the Bees and taking the syrup. The remaining Bees were angry. They asked the Creator what to do. The Creator was also annoyed at the behavior of the people, so he told the Flower People to create some ‘briar bushes’ and for the Bees to eat the briars.

The Bees did as the Creator said, they ate the briars and these were transformed into stingers. The Flower People created an entire briar patch around the Bee’s tree. The next day, the people came back and started toward the Bee’s hive for more syrup; but the briars around the tree scratched and tore at their bodies. Some of the people made it through the briars to the hive. Covered in welts, they yelled at the Bees, “Give us some more syrup now, or we will do the same as we did yesterday, kill your young and destroy your home!” The Bees became angry and a loud hum came from the hive in the tree, and out they swarmed. The Bees stung the people all over until they were covered in welts and sent them running.

After that day, the people treated the Bees, flowers, and plants with great respect and always promised to replace whatever they asked for and never be greedy or take more than they needed.

Source: littlewolfrun

by Bethanny Gonzalez, Certified Aromatherapist

Patchouli (Pogostemom Cablin) is an herb, a mint actually. Native to Asia, Patchouli is an aromatic, perennial shrub with large green leaves and light pink flowers. The essential oil is steam-distilled from the dried, fermented leaves. It cultivated in China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Patchouli oil has long been used in traditional Asian medicine for the treatment of skin and hair problems. Patchouli has been well known for its insect repellant properties. It also has wound healing and scar reducing properties, as well as aphrodisiac effects. 

AROMA: warm, rich, sweet, spicy, woody with earthy, musky undertones.

PROPERTIES: Antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, tonic, deodorant, fungicide, insecticide, and sedative

ELEMENT: Earth

PLANET: Saturn

ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Scorpio

CHAKRA: Root and Sacral Chakra

GENDER: Feminine with masculine characters

SPIRITUAL ASPECTS: Wisdom, Stimulation, Liberation, Protection

BENEFITS FOR MASSAGE & SKINCARE

• Suited for both mature and oily skin
• Reduces visibility of scar tissue
• Soothes inflammation, dermatitis, sores, eczema and other skin conditions
• Helps treat acne, dry chapped skin, dandruff, and oily scalp
• Prevents sagging skin, hair loss, and loosening of muscle tissue
• Inhibits fungal growths and infections, like Athlete’s Foot.

HEALTH BENEFITS

• Protects wounds and ulcers from developing infections and becoming septic
• Provides relief from fever and reduces inflammations
• Speeds up the healing process of cuts and wounds
• Stimulates the regeneration of healthy new cells
• May help lower blood pressure and cholesterol
• Helps increase appetite and remove of toxins from the body
• Beneficial for arthritis and gout

EMOTIONAL USES

• Helps sooth and stabilize the emotions
• Excellent for reducing stress and alleviating anxiety and depression
• Provides gounding for those lost in daydreams
• Uplifts mood, drives away disappointment, and relaxes tension

SPIRITUAL USES

• Assists in our connection with the planet
• Brings a sense of sacredness of life
• Helps us to break free of self-inflicted boundaries and overcome inner fears
• Brings forth a sense of purpose, astuteness, and sensibility

TIPS:

Powerful aphrodisiac and adds a sensuous, erotic note to mood perfumes. Add a few drops to a bath, massage oil, or love sachet to attract love and promote lust. Sprinkled upon money, purses, and wallets Patchouli is believed to attract prosperity.

Did you know?
Patchouli has been referred to as the “hippy” essential oil – being much used in the 1960’s and early 1970’s as a perfume to mask the smell of marijuana.

RECIPE  Massage Blend for Romance

4 oz. Jojoba Oil
7 drops Lavender Essential Oil
3 drops Patchouli Essential Oil
3 drops Sweet Orange Essential Oil
1 drop Rose Essential Oil

Blend oils together. Massage into skin.

