In the powwow with Jezebel Dusk

Little Q&A I took part in recently on an Internet forum who have kindly allowed me to share it on here. Enjoy.

Since starting her blog on all things spiritual Jezebel Dusk back in September 2015 Jezebel Dusk's blog has grown and grown. She has inspired many with her simple meditation techniques for beginners through to enlightening us on the twin flame relationships. The twin flame posts being the most read, closely followed by the posts on meditation. Today she joined us for a Q&A in our chatroom. 

So to start off with can you tell us what first inspired you to begin this blog? 
It was something I had often thought about doing but in all honesty I just hadn't gotten around to it. It got to the point where a lot of people had begun asking me for my opinion and advice on various topics that I finally decided that I had something to say that would interest and benefit a lot of people.  What I didn't want to do was create a blog that was so intense and so deep that nobody would be able to understand it so whenever I write a post I try to make it as easy to digest as possible. For example I know a lot more advanced meditation techniques but if I were to post those techniques without first sharing simple ones suitable for beginners I would have ended up with a lot of confused readers who would be unable to practice the techniques and therefor never gain the benefit of it. 

So is it assumed then that your blog is aimed at beginners? 
Not at all, I like to make my blog suitable for all from complete beginners to more advanced people. The reason I started off with simple techniques was so that if someone was to stumble onto one of my meditation posts for example and really struggled to keep the focus or not being able to visualise it they could then look back at the earlier techniques to try instead. 

What about the title Jezebel Dusk where did that originate from? 
Well Jezebel Dusk was a name that I had used before in my writing, a pen name if you will. Which I actually came up with when trying to come up with character names for one of my novels it sounded good and I liked it but it wasn't quite right for the character so instead I wrote it down and came back to it later ultimately using the name myself. When it came to creating my blog I could not find a title that I liked. Everything sounded gimmicky or tacky or I thought wouldn't suit the content of the blog so I tried just Jezebel Dusk and it's worked really well so far. 

How did your own spiritual journey begin? Did you have an awakening or enlightenment? 
I think it's always been a part of me really. My families heritage is Cherokee Native American which is very spiritual so from that perspective it's always been a part of my life. As a child I always had an affinity with nature and was able to sense the presence of spirits from the age of seven. I suppose I only really started following a spiritual lifestyle in my early twenties when I began meditating and using crystals. Since then I've learnt a lot from a lot of different people and have therefor evolved as a human but also as a spirit and infinitely we are all beings of light. 

Many people speak of following a specific path or religion, what do you class yourself as? 
As a child I was raised as a Christian, I attended a very strict catholic school which was run and taught by nuns in a convent. I was even asked to consider becoming a nun when I left school. I always found the whole thing very uncomfortable and I knew in my heart it just wasn't for me. Personally I don't believe in God and I don't believe a word that is in the bible because my argument always was that the bible was written over 2000 years ago in a completely different language by people who didn't even know how to write. So from that  perspective I find the whole thing incredibly unreliable. 
Nowadays I don't follow any particular religion as such. I instead prefer to take the bits that are relevant to me from different religions. I follow Buddhism and Paganism as I really like that both of these don't worship one particular being, instead they are more of a lifestyle choice, with valuable teachings.For me it's more about understanding nature and animals and using nature to aid ourselves. As for Buddhism I really find the teachings of the Buddha inspiring. I also still practice quite a lot of Native American shamanism as well as that is my heritage. 

If you don't believe in God what do you think is out there? Heaven? Hell? 
I don't believe in God. In Native American beliefs it's said that we have Mother Earth and Father sky. For me personally I believe in the Goddess as Mother Earth, but what I really like is in paganism the goddess isn't one sole being she is many different beings. I strongly believe in the higher powers and ultimately the source which I think is a dragon but that's just my opinion. I believe that there is good and evil in this world and both are necessary to keep the balance. 

You've said yourself you've had a tough year so far, with so much negativity in the world how do you manage to still be so upbeat and happy? 
It's fucking hard work. Yes I have had a turbulent year so far, in fact it's probably been one of my toughest but it's been the same for everyone. At the moment there is so much hatred in the world and so much negativity that it is our duty to try to rectify that. My motto that I live by in life is that "everything happens for a reason" which is very very true. 
Ultimately life is a cycle and unfortunately we have to go through ups and downs. It's part of life and the way to get through it is to look at the situation, understand that it's happened and there's no way you can change what's happened so learn from it and carry on. Everything in this entire world is connected. If you look at a spiders web every strand is connected. If you then pluck just one strand the effect is felt throughout the whole web. The same goes in life. On this planet everything is connected by the web of life and just one small act of good and kindness will travel through and along the web. Ultimately making the world a little more bearable. It works both ways if you are emiting negative energy then you are spreading that energy along the web. Whereas if you are happy and living your life for the greatest good then those little bits of light emitting from you will be felt along the entire world. 

In today's day and age we see everyday on the news tragedies, people being killed, so much negativity. How can we off set this? 
That's the first mistake. Reading the news. Before I would spend over an hour each day reading the news and would ultimately end up feeling depressed. I no longer read the news for that reason. Yes there is a lot of negativity and hatred in this world but at the same time there is still a lot of good. Unfortunately it is very rare for happy stories to be in the news so for me I find the daily news very one sided and focuses solely on bad news. I do read the odd story I stumble across while browsing Twitter but that's about it. 

