Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Lilac Tonic: How to make + rituals and meditations

 Image by Rev. Kandice Thompson (Rainbow Tree) ~ Lilac Flowers

Here in central and northern Ohio, the Lilac bushes and trees are in full bloom.  The scent is superb and has many benefits and properties.  There are a few things you can do with Lilac flowers around the house for blessings, rituals, meditations and cleansing.

Having the cut flowers around the house offers a fresh scent that is a natural relaxant.  The essence of the Lilac flower has been used for thousands of years to align the chakras.  When outside, simply close your eyes, smell the flowers and do a short visualization to align your chakras.  Breath deeply and visualize pure white energy being inhaled and flowing throughout every vein and depth of your body.

Lilac is known to be one of the strongest flowers directly connected to Gaia, our mother.  Gaia power is strong with love and motherly affection.  If you feel your loss of connection with the great mother, then Lilac Magic is for you.  I highly recommend everyone use this tonic to connect more with Gaia, be aware of the current state and open yourself up so she may show you a path of enlightenment.

Below I will give you the details on how to make a Lilac Tonic for many purposes and uses.  You can bathe in it, splash it on your face each morning, anoint with its properties, use for blessings or rituals, sprinkle on your garden to receive a blessing from Gaia and so many other uses.

What you'll need:
  • A large glass or wood bowl
  • Several bunches of Lilac flowers
  • Hot, near boiling water
  • Screen, cheese cloth or other fine strainer
  • plastic wrap
  • jars 
  • glass measuring cup
 Place your cut flowers in a large glass or wood bowl.

Pour near boiling water over flowers.

Make sure you have your plastic wrap ready.

Immediately place plastic wrap over the bowl to contain the steam from being released. 

Allow flowers to steep overnight.  Give them at least 8 to 12 hours before lifting the plastic wrap.

 
 After the flowers have steeped for at least 8 hours, they will be ready for straining.  You should have a beautiful amber or golden water.  Note that you will not have much scent left to the flowers at this point, but the elemental and metaphysical properties remain in the water.

Before you begin straining, say a prayer or blessing over the water.  I practiced Reiki over my water and I also asked the angels, guides and ancestors to place their prayers of well being, growth, love, abundance and compassion into this sacred water.

I then began to strain the water using a glass measuring cup and small screen strainer.  A cheesecloth will work well too.  Make sure you strain all the liquid off the flowers and place in a bowl or container that can easily fill jars.

This is my end result.  I now have three decent sized jars or containers filled with this sacred tonic.  Remember, you have lost most of the scent by now, but still retain the properties of the flower.  **Store jars in your refrigerator.  Do not drink.  Note:  To preserve for an extended amount of time, add a tablespoon of Witch Hazel to every 20 ounces.

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Below I have written a few deeds and practices I will use my Lilac Tonic in or with.  Feel free to use these or make your own!

#1
Connecting with the great mother, Giai:
This should be done outside, in the elements of nature.  Take approx. 1/2 a cup of the Lilac Tonic outside.  Find a decent sized tree and stand as close to it as you can.  Place your power hand (the hand you use most) on the tree.  Make sure you have bare feet and your feet are pointed towards the trunk of the tree.  If you can touch your toes to the trunk or roots of the tree, even better.  Raise the water towards the sky and speak the following aloud:  Thank you Mother for the beautiful sky, the songs of nature and the green grass that grows high.   I have heard your cry and I've come to comfort you.  Thank you for your unconditional love.    Begin to slowly pour the water over your toes and feet and the trunk and roots of the tree.  Feel the water flow across and through your toes, and see how it is also connecting with the trunk and roots of the tree.  As you feel the water touch the souls of your feet, know that it is also touching the very core of your being and that of the tree and its roots.  Close your eyes and visualize a glow of pure white light glowing around the two of you.  This is your auras connecting as one.  You have now reaffirmed your connection with Mother Earth.  You will begin to feel her presence stronger each and every day.  Your awareness level raised and your heart fonder of her sacred songs.  After this ritual, feel free to sit with the tree and meditate.  Visit a stream and notice the stronger connection you fell with the flowing water. 


