Alright, STOP... Meditate and Breathe

If you are one of those people that believe that meditation is for Buddhist monks and yogis, you need to reevaluate your thinking. Meditation gained popularity among the everyday crowd once they began to learn of its benefits.  For us witches, shamans, empaths, energy workers, and other sensitives, a regular meditation practice is highly beneficial and has been used for centuries.

The foremost reason that sensitives should begin a regular mediation practice would be to reduce stress and/ or anxiety.  For energy workers, these are often symptoms that we take on from other people or as a result of our hypersensitivity to our environment.  By reducing stress and anxiety, one can also lessen the symptoms of other medical conditions associated with them. Studies have shown a reduction in stress-related conditions including irritable bowel syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, and fibromyalgia among those with a habitual meditation practice. They have also shown reductions in blood pressure, social anxiety, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors. When we can reduce our stress and anxiety, we will find that our sleep patterns also benefit from this. Those that practice regular meditation reported falling asleep quicker and staying asleep longer which resulted in a more restful night’s sleep, more energy, and an overall better mood. 

Meditation also promotes self-awareness and mental health. Meditation can help you develop a stronger understanding of yourself, helping you grow into your best self. Some meditative practices teach you to recognize thoughts that may be harmful or self-defeating. When you gain awareness of your thought habits, you can then steer them toward more constructive patterns. If you are able to reduce negative or self-defeating thought patterns, depressive episodes may lessen.  One study followed 18 volunteers as they practiced meditation for over three years. The study found that the participants had notable long-term decreases in depression. Another study compared the electrical activity within the brain of individuals that practiced meditation and those that did not.  Those who meditated showed measurable changes in activity in the areas related to positive thinking and optimism.

It has been shown that meditation can lengthen attention span and may help reduce age-related memory loss. Focused-attention meditation is like weight lifting for your attention span.  It helps to increase the strength and endurance of your attention. One study showed that human resource workers that regularly practiced meditation stayed focused on a task longer than those co-workers that did not. It also showed that those that were meditating remembered details of their tasks better than those that were not. Improvements in attention and clarity of thinking may keep your mind young, which in turn can combat age-related memory loss. Kirtan Kriya is a method of meditation that has proven in multiple-age related memory loss studies to improve the participants’ ability to perform memory-related tasks.

On a metaphysical level, going within during meditation can help you to unlock your subconscious. It can show you your fears, help you to open up to your dreams, show you what needs to be healed within you, and better connect you with your own strength and power.  It 

can also awaken your psychic abilities and your own inner guidance.  Meditation is also a way to connect to the Divine.  You may receive messages from Spirit, the Universe, guides, angels, or animal and plant totems.  Being able to connect to these energies is vital to a magickal practice.  Set your intention before you begin your meditation and ask for guidance.  Meditation may also need to be a part of your ritual or spellwork.  It can also serve to ground and center you before beginning your workings.  

If you have tried meditation and are one of those that say, "Oh, I can't' meditate. I've tried and I cannot empty my mind," DO NOT GIVE UP.  There is a reason why it is called a "practice".  You must continue to try and regularly, if I may add, to get into that meditative state.  The more you do it, the more proficient you will become.  If you have ever daydreamed then you have entered an altered state of awareness.  I am pretty sure that I'm not the only one that has daydreamed. The only difference is that meditation is more of a guided experience as opposed to simply drifting.  Another important note, not every meditation is filled with messages, images, or magick.  Let go of those expectations.  Sometimes the messages come later. 

Witches, Shamans, healers, and energy workers have used meditation for centuries.  Along with all of its health benefits, it connects us to ourselves, the beyond, and to Spirit.  Blessed Be...

Wild Child Lost

                                                              The Wild Child

When you're the girl that is always barefoot, can be found tromping through the creek during the summer, and more than likely running around with a reptile or insect of some sort, you quickly earn the titles "wild child" and "tomboy".  I was always "that" girl.  The one that her grandmother had to explain to the reason why she could no longer run around outside without a shirt on during the hot days just before starting Kindergarten.  The one that excitedly brought in toads, grass snakes, and a variety of insects to show the adults.  The one that would lie down on the back patio at night during the summer when the tarantulas were out so that I might get lucky and one would crawl on me.

