​Over the centuries there are certain truths that witches and other spiritually oriented people have sort of taken for granted. Knowledge that has been handed down; taught to future generations. Wisdom gained through the connection and communication with nature and the universe. Things that could not, until recently, been proven by science. As a society people tend to put more weight behind what can be proven in a lab than the knowledge that was passed down. Historically, before something is “proven” by whatever the current scientific methods are available, that “knowledge” is discredited, and called into doubt, even when positive results are obtained by practitioners time and time again.
One of the biggest areas that “science” has cast doubt on is herbal medicine. People all over the world have been using plants to heal themselves and others dating back at least 60,000 years. A good example of this is white willow bark. This can be used as a natural pain medicine, and was the basis for our modern aspirin. The salicin in the bark was synthesized into acetylsalicylic acid in 1853 by Charles Gerhardt. While this new lab made drug is more fast acting than its natural counterpart, it can cause stomach irritation (on the list of side effects). This particular side effect does not usually occur when using the willow bark, because the bark does not damage the gastrointestinal mucosa. So while the “modern” pharmaceutical approach has extracted the main healing component and created a faster acting version (something greatly appreciated in our instant gratification society), it failed to include the rest of the natural healing components that prevented the negative side effects.  This is not new information. However, if you were to ask your allopathic doctor for a natural alternative, they would cast doubt on any claims anything natural could help you, and then prescribe you some lab made pharmaceutical. Thankfully we have alternatives, like naturopathic doctors, we can see, though they are not covered (at least not fully) by our current medical system.
That said, there are books out there like Herbs Demystified by Holly Phaneuf, PhD ( a biochemist and drug researcher) that show the research that has been done on plant medicine to give a better view of what has been proven to show results. I am greatly appreciative of books like this because I actually make herbal wellness products, so when nay-sayers do question or comment, I have something they cannot refute to show them.
What gets me about all of this, is that these natural medicinal practices are called “alternative medicine”. I find that interesting, because all of these techniques existed long before allopathic medicine was created. Wouldn’t that make allopathic medicine the “alternative” to the pre-existing natural medicine? If you have not heard the term, allopathic medicine is the “modern” approach that focuses on the symptoms of the dis-ease, rather than finding and treating the root cause. It is rooted in the current scientific methods of testing to diagnose and then treat current symptoms. This approach has allowed for great strides in health and medicine to be made, but I do find it interesting that it completely discounts its own roots, and even actively works to discredit its predecessor. Even long-standing practices like acupuncture, chiropracting, and reflexology are still looked down upon by many allopathic doctors today. I am sure you can guess how I feel about that by now. I am, of course, thankful for the knowledge gained by that allopathic system, I am certain it has saved many lives. However, I do believe these two systems could, and should, coexist together. I do not believe they should be in competition with each other at all. I know of many practitioners of natural medicine, energy works, and other such wonderful healers that would never tell a person to not seek out the opinion of an allopathic doctor, but I have yet to meet a doctor (or even pharmacist) who would recommend a naturopath, or other natural/energy healer for treatment.
What do you think? DO you feel these are both mutually exclusive practices? Or do you feel, as I do, that they should coexist in a mutually respective and cooperative manner for the health and well-being of all? 

