The primary use for gems throughout history has been for healing and spiritual rituals. Although gems were rare and exhibited great beauty, the reason they were so precious was due to the power they imparted to their wearers. Gemstones have ability to promote physical healing in the body, and power to help balance human emotions.

Amethyst
Calms the mind, enhances mental activity and lends strength and will power to control passions and break undesirable habits.
Physical: Balances metabolism stimulates tissue regeneration and increases the production of red corpuscles. Amethyst may be used to treat disorders of blood sugar levels and lapses in the immune system.
Emotional: Amplifies thought, increases intuition and integrates emotional, mental and spiritual bodies to function as a single unit.

Tanzanite
Assists the user in articulating the content of Psychic insight, facilitates communication between third dimension and others.
Physical: Helps the body to absorb zinc, restores consciousness, clears toxins that can cause skin disorders.
Emotional: Allows one to be more cognizant of the anomaly of time and space in relation to our current third dimensional reality. Assist one in feeling more at one with the all.

Aquamarine
Aligns the etheric and mental bodies. It assists one in honoring their spiritual experiences as their own and using those experiences to further their own growth.
Physical: Cleanses the physical body by directly strengthening the organs that perform that function. It strengthens and flushes the lymphatic system.
Emotional: Reduces fear and stimulates self expression. Aquamarine helps one to communicate compassionately and to feel safe while moving through the changes of life.

Emerald
Aids in the development of keener insight into dreams and alleviates hidden fears. Emerald stimulates the greater use of mental capacity in the healing of the body.
Physical: Treats disorders of the spine, muscles and over-all general healing of the physical body.
Emotional: Balances the heart chakra and aligns and quiets the emotional bodies. Emerald brings harmony to all areas of ones life. Eliminates negativity and assist one in remaining centered during the practical nature of ones work.

Citrine
Shields and protects the solar plexus. Citrine tempers the energy of the power chakra, allowing for ease in dealing with others while maintaining your personal power.
Physical: Aids in digestion and elimination. Removes toxins and aids in regenerating the digestive system. It balances the thyroid and activates the thymus thereby allowing one to act from the purity of intent of the young in spirit; child like rather than childish.
Emotional: Increases contact with higher self and aids in the accomplishment of matters of daily living. Citrine assists one in attracting those things necessary for life as the Gods that we truly are.

Amber
Stimulates the DNA process and aids in the accurate regeneration of cellular tissue. Amber assists the body in letting go of the past and creating new.
Physical: Strengthens the thyroid, inner ear and neurological tissue. It may be used in an elixir to treat disorders of the kidneys and bladder.
Emotional: Activates a desire to serve humanity, stimulates the intellect and helps to activate the pituitary gland.

Ruby
Preserves the body and improves general health. Stimulates the heart chakra and helps one to reach their most sought after goals.
Physical: Strengthens tissues directly connected with the heart, treats the heart muscle. Helps to reduce fear and assist the body in flushing chemical toxins.
Emotional: Creates balance in spiritual endeavors, brings about a state of stability and confidence and improves ones ability to deflect negativity.

By: http://www.annemeplon.com/meaning.htm

Feng Shui Wealth Tips: Attract Wealth with Smart Feng Shui Wealth Tips
Wealth energy is yours with the right feng shui applications

Good feng shui, affirm feng shui masters, does not bring you wealth if you do not strive for it, but it does give you the necessary support to achieve your wealth. Feng Shui helps you create an environment, both at home and in the business, that will strengthen you and attract the energy of wealth.

Good feng shui for wealth means having your home and business free of clutter, displaying symbols that speak of wealth, using specific feng shui crystals and essential oils to raise the feng shui energy in your home.

The more Chi, or vital feng shui energy your home has, the stronger your own energy field, thus your ability to attract and enjoy wealth.

Good feng shui for wealth also means maintaining high oxygen levels at all times. Use feng shui fountains – powerful feng shui cures to attract wealth and fresh Chi.

Images of flowing water – waterfalls, seas, rivers, etc are also excellent feng shui for wealth energizer, as water is one of the five feng shui elements and an ancient feng shui symbol of wealth and abundance.

Water images with abundant white foam and open views are especially powerful in feng shui for wealth applications.

However, there are feng shui areas in your home where the water feng shui element should not be added. Study the Bagua to understand this better.