I was never one that was content to be inside.  If the weather was permitting, and truthfully, lots of times when the adults said it wasn't, you would find me outside.  The Texas heat never seemed to bother me as a child nor did the cold or the rain.  It was almost like I was completely impervious to the weather.  Being outside was going home as opposed to the indoors that just felt stifling.  If I wasn't outside, I wasn't happy.  There are times that I remember simply sitting in the dirt and just "being".  I would listen to all of nature's sounds and see how many I could identify.  I was a true wild child.  Bare feet caked with mud, dirt under my fingernails, and my hair a tangled mess.  Yep.  That was me.

I lived every day for those simple childhood pleasures, the ones we took for granted back then.  Remember what if feels like to squish mud between your toes or the feeling of the sun on your face as you lie in the cool grass?   What about sitting under a big shade tree looking at picture books, reading them as you got older, or even climbing that tree?  How about being out all day playing and then begging to stay out just a little longer for dusk so that you could see the fireflies?  Making mud pies, digging up earthworms, and playing with rolly pollies,  that was where my little heart was happy and my soul was calm.  It was an aching, desperate need that I never could get enough of.

                                          The Disconnect From Nature

In my short 42 years, I have been witness to a huge disconnect from nature in society.   This is beginning with childhood and progressing from there. My need to be outside, immersed in nature has never diminished.  If anything, it has only gotten stronger over the years, however, I had to "grow up" and "act my age".  I remember hitting 6th grade and being shocked that there wasn't a "recess" time.  You spent all day inside the school (which eventually lead to anxiety for me but that's a topic for Part 2 of this post).  This is how it was from 6th grade until the day I graduated high school.  You didn't get any time to just simply sit outside and be.  If you played sports then there was, of course, time out of doors if that sport required it but the volleyball girls were content to run laps around the gym (thankfully I played tennis).  Any real, quality time that you got to be outside was to be done on your own time, weekends, and such.  Not many people I knew wanted that though.  Girls wanted to go to the mall and the boys were usually where the girls were.  I had obligations to attend to outside of school... homework, boyfriend, girlfriends, work, and chores at home.  Even with all of that, I still tried to find little ways to get in some time outside.  When the weather was nice, I would sit at a small table that I got at a second-hand store for the back patio to do homework.  I offered to mow the lawn for my parents just so I could have that precious hour in the sunshine.   Needless to say, my time with nature grew less and less the older I got.

The really scary thing is, most people don't realize that this is happening or if they do, they simply accept it as part of life, the "growing up process".  I keep asking myself how and why we let this happen.  Maybe we would like to forget where it is we came from.  While we are "so much more civilized" today, we are doing more harm to ourselves than good.  As we "grew up" we began to disengage from the natural world. We were once a people that spent the majority of our time outside in nature, being one with it, appreciating it, and letting it help us to provide for ourselves and our families.  How did it become a luxury to have enough leisure time to be able to play outside, hiking, camping or simply sitting and reading under that tree?  Maybe you plan a family vacation once a year to some outdoorsy type location but that does not give us the time outside that we need, that our bodies and souls crave on a level that we once understood but have somehow forgotten or choose to ignore.  Our need to feel evolved and civilized fuels this disconnect from nature, setting us back more than we realize.  We called the Native Americans savages because of the way they lived but in reality, they are the ones that still had it right.

