Soul Healing Adventures

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Dragon Day!!! January 16th

Ever since I was little, I loved Dragons (Unicorns also hold a place in my heart as well). So, I have Great News, in case you did not know, that there is a day on the calendar which celebrates the beloved Dragon. That day is January 16th! This is the perfect excuse to break out all your movies with Dragons and prepare for some massive bingeing. January 16th is also National Nothing Day, so watching Dragons movies all day is perfect aligned with this as well.

Here are 6 fabulous Dragon Facts in honor of Dragon Day:

  1. The word Draco in Latin and dragon in English is taken from the word drakon, a Greek word. The meaning is water snake, dragon or serpent of huge size. In the beginning of 13th century, the word dragon became the English word. It was borrowed from the Old French dragon.
  2. Dragon tales are known in many cultures, from the Americas to Europe, and from India to China. It’s not clear when or where stories of dragons first emerged, but the huge, flying serpents were described at least as early as the age of the ancient Greeks and Sumerians.
  3. Scholars believe that the fire-breathing element of dragons came from medieval depictions of the mouth of hell; for example, art by Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch, among others. The entrance to hell was often depicted as a monster’s literal mouth, with the flames and smoke characteristic of Hades belching out.
  4. In Ancient Greece there were four dragon species including the serpent Dracones, Cetea the sea creature, Dracaenae a female dragon, and Chimera the fire-breathing dragon.
  5. The Ancient Celtics believed that dragons were capable of prophesizing and they worshipped them. They also believed that dragons waited to greet those who had just died at the gates of the Underworld.
  6. Dragons can be spirit guides. The dragon presence in your life calls your attention to your primordial strength and enables you to find peace. This spirit guide is the master of the Earth, Air, and Fire.

Photo by Craig Adderley from Pexels

Christmas Witches

I was thinking about Santa Claus today and was wondering if there are any other traditions out there. A tradition not well know in the United States is the Christmas Witch. Depending on the country you are from the witch can be benevolent or slightly darker. Below is a list of Christmas Witches.

Perchta: The Germanic Christmas Witch: Perchta has two forms; she may appear either as a beautiful and white-robed female or as an elderly and suffering spirit. Perchta is known as the one who likes to reward the hard-working, and her generosity in gift-giving is particularly well-known during the twelve days of Christmas. Folk legends of Austria and Bavaria tell us that Perchta usually wanders around the countryside, and also has the habit of going into houses. Upon entering the house, she checks whether the owners cleaned the house well before Christmas, and also finds out whether the children behaved well during the year and were obedient. I would suggest being good because the punishment does not really fit the crime. Perchta’s punishments are horrible. One of her favorite penalties involves ripping out the sinful’s intestines to replace them with garbage and straw.

La Befana: The Kind, Italian Christmas Witch:  In Italy, celebration for La Befana ( the Christmas witch) is on the 6th of January, and it marks the end of Christmas festivities. Legends say that, on the night between the 5th and the 6th she flies above our roofs on her broomstick and, once we are all fast asleep, she gets into your homes through the chimney and leaves presents and candy into stockings. Good children will receive lovely gifts, whereas naughty ones will get only coal.

The Baker and the Christmas Witch: The story of the baker’s dozen dates to the early nineteenth century and was brought to the U.S. by Dutch immigrants. The story goes that a beggar-woman asks a baker for a dozen cookies, which she specifically tells him is thirteen. He turns her away a few times and in return he’s punished with bad luck. Cookies and baked goods don’t rise and other problems occur because of his greed and lack of compassion. The baker prays to Saint Nicholas for help and when he bakes another batch of cookies and they are perfect. The Christmas witch returns. The baker now knows she is a witch with magical powers, and again she asks him for a dozen cookies. He gladly gives her thirteen, and she tells him the curse has been lifted. The baker’s business thrives once more. The witch has a clear connection with Saint Nicholas in this story, and therefore can be called a Christmas witch.

Gryla, Iceland’s Christmas Witch: Gryla has been around since the 13th century, when tales of her exploits spread via word of mouth. The name Grýla translates as “Growler”. According to the tales, she comes down from the mountain to steal naughty children, much like Krampus. She is often depicted carrying a basket on her back with which to collect the children. Instead of delivering them to the Netherworld, Grýla instead boils children alive which she consumes in a stew, as she is said to be constantly hungry. It’s not just children she eats. Grýla is said to be on her third husband, having killed the first two (one of whom she then ate). She also has an evil cat. The Yule Cat (Jólakötturinn), roams the countryside and devours anyone who isn’t wearing some new piece of clothing.

For this year, I am hoping La Befana makes it to my door. I am hoping the others do not have my address.

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Vampires

What is your favorite Vampire movie? Twilight? Interview with the Vampire? What We Do in the Shadows? (I completely recommend, What We Do in the Shadows?, if you have not seen it). Watching movies got me thinking about real vampires. So, I did some research to see if there are real vampires.

