Get A Jump on Tomorrow….

Your Horoscopes for Thursday, November 19th

Aries

The Moon slips into your privacy sector this morning, dear Aries, and from now until Saturday morning, you’re more inclined to seek out some form of solitude or withdrawal from overly demanding situations. You are in need of an emotional recharge and perhaps some review before a new lunar month begins. You can do some important digging today, whether this is in your own psyche or some form of research, and become completely absorbed in what you’re doing. Whether it’s just for fun or more serious work, this can be a day in which you’re especially motivated. Try not to waste your time on trivial matters, as there can be a tendency to obsess or become mentally wrapped up with something, and it’s best channeled into something worthwhile and constructive. Take extra care in your communications, as your intent may be misinterpreted.

Taurus

Today is strong for expressing and showing your loyalty, dear Taurus, and for throwing yourself into a special project or cause. You’re looking for some level of devotion from the people around you, although this can be tricky, as not everyone is on your wavelength right now. Try not to stress over conflicting perceptions of the way you feel things should be, or over differences of opinion, as people tend to be wrapped up in their own personal issues right now. You can enjoy a nice escape from everyday concerns through friendships or networking activities. Take the pressure off and don’t over-think things today, unless, of course, you’re enjoying the process or topic!

Gemini

Your tendency today is to dig a little deeper in whatever you’re doing, dear Gemini, as you’re not especially content to live life on the surface of things. It can be a strong day for business and work of all kinds, and particularly projects that require dedication or focus. It’s quite easy for you to become thoroughly absorbed in your work and experiences right now. Today and the next few days bring a Pluto theme, which can intensify your feelings but it can also stimulate any tendency to dwell on problem areas, so watch for that. Harness the passion and direct it into a worthwhile cause, or something that truly helps you. You may be trying to push the envelope today, which can be a good thing if you want to take something further. Use this time to find answers to problems rather than to entertain negative or suspicious thoughts.

Cancer

With the Moon moving into your solar ninth house this morning, dear Cancer, you can feel as if you’re coming into the light, feeling more outgoing and adventurous. Even so, Pluto is strong and a little difficult today and in the next couple days, which can point to a tendency for people to be more serious than usual. Don’t tolerate people who are trying to play games with you through double talk or other manipulative methods. You don’t need to be taken down that road. Also, if you begin to feel a little threatened by others’ behavior, try to pull yourself out of a negative or jealous mindset. As long as you don’t absorb others’ tension, and focus instead on what you’d like to accomplish, you should have a fine day. There is strong energy with you for creative or educational pursuits that require an extra dose of passion or dedication, both of which are easier to come by today.

Leo

This morning, the Moon moves into your intimacy zone for a couple of days, dear Leo. This is a slightly more introspective phase when you’re more inclined to watch and see than to jump into action. With Pluto strong and a little challenging today and the next two days, this quality is emphasized. You may be feeling especially passionate about something or someone, and if you channel this intensity constructively, this can be a strong time for important research or progress on a project. Watch that you don’t waste energy on negative thinking or dwelling on problems that you have no power to change. The need to make important changes to your routines or your work situation can be pronounced now. Try not to become obsessed over finding answers to problems, but do try to focus your energy so that you can really make headway. Directing your own work, if possible, is ideal for you right now, as you can resent others controlling your schedule. Today is good for researching health and self-improvement topics, especially alternative therapies for healing.

Virgo

Your ruler, Mercury, is in a minor tense aspect with intense Pluto today, dear Virgo, which can give you a rather serious or intense aura. Try your best to avoid negative lines of communicating and thinking, as these can spiral downward rather quickly! There is no need to dwell on problem areas. Your inclination is to go your own way, and stick to your way. A stubborn streak surfaces! This can work to your benefit if you find a constructive channel for your passion and determination. In fact, you can make wonderful progress on a project or explore an interest more deeply today with good results and much satisfaction. You are not very content with falseness or superficiality, and a little less willing to overlook these things than usual. The Moon moves into your partnership sector this morning, and you tend to want to have company in most things you do.

