The Numinous

NEW YEAR, NU YOU: A WORKOUT WITH WINGS

Posted on by Madeline Giles

On a mission to shape up? Forget blood type diets and fitness for your body type – work out what otherworldly realm you’ve incarnated from, and find a sweat session that truly feeds your soul says Madeline Giles.

A few years ago, a psychic told me I am an incarnated mermaid. I had no idea what she was talking about, but I obviously wanted to learn more. Were there more incarnated mermaids – or was I the only one on earth? How come I decided to leave merworld? Was it possible to develop a relationship with the mermaids in current space and time?

I somewhat obsessively Googled these thoughts for weeks, but at the time there wasn’t much information on the Internet about this. A few months later, however, I discovered Doreen Virtue’s book Realms of the Earth Angels, which pretty much changed my life. I learned that the realm we come from shapes our personality traits, physical characteristics, likes and dislikes, career, the people we hang out with and beyond.

To my surprise, I also found out there are multiple realms people come from, including incarnated angels, incarnated elementals, incarnated starpeople, the wise one’s (reincarnated witches, wizards, etc.) and various hybrids of the aforementioned. Needless to say, it seemed I had accidentally discovered my passion – and thus have been studying, writing and teaching about realms ever since.

In the spirit of our collective New Year leaning towards personal transformation, I got to thinking what workout with wings would be most motivating based on the unique magical flavor of each specific realm.

But first, find out what realm you’re from by taking the free quiz here.

INCARNATED ANGELS
Pure-hearted incarnated angels tend to be total givers, and thus need a workout that encourages both self-care and, let’s say it together now, RECEIVING! Cue Qoya, which integrates yoga, dance and sensual movement in one magical session. Thanks to free online classes, over-giving incarnated angels can clear stuck energy by hip swaying through all their troubles, their friends’ troubles, their family’s troubles, their neighbor’s troubles, and yes – even the world’s troubles in the comfort of their own home. Incarnated angels who make Qoya a regular priority will find it much easier to give those in need proof of heaven on earth.

 

anja.verdugo@gmail.com
Image: Anja Verdugo

INCARNATED ELEMENTALS (includes incarnated fairies, pixies, brownies, elves, tree spirits, crystals, etc.)
Earth-loving elementals are happiest while outdoors. Since getting you to follow the rules is near impossible, you’ll have the most fun making your own plans, which will invariably include lots of fresh air and play. You’d enjoy outdoor sports and regular hikes in the woods – just make sure to bring a recyclable bag so you can pick up trash along the way! Your elemental family will be seriously stoked and might even reward you with a gift or wish. If, however, the weather really isn’t conducive to play outdoors, plan to attend a high-vibe freeform dance class (such as 5 Rhythms or Journey Dance). You’ll definitely meet fellow fairy friends who will be so down to go hug some trees with you after class.

 

INCARNATED STARPEOPLE
Earth life can be awkward for you, sweet starperson, but you’ll feel right at home at a Kundalini yoga class– where otherworldy experiences are not only encouraged, they’re expected. Chanting, chakra cleansing, and meditations that sync you with the planets may sound woo woo to some, but to you it feels peculiarly familiar. After you get the hang of Kundalini kriyas, don’t be surprised if you spontaneously start receiving cosmic messages from your galactic family.

 

Image: Daniele & Iango

THE WISE ONES (incarnated sorcerers, high priests/priestesses, witches, wizards, etc.)
Been there, done that is your mantra, oh wise one. You’ve lived on earth so many times, it seems nothing can surprise you. Though some may mistake your wisdom for cynicism, you are the true wayshowers of our world and thus really don’t want (or need) anyone telling you how to best work your muscles, or live your life for that matter. But in case you’re open to suggestions (hold the eye rolls please), a combination of high-intensity classes like kickboxing balanced with routine walking meditations will keep you connected to your powerful healing energy.

 

MERMAIDS
Darling…isn’t it better down where it’s wetter? Mermaids LOVE water and feel most connected to their true essence while swimming (with wild dolphins), surfing, – or my personal favorite – mermaiding! Many mermaids are quite sensitive to the chemicals in chlorine, so whenever possible, choose natural water sources over swimming in pools. Since you tend to get cold easily, be sure to heat up a sea salt bath post-swim to relax and recharge with the magic of your element.

 

 

ATLANTEANS
As an Atlantean, you thrive in like-minded communities where conversations about crystals, pyramids and sacred geometry are the norm. You love your tribe and want to work and play together as often as possible, so starting a belly dancing troop or taking a class with synchronized routines will leave you feeling fulfilled. While tightening your tummy and strengthening your spine, you’ll also get connected to the primal healing energy of Atlantis, which is so what the earth needs right now. Get to it!

 

ALADDINS / GENIES
Nomadic Aladdin, you love all things fire. The desert is your playground, sunsets make you melt and super spicy sauce is a must at every meal. In other words, Bikram yoga was pretty much made for you. You might even consider becoming a teacher, so you can squeeze in serendipitous storytelling (one of your realm gifts) during the 20-second savasanas.

 

SHAPESHIFTERS
We know, dear shapeshifter, you’ll have one of everything! Since the thought of doing the same exercise everyday (or every week, for that matter) makes you cringe, you’d fare best by joining a gym that offers a variety of classes. That way you can aerobicize in the pool, lift weights, flow into Vinyasa, chant affirmations at intenSati, and sweat through spin class all in one day if you really wanted to!

www.mermadeline.com
@mermadeline

NEW YEAR, NU YOU: PODCAST WITH PATRICIA MORENO

Posted on by Ruby Warrington

If you are what you eat, the same can be said for what you speak – this is the all-empowering philosophy of NYC fitness guru and motivational speaker Patricia Moreno. She shares an inspiring podcast on making 2014 the year you become the Master of Your Mouth, and explains how this will help you create the life you are here to live. Portraits by Sumner Dilworth. Styling by Victoria Case. Hair and makeup by Takako Yamamoto.

LISTEN TO PATRICIA’S INSPIRING PODCAST FOR THE NEW YEAR HERE:

 

The philosophy that you are what you speak is key to Patricia’s teachings as a fitness professional. Her cult workout, intenSati, begins with a ten minute sermon on our attitude to the challenges we face in life – the idea that each and every one, be it a cardio drill that feels like it’s going to rip your lungs out or a difficult relationship with your mother, should be embraced as a powerful agent for change. That living in your comfort zone is like denying your soul it’s chance to evolve.

Recently, she’s been taking this message out of the studio and into the wider world – she even gave a TEDx talk last summer on the subject of Living With Positive Discipline. Here she explains why we self-sabotage, and how talking ourselves into our personal power becomes its own spiritual practise.

WHO HAVE BEEN THE MOST IMPORTANT TEACHERS ON YOUR PERSONAL JOURNEY AND WHY?
Lauren Zander, founder of the Handel Method, played a big part in helping me understand the power of personal integrity. When I started coaching with her in 2004 I learned something that to this day is the single most powerful lesson I know; the ability to keep my word to myself and get myself to follow through on what I say I will do as well as tell the truth and be transparent. Most recently I have been studying under Dr. Joseph Michael Levry, who has a PH.D in metaphysics and is the founder of Naam Yoga. In the shortest amount of time he has made the biggest impact on my life. He’s mentoring me on evolving the intenSati method in ways that will significantly improve the results people will see from participating in my classes and workshops.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON WAYS WE SABOTAGE OUR OWN PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND WHY?
I believe that we sabotage our efforts unconsciously. When we decide we want to lose weight, start a new business, have more success etc, we are making a conscious decision to change. Usually we want to make these changes because in some way we are suffering, or we feel we don’t have enough of whatever it is we say we want, so we set a goal for ourselves. Pain is a great motivator. After we get inspired to set a new goal and we take action and we feel better, because taking action and actually doing something about the so called problem relieves some of the tension or suffering. But then we drift back to our old unconscious habits, the habits that got us where we are in the first place – overweight, struggling or unsuccessful in some way.

The way to create positive and lasting change is to work on a physical, mental and spiritual level. We often focus on making physical changes, which is only 10 percent of who we are. Unless we add mental and spiritual exercises to evolve our whole self we will find ourselves in an endless cycle of two steps forward two steps back. Adding meditations, visualizations, affirmations, prayer, forgiveness and gratitude practices to your action plan will insure that you affect the shift you want in your total being.

BECOMING THE ‘MASTER OF YOUR MOUTH’ IS A BIG THEME FOR YOU. IN WHAT WAYS (USING WHAT WORDS AND PHRASES) CAN WE EACH BECOME OUR OWN GURU?
The quality of our life is directly related to the quality of our thoughts. The more time we spend complaining, talking and sharing about what’s wrong, what we don’t like, or what is missing from our life, the more time we are spending in a state of feeling lack, unsatisfied or like a victim of life. “Sati” means “mindfulness,” which is the basis of all my teachings, the idea that making conscious choices and exercising the power we have to choose what we think, say and do.

It is easy to be negative, to complain and to be pessimistic. First of all it gets us off the hook of having to take any action and possibly failing, getting uncomfortable or facing our fear. We have to train ourselves to wake up to our power and realize that that we have thoughts, but that we are not our thoughts. By relating to our thoughts and our words as powerful and life changing we can use our words to transform our life instead of using words to describe our life.

WHAT ELSE IS IN YOUR SATI WARRIOR VOCAB?
Be grateful for what most people take for granted. This is a big theme of intenSati and Sati Life teachings. When we become more grateful we realize how blessed we are with what we already have. How often do we stop to realize what a miracle and blessing it is to simply be alive? The Dalai Lama teaches that to have a human incarnation is very rare, and just contemplating this will help us value life more. Most of us spend more time wishing things were better, wishing we had more and in the process we forget to start by appreciating and using what we have.

IN WHAT WAYS DOES THIS BECOME A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE?
I believe everything is a spiritual practice – because we cannot separate the physical, mental and spiritual parts of ourselves. When we expand our awareness of ourselves and see that how we do anything is how we do everything, we can make buying groceries and doing dishes our 9-5 spiritual practice, by doing it with the intention to serve others, to be present and appreciate being alive.

HOW DO YOU SHARE THESE TEACHINGS WITH YOUR KIDS?
Our kids do what we do not what we say. They learn by copying our behavior, our words, our expressions and our choices. As we change how we interact with life, each other and the world we are showing them, and that is the most powerful way to teach, by being the change we want to see in our children. One of the most powerful things I heard in regards to raising our children is that our voice becomes their inner dialogue. When we are constantly pointing out what we don’t want them to do, what they are not doing enough of or what we are disappointed in then their inner dialogue becomes a recording of that. Point out what is right with them, what they are doing well, what options they have and, most of all, make sure they know on a daily basis that they are loved no matter what. Never assume they know you love them, tell them and show them.

WHAT WILL BE YOUR BIG MESSAGE IN THE COMING YEAR, AND WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT TO YOU?
I have declared 2014 the year of being a Messenger of Love, and devoting ourselves to being of service. If each one of us takes on being of service in small and bigger ways, in one year we would see a significant change in the world. Being of service to me begins at home. Instead of wishing your husband, wife, child or parents would understand you more, help you more, love you more or give you more, focus on what you can do to make their daily life better. Do the dishes more often, say I love you more often, show your appreciation on a daily basis, and go out of your way to make life easier.

Then expand that to your community, school, gym and work life. Look for opportunities to volunteer, help out a co-worker, motivate a gym friend, help someone with homework, uplift and acknowledge others daily. Then focus on how you can use your talents and gifts to help on a bigger scale. How can you serve more people with your business, how can your work serve more people on a regular basis. What difference do you personally want to make in your world?

This is important to me because my teachings are about how to live a life you love in a body you love. The access to this is by being loving, grateful, compassionate, kind, generous and authentic. When we are focused on being of service, we are looking at what we have that we can give, and so we are fulfilling our soul’s work and divine mission to make the world better a better place – because here we are! Our service is the price we pay for living on the earth and it is what will lead to us all being more fulfilled. At the end of our life, the difference we made in people’s lives is what will matter most.

For information about upcoming talks, workouts and workshops with Patricia Moreno, visit www.satilife.com
@intenSati

NEW YEAR, NU YOU: DEVELOP YOUR PSYCHIC ABILITIES.

Posted on by Ruby Warrington

We all have access to the sixth sense – so will this be the year you work on developing your intuition? Doing so could be key to creating a life that’s aligned with your highest purpose in 2014. Ruby Warrington reports on a growing trend.

When I interviewed Alexa Chung for the UK Sunday Times at the end of the summer last year, she told me a few stories about what she felt were her natural psychic abilities. Like the notebook she’d found recently in which she’d written, aged 16; “I’m going to be a TV presenter, but I don’t want to be.” About how when she first walked into her apartment in NYC’s East Village, a voice in her head told her; “I live here,” and how she often has to ask people what’s up “because I can feel all their shit, and it’s like ‘you have to tell me what’s going on because it’s killing my mind!’”

There was also a recurring pre-cognitive dream (where you dream something and then it happens) about escaping the 2006 Tsunami in Thailand. She described how, as events were unfolding, she thought she was having the dream again – only to realise that it was actually happening. A double Scorpio with Pisces ascendant, Alexa’s chart shows something of a natural mystic – but actually, haven’t we all had similar experiences? Isn’t everybody “psychic” to some extent?

Yes, says Louise Androlia, the gifted intuitive responsible for our monthly Tarotscopes. “The 6th sense is for us all – in fact we’re all very tuned in as kids. Having had an imaginary friend or pet as a child is a classic example of somebody just being very energetically sensitive. I think whether this carries on into adulthood just depends on the rate we forget.” Lisa Rosman, a Brooklyn based intuitive, agrees; “it’s our natural birth right to be able to tune in on deep levels to each other as well as what yogis call the ‘divine intelligence’ of the universe. But the less we have to communicate on that level, the less we do.”

