When I was first invited to guest facilitate at the Inspire Life Immersion in Costa Rica I was so excited, but little did I know what a lasting impact it would have on me. As I was preparing to teach I also had it in the back of my mind that I would have a dual role in this experience. Not only was I invited to teach, I was also invited to receive as a participant when not in my teaching role. I knew we were going to be moving through transformative workshops, breathwork, and entrainments and was a little nervous about what my surface for me within the group setting.
There are things of my past that have a broad spectrum of emotions in my body and in my cells. What was going to come out when poked? I thought I might find myself wailing in front of strangers or screaming with unheard rage. Instead what came out was something completely unexpected - bliss. Unbridled, untouchable, and ecstatic bliss. Within those same cells holding the memories of past hurts was the energy of deep peace, love, joy, and most of all bliss.
To say this was a pleasant surprise is an understatement. I was in shock when instead of tears calling from within laughter from the depths of my beautiful belly belted out. I couldn't stop laughing and I didn't care because it was a relief to my tired bones who were done hearing the stories my anxious mind was telling them. It was time for something different. Time for the true essence of who we are to lead.
This is not to say there weren't any tears shed, but they certainly weren't the main show. Even when they did come to be released they were gentle and supported by the energy of the jungle. I could feel the monkeys chatter transmuting the heavy energy that not longer served back to mother earth, back to be released and recycled anew.
I'm sharing this with you because I hadn't realized how the stories, worries, and anxious thoughts in my mind were blocking the doorway to my bliss, peace, and joy waiting to walk through the threshold. What stories are running through your mind and how can you gently set them down to see what else is there? You just might be surprised at what you find - I sure was.
So much more happened on this trip. I was stretched physically with all of the hiking, heat, heights, and most fun of all surfing. Never did I ever think I would learn to stand and ride a surfboard at the age of 40. I wasn't even going to go because the thought of me being able to do it was ridiculous in my mind. Yet, there I was riding the waves with the sunburn to prove it.
A huge thank you to Dr. Mel and the Inspire Life team for creating such a beautiful container of transformation. An even bigger thank you to my husband for taking a chance and diving head first into my world with an open heart and an open mind. You continue to be an inspiration in my life and I am so honored to be alongside you in this journey.
With much love and gratitude,
Jessica
Here are a few ways you can embrace the Summer Solstice this year!
1. Create a Crystal Grid or Nature Mandala - The picture for this post is a crystal grid that I have created for the summer solstice. There are no particular rules other than to infuse your layout with your intentions. This cannot go wrong. A couple pointers to enhance your intentions would be to have the middle stone or crystal represent your the main energy behind your intentions. Then the surrounding crystals are supporting energies. Finally the crystal points are way finders or removers of obstacles so your intentions can travel further.
2. Have a bonfire! Bonfires and music are a wonderful way to celebrate the light of the summer solstice. Our family traditionally has a charcuterie board dinner by the fire as well as a fire ceremony together. What I mean by fire ceremony is that we take a piece of paper and write on one side what we would like to release and then on the other side of the paper we write what we are looking to create in our lives. After we have said our intentions into the fire we burn the paper and release our intentions into the night sky. It's a beautiful way to reconnect with some of your intentions you set at the beginning of the year.
3. Creating Ceremony - The definition of ceremony is a public occasion, typically celebrating a particular event or anniversary. The Summer Solstice is an annual event to be celebrated! You can mark this by creating art, having a fire ceremony, sharing stories or a meal.
4. Making Summer Solstice Art - creating paintings, drawings, or craft projects with the theme of summer, flowers, and bright colors.
5. Creating Flower Crowns - this is one of my favorite things and brings me right back to being a kid. Any time I have an excuse to create a little magic and fantasy in the real world I'm going to take it. I feel like a queen with a flower crown. There are all kinds of directions online on how to make one.
6. Get Out In Nature - Take time to get outside! Go for a walk, have a picnic, visit a local park or spend time in your garden. Added bonus, go barefoot! There are so many benefits of walking barefoot on the Earth. So if you can kick your shoes off and feel the grass beneath your feet, even better.
7. Practice Yoga and Meditation - Take time to go within and move in your body and calm your mind. The summer solstice is an opportunity to connect with the light of the sun and the light from within.
Whatever you decide to do, no matter how big or small, may you feel connected to the energy of the Summer Solstice and may it illuminate your light within.
Happy Summer Solstice! - Jessica
]]>Last night I was a part of a women's circle and we were invited to state aloud anything we would like to say. My first reaction was 'what would I say that would be of value?' My second reaction was to my own thought that I needed to provide anything for the sake of another. The invitation was to state something that needed to be spoken in order to be released from my inner world, for my own well-being. Then we come to my third reaction. What I really wanted to acknowledge, what I really wanted to bring voice to.
So I said aloud "In the past year I have learned that grief, bliss, anger, and love can all co-exist in my being at the same time."
It's when I don't make room for all of the emotions to exist and keep pushing through that I start to feel ill; by way of nausea, migraines, etc. Our bodies are always speaking to us and letting us know when something is getting stuck. It's our job to quiet the mind enough to be able to hear the body when it's whispering so it doesn't have to shout before we hear it.
Here are a few ways I have found it helpful to recognize the emotions in my body and release them. This is all from my own personal experience. I am not a professional ;)
1. Connecting within by quieting my mind. I do this by putting one hand on my heart and one hand on my stomach and saying to myself "I love you, I'm listening". Letting my body know that I am present and that I am loved. Sometimes when I practice this I may gently sway from side to side allowing any movement that needs to happen to just happen.
2. Acknowledging what feelings are really there. I tend to want to find compassion and forgiveness right away without acknowledging the hurt or the anger that happened. Trying to always see the silver lining doesn't leave room for the not so shiny emotions. I have had the biggest breakthroughs when I just acknowledged that I was in fact hurt, I was indeed angry, and yes they can have room within my being to be felt, seen, and ultimately when ready, lovingly released. These not so glamorous emotions have an important place within me. They are the ones letting me know something is not in alignment with my highest good or the highest good of those around me.
