KALE YEAH!!!!!!!

Addictive Kale Salad

Warning: I do not use measurements as of now for my recipes so I encourage you to explore and expand in the kitchen just as I do.

2 bunches of kale, washed, without stems, torn into bite size pieces
sesame oil
fresh squeezed lime juice
nutritional yeast
sesame seeds
Cajun spice mix
sea salt

Absolutely Well Presents The Wellness Celebration

Healing Waters

Distillation

Distillation is another wash of the parts of the personality that no longer work with the new self that has been uncovered. Human beings grow attached to the material world along with their thoughts, beliefs and opinions.  This stage of the work calls us to release attachment to everything and feel detachment as a true form of love.  This form of love is from a higher level and not a form that is usually practiced until we have let go of our attachments to end results or the future.  Distillation helps wash away the dark matter of attachment and reveal the deeper intuitive self in its purest form-- light and Oneness.

From: Hollingsworth Counseling 

Healing waters wash over us. Healing waters heal us and make us new. Healing waters flow free. The inner process of Distillation is also renewal. It is the light at the end of the fermentation process. We can rise above the rise and fall of emotional waters. There is a space that exists above and outside of the regular events of daily life. A zen state of being where peace abounds.

Facing the Abyss

One must pass through the great dark abyss to reach the all consuming light. The darkness that most of try to hide from everyone including ourselves has to be unearthed. If we take the time to fight the demons that plague us we will see that a new existence, one of freedom exists in the next breath after the abyss. We are never alone in our journey to face the darkness, the Creator of All provides all that is needed on this seemingly unbearable path.


The fermentation process gives you the environment to allow the dead counterfeit self to rot away. This process is emotionally draining yet worth the pain. As you realize that you are so far from perfect there may be a tendency towards depression; however, know that no emotion is wrong. We can control how we react to our emotions. You can choose to be proactive and incorporate various coping skills into your life at this time (keeping a journal, yoga, cleansing herbs, etc). By embracing the shadows that haunt you embrace freedom as well. This is the true beginning of regeneration.

Today, I stand fearless and ready to embrace that which haunts me. I allow the supporting earth energies of autumn to help me in my path of letting go of grief and sorrow.
I sow the seeds of regeneration in my life.

I may die but I will live again as a new being more powerful and creative than ever.

"Death is rebirth, not extinction." -Unknown

7 Stages of Transformation: Alchemy

The seven stages of alchemy are:

Calcination 

This is the first stage of the alchemical practice and essentially represents the process of burning.  It represents a burning within the self, of energies repressed due to trauma, projection of others thoughts, ego, and feelings or emotions.  Calcination allows us to bring the energy or feelings to the surface, experience them fully and cause the fires of calcination to burn the energy away.  Once this step is complete, the process leaves us with a feeling of freedom from the energy.

Dissolution

Dissolution is the process of adding the element of water to the ashes of what has been burned by the fires of calcination. This is an emotional stage where the person takes themselves back to “the womb” of childhood where some of the impurities (repressed feelings) were attached and need to be washed away. The feelings, reactions, opinions, thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes must be examined for reality, to find whether they are based on repressed feelings or present facts.  This is a stage of anxiety, fear, denial, illusion and possible mental breakdown.  When a person moves through this stage they can then look at what is real because feeling all of the negative feelings has now penetrated the illusions.

Separation

In this stage of the alchemical process the individual is able to see himself in two parts or the opposites within. The two worlds represented are the world we have created -- fueled by what we come from -- and the world of consciousness and reality-- a world much different from the one we ourselves created. Repressed feelings cause a veil to be produced that causes reality to be skewed.  Separation is a process of being able to see and separate the ego self that has been burned in the fires of Calcination and the feelings expressed and released in Dissolution and choosing what is now important to keep of you. 

Conjunction

Conjunction gives us our first look at the higher realms of existence such as spiritual connection, concept of God, or something greater than ourselves that is outside of and connected to our self.  This stage is described in the Emerald Tablet, “That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish the miracles of the One Thing.”

Fermentation

Fermentation is also known as Putrefaction or decomposition.  This decomposition is the rotting of the dead self. There is realization on a deep level of ones deficiencies, and a possibility of mental depression at this stage.  To look into the dark shadows of one’s self is to look at what most deny.  Jung spoke of the importance of embracing one’s shadow so that the darkness of it could be illuminated.  When the shadow is embraced it can be healed with the introspection and understanding of what gave it birth.  Regeneration and growth begins to take place during this stage.

Distillation

Distillation is another wash of the parts of the personality that no longer work with the new self that has been uncovered. Human beings grow attached to the material world along with their thoughts, beliefs and opinions.  This stage of the work calls us to release attachment to everything and feel detachment as a true form of love.  This form of love is from a higher level and not a form that is usually practiced until we have let go of our attachments to end results or the future.  Distillation helps wash away the dark matter of attachment and reveal the deeper intuitive self in its purest form-- light and Oneness.

Coagulation

This is the last stage of the alchemical process. The balance of the opposites creates a balance and harmony necessary to easily move between the two realms of matter and spirit.  The person that has successfully accomplished this stage has completed unification within themselves on all levels.  They have been able to join spirit and soul with the body, separating them from everything that would hinder them ascension into the union with the Divine.  This is the stage of the phoenix rising from the ashes and the complete resurrection.

  

As taken from: Hollings Worth Counseling

Father Autumn

Decline in energy exerted outwardly and an increase in energy directed toward reflection and inner wellness characterizes this time of the year. As the leaves fall, let your self fall into the healing balm of silence and delve deeper into inner knowing. Knowing thyself is an ongoing journey.

This is a time to cultivate creative energy and plant seeds for future creative endeavors. Metal is the element of the season and it is said to be the Mother of water and the child of Earth. Contracting is a male energy and one should really learn when it is appropriate to expand and when it is necessary to contract. Contracting helps one refresh and renew for the upcoming season of expansion. The lung and large intestine can benefit from special attention and care through the consumption of warming foods and herbs that cleanse these organs. Mullein is a great herb that improves the health of mucous membranes and aids the lungs in the cleansing process. It does have a slightly calming effect; so it would be wise to drink this tea in the evening before bed with some licorice root for its warming qualities and sweet taste. Your skin would be very appreciative if you continue to stay hydrated and pay attention to the cleansers and moisturizers you are using. The energy of the earth supports the release of grief and sorrow; take advantage of these supporting energies and let go of the sorrows that have been buried deep within. Feelings buried alive never die. Bitter and spicy foods are usually beneficial to the process of healing during autumn/ metal phase of the year.

Let the energy you sense in quiet meditation guide you this season. 

Great Link for further study of the metal energy: http://www.5elements.com/docs/elements/metal.html