​Last week I was reading a book about something called Vortex Theory. It mainly covered a lot of quantum physics theories and theorists, but there was a paragraph that made me think more abut metaphysics than quantum physics. It read:
“Thoughts are many but the mind is one. Particles are many but the universe is one. If the consciousness on each of us, seeing through our eye, hearing through our ears, and feeling through our senses in one then it would be the same consciousness in all the different bodies of humanity. We may all be living separate lives but the one thing we have in common is being human. The unity of consciousness we share suggests we are one being in many bodies. We may think different thoughts perform different actions and have different experiences but the conscious awareness underlying every thought we think and action we perform is one and the same and that indeed is the brotherhood and sisterhood of humanity.” – Vortex Theory by David A. Ash (P. 133)*
It made me think about how we are all connected. Generally when that is said I think about how we are all made of the same star stuff; how we are all connected to the universal consciousness. This statement says to me that although we are all separate souls in this human experience, learning our lessons, trying to find our purpose, we are still connected to everyone and everything.
However, that paragraph made me think about that theory a little differently. It suggests that we really are all one, in a more literal sense. That we are one mind, one consciousness experiencing life from many different perspectives. Not just experiencing through each soul, but every living thing within the universe, and every non-living thing as well. Every cell, every atom, every seemingly empty space. The universe as a single entity experiencing itself from every conceivable point of view.
While I don’t ascribe to this particular theory, it is definitely something to think about. In some ways, current quantum physic theories support this statement in their own way, though this is not their purpose or their focus.
Another theory, that falls somewhere in between, says that we have a higher self and that self stays connected to the universal consciousness, but also manifests as a soul to experience our current life. Sometimes this theory suggests that our higher self is fragmented, yet still connected. This is possibly how we receive messages through divination techniques, where we receive prophetic dreams/messages from, and even perhaps know about our past lives. This theory brings up some interesting theories about ghosts/spirits and fractured soul pieces for me, but that is a topic for another post, perhaps.
What do you think? Which of these theories makes more sense to you? Do these theories bring up questions for you? Maybe more questions than answers? Let me know what you think. I would love to hear your thoughts, and other theories, if you have them.
                                                                                                            
*Disclaimer: I am aware that there may be grammar and punctuation mistakes in the quote. I copied it verbatim so that is exactly how it appears in the book. If that made your eye twitch I do feel your pain, but it was a direct quote. Sorry. 

​I read a book the other day about an energy healing modality I had not previously heard about. I have read about many energy healing systems, and for most such systems, one of the common tenets is humility. We are told to let go of ego; the idea that we are doing the healing rather than being its facilitator. In this book, this was not the case. The author of this book proposed that it was the only energy healing modality that connects directly to divine energy, and that all the others (of which they did specifically mention Reiki) only connected with vital energy. Now, vital energy is also known as life force energy like prana, chi, or Qi, meaning that they propose that the energy worker is using their own energy to heal rather than connecting to universal or divine energy. As a Reiki Master myself, I have to whole heartedly disagree with this statement. Reading this kind of misinformation tells me that either the author knows very little, if anything, about energy healing modalities outside their own, or that they have let their ego get in the way. While I cannot speak to the efficacy of this particular system since I have never studied it or seen it practiced, I do believe that this way of thinking can be a hinderance to the growth, evolution, and possibly the productiveness of both the practitioner and the system. While it is important to have confidence and faith in the energies and systems we are drawn to learn/practice, as well as our ability to implement them, no one system is better than another. Personal preferences are expected. We are attracted to certain things due to our own knowledge and experiences, but that is not the same as definitively stating one system is better or more successful. This kind of talk could dissuade someone from receiving a treatment that would most suit their needs. As healers (of any kind) our job is to help, and I do not believe this helps. If we set ego aside, we may not get every client, but we can help all those that come to us by helping them find the help they need, whether it is from us or someone else. This not only fosters a trusting and respectful relationship with the people we meet, but also within the healer community.
I write this post not just for the healers, but for those who seek us out as well. Our choices (and our words) can make all the difference.
Have you ever read about any healing modalities that claimed they were better? Have you experienced an encounter with a healer with such claims? Did it affect your feelings about/response to that system/person? What would you do if you did?  

Most of us have heard of mazes and labyrinths, and sometimes those terms are used interchangeably. However, did you know that there is a difference?
 
Mazes have multiple pathways that branch out in different directions creating a complicated puzzle of twists and turns designed to confuse the user. Sometimes these pathways lead to dead ends, which can be quite frustrating. A maze can have one or more exits. I have heard that putting your right hand on a wall of the maze at the beginning and walking through while remaining contact with the wall can help you through the maze, but I have never had the opportunity to test that theory. A popular use for mazes these days are the corn mazes created at Halloween for entertainment purposes.
 
Labyrinths, on the other hand, have a singular and continuous path that leads to the center. The objective is to walk the path to the center and back out again slowly and with purpose. It is meant to be a contemplative act of personal transformation, not a puzzle. Walking the spiral like path inwards represents the journey into self, while retracing one’s steps back outwards is the return to the world. Just the act of walking the labyrinth is peaceful and can reduce stress. Using it as a way to journey inward and reflect on the self can help one promote self-understanding, compassion, and reflection on one’s purpose and path in life.
 