3. Pausing after big events happen in order to allow my emotions and physical sensations to catch up with my mind. Because of my past experience with trauma, my default mode is to take action, to fix, and to do whatever it takes to get out of whatever hell-scape of a moment I may be in. This is like kicking the can down the road and it always catches up with me. So allowing myself downtime, rest, reflection, and nurturing care after a startling experience, I am able to shorten that window and let the emotions flow through without getting so stuck.
You may be thinking, ok so now what? So are we all supposed to be swept up in our big uncomfortable emotions? Short answer, yes. It's when we stop avoiding and turn to face whatever emotions are coming up that we allow healing and transformation to really happen. And you know what else? By allowing ourselves to feel all emotions fully we also get to experience the bliss, joy, happiness and gratitude more fully as well. Our bandwidth of emotions grows.
As I finish writing this I can feel the anger slowly drain from my finger tips, the fire cool in my chest, and the warmth of love wash down from my face and over my shoulders.
So I encourage you to tap in, acknowledge, and lead with love and compassion as you explore all of the emotions that are hiding within.
With so much love and gratitude, Jessica.
]]>Expansion is one of, if not the biggest event we have of the year. It is a time when we come together in community, focus on what we are looking to create in our lives, and how we can embody moving in that direction.
When we were first pulling together the concept of the full day retreat we new we wanted to host at the beginning of the year. There is so much buzz and discussion of New Years Resolutions, New Year-New You talk, and the excitement of setting goals so you can 'smash' them throughout the year. These are all great and exciting to participate in and we wanted to take it a step further (or deeper rather) and dive into the motivations of the heart, the why behind it all. And so Expansion was born.
The word Expansion was inspired by the book The Big Leap, by Gay Hendricks where he says “I expand in abundance, success, and love every day, as I inspire those around me to do the same.” The reason this quote was so important and potent is because the reason for the quote in the book is to help one overcome their feelings of unworthiness and self-sabotage and move into a life of abundance, success, and love. The ability to move past these happiness limits we unconsciously put on ourselves.
This is the work we look to foster at Expansion. The ability to look within and question what our motives are, what it is that holds us back from fully embodying and moving in the direction of our hearts deepest and biggest desires. Expansion could not be the magical day that it is without the beautiful souls who join us and fully show up to do this work with vulnerability, authenticity, and an open mind.
One of my favorite moments from this year was when someone who had previously attended reacted to the announcement of our next exercise. The exercise is called The 9 Why's to which she replied, "You mean the why until you cry practice?" with a playful sarcasm in her voice. I loved this because it shows that even when we are diving deep and looking into some of the recesses of ourselves that aren't always pleasant, there is still room for levity.
Many times when we approach this inner work there is an air of mysticism and definitely undertones of sacred energy, and it's true there very much is sacredness in this work. That being said, I want to challenge the idea that the sacred work must be defined in any certain way. Does it need to be solemn, quiet, full of oms and peace? Or does it sometimes need to look like unbridled rage or over the top laughter and bliss? The beauty of it is that it gets to be all of these things. Just like beauty, it is in the eye of the beholder and on the hands and heart of the one on the journey.
This is what Expansion is about, showing up fully, discovering yourself, and creating what you want to embody in the year (and beyond) that is before you.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who showed up, cried, laughed, and did the work to come closer to home. And a special heartfelt thank you to my dear friend and co-creator Patty. Your love of sharing, deep knowledge and reverence, and heart for lifting others is an inspiration and Expansion wouldn't be the magic it is without you.
With much love, Jessica
What other's are saying about the day:
"This event is life changing and every year I have attended, I learn a little bit more about who I really am and what goals and dreams I hold deep in my heart. It’s a gift to be able to attend, the environment is magic and the community is so pure and connected." -Lauren
"If you are one to start a resolution and stop a few weeks in you need to go to Expansion. It's a tangible way to make lasting, positive changes in your life and discover things about yourself you never knew." - Jennafer
"Expansion is such an amazing experience! It is a great mixture of physical activity, journaling, lecture, and discussion. It asks you to dive deep and really learn what your intention is. I love how accepted I felt walking in the door. Jessica and Patty are both incredible and I can’t wait for more of their events!" - Sammi
"This event has become a tradition for me every year. It’s a revealing safe space that exposes your authentic self in a way that is beautiful & empowering." - Monica
Photo Credits: JL Photography
]]>About a week ago I left on a solo trip. I was tapped out energetically with no more left to give. Not one drop. Nothing to my family, my friends, my business, let alone myself. If someone had asked me even one more question or if I was required to make one more decision I may have been pushed over the edge.
Recently, it had been suggested to me that I should go on a solo trip to clear my mind, rest, and restore my whole being. When it was first suggested I thought "no way! When would I be able to clear my calendar for any amount of time, let alone a few days?". As I come to find out, it is exactly then that it's not about finding the time, but rather about creating the time in your schedule.
When I was in a therapy session she had asked me, "how did you get here?", 'here' being a place of total bone drying exhaustion. Good question. A little back story on just how that happened.
There are times throughout the year where my business schedule requires quite a bit of energy output on my behalf and there are times that it doesn't. This August and September was going to be a 6 week run of high output. Earlier, in July, when I had expected to have down time to rest and restore I lost my dog of 16 years. Her passing brought on more grief than I could have ever imagined. She had been with me for my entire adult life. She felt like an extension of my soul in tiny dog form. Now, I needed to spend time holding space for not only my own big emotions about the loss, but also hold space for my children who had only known life with her in it.
Then about a month later, as many of you know, my mom was in an accident that left her with a spinal cord injury and paralysis from the chest down. To say the events of that evening were traumatic is an understatement. The amount of shock and grief that was added to my system was more than I thought I would ever have to feel in a lifetime - nor do I ever want to feel again.