Libra

With the Moon’s move into your work and health sector this morning, dear Libra, you’re shifting focus to slightly more serious matters. A Mercury-Pluto influence with us today furthers this theme – you’re likely to be seeing the details that aren’t working more than the systems that are. This can be helpful if you use it constructively. In fact, it can be a very productive day when problem solving skills are emphasized. Avoid negative thought patterns. Around the home front, here may be some frustrations surfacing that need to be aired. Clear these up and work on resolving problem areas, but don’t overdo things. Overextending yourself won’t help. This can be a good day for handling a financial or work matter with finesse. You might also find the motivation and dedication to pursue a fitness or health goal.

Scorpio

You are especially sharp and curious today, dear Scorpio, and might be asked to speak or express yourself about an important matter. However, there may be a tendency for certain others to misunderstand some of the things you say, so strive to be as clear as possible. Watch for pushing a matter too far, and protect your light by avoiding negative thought patterns. Do encourage the investigator and detective in you, as today requires a deeper analysis, and you are particularly skilled at getting to the bottom of things. The Moon’s move into your sector of recreation, entertainment, romance, and creative pursuits encourages your more spontaneous side. It can be an expressive time!

Sagittarius

The Moon moves into your family and soul sector this morning, dear Sagittarius, where it will spend a couple days, turning your emotional focus to personal and familiar matters. It’s time to explore your inner and domestic worlds and get into better touch with your needs for nurture and comfort. Interactions with a partner or good friend can be warm and passionate, but also quite intense. A powerful conversation that might feel uncomfortable at first can actually be healing, but only if you are especially conscious that suspicion and negativity are avoided. Don’t be afraid to tackle the deep stuff, but don’t push for “truths” if you don’t like what you’re currently hearing. This can be a good time for throwing yourself into a home project or domestic activity.

Capricorn

Getting through your schedule or routine could be a tad challenging today, dear Capricorn, as your mind is somewhere else altogether – on your personal issues. Avoid frustration by opening your mind and making room for the unexpected. You may be feeling a strong desire to micromanage things, or to be in control of situations that probably should be given some space! Unusual and possibly tricky situations with friends or acquaintances can occur today. Try your best not to get into power plays. Keep your mind stimulated by mixing up the routine in small ways with the Moon moving into your solar third house – a sector of your chart that demands a bit of variety. Even so, this can be a good time for putting extra energy into a particular project, cause, or study.

Aquarius

The Moon moves out of your sign this morning, dear Aquarius, and into your resources sector. A quiet day would be ideal for you as emotions tend to settle in. Both professional and personal responsibilities can weigh heavily on your mind now, particularly if there are rumors circulating or if you hear something that you are inclined to take the wrong way. People can be moody today, and there can be some double talk or manipulative tactics at play, which can be frustrating, as you’d prefer that people say what they mean. Try not to absorb others’ negativity, and focus on your own projects and goals. In fact, today is strong for investing time and energy into a pursuit that requires concentration or dedication.

Pisces

The Moon moves into your sign this morning, and this brings out your need to be part of the main story line, engaged, and involved, dear Pisces. The tone around you can be a little tense or intense at times today, however, and you’re inclined to soak things in like an emotional sponge. Be sure to avoid taking on others’ poor moods or immersing yourself in tense situations. Conversations today tend to be intense rather than light. While you shouldn’t avoid important topics altogether, you can certainly let others know that you’d like to defer them for a better time. If something can’t wait, be as aboveboard as possible. There is good energy for doing something creative, particularly a project or activity that requires passionate involvement and concentration or dedication.

If You Were Born Today, November 18

You are passionate and loving, and very dedicated to those you love. Your sense of drama is large, and you are extremely perceptive. Love and companionship are especially important to you. Your motivation on the job is often fuelled by your sense of fulfillment in your personal life. If you are feeling loved and wanted, your productivity is at its peak, and vice versa. You easily absorb the emotions of others and the atmosphere of your environment.

Famous people born today: Margaret Atwood, Linda Evans, Elizabeth Perkins, Kim Wilde, Owen Wilson.

