SoulKu Jewelry

 

I have been making jewelry for over 10 years. I learned beadweaving techniques and making jewelry became a passion rather quickly. I then taught advanced beadweaving for several years to women who also had a craving for crystals, beads, bracelets, necklaces. That said, I simply love jewelry.

I was introduced to SoulKu jewelry through a friend - www.soulku.com  SoulKu is a women owned business that was founded in 2011. The pieces are hand-made, simple, yet meaningful as they are infused with energy to honor friendship, love, courage, harmony, etc. It's worth a look. A portion of the purchases support non-profits that empower women, children and families. An example is below:

 

 

Essential Oils and Smell

 

 

We have heard the old adage, "stop and smell the roses." There is actually scientific evidence that smelling rose oil can turn off the fear response happening in your body. Credit is given to Nobel Prize researcher named Linda Buck. Her research centered around specific olfactory cells (connected to the sense of smell) in the nervous system and the body's response.

Jodie Cohen, in her book, Essential Oils to Boost the Brain & Heal the Body, says, 

    "The cells of the olfactory epithelium are in fact brain cells. This olfactory membrane is the only place in your body where your central nervous system is exposed and is in direct contact with the environment."

There are simple ways to use smell with an essential oil. 

• One way is to open the bottle and hold it a few inches below the nose and inhale deeply. 

• You can also place a drop of the oil in your hands, rub them together and then inhale the scent on your hands. 

• You can diffuse the oils into the air.

• You could also place a few drops on a cotton ball near your bed or on your pillowcase and get the benefit of the oil.

Smelling an essential oil has worked well for me as my skin is sensitive to the oils and often results in a rash especially when placing the oils behind my ears to stimulate the vagus nerve.

Everyone's body reacts differently to oils, so having the scientific study behind the benefit of smell and healing is incredibly valuable.

 

It's HOT, HOT, HOT!

 

It's July in New Hampshire and feeling like the oppressive days of August. You can cut the humidity with a knife and it is HOT. Now, New Englanders complain about weather all the time. It's too hot, too cold, too much snow, too much rain, not enough rain... It's kind of funny and we do laugh at ourselves.

Hot weather and temperatures in the 90s is no joke. It affects the body tremendously and can cause serious health concerns. Some people are more vulnerable to the heat than others and need to be even more cautious.

Symptoms to be aware of:

Heat Exhaustion Symptoms:

• Felling faint, dizzy

• Increased sweating

• Cool, pale skin

• Nausea/vomiting

• Rapid, weak pulse

• Muscle cramps

Heat Stroke Symptoms 

• Throbbing headache

• No sweating

• Body temperature above 104 degrees
  

• Red, hot, dry skin

• Nausea/vomiting

• Rapid, strong pulse

• Altered mental state

• Possible loss of consciousness

 

The flower essence I recommend for dealing with the heat is the Australian Bush Flower essence - Mulla Mulla. I just ordered another stock bottle at
www.southernherb.com because I don't want to run out.

This plant grows in the desert of central Australia which is the hottest part of the continent. Ian White says, "This plant prefers the rocky, loamy soil of hot, arid regions. The greater the heat, the better it seems to thrive."

This flower essence will help rejuvenate your body and clear any fear of fire or hot objects or any past traumas associated with fire and heat.

 

 

Essential Oils For the Vagus Nerve

There are many companies that make essential oils such as Young Living and DoTerra. I have become more familiar with Vibrant Blue Oils having participated in many trauma summits with Jodie Cohen, founder of Vibrant Blue Oils, as well as studying with her. 

The following are essential oils from Vibrant Blue Oils that are having a positive impact on those who want to reset and regenerate their Vagus Nerve:

Parasympathetic Oil – Triggers the optimal rest and digest healing state. Includes: Clove and Lime

Bladder Support Essential Oil – Supports releasing trauma, shock, shame, helplessness. Includes: Frankincense, Geranium, Helichrysum, Lavender, Petigrain Combava, Rose, Sandalwood, Spruce, Valerian

Nerve Repair – Supports damaged nerves, relieves pain. Includes: Basil, Peppermint, Helichrysum italicum, Marjorum

