It is essential to ground yourself often. Whenever you feel down or start to feel anxious these are some great techniques to use. If you do these things throughout your day it can even prevent you from feeling down later. Body in Motion Probably this is an obvious one. It is well-known and taught in health classes that exercise boosts your mood. It instantly grounds you to do things like yoga, stretching, walking or using weights. Every time I go to the gym I dread going and every time I get home from the gym I feel amazing! It works, every single time! You can still get the benefit even by just walking around your neighborhood. Take a look at the nature around you, breathe in the fresh air and just take a minute for yourself OUTSIDE. All Around You Describe things that you are near. You can do this anytime and anywhere. Don't say how everything makes you feel. Simply, state the facts. Things you can see, what color they are, if they are big or small, etc. Focus on a Smell This is one of my favorites! I was on a date with a someone I had just met. We went to a Mexican restaurant. There was a salsa bar with various things so I grabbed myself a few limes. I really liked this guy so I was super nervous. I picked up the lime and breathed it in deeply. It was such a pleasant scent. It instantly made me feel so much better! Worked like a charm! If this is one that works for you I recommend getting a charcoal bracelet and some essential oils. You take the essential oil you like and drop 1-3 drops of the oil right onto the charcoal. This usually lasts all day on the bracelet and then you always have something with you that you can smell in times of need. The best ones to use are citrus based scents. Bath Magic I tool a long time to realize what a good thing taking a bath was. I'm definitely someone that prefers a shower. But there is something so calming about sitting in a tub of water. There are so many things you can add to your bath that make it so special! Epsom salts, bath bombs, bath oils, bubble bath, and so much more! Have fun buying all these amazing products that are great for skin and boost your mood. Lay on the ground Maybe it seems silly. But the moment you lay flat on the floor you'll see why it's on the list. Laying completely flat on the ground a lot of times helps straighten your back, from having bad posture all day... A nearby object It helps a lot more than you would think to simply feel things around you. I love filling my home with lots of sensory items. Soft blankets, rocks, crystals, pens, a water bottle, etc. Hold an object and notice all of it's curves, textures, and so on. Have you ever heard of a "worry stone"? This is something that you can find at a rock store or trading post. It has been used for who knows how long for this exact purpose. When you feel worried you rub your thumb accosted the dip in the stone. This one is very effective. Look into sensory toys or fidget toys. Keep one with you. Breathe Deeply Sometimes you don't even realize you are breathing fast or heavy. When you use different breathing techniques it physically tells your body to be calm. If you are hiking and feel nauseous or dizzy, if you are arguing with someone, nervous about something, etc. It is good to simply take a deep breathe. There are many different ways to try for each different situation, so this is something I'd recommend looking further into. The most basic way is to count to five while breathing in and count to five breathing out. Do this until you feel like you're no longer breathing too quickly. Food & Drink Take a small bit of bread or a cracker (easy on the stomach) and eat is very slowly. Fully chew each bite into a small piece. Make sure you are also drinking water. Again, very slowly. Feel the food / drink in your mouth and really savor it. This helps to ground you, prevents a tummy ache and grounds you in the moment of eating. A few others to tryMabon is a witches celebration found on the "Wheel of the Year". To wicca Mabon is similar to thanksgiving. A feast, a time to be grateful, and a welcoming of the fall / autumn season. It is also known as the Autumn Equinox. Mabon is celebrated from September 21-24. It marks the first day of fall. So how do witches celebrate Mabon? To-Do List: - Go through things you no longer use & donate them. - Light some fall scented candles & read a good book or write in a journal. - Take a moment to go outside & look at the moon with a loved one. - Order a pumpkin flavored coffee. - Buy some pumpkins. - Decorate your home for fall. - Write down your blessings. - Go for a picnic. - Take a walk in nature to notice how the season is changing. - Have a bonfire with friends / roast marshmallows. - Get on some comfy clothes, cuddle up with blankets, and watch a fall movie! the basicsIntentions to focus on: Home protection, balancing chakras, prosperity. Symbolism: Pinecones, seeds, pumpkins, leaves, branches Colors: orange, red, green, yellow, brown, copper Herbs: Yarrow, rosemary, sage, rosehips, sunflowers, cinnamon, brown sugar Crystals: Citrine, aventurine, jasper autumn equinox mealPlan a meal / party with all your friends & family! This is a great way to spend this holiday. Gather around the table with some great food and spread love. Décor Ideas: Pumpkins! Fall leave garland, fall wreath, buffalo plaid, candles, rustic style. Food Inspiration: Pumpkin bread, pumpkin pie, apple cobbler, apple cider, candied yams, mashed potatoes / gravy, sweet potato casserole, cinnamon rolls, corn, beans, vegetables and wine! Banishing negativity & gaining gratitude Here is a simple ritual you can do for Mabon or anytime you feel it necessary!