This accident happened the same weekend as the start of my 6 week push of events. While the distraction of my schedule was welcomed at first, I was then pushed into survival mode. Now, if you've ever been pushed into survival mode it is not a pretty place to be. You are merely existing. It might seem like an ok place because you keep trucking along, but coming out of it is a bear and sometimes a life long process.
Fast forward through 6 weeks of survival mode with high output work on all levels - mentally, emotionally, physically, and I am done. At this point I don't even recognize myself because the weight of everything that has unfolded is starting to sit not only on my mind, but on my heart as well. I feel like there is a cloud around my head and a veil over my eyes.
I am sitting in the tub talking to my husband as tears roll down my face and I say I have nothing left. I am absolutely drained and need to be alone. Not surprisingly he asks what I need and the only thing I could think of to say was to "run away". At first, he was a bit taken aback and needed some clarity, but was supportive of my decision to leave for a few days on my solo trek into the woods.
I knew I needed to connect with nature to refuel my energetic tank and to come back to my soul. My soul needed to feel the connection to complete nurturing supportive energy which is what I find when I'm in the woods. My spiritual side feels deeply connected to a Divine Mother and when the wind is blowing through my hair and the Earth is beneath my feet I can feel her healing presence. That and 13 hours of uninterrupted sleep does wonders for a tired soul.
I had planned to do all kinds of brainstorming and brain dumping, planning and organizing my thoughts and ideas while I was away. What really happened was a release, an exhale and the ability to find stillness again. A place without expectation and without a need of me to output anything. I had no desire to do anything, but just lay there doing absolutely nothing. Then when I felt like my rest quota had been fulfilled, the ideas came flooding in. The energy started moving again and the veil that had been over my eyes lifted.
When we can find stillness not only in our minds, but in our bodies and our life we leave room for the magic to enter, for the healing to happen.
Now, I know that it isn't always practical or doable to go away for a few days in the middle of the week, but when was the last time you checked your energetic output vs. your energetic input? When was the last time you stopped, found stillness and allowed yourself to just be? In silence, with not outside stimulation. How can we cultivate more of these moments in our regular schedule so we don't have to take a solo trip to the middle of the woods to find ourselves again?
My biggest take away is this - we are all worthy of a break, worthy of the energetic support, space, and time that we need to feel whole again and when we open ourselves up to receive the grace of rest and rejuvenation, it rushes in. Bringing with it healing to every cell of our being.
My hope is that you too cultivate time for solitude in your calendar and in your life. May you breathe deeper, find your place of rest, and open yourself to receive the healing energy you so deserve.
Much love and gratitude,
Jessica
The new moon is a perfect time to be cultivating intentions for the month ahead. This time of dark is like planting your seeds in the dark soil of the earth, setting the intentions and planting the seeds of what you would like to come to fruition. If setting intentions is new to you here are a few things to consider.
Reflection is a Powerful Tool
It can be a powerful tool to reflect back on where you have been over the past month, or even further if you like. What has worked? What didn't? How did your experiences effect you emotionally/physically/mentally/spiritually?
Finding Gratitude
We have all heard what a powerful tool gratitude is. The opportunity to give thanks for all things in life. Not only the good, but also the bad or uncomfortable because in all things there are lessons to be learned. When we take a moment to find gratitude it shifts our focus to all that we have rather than our perception of lack.
Meditation or Spiritual Practices
Spending time connecting to your spiritual source during the new moon is a wonderful way to find clarity on your next step. We have so much stimulation and input on the daily that it can be hard to discern what direction we're going in. Take some time tonight to quiet the mind or give it something specific to focus on. If you're new to meditation there are wonderful apps out there to help get you started.
Journaling
Once you've had time to mentally work through things, find clarity, and quiet the busy thoughts it's wonderful to dive a little deeper through journaling. Journaling is a way of opening a dialog about what you're feeling and experiencing in your life right now. You can use it to get busy thoughts out of your head and to release emotions that may otherwise be stuck in your body. (this is something we talk a little more about later ;).
Creating You List of Intentions
Once you've had a chance to reflect, find gratitude, meditate, and journal it's good to write down your specific intentions in a clear and concise way. This list may be where you stop or it may be a blueprint for things you wish to accomplish in the month ahead. You can use this tool to come back to or you can simply bring it out during the next new moon to see how things went, which brings us right back to the first suggestion of reflection.
Just like the moon our intentions have a cycle - sometimes they are bright and clear in the night sky and sometimes they are waiting to be unearthed. May this help you on your journey of creating intentions and happy new moon!
Much love and gratitude - Jessica
]]>Happy Fall Equinox! A beautiful time to celebrate the abundance of the summer and the work accomplished throughout the year. In our family it's an opportunity to connect and reflect. I love infusing times like this with someone visual and energetic. For us, the Mandala is a wonderful way of doing this.
Historically Mandala translates as a circle and a symbol of the interconnectedness of everything and everyone. A beautiful reminder that we are on this journey together. It is usually geometric in nature and contains symbols of the persons inner world and journey through life.
When creating your own Mandala it's good to start with an intention. What would you like the energy of your circle to represent? For the Fall Equinox we wanted to bring in elements of the season - harvest, fall colors, transition, release and moving inward. We also added some elements of abundance to represent the bounty of the season.
From there you can start anywhere you like. We decided to start from the middle placing stones and crystals that represented the nature of our intentions for the Mandala and then worked our way outwards. When you are creating a Mandala and this circle it's really creating a sacred space and it's good to set your intentions for the highest good throughout the process. Because of the intentions pointed for the highest good you can also place objects that you use or wear in the circle to be infused with those energies.
Other practices we decided to add to the creation of our Mandala was the pulling of oracle cards, smudging and sharing our intentions of what we would like to release in this season and what we look forward to moving into winter. When the weather permits we love to have a bonfire as well.
