Water Element Seasonal Playlist

One of the reasons music is such a powerful force in our lives is that it moves us on the Etheric Plane of  our subtle body.  The Etheric Plane is like a field of electromagnetic Qi, a sheath of  energy surrounding our physical body.   Even though its invisible, many of have experienced the Etheric Plane- its what gets activated when we "feel" someone staring at us.  Or... when we feel upcoming weather changes in our bodies (i.e. my knee hurts when its about to rain).  We also move our Etheric Body when we put on our power playlist to hype us up before an important meeting or presentation, or put on sad music to make ourselves cry.

The point is:  music is energy, music is vibration, and we can use it to move our Qi! 

Each of the Five Elements of Chinese Medicine are also vibration.  Element corresponds to a season, a phase of life, colors, emotions, parts of the body, and more- reminding us that we are an extension of nature.  The Elements bring to life a fundamental alchemical truth:  As above, so below; As within, so without; As the Universe, so the soul…   

In Classical Five Element Acupuncture, the sound of Water will cause a person’s voice to exhibit a groaning quality.  An example of this groan when your first words in the morning are “that was a good sleep”, before fully waking up.   The sound of Water has a characteristic sinking quality, either in its low tones or in a voice that falls and sinks at the ends of sentences.  Musically, we can evoke the feeling of Water with songs that carry the vibration of sinking to the depths, slow rhythms that evoke stillness or trance, and notes that accumulate in the lower register.   

All of the songs on this year’s Water Element playlist reflect the low, sinking quality of water as it surrenders to the force of gravity.  These Water songs evoke the stillness, introspective, and mysterious quality of water and Winter.   Check out these songs whose lyrics can also teach us something about this season of the Water Element: 

Silence is the Way by Miles Davis & Robert Glasper featuring Laura Mvula 

Don’t be afraid

Don’t be afraid

You gotta listen in the silent way

Listen in the silent way

I love this jazzy hip hoppera, and use it in almost all of my yoga playlists!  The Water Element governs our sense of hearing and listening.  Try this: close your eyes and see if you can identity the quietest sound in the room.  Listen underneath the most obvious sounds (here in NYC, there are plenty!) and tune in.  Notice how that attentiveness brings you fully present to the here and now?  That’s the gift of Water:  a stillness and presence that allows us to transmute fear into cautious awareness of our environment.  Indeed, this season invites us to listen in the silent way.

My Friend the Moon  by Fertile Ground
I am not alone... 
At night I see a light like my own
And it is not all blues...  there is peace in Heaven's Womb
So please don't be confused about my friend... my friend the moon

The Water Element is associated with the moon and her intuitive, reflective power.  The water element brings us deep within ourselves, where we can access our intuition.  The moon is also associated with our lunar state of consciousness and our ability to receive messages from our dreams.  Sacred Source flower essence includes the flower essences of Mugwort, Deerbrush, and Cerato to help us listen more closely to the messages from within.  

River by Ibeyi

Carry away my dead leaves

Let me baptize my soul with the help of your waters

Sink my pains and complains

Let the river take them, river drown them

From baptism to libation, Water is used across religions as a conduit between worlds. Water draws us in to our depths.   The energetic direction of water is downward, as water always seeks the deepest level.  Imagine if you were to knock over a glass of water.  The water would first roll off the table and onto the floor. If there is a hole in the floor, the water will seep into the hole and keep falling, down… down… down- just like the cadence of this praise song.  Soothing, healing, yielding, cleansing, the Water Element is the master shapeshifter in our lives.  

Weary by Solange  

I'm weary of the ways of the world

Be weary of the ways of the world

Oh Solange!  You nailed it with this song.  With all the political happenings and the whirlwind of 2017 (or 2018, or 2019, or 2020, or... forever),  many of us are feeling that weariness!  If we follow nature, Winter is a time to retreat from the ways of the world and replenish our inner reserves. If you're feeling burned out,  less inclined to go out and party, or unmotivated to take on  new projects, the Water Element is having her way with you.  Try the  Oasis flower essence recipe to rejuvenate and replenish, so that when it’s time to act, you have the resources in your body to back up the intentions in your mind.

Mercury Schmercury...

Mercury schmercury.