Labyrinths have been a part of many ancient cultures including Greek (like the famous myth of the Minotaur), Hopi, and Hindu, and have been depicted on many objects including pottery, stone carvings, and even church walls and floors. During the middle-ages labyrinths located in churches were used as a symbolic journey to the Holy Land, and people would undertake a pilgrimage to one rather than Jerusalem for that purpose. In Hindu culture the labyrinth (also known as Chakravyuha) was seen as a symbolic temple; the uncoiling of Kundalini energy and the path to enlightenment.  Hopi culture saw the labyrinth as the symbolic representation of the connection between people and Mother Earth; life’s journey and the divine creator of life. While these are rather simplified explanations, they do show how different cultures had similar ideas regarding the cyclical nature of life (physical and spiritual), and used the spiral like labyrinth as not just a symbol of it, but a way for any individual to experience it.
 
While they do seem to have gotten a bit lost in history for a while, walking the labyrinth became popular once again in the 1990’s, and can now be found as part of the landscape of parks, gardens, and even cathedrals and churches. One need not travel far to experience this for themselves either. All that is needed is some space to create one. Most anything can be used to do so. If you are doing it outside, you can use rocks or sticks, or it can simply be drawn in the dirt or sand. One could also be drawn/painted on a large sheet/piece of cloth or paper and laid out on the floor inside if you have a big enough floor space. While I have not personally done this myself (yet), I believe it could be a great personal and spiritual experience.
Have you ever walked the labyrinth before? Would you like to? What would you hope to learn about yourself or your journey by doing so?

Maze Photo: https://www.longleat.co.uk/adventure-attractions/hedge-maze
Labyrinth Photo: ​https://www.stphilipvictoria.ca/pages/labyrinth

Have you ever had a conversation with your plants? Do you talk to them about how healthy they look, or try to coax them to grow more? Do you feel like they respond to your voice, maybe grow better when you talk nicely to them?
 
Most of us have probably heard of (or maybe even participated in) the science experiments with plants and music. While plants do not have ears to hear the music, plant cell stimulation is a documented response to the frequencies used; different frequencies have different results. Studies (in India*) have shown that plants may  not only grow better with certain genres of music, but the plants can also tell the difference between the different genres, as well as traffic and nature sounds. How amazing is that! Most plants respond positively to genres like classical or jazz, while harsher genres like metal may be too intense for them and may even cause damage. Conversely, instances of pests, including aphids, mold, and spider mites decreased with sound treatment in greenhouse conditions. So, not only can the right frequency promote plant growth, it can decrease the chances of pests!
 
Even more amazing is research being done on the response of plants to other stimuli. Some research suggests that plants can sense and respond to perceived danger, learn from repeated stimuli and change their response to it, and can even be “put out” by anesthesia used on humans**. Scientists don’t necessarily believe that plants feel pain or have consciousness because all our definitions of such things require the subject to have a brain, which is not part of a plants biological makeup under our understanding of it.
 
That said, we have established that plants can communicate with each other through root networks. Mushrooms in particular are known to communicate information like injuries, food sources, and changes in the environment using electrical signals; not only with each other, but other plants as well. If this topic interests you I would recommend books such as Plant Spirit Medicine by Eliot Cowan, and Plant Spirit Healing by Pam Montgomery would be good places to start. It really is fascinating.
There has been some talk on social media sites like TikTok and Instagram that plants can sense their owners up to 2km away. Now, I haven’t found any solid research on this, so I am not sure where they got this information from, but other research has shown that they respond to their owners (their frequence) when around them.
 
While much more study needs to be done in this area, I do find it fascinating the many ways plants are connected to each other, and how we can connect to them. Whether we have a green thumb or not, many of us feel the need to have plants in our homes or to go out into nature to connect with them there. I mentioned in a previous post about how horticulture therapy has shown to improve mental and physical health, reduce stress and even improve focus and memory. Activities such as gardening, forest bathing, and even aromatherapy are being suggested by some therapists to facilitate this kind of healing. I couldn’t be more supportive of such things.

​So how do you feel about plants? Do you love to grow them? Do you talk to them? Do you feel they improve your mental, physical, and spiritual health? Do you like to feel connected to nature this way?
 