Here are the elements that we used in our Fall Equinox Mandala and the energetic intentions of each.
Crystals
Candles - My fav is from Slow Burn because she infuses each candle with intention and beauty while she's creating them.
Blanket or Cloth to create a sacred space
Nature Elements like Gourds, Pumpkins and Fall Mums to represent the season
Talismans - Crystal energy jewelry and malas that we want infused with the energy of the Mandala.
I hope this is helpful in giving you some ideas for creating your own Mandala and a fun way to celebrate the change of the seasons.
A special thank you to Talia for bringing her energy to this circle and for sharing in sacred space - I very much appreciate you my friend.
With much love and gratitude - Jessica
]]>When you're starting to work with crystals always follow your intuition, it will never lead you astray. One of the main things I tell people is that you are drawn to what will serve you. It is your intuitions way of guiding you in the right direction. If you're reading this and thinking, "intuition?!" - go with the one you are most attracted to.
]]>When you're starting to work with crystals always follow your intuition, it will never lead you astray. One of the main things I tell people is that you are drawn to what will serve you. It is your intuitions way of guiding you in the right direction. If you're reading this and thinking, "intuition?!" - go with the one you are most attracted to.
If you're not feeling drawn to any particular crystal or stone, but really want to work with their beneficial energies here is a great list to get you started.
1. Rose Quartz - The universal stone of love. Love for others, love for self and unconditional love. Rose Quartz helps to bring out the best in humanity and remind us to bring it back to love and to choose love over fear. Just as much as this stone helps us to feel love, compassion, forgiveness and empathy for others it also gently reminds us to find all those same beautiful qualities for ourselves.
Read more about Rose Quartz here...(coming soon)
2. Clear Crystal Quartz - Known as a universal amplifier of energy, Clear Crystal Quartz is great to work with in meditation aiding you in connecting to your higher self and to the divine in your life. This beautiful crystal also helps to bring about clarity of mind and thought while calming the busy thoughts of your day to day.
Read more about Crystal Quartz here...(coming soon)
3. Amethyst - Known as a Master Healer stone, Amethyst is a fantastic support for mind, body, and spirit. This beautiful purple crystal helps to instill deep peace for the person working with it as well as helping you to connect with your intuition. Another benefit of working with Amethyst is that it is known as a stone of sobriety. So, if you or someone you know could use some support in this area Amethyst is a fantastic energetic ally.
Read more about Amethyst here... (coming soon)
4. Sodalite - Known as the Writer's Stone, Sodalite helps to remove blockages of self expression aiding you in speaking your truth with clarity and compassion. Sodalite is also known as a stone of wisdom, intellect and communication. If there are some ideas or creative musings looking to be expressed Sodalite is a wonderful companion.
Read more about Sodalite here... (coming soon)
5. Amazonite - A wonderful stone for calming any self-esteem issues that might be lingering so that your confidence can step forward in a beautiful and steady way. Amazonite is also wonderful for balancing your emotions in order to not get swept up in them so they may be used as a guide rather than a distraction.
Read more about Amazonite here... (coming soon)
6. Citrine - Another one of the Master Healer family Citrine is wonderful for cleansing the energy of other crystals as well as your own energy. It is self charging and always willing to help hold the light for you when you've lost sight of your own. Citrine is also a crystal of abundance and prosperity.
Read more about Citrine here... (coming soon)
7. Tiger Eye - This is a wonderful stone of protection and strength. Tiger Eye provides a strong foundation for when you are stepping into your power for the first time.
Read more about Tiger Eye here... (coming soon)
8. Carnelian - A beautiful stone of creativity, inspiration, and vitality. Carnelian helps us to reconnect to the sensual, playful, and creative side of yourself. If you are looking for a creative solution to a situation in your life Carnelian is a wonderful sidekick.
Read more about Carnelian here... (coming soon)
9. Smoky Quartz - This beautiful crystal makes sure no energy goes wasted. Smoky Quartz transmutes negative energy into positive energy and helps to make sure you are protected from the negative energy of others, but also from those nagging negativities that may creep up from inside of you now and again.
Read more about Smoky Quartz here...(coming soon)
10. Black Tourmaline - the end all, be all crystal of protection. If you are feeling the negative energy of others or the negative energy of a space Black Tourmaline is going to keep you grounded, steady and protected. This beautiful black stone is a power tool for those who work in a service industry of any kind.
Read more about Black Tourmaline here... (coming soon)
Did any of these stones or crystals stick out to you right away? Comment below with which one is calling your name!
Here is a great guide to getting started with working with your crystals.
If you have any questions please feel free to ask! With much love and gratitude - Jessica
]]>Everyone is crystal curious these days and these beautiful energetic tools are just waiting to be used. In such a chaotic world crystal energy can be just the added bonus people are looking for in their lives.
Everything is vibration and everything is energy. Our energy is very light and loves to do this dance with our mind. Where our mind goes our energy follows and vice versa, however crystal and stone energy keeps its own consistent vibration lending itself to be the perfect tool in balancing our energetic fluctuations. When working with crystals we are looking to achieve something called entrainment. It’s when two like energies, rhythms or vibrations brought near each other synchronize with one another. Since stones and crystals don’t have a mind of their own their vibration always stays true.
Here are some ways to work with crystal energy.
Wearing crystals and stones as jewelry.
Crystal energy is most affective when touching the skin. This makes jewelry a wonderful crystal energy tool. You can wear it as a bracelet or a pendant. Another funny and convenient way to have crystals near is to keep them in your bra - for the femmes out there. Otherwise, having them in your pocket can also be helpful and easily held when needed.
During your meditation or yoga nidra practice.
Using crystals during your meditation or yoga nidra practice is a great way to enhance the energy and intention of your practice. While seated in meditation you can hold crystals in the palms of your hands or even place them on the floor in front of you. If you are lying down for yoga nidra you may choose to place crystals on your body or on the floor around you.
