November Supermoon Extra High Energy

I have on occasion mentioned the importance of the moon on here and how the full moon can affect moon sensitive people.
Tonight's full moon will be a real spectacle. Not only is it a Super full moon but tonight the moon is the closest it's been to earth in 86 years. It won't be this close to earth again until 2034 so it is quite a rare occurrence.  If you are particularly moon sensitive like me you could be in for an interesting few days as the effects of this moon will be a lot stronger then usual. 

How the Full Moon Affects Us
Lunacy was never just a myth, it is common knowledge that on the night of the full moon A&E and Police departments are always busier. Pregnant women approaching full term tend to go into labour on the night of the full moon, especially so if the mother to be is moon sensitive. It is common for many people to feel out of sorts during the full moon. You may feel hyper, a little crazy, slightly restless and unable to sleep. Full of ideas and creativity. It isn't a coincidence if these symptoms occur around the full moon. Which is why keeping a moon journal is a perfect idea. More information on moon journal's can be found on my earlier post: http://jezebeldusk.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/keeping-moon-journal.html 

Tonight as the moon is so close to us here on earth all of these symptoms will be amplified. It won't only affect us tonight, some may have felt the effects last night and tomorrow and Wednesday nights the effects will still be just as strong. 

How The Full Moon Affects Animals

It isn't only us humans who are affected, many cats are affected by the full moon. I have heard how some have a particularly crazy time on the night of the full moon, they may yowl for no reason and generally act like crazy cats. This is all normal as cats in particular are very sensitive animals to the environmental changes, much like how they can sense an earthquake before it hits. Some people notice dogs acting a little off during the full moon. In all likelihood any animal, any species can be just as affected by the full moon as us humans can.

Using The Full Moons Energy

The good news is this moon is bringing a whole new fresh energy into the atmosphere which is well needed after the year 2016 has been. There has been so much negativity and energy shifts this year that many of us have been up and down all year. Tonight's moon is the best opportunity many of us will have to charge up any crystals. I have a selection on my windowsill being charged by the moon, I opted to place my new pendulum up to give it a good kickstart. 

Full Moon Meditation 

If your body and soul could do with a recharge using the moons energy then practice this simple meditation. This meditation can be performed on any full moon but it will be even more invigorating on a super full moon. By doing this meditation you will be using the full moons energy to completely cleanse and recharge your mind, body and aura and you will feel fantastic afterwards. It is best to do this meditation at night just before going to sleep if you can. 

To begin lie down comfortably and take some deep cleansing breaths, as you exhale let go of any worries and intruding thoughts. Take a few more deep breaths until you feel a much deeper sense of relaxation. As you allow your eyes to close imagine yourself lying in a beautiful garden, feel the coolness of the grass underneath you, you see the stars shining bright above you, the sky so clear. You see the moon high in the sky above you. Focus on the light of the moon, you feel a deep sense of comfort. Almost like the feeling of being a baby and having the security of a nightlight, the moon is now your nightlight, allowing you to feel safe and secure. You feel comfortable here. 
from your stomach see a silver strand of light energy emitting from your solar plexus, allow this strand to float slowly and gently towards the sky, as it approaches the moon feel the energy of the moon coming closer to you, it's within your reach. As your strand of light reaches the moon you feel a strong connection between yourself and the moon. You see your strand of light attach to the moon. As you inhale you draw the energy of the moon into your strand of light you see the white light of the moons energy and feel it travel back down the strand and into your solar plexus. With every inhale you draw more of this energy down into yourself. As you draw down more of this energy you see the white light of the moons energy fill your solar plexus. As you draw down more and more of this energy you feel it spilling out and dispersing around your body. You can feel all of your internal organs and muscles being cleansed by this energy. As it travels along your chakras and out into your aura you feel amazing. You are sparkling from the inside out, you are filled with a beautiful pure white light energy from the moon. When you feel as though you have had enough thank the moon for charging and energising you and feel your strand of light detach from the moon and retract back into your solar plexus. Take three deep healing breaths and feel the energy flowing through you. Then slowly open your eyes. 

