Yule Celebrations

Around Christmas a common heard blessing is "Yule time greetings". Yule is one of the eight pagan sabbats occurring in the Northern hemisphere around 21st December. Yule was initially celebrated by the Germanic people as a pagan religious festival, though it was later absorbed into, and equated with, the Christian festival of Christmas. Amongst the craziness of the holiday season it is also an opportunity to observe and revere what is happening in the natural world around us.

Yule occurs on the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year with least light. Starting the next morning at sunrise, the sun climbs just a little higher and stays a little longer in the sky each day. This is the initial onset of the spring.

The ceremonial Yule log was the highlight of the Solstice festival. In accordance to tradition, the log must either have been harvested from the householder's land, or given as a gift... it must never have been bought. Once dragged into the house and placed in the fireplace it was decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with cider or ale, and dusted with flour before set ablaze by a piece of last years log, (held onto for just this purpose). The log would burn throughout the night, then smolder for 12 days after before being ceremonially put out. The Yule log must traditionally be the root of a hardwood tree. In the Northern Hemisphere Ash is the traditional wood of the Yule log. In Australia mallee roots are ideal for this purpose, as are Tasmanian oaks and all types of Eucalyptus. If burning a whole log is not possible finding a small piece of one of the above mentioned logs and drilling three holes to hold candles can be a great substitute.

As we start to leaver winter behind it is time to change our focus from planting the seeds of our desires and goals for the next year to bringing them into fruition. Make phone calls, apply for courses, join the clubs now to start to manifest your dreams. Your meditations and visualisations should start to shift from what you have chosen to manifest to seeing the manifestations occurring.

Apart from celebrating Yule at a coven festival gathering or performing your own magical circle there are other actions you can take to focus, acknowledge and celebrate Yule such as:
- Wearing colours such as red, green, gold, white and silver.
- Meditate on the energies of the animals associated with Yule such as the stags, squirrels, wrens, robins, polar bears and other Arctic animals.
- Eat foods such as nuts, turkey, eggnog, beetroot, broccoli, carrots, citrus fruits, ginger tea, spiced cider.
- Burn incense or oils with the fragrances of cedar, cinnamon, frankincense, ginger, myrrh, pine and sandalwood.
- Meditate or carry bloodstone, diamond, emerald, garnet, ruby and snowflake obsidian.
- Spoil yourself and buy yourself a gift

If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, then the festival at this time is Midsummer, or Litha. This is the longest day of the year and a time to celebrate and give thanks for all that you have manifested. Small ways to celebrate Midsummer include:
- Dress in bright colours especially red, orange, yellow and gold.
- Meditate on powerful animals such as the horse, dragon, kangaroo, lion and cows.
- Eat a lot of fresh,seasonal fruits and vegetables.
- Burn incense or oils with the fragrances of jasmine, lavender, lemon, mints, orange and rose.
- Meditate or carry carnelian, citrine, diamond, lapis lazuli, sunstone and tiger's eye.
- Put garlands of St. John’s Wort placed over doors/ windows & a sprig in the car for protection.
- Spend time outside.
- Meditate on sun gods such as Ra. This is the suns peak day of the year so utilise this energy for any required spell work.

Lyrebird Medicine

The lyrebird is renowned for it's impressive vocal abilities. To be successful in finding a mate, each male lyrebird must be a skilled communicator. The lyrebird's message is to be articulate and creative in your communications. To be successful with a task, you must utilise your creativity to enthrall and engage others. Charisma and wit will be far more effective than force and argument.

If a lyrebird has appeared to you recently, it may be trying to pass on a message related to the above information. It may appear in reality, dreams, pictures, conversations or any other form.

Panda Medicine

The panda teaches gentle strength. Although they have the power to attack a human, they rarely do unless they are provoked. You can be strong without flaunting or proving your abilities to the world. If a panda has presented itself before you now is the time to combine your gentleness with strength. Focus on the project with your full attention to avoid problems.

If the panda is bringing you a message about a particular event then know that the early stages will be difficult. When a panda cub is first born it is only three to four ounces, making it's mother nearly a thousand times larger. Initially the mother must help the newborn eat, stay warm and defecate. Life is not easy for a panda in the beginning. This message reflects the beginning of an event or task you have ahead of you. Know though that you can prevail. The panda, although often birthing twins will reject one, leaving it to die. The ability to focus will help you in this event. You too must focus on one path and not get distracted by another less important one.

For those whom panda is a totem, so too is bamboo. Like the panda, bamboo resembles strength but is extremely flexible. It is valued in many Asian countries where it is used for all sorts of things, from being a delicacy to scaffolding. Strength does not have to mean stubbornness. Show flexibility while not breaking from your core principles.

If a panda has appeared to you recently, it may be trying to pass on a message related to the above information. It may appear in reality, dreams, pictures, conversations or any other form.

Cleansing your crystals

Crystals are epicentres of energy from the earth. We can utilise these energies for healing, spells, protection and so much more. Just as crystals emit energies, they also attract and absorb energies. When you first acquire a new crystal it is best to cleanse them. This will remove any past, unwanted energies the crystals has absorbed from other people it came into contact with previously. It is also a good idea to periodically cleanse your crystals, especially at times when you are cleansing yourself. Another great time to cleanse all your crystals is at the time of the Full Moon.