- Grab a fall scented candle or a white, brown, or orange candle. - Sit for a minute staring into the flame & relax. Take your time to ground yourself. - When ready, get yourself a paper and pen. - Write down all the things that are holding you back, clogging your mind, making you feel bad, etc. ALL of it! Let it all out! - Fold this paper up very small. - The next step depends on what you are able to do. But this is our banishing step. You have put on the paper all kinds of negativity so now we must GET RID OF IT!!! To do this you can either rip it up angerly and throw it in the trash! Or you may burn it. I like this option. Just make sure it is outside into a fire pit or into your trusty cauldron. * Take your time with this. Really let all that negative energy leave your thoughts. Take a few deep breaths, close your eyes and image it all leaving you.* - The next step is to get yet another paper. - This time write down everything you are grateful for. Now that nothing else is holding you back your mind should be filled with only loving thoughts. Think of the people in your life, the things you do everyday that make you smile, even if it's something small IT COUNTS! - Hold onto these good thoughts! Keep them somewhere safe or keep them with you. - Snuff out the candle. *** BLESSED BE *** In my last post I talked with you about the Pentagram. I included a picture of the five point star. Each point in the star is an "Element". So what are these elements? There are a few ways to look at elements. In science we have the periodic table filled with elements. In Feng Shui there are elements in a Bagua chart that tell you how to set-up your home in perfect balance and harmony, etc. Either way these elements all have one thing in common. This is a way to connect you to the physical world. This is very important to me because my mind often wonders off causing lots of anxious feelings. It is essential to stay grounded! I could give you the statistics but it's quite widely known that the mental health of todays society is, sadly, not at its best... Learning about elements may not work for everyone but it is something that has worked wonders for me. It is so easy to get caught up in work, school, responsibilities and expectations. Sometimes people around you are literally draining the happy out of you or maybe you're doing it to yourself without even knowing. When was the last time you looked around and really enjoyed your surroundings. Really looked in the mirror and was completely grateful for everything you have or have accomplished? Even if that accomplishment is just getting through a day. It took me hitting absolute rock-bottom to be able to do this. When I had nothing is when I realized how much I appreciated the most basic or simple things. Food on the table. Even if it's only crumbs and I had no idea when I'd have money to get another meal. We all need to appreciate this beautiful earth we call home. Yes, there is bad in the world. But there is also good and though you may have done wrong in the past you can always choose to have a new day / choose the good. These elements are the basis of the craft and you will need to know them well. EarthDirection: North Associations: Grounding, healing, nature, animals, rebirth, wisdom Colors: Green, brown, gold Symbolic Items: Crystals, Dirt, Herbs, Wood, Plants / Flowers Zodiacs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn Crystals: Emerald, jet, tourmaline, quartz, onyx, jasper Herbs: Cedar, cypress, patchouli, sage AirDirection: East Associations: Mind, clarity, wisdom, knowledge, wind, psychic work Colors: Yellow, white, light blue Symbolic Items: Feather, Wand, Incense, Broom, Bell Zodiacs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius Crystals: Amber, citrine, jasper, amethyst Herbs: Frankincense, lavender, lemongrass, pine, yarrow FireDirection: South Associations: Energy, healing, courage, strength, passion Colors: Red, orange, gold Symbolic Items: Candle, Lamp, Athame / Dagger, Burned Herbs (ashes) Zodiacs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius Crystals: Ruby, garnet, red jasper, tiger's eye, agate Herbs: Basil, cinnamon, hibiscus, allspice WaterDirection: West Associations: Emotions, love, lunar energy, self-healing Colors: Blue, silver, turquoise Symbolic Items: Sea Shells, Seaweed, Chalice / Cup, pearls Zodiacs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces Crystals: Amethyst, blue fluorite, lapis lazuli, opal Herbs: Aloe, apple, chamomile, jasmine, lilac, lemon, moss, thyme, rose Spirit
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You've always had the power, my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself. -Glinda
"The Wizard of Oz". Hello!My name is Brittany. Categories
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