After this meditation you may feel inspired to write, draw or do something creative. You may also notice you have very vivid dreams during the night. 

Enjoy the moons energy tonight and trust that it is bringing us some much needed positive energy from the universe.

Spring Cleaning Your Mind, Body And Spirit

Spring is officially here, the daffodils have been blooming for weeks, the blossom is just starting to appear on the trees, birds are singing and it's finally starting to get warmer. This is the time of year when most of us have a thorough spring clean of our homes. Sorting through your wardrobe, cleaning the windows, de-cluttering the garden and home. Yet so many of us fail to spring clean ourselves. Think of everything within your body, the toxins we put inside our bodies building up, the winter excesses. 
Think of all the pent up emotions you're still carrying with you everyday, past relationship trauma, emotional pain and baggage, negativity 
How is all of this affecting you spiritually? Your entire aura will be full to the brim of all the stale stagnant energies so it's a good a time as ever to spring clean your mind, body and spirit. 

Our bodies store up so much that we don't need. The extra calories we consume, if you're a smoker you're filling your lungs with tar and ash, if you consume alcohol that is causing you more damage then you'll ever realise. Medications, even the food we eat all contain toxins that build up inside our bodies causing so many physical ailments. Digestive problems, fatigue, skin problems. Among others. 
Take some time to detox your body give your body a break and help it to clear all of these nasty toxins. You can detox for one or two days or if you're daring a week. Of course continue to take any necessary medication but give your body a spring clean. To do this first choose how long you wish to detox for. Three days is a good time frame but if you want to go for a week or just one day go for it. Whatever suits you. While you're detoxing consume only natural foods preferably raw. Eliminate dairy, meats, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol. Try to consume just water as your drink of choice but be sure to drink plenty of it, you don't want to go dehydrating yourself at the same time. For foods stick to salads, vegetables and fruits. While you're on a detox you may experience headaches, this is perfectly normal and is your body's way of telling you the detox is working. Headaches are likely to occur if you detox for three or more days. A one day detox shouldn't give you any side effects. Make sure you don't venture too far from a toilet, you'll need to drink plenty of water to flush those toxins out. If water is not appealing to you you can drink herbal caffeine free teas, Echinacea and raspberry tea by Twinings is a very good detox aid as is Camomile

So now onto your mind and spirit. You can spring clean your mind and spirit without detoxing if you prefer. Spring clean your mind and spirit with this simple meditation:

Begin by sitting or laying comfortably, close your eyes and take in some deep cleansing breaths. Focus on your breathing, with every breath feel yourself relax. 
On an inhale imagine breathing in a bright white energy, as you exhale see a dark grey energy leaving your body, with every breath breathe in more white energy and exhale the grey energy. As you do this notice on the exhale the grey energy begins to get lighter with each breath. Continue to do this until your exhale is as bright white as the energy you breathe in. 
Next picture yourself laying on a beautiful sunny beach, you can feel the warmth of the sun nourishing you. You can hear the sound of the waves crashing, it is completely peaceful. See yourself sit up and look at the sand surrounding you, a lovely golden sand. 
Dig a deep hole in the sand before you. When you are satisfied sit back and clear your mind of anything and everything you wish to get rid of. Throw all your negative emotions, worries, fears, into the hole. Anything that's been bothering you or that no longer serves you, let it go and throw it into the hole. 
When you have cleared your mind of everything you wish to clear fill in your hole and take a few steps backward. See a wave crash over your hole and literally take all of those emotions away where they'll be cleared, cleansed and washed away. 
Take a few moments to feel how free and clear you feel. Your mind is clear, you feel happy. 
Feel a gentle sea breeze blowing against you, this is clearing any pent up energy from your aura. The breeze feels very refreshing and energising 
As the breeze lessens feel all the space you've created, you feel free, you are feeling revived and replenished. You feel happy, healthy and light. 
When you are ready take three deep breaths and then slowly open your eyes. 
How much better do you feel now?

