Pixie Dust Healing

New Moon in Pisces

2012-02-21T17:22:00.000-04:00

According to my We'Moon 2012 book, today is a New Moon in Pisces. Ahh.. so that explains those emotions of the past couple of days perhaps.

I've written about the New Moon in Pisces before http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-moon-phase.html The New Moon is always about beginnings. It's a chance to start all over again each month. That in itself feels like a pretty good thing.

Pisces is a water sign. Unlike the fire signs that often are full speed ahead in transformative, perhaps non-feeling ways, Pisces if a looser, flowing, type energy. We'Moon writes that the Moon in Pisces helps us become aware, sometimes painfully, of our feelings. It is a creative energy for sure, and that creativity is driven by emotions and right brain type activity. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/02/dr-jill-bolte-taylor-brain-integration.html

It might just be the circles I'm traveling in these days, but I seem to have received a lot of reminders today about it being a New Moon in Pisces. I got three or four emails or newsletters that mentioned the fact. I got information about new starts, and begnning over and starting fresh. Hmm... It seems to me like the world might just be feeling the pull of the moon and it's changing forms just a bit more. It seems we are responding to that pull. At least that's what I'm feeling!

One of those emails about the New Moon in Pisces suggested today is a really good time to sit for a moment and consider how you feel about your place in the world. Today would be a good time to consider if you are where you want to be, if you are surrounded by people that love and support you, and honor your feelings and your place in this world.

Today is a good day to ask yourself if you are "living your dream". In my opinion, that might be a somewhat dangerous question to ask yourself in the light of the New Pisces Moon, if you don't at least have a box of kleenex's handy. But perhaps that's what tissues were invented for. The energy from the New Pisces Moon can help you sort out those emotions and feelings. You really can't pursue your dream if you don't address your feelings and decide if you're on track or not in the first place- despite how we wish we could avoid the assessment perhaps.

If you're flowing between happiness and despair as you assess your feelings- a few drops of Scleranthus might help! http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/11/mood-swings-indecision-and-scleranthus.html It might also help you find that connection between feelings and logic so you can pull your dream into action.

With the moon's energy in a position to support new starts and direction, it might also be a good time to consider Wild Oat. If you've been uncertain as to which dream you want to pursue, or unclear where your true feelings lie, it might be the Bach for you. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/01/wild-oat-for-finding-direction.html

Maybe the best gift you can give yourself during highly emotional times is the "right to feel", "just feel". Sounds like that Vagus nerve could use some "me time" http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2012/02/vagus-nerve-and-7-chakras.html In true water sign fashion, just let the emotions come like a tidal wave. Let them wash over you and back out again (that back out part is important!), leaving you with a whole new start and clean path ahead.

Enjoy the waves!

Depressed Teenagers: Bach Flower Help

2012-02-20T10:45:00.000-04:00

It isn't easy being a teenager. It's a tumultuous time. The teenage years are about transformation from child to adult and that kind of change and fluctuation is both wonderful and horrible; sometimes both at the same time. If you've made it to adulthood you probably remember some of the angst that came with getting to that point. We expect teenagers to go through this and consider it "normal". A lot of parents, and teenagers as well, take comfort in knowing this is considered "normal". There are charts and questionnaires you can fill out on-line to determine whether or not your depression is "normal" versus "clinical". I guess the comfort is that if this is "normal, expected, depression" then "this too shall pass" and we can carry on with our lives letting the emotions play out. After all, "we've all been through this", "it's normal to feel that way". Hmm....

Aren't we working to evolve through our lifetimes? Don't we try to make things better? Better for ourselves, better for our children, better for the next generation? So, if that's the plan, wouldn't it make sense to help kids get through that "normal depression" a bit easier? Sometimes, in order to move foreword, it helps to take a look back.

Richard Louv, in "The Nature Principle", suggests more teenagers, people of all ages really, may be experiencing what he called "nature-deficit disorder". Louv, who also wrote, "Last Child in the Woods", writes that our increasing connectedness to technology has left us disconnected from nature and suffering as a result. We suggests that by consciously walking away from cell phones, computers, head-sets, text messages,and television, and engaging in outside, "no-tech" activities we can experience a boost in spirit.

In my part of the world, when we complained to our parents about being "bored", "frumpy", "sad", or if we even looked mad, we were often sent outside to "do something". It might have been a cleverly designed strategy to uplift us from depression, but I'm suspicious it was more a plot to get that kind of negative, consuming, and contagious, energy out of the house and away from them! Louv doesn't suggest you go back to that strategy exactly. He doesn't suggest you kick them outside with a bag of breadcrumbs and hope they come back restored. In fact, the suggestion that a teenager disconnect from their lifeline is not going to have a positive result for you I don't think. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/04/acknowledging-teenagers.html %20He He suggests you go outside with your children and find ways to engage in activities that will get all of you away from the technology for awhile and in the presence of nature. He has some great ideas for doing that in his books. His ideas are about helping teenagers find ways to spend time in nature that makes them want to disconnect from their "lifelines" for a period of time. It's not about taking technology away from them.

Of course, if you look backwards for solutions to the present, sometimes it helps to go back to the 1930s. That's when Dr. Bach was discovering 8 Bach Flower essences out of his line of 38, that fit under the emotional category of "despondency and despair". Guess where he found this line of emotional self-help and healing? In nature! During walks through the countryside he found, Larch, Pine, Elm, Sweet Chestnut, Star of Bethlehem, Willow, Oak and Crab Apple. These all fit within the section of despondency and despair and any of these, and others, might be helpful for teenage depression. Here's a short phrase match up for each of those 8 essences:

Larch- lack of confidence; self-esteem
Pine- guilt; self-reproach
Elm- overwhelming responsibility
Sweet Chestnut- mental anguish
Star of Bethlehem- shock; sudden disappoints; transformation
Willow- self-pity; resentment
Oak- exhausted but struggles on
Crab Apple- poor self-image; embarrassed by personal imperfections

Most of those descriptions sound like "normal" teenage- angst to me and if a few drops of an essence could help balance those feelings and release some depression, why wouldn't we use it? Bach Flower essences aren't addictive. They don't produce side effects. They don't interfere with other medications or treatments. They don't mask emotions. They don't change your external circumstances, they balance you from within. Hmm....

Teenagers are smart. In some ways they might even be smarter then adults! If you don't think so, give any one of them the technological device you can't figure out how to use and see what happens! But we might be selling them a bit short. We might be encouraging their disconnection from nature. We might be denying them some help and support that could get them through the rough spots. Maybe we have our own heads buried in the devices and technology, the extra work and not enough time syndrome? Maybe we need their problems to be "temporary" and "normal" so we don't have to focus on them and can worry about our own angst?

Maybe you could use some connection with nature yourself. Maybe you should go outside, find a spot in the sun, in the woods, or by the water, and open up a book on Bach Flowers. Sweet Shack & Bach Bar could be an easy-read start. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-here-sweet-shack-bach-bar.html See if the idea of Bach Flowers makes sense for you or your teen. Do some research on-line with your technology.Maybe a good present to give a teenager is not a new upgrade for "the device" or a gift card to download more songs or movies. Maybe it's a Bach Consultation. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/04/bach-flower-consultations-getting.html

Do your research, then take a walk with your teenager. Experiment. Consider planting a garden with them this spring. Plot out your space, look through some seed catalogues. Let them "plug in" to the device but see if over the course of time, that device might just get left behind or ignored as they connect with nature and find some peace in the rough seas of growing up.

Just because "we all suffered through it" doesn't mean the next generation has to. Surely we can do better than that!

Cottingley Mystery: The Ultimate Fairy Tale

2012-02-16T20:27:00.001-04:00

I spent the greater part of the day in the Accountant's office. This is NOT a pleasant experience for me. It never has been and I doubt ever will be, even if I make millions which seems rather unlikely given my experiences today. All that to say, I really needed a diversion away from hard core reality so I turned to my bookshelves and decided to browse through "The Ultimate Fairies Handbook" by Susannah Marriott.

This is an interesting book, given to me by a friend who supports my need for "other world distractions" and a co-conspirator in a few childhood pranks I think. Perhaps that's why the section that caught my eye was an explanation of what is known as, The Cottingley Mystery.

In 1917, two teenage girls (11 and 16 years old) claimed not only to have seen fairies in their English garden, they had the photos to prove it. Their photographs showed the friends in poses with quite modern looking (for the early 20th century), tiny dancing figures. Today's photo is one of those pictures. They didn't appear like orbs, unknowingly there and appearing only when the photo is developed, rather the girls seemed to be posing with the fairies. That might have been a clue in hindsight. But these girls must have been very convincing storytellers and the public very receptive to believing because the photos went "viral". Their story was written by Arthur Conan Doyle and the story and the photos were published for the Christmas edition of The Strand magazine. The paper sold out in days. The girls got new cameras out of the deal as well, and were instructed on how to use them so they could get more pictures.

In 1983, at the age of 76, Frances Griffiths, the youngest photographer admitted the first 4 pictures had been faked. It wasn't some widely clever or talented trick of photography. They had cut out figures from a magazine, pasted them on hat pins, and arranged the photos.

Three things really strike me about this story. The first is how long those girls carried the secret. Amazing! Neither one of them told on the other despite what must have been some pretty incredible pressure. As the author of a few tall tales myself, and some events of deception, I'm quite familiar with the guilt of having a "little white lie" take on gargantuous proportions. Long before those two cameras were presented as gifts I would have had to spill the beans for sure. It probably would have been round about midnight the first day my mother took the pictures to the Theosophical Society meeting. I can only imagine the relief Frances must have had when she finally revealed the truth.

The second thing that strikes me about the story is how much people wanted to have living proof of the existence of fairies. I understand photography wasn't nearly as advanced as it is today, but honestly- cut out figures pasted on a hat pin!! To believe that proves the existence of fairies, I think you must really want to believe. And there is nothing wrong with that, in my opinion. The way this story went "viral" in the 1920s also shows how much so many people wanted to be connected with something from "beyond". It seems as though it's human nature to feel we are not alone in this world. We know it deep in our hearts, but still crave evidence of such existence. Hmm...

The third thing that is very interesting about the story is that there was a 4th picture in the series that was published. It was taken with the new cameras that were gifted to the girls. Apparently this picture is not like the other three. It's more blurred than the others and the fairies don't seem to be posing with the girls as much as they are freely floating forms. When Frances "came clean" about the scrapbooking techniques, she stood firm that this fourth picture was not faked, and the images in it were completely real. Frances claimed that one picture proved what the girls knew in their hearts- that fairies really were in the garden. I can't see any reason why she would lie on that one. Nor do I choose to believe she did. Instead, I take that to mean those two young girls really did experience something from beyond and they wanted to show the world. It would seem like the fairies must have supported them in that quest when they appeared for the final picture. I wonder if the girls were worried when they went to try and get that last picture? I think not, otherwise they would have been madly scrambling for pictures and paste again. I think they were confident in what they knew to be there and perhaps that's why they kept the secret for that long.

We all need to believe in pixie dust and magic and positive beings that can't often be seen. I can't see anything wrong with that. To me the Cottingley Mystery is the ultimate fairy tale and I'm happy to believe. And on a day of facts and figures and harsh reality, I am more than thankful for the distraction!

All you need is faith and trust and pixie dust!

Star of Bethlehem for Disconnection

2012-02-15T14:14:00.000-04:00

Star of Bethlehem has come up recently as an indicated essence for a number of people. I've written about this Bach Flower essence before. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/02/waiting-for-transformation.html One of it's prime indications is for the after effects of shock or trauma. For that reason it is included as one of the five essences in Rescue Remedy.

During the Italian Renaissance, artists were particularly interested in botany. They used plants as symbols in their paintings and often scattered plants throughout their canvas to reveal historical significance. For instance, Leonardo Da Vinci painted the infant Jesus holding a flower from the Genus Crucifer to foreshadow his future crucifixion. I didn't come up with this stuff myself! Julian Barnard reveals this information in his book, Bach Flower Remedies: Form & Function. Barnard also writes that when Da Vinci sketched Star of Bethlehem he didn't draw it as it actually looks. Instead, he drew the leaves as wild swirling lines. This was unusual because Da Vinci usually painted very accurate depictions. Barnard suggests Da Vinci might have been revealing the inner character of the plant through his sketch; a combination of static perfectly symmetrical flowers with swirling life force movement. Hmm...

Star of Bethlehem brings balance and calm to people that are caught up in a whirlwind tornado of life trauma and drama. The essence of the plant at the core is a delicate, pure white flower that opens only on warm clear sunny days. This part of the plant is compared to the inner soul or your inner knowing. Surrounding this pure, white, six-petaled, geometrically perfect flower, is a swirling mass of green leaves with white stripes. The leaves often disappear by the time the flower appears.

So the Star of Bethlehem plant seems to speak to that disconnect we sometimes feel between our inner selves, our souls, our peaceful perfect core, and all the swirling mass of materialism, activity, angst and distraction that can be "life in general".

In my opinion, society as a whole consciousness is waking up more to that inner being. People are reconnecting with soul purpose, with what they really believe, feel, and consider important in life. Society is starting to see the facade of organizations and structures that surround us in a swirling mass of activity, drama and sometimes, trauma. We see how our lives are often caught up in the race to achieve, gather, and surround ourselves with things that really don't touch how we feel.

That kind of inner connection and knowledge can be very inspiring. It can also be a bit painful if you have this sense of a "greater self", a "grand plan", and inner knowledge that isn't quite a fit for your day to day activity. Life is changing, priorities are shifting, and we are feeling the fire of change. Past patterns and structures are breaking down or changing and we're establishing a new order to life experiences. But that kind of change can be quite a shock to the system. Sometimes that shock of change is experienced as grief and distress.

Star of Bethlehem is one of the few essences that is prepared by the boiling method. That seems particularly shocking for such a delegate fragile, pure flower. Other essences like Holly, Elm or Red Chestnut seem more natural for this process. They seem hardy, tough, even prickly, so it makes sense that boiling would be needed to draw their powers out. But the boiling method speaks to real transformation powers and that's what Star of Bethlehem is about. This is an essence that breaks the patterns and reforms. It is not for a gentle condition. It is about a real change in state, a new way of being, a new order to your being.

We need to get reconnected with our inner, pure core. It's from within that we find power and peace in perfect balance. And when we find that inner strength, the swirling nature of day to day events and the drama tornadoes will just wither away and no longer be prominent. We won't hide behind or inside that mass of green leaves. We will stand in pure geometrically perfect alignment with our soul.

Dr. Bach said Star of Bethlehem was "the comforter and soother of pains and sorrows". I don't think there can be any greater pain or sorrow than a disconnection between your true self, your inner core and your outer manifestation. When you realize there is a difference between who you know you can be and the role you are playing, the pain is great and sometimes shocking. Some people never realize that difference and therefore never get the chance to transform and become the best they can be. But if you're in the process of great transformation, a few drops of Star of Bethlehem may provide huge comfort as you find the balance.

Here's to the power of transformation and the peace found within.

Bach Flowers for Valentines

2012-02-14T10:05:00.001-04:00

Today is Valentine's Day. It's a day to celebrate love I guess. It's a day that has some pretty confusing historical roots in my opinion.  http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentines-day-chocolate-gifts.html It can also be a rather confusing, "out of sorts" day. It can be a day of relationship measurement more than relationship celebration. If you are a teenager today, you probably feel what I mean. If you've been around a teenager today, you'll probably know what I mean.  If you've ever been a teenager, you'll probably remember what I mean. For that reason, the gift of Bach Flowers might be the best Valentine's present you could ever give or receive.

Unfortunately perhaps, there's no one Bach Flower indicated for Valentine's day. It can be rather difficult to put a description on your emotions or feelings and we all react differently, but a few possibilities for the day include; Agrimony, Cerato, Cherry Plum, Chestnut Bud, Clematis, Crab Apple, Gentian, Honeysuckle, Larch, Red Chestnut, Scleranthus, Water Violet, Willow and Holly.

If you're smiling and pretending you love the whole pomp and circumstance while inwardly you're crying, Agrimony might help you take off the mask. If you've turned into the class or office clown making jokes about the amount of chocolate you've consumed, the valentine decorations and the flowers, when deep down you feel like screaming, this might be the Bach for you. If you've suggested you all go out to the bar after work to laugh at all the poor smucks that are celebrating today- this Bach is definitely for you!

If by lunch time today you've sent more than 100 texts asking your friends whether or not you should accept that invitation or extend that Valentine's invitation, give that "possibly perfect gift", or help you choose what you should wear tonight, Cerato might be the Bach Flower for you.  It can help you trust your self and your inner knowing. Cerato can help you trust your own judgement as to what, and who, is right for you. It can also help you save on the cell phone bill!

If you woke up knowing you were just going to have a lousy depressing day because it's Valentine's Day, Gentian could be the Bach for you. It's helpful when you're feeling depressed or discouraged and you know exactly where the discouragement is coming from. It can help you realize, in fact, you may be making good progress in life. You might realize you have lots of good friends and a few too many cinnamon hearts and sappy engagement ring commercials aren't going to take that away from you.

If by the time you read this, you've seriously considered, or worried that you might, violently shred anything that in any way resembles a valentine decoration, crush chocolates, flowers, or flush paper hearts, Cherry Plum is the Bach Flower for you. It is for the fear of losing control and Valentine's Day can do that to people! It's also helpful if you are afraid to lose control or let go of someone or something. Hmm... Cherry Plum can help you calm down so you can think rationally. After all, there are some things that just don't flush well and a clogged toilet on Valentine's Day won't likely improve your mood!!!

If you have dreaded this day for a week because you always have a lousy day, date, non-date, or experience on Valentine's Day, Chestnut Bud might be the Bach Flower for you. It's for people that keep repeating the same mistakes. Like it or not, every February 14th is going to be Valentine's Day, it's what you do with the day that can change. Chestnut Bud can help you take advantage of your past "miss takes" and use them to move forward and improve your situation.

If you've been buying romance novels, watching Netflix love & romance movies, dreaming of the "knight in shinning armour" or the "sleeping princess", and are shocked to discover no incoming texts, phone calls, or appearances of that kind of activity in your life today, Clematis might be the Bach Flower for you. It's helpful when you are so caught up in dreamland you loose track of ,and interest in, the real world. Clematis can help ground you enough to consider the knight with the somewhat rusty armour or the over-achieving, hyper princess.

If all the focus on the "beautiful people" today has left you feeling embarrassed by that imperfect body, skin blemishes, crooked nose, mis-matched, last season, clothes or clumsiness, Crab Apple might help you get through the day a bit easier. It can help you accept yourself and your imperfections. It can help you relax about yourself on a day when a lot of focus is on being someone for somebody else.

If you've been focused on elementary school Valentine's parties where everyone got cards, cake and Kool-aid. If you're wishing for the days when "true-love" wasn't really the serious affair it is today, Honeysuckle might be for you. It's the remedy to consider when you're dwelling so much on the past, even if it wasn't actually that perfect, that you find it hard to deal with the present.

If you have taken advantage of the marketing focus and significance of the day and bought a very special Valentine gift for someone and lack the confidence to deliver it- Larch could be helpful for you. It can help you take the risk.

If you're that elementary school teacher today that is worried about whether or not all the kids will get an equal number of Valentine's cards and no one will be damaged for life, Red Chestnut might be helpful for you. If you're a parent of one of those teenagers and are so worried about their angst to the point that you're taking it on yourself and sending multiple texts to see how they are doing throughout the day, this is the remedy for you. It can help you care with compassion but not anxiety.

If you mood has switched from ecstatic to depressed multiple times before noon today and you can't make a decision to save your soul, Scleranthus might be helpful. If you're confused over the choice of two possibilities (or people), and you've spent more than 5 minutes trying to decide which chocolate you want to eat first, consider Scleranthus to balance your mood. If the swings of happy to sad have anything to do with the amount of chocolates you've already consumed- there might be some lessons in that too!

If you've been perfectly content without a partner, making it on your own, and doing your own thing for the past few years, months, or weeks, and suddenly today you're feeling lonely, Water Violet might help you through a rough patch. Water Violet types are capable and confident on their own and are rarely lonely, but because they don't feel the need to develop big social networks, they occasionally find themselves suffering without support or excluded from events. Water Violet might help you develop some healthy, warmer relationships so you do have support when you need it.

If everyone else has the perfect date, the perfect life, and the perfect situation but you, Willow might be helpful. If seeing that perfect couple walking hand in hand today makes you want to trip them, this remedy could be for you. If you're feeling that life has left you short-changed in the "love and relationship" department and you're more than a little bitter, feeling victimized about that, consider Willow and reassess.

Finally, if my earlier post about the search for a soul mate and the need to find love from within struck a cord with you but you just can't "get there", Holly might be helpful.  http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2012/02/desperately-seeing-soul-mate.html We have everything we need inside us to be complete. I'm sad to admit it doesn't come from chocolate. In my perfect world, on Valentine's Day I'd pipe Holly through the ventilation system of every school, office complex and high rise. It just might allow you to connect with your soul within so you could open your heart and find inner harmony.

Happy Valentine's Day for your soul.

Book Review: The Violets of March

2012-02-13T11:55:00.000-04:00

I read Sarah Jio's The Violets of March over the weekend. It got me thinking...

The novel is a love story set in a small Island community. Jio does a really wonderful job of setting, in my opinion. I was "on the Island", smelling the salt air, eating the food, and enjoying the wine, while I read. It's was a great stormy weekend read. The main character in the novel is a writer and she struggles with her writing finding inspiration during the book. As I writer I really appreciate reading about that. While the reading helps me procrastinate actually writing, it does also help me feel the urge to "get at it again" . I appreciate both that gentle nudge and the peaceful distraction.

In my opinion, Jio also does a good job of going back and forth between two different time periods. This isn't easy to do and often isn't done well in writing, but Sarah Jio manages this well. The main character finds a diary and through this diary discovers both past and present mysteries and heals herself in the process.

Jio's novel describes how family ties, patterns, and personalities, often continue to be played out in successive generations. That's the part that "got me thinking".

I think there is a soul reason for being born into the situation and family to which you enter this world. I don't think family lineage, genetics and upbringing are by accident. I think they fit into your purpose in some way or another. The "trick" may be to figure out the pattern and perpetuate what is positive and change what might be destructive and I imagine for everyone there is a bit of both. I don't think the links have to be biological. I believe the family or people that nurtured you play every bit as big a role even if you aren't genetically linked. And there is probably even more lessons in that.

We can see clear evidence of family patterns in stories of abuse, alcoholism, disease, artistic talents, career tendencies and in the case of Sarah Jio's novel, partner selection, attitudes, joys and angst. We often repeat the patterns of our parents, grandparents or relations.

Sometimes we inherit real gifts. The attitudes, strengths, perseverance and tenacity of your forefathers might have put you in a "advanced" state. Perhaps you inherit a successful business and continue to develop it to great heights. Maybe you follow the restless pattern of movement your parents or grandparents had and end up setting down roots somewhere far away from where your family began. It can take a long time for seeds to grow to fruition and I think it's often important for family members to keep watering the seeds, and nurturing the roots so that huge growth can be achieved over several generations.

Sometimes we inherit more difficult lessons. Perhaps we are born into families with difficulties and struggles so that we can change those patterns. By disrupting the pattern perhaps we move our entire lineage through destructive patterns and plant healthier seeds for the future.

If you're feels a bit lost for direction and purpose, you might find the Bach Flower essence Wild Oat could help. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/01/wild-oat-for-finding-direction.html Wild Oat can help you straighten out your goals and find your path . You might find the essence can help you sort through the lingering aspects of generations of heredity to identify what you want to keep and what you wish to change.

As I read The Violets of March, I also considered how helpful it might be to do a bit of digging into your ancestors. If you are lucky enough to still have your parents, grandparents or other relatives around you it might very helpful to have some deep and honest conversations. Perhaps they had a unfulfilled dream or a future goal that might just strike a cord for you. Maybe you have a shared path to some extent. Perhaps they have paved part of the road ahead for you. Perhaps you'll find out that there were some hidden or suppressed talents that might help you develop your own with confidence. Maybe they've made some mistakes that you can learn from. Wise Woman wisdom is worth every ounce.

Or maybe you'd just like to snuggle down with a good read. If that's the case, enjoy The Violets of March.

Desperately seeking a Soul Mate???

2012-02-10T11:35:00.001-04:00

It's pretty hard to ignore all the Valentine Day's hype that's out there. It seems to have started even earlier this year and it seems like this weekend is "Valentine Weekend" as opposed to just one day on the 14th. I guess a marketing opportunity is not be missed, especially during tougher economic times. I still feel the same way about Valentine's Day that I did last year. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentines-day-chocolate-gifts.html I still think adults can learn from teenagers and I believe teenagers are changing the world. I hope they take over the advertising world soon rather than continue to be the targeted market.

I see lots of hype this year to "find your soul mate". Weeks ago I started seeing this in arenas that I consider a bit more "spiritually advanced" than mainstream advertising and that really disappointed me. I saw workshops designed to help you connect with spirit guides and angels to find your soul mate. I've seen offerings of special readings designed so you could find just who your soul mate is, where they might be living in the world, or if they were in fact the person you thought they were. It seems like now we're connecting Valentine's day with an increased quest for a mate for our soul and according to experts we need help to do that.

See, the thing is, I don't believe any one's soul needs a mate! In my opinion, your soul is absolutely, 100%, perfectly complete, all on it's on. I do believe you can feel a bit separated from your soul. I think this happens when we don't feel good about the individual path we are on, or become confused about our direction in life- a bit "off track" from our goals and happiness.

That kind of separation can cause real angst of that I'm sure. But I believe it's dangerous to try and fix that angst by an external means. Finding the connection to your soul is a personal endeavor. No one else can do that for you. You don't need someone else to do that for you. And another person, or another soul cannot "complete" you, despite the temptation to believe that.

To think that someone else's love or admiration of you can solve all your problems, make you feel safe, secure, loved, and fulfilled is the attraction of the marketed "soul mate finding solution". It's what a lot of dating services rely on. The idea that someone else can fix your inner self just doesn't add up. It can be a welcome distraction to divert yourself away from internal searching. It's a great procrastination tool. It can also ultimately cause a lot of pain and take you further away from trust in self.

Collins Canadian Dictionary defines soul mate as " a person with whom one gets along well because of having shared interests and experiences". So, by definition, a soul mate is just a "good buddy". Nothing wrong with that! It would seem, according to the definition, that you could and perhaps should, have multiple soul mates. There is nothing in the definition that suggests a soul mate is someone that "completes you" or fills any void or gap. The definition seems much lighter than that and seems to be another way of describing a friend. By definition then, I think we all need as many soul mates as we can find.

Collins Canadian Dictionary also defines soul-searching as "deep examination of one's actions and feelings". That seems like pretty independent action. There's no mention of a mate in there. If you have independently searched your soul and examined how you want to act and what makes you feel good, then you should have an easier time finding a buddy or two that share similar actions, motivations and feelings. That's Sacral or 2nd chakra type development. When you have a balanced sacral chakra you understand what motivates you as something separate from the motivations of others. That's what a lot of teenagers are focused on- finding themselves, their true soul in the midst of lots of options for actions. When you find the balance, you don't need that outside affirmation to know and define yourself. You don't need someone else to "complete you". When teenagers resist peer pressure it's because they have developed their 2nd chakra in healthy ways.

In today's picture, both those individuals have complete and separate chakra systems. There's no meshing of the chakras. Two people don't come together to develop a newly combined chakra system. There's no "mating" there. It's an independent source of energy that is fueled and reinforced from within and through your connections to your soul. The people you meet along the way can help you maintain your balance, but they can't give you balance. That's something between you and your soul.

So if you're looking for a way to spend your money and fuel the marketing machine, I suggest two actions. Buy a big package of those multiple Valentine's like you used to get in grade school. Give one out to every Soul Buddy you have or want to have. Celebrate the connections you have through shared interests and common experiences. Appreciate the connection they have to your life and the way they allow you to balance your chakras and connect with your soul.

If you want to give something to someone that is very special in your life, and has a special spot in your heart, -do it. But give it in honor of their soul, in the beauty you see in them as an individual soul, separate from your own inner being, and appreciated for that uniqueness.

If you want to have a special Valentine card, a box of chocolates, a bouquet of flowers, or that cute little stuffed creature holding a heart, buy it. Buy it for yourself. Do it in celebration of your complete, 100% perfect, couldn't be better, soul. Don't wait for someone else to complete you- complete yourself! Find your soul and honor it.