 
*https://pistilsnursery.com/blogs/journal/music-and-plant-growth-heres-what-the-science-says#:~:text=For%20most%20plants%20playing%20classical,they%20prefer%20a%20gentler%20touch.
**https://theworld.org/stories/2014/01/06/can-your-plant-hear-your-can-it-think

​I have recently watched some videos talking about how mandalas are a visual representation of sound. I never thought about that before, but it makes sense. Just know that the information in this blog is limited, and so much more can be learned about them with a little research.
 
Mandala, which means circle or center in Sanskrit, is defined as “a geometric figure representing the universe in Hindu and Buddhist symbolism.*” There are different kinds of mandalas. Mandalas used to teach use symbolic elements such shapes, lines, and colours with each one representing a different aspect of a religious or philosophical system. Other Mandalas with more intuitive elements are made for meditative purposes and used in healing. Sand Mandalas are created by Tibetan monks for manifesting beliefs into the physical world, and are destroyed after their completion. The creation and consecration are for beneficial reasons, while its destruction reminds us of the impermanence of all things.
 
Just the visual nature of a mandala inspires thought, healing, and growth, but what if it was also a sound. What if the complex patterns of the mandala are layers of natural frequencies that we could decipher and recreate? What benefits could we gather if we resonated with them on not just a visual/mental level, but also on the level of frequency/sound. What lessons would be available to us? What new levels of healing could be achieved?
 
In 1967 a man named Hans Jenny coined the term Cymatics, from the Greek word "kŷma," (meaning wave), to describe how sound waves create wonderful patterns, called Chladni Patterns (named after the man who invented the Chladni plates they are created on), in mediums like sand, rice, and even water through vibration, thus giving us a visual representation of sound. With each natural frequency** a new vibrational pattern is created, becoming more elaborate as the frequency increases. When these patterns happen one of top of the other as new natural frequencies are added the sounds you hear are created. Each object’s physical characteristics determine its unique acoustic signature that is comprised of a combination of personal frequencies. This frequency conveys information about the object like how it was created and with what, as well as its shape, size, and other such things. Patterns can also be projected on a visual display like a screen when striking something like a tuning fork (such as one from a solfeggio set), These complex geometric patterns are called Lissajous Figures. If two different frequencies are played together they can create something called a “beat” which is where “You hear a rhythmic variation in amplitude, a pulsing sound, where the beat frequency is the difference between the two original frequencies***”. I could segue into other topics here about how this relates to how frequencies affect our bodies, our relationships to objects, places, and people, or how they can change, heal, or otherwise affect our world, but this post is about mandalas. I will try to stay on topic.
 
I have previously discussed sound healing and frequency in a post called Vibrational Healing. We know that individual frequencies are used for healing, hence the use of tools like singing bowls and tuning forks. We also know that each chakra resonates to a particular sound which you can use to clear, enhance, or connect with them at that level. These frequencies can have a profound effect on our minds and bodies (physical or spiritual). So it stands to reason that decoding and creating the sound of a mandala would have an equally deep-seated and possibly radical effect. While much is known about the visual/physical aspects of the meaning of mandalas, I have not been able to find any research dedicated to deciphering them in this manner, but I think it would be worth studying.
 
As a related side note, one video I watched (I wish I could find it again so I could credit and link it) mentioned these little house carriages that had mandalas on the bottom. The monks said that if the right sound could be created (the one depicted by that mandala), then these house carriages would be activated. What exactly would happen I do not know, but I thought that was interesting.
What do you think? Are mandalas visual objects meant for teaching and healing on the mental/visual level? Could they be physical representations of sound? Do you think we could decipher them, or is that knowledge lost? What do you think it would sound like?
 
*Taken from google as a definition from Oxford Languages
** “An object's natural frequency is the frequency or rate that it vibrates naturally when disturbed. Objects can possess more than one natural frequency and we typically use harmonic oscillators as a tool for modeling the natural frequency of a particular object.” Taken from: https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/2020-natural-frequency-formula-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-important
***Taken from https://www.arborsci.com
 

​We have talked about how our thoughts and words have power. We pour our intent into words to manifest our desires, and we try to phrase our thoughts and words into positive statements to attract positive energies to ourselves. This is a basic tenant of manifesting and plenty of spell work. It has been said that the universe does not “hear” the negatives, which is why we rephrase for the positives, and I agree with this. That said, not all of life is rainbows, unicorns, and sunshine.  This world is full of shadows, and they must be addressed, not ignored or denied.
 