There are different ways to cleanse a crystal, with the most comprehensive being the seven step process outlined below. For a simpler cleanse, pick one or two of the following steps that relates to the crystal’s energy. For example cleanse moonstone under the Full Moon or aquamarine with water.
Before completing the seven step cleanse, research the crystal’s properties. Some dissolve in water, others fade under sunlight. You don’t want to loose your crystals before you start to work with it.

Now for my seven step cleanse:
1. Cleanse with earth - Bury you crystals in the earth or in salt. If you are concerned about the stone being affected, simply leave it upon the earth, preferably in nature, near a tree or sprinkle it with salt and then brush it off.
2. Cleanse with water – Providing the crystal is waterproof run the crystal through water. An ideal scenario would be to leave it at a stream for a while otherwise any other water is fine, including sea water providing it won’t damage the crystal.
3. Cleanse with air – Run your crystal through the smoke of some incense. Frankincense resin is a great choice for purification.
4. Cleanse with fire – Run the candle through the flame of a candle
5. Cleanse by moonlight - Leave your crystal out in the moonlight, ideally the Full Moon.
6. Cleanse by sunlight - Leave your crystal out in the sunlight.
7. Cleanse the crystal yourself – Finally visualise the crystal being cleansed. In your mind’s eye blast it with white light and see all the negativity vanishing, returning the crystal back to it’s pure, magical self. At this point you can also choose to charge the crystal with new energies of your current desire.

Okapi Medicine

Okapi medicine is that of silent truth. By listening and not reacting, okapi shows us truth without fear.
Okapi suggests we must learn to remove our self from rigid thinking. Okapi also encourages us to meditate more. It is a time to slip through life unseen and unheard.

Tuning into okapi can also give clairvoyant abilities, for they see both the present and the near future.
The okapi’s black and white stripes are associated with spirit and form, density and light and represent polarity on the earth plane. Those who hold this medicine often carry life lessons relating to polarity.

The okapi expresses the concepts of "being different, uniqueness and individuality". This is one of the okapi's greatest gifts. It can also draw on different energies as needed making.

If the okapi has appeared to you recently, it may be trying to pass on a message related to the above information. It may appear in reality, dreams, pictures, conversations or any other form.

Crystals for the Crown Chakra Meditation

The crown chakra is the highest of the seven main chakras. Whereas the base chakra connects us to the physical, the crown chakra connects us to the spiritual. It is located at the very top of your head. The colour associated with the crown chakra is usually violet, thus crystals of this colour are purple are often used. You can also use white crystals. Here are some of my favourites:

Amethyst: This stone is a stone of peace and the greater good. It is also an excellent overall healing (on all levels). You can charge amethyst to be a protective stone, especially against psychic attack. It encourages sobriety, having a sobering effect on overindulgence of alcohol, drugs or other addictions. It calms and stimulates the mind, helping you become more focused, enhancing memory and improving motivation. Amethyst assists in remembering and understanding dreams. It relieves insomnia.

Sugilite: Sugilite helps in understanding negative circumstance by showing one what is happening, and how it is out of balance. This can be used to then understand the circumstance's greater good. Excellent tool for mediation exercises to bring the mind and spirit back into alignment.

Clear Quartz: Clear Quartz is known as the "master healer" and will amplify energy and thought, as well as the effect of other crystals. It can be used as a substitute for any other crystal if you don't have it. Place clear quartz crystals near electrical appliances such as TVs, computers, etc to absorb the electromagnetic and other subtle radiations. If you dedicate a clear quartz to this function, cleanse it each Full Moon. Be warned that clear quartz can have a very strong energising effect and if kept in your bedroom, you may struggle to sleep.

Spider Medicine

female Redback spider

Spiders are the weavers of the web of life. One myth involves deer one day asking spider why all the lines in her web looked like symbols. Spider replied that she was creating the first alphabet for humans so they could record and pass on knowledge. Deer rebutted and said humans already have pictures that they draw of their experiences. “Earth’s children are growing more complex and future generations will need to know more,” explained spider. Thus, spider has the ability to see the future and create your destiny.

Spider teaches us to do the same. Set up your life and weave your web to attract what you need. Spider also heeds a warning. Do not get distracted or caught up in the web, otherwise you may become the victim of another’s plan or simply the tangle of the web of life.

The spider’s body is the shape of the infinity (∞) symbol, being made up of a prosoma (head part) and an abdomen. Thus spider also reminds us life offers us an infinite number of choices. Their eight legs also represent the four winds of change and the four directions in the medicine wheel OR the quarters and cross quarters of a magical circle.

Click here to read the story of Arachne, The Greek Goddess who became the first spider.

If a spider has appeared to you recently, it may be trying to pass on a message related to the above information. It may appear in reality, dreams, pictures, conversations or any other form.

Fish Medicine

There is about 28,000 known species of fish in the world and just as each of the land animals have different attributes, so do those within the water. However fish overall, since they are connected to water, are concerned with the emotions and  feminine energies. Water is symbolic of the womb of life as all life originally emerged from the oceans, thus fish are associated with life-giving energies. Fish are also related to abundance and fertility.

If connecting with general fish energy the message is to tune into feminine/yin aspect in order to create the manifestation and abundance you require in your life.

Here are some popular fish and aquatic animals you may also come across and a quick summary of their medicine:

Goldfish: Peace and prosperity are on the way. Quieten your energy and be open to receive.

Koi Carp: Show great determination and your ambitions, especially in love and prosperity will flow to you.

Shark: This is a time of heightened senses when you must be wary of those around you. Connect with your ferocity when necessary.

