Kalin Art & Spirit

Beth – Your Body is a Temple

Bet, or Beth, is the second letter of the Hebrew “Alpha – Bet”! Bet means home, or temple, and you may have seen the word Beth as part of a name of Jewish temples. (ie. Beth Isreal) Some times the letter includes a dot within the center of the shape. My mnemonic device is to think of it as a person within a three-walled house.

I heard early on in my Catechism class, ‘Your body is the temple of the Lord’. (1 Corinthians 6:19) Of course, then I was suspicious that this was only indoctrination for a young virgin to avoid sex outside of marriage. Later on, however, I realized that this teaching is a way to introduce the idea that SPIRITUALITY is realized in the physical world~ through our bodies.

WE ARE SPIRIT of divine energy embodied! That Holy Spirit lives in and animates our life.

When studying metaphysics, it’s important to learn how the physical world interfaces with the Spiritual before moving onto higher, more esoteric information. We have to learn how to walk before we can run. So when we begin to understand this interface, and embody that knowledge, it allows us to investigate the higher realms with more confidence.

This means that it’s important to clean up your act, and clean your temple, by eating with the intention to support the health of your body, to exercise, and to allow only positive energies into your body. Become MINDFUL to forbid energies that don’t serve your HIGHER GOOD; Listen to music that soothes your soul and allow only *positive input* into your psychic system.

If you get tense or stressed out by the outside world, learn to ground and return to a calm center using breathing exercises and by shaking off negativity, literally!

Exercise: Begin by looking around and confirming that you are in a safe space. Say aloud, “I am safe.” Then take a few deep, slow breaths and exhale thoroughly. Begin a rhythmic breathing pattern; Breathe in on a count of 4, gently stop and hold your breath for a count of 4, and then exhale to a count of 8. Repeat this until your heart rate calms. Take an internal check that your tension level has been reduced.

Then shake it off! Animals that have been stressed do this and it makes sense that we can also release tension in the same way! Shake your hands, arms and shoulders at your sides, then bend your knees and shake your hips and legs too. Do this while visualizing negativity falling off your body. You can even ‘wipe’ it off of yourself and shake your hands of negativity.

When you feel you’re finished, take an internal check-in with your body and LISTEN to what it ‘tells’ you. It will probably be something like, ‘ahh that’s better’ and ‘Thank you!’. It’s important to listen to your BODY so you can catch illness before it sets in. Pre-emptive action, like hydrating, eating or resting are important in keeping your Temple running smoothly!

[Never be too Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. HALT and take self-care actions.]

Didja know that your body is surrounded by a protective alert system called the ‘AURA’?? The aura is an energy field that surrounds the outside of your physical body and has been shown through Kirlian photography. This ‘electrical coronal discharge’ energy has been recognized by mystics for a millennia or longer. Most people today have heard of this energy. You can learn to ‘see’ it, too. Here is an exercise to help you learn to see this energy.

Exercise: If you’ve ever seen the effect of looking down a long country road at midday in the summer heat, you’ll know that there’s a visual effect of rising waves of heat that rises above the road. The energy that surrounds all living things is similar to this heat pattern. So think of the heat that rises off a hot road in the summer.

Now, hold your hands out in front of you, relax your eyes and soften your gaze. Look gently around your hands, focusing on your fingertips and between your fingers. Slowly move your fingers and watch for the clear energy that trails behind the movement of your fingers. That clear space that is a quarter to half-inch width that surrounds your hands is part of your aura.

Try it with a friend. Have a friend stand in front of a white or light solid-colored wall. Ask them to think of something that makes them happy. Relax your eyes and soften your gaze as you look just above their head and shoulders. You may see a clear ‘halo’ that seems to encase their body. As their emotions grow happier, the width of this aura may also fluctuate. It may be tinged with colors that softly swirl within it.

