HEALING POWER OF PEAK EXPERIENCES – THE AWE FACTOR
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As part of my mind, body, and spiritual wellness journey, I’ve been exploring the idea of “peak experiences,” how they affect us, how we can have more of them, and why. Peak experiences take us to a place of feeling connected to something vast, immensely larger than ourselves. These types of experiences take our breath away and make us gasp in awe- “Oh, wow!” moments. They can help us feel connected to everyone, all of nature, and can bring an all-encompassing and overwhelming sense of appreciation and bliss. Think of a single peak experience you’ve had and focus on the sense of wonder and awe it brought to you, all the feels. Maybe it came through meditation or experiencing a vast natural phenomenon such as the Grand Canyon for example. A way to measure the various emotions which might come up during such an experience was created by Psychologists Scott Barry Kaufman and his colleague David Yaden – the higher the score the more awesome the experience Awe-Experience-Scale-Worksheet. The Peak Experience is also often referred to as “the mystical experience.” Current ongoing research is showing that as an alternative therapy for mental health patients, the peak/mystical experience that occurs via psychedelic substance therapy has highly beneficial and long-lasting outcomes for many participants. An easy Google search shows that 50 million Americans currently take prescription drugs for anxiety, depression, PTSD, fear, grief, addiction, and this number has increased over 20% during/after the Covid pandemic. The conventional approach of prescribing anti-depression medication addresses symptoms without getting to the causes. Healing is not happening, just management of symptoms. Is this really our best and only option? As an alternative, psychedelic therapy is being explored and is showing some amazing results. Listen to Dhru Purohit’s fascinating interview (recommended by Dr. Mark Hyman) with Dr. Ellen Vora to learn more dhrupurohitpodcast. A related Netflix series based on Michael Pollen’s 2018 best-selling book of the same title is well-worth the watch. HowtoChangeYourMind
TAROT AND ORACLE CARDS FOR FEBRUARY, 2023
How far can you go with Tarot? Take my Tarot Empowerment Quiz to find out! This adventure started with Power Up Your Woo Woo, available on Amazon, Kobo, Apple, Ingram Spark, Google Play, Audible, and Barnes & Noble to name a few. Paperback, hardback, e-book, audio book and journal. THANK YOU again if you have already left a review on Amazon (or elsewhere) for the book or journal. I do so APPRECIATE it. Follow this link to leave your honest review on Amazon : ReviewPowerUpYourWooWoo. Yes, reviews do matter!
Take what resonates with you and leave the rest for others in this collective.
(Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot and WildWood Tarot decks)
TEMPERANCE – Balance between (masculine) action and (feminine) allowing energies, being in flow without force or resistance to the stream of life and all that it brings into our experience. The Temperance card represents a blending, mixing, alchemical aspect of combining various interests or materials into something new. And maintaining a clear vision of our long-term goals. What are you creating?
THE WORLD TREE– The ending of one cycle and beginning of a new one. The path of life is represented with the winding labyrinth in front of the tree. Walking the labyrinth represents the ritual of walking our own life path, completing what we agreed to complete on a soul level and evolving to higher levels of consciousness as a result. There are always twist and turns, surprises along the way as we gain experience, wisdom and knowledge. Upon entering (through the door/portal) at the base of the tree, we connect with Universal Intelligence and the Source of all – a peak experience.
THE PAGE OF CUPS – Creativity, curiosity, an open mind, interesting surprises. A new idea or a new way of looking at things comes out of what seems like “the blue.” Could some of your manifestations be showing up for you? Keeping an open, playful and curious mind and acknowledging synchronicities and signs we receive from the Universe makes things so much more fun!
THE EIGHT OF VESSELS – REBIRTH We release our fears so that full potential and rejuvenation/healing are ours to enjoy. There is a flow of confidence, stepping forward to do what we claim as ours to do. We are stronger, wiser and more resilient as a result of all we have experienced and learned from so far. We are co-creators with the Universe to live our best lives, thrive, expand.
DESTINY – (Jody Bergsma’s Magical Times Empowerment deck) This month we come out of hibernation to acknowledge our mission and purpose. We have gifts to share with the world, and now we have the confidence and vision to step forward and let ourselves be more seen and heard, perhaps in a new capacity, a new role, a new phase or with a different partner or group of people.
KALI-MA- (Kyle Gray’s Keepers of the Light oracle deck) FACING FEAR Major spiritual changes are unfolding. This is your chance to soar. Facing our fears, really seeing them for what they are (illusions!) and letting them go is one of the most challenging things we do in our lifetimes, but the sooner we take on the challenge, the more freedom and expansion, love and well-being we will enjoy. Does it happen overnight, no. But we can make big gains in our peacefulness and joy when we are willing to have an honest look at where we feel disempowered, in lack, insecure, unloved, or unseen/unheard. These are our places of most healing and growth.
FIVE LINED SKINK – DELIGHT AND DARING - (Maia Toll’s The Illustrated Bestiary oracle deck) Sometimes, just going for it is the best way to go! Whatever you have been hesitating on, now is the time to drop all the restraints and fears so that you can create/do/go and experience new levels of creativity and growth. The February 5th New Moon in Leo is brimming with confident and daring energy to create, and this powerful energy carries throughout the month.
TEMPLE OF TRUTH Throat chakra. Authenticity. Self-expression. (Kyle Gray’s Gateway of Life Activation oracle deck) Speak your truth, put your message out there. You have full freedom of expression. Expressing your truth is healing and empowering.
May you always walk in the remembrance of who you truly are. And may you never lose your song.