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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-04-05 09:08 PM
Original message
I smudged!
Edited on Thu Aug-04-05 09:11 PM by lavenderdiva
Today, I smudged my whole house first with white sage, and followed that with sweet grass. I even did inside each closet and cabinet. After that, I smudged my two dogs. My loving but skeptical husband even stood still while I smudged him! Then, I smudged myself. While all this smudging may seem like a bit much, the problems surrounding this house have been many (see the Feng Shui #2 thread), and the energy here has been oh-so negative and depressing.

I hope I am not just imagining this, or wanting it to be so, but when I came back upstairs, after smudging everything/everyone throughout the house, the light coming through the windows upstairs just seemed to be brighter! Nope, I didn't wash the windows either! Throughout the smudging, I prayed for all the negative energy to go, and if there was any negative energy or spirit left from previous inhabitants that they needed to go toward the light, and they weren't needed here anymore. Then I prayed that our home would be filled with light, love, clarity, positive energy, health, hope, prosperity, and success. I'm sure there was more that I included, that is not coming to mind just now.

In some rooms, the smudge sticks just did not want to stay lit! I don't know if this signifies something, but I just kept re-lighting the stick, and forcing the issue! I was going to definitely have a successful smudging. I kept trying to remember all of your kind words and focus on my intention. Afterwards, I was able to complete many tasks this afternoon, including sanding 1200 square feet of wood flooring that I am refinishing!!!!! Major success!!!!

Thank you to each and everyone here for guiding me and helping me get to this point... From what I have read, I will need to periodically repeat the smudging. As I had such a positive reaction today, I will look forward to adding to what I accomplished today!!!

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Dover Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-04-05 11:26 PM
Response to Original message
1. Sounds like great energy. And you can throw in a New Moon for
added gumption!

I had a similarly productive day (though no smudging involved...just a thorough cleaning). Ahhhhhhhhh.......the air smells sweeter already!
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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-04-05 11:36 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. I am sitting here on my bed, reading DU, and I can still smell the sage
and sweet grass!

Tell me, what does the New Moon mean? Is this good energy too? I need all the help I can get! If it is good, and I did the smudging today, I just lucked out and picked the right day, huh?

I was pretty excited after I did the smudging today, as I have never done anything like this before...
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Dover Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-04-05 11:53 PM
Response to Reply #2
3. Yes, the smudging marks (along with the New Moon) a new beginning!
Edited on Fri Aug-05-05 12:01 AM by Dover
The New Moon is a powerful time to make wishes and start new projects. The sign that the Moon is in gives you information on what types of wishes and plans are especially important that month.
This one was in the sign of Leo....which relates to the heart, to the joy of authentic expression of the self. Perhaps this New Moon in particular is connecting strongly to your natal astrological chart.
Many women's menstral cycles follow the Moon cycles and so they are always very connected physically too. So this smudging, this ritual of renewal is very much in synch with these cycles.


New Moon in Leo
Thursday, Aug 4, 2005
8:05pm PDT
12º 48'.........


Though Leo is mostly thought of as shallow (caring most about outer appearances) it actually carries with it a depth of inner vision sourced in powerful expression of one's own personal creativity. More than any other sign, Leo rules creative actualization of the self, the ego. Ego is the self, knowing and creatively actualizing itself, in all its complexity and beauty… yes, complexity and beauty. The more we know about who we are the more complex our view of self becomes and consequently we begin to be adept at cognizing a wider range of experience. This is what I call creative mindfulness: opening awareness to a deeper, yet broader sense of the ramifications of action. This is especially true on this intensely reflective New Moon in Leo. The Moon and Sun in Leo are joined by Saturn the teacher and Mercury the messenger; Venus (aesthetics and love) finds itself in discriminating and critically-minded Virgo, and Jupiter is in Libra, the great listener and balancer of the zodiac. So basically this is the New Moon to put some energy behind the idea of knowing yourself better, and becoming mindful of the energy (negative and positive) you output everyday.

Leo's most evolved form is the inspirational, full-hearted teacher/leader. Most of what we see in our leaders is Leo's power-hungry, immature, narcissistic side, constantly craving attention and affirmation from outside itself. Consequently, this is the perfect New Moon to look deeply at how much of what you say and do, is done to appease an inner need for attention and recognition of specialness, rather than a selfless, heartfelt, compassionate desire to heal. True self-esteem is built by developing a calm center from which all decisions are made and all actions are undertaken. And by the way, creativity is freed up tremendously when the mind is calm and focused.