Adrenal – Balances the adrenals to support anxiety, stress, low back pain and fatigue. Includes: Thyme, Rosemary, Manuka, Galbanum and Frankincense

Anti-inflammatory – Supports pain and inflammation. Includes: Dill Seed, Ginger, Ylang Ylang, Grapefruit, and Tarragon

Calm – Supports anxiety, calms tension, reduces stress and promotes relaxation. Includes: Tangerine, Orange, Ylang Ylang, Blue Tansy and Patchouli

 

Risk

 A favorite poem of mine:

 

Six Thinking Hats Exercise

Edward DeBono's Six Thinking Hats exercise is an alternative way to look at making decisions and setting goals using information, emotions, logic, creativity, caution and optimism.

Each "hat" represents a different perspective. You can use this technique individually or with a team to consider a problem from different angles.

An Overview of Each Hat:

WHITE HAT is the information hat and fact gathering. This is a neutral position hat.

RED HAT: is the intuitive and feeling hat. What is your gut reaction?

BLUE HAT: the planning and organizing hat.

GREEN HAT: the creative hat for new ideas and solutions.

BLACK HAT: the caution hat looking at risks, problems, pit-falls.

YELLOW HAT: optimism, looking at positive benefits and advantages.

 

Questions that go with each HAT:

WHITE:  Who, what, where? What are the facts?

RED: What is your hunch or intuition? What are your feelings or gut response?

BLUE: What is the main idea? What is action plan? Was the problem solved?

GREEN: What else can be done? What is the value? What might be holding us back?

BLACK: What are the risks? Are there weaknesses? What are the consequences?

YELLOW: Can we make this work? What are the benefits? What are the positive outcomes?

I have used the Six Thinking Hats in a networking group and it was a lot of fun and very informative. If you like working with a spreadsheet or graph, the below is an example of how to pull this together. Have fun with it!

 

Activating Your Vagus Nerve For Healing

 For your body to heal it is important to learn how to be in a healing state. 

This is a profound statement and not meant to discourage. Rather, it is an opportunity to connect with your Body Wisdom, Body Intelligence. I was pleased that the professionals presenting at the Biology of Trauma summits that I've attended all offer simple tools for healing overwhelming experiences that have affected the nervous system.

For healing to occur, the vagus nerve needs to activate the Parasympathetic Nervous system that puts you in a rest, digest, grounded and calm state. There are many simple, yet profound ways to do that. Utilizing the various techniques over time will actually rewire your brain and nervous system. Healing takes time and patience and can offer many learning experiences if you are open. Be gentle and kind to yourself.

Things you can do for yourself:

• Hum/Sing/Chant
• 
  Laugh
• Meditate
• Pray
• Connect with Nature
  
• Sunshine
• Gratitude Journal
• Deep Breathing
• Socially Engage
• Flower Essences 
• Essential Oils
• Yoga 
• Hold a purring cat
  

 Things you might need support for:

• 
  Acupuncture
• Therapy with trauma specialist
• Appointment with a health professional
  
• Somatic Therapy
• Cranial/Sacral Therapy
• Yoga with an instructor
  
• Infrared Sauna
• FLOTE
• Havening Technique ( www.havening.org )
  

 

 

 

Ear Massage Health Benefits

Ear massage or ear reflexology or auriculotherapy has many health benefits. First, it is important to know that you think with your ears, therefore, under stress it is often difficult to comprehend verbal information. Massaging all of the points on your ears can begin to relieve stress because the external part of the ear can be viewed as a microsystem representing the entire body.

Benefits of ear massage could be:

Reducing pain in the body with the release of natural painkillers;

Releasing positive endorphins creating a feeling of happiness;

Relaxing the body by activating the vagus nerve;

Activating nerves associated that resonate throughout the body;

Enhancing the immune system by stimulating the senses;

An article in The Institute For Integrative Healthcare website states: "Auriculotherapy is used throughout the world to reduce substance cravings and assist in the detoxification of addictive substances"

How to massage the ears:

Gently pull, extend, massage and roll all areas of the brain. Make this an enjoyable experience. Get all of the nooks and crannies.

Also spend time massaging behind the ear to stimulate the vagus nerve and move into the Parasympathetic state of rest and digest.

