The energy of the equinox

Today I'd like to talk about faerie energy.

We at Mind Key chose to talk about yin and yang and balance this month because March heralds the spring equinox, which happened yesterday (March 20th) at 12:30 AM (EDT).  The equinoxes (one in the fall and one in the spring) occur when the earth's axis is almost perpendicular, the sun shines directly on the equator, and we experience an (essentially) equal amount of light and dark over the course of one day.  The equinoxes remind us of how humanity, like Mamma Earth, experiences a brief period of balance in our lives.  Those moments may or may not coincide with the equinoxes, but these are good points in time to reflect upon those moments, and to recognize how fleeting they are (essentially only a few moments twice a month—as far as equinoxes go).  This year, this energy is counterpointed by an alignment of earth, sun and moon which caused a solar eclipse on the 8th and an upcoming lunar eclipse on March 23rd.  Be prepared for a lot of intensity this month, and a lot of "moving through" of issues that need resolving.

So why talk about faerie energy?

Perhaps because the fae are so in tune with the turning of the earth.  They are of the earth, perhaps even more so than we are.  Their energy is not only in tune with the God-given planet we live on, but they are the magic behind the science that created it.

For example, there are several cards in The Faerie's Oracle that represent the energies of Yin and Yang.  Here are two:





She of the Cruach and He of the Fiery Sword

She of the Cruach is the cup, the holy grail, the mother, the energy of nurturing and creativity.  Although she is represented brightly here, she represents the darkness of growth within the womb of her cup.  He of the Fiery Sword represents passion, drive, activity, as the sword often does. He is the counterpoint to the Cruach.  Without the darkness to nurture the ideas, the power and light could not drive them into being.  The opposite is, of course, also true.

The Bright Mother and Himself

The next two cards also represent Yin and Yang, but in a more physical way.  The Bright Mother is the nurturer, representing fertility, creativity, softness and stillness.  A dreamy card that allows for contemplation.  Meanwhile, Himself has eyes that pierce through to your soul.  While the mother, with her back turned, doesn't need to see you to know you (don't they all have eyes in the back of their head?), Himself looks right through you—makes you see yourself.  There is no escaping it.  Either you are driven to action, or you fold under his gaze.  Together he and the mother represent creation—without one or the other the world would cease to turn, would cease to exist.



Which brings me to another point, and the impetus for writing about faerie energy as we move through this point when the earth is at its most balanced and aligned.

The Bright Mother and The Dark Lady
Two sides of the same coin

My four year old daughter brought to my attention that the Bright Mother and the Dark Lady are two sides of the same coin.  In fact they are!  If the Bright Mother represents the full moon, the fullness of womanhood, fertility, ovulation and pregnancy, then the Dark Lady represents the new moon, the silence of womanhood, of menstruation, of quiet growth and loss.  In this pairing, the Bright Mother no longer represents the yin, but the yang side of the equation.  She is the mother who is pushing her children forward, showing them the way as she looks in the direction they need to go, letting them fly.  The Dark Mother, on the other hand, is the yin energy.  Growth in the darkness, quiet nurturing through the difficult times where there is no indication of what's ahead. Her bared breasts represent that silent nurturing of a mothers milk that happens in the warm darkness of infancy when growth is uncertain and scary.








Perhaps the beauty of the equinox is that it reminds us that when there is balance, neither one thing or another reins.  That roles can switch quite easily.  That what was once yin can become yang.  That there are no roles, no definitions—instead, just a gentle shifting of light into dark and back again.  We are human, so we move, and so where we stand in any given moment, in the yin or in the yang, is entirely up to us.

If you're interested to see more of the Faerie's Oracle cards, visit me on Facebook, where I do a daily Faerie card reading or at www.mindkey.me/Danielle.

A Yin/Yang Herbal

Yin and yang represent different aspects of everything that exists.

Within us we have a measure of each, and that measure changes in any given moment or situation.  It's the melding and balance of the two that is important.

