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Labradorite also known as the “Powerful Protector” is an exceptional stone that contains iridescent hues of blue and green. The name labradorite comes from Labrador, a region in Canada where the stone was first discovered. Labradorite can be found in other parts of the world like Finland, Greenland, Italy, and Russia.

Labradorite crystals were officially discovered in 1770 by Morovian missionaries near Labrador, Canada. But it was believed to be discovered long before 1770 by Inuit tribes who used labradorite crystals as a means to heal and cure sickness. In the 18th century, England and France used labradorite gems as jewelry and since then has gain admiration of its unique shimmering colors and healing properties.

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Healing Properties

  What makes this gem so special? Labradoites have a special type of energy field which contains highs and lows and can help raise our body’s vibrations. Here are some of labradorites amazing healing properties:

-Labradorite contains an energy that cleanses your body of toxins which can also relieve anxiety and stress.

-Labradorites can lower blood pressure and alleviate hormonal imbalance in women.

-Labradorites also aid in digestion and can regulate metabolism.

-Labradorites are especially mystical because they can enhance your brain cognition.

Of course, it is important to note that stone healing is considered as an alternative technique with no scientific research, but since gemstones contain active energy fields, they are extensively used across cultures as a healing method.

Here are a few of our labradorite gems you can wear for healing, but also for fashion!

  Mantras or Sanskrit words were developed in Hinduism as a sacred practice or a meditative technique to enhance spiritual enlightenment. The word “mantra” stems from “man” which means mind, and “tra” which means transport–mantra is a tool that can transport your mind into a state of deep meditation. Mantras are a group of sacred words that are reiterated to achieve the utmost concentration. Today, mantras are westernized more than ever and are used as daily affirmations for self-development. Mantras are no longer a religious ritual—mantras are commonly used for anyone who wants to experience clarity and peace in their lives.

 

  Incorporating daily mantras in your spiritual practice is highly important, if you want to re-invigorate your life. We all lead busy lives and sometimes our lives can get a bit chaotic, so it’s necessary to implement a ritual practice to clear our thoughts and negative energy that fills us day in and day out.

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  We are exposed to many people, places, and things everyday. It’s important to properly rest our minds and bodies for the challenges that we will face ahead. That is why sleep is considered to be the most important thing we can do for our overall health, but let’s face it, most of us don’t get 8 hours of sleep, let alone a good night’s sleep.

 

  Silence 

Silence plays an important role in a daily mantra practice. In order for a mantra to be effective, we must silence our minds. We must clear our minds as much as possible to seek tranquility.

As you meditate, it’s crucial to quiet your minds before you chant your mantra.

 

  Positivity

Mantras promote positive energy. Mantras are positive declarations you create to cultivate a more positive environment. Mantras like “I am able,” “I am grateful,” or “I will conquer the day” promote positivity because they are encouraging words that will help you get through challenges. Repeating reassuring words can allow your mind and body to fall into that state of consciousness.

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  Present

Daily mantras keep you present. Incorporating mantras in your meditation keeps you focused. The intention you set for your daily practice allows you to be centered. It’s hard to cultivate a state of mindfulness when they ares millions of things being thrown at us each and everyday, so we must repeat daily mantras to keep us grounded.

 

  Balance

Daily mantras keeps us balanced. Mantras can help you re-align your goals and desires. We may not always have everything in place, but the least we can do is keep a balanced mind.

 

  So what does a mantra sound like?

The great thing about mantras is that they are personal! You can personalize your own mantra by uttering positive words that will get you inspired. You don’t have to have an elaborate meditation practice to incorporate mantras in your daily life, it only takes a moment to re-focus, so when you wake up or before you go to sleep, say a few positive affirmations to help you conquer the day.

 

  With Om or Ohm or Aum, being the most popular Universal Mantra to practice, here are some others that we came up with…

“I will lead with great stride”

“I am kind”

“I will spread love and kindness”

“Today, I will be stronger”

 

These are good examples of mantras that you can repeat during your meditation practice and we hope it helps you along your spiritual journey to peace and harmony.

  This year will be big in terms of science and astrology. A rare sighting of the total solar eclipse will be occurring on August 21st 2017 across the U.S. This years total solar eclipse falls in the zodiac sign of Leo, which is ruled by the sun. In astrology, a solar eclipse symbolizes a change or transformation. The last total solar eclipse to be seen all over the world occurred in 1918. So it’s a pretty big deal!

 

   A total solar eclipse is when the moon covers the sun’s disk—resulting in the moon’s shadow darkening the sky. According to ancient history, the celestial event has been regarded as a state of turbulence or abandonment, hence the Greek word for eclipse: abandonment. Many cultures of ancient history exalted the sun and considered it to be a dominant force because of its powerful rays and the ability to blind you. Read on to learn more about the cultural meaning of solar eclipse through time.

 

  In Hindu mythology, the sun represents Rahu—a mortal being whose head is cut off by the god Vishnu, as a result, becomes a serpent. After totality, Rahu swallows the sun whole.

