Month: November 2015

TAROTSCOPES: DECEMBER 2015

Posted on by Louise Androlia

Tarotscopes December 2015 cast by Louise Androlia using The Cosmic Tarot.

Sagittarius :: Sagittarius Rising :: Princess of Wands

I think it’s only right that we should feel a little more super powered around our birthday, and for you there’s no exception. After all, this is your official new year, your solar-powered leap into a new and inviting space. So it may not be strange for you to feel more active than usual over the coming weeks, and I don’t just mean physically. That mind of yours has a lot to think about, which could be adventure enough.

The word adventure does feel fitting though, as it seems as you have your eyes on a prize, something ahead that you’ve been planning for or maybe are waiting for. For some of you this may involve a little future tripping that sees you just trying to wish yourself somewhere else, while for others this could manifest as a physical and very irritating wait. Either way, your power lies in your ability to trust the process and take action only in the present moment. Having goals and making plans is brilliant, but only if it comes without self-imposed restrictions.

So, at the start of this new solar year I want to ask you, what is it that you’re striving for? And how can you make your journey towards it more empowered and less anxiety ridden? Although we often decide not to believe this, we get to choose exactly how high our stress levels are. After all, you have the ability to decided how you react and respond to your every day encounters and thought processes. As you move through the month I want you to bear in mind that any situation that’s fuelled by drama really isn’t worth putting your mind, body and spirit on high alert for. Save your stress reserve for when you really need it, and instead work out how you can better channel your Fire element.

You are ruled by Fire after all, and it’s one of the best elements to learn to master. On a lower level setting it could see you getting angry, frustrated, judgmental and self sabotaging; but at a higher vibration, the same situation could find you creating, dreaming, imagining and in your ultimate manifesting space. Monitoring your mood over the coming weeks if you feel yourself spiraling downwards, consider how you could channel that Fire in a way that will work much more constructively for you. Just imagine what you might encounter in this higher energy.

Questions? Come and chat with me on Instagram about how your month is going @louniverse

 

Capricorn :: Capricorn Rising :: Judgement

And what comes after retreat? Rebirth. This is a big month for you, with your own solar year set to take off in line with the new year itself, I feel you’re going to be big on making PLANS and for once, instead of telling you to slow down I’m going to encourage you to stand up, pay attention and get involved. With your attention fully on your own life, it deserves to be grabbed fully, embraced and absorbed. You have the energy of transformation on your side so it’s certainly the right time to be preparing to make any big changes you’ve been inching towards.

So, what does this mean for you? Change is an interesting energy, whether the changes are subtle or life altering, great or not so, the feelings that come along with any sort of change are always the same – overwhelm, anxiety and feeling ungrounded. The power at your fingertips is to be able to empower the shifts you are going through as they arrive, as you create them. The Tarot teaches us that transformation is a natural part of life, and a constantly occurring process. The cycles of life spin frequently and we always, always have the opportunity to get actively involved.

So this month’s card is very much a WAKE UP CALL. What are you hiding from? What fears are you afraid to address? What do you want to quit? What do you want to call in? Your journey is sooooo on your side right now, and you are truly encouraged to scrape the sleep from the corners of your eyes and get up and get on it! It’s exciting to commit to a new day; it’s thrilling to commit to a new part of your life. We all know that the unknown can be a terrifying concept but, oh, isn’t it just beautiful too?

The sun is in the distance, rainbows surround you, your pains are waning, and your opportunities are arising. An important part of emerging from the shadows will be a sense of standing your ground, learning to really say NO to what doesn’t feel good, and getting rid of any people pleasing tendencies once and for all. Your priority is on valuing your time and being precious about spending it in ways that lift you into your higher powers. The next stage of your life is knocking at the door, go and introduce yourself

Questions? Come and chat with me on Instagram about how your month is going @louniverse

 

Aquarius :: Aquarius Rising :: Prince of Swords

Reclaiming your power is the grand theme for this month, and some idea of what your power is in the first place will go hand-in-hand with this. Empowerment arises out of self-knowledge and self-awareness, hence the reason a strong self-care practice really is the key to everything. I mention “re-claiming” because there is a sense of rising up and connecting to your internal confidence in a new and more embodied way.

Our personal power is always shifting, due to our experiences and the emotions they give rise to. It’s likely that in the recent months you have experienced events or even just a shift in mindset that have caused you to rethink your place in the world and your place within yourself. The first step to embodying this new sense of self is to check back in and see where you’re at in your story, and how authentic you’re feeling. Okay so we get told to be authentic alllllll the time, but what does that really mean? To behave truly authentically we have to meet ourselves where we ARE. If you’re ignoring or rejecting any part of yourself or your story then it’s very difficult to really stand in your highest self, and your present moment shoes.

Part of being an empowered individual is saying, right this is what’s happened, this is how I felt, this is how I feel right now and it’s all okay. You are here, you are alive, and you are powerful, no matter how weird you feel inside! It’s about standing up and recognizing: “this is me, this is where I am today, I am not broken, I am an evolving human being.” Notice the sense of relief that washes over you when you just allow yourself to be where you’re at?

I want you to be considering all this because I feel you may need it during your interactions with others. There are lots of new ideas in the air, and it can be scary to share them with the world, and throw your opinions into the mix but know that when you speak from a place of compassion and self-knowledge, they are usually well received. Your fears are normal, but it really IS time to get yourself “out there.” Gift yourself a renewed sense of confidence by simply reminding yourself ‘I’m here’ – and you will always be exactly where you are supposed to be.

Questions? Come and chat with me on Instagram about how your month is going @louniverse

 

Pisces :: Pisces Rising :: The Hierophant

If you’re feeling stuck, ask for help. If you’re feeling sad, ask for help. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask for help. If you’re feeling heartbroken, ask for help. If you’re feeling unwell, ask for help. This month, guidance is abundant; it’s within every encounter, it’s in the body of your books, it’s in that internet black hole, it’s on the walk you take in the park, and it’s available via every wish and prayer you make. Although it’s normal to feel the opposite, the sense that you’re all alone is not true.

Whatever you’re feeling has been felt before, there are people all around you who feel alone too – especially the ones that you think couldn’t possibly! There is always a ‘me too’ whether you’re hearing it right now or not. This is a teaching month, one where you can receive help but also one where you can give aid, because you see, you have wisdom to share too. If you have a story, and we all do, then at some point it will help you to share it. There is, however, no need to feel you have to share it right NOW. You have to do your own healing first, and then you can be of service. Then you can be that ‘me too’ for the person who needs it.

So, what do you need to receive right now? Where are you feeling disconnected – what kind help would be appreciated? The Universe is throwing winks at you big time, so attempt to get yourself into a space where you can receive them. Synchronicities and numinous moments are for everyone, there’s no complicated magic trick to perform, but you do need to be able to see them. You can keep your eyes wide open by practicing a constant state of surrender, which instantly throws you into an expansive space.

Start each day by shouting, or whispering I SURRENDER into the open space around you. Make your intention that you want to see the full 360 degrees of life, the unturned stones and the dark corners. If you aren’t receiving it’s only because you aren’t seeing, and this is a fun exercise to wake yourself up to this simple truth, because we all fall asleep sometimes. Finally, write, write and write some more. You gain great inner voice direction when you put pen to paper and just let it all out.

Questions? Come and chat with me on Instagram about how your month is going @louniverse

 

Aries :: Aries Rising – The Lovers

The past few months have required you to scatter your time and your attention in all directions, but now it’s time for a little more one-on-one. This is a month of reassessing what the idea of true connection means to you within your most personal interactions, and that includes the relationship with yourself. What if a full-blown gigantic love affair was the only option in every area of your life? Imagine if you had to have a big crush on every single thing you do, every place you go, and every person you choose to spend your time with.

With this visual in your mind, what needs to be cleared out? What things in your life don’t seem to have stuck in a good way? What seems frivolous? I want you to be aiming high for your mind, body and spirit and accepting no impostors – including how you handle your own sense of authenticity. For those of you who are in a partnership, don’t feel guilty about closing the door and committing to your relationship with each other. Retreat with each other, because it feels like there’s a deeper level of connection just around the corner – you just have to allow the space for it to occur.

Those of you who are single, think about what you might be wasting your energy on. You don’t have to be seeking a relationship to appreciate the people in your sphere. Who do you find most fascinating? Which individuals can teach you new things and hold your attention? You are a person of high energy and ideas and if your mind isn’t led to discover new things then you will get bored. In all senses though Aries, this is a month for intimacy and depth, rather than throwing yourself into group after group activity. Cherish late night phone calls, and cozy dinner dates.

Meanwhile, the same applies on the work front. Buckle down and focus your attention on the project that makes you swoon, the one that keeps you up at night. While on one hand it may freak you out to explore one thing so deeply, you have got this. There may be a big decision coming your way, and if you commit to following the signs that feel good, then even on the smallest level you’re all set to learn something that contributes massively to your overall transformation. So dive in, don’t play small.

Questions? Come and chat with me on Instagram about how your month is going @louniverse

 

Taurus :: Taurus Rising – Queen of Wands

Is this month going to rise up and match the intensity that you’re infusing it with? Unlikely, but that doesn’t mean you can’t rise up and march on if that is what’s calling you. As the year winds down, instead of feeling like all you want is to camp out on your sofa for days on end, you may find yourself at your most creatively active and abundant. The only annoyance might come trying and get others to meet you in that space, so don’t panic if you’re trying to push to get something off the ground and you’re met with out-of-office after out-of-office response; you can still be as alive as you like!

You see, I feel that a renewed sense of confidence is about to hit you head on, and after a year of ups and downs, as well as some bouts of major uncertainty, you are frankly thrilled to be feeling back in your power. I urge you to reflect on the story you are living; the patches that seem less active are only ever in place to teach you something, even if it was simply to rest before being radically awoken. Everything is in place to gift you something, whether you work it out now or you see it in ten years’ time – the Universe is ever abundant with her messages.

So, with your energy activated, feel free to use it how you please – with only one rule: it has to be for your highest good and from your highest energy. You can be prone to self-sabotage or restricted thinking on the occasions where you aren’t getting what you want and it’s essential to avoid this now, after all, your life purpose is not to hold yourself down, right? So get into adventure mode and into your most creative mindset – make things, brainstorm, invent, and enthuse.

