Basic Palmistry // The Major Lines

Palmistry, or chiromancy, seemed like the perfect topic for the month of love! So, put down your phones and laptops (after you read this of course) and snuggle up with someone you love and have a look at their palm. It’s the perfect opportunity to take time with your loved ones, hold their hands and explore their past, present, and future with the magic of palmistry.

My father dabbled in palmistry when I was young. I have fond memories of him reading my sister and I’s palms and teaching us what the lines meant. I’ll never forget what he taught me and often find myself trying to steal glances at people's hands. Whether you believe in the validity of this ancient art or not, there’s something very special about it that’s worth exploring.

This week I’ll walk you through a little bit about palmistry, the 3 major lines, and what they mean. Next week, we’ll dig a little deeper and look at markings and mounts on the hands.

A Bit of History

Palmistry is rooted in thousands of years of practice that has been passed down from generation to generation. Palm reading even survived major suppression throughout the middle ages. In fact, it was outlawed by King Henry VIII, along with astrology. Very little has changed in the practice of palmistry, and many of the techniques used today are the same techniques used in its origins of India. The practice of reading palms spread from India to China, then slowly to other countries--it is linked closely to Chinese medicine and astrology.

The Science

Science is starting to catch up with palmistry and some scientists and psychologists are finding links between our hands and our lives. Science has found that the lengths of certain fingers correlate to the amount of testosterone and estrogen produced in the body, and some swirls and lines on the hands have been linked to genetic disorders. Though most scientists consider chiromancy a pseudo-science, thousands of years of staying power leads me to believe it must have some positive uses.

The Major Lines

The major lines should be the most dominant and deep lines on your hand. The three major lines are: the heart line, head line, and life line. These three lines will work together to give you a more complete picture of your past, present, and future.

The Heart Line

Your heart line, or sometimes called the love line, is the major line at the top of the hand. The heart line can help shed light on your emotional energy, physical love, the health of your heart and it connects deeply to your soul.

Keys to look for in the heart line:

• A straight heart line indicates that you are more sensitive.

• If your heart line curves more it indicates that you are more expressive with your emotions.

• If your heart line ends under your first finger you may find that you’re easily let down.

• If your heart line ends under your second finger you may find that you put your emotional needs ahead of others.

• A heart line that ends in between your first finger and second finger indicates a balance between these two energies.

• A clear and deep heart line indicates that you will have a stable emotional life.

The Head Line

Moving down, your next major line is your head line. The head line relates to your intellect and how you use your mind. The length and depth of your head line does not directly correlate to your intelligence and has more to do with the way you think.Keys to look for in the head line:

• In general, the longer and deeper the head line is the more intricate your thinking process will be.

• If your head line is relatively straight it indicates that you are very down-to-earth and logical.

• If your head line curves it indicates that you are more imaginative and more likely to trust your intuition.

• A fork at the end of your head line is referred to as a “writer’s fork”. This means that you may be more inventive and lean towards speaking or writing.

The Life Line

The life line usually starts on the thumb side of the hand under the head line. Your life line will tell you more about how much energy and stamina you’ll have, and about encounters you may experience in life. The life line is not a representation of how long or short your life will be.

Keys to look for in your life line:

• Long deep lines reflect that you’ll experience an abundance of vitality in your life.

• If your life line reaches farther into the middle of your hand this indicates that you’ll have more energy throughout your life, whereas a life line that hugs closer to the thumb indicates lower energy.

• If your life line starts closer to your first finger it reveals that you’re a go-getter.

• If your life line starts closer to your thumb you’re more likely to take life as it is handed to you.

• If this line starts in the middle of these two points it means that you’ve got a great balance of both of these aspects.

Doing a Palm Reading

It’s standard for the dominant hand to be used for a reading. The non-dominant hand does have meaning, but the dominant hand has the most relevant information and is the best place to start.

See something on your hand or a loved one that you don’t like? Many palmists believe that the lines on your hand can change over time! To change your lines you’ll need to focus intently on the changes you’d like to see in your life. Most importantly, always highlight positive points you find in your readings!

