The LuxMob Info Tags

Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 23, 2002

My husband has a twofold addiction problem, drinking and drugs. In the six years we have been married, he has had periods of sobriety, but they don’t ever last. I feel he has not confronted the underlying problem: he was molested as a child by a family member.

He is currently in jail due to getting drunk and hitting a police car. Before we met he had an arrest history for violent crime, but he was never violent with me. He has a good core to him, as well as a feeling of worthlessness. When things are good they are very good, and you know the rest of the saying.

Al-Anon does not appeal to me. There are too many victims. I will not bail him out or give him money. He knows I feel he has to face the music. Luckily I am financially able to take care of myself, but I wonder if this marriage can ever be saved.

I am nearing the end of my patience with him. I refuse to allow him to make more excuses. My feeling is you always have a choice in what action you take. You do not have to be a drug addict. I don’t want to kick a man when he is down, but I’m very tired.

Emmy Lou

Emmy Lou, you are not kicking a man when he is down. You have done nothing but try to help. Now it is time to decide on your best course of action and what your life will be.

Sometimes helping someone, in the sense of protecting them from consequences, is exactly what they don’t need. Consequences are the only thing which will make them change, because they won’t change until the worst that can happen, happens.

If you are drawn to individual counseling for yourself, then by all means do it. It may offer you an opportunity to talk about how you got into a relationship with someone under the influence of drugs and alcohol. How do you have a genuine relationship with someone who is chemically impaired?

No one can make your husband change until he is ready. That may be long after he is out of your life.

Wayne & Tamara

Determination

Tell me what to do when your own mother can’t stop screaming at you, when you know what she’s saying has nothing to do with you. The worst thing is she knows it, too, but she still screams.

Being a vent for her is not what I want. No one would want that kind of anger in their life. I hate it, but I’m turning into her. I scream the same way she does, except I do it when no one is around.

Cate

Cate, one day a man with a problem dog went to see a monk who was a dog trainer. It seems whenever the man moved toward any doorway, his dog bolted through ahead of him.

The monk and the man talked as the dog lay beside them. Down a hill, a short distance away, was a gate. The monk asked the man to get up and walk toward the gate. The dog raced to the gate, and the monk called the man back.

Again and again the man was directed to walk toward the gate. Each time when the dog ran before him, the monk called the man back. Each time the dog made less effort to follow. Finally the man reached the gate and went through as the dog watched. In this way, the monk broke the dog’s habit.

Each time your mother screams at you for no reason, walk away. When your mother realizes what happens when she screams, her behavior will change. When you realize you have power over the situation, you won’t need to scream. At that point, the two of you can begin to talk.

Wayne & Tamara

About The Author

Authors and columnists Wayne and Tamara Mitchell can be reached at www.WayneAndTamara.com.

Send letters to: Direct Answers, PO Box 964, Springfield, MO 65801 or email: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com.

You have the ability to create your own mind-set. Whether your attitude is positive or negative, is up to you. The ability to change your environment, circle of friends, and attitude, is within your control.

Just like a computer absorbs raw data, so does your mind. Within your mind a culture, within itself, has grown. Many people feel like they have no control of their own mind, because this culture has become negative. The negativity is a result of past experiences, being in a negative environment, or being under the influence of unconstructive ideas.

Similar to a computer virus, you have to identify it quickly, to avoid letting it spread within your mind. You can also pass this virus of negative thinking to people around you. As a result you are spreading negative energy around, like “weeds in a field.”

Much like a farmer, you cultivate too. The energy in your mind is the crop, and it is up to you, whether it is weeds or wheat. If you have a farm and let a field take care of itself; you will be lucky to have any kind of a crop, from it. This is the same with the energy within your mind.

You have to option to pick quality seeds: Information, in the form of books, eBooks, DVD’s, CD’s, lectures, courses, workshops, and seminars. This is learning, for the sake of self-improvement, and it results in a positive mind-set.

However, your work is not finished, because you must still reinforce the lessons, and keep everything in a focused order. This might be compared to fertilizing, watering, and “weeding the mind.” You have to work at it continually or the weeds will grow back. This, my friend, is meditation, and one of the reasons why we meditate, in the first place.

Meditation is controlled focus on an object, thought, or task without judgment. This process makes it possible to look at all situations objectively. You can find solutions, turn negative situations into positive learning experiences, and create your own positive mindset. As a result of this you will make new friends, reach goals, handle problems easily, and develop an indomitable spirit.

Remember the last time you made an accomplishment. That feeling, and that ability, are within all of us. It is a formula for success, but you have to take action. Action is something that the vast majority of people will never take. Learn to separate yourself from “the pack,” through education, meditation, and action.

