 Q: With the holidays coming up, I want to celebrate, but what do I do when I don't feel I'm in the mood for it?
A: You can't force fun but you can get creative with it. Clearly, your desire to celebrate is there. If you are having a hard time getting in the mood it may be because you've outgrown your definition and way of celebrating. Honour where you're at. Last year you might have been in full holiday party mode, eager to get out and socialize. But this year your mood may be a signal that it wants to celebrate differently, maybe by curling up indoors. There's no right or wrong way to celebrate. Enjoying a peaceful moment wrapped up in your favourite blanket with your hands around a warm mug of tea can be just as much a celebration as getting dolled up and going out for the evening. If you are feeling pressured to be in a certain mood or to have fun you are resisting feeling where you're at and connecting with your truth. You are judging your energy and saying, I should be somewhere other than where I am, and feeling something other than what I'm feeling. Your mood is a signal to what your energy is needing to recognize and heal. Go within and ask yourself what you need to support and shift your mood and trust what comes up. The answer might be things that support patience, self-care, more sleep, new friends, different environments, activities etc... Your mood is letting you know that something is not resonating. Winter solstice is a time of reflection and going within. It's a time where we feel the pull to hibernate. So it's natural to feel conflicted in wanting to honour solitude and introspection while wanting to be around family and friends, celebrating. Ask your guides to help you find your middle ground. Pick and choose the celebrations that are most meaningful to you and leave the rest. Boundaries will help. You may be excited to celebrate but then your mood wanes thinking about being inundated with energy and expectation. Remind yourself at that moment you have disconnected from yourself and are now trying to process others energy outside of yourself. Set boundaries that honour your energy limits. Maybe you commit to one holiday gathering instead of three. Maybe you choose to attend or host a party but limit the time frame so you don't experience too much of a good thing. Give yourself permission to take little breaks at a family gathering, or go for a short walk to get some fresh air and catch your breath if the energy gets too intense for you. Remember you are in your energy and reality, enjoying yourself according to your participation and boundaries. Give yourself permission to create and enjoy celebration your unique way. Authentically say yes to things you want to do, and a loving no to the things you don't. Your mood will immediately shift because you are now self-connecting instead of disconnecting. Ask yourself what your definition of celebrating is today and write it down. It's a good idea to do this annually and it can be fun to see how the definition evolves as you do. Jot down any ideas of fun and celebration that appeal to you, don't overthink it, just trust what comes up and go with your gut. Then get creative with different and gentle ways of incorporating them. If you find yourself in a funk, pull out your list and see what speaks to you. The elementals say, Happy Holidays, your way!
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 Q: I know I'm growing but I feel pressured to be in a certain spot in my life. How do I grow at my own pace when I feel pressure about age, biological clock, and things like that?
A: Think of yourself as a flower. You don't plant a flower and then stand over it demanding, grow, grow, grow! You plant it, water it, give it sunlight, and trust that if you take good care of it, it's going to grow and blossom in natural rhythm. There's no doubt of the many societal pressures and expectations. It's habit that you will be in a relationship and people will ask, 'When are you getting engaged?' Then when you are engaged it immediately becomes, "When are you getting married?' Then when you are married it's automatically, "When are you having a baby?' It's as if on autopilot, we are programmed to focus on reaching these milestones. And hey, these milestones are great, if you want them, and if you reach them of your own free will, in your own time. Otherwise, you are striving for a marker with no meaning and a false sense of achievement. The elementals say, there is only one real time, and that is divine time. Divine time is being in the present moment. Humans desire control or a way to measure success and feel validated. But life isn't about outcomes, it's about all the experiences leading to them. Sure, there are some realities that need to be considered, like your bodies biology for one. And in those cases you can choose to see it not as a pressure but as a motivator. You know what we elementals love most about your question? The fact that you start it off by saying, 'I know I'm growing.' We are applauding you right now. If you are growing, you are on track, and there's no need for pressure. It's always about surrender, and we understand that doesn't come as easy to you human folk. When you are feeling pressured, breathe, call on us! And use some tools to help you swing back to a state of surrender. Ask yourself, what do I want? Write it down. And then ask yourself, 'What small step can I start to take that will support this want?' Baby step your way! That's how you release the pressure. Pressure comes from feeling like you have to go too far, too fast. Or from feeling like you have to be somewhere you don't want to be. Pressure is outside of you, surrender takes place within you. If you find yourself measuring yourself against others who are the same age, etc. remind yourself that everyone's journey is different. Your soul came here to experience things that are tailor-made for what you need to learn and grow. So please don't stress yourself out by unnecessarily comparing your growth to others. It's impossible to do so, as their soul is on an entirely different mission. It takes courage to do things differently. It's easy to conform and make choices that might have you feeling good for a moment, but it requires real self-love and power to make conscious choices that will serve your lifetime. The only true measure is your joy. And as long as you are steadily growing and working towards increasing that, you're going to get exactly where you want to go, and you'll arrive exactly when you're supposed to. Experience is everything!  Q: What do the elementals consider important aspects to incorporate into a home? Ie. plants, sage, crystals, oils, etc.
