Find Your True Self

Ancient practices for awareness
by S. K. Smith
Source: California Psychics

With more and more of our time spent online, disconnected from the earth on which we live, it's easy for us to lose track of ourselves - and our ability to access the energies of nature! The good news is, reconnection is possible with just a little shift of focus and attention.

There are a whole host of spiritual traditions that link us as human beings with our environments - starting with those that came from ancient Africa, the cradle of civilization. And best of all, you don't have to alter your personal beliefs to take inspiration from them!

Originated in West Africa (but filtered down into spiritual practice worldwide in the hundreds of years since), the principles of "Yoruba" spirituality are among those traditions that offer us a direct line to nature - both as it is around us and as it exists within us. Believing that the concept of "god" is too expansive to explain, the Yoruba personify all Higher Powers through spiritual beings, or Orisha, who represent the earth's natural elements such as the ocean, rivers and air. By simply paying respect to the elements, we invite their energies to enhance our lives.

Want to learn more? Then try the three ways below of using ancient Yoruba spiritual beliefs to reconnect with your own worldly power.

1. Nurture yourself
Ever notice that a quiet day at the beach washes over you, leaving you tranquil and present? The Yoruba would thank Yemoja for this experience. The Mother of us all, Yemoja is the Orisha represented by the ocean. Her influence on humanity is as deep and unfathomable as a mother's love. She holds life within her bosom, but has the power to completely destroy life as well. In that way, we are at her mercy - unless we learn to go with her ebbs and flows, trusting that we are always where we're meant to be. Her message is perseverance.

To channel the spirit of Yemoja - and nurture yourself - spend some quiet, reflective time at her shores. In other words, go to the ocean (or if that's not an option, to a lake), sit quietly alone (or with a friend who wants to do the same) and focus on drawing calm and benevolence into your life. Breathe deeply, ask for guidance and say your thanks to the universe for supporting you in your journey. By doing this, you may find that you have the power to center, and to keep moving, - despite what's going on around you. The goal is to utilize the healing, mothering energy of the water (Yemoja) to recharge.

2. Bring love (and beauty) into your life
There's no doubting the fact that art and intimacy are interconnected - both are the result of passion. In Yoruba traditions this force is represented by Oshun, the spirit-goddess of love and beauty. Personified by rivers, Oshun teaches us not just how to love others, but how to love and please ourselves by going with the flow that is human nature. She teaches us how to love with our own highest good (and the good of others) in mind.

To bring love, beauty (or prosperity) into your life, or for help dealing with a difficult relationship, channel Oshun's energy and blessings by creating an altar at home filled with things you find beautiful. Need help? Jewels, copper, mirrors and the color yellow are among Oshun's favorites. Whatever you choose, by setting this altar up in a place you can see it daily (and taking a few moments to sit by it and focus your intentions on your highest good whenever you can), you create space for all that feels pleasing to you. Based in the idea that our senses are our best judge of what we need (if we truly listen to them), the goal is to appreciate what feels good - and right - so that we bring more of it into our lives.

3. Transform yourself
When we're experiencing inner turmoil, it's easy to get swept up, forgetting that we're actually being presented with an opportunity to transform ourselves. Just like every storm clears the air for a new day, our struggles become our impetus for personal growth. In Yoruba tradition this principle is the domain of Oya, the spirit goddess of change, fertility and magic. She is represented by the wind and storm, and facilitates catharsis through destruction. Old beliefs have to die in order for new ones to take hold, and her message is to fight for positive growth despite the obstacles.

To give birth to a whole new you (or simply a new aspect of yourself) channel the spirit of Oya and wash (or burn) away the mindsets (or memories) that are getting in your way! Write down your old beliefs - or whatever it is you want to release - on small pieces of paper. Then light some candles and draw a bath, adding your favorite aromatic oils to the water. Climb in and cleanse yourself with the intention of washing away whatever it is you're looking to bid farewell to. When you're finished, burn the scraps of paper with the flames from the candles, and wash the ashes down the drain.

Now write your new intention on a larger piece of paper, and place it somewhere you can see it - with a red candle you light daily to remind yourself of your transformation. The goal here is recognizing the power you have in your own life - and grabbing hold of it, without hesitation.