In Yin and Yang, as in the ocean,
the balance is ever changing

In herbalism, there is little difference.  As Charla wrote in her blog on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture, and yin and yang energy, part of healing comes from balancing these two energies inside us.  We do this often without thinking.  When we are dry, we drink water and moisturize.  When we are overwhelmed with moisture (think runny nose, bloating, etc.), we take antihistamines, diuretics, or force perspiration with exercise or using a sauna or similar treatment.

In herbalism, certain herbs represent these qualities.  For example, I am always dry.  Even when I am congested, it is a dry congestion rather than a runny nose.  I thrive on herbs that have yin energy to bring moisture into my hot, yang body.  For example: I suffer from head congestion, and for a long time I used elderflower, which is traditionally used for this (versus elderberries, which work best in chest congestion). I had the hardest time figuring out why the herbs weren't working.  With this new Yin/Yang knowledge, I learned that it was because elderflower is hot and drying.  What I needed was to reduce the heat, and bring more water and softness into my body.  Elderflower was yang.  I needed yin.

Evening Primrose (art by Danielle Rose)

Today I use as many mucilaginous herbs as possible to combat my congestion.  For example, although mullein is renown for chest congestion, it's moisturizing properties make it spectacular for my sticky head congestion.  I also add other herbs like red clover, which although not known specifically for congestion, helps move lymph while adding moisture to my body.  These yin herbs also help me go with the flow, slow down, calm down, and let my body rest and do the work it needs in a subtle, gentle way.

Sometimes a body needs heat, however.  Elderflower comes in and raises body temperatures so that the body can fight an infection. The ensuing perspiration can also reduce a fever if needed.  It is drying and will all but eliminate runny noses.  When the body is weepy and lethargic, a yang herb like elder will swoop in and spur the body into motion to fight what ails it.

Yin qualities of coolness, moisture, slowness, quietness, and calmness can be found in herbs like red clover, oat tops, blue violet, burdock, evening primrose, mullein and many others. These herbs sometimes work immediately, but sometimes take time to allow the body to heal itself.


Mullein (photo by Danielle Rose)

Yang qualities of astringency, heat, activity, speed and drive come through in herbs like elder flower, nettles, motherwort, garlic and mints.  They get to where they need to go and help the body get the job done quickly, hotly, and with purpose and drive.

Although these examples are from the herbal world, we can utilize yin and yang qualities to promote healing in many ways.  Where else can you find examples of bringing yin and/or yang into the body to promote physical (and emotional) healing? What foods, medications, exercises or practices do you find fit into one category or another, and how do you balance them in your overall health routine?

Yin and Yang is kind of like Left and Right brain thinking

In talking about balance and Yin and Yang, I can’t help but think about right and left brains.  I took one of those stupid Facebook quizzes recently and it told me that I'm 76% Left brained (focusing on Symbolism) and 24% Right brained.  I am a very linear thinker.  Things are orderly.  Numbers don’t lie.  I am not flowery, I am squarely in “the box” so when someone says to think outside the box, I'm at a loss.  Make up something on the spot without parameters, I don’t think so.  So 876% left sounds about right (or correct as the case may be.)

“So, if you’re so left brained and non-creative how can you be a poet and so successful at Charlapalooza?” you might ask. 

If you don’t remember or weren’t subscribed at the time of Charlapalooza, the quick and dirty description is me against another poet writing quick poems about suggested topics.

In response, I would say, “Because you all told me what to write about!”

There was a large and glaring difference between the poems that Danielle Rose (my last competitor) wrote and those that I wrote.  Mine were shorter, condensed and more literal translations of the suggestions.  Danielle’s were more creative, more outside the box.  Here’s an example.

 Kim Hartnett’s suggestion was “Seashell Secrets” and she said it needed to be an alliteration

My poem read:

Seashells have sensual secrets

Tickling temptations and tonal tendencies

Undertones of the undersea

Vestiges of the voluptuousness

Wanton and willful

X-rated and exhilarating

Yummy

Zing

Danielle’s poem read:

The cool touch of it against my ear

Screamed with the sound of the

Waves crashing high over my head.

