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October 2015

Mind KEY / 2015 / October

The energies and power of the New Jersey Highlands

The Haunted Wood--Photo by Reiki Ruth AmaranteNestled deep in the New Jersey Highlands, between what is now known as the towns of Mahwah, Ringwood, and Sloatsburg, NY, is a secluded mountain with mysterious lore.  Therein resides a melding of cultures from Native American to Irish, German and African American, as well as a rich mining history, historical moments in both the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. Stories claim the Natives called the area "The Haunted Wood."To Ringwood Manor graveyard--by Claire T. Dunn Due to the geography—steep and often craggy mountains rich with iron ore—the largely inaccessible Haunted Wood was a haven for runaways, escaped slaves and others.  Its perimeters were settled early in our country's history, but predominately for the iron ore.  Even today, the heart...

Confessions of a Ghost Hunter

There are really ghosts, spirits, whatever you wish to call them.  How do I know?  I’ve had conversations with them.    After taking a paranormal certification course, I went on several “ghost hunts”.  Though initially reticent, I finally began asking questions in an empty room using a tape recorder, video camera, and K-2 meter. Although I wasn't speaking to a “human” being, I seemed to record real interactions with something otherworldly. The heck with those TV ghost programs, I’ve heard my name called and what sounds like guinea pigs squealing. I've since learned that angels sound like that because they vibrate at such a high frequency.  Soon after we got our black lab Watson, my Jack Russell named...

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Hunting ghosts in your backyard–A kid-friendly craft

Getting in touch with your paranormal side sometimes means having a little fun with little ones.These cute little ghosts are great to make with kids-at-heart of all ages and look great swinging from a tree.You will need:White tulle,scissors,elastics,rubber bands or thread,fishing twine,a black marker.  Cut about an arm's length rectangle of tulle.Fold the rectangle in half long-way, then in half again. Pinch the folded end to make the head of the ghost  Use an elastic, rubber band, or string to secure the pinched end at the "neck."  Finishing touches:  Using the holes in the tulle, thread a length of fishing twine through the ghost's head, and use the sharpie to add eyes.Now your ghosts are ready to hang from your favorite haunt....

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Loving spirit contact

As a sensitive psychic and tarot reader, when your own loved one dies, you don't really think of using your gift. You are just like anyone else, you just lost a loved one and are sad and at a loss.On the day of my own Grandfather's wake, Everett Henry Casson (my Grandfather), was at the funeral home awaiting our families’ arrival. I am never early, in fact, I’m usually late but, for some odd reason, I was the first one there. I was 20 minutes early. I walked through the doors and the Funeral Director asks me who I was there to visit. I tell him that I'm there to visit my grandfather, and the man informs me that I’m the first one...

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In a Nutshell: All about the Darkness

Darkness has always been associated with the scary, frightening or evil. The light, on the other hand, seems to represent goodness, comfort and ease.  Mind Key writer, Rebecca Godina sums it up in her blog Embrace the Dark, when she said: "We have been taught to fear the dark. After all, our myths inform us that is where the monsters lurk."But what of those peaceful moments at night? Those sweet dreams, or midnight trysts?Destruction is often represented by darkness, Rebecca said, and destruction represents change, and change can be scary.  But it doesn't have to be this way."Imagine how much more painful the process of transformation would be if it was done in the full light of day," Rebecca said.After all, in Three Reasons to Love...

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Battling the darkness as a spiritual warrior

In this time of great change, indigo children are the souls born to pave pathways through the darkness for future generations.  They are considered the spiritual warriors of our time.Indigo children, so called because of the predominant indigo color in their aura, often undergo periods of great turmoil and personal stigma, and must accept and embrace the shadow side of themselves in order to transform the the world into light. 

Ara MacDonald explains the astrological implications of being an indigo child, and what it means to be a spiritual warrior.

 "Spiritual warriors encounter the urge to fight, but the spiritual side asks if it’s a battle worth fighting… having a battle with self to discover the answer," Ara said. 

The indigo children are born with...

3 Reason to Love the Darkness

Now that autumn has cast its shadows on us, here are a few points that may lead you to love the darkness a little bit more, for we should all take a moment and, "Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness." - Anne Frank     1. Darkness Is Healthy. Our bodies produce the hormone, Melatonin, to help us sleep. According to a May 17th report from Bill Blakemore of ABC News, scientists discovered that only when there is complete darkness can the body produce enough of this hormone.Even if there is a little light around your bed, say from a street lamp shining through your window or from an exceptionally bright alarm clock, this tells the...

Embrace the Dark

  We have been taught to fear the dark. After all, our myths inform us that is where the monsters lurk.   Is this the truth, though? How can we be so sure something evil awaits us in darkened closets and   shadowy places under our beds? We aren’t sure, and therein lays the real root of our fear. Ours is a   culture obsessed with knowing, and the darkness reminds us of that which is inherently unknowable.   What is it that really waits for us in the formless dark?         Anything-- like the Void preceding all of Creation, the darkness houses limitless possibilities.         It’s interesting to note that darkness was often attributed to a Goddess figure in many cultures.   Take, for example,...

