12 Rituals To Do In 12 Days To Guarantee 12 Months Of Love & Prosperity

montreal-skyline2By; Barbara Biziou / Source: Mind Body Green

Why are the first 12 days of the new year so important? According to my spiritual teacher Master Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov, the first 12 days of January represent the whole year. Jan. 1 stands for the month of January, while Jan. 2 stands for February, and so on.

By practicing loving kindness, openness, and generosity while giving thoughtful attention to the significance of each day, you can consecrate the coming year.

But first, here are two rituals you can try to invite more love and prosperity into your life:

1. Ritual for love

Wear new red underwear on New Year’s Day to bring in love.

2. Ritual for prosperity

For good luck and prosperity, you can throw money into your home the first time you enter it in the new year. If you are staying home on New Year’s Eve, go to your front door at 12:01am and throw coins or paper money into the front door.

Bless it with your “inspirations” for the new year.

On Jan. 2, you could give some money away freely as a sign to the universe that YOU ARE PROSPEROUS.

Now, focus on the following keywords each day for the first 12 days of the new year. Each of these words can evoke a special energy that will make your new year special.

Jan. 1: Breath

As you focus on your breath, you actually can breathe in the inspiration you desire. Breathe in love, creativity, joy, health and prosperity. Allow the universe to gift you with energy to invite your best self forward.

Jan. 2: Love

Today is the day to be more loving and compassionate toward yourself. Learn to be compassionate in the areas where you tend to resist. Ask yourself.

How can I be more loving today? Then reach out to others. Smile, be kind and send a loving note to a friend or family member.

Jan. 3: Renewal

Use nature to renew your body and spirit. Nature is a window into the world of the divine — with the four great elements representing the physical manifestation of spirit into matter.

Spend some time just looking at the sky, or take a walk in the park, on the beach or in the woods, listen to birds sing, hold a rock or crystal to remind you to ground your energy and of course, watch a sunrise or sunset.

Jan. 4: Smell

Of all of our five senses, smell is the only one that goes directly to our brain. Experiment with different scents to see how you feel. Vanilla works well to lift your mood.

Orange boosts your energy, while chamomile or lavender may calm you down. Jasmine is a wonderful aphrodisiac and rose is often associated with opening your heart.

Jan. 5: Play

When we get over-serious and try to figure everything out, we lose our spontaneity and creativity. Fun is a good thing, so allow your playful inner child to come out.

Go to a playground and swing on a swing, ride a bike, get some Legos and build a castle, take out the finger paints and let it rip, or put on some upbeat music and move.

Jan. 6: Present

Life can pass you by if you are so busy making plans and doing stuff. We forget to just BE.

Focus on one thing at a time, unplug from your smart phone and computer for five minutes every hour if you can, take a deep breath every time your phone rings, be conscious of walking on the earth — one step at a time, really listen to yourself and others.

Jan. 7: Purify

You wouldn’t think of going to an important event in dirty clothes, so why not pay attention to cleansing your energy field, as well as your physical space.

Do some spring clearing, throw out old broken items, spray lemon water around your office, use your morning bath or shower as a ritual of purification, let go of old emotions that no longer serve you, shred old letters that hold negative associations, delete any email that is not positive.

Jan. 8: Honor

By loving and honoring the body you have, you can bring more health and flexibility into your life. Be conscious of what you put into your body, and try starting the day off with gentle stretches.

You can also walk instead of driving or taking the elevator, rest when you are tired and take short breaks during the day.

Jan. 9: Creativity

Doing something new builds new brain cells, so experiment with something you would normally consider “out of the box.”

Jan. 10: Wisdom

Read inspirational books, talk to an elder, mentor someone, honor your inner wisdom and pay attention to your intuition.

Jan. 11: Abundance

Say this affirmation 27 times today:

Huge sums of money flow to me rapidly, abundantly and effortlessly. I am truly needed and my talents, services and products are always in great demand.

Jan. 12: Gratitude

Bless everything you have, including your body. Send notes of appreciation to friends and family members; see how many times you can say “thank you” to the universe for the many blessings you have in life.

