When I received the report from DNA company 23 & Me that I am 2% Neanderthal, I was a little embarrassed. However, as I stood in El Castillo cave in Northern Spain I couldn’t be prouder. It was discovered that more than 40,000 years ago, Neanderthal drew symbols onto the cave wall, making this Northern Spain location the oldest cave art and use of symbolism in the world.
Ancient symbolism wasn’t just limited to Neanderthal. Shaman, medicine people, mystics, and sages throughout the time have always known that the soul communicates through the use of symbols, metaphors, archetypes, poetry, and mystical imagination. The soul seems to know human language is far too limiting to express the full spectrum of knowledge, insight, and revelation.
A symbol is not just an image; it’s like a door into our inner world through which we can access the energy and meaning that belongs to this sacred dimension of our self. However, a symbol will only reveal its magical nature if we approach it with the right attitude if we have the correct quality of consciousness. Symbolic consciousness is a way of working with symbols that allows their meaning and energy into our consciousness. It is like a key that is needed to unlock the real potential, the energy of a symbol.
The ancient art of feng shui is also the language of symbolism, archetypes, and mystical imagination. Although feng shui is a complex school of thought on how to direct the flow of energy so that it moves freely and organically, feng shui also uses symbolism to balance the yin and yang energy and the chi of any space.
A symbol is a mark, sign, color, word, or object that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by linking otherwise different concepts and experiences and are often used to convey other ideas or beliefs. A symbol becomes significant and represents something beyond its literal meaning when we animate that symbol with our personal beliefs.
Here are some common examples of everyday symbols:
The dove is a symbol of peace.
Elephants represent many things but the elephant with its trunk in an upright position is said to be symbolic for wisdom.
Incense is symbolically based on the scent. For example, rose would be for love and frankincense would be symbolic for money.
According to Irish legends, horseshoes are symbolic of luck especially if they are hung over one’s front door. Finding a horseshoe was considered a good luck symbol due to the value of the iron.
The Tortoise is one of Feng Shui’s four celestial guardians, which makes it an extremely powerful protective symbol. Perfect for the front of any home.
Bamboo is symbolic for many reasons. It represents growth and the number of stalks gives the plant different symbolic meaning.
The color red and the heart are both symbolic for passion, love, and romance.
Examples of Hand of Miriam (Hamsa) in contemporary IsraelThe Hamsa is important to Islamic and Jewish history in culture. It is a symbolic amulet for protection. Also known at the hand of Fatima, the Hamsa is a revered symbol of divine safekeeping, worn to dispel negative energy.
The Cross is a sign of infinite love.
Pigs represent wealth because you had to be wealthy in the Middle Ages to maintain many pigs.
The Lotus Flower is symbolic for an awakening.
Photo by Lerkrat Tangsri from Pexels
Symbolic consciousness has been central to our lives for thousands and thousands of years, dating back to Neanderthal. Consciously and subconsciously we are always striving to make sense of the world and our place in it. Through working with symbols we can have access to the energy and meaning that comes from our inner world while animating the flow of chi in our outer world.
Happy Chinese New Year! On February 12th we are entering the Year of the Yin Metal Ox, which is actually the year 4720 in the Chinese calendar.
Long, long ago, there was no Chinese zodiac. The Jade Emperor wanted to select 12 animals to be his guards. He sent an immortal being into the world to spread the message that the earlier one went through the Heavenly Gate, the better the rank one would have. The next day, all the animals set off towards the Heavenly Gate. The rat got up very early. On his way to the gate, he encountered a river. He had to stop there, owing to the swift current. After waiting a long time, the rat noticed an ox was about to cross the river and swiftly jumped onto the ox’s back. The diligent ox did not mind at all and simply continued. After crossing the river, the ox raced towards the palace of the Jade Emperor. Suddenly, the rat jumped off the ox’s back and dashed to the feet of the Emperor. The rat won first place and the ox was second.
Tiger and rabbit came third and fourth because both are fast and competitive, but the tiger was faster. The rabbit got across the river by hopping on stepping-stones and a floating log. Good-looking dragon was fifth and was immediately noticed by the Jade Emperor, who said dragon’s son could be sixth. But dragon’s son didn’t come with him that day. Just then, the snake came forward and said dragon was his adoptive father; so the snake ranked sixth. The horse and the goat arrived. They were very kind and modest and each let the other go first. The Jade Emperor saw how polite they were and ranked them seventh and eighth. The monkey had fallen well behind. But he jumped between trees and stones and caught up to be ninth. Last were the rooster, dog, and pig. These 12 animals became guards of the Heavenly Gate.
We all know last year, the year of the Metal Rat was not what any of us expected. However, the message of the Year of the Yin Metal Ox could not be clearer: Success will come to those who work hard.Really hard. This year will embody the characteristics of the ox; duty, discipline, and dependable. An ox moves slowly so this year will slow down as compared to that quick-moving year of the rat.
Every Chinese Zodiac year is based on one of the five elements and each of you, based on your birthday, was born under one of these 12 animals. I want to invite you to a free Live Zoom Event I am having on February 10th at 11:00 am MST about the Year of the Yin Metal Ox and what it specifically means to you based on the animal you happen to be.
First I will show you how to determine your animal, and then I will give each of you forecasts on finances, health, career, and love, based on your unique animal. All you have to do is click the link in this video description. I only have room for 90 people so sign up soon. If you don’t get a spot, I will make sure the recording is available to you.
Here’s to a wonderful, safe, healthy, and successful Year of the Yin Metal Ox!