Now that you know the basics of palm reading, you’re ready to start practicing this ancient art on yourself and your loved ones. Next week, I’ll walk you through the mounts and markings of the hands. Can’t wait and want to dig in more? Check out my other post all about mounts and markings on the palms here.

Attracting Love With Crystal Grids

Are you in the throes of heartache? Is finding your soul mate on your daily to-do list? Or do you struggle with negative self-talk? There are crystals for each of these predicaments and crystal grids are the perfect way to amplify the healing energy of crystals. By linking all of the crystal’s energies you will send out an ultra-charged message to the cosmos that transcends earthly lingo.

While you may not be a fan of ushering in Hallmark holidays, you will want to know about these extraordinary crystal grids spreads for aligning your heart’s desires!

This ritualistic pattern making will soothe your nerves and sort out the many faces of love. You get to be specific with crystal grids, and the universe loves it when you’re specific.

Because love is complex, I'm sharing three different grids with you to address a variety of love related needs: attracting love, healing love, and self-love.

Getting Started

For each love desire, I’ve included a suggested prayer that can be used while setting up your grid, a centerpiece, and accompanying crystals. The images of my grids are suggestions, yours can be arranged in any way you like with as many or as few of the suggested crystals. Have a favorite crystal that’s calling your name? Feel free to include it too!

Attracting love

You don't want just any kind of love. You want to invite a healthy, long-lasting passion into your life! Go get 'em, girl!

The Prayer: I attract love effortlessly and am open to a loving relationship. I do not have to work hard to find love. I trust that the universe will bring me the love I deserve.

The Centerpiece: The conch shell is a choice centerpiece for this grid. It has long been used in ceremonial summoning spells. Summon love-filled hearts with the conch! Plus, some conch shells have been known to sound over a 2-mile radius. So if we’re taking this in a literal sense...your lover may be closer than you think!

The Crystals:

• Howlite: Encourages desirable personality traits. Use this calming stone to quiet an overcritical mind.

• Rose Quartz & Peridot: This pair will help you in being open to new experiences.

• Kunzite: This stone will create a loving relationship through communication and feelings of joy.

• Carnelian: The action stone. Carnelian stimulates the sacral chakra and inspires confidence.

As you activate your grid let divine love pour over you. Visualize the light of the divine flowing through you, and into your crystal creation!

Healing Love

This is a tough one. You may want to bury a broken heart. But if you're ever going to remove the pain, healing old wounds is part of the course. I know that these soothing vibes will radiate peace in you!

The Prayer: Instead of loss, I turn to love. I will surround myself with people who love me and adore me. I trust the universe and believe that all things happen for a reason and in divine timing.

The Centerpiece: Lilac Lepidolite tower. Gain a star-based perspective on your life from the height of this tower! If you have any destructive patterns in your life it will shed light on them like a lighthouse! Enjoy feelings of relief and serenity with this lithium laced lepidolite.

The Crystals:

• Amazonite: Lies in a relationship are the absolute worst! Summon truth with this stone

• Malachite: Heals traumatic memories

• Snowflake Obsidian: Helps to bring emotions to the surface so you can work through them

• Mangano Calcite: Forgiveness

• Amethyst: Helps bring peace and comfort to an overly busy or agitated mind

As you activate your grid, touch the tower with one hand and your heart with the other. Allow the serene energy to pulse through you.

Self Love

Self-love is your foundation for all other kinds of love. Cultivate self-love and the possibilities will be endless. With all of my self-care tips, I know you already have a head start on this one!

The Prayer: I am worthy of love. The universe wants me to pursue things that bring me love and happiness. I love and accept my imperfections. My spirit is unique and perfect just as it is.

The Centerpiece: The bloodstone heart reminds us in the toughest times, that we are capable! This centerpiece will pulse confidence through your veins! It also brings clarity to decision making skills. Here’s to not making the same mistake twice!

The Crystals:

• Tree Agate: Encourages abundance and fullness.

• Hematite: Hematite is your sledgehammer for roadblocks. Knock 'em down and be wonderfully, unapologetically you!

• Rhodonite: Has anyone ever told you that you aren't good enough? Maybe this has stuck with you as negative self chatter. Allow rhodonite to clear away these unkind words for a fresh start.

• Dumortierite (blue quartz): Self-reliance and ability to stand up for yourself.