Last week I tallied up the hours...  3 hours on the phone with Apple Care, 2 failed attempts to get an appointment at the Genius Bar after schlepping all the way to the city, and an actual six hours at the Genius Bar when they finally could get me in.  Yes, six whole hours at a tech support table, unable to leave, as they tried to recover over 250 GB of pictures and data from my crashing computer.

Sounds like Mercury Retrograde right??

So there I was in the Apple store. I spent the first hour (or 2.. or 3) harassing the tech guy, praying silently, feeling guilty about the event I was missing,  and trying (unsuccessfully) not to lose it. 

 But then, something shifted.   I caught up on some phone calls I'd been wanting to make.  I finished up the budget for a proposal I kept putting on the backburner.  And then... I picked up my journal and started writing.  I recapped the crazy turmoil of emotions I'd been experiencing over the last few months, I recalled all of the the blessings and gratitudes, and I remembered how to daydream.  It was the first time I'd given myself permission to turn off my "to-do" and reflect.  

Which reminds me of the pure essence of Mercury Retrograde.  As Caroline Casey eloquently states:

 "Retrograde planets recommend any activity that begins with the prefix re: reflect, research, renovate, repair, rewrite, reconnect, rejoice, remedy, rehearse--  re-anything.... the only reason people say "uh-oh' when a planet is in retrograde is that we live in a culture that overvalues forward push and undervalues inner dream.  We experience frustrations when we willfully push ahead and resist the cosmic directive to reflect".

Amen sister.

Mercury goes in retrograde 3 times a year for 3 weeks at a pop.  Then there's the shadow of mercury retrograde on either end of the retrograde which can last a few weeks.  The way I calculate it, there's always SOMETHING in retrograde.  

Instead of freaking out about Mercury Retrograde, let's honor its invitation to SLOW DOWN, to reflect, redo, and renew.  Let's reread an email before we send it, think twice before we speak,  and double-check our directions before traveling. Most importantly, let's listen to those inner hunches that hint that things might not go exactly as planned. And re-evaluate that plan accordingly.

If turning off your rational, logical mind for the next three weeks feels a bit impossible, then reach for the Sacred Source flower essence recipe.   Sacred Source helps us tune in to intuition, listen to our dreams, and re-flect, re-organize, re-envision new possibilities for our lives.

Add the Magic is Medicine Flower Essence Journal, to help you track the subtle, yet profound changes you'll experience over the course of a full cycle of flower essence use.   Complete with reflection prompts inspired by Water, Wood, Earth, Metal, and Fire, Magic is Medicine reminds us of the magic that surrounds us and the power we have to transform our lives.


As we move towards the Solstice and the season of the Water Element, we can begin to trust the knowing that comes from within, and the magic that is everywhere.

xoxoxox
Lindsay

Are you Neo-Ancient? 7 Ways to Tell

Forget all this talk about Millennials, Generation Xers, and Baby Boomers.  These  crazy times call for the ones I've been affectionately calling Neo-Ancients.  As confusion, worry and fear run rampant, the Neo-Ancients can be found gathering our inner resources as we prepare for assertive, clear and directed action.  Here are seven clues you just might be part of our tribe:

1) Solstices and Equinoxes are your holidays

Maybe you go all out with fasting, cleansing, meditating and aligning with your intentions at the change of of each season. Or maybe your body takes care of it for you by giving you seasonal cold or fatigue at these cross points.  Either way, the Summer and Winter solstices and the Autumn and Spring equinoxes hold special meaning for you.   Interestingly enough, many popular holidays tend to fall around these powerful shifts in the balance of Yin & Yang.  At this time of year, festive lights and candles for remind us of the return of the Sun after six months of increasingly long nights.   If the solstices and equinoxes facilitate physical, emotional or spiritual shifts in your life, you might be Neo-ancient.

2) You are more than your Sun Sign

When most people think of astrology, they think of the sign that aligns with the month in which they were born.  They may even refer to the daily horoscope for entertainment, or you might feel a particular kinship with those who share your sign (big up to all the scorpios in the house!  heeeeyyyyyy!)  Neo-ancients know that the natal birth chart is more than just really fun insight- it's a map of human psychology. Each planet position gives archetypal insight an aspect of our psyche, as well as what we most need to feel like our authentic selves.  So if your answer to "What's you sign?" sounds like mine:  "I'm a Scorpio sun with a Libra Moon and Venus, Mars in Scorpio,  and Gemini rising...", you might be Neo-ancient.