She believes our reliance on modern devices – from computers to clocks – is partly to blame. “Rather than merely using cell phones or the Internet as shortcuts, we’ve been using them as a substitute to true communion with ourselves and each other. And yet in our dreams and disorders our deeper wisdom is still, always, clamoring to be heard.”

So will 2014 be the year you work on developing your psychic abilities? Betsy Cohen, a.k.a. Psychic Betsy, hopes so. This month she launches a six-week course titled Trust Yourself: Intuitive Development through Awareness, designed to “help you become your own psychic. The whole class is centered around the fact that your body is an instrument through which your soul speaks.” The goal, rather than learning how to read for other people; “is about learning to trust your own higher voice, because if you want to create anything – abundance, good health, relationships – it’s about bringing that awareness and taking action from the inside out.”

We’ve all said it a million times; I should have listened to my gut. When I attended a psychic development workshop last year, the tutor pointed out that; “often the only time we know our intuition was right is when we don’t listen to it and everything goes wrong.” And, as Lisa puts it; “Really, what I do is direct my clients to who they truly are – where they’ve been and where they’re going; what their natural strengths and challenges are – so they can step on a path that really works for them.”

With even the Mail Online reporting on the rebranding of psychics to “intuitive therapists,” the idea of tapping into our own inner knowing is very much in the zeitgeist. “The conversations about psychic ability now are all about healing ourselves and helping others,” says Louise. “The idea that it’s about predicting the future is very outmoded, and not at all productive because the future is totally fluid anyway.” The point of attending a class says Betsy, “is about getting confirmation in a group setting that what you think you’re hearing, seeing or feeling is valid. It’s about building your confidence, so that outside of class you’re more likely to trust yourself.” I had a taster of this when I attended the weekly Willamsburg Spirit Séance Betsy hosts each Thursday – where she explained to the group how messages from spirit might appear to us, and encouraged us to share anything that came through.

Louise studied Psychic Development and then Tarot at the College for Psychic Studies in London. Founded in 1884 to facilitate formal investigation into the psychic and mediumistic phenomena that were such a topic of debate in the Victoria era, far from a real life Hogwarts, she describes the collage and her fellow students as; “as ‘normal’ as it gets. People expect me to say that it was full of women in cloaks, but as a lingerie designer I was definitely the most ‘crazy’ person there.” Instead, she was surrounded by “teachers, social workers, GPs, accountants. A group of amazing people aged 25 to 75.”

That the idea we can all tune in to a higher power and affect each other’s energy with our minds alone should seem in any way weird, is baffling to Louise. “The fact we live on a gigantic living, breathing circular mass, in a totally infinite and pretty much unknown space surrounded by other planets and moons is actually the most ridiculous thing I can think of! The idea of being skeptical of ANYTHING is so odd to me, since the fact we even exist is so bonkers. So why not learn about the energy that’s around us and allow it to help us?”

Numinously put, but still, many people shy away from delving into their psychic or intuitive abilities – “mainly because they’re afraid to look inside themselves,” says Betsy. Alexa Chung even joked that; “if you spend enough time with me, it is creepy” – but that’s because, as Betsy points out; “We’re all afraid of dark places. I was scared of my abilities in the beginning, but going to classes myself was like getting headlights, so I could actually see the road I knew was in front of me. And driving in the dark is not a good idea!”

The idea of encountering ‘evil’ spirits or visions of horrific future events can also deter people from tuning in; “but it’s all about intention. Are there darker forces? Absolutely. But you’ll only attract them to you if you’re fearful of them. I always think about Cesar Millan, the dog whisperer, and how he can transform a dog’s energy with his energy, which is always calm and assertive. It’s about a shift in thinking towards; ‘I have the power’. Which, in the spirit world, we always do.”

And owning this power can be key to affecting positive change – both in your own life, and the wider world. “We can feel very helpless in the face of events that are seemingly out of our control, from the people we’re dating to the fact we can’t exactly write to President Obama and tell him to take all our troops out of Afghanistan,” says Betsy. “But by taking responsibility for our own lives, based on what we know is for our highest good, we’re automatically empowered and actually in a position to change the world in one of the only ways we can.”

http://vimeo.com/81863053

Psychic Betsy’s six-week class, Trust Yourself: Intuitive Development through Awareness, begins January 11 in New York City. For more information click here.
@PsychicBetsy

HOW PSYCHIC ARE YOU?
Louise Androlia shares five ways your soul may already be speaking to you.

  • Smell – Have you ever suddenly had the scent of, for example, your grandmother’s perfume waft into a space? This is called “clairolfaction,” and is a way of connecting to people who have passed.
  • Knowing that someone is about to call before they do – This is you being tuned into the energy of friends and family, so you have just picked up their intention.
  • Collecting a mood or feeling from a person or a space – This is an example again of being tuned into a person’s energy, which is all a psychic ability is.  When you feel sad because your friend is, that’s a perfect example of ‘tapping in.’
  • The ‘gut’ feeling – This is your intuition, or your inner voice, at work. When you really know that you ‘know’ something, it’s the energy of the Universe that is outside of you and inside of you.
  • Songs – Often when you get a song in your head from nowhere, it’s a useful gift – making a point of listening to the lyrics often gives you a useful message that you needed.

www.louiseandrolia.com
@Louniverse

MY MYSTICAL LIFE: LYNNE FRANKS

Posted on by Ruby Warrington

1980s fashion publicist Lynne Franks, was famously the inspiration for the character of Edina Monsoon in the hit TV show Absolutely Fabulous. Now a self-styled ‘Women’s Empowerment Guru,’ she’s, like, the godmother of Material Girl, Mystical World. Based between Deia, Majorca, where her company Bloom regularly hosts retreats, and London, she talks altered states of consciousness and doing business with a cause to Ruby Warrington.

IN WHAT WAYS HAVE YOUR OWN SPIRITUAL BELIEFS MOST INFORMED YOUR WORK?
My spiritual journey has influenced my work immensely, particularly when it comes to understanding the basic karmic law of cause and effect. Plus my close relationship with the Brahma Kumaris has kept me very values-focused.

WHAT ARE THE FIRST QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF WHEN CONSIDERING YOUR ‘HIGHEST POTENTIAL’ IN BUSINESS?
The first questions I always ask are; “is this of service?” and “Am I being true to my values?”

WHAT DOES AN ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS LIFE LOOK LIKE TO YOU NOW?
A happy life looks to me like one based on healthy, loving relationships; a close community of friends; health and wellbeing in all areas of my life; a beautiful view when I open my door in the morning; lots of walks with my dog in nature; the happiness of my children and grandchildren; living my life purpose of working with women and girls on creating a better world; lots of laughter and lots of fun; lots of dancing and great music; good food. I could go on…!

WHAT TECHNIQUES CAN YOU SHARE FOR ATTRACTING SUCCESS TO ANY VENTURE?
I don’t believe in techniques but I do believe in tools. A CIRCLE OF WOMEN for support and to share with. Staying true to your vision. Vision boards and books bring your project alive. Technological know-how. Reading everything relevant and keeping an open, enquiring mind. I also write poems, meditate, paint, dance, and love.

WHAT DOES YOUR DAILY SPIRITUAL SELF-CARE ROUTINE LOOK LIKE?
Daily self-care starts with meditation and chanting first thing, the earlier the better. A minimum of one 5Rhythms class a week. Working out and boxing in the park. Long walks with my dog in nature. Making green juices. Laughing. Sitting in my hot-tub first thing in the morning when in Deia. Sitting in my infra red-sauna when in London. They really clean me out.

WHO’S THE HEALER YOU HAVE ON SPEED-DIAL?
My Bloom colleague in Deia Monika Evans for Reiki; Amanda at Spa at Home in Deia for craniaosacral work and Robin Johnson, also in Deia, for a brilliantly healing, Californian-style massage, as taught by the Esalen institute in Big Sur. These three all put me back together when I return to Majorca from the intensity of London life.

WHAT’S THE CRAZIEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE IN THE NAME OF PERSONAL GROWTH?
Probably drinking my own urine – although not so uncommon these days, and there’s a lot to be said for the results which makes it not crazy at all in my eyes.

AND WHAT HAD THE MOST PROFOUND EFFECT ON YOU – WHY?
Endless experiences have had profound effects on me – taking Ayahuasca in the Amazonian jungle; dancing with Gabrielle Roth at Esalen; experiencing altered states with Denise Linn’s meditation and seeing visions of the Great Mother; doing 4am meditation with the Brahma Kumaris at the top of a mountain in India. All these experiences have led to altered states of consciousness, which, at different times of my life, have had a huge influence on me. I consider myself very lucky. Also just being in my beautiful home in Deia – my personal piece of paradise – where I connect with nature and welcome other women to join me on retreats where we support and learn from each other.

YOU’RE AN ARIES, IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU MOST EMBODY THE TRAITS OF YOUR SIGN?
I’m a very typical Aries – full of creative ideas, passionate,  and a self-starter who makes things happen. But can equally be very naïve at times in a child-like way, and definitely over-sensitive.

DEIA IS THE NEW IBIZA. DISCUSS…
Deia is not the new Ibiza! It’s far more interesting, with a long-time heritage of writers and artists from Robert Graves onwards who have made this beautiful village one of the most interesting local and global communities in the world.  It’s much more private and community based. It certainly gets very fashionable in August, but it’s always been somewhere where celebrities, artists and hippies can enjoy each other’s company with no cameras in sight.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR LEADERS IN THE WORLD TODAY?
Only when there is equality and co-operation between men and women, boys and girls, human beings and the environment across the world will we see a balanced, loving and safe society for all. There is enough abundance available for everyone – food, shelter, education and happiness – and we need to ensure that all human beings on the planet have access.  Please, please let us change the desperately sad course we are currently on and create a sustainable future for the seven generations to come.

The Bloom 2014 retreat programme begins in Deia in March. For more information go to www.bloomretreats.com
@Lynne_Franks

THE WILD UNKNOWN: TALKING TAROT WITH KIM KRANS

Posted on by Ruby Warrington

Illustrator Kim Krans has gained a cult following as creator of The Wild Unknown Tarot deck. Launched in 2008, her mystical vision has since expanded to include zodiac prints, jewelry and even a kids’ alphabet book. As she launches her latest project, a collection of one-off paintings based on the cards, she explains her connection to the Tarot an invites us to take a trip into the wilderness within. Words: Ruby Warrington. Portraits: Daniel Arnold.

What was your first introduction to the Tarot and why did it resonate with you?
One night when my band was on tour we crashed at our friend’s house in Boston and I slept in a bed that had a beautiful woodcut print of the Magician hanging over it. I remember starting at it before I fell asleep and saying to myself; “someday I will draw the Tarot deck.” I was introduced to the Tarot well before then but I swear something happened that night…The Magician crept right into my bones.

The Wild Unknown Tarot deck

The Magician: When the Magician appears in a spread, it points to the talents, capabilities and resources at the querent’s disposal. Depending on the card’s placement in relation to other cards, the message is to tap into one’s full potential rather than holding back, especially when there is a need to transform something. There are choices and directions to take. Guidance can arrive through one’s own intuition or in the form of someone who brings about change or transformation.

What makes the Tarot so relevant in post 2012 life on planet Earth?
We all want a little guidance, right? We have lots of voices within us – some come from places of fear, doubt, low self-esteem, bummer things that happened in the past, etc. These voices get all tangled up and lead us to believe we are less amazing then we are. But underneath all that, waiting for us to hear it, is one super clear, resonant, calm voice that knows exactly what to do. It’s tough to hear it if we don’t consciously listen for it, but Tarot helps us get there… in that it helps us see ourselves and our patterns. If you wonder why after a good reading you feel “relieved” or “more yourself” (even if it’s a dark-ish reading) it’s because you made contact with that inner voice. Keep finding ways to connect with it, listen to it, and soon your path becomes golden.

Images from the new Wild Unknown “One of a Kind” series

What’s your favorite card in the Wild Unknown deck, and why?
The Moon card, for sure. The most important reading of my life had The Moon as the central card…that reading was a real turning point. It was just months before the deck came out. So I am ever-loyal to that card. The Hermit is a close runner-up fave.

The Moon: The Moon is the card of intuition, dreams and the unconscious. The Moon provides light as a reflection of the Sun, yet this light is dim, uncertain, and only vaguely illuminates our path as we journey toward higher consciousness. When a path leads between two towers into the distance, it is showing the way to the unconsciousness. The astrological sign associated with this card is Pisces – psychic, receptive and mysterious.

Jewelry designer Pamela Love shows off her favorite card in the Wild Unknown deck. Image: Frommoontomoon.blogspot.com

We discovered your Zodiac project on Pinterest. Will we see more of this? (Obsessed!)
Yes! The Zodiac series I drew just came out as a blank notecard set. All twelve drawings in one box…no more stressing to find your far-out friend a birthday card!

How do you connect to the Wild Unknown inside you in your daily life?
The best access point for me is meditation, yoga, and mantra. I also take walks on Zuma beach a lot. Singing also helps me.

Sagittarius
Aquarius

Is that “Wilderness” the same thing as the guru they say lives inside us all?
I’m going to take a bold stab at this big question and say – the “wilderness” is not the guru but instead it is the place within where the guru can be found. It is the realm of the guru. But the wilderness is fluid, changing, wild, magical, creative and mysterious…while so far…the moments I have glimpsed the guru it is perfectly still. Perfectly, perfectly still.

And if it were an actual place on Earth, what’s the closest you’ve come to finding it?
In a small shrine in the Poconos.

