We all have times in our lives when we feel as if everything is always going wrong, as if bad luck follows us wherever we go. We complain, pray, second guess ourselves, and maybe even question our faith. In these times it is common, if it has been going on long enough, that we might question if we have been cursed.
Curses are a popular topic in novels, movies, and TV shows. They really do make for some interesting plot lines. However, they are not as common as fiction writers would have you believe. A really effective curse requires an emotional investment in the situation, and, therefore, the outcome. The specifics of a curse depend on what harm the spell crafter wishes to do. It may include chronic bad luck, great loss (money, love, health), or other hardships. Curses are usually very personal. Due to the wide spread belief in the rule of three (what you send out comes back to you 3 times stronger), as well as karma, most people who practice magical traditions avoid cursing all together. (I will not be covering generational curses in this particular post. Maybe in a future one). 
That doesn’t mean, however, that people don’t (or won’t) send negative energies your way, which can be just as harmful. The difference here is that a curse is more of a carefully curated spell designed to do specific harm to someone, usually a specific someone or group of someone’s. Sending negative energies can be directed to target someone specific (the evil eye is a good example of this), or just out into the universe generically. It can be done specifically and with intention, in a moment of anger or frustration, or even by accident. When sent out in a generic way it can land anywhere, affect anyone close enough to catch it (whether they have anything to do with the situation or not), and cause more wide spread harm.
There are some signs/symptoms that may lead you to believe that you are being targeted by some very nasty energy . These can include* (always make sure you have ruled out a medical explanation for any of the following “symptoms” first):

• Drama or “bad luck” seems to follow you everywhere
• Feeling of being watched
• Chronic and consistent fatigue
• Unexplained anxiety or sudden mood swings
•  Spacing out or disassociating for seemingly no reason
• Frequent nightmares (particularly reoccurring ones or ones with consistent themes)
• Technology constantly glitches/turns off or on when you are around

 
Remember that these things should feel “out of place”/not normal for you, and not have any other plausible reason for happening, medical or not.
If this seems familiar to you, there are things that you can do to help protect yourself. You can choose one or more of the following, depending on what feels comfortable and “right” for you. This by no means a comprehensive list, but it is a good start.
First, keep in mind that even if someone is sending you harmful energies/wishes, it will not have nearly as much power behind it if you don’t let it. I have said in a few other posts that words have power, and they do, but they can only have the power over us that we give them. You can choose to not let it bother you, and keep living your life. Much like a grudge, it is more likely, in the long run, to hurt the person sending that energy than it is to hurt the one it is directed at. Here is where the power of positive thought also comes in handy. You are not just surrounding yourself in positive energy, you are refusing to take on negative energy as well.
Remembering to shield yourself daily is both a protective and preventative measure. The more you practice shielding yourself, the easier it becomes to do, and eventually, it may just “pop up” when needed, without you having to work at it. There are many good sources available online and in print to help you learn how to shield yourself, if you don’t already know how.
Regular smudging, clearing, and/or cleansing of your space and your person are also good ways to help get rid of those negative energies. This can be done through smoke, bathing (herbal or salt baths work well, and there are special soaps available for this purpose as well), sprays, or any other method you prefer.
There are plenty of herbs that are used to dispel negative energies/entities or curses**. These can be carried in a small pouch on your person, placed around your house at entry points like windows or doors, or burned like incense. Always use caution when carrying or burning herbs. Be sure they are not toxic and that you are not allergic to them. The first herb we usually think about is sage, however the following list, though not comprehensive, offers some other common plants that can be used.

• Vetivert: Silences those who are speaking badly about you
• Nettle: Believed to be a curse breaker / wards off fear and evil
• Anise: Works against the Evil Eye
• Cayenne: Drives your enemies away from you
• Chamomile: Believed to remove curses

 
Another effective tool for dealing with negative energies is crystals*. Again, definitely not a comprehensive list, but these should be relatively easy to find, and can be carried on your person (in your pocket, in your bra, etc..) in a bag, or not, placed around your home or office at entry points like windows or doors, or set out like decorative pieces (protection hidden in plain site).