How to Tap Into the Healing Abilities of Your Chakras

chakrasBy: Anna Hunt / Source: Waking Times

The human energetic body, also referred to as the pranic sheath or astral body, is an intricate network of 72,000 nadis that facilitate the movement of prana, the vital energy of the human body. The nadis, also referred to as astral tubes, astral nerves or meridians, come together in seven energy centers called the chakras which are located along the central canal, the Sushumna, which corresponds to the spine in the physical body.

Understanding each energy center and having the ability to heal them can help you consciously control your physical body and hence aide physical and emotional well-being and assist in higher spiritual pursuits.

Tapping into the healing abilities of your chakras can be achieved through various means, such as changing your lifestyle and diet, establishing a meditation practice, taking time for personal exploration, and integrating physical practices such as yoga into your daily life. Below are some specific healing techniques to balance each chakra and help you establish equilibirum.

Root Chakra – Muladhara – I am

Location: The base of the spine in the tailbone area.

Purpose: Keeps you grounded and centered.

When imbalanced: Feeling unfocused; maneuvering through life without purpose; sense of drifting along; fear and uncertainty; frustration with life direction; lack of emotional and life independence.

When nurtured: Increased sense of security, confidence and satisfaction; increased sense of self-worth; strengthened connection with your intuition; ability to move forth to the creative nature of life; ability to fully love and enjoy life.

Healing techniques: Practice visualization of walking barefoot and growing roots to the Earth’s center; visualize molten lava or other objects that are bright red; perform walking meditation, if possible barefoot; resolve issues with family and close friends; re-establish your understanding of what you really need versus what you want in life.

What to eat: Root vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, beets, garlic, onion, etc; protein-rich foods such as nuts, eggs, beans and tofu; spices such as horseradish, cayenne pepper, hot paprika and chives.

Mantra: Lam

Sacral Chakra – Swadhishtana – I feel

Location: Along the spine in the genital area of the lower abdomen, about 2 inches below navel and 2 inches in.

Purpose: The dwelling place of the Self that affords us the ability to change and accept others.

When imbalanced: Resistance to change; emotional imbalance; becoming manipulative; sexual dysfunction; laziness and lack of motivation; hormonal imbalance.

When nurtured: Overall sense of feeling balanced; increased flow of creativity; ability to be easy going; easily getting along with others.

Healing techniques: Looks for a creative outlet that you enjoy and that allows you to align with who you really are; face any buried emotions from your childhood; become accepting of relationships versus trying to influence them.

What to eat: Water and mineral water; seafood, fish and other foods from the sea; sweet fruits such as melons, mangos, strawberries, passion fruit and coconut; honey; nuts such as almonds and walnuts; sweet spices such as cinnamon, vanilla, sesame seeds and sweet paprika.

Mantra: Vam

Solar Plexus Chakra – Manipura – I do

Location: In the upper abdomen at the naval, corresponding to the solar plexus in the physical body.

Purpose: The seat of intellect that is the center of our personal power.

When imbalanced: Low self-esteem or self-worth; being withdrawn; depression; lack of confidence in daily responsibilities; emotional issues are often coupled with weakness or illness of digestive system.

When nurtured: Clear sense of optimism; high self-respect; ability to fully express yourself; ability to confidently face challenges; strong sense of personal power; general satisfaction with daily life.

Healing techniques: Reassess personal choices and life path; meditate on uncovering and accepting the true Self; take the emotional steps to “grow up” and take responsibility for your own life path; take steps to make your dreams and aspirations real.

What to eat: Starches and grains such as granola, oatmeal, cereals, flax seed and sunflower seeds; dairy such as goat cheese and yogurt; spices such as ginger, mint, chamomile, turmeric, cumin and fennel.

Mantra: Ram

Heart Chakra – Anahata – I love

Location: Center of the chest, slightly above the heart.

Purpose: Governs love, compassion and spirituality.

When imbalanced: Feeling of self-pity; overwhelming feelings of sorrow for yourself; indecisiveness; anger; paranoia; fear of getting hurt; fear of close relationships; holding onto feelings or possessions that do not serve you; emotional issues can manifest themselves into cardiac problems.

When nurtured : ability to express love and compassion; ability to see good in other people; it is easy to forgive others and yourself; ability to show self love.