 

Below is a chart from Vibrant Blue Oils showing where to use essential oils on your ears. For more information: www.vibrantblueoils.com 

Break Family Patterns with Flower Essences

I just spent a weekend with a lot of family as we celebrated the birthday of the newest member who celebrated turning 2. When I get together with cousins and their kids and their kid's kids and my nieces and brother and sister-in-law, the stories start to flow along with plenty of laughs. The giggles often reflect the dysfunction that we all experienced in our not so perfect lives.

What I love about the work I do is helping people identify and clear these family patterns that no longer serve them. It is never about pointing fingers. It is about discovering the generational emotional and mental beliefs, fears, abuse patterns, cultural expectations and more that require releasing. On September 27, 2023, I wrote about ancestral math. I've added the image again because it shows how impossible it is to NOT have recurring familiar patterns. It's mind blowing!

 

One of my favorite flower essences from Australia for clearing negative patterns of the ancestors is from the BOAB tree. It is a huge tree with extensive roots in the ground that become tangled. Often there are younger Boab trees growing around it in a circular pattern. The smaller trees eventually get engulfed by, and merge into the older tree. This speaks to the theme of family enmeshment as does the tangled root system. This wonderful flower essence will clear karma and the negative energetic patterns that have traveled for many years through the ancestral line.

Ian White gives 3 affirmations for Boab in his book, Bush Flower Healing:

"I now release and clear all negative conditioning and family traits from my psyche."

"I create my own reality which is now free of all persecution and abuse."

"I now choose to fulfill my own destiny and not my family's."

I order my Australian Bush Flower essence stock bottles from: www.southernherb.com

 

Another flower essence to consider for clearing multi-generational patterns, especially experiences of abuse, trauma, alcoholism or prejudice, is Rose Campion. This is one of my favorite flowers and as I was dead-heading them today I could see the new growth as I cleared the old, dead flowers. How often does an older member of the family pass away as another one is being born? 

Tree Frog Farm carries this flower essence and offers this affirmation:

"I am access to wisdom from a healed family, tribal, ethnic and racial lineage."

www.treefrogfarm.com

Muscle Test with a Dumbbell

In previous blogs on muscle testing, I completely forgot to include the way I occasionally test myself. Self testing can be challenging. It is hard to stay neutral and put aside preconceived notions of what you would like the outcome to be. So, I use a dumbbell.

I have found that a 5 pound weight is just right for me. You might need something lighter or something heavier. Decide what is best for you. 

I prefer resting my forearm on a table with the weight in my hand and my palm facing inward.

Do a practice test: Think of something that makes you happy or is a positive in your life. The weight will stay put and you will be unable to lift it.

Now, think of something stressful or negative and watch the weight life right up.

You have probably experienced the reason why this works. Has anyone said to you, "sit down, I have something to tell you."? They want you to sit down before you fall down from the stress of the conversation.

      Comforting as well as stressful thoughts can affect your muscles.

Practice with this method. It is a wonderful way to test food. Hold the food in one hand as you test with the other. Know that your body's food needs can change often. A negative test may not mean that you are banned forever from eating that food. It may be a temporary sensitivity while you re-balance your body, mind, spirit. Muscle testing is such a wonderful method for getting to know your body and what it needs.

 

 

Standing Still IS Moving Forward

Consider this:

Standing still and moving forward are not mutually exclusive! 

It seems that many of us are on the fast track to get somewhere, do something memorable, mark our mark and find purpose. But, at what cost? How much can the body take? We would never consciously run a marathon 365 days a year and yet we often live this was.

"You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose."

                Indira Gandhi

Years ago I had a passion for ice dancing. I had a partner, two pros and I spent 10 years and more hours than I can count at the skating rink. I couldn't get enough. The day came, though, when I couldn't do anything right. I kept falling, I didn't want to be there and I got so frustrated that I told my partner I was taking a week off. I put my skates away, didn't think of the dances we were learning and just took a break.

Returning to the rink the following week was magical and you would think I had been practicing 24/7. Everything clicked. By stopping and giving my mind and body a rest, I actually moved forward in my progress. 

I have kept this experience in my mind and refer to it when I feel myself pushing too hard. 