Animal Signs: Duck

2012-02-09T20:07:00.000-04:00

For the past couple of days it seems I have been seeing ducks everywhere I look. This morning when I got an email picture of a mallard duck from a friend, I figured it was time to look Duck up as an animal sign and see what's up.

In "Animal Spirit Guides", Steven Farmer writes that the appearance of a duck means it time to have fun and even get a little silly. He suggests Duck symbolizes the time of turmoil has passed and one can release any pent-up emotions that might have been suppressed during tough times. Farmer goes on to suggest the appearance of a Mallard Duck in particular, means you should pursue any new idea that comes to you. It's time to develop and pursue it into manifestation. Hmm....

Well, if you've been following along on this blog, this really makes sense as we move through the Full Moon into it's wanning phase. It's been a pretty intense time of emotional turmoil under the Leo Moon http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2012/02/full-moon-in-leo.html Now maybe it's time to move out of that emotional intensity and take a break. During that break from drama, perhaps we can move those projects along, letting go of the feelings, concerns, and turmoil that might have been holding you back from acting on and securing your goals.

I watched the ducks for awhile. It looks like it might be kind of fun to be a duck. They didn't seem as busy or industrious as some other creatures. They were kind of cruising around, going with the flow, talking to each other, not a whole lot of stress. I watched one guy in particular. He kept walking out on the ice until he got to the very edge. When he got close to the open water he stopped. As his weight stayed there for a few minutes, the thin layer of ice gave way and next thing he knew he was floating along. He kept doing this on different pieces of ice. He seemed pretty independent in this enjoyment, and I believe he really was enjoying it. He didn't seem frustrated at the lack of support from the ice, it looked like a fun game.

I watched a few ducks float around seeming to be in a direct collision course with each other, but at the last second, one of them would veer off just a little bit,and they would end up in the same direction. It too, looked like kind of an enjoyable game.

The smaller ones often seemed to tow behind the slipstream of the guys ahead, sometimes they crawled out of the water and had little naps on the ice. They don't seem very worried about safety, the struggle for food, or basic survival. It seems as though they as secure in the fact that they can get what they need and have some time to just float around enjoying the day as well. Hmm..

So it would seem to me that Duck energy really represents a balanced Root Chakra approach to life. Ducks seem to trust that their basic needs will be met and, having that sense of faith , they can relax and allow for some light-hearted fun. They don't buy into the idea that a storm is on it's way so they should hoard a bunch of food. They don't seem to be focused on the drought of past seasons when foot might have been a little lean. They just take what comes and when a new game, a new swimming hole, or a particularly juicy bulrush stem floats into view, they are ready to take advantage of that.

In "Sweet Shack & Bach Bar", http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-here-sweet-shack-bach-bar.html Samantha was experiencing some Root Chakra issues. Wise Woman served her Rock Rose, Sweet Chestnut and Clematis.

If you are so terrified of past events or future issues that you can't find the time or ability to allow yourself play time, Rock Rose might be helpful. I don't think the Ducks I was watching were having any less survival issues than other creatures in the wild, they just don't seem that worried about them. They accept the day for what it brings and so they make the time to play on the ice a bit, and venture towards the ledge, knowing that even if the ice gives way it's no big deal. They can swim.

Sweet Chestnut speaks to Root Chakra issues as well. We can get really caught up in issues and problems. We get all twisted and knotted up in the reasons why we can't do what we think we want to do. Our projects look too big, our goals too far out of reach, and our angst so great that we take ourselves to the limit of our endurance and beyond. Sweet Chestnut can help face problems with optimism and peace of mind. Perhaps if we took a few drops of Sweet Chestnut we could take a break from our own angst, go for a swim and see what the other side of the river looks like.

Duck energy is about the kind of productivity that comes when you are relaxed and in the moment. When you're open to new ideas and not panicked about where your next meal will come from, or not flying away in fear that stranger is out to get you, sometimes a few seeds or a bread crust or two just land on the rocks in front of you.

Ducks can fly away whenever they want to it would seem. But they are also skilled swimmers and great floaters. They seem pretty grounded. I wonder if some of them eat Clematis seeds? Clematis is the Bach Flower that can help you bring those great ideas and projects into manifestation. Clematis helps bridge the gap between dreaming up what you want to do, and bringing those ideas into your reality. It provides the balance to get your thoughts on paper.

As I watched the ducks, a silly, goofy, children's book idea floated into my mind. It features flowery bathing hats, synchronized swim teams, and independent ducks with unique dreams. No big issues, no huge morals, just an easy float on a sunny day....

Finding Your Inner Lion

2012-02-07T11:59:00.000-04:00

Today the Full Moon is in Leo. Emotions are high and creativity is unleashed. The symbol for Leo is the Lion. With all that power and opportunity floating about, it might be a good time to connect with your inner lion.

Most people have a private self and a public self. Often there is quite a disconnection between the two. People around you might be seeing you as quite timid, shy and reserved; a kitten, while inside you know you have the roar of the lion. To balance the disconnect is often the key to balanced emotions and positive interactions.

Not only is the Lion a symbol for Leo, it's also considered a totem, power, or spirit animal. Steven Farmer, in "Animal Spirit Guides", writes that when a Lion shows up it may mean you're much stronger than you think. Isn't that what the Lion discovered in The Wizard of Oz? All that courage and dignity is found within. Sometimes we just need to be reminded of that.

Daniel Mapel, in "Into the Heart of the Wild", recommends Lion for people that want to claim their deepest personal authority and spiritual power. He writes that Lion helps support you in connecting with your inner archetypes of King and Queen.

Assuming that you're somewhere, anywhere, on earth right now as you read this blog, and if you're not I'd love to hear from you too!, I think there's a good chance you feel as though you have taken on a project that may seem overwhelming. Maybe it's always been like that no matter what era you live in, but for sure in this fast pace of radial changes, conflicting ideologies, and shifting vibrations, we're challenged to "keep the faith". I also believe that deep down everyone knows they have the necessary skills to complete their project, whatever that might be. But sometimes that knowing is buried really, really, deep. And when that knowledge is covered up with loads of insecurity, past failures, failed attempts, unhelpful patterns, and thoughts and emotions from others, it can be pretty difficult to find the knowing. That's when you need to call on your inner Lion to dig through all that and face the mirror . That's when it's time to admire your flowing mane, impressive jaw-line, large teeth, wise watchful eyes, twitching ears, and retractable claws.

There are some Bach Flower essences that in my opinion, particularly resonate with Lion energy. They include; Larch, Agrimony, Centaury, Mimulus and Elm.

Larch is the essence that first comes to mind when you could use some help to find your Lion. Larch is helpful when you suffer from a lack of confidence. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/01/performance-anxiety-lack-of-confidence.html When in a Larch state you are secretly aware you have the ability to achieve your goals but you refuse to try for fear of failing. It can be helpful when you need a boost of confidence to complete a project, stand up in front of a group of people, take a test or exam, or complete an interview.

Agrimony might be helpful if you are hiding your Lion by putting on the mask of a kitten. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/12/agrimony-to-release-whats-behind-mask.html It can be helpful if you're avoiding that project because you are afraid of conflict and discomfort. Rather than let your Lion roam when in an Agrimony state, you pretend to be a playful kitten in a effort to distract yourself and others from a project that really should get done. You might even be a bit too taken by cat nip in an effort to suppress your discomfort!

Centuary could help you set your Lion free if you've got him tied up and caged because of other people. If you've allowed a bully to force your Lion back into the cave, Centuary might be the essence for you. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/01/feel-walked-on-consider-trying-centaury.html You don't have to come out roaring, clawing , hunting for prey, and directing the pride, but a few drops of Centuary might help you express your need to open the lock and take a confident stroll on your own chosen path.

Mimulus might help you transform from a scared kitten to a confident lion. If your Lion is being held back because of fears you can easily identify, such as public speaking, loss of friends or job, poverty, or other people, Mimulus might be indicated. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/11/asteroids-impending-doom-bach-flowers.html It can help shy, timid, personalities find the quiet courage to stand up for themselves with their emotions under control. A few drops of Mimulus might help your Lion come out of the den, stretch, yawn, and face the difficulties in order to achieve the goals.

If you're feeling like an exhausted old cat without any kitten, let alone lion, energy, Elm might be the essence for you. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/09/elm-for-feeling-overwhelmed.html Elm is helpful when you momentarily loose your confidence because you feel overwhelmed by responsibility. Elm can help when you have temporarily lost your "lion-ness". It's a passing state, helpful if you usually beautiful well-conditioned mane feels a bit scraggly.

The point is Lion energy is not only "out there" but also within. And it's definitely worth finding your Lion energy when faced with difficulty times and life in general. Bring your Lion out of the cave and into the open where you can soak up some sun and revitalize.

Maybe tonight you should roar at the moon!

Full Moon in Leo

2012-02-06T11:46:00.000-04:00

The air feels kind of heavy to me today in contrast to what I actually see. This morning was the first time that I really felt the earlier sunrise as the days start to lengthen. It felt brighter out, but not lighter. That's the kind of contrast that seems to be "out there" in my part of the world today from my perspective. The sun has been making an appearance in a brilliant way that is much appreciated, yet it still feels heavy.

Maybe it's because we are moving into the Full Moon in Leo. According to my We'Moon 2012 book this doesn't actually happen fully until tomorrow, but perhaps we are experiencing that full moon pull today. We'Moon also identifies this phase as a Full Moon in Leo. Hmm...

I wrote about the impacts of a full moon in Leo before http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/02/full-moon-in-leo-solar-flares-and.html . So this is another cycle of drama and fiery energy.

The energy of Leo is a call to action. People born under a moon in Leo are said to be inspirational to others and cultural leaders. But there is a dramatic intensity to Leo that might just send up a bit of a flag if you're feeling a little "off" under this energy influence today. Like perhaps a lot of Fire signs, if a Leo is bored, there can be a tendency to create an emergency just for the sake of excitement.

Today there is a feeling of contrasts in the atmosphere. Seems like the air is heavy and yet the sun is by times shining very brightly and that doesn't quite add up. The air is warming up dramatically today in my part of the world but the wind is also picking up and carrying quite a chill. One minute the sun is out and the next there is heavy cloud cover. That kind of contrast and change can be difficult to adapt to. The danger, particularly under the influence of Leo I think, is that we try to "fill in the gap" or explain how we are feeling by creating a scenario that covers it. I guess we want to explain that external/ universal/nature locus of control http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/03/earth-hour-internal-versus-external.html

When the air is heavy we can sometimes decide to explain that by thinking we are depressed. And if we're not sure why we are depressed, it's usually pretty easy to pull some kind of circumstance in to provide yourself with a reason! Once you get set on that circumstance, reason, and energy, you're very likely to create exactly that- a depression. It might just be that the reason didn't actually come first. I think there are times when we feel some universal force first and then fill in the blank with the reason.

We aren't often content to exist in this vacuum alone. There can be a tendency to pull others into our mood-if only to feel justified in creating the scenario or the mood in the first place. Under that Leo influence, there's a really good chance you could get pulled into someone else's emergency. That's the drama tornado effect http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/09/detachment-from-drama-tornadoes.html . Be careful you don't get sucked in to one today!

There are lots of Bach Flower essences that could be helpful on a day like today if you're feeling the pull of the moon. Many of them I've mentioned in the previous blog post links. Today might also be a really good day to have a bottle of Perelandra ETS Plus around. It can really address that "other world quality" that could be impacting your electrical system.

In my opinion, recognizing the fact that the pull of the moon, the influence of Leo, and a multitude of forces we have no understanding of might be affecting you might just be all you need. To recognize that fact, and not fill in the blanks with some earthly problem or issues, someone else's drama, or another "scene from the play", might be all the protection you need.

Today is a great day to follow your dreams, shine your light, discover your inspiration and move yourself forward in the direction you know to be right. And both tonight and tomorrow night, no question about it, will be a great time to express yourself by howling at the moon!!

Vagus Nerve and the 7 Chakras

2012-02-03T12:06:00.000-04:00

As is often the case, having written the title for this blog posting, I don't really know where it's going to go from there, but here goes. I came across some very interesting information about the Vagus nerve that seems to have inspired me to follow this thread a bit.

It seems that from both a science perspective and a spiritual perspective, people are examining the Vagus nerve and it's affect on our bodies these days. When both "sides" are looking at the same thing, that always intrigues me. Must mean there is something to be gained from the intersection of that research.

The Vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the human body. It extends from within the brain on a winding road throughout the body down through the intestine. That's science. The Vagus nerve also, just so happens, to be the only nerve in the body that is present through each one of the 7 Chakras- from Crown Chakra through to the Root. Hm...

This nerve is part of the parasympathetic nervous system which means it's about slowing things down. It is in direct contrast to "fight or flight". When the parasympathetic system is "in control" we are in fact "in control". We are calmer, able to think clearer, and experience less fear. Since these responses travel throughout the whole length of that nerve, that means we are calmer throughout all of the 7 chakras. That seems like a good thing!

Apparently science has also discovered that the Vagus nerve is stimulated when we feel empathy. When we connect with someone else's emotions and feel for them, even if it's through watching them on television or seeing a picture, that connection stimulates the Vagus nerve. We often feel that connection in our heart- the 4th Chakra. Sometimes we feel that lump in our throat- the 6th Chakra. Sometimes we feel something in our Root Chakra, particularly if we connect on a fear level for that other person. Sometimes we get a rush to the solar plexus, the 3rd charka. It's actually not the fight or flight feeling, it's the parasympathetic Vagus nerve giving us a jolt and reminding us that we are connected in some way to the plight of others.

The Vagus nerve it would seem taps into other people's energy. People that are highly sensitive to others, to energy sources, and their intuition, have highly toned, readily functioning Vagus nerves. Science confirms that the Vagus nerve is attached to emotions, the right side of our brain, more than thoughts, that logical left side of our brain. The Vagus nerve participates in controlling our moods.

Medical science has found ways to stimulate the Vagus nerve. There are methods used in the pre-hospital field to stimulate the Vagus nerve for the purpose of slowing down a rapid heartbeat. There are also techniques to stimulate the Vagus nerve to reduce clinical depression. Research is underway to find less invasive techniques to do this.

If your Vagus nerve was severed you would have difficulty speaking, breathing, eating, and most likely, a quite irregular heartbeat. It would seem you would also have very unbalanced chakras- all 7 of them! That, and clinical depression to boot! Hmm...

Is there a "so what" to be gained from this? Maybe... Perhaps we try to block our Vagus nerve. Maybe in our world of hard-core business, logical thinking, "fight to get to the top", we unconsciously sever our Vagus nerve just a bit, or from time to time. When we give in to the stressful world of the sympathetic nervous system and make decisions based on fear, anxiety and what seems like logical thought, in a fast-paced stressful atmosphere, we override our parasympathetic system. We try very hard to over-ride our emotions because that won't get us ahead. Ahead of what??

Maybe we should work on toning up our Vagus nerve a bit. Maybe we should allow ourselves to feel empathy and emotions, and accept the connection we have with others and with all energy around us. Maybe if we acknowledged that connection and celebrated it's existence we wouldn't be "short-circuiting" throughout that Vagus nerve. If we could allow the energy and impulses to flow in a constant and smooth fashion we might even out our moods, balance our chakras and react from a calmer more relaxed place of emotional stability.

I know empathic people that try to put up shields and block that type of flow in an effort to not be "sucked into" other people's negative space. I understand that need and I think it has it's place. But I'm also trying to think outside the box. Maybe we can't really block that anyway despite our efforts. I wonder if we just end up with spurts and starts and short circuits throughout the system. The parasympathetic system is pretty automatic and not within that "conscious" control. Perhaps if we just "let it flow", show no resistance, and continually let it run through us we wouldn't "trap" that negativity in one chakra or the other. In the spirit of the parasympathetic response, this isn't about "doing" anything. Instead it's about stepping back and "allowing" energy to flow the way it normally would if you didn't put up a fight or flight. Maybe that's what "going with the flow" is all about? if

I don't have a witty concluding paragraph for this post- sorry. But that's what "flowed" through me. Perhaps thanks to that Vagus nerve connection, I'll get some comments and discussion as to what you feel about this...

Groundhog Day/Candlemas 2012

2012-02-02T13:25:00.000-04:00

Today is Candlemas, also known as Ground Hog day. I wrote about this last year http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/02/groundhog-day.html and was quite surprised to discover all the tradition surrounding this day. It seems like cause for celebration no matter what you believe and that's always a good thing in my opinion.

In my part of the world it would seem there is no way any ground hog would see his shadow today. We haven't really seen the sun. Although that isn't normally considered a positive thing, on ground hog day it is. It would seem that if the Ground Hog does not see his shadow we are in for an early spring- less than six weeks away. Hmm...

That sounds rather safe to say I think. We've been having a pretty "spring-like" winter. Six weeks from now, whether or not that shadow has anything to do with anything, I imagine we're likely to at least be seeing more of the spring like weather and less winter stuff. And whether or not spring is six weeks, eight weeks, or somewhere in between away, I still need to order those seeds now in preparation of it's arrival! http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2012/01/waxing-half-moon-in-taurus.html

I think the Ground Hog is a pretty cool little guy though. I just wonder if we are really bugging him with all this media hype. I mean, let's face it, how many of us really look our best and are ready to face the cameras when we first roll out of bed after a good long hibernation? It's a good thing the Ground Hog is a pretty self-confident type creature with lots of trust in self.

Steven Farmer in, Animal Spirit Guides, includes Ground Hog as a spirit animal. He writes that if a Ground Hog shows up it could mean you should "communicate your boundaries and limits clearly and straight-forwardly". Farmer also writes that it could mean you are going through an initiation of sorts. It could be a symbol that you are experiencing a cycle from which you could emerge with a new sense of self.

So with so much global focus on the Ground Hog today, that seems to me to indicate we all could be going through a cycle of change from which the world may create new structures, identities and ways of being. That sounds like what is happening in the world these days, and what is predicted by many to occur this year of 2012. We are seeing old structures crumble a bit as new ideas and leaders take over. This also seems to me to be the type of energy that is manifested as we move from one season into another- especially considering the re-birth cycle of winter into spring.

Maybe Ground Hog day, Candlemas, and all the energy around that is a celebration of cycles and rhythms. Something to remind us that from out of the darkness of winter and the rest and recuperation of hibernation, new form emerges. The ultimate "do over" for us all.

Perhaps the point the Ground Hog makes, is that to some extent he gets to decide whether he is ready for an emergence, or whether he needs to rest and recoup a bit longer. He sets his own limits and boundaries, and personally, I'm not sure that it has as much to do with the weather as some people think! I'm pretty sure the "predictions" have been wrong a time or two. In my opinion, that self contained little guy comes out and peaks at the world, considers how he feels, and makes a calculation decision on how far ahead to set his alarm clock. At the very least he's back for another six weeks of sleep. Maybe he orders his seeds and goes back to bed?

I take all this to mean that today is a good day to "check in with yourself". It seems like a good time to see how you are feeling and what issues you're making progress in and what things could use more work and perhaps help. It's a time to think about where you want to be in terms of self-development, goals, and strategies six weeks or so in the future. It's not about criticizing yourself if you're not where you think you should be. It's more about figuring out how much time you need to give yourself to build your strength and relax before you forge ahead. It's a time to consider whether or not you might need some help in order to achieve your future goals. That way, when you do have the strength and you do feel the warmth of the spring-time sun, you'll be ready to face it head on.

Some people believe the Ground Hog gets scared by his shadow and runs away, back to his burrow. I don't believe that for a minute! I think he uses the opportunity to consider himself from a distance and think about his options. Maybe he experiments a bit between dreamland and reality and goes back to bed to allow his dreams the chance to mature into reality.

Now that sounds like a good way to spend the time between winter and spring! Pleasant dreams.

Sweet Shack & Bach Bar: Book Review From the Bach Centre

2012-02-01T16:03:00.000-04:00

It's kind of gloomy in my part of the world today. It's foggy as thought there is an opaque film in the atmosphere obscuring a clear view of the world. It's raining out which isn't really supposed to happen in February, but "it is what it is". It's the kind of day that feels a bit like some comfort food might be order. That got me thinking about Sweet Shack & Bach Bar..

When I first wrote Sweet Shack & Bach Bar I wasn't really sure where the book was headed. It really took shape as I wrote. The characters became real to me and a part of my world. I realized I wanted to create a book that would help people understand that Bach Flowers essences could fit easily into your life. By identifying with a character, or with bits and pieces of one or two characters, I wanted people to realize their emotions might be soothed by Wise Woman Wisdom. I wanted to create a light and fun read so you didn't have to "invest yourself" in the characters or worry much about how they were going to deal with things. I wanted to put some magic and fun and comfort into the world. I wanted to have a positive impact.

I didn't take a scientific approach when I wrote the book. Wise Woman has some pretty non-traditional ideas and approaches. Merlin does some hocus pocus stuff that really isn't based on science, earthly laws, or real-world rules. In fact, there aren't a lot of rules in Sweet Shack & Bach Bar at all.

But the Bach Flower essence indications in the book are very real. I didn't take creative license there. I admire the work that has been done both by Dr. Bach in the 1930's and by the people at the Bach Centre that still carry on his scientific work in the traditional ways. As a Registered Bach Practitioner, the thoughts, ideas, information and opinions of the Bach Centre are important to me. So when Sweet Shack & Bach Bar came back from the publisher in print, real-world form, I went "out on a limb". I took a few drops of the Bach Flower essence Larch to boost my self-confidence and I mailed a copy of the book to the Bach Centre asking if they might review it. I didn't hold my breath exactly but I did anxiously open the email when it came.

Once again I am impressed by the visionary attributes of the people at the Bach Centre. Stefan Ball himself read and reviewed my book and wrote the following:

The Sweet Shack and Bach Bar is a magical establishment, found in unexpected locations by people who think they are looking for something else. The Wise Woman behind the counter is just as resourceful. She always has just what the distressed visitor is most in need of: a chance to talk, a dish of something sweet, a present, and not least, three shots of Bach from the bar.
The Wise Woman knows her remedies, and there are some good descriptions of remedy states, delivered in an informal, human-centred way that will appeal even to people with no pre-existing interest in the remedies. She's not a bad cook, either, and readers enthused about the various delights served up will be delighted by the section towards the back where the recipes are given in full.
As well Bach, the Wise Woman uses chakras in her therapy work, and the flavours and colours said to resonate with each chakra feature in the food and presents doled out to customers. A table at the back of the book reinforces links suggested in the stories: between, for example, sleep disorders and the Solar chakra; or between the Crown chakra, chronic exhaustion, and Bach remedies White Chestnut, Wild Rose and Star of Bethlehem.
This raises an aspect of the book that I had difficulty with. A phrase such as “Oak people sometimes develop kidney problems” is unquestionably true, insofar as people in an Oak state are no more immune to kidney problems than the rest of us. The worry would be that readers might choose Oak whenever there is a kidney disorder: something that would be quite wrong in Bach terms.
Similarly, a beginner looking across the table from sleep disorders and seeing Impatiens, Scleranthus and Hornbeam listed might ignore more likely remedy choices, such as Agrimony, White Chestnut, Mimulus or Vervain. And of course, seven chakras and seven chapters, with three remedies for each, means that some remedies don't feature at all. For these reasons, I wouldn't personally suggest Sweet Shack and Bach Bar to anybody looking for help selecting remedies.
The blurb on the back, though, makes a different claim. Sweet Shack and Bach Bar is “a sweet treat for long time believers in Bach essence healing and those that are new to the idea”. Taken in those terms – as a treat, a snack, something refreshing and toothsome that might leave you wanting more – Sweet Shack and Bach Bar succeeds. I found inspiration and a good deal of charm here, and for that reason recommend the book.

Stefan Ball "got it". It seems he really understood my intention when writing this book. His review lifted any worry I might have had as to how my book would be received by the Bach community. So today the fog doesn't feel depressing to me; it feels mystical. It's still a good day for comfort food, and a good day to try some of the recipes in the book, but in celebration of magic, not to soothe angst. And that's the balance I hope you'll feel when you read the book. http://www.brylerpublications.com/sweetshack.php

Enjoy the magic...

Life Lessons from a GPS

2012-01-31T14:52:00.000-04:00

I spent a lot of time the other day driving around the city. I had a number of meetings and a bunch of errands and nothing seemed close to the other. I racked up a lot of miles going back and forth and in between, even in getting to the city in the first place. I had very good company for this travel. I took our trusty GPS device which we affectionately call "Shirley".

GPS stands for Global Positioning System and according to technical specifications is a space-based satellite navigation system based on a method called triangulation. Wow.. that's a mouthful. I really don't spend a lot of time thinking about how this thing works. I turn it on, plug in an address and a map "magically" appears and a voice tells me where to go and how to get there. Hmm...

When I first got "Shirley" I used to argue with her a lot. I didn't trust her. I'm directionally challenged, but I really thought I knew better than she did for some reason. Sometimes I didn't think Shirley gave me the instructions far enough ahead of time so I would make some decisions on my own, and a little prematurely, that made my journey a little more complicated than it might have needed to be.

Over time I've come to trust Shirley and we have a much better relationship. Shirley has taken away a lot of stress for me. I don't worry anymore about finding my way, I really trust that Shirley will do the navigation for me. It frees me up to "just" drive. There's some comfort in that.

Perhaps because I was "stress free" the other day, I did some thinking about Shirley. It seems to me there are some life lessons to be found in the GPS technology.

The GPS is based on satellites orbiting the earth. The distance between my vehicle and three or four satellites is measured constantly and that identifies my position in space. I don't know how that works any more than that. But the point is, it would seem , that I don't need to figure that out because Shirley works just fine without me having any idea how she "does what she does". It would seem if I can trust some sort of orbiting satellite or three or four to provide me direction while traveling at 110+km/hr, I should be able to trust some sort of divine universe power and a master plan for my journey on earth. Maybe I don't need to understand how that works, what's actually "out there", or how the system is designed. Perhaps I can just find the trust.

I can override Shirley at any point in time. She doesn't actually do the driving, she just provides me with suggestions. That seems to be similar to the concept of free-will. We can vary off our path and take short-cuts, back roads, and alternative routes in life. We can decide we just aren't up for a challenge that might be presented to us. We get to choose, but if we are willing to accept it, there is a lot of help along the way.

If I "mess up" and don't follow Shirley's advice correctly she does a "re-calculation". She doesn't throw up her circuit board in disgust and tell me I'm on my own. She very calmly, without judgement, adjusts and gives me new instructions. Having been way off course a time or two, it would seem she will recalculate an infinite number of times. I think the life journey is similar. There are no mistakes- just miss takes and you always get a "do over" after you've spent some time to recalculate.

The more I trust Shirley's guidance the smoother my trip is. That lesson took awhile, but I no longer second guess Shirley or think I know better. I follow the signs to the best of my capability. I still have to make allowances for detours, road closures and sudden changes. Sometimes I shut Shirley off when I already know the route and am confident to go it alone. Again, that seems like a life lesson. Sometimes we need that guidance and sometimes we're good to make our own map. But it's always nice to know the help is there if you run into trouble along the way.

A lot of people I know have a GPS. Most people give it a name. I guess it's just because it feels like if something is talking to you, you should personalize it. There are lots of names out there for the same model. That seems to be an individual choice and as far as I know, it doesn't affect the directions you get. So maybe the same is true of life. Maybe it doesn't matter what you call your guidance system; God, Buddha, Allah, Gaia, Spirit, Divinity, Source, Mother/Father, and the list goes on. Maybe whatever you call it- it's still the same system. Hm...

Sometimes I can't get the direction I need from Shirley. Occasionally, I plug in an address and it just doesn't seem to be there. But no matter what, it seems Shirley tracks my position in space. Again that seems like a life lesson. Sometimes the directions don't seem to be clear but "the now" is always present and tangible.

On thing is very clear with my GPS. At any point in the journey, if I plug in "Home", Shirley can get me back there. There is huge comfort in that. It might even be that I would venture further than my comfort zone knowing that I can find my way back. Particularly in uncharted, woodland, this feature can be life-saving. Hmm..

The final lesson I take from my GPS is this. While Shirley provides the navigation, is often decent company, relieves stress, and provides comfort, it is still up to me to do the driving.

Happy Motoring!

