The Sun and The Dark Side of the Moon

Today, October 11th, we Earthlings have moved into the lunar phase called New Moon. This is when the moon, in its orbital rotation, lies directly between the sun and the earth. Now it is the sun that experiences its own full reflection off the surface of that glistening pearl of a rock that lights our night sky and regulates our tides. We here on Earth are now full face with the dark side of the moon, with just the very glimmer of the crescent, without which, we might experience a lunar eclipse. The new moon appears approximately every 29 days. I have always been amazed by the science of astronomy and the ability to determine the phases of the moon, constellations and galaxies by way of mathematical equations. I've heard it said that mathematics is the Divine language of the universe. Then again... I was never any good at math.

In most schools of mysticism, the moon is representative of time and the right side of the brain, which is intuitive and creative. The sun to timelessness, spirit, the left hemisphere of the brain and cognition or consciousness. Melding the two hemisphere's of the brain being the goal of meditation, thereby bringing about new or heightened senses, mystical experience, immediate manifestation, hearing the still small voice of our Higher Self, profound "knowledge" or revelation, and ultimately, linking with the eternal mind wherein we share the thoughts of God and experience the peace beyond understanding. Thus, the sun and the moon, as with all aspects of the material world, can be symbolic of the Divine, depending upon our perspective.

We are blessed to have been born in a time when we may choose our own path to God, without being forced to adhere to some other man's view of truth, and without fear of "lethal" persecution in so doing. When I may decide, based upon my own understanding and experience, what is truth as it resonates with my innermost being. On a deeper level, we all have the ability to determine truth. But it does require that we faithfully question our own motives and intent.

Surely, just because a religious text specifies or condones something, doesn't mean it is "Truth." Neither would I denounce or condone something based upon a religious text merely because it makes me feel righteous, in fact, especially if it makes me feel righteous, it is bound to be suspect, and require some soul searching. Perhaps that is why I possess such a deep distrust of fundamentalism. The one aspect all religions were created to teach, is lost in all forms of fundamentalism, and that is the development of a compassionate soul. Intolerance and compassion cannot coexist. It strikes me that written words are symbols, as is the spoken language a symbol, as is the intent behind that ... so how do we reach "essence" which must be where ultimate truth resides. Does it exist in eternity? Surely, that requires looking much deeper.

I am forever considering the fact that all that is written as "Truth" was written by "someone" (men mostly, and mostly, men of their time) and that despite their best of intentions (hopefully) they may have felt at some point it necessary to "clarify" something or other. Certainly, all religious texts contain frightening examples of this. All sacrificial rites, fanatical intolerance's and most of the bloodiest wars have been waged in the name of a "loving" God, albeit angry and jealous on occasion. Based on the writings of men, God is presented as a Jekyll and Hyde, certainly not "someone" I would wish to meet in a dark ally, or in "Heaven" for that matter. It almost seems mankind has a great and dire fear of God, because in all our "manuals" we have created him to be like us. No wonder so many are afraid to look inside, if the one who waits to meet them is as judgmental and vengeful as they. But what if, the books are wrong. What if God neither judges nor condemns. What if we only judge and condemn ourselves? How will we know if we are never courageous enough to look within?

Through the practices of contemplation and meditation, I have found my own avenue for discernment. All true men of God have pointed to our hearts and asked us to look within. The outer world being merely shadows and projections of a frightened ego and noisy mind that thinks it is in competition with God. Meditation is the practice of looking within. Visiting that place of silence wherein eternity lies and essence can be experienced first hand. I've found extreme peace in meditation, having my own experiences of the Divine and realizing that those who say they can explain God as a being or concept, usually cannot.

The best book I ever read on meditation is called The Art of Meditation, written by Joel Goldsmith, a 20th century Christian mystic and healer. He is no longer alive, but has left his legacy in his many books. He is an author I would highly recommend.

The practice of meditation, I realize, requires a sense of reverence and purpose like prayer, the difference being instead of talking to God, making a plea in effect, we are listening for Him to speak to us. I believe it is important to change our practices now and then so they don't become rote, leaving our minds spinning elsewhere while we out of habit maintain the position or speak the usual words without really focusing on what we're doing. I recently learned a new meditation I would like to share with you. It is a guided meditation, in that, rather than focusing on nothing, you focus on something. In this case, it has to do with the sun and the moon, which is where I began this post a hundred or so words ago...