You've spoken a lot about the twin flame relationship why is it so important to find your twin flame and why are so many people struggling to find theirs? 
The twin flame relationship is something I feel very strongly about and ironically it's the one topic which draws the most visitors to my site particularly the post I did on twin flame telepathy and signs you've found your twin flame. The twin flame relationship is so important for the future of our world. Alone there is only so much good we can do. If we're lucky enough to find our twin flame imagine how much stronger you'd become together and how much more good you could do. 
A lot of people struggle to find their twin flame as quite often one twin refuses to believe that they have found their twin flame and will convince their self any way they can that its not right. These are called runner twins and its part of the twin flame relationship. When you do meet in the physical world you will both feel it. Then one may dismiss the feelings and convince themselves it isn't their twin flame. Sometimes they convince themselves that someone else is their twin flame even subconsciously they can do this. When in their heart they will know because they will feel it just like you do. It's important to notice any coincedences, any similarities. Numbers particularly are very synchronised and many twinflames may have very similar phone numbers, door numbers. Twinflames also pick up on eachothers feelings and thoughts. Even if they haven't met. You can always send your twinflame love and they will feel it in their heart. 

You've posted a few tarot readings and occassionaly share tarot cards on Instagram, how long have you been reading tarot? 
It's exactly three years this month since I learnt tarot. It has been something I wanted to learn for a long time and over the years I had bought many decks, read books, was shown meanings by other readers and it just never sunk in. Until three years ago I picked up the deck I currently use which I'd had for about four years and decided to learn them. I learnt the major arcana first and studied one card every day. I'd look at the picture closely and read the book and within a few months I'd learnt the deck. After many hours of practice I started offering readings. 

Do you offer readings to anyone?
Whoever wants one can have one. I do readings via email for people who don't live in London or who prefer email readings. 

How often do you personally practice meditation? 
everyday, even if its just for ten minutes before I go to sleep. 

Finally there are thousands of books available on spirituality, it gets confusing. Are there any you could personally recommend. Also will you ever write a spiritual book yourself? 
There are literally thousands out there, the best way is to find something which appeals to you. I have a few essential books I can recommend. 
The Power Of Now by Eckhart Tolle is a must, it's not so much spiritual but a way of living by only focussing on the present moment. 
I'm currently reading Your Souls Gift by Robert Schwartz I'd also recommend his first book Your Souls Plan. 
As for me, there are currently no plans at the moment for me to write a book on spirituality but never say never.          

Uh Oh Mercury Is Going Into Retrograde

If you've got something important to do it's best to do it today, as tomorrow Mercury will be in retrograde once again making our lives here on earth chaotic. If you know what this means you'll be thinking "Oh no here we go again" if you've never heard of it before read on and it'll all make a little more sense. 

Every year around three or four times the planet Mercury slows down on it's orbit. There comes a time when it has slowed down so significantly that it appears almost stationary and visually it'll look as though it is orbiting backwards, when infact it has just considerably slowed down. This is Mercury in retrograde. 

For us earthlings it may appear as though it has no effect on us but it does. When Mercury is in retrograde everything that could possibly go wrong will no doubt go wrong. Particularly anything to do with communication, electronics and transportation.

When Mercury is in retrograde expect the following occurences: 

• Computers Freezing
• Mobile phones having low/no signal 
• Mobiles and tablets freezing, slowing down or encountering software issues 
• Electronic equipment going on the fritz 
• Travel Delays 
• Car Trouble
• Short Term Memory Loss 
• Lack of communication 
• Trouble with electronic appliances  

 It is advised not to make any important decisions or plans when Mercury is in retrograde. Such as signing contracts, starting a new relationship, making travel plans, or scheduling important meetings. Instead this time should be used for quiet contemplation and reflection. Spend time meditating and walking in nature. Taking a more relaxed approach to life.

On May 6th we also have a new moon throwing even more emotions into the mix.
This happens every month, it is a life cycle. The New Moon is another time of quiet contemplation. Breathe in deeply and move into a calm state of mind. Watch your own emotions come and go and to not allow them to influence you in this current time. Spend time meditating and practicing yoga and you'll see your life more clearly. The New Moon is a beginning so use this time of quiet contemplation to plan things, perhaps a new project or a new relationship you're eager to embark upon. As the moon moves into the waxing phase  gradually start to put these plans into practice, by the time the full moon comes around on May 21st these ideas or projects should have begun. That is what you should usually do each month unless Mercury is in retrograde.
When Mercury is in retrograde it may be a good idea to not jump into new projects or relationships. Instead wait and enjoy the quietness. Your mind will thank you for it.

So for the next few weeks allow extra time for your journeys, expect anything electronic to go on the fritz and prepare to have a little more chaos in your everyday life. In fact my browser has unexpectedly crashed and closed twice whilst writing this entry, a sign of things to come. Thanks Mercury.

Mercury goes into retrograde on April 28th until May 22nd incorporating both a new and full moon phase. The next new moon is on May 6th and the Next Full moon the flower moon will be on May 21st. 
While Mercury is in retrograde I'll be choosing and sharing a daily tarot or oracle card on Instagram. Instagram name: teriwarke 

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.

Keeping A Moon Journal

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.

Wishing Moon December

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.

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