Keys to Unlocking the Real You

The following is an excerpt from my book, Spiritual Awakening, from Chapter 3:  Preparing for Your New Spiritual Life... Chpt 3, exercises, activities, and explorations, which begins on page 106.  If you don't have a copy of this book, you can purchase one at Amazon, in print or kindle.  

"This book is written to help you explore and experiment and discover a spirituality that you might not even be aware of. This book is here to help you embrace your inner pagan, to reconnect with your ancient roots and an earthy spirituality based in nature and magic and inspiration."

It is my wish that this beautiful and inspiring handbook & journal becomes your companion as you explore spirituality and seek enlightenment.

Opening your energy centers

Your energy centers are your Chakras, which for our purpose includes the seven main centers that run along the course of your spine and influence not only your physical body but your mental, spiritual, and emotional state as well. When these energy centers are open and working properly, they are in a constant circular motion. When they are blocked, or otherwise not working properly, they can cause problems spiritually, mentally, and physically.

Root chakra: located in the perineum at the base of your spine. The root chakra affects our physical sense of well-being; your basic needs for survival -- food, water, shelter; your sense of safety, the animalistic flight or fight instinct.

To open this chakra

1. Wear red. Put a red lightbulb in a lamp and bathe in it; paint something red – a chair, a table, a steppingstone in the garden, a wall in your house, a small stone to keep on your nightstand.

2. Dance, walk, hike, run. Do something that uses your physical body and exerts energy. Mow the lawn, or rake leaves; go for a bicycle ride; ride a horse; carry heavy stones for a new garden path; help a friend move by lugging boxes for them. Use your body and relish the physical sensation of physical exertion, embrace the sweat and the feel of your muscles in action.

3. Take a shower. Luxuriate in the feel of water coursing over your physical body, washing it, cleansing it, clearing it. Find joy in the feeling of rejuvenation.

Sacral chakra: located in the lower abdomen. If you’re a woman, it would be about over the womb, if a male, over the prostate gland. The sacral chakra affects our sense of sexuality and our ability to freely acknowledge and embrace the idea of “pleasure”.

To open this chakra

1. Carry or wear in jewelry orange stones, like carnelian. Eat orange foods – carrots, pumpkin, oranges; have a glass of orange juice; wear orange clothing; plant orange flowers.

2. Do something that gives you a great sense of pleasure, whether this is eating a banana split, heating up the bedroom with your significant other, or spending a weekend alone at a lake cabin. But the thing is… do something that gives you great pleasure while not feeling guilty about it. It’s okay to indulge your appetites.

3. Do some hip opening exercises or yoga postures, stretching, flexing, gently moving and loosening up this part of your body. Massage it. Yes, that’s right. Animals also have chakras, energy centers along their spines as well. Have you ever wondered exactly why your dog or cat loves to have its tummy rubbed? It will have the same effect on you.

Solar plexus: located about two inches below your naval. The solar plexus holds the place where our self-esteem is grown and nurtured. It contains our creative energy. It’s all about how we express ourselves and how we feel about ourselves. It is where our self-confidence is born, and where we are most vulnerable to negative energies. This is where our healthy ego resides.

To open this chakra

1. Wear yellow. Plant yellow flowers, carry yellow stones, like citrine or topaz. Buy something yellow, gift something yellow to someone who needs a lift. Eat something yellow, like lemon drops, lemon meringue pie, lemon pudding, or yellow apples.

2. Start a journal. This involves expressing your inner most feelings. This will only be seen by you, so don’t hesitate to open up and pour forth all those things you don’t talk about with anyone else. It’s an outlet for great creativity. Paint on its pages, use different colored inks, or make the pages a collage. It allows you to explore your ego and work on how you feel about yourself and your life: What do I love? What bothers me and why? What makes me anxious? What makes me feel nothing, and is this significant? What makes me feel strong? What tickles my imagination? What makes me incredible and unique?

3. Do something empowering, whatever this may be to you: start a group; set a goal; confront an issue; end something; begin something; try a new venture, something that scares you, whether this is rock climbing, or dating, or writing a book.