Beautiful Meditation To Reunite With Your Twinflame

I recently took a long break from meditation, four months to be precise. Not because I wanted to but because things had become so chaotic that I just didn't have the time to practice it. 
 Having begun practicing again last week and doing my regular meditations, this week I knew I needed something new. So I had a look on youtube. The place I always head to when I want to try something new. After spending some time browsing I went back to the one that caught my attention the most. I was initially put off as it's a Shamanic meditation which I never usually practice but the title "Reuniting with your twin flame" appealed to me. So I decided to try it out. I was surprised as it was such a beautiful meditation and I felt great afterwards. So I thought I'd post it here to share as it was so lovely. 

It really is a beautiful meditation. Enjoy.

Using Mandala's For Meditation

For some people learning meditation one of the most common problems is being unable to visualise. This will improve as you practice meditation more often. 
 If you really are struggling to visualise or perhaps your concentration wanders, try using a Mandala. The word Mandala in Sanskrit translates as "sacred circle" and that is pretty much what a Mandala is. It is widely used in Tibetan Buddhism. Mandala's will vary in appearance, they are often very colourful and will have very intricate details. They are quite rightly a work of art in their own form. 

Mandala's are very useful tools in directing your energy and attention. To use one for meditation first find one you really like or one that particularly fascinates you. 
Go to your usual place of meditation or somewhere you feel comfortable. Take a few deep cleansing breaths then allow your gaze to fall on your chosen mandala. Gradually focus your gaze on the centre of the mandala. What is depicted in the centre? What colour is it?

You will soon be aware of your attention wandering to different parts of the mandala, as you gaze over the different areas look at the symbols pictured, what do you think they mean? As your attention goes back to the centre notice the shape of the mandala and how all the parts flow, many people report that it reminds them of a beautiful flower. Keep focusing on the mandala, let it inspire you. As you once again focus on the centre feel yourself becoming a part of the mandala, as if you are connected to it, you are becoming one with it. 
When it no longer feels comfortable to look at close your eyes and see if you can visualise the mandala in your mind. What parts do you specifically remember? Do you think they have a significance to you? Allow the colours to fill your entire aura. Feel as though you are breathing in the colours. You can feel the power that you have created using nothing but your own mind. Stay in this place of comfort, inspiration and power for as long as you wish and then slowly bring your awarenesss back to the present. 

If you are particularly creative you could try to draw your own mandala. If that is a little bit too adventurous for you there is currently a trend for adult colouring books. There are a number of places currently selling Mandala colouring books, you could then choose a design you like and colour it yourself. Not only will you find this relaxing and therapeutic but by doing this you are putting your own energy and creativity into the mandala. Then you can gently cut it out, pop it into a punched pocket or laminate it and use it for your own meditation. 
The Works currently have some fantastic and inexpensive mandala colouring books available:
http://www.theworks.co.uk/p/crafting-books/the-meditation-colouring-book/9781784046323

http://www.theworks.co.uk/p/crafting-books/mandala-adult-colouring-book/9781784048495

Whichever way you choose have fun exploring your Mandala

Opening And Cleansing Your Chakras

As you become more open spiritually one of the core things to practise is regularly opening, closing and cleansing your chakras. Your chakras are energy centres which run along your spine. In Sanskrit the word Chakra translates as a wheel or disk, which essentially chakras are. These disks need to be alligned, clear, and spinning to the correct speed and direction. When your chakras are all in perfect allignment and balance you are healthier and more intune with yourself. If you have a blocked, overactive, underactive or misalligned chakra that will affect you both mentally and physically. Many physical ailments can be treated by simply realigning and cleansing your chakras. Each chakra has a colour and crystals attributed to it. There are many more chakras then the ones featured below but as this is the first time I've mentionned them on here we will start with the basic seven chakras.

This simple chakra meditation will help you become familiar with your chakras. As you practice it more and more often it will become a second nature to you. You can visualise your chakras anyway you want it is a personal choice. When you open your chakras you could see them as flowers opening, lift doors opening, or as coloured disks. The only thing to remember is the colour of each chakra how you picture them can be entirely upto you. For the sake of this meditation I will describe the chakras as flowers as more people can easily visualise these. As you open each chakra notice how it is spinning is it clockwise? anticlockwise? is it still? spinning fast or slow?

