Animal Totems - The Wolf

As in the beginning, we are all created a part of the earth, the Spirit, we are children of Mother. We are connected to everything around us in nature. To remain a balanced part of nature we recognize the value of all things and use what we need, preserving what we can. Our traditions were to kill only for food and to use the skins of those animals who nourished us. We honored the power of the animals spirits by wearing the skins and recreating their spirit with masks and imitation and in song and prayer for the spirits. We decorated our surroundings with paintings of the animals in recognition of our part as predator and in respect for the blessing of their sacrifice. In this way we remain connected to the animals spirits and the reality of the circle of life in our lives and those around us. Animal totems remain today as our guides through life and different periods of our lives. Each of us have many lessons to learn and the different spirits of the animals come into our lives to guide us through. Each one has it's own skill or teaching ability and they will come to us when the time is right. We do not choose our totems.. they choose us.There are different types of totems. The life animal totem is with us throughout our life. You may only have one life totem or more and they are usually a spiritual reflection of our inner nature. The journey animal totem will come to you on and off over the course of a period in your life to guide you during that time. This may be weeks, months or a year. The message animal totem is there to give you a spiritual message or a self growth experience. The message is usually unique and leaves a lasting impression on you. The shadow animal totem comes to challenge us. We must face the challenges before they will come to our aid and help us. The shadow animal totem is a conflicting totem. We often fear this totem initially but we must conquer this fear. This totem often represents our own fears and when we conquer our fears by facing them with the journey from shadow to light they become our spirit totem. They become our most powerful totems.
The Wolf:
Intuition, Learning, Spirit: This totem brings faithfulness, inner strength and intuition when he enters our lives, but he also brings learning to live with one's self. The wolf teaches us to learn about our inner self and to find our inner power and strength. But to achieve this, we must take risks and face our deepest fears.A wolf totem demands sincerity: This totem demands a lot of us but gives us much in return; a spirit helper that is always there to help and gives us extraordinary powers of endurance. He reminds us to listen to our inner thoughts and trust our insights. They remind us not to waste resources and to learn how to avoid trouble and confrontations. People with Wolf totems have the capacity to make quick and firm emotional attachments. Trust your insights about these attachments. Wolf will guide you. Take control of your life with Wolf’s help and do so with harmony and discipline.

Gods & Goddesses

Lakshmi: Goddess of Wealth & Beauty!

Goddess Lakshmi means Good Luck to Hindus. The word 'Lakshmi' is derived from the Sanskrit word "Laksya", meaning 'aim' or 'goal', and she is the goddess of wealth and prosperity, both material and spiritual.
Lakshmi is the household goddess of most Hindu families, and a favorite of women. Although she is worshipped daily, the festive month of October is Lakshmi's special month. Lakshmi Puja is celebrated on the full moon night of Kojagari Purnima.
The Lakshmi Form:
Lakshmi is depicted as a beautiful woman of golden complexion, with four hands, sitting or standing on a full-bloomed lotus and holding a lotus bud, which stands for beauty, purity and fertility. Her four hands represent the four ends of human life: dharma or righteousness, "kama" or desires, "artha" or wealth, and "moksha" or liberation from the cycle of birth and death.Cascades of gold coins are seen flowing from her hands, suggesting that those who worship her gain wealth. She always wears gold embroidered red clothes. Red symbolizes activity and the golden lining indicates prosperity. Lakshmi is the active energy of Vishnu, and also appears as Lakshmi-Narayan - Lakshmi accompanying Vishnu.
Two elephants are often shown standing next to the goddess and spraying water. This denotes that ceaseless effort, in accordance with one's dharma and governed by wisdom and purity, leads to both material and spiritual prosperity.
A Mother Goddess:
Worship of a mother goddess has been a part of Indian tradition since its earliest times. Lakshmi is one of the mother goddesses and is addressed as "mata" (mother) instead of just "devi" (goddess).
As a female counterpart of Lord Vishnu, Mata Lakshmi is also called 'Shri', the female energy of the Supreme Being. She is the goddess of prosperity, wealth, purity, generosity, and the embodiment of beauty, grace and charm.
A Domestic Deity:
The importance attached to the presence of Lakshmi in every household makes her an essentially domestic deity. Householders worship Lakshmi for the well being and prosperity of the family. Businessmen and women also regard her equally and offer her daily prayers.On the full moon night following Dusshera or Durga Puja, Hindus worship Lakshmi ceremonially at home, pray for her blessings, and invite neighbors to attend the puja. It is believed that on this full moon night the goddess herself visits the homes and replenishes the inhabitants with wealth. A special worship is also offered to Lakshmi on the auspicious night.