“So I cut off my hair and I rode straight away, to the wild unknown country,
where I could not go wrong…” – Bob Dylan

www.thewildunknown.com
@thewildunknown

TAROTSCOPES: DECEMBER 2013

Posted on by Louise Androlia

SAGITTARIUS – KING OF CUPS

Happy Birthday Sagittarius! For a Fire sign this sure has been an emotional year, almost as though you’ve had your feelings thrown in your face over the last few months, which has sometimes brought great relief and sometimes felt more like having an uninvited houseguest. If you are very typical of your element, it isn’t always easy to simmer down when you really just want to expel hoards of trapped energy, to stand still when you feel an urge to run away. Alongside this, an abundance of emotion sometimes feels a bit odd. You aren’t always one for tears, and recently you’ve had moments of feeling like a real crybaby. Now, at the beginning of your solar year, the King of Cups brings in a balancing energy that will enable you to feel much more at home beneath those waterfalls. The Fire and Water elements of your chart can now sit side-by-side, no longer aliens but with a modest respect for each other’s power. I’d like you to think of this card as your mentor this month. The King has learned how to equilibrate between the elements, meaning emotions no longer make him feel weak and thoughts do not feel out of control. So how can you too move towards this type of balance? Kindness and respect is the bridge here, for yourself and for those around you. If you truly feel connected to your own compassion compass then it is much harder to feel out of control with your emotions. Remind yourself of your own boundaries. Treat all situations, whether at work or home, with patience. Give yourself an extra few minutes with your thoughts, digging in to a calm and centered place, a safe place. When we act from fear, or emotions such as anger or jealousy, we will never feel okay with the results, and a few extra moments to process your emotional impulses mean a higher chance of moving forward with positivity. And don’t neglect your superb intuition – not always the first place you reach for guidance, but the right place to go. December is always very social and this card may also find you being the mentor and mediator for friends and family this month. In this case, you can apply what you’ve been learning about your own self to pass the love on to others. There is a real sense of fairness to this card and I feel it nudging you to sit and be grateful for your journey, with all its twists and turns. You’ve done pretty darn well and the sweet satisfaction of self development is here too. Combine your strength with honest compassion and feel the waters calming.

Ready for a brand new year? Get your 2014 Tarotscope here!

CAPRICORN – PAGE OF WANDS

Inspiration is abundant this December Capricorn, and you aren’t quite ready to curl up by the fire yet as your mind is buzzing with plans and ideas for adventure. It might be that your mind is already in 2014 as we arrive in the last month of the year. We are slowly shifting you out of a workaholic mindset and The Page of Wands widens your eyes and encourages you to set your spirits far and high. This card can be associated with new starts, and I would love you to take on a ‘leap of faith’ mentality. I know that’s not your usual style, but you will benefit by giving new horizons a chance this December. The Wands bring in a fearsome passion so you may be focused on one particular desire, be it a new career path, a building project or a certain someone. Your sights are definitely set, and the Universe will be supporting that vision. Now with this type of energy, it’s very easy to feel restless or completely impatient. With so many ideas raring to go, you want to act NOW. The best way to work with this is to celebrate and be grateful for these ideas, to communicate and collaborate. The Page can appear as a new friend or mentor, someone who shares your ideas and can keep you on your toes. There is a lovely youthfulness to your December, and it’s important that you shift out of your goat like routines and socialize. This childlike energy is perfect for this and totally supported by this card. If you read this and feel a bit lacking in this passion, then it’s time for you to reconnect to the simple joys of life. Take yourself on a few ‘me’ dates, remembering to check your attitude whilst out and about. If the spirit of Scrooge has possessed you, then crack yourself back into a lighter frame of mind. Be silly, where are your laughs? Time to go dig them out! You can see this card as a set of goals waiting to be made, who says you need to wait until January the 1st to make some changes? Start right now. The world is your playground, go and catch a break.

Ready for a brand new year? Get your 2014 Tarotscope here!

AQUARIUS – THE HIEROPHANT

After a month with a few notes of apathy, December sends you on a journey to rebuild some of your own personal structures, morals and boundaries. You may have been feeling an imbalance in giving and receiving recently, and to regain an equilibrium you will benefit from seeking trusted advice, both from others and your inner guide. The Hierophant appears as a mentor bringing in a new type of outlook and guidance. It’s up to you how you choose to discover an altered perception, but be sure to keep your eyes wide open for the help around you. As you look back over this past year and think about what you’ve learned, you will note a few patterns and thought processes that you know just have to change. In fact, they’re probably quite fresh in your mind having asserted themselves in the last few weeks. Now is the time to get ready to shift out what you no longer find beneficial or healthy in your mind, body and spirit. Whilst you may look for guidance with a Life Coach or healer, you can also really gain from and enjoy community and group discussion now. Some of the meanings of this card revolve around religion and spiritual groups, reminding us of the gain we can receive from gathering like minds together for support and inspiration. Giving and receiving guidance is key for you right now and remember that sharing love will up your personal energy bank to call in higher vibes for you. As a sign that can often get lost in your thoughts volunteering your time to somewhere that you feel drawn to could get you out of your head and into your heart this December. Be mindful of balance within your life and remember that we should always be learning, teaching and healing. Whilst sharing your knowledge, make time to actually hear people out so that you keep learning too. Occasionally you are so eager to share your stories that you can forget the joy of sharing a two-sided conversation. Slow down. More feeling and less thinking can return you to the present moment. I see this card as a turning point for you Aquarius, there is a definite shift going on and I feel it will come with a choice – do you want to evolve away from your past? Are you ready to let go of old fears when they rear their heads? Take a chance on grace and have some faith this December. Expect miracles.

Ready for a brand new year? Get your 2014 Tarotscope here!

PISCES – EIGHT OF CUPS

When I look back over the cards I have drawn for you this year Pisces, it’s impossible to not notice that you’ve been dealing with a serious amount of personal change. You may have seen relationships form or break, huge enthusiasm or total apathy for your career and a massive shove from the Universe pushing you to evolve and grow within your self. It has been a year of ups and downs, in all forms, and some of you will have been more aware of the highs and others only the lows. The thing is, none of these experiences are without meaning, and it’s your job to be aware that it’s all part of the journey. If you look at your perceived losses, you will probably find that they were essential moments of skin shedding. The Eight of Cups is the moment where you finally allow yourself to let go of everything that you don’t want to take forward with you into the years ahead. When I pick this card I sometimes feel so sad. Often it comes up to remind you that you need to cut final ties with an ex, or move on from a challenge that has been pushing and pulling at you. Over the years I’ve shifted this and grown to enjoy the message this card gives. It certainly fits well with the ‘out with the old and in with the new’ energy of December and January. Any card within the suit of Cups is very much about deep feelings. As a water sign you have probably been more affected by the skies of late as so many planets have been cruising through the water signs, creating an ‘ocean of emotion’ in 2013 as the Astro Twins’ Tali Edut wrote here. So feelings are by no means alien to you and nostalgia is certainly something you’re familiar with. Now it’s time to work on your own relationship with the past. It’s so important not to let it be a comfort blanket, to swoon around in ‘what if’s’ and ‘perfect moments’. Instead, let these experiences power you into the present, seeing the past as a useful bag of individual feelings, some that you want to replicate with new people and in different situations and others that you’d like to dissolve. The figure in this card is shown with his back turned, walking away from disappointments and on to a brighter future. The message is so simple, that if we keep moving forwards and leave what is not positive for us any more then our vision clears to see the light ahead.

Ready for a brand new year? Get your 2014 Tarotscope here!

ARIES – FOUR OF CUPS

The wonderful way that you manage your Fire element is that you are very very productive; you always have a project, an idea and a strong inner force to guide you. When you notice a quiet period then the internal jitters set in, rendering you restless (and I can feel you shuddering at the mere thought of the word). It’s because the Four of Cups can bring in feelings of ennui and apathy that I’m reminded of what you can get like when you feel a bit impatient. Last month I was encouraging you to realign yourself after taking on too much earlier in the year and as you put the pieces of the puzzle back together, I feel that you have been noticing the push and pull of letting go and moving forward. When we expand into a new cycle, even if it’s by our own choice, we can still have moments of feeling a little unsteady. It’s easy to feel like you’ve done the work and now what? When is the shift you’ve prepared for going to take place? This December, feel encouraged when there are spaces in your schedule, understand that it was you that’s cleared the way, ready for new opportunities to arise. I always use these ‘scopes to try and flip you from the darker side of the card that turns, so with this potential apathy, remember that if things aren’t moving to your swift standard the answer isn’t to go into a place of ‘I give up’. Keep doing your thing and trust that the Universe will catch up with you. Of course December is a super social month, and so The Four of Cups could bring in a bit of an annoyance about making seasonal arrangements, perhaps purely because schedules haven’t been set and you actually don’t know the plans yet. This is okay! There are a million surrender opportunities each month and this can be one of them. Instead, think of those people you just know you want and need to see over the coming weeks, and tune your thoughts merely to ask the Universe to align you with inspirational and joyful moments for the end of the year. Instead of fearing what may come up just return to some tried and tested happy places. I very much feel this is a calm before the storm card for you Aries and that January is going to see you zooming ahead with excited intent, just how you like it!

Ready for a brand new year? Get your 2014 Tarotscope here!

TAURUS – THE TOWER

I have seen this card pop up over and over again in the last few months, for myself and in clients readings. It’s kind of become my secret best friend of the deck and I no longer look at that destructive imagery with a sense of doom. The Tower is our catalyst for change…and we love change! If you feel like you are still afraid of the unknown then I’m sorry to have to tell you again Taurus, but that big bag of ‘what if’s’ could contain a bright spark of something totally awesome ahead. This card is like a bolt of lightning bringing in energy to shift your direction, and it can really come in all forms. The Tower shakes our foundations, if we are really doing our best to go against our own flow then we suddenly find ourselves being flung in such a new direction that we have no choice BUT to move. This is a pretty good card for the end of the year, as you’ve probably already started thinking about the calendar cycle starting afresh with your diary already filling up for January. Think of it like having a fresh schedule, and consider how you would like to spend your precious time. Do you really want to fill your calling card with someone who’s an unhealthy match for you? Or how about a job you’re dying to quit? Think of the areas in your life that you know need a spring clean, and get a head start. If you really do see this Tower effect in your life, then bring in kindness and forgiveness to your self during a challenging time. Remember that old theory about things falling apart so we can rebuild them better? That is happening in our lives all the time so try and bring in a retrospective vision to your present moment. Know that whatever you are going through is taking your somewhere, and that while you cannot know where yet, you are always growing and learning. I also want you to get into a magical mindset, because The Tower card can bring its unexpected news in the shape of a life changing love interest or an exciting job offer. You may move house or even start working with a new therapist. To enable ourselves to accept the positive aspects of change we need to be able to see them. Remember to use that divine personal power and in consequence you can be your own magician.

Ready for a brand new year? Get your 2014 Tarotscope here!

GEMINI – SIX OF SWORDS

Last month I talked to you about your own trust issues and how you are feeling amongst others. I wanted you to reconnect back to your self, so that trust in the future would be much less of an issue. For December we follow on with that idea, and The Six of Swords suggests a very personal and solo journey. I want you to gather what you have experienced in the last few weeks into a bundle, like a pile of papers and you are going to sort and file. The energy for you at the end of the year is to prepare for the following months by really cleansing your mind from what you don’t need. This card can reflect physical travel but it is the idea of movement that is the inspiration for you. And even if you are off on a trip, remember your inner journey is also accompanying you! You must reflect in order to go forward but these needed shifts can come with a sense of sadness. There can be a fear of regret that comes with marching on, and you may feel a little waning of your spirit. If you find yourself a little confused right now then just remember how life twists and turns and how opportunities often appear suddenly with no warning. You must make the choice to keep participating in your life, not to throw your oar to the side or stop swimming. There is a sense of nurture that must accompany this message. A coziness that you can create for yourself, a safe, self-created space where you can recharge until you feel bright again. Remember that failure doesn’t exist and if you have fears about where the next year might take you, then remember your hidden powers. Combined with a push of your snappy intuition, any confusion can transform into an incredible rite of passage. I feel a sense of building strength for next year, you have a whole heap of dreams and ideas for the time ahead, and certainly the skills to achieve them. Put your energy towards reconnecting with that inner passion; remind yourself why you do what you do. If you feel like you aren’t on your right path, then be patient with yourself. Remember life is a schooling and that you must maintain focus on doing things for your highest and most loving intention. Hey presto, you are immediately back in the driving seat.

Ready for a brand new year? Get your 2014 Tarotscope here! 

CANCER – THREE OF WANDS

The world is your oyster! I’ve turned one of my favorite cards in the deck for you sweet Cancer and it’s a perfectly positive inspiration for the last month of this year. The Three of Wands represents all of those ideas and passions you have bubbling up inside of you, and with this powerful preparation for a new year it feels like you certainly have your eyes on some big prizes. This month is all about thinking BIG, so big that I had to use capitals! There is a sense of adventure in your life, your eyes are wandering and travel is at the forefront of your mind. In a physical sense this card shows you as the explorer, with itchy feet making you want to go and see the world. It might be that you are wondering if you can take your talents to another place of residence, or even that you start collaborating and working with clients and friends further afield. The energy here has such a positive spin for expansion that if you are setting your eyes on an across the world jaunt then this is certainly a green light. You have the golden opportunity this month to see life through different eyes, and to really believe in your own possibility. This is not time to be spent feeling down on yourself or indulging in a pity party. You are bright and shiny and it’s time to take responsibility for it! Whilst it can be easy to fear what others are thinking of us, it is up to us to decide how we perceive those fears. I want you to approach life with a fierce confidence and not to waste your time on thoughts that are in any way restrictive. This energy is about just going for it and knowing that if you focus on your true passions you can never go wrong. Expansion will also come in the form of social events this month, as of course December is often a busy one. I’m encouraging you to choose to get together with those friends that truly uplift you, remembering that one person who brings you a sense of joy is better than a whole room full of energy vampires weighing you down. Team up and throw ideas around, as you sit and make plans for the year ahead. Armed with encouragement for each other you will find that friendships and relationships strengthen. On a final note, carry this vibe forward as your theme for 2014, I certainly am!