Salmon: A great pilgrimage is ahead of you. Persistence is the key as your life in changing.

Stingray: Trust your inner guidance and stay on course.

Seahorse: Tune in to your chivalrous side. "Pull your wait" at home.

Octopus: Use your intelligence and weigh up options before making a decision.

Crab: Meditate on sensitivities. Are you being to "hard-shelled" or over sensitive?

If a fish or other aquatic animal has appeared to you recently, it may be trying to pass on a message related to the above information. It may appear in reality, dreams, pictures, conversations or any other form.

Crystals for the Third Eye Chakra Meditation

Often we hear about having a sixth sense, a knowing that comes from somewhere beyond our conscious knowledge. Often it is called our intuition, gut feeling or psychic ability. If this sense was to have a centre in the body, it would be the third eye chakra. It is located between and slightly above our "other" two eyes. Balancing the third eye chakra ensures we are able to link into our intuition, imagination, visualize, concentrate, have insight, enlightenment and have a finely tuned awareness. It will also help connection with spirit guides, angels and see auras.

Meditation while holding a crystal in your hand or placing it on the third eye is a great way to realign the chakra. Here are some of my recommended crystals:

Lapis Lazuli: This is the stone of the Gods. Popular in ancient Egypt, the stone helps connect with higher deities. It is also a good healing stone allowing you to release stress and replace it with a sense of eloquent peacefulness. Lapis Lazuli can be exchanged between lovers to signify loyalty.

Tourmalinated Quartz: A variety of Clear Quartz with naturally occurring needle-like inclusions of Black Tourmaline. This is the best crystal for giving you vivid and insightful dreams. Place it on your third eye chakra and relax before you drift of to sleep.

Azurite: The stone of the world/globe. This deep blue stone is often found with green malachite amongst it giving it the appearance of the Earth with land and sea. Use this stone when working to attune to your higher purpose in life or working on issues that affect the world as a whole.

Bear Medicine

In many traditions the bear symbolises healing. To the Ainu people of the northern islands of Japan, the bear was a mountain God. Among Finno-Ugric people the bear was God of Heaven. In India, bears are believed to prevent sickness.

The bear is also known for it's dormancy in winter. It retreats to the dark cave or den to be by itself. This is part of the bear's survival adaptations, giving them strength for the next cycle's warm weather. Resting in winter can help you to be prepared and strong for the next Spring.

If bear has come before you it may be time for you to retreat to your inner cave for a while. Go inward, reflect, rest and relax and heal yourself from the inside out.

If the bear has appeared to you recently, it may be trying to pass on a message related to the above information. It may appear in reality, dreams, pictures, conversations or any other form.

Crystals for the Throat Chakra Meditation

Communication is a key aspect in our life. Some talk too much while others struggle to be heard. We can all be guilty of hearing someone talking and not listening to them. An outlet for self expression is something we search for through our lives. All these aspects are ruled by the throat chakra.

If you are trying to locate exactly where your throat chakra is, think of the feeling you get when you are choked up with tears. That's the energy centre right there. Keeping the energy of this chakra is important as it ensures you present your true self to the world effectively. In other words,  you speak from your heart in a way that others are receptive of.

In previous posts I have discussed crystals I have found beneficial in balancing the base, sacral, solar plexus and heart chakras (click on the words to link back to those blog entries). Here are my five favourite crystals for working with the throat chakra. Meditating with the crystal on your throat or wearing it as a piece of jewellery near the throat will have beneficial effects.

Blue Lace Agate: This is a very peaceful and soothing stone. Great for promoting a way of communicating peacefully and gracefully. If you have to write a challenging letter or email, meditate with blue lace agate in preparation.

Kyanite: Kyanite is used to increase the strength and effectiveness of other crystals when they are used in conjunction. In it's own right it has a calming effect and will balance yin-yang energy very quickly. It aids communication on all levels. It can help when connecting to your spirit guides. Kyanite induces dream recall and can promote healing dreams. This is a popular stone for public speakers and performers. Some believe it will not retain negative vibrations or energy, therefore never requires cleansing.

Aquamarine: Being linked to water, this stone aids in regulating the emotions and helping you to communicate what you need to clearly. It can invoke tolerance of others and overcomes judgmentalism, giving support to those overwhelmed by responsibility. Highly protective during pregnancy, it helps to guard both mother and baby from harm. Discourages miscarriage.

Angelite: Angelite raises the state of conscious awareness. It represents peace and brotherhood. Angelite facilitates contact with your angels and spirit guides and helps to connect with your higher self. It enhances psychic healing and telepathic communication and enables astral travel and spirit journeys. Angelite will break down if it comes into contact with water, so don't take it when swimming or bathing.

Aqua Aura: This is a beautiful crystal that is part alchemy, part science, created by combining gold with clear quartz. Over 12 hours the quartz is heated up to 1600F while setting a vacuum equal to 2 earth atmospheres, then letting chemically purified gold vapors into the chamber when the temperature and vacuum are correct. This bonds the gold to the lattice of the crystal, forming a permanent bond to the surface of the quartz and giving it an electric blue color. Due to it's scientific nature it is helpful when trying to understand complex ideas. It also promotes psychic skills and due to it's gold content assists with healing and prosperity.

Cat Medicine

Reverence of the cat is best known from ancient Egypt. Cats were considered to be the highest ranking animal and the Goddess devoted to them, Bast, was a popular deity. Bast reigned over cats, dawn, the rising sun, the arts, abundance, creation, civilization, dance, music, truth, lesbians and sexuality.

