If you visited a cottage in England during the 18th century you would most likely see at least one ~Witch’s  Ball in a window.  They were hung by the owners to ward off evil spirits, witch’s spells or ill fortune, though the Witch’s Ball actually originated among cultures where witches were considered a blessing and these witches would usually “enchant” the balls to enhance their potency against evils. Later, they were often posted on top of a vase or suspended by a cord and hung from rafters, hung on the mantels,  or on hooks in the garden to give those areas a form of decoration. 

~Today you find them hung around the garden or on decks as decoration but the original ~Witch Ball names has been replaced with “Gazing Ball”.  The Gazing Balls have a slight difference as their is no strands within the ball.  According to folk tales, Witch Balls would entice evil spirits with their bright colours; the strands inside the ball would then capture the spirit and prevent it from escaping.

 If your interested in having them in your home for protection then be sure you find a person who makes the ball with the strands inside.  If your only wanting one for decoration then you will have plenty to choose from as you can find them in garden centers or craft stores.  Below is a wonderful demonstration of what a Witch’s Ball looks like with the strands.

 

Today you will find variations of the Witch’s Ball.  There is stories that our Christmas ornaments were designed after the Witch’s Ball, today you will see hummingbird feeders made after the original circular design with similar colors but of course it’s designed to hold the mixture for the birds.  It really doesn’t matter how or where you place your decorative items but if your wanting to capture the spiritual connection to the initial intention of the Witch’s Ball then be sure you buy one with the original design that includes the threads inside the ball.   

 

 

Recently I’ve  been thinking about tools that one needs for healing.  In the past I’ve used rocks, smudge sticks, corn, crystals, sticks……..but now I’m learning how their is so much more to these tools and how they can be useful for us as we use them for healing but for those that are on the receiving end.  For example, when releasing blocks consider using carnations.  In some South American cultures the belief that the carnations are vehicles of the spirit and can be used tapping the area that is blocked, there is a specific exercise that is conducted by using Shamanic Reiki.  Once your finished the flowers are placed in a brown bag and  given later to the client so they may bury the flower.  Instruct them to ask mother earth to transmute the trapped energy and return it to the universal energy stream.; not only then was this a tool used by the practitioner but it became a tool used by the client empowering and giving them the opportunity  participate in their own healing.

I’ve always enjoyed finding my special Huacas that I use for healing and recently found I was being drawn to the ocean.  Just being around the ocean and listening to its music makes me feel instantly calmer.  While attending a trip with some friends in  Ocean City I decided I needed a Huaca (pronounced Wa-cu) from the ocean.  Normally this doesn’t come easily, it’s not like the ocean just spits out a large shell when you’ve decided to stand on the beach.  This weekend I had been putting my intention out to the Water Spirits and decided I needed to spend time with the elements.  All I could do is place the intention out to the Universe and hoped it would be answered.  Saturday came and went and no huaca.  Then come our last morning and I decided I needed to spend as much time as I could on the ocean.  After an hour it looked as if it wouldn’t happen so I went back into the house and a friend asked if I would go back out with her.    It was our last day and couldn’t resist spending a few more minutes feeling the fresh air and listening to the beautiful music.  Not more than a minute later, I found myself being honored with a gift of a Huaca from the ocean.  I was so excited I think the entire world heard my screams which then I looked behind me to see my friend being given her own Huaca.  We both are students of healing and was being blessed this day with a gift from the Universe.   

When looking for a healing tool or as the Quechua shamans call them Huacas (wa-kas) as they are meant as a sacred item in your healing work;  you only need to look in your own back yard or special places.  You don’t have to go to the sacred sites of the Tibet or Amazon but you do need to invite the Huacas to come to you.  Initially it just requires you to open your heart and intend to find the item to help your healing practice or to have the item meant for healing for yourself.  Huacas tend to come to you in their own way and in their own time.  Begin by deciding to take a walk and open your senses, it’s important to have gratitude for the life all around you.  As you feel the sun, breeze and hear the sounds of nature allow your eyes to start skimming the surface of the land as you walk.  Eventually what will happen is the Huaca item will find you.  When you feel you found the right one, pick it up and express gratitude to the earth by leaving a small item.  This could be some corn, tobacco or flower petals.  When you can wash your item and cleanse the items energy by setting it in the sun or soak it in a bowl of sea salt water for 24 hours.  Once you have finished cleansing the item, place the item on your altar or in a special designated place for your Huacas to be used when needed.