3) Your schedule is cosmic 

You don't just set your intentions and goals on a monthly basis, but you pay attention to the fluctuations between Yin and Yang as you plan your year.  You know active force, Yang,  is at its height in summer, as well as during full moons. You know that stillness and reflection, the Yin, are amplified in the winter and during new moons.  And the happenings of Mercury Schmercury have on more than one occasion affected your plans.   If your schedule is cosmic, you might be Neo-ancient. 

4) You take care of your subtle body

Neo-ancients understand that health is not just physical- it's emotional, mental and spiritual as well. While conventional medicine is about 500 years old, it's really a baby when compared to many of the ancient healing systems that considered the physical, etheric, astral and spiritual planes.  Acupuncture, for example,  is a 2000+ year old medicine that's now gaining popularity in the West for its success treating muscular pain and fertility. In my practice, we honor the Shamanic lineage out of which acupuncture emerges.  This means we're not only attending to the physical body, but also attending to heartache, lack of inspiration, confusion, anxiety, depression and any of the myriad ways we might be out of alignment with the unfolding of our path, our Tao.   We use earth medicine such as flower essences, essential oils, gemstones and herbs to facilitate inner and outer shifts.  If you believe that health is about more than being "free from disease",  you might be Neo-ancient.

5) You're etherically sensitive 

Photo Credit: NASA

Speaking of the subtle body, the etheric body is the first layer of the subtle body.  It can be likened to an electromagnetic sheath that envelops our physical form.  It's the aspect of the subtle body that gets charged when you 'feel' someone staring at you, your back hurts cuz it's cold outside, or your knee acts up every time it rains.  Our electromagnetic bodies are in close synergy with the electromagnetic poles of the earth, and etherically sensitive folks are often affected by full and new moons and
changes of seasons.  Because our emotions live mostly in our etheric body, etherically sensitive folks tend to be very empathic- and can often sense when someone is feeling angry or sad even if their words indicate otherwise.  Being in crowds of can upset the nervous system of etherically sensitive folks, who might need to spend some time decompressing alone after lots of interaction with others.  If any of this sounds like you, you might be Neo-ancient.

6) Synchronicity has meaning
Neo-ancients know that there is no such thing as a coincidence.  Every moment has the potential to answer a question that was posed with intention (or inadvertently) to the Universe.   We are constantly  reminded that we are not physical beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a physical experience.  A random song that's stuck in our head that carries a potent message.  Being in the right place at exactly the right time.  The friend you were thinking of that happens to call at that moment.  The person on the train that catches your eye.  The billboard you never noticed before that carries a special message today, just for you.   Neo-ancients find a way to live in the meaning and magic of it all.  It's like that quote from the book Conversations with God, when God tells the author to look for her in:

"...the words to the next song you hear.  The information in the next article you read.  The story line of the next movie your watch. The chance utterance of the next person you meet.  Or the whisper of the next river, the next ocean, the next breeze that crosses your ear….”

If you have ever experienced the magic of synchronicity, you might be Neo-ancient.

7) You believe in it all

You consider yourself "spiritual" instead of "religious".  You grew up on the Bible and can drop a Proverbs quote at a moment's notice, and know all 12 signs of the zodiac.   Or you can recite the original, modified, or personalized declarations of Ma'at. You have gained wisdom from the I Ching, Yogic philosophy, the Secret, the Buddha, Earthseed scripture, Nature and/or your Highest Self in meditation.  You light candles for your ancestors and pour libation.  An Ifa reading once transformed- or saved- your life. Quantum physics has your mind blown. On top of that, you're a magic manifestress.  You believe in it all, because all is one.  If your heart can hold yes/and instead of either/or in your spiritual practice, you are definitely Neo-ancient.

Join our "Vibe Tribe" this Winter Solstice!

Vision Board... or Prayer Board?

Every Winter Solstice, I gather with the women of the Kamaria Circle to explore the depths of Yin before the return of the Yang.  In our contemporary 'red tent' we honor the many gifts of the Sacred Feminine:  stillness, receptivity, intuition.  And one of the major projects of that evening is getting started on our Prayer Boards for the new year. 

