The Power of Carnelian

OOH carnelian! A beautiful grounding stone that I have found in art and jewelry that my grandmother brought back with her from Mecca. I was first drawn to this stone at a young age. My grandmother made a spiritual trip to Mecca and came back a changed woman. Not only that but she brought back huge pieces of a reddish stone. I always felt calmer and happier with the stone around my neck or in the palm of my hand. For years, I wore the necklace but had no idea what the stone was or what it meant. Finally, I figured out that this powerful stone was in fact carnelian.

Carnelian is a stone that brings joy, peace, energy and feelings of gratitude. It is also known as a stone of motivation, endurance, leadership and courage. Did you know that carnelian stirs up our sexuality? This makes perfect sense because it is associated with the root chakra! In recent years, I have carried a carnelian stone in my pocket while at work. Sometimes when I feel overwhelmed I put the stone at my heart chakra. It instantly brings a sense of stability and concentration. Without fail, I feel the power of the stone coursing through my body and within a few moments I can put the stone away and continue my day.

Visit my Etsy shop to see more bracelets!

Owl Mala Adventure

My new adventure has been to create mala bracelets with real stones. I have been intuitively drawn to these specific beads and charms. Why have I been drawn to use ceramic owls in these pieces? The owl has many symbolic meanings such as intuition, the ability to see something others can't, wisdom, and change. Owls have a deep connection to the moon and to Goddesses. A few of the Goddesses depicted with owls are Athena, Mari, Lilith, Anath, Gwynn ap Nudd, Blodeuwedd, Yama and Cailleach.

This is a new journey for me and I put a lot of love in each of these pieces. Not only that but I drum over them and deliver Reiki energy as well. 

Fun! Please send me a message if you would like to purchase one. There are more pictures to come!

We Knew No Fear

You found me on the most bitter cold day of the year.

Head throbbing, I blinked five times to see you.

Focus, but my stomach is in knots, I stumble.

Your electricity picked me up from the pavement,

Shaking, I took a breath and found that the air, the world, it was all you.

I held your eyes with mine and elated I wept.

You were an apparition, a ghost of a most alluring dream sent to me.

I knew you once before and under the sun we blinded all who dared look.

Envy did not exist before we came together.

Herbs and angels manifested simply for us.

I held your hand to my chest and adored you.

The wind whirled, lifting colors, floating we knew no fear.

The incarnation that was sacred, lacking in reticence.

I was there to hold your hand as the sun set simply so I would be forced to sleep.

For it's true, I couldn't keep my eyes off of you and even in the darkness I knew every line of your face.

My eyes closed, peace abound, sighing I slumbered.

The mist has fallen but I feel your breath on my nape.

You are immortal, my eyes failed to see what my soul was trying to reveal.

I still feel the familiar ache, my spirit pulls from my skin desperate to find you.

To be whole, to be free.

The Shampoo Quest

For the longest time I used Pantene Pro-V for my hair. I always liked it and it left my hair smelling great. I have extremely thick, long Middle Eastern hair. It doesn't always respond well to all types of shampoo. A lot of products will leave my hair feeling dry and brittle while other products will leave my hair feeling unclean. 

For the last month I have been using Mane 'n Tail shampoo and conditioner because I have used it in the past and I thought that the ingredients might be less complicated. Pantene Pro-V has a long ingredient list. Here it is: Water, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Cocamide MEA, Glycol Distearate, Dimethicone, Fragrance, Panthenol, Panthenyl Ethyl Ether, Cetyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate, Ammonium Xylenesulfonate, Disodium EDTA, PEG-7M, Citric Acid, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone

I didn't like all these odd chemical sounding words and figured it was worth trying something different. The ingredients in Mane 'n Tail include Water/Aqua/Eau, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Chloride, Cocamide MEA, Glycol Distearate, Propylene Glycol, Fragrance (Parfum), Hydrolyzed Collagen, Citric Acid, Methylchlorisothiazolinone/Methylisothiazolinone, Butylphenyl Methylpropional.