Waxing Half Moon in Taurus

2012-01-30T16:06:00.000-04:00

It's almost the end of January. Although it's been pretty mild in my part of the world, and by times in the sun today it really did feel like spring, it is still January. So it seemed rather surprising to me when I got a notice from the ordering co-op I belong to that it was time to order my seeds and seed potatoes for spring planting! Wait! I'm not ready!

I was still pondering those seeds when I opened my We'Moon 2012 book to today's date. It turns out today marks a Waxing Half Moon phase on our way to a full moon on February 7th. We'Moon reports this Half Moon is in Taurus. Interesting.. maybe those seeds make sense.

The Waxing Moon is a powerful energy pull. The moon in this phase is moving towards fullness. In a similar manner, people often feel, perhaps with or without being aware of it, a similar pull. It can be a time when goals start to become realized, we move forward in direction, bringing ideas to action. At least it would seem that kind of energy is out there in the universe thanks to the power of the moon, and therefore it's a good time to tap into that source to bring your dreams and efforts to fruition. Just as the waning moon suggests an ability for people to tag along with the moon in letting go and release, the waxing moon invites you to tag along on a ride to bring energy to you. This type of drawing of energy in resonates with your third chakra- your source of personal power. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/05/waxing-moon-and-third-chakra.html

We'Moon identifies that when the Moon is in Taurus we may feel the need to slow down in order to plant our roots deep. Those born under a Taurus Moon are said to be strong, solid, stable. They have a deep connection to the earth that is reflected in resources enough to share. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/11/full-moon-in-taurus.html So the Waxing Moon in Taurus seems like a good time to plant your roots deep so that what you grow will be strong, resilient, and stable.

The challenge may be to identify what type of energy, projects, people, or dreams you want to build on during this energy opportunity. I guess it's all about seed selection. And although spring, or the Full Moon, can seem a ways away, if you want your dreams to manifest you have to first select the seeds.

Perhaps a couple of good things to plant would be Wild Oat and Clematis. They are both Bach Flower essences and they can both be helpful for realizing your dreams.

Wild Oat can help you in the seed selection process. If you're feeling pulled in multiple directions and just not sure where you want to place your energy, you may be bouncing around and back and forth between projects. That kind of unfocused attention can leave you feeling dissatisfied and scattered. It can also leave your dreams unfulfilled. The universe has no idea what to bring you! Wild Oat can help you get a clear picture of what you want to do in life. It can help you identify what type of energy you want to draw towards you during this powerful time.

Once you've selected your seeds, you still might need some Clematis in order to get those seeds in the ground. In fact, if you're a Clematis type, or have been through a Clematis state or two, I'm willing to bet you have a package or two of seeds in your junk drawer! Clematis types are great dreamers. Round about the end of January they can look out the window and see flowers growing amongst the green grass as butterflies fly about under a warm spring sun. They can dream right past the reality of dirty snow, slush, and frozen horse manure. They have no problem with the dream, but they lack the Taurus sense of grounded roots. A few drops of Clematis can help you take a more lively interest in the world around you. It can help you bring your dreams into reality. In order to create that flowering garden in the sunshine, you just might have to order some seeds!

This Waxing Half Moon in Taurus day is a great time to sit down with the seed catalogue of your mind. Spend a moment or two to really consider what you want to bring into your life. Dream it, scheme it, and consider it from multiple angles. Identify some clear goals and then ride the moon towards it's realization.

Happy grounded dreaming!!

Animal Signs: Sparrow

2012-01-27T17:27:00.002-04:00

Change seems to be all around these days. Everyone is talking about feeling shifting and movement as actions, outcomes and events are accelerated in pace. In my part of the world today we've gone through just about every weather pattern except the "hot and sunny" phase. One day we have green grass that doesn't make sense around here for January, the next day it's covered with snow, only to be replaced in the same afternoon with rain that washes it away - maybe a layer or two of freezing rain in the middle. I'm not sure the animals are too happy with this up and down and all around stuff, but I guess they make their adjustments. Maybe they are smart enough to just not fight it, think about how it might be different, or question that it doesn't seem right to be raining after a snowstorm. It just "is what it is" to them maybe. Hmm...

I was feeling the wind pick up and switch again and seeing the slushy accumulation of "stuff" and wasn't feeling very inspired to write. I went out to deliver some hay to the critters and 6 or 7 sparrows greeted me from the hay pile. They didn't seem scared of me really, just a little annoyed that I had dared enter their "shelter from the storm" area. They said a lot to me, but I'm afraid I didn't quite catch it. So I wondered if Sparrow was a animal spirit or Power animal and considered there might be a message there- like a topic for the blog...

Sure enough, Steven Farmer in Animal Spirit Guides, includes Sparrow. He suggests the presence of Sparrow is a signal to look for the nobility in the most common of things, including yourself.

Sparrows are a very common bird. They flourish where other species fail. The don't seem to mind the rain and snow and extremes of weather. They don't fly off and look for an easier place to rest. They know their self-worth. They are evidence that even a little bird can triumph.

P.D. Eastman wrote and illustrated a wonderful children's picture book in 1960 called Are You My Mother?. In the story a mother bird sitting on her egg in the nest feels the egg about to hatch and goes out in search for food for her new arrival. While she's gone the egg hatches and a small bird (that I'm going to take as a sparrow!) is born with a big attitude. He doesn't decide he's abandoned when his mother isn't around, he doesn't worry about where she might be, he just takes off in search of her. He knows she must be looking for him. He never doubts that. Having never seen his mother (or himself) he has no idea what his mother looks like so he keeps asking everyone, and thing, he meets if they are his mother. He encounters a cat, a hen, a dog, a cow, a boat, a plane, and finally a bulldozer before he finds his mother. It works out in the end, but I won't spoil the surprise. The point is, this little sparrow (I think) has full confidence in himself. And that never wavers no matter what anyone says to him. He can't fly so we walks; with his head up, full of poise and self-esteem. And that's the energy of the sparrow.

Farmer writes that Sparrow energy is a signal you might be in very productive and prolific times. I think that speaks to the energy cycle we all seem to be in. During this time of intense change and rapid energy, it might be wise to draw on Sparrow energy to remember you can hold hold your own, be a survivor, comfortable wherever you happen to be. Whether that's safe and secure in the nest, or walking along a dusty road looking for a connection, it's all about the unshakable belief in self.

On the Animal Totem website http://www.linsdomain.com/ , the song sparrow is said to reflect the chakra energy awakening from the heart and throat. The Sparrow reminds us to love ourselves and feel confident we are speaking our truth from the heart. Maybe it's time to sing your own song and sing it loud. If you need a bit of inspiration, go to another website http://www.toronto-wildlife.com/Birds/Sparrows/sparrows.html , click onto the audio and listen to the song of the sparrows. Ahh....

You might want to try some peppermint cheesecake like Rachael did in Sweet Shack & Bach Bar, http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-here-sweet-shack-bach-bar.html to help you sing. Bach Flowers might help you as well. Rachael tried Mimulus, Agrimony and Cerato. Or you might want to just curl up with a good book sheltered from the storm of energy, safe and secure in yourself and your place in the world. Even the littlest bird has a great song to sing.

Animal Signs: Cat

2012-01-25T13:16:00.000-04:00

I was scanning the news headlines this morning. I try to do this with an open mind and look for something positive or somewhat non-judgemental. It isn't always easy. There is talk about the cruise ship that sank off Italy, government scandals and money markets, fatality fires and murders, tourist attacks in Mexico, and solar flares. Basically sounds like kind of a bad day. But then I saw a headline about a cat getting loose in an airplane delaying a flight. Now that sounds at least "unusual" and not totally tragic so I read that one a little deeper.

As the story reads, a passenger boarded a plane in Halifax with intentions to travel to Toronto with her cat. Somehow, the cat, Ripples, got out of her possession and went "loose" in the plane before the flight could take off. So the search for Ripples began. Sounds like everyone was involved as his owner repeatedly called for Ripples to no avail. This is starting to sound to me like one of those "most embarrassing moments stories". Imagine all attention focused on you as you frantically try to contain your somewhat "disobedient" cat. Makes those parent/child toy store "events" pale in comparison! The story goes on to explain that the cat got into the cockpit of the plane and didn't just check out the controls- he got all twisted amongst the wires and whatever it is that just might keep your plane in the air! They got Ripples out eventually, but the plane had to be further delayed so the wiring could be checked.

What's really interesting to me about this story is that while I'm sure there were passengers that weren't taking this whole thing in stride- it seems like a lot of people were very gracious and understanding about the whole thing. They "felt" for the woman with the "wild cat". They understood how upset she was and didn't seem to be laying blame or irate at the situation. At one point the crew shut down the engines in the hopes of calming Ripples so he could be found more easily. Seems like everyone could understand that Ripples was scared, not intentionally trying to create a commotion and put everyone off schedule. One passenger said it was just some "random" , "freaky" thing and people seemed okay with that- not judgemental. Wow- now that is actually a news story in my opinion!

With so much attention on Ripples, I thought today might be a good day to open Steven Farmers Animal Spirit Guides book to the section on Cat and take a look. Farmer writes that if a cat shows up;

" This is a period of magic and mystery for you, so pay close attention to signs and omens that will guide and direct you.
Whatever you've released- relationships, material goods, self-defeating habits- will soon be replaced with something or someone entirely more suitable for who you are presently"

I rather think there was some magic and mystery going on around that flight that people seemed to connect with the passenger and her angst. They looked for Ripples and didn't seem to "go crazy" about the delay. It sounds like there was a magical understanding among strangers that we don't always find in our busy world these days.

It occurs to me that maybe some people did "release" some old patterns and self-defeating habits. Perhaps they weren't as demanding as travelers usually are. They got connecting flights arranged and sorted things out. Maybe they ended up with better schedules and interesting encounters as a result.

Cats are said to be very self-sufficient and connected to ancient wisdom. Farmer writes that having a cat come into your life might mean an ancestor or spirit guide is trying to communicate with you. I wonder if people listened?

Maybe Ripples knew something we'll never know. Maybe that wiring did need to be checked anyway. Maybe poor Ripples just didn't want to be that much closer to the solar flares that were bouncing around in the atmosphere- that much closer at some 30,000 feet! Maybe Ripples wasn't ready for the big city?

One of the passengers interviewed did mention that most likely a new policy on the method of traveling with animals would be reviewed. Maybe something like making sure the animal is actually in the carrier and unable to "run loose". That makes sense. It also would be a good idea to give your traveling pet Rescue Remedy before you put him or her in that carrier. I hope poor Ripples gets a dose of it during the aftermath. The really good thing about Rescue Remedy is that both Ripples and his owner could share the same bottle. Because there is no doubt in my mind that while she was calling for Ripples' both terrified for the cat and worried about the attention, that mother could certainly have used the calming nature of those essences. Wouldn't it be nice if airlines offered Rescue Remedy along with the snacks and headphones you can purchase on board.

I hope right about now Ripples is feeling as good as the cat in today's picture. I hope he's been calmed and comforted and given some of his favorite treats ( I wonder if that is ripple chips?). I hope his owner is feeling secure and calm as well.

Sometimes what feels like the worse event in your life at the time, makes the best story later. I hope Ripples gets to write his story!

Needing a bit of a Nudge ? Bach Flowers to Help Get You Started

2012-01-24T11:03:00.000-04:00

It's January. We're in a New Moon phase and have just started a new year. On some level, for a lot of people, that signifies a fresh start, an urge to move ahead, to make some change. We often set off with good intentions and even some resolutions at the first of the year but towards the end of January it's easy to feel stuck. You have an idea what you want to change, perhaps a pattern you really want to get out of, but it feels like you are spinning your wheels a little and you could really use a bit of a push in the right direction. There's a couple of Bach Flower essences for that!

There are in fact, two Bach Flower essences that Julian Barnard in "Bach Flower Remedies: Form & Function", describes are being "catalysts". Catalysts are agents that work to accelerate a reaction. Barnard writes that both Holly and Wild Oat have the capability to do that. But they work in different ways.

At first glance, Holly is considered the remedy for anger, jealousy or envy. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/10/holly-for-heart.html It's typically used for sibling rivalries or a generalized state of anger. But Holly is also the remedy to consider for active, perhaps intense people that feel stuck in a situation or an emotional state. Holly my help this type of person when other remedies that seem to be a match, just aren't working to achieve the desired effect. The Holly essence is one of the few essences prepared by the boiling method. The heat and fire of this method really speak to that power of transformation that may be required to break an old pattern or a way of being. The Holly state often develops from feelings of unfulfilled love and a sense of not being "good enough" or "lovable enough". The person turns those feelings of insecurity into a fight for survival type response and when in a Holly state tends to see the world from a place of suspicion and aggression. Holly acts on the point of change and can allow you to break out of a pattern of reacting to find another way of looking at things. It can help change your perception and therefore change your emotions. For these reasons it can be a powerful nudge towards the new direction you are seeking. I guess it's the essence that encourages you to turn the wheels slightly so that you can find solid ground.

But not all people that feel "stuck" are intense or active in their approach to the world. There are others that seem to lapse into a weak, almost despondent, behavior. These people don't sit in the car spinning their wheels and gunning the gas peddle. They don't try to rock the car out of it's position. They don't get out and shovel and swear and try to push on their own. Those are all Holly type behaviors. The Wild Oat person leans their head against the seat, throws their hands in the air and gives up. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/01/wild-oat-for-finding-direction.html There are so many options and possibilities available when stuck that the Wild Oat person just doesn't know which one to choose. Wild Oat is typically indicated for people that are undecided in their career, or purpose in life. It can be helpful when you feel you have so may ways you might go that you can't decide where to start. If you've lapsed into that state of being bored, dissatisfied, or frustrated but can't find the direction to start and the way to begin, Wild Oat might be a good remedy for you. If you've been trying remedies that seem to be the right match for you without achieving results or you just can't find the place to start, Wild Oat might help provide that nudge in the right direction. Barnard, in Form and Function, quotes Dr. Bach as saying, "Wild oat is an all-purpose remedy to use in cases which do not respond to other essences or when it seems difficult to decide which to give.."

Bach Flower essences don't give you a huge push from behind. They are subtle in their approach to healing. It's a gentle nudge from Holly or Wild Oat to get to you on a course for change. Bach Flowers essences are meant as a self-help method. You don't need a practitioner to set you on your course. But...

Every once in awhile, at least in my part of the world, you might just need a tow truck. Sometimes that gentle nudge, even a pretty big push from behind, just won't get you out of the ditch. It's good to try some options like turning your wheels to find traction, doing some targeted shoveling, putting your transmission into 2nd gear, or putting down a layer of sand or kitty litter even to provide some grip. But, if all else fails you might just need that tow truck.

The same might be true of Bach Flower essences. If your remedies aren't quite working the way you want them to, you don't know where to start, you can't figure out if you should be using Holly, Wild Oat, or something else all together, you could benefit from a consultation with a practitioner. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/04/bach-flower-consultations-getting.html You don't need the tow truck to haul you all the way to the garage. You aren't broken. You just might need a wee bit of help. Sometimes a gentle pull out of the ditch to get you back on the road and solid ground is what you require to get back on your journey.

It isn't giving up or showing weakness to call that tow truck practitioner. There's no embarrassment in sliding off the road every once in awhile. It's not an indication of a horrible driver as much as it's a sign of slippery surfaces and tough conditions. Once you understand the resources that are there for you can use them to fill the gap in your emotional management. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2012/01/emotional-emergency-management-step-3.html

It's January and "stuck happens". Safe travels.

Bach Flower Essences to Help Kids Sleep

2012-01-20T15:43:00.000-04:00

I don't think there is a parent alive that hasn't at one time or another had some issues getting their child to sleep. Probably not many that haven't had their own sleep disrupted at one time or another as well because of nightmares, night terrors, or just a "mind that won't quit".

There is a Bach for that! In fact, there are a number of Bach Flower essences that might help. It's always best to customize the Bach Flowers to the person needing them. It might surprise you why your child is having problems sleeping. But the most typical essences for sleep issues would include Rock Rose, Aspen, White Chestnut and Mimulus.

Rock Rose is the essence that balances true terror. It's helpful when you are frozen in fear. If your child is waking up suddenly, and totally terrified, this essence might help. This is the essence to consider if you child is experiencing night terrors. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/10/rock-rose-for-night-terrors.html They are more extreme than nightmares and if you've ever witnessed a night terror you'll understand what I mean! Often the child won't even be fully awake and may even appear violent as they struggle with some unknown force that is threatening them at a sleep level. They may look right at you and seem to be awake but nothing makes sense and it's pretty much impossible to "get through" in a rational way. They may not even realize they had a bad dream in the morning. Rock Rose helps calm that terrified state and restores courage and presence of mind. There's a pretty good chance if you need to give your child Rock Rose, you might need a few drops yourself. They are a frightening thing to watch.

Aspen is another essence to consider for a child that is having difficulties getting to sleep or staying peacefully sleeping. Aspen is indicated for fears and worries of unknown origin. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/01/pending-storms-aspen-and-perelandra.html In my opinion, we make a mistake when we think that childhood is a carefree, problem free time. Some children feel suddenly fearful or worried without knowing the reason why and without being able to identify the source or issue. Often this is increased at night when the room is quiet, distracting stimulus is actually decreased and one is left with their own imagination and unknown energies. Aspen may help if your child either wakes up with a nightmare of can't get to sleep because of fear. The difference between Aspen and Rock Rose is more of degree. The Aspen state is a worry or general anxiety for no known reason. Sometimes it's described as feeling something is there or hearing something that can't be identified. Aspen would be the essence to help keep that boogy man or monster away. Rock Rose is more extreme, a sense of terror more than worry.

White Chestnut is always a good essence to try when you or your child can't get to sleep. In the combination remedy marketed as "Rescue Sleep", White Chestnut is added to Rescue Remedy. In a White Chestnut state you can't get your mind to shut down and it just plays a recording over and over. In Sweet Shack & Bach Bar http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-here-sweet-shack-bach-bar.html Norma benefited from White Chestnut during her sleepless nights. The child that can benefit from White Chestnut can probably very accurately describe what they are thinking about if they are willing to tell you. Sometimes it's good things, sometimes it worries, often it's a combination of the day's activities. White Chestnut can help replace worry with a peaceful mind. Once your head is clear you are more likely to be able to drift off to sleep.

Mimulus might also be an essence to consider either on it's own, or in combination with some other essences if you child can't sleep. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/11/bullying-theres-bach-flower-for-that.html Mimulus is particularly helpful if the child can't get to sleep because of a known fear. If they are afraid of the dark, or afraid someone will break in while they are sleeping, afraid you won't be there when they wake up- these kinds of fears can be helped with Mimulus. Unlike Aspen where the fears are unknown qualities, Mimulus fear can be clearly identified and is probably the reason why night lights were invented!! Mimulus can help your child face their fears getting their emotions under control so they can think their way through what is bothering them and enjoy life without fear.

Sometimes we all need a little help and understanding in this world. Sometimes our fears and anxieties don't make a lot of sense, but always they deserve to be acknowledged. Sometimes you can talk your way through. Sometimes a patient parent and a hug goes a long way. Melvin Balloons might be a good book to open up the discussion if you're sensing an issue is keeping your child awake at night. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/04/chakras-colors-and-lost-balloons.html

Bach Flowers are safe for use with children without producing side effects. They don't interfere with other medications and you don't develop chemical addictions to Bach Flowers. Since they are vibrational in nature you don't have to worry about allergies or overdoses. And if you're awake at night worrying about why your child is having trouble sleeping- you might consider a drop or two for yourself!!

Pleasant dreams.

Animal Signs and Year of: Dragon

2012-01-19T15:40:00.000-04:00

On January 22nd as we enter a New Moon phase, the Chinese Year of the Dragon begins. I know that's still a few days away, but maybe it's good to go into this time a bit prepared. We'Moon 2012, writes that the Dragon is the most powerful sign in the Chinese zodiac.

So hang on! It's going to be a wild ride or an exciting flight in 2012. Most likely it's up to you whether you choose to ride clinging tightly or fly to great heights.

In Western tradition, the dragon is kind of an evil creature. Lots of fire-breathing stuff, huge talons, pointy wings, lots of spikes. I'm not that found of all that armor and huffing and puffing. I'm not sure all that ripping and tearing and pyromaniac tendencies are really necessary. After awhile it just gets tiresome.

But the Chinese dragon, now that's a different sort. In Chinese tradition, the dragon is generous, benevolent and extremely lucky. This dragon symbolizes royalty, wisdom, prosperity, protection and power. This magical dragon can transform into any type of creature and overcome all challenges. Now that's what I'm talking about!

Whether good or evil, the dragon is about drama and change. I guess it's a case of "you can use this power for good or for evil". Again, I think it's about personal choice. So 2012 just might be the year to make things happen. There is an energy and enthusiasm out there during this year of the dragon that can be used to propel you foreword in extreme ways.

In, Animal Spirit Guides, Steven Farmer includes Dragon as a spirit or power animal. He writes that if a dragon shows up in your life it may symbolize a new phase for you, one where you'll be taking more risks. He reports that although you may be more vulnerable, you can be well protected by Dragon. Farmer suggests you do more of the kinds of activities that bring passion to your life if you are seeing the spirit of Dragon.

So I figure, if this is the Year of the Dragon, then that means Dragon is showing up everywhere in the world and it becomes a message for everyone. Farmer writes those that have Dragon as a totem animal are often considered to have a past-life connection to a time when Earth-based spiritual practices were predominant. This totem animal is said to support spirituality and mystical arts from Wiccan, Pagan, Druidic, or shamanic traditions. Once again, I interpret that to mean that during this Year of the Dragon, the entire universe may benefit from these powerful practices and new opportunities may open up. Hmm...

Sleeping Dragons All Around, by Sheree Fitch is a wonderful children's picture book and has been a favorite around our place for years. http://shereefitch.squarespace.com/sleeping-dragons-all-around/
It's written in really catchy contagious rhyming language and we find ourselves still using phrases we first came across in her book. Fitch's dragons are hanging out in the kitchen and in the hallways, they are even in the bathtub. These colorful, eclectic creatures are sleeping all over the place. And so, there is a lot of tip toeing around for fear of waking up a dragon.

No question about it, that much power brings some fear. But I think it's time, like it or not, that the dragons are waking up and we're going to have to face them. With all these dragons around, it might be a good time to be armed with some Larch and Mimulus Bach Flowers.

If you've been tip toeing around dragons, you might just need Larch- the kind that Winnie-the-Pooh needed for Hunting Woozles. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2012/01/hunting-for-woozles-bach-flower-larch.html Come to think of it, Woozles might have been a Piglet version of a dragon. We know when we're tip toeing to avoid something. We might just be a bit afraid to allow our abilities and talents to flourish because that way we can avoid the risk of failing. Larch can help you let go of that fear so that you can find that strength within you to face the dragon and travel with the power to achieve your potential.

Most of Fitch's dragons look pretty pleasant. I guess they are more the Chinese than the Western variety. But no doubt about it, a dragon with his or her eyes closed is a little less intimidating that that fully alert, ready to shoot fire, flapping wings type. Steven Farmer suggests you call on Dragon when you know there is a situation that you have to deal with even thought it triggers a lot of fear. That's the energy of Dragon. That's also the energy of the Bach Flower essence Mimulus. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/09/dragonfly-signs.html Mimulus can help you face those fears with your emotions under control so you can think and feel your way through it. It can help you stand up for yourself and pursue your dreams with courage and confidence.

Embrace you inner Dragon, and Happy New Year!

Hunting for Woozles & The Bach Flower Larch

2012-01-17T20:34:00.000-04:00

Today felt like a pretty heavy energy kind of day in my part of the world. It was a little dark and gloomy in many respects. It sort of felt like it might snow, just might rain, and never really ended up doing either one. It seemed like a lot of people were feeling that kind of doom and gloom as well. No one seemed to be really having an "uplifted" day. Nothing really wrong, but not much right. Hmm...

So having the spent the day with some intense meeting stuff, I thought I'd wonder back to The Hundred Acre Wood again. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2012/01/bach-lessons-from-hundred-acre-wood.html

Ernest Shepard, the illustrator of "Winnie-the-Pooh" drew a map of The Hundred Acre Wood. One of the places marked on it is "Where The Woozle Wasn't". In my opinion, that might be a pretty important place to remember on a day like today.

As the story goes, Piglet found Winne-the-Pooh going around and around a Larch tree with his head down searching the ground. When Piglet asked what he was doing Pooh declared he was tracking "something". He had no idea what the "something might be" but this didn't bother Pooh at all. He seemed pretty confident in his tracking abilities. Piglet, who hadn't been circling the Larch tree, wondered if it might just be Woozle tracks. Before you know it, Pooh and Piglet are off on an adventure to hunt a Woozle in amongst the Larch trees. The thing is that the more they walked around, the more paw prints started showing up, and the more they talked about the possibilities of Woozles, the scarier the hunt got. Piglet, who's imagination had been fueling the hunt pretty well, decided he might want to get out of the hunt all together in order to get away from what he had convinced himself was something very scary. He made an early exit and bowed out of the hunt. Pooh carried on and eventually realized the Woozle prints had in fact been paw prints made by Piglet and Pooh!

Once Pooh discovered his mistake, he lost his confidence for a moment. He decided he might just be "A Bear of Little Brain". Luckily, good ole Christopher Robin was there in his non-judgemental way to soothe, support, and perhaps distract a bit. Pooh regained his confidence very quickly and went off in the search of a snack.

Once again, I'm rather amazed by the coincidence between A.A. Milne's, and therefore Winnie-the-Pooh's, choice of vegetation. Dr. Bach, in perhaps his own Hundred Acre Wood a few years later, found the Larch tree a very helpful Bach Flower essence. Larch is indicated when you are feeling low in self esteem. It's a confidence booster. It's especially helpful when you know deep inside you have what it takes but are having trouble bringing that feeling to the surface and are afraid to try in case you fail. It might be just the thing you need when you are embarking on a Hunt for a Woozle or two.

But back to that map. The location is marked as "where the woozle wasn't". On a gloomy, heavy day like today, it seems kind of easy to get trapped into the Piglet type fear, anxiety and worry. You don't really know what you might be chasing down, or what those tracks might mean and it's easy to decide they aren't a good thing or you won't be able to handle it when you find it. That's the type of energy that can start to tear down your confidence a bit and you feel like you might be "of little brain". You can get trapped into creating something like a Woozle to fit the feeling so that you do have something to be worried, or anxious about. Once that anxiety takes over you might bow out of the hunt due to fear of failure.

I might be wrong, but I don't think there are Woozle's around- at least not in my part of the world. And there are no Woozles in The Hundred Acre Wood. There are only places where woozles aren't. Those are the places and situations that you know you can handle. Those are situations where you are confident and secure in your abilities. If you haven't got your Hundred Acre Wood mapped out as well as Winnie-the-Pooh, you might still have to got hunting a bit to discover where the woozle's aren't. You'll only find those places if you find the courage to try. A trip around a Larch tree or two, or a few drops of the Larch Flower essence might be all you need to map your Woozle-free area.

Happy Hunting!

Bach Lessons From "The Hundred Acre Wood"

2012-01-16T19:29:00.000-04:00

If you've ever read A.A. Milne's "Winnie-the-Pooh", you'll recognize The Hundred Acre Wood as the fictional place where Winne-the- Pooh, Eeyore, Rabbit, Kanga and Roo, Tigger, Owl, and Piglet live. If you've never read any of their adventures, you could do yourself a favor by picking up a copy. It's never too late to get the soothing lessons from Winnie-the-Pooh.

These characters are old favorites of mine. I had a cherished Winnie-the-Pooh stuffed bear, and Eeyore will always have a special place in my heart. I was thinking about using Eeyore as an example for Bach Flower essence types and I picked up the books to re-read them. Chapter One of the original adventures is titled, "In Which We Are Introduced to Winnie-the-Pooh and Some Bees, and the Stories Begin". In the the first few pages that I saw how linked these stories might be to Bach Flowers.

As the story begins, Winnie-the-Pooh is searching for honey. He climbs way up in a tree to follow the bees and begins to get pretty discouraged. He's on an upper branch singing a "Complaining Song" when he falls. After some bounces and crashes he lands on a Gorse bush. Seems that Winnie-the-Pooh and Dr. Bach travelled in the same kind of English countryside. Dr. Bach discovered that Gorse could be used as a Bach Flower essence for hopelessness and despair. Dr. Bach wrote that Gorse could restore faith and hope and could encourage one to see problems as a positive experience.