Sitting quietly with both feet on the ground, imagine yourself surrounded by white light. Run a cord of light from your base chakra (base of the spine) to the center of the Earth. Know it will remain in tact. Call your guardian angels around you. You may also call upon those ascended masters you feel especially drawn to, such as Jesus or the Buddha.

Close your eyes. Imagine the Sun in the center of your chest, in your heart chakra. See it golden and burning and brilliant. To the right of that, envision the full moon, huge and bright white and moving slowly towards the sun. Imagine the moon moving into the sun and the sun encompasses the moon until it disappears and is consumed therein. The sun remains burning brilliantly. Continue to imagine this sun in your heart chakra. Focus on it. Relax. Now, think of something you wish to experience in your life. Something you wish to "manifest." Whether it be true love, abundance, health ... whatever it might be. See how that would look and how it would feel. Imagine yourself having that experience. Hold the vision awhile. If it slips away, just gently pull it back it again. You will get much better at visualization and maintaining the pictures in your mind the more you practice.

That's it. Practice this meditation mornings and nights before you go to sleep. You may notice initially you start vibrating! Often not requiring as much sleep. And something wonderful might happen! If you decide to give the sun and moon meditation a try, I would love to hear about your experiences!

Blessings to you,
~L

The Symbolic Voice of Stone

Six years ago I began my journey with stone. A friend of mine had taken a class in beading, she'd invited me along, and I don't remember why but I declined. The following morning, she came to work wearing her creation, a simple necklace made of little heart-shaped glass beads for Valentine's Day. I was impressed, and immediately considered what I might make myself. Not long after, since I didn't heed the first call, I was invited to a regional gem show at the Tacoma Dome by another friend who had no real interest in or knowledge of rocks at all, but thought it might be fun. On the day of, that friend called to say she couldn't go, but I decided to go alone ... thinking I'd drop in for a few minutes and look around.

I soon realized I'd stumbled upon some unusual, secret society, some little known, back-burner, addictive cult after only a moment inside the door. Rock hounds... perhaps there were 100 of them, but it seemed like fewer, for they are a crowd that tends to be hushed and reverent in their mission. These 100 meandered down aisles of tables stacked with glistening mounds of strung beads and haggled with purveyors of every sort of color and shaped stone imaginable, precious and semi-precious, polished and natural crystals and geodes from mines all over the world. And oddly, I felt completely at home. I don't really recall what I purchased that day, but I emerged into the sunlight 5 hours later with a small bag of beads and a million ideas.

That night, many hours later, I awoke to the fullness of the moon besot with the most colorful visions I'd ever experienced. It was as if the stones themselves had released their coded language onto the veil of the night for my viewing pleasure. Beautiful "fairies" lined my head board or frolicked before me in a sea of sparkling violet, among them strange symbols floated by, geometric shapes twinkled, disembodied eyes blinked, tiny flying vehicles came close to my face, and unusual creatures in the shape of paisley prints or amoebas swam before me in brilliant neon greens, pinks, oranges, blues, violets, golds and colors that had no name, because they do not actually exist in our color spectrum. Or ... if they do, those who know haven't told.

I lay on my back with my hands folded over my heart while my body hummed and vibrated, a snapping resonated inside my head as if my brain cells were on fire. I had absolutely no fear, but watched enthralled. I realized some organic form of communication was taking place. Either that, or the proximity to so many powerful crystals had blown my third eye wide open! I watched in awe, a spectator, until the apparition faded an hour or so later.

I jumped from bed the next morning, but couldn't tell my secret to a soul, knowing they would smile and nod but not really understand and certainly never believe. My husband and son are the best of sports, but secretly (I'm nearly certain) twirl their fingers beside their ears when hearing of my exploits. Undaunted, I returned to the gem show that following day and purchased a celestite geode, feeling especially drawn to that crystal the previous day.

Celestite is a silvery blue stone that is mined in the caves of Madagascar. It's crystals glisten like an ice cave and its vibrational quality matches that of the 5th chakra, Vishuddha, the throat. The attraction, I realized, came from my long struggle to find my voice and express my truth through the power of the spoken word. I've kept it in a variety of places since then, but always near me, beside or under my bed, even taking it with me to the ocean for a good cleansing in the Pacific, where I noticed it also matched the color of the sea and the sky ... whether the sun was shining or the rain pouring.