As you activate your grid, remind yourself “I deserve respect, happiness, and love.”

Keep your grid up for as long as you feel you need it. Learn more about activating your grid in this previous blog post. Whatever kind of love you are seeking I know you’ll find it and setting the right intention is the perfect place to start!

5 Tips to open your heart chakra and how to know when it's blocked

How are you feeling about giving and accepting love right now? Are you feeling open, receptive and giving--or maybe a little blocked? Whether you’ve got a lot or a little blocking you from giving and accepting love in your life, I’ve got tips to help you enliven your heart chakra, from herbal tinctures to heart chakra inspired altars!

The heart chakra, or in sanskrit anahata, is the chakra (energy center) located at the center of your sternum. The heart chakra is responsible for your ability to give and receive love. If you’ve had any heartache in your past (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t?) you may have some lingering blocks that could be making it hard for you to give and receive the love you deserve.

Is your heart chakra blocked?

Here’s a quick checklist to see if you’ve got any areas in your heart chakra that could use some extra love:

• Is your self-talk critical and negative?

• Do you have trouble making friends?

• Are you lonely?

• Do you have a lack of trust in your relationships?

• Do you have social anxiety?

• Do you have a hard time accepting and/or giving?

Whether you resonate with all of these or just 1 or 2 of these, I’ve got something for you. Read on to learn 5 versatile tips to clear up blocks in your heart chakra.

You can also read this blog post where I explain 3 ways to understanding the health of chakras.

1. Heart Chakra Altar

Make your sacred space a haven for your heart chakra by adorning your altar with colors, crystals, and symbols that will help balance and restore you to love.

Color: Green and pink. Feast your eyes on the color of your heart chakra by adorning your altar with candles, cloths, or statues with green and pink.

Crystals: Rose quartz, aventurine, emerald, green and pink tourmaline, chrysoprase, moss agate, and malachite. Aside from their green and pink hues all of these stones have energy that lends themselves to healing your heart chakra. Choose any combination of them to place on your altar.

Symbols: Anahata symbol, hearts, and the Wunjo Rune symbol all represent love. These symbols on your altar will act as a visual reminder of your intention to be open to giving and accepting love.

2. Ask the Cards

Grab your favorite tarot or oracle card deck and ask them how you can open and balance your heart chakra. Oracle and tarot cards, like any divination tool, are a direct link to your spirit guides and higher self. Try this heart chakra three-card spread or create your own. If you don't have a card deck handy you can opt to journal about each of the questions below instead.

1. What areas of my life are causing blocks in my heart chakra?

2. How can I improve my ability to accept love?

3. How can I nourish my heart chakra?

3. Heart Chakra Meditation

Set aside 5 minutes (or more!) of your day for some deep breaths, connect with your heart chakra on an even deeper level with a simple meditation. Energy reset meditations are a personal favorite of mine, probably because I find them so effective. You can check out my energy reset meditation bundle here.

Try working some of the following tips into your next meditation session balance and open your heart chakra:

Scents: If you have any rose or bergamot essential oils around, these are perfect for balancing the heart chakra. Add them to your diffuser or just take a few deep breaths before you start your meditation.

Visualize: Imagine a glowing green light around your heart chakra as you meditate. Visualize that with each inhale it grows bigger and with each exhale it comes back to center. Eventually, let this growing green light consume your whole body with each inhale.

Mantras: YAM (pronounced yawm, like CD-rom) is the mantra of the heart chakra. Layer this mantra into your meditation with long yaaaaaaaaammmmm added into your exhale. If you’d like a mantra with a clearer intention feel free to repeat one of these mantras during your meditation, “I am love” or “I accept love freely.”

4. Herbal Love for your Heart Chakra

Did you know that heartache, grief, and loss can lead to physical symptoms around your heart chakra? There’s even a name for it, it’s called “broken heart syndrome.” Yeah sure, we’ve all dealt with bad break ups, but if you’ve been dealt more than your fair share of heartache and loss it could be affecting your physical health too. Our physical bodies and energetic bodies are closely connected and intertwined. Keeping your heart in its best physical shape can help keep your heart chakra bright and shining!

