scixplorist
Source: scixplorist
Category: Spiritual Toolbox
Hippocrates – ” Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”
Herbs as Cleansers:
The disinfectant qualities of certain plants would have been of great importance to humans, and may have been one of the triggers for a recognition of the other medicinal uses of plants. A large number of ancient cultures used herbs and plants in the cleansing rituals and preparation of the dead. Throughout history, the burning of natural substances has been used for cleansing, healing and in spiritual ceremonies and rituals.
Smudging: Shamanic smudging or just ‘smudging’ is an age-old tribal tradition which has been used for centuries for cleansing and to create harmony and peace. There are many different shamanic smudging ceremonies, and different tribes use a variety of herbs for smudging. Smudging was used for centuries by the native people of both North and South America, Europe, the Middle-east, Africa, Asia and the Siberian shamans to open the doors of the soul to the spirit world. In all cultures, the burning of certain herbs and incense was seen as a way of gaining access to the soul and power of the plants for cleansing, purification, protection spiritual, ceremonial and magical use, the banishment of negative energies and creation of sacred space. In modern use, incensing is still used as a symbol of purification and sanctification.
One of the earliest recorded uses of smudging can be traced to ancient Egypt where herbs were burned in religious ceremonies, being mentioned on an inscribed tablet from Giza, Egypt, c. 1,500 BC. The Babylonians also regularly used smudge/incense extensively while offering prayers or divining oracles. It was imported to Israel in the 5th century BC to be used in religious offerings. It spread from there to Greece, Rome and India, where both Hindus and Buddhists still burn it in their rituals and at festivals. The smudging tradition dates back millennia and connects all traditional cultures, from the Native Americans to the Druids, from the Zulus to the Maoris, from Aboriginals to the Mayans, from the Chinese to the Balinese, which have age-old forms of cleansing and blessing rituals. Smudge (Incense) is widely used in Oriental religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Taoism) and in the ceremonies of the Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Orthodox churches. Smudging can therefore be seen as a universal spiritual component that runs through and connects all the worlds great cultures and religions throughout time.
Read the entire article at the Source: Herb-Lore (Herbalism).
Planet Post Up – Mercury Direct,Venus Enters Pisces, All Planets Direct
So much going on in the astrology. Mercury, the zippy planet of communication and technology, goes direct on January 8, 2016. It has been in retrograde and will station direct on January 8, a welcome shift. Communication should return to normal, we can get back to the business of contracts and important documents, tech gadgets should start working as they should. The next retrograde cycle isn’t until April 9 to May 3. At that time, it will start in Taurus and end in Aries. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s enjoy this forward movement.
Read the rest of the article at the Source:
Planet Post Up – Mercury Direct,Venus Enters Pisces, All Planets Direct
Crystal of the Week: Obsidian
Obsidian has no crystalline structure and is formed from molten lava that did not have time to form into glass. Often known as a powerful cleanser of psychic smog, it can shield against negativity and was often used as a scrying tool in the past.
As a protective stone, it shields against negativity and absorbs the negative energies from the environment. It is often used to block psychic attacks and negative spiritual influences.
It is often used for spiritual or healing work and it’s a wonderful grounding stone. Obsidian brings clarity to the mind and clears any confusion as well as constricting beliefs, it can also make it absolutely clear in what lies behind any mental distress or disease.
Read the article at the Source: Crystal of the Week: Obsidian
That Magical Tree {January 2017}
Birch – Beith Ogham letter B … Ruler of the 1st Lunar Month 24th December – 20th January Powers: Purification, A Guardian of New Beginnings, Bringer of Hope,
The Druid tree symbol for the Bards
– ‘The Goddess Tree’ – ‘The Lady of the Woods’, the Birch tree, Betula Pendula is the bringer of promise, light, and new beginnings.
An elegant native of British woods, of all Northern European countries and of North America, the birch is tall, up to sixty or so meters in height, with a slender pale trunk. It grows in clearings, preferring sunlight, but is not fussy about soil and is very hardy although not especially long-lived.