When I hold it near my throat, a powerful tightness seizes my vocal chords and I begin to cough. It reminds me my work is not yet done, as I still struggle with that childhood demon... to be seen and not heard. And, of course, as a woman, many lifetimes of shutting down that voice in order to be considered a good girl, or ladylike, or worthy... for that matter. I still struggle with the fear of being heard. But I am aware of it, and being conscious of my fear is half the battle. Writing helps. The honesty I am able to employ here is certainly freeing.

I have had many such experiences before and after that particular night I witnessed the symbolic voice of stone, but none ever quite so vibrant and perhaps that is because it caught my attention and we've moved on to a new relationship, stone and I; as co-creators with the winged muses, we wrap unsuspecting humans in the healing energy of amethyst, aquamarine, citrine, labradorite and the others. Allowing them to weave their silent melody into the heart of woman. She to reach man, and thus to remember the ancient Soul that has never sinned. A memory only a veil away from Heaven.

In closing, I hope you will touch upon your own Divine curiosity and seek the deep codified secrets trapped in the density of stone. Consider finding a crystal you resonate with, and bring it home. Be prepared to be changed.

Blessed be...

~L

Forgiveness

It is not by might I fight
or fail to fight
but rather that winged kiss
"forgiveness"
I plant upon the lips of night

That thins the color
of the sky
until the stars are in league
with the light
with nowhere else
to fade but white

lk

More on Cleansing and Shielding

I've been hiding out in my studio as of late, making jewelry for an upcoming 6-day show in Portland (well, lorakellydesigns... that what she does for heaven's sakes), but feeling the associated stress that always seems to affect me when I'm under pressure is not so fun. Of course, it is a natural part of the process of change and growth. Surely, our temporal world expresses itself in myriad combinations of tension and release, from tiny seeds bursting through their hulls and once again through the soil to giant trees swaying in the wind. In truth, this tension will carry us to our destination if we allow it. But mostly we struggle like salmon against a current, only the most persistent fulfill their true purpose. And yet, no life is wasted. Even the salmon who dies before spawning feeds the creatures, the earth, the river and the sea.

Personally, if I had my druthers, I prefer a state of release ... like a floppy rubber band, a constant slackness ... and only to dream of the tension, dreaming being my nature. But that, my dear friends, will carry me no where! Even our breath requires tension, for we must breath in to breath out, and ultimately to live. A balanced life requires the same. Therefore I endure my tension, knowing it will not, cannot, last forever, and grateful it will transition in release sometime around October 25th ... for me! To be replaced by something else, no doubt!

In my last entry, I discussed steps to cleanse and shield the body's electromagnetic field and chakras and wanted to continue along in that vein ... a practice I had to master myself in order to live a fearless life in my new, ever-expanding, multi-dimensional reality. In my previous post, I discussed cleansing and shielding with light, using prayer, intent and visualization. For those experiencing an "opening" or what has been called in the New Age a "spiritual emergency," these will bring relief. No doubt these happenings have been experienced for eons. But of late, there appears to be a critical mass experiencing the phenomenon globally. For many, the fear factor is dibilitating, as it was initially for me. However, these practices will help you to take control of the wheel; stave off unwanted energies, repel negativity, sleep without unwanted "visitations", put an end to frightening nightmares, and keep you from soaking up other's emotional highs and lows.

Ritualistic practices can be powerful, with each renewal of the process laying upon the previous day's like energetic bricks and mortar, strengthening the "vows" ... which are merely words spoken with intent. It is as important to cleanse our personal space as it is to cleanse our aura. At work or in the grocery store (or other public place), I would recommend using the light practices, mentioned previously, as your local grocer might possibly object to a customer lighting a bundle of sage in the vegetable aisle! However, at home, you may do as you like! Here are a few practices which will provide and maintain comfort and peace in your surroundings:

Burning sage:
The practice of burning sage to repel and dissipate negative energy has been practiced by the Native American peoples for centuries and is considered a sacred herb. It is good to keep a bundle of sage on hand for this purpose, especially if you are sensitive to energy. Whether you've had a recent death in your home accompanied by depression and grief, a family reunion (yes, negative energy may be attached to anyone), strangers in your home, a general feeling of malaise, discomfort or sadness, or for no reason at all. Sage is extremely cleansing. You can purchase it at any New Age shop. Light one end and walk through your home blowing the smoke as you go. Know in your heart that it is dissipating all negative energies.