Need a tune-up in the heartache department? Hawthorne is your go-to herb! For a quick fix, you can grab some hawthorne and hibiscus (also great for your heart) tea. But, if you want some serious healing herbs here’s a recipe for a hawthorn tincture.

If making tinctures aren't your thing, or you don't have supplies handy to make one, bergamot, rose, and ylang-ylang are all great options for activating the heart chakra. Diffuse or wear any of these oils to help soothe and open the heart chakra.

Hawthorne Heart Tincture

• Dried organic hawthorn berries

• 80 proof or greater vodka or brandy

• Optional: dried organic hawthorn leaves and flowers

• Glass jar

1. Fill your jar full with your herbs, then add the alcohol until all of your herbs are covered.

2. Don’t forget to label your concoction! Be sure to add the date you made it and what herbs are included.

3. Let your brew sit for 4-6 weeks, preferably in the window where it can soak up good vibes from the sun and moon.

4. Give your mixture a little shake up every couple of days. This is also the perfect time to infuse your tincture with some good vibes and intentions from you, so be sure to send it some happy thoughts when you shake it up!

5. Once the 4-6 weeks have passed, drain your mixture through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer.

6. Pour your tincture into a glass dropper bottle and you’re all set. Let the heart healing commence!

7. Enjoy 2-4 droppers full of your tincture 1-2 times a day in tea, water, or juice.

5. A Wearable Reminder of Love

Wearing symbols or crystals that associate with the heart chakra can serve as a potent reminder to give yourself and others love throughout the day.

If you're not into wearing jewelry, wearing colors associated with the heart chakra or carrying some heart chakra crystals in your pocket will have a similar effect.

These are just a few of many ways to open and balance your heart chakra. Read more about balancing the energy of this chakra on any of these blog posts. Click here for crystal grids for love, here for candle magick for love, or here for yoga and breathwork to open the heart chakra.

4 Selenite Uses You’ve Never Heard Of

You want your crystals to look nice, but also serve a purpose, right? Selenite has long been adored for its energetic cleansing benefits and this week I’ve got four uses for selenite that may be new to you.

Selenite is a soft, cloudy, white stone that is part of the Gypsum family and it can be found in many countries around the world. Just in case you don’t already love selenite here’s another reason to: it’s named after the Greek Goddess of the moon, Selene.

This stone is best known for its cleansing powers. Think energetic cleansing, not laundry and dusting. I’m talking personal aura cleansing, house cleansing, and icky-energy-be-gone cleansing. Selenite is also great for connecting with your third eye and crown chakra to boost your psychic connection.

Selenite Candle Bath

When was the last time you had one of those days where everyone you came into contact with was grumpy or in a bad mood? Even if you don’t let it bring you down, those bad vibes can wear on you after a while.

I’m sure you’ve seen Himalayan salt candle holders and lamps, but did you know you can also purchase these powerful little crystal amplifiers in selenite too?

Let selenite do the purification work with a selenite candle bath. The glow from these candles is soothing and will set the perfect mood for a bath. More importantly, the cleansing energy from the selenite will take away all the dirt you can’t see from any icky energy accumulated throughout your day. Be sure not to get too wild in the tub! Selenite is water soluble so you don’t want to get it wet.

You can grab selenite candle holders from several places. I was drawn to the round shape of this one and purchased it from Etsy.

Selenite Aura and Home Cleansing Spray

Selenite has the ability to purify your body, mind, and even your home! Your home is a sacred space and selenite wants to help you keep it that way.

Here’s a recipe for my new favorite thing, DIY selenite aura and home cleansing spray:

• 6-8 oz glass spray bottle

• Enough filtered water to fill your bottle ¾ of the way full

• 6-10 drops essential oil

• 2 TBSP witch hazel (I love Thayer’s rose witch hazel)

• 1 tsp selenite powder (I got mine on Etsy)

Add the ingredients into your glass bottle, shake for each use, spray, and enjoy! A funnel can come in handy to get the powder in your bottle, I crafted one out of paper for a quick fix.

Selenite for Feng Shui

This tip is short and sweet, but I know you’ll appreciate it, so I couldn't leave it out! Selenite has a high spiritual vibration that can act as a pathway for angelic energy. You can use selenite powder around the outside of your home to bring peace and tranquility. Also, you can create a yin yang balance by topping a piece of selenite with black tourmaline in the rooms in your home or office!