In a nutshell: Making sense of the dreamworld

"Ever since the inception of civilization dreaming has fascinated humanity," Tamara Rokicki writes.  Whether an exhilarating or frightening, dreams reach deep into our psyches and find the soft places that have deep meaning—often only to us.In The Inconspicuous Dream, Tamara shares how she finally made peace with a life-long recurring dream."Sometimes we spend an immeasurable amount of time hoping to decipher the darkest, deepest crooks of our minds, but what if they’re meant to remain that way?In A Dreamy Interview with Jefferson Harman, Jefferson explains that dreams are conversations with one's higher self that come through in a way that we can accept.  Disturbing dreams come when we aren't paying attention—when we are focused on one thing, but the important information is flying around in...

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The Inconspicuous Dream

'Tangled Branches'- Kely Luzio-CardonaEver since the inception of civilization dreaming has fascinated humanity.  From Joseph interpreting the King of Egypt’s dreams to modern psychological research, dreaming has always exposed a captivating and mysterious aspect of our minds.Throughout the years, as most people, I’ve had my share of colorful dreams; in particular one that has occurred since I was a little girl.  It is an incomprehensible dream, one that focuses more on sounds and feelings rather than the visual aspect of what happens in it.  The emotions tied to this recurring dream have left me drained, confused and really unsettled.  In my waking hours, I’ve tried to analyze exactly what the dream means or better yet, what message it tries to send me.  The fact that...

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A dreamy interview with Jefferson Harman

Jefferson HarmanJefferson Harman has been interpreting dreams professionally since his early thirties.  As a small child he had a nightmare so vivid it made him hyperaware of his other dreams.  As a result, Jefferson began connecting patterns and was able to see that his daydreams, and the path he thought his life was taking, were closely related to his dreams."As I … began to articulate this with my friends, I was able to interpret dreams for them, and then for others as I do on my radio show."Jefferson speaks on Life Unedited radio show, (usually on the first Saturday of each month, but check his events calendar for schedule changes).  Life Unedited will run a special Halloween edition featuring Jefferson on October 31st.In addition to...

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Using personal symbols to interpret dreams

art by Grace Ng DungInterpreting dreams can be tricky business.Dream dictionaries offer great insight, but they aren't the only ways to interpret the often strange symbols that come late at night.Interpreting dreams is only part "dream" dictionary.  The other part is compiling the multiple meanings of the image or symbol throughout a variety of different sources. Just because something came to you in a dream, doesn't mean that the image is unique to the dreamworld.  In other words, water symbolizes emotions.  It doesn't matter if you dreamt it, crave it, or are drawn to it.  In each case it the symbolism is the same.  Certain animals represent certain qualities—again, whether dreamt, envisioned during a journey,...

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primrose flower essence

Flowers of Fall–Harvesting strength for body, heart and soul

As my all-time favorite season, spring seemed to hold the most award winning blooms.  Fall is ordained by the leaves, spring is for the flowers. Not until I became an herbalist did I find a true appreciation for autumn flowers. Now my yard is full of goldenrod, queen ann's lace, evening primrose and flowering artemisia—plants I never gave much notice before. Each of these plants have their blessings and beauty in both the medicine cabinet as well as the garden. They are bright and cheery, and these attributes are mirrored in their emotional and physical benefits, perhaps to strengthen us for the winter ahead.Evening primrose She is known on the shelves for women's hormonal support. Evening primrose oil comes in coveted capsules, particularly for women going through...

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Online Dream Interpretation

I don’t have a Shaman or a psychic on hand every time I have a dream.  In fact, I just plain don’t have either of those folks in my life.  I do, however, have dreams.  As we all do.  We may not remember them when we wake up, but we all dream.Since I don’t have a live dream interpreter handy, if a dream is weird, troubling or interesting to me, I turn to www.dreammoods.com.  There are a multitude of websites that claim to be the “correct” interpretation of your dreams, all backed by someone or other who says they know.  I chose dreammoods because #1, it was the first website of its kind that I had seen, #2, It has a dream “dictionary” where images...

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Flowers–spirit medicine for the body and heart

Evening Primrose by Danielle Rose Flowers are more than just beautiful to look at.  They are powerful medicine for both the body and spirit.  This week we discussed several flowers and how they can benefit healing on many levels--from alleviating the winter blahs, to dissolving life-long trauma. In Flowers of Fall--Harvesting strength for body, heart and soul Danielle Rose writes, "[Autumn flowers] are bright and cheery, and these attributes are mirrored in their emotional and physical benefits, perhaps to strengthen us for the winter ahead." While on a family vacation less than a year after her mother's passing, Charla Dury also recognized the spiritual power of flowers in Wild Flowers are God's Make-up.  "I smiled a sad smile, but with hope in my eyes because of the flowers," Charla said. ...

primrose flower essence

Flowers: Spirit medicine for body and heart

Flowers are more than just beautiful reproductive parts of a plant.  They are powerful medicine for both the body and spirit.  This week we discussed several flowers and how they can benefit healing on many levels--from alleviating the winter blahs, to dissolving life-long trauma.In Flowers of Fall--Harvesting strength for body, heart and soul Danielle Rose writes, "[Autumn flowers] are bright and cheery, and these attributes are mirrored in their emotional and physical benefits, perhaps to strengthen us for the winter ahead."While on a family vacation less than a year after her mother's passing, Charla Dury also recognized the spiritual power of flowers in Wild Flowers are God's Make-up. "I smiled a sad smile, but with hope in my eyes because of the flowers," Charla said.  "The...

