5 Ways To Clean Your Crystals & Set New Intentions For August

Not so long ago, the mention of crystals would send some folk running for the hills bellowing "New Age nonsense" in their trembling wake. Those reverberations have all but dimmed, and today it seems most people have either a) been to a crystal shop and tried to set up camp—me at Stick Stone & Bone, Christopher Street, New York, b) carry one around day-to-day, or c) have a smattering on their bedside table.

Who isn't attracted to gemstones, I ask you? Precious minerals uplift the heart, and their physical brightness is what we think of when we hear the word that literally launched a thousand ships: crystal.

A crystal is a solid body with a geometrically regular shape, created as the earth formed, continuing to metamorphose as the planet itself has changed. If you've been reading my work on mbg, you'll know I'm a fan of not just the moon and the stars, but also clusters of wild rocks, gemstones, and the earth from whence they came; miniature storehouses containing the records of the development of the planet over millions of years, and bearing the indelible memory of the powerful forces that shaped them.

The more you understand about crystals, the more effective, so to speak, they will be. Dedicating and programming your crystals helps them to work more efficiently—a rite of passage when working with Nature. As crystals are powerful beings in their entirety, they need to be approached with respect. Just like human beings, it is said that crystals have memories and the ability to attract, absorb, and transmute energy. And just like human beings, they can store positive or negative vibrations from being used or abused, environmental toxins, and physical contact.

In the same way we bathe in Epsom or Dead Sea salts to clear the proverbial cobwebs, crystals need TLC to function optimally. Doing this regularly enables your crystals to 'talk to you,' and to show you how you can use them to enhance your life and wellbeing.

Spiritual counselor Ariel Spilsbury, who collaborated with the late and great holistic therapist Michael Bryner, wrote: "Take a quantum leap into the fluidity of unfixed beliefs and expanding realities. By flexibly choosing to move into the unknown, a complete and marvelous reordering of your world awaits you!"

The landscape of our celestial firmament right now is an auspicious time if ever there was one, to perform one of the following cleansing crystal rituals. Truly, these are stones for the Ages.

5 Ways To Clean Your Crystals

1) You can hold a crystal over (but not touching) the flame of a candle—obviously you know that a candle should never be left unattended.

2) You can smudge them with Native American herb bundles containing sage.

3) You can hold them under running water, or place them in a bowl of water to which you can add two drops of Bach Crab Apple Remedy for cleansing.

4) You can take them into the sea with you (my favorite) or make up your own little piece of the ocean with sea salt and water in a bowl.

5) You can place them directly in the sunlight or moonlight.

Setting Intentions

Dedicate your crystal—hold it in both hands and ask that it is purely for your highest good. If you want to use it for a specific purpose, hold it and say, "I attune this crystal for healing" or whatever you need help with—calming your thoughts, bringing clarity, assisting in study, dream recall.

The possibilities are absolutely endless. Breathe, repeat, and open your heart chakra all year long.

by Kayla Jacobs, mbg Beauty & Style Editor

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-26062/5-ways-to-clean-your-crystals-set-new-intentions-for-august.html

What to Do When Spirits Come Knocking

Has there been a time in your life that the door to the spirit world has opened? Have you had experiences that you cannot explain, heard voices, seen apparitions or felt different energies?

These experiences are more common than you think and if you have ever been curious to explore or deepen your connection to this energy, then this is where to start –

1.) Start With the Connection to Yourself

Whether the door is already open or you want to work on opening it, the first and most important thing to do is develop a strong connection with yourself. This can be done through meditation, morning pages, different alternative therapies or through creative work. Whatever medium you choose, developing an understanding and deeper awareness is paramount to this type of work. You must reach a place where-

• You understand the ego and how and when it manifests within you
• You have an awareness about your subconscious thought patterns
• You are reprogramming your thoughts to focus on positive and mindful intentions
• You are in tune with your body to know how you feel and are developing your intuition
• You are regularly journaling or writing down your dreams and thoughts

2.) Have a Tool Box of Protection

Before you even think of dabbling in the spirit world you must acquire a tool box of protection which includes:

• Establishing a Strong Connection with Your Guides/Angels: Making a connection with your guides is very important in this type of work as they will act as your protectors and guardians. They will also be able to guide you through the process and be a resource to turn to if you ever need to. Establishing a connection is almost impossible if you don’t at least start trying to do step one first. The inner work is important as it helps us to tune in to when we are actually communicating with our guides or not. Here are two important resources- How to Connect with Your Spirit Guides and Ways our Spirit Guides Communicate with Us. If have trouble establishing a connection to your guides, you can start by reaching out to a god/goddess/deity of your choice such as Jesus, Buddha or Archangel Michael etc.