Leo wants us all to understand that our lives are one big canvas and we get to fill it with whatever we want. So dream a little…all right, dream a lot. The way of Leo is big, big, big! Think, "Big-budget Hollywood". It might be a bit harder this year with Saturn in Leo and Venus in realistic/no-risk Virgo, but try to consider what your life would be like if you embraced the risk-taking romantic that lives inside of you, buried deep beneath the weight of all your worldly responsibilities. Pick one area of your life and give it over to this part of you. You'll be amazed at what can happen! Leo represents the artist in each of us. This is the New Moon for increasing your creativity. The New Moon in Leo is all about discovering your personal aesthetic and finding the right modus operandi for expressing it.

Those of you who are artists can use this New Moon to start a new project or initiate a new direction in your work, build a stronger belief in your own vision, or bolster your ability to handle the vast amount of rejection most artists face at one time or another. Leo also rules personal power. What exactly does that mean? In our world it usually means a kind of power-over, which expresses itself in everything from caring only about personal gain, having excessive influence over others, to war mongering, exploitation and land grabbing. I have written quite extensively about this in my article on Saturn in Leo.

This is the New Moon to redefine personal power as a means to engender communal empowerment, coexistence and upliftment; in other words, true leadership. A real leader feels a tremendous responsibility to share their talent in an effort to make life better for everyone around us. Use this New Moon to look at how much of your time do you giveaway your talent to help others in need?

cont'd
http://www.astrowisdom.com/thisnewmoon.htm
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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-05-05 12:19 AM
Response to Reply #3
4. Thank you sooo much for sharing this with me!
Edited on Fri Aug-05-05 12:23 AM by lavenderdiva
my birthday is August 22; I am Leo/Virgo cusp. "Perhaps this New Moon in particular is connecting strongly to your natal astrological chart." man! how did you know this? that is just amazing!!! I see more Leo in myself than Virgo. I haven't ever had my chart done, so I don't really know specifics about myself. I have been to astro.com, but I don't understand a lot of what it says. I am a complete novice to all of this, but open, very open, to learning more.

Your article is wonderful! I am going to save it, so I can really study what you are sharing. Thank you for the link to your website; it looks great too!

From what I am gathering, my choice of today as 'smudge day', was kinda providential? It was a good choice, even though I didn't conscientiously select today for all of the good reasons I might have, had I known those good reasons existed! :hi:


ps. I love the picture you posted!


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Dover Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-05-05 12:33 AM
Response to Reply #4
5. Ahhhh a Leo! This will be an important year for learning.
Edited on Fri Aug-05-05 12:37 AM by Dover
Out with the old and outworn parts of your life. Consolidate and maintain what's working. Time to manifest and be your authentic self...with no apologies. This is who you are, and it's beautiful!
Dream big.
Responsibilities will test your abilities that you've been developing and show you where the weak spots are. There's no such thing as failure...just experience.
All this will be due to Saturn's influence on Leo. Saturn is the teacher, and while it can seem a bit hard on you, if you are willing to learn, and apply discipline, the rewards are as infinite as your creative spirit when it is fully expressing itself.

BTW - that New Moon article and website are not mine. My good friend google pointed them out to me.;)
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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-05-05 12:37 AM
Response to Reply #5
6. I hope this question doesn't sound tooo stupid...
but is the New Moon different from the Saturn in Leo? Also, how long do each of these phenomena last in my life this go round (starting today since today is the New Moon)?

I still am floored by the 'coincidence' (Hmmmmm?) that I picked today of all days to do this smudging thing, when it seems to be a significant beginning of change in my life....