So I guess it's no surprise that as Winnie-the-Pooh climbs out of the Gorse bush and picks the Gorse prickles from his nose, he starts to think and comes up with a great idea to get some of that honey. He doesn't give up the quest, instead he goes and finds his friend Christopher Robin. And then the true adventure begins.

I won't wreck the story for you, but let's just say that Gorse makes Winnie-the-Pooh a much happier bear. And because his faith and hope is restored, he's able to enlist a friend to help put his newly formed and elaborate plan into action.

But the real gem in the story might just be Christopher Robin. Now that guy really knows how to be a friend! Christopher Robin doesn't judge Winnie-the-Pooh or his plan. He doesn't tell him the plan won't work even though one gets the feeling Christopher Robin may not be that sure the outcome will be as Pooh anticipates it to me. Christopher Robin asks Pooh what he needs and he helps provide it as he can. He doesn't come up with a bigger, better, plan. He doesn't talk Pooh out of his goals and objectives. He doesn't suggest he'll do it for him or get him honey some other easier way (like from the cupboad!). Christopher Robin also doesn't seem to invest a lot in the plan itself. It seems as though he sees the whole plan as a good excuse to go on an adventure with a friend. Somehow he remains detached from the outcome. He's there for support, of that there is no doubt, but he lets Pooh adjust and modify as he goes. He gives his opinion only when asked and he does what's asked of him in a way that works for him. When that "ask" induces a bit of drama he doesn't rush in to catch Pooh. He doesn't even try to "break his fall". But when Pooh lands, Christopher Robin is still there.

When the plan doesn't quite achieve the original objectives it doesn't seem to matter. There is no judging of self or others. Christopher Robin doesn't say "I told you so", and Pooh doesn't seem to feel discouraged anymore. They both recognize that together they have just shared a grand adventure and that's the ultimate journey. The outcome is just a great story and they move on to other things. Hmm...

I think there are a lot of Bach Flower and life lessons embedded in the adventures from The Hundred Acre Wood. But perhaps the first lesson is to pick friends like Christopher Robin. No judgement- just pure adventure! Certainly, a little Gorse for when the going gets tough might help. It seems a balloon here and there might be something to consider, and perhaps good aim with a non-lethal weapon could help. No doubt a nice warm bath after a day of adventure can be soothing for all.

And so the adventure begins...

Animal Signs: Moose

2012-01-12T16:33:00.000-04:00

We're pretty proud of moose in my part of the world. The beaver may appear on our nickle http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2012/01/animal-signs-beaver.html, but the moose head appears on our quarter. It is also the trademark for a particular brand of beer and a brewing company, a whole clothing line of t-shirts, sweatshirts and pajamas, and a sports team or two. You can even buy moose head hats and moose head slippers but they will cost you more than a quarter!

It seems that emotions are still running pretty high. Maybe this is still the influence of the full moon, but it's starting to wan and I'm not seeing much of a decrease in the emotional intensity of things. People seem to be pretty "intense" lately whatever emotion they are feeling.

So maybe it's about time to put on a moose hat, slip your feet into moose slippers, or just consider the spirit of the moose. I found a great book by Steven Farmer called "Animal Spirit Guides". This book has over 200 spirit animals in it and even includes some domestic varieties. I guess, given the emotional quotient lately, I shouldn't be surprised that when I opened it up to browse, the animal that "appeared" was the moose.

Farmer writes that you may find moose showing up when it's time to explore new depths of awareness and be prepared for increasing sensitivities. I personally believe that's happening to all of us in some way or another and whether we like and welcome it or not. The appearance of the moose may also be a symbol to encourage others with their dreams and visions and supporting them in their triumphs. Wouldn't it be nice if we did that. Hmm...

Farmer believes that you don't always have to wait for a spirit animal to show up in your life. Perhaps because of his perspective as a shamanic practitioner, he believes you can call on the spirit of an animal and receive help and support. He writes that it would be a good time to call on the spirit of the Moose if you are being excessively self-critical. If you've been your own worst enemy and need to remind yourself of your positive qualities, it might be time to receive from the Moose world. He suggests Moose spirit or energy can be helpful during times of conflict and turmoil when you need extra strength and endurance. In fact the appearance of Moose in your life may be a symbol that you do have the strength and ability to endure emotionally turbulent times.

During difficult emotional times, we humans often look to others for our sense of self assurance. Perhaps it's that "herd mentality" that keeps us always checking in with others and wanting to know that other people in the herd think we're okay. Maybe it's our ego needing some feedback. But when emotions start running high, that reassurance is not always there. Perhaps, because we humans also search for dominance in the herd. We get that dominance, temporarily, by fighting and chewing and kicking a bit, more often than by encouraging others to pursue their dreams and feel good about themselves.

There are a few Bach Flower essences that might help when you're feeling the need for Moose energy. They include Chicory, Cerato, and Crab Apple.

Chicory is considered a remedy for feelings of over-protectiveness, or possessiveness. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/12/travel-woes-broken-traditions-chicory.html It can be helpful for strong-willed people that expect others to conform to their values. Chicory types, although strong, are easily offended and may loose their strength if the herd turns against them. Chicory can help you feel ful-filled and self-assured on your own. It can allow you to no longer need other people's assurance that you are worthy of love.

Cerato can also be helpful if you are feeling the pressure of emotional turmoil and seeking advice or confirmation from others. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/12/best-advice-your-inner-knowing.html Cerato help you trust your inner knowing and decision making. With the balance provided from Cerato you may recover your self-assurance and realize that you should follow your inner wisdom without asking for confirmation or expecting others to follow.

Crab Apple can be helpful during emotional vulnerable times as well. Crab Apple is considered the cleansing essence and is included in Rescue Remedy cream for treating topical reactions. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/02/crab-apple-cleansing-bach-flower-remedy.html Crab Apple can also help you deep in your core. It can help you accept yourself for who you are, relaxed in your being with a positive sense of self.

Maybe we should look at "our herd" a bit differently. Most of us don't really need the group to provide warmth and shelter, food on the table or protection from prey. Maybe it's time to consider other people in your life for the joy of sharing, not for a need to be fulfilled. Maybe if we could be enthusiastic in our emotional exchanges for the purpose of supporting others rather than boasting or competing we could all thrive rather than struggle to survive.

I'm going to look at my quarters differently having read Steven Farmer's Moose spirit. I'm going to think about encouraging autonomy and supporting people for who they are, without measurement or judgement against myself. As kids we used to get a quarter every now and then to spend on treats. Perhaps it was the spirit of the Moose on that quarter that helped us feel so independent and self-assured when we picked out exactly what we wanted for ourselves. We compared what others bought with their quarter, but not for the purpose of arguing, judging, or even second guessing our decisions- merely for the joy of changing a quarter into a treat on a summer afternoon.

Emotional Emergency Management: Step 4 of a 4 Step Process

2012-01-10T13:22:00.000-04:00

This is it- the final step in the emotional management process. Unfortunately, it's the most frequently overlooked piece and it often just doesn't get done.

You've taken the time to really define and figure out your emotions. You've considered the impact of those feelings and identified the events, situations, and people that increase your vulnerability to those emotions. You've considered the gaps in your resources and built a plan. You've tested the plan, maybe even tried it out during an event. You might have reviewed and revised the plan a bit. Those are all part of the first three steps. Now you're tired.

You might be "riding high" on the success of a plan that worked well. You might be so energized by it all that you're ready to tackle another emotion, or you're ready to 'fix" someone else. You might be wallowing in the sorrow of a failed plan. You might be second guessing yourself, blaming others, judging your plan, yourself, everyone and everything in the universe. Most likely you're feeling a combination of both elation and defeat. You've changed a pattern and no matter how it went, the process is exhausting.

So that's when you stop. You go into recovery mode. This is when you retreat to that beach in your mind, set up your lawn chair, put your head back and feel the sun on your face (sun screen not required!). You do not go to that relaxing place in your mind to review the events. You don't try to run the events through a picture screen. You face a blank canvas, a blue sky, and don't fill it with anything, least of all clouds to block your sun. This is not a critique of what you did, how you did, or even , what you should do next. This is a blissful state of "being".

Echkhart Tolle, in The Power of Now, and his other books as well, writes about what he calls a "pain body". He defines "this accumulated pain as a negative energy field that occupies your body and mind". He goes on to explain that we develop these emotionally negative patterns through past behavior, cultural experiences and collective groups. Dr. Bach talks about negative emotions as well and explains how we often come to these places through learned behavior, sometimes inherited coping strategies. We are drawn to this energy not because it's good for us, right for us, or makes us feel happy. We are drawn because it is a pattern we know. It's a feeling we identify with. We consider it part of us and we hold on to it. It's what we know and therefore it feel comfortable to us.

If you've really looked at your negative emotions and put a plan in place to change them in any way, you've started to break out of that "pain body" or that negative feeling. That feels uncomfortable. It's different. It's just a bit foreign. It may be liberating, but it's still just a wee bit scary. It's like buying a new pair of riding boots. You really love them, they look great, you know they fit, but you have to wear them in a bit to make them really feel good and you're tempted to put your old ones on so you don't get blisters in your efforts to work them in. It takes some adjustment to feel comfortable with your plan and with a new emotional state.

You don't "do" anything to adjust. If only it were that simple. You "be". You sit with yourself in a recovery, realignment, adjustment phase. You don't sit with yourself to "think". You just allow recovery to occur without tweaking anything or trying to adjust. It can happen if you don't force it and before you know it you forget why you really thought you had to go to the beach anyway!

It's okay to sit in the lawn chair in your mind and "feel how you feel" as long as you feel it rather than think it. That means you don't try to attach an event to the feeling- you just feel how you might be changed in a way. Don't judge it. Just feel it. Depending on your personality type, you might need to get out of the lawn chair and do a bit of wave surfing to allow your body to readjust. In my opinion that's okay as long as you don't start judging your ability stay on top of the wave.

Once you've given yourself some time to adjust you can rebuild again. The point is that if you start to rebuild before you've allowed for adjustment you're likely to rebuild exactly the same structure all over again. Your pain body will help you do that if you're not careful. If the structure wasn't hurricane proof the first time, the same structure won't be hurricane proof the next time either. You might build it to withstand more winds and be a bit stronger the next time but there's a good chance you'll be facing destruction again. But maybe, just maybe, if you let yourself adjust, you won't build in the same place again. Or maybe you'll come up with a structure that sways in the wind and welcomes the movement. For sure if you wait until the ground has settled under your feet again you'll find a new foundation to start your growth. Allow it to come.

The End.

Full Moon in Cancer: Connection to Root Chakra

2012-01-09T11:19:00.000-04:00

Today we enter a Full Moon in Cancer phase. If you've been feeling pretty emotional over the past few days, perhaps a bit lonely or insecure, you might have been feeling the effects of the moon's influence. If you've been following along and doing the Emotional Management Steps, you might have found a serge of emotions coming to the forefront. That's just part of the process. I didn't forget about Step 4- it's coming, but I think the Full Moon deserves some focus and recognition today!

I've written about the Full Moon in Cancer before, and all this information still holds true http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/01/full-moon-in-cancer.html This full moon is also sometimes called the Sea Mother's Moon. It's a good time to let those family, friend, personal or business emotions run through you like the tides. It might even help to find a quiet spot by the water and tap into nature's flow. It's a time to release the issues that are holding you back and that might mean having a good- ole -cry. Let it flow. Accept the release that crying offers rather than trying to "buck up and be strong". In my opinion, allowing the tears to flow requires much more strength and knowing than suppressing them.

Today marks the end of my We'Moon 2011 book. Thankfully, Wise Woman gave me a 2012 copy of this book. I feel much more secure knowing I have this book on hand! We'Moon writes that when the moon is in Cancer we connect with our "oceans of emotions" and we can choose to either feel overwhelmed by that, or nourished by that. Hm...

People born under a Cancer Moon and those that are heavily influenced by this moon are natural empaths. They feel deeply but may need solitude to be able to refresh, renew, irrigate, and heal.

In my opinion, we are all opening up to the emotions and feelings of others more. To some degree we are feeling that interconnection with both others and the planet. That opening, understanding and feeling can bring a flood of challenges including the need to find your own inner strength. We have been taught in some circles to surround yourself with protection to prevent the emotions and feelings of others from reaching your core. The Violet Flame, for instance, is a way to protect yourself. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/09/violet-flame.html But, as we open up, it isn't just about protecting that shell, it's about finding the inner strength so the shell becomes less necessary or at least "selectively permeable". It's about finding who we are as individuals so we can be part of the connected group without loosing our sense of self.

This emotional flood that the Full Moon in Cancer can bring can be quite a 'hit" to the Root Chakra. This Chakra is focused on safety and security. But the challenge is to find your own source of Safety and Security. It's not about finding someone else that can provide that for you, or surrounding yourself with material things that help you feel secure. That's as a short term fix that can create problems later down the road. This Chakra is focused on finding the real source within. It about developing your personal "backbone" that holds you up and allows you to be strong in your very core.

It's easy to be distracted by material calls for safety and security. Particularly during this Full Moon Phase we may feel drawn to compulsive eating, spending, drinking or bingeing in other ways that trick us into thinking this will provide a sense of security. Now is the time to really focus on what it is you feel you are lacking. Identify what it is that you really need and allow that to come into your life. Let go of whatever is holding you back to make room for what you need to grow to your full potential- safe and secure in yourself.

Lola, in Sweet Shack &Bach Bar http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-here-sweet-shack-bach-bar.html goes through some Root Chakra issues. She finds some help with the Bach Flowers Rock Rose, Sweet Chestnut, and Clematis. As Lola experiences, they can all resonate with the Root Chakra. Lola also discovers that she has everything she needs from within. That's the lesson of the Root Chakra and the Full Moon in Cancer phase.

Be kind of yourself and embrace your inner wisdom.

Emotional Emergency Management: Step 3 of a 4 Step Process

2012-01-06T11:23:00.000-04:00

Crisis Management is all about building plans and creating steps to help you move through an event with ease. It's about being prepared for an event because you've thought it through and considered how to deal with it. Emotional Management can be approached in the way way.

If you've followed along you've got at least one definable emotion that you'd like to manage better. Balance can be found when the impact of an event, or in this case an emotion, is matched with appropriate resources. So there are two ways to tackle this plan. You can either lessen the impact of your emotion or increase your resources to deal with it.

There are lots of examples of this type of planning from the emergency management field. Let's say you move into a new house and the first time you get a heavy rainfall your basement floods. All the items and boxes you had sitting on the floor floated around for awhile before you got home. You decide to build a plan to manage this situation the next time it rains. You could lessen the impact by not storing anything on the floor in your basement. You could move everything up a level, above the high water mark. That would be lessening the impact. You still might have water in the basement but it won't be as devastating to you when the accountant needs the year-end files. Or you could put in a pump that will automatically drain the water before it accumulates. In order to ensure this pump will run if the power goes out at the same time, you buy a generator and wire it in to automatically come on. Now you can still store your things in the basement because you have increased your resources to deal with the heavy rainfall.

There are ways to lessen the impact of your emotions as well. If you go back to Step 2 and review that whole spider incident, you could lessen the impact of that by sealing off that basement and avoiding it all together. There are people that wouldn't agree with me, but in my opinion, sometimes avoidance really is a strategy. When you are honest with your self and really analyze the impacts (Step 2) you might find there are certain people or events that trigger an unpleasant emotion in you. It isn't always about "working through it" or "forcing yourself to deal with it". Sometimes it's about walking away to lessen the impact. If you know that agreeing to take the lead in the school fundraising committee this year will cause you to feel overwhelmed with responsibility, maybe you can decline the position this year or agree to be part of the committee but not the chairperson. If you know that you get really impatient every time you drive to work in rush hour maybe you can lessen the impact by altering your work hours to go in earlier or later. Maybe a soothing CD will calm your impatience.

Sometimes you can lessen the impact by confronting the emotion head on. Maybe there is someone in your life that pushes the "guilt button" for you. You know every time you meet with your brother, and the subject of elder care comes up, you're going to feel guilty that you aren't doing enough for your parents even though at all other times you feel very secure you're doing everything appropriate. Maybe it's time you decided to have a head on conversation with your brother about what he says that pushes your guilt button. Maybe you've been skirting the "real conversation". It's called "addressing the elephant in the room". Sometimes avoidance of the issue increases our emotional imbalance. It's important to think this through and plan this out though. Once you really understand how you're impacted you're more likely to have a positive conversation and get to the root of the matter. You can't cause or change anyone else's emotions, you can only manage your own.

Sometimes the best way to balance your emotions is to increase your resources to deal with them. This too involves honest planning and preparation. You might have guessed that each of the 38 emotions listed in Step 1 is linked to a Bach Flower essence. Figuring out what Bach Flower essences might help your body balance your emotions is a way to increase your resources. A few drops of Rock Rose might go a long long way towards releasing the frozen fear of spiders. Carrying a spray bottle of Rescue Remedy (which contains Rock Rose among others) might also help when that real estate job takes you to old farm root cellars. If you need help in figuring out which essences would be the best match for you consider a Bach Consultation. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/04/bach-flower-consultations-getting.html

When you're in the "heat of the moment" and really feeling emotionally imbalanced, it's hard to take an objective approach to emotional management. That's why you need to prepare by developing the plan. A lot of time we don't ask for help and can't see the opportunity to increase resources. Back to the spidery basement- instead of calling your husband to complain about the misplaced stroller and start a fight, you might be able to call a friend that has multiple kids, and a double-decker stroller that would be more than happy to pack everyone up and go to the library with you. No one misses out on the story time or the concentration time and you can probably share a laugh over the spider threat as well. That's increasing your resources.

Building a plan takes time, effort and a calm mind. It also requires you to be really honest with yourself. You might even have to consider options outside your comfort zone in order to really find peace and comfort in the long run. Once you've built a plan you exercise the plan. Try it on on a small event. Practice having that conversation. Talk about your plan with people that love you no matter what. Let your plan with you a bit and become a part of you. If it doesn't feel right, tweak it a bit.

Stay tuned... there's one more step.

Emotional Emergency Management: Step 2 of a 4 Step Process

2012-01-05T13:39:00.000-04:00

According to the principles of Crisis Management, once you have identified a hazard, threat or event, the second step is to assess that hazard in terms of impact. This can usually be done by asking the question "so what". The same approach can be used for managing unwelcome emotions.

If you've been following along and did your homework, you now have a list of emotions that are prevalent for you. Hopefully you've increased your emotional vocabulary, looked deep inside yourself and found a few that accurately describe the emotion you would like to bring in check or balance.

In the same way that you really can't manage a hurricane, you really can't manage an emotion such as terror. What you can manage is the roof damage caused by persistent 130km/hr winds, or the situation of not being able to go into the basement because you are terrified of spiders. That's impact assessment. Once the impact is assessed you can start to implement solutions to change your situation or behavior.

Four "so what" questions can be used to really asses your emotion.
1. So what is the direct impact of this emotion on me? How does it directly affect me?
2. So what is the indirect impact of this emotion? This is the ripple effect- how far does the impact reach and to what areas of my life.
3. So what areas of my life make me particularly vulnerable to this emotion? Are there certain situations or people that bring this emotion on?
4. So what physical signs and symptoms might be caused by this emotion?

Let's assume you went through Step 1 of this process and decided you were terrified of spiders. It isn't a dislike of spiders, or a worry about spider bites, or a mild fear of spiders. It's a total terror emotion that's come up for you a few times. Here's a hypothetical walk through of those questions using the "terror of spiders" example:

1. Whenever I see a spider I am frozen in fear. I can't move to get away or do anything. I am paralyzed.

2. Because I am frozen in fear by the thought of, or sight of, a spider, I can't get my sons' stroller out of the basement which means we won't be able to go to the library today and our books will be overdue. He will miss the story time he loves and I will miss the hour of focused concentrationI was going to use to study for my real estate exam. I have also already left a message on my husband's work phone telling him exactly how I feel about him putting the strolller in the basement last time he used it!!

3. I am most vulnerable to this emotion any time I am asked to go into dark damp places. This is particularly affecting my desires to be a real estate agent specializing in heritage houses and hobby farms.

4. For hours after an encounter, or potential encounter with a spider, my heart is still racing, my palms are sweaty and I'm shaky. My doctor says I have mild hypertension which may be getting worse.

And that's the way it goes. For any emotion you experience, and want to manage, you sit down (when the spider, threat, or emotion is not affecting you!) and walk yourself through the questions. Be sure you are honest with yourself. Attach "I" to the answer's like I did in the example above. Even if you're getting help with this, it's something that you are taking personal responsibility for. You can help someone walk through these questions but you can't do it for someone else.

The "so what" questions really just bring you closer to understanding yourself and rationally seeing your emotions for what they are. We loose touch with ourselves sometimes. If you can break your emotion down into "so what's" you've gained an awareness of the issue so you can move on to the third step which is developing a plan of action.

Stay tuned....

Emotional Emergency Management: Step 1 of a 4 Step Process

2012-01-04T10:47:00.000-04:00

Maybe it's the post-holiday crash. Maybe it's the winter weather. Maybe it's the thoughts of a long hard winter. Perhaps it's the uncertainty of changing times and a new era of 2012. Whatever the reason, it seems like there is a lot of emotional upheaval "out there" combined with real concerted efforts to make things change. In my opinion that's a good thing. It's when long time issues meet motivation that change occurs and we actually start to move forward. But it's not always easy to take the first step- to see the first step to take. I'm a big believer in integrating both sides of our brains. When your emotional side reaches a crisis level, it's the perfect time to apply some scientific, logical principles from the left side of your brain. In my world, that's a good time for emergency management principles to integrate with emotional healing in a four step process.

When approaching a problem in the emergency/crisis world, the first step is to "identify the hazard". It's the same step for emotional management. The first step is to identify the emotion. Sounds easy...

We really aren't that good at describing how we feel. We are much better at describing symptoms or relating events but when our emotions and thoughts run amok we sometimes loose sight of how we are truly feeling. To find that perspective is the first step. It's the "take a deep breath in, slowly breath out and consider how you feel inside" step.

Dr. Bach identified 38 different emotions. 38! We usually stick to about 4 or 5: happy, sad, mad, scared, guilty. We have variations of those: "really happy", "sort-of sad", "furious", and "partly my fault". This limited emotional vocabulary really hinders our healing. It also reflects a resistance to talk about and deal with our feelings. In my opinion, we don't do a good job of teaching our children this so we grow up squishing our emotions and not being able to express them.

In my perfect world, round about the time that kids are learning to color pictures together we would teach them an emotional vocabulary. When the kid beside you had a much prettier shade of red crayon that was sharpened to a fine point and you grabbed it away from him and all heck broke loose, you could explain to the teacher, or the teacher could help you realize, that you were actually envious of that kid; not "angry". Seems like he always gets the good stuff. And the kid you grabbed it from that held on with tooth and nail (perhaps literally!) could explain that he was feeling possessive, perhaps a bit over-protective of his beautiful red crayon: not "angry". Seems like people are often taking things away from him. It seems to me that if someone could help us see our emotions for what they were, we might find better solutions to our problems. It might take a long time to get our mural colored, but it seems to me that might go a long way towards learning the important lessons of self and life in general. We might understand the other kids better and find better ways of resolving our disputes.

When we don't delve into the emotional side of our brains and think about how we truly feel we put logical solutions to emotional problems that don't always fit. We use the scientific part of our brains and really ignore the emotional side. Kids learn rules that :"you can't take crayons that don't belong to you away by force" and "you have to share your crayons no matter how much you like them". That might work as a rule in kindergarten when the teacher's looking, but it really doesn't apply in the real world no matter how tightly we hang on to that belief.

If you're past the coloring/kindergarten stage that's okay. It's not too late to learn. And, in my opinion if you want to change your inner landscape at all, the time to learn is now. It's time to go within and figure out exactly how you are feeling. It's the integration of putting your feelings into words.

So here's the homework assignment. Review this following list of 38 emotions. They are based on one-word or short phrase descriptions of the Bach Flower essence indications. You could turn each of them around to positive emotions, but if we're honest, we really don't have as much issue with our positive emotions. See which ones are common to you. See if any of them really strike a cord for you or more aptly describe your present feelings.

Anguish
Anxious
Apathy
Ashamed of self
Assertive
Depression with no origin
Discouraged
Disinterest in Present
Dis-trustful of self
Easily-led
Envious
Fearful
Fear for Others
Fear of Losing Control
Guilty
Hopeless
Impatient
Indecisive
Inflexible
Intolerant
Keep repeating same mistake
Lack Energy (mental and physical)
Lack of Confidence
Lonely
Mentally weary
Numb from Shock
Obsessive worrying thoughts
Over-attached to the past
Over-enthusiastic
Overwhelmed
Physically Exhausted
Possessive
Pre-occupied with Self
Resentment
Suppress Discomfort
Terror
Unadaptable to change
Unsettled/Lack direction

If you don't like this list- make up your own. There are many ways to describe your feelings, the key is to pull them out and identify them in ways that are meaningful to you. Spend some time inside yourself and see what you feel.

That's step 1. Stay tuned for Steps 2-4! In the meantime, just allow yourself to feel.

Animal Signs: Beaver

2012-01-03T09:29:00.000-04:00

Today is "back to work and school day" in my part of the world. It was kind of a gentle re-entry with a few business and work sites open yesterday, and a few that were opened in between Christmas and New Years. For many people, because of the way the holidays fell on weekend days, this was a nice long break. So today comes as a bit of a "crashing blow" and a bit of a relief, both at the same time.

I guess for the most part we are "creatures of habit". A lot of people find it comforting to have some kind of structure and routine in their lives. We seem to need that bit of direction if only so that we can appreciate the lack of routine and the true relaxation of a good vacation.

It can be hard to switch back to the "real world" though. At first it's not so bad. You have a chance to get re-connected with friends and co-workers. Kids get to see those friends they might not have been in contact with over the vacation. We have new topics of conversation. Maybe you feel good because you something new on- a new outfit, a new piece of jewelry or new shoes. You pick up your routine morning coffee or tea and that feels soothing in itself. Ahh...

And then you sit at your desk. You're ready to do something fresh and new. You've been thinking about this. You clean off your desk, sharpen your pencil, line up your pens. If you're a Rock Water Bach flower type http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/04/allowing-flexability-rock-water-bach.html you didn't have to do this- that's how you left your desk before the vacation. In fact, that's how you leave it every day! If you're an Impatiens Bach Flower type, http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/10/impatiens-lost-keys.htmlyou thought about that, started sharpening some pencils, threw out a leaky pen, and then you decided you were wasting time so you moved on to something else. If you're a Scleranthus Bach Flower type, http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/11/mood-swings-indecision-and-scleranthus.html you spent some time trying to decide if you should clean your desk or your filing cabinet. In the end you just got up and refilled your coffee instead.

If you're a Clematis type, while sharpening your pencils, your thoughts strayed to dreaming about what it might be like to be beaver. You considered how fun it would be to chop down a tree with your teeth- no electric pencil sharpeners for you! You could just hone them down to a fine point and make a dam while you're at it! Right about now you've got a nice little beaver dam pile of pencils created on your desk and you're thinking you might go for a swim at lunch time!

Perhaps on this first day back to work and school in January of a new year, we could all use some of the beaver's energy. We all have great ideas of things we want to do and accomplish in the momentous year of 2012, but perhaps we could use some help to bring them to reality.

Daniel Mapel in, Into The Heart Of The Wild, writes that the beaver is the master architect and builder. As a totem or spirit animal, the beaver provides support for creating new projects, turning ideas into action and problem solving with structure.

Beavers don't just chop down those trees and leave them lying there, or throw them around haphazardly. They don't start one dam and then move on downstream. They build with an obvious design in mind. This is not a solitary project, they work together in groups to accomplish the goal. They build structures for the group or family and they all work together to achieve the goal. They seem to accept the fact that first they have to pick a good spot. They lay down a few initial support beams and then they work hard to "fill in the blanks". If you've ever watched a beaver swim around it looks like they truly have fun doing it. They seems to strike a nice balance between industrious work and play.

Beavers start out with one twig, branch or tree but they can change the entire course of a river. If this animal spirit has entered your life it might be time to think about how you might change the course of your life by putting some structural pieces in place. With a goal in mind and a bit of structure your dreams can be shaped into reality.

The presence of beavers as an animal sign are a call to action. They can signify the opportunity to consider whether you are lost in your dream or neglecting your dream and if so, move towards the goal. Put a plan in place and start moving forward. Consider whether or not it might be easier to reach your goals if you had a team effort.