• Smokey Quartz: Absorbs and transmutes negative energy
• Jet: Absorbs malicious energies
• Black Tourmaline: repels negative forces / protects against bead intentions
• Tiger’s Eye: Used against Evil Eye
• Onyx: protects against negative energies and promotes mental toughness
• Sardonyx: Repels negative energies/entities (can help prevent them from following you home)
• Hematite: Intercepts dark energies
• Fluorite: Acts as a psychic shield against attacks, and unconscious attachments to negative forces

If you can find one, a Vogel Crystal (a specific cut of a crystal from the quartz family like clear quartz, smokey quartz, citrine, or amethyst) can help remove negative energies and entities when placed on the body; a technique used by some healers.
Symbols and Sigils afford the user the same kind of protection. They are easily carried (in a pocket, on a keychain, drawn on the body, etc..), worn (privately or publicly) as jewelry or as tattoo (permanent or temporary), drawn into your aura energetically, written down and burned, displayed or written on windows or in doorways, or any other way you like. The blue Evil Eye charm so popular in metaphysical stores is a great example. Others include:

• Pentacle or Pentagram
• Witches Knot
• Triquetra
• Runes or Bindrunes
• Cross or Solar Cross
• The Eye of Horus
• The Helm of Awe
• Hexagram (6 pointed star)

 
There are so many that span many cultures. You just need to choose one that resonates with you and your beliefs. You can create your own sigils for protection as well. I did cover that in a previous post, but there are plenty of written and digital tutorials available as well. You can enhance its protective qualities by charging the symbol with that intent before wearing/carrying/using it.
If you are using crystals or symbols/sigils remember to cleanse and charge them.
A couple of  last options. If you know who is sending you the curse or bad energy your way, you can always try a cord cutting. There are people who will do this for you for a fee, but you can do them just as effectively yourself. I did write a blog post about this back in 2024 on Oct 21st if you would like to read it. As always, there are written and digital tutorials out there. Before you go to sleep at night you can also ask your guides/angels/etc.. to protect you from any negative energies, entities, or astral travelers that may wish to do you harm. I found this particularly helpful after leaving a rather toxic relationship and was having troubled dreams and terrible sleep. The final option I will provide is Reiki. If you are a practitioner you can perform a healing session on  yourself, however, if you are not, there are plenty of practitioners out there. You should be able to easily find one in our area, and if not, it can be done over distance. Just be sure to do your research on them.
If you are uncertain if it is a curse, negative energy being thrown your way, or just a run of “bad luck”, you can always consult your pendulum, tarot/oracle, or other divination technique you fancy. You could also consult your guides (maybe ask for a sign), the trusted reader or psychic of your choice, or other spiritual group/leader/professional you trust. Sometimes it helps to just talk it through with an impartial and subjective second party.
So, have you ever thought you were cursed? Have you been the target of negative energy from someone you knew or a random entity? I was once attacked in my sleep. It was a dream within a dream. The oddest experience I have ever had. I would love to hear your story, if you are willing to share.
 
*Extrapolated from https://yourhomeofwellness.com/blog/holistic-therapy/what-crystals-to-wear-for-protection-from-evil/
** Extrapolated from https://waxspiritual.com/herbs-roots-poweders-resin-guide/
 
 

