The Law of Attraction and Other Things

The Law of Attraction and Other Things

by | Energetics, Psycho-Spiritual

As the Current Year comes to a close, we often begin thinking of personal resolutions for the New Year.  If we consider what the Law of Attraction teaches, we may be more successful in creating and achieving our resolutions. This Universal Law can assist with every aspect of our life and if applied with the mindset and passion required of us, positive results are achievable.  So, what exactly is this Law of Attraction?

It is essential to understand that what we think and how we feel have energetic vibrations and we emit these vibrations constantly.  The Law of Attraction works like a magnet. It registers the energetic vibrations of what we are thinking and feeling, then goes looking in the Universe for other thoughts and feelings that are energetically similar.  Once found, these similar thoughts and feelings are brought back to us. You receive the essence of what you are thinking and feeling – whether it is something you want or don’t want.  It is the energetic vibrational pattern that makes this all happen.

What you give thought to something (wanted or unwanted), you begin to invite it into your life experience. The longer you stay focused upon what you do not want, the greater and more powerful that thought will become.  But by choosing a thought that feels slightly better than the thoughts you’ve been thinking, you can gradually change the direction of your thoughts.  The Law will respond to that better thought and the response will be more positive for you in both your thoughts and feelings. See it as a “course correction” for your personal GPS.  For instance, focusing on a solution brings you positive feelings while focusing on a problem brings you negative feelings. When you are feeling positive feelings, you are attracting that which you want (solutions). When you are feeling negative feelings, you are attracting that which you don’t want (problems).

Giving your attention to something increases your potential for attracting it. The more vivid the details, the more likely you will attract it. See it, hear it, feel it, smell it, taste it, welcome it, dance with it, build it, hold it as if it is already here in your life. Attention and emotion will fuel the energetic vibration you send out.  The Law will seek it in the Universal Field and return it to you once found. Just ensure that it is truly what you want – and that you are open and ready to receive it when it appears.  If you decide that it isn’t really what you wanted, it is okay to change your thoughts and feelings on this.  The Universe will try again for you!

There is another Universal Law in effect when we are manifesting.  It is called The Law of Creation.  It has two important aspects, one being the Desire for Creation and the other being the Allowing of the Creation.  Both influence our emotional state of being.  And as we’ve seen, thoughts and feelings are both needed in order to put the Law of Attraction to work.

How can we use this information when it comes to creating New Year’s Resolutions?

Take time to understand what you truly want for the coming year.  Deep in your heart, what is the wish or wishes you have for yourself?  Be clear and be honest with yourself. Write it/them  down using positive words, present tense, and exact wording (nothing fluffy or vague). Then when you are ready, speak your words out loud – repeatedly.  Quietly at first, then louder and louder.  Feel every cell in your body vibrate with the words and desire of your dreams and requests.  Feel the power of your thoughts and emotions infused in your words that you speak. Send out your positive intentions and requests with passion.

Once you feel you have sent out all that you need to, give thanks to the Universe for listening and accepting your petition.  There is much power in the act of gratefulness.  Also, agree to allowing the Universe to deliver your petition to you as you are willing to accept it.

Please know that this process need not be relegated only to New Years resolutions.  You can engage with the Law of Attraction at any time you wish! And as often as you wish! The Universe is limitless as is its energy. There is more than enough for everyone.

So, what does your heart wish for today?

Working With the Moon’s Phases

Working With the Moon’s Phases

by | Energetics, Psycho-Spiritual

There was a time when people worked closely with nature and natural events. Rituals and routines sprung up around these things as a way to assist folks with their daily tasks, dreams and life purpose. The predictable nature of the moon phases helped folks to focus on tasks that would be enhanced by the moon energy of that day. Today, the moon phases are most closely watched and followed by those engaged in nature-based spirituality and religions.  Ask anyone following Wiccan traditions and they can tell you exactly what is happening in the skies and on Earth at any moment!  Such is their bond and respect for nature and natural law.

The moon travels around the Earth in approximately 28 days – or in our time, 4 weeks. There are three moon phases that are observed most intently:  New Moon ~ Full Moon ~Dark Moon.  Throughout many cultures, the phases of the moon were uniquely tied to the feminine energy or goddesses If we were to assign an aspect of the Goddess-form to these phases, they would be Maiden ~ Mother ~ Grandmother. They appear, disappear and reappear in the cyclical manner as they’ve always done. Always have.  Always will.

Let’s look at what each Moon Phase has to offer.