There are some Bach Flowers that support the beaver "call to action" energy. Clematis can help you ground your dreams into reality. Hornbeam can help you get started, and remain focused on the goal. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/03/bringing-dreams-to-reality-with.htmlWild Oat might help you sort through what your goals really are and what dreams you really want to pursue. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/01/wild-oat-for-finding-direction.html Water Violet might help you expand your dreaming from a solitary project to a group effort. If all you envision when you think of the beaver is those dangerously sharp teeth or the way they slap their tail on the water to signify danger, Mimulus might be helpful to release the fear around your dreams and ultimate goals.

In my part of the world, there are lots of opportunities to spot this totem animal. As Canadians we consider the beaver as a bit of an icon. I guess we like the hard working yet playful symbolism of this creature that is pretty prevalent in most areas. Perhaps we like the idea of creating new flow and changing courses.

A nickle won't get you a lot of material goods these days, but perhaps today is a good day to place that 5 cent piece on your desk or in those new shoes your wearing. Maybe having that beaver picture will help you draw the energy of the beaver to you and you'll find yourself bringing your dreams into reality- one stick at a time.

Book Review: Traveling with Pomegranates

2012-01-02T10:29:00.000-04:00

I read a wonderful book over the holidays: Traveling with Pomegranates, by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor.

Sue Monk Kidd is also the author of The Secret Life of Bees, which in my opinion is both an excellent book and a great movie. She has also wrote The Mermaid Chair, The Dance of the Dissident Daughter, Firstlight and When the Heart Waits.

Traveling with Pomegranates is a mother-daughter story. It is their parallel memories taken from writing journals as they travelled together visiting scared sites through Greece and France. At the time of their travels, Sue is grappling with menopause and the transition into a new sense of self. Ann is struggling with depression as she too tries to find a new sense of self in the transition from university student to "real life", career, marriage and independent adulthood.

Their travels alone are pretty intriguing. This is not a "lie on the beach and sip umbrella drinks vacation". Instead it is a journey through Greek mythology, feminist icons, and traditional, sometimes religious, barriers. The reader is taken on a guided tour through the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, the Chapel of Joan of Arc, and the Cathedral of Notre Dame to name just a few sites. The title of the book is derived from the mythical account of Demeter and Persephone- a mother/daughter story with a unique twist!

If you're a mother of a daughter you'll find something that touches you in this book. If you are entering or have been through menopause, I think you'll find something in this book that resonates for you. If you are struggling with career, life, partner, or power issues, I think you'll find something in this book that speaks to you. I believe it's through the honest telling of personal stories that we hear our own voice and are able to more easily interpret our thoughts. And both Sue and Ann, in my opinion, tell very honest accounts that come straight from the heart.

Both Sue and Ann struggle through transition to find their authentic self, and I think this is part of the human struggle throughout time. Perhaps it is magnified for women in the juggling act between family and career. Sue talks about the struggles between "being" and "doing" and how difficult it is to strike the balance. Sue even realizes the necessity of finding balance from a physical health point of view. Ann writes about the struggle between doing what makes intellectual sense, and what feels right. She realizes that much of her career goals were shaped by the dreams of what a career could bring in terms of material goals, power, and ego rather than internal happiness.

This is also a book about writing. Although The Secret Life of Bees was published prior to this book, Sue's journal entries chronicle the birth of that novel, the struggle through it's writing and it's very early publication. Given the success of that book, it's particularly interesting to read about the internal angst to arrive at it's telling. And it's inspiring from that perspective.

Although this is Ann's first book, I don't think it's her last. Throughout their travels Ann finds her fire within and realizes that she has a voice that demands to be written. She writes about the complicated battle many women find themselves in as they struggle to not be like their mother, at the same time they do want to follow in her footsteps and continue her path. For Ann, this battle involves writing, personal career choices, and the confidence to follow her intuition.

I don't think it's any coincidence I finished this book on January 1st 2012, a time of new beginnings and dramatic shifts. Traveling with Pomegranates is all about finding the courage to really discern your own path and then follow whatever fuels your internal fire. In my opinion, 2012 is a year to really find what is meaningful for you personally and start living that life. In, Traveling with Pomegranates, Ann quotes David Whyte as writing:

You must learn one thing.
The world was made to be free in.
Give up all the other worlds
except the one to which you belong

That's my wish for 2012. Happy.. New.. Year.

New Year's Eve & Moving into 2012

2011-12-31T10:31:00.000-04:00

You can start new any time of your life or any day of the year, but on New Year's Eve through to New Year's Day, when so many people all over the world mark the passage of time as a new beginning, there seems to be particular power to a fresh start.

According to my We'Moon book, tonight is also a waxing half moon in Aries. Waxing moons are dramatic in themselves. They resonate with the third chakra and our personal power. The influence of the waxing moon can cause us to feel a need to move forward and realize our potentials. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/05/waxing-moon-and-third-chakra.html
The waxing moon is considered to be a time for gaining strength and drawing positive things to you. It is a time for "positive magic". So the ritual of New Year's Eve on a waxing moon seems pretty powerful indeed.

The fact that this waxing moon is in Aries points to a bit of fireworks as well. Aries is a fire sign and known for sparking action, initiating fresh starts, and waking things up. Maybe that's the type of energy that really signifies moving into 2012 and, what is believed by many ,will be a pretty fast paced, dramatically shifting year.

Some people consider New Year's Eve to be a time of past reflection, but the moon's influences tonight will be more about moving forward. The caution with a waxing moon, particularly when it is under the influence of Aries, might be to consider others in your plans to forge ahead. Aries can be a little self-centered and intensely self-directed. The third chakra is also about self power and direction. In my opinion, this is a good thing, unless you get a little unbalanced and turn that power into a struggle for material goods or power over others. This isn't a time to force others to see things your way or move in your direction although you may be tempted. It's about leading yourself towards the goals you seek.

If you're following along with Wise Woman from Sweet Shack & Bach Bar, tonight might be a great time to make Lemon Pavlova. You might especially appreciate the power of that simple dessert by tomorrow! http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-here-sweet-shack-bach-bar.html
The Bach Flower essences that resonate with this third chakra, waxing moon influences, are Impatiens, Scleranthus and Hornbeam.

I think New Year's Eve celebrations have changed a lot over the past 11 years. In my world, the celebrations changed dramatically under the threat of Y2K- way back when 1999 moved into 2000. That year a lot of people stayed home expecting a bit of an apocalypse to occur as the clock ticked down- or at the very least a loss in power. The power stayed on, but by New Year's Eve 2001, the world was still feeling the effects of the terrorist attacks of 911 and again mass gatherings weren't having much appeal. I think for many the threats and possibilities drew people inward a bit and we felt the need to feel safe and secure as we reflected on the past and moved into the new. Perhaps that feeling pervades a bit as we move from 2011 into 2012 . Many people feel the change and welcome it, but there is still a vague sense of the unknown and what it may hold.

All the more reason to draw on that Aries Waxing moon energy and feel the strength within. In my part of the world there is a heavy rainfall warning out for tonight (a sign of a changing world in itself- it's more common to be snowing on New Year's Eve) and it's unlikely I'll be able to see the waxing moon. But I know it's there. Most people can't "see" their personal power or inner strength either but we know it's there. We see it in others and acknowledge it's presence. Maybe tonight is a good night to feel it in ourselves, acknowledge it's presence, appreciate it's source, and consider how we want to use that energy to move forward into 2012.

Happy New Year!

Melted Snowmen & In-between Chakras

2011-12-28T11:04:00.000-04:00

In my part of the world, the weather has taken yet another dramatic swing. It's warm and raining. It's raining a LOT. It's sort of gloomy out there and it feels a bit heavy. Maybe it's the post-Christmas feeling. It's slushy and drippy and horse manure that was wondrously covered with a blanket of white is now revealed for exactly what it is!

Our snowman has melted at a dramatic rate. His pine bough hat and chest buttons have now melted into his rubber boots. There is nothing in between. Hmm....

Maybe I've been doing too much candy cane smashing, http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/12/candy-cane-left-overs-throat-chakra.html
but looking at that snowman made me think of the chakras. It seems we put a lot of emphasis on our Root, Heart and Crown chakras. It's sort of the way the world, even without any knowledge of chakras, functions.

We think about our base, our safety and security. In fact, we spend a lot of time nourishing, building and working on our root chakras. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/11/chakra-foods.html We consider what we need to survive and we teach our children how to provide for themselves, how to be safe and secure no matter what. For some people that's the roof over our heads and the food in our fridge. For others that the pension plan, the saving account, the solid investments. As a nation, when we see disasters occurring in parts of the world, we rush in to help support the Root Chakras of those affected. We bring tents and blankets, clothes and food supplies. That's the rubber boots of the snowman. They are still there despite some climate change/global warming happening today.

Most people spend a good portion of their life focused on their heart chakra as well. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/02/foods-for-heart-chakra.html Perhaps during the Christmas season we got reacquinted a bit with this energy center as we considered the principles of loving one another and feeling self-love, of giving and receiving from the heart. Many people search for a "soul-mate" in an effort to balance this chakra. Others constantly re balance and adjust this chakra as they go through love affairs, divorce and death of loved ones. Some people find the true sense of universal love. We write books and poems and make movies that focus on the lessons of this chakra. This is the snowmans' chest buttons. They too are still there, but they've melted into his rubber boots and they don't seem to have any meaning now that they've been displaced.

On top of the melted snowman pile is his pine bough hat. This was his "crowning glory". It was developed last with much pomp and circumstance. It made him look complete. It rather gave him his identity as a snowman versus a few bumps of snow with stuff stuck in between somehow. I think we feel this way about the crown chakra. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/02/seventh-chakra.html It's often the last chakra we work on to develop and balance but once we "get it" we feel very different. It's your sense of spirituality whatever that means for you personally. In the past, and still today for many, this chakra is a religious focus or set of beliefs. For many, there has been a pretty big shift is what we consider spirituality lately, but the same degree of emphasis is still being put on this energy center.

The snowman had all these pieces. His rubber boots were keeping him well grounded in place, his chest buttons were prominent and shiny and his pine-bough hat was awesome. But without anything in-between, he's melted into just a pile of "stuff". His boots no longer belong to anyone and they look out of place, his buttons look like the horse manure they might actually be, and his pine bough hat, without a head to sit on, looks like something that got blown around by the wind. Hm...

Maybe the in between chakras could use some focus and attention as well.

There's that Sacral Chakra that is the center of creativity, and individuality. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/12/chakra-foods-for-sacral-chakra.html Perhaps there isn't much sense in developing the safety and security of rubber boots if you don't know what really motivates you as an individual in the first place. Once you've developed that safety, it's important to bring that security into who you really want to be.

Then there's the Solar Chakra, the snowman's "middle bump". http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/12/food-for-solar-chakra.html This center of self-esteem and personal power seems to allow the safety,security and individual motivation to come to life. I think this might have been the center that encouraged "Frosty to dance around and come to life". It's this chakra that when balanced, reinforces the fact that you "aren't just another pretty face". You have substance, judgement, energy, and the ability to bridge your creativity and intentions with your higher self when this chakra isn't melted into the ground.

Perhaps part of the problem for our snowman was that we neglected to give him a scarf. He really never had a Throat Chakra I guess. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/02/foods-for-throat-chakra.html Although he had developed Root, Heart, and Crown chakras, he didn't have a voice to express himself. No matter what he felt in his heart, he wasn't able to express it. Perhaps he would have asked to be moved to a protected area to avoid the melting in the first place! Surely he felt it coming!

Luckily people are not created like snowmen. People develop. Your energy centers aren't "placed there for you". They are a part of you forever and always, despite the influences of nature, others, or the events that happen in your life. No one forgot to give you a throat chakra or any other chakra. It's all there. As a person you are complete, always have been, always will be. If you're feeling a bit melted or collapsed, you still have the ability to reinflate and reign supreme. But it might just be a good time to pay attention to the in-between chakras and give them some of the attention they deserve.

And the good thing about a melted snowman is you get to create all over again. Maybe our snowman just didn't want to go to work today? I'm pretty sure there will be snow again before the winter is over and perhaps we'll build our snowman differently the next time. The fun of building a snowman is the process of creating, the journey, more than the end product or the destination. Maybe that's the point to chakra development as well.

Enjoy the journey.

Candy Cane Left-overs & the Throat Chakra

2011-12-26T12:18:00.000-04:00

Well... Christmas is over and it's boxing day already. I have been known to de-decorate as early as boxing day. It's not that I'm a Scrooge at Christmas. I enjoy Christmas, but when it's done I want it to be over. I don't want to linger and reminisce and watch pine needles fall on the floor. This year, we entered a New Moon phase on Christmas Eve. A New Moon phase signifies moving on, starting over, creating new and letting go of the past. Ahh... more reason to clear out and move forward http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-moon-phase.html

In my world, one of the items that seems to linger after Christmas is candy-canes. I sometimes wonder if they don't multiple on their own somehow. They come in all sizes from those tiny weeny ones to the gigantic- no one should ever eat this whole thing, variety. You find them in the candy bowl at offices everywhere. They are a common "give-away" item through the season. Mall Santa's have pockets filled with the things. Some of those creative wrappers even incorporate them into gift packaging. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/12/wrapped-up-in-christmas-bach-flowers-to.html Teachers give them out on the last day of school. The bus driver has a bucket full. See what I mean, they multiple! They also seem somewhat indestructible. I've found seemingly perfectly good ones at the bottom of the Christmas decoration box years later.

Candy canes are a Christmas icon. And after the fact, they can be a Christmas haunting in my opinion. I have a solution...

In Chapter 5 of Sweet Shack & Bach Bar , http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-here-sweet-shack-bach-bar.html Wise Woman makes Peppermint Cheesecake using candy canes. You can make it using any kind of mints, but it's a great way to use up some of those little candy cane leftovers. You can find the recipe in my book,which you can order by clicking on the cover picture on the top right of my blog, but here's the basic idea.

Make a chocolate graham crust using 1 cup chocolate crumbs and 3 tbsp. of melted butter. Form the crust into a spring form pan and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

While the crust is baking, gather up those candy canes, unwrap them, put them in a plastic bag and pound the heck out of them. This is VERY cathartic!! You need about 3/4 cup of crushed candies, so just keep pounding until you've got that much! They can be mixed in size, color, flavor, the works- this is a chance to be creative and thrifty at the same time.

When the 10 minutes is up take out the crust and turn the oven down to 325 degrees.

Beat 3, 8 ounce packages of cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar and 1tsp. vanilla. Beat 3 eggs into the mixture. Fold 1/2 cup of the crushed candies into this mixture and pour the mixture over the crust. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup candy over the top and bake for 45 minutes.

The peppermint in the cheesecake resonates with the throat chakra. It can be very soothing if you have a sore throat. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/02/foods-for-throat-chakra.htmlThis can be an interesting recipe to take to gatherings between Christmas and New Year's. When people's throat chakras are balanced they speak their mind and are able to express themselves with ease. You may find conversations switching to very real and positive communication if you feed guests this cheesecake.

Maybe once I've pounded enough candy canes, and made enough cheesecakes, I'll find my voice so that next year I'll pass up on those candy canes when they are offered to me! All things are possible. There are Bach Flower essences that resonate with the throat chakra as well. Rachael discovers them in Chapter 5 with Wise Woman and Merlin's help.

In the meantime- happy smashing, and Happy New Year's!

Christmas Poverty?

2011-12-23T11:17:00.000-04:00

There are lots of stories of giving these days. A lot of people really "step up to the plate" and share abundance during Christmas. Perhaps we take notice of what people don't have at this time more than other times of the year. But I wonder if we miss the mark sometimes and see this from a slightly distorted lens?

I read an article this morning about a family that was living in true poverty in my part of the world where this really shouldn't have to happen. A documentary had been done on this family that consists of a single mother and four children. The family has deep roots in poverty and is trying to break out of the cycle and make changes. The article mentioned that the family is very focused on love and respect and together they are changing old patterns. The rest of the story is about the fact that the documentary gained the attention of a businessman who donated a lot of money to the family so they could have a much more opulent Christmas. This sparked the attention of others and the family has been showered with gifts of ipods and "teen electronics", a huge gift card from a local department store, educational support, and other "things". The mother is reported as saying that she had warned the kids that Christmas was going to be "lean" but now it turns out they are going to have a lavish Christmas.

It's wonderful that people want to help. Most people that gave to this family wanted to remain anonymous so they weren't looking for public recognition. They truly wanted to help and I think and that's a wonderful thing. I don't mean to "slam" giving in any way. But I just want to examine it a bit...

This story has shades of Dickens "A Christmas Carol" and I think we consider that a bit to be the spirit of Christmas. That those more fortunate might help out others in need. But it might be worth looking at the characters in that story a bit.

Tiny Tim and the Cratchit's seemed very happy despite some pretty poor living conditions. Scrooge, on the other hand was miserable and tortured, despite opulent living conditions. In the story, Scrooge realizes the error of his ways and tries to make amends. He doesn't bring the Cratchit's ipods, toys or "things". He doesn't bring the Cratchit's to his home for a Christmas feast or to live with him. He really doesn't bring his world to them. I don't think he sees that as a gift.

Scrooge goes to the Cratchit's. He doesn't go there to rescue them. He goes there to be rescued. He seems to understand that in their home and environment they actually have something he could benefit from. I think he realizes the love they have despite the "lean" conditions. He does bring food and that is welcomed. We are led to believe that he helps out with necessary medical expenses for Tiny Tim and that's a miracle for the whole family. They understand the value that Tiny Tim brings to them all because Tiny Tim lives in the "now", happy to be alive and thankful for his family it would seem. Tiny Tim's optimism is contagious and that seems to be what Scrooge is looking for too. We also leave the story thinking that Scrooge will continue to provide a job for Mr. Cratchit and income for his family, not through charity but because Scrooge understands the skills Mr. Cratchit possesses. We think he may turn up the heat in the office a bit and perhaps provide more perks and time off. That seems welcome as well.

I don't get the sense in the story that Scrooge pats himself on the back for helping. I think he realizes the errors of his ways in the first place in his unfair working standards perhaps. But I think even more than that, he realizes a "lean Christmas" in terms of presents and "things" might be a very "lavish Christmas" in terms of love, peace and understanding.And that's what he's looking for- the spirit. Hmm...

In my opinion, we should be taking a look at what we consider poverty. I believe we should share food and the basic necessities for sure. But I also believe we should consider for a moment before we try and create for others what we have ourselves. Because I don't think that's the point.

I personally think jobs that match people's skills and abilities and provide self-sufficiency and pride are not so much gifts as a good match and what we should be doing anyway. If we see a window to help facilitate that process at Christmas, or any time, that makes sense. I think food for people that are hungry is always welcome and always right if it's given in an appropriate way and if it's what they want to eat. A frozen turkey when you can't afford the power bill to turn the oven on, probably doesn't cut it.

On the toys and gifts, I think we should look at that. I think a mother that can explain to her children why they are having a "lean Christmas" and how they may be replacing "things" with love, respect, budget abilities, good memories and a sense of self should be honored for her abilities and strength. I think she has much to give to the givers. I think her children do as well. Aren't most of us trying to get away from expensive things and toys we don't need? Aren't we all looking for that "spirit of Christmas" that sometimes seems to elude us no matter how much we buy and spend and give? Hasn't she achieved that in a way perhaps we could emulate? Hm...

See the Cratchits felt pity for Scrooge. They welcomed him into their home and shared their spirit with him. The Cratchits rescued Scrooge much more than the other way around. I think that's the spirit of Christmas and it has nothing to do with "things" and everything to do with "being". Maybe when you are surrounded by less "things" you can "be" with enough spirit to pass it on.

... bless us, everyone.

It's Here! Sweet Shack & Bach Bar

2011-12-22T18:11:00.001-04:00

Yipee! My latest book arrived yesterday from the publisher, just in time for Winter Solstice and still in time for Christmas or as a start to the New Year.

Today's picture is the back cover of the book- the front cover is featured on the top right hand side of my blog site and you can order the book by clicking on that cover picture.

This book is considered "creative non-fiction". The characters in the book each go through some Chakra issues and find soothing relief from a Wise Woman bartender, the help of some Bach Flower essences and comfort food. The characters do a bit of dimension shifting to get to the Sweet Shack and Bach Bar, Wise Woman has a bit of a unique method of delivering Bach Flower essences, and Merlin the cat has creative talents of the magical sort.

The Bach Flower essences are non-fiction and they can be "tried at home". The recipes are easy (trust me on that one I know no other method of cooking!) and are designed to soothe each of the Chakras.
In my world, some of these recipes will be reproduced at Christmas to get us "through the season"!

If you've been reading my blog, you'll see lots of similarities between it and the book. If you're new to the idea of Bach Flowers as a healing method you'll find this an easy guide to help self-diagnosis a bit. If you're just looking for an "easy read" during stressful times, I hope you'll find it in this book. That's my intention. I think healing can be easy and fun and Wise Woman knowledge should be shared. There's a bonus at the back of the book too: a coupon to receive 15% off a personalized Bach consultation.

You can order the book directly from the publisher at http://www.brylerpublications.com/sweetshack.php They will ship it off to you wherever "your world" is.

It is just starting to make the rounds of book stores and will be available through Chapters/Indigo/Coles both in stores and on-line soon.

Here's what Jackie, from Flower Spirit and Essence of Wild, had to say about Sweet Shack & Bach Bar. (She had a sneak preview)

'Sweet Shack & Bach Bar is a magical exploration of the Bach Flower Remedies told through modern day fairy tales that we can all relate to. Enter the enchanting world of Wise Woman and Merlin the black cat, a totem animal with a knack for giving people what they most need to give themselves.
Each of the women who enters the Sweet Shack and Bach Bar receives flower remedy healing while feasting on a delicious recipe that Wise Woman shares in the book so we can recreate her sweet treats at home.
Both students learning about the Bach Flower Remedies and people who have been using them for years will find a feast for the mind, body and soul in Sweet Shack and Bach Bar. I’ve been supporting people with Bach Flower Remedies since 1999 and discovered new perspectives on using them from this book.'

Jackie Stewart | www.flowerspirit.co.uk

Winter Solstice Celebrations & Traditions

2011-12-21T09:46:00.000-04:00

Today is Winter Solstice and a cause for celebration. Winter Solstice means, in the Northern Hemisphere, this day will be shortest in terms of sunlight for the whole year and tonight we will have the longest night of the year in terms of darkness. This occurs because the axial tilt of the earth is farthest away from the sun ,so we get the longest amount of darkness within this 24 hour period.

Last year when this happened we also had a full moon and a lunar eclipse, three pretty big events occurring all at once.http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/12/winter-solstice-full-moon-lunar-eclipse.html. This year the moon will be a mere sliver as we are heading into a New Moon phase on Christmas Eve. But, just like last year, the sun moves into Capricorn today.

The influence of Capricorn is one of responsibility to family and traditions. That can be a good thing or a bad thing in my opinion.

In my part of the world at least, this is a very busy year. Not only is Christmas starting to "sneak up" but there are a lot of other, totally unrelated things, happening at the moment. People are changing jobs, looking for jobs, and new careers, dealing with family illness and crisis, moving home locations, traveling, struggling with relationship changes, and financial changes. Despite all this change and adaptation, it seems many are struggling with a sense of trying to "uphold tradition". There are lots of traditions and customs that celebrate Winter Solstice with feasts and dancing , lighting of candles, and get-to-gathers. They are meant as a celebration of the darkness that heralds the light.

But tradition and celebration doesn't always have to mean work, organizing, effort, planning, and exhaustion. I think we might have got off the mark a bit on that in our "to do" world rather than our "to be" world. Maybe we get a bit confused on what the tradition actually is. Maybe the tradition doesn't have to be a five course meal with "all the trimmings" done in a particular way. Maybe the tradition is "just" that friends and family come together to share a meal. Seems like that could be done in a restaurant, with take-out, or over pot luck, with easy comfort foods, and a whole lot less exhaustion. Maybe you can even just get together without having to involve a feast. Maybe it's about the "getting together" more than the eating. Maybe it's about the "getting together" more than the presents, or the perfect Christmas tree, or the right decorations, or "what has always been done".

Maybe this year's Winter Solstice is a good time to examine the traditions and sift through them a bit. Maybe it's a good time to reflect on what makes you and your family feel good and what causes angst and darkness in the name of "tradition". Maybe today or tonight are good opportunities to just sit with the darkness and find your inner light and your real cause for celebration. Light a candle to your inner knowing, your sense of self, and the traditions you hold dear.

May all your traditions be light!

Wanning Moon in Virgo

2011-12-17T12:40:00.000-04:00

It's a busy time of year, of that there is no doubt. When the lists of what you need to do get extended even further, sometimes it's important to step out for a moment and just "be". Find that connection with nature. Maybe you just need to look up to the night sky. Today, according to my We'Moon book moves into a Wanning Half Moon in Virgo. Hmm...

I've talked about the wanning moon before. It's perhaps a lesser observed moon than the full moon or even the New Moon, but, in my opinion, it deserves some recognition and reflection. If the wanning moon has a two word phrase it would "let go". Easier said than done perhaps, especially at this time of year.

The last full moon was in Gemini http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/12/full-moon-in-germini-lunar-eclipse.html so that might have meant you were bombarded with information and communication. Too much information can be difficult to assimilate. We get caught up in the left brain side of analytical assessment of information and loose touch with our feelings.

The wanning moon phase is about reconnecting with your feelings through your sixth chakra http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/05/waning-moon-and-sixth-chakra.html. We might really need this reconnection right about now. When your sixth chakra is clear and balanced you are intune with your feelings and moving foreword in a way that feels right to you. It isn't about getting the tasks organized and completed as much as it's about doing the things on the list that feel right to you. Once you get in this flow things move much easier, calmer and peacefully.

But this wanning moon is in Virgo. When the moon is in Virgo, according to We'Moon (my source for all things lunar!), we become impatiently aware of what needs to be done, improved, fixed, or healed. Oh oh! When all that information and communication was flowing a few days ago, the Virgo types in the group got out their pen and paper and starting categorizing all of it into actions led by objectives. The Virgo sign is a pretty industrious one. Those born under the Virgo moon are full of compassion but they can be pretty vigorous in their critique and investigation. They can also get a bit irritated at those people that are gently "smelling the roses" while there are obvious weeds that should be pulled!!

So if I put all that together, I figure this time of the wanning moon in Virgo may be a really good time to re-examine those lists again. It might even be a good time to let go of those tasks that are really intellectually driven. In this moon phase of cautious reflection consider whether or not the lists and strategies are right, or are they a little "over thought" and "under felt". When you connect to your sixth chakra you'll be able to tell the difference. You'll be able to feel your way through all those things you figured you had to do and see which ones you want to keep and which ones you could let go of.

As you feel your way through your list under the light of a wanning Virgo moon, you might actually discover that a few of those items were actions you expected other people to do. You might find that the reason those things aren't getting done is because others really aren't in line with your expectations of them. Perhaps you were a little "over zealous" when you thought that was what they should do. Maybe you could let go of some of those expectations. Hmm...

Letting go often isn't easy. Sometimes the Bach Flower essence Walnut can help. It's useful whenever you are experiencing change. It has particular resonance with sixth chakra balancing and the wanning moon. Cherry Plum is also helpful if you're having difficulty letting go. It's considered the essence indicated when you are afraid you might loose control. This is often interpreted as being on the verge of a breakdown, but if you read that phrase slowly "afraid you might loose control", it speaks to the tight rein we keep on things because we afraid of change http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/10/cherry-plum-when-control-is-world-view.html.

One more Bach Flower essence to consider at this particular time of a wanning moon in Virgo and Christmas preparations is Chicory. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/12/travel-woes-broken-traditions-chicory.html When you are in a Chicory state you can be pretty strong-willed in your expectations of others. You can start to make demands on others without really stopping to think about how they might be feeling. Again that word feeling, as opposed to acting. If you've become a bit authoritative in your Christmas organization and your lists are so logical there's no room for creativity, feeling, and the true feelings of others, the Bach Flower Chicory might go a long way towards everyone's well-being!

These days Santa is Claus is "making a list and checking it twice". I don't think he's checking it twice to try and figure out who's naughty or nice. I think he's checking it to make sure he's left room in there for feeling, creativity, going with the flow, and letting go! I hope he does that before he comes to town!

Christmas Stress? Try the Bach Flower Elm

2011-12-15T12:26:00.000-04:00

In my part of the world, Christmas Stress seems to have reached a pretty chaotic peak within the past two days. All of a sudden it seems very capable, reasonable people are starting to "loose it", "barely hanging on" and "more than a little overwhelmed".