Before we used symbols or markings to communicate, approximately 350,000 years ago, people used pigments made from things like ochre or manganese to communicate family or social ties/groupings. 250,000 years later, they upgraded to personal adornments, such as jewelry, to help communicate these concepts. By approximately 40,000 years ago our ancestors were creating 2 and 3 dimensional objects to depict the world around them. By 8,000 years ago man had begun creating basic symbols to communicate, which developed into the complex written languages we have today.* Many ancient cultures, like the Egyptians, the Norse, and Eastern cultures, used symbols that not only were used to write words, but also had deeper and more extensive, even magical, meaning as well.
Since then, the symbols we recognize and use have changed and evolved with us, our experiences, and our needs. Some have evolved to expand their meaning, some have had their meaning completely changed, and others have or are becoming irrelevant in our current world. Some symbols are pretty much universal. If someone says the word heart, your first thought is likely the symbol we are taught to draw from childhood, rather than the anatomically correct version that beats within us all. If you drew what we know to be a tear drop shape and coloured it blue, others would recognize it as water, however, colour it red, and they would likely think blood instead. We can use these kinds of symbols to communicate general concepts to people, even when we do not speak the same language.
We don’t usually consider the origins of the symbols we use, especially the ones we use every day, like the alphabet we write with. However, despite our daily use that can make them feel common and not that significant, they do have power, which we can tap into. We know that worlds have power, and not just when spoken. We use the written word in spell work every time we write a spell ourselves, write something down and burn/bury/carry it to manifest or let go of things, etch it into a candle, or however else you use words in your practice. If you create sigils you may be using letters or symbols to form them.
Some symbols, while having a generally accepted meaning (to which there are many books available on the subject depending on your use), can also have more personal meaning that depends greatly on your own personal beliefs and life experiences. This is especially true in dream interpretation. For instance, two people may have a similar dream about a spider, but the first dreamer may be afraid of spiders and see this as a symbol of being trapped or caught in a web of deceit (being lied to), while the other dreamer may not mind (or even like) spiders, not be afraid, and interpret it as a sign that they are “weaving” their own destiny, or to take control of their own fate. The emotions that a symbol or sign elicits has a direct affect on how it will be interpreted by the seer/user of it. This is why some symbols that have been deliberately changed or “hijacked” by certain groups have evolved from a more positive or neutral state to now evoke a strong negative response instead. A prime example of this is the swastika. This symbol, derived from the Sanskrit word svastika, is at least 7,000 years old. Originally it represented prosperity, fortune, and well-being, and was used in many religions including Hinduism, Odinism, and Buddhism, and was even found on pre-Christian European artifacts**. It is extremely unfortunate that this beautiful symbol has been used to represent such vulgar and despicable crimes against humanity. I hope one day that we can cleanse it of this negative connotation, and help it reclaim its former peaceful vibration.
There are plenty of magical alphabets out there that one can use in their practice as well. While these symbols have been created by others, and may not have any significant meaning to us at this time, if we learn them and use them consistently we can create a bond with them that will only deepen over time. That said, we can create these bonds with any symbol we use consistently and with intent. Choosing to learn a magical alphabet can also help keep your work private, even if you use or wear them in public, as well.
I really enjoy working with symbols. I love using my runes and rune cards, I quite enjoy sigil magic, and, as you may already know, reading and writing are passions of mine, so symbols are a very important part of my life as well as my practice. How do they fit into your life? Your practice? Do you give much thought to how you use them in your practice, or are they just a form of communication for you? Do you think symbols, warped over time, can regain their positive vibrations after being used to represent such heinous acts? I would love to know.
 
 
*Info taken from https://humanorigins.si.edu/human-characteristics/languages-symbols
**Info taken from https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/history-of-the-swastika
 
 
 

What’s in a Name?
At our birth our parent or guardian gives us a name, a designation that allows us to be identified and, sometimes, categorized by others. We must use it to communicate with people, businesses, and the government, we need it to get an education, a job, healthcare, have a bank account, etc.. We speak and hear our name so often in our lives that we may not even think about how important it can actually be. Whether it is our given or surname, it can open or close doors for us, conjure feelings of warmth/solidarity or shame/embarrassment, and even play a hand in our (perceived) successes or failures in life. For better or for worse, even though we did not choose it for ourselves, it can hold great power over us, though, how much can be up to us.
If you are of the witchy/pagan persuasion, you may have a second name. This name has spiritual context, and may have been chosen by you or have been divinely inspired. It may be created to reflect your spiritual personality, your type of practice, a significant spiritual event, your guides/totem/other creatures you have an affinity for/with, or anything else that inspires you. If you are into numerology, you may choose a name based on the numbers as well, to have a more favourable magical “fate”. This name is used not only during magical workings, but also can be used in witchy/pagan circles, with your coven mates (should you have them), online, as a business name, or it could be kept totally private. Having a magical name is another way you can add to your practice, and your identity/persona as a witch. It can mentally help you more easily slip into that part of yourself, and shed your “every day” persona you share with the world, which adds to the sacred atmosphere during any spells, rituals, or other magical workings, and creates space for this part of yourself to come forth.
Some witches/pagans, if they use one spiritual name publicly, may have a third name that is chosen or divinely bestowed, that is used only when they do magical workings, and is spoken/written only to themselves, or in communication between them and their patron deity/the universe. Having a totally private spiritual name stems from the belief that names have power, and if the true name of something/someone is known, others can have power over it/them. We see this more in talks about energetic/religious workings like exorcisms, where the exorcist tries to find out the possessing demon/entities name to successfully exorcise it from the person. While this is the most commoner example I know of, it is not the only magical/spiritual reason for it. Some also believe that keeping that magical name secret makes it more difficult for others to do magic against you; particularly if someone is trying to work against your own magical workings or against you as a witch. In theory, it is harder to block a person magically if you are working against “person X”, but they are petitioning or manifesting under “secret name Z”. Rather like using a magical decoy. It also can protect the magical practitioner from prying ears. It is easier to talk more freely about someone using their magical name when talking with others “in the know” when out among people who may not be like minded or understanding. While this type of protection may not be as needed in todays day and age, sometimes discretion is important.
While names can have great significance, and they can play a role in how our lives are shaped, it is important to remember that they do not actually determine who we are. We are more than our names (given or surname), we have free will, and are free to change and evolve as we choose (which also includes our name).
So, do you use a magical name? Did you choose it yourself? What was your inspiration? How do you feel it represents you? Has that name ever changed/evolved with you and your practice? How do you feel about your given name? Have you ever looked up what it means? I would love to hear, if you are willing to share.
 
