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Travel, though rewarding, can also induce anxiety if you’re unfamiliar with your surroundings. If

you travel often for work or personal reasons, but still feel uncertainty with new places (driving in

different cities or fear of being alone where you’re unknown) there is a psychic tool you can take

on the road with you for protection.

 

This tool is called a talisman and, simply put, it’s an object you put purposeful energy into for

specific reasons. In this case, you could infuse the object with energy to keep you safe while

you’re traveling. For the purposes of protection, I highly recommend using money as your talisman.

 

Money is an excellent talisman used in folk magic, often associated with luck or protection

worldwide. Traditionally in the US, the silver dime is considered the luckiest coin (more on this

shortly). In Chinese culture, “money charms” constructed of brass coins and red knots hang in

homes. Europeans use coins made of silver and personally marked (adding an initial or an X on the coin) for luck.

 

The US distinction of the good luck dimes originates from the time period when they were created

and the story of the Roman God, Mercury. In ancient times, studying planetary movement was

entertainment, and the planet Mercury was known to be fast, orbiting the sun in only 8 days. So

when the Romans named their pantheon of Gods, Mercury was illustrated as a swift messenger

known for assisting travelers to their destination. The US minted Mercury dimes that bore the

image of the God’s head in his winged helmet, made from silver, from 1918 until 1945. These

coins are absolutely the best you can find.

 

Here are several things to consider when creating your travel talisman:

1. Obtain a silver Mercury dime from eBay, a coin shop, or various online stores from coin

collectors. You can also purchase red string, but this is optional and dependent on how you

choose to carry your talisman.

2. Pay attention to the year the coin was minted. If you were born between those years, you

might want to buy a coin that coincides with your birth year. Or, if not, numerology can

help you select your coin. For example, a coin minted in 1940 signifies the number 5,

associated with speed and action (1+9+4+0 = 14, 1+4 = 5).

3. Once you have the coin, you’ll need to charge it by placing it in the palm of your hand and

grasping it, while setting the intention (through prayer or concentration) of safe travel and

protection. It’s really that simple to build a psychic connection between you and your new

talisman and by concentrating on it while holding the coin, you’ll turn it into your very own talisman.

Carry your coin with you at all times, whether in a pocket, wallet, or purse. Or, if you choose to,

you can drill a small hole into it and use the red string mentioned earlier to wear it as jewelry

undetected under your clothes: a bracelet, necklace, or anklet will work.

 

Think of your talisman as an insurance policy needing replenishment and renew its strength or create a new one yearly.

May this newfound security grant you wonderful adventures and happy travels!

Starting Fresh in 2017

With the new year approaching, you’ll see even the closest of friends can differ in their beliefs about making a New Year’s resolution, and I’ve found there are three different mindsets when it comes to their choices.

TYPE #1  The naysayers, the haters, and the TC (too cool).

Most of what they say about having a resolution is it’s likely you’ll break it, so why set yourself up for a failure right away? Or that there’s no reason to wait for the new year to take on a new routine or challenge. Logic based without any of the heart (because they’re trying to keep it from breaking).

TYPE #2  The go-getters, adrenaline junkies and adventurers.

These are the people who thrive when they challenge themselves to complete a task. They are excited at the symbolic shift in time, a fresh beginning marked on January 1: anything they didn’t get to in the last year or a new goal spurn them forward. A “oh yeah? Let me prove it to you,” attitude often gets them far.

TYPE #3  The rest of the world.

Somewhere between the far left and right are the central majority who aren’t sure whether or not they’re ready to commit to something that might make them a failure but adore the idea of starting fresh. We’re the group who values hard work and hope, but juggling them can be intimidating.

Here’s what I have to say:

If you’re here, it’s because – on some level – you value a side of life that isn’t entirely based in logic. You believe there is something greater than you working in the Universe, something big enough to change the course of your life (whether good or bad).

Why not give yourself permission to place value in that belief and show it you’re ready to trust?

It doesn’t truly matter if you start on January 1st or June 22nd. Or if you create a vision board or pen your goal into your journal. Whatever it is that you want to reach, you only have to declare it and work toward it.

The good news?

Everything you’ve done leading up to this moment has been progress toward your goal. Mistakes are lessons we glean from and regrets are reminders of what still needs to be healed. As long as you are putting one foot in front of the other, there’s nothing stopping forward movement. Now is the time for reflection: a chance to look at last year’s road blocks and find a better navigation system.

If you wanted to lose 15 pounds and gained 5, find what was holding you back and shed it.

If you thought you’d find your soul mate or wanted to earn more money in business, find the why you didn’t and keep moving.

Sometimes we want so badly to put reasoning (or blame) on an outside force and – in doing so – we don’t realize how much power that takes away from ourselves.

You, my dear friends, are strong enough to keep walking, brave enough to face adversity, and deserving enough to make 2016 the best year of your life.

Your resolution? An announcement shouting your worth.