Ready for a brand new year? Get your 2014 Tarotscope here!

LEO – NINE OF PENTACLES

This month sees you craving the comforts of home and the safety of your own throne. The Nine of Pentacles reflects the work you have done this year, encouraging you to be thankful for your gains and to allow yourself to enjoy some comforts in the material world. This is a very positive card for strengthening self-confidence and enjoying life. Your busy year may have found you in the office or at school much more than at home, and so now you’ll enjoy having a little more alone time. Your element really reflects that peaceful roaring Fire by the sofa this month, rather than a blazing push into the unknown. I love the idea that your end of year reflection comes from you learning to slow down and enjoy some quiet time. This is a very important time for your gratitude practice too; even if you have what you perceive to be only a little you still have much to be grateful for. Think about how you can serve others by being generous of spirit over the next few weeks; never underestimate how a kind word to a stranger could change the course of their day. Everything about your home is important right now and it’s essential that you create a safe space for yourself. You might want to experiment with some feng shui or redesign your room, anything that brings positivity to your environment. If you are currently moving house then this card reminds you to set your intentions on a place that will really reflect what you need from a home. Don’t get too caught up with exact dimensions and architecture, instead ask the Universe to guide you to the place that will be right for you. In December your social life is also much more likely to be around the home. Instead of flitting between bars, you will gain much more from gathering people together for a dinner party. Think about which friends of yours have never met, you might even end up being the matchmaker over the holiday season! Finally be encouraged in all that you are working on. The luxurious imagery of this card also contains a nod towards projects that you are currently involved in, suggesting that if you just keep working hard then you are likely to feel real joy from your hard work. There is much celebration to be had over the coming weeks, so use that as your guide. Choose not to weigh yourself down with fears and unnecessary anxieties, and put your focus on high vibe activities and people that strengthen your spirit!

Ready for a brand new year? Get your 2014 Tarotscope here!

VIRGO – KNIGHT OF SWORDS

Hello lovely. I have so many Virgo friends I’ve been especially enjoying seeing your journey this year, quite the adventure and so much to be thankful for. Now December sees you raring to go, chomping at the bit we could say! The Knights are our action cards and it’s likely that you have a few new projects, possibly cultivated in the last few weeks, and you are so, so excited that you just want to get them out there as quickly as possible! The air element in this card shows your head buzzing with possibilities, hopes, fears, dreams and destinations. In fact, I’m quite tired just thinking about it. So your message is to slowwwwww it down. I know your natural way is to buzz about and fulfil your lists, but this December it’s time to give yourself a break, in fact I kind of want you to allow at least a couple of days to be – dare I say it – lazy. One of the reasons I suggest this is that you need to slow down to actually get these dreams off the ground. The speed at which you’re travelling won’t make for such productive actions. Your manifestation powers are pretty great I must admit, but first I want you to speak out loud about these new plans. It feels like they need to be shared for you to be able to pick them apart and get a much more Virgo-like action plan ready. I know your ambition is positive though and everything points to continued success, just make sure you don’t cut corners trying to get to the finish post too soon. Now December is of course a social month, and we also have to note the coming and going of people in the next few weeks. The energy of these encounters may be very heady, and on the plus side this will bring in lots of thought provoking conversations helping your brain feel positively expanded. On the lower vibe side, if you find yourself feeling nitpicked or encountering any aggressive, over-opinionated energy, then visualize a mirror between you and the other person to help keep your energy clear. And… breathe. Rest, rejuvenate, and just keep doing your do.

Ready for a brand new year? Get your 2014 Tarotscope here!

LIBRA – QUEEN OF CUPS

Hurrah! Libra, finally I’ve turned over a card that isn’t all ‘work work work’ for you. In fact, this is the first card from the Cups suit that you’ve had all year. So let us usher in some EMOTION…welcome back feelings! Where have you been? What have you been up to? Let’s sit down with a nice cup of tea and celebrate the warm and incredible energy this means for you this month. The Queen of Cups sends you a powerful message of compassion, intuition and nurture for the end of the calendar year. It’s time to drop down from your head and think with your heart, get sentimental, get cozy and of course, a little bit magical. So for the following few weeks instead of a ‘practicality will get you everywhere’ attitude, your biggest gains will show up when you let your intuition be your guide. You are also now allowed to give thanks for all the hard work and settle down to enjoy a little of what you’ve achieved recently. Gut feelings are where it’s at, so the main thing is to try and fine-tune them so you know to trust what you feel. Remember that as an air sign it’s very easy to get whisked up into your head and let anxiety guide you. Working from a more intuitive place might feel a bit alien but this is a safe month to do so. You will also benefit from spending as much time as possible around those with a safe and warm positive energy. You might want to curl up under someone’s wing and this is okay too, the big theme this month is self nurture and I want you to get into the spirit of L.O.V.E. Planning social events? How about a new moon or full moon ritual? Get your favorite friends over and do some manifesting for the new year. Meanwhile, sharing your fears with others will allow them to be processed and escape. But be careful if you are already the person that everyone comes to with their problems. The only downside of this Queen’s energy is that she can forget her boundaries, so build yourself a glowing energy bubble and make sure the giving and receiving in your life is balanced. Instead of feeling that you have to fix everyone, make small acts of kindness rather giving so much that you feel weakened. A lovely way to round up the year is to give gratitude to yourself and what you have learned from the last months, so go inwards and give a silent thank you to the Universe for pushing you on with your journey. Then it’s time to get excited about the year to come!

Ready for a brand new year? Get your 2014 Tarotscope here!

SCORPIO – STRENGTH

So last month we had The Fool for you Scorpio, who makes us very aware of beginnings, endings and the whole cycle of life. This energy can be extremely exhilarating but very tiring as change is always abundant with twists and turns. Uncertainty is uncertain and you now know that you just want to be present and participate in life, and most importantly enjoy it. I feel that December is very much a surrender and release month for you. The Strength card has a very strong healing energy and it’s really a very inspiring card to have in December as you part ways with another solar year. It’s here to remind you that you are strong, and that you are way braver and more powerful than you often give yourself credit for, and I know for sure that you can overcome any battles that come your way. You must be willing to though. I feel with any Scorpio who is feeling unable to overcome something, there is a tiny part of you inside that’s afraid to let it go. There has to be a leap of faith for healing to occur, where you choose to believe that you will be supported if you move yourself out of unhealthy habits. The Strength card sees you taming your inner beast and with that you are making peace with your ego mind, a job that you will benefit from. This is the perfect card to meditate with, envisioning your Water element washing away your fears. This is a very common card to pull for the healers amongst us and reflects the balance that we seek to achieve within our lives. If you are noticing the road to be a little rocky then check that you haven’t given too much of yourself away lately. Recalibrate by visualizing your solar plexus as a magnet that pulls in any scattered energy. Turn the love you put out into the world back on yourself and allow it to sink in. The Scorpio energy is so strong that it’s very easy to build up a wall high enough that no one can even see you need help. Don’t be fooled into thinking weakness is real – your vulnerability is actually a building block to strength and super powers. Let December bestow love upon you and be grateful for challenges you have faced this year, know they have been in place to lead you to a moment of surrender and that this time has come. This card really feels like it works hand in hand with The Fool from last month, where you realize that to make space for the incredible dreams and potential you have, you must absolutely release the fears that are sucking up your time and energy. Your goals are right there, waiting for you to grab them, so go get ‘em.

Ready for a brand new year? Get your 2014 Tarotscope here!

Cast by Louise Androlia using the Rider Waite Deck
@Louniverse

FEELING IT: FASHION FROM THE THIRD EYE OF IAMVIBES

Posted on by Ruby Warrington

iamVibes is a street fashion label from singer songwriter Tom Hardless, with designs revolving around the Islamic symbol of the Hamsa, believed to provide defence against the Evil Eye. In other words, essential kit. And from our email conversation, Tom also seems like the mystical kind of guy you find yourself getting deep and having a “moment” with at some random house party. Enjoy.

Third eye beanie, £25

SO WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND IAMVIBES?
iamVibes was created officially in 2012 through a vision that came to me in a heightened state of awareness whilst meditating. I was in a very clear headspace and this image of a hand with an eye in the center of it came to me. I did not know what it was or why it was meant for me, but following this, I had a channelling of the word “HAMSA.” When I say channelling I mean that  in opening your mind fully to the universe, it shows you things and makes you feel things to help you be a creative, happy, balanced human. With a little bit of research and learning, I came to understand what this symbol stood for, what it meant to me and how I could incorporate my energy into this symbol to make it my own.

White geometric HAMSA tee, £30

WHAT DOES THE HAMSA MEAN TO YOU?
This Hamsa is me. It is my life experience of where I have been and where I am going. It is every thought and feeling. It is every connection, good and bad, accumulating into a beautiful symbol to inspire myself and others around me. It is my creative freedom and tool of sustainability. It is everything I am and wish to become.

White cosmic leotard, £35

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO TAKE THE PROJECT TO THE NEXT LEVEL?
Over the course of the next two to three years, I found myself connecting to two very interesting beings, both dealing with some dark traumas as a result of abuse at a younger age. One of these beings became my main muse for turning iamvibes into a serious creative endeavour. As a young model, struggling to make her mark, she made me realise you really have to push your creative channels, even if you’re hurting. That sometimes you must endure tough times to reap great cosmic rewards. She is now one of the most well known models out there and has walked for all the top designers and is best known for the colours in her hair.

Men’s varsity jacket, £165

SO THIS IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST FASHION, RIGHT?
When my beautiful journey with this being came to an end, I felt the need to stay connected with her by holding onto the emotions she inspired. So I took it upon myself to really push my creative vision, without any education of business or fashion and only pure emotion and creativity to guide me. Through these experiences and more, I realised the clothes I produced could represent protection against negative forces as well as projecting positive energy to hopefully inspire others to look for a deeper perspective and understanding of this life.

Unisex Cosmic Karma sweater, £50

HOW DOES YOUR THIRD EYE INFORM THE DESIGN PROCESS?
The actual eye in the designs is there as a representation of the Universe at your core, projecting pure energy. But my physical third eye (the pineal gland) and my metaphysical third eye guide me through the design process. Both these “eyes” have to be relaxed so I can tune into higher realms of creativity to move forward. Everyone is different and has different techniques to learn to do this, each must find their own way of opening their “eyes” but a good place to start would be learning some breathing techniques which resonate with you, and help relax and open your inner Universe.

www.iamvibes.co.uk
@iamvibes

PROWL MAGAZINE: TALKING DIY CULTURE AND DMT WITH LISA LUXX

Posted on by Ruby Warrington

Lisa Luxx is the self-declared “preditor-in-chief” of new London counter culture ‘zine, Prowl. In this interview she talks to Ruby Warrington about; why you need your ego to succeed, why anonymity will be the greatest luxury for generation Z, how to prep your face for an ayahuasca trip and how switching off from technology felt like an “everlasting climax.” Among other, equally fascinating subjects…

Lisa Luxx by Olivia Sykes

SO HOW DOES A GIRL MANIFEST A WHOLE MAGAZINE THESE DAYS?
Visualization. I very much believe that I can get what I want by thinking about it enough…and I couldn’t take my mind’s eye of this project for a long time, like a song on repeat. I believe it manifested itself through that energy.

DECLARING YOURSELF “PREDITOR-IN-CHIEF” SURE TAKES SOME BALLS, TOO…
Luckily I have pretty big ego and, as an Aries, heaps of pride, and I really believed that what we were doing with PROWL was going to have some worth among the underground creative scene. I also talked about it a lot in the beginning, and as soon as I announce that I’m going to do something I absolutely will!

Jacob Escott

THE MAGAZINE OPENS WITH A MISSION STATEMENT: “LOVE EVERYONE, PLEASE NO-ONE.” WHERE DID YOU GET THIS AND WHY IS IT SUCH AN IMPORTANT AN IDEA?
Jacob Escott (the illustrator behind this and Art Director of PROWL) and I came up with this together, which seems to be the ethos of a whole generation of creatives making up this independent renaissance. The current DIY scene is very cooperative and collaborative, where love is the driving force behind success – perhaps because so many people understand the power of positive vibes nowadays. However, there is also a sense of revolt – we are writing, drawing and performing whatever we like because we have nothing to lose and no one to answer to.

Chenoa Gao

IS THIS WHY “COUNTER CULTURE ISN’T DEAD”?
As long as there are still people going against The Man, there will be a counter culture – and there has never been more to counter! Right now, humans still don’t know how to live alongside the mechanisms we’re putting into place in our everyday life. There’s also is a vast awareness of our environmental issues, the backend of a grim recession plus an increasingly more right-wing government to contend with.

SO WHAT WILL COUNTER CULTURE LOOK LIKE FOR GENERATION Z?
Anonymity. I mean, do you ever get that feeling you’re not being watched? People have started to react against our overexposure by hiding away. In fashion I expect to see a lot more facemasks, headpieces and full body outfits with less skin on show. Imagine space age Victorians. “Unseen” is already the trendiest thing to be now, think about all these hidden bars or the online Darknet, for example. As a result, the counterculture of Generation Z will be almost undetectable.

Marco Zaffino

ONE OF MY FAVORITE STORIES IN THE MAG IS ON “BEAUTY TIPS FOR ACID HEADS” – HOW SHOULD ONE PREP ONE’S TOILETTE FOR AN AYAHUASCA CEREMONY?
Well, you’re gonna be puking a lot on ayahuasca so the most important thing to do is tie your hair back in a loose bun. Give your face a good cleanse before you start and apply a tiny amount of non-oily moisturizer – like Neal’s Yard Yarrow & Comfrey Moisturizer. It will see you through the long trip but won’t get clammy. The white robes at an ayahuasca ceremony are also prone to washing out your complexion, so don’t wear any black around your eyes that might look spooky when smudged. When you come out of this you’ll want to look as good as you feel, so have a hit of blusher with you to bring yourself back to the land of the living zen.

