Celebrate Ostara

Ostara (also Eostara, Eostre) or the Spring/Vernal Equinox is celebrated when night and day are in perfect balance. That is, they are the same amount of hours. At this time we are inviting the fertility of the Earth to awaken. So, it is also signifying the first day of Spring!!! Though after looking at weather.com the last couple days, it seems there's still plenty of snow for some of you! But, this is a time of fertility and new beginnings! Now is the time to begin those projects that you will nurture for the next few months to blossom and grow!

Of course gardening is something that comes to mind straight away and I will always bless my seeds that I will be using for the upcoming season. I also bless any plants that are around that they will continue to be prosperous in their growth! Now I will also say that I used to be one of those people that thought, "Oh give the plant it's water and light and it'll be all good.".. well, this is somewhat true. A lot of plants are extremely durable. But this is a time you can start learning more about your plants too. Some plants need acidic soil; like blueberries, azaleas, rhododendrons, and hydrangeas; while others do better in alkaline soil; which are most veggies, fruits, and flowers. Here is a great article called Acid or Alkaline? What pH means in gardenspeak that really puts it in a nice perspective! pH testers are available at many retailers. I picked mine up at a major retail chain for $7. My small point is that by better learning what your plants are needing; the more you provide to them, the more they will provide to you! :)

Since this is also a time of new beginnings, this can also be a time you can "clean" some karma. Take account of any injustices or misgivings you have done to family, friends, etc.. Write these down and through out the next few months until Beltane, seek to balance through apologies, paying back any past due loans, or any other injustices you can think of. When May comes along, you will burn the list in your Beltane fire celebrating the karmic "rights" you have accomplished! :) This is one reason for the picture I used.. My Name Is Earl was a GREAT show! I still try to catch re-runs when I can!

Because we are also celebrating the time of the sun bringing us more warmth, what better way to celebrate than to have a party. Bring the warmth of friendship into your home and create some lasting memories!! Besides, buying or making new clothes at this time is also a way to be celebrating.. see, you really do need that new dress for the party you're going to throw now!!

There are many ways to celebrate! If you need any help personalizing your spiritual path, feel free to send me a message at my email or facebook.

May you have a Blessed Ostara!

Spring Spiritual Housecleaning

The Spring Equinox, or Ostara, is just a few days away!! And while we wake ourselves from Winter's slumber, that wonderful time of year is back! SPRING CLEANING!!!! ;) Spring cleaning can bring about such a love/hate relationship. We love the outcome, just hate cleaning up that mess. It can be a spiritual time though too. Asking yourself "do I really need this?" or "is hanging on to this really benefiting me?" can be tough whether it something material or is something emotional. Sometime the material and the emotional can be tied together. I know it can be for me; I still have my old prom ticket! ;)

However, every year at this time, I grumpily start in one room and work my way through the house and usually along the way somewhere I step back and say HOLY COW that's a LOT of JUNK!!! How did I let it get that way? And why did I allow it to sit in my house for months on end for no reason?? But by the time I'm done.. I'm happy to be done and everything just feels more lighter. Like a breath of fresh, spring air!

So first I wanted to share this little excerpt that I had posted to my Myspace page a few years back..


Spiritual Housecleaning
By Kathryn L. Robyn


Your entire home can be sacred space if you treat it with respect & understanding as to how its cleanliness or lack of it affects aspects of your life.

To invite more nurturing into your life, clean your kitchen
To connect with your soul & its purpose, clean your living room
To have healthy self & body images, clean your bathroom
To rid yourself of doubt & failure, clean cracks & crevices
To dump baggage from your past & childhood, clean your basement, closets & storage areas
To draw a sex life healthy for you, clean your bedroom
To set up healthy boundaries in your life, clean your hallways, walls, floors & ceilings

It also helps these aspects of your life if the corresponding places in your home are asthetically pleasing to you as well as clean. The author of Spiritual Housecleaning warns, however, that too clean is not necessarily a good thing & may invite a sense of sterility & barrenness into your life.