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

It is natural to despise small beginnings. It is hard to see how a few cents here and a few dollars there could ever amount to a million dollars. In a microwave generation, we want it, and we want it now. When you are in a hurry, it is hard to see how small beginnings on the road to financial freedom can ever take you to El Dorado.

You have a big dream. If you are in the high-income bracket, it is very tempting to attempt to start big. A lot of folks are caught in this trap. They want to start their journey to financial freedom, they want to start a business, but they are frozen at ground zero. You ask them why they have not started, the answer; they need capital to start. You ask why they haven’t hit the road with what they have. It is not enough. That is a very soothing excuse to hide under.

You can raise the cash you need to start, if you are willing to stoop low to conquer, and start small. It might be painfully slow at the start, far away from your grandiose dreams. You have to remember that a journey of a thousand miles starts with a step, consistent steps: one step at a time, one day at a time. In the accounting and banking world, compound interest is regarded as one of the wonders of the modern world. It is mind blowing what a few dollars saved each day and invested will amount to in a couple of decades. We are talking millions here. Doing the same thing over and over, consistently.

In starting a business, you gather momentum and speed as you go along the way. Your rise to the top is faster. You need to start small.

There are many advantages of starting small. By starting small, the start up cost is much reduced, and it is easier to raise the money yourself through your savings, or liquidating some of your investments. You get to learn gradually without making very expensive mistakes, which may be harder to recover from. Since your operation is small, you get to learn the different aspects of the business, from administration, personnel and operations etc which puts you in a good position to have a proper overview of you whole business when you start taking on employees to man the different facets of the business.

When you are venturing into a terrain you have never been before, it is best to proceed slow and steady. Most companies do not move their employees around. You get to specialize or become knowledgeable about a few aspects of the business. An admin person is virtually clueless as to what goes on in operations or production. He can only function in admin. An accountant may not have any idea how the human resources department is run. Everyone holds on dearly unto his turf, knowing so much about so little. At the end of the day, if they venture out into starting a business, they lack the basic skills in so many areas. In this scenario, starting big is a disaster waiting to happen, unless you team up with people with strengths in your areas of weakness. A good entrepreneur needs to know a bit about everything.

It’s sad to see a lot of folks starting a business upon retirement, with their gratuity. They have no experience in the business terrain, and with their reward for many years of hard labor, they venture into a business they are ill prepared for. Sad stories abound. Some never recover.

If you ever have plans of starting a business, waiting until retirement is a bit too late. Everybody cannot be Colonel Sanders who made it at 66. It is easier to absorb shocks when you are younger. It is much better to start small, and when the golden handshake from your employer comes, having learned the turf, and graduated from the school of hard knocks, you know where and how and when to apply your funds.

Quit procrastinating. If you plan to start a business sometime, it might be a good idea to scale down your plans, and start now. Most of today’s success stories started small, right where you are now. You have no excuse for further delay. Your ego may take some bashing for stooping so low. If you are ready to pay the price, you may have to step out of your comfort zone. Few will remember how you started, after you have made it. Despise not the days of small beginnings.

Usiere Uko is the webmaster of the Financial Freedom Inspiration website and editor of the monthly Financial Freedom Inspiration Newsletter, a free ezine to inspire you to exit the rat race and fulfill your God given dreams. To subscribe or visit the site, please click on the URL below. http://www.financial-freedom-inspiration.com. He is also webmaster of http://www.newdawninspiration.com

Within every obstacle there is an equivalent or greater benefit. ~Napoleon Hill

How would it feel if you rose to each obstacle with calm determination…completely free of anxiety and depression…ready to face each challenge with a smile?

How would it feel to look in the mirror and see yourself as unstoppable, invincible, and even a force of nature?

This can be much more than an exercise in imagination. You can experience this level of personal power and the profound sense of accomplishment that comes with it–and you can accomplish it through meditation.

When you meditate you slow down all your autonomic responses. You cut the fight or flight switch. You watch your anxiety, and remain detached. You watch your depression, and remain apart. The one with the life issue, the one with the sorrow, is not the one who watches the play of emotions.

In meditation, a watcher personality emerges, a consciousness that transcends the world, a vast spaciousness, a void that is paradoxically full.

If your agitation is strong, you may have to sit for a while, then, slowly and inevitably, you’re forced to lose your grip on panic.

When this happens, when you’re no longer living the problem, something shifts inside you and you find yourself still enough to see your own greatness.