 

  According to Chinese mythology, there are 10 suns that travel along the sky separately. One day, they are all in the sky at one time. The Dijun sun requests an archer named Yi to shoot all the suns except for one. A dragon slowing devouring the sun is the result of the moon covering the sun.

The African myth during solar eclipse claims that the sun and moon are in a quarrel. The African people urge the sun and moon to end the fight. They see this as a sign of mending     old wounds for peace and harmony.

In Ancient Greek mythology, the solar eclipse symbolizes unhappy gods. They see this  as a sign of total catastrophe.

 

  According to Navajo tradition, the total solar eclipse represents the universe re-calibrating. It’s a time to reflect and allow the cosmos to do its work.

There are more myths and legends about the total solar eclipse that you can explore online. One thing that every culture can agree on is that a total solar eclipse is a remarkable event. If this celestial shift inspires you to bring back harmony in your life than something good must come out of it. And remember, don’t look at the solar eclipse with your naked eye, wear protective glasses that are specifically designed for an eclipse.

 

  Enjoy the show!

  Dream catchers are popularly regarded as a spiritual adornment that hovers over your bed in hopes to filter out bad dreams and maintain the good ones. According to legend, the dream catcher web represents good and bad forces. But what is its purpose? Should dream catchers remain in the past? Or are they used just for decor? Read on to learn more about the dream catcher’s origin tale and maybe you’ll think differently about it next time you see one or maybe it will urge you to get one of your own.

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  Origin

The dream catcher origin has many layers. There are two ancient legends that tell a different story. Most people believe the dream catcher originated from the Ojibwe tribe. As the Ojibwe story goes, the Asibikaashi (spider woman) was the village caregiver who protected babies and young children from evil forces at night. As the village continued to grow, Asibikaashi struggled to reach each child at bedtime. Mothers and grandmothers of the village started making magical webs with willow hoops. Then they would place them over the children’s beds.

 

  The other legend originated from the Lakota tribe. The Lakota describes a story of an old spiritual leader who encounters Iktomi- a spiritual sage who appears as a spider through a vision. The spider finds a willow hoop and begins to weave a web and tells the leader that we begin our lives as babies, then children, adults, and lastly elders, which then completes the web of life. And in each life, we as humans, go through good and bad experiences. After the spider finishes the web, he hands it to the leader and tells him that  the web represents good goals and dreams, and the bad ones go through the hole. The spider directed the leader to spread the word to the land of the people and to tell them to use the web to achieve their goals.

 

  Purpose

The web is also considered to be a representation of visions, goals, and dreams. Similarly, dream catchers are like vision boards; we make them and allow good things to come into our lives in efforts to change ourselves for the better. The dream catcher also serves as a medicine wheel. The web restores eternal life and the ring symbolizes the path we make on Earth. The original dream catcher has multiple colors- all representing different aspects of personality, mood, and emotions.

 

  Home Decor Importance

Today, most people use dream catchers as home decor. Although dream catchers are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, they carry meaning and weight. And if you don’t believe the Native American legend tales, you can still place dream catchers in your home to achieve a distinctive look or theme. At Sivalya, we have beautiful colorful ones that will hung nicely above your bed or dresser. However, you use them, remember that dream catchers allow good energy to flow in and bad energy to flow out, so having one in your bedroom is a good thing, one way or another.

  When you think of leafy greens, you don’t think of Brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts are underrated and they shouldn’t be. Brussels sprouts are a great source of protein, iron, and potassium. They also contain vitamin k, vitamin c, fiber, and vitamin B6—vitamins that you need for optimal health. They taste amazing when steamed or fried. When steamed—sprouts become tender, which is my favorite way to cook Brussels Sprouts. If you like a good crunch, you can also fry them. Do whatever works for you. But, first let me share with you three of my favorite ways to incorporate Brussels Sprouts in my salad

 

1. Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad

A unique take on a Mediterranean salad.

 

Serving: 2

Ingredients:

1  Brussels sprouts, cut in half        2-3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 Kale                                                       1 Water

¼ Kalamata olives                               ½ tsp Black Pepper

½  Grape tomatoes                              ½ tsp Sea Salt

¼  Red Onion, sliced                           ½ tsp Onion Salt

 

How to: Heat saucepan to medium-low.  Cut 1 cup of Brussels sprouts in half. Slice red onions in thin layers. Toss Brussels sprouts, red onions, and kale in saucepan. And add 1 cup of water to let vegetables steam and cover saucepan until tender or water has evaporated. Add in black pepper, sea salt, and onion salt taste. Toss Brussels sprouts, kale, red onions, grape tomatoes, and Kalamata olives into a bowl. Let it stand and cool.

Sprinkle a dash of salt, give it a stir, and your salad is ready to be served.

 

2. Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Salad

Can you add cabbage to salad? Yes you can, here’s how!

Serving: 2

Ingredients:

2  Brussels sprouts, cut in half        2-