Are you unsure of what spiritual path to embrace? Let a psychic guide you. Call 1.800.573.4830 or click here now.

Practice Patience

It's the key to intimacy

by M. McMahon

Source: California Psychics

Connecting with another person is one of the most sacred, exciting and spiritually challenging experiences we will go through in this lifetime. Sometimes we are brought the perfect person to teach us exactly what it is that we need to learn about love.

Yet what many of us are challenged by is being patient when it's time to build a relationship. Most of us want to know right away what it will "be." However, rushing the physicality of your connection just creates insecurity, and insecurity is the opposite of intimacy, which is the key to any successful relationship.

Feeling safe is what allows people to move forward, and this feeling can only be built over time. Intimacy has a lot of different levels, and it isn't just about physical connection - though that is an important part. Taking the time to listen and learn about someone new in your life will allow a closeness that is based on respect, in every area, to manifest itself.

So try and enjoy this building of a new relationship as much as the physical aspect. Hormones and fantasies can justify your impulse to jump right into something, but it won't help you find the deeper (lasting!) connection that comes from taking it slowly. So take a deep breath. Be grateful for your initial chemistry. Now slow down your mind - and open your heart.

Trust, and trust more
One of the reasons people who sincerely want a relationship sometimes jump into bed too quickly is that they are afraid if they don't "seal the deal" and bond in the bedroom, they will lose that person's interest. If they can just show they are skilled between the sheets, it will "fix" anything that's askew.

But the truth is, most of us connect compatibility in bed with compatibility in life. If it were as easy as getting and giving good sex, why would any of us talk to each other at all? If you want a love that is built on the simple joy of spending time together, then you must make that the focus of the initial courtship period.

If the connection is there, let it grow. Resist the urge to jump ahead. Everything ebbs and flows. You may feel it more on one date, and less on the next. Keep trusting, and accept the journey to evolve. Don't count dates. Don't analyze every word you say to each other. Trust that clarity will come at the exact right time. Wouldn't you rather spend a long time getting to know one person - and have it last - than have two or three more quick flings that leave you as alone as before?

Think evolution
There is a lot of advice out there about "playing hard to get." The sentiment is right, but the reasoning is often flawed. Making yourself artificially unavailable is like trying to get someone to drink a glass that's half-full. But having a full wonderful life that you slowly integrate a new person into is attractive. That's why your self-care is crucial to nurturing a relationship. Don't drop your life when you sense that your connection is growing. Yes, you might clear your Saturday nights, of course - but dropping plans with friends, giving up your fitness routine, or spending every night at your new love's apartment is just going to tell your new partner - "you are my whole life!" And that's a countdown to an ending - because the pressure becomes unbearable on them. Allow this next level of connection to evolve. Just because the connection is there doesn't mean it's time to change addresses, share finances, or adopt pets together! One day at a time... more will eventually be revealed.

No expectations!
Don't judge the speed of this relationship against anyone else's romances - or measure it by your own past relationships! If you surrender the fact that this is an utterly new relationship unlike any others, your path to love will be yours only - completely unique, and divine. You will relax into a profound freedom. There are only three outcomes to taking it slow: 1) it will grow into a deep and stable love, 2) you will lose interest, 3) the other party will lose interest. If you lose interest, you'll realize it was a good thing you found out before you had a joint credit card with them. If they lose interest, you'll have the clarity to look elsewhere. If it grows into a deep and stable love, it won't matter how long it takes.

Remember, while you're checking your watch and wondering, is this going to be what I want or not?, there is someone else in this story, and you have no idea what they are going through. They may still be emotionally letting go of someone else they had been seeing. They may be cleaning out old photographs that need to be gone from their home before you get invited over. Or they may just be giving their heart time to speak clearly.

So, pull back the expectations and have fun. Because above everything, the pursuit of love can be full of joy, and you get to bring that light. So laugh, smile and relax. Love has a way of arriving right on time.

Do you take relationships too fast? Let a psychic guide you. Call 1.800.573.4830click here now. or