Cats have an engaging charisma that makes them a popular household companion. They are both friendly yet fiercely independent. Their life is on their terms. Cats teach us that we must take control of our life. Don't be reliant on others but rather independently walk your path. Your abundance is in your own hands.

Cats are also believed to be the most psychic of animals. Their eyes are very sensitive to light and thus are more equipped to see fairies, spirits, etc. Cats can help us tune in more to the spiritual realms. If cat has entered your life, it may be time to tune into your psychic abilities and engage them more for your current situation.

There is a duality about cat behaviour. They can be sedate and peaceful around the home but should there be an opportunity to play or hunt, the wild beast emerges. This is a reminder that although you may have a routine working week, there is also a need to "go wild" on weekends and have some fun.

If the cat has appeared to you recently, it may be trying to pass on a message related to the above information. It may appear in reality, dreams, pictures, conversations or any other form.

Albatross Medicine

The albatross signifies long periods of time. The breeding and chick rearing process takes up to a year and for some species, the young can not fly until 10 months of age. Plus these birds are renowned for their ability to soar for long periods of time, taking advantage of air currents and expending so little energy they don't even have to flap their wings. People who have been drawn to the albatross may be seen as dreamers or unfocused, drifting from one focus to the next without a strong commitment. However as they albatross patiently awaits for the right opportunity, they teach us to do the same. Be open and aware of signs and when they come you must act. Once you have found what you need, it can sustain you for a long time, even the rest of your life.

If the albatross has appeared to you recently, it may be trying to pass on a message related to the above information. It may appear in reality, dreams, pictures, conversations or any other form.

First Snow Rituals

If you live in a place where it snows, the season’s first snow is an important event. It signifies that autumn has come to an end and the cold winter is now upon us. By now we should have cleaned and cleansed ourselves and our space and be ready to spend the winter resting, meditating, going inward and self reflecting. This is the time to start planting the seeds of the “fruits” you will reap the rewards of in spring and summer.

Snow falling is such a wondrous event and to see it for the first time for the season is truly magical. There are a few things you can do to embrace the moment.

Go For a Walk
Take a walk in nature. When dressing for the walk, wear warm clothes but you still want to feel the chill of the air. Embrace the coldness. If it has been a heavy snow, observe the silence. Tune in to how the Earth is resting. Feel the peaceful energy. Near the end of your walk, place your hands in the snow and connect to the energies.

Cleanse Your Crystals
Find some clean and pure snow and place it in a container. Select your crystals that are related to either the element of water or divination and inward reflection. Place them on top of the snow and leave them in a place where they can cleanse. Note that some crystals are not meant to come in to contact with water. Leave them out of this ritual.

Snow Bath
Collect some of the first snow and run yourself a bath. Feel free to add some essential oils to the water. Once the bath is full sprinkle the snow into the water, watching it melt feel the energies combine. Now enjoy the essence of winter as you relax in your bath

The True Meaning of Halloween (Samhain)

Halloween is an anticipated event on each year’s calendar. Kids in neighbourhoods around the world, giddy on sugar, dash from house to house, yelping trick-or-treat while the bigger kid in all of us dons a crazy costume and prepares for a night of fun-filled havoc. However just like many complain that the true meaning of Christmas is forgotten, do people know the true origins behind Halloween?

Halloween, also known as Hallows Eve or Samhain is viewed as a New Year by many pagans. It is also believed that this is the time of the year when the veil between the physical world and that of the spiritual realm is at it’s thinnest. Thus this is the best time of the year to contact people that have passed away. The tradition of dressing up originated from the idea that as the veil was thin, ghosts and unwanted spirits could come back to our world. Dressing in scary costumes was believed to make spirits feel comfortable and unlikely to haunt or terrorise you, believing you are one of them.

Samhain, meaning “summer’s end” is the name of the traditional Celtic or pagan festival. The name Halloween comes from when on May 13, 609 A.D., Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon in Rome in honour of all Christian martyrs, and the Catholic feast of All Martyrs Day was established in the Western church. Pope Gregory III (731–741) later expanded the festival to include all saints as well as all martyrs, and moved the observance from May 13 to November 1. This holiday is now known as, All Saints’ Day. As Samhain was still a widely celebrated festival at the time, All Saint’s Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as All Hallows’ Eve and later Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into a secular, community-based event characterized by child-friendly activities such as trick-or-treating many know today.

As witches this is an ideal time to contact great spirits. The focus is not on using an Ouija board to contact a passed relative or friend but rather to tune into the spirits of the Long Dead. This includes old masters and leaders, archetypal entities and great people who have served the land. You can also connect with your guides at this time. This can be done easily done by a simple meditation or prayer or you can create your own more elaborate ritual. Perhaps ask them to visit you in a dream. Drinking nutmeg with almond milk before bed may assist your dreams to be more vivid. Other foods related to clear or lucid dreaming include beetroot, orange and other fruit juice, cheese, mustard, fish ice cream, popcorn and taking a supplement containing 100 to 250 mg of vitamin B-6 just before bedtime. Eating or drinking anything disruptive to your sleep cycle, such as caffeinated drinks and difficult-to-digest foods, is likely to have an adverse effect on dream content.

Samhain can also be a time of healing and to let go of anyone who you may still be holding on to emotionally. Complete the following either inside your magic circle or just as a simple meditation.