You are sharing some veeeerrrrrryyyyy interesting things...
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Dover Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-05-05 12:55 AM
Response to Reply #6
7. They are two separate things.
Edited on Fri Aug-05-05 01:04 AM by Dover
The planet Saturn has entered your Sun sign Leo (beginning in the middle of July) and will be traveling through it for about 2 1/2 years. Whenever Saturn enters a sign (it just left the sign of Cancer...and the U.S. is a Cancer nation...we did a LOT of learning in the last few years!) it brings lessons.....usually very hard won. But it also brings the power to manifest, like a dormant seed that gets planted and must spend all its energy establishing strong, deep roots while simultaneously pushing up toward the light. So it really focuses and disciplines the energy during this period. This assures your energy doesn't get spread too thin, though many do feel like their life is more restricted at this time. But if you cooperate with these energies rather than fighting them then things will go much better.

As for the New Moon........it's cycle is MUCH shorter. Just a month.
Every month we go through the different phases of the Moon. So as with the movements of the tides...the energies will ebb and flow. New beginnings at the new Moon......peaking energy at the Full Moon....and then waning until the Moon is new again. Think of the way your menstral cycle works and what it means. Connect to it if you still are having your cycles. Even if not, notice your body's energies throughout the month.

Now sometimes an important phase of the Moon (like the New Moon) will connect strongly to the positions of the planets in our specific natal chart. It can, in that case, be a sort of trigger for those energies and release them...usually through the emotions when we are talking about Moon influences. And when these personal triggers happen (in your chart) the effects can last much longer than a month, because of what it sets in motion in your natal chart.


Does that answer your question?

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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-05-05 01:08 AM
Response to Reply #7
8. thank you ever so much for that wonderful explanation!
Edited on Fri Aug-05-05 01:24 AM by lavenderdiva
The New Moon sounds much better than Saturn in Leo!

It sounds like Saturn in Leo portends potentially difficult circumstances? If you are able to understand the lesson, you will probably do better than if you don't understand the lesson? If that is the case, how do you understand what the lesson is?

I am peri-menopausal, so my cyclical influences aren't great right now. Lots of hormones raging, cramps, fatigue, etc. YICK. I am hoping the New Moon has lots of positive energy associated with it, and not like my period at all!

ps. I am reading the 'Saturn In Leo' article on the website you shared with me, to get a better handle on this phenomenon... Thank you!!
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Dover Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-05-05 01:24 AM
Response to Reply #8
9. Well, life is a journey toward greater consciousness, yes?
Edited on Fri Aug-05-05 01:25 AM by Dover
We aren't 'growing' so much as 'knowing'...coming to know ourselves....rediscovering who we truly are at our core and why we are here. You undoubtedly have accumulated a lot of wisdom which is looking for meaningful ways to manifest in the world rather than staying locked up inside you. Perhaps it's been dormant and going through gestation. So if you find yourself cursing the skies due to some unwanted burden or 'problem', simply ask what the lesson is and then LISTEN for the answer. It will come. But you must formulate the question and ask for guidance, yes? Write it down if that helps.

I often get my answers in dreams or meditation or epiphanies. Or something someone says strikes home, or a book falls into my lap that is something I need to read....on and on. Pay attention, be a good student. You are already in the flow as is apparent by the synchronisities that are evident (the smudging), so start to become more aware of synchronisities that are manifesting in your life and guiding you along. As you do that your consciousness will grow.
It's really all about paying attention, being present...to our bodies, to our feelings, our thoughts, to others and to life that's all around us.

You may find that it is a breakthrough year and will be worth all the blood, sweat and tears.

:hug:
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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-05-05 01:35 AM
Response to Reply #9
10. that's a great idea about 'asking' what I need to learn,
and then listening for the answer. I am definitely going to do that. I really want my consciousness to grow, and this be a 'breakthrough year'! That would be a long-dreamed-of dream-come-true! You just don't even know! The last 10 years have been the worst of my life, in every way imaginable. That period started in December 1995. Maybe, just maybe, the end has begun with today? I would like to think the end of that period is beginning, or over for me, and I can move into the next phase of my life: one that is infinitely more happy and fulfilling personally.

Thank you so much for sharing with me this evening, you have given me much hope and insight! :hug:

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Dover Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-05-05 02:06 AM
Response to Reply #10
11. It was my sincerest pleasure. It sounds like your "intention" will
Edited on Fri Aug-05-05 02:18 AM by Dover
keep your energies 'lit' this year. Remember this feeling when you hit the rough spots. Remember your intention to further your journey. Your 'home' IS symbolically your life, and this will be a year of thoroughly smudging every room, nook and cranny.

Peace!