In this vast stillness of your own beingness, you can plant the seed of your new desire, and replace the sorrowful event with its exact opposite.

Every tragedy in our life is an invitation to expand beyond the limitations that it sets upon us, and what you find is that you are indeed unstoppable, invincible, and even a force of nature.

Saleem Rana got his masters in psychotherapy from California Lutheran University. His articles on the internet have inspired over ten thousand people from around the world. Discover how to create a remarkable life. Free information.
http://theempoweredsoul.com/enter.html

Copyright 2005 Saleem Rana. Please feel free to pass this
article on to your friends, or use it in your ezine or
newsletter. It’s a shareware article.

The sound by which all things are created isn’t just any sound, it is the Word of God, this word pervades through everything that exists. The power of the spoken word in the form of prayers, hymns and chants, is a belief that is common to all major religions and these sounds resonate in churches, mosques and temples throughout the world. In Hinduism, Mantras are a combination of sacred words, composed mainly in Sanskrit. According to the ancient Hindu scriptures, the ‘Vedas’ and ‘Upanishads’, the chanting of Mantras can achieve enlightenment and oneness with God.

The visual equivalent of a Mantra is a Yantra, it is in fact the graphical representation of a Mantra. The literal meaning of Yantra is ‘Device’, but it is unlike any manmade device, as its working is in complete harmony with nature. It is believed that a Yantra possesses infinite power, that its results are miraculous and that it can not only remove problems, but also realize wishes.

Yantras are made up from Vedic symbols, comprising of straight lines, squares, rectangles, triangles and circles. These symbols are so precise in design, that even the angles employed are determined to the last degree. Some Yantras may also comprise of numbers and letters of the ‘Dev Nagari’ script. These symbols represent the five basic elements: Earth, Wind, Fire, Air, Water and Ether. Each element is associated with certain properties. For example Earth denotes among other things stability, patience, material happiness and success. While Wind represents dishonour, sorrow and ignorance. These symbols are arranged so as to enhance one property and enervate the other.

The materials out of which Yantras can be created are very varied. These include ‘Asht Dhatu’ or an eight metal alloy, gold, silver, copper, crystals or even plant leaves. Some
materials are more suited to the properties of certain Yantras. However, any Power Yantra has an intrinsic energy which is always radiated, irrespective of size or material and these factors are not critical to its power.

The energising of a Yantra is the most important aspect of its creation. Without performing the complex, ancient energising ceremonies, set out in the Vedas, a Yantra remains dormant. Once it has been energized an ordinary Yantra is transformed into a Power Yantra and in this state it is considered to be the dwelling of the Gods and Deities it represents. In fact Yantra also means’ Abode’. Genuine Power Yantras, such as those that can be found at powerfortunes.com, are fountains of positive energy, that shower on those who worship them.

The energising ceremonies, or ‘Havans’ are preformed only on specific dates, during certain months of the Hindu calendar. Once this date has been selected, the exact time at which the Havan is to be preformed is calculated. At that precise time, in the presence of a ‘Sacred Fire’, the appropriate Mantras are recited and offerings made. This is done so as to invoke the Gods and Deities to invest their power and presence on the Yantra, igniting it with positive energy. According to the learned Guru (teacher) Maharishi Kishore Yogi Raj of Dehra Dun, India, who creates and energises Yantras for powerfortunes.com (check http://www.powerfortunes.com/aboutyantras.html), “It is essential that pure, unselfish thoughts are maintained during the energizing of theYantras.

Without this, the Yantras will not bear the desired results.”
There are numerous types of Yantras, each having its own unique design and purpose. Some may have multiple effects, such as the Sri Yantra. This Yantra is known to not only provide wealth and prosperity, but to also enhance mental concentration and harmony. Other Yantras may have a more specific purpose such as neutralizing the effects negative thoughts, evil wishes or adverse astrological conditions. Each Yantra has a corresponding Mantra. Repetition of this Mantra in the presence of a Power Yantra can have quite remarkable effects, especially in relation to the realization of ambitions and desires.

According to Dr. R.K. Shrimali, author of ‘Shri Yantra Rahesya’ or ‘ The Mysteries of the Shri Yantra’, Yantras also serve a functional purpose during prayers. That is, of providing a fixed point on which spiritual energy can be focused. It has been observed that when sound waves of certain frequencies are directed at a Yantra, the reflected waves mirror the patterns inscribed on the Yantra surface. This principle of wave polarization is believed to also extend to other energy forms, such as light, heat and magnetic fields.

