meditate & medicate

I've always enjoyed peaceful environments and where i sleep certainly has to contain a level of peace in it. I've developed a regular practice of cleansing the space I live and rest in - a ritual that includes burning oils or incense. This type of purification of space is common amongst many cultures and helps to clear the energy and reset the auric field, as well as washing away any negative vibes that may be attaching to yours. i'll write another post about the ancient art of burning herbs at a later time.  

I got some white sage from Sadhana Tea House; sage that has been used as a spiritual medicine for purposes such as healing, clearing space and ceremonies since the time of the Native Americans who started this tradition to ward off evils spirits and negative energies.

White sage has been used in ceremonies to seek blessings of health and prosperity, banish spirits, encourage protection. The Latin for sage, ‘Salvia,’ stems from the word ‘to heal.’ The other qualities of sage when burned, such as giving wisdom, clarity and increasing spiritual awareness, are also indicated in the name. Wise people are often referred to as sages as no coincedence. 

Sage Smudging is a ritual where the leaves of the Sage plant are burned, and the smoke penetrates the areas that are in need of clearing and protection. As the leaves are burned set an Intention so the smoke of the white sage can cleanse and protect it. 

As you work with white sage to cleanse your space, a mantra to repeat might be to affirm the release of all that no longer serves you and that you bring in all that is for your greater good.

As the smoke moves through the room or over a surface, the smoke attaches itself to any heavy, negative energy that is within the space, object or being. As the smoke clears, the spirit of White Sage carries with it the negative energy that was once attached so that it can regenerate into something positive. Having the windows helps with the flow of the old energy away and out of your space.

Sage can assist you in cleansing unknown energies from a stone, or an object that you received as a gift.

If you have a crystal or a piece of jewelry given to you, or anything else that you want to cleanse, hold it in your hand (if it is small enough). Waft smoke from below the object, so that the sage smoke covers the object from below, traveling. Swirl the smoke around the object until you feel the cleansing is complete. Remember to repeat your mantra.

(x)

it's officially fall so as the weather changes so does the food and the routine. it's the time for lots of soups, grains, root vegetables, beans and dark leafy greens to help us conserve energy.

here's a recipe for clean 'dirty rice' thats nourishing and filling and tastes dope!

what you will need:

red onion, diced

two garlic cloves, minced

about a cup of brown rice, cooked

handful of broccoli 

1/2 can of sweetcorn or corn removed from the cob

1/2 can of black beans

braggs amino acid or soy sauce

vegetable stock cube

spices - paprika, cumin - i used Victoria Taylor's Smoky Paprika Chipotle Rub Seasoning which contains chili pepper [including chipotle], cumin, oregano, paprika, garlic, sea salt, onion and demerara sugar.

what you need to do:

fry up the onion and minced garlic for a minute or so until translucent.

add the veggies with some salt and pepper and sweat them down for a few minutes.

add half the stock cube and a little hot water to marry the ingredients. add the rice (cooked! it takes about 40 minutes to cook brown rice) and stir it up, let it simmer down for 5 minutes or so. add a little soy sauce or amino acids and tsp or so of the paprika, cumin or whatever seasoning and stir and let cook down for a few minutes. season with salt and pepper if necessary. 

enjoy with some avocado and plantain or whatever you so wish!