 

A few books to consider with this thought of taking a rest:

The Art of Extreme Self-Care by Cheryl Richardson is an easy to read, life-changing book. She offers 12 strategies to transform your life one month at a time, such as The Absolute No List, Soul-Loving Space, Wake Up! and more.

If introspection and insight is what you feel drawn to, Julia Cameron's books offer that. The Artist's Way, The Vein of Gold and Walking in this World offer tools and tasks for creative self-discovery. You will never look at your life in the same way. 

The process that Julia takes you through covers a significant time frame, so you don't have to expect immediate results. It's a chance to be the tortoise and not the hare.

 

 

A Crazy, Good Relationship Story

 I am often asked what muscle testing and face reading have to do with each other. And, believe me, I questioned the same thing when I took my first course at Three In One Concepts in California back in 1987. The following is the rather dramatic story of discovering how the two modalities can work together to give you more awareness, especially in regards to relationships. 37 years later, I still use both!

Sonja (my aunt and soul sister) and I arrived in Burbank, California in 1987 to begin our study of kinesiology. We walked from the B & B where we were staying to the
building where we would take our courses.

As we arrived at the building, a car pulled up and a tall, thin man with long, curly hair, got out. I leaned over to Sonja and said, 'I don't want him working on me!' She looked at me like I was crazy and said, 'You don't even know him.'

It just so happened that Sonja was seated next to the man, named Robert. Sparks flew between us. Gordon Stokes was teaching face reading that day. He looked at Robert and me and started to say that if we were married to each other....and I finished his thought by saying, 'we would kill each other!' If you know me, you know that I wouldn't be caught dead speaking to someone like that. Sonja was in shock.

After class, Sonja grabbed me to do some muscle testing to figure out what was going on. Another student did the same with Robert. We both had to release unpleasant memories of someone from our past that was triggering antagonism towards each other.

Fast forward a week and Sonja, Robert and I were together in another course. I wanted to skip class that day. Sonja wouldn't hear of it. I said I would go ONLY IF ROBERT WOULD WORK WITH ME!' Robert had become the only person who I trusted the most to support me.

The entire class had watched Robert and me go from sparks flying to best friends in a matter of days. We had never met prior, so the animosity had to do with baggage that we brought to the new relationship. Muscle testing and identifying and releasing the triggering facial structures created a genuine friendship.

 

Over the years I have enjoyed working with couples to identify and release past perceptions and blocks with muscle testing and face reading. The feedback I get is positive as they are able to open up new ways of communicating and getting along. 

I enjoyed writing my book on face reading and having it be a resource for anyone wanting to learn more about themselves or important people in their lives.

 

Letting Go

Is it time for a social media break? Or, is it time to turn off the TV? Is it time to just say no? Or, is letting go the priority right now?

Because I love to study, collect information, pass on information and then learn something more to share, I am starting to enter the "analysis paralysis" zone. You may know what I mean. I follow many wonderful, well-informed and educated holistic practitioners on Instagram but I am overloaded with information that is often contradictory.

I will share something with you. I am challenged at this time with Lyme, co-infections and other brain infections and I am often gathering information instead of just letting my body guide me. I am no different than anyone else despite all of the years of study. And, they say we teach or write what we most need to learn! So, I am taking a break from Instagram and adding to the healthy choices I am making. Perhaps some of these might help you overcome symptoms of stress or trauma, as well.

• I allow myself to rest every day and I am telling my brain that I no longer identify with the Energizer Bunny;

• I am allowing emotions to come through without avoidance. A good cry is just energy leaving the body;

• I am eating healthy food and enjoying the process of cooking;

• I am in my flower gardens every day even if it is just to see what is blooming;

• I go to bed early;

• I no longer minimize the symptoms that I am experiencing;

• I am letting myself get help from practitioners who I trust;

• I am writing in my trauma journal to understand the patterns that no longer serve me. It is so helpful and it is NOT about reliving everything. It is really about LETTING GO;

• I meet my friends 1 on 1 for coffee and a good laugh;

• I recognize progress and focus less on the tough days;

• And, the hardest one for me is to stop blaming myself for the unrealistic expectations I have held for myself and others for most of my life. 