P.S. One small correction to something you said that I didn't catch earlier. Your birthday is indeed on the cusp but it lies between Cancer and Leo (not Virgo).
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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-06-05 07:59 PM
Response to Reply #11
20. I thought my birthday being on August 22 was
on the Leo/Virgo cusp... I thought Leo was from July 23-August 22, and Virgo was from August 23-Sept 22, so that's why I thought I was Leo/Virgo cusp? Wondering how Cancer fits in?
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Dover Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-06-05 10:51 PM
Response to Reply #20
25. My apologies. You are absolutely correct. For whatever reason,
I was thinking your birthday was July. My mind, which is in charge of the mundane details (quite separately from my intutive self..lol!) gets a little spongy at that hour. It has an earlier bedtime. That's my excuse and I'm stickin' to it!:silly:
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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Aug-07-05 11:08 PM
Response to Reply #25
29. LOL!
This has happened to me many, many times! I totally understand!

I was re-reading what you had written earlier about asking what I needed to learn, and I think somehow some part of me has been 'hearing' what I needed to learn, but didn't want to address. It is going to be a hard lesson for me, as I tend to be such a pessimist about myself. Not at ALL about others, in fact, others see me as quite an encourager. But I don't have the same 'gift' towards myself. I think one of the 'lessons' I have to learn is to keep looking for the joy of each day, and try and see more positive about my life. :hug:

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Dover Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-08-05 06:37 PM
Response to Reply #29
31. Beauty
Plotinus:- 'Withdraw into yourself and look; and if you do not find yourself beautiful as yet, do as does the sculptor of a statue ... cut away all that is excessive, straighten all that is crooked, bring light to all that is shadowed ... do not cease until there shall shine out on you the Godlike Splendour of Beauty; until you see temperance surely established in the stainless shrine.' (Ennead, I, 6, 9).
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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-08-05 07:56 PM
Response to Reply #31
32. Thank you so much for sharing that beautiful passage..
Edited on Mon Aug-08-05 07:57 PM by lavenderdiva
I am going to save it and print it out on some pretty paper and read it every day! It is perfect for my situation just now, and it spoke to my heart. :hug:

ps. Is this from a book by Plotinus? I am ignorant as to who Plotinus is/was...
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Dover Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-08-05 08:31 PM
Response to Reply #32
33. Plotinus translated or reinterpreted the work of Plato, both philosophers.
The philosophy of Plotinus is represented in the complete collection of his treatises, collected and edited by his student Porphyry into six books of nine treatises each. For this reason they have come down to us under the title of the Enneads.

http://www.iep.utm.edu/p/plotinus.htm

http://classics.mit.edu/Plotinus/enneads.html

If you are interested, I'm sure a google will bring up a lot of info.

:hug:

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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-08-05 09:05 PM
Response to Reply #33
34. Thank you, I'm going to look for this in the library
and hope that they have something on it... It sounds like some wonderful stuff! :hi:

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Why Syzygy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-06-05 12:35 PM
Response to Reply #3
17. I'm leo
and this new moon influence brought a lot of insight.

Being a true leader is sometimes frustrating. Of course I don't consider those who are rip-offs, claiming to be leaders as real. Not at all.

Another Leo and I were commiserating about always being the one(s) who cheerlead for other people. We're more than happy to do so. We bring sunshine. Can't help it. BUT, we need to hear encouraging words from others too. I'm getting that feedback more lately. Feels good.

My Leo-leadership often goes without notice. There has been a pattern in some circles to take credit for my original ideas. I never mentioned it. Who cares. At least creative solutions catch on. That's the important thing.

Big leadership awareness this year. New moon emphasis for sure.

Leos are great friends. We will never let you down. OTOH, just don't mess with us. We can walk away and take our sunshine with us. Doesn't make me happy. Would rather just play and have fun.

Happy birthday to all you Leos out there.
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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-06-05 08:03 PM
Response to Reply #17
21. Howdy fellow Leo!
I know what you mean about it feeling natural to encourage others. Somehow, people are drawn to me when they need encouragement or need to see their options in a situation. I am so glad for you, that you are starting to hear some encouragement and feedback for you now, too!

This forum and those who participate here, have given me so much encouragement recently, far more than I receive in 'real' life! I am so thankful for everyone here...