Take a small candle. It may be white, black or another colour you find appropriately represents the person. Relax, take a few deep breaths and then light the candle. Reflect on the great memories you have of that person, see their beauty shining in the flame of the candle. Smile, cry, do whatever comes naturally. Once you feel that you have connected to the person’s energy it is time to let them go. Maybe visualise them floating or walking away towards light or into a field or forest. Feel the emotions attached to them leaving your body. Feel free from any angst or pain you have been experiencing. When you are ready to complete the release, blow out the candle.

If needed you can do this activity several times until the candle has totally burned out. Doing it during a waning moon is better after the Samhain. Note that the focus is not to forget about the person, but rather to release the negative emotions that are holding you back from moving on with your life. You will always have the beautiful memories. Another version of this ritual can be done with a crystal, feeling it’s energy, then sending your love and emotions into the crystal, then burying it in a special place, returning it to the earth.

Other ways you can observe Samhain include:
- Wearing colours such as black, brown, gold, orange, red, silver and/or yellow.
- Meditate on the energies of the animals associated with Samhain such as bat, cat, crow, jackal, owl, robin, scorpion and stag.
- This is one of the best times for scrying and divination. If you use a divination technique utilise it at this time. Otherwise go and get a clairvoyant reading. It’s a great time to get guidance as you start a new year.
- Eat foods such as apple, nuts, pomegranate, pumpkins, squash and tubers.
- Spoil yourself with a nice cider or wined (mulled).
- Burn incense or oils with the fragrances of almond, benzoin, cinnamon, myrrh, passionflower, patchouli, pine and/or sandalwood.
- Meditate or carry bloodstone, carnelian, garnet, hematite, jasper, jet, obsidian, onyx, pyrite and/or smoky quartz
- Plant an apple, hazel, oak or pine tree while setting your goals for the upcoming year.
- Follow some of your New Year’s Eve traditions such as set goals, change habits and cleanse clean the house. If you have a house fire burning, let it go out totally and then light a new one, symbolising a new start.

Raccoon Medicine

Much of raccoon medicine revolves around their famous mask. Ever wonder how raccoon got his mask. The Seneca tribe tells the following story

A long time ago, Raccoon had no mask. It was the coldest winter ever. Raccoon had to follow people around and steal food. One night, my people lit a fire to keep them warm. It was a cold night. The fire had gone out. Raccoon quietly crept up to the longhouse. Raccoon put his nose down to sniff out the food. His nose fell on the hot ashes of the fire, which had burned out only recently. It stung horribly, and Raccoon put his nose in the snow to cool it down. Now the ashes are stuck to Raccoons face forever. The moral of the story is not to steal from people, for there are consequences.

Raccoons are able to disguise themselves and sneak around subtly. Do you need to do the same? Raccoons are extremely dexterous and can live in any environment. Raccoon medicine can teach you how to become dexterous in the masks you wear. The raccoon holds the knowledge of how to change our faces. Raccoon holds the knowledge of transformation through masks and disguise. This knowledge can be applied to religious and ritual practices or within normal everyday life. Do you need to present a different face to people for greater success? Are you hiding your true self? Are others hiding their true self? Raccoon can help you find the answers.

Raccoon also encourages us to use this skills to benefit those less fortunate than us. Raccoon is like the good Samaritan or Robin Hood. Ensure that you are using your versatile skills for the greater good.

If a raccoon has shown up, you may see its influence for an extended time. If you are trying to make changes or endeavoring to hide changes you are making from others until you are in a better position, plan on using about a 20-week cycle. You will find it more effective.

If a raccoon has appeared to you recently, it may be trying to pass on a message related to the above information. It may appear in reality, dreams, pictures, conversations or any other form.

Crystals for the Heart Chakra Meditation

The heart chakra is the central chakra which connects the three lower chakras that are physical based (the base, sacral and solar plexus chakras) with the three higher chakras that are spiritually based (the throat, third eye and crown chakras). Thus the heart chakra nurtures our feelings of higher love to the physical word. When it is balanced we see the beauty in all things and offer love unconditionally.

Green or pink crystals can be used to balance the heart chakra. Simply relax with a crystal on your heart chakra located in the centre of your chest where your heart is. Some crystals I have found effective are:

Aventurine: A good all round healing and happiness stone. It brings luck especially for those looking for love. If you are single this will also help dissolve anxieties around dating, being single, etc.

Rose Quartz: The true stone of love. Rose quartz, with it's gentle pink colour, really promotes and attracts unconditional love in all it's forms; self-love, family love, platonic love, and romantic love. Rose quartz will also help remove anger, fear and other negative emotions that are blocking a loving relationship.

Malachite: Malachite is a crystal for bringing to the surface of your awareness any issues around love that you are unaware of. If you feel you are stuck in being able to love someone whether it be romantic or otherwise, utilise malachite. However be warned, as malachite will bring the issue to the surface but you must be ready to deal with it. Use rose quartz in conjunction with malachite to resolve the issues that arise. Try placing a malachite crystal on your heart chakra and a rose quartz in each hand.

Jade: Jade promotes serenity and purity. It increases wisdom gathered in tranquility.  Jade will assist you to feel nurtured and be more nurturing. It is also a stone to promote luck and prosperity.

Rhodonite: Rhodonite is the stone of compassion. It helps removes emotional scars and grudges from the past and see the higher good. It is a good balancer of yin-yang energies preventing you from being too aggressive or too emotional.