This doesn’t have to be based in one area either; you can be passionate about everything that’s in your life’s container, love harder, be bolder, and think deeper. I love that you have this opportunity to end the calendar year with your fire energy high and abundant, it’s certainly the time where you don’t need to worry about being grounded, be your weirdest, shout your loudest. Have fun, celebrate everything, and don’t withhold your love from anyone. Be wild.

Questions? Come and chat with me on Instagram about how your month is going @louniverse

 

Gemini :: Gemini Rising – Five of Swords

Time to step into a major time of recalibration, especially if you really did end up in massive Gemini communication mode over the last weeks. You may feel overwhelmed and exhausted, downtrodden and energy sapped – and it’s okay! These moments are always a call for us to get back into our body and shift the focus to self-care. When we feel scattered, it’s usually because we’ve been pouring out more energy than we’ve been accepting in. The balance is off and – ta da – we feel sapped and irritated.

This can happen because of the people we spend our time with, the work we do, and the environments and situations we enter or observe – and especially if we don’t have the energetic tools to manage. So, I want you to begin a daily energy protection practice. Yes daily, non negotiable! Every morning, leave your home with a visual of yourself surrounded by an unbreakable bubble. Every evening, take long deep breaths whilst visualizing yourself underneath a powerful waterfall. With every outbreath, imagine dust and dirt draining out of your feet and into the earth.

Meanwhile, when you feel scattered rub the palms of your hands together and say to yourself: “I am exactly where I am supposed to be.” Visualize roots growing out of your feet and securing in the ground beneath you. Modern life is designed to throw you out of your body, and that it’s your responsibility to get back in. I also want you to consider anywhere that you are feeling restricted or penned in right now, and how much energy you are contributing to this situation. Where are you retreating when you could be rising up?

You are the only one responsible for your feelings, even when it seems to be the opposite, so show yourself some compassionate and give yourself the nurture you need. The end of the year is the perfect time to practice taking pressure off yourself, and off other people. Give yourself a break, you deserve it, you always deserve it. These times of retreat are always aligned to shift us back into an empowered space, and so the more connected you are to your mind, body and spirit, the more prepared you are the embrace your future adventures at their fullest.

Questions? Come and chat with me on Instagram about how your month is going @louniverse

 

Cancer :: Cancer Rising – Queen of Pentacles

I feel like the energy you’ve been just dying to receive is finally coming in – you know, something a little more solid and grounded, a little slower and less frantic. This month feels like a nice, long, deep breath, and with this a huge release of mind-based tension. This is the Earth element, and I also feel a theme of deep and nurturing mothering energy present for you. It’s not to say that you need looking after but you have needed support, and whilst you’ve been managing to pool it together from around and about, this time it’s coming from within. It’s like your legs are the roots of the tree now, and you feel way more confident in saying “I can do this” and “I’ve got this.”

In order to really ride the bliss of this idea of course, you also have to accept it by stepping away from any of your current self-sabotaging brainwaves. It’s very easy to down play yourself and it’s even easier to compare yourself to others. But why? What’s the point? You have to accept your unique brilliance to be able to live within its power, and now is a rather nice time to do so.

So, yes, you have talents and you can create stability. Whether you feel it right now or not, there is potential for that sense of feeling rooted within the world. Remember that empowerment and connection don’t come from external sources or from ticking goals off your life to-do list. You can be rich and successful and still feel disembodied and alone. You know it, so remember it.

As the year draws to a close I feel as though you are also going to be more needed, in every capacity of the word, and after feeling like the needy one for quite a while it will be thrilling to really be a guide to others for a while. Ask those who you think might need you if they require help and donate your time to causes and people that you believe in. This theme covers all your skills and abilities, and even though you might be hiding some of yourself in the shadows it feels like someone around you is going to be not so gently nudging you in the ribs saying, “it’s time, do that thing, it’s okay, you can do it.” Accept the proposal and be the ruler of your world.

Questions? Come and chat with me on Instagram about how your month is going @louniverse

 

Leo :: Leo Rising – Four of Swords

There’s not such a huge shift in energy for you as the year draws to a close, I still feel a huge sense of stillness. With a double dose of this message however, it’s likely that next year is going to be quite active, so I encourage you to really marinate in this down time and keep practicing what it feels like to just be.
The other thing that’s really important when life has served up a pit stop is really check in with where you’re at.

Seek out any area of life that looks like it needs your attention, and then give it. For many of you I feel it will be close to home, especially in the self-care realm. This is also very important if you feel you’ve recently been recently tripped up. If something halts you in your tracks, it’s not for no reason; we are very often called to question the ground we’re walking on. This is a gift from the Universe in itself, as when we’re zooming along at 100mph we often forget to check in with where we’re even going, veering away from or true needs and our intuition.

So, grab a cup of tea and get out your life map – where are you headed and where are you on your journey? Scan all areas of your life, including your inner soul system, and check if the signposts are pointing in the right way. Are there any places where you’re trying to scrabble backwards? Any spots where the weather feels a little misty? Have you got enough fuel, water, and supplies? What needs your attention and how are you going to give it?

This energy also supports planning of course, especially in line with the new calendar year approaching, and I want you to try and keep yourself in a passionate heart space rather than a “what if” head space. It’s normal to get anxieties around the unknown, but nothing is more powerful than the dreams you want to realize. Allow your will to be stronger than your won’t and plan for success and adventure rather than fear and failure. All experiences are lining up waiting for you, and your job is to partake and receive, opposed to predict and dismiss. Timing is stretchy and if something doesn’t appear to be manifesting right now, then “now” isn’t on it’s to do list. Surrender forever.

Questions? Come and chat with me on Instagram about how your month is going @louniverse

 

Virgo :: Virgo Rising – Three of Cups

I always love being able to tell you to let loose and shake it out, and this month is no exception. In fact, over the coming weeks you are the sign most able to live in their surrendered energy. You’ve paid your dues for this year, you’ve worked hard, maybe even too hard, but most of all, you’ve survived. You did it! You are here, you made it, and if you look back I feel you’ll see quite the story unfolding. Isn’t it exciting?

Even if it’s also a little terrifying. But now is the time to allow yourself to celebrate, “allow” being the operative word because it’s not always easy to step 100 per cent into relaxation mode, is it? There’s always a little bit of guilt or a “but I should”, but seriously – that’s bullshit. You need down time and here is it, so go and embrace it. Trying to please anyone else will give you a zero on the fulfillment scale. So what do you really need? And how can you gift that to yourself?

I feel like your emotions are overflowing and so you must allow yourself to step fully into “feeling feelings” mode, even if it makes you uncomfortable. Especially if it makes you uncomfortable. To some of you, the idea of vulnerability really makes you cringe, the idea of someone really seeing you, ugh shudder. But it’s not that terrible really, is it? To receive love and to act from love does not make you weak, it makes you super powered and…a human being!

Celebration is your theme for the month, which may show up obviously or may be more subtle. You may have to invite it in or be the lighthouse itself, but whatever you do, don’t hide from any chance to be uplifted, even if your nerves take a hit. I love this energy because it’s silly and creative, just like natural child energy, reflecting that time in our lives when we hadn’t learned so much about fear and we played abundantly. What would it feel like to wake up and commit to a day (or a week, or a month) of NO rules – except what feels good? No self-pressure, no people pleasing. Game on.

Questions? Come and chat with me on Instagram about how your month is going @louniverse

 

Libra :: Libra Rising – Nine of Cups

Do you have a pair of rose tinted spectacles? If so, I want you to put them on. This month is littered with synchronicities, unexpected opportunities and hidden lessons. What are you currently wishing for and how are you approaching the process? Begging for things from the Universe never seems to work does it? Or making threats – you know, those moments where you feel in crisis and you bring out the bargaining bag.

To manifest successfully we have to believe that we will receive everything we NEED, even if it’s not everything we WANT. A tough pill to swallow, but it does come with a bonus, because often what we get is much more suited to us than expected. Our opportunities to be humbled by our journey come thick, fast and never-ending, which is why showing up and joining the ride is always the most exciting option. So, back to your manifesting. Over the next few weeks I encourage you to pull back from throwing yourself into the future, to retreat from the goals you’ve set, and to allow yourself to see what’s right in front of your nose.

I guarantee that even in your deepest challenge, there’s something within the situation to love and be grateful for. The smallest things can always affect you in the deepest way, and often they are also the most familiar. What do you see or experience every day that has a positive impact on you? It may be a person or a feeling, something that shifts you up a level. It’s there, but can you see it? You are also given a free pass to start the holidays early, to slide into relaxation mode sooner than you’d normally allow yourself. Tone down the doing everything for everyone vibe you’ve been throwing down recently – it is not your job to fix them all.

But it is possible to be there without wearing yourself out. Step back and see how the world still spins but you feel more grounded. With the holidays approaching, I also want you to be generous with your love. Don’t hold back from appreciating those who are important to you, this is an instant energy lifter for you and it’s important, especially because there are people around you eager to return the favor. You deserve your cup to be full.

Questions? Come and chat with me on Instagram about how your month is going @louniverse

 

Scorpio :: Scorpio Rising – Four of Cups

You are not unaware of feelings of apathy, or, as I like to say, coming down with a case of ennui, but you’re more than equipped now to know what to do within these moments. This month, you may find yourself erring on the foot-stomping child version of yourself more than once, mainly in that kind of “I want this thing RIGHT NOW” type of vibe. Yeah, sure you want it right now, but can you accept it at a later date, or in a different format?

You know more than anyone that the whole point of transformation is not knowing what things will look like around the corner, and that you aren’t supposed to. The future is none of your business and you’re just going to have to deal with it, a.k.a get up and outta that bad mood! Okay lecture over, but really, if you’ve placed a pile of restrictions on yourself then reality will never match up to your dreams, because fear and ego don’t reserve any space feeling good – they just keep on telling you that you need more. And the thing is, you have everything you need. In fact, you have more than you need. It’s a classic case of WAKE UP and look around you – oh yeah look at that wonderful thing!