I’m going to let you in on a little  secret I have~ and that’s my friend and  artist, Jim Emery.  I adore his work and have it all over my house.  He’s totally gone insane, because he’s put  several of his pieces and are selling them for practically nothing.  I have several of his  pieces  and  I’ve drooled over all of the rest.  I’m releasing my little secret for all of  you, don’t walk ……RUN….because they won’t be available for long.

Here’s my latest purchase called Bucksin Manor~

http://www.jimemery.com/galleries/printsale11x14/index.html

 If you purchase something, be sure to tell him LadyHawk sent you from Leesburg !!!!

 Here’s some of my other pictures I have displayed.  Love to hear your thoughts.

In total stillness you may even hear your crystal talking to you.  Meditating with crystals is like opening a doorway to another world that will bring  peace~solutions~insight~awareness.  When you have found just the right crystal you want to take a few days to become in tune with it.  If you choose to have more than one meditation crystal, then you want to take a few days to tune into each one,  I call it my time of knowing.  Each crystal can be used for specific types of meditations or you may choose to have a set for a “crystal of the day”.  If you choose to have a “crystal of the day”, I recommend you  begin purchasing a set that moves you through the colors of the rainbow ~orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, violet, clear and have a black for grounding.

Meditation Exercise

Prior to beginning you want to take the necessary steps to ensure you will not be disturbed.  You will want to place yourself in a comfortable chair with a table in front of you.   Settle yourself comfortably and hold your crystal in both hands or place it on a low table in front of you.  Breathe gently, allowing each out breath out be a little longer than the in breath.  As you begin to exhale, let peace flow like it’s a stream of water running through you.  Allow your breathing to settle into an easy rhythm. 

Allow your eyes to become relaxed and look at your crystal.  You will begin to notice its color, its shape, its weight if your holding it.  Then ask the crystal to pass to you it’s vibrations (into your hands).  Together allow yourself to float within the crystal, exploring its inner planes.  When your ready, close your eyes and quietly meditating with the energies of the crystal and allow it to give you the lessons it has to offers.  These lessons come in a streams of thoughts, sometimes fast other times slow.  When your finished with the meditation, open your eyes and put the crystal to the side and place your feet firmly on the floor.  Your now going to ground yourself.  If you have a Smoky Quartz or any specific stone you designated as your Grounding Stone then you want to hold that in your hands.  Begin picturing yourself as a tree and your roots are inside of the earth and your feeling the dirt all around you giving you strength and ask the energies to flow through your feet all the way up the body giving you the feeling as your a Pillar of Strength.  Once your finished then write down all your messages.  These messages may come immediately or during the course of your day.

I like to take this meditation to a new level by adding music in the background.  This is my favorite for Crystal Meditations ~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWvS9llbSJ0

 

Why is it so difficult to find an hour, a day, or even a weekend where we can unplug. We get so use to moving a certain speed, building momentum faster…faster…that we forget if we don’t put on the breaks were going to crash. Question is, when will it happen and how hard. Do we live for this rush, or is it sheer habit, maybe trying to avoid all together the unpleasantness that is lurking just around the corner. When we continue with this pace eventually we’re going to lose touch with what we care about the most, who we really are, and most importantly the actual source of our concerns and even the pain that we first felt.

Stress is commonly understood to be the accumulation of difficult and negative circumstances. The fact is the nature of stress comes from any stimulus, good or bad, enjoyable or painful, that throws the body out of balance to such a degree that is unable fully to return to its previous equilibrium. How much more can a body take if you never take the time to turn off the world.