Practice this ‘looking’ exercise on anything that’s alive, including your pets and plants. Everything ALIVE has an aura! You can BET on it!~

#Bet #Aura #Energy #StressRelief #EsotericKnowledge #SelfCare #Relax #Exercises #Spirituality #Metaphysics #PracticalMetaphysics #Hebrew #Muse-ings #PersonalGrowth

Posted January 25th, 2020.
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JOURNAL PROMPTS: Planetary Mash-ups

JOURNAL PROMPTS for MARCH 6 – APRIL 23, 2019 LENT

Observant Jews have a practice that’s called ‘Counting the Omer’. It is a spiritual practice of counting the days between Passover and Shauv’ot that occurs in late Spring.

I devised these exercises on a similar context of using the planetary energies of the lower 7 spheres in the Kabbalah glyph; (beginning March 6 as the first day) just as Mercury goes Retrograde, for a time of reflection and renewal prior to Easter.

The JOURNALING practice helps us to experience the subtle differences of combined planetary energies with a Theme that we can consider, practice, write about and learn to embody. I hope that we can meditate on these energies for insight and listen for inspiration toward action we can take towards spiritual observation, purification & growth.

Have fun with these exercises; doodle, create symbols, ponder, dream and explore the concepts for greater self-exploration and insight! ~K

Day Planetary energies -Theme

March 6 Jupiter Jupiter -Love

7 Mars Jupiter -Mercy

8 Sun Jupiter -Pride

9 Venus Jupiter -Desire

10 Mercury Jupiter -Planning

11 Moon Jupiter -Romance

12 Earth Jupiter -Environment

13 Jupiter Mars -Energy

14 Mars Mars -Vitality

15 Sun Mars -Personality

16 Venus Mars -Relationship

17 Mercury Mars -Argument

18 Moon Mars -Leaking energy

19 Earth Mars -Work

20 Jupiter Sun -Equinox

21 Mars Sun -Anger

22 Sun Sun -Light

23 Venus Sun -Pleasure

24 Mercury Sun -Expression

25 Moon Sun -Truth

26 Earth Sun -Life

27 Jupiter Venus -Agape

28 Mars Venus -Lust

29 Sun Venus -Pleasure

30 Venus Venus -Self Care

31 Mercury Venus -Flattery

April 1 Moon Venus -Foolish Heart

2 Earth Venus -Sanctuary

3 Jupiter Mercury -Opinion

4 Mars Mercury -Defense

5 Sun Mercury -Originality

6 Venus Mercury -Song

7 Mercury Mercury -Reflection

8 Moon Mercury -Meditation

9 Earth Mercury -Creativity

10 Jupiter Moon -Lunacy

11 Mars Moon -Eclipses

12 Sun Moon -Cycles

13 Venus Moon -Illusions

14 Mercury Moon -Subtlity

15 Moon Moon -Solitude

16 Earth Moon -Compatriots

17 Jupiter Earth -Continents

18 Mars Earth -War

19 Sun Earth -Nurturance

20 Venus Earth -Beauty

21 Mercury Earth -Storms

22 Moon Earth -Peace

23 Earth Earth -Gaia Alive

24 April – Insights and collective experiences shared….

Posted March 3rd, 2019.
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Metaphysical Me

About Metaphysical Me…

One of my most impactful experiences with spirituality/religion was being ‘failed’ from the second year of my three year Lutheran Catechism class. I told my minister and vicar that ‘God doesn’t fail people from church!’. They agreed with me and after a year’s sabbatical and the subsequent firing of this teacher who failed kids in church, I asked many pointed questions, finished my lessons, got confirmed and left.

In college, my most influential classes were the three-term Shakespeare series, learning how to SEE and draw from an artists viewpoint (that was quite esoteric) and an Introduction to Comparative Religions. Then I took a term off and studied with Mormon missionaries, read the Bhagavad-Gita, Tibetian and Egyptian Books of the Dead, the Tao te Ching, and many other metaphysical books. This lit my Spiritual Fire and I’ve been devouring these books ever since!