As you know a Vampire, also spelled vampyre, in popular legend, is a creature, often fanged, that preys upon humans, generally by consuming their blood. This legend may became intertwined with a blood disorder called porphyria, which has has been with us for millennia and became prevalent among the nobility and royalty of Eastern Europe. Porphyria is an inherited blood disorder that causes the body to produce less heme — a critical component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body tissues. Porphyria is sometimes referred to as the “vampyre disease.”

Symptoms of patients with porphyria:

  • Sensitivity to sunlight, leading to facial disfigurement, blackened skin and hair growth.
  • Gums will eventually recede, exposing the teeth, which then look like fangs.
  • Because the urine of persons with porphyria is dark red, folklore surmised that they were drinking blood. In fact, some physicians had recommended that these patients drink blood to compensate for the defect in their red blood cells — but this recommendation was for animal blood.
  • The sulfur content of garlic could lead to an attack of porphyria, leading to very acute pain. 

Unfortunately, even today, there is not a cure for porphyria, certain medications and therapies may eliminate the symptoms. 

My research also lead me to discovering that there are also New-Age Vampires. Surveys conducted by the Atlanta Vampire Alliance have found that there are at least five thousand people in the U.S. who identify as real vampires.  These communities have largely kept to themselves, knowing enough about public perception to not want to attract prying eyes. According Joseph Laycock, Ph.D., an assistant professor of religious studies at the Texas State University, and author of Vampires Today: The Truth about Modern Vampires, they drink blood because they believe their health depends on it. They feel vulnerable to symptoms like headaches, lethargy, pain, depression, and general weakness, if the go to long without it. 

I hope you enjoyed the article and the real lives behind the Vampire legend. 

Photo by HitchHike from Pexels

Bodacious Baby Names

Name meanings are important. They have defining characteristics and may have influence on shaping us as people. It is no wonder why it can be so difficult when choosing a name for your child. Not only are you looking at the actual meaning of the name, but also how it will influence different aspects of the child’s life.

I have included two name calculators below in order to help you with that important decision in life.

Photo by Filipe Leme from Pexels; Photo by Daria Shevtsova from Pexels

Photo by Kha Ruxury from Pexels; Photo by Amponsah Nii Davidson from Pexels

Photo by Georgia Maciel from Pexels

Using Numerology to determine your House Vibe

Are you thinking of moving? Are you wondering if the house you are looking at is the one? Well here is one more tool for your arsenal…. Utilizing Numerology to determine if your house is the vibe you want. Since numbers are vibrations, your address sets the tone for your entire living space. Below is a Numerology House Calculator so you can plug in the numbers while you house hunt.

Photo by VisionPic .net from Pexels

Immune System Boost with a Fun Guy…Oops… I mean Fungi

That Fungi is Mushrooms to be exact! Medicinal mushrooms are great on treating a variety of conditions, which also have been used in medicines throughout history.

An example of mushrooms being used through history starts with a man frozen in ice around 3300 BCE (nicknamed Ötzi). He was discovered in an alpine glacier in 1991. He was carrying a medicinal birch polypore used to fight parasites and other infections. Another big discovery, this time in modern history, a little antibiotic named penicillin was developed in 1928, when Alexander Fleming extracted beneficial properties from fungus. There are tons of examples throughout history from the Romans, Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese, Japanese etc. the list goes on and on. But, what are the 5 best immune supporting mushrooms you should incorporate into your diet today? Check out the list below, as we dive into the mystical world of mushrooms.

  1. Turkey Tail Mushroom: Not known for their taste, so for these mushrooms you’ll want to supplement instead. The 3 main benefits of this mushroom are immune support, cancer prevention, and antioxidants. Many people also consume it during the cold and flu season.
  2. Lion’s Mane: This mushroom can be enjoyed raw, cooked, dried or steeped as a tea. Their extracts often are used in over-the-counter health supplements. The 3 main benefits of this mushroom are cognition, memory and concentration. Lion’s mane extract may also help inhibit the development of ulcers, but more human research is needed.
  3. Reishi: This mushroom is responsible for possible anticancer and immunostimulatory effects. The effects on the immune system are often most emphasized, but it has other potential advantages as well such as reducing fatigue and depression.
  4. Cordyceps: This mushroom might improve immunity by stimulating cells and specific chemicals in the immune system. This mushroom also increases energy, athletic performance and muscle recovery. Also, there may be possible anti-aging properties.  The Chinese government has approved Cordyceps CS-4 for use in hospitals and recognizes it as a safe, natural drug.
  5. Shiitake: This mushroom is a common staple of Asian cuisine, which has a meaty texture and flavor. The 4 main benefits of this mushroom is lowering cholesterol, heart health, blood pressure and circulation. Shiitake mushrooms may also have potent antimicrobial properties, making it an effective natural antibiotic.