Courtesy of Know Feng Shui.com

The aura is the electromagnetic field that surrounds the human body (Human Energy Field-HEF) and every organism and object in the Universe.

The Human Energy Field as a collection of electro – magnetic energies of varying densities that permeate through and emit or exit from the physical body of a living person. These particles of energy are suspended around the healthy human body in an oval shaped field. This “auric egg” emits out from the body approximately 2-3 feet (1 metre on average) on all sides. It extends above the head and below the feet into the ground.

To see a photo of the aura, please click here.

WHAT DOES AN AURA CONSIST OF?

The aura consist of seven levels/layers/auric bodies . Each one of the subtle bodies that exist around the physical body, has its own unique frequency. They are interrelated, and affect one another and the person’s feelings, emotions, thinking, behaviour, and health as well. Therefore a state of imbalance in one of the bodies leads to a state of imbalance in the others.

THE AURIC BODIES AND YOUR NEEDS ON EACH LEVEL OF AURIC FIELD

1) Physical auric body – Physical sensations. Simple physical comfort, pleasure, health.

2) The etheric auric body – Emotions with respect to self. Self-acceptance and self love.

3) Vital auric body – Rational mind. To understand the

situation in a clear, linear, rational way.

4) Astral (emotional) body – Relations with others. Loving interaction with friends and family.

5) Lower mental auric body – Divine will within. To align with the divine will within, to make commitment to speak and follow the truth.

6) Higher mental auric body – Divine love, and spiritual ecstasy.

7) Spiritual (intuitive) body – Divine mind, serenity. To be connected to divine mind and to understand the greater universal pattern.

Learn How to See Auras.

Aura Color Meanings

RED AURA COLOR MEANING: Relates to the physical body, hart or circulation.The densest color, it creates the most friction. Friction attracts or repels; money worries or obsessions; anger or unforgiveness; anxiety or nervousness

Deep Red: Grounded, realistic, active, strong will-power, survival-oriented.

Muddied red: Anger (repelling)

Clear red: Powerful, energetic, competitive, sexual, passionate

Pink-bright and light: Loving, tender, sensitive, sensual, artistic, affection, purity, compassion;new or revieved romantic relationship. Can indicate clairaudience.

Dark and murky pink: Immature and/or dishonest nature

Orange Red: Confidence, creative power

In a good, bright and pure state, red energy can serve as a healthy ego.

ORANGE AURA COLOR: Relates to reproductive organs and emotions.The color of vitality, vigor, good health and excitement. Lots of energy and stamina, creative, productive, adventurous, courageous, outgoing social nature; currently experiencing stress related to apetites and addictions;

Orange-Yellow: Creative, intelligent, detail oriented, perfectionist, scientific.

YELLOW AURA COLOR MEANING: Relates to the spleen and life energy. It is the color of awakening, inspiration, intelligence and action shared, creative, playful, optimistic, easy-going.

Light or pale yellow: Emerging psychic and spiritual awareness; optimism and hopefulness; positive excitement about new ideas.

Bright lemon-yellow: Struggling to maintain power and control in a personal or business relationship; fear of losing control, prestige, respect, and/or power.

Clear gold metallic, shiny and bright: Spiritual energy and power activated and awakened; an inspired person.

Dark brownish yellow or gold: A student, or one who is straining at studying; overly analitical to the point of feeling fatigued or stressed; trying to make up for “lost time” by learning everything all at once.

GREEN AURA COLOR MEANING: Relates to heart and lungs.It is a very comfortable, healthy color of nature. When seen in the aura this usually represents growth and balance, and most of all, something that leads to change.Love of people, animals, nature; teacher; social

Bright emerald green: A healer, also a love-centered person

Yellow-Green: Creative with heart, communicative

Dark or muddy forest green: Jealousy, resentment, feeling like a victim of the world; blaming self or others; insecurity and low self-esteem; lack of understanding personal responsibility; sensitive to perceived criticism

Turquoise: Relates to the immune system.Sensitive, compassionate, healer, therapist.

BLU AURA COLOR MEANING: Relates to the throat, thyroid. Cool, calm, and collected. Caring, loving, love to help others, sensitive, intuitive.