A: Flow, is the first word the elementals use to answer your question. They say creating a flow of energy in your space is what is most ideal. They say, make sure that things aren't cluttered and messy. Notice when an item loses its essence and be willing to let it go. We can't have flow without an ebb! There will be times when particular items in your home will no longer resonate for you. This means they have served their purpose and it's time to release them. This is not sad but happy because you are clearing the space for new items to come in. Sometimes it might just be refurbishing a piece of furniture or a simple coat of paint that will alter the energy to match where you're at. The most important aspect to consider in your home is the energy itself. Cultivate an energy of safety, peace and joy. This means having items that create a positive energy and reflect your true essence. All of the things you listed in your question are great options and ones you are naturally drawn to which is why they popped up first in your mind. Himalayan salt lamps and other crystal lamps are wonderful additions that can both cleanse and add ambience to your space. You mention sage and it is definitely important to cleanse your home energetically on a regular basis. Experiment with different methods and notice which method you most enjoy. Colour and texture are important aspects as they influence and affect your mood. You may love the colour and design of a particular blanket but find it's scratchy and not comfortable. Notice what element you are most connected or drawn to and incorporate it. For example, I love fire element and Elliott and I both worship the sun so we need to have curtains that let the light in and aren't too dark or heavy. I purchased these wonderful decals that catch the sun and cast rainbow colour throughout your space. They create a warm sun element feeling that really connects us with our inner child. Someone who loves water may have a lot of blue colour throughout their space, pictures of the ocean and sea related decor. A great way to decide if an item is right for your energy and your home is to body test it. Hold the item in your left hand and notice if you sway slightly forward or backward. If forward, it's a yes, if backward, it's a no. This can also be useful when you are trying to make a purchase between a few items and need help choosing the one that will best serve you at the time. Overall, know thyself. You want to go with what you are genuinely drawn to and what makes you feel good. Your space should reflect your personality, and your intention of making your house a home will show itself in the energy.  Q: I bought a really special crystal ring recently and when I put it on I heard the word "talisman" - is that a thing? If so, any tips for best utilizing and caring for it in everyday life?
A: Yes! Jewellery can certainly be a talisman. A talisman is basically an object that brings the wearer good luck and protection. Notice how in your vocabulary you recognize it as a talisman before spirit confirms it for you. You describe the ring as special and you are drawn to it for a reason. And then you hear spirit validate your pull to the ring by hearing the word talisman. Your spirit guide wanted you to be aware of the power of your new ring. In caring for your new ring the elementals recommend the following:
Your question was synchronistic because a few days after receiving it I was wearing a pentacle necklace I have. I instantly got a headache, which is unusual for me, and it wouldn't go away. When I asked spirit what was causing the headache I suddenly remembered the last time I'd worn the necklace was on a day I'd received bad news about a loved one. I had been in fear as I held the necklace and prayed for them during a flight. It did provide me comfort and protection at the time but I forgot to clear it afterward! I thanked my guide for bringing the memory forward and once I used my pendulum to clear it, it was fine. It was an important and timely reminder that any jewellery containing real crystals or sacred geometry symbols are very powerful and extra receptive. The elementals are very happy, and proud of you, for acknowledging the powerful energy behind your new ring. Enjoy your talisman and it's most sacred and supportive energy!  Q: What are the elementals favorite holidays and why? How do they encourage us to celebrate different holidays?