#2
Blessed Garden 
Our Mother Earth is the soil beneath us, the air we breath, the trees that shade and the rivers that run deep.  Your garden is planted in the heart of our sacred mother.  Thank her for allowing us the benefits of using her soil to provide our families with food and nourishment.  Before or right after you have planted your garden (but after the soil is ready), take a 1/2 cup or more of Lilac Tonic and place in a bowl.  Search your yard for a small downed limb or piece of wood.  It must voluntarily come from a tree.  If no small limbs or twigs are around, find an oblong piece of rock.  Dip the twig or rock into the bowl of Lilac water and splash the water onto the soil.  You are anointing the soil/earth with the love of Mother Earth.  Say the following as you make your way through and around the garden:  Thank you guardians of the green.  Bless our garden with abundance, heath and nourishment.  May the soil be loving and kind and the rain come and go when needed.  As above it is below, allow the peace and love to grow.

#3
Bath Tonic
Place a cup or more of the Lilac water into your bath water while it is running and filling the tub.  You'll notice a faint aroma in the warm water that will relax your body and allow you to ease some of your stress.  The added properties of the Lilac water will give your skin a soft and smooth feeling after soaking.  When using the bath tonic, you can connect in your minds eye with the oceans and flowing water, plus the flowers of the Lilac tree.  Close your eyes while in the bath and visualize the beauty of a river running into the ocean.  Connect how the Lilac tree needs the water in her roots to create her beautiful flowers and scent.  Now imagine yourself floating in this sacred water, connected to it and the tree.  See how the tree moves in the wind and raises her leaves to the sun light.  Know you are part of this and connect yourself with the elements of nature.

#4
House Protection
Ask Giai to be kind to your home.  Take a cup or so of the Lilac water and in a similar fashion to the Blessed Garden #2, anoint around your home.  Literally walk around the outside of your home, starting with the North side.  Sprinkle the sacred Lilac water around the home in a circle matter.  When you get to each direction, acknowledge it (the directions) aloud and say "Thank you".  Then request it's protection from the rain, snow, wind and storms.  No, this doesn't mean it will never rain or storm or snow on your home or property.  You are simply asking Nature to be and gentle to the foundation of your home and its roof, windows, etc.

#5
Leaf Reading with the Fairies
This is a little more ancient practice that was received from my guides.  It uses a bit of Fairy magic and resembles some forms of scrying.  You'll need a large bowl, but shallow bowl and 6 leaves from a Lilac tree.  The leaves should be bright green and healthy.  Your environment should be as quiet as possible, with the sounds of nature excluded of course.  If your area is noisy or you have to much background noise, place a relaxation or meditation CD in your player.  Again, the sounds of nature would be best.  Place your bowl on a table or alter.  This can be done outside or inside.  Place at least 4 to 6 cups of Lilac water into the large but shallow bowl.  Put your hands about two inches above your bowl with the palms down.  Extend your thumbs away from your hands and then touch your thumbs  and index fingers together. This will give you a triangle or pyramid shape within your hands (index finger & thumb).  Clockwise (to the right) make a spiral with your hands.  You'll be moving them in a circle motion around the bowl over and over.  Visualize thousands of little bright white specs or fairy dust falling from the sky and streaming through this pyramid that you have created.  It then goes through the pyramid and into the Lilac water.  Continue to visualize this till you have the bowl, water, your hands, table and your entire self totally surrounded by this beautiful pixie dust that sparkles.  Open your eyes and take the 6 leaves of the Lilac tree and drop in the bowl. Stay at least 6 to 8 inches away from the bowl when dropping them.  After all the leaves have fell take your power hand and use your index finger to touch the water in the center of the bowl.  You may ask a specific question or simply request general guidance.

Here is how to read your leaves:

All leaves floating in a circular motion to the right (clockwise);  What you are seeking or asking is in the right direction.  Good things are to come with this situation or manifestation.  Take time to reaffirm and manifest your dreams and your wisdom will expand.