Source:
Cafe Astrology

Your Daily Horoscopes for Wednesday, November 18th

Aries

The day favors social activities, networking, reaching out to others, and entertaining new ideas, dear Aries. Neptune turns direct today, a yearly occurrence, and over the coming weeks, you’ll find that counting on your own intuition comes more naturally. Information and signals you receive are improved and more reliable, or it may be that your ability to process them increases. Believing what you hope is true can leave you somewhat blind to the reality of situations, but you can never truly deceive yourself. In fact, believing a lie that you’re telling yourself can wear away at your confidence in yourself, in others, and in life itself. Some realities may need to be faced this week, but you have every tool available to turn this into a positive. Your faith in the unknown as well as your desire to help others increases going forward.

Taurus

There can be a stronger awareness of your responsibilities today, dear Taurus, and a desire to push your life forward in important ways by getting your act together in some significant way. Today’s energies can leave you temporarily on the fence, but bring good energy for entertaining dream plans. Recent months may have found you wondering who your true friends are with Neptune moving in retrograde motion in your solar eleventh house. When you’ve needed a shoulder to lean on, you may not have found it, or you’ve ended up offering your own shoulder instead. With Neptune turning direct today, something that occurs each year around the same time, in the coming weeks, some of the confusion about friendships begins to clear up, or at least you are a little clearer about what to do about it. There may be some truth uncovered now that is a little hard to face at first, but that truly alters your course in a happier direction. Goals and alliances become clearer.

Gemini

Today’s energies favor envisioning your future, dreaming up new ideas, and imaginative activities more than they do practical affairs, dear Gemini. Fortunately, you can feel particularly inspired and optimistic now. With Neptune transiting your solar tenth house, your professional and public image may have been a little confusing as of late, possibly because you haven’t been in touch with what it is you’d like to project. With Neptune turning direct today, as it does around the same time each year, you might face some truths that may not feel completely comfortable at first, but that move your life forward in significant ways, particularly when it comes to career, life path, and reputation matters. Perhaps you hear from someone about gossip or opinions of you that don’t sit well with you. In the coming weeks, you are more able to make the necessary tweaks to your career and public image that improve your position. The only way to do so is to be as clear as possible. Don’t let others fill in the blanks and make assumptions. Correcting misconceptions is important now. This is also a good time for bringing more creativity, imagination, and idealism into the work you are doing.

Cancer

This can be a good day for putting concerted energy into a creative project or to apply some structure to your “play” time, dear Cancer. It may be exactly what you need at this time. Neptune retrogrades for several months and then turns direct each year around the same time. Today, Neptune’s direct turn can point to a turning point in a project or simply an attitude/faith. Your panoramic view of life returns to you now and in the coming weeks. Recently, you’ve been working closely with details – perhaps too closely – and you’ve been distracted from the larger plan or the bigger picture. This may have been a form of procrastination, as you haven’t had a lot of faith in moving ahead. There are always more details for you to sort out, but going forward, you’re more able to focus on the details that truly do matter. Faith in others, and in yourself, is rebuilding, making it easier for you to reach higher and dream bigger. For some of you, plans related to travel, education, or publishing can move forward.

Leo

Today can stimulate a strong desire to pair up in some way, dear Leo, as you tend to enjoy having some company as you go about your day. With Neptune at its direct station, there can be some confusion or mental fog to deal with now, but it’s a good day for entertaining new ideas and dreams. In recent months, you may have been experiencing confusion about boundaries with others – what you own, what others own, what you owe, and what others owe – as well as with your own limits. You’re turning a corner regarding these matters now. While there are still quite a few details to sort out, you’ll be clearer on what you have and what you need, as well as what you are able to provide for yourself. You may have been feeling dependent on someone else, and haven’t had the energy or courage to turn that situation around, or even to know that you could do so. Days of procrastination on finances and dependencies are nearing an end. Money matters can move forward.