Healing techniques: Visualize a bright light at the heart center and imagine it expanding slowly; practice breath meditation focused on inhaling into the heart center and observing sensations at heart center on exhale; write in a journal; open up to and talk with a trusted friend.

What to eat: Leafy greens such as celery, cabbage, spinach, kale and dandelion greens. Air vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, squash and pumpkin; brown and white rice; green teas; leafy spices such as basil, sage, thyme, cilantro and parsley.

Mantra: Yam

Throat Chakra – Vishuddha – I speak

Location: At the base of the throat.

Purpose: Governs our ability to communicate and our aptitude for faith and understanding.

When imbalanced: Difficulty communicating thoughts either verbally or in writing; inability for, frustration with or fear of self expression; apprehension and anxiety; hypothyroid.

When nurtured: Ability to find an opinion or voice in previously uncomfortable situations; experiences of inspiration; faith and trust in the Universe/Divine/God; ability to observe life from a higher vibration; ability to separate yourself from everyday problems and obstacles; establish understanding of our inner truth.

Healing techniques: Practice emotional detachment from trivial everyday drama; sing and dance; speak and yell; stand up for your personal beliefs and ideologies; express yourself; practice certain yoga postures such as fish, bridge and headstand.

What to eat: Fruit liquids such as coco water, juices and herbal teas; tart and tangy fruits such as lemons, limes, kiwi and grapefruit; tree growing fruits such as pears, plums, peaches, and apples; spices such as salt and lemongrass.

Mantra: Ham

Third Eye Chakra – Ajna – I see

Location: The forehead between the eye brows (it is also called the crown chakra).

Purpose: Helps us stay focused and clear minded and allows us to receive inner guidance from the Higher Self.

When imbalanced: Lack of insight and intuitiveness; inability to make decisions; feeling lost, discouraged or egotistical; fearful of success; inability to acknowledge necessity to learn or ask for help.

When nurtured: Ability to connect to our intuitive nature; ability to see in our mind’s eye and envision our future; ability to look beyond the obvious and consider the mystical; facing truth without fear; life obstacles become new possibilities; trust is established that all things happen for a reason and are part of a bigger Divine plan.

Healing techniques: Visualize the third eye in the middle of the forehead looking around making keen observations; do not over-think or dwell on situations; take time to calm thoughts throughout the day; meditate on being present in the moment; learn new things; remain open-minded to unfamiliar ideas

What to eat: Raw green veggie juices; foods rich in chlorophyll such as spirulina; eat ligther foods and less food; dark colored fruits such as blueberries, red grapes, black berries and raspberries; spices such as lavender, poppy seed and mugwort.

Mantra: Om

Crown Chakra – Sahasrara – I understand

Location: At the very top of the head.

Purpose: Represents our ability to connect spiritually and allows the inward flow of wisdom.

When imbalanced: Feeling disconnected from life or life’s purpose; becoming destructive; lacking trust, faith and hope; experiencing headaches and “brain fog”.

When nurtured: General sense of satisfaction with life; productive attitude towards all actions and tasks; ability to acknowledge and even feel the connection to the world; unlocking the doorways to the subconscious and unconscious minds; ability to let go of attachments; judgments diminish in thoughts, words and deeds; enlightenment and Divine Wisdom become possible.

Healing techniques: Visualize bright light glowing at the crown and enveloping the top of the head; ask your Higher Self for guidance and healing; stop judging yourself and others in your words, deeds and thoughts; work on balancing the preceding six chakras; meditate consistently.

What to eat: fasting and detoxing; smudging with herbs such as sage, copal, myrth and juniper.

Mantra: Aum

Balance & Prosperity: Feng Shui 101

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By: Gerry Loken / Source: Ask Men

You’ve likely heard of Feng Shui, and probably thought it was #57 at your favorite Chinese restaurant. But little did you know that this is a way of life that involves more than General Tao chicken and spring rolls.

Do you feel as if you are surrounded by negative energy that corrupts your life? Or as if no matter what you do or how you try to organize yourself, that your success is fleeting? Keep an open mind and you may find practical and man-friendly solutions with Feng Shui.