In the words of Sir Thomas Browne, “There is surely a piece of divinity in us, something that was before the elements, and owes no homage to unto the sun.” It is this ‘Inner Divinity’ that fuels a Power Yantra. As when this is focused on a Power Yantra, it is amplified and returned back to us, thereby causing the profound effects that are observed. For more information and details of availability of Power Yantras, log on to http://www.powerfortunes.com

Vineet, is a copywriter and astrological consultant for Lucky Charms, Talismans.

It has been said that in order for something to be fixed, it
must first be broken.

“For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power; it is
sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the
dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and the (immortal)
spirit, and of joints and marrow, exposing and sifting and
analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the
heart.” Heb. 4:12 (Amplified)

God’s word is compared to a very sharp double sided
sword. It’s cut goes deep, to the very core of who we are. It
seperates our souls (our minds, will and emotions) from
our spirits. It’s here where God exposes our motives. God
can not be fooled by our superficial actions, He knows our
hearts. This is where He convicts us and severs us off from
our sinful nature. Once God brings these things to light in
our spirits, we then become aware of our brokeness and
this is what hurts. This is the broken state He puts us in. We
will get wounded in action if our will does not line up with
His will. It’s here where God must break us before He can
heal us. And once He heals us, we will be better than before
in that area.

It’s the same process of a wound or a broken bone. Anyone
who has ever recovered from surgery will know that in order
to heal correctly, the wound has to heal from the inside out
or else it’s apt to get infected. It’s a long slow process but
once it’s healed, it’s like new. And broken bones are the
same thing, once it’s been broken in a certain area, it
becomes stronger and won’t break in the exact same spot
again.

I want to use Joseph, the earthly father of our Savior as an
example. He was broken and betrayed and God used this
time to show him that He was in control and could fix it
better than even Jospeh had imagined!

We don’t really know much about this man, the Bible doesn’t
say too much about him, but when you take the time to
meditate on the words of his part in history, you will see him
in a whole new light, the lesson he teaches us is rich and
meaningful.

The first thing we learn about Joseph in reading the first 16
verses in Matthew is that Joseph came from a royal lineage
from King David. And also that like his ancestor before him,
Joseph no doubt had a heart after God. He was obedient
and loved God. He was upright and righteous before God
and this could be one reason why he was chosen to
represent the father of God’s Son. God needed a solid
family foundation for His Son to be born into, just as God
wants this for all His children today. It wouldn’t have looked
right for Jesus to be the child of a single parent. So thus,
Joseph was the chosen man for the job. But just as any
normal person, Joseph knew what it felt like to be heart
broken.

We learn in the book of Matthew that Joseph was very much
in love with a young Jewish girl named Mary. Anyone who
has ever been in love for the first time will never forget how
that felt. It’s like walking on clouds and as far as you are
concerned, no one else exists in your life. It’s simply
wonderful and a joyous time in any person’s life.

In those days, people were betrothed to one another before
the actual marriage ceremony, only it was written up as a
legal document. It couldn’t be broken like we do today with
engagements. The only way out was to get a divorce. This
document was a legal commitment that the two lovers
would be abstinant and remain faithful to one another.

I can imagine how very happy Joseph must’ve been, he was
marrying his sweet young love, his life would be complete
and it was falling into place just as he prayed it would. God
was surely blessing him for his obedience.

Then it happened…his world was turned upside down. All
his hopes and dreams were dashed against the rocks. He
got the news that Mary, his betrothed was found to be
pregnant. He knew it was not his child she was carrying so
surely she must’ve been unfaithful to him. His heart must
have split in two as he heard this devastating news. But God
used him to teach us a valuable lesson today. Instead of
acting out on his own, like many of us would, Joseph sought
the Lord first and found out something that brought him
back to wholeness again.

“Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place under these
circumstances; When His mother Mary had been promised
in marriage to Joseph, before they came together, she was
found to be pregnant (through the power) of the Holy Spirit.”
Matt. 1:18 (Amplified)

All Joseph could hear at this point was that Mary was
pregnant and it wasn’t his child. Like many of us, he
assumed that she had betrayed him, what else could it be?
She broke his trust. The first thing Joseph intended to do
was get out of this marriage by quietly divorcing her.