Instantly brought back to the summer,

Those moments with my feet in sand

Like snow, sun like charcoal on my hair.

What I wouldn’t give to be there again,

Listening to the water racing on the shore

And racing back again. The unending cycle.

What I wouldn’t give to be back there,

Lost in the sound of that seashell.

Softly slipping water, sliding over

Shells and sounds of the seashore.

What I wouldn’t give to see him once more

On the softly sliding slopes of the dunes.

The secret slippery slope of a seashell.

 See what I mean?  Here’s another.

Secret desire – By Danielle Rose

  ~suggested by Dahlia Ramone

There’s a door in the forest

Covered by trees.

If you look carefully you’ll find

Photo by Kely Luzio-Cardona

A mound of sweet purple blooms

That have no business in that shaded 

Grove, basking in rays of sunlight 

Covering an oak slab door. 

What I wouldn’t give to give up

The meatloaf for dinner, the emails

For work, the laundry needing folding.

I’d run to that grove, sneaking into that

Streamer of sunlight, breathing in the 

Blossoms, escaping forever into the

Unknown of that oaken secret door.

And mine:

1:23 AM

The dogs are barking again

Nudge Jon without hope

Swing legs over the side

Toss on a robe and slippers

As the dogs dance in excitement

Glad I’ve acknowledged their need

To bark at stuff probably

Trudge downstairs

Dogs leading the way

Open the sliding glass door

Rush to talk to their imaginary mid-night friends

Open the pantry and look for chips

Try and get them down quietly

As if

Nothing’s quiet in the sleepy silence

Sit on the couch

And gently crunch a handful

Let the dogs in and

Grab just one more – handful that is

Share the last couple chips

Begrudgingly with the dogs

              One to each

Creep back to bed

See what I mean?  We think differently.  And that’s what makes the world awesome.  Our differences.  If we didn’t have differences, the world would be monochromatic, monotonous and boring.

 Do you think you’re right or left brained?  If you'd like to check out the other poems that were written for Charlapalooza (and there were other great poems including one about a mouse living in a tennis ball!) click the links above to check them out.

Yin and Yang - What does it mean?

As you can see, the symbol means so much, both within its origin, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and throughout the world.  All of us have each of these characteristics within ourselves.  Although some characteristics might seem awkward or downright offensive (dirty?) they're certainly not meant that way.  They're just meant to show opposites on either side of a whole.  The trick is balance.

As the symbol above is split in equal parts, so should we.  Any time we are out of balance, our bodies and souls show signs of wear, of dissonance.  Those signs could include (but are certainly not limited to:)

Illness
Depression
Lackluster
Anger
Clouded thinking

Finding true balance is incredibly difficult.  I certainly haven't found it. I strive each day to incorporate more harmony into myself.

Have you found your harmony?  If so, share your secret!  If not, how is your imbalance showing in your daily life?

Becoming Whole: Making peace with the light and the dark

At Mind Key we believe are all whole and perfect, exactly the way we are. The only way to accept and make peace with this truth is by exploring the shadow side of ourselves and bringing it to light.

In our anthology, Yin and Yang: The Duality of Balance our healers, artists and writers share their insights and journeys into achieving wholeness via both the yin and yang sides of themselves and the world around them.

Let them inspire you on your own path of healing and happiness in the following reviews of their contributions to this beautiful, full color work of art:

Award-winning author, inspirational speaker and radiant life coach, Barbara Steingas, helps people find the pieces they need to solve their personal health puzzle through coaching services, talks, workshops, and her writing. Barbara's passion is helping others optimize their health and vitality.

accompanying image by Alma Carel

In her piece, Everything in Moderation, Barbara tells how she seesawed between healthy and unhealthy eating habits. This bouncing from one extreme to another became a determining factor in why she eventually developed Cohn's Disease, which affects the body's ability to digest and eliminate food. Her story speaks not only to women, but also to men who struggle with striking that balance between what is right for their bodies, and their emotional health. Without this crucial balance, everything suffers.