To begin settle yourself comfortably and take some deep healing cleansing breaths. Listen to your heartbeat and your breathing. Feel yourself relaxing. 

Start off at your base chakra which is located at the base of your spine. You see a large red rosebud, as you allow it to open into a rose see the red light emiting from within it. The rose is spinning in a clockwise position, is it spinnnig fast? slow? or just right? Is it spinnnig anticlockwise? 

As you come to the base Chakra which is located along your spine just below your navel. You see an orange flower bud, allow it to open into a beautiful vibrant flower, see the orange light shining from within. Again note which direction it is spinning. 

Next is the solar plexus chakra, see a large sunflower bud, allow it to open into a beautiful bright sunflower, bright yellow sunny light is emiting from it. Notice again the speed and direction it is spinning. 

Next is the Heart Chakra located on your heart. This is a personal preference you choose as their are infact two heart chakras. If you prefer pink choose pink otherwise choose green. 
See your chosen colour flower and see it open into a gorgeous soft flower, see the pink or green light spreading out from it, it is pure love. 

You arrive at your throat chakra located in your throat, you see a bright blue flower bud, allow it to open. see the blue light emitting from within it. 

Next is the thrid eye chakra located between your eyebrows see a violet daisy bud, watch it open and see a wonderful violet light emiting from it. 

Last up is the crown chakra at the very top of your head, see a deep purple lily bud, as it opens see a strong purple light shine from within it.  

From high above your head see a beautiful pure white light, the purest white light you've ever seen. See it slowly lower over you until it enters your crown chakra. Allow this light to travel down each chakra and gently cleanse them with its white light. When it is done with your base chakra take a deep breath. As you exhale see the white light travel up and leave your body and disappear. Notice how good you feel, how clear you feel. 

Now close each and every chakra the same way you opened them, taking your time to see each one close, if you visualised it as a flower see the flower close back up into a bud. If you noticed any chakras spinning anticlokwise, slow or fast are they now spinning better in a clockwise position.
When you get to your heart chakra close it and lock it with something special to you, you could see a key with a loved ones face on the handle or anything you hold dear. This will help to protect your heart. You can leave your heart chakra open just a little if you wish.

When you have closed each chakra take a few more breaths and slowly open your eyes. 
How do you feel?

Listening To The Wind

The UK is currently being battered by gale force winds, from Scotland to Devon the entire country is getting very windy. For some people the windy weather can be unsettling, even frightening. I was one of those people who'd be afraid in really strong winds. Until I learnt to understand it a little more. Over the coming days many people will be cursing the weather, blaming it for disruption and causing damage. What we must remember is that this is nature. Yes it can be devastating at times and even dangerous but this is nature, it's what happens. We can't control it, we cannot stop it so the best thing to do is accept it by seeing it in a different way. 

See it instead as a time of deep cleansing, the accompanying heavy rain is washing the earth, and us if we get caught out in it. The wind is blowing away all the negativity, letting it all go. use this weather as a good excuse to do some emotional clearing of your mind and heart. Let go of any negative emotions and patterns through meditation.  

Go to your usual place of meditation be it a chair, a bed or a comfortable spot on the floor. This weather can be dangerous so it's best to do this meditation indoors.  

Begin by following the basic meditation technique I mentioned here: http://jezebeldusk.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/basic-beginners-meditation-technique.html
Instead of opening your eyes remain in the calm space you create and carry on with this meditation. 

Take a further two deep breaths and spend a few moments listening to the wind. 