I've heard a lot about Parabens. They are often used in a lot of products as a preservative. 
Common parabens include methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben and butylparaben. Another ingredient that has come to people's attention recently is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. This is used in soaps, shampoos and detergents to give a foaming effect. I never realized that it was an issue but apparently this chemical can cause massive skin irritation. So why not go without it? A little less foam! 

Yesterday I started using a new shampoo called Nature's Gate. I happened to find it at the supermarket and I liked the scent. When I saw that it was an herbal shampoo with zero sulfates, I knew I had to give it a shot. Again, sulfates irritate the skin and can strip hair and skin of moisture. Why not try shampoo that doesn't have any? 

After washing my hair I noticed how lovely it smelled and it stayed that way throughout the day. I also noticed that there was much less foaming and I had to use more product than usual but my hair and scalp feel clean with zero irritation. 

My goal is to live a life with less chemicals and I will keep posting information about shampoos, soaps and other items as I run across them. 

Ingredients: Water, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine (Coconut Derived), Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (Coconut Derived), Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate (Coconut Derived), Lauryl Glucoside (Vegetable Derived), Glycerin (Vegetable Derived), Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Soy Protein, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Borago Officinalis (Borage) Seed Oil, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Achillea Millefolium (Yarrow) Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Prunus Serotina (Wild Cherry) Bark Extract, Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Leaf Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C), Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride (Plant Derived), Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Polysorbate 20 (Vegetable Derived), Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (Plant Derived), Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Undecylenate (Vegetable Derived), Phenoxyethanol, Citric Acid (Vegetable Derived), Fragrance*.

Drumming For The Root Chakra

For the past two months I have been drumming nearly every night. How did this come to pass?

I had never drummed before. I started playing the violin at the age of ten and dabbled with the guitar once in a while. I am by nature a perfectionist and so I had to learn the violin to perfection. When I could not be as great as the famous violinists before me, I got frustrated. Soon I let it all go and concentrated on school. From one degree to another I focused, excelled and graduated. I was always the best at everything and it was always a personal challenge to stay on top of my game. The competition in me was not against other people. No, instead I was always competing with myself. I never knew that it would be impossible to be satiated from the constant need to be better, do better, be more.

On my journey to end this competition with myself I met a very dear friend who showed me laughter, kindness and a free spirit. I learned in this time that I was not a grounded person. This refers to the seven chakras that are found in our bodies. These chakras can get blocked and we can suffer various ailments as a result. I had always been very much in my crown chakra, which is the very highest chakra and is said to be our connection to spirituality and the divine. It is located at the top of the head. I have always been very much in my own mind and it causes a feeling of not being connected to the earth below. Constantly thinking, writing and daydreaming. I didn't realize that I was not serving my root chakra and that perhaps there was a blockage there. The root chakra is located at the base of the spine and is connected to our need to survive. It is very primal and if blocked can lead to anxiety and depression. I was never very grounded.

One day, a Goddess sister of mine showed me her new Djembe drum. She asked me to play with her and at first I was stunned. I had never played the drum before and had not a clue how to begin. She could sense my discomfort and yet she insisted that I at least try. I held the drum as though it were as delicate as glass. I watched her pound on the drum and put my hand to the goatskin top. It felt completely wrong. I tried to rationalize the situation. Did I look silly holding the instrument? What would people think if they heard me play? What am I doing here?

The thoughts went swirling through my mind but I tried to pick up on the rhythm that my sister was playing. I had a difficult time letting go. In fact I don't think I fully let go that day but I did drum nonetheless. After some time passed I left with a smile on my face and a new purpose in my heart. I knew that something within me was calling out for the drum. I kept thinking about the feeling I had when I played the drum and within a week I had my very own drum.

My hands could not leave the drum and every night I have been devoting time to play. I have never had any formal lessons and I don't care. I love that I don't know how to do something. I love that every single time I play, it feels new and yet feels as though I am reconnecting with a dear friend. A deep feeling of coming home takes place and I allow the spirit to guide me, which in turn makes me feel grounded. I connect to the earth when I play the drum. Perhaps it's the deep bass or the act of doing something without reason at all. The act of "playing". Either way, I am elated to be on this journey.