Another huge contributing factor in the Nature Disconnect is our need to have more.  We want bigger homes, fancier cars and just more stuff in general.  Why does anyone NEED a closet that is as big as my childhood bedroom filled with clothing that they will probably never wear, shoes, purses, and other accessories?  The simple fact is that they don't, but feel like they do.  This means that someone is putting in more hours at the office to help pay for all of that.  More time at the office means less leisure time and in turn, less nature time.  I hear people say, "I would hike if I had more free time."  Meanwhile, I'm looking at their designer suit, $65,000 car and their 5,500 square foot house thinking, "Maybe if you weren't chained to your office to pay for all of your "needs", you would have more free time."  This is where that "luxury time" comes in.  What are people doing in the precious little time that they have away from work?  The "American Dream" has become the "American Greed".  I do want to make one thing clear here though, I in no way look down on those people that have large houses or drive fancy cars.  I am simply saying that you cannot state that you wish to have more time to be in nature and choose to remain chained to your desk.  We make time for the things that are truly important to us.

Our obsession with electronics and social media is yet another topic to acknowledge when discussing our disconnect from nature.  We somehow feel the need or urge to be connected all of the time.  The "connected" has become misplaced.  I make jokes about people having their cell phones surgically implanted if possible.  We can always be reached by phone, email, messenger apps, texts, ect.  We spend our weekends binge-watching the hottest shows on Netflix and our children can't go one day without the television or their tablets.  Yes, I had Saturday morning cartoons but I would watch my two favorites and then be outside for the rest of the day.  Yes, I watch television a couple of nights a week but the other nights, I spend time with my dog at the park or sitting outside reading.  I spend my weekends hiking, biking, and/or skiing.  Children, in general, spent way more time outside playing, getting dirty, riding bicycles, and just being children.  Now children are spending their time on the computer or attached to their gaming system.  We are using devices like IPads and our smartphones to keep our children happy while at the grocery store and then at home so that Mom or Dad can get work emails typed out on a Saturday afternoon when they should be engaging the kids in something outside instead.  While it is true that no one ever had to tell me to go

outside and play, the parents of today need to do a better job of encouraging their children to do just that.  I know this is a lot to ask considering the fact that those adults themselves are less engaged with nature. For many young adults and even those a bit older, nature has become nothing more than a hashtag, the perfect Instagram photo, or likes on Facebook.

                            The Need for Repairing the Nature Disconnect

While I understand that my need to be outside may be greater than that of the general population, I cannot be the only person that has suffered from the disconnect from nature.  Every one of us needs contact with nature in some way to be healthy and whole.  I cannot be the only person that is taking note of what is happening to us because of this.  Studies show a rise in depression and anxiety throughout society in general.  There is now scientific evidence that proves time in nature helps to heal.  It lowers anxiety, blood pressure, and helps with depressive episodes.  Providing help with these issues is just the beginning of what nature offers in the way of healing our minds, bodies, and souls.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of The Disconnect from Nature where I will be discussing the problems associated with the disconnect and how to help heal it and yourself.

Peace, Love, and Light.  Blessed Be.

 

** Please note that while I may discuss nature's ability to heal, I am not a licensed doctor or therapist.  Please seek professional medical help if you are experiencing depression or severe anxiety. **

Out of the (Broom) Closet

Someone recently told me that she was "Out of the Shaman closet but not the Witch closet".  Me being the curious type and having an almost non-existent filter asks, "So why is it that you feel like you can come out as a Shaman but not as a Witch?" Her answer, sadly, was not surprising.  For some reason, it is more acceptable to be a Shaman than it is to say you're a Witch.  

Shamanism is associated with the Native American culture even though the path of the Shaman is followed by many more people and cultures than just the Native Americans.  It is an ancient way and not associated with a particular religion. "Shamanism is a practice that involves a practitioner reaching altered states of consciousness in order to perceive and interact with what they believe to be a spirit world and channel these transcendental energies into this world".    

sha·man

noun- a person regarded as having access to, and influence in, the world of good and evil spirits, especially among some peoples of northern Asia and North America. Typically such people enter a trance state during a ritual and practice divination and healing.

1. synonyms:

   medicine man/woman, healer, kahuna "several American doctors have consulted our shaman"

- copied and pasted straight outta Wikipedia!  Shamans were highly respected.  They were/ are healers.  They were sought out for their wisdom and knowledge and were often considered to be "seers".  And here you thought you weren't going to learn anything new today! ;-)

The Witch, however, is a completely different thing.  For some reason, "Witch" has long been associated with satanic worship.  You do understand that as a Pagan or Witch, we do not believe in Satan, right?  This is what you get when you look up "Witch" in Wikipedia... 

witch

noun 1.a woman thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones, popularly depicted as wearing a black cloak and pointed hat and flying on a broomstick.