Note from the Editor:

We shared the story of “Building a Selenite Network” in the September 2015 issue of White Lotus Magazine. The response from our readers was heart-warming, and the article seemed to have motivated others to share their stories of Selenite with us. I was inspired to publish some of these stories and call them “Selenite Transformations”.

This is one of the stories:

Dear Shamama,

I hope you’ll remember me. I met you a few weeks ago at Michael’s, the crafts store. I was your cashier and when I complimented you on your stunning necklace you shocked me by taking it off and placing it over my head. That was incredibly generous of you and I wanted to thank you again.

I’ve been wearing the necklace almost every day. I love it so much. The beauty of it alone, is plenty enough reason to wear it, but I wanted to let you know that you gave me SO much more than an aesthetic piece to wear and admire. 

I catch myself looking and noticing the stone several times a day, and it always makes me smile. I think of how you gave me this precious gift, and it makes me feel so grateful. Your stone is a daily reminder to me to think of all of the good that has come, and all of the good that is on its way, and most importantly, to be grateful for all that goodness. It reminds me that I never know what wonderful and unexpected people and opportunities will show up next.

Thank you, so much for sharing your light with me. I am so grateful.

With so much gratitude, love, and light,
Monika 

The eagle is seen by many cultures as a symbol of courage, vision, strength, healing, freedom, and endurance.  American Indians believe the eagle to be a sacred messenger, carrying our prayers on its wings to the Creator and returning with gifts and visions for the people. Eagle feathers assist medicine people/shamans in connecting with Spirit for healing. They are deemed the most sacred healing tools, a

symbol of power, healing, and wisdom.

Humans have for long been inspired by the sight of eagles soaring high in the sky. In ancient Greece the eagle was associated with Zeus, who according to myth, sometimes shape-shifted into an eagle so he could hurl his lighting bolts. In some Native American belief systems the eagle symbolizes the Thunderbird (lightning and thunder), associated with great power and glory.

If Eagle shows up in your life:

• It may be time to reconnect with your spiritual path.
• You may be encouraged to listen and heed your spiritual directives as well as your heart and to allow them to lead the way for you.
• Higher powers may be communicating with you, so listen carefully to your intuition.
• You may be reminded that when you stop resisting and start flowing with life, all the doors will open and the directions you need to follow will be made clear. Like a beacon, your heart will follow the light.

If Eagle is your Animal Spirit Guide:

• As you soar to spiritual awareness, you remain well grounded in reality.
• You have an intuitive and creative spirit.
• You are guided by great power and balance in all dimensions to achieve inner growth.
• You have respect for the boundaries and grace achieved through knowledge and hard work.

Ask Eagle’s assistance when:

• You need assistance in seeing the big picture.
• You long for freedom, balance, strength, clarity, and patience.
• You wish to connect with spirit guides, teachers, and higher truths.
• You struggle with rising above the material to see the spiritual.

Did you know?
Bald eagles can fly to an altitude of 10,000 feet. During level flight, they can achieve speeds of about 30 to 35 mph.

SOURCES:
www.manataka.org
www.spirit-animals.com/eagle/

by Carol Glassman

A few days ago a woman I knew, in her 90s, passed away. I hadn’t thought about her for some time, as she had moved out of the area following the death of her husband. I’ll call her Jane.

I first met Jane and Jack when we moved to the same community where they lived. They already had a reputation for going against the grain of most residents, by not voting for improvements or spending funds to maintain the daily upkeep of the property. They were famous for taking advantage of every free event and although they lived well, rarely put their hands in their pockets to contribute to anything.

My late husband played bridge with Jane and Jack, and when I became interested in tennis, I began a 15-year association with Jane.  I’ll call it an association because it never was a friendship. There wasn’t much about Jane that I admired.