AND WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST REVELATION YOU GAINED FROM RESEARCHING “THE ANTI-NET KID” (WHERE YOU WENT TWO MONTHS ON THE ROAD WITH NO PHONE OR EMAIL)?
When I reached Yosemite National Park, I found this open meadow and I let the wind lay me down in the long grass while the sun graciously bore itself upon me. As the gentle breeze passed through me I felt myself shift into a nook of harmony with my surroundings. My edges blew away and I existed as one with the universe – I could feel our energy coming together in the throes of one great everlasting climax. It was a real moment of enlightenment for me and the moment I wrote the poem that would become my first published piece.

Marco Zaffino

WOW. COULD WE ALL ACHIEVE THIS IF WE JUST SWITCHED OFF OUR iPHONES FOR A MINUTE?
This was the result of being without modern technology for two months and submerging myself in natural beauty. As a twenty-three year old I’ve never been in the moment. I grew up with mobile phones and the web always connecting me to times and places that didn’t exist in my immediate surroundings, so I’ve spent a lifetime being tremendously longsighted – thinking it made me stronger to exist further afield, when really I wasn’t existing anywhere wholly.

Jacob Escott

HOW HAS IT AFFECTED YOU IN THE LONG RUN?
Following that time in Yosemite, it became clear that if I continued to use technology the way I had become accustomed I would not be a fully fuctioning human being – unable to concentrate, meditate, explore or really touch things and mean it. I have since translated this lesson into conversations, work and sex – suddenly I was better at everything and enjoying it all at a much deeper level.

WHAT DOES THE NUMINOUS LOOK, SOUND AND FEEL LIKE TO YOU?
As an abstract and rather psychedelic reply to that, here are some notes I once wrote while lost in the beatific vibrations of a DMT trip…“The red and purple Amorphous Androgynous rain falls down on me but instead of wetting me it tickles. This is the summertime of consciousness. The cosmic vibrations of the universe and constantly in orgasm. It’s glorious; let yourself go to the spectacle of lights and colors. I’m in meadows of joy and light, listening to trumpets of energy and serenity. There’s a real language of cosmic love but words don’t exist here. I’ve been to the edges of existence and it’s glorious. I’ve been to the riverbanks of gentle being. I’ve watched the sun come up on the hazy valleys of our essential being. I’ve witnessed the willows weep as the seasons of peace pass on our insignificant magnificence.”

“Sweet Thoughts” by Jacob Escott

AND NOW I’VE READ PROWL, WHO SHOULD I GIVE MY COPY TO?
Pass your copy on to a real underground artist who could become one of the Predators or someone else who wants to join the party. PROWLHOUSE is about building a network of creatives and celebrating our worth, while marking the next big movements. Or give the copy to someone who might want to invest some cash into our next issue! Remember to write your name inside so as the copy gets passed on you will always exist with it and the next reader can look you up and make friends.

Issue one of Prowl magazine is available now. The editors encourage sharing. For information about events go to www.prowlhouse.info

 @ProwlHouse

DESERT ROSE: ERICA JAGO ON SPIRIT, SEX AND CREATIVITY

Posted on by Ruby Warrington

Jago Yoga founder Erica Jago talks to Ruby Warrington about finding her freedom at the Burn and creative collaborations her her twin flame. Images by Michael Chichi.

I first came across the work of Erica Jago and Michael Chichi in Art of Attention, the book Erica co-authored with NYC yogini extraordinaire Elena Brower.

The book opens with instructions for a fast-paced flow sequence to Reduce Tension and Find Forgiveness, and I was blown away by Michael’s accompanying images of Erica and Elena, set against the backdrop of Burning Man’s Black Rock City.

This was yoga FROM ANOTHER PLANET. One where fierce postures were infused with fashion, sex and a powerful and raw femininity. At the time, The Numinous was still in the very earliest phases of conception – but; “look,” I would tell people, “THIS is Numinous.”

When I reached out to Erica and Michael about creating some images for the site, I was beyond psyched when they said yes. Here are the results. And here is Erica on her yoga, her man and how she believes “my spirituality, sexuality and creativity” are one and the same thing.

ERICA, I FIRST CAME ACROSS YOUR WORK IN ART OF ATTENTION. HOW DID YOU AND ELENA FIRST CONNECT?
Elena’s poetic yoga classes came into my life right when I needed support and inspiration. I was transitioning out of a 13-year relationship, my job had just laid me off and I had no choice but to take my dreams seriously. Terrified of failure, I reluctantly sent her a pdf of my book and within days she responded with; “Could we / should we work together?” DREAM COME TRUE! Our relationship since has completely changed the course of my life. Not only did Elena bring me into her world, but she encouraged me to elevate mine on every level.

AND HOW DID YOU AND MICHAEL FIRST MEET?
Michael! My twin flame. I was kind of stalking him online, because his photography and artwork made me swoon. It’s like he spoke the language of my heart through his visuals. Again, it came down to ASK and you shall receive. When I first reached out, we agreed to met in person about web design and photography. What I thought was a “business meeting” turned quickly into a discussion about relationships, spirituality and…Burning Man!

AH, THE BURN. IT’S IS OBVIOUSLY A SPECIAL PLACE FOR YOU TWO…
When I finally started attending these transformational festivals with Michael, I found myself moving my body and expressing myself ‘wildly,’ in a way that used to invoke caution to be careful, to be realistic and remind myself of my own limitations. Instead these experiences liberated and revolutionised my self-confidence. After years of putting out the request to learn self-love, I believe the Universe conspired the union between Michael and I that brought me to the Burn through the spiritual law of attraction.

WHAT ARE YOUR SIGNS, AND WHAT PART DOES THIS PLAY IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP?
Michael is Sagittarius, I am Leo. Both Fire signs! I believe Michael appreciates the way I’m not afraid to shine and take the lead, and I respect his outward focus on the world.

WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER ON A CREATIVE LEVEL?
Michael’s favorite line is; “When two people are saying YES, anything is possible…”

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THIS PROCESS TO ME?
You can count on me to take the lead in many, if not all of our creative projects. Michael shows up with a willingness to work as a team and there is a clear understanding on both our parts that there is something much larger at work here. We both know our place in the process, and our fiery passion to express beauty is magnetic to the type of work we attract. Hence working with The Numinous!

 

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THE PROJECT YOU SHOT FOR US?
Our inspiration for this shoot was really the sculpture. Michael knows both the artists, so we sought their pieces out specifically. Also, we always tried to shoot at 6am or 6pm, which we call ‘magic hour,’ that cinematic time of day with its soft luminosity.

YOU REALLY KNOW HOW TO PUT A LOOK TOGETHER. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR CLOTHES AND HOW DO YOU STYLE YOURSELF?
My favorite designer is Lurdes Bergada. I found them in Barcelona while biking near the Rambla Catalunya. The window display stopped me in my tracks; feminine in nature but with that REVOLUCIÓN androgynous feel. I seek contemporary clothing with soft lines, clean shapes and natural fabrics for practicing yoga in, but which still have a sensual side for bopping around town and meeting friends out. The saris women wear in India are a huge inspiration for me and I love to adorn my body with bangles and bracelets…and body paint!

ANY RULES FOR THRIVING IN THE DESERT ENVIRONMENT?
Love your camp. Have a cushion for your bike seat. Plenty of baby wipes

SO WHAT’S THE PHILOSOPHY OF YOUR YOGIC PRACTICE?
When we meet on the mat, I believe we are doing the work to become whole. This is an act of remembering who we really are, when all the outside programming and input is brought to a minimum and we resolve to stay present in the heart. In fact, the heart breath is an excellent way into our wholeness. Keeping our awareness right above the heart and below the throat is how we align all aspects of ourselves with love. It means seeing this life as a gift that we are the caretakers of.

AND DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL LIFE PHILOSOPHY?
I think everything we say, do and think has to be a “win, win” for all concerned, otherwise it’s not worthy of the heart space. And that if we practice together, we are in it together..

WHERE DID YOU GET YOUR NATURAL AFFINITY FOR SPIRITUAL TEACHINGS?
My grandmother was one of the first evangelical women preachers in Ohio and my father has saved cassette tapes of her voice in church. When I listen to those teachings I can hear the same inflection in my voice when I’m guiding a group. So there’s a lineage here that my soul signed up for, and it’s like my body is equipped to further the universal messages of love through art and design. I know my grandmother is very proud.

FINALLY, IN WHAT WAYS IS ‘BEAUTY’ AN EXPRESSION OF THE SPIRITUAL?
I love this question. I see no difference between my spirituality, sexuality and creativity. All three are working to evolve us into the next level of love through beauty and attraction. Beauty drives the feeling of peace and until each one of us knows how to find that place in ourselves, and to align with it, we will never have world peace.

Art of Attention by Erica Jago and Elena Brower is out now.

www.jagoyoga.com
@jagoyoga

M.I.A. MATANGI: “BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU THINK”

Posted on by Ruby Warrington

“We all tweet incessantly the way parrots in the jungle do; we never consider how far the smallest idea can travel and how it can affect the people it reaches.” M.I.A. (a.k.a. Matangi)

Music with a message has always been M.I.A.’s MO. As global consciousness expands, her latest release, Matangi, is like a missive from another realm on the the power of our thoughts. If there has been a theme to 2013, our first year on post-Mayan planet Earth, then isn’t that exactly it? We are what we think.

With this understanding comes an awesome responsibility – because, oh s***, now the ball is in our court. For M.I.A. Matangi is here to remind us all that we better beware of our thoughts, and that we better back that up by speaking (not to mention tweeting) our truth.

Everybody’s favorite rap-tivist explains the story behind it all.

WHO IS MATANGI?
Matangi is a 5000-year-old concept of a Goddess who fought to keep thought and information pure. She sits on a gem-studded throne with a sitar. In Hinduism, the Goddesses have different life roles, and when Matangi is in a tranquil, meditative state, she plays the sitar.  Her instrument symbolises each part of the human experience…the consciousness, the breath, the heart, the body…and she plays to keep the universe and the people in harmony.

WHAT’S THE MESSAGE IN HER MUSIC?
She’s here to remind us that information needs to be spoken from the heart. If it’s not it’s false, and she defends that and fights for that. She fights the pollution of frequencies – which is all to do with words and how they come out, the articulation of inner thought to outward expression – which can happen through music, or any of the 64 ways to express your inner thoughts.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HER?
She’s the ninth of the ten Goddesses that Shiva’s wife splits into when he’s at work – because when she’s not being Shiva’s wife, she’s got s*** to do! His wife is called Parvati – and Wikipedia says she’s also the Goddess of power, because if Shiva is the god of destruction, you can’t destroy without power. In Hinduism it’s all about couples – and while the men are alright they’re not the main thing, which is really cool.

WHY DOES MATANGI’S STORY RESONATE WITH YOU?
I found about about her because my birth name is Mathangi, and how funny that her mantra is “aim” – which is M.I.A. backwards. But right now you can apply her myth to what’s happening in the world. Matangi also carries a parrot – she’s got her sitar and she has a sword in one hand and a parrot in the other, which represents the nature of humans.

WHAT PART OF HUMAN NATURE?
It’s an intelligent bird because it can repeat words, but it doesn’t have the consciousness to understand what it’s saying – and how funny, today we have a thing called “Twitter” – where we tweet, and then we re-tweet! And we’re judged on how many re-tweets we get. Not by the one intelligent thing we said that no-body re-tweeted, but because we said something stupid like; “I’m having a cheeseburger” and 1000 people re-tweeted it. Hinduism works in symbols, and the parrot means nothing in itself. It’s there to remind us to be conscious of what we say.

Matangi by M.I.A. is out now.
@MIAuniverse

MY MYSTICAL LIFE: MS LOUNIVERSE

Posted on by Ruby Warrington

Louise Androlia (a.k.a. Louniverse) is the beautiful white witch behind our monthly Tarotscopes. Also a gifted psychic and holistic life-coach, she reveals the day-to-day details of a very mystical life.

WHAT DID YOU DREAM ABOUT LAST NIGHT AND WHAT DID IT MEAN?
I’m currently on a major energy clear out and recalibrating myself after moving house so I’ve been having all sorts of super intense dreams about ex-crushes and old fears. Everything that needs to be zapped is getting worked out via my dreams. So I’ve been waking up a little tired but feeling like I’m dissolving emotional weight.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE FEEL-GOOD BREAKFAST AND WHY?
I’m obsessed with breakfast. My ultimate favorite is cooked porridge oats with berries, cacao and chia seeds, aka chocolate porridge! Ideally I’ll eat it in the bath. That said I just got a juicer so I’m switching it up and currently dying everything in my house with beetroot juice.

WHAT MANTRA DID YOU LEAVE THE HOUSE WITH THIS MORNING?
“I SURRENDER” goes with me everywhere, I stand by it being the quickest way to shift obsessive thoughts or worries. It’s a way of asking for help from a bigger place, and it works.

WHAT’S YOUR LUCKY CHARM?
I’m totally un-superstitious and have never in my life had “lucky” items but I often carry something to suit my mood, very often for me a black tourmaline crystal to help with grounding.

WHO IS YOUR GO-TO GURU?
I adore Mike Dooley for his ‘Notes from the Universe.’ Mainly though, my gurus are my friends, who I can talk about everything with, who light up my ideas and work with me as we all better ourselves. Friendship is power!