Words can have immense power over how we think and feel about anything and everything, including ourselves, if we let them. They have the power to both hurt and heal. I am sure many of you remember the saying “Sticks and stones can break my bone, but words can never hurt me” from your childhood. A good “come back” or mantra to help a child in that situation, though not always as effective as we maybe would have liked. Words, have in fact, hurt all of us at one time. The adults in our lives were trying to arm us with what they thought was an age-appropriate defense mechanism to help us realize our own power over our feelings and reactions. I believe we seem to have somehow failed to remember this lesson, and pass it on to the following generations.
 
The other day I was doom scrolling, as I sometimes do, and started watching a video by a content creator I often stop to watch. They were talking about how they could no longer use the word “fat” when making content anymore; that they could be shut down for saying it. This reminded me of all the times I have read stories and articles using words like “abuse”, “killed”, “drugs”, and so many more blurred out or spelled with special characters so that they would not be flagged or have their work taken down. When did the mere mention of a word become so wrong, so debilitating, that we, as a collective, had to censor their use? How are we expected to tell our stories so that others may learn from them, or understand us better, if we cannot use the proper words needed to convey our message?
 
While we may find the meaning behind some words distasteful, we should not be made to feel guilt or shame for having to use them for this purpose*.  Words were created so that we could convey thoughts and ideas in such a way that our message could be heard and understood by others. It is inevitable that these thoughts and ideas, if conveyed properly, will have an emotional response of some kind upon its recipient. Good or bad, this is a good thing. We, as individuals, are responsible for how we react to that emotional response. If they make us uncomfortable, we need to look at why. Censoring the word does not make issues like abuse, addiction, or murder go away. It only makes it more difficult for those affected by it to talk about it, and therefore deal with it. It is also not other people’s responsibility to tip-toe around, talk in hushed tones, or censor their thoughts and opinions for fear of upsetting or offending someone else. That strong emotional response is a sign you yourself have some personal work to do; an issue to address. Whether you tackle it on your own or with the help of a professional is your choice.
 
So while it is good witchy practice to try to try to manifest positivity into our world and our lives, it is also good practice to face the shadows head on. Not just our own, but those of the collective as well. We are all connected.  How do you feel about this rise in censorship? How has it affected you or your loved ones? Do you see it as a problem at all?
 
*Relevant side note: I am not saying that hate speech, bullying or actual threats should not be monitored and dealt with. This is not ok, and they should. I am talking about blanket censoring words regardless of their context.  

​Sovereignty (pronounced Saw-vr-uhn-tee) is not a term that is often used today; however it is relevant to understanding some myths and the roles of some goddesses. If you google the term you will find definitions like “supreme power or authority”, “the authority of a state to govern itself or another state”, and “a self-governing state”*. However, this does not really explain its meaning when describing the function of a goddess. There are several goddesses associated with sovereignty among the different pantheons. For instance, in Irish myth The Morrigan (more specifically her Macha aspect), and Ériu (the namesake of Ireland) are sovereign goddesses. In Greek myth it is Hera and Diana, while in Norse myth it is Mebd and  Freya that can represent sovereignty. These examples, of course, are not the only ones, but they are good examples if you know their stories.
A goddess who holds sovereignty is one that personifies that land/territory, embodying the power and authority over it. In any myth the duty of the sovereign goddess is to join together with a worthy king allowing him the right to rule over that land until such time as he can no longer perform his duties or dies. She does this by marrying or having sex with him, thus “marrying” him to the land. Marriage to the Sovereign Goddess does not mean he cannot marry a queen, as this is a symbolic marriage. That said there are some stories that portray this marriage as more than that. One such familiar story would be that of King Arthor and Guinevere. While many people see this story as a tragic love story where King Arthor is betrayed by his beloved Guinevere and his friend Sir Lancelot, this is not necessarily the case. There is a theory that this was actually a case of sovereignty being passed from the old king to the new, younger man Guinevere chose as Arthor’s worthy replacement. This “affair” led to the downfall of Arthor’s kingdom because he could not let go of what he thought was “rightfully his”. Another theory suggests that the Lady of the Lake that presented him with the sword Excalibur, and was Sir Lancelot’s foster mother, was the Sovereign Goddess.
The Morrigan, another sovereignty goddess, shows her power and authority over the land in her many tales involving Cú Chulainn. However, she was also married to Dagda, who is the king/chieftain of the Tuatha De Danann, and a god of fertility, abundance, and the earth in his own right. She helped the Tuatha De Danann save Ireland from their mortal enemies the Fomorians.
In Greek mythology Diana was seen as a Goddess of Sovereignty as she is the Goddess of the Hunt; giving her domain of the wild. This, linked with her roles involving cycles, renewal, purity, and unattained power show how sovereignty as part of her roles and responsibilities. The story of Rex Nemorensis (King of Nemi) is one example. Diana was worshipped as the huntress in Nemi, where runaway slaves could vie for a chance to be ruler if they plucked a golden bough from the grove of Nemi and challenged (to the death) and beat the current ruler. A classic “hunter becomes hunted” scenario, since the new king would have to continue to fight each new challenger until beaten. This story shows how she regulated the succession of leadership in her territory. As a virgin goddess she would not have used traditional methods.
So, now that you know what sovereignty is and how it works, how does this apply to us personally and in our practice? Well, while we may  not be immortals with control over vast territories, we do have domain over our own homes, and most certainly over our own bodies. Our sovereignty over our own bodies is possibly the most sacred power we have. What and whom you allow to enter or have any control over your personal space is up to you. While, as women, we still struggle with body autonomy in a legal sense, depending on where in the world you live, we still fight for that right, and it is a right. As the popular saying goes “Your body is a temple”. How do you worship your sovereign goddess within?   
 