Finding time to unplug; why is it so hard to take time within our busy schedule to unplug the tv, the phone, the internet, the radio, the alarm clock, the iPod etc……….
Finding a few minutes once a day to be silent in your own company will help you to see opportunities and new solutions that would improve the quality of your life.

If you want to energize your body it is helpful to have a certain space you can retreat to whether it be inside your home or taking the time to step outdoors. The location doesn’t have to spectacular it just has to have meaning to you. Flowing in harmony with our own energy and with our surroundings requires the ability to change focus~ to let go. There are so many tools out there to help you find the ability to embrace your ability to rest your mind so you can be be present to what ever is happening in the moment.

Here’s a few activities I enjoy when taking the time to unplug.

Gomukhasana~ this exercise extends the muscles and cavities of the chest and stretches and energizes the shoulders and arms. If your hands do not meet, hold a piece of cane or wood 10-12 inches in order to link your hands instead. When you have your grip, take a breath in and bring your hands closer together if possible, expanding your chest. Breathe normally. On an outbreath, loosen your grip then repeat with the other hand being on top.

Still Hunting is one of my favorite outdoor activities. The purpose of still Hunting is to observe and learn. You basically go to your special outdoor spot or go to a place that you felt attracted to that is outside.  Find a spot that you can sit and be quiet yet be in the mood to observe your surroundings. Your presence will at first alert the animals world but if your quiet and still, nature will eventually return to the normal activity.

It’s important to become as unobtrusive to the environment as possible. As you allow nature to go on around you, as if you are not there. If you need to create a vision for yourself, imagine yourself part of the environment. For example, imagine yourself as the leaf rustling in the breeze.  Let the songs of the birds fill you inside, noting to yourself how it affects your body/your heart beat your breathing.

Note to yourself how the insects and animals are responding to each other. If you need to move, make each adjustment slow and as infrequent as possible. The more still you are, the more likely you will experience curious animals who may come closet to you. Observe how plants and animals use camouflage to be part of the environment.

After you’re finished either of these activities I encourage you to journal all your experiences….thoughts, visions, dreams. Take the time to Unplug even for an hour.

Eventually I hope you will enjoy this time for yourself and you will consider extending your time to a day maybe even a weekend.

Communication with…. Your Hidden Self

“The Hidden Self is a separate intelligence within a trinity of consciousness, and be recognizing it as such it is possible to bring these levels of awareness into alignment and so vastly increase your range of awareness. The Hidden self, by its very nature, is subservient, it seeks identification with authority and what seems to be both powerful and knowledgeable.” Kenneth Meadows

You may be asking yourself, why do I even want to have this conversation.  First let me explain what Kenneth Meadows was saying about the facts of your Hidden Self.   He writes that our Hidden Self is  an energy-pattern filed within our memory bank, it is there to serve our Human Self.  If were going  to make real changes in our lives it is necessary to erase old energy patterns on which the Hidden Self bases its actions and replace them with new ones. Some refer to activity like this as “erasing personal history”; but what your actually doing is getting rid of all the past hang ups, inhibitions or repetitive cycles of recurring problems that have been in your life as this recurring bad cycle of behavior. 
 

 

Tools you will require

*You will need to determine with your pendulum how it will provide answers to the questions.

Establishing your answers   

First take your pendulum freely over the forefinger of your right hand and suspend it with your fingers 3 to 4 inches above the weighted item (this could be your pendant, key, rock what ever you have used). The rest of the chain/string which ever you have should be held in your hand.  If your left handed, then use your left hand to do this activity.  Another way of holding it could be pinching the area where I described above.  What is important is you will have a range of motion with your pendulum.  Holding it higher still can give you the range of motion it just may be slower, that’s why I’m saying go lower at the beginning.  Personally, I like to hold mine at 6 inches but it’s just a personal preference and I always get a great range of motion.

