White Lotus Magazine

Many of us feel that our lives are somehow accelerating, that there has been a multitude of life-altering events and a tremendous downpour of new frequencies coming at us at high speed. It appears that this is indeed a period of “accelerated ascension” when increased waves of light and codes of awakened consciousness are streaming onto the planet through the Sun and directly from Spirit.*

Some of us may feel puzzled and unsure about how to interpret these new energies, how to react, and how to remain open and positive during these intense times. The guidance comes in many forms, but rest assured, it always comes.

There are many signs, teachings, experiences, and guides around us that constantly remind us of just how powerful our thoughts and intentions really are, and that we have the wisdom and the ability to create our own reality. Ascension, enlightenment, transitioning, and instant manifestation are no longer terms for only a select few to participate in and understand. We all are part of the spiritual evolution.

We are infinite energy beings that are here on Earth to grow and evolve. As we awaken to our energetic potentials, we come to realize that we are blessed with the power of manifestation. In this time of many challenges and transitions, it is essential to use this blessing to create Light. During this period of immense energetic shifts, we are guided to hold the energy of the Divine, to raise our consciousness, and to awaken our divine Light within our physical form.

But there are many distractions and low frequency energies around us: disasters, conflicts, violence, and people filled with fear and anger. We are surrounded by events of hatred and lunacy, and also by people close to us who might be making life choices based on negative emotions. Our task is to take what is of low frequency and transform it into Light. It may not be easy to do, but we shall bless these events and people, and shall not lower and align our energies with theirs. We should be aware of what is happening in the world around us, but we must not focus our attention on the negative, on toxic people, and news of upheaval. We must not give power to these low frequency energies. Rather, we shall focus on our inner processes and the collective awakening of our higher consciousness.

We are powerful beings who can manifest events and opportunities for the highest good. We can decide for ourselves who we are and what we want in life. As we come into our power, we realize that we can manifest our own reality through our thoughts and intentions. We can create Light in the world simply by raising our own vibrations. If we fill ourselves with love and compassion, we then become the Light. And that is the highest purpose, I believe, we can serve.

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION:
http://www.ask-angels.com/spiritual-guidance/the-888-lions-gate-activation/

BIOFEEDBACK – A natural approach to energy balancing with a non-invasive bioenergetic body scan

Anxiety, constant worry, and the stress of living in today’s demanding and environmentally complicated world can result in many pressures upon the body. These stresses often lower the immune system and cause  degenerative conditions, chronic pain, low performance, depression, insomnia, and emotional turmoil. The EPFX/QXCI Biofeedback system, available at the Salt Cave in Naples, offers natural and effective solutions to your health concerns.

EPFX/QXCI is an extraordinary device — a computerized system that can help assess your current health situation and balance your over-stressed body at the subtle energy level.

Quantum physics and quantum biology merge in this fascinating technology. Since biochemical processes are fundamentally electrical in nature, this state-of-the-art system can measure the subtle information in your body, correlating it to thousands of health indicators, quantifying imbalances, and locating precursors to disease, allergies, and environmental sensitivities with computer accuracy.

Throughout the therapy, this device can identify your stresses, re-harmonize your body, and balance your mind, in order to bring you back into your natural resonance. The EPFX/QXCI system works as preventative therapy and to assess emotional and physical risks. The program can help you gain more insight into yourself and your current state of health. This energy therapy system can also set new patterns to bring your whole self into a state of balance and well-being.

What is Biofeedback?

Biofeedback is a widely used technology in many areas of health care. Oversimplified, it is the measurement of minute electrical signals in your body via an electrode, a patch, or a point probe. It is non-invasive, very safe and in most cases you cannot feel anything at all.

There are many applications of biofeedback throughout western medicine and holistic health modalities. The most common example of biofeedback application is ECG (Electrocardiography), a cardiology test performed in hospitals, monitoring the electrical activity of the heart using electrodes placed on the skin. We’ve all seen real-life events or TV scenes of someone lying in a hospital bed with patches attached to his chest, where  the doctors  watch his heartbeat on the monitor. This specific cardiac application is only one of the many health applications for which biofeedback is used.

Biofeedback Therapy

Biofeedback therapy has emerged as a new field of energy medicine that addresses the electrical properties of the body through stress reactivity testing of the entire energetic body field. Once tested, biofeedback therapy can help to re-harmonize the body and to relieve stress by neutralizing imbalances caused by physical and emotional trauma. The therapy works by stimulating the self-healing capacity of the body.

Biofeedback therapy takes into account that many health imbalances could be caused by emotions. These emotional aspects of health are deeply rooted in long-term reactions to experiences that have happened over a lifetime. Underlying emotional conflicts and traumas can affect you deeply and can have a cumulative effect on your health. Biofeedback therapy can clear  negative emotional patterns. Emotions have specific frequencies and this system looks to identify what is causing your energy imbalances. It works to bring you into a balanced state of health and harmony within your body, mind, and soul.

A biofeedback therapy session starts with a non-invasive 3-minute test procedure, where upon completion we get feedback on over 9,000 items in your body! Once it has measured vitamin levels, amino acids, nutrients, food substances, minerals, enzymes, natural sugars, toxins, hormone levels, muscle tone, disease, bacteria, moulds, fungi, viruses and the health and balance of internal organs, it then compares these figures against the norm. It shows anything that is affecting your health. For example, if you have digestive trouble, the machine may show that you had salmonella as a child, which is still causing you problems.

During treatment, the EPFX/QXCI machine measures the body’s resonance/reactance pattern and determines what benefit has occurred in the time period since the last measurement (less than a second earlier). If there has not been an improvement, the input resonance is altered. It maintains each beneficial setting as long as it is helping and changes it as soon as it is no longer useful.

All ailments from acne to warts and from allergies to water retention can reputedly benefit from this biofeedback device. The machine does not magically cure diseases:  in reality, the EPFX/QXCI is an effective stress reduction tool. It can reduce the stress that a pathogen, or nutritional deficiency, or a weak immune system is causing in your body. It is effective at helping to reduce the stressors that affect the body — the potential causes of ill-health. When these frequencies are balanced properly, the body is raised to a state where it can perform its normal functions and heal itself!

The EPFX/QXCI Machine

EPFX stands for Evoked Potential Feedback Xrroid. QXCI stands for Quantum Xrroid Consciousness Interface (used in Europe). Both names are used for a state-of-the-art biofeedback system that was designed by Dr. William Nelson.

The EPFX/QXCI is a safe and powerful biofeedback device designed for simplicity of use and the initiation of self-healing. It works naturopathically to stimulate and harness the tremendous capacity of the human system for self-healing. This technology is based on over 20 years of research in bio-energetic and bio-resonance medicine.

The EPFX/QXCI is one of the most advanced systems of analysis and therapy available in energetic medicine today. It is capable of processing over 60 million bits of data to help detect stressors in the body and all within 3 minutes to save the practitioner valuable time to develop  your analysis and therapy plan. The EPFX/QXCI machine combines the best of biofeedback, stress reduction, homeopathic medicine, bioresonance, electro-acupuncture, computer technology, and quantum physics.

It works by measuring minute electromagnetic signals of our bodies down to the cellular level. In essence, it  reduces stress and stressors in our bodies, like toxins and pathogens, which can therefore remove energy blockages and boost immune function. Simply by freeing up these energy blockages and boosting immune function, you unleash the body’s natural power to heal itself.

The EPFX/QXCI machine is used by a wide assortment of allopathic (western) and holistic health professionals alike such as medical doctors, oncologists, naturopaths, homeopaths, dentists, chiropractors, psychologists, acupuncturists, veterinarians and nutritional consultants.