*Definitions provided by Google from Oxford Languages

​Often, when our lives don’t go as planned, we get stressed, get angry, maybe even lash out. We tend to vent to trusted friends or family members about our ordeal, and when we do, one of the most common things we hear is to “Let it go”. This advice, one hopes, is said with caring and compassion, but what does it really mean? Well, one definition (according to Oxford Languages) is “to relinquish one’s grip on someone or something”. This definition seems rather appropriate to me, because these situations we hold on to do seem to have as much of a grip on us as we have on them, emotionally speaking. Recognizing, acknowledging, and  ultimately releasing these negative thoughts and emotions, can help us let go of the negative experiences that made us feel out of control of ourselves/our lives that were causing the issue in the first place.
 Does this mean you are supposed to just forget that someone hurt you or that things are not going the way you want them to? Should you expect to be able to just forget it happened and move on? That would not be practical, or helpful. 
Letting go is not as easy as that, and, depending on the severity of the hurt or problems it has caused, can take time to do. While we can learn ways to cope with the little things that happen to us in the course of a day, a coworker in a bad mood, a wrong turn, a small mistake, the bigger things take time and effort.
For the small things, something like mindfulness techniques like body tension awareness and release, simple breathing techniques like box breathing*, or just taking a break for moment of joy (like a favourite song, a happy memory, or a quick exchange with someone you love) can really help. Any of these things can help break the tension, bring us back into the moment, and change our perspective.
Bigger stressors/issues are not always so simple. They can seem more overwhelming, or time/thought consuming, and can require the use of more than one technique over the course of days, weeks, months, or even years. While this blog post will not be able to cover every available technique, and is certainly not to be used as a substitute for professional mental health advice/therapy, there are some things you can do to help yourself at home. The techniques mentioned above can be a good start to put yourself in the right frame of mind for any personal work. I have always found that when addressing issues that have caused a lot of stress and upset that it is good to start from a place of calm, at a time when you have ample time to address and reflect on what is going on. So definitely not while still in the situation, while driving, or otherwise preoccupied.  
As a side note, keeping a journal that tracks the techniques you use, their seeming effectiveness (or lack there-of), and your experiences/feelings/thoughts as a result would definitely be helpful. Especially if you do seek help from a therapist/counsellor/psychologist/etc.. They may find this information helpful. 
Once you are in the right frame of mind, think about what happened. How did it make you feel? If you have difficulty naming/identifying emotions (more than happy, sad, or angry) I highly recommend Brene Browns book Atlas of the heart”. It defines, compares, and discusses them in depth. Actually, I just recommend reading this book period. Don’t be afraid to let yourself feel these emotions as they come up, but do not dwell on them. You can use mindfulness practices (I discussed some in a previous post called Speaking of Spirituality), cord cutting (also described in a previous post by that name), or visualization exercises that allow you to visualize a different/better outcome. Although this does not change what happened it can reframe the experience in a more empowering way for you allowing for the possible release of at least some of the emotional distress linked to it. You can create boundaries (physically, mentally, or emotionally), between you and the person/situation/place related to the distress/stress/negative energy, you can create a positive mantra to remind you of your personal power (or the lack of power it has over you), always practice self-care, and surround yourself with people that support you. Don’t forget that you may not have control over every situation, but you can control how you react to it.   
As long as this post is, it barely scratches the surface of this topic. That said, I hope you found some helpful tips to help you on your journey. Remember that if you need help there is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for it. As the 17th century poet John Donne once wrote “No man is an island.”
 