Placing them in your home.
Crystals and stones are wonderful to have in the home not only as home decor but for energetic purposes. There are a few different ways to use crystals in your home according to Feng Shui. Here is a great article about how to use your crystals in the home and office. My personal favorite is to have a citrine point in the northeast corner of my home to promote abundance. Another one I love to use is a combination of amethyst and rose quartz in my kids room to help keep away nightmares.
If you are just starting on your crystal journey the crystal I always recommend starting with is Rose Quartz. Rose Quartz is a universal stone of love, compassion, empathy and friendship. In the end everything comes back to love. Love and intuition. When choosing your stones and crystals remember to always follow your intuition, it will never lead you astray.
Many people also ask about crystal maintenance. A popular question is “How do I cleanse my crystals?” There are a few different ways to do this. You can simply run them under cold water while sending loving intention to them. Another way is to place them in the full moon light. This can be done through a window in a window sill as well. Finally, you can place them on a selenite plate or in an amethyst geode. There are a few more we can go over another time, but these are sure ways to get your crystal energy shining bright again.
Enjoy your time working with crystals and stones!
]]>Here is a list of stones and crystals to help keep you grounded during crazy times.
]]>There are practices like meditation, yoga, yoga nidra, and mindfulness that can help keep you grounded. Crystals are a wonderful energetic addition to these practices.
Here is a list of stones and crystals to help keep you grounded during crazy times.
Black Tourmaline - protection from negative energies, helps to stabilize your energy
Hematite - very grounding and stabilizing, especially if thoughts and energy begin to race.
Obsidian - helps to remove mental stress and tension.
Smoky Quartz - changes negative energy into positive energy and helps to keep you grounded in challenging times.
Garnet - re-energizes all seven chakras by creating a strong root chakra at the base. Helps to keep energy balanced and stable.
Red Jasper - connects to earth energy and is a stone of balance, justice and helps to keep one from being dominated by their emotions.
Brecciated Jasper - strength and vitality
Picture Jasper - also known as landscape jasper, this earthy stone is very nurturing and supportive during times of upset.
Now that you have this list of stones and crystals you may be asking, "how do I use them?". Great question!
The best way to utilize crystal energy is to have them touching your skin if you can. The easiest way to do that is in the form of jewelry or holding them in your hand. We have a Muladhara Root Chakra bracelet that is great for grounding down.
Holding the crystals in your hands during meditation is a great way to tune into their vibrations. If you're more of a visual person crystal grids are a great way to meditate on your intentions while creating a piece of energetic art - remember to take a pic!
I hope this little post was a helpful starter for you. May you feel grounded, steady and capable no matter what life adds to your path.
Much love and gratitude, Jessica
]]>
Within this new routine we find a moment to breathe and catch our barrings about us. When we take the opportunity to release what no longer serves us it opens the door to more supportive energies. Below you will find a list of crystals to help with personal empowerment, energy, balance, joy and stability.
Lapis Lazuli - as a stone of the fifth and sixth chakras Lapis Lazuli helps you to speak your truth with clarity and compassion, helping with self-awareness and self-expression. It is also known as a stone of personal power, confidence and protection against negative energies.
Amethyst - a master healer stone that helps to calm and soothe on all levels. Also, connected to the third eye chakra and our intuition and inner knowing.
Garnet - helps to re-energize all 7 chakras starting at the base. A stone of personal power, passion and self love.
Black Tourmaline - very grounding and stabilizing. A stone to help protect against negative energies that may have crept in. Black Tourmaline is wonderful for people with empathic tendencies in that it protects against other people's energy.
Sunstone - a stone of happiness, joy, hope and enthusiasm. Wonderful stone for feelings of gratitude and appreciation.
Bloodstone - excellent for cleansing old energies that no longer serve. Increases creativity and one's intuition. Also very grounding and stabilizing.
Lepidolite - a very high vibe stone used for positivity, balance and emotional cleansing. Known as a "transition" stone this helps to gently release old thought patterns and behavioral patterns that no longer serve.
Fluorite - a stone of the higher self helping to connect you with your inner world and intuition. Very calming and soothing. Brings about concentration, clarity, good judgement, confidence and positivity.
]]>
Aquamarine - is a very soothing and healing crystal and is also known for it's qualities of courage. Sometimes it takes courage to calm.
Prehnite - a stone of unconditional love, helps to connect you to your higher self and release any heartache and gathers inner strength
Rose Quartz - also a stone of unconditional love helps you to find the love in your heart not only for others, but also for yourself when you may have flown off the handle.
Aventurine - a stone of friendship and abundance. Reminding you to be nice to your friends and that there is enough for everyone ;)
Labradorite - when looking for direction in how to release some of the excess heat labradorite is great for connecting to your intuition. Especially great for when you need to think creatively about a heated situation.
Amethyst - a master healer crystal that helps to release any burdens that might be agitating you.
Snow Quartz - the lighter side of crystal quartz helps you to see more clearly in an situation and to come at it with a calmer heart and mind.
Howlite - helps you to break bad habits and is a wonderful stone of inner peace. So if you tend to have a shorter fuse this is a wonderful stone to help smooth out those rough edges.
What are stones and crystals you like to use when you're feeling a little hot headed? Here's one of our favorite styles to bring you back down - I Just Can't Even!
]]>Here are stones and crystals to create confidence and excitement in your day to day:
1. Tiger Eye - a powerful stone of the third chakra. Helps to connect you to your personal power while keeping you grounded and stabilized at the same time. Also, helps to protect against negative energies.
2. Citrine - known as a master healer crystal this stone is wonderful to reignite the light within as well as pull from the energy of your third chakra. Not only does it boost self confidence it also helps to connect you to your higher self and aids in meditation. Bonus feature, it is a considered a crystal of abundance.