 

When we think about spell or potion ingredients we typically think about things like plants, oils, crystals, etc.. Personal ingredients like hair, nail clippings, and even blood can be added to some spells to create a bond with the person the spell is for or about (a small reminder about free will and consequences here). However, there is another energetically charged, and very personal, ingredient that we may not give much thought to. Tears.
Scientifically speaking, there are three kinds of tears. Basal Tears (the ones created by the body to moisten the eyes), Reflex tears (created to clean the eyes from outside stimuli like onion juices, smoke, dust, etc..) which typically contain higher levels of antibiotics, and Emotional Tears. These are the ones brought on by strong, emotionally charged situations. These tears are thought to contain more stress hormones like cortisol, and pain reduction elements like endorphins, which help bring the body back in to balance (a state of homeostasis). These tears would be most useful in a magical sense.
Historically, cultures around the world caught and bottled Emotional Tears, generally in times of mourning. Ancient Middle Eastern and Roman societies did this, often adding them to graves as a sign of love and respect. In Egyptian culture, it has been said, the more anguish and tears shed, the more important or valued the deceased was. Legend has it that some mourners in the procession were paid to cry and catch these tears in glasses. The more tears caught and the louder the crying, the more they were paid. In the Victorian Era (19th century), it became custom  to catch ones mournful tears in a small ornate bottle, usually silver with pearl, that had a special cap that allowed the tears to evaporate. Once the tears in the bottle were gone, the mourning period was over.
Magically speaking, tears shed in emotional times would not only be physically linked to the person who shed them, but also greatly charged with emotion. While we generally think of tears as a release for great sadness or grief, we can also shed them during times of anger/frustration, and great joy/happiness. What emotional release was happening at the time would greatly affect how you would use the tears in magic, but all could be used in some way (and should be stored separately and labeled if you are going to use them). Tears of sadness could be used in spells to help one let go of things, shadow work spells/rituals, or spells/potions regarding grief. Tears of joy/happiness could be used in spells for things like manifestation, self-love, or transformation. Tears of anger may be used in spells for binding, or protection. Tears could also be used as an offering (as part of self), if that is something your patron deity accepts.
Tears, like other bodily fluids, may  not be your typical “go to” for magical work. That said, they can add a deeply personal element to any spell, potion, or ritual. Tears, especially, can add a boost to your magical working due to their high emotional charge, which, as we know, is a key element in charging with intent. Your investment in what you are trying to create on all levels (physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual), is critical to the implementation execution of your work.
Personally, I love the Victorian Era idea of the tear bottle. While I don’t believe you can set a time limit on grief, it seems like a beautiful way to acknowledge your grief, if not a bit romanticized. Much like how we often carry the ashes of a loved one in a small capsule or charm to remember them by. What do you think?
So, have you ever used tears in your magical workings? Would you, or do you refrain from using any bodily fluids in your practice? Have you ever considered their magical potential before?  