All leaves floating to the left (counter clockwise);  You may want to rethink current or upcoming decisions and circumstances.  Things don't always work out the way we want them or see fit.  Sometimes the universe has bigger and grander ideas.  It's best for now to either go along with the natural flow of things or leave what is alone.  Make the best of things and try something different.

Leaves divided and floating on each side of bowl;  Decisions are hard and sometimes we do make the wrong ones.  Take advice from the elemental world and look further within yourself.  Take time to soul search and connect with the memories of your ancestors.  You will find what you seek when the time is right for you.

All leaves bunched together in the middle staying stationary;  Have more faith and don't don't keep your expectations so low.  Seeing isn't always believing.  There is so much you can't always see with your eyes but your heart and mind know the way.  Let them guide you through this journey and make time to connect with nature and your surroundings.  Your overall and energy and balance feels low and  a bit off. You could use some nurturing for your soul.

All leaves bunched together in the middle and rotating;  The fairies are here to assist you.  You often question yourself to much, when the answer was right in front of you the whole time.  Listen to your instincts.  Remember the days of your child hood when imagination was as real as your work is today.  Place yourself back in that state of being and begin to open the doorways once again.  If you see a flutter fly by, it must be the fairies reminding you they are here.  Use that imagination that was so strong, not so long ago.

All leaves touch the bowls edge, creating a 6 pointed star like shape stationary;  You seek a sacred silence and state of being that many would not understand.  Your connection to the elemental world is great and your actions and awareness are appreciated.  Place yourself in nature as often as possible and your thoughts will soon begin to be your own answers.  Pay attention to detail in the smallest things life has to offer and soon you will see what you've been waiting for.

All leaves touching edge of bowl and creating a 6 pointed star like shape while rotating;  You have received the most powerful of message from the Fairy realm and their kind.  You are asked to walk in both our realm and theirs.  You may or may not see their dimensional state, but you will feel their presence in the beauty of small things in nature that others would never notice.  You have begun or will begin to notice how certain shapes in the sacred woods resemble fairy and fantasy like homes and habitats.  You'll become more ware of the energy flow and vibrational waves from the plant life, water and air you breath.  The ripples in streams will seem more noticeable, rocks will have more depth and character and you will begin to see more and more with your third eye or minds eye.  If you receive this reading more than once then your path is wise and you are asked to continue your ways and offer your stories of the magical realm to others.

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I hope you have enjoyed this informational post.  Please share these posts with anyone you think could benefit or would use the rituals and meditations in the healing of Earth.  Your powers of love and manifestation are needed now more than ever.  
Namaste,
Rev. Kandice Thompson
~ Rainbow Tree ~