Say: "I cleanse and purify this space with sacred sage. Only energies of pure, divine, loving intent are welcome here. All others are not welcome and must leave now. So be it."

Open doors and windows afterwards and allow the smoke to flow out ... imagine shadows being pulled outside, and the inside of your room or home shimmering in light.

Once you have cleared a space, whether it be your aura, chakras, bedroom or wherever, always be sure to fill it again with white light and know that it will remain in tact until you renew the process. Refilling space with light is absolutely a must!

Ritual Bathing:
Water is the blood of the earth, and has been used in ceremony since the dawn of mankind, more recently, in the ritual of baptism. Thus, as with any important ceremony, it is good to prepare for a ritual bath with a sense of the sacred. Make plans the day before and gather your ceremonial symbols, salt, lavender and candles. Set a special time aside for your bath, preferrably when you will not be disturbed. Consider why you are doing it. Perhaps you have been angry or depressed, you cannot let go of grief, you've had intercourse with someone you don't feel love for, or you feel you have alien energies attached to you. Whatever the reason, have the expectation that the bath will bring relief.

Prepare a warm bath. Light white candles to add a sense of sacred intent. Add oil of lavender or clippings of fresh lavender, Epsom salts and sea salt to the bath. Speak words of intent as you add each ingredient to the water. Call upon your guardian angels, or spiritual master such as Jesus to stand by and assist with your healing.

Say: I bless this water and call upon its sacred energy for my purification and cleansing. Remove all darkness, negativity and debris from my physical and etheric bodies. Purify my chakras. Remove all thought forms, energies and beings from my person. My energy is my own. In the name of the I Am that I Am, so be it.

Be sure to dunk your entire body while you bath, to the top of your head. Stay in the bath at least 15 minutes, preferrably longer. Relax and know that you are being healed. When you rise from the bath, dry yourself with a clean towel and don clean clothes with great care. If it is before bed, be sure your sheets are clean. Prior to putting clean sheets on your bed, you might toss sea salt on your mattress to cleanse the energy. Especially if someone else has slept in your bed who's energy you no longer desire.

It is not uncommon that those who are "open" can be susceptible to piggy-backing energies if they have not learned self-protection techniques and do not routinely perform cleansing practices. I imagine there are many "open ones" locked away in asylums or walking the streets on prescription anti-depressants and anti-psychotics, just to make it through their days without fear of flipping out, committing suicide, hearing voices or seeing "things".

There is a stem of energy that runs from the uppermost chakra to the base chakra whereby we are connected multi-dimensionally. If clogged by the murky energies of depression, child-hood traumas, sexual abuse, substance abuse, inability to forgive, etc, it can attract more of that same energy until an individual appears to be "out of character." However, if routinely cleansed, these same marauding energies will get "off your back" so to speak, and remain off.

Clearing the Spinal Pathway
Sit quietly in a comfortable chair with feet flat on the ground in a place where you will not be disturbed. Ground yourself; (Create a cord of white or golden light from your base chakra (the bottom of the spine) and run it to the center of the earth.) Know it will remain in tact.

Envision a glistening ball of white light above your head. Tip the ball like a cup and see the white light pour out like milk into the top of your head and down the back of your spine. When it reaches the base of the spine, allow it to continue down the cord to the center of the earth. After a moment or two, stop the light from falling down the cord and instead turn it back up the front of the spine towards your head. When it reaches your heart, split the light three ways. One cord going up out of your head, the other two going down both arms. The light comes out of your hands and out the top of your head now. Keep running this energy. Follow it as it comes down through your head to the base of your spine and back up again and out through your hands and head continually. Envision that there is a monitor on the ball of light above you and there is a button for "manual" or "automatic" ... switch it to automatic. Know it will continue to run until you switch it back to manual.