A Prayer Board is very similar to a vision board, and both are very powerful tools for manifestation. As we discovered as we shared stories around the circle, both work!  But there are some key differences that make Prayer Boards unique:

1) Intention

Vision boards are  focused on what you want to achieve or acquire (i.e. a promotion at work, vacation abroad,  car, etc.) It is best created when you can clearly see what you want- hence the name 'Vision Board'!  A Prayer Board focuses on who you want to become and what you want to feel. So rather than envisioning a promotion, you might include symbols that remind you to stand in your power and stand up for your worth.  Instead of a hot vacay destination, your board might tap into the feelings of relaxation, serenity, or even adventure.  The point is the why, not the what.  

2) Openness
A Vision Board is clear and specific- its purpose is to keep you focused and moving toward your stated goals.  A Prayer Board holds the feeling of your intention, but is open to many of ways of it manifesting.  Its like saying "this or something better" at the end of a prayer: it keeps us from limiting our expectations to what we already know to be possible.  A Prayer Board allows space for the expansiveness of the Universe to flood us with insight, solutions, and opportunities beyond what we might have imagined.  We surrender what we think we might want for our lives to receive the abundance that is already effortlessly flowing our way.  

For example, one of my goals this year is to increase my public speaking engagements.   Instead of putting the names of specific places I'd like to present, I am putting a microphone so that I can attract the right opportunities.  I might end up somewhere I'd never have thought to explore, and I'm open to the right workings of a Universe that has never steered me wrong.  An added bonus is that the symbol reminds me to 'speak my truth'- which will serve me not only in my career, but in all of my 
relationships.

The Legend... The Icon... The Archetype

When I woke up my patient to remove her needles,  she told me that she had felt another presence in the room while she was resting during her acupuncture treatment .   We explored if she had sensed the pigeons outside of the window, or perhaps an ancestor visiting as a healing ally.  "No", she insisted, shaking her head.  "It was none of those, but definitely a presence".

About an hour later, she sent me an email stating, "It was Prince.  He's been my idol since I was in elementary school.  Someone I never met, don't know personally but have adored most of my life."

I received the news of Prince passing while that patient was resting, and I could feel the reverberations of shock and sorrow throughout the city.   I knew that, like myself, people were reliving memories of a cultural icon's music that raised a generation.   Recalling with a nostalgic "remember when...?" , and all of the moments embraced in the music.

Suddenly it's 1980-something, and I see myself perfectly-  begging my dad to let me watch Under a Cherry Moon on our Beta-Max machine.  I am at the 8th grade dance, feeling like I've arrived in an alarming combination of hair spray, lace, and ruffles.    I'm brought back to first boyfriends and first kisses and summers with my sister-cousin in PG County. Then I'm in Carolina blue, partying with my fellow Tarheels as the Class of 1999.  The memories- from each stage of my life- are hauntingly, sweetly, refreshingly clear. 

How is it that we are so greatly affected by the loss of someone that we never knew personally, but was so intimately wrapped into our lives?  

Spike Lee Block Party Tribute Photo Credit:  NY Daily News

Then i remembered.... ARCHETYPES.  It's all about archetypes.

Carolyn Myss defines an archetype as "psychic power patterns in the unconscious mind." She writes that "although arcehyples are collective symbols that everyone in the culture shares, they can also speak to us individually, as personal archetypal patterns that are the foundation of our beliefs, drives, motivations, and actions, organizing and energizing all out relationships in life".   I work ALOT with archetypes in my practice- calling on the Elements, the Zodiac, the Chakras, Orisha, media personalities, and the archetypal wisdom of flower essences to help us understand how and why we do what we do.

The point is, when a person lives very close to an archetype, they become iconic.  Their presence becomes a symbolic and earthly representation of a cosmic force that lives within all of our psyches. We love them like we love our best selves- because they represent something that IS part of ourselves.  Something universal, yet intangible.  An icon gives us rare access to a subconscious human pattern of the psyche- manifesting in real life so that we can see it, dissect it, critique it, adore it,  and if we're lucky, integrate it into our lived experience.

Beyonce as the Venus/Het Heru/ Oshun archetype, calling us to embrace the aspect of feminine sexuality that is powerful and defiant.  Michael Jackson as the Puer Eternal archetype, challenging the aspects of ourselves that desire to live in perpetual childlike wonder, joy and fantasy.  Princess Diana as, literally, the Princess archetype who found her Prince Charming.  When an archetype either emerges or dies, the whole world feels it.