Heart chakra: located in the center of your chest. The heart chakra connects us with feelings of love and compassion. It’s this chakra that gives us the ability to love and the empathy for true compassion. If this chakra is blocked, the most notable effect will be the inability to successfully ignite or maintain relationships, all kinds of relationships.

To open this chakra

1. Wear green. Paint your nails green, buy a green eyeshadow; plant pots of “green” things – English ivy, ferns, philodendrons; mow the grass; buy green sheets for your bed and snuggle down; eat green things: lettuce, kiwi, string beans, peas, or mint ice cream.

2. If you’re in love, but you have never said these words to a particular person, do that. Assuming that you’ve been seeing each other and establishing a relationship, assuming that you either know the other person is in love with you or they have told you so, assuming that you have not been able to bring yourself to say it yet. Do that.

Whether you plan a detailed romantic evening, or you find yourself in the middle of a vendor’s hotdog stand on a street corner, look your person in the eye and say, “I love you.” That big swelling sensation in your chest will be your heart chakra, revving up and spinning wildly, finally open.

3. Do an act of kindness for someone, human or creature, who does not expect it and have not asked for it. Do it quietly, perhaps anonymously, without fanfare, without expecting any acknowledgment at all. That big swelling sensation in your chest will be your heart chakra, revving up and spinning wildly, finally open.

Throat chakra: located at the base of the throat, in the hollow. The throat chakra is responsible for communication, whether our ability to communicate with others, internal communication with ourselves, or communication with Spirit. With the energy of this chakra, we seek truth, and we learn to respond as an individual to our community.

To open this chakra

1. Wear turquois or light blue. Wear it as clothing, or a piece of jewelry. Plant blue flowers; paint your nails blue; buy a blue throw rug for your house, or a blue blanket for your bed. Take pictures of blue things.

2. Sing. If you can’t hold a tune, that’s okay. Sing when you’re alone in the shower and you’re all alone in the house. You (and Spirit) will be the only one to hear you, and you will be opening up and energizing your throat chakra.

3. Write a letter to someone you haven’t seen or spoken to in a long time. Write a letter to someone that you are estranged from. Write a letter to someone you’ve always wanted to talk to but never had the courage. You don’t have to actually send this letter to anyone, unless you want to. But you will be opening up the channels of communication, and your throat chakra as well.

Third eye chakra: located between your eyebrows and just slightly above them. The third eye chakra is the center for your intuition, your psychism, for dreams and visions. This is where that “little voice in your head” emanates from, the one you should listen to.

To open this chakra

1. Wear indigo. Place an indigo sticky jewel between your eyebrows and just slightly above them. Eat purple popsicles; wear a purple sweater; buy a divination tool – a deck of tarot cards, or a pendulum, or something else that appeals to your intuitive instincts.

2. Start a dream journal. Leave it on your nightstand and record your dreams when you awake in the morning, as soon as you can, lest the memory evaporate, as dreams do. If you say you don’t remember your dreams, you will if you begin recording impressions that visited you in your sleep, the smallest of impressions will be a good place to start: the vague feeling of a place, an animal, a food, a physical sensation. When your third eye chakra is cleared and open. You will remember your dreams.

3. Don’t block your daydreams. Don’t deny yourself this amazingly natural tool and instinct. You are not “wasting time” or “spacing out”. This is often your own intuition trying to communicate with you, your third eye chakra working, trying desperately to tell you something you need to know, to show you something you need to see. Allow yourself the luxury of daydreams. They are a necessity. They are so much more than you can imagine.

Crown chakra: located above the crown of your head. It connects you to universal wisdom and Spirit. It is what defines your spirituality, connecting you to a higher consciousness, enabling you to experience enlightenment, driving you to define life questions and seek answers. It drives our quest to connect with God and Goddess.

To open this chakra

1. Wear indigo. Bathe yourself in the deep dark purple of the cosmos. Wear or carry deep purple flowers, buy a purple thermos and drink your water from it daily, eat purple plums and eggplant, get a purple pillowcase to lay your head upon at night.