Look at all the talents you have literally bursting out of you. You have to be your own cheerleader now, especially since you’re enough of a spirit leader for everyone else already. It’s time for that energy to be reflected back to you, so lift yourself up and meet yourself in your true energy space, which is luminous, magical, and oh so bright. See it?

Okay, so now we have that covered, it’s just a case of patience and embracing all that the present is bringing you. Your journey isn’t stalled, it’s just taking some downtime. All your plans and the things you’ve been manifesting are unfolding at their own perfect pace, nothing has been averted (unless it really wasn’t for your highest good – trust that) and there are so many sunrises ahead. You clearly need to be where you are right now to receive the bounty of the present moment, so try and not think yourself elsewhere. Unfold your arms and repeat to yourself “I’m ready” – invite in transformation and movement and you’ll see it arise in the most perfect sequence of events. Prepare to be wowed.

Questions? Come and chat with me on Instagram about how your month is going @louniverse

LUNAR LOOK-BOOK: FULL MOON SHOPPING FOR YOUR SIGN

Posted on by The Numinous

Woo-hoo here comes Black Friday! Navigate the bargain-fest to bring out the best in you with these Full Moon shopping tips from Twelve Faces of Style. Images: Joie So Hryggur // Styling: Naddy Sane

Full moon shopping fashion on The Numinous

Following the darkness of the New Moon, the night sky begins to fill with light. Now, as Lady Luna reaches her fullness, expect to see important dreams and goals come to fruition around you. The Full Moon also acts as a cosmic spotlight, illuminating what areas of your life need a little TLC. As her light then begins to wane in the thirteen days that follow, you’re likely to find that your energy mirrors her own. Your reserves of strength (and, yes, patience) may ebb, encouraging you to cull, release, and complete.

In this guide, we shine a light on how each sign can make the most of the Full Moon’s potent rays and stay strong as she becomes dark once more – because even the most stylish wardrobe needs a refresh every now and then.

:: ARIES ::
If there was ever a time to “know thyself”, this is it. Honor your identity by tossing anything purchased in an attempt to fit in. Instead, shop for foundational pieces that fill basic gaps in your wardrobe. Put the urge to make impulse purchases on pause. If you’re feeling a strong attraction to pieces with a fiery vibe (i.e. red vibrant lipsticks, statement accessories, or anything with an edge), sit on it. By the New Moon you should know whether or not it’s going to light up you up for the long haul.

:: TAURUS ::
With Venus ruling your sign, focus your Full Moon shopping on restoration of the home, heart and body. Take inventory of the linens, blankets, pillows and accessories of your abode. Donate gently used items and replace with heavy comforters, cable-knit sweaters, and luxe throw pillows. Pro tip: this is the perfect time to invest in that cashmere travel set. But don’t let your desire for sensual pleasures turn you into a hermit!

full moon shopping and fashion tips on The Numinous

:: GEMINI ::
As the zodiac’s communicator, you know it’s all about how you tell your story. Under the Full Moon’s powerful glow, examine what messages your wardrobe and creative aesthetic are sending. If you want to be seen with more authority, let your Full Moon shopping include a couple of statement power pieces that shine a light on your inner BO$$. Those ten-inch glitter heels you couldn’t leave home without in your younger years? Hand them off to the little sis.

:: CANCER ::
Get the banish bin ready for your ex’s sweatshirt, and shed anything taking up space in the closet that represents who you once were but no longer identify with. Nourish your heart and spirit with pieces that showcase your true savvy, strength and sex appeal. Start your Full Moon shopping with a cashmere v-neck and accessorize with a snuggle from a newly adopted kitty cat. If you’re a new mama, invest in some comfortable yet chic active wear. Caretaking doesn’t have to mean letting your own needs slide.

:: LEO ::
You’re the host with the most, but being the life of the party has its drawbacks. We know how much you love to share your wealth with the world around you, but under the Full Moon, it’s time to do YOU. Show the world your inner lioness through bold colors, va-va voluminous outerwear, a bright Persimmon lip and accessories with flash. Take a chance on pieces that push you even further out of your comfort zone, and you’ll inspire your fans to do the same.

full moon shopping and fashion tips on The Numinous

 

:: VIRGO ::
Darling, Wolford is calling! Bras, panties, socks and stockings past their prime or – gasp! – forming holes need to go. Make space for an undergarment upgrade in French lace and soft silks, and invest in the proper shapewear for a smooth silhouette. Look to classic, mid-century lingerie design for inspiration. In the meantime, keep an eye on tendencies toward being overly critical of yourself and others. Sometimes, it’s enough just to simply be a witness.

:: LIBRA ::
This lunar cycle is here to help you polish your wardrobe and social life until it sparkles. Replace old and cakey make-up. Hit the dry cleaners. Restock on lint rollers. Empty your evening bags inner pockets of old tissues and bits leftover from nights on the town. Next on the list: shop for a fine set of china. What’s a good primping without a dinner party to follow? You aim to please, but for the next thirteen days, rein in any desire to be accommodating where it’s not deserved.

:: SCORPIO ::
It’s time to strip down and get naked. After some deep soul conversation and physical intimacy of your choice, use the power of the Full Moon to reinvent yourself – or channel the energy of recycled beauty from the past. Shop for unusual, antique jewels that dazzle with both diamonds and meaning. But buyer beware: overly nostalgic items can kill your vibe, while too much darkness in your wardrobe can leave you feeling emotionally depleted and uber-sensitive.

full moon shopping and fashion tips on The Numinous

:: SAGITTARIUS ::
As the bohemian of the zodiac, use the Full Moon cycle to illuminate your next travel destination and gather inspiration for your upcoming adventures. Stock up on photo heavy coffee table books with full page spreads of faraway lands and magical voyages. Once the New Moon arrives, grab your passport and hit the road. Style tip: though you yearn to take off, over the next few weeks choose green for grounding. Too many brights could throw your energy into overdrive.

:: CAPRICORN ::
Your sign is famous for its stamina, but in order to keep that up, make sure you’re nurturing your body and your spirit. Take this time to strengthen your physical vessel. Check those pearly whites. Stock up on vitamins and minerals. Banish toxins in the body. Make an appointment for an oatmeal bath and mud mask at the spa. Invest in a spiritual retreat, and tap your inner well of confidence. Capricorns are realists, but don’t let your pragmatism veer too far into glass half-empty territory.

full moon shopping and fashion tips on The Numinous

:: AQUARIUS ::
The next thirteen days may see you feeling more in tune with your traditional ruler (Saturn) than your modern patron (Uranus), but don’t let that keep you stuck in a rut. Liberation (a la Uranus) is your key to unlocking the power of the Full Moon. Follow your visions and seek out the avant-garde in your garments and accessories. Opt for tops and pants that allow for brisk movement, easy travel and circulation through the legs. Try cutting out caffeine and sweets for a clearer mind and more bolt-from-the-blue epiphanies.

:: PISCES ::
Under the Full Moon’s dreamy rays, ask yourself if your current creative and wardrobe aesthetic allows you to swim in your fullest self-expression. If the answer is no, get in touch with your inner muse by weaving silver threads, headbands, or beads into your mane, and purchase a new dream journal to record messages from the subconscious. Worth noting: Pisces is naturally intuitive, and this moon phase may heighten your connection to the subtle realms. Make sure you keep both feet firmly planted on terra firma.

THE MAGIC INGREDIENT: HAVE A HIGH-VIBE THANKSGIVING

Posted on by Raquel Griffin

Blindside your folks with these tasty vegan, gluten-free dishes, for a totally high-vibe Thanksgiving y’all! Recipes by Raquel Griffin. Photos: Oliver English

high-vibe thanksgiving Gluten Free Vegan Chia Corn Bread by Raquel Griffin for The Numinous

:: CHIA CORNBREAD WITH CARROT MAPLE MISO “BUTTER” ::
This is the perfect crowd pleasing vegan, gluten free Thanksgiving comfort food that even your SAD (Standard American Diet) loving relatives will enjoy. And it’s also easy-peasy to make. Vegan, Gluten Free Chia Cornbread with Carrot Maple Miso “Butter”. It’s a recipe. Make this.

Vegan Gluten Free Chia Cornbread
Makes 16 servings
1 – 20 oz. package gluten Ffee cornbread mix (like Bob’s Red Mill)
1 ½ cups fresh almond milk
2 tablespoons chia seeds soaked in 6 tablespoons water
½ cup coconut oil

DIRECTIONS
Have all the ingredients at room temperature. Preheat oven to 375°F. Generously grease a 9 x 9-inch pan. Place cornbread mix in large bowl. Add milk, chia and water mixture, and oil. Mix until blended, then mix vigorously for 30 seconds more.Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake until golden-brown, about 25 minutes.

high-vibe thanksgiving Carrot Maple Miso Butter by Raquel Griffin for The Numinous

Carrot Maple Miso Butter
Makes 1⅓ Cups
2 cups carrots, peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces (about 6 medium sized carrots)
2 tablespoons chickpea miso (like South River Organic Chickpea Miso)
1 tablespoon maple syrup
2 tablespoons melted coconut oil

DIRECTIONS
Place the carrots into a pot of simmering, salted water. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the carrots are very easily pierced with a fork. Drain the carrots. Place all of the ingredients into a high-powered blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Add water as needed to get a light, spreadable texture. Store the butter in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for up to five days. Serve with cornbread.

(Butter recipe adapted from The Full Helping)

:: COZY GREEN SOUP WITH SPICED PUMPKIN SEEDS AND HORSERADISH CREAM ::
This is the perfect winter soup when it’s cold and blustery outside and all you’re looking to do is cozy up under the covers. It also helps that this recipe is pretty flexible and can be whipped up with virtually whatever green items you’ve got on hand – that wilted kale, failing broccoli and any other sad sack green veggies taking up residence in the back of your fridge. Cozy Green Soup with Spiced Pumpkin Seeds & Vegan Horseradish Cream. It’s a recipe. Make this.