EPFX/QXCI is especially useful in helping the following health conditions: menopause, weight loss, emotional issues, diabetes, allergies, anxiety, back pain, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, injuries, depression, digestive problems, food sensitivities, headaches, high blood pressure, insomnia, migraines, skin disorders, stress, viruses and much more.

The device scans the patient’s body like a virus-scan on a computer, looking for everything from viruses, deficiencies, weaknesses, allergies, abnormalities and food sensitivities. It reports on the biological reactivity and resonance in the body and indicates needs, dysfunctions, and vulnerabilities.

The EPFX/QXCI machine is a computerized system, and is connected to the patient via a headband as well as ankle and wrist straps, sending cellular-level electromagnetic signals into the body. It is painless, non-invasive and very safe. In fact, you might  put your body at a thousand times greater risk by taking an over-the-counter  NSAID or holding an AA battery in your hand.

How Does It Work?

Every substance, inert or organic, emits its own electromagnetic energy waves (like radio signals). The EPFX/QXCI can register the frequencies and then check them against a database. The frequencies are also checked for compatibility with the patient, when testing food allergies, for example.

The ionic exchanges of reaction that take place in your body and brain (at 1/100 of a second) are measured as energetic components in your body. With a feedback loop, the device measures your resonance pulse and sends back an alternate pulse to which your body responds. In turn, your body alters its own reactance pulse, thus creating a change.
The EPFX/QXCI is an Evoked Potential Bio-Feedback Device. This function eliminates the need for expert knowledge about rife, bio-com and electro-acupuncture. The system is calibrated to measure the subtle electrical and subspace reactions to a group of biological and medical substances. The sensitivity is set so finely it can pick up the earliest sign of disharmony and distress. Therefore, the results might be below the patient’s recognition.

EPFX/QXCI has a built-in mechanism that monitors the patient during the session. This ensures the individuality of each test and therapeutic session.

Constant feedback features allow the EPFX/QXCI’s settings of amplification and frequencies to be changed during any of the therapies to ensure that the needs of the patient are taken into consideration at all times. This allows the device to cease therapy automatically as soon as the patient’s reactions show that maximum effectiveness has been achieved, thus providing maximum safety.

Children

The EPFX/QXCI is ideally suited for children, as they are often unable to verbally communicate what they are suffering from. Children with behavioral problems have experienced considerable improvements, as the system can identify contributing factors, such as food intolerance, or early childhood traumas.

Pets

Animals are unable to communicate with us in the most obvious of ways, although it may be apparent that they are suffering both from physical and psychological problems. Pet owners have seen vast improvements in  behavior and increased vitality of their pets.

How Much Therapy Is Needed and How Frequently?

That depends on many factors like: What is the condition? How chronic or acute is it? What is the patient’s health history and current state of health? Some situations only require a few sessions. If the issue is very serious, more sessions may be needed. In terms of frequency of appointments, the general rule of thumb is 2 weeks between appointments. Every case is different. We know that everyone responds differently to Biofeedback — just as any other procedures and modalities have varying degrees of effectiveness.

If you are intrigued and would like to test and balance your body naturally with this non-invasive body scan, call or visit the Salt Cave to make an appointment for Biofeedback today.

Clove is an exceptionally versatile essential oil that has many medicinal and spiritual properties. The oil is steam distilled from the bud, stem, and leaves of the evergreen clove tree. The most common use of clove oil is in dental care. Numerous toothpastes, mouthwashes, and oral care applications contain clove oil as a significant ingredient. Clove has a long history in Indian and Chinese cuisine, and has also been extensively used for centuries in both Chinese and Ayurveda medicines.

Aroma: Spicy, warm, woody, with slightly fruity top notes

Properties: Antioxidant, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, antimicrobial

Plant Origin:  Madagascar, Spice Island

Element: Fire

Planet: Jupiter

Gender: Maculine

Chakra:  Root Chakra

Spiritual Aspect: Prosperity, Love, Protection, Inspiration

Benefits for Massage & Skincare:

• Provides relief from pain and stress
• Reduces the effects of aging (wrinkles, sagging skin)
• Can be used topically for fungal infection and athlete’s foot
• Beneficial for wounds, cuts, scabies, and bruises
• Helpful for problem skin, especially for acne
• Can also be used for treating insect bites and stings

Health Benefits:

• Improves circulation and increases metabolism
• Useful for boosting the immune system
• Can be beneficial for respiratory disorders including coughs, colds, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, and tuberculosis
• Effective for treating hiccups, indigestion, motion sickness, and flatulence
• Helpful in reducing nausea and vomiting
• Purifies the blood and helps control blood sugar levels
• Refreshes the mind and stimulates brain function

Emotional Uses:

• Its relaxing & calming effects make it an excellent stress reliever
• Beneficial for memory loss, depression, and anxiety
• Creates a sense of protection and courage
• Encourages sleep and stimulates dreams

Spiritual Uses:

• Awakens the senses to completion and oneness
• Can be used when we are afraid and in need of angelic assistance
• Brings the message of inspiration and moving forward, springing the spirit into action

TIPS:

• Cold feet? Add 3 drops to your body oil or lotion to increase circulation to the extremities, especially the feet.
• Use this oil in a diffuser to raise spiritual vibrations in your home and to purify the space.
• Wear on the skin (in a blend) to attract prosperity. (Try the Prosperity Blend by Gaia’s Healing Gifts!)

Precautions: It may cause burns if not used properly. This essential oil should always be used in diluted form, and furthermore, it should not be used by people with unusually sensitive skin. Avoid while pregnant and when having liver or kidney disease. Anticoagulant properties can be enhanced when combined with warfarin, aspirin, etc.

Recipe for Heartburn Relief Blend

2 drops of Clove Essential Oil
3 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
1 teaspoon of Vegetable Oil

Mix ingredients and rub the upper abdominal area with the blend.

Recipe for Heartburn Relief Tea:

Dissolve a teaspoon of honey in a cup of warm water and add 1 drop of clove essential oil. Sip slowly.

by Angela Passidomo Trafford

Recently I was introduced to a flower which only opens at night. This mysterious exotic bloom is called a moonflower. A friend brought one to me and I have watched this slender trailing vine produce a rapidly growing oblong silvery white pod which is about to unfurl its mystery upon the sweet night air. Tonight beneath the stars I gazed upon it briefly, for one cannot sit in darkness for too long a time watching and waiting.  One must move on.

I began to think about the moonflower and pondered its meaning, for I look deeply within the heart of living things searching for a connection.  When I risk this journey, as I always do for I cannot help myself, it is my nature, often I segue into human darkness.

Mystic psychologist Carl Jung has said of this hidden aspect of human nature:  “The shadow is that hidden repressed, inferior, guilt laden personality…that personifies everything the subject refuses to acknowledge about himself…”

A human shadow is attached to us yet we cannot make out its features.  It carries with it our form and likeness yet we can only see it in the light. In terms of our human psyche the shadow harbors our dark secret passions, our jealousy, envy, rage, our instinctive animal instincts, sexual impulses, denied pain and guilt that are not condoned by society. The shadow, however, is part of us and cannot remain in darkness without taking control of our lives and destroying us with self punishment.

Do you constantly pull defeat from the jaws of victory and wonder why?  Perhaps your unrecognized shadow is wreaking havoc on your life.

A client named Bob began to connect with his denied buried guilt during a session.  That evening while reaching for a cup, he swears his own hand threw the cup into his face! That is only a minor instance of what the repressed shadow can do.  Examples from literature include Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde or Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray.  In these portraits of the dramatic split between the persona of society and the shadow, we view the struggle which is being waged in the depths of each human heart and in society at large. This shadow aspect keeps pulling our strings behind the curtain to our own detriment until we take stock of our morality, amend our behavior and do the right thing.