My nervous system is thanking me for taking this time to focus on what I need. My brain is rewiring with new perceptions and ways of thinking. Is it a challenge? Some days it is. The first step is identifying and reducing the patterns that keep you from moving forward. 

 

 

Get to Know YOU

The amount of "self-help" modalities, books and resources has skyrocketed since I first studied kinesiology 35 years ago and entered the field of holistic health and well-being. Although I certainly see this as a positive thing, I am concerned that too many people have become focused only on what is "wrong" with them, with the expectation that with enough "work" they will finally be fully healthy - body, mind, spirit. I hate to burst the bubble, but you are here to make mistakes, learn and grow. You can always find something that needs to be fixed, changed or re-balanced.

I offer this suggestion: 

Spend some time focusing on the positive qualities that you already have, what you are proud of, what you've accomplished or what you are good at. Give yourself a pat on the back each day, not from an ego place, but from an observation place. Be aware of your positive qualities, talents, values, abilities, passions, accomplishments. See what other people already see in you.

A while back I decided to create a private Pinterest folder with passions that I have had and still have. I learned a lot as I could see a common thread that also highlighted many of my abilities and accomplishments from skiing, to creating jewelry, to gardening, to making paths in my woods with my JawSaw. My passions are also ways that I regroup, get out of my head, create something and simply relax or have fun. 

Enjoy exploring all aspects of YOU. There will always be something you want to learn, feel better about, heal and let go of. First, be aware of all that you offer the world!

 

 

 

The Doctrine of Signatures of Plants

The Doctrine of Signatures of plants and flowers, which has been used for centuries, is nature's clue to it's healing properties. This includes:

• The SHAPE of the plant or flower;

• The SCENT;

• The TASTE;

• The GROWTH PATTERN: how it grows - is it low to the ground; does it have a great deal of height; does it grow in clusters;

• The COLOR: red often suggests anger or energy, pink suggests a love vibration, yellow suggests mental level energy;

• The NUMBER of petals: knowledge of numerology assists  with understanding the significance. Example: the number 5 has an emotional  component, the number 3 deals with the mental plane and imagination;

• The SIZE;

• The LOCATION: does it grow in the sun, shade, around or in moisture, in a dry area, in a mountain region, etc.;

• The TOUCH/FEEL of the plant: is it soft, brittle, thorny. 

 

Here is an example of Fringed Violet, an Australian Bush flower that creates an amazing essence - most popular with my clients:

 

Fringed Violet is about 5.5" with long, smooth stems;

The violet flower has 3 fringed petals which resemble the aura. One of it's main functions is to restore a person's aura after it has been damaged by shock or trauma; 

Following any type of shock, illness, surgery, accident, bad news, etc., taking Fringed Violet helps the body go back to the time of the trauma and neutralize it.

It blooms in spring and summer and prefers sunny areas;

The purple flowers only open for a single morning!

Ian White says: "For some time after birth, a baby's aura is open. Putting a few drops of the Fringed Violet essence on the spot and making the sign of the cross over it will help to close the aura to negative influences."

Affirmations for Fringed Violet:

"My life force now radiates good health and vitality."

"I am balanced and integrated and have universal protection now."

 

The Wisdom and Healing of Plants

30 years ago my husband and I designed and built a house in the village that I grew up in on Cape Cod. We lived on a dirt road within walking distance to the center of town and enjoyed the peacefulness of our location.

My first priority was to begin establishing gardens around the property. I love to be outside, to get dirty and tend to plants and flowers. And, gardens have always been my place to go to regroup and get grounded after working with clients. 

I had been using flower essences for healing for quite a few years at that point. I decided it was time to start a rose garden with the specific roses for cranial/sacral healing and balancing cerebral spinal fluid. Kinesiology had saved me from years of pain following a traumatic brain injury and the rose flower essences from Perelandra, LTD were supporting the continued progress.

I bought the roses and proceeded to muscle test them. I had hoped they would want to be out by the road as that would add a nice touch to the property. Well, they had other ideas for me. I muscle tested all the areas around the house and the exact spot where the roses wanted to go was where I would often sit and read. Such wisdom! Why would I put the roses away from the house where my body wasn't able to benefit from their healing energy? 