True Stories - The Boy By The Roadside

"The Boy By The Roadside"
"When Donna Barton picked up a mysterious young hitch-hiker, she never dreamed he would be the bearer of a final message from her dying mother"
Travelling to visit her sick mother, Donna Barton was surprised to see a little boy hitch-hiking, so she picked him up. The boy was about nine years old. He told her he was going home after spending the night fishing, although he didn't seem to have any equipment. They drove in silence and at times Donna felt as if she was on her own. Feeling uneasy she reached the boy's destination and pulled over to let him out. As he left the car he leaned over and told her that her mother said goodbye and that she hadn't suffered. Feeling distressed and confused, Donna drove to her mother's house and rushed inside, only to find her mother had died. A few days later, a lady at a local charity shop told her that a few years ago a local nine year old boy had been knocked over and killed while coming home from a fishing trip. In the midst of her grief, the events of the night started to fall into place for Donna. She realised that her mother had been able to say goodbye thanks to the help of her phantom hitch-hiker.

The Soul World

After my regression experience.....The following week I had the ultimate regression, going back to the Soul World.

My Visit to the Soul World: Session done on 08/11/2006

As I was preparing to go into the trance I was feeling a bit scared, but the further along I went the more relaxed I became and soon I had forgotten any feelings of fear. I returned to my life in Australia on the day that I had died. I remember sitting in a soft old comfy chair in the sitting room. I remember the TV was playing and I fell asleep. There was nobody around me. I don’t recall the moment of death, just that I was above my body looking down at myself. I felt myself start to move slowly away, I had no reason to stay and nobody to say goodbye to. It was not a fast motion and I don’t recall a tunnel, just a feeling that I knew where I was going to. I arrive at what seemed to be an Archway and all I could see was a bright white light everywhere. I saw a bluish energy in the distance and as it came closer to me I realized that it was my guide coming to meet me. She showed herself to me in a female human form and I heard the name Angelique (Funny that she should have Angel in her name, given my love for Angels.) Her energy colour was a shade of navy blue and even though I saw her in a white dress I always saw this shade of blue around her. She had a comforting presence and I never felt frightened at all.
She took me to the healing room. I remember that it was a dome shaped room with spray nozzles coming from above( something similar to fire extinguishers in office buildings.) and the spray was a green colour. When I stood underneath it was such a wonderful soothing, cleansing feeling of refreshment. Almost as if you were being cleaned from the inside.
Then I met my soul family again. I was so exited and happy to be back. I felt an immediate feeling of love and acceptance. The first soul that I felt connected to was my elder sister from this lifetime. I felt a lot of love coming from her. Then I greeted my Soulmate. I have never felt such a feeling of absolute euphoria as I did at that moment. Even if I do not meet him in this lifetime I feel his energy around me and we have the most special connection.
I saw my mother from this lifetime and despite our sometimes difficult relationship here on earth I did not feel any animosity toward her. She is a member of my soul family, so we obviously have lessons to learn from each other.
Then I was greeted by the soul of my best friend “Wendy”. That was a really happy lighthearted moment.
I went to meet the council of elders and had a lot of positive feedback from them, I did feel however that they were disappointed that I had not achieved more on a personal level. They emphasized again about my tendency to give away my power during my incarnations.
I feel that I chose “Diane” for this lifetime as she is a challenge. She is emotional and so willing to please it makes it easy to walk all over her. The stature of her body is very small and she will often feel that this makes her insignificant. She needs to work very hard in this lifetime to overcome the tendency to give away her power yet again.