*This technique involves breathing in for a count of four, holding that breath for a count of four, releasing the breath for a count of four, and then holding that breath for a count of four before breathing in again. Do this 5 - 10 times, or until you feel the tension is gone and then return to your normal breathing pattern.

​Every night while we sleep we dream. Some good, some bad, some strange, or even scary. Why we dream is a matter for debate. Some say that dreaming is our brains way of processing our day, or our stressors. Some say it is our subconscious or even our guides/the universe sending us messages. Perhaps it is even a mix of both. While some may believe they have no real significance at all, I have a hard time believing that. Our subconscious is a miraculous and mysterious thing, and we, perhaps through it, are connected to the universe and each other.
Regardless if our dreams process our stress and emotions, or they are messages sent to us, both theories suggest that they have meaning that many of us try finding ways to interpret. There are many books available on dream interpretation. Many of them give symbolic meanings to everyday things, creatures, and places. While these generic symbolic meanings can be helpful, I believe, as many do, that interpretation is much more personal. After all, what has one meaning for me may have a very different meaning for someone else. For example, being on a boat may have happy memories for me, but someone who had a frightening experience on a boat may feel very different about it. It stands to reason that one’s feelings and experiences would shape how and why our subconscious would use something to convey a particular message to us. With that in mind, when trying to interpret one’s own dreams, one should take into account their emotional response to each aspect of the dream, dissecting it bit by bit.
Keeping a dream journal is a good way to keep track of one’s dreams. Information such as the date, time, moon phase, any significant events happening at the time, and, of course, as much detail from the dream as you can remember, would all be important details to write down. Once you have written down the details of your dream, then you can begin dissecting it. I like to start with the bigger picture. What kind of landscape or environment did the dream take place in? How did it make you feel at the time? Where there any prominent colours (were they warm or cool, bright or dull, etc..)? Next you would move on to the smaller details in the dream. Were there people, animals, or objects? What were they? Do any of these things/people/creatures have special meaning for you? How did they make you feel in the dream. Were any words or numbers said, or were they written on something you could read?* Write all these things down piece by piece so you can determine if there are any patterns within the details of your dream. If certain parts of your dream seem to  have no particular meaning to you, that would be a good time to turn to a dream dictionary for some inspiration.
One should keep in mind that people in your dreams may not represent that person specifically. They can also represent things like aspects of personality (either our own or of someone else’s) or ideas/concepts. Dreams are often not literal in nature. Even messages from our guides/the universe may not be as direct and obvious as we would like. Reoccurring dreams or dream themes can also be important to note, which is why writing them down can be important. Also, one should question whether a dream is a message or their subconscious working something out. When going to sleep, one can always set the intention to remember their dreams, and remember to keep your dream journal and a writing implement close at hand for when you wake.
While dream interpretation in not an exact science (not yet anyway), it is interesting to try and interpret one’s dreams to see what they show us. Everything is always up for interpretation. Sometimes we may not realize a meaning or see a message until after something happens, and then we remember a dream we had about it. That is why it is such a personal thing. Only you know what things mean to you and how they make you feel.
Do you often remember your dreams? Have you ever tried to interpret your dreams? How did you fair? Do you keep a dream journal? Would you?
 
*On a side note, I heard long ago that you cannot read inside a dream, however, I have always been able to read in my dreams. I wonder if that is something everyone can do, or if only some people can. Have you ever tried or been able to read in your dreams?