2020 was the Year of the Rat, which typically signifies a very fast-moving year and repertory issues. So that was true. It also was to be about renewal and the opportunity for success in new ventures. As we now know, the world did go through distinct changes, but not in the way anyone had hoped. Political turmoil, social unrest, economic decline, and a once in 100-year global pandemic severely altered all of our lives. While 2020 may seem like it was an epic disaster, the year of the Rat did present us with a new opportunity: to change the world for the better.
Every Chinese zodiac year is defined by one of the five elements. On February 12th, we start the upcoming 2021 year which is really the year 4720 in the Chinese calendar, and it will be the year of the Yin Metal Ox, and its message couldn’t be clearer: Success will come to those who work hard. Really hard. This year is about hard work, duty, and discipline. All the things that describe the dependable ox.
In former agricultural societies, oxen were reliable and strong work animals. They were responsible for the survival of humanity. And they always did their job. So what was happening in the rat year continues over into the Ox year to complete it, ground it, and bring it to its resolution. Each one of you, based on your birthday, was born under one of the 12 Chinese Animals.
You’re invited to a free Live Zoom Event I am having on February 10th at 11:00 am MST on the Year of the Yin Ox!
I’ll explain specifically what this year means to you based on the animal you happen to be. First I will show you how to determine your animal, and then I will give each of you forecasts on finances, health, career, and love, based on your unique animal.
All you have to do is click here to register. I have limited space so sign up today!
If you don’t get a spot, I will make sure the recording is available to anyone, but you still need to register.
There is a great deal of fear globally surrounding the pandemic. Some are already getting vaccines; others will have to wait months. There is even fear surrounding the vaccine itself. I want to encourage all of y’all, regardless, to adopt a perspective that steps away from all the fear. I know that can be easier said than done.
Why don’t we collectively repattern our chi? A common phrase in Feng Shui is “where attention goes energy flows.” We are all made of energy and right now a billion-plus people are focusing on the virus. Here are some manageable things you can do right now:
1. Meditate and Pray-these two energy modalities always allow me to gain clarity on any challenges or fears I might have.
2. Be in Nature –research shows that just 20 minutes in nature will lower your stress hormone levels. If this isn’t possible where you live then own a window or listen to nature sounds or look at videos of nature or even photographs.
3. Your kitchen – no matter where your kitchen is in your space it always represents your health so clean off the counters, get rid of clutter, use all your burners on the stove to symbolically ignite your health.
4. Eat as cleanly as possible– choose foods with healthy chi like fruits and vegetables and if you eat meat, make sure to bless the spirit of the animal before you eat it and thank it, a lesson I learned from my grandmother. And don’t forget your Vitamin D, Zinc, and Vitamin C.
5. Exercise – move your chi every single day. This not only will boost your natural defenses and raise your immunity levels. Do weights, run yoga, bike, even if you are quarantined inside your space you can still find a way to exercise.
6. Stay connected – I never knew how much connection and community meant to me and I bet you are feeling the same way. Reach out to friends and family to check-in. My friend Francine and I talk once a week about a new verb from another language and culture we’ve learned. I still go to the store each week from some widows on my block. I am acutely aware that I might be the only person they interact with in person all week so I make sure I slow down and take extra safety precautions around them.
7. Burn Sage – Open your windows and doors if possible and burn sage which will clear out all the negative chi. Native Americans and other indigenous people have burned sage for centuries as a way to cleanse a person or space and promote healing and wisdom.
Hang in there! I hope these suggestions offer a different platform of how you can repattern your chi and releasing your fear and replacing it with a more grounded perspective. I hope these help. Stay safe and well.
I’ve been getting a great deal of questions about sage, and how to use it to remove negative energy. Sage comes from the Latin word “salvere,” meaning to be saved or to be healed. Since ancient times, sage has been used for many things. The Egyptians used sage for fertility, while in France sage was grown for tea. The Romans used it for digestion issues, the Chinese used it for sore joints and the Native Americans used it in ceremonies.
Simply put, sage clears the bacteria in the air. Sage smoke offers rapid delivery to the brain and efficient absorption to the body. Scientists have observed that sage can clear up to 94 percent of airborne bacteria in a space and disinfect the air. When sage is burned it releases negative ions, which is linked to putting people into positive moods.
Burning sage is one of the oldest and purest methods of cleansing a person, group of people, or space, and is believed to bring wisdom, clarity, and increased spiritual awareness. The practice dates back to prehistoric times and it’s been documented as having been used in every corner of the earth by our ancestors.
I grow my own sage to use in cooking and to make smudge sticks for ceremonies. I avoid mass-market websites to buy smudge sticks because I want to make sure of the intention and cultivation of the sage.
Before you light up a sage stick, remember to open a door or window to clear out a path for unwanted energy. I use an abalone shell to hold the sage in and then a feather to fan and spread the smoke around the space as it burns. Abalone shells are great because of the shape, they are easy to hold when walking around any space. Set your intention for the ceremony and then after you light the sage let it burn for about 20 seconds and then gently blow out the flame. Then you can start the process of clearing out the energy from the space.
The sage ceremony has a great deal of yang energy so afterward, to evoke a balance, I use the yin property of incense, and I thank the wisdom of the sage for its healing properties. Sage is cleansing and sacred and I know it will help to clear any space as well as hearts and minds.
There is a great deal of fear globally surrounding the pandemic. Some are already getting vaccines; others will have to wait months. There is even fear surrounding the vaccine itself. I want to encourage all of y’all, regardless, to adopt a perspective that steps away from all the fear. I know that can be easier said than done.
4. Eat as cleanly as possible– choose foods with healthy chi like fruits and vegetables and if you eat meat, make sure to bless the spirit of the animal before you eat it and thank it, a lesson I learned from my grandmother. And don’t forget your Vitamin D, Zinc, and Vitamin C.