(See recommended book list) —> Archives

Later, upon becoming a Unitarian Universalist, I had the opportunity to learn more about many religions and experience them firsthand in “Neighboring Faiths” Sunday school classes. After teaching students for 8 weeks, I accompanied groups of children to Buddhist center feasts, Catholic mass, a Jewish temple, and Pagan ceremonies. Over the years my family has participated in Kwaanza, Hindu Festival of Lights, and Hanukkah festivities.

I homeschooled my kids for 8 years founded on a History-based Wholistic education, of which I wrote my own curriculum. I based my lessons and exams on textbooks from various points of view and encouraged open-minded discussions about the reasons for the author’s points of view and their veracity. We first studied World Geography & World Religions as a comprehensive introduction to becoming ‘Citizens of the World’.

As homeschoolers, we practiced exercises by Rudolf Steiner and read Classic English literature, Great Books, Historic Fiction and books of Cultural Literacy from all continents. We read ancient philosophers and discussed their subsequent roles in modern society.

I was engaged with esoteric studies for many years before co-leading a Women’s spirituality group. We incorporated many facets from various spiritual traditions, and each woman encouraged to bring her gifts and experiences to share with the group.

After leaving that position, my 10-year interest in the Kabbalah, led me to study more intently and take a year-long webinar class with two Rabbis. I learned much about the Hebrew Mystical traditions from a Jewish Reform perspective. I found the Kabbalah to be THE foundation for the many esoteric paths I had studied since my 20’s.

Today I practice Tai chi, Chi Gong, Kundalini Yoga and write ‘Morning Pages’ as is recommended by Julia Cameron in her transformational book, “The Artist’s Way”. I participated and led classes in “The Artist’s Way” and discovered that it was a book written (by and) for the Enneagram Type #4 personality, the ‘Artist’. That’s when I decided to create workbooks for the other 8 Enneagram personality types that I call, “Integrated Spiritual Practices”. TBA

I’ve studied and used the Tarot as well for many years. I started noticing the esoteric ‘threads of Truth’ that run throughout all the systems and traditions that I’ve engaged with and noticed their Archetypes can be found in pictoral symbolism on the Tarot.

I’ve created a unified system that is based on a lesser-used form of the Tree of Life Glyph. I see it as the original glyph of Kabbalah before the ‘fall’ of man. I have placed my own version, the “9 Keys Tarot” cards onto this Tree in a unique way as a blueprint to help people ascend to their Higher Self – closer to a state of Spiritual perfection. This corresponds to 9 Esoteric systems, which is no small feat!

Metaphysics describes both the ‘Art of Living’ & the ‘Science of Life.’ I hope that my writing will encourage you to look within yourself and begin what Plato called, “The Great Work” of personal understanding and wisdom. After all, it’s our once-in-a-lifetime chance to learn, grow and evolve our Souls while we are incarnate beings. Look within!

Namaste’ ~K

#9KeyTarot #Ascension #GreatWork #Introspection #Purpose #Meaning #Understanding #Wisdom #Transformation #SpiritualEvolution

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Posted January 30th, 2019.
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Grounding & Centering for Stress Reduction

Grounding & Centering techniques and tips:

~So, a friend of mine wanted to know how to get herself ‘grounded and centered’ after a hard weekend event that she was involved in. If you are an event planner, promoter or producer, you know how whacked out you can get emotionally and physically after a HUGE event! So here are some tips for getting your MoJo back after you’ve been physically and psychically drained. ~These are also some good practices for regular Spiritual hygiene:

*GROUNDING is reconnecting your body’s electromagnetic field, or aura, to the Earth’s. It is done by Visualizing your energy flowing from your crown down to the soles of your feet into the Earth and then flowing back in. It is best done on the Earth in bare feet, but you can do this on the floor as well. As you inhale, envision your crown chakra at the top of your head, slowly opening with each breath and allowing you to gather up all the energy that lies in the bubble that surrounds you, called your aura. Gather up this energy and send it down through your body, out through your feet and into the Earth with an exhale. As you inhale, breathe in positive Earth energy to fill up your body into every cell and filling your aura.#