1. synonyms:

   sorceress, enchantress, necromancer

   • 
     

2. 2.

   informal

   
   

   an ugly or unpleasant woman.

   "he can marry the old witch for all I care"

   synonyms:

   hag, crone, harpy, harridan, she-devil;  informalbattle-ax "she's a nasty old witch"

3. 
   

4. 
   

verb

1. 1.

   cast an evil spell on.    

Are you fucking kidding me?  No wonder "Witch" is so taboo.  Its definition associates it with evil, ugly, and raising the dead.  Wow.  Just wow.  I hope that those reading this post understand the extent of the persecution that people but women, in particular, have faced for hundreds of years because of the word "Witch". 

Apparently, it is still a big issue.  Not a "burning at the stake" type of issue but it is definitely not an accepted word in some circles.  In this day and age, I seriously do NOT understand this.  Of course, we still live in a world where human rights are an issue so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.  However, this post is not about those issues.  I'll save that rant for another time.

I am proud to use the title of both Shaman AND Witch.  This has been a long time coming for me.  It has always been my path and I have known that for quite a while.  I tried to suppress the person that I was in order to not make waves with my ex-husband (a post for another time) and to TRY to conform to society.  Well, anyone that knows me could tell you that was never going to happen.  I didn't use the word "Witch" before but I was far from what society would call "normal". 

As a child, I was the girl with bare feet caked in mud holding a toad (or snake or a crawfish or some other creature I found out there) in one hand while climbing over the fence that separated my backyard from the creek behind us.  I was definitely classified as a tomboy but more importantly, a wild child.  I use that term to define my connection with nature at an early age and not my behavior.  I wasn't happy if I couldn't be outside.  I have never been afraid of any animal, although mosquitos can burn in hell.  I have a connection with animals that is undeniable.  My friend got to witness this firsthand this past weekend when we met a beautiful praying mantis with a message for me.  I remember sitting still in the field behind my grandparents' house and just listening to all of the natural sounds I could hear.  How many children do you know that would do this at a young age without someone telling them to? Exactly.  Not many.  This came naturally to me; I needed it.  

I realize now that what I was doing as a child was feeling the energy of the Earth.  That's why it was so important for me to sit and listen.  Even back then I needed that natural energy to be able to get through the day.  It is this natural energy that we as Witches call upon.  It is nothing evil, distorted, or perverted.  It is the air we breathe, the water we drink, the Earth we walk upon, and the fire that warms our homes on a cold winter day.  It's the trees and plants, the animals and insects, the dirt and stone.  Everything has its own energy and it is beautiful and amazing.  This is NOT evil.  The Wiccan Rede states "An Ye Harm None, Do What Ye Will".  Here is the link for the full version:   https://wicca.com/celtic/wicca/rede.htm  As Witches, we are typically very careful of the energy or spells we put out into the universe.  Part of the Rede reminds us that everything will come back to you three-fold.  That would be some scary shit if you intended to do evil or harm.  The Witches that I have met are some of the nicest people on Earth.  We recycle, do rituals to help heal Mother Earth, send healing energy to friends, loved ones, and pets, and volunteer our time.  We are on the opposite end of the spectrum from evil. 

In the future, I hope to create a safe space for witches and other spirituals to talk freely.  It would be a place of love and acceptance.  It would also be a support system for those that are still in the broom closet or are trying to come out but have no idea how to do so.  It can be scary, depressing, and anxiety-inducing to think about the possible rejection by loved ones, friends, or co-workers.  We could share ideas here on how to educate our loved ones about our ways so that it doesn't seem so taboo or frightening for them. 

I have always been a Witch at heart and in my soul.  My call to be a healer as well.  I was so excited to learn that I could mesh the Shaman with the Witch and didn't have to choose between the two.  Both are such a huge part of who I am, who I am meant to become.  It's my journey and my path is becoming more and more clear to me.  Stay tuned...