New Moon – associated with the Maiden (aka the Waxing Moon)

At New Moon, we are encouraged to set our goals and sights on things needing to come into being.  If we need a fresh perspective on something, this is the time to explore and create something new. This is where ideas come to light and manifesting these ideas into form begins. New Moon is a time to begin new projects; to initiate any moves encountered with new jobs, homes, schools, etc.; honour any “first” event such as menstruation, getting pregnant, learning to walk/run/ride a bike. This phase is one of curiosity, independence and confidence.  “Go for it”; “Get out of my way”.  It is also a time of Potential – of what might be. “Dream it ~ Be it ~ Do it.”

The Maiden is her own person, knows who she is and dreams of the potential for what she can become.  The sky is the limit, in her mind.

Full Moon – associated with the Mother

At Full Moon, we have had the advantage of the increasing lunar energy from New Moon until this point to help manifest our ideas and dreams.  This is the time of Fruition. This is the high point in all cycles – living or creating. We have nurtured our plans in order to bring them to life. This Full Moon energy helps us whenever we need energy and guidance to finish creating something. As Mother energy, she loves us and wants us to be the best we can be. We can learn and develop a sense of responsibility, patience and self-discipline by having worked to bring our ideas and dreams into the world. These are great Life Lessons. But there is also a sense of joy and satisfaction in seeing our dreams and ideas come into being. Manifesting a goal, a family or a spiritual journey are some of the ways Full Moon and Mother goddess energies assist us.

Dark Moon – associated with the Grandmother (aka the Waning Moon)

After all the anticipation, action and emotion of manifesting has reached its climax, we turn to a quieter, yet incredibly powerful, moon energy associated with the Crone – the old, wise woman. You will sense it strongly by the time the last quarter of the moon is visible – technically called the Waning Moon. Time to get serious about what we’ve created – or what we have not created!  This is a more inward-facing time as we take a longer, more discerning look at what we dreamed of and how far along we’ve come with making it real. A time for reassessment and brutal honesty. If we are not honest with what we’ve done, we are creating our dream on a rocky foundation.  And because of this, at some point, all will be defaced, defeated or destroyed. If we must let go of something in order to create something better, then this is the time to do it. The Waning and Dark Moon deal with death and the end of cycles. This moon energy of the Crone helps when courage, understanding and action are required for any type of ending. It is there when we need to take a break to regroup, rest and recharge. The Crone is there when strong protection is needed from attacks. The energy of Dark Moon and the Crone assist when the deep Mysteries of Life, Death and Rebirth are needed to help us heal and grow.

The Crone Energy continues after the last quarter of the moon is no longer visible and the Dark Moon is in its complete darkness phase. This is where the real magic and mystery lives!  These are the few days of total darkness before the light of the New Moon appears again. Total darkness of the moon symbolizes the Great Void, the Cauldron of Creation, the cosmic place where great stillness and silence allows for the dream to begin to form. Where ideas come forth to be dreamed into reality. When the upcoming New Moon can ignite the dreamer’s dream.  Birth – Fruition – Death – Rebirth.

I sometimes think of it in gardening terms. Once the plants are done with their growth, flowering and/or fruiting, we take that which is not needed or no longer life-bearing and place it into the compost bin (the cauldron of creation).  From that place of darkness, the magic within the bin turns these used up trimmings and old plant stocks into something new and vibrant – compost – which is then placed in the garden to offer nourishment and protection to the new growth.  Birth – Fruition – Death – Rebirth.

Next time you look up in the sky, notice where the moon is on its journey around the Earth. Know that from the beginning of time, people around the world have gazed up at that same moon and have dreamed their dreams into reality. Magical, mystical and it’s all ours!

“It’s a marvelous night for a moon dance …”  sing it, Van!  (Morrison, that is)

Autumn and its gifts

Autumn and its gifts

by | Energetics, Psycho-Spiritual

As Summer bids goodbye, Autumn makes its grand entrance. Colours turn to brilliant golds, reds, browns and orange. Growth is now turning from outward to inward in an attempt to prepare for the winter months ahead. Winter slumber will be soon enough – but for now, celebrate the harvest, thanksgiving and dancing leaves!

The Harvest is a time to reap what we’ve sown.  This is both in a literal and metaphorical sense. It is easy to see what our labours have manifested in and from the gardens.  Folks created beautiful landscapes, food and flower gardens and grew herbs for medicine and cooking purposes during the summer.  Now, these plants are harvested to create delicious jams, jellies, soups, relish, pickles and other edibles to enjoy all winter long.  Herbs have been collected and processed into dried or frozen staples for cooking while others have been blended up to create healing balms, creams and oils.  Let’s not forget the artists and crafters!  All sorts of plants used for flower arrangements, pictures, potpourri, and cards to be kept or given away at the right time.  Creativity knows no bounds when Nature offers up its gifts for us to use.