Makes 6-8 servings
3 tablespoons coconut oil
1/3 cup chopped leeks (or onions if you haven’t got leeks)
6 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups fresh almond milk (or store bought…if you must)
5-6 cups of whatever green veggies you’ve got on hand, roughly chopped
(Escarole, Spinach, kale, purslane, celery, broccoli, even cauliflower will do.)
2.5-3 cups cooked quinoa
1 avocado
2-3 tablespoons Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
2 teaspoons each of sage, basil & rosemary
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper

For the fresh almond milk
6-8 tablespoons of raw almonds (soaked overnight)
6 cups of filtered water

For the spiced pumpkin seeds
1 cup raw green pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or any nut except peanuts
2-3 tablespoons coconut oil
1 teaspoon smoked salt (garlic salt will also work)
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon coriander

For the vegan horseradish cream (optional)
½ cup plain Almond Milk Yogurt (like So Delicious Plain Almond Milk Yogurt)
3-4 tablespoons Vegenaise (or any non-dairy style “mayonnaise”)
1 tablespoon horseradish
Sea salt & fresh black pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
To make the cozy green soup: Begin by sautéing the leeks and garlic in a pot until the leeks are translucent. Then add all the chopped vegetables along with the fresh almond milk, basil, sage and rosemary and simmer for 8-10 minute or until veggies are soft. From there, transfer the contents of the pot into your blender or food processor, then add the avocado, Bragg’s Liquid Aminos, nutritional yeast and quinoa and blend until mostly smooth (about 2-3 minutes on high). Serve topped with a dollop of horseradish cream and a sprinkling of spiced pumpkin seeds.

To make the fresh almond milk: Combine soaked almonds and water in any high-powered blender and blend on high until the consistency is smooth, frothy and light about 2-3 minutes.

To make the pumpkin seeds: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Toss the seeds with coconut oil and spices. Spread onto a sheet pan and bake until toasted, about 10 minutes. Cooled pumpkin seeds can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.

To make the horseradish cream: Combine almond milk yogurt, Vegenaise, horseradish, salt and pepper in bowl. Whisk ingredients together until smooth.

 

What’s your favorite high-vibe Thanksgiving dish? Please (really, please) share in the comments below, or show us on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

A NEW ADVENTURE: READING FOR THE FULL MOON IN GEMINI

Posted on by Hannah Ariel

The Full Moon in Gemini is an invitation to re-shape our reality and reorientate on our journey, says Hannah Ariel. PLUS Three essential questions to help each sign navigate the vibes

reading for the Full Moon in Gemini by Hannah Ariel for The Numinous

“You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Remember all I’m offering is the truth. Nothing more.” – The Matrix

If there were ever a week to take the red pill, it’s this one. It’s high time to engage these days like a Gemini, restless in a your infinite search for more knowledge, more truth. Wanting to hear and see everything, life through Gemini eyes is like experiencing an endless discovery channel.

Gemini is MUTABLE energy. It can’t help but change course with every turn of a thought. Nothing thrills this sign more than to follow a new lead, comprehend yet another fact, connect another dot. At the Full Moon in Gemini on Wednesday November 25th we’re beginning to realize we may have to take a few twists and turns to get to where we need to be going next.

In aspect to Neptune, this may not be at all where we thought to dream before. This Full Moon in Gemini illuminates how our lives are meant to change and mutate, to the point where they are unrecognizable at times, in order for us to explore a fresh vision. Cosmically, it’s a time where life can be stranger than fiction.

The Sun has just entered Sagittarius. We have survived the depths of Scorpio, and there is an unmistakable optimism in the air. And while Gemini is busy turning corners, Sagittarius always trusts there’s going to be a good time around the bend. Although these signs oppose one another in the sky, they actually make for lively partners in crime; Gemini points the way, and Sag has the good faith to follow the signs.

It’s a divine recipe for unlimited exploration, plain and simple. However, Mercury and Saturn have also joined the Sun in Sagittarius, creating a not so simple trifecta of nature. This Gemini moon is we don’t really have a reliable map. We can’t know which way we’re pointing without also investigating what we’re looking for, in good faith of course.

Thoughts and beliefs born of our experiences are our only reality right now. We can’t simply believe what we would prefer to anymore. Saturn in Sagittarius sees to this, as our beliefs will materialize opportunities in time and space faster than you can say Abracadabra. If you aren’t excited by the opportunities being presented to you in your life currently, check in with your third eye and ask: what do I envision for myself?

Reality is fundamentally mutable as this Full Moon in Gemini directly activates the first of three Saturn in Sagittarius/Neptune in Pisces squares – the first one on Thanksgiving Day, November 26th. When two slow moving outer planets square off it triggers shifts in consciousness that don’t come around very often. These heavy-hitters want to improve our circumstances, dissolving one boundary to re-create the next. We’re breaking through illusions we were unwittingly supporting while totally re-identifying with a new ride. Expect whatever vision you channel now to form and expand your reality.

When we look around we may be mistaken into thinking nothing makes sense right now; relationships are dissolving, re-locations are taking place, responsibilities are shape shifting, our identities and professions are being re-invented. With Neptune in the mix: surrender. Surrender to this Full Moon in Gemini. If what you thought was going to happen doesn’t, don’t flip out! Reweave the story. See to it that something else unfolds in its place.

As long as we keep the energy moving, the right situation will manifest at the right time, bringing treasures we did not know we were looking for. There’s so much we can’t possibly understand completely right now – the least we can do is open up to the journey. Surrender and feel free to experience a radiant sense of adventure in searching for where you’re headed. And above all, know you are not alone.

This Full Moon in Gemini will also reflect a particular paradigm-shift, based on your individual chart. Here are three essential questions to ask yourself, based on your Sun or Rising sign, to guide you through this Saturn/Neptune square – especially if at this Full Moon in Gemini you are struggling to make sense of what’s happening:

Aries :: Aries rising
Where is your community? How do you connect? Is there a spiritual purpose at work?

Taurus :: Taurus rising
Who are you really? What do you want more of? How can you expand your influence?

Gemini :: Gemini
How are you feeling? How are you healing? Who are you exploring with?

Cancer :: Cancer rising
Where do you fear? How do you experience peace of mind? When does it feel good to be in your body?

Leo :: Leo rising
Who do you inspire? How do you show love? What can you let go of?

Virgo :: Virgo rising
How many roles are you playing? Where are your roots? How can you see yourself more clearly?

Libra :: Libra rising
Do you see a big picture coming together? Which ideas fire you up? How can you put them into practice?

Scorpio :: Scorpio rising
Are you open to what is possible? How good does it feel to be you? Where do you experience love in your heart?

Sagittarius :: Sagittarius rising
What relationships are you attracting? Do you believe in yourself? How can you feel more at home wherever you go?

Capricorn :: Capricorn rising
What projects are you working on? Do you feel spirit supporting you? Which conversations inspire you?

Aquarius :: Aquarius rising
Are you having fun? Do you have an audience? What are you holding on to?

Pisces :: Pisces rising
What is privately coming to life for you? Where do you experience recognition? Do you feel your affect on others?

For a private reading with Hannah Ariel contact: [email protected]

MY MYSTICAL LIFE: A DOSE OF STORY MEDICINE

Posted on by Ruby Warrington

The story behind our new event series – Story Medicine…

Ruby Warrington shot by Francis Catania for The Numinous

A couple of months back, Aly Derby and I hosted a Meditation for Peace at Maha Rose in Greenpoint, as part of a global synchronized meditation for the International Day of Peace. It began with Aly leading a guided meditation to tap us into the oneness energy of the event, and afterwards we both shared some stories around what had come up for us. And then so did everybody else in the group, and the conversation flowed, and the stories became more personal. We all left feeling connected and uplifted, and with the glow of having been heard.

This event was the inspiration for Story Medicine, the monthly gathering Aly and I will be hosting at Hub 17, a beautiful and expansive community space below the new lululemon flagship store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. As Aly wrote beautifully in the blurb for the event:

“When we come together we create community; and when communities share our stories with each other we weave unity. In every experience we share, there is a valuable lesson for someone. And listening in itself is a gift – it’s when our stories are heard that we become healed. In this simple yet profound exchange we find ourselves uplifted, connected and more inspired by our own lives than ever before.”

As a “reserved” Brit, when I first started attending Moon rituals, and healing workshops and events I used to silently dread the “sharing” segment – when we’d go around the circle, and participants would be asked to talk a little about where they were at, and their intentions. Not least because I would often get so emotional! But if I’ve learned anything on my numinous journey, it’s that often when I cry is when I know it’s working. The healing that is.

So with Story Medicine we’re making the sharing the main event. Each month will have a different theme, and as with the Meditation for Peace we’ll kick off with a guided meditation from Aly. Then, each person in the circle will be invited to share a story related to our theme – which could be a story from your own life, a story you heard which has inspired you, or even just the story of what happened to you today.

Our first Story Medicine event will take place December 3, and you can get more details and sign up here. Since it’s right after Thanksgiving, we’ve chosen GRATITUDE as our theme. So, what does being thankful really mean for you?

CONTRUBUTING TO THE SITE: NUMINOUS SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Posted on by Ruby Warrington

We are constantly overwhelmed with gratitude for the article submissions we receive at The Numinous on a weekly basis. This platform benefits immeasurably from featuring multiple voices and viewpoints, so please keep them coming!

To give your ideas the best chance of being seen by our editors and featured on the site, please follow the below Numinous submission guidelines. We will endeavor to reply within one week.

Send all submissions to: [email protected]

:: ARTICLE GUIDELINES ::
If you are submitting a story you’ve already written

EMAIL SUBJECT: Article Submission + Headline
HEADLINE: Please give your article a title
SELL: Please add 1-2 lines to sell the story
LENGTH: Keep submissions to between 750 and 1250 words
AUTHOR BIO: (see bottom of this page)

:: IDEA GUIDELINES ::
If you are sending ideas for articles you’d like to write

EMAIL SUBJECT: Article Submission + Headline
HEADLINE: Please give your idea a title
SELL: Please write 1-2 short paragraphs to give us an overview of your idea
QUANTITY: Please only send up to three (3) ideas at a time

:: ARTWORK GUIDELINES ::
We would also love to see any original artwork you would like to see featured on the site

Please be aware that any artwork submitted will be paired with the article / word of our editors’ choosing. All artwork will be credited to the artist with a link back to your site, so please provide a web URL when submitting.