Now this is all fine and good.. but you might be asking, OK anything else I can do to help draw in more positivity? But of course!! You didn't think I was going to let you get away empty handed, did you?!

Before actually starting to clean.. Take a brief moment to meditate and ask your guides and angels to help you along the process.. To help you to see what you need and be able to let go of that which you don't.

You might want to make an aromatherapy spiritual home spray too! To do this you'll need:
a container to put your mixture in
1 Tbsp. vodka (isopropyl alcohol will work, but honestly, not as well!)
1/2 c. of water
and some essential oils, of course!

Here are some basic essential oil properties. An extensive amount of information can be found at AromaWeb. As always, BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR OILS FOR TOXICITY CONCERNS!!!!

Confidence
Bay Laurel, Bergamot, Cypress, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Orange, Rosemary

Happiness and Peace
Bergamot, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Lemon, Neroli, Orange, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang

Prosperity
Basil, Ginger, Jasmine, Laurel, Oakmoss, Patchouli, Pine

Protection
Clove, Geranium, Juniper, Lemon, Lime, Pettigrain

Stress
Benzoin, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Geranium, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lavender, Mandarin, Neroli, Patchouli, Roman Chamomile, Rose, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang

Besides making a house spray... BEFORE I spray the house with it; I will open ALL the windows, and doors, in the house and go through with a sage smudge stick. I ask that all negativity be carried out of the house with the smoke from the smudge stick. Some people and children, especially those with asthma, have a tough time with the smoke... that is one reason for opening up all the windows, to allow the smoke to move through quicker. Though I have also heard this as being a very old tradition as well; not the sage part, but just opening all the windows! I remember BOTH of my grandmothers doing that! After smudging and allowing the smoke to clear. I will spend a moment in the center of the house, which thankfully in my one level ranch happens to be the family room! I meditate on peace and happiness and thank the house spirits for what they have brought me through the previous year and ask for more of their blessings this year! THEN, I go through my house, usually with some really upbeat music playing and spray, spray, spray!

So go get some spring spiritual housecleaning done! As Gwen Stefani says, What you waitin for? ;)

If you need any help choosing some essential oils or want to share some of your own housecleaning tips; feel free to contact me at my email or at Facebook.

Many Blessings!!!!
Andi

Ides of March Contest

Beware the Ides of March?! I think not!!! Those words made famous in William Shakespeare's dramatic play of Julius Caesar is now my inspiration for a little contest! I am offering up 2 FREE services of your choice; psychic, tarot, astrology, numerology, rune reading, etc.; all you need to do is check your astrological chart!

If your chart has MARS at 15 degrees in ANY sign, you win! I also am not going to be overly technical regarding timing as after so many minutes you're to take the following "16" symbol. If it says 15, it's fine! Here is an example...



*BONUS* Don't have Mars at 15 degrees? If you can tell me the DATE of the chart; month and day, you win too! (hint: it's another well known day!)

And for some reading enjoyment...

The Sabian Symbols are a set of phrases that relate to each of the 360 degrees of the wheel of the zodiac. Originating in 1925 by Marc Edmund Jones and Elsie Wheeler. I have gone through many charts of clients and have found the meanings quite profound! The following Sabian Symbols are available from Lynda Hill's 360 Degrees of Wisdom.

Aries 15: An indian weaving a blanket in the light of the setting sun.

Taurus 15: A man with a silk hat, muffled against the cold, braves a storm.

Gemini 15: Two Dutch children talking and studying their lessons together.

Cancer 15: A group of people who have overeaten and enjoyed it.

Leo 15: A street pageant moving along a street packed with people.

Virgo 15: A fine lace ornamental handkerchief.

Libra 15: Circular paths.

Scorpio 15: Children playing around five mounds of sand.