Virgo

The Moon transits your solar sixth house all day, dear Virgo, and while this tends to stimulate your innate desire to make sense and order out of your daily life, today’s Neptune station can confuse matters somewhat. Neptune is turning direct as it does every year around this time, and while this tends to clear some of the fog, the shift itself can be slightly disorienting. At times in recent months while Neptune was retrograde, you may have felt at the mercy of the whims and moods of a significant person in your life, or others in general. Perhaps due to a decrease in energy or courage, you have let that part of your life slide. In the coming weeks, however, you are ready to face some truths and turn the situation around – not all the way, because you don’t want to be at the helm of a confusing situation, but around enough that you feel more comfortable. Things that have been taken for granted now get a second look. Be ready and willing to tend to small problems in your interactions so that they don’t have a chance to grow into overwhelming ones.

Libra

The Moon transits your sector of creative expression and entertainment, dear Libra, and it’s a good time to let loose your more imaginative side. As well, Neptune comes to a station today as it begins direct motion as it does each year around the same time. Recently, you may have had some trouble keeping routines going smoothly. You may have also procrastinated on health matters or work that you haven’t seemed to be able to fully throw yourself into while Neptune was retrograde in your solar sixth house. While fixing the problem may have been difficult, in the coming weeks, you get insight into how to straighten out at least some of your daily affairs and routines. As you do, you’ll find that your overall mood changes significantly. You can choose to turn a blind eye to things, but somewhere inside of you, the guilt remains for letting them slide. As such, getting a handle on your work, health, and daily routines will help clear your mind and free you of burdensome guilt.

Scorpio

The Moon is transiting your home and family sector all day, dear Scorpio, and there is a general tendency to stick with familiar people, places, or situations. It’s a natural time for tending to the hearth. Neptune comes to a station today as it turns direct. While the shift itself can bring a bit of mental fog or confusion over the day, in the coming days and weeks, you’ll find that distractions become less of a problem, and you’ll get a better handle on those things that you’ve been avoiding or ignoring. Your love life or creative instincts may have been a little muddled as of late, particularly if you have been avoiding getting in touch with your heart’s desire. Signals you have been sending out have been mixed, so you cannot expect that signals received will be clear! Facing some truths may be part of the picture, but can act as a wake-up call to make important edits. Take the time today to reflect, and don’t ignore what your own inner voice is telling you. You’ll feel increasingly in touch with your intuition going forward, and more motivated to express yourself.

Sagittarius

The Moon is animating your communications sector all day, dear Sagittarius, and you’re a little more curious and communicative than usual. You’re inclined to scatter your energy a little, and this is fine as you feel out new ideas and interests. With Neptune at a station today, there can be some confusion or lack of concentration to deal with temporarily. Direction and focus may have been issues in your life in recent months while Neptune was retrograde, especially regarding all things revolving around family and home life. An introspective period that involved some delays and procrastination is now turning a corner. In the coming weeks, it will be easier and more intuitive to sort out patterns of conditioning and behaviors that have prevented you from moving forward. There can be some significant “eurekas” forthcoming. The inner “troubleshooting” that you’ve been doing will begin to pay off in the form of a stronger and more focused “you” in the weeks ahead.

Capricorn

With the Moon in your resources sector all day, dear Capricorn, you can be especially tuned in to matters of comfort and security. Your desire to build upon what you already have in place is strong now. While practical affairs capture your interest today, Neptune’s station as it turns direct can point to some level of confusion or mental fog. This is temporary as we adjust to the shift. While Neptune has been retrograde in your communications sector in recent months, it may have been rather difficult concentrating on mundane or routine tasks. There is a greater need for your imaginative, intuitive side to engage in order for you to maintain focus and interest in what you’re doing. There is also more spontaneity in your thought processes and your speech, as you don’t always know in advance where your words or thoughts are taking you. Neptune turning direct today after months of retrograde motion can bring some misconceptions to light. There can be some restoration of faith in projects, learning, studies, and possibly relationships with siblings.

Aquarius

The Moon transits your sign all day, dear Aquarius, stimulating stronger attention to emotions and personal needs, as well as a desire to feel connected to the world around you in meaningful ways. There is a dreamy theme to the day with Neptune, the planet of illusion, at a station as it turns direct. This event occurs every year around the same time. Dreams, visions, and intuition are powerful today, and could prompt you to act in unusual ways. Important truths are coming to light now that can stir up all sorts of mixed feelings, but help pave the way for personal changes that truly improve your life. You may have not had much faith in your ability to attract the right resources to you in recent months, or even to make the kind of living you want, but this is beginning to change with Neptune’s direct motion. Money matters can begin to move forward. Some of you could also feel more courage or inspiration to stand up for yourself and your values now and in the coming weeks.