The motion or rotation/oscillation will provide a positive, negative or neutral response to each question. Sit at a table where your comfortable with your elbow resting on a solid flat area or surface so that your arm is completely relaxed.  You want to make sure their is no muscular movement.  Once you are physically and mentally relaxed and your pendulum is in position and hanging still just above the surface where your arm is placed, ask the pendulum: “What is the direction for yes ?” and wait for a response.  You will get a particular direction. Directions come in differently for each person.  It may come where it’s swinging clockwise, anti-clockwise or backwards and forwards or side to side.  The answer will come but sometimes it requires your to be very patient.

When the direction has been provided make a notation so you can reference it later.  You will continue this activity to you have all the answers to how it will respond to yes, no and maybe.  Each time performing the exact same activity as described above.   What is important is the answers are very specific to you.

Next it’s essential to confirm the responses.  For instance, take your answer and ask the question to see the response; if my answer to yes is clockwise, then say to the pendulum “swing clockwise if you mean yes.”  The pendulum should confirm your original swings if it doesn’t then you need to start the process again from the beginning until you get the confirmations to be the same.  This may take no time at all, or a few days so be patient with yourself.  Even if you already know the answer to a previous pendulum, this is a new intention for this pendulum so it will need cleansed, place your intention and find out how it will respond with the answers as this pendulum is being programmed to communication to your Hidden Self.

Initially ask yourself by using the pendulum,  if you can have a conversation. If your answer is yes, here are some questions that you may consider asking. Of course, I advise you have questions written out in advance incase you get nervouse and forget what to ask.  These are only a few sample questions that I have used for myself.

~What direction should you face when meditating.  Starting with North, go thru each direction to get your yes and no answers.

~You may want to ask  about particular color you should have around you.  If your drawn to a color yet it doesn’t make you feel good, then ask is this color meant for you to be worn, used in your home, or office etc… Just keep in mind you want your questions to be formed so it can be answered yes and no.

It’s important when your finished to give thanks for the ability to have this conversation and then place your pendulum in an area where it won’t be touched by others.  If your planning on using it in the future and you see it’s not working as well, then it may need recleansed/smudged as well.

 

 

I’ve actually used this activity in a workshop I recently taught on www.HippyMom.com and we had allot of fun learning about ourselves.  Give it a try and let us know how it goes.

Clinging To The Core
When Our World Falls Apart

There are times when our whole world seems to be falling apart around us, and we are not sure what to hold onto anymore. Sometimes our relationships crumble and sometimes it’s our physical environment. At other times, we can’t put our finger on it, but we feel as if all the walls have fallen down around us and we are standing with nothing to lean on, exposed and vulnerable. These are the times in our lives when we are given an opportunity to see where we have established our sense of identity, safety, and well-being. And while it is perfectly natural and part of our process to locate our sense of self in externals, any time those external factors shift, we have an opportunity to rediscover and move closer to our core, which is the only truly safe place to call home.

The core of our being is not affected by the shifting winds of circumstance or subject to the cycles of change that govern physical reality. It is as steady and consistent as the sun, which is why the great mystics and mystical poets often reference the sun in their odes to the self. Like the sun, there are times when our core seems to be inaccessible to us, but this is just a misperception. We know that when the sun goes behind a cloud or sets for the night, it has not disappeared but is simply temporarily out of sight. In the same way, we can trust that our inner core is always shining brightly, even when we cannot quite see it.

We can cling to this core when things around us are falling apart, knowing that an inexhaustible light shines from within ourselves. Times of external darkness can be a great gift in that they provide an opportunity to remember this inner light that shines regardless of the circumstances of our lives. When our external lives begin to come back together, we are able to lean a bit more lightly on the structures we used to call home, knowing more clearly than ever that our true home is that bright sun shining in our core.      

I received this in an e-mail a few years ago and not aware who is the author but it stuck with me and when I need to get refocused I will go back to this message which helps me dig deep in remembering where our strengths are~inside us.

Affirmations~

Millions of people use affirmations in hopes that the magical statement, if spoken out loud will improve their quality of life.  Remember the old phrase we have all heard “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me”.  But, words can hurt and they can heal but finding the right words to use as your affirmation is key.