Soft blue: Peacefulness, clarity and communication;truthful; intuitive

Bright royal blue: Clairvoyant; highly spiritual nature; generous; on the right path; new opportunities are coming

Dark or muddy blue: Fear of the future; fear of self-expression; fear of facing or speaking the truth

INDIGO AURA COLOR MEANING: Relates to the third eye, visual and pituitary gland.Intuitive, sensitive, deep feeling.

VIOLET AURA COLOR MEANING: Relates to crown, pineal gland and nervous system.The most sensitive and wisest of colors. This is the intuitive color in the aura, and reveals psychic power of attunement with self.Intuitive, visionary, futuristic, idealistic, artistic, magical.

LAVENDER AURA COLOR MEANING: Imagination, visionary, daydreamer, etheric.

SILVER AURA COLOR MEANING: This is the color of abundance, both spiritual and physical. Lots of bright silver can reflect to plenty of money, and/or awakening of the cosmic mind.

Bright metallic silver: Receptive to new ideas; intuitive; nurturing

Dark and muddy gray: Residue of fear is accumulating in the body, with a potential for health problems, especially if gray clusters seen in specific areas of the body

GOLD AURA COLOR MEANING: The color of enlightenment and divine protection. When seen within the aura, it says that the person is being guided by their highest good. It is divine guidance. Protection, wisdom, inner knowledge, spiritual mind, intuitive thinker.

BLACK AURA COLOR MEANING: Draws or pulls energy to it and in so doing, transforms it. It captures light and consumes it.Usually indicates long-term unforgiveness (toward others or another) collected in a specific area of the body, which can lead to health problems; also, entitities within a person’s aura, chakras, or body; past life hurts; unreleased grief from abortions if it appears in the ovaries

WHITE AURA COLOR MEANING: Reflects other energy. A pure state of light. Often represents a new, not yet designated energy in the aura.Spiritual, etheric and non-physical qualities, transcendent, higher dimensions. Purity and truth; angelic qualities.

White sparkles or flashes of white light: angels are nearby;can indicate that the person is pregnant or will be soon

EARTH AURA COLORS: Soil, wood, mineral, plant. These colors display a love of the Earth, of being grounded and is seen in those who live and work on the outdoors….construction, farming, etc. These colors are important and are a good sign.

RAINBOWS: Rainbow-colored stripes, sticking out like sunbeams from the hand, head or body: A Reiki healer, or a starperson (someone who is in the first incarnation on Earth)

PASTELS: A sensitive blend of light and color, more so than basic colors. Shows sensitivity and a need for serenity.

DIRTY BROWN OVERLAY: Holding on to energies. Insecurity.

DIRTY GRAY OVERLY: Blocking energies. Guardedness.

The lotus (Sanskrit and Tibetan padma) is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols and one of the most poignant representations of Buddhist teaching.

The roots of a lotus are in the mud, the stem grows up through the water, and the heavily scented flower lies pristine above the water, basking in the sunlight. This pattern of growth signifies the progress of the soul from the primeval mud of materialism, through the waters of experience, and into the bright sunshine of enlightenment.

Though there are other water plants that bloom above the water, it is only the lotus which, owing to the strength of its stem, regularly rises eight to twelve inches above the surface.

According to the Lalitavistara, “the spirit of the best of men is spotless, like the lotus in the muddy water which does not adhere to it.”

According to another scholar, “in esoteric Buddhism, the heart of the beings is like an unopened lotus: when the virtues of the Buddha develop therein, the lotus blossoms; that is why the Buddha sits on a lotus bloom.”

The lotus is one of Buddhism’s best recognized motifs and appears in all kinds of Buddhist art across all Buddhist cultures. Scrolling lotuses often embellish Buddhist textiles, ceramics and architecture.

Every important Buddhist deity is associated in some manner with the lotus, either being seated upon a lotus in full bloom or holding one in their hands. In some images of standing Buddhas, each foot rests on a separate lotus.

The lotus does not grow in Tibet and so Tibetan art has only stylized versions of it, yet it appears frequently with Tibetan deities and among the Eight Auspicious Symbols.