2. Make a list of three forms of spiritual practices that you know little, if anything, about. Now go and learn what they’re all about: google it; find a book; talk to someone who is a practitioner; find a group, attend a meeting, service, ritual, etc.; perform an act of spirituality, whether it means lighting a candle, composing a spell or prayer, or setting an intention; watch a sunrise, or a sunset, and think about all the sunrises and sunsets that took place before your existence, and before this very day. And now, at this moment, you are watching it with spiritual awareness.

3. Sit in a quiet and serene spot, whether this is the middle of your bed, or under the trees of a lush and magical forest. Ask the universe questions, then be still and listen for the answers.

Quantum physics tells us that nothing that is observed is unaffected by the observer. That statement, from science, holds an enormous and powerful insight. It means that everyone sees a different truth, because everyone is creating what they see.

~ Neale Donald Walsch

SOURCE:

The Little Handbook of

Spiritual Awakening

available @ Amazon
print & kindle

From The Witch's Desk ~ Paranormal Journal: Doppelganger, or Astral Travel?

 

(July 2015)

Yesterday morning my husband and I had a very unusual paranormal experience, and when we were in the midst of it, we weren’t even aware of it! We get up early at our house Monday-Thursday, because my partner works 1st shift, and he has a short commute to the next quaint Nebraska village-down-the-road. So this all occurred sometime between 3:15am and 3:45am; he left the house around 3:30ish.

He’s up first and heads out into the kitchen. Laura (our 19-year-old daughter) is sleeping on the couch, as is usual for her. She has her back to the living-room, her wild blonde hair in a pony that’s all flouncy on the pillow. I follow my partner out to the kitchen and glance at her too, with all that curly hair scattered all over her pillow, thinking we have to be quiet so we don’t wake her up.

My partner exits the front door, and I go back to the bedroom to get some flip-flops so that I can go out and crack the big garage door for our outdoor cats– a thunderstorm was coming, complete with fantastic lightening, and the wind was picking up. I tip-toe back up the stairs when I enter the house (it’s a split foyer), and I glance once more at Laura sleeping on the couch, then I quietly make my way down the hall so I won’t wake her up. I even watch the news in the bedroom with the volume real low so that she won’t be disturbed.

At 7am, my partner calls on break.

First thing he said was, “So, who did Laura lend her car to?”

I was totally stupefied. “What do you mean?”

He said, “Her car was gone when I left this morning.”

I said, “No, it couldn’t have been, she’s asleep on the couch, she wouldn’t lend her car to anyone.”

I had been so intent on the storm and the lightening when I made my fast jog to the garage and back, that I hadn’t even noticed whether her car was in the driveway or not.

I said, “Just a minute.”

Phone in hand, I walked down the hallway to the living-room. The couch was empty. I looked out the window and saw that her car was not in the driveway.

How could this be? We BOTH saw Laura sleeping on the living-room couch.

Now I was worried. This was so extraordinarily odd, and one of the first things I thought of was a doppelganger, which in the old definition means someone who’s passed making themselves briefly visible in a mundane setting.

I texted Laura. I called her phone. I left a message for her on Facebook giving a very short version of the above occurrence. Eventually, I got a text back from her... she agreed this was weird, because she’d been gone all night. She was never home!

Laura wasn’t home at all when we thought we saw her sleeping on the couch.

I’ve talked about this with Laura’s sister Anne, and we recall that this type of thing has occurred off and on throughout the years in this house, with the figure always resembling Laura:

Laura’s youngest sister Emma had seen her enter her bedroom during the night, but it couldn’t have been Laura, because when Emma called to me and I checked Laura, she was sound asleep in her bed.

My partner was upset one evening because he saw Laura down the hallway, moving from one doorway to the next, when she was suppose to be asleep, but when I checked her, she actually was asleep in her room, it hadn’t been Laura he was watching.

There have been several other incidences like this when one or more family members thought they saw Laura when it could not have been possible, and it was in fact not her.

The only other explanation I have, and I’ve talked with Laura about this, is that she has the ability to astral project, but she only does it sub-consciously in her sleep.

We’re all shaking our heads over this last incident though. It went way above and beyond the realm of weird.

Something for You

Do you need a cool witchy notebook to write down 

all your magical notes? Yes?... here you be ~

click HERE

Journaling Tips for Beginners

Getting started with journaling can be frustrating, especially if you don’t know what to write. But with so many benefits, it’s easy to understand why so many people want to make it a habit.