Yet metaphorically, what have we Harvested?  Those long summer days offered us more time to relax, review and reboot ourselves. It offered a chance to hear our inner voice. In that space of “just being”, what did we learn?  What did we dream? What did we promise ourselves to pursue?  What did we promise ourselves to change?

The Summer offered us time to take a Personal Inventory of our hopes, dreams, demons and new ideas.  With that having been done, Autumn is offering us the opportunity to Harvest this information and put things in motion – to bring what is best for us to fruition.  Most of us grew up starting school in September – and the excitement of a new school year was upon us. The world of new ideas and activities was about to be birthed, as it had each September beforehand.  September sets the stage for us to get down to business again – learning, organizing, and prioritizing.  October says, “So what are you waiting for? Get on with it!”  It’s somehow in our DNA!

Autumn offers us an opportunity to reflect upon being grateful for the Harvest.  Gratitude is an attitude and energy pattern that attracts more goodness.  It’s not just gratitude for the big things in life, although that is important.  Being grateful for everyday things means seeing the beauty and appreciating how little things impact our daily health and happiness. That perfect cup of coffee/tea/hot chocolate; the delicate rosebud about to open; birds splashing in the birdbath; giggles from a child; the hug from a loved one; walking the beach with our dog. Gratitude for the summer’s Personal Inventory and its insights and information which will make our life better now that we know. And now that we know, we will take action. Saying “Thank-you” is an acknowledgement of our appreciation which is a way of demonstrating an attitude of gratitude. Thanks and Thanksgiving – an Autumnal reminder.

 “It is easy to be caught up in feeling a chronic sense of lack, encouraged by a culture that says you never have enough and are never good enough. … But you may have noticed, seeing your glass half-empty all the time makes for a miserable life. Always looking to the future means you aren’t really present in the life you have right now.  By meditating on Gratitude on a daily basis, you will reduce your dissatisfaction and increase your contentment with the life you have.  Happiness, you will discover, is ultimately a state of mind.”      (taken from The Meditation Bible by Madonna Gauding, p.94)

May you find your Autumn Gifts.

Resiliency

Resiliency

by | Energetics, Life Reflections

Someone who feels beaten, broken and at their low point can often wonder if things will ever get better.  “Will I ever feel good again? “, is a thought that plays over and over in their minds.  For some, the journey to regain their hope and happiness seems too difficult. Why bother?  I can’t do it. Just give in and give up. For others, they dig deep into themselves and call upon something that offers courage, strength and hope for a better tomorrow.  They know that if they can feel it, they can be it. 

Outer circumstances may seem overwhelming and impossible, but their inner voice says, “You can do it!  You can find your way back! You have everything you need to overcome this!”  And the more they listen to this inner message, the stronger they get and the more determined they are to take positive action to make positive changes. Slowly, yet steadily, they find their way back. And the experience of going from the darkest of times to the triumph over those dark days offers knowledge, skills and wisdom. If ever they find themselves in that difficult place again, they remember that they came back from it before. They remember what it took to come back. And so, they begin to take action and make the changes needed and eventually return to a state of balance and wellness. This is the Gift of Resiliency – the wisdom to know how to return to your place of health, happiness, hope and strength.

Resiliency is not something you are born with.  It is a quality that must be developed and used over time.  It requires having life experiences that test your faith, courage and self-respect.  How you choose to respond to these experiences is always your choice.  Those who are “resilient” will choose thoughts, actions and feelings that offer a sense of hope instead of hopelessness.  A sense of victory instead of victimized.  A sense of connection instead of isolation. A sense of abundance instead of lack. An attitude of gratitude instead of ungratefulness. A sense of ebb and flow, understanding that life is in constant motion, so moving with it allows for change to occur. We won’t just survive – we will thrive!

