Astral Health

Violet Flame Ritual



This is Christian-Pagan magic. The violet flame is a metaphor for the light of the crown chakra where you connect to higher realms.

  

You will need:

A violet candle

Lotus oil

  

This ritual can be done at any time.

Anoint the candle with lotus oil. Put a dab in the center of your forehead as well. Light the candle and say:

  

By the power of the I AM THAT I AM

The Violet Flame Lights Within Me Now!”

  

Meditate for the next few minutes while staring at the candle flame until you feel psychically recharged and invigorated.

Peace Be Still, Sam

The Japanese Stone Basin



The Japanese word for the stone basin is chozubachi. Its raison d’etre is to offer the visitor to the garden a refreshing drink of water. The basin that catches the water is usually carved right into the stone and ideally the visitor would be drinking rain water. Traditonally a bamboo ladle may be supplied as a spoon to dish the water from the basin. Often because of pollution, this water is not drunk. The water is simply touched to the lips or forehead to symbolize purification.

  

Not all stone basins are used to refresh a thirsty visitor. Some ornamental basins are simply containers of water that are used to display water lilies or fish. Large stones carved in the shape of lucky animals such as a tortoise, crane, frog, fish or turtle can also serve as a statutory centerpiece for this kind of ceremonial garden pool.

Peace Be Still Sam

The Symbolism of Raked Sand



Raked sand, particularly white raked sand (shirakawasuna) is a component of authentic Japanese gardens. Raking sand dates back to the Shinto religion when sand was sprinkle on the ground after it was cleared of trees and bushes to appease earth spirits. This is why historical Shinto shrines are often surrounded by a simple rectangle of white sand appears among the architectural structures.

 
The raking of sand is also a tradition ssociated with the divine ancestry of the Imperial family. In Japan, vast expanses of white sand are located in front of important palace buildings such as the Imperial Palace in Kyoto.

 
Aside from its sacred or royal association, sand was also used to simulate rivers or the sea with the marks in the sand representing waves and currents.

 
Sand is an essential component of a dry landscape garden. HoweverIt can also be used to enhance any Japanese garden style. Miniature dry gardens are not uncommon in large wet traditional Japanese gardens and are revered as much as a piece of fine art.

 
Peace Be Still  Sam

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