Helping your child be more spiritual: Lesson 1-Faith

"Children don't come with a handbook."- My dad and hero, Jimmy M.



And boy, is my dad right! Raising children is probably the most difficult job we will ever be given, and yet, it is also the most rewarding. Watching your own child grow, and learn, and live is the purest form of joy and love we could ever feel. Having three boys of my own, I have felt these blessings first hand. I have empathized with their sorrows, and shared in their happiness. However, I have also felt fear. Fear of what our often hard and cruel world will do to them. Fear of what the peer pressures and fast paced technological world will turn my sweet, innocent boys into.

But no matter how dark or scary my fears, I will always have faith. And that is where I shall start. Because even through all the negative and evil energy that can surround and consume us, there must always be faith. Faith in a Higher Power, and faith in ourselves. And no matter your religion, or denomination, our children must learn spiritual awareness, for that is the true foundation for personal growth and development.

Over the course of a few weeks, I would love to share with you all, some simple ways to build a spiritual bridge for your children. Not only will it give your family the stepping stones needed for a healthy relationship, but it will help you along your own personal path as well. These lessons will be a learning experience for us all, me included. I am in no form or fashion, assuming that my way is the best way. These are merely simple exercises that you can do with your children in your own time, with the hopes that you can boost their self esteem, their confidence, and their connection with the Higher Powers that Be. They are Mother Earth's future protectors, may we teach them the best that we can.

Lesson 1- Faith

Faith can be defined as a noun as having a strong or unshakeable belief in something, especially without proof or evidence. But also as a verb, as being able to act on what we believe.

Exercise:

Take your children outside with a blanket, and find a shaded tree to sit under. Have them sit still and quiet for a moment, eyes closed, as they listen to the things around them. With their eyes still closed, ask them if they can feel the wind through their hair, on their cheeks. Ask them if they can hear the wind rustling the leaves, blowing through the branches of the tree. Now, have them open their eyes, and ask them if they can see the wind. We can see it blowing the leaves, and maybe even the wind chimes. But can we really see it? The answer is no. We cannot physically see the wind. But yet, we know it is there. Moving the clouds above us, pushing the birds through the sky. We know it exists, even though it doesn't have a shape or form of its own. This is faith. We have faith that the wind is there, moving all around us at all times, even though we can't see it. 

Next, you can take a small moment with them, to discuss the many names we use to identify The Higher Powers that Be. Explain how people worship many different Gods and Goddesses, all from very different countries, and all with different names for God and Spirit. Explain that there are many different religions, and none of them are right or wrong. Some examples are Christianity, God and Jesus. Catholic and Mother Mary. Buddha, Allah. Even Zeus and Greek mythology. Give detailed descriptions of what these Gods have been assumed of looking like, and what The Higher Powers do. I personally, imagine a Higher Power, that is neither male or female, it's not even human. It is simply pure, raw, colorful energy. It is the purest form of creation you could ever imagine, that radiates above us, a thousand times brighter and warmer than our own Sun. That is "God" to me. However you see your God, explain that to your children, yet be sure to leave it open-ended, so that they may come to their own conclusions. Don't forget to include the fact that Spirit is also a power that is felt within us, radiating from us always. This will lead us into the Activity.

Activity:  

You will need:

white typing paper

water colors and brushes

crayons

map pencils

markers

glitter, glue, or foam stickers

Bring the supplies outside with you, weather permitting, or you can go back inside for this activity.

Have your kiddos think back to faith, and what it means to them. Then have them remember all the different concepts of God. Have them think about the love and creation that God emits. When they are ready, have them paint God in their own eyes. Or they can write the word FAITH and decorate it how they wish, as a reminder of the love and trust we have for forces unseen. When they are finished, let the painting dry, and hang it where it can be seen, so your children will have a daily reminder of faith and eternal love for the things that cannot be seen with the eyes, but only felt with the heart. 

Up-coming Lessons:

~ Learning the Importance of Prayer

~Making a Prayer Altar and the Importance of Honoring Deity

If you have a topic you would love to know about, or one that you have studied, in regards to helping your children cross the Spiritual Bridge, please email me or comment below! I am always open to topics and ideas!  Thank you, and Namaste!

*Please keep in mind that these lessons are non-denominational, and do not conform to any one specific religion or faith*

Your New Years Tarot Reading is ready to view! Open your heart to healing!

The Healing Star of Aquarius

New Year Tarot Spread

2013-2014

 

Every year I give myself a personal tarot reading, to have better insight into my year ahead. This year I have decided to do one for you all. Some of you I know personally, some I have never met. However, after doing this Universal reading, I feel so connected with each and every one of you. You see, we are all in need of some type of healing as we go into the New Year. I hope this reading inspires you all, to live to the fullest of your potential. To find those hidden talents that are lying dormant within the deepest depths of your soul, waiting to shine through for others to see. And to love one another with all your heart. We are all connected, and this is already proving to be a powerful year ahead, allowing us to open our minds to great possibilities. Namaste my friends, and enjoy!