:: AUTHOR BIO ::
Please supply the following along with your submission

PHOTO: Headshot sized 300 x 300 pxls
BIO: A short bio – up to 150w
WEBSITE: Your website URL (if relevant)
PROFILE: Please also provide answers to the below –

MY MANTRA
MY STYLE
MY GURU
MY SIGN
MY SPIRIT ANIMAL
MY HEALING

COMING OUT OF THE SPIRITUAL CLOSET

Posted on by Sushma Sagar

Sushma Sagar pursued a high powered career in fashion, but always practiced reiki on the side. She shares how she finally found herself coming out of the spiritual closet at work.

Coming out of the spiritual closet by Sushma Sagar for The Numinous

 

“I’m a closet hippie” I used to jest to my close friends. “She’s doing her witchy stuff again” they would say, all tongue in cheek, making a silly joke. It was no joke.

I’ve been practicing reiki healing on the sly for around 16 years, and only now do I feel like I can admit it freely. It’s not the middle ages, I’m not going to get burned at the stake, so why has it taken so long to come out?

Of course you must always look back to look forward. As a kid, I played with the other children and got along just okay, but was always a bit on the outside. A little misfit who would hang around with other misfits to fit in. Fitting in, being what you thought others wanted, was what you did. A child of Indian doctor immigrants, with success and achievement drilled into us from an early age, assimilation was the most important thing.

Childhood passions were quashed one by one – dance, theatre, art, textiles- and I grew up to find myself working in marketing for well-known fashion brands like Diesel, Ted Baker and Ben Sherman. It was fiercely competitive, and as for fitting in…well that goes without saying. I was so desperate to prove myself and to get along, shape shifting became natural.

But quietly, outside of work, I was developing other interests. The catalyst of heartbreak saw me visit a healer who used acupuncture and reiki to calm my heart and make me smile, when I believed I could not. Astonished and intrigued, before I knew it I had done a course and had been initiated into this, then secret, world.

And as anyone who’s experienced their reiki initiation will know, once on the path, it slowly changes you; your trajectory shifts and, whether you want to or not, you move towards your personal truth. As did I…but on the weekends only!

So my double life continued. By day, corporate world, shallow dreams, and fickle desires. On evenings and weekends, I was back to my private world, filled with magic, loving energy, and heart opening activities. As far as I was concerned these worlds were mutually exclusive, and I felt more comfortable keeping them that way too.

But then holistic therapies began to gain interest; LA’s healthy living and New Age thinking was becoming popular in London. Celebrities and their holistic entourage were being reported in the press, spa and yoga retreats were all the rage. I ploughed on, reading and practicing until I finally completed my master reiki training. Simultaneously, my corporate life was also going from strength to strength.

coming out of the spiritual closet by Sushma Sagar for The Numinous

And all around me, I could feel attitudes changing, judgments becoming less harsh, and ideas about “alternative” healing finally entering the mainstream. By now I had also joined a wonderful fashion brand, that celebrated interesting women. And yet still I didn’t let on to anyone about my “interesting” side.

But then, heartbreak yet again, and some serious healing was needed. I called in the big guns and found a shamanic practitioner in London. Together we journeyed back in time, healed some karmic contracts and made my soul whole again. Delighted, I trained with him to learn these skills for myself. As a result, I now felt so fully and completely me, that hiding “myself” seemed impossible.

Life was improving fast now on every level. My heart was healing after all I’d come through romantically, and I felt whole, settled and happy in my skin. I got promoted at work, felt inspired again, and began working on all the creative side projects I’d been afraid of starting.

The last piece of the puzzle was to find a way to bring my two separate worlds together. To cause a synthesis of my spiritual self and my life in the fashion world – something I’d never felt a need to do until now.

Then, when I was invited to give reiki taster sessions to professional women on a retreat hosted by a friend, the fact I understood their life turned out to be an empathetic advantage. I realized you can have one foot in the material and one in the spiritual!

Monday morning at the office following the retreat, the conversation began as usual: “so what did you do last night?” asked my boss. Me: “OH, I did a healing exchange, I gave a friend some reiki and he did some energy work on my knee.” “You do reiki?” she cried, “That’s amazing, you never said.” Me: “Didn’t I? I’ve been doing it for years, I must have mentioned it. Anyway about that budget…”

And just like that, I came out the spiritual closet. I haven’t looked back.

To book a shamanic reiki session with Sushma contact [email protected]

How did you come out of the spiritual closet? Share in the comments below!

DEAR DIARY: A CONVERSATION WITH THE DIVINE

Posted on by The Numinous

As Neptune goes direct and the Sun moves into Sagittarius, it’s the perfect time to instigate a conversation with the divine. And your journal is the place to start, says Katie Simpson.

Almost 18 years ago, I bought my first journal. It was a small back hardbound book covered in pictures of Mickey Mouse designs. I’ve since journaled for self-care, self-expression, and so much more.

In the past year, my journal has provided a surprising new benefit: it’s become the space where I have dialogues with the Divine. This began on more intense days, such as in the build up to a New or Full Moon ritual. But now I can have these conversations during lunch breaks, late nights, or days when I am sick.

To be clear, these conversations don’t require any mind-altering substances. The most I have in my system may be a cigarette or a glass or two of wine. And my most profound conversations with the divine occur when I’m completely sober.

Journaling and talking to God both happen in my journal but look very different. When I’m journaling, I write my thoughts down as they come. With the Divine, it’s a written conversation. It sounds and looks like two different people having a discussion. I will write something, and then She responds. The best way to explain it is like the old written notes we used to pass in class. Only I am both one of the writers and the messenger.

These dialogues are a gift, but not one that’s unique to me. I believe that with a little time and effort, you can have these kinds of conversations as well. Here are a few practices that have helped me commune with the Divine through the written word.

:: The faces of God ::
As a religious studies major in college, I learned a lot about the different faces of God. For example, in Hinduism, you could see Kali, Goddess of destruction, and Sarasvati, Goddess of wisdom, as two separate entities. Or they could represent two different aspects of the same Divine Feminine.

So often in the Judaea-Christian West, we focus on God as a judge, ruler, or father figure. But for many women, it’s difficult to connect with this. Personally, I connect best with Jewish idea of the Shechina. She is the feminine, the maternal presence, that I see when I reach out to God. And as such, she is the one who communicates with me on the page.

To begin a dialogue with anybody, you need to feel a connection with them. It’s the same with the Divine. Perhaps you need God to be a fierce warrior. Or perhaps you prefer the idea of God as Sophia, or wisdom.
There’s no wrong answer. So think back to which icons, saints or experiences really made the divine manifest for you. Is there a pattern? What images and ideas do you gravitate towards now? Exploring this is a great start to feeling a connection with the Divine.

conversation with the divine

:: The inner God block ::
For me, God has never just picked up the pen on her own and started writing: she writes through me. Which means that before the Divine can show up on the page, I have to make space for her – space beyond the doubt, the criticism and the disbelief around God, that so many of us have developed.

To give her space, a free-writing practice is critical. Each morning, I sit down and write three pages, either typed on my computer, or in a hardbound journal. No editing, no second guessing, just writing. Have I perfected this practice? No, but showing up helps me be honest on the page. This way, when the Divine does decide it’s time for a chat, I don’t fight it. I just keep writing.

This practice does take time: I’ve been doing it for over two years now. A couple glasses of wine could be a faster way to muting the inner critic. However, drugs are only a quick fix. Taking the time to show up and write will prepare you to have a dialogue with God, whether it’s 8am or 8pm.

:: Just ask ::
My dialogues with the Divine don’t start off in a complicated way. In fact, they usually begin with a vulnerable honesty.

“I’m so scared of telling him, what will happen?”

“I’m feeling so tired today, I just want to rest in your arms.”

I don’t believe there’s one right way to start chatting with God. For me, it’s about being simple and direct. My dialogues began by me being honest about where I was and what I needed – while the maternal Shechinah simply listened, and held me.

It’s very rare that God reaches out to me or begins the dialogue. In fact, I probably wouldn’t have had any dialogues with God if I hadn’t started the conversations. Why? I wouldn’t have even known I was hearing the Divine.

And what YOU need when chatting with God could look and sound completely different. However, it is up to you to show up. It’s up to you to say you want the conversation, and in fact it’s critical that you ASK for it. The Divine is all around us, waiting. It’s up to us to show we’re ready for a deeper connection.

:: Say Thanks ::
I’ve seen it time and again in human relationships. Want to mess something up? Take a person for granted. Believe that your employee will simply continue producing great work and never leave – and just watch that relationship ferment into a bitter and moldy fruit.

The Divine doesn’t need gratitude. However, simply assuming that you can continue to have dialogues with God won’t do, since becoming proud and assuming of this connection is a surefire way to destroy the dialogue.

Being in the presence of the Divine should always feel like a gift. As such, showing good manners and saying even a quick thank you after the fact can help. There are other ways to show your appreciation: donate money to your favorite charity; give a loved one a call and tell them you love them; pick up some trash from your park.

Divine dialogue has become a gift that helps me be the best version of myself, for others and for myself. Whether you find God on the blank page or in the woods, know that it is your birth right to have time and space directly with her. But taking time to discover what aspects of the Divine resonate with you, and then actually asking for that relationship, are fundamental to creating and sustaining this connection for the long haul.

PROTECT YOURSELF: IS MY LOVER A PSYCHIC VAMPIRE?

Posted on by Alexandra Roxo

Be Here Nowish creators Natalia Leite and Alexandra Roxo share their experience fending off Vampire Lovers, PLUS 5 ways to protect yourself from a psychic vampire from Cat Cabral. Images: Pa-kwan Promsri via Behance.net

 

PIC2

“Vampire Lovers” is our term for lovers that come flying into your world, suck out your life force. You have no idea what’s happened, but next thing you know you feel like a fucking zombie and your friends are calling for an intervention. But these vampires are not really blood drinking creatures (although sometimes they might want to do that too). They are more like psychic suckers, energy drawers, seductive manipulators who can milk your energy, mess with your psyche, throw you off balance, and take away your power.