Passing it Down
I have been noticing a rise in conscious parenting. A model of parenting that focuses on the parent being self aware, and modeling the desired behaviour to their children rather than just telling them how to act. This model requires the parent to know how to regulate their own emotions, do shadow work, utilize problem solving skills, and display their own personal growth. It both requires and teaches accountability. While this is not an easy path, it provides children with the skills and coping mechanisms to navigate and adapt to an ever changing world in a positive way.
Influencing the beliefs and behaviours of the next generation relies a lot on our own attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours. They see everything, and, like little myna birds, they emulate us. So, even if we don’t practice a particular religion, follow a strict spiritual path, or even talk about such things, our personal beliefs and conduct  has great influence. How we communicate, our vocabulary, our actions, how we present ourselves, and even our possessions and home décor provide subtle influences on our children. Same for our choices in music, reading material, and TV/movie/social media choices.
If you are a spiritual person and a parent, you may or may not choose to raise your children in a way that includes your spiritual beliefs. However, if you do, I feel that this model of parenting translates well to a witchy/spiritual path, and could be integrated into a spiritual parenting modality (parenting that focuses on nurturing/nourishing the soul/their character and fostering a relationship with the Divine – whatever that means to you). If you travel this path, you likely understand its duality. The importance of both light and shadow, and how either can be a catalyst for growth. The conscious parenting model is based in self awareness, which includes being aware of our own flaws and personal demons. How we perceive these aspects of self, if we face them, and whether or not we are willing to be open and honest about them can impact how our children do the same.  Both of these parenting modalities remove focus from behaviour management of the child.
I have talked in previous posts about the importance of positive talk in manifestation and spell work, as well as the impact of how we phrase things can have on our own minds and perspectives, but that energy is also passed to our children, both in the moment and  in the long term. Which means, that which we reject, talk negatively about, or dislike about other people and things can have an equally weighted impact on them. While we hope to foster the kind of relationships with our children that would allow them to feel comfortable telling us anything, they don’t always tell us everything. The older and more independent they get, the more they are influenced by sources other than us (social groups, media, etc..), and the less we may know about their personal thoughts and beliefs. As they grow, so too do their personalities, and  there may be parts of them they never show us. If we speak negatively or judge others for things we disagree with or don’t understand, we may be unknowingly passing that negativity or those judgements onto or over our own children.
I believe that both spiritual and conscious parenting (or a combination of both) are parenting models that foster accountability, compassion, acceptance, and understanding, among other good traits. While neither are new parenting techniques, I think we are seeing more parents using them, which says good things to me about the amount of healing and growth we are doing as a collective. While I don’t have a time machine to confirm this, I think (or would like to believe anyway) that it is more of a return to a much older approach to raising a new generation. I, for one, would like to see less of the “Do as I say, not as I do” approach that has been so prevalent in the past.
I would like to add here that, as a parent, I know it can be hard. We are only human, and we all make mistakes. We do our best with the information and skills that we have, and we hope for the best. We too were influenced by the generations before us. There is no judgement here. Just information, opinion, and (hopefully) inspiration.
If you have children, did you raise them as a conscious or spiritual parent? If you plan to be a parent in the future, would you? Do you feel you were raised this way, or would have liked to be? I would love to know.
 

Are you a creative soul? Maybe you are an artist, a writer, a dancer, a podcaster/content creator, a painter, or any number of other creative endeavours. Do you thrive in creation mode, but suffer the highs and lows of the rollercoaster that is inspiration? This weeks post is brought to you by my severe lack of such divine insight. Sometimes, inspiration can hit when you least expect (or can accommodate) it, and other times, no matter how much time and effort you put into your creative work, the inspiration just doesn’t hit right. Usually, I find inspiration in the books I read, videos I watch, or conversations I have with people. This can have mixed results, depending on the week. At times, a lack of inspiration can feel like a curse. You can’t predict when it comes and goes, or what will be your muse in the moment. So what do you do when it seems to abandon you, usually in the moment you need it the most?
Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for inspiration loss. It is definitely not something that can be forced. There are times when taking a break and doing something else entirely can provide a helpful reset to get those creative juices flowing. I have found it helpful to put my subconscious to the task, and give my conscious mind a little break on the matter. Other times we may need to try and find it wherever we can; pictures, videos, books, or other people. Maybe we just need to put it out there, asking our guides/the Universe for some help. Whatever we try, patience and a little forgiveness for self is required.
A lack of inspiration can happen for a variety of reasons; many that are out of our control. However, things like stress (whether that is from personal issues, strict deadlines, or something else) , a lack of proper sleep, a lack of self-care, hunger, and outside distractions (work, other people, your phone, day to day life, kids, etc..) can play a big part. Some of these can be fairly easily remedied, while others not so much, especially when they are things beyond our control. While we may not be able to dingle out just one thing that is blocking those creative juices from flowing, we can try and tackle the things that might be the culprit. It never hurts to tick some things off our to-do list while we wait. Lightening the mental load can make room for new ideas.
Something else that might block your creative flow is the energy around you. If it is stagnant or muddy, it could interfere with your inspirational efforts. If you feel this is the case, clearing the energy in your space and surrounding you through cleaning (tidying there space or having a relaxing shower/bath), smudging, or breaking up the energy with sound all can have positive results. Sometimes the more negative energies can accumulate and cling to us, or stay in our spaces, especially ones we tend to spend a lot of time in.  I have made a few previous posts about energy clearing that can provide more detailed ideas, if you would like to go check those out.
Activities that bring you peace and clarity, like mediation, yoga, or even a just a nice cup of tea, can help clear the mind of whatever may be cluttering it. Ultimately, any self-care activity, especially if done with mindfulness, can be beneficial, even if it doesn’t bring inspiration in the moment.
One last thing that comes to mind about inspiration, is cycles. While inspiration itself can come and go in cycles (which may be an interesting thing to track in your journal, if you keep one), other cycles can affect you as well. One of those cycles is the seasons. If you are in tune with the cycles of the seasons, you might be more active in spring and summer, while creative pursuits may dwindle in the fall and winter (or vice versa). The cycles of the moon can also affect your creative cycles, if you are sensitive to them. Our own personal body cycles can also have an affect.
Inspiration can be a fickle thing. It can bring us a flood of ideas, send them in little trickles, or disappear all together for a time. In the end, we creative types depend on it to keep those creative juices flowing and our artistic contributions growing. After all, where would humanity be without art? So what do you use your inspiration for? What inspires you to begin with? What do you think is one thing that hinders your creativity the most? How do you recover from a lack of inspiration? Have you, or would you track the cycles in your life to find the possible patterns?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