My Impression Of Past Life Regression

On my website www.izeyahealing.bravehost.com, In the recommended reading section, I have chosen two books by Michael Newton Ph.D. These remarkable books uncover the mystery of life in the spirit world after death. Dr. Newton has developed his own hypnosis technique to reach his subject's hidden memories of the hereafter. These books follow the accounts of people who, while in deep hypnosis, reveal graphic details of how it feels to die, who meets us right after death, what the spirit world is really like, where we go and what we do as souls, why we choose to come back in certain bodies and much more. After reading these two books, I just happened to be glancing through an "Odyssey" magazine and found the name of a practitioner, living close to my home, who had been trained by Michael Newton Ph.D. in this very technique. What a coincidence, or was it. Some say there is no such thing as coincidence, but that you are led to that place or person. Whatever the case may be, I contacted Desre Coertze and over a period of four weeks, I had the most amazing experience. The following is an account of my personal journey into past lives and back to the soul world.

My Impressions of Past Life Regressions: Session done on 31/10/2006

When I arrived for this session I was apprehensive that I would not be able to see anything or retrieve any soul memories, however, as I was being led to each past life I knew immediately where I was going. My memories came so quickly that I couldn’t possibly have made them up unless I have a really active imagination.
1. Paris 1852: I knew immediately that I was in Paris as a 10 year old girl. A bit confused now as I remember saying that I could see the Eiffel Tower, but the tower was only built in 1889. Had a strong feeling of contentment. Feel that I was a very spoilt child who came from an opulent family. Had a wonderful mother, who I believe is my eldest sister in this lifetime. Despite that I felt a very close relationship with my father. Father was a tobacconist, husband was in the printing business. Remember having a very cheerful and funny friend with bright red hair, possibly my friend Julia from this lifetime. Remember that I died at age 52 from tuberculosis. Victorian era was not favorable to women and soul did not achieve much in this lifetime.
2. Cairo 1610: A 32yr old man named Mustafa. Desre asked me if I was sure I was in Cairo which confused me. Felt a worried feeling all the time and I thought it was because I was saying the wrong thing or making a mistake. Remember the streets were very busy. Inside the house the colour red was very prominent. Saw a wife and a child. Believe the child was my current husband, Tony. Believe I was a politician or some kind of governmental official. I did some research…In 1610 Cairo was under Ottoman rule and there were a few governors by the name of Mustafa Pasha around that time. There was a lot of political upheaval during that time. Soul achieved much in this lifetime but still feel that I am capable of much more. Don’t believe that I have reached my finest achievement yet. The worried feeling could have been that I was murdered or assassinated in this lifetime and my soul remembers it. Don’t remember the cause of death though, and don’t think that I want to either.
3. Australia 1905: Blonde woman age 26, name Cindy. (Apologies to anyone called Cindy, but really I would never name myself Cindy of my own free will) Very confused with the date in this lifetime. My conscious mind kept interfering and I remember trying to work out how it could be 1905, knowing that I died at age 86, which meant that the year of death was 1965 and I was born in 1963 in this lifetime. I was probably living parallel lives for a short while. In addition this also means that the Paris/Australia lives also overlapped. Achieved quite a lot career wise but not a lot on a personal level. My family owned a ranch business, taming wild horses in the outback. I came from a family of thirteen children. Never married & never worked on any issues regarding relationships and have most probably brought that into this lifetime. I believe that it is having a major effect on this lifetime, with many unresolved emotional issues still to be dealt with. Did however bring my love of wildlife into this lifetime, which is wonderful.

Overall I know that I couldn’t possibly have been making everything up just because I wanted to see something. The speed that I was able to answer questions was just too quick and I know that I generally don’t respond that quickly to a question, I will rather take my time to think about it. However, some of the discrepancies with dates etc, especially the Eiffel tower issue still worries me.