WHAT’S YOUR STRESS-BUSTER?
Helping other people cope with stress is a passion and speciality of mine, and to do this I need to look after myself. This means taking my own advice and slowing down, eating well, resting and, most importantly, being present as opposed to overwhelmed by the bigger picture. This often means taking time out on my own just lying on the floor in my room, painting or taking a walk in one of my favorite parks.

RETAIL THERAPY IS…?
Treating myself usually means indulging in some holistic therapies or good food. That said I’m definitely ready for some new winter clothes!

WHAT DO WEAR WHEN YOU’RE FEELING LIKE THE QUEEN OF THE WORLD?
A vintage cream silk dress that I bought in LA a few years ago from Shareen’s Vintage in LA. It’s perfectly dreamy, and makes me feel good.

YOUR LAST CONVERSATION WITH THE UNIVERSE WENT SOMETHING LIKE…
“I’m ready.”

YOUR MISSION IN YOUR CURRENT EARTHLY INCARNATION IS…?
To learn, heal and teach.

AND WHEN DID YOU LAST WITNESS MAGIC IN ACTION?
All the time! My favorite kind of magic is when I witness clients realizing a shift that they have been creating in their life. On a more mystical tip, on recent full moon trip to the Lake District I was up lucky enough to witness energy, lights and orbs dancing around while visiting the stone circle in the early evening. And I see magic every time I look at an animal.

www.louiseandrolia.com
@louniverse

TAROTSCOPES: NOVEMBER 2013

Posted on by Ruby Warrington

SCORPIO – THE FOOL

Happy Birthday! It’s Scorpio hour. Did you know that Saturn is currently touring through Scorpio too? The planet in charge of ass-kicking, Saturn works its hardest to open our eyes to change so that we can align with our true path. The journey isn’t easy but the thing is, Saturn and Scorpio have much in common. I reminded you last month’s tarotscopes that as a Scorpio you are the Zodiac’s master of evolution and that change can be your very best friend, if you let it. Keep this duet in mind, for the next two years are your golden opportunity to grab life by the universal balls, as it were, and transform into the super you that I know you can be. Last month I talked about getting to grips with the material world a little more, and as a Scorpio myself I can say that October was pretty intense. I found myself having to cope with a lot of very ‘human stresses’ as I called them. How was it for you? The Fool is a bright guiding light for you Scorpio, an opportunity to welcome in a new cycle in your life. It is such a positive sign for the end of your year, so shiny! I know you are sometimes a little afraid of shining your brightest but this is your green light to push forward. This card assures us that there are no endings or beginnings, just a revolving door of moments in your timeline. So this of course heralds more change, in a positive way, and try and see all change as that, an opportunity to move ahead – every moment is taking you somewhere, and when you look back in retrospect it will make sense. You have so many things that you want to do, places to go, people to meet and teach. Don’t let this be an overwhelm, instead put some practical stepping stones in place as this month is all about stepping up a level, materially and spiritually. You are supported, friends and family in both realms are here to help, just remember to ask for help when you need it Scorpio. There is no such thing as failure or weakness, only opportunities to move to better things and top up your personal power. So be confident, even if you don’t feel it, work completely with your intuition this month and take the leaps of faith that your heart desperately wants you to. This month is your chance to make changes and heighten your earthbound experience. So allow fear to transform to faith and surrender. I have a feeling you have an epic twelve months ahead of you Scorps, life changing in fact, so stay awake so you don’t miss out.

SAGITTARIUS – FIVE OF CUPS

How did last month go for you Sag? Manage to sweep away some of the cobwebs that were hiding your magnificence? I hope so, as a Fire sign it’s important that you direct your leading element in the right direction. We have a pretty deep card for you this month and I want to address that glow of yours and talk about perspective and perception. You always have your eye on the prize, something that’s very admirable about you, and you are very capable of getting what you want. What happens though when change swoops in and knocks your vision a little off balance? Sometimes it is easy for us to deem changes as failures or time wasted, and there may be a little foot stamping in line for you this November. I want you to be ahead of the game so that if you feel swung off track you know how to handle it. The simple message with the Five of Cups is to see your glass as half full, not empty, to not go off and have a big old pity party when something doesn’t go quite how you planned. However old we are, we’re all still capable of childlike tantrums, or a little fuming from within. The Cups hold the water element and as a Fire sign sometimes you get a little bit annoyed if you feel like your feelings are all up in your face, making you take a break in your schedule. Feelings however are your magical keycard this month, enabling you to go deeper with your questions about life, enhancing your fluidity beyond what’s written in black and white. I wonder if last month you unearthed some of things that can hold you back? When we come to a realization about why we have a certain habit or belief, it’s essential that we address that epiphany in the right way. It’s no use just saying; ‘Oh well that’s why I do this,’ and using that as your excuse to continue the habit. In November I want you to make a promise to yourself that you will not celebrate your losses. There are Five Cups in your eyes and three of them are overflowing with love, compassion and opportunities. Focus on the possibilities and not the past. Remind yourself of that Magician card from last month – you still have all the skills you need, so use them wisely, not against yourself. Keep up your gratitude practice and finally, on a health note, if this card finds you feeling a little energy zapped, especially with the seasons changing, keep up your self care and allow yourself a bit of blanket time!

CAPRICORN – THREE OF CUPS

After a string of months where the energy for you has been much more focused on work than “woohoo!” November holds the promise of a more fun fuelled time for you Capricorn. The Three of Cups is here to remind you about, let me whisper it…f.u.n. I feel  you’ve been pretty full on in career zone for the most of the second part of the year and I doubt there has even been much time to relax, but this month if you don’t see time then you must make time. As with last month you have the number three, which is a number of expansion and creativity. With the Pentacles I asked you to share work ideas with friends and spread your knowledge as a teacher, and this month, with the Cups, the number encourages you to expand socially and get out of your solo routine. I feel you may have been in a bit of a you bubble recently and you will benefit from opening up your inner conversation with others. On the subject of stress, it will help you to put the world to rights with your closest friends, whether that means joining forces for a night out or having a massive catch up with your nearest and dearest over Skype. Let this joyous sharing energy uplift you and bring in elements of self care too. It’s a great time to join a group yoga or meditation class to get a blast of community (mind body) spirit. Of course the cups are also about feelings and if you are coupled up then this month expand your routine to include double dates, introduce your partner to a friend of yours they’ve never met before and be open to sharing new experiences together. If you are single then “mingle” is the word for you. Ever thought that one of your best friends could be hiding the love of your life? Go out and be seen. With a theme like this the main thing is to be open to new opportunities. You know the surrender practice, so this month use it to surrender to positive social experiences. Finally let this card remind you to look on the bright side, avoid doomsday thought processes and give peace a chance.

AQUARIUS – FOUR OF CUPS

You’re still on a personal development curve sweet Aquarius, and this November I want you to make sure you don’t shift to an apathetic frame of mind when you feel that things aren’t shifting as fast as you want them to. The point here is that you are ready for things to be different, and in a sense don’t want to be patient and surrender anymore! There is a little stubborn voice inside your head that sometimes says “well I may as well just give up just to avoid repeating a pattern again.” This card can pull you up on those moments when you head inwards, but in more of a punishing than productive way. Your message for this month is to just keep fighting the good fight, keep being open and celebrating all the great things you’ve got. As I was saying to Sagittarius, you must be viewing all ‘cups’ as half full, not half empty. It may be that you are entering a period of newness and it’s seems a little scary to you, feelings that could be a bit risky are making you want to take a step backwards to a ‘safe’ place. But sometimes that can be a negative space that has just become familiar. This is where it’s a good idea to view the unknown as something exciting, not fearful. Be careful of interpreting your own frustrations as an external negative energy. You may also have to practice patience a lot this month. This is only for your own good growth as you have plenty that you are working on and the stakes are high, with exciting times ahead. Focus on keeping your eyes on the prize and not giving up on your dreamiest dreams. Things can feel unpredictable around you with this card and again it’s about maintaining your own consistency so that others doings don’t shake you up. Focus on cultivating a steady flow within your life, and avoid other peoples drama queen moments because you are susceptible to joining in. Instead keep working on your own inner growth and you will get there. Health wise, nurture yourself and swot up on holistic thinking and how to bring about a mind, body, spirit balance. I feel you might be surprised at how quickly you take to this way of thinking. Your sign, although an Air sign has a lot of Water elements, and so healing on a deeper level will always be beneficial for you. Ground yourself by focusing on your highest intentions and a clearer mind will ensue.

PISCES – TEN OF WANDS

This card with its feeling of overwhelm is a common one for the water signs among us, who are very capable of feeling overwhelmed in general, what with all those feelings to confront! The Ten of Wands can often appear just as you’ve realized you have maybe taken on too much, or put too much pressure on yourself, when things are a bit of a slog and you are definitely aware of trudging uphill. However, I’ve grown to kind of love this card as I turn it over so often for myself and always get its message; which is really a little hint to say, ‘hey  workaholic, remember what it’s like to just go and call up an old friend or allow yourself an evening sitting in the middle of your floor painting or singing or staring at the ceiling? You’re allowed.’ This November make some time for YOU – which means less thinking of what you ought to be doing, and more time actually doing the things that you know feel good. If you sit and watch movies all day but then berate yourself for being lazy you’ll counter the act of self love. The Tens always remind us of the cycles in life and again with this card you are at a tipping point, the top of the hill is just there and breakthroughs are abundant if you are open to them. I always like to give you the energy of the Ace along with a Ten, and the Ace of Wands is about new projects, creative enthusiasm, gifts of passion from the Universe, things that make you ‘pop.’ I feel you are much more on the abundant side of this 10/Ace balance, so now’s the time to get ahead of the game. Dilute feelings of overwhelm with self care so that you are ready to start the new cycle that’s just around the corner. You’ve been working to be more open to opportunities and different ways of thinking, so honor what you have started and keep at it. I feel like I keep reminding you to meditate, and I’m going to say it again. Mantras and meditation are the key to calming your mind when you get overwhelmed or over emotional. You need to release your stress rather than run away, no swimming backwards Pisces, only forward fishing from now on. Ask for help, share creatively with other people, so seek out art parties and winter study groups. Change should appear with a silver lining, be ready to say yes. You know the drill. I love you.

ARIES – FIVE OF SWORDS

I’m seeing November as time for a little clear up after last month’s overwhelm. October was a bit of a wild one, hey? You have had a really complex year with a lot of change and a definite cycle of highs and lows. For you it’s been a series of great achievements with a spatter of healthy burnout, which you’re more aware than ever is just the cycle of life. So I see the Five of Swords as a piecing together of the self for you. November may still be a month of intensity, but instead of it feeling so jumbled, you have the opportunity to organize your chaos. Last month especially you became aware of where your thinking had become scattered, and now, with a clearer head, you want to collect yourself back together, but in a new and improved way. I’ve been waving the self care banner at you and this month we move on to you reclaiming your new and improved power pack. After a bit of a health wake up cal,l it’s likely that you might have reevaluated some aspects of your lifestyle so there is a sense of a ‘new’ you which might feel a bit strange to begin with, like reacquainting yourself with a part of you that has been swept under the carpet. Instead of feeling a bit defeated by life, use the Air energy of this card to get excited about expanding your thought processes, choosing to grab these Swords and use them to your advantage. It’s likely you might be in a position where suddenly everyone around you has an opinion about what you’re doing, some of which will be welcome and some very much the opposite. This card can give us a lesson in how we respond to tension in our environment and how to choose our battles wisely. I always will fly the flag for taking the high road, but that  doesn’t mean looking down on your ‘enemy’ and judging them, it’s more about staying aligned with your highest intention. Keep in tune with your intuition around other people and If you feel shaken by external energies in November, remember just that – focus inwards and examine your own potential reactions rather than throwing out whatever comes up first. I feel that you might surprise yourself this month by having a few ‘reactive’ breakthroughs where you suddenly realize that you’ve outgrown some of your negative habits. Now that’s what you call personal power.

TAURUS – FOUR OF PENTACLES

More earthbound lessons in November Taurus. With the Four of Pentacles we take a look at your attitude to change within your material world, and how to overcome fears associated with your relationship with.. gasp.. money! You have been successful with work projects recently or at the very least you know you have some damn good ideas! And there is a very Taurean aspect to this card, in that it’s here to remind you of your own ability to get a little stuck, purely out of fear of taking the next step. One way to read this card can be about becoming a little too possessive over your material gains, as if you’ve worked hard to gather together some comforts and you are worried that they might be taken away from you. Without your permission! A fear of risk-taking may be present this November and so that is not too hard to work with, because again it’s just a reminder for you to at least try and open the door to change. It’s not always easy as an earth sign to be fluid, but as a Taurus you actually have secret access to flow which you may not have realized yet. You know that saying – ‘The more you give, the more you get’? I feel this is relevant for you as a mantra this month is to keep things in a giving and receiving energy. You will become less afraid of loss if you keep sharing positivity with the world, which is about making friends with the material rather than letting it worry you. Make gratitude your only attitude this month and celebrate your friends and their achievements. Be thankful for all that you have achieved and keep cracking yourself open to a new you. This would be a great time also to take some positive personal power over your finances, so get a new filing cabinet, set up an online accounting system, or organize in another way that works for you. Don’t be afraid that a recent milestone was just a ‘one off’, and think of it more as a doorway for a whole new season of success. In fact, be ready for a new attitude this month across the board. In relationships, the same applies, so consider this; if one way of communication isn’t working, all you need is a new direction

GEMINI – SEVEN OF SWORDS

Ah November, November…the card I turned for you is full of many lessons and is so valuable for personal growth in the material world. The depth within this card is all about the energy of betrayal and what is hidden. On the surface it may be that you have recently been feeling let down by others, or discovered layers in situations that you had no idea existed leaving you faced with some unexpected changes. It’s important to remember you can use this as a time to reconnect inwards again, to hone your intuition so  you feel less unsure when you are taking on new projects or friends. If you have a feeling something just isn’t right for you then honor that. Within the realms of this hidden world you must also check in with yourself about your own motives for yourself and others. Have you been trying to take the easy road with a particular situation in your life, worrying about facing it head on? This procrastinating energy can be a way of pushing your fears to the back of the cupboard. Jut remember that covering up fears sometimes means they only end up coming back with more gusto. The concept of personal power is really the basis of the Tarot, and you must rise up and take charge of yourself again, don’t drift along with your own worries or other peoples’. We only feel a loss if somewhere we have allowed it, through a lack of self worth or a fear of moving ahead. This is an ideal time and place for you to work on your trust issues, and also ideas about how you view other people and yourself. Remember everyone is a mirror, so those people you feel free to judge or mistrust, what is it about them that is hitting a nerve with you? This can be a chance to practice forgiveness towards yourself in order to move forwards in a more loving way. Try not to refer to your skills or self with a sense of lack. Practice confidence by choosing to trust in yourself, and be your own cheerleader because this always heralds the start of new successes. Stay grounded, be practical but intuitive.