Your observations about Leos are on point, IMO. Thanks for sharing them...
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Eloriel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-05-05 05:33 PM
Response to Original message
12. Not your imagination at ALL!
I hope I am not just imagining this, or wanting it to be so, but when I came back upstairs, after smudging everything/everyone throughout the house, the light coming through the windows upstairs just seemed to be brighter!

Remember that I said that Karen Kingston talked about bells ringing with a decidedly dull sound until the energy was cleared and then the same bells ringing more brightly in the very same space? And the sounds of your hands clapping as well?

People don't seem to quite get it that this "energy" stuff in which our whole physical universe is swimming is REAL, just not quite tangible. The metaphysicians have said for millennia that this is the "stuff" from which the physical universe literally manifests. As the energy condenses and becomes more dense, it becomes physical reality. Under the right conditions, Spirit (or even people) can literally "manifest" things out of thin air -- or rather, out of chi. And now, thanks to quantum physics, some people in the West (scientists, no less) are beginning to understand this and come to the same conclusion -- that the physical universe is chi condensed, its vibration lowered.

In some rooms, the smudge sticks just did not want to stay lit! I don't know if this signifies something,

Yes, it's my understanding that it's just as you suspect: especially negative energy of some type or another.

CONRATULATIONS!!! I'm so proud of you, so thrilled for your amazing success. And absolutely KNOCKED OUT that you were energized enough to complete that sanding. Whew! That's just amazing.

Please remember this experience as you go forward. When you become de-energized, lethargic, or perhaps confused and disoriented, a nice smudging is in order. It wouldn't hurt to smudge yourself daily (better yet -- get hubby to do it!! and you do it for him). Remember that as you start going thru all that stuck energy in all those boxes, etc., that smudging is a powerful, powerful ally. And now you know just HOW powerful.

Congratulations again, and thanks for the wonderful report. I celebrate with you and salute you! You did great. :bounce: :bounce:
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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-05-05 10:30 PM
Response to Reply #12
13. Thank you, Eloriel!
Edited on Fri Aug-05-05 10:31 PM by lavenderdiva
You are my cheerleader!!

Today, I put the 2nd of 3 coats of polyurethane down on the floor, which has been languishing for weeks! So the energy still feels good!

Also, I have been having trouble sleeping for a VERY long time in this house, and last night I slept fine! Don't know if that is related to the smudging, or just that I wore myself out completely with all that I got accomplished yesterday!

What was absolutely tangible and amazing as I progressed throughout the house doing the smudging, was I could just 'feel' a lighter, more positive energy flowing, both in me and in the house. I don't know if this is a 'normal' reaction to smudging, i.e. a drastic increase in light and energy, or that the house was just sooooo oppressive, that any little nudge in a positive way, manifested a palpable shift?

What would cause the house and its energy, and my energy to increase in negativity to where you need to smudge again?

Thank you again, Eloriel for sharing and guiding me in my lesson in smudging. And thank you also for the wonderful encouragement you continue to offer me. I know this might be such a small thing to some, but if you only knew where I am coming from, and all that has gone before, to get me in this place (not good at all), you would know what your kind words and reassurance mean. They are much appreciated and treasured... :hug: :hug: :hug:

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Desertrose Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-05-05 11:11 PM
Response to Reply #13
14. what a lovely thread lavenderdiva & everyone
So much great information and positive enrgies here:hug:

I love smudging ....do it in my room and on myself every night before I go to bed....and I always know when I forget...don't sleep nearly as well.

:hug:
DR
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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Aug-05-05 11:29 PM
Response to Reply #14
15. that's very interesting about the difference in your ability to sleep
Thank you for the wonderful compliment, Desertrose! I have found everyone here in this forum to be so friendly, generous, and insightful! Very supportive and encouraging too!

I am still acclimating Mr. Lavenderdiva to the idea of smudging, so it will be awhile before I could actually smudge every night! He did manage to stand still and let me smudge him yesterday, and today, he did have a LOT of things go his way. BUT he would never put 2+2 together and agree with me, that smudging in anyway played a part! He's a true skeptic, and must be hit over the head with something, for it to be a reality to him. He's not 'sensitive' to anything like energies or subtleties.

I'll bet your bedroom smells lovely as you drift off to sweet dreams...