The Legend Formally Known as Prince breathed life into the archetype of Aquarius.

Aquarius.  The Eccentric One.  The Rebel.  The Original.  The Inventor.  The Cosmic One.

Astrologically speaking, the spiritual principle of Aquarius is "individuation and the freedom to be original."  Indeed, the Aquarius energy is one that allows us to be creative, inventive, and to defy the rules in honor of our orginality.   Governed by Uranus, the transgender planet of rebellion against social norms, Aquarius affords us the psychic impulse to be uniquely, eccentrically, authentically ourselves.

Didn't he do it, tho?

Prince refused to be imprisoned, not even within a box of his name or his fame.  His music became the soundtrack for the freakiest, sexiest, darkest desires that were too unconventional to express. Rigid delineations between black and white music dissolved.  We lived through him as he rocked eyeliner and heels in all his masculine glory, helping us expand our preconceived notions of gender, of coolness, of sexy.

And I can't think of single woman that didn't want to sleep with that musically genius, incredibly sexy, androgynous little man. 

The archetype of Aquarius 'aims for total freedom to pursue enlightenment and raise the consciousness of the planet. And in his fame, Prince turned is attention to humanitarian effort,s seeking to raise the vibration of the planet by attending to those who needed it most.  A close friend recalls him saying, "I don't need any more attention, but I can't be in this world and see this much pain and suffering and not do something".

Rise in Power Dearly Beloved.   May we honor you by honoring that which is cosmic, radical, innovative, and humanitarian within ourselves.  Rock on.

Water Element Playlist

What do T.I., Lorde, Sia, Laura Mvula, Fertile Ground and Kevin Gates all have in common?  Why, the Water Element of course!  Here's my playlist to help you get to know the Water Element, and associated flower essences to keep you in harmony with the season.  

Woman (oh mama) by Joy Williams

I am the universe wrapped in skin

Come let me show you where life begins

Whoa mama...  I know that's right!  The water element represents the source of all life, and the will to exist.  It is the deeply Yang Feminine that determines the when and how of existence, that takes our ideas and inspirations and blesses them with her 'It is So'.  Star Tulip flower essence helps us tune in to this divine feminine force, allowing us to be be receptive and open to the inner whisperings of our souls. 

She by Laura Mvula 

Always taking 10 steps back and one step forward... 

She's tired, but she don't stop.

She don't stop, she don't stop, she don't stop... 

The Water Element is related to the adrenals, and is affected by our constant pushing and striving that ultimately results in exhaustion.   I call on Olive Flower Essence when there's persistent fatigue that needs more than a night of deep rest. Olive helps us to settle down so that we can gain a new perspective on the emotional and physical factors leading to fatigue. Most importantly,  Olive facilitates a our ability to consciously create the conditions necessary for renewal. 

I don't get tired (#IDGT) Kevin Gates f/ August Alsina

I don't get tired I go hard

I don't get tired

Don't play with the hustle- you eat or you starve...

I got six jobs I don't Get tired 

(explicit lyrics)

Y'all remember that part in Eat Pray Love where the author explains that every city has a word that defines it? Well, for sure the word that defines NYC is hustle.  Everyone's got one, from Wall Street to the corner bodegas.    But ummm.  If you've got six jobs, you should be tired. Aloe Flower Essence helps us when we're in either side of burnout, even in that phase of being so charged up that we don't even know we're doing too much.  Aloe helps us cue in to our body's true need for rest and replenishing our hearts after we've over extended ourselves. It's the perfect remedy when you feel like you have so much to do, there's no way you can take a break. 

Broken Branches by Fertile Ground

What about the leaves on trees with broken branches? 

Where with they go after they've done their dances in the wind? 

Will they cry or simply die?

The Water Element is the source of all life, and holds the imprint of everything that came before us. Out ancestors, out DNA, our genealogical imprint, our great-grandmothers heartache- all exist in the collective psyche of Water. And when dysfunctional or problematic beliefs  threaten to keep us from evolving forward, Joshua Tree Flower Essence brings healing and a new perspective. It helps us uncover dysfunctional family beliefs, secrets and shame, and allows us to chart a new path that brings renewal to the Whole tree. 