We are all “tested”, here on Earth.  No question about it!  These “tests” come to us in order to challenge our beliefs, values, emotions and behaviour.  We are faced with tragedy, loss, humiliation, abandonment, manipulation and many other events which “test” our strength, courage and self-respect.  They “test” our faith, values, self-worth and abilities. Yet by rising to meet and overcome each “test” we show ourselves and the World that we are capable, courageous, tenacious and a person of worth.  In fact, we are Amazing!  We will thrive because we have and use the Gift of Resiliency.
Forecasts and Weather

Forecasts and Weather

by | Energetics, Life Reflections

Having boated for a few years now, we’ve come to understand that not all weather situations can be predicted. Between the regional weather forecasts, the marine weather broadcasts and anything else we can find on our boat radio or cellphones (whenever we are able to get a signal, that is!), all we can do is make an educated guess at what might happen over the next few hours. Even with all the technology we have, Mother Nature can change her mind in a second – and send everyone running for cover. Or, battling it out on the high seas.

On our last boating journey, we came across a book entitled, Reading the Clouds: How You Can Forecast the Weather, by Oliver Perkins (c.2018).  This young lad (his first book came out when he was 15 yrs. old) is helping us remember the cues and clues that are up in the sky.  Electronics and internet gadgets are great, but there are times when there is no signal to be found, the electrical charger didn’t work or there is no time to consult a “google master” before disaster hits.  A quote from the book’s back cover states, “To get an idea of how the weather will develop for the precise spot where you are standing (or walking, sailing, golfing, camping, fishing, etc.), you don’t need any equipment or wifi connection – you just have to look up!”

The book is a comprehensive account of the science and rationale for weather forecasting, clouds and their meanings. What piqued my curiosity was that in the final chapter, he also explains how some of our folklore tales and proverbs have validity in forecasting the weather.  He also debunks a few of these tales, as well.  Here is a sampling of some of the tales he explains.

Red sky at night, sailor’s delight.  Red sky in morning, sailor’s warning.

“This is the most well known of the weather proverbs. It appears in the Bible, so it was known at least by the 1st century AD.  This proverb works due to the position of the sun and the clouds. For a red sky to occur, it must not be cloudy on the side of the sky where the sun is. However, there have to be clouds in the other side of the sky onto which the sun can shine its light. If there is a red sky in the evening, it means that there must be clear weather to the west, but poor weather to the east.  That means that the weather is improving as weather systems generally come from the west. A red sky in the morning has the opposite effect.  Note:  this proverb is only correct in the mid-latitudes where the weather systems generally come from the west.”  (p.100)

A halo around the sun or moon means rain or snow coming soon.

“The refraction of light in the ice crystals in cirrostratus clouds causes halos. These clouds are often present before a depression approaches and as we know, depressions bring rain or snow.  Cirrostratus clouds are not often seen unless a depression is approaching, so this weather proverb is usually quite accurate.”  (pg.100-101)

The sharper the blast, the sooner ‘tis past.

“This one basically means that the more ferocious the poor weather and the quicker it sets in, the shorter it will last.  Strong thunderstorms always last less than an hour; however, in a warm front or in a warm sector, the rain will last for hours or days, but will be much lighter.”  (pg.101)

If the goose honks high, fair weather.  If the goose honks low, foul weather.

“This proverb is referencing how high the geese fly, not the pitch of their honk.  Geese fly best at a certain air density (ie. pressure), which changes with the weather.  In a depression, where there is low pressure, the geese fly low as the optimal air density for flying is lower.  In an anticyclone, which normally brings fair weather, the air pressure is greater so the geese fly higher to find the optimal air density.”  (pg.104)

When your joints all start to ache, rainy weather is at stake.

“Here is another pressure-related proverb.  When there is low pressure, it allows tissues to expand in the body, which can put pressure on the joints, causing pain.  This is why arthritic people often say that they can predict when bad weather is coming.  Obviously, this proverb is not necessarily the most accurate as your joints could ache for countless other reasons, too.”  (pg.105)    (NOTE: most folks with arthritis CAN tell that the weather is changing!)

If the spiders are many and spinning their webs, it will soon be very dry.

“In high humidity, spider webs absorb water and become heavy, causing them to be more obvious to prey and prone to break.  Spiders are very sensitive to moisture in the air and they are aware that their webs may break, so when there is high humidity, they will hide and not spin their webs. When spiders sense low humidity, they will come out and resume their web spinning.  This is a useful indicator because if there are lots of spiders spinning their webs, we know that fair weather is probably here for at least a day.”  (pg.104)

Mountains in the morning, fountains in the evening.

“Tall cumulus clouds tower up high into the sky like mountains, and if these are seen early in the morning it indicates that the air is quite humid.  These clouds then grow further during the day and by the afternoon it is likely to be showers, although these showers will tail off by evening.” (pg.108)

All quotes from Reading the Clouds: How You Can Forecast the Weather by Oliver Perkins

Hope you have fun “testing” your weather forecasting skills!