Sagittarius 15: The ground hog looking for its shadow on groundhog day.

Capricorn 15: In a hospital, the children's ward is filled with toys.

Aquarius 15: Two lovebirds sitting on a fence and singing happily.

Pisces 15: An officer drilling his men in a simulated attack.


PLEASE do NOT IM or DM me regarding the contest! If you have any questions feel free to send them to my email or at Facebook!

P.S. Unfortunately there won't be a Witchy Wednesday this week... I didn't receive any questions that were able to be posted. I do apologize! So if you want to see some more answers, tell everyone to send their questions to me!! ;)

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

Ask Andi Witchy Wednesday

I know I missed last week's post, so I have that one, PLUS this week's as well!! Sorry I missed the last one.. life got a little hectic these last few days with family in from out of town, one moving, and the water heater going out! Things just happen sometimes! So here's your double dose of Ask Andi!!


Hello Andi,
I have been reading a lot about Paganism and have felt this is my path for some time, but I feel a little conflicted about something. I am feeling more connected with Native American traditions, but as far as I know, I'm not Native American! I've read many things that say "don't mess with what you don't understand", but how will I be able to learn it? I don't understand WHY I feel this way, but it just feels the right path for me. I just don't want to be disrespectful to any tradition! Can you help?


Wakan Tankan Nici Un
(May the Great Spirit walk with you)

Ursa


Hello Ursa,
I too have come across this as well when I first started studying Paganism! Though it wasn't with Native American tradition, but Egyptian! But now I can work alongside Isis, just as I can with Brighid. The first step in any learning though is going to find a mentor that can really guide you. This may be a little difficult depending on where you live, but with any spirituality, it's going to be the practice that makes the difference. You can read about it all day but until it's something you are experiencing, it won't really "sink in". You might want to take a look on The Witches' Voice to see if there are any groups that are offering teaching in the Native or American Indian traditions, otherwise Google might be able to point you in some direction too. I came across a very good article as well; Seeking Native American Spirituality: Read This First!.

However, I think this quote definitely will sum things up the best!!

"Native American isn't blood. It is what is in the heart. The love for the land, the respect for it, those who inhabit it, and the respect and acknowledgement of the spirits and elders. That is what it is to be Indian." -White Feather, Navajo Medicine Man

I wish you the best of luck on your journey!!

Many Blessings,
Andi


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Dear Andi,
This is all so very new to me! I have never really thought of myself as psychic but I have had some experiences.. I guess. But I went with my friend to a New Age convention and had quite a few people tell me that I'm psychic! I'm not sure how much I should really read into it though. I kinda feel, like you have said, that we're all psychic.. in one way or another. I would like to learn more about my abilities, but I'm also a little afraid too! I mostly have precognitive dreams, but when I was at the convention I was really interested in something called "remote viewing". Can you tell me a little more about it?

Thanks so much!!
Brianne


Hi there Brianne,
Remote viewing can be a lot of fun! In some ways it can also be a way to "test" your abilities since you are focused on getting information about a "target" that is hidden from view or separated by distance. This can be something you work on with your friend you went to the convention with! A very simple way to practice remote viewing would be for the 2 of you to pick an item at your homes. You can also decide to start off a little more basic and choose a "topic" such as numbers, colors, states, etc., and write the "target" on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope. Then you'll want to take some time to focus on the target. Take a moment to focus on your breath and ease yourself into a slight meditative state. Have a piece of paper and a pen handy, and as your focused on your target, write down any impressions that come to you. Then you and your friend can get together and compare your notes on your "targets"!