More than prissy colored baubles, silly shapes and the crazy trend that your girlfriend keeps talking about when she’s decorating your pad, the ancient metaphysical art of Feng Shui can bring aesthetically pleasing and beneficial changes to your home and your life. From getting a good night’s sleep to being more productive at work, Feng Shui can help men too.

Feng Shui is mostly about positioning objects in your environment, so it is largely related to decorating. However, it is more about achieving a personal balance with your surroundings rather than a specific set of color schemes or accessories à la Martha Stewart.

What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui (pronounced “fung shway”), literally meaning “wind water,” is an ancient Chinese discipline that dates back to over 4000 years and was once kept as a secret tool to ensure the good health, fortune and power of the imperial dynasties.
In poetic terms, Feng Shui was designed to balance the energy between heaven and Earth; or, to align man with the heavens. In practical terms, it’s a way to get you in tune with your environment so you can reap the maximum benefits from your mental and physical space.

In modern times, Feng Shui attempts to implement design and placement strategies, in any environment (home, office, school, etc.) in order to optimize the growth and positive energy flow of its occupants. Again, in layman’s terms, this essentially means that you get to move stuff around in your home or workplace until you feel as if you are in tune with your surroundings and in a beneficial frame of mind.

According to Feng Shui, the many ways to balance energy typically involve elements such as Chinese symbolism, like dragons and other mystical creatures; pleasant lighting and sounds, such as chimes and gongs; freedom of movement; plants; wood and metal objects; electricity; and color, one of the most important and easily administered cures of Feng Shui.

When decorating, close attention must be paid to the balancing the five elements of Feng Shui — fire, earth, metal, water, and wood — which correspond to specific areas in your life.

Know the tools of Feng Shui…

Tools of Feng Shui

I will not lie and say that Feng Shui, in its purest form, is a simple practice. Many experts study their entire lives to master Feng Shui principles. Principles of geography, architecture, environmental psychology, astrology, electromagnetism, urban planning, and landscape design are also employed in modern Feng Shui.
Furthermore, there are many variations, or strands, but most authentic forms use maps called baguas to orientate a home corresponding to the following nine areas of one’s life:

1- Career
2- Relationships
3- Family & wisdom
4- Creativity & children
5- Fame
6- Health
7- Helpful people
8- Travel
9- Prosperity

If you’re really serious about Feng Shui, you may need an expert to show you how to correctly calculate your birth date and the ideal compass directions. Specialized compasses are used to determine the orientation of the house, while the birth dates and times of the occupants determine which alignments work best for each individual and the group.

How does it work?

In essence, Feng Shui arranges objects, forms and colors in your environment, and the layout and orientation of your setting, in order to attract, balance and enhance positive life energy, called “Qi” or “Chi,” and balance hard, or opposite energy, called “Sha Chi” or “Sha.”
As mentioned, the ultimate goal of Feng Shui is the harmonious re-balancing of “Yin and Yang,” the opposite forces of the universe. The Chinese believe that good and bad forces balance each other out, kind of like a cosmic check and balances. We are all part of the same system, thus we are obligated to respect and balance that order.

Therefore, some Feng Shui specialists believe that once energy movement or exchange is optimal, the quality of life of the individual improves. For instance, sometimes people who have been confused at work may improve their concentration by turning their desk so that it faces the door. This way, instead of turning their back to other lives in their environment, they face them head on.

Proponents of Feng Shui strongly believe that the right layout and attention to detail in your home can improve your business success, economic status, love life, personal and mental health, and happiness levels. What you see and experience in your home makes can make the difference between being relaxed and on top of your game, and edgy, uncomfortable, ill-rested, and imbalanced.

For example, think of how much better you feel in your warm, cozy room, perhaps stretched out on a goose down quilt with a lovely companion, versus the annoyance of being cramped and stressed in a small, dimly lit cubicle. Feng Shui essentially tries to make your environment happy and healthy so you can feel the same way.

Here’s how you can implement Feng Shui in your life…

Implementing Feng Shui

Now that you understand that Feng Shui is mainly about the positioning of objects in your living environment for a better flow of positive energy, you can apply the following tips in minutes, and at little or no cost.