Some Gentle Advice

I have learned that empathy is not inherent in everyone. I have always been an extremely empathetic person, even placing other people before myself. It made me feel good to be able to help another figure out what their burdens or obstacles were. It's absolutely important to put a limit on your actions and that is something that I am constantly working on. I want to make sure that I show that I care and act on it but at the same time I don't want to get swallowed up in someone else's misery. 

A time of crisis is when we need our friends to come together and be at the ready. I don't ask much but it's nice to hear someone rally on your side even when everything seems bleak. Putting yourself in the place of another is essential in making this work. If you knew how someone was feeling or at least attempted to understand it then you would appreciate that abrasive words and a dismissive attitude are the worst possible way to help another. 

Here are a few things that I feel are helpful when someone is in need.

1) Listen. Don't just pretend to listen. Actually listen to what is being said to you.

2) Look. Make and maintain eye contact and pay attention to body language. Sometimes we communicate disinterest simply by crossing our arms and appearing standoffish. 

3) Don't be condescending. In my hour of need I have heard people make comments that came off very judgmentally. No one wants to be spoken down to and certainly not when they are sad. 

4) Never say "I told you so". Now is not the time to be matter of fact even if you did predict the exact outcome.

5) Give a hug if a hug is wanted. The human touch is very energizing and healing. It could help to give a simple embrace. However, there are some people who don't enjoy being touched so be aware and respect the space. 

6) Be a positive person but don't feel like you have to overdo it. I think that being genuine is important but throwing in some positive words and energy is helpful when times are tough. A lot of people tend to focus on only the negative and sometimes they need someone else to point out just one positive thing. I draw from nature and point out a flower, a butterfly, the trees, etc. Sometimes this annoys people who don't have a lot of positive self talk so I try to limit it if it doesn't feel right.

7) Be available. No you don't have to be available ALL the time but show that you care and offer to shop, eat or whatever else if it makes your friend feel better.

8) Send a care package. Sometimes rough patches last a long time. Why not send a card or flowers? I have sent boxes with movies, music, silly cards, coloring books, etc. Be silly! People appreciate this because it shows that you are willing to take an extra step to brighten someones day.

9) Be a cheerleader. You are on their side without pointing blame or speaking negatively or gossiping. 

10) Vocalize your love. Tell your friend that you love them. We can never get enough love! Spread the love and say it aloud! 

We can all support each other. Bad times come and go. It's life! 

A Challenge

Some days go by quickly. We hardly realize how we got dressed, made it through the day and fell back in to bed. It's almost like we are programmed to act and be the way that we are so that we don't have to ponder the big questions. Then there are other days when you are jolted by something massive that shatters your seemingly quiet equilibrium. On these days we get shocked, exhausted, humiliated, angry or sad because not only has something occurred to rattle us but we have been awoken from our dream like state.

I have had several such jolts to the system in the recent months. I have tried to live in the moment and experience all that I can but sometimes I fall back to a simple place of complacency. The routine takes over and I forget what makes life so special.

What did I do with the recent sad, angry, unfortunate news that rattled my life? At first I did nothing. I allowed it all to hit me like a wave crashing on to the sand. It was cold and unforgiving. I closed my eyes and tried to blink it away but even with red, stinging eyes; I knew that I could not escape the news that had set my family ablaze. But I didn't want to escape it. I allowed all those sensations to overcome me. I embraced each one and was mindful of how it all made me feel. Difficulties will arise with little notice and they can make us both physically and mentally ill. I knew that I could not allow myself to be dragged down. I had worked so hard on gratitude practice that it would be a true shame to lose out now!

So I wrote, I cried, I sang, I read, I walked, I laughed, I ate, I watched movies, basked in the sun, hid in the shadows. I did it all. It was all the nourishment that I needed for my body and soul. People often want to encourage you not to cry and to stay tough in the face of tragedy but I know that it allowing emotion to arise and paying attention to it is far better than becoming numb. I was numb for the majority of my life. I will not let that happen again!