Pisces

The Moon is transiting a hidden, private part of your solar chart all day, dear Pisces, and your more intuitive, introspective side is engaged. Neptune, your ruler, stations today as it turns direct after months of retrograde motion in your own sign. This brings a shift in attitude and perhaps some forward motion to projects or personal plans. Matters of personal image can emerge more strongly, and in the coming days and weeks, you are likely to feel more confident about making changes and tweaks that you have been considering. You could arrive at some new and improved ways of presenting yourself to others. You may have some slightly uncomfortable revelations regarding how others see you, whether it’s by way of direct or indirect feedback, but these provide you the chance to make some necessary and helpful edits. Your ability to lead will firm up now and in the coming weeks, helping to get you back into the groove of things.

The Balance of the Elements & the Signs for November 18th

LIBRA STRONG
Even-handed, harmonious, artistic, diplomatic, balancing, strong sense of fairness. Can be over- compromising, appeasing, judgmental.
SCORPIO STRONG
Intense, magnetic, penetrating perception, power to confront. Can be destructive, vengeful, jealous, overly dramatic.
AQUARIUS STRONG
Humanitarian, innovative, group conscious, progressive, serving others. Can be rebellious, eccentric, aloof, emotionally superficial, overly extroverted.

BALANCE OF ELEMENTS

FIRE WEAK
We are not very goal-oriented right now, or motivation to pursue our goals may be waning/lacking. Changes feel overwhelming. Enthusiasm may be low, we argue less, and we think more than we take action.
EARTH WEAK
There can be a lack of desire, interest, or skills regarding practical affairs. We may not be very much in touch with reality. Difficulties concentrating, grounding ourselves.
AIR STRONG
We tend to favor rational, objective thought over emotions, impulses, and feelings at this time. We are more intellectual, fair-minded, and logical in our approach, Ideas flow easily and quickly, we are more communicative and guided by principles, and also somewhat dispassionate or impersonal.

BALANCE OF MODES

The modes are balanced.

Astrology of Today – November 18, 2015

Summary:

• The Moon is in Aquarius all day (until Thursday, November 19th, at 7:21 AM).
• The Moon is waxing and in its Waxing Crescent phase.
• A New Moon occurred on the 11th, and a First Quarter Moon will occur early tomorrow.
• Neptune stations direct today.

Trauma, Healing & the Divine Plan

a message from Rev. Irma Kaye Sawyer

To read more of Rev. Sawyer’s insight, please visit her website, Irma Kaye Sawyer

Healing Collective Trauma, Stopping the Static and Re-aligning with the Divine Plan 

Hello friends. Well as you can imagine I’ve been quite busy since last week as a cosmic correspondent. Last weekend was a tough place to be in social media, but it did give me a good idea on what was going on in the collective consciousness. Whoa. As my one wise friend likes to say, “the cheese was thick on the ground.”

I admit I was heavily impacted, especially that on the week of the glorious 11:11 Stargate such horrendous things would happen in the world. I know many of you were also.

Having some time to contemplate and confer with Guidance after I cleared my energies, I was able to get some further clarity. As you know I’ve been following and tracking the astro-cosmic influences and have commented often on the intensity and “magnification” aspects of the “8” Universal Year energies. Like most things that exist in a 3-5D scenario, they can be interpreted on several levels.

Though this meme from “Zoolander” is certainly funny and apt for the moment, shaming others is definitely not. It’s also a subtle, but real form of bullying. A popular sentiment that’s been going around heavily in social media is to shame or give people static for not being concerned about what other think they should be. As in the examples of Paris vs. Lebanon, and so forth. This is a form of divisive thinking that helps no one, except perhaps the negative aspects of ego/ordinary mind. I used the word “static” for a reason, as in times of pain, trauma and chaos the collective noise gets very high and the resultant vibration unsteady. I have also noticed that it’s a convenient way to project (i.e. “offload”) the anger, pain and helplessness that many people feel in times of violence and crisis as opposed to taking responsibility and not adding to the collective garbage heap.