You see yourself in a safe or favourite place, somewhere you feel happy and protected, whether it's a favourite beach, a forest, or somewhere in your home. 
In front of you see a small gold bag, a piece of white ribbon, and a white feather sitting on top of it. Pick up the gold bag and hold it in your hands. Notice how light and soft it feels. 
As you hold this bag think of every negative emotion, situation, addiction, past lover or anything else you want to let go of. Place something that symbolises that time in the bag, something you remember from these situations. As you put these items and memories into the bag see it expand, you can put as much in here as you need. Anything which is no longer relevant to you or which is dragging you down and holding you back put it in there. 
When you are done filling the bag fasten the white feather onto it and tie it up with the white ribbon. 
Hold onto your little package for a moment and remember everything you are about to let go of. 
Take a deep breath and hold your package up towards the sky, as you exhale see the wind pick up your package from your hand and carry it away. 
As you watch it float off into the sky say "I release you" and see it go. 
The wind is carrying all of this away for you where it will be cleansed and recycled as new positive energy. 
You feel a sense of calm in knowing you have let it go. 

When you are ready open your eyes and take a few minutes to appreciate how free and clear your mind feels. 

Guided Meditation To Open Your Heart

Meditating alone can be tricky for a lot of people. You may find your mind wandering, or you may fall asleep. Guided meditations can be the answer. A guided meditation is a recording of someone speaking calmly and taking the time to slowly allow yourself to explore the experience. 
 On the other hand you could be someone who practices meditation regularly and are becoming bored of your usual meditations. 

Most of the meditations I practice are my own ones which I will share here in future posts. Sometimes however I want a change. You can buy meditation CD's from many outlets but one of the increasingly popular choices is Youtube. Whenever I fancy trying something different or am looking for a meditation for a specific purpose it's usually the first place I look. With modern technology its even more accessible, using an app on your phone or tablet. Youtube meditations don't usually have a video you need to watch, it's just a recording with a peaceful image on the screen. It's so easy to put your headphones in, close your eyes and allow yourself to drift off. 

This is a short guided meditation by Kari Samuels I found last year. It's to open your heart by releasing negative energy left in your heart from previous relationships, people who have let you down or hurt you in any way. This meditation helps you clear all of that so that your heart is open to new love. You may find that this meditation will help you connect to your twinflame. Once you've tried this meditation a few times you'll learn it and will be able to do it without the guided meditation. I personally do this meditation around once a week. It's a nice short meditation only ten minutes in length. 
Try it, see how you find it. 

Common Problems Your Likely To Experience With Meditation

In my previous post I explained a very simple meditation technique to try. Whether you're a complete beginner to meditation or a pro there will always be times you experience problems when trying to meditate. Frustrating though it may be it is a completely normal occurence. Sometimes you can overcome it on your next attempt. Sometimes you may experience problems for a longer time. No matter what the problem is and how frustrating it becomes you are not alone. It is perfectly normal. It doesn't mean your no good at it or that meditation isn't for you. So let's take a look at a few of the more common problems people can face during meditation. 

Being Unable To Get Or Remain Comfortable 

Some meditations can take a while, it's not uncommon for meditation sessions to last thirty, forty-five or even sixty minutes in length. Naturally it can be very difficult to remain comfortable for such an amount of time. During meditation you shouldn't be experiencing pain or discomfort. If you are then  you are in the wrong position. 
The lotus position is probably the most well cited position for meditation, yet it doesn't suit everyone. It takes a lot of practice to be able to master the lotus position without feeling pain or discomfort. It can cause a lot of tension and pain in the hips and ankles if you are not used to it. If it is really uncomfortable try the half lotus position, if that is still causing discomfort try just crossing your legs instead. 
If you do find yourself sitting on the floor try sitting on a large pillow for added comfort. 

Sitting on the floor isn't for everyone. If you get a backache or find yourself slouching try sitting in a comfortable chair. It is perfectly acceptable to meditate in a chair with both feet flat on the floor and your hands resting on your lap. 

Many people, myself included find it easier to meditate when lying down. You can do this on a yoga mat with a pillow if you wish or by lying on your sofa or your bed. Whichever is going to make you more comfortable. 