3. Carnelian - a stone of creativity and inspiration. Carnelian helps to bring back your charisma and excitement. As a stone of the sacral or second chakra, it helps to heal any emotional issues that might come up.
4. Orange Calcite - also very healing when it comes to emotions and dealing with situations that may have caused friction in your life. Not only that, it helps to enhance creativity and inspiration as well.
May you always know the power and light that exists within you and may you always be inspired by and warmed by the flame.
]]>Moss Agate - Moss Agates are a stone of new beginnings and positivity. They are also a stone of attraction energy. So if there is something you are looking to manifest this would be a great one. Agates are also a symbol of strength and protection.
Chrysocolla - Chrysocolla is a stone of communication and inner truth. It helps one to express themselves clearly and with compassion and intention. This stone can also be used to relieve symptoms of low self-esteem.
Botswana Agate - Botswana Agate is known as the stone of change. It helps one to see the positive in the ebbs and flows of your day to day. Like all other agates it is also a stone of strength and protection.
Smoky Quartz - Smoky Quartz blocks negative energy from being around you and even transmutes it into positive energy. This stone is also very grounding and stabilizing which can be good during times of change.
Shungite - Shungite is a stone of transformation. While being very grounding and stabilizing it also helps to block the wearer or holder from EMF Radiation. Shungite helps to resolve both mental and emotional issues at hand.
Amethyst - Amethyst is known as a master healer crystal and soothes one on all levels; mental, emotional and physical. It helps one to tune into their intuition and has a side benefit of being a stone of sobriety.
Howlite - Howlite is a very calming stone, helping to reduce any stress or anxiety that can occur during times of change. It is also a stone that can help one to break bad habits.
Labradorite - Labradorite is very much a stone of intuition and connection to your higher self. When looking for guidance during times of change or really any time in life Labradorite is a great stone to have near you.
Citrine - Citrine is a stone of abundance, personal power and helps to release fears and increase motivation.
Ways to use your crystals include wearing in pieces of jewelry, carrying in your pocket or placing in your home.
*Note: Healing crystal meanings are spiritual supports to healing,
not prescription or healthcare information.
The spring is a time of new growth, fresh energy and a time to shed the cold of winter. Let's take inspiration from this time of year to create personal growth and transformation. Here is a fun list of activities to celebrate the Spring Equinox and start you on your own journey into summer.
Get Out In Nature ::
Talk a walk in nature and feel connected to the Earth during this time of renewal. If it's still snowy where you are try visiting a local Conservatory or Greenhouse for a breath of fresh air and the smell of Earth and soil.
Start Your Seedlings ::
Many plants need to be started inside and cared for as seedlings before being moved outdoors. This is also a great way to get children involved and teach about the importance of caring for something and cultivating growth. When planting the seeds be thinking about what "seeds" you want to also be planting mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Create New Intentions ::
The beginning of the year is always marked with plenty of ways to create intentions and goals for the year. Take the opportunity of the new season of spring to do the same. You can revisit the intentions you were working on or decide to start new.
Spend Time in Reflection ::
The Spring Equinox symbolizes a time of balance, a time when daylight and night are given equal amounts of time. Take some time to reflect on this balance of day and night, of activity and rest, and of the stillness before action. Make space in your day for meditation, yoga, journaling or anything that helps you to slow down and find balance.
Spring Cleaning ::
This is a great time to air out the house and purge anything no longer serving you. A deep clean of the house AND yourself is a great way to start the spring. Just as much as you want to clean the cobwebs from your home take this opportunity to dust off your daily habits and reinvigorate your best morning or bedtime routine.
Do A Spring Detox ::
Similar to the deep clean this one is more about purging. Whether you are doing this to see what "Sparks Joy" in your life or doing it to get rid of the winter "hibernation" habits that have you feeling lethargic its a great time to be rid of all that no longer serves you.
Have a Bonfire ::
One of my favorite things to do is have a bonfire or fire of some sort to symbolize transformation. It is with fire that we forge the strongest steel and it is with fire that we burn away the excess brush for new life the grow. A great way to use your bonfire to symbolize this is to take a small piece of paper and write a few words on the piece of paper. These can be something you are working on OR can be something you are looking to release. When you are finished writing it down, hold it in between the palm of your hands and meditate for a couple of moments on what your intention is moving into Spring. When you feel like you have a solid idea of your intention place the piece of paper in the fire to release your intentions into the universe.
We would LOVE to hear from you! What traditions do you have surrounding the Spring Equinox? What are ways that you cultivate transformation in your life?
Much love and happy spring!
Jessica
The way we are able to love ourselves sets the tone for the way we love others and essentially the way we show others how to love us. If we treat ourselves with little care it is opening the door for others to think it's ok to treat us with little care. That being said the opposite holds true as well. If we hold our standards of love for ourselves high then others learn to treat you with that same amount of love and care. Like attracts like.
As a mother of two boys this is very important to me to show them self love and how to give and receive not only love, but also compassion, empathy and forgiveness for others and themselves. In order to teach them these qualities in life I feel a responsibility to embody them myself. Not always something easily done especially when it comes to practicing these qualities towards myself. It can be much easier to give love, compassion and forgiveness for others that it is to give it to ourselves and in turn receive it from others. Below is a little starter list on how to practice more self love in our lives.
5 Ways to Practice Self Love
Wishing you a loving and compassionate day ~ Jessica
]]>Breathe in.... pause...Breathe out...pause......repeat.
Creating space in our minds, bodies and breath help to calm us as well. May you always be able to find your way back to that place of perfect peace that exists within.
Stones and Crystals for Stress and Anxiety Relief
Remember even one of these stones around you can help you find relief. They all have different crystal healing properties. Choose the one or multiple that speak to you the most.
Amazonite - this stone helps to calm insecurities having to do with self-esteem bringing an inner peace and boost in confidence.