CANCER – MOTHER OF PENTACLES

I feel a blast of good vibes coming through for you sweet Cancer! The nurturing energy from last month is still around, but this November it comes with a boost of inner strength. The Mother of Pentacles carries with her all the wonderful aspects of the Earth energy. You feel more on top of the world than you have in a while, so revel in that strength, step into your personal power and allow yourself to believe it. There is quite a celebratory energy for you this month Cancer, with a very strong hold over your Water element too. This card shows a really wonderful connection between the spiritual and material world, career strength as well as social comforts. You’ve been practicing a better handle over your feelings, so keep at it. I’m encouraging you to keep balancing out your emotions with practical steps, this will keep your feelings from overflowing and getting the better of you. In your work life, know that you now have a place  to ground your dreams and that the key is to keep balance in mind. This means that you must continue making a place for self care amongst a calendar that is filling up with social engagements and meetings. There is time and space for everything, and you have the power to build yourself quite the success schedule. There is an aspect of expansion for you also in the coming weeks, use that to shout up and out about what you are proud off. Your love and social life can also benefit from this energy and you need to make sure you are ready  to connect with others. Make way for some surprising new friends and potential lovers, a meeting of minds may be imminent. Finally always remember the elements you are working with. The Mother of Pentacles is Earthy, while you are all Water. If you feel stuck or stubborn or weighted down, let creativity be your guide, your Water feeding the Earth. Thrash your fears out with music or painting. Try some Feng Shui decorating tips to reconnect yourself to a grounding and flow filled energy. On the subject of your environment, you might also feel ready to make a move, to a home that more suits your new ways of thinking. As a Cancer your home life is so important, it will forever be your grounding tool, so make sure that your space is safe.

LEO – THE LOVERS

Now this card is really a lot less about actual ‘Lovers’ than the name suggests, and we have to go way deeper into the meaning of connection than simply predicting a new relationship. I feel this November is going to take on the bigger energy of this card for you Leo, which is about choices and decision making. What is the real meaning behind the term ‘soulmate’? if you think about it,  it’s all about depth of connection, something that makes you shift your way of thinking and opens your mind. So think of that energy and apply it to all aspects of life, and you’ll see how it’s as much about your own inner strength to make choices that will work for you in a positive way. You just don’t have time to be conducting your day to day life from a place of anything less than optimum energy. You have to make a choice right now to let go of any low level ways of thinking, as you’ll only end up spinning in circles, blinded  from participating in the fun of your own life. Love, love, love, love, is the most powerful way of thinking! When you craft every thought and action from a place of love, your energy is then pure. I also feel a sense of ‘flocking’ for you, inspired by the imagery from this deck, and you might be feeling that you actually need a physical change of environment in order to make a few shifts. Moving house might not be totally out of sight over the coming months. Find comfort in familiar friends and trusted loves, let them remind you what a meaningful connection is and try to apply that to meeting new people going forward. Most of all, this November is about digging deep and remembering who you are and what you want – which is easy to say and so much harder to do. But let your past be your teacher and your healer, enable nostalgia to accelerate your progress by showing you what definitely hasn’t worked. That is the only push you need to move forward. I feel very strongly that if you focus on your own self worth and connection to your highest light, you will be way ahead of the game and on board to tackle and welcome any changes that may arrive in the next few weeks.

VIRGO – THE STAR

Star light, shine bright. You are glowing with the energy of this card over the next few weeks Virgo and all because you survived the past few months. Well done! I see a big leap forward out from the darkness and so much possibility and opportunity around you. This is a very magical card with a real focus on self expression. Any worries or concerns this month, work them out in a creative way. Let ideas flow, have pens, paint, thread and music at the ready, get it all out and you will see how things shift. You are upping your game too, you’ve planted loads of seeds and seen them grow and now you want more of that same. You know that the art of manifestation works so keep going. You also have a voice so be social, which is not about over doing it – but you will want to find the times and the places to get out there and feel part of something, whether it’s teaching about some of your biggest passions or sitting amongst like minds with your thinking cap on. I feel it’s really important that you’re open to see the change that you’ve been trying to manifest, as in November the Universe may be sending you some heavy winks and nudges. You are allowed to be proud of the life you have built and the things you have worked so so hard for, so give yourself recognition and celebrate this magical life. If you’re reading all this thinking ‘this is SO not how I feel,’ then at least have a go at working with the energy of The Star. This card is about inspiration and beginnings. You are encouraged to have your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground. Know that even your biggest dreams are achievable by simply placing one foot in front of the other. I would love to you work on any struggles with your self esteem and know that you are worthy of the things you wish for. To regain your personal power you must allow yourself to have it! You know deep down that self punishment doesn’t get you anywhere, and it’s time to dust off that way of thinking and allow loving thoughts to flow through you. Keep practicing the positive and it will eventually outweigh the negative. You are the darling of the Tarot deck this month, so have faith.

LIBRA – FATHER OF PENTACLES

Snap. Out of a whole deck I have turned the same card for you as last month, so together, let us expand on the energy you felt around October. I spoke to you before about the dominant energy of this card and how it might be reflecting the opinions of others around you. This month I would like to work on you channeling the power of this card for your own personal advantage and strength! As I said before, confidence is a key word with this card and I want you to think about what this Father represents. He holds all the power of the Earth element. This means that he has learned to make the material world work for him, which is really something to celebrate. This is your lesson for November, and it comes with a need to be willing to accept material success and celebrate it when you have it. A lot of us have issues surrounding money, and it can be so easy to take on a lack mentality; thinking, for instance, ‘I can’t afford that’, ‘I don’t have enough’ etc. You can see how this way of speaking only encourages negative energy and gives away your personal power. By doing that you also invite yourself to feel trapped and fearful of the material world. There are practical steps to help with this. Don’t be afraid of organization! If you feel totally overwhelmed by the idea of instigating order and structure in your affairs, then teach yourself a way that works for you. Procrastination can be overcome by practicality, as step by step little shifts enable you to move forward. This is especially important for those of you with a very creative mind, where order can be your biggest friend and help you gain the success you deserve. See this card as also showing a continuation of what you have been working on over the last few weeks, including a second chance with some particular struggles. Keep pushing on with the ideas you were cultivating back in the end of Summer, I know you have things that you want to see come to fruition and it’s likely by the end of the month you really notice some changes. This card can really signal new stability and the fact that it has come up twice makes me feel that you are in a truly transformational time regarding this earthly plane. Keep reminding yourself what it is that you want, have your abundant life in your mind’s eye so that you can shape it around yourself. I’m excited to see how things develop next month. Go Libra go!

Cast using The Wild Unknown deck.

Like what you’re reading? You can connect with Louise at [email protected] to discuss a private tarot session, or a reading for your event or party! More information about her coaching and holistic therapy sessions can also be found at www.louiseandrolia.com.

@louniverse

PSYCHED! BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE WEEKLY WILLIAMSBURG SPIRIT SEANCE

Posted on by Ruby Warrington

It’s 6.45pm at Betsy and Bryan’s place, and Bryan is “taking care of the space” ahead of tonight’s Weekly Williamsburg Spirit Séance. The altar is set with a few crystals and a candle, and thick coils of smoke from some heady Copal incense mingle with the savoury scent of the sage “smudge stick” he is using to clear and prepare the space.

The event, which Betsy, a.k.a. Psychic Betsy, has been hosting on regular Thursdays since Fall 2011, begins at seven sharp. “On the email it says not to ring the bell before 6.50pm,” says Betsy, “and we pretty much keep to schedule.”

Betsy and Bryan on their terrace with Pie Pants.

When you read the word “séance” the first image that springs to mind probably isn’t a cute hipster couple dressed head-to-toe in white. In fact, most people I told I’d be attending tonight replied that they’d be “petrified” to be in my shoes. “Well most people have seen The Exorcist,” jokes Betsy, “but think about it. If you believe that Spirit is actually a benevolent force that connects us all as human beings, what is there to be afraid of?”

Even better, what might I discover about my own “magnetic and psychic powers” (as it says on the flyer) tonight? Describing the weekly séance as “like my pro bono work” (a $10 “suggested donation” sure beats her regular $270 hourly rate) Betsy says she established the event because she wants to encourage this kind of exploration in people. “I always wanted to teach psychic development, and the idea is for everybody in the circle to see what messages come through for them too.”

It’s safe to say that despite the butterflies gathering for a flutter flash-mob in my stomach, I’m now “psyched” for the event to begin.

Sage, Copal, a rattle and a sacred fan.
Crystals decorating the altar.

We all have the power
The séance is open to nine bodies each week, and once this evening’s group has arrived we are swiftly seated, ready to begin. Betsy kicks things off with a talk about the nature of Spirit and the different ways we as humans can all receive messages from the “other side.”

How we receive messages
Betsy tells us she is mainly “clairaudient” – “meaning I hear things, literally like a voice in my head” – and “clairvoyant”, meaning she also receives messages as images. But they can also come through as smells (clairscent), a taste in the mouth (clairgustance) or even just a feeling or sensation (clairsentience). “So how do you think you connect?” is her question to the group.

And how to interpret what they mean
So once you receive a psychic impression, the trick is to get into the feeling you associate with it. The image, sound, smell or whatever is just a symbol for the actual message that wants to come through, explains Betsy; “and then you have to share it, to see if it resonates.” In other words, don’t be shy, “or get embarrassed that you might be wrong. Because there is no wrong answer, you might just need to do some more interpretation.”

You can’t judge “success” on how a person reacts #1
Audience prepped Betsy begins with a short prayer calling in the spirits, followed by a guided meditation to welcome a more receptive energy. She then goes from person to person to deliver a short reading from whoever has come through for them. First up is David – likely, I’ve got “a feeling,” the least receptive person in the group. “I didn’t want to start with you, but Sprit had other plans,” laughs Betsy. As she explained before the session, “how the first person reacts tends to be how the group then reacts.” As she goes on to describe a distant dead relative, David, predictably, plays dumb.

I’m getting…the color purple?
As she goes around the circle, Betsy encourages us to share any messages we might also be getting – “learning to trust what you’re seeing is the hard part, but it’s all about practise,” she reminds us. And so, when a vivid curtain of purple unfurls in front of my mind’s eye as Sarah (who seems way more into it than David) is getting her reading, I dig into the associations that come up.

Firstly, it’s undoubtedly “Silk Cut purple” – a very specific shade of magenta used to advertise the brand of cigarettes I smoked when I was trying to be cool in middle school. And as for my feelings about Silk Cut…well I always thought cigarettes looked chic, but were kind of gross at the same time. The sensation in my body is a conflict between wanting to smoke, and feeling disgusted by it. “Are you…trying to stop smoking Sarah?” I pipe up timidly. Is this how it works?

You can’t judge “success” on how a person reacts #2
Sarah shrugs her shoulders and shakes her head. Oh well, I tried! But it’s only after the event that another person in the group comes over to tell me that just this week they decided to give up smoking weed…interesting as Silk Cut was the brand of tobacco I first learned to roll a joint with. OMeffingG…I’m psychic!!

Bryan preparing to sage the space after the event.
Betsy can also bend spoons with her mind.

Manifesting fireworks!
Finally it’s my turn, and Betsy wants to tell me; “I’m seeing flowers turning into fireworks…” And as she says the word, what d’you know – a kick-ass firework display starts up outside the window. And it doesn’t stop. For my entire reading (in which my Grandfather, a renowned workaholic, comes through to tell me not to neglect the fun-and-family loving part of me – thanks Gramps).

We’re all kind of bowled over by the…coincidence? “You know it’s you doing that…” Betsy laughs at one point, as the swhooshes and whoops outside get almost too loud for us to hear her speak.

Who knows, but I’m sold. If there is something out there, the fireworks incident is enough for me to believe that I’ve connected with the Universal oneness in some way tonight. On the way home, I check my Instagram feed – and sure enough, people are all like “what the hell, random fireworks over the East River…” I want to comment to them all; “you’re welcome. Just another reminder that life’s a celebration, right?”

The Weekly Williamsburg Spirit Séance is every Thursday from 7-9pm. For more information and to reserve your space click here. 

www.psychicbetsy.com
@PsychicBetsy

TO THE FUTURE: A MYSTICAL JOURNEY WITH JULES KIM

Posted on by Ruby Warrington

New York jewelry designer Jules Kim views the world through a unique lens, where pixie queens and pop divas wear her creations like they’re living, breathing creatures. She talks self-expression, sweating it out and the beauty of imperfection with Ruby Warrington. Photos: Annie Powers. Styling: Raquel Griffin. Hair: Sayo Takegami. Makeup: Deanna Melluso. 

Cut-out t-shirt, Raquel Allegra; Rings, Bijules.