Peace, love, and light.  Blessed be. 

Self-Care for Witches, Empaths and Other Sensitives

Self-Care for Witches, Empaths, and Other Sensitives

By now I am sure that most of you have heard the phrase, "If you don't take care of yourself first, you end up not being able to take care of anyone."  We all need a little self-care and I'm not just talking about bubble baths and expensive lattes.  Although those are both little ways in which we can nurture ourselves, for those of us that are highly sensitive, it goes well beyond that.  Our energy levels can be depleted quickly and we will have a harder time recovering from it if we are not practicing self-care.  These things do not have to be elaborate nor do they require an expensive all-out spa day. While self-care can be quite different from person to person, there are a few things that I have found to be useful and I feel that they could easily be applied to most individuals.

Grounding

There are many ways in which one can ground themselves and their energy.  Some can work immediately and others may take several minutes to take effect.  Below is a list of proven grounding techniques. It doesn't hurt to try them all out to see which one or combination is best for you.

     * Using crystals/ natural stones with grounding properties such as:

             * Hematite

             * Smoky Quartz

             * Shungite

             * Jasper, especially Red Jasper

             * Carnelian

             * Any other stones that stimulate the Root Chakra

   

 * Connecting with Mother Earth.  This can be done in several ways.  There's a reason why "Grounding" is also called "Earthing".  It can be as simple as placing your bare feet upon the Earth for a few minutes.  Sitting outside with your back against a tree is another great way to ground yourself.  If you have the time to commit, getting out for a hike is always helpful in connecting with Mother Earth.  Touch the trees as you pass by, pick up stones for examination, and take a few minutes just to stop, close your eyes and breathe in all of the nature smells around you.

 * Visualization.  This is the part where you envision a light coming down through your body and into the ground below you.  This is a process that typically takes a few minutes.  I have gotten particularly good at this one since it can be done anywhere and can usually achieve it within a minute and sometimes as little as 30 seconds.  If you're having trouble with this one, message me and I am happy to provide a guided service for you.

Cleansing

Taking the time to regularly cleanse your energy field and aura is a wonderful way to care for yourself and is imperative if you are highly sensitive.  Even with a protective shield in place, we can still absorb unwanted energy from other people and our environment.  This can be as simple as a mindful shower first thing in the morning in which you are envisioning the soap and water you are using to also cleanse your spirit as well as your physical body.  Water is highly restorative in this way.  A cleansing bath with candles and essential oils in the evening before bed is another way to use water's healing properties.  Creating a sacred space that is just for you is highly recommended for any other types of energy work you might try such as chakra balancing and cleansing meditations.  Using sage to smudge yourself within this sacred space is yet another way you can cleanse your energy field while also keeping your space free of negative energy. 

Physical Care

Taking care of your physical self better equips you for taking care of your emotional self.  Yes, I get that some of you may not be workout fiends and that is perfectly okay.  However, some type of daily movement is necessary to keep the home of our spirit in shape.  It will also help to expel any excess energy that may be lingering about.  There are simple ways to make this happen.  Here are a few:

     * Simple step counting with a pedometer (if you have an iPhone, the health app automatically tracks your steps for the day).  Be mindful of how many steps you are taking in a day.  If you have a sedentary job, make a conscious effort to take more steps by using the stairs vs. the elevator or parking at the end of the grocery store lot.  While these are not Zumba equivalent, it certainly beats doing nothing. 

     *  If your job allows, maybe take a walk at lunchtime, or if not, just take a light stroll through the neighborhood after dinner.  

      

     * Yoga (and/or Pilates) is great for the mind and the body and can help to clear your energy all on its own.

     * Get on a bicycle.  This is a fun and easy way to cruise your neighborhood and it gets you more active.  Install a basket on your bike so that if you only have a few things to buy, you can take it to the store instead of the car.