I no longer live on Cape Cod. We designed and built a house in New Hampshire and once again, I have created gardens. I still muscle test any new plants that I either buy or receive and let them guide me as to where they would like to live. Sometimes I am surprised at their choices but I trust their wisdom.

 

Possible Questions for Muscle Testing

Information to be gathered with muscle testing is endless. Below are a few suggestions to consider for use with your pendulum, sway test or any muscle testing method.

ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION TO TEST, WHETHER YOU ARE TESTING YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE.

Questions you might ask:

Do I have permission to ask this question?

Am I asking the right question?

Do I need to ask anything else?

Is it best to participate in this? 

Is it highest and best to share this information?

Will there be any negative repercussions from following this guidance?

Is this the best choice for my life purpose or soul's progress?

Is this reasonable and in alignment with my morals and values?

Do I need a second opinion?

Is this in my scope of knowledge?

Is there an easier way to do this?

Is this something I need to let go of?

Is this for me to be involved with?

Is it safe for me to test today? 

Is there a body level that needs my attention: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual?

When testing food choices, I use a scale of 1 - 10, 10 being food is almost like medicine for your body. Since your body's needs are always changing, it helps to test foods periodically to see what is best at the time.

 

Muscle Testing Option #4

You may have already tried the muscle testing options from the previous blogs. I offer another alternative which you may find a little more challenging if you are learning this without guidance of a teacher or mentor.

One of the best guides for muscle testing is Touch For Health by John Thie, DC and Matthew Thie, M.Ed.

Any muscle can be used for testing provided you can get what is called a CLEAR CIRCUIT, meaning the muscle holds strong for a YES and gives way for a NO. Determine how much pressure you want to use. Know that the lighter the touch, the easier it is to feel the strong and weak response.

EXAMPLES:

Testing using the DELTOID MUSCLE

Testing using the FASCIA LATA muscle

 

Testing using PECTORALIS MAJOR CLAVICULAR

 

Muscle Testing Option #3

The muscle testing technique that I use primarily when working on the phone with a client is finger testing. 

Bring your thumb and index finger of one hand inside a circle made with the opposite thumb and index finger.

Use the same amount of pressure each time you test. Find pressure that feels right for you. On a scale of 1 - 10, where 10 is very strong, keep testing around a 5 or under.

A YES response will hold strong and a NO response will cause your fingers to slide out.

 

A variation of the above finger testing:

 

Another way to finger test:

Place your middle finger on top of your index finger;

Press down;

A YES response will hold strong;

A NO response will cause the fingers to drop.

With any of the muscle testing techniques in this or the previous blogs, practice as much as you can. Keep it simple at first. Test you body's response to pictures, words, beliefs, colors, food. The wonderful outcome is developing a greater awareness of your body's response or reaction to the people, places, things you encounter daily.

 

Muscle Testing Option #2

If you have practiced using your body as a pendulum as discussed in the last blog and like doing that, keep practicing. In this blog I offer testing with an actual pendulum as an option. 

I love watching the students who use a pendulum as their technique for muscle testing. Because I started out learning to physically test Anterior Deltoid muscle and had developed confidence in it, I never felt completely comfortable using a pendulum. If you start with it, I guarantee you will become quite adept at it.

Many do find using a pendulum for testing to be the most accurate and most comfortable.

If you choose to use a pendulum, practice to insure that you are clear as to what a Yes/Positive response looks like and what a No/Negative response looks like.

Decide if it is easier to use standing or sitting. 

Before you start testing, make sure that you are grounded and have had enough water to be hydrated.

• Hold the pendulum at the heart center where the vibration of your energy system lies. 

• Ask to see a YES response. I often instruct to ask for a STRONG YES. See how your pendulum swings.
  

• Ask to see a NO response or a STRONG NO. See how the pendulum swings.

Keep it simple to start. Have fun with it.

 

My first experience with muscle testing was with a spider plant. The "babies" hung down near other plants in the sun space. I moved the plant and the babies to another spot in the house. I asked, "Does the plant have enough water?" YES. "Is there enough sun?" YES. "Is the plant happy?" NO. Huh. Then I asked, "Would the plant be happy in the original spot?" YES. 

I had a great chuckle and marveled at what nature knows! The spider plant and her babies enjoyed being with all of the other plants