Welcome to Jezebel Dusk, a blog devoted to spirituality. Topics covered here will include meditation techniques, alternative healing therapies, twin flame relationships, cleansing and general wellbeing.
Namaste
If you've been reading this blog for a while you've probably noticed me mention a moon diary or moon journal on a few occasions. As tonight is the new moon, the first of the year I thought it'd be an ideal time to explain it a little more. As it's the first New Moon of the year it is an ideal time to begin keeping a moon journal of your own.
A moon journal is just what it says it is. A journal dedicated solely to the moon. The moon is a powerful and at times very strong influence on us down here on earth. The moon emits a powerful energy which moon sensitive people will sense. Due to this strong energy the moon can affect us in many ways. 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. However it is not purely the full moon which can affect our emotions. Many people are under the misapprehension that the moon only affects women. While the moon is a very feminine energy and has a monthly cycle like women it is equally likely to affect men as well as women.
Have you ever noticed that you have days when you feel particularly depressed for no apparent reason. Of course those of us who have suffered with depression at some point will know this feeling all too well. Or maybe you have days when you feel extra sensitive, emotional, moody. If that sounds like you then it is a possibility that you are moon sensitive. By keeping a moon journal for a couple of months or a year you will be able to see if any patterns emerge, by analysing your daily moon journal you'll see if it is just at specific times of the month you're affected, known as the current moon phase. Every month the moon has the same cycle and will go through different phases;
New Moon
Waxing Crescent
First Quarter
Waxing Gibbous
Full
Waning Gibbous
Last Quarter
Waning Crescent
Each moon phase can affect us in all different ways. For example I often feel quite low around the New Moon, something I didn't realise until I kept a moon journal. So to begin keeping a moon journal find a journal or notebook that you will use solely as your moon journal. On the first page in the centre write your name, date and time of birth and the moon phase of the day you was born. This can be found through a simple google search. You'll soon notice that your extra sensitive around the moon phase from when you was born. Update your moon journal every night before retiring to bed. Use a fresh page for each entry then write the date, time and current moon phase (You can check this by google but for ease there is a current moon phase to the left of this blog) Then write how you felt that day, you don't need to write much but if you wish to go into detail by all means do. After a few months look back over your entries and note down any patterns, did you feel the same moods and emotions during certain moon phases each month? Note if you're more sensitive to the full moon or new moon. By keeping a moon journal you'll gain a better understanding of the moon and even of your own emotions.
This December we are being treated to a special Wishing Moon. A wishing moon is something which happens around eight times per year. It is when the full moon is especially powerful and can grant your innermost wishes and turn them into reality. The one coming up will be extra special because it falls on Christmas Day December 25th at 11:11 the last time this happened was in 1977. Not only is it falling on Christmas day but being at precisely 11:11 is a very auspicious time. 11:11 is most commonly known as the twinflame number along with 10:!0, 23:23, 15:15 etc. See this post for more on Twinflames http://jezebeldusk.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/the-twinflame-relationship.html
This upcoming full moon is going to be very strong and very powerful and as it is such a rare occurence use the opportunity to tap into it's power. To start off write a wishlist, do this before the full moon, it can be as long or as short as you want it to be. Once you have written it fold it up and place a moonstone ontop of it. Then move it to a sacred place. If you can, bury it outside in earth, a plantpot or windowbox will do just fine if your short on outside space. If not keep it somewhere special and personal to you. You could even place it under the pillow if you so desire. Think about these wishes often, by writing them down you are physically sending them out to the universe, cementing your intention. On the night of the full moon (December 25th) retrieve your wish list from it's sacred place, sit outside if you can and say "I see the Moon and the Moon sees me, the Moon will send these wishes to me" then read off your wishlist. Once your done thank the moon for listening then spend some time soaking up it's strong energy. You can do this inside if you prefer as long as you can clearly see the moon. Afterwards you can either keep your wishlist in a sacred place or burn it outside and let the smoke take it up to the universe. It's important to think of these wishes often and instead of hoping for them visualise them being true in this moment as if they have already been granted. These wishes work on the power of attraction which is a belief that what you ask the universe for will be given to you if you do it right. As an example say someone wished for a promotion at work, instead of thinking "I hope I get that promotion" think instead of "I am the boss, superviser" whichever promotion level you aspire to be. By thinking as though your wishes have already been granted you are telling the universe that you believe in yourself and your wishes. Happy Wishing.
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
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?
Today is nothing special, it's not Halloween, it's not Remembrance Day. But for some people out there today will be difficult. It could an anniversary of a loved ones death, a birthday of someone who is no longer here to celebrate it. So today light a candle, a tea light perhaps, offer a blessing and remember your loved ones who have moved onto the afterlife. They are often still with us in spirit so make a point of remembering them every single day. Because we shouldn't just remember them on anniversaries, or other occasions. If someone has been an important part of your life think of them often not just on significant days.
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.
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.