A: The elementals celebrate holidays according to the Celtic wheel of the year. It represents the eight pagan holidays and celebrates the seasons and cycles of life. These are earth-based and no matter your belief or religion you'll find nearly everyone, in their own way, recognizes these holidays. The elementals love Earth Mother so naturally they celebrate according to her solstices and equinoxes. They also love the art of passing things down and maintaining the origin and pure essence of something. The Celtic wheel of the year is what they call the original root of each and every holiday in its most natural form. I won't go into detail about what each of the individual holidays means as that is a post in itself. But there is a lot of information available so have fun researching. Do note that there are a lot of inaccurate wheel of the year pictures online that have the wrong dates, so you'll want to ensure you find an accurate one. Their favourite of the wheel is Samhain/Halloween as it's when the veil that separates the spirit world from the human world is at its thinnest. In their words: The ultimate in-between! You'll find Samhain is high time to receive signs and messages from spirit, and to connect with ancestors. The elementals say: Also, more people are open to us! As I was writing just now I wondered if the elementals didn't like people dressing up as them for halloween but they responded that they are all for it. They love being honoured and celebrated, and encourage play in all ways. The elementals encourage you to explore and create your own unique way of celebrating each holiday. They say it should be personal to you and most importantly sacred and enjoyable. They love and encourage sacred ceremony. They equally love and encourage a festive party or gathering. Here's a list in their own words for what they would deem necessary as part of an elemental holiday celebration:
The elementals say: Have fun exploring these holidays and different ways of celebrating. You'll soon create your own unique ritual to pass down in your family and friendship circle. A holiday is about connection, reflection, and making memories.  Q: I so love and honour the elementals in my life and around me. Do I have an elemental that helps me look after my home and yard? I was aware of one when I lived in Alberta. Would this one travel with me or stay at my old home out west? How can we best communicate with the elementals around us?
A: First off, the elementals thank you for acknowledging and honouring them. Any elemental will help you look after your home and yard but there doesn't need to be one in particular. The elementals being nature spirits have a strong community spirit and tend to connect more as a group energy as opposed to an individual energy. So whereas you may connect with your spirit guide one on one, more often than not, you'll be connecting with several elementals at once and hearing the unified voice of them as a community. I don't speak to one elemental in particular but rather always acknowledge: 'All benevolent elementals of South and fire, North and earth, East and air, West and water.' They embody the four elements and four directions so this will help you connect more strongly with them. And doing so allows them to pull forward the best element/energy for your intention and need. They say you were aware of connecting with the elementals of earth and North and those were the ones you could feel helping you with your yard. Elementals are different from angels and other spirit helpers in that they have more attitude. Whereas angels will help you with no question or expectation, elementals will discern and decide whether they want to help you. They will base this on your belief, your treatment of animals, children, and the environment. Clearly, you've already got that going for you and have passed the elemental test! So here are their tips, in their own words, on how to best communicate with them.
As far as a particular elemental you've connected with moving with you, they answer no, as they are etheric spirits connected to the land. But they say, fear not, for we are everywhere. They are all interconnected and not separated or limited by time and space, as we are. But unlike a spirit guide who's sole purpose is to stay with you, guiding you wherever you are, an elemental is first and foremost loyal and connected to the energy of their beloved Earth Mother. And elementals push us to embrace change. They will support the new environment and elemental energies you'll connect with knowing it's time to learn new things. So as they say, it's never a goodbye, but a graduation.  Q: When I pull a shadow card, like you pulled gargoyles card this week, I feel like spirit is challenging me, or warning me that something bad is going to happen. Am I right?