• Visualizing a White Light of Protection: This is like your spiritual armour and can be programmed to cover you, objects, spaces, and others. While mediating, imagine a white light surrounding your body in your minds eye. Feel how protective it is and trust that no harm can come to you while you are covered. Work on making the light bigger and stronger. Practice using your protective light in everyday situations.

• Charged Crystals: Crystals and stones can be fantastic tools of protection. There are many crystals for protection such as quartz, smoky quartz, amethyst, black kyanite, celestite and fluorite however, it’s more important that you choose a crystal that resonates with you. (How to Charge a Crystal for Protection.)

• Prayer/Mantras/Affirmations: Sometimes there is nothing more powerful than saying a prayer or a mantra. It’s best to come up with something that resonates with you but here is a good example- “I am light, I am love, I am safe from all those who are not aligned with the highest of intentions, I call upon my guides and angels for protection. I am grateful that I am looked after.”

• Smudging: Using sage to cleanse your surroundings and aura is recommended especially after doing any spiritual work or healing. Saging is also great to clear away any negative energies. Here is How to Cleanse Using Sage.

Having a tool box of protection is highly recommended, start with your guides/angels, white light, crystals and then work in your own objects or visualizations that feel right for you.

3.) State Your Intention and Be Open to Receiving

It’s really important to ask yourself the question- Why? Why do you want to establish or further this connection?

Once you are clear about your intention you can ask your guides and angels to help deliver experiences, information and people towards you that will assist you on your journey. Remember to state your intention clearly, you can be an active participant in what you choose to allow in or not.

The final step is being open to receiving and trusting in your abilities and your connection to yourself and source energy. Experiences will come your way when you are truly ready, willing and open to receiving them.

A Word of Caution:

Dabbling in the spirit world can be fun but it can also be extremely dangerous. If you are genuinely interested in expanding your gifts and abilities, the above three steps will guide you well. What you do after these steps however, is up to you and where your intuition and gifts guide you to go. Jumping ahead before you feel ready can be very, very dangerous which is why at any time, if any of this work makes you feel uncomfortable, stop immediately and use your tools of protection.

by Tanaaz

http://foreverconscious.com/what-to-do-when-spirits-come-knocking

Continue your learning journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth

This year’s Hay House World Summit was their best year yet with over 525,000 people listening in from all over the globe.

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Angels can help us in a wide variety of ways and this course will enable you get to know your angels at a soul level, open up your spiritual practice and feel a much deeper connection.

You don’t have to have any special gifts to be able to work with the angels – you just need to learn how to uncover the connection that’s already inside you. Angel expert Kyle Gray will show you how you can achieve this through meditating, tuning in and opening up your spiritual energy centers. 

During this six-lesson online course, you will learn:

·         About the different types of angels and how they each work

·         How to talk to the angels and listen to their responses

·         Prayers, meditations and affirmations that will help you with different needs

·         How to open up your spiritual centers for a deeper connection

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7 Effective Alternatives to Sitting Meditation

Do you struggle to meditate?

Meditation is by far one of the most effective tools for stilling your mind, raising your consciousness and bringing a sense of peace and harmony into your life. But many people struggle with the idea of traditional seated meditation.

While traditional seated meditation is highly effective, it doesn’t necessarily work for everyone.

If you are struggling to meditate, but still looking to experience the amazing benefits that come along with it, here are some effective alternatives to try that won’t take much effort or time out of your day-

1. Shower Meditation

The daily duty of showering can very quickly turn into a deeply meditative experience.

As you step under the water, imagine it clearing your energy field. Imagine the water helping you to release all those foreign energetic attachments that have been collected throughout the day. Imagine the water helping you to cleanse and release stress, anxiety and all that no longer serves you.

As you soap your body, take time to thank each body part for all the work that it does and marvel at its beauty. Say loving things to your body as you wash it.

2. Brushing Your Teeth/ Hair Meditation

You can use the time that you brush your teeth or hair to tune into your body and connect with your heart.

As you brush, look at yourself in the mirror. Look deep into your eyes and recite a positive affirmation of self-love, which can be as simple as- “I love you.”