When Change is Anarchy
Numerologically speaking, just a few months ago we transitioned from a 9 year, a number about endings (cycles, projects, etc..), and entered a 1 year, which is about newness and beginnings. This could mean new opportunities, new projects, new relationships, or even personal growth (new out look on things, new attitude, etc..). From a tarot perspective, this year has great potential for a lot of Ace energy, which could affect any or all aspects of your life.
For some, this may come about as a gentle transition. A brand new journey or cycle, like the Fool at the beginning of the Major Arcana perhaps. This time full of quiet opportunities that present themselves, sudden Aha! Moments, putting already made plans into action, and the like. Sometimes changes come about naturally, and sometimes we hardly even notice the little things that change until they are pointed out or bigger changes happen as a result. These kinds of changes can be subtle, and probably don’t take us out of our comfort zone, at least not too far. They may have already been a long time in the making, and are just finally ready to happen, or completely unexpected.
However, sometimes change can come crashing in, feeling like the Tower; sudden and jarring (which seems to be the case for me this year). We may not be ready for it, and sometimes it does not feel like a positive thing, especially in the moment. It can upset our entire lives, challenge everything we know or believe, and feel more like crisis than change. These times can feel like the universe is forcing a fire sale on everything that does not serve us. When change happens like this, it can feel disheartening, overwhelming, confusing, and all around negative. That said, challenges like this bring about change by shaking things up, and even shaking us down to our core, in order to make room for all that is coming towards us. It may not seem like a good thing, but in this case, patience, and a little faith (whatever that looks like for you), can be our friend. What seems hurtful and damaging, can actually bring about healing, personal growth, and better things than what we were holding on to. This can refer to more than just material things, but also thoughts, attitudes, energies, relationships, etc..
While events like this can feel like total chaos, there is always a light somewhere at the end, if we look for it. In the mean time, we can do some things to help ourselves through it; maybe even quicken the process.
First, remember to breathe. Seems like such a simple thing, and a little irritating to hear sometimes. Rather like being asked by tech support if you “tried turning if off and then on again”. However, you would be surprised how often stopping to take a few breaths actually helps. Implementing breathing techniques like box breathing (in for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, out for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, and repeat), or alternate nostril breathing (breathe in while holding right nostril for count of 4, plug both nostrils and hold for a count of 8, hold left nostril and breathe out for count of 6 then immediately breathe in for a count of 4; repeating the process), can be quite calming, and allow us time to gain some perspective or, at least, gather our thoughts.
Energy grounding techniques are also quite helpful, such as Earthing (walking barefoot on the grass), using singing bowls or tuning forks (especially with a Root Chakra frequency, 396Hz, or 136.1Hz, the OM frequency), grounding meditations, physical activity like mindful walking or tai chi, gardening, doing a body scan, smudging or energy clearing, and practicing mindfulness, are all ways you can help make yourself more rooted and connected to the Earth and nature.
Centering yourself, which is different from grounding in that is you centered; meaning it brings the focus back to you to align yourself body, mind, and spirit, and bring harmony and balance within. Meditation, breath work (like mentioned above), mindfulness, and using singing bowls or tuning forks (especially with a Solar Plexus frequency, 528Hz), can all be helpful centering activities.
Taking the time to clear that negative energy from yourself and your space can be quite effective, even if the chaos is still going on. Energy clearing or smudging techniques can include:

• Burning sage, Palo Santo, or other space clearing herbs
• Using a clearing spray (premade or homemade) if you cannot burn herbs for health or other reasons
• Using vibration like a singing bowl, tuning forks (like 4096Hz, 2048Hz, or 417Hz), or tingshas.
• Using crystals like Smokey Quartz (absorbs and transmutes negative energy), Obsidian, Jet, or Black Tourmaline (all of which absorb negative energy and help ground the user).

Don’t forget too bring in more positive energies with herbs like sweetgrass, crystals like amethyst (peace), citrine (joy), or rose quartz (love), or with vibrations (639Hz, or 528Hz). While you are clearing away these energies, you should try to recognize what energies you are holding or attracting that do not belong to you. You definitely want to clear these away as well, but recognizing what you are taking on that is not yours can help you avoid doing so in the future. You do not need to take on what does not belong to you.
Don’t forget to shield yourself. Whether you are shielding for the first time, or just reinforcing one that you already have, this is an important step. The most common way to shield is through visualization, by creating a shield of white light around you. The more you practice, the easier it will become to create and maintain this shield. There are plenty of informative guides online and in books that can help teach you do this effectively. You can imbue it with the intent to only let what is for your highest good through, as well.
Finally, anything that you do as self care is helpful. I have already written a post before about self care so, if you haven’t already read it, it has a more detailed information on this topic. Practicing self care is as easy as doing something that brings you joy. That will look different for everyone, maybe you are crafty, a reader or writer, an athlete, a gardener; whatever your heart desires. The key is making sure that you remain in the moment and enjoy it.
However this year has been going for you, however this 1 energy has affected you (or will affect you), and whether any of it is within your control, remember, you can control how you respond to it. If you have any doubts, you can look for signs from the universe/your higher self/the Gods. What do you keep seeing, animals? Numbers? Words? Other signs? Keep track, look them if you they don’t intuitively have meaning to you. In the end, you can always look within, and let your intuition guide you.
I would like to add here that if what you are going through seems too much, I encourage you to talk to someone. Friends, family, a mental health professional, a religious leader (whatever your  whomever you need that you are comfortable with). You never need to go through these things alone. Take care of you, always.
So how has 2026 been treating you thus far? Any surprises? Anything you are looking forward to? What energies have you noted since the transition into the new year? Has it been filled with chaos or comfort?

The idea that we have a soul that is separate, yet connected, to our bodies is not a new one. Neither is the idea that we can temporarily separate them. Shamans, witches, and energy workers of all kinds have been practicing astral projection for various reasons. Whether it is used just for the experience, the gathering of knowledge, healing, or any other magical/spiritual reason you can think of, it is a valuable skill to have. Technically, with the right knowledge and enough practice, anyone can learn to astral project. Some would say that you may already be doing it in your dreams. Like any skill, some may have a more natural talent for it, and can learn it more quickly, but that should not let anyone who wants to learn, be deterred. There are plenty of books on the market to learn this art. A Witch’s Travel Guide to Astral Realms by D.J. Conway and The Practical Guide to Astral Projection by Denning and Phillips come to mind. Astral projection is an intentional act that allows you to explore not only the world around you, but other planes of existence as well. That said, astral projection can be attained without conscious intention. It could happen while dreaming, particularly while lucid dreaming, or while our mind is in an altered state, like during meditation or while driving off to sleep. If one has a natural talent for it, they could also, unintentionally, astral travel more easily during one of those states. It is considered a spiritual practice/skill within the realm of metaphysics, and is often dismissed by mainstream science. Yet, there is much evidence, anecdotal and otherwise, that would suggest otherwise.
Another similar experience, that seems to be more widely accepted, is the Out of Body Experience, or OBE. This phenomena is considered to be a spontaneous and unintentional ejection of the consciousness/soul from the body. Stories of this occurring usually happen when the body is undergoing some kind of stressful or traumatic experience. There are plenty of anecdotal references to OBE’s happening during surgeries, accidents, or when the individual is having a near death experience. These stories are more likely to be discussed from a psychological or medical stand point, and is often described as a dissociative or hallucinatory event created entirely within the brain. The person only feels like they are outside of their body. However, that explanation leaves a lot of unanswered questions for me, especially when the person who undergoes the event can relay details of the situation they should not otherwise be able to (like seeing there actions of others while they themselves are unconscious, and a verbal account is not being given in the moment). You can read more about out of body experiences in plenty of paranormal books and psychology texts that talk about near death experiences.
While the main difference between these two occurrences is the intention, or lack there of, to have one’s soul or consciousness leave the body, there are many similarities between them as well. In both instances, the individual describes sensation like vibrations, and feeling of floating. They can also describe their surroundings, and even move around to see more than they could from their body’s vantage point. Both also require an altered state of consciousness that would allow for the physical and energy body’s to be become separated. By the above definitions, one could say that astral projection could be considered an out of body experience, but not all out of body experiences would be considered astral projection.
Regardless if you believe in the soul or not, there is much evidence that both astral projection and out of body experiences exist. What do you think? What do you think? Is it the soul or consciousness detaching from our body, or just our brain working over time because it is under stress/duress? Have you ever experienced either? Under what circumstances? I would love to know.  
 