Bloodstone: Bloodstone is often utilised by American Indians and is a great healer of illness. When you are sick, bloodstone promotes speedy recovery. It can assist with oxygenating and cleanse the blood. Gives courage and teaches you how to avoid dangerous situations. Bloodstone encourages selflessness and idealism.

Previous blog entries have covered crystals for the base, sacral and solar plexus chakras (click on the word to view entry). Stay tuned in coming weeks for the entries on the final three chakras.

Connecting with animals via the chakras

The chakras are energy points identified within the human body originally recognised in Hindu texts, featured in tantric and yogic traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism. The word “chakra" comes from the Sanskrit word for "wheel" or "turning". Humans have seven major chakras located along the centre of the body from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. These subtle energy points regulate and represent our balance in different aspects of life. For an interesting test to see how balanced each chakra is click here. Chakras that are out of balance indicate an unbalanced life and there are varying techniques to obtain realignment. To find out more about balancing chakras, click here.

As humans have chakras, so do animals. They have the seven major chakras as humans which are located in similar positions. However it is also identified that they have an eighth chakra called the brachial chakra. This is located between the shoulders. This chakra governs the animal’s connection with humans. If an animal has a reluctance to be touched or is unwilling to “connect” these are signs that the chakra is unbalanced. Of course, if the animal is unwell due to medical reasons and refuses to interact or a wild animal isn’t willing to run up to you and be patted this is something other than an unbalanced brachial chakra.

If you are working with healing with animals or simply want to bond with a pet you can more visualise balancing this chakra. The colour associated with this chakra is black, or occasionally turquoise. Simply see a wheel of light spinning peacefully and growing in size in the area. When possible touch or hold your hand over the place in the body. Using black tourmaline, diamond, smoky quartz or clear quartz can strengthen the healing. 

Do humans have a similar chakra that assists with connection to animals? There doesn’t seem to be much evidence of the existence of one however there are two chakras that may be relevant. They are:

1) Ta Chui or Big Vertebra Centre in the Chinese system - is located just below the seventh cervical vertebra, where the neck joins the shoulders. This is associated with your ability to embrace others with warmth and love and when unbalanced causes stubbornness, denial and low self esteem.

2) Gai Pe is located between the fifth and sixth thoracic vertebrae, between the shoulder-blades and opposite the heart chakra. When balanced you have a feeling of freedom and a deep sense of the meaning of life and the universe and feel your will to be in harmony with the Divine Will. When unbalanced you will have hostile feelings towards the world.

Whether you tune in to an animal using one of these two chakras or the better know heart or throat chakra this technique can be an extra tool in your tool kit of working and connection with animals in your home or out in the natural world.

Cougar Medicine

The cougar, also known as the mountain lion, puma, mountain cat, catamount, mountain screamer, painter or panther, is the second largest cat in the Americas following the jaguar. Due to it’s power and grace the cougar appears in mythology and beliefs throughout the Americas. The sky and thunder god of the Inca, Viracocha, is associated with the cougar. In North America, to the Apache and Walapai of Arizona, the wail of the cougar was a harbinger of death. You can hear the call in the video below. Amongst the Anishinaabe the cougar or puma clan was responsible for healing and protection of the people.

The cougar or mountain lion holds similar metaphysical traits to that of it’s larger counterpart on the plains of Africa, the African Lion. The cougar stands for leadership. Cougar encourages you to take leadership of your life and the situations you are in. Do not allow someone else to dictate your destiny. Like a mother cougar, you may have developing kits looking up to you. If so, you must protect and guide them to also be great leaders.



If a cougar has appeared to you recently, it may be trying to pass on a message related to the above information. It may appear in reality, dreams, pictures, conversations or any other form.

Crystals for the Solar Plexus Chakra Meditation

This blog entry is the third entry of a series on crystals I find useful for balancing each chakra. The base and sacral chakras (click on the words to go back to those entries) have already been covered. Next is the solar plexus chakra. To locate this chakra, imagine you are just told some horribly bad news or you get a sudden fright. Where you feel that reaction is the location of the solar plexus chakra, the regulator of the emotions and feelings of happiness and bliss. The colour associated with the solar plexus chakra is yellow. The crystals I find great for placing on this chakra for meditation are:

Citrine: I use citrine about 75% of the time when balancing the solar plexus chakra. It is a great general stone for promoting happiness, stability and well being. Beneficial for increasing self esteem.

Rutilated Quartz: Rutilated Quartz promotes healing. In fact it is believed to slow down the aging process. This crystal will also assist with creativity and obtaining higher understanding.

Pyrite: This is another healing stone that can help to balance to two hemispheres of the brain. It can be used to increase psychic ability. Due to it's gold colour, it will also promote abundance and good fortune. Cleanse pyrite in the sun before using it and periodically after.

Gold: An excellent healing stone. Increases masculine energy. Attracts prosperity

Canine Medicine

Canine Medicine
Canines are the biological family of carnivorous and omnivorous mammals that includes wolves, foxes, jackals, coyotes, and domestic dogs. Although they are all in the same family, each species can have quite different messages.

Dog Medicine
Dogs have long been called “man’s best friend” and are renowned for their loyalty. Dogs teach us the benefits of supporting what is important to us. Consider if you are neglecting those around you that are of most importance. Furthermore, have you been loyal to yourself. Are you looking after your health, your goals, your priorities?

Coyote Medicine
Coyote is known as the trickster in thousands of myths and stories. However coyote doesn’t always come off best in his jokes, sometimes suffering the consequence of them. Coyote medicine teaches us to be wary of tricksters. Also are you fooling yourself or others, and if so, is it time to be real? Contained in the trickster medicine is the humour of the ages. When was the last time you had a little fun and laughter?