She was a scrawny little woman of about 100 pounds, who had an odd, affected gait: she walked pigeon-toed on her tiptoes. A person’s physical attributes never influence how I feel about them, but their actions always do. Jane did her best to prevent my playing on the tennis team she attempted to rule. Until I caught up by taking a lot of lessons and practicing hard, she was a much better player. However, that didn’t last. As I became more adept, I found I could easily return her frequent lobs, and 90% of her “out” calls were untrue. In other words, Jane was a cheat.

On the rare occasions when I played bridge against her and her long-time partner, I saw them constantly signaling each other — she also cheated at bridge.

At golf, needless to say, Jane’s golf balls that landed in the rough miraculously turned up on the green after falling out of her pocket, without adding a penalty.

I had no problem standing up to her on the tennis court and in fact, eventually formed my own team, making it clear that although everyone was free to join us, as long as league levels and standards were met, we would not allow any cheating or negative behavior.  Poor Jane – half of her team deserted to join us, leaving her with those of like habits.

Jane and her friends practiced another little game that I disliked immensely: they were racists.  I overheard them planning a bridge tournament. As they made up tables of 4 players, they planned to “put  all the Indians together” at two tables. Indians? I questioned what that meant and was told, “You know, people with the surnames of Cohen, Schwartz, Goldberg…”, and they all laughed. As I stood up to leave they protested that I had not finished my lunch, but I replied that I had to go home and clean my tepee. I guess minus horns, a hooked nose and other stereotypical traits I had somehow flown under their nasty radar.

Jane’s husband Jack was not so blatantly rude, but considering their relationship I could only assume he was of the same opinions and biases. After he passed away, she moved to an assisted living facility in another city. I haven’t thought about her often, until I got her obituary notice.

Since I try to consider each person on her own merit, how a person acts to me is how I judge them, trying to ignore gossip and what others may say. I had enough confrontations with Jane to know that I could be civil to her face but would not put her on my ‘guest list’. Why would I want to associate with a cheating, lying, racist?

According to Jane’s obituary, she was a loving mother, wife, aunt, sister, daughter, grandmother, friend.  Those are usual comments from a grieving family. Over 40 years ago, diagnosed with breast cancer, she underwent a radical bilateral mastectomy and was said to have devoted the rest of her life to helping others cope with that disease. I admit I did not know any of that.  If I had, perhaps I might have looked at Jane’s behavior from a different perspective, but would I have accepted or forgiven it? I know a lot of survivors these days, thanks to advanced medical treatments, and most of them have a joie de vivre, not using their medical history to advance themselves in any way.

I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, but I had been very familiar with the local chapter of the American Cancer Society at one time and do not ever recall her either being there or participating in any of their events. However, possibly all her good works were done anonymously and in another location.

Now that Jane has passed away, reading about her and her achievements almost made me smile.  Perhaps it is superstition that prevents us from speaking ill of the dead, even when it’s true.  I am sure there are enough of her friends, who live and act as she did, to maintain the facade of her as a good woman who lived well.  I am just as sure that there are enough hypocrites who walked alongside Jane while she lived, and quietly tolerated her behavior. Then there are the rest of us, who observed how she acted and chose not to associate with her.

The bottom line is, death is a leveler. Your beliefs about an afterlife do not matter at all here on earth, because you will be remembered as you lived. Those who survive you will recall the kind of person you were, and that will be your legacy.

In many religions you can regularly ask  for forgiveness and do penance for the hurtful things you have done and said, and some even give you a ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card to leave all your sins and crimes behind you and consider tomorrow the first day of the rest of your life. Fortunately, most of us are not major criminals and the wrongs we have committed, mostly against others, are of a petty nature. I wonder if there were some kind of public final reconciliation, we would love our lives differently? What would it take for us to simply, on a daily basis, make a concerted effort to treat others as we would like to be treated, and fulfill the saintly vision with which others see us, after we are gone?

They say an artist’s work is never really appreciated until he is no longer with us — why wait until then, to show your best side and get the best out of life. Give the term ‘a living legacy’ a new meaning!