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Spiritual trauma and Star of Bethlehem: A case study

Dr. Lisa M. AvilaLisa M. Avila is a chiropractor, kinesiologist and herbalist in private practice in New York City, where she custom blends care of the body, chemistry and mind/spirit for balanc of the human condition. I met with a 34 year old woman who had since her earliest memory what she described as an “unrealistic fear of kidnapping and death.” She reported no background of trauma of this or a similar nature having ever happened to her in her life. This fear manifested in her having anxiety when walking outside after dark, when being around strangers and what she felt was an overprotective reaction to her children playing outside. These fears of kidnapping and death were...

Amaryllis: Bring pride, beauty and success into your home all winter long

Images from www.gardennewsbreak.com The plant hippeastrum, commonly known as amaryllis, is a a member of the lily or Liliacea family. Robin Rose Bennett, herbalist and author of The Gift of Healing Herbs said that although amaryllis are not edible, the liliacea family contains many edible and medicinal plants such as garlic and chives. Tulips are also part of this family. Amaryllis are often sold as gifts around the holidays as they provide vibrant color indoors during long winter months.The beauty of these bulbs is that they are fairly easy to grow, and within 5-10 weeks after planting (depending on growing conditions and variety), horticulturist Christian Curless of Colorblends, a third generation wholesale bulb merchant, says they produce multiple flowers on two to three towering stalks...

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Wild Flowers are God’s Make-up – a Photoblog

  My family and I took a road trip a few years ago to the Grand Canyon.  It was Spring Break for the kids and it had been less than a year since my mother had passed away.  I was depressed.  Really depressed.  I did my best to put on a good face, but I spent a lot of time staring blankly out of the truck window, watching the still barren landscape of southwest Colorado pass us by at 65 mph. “Wild flowers are God’s make up,” I told my husband.  I think I scared the man, because he jumped.  I hadn’t said anything in a while.   “What?” he asked. “Wild flowers are God’s make up,’ I said again.  “They’re the blush that God puts on to show that...

Flowers of Fall–Harvesting strength for body, heart and soul

As my all-time favorite season, spring seemed to hold the most award winning blooms.  Fall is ordained by the leaves, spring is for the flowers.Not until I became an herbalist did I find a true appreciation for autumn flowers. Now my yard is full of goldenrod, queen ann's lace, evening primrose and flowering artemisia—plants I never gave much notice before. making evening primrose flower essenceEach of these plants have their blessings and beauty in both the medicine cabinet as well as the garden. They are bright and cheery, and these attributes are mirrored in their emotional and physical benefits, perhaps to strengthen us for the winter ahead.Evening primroseEvening Primrose in Watercolor by D. RoseShe is known on the shelves for women's hormonal support. Evening primrose...

In a Nutshell: Shamanism

Last week on Mind Key the Blog we explored shamanism and how elements of this ancient tradition can help you discover your path to healing and balance.  "When I think of a shaman, the first image that comes to my head is an old, Native American man, grizzled and peaceful, sitting cross-legged next to a fire," our editor Charla Dury said in Shamanism for DummiesIn Nuances of Shamanism, member Vera Remes explains, "That power comes from a 'whole' soul and the protection of compassionate spirits and power animals, which create a spiritual force field around us."Meanwhile, Tara Ann goes bold and reveals the benefits of sharing your sacred spirit animal in The Spirit Deer."I may not agree with the suggestion of...

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BMI: Time to Measure Up

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Nuances of Shamanism – what shamanic healing means to me

Vera at a Raven Reiki Drum CircleI felt the horse I loved so much was “off”.  I contacted the vet who examined him, watched him move and told me I was crazy but agreed to take an x-ray anyway – mostly to shut me up.   I received a distraught message from him several days later saying my beloved mount had “rotation” of 17 degrees in the navicular bone in both front feet.  That’s a really awful thing for a horse, a painful, crippling condition.  He should have been lying down or limping painfully.  What I didn’t tell him was that for months before as soon as I felt he was starting to go "off", I...

Shamanism for Dummies

While the vast majority of members and subscribers of Mind Key, the concept of Shamans and Shamanism may be very familiar, there are those of us out here who are clueless.  So, I decided to do a little research.According to Wikipedia…           Shamanism:  A practice that involves a practitioner reaching altered statesof consciousness in order to perceive and interact with a spirit world and channelthese transcendental energies into this world.  A shaman is a person regarded as having access to, and influence in, the world of benevolent and malevolentspirits, who typically enters into a trance state during a ritual and practicesdivination and healing.Ecuadorian ShamanNow, when I think of a shaman, the first image that comes to my head is an old, Native American man, grizzled and peaceful,...

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