A: You're certainly not alone in having a shadow card trigger fear when it's pulled. We all secretly hope for the abundance or love cards, don't we? But we want to not view cards as negative or positive. Just like everything in life is rooted in duality, it's all determined by your perspective. If you feel a card is cautioning you, for example, that's pretty positive. You have your guides wanting to spare you unnecessary experiences and pain. A shadow card can also mean that you just moved through a shadow experience and spirit is wanting to recognize you for your courage, another positive. Or it can be spirit confirming they are with you during a shadow experience. A common one, and the meaning I'm getting for you, is that it can also be pulled as a call for healing and ritual. If I pull a shadow card, it's often at a time where I've been slacking on my daily routine. It's spirit signalling me that there's a need to use my resources. And if you learn to not judge the shadow card but to embrace it, you can be so proactive about anything that comes up, you'll avoid most hardships. Here's a personal example: The other day I was working out, and I didn't feel it at the time, but I pulled something in my right shoulder. The next day it hurt and I couldn't move my arm. Three days before, I pulled a shadow card from my deck, the greys, for three days in a row. I was annoyed because every time I pulled it I said, but I feel good! I don't feel worried or blocked, I don't get it. So instead of paying attention and asking my guide: What is it that needs healing that I'm not aware of? And thanks for bringing it to my attention. I glossed over it. My ego stepped in and said, spirit, wrong card, let's do better tomorrow, hey? And it led to my shoulder pain. Spirit keeps increasing the volume of the message until you listen. Had I honoured the card, the shoulder wouldn't have needed to get my attention. But it did. And nothing will make us sit and want to heal more than pain. I ended up needing to clear some belief systems from my male ancestry, hence the right shoulder, and not the left. The right side is paternal energy, the left side is maternal energy. I went through the list of my Elemental Eleven with my guide, trusted which ones I felt called to use, and it was an instant relief. Next time you pull a shadow card and feel fear or resistance, consciously shift your perspective into curiosity and gratitude. And unlike me, pay attention the first time. Spirit isn't out to get you, it's out to help you. Fear can be used as a distraction. And the biggest mistake we make in our busy lives is not taking the time to sit and listen to spirit. I listen to spirit all day in sessions for clients. But because of that sometimes I forget to give as much focused attention to my own messages and guides. Is spirit challenging you when you pull a shadow card? Benevolent spirit wouldn't directly challenge you but rather support and encourage you. If you feel challenged with it, you're likely carrying a belief system that growth is painful and challenging. That would be a wonderful one to start shifting into, growth can be easy and enjoyable. So that as future challenges come up your expectation of difficulty lifts and is replaced by a curiosity or motivation. The elementals encourage you to put everything through your own filter to see what resonates. You could pull cards with a friend, and you could both pull the same card, and it can have two very different meanings. Your fear tried to take you to a place of uh, oh, it's about to go down! But really it was just spirit saying, hey man, come sit with me awhile, there's something we can clear and get on top of. The elementals encourage you to use this month of October and their favourite holiday, Samhain/Halloween, as the perfect time to practice leaning into your shadows and relishing in the gifts and celebration of the shadow side.  Q: I'm feeling frustrated in my body lately. My mind is motivated but there's a lack of energy in my body. I'm struggling to know if it's emotional or spiritual, or if it's just physical and I just need to give it more time?
A: The first thing the elementals say is, be where you're at. I know it can be uncomfortable when we are feeling less than our best physically but sometimes it's a necessary part of our spiritual growth. This is particularly true when we are healing deep core issues, and my spidey-senses are tingling, telling me that you are working through some deep and powerful stuff. Uncomfortable in the process? Yup, it's why a lot of people never do the work. Healing isn't all sunshine and rainbows. It's just as much heavy lifting and swimming through the shadows. But when you're willing to dig deep like you are, oh the breakthrough that awaits, my friend! The most uncomfortable things to process can lead to the biggest transformations. Surrendering to the feeling instead of fighting to get out of it is an important first step. Speak your feelings and frustration out loud. Light a candle to burn away the negative energy from the words, call on your guides for support and say: I am frustrated with my body. I'm uncomfortable and I don't like it. I don't feel connected. I don't feel my body has caught up to my mind. I want things to change. Get it all out of your system! Drag those feelings and thoughts out of the shadow and into the light. If you get emotional as you're venting it all out, even better. Roll with it, don't suppress it. Then turn them into prayers and the healed opposite. Say: Guides please and thank you for helping bring all my selves into harmony. Thank you for increasing my physical energy and motivation. I choose to love my body and feel my best. Thank you for guiding me to any healthy changes that will support this. Our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual selves are all interconnected. Let's say, for example, you are working on healing old emotions that had you feeling unsafe. Your body may put on an extra 5-10 pounds to cushion you and try to create the