What is the right thing?  We find the answer when we come face to face with the shadow.

Jung states, “To confront the shadow involves recognizing the darker aspects of the personality as actually present and morally binding.  Such confrontation is the essential condition of any kind of self-recognition.”

When we take responsibility for what is morally right we experience life’s sweet success which is inner peace. Society demands we behave in a certain way yet human beings are always breaking the rules because the laws of God are at one with human nature.  So a conflict arises that becomes a spiritual test that we must overcome in order to reach the next step of our lives. For success in this leap of faith, we must reach into the shadow and free the tormented feelings from their emotional trap. Through inner work on the spiritual path, with a profoundly sincere intention, we can succeed.  Interpreting our dreams is a treasured revelation of symbolism, guidance, meaning and healing. There are riches here if we have the courage to explore this dangerous territory. When we light up the darkness we can see the hidden saboteur, ferret it out and instead of initiating self-destructive behavior, we are empowered to choose to love ourselves.

Each and every one of us is capable of any vile thought or act.  When we realize this truth we are able to forgive ourselves, forgive each other and by choosing love create positive change.  By choosing to love ourselves enough to see the painful flaws in our character,  even depression —t he ultimate shadowland — can be healed.  This is the meaning of unconditional love:  to view without judgment all our feelings so we can overcome through love the darker aspects of ourselves.

We must all evolve, for life is a force that sweeps us along in its mighty currents and washes us onto new shores of delightful growth in relationships, if we let it. Sometimes a flow of tears can unleash a powerful insight that causes a great light to shine for us and show us the way. To create positive change we must have the courage to shine light into the darkness and witness the sometimes twisted aspects of ourselves that need healing and love to straighten up and provide strength instead of shame and self-hatred. This buried part of us, rich in depth, waits imploring to be seen, loved and integrated to live. Like the moonflower that unfurls its pale pearly radiance in the dark of night with only the stars to witness its magnificent unveiling, so we too can open up and find beauty in the painful dark heart of our shadow selves.

The Ascension process is the union of our higher and lower levels: the soul, spirit and body becoming one. This means that we are changing our cellular structure to accommodate a higher frequency within the physical body.

Those who study and understand Ascension believe that we are moving from a 3^rd dimensional existence into the 5th dimension. Dimensions are based on frequency; the higher the dimensional level, the higher the frequency. As Sandra Walters explains, the Earth is changing its frequency during this shift, and the physical beings which live on the planet must vibrate at the same frequency in order to exist. Simply put, as the Earth is raising its vibrational rate, so must we.

The Ascension process is unique to each individual. It is a conscious choice to fully engage and support this process. Once we have made the choice to be aware and assist the Ascension, we’ll be experiencing major changes in our bodies and lives. According to Walters, these changes in mind, body, and spirit are the “wake-up call symptoms”. These symptoms come and go with different levels of intensity. They are aches and pains, strange encounters and sensations that often go misdiagnosed or misunderstood. These symptoms are said to be re-alignments of energy that will eventually stabilize. Simply by becoming aware of these symptoms and by listening to what the body needs at this transformative time, we can embrace the process with less effort and resistance.

It’s believed that the Ascension process is accelerating, which means that the energy shifts are arriving more frequently, the energies are more powerful, and the symptoms of Ascension are more intense. For some, these symptoms are a sign of progress; for others, they are a burden. It completely depends upon the journey one chooses to embark on.

Symptoms:

• Changing sleep patterns: restlessness, night sweats, waking up two or three times a night
• Feeling tired after you wake up and sleepy during the day
• Periods of overwhelming fatigue
• Change in eating habits: strange cravings, occasional increase or decrease in appetite, new allergies to certain foods
• Seeing floating veils, shadowy figures, white objects in your peripheral vision
• Blurred or foggy vision, seeing shimmering objects, glittery particles, flashes of light
• Seeing auras or vortexes of energy around plants, animals, people
• Hearing strange voices, ringing in the ears, white noise with beeps, tones, music or electronic patterns, sensing messages within the sounds
• “Vibrational Flu”: high temperatures, night sweats, aching bones and joints, neck pains, flu-like symptoms
• Occasional sinus issues: sneeze attacks, runny nose or sore throat that is not a cold or allergy
• Mental confusion, difficulty concentrating
• Itching, vibrating, prickling, tingling, stinging or crawling sensations
• Energy rushes or sensations of electricity circulating the body
• Involuntary bodily movements: muscle spasms, jerking, tremors, shaking
• Feeling the whole body vibrate: similar to earthquake sensations, especially at night or in a relaxed state
• Headaches, pressure in the skull
• Numbness or pain in the limbs
• Loss of muscular power in hands, caused by changes in circulation system
• Heart palpitations and fluttering (opening of the Heart Chakra)
• Flutters in high center of chest (opening of the High Heart Chakra)
• Enhanced senses of smell, touch, and/or taste
• Occasional breathing difficulties
• Immune and Lymphatic system changes, glandular flare-ups
• Digestive system changes
• Depression for no reason, feelings of loss or isolation
• Tension, anxiety or stress
• Dizziness, losing balance, feeling like your body is swirling
• Vivid dreams, violent or dramatic dreams
• Emotional outbursts or mood swings
• Weight gain, typically around the belly (Buddha belly)
• Triple digits: every time you glance at a digital clock it has triple digits (1:11, 2:22, 3:33, 4:44, etc)
• Breaking free from restrictive jobs, lifestyles, disharmonious people or situations
• Desire to simplify belongings, lifestyle, and habits
• Heightened awareness, mystical experiences, increased synchronicity
• Feelings of tremendous joy, love, and compassion (the lower and higher chakras begin to unite)
• Skin eruptions: occasional unusual rashes and bumps (purification of emotion, toxins, imbalances)
• Episodes of clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience
• Creativity bursts: receiving creative inspirations at an overwhelming rate
• Impatience (you want to get on with the process faster than your body can adjust)
• Teachers and Guides appearing to assist you on your journey (people, movies, books, events, beings)
• Consuming interest in self-knowledge and creativity: expressing your true nature in work and play
• Deeper understanding of spiritual truths
• Higher perspective becoming habitual: compassion for all journeys, honoring all paths
• Akashic access: understanding your past journeys, seeing the lessons
• Journeys in meditation becoming intense and purposeful  (crystalline cities, geometry, gridwork, stargate travel)
• Feeling the Observer or Witness consciousness
• Desire to serve from the heart
• Deep understanding of Mother Earth a­­nd humanity’s journey
• Desire for mastery of your consciousness

SOURCE:
http://www.sandrawalter.com/ascension-symptoms/

Accelerated Ascension Symptoms

Frog is a symbol of transformation, rebirth, healing, and cleansing. It symbolizes transition and coming into your own personal power. In Native American and Celtic traditions, Frog is recognized as a healer. His medicine can wash away negative physical and mental energies which deny us a balanced and peaceful life. Frog is a reminder of common bonds with all life; a guide to understanding our emotions; and a singer of songs that celebrate the most ancient beginnings.

When Frog hops into your life:

• It may indicate that now is the time to find opportunities in transition.
• It may also signal the need to enhance your intuition, and strengthen your connection with the spirit world.

If Frog is your Spirit Animal:

• You are a great listener and advice giver.
• You know how to relate to others and always know exactly what to say.
• You have genuine empathy towards others and always do your best to provide healing for those around you by allowing them to release old negative energy onto you in order to help them cleanse and renew their lives.
• You tend to stay close to home where your family is important to you – especially your parents.
• You will generally do everything you can to help others in need and to maintain close and meaningful relationships.

Ask Frog’s help when:

• You need help to get through some tough life.
• You feel like your life is out of balance.