While that light runs, imagine your feet on a platform of violet light on the ground. With great respect, ask the earth (Gaia) if she will allow you to drink in her healing energies. Imagine green light coming up from the earth, through the violet platform, through the bottom of your feet, up your legs and up the front of your spine, mixing with the white light and also splitting three ways and dissipating into your aura from your hands and head. Notice that there is also a button down by your feet for "manual" or "automatic" operation. Visualize the light moving awhile, then switch automatic on and know that it will continue until you switch it back to manual.

Perform any prayers or meditations at this time that bring you peace and help you to feel your connection with God. Know that this light that cleanses you is the pristine light of Heaven and your purity, safety and blessedness is the will of God.

Switch both your "buttons" back to manual. At this time, you can shield yourself with golden and violet light for a peaceful night's sleep or a great day! (See my previous post for instructions).

Having experienced my own opening and subsequent lessons in self-protection, I understand the relief that comes when we realize we are not alone. I also know that the very best "medicine" for staying clear is simply happiness. Yet I also understand how hard it can be to let go of the traumas of our past, we carry them around like heavy baggage and it seems even grab the baggage of others if we are careless with our thinking. Having practiced these rituals for many years now, I can tell you first hand they work and will give you peace, and put you back in control of your life and enable you to explore your newfound "gifts" without fear. I would love to hear your own experiences and hope you will leave your comments.

Finally, I leave you with a beautiful protection meditation prayer (from Unity):

The light of God surrounds me
The love of God enfolds me
The power of God protects me
The presence of God watches over me
Wherever I am, God is.

Blessed be...
Lora

Psychic Protection or Taking the Reins during a Spiritual Emergency

Throughout my life I have had strange experiences that I felt necessary to keep to myself, until very recently. I've been lucky enough to find others like me who have been there and understand. I now realize there have always been others out there, who like me, have kept their secrets, for fear of being "misunderstood" or outright, persecuted.

To experience an "opening" can certainly be frightening. One day you think you know what the world is and how it operates, the next, everything changes. For most, it is a re-opening, because most of us are open as children and shut down as soon as the adults in our lives embed their own thoughts and emotions and perspectives on our impressionable minds. I was shut down for years, but even then, I was prone to extraordinary dreams and "happenings" that made me wonder at times if I was mad. Luckily, finding others ... mostly through books but eventually through seminars and classes and of course, serendipity ... I not only found out I was okay, but I also discovered the strength to explore my particular kind of "knowledge" in more detail and without the fear I had been taught was appropriate.

Being "open" is how I refer to this most intimate aspect of my life, wherein I have a different sort of vision, than most, which is in fact, heightened senses. Rather than a 6th sense, I feel it is my own senses operating at optimum power. Perhaps not all of them, but even one expanded sense can be mind bending for the unprepared.

Luckily, my own opening came in small fits and bursts. Initially, I "felt" more intensely for others as an empath, that caused me great discomfort in social situations, wherein the resulting physical and emotional stress and strain would cause me to shake uncontrollably. Without the tools necessary to clear excess energy I continually had mini breakdowns, these "episodes" consisted of complete withdrawal from human-interaction for days on end, or fantastical crying jags wherein I lost control of myself until my body was spent. Later I would learn, this enabled me to purge negative energy from my body and auric field. This was before I understood what negative energy was and how it effected me on the physical level.

Eventually, energy itself became visible to me, I could see it moving in everything. Nothing was visually solid anymore (think of a Van Gogh painting). Great billowy clouds of white and color surrounded people, animals, stones and plants. I experienced visitations almost nightly; faces moving through the air over my bed, small-winged angels or fairies on my headboard or hovering in front of my face, as well as strange symbols, geometric, celtic, the Hebrew alphabet, and mathematical equasions in brilliant colors, sounds of strange watery music, or chorals, sometimes the world around me became achingly beautiful with colors and sounds unlike anything I'd ever seen. I could sense those who had passed on, often hear them speak, and soon began to feel them touch me. Along with all of this came mystical dreams and experiences of serendipity.

However, aside from all the beauty and wonder, there were moments that were absolutely frightening. I believe that as we experience openings, the output of light increases so much, that many are drawn. Some whom we are not prepared to meet or deal with, if we are lacking a strong spiritual foundation. I eventually learned the most important lesson in the gaining of psychic awareness, and that is how to protect oneself.

