I love this place so much that I just had to share it with you in all it's dark drama. The wonderfully descriptive old Scots word 'dreich' nicely encapsulates a image such as this.
Ferns are some of the oldest plants on our planet. Dating back millions of years, fossilised examples have been discovered almost identical to the species we find now. It's amazing to think that they pre-date the age of dinosaurs! We humans are a relatively recent arrival in relation to these ancient residents and that thought is always worth keeping in mind. Reverence for nature in all her forms is a quality all of us would do well to cultivate-it's good for us in so many ways, as nature sustains and heals all of us in return for our care for her.
There is a woodland not far from us where we walk Lunga, our wee dachshund. About halfway round the route there is a turn in the path where there is a memorial seat beside an old Scots Pine. As you can see, it sits beside a big, open green field and in the early evening it is very quiet and peaceful. Often, when I am running healing courses and workshops, I am asked about meditation-when to do it, how to do it, how often to do it and how long to do it!? Me not know.
The Rhododendron is not actually a native species of the British Isles. It was introduced by the Victorians to these islands and spread rapidly everywhere. The Victorians were great travellers and explorers and introduced many varieties of exotic species to Britain. Unfortunately, some of these incomers of the plant world were very competitive, often being used to different conditions and therefore encountered little 'resistance' from native species-they literally took over unless they were controlled! One such plant was the rhododendron, often used initially to decorate and screen the driveways to opulent country residences. However, I rather like them and think you will agree that this particular purple flower is really attractive!
Lunga {"Loong-ga"-Italian for 'long'} has her favourite place to fluff-out. For reasons known only to her, she likes to stop halfway up the stairs. It reminds me of the words in that lovely wee song from The Muppet Show..."Halfway up the stairs is a stair where I sit.. There isn't any other stair quite like it.. It's not at the bottom, and it's not at the top, so this is the stair where I always stop". Anyway, her stare says it's her stair if you'll pardon the pun.{cringe}
Sit awhile with me and we'll watch the sun go down together. You're looking out across the sandy beach with a light, still, warm breeze, gently whisking the downy hairs on your face. The sand is stuck to your furry feet like dried sparkly powder glistening in the evening light. Your skin feels slightly tight from the salt water and you can't wipe the grin off your muzzle as your soul drinks in this scene, committing every moment between blinks to your memory forever. We've had a great day Puppy Dog!
I've really got nothing to say about this photo except that, when I was walking past the tree,
Chevron Amethyst is a powerful tool which intensely concentrates energy to dissolve and deflect negative forces. It will cleanse the aura and act as a stimulus to the immune system.
Your crown chakra is just above the top of your head. This chakra resonates to the colour White, regulates the pineal gland and connects you to the higher spiritual aspects, promoting self-realisation and keeping all the chakras in harmony and balance. White light is really a combination of all the colours. Good crystals include moonstone, clear quartz, Iceland spa and herkimer diamond. It should be noted that Violet is also the colour of the crown chakra in some healing disciplines and therefore crystals such as flourite and amethyst are equally suited to healing with the crown chakra-Let your intuition be your guide!
The heart chakra resonates to the colour green. This chakra regulates the immune system, lungs and the thymus gland. Your own growth, interpersonal relationships, compassionate side and acceptance of yourself are all governed by your heart chakra. Useful crystals for the heart include moss agate, bloodstone, emerald, malachite and peridot. Amazonite and green aventurine are also nourishing. I took the photo above as it symbolised to me fresh growth and development, contrasting the bright new green needles against the darker, more mature ones.
I loaded this photo with a view to moving to the next chakra in sequence, which happens to be yellow! Sooo, wee mistake there as we have pink in the foreground. Ok, let's skip past it to the purple behind and go straight to the 3rd eye chakra now, which resonates to ...youv'e guessed it-the colour purple! The 3rd eye chakra is situated just above and between the eyes. This chakra regulates the central nervous system and relates to spiritual knowledge, psychic intuition, abilities and understanding. Just focus on purple for balance in developing and growing your powers of intuition.
The Sacral Chakra, just below the tummy button, resonates to the colour orange. The proper functioning of the circulatory system and the bladder are regulated by this chakra, as are sensations of pleasure, creativity and imagination.
There are seven chakras, or wheels of spinning energy, that run up the body from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. The chakras act in synchronicity with the endocrine system. This system controls the functions of the body at a cellular level through seven major glands in the body, each of which is associated with a particular chakra.
I took this picture yesterday of the river Tay near Dunkeld which looked so peaceful and calm. Getting out in nature is very therapeutic and I consider myself so lucky to be able to visit such beautiful places. It just wouldn't seem right not to share it with you as I truly believe that the magical essence of the scene is transferable via the image directly to you! So, sit with me now and breath in the crisp, clean air, filling your lungs. Gaze out over the scene and let you eyes drink in the deep peace and linger here as long as you want. Feel the gentle hint of breeze caress your face and know this... that heaven is right here, as are you!
Are you oversensitive, impatient and push yourself too hard? Do you feel stressed out and angry? Do you feel uncomfortable or unwell in your own body?
The name 'Dandelion' derives from the French 'Dents de Lion' meaning 'Teeth of the Lion'.
It's late at night and I felt like leaving the earth just for a bit. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the planet's constant chaotic energies you might like to try 'getting out of your head 'for a little break yourself. By that, I'm not suggesting the ingestion of any substance other than clean air as you focus, eyes closed, on your breathing...allow yourself to shut off all thoughts of the outside world and visualise yourself leaving your body and drifting upwards through the skies and deep, deep, into space..and float weightless looking down on the planet. With practice you will find that you quickly see everything in it's true perspective!