If Frog has come into your dreams:

It may suggest that you have a lack of commitment in your life and are leaping from one thing to another. If you are trying to catch this creature in your dream, it could mean that your life is changing rapidly, and you are trying to stop it or prevent the change from occurring. If you swallow a frog in your dream, you are most likely holding back saying something that needs to be said, or you feel that something is preventing you from expressing yourself.

Did you know?

There are approximately 4,800 recorded species of frogs. Their origins may go back as far as the Permian period, 265 million years ago. Some frogs can lay up to 20,000 eggs at a time. The eggs are usually laid underwater and hatch within a few weeks into aquatic larvae called tadpoles.

SOURCES:
Animal Speak by Ted Andrews; www.manataka.org; www.spirit-animals.com/frog
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frog

by Bethanny Gonzalez, Certified Aromatherapist

AROMA: Fresh, herbaceous, spicy with balsamic undertones

PROPERTIES: Calming, relaxing, sedative, astringent, antiseptic, antispasmodic, deodorant, diuretic, hemostatic

ELEMENT: Air

PLANET: Saturn

CHAKRA: Third Eye and Crown

SPIRITUAL ASPECTS: Transition, Protection, and Longevity

The Essential Oil of Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) is obtained through steam distillation of young twigs, stems and needles of the cypress tree. Cypress comes from a Greek word sempervivens meaning “live forever”. The cypress tree is known as the sacred flame of life. It symbolizes long life, and the immortality of the soul.

BENEFITS for Massage & Skin Care:

• Tightens loose skin and muscles
• Excellent for treating scar tissue
• Helps with oily or troubled skin

HEALTH BENEFITS:

• Relieves spasms and eases menstrual cramps
• Reduces heavy bleeding
• Beneficial for treating external and internal wounds
• Tones up the respiratory system and increases the efficiency of the lungs
• Causes perspiration, therefore helps quickly remove toxins & excess water

EMOTIONAL USES:

• Helps relieve nervous tension, stress, and anxiety
• Stimulates a happy feeling in case of anger or sadness
• Eases feeling of loss and effects of trauma
• Provides grounding and feelings of security
• Helps to connect the human spirit with the wisdom of the universe
• Brings structure and collection of thoughts

SPIRITUAL USES:

• An Angelic fragrance that can be used to assist in the transition and release from the earthly plane
• Provides comfort, healing, and protection
• Cleanses the aura, raises energy levels, and creates feelings of security

Pet Friendly: Have your pet smell it directly from the bottle, or place a few drops in your palm, then pet the animal head to toe.

This oil is available at GODDESS I AM Healing & Art Center and at www.GaiasHealingGifts.com

RECIPE for Oil Blend in Times of Transition & Grieving:

2 tablespoons of Coconut Oil
4 drops of Cypress Essential Oil
2 drops of Vetiver Essential Oil
2 drops of Lavender  Essential Oil

Blend all ingredients together and place in small glass container. Place a small amount on the hands and then breathe in the aroma. This blend can also be massaged into feet or desired area of body before and during transition.

CAUTION: Only use on skin when well diluted and combined with other soothing oils. Cypress essential oil should be avoided by pregnant women. As with all essential oils, never use undiluted in eyes or mucus membranes. Do not take internally unless working with a qualified and expert practitioner. Keep away from children.

DISCLAIMER: ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS PAGE IS FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO SUBSTITUTE THE ADVICE GIVEN BY A PHARMACIST, PHYSICIAN, OR ANY OTHER LICENSED HEALTH-CARE PROFESSIONAL. GAIA’S HEALING GIFTS PRODUCTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FDA AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY HEALTH CONDITION OR DISEASE.

ATTRIBUTES: Connection with Nature, Access to Wisdom, Kundalini* Awakening

ELEMENT: Earth

CHAKRA: All, especially Heart and Crown

MINED IN: Britain, Norway, Italy, Russia, USA, Zimbabwe

Serpentine is a gentle stone that aids meditation and spiritual exploration. It is said to open psychic abilities and to help us understand the spiritual aspect of life. It may assist the retrieval of wisdom and memories of past lives. Serpentine can help us feel more in control of our lives. It enhances communication with Nature and the Earth – including the animal, plant, and mineral kingdoms.

HEALING
Serpentine is said to be a strong cleansing and detoxifying stone for the body and blood, which could even eliminate parasites. It is beneficial for calcium and magnesium absorption. Serpentine can assist in cellular regeneration and in replenishing one’s energy. It is believed to ensure longevity and relieve pain.

MEDITATION
Meditating with Serpentine can help correct mental and emotional imbalances, resolve issues carried over from past lives, and clear emotional baggage from previous relationships. It is excellent for awakening the kundalini* energies – the ‘serpent power’.

POSITION
Placed on the appropriate chakra, it can clear and activate all chakras, especially the Heart and Crown chakras. Placed on the throat, it aids speaking of the past.

*KUNDALINI: in yogic theory, kundalini is a primal energy said to reside at the base of the spine, coiled up like a serpent, waiting to be awakened. Kundalini awakening is said to result in spiritual enlightenment and bliss.

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

by Beth Brown-Rinella

It is with much amazement that we are all witnessing humanity coming apart in order to put itself back together again. As the Ascension Process deepens, we are all thrown into the turbulent waters of releasing and cleansing those old beliefs, understandings, knowing, conditioning, fears, and memories. It seems it is no longer acceptable to cling to fear-based energies. Moving from Third Dimension into the Fifth is hard work, but we all live on this planet and so we must do the work collectively.

This transition is now bringing a deeper knowledge of what we want to the surface, but we have no map of how to get there intact. I would suggest that we use this time to walk diligently in Compassion.

With so many lives falling apart because of divorce, job loss, or illness, we need compassion more than ever! Even if the difficulties we are personally experiencing aren’t so obvious (like a death of a loved one), there will be shifts needing to take place. We are all in the same boat energetically; and we have great opportunities to offer and receive help.

Life has become really tough for a lot of people. If you don’t already have treatments with a healer on a regular basis, now is a perfect time to find one. What a healer can do for you is to speed up the process of letting go; getting rid of big pieces; and opening the channels so you can drain out all of the stuff you are no longer needing. Because we are Body-Mind-Spirit beings, we need to heal all aspects of ourselves. Seek healers who work at the Soul level; find body workers who help move out stagnant energies stored in the physical; and the emotions can be worked out with the right practitioner also.

When you are getting healing work done, the relief can surprise you because you might not have realized you had so much to let go! Keep going — because you never know how many layers you hold. Your healing work will benefit not only you, but also those around you. They will feel the shifts, too. It can spur them into moving in a positive direction as well. Have you ever noticed that when one friend begins exercising or losing weight, that others jump on that bandwagon, too? The same also goes here.

Have Compassion for yourself and others while these enormous shifts are happening. Seek companionship and community as we support each other through this time and get help moving that energetic baggage from your Body, Mind, and Spirit.

One last note, I am a Psychic who offers readings, but twice this week I told clients that they need to stop booking Psychic appointments and begin to make Healing appointments. That nagging feeling, that sense of discomfort that often sends you to a Psychic to find out why you are feeling this way, will be better dealt with by going to a Healer. Consider this when making your next appointment.

Namaste!

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

Can we find hope, strength, motivation and healing through the arts? Andrea Beloff invites you to use painting to promote emotional healing, set intentions into motion, address soul wounds and find alternate ways to nurture these through the creative process of art, an interactive process, because it is in sharing that we find healing.