I have finally realized how it is important for me to impart this information, despite the possibility of being ostracized or laughed at, because I realize such "spiritual emergencies" are happening on a global level. Had my own mentors feared persecution, I would've been left to struggle with depression, fear and possible insanity. It is evident to me that there are others who desparately need this information, as much as I did when it began happening to me. My hope is to empower them, to keep them out of the psychiatrist's chair, off of medication or out of an asylum. It is vital they know it is a gift of spirit, and that we hold the power in our hands and are surrounded by multitudes of invisible helpers who are merely awaiting our request for the next level of assistance. Therefore, I offer these daily practices which will bring relief for those who are feeling out of control, inundated, fearful or unsure about what's happening to them.

First, however, let me expound on the first important rule of thumb for the "open" ones, if you take any type of recreational drug, alcohol or mind-altering substance at all, these practices cannot help you, and you will be left wide open for marauding energies. Substance experimentation and abuse breaks down the protective aura to such a tragic extent. If you feel this has happened to you, comment here and I will direct you to assistance. I do drink wine, though not often, but when I do, it is a small amount with a meal, or else watered down to a great extent with piles of ice, never in uncomfortable, public places and never before going to sleep. Also, if you are dealing with a great deal of internal fear, refrain from watching or listening to negative programming, such as the news, and definitely don't watch any kind of movies that invoke fear, such as horror and gore. That being said, let us move forward.

Psychic Protection:
I perform these same practices every night before I go to bed, which I recommend, however, you may do them as often as you like throughout the day, but at the very least once daily.

1) Pulling In White Light: Sit comfortably in a place where you will not be disturbed and close your eyes and take three very deep breaths through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Imagine the breath coming down to the base of your spine and as you exhale, imagine it moving up the spine and expelling through the top of your head. Know that you are drawing in cleansing white light and moving it through your chakras.

Say: My Blessed Guardian Angels and Spirit Guides, I ask that you surround and protect me now. You may also call to Jesus or a special spiritual master you feel drawn to.

Say: I call upon the Eloheim of the White Ray, to come down and fill this space (this house and grounds) with pure, crystalline source light. This powerful, source light cannot be trespassed against, it cannot be altered or weakened, it grows stronger each time I renew this process. This light blesses, sustains and protects me on all levels of being in all directions of time. Only beings of pure, devine loving intent with my highest good in mind are welcome here. All others are not welcome, and must leave now. In the name of the I AM that I Am, so be it.

As you say this prayer, imagine a beam of pure white light coming down from above, and becoming a ball in the center of your house, it extends a cord of light to the center of the planet. Then this ball expands to fill each floor of the house, every nook and cranny, until the house and all within it are filled with this light, then expand to all corners of the property. Don't worry if you aren't very good at visualizing, do the best you can, intent is what sets prayer in motion.

2)Cleansing the Aura: Feel your aura around you, sense it with your mind. If you push out with your hands you will feel a bit of tension and warmth. Extend your arms outward to each side with palms flattened and facing upwards, imagine your aura pulling in and stopping at the palm of your hands. Know that that's where you want it. Imagine above you a ball of glistening white light, pull it down through the center of your body to your base chakra ... which is at the base of your spine, extend a chord of that light to the center of the planet. Know that it will remain in tact. Imagine a glistening, golden cloud above you that pours golden rain through your aura. Sense it cleansing your aura and all debris is washed to the floor and down a drain. Let the rain cloud dissipate and be gone. Imagine your aura glistening like a diamond. Now pull in golden light into and around your aura.

Say: I call upon the golden light from the holy city of angels where the Great White Brotherhood dwell, the Ascended Masters and the Arch Angels. Golden light, fill my aura, heal all imperfections, cleanse my chakras of all debris. Surround and protect me. This light will remain in tact, it cannot be altered or weakened, it will grow stronger each time I renew this process. Amen.

3) Setting a Force Field: Finally, imagine a ball of violet light surrounding you, 12 inches thick all the way around. You may call upon St. Germaine to bring this light, as he has been called "keeper of the violet flame", a phenomenon usually experienced during meditation. Remember, intent is what is important here, rather than saying the correct words.