“It’s like saying, “these people don’t deserve our deep sympathy because they’re much better off than these other people in the world.” That type of comparison is deadly to compassion. “Politically correct” shaming (and possibly resultant guilt) gone overboard won’t help us relate better to each other. This, to me, is more reflective of our collective inability to sit with discomfort, while having no answers to this insane level of violence in the world. Outward projection is always divisive, and ultimately, serves no one.” – Alyce Walker

I couldn’t have said it any better myself than this wonderful quote by Alyce Walker. “Sitting” with our pain is not easy, especially in a culture that supports taking a pill, buying more stuff and/or generally numbing out rather than to face reality. Being with pain also bringing a vulnerability and rawness that is also not especially condoned or supported in our culture, where excessive “Yang” attitudes are still prevalent, although that IS changing. One of the gifts in situations like this is actually a return to the Healing Angels, Taras and Great Mother, to lay our fear and pain at their feet and allow their loving compassion to penetrate our hearts and softened places. There is a resistance to this in certain circles, as the understanding that our “soft spots” actually contain great power is not yet a very popular view. Psychic and emotional “Armoring” created from pain and resistance can be penetrated, while the open truth of feelings simply ARE. This is not to imply however, (especially for Empaths and Sensitives) that we do not take precautions with our own personal/psychic energy, which is another matter.

So what CAN we do? Since ultimately we are all ONE, what are we bringing to the table of humanity? Our pain, fear and projection or our love, peace and essence? This is something that we indeed do have some control over. As we become aware of the unfolding of more frightening and violent world events, I am reminded of the “Two Worlds” scenario mentioned by noteworthy Indigo/New Earth Researcher and author Dolores Cannon, and also several others. The division between vibration and “worlds” is becoming more evident and pronounced. It is essential that we guard our energies and thoughts well and that we choose wisely in terms of media, conversations and even companions.

**I especially invite all energy workers, Reiki and IET practitioners to include the Collective in your work. Archangels Michael and Raphael are especially helpful in clearing fear and trauma to restore health and balance.

Forces of Light will overcome the forces of darkness. Complete spiritual enlightenment on Earth will occur. – Edgar Cayce

From the centre which we call the race of men, Let the Plan of Love and Light work out. And may it seal the door where evil dwells. Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth. – excerpt from “The Great Invocation,” received by Alice Bailey in 1945 (Lucis Trust)

In my work with the Akashic Wisdom Keepers over the last seven years, they have often referred to this as well.

Now is the moment. The Indigos, Crystals, Lighworkers, Starseeds who are with you now number in the millions. Please do not be fooled or afraid – the restoration of Gaia is underway, no matter what illusory stories are being played out. Those who have awakened to the knowledge and truth that they are Galactic Citizens have “seen behind the curtain” so to speak, and are guided by and attuned to the higher authority of Cosmic Love. Shanti – peace unto you all. – The Keepers, Cosmic Love, page 114

Stay strong yet truthful in your vulnerability, friends. It can be done. Your light is needed and appreciated. You have seen behind the curtain and know there is much more than meets the eye. Trust your inner Guidance. Sat-Chit-Ananda. You Are That.

Heal From Tragedy and Post-Traumatic Stress

a message from Doreen Virtue

To read more of Doreen’s insight, please visit her website, Angel Therapy

 

Feelings of sadness, shock, numb, low-energy, and anger are symptoms of post-traumatic stress.  So are addictive behaviors, such as binge drinking and eating, attempts to block-out the pain of post-traumatic stress.

Studies show that our bodies can’t distinguish between stress that happens to us personally, and stress that happens to another person. Our bodies’ empathic systems pour stress hormones into our systems, whenever we read, see, or hear about a traumatic situation. This is called “Secondary PTSD.”

I’ve lived through a lot of trauma during my 57 years, including earthquakes, riots, a car-jacking, and personal traumas. I’ve also counseled those who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, and wrote about my research in my book, Don’t Let Anything Dull Your Sparkle, a book about recovering from PTSD.

Here are 4 methods for healing from post-traumatic stress.