Now, that you know the health benefits of mushrooms, I hope you will give them a try. The tricky part with all the mushrooms listed above is how do you incorporate all of these mushrooms into a meal? Well, I have a possible solution for you. I am not an affiliate of this brand, but I think it is great. You should try Four Sigmatic Mushroom Blend by Four Sigma Foods. You can get this off of Amazon. I have put this in a variety of foods and to me, it made a difference. It might be worth a try to see how you feel after a month of use.

Picture by Pixabay 3260

Retail Therapy: Can it be good for you?

I love to shop, of course in moderation, however, doing research on this gave me so much satisfaction as well as the small Gnome called “Winkey” that I could not live with out on Amazon, I digress. To begin with, I discovered that it is proven that shopping can lift your spirits. Simply resisting the urge to buy something or finding something totally unexpected can give you a spirit high.

A study, conducted by TNS Global on behalf of Ebates.com, has found that more than half of Americans admit to engaging in “retail therapy.”

According to Psychology Today by Kit Yarrow Ph.D., there are five therapeutic benefits of shopping:

  • Easing Transitions: If you are having a major transition in your life, shopping may give you a little boost.
  • Dressing for Success: Looking the part is essential, especially when you are applying for a new job. A new item to wear for the job interview will help your confidence.
  • The Pleasure Boost of Creativity and Aesthetics: Being creative with your style is a total mood booster, like revamping your hot 80’s leg warmers with the gold neckless you just bought.
  • Relaxation and Escape: Going on a shopping hunt can relax your inner soul in ways that can’t be explained. This is done by searching and yearning for that unexpected joy of finding the object you did not know you wanted.
  • Social Connection: Bonding with friends over the experience of hunting for that special deal.

Disclaimer: Of course reasonable retail therapy only works in moderation. Retail therapy typically involves desired purchases. If you consistently use shopping to cope with distress, please consult a psychologist.

Simple Feng Shui Tips

I have always been fascinated with Feng Shui. I just felt it was so overwhelming to start, because of all the knowledge required. However, if you can incorporate it into your life even just slightly, it is a great way to use energy forces to harmonize your living space. Below are some simple, easy ways to incorporate positive flow of energy (qi) into your life.

Color: Utilizing colors are great for the public spaces in your home. If you want your rooms to feel a particular way, adding color is a simple way to accomplish this, please see different colors and feelings you would like to add to rooms of your home.

  • Yellow: Nourishing, Happiness, Wealth (Fire or Earth Element)
  • Red: Passion, Courage, Stimulator (Fire Element)
  • Green: Growth, Health, Vibrancy (Wood Element)
  • Orange: Social, Open, Optimistic (Fire Element)
  • White: Freshness, New Beginnings (Metal Element)
  • Blue: Tranquility, Peaceful, Confidence (Water Element)
  • Gray: Clear, Detached, Neutral (Metal Element)
  • Purple: Inspires Spirituality, Noble (Fire Element)
  • Pink: Gentle, Soothing, Loving (Fire Element)
  • Black: Mysterious, Infinite, Absorbing (Water Element)
  • Brown: Wellbeing, Balanced (Wood or Earth Element)

In order to obtain the maximum positive (qi) energy, where/how the type of items and furniture are placed and the balance of the elements are also important. However, in the spirit of keep it simple, please see the following ideas below:

  1. Use the front door of your home at least once a week. It is through the front door that the house receives its Feng Shui nourishment of energy.
  2. Don’t hang mirrors across from your front door. If any good energy comes in it will immediately be bounced back outside.
  3. Eliminate clutter, this will help open up the good energy flow in your home.
  4. Get plants. Viewing nature reduces stress and adding plants to your home will help with your wellbeing.
  5. Remove the TV from the bedroom. Although it is very common to have a TV in the bedroom, it can be very harmful to your energy. The bedroom should always remain a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere. Often when we’re watching TV, we are bombarded with negative information, which is very counterproductive to keeping a peaceful atmosphere. 

Top 5 things I LOVE and incorporate into my daily life due to exploration

Throughout my exploration of healing, there are 5 things I love and try to do daily/weekly. Let the list begin!

1. Dance Meditation: Totally going to write about different meditation techniques but this is by far my favorite. I can give Tom Cruise a run for his money if there was an alternate reality and Risky Business dance scene turned into dance off.

2. Tarot Readings: Love them! What can I say…. Love to watch them on YouTube and give myself my own readings as well. However, this may be more weekly then daily but anyways.

3. Yoga: I try to do yoga. (I just heard Yoda calmly berating me in my head, “There is no try.”) So, I do yoga. It may not be pretty but I feel like exercise has been accomplished.

4. Hertz Sound Therapy: Listen to this on YouTube every day. Totally helps in my everyday life. Please also check out this post: https://soulhealingadventures.com/mystical-hertz-sound-therapy/

5. Reiki: Such a Great form of healing that I typically apply it to myself on a daily bases (my eyes get tired and red, especially using electronics, and this relieves the redness and pain).

*Totally, looking forward to trying Candle Meditation, hence the picture.

Photo by George Becker from Pexels

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