“And her promised husband Joseph, being a just and
upright man and not willing to expose her publicly and to
shame and disgrace her, decided to repudiate and dismiss
(divorce) her quietly and secretly.” Matt. 1:19 (Amplified)

Jospeh was ready to handle the situation on his own and
we are much like that today. But instead, he did what we all
should do. He sought God first. We tend to think that
either God doesn’t care or He just isn’t listening so we have
to do something and do it quickly! It’s also normal that alot of
folks might have exposed her and put her to shame for what
she did. We like to get instant gratification when the going
gets tough. After all, we’ve been wronged and so we want
justification on our own moral behalf, no matter what the
cost. But, Joseph didn’t do that. He was still an upright and
righteous man before God and he knew that no matter how
badly Mary had broken his heart, it wasn’t his place to seek
revenge. He had to handle it God’s way. It wasn’t Joseph’s
intent to bring Mary disgrace, instead he got quiet with God
for counsel.

“But as he was thinking this over, behold an angel of the
Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, Joseph,
descendant of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your
wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.”
Matt. 1:20 (Amplified)

Wow, how relieved he must have felt when he heard that!
But there is one thing about this passage that I want to point
out. In order for an angel to appear, I think he had to have
been doing a little more than just “thinking” it over. He had to
have been deep in prayer with God. The scripture says the
angel came to him in a dream. I also don’t think that Joseph
just fell asleep either. He may have been in a dream state, a
place of coming to God in intamacy, into the Holy of Holies
if you will. God was his main focus and he was asking
God for an answer.

The Hebrew word for “dream” is keh-seh, which means,
“appointed time”. This dream that Joseph had, was God’s
appointed time to give him the glad tidings. If Joseph had
not sought after God at that time, he no doubt would’ve
missed the blessing that God had for him. If Joseph had
acted out on his own, he would’ve been out of God’s order
and thus changed the whole course of history. Think about
that for a minute.

When God tells us to seek Him first in all righteousness, He
will add everything else we need to our lives. (Mt. 6:33) And
this is exactly what happened to Joseph!

Since Joseph was obedient and went to God first, God
answered him through an angel that told him everything
was fine, it was just as God had intended it to be. The child
that Mary was carrying was not an act of betrayal, it was the
coming Messiah that was prophesied earlier by Isaiah.
What a complete feeling of humbleness and anointing that
must have come over Joseph when he learned of this.

“Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold a
young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive
and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God
with us).” Is. 7:14 (Amplified)

So when Joseph heard the angel tell him the same thing he
must’ve jumped for joy!!!

“She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus
(meaning Savior). For He will save people from their sins.
All this took place that it might be fulfilled which the Lord had
spoken through the prophet.” Matt. 1:21,22 (Amplifed)

Imagine, Joseph a quiet and humble caprpenter from
Nazareth was going to be the father of Christ!

“Then Joseph, being aroused from his sleep, did as the
angel of the Lord had commanded him, he took her to be
his wife.” Matt. 1:24 (Amplified)

When God speaks to us today, we know that it is more than
just a dream. He reveals His ways to us through dreams
and visions, not our imagination. God had chosen Joseph
for this appointed time in history. We should examine
ourselves more closely and ask God to heal us of our
brokeness for His glory because we have been chosen for
such a time as this, there are reasons behind His actions
and it’s not for us to take the wheel or else we will hinder our
blessings and who knows, we could be altering our
destinies and the destinies of others because of our pride,
self righteousness and self pity. Learn to embrace your
brokeness and when you are healed, you will be all that
much better for it, when you seek God first!!!

Remember, when things are looking down, always look up
and ask the One who truly knows.

Vivian Gordon an inspired freelance writer of inspirational
and spiritual messages from the Holy Spirit is praying that
they will touch lives with the messages from God. It is her
prayer that God will touch the lives of broken people and
make them whole.

Each month has its different birthstone that influences the personality of a person. It’s a belief that people actually get some magical powers on the basis of their zodiac signs that can be enhanced if you wear the suitable stones as inscribed by the ancient scriptures.

Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February. It can save from deceit and protect a person from baldness. It is also believed to improve the condition of skin of a person too. It occurs naturally as crystals within rocks. Basically, the stones are mined in Brazil, Uruguay, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Zambia, and Australia and in the mountains of Russia America.

Amethyst generally illuminate if exposed to strong sunlight for a long time. Its color will also get changed to dark yellow or reddish brown when heated to 550-560 Centigrade. They are ideal deep medium purple with rose-colored sparks; normally amethysts range in shade from pale lilac to nearly black purple.

The gemstone amethyst has a striking purple color. And due to its magnificence Amethyst was the most commonly used jewelry by the kings and queens of the yesteryears. Till now, it has been a great part of the British royal jewelry.

The word amethyst is derived from the Greek word “amethystos,” which means sober. In ancient Greece, amethyst was connected with the god of wine, and it was a common practice to serve drink from Amethyst goblets in the belief that this would prevent intemperance. Even today, amethyst is regarded as a steady force for those struggling to overcome their addictive habits.