Say: This violet light is a powerful protective force-field. It transmutes lower energies to a higher form of light for the good of all. It repels darkness and negativity. No harm of any kind can come to me.

If your home is prone to visitations, surround it with violet light as well, 12 feet thick. Knowing this light protects your home and family, as well.

Finally, before falling asleep say: Thank you Angels for protecting me while I sleep. I will only travel to the highest realms of light during dreamtime. I will have pleasant dreams only. Amen. Be sure to add any special prayers to "God" that bring you peace, such as The Lord's Prayer, or even better, something you've made up that comes from your heart... including meditations and affirmations which should come just before dropping off to sleep, as these you want to imbed in your subconscious mind, and it is most receptive just before falling asleep and upon waking.

Every morning, it is important to draw protective light to shield yourself before going out into the world. You can perform these same "rituals" before rising. You can also fill any space anywhere with white light, such as your office or the building where you work, your car, the grocery store, etc. As time goes by, you will memorize these prayers and become quite adept at quick self-protection techniques. I pull up my shields anytime I am in the presence of strangers or those I know have cluttered energy. It helps me to maintain clarity and personal power, and enables me to remain free of energy that doesn't belong to me.

Some people feel violet light to be very strong and it may "put off" people, or make them feel uncomfortable or suspicious around you. If you must work with people, you might try placing a layer of pink light on the very outside of your shields, which is a gentle, warm light and comforts others in your presence. Remember, you have a team of helpers, angels, who are ready to help in any situation. Ask before you leave your house each day that they be on guard, assist you in all situations, guide and protect you. Ask them to watch over your house when you are away. Form your request as a affirmation, rather than a plea.

Say: "Thank you for watching over my home, for going before me this day and making the crooked places straight, for assisting and protecting me in all situations. Amen."

These are the basic protections which you should use daily that will help you sleep better and feel safe, and more at ease in your surroundings, and keep "visitors" at bay. I would love to hear how these have worked for you!

In my next post, I will discuss further steps that involve clearing your personal energy and how to get free of tag-along energies that do not belong to you, including the use of ritual bathing, crystals and burning dried herbs. And finally, a ritual for clearing the spinal pathway to keep piggy-backing energies "off your back" forever.

I hope this brings you peace.

Blessed be,
~L

The Pound or The Effects of My Thoughts on Reality

Some days require a softened lense such as a badge of thoughtfulness worn over the heart as a gentle reminder of how "things" really are, while other days appear to require we carry a shield to guard our hearts, save we might assume an actual hardening of the heart altogether. Yesterday for me required both; for it was a mixed bag, yet I wore neither the badge nor the sheild. Instead, I left myself wide open. A little forgiveness sprinkled heavily with melancholy, anger, resentment, judgment and a total lack of understanding and forgetfulness. Everything being merely a projection of my mind, I should have guessed I was being toyed with. And yet, I chose, momentarily at least, to side with my ego, to cherish untruth, and feel my anger at the injustice of it all.

How did this all come about? I decided to visit the dog pound. I'm not quite sure what took me there, but a part of me felt compelled to go and so, the other part followed. Years ago, I spent my weekends there volunteering my time as a dog-walker, washer, visitor, friend, puppy and kitten holder, and critter-confidante. Unfortunately, I cried too often and brought home too many lost souls who needed forever homes and for whom I was only too happy to comply. Consequently, I've always had three dogs in my home at any one time, until now, I have only two, and mean to keep it this way awhile. Focusing all my love on a 12 year old Shepherd and a 5 year old Eskie (American Eskimo). Both of whom are the darlings of my heart, along with two parrots, one cat and a terribly cantankerous rooster.

Dog pounds are necessary places, sadly, because without them, too many of the innocent would come to terrible endings. The "inmates" on this particular day, consisted of 95% pit bull terriers. Gorgeous, muscular, square-headed, soft-eyed beauties who had been born to love ...but found something else instead. Most were "surrendered" as they say ... a variety of reasons; "got too big" ... "plays too rough" ... "too loud" ... "jumps up"... "won't come when called" ... "moving" ... "military reassignment" ... "runs away" ... "digs" ... "aggressive..."