 

Physically, our hearts are vital to our continued existence. Spiritually, they are often centered in meditation and yoga practices, self-care, energetic work, and so on. I consider them to be our metaphorical hearth, our spiritual epicenter of Self. When we talk about looking into the heart or centering our intention into the heart during any spiritual practice, it is common to jump right into thinking about the Heart Chakra, also know as Anahata. Anahata is a Sanskrit word meaning “unstruck”, or “unhurt”, which symbolizes the sound made when two parts do not touch, or the “soundless sound” of the divine, but also the state of clarity achieved from a detached and objective view of a conflicting situation when approached with openness (opposite/conflicting forces integrated together to create an effect (sound) without these forces confronting each other (two parts touching))*. This Chakra is located in the center of the chest and represents compassion and emotional balance. It also acts as the bridge between the lower and upper chakras, connecting the physical to the divine within. While it is an important part of energy work and energy healing, it is not the only energetic or spiritual “heart” we have. The other, and I think these two are sometimes confused or mistaken for being the same thing, is the Heart Center.
The Heart Center is located just to the right of the center of the sternum. Its Sanskrit name is Hridaya**, meaning Spiritual Heart Center. It is basically the seat of the Self, the inner self, and/or the consciousness.  It is a spiritual portal that provides connection to the “Whole” and to inner stillness. Ramana Maharshi (renowned Indian Sage and jivanmukta) says “The heart is the center of the Self, and the Self is the center of centers”**. He goes on to say that “The heart imparts sentience to the senses”**, which makes sense considering how deeply and diversely we feel things, and how differently our experiences and memories are, regardless of how many people share the situation.
  That said, the Self is not actually contained within the physical body. When we meditate or do other heart centered activities to help us connect with the divine infinite, this is where we first put our focus. However, during the activity, this connection should take us outside our physical selves and into the infinite (the universe, the Higher Self, a higher consciousness, etc..). Once we return from this work, or whenever we wish to “touch base” with this feeling, it will be there, just right of the sternum. It is said that this is because the memory of it is contained there, making it more easily felt, remembered, and connected to. The more we practice, the stronger and faster that connection can become. As Ramana Maharshi says, “The Heart is limitless, because it has no form, it can contain totality”**.
Although both the Heart Chakra and the Heart Center can both center around harmony, balance, and divine connection, they are not the same. Working with the heart and its energies, regardless of at what level, is important to any spiritual practice, but we should also be working through the heart to add those energies into whatever we do, and that is one way the Heart Center comes into play.
As I said at the beginning, I see the Heart Center like the hearth of the Self. The hearth was traditionally the heart of the home, both it’s physical and spiritual epicenter, a physical representation of what made the home feel Iike a home. A happy home would have a clean, well maintained, cared for hearth, that provided warmth, light, the ability to cook nurturing meals, and a place where the family could gather. Your Heart Center is your hearth, it is the home for the Self. How do you maintain yours? What nourishing things do you prepare there? What kinds of people and energies do you allow to enter or stay? How often do you care for yours and how? When was the last time you connected?
 
 
 
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anahata#~:text=In%20Sanskrit%2C%20An%C4%81hata%20mens%20%22sound,of%20energies%20at%20this%20level
** If you would like to know more about Hridaya and Ramana Maharshi you can visit hridaya-yoga.com/knowledge/core-teachings/what-is-the-heart-center