Keep repeating this to yourself. If any other thoughts do come into your mind, observe them gently and try not to resist them. Let them flow without engaging in them and continue to observe as you brush.

3. Getting Dressed Meditation

As you get dressed to start your day, imagine your clothes as energetic shields that are going to protect you throughout the day.

As you put each item of clothing on, recite a mantra or visualise the clothes protecting you from negative energies and helping you to view things throughout the day with calmness and compassion.

As you put your clothes on, you can also express gratitude for your body, the material comfort of the clothes and your beautiful day ahead.

4. Before Bed Meditation

This is particularly helpful if you struggle to sleep. Sit on your bed and calm your mind. Take 5 deep, loud breaths and recite a mantra that goes something like-

“I am ready to sleep. I feel calm and safe as a lie down. I am filled with contentment, peace and gratitude. I am so grateful for all of what has happened to day and all that I have accomplished. I now give my body the rest it deserves with this beautiful, peaceful sleep. I am now falling asleep easily and effortlessly”

Feel yourself sinking into the bed as you recite this mantra.

5. In Traffic Meditation

Sitting in traffic can be frustrating, but why not turn it into a meditative experience?

Turn off any music (especially ads on the radio) and just allow yourself to sit in silence for a moment. Observe any thoughts that flow into your mind but try not to judge them or engage with them.

Then take 5-10 conscious breaths to help you still your mind and release the energy from the day passed.

As you inhale imagine a beautiful white light circulating through your body and as you exhale imagine any stagnant energy being released as a cloud of smoke.

6. Creating Art/ Dancing Meditation 

Being creative for pleasure is definitely a fantastic way to bring about the effects of meditation.

Start drawing, creating, painting, coloring, dancing or doing something creative that allows you to practice full freedom of expression. Give yourself at least 20 minutes to let loose and just allow your creative juices to flow without focusing on anything else.

You can also put some inspirational music on in the background, just try to not play anything that has ads throughout.

7. Mala Beads/ Crystals Meditation

Mala beads or working with crystals can also be an effective meditation practice.

Traditionally there are 108 beads on your mala and by sitting there and counting them, it is believed to help bring about stillness and calmness. You can really do this with any piece of beaded jewellery, just bring your conscious awareness to what you are doing and focus on counting.

With the crystals, you can hold them in your hand and try and tune into the vibration and feeling of the crystal. Even 1-2 minutes dedicated to this can be highly relaxing and can help to lift your energy.

As you can see, there are many ways you can bring meditation into your day-to-day routine with very little effort.

These mindfulness rituals can soon become part of your daily practice and can help you to experience the benefits of meditation. They may also help prepare you for embracing the art of traditional seated meditation as well.

So, try some of these practices and see how they change your life.

by Tanaaz

http://foreverconscious.com/7-effective-alternatives-sitting-meditation

Tap Into Your Sixth Sense With These 4 Intuition-Building Practices

Everyone possesses the power to connect to their intuitive side.

Here are four helpful tips for activating your sixth sense, connecting to your guides, and tapping into your psychic channels:

1. Open your mind.

There's a wide range of guided meditations that can help you connect with your intuitive side. Do some poking around online or in a New Age bookstore. The key is to find a guiding voice that makes you feel settled and connected—definitely not one that irritates you (which can be harder that it sounds!). Open your ears to hearing, and start the conversation with your intuition.

2. Plug in.

Think of your intuition as a power source. Ever had a particular song pop on the radio at a perfectly serendipitous moment? This is your intuition personalizing your programming from the spirit realm. It can pay to think of these moments that catch your attention as clues from your higher self. Even the present moment may have a secret hidden within, so start learning to plug in and pay attention!

3. Connect through crystals.

Tarot cards have long been used as tools to connect to the spiritual, intuitive realm, and pairing these cards with crystals can magnify their otherworldly effects.

Clear quartz is essential for cleansing your tarot deck and maintaining a positive energy during a card reading. Moonstone has long been associated with psychic abilities and channeling, so it's a handy stone to keep with you during a reading as well. I wear a moonstone ring and bracelet during readings, so the stones are always touching me as I connect to my cards. Amethyst is also associated with our higher self—it helps open our communication channels with the spiritual realm and is handy for anyone looking to develop an intuitive skill set.

4. Connect through aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is also a powerful tool used by modern mystics and ancient healers. When placed on the skin or diffused into the air, these oils can help you stay grounded during your meditations.