The birch is known as a ‘Pioneer Tree’ – meaning that it can restart the colonization of woodlands after long-term natural disasters.
Its soft green deciduous leaves have serrated edges and are held on thin branches which move and bow in the breeze. Its striking white, peeling bark gives it a faery-like beauty in all its seasons.
As the sap rises in early March, it’s possible to cut the bark, tap the trees and use the sweet liquid collected neat and cold as a water, or as the basis for a birch wine or beer. (Find out how to tap for birch sap in the bushcraft video below).
In early spring the small male flowers develop into long catkins (pictured right) and the female flowers grow into tiny cones (pictured left).
The rest of the article at the Source: That Magical Tree {January 2017}
Year of the Fire Rooster–January 28, 2017
All Chinese wisdom traditions, including medicine, divination, astrology, and feng shui, are systems of pattern identification that guide us in adapting gracefully to change. A world in flux is assumed; it is the one constant feature of life. Astrology is best viewed as a tool to discern where we are in the shifting cycles of time so we can adjust our expectations accordingly and therefore, from the Chinese point of view, cultivate longevity by not wasting our qi trying to swim against the current.
Last year’s current schooled us all in crisis management as the Fire Monkey’s erratic impulsiveness and dramatic flare produced an unprecedented bit of theater in American politics. (Yes, Monkeys love to play spin doctor in the political arena.) But as writer Isak Dinesen once said, “Anything in life can be born, as long as it can be seen as part of a story.” Fortunately, a new chapter of the story is about to begin with the arrival of the Fire Rooster on January 28, 2017. This chapter might be titled: “Application: how to walk your talk and follow through.”
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Smoke Cleansing With Wood – Witchy Tips
The Importance of Keeping Balance
In life, especially during these modern times that are a constant go, it’s easy to lose your balance. But what do we really mean when we seek balance in reference to spirituality? Balance is often thought of as a midpoint between two opposing forces. Black and white, hate and love, faith and skepticism. But life is not broken into a straight line that simply. Most people assume that finding balance means never venturing too far into one side or the other; remaining in a true neutral. Others believe it means staying only “in the light” and eschewing everything considered “dark.” But we believe that neither one of these views is truly balanced.
True neutrality does not exist. It’s an impossibility, because it assumes that there is some kind of universal “center” that is true for every single person. But life is much messier than that. We all experience different things, and even when we experience the same things, we may draw different conclusions from them. So everyone’s idea of “neutral” is not the same. And trying to remain only in this imaginary center point deprives you of experience. In life we all experience highs and lows. That is part of what makes life amazing; the endless state of change. That should be embraced.
Read the article at the Source: The Importance of Keeping Balance
🍃83 Herbs & Their Magickal Properties🍃
Crystal of the Week: Jade
Jade, also known as the Dream Stone, is a mixture of Sephrite and Jadenite, which are minerals. It’s said that it blesses whatever it touches and was valued in Ancient China for its beauty and power of healing and protection.
Traditionally, it was used to guard against illnesses and as a way to access the spiritual world, gain insight into ritualistic knowledge and encourages creativity and dream-solving. It was also worn as a protective talisman, assuring long life and peaceful death and was considered a powerful healing stone.
As an amulet of good luck and friendship, Jade signifies wisdom gathered in tranquility, dispelling the negative energies and encouraging to see oneself as they are. It’s also well known for its medicinal properties of curing calculus stones and disorders of the kidneys or bladder.
As a travel stone, it prevents illness while on a holiday, traveling alone, and protects children and pets from staying or being hurt while on a journey. It’s great for hiking, gardening, or relaxing out doors.
It’s a stone of calm in the midst of storm, it balances the nerves and soothes cardiac rhythm. Jade is often used to temper the shock or fear of the very young or old being cared for in the hospital or away from home and family. It heals feelings of guilt and extreme cases of defeatism.
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Read the rest at the Source: Crystal of the Week: Jade
Paths I Walk 
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