And you absolutely deserve it.

Faithfully,

Marin

With the holidays approaching, it’s time to think about gift options you’d like to give your loved ones or – maybe – receive from others.

If you’re into spiritual enlightenment or know someone who might be, following is a creative list of gift ideas to help the recipient find their inner-peace while respecting the purchaser’s pocketbook.

* How about a Zen Garden? For someone who needs to find instant clarity or a quick reprieve from a larger problem. Essentially, it’s a sand garden that comes with a small rake and a few pebbles to move around/place as you see fit. It is not only a meditate tool, but decorative as well. Placing it on the corner of your desk, or displayed on the coffee table proclaims your “zen” and serves as a conversation piece to invite spiritual discussions.

* A new yoga mat would be useful for anyone who has expressed an interest in conquering a new year’s exercise or weight-loss resolution. For an added level of creativity or to expand on this concept for a seasoned yoga student, upgrade to a mat more specific to suit your advanced Yogi’s needs, add a fancy carrying bag, yoga strap, a “Namaste” water bottle, yoga blocks or fancy no-slip socks.

* Wanting something a little more soul soothing? Why not a tea assortment and gift basket to fit their lifestyle or mood? For example, a new mug and tea assortment (herbal, green and black teas). Or step it up a notch with a complementary mixture of both tea and bath and body soothing products that encourages (or gives permission to) escape the chaos of the everyday and relax, breathe, and melt into their soul’s desire to unwind.

*The gift of incense can serve as an enhancement to a routine for someone who has an altar or enjoys a meditative practice. We’re not just talking Nag Champa here…. Rather, gifting the idea and tools for the sacred practice of burning incense. Envision an elegant gift bag filled with a new incense burner, complete with an assortment of incense cones or sticks, and even a fancy lighter. You can find varieties from different geographical regions or specific cultures to customize the gift to the recipients spiritual/religious preference. Take note of the many biblical passages referencing incense burning, the most clearly stated can be found in Exodus 30:1 “You shall make an altar as a place for burning incense.”

* You can’t go wrong with an assemblage of uplifting, spiritual books for the reader in your life. These can be titles you’ve read and you know they’ll love, or you could include a 2016 planner in the mix with an inspirational quote, hand penned on selected dates, which will help them start the day on a positive note. Stack them up, and bundle them with a big red bow. Be creative and think about titles they’ll definitely read or intricate planners in their style. Bonus points: Take the time to write a beautiful inscription, and note the date/occasion on the inside cover.

 

* For the intuitive or energy sensitive individual; a purposeful, semi-precious stone. A Rose Quartz pendant can be worn for enhancing love. Malachite is said to reduce feelings of gloom and anger. Smokey Quartz can worn for detoxifying from negative energy. Hematite for protection, grounding and calming. Moonstone for maintaining female health. Amethyst or Fluorite for psychic development.

* You can always fall back on the dependable gift of a quality candle, accessorized by a candle holder. It satisfies any level of spirituality. For the really advanced, it could be used on an altar as a devotional candle, and the flame could be used as an excellent meditation tool. For the inquisitive new ager, or agnostic, they can simply enjoy the scent of the candle and the cozy feeling it radiates in one’s home.

Though this list is not exhaustive, know it’s a great place to start if you’re in the market for soulful gifts, where the recipient is sure to recognize that “the thought counts!”

One additional item to consider giving? Love.

It’s the most simple, powerful, and beneficial gift you could ever give to another soul, and it’s absolutely free to give.

Have a great gift ideas to share? Then jump into the conversation and comment below.

Faithfully,

Marin

Many hotels and buildings skip the number 13 when counting their floors. It’s well-known the number is unlucky, and everyone has heard Friday the 13^th brings with it bad luck. A boarding pass with the seat number 13 might make you uneasy, right?

The number provides a mysterious obsession in our culture and professional people (doctors and lawyers included) won’t schedule important procedures or proceedings on the 13^th of the month. Even if you don’t realize you fear this number, I’m sure you’ve seen someone else take precautions around this date.

So why is the number 13 seen as a bad number? Why is Friday the 13th so feared?

Cultural Legend

People versed in history can recall that in Norse Mythology Loki caused the God of Light’s death after arriving to a party as the 13^th guest. In Roman history, witches gathered in groups of 12 and believed the 13^th guest would bring evil to their group. On Friday, October 13^th, King Phillip of France commanded the Grand Master and the Knights of the Knights Templar be arrested. Lastly, Christians know there were 13 attendees at the last supper, but they might be unaware that Friday is considered the day of Christ’s crucifixion.

All of these examples together show a longstanding belief that the number brings negativity.

Numerology

In numerology, 12 is considered fulfilling and completing. Easy examples to follow are: the number of months in a year, the number of hours on a clock’s face, how many items are in a dozen, and the number of signs in the zodiac.

Simply speaking, the number 13 might take unnecessary heat because it follows such a complete number, and people might believe it to cause an imbalance.