So if you a February born and a strong believer of birthstones go for a beautiful amethyst. You will find many jewelers dedicated to gemstone jewelry from ages where you could buy your birthstone jewelry. Many websites on the net have rich information on the benefits of amethyst as a birthstone. You can also look for many success stories where they actually prove beneficial. That’s why; the market of birthstones is a blooming these days. Though, no official guarantee is given that the birthstone will have an effect or not.

For more information on jewelry, plz visit =>http://www.preciousglow.com

Author is an experienced jewelry expert.

Self improvement (or self help) tools come in many shapes and sizes; sometimes it’s physical in nature (a self help book, having a massage, painting with water colors), or spiritual in nature (flower essences, Reiki, meditation which is both physical and spiritual, etc).

Five of the best self help options that I’ve used successfully to help soothe my own mind, body and spirit, are:

1. Meditation techniques – a fabulous self help tool which greatly benefits overall health and wellbeing. There are many techniques to choose from such as:

**Visually guided meditations;

**Candle meditation;

**Breathing meditation;

**Crystal meditation;

**Writing meditation (alternate by using dominant and non-dominant hand);

**Walking meditation;

**Body scanning; and

**A self healing meditation using either color; breathe work; aromatherapy; etc.

2. Painting with water colors, pastels or oil paints – express your uniqueness through art. This is a wonderful self help tool to employ for inner healing, letting go and for creating something new (a masterpiece for your lounge room wall).

3. Vibrational essences. Part of ancient wisdom, vibrational essences are used in healing to assist with the removal of emotional blocks and patterns, as well as resolving issues from past lives.

Essences are generally in liquid form and can also be used in creams, ointments and oils (I sometimes combine mine with an aromatherapy oil blend).

Vibrational substances are derived from light (sun, moon etc), healing energy (universal or spiritual energy, prana, Reiki etc), plants (flowers, stems, leaf etc), mineral (crystals, gold etc), environmental (sacred places), or animal.

Some examples of essences available (there are many) to explore further as a self help tool are:

**Flower, Gem, Angel, Shell, Coral, Sea, Goddess, and Chakra essences

4. Journal writing is a fabulous self help healing tool connecting you with your true essence, your spiritual self.

Find yourself a special journal/diary to write in; something special to write with (can be brightly colored inks or the more traditional black, blue or reds) and make a date with yourself to do some journal writing every morning at the same time (before rising out of bed).

I’ve practiced journal writing as a self help tool for many years and still find it, to this day, one of the greatest self help and self improvement tools around – and it costs nothing!

Write out your worries, sadness, loneliness, or whatever is playing on your mind. When you’ve done that write in your journal the excitement, enthusiasm and passion you intend to experience for the day ahead, the projects you’re working on, friends you’ll catch up with, food you’ll eat, possible miracles that might happen, shopping to be done, your work day etc.

5. Have a massage. Treat yourself to some bodywork like a Swedish massage. Swedish is a more traditional or western soft tissue type of massage, however if you’re after something a little more unique for healing mind, body, and spirit you could choose:

Aromatherapy massage – there’s nothing quite like this one using essential oils for body, mind and spirit.

Ka Huna, LomiLomi – gentle, relaxing, soothing and stretching massage (even watching this massage is relaxing);

Reflexology – therapeutic hand and foot massage;

Reiki – hands on energy healing (aligns Chakras etc)

Vichy Shower – warm water is directed over your body, gently massaging it (this is heavenly, especially after a salt scrub).

Acupressure – form of bodywork based on Chinese Meridian theory

Ayurvedic – part of a traditional detoxification and rejuvenation program of India called Panchakarma – vigorious massage with warm oils and herbs to remove toxins, is calming and balancing, and facilitates profound inner peace.

Hot stone massage – warm smooth stones are applied to the body and employed by the therapist’s hands.

A massage not listed that I experienced while ago was a form of Swedish massage. I was given small smooth rocks to hold in either hand, at the end of the massage the therapist held my feet and ‘tuned’ me, which sounded like a clarinet going up and down the scales. To say I felt relaxed and energised at the same time is an understatement. It was amazing.

I’ve road tested many self help tools over the years; it’s been an amazing journey with the most profound assistance coming from spirit. Sometimes good comes from being blinded by the light.

Copyright requirements are that it remains with Michaela Scherr and for the link to be clickable or ‘live’ at http://www.michaelascherr.com

Michaela is a Transformational Coach, certified practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), writer and intuitive who is totally committed to helping others create positive and action oriented changes to their lives.