While still in California, Andrea used her art for emotional and spiritual healing and developed her first and very popular workshop, PAINT YOUR HEART OUT. Here you go within and bring out some of the more pressing matters of the heart, be that the loss of a loved one, emotional pain, rejection, abandonment to name a few and we work through them so they do not remain buried. The goal is to become more self aware and heal along the way.  When we are clear what needs to be addressed, the artistic and energetic process begins. You do not need to know how to paint. The art is a take home project that can be worked on more and that is a continuous reminder of what stage of healing you are at. There are projects for children as well such as the PEACE OUT workshop which promotes inner and world peace. DANCE AWAY for women enhances self esteem issues. NURTURING the SOUL for uncovering recurring triggers and healing these soul wounds in the process. Andrea recommends an initial 30 minute consultation for determining the best approach for each person in healing through art.

Andrea is also available to lecture on this process. If you are interested or if you have a group, Andrea is ready.  She also offers 6 week Workshops from Rick Warren’s video studies on 40 Days of Love (We are Made for Relating) and The Six Stages of Faith. These particular ones are her favorite and also include painting the different themes so the inspiration is built in for the artwork. This has been a fascinating journey for Andrea and she is thrilled to share it with the community.

CARESSING THE PAIN by Andrea Beloff

ANDREA BELOFF is an American-born artist with a unique background of Argentinean, Brazilian, Russian and Italian influences. She spent 28 years in California, graduated from UCSB and attended L’Accademia di Belle Arti in Venice, Italy. She fully developed her career as a Papermaker during this time specializing in a very creative collaging process in a tropical genre. Before moving to Miami in 2012, she began a Sabbatical which set her off exploring and combining other mediums along with her handmade papers and this led to the beautiful LOVE and Abundance Series which can be seen in her Gallery. This was an artistic as well as a spiritual rebirth that then took her onto her new path and here to Naples, painting abstract expressionism using palette knives with spiritual undertones.

Andrea welcomes you to her new Gallery/Studio space in the Naples Art District, 5760 Shirley St. #20. Gallery hours during the school year are Monday through Friday, 8-3pm, Saturday by appointment and also at the Art Gallery Co-Op at the Vanderbilt Shoppes. Summers are more relaxed.

by John McMullin & Leigh Randolph

What is balanced living for you? Some of us apply this concept to balancing our food, exercise, lifestyle, or adventures we haven’t yet experienced. Sometimes we are out of balance but because we are caught in the middle of it, we can’t see it. A way of holistically balancing our life is to explore where we are out of balance through obsessions about work, food, body sculpture, hidden anger, shame or fear, money, addictions or compulsions, or our relationships. As we take inventory where our life is in or out of balance, how do we find the awareness to know where we are out of balance, and then what do we do about it?

Many life coaches begin the process through a timeline creating calendars with goals and objectives as a method to affirm accomplishing what we set out for the day. This gives us emotional rewards for meeting our self-defined agenda. By creating priorities from a life mission statement we begin to experience the gratification of accomplishing the beginning of what we desire. However, many people sabotage this process to feed their hidden addiction to fear and shame, and then return to the frustration of feeling out of balance. Once again we return to our life coach to give new resolve and attempt the journey again. Many folks find themselves repeating this cycle until they become so frustrated they return to old habits and just simply give up.

What is the secret we keep from ourselves that creates this agenda of self-sabotage and frustration? Sometimes our behavior seems really functional, like the ethic of hard work, which can look great, but can indicate a life out of balance. What if we discovered that a part of our childish dominant ego allows us to set up an adult plan of self control from our mission statement, and then retains control by disrupting our plans? What if we could find the part of our ego that is frightened or angry and owns the illusion of power from retribution and then sabotages our adult agenda? How do we find the conflict in these ego parts and ask them to help us rather than oppose us? This process is especially difficult if the revengeful child within also knows the power to camouflage and hide while it inflicts its message of “just wait and see, then you’ll be sorry”. Finding this ego part often requires the use of intuition since old beliefs and memories of life events hide, and we cannot reclaim those experiences to heal them.

The holistic approach to balancing life begins with finding and then asking help from this angry part of our ego. Since the ego hides itself from its own destruction, the process requires acceptance and compassion to realize there is a part of our ego conflicted and defiant with our adult ego purpose. Using intuition we discover the conflicted ego part that owns the illusion of power through revenge. We can teach this childish ego part how to negotiate its existence with other ego parts through verbal gestalt and the connection of mind and heart. The defiant ego part is often not influenced through the rationalization of goal setting and willfulness. The ability to speak to this childlike ego with reward and validation is often the path to liberating the whole self from this dominant ego part.

If you have discovered that affirmations to bring balance are not working in your life, may we invite you to this holistic approach to bring balance into your life through the following techniques?

• Notice what issues you mind is conflicted about.
• Ask how part of your mind benefits through the illusion of power from revenge.
• Imagine the positive and negative consequences of experiencing a new balanced.
• Ask how you might reward that defiant ego part that is resisting change.
• Guess what age you learned the illusion of power from revenge through fantasies or life experiences.
• Talk to that ego part and ask if you nurture that child, then how can that child part.
• Notice in what ways the resistance is reduced and how you are empowered to balance your life through this holistic approach.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

John A. McMullin Sr is the founder of Journeys of Wisdom, Inner Achievement Methods and Director of Holistic Coaching Institute. He sees clients and teaches nationally and internationally. He also publishes SelfGrowthWisdom.com. John can be reached at (614) 975-5433.

Leigh Randolph is retired from a career in dentistry and has been fascinated by the world beyond the five senses for decades. That has led her to working with clients and their dreams through Holistic Integrative Dreamwork, as well as scanning the biofield for stress patterns. She is available both locally and globally. You can reach Leigh at (614) 581-8703.

by Carol Glassman

A few days ago an old friend, I’ll call him Jeff for now, took me aside to confide that he has stage 4 liver cancer. It has spread to some other major organs, he said, and although he is going to have chemotherapy, “It’s too late for me — I waited too long”, he confessed.

He was going out to purchase a burial plot the next day.

Although I knew Jeff hasn’t been well and had been battling some odd symptoms with home remedies for a while, I had no idea he was this ill, and neither did he or his wife Sally, it seems. Otherwise we would have nagged until he sought medical advice sooner. But you know how it is with leading horses to water even when they are thirsty. His true condition wasn’t apparent until he ended up in the hospital one weekend with what they originally thought was an attack of diverticulitis. After a few scans, he was told the bad news.

What do I say now, I wondered, and what do I do? For a moment I was speechless and I am sure the distress and shock I felt registered on my very readable face.

Being very careful not to say something really insensitive like, “Are you kidding?” or “Are you sure?” or “Did you get several opinions?” my main goal of the moment was that Jeff and Sally, both of whom just celebrated their 90th birthdays, knew I’m not just a fair-weather friend and that they could depend on me through thick and thin. I would do whatever they needed.

I briefly conveyed how stunned and shocked I was, but since it was not about me and how I felt, I quickly asked what I could do. Since both of them are very independent and private people, part of my shock was that they told me at all. As I presumed, they didn’t want me to do anything, just listen, know, and share.

As I heard Jeff describe months of ‘Coulda-woulda-shoulda’, I managed to hold my tongue from saying that recognizing the gravity of his vague symptoms might not have ensured him of a miraculous cure anyway. Who wants to hear that!

I admit, I also wondered why at this stage of his life, he would subject himself to chemo, wondering if I would do the same in his shoes, or would I just try to enjoy what quality of life I had left by hiring a handsome young stud of a nurse, filling myself with pain-killers and going on a gourmet cruise around the world. We all face things differently and as we age we become even more possessive of the gift that is every day, and how we spend it.

After I left them, I began to think of the ‘Coulda-woulda-shoulda’ syndrome, but in another way: pitching it forward and forcing myself to think about a world without Jeff, how desolate it will feel without him, without his acceptance of my less-than-perfect ways, his wisdom and advice to rely on, and if I had ever told him how very important his friendship is to me. I love that man!