Selenite Wands

As I mentioned before, selenite is the crystal for connecting with the spirit world and enhancing your third eye. Take advantage of this meditation while using a selenite wand to enhance your consciousness and connect with your true spiritual self!

A quick little selenite clearing like this is the perfect way to begin a tarot or oracle card reading for yourself.

• Lay or sit comfortably while you scan your chakras with the selenite wand.

• As you breathe deeply and calmly, imagine the light as it moves freely up through your chakras.

• Allow the light energy from the selenite to clear each of your chakras of any bad vibrations.

• Spend extra time focusing on any chakra that you feel needs extra attention or clearing.

The awesomeness that our Earth Mama creates never ceases to amaze me! I hope you’ve enjoyed these tips and found something you can put into practice in your sacred space. Pick any of them to start your forever friendship with selenite!

Closing Year Rune Ritual

Are you energetically ready for the new year? Are the happenings of this year and what’s to come in the new year swirling around your energetic field? The moment December hits I can’t help but start evaluating what went well and what didn't for the year.

The closing out of one year and the beginning of a new year can cause quite the energetic upheaval for sensitive souls like you and me. Good news though, I’ve got some tools to help create meaning and ease the transition.

The first step to starting a new year off is energetically clearing out the current year.

I love to turn to rituals to help make this transition. Rituals are a powerful healing tool. I conduct rituals for almost any significant event or experience in my life. For me, rituals are a way to process emotions or feelings that are overwhelming and stressful.

Think of having a closing year ritual as a way to create an emotional container for all of your feelings around 2016 and the start of 2017.

For this closing year ritual, we’ll break out some of my favorite divination tools, Runes. If you're new to Runes, you can click here to read all about them and get a free printable.  Follow the steps below to join me in a closing year ceremony to clear the slate and prepare you for the energy of the new year.

What You’ll Need

• A candle in the color meaning of your choice

• A sharp tool to carve into the candle

• Runes(optional)

• Paper and pen

• Essential oil (EO) or incense (optional)

• Smoke wand

• Any crystals or other objects that you’re called to include in your ritual

At your altar or quiet area in your home, arrange your items in a way that feels right to you. If you have a favorite EO scent or incense that helps you get centered, then get that started.

Select Your Rune

First, you’ll need to select a Rune symbol that represents 2016 for you. Start by taking three deep breaths, then allow thoughts of 2016 to come into your mind. From here you can intuitively select your Rune if you have a Rune set, or research them and select one that you feel represents 2016 for you. I love this website for learning more about each Rune symbol.

Select Your Candle Color

Once you’ve selected your Rune, you’ll need to select your candle color. The color of your candle should energetically match the meaning of your Rune symbol. Here are quick descriptions of the meanings of each color.  If you're new to candle magick, you can click here to see all our blog posts about candle magick.

• Red - Strength & Passion

• Yellow - Joy & Inspiration

• Blue - Harmony & Communication

• Green - Abundance & Acceptance

• Purple - Transformation & Intuition

• Orange - Creativity & Intellect

• Pink - Love & Friendship

• Black - Grounding & Protection

• White - Unity & Healing

Carve and Light

Using a stylus or sharp object carve your Rune into your candle. Feel free to add any other words or decorations that you feel called to add to your candle carving. Create a space for your Rune candle and light it.

Honor and Release 2016

In this safe space take the time to honor and release the happenings of 2016. Here are a few ideas for honoring and releasing 2016 as you sit in the presence of your Rune candle. You can do as many or as few as you’d like.

• Write a gratitude list about the events of 2016

• Write a list of all the ways the meaning of your Rune showed up for you in 2016.

• Meditate and be witness to what thoughts come up about 2016

• Have an especially difficult year? Cry, scream, let it out.

Closing

Light your smoke wand to clear the energy of the area, thank the Universe for your experience of 2016, and blow out your Rune candle.

Like all rituals that I suggest, take what you like and leave the rest. Rituals are personal, please include anything that would bring meaning to closing out your year.