Michaela is the author of several e-books and publisher of a monthly newsletter called From My Desk, and Inspirational Musings, short fortnightly emails to inspire and give food for thought.

Out of his deep-seated anger against his father Saturn started doing penance (see Birth of Planets). His objective was to become more powerful than Sun, his father.

In Indian Puranas it was believed that by doing penance one could gain such powers that one could even topple the seat of Indra (Indian equivalent of Zeus).

During penance, one had to remain celibate, control all his emotions and subject the body to extreme suffering. In summer, one had to stand on one leg within a Ring of Fire or in winter stand neckdeep in cold water through the night. All the while chanting specific mantras, which could energize one’s latent powers. Saturn went through this for years and finally success was his. While Sun gave life to all beings, Saturn became the dealer of Death. He had the additional power of bestowing instant wealth and prosperity and also the power of healing (by denying death).

Even after achieving his goal he continued to be a celibate and led the life of a hermit. Chhaya, his mother was alarmed. She literally forced him to marry a girl of her choice believing that the beauty of the bride would ensnare Saturn into domesticity.

No such thing happened. Saturn continued with his daily meditation after going through the marriage rituals with extreme reluctance only to please his mother. He remained a celibate, although technically married. It is not clear why he agreed to marry. While agreeing to his mother’s entreaties he remained totally oblivious to the fact that in the process he was ruining the life of normal and healthy girl. Possibly he did not quite understand the responsibilities of marriage! His wife tried her best to win him over. She would bedeck herself with all kinds of finery and try to attract his attention. But Saturn did not even look at her.

One day she had enough of it and cursed Saturn saying “Since you did not even bother to look at me, I curse you that from today whomsoever you look at will perish.”

All this while, elsewhere other important things were happening. Mother Uma the consort of Shiva created a child from her mind. The baby was most gorgeous looking and Shiva made him the leader of his guards known as the ‘Ganas’. Hence his name became Ganapati or Ganesh.

There is an Indian ceremony when a child receives his first meal of solid food. Family and friends are invited and there are festivities. It is known as Annaprashan.

The time came for Ganesh’s Annaprashan. Uma in a joyful mood invited all the gods and demigods. Everybody was too happy to oblige. Everybody except Saturn. Remembering his wife’s curse he did not turn up. Uma noticed his absence and sent her emissaries to fetch him. It was difficult to avoid her summons and reluctantly Saturn went. He decided that he would not look at the child and only join the festivities and bless him with his eyes closed.

Alas, that was not to be. Uma brought the child to him and wanted to know what he thought of him. Saturn told her that he did not want to see the child because if he did something terrible might happen.

Uma would hear none of it. She asked Saturn to look at the child and assured him that she herself would remain responsible for the consequences. What could Saturn do? He looked at Ganesh and as he did Ganesh’s head dropped off his shoulder.

Uma was hysterical. There was general confusion. Everybody started crying. Only Vishnu kept him cool. He took one of Shiva’s attendants aside and asked him go out and find the first living being lying with its head towards the north. He was to cut the head off and bring it as fast as possible to Vishnu.

The attendant found an elephant lying down with its head northwards. He chopped the head off and brought it to Vishnu and he set it on a Ganesh’s headless body and Ganesh became whole again. Since then he became known as the elephant god.

Such were the powers of Saturn - made even more potent by his wife’s curse.

In Indian astrology it is said that the house which receives Saturn’s aspect (i.e., the house to which Saturn looks) is ruined and nothing good can be expected from it.

Madhushri completed her early schooling at the Shri Aurobindo Ashram at Pondicherry. Having grown up in an environment of literature, music and spirituality she proceeded to complete her Masters in Comparative Literature from the Jadavpur University after completing graduation studies in the same course of the University. In addition, Madhushri also hold a Masters degree in Music from the Rabindra Bharati University.

Given her deep interests in mythology, literature and spirituality, the move to Vedic Astrology was a natural extension. Being an intuitive reader of Natal Chart, she brings a successful blend of astrology and spiritual skill-sets into all her readings and counseling’s. A natural flair for expressing complex and difficult matters makes her a prolific creator of most of the content on CyberAstro website since 2001. Madhushri has a large following for the accuracy of her daily, weekly and monthly zodiac predictions.

What is the Tarot?

The tarot is a deck of 78 cards, featuring illustrations that can be interpreted in various ways. The deck is divided into two sections, called the major and minor arcana. The major arcana features the 21 trump cards, and the minor arcana is divided into four suits (wands, pentacles, cups and swords) each with cards featuring the numbers 1-10, an ace and four court cards (the Page, Knight, Queen and King).