Taking care of the physical self also includes things like eating well and as silly as it may seem, staying well hydrated.  For those of you that detest water, try using an infuser to add fresh fruit flavor or even carbonated water with fruit flavor.  Green and herbal teas are yet another way to hydrate that is also good for you.  Limiting added sugar and processed food items will keep your body happy.  It is okay to indulge every now and then but it is best to eat a simple, well-balanced, and healthy diet on a daily basis. 

Don't forget to include sleeping well when making a list of ways to care for your body.  Getting proper rest will ensure that your body has a way of recharging itself.  Our physical, mental, and emotional health definitely suffer when there is a constant lack of sleep. Set up an evening routine so that your body can wind down.  Try to avoid doing work while in bed or in the bedroom period.  It creates an energy in the room that is not conducive to a good night's sleep.  Also, limit television and other electronic devices before bed.  Skip the e-reader and go with an old-fashioned book if your nightly routine includes reading.   

Self-Acknowledgement

This topic is probably the most important of them all and yet it is one of the hardest to live by.  Why?  Because we often overlook our own feelings, pain, trauma, ect. in order to live out our daily lives.  We feel like we cannot get too wrapped up in our own issues because:

      1) it's selfish.  Okay, first of all, it is never selfish to take care of yourself (unless you're spending crazy money that you don't have while your family suffers.  That is more self-indulgence and not self-care).  Remember that you must take care of yourself so that you can take care of others.  Eventually, you wear yourself down so much that it will become nearly impossible to keep functioning at a level that is beneficial to others.

      2) it's time-consuming.  Well, maybe, but so what?  This is for the betterment of you and your entire being.  It is worth the time it takes, I promise.  And you know the saying, "Rome wasn't built in a day."

     

      3) it hurts and is often complicated.  Yes, it may hurt and some of it may be very complicated.  Try tackling the easier stuff first.  That way you're at least taking baby steps.  If you can see progress there, then moving on to the harder stuff won't seem so daunting.  Find someone you can talk things through with whether it is a family member, spouse, friend, or a therapist.  Sometimes, just having that person that you know you can tell anything to is a relief in itself.

  

     4) there's a fear of not being able to put it back in the bottle once it's out.  This may very well be true.  The real question is, will there be any benefit to you by bottling it back up?  Likely, the answer is no.  I understand that you may want to "repack" some of those more complicated issues but, guess what?  The universe may not let you and YOU HAVE TO BE OK WITH THAT.  If it cannot be put back into its neat little bottle, then that just means it is truly time to deal with it. 

You need to take time to acknowledge what is going on within your being.  Talk to yourself.  Don't deny your pain, your feelings, or your baggage.  Dealing with these issues will take you a long way on the road of self-care to self-healing. 

Just a Few More...

There are a few other ways to practice self-care: 

* The simple art of mindfulness is one.  Be in that moment, right then.  Try eating mindfully, relishing every bite, all of the textures and flavors.  

* Set reminders to go off throughout the day that causes you to pause a moment and just breathe.

* DO indulge every now and then.  Order the dessert, save up for those boots you've been eyeing, get the expensive latte instead of your normal home-brewed java, you pick! Whatever it means to you to indulge a bit, don't be afraid of it.

* Set aside time every week that is "your time".  Start with an hour a week and try scheduling more from there.  If you're a busy mom running around like crazy, that may mean splitting that time up into increments, which is fine as long as you're sticking to it.  Let everyone in the house know when that time is scheduled to ensure that you get your quiet, alone time.  

Those of us that are sensitive or that are constantly working with energy, like my fellow empaths and witches, are more prone to becoming drained than others.  It is imperative that we nurture ourselves.  We cannot continue to help those that we are supposed to if our own energy levels are depleted.  This makes for unfinished healing sessions, half-assed spells, and poor quality energy work in general.  When you complete a session or ritual, check-in with yourself.  Do you need to do a quick grounding exercise or do you need to go home and sage?  Be realistic with how you are doing.  Self-care is an everyday thing.  Take the time that is needed to keep yourself well and everyone wins in the long run.

Peace, Love, and Light.  Blessed Be.