The people are also sometimes called “energy vampires” or “emotional vampires.” It’s an archetype we all can embody unconsciously at times, it’s just that some of us have learned to master it, using it as a form of manipulation and self-preservation.

Okay, so in theory we all know we should stay away from people that make us feel helpless or weak. But can also be SO SO sexy to allow ourselves to be completely overtaken by someone. We romanticize it, imagining Brad Pitt biting our neck and kinda wishing we were Kristen Stewart in Twilight, even if we’re aware of the dangers of completely losing ourselves in that person. We each had our fair share of experience dealing with people like this in our love lives and found ways to cope with it, which we will share in this post.

At the bottom, CAT CABRAL, a New York based alchemist and tarot reader who’s been peddling the tools of the witchcraft trade for over a decade, has shared tips on how to identify and protect yourself from Vampire Lovers.

Protect yourself from Vampire Lovers feature on the numinous

 

Natalia: Why don’t we start by talking about meeting vampires on Tinder. You know, like one night stands, and the implications of that spiritually.
Alexandra: You mean the wild post-breakup Tinder phase that I like to call my “Slutty Spring?”

N: Exactly.
A: It was super fun, but you also have to really work on protecting your psyche because you’re exchanging energy with people so fast in those situations. And then you’re like “Wait, what? I’m tied up in a stranger’s bed again?!”

N: Right. Because the minute that you open up and surrender sexually to them, your energies are melding and exchanging whether you like it or not.
A: If they’re holding a lot of darkness you might get in a bad mood the next day and be super grumpy, wondering “Why do I feel so depressed?” or “Why do I feel so anxious?” – psychic gunk you maybe picked up up from the random person you just had sex with.

N: So how did you personally protect yourself and create that boundary?
A: Well, I had a date with this guy and we had really good conversation at dinner and then I went back to his house. I was getting bored and wondering where things were going but I kept thinking “In theory this guy’s great. He’s a lawyer, he’s attractive and also weird in a good way.” When we were kissing he was like; “I could totally see myself with a girl like you, you’re totally the type of girl I would fall in love with,” and that started weirding me out. And then his penis wouldn’t work so he just wanted to go down on me forever and that felt a little too intimate for a first date, so I said no. I did not want some stranger that I had literally known for two hours to just go down on me. Like actual penetrative sex would be less intimate because there’s a barrier of rubber.

protect yourself from vampire lovers feature on the numinous

N: That’s really sad!
A: Depends how you look at it. Anyway, so then I lost my phone, slipped on the rug, and hit my neck on a shelf, and at that point I was like, energetically, “THIS IS WRONG.” My intuition was like “Get out! Leave!” Not because I thought he was going to be a psycho killer,it was just an energetic thing. He texted me the next day, but the energy, all the way from the initial hook up to me hurting myself was just saying “no.” It took me a minute to shrug off that icky energy. And he ended up texting me like 100 times over a period of three months and I had to block him. So I guess he was a crazy.

N: I guess it’s not so relevant to Tinder hook-ups, but I learned a few things to do after a bad relationship to release that person’s grip. I had one ex who was a total vampire – her energy was so intense. After we broke up, I would just like go to the bathroom and every time I took a shit I would think about her leaving my body, like in my poop. And it really worked! I also associated her with “shit” and so that became suddenly funny and meaningless. It quickly released the emotional grip she had on me.
A: That’s amazing!

N: When I was like having a lot of one night stands, I would sort of protect myself by being the one who was in control of the situation. But there were several times I would just like leave feeling a little icky because of that person’s energy.
A: What we’re talking about now is people that seem like amazing beings, but underneath they just want to suck out the good vibes. We both dated people who did that.

N: So what do you think it the first sign of a vampire?
A: They divulge too much too soon! They tell you their sob story straight off the bat.

N: Yes! On our first date my ex is already telling me how she doesn’t get along with her family and whatever health condition she’s got.
A: Health conditions, financial burdens…

N: They think that playing a victim will make you feel sorry for them.
A: But actually, it’s trying to force intimacy too quickly. The next thing that they do is tell you “YOU’RE THE ONE.” Really quickly. I dated someone like that. We were walking down the street and she looked at me and said: “What if you’re the one?” But I actually have proof she says that to many, many girls.

protect yourself from vampire lovers feature on the numinous

N: Yeah. At what stage?
A: We had maybe been on three dates. And I fell for it. My heart was beating fast.

N: This girl I dated was immediately doing things to me that I had found out that she had done in multiple relationships in the past. And telling me that she had never felt like this before and how she was going to marry me. I was really freaked out at first and didn’t buy it. To which she’d be like: “Why are you not trusting love?” She would make it seem like there was something wrong with me because I wasn’t open to receiving this “deep everlasting love.” She eventually convinced me to give in and surrender to her. Then finally when I’m like, “Okay, I’m going to give you my heart. Here’s my heart.” That’s when she bit me.
A: That’s the dark manipulation side of the vampire lover. It’s the hook and bait. They like pull you in by telling you that you’re the one, and then they start fucking with you. It’s so crazy. It’s a formula. The worst part is…I don’t think they even know they are doing it!

N: They just want your heart, and they’re unaware that they’re manipulating you to get it.
A: I think that those are the people you have to try to watch out for the most because energetically you may fall apart after them. It took me a while to get my “vampire lover ex” out of my life. She would call me in the middle of the night. Then she would text and say “Let’s be friends.” And then when we tried that, out of nowhere she would text “I want to have a family with you.” It got creepy. I just had to block her completely. But two years later I saw her, and she was kind. People change and time does heal.

N: Yeah, after mine ended but it really took me a second to find myself and feel strong again. Taking some time out to be alone, or changing your scenery can be helpful. For a while I was scared of bumping into her, thinking she could tip me over just by looking at me, and not because I loved her or wanted to be with her, just because she had that power and I knew it worked on me for a period of time.
A: So alright, now we’ve shared, let’s hear how we can avoid falling into unhealthy patterns with lovers…

5 Tips On How to Protect Yourself from Vampire Lovers (and vampire energy in general) by Cat Cabral

protect yourself from vampire lovers feature on the numinous

1) Have a Daily Spiritual Practice: Be it daily meditation, chants, or prayer, some form of daily spiritual practice will not only ground and focus your own energy, but it will open your levels of awareness, sharpening your own intuitive skills. With deeper awareness, it’s harder for vampires to enter your space and it’s easier to spot their unbalanced and often charming yet ultimately harmful nature.

2) Sea Salt Baths On the Full Moon: An old and soothing tradition that will help cleanse your ethereal body. Once the Moon is full, she begins to wane, an excellent time for cleansing and removing negative energies, known and unknown. Fill your bathtub with sea salt and lunar herbs such as lavender and wormwood. Imagine all negative energies, people or situations being absorbed by the water and then going down the drain. If you only have a shower, you can pour the salt and herbs into a bowl, wash as usual, and then pour the mixture over your body following the same ritual/visualization.

3) Glinda’s Crystal Ball of Protection: Remember in The Wizard of Oz, how Glinda sails away in her pink protective ball of light? Before you leave your house, imagine at the top of your head a small globe of white light illuminating at first your third eye, then your throat chakra, moving down towards the heart center, solar plexus, lighting up your reproductive zone and continuing down to your feet, so that you are completely engulfed in healthy protective white light. Imagine this light expanding into an invisible sphere that nothing negative can penetrate.

4) Symbols of Protection: Every culture has unique and powerful symbols to ward off negativity such as the pentagram, crosses, hexagram, ankh, Hand of Fatima, Runes, the list goes on! Find one that has a special meaning to you and either wear it or carry it daily.

5) Banishing Rituals: Letting go is often hard when you’ve been under the spell of a particularly seductive vampire. Create a circle with salt around you and set up an altar for your ritual. Take a white figure or plain candle to represent the person and carve their name into the candle. Dress the candle with oil for banishing (olive oil can also be used). As you light the candle, watch as the wax drips down and imagine the person disappearing from your sphere of influence. Write a letter saying everything you’ve been thinking, saying goodbye, never wishing them ill will, but clearly stating that they hold no emotional/spiritual/physical power over you, that your paths are clear and will never cross again. When the candle is almost finished, burn the letter and then discard of the ashes and wax somewhere far from your house or bury it in the ground. Burn sage, cedarwood or frankincense to cleanse the space and move on with confidence.

Read more from Cat Cabral here and check out Natalia Leite and Alexandra Roxo’s hit web series Be Here Nowish.

How have you learned to protect yourself from a psychic vampire? Share your tips in the comments below!

WEEKLY TAROTSCOPE: NOVEMBER 16-22

Posted on by Louise Androlia

The Hermit card gives us permission to retreat to a place of personal safety this week, so we can respond opposed to react to areas of difficulty in our life. By Louise Androlia.

You can watch last week’s weekly tarotscope at the link – did Louise’s message resonate with you? Share in the comments below, and connect with us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!

INTENSELY FELT: GET TO KNOW YOUR SCORPIO MOON SIGN

Posted on by Ash Bonelli

Those born with a Scorpio Moon sign feel life more intensely than most, says Ash Baker. Artwork: Prince Lauder via Behance.net

Scorpio moon sign image by Prince Lauder on The Numinous

Calling all with a Scorpio Moon sign. Let’s dive into the deep waters where your heart centered luminary resides. The Moon reflects our deepest emotions, our reactions and instincts, and where we need and seek comfort in life – and the lunar Scorpio is intense. Not only in your needs, but how you get those needs met.

The Scorpion Moon sign comes with a super power to see past any illusion and go for a direct hit if it means getting to the truth of any situation, and people lacking the bravery to be honest won’t get far with you. The Scorpio Moon sign is drawn to intense people, situations and environments. You seek drama on some level, whether you like it or not, and all because of an innate drive to transform . A Scorpio Moon sign understands better than any that you must shake the foundation until it crumbles so you can build it better than before.

This need will play out in totally different areas of your life depending upon which house your Moon is located in your birth chart. But any which way, embracing this strong need for emotional intensity will be key to accepting yourself. Finding healthy ways to release this intense energy can help relieve it while still honoring this side of yourself.