This fear is changing in many cultures, and there are groups of people who work to remove the negative stigma by finding the magnetism of the number 13. Modern Wicca and pagans, for example, believe in finding the good in the number so it can balance out the bad. In Judaism, the number symbolizes the age of maturity and the number of principals they have in their own faith.

See? It’s not always so bad.

If we go back to numerology, we can reduce the number 13 into a simple equation of 1 + 3, leaving us with the number 4, and the number four is another number we associate with completion or totality: there are four seasons in each year and four true directions on a compass.

What you should know is this:

Even though there are reasons people squirm and believe the number 13 to be bothersome, there are also plenty of ways to see the number in a more positive light. Chalk up the superstitious to events that have coincidentally happened on this date and the unlucky positioning of the number behind 12.

There is simply no reason to avoid going out on the 13^th of each month. Yes, even on a Friday. If you’re still not convinced, I should also mention that trying to protect yourself will actually make you miss out on a lot, as the 13^th day of the month falls on Fridays more than any other day.

 

 

 

November 1st, also known as the Day of the Dead – A time where in many cultures this day is set aside for honoring the deceased.

I know you want to honor and bring forth the guidance of your favorite relative or departed friend, but, are you not sure where to begin?  Looking for a blueprint on how to create an altar?
There isn’t just one.
However, that’s simply because the energy you put into it and the interactions you have with it are much more important.

That’s great news, guys.

An altar is a space you create to shift from everyday life into the spiritual realm, including the area you use and the spiritual atmosphere it inhabits. They are often used to reconnect with passed loved ones or to dedicate energy to a specific cause (like overcoming serious illness). No matter why you are creating your altar, there are several phases you should respect as you build your sacred space.

Phase One – Choosing a location
The more private the location in your home or outside space, the better (to avoid people messing with it or disrupting you). Your spot should be quiet, away from the busiest places in your home.

Phase Two – Clean up time
Remove existing clutter in your chosen space. This is pretty straight forward: your location should be considered sacred, and that means it shouldn’t be dirty.

Phase Three – Energetically clean up, too
Sprinkle water or smudge-burn your favorite incense in and around the location. This ensures you have an energetic fresh start.
Side note: you may do this as a ritual to sweep away old, negative energy as time progresses.

Phase Four – Construction begins
The first thing you should construct is a boundary around your altar. By doing this, you separate the everyday world and the spiritual world. The visual cue of a boundary, such as a rope, a rug, curtain or wall, allows you to mentally shift from one world into the other as you step over the constructed boundary.

Phase Five – Start Building and Filling
Place a table or shelf inside of the altar. This will allow you to put items associated with the person you’re honoring or the cause you’re focusing on. These include photographs, jewelry, personal belongings, stones and candles: all things that represent your spiritual purpose and act as an energy channel.
You can also consider adding elementals to your alter (things that represent the elements Earth, Air, Fire and Water). Each element brings with it a grounding, balancing effect good for your space.
DO NOT put everyday items in your altar (i.e. tossing your house keys onto the table because you’re passing it). Only items associated with the altar should be within the designated area.

Phase Six –  Hold the space sacred
Now’s the time to concentrate the space. There are two major ways this can be done, but you should be focusing on the spiritual energy of the altar:

1. Ritual (A small blessing. Keep it simple.  Perhaps lighting a votive candle. Calling to the heavens above and asking them to bless this space and allow for a direct connection to the loved one or your guides.)
2. Meditation (sitting in front of your newly created space, spend approximately 15 min in thought, prayer, or calling in the energy of the individual).
   Whatever you choose to do to concentrate the space is a very personal decision. Whatever you do, make your dedication significant to you.

Phase Seven – Use Ritual as you enter and leave the altar
Every time you step into or out of your sacred space, be sure you do this by signifying the importance of the space (again, in a way that’s significant to you).

Finally, once you’ve mastered these seven phases and you’re using your altar, I highly encourage you to do an annual cleaning. If you feel it needs to be done sooner than that, trust your intuition, but don’t be a neat freak (you want the energy to settle in and stay there, so a little dust isn’t a huge deal).
It’s not uncommon to begin identifying other sacred spaces in the world around you after you’ve created and used your own, and – hopefully – you’ll being to create and witness the sacred in your everyday life.

The best date to create an altar space is November 1st, also known as the Day of the Dead. (And the “original” new years day.) On this sacred day, there is a Universal collective of energy  that will support you in the creation of a new altar space.  Go with your gut, but if you need and specific guidance or assistance connected with a departed loved one, I’m a phone call away.   (VIEW SERVICES HERE).

And if you did not have the opportunity to harness the energy this day, don’t fret.  Any day will work, some dates may be a little more auspicious than others, but do not let the specifics of the date hold you back if you were not able to begin today. Creating an altar space is the easiest method to begin communicating with your ancestors and invite their guidance into your life.  Why wait?