 

1.( center card) Focus- Ask yourself, what causes you the most pain? What is your priority in healing? Where do you begin?

            Card: Nine of Staves- Protected by a wall of staves, the woman rests for the moment to regroup her thoughts. There is still much to do before success is secured.

            Meaning: A pause in work to reconsider plans. Completion is so close, yet so far away! You are stressing too much on the work that is yet to be completed, instead of pausing to look at it from a new prospective. Don’t give up, simply rest and regroup. The answer will be right in front of you as soon as you slow down long enough to see it.

 

2. ( right card)  Strengths-  Ask yourself, What are your strengths? What are your resources, gifts, talents? What do you need to nurture?

            Card: Five of Swords, Reversed- Two swords are laid down in truce. However, the woman still grasps three others, showing that the fight isn’t over just yet.

            Meaning-Defeat because of indecisiveness. Lack of trust. Learn to trust your instincts. Trust in yourself that making a solid decision with any matter will be the right choice. Learn to listen to that inner voice that speaks to you, and train your eyes to see the signs in nature all around you. Take time to nurture your mind, body and spirit.

 

3. (Bottom right card) Self-understanding- Ask yourself, how can your current insights start the healing process?

            Card: Six of Pentacles- The richly dressed woman decides to help the two beggars. She is so wealthy that giving only adds to her prosperity.

            Meaning: Philanthropy and generosity. Sharing talents with the world. Helping others. Generosity.  Money will never be able to buy happiness, and the most wealthy person in the world may not have a single penny. Give and share freely with compassion in your heart. That is true wealth. Understand your full potential, so that you can shine your light into the world! You may just change a persons’ life by one simple act of kindness.  

 

4. (Bottom left card) Obstacles- Ask yourself, what obstacles to healing do I face? What situations in my past block my growth?

            Card: Princess of Cups- The princess of cups, an adolescent girl as beautiful as Venus, is crowned with a waxing moon. Anticipating love, pleasure, and the ripeness of womanhood. She drinks fully.

            Meaning: Artistic inspiration and receptivity. A young woman who symbolizes the gifts of Venus- love, beauty and emotional richness. Movement in these areas of life. Grace. Keep yourself open to receive the gifts that the Universe has to give you. Find love in yourself and beauty in all things before you seek it in others. Allow yourself to find emotional stability and release the negative energy blocking your true self. Only then will you be able to grow into the Light Being you are destined to become!

 

5. (Upper left card) Advice- Ask yourself, what concrete creative action can I take to support my healing?

            Card: Two of Pentacles- The woman juggles two pentacles. Completely focused upon her act, she does not drop the pentacles.

            Meaning: The ability to juggle several situations at once. Job opportunities. Grace and bounty. Commerce and expansion. Stay positive and focused that you are on the right track, and don’t lose faith in yourself. Success is right around the corner, even if you can’t see your own progress.

 

6. (Top center card) Overview- Ask yourself, How does my healing relate to a larger picture? What does my pain tell me about the story of my life? What will I gain as a result of my healing?

            Card: Princess of Staves- The princess of Staves, a fiery-haired young woman, is as stalwart as the rocks surrounding her. She is an inspiration to others to live passionately without compromise.

            Meaning:  The ability to create beauty that is useful, like the Goddess Freyja. Energy, integrity, creativity. Initiative. New ideas or ventures to be acted upon immediately. A young woman who inspires others to live this mission. We all have a greater purpose to help others, and in doing so will give us peace and pleasure within ourselves. We all have a story to tell, so sit everyone down around the fire and tell it!  Set your own worth, and never let others take that away from you. Bring your amazing creative ideas into fruition. Trust in yourself that you are a born leader, and you will always succeed in all you do.

Breathe in this amazing upcoming year and release and let go of the things holding you back. Meditate to the rhythm of your own heartbeat, and allow it to pulse outward, for the whole world to hear. You ARE a born leader, so step up and accept your new role. WE are the blessed light workers that the winds of change have spoken of! Make this year your own!!

Namaste, and blessings to you all!

 

A little about this deck:

The Goddess Tarot, created by Kris Waldherr

This is my one and only deck, I have had it for over a decade. The artwork is skillfully done, and its representations are beautifully written, and always accurate. The Goddess speaks to me, on a personal level throughout this deck, and I hope some inspiration has touched you as well!

Thank you, Melissa W.  

I have a very important message for you, please take a moment to see your tarot spread! We are all in need of healing, but perhaps you haven't quite known where to start. This spread spoke to me on levels I cannot even begin to explain, and I hope it speaks to you as well. You are looking for answers as you go into the upcoming year, and this is the place to start. We are all connected my friends, and I can feel the pain and hurt you have lived with for so long. It is time for Universal healing, and it starts with you!