This is also a very psychic Moon. With the laser like ability to hone in on the truth, you just know things you really should not. This level of knowingness gives you an emotional upper hand. You possess a level of confidence that will entice others to deeply confide in you, or else you’ll scares the hell out of them. And the Scorpio Moon sign is happy knowing everything about you, while you know very little about them. These are private creatures.

The shadow side of knowing everybody’s secrets is that you also know you can get hurt, badly. Human nature can sting. This can lead to the Scorpio Moon sign creating a tough veneer, seemingly making those around them, especially lovers, jump through hoops to earn your trust and affection. You like to control for fear of losing it – at least if you’re in control you always know what’s coming. Yet even when disaster hits, this Moon will thrive on opportunity for yet another rebirthing experience.

This Moon may reside on the darker side, yet when in love, you will display a level of loyalty like no other. You will fight till the death for your own, and are ultimately a great ally. While it might seem the Scorpio Moon sign can play on negatives as a catalyst to help others, when galvanized into action you are unstoppable. Let’s look at some ways to bring out the best in the Scorpio Moon sign…

See projects through to completion. The Scorpio Moon sign feels emotional unrest if you don’t finish what you start. This goes for your career, home projects, and even your relationships. You do things with your whole heart, or not at all. There may also be the tendency to expect others to hold the same standards. But other people won’t always be so black and white about life. Work on practicing loving acceptance of yourself and others.

Honor your need for privacy. Having healthy boundaries around your need to be alone to connect with your higher self is key. This is something others need to respect about you too, as you may become quite defensive without a quiet space to retreat to. Scorpio’s mascot is literally the scorpion, who likes to hide in dark places until they feel safe to come out. Your emotional Moon is quite the same. Knowing that this is normal for you is another positive step in healthy self-acceptance.

Seek the truth but leave room for the light. You don’t shy away from the darker side of life, and while admirable, this can lead a person to expect to find negativity more often than not. Spend time around people, places and get involved in experiences that show you how good life can be. It can be a cruel world out there, but it can be an amazing love-filled one too. Volunteer for a charity that speaks to you, working with others to make positive changes. Spend time with kids or animals, and witness unconditional love through the innocence of these beings. This will help your heart out next time you’re feeling cynical about the world.

Keep a journal. Write out your anger. Write out your sadness. Make a list of things you are grateful for. Use this space to get EMOTIONAL. Multiple studies have shown writing out your feelings brings a sense of control back into your life, so genuinely use this as a way to purge your intense inner stirrings. You could also see that some situations, if actively pursued, could lead to unnecessary strife. You seek intensity in life, and are strong enough to walk through the fire, but you have to pick your battles. Let it all out on the page instead, and keep your journal locked, tucked away or even under your bed. Prying eyes are death to the Scorpio Moon sign!

Your Moon is hugely valuable, as it can help others transform into better versions of themselves. Use your natural lunar abilities to light the way for others seeking their own much needed healing.

AN AUSPICIOUS DAY: MASTERING THE MAGIC OF 11/11

Posted on by Felicia Bender

11/11 brings a super-charged portal of opportunity. Practical numerologist Felicia Bender has a lesson in working with the energies at play

Angel number 11/11 by Felicia Bender for The Numinous

 

 

Numerologicially speaking,  11/11 can be a significant date for us – if we’re aware and participating with the opportunities it brings our way.

I’m often asked about repeating numbers, particularly the repeating pattern 11:11. Whenever we see repeating numbers in our lives, it signifies a code that’s attempting to communicate with us on a different level than the rational, logical way we receive communication on a daily basis.

It’s kind of like the Universe is sending us a text.

In Numerology, the 11 is a Master Number – like all repeated numbers (11, 22, 33, and so on) – and Master Numbers contain a higher spiritual vibration or frequency, for lack of a better term. If a Master Number is one of the core numbers in our Numerology chart, for example, it indicates a higher level of potential, and also more challenges. So while working with Master Numbers might feel oh-so lofty, it can be a really tough obstacle course. It comes with added intensity. The Master Numbers demand that we master our life in particular ways.

That said, what about the 11 specifically?

First of all, the number 1 is all about new beginnings, independence, initiative, achievement, individuation, self-confidence, and innovative creativity. So when we see this repeating number, it’s beneficial to remind ourselves to focus on what we want in our lives opposed to what we don’t. Because the energy of the number 1 expands what we focus on, like a magnifying glass.

When we see this repeating number, a window of opportunity is being flung open – with this energy in our court, we’ll begin to manifest our thoughts and desires with turbo-speed. It requires that we’re disciplined and mindful about how we focus our thoughts and what we allow to play in our minds. If there’s any time to dive into our positive affirmation file, this is it. Don’t waste this valuable and high-powered energy on trivial or negative things.

The 11 is also the higher level 2 energy (1 + 1 = 2). The number 2 is all about harmony, balance, cooperation, diplomacy, and love. Add the Master Number and up the ante – and the 11 is the “wounded healer” and spiritual messenger.  The 11 is highly intuitive, extremely sensitive, out-of-this-world creative, and an inspired healing agent. The 11 lives mostly in the ethers and part of the struggle with the 11 energy is to bring it down to Earth in a way that’s useful and constructive.

Those with 11s in their chart will undoubtedly encounter experiences and situations that are harrowing, difficult, and extreme. This is because experience isn’t the best teacher, it’s the only teacher. The person mastering the 11 energy will come through the fire as an inspired healer and wise counselor.  Yet it takes walking the walk and talking the talk to reach the point of mastery.

As for the date 11/11 as a doorway, if we look at the numbers, we can see this is even represented visually – each 11 looks like a door. The two doors can be seen as an intersection between the physical and the spiritual world. Since the 11 is all about spiritual enlightenment, we can also use the energy of this date for understanding and manifesting our higher purpose, whatever that might be at this given moment.

In this sense, 11 is our cosmic cheerleader – here to remind us of our ever-transitioning evolution, and to assure us that we’re moving in the right direction. The day 11/11 is giving all of us a cosmic shove off the ledge, a super-charged window of opportunity. So today, let’s be sure to focus our thoughts, think big, and look for the opportunities opening up.

It’s the day to plant the seeds we’ve been wanting to plant, and to plant them mindfully, with care, and with a commitment to follow through with the actions needed to successfully cultivate these new beginnings as we enter the next phase in our lives.

GO WITHIN: READING FOR THE NEW MOON IN SCORPIO

Posted on by Hannah Ariel

The 11/11 New Moon in Scorpio brings an opportunity for regeneration at soul level, says Hannah Ariel

Reading for the new moon in scorpio by Hannah Ariel for The Numinous

Premonitions abound this time of year, as the Sun moves through the enigmatic waters of Scorpio. Perception is heightened. What we experience is essential. On 11/11 we’re in psychic New Moon territory where you can be sure to be guided by the far reaching depth of your desires.

Scorpio has a very sophisticated understanding of what it wants and why. There is an undeniable power to the way this sign manifests, through a mystical blend of intuition and intention – so imagine what a beautifully supernatural omen it is when we have a New Moon here!

With Scorpio, each new beginning speaks to the regeneration of an entire aspect of your life. An intention has the potential to be more than a goal for the foreseeable future, but a deeper commitment, an internal alliance with a truth you know in your gut to be the highest path for yourself.

New Moon seedlings planted in Scorpio will be transformative – and the deeper you go inside yourself to plant, the deeper the root can take hold. And the fiercer the intention will be, able to penetrate right through anything non-essential during the coming weeks. This is the power of Scorpionic manifestation.

Just before la Luna will fully renew herself though, she will make a connection with Mercury, also in Scorpio at 15 degrees. While all 29 degrees of each constellation have significance, the 15th degree is influential in that it represents the halfway point – a reflection point – a moment to go deep before going forward.

From when Mercury entered the first degree of Scorpio, we have been asked to consider the way our inner and outer worlds acknowledge one another through the medium of thought, for better or worse. Just before this New Moon, we have an opportunity to check in and observe if our Mercurial nature has been empowering or dysfunctional, in terms of helping us get what we really and truly want.

Mercury rules the way we perceive connections, and the winged messenger has been moving through Scorpio since November 2nd, directing our thoughts to the shadow side of things and exposing deep underlying truths like nobody’s business. Do not underestimate the power of privacy right now, and use it to pay close attention to what lies in your thoughts.

Look inward. Get as close as you can to the way your thoughts bring you to certain conclusions: what revelations can you gather about the way you maneuver when going after what you want? How have you encouraged or discouraged your intuition this past week? Something is looking to be validated, and there is a vital clue to be unearthed with this New Moon in Scorpio.

Look for the inklings that authenticate what is real for you. Seek out thoughts that focus you on moving in a positive direction, towards what is possible, what you know can hold true for you. The 15th degree is a place to transcend the valleys your thoughts have traversed. Find yourself a new starting point. You will be stronger for it, and the self-knowing behind your intention strengthened.

Chiron in Pisces will also trine Mercury and the New Moon – so whatever you uncover will be part of a healing process. Journal. Sing. Converse. Get the words out! To heal we have to hear ourselves. Verbalize our feelings. Chiron will make it easy for us to cut through negative threads of thought, and enable us to untangle whatever shadow fears and doubts we’ve got tangled up in.

Chiron in Pisces wants the waters to clear. Engaging with healing revelations can make the ritual of setting an intention a deep purification process. Again, what we experience at this time is essential. The more we can know and heal within ourselves, the more metamorphic this lunar cycle will prove itself to be.

Other astrological aspects include a sextile (creative energy that enhances and intensifies) with Jupiter in Virgo, and an in-conjunct (a call to reconciliation) with Uranus in Aries. Here is where this New Moon in Scorpio has the potential to be downright shamanic. Jupiter in Virgo is giving us room for something healing to take place in our physical reality; the landscape expands.

Uranus in Aries is simultaneously asking for us to innovate the context. Just as the shaman must experience multiple dimensions of time and space before seeing and understanding what is present, we have to look to the area where Aries is in our chart to see where else we are being asked to transform our perceptions with this New Moon in Scorpio.

Beyond looking to the house ruled by Scorpio in your natal chart, operate from where Aries is. Think back to the Full Moon Eclipse of September. The area of your life that was awakened then is calling you now, asking to be incorporated into your Scorpio New Moon intentions; adjust accordingly.