1. Move your body to disperse stress chemicals.  When a trauma occurs, our first reaction is to freeze like a deer in headlights. We hold our breath and tense our muscles. Meanwhile, our brains are being flooded with stress hormones like adrenaline, cortisol, and histamine.  It’s vitally important to move your body to disperse these chemicals so the trauma doesn’t become frozen into muscle memory. To recover from anxiety and fear related to trauma, gentle stretching or restorative (gentle) yoga can help you to release and recover a sense of inner peace and feelings of safety and security.

2. Stay away from news reports.  It’s easy to fall into the trap of obsessively reading or watching news stories, to try to make sense of tragedy. There’s also a belief that news gives you more control, safety, and knowledge of what to expect next. However, studies show that traumatic news stories flood the brain and body with the same amount of stress hormones as if the trauma had occurred to you personally. This can lead to Secondary PTSD, and the symptoms of PTSD (flashbacks, anxiety, worries about safety, feeling unsafe and insecure, addictions, etc.).  Limit your exposure to news stories. If you feel anxious while hearing about news, be sure to engage in stretching exercises to disperse the stress chemicals.

3. Listen to gentle music.  Soothing meditation music lowers blood pressure and heart rate, and soothes us like a lullaby.  Pandora Radio has a gentle music station called Nature, or you can search for music genres like “Spa music,” “Meditation music,” or “Yoga music” to find soothing background music. I highly recommend playing soothing music at home, at work, and in the car.

4. Spirituality.  When tragedy occurs, it may test your faith. Still, studies show that those who have spiritual or religious beliefs have healthier responses to traumatic events. Believing in God’s protective power, and/or “that everything happens for a reason” helps you to feel peaceful. You retain a sense of safety, instead of believing the world is dangerous and haphazard.  Praying and meditating are instantly effective ways to heal from stress and anxiety.

Having lived through so many tragedies, and also studying history, it seems that trauma is a part of earthly life. History books, including the Bible, show that our world has endured unspeakable violence and earth changes.  One thing I do know:  our souls have an inner compass that points toward peace and health. We are hardwired to be peaceful and happy individuals. And when our hearts break from tragedy, we also have the opportunity to open our hearts to new levels of compassion.

We can choose to let tragedy pull us down, or we can decide to be stronger. We can allow traumatic events to turn us into cold, angry, revengeful people. Or we can find a sense of meaning and purpose in helping others to heal and grow.

_{If post-traumatic symptoms continue or interfere with your relationships, job, or other functioning, please seek professional treatment from a trauma-specialist therapist. For more information on healing from the effects of trauma, please read “Don’t Let Anything Dull Your Sparkle: How to Break Free of Negativity & Drama.”}

Valerian Root for Anxiety

Valerian root is one of the best herbs for dealing with severe anxiety. If you cannot sleep because traumatic events keep playing out in the form of nightmares or if you are afraid to fall asleep because of nightmares, this root can help.

Make a powerful decoction of the freshest Valerian root you can find. Mexican grocery stores are a good source, but any herb shop that carries dried herbs is likely to have some on hand.

Put two teaspoons of ground root or a large, single piece of root into boiling water. Add two teaspoons of dried lemon grass. Let it cook down for four to five minutes. If you’re using one of the large roots, you can put it aside and let it air dry. You can use it twice in a decoction before it begins to lose its power.

Let the this brew cool for a few minutes. Then, strain the liquid into a cup. Add sugar or honey to taste, if you like. Drink this before bed time. It will help you a little on the first night. But, when you do it the second night, you will have a good sleep and feel very relaxed.

Always heed all cautions with regard to herbs and use only as directed. And, as always, if you take pharmaceutical drugs or are under the care of a physician, you should seek his or her advice.

Once you are sufficiently calm, again, and able to focus, try using self-hypnosis by making your own recordings. This can help you to regain control over certain aspects of your life, again. It is simply a way of talking to your subconscious mind, re-programming it however you want it to be, using your own voice in a recording. You can, also, use pre-recorded hypnosis tapes.

Black Magic for Dark Times: Spells of Revenge and Protection

Angela Kaelin