Aside from all the obvious reasons that we walk the earth, and without giving ourselves some kind of magical, religious,  and esoteric powers, did you ever think that perhaps one of our most basic and simple reasons for existing is to make other people feel good? I know that sounds as if I have just ingested an overdose of candy floss, but don’t judge it until you think about it.

Do you really want to live a life of wondering how things might have turned out ‘if’? I personally am not comfortable living with doubt.

I sat for hours staring into space, alternately smiling over situations I have shared with Jeff and Sally over the years and how we had come to each other’s aid more than once, and weeping to think that Sally will soon share that hated ‘widow-word’ with me. That’s the reality.

Some people have difficulty visiting with the terminally ill, not knowing what to say or do, and some act almost as if they are afraid they will catch the  critical disease. Just being there is often more than enough, after all, and keep reminding yourself it’s not about you.

We don’t know how long Jeff’s road ahead is going to be, and all we can do is make it as smooth as possible. I feel much better when I can do something, so I thought for a moment about what might make Jeff happy, even briefly. I sent him some white chocolate dipped strawberries. Tomorrow, and the tomorrow after that, I know I’ll think of something else. And I’ll tell him often how I feel about him.

by Paula Terry

I find myself with a lovely woman that has been in labor for ten hours. I have just arrived at her home and she is happy to have the additional strength and support as felt from one woman to another. I am a doula and so honored to be.

This birth is slated as “just for labor and delivery”, thus for a doula this means spending a little time with the parents during pregnancy and appearing on the scene for just that: labor and delivery.

I walk into a beautiful scene: she is lying on her bed in a simple frock with nothing else; no makeup, no constriction other than in her womb — that is happening at intervals of three to six minutes.

We talk of a film she saw at a labor and delivery class shown to her and her husband at the birth center two months prior.

“She lied to me!”

“Who lied to you? I ask.

“The women in the film were smiling and happy in their contractions!”

I offer her a cool cloth for her head and neck; this comforts her for the short ease of five minutes. She powers through the next contraction and then we try to visualize a gentle walk in a quiet place outdoors. Hers is a white sand beach with little shade from soft moving palms.

As she walks the stretch, the waves are gently meeting the sand and sea farers are singing. This time the contraction is at the round ligaments close to her pubic bone. We walk further on her path. She is heading for one of the swaying palms to feel the coolness created by the breeze. There she sits, back against the palm for support and enjoys the delay in time.

One hour has passed. She lingers through seven or eight contractions and we settle into a new cadence; she arches and grabs the sheet with tight fists. “Let’s go back to the beach under the palm.”

There she has a short respite. A prayer is said to the Mother — her spiritual guide. We pray that she’s held in the arms and guided to a place of ease and grace.

An uncommon place to be but what spectacularness comes from letting go and trusting in each other and a higher power!

She takes on a different look, one of a lioness in protection and strength. Another wave caresses her body and I feel this one. “This one was different,” she tells me, “I feel my baby coming to us!”

We retreat to the place under the palm several times again and feel the coolness of the earth. Now hours have passed and we are talking about the feeling of her body making the adjustments to prepare for the birth.

As the process reveals, we hold each other; we cry in relief; we sing in unison; and she labors through.

It is a very different experience to be in trust: the mother and I and the grace of a Higher power — whatever that is for us! It is truly rewarding and celebratory to let go and trust.

I find that the complacency I have taken from being in a hospital setting -a nurse to check dilation, a monitor for the baby, and all other allopathic applications for both- provide just that: complacency. A birth in a center with midwives is different in that they ask you to labor at home and come when the dilation has progressed to at least five centimeters.

We have progressed to a very ripened cervix and are now in the car en route to the center — her husband driving, her still in labor in the passenger seat, and I in the rear holding her arm or her holding mine during contractions, sometimes with a slight hold of a knuckle between her teeth. They pray in a language foreign to me but we are praying together to the same Mother.

As traffic lights come, a sign of the cross is made, and “let the lights be with us” is the unanimous thought — and they are.

We arrive at the center within thirty minutes and she lies on an exam table to have the midwife check dilation and hear the little one’s heart rate. Her waters have yet to break and there beyond the veil is the head to crown. Would this child be born under the veil?

Her waters do break and she is moved to a comfortable bed in a beautiful setting. Some oils are caressed on the baby’s crowning head, and a few more contractions…

A brand new girl graces the Earth only twenty minutes later! Born on the Day of Children in their traditions, at 11:00pm.

This has been a very exceptional birth. No complications, healthy, and pure. This experience has brought me to a very different place than I have ever had opportunity to be. And I am grateful for that.

To all the mothers of the world, I’d like to say Thank You. Yours is the most important job on the planet! You labor is rewarded with the premier gift. Nothing can compare to this. It is all about the love.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paula Terry is a licensed massage therapist  and a doula; utilizing cranio sacral, heart centered, and lymphatic drainage therapies along with love and nurturement to foster the healing your body needs.

by Sonia S. Dickson

I lived in Phnom Penh, Cambodia for three months this spring working with the Cambodian Children’s Fund teaching yoga to kids, employees, and “grannies”. It was one of the best experiences of my life!

For the last two years I have worked to receive two yoga certifications: a 200-hour and a 300-hour teacher training with YogaWorks in New York City and in Santa Monica, CA. For the last 3 years I have been following the good work of the Cambodian Children’s Fund and in early January 2016 I flew to Phnom Penh, where CCF is based, to help create a sustainable yoga program.

CCF was founded in 2004 by Scott Neeson, formally the President of Fox International. CCF currently supports 2,500 children and families in this poor community. I was very inspired by Scott Neeson and had a desire to move there and volunteer. My personal mission became to share the healing work of yoga with underserved and vulnerable communities.

During my second visit, I taught an average of 15 yoga classes a week to kids of ages 5-21, to the staff who worked at CCF, and to a group of lively “grannies” which included a 93-year-young lady. The kids were natural yogis, diving into difficult yoga poses on the first try. They seemed to really enjoy every class. We grew close during my stay in Phnom Penh.

My journey to Asia also included a few side trips to Thailand, Hong Kong, and Bali, which gave me further opportunities to experience the culture and appreciate the allure. I also traveled to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, where I visited many of the temples that are scattered over the extensive site of Angkor — a truly exceptional and spiritual place!

After three months, I left CCF in the good hands of fellow yogis. I miss and love the kids very much. I am determined to remain connected to CCF and help to the extent that I can.
I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to volunteer and live abroad. It has been a life-changing experience. I came back with a better appreciation for the love and comfort I receive from my own family and friends, for the freedom and opportunities we have living in the USA, and for my good health and general well being.

I learned that we are never too old to try something new; that we never know what can happen if we just give someone a chance; and that sometimes the best we can do is simply try.

Life is a series of constant changes. These transitions are what ultimately shape and create our world. Each new chapter of life offers necessary learning experiences and a wide array of emotions we must go through in order to evolve. Each change may hold ups and downs; happiness and discomfort – all part of our personal growth. Times of transition may be difficult, but when we embrace these inevitable changes rather than dread or fight them, we allow ourselves to be more present and live in the moment.

Change is inevitable, and inevitably stressful. But if you make a conscious effort to adjust and go with the flow, it doesn’t have to lead to a breakdown.

1. accept change

Growth doesn’t come from a place of stagnation. It comes from the ever-changing events and phases of life. Step outside your comfort zone and allow the shift to take place. Replace your fear with trust and gratitude, and embrace the change!

2. minimize stress

Good or bad, transition means extensive adjustment and loads of uncertainty. Even the most levelheaded and mindful people can get caught up in the anxiety of change. But the beauty of transition is that it’s just that — a transition. It doesn’t last forever. So try to remain calm and patient, knowing that “this too shall pass”.