It seemed so universal, sudden and intense I looked to see if there was sort of astrological , lunar or weather related phenomenon affecting everyone. I didn't find one. Which is not to say it isn't necessarily there, but still.. It led me to figure maybe this is something we are causing all on our own in our "humanness".

In my part of the world, the end of this week signifies some "cut off points" on the Christmas calender and the "to do lists". This is the last week of school before the Christmas break and that seems to activate a lot of frenzy. It seems to me we do this at some cyclical times of the year, and often it seems to coincide with school. Seemed like the same thing was occurring in September http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/09/elm-for-feeling-overwhelmed.html

I think a lot of people on a day to day basis manage a pretty intense juggling act between work, home, family and a multitude of self-help, self-improvement, spiritual, diet, exercise, stress-management themes. There isn't a lot of wiggle room to insert extra activities. We know Christmas is coming but we just aren't really ready to "deal with that yet". We get pretty good at procrastinating to what feels like a "far off date". So way back in September when we were feeling overwhelmed by the end of summer, we said we would do things "before Christmas". Now suddenly it seems, the kids are going to be out of school and even if you don't have children in the school system, it would seem you can no longer deny it's "Christmas time". With some business starting to have revised schedules in the next week, and then holidays, it's suddenly apparent that items from the "to do before Christmas list" haven't been done.

In the overwhelming sense that Christmas is coming at a pace much too rapid to manage, it might be a good time to reach for a few drops of the Bach Flower essence Elm. Elm addresses that sense of being totally and completely incapacitated by the sense of responsibility. People that respond well to Elm are typically very capable and competent. They are often in positions of authority or tasked with managing others. That sentence sounds to me like the job description of every parent no matter what age or species your "child" might be. So when these people do "loose it", there is often a ripple effect and the overwhelming sense of exhaustion and doubt spreads pretty far and furious.

It seems like it is often just "human nature" to keep taking on things. Usually this provides a challenge, enjoyment, some ego fuel, and self-assurance, to say nothing of financial security and productivity. But there is a limit and a breaking point. If you find yourself at the breaking point, where you suddenly doubt your capacity to continue, Elm may be indicated.

Elm can get you through the moment of self-doubt and the depression of feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. But it doesn't stop there. It's isn't just about taking Elm and carrying on in the same mode. Bach Flower essences are designed to help you through the emotions that prevent you from making change. They help you find the balance you need to re-examine and readjust from within.

The Bach Flower essence Elm can help you put things in perspective. It can help you realize that maybe if you didn't get to that item between now and last September, it really doesn't need to get done. And before you just change the timeline to, "we'll do that AFTER Christmas, in January", consider whether or not it's critical in the big scheme of things. Maybe, if you're facing yet another Christmas without having made that gingerbread house, or baking those shortbread cookies, you don't really need to take on that tradition. Maybe if you haven't got everyone together for that meeting between summer and Christmas, you don't need to even try for January. Maybe you can move out of your "humanness" and allow yourself to be "less". Maybe you can do a bit less and find more. If you're drowning in your self-created lists, a few drops of Rock Water might be indicated as well http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/04/allowing-flexability-rock-water-bach.html

In my opinion, Christmas chaos seems to come on quickly and disappear quickly as well. There seems to be a window of time when it feels like there is still enough time to worry about what you should be doing, while still procrastinating actually getting them done. At this point we are still creating the lists. As we move into next week, that window closes and the door opens. By next week you've either "done it or you haven't" and most people find a bit more peace in that. We relax, we accept our humanness and we decide to just enjoy the couple of days that is really Christmas.

But today, next week might seem both way too close, and way too far. If that's how you feel, take some Elm, consider some Rock Water, rip up the list and remember... "this too shall pass".

Three Wise Men & Many Wise Women

2011-12-13T11:59:00.000-04:00

At this time of year, depending on the traditions you believe in, mention is often made to "The Three Wise Men". In the Christmas concerts of my youth, the costumes for The Three Wise Men were always fathers' bathrobes, a rope belt and a towel or a tin foil and cardboard crown for your head depending on which of the three you were supposed to be and which gift you were carrying. These guys were usually portrayed by either the tallest boys in the group or girls that were lucky enough to get very few lines. The Wise Men never said much. They just deposited their gifts and then "stood by". Hmm....

But in my world, that whole concert experience from the appearance of any kind of respectable costume, and props, through line rehearsal, and most of all, frayed nerves and hurt feelings, was organized or at least soothed, by Wise Women. I still rely on Wise Woman to help guide and soothe me and am thankful that there are many more than three of them in my life!

My We'Moon 2011 book includes an excerpt from Beth Beurkens 2009 entitled "The Wise Old Woman". Beurkens is quoted as writing:

The wise old woman stands guard over every century, stoking the fires of the hearth and the alchemical brew. Her words, sometimes gentle, sometimes harsh, point the way, help us reckon and understand. Her medicines are many-the swish of a feather, the warmth of tea in a china cup, the milk of kindness, the staunch of herbs on a wound.

She is the salt in our tears, the salt in our blood the salt of wisdom. Vital, essential, for without her salt there is no life, as without her wisdom there is no healing, no insight, no progress forward through life's cycles and passages.

To me, Wise Woman is an energy that is passed on from one to another. When you receive that energy it becomes a part of you and you are able to pass it on to someone else. Not all the Wise Women in my life have been female. I believe it's an energy that can sometimes come from male figures as well. It's not about the physicality of someone, it's about the energy that surrounds them. There are clear differences between The Three Wise Men and Wise Women that are related to something much different than physical attributes.

The Three Wise Men were always looking up- following that star, some sort of external guidance system. Wise Woman look within for direction. They know they have everything they need within themselves and they no longer place as much faith and trust in external evidence. They are able to pass on that sense of internal strength. A Wise Woman is the one that can truly enable the Wise Man with the scruffiest bathrobe to feel like a king inside, proud to be exactly who he is whether he remembers all his lines and cues or not. Wise Woman recognize the vast difference between beauty and fashion. And they can pass that sense on so you actually believe it yourself.

The Three Wise Men carry gifts from their world with them. They brought what they believed to be important. Gold, frankincense and myrrh were considered very practical gifts with multiple uses. I'm sure they were appreciated for equally practical reasons. Wise Woman gifts are often very practical as well. But if they bring gifts, they bring what they know to be practical to YOU, not what they figure you need. There's a big difference in my opinion. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/12/book-review-sagewoman-magazine.html Their gifts are often not as tangible as those brought by the Three Wise Men. They are more likely to be the passing on of abilities, strengths, and ways of making it on your own in the world. Many times when you receive a gift from a Wise Woman you aren't even aware of it until later on. No thank-you cards are required.

At least in the concert version, the Three Wise Men didn't say much. Wise Women on the other hand, while they aren't "chatter boxes", and they don't speak for the purpose of hearing themselves talk, are not afraid to speak their mind. They speak their mind because it comes from their heart. Through the sharing of their experiences, they pass on that knowledge through stories. There's a good chance at least at some point in your life, you heard a lot of Wise Woman stories without realizing it. You know you're becoming a Wise Woman when you remember the stories and realize the value behind them.

The Three Wise Men "came from afar". They traveled great distances to bring their gifts. Wise Women on the other hand are all around you. You just have to open up your eyes, your ears and most of all your heart, to let them in. Sometimes they are family members, sometimes they are neighbours, sometimes friends, sometimes they are complete strangers that you meet for an instant and in that seemingly chance, spontaneous exchange, you receive that energy transfer.

If you're searching the "perfect gift" you might be caught up in a mythical search for gold, frankincense or myrrh. Maybe what we should be giving and receiving is Wise Woman energy. Maybe it's about just sharing a laugh, a story, an understanding. That to me is true Wisdom and the greatest gift of all.

Pass it on!

Wrapped up in Christmas: Bach Flowers to Match your Style

2011-12-12T14:11:00.000-04:00

Okay, I'm procrastinating, I'll admit that right away. As I type this blog, I'm surrounded by Christmas paper, tape, scissors, ribbons, and did I mention tape?? I really need to get just a couple of presents wrapped up and ready to send so they make it there before Christmas. It isn't a long "to do" list. The hard part should be done, but I just can't seem to get those things wrapped up!! Some people really enjoy the wrapping process. They make a ritual out of it- put on a Christmas movie, get out the supplies, pour a glass of something or other and make it an event. I just can't get there. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to figure out some Bach Flower essences to take first if I ever want to get this done.

It can often be difficult to figure out just which Bach Flower essence is your "type", or right for you. It occurs to me that there might be some distinguishing factors according to how you approach gift wrapping. Warning: this list is not "Dr. Bach approved"- just a thought to be considered:

Agrimony- when everyone at work is talking about how much they enjoyed wrapping gifts by the fireplace on the weekend you smile, agree, say you love it too, are going to get at yours done tonight and make a joke about how it goes better with a stiff drink. But really, you weren't kidding about that drink- you hate wrapping if you really think about it, but you don't want people to know that.

Beech- you sometimes enlist family members in the wrapping process. After all - this should be a family event. But in the end you find yourself wrapping by yourself because really they all use way too much tape, never get the right color combinations and are just always wanting the scissors at the same time you need them anyway.

Centaury- not only are you doing your own wrapping although you really don't like to, you've agreed to do the wrapping for your boss, the lady down the street and the volunteer toy drive. You just couldn't say no.

Cerato- the wrapping is taking a bit longer than it should because you keep asking everyone else what color bow you should match with each box and "does this look alright". You had a plan for this whole wrapping thing, but you're just not sure if it's right.

Cherry Plum- if you've thrown anything against the wall in frustration , or ripped anything apart in a fit of anger during the process of wrapping- this Bach is for you!

Chestnut Bud- every year you find yourself surrounded by wrapping "stuff" , tape and scissors, and every year you find yourself typing your blog instead...

Chicory- you spend as much time picking out just the right wrapping supplies as you do the presents themselves when it comes to your kids and loved ones. You know they won't appreciate it, they never do, but you really hope some day they will appreciate all the extra effort you go to.

Clematis- you imagine how wonderful the idea of a lit fireplace, some mulled cider, all the family gathered around to wrap the gifts together would be. You considered calling some friends and doing the wrapping together over a pot luck get-to-gather. You 've thought of lots of ideas, but you end up on Christmas eve trying to get the wrapping done alone because you didn't actually put the dream into action.

Crab Apple- you hate the idea of the mess that wrapping presents creates. All those little pieces of paper, the garbage of tags and little bits of tape all over the place. The idea of the clean up is what prevents you from getting the job done in the first place. You'd have to vacuum the floor before you could even set things down on it...

Elm- you feel overwhelmed at the thought of the wrapping. It took all your energy just to get the presents in the first place, plus you got a lot of things to help out other people because everyone is busy at this time of year. You don't think you can possibly find it in you to deal with this.

Gentian-after you got all the wrapping stuff out and set yourself up for the task, you discovered you forgot to buy tape. You have given up, are going to eat chocolate ice-cream instead and watch a movie that matches your depression.

Heather- well if it weren't for the sore throat you're feeling, your hip that's acting up, the doctor's appointment you have scheduled for next week and all the Christmas baking you have to do, you might be able to get to that wrapping. You decide to call a friend and tell her about your latest diagnosis first...

Holly- what really bugs you is those people that can afford to buy those fancy wrapping boxes that require no work- the kind they always have in the T.V. shows. Everyone else probably takes their presents somewhere to have them professionally wrapped, you're pretty sure that's a marketing ploy created by "big business"

Honeysuckle- you long for the days when everyone had only one present and it was a homemade gift that didn't require wrapping...

Hornbeam- you're writing your blog instead of getting started on that wrapping project

Impatiens- you started out okay on the wrapping event, but part way in the tape was sticking to everything, the boxes weren't exactly the right shape, and you don't have the patience to fold everything just so. Now you're "hockey sticking" tape around the boxes, squashing things inside, and figuring it's what inside that counts. Who has the patience to put on bows anyway

Larch- if only you could wrap presents as well as most people seem to you'd be okay. You think you most likely could if you put your mind to it, but you're worried they won't be just right so you've hired you're 7 year old to do the job instead.

Mimulus- you're afraid people are going to laugh at your eco-friendly wrapping paper. You really want to use this stuff and you've spent a lot of time creating it from recycled products but it sounded better to you in September when no one was going to see it.

Mustard- you just have such a cloud hanging over your head you can't imagine Christmas even coming. There's no known reason for the gloom, but you can't seem to shake it off in order to even feel like buying the wrapping supplies

Oak- you'll be doing your wrapping at midnight on Christmas Eve. You do this every year because you always take on a million extra projects at Christmas time- you just have to, it's part of being a family. You'll struggle through it and it will get done. You'll be exhausted and maybe even too sick on Christmas day to open your own presents, but the wrapping under the tree will be beautiful

Olive- you have been at the mall all day long. It wasn't fun. It feels like you have been trying to do things to get "ready for Christmas" all year long. You open the door, carry in the last of the presents, see the wrapping supplies on your table and burst into tears. You're too exhausted for words..

Pine- you put a sticky on each present apologizing for the messy wrapping. Every time you hand a gift over to someone you apologize for the wrapping as well. You also apologize for not teaching your children how to wrap well. You know it's all your fault

Rock Water- your presents are a work of art, perfect in every way. If you don't have exactly the right supplies, you go out and get them. All your corners are perfect, your bows look like they have professionally custom created. It's important to you that the wrapping is perfect and you'll stay up late just to accomplish it. You believe everyone should put the same kind of care and concern into wrapping. There's no excuse for messiness.

Sclernathus- you couldn't decide whether you should wrap presents or bake cookies. You agonized over the decision until it's too late to start either one. You'll just go to bed instead. Maybe tomorrow you can flip a coin, or ask someone...

Vervain- you have started a campaign within your family and the community boycotting the wrapping of presents this year. It's way too harmful on the environment and puts the emphasis on the wrong things. Instead of wrapping you are making posters to set up in all businesses to further your cause. You'll stay up late making lists of who you can recruit and how you can take this campaign national.

Vine- you gave all your unwrapped presents to that Centaury person from the office. They'll wrap them for you. They better- or else!

Water Violet - you have sealed yourself off for the weekend to wrap presents all by yourself. In fact, you'll gladly skip the office party to do the wrapping alone. You don't have many people to buy gifts for anyway because you're really not a "social animal".

White Chestnut- you got some of the wrapping done but now you can't sleep. You keep wondering if you got the right present, if it will get there in time, if you put the right postal code on the box, if you got the right present, if it will get there in time...

Wild Rose- you don't really feel strongly one way or the other about the wrapping. You don't like it but you just consider it part of life and Christmas. It isn't enjoyable but it just has to be done. You'll get it done one of those days..

Willow- you're not sure why you're always the one that has to do the wrapping. It really doesn't seem fair, but then again you do most of the preparation for Christmas anyway. Everyone else just sits back and enjoys the season, but you work like a dog...

If of those, or a combination of those sounds like you, the Bach Flower's might be helpful to the process. If you'd like a Bach Flower consult- go on my website www.pixiedusthealing.com and sign up for a consult- please.. it would take me away from the wrapping!!!! Sigh....

Full Moon in Germini & Lunar Eclipse

2011-12-09T11:02:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow, December 10th marks a full moon in Gemini and a Lunar Eclipse. This is a pretty big astrological event, so I thought it warranted some reflection in the days leading up to it!

The moon in Gemini really highlights communication. Gemini's are talkers and that's the first and foremost attribute you will likely notice about them. When the moon is in Gemini we wake up and quicken our communication. Conversations sparkle and our thinking often broadens. The influences of the moon in Gemini may make you feel like networking or brainstorming with others.

The New Moon this month was in Sagittarius http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/11/sun-and-moon-in-sagittarius-bach-flower.html and that highlighted information and communication as well. So now that this moon is going into it's full phase, you really may feel the urge to talk about things and to talk fast and furious about all that information you have gathered! Sagittarius is a fire sign, and Gemini an air sign so that means the fire that began under the new moon is being fueled to a frenzy now. Both these signs are pretty light hearted but face paced so there is an energy of impatience around this full moon. We want things to happen faster and sooner and we may quicken our communications to try and achieve that.

This is a pretty fast-paced time of year to begin with and this moon will really accentuate those feelings in us. When the full moon is in Gemini you may find yourself multi-tasking and being pulled in multiple directions or into multiple conversations. Information and communication may be coming at you from many sources. The Gemini sign is twins. There is a duality that occurs with this moon influence. You don't necessarily have to choose between intellect and imagination. You may find your perception shifting to incorporate very new ways of viewing the world and the information and communication you receive.

Then there's the whole eclipse side of things as well! An eclipse is said to shake things loose and give us the sense of being at a crossroads, a time of change. Eclipse's are said to be forceful tools to cause us to evolve and mature. They push us to strengthen any weakness we may have. We last had a lunar eclipse on June 15th. Eclipses are said to build on each other, so whatever was going on in your life in mid-June may come to a critical point or an end now. I went back to my posting on June 15th to see what I was focused on at that time http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/06/bach-flowers-for-animals-in-transit.html Interesting... Mr Purple is now Louie. He is old enough and has enough attitude to howl at the moon with me tomorrow. I guess I better listen to what he has to say! No doubt he wants to write his letter to Santa.

If you've been feeling a lot of emotions swirling around in your head and your heart, you may be feeling the effects of the universe! In this time of Gemini Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse, the Bach Flower essences that might be particularly helpful include Cerato, Scleranthus, Clematis, and Heather.

According to http://www.rainbowcrystal.com/, there may be a special connection between Gemini and the Bach Flower essence Cerato. Gemini's are eager to gather information and knowledge but can be uncertain in their own opinions. With so much information and communication being circulated under this moon influence, it may be hard to listen to your intuition, filter through the information and trust yourself. Cerato can help you sort through the communication so you can trust yourself to take only what you need and act on it. The communication "floating out there under this moon" is broad, but not necessarily deep- for that you need go within and reflect and consider what is right for you.

Scleranthus has some similarities to Cerato and they are both categorized under uncertainty. That dual nature of the Gemini influence may cause you to flip back and forth between two ideas, tasks, thoughts, or actions. Scleranthus can help you find the integration between your logical mind and intuitive nature. Once you can integrate the communication coming at you , it may be a lot easier to choose your correct path and move forward through the lunar eclipse transformation.

In my opinion, Clematis is always helpful during the strong astrological influences of full moons and lunar eclipses. Clematis can help you remain grounded even when you feel "pulled away" to another dimension, to dreamland, to a world of infinite ideas. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/03/bringing-dreams-to-reality-with.html Clematis can help you connect your beliefs, and the information you are receiving with your daily routine and grounded action. It's hard to stay focused and concentrate both at this time of year and during heavy astrological influences and that's what Clematis can help with. Clematis may be particularly helpful for children struggling with the school routine in the last couple of weeks before Christmas break.

Although a difficult essence to self-diagnosis, Heather may be a Bach Flower to consider in the next few days. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/01/all-about-me-and-bach-flower-heather.html When in a Heather state people are very talkative. Perhaps this gets accentuated during the Gemini influence on communication. When in this state the preoccupation is with self. The person in a Heather state really needs an audience to describe in detail their latest symptoms, and problems. They want to tell you everything that is going on in their lives. So much information can sap other people's vitality. With the focus on information and communication in the next few days, it may be important to remember that half of the communication process is listening. A few drops of Heather can enable you to be a good listener, able to help others because of your own experiences.

The full moon in any sign, is meant as a time of reflection. When the world is spinning so fast, and so much information is finding it's way to you, it may be that much more important to just slow down a bit and reflect. Shut off the information flow and go within. Gaze at the moon in all it's glory, honor it's place in the universe, recognize it's influence on you and honor yourself. And a howl or two can never hurt!!

Reindeer Bullies & Bach Flowers for Rudolph

2011-12-08T10:57:00.000-04:00

There are lots of pretty lovable little characters floating around out their in holiday traditions. I really have a fondness for elves, but the characters that really grab my heart the most are probably the reindeer. I love those guys. In real life they really seem to have kind of a scraggly, "bad boy and girl" image that I also like. I love the children's movies about reindeer and of course, there's always Rudolph, "the most famous reindeer of all".

First of all, let's be perfectly clear right off the bat. All of the reindeer in Santa's team are females. Male reindeer loose their antlers during the summer months while females keep theirs. Everyone in Santa's team, in all the pictures, all the movies, and all the stories has antlers in December; therefore they are all females. Maybe that's why so many people claim to have seen Santa's reindeer. It's likely they aren't afraid or too proud to stop and ask for directions if lost!

So.. Rudolph is a girl. And at least the first year she lead the team, the year that all the stories and songs highlight, she must have been pretty young- maybe a young teenage reindeer. So imagine a teenage girl, going out in front of all the other girls with this big red shinning thing on the end of her nose! I imagine her mother heard the screaming: "Mom, you can't possibly expect me to be seen anywhere in public with this huge disfiguring thing at the end of my nose can you"! and , "Surely you don't expect me to get out of bed and go to reindeer school! I will NOT be seen in public until this thing goes away. I'll just text Santa and tell him he has to find someone else".

So I figure the real story lies behind the scenes, before Rudolph ever made it to the barn that night. I think there must have been a very caring, smart, Wise Woman that helped Rudolph shine her light. I think Rudolph's mother must have known about the benefits of Bach Flower essences.

I figure that this Wise Reindeer gave Rudolph a few drops of the Bach Flower essence Crab Apple in her morning glass of apple juice. If she was really smart, she might have got it in there before Rudolph ever looked in the mirror and started to panic. Crab Apple would have helped Rudolph feel better about herself and her appearance. Maybe they even rubbed a little Crab Apple on her nose and realized in fact, it wasn't a skin problem at all, but a gift of illumination.

I think the Wise Reindeer might also have suggested a few drops of Larch for Rudolph. Even if Rudolph was starting to feel okay about herself and accepting of her gift, it must have taken a lot of courage and confidence to stand up against the reindeer gang of girls and take the lead.

At least that first year, Rudolph must have felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility. I mean, there are a lot of people counting on Santa's sleigh making it through some pretty horrific and often changing weather conditions on a pretty tight schedule. Maybe a few drops of Elm helped Rudolph feel capable and self-assured that she could do it. I think the Bach Flower Elm might also have helped Rudolph schedule in a few water. sweat feed, and carrot breaks for the team during the long night as well. It might have helped her realize that one has to take time to look after your own needs before you can be everything to everyone.

I'm not sure if Santa was fully aware of the issues going on with his team. He kind of strikes me as being just a bit like a "shop teacher". Likable enough for sure,very cool in the eyes of all the guys, but a wee bit distracted with the power tools and measurements and the urge to build the perfect widget or the thoughts of turbo boosting the sleigh. I'm not sure he would have realized the sneaky things the mean girl reindeer might have been doing to Rudolph behind his back.

But I bet, Mrs. Claus saw it all. I figure she went out early in the morning and put a bit of Vine, Holly, and Beech into the water buckets because "all the other reindeer used to laugh and call Rudolph names". I'm pretty sure Mrs. Claus saw when "they never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games". The Vine Bach flower might have toned down the bullying a bit. The Holly might have got to the real root of the problem: that the others were a bit jealous of Rudolph in the first place, and Beech could have helped everyone be a bit more tolerant of those they were harnessed up next to.

So I figure Mrs. Claus and Wise Reindeer did a lot of very smart work before that sleigh ever lifted off the ground. Once everyone was out of their site, I imagine they put a few drops of Red Chestnut and Mimulus into their own hot chocolate. It must be a bit worrying to see those you love take off to parts unknown at warp speed. The Red Chestnut probably helps them let go of the worry and angst that the sleigh will crash or they will run into a obstacle, or not have the right toys, or be too proud to ask for those directions. I also think some drops of Mimulus probably helps them get through the night. I figure both Mrs. Claus and Wise Reindeer have "been there done that". They understand the life of girls and the struggles it takes to get to be wise and knowing and supportive of each other. I think Mimulus can help them release the fear that the girls just won't play well as a team.

So to Rudolph, all the girls in the team, and their Wise Woman backers, I say "You go girl"!!

Biophilia: Connecting with Nature

2011-12-06T12:33:00.000-04:00

I came across the word "biophilia" twice in the past couple of days in totally unrelated places. This is both a new word and new concept to me. Having never even heard of this before, when it comes to me in such an "in my face" way, I figure I better pay attention.

Biophilia is a term coined by Edward Wilson. He used it to describe what he called, " our innately emotional affiliation to living organisms". The definition has been expanded to include the natural landscape as well. Apparently after decades of scientific research, Wilson's theory holds true. We do, at a level we don't fully understand, need direct experience with nature. We need to feel a connection with nature in some way in order to feel healthy and happy. Hmm...

So then I got thinking about this time of year. In my part of the world, we are experiencing quite an incredible fall/early winter. It has been unseasonably warm, we have had rain not snow ,except for one brief storm that brought out my mittens http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/11/snow-suits-mittens.html, and it feels more like spring than winter. Perhaps it's because of the sunshine and warm temperatures that the short days and early darkness seems even more pronounced. For some people, these long days of darkness can signal Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/05/treating-seasonal-affective-disorder.html. So that got me thinking....

Maybe it isn't the lack of sunlight we miss so much when the the the sunrise comes later and sunset comes earlier in the day. Maybe it's Wilson's biophilia theory coming to light.

In our "modern lives", most people spent most of their working day inside, within climate controlled atmospheres. There isn't a lot of interaction with nature happening during the workday for many people. During the shorter days of winter many people drive to work in the dark and come home in the dark. In my opinion adults are not generally as good at "being" as we are at "doing". So when we spend time outside we often have to associate that time with a project. In the summertime we do pretty good. We plant gardens, we tend to plants, we go swimming, or go for a walk, we sit in the sun talking to neighbours or reading a book, we cook outside on the barbecue. All those are "projects"- things to accomplish while outside. Maybe we just wanted the "excuse" to go outside and connect in some way with nature. During the summer, spring and early fall, we often can still "sneak in" some outside time either before or after work. Definitely we "pencil it in" in for the weekend or days off.

But during the winter we loose the light. And that means we loose our "excuse" to get outside. We say that we hibernate indoors because of the cold. But I'm not sure I'm buying that reason these days. I think it might be because in the absence of light, we're not sure what we could "do" out there. We haven't really created any projects that we can do outside without sunlight. So we drive to work in the dark, come home with our headlights on. Walk through the garage, into the house, turn on the lights and sit in front of the T.V., or do some sort of inside "activity" until it's time to go to bed and get up and do it all over again. It's too dark to go outside. Hmm...

There aren't a lot of natural ways to increase the sunlight hours. At least not that I know of! But maybe if we changed our thinking a bit we could find that we could have a nature connection even when it's darker earlier. Maybe we would find that if we spent the time outside, even in the dark, we wouldn't feel the same sense of sadness and depression that we associate with a lack of light. Certainly would be worth a try!

One activity that doesn't require sunlight is star gazing! And the nighttime sky in the wintertime can be the most amazing of all. In fact, in some parts of the world, the Northern Lights are amazing right now. This website can give you some great information about what's happening in the winter sky http://spaceweather.com/ Maybe you could put on your mittens and pull that lawn chair out of the garage and just sit out there and admire the darkness?

Today's photo is courtesy of Liz Corbett. She's a Professional Bowenwork Practitioner http://www.circleofinnerwisdom.ca/ , an amazing photographer, and, in my opinion, a Wise Woman. Thanks Liz! Her pictures show her deep connection with, and understanding of , nature- perhaps her biophilia. Her photos aren't always taken in brilliant sunlight. Perhaps if you went outside with a camera either early in the morning or after work, you might find a "reason and an excuse" to have an "outdoor project". There have been some interesting photography courses initiated lately to bring children closer to nature in this way.

True connecting with nature isn't about "doing" anything. It's about being. If you are an adult, or a child brought up in the techno-age, you might have to get there gradually. At first you might need some creativity in order to find a way to "do" things outside in the early darkness. Although I think it might take less thought than it first seems. Ultimately, it's our mindset we need to change. Maybe we just need to consider that we might need to be out there for a bit in order to feel healthy, happy and alive.

When I saw Liz's picture today, I wanted to just sit underneath that tree. I wanted to lean my back against the trunk, shut my eyes and listen and feel nature. And I don't know about you, but when I close my eyes it's dark anyway! So it really doesn't matter whether it's sunrise, sunset or somewhere in between. It's about the connection to something much bigger than self. Maybe that's all we need to embrace the darkness of winter!