*CENTERING is another Visualizing and Energetic movement exercise where you gather all of your scattered energies and gently compress them back into the center of your Soul at your Solar Plexus Chakra. It is important to learn to hold your mindful presence in this mental and physical state, so that you can stay in a calm center even as chaos rolls about outside of you. Think of yourself as the eye of the storm as you move calmly and decisively through your day.# So here’s how to do it:

A. CLEANSING; Have a hot Epsom Salt bath. This helps to ease weary muscles and is a great way to get vital nutrient magnesium back into your body. The salts will pull toxins out of your body so shower off with cooler water and have a tall drink of water and a good long rest. Anytime you’ve had a hard day or taken an emotional hit, take a shower and visualize the negativity draining away as you shower it off. If you need to, have a good cry and release that stress right down the drain too!

B. GROUNDING; To get out of your headspace and back into your body, do a little barefoot movement to connect the soles of your feet to the Earth energy. You can stretch, roll around on a mat, do yoga and/or walk barefoot on the soil or sand. This is a great way to wake up your body again after that long nap. Start working the joints of your feet, roll your ankles, stretch up onto the balls of your feet and down on a step, while balancing by holding onto a chair. Then stretch your calves, knees, hips and thighs by doing some lunges. You know, pretend you are sword fighting and step out and bend your knees gently as you say “En guarde!” Do this on both legs gently to warm up.

Then walk briskly while swinging your arms (or even march) to get some air flowing in and around your body. The aerobic inflow of oxygen will help wake up your brain and revitalize all of your cells. At this point, sing a song or chant or shout. It releases tension held in your body.

Then try a Yoga “Tree pose” by standing with both feet squarely and comfortably below your shoulders with your hands at your sides. Raise your arms as you inhale and slowly drop them with each inhalation. With each deep and slow inhalation imagine your breath coming from within the Earth, up your legs and into your body. With each exhalation allow your nervous energy to flow back into the Earth. Try breathing IN, to the count of 4 and OUT, to the count of 8. This allows you to relax. Be aware of how your body feels. Be aware of how YOU in your body feel! Hopefully, your body is more solid and strong feeling.

C. CENTERING; Close your eyes, and feel your SELF within your body. Extend your energy outward horizontally as far as you can picture, visualizing the natural elements of the Earth. FOCUS on a theme or KEYWORD. As you bring your awareness back into yourself, gather all the positive energy you need from the trees, rocks, streams, sunshine, and Earth. State your Intention; “I need to remember who I am.” or “I intend to reclaim my natural state of grace and calm that refreshes me.”

At this point, I gather my art supplies, mandalas, incense and candle to prepare for a “busy but relaxed” mental state of meditation. As I light my tealight candle, I state my intention and say a prayer of gratitude for being able to take time to heal myself through mindfulness. Then I relax as I color the mandala. All the while I think of myself as the shape of the mandala and infill those parts of my body with colors that seem appropriate for the energies I want to embody from the center, outward.

D. EMBODY this energy; When I’m finished coloring I like to vocalize something about it aloud. This will remind me to EMBODY my intended energy! I will strive to feel this same way whenever I look at this mantra. A simple song I like to use is this; “As I breathe in, I breathe in Peace. As I breathe out, I breathe out Love.”~ You can chant while you finish up the last bits of coloring to embed your emotion into the art that reminds you of your Authentic Self that lives in your Center.

E. RECHARGE; Did you know that our bodies are electromagnetic batteries!? In order to recharge your body use this Chi-gong inspired method; Place one hand over your dominate fist and place it on your stomach, just below the center of your ribcage. It fits there nicely. In a sitting position, bend forward and exhale to the count of 4. As you sit back up, inhale to the count of 8. Do this as it feels comfortable to you. Repeat until you feel your energy flowing into all of your cells. That could be about 10 times.