Spirits & Ghosts

Spirits & Ghosts
Spiritual Experiences:-"Strange & wonderful in their own right, spiritual experiences can also offer unique opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth" Spiritual experiences come in may different guises - what ties such occurances together is their potential to help you explore insight, growth and fulfilment. A well known type of spiritual experience is a "vision", where you see, hear and feel a being or scene. A "visitation" is similar, but involves the appearance of a spiritual being such as an angel within the context of the real world. A spiritual experience can also take the form of sensations or emotions induced by a person or place. A place that triggers a spiritual experience may be inhabited by its own spirit, known in latin as the "locus geni" These may be found in an old family home, a tranquil forest clearing or a temple or shrine. When you encounter a "locus geni", you may experience feelings of calmness, acceptance and understanding.
Ghostly Encounters:-Other spiritual experiences may include "Encounters with Ghosts" One of the first ghost stories ever recorded tells of the Greek philosopher, Athenodorus, who took up the challange to spend the night in a haunted house, where he encountered a chain-rattling spectre. Instead of fleeing in terror, Athenodorus had the insight to understand that the ghost was actually trying to communicate and followed it to discover a set of unconsecrated remains. Once these were given a proper burial, the haunting stopped.

Meditation: Learning To Meditate

The Magic of Meditation
Meditation is a profound form of relaxation that helps us to contact our inner spiritual source.
Learning to Meditate
A few simple points to remember before you begin:
Wear Loose clothing.
Dim the lights
Put on some soft background music
Use candles
Use room fragrance, such as incense.
Your First Meditation
Sit Quietly:- Make sure that you are comfortable and will not be interrupted. Take three deep breaths, exhaling fully, then breathe in your natural rhythm. Feel yourself begin to relax. Allow passing thoughts to drift away without paying attention to them.
Focus On Your Breath:- Become aware of your breath as you breathe in and out. As you breathe in, imagine that you are becoming filled with a sensation of light and peace. As you breathe out, allow any tension and anxiety to melt away with the exhalation.
Flow With Your Breath:- Follow the rhythm of your breath as it flows gently and regularly. Feel yourself becoming increasingly relaxed and peaceful. Become aware of your breath as the life-force that sustains you, relaxes you and energizes you. Ignore any distractions that come into your mind, and you will find that it becomes easy to sit and concentrate on your breathing.
Find A Special Word:- Now repeat a word that has significance for you. For example 'peace', 'love', 'harmony', 'healing', or 'gentleness'. repeat your word inwardly with both the in-breath and the out-breath. You will feel the emotion associated with that word becoming infused into your being.
Ending Your Meditation:- After a minute or two, return your full attention to your breathing. Take three deep breaths, then bring your attention back to your body and your surroundings. Wriggle your fingers and toes, stretch a little, then slowly open your eyes and take in your surroundings.
Enjoy The Benefits:- Sit quietly for a few moments, to accustom yourself to your everyday state of awareness. Put some music on if you wish. Give yourself some time to enjoy the feeling of calmness before returning to your daily activities.
Follow this meditation exercise step-by-step to relieve daily stress and tension. The more you meditate, the more focused you'll become.