3. focus on progress, not perfection

Shifting your focus from perfection to progress allows you to acknowledge your accomplishments rather than the absence of your idea of perfection. It will also help you stay in the moment, instead of worrying about the future.

4. stop comparing

When we compare our present to past events, to how our lives used to be, we tend to ignore and forget all of the incredible things we do have now. Stop reminiscing and take a moment to be thankful for the blessings in your life — here and now.

5. let go of what no longer serves you

Times of transition offer a chance for a clean slate and a new start. Fill your life with more of what makes you happy and let go of the things that no longer serve you. Form new habits and leave no room for toxic people, thoughts, and practices that hold you back.

6. keep an open heart and mind

Opening your heart and mind to new people, places, and experiences is a key component to embracing transition. Maintaining an open mind and an open heart will, in turn, open new doors and present new opportunities. Trust that everything is as it should be.

7. be grateful and compassionate

Consider the many things you hold dear and for which you are grateful. Pay attention to your senses — everything you feel, see, hear, smell, and taste — and see how many things you can find compassion and gratitude for. This is a wonderful way to shift your mood and your focus; to be in the moment; and to handle whatever transition you are going through.

8. relax your mind and body

Rest is vital to keeping your mind and body at top function through the turmoil of transition. Take relaxation breaks; meditate; go for a walk in nature; do yoga; and get plenty of sleep. Conscious relaxation will help you become more effective, and it will also help you protect yourself from burning out.

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION:

5 Simple Ways To Stay Grounded In Gratitude In Times Of Transition by Alexandra Leigh (http://elitedaily.com/life/5-simple-ways-stay-grounded-gratitude-times-transition/798923/)

by Annamaria Geresdi

For years I’ve been fascinated with this little patch of nature I refer to as “the enchanted bamboo forest”. It is located practically in our very backyard (just north of Naples at the Koreshan State Historic Site), yet not many know about this breathtaking place. It is tucked away in the far end of the park along the canal with a short nature trail cutting through it. I discovered it one day just walking around the park on a late summer afternoon collecting firewood for the camp fire. There was no one around, only the sound of lizards running across dry leaves and the quiet rustling of the bamboo trees in the breeze. I truly felt I was in an enchanted forest.

Since that day I revisited the park several times (it’s an excellent place for photo shoots, camping, canoeing, and family visits), but I haven’t been back for quite a while. For months I was envisioning the bamboo forest for the cover of White Lotus Magazine and was hoping to go take photos. But because of my many projects, a recent move, and obvious lack of time, I had to constantly postpone it. Nevertheless, the idea popped into my head for the cover once again. So one day I just dropped what I was doing, grabbed my camera and I just followed the whispering of the enchanted bamboo forest. And finally it did make it onto the cover of the April 2015 issue!

The history of the settlement and the people who once lived there is rather curious, but it certainly does not interfere with the serenity and beauty of the park itself. The mature vegetation, the well-maintained and clean grounds, the peaceful canal, and the short but lovely nature trails make this 305-acre park more than a just a historic site with an unusual past: it’s a beautiful piece of paradise well worth visiting.

KORESHAN STATE HISTORIC SITE

Cyrus Reed Teed brought his followers to Estero in 1894 to build the “New Jerusalem” for his new faith, Koreshanity. The colony, known as the Koreshan Unity, believed that the entire universe existed within a giant, hollow sphere. The colony began fading after Teed´s death in 1908, and in 1961 the last four members deeded the land to the state. What remains of their once vibrant community are 11 beautifully maintained historic structures that date from 1882-1920 and landscaped grounds including unique ornamental exotic vegetation from throughout the world. Today, visitors can fish, picnic, boat, and hike where Teed´s visionaries once lived and created their own utopia.

SOURCE: www.floridastateparks.org/park/Koreshan

wisdom . clarity . direction

Yellow is often associated with the sun, vitality, clarity, laughter, joy, delight, self-expression, intellect, and courage

POSITIVE ASPECTS:
Mental Clarity, Wisdom, Joy, Enthusiasm, Organization, Structure, Willpower, Confidence

CHALLENGES:
Jealousy, Fear, Lack of Trust or Self-confidence, Nervousness, Depression, Cynicism, Anxiety

CHAKRA: Solar Plexus

MINERALS/CRYSTALS:
Citrine, Amber, Tiger’s Eye, Yellow Tourmaline, Yellow Topaz, Yellow Calcite, Sunstone

Did You Know?
Yellow is the third of the seven colors in the visible spectrum of light, between green and orange. The wavelength of yellow light is approximately 570-590 nm on the electromagnetic spectrum.

COLOR HEALING
(Also called Color Therapy or Chromotherapy) is the use of color as a healing tool to create balance and restore health in certain areas of the physical body as well as in the mental, emotional and spiritual areas. Yellow can be utilized in different forms when applied in Color Healing. The most commonly used modalities include Crystal Therapy, Visualization, Color Silk Therapy, and Colorpuncture.

ATTRIBUTES
The color yellow has an energizing and stimulating effect upon the body and mind, relieving depression, melancholy, and confusion. It helps strengthen the nerves and the mind. It can assist in awakening mental inspiration and stimulates a higher consciousness. Bring yellow in your life when you have: fear, anxiety, nervous exhaustion or break-down, confusion, panic attacks, inability to concentrate, lethargy and depression. Yellow is believed to be beneficial for conditions of the stomach, liver, and intestines. It can also strengthen a weak immune system and help with digestive difficulties. A person who has aversion to yellow may be emotionally disappointed, depressed, and bitter. They may have tendencies to rationalize feelings, or to avoid the depth of life by often changing relationships. They may have many superficial relationships and constantly changing interests and activities.

WEARING YELLOW
In times of lethargy and depression, wearing yellow can help the body and the emotions return to a state of balance. Incorporate yellow into your wardrobe when you feel sad, confused, indecisive, burnt-out, depressed, exhausted or nervous. Wearing yellow can imply a cheerful, energetic, organized, and practical personality.

YELLOW IN THE HOME
The cheerful and uplifting yellow vibes always lighten and brighten any home or office, as well as create a cozy, welcoming feeling. Adding a bouquet of yellow flowers can bring warmth and light into your home and also inspire color therapy attributes on a budget.

SOURCES:
Healing with Crystals and Chakra Energies by Sue & Simon Lilly
www.deeptrancenow.com/colortherapy
www.fengshui.about.com
www.energyandvibration.com/coloryellow

harmony . patience . creativity

Orange is often associated with fire, warmth, beauty, attraction, kindness, optimism, success, abundance, prosperity, celebration, energy, play, and joy.

POSITIVE ASPECTS:
Deep Insight, Independence, Creativity, Harmony, Curiosity, Social, Cheerful, Adventurous, Energetic, Exciting Personality

CHALLENGES:
Frivolous, Lack of Seriousness, Flamboyant, Loud

CHAKRA: Sacral Chakra

MINERALS/CRYSTALS:
Agate, Amber, Orange Calcite, Copper, Sunstone, Carnelian

Did You Know?
Orange is the second lowest of the seven colors in the visible spectrum of light, between red and yellow. The wavelength of orange light is approximately 527-622 nm on the electromagnetic spectrum.

COLOR HEALING
(Also called Color Therapy or Chromotherapy) is the use of color as a healing tool to create balance and restore health in certain areas of the physical body as well as in the mental, emotional and spiritual areas. Orange can be utilized in different forms when applied in Color Healing. The most commonly used modalities include Crystal Therapy, Visualization, Color Silk Therapy, and Colorpuncture.