Finding Time To Practice Meditation 

These are busy times we live in so it can be common for you to struggle to find the time to meditate. Meditation is most beneficial when practiced every day. If you can't manage it everyday, then try to do it every other day or even just once a week to begin with. It will still be beneficial to you, then as you get more used to it you can increase your sessions. 
Finding the right time of day to meditate is a completely personal choice. For some people it works very well for them to meditate first thing in the morning. For others the afternoon works better. If you are busy during the day then there is absolutely no harm in meditating in the evenings. I find the afternoons a good time to meditate then I meditate again just before bed. If it works for you then stick with it. Meditating in bed just before going to sleep is beneficial to many as it'll help you go into a deeper more healing and peaceful sleep. Nighttime meditation isn't for everyone and if your just too tired at bedtime then don't attempt it and instead find a more suitable time. 

Being Unable To Visualise Anything 

This is more common a problem then you may think. In fact it is entirely normal with beginners and the more experienced. Many meditations involve you visualising something, if this is something you struggle with this will make meditation tricky for you. There are ways to overcome it. Go back to basics and try to visualise a colour, blue for example. Instead of just thinking of the colour blue try instead to think of something which is coloured blue, a clear blue sky, a deep blue sea, then combine the two so you'll see a crisp clear sky and a beautiful calm sea, add in an animal, a seagull perhaps or a dolphin, you become aware of fish in the sea, what colours are they? Then build on the scene you see.
If you still struggle and the above technique doesn't work then play some meditation music, or a cd of sounds of the sea. The sounds should work on your subconscious and you'll be imagining the scene. It's not your imagination you are visualising it. 
If you can't visualise anything after attempting these techniques then accept that it isn't the right time for you. Try again in a few days or even in a week. Instead do a basic mantra meditation. 

Being Unable To Quieten Your Mind 

The one big problem everyone will undoubtedly face. I agree it is annoying. I sympathise, you settle down, begin your meditation and wham your minds wandering off elsewhere, thinking of other things, not concentrating. I've been there many times. There are ways to beat it. If you do find these interrupting thought patterns as you start to meditate, acknowledge the thought then let it pass. Do the same for any recurrent thoughts. If you can't settle your mind at all and it feels like it's spinning and full of every thought imaginable except for the one you should be focusing on, see in your mind a big wave crashing through your mind, washing the thoughts away. As it pulls back out to sea watch your thoughts disappear, on the next wave see clarity and clearness. Then try again. This technique works really well for me. 

Falling Asleep During Meditation 

Whoops! You fell asleep. I've done it. If this happens just accept that your body needed sleep at the time. If this happens regularly then try changing the position you meditate in or the time of day you practice. Once you find the right time this won't be a problem anymore.

Basic Beginners Meditation Technique

Beginning meditation can often be tricky to master. There are so many different ways to meditate. transcendental meditation is very popular among beginners, personally I found that style difficult to master. If you are very new to meditation try this simple technique, this is the first technique I learnt and it will fully relax you. As you become more used to practising meditation and go onto more complex deeper meditations you can always use this technique as a preparation for meditation, which is what I do. 

To begin, sit or lie comfortably. Whichever is more comfortable for you. 

Take three deep healing breaths, as you breathe in deeply allow your mind to quieten, as you exhale let go of any worries or stresses. 

As you continue to breathe in deeply focus on your own heartbeat, feel your own unique rhythm, listen and focus on your breathing. 

On an inhale Feel your feet becoming heavy, so heavy that you can barely move them. This is grounding you. 

With every breath feel a sensation of warmth move up your legs, into your knees. You will begin to feel a warm energy surrounding you. 

Allow to warmth to travel up your thighs and as it reaches your buttocks feel yourself sinking into your chair or bed. 

you feel it move up around your torso, a calming, warm feeling, spreading up your spine 

As it reaches your chest and shoulders feel any tension being melted away by the warm energy. Your shoulders naturally relax. 

As it travels down your arms feel the warmth embracing you like a big healing hug. Feel your hands become limp. 

As it travels back up your arms and around your neck let go of any remaining tension. 

As it finally covers your head feel yourself relaxing. 

You are now in a safe meditative state, your entire body is relaxed and all tension and stress has been melted away. 

Stay in this calm, safe relaxed state as long as you wish. Then on an exhale open your eyes and allow yourself a few minutes to resettle in your physical body. 

Namaste.