Book Review: SageWoman Magazine

2011-12-05T10:39:00.000-04:00

A friend led me towards a great discovery this weekend when she gave me a copy of the magazine SageWoman. Once again, I guess I'm a little behind in my discoveries as this issue (and the one featured on today's picture) is the 81st issue. At 4 issues a year, that means they have been around for awhile! No wonder- this is quite a read!

First of all, this is not your glossy full -of -ads- type magazine. There isn't a single make-up or clothing ad unless you count amulets, animal totem jewelry and magic slippers within that category! This magazine feels really solid in your hands and is more article than ad. It feels like sitting down to read a book and I spent most of Sunday doing just that. There is also amazing artwork throughout the magazine- all in black and white and somehow that makes it feel more enjoyable to me. I feel like I can really connect to the pictures and be a part of them rather than looking at some highly glossed, colorized picture that puts distance between the artist and the viewer.

Each magazine issue follows a theme and this latest issue is devoted to "Weaving The Web". The articles cover just about everything imaginable from a Wise Woman, natural, "lived life the "interesting" (I like that better than hard) way" point of view. Each and every one will make you think. The writers are highly accomplished women with a wide variety of backgrounds including an eclectic mix of formal and informal education and experience. Many of them have masters degrees in topics such as psychology, Woman's Studies, and Spirituality. Some of the articles are written by professional writers and authors, some are written by beginning writers, but all of them write from the heart and from a wealth of experience and understanding. Reading the bios is as enlightening as the articles. This magazine has been developed from herbalists, shamanic artists, naturalists, Priestesses, mothers, animal lovers, healers and witches. The commonality among them all in my opinion, is that they are all Wise Woman. They all share a piece of their journey.

I learned things about spiders, sheep, birds, weaving, beach combing, being in nature, Tarot cards for women, creating a community, and following dreams. Most of all I learned a little bit more about myself and I had fun doing it. I was inspired. When reading this magazine, I really felt like I was part of something bigger and wonderful.

But you need to find out for yourself. I'll be getting a subscription. As it turns out, this is a good time to support this magazine because they have had some setbacks due to the closure of Borders Bookstore. You can find out about subscribing and the magazine itself at http://www.sagewoman.com/

As I was reading through this magazine I also learned something about my friend. She didn't give me this magazine because it was something that she liked and thought I should experience. She doesn't have a subscription and figure I should have one too. I think I may have been guilty of giving gifts for that reason- thinking this is something the other person doesn't have and should. I guess a lot of gifts are an attempt to fill what we consider a gap or hole in the other person, or at least we want them to experience a part of what we have discovered, to understand us through our gift. But she gave me SageWoman because she knew I would appreciate it. She knew it was "my thing" and not necessarily "her thing". It wasn't given so that I might understand her better. She was really "honoring me" through her gift. She didn't see it as something to fill the "hole" but something that was part of my "whole". That may be the true art of Wise Woman giving and the very essence of friendship.

Cinderella meets Cowboy Boots and Text Messaging

2011-12-02T14:07:00.000-04:00

Remember the Cinderella Cowboy Boots post from awhile ago? It's back... Pour a coffee, or better yet, a glass of wine, and get settled in for a long read, because here's the manuscript. Since I can't figure out what format or publisher might actually be appropriate for this- viola- here it is.

If Cinderella Wore Cowboy Boots...

By Heather MacKenzie-Carey

Cinderella scooped mouse poop, added fresh shavings to the floor of the cages and poured clean water into all the containers. She was getting tired of cleaning all the cages for her step-sisters pets. The sisters didn’t even appreciate the poor little creatures- barely even looked at them and never talked to them. But then they didn’t talk to Cinderella either unless it was to tell her what to do. Cinderella felt a bit like a mouse herself. She was trapped in a cage, surrounded by poop, spinning around and around on a wheel going nowhere. Cinderella’s life was a mess. But, all that was about to change. Cinderella had a secret.

When Cinderella was five years old, her mother died. A year later, her father re-married. That’s when everything went bad for Cinderella. Her stepmother moved in with her two horrible step-daughters and they made Cinderella’s life miserable. They all treated her like a servant. Since her father was away most of the time on business trips, he had no idea that Cinderella was being bullied so badly. He believed all his new wife’s lies. He said Cinderella was “exaggerating the truth” any time she tried to explain how lousy her life was. He was in pretty heavy denial. Only Cinderella and her mother’s best friend knew about the secret.

When her mother was dying, she gave her best friend a package for Cinderella. She instructed her friend to give the package to Cinderella when the friend thought the timing was right. Last month, on her 16^th birthday, the friend gave it to Cinderella. In it was the favourite bedtime storybook her mother read to Cinderella every night, a T-shirt that still smelled like her mother, and an emergency life-line phone. The phone came with hand-written instructions from her mother. She explained that it was for one-use only. It would connect Cinderella to a Fairy Godmother. The Fairy Godmother could get Cinderella out of a jam. Cinderella was about to use her lifeline.

A you-tube video call had gone viral. Justice, the greatest rap star ever, was looking for back-up singers in an open casting call. The open invitation was all over Twitter, Facebook and MySpace. It was all anyone was talking about. The news media was calling it the “modern day Woodstock”.

Cinderella wanted to audition. She knew if she got picked she could travel all over the world with Justice and be out of her step-mother’s house. She would never have to clean cages again. Everyone knew that it really wasn’t singers he was looking for. He was searching for “a look”. A lot of people said Cinderella had just the look he wanted. She knew she had a pretty good chance. The problem was, her step-mother wouldn’t let her go.

The step-sisters were going to the audition. Their mother had taken them to the mall where they bought fancy new dresses and shoes. They had manicures and pedicures and facials. They had been getting ready for weeks. The day of the event the pace was crazy. The whole house was in turmoil. A hair stylist had been in and gave them fancy up-dos. A make-up artist was now trying to give them “the look”. Cinderella had been sent out to buy toilet paper and cotton balls. She thought the toilet paper was appropriate to the occasion.

Cinderella called her father’s cell phone to complain, and to get permission to go. He was in a meeting and transferred her phone call to voice mail. He sent a text to Cinderella telling her that her Step-mother was in charge when he wasn’t there and she needed to clear any events through her. He said he’d work things out when he got home. Cinderella had heard that before.

Cinderella put on her mother’s T-shirt and inhaled the wonderful smell. She picked up the emergency phone and placed the call according to the instructions her mother had written. Suddenly a Fairy Godmother appeared. If Cinderella had known she was actually going to appear, she might have cleaned up her room, but the Fairy Godmother didn’t seem to notice the dirty clothes, and stacks of books. Cinderella discreetly nudged the mostly empty yogurt container under the bed. The Fairy Godmother looked just like they do in story books and movies. A little old-fashioned, but Cinderella figured she could work with her for sure.

The Fairy Godmother started taking over. “Honey, I’ve been doing this story for so many generations, I know it by heart. We’ll get you a fancy ball-gown and a coachman with white horses. I’ll just need a pumpkin to start out with. We can use your sister’s mice to transform into the horses. I’ll bring in the magical glass slippers and you’ll be ready to go. I find Cinderella’s are always beautiful and you’re no exception. This is one of my easiest gigs.” The Fairy Godmother pulled a sparkling wand from a pocket and turned it on. While she was waiting for it to charge up, she started to explain the story.

“You’ll go to the event and no one will even recognize you. Justice will love you and pick you from all those that audition. You’ll have to run out of there by midnight because the spell only last till then. You’ll likely dilly daddle and be late so you’ll have to run. On the way out, you’ll lose one of your shoes. Justice will come running after you and will find your shoe. He’ll come looking for you the next day. The shoe won’t fit anyone else but you, although everyone else will try to make it fit. He’ll put the shoe on your foot and “the rest is history”. You’ll marry him and live happily ever after. Now, let’s choose your gown...”

“Wait a minute,” said Cinderella. “I’d like to make a small change or two to my story if that’s okay?”

“A change,” asked the Fairy Godmother? She stopped her wand in mid-flight. “No one has ever changed the Cinderella story before. What are you thinking of?”

“Well, instead of a gown, I’d like something that is “wearable” and comfortable. I’m thinking maybe leggings or jeans- I’m not much of a dress person.”

“That’s not a problem,” said the Fairy Godmother. “It’s unusual and most definitely not my style, but wardrobe changes aren’t really a big deal”. She waved the wand and Cinderella was wearing a very fashionable but workable outfit out of breathable fabric. Cinderella danced a bit and held her hairbrush to her mouth while she looked in the mirror to try it out.

“Perfect,” Cinderella said. “I don’t want a fancy up-do or a lot of make-up,” she said as she saw the wand being pointed towards her again. “I’d like the natural look”.

“Kids these days. Styles have certainly changed,” said the Fairy Godmother. “I must say, I prefer the elaborate costumes, but at least you are very low maintenance. I’ve had some real divas in my day”. The Fairy Godmother waved her wand and Cinderella had just a touch of make-up and her hair was shinny and flowing with just the right amount of swing to make it look like she had just got out of bed. The pimples that had been lingering on her chin and forehead were gone.

“Okay, you go get a pumpkin and I’ll get the mice,” said the Fairy Godmother. “Let’s get some real magic going here. It doesn’t feel like I’ve been doing anything with you looking like that!”

“About the coach...” said Cinderella? She figured she better approach this change pretty cautiously. She didn’t want to insult her Fairy Godmother but it was her story and she needed it to be right.

The Fairy Godmother already had her hand on the doorknob of Cinderella room. She turned around to look over her shoulder. Cinderella figured by the set of her mouth, the Fairy Godmother had already suspected this change was coming. “I’m listening,” was all the Fairy Godmother said, but she turned around and made sure the door was tightly closed.

“I’m actually a pretty good horse back rider and I’ve always wanted my own horse. I was wondering if I could have a strong black horse instead of the team of white ones. I really don’t need a coachman. I’d rather just ride the horse bareback, all on my own. “Once she started explaining, Cinderella figured she might as well let it all out. “And, I’d like to switch those glass slippers for a pair of really awesome cowboy boots”, Cinderella said.

“Cowboy boots!!!” Her Fairy Godmother screamed and turned a bit white at the same time. She grabbed onto Cinderella’s desk for support and felt blindly for the chair which she collapsed into. “That has never been done. I’d have to check with the over-seeing committee on that one.” Cinderella figured it was best not to say or do anything at this point. She watched as the Fairy Godmother pulled a cell-phone out of another pocket and started texting.

To: Fairy Godmother Overseeing Committee (FGOC)

From: Fairy Godmother (FG)

Cindy wnts MAJOR changes to wardrobe and props. No coachman, 1 horse only will ride barebck. No glass slippers. Wnts cowboy boots. Can these changes be approved???? Sorry for the unusual request. This Cindy is very different!!!!!!

The Fairy Godmother pressed SEND. While they waited Cinderella pleaded her case. It’s really just a small change, said Cinderella. Cowboy boots are a little more practical than glass slippers. I’m not very good with high heels. My ankles are a bit wobbly in them. And I think boots would look very appropriate with this outfit- more my style.

The Fairy Godmother seemed to be considering the outfit. Her cheeks were back to the ruby color they had been before and she seemed composed again. Just as it looked like she was going to say something her cell phone binged an incoming text. Cinderella read over Fairy Godmother’s shoulder.

To: Fairy Godmother (FG)

From: Fairy Godmother Overseeing Committee (FGOC)

CC: Script Writers Union (SWU)

Wardrobe changes acceptable, x-change of coachman for horse ok, do u really mean cowboy boots instead of glass slippers????? Please confirm. SWU approve as well- these changes are highly irregular!!!!

Wow, now the union is involved said the Fairy Godmother. That’s a pretty big deal. Let’s think about how we want to phrase this. The Fairy Godmother smiled at Cinderella. She was definitely understanding and on Cinderella’s side now. Together they sent the following

Reply All:

From: Fairy Godmother(FG)

Yes, cowboy boots wnted, no slippers... heels a problem...

The Fairy Godmother smiled at Cinderella. “Now there’s nothing we can do but wait,” she said. “You could always spend the time cleaning your room.”

Cinderella moved impatiently around the room rearranging stacks of mess from one pile to another. The Fairy Godmother moved around the room looking for better cell phone coverage. Finally she opened the window and held the phone out. When that still didn’t bring a quicker reply she waved the wand around a bit and a pile of clothes became neatly folded. The yogurt container turned into a bar of white chocolate which they split between the two of them.

Finally they heard the bing. The Fairy Godmother held the phone between them while she pressed RECIEVE.

From: Fairy Godmother Overseeing Committee (FGOC)

To: Fairy Godmother(FG)

CC: Script Writers Union (SWU)

On conference call with SWU. Here’s the deal FG. Cindy can hve boots, horse and wardrobe change. Curfew stays at 12. GPS on lifeline phone will track and transform spell components at 12. SWU approves.

Luckily Cinderella’s step-mother had already packed the stepsisters and their hair into the SUV to get them to the audition. All the make-artists and designers had left. Standing calmly on the front lawn, eating the clematis was a huge black Friesian. Her curly mane glistened and her luxurious tail twitched at the occasional black fly.

“She’s beautiful”, whispered Cinderella. “I’ll call her Freedom”.

“Looks a bit big,” said her Fairy Godmother who maintained a respectable distance from the huge feet while Cinderella gently stroked the Frisian and asked permission to ride her.

Cinderella instructed a reluctant Fairy Godmother on how to give her a leg up so could mount Freedom.

Once Cinderella was comfortably mounted and balanced, her Fairy Godmother passed her the life-line phone. “Remember Cindy, this phone has GPS tracking in it. At midnight the committee will send a signal to it and all your magic disappears. You go back to Cinderella the mouse maid again”.

Cinderella put the phone in her boot and smiled. She had a plan. “No problem, and thanks for everything,” she said as she leaned down to hug her Fairy Godmother. A little pressure with her legs and Freedom and Cinderella were off to the audition.

Cinderella found a nice path of grass on the theatre lawn for Freedom to munch on and she slid off her back. No one seemed to even notice the girl and the horse in all the frenzy of the limos, the red carpet and the paparazzi. Cinderella figured there might be some kind of cloak of invisibility spell around Freedom.

Cinderella sailed through the intake questionnaire and the first series of interviews. She dodged her step-sisters, but by the time they got to the first round of auditions they were already out of the competition and partying with the roadies. Everything was running late and Cinderella nervously checked the time on her life phone. She set an alarm and placed the phone back in her boot.

Cinderella hid behind the curtains back stage to avoid step sister detection while she waited for her final call. She was finding Justin more than a little nauseating as he sat in the big chair shouting at people while attendants fawned and fussed over him. Cinderella really didn’t understand the attraction.

One of the stage hands admired Cinderella’s boots. The two of them got in quite a conversation while Cinderella waited. Turns out the stage hand was a cousin of Justin’s and had rather the same opinion of him that Cinderella did. They both agreed that Justin was pretty silly and cowboy boots and horses were much more important than fame. The stage hand had another cousin that ran a dude ranch well outside the city limits. He told Cinderella his cousin was always looking for help on the ranch. Cinderella put the contact information into her life phone. She Google mapped the address and saved it.

Cinderella was standing in the middle of the stage, staring down at Justin and performing when her boot started to vibrate the alarm she had programmed. At the same moment one of the step sisters screamed as she recognized Cinderella. Cinderella used the diversion to run. The alarm meant she had 5 minutes before the spell was lost and she didn’t intend to waste any of it. She bolted from the stage, ran past the astonished media and flew down the front steps.

She realized this was the part where the glass slipper was supposed to come off leaving a marker so the fairy tale could come to a happy ending. But everyone knows that once a good pair of cowboy boots is on your feet they aren’t coming off without a lot of tugging and effort. Cinderella’s boots stayed on her feet.

As luck, or magic, would have it, just as Cinderella reached Freedom, the huge horse gently lowered her head and front hooves in a bow enabling Cinderella to swing her legs over her back and mount up. As soon as Cinderella was balanced, Freedom took off at a gallop listening to the whispered instructions Cinderella gave her as she leaned close over her mane, hugging her legs to Freedom’s body, trusting her with every ounce of her being.

Perhaps they did actually fly. Magic has a way of being unpredictable. However they did it, by the time the overseeing committee was connecting the signal to the GPS in the life line, Freedom, Cinderella and her cowboy boots were all out of signal range.

And that’s how Cinderella changed the story line. She made it to the dude ranch with Freedom. They were both hired “on the spot”. Within a few months Cinderella became the head horse trainer and Freedom helps her out with that.

The step-sisters did make it as part of Justin’s posse. The fact that they knew the girl that ran off gave them some celebrity status with the tabloids and they have a following now that Justin appreciates.

Now that all her daughters have left home and are making their own way in the world, Cinderella’s step-mother seems a bit more gentle and Cinderella’s father is home more. He calls Cinderella a lot and they spend time together. The mice have been released to the wild.

Occasionally Cinderella’s step-sisters come to visit her at the ranch. It’s good for their reality T.V. show. Cinderella has taught them how to clean out stalls.

To: Fairy Godmother Overseeing Committee (FGOC)

From: Fairy Godmother (FG)

Cindy sends me encrypted texts. She is very happy!!!!! Maybe we should look at revising the Little Red Riding Hood story??????

Beyond Imagaination

2011-12-01T12:14:00.000-04:00

It seems as we get closer and closer to the beginning of 2012 the speed of everything is ramped up. People continue to have to face issues at warp speed and it really does feel as though "change is in the air". That kind of change and shifting prompts the imagination and encourages us to speculate I guess.

I've had lots of conversations lately about what "might be coming", how the world "might look" and what the future may hold. It seems to me that people really believe in one of two theories. They either hold to the idea that the world is about to end in some doomsday scenario, or they think the world is about to change in wonderful transformed ways. Not many people that I've encountered, believe the "status quo" is going to continue. Maybe people have always felt this way. Maybe it's something new. It certainly seems to fuel the imagination and be a hot topic of conversation and debate.

But in my opinion, if we can imagine "it", then it's not accurate. I think that if you can imagine something it's already happened to some degree and you're developing a variation of events to create something slightly different. But I believe true transformation, and I happen to believe all transformation is good, is beyond our imagination.

Today's picture is Doreen Virtue's http://www.angeltherapy.comgoddess/ Guidance Card of the Goddess Kali. Virtue describes Kali as the "get things down" goddess. Kali doesn't fool around with a little bit of tweaking here and there. She releases the old through natural storms, fires, and extreme events. She is a powerful, often feared goddess in Hindu tradition. Virtue writes that Kali will "push you beyond your comfort zone to reach the heights of your potential".

That sounds like "beyond your imagination" to me, and I like that. I think perhaps the world is feeling Kali a bit these days. Kali is all about change. Change can seem chaotic if you don't have faith and trust. Change can BE chaotic if you don't have faith and trust and if you're swimming against the current and trying too hard. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/11/animal-signs-seal.html Kali is all about releasing the old, really releasing the old, not creating new versions of the "same old, same old". Once the old is released, we experience rebirth. We will go "beyond our imaginations".

I guess when Kali is exerting her influence, the world could use a bit of the Bach Flowers and support. Cerato, Aspen, Chestnut Bud and the Perelandra essence ETS Plus all come to mind.

Cerato is the essence that might help you find the "faith and trust". http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/12/best-advice-your-inner-knowing.html It can be buried pretty deep and the more caught up you get in the chaos factor, the more hidden that trust can be. Cerato might help you step out of the chaos and admire the view as you travel beyond your fear and imagination.

Aspen might help if you feel the influence of something not quite tangible. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/03/coping-with-fear-alternative-remedies.html Perhaps that "something" is the fear and worry that Kali can bring if you're not centered in your place of trust. If you're picking up the fears and worries of others in what can be chaotic times, Aspen might help with this as well.

Perhaps it's Chestnut Bud that we need to go beyond our imagination. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/11/chestnut-bud-for-repetitive-mistakes.html Chestnut Bud is indicated when you aren't learning from experience and therefore keep repeating the same mistakes. Sometimes our "imaginings" are taking us back, not moving us forward. It's hard to see it that way. We think we're moving forward even when we imagine times when we thought life was more peaceful and try to re-create that. This might even explain some of the "back to the land" principles. But maybe a few drops of Chestnut Bud would reveal that isn't truly moving forward as much as it's trying to escape the chaos.

Perelandra ETS Plus may help move beyond. It can help you adjust and repair those electrical currents that might need some fine tuning as Kali does her rearranging and releasing. In my opinion, the Perelandra essences really do go "beyond the imagination" and may be just the support you need. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/10/kinesiologymuscle-testing.html

When you truly go beyond your imagination, you don't know what you're going to need. That's the point. You can't really prepare, pack a bag, or get a kit together. That's preparedness and survival theory. To do that you prepare what you have needed in the past, or read that others needed, or researched, as being helpful, or think you might need in the future. All those things will help if as a collective we repeat the past mistakes again. But, if we're really going beyond that you don't need anything except what you have inside you- faith and trust. No backpacks, no overhead luggage, no suitcases, no survival kits. It's all about traveling light. Hmm...

To imagination and beyond!

Animal Signs: Seal

2011-11-29T13:03:00.000-04:00

Do you ever get the feeling that you're just trying too hard? If you've been following along and read yesterday's post, you might have decided, like I did, that your rational mind is just spinning a bit too fast and trying to encourage you to "keep doing "when the best choice of all might be to just "stop and go with the flow" for a bit.

According to Daniel Mapel in, Into The Heart of The Wild, this might be be a good time to consider the Seal animal essence. Mapel uses the vibrational energy of totem animals to create a line of essences that can be used to connect you with the healing energy of these animals.

In Celtic tradition, humans are closely linked to animals and the appearance of, or a certain connection with an animal reveals something about ourselves. So, if you're drawn to seals, or for some reason they have been appearing in your thoughts, dreams, or consciousness, the message may be for you to "lighten up a bit", stop trying so hard and allow things to unfold as they are meant to. Stop doing and thinking and try being and feeling. Hmm...

Seals are pretty playful, fluid creatures. They flow through the water with an ease and grace that suggests letting go and allowing. Not much splashing or effort to their swimming. They just glide through the path of least resistance and follow the current without a lot of worry and stress it would seem.

Seals spend much of their time in the water but they are also comfortable on land and it's on land where they give birth. This dual nature is a symbol of the need to integrate our inner thoughts and feelings with the practical side of nature. There are two sides to the fulfillment of dreams and visions. There is the idea and feeling part that is optimally conceived deep inside us, in the creative fluidity of our mind. Once we can really have that connection with our feelings, we can birth those ideas best if we choose some practical methods and allow our rational mind to help. Help, but not take over. Unlike seals, human often tend to resist those deep inner rhythms and we try to create and do without paying attention to intuition. We ignore our inner mind and intuition in favor of our rational, practical mind.

Sometimes we involve our inner knowing in the initial creation but the gestation period gives us some trouble. Having made that connection to our inner selves and feeling we have a notion of what we want to create, we swim against the current to try and get right to the land to give birth to that idea. We push others out of the way, we struggle against the tide, icebergs and debris. The harder it gets to reach land the harder we try. After all, our rational mind firmly believes in the "no pain, no gain" principle. Deep down we might even start to feel pretty good about the struggle. It helps us think our idea was a good one if it doesn't come easily. We'll be able to tell our children how tough life was, how hard we worked to survive. We'll feel like strong, rugged survivors.

Seals spend a lot of time just swimming around with no particular destination in mind, playing, and having fun. Seals don't worry about being swept away and drowning in the current. They know they are good swimmers, even better floaters, and they don't fight the deep rhythms. When we connect with seal energy we can release our worry, fear and anxiety. We can let go and let be. In that space of equal balance, where thoughts and emotions flow together, we'll find ourselves arriving at the right spot on land at the right time. We'll just float right on up to the perfect spot!

Sounds good. Easier said than done. Rock Water as a Bach Flower might be helpful to encourage you to go with the flow of the current. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/04/allowing-flexability-rock-water-bach.html Rock Water types often tend to overwork the current and find themselves drowning as a result. When in a Rock Water state you tend to stick to very rigid methods of "doing". There is no room for "being" when you're in a Rock Water mind set. You try very hard to rule your mind. You are extremely disciplined and proud of it. Rock Water can help you allow for some flexibility. A few drops of Rock Water may help you reconnect with your inner harmony, your intuition and the side of you that is happy to just float along without worrying that the wharf may not quite be within your line of sight just yet.

I don't know if it's the whole opposing thumbs thing, the invention of fire, or just our journey, but we humans seem to take ourselves pretty seriously. We even approach spiritual growth and enlightenment with this intense sense of doing. And I just don't think it works like that. Or maybe, I "feel" it doesn't work like that. Life is supposed to be fun. Maybe instead of reading about spiritual enlightenment, how to meditate, how to connect with ourselves, and how to improve our mind, our body and our soul, we should just "shape shift" away. Maybe, just maybe, we could shape shift into a seal and enjoy a little afternoon dip in the ocean....

Intuition vs Rational Mind

2011-11-28T12:23:00.000-04:00

Apparently if you made it through "Black Friday" and you are still wanting to shop, today is "Cyber Monday" at least according to a host of marketing emails I got this morning. I'll admit, I was happy for the work diversion/distraction on a Monday morning, but really- cyber Monday? When did that happen? And why?

Albert Einstein lived from 1879 to 1955 so I'm pretty sure he wasn't talking about Cyber Monday when he said this, but I think the quote has some relevance:

"The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift."

The rational mind is a wonderful thing. It's really because of the attention that society as a whole has put to this side of the brain that we have a lot of the convenience and ease we enjoy in our lives today. It wasn't that long ago that survival took a lot more time and energy. Rational minds created things like industry and technology that have radically changed the way we live. Even farmers that survive from their crops don't depend completely on their own supplies for food. They go to grocery stores, maybe on the way home from a producers board meeting and pick up something for supper. I know a few dairy farmers but I don't know any that make their own butter and ice-cream, at least not on a regular basis. I know a lot of people that supplement their heating costs by burning wood, but I can tell you it's not always easy to buy a cord of wood when you need it because not many people cut it anymore. Instead of working that hard, we survive by other means. We work in offices, or plants, or in those shops and stores that sell things to other people. We survive by using our rational minds.

But, like Einstein referenced, we've rather let that rational mind get a bit out of control. We have allowed it to "up the anty" on what we consider survival. I saw a shopper out on black Friday quoted as saying "times are tough so one has to find a bargain wherever you can". He wasn't shopping for food and a winter coat. He was looking for a new T.V. and a laptop! See, that doesn't really seem to me to qualify as "tough times", except in our rational minds. We have become servants to that driving force in our heads that says we must continue to produce, gather money, and spend it on something or another. We aren't buying canned goods to get us through the winter, we're buying 60 inch T.V's, faster laptops, devices with more apps, and things I don't even understand, but somewhere in the back of my rational mind, I think I might need- to survive? We honor the servant in us all that figures we have to keep working, wrack up the overtime, and make more money so we can live an easier life. I'm not really sure that makes sense when you stop for a minute to let that sink in. We usually don't because we are too busy listening to the rational mind that says there is work to be done if we're ever going to be able to buy those $500 winter boots that you can't actually wear in snow because they would be destroyed- but wouldn't they look good in the office???

But what about that intuitive side of the brain? What might it suggest if we listened? In today's picture, Albert Einstein is pointing to the right side of our head- not the left. The left is that side that is the rational servant. The right side is where our intuitive, creative, feeling side comes in. Dr. Bolte-Taylor explains the two functioning sides of our brain really well and I've summarized a bit in this earlier post on her book. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/02/dr-jill-bolte-taylor-brain-integration.html
The right side of the brain connects you to your feelings. It is concerned only with "the now". It doesn't worry about what happened in the past. It isn't concerned with what might occur in the future. It really isn't preparing for survival- it just "is". Dr. Bolte-Taylor describes right side thinking as a pretty blissful place.

It's that concern with the past and the future that drives the rational mind. We become so concerned about what we had to do without earlier in our lives, or in lives gone by, and try so hard to set ourselves up better for the next week, next year, this Christmas, our retirement that we become slaves to that "survival panic".