Poet, artist, and clothing designer, Ava M. Hu studied poetry and sculpture at St. Lawrence College. To Ava, there is a fine line between art and poetry, one a written metaphor, the other visual.

accompanying photo by JoAnna Schillaci

Ava's word choice is exquisite, and her poems elicit raw, and often nostalgic emotion from a few short lines of descriptive language—whether describing the relationship nature and god, and how it reveals itself in the "Secret Mantra" of love, or representing in ten very short lines how one can achieve all they desire through observing the space, time, and poetry between the stars, between molecules of water.

"Ava appreciates short concise thoughts and questions that inflame your brain," Yin and Yang editor and contributor, Charla Dury writes.

art by Elisabeth Ladwig

Elisabeth Ladwig, an award-winning conceptional photographer, believes "that life’s mysteries fall within the parameters of scientific explanation, that science abides by the Laws of Nature, and that nature is magical."

This belief is conveyed through her digitally composed photography, each piece with elements of nature and with an anonymous subject, offering a variety of metaphors for the miracles all around us, and for humankind’s relationship with the Earth and with the Cosmos.

“Anonymity allows the viewer to take part in writing the story,” Elisabeth says, “and that story is going to be different for everyone.”

photo by Charla Dury

Journalist, editor, columnist, poet and musician, Gene Myers, believes the connection between art and life is everything, so why separate music from poetry? Creating is his way of relating to his surroundings, and to others, more deeply. It's about communicating and sharing the real-life miracle of art.

"I only write when I think I have found something that is a worthy find, something to share with others. For me, that is the point, otherwise, why bother?"

Charla writes, "Gene makes you think. He brings every-day human interaction to the ethereal, describing succinctly the mood and emotion of the moment using poetry. In A God Who Is Still Making Up His Mind, Gene’s God sounds a lot like a father who is world weary or an overworked mother hoping for a 'me night'.”

Perhaps he is also speaking to the god-like-ness of parenthood, in which parents have the both grueling and fulfilling task of allowing their children free will while imposing upon them the rules of the universe.

Dr. Kevin Hall approaches both health and life from the understanding that there is “an accessible greater intelligence that we can tap into and draw from.”

photo by Danielle Rose

This intelligence offers a place to still our minds and hearts, Kevin said, so we can view our thoughts and emotions from a distance, creating a new perspective for how we feel and think. He shares this perspective with others through his words as well as his practice.

In Using Light by Night, Kevin talks about his struggle with life's curveballs. In his medical practice he encompasses a wide variety of modalities for health to create a wide-angle vision of what’s happening. So, this wide-angle applies in his essay as well.

“There are people that looked up at the starts and just saw stars, then there are those that looked up and saw constellations,” Kevin said. “I’m a constellation seer.”

art by Dana Bree

As an artist, Dana Bree believes that a connection to, and an opportunity to discover new things with like minded individuals, is essential to her health, happiness, and creative progress.

“This has also allowed me to move forward into metaphysical realms with healing and helping others as well as myself,” Dana said.

Dana's art has been inspired not only by her dreams, but by the inspiring life she has led

In The Master Juggler, Dana brings together bright and contrasting colors to create a feeling of expansiveness—as is seen through the cosmos peeking out the juggler's window—as well as perspective as he looks upon the Earth as it juggles between the cracked egg and the 8-ball. The combination of the three in suspension represent the fragile nature of our existence in the universe.

photo by Heather Taylor

Heather Taylor is a mom first, but she refuses to let motherhood define her solely, and is continually creating, whether photography, art, crafts or food.

In Heather's photo, Glisten Dichotomically, editor and Yin and Yang contributor Tamara Rokicki appreciates the yellow selection of the leaves, and writes that yellow expresses energy, joy and happiness, stressing the importance of positive vigor and contentment even throughout the coldest phases of our lives. Tamara is particularly struck by this message as we revel through autumn to prepare ourselves mentally and spiritually for winter by taking courage and inspiration from Mother Nature.


This photo is also Heather's son's graduation portrait, and it reflects Heather's passion for her family, who have inspire her to show the world the amazing gifts a family can bring and the legacy it can leave.