Dingo Medicine
Although in many parts of Australia, people have tried to eliminate the dingo, it’s relentlessness has ensured it’s success. Thus the dingo teaches us to be cautious but persistent in achieving our goals. Persistence can win out over talent. If you have been called by dingo, you need to be highly adaptive in order to succeed and survive.

If a canine has appeared to you recently, it may be trying to pass on a message related to the above information. It may appear in reality, dreams, pictures, conversations or any other form.

Crystals for the Sacral Chakra Meditation

In a previous blog entry I covered my favourite chakra meditation using crystals. I also covered various crystals for the base chakra. Click here to link back to that entry. Let's now explore some crystals for the second chakra, usually called the sacral chakra. When it comes to locating chakras, this one can be a little tricky. Many advise it is a certain distance below the navel. However I find everyone's body is different. To locate exactly where your sacral chakra is focus on where you feel the energy when you are sexually aroused. That's where you should place the sacral chakra crystal.

Some of the crystals I find most useful are:

Carnelian: This stone can aid with eloquence. If I have something coming up where I have to put my best foot forward Carnelian is a good choice. It will give you courage and creativity is social environments.

Amber: The Greek word "electron" means amber. This is where the word "electricity" comes from. Amber has electrical properties when rubbed with a cloth, attracting lint/dust. It also has an aroma, and is warm to the touch. Amber is fossilized tree resin. As it is part of a tree amber is useful when you need to increase your own life force or energy. Amber is also used to draw sickness from the body. Mixed with turquoise, amber is reminiscent of the sun in the sky. This combination of energies may be used successfully to quiet the mind and calm the nervous system.

Copper: Copper is highly conductive of both heat and electricity. Thus if you need to speed the flow of energy in your life, copper is great to use. Copper can be used to increase the transfer of energy or messages between the physical and spiritual world.

My Crystal Chakra Meditation

One of the most effective meditations I have ever done is a crystal chakra meditation. The most popular chakras are the seven main energy points along the central column of the body. The crystal meditation simply involves laying down, placing the crystals on the chakras and meditating. I have done this with many different people throughout the years and all but one have found the experience either surreal or profound.

So what crystals are up do you place on which chakra? That is the best part as you get to choose. You can either use your intuition or your knowledge of crystals to choose each one. I generally choose a crystal of the same colour as the chakra (if you are unsure of the chakra positions or colours, a quick Google will find plenty of information).

For this blog entry I'll suggest some of the crystals for the base chakra that I find effective and often use. Each week I will cover another chakra. If you are unfamiliar with working with the crysals or chakras, I recommend acquiring one crystal a week and working your way up.

Red Jasper: Red Jasper is called a stone of fairness and justice because mystical lore claims it will decrease unjustness and helps to aid in unfair situations. It is a stone of protection, including during astral travel. A really good overall grounding crystal. Jasper also has a reputation for being uplifting and positively energising, like the effects of adrenaline.

Ruby: This stone is often associated with empowerment, royalty and courage. Ruby is a good choice when you feel you need to increase your sense of personal power. It is the stone of the warrior.

Red Bloodstone: Bloodstones are believed to promote oxygenation of the blood. Native American's utilised bloodstones for healing. If your health isn't 100%, perhaps you should try red bloodstone.

Petrified Wood: Wood that has turned into stone. A good stone to help you connect with nature or promote growth. At times of crisis, reach for a piece of petrified wood to remain calm.

Black or Snowflake Obsidian: If you feel that you need to go inward and self reflect rather than focus on your outward world obsidian will aid you here. This stone can increase your clairvoyant abilities.

Smokey Quartz: Smokey Quartz has a nurturing energy. If you need to relax or increase your feeling of comfort this is a good choice. Smokey Quartz can also help reduce nightmares.

I found a really interesting quiz to see how open your chakras are. Click here to do the test.

Jaguar Medicine

The jaguar has been respected by many cultures through time including the ancient civilizations of the Mayans and Aztecs. It was a animal revered for it’s power and stealth. One Mayan myth discusses how the jaguar would watch over humans looking for any dishonourable behaviour. Jaguar would devour individuals, either in real life or in dreams, bring justice for their misdeeds.

Jaguar medicine reminds us that we must use our power for the greatest good, just as jaguar does, using it’s power to maintain the balance of the ecosystem. We must show compassion, behaviour impeccably and live with integrity. In other words, listen to your higher self rather than the ego and use your personal power for obtaining your highest potential.

If the jaguar has appeared to you recently, it may be trying to pass on a message related to the above information. It may appear in reality, dreams, pictures, conversations or any other form.

Dragonfly Medicine

There is one myth that dragonfly’s were once dragons, with scales as transparent and beautiful as a dragonfly’s wings. It would fly through the night bringing light with it’s fiery breath. Coyote challenged and tricked the dragon to change it’s form to that of the dragonfly. In accepting the challenge to prove the challenge to prove it’s power and magical prowess, dragon lost his ability and remained as a dragonfly.

The archangel Ariel/Uriel is one of the four most powerful angels. Ariel is the ruler of the element of Earth, planet Pluto and psychic development. Ariel uses the dragonfly as a messenger to appear before people he wishes to connect with.