Herbal Remedies - Making Herbal Infusions & Decoctions

The Magic of Herbal Remedies.
Some people see quick-fix over-the-counter medicines as an easy solution to aches & pains, little realizing that the contents of their kitchen cupboard can produce the same results Herbal remedies are easy to make, inexpensive and extremely effective for a whole range of symptoms and ailments. They have few side-effects and strengthen your immune system as they heal, without using chemicals or artificial additives.
Making Herbal Infusions and Decoctions.
Infusions are made by steeping fresh and dried flowers or the leaves of herbs in hot water. These herbal teas are drunk without milk, although a little honey may be added to sweeten them. Infusions are most effective from the soft tops of herbaceous plants such as chamomile flowers and peppermint leaves.
Simple steps to make an infusion:
Choose a glass, enamel or porcelain teapot with a tight fitting lid. Warm the teapot with hot water and then empty.
Add 70g finely chopped fresh herbs or 25g dried herbs into the teapot.
Pour over 500ml of hot (not boiling) water and cover with the lid. Leave for 5-10 minutes for the herbs to properly infuse.
Strain some of the liquid through a tea strainer into a teacup, and the remaining fluid into a jug.
Sip slowly, adding a little honey to sweeten if desired.
Decoctions are a type of infusion that are prepared by simmering roots, bark and seeds in boiling water. This more vigorous method of extraction is needed to soften the woody parts of the plant tissue to release valuable minerals and alkaloids. Decoctions can be made from roots such as ginger and ginseng, bark such as cinnamon, and seeds such as fennel.
Simple steps to make a decoction:
Take 60g fresh herbs or 30g dried herbs and crush with a pestle and mortar.
Place in an enamel or stainless steel pan and add 750ml cold water. Bring to the boil and gently simmer for 20-30 minutes until the volume of the liquid has reduced by a third.
Remove pan from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Strain through a sieve into a jug.
Pour into a teacup, sipping slowly. A little honey or lemon juice can be added if desired. About three cups a day is a handy intake.

Ideal Herbs for Infusions and Decoctions.
Nettle; Ginseng; Burdock; Peppermint; Clove; Feverfew; Cinnamon; Elderflower
Warming Decoction.
This warming, cold-busting decoction will keep respiratory infections at bay.
Break 2-3 long cinnamon sticks into pieces. Peel and slice 4cm ginger root. Simmer the spices in 500ml water for 15-20 minutes. Strain and add a tablespoon of honey.
Drink 2-3 cups a day during a cold to strengthen and warm the body. The honey has the added benefit of being antiviral.
Sedative Infusion.
A nightcap of this blend of sedative herbs will promote relaxation and a restful night's sleep
Add 10g each of dried chamomile, lemon balm and linden flowers to a warmed teapot. Infuse in 300ml hot water for 5-10 minutes.
The beneficial effects of these soothing herbs are cumulative, so make this tea as part of your bedtime routine every night.

Aromatherapy - Easy Bathroom Remedies

"Harness the healing and uplifting qualities of plant fragrances to help you relax, unwind and even treat minor ailments."
Aromatherapy is the art of healing with essential oils - distilled essences that have been extracted from plants. They can be used in massage and inhalation techniques, added to bathroom products such as soap, skin creams, bath gel and shampoo and also used to create room fragrance.You can find out simply and pleasurably just how beneficial aromatherapy can be by adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to the next bath you take.You will notice the difference immediately. As you smell the relaxing fragrance of the oil surrounding you, it's peacefulness and tranquility will uplift your spirits, promote relaxation and soothe stress. Aromatherapy also involves the use of incense(in loose powdered form or as joss sticks), pot pourri, steam inhalations, scented candles and fresh flowers.
Easy Bathroom Remedies:
In Your Bathwater:- Add 7 to 10 drops of essential oils to your bath. Ensure that the oils are dispersed properly by giving them a good swish around in the water.You can dissolve them first in vegetable oil, full fat milk or even a small cup of your usual bubble bath. Create a soothing footbath with a bowl of warm water and 4 to 6 drops of your chosen oil.
In Your Shower:- Squeeze a small amount of shower gel into the palm of your hand or a small cup, add 4 to 6 drops of your chosen oils and mix thoroughly. Use a flannel or sponge to rub it over your skin.The steam of the shower will help you to inhale the aroma of your chosen oil, increasing its benefits. The steam will also open your pores and detox the skin.
Healing Waters:- Eucalyptus and Lavender oils both have a cooling effect. Add a few drops to lukewarm water to soothe a case of sunburn.
In Your Shampoo:- Add 25 drops of your choice of oil per 100ml of unperfumed base shampoo and shake well. Add 2 to 3 drops to a handful of your usual shampoo for a quick fix.
Rinsing Your Hair:- Add 5 to 10 drops of essential oil to the water you use for your final rinse to get the benefit of conditioning and tonic oils.
The best oils to use in steam inhalations:- Eucalyptus, Ginger, Grapefruit, Juniper Berry, Lavender, Lemon and Tea Tree.
An Invigorating Steamy Shower
Help to banish aches & pains associated with flu and stuffy colds with a steamy shower that clears your head as you wash.
Add the following essential oils to a handful of lemon shower gel.
2 drops Eucalyptus
2 drops Rosemary
1 drop Sandalwood
Rub this cleansing wash over your skin and deeply inhale the fragrant steam to benefit from the oils' decongestant properties.