This New Moon wants you to manifest from the deepest well of understanding you can muster. It wants you to see results come from a place you don’t normally think to ask. It wants the whispers of your psyche to become evident every which way. The energies of Scorpio want to work with the parts you may often shy away from, for fear of their power.

To connect further with this energy, try simply lying down on the Earth and taking some deep breaths that come from the core. Also, Scorpio rules the colon; the way we eliminate what has been digested. Working with exercises to help unblock this process in the physical body will in turn help unlock your ability to connect more intimately with your power, to feel what’s intuitively going to work for you.

A simple but effective Kundalini yoga exercise: Sit in easy pose with your hands on your knees. Begin rotating the abdominal area in deep, slow, circular motions toward the right, and continue for three minutes. With so much being processed internally with Mercury in Scorpio, it is a time for letting go of all that is non-essential.

MY MYSTICAL WEEK: IN SEARCH OF THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE

Posted on by Ruby Warrington

In which I get prescribed a 30-day “self-pleasure diet”…

My Mystical Life Ruby Warrington on the pleasure principle for The Numinous

Confession. There has been a sad lack of the above (laughter) in my life lately, and this is a shout out, please, for some inspiration when it comes to the pleasure principle. Don’t get me wrong, life is pretty freaking amazing right now. I have somehow made manifest a career that reflects all the things I care about, and allows me total creative expression on a daily basis. I’m writing a book. I just launched the most incredible project with an iconic London department store, and moved into a super-cool new apartment in NYC. I’m in a loving relationship, I have a beautiful new nephew (okay thank you for indulging me in a much-needed gratitude list).

But still, and it’s written into very the DNA of entrepreneurship, life has been feeling very much all-work-and-no-play lately (I haven’t, actually, taken a day off this year I don’t think). And as was discussed with my friend Lucy in London last week, co-creator of spirituality un-conference Higher Selfie, what’s the point of dedicating yourself to your passion and your purpose, if your passion and your purpose then turns around and tries to make you its bitch?

The subject came up when I went to see Sandra Lanshin Chiu for acupuncture last night. She said she could tell from the way my tissue was “clinging” to my bones how hard I’ve been working, and how little room for pleasure, laughter, and FUN, this had left. “You’re all in your masculine energy, and that’s great for getting stuff done. But you’re a woman and you have a yin body, you need to create some space for flow,” she explained (kind of nailing it). Okay so her prescription? “A 30-day self-pleasure diet.”

As in, exactly what you think! Whether or not I decide to take up the challenge and schedule a 20-minute masturbation break into my daily routine isn’t something I’m gonna discuss here, but I will say this is by no means the first time the conversation has come up lately. According to Sandra, “self-pleasure is one of the jewels in a woman’s self-care toolbox.” Another friend in London is writing a book on the topic, while a self-administered orgasm had been suggested to somebody else I spoke to recently as a “grounding” practice.

But yeah, any other suggestions for bringing the joy balance back into my life would also be very welcome. In the meantime, you will mainly find me trying to carve out some good old fashion vacay days and keeping busy with my gratitude practice.

Or maybe the answer is meditation? This week I’m also giving a shout out to Numinous contributor Ellie Burrows, who opened her dedicated meditation studio, MNDFL, in Manhattan last night. Okay, wow, we first chatted about this project in the spring (I remember cos it was the first day she’d worn open-toe shoes this year), and six short months later, enter a beautiful, chic and cosy space in the Village offering a “space to breathe” seven days a week. (Although how much space to breathe this project will allow Ellie while it gets up and running remains to be seen – see above! And enter my acupuncturist’s other suggestion – “a slow-entrepreneurship movement.”)

Most classes are 30-45 minutes, with a few juicy two-hour workshops thrown in (like the one on Love & Justice next Thursday) – and are categorized along the themes in the image below. Read the MNDFL manifesto and check out the full class schedule here. Ellie Burrows, we love you!

MNDFL Meditation studio by Ellie Burrows on The Numinous

 

LIGHT WORKER: THE HEALING JOURNEY OF JODY SHIELD

Posted on by Ruby Warrington

London-based Jody Shield has gained a reputation as the healers’ healer, and signed as a Lululemon meditation ambassador. She shares her journey with Ruby Warrington

Light Grids healer Jody Shield featured on The Numinous

“Quit your job.” It was back in 2013 that Jody Shield heard the voice, subtle and yet insistent. “The sensation that came with it was one of, ‘it’s fine, you’ll be supported, don’t worry, trust’,” she remembers. “But still I was like, ‘no, no…what’s going on?’ And it just kept repeating, ‘quit your job, quit your job, quit your job’…”

Until this moment it had been a regular day in the office at the London ad agency where Jody had worked since 2005, rising through the ranks to become Business Director. Sure, she’d suffered a degree of burn-out in the role, had taken a sabbatical to Peru to “find myself.”

Since her return, she’d been dabbling in alternative therapies, and quietly working to develop what she felt were her natural healing abilities. But she’d found a happy medium, or so she thought. Her newfound skills were simply tools to help her navigate the demands of her own life in the “real world.” But now it seemed as though Spirit had other plans.

“I realized I couldn’t ignore what I was hearing, and almost as if some external force was pushing me to my feet I found myself walking into my boss’s office to tell him I needed to talk. I resigned on the spot,” she remembers.

Within three months, “I had a business as a healer. People had actually already been contacting me about sessions, and I’d been seeing family and friends at weekends. Once I made the decision to focus on it fully, people just kept coming back, and I was like, ‘okay!’”

In the two years since, Jody has become one of the most sought after alternative therapists in London, also gaining a reputation as “the healers’ healer.” This fall, she was signed by Lululemon as their first ever European meditation ambassador, and with a busy public speaking schedule to boot she’s become a leading voice in the Now Age movement. For anybody seeking a similar transition to a career in healing, her journey is a lesson in surrendering to your calling.

Light Grids healer Jody Shield featured on The Numinous

Born in the North of England, “growing up, I always had a sense that there was something bigger out there and that I was going to be a part of it. I used to look at celebrities and think, ‘they’re no different to anybody else, they’ve just got big energy’. And I felt that way about myself, too,” she says.

As far as connecting to Spirit, “I had a sense of the different energies in our house, and would get goose bumps when I walked into certain rooms. I’d drag the dog in with me for ‘protection’,” she laughs. But like so many psychically-developed young women, “I shut it all down when I hit my teens and began to discover boys…”

The first indication that she would one day be asked to use her gifts blew into her life on the winds of tragedy – after an ex-boyfriend was brutally murdered. “I woke up in bed one night not long after it happened, and there was an outline of him next to me on the matress. I realized his soul wasn’t able to pass to the other side, and I so I just told him, ‘it’s okay, be at peace now. You don’t need to worry about anything.’ And he just left.”

Back in real life Jody was focused on climbing the corporate ladder – even if the incident with her ex had left its mark. “I was emotionally burned out, and self-medicating with drugs and alcohol to the point I had to take time off work due to ‘stress’,” she says. Eventually, she set off for South America for what she thought was some much needed R & R. Instead, she found herself on an intensive plant medicine retreat.

“Nobody was talking about Ayahuasca back then, so when I heard about it in Peru I really had no idea to expect. Even on the boat to the retreat center, I remember wondering what on Earth I was doing there, and thinking I would probably just be an observer,” she says. In the event, her 12-day shamanic immersion would prove absolutely pivotal in her journey to becoming a full-time healer herself.

Not least because she was immediately confronted with a truth she’d been hiding for years, even from herself – that she was living in the grips of bulimia. “When we arrived we were asked to drink something to make us vomit and purge the toxins from our system. The potion didn’t work on me, and the facilitator told me to stick my fingers down my throat. My immediate reaction was, ‘but you can’t do that in public!’ I’d kept my eating disorder a secret for a decade.”

In ceremony, having drunk the Ayahuasca itself, “it felt like being cradled in the arms of the Mother, looking down on me and loving me, but going; ‘you’ve got something to confess, and you have to bring it up so I can help you with it.’ When I shared about this afterwards, it was the first time I’d spoken about my eating disorder to anyone.”

Light Grids healer Jody Shield featured on The Numinous

Jody took part in seven ceremonies over 12 days, sharing her little jungle hut with giant cockroaches and spiders, and emerging with an unshakable sense that her bulimia was behind her. “It was as if my brain had been re-wired and I couldn’t even remember the physical process of the illness. I had also made a contract with the plant to never eat meat or take drugs again.”

Further, “I had been recognized by the indigenous tribe as one of them. After one ceremony, they all made a bee-line for me, calling me “doctor, doctor, doctor.”

It’s testament to the grounded nature that makes Jody so approachable as a healer that she was able to pack this experience away with her guide books and resume her “normal” life back in London. Albeit with a desire to discover more about the healing arts, and her own abilities in this area.

It began with the study of EFT, or tapping, but it was discovering the work of Damien Wynne that tapped Jody fully into her gifts. Having developed a system for karmic, emotional and energetic “clearing” called Light Grids Therapy, “for me Damien was the whole package – a very expansive spiritual channel, yet very, very grounded in his human experience,” says Jody. She decided to travel to Germany to train with him; “My mum insisted on coming with me though, to check I wasn’t being indoctrinated into some cult,” she laughs.

“I connected to the work instantly, which centers on the mantra ‘I am that I am,’ and is essentially about allowing you to fully claim your ancestral seat in this lifetime. After five days of working intensively on healing and opening up my own emotional body, noticed quantum shifts in my perspective on my own life and purpose,” she claims.

“But I was afraid. I was like, ‘if this IS my path, how do I bring this to London, and how on Earth do I explain this to people?!” she says, echoing what must have been the thought process of so many great healers before her. But it was shortly after this that she heard The Voice, while experiencing the sensation of being fully supported by the Universe on her journey.

The rest, as they say, is history. And with with London’s creative and business leaders lining up to work with Jody, there’s a sense of her childhood awareness that “something bigger” was out there waiting for her having been fulfilled.

To find out more about Jody Shield and her work and to book a session visit Jodyshield.co.uk

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