Next up on the blog, you guessed it, let’s get set up for a 2017 full of love, light, and openness.

3 Ways to Bring Meaning to the Winter Solstice

December 21st will mark the shortest day and the longest night of the year. This sabbat is also known as Yule. I've been anticipating how to best use this time to reflect on my spiritual work and honor the coming of the sun for self-growth. What were some big shifts for you this past year? What do you aspire towards in the seasons to come? Maybe these are questions better left to the night’s sky. And on the longest night of the year, I have a few ways to help you find your answers.

Enjoy this excerpt from “A Celebration of Winter Solstice” from The Circle of Life by Joyce Rupp and Macrina Wiederkehr to get you in the right mindset for bringing meaning to the Winter Solstice.

But winter darkness has a positive side to it. As we gather to celebrate the first turn from winter to spring, we are invited to recognize and honor the beauty in the often unwanted season of winter. Let us invite our hearts to be glad for the courage winter proclaims. Let us be grateful for the wisdom winter brings in teaching us about the need for withdrawal as an essential part of renewal. Let us also encourage our spirits as Earth prepares to come forth from this time of withdrawal into a season filled with light.

As you embark on connecting with the Winter Solstice here’s a reflection to keep in mind.

Create Your Solstice Altar

Honor the Triple Goddess with the symbolism of the phases of the moon that represents the Maiden, Mother, and the Crone. As the cycle of the seasons comes full circle, you have experienced all of the faces of the goddess somewhere in your life. Do not forget what each has taught you.

Revisit these lessons by remembering where you have felt wild, abandon, or birthed a creation. Maybe you need to revisit a time of loss. Open your heart up to this life cycle and feel gratitude that you are still standing; that you have survived your darkest days.

Connect by decorating your altar with festive colors. Here’s a guide for bringing Winter Solstice colors into your sacred space.

Dig deep with red.

Red represents your root chakra. Stay grounded and humble with poinsettias, red ribbon, and cranberries.

Find faith with green.

Choose holly leaves or a miniature pine tree. It's said that once upon a time when the days grew short and cold, all of the trees withered in the sun’s absence. The Evergreen trees were the exception to this. They instead had faith in the sun’s return. Because of their faith, the sun rewarded them by allowing them to keep their green leaves all year round. Be like the evergreen, have faith that light will prevail.

Blessed is she who believes.

Stay gold.

“Oh, holy night. The stars are brightly shining.” Add some bling to your altar this solstice to represent growing daylight. Use gilded items to depict the growing sparkle in your heart and happiness in the face of adversity.

Celebrate with a Solstice Eve Ritual

Wear a Crown

On the night of the Winter Solstice, you can wear a holly crown. Holly is said to help soothe feelings of loss while ushering in new life. The red berries on the crown will awaken the root chakra as you dig your roots into the earth to meditate on the seasons of your soul.

Draw a Card

With an Oracle deck in hand meditate beneath the vast night’s sky. Let go of the past, and now see the sky as a blank canvas for your year to come. Next, draw an oracle card that will represent the theme that will inspire the next cycle of seasons in your life.

Light a Flame

Ignite the light within by lighting candles, burning a log, or stringing up lights on your altar. If you burn a log you can save a little to add to next year’s fire for continuity of the solar cycle (save the ashes to use in charm bags for protection).

I stopped looking for the light. I decided to become it instead.

Gather with Family

Spend this solstice with your family and friends. On the longest night of the year, you’ll have plenty of time for feasting, playing games, telling stories, and hopefully lots of good belly laughs! Stay warm and cheery in the wee hours of the night (and maybe until dawn) with this festive brew!

Wassail Recipe

• 1-gallon apple cider

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp ground cloves

• 1 tsp allspice

• 1 chopped apple

• 3 oz brown sugar

Bring cider to a boil over high heat, reduce heat and add spices. Stir until spices dissolve. Add chopped apple and brown sugar. Cook for another 10 minutes over low heat. Optionally, you can add sherry, brandy, or ale to this beverage for some extra warmth!

The light is coming, but until then, enjoy and reflect in the dark spaces. Soak up the love and gratitude from your family and friends and enjoy a warm cup of Wassail! Find more rituals for the Winter Solstice here.