ATTRIBUTES
Orange has a freeing action upon the body and mind, relieving repressions. Orange shows new possibilities and other options in life. It can stimulate creative thinking and enthusiasm, and help assimilate new ideas. It is also helpful in dealing with excess sensual expression.

Bring orange in your life when you feel: a lack of interest in what’s going on around you; resentment to change familiar routines; being unable to see humor and playfulness in life; fear of experiencing pleasures through sensuality; an inability to let go of the past; and when you feel blocked creatively.

In Color Healing (Color Therapy) orange is believed to stimulate the lungs, the respiratory system and digestion. It also increases the activity of the thyroid and it may offer relief from muscle cramps and spasms.

WEARING ORANGE
In times of stress, or after a trauma or a shock, wearing orange can help the body and the emotions to return to a state of balance. Incorporate orange into your wardrobe when you feel bleakness and boredom, and when you might need encouragement, stimulation, and creativity. Wearing orange can imply a youthful, dynamic, & adventurous personality.

ORANGE IN THE HOME
The color orange is often called the “social” color, as it creates the feng shui energy to promote lively conversations and good times in your home. Painting a chair or a side table orange can bring warmth into your home and also inspire color therapy attributes on a budget.

SOURCES:
Healing with Crystals and Chakra Energies by Sue & Simon Lilly
www.deeptrancenow.com/colortherapy
www.energyandvibration.com/colororange

by Bethanny Gonzalez, Certified Aromatherapist
www.GaiasHealingGifts.com

Aroma: Warm, sweet, exotic, floral fragrance with herbaceous and fruit base notes
Properties: Antidepressant, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, uterine tonic, sedative, uplifting
Element: Air
Planet: Venus
Gender: Feminine
Chakras: Heart & Root
Spiritual Aspects: Dreams, Love, Beauty and Sensuality

Jasmine (Jasminum Officinale) Essential Oil is extracted from the flowers of the Jasmine plant that has been used throughout history for romance and attraction and for balancing the feminine energy of the body. Besides its sweet, exotic scent, Jasmine essential oil has many impressive health benefits.

BENEFITS for Massage & Skin Care
•    Lessens fine lines and wrinkles
•    Helps fade scar marks
•    Benefits dry, brittle, or dehydrated skin

HEALTH BENEFITS
•    Promotes deep, restful, and undisturbed sleep
•    When inhaled, it provides relief from coughs by helping clear out phlegm in the respiratory tracts
•    When applied to wounds externally, it can effectively eliminate potential infections
•    May give relief to those women who suffer from irregular, obstructed, or painful menses or an untimely menopause

EMOTIONAL USES
•    Relaxes, soothes, and uplifts an anxious mind
•    Boosts energy and cheerfulness
•    Builds self-confidence and optimism
•    Reduces nervous stress and fights depression

SPIRITUAL USES
•    Helps you to connect with your inner Goddess and to bring out your inner beauty
•    Helps you to access your own sensual energy and connect with    the energy flow around you
•    Brings your desires and wishes of the heart to light, and opens a channel to the angelic realms

TIP: Wear this oil on your pulse points to attract romance and love. Add a few drops to your                                             bath before bed time to bring sleep and prophetic dreams.

THIS ESSENTIAL OIL IS AVAILABLE AT GODDESS I AM HEALING & ART CENTER

RECIPE for Sensual Massage Oil

¼ cup Almond or Macadamia Nut Oil
1 tablespoon Coconut Oil
4 drops Jasmine Essential Oil
1 drop Patchouli  Essential Oil

Gently massage into the body.

DISCLAIMER: ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS PAGE IS FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT INTENDED TO SUBSTITUTE THE ADVICE GIVEN BY A PHARMACIST, PHYSICIAN, OR ANY OTHER LICENSED HEALTH-CARE PROFESSIONAL. GAIA’S HEALING GIFTS PRODUCTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FDA AND ARE NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY HEALTH CONDITION OR DISEASE.

Herbalize your medicine cabinet: 9 common foods and spices to take care of the winter sniffles and more
by Leora Dappen

Natural remedies have been used for millennia to promote good health. Spice combinations have traditionally been used for medicine as well as for food preservation. Indian curry and chai mix are great examples of this. Herbs and common foods have also been widely utilized to treat an array of health conditions for centuries. Many cultures around the world still depend on natural medicine exclusively.

As a Certified Holistic Nutrition Professional, I have clients asking me every day what natural remedy I suggest to get rid of this pain or that sniffle. My answer almost always starts with: “Go to your kitchen cupboard.”

I have been using simple foods, herbs, spices and nutritional supplements for my family for over 20 years — for everything from allergies to zits. They are safe, cheap, and highly effective.

It is very empowering for me to treat my family safely and effectively with products I normally put on the dinner table. No appointments, no negative side effects, and no drug interactions.

Here are a few of my favorites:

HONEY
A teaspoon of honey may prove to be more effective than the leading cough syrups at calming coughs and soothing a sore, scratchy throat. Raw, organic, local honey has extremely beneficial medicinal properties. It is a natural analgesic and has high amounts of hydrogen peroxide. Manuka honey from New Zealand is found to have potent antibacterial properties. With the increase of antibiotic resistant Superbugs, scientists are in a mad dash to replicate the antibiotics produced by bee saliva, but to no avail. I tended 134 beehives a couple of summers ago among thousands of acres of organic sweet clover. It was a privilege and honor. Bees are magnificent creatures, worthy of reverence.

THYME
Thyme is frequently found in Italian and Mediterranean food. It is a powerful expectorant, breaking up phlegm in the lungs preventing further congestion. It also has anticoagulant, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

CINNAMON
Cinnamon can help increase metabolism and balance blood sugar. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, anticoagulant, and calming to the belly.

TURMERIC
Entire books are written on this “wonder spice”. It is the spice that gives Indian curry its color. It is incredibly anti-inflammatory, helping with a myriad of health conditions. It is anti-parasitic and also extremely anti-carcinogenic. I take it morning and night, plus cook with it all the time.

CAYENNE PEPPER
Cayenne pepper revs up metabolism; it may get rid of ulcers; and is effective against congestion and shortens the severity of the common cold. It is also an anticoagulant and blood purifier. Mix cayenne pepper in a cup of hot water with juice of one lemon and teaspoon of honey.

GINGER
Ginger is excellent for calming a sour stomach, bloating, and gas. It may be the best remedy for air and seasickness as well as morning sickness. It also helps maintain blood pressure and healthy cholesterol levels. It is anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-parasitic, antifungal, anticoagulant and blood purifying.

GARLIC
Garlic was called Russian Penicillin during World War II. It may be a common plant, but garlic has a lot to offer: it is not only antibacterial, but also antiviral, anti-parasitic, antifungal, antimicrobial and anticoagulant. It can help regulate blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. It is my favorite crop to grow.

CILANTRO
This wonderful Mexican herb is best known in the Natural Health world as being specific for chelating heavy metals out of the body.  Heavy metal toxicity is epidemic in this country from pesticides, power plants, and car emissions.

OREGANO
This humble herb has incredible antibacterial properties. Oregano oil has become a go-to remedy for many people at the first signs of a cold or flu. It also has blood-cleansing and anticoagulant properties.

The list above is far from inclusive. There are many “functional foods” in your kitchen cupboard that support health in an safe and efficient way. Make a conscious choice to integrate these foods into your daily meals and feel empowered knowing that you are boosting the health of your family — naturally, safely, and effectively.

Happy, Healthy Eating!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Leora Dappen is a Natural Health Practitioner and Board
Certified Holistic Nutrition Professional.  She received her
Masters of Science in Holistic Nutrition in 2009 and currently
works with private clients at the Healing Arts Center located at
1065 5th Ave. N. in Naples, Fl.