Rubbing lavender oil (be sure to dilute with water or a vegetable oil first if the label calls for it!) into the center of your forehead, between your eyes, helps open your third-eye chakra center—your direct line to the spiritual realm. Other oils associated with opening and supporting the third-eye and crown chakras include rosemary, juniper, and thyme. Adding these scents to your spiritual practice can provide a powerful dimension to your psychic experience and help you further connect with your channels.

The more awakened and aware you become, the more messages and intuitive clues you'll receive on a daily basis.

by Emma Mildon

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-24495/tap-into-your-sixth-sense-with-these-4-intuition-building-practices.html

6 Crystals To Boost Your Happiness & Energy

Did you know we are in direct control of the energy around us?

Whether we are depressed, angry, or otherwise discontented, we are in the foremost position to change our dispositions.

Learning to take control of the energy around you is one of the first steps to long term happiness — and will benefit you in any situation.

Dabbling in crystal healing is one way to open yourself up to the energies that be, by enlivening your electromagnetic field with the natural mood boosters of certain crystals and minerals.

Learning to connect with and using crystals and minerals is easily accessible for anyone, and does not require years of mastery to begin enjoying the effects.

Any crystal you work with will develop a special bond with you, transcending geography and any logical thought you can piece together to explain the intangible relationship you will develop with your healing crystals.

Learning to work with crystals and minerals will help you spirit your life’s journey to purpose; awaken your internal passions and help manifest your desires, pointing your mind and actions to purpose with powerful stones of transformation.

These six crystals are wonderful introductions into the world of crystal healing promoting spritely happiness.

1. Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is one of the ultimate go-to crystals for emotional healing and universal love. If you’ve been feeling out of tune with the world around you taking up rose quartz in your crystal study will realign your energy to prompt inward and outward love in equal measures.

When we are guided by loving light and energy, we are able to ascend to our full potentials, as we are not bogged down by the weight of hostility or self inflated ego.

Rose Quartz teaches us how to forgive and accept ourselves and the people around us genuinely.

2. Amethyst

The principal stone of divinity, Amethyst will help you uncover latent spirituality — an essential component of remaining happy and connecting to the universe at large.

Amethyst helps to ground a disquieted mind, and lends itself to acquiring much-needed clarity. Amethyst lifts spirits because it allays mental unrest almost immediately.

When you are stressed or otherwise overwhelmed with turmoil, the soothing nature of amethyst will help you return to peace and remain in tranquil contemplation until a solution for your problem is found.

3. Larimar

Facilitating calmness and relieving stress wherever it exists, Larimar serves as a font of tranquility and solidarity. Carrying a tumbled piece of Larimar will remind you to remain as the sea, and to roll with any obstacles or changes.

Larimar grants peace of mind and helps to bolster sodden spirits in times of grief. A wonderful crystal to place on your work desk, Larimar helps to raise our vibrations upward to resonate with the universal energies permeating our entire realm.

While working with Larimar, you will feel a distinct wholeness with yourself and the environment around you.

4. Red & Brecciated Jasper

Perhaps one of the most underrated healing crystals because of its proliferation is Red & Brecciated Jasper. While primarily a stone of protection, Jasper allows users to delve inward to feel wholly complete with oneself.

A stone of action, Jasper sets its users to purpose and helps to prompt manifestation of goals, ambitions, and dreams cast aside for the immediate needs of daily life.

Red & Brecciated Jasper heals hollow hearts and enlivens one’s sense of self-actualization.

5. Citrine

A font of unending joy and joviality, Citrine helps us remember to never lose the verve of life and encourages us to test our boundaries and limits in the pursuit of happiness.

With an innate ability to cleanse other negatively charged, or overworked, crystals, Citrine super-charges our indwelling spirits in preparation of launching ourselves head first into adventure.

If you need a pick-me-up Citrine is your go-to source of inspiration and energy.

6. Aventurine

A healing crystal said to invite benevolent elementals into one’s life, Aventurine promotes luck, joy, and lightness of spirit.

Pocket a tumbled Aventurine when you want to invite joy into your everyday travels, or craft a wire-wrapped pendant to wear always.

Aventurine reminds us to herald a healthy respect for nature and the environments around us, working in tandem with our own spirits to raise the vibrations around us.

By JessicaRae Pulver-Adell

http://www.finerminds.com/spirituality/6-crystals-boost-happiness-energy