Other artists and writers to contribute to this beautiful work of art include

art by Jason Tirendi

• art by our digital editor, Jason Tirendi,
• photography by Stan Cohen,
• meditations by healer, Kathleen Santora,
• stories by psychic, Sarah Loukos,
• storyteller Rebecca Godina,
• writer Tamara Rokicki
• mixed media and poetry by artist and jeweler, Rachel Bertoni,
• writing and photography by editors Charla Dury and Danielle Rose
• Plus many more!

Read and view more by pre-ordering your copy of Yin and Yang: The Duality of Balance (CLICK HERE) today, and guarantee it in-hand with plenty of time for the holidays.


Or read the full reviews below:

The juggler of the world (Dana Bree)

How do you glisten? (Heather Taylor)

Using Light by Night (Kevin Hall)

Everything in Moderation (Barbara Steingas)

The power of simple words, images and art (Ava Hu)

What if God Were Still Making Up His Mind? (Gene Myers)

Behind the scenes: The Making of Yin and Yang (video)

The Making of Yin and Yang: The Duality of Balance

See how editor, Danielle Rose compiled the art and writing from contributing artists and writers to create Yin and Yang: The Duality of Balance, an anthology of art and writing that speaks to balancing the shadows and light within.  She takes us through the inception stage of the book, the program used to create the spreads, and how the file was rendered for proofing before being sent to print.  Plus get a sneak peek of the interior art!

Help us get this project rolling by preordering your copy today at www.mindkey.me/anthology --we guarantee it in your hands by the holidays... makes great gifts for anyone on your list interested in the beautiful, as well as the dark in life.

Having trouble ordering?  We've got you covered:

Juggler of the World, art by Dana Bree

Artist and designer, Dana Bree, has always been intrigued with questions of alternate realities, past and future lives, and our present course.

“I have always loved to make art, draw and paint what I see in real life as well as give voice and image to my dreams,” Dana said. “I have always had a very active, colorful and memorable dream life.”

Dana's artwork is a fantastic and bold melding of dream and reality, creating the perfect jumping off point for conversations about the metaphysical, spiritual and magical realms, which are often born of a similar melding.x

As an artist, Dana believes that a connection to, and an opportunity to discover new things with like minded individuals, is essential to her health, happiness, and creative progress.

The Master Juggler, as in "Yin and Yang"

“This has also allowed me to move forward into metaphysical realms with healing and helping others as well as myself,” Dana said.

Dana's art has been inspired not only by her dreams, but by the inspiring life she has led, running a lodge on Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe, diving in the Indian Ocean and managing a resort on a small island off the coast of Mozambique, and growing inspired in the concrete jungle of New York City.

In the Master Juggler, shown here, Dana brings together bright and contrasting colors to create a feeling of expansiveness—as is seen through the cosmos peeking out the juggler's window—as well as perspective as he looks upon the Earth as it juggles between the cracked egg and the 8-ball. The combination of the three in suspension represent the fragile nature of our existence in the universe. This image can be seen in its full resolution, full-color glossy beauty along with other inspiring art and writing in Yin and Yang: The Duality of Balance, releasing this month.  Pre-order your copy today to ensure yours is in hand for the holidays.

Photograph of Dana Bree by Trix Rosen ©2014

To Dana spirituality is constant evolution. "I am continually discovering new ways of being, seeing, dreaming and feeling and knowing that all possibilities are a limitless state of being,” she said.

“I seem to be moving in more interesting circles and vibrations these days and it is reflected in my happiness and my art.”

Help us get our beautiful anthology off the ground by pre-ordering your copy today, and guarantee it is in hand for holiday gift giving this season by visiting www.mindkey.me/anthology

How do you glisten? Artwork by Heather Taylor for "Yin and Yang"

Today, Mind Key writers, Tamara Rokicki and Danielle Rose, share their thoughts on anthology contributor Heather Taylor and her photography which is included in Yin and Yang: The Duality of Balance, available for preorder today.