Amethyst - known as a Master Healer crystal Amethyst helps to calm and soothe all systems of the mind and body.
Aquamarine - a very calming and soothing stone. Also known as the stone of courage and protection.
Aventurine - a stone of positive energy and positive attitude, this stone helps to clear away emotions that no longer serve you.
Flourite - this stone is great for use in meditation as it clears your mind of distractions and helps to bring calm and peace to you.
Labradorite - the stone of intuition, transformation and change. Helps to protect the aura and energy from negativity and drainage.
Mookaite - the stone of here and now. Mookaite helps to keep one in the present moment so there are no worries about the future or dwelling on the past.
Moonstone - also a stone of intuition with a feminine strength. It is a stone of new beginnings and inner growth.
Prehnite - a stone of unconditional love, peace and protection. Also a stone for guidance and clarity.
Rose Quartz - the universal stone of love. Love for self, love for others, giving love as well as receiving love.
Smoky Quartz - helps to keep the wearer grounded and connected to earth energy as well as protects against internal and external negative energy - even helps to transform negative energy back into positive energy.
HERE is a list of great bracelets and malas to help reduce stress and anxiety.
]]>
When we are reflecting back on the last 6 months it's just as important to celebrate the triumphs we have had as it is to look at what still is looking to be manifested.
Here are a few questions to help guide you through appreciating you and all you have accomplished as well as put together an action plan for the next 6 months. As you look through these questions don't be afraid to add something new or bless and release something that may no longer be serving you.
Reflecting back:
Now pause and reflect on the beauty of your experience with just as much love, compassion and understanding as you would give to your closest loved ones.
Moving forward:
Now go on with your bad self and create all that you desire to have in this big beautiful world!! Remember that every little effort is not wasted, just one more step, just one more breath, just keep swimming! You got this!
And HAPPY HALF NEW YEAR!!
My teacher shared an article aptly named This Is What ‘Self-Care’ REALLY Means, Because It’s Not All Salt Baths And Chocolate Cake written by Brianna Wiest.
WOW, what an eye opener! Here I was thinking about the next time I might get to take a long soak in a hot bath, but remembering in the same breath how messy my house was and how much had yet to be done before that little fantasy was anywhere near the realm of my realty. The writer goes on to talk about how what we do in our daily lives and the routine or habits that we create for ourselves it what constitutes real self-care.
Self-care is when we choose our health, our peace of mind, and our happiness first especially when that choice is about making the right decision and not always the easiest or most glamorous.
"It is often doing the ugliest thing that you have to do, like sweat through another workout or tell a toxic friend you don’t want to see them anymore or get a second job so you can have a savings account or figure out a way to accept yourself so that you’re not constantly exhausted from trying to be everything, all the time and then needing to take deliberate, mandated breaks from living to do basic things like drop some oil into a bath and read Marie Claire and turn your phone off for the day."
Often the right decision is the most difficult decision because it places you first. When we are in a position of support for so many people and their needs have always come first it's hard to turn that around and care for ourselves. However, it's just like they say before you take off on any flight - "please secure your mask before helping others". If you are gasping for air - how in the world are you going to help someone else find their next breath?
Not only does that require a change in thought, but discipline as well. Anyone who has created change in their life can attest to the fact that it is not always easy. It does not happen when we are motivated to do it (although motivation helps), it does not happen when 'the time is right' and it especially doesn't happen when it's convenient. Change happens the moment you decide to make it so and practice the discipline it takes to get there. It's in that moment that you are truly caring for yourself and saying to yourself "I am worth this effort".
Self-care is self-love, even when it comes in unexpected packages like cleaning your house of clutter and putting away your laundry in a timely manner ;)
]]>A powerful phrase I once heard (and now repeat in yoga classes) is "remember you have complete control over your actions and reactions." Whoa - that is a big one. I grew up hearing phrases like "I can't help the way I feel - it's just the way I feel - I don't have control over my emotions". So imagine my surprise when I hear someone say I have complete control over my reactions. Wait, what?! I can control the way I feel and even more so the way I react (emotionally and physically) to a situation? When we can create the space between experience and reaction we create the space for self-study and in doing so create the space for personal growth.
So now, how do we put this into practice? Here are a few simple steps to creating the space in your life for self-study.
Just like a any practice of self-awareness or self-growth - start small and without expectation. Be kind to yourself and let the process happen on it's own time. This can be an epiphany of "whoa, I have control." or it can be a gentle unfolding of a new way of thinking and being.
These are just a few small steps to get you started on the path of Svadyaya. I would love to hear more about how you practice self-study in your daily life. We are all students and we are all teachers learning from one another.
Wishing you a journey filled with love and compassion.
]]>All of the stones related to love are going to help balance and open your heart chakra. Allowing you to receive love more freely and fully, give love more freely and fully and to remember that you are love. The colors of the heart are pink and green.
In matters of the heart, as in all things, there are sometimes lessons to be learned or wounds needing to be healed. The stones below are going to help with all areas of love including compassion, forgiveness, protection, and healing.
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz is often called the "Love Stone."
It's energetic hallmark is that of unconditional love that opens the heart chakra. This makes rose quartz a stone for every type of love: self-love, family, platonic, romantic, and unconditional. As a variety of quartz, rose quartz has high energy, and this strong energy can enhance love in virtually any situation. Bringing love in to life and daily situations not only brings inner warmth, but it also lowers stress and soothes those around it. Rose quartz is a very happy and loving stone.
Rhodonite
Rhodonite is a stone of Grace and elegance. It decreases anxiety while increasing attention to detail. It works beneficially on the heart chakra, opening one to unconditional love and increased service to mankind. It is a stone of inner growth as well, and helps with self-love. It is also a calming stone, with energies used for easing anger as well as calming stress and anxiety. It is said to bring emotional balance, and as such bring confidence in one's life in many areas. Rhodonite is also a stone of contrasts. The pinks indicate energy that enhances love, and is used in metaphysics to attract a good mate. This stone can help one have a passionate love that is also grounded, or help mend a broken heart.
Rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite balances and enhances love on all levels. It allows fuller love to enter one's life, in part by calming excessive passions. It balances the mental and emotional processes. It is also said to be a stone of freedom because of this helping to balance inner conflicts. This can bring a deep sense of happiness and relief from ongoing stress.
Unakite
Unakite is a stone with gentle but powerful energy. Unakite brings unconditional love of humanity, connection and reunion.
Aventurine
Aventurine is said to benefit one in all areas of creativity, and imagination, as well as intellect and mental clarity. Lore says that it enhances prosperity and brings career success. It is a gentle stone energetically that gives a sense of calm and balance and enhances happiness. It also helps one to see alternatives and potentials in all situations, giving a positive outlook, courage and inner strength. It is also said to bring luck, especially in games of chance. Green aventurine is also a mystical stone of prosperity. Aventurine bring friendship to one's life.
Ruby in Zoisite
Ruby in Zoisite is an energy amplification stone that can energize the entire field of one's body. It is used to assist in healing from abuse or trauma issues stemming from incidents or situations in this life or others. It is used for psychic ability and empowerment, as well as altered states of consciousness. Ruby in Zoisite stimulates the crown chakra as well as the heart chakra.
Peridot
Periodot is associated with the heart chakra, and can be used to balance and stimulate that chakra. It is a stone of compassion. It has a friendly energy and is excellent for healing. It assists in rebirth and renewal of all kinds. Peridot also bring abundance and prosperity. It enhances the healing and harmony of relationships of all kinds, but particularly marriage. Peridot is used in crystal healing to lessen stress, especially in relationships.
Prehnite
Prehnite is a very protective stone and can protect one on all levels. It strengthens the life force and generally increases and stimulates energy, while at the same time bringing powerful calming energies. Thus, prehnite is said to ease worries and restlessness of all kinds.
Malachite
Malachite is a stone of transformation. Whether the transformation is demonstrated on this plane as balancing pure love and one's well-being, protection, or spiritual evolution, it brings positive transformation again and again. Malachite also assists in making these transformational changes with a gentleness of the heart, easing the transition from one state to the other.
Jade
Jade is a stone of the heart. As such it is related to the heart chakra and has a beneficial effect on all heart chakra related issues. So, of course, it can attract and enhance love of all kinds. It is also a stone of fidelity and generosity. It is also considered to be good for the physical heart and for emotional balance and stability. It is used in crystal healing for increasing self-reliance. Jade is also very helpful as a stone of abundance. Physically, jade is used in crystal healing for lung problems, kidney problems, immune system weakness, PTSD, and nervous system overwork. Jade is also energized by its color, and relates to those color energies as well.
*Crystal / Stone Definitions Source:<br />http://meanings.crystalsandjewelry.com/<br />
**Note: Healing crystal meanings are spiritual supports to healing, not prescription or healthcare information.
]]>
Weather you feel like things are up in the air or stuck in the mud, your chakras have more to do with this than you may think. Here is a brief description of the Seven Main Chakras and what stones and crystals can help you to find balance.
ROOT CHAKRA - MULADHARA - "I am Grounded" - to be here....
Your Root Chakra is found at the base of your spine and is related to your basic needs and your tribe - immediate family. This Chakra has to do with your relationship with money, your home, the work you do.
Stones and Crystals to help balance your Root Chakra include Smoky Quartz, Snowflake Obsidian, Obsidian, Mahogany Obsidian, Onyx, Cherry Jade, Hematite, Brecciated Jasper, Redstone, and Lava Stone.
SACRAL CHAKRA - SWADHISTHANA - "I am Passionate" - to feel....
Your Sacral Chakra is found in your hips and is related to your one on one relationships with people, your creativity and passion.
Stones and Crystals to help balance your Sacral Chakra include Red Jasper, Carnelian, Redline Marble, Red Agate, Bird's Eye Rhyolite, Copper, Fire Opal, Tangerine Quartz
SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA - MANIPURA - "I am Powerful" - to do....
Your Solar Plexus Chakra is found in the middle of your belly and is related to your personal power.
Stones and Crystals to help balance your Solar Plexus Chakra include Tiger's Eye, Yellow Japser, Calcite, Amber, Citrine, Pyrite, and Yellow Ocean Jasper.
HEART CHAKRA - ANAHATA - "I am Love" - to love....
Your Heart Chakra is found in your chest, right in the heart and is related to all kinds of love. Self love, love for others, and unconditional love.
Stones and Crystals to help balance your Heart Chakra include Rose Quartz, Rhodonite, Aventurine, Rhodochrosite, Jade, Prehnite, Unakite, Peridot, Watermelon Tourmaline, Malachite, and Chrysoprase.
THROAT CHAKRA - VISHUDDA - "I am Heard" - to speak....
Your Throat Chakra is found right at your throat and is related to your ability to speak your truth with clarity and compassion.
Stones and Crystals to help balance your Throat Chakra include Lapis Lazuli, Sodalite, Blue Lace Agate, Aquamarine, Amazonite, Angelite, Chrysocolla, Larimar and Turquoise.
THIRD EYE CHAKRA - AJNA - "I am Intuitive" - to see....
Your Third Eye Chakra is located between your eye brows and is associated with your intuition and wisdom.
Stones and Crystals to help balance your Third Eye Chakra include, Amethyst, Lepidolite, Apatite, Azurite, Moonstone, Sapphire, and Moldavite.
CROWN CHAKRA - SAHASRARA - "I am Connected" - to understand....
Your Crown Chakra is located at the crown of your head or even just above your head and is related to your connection to your divine.
Stones and Crystals to help balance your Crown Chakra include, Crystal Quartz, Howlite, Frosted Quartz, Rutilated Quartz, Selenite, Labradorite, and Sugalite.