The latest collection is a re-birthing of your signature pieces – when was the last time you felt re-born? Why?
It was just a few days ago in Paris. I walked from the showroom I was based in in Palais Royal to Rue de Rivoli, where I saw my pieces on display in the Louvre’s retail boutique…none of my contemporaries were there to share this moment with me – none of my family, none of my friends – it was just for me…It was an overwhelming and humble feeling to allow a success such as this radiate through me…

How did that feel, physically?
I had been running from appointment to rendezvous, so exasperated, and my heart stilled and stopped racing when I stood in front of the glass jewelry case with the Bijules pieces shining beneath it. Like little emblems of hope, I was so proud.

You must feel very connected to your creations…
Bijules has been a passion project and always will be, and I believe that to have had developed something so heart-driven means it will grow into exactly what I intend it to be.

It strikes me that you see things with different eyes to other people. How do you maintain your unique worldview?
It has something to do with being an open and honest human being with a great compassion for others, almost to a fault…

How so?
I often find myself leading others to finding something they love, be it a person, a place, or even a job. But sometimes I can give too much and not ask for anything in return, and karma is not a single player game!  As an artist, I search for and absorb beauty 24 hours a day, any place I am…and I believe humility will always enrich my view of the world and allow for my original ideas to take shape.

Blouse, YSL.

Where did you ‘learn’ this – were you the same as a kid?
I’d like to hope so. My mom showed my sister and I how real beauty is natural and cannot be preconceived. I am half Korean and not one of my childhood friends could understand that, so most of my childhood I was searching for different looking things. Knowing they were different made them akin to me.

What is perfect about imperfection to you?
Classic…I say that alllll the time! I find perfection completely unattainable, just as success is always subjective. But it is the pursuit of perfection that gives me satisfaction. Even if the end goal is constantly evolving to suit the actuality of the pursuit.

Somebody told me that in New York, no-body will take you seriously until you’ve tried and failed at something. Because real strength of character comes from picking yourself up and trying again. What have been the most useful mistakes you’ve made?
There have been a combination of repeat offences when I’ve tried to work overnight miracles for celebrities. I guess I’ve learned that unwavering honesty and real originality are what lay the groundwork for true success.

What other major life lessons have you experienced?
I was raised by a single mother who struggled to find her own happiness and I saw very clearly that life is more complicated than one might ever assume. I feel gifted and blessed to have the capacity to love and expand my own experiences into a tangible product. In that way, Bijules is actually a platform for expression and altruism.

Necklace, Bijules.

Do you have a daily spiritual practice or touchstone?
There’s no definitive deity to whom I pray, but I look deep into myself to provide as much stability and reflection as I am capable of. It is my environment and those who I choose to populate that environment who provide the most support. I also hit the gym, Russian spas and saunas for a good sweat three times a week. I’m an extreme kinda girl! (Read Jules’s report on her Icelandic sweat lodge experience here).

And what about any sacred rituals you bring to the design process?
I am a storyteller, and I use both metals and marketing to weave these faceted tales of life, love, failure, success, and happiness. But my creative process relies heavily on exchanges with my staff, production team, and clients.

But do you meditate or do anything else to bring about your best creative ideas or state of being?
I have to sketch and physically record my creative sessions. The paper trail then serves as a relic to refer to as the ideas evolve. I draw when I’m in the air, on planes. Being disconnected is true bliss.

You’ve used your own body in your designs, is this so your clients are literally wearing a piece of you?
It is. Some might perceive this as an ego driven thing but in fact, it is the exact opposite for me. My body is just a human body. We all have one. So the idea is to celebrate that by making jewelry for each and every one!

Illustration: Sian Jordan.

You design for hipsters, celebrities and…elves?
Haha, cute! Yes, when I made my gold ear tip, I decided to sell it with a little bag of gold dust. I imagined a hot ass elf chick walking into a club before exiting to the bathroom to apply her party. She opens her black box of pixie magic and inside is a golden elf ear with a bag of 3 pennyweights (jeweller’s unit of measurement) of gold fairy dust. She dips her Bijules ear tip into the gold mess and as she slips it over her own. The dust falls around her shoulders and into her hair. Now she is ready to get a drink…

So which alternate realm are you incarnated from?
I’m not sure, but I do feel like an old soul whose ideas seem to be way ahead of the curve – and I thoroughly enjoy being first.

Il futuro is….?
Il futuro is Italian for ‘the future’….and mine is paved in gemstones, semi-opaque black diamonds flipped upside down and lots of crazy pieces, made for a few good people.

www.bijulesnyc.com
@bijules

WELLBEING 101: A LOOK AT NUMEROLOGY FOR HEALTH

Posted on by Felicia Bender

We all have our Achilles heel, that recurring something that seems to undermine our overall wellbeing. After a magic potion to fix it? Practical numerologist Felicia Bender has some insight into the underlying health issues that have got your number.

Beyond the ever-present headlines about the obesity epidemic in America and belly-blasting foods you shouldn’t eat, do you ever wish you could cut to the chase and focus on your own core health issues from a slightly different angle?

Looking into Numerology for health begins with the core emotional issues you may find yourself grappling with, which can in turn manifest in ongoing or recurring physical concerns.

There are many numbers that make up your Numerological chart, and yet if you only learn one, your Life Path number is the one to know. This number indicates your life’s purpose, while also providing you with some great information about the constructive and destructive qualities that you might work with along the way.

Here’s how to work our yours:

Write down your birth date.

We’ll use September 4, 1988 as an example.

So that’s 9/4/1988

Now simply add all the numbers together like a long addition problem:

9 + 4 + 1 + 9 + 8 + 8 = 39

The key to numerology is that you always digit down to a one-digit number.  So here we must keep adding until we get to a one-digit number.

3 + 9 =  12

1 + 2 = 3

This person has a Life Path number 3

*A note:  If you get a 10, 20, 30, you still digit down.  So 10 is 1 + 0 = 1 and so on.  You also must make sure and use the whole year, not just the last two digits of the year.  It’s not like writing a check!  You must use the entire 4-digit year for your results to be correct.

NOW.  Let’s look at a very brief description of how you might think about your health according to your Life Path number.

ONE LIFE PATH

  • Who you are:  You’re all about being #1. You’re independent and a born leader. Your Mantra: “I march to the beat of my own drum.”
  • The core emotional issue:  Struggling with self-confidence. Stress. You can become cynical and overbearing. You can be a workaholic.
  • Where you feel it:  Shoulders, knees, insomnia, addictions, blood pressure, heart, liver.
  • What you can do about it:  Be aware of addictive tendencies that allow you to build a wall around your ego self – like a fortress for one. The 1 Life Path is a thinker, so it’s hard to turn your brain off. Therefore alcohol or other addictive sedatives can feel especially soothing to you. You’d benefit from added cardio exercise, while relaxation is also key – anything to get you out of your head and help you release some of that pent-up energy of yours. So get into a regular routine with yoga/meditation and regular massage as well as something that makes your heart race and your body sweat.

TWO LIFE PATH

  • Who you are:  You’re all about balance and harmony. You’re emotionally sensitive. You live to give and receive love. Your Mantra: “I want you to want me!”
  • The core emotional issue:  Feeling everything deeply. You take things to heart. On the flip side, you can become overly aggressive and self-centered in your communication.
  • Where you feel it:  Depression (sadness), hypertension, joint pains, headaches, stomach issues, heart problems, overwhelming insecurity.
  • What you can do about it:  You benefit from Group Therapy (get it out!) or engaging in friendships where you can deeply express your feelings. You thrive with group activities (hiking, classes, and so on) because you’re all about service to group dynamics, so a choreographed dance workout where you become part of one big sweaty group expression, will greatly appeal to your energy. Also be aware that you can get caught up in emotional eating, and practise being really present about what your body actually needs to nourish you in the present moment.

THREE LIFE PATH

  • Who you are:  You’re all about emotional self-expression, communication, and creativity. Your Mantra can be borrowed from The Who:  “See me,  feel me, touch me, heal me.” 
  • The core emotional issue:  Under or over-expressing your overflowing emotions. You need to be heard!  You can become emotionally damaged.
  • Where you feel it:  Weight control, throat issues, intestinal tract issues.
  • What you can do about it:  You need consistent exercise to aid metabolism and stress reduction. Be aware of your intestinal tract, as this is the place you most often process your emotions you can suffer from gastrointestinal distress. You might consider using a probiotic for good intestinal health. Cultivate healthy outlets for your emotions.  Keep a journal! Learn to express yourself in healthy ways. Cultivate healthy emotional detachment. Anything that keys into verbal or written expression is perfect for you.

FOUR LIFE PATH

  • Who you are:  You’re all about stability and security. Your Mantra:  “Slow and steady wins the race.”
  • The core emotional issue:  Rigidity. You can become stubborn and rigid, both physically and emotionally.
  • Where you feel it:  Joint pain, lower back problems, weight issues, intestinal distress, migraines, depression.
  • What you can do about it:  You need consistent cardiovascular exercise for metabolism, stress reduction, and joint mobility. You benefit from a lighter diet because you often have more of a solid, Kapha-like constitution. You thrive in nature, so any time spent with your “feet in the dirt” is relaxing for you. You’re in heaven when you can cultivate your own little organic garden, eat your bounty, and bird-watch while you’re weeding. You would also benefit from counselling surrounding childhood issues because as a Four Life Path, you’ll be challenged with working through childhood issues as a major part of your life’s journey.

FIVE LIFE PATH

  • Who you are:  You’re all about freedom, fearlessness, and adventure. Your Mantra: “Don’t fence me in!”
  • The core emotional issue:  You can become overly emotional and scattered. Or on the flip side, you can become the fearful “anti-adventurer.” You need your space.
  • Where you feel it:  Adrenal burnout, joint pain (especially knees and TMJ), addictions, emotional issues.
  • What you can do about it: Focus on regular exercise, meals and hydration (drink plenty of water – you can get dehydrated easily). Be aware of a propensity toward addictions, and find ways to express your emotions in a healthy way without being a Drama Queen or King! You’re meant to find a way to master the constructive use of freedom in your life, so you walk the delicate balance between fun and fearless or wild and out of control. If you’re running in high gear all of the time, you have a tendency toward adrenal burn-out. Over or under eating is also a temptation.

SIX LIFE PATH

  • Who you are: You’re all about responsibility and nurturing. You’re a visionary; you see the bigger picture. Your Mantra:  “The world is perfect in its imperfection.”
  • The core emotional issue:  Self-righteousness and perfectionism. You can become a control-freak.
  • Where you feel it: Can experience weight issues – you often feel you carry the “weight of the world” and so that can become your physical reality; or alternately, you can over-focus on creating the “perfect” body. Also breast and/or reproductive health issues, accidents, migraines.
  • What you can do about it: You’re super-responsible, unless you’re working with the opposite end of your life’s purpose which  can lead to over-nurturing and meddling – so practice healthy emotional detachment in any way you can. Tapping, EFT, Byron Katie’s “The Work” are all good resources for separating yourself from your sometimes unrealistic expectation of yourself and of others. Because you’re The Nurturing One, you can have a tendency to take on the “weight of the world.” Limit sweets and dairy, as those are your comfort foods in times of stress.

SEVEN LIFE PATH

  • Who you are:  You’re all about seeking the truth about the meaning of life. Your Mantra: “If we’re spiritual beings going through a human experience – prove it!”
  • The core emotional issue: Fear of being vulnerable. You’re here to develop trust and openness, so this will be a consistent issue for you. You need space and time alone.
  • Where you feel it:  Depression, addictions, insomnia, headaches.
  • What you can do about it:  You’re highly analytical and also highly intuitive, so meditation is imperative for you. Time in nature or interacting with water soothes your overly-active mind. Your Life Path is about learning how to acknowledge and connect with both aspects of yourself – the left brain data analysis part of you and the right brain intuitive side to you, so you need to take time alone to process and contemplate. Although all of us do best with “clean” un-processed food, you’re particularly sensitive to food and thrive when you consume a simpler diet.

EIGHT LIFE PATH

  • Who you are: You’re all about financial abundance, power, and authority. Your Mantra: “Money equals freedom.”
  • The core emotional issue:  Aggression. You can become controlling and opinionated. You tend to be a workaholic.
  • Where you feel it:  Blood pressure, heart issues, stress-related illness.
  • What you can do about it: Laugh more! Dancing, comedy movies, a funny book. Anything that gets you out of your head and into the moment with some lightness and humor is great for you since you often are so hard-driving you don’t take the down-time. If you’re open to therapy, this could be a good way to achieve a more balanced view of yourself. If you struggle with the very real pressures of your Eight Life Path, you can default into drugs, sex or alcohol to escape the work and commitment it takes to forge your way to power and achievement. You would better benefit from some kinds of competitive group or individual sports activities that can help you move that energy up and out!

NINE LIFE PATH

  • Who you are: You’re all about giving to humanity. You experience a lot of loss in your life. Your Mantra:  “It’s better to give than to receive.” 
  • The core emotional issue: You can become overly responsible and enabling to those around you. You experience a lot of deep family issues.
  • Where you feel it: Shoulders and neck, heart issues, autoimmune issues.
  • What you can do about it: You need yoga for strength and flexibility. You will benefit from consistent massage and/or energy work for stress reduction. You literally feel as though the world rests on your shoulders, so the shoulders and neck need TLC. You would benefit by learning to ask for help and support when you need it. You rarely (if ever!) seek assistance. A consistent cardio routine is greatly beneficial to strengthen the heart. You will also get a great health benefit by supporting your most well-loved causes or organizations – either as a volunteer or financial benefactor.

Felicia Bender, Ph.D. is not a medical doctor. The information presented is provided for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, examination, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your qualified healthcare provider with any question you may have regarding a medical condition. Reliance on any such information is solely at your own risk.

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