It is from the right side of our brain that we feel the connection to the universe and to the divine. Maybe that's where our real "gifts" are. For some people that may be a true sense of creativity ,the expression of which gives them indescribable joy. For others it may be gifts of healing, of counselling, of invention, of "feeling outside the box". While the rational mind worries about survival, the intuitive mind just enjoys thriving. What a shame to be working so hard to survive that you never take the time out to thrive.

I think it might be time to bring our rational minds, as a collective society in check. I think it's time to consider if we have let the threat of survival run so far that we've lost the concept of what we really need. I'm not suggesting we throw out our conveniences and entertainment- not at all. I'm just suggesting it might be time to consider whether or not we are so busy honoring the servant inside that we have forgotten to go out and play.

Maybe it's time for some Scleranthus and mittens and some "me time"!!

Black Friday: Mysterious Potential?

2011-11-25T15:07:00.000-04:00

I've always thought the American tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving in November instead of October, when we celebrate in Canada, made sense. Kind of a nice way to go into the Christmas season and really mark a beginning of what then could be a month long "season" or time of year. But the idea of "Black Friday" really does, to me, seem a little black!

Black Friday is a retail concept. It is the busiest shopping day in the U.S., I guess because people have the day off and are starting to think of Christmas. In order to capitalize on that thought, retailers offer huge sales as a way of encouraging spending. It's how they put their own business accounts "in the black".

I goggled Black Friday Pictures and got over 6 million hits. The first few I looked at, including the one with this post, were all photos of frenzied crowds. People were lined up, shoulder to shoulder, spending money, waiting to spend money, or fighting over spending money- sometimes all three at once. There are already accounts of minor injuries from pepper spray used by a shopper looking for an advantage, gunfire exchanges in a mall, and injuries from a fist fight in a department store. And all that before the stores even really officially opened this morning! Wow! To me, that brings a whole new meaning to the title "Black Friday".

Nina Ashby in, Simply Color Therapy, writes that "black is comprised of all colors in an unmanifest state which means they are there but they haven't yet been brought into being". She goes on to explain that if you stand outside in the country on a moonless night, the grass under your feet is still green, the flowers are the same blue, purple or yellow they were in the daylight, and rocks are grey or brown or shades of colors. But without light, you really can't see that. Everything is hidden a bit even though the potential is still there. And, I guess, most people's trust and knowing allows them to accept that.

We tend to consider the color black as being evil, negative, or absorptive. But that's really not fair. As Ashby writes, it's more about "mysterious potential" and just because we can't see clearly doesn't mean there isn't lots of potential there.

So I guess in all that sea of frantic people and money exchange, price tags and pepper spray, there probably is some mysterious potential. No doubt some people will find that. You'd still never get me out in that mess!!At least, not without a healthy dose of Bach Flowers!

First, I'd want to take Aspen for protection. It can shield you from the negative energy of others. It's helpful for sensitive people that might feel the "black thoughts' of some of those bargain hunters without really knowing where the feeling is coming from.

If I was a retailer, particularly in places where pepper spray and guns are legal, I'd want to set up an aromatherapy pot of Cherry Plum! Cherry Plum can help people that feel they are on the verge of a breakdown and are afraid they may loose control. Maybe if all those people could inhale a good strong dose they could find a more rational, calm, way to hunt for the mysterious potential.

I'd want to keep some doses of Gorse on hand. I'm not sure if I think this should be handed out before people go into a store, or when they leave- probably both. Gorse can help when you feel there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Gorse could help restore your trust that there really is color in that blackest of days.

Holly definitely should be in ample supply. It's helpful that it's a flower used during the Christmas season. Holly as a Bach Flower could help temper the competitive, jealous feeling of shoppers who think someone else found the mysterious potential and snapped it up already.

Without question, before stepping foot in any retail place today, I would have to take the Bach Flower Impatiens. It can help you relax and cope calmly with that long line-up, those slowly walking people and those that are digging way into the bins for the mysterious potential.

I think a lot of those shoppers must be Oak types. Oak is the Bach Flower for people that are brave, strong and reliable. They have enormous endurance, persistence and patience and can stand up to a great deal of stress. I figure for sure, the people that camp out overnight to be at the front of the line must be Oak people. But when Oak types fall, they crash to the ground. And if anything is going to zap the energy of the Oak type, it just might be the pressure of black Friday bargains. Oak could help them recognize the need to take time off to relax and look after themselves- at least stop for a hot chocolate in the food court.

I can't imagine being a clerk in retail today. So for all those wage earners, I'd offer a shot of the Bach Flower Star of Bethlehem. It's indicated for the after effects of shock or a trauma. To me, being out in the retail world, must definitely qualify as shock and trauma today. I imagine if you've watched hundreds of people struggle to find mysterious potential, you might be finding it hard to see the light in the world yourself by the end of the day.

Maybe the mysterious potential that we struggle to find on Black Friday is actually found within. Maybe it's the ability to withdraw yourself from the masses and find a peaceful connection with something far removed from the physical world of retail? And anyway, is anyone home cooking the turkey??

New Beginning & Facing Conflict

2011-11-24T10:05:00.002-04:00

Yesterday afternoon, in my part of the world, it felt like something changed. We had the first snow storm of the season. It was heavy wet snow without much wind and it seemed to just cover everything with this beautiful blanket of white. It was a picture perfect day to just watch the snow, and feel very protected by a heavy layer of white. Kind of like a cocoon.

But yesterday didn't really start out that way. First of all we had a couple of days of weather warnings and predictions. People argued about whether or not the weather forecasters, news reporters, and emergency managers, knew what they were talking about. Some people argued that we would only get rain, an it wasn't any big deal. Some people scrambled to get snow tires put on their cars and there were arguments in tire shops about the back-log, and the ability to schedule everyone in. People tried to do a million things "before the weather started". People argued about whether or not to cancel meetings and appointments based on a prediction alone. Everyone just seemed a little on edge. More than a couple people seemed rather "poised for a fight", over what exactly, it wasn't really clear. Conflict was in the air.

The early morning hours were tense. Certainly if you were trying to drive anywhere you were feeling the loss of traction, particularly if you hadn't made it through the tire line. More than a few people were fearful and anxious on their way to work or activities, fighting slick conditions, traffic delays, no doubt hollering at other drivers that weren't driving right for the conditions, and already worrying about the trip home. There were tons of delays, car crashes, and fender benders. The decision to close schools didn't come without some strife, angst, scrambling and conflict. Buses were delayed, some kids were at school and sent home, others were caught sort of in-between. Nothing seemed very clear or settled.

But somewhere in there, everything did get settled out. People either got to work or turned around and went home. It became pretty clear the predictions were accurate. Schools were closed, kids got home, decisions were made.

New beginnings don't always come without some conflict. Perhaps that explains the early morning hours of yesterday. Conflict can be a bit messy, sloppy and slippery. Sometimes people and things get hurt or broken a bit. Depending on how we handle conflict, our repair bills may be costly. But that doesn't mean that conflict should always be avoided. Sometimes it's just part of the transition into a new place.

If you find the conflict phase difficult, congratulations- you might be human! If you are avoiding conflict at all costs, you may start to find that "all costs" have really piled up on you to the point that you are blocking new beginnings. And that doesn't really feel very good either.

There are four Bach Flower essences that address avoidance of conflict. They include Agrimony, Clematis, Centaury and Water Violet.

Agrimony types avoid conflict by becoming the joker. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/12/agrimony-to-release-whats-behind-mask.html Not only do they not want to put themselves in a conflict situation, they don't want anyone to be there. They are the ones in the line-up at the tire shop that try to deflect arguments by changing the subject to something pleasant, like the great hockey game that Sidney Crosby played his first game back. Deep down they are as frustrated and conflicted as everyone else but they pretend it doesn't bother them and go to elaborate efforts to try and convince themselves that they really feel that way. They are the first ones to suggest you go have a drink in the bar to wait it out. Agrimony conflict avoidance is a learned skilled. We are often taught this as a method of socialization. But it prevents self expression if used in excess. Sometimes you really do need to figure out exactly how you feel and admit that not everything in life is pleasant. Sometimes you need to tell other people that you feel that way if you want anything to change in the world, or you ever want to get to the front of the tire line!

Clematis types avoid conflict by retreating to a world of their own. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/03/bringing-dreams-to-reality-with.html If you saw a kid out there waiting for the bus yesterday perfectly happy to just stand there and be covered in snow and not do anything about the fact that the bus wasn't coming- you probably saw a Clematis kid! It's a common reaction in some kids. The Clematis child doesn't use the waiting time to build a snowman. They don't walk back home to get a drive. They don't text anyone to see why the bus might not be coming. They just go to their "happy place" and dream about hot chocolate in front of the T.V. If you never break out of the daydream, your dreams can't change into reality. Clematis can help you take some action, like walking home, so that the hot chocolate and T.V. dream can become reality.

Centaury types avoid conflict by giving in. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/01/feel-walked-on-consider-trying-centaury.html Centaury types are anxious to do the right thing. They already had their snow tires on, so when three co-workers called them in the early morning hours and wanted a drive to work they agreed ,even though they really wanted to cancel the out of town meeting the night before. They "white-knuckled it" all the way to work and even agreed to stop at the Tim Horton's drive thru for coffee when they really wanted to just stay moving straight ahead. They bought the coffee for everyone but didn't dare drink their own until they made it to their desk by which time it was cold. It seemed easier to agree with everything those co-workers said and asked for than to risk a confrontation. After all, it was probably ridiculous to be such a "nervous ninny". Centaury can help people find a way to say no. It can help them get in touch with their own true feelings. You might find the courage to suggest a teleconference from home.

Water Violet types avoid conflict by withdrawing. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/09/water-violet-for-loneliness.html Water Violet types love a snow day because it will mean the office is quiet and they can work undisturbed. Despite the fact that they own a Hummer, no one would dare ask them for a drive to work because they are too aloof and perhaps condescending. When they get rear-ended and pushed into a four car pile-up, and all tow trucks are backed up for four hours, they have no one to call for help. You might have seen them walking to work yesterday. If you had of given them Water Violet, they might have accepted your ride to work and taken you out for lunch in return.

Today, according to We'Moon, we enter a New Moon phase. So that's about beginnings. And it feels like a beginning out there. It's just different somehow. The sun is out and the snow is already melting, but even if it all melts away, it doesn't feel to me like we will be back to where we were a couple of days ago, before the first snow. It feels more like winter now and thoughts of Christmas are starting to make a bit of sense. It feels like we've moved on to something else. Yesterday's struggles and conflicts seem to have made way for a calm and restful night and a new energy this morning. Time to make a snowman and bring out the basket of mittens!!

Sun and Moon in Sagittarius & Bach Flower Impatiens

2011-11-22T12:37:00.000-04:00

According to my We'Moon book, today the Sun is in Sagittarius and on Thursday the New Moon will be in Sagittarius as well. That brings forth a pretty powerful "call to action".

Sagittarius is a fire sign. Sagittarius are about the action, movement and change that fire represents. Just like a rip roaring fire, the focus of those born under this sign is usually up and out- towards the mountain tops, beyond the constraints of the earth or deep into the wilds of nature.

Because they like to look beyond the obvious, Sagittarians often have a grasp of the big picture, but they trip over the details close to the ground and close to home. Sagittarians hate fences, rules, and structure of any kind. They often rebel against, or just flat out ignore, those kinds of constraints. They are better at "save the world" ideas, then they are at balancing their checkbook. In fact, most Sagittarians likely don't own a checkbook, or if they do, they are using it as a doorstop or they have put it under the wobbly leg in the coffee shop table so others won't spill their coffee when they sit down.

All this outward and upward energy of the sun and then a new moon in this sign may generate movement. We may find it difficult to sit still, or impossible to sit down and work out the details. This kind of restlessness calls for the Bach Flower essence Impatiens. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/11/impatiens-bach-flower-for-patient.html Impatiens is a match for those that feel the world is just not happening fast enough. People that respond well to Impatiens often want everything done instantly or better yet, yesterday! If you see yellow traffic lights as a signal to speed up, start the wood fire with a blow torch, or have mastered the art of filling your coffee mug while the brew is still dripping, you might benefit from a few drops of Impatiens.

All that swirling, fiery energy, may make everyone a bit impatient, and with that can come a sense of frustration. Sagittarian energy encourages people to work alone and do things on their own because they are too impatient to take the time to explain the project to others. It can feel like everyone else is moving slower than you and with such upward thinking you may overlook the talented people right in front of you. Taking Impatiens can help you stop and breathe for a moment and realize that everyone is doing their best. It can help you realize that perhaps others are covering in the details you may have missed in your haste. It can help you slow down your brain a bit so that thought and action can actually work together to result in achievement of goals.

Fire Science 101 states that to have fire you have to have three things: heat, fuel, and oxygen. Take away any one of those three things and the fire goes out. Sagittarians bring the heat to the party, but they may well forget that some sticks, dry brush, and a log or two are needed. Once that fire gets going, you need oxygen to keep it lit. The Sagittarian energy needs space, oxygen, and breathing room in order to feel alive. Put a bucket over that heated fuel and the fire goes out.

We're all in this together. Some people are the heat source that suggest you light a fire and roast that marshmallow into a totally new food group in the first place. That's the kind of energy that is floating around out there today, and under Thursday's New Moon. The New Moon phase itself is all about starting new things and bringing in new energy. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-moon-phase.html It's about changing solid masses into something with a bit more texture. This will be a real time of action, change, new ideas, and starting great things. But that type of energy requires balance from people that are well grounded and solid enough to agree to fuel the project. You will also need some pretty blustery creatures that are willing to fan the flames and stay awake to make sure it doesn't all go out.

In order to toast the perfect marshmallow you have to start with fire, but you might need some of Dr. Bach's Impatiens in order to find the patience and calmness to wait long enough, keep the fire tended to, and when the embers are hot and glowing, create that perfect transformation. Bon appetite!

8th Chakra, Thymus & Bach Flowers

2011-11-21T13:18:00.000-04:00

Although the primary chakras have traditionally been considered to be the 7 primary ones, there also exists an 8th Chakra that is said to become developed once you have moved through the other seven. This 8th Chakra is considered to be the "Seat of the Soul" and is sometimes referred to as the High Heart Chakra.

I've done a couple of blog postings on this chakra. The first one included basic information of it as the high heart chakra http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/11/high-heart-chakra.html In another posting I explained the significance of malachite as a healing element for this chakra http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/11/malachite-for-high-heart-healing.html. I didn't plan this, so it rather took me by surprise, perhaps freaked me out (in a good way) when I went to post this one today and discovered that the dates when I last was focused on this chakra were almost exactly a year ago. I don't know the significance of that, but it sort of inspired me to keep writing!

This 8th Chakra is located midway between the heart and throat chakras. That puts it physically in alignment with, and resonating with, the thymus gland. Biologically, the thymus gland functions in immunity. It is considered part of your lymphatic system, but as an organ, it isn't perhaps as well understand as some of the others. It gets pretty "high tech". It isn't just "average, every day, protection from disease stuff", it has very specific, targeted attraction, and adaptive immunity functions. Immature cells are first produced in your red marrow. Unlike other white blood cells that are created and mature in your marrow, these thymus lymphocytes (t-cells) travel as undeveloped babies, through the blood stream and lymph to your thymus. Once these cells get to your thymus they mature and differentiate in very specific ways and become capable of responding when and if you need them. For the rest of your life. All this is done before puberty because this organ becomes less and less active as we age (at least the part of it that we are aware of). That kind of goes with the theory that "everything you need you already have when you come into this world," in my opinion.

So both the t-cells and the 8th chakra are focused on differentiating self from others. For the T-cells they hang around waiting for foreign physical invasions. When their specific memory is triggered by a antigen (foreign, not one of us good guys) they surround and immobilize it, rendering it harmless to self. A "T-cell" count is a common medical diagnostic test. Blood is drawn and the T-cells are counted. Too many T-cells might indicate disease such as mononucleosis, or leukemia or myelomas. It means your body is working hard against something it considers bad. A lower than normal T-cell count might signify AIDS/HIV, viral infections, cancers, Hodgkin's, or recent radiation therapy. Low levels more or less explain that you are "compromised" or not as able to "fight off the bad guys" as maybe you could be.

Maybe it's just what I'm "tuned in to" lately, but it seems to me that there has been a rise in immune disorders. A lot of people seem to be getting diagnosed with auto-immune problems and rather vague immune problem conditions. Hmm...Does that mean for some reason collectively we need to pay some attention to the development and balanced functioning of our 8th chakra? That could just be a huge non-scientific leap in assumption. Then again....

Emotionally the 8th chakra is said to be what really connects your physical body self to the divine. The seat of your soul really is that knowing, that life purpose, that reason for being. For a great explanation of this check out this quick youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy19SWRGpkM&feature=player_embedded#!

Dr. Bach believed that emotional imbalances where what prevented the body from being able to heal itself. His line of essences was designed to bring our emotions to balance so our body could heal itself. So it seems to me, Bach Flowers should be particularly helpful to try and get an unbalanced thymus back in order and a disconnected "seat of the soul" emotionally secure again.

Dr. Bach didn't match his essences to chakras. They are meant to be matched personally to your emotions and by that manner you may find relief of physical symptoms. But it can often be tricky to really figure out which emotions might not be in balance, particularly when you are trying to look within.

It seems to me that there are three Bach flowers that have a particular connection to the 8th chakra and to some extent the thymus and immunity. They are Beech, Centaury, and Chestnut Bud. There are others that might resonate as well, such as Crab Apple or Walnut, and but I think Beech, Centaury and Chestnut Bud are worth considering for sure.

Beech is indicated for irritation and intolerance of others. That sounds a little like the T-cells lining themselves up to attack anything that isn't considered "self". When we are feeling critical of others it's often because we aren't quite so secure in our own beliefs, direction and thoughts. Interestingly, Beech is often the essence to turn to with allergies and sensitivities- there appears the immune system again. Taking Beech may help you ease up on judgements of others and therefore find yourself more tolerant to let others be. This often comes when you feel more tolerant and forgiving of yourself as well.

Centaury may also be indicated for imbalances of the 8th chakra. Centaury types are over-sensitive. They can be quite submissive in nature and often neglect self for others. They tend to give too much of themselves and are easily imposed on. They can be bullied easily and they can also be constant "rescuers", very helpful to others to the point of loosing a sense of self. Centaury is about not having clear distinctions between self and others. The lines start to get blurred. Physically this can result in decreased or low energy levels, backache and strain, and anaemia. Taking Centaury can help balance the need to take care of self and really nurture yourself as much as you would others. It's about finding what you need for you and then supplying it to yourself. You have what you need within, you just need to allow that to work for you rather than giving it all away.

Chestnut Bud seems to me to have a powerful connection to the 8th chakra. Chestnut Bud is indicated when you aren't learning from experience. The 8th chakra is all about memory connections. When balanced, this chakra understands old memory codes, past lives, and past lessons and brings that memory into the present to work for you. T-cells are these memory coded cells that recognize a past event and work to prevent the same "bad thing" from happening again. They may have to work the first time they see the "bad guys" or those things that aren't "part of self", but once that memory is there- it's there forever. Chestnut Bud can help you use your past experiences in positive ways. That may translate into reappearing health problems starting to improve.

Today's picture is an electron microscope view of a T-cell that comes from the Journal of Cell Biology. I imagine they meant it to be highly technical and informative, but I actually thought it was quite beautiful , perhaps because of the colors. The blue part is the receptor portion of a T-cell and the green "stuff" is proteins on the T-cell surface that help embrace the bad guy to demobilize it. The blue and green colors together are really the color that resonates with the 8th chakra. Hmm....

Lots of unsubstantiated ideas, assumptions, and thoughts in the material above. But maybe that's what the 8th chakra is all about- a leap of faith because your soul actually remembers something your body can't quite get it's mind around...

Snow Suits & Mittens

2011-11-18T16:06:00.000-04:00

The weather took a dramatic turn in my part of the world last night. It's been unseasonably warm all fall, but last night the wind changed, a cold front blew in and although I haven't actually seen snow falling, there was a suspicious white dusting on the hay this morning.

I'm not complaining. Not yet at least, it's still early in the year. I feel sorry for anyone that doesn't get to experience a true northern climate. Not only do you miss out on all kinds of snow activities, but you miss the experience of winter clothing.

First there is the snowsuit. We all had to wear them. It seemed like it took hours for someone to get you into this thing. I think these suits were designed by the same people that make space suits or one of those deep pressure diving suits. You aren't even expected to be able to get into this yourself. Someone has to be assigned to aid you. There is a lot of pushing and pulling and yanking involved. There are zippers and strings that aren't designed to be reached from the inside. In most households the number of snow suit wearers greatly outnumbered the appliers. This meant that if you were first you had to wait a long long time for everyone else to be properly attired. Not only was this a hot wait, but usually round about the time the last zipper on the last suit was done up, the first person realized they had to go to the bathroom. Hmm...

Once you were encased in this thing, movement was severely restricted. That's why in all those winter photos, the kids are standing with their arms straight out, their feet firmly planted in the snow and no movement is obvious. They can't. You can waddle a bit from side to side and once practiced, you can move your arms without bending at the elbow but that's about it. You know those snow angels you see in the snow? Those aren't a game. Those are attempts by snow suit wearers to get up once they have fallen down!!! It's a wailing and thrashing of arms and legs that anyone who's ever worn such a suit understands.

But here's the thing. If you've never had to wear one of these snowsuits, you don't understand the wonderful, incredible, rite of passage experience the first winter you get to wear a "grown-up person coat"! This is true freedom and a heady experience. For at least the first few years you are still issued snow pants. But they are separate from the coat. This means you can apply them yourself. This also means you can accidentally on purpose leave them behind in the school coat room. I think there may be entire rooms of unclaimed snow pants in most elementary schools. The snow suits are rather colorful but snow pants, perhaps because they were meant to make that leap to being a bit more grown-up, were always navy blue or black. Perhaps they were these somber colors so that they could be interchangeable once lost or mislaid. In the early stages, your snow pants had kind of a bib attachment, but as you proved your ability to withstand frostbite, you got just the pant variety and the suspenders disappeared as well. You can almost run in these free form pants. You can actually do things with your arms and you can move your upper body separately from you lower body. You can throw snowballs, you can get on and off a toboggan, you can help pull the little snowsuit wearers out of the snow bank they are stuck in. It's wonderful. You're one of the "big kids". No better experience.

Snowsuits are one of those things that truly have evolved. Somewhere along the way, I'd say one of the initial wearers, once they were let out of their suit, decided it was there life purpose to create a better design that would allow for movement. The material is thinner now, but even warmer. The zippers and strings have been replaced with Velcro. You don't see so many snow angels. It's a whole new world. But it almost seems like our DNA still remembers the immobility factor because kids still stand there immobile once you put them in these things. You have to remind them, that in fact, they can move.

No doubt about it- snow suits were torture devices. But mittens!! They are a whole different thing. I love mittens. Some people think that when they are grown up they are supposed to wear gloves. That's a mistake in my opinion. Gloves are to your fingers, what the snow suit was to your body. You can't move your fingers around in those things, you're movement is pretty restricted, and once your digits are separated from each other, it's actually pretty cold in there. Mittens feel snugly to your fingers I think. They get to still feel free inside a soft covering. Unlike gloves, mittens are colorful and happy. Gloves are just too somber and grown up for me. Mittens make me smile. You can't look at mittens without thinking about building forts and packing snowmen and eating a fist full of snow (we weren't supposed to eat snow, but we all did).

You couldn't catch me in a snow suit to save my soul. But I am an adult mitten wearer and proud of it. I love getting my mittens out when I see the first snowflake. I wear my mittens to high level meetings. I don't hide my mittens in a purse or briefcase. I put them right beside my coffee cup. If the subject gets too serious I just look at my mittens and I feel better about the world. If the meeting gets boring, I look at my mittens and think about how good recess is going to feel. You can't point and accuse with mittens on. You can't poke someone in the chest and start a fight. You can't hold them in one hand and snap them in the other like an army commander from an old movie, or a mean teacher, or a snobby high society person. Mittens are just kind of happy things and a reconnection with the good parts of being a kid.

Unlike the snowsuit, the gloves, the boots, and all the rest of the winter gear, mittens can be put on and taken off in a flash. You can put them on and take them off all by yourself. In my mind, there is nothing like a pair of homemade red mittens to make you feel safe, secure, warm, happy and connected with your inner child. Ahhh.... happy winter!

Book Review: The Virgin Cure

2011-11-17T19:47:00.000-04:00

I'm still sort of working out this life purpose/survival skills/job stuff from yesterday's post. Maybe part of the reason I seem a bit focused on this subject is due to what I'm reading or maybe I'm finding these books because I'm focused on basic survival type stuff. Whichever came first, I recently finished Ami McKay's The Virgin Cure. I loved it.

Usually I'm way behind the masses on what I read. I typically find books that were bestsellers long ago and discover them after everyone has already "been there, read that". But I was pretty much lined up to get Ami McKay's latest. Her first novel, The Birth House, is a real favorite of mine and I knew without even reading the back cover, that I would appreciate this one as well. Besides, she's a Nova Scotia writer and I support that!

Both of her books combine Wise Woman knowledge, some historical fact, traditional cures and potions, and just a bit of mystic. Good combinations in my opinion.

The Virgin Cure, is definitely a book about survival. The novel is set in New York, lower Manhattan actually, in 1871. Moth, the main character, at the age of 12, is sold by her mother to a wealthy woman to be a servant. The first 12 years of her life were no picnic either, but Moth has a personality and perhaps a life purpose, that ensure she will thrive despite the odds. She goes through some pretty murky worlds of begging, circus type sideshows, and brothels along the way. But somehow I always had this sense that Moth was going to fly and I appreciated that. Took some of the angst away during the reading!

This book really got me thinking! On so many levels and on many different subjects.

In the late 1800's , syphilis was a common disease that affected and killed many. In many circles, the mere mention of the disease was taboo. Neither the cause nor cure was well understood. Rumors, myths, prejudice, and ignorance around the disease were widespread. Many of the treatments were as brutal as the disease. People who had or were suspected of having the disease were hidden away, shunned, and avoided out of fear and misunderstanding. They were considered "dirty", and of low class and morals. There was a common belief that if a man with the disease could have sex with a female virgin, his blood would be cleansed and he would be cured of the disease. This misconception allowed young girls to become commodities to be bought, sold, or traded, sometimes even by family members. It also spread the disease and increased the death toll in a portion of the population (very young girls) that might otherwise never have been unexposed.

Now take the above paragraph and change the date to the late 1900's/early 21st century. Put today's date in if you wish. Do a computer "search and replace". Replace the word "syphilis" with HIV-AIDS. The tragedy is, that without a single other change, the paragraph will still be correct. Hmm....

Moth hasn't been dealt a very good hand. But she really doesn't dwell a lot on those facts. She's too busy in survival mode maybe. She doesn't turn her back on where and who she came from. She uses the skills that have been handed down to her both through nature and nurture and tweaks them to be her own style. It works for her. And that makes me think about the idea of life purpose and how perhaps we owe it to ourselves to consider from whence we come. Perhaps those ancestral traits are in us for a reason. Maybe they need to be modified a bit. No doubt they need to be adapted to our present situations, but perhaps they would point us to both purpose and survival. Maybe they would help enable us to thrive. Hmm...

At least in this part of the world, society has changed a lot in a couple of hundred years. We do have child protection laws, health care and social programs that would prevent the course of events that occurred to Moth- I think. But I wonder if some of those changes haven't always been in the right direction. I felt the same when I read some of Jeannette Walls books http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.com/2010/10/teen-age-disconnect.htmlWhat always strikes me when I read books from this era is how smart and capable teenagers were. If we have advanced so much since then, and have grown so much in educational programs and information dissemination, why do we think that teenagers today are so less capable? Shouldn't they be more capable of surviving and thriving? Why don't we trust them to find their own way anymore? Before you send social services to my door, I'm not suggesting at all that we "throw them into the streets", or sell them off to a higher bidder. I'm suggesting we look at them with a bit more respect and acknowledge the survival skills they have deep within them. Maybe we could help them test those skills out a bit. Isn't there a middle ground where we could nurture them but allow them to spread their wings a bit too? Maybe we should just ask them what they really think they want and need from us. Hmm....

But you don't have to think this hard. You can just enjoy the book. It's well written with engaging characters. You really feel like you're walking the streets, wearing the clothes and experiencing Moth's life. You might get some good remedy ideas in there. You might thank your lucky stars that fashion has changed. You might want to consider your own roots and your family backgrounds. After all, that's how Ami McKay came to tell the tale in the first place.