Paint your bedroom an inviting color like warm yellow, rich terracotta or an earthy green. As most adults go to their bedrooms to relax and recharge, it is essential to have the greatest level of serenity in the bedroom. Plus, the more relaxed you feel, the more likely you are to invite the energy for good sex with your partner. And remember, the right use of red can make for a happier and richer sex life. So be sure to include some red pillows or other accessories.

Remove/move around uncomfortable furniture, as anything that makes you edgy or sore in your environment can block positive energy flow. Stiff chairs, old sofas with protruding coils or rough fabrics all make for a painful and undesirable living space. Invest in products that tailor to your body and your level of comfort sensibilities. For instance, get an office chair that provides both back support and leg space, and which is stylish as well.

Adjust light levels to pleasing levels. Try for natural light from windows as much as possible, and if this is not possible, aim for natural white light bulbs and candles, and avoid fluorescent or glaring halogen lamps. The right light levels will give your eyes a rest, and enhance your mood. Levels of light determine wakefulness and emotional experience, so test out what works best for you.

Purchase special auspicious figures like prosperity frogs or dragons because they ignite the fiery powerful energy in your room and attract money, power, affluence, and wealth.

Keep your area clean because if your space is too busy, you may not have room to think or freedom of movement. Clutter in the house generally indicates clutter in the mind and soul. You should regulate and order your environment or the chaos will order you!

Fix what’s broken such as drafty windows and leaky faucets.

Face the door. You should never have your back to the door while working as it blocks productive energy.

Remove mirrors from your bedroom as they can attract a third party to the relationship. (That is, unless you want a third party to join.)

Chi and Harmony

Feng Shui can work for you, either under the guidance of a professional to maximize your chances of channeling Chi, or even “Westernized,” as a simple principle of living in balance and harmony with your environs.
However, it is certain that Feng Shui is not a cure-all, nor is it about buying cheap store products like incense, chimes or sculptures, and/or needlessly painting your home in garish colors. And although there is no well-documented, scientific proof that Feng Shui really works, its effects might still make you feel more at ease where you live and work.

Chinese Numerology: The Lo Shu Square

Lo Shu SquareThe exact origin of where numerology began is a mystery and although we can’t pinpoint an actual date of birth for this system, there are estimated dates of when it could have possibly began. The Chinese have often been referred to as being the first people to have ever used numbers as a source of significance in daily lives.

It was in the Yellow River region of China roughly 4000 years ago that the Chinese are believed to have begun using numbers for more than simple calculations. Patterns were noticed and these patterns where utilized to determine a person’s fate, their temperaments and other significances. The Chinese numerology system revolves around a unique grid that is often called the Lo Shu Square.

The founder of this grid is known as Wu of Hsai who was the very first mythical emperor of China. Although there is no evidence of how the grid came to be, there is an old folk tale that states that Wu found a tortoise with a square on its back. The square was a 3 x 3 grid which was soon to become the Lo Shu grid.

The Lo Shu Square is remarkable because the numerological significance of each square is impressive. The traditional grid consists of rows and columns that always add up to the number 15. This is a known as being an extremely sacred number in China along with the number 5. The number 15 is the exact amount of days between a new moon and a full moon which once again shows the co-relation between numerology and astrology.

Since the first grid came to be there have been three major variations of the system and all three systems are still used to this day; the Ki system, the traditional system and the western system. Although there is not much information about the Western system, it was made popular in the 1930’s and mainly in Australia.

The Western system still exists to this day and it is known for being among the most accurate of all the systems. To make it even more popular, it is among the easiest numerology systems to learn which makes it the first choice of many numerology students. The other two numerological systems are becoming obsolete because of their complexity and less accurate results.

The basic Lo Shu grid contains 9 squares within it and each row or column has 3 squares, thus making the grid one big square. Normally, these squares are numbered from 1 to 9 and depending on your date of birth, the numbers will vary in placement. The general way to calculate the significance of a person’s temperament is by using the year of birth along with the day and month.

Placement of the numbers within the Lo Shu grid is crucial. By placing the numbers in a specific area of the grid, the reader is capable of determining several weakness and strong points of an individual. It is surprising to see just how accurate a simple grid can be.