Heather Taylor is a mom first, but she refuses to let motherhood define her solely, and is continually creating, whether photography, art, crafts or food. 

Glisten Dichotomically by Heather Taylor

Tamara writes that in Heather's anthology photo, Glisten Dichotomically, shown here, Heather brings us an ethereal concept wrapped in raw natural beauty. 

"The spirit of the earth reaches out from the picture and allows us to connect with foliage, landscape and wildlife," Tamara said.  "I can hear the footsteps reverberating off the wooden planks of the trail, the cool air caressing my face as I take in the smell of sage and earth."

Tamara appreciates the yellow selection of the leaves, as she writes that yellow expresses energy, joy and happiness, and stresses the importance of positive vigor and contentment even throughout the coldest phases of our lives. Tamara is particularly struck by this message as we revel through autumn to prepare ourselves mentally and spiritually for winter by taking courage and inspiration from Mother Nature. 

This photo is also her son's graduation portrait, and it reflects Heather's passion for her family, who have inspire her to show the world the amazing gifts a family can bring and the legacy it can leave.

Heather's spirituality is essential to her as a person and allows her to see the world with a wide angle perspective. 

"I hope through photography to remind people to always look at life and the people you love with a different perspective sometimes," Heather said.

Glisten Dichotomically shows us beauty in all phases of life, and as Tamara writes, "that beauty around us is at its peak only when everything has a season.  It  is a reminder that the world follows the fecund cycle of life, blossoming and fading—a rebirth of the senses, passion, and life.

"Glisten Dichotomically highlights Mind Key’s focus to connect with nature and ourselves on a deeper level."

To view Heather's art and the work of other inspired artists and writers, visit www.mindkey.me/anthology today and help us fund this project with great discounts before its too late.

Check out more from the interior of "Yin and Yang" by clicking the image to the left, and our other reviews:

Kevin Hall's Using Light by Night

Using Light by Night by Kevin Hall: From "Yin and Yang: The Duality of Balance"

This week we will be sharing some of the beautiful artwork and writing included in our upcoming anthology Yin and Yang: The Duality of Balance.  We hope that you will consider supporting us by pre-ordering a copy of this book at great prices before it is too late.

In "Using Light by Night," Dr. Kevin Hall talks about his struggle with life's curveballs.  In his medical practice Kevin encompasses a wide variety of modalities for health to create a wide-angle vision of what’s happening.  So, this wide-angle applies in his essay as well.

“There are people that looked up at the starts and just saw stars, then there are those that looked up and saw constellations,” Kevin said.  “I’m a constellation seer.”

Kevin approaches both health and life from the understanding that there is “an accessible greater intelligence that we can tap into and draw from.” 

This intelligence offers a place to still our minds and hearts, Kevin said, so we can view our thoughts and emotions from a distance, creating a new perspective for how we feel and think. He brings this new optic into his writing, sharing his perspective with others through his words as well as his practice.

Photography by Danielle Rose

“Once you’ve done that and shared that," Kevin said, "you’ve changed this greater intelligence for everyone else.”

In "Using the Light by Night," Kevin tells of his transformation through the darkness to recognize the light in each daily trial.  Yet Kevin does not try to trip the reader into believing that these "lessons of darkness" are easy to love. 

Instead, he writes that, "I now recognize that my dark period may be the result of my success at my recent growth and my need to grow still."

Kevin's journey to appreciating the shadows of life is ongoing.  He is learning to allow himself the opportunity to feel distraught, victimized, and at times under siege.  He has learned to accept these moments as ones to slow down, rest and regenerate under the onslaught of life… while at the same time accepting that this does not always happen as gracefully as one might like!

Read Kevin's piece, and many others in Yin and Yang: The Duality of Balance.  Please consider supporting us by going to www.mindkey.me/anthology and placing a pre-order this week so that we can get our first print run off the ground… And check in during the week for more reviews and images from the book. 

Thank you for your support!

Check out more from the interior of "Yin and Yang" by clicking the image to the right, and by reading our other reviews (more posting throughout the week):

Heather Taylor's Glisten Dichotomically