Rose Rosetree wrote in her book Aura Reading;  “Your subconscious mind shows in your aura. So you can get immediate feedback on the subconscious impact of any words you say by testing your reaction on the level of energy.”

Doesn’t it make sense then to find out if your using the right affirmation so your not wasting your time.  The question remains, should you be stretching the truth by saying an affirmation that your subconscious isn’t going to like or is it possible to will your subconscious to create the reality to match the affirmation ????  Which choice will it be; use an affirmation that you love and truly believe can help you in life or use one in hopes that your subconscious will accept it.   The choice is yours Love them or Leave them.

 Rosetree writes

“Your chakras know if an affirmation feels like an inspiration or a lie ”

If you want to know if your using the right affirmation try this throat chakra test. 

•  First select your affirmation and position your hand over your throat chakra or stand in front of a mirror so you can examine with your eyes the reaction of the throat.  Read your initial energy.
• State your affirmation.
• Read your energy again.  What did you see or feel ?

If you felt any discomfort in your throat chakra, leave the affirmation for another day.  You don’t want to trick or talk your subconscious into liking something your speech center is showing you it dislikes.  Your throat chakra will let you know what feels right and what is wrong for you.

No matter how tempted you may feel stretching the truth, if you think  faking it may eventually make you believe the affirmation, it isn’t going to happen.  What will happen is you’ll clog or block your throat chakra.  Take your time to find the right affirmation,  because finding the right affirmation can be your own spiritual treasure.

Here’s some fun websites to help you view some affirmations: http://www.vitalaffirmations.com/pool/affirmation-cards.htm;  http://www.umsonline.org/DailyAffs.htm.

Please share some of your affirmations.

I have pleasant encounters with others.

If someone acts unpleasantly,
I find a way to stay
at peace in the situation

I turn it around and find a pleasant outcome.

When I go back and stay with my Grandparents my Grandfather will tell me stories about his own childhood.  He remembers the golden rule in their home, no one eats until all the animals are fed.  When the chores were finished there was always a hot breakfast ready for them which included eggs, bacon and fresh bread (basically what was readily available from the farm); and once finished you better not waist any time as you were expected to walk to school.  I love listening to his stories and more importantly, I want my children to hear them.  Society today has changed drastically since those days but there is so many lessons in the way my Grandfather was raised that should be applied today.

When my husband and I were kids we were always outside and to make sure we got our chores done or lessons finished our parents would hold over our heads “there’s no playing outside until your work is done”.  That was the best motivator in the world, no one wanted to be told they had to stay inside.  In fact, I can remember sneaking out the window to get outdoors after being grounded in the house for the weekend.    As a child no one had to tell me to go play outside; being out in nature was  part of our every day lives.  Unfortunately, times have changed and there are some families that don’t know how to introduce ~Nature into their kids lives and that’s what brings me to this article. 

This Christmas I was given the book  I love dirt !  Written by Jennifer Ward.  The foreword presented by Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods,made such an impact on me.  He speaks how to days families regard Nature as separate from our everyday lives.   Families recreational activities are more and more done indoors (Wii, TV and computers) have replaced riding bikes, hiking and imaginary play.    Richard Louv reports that from 2000-2004 sales for bikes fell 21% and antidepressants prescribed to children have doubled in the last five years.  He writes in his book that  :many children today have tunnel sensses  and feelings of isolation and containment.  The best prescription available for our children that is free, is playing outside.  Study after study will tell you that for a child to have a healthy childhood development that being outside is essential.  ~Nature helps every one’s  (adult and children) mental and physical health. 

In 2005 the California Department of Education found that  students in school that had nature immersion programs performed 27% higher in science testing than kids who were educated in traditional class setting.  Take a look at your schools surrounding environment, I bet you will find that there is only a parking lot and residential neighborhood.  When I grew up our school was surrounded by woods that incorporated paths and we had outdoor classroom area that gave the teachers options to hold their classes outside. 