Around the world the dragonfly show is a positive symbol. To the Japanese, it symbolizes summer and autumn and am admired and respected all over, so much so that the Samurai use it as a symbol of power, agility and best of all, victory. In China, people associate the dragonfly with prosperity, harmony and as a good luck charm. Amongst Native Americans, it is a sign of happiness, speed and purity. Purity because the dragonfly eats from the wind itself

If dragonfly has come into your life recently encourages you to explore what you can change or transform about yourself. Have you put on too much weight, have you overloaded your life or are you forgetting to be grateful for what you have? If you feel the need to change, call on dragonfly to aid your transformation.

The Dragonfly Eulogy - to comfort those who feel they have lost contact with the one that has passed on

Once in a little pond, in the muddy water under the lily pads, there lived a little water bug in a community of water bugs. They lived a simple and comfortable life in the pond with few disturbances and interruptions. Once in a while, sadness would come to the community when one of their fellow bugs would climb the stem of a lily pad and would never be seen again. They knew when this happened, their friend was dead, gone forever.

Then, one day, one little water bug felt an irresistible urge to climb up that stem. However, he was determined that he would not leave forever. He would come back and tell his friends what he had found at the top. When he reached the top and climbed out of the water onto the surface of the lily pad, he was so tired, and the sun felt so warm, that he decided he must take a nap. As he slept, his body changed and when he woke up, he had turned into a beautiful blue-tailed dragonfly with broad wings and a slender body designed for flying.

So, fly he did! And, as he soared he saw the beauty of a whole new world and a far superior way of life to what he had never known existed. Then he remembered his bug friends and how they were thinking by now he was dead. He wanted to go back to tell them, and explain to them that he was now more alive than he had ever been before. His life had been fulfilled rather than ended. But, his new body would not go down into the water. He could not get back to tell his friends the good news. Then he understood that their time would come, when they, too, would know what he now knew. So, he raised his wings and flew off into his joyous new life!

Bugger it's Mabon!

Friday, 23rd September, 2011 is the day of the Autumn Equinox and the pagan festival of Mabon (Spring Equinox/Ostara for the Southern Hemisphere). An equinox occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the centre of the Sun being in the same plane as the Earth's equator. Mabon is a festival marking the second harvest, the changing of the seasons and the time to begin preparations for the winter ahead.

There are plenty of rituals for this festival and I am always a fan of adapting one to personalise yourself or your group. However for many Wiccans a full ritual on Friday may not be possible. Whether you have work or family commitments, can't find a quiet space for an hour or two or it slipped your mind (may the Gods forbid) there are still some small things you can do to honour the festival;

Mabon
- As this is a time when the trees are losing their leaves it is a time contemplate and meditate on what you can shed from your life, both mentally and physically.
- Cook corn on the cob for dinner as this is a food associated with Mabon. Other foods include corn bread, beans, pomegranates and baked squash.
- Treat yourself to a nice red wine.
- Take a walk in nature and collect a few dried leaves and seed pods to decorate your space with. - Buy yourself or a loved one a bunch of chrysanthemums
- Dress using the colours of red, orange, deep gold, brown, russet, maroon and/or violet.
- Light candles in the colours of red, orange, yellow, gold and brown to illuminate your space.
- Carry or meditate with crystals such as amethyst, yellow topaz, carnelian, lapis lazuli, sapphire, yellow agate and red jasper.

Ostara (for those in the Southern Hemisphere)
- This is a time to plant the seeds for the year ahead. Write down your goals and design and action plan, commit to email five people to progress your goals or actually do some gardening and plant some seeds.
- Take a walk through nature. Don't focus on getting exercise but rather take the walk with a focus on being triumphant of all the great things they lay ahead for you in the coming year.
- Paint and decorate eggs with children (or the children at heart).
- Buy some daffodils or pick some native wildflowers (if local laws permit).
- Include lots of seeds, nuts and leafy green vegetables in your meals.
Dress using bright colours especially green, yellow and pink.
- Light candles in the colours of yellow, green and pink to illuminate your space.
- Carry or meditate with crystals such as jasper, jade, rose quartz, turquoise, aventurine and citrine.

Snowy Owl Medicine

There is much to learn from the Snowy Owl. The Snowy Owl uses great patience to hunt and teaches us to do the same. Be patient and know that what you need will come. Also know that when the time comes, you are equipped with what you need to handle the situation, just as the snow owl is adapted to living in the icy climates and hunt and digest their prey.

Like all owls, they are associated with wisdom and prophecy, having the ability to see the unseen, know the unknown. Snowy Owls seem to have the ability to migrate to places where food is plentiful and foresee famine areas.

Athena is the Greek goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, warfare, strength, strategy, female arts, crafts, justice and skill. She is often depicted with an owl on her shoulder or head. It is said the owl would reveal unknown truths, thus ensuring what she spoke was always the truth.

For the Oglala Lakota Indians, (one of the seven subtribes of the Lakota people) the Snowy Owl represents the North and the north wind. They also were admired and respected by the tribe. Warriors that excelled in combat wore a cap of owl feathers to symbolize their bravery.

While trees are the chosen nesting place for most birds, these are few and far between in the regions where the Snowy Owl inhabits. They usually build their nest on the ground, preferably on a boulder or mound of dirt. They will sometimes take over abandoned eagle nests. The female will lay 5-14 eggs, one every other around May. They will hatch approximately five weeks later, making them all Geminis and Cancers!


If the Snowy Owl has appeared to you recently, it may be trying to pass on a message related to the above information. It may appear in reality, dreams, pictures, conversations or any other form.