Origin of the Tarot

The oldest known tarot cards originated in 15th century Italy. The tarot appears to have started life as a card game, and was at first restricted to the wealthy upper classes, although after the invention of the printing press, the cards became more widely available. Some writers have claimed (despite the apparent lack of evidence) that the imagery of the tarot cards suggests a more ancient origin, and have connected the tarot with such cultures and traditions as the ancient Egyptians and the mystical Hebrew Kabbalah.

Later Developments

It was not until the 18th century that the cards became associated with the occult and mystical activities with which they are often linked today. This began in 1781, when the freemason Antoine Court de Gebelin made the claim in his work ‘Le Monde Primatif’ that tarot cards contained hidden meanings (which he associated with the ancient Egyptians) that could be used for
divinatory purposes.

Since then other mystic and magical traditions, such as the order of the Golden Dawn, have claimed that the tarot has ancient roots, and that is has hidden wisdom to impart to those seeking enlightenment.

The tarot’s mass appeal increased with the publication of the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot in 1910. Arthur Edwards Waite was a
Golden Dawn member, and in this new deck, drawn by the artist Pamela Colman Smith, images with occult symbolism were included on the numeric cards, as well as the trump cards. This deck was very successful (and remains popular today), and since then, hundreds if not thousands of diverse new decks have been published, with many enthusiasts creating their own.

Uses of the Tarot

The tarot has several distinct uses, including:

1. Games

This was its original use, and it is still used for gaming purposes in some European countries.

2. Psychology

Carl jung was the first mainstream psychologist to attach meaning to the tarot cards, when he associated them with the fundamental archetypes that he believed to reside in the collective human unconscious. Several therapeutic techniques involving the tarot have developed from this insight.

3. Inspiration

Many artists and writers have produced works inspired by the tarot.

4. Divination
Fortune telling is perhaps the most common use associated with the tarot. The images on the cards may help the person seeking the reading to tap into their own subconscious knowledge. Others believe that the cards themselves hold some kind of inherent divinatory power, which may be read by a skilled person. For this reason, handling another person’s cards is generally frowned upon in occult circles, as their energy could become contaminated.

Doing a Reading

There is no set method for performing a divinatory tarot reading. However there are several popular layouts or ’spreads’, with perhaps the most well known being the Celtic cross. This is usually the first method taught to beginners, although it is by no means the most simple. Experienced tarot readers will often invent their own spreads, with their own means of interpretation.

Once the cards are selected by the person receiving the reading, the reader lays them out in a spread and analyses them, taking into account the positions relative to each other, the symbolism of the individual cards, and their position (upright or reversed).

Meaning of the Cards

There is no generally agreed upon interpretation of the tarot cards. They all have imagery of varying degrees of complexity,
and the wide range of decks available makes the situation even more difficult. Nevertheless there is a huge amount of writings available on the symbology of the tarot, and on the most basic level, the 22 major arcana cards are thought to represent the journey of the Fool from ignorance to enlightenment.

In addition, the minor arcana cards have their own symbolism. The numbers are most obviously associated with numerology, and the suits are linked to the four elements (Swords=Air; Cups=Water; Wands=Fire; Pentacles=Earth). The tarot has also been linked with other mystical and occult systems such as the I Ching, astrology, and the Kabbalah.

Choosing a Tarot Deck

There is a huge range of tarot decks to choose from. Two classic decks are the symbolism-rich Rider-Waite deck, and Crowley’s Thoth deck, both of which remain very popular. The early Marseille deck (used by Gebelin to illustrate ‘Le Monde Primitif’) is another important deck, also. There are also many less conventional decks to choose from, and people with just about any special interest can find a deck to match.

Feminists, for example, might like the Motherpeace Tarot with its round cards and exclusively female imagery, whereas some of those interested in Paganism might enjoy the Witches deck or the DruidCraft tarot. Tarot decks can be found representing animals too, as well natural imagery, various sports, and other common activities. In fact, whatever your taste, there’s probably a tarot pack available to match, and most can be found online as well as from bookstores, new age shops etc.

Where to Start?

If you’re interested in learning mote about the tarot, I recommend checking out some of the numerous excellent tarot-related sites on the net (see the link in my resource box for some good starting points), as well as online and local book stores and new age stores. One thing’s for sure - there’s no shortage of information available!

L. Knight is webmaster of QuantumBliss.com, a site which provides an array of information for those who wish to develop their personal power and maximise their enjoyment of life.

For more information sources about the tarot, please visit QuantumBliss