Jennifer Ward’s book, I love Dirt  gives you the ideas needed for busy parents and this book can be a great gift for your child’s teachers and if you go to her web page www.jenniferwardbooks.com has supported material that will help lessons if using any of her books.  If you need an idea for summer she has 12 different activities. 

I love her activity called Moon Shadows found on page 72, not only does she give you activities you can enjoy with your children but some history to share with them as well.  In total there are 52 open-ended activities to help you engage your child in the outdoors.  No mater what your location-from wide-open meadows of the country to a small patch of green grass in the city.  You will have activities that will help you promote exploration, stimulate their imagination and heighten your child’s senses. 

Don’t stop with this book, look in your own newspaper to find out what activities are being promoted in your area.  Were going to see an Ice winter wonderland next weekend, tell me some of your plans you have !!!!

 

 

Dream Catcher Lore

Native Americans believe that the night air is filled with dreams both good and bad. The dream catcher when hung over or near your bed swinging freely in the air catches the dreams as they flow by. The good dreams know how to pass through the dream catcher, slipping through the outer holes and slide down the soft feathers so gently that many times the sleeper does not know that he/she is dreaming. The bad dreams not knowing the way get tangled in the dream catcher and perish with the first light of the new day. 

When I place my child to bed each night, you will hear me saying “sweet dreams”.  I believe it’s our hope as parents that our child go to sleep and have wonderful dreams and will rise feeling rested.  This last week my son came to me complaining he’s having nightmares and doesn’t want to sleep in his room; naturally I wanted to turn him back and say try again but I couldn’t go to bed knowing he was having bad dreams so I decided I would sleep in there and to my surprise I too had a nightmare.  It was Eric himself who asked me to get him a dream catcher.  Naturally that would be a good addition to his room since his decoration is Native American and I indeed bought him a large dream catcher at a Cherokee Pow Wow this summer and loved meeting the artist who made the design and in the middle she painted a Eagle. 

I should have placed a dream catcher in his room when we moved in to the home.  Dream catchers are in his brother’s rooms and we even have one in the car because we take long trips I wanted to ensure their rest was filled with peaceful dreams.  I loved sleeping in the car when taking long trips and it just seemed natural to have one with us when we take long trips.  I was fortunate to get mine as a gift from a friend who is a Maliseet Indian.

 If your planning on adding a dream catcher to your bedroom you may want to perform the sage ceremony:  Before use, the dream-catcher is often cleansed in a ceremony of purification by passing it through the smoke of smoldering sage–the  sage ceremony.  Sometimes, if the dream-catcher is not in a well-lit room, it becomes overloaded with energies that need to be cleared. 

When I look at our dream catchers I can see the love that went into each weave and feel honored to have these beautiful items in our home.   When you need a special gift for your child or anyone you care about consider purchasing a dream catcher and include the history from the tribe.  Each tribe I found has its own unique legend of the dream catcher.

www.aaanativearts.com has a beautiful legend about the dream catcher that I would like to share:   

ORAL TRADITION: Ojibway legend

“A spider was quietly spinning his web in his own space. It was beside the sleeping space of Nokomis, the grandmother. Each day, Nokomis watched the spider at work, quietly spinning away. One day as she was watching him, her grandson came in. “Nokomis-iya!” he shouted, glancing at the spider. He stomped over to the spider, picked up a shoe and went to hit it.

“No-keegwa,” the old lady whispered, “don’t hurt him.”  “Nokomis, why do you protect the spider?” asked the little boy. 

The old lady smiled, but did not answer. When the boy left, the spider went to the old woman and thanked her for saving his life.

He said to her, “For many days you have watched me spin and weave my web. You have admired my work. In return for saving my life, I will give you a gift.” He smiled his special spider smile and moved away, spinning as he went.

Soon the moon glistened on a magical silvery web moving gently in the window. “See how I spin?” he said. “See and learn, for each web will snare bad dreams. Only good dreams will go through the small hole. This is my gift to you. Use it so that only good dreams will be remembered. The bad dreams will become hopelessly entangled in the web.”

Please share your story about your dream catchers with me.