Writing down your personal thoughts and feelings isn’t something most people do on a regular basis. So sitting and staring down at a blank piece of paper trying to figure out how to start journaling can be somewhat intimidating. After about five minutes of looking at your journal, it’s tempting to just give up altogether and just chalk it up as something that’s not for you.

However, writer’s block does not have to plague you. With these approaches to journaling, it’ll no longer be overwhelming or laborious.

Here are 10 journaling tips for beginners:

1. Use a pen and paper

Though we recommend using a traditional diary or notebook, doing so can sometimes be a challenge. Having an app allows you to write down your thoughts almost anywhere. The downside is that your device can quickly become a distraction when notifications begin to go off.

Writing by hand gives you a break from the screen, allowing your mind to unplug, especially if your work requires you to use a computer or phone all day.

If you’re going to write by hand (like we suggest), make sure you get a good journal to write in.

[Notes by Amythyst:  For most of my professional writing experience, I've always chosen to hand write the first draft of a manuscript.  It's only with the last couple books that I've forgone this practice in lieu of Libra Office and my computer.  Journaling ALWAYS takes place by hand, with pen and paper, and preferably with an old-fashioned fountain pen... there's nothing like them, nothing writes this way, or feels this way, so connected to the paper and so grounded.  There's something about hand writing your thoughts that open up the pathways to creativity.  If you've never done it this way before, I suggest you try it.  Find a notebook and a fountain pen that speaks to you.]

2. Journal in the morning

Studies show that it is best to write first thing in the morning. It’s when your mind is most quiet and free from external influences. Do not pick up your phone to check social media. Instead, keep a journaling book and a pen next to your bed. Once you’re awake, reach for it and start writing. It does not matter how groggy you feel, just let the words flow. This is also a great practice for dream journaling as well.

Night owls might not agree with this. If morning is not the time for you, set a time in your day where you’re most productive and least likely to be interrupted. Do this the same time every day to make journaling a lasting habit.

[Notes by Amythyst:  I totally agree!  I've always done the bulk of my writing (both my personal journaling, as well as working on manuscripts) in the wee early hours of the morning, preferably with a good cup of hot coffee, a comfy bathrobe, and when weather permits, an outdoor table spot.  Your thoughts will flow while the birds do their early morning thing.  I love it!]

3. Write Every Day

Whichever time you pick, morning or evening, make sure you write in your journal daily, even when you don’t feel like it.

If you perceive that you have nothing to write about, write that sentence down. After a few lines of struggling to get your ideas out, the reason why you don’t want to write will soon reveal itself. It’s likely that you’re running away from something you don’t want or aren’t ready to face.

[Notes by Amythyst:  So true!  The well is never completely dry, not even when you think it is!]

4. Make time

Sometimes days get off to a busy start, and you’re unable to spare time to write. On these days, carry a journal with you so you can write your thoughts down when you have free time.  5-10 minutes of quiet and uninterrupted time is sufficient. You don’t have to write in prose; state main ideas in bullet points. If you need to, you can go and flesh these out later.

[Notes by Amythyst:  I have a couple thoughts to add here... 1.  "Not having time to write" ~ I have written diary entries and written books while consumed with the physical care and home-schooling of six children, a huge house to maintain, meals to prepare, and babies to breast feed.  The WRITER will WRITE, no matter how many obstacles are put in their path.  2.  I've always carried a notebook to jot down unexpected thoughts and ideas because it never fails that if you don't write them down, you will forget them!]

5. Try stream of consciousness journaling

Write about everything and nothing.  It is a non-judgmental flow of your thoughts; think of it as transcribing what is in your thoughts without any editing to have it make sense.

This session is known as a “stream of consciousness.” Don’t filter or censor your thoughts or feelings. Don’t mind the grammatical errors, just keep writing. After a few minutes, your mind will take on a more defined flow or theme that you can reflect on. This method is the rawest form journaling there is. It de-clutters your mind and shows you what the source of confusion, stress or pain is.

During this process, be patient. Most of all, don’t force yourself to think and write contrary to the “stream.”