:hug:

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Desertrose Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-06-05 12:42 AM
Response to Reply #15
16. I was married to a "supposed" skeptic for a number of years
and I came to realize that he was much more sensitive to things than he would let on. I think his "denying" things was his way of protecting himself and his view of the world....I think all the things he sensed really scared him and he just wasn't able to talk about any of it. He still prefers not to talk about certain things that we ( myself & the kids) talk about freely.

I really find white sage to be a powerful cleanser...one of my favorites. Also like the smaller desert sage (artemisia tridenta) ...cedar is also wonderful as is copal....oh heck I like them all LOL

Is your husband open to incense at all? There are some good ones out there that can have similar effects as the sage. They will definitely lighten the energies in the room...and they smell good. You might be able to use them when he isn't quite up for smudging....

I make sacred & ceremonial feather fans and have found there to be a difference in the energies of the different feathers. Swan being the most gentle with hawk & owl being quite powerful. (I don't sell or own birds of prey feathers as it is illegal, but have made fans for and used some of my native friends).

I really got a chuckle out of that little sleep emoticon. Nice to have you posting in this forum....we have some really great people here but there is always room for more.
:hug:
DR
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Eloriel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-06-05 05:29 PM
Response to Reply #13
19. Trust your senses
I don't know if this is a 'normal' reaction to smudging, i.e. a drastic increase in light and energy, i.e. a drastic increase in light and energy, or that the house was just sooooo oppressive, that any little nudge in a positive way, manifested a palpable shift?

You are BUILT to be able to detect shifts in energy of the kind you've described repeatedly now. We all are. The more you use that capacity -- which really merely only means "tuning in" and paying attention -- the better you'll get at it. It's also connected to your basic intuitive sense, so that improves as well. Now in your case it may have been a little easier to detect because of the large shift, but don't ever doubt that you're able to detect smaller shifts as well. In fact, I would say: don't ever doubt your ability!

What would cause the house and its energy, and my energy to increase in negativity to where you need to smudge again?

Life. Living. Dirt and dust. Thoughts and emotions. Spats with people. Ugliness on TV. The passage of time. IOW: anything and everything. Put another way: how often do you need to dust, and what causes dust to accumulate? It really is very much the same thing, and in fact there's a bit of a relationship there, or can be.

DR mentioned that she smudges every day. That's not at all too much. How clean do you want your personal energy to be? How clean do you want the energy in your house to be? I'm not saying you MUST smudge the house every day, but think about it in terms of personal energy hygiene, and make your own decision. Also just pay attention to the energy yourself and see when you think it "needs" it. In your situation, which is frankly dire, every day might be essential, or could yield especially big benefits.

Others have mentioned using incense, and I concur with that IF you have a good quality incense (as opposed to just cheap fragrance incense, like what is availble in drug stores, etc.). Essential oil diffusers are nice too. These can help, tho IMO they're not a clear alternative to smudging or other purposeful energy clearing techniques.

Thanks for your kind words. It's WONDERFUL knowing that some of the knowledge I've passed along -- with a lot of help from other DUers, I'll hasten to add -- has been beneficial to you. Very rewarding.

:hug:
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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-06-05 08:25 PM
Response to Reply #19
23. After reading this, I am going to try to smudge every day this week,
and see if I can REALLY change the dynamic of what going on in this house! Not that I haven't already noticed a palpable difference from my first smudging, but to see how much further I can take it. Won't that be amazing to see!

I got a pack of 3 white sage smudge sticks, and didn't even use a whole small one in the first smudging 'ceremony', so I have plenty left, and lots of sweet grass too.

Lucia's Garden, here in Houston, ordered that Kingston book for me, and I believe it came in late last week, but I ran out of time to go pick it up, and will do so Monday, when they are open again. I am looking forward to reading it...

I find what you share about intuition very interesting. At times in my life, I have had a profound sense of what is going to happen in my personal life- but its always been about BAD things that are going to happen. Kinda like an early warning system. Although as I say that, the one good thing I had an inkling of, was when I was going to meet my husband! I knew when I was going to be robbed, I knew when my father was going to die... stuff like that. I wish I could 'develop' that sense, kinda 'widen the net', as it were, to include MORE stuff. I think I just have to trust and expect to have that intuition... Is that how it works?