feeling of safety. Or you may be in a situation where you're moving a lot and not feeling grounded so your body may hold onto things in an attempt to ground you. Every body is different, some more sensitive than others, and we all process in our own way. Some people heal things and process very quickly, slowly, subtly or aggressively. And most likely at some point in your spiritual growth, you'll experience all the different ways of processing. The more committed to your personal growth and aware you become, the more gentle your processing. The elementals recommend addressing all the selves to help bring things back into alignment and connection. Have you been doing a lot of work emotionally and mentally and that's helped your mind heal but now it's time to switch gears and amp up the physical support? Maybe you've mastered the mental aspect but now your energy body needs a good healing flush. Ease yourself into this support. Treat your body as you would a good friend. You would never tell a friend, hurry up already and heal, get on with it! Extremes never work. Inner child healing is so awesome for this! Picture your inner child in your core, and speak lovingly and encouragingly to them. When you feel frustrated with your body, swing your thoughts in the direction of what you can be grateful for. I'm thankful for a healthy body that moves me through the day. The elementals say, don't be afraid to shake things up. Chances are your routine needs a tweak to bring in some fresh energy. As we heal, our bodies needs can shift. Ask your guides, what will best support my body right now? The answer might surprise you. Remember that even when it feels like your body is working against you, it's actually working for you. Any manifestation, be it a lack of energy, illness, etc. is there to bring your attention to what is calling for healing. It sounds like you've been doing the mental work, so stay the course and trust all your selves will continue to click into place. Q: How to balance the duality of surrendering yet taking initiative to grow at the same time?9/27/2018  First question of the new blog and I am already loving this format far more. Thank you for your positive feedback about the Q & A, I look forward to more questions!
Q: I would love to hear guidance on how to balance the duality of surrendering yet taking initiative to grow at the same time? I always tune into my gut but sometimes it is hard to tell the difference between a feeling of fear because the next step requires courage or if It is my gut telling me that I am pushing the next step / being too forceful. The feelings are hard to differentiate . A: Great question. Our elemental friends say: timing is everything. And walking the tightrope of surrender versus initiative is masterful work. A good measure of knowing when you are forcing something versus honouring guidance is to watch your words and pay attention to your language. If you find yourself saying 'should', it's ego and fear. The elementals encourage you to take a moment now to speak aloud and feel the difference in vibration between, 'I should' or 'I need to', versus 'I choose' or 'I want to'. It can be confusing because when we take guided action that is positive and empowering there can still be a healthy dose of fear. It comes from venturing into the elementals' favourite territory, the unknown. A favourite for us humans? Yeah, not so much. It's natural for our fairy friends but we have to learn to love the mystery. Repetition is also key when differentiating between the two as divine guidance will repeat itself until your guides know the message was received. Whereas if it's human ego forcing the issue, the thought or feeling will be fleeting. The image the elementals use is of throwing two balls of putty at the wall, one slides off in a drippy mess, the other holds solid. They say, divine guidance sticks! It's okay to be gentle and patient with yourself. Ask for signs until you feel clearer. And once you feel it's time to take initiative but are nervous or scared, ask your spirit guides and friends for help. If courage is called for but there's a fear factor involved, ask: What can I do to support myself? Maybe you book a therapy session to talk it through, maybe you have a healing session to clear the fear and boost confidence, maybe you ask a friend to come along for added comfort (my sister can attest I've used this one a lot), or maybe you promise yourself a reward after following through for being brave (wine or chocolate anyone?) Ultimately, the elementals remind you that if you are open to receiving their help, they will always protect you. If you act out of force and fear, they will help you to avoid any pitfalls, or at the very least cushion them, and help you bounce back. And if you are stalling or not moving when it's time to, you can count on them to keep nudging you in the right direction.  I have changed up my blog format. It was feeling a bit stale and I wasn't motivated to write it, or enjoying it as much. I'm not the kind of gal that can do something my heart isn't fully into. And I felt it was a little too repetitive with the message of the weekly card, which I love doing. After receiving some signs, connecting with spirit, and readers feedback, the format moving forward will be a Q & A. The blog will be titled: Ask the Elementals. You can ask any questions you like about spirituality, healing, my experiences, advice from the elementals, etc.. And the elementals and I will answer. The elementals love their privacy so I will respect yours and won't mention who or where the question comes from, so don't be shy in asking. You can email your questions to allyson@awakenenchantment.com, use the contact form on my website, or DM me on Instagram.
I look forward to seeing what questions will come in and what variety of topics we will cover. And lord knows the elementals are always eager to speak what's on their mind, with no shortage of opinions. ;) Let the fun begin! |
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