[Notes by Amythyst:  This is an excellent idea, though I've carried this a step further on my occult metaphysical path by trying my hand at "Automatic Writing".  For those who've never heard this term before, it's kind of like turning your writing hand into a Ouija board planchette and allowing the spirits to take over.  The results can be astounding, eye-opening, and a little spooky.]

6. Write about the current space you’re in

Journal about what’s happening in your life. In detail, talk about your relationships, work, home, family, health, finances- anything that affects you. Then write down where you want to be and the steps you can take to get there.

This approach to goal setting will push you to do what’s required to transform yourself for the better. It also gives you a realistic picture of where you are. In that way, you’re given the opportunity to course-correct to meet your target.

[Notes by Amythyst:  I've kept a diary for years.  Each one of my children has a diary entry relating the events on the day of their birth.  When they inherit my diaries, they will also have well detailed imagery of our time at home, as well as special events, vacations, and mile stones. I have also kept dream journals, which are incredibly enlightening as to what's happening in your life and the effects at the time.]

7. Use journaling prompts

This is easily one of the best journaling tips for beginners.

Can’t get past the blank page? Journaling prompts like these will facilitate the frame of mind required when journaling. A journal prompt is just a question or topic that helps get your mind flowing. Since journaling from scratch is difficult for some people, prompts give you a starting point.

Reflect and answer each question as honestly as possible. This exercise is guaranteed to bring to the forefront of your mind the causes of most of your problems and what to do about them. Most of all, they help you shed off unwanted stress, anxiety and other burdens for a more carefree life.

[Notes by Amythyst:  I've posted several "journaling prompts" at The Writer's Corner Facebook Page.  Just bring up photos and you'll find the prompts.  You can also visit Pintrest, doing a search for writing prompts of all kinds.]

8. Talk to your inner child

Self-help books have popularized the concept of “the inner child.” It’s quite easy to shelf this under pop psychology, but this incorrect assumption may be costing you more than you think. The inner child is not literal, though it does exist. It refers to an unconscious part of your mind. Here is where you find the source of emotional, relational and behavioral difficulties that plague you in your adulthood.

To have a conversation with your inner child, ask your subconscious mind questions in the second person. This concept might seem strange, but remember, our conscious/awake part of the mind is just the tip of the iceberg. You know more than you think you do.

9. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude

Every time you journal, list all the things you’re grateful for in that moment. Doing this at the beginning frames the way in which your approach your problems. You’ll note a shift in your outlook on life. Positivity will become the norm, and not the exception.

Finding it hard to be thankful every day? This article highlights the physical, emotional, psychological, and behavioral benefits of being grateful. If you have a hard time remembering what to be thankful for, there are plenty of apps with reminders online you can download.

[Notes by Amythyst:  I have tried gratitude journaling for a brief time.  It just wasn't my cup of tea.  I get more out of regular journal entries.  I'm not sure why.  There are indeed things I'm grateful for, it just seemed contrived and artificial when I tried to record it in a gratitude journal.  You may feel differently about this.]

10. Keep it private

People new to journaling often wonder if they should keep it private, or share it with others. The short answer is, it’s up to you.  Some people suggest that you could show sections of your journal to trusted people. If you have to, read it out loud or summarize what was written.

Otherwise, don’t show it to anyone. Treat your journal as a sacred object.

[Notes by Amythyst:  There are a couple different ways of looking at this ~ 1.  Sometimes I've actually enjoyed sharing the memories and pages of my diary with family or a friend.  2.  Sometimes we write when we're in a very dark place, and this is what puts perspective on our life and the direction that we're going to take.  If you don't feel that your inner-most darkest thoughts are private, it might inhibit what you write.]

Journaling Writing for Beginners

When doing anything in life, having a personal and well-defined purpose.  Journaling will encourage you to stick to it. Do you want to journal to relieve stress and anxiety? Do you want to deal with childhood trauma? Whatever your reason, the results will be the same. You’ll be wiser, enlightened, kinder and all-around better version of yourself. Do not be surprised when others notice the change before you.

Hopefully these 10 journaling tips for beginners are just the motivation you needed to get started. Don’t procrastinate any longer. Get a journal and start writing!

Source:

https://mellowed.com/journaling-for-beginners/