Messages From The Angels - Patience

This weeks card comes from the "Messages from the Angels" Oracle Deck by Doreen Virtue
Patience
"Now is the time to learn, study and gather information. Enjoy being a student, because in the future, you will synthesize your knowledge into action."
Although you may be aching to begin a new project, now is not the time. You are in the vital phase of gathering right now.This means that you're aquiring new information through studying, reading, meditating, channeling, taking classes, interviewing experts and other means. In all of life, there is a time for gathering and a time for planting.
It is too soon for you to decide how you will use the new information that you're absorbing. You may have some ideas though, so it might be wise to write them down for future use. Soon enough, you will be called into action to apply your knowledge in useful ways. When that happens you will be busy and work very hard. So, enjoy the present moments of ambiguity and rest. Allow yourself to be an empty vessel into which Heaven pours the contents of its library of wisdom. Your unique talents will blend with this wisdom, and synthesize it into a new and important way to bring peace to this planet.

Rose Quartz "The Love Stone"

Rose Quartz "The Love Stone"

Within the large family of Quartzes, Rose Quartz stands out as much for it's beauty as for it's powerful properties, which makes it an essential crystal in gemstone therapy.Like other varieties of quartz it can be either translucent or transparent. Rose quartz is especially related to love and it's beneficial effects. For the ancient Egyptians, rose quartz was also the stone of beauty and love, for this reason they made masks from the pulverized mineral with which to beautify skin.Gemstone therapists believe that rose quartz is the most relaxing crystal that exists. It is used for combatting negative energy and regaining calm, reinforcing self esteem and creating harmony with your surroundings.Modern gem therapists prescribe rose quartz to cure emotional anxiety which may have been caused by adversity in love, or the pain resulting from the loss or absence of loved ones.Additionally, this beautiful variety of quartz is also claimed to alleviate anxieties or emotional turmoil caused by traumatic events in infancy or adolescence. It's influence is also thought to be useful for helping to re-establish and strengthen self esteem and to create links of solidarity and affection with others. To the believer, rose quartz opens the heart to the possibility of love and affection, and predisposes one to sensitivity pleasure and beauty. Rose quartz is sometimes recommended for the treatment of upsets of a nervous nature and illnesses that are related to the kidneys and the circulatory system.
Ties & Associations:
Heart Chakra:
It is one of the gemstones believed to open and strengthen the fourth chakra or centre of vital energy situated at the level of the heart. It is the type of crystal that has the property of freeing and channeling harmonious energy blocked because of an emotional problem.
Tarot: Temperance
This variety of quartz is associated with Temperance, the 14th card of the major arcana in the tarot deck.The relationship was established because the crystal favours the characteristics of this card, ie. constructive dialogue, the development of unbiased judgements and cordiality.
Astrological Relations:
Rose quartz is one of the crystals associated with the zodiac constellations of Taurus and Libra. Both are ruled by Venus, the planet of love and beauty. It is a crystal which radiates delicacy, subtlety and serenity at the same time as it promotes love, collaboration and solidarity.

Rose Quartz:
Strengthens the Chakra of the Heart.
Harmonizes feelings of love.
Reinforces self-esteem.
Favours relaxation.