As far as being afraid of your abilities; don't be! Well, at least try not to be! Sometimes getting the info right CAN be a little freaky! But take the small steps you're wanting to take and see where it leads you... if it's not the right path, you can always take another! :)

Many Blessings!
Andi

The Magick of Mudras

Yesterday I went to a book store I've been meaning to go to for a while. Haslam's has been family owned and run for many years and boasts a large used, and new, book selection. I definitely was impressed and scored myself some books that had that nice old, musty smell to them! While I was there I looked through just about every section.. thankfully they have 4 cats in the building, so the kids were even more amused. I was in the Buddhist/Eastern Studies area when I saw a book with a pretty cover.. Oh yes, I'm a very visual person.. I have had limited experience with mudras with some yoga and meditations, but never really looked into them too much. So while standing there thumbing through the book, I can only imagine my look with my jaw dropping more and more as I realized just how many mudras there really are and how much I do them unintentionally at times!

Mudras are a symbolic or ritual gesture and can involve the entire body, but most, and the more well known, are performed with the hands and fingers. They can be seen in many artworks and statues across many Eastern cultures and have been practiced and in use for thousands of years. Within yoga, holding a mudra while practicing pranayama (rhythmic breathing), you may stimulate different parts of the body while affecting the flow of prana in the body. There are many uses for mudras, as a form of spirituality, but also within healing practices as well!

When using a mudra, you will want to hold the finger positions with both hands. This will provide a more powerful effect, and will be more "balancing" than just using one hand. Also, try holding the mudra for as long as possible for the best results! However, we might not always have an hour a day to sit aside for a meditation. Especially when you might feel you need it at around 2 PM but you have deadlines to meet, kids to feed, and you know it'll be more like 10 PM when you get to meditate without an upset! You can also try spacing them out throughout the day for a 10-15 minute break! Sometimes those short "mini-meds" are just as good as the long ones!

There is a gentle beauty found within the mudras. Some are so simple you can do them inconspicuously right in front of people! I hope you will explore their influence and see what magick they can bring into your life! You may already be experiencing them, without already knowing it! I know I was pleasantly surprised at what I had read and even MORE surprised by the prompt I received with my $54.54 bill!!! Spirit works in some wondrous ways! I welcome any questions at facebook or email that you may have on the information I've found on mudras, meditating, spirituality or anything metaphysical!

Ask Andi Witchy Wednesday

Phew! A week has gone by pretty fast! I have been working on some more blog posts though so they can be expected shortly! But, as I've said.. Wednesday's are going to be devoted to answering questions. I'm going to try to stick to that! This week's is a good one!! :)

Hi Andi!
I've been working on my psychic abilities for the last 2 years. Things have been GREAT and I've learned so much about myself, my family, friends, and just life. But now things have done a 180 and I feel like I'm getting absolutely NOTHING from them! Like POOF they're all just gone!! My angels and guides are quiet. I can't seem to read my tarot anymore. My crystals just feel blah. WHAT IS GOING ON?! My life feels like it's a total mess now and nothing makes sense! Please help!!

Blessed Be!
Kelley

Hey there Kelley! You've fallen into a "trap"!! LOL! Your abilities haven't gone anywhere. But the Universe may be telling you that you need to trust in yourself more and NOT THE TOOLS! This can happen with me too if I try to read my Tarot on something I really already know the answer to.. and all the while my guides say "DUH, you already KNOW the answer!!". Take a step back and re-assess things. ARE they really gone or are you trying to get an answer that you WANT rather than what you know to be true? Are you trying to get an answer because you just want an instant answer without having to do the work you know is involved?

You're saying your life isn't making sense, but I'm guessing that isn't just with your abilities at this time. It would be nice if we all got a manual with step 1, 2, 3 of our life's direction, but then it really wouldn't be much of an experience!! Take some time away from the tools and start from scratch when you first started learning to TRUST YOUR INTUITION! Everything else will start falling into place again when you STOP DOUBTING YOURSELF! :)

This is true for everyone.. even those who think they have no psychic abilities. Because really, we're all born with these qualities within us. I wake up with a mantra every day... I will be the best intuitive psychic that I can be and will help as many people as I can throughout my day!!

Many Blessings!!!! (and keep sending those questions!)