Having had a dog in my life nearly constantly from the day I was born, most of these "issues" are common to young dogs who, just like children, require that their family teach them how to behave to be responsible and enjoyable pack members. Every dog lover I know has lived with the chewed slippers, spotted carpets, chewed table legs, ruined white pants and favorite leather shoes, upended rose bushes, bowled-over toddlers, and scratched (or eaten through) doors of teenage dogdom. Still, the other two reasons, "moving" and "military reassignment" break my heart even more.

I feel such utter sadness at how careless we humans are. How we only consider our own worth and convenience in the scheme of things. All else, it appears, is expendable. We are merely like children without the honor and strength of character to say "no" to ourselves and our own children in the face of temptation. Instead, we take a darling puppy too adorable to pass up despite our lack of knowledge or appropriate accommodation, only to dump him when he's a gangly, obnoxious teenager, or when his presence is no longer convenient.

Being the end of summer, there were so many baby animals I could only wonder at the mentality that would forego a visit to the numerous free spay and neuter clinics in our area. But imagine, there was also a parrot (a gentle, sweet African grey) who was surrendered for being "too loud" -- obviously the previous owner neglected to read anything about parrots before making her purchase or she would've known, parrots by their very nature, are really very loud most of the time.

It is a wonder the shelter's are able to keep up as well as they do, only putting down those who've been passed up so many times there is no hope of them being adopted, usually the elderly or those with medical needs, and only to make room for the constant influx of the newly abandoned. There were at least 5 litters of kittens and another 5 litters of puppies. But, at least these babies were turned in... so they will be kept warm and fed and perhaps find loving homes. I consider the others that are not so lucky. There were also two adult Shepards, one Shepard pup, several leggy young labs and some mixed breeds, most of them large. The kind no one wants, the kind of puppies that can be difficult in their teenage years because of their sheer bulk and exuberance.

Finally, a gorgeous 9-month old Siberian husky with one blue eye, all jitters and jiggles and jumps and barks and bundles of unconditional love in need of a guiding hand and heart. Surrendered for "barking" and "jumping up." Really. At 9 months old? Who would've guessed? Of course, they do not come trained or with manuals hanging from their necks. Neither, unfortunately, are there laws to protect them from the likes of us who are prone to use things up that give us pleasure, and dump what is too difficult or inconvenient or no longer serves us.

I've never been one for too many laws. In fact, I fear laws. Because laws require that some are in authority over others. And people in authority tend to abuse their power, tend to be corrupt, and so those who must abide will always rebel. It is human nature. It is nature, itself. I pray instead for a leap in consciousness that will bring mankind to a place of understanding, true goodness and responsibility. Only evolutionary consciousness will save us. To know we are stewards of this planet, creators of this magical garden, the music makers ... the dreamers of dreams. Perhaps then we will truly honor the innocent, and stop torturing them for our fickle pleasures.

So, needless to say, I left the "dog pound" in a flood of tears. For the parrot I could not bring home and love, having two already who require my attentions, and for the too many dogs who stared deeply into my eyes, pleaded, quivered under my my hand, and begged for mercy. I gave them what I could. I touched them gently, and massaged their ears, kissed their noses, told them it would be okay, that someone would come, that they were worthy, that they would find a home of their own. I have to believe they will.

Yet, in trying to gouge out some meat of meaning in all this, rather than a heartful of hopelessness for the human race, I realized this was a challenge for me. I'd been challenged by something greater in myself to bring truth to this experience ... to these animals. To not dwell on the darkness, but to carry light. To be an example of love instead of guilt. For isn't mankind riddled enough with guilt, and this experience brought it home powerfully. I had broken a vow to myself. To be vigilent only for Love. To stop vascillating. Here ... I cherished my anger at injustice and unfairness. I looked blindly on the world through the eyes of an ego that would have me be angry and afraid. And so I struggled with truth and lies. And I shuttered at my own inability to be responsible for what I see, and remember that my seeing represents my thinking.

In retrospect, with the clarity that comes too late, but always comes, I understand that only by changing my thinking, will I bare witness to what is truth. And I realize these innocent animals are bearers of the tremendous weight of our guilt, and as such, they are examples of it. But they are also examples of our love. Mirrors, in effect.

Here, made manifest, is our collective responsibility being challenged as it must on a personal level. To see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil, and in effect, do no evil. To be only Love. To be vigilent only for Love. Someday, I have to believe ... we will.