Here's to Riotous Roots

When we look around outside in nature, we see trees void of leaves and life, standing naked and still.  But the truth is, there's a lot going on beneath the surface. Rather than being dead, those trees have diverted all of their resources inward. Instead of energy being sent to the periphery, the leaves and branches, the tree wisely sinks its nourishing capacity into its core and its roots. 

The ancients believed that as above, so below; as within, so without.  They understood intimately that nature was a metaphor for the human experience, and that the pulses of nature resonate within us.  This fundamental knowing became the basis of Chinese Medicine and a host of indigenous healing systems.

 Just like the trees, animals pull their resources inward to hibernate in the deep sleep of winter. And like our furry friends, we might find ourselves sleeping more, valuing quiet and stillness, reflecting on the year's lessons and blessings.  Maybe cuddling under thick blankets is more inviting than a night out. And maybe, just maybe, in the silence and stillness we are hearing the whispers of our inner wisdom. That deep, inner wisdom is one of the many gifts of the Water Element. 

If we were to observe a plant growing in glass bowl, we would see that before bursting forward with new life in the Spring, the roots sink down and anchor. That beautiful moment in nature embodies the principle of Sankofa- looking backward at where we've been before flying forward. It is here in the water element that we encounter that connection to our roots- and the collective wisdom that comes from our ancestors, our family history, and our past experiences.  It is this wisdom from the past that allows us to transform fear- the emotion associated with the water element- into trust and courage. 

Here are a few of my fave flower essences to connect  with The Water Element: 

Olive: if you're feeling worn down from the year (or the holiday season!), Olive helps us to replenish.  It invites a sense of rejuvenation to toratiour inner reservers, and allows us to welcome the rest and relaxation we need. I call it "the hibernation" flower essence!

Joshua Tree: if you're family roots need watering, Joshua Tree helps us address generational, family patterns that no longer serve us.  It also serves as a catalyst for bringing healing and compassion to family drama.

Star Tulip:  This is one of the most popular flower essences at this time of year. Star Tulip supports us in awakening the soft, receptive qualities of our soul.  It awakens us to our dreams, and supports us in slowing down, reflecting, and  cultivating present presence.  (It's also a great essence to have on hand when you're working on a Prayer or Vision Board!)

Cherry plum: The Water Element is associated with the dark, the unknown and the mysterious.   Cherry Plum supports us in transcending our fear when we are at a breaking point, or have reached what we believe are the limits of our inner resources.  It transforms fear into deep trust that all is well, even when we don't have all of the answers.

Healing the Waters

Unlike most people I know who live for the Summer, Winter is one of my favorite seasons.   Best appreciated from inside a toasty room with a ginger tea, I love the beauty and wonder of snow. 

As I previously discussed in the Into the Yin article, Winter is associated with the Water Element.   It is a time when the qualities of Yin- darkness, cold, stillness, the moon, the Feminine, night, the moon, etc- are at their height.  In Taoist philosophy, Water is considered the archetype for Yin, while Fire is considered the archetype for Yang energy.

Yin Associations: Cold, Night, Moon, Water, Stillness

We live in a patriarchal society in which the Yang is often seen as superior to the Yin.  An obvious example is the pay difference between men and women holding the same position, and even more so, the lack of pay AT ALL for women in the position of full-time mother. On a more subtle level- we praise the "light of day",  but fear the mystery and stillness of darkness.  We pride ourselves on our ability to put "mind over matter", instead of listening with receptivity to the messages our bodies have for us.  And extroverted, social people tend to hold leadership positions more than quiet intuitives.

The Water Element: Into the Yin

In Taoist philosophy, there are two opposing forces that govern and create everything in the universe. 

These forces-  Yin and Yang- are dependent upon one another.  In this Tai Ji symbol, Yang represents the light area, ascending towards heaven, while Yin represents the dark area, descending towards Earth.  One cannot exist without the other, and balance comes from these two forces being in perfect harmony. 

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The Water Element  is represented by the point at the bottom of this  symbol, the point of the most Yin. Like Water flowing through rivers and streams, Yin is soft, receptive and yielding.   Like womb and ocean waters, the dark and mysterious Yin is the source of all life. Like the water we pour for libation, Yin is a conduit between the present moment and the history that created it.  And as the feminine polarity of cosmic power, Yin brings form and substance to our intentions.