Happy First Sunday of February

Hello and Happy Zenful Sunday to you all. It is the first Sunday in February. How was your week, for you and your family? Good I hope. Did anyone smudge for this past Thursday’s Super New Moon? I did not. As I said last Sunday, I will do it for next month. However, despite me not smudging for the Super New Moon, usually I do think of positive changes in my life that I want to make. And I become aware of them and apply them. So, no I didn't light my candles and smudge, but I do have my thoughts up in the ol’ noggin. I didn't smudge as much as I usually do this week either; one, I didn't need to and two, it does lower my energies when I do it too often and I have to make sure my energy is recharged. Speaking of recharging, lets start drinking water before I start smudging….

So rumor has it that the Groundhog has seen his shadow today, which means six more weeks of winter for us, eh. I know for most of us its a drag and we are all (rightly so) tired of the excessive snowfall and extra frigid cold temperatures, but lets face it we can’t change it. You want to go up against mother nature, good luck. I’m stay out of it. lol So instead lets all just keep and stay toasty warm. It won’t stay snowy and cold forever so lets take these next weeks to use it to begin our spring cleaning now. Just because the earth is still sleeping doesn't mean we need to stay dormant. I’d say the representation of this Groundhog Day whether winter was shorter or not, its a good start as any to begin cleansing our own energy which will help us be more Zenful. 

I have already noticed that the sun is still out a little longer as I leave work during the week, have you? Don’t get me wrong its not super bright out, but it beats leaving work (not two weeks ago) and it being dark out already. Even though I was well aware that I was in the negative digits for the past few weeks, I was also glad in knowing that Spring would be slowly approaching me. These cold few weeks will pass us as time does, and change the earth once more. The change as it does, will continue. Change no matter how presented to us, good or bad. Is good for us. Even if at that moment we don’t see it. Or it doesn't feel like it at the moment.

Change will teach us lessons that we need to learn, to become a better person. These changes can be quick lessons or it may be months, years even before we realize what that lesson is even trying to teach us. Sometimes these changes are toxic. They aren't good for us, and it’ll take us a while to release ourselves from these toxic changes, whether its a form of addiction; any form, being in an unhealthy relationship, any form. For me, I have had some major changes, some I am grateful that I wasn't alone during them and very thankful for the women in my life that were there for me at the time. But I also realized that I needed to be alone in my Journey of change. I learn better when I am alone with my own thoughts. It is hard for me to make any change when I am surrounded by others, energies and thoughts. After all what works for one doesn't and won’t ever work the exact same for another. And that's okay. This is what makes us all unique and different. Smudging has been with me, in helping me through my changes, makes things so much more easier, calmer. That and the gemstones that I collect. Using their energy helps with the changes that at times can be difficult. 

Here's this weeks Gemstone and meaning below:

     (My Lapis Lazuli Pyramid, on my Smudge Box and my 
        cedar/sage/sweet grass bundle) 

Lapis Lazuli Pyramid

Pyramids amplify and then tightly focus energy through the apex. This Lapis Lazuli pyramid can be used to draw off negative energy and blockage from the Throat Chakra.

This beautiful lapis lazuli from Afghanistan contains generous amounts of pyrite. Lapis lazuli is an ancient gem that has been mined for over 6000 years. It has many powerful energies, such as:

• Encourages self awareness
• Bestows wisdom and honesty
• Reveals inner truth
• Stone of friendship
• Opens many chakra centers with its high intensity

Remember, though change at times can be a very scary experience, but in the end we will be rewarded with a better sense of self, having walked our Journey of Change. Come and join me as I begin to smudge us for a positive week ahead.

Opening smudge prayer:

I'd like to ask The Lord our Father as well as The Universe to be here with us today as I smudge & cleanse each of those that are reading this. 

I'd like to also ask my ancestors to be present, as well as the elements; earth, water, air, & fire to be here with us. 

I'd like to call on the goddess of the North, East, South & West. As well as our archangels Raphael for healing, Michael for protection, Gabriel for revelation & Uriel for wisdom.

Please release us all of any negative energy that does not suit or support our needs. Please Lord and Universe be here with us and help us during our time of needing healing, protection, revelation, and wisdom. 

Please let us all have a drama free and great work week. Let our kids have a wonderful week at school and or day care. Please let all issues regarding friendships, spouses or family be resolved as they are meant to be. In a kind and peaceful manner. 

    (Lit and smokey Cedar/Sage/  Sweetgrass bundle over a 
     heart shaped rock that's been in my family for 17 yrs with 
     one of many lit candles in the background) 

    (Mixed Smudge Bundle and a few gemstones along with the 

      Gathering of the Goddesses coaster)

Please see the sage smoke carry away all your worries and blow them away with the element wind, burn them away with the element fire, soak them away with the element water so that the element earth may ground you. Take these few minutes to visual this and clear this away......

Closing smudge prayer:

I'd like to thank you Lord and the Universe for giving me opportunity to share my Zenful experience with others. 

I want to thank my ancestors for being present. I'd like to also, thank the elements earth, water, wind, & fire for being with us. 

I'd like to thank the goddess of the north, east, south & west. As well as our archangels Raphael for healing, Michael for protection, Gabriel for revelation & Uriel for wisdom. 

Thank you Lord and Universe for always looking out for us and for giving us all the Blessings we have. Thank you for my yesterday, for my today and for the abundance of a wonderful week ahead. 

 Blessed Be.

~A. Reyes~