F. MOVE IT; Try the Tai chi “Moving Ocean Waves” exercise to get your chi moving. I found this youtube of Jake Mace doing some great movements that beginners can do: Be comfortable. Move at your own pace gently so nothing hurts. The third movement, Ocean Waves is my favorite for getting your center energy moving!

Namaste’

LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHBR5MZmEsY

#Yoga #Grounding #Centering #Peace #Revitalizing #Exercises #SpiritualExercises #SpiritualHealth #Mindfulness #Recharging #MentalEmotionalPhysical #MindBody #ElectroMagnetic #Meditation #Mandala #Relaxation #SpiritualHygiene #Cleansing #Prayerful #Intention #SpiritualPractices

Posted January 12th, 2019.
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9 Keys Tarot – ROOSTER Dec 13 – Dec 22

ROOSTER – CELEBRATION – 10 of FIRE

9 KEYS TAROT; Rooster – Sagittarius iii December 13 – Dec 21
The Rooster is a symbol of the highest point in the movement of Fire, so its effects are both that of Celebration or Burnout. We need the heat of FIRE to thrive through the Winter, but can get burned if we stand too close to it for too long.

At this time of year, we can be tempted to push ourselves to the point of exhaustion in order to enjoy the feeling of reward. But keep this Rooster card in mind, and try to pace yourself during the next few days so that you don’t suffer from Holiday burnout this year! Perfection is not as important as being mindful during this extra social season.

The finish line awaits us this at the end of this decan, while we wrap up efforts from the previous year, and tie up loose ends. We need to allow those things that no longer serve our greater good to pass by the wayside, while we put finishing touches on the projects we have worked to complete.

Astrologically, the Sun is in the third decan of Sagittarius approaching the Winter Solstice. The Sun rules this decan, providing the last drop of vitality and strength to complete whatever lies just unfinished. Holiday plans should be easy to wrap up within the next ten days in time to ring in joyful celebrations, if we are mindful.

Last week brought a conjunction between Neptune and Mars in Pisces, with Mars just leaving yesterday. The combination of these two planets bring added energy to idealistic plans, especially those that serve humanity. I hope you’ve made some plans to accomplish great goals during the latest New Moon in Sagittarius that include serving your circles of influence.

Jupiter is happy in his native home of Sagittarius and will prevail over the new year, 2019, with larger than life excess… and expansion of great Hope. At this point all the planets but Uranus are moving direct, so we can expect smooth sailing when eccentric Uranus goes direct in early January. This bodes well for us steady growth and progress through mid-April and hopeful energies all year.

It’s easy to anticipate with joy our upcoming special Holiday moments during this week, but we may also miss dear ones no longer with us. The skull in the background of this card shows us that we are mortal, and as such can choose to surrender to the sanctity of ‘each moment as a holy moment.’ May we honor our loved ones as the cock crow wakes us to the fact that it is time to “Seize the Day!” and create a lifetime of fullness though awareness of the wheel ever turning. Be grateful for the little moments of joy, for of such is life made.
Bright Blessings to you and yours!

Namaste and Happy Celebrations of Light~

#Decan #Astrology #Blog #Celebration #Light #EndOfYear #Holidays #Tarot #9KeysTarot

Posted December 16th, 2018.
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Protected: Shadow work 8: Projection

Posted October 25th, 2018.
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Protected: Shadow work 7: Authenticity

Posted October 22nd, 2018.
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Shadow work Oct 5-Nov 15, 2018

The Shadow is the ‘unclaimed’ part of our psyche that is alert and aware 24/7 because it resides in our Subconscious Mind. As children, we are programmed into our view of the World; it’s language, customs and our place in it. As adults, we can reflect on these programs and become “Aware” of them.

If you start to feel like a victim of your programs, stuck in a rut, without possibilities, I want to tell you that you can change ANYTHING, at ANY TIME!

If you’re interested in doing Shadow work, investigating this phenomenon via inward reflections, let me know. Send me your Email request at KalinArtAndSpirit@gmail.com and I’ll send you the password. (Passwords keep out bots)

Kalin Art & Spirit

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