Heart Center

True Peace is living from the heart center, or the 4th chakra. It is peace that is not based on a threat, but resonates within the soul. During this holiday season, there is a stronger connection between Heaven and Earth. There is more of a gracious and loving spirit in the air, gifts are given and gifts are received. Many people are in touch with their higher self. Many people go home to their "roots". When all of these experiences are done through the heart, peace is able to prevail this season. Peace accepts "what is"... it is an inner knowing that at the end of the day, all is well and all will be well. Peace is the natural state of the heart. It is not affected by external circumstances. Peace is motivated by gratitude, compassion, and service. May peace prevail in our hearts this holiday season!

The Perfect Man

I met a man today who was selling mistletoe and pine cones outside of my favorite restaurant. He was very difficult to look at because he had burn scares all over his face and he was blind. When I left the restaurant I gave him five dollars and said, "Merry Christmas". I thought that I would feel better, but I was wrong. The broken judgment of who I perceived this man to be was still in my mind. I started to imagine him with pure love and compassion. I started to see him without the scars smiling in his perfect state. I loved this man and who he really was... a perfect , whole being. I called Jacque after the experience and I felt so happy at the new image in my mind. "What you just experienced" explained Jacque, "was NAMASTE". Many of you may know that Namaste means- "The God/Goddess within you recognizes the God/Goddess within me". It is motivated by pure love and compassion and truly recognizes the perfection in each one of us. I am grateful for the lesson that this man taught me.

Not Just a Holiday Scent: How Frankincense is becoming a cure-all herb

This article was written by Allison Brooks. She is a recent college graduate and a holistic health nut who is passionate about enlightening people about the benefits of natural and integrative therapies.

As the holidays creep up among us, and our houses start to smell of cinnamon and sweet pumpkin pies, I bet no one had a second thought about the effect of those scents on the body and mind. Certain scents open different parts of the mind and body to produce positive effects, and if you don't think this is true: think again. Even the most simple of scents has an effect on a person's mood, attitude towards the situation, and so on. Smell and scents have an effect on just about everything and everyone.

This is why we invest time and considerations in the perfumes we buy, the air fresheners we stock on our homes, and of course holiday scents. And the most notable, and probably most historic, holiday scent is Frankincense. The widely used aromatherapy plant has been used for generations to clear the mind and open the soul. It's mostly known for its presence in the story of the Three-Wise Men and in Roman Catholic ceremonies, but never for clinical trials...right?

Well, now Frankincense is making a comeback by being used as an integrative therapy in arthritis and cancer treatments. Cardiff University scientists have been researching Boswellia frerean, a species of frankincense, to study the effects of inflammatory arthritis and osteoarthritis. So far, they have demonstrated that the extract stops the production of inflammatory molecules which help prevent the breakdown of cartilage. This is big news in the prevention of arthritis, or the future cure. More studies are to be conducted.

The "stopping-agent" of the frankincense species is also being studied with cancer cells. Scientific studies are establishing the "reset" function frankincense has on the brain. Doctors have noted a frankincense aromatherapy treatment, actually separates the nucleus of the cancerous cell from the cytoplasm, making it unable to reproduce corrupt/cancerous DNA. This is a major development in cancer treatment since the frankincense does not negatively interact with healthy cells, unlike chemotherapy.

So far, even though there is no-concrete scientific evidence, many doctors recommended patients with unfavorable cancer prognosis, to practice aromatherapy sessions or adopt another complementary therapy. Not only do alternative therapies help relax the mind and body; they promote immune system function, which is the key during stressful times. Patients with aggressve cancers, like non-hodkin's lymphoma or mesothelioma, swear by holistic complements to conventional treatments. Who would have thought that over nine-thousand years ago a cleansing and curative plant would be medical science for tomorrow?

References: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110621121316.htm

http://heritage-key.com/blogs/veigapaula/could-frankincense-revolutionise-cancer-treatment

Happy Birthday Jewel Chic!

In honor of our friend, Jewel Chic from jewelchic.com, we have made a birthday celebration smoothie. It is super easy to make...

1 large banana
1/4 cup frozen or fresh cranberries
juice of 1 orange
1/8 tsp. orange zest
2-3 stalks kale or handful of spinach leaves
1-2 tsp. agave nectar or honey
4 ice cubes
***blend on high 'til completely smooth and creamy! Enjoy!!

To watch our You Tube Video, click here: http://youtu.be/wBCAq15yCUw

Find What You're Looking For...Using a Pendulum

A guest blog article written by Hibiscus Moon, a Crystal Guru, Author, Teacher, Healer, etc....

I’m often asked how one can go about using a pendulum to find a lost object.

Pendulums and other dowsing objects, like dowsing rods (L rods or Y rods), have been used throughout history to locate objects or resources. But I’ll be they’ve never been as gorgeous & juicy-looking as they are now!

Now, you do already need to sorta already know your stuff & have a clear idea of what your “yes” & “no” movements are in order to do this accurately. You don’t have to be a pendulum expert by any means but you do want to have a good connection with yours & be accustomed to its movements.

Using a pendulum to find something you’ve lost can be very helpful while also giving you great practice with using your pendulum. Its actually pretty fun to do this b/c its just like a game! You can draw up a rough map of the space you think your lost object in. It doesn’t need to be fancy-shmancy, just a rough drawing will do. Then simply walk around your space from room to room, asking your pendulum if you’re close or not, hot or cold. Yup, just like the game.

For instance, you can go to each room within your home & ask if the lost item is there until you get a “yes”. Then spend time going through each area of that specific room asking if the object is in this or that region until you’ve homed in on it like a heat-seeking missile!

You can be loose with it. There’s no right or wrong way. You can do this either sitting or standing, walking from spot to spot, comfortably holding the pendulum’s chain between your thumb & forefinger at a comfortable height that feels right for you. If you’re sitting, then go ahead & rest your elbow on a table for stability. Use whatever hand feels most comfortable for you.

This can even be done from a distance! All you need is a map of the space the object is thought to be in.

My video on how to use a pendulum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqpfiDJOuus

Happy Pendulum Hunting! May you find what you’re looking for!!

Hibiscus Moon www.hibiscusmooncrystals.com

Hibiscus Moon hosts online classes that teach the science (& fun!) behind crystal healing.