The color of the lotus has an important bearing on the symbology associated with it:

• White Lotus (Skt. pundarika; Tib. pad ma dkar po): This represents the state of spiritual perfection and total mental purity (bodhi). It is associated with the White Tara and proclaims her perfect nature, a quality which is reinforced by the color of her body.
• Pink Lotus (Skt. padma; Tib. pad ma dmar po): This the supreme lotus, generally reserved for the highest deity. Thus naturally it is associated with the Great Buddha himself.
• Red Lotus (Skt. kamala; Tib: pad ma chu skyes): This signifies the original nature and purity of the heart (hrdya). It is the lotus of love, compassion, passion and all other qualities of the heart. It is the flower of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.
• Blue Lotus (Skt. utpala; Tib. ut pa la): This is a symbol of the victory of the spirit over the senses, and signifies the wisdom of knowledge. Not surprisingly, it is the preferred flower of Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom.

Source

1. Based on an article by Nitin Kumar for Exotic India Arts. Reprinted by permission.

2 ounces rice vermicelli
8 rice wrappers (8.5 inch diameter)
8 large cooked shrimp – peeled, deveined and cut in half
1 1/3 tablespoons chopped fresh Thai basil
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 leaves lettuce, chopped

4 teaspoons fish sauce
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons white sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic chili sauce

3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon finely chopped peanuts

Directions

Bring a medium saucepan of water to boil. Boil rice vermicelli 3 to 5 minutes, or until al dente, and drain.
Fill a large bowl with warm water. Dip one wrapper into the hot water for 1 second to soften. Lay wrapper flat. In a row across the center, place 2 shrimp halves, a handful of vermicelli, basil, mint, cilantro and lettuce, leaving about 2 inches uncovered on each side. Fold uncovered sides inward, then tightly roll the wrapper, beginning at the end with the lettuce. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
In a small bowl, mix the fish sauce, water, lime juice, garlic, sugar and chili sauce.
In another small bowl, mix the hoisin sauce and peanuts.
Serve rolled spring rolls with the fish sauce and hoisin sauce mixtures.

Footnotes

FOOTNOTE

The fish sauce, rice vermicelli, chili garlic sauce, hoisin sauce and rice wrappers can be found at Asian food markets.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Vietnamese Seafood Pilaf

Preparation Time: 20 min

Cooking Time: 15 min

Ingredients:

• 1/2cup cuttle-fish, cut into slices
• 1cup shrimp
• 1cup clam meat
• 2 eggs
• 1 large bell pepper, cut into small thread
• 4bowls of cooked rice
• 2tblsp ketchup
• ½ tbsp salt
• 1tspseasoning powder
• ½ tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1tbsp minced garlic
• Cucumber and tomato slices to decorate

Detail Recipe

1. Boil eggs, cut into medium pieces.
2. Put oil into a pan, brown minced garlic and then add ketchup.
3. Next, put shrimp, cuttle-fish and clam into the pan and stir fry for 5 minutes.
4. Add rice, salt, seasoning powder and bell pepper.
5. Continue stirring for a few minutes until hot and well-combined.
6. Put rice into a dish decorated with eggs and bell peppers.

Garnish with some coriander and enjoy hot with soy sauce.

Enjoy your meal!

Your Om Gallery

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese practice, which teaches an individual to live in harmony with one’s surroundings, in order to increase the flow of positive energy and to have a positive state of mind. In the West leading a life based on the principles of Feng Shui has increased in the recent times. The followers of Feng Shui use a number of procedures to get an idea of the energy of the surroundings and then alter it to suit the people living there. This ideology can be used to ensure that energy or “chi” flows freely in the surroundings thus making the people in that place happier and more positive in their outlook. The principles of Feng Shui can be applied to lighting as well. Here are a few tips to follow to light your house based on these principles:

• Shadows must not be cast while we read or cook food. So ensure that your study and kitchen is well lit with incandescent bulbs or halogen lights 
• Different colored lights denote different moods. Pinks have a calming effect. Purple is used for passion, yellow for a relaxed feeling.
• Soft lights create positive energy, therefore when you need a lot of light for a particular room, use two soft light.
• Paper and cloth lampshades  make the light appear softer and create a quiet atmosphere. Metal shades or shades that reflect light create an active atmosphere. Use these shades in different rooms according to the mood you want to create.
• Using red lampshades in the living room  brings fame.
• Use pink shades in the bedroom to increase romance in your life.
• Using purple shades in the office will increase wealth.
• Soften sharp corners of a room using accent lighting. Softening of sharp edges increases the energy flow and creates a relaxed atmosphere.
• Use uplighting to light up dark corners and beams so that the effect of negative energy is reduced.
• Well-lit areas encourage the flow of positive energy. Place mirrors in dark rooms or corners so that they will reflect light and positive energy will flow freely.
• Place a red colored crystal chandelier in the beginning or at the end of the room. This will increase the flow of energy.
• In rooms with irregular shapes place a lamp in the area that is missing to allow positive flow of energy.
• Channelize useful energy from the earth in the garden by using a pole light with the lamp on top. This will bring good fortune as well.
• Place a metal lamp with a white shade, in the western corner of a room, to increase your creativity.
• Using dimmers will not only create the right mood but positive energy as well.

Follow these simple tips to change the lighting of your rooms and there will be an increase in the amount of happiness and harmony in your house.

Ba Gua, bā guà; literally translated means “eight symbols”.  These are eight diagrams used in Taoism to represent the principles of reality.  They are seen as a range of eight interrelated concepts. Each consists of three lines, each line either unbroken or broken respectively representing Yin and Yang.  They are often referred to as “trigrams” in English due to their three line structure.


The map is intended to be used over the land, a home, office or desk to find areas lacking good chi, and to show where there are negative or positive zones that may need to be adjusted to enhance the environment.

 When placing the bagua grid over the entire floor plan of a home or business it shows the locations of bathrooms, closets, laundry and kitchen. In general: If these rooms would fall into the wealth area it would be considered that money coming into these particular zone will vanish quickly.  Although the explanation in itself is correct, it is over-simplified and abused by many “Feng Shui Consultants”.  The correct placing of the bagua grid is the first step to an accurate Feng Shui Consultation while many more calculations and aspects have to be considered for a complete Feng Shui Reading.

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THE OPEN PLAN

Through the Space Dimension of feng shui, we look into ways of creating spaces that help promote a sense of freedom and harmony. One of the key elements in the space dimension technique is the open space plan concept. Through an open plan concept, we are able to locate different areas (living, dining, entertainment or reading) of the home within a single space, thereby allowing each area to stand independently from one another, yet be held together by the overall space.

This enables the room to ‘grow’ exponentially, giving an illusion of a space that is larger than it actually is. This allows us to breathe more easily and to experience the true concept of abundance and growth. It helps promote family values and allows each individual family member to do their own thing yet be interconnected to one another, making any everyday task a social family event.

Another major advantage of an open plan is the ability for the energies of the home to flow from one corner to another freely and unobstructed.

USING CEILING HEIGHT

If we are limited by the footprint we are given, another method is to play with the vertical element of the space. By designing your living area to accommodate for a double height volume, it allows you to experience an explosion of space through its volumetric effect. This design method captivates the concept of a fluid energy flow, to resonate throughout the house, and spatial freedom.

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You can walk on the path of spiritual growth, and at the same time live the same kind of life as everyone else. You do not have to live a secluded life in some far away place. You can raise a family, work or run a business, and yet at the same time engage in practices that lead to inner growth.

A balanced life requires that we take care not only of the necessities of the body, feelings and mind, but also of the spirit, and this is the role of spiritual growth.

10 tips for spiritual growth:

1. Read spiritual and uplifting books. Think about what you read, and find out how you can use the information in your life.

2. Meditate for at least 15 minutes every day. If you do not know how to meditate, it is easy to find books, websites or teachers who can teach you meditation.

3. Learn to make your mind quiet through concentration exercises and meditation.

4. Acknowledge the fact that you are a spirit with a physical body, not a physical body with a spirit. If you can really accept this idea, it will change your attitude towards many things in your life.

5. Look often into yourself and into your mind, and try to find out what is it that makes you feel conscious and alive.

6. Think positive. If you find yourself thinking negatively, immediately switch to thinking positively. Be in control of what enters your mind. Open the door for the positive and close it for the negative.

7. Develop the happiness habit, by always looking at the bright side of life and endeavoring to be happy. Happiness comes from within. Do not let your outer circumstances decide your happiness for you.

8. Exercise often your will power and decision making ability. This strengthens you and gives you control over your mind.

9. Thank the Universe for everything that you get.

10. Develop tolerance, patience, tact and consideration for others

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