Thanks for the tips on 'house cleaning' by smudging! I like smudging MUCH better than dusting! And will definitely do it more often!!!

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Desertrose Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Aug-07-05 12:36 AM
Response to Reply #23
26. I take apart the smudge sticks.....
I cut or unwrap the string and pull the twigs apart. Lasts longer and is easier to burn ....or put out if you have to.

I think that the messages are maybe a bit "louder" or stronger when we get a warning about something than when we get those nice quiet loving positive messages about good things happening. Plus in this 3D world we are more tuned into the "danger/warning" type stuff. Just a matter of tuning in and taking a chance on trusting it...just start with the little things...:)

Sounds like you are doing great.....:hug::hug: to you

:loveya:
DR
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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Aug-07-05 10:44 PM
Response to Reply #26
28. I was having trouble keeping the string wound around the bunch of sage
anyway. I am just going to go unwrap them and burn a single twig next time I smudge. I think it might stay 'lit' longer too.

I am really trying to be more open to any messages, big or small. I know I hear the "quiet loving positive messages about good things happening", but I tend to be such a pessimist that I discount them! Ugh! In an earlier post in this thread, Dover says, "simply ask what the lesson is and then LISTEN for the answer. It will come. But you must formulate the question and ask for guidance, yes? Write it down if that helps." I think one of the 'lessons' I have to learn is to keep looking for the joy of each day, and try and see more positive about my life.
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Why Syzygy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-06-05 12:41 PM
Response to Original message
18. Sage is a great tool
to reclaim our boundaries. Very refreshing.

Glad you could do that for yourself and environment. Don't know about you, but if I'm out of sage, I start jonesing.
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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-06-05 08:05 PM
Response to Reply #18
22. I smudged with white sage for the first time, so I can't say
I have the 'jones' yet! However, the results I observed were certainly remarkable, and I can see how they are addictive! I really liked the scent of the sage and sweet grass as well; it was very pleasant, and lingered for a couple of days.

I'm sure it won't but a couple of days before I smudge again; this house has severe problems!
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Why Syzygy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Aug-06-05 10:15 PM
Response to Reply #22
24. I'm getting the impression that the world at large
Edited on Sat Aug-06-05 10:19 PM by votesomemore
has "severe problems". Must admit, I missed the feng shui thread, so I'm not clued in about the house.

Strange but true and not surprising is that I wrote my cheerleading comment above before I even read that you had used the same word in an earlier post. Happens all the time. Synchronicity.

Lately, I am getting so very tired by the fact that friends and neighbors just seem to lack any common sense! Like self preservation. So they do come to me to look for some kind of remedy. It's not only leadership. It's about healing.

One of my trusted friends told me tonight "heal yourself. You cannot save the world". Dammit. I know that's the truth. But I still try.

I never sought the role of healer. It's just there. Big time in my chart.

One of Dover's threads caught my attention, big time. Something about only 8,000 people are needed to bring healing and peace to our world. Count me in.

Your house will be healed. I'm sure of it. We do all we can to heal the planet.
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lavenderdiva Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Aug-07-05 10:33 PM
Response to Reply #24
27. me, oh my... 'heal yourself'
oh, if only the insight for ourselves came as easily as we see the help necessary for others! Somehow, it just doesn't work that way! First of all, it seems that I have a gift of listening. People in my life are drawn to that, and share very private things with me and situations that are bothering them. Somehow, their situation seems very clear to me, and suggestions to make to help them through, not confused like they see it. HOWEVER, as easy as this comes for me in helping others, it is maddening how blind I can be about my own situations and path!

In case you're interested:

Feng Shui Thread #2, where I started posting about my house:
link:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=245&topic_id=4747&mesg_id=10459

Feng Shui Thread #1
link:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=245&topic_id=752&mesg_id=752

Eloriel's insight about Feng Shui and clutter and clearing are wonderful. Well worth the read...

Thank you for your words of encouragement about my house being healed. I'm praying for it! :hug:

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NMDemDist2 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Mon Aug-08-05 01:19 AM
Response to Original message
30. Wonderful news! Congratulations!
you're on your way to making that house your home it sounds.

Thanks for giving us the update and keep them coming!

:hug:
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