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Bringers of the new dawn

Image by Rev. Kandice Thompson ~ Iris

It's hard not to focus on all the negative aspects of the current reality and state of our great planet that we call, Momma Earth.  The media fills our head with what seems like only the bad news instead of any good.  Is there any good left?  
We hear about the bombs falling, innocent lives destroyed.  We read and watch the news and feel for those faced with devastating earth quakes, smoke and ash from volcanic activity and oil spills in the heart of our mother.  An entire coastline now contaminated and no fishing allowed.  Dead turtles, birds and fish placed in plastic bags to be carried off as waste.  Families halted in unfamiliar land while rumbling mountains and a blackened sky keep them from coming home.  Houses and life as we know it crumbling and falling while the ground below shakes violently.  Our once majestic rivers and streams begin to fade and dry from human made dams and landscape piping.  When will the greed stop?  When will you, the average person, realize that you have an impact and can make a change?
I'm by far not ignoring the catastrophic events that have been taking place.  As a human being, a care taker of this planet, I find it our responsibility to do something, and do it now.  Science has proven that the power of positive manifestation, meditation and prayer have grand effects on water.  Remember what science and nature have shown us with the water crystals and the effects that positive and negative words, actions and thoughts have on them. The earth is made up of 70% water, and we are made of the exact same percentage. We know the capabilities of prayer and positive manifestation. We've seen the benefits from Monks blessing the water and from prayer over the areas of dis-ease or crime.  
All life and creation are sacred.  We all share the same mother, breath the same air, we drink the same water and we bleed the same color.  There is no difference and we do not have dominion over these creatures.  They are our universal brothers and sisters.  We've done them so much wrong and harm in the past and now is our chance to begin the healing.  We are one in this journey with our mother. 
I am and will continue sending out lots of healing energy & love to the world. Remember, we are the light workers, the care takers and the bringers of hope for this planet and her state of well being. We must do everything within our power, both physically, spiritually and environmentally.  I've been doing outside meditations, lots of tree hugging and loving that connects to all other trees and plant life. I've been blessing the streams and water (all water connects to the ocean).  It's what I feel I was placed here to do.  Without these scared elements, the human race will not survive.  We will cause our very own extinction if we choose ignore the current state and no nothing.  We can not continue with the harm we have been doing.  It is time for a new era, a new way of thinking and a new way of living that restores the great balance our native ancestors speak of. 
Raise your energies as high as you can for global love & healing. Bless the rivers and streams, love & nurture the trees, meditate for yourself and the world as a whole entity. Detach from the media outlets and focus on the end results of the awareness these events are causing. To every disaster there is a blessing and to every life there is death. We have the balance and power within ourselves to do so much, yet so many do so little.  Follow your heart for your home, for your love of life and your own family.  Our very livelihood and the future of generations to come is at risk.  The time to get back to basics and doing no harm is now.   
It does not matter your religion or faith and all politics should be set aside.  They do not play a role in the healing of our mother, you and I play that vital role.  We can not depend on others to fix the wrongs, but we must depend on our self and our inner guidance.  We can be the answer to our own prayers.  It's a choice that you were given they day you were born into this beautiful world.  You still have that choice if you choose to acknowledge and use it.
Gather groups in your current locations for global healing. Hold mass prayer sessions and drum circles.  Keep your focus on the end result you wish to see for the planet and humanity as a whole.  The awareness is being raised already with so many natural and man made events taking place right now.  
My ancestors say that if we do not change and awaken from this sleep that our skies will turn red, our rivers dry and the animals will run to the deepest parts of the forest.  They say we will smell the rotting death across the land and the dust so thick that one will not be able to see the sky. The trees are the hair of our mother, the water and oil are her veins and blood and the land is her beautiful body. 
Love thy mother and here her cries so that we may bring her hope and love. We are one in this healing. There can be no separation, it is a global awareness that affects each and every one of us.
 
There is hope for tomorrow if you allow it.  Choose the world you wish to walk in, do not place walls within your world that divide you from all of humanity.  Your politics or religions should all be set aside so we can work as a family, one large entity and caretaker of this great planet we live on.  No one person is more special or favored becasue of who they voted for or what they believe in or what faith they choose to follow.  We are all created equal, we are all children of the universe and we are all star dust under the most powerful of microscopes.  Love and treat yourself, your neighbor and all of creation with gratitude, kindness and compassion.  It's time we left the fear behind, it's time to stop allowing politics and government (past and present) to have control over our mother's elements and her blood supply.  It's also time to stop religion from granting us a false dominion over this home.  The time to do no harm is now, the time to love all creation as equal is now.  The time to set all religion, politics and personal opinions aside is now.  Let the healing of our mother begin!
Head this advice and do as you wish.  The choice is always yours.  Be in the light and love creation, or continue to turn your eyes in the back of your skull.  Let go of greed and capitalism and walk a path of enlightenment, love, kindness and compassion.  Feel humility so you may understand gratitude and then embrace it.  This land, our home, is so very sacred to all life and creation.  

We are the bringers of the new dawn and we are here to encourage others to open their hearts and minds for the healing.

Namaste,
Rev. Kandice Thompson
Ordained Minister, Reverend, High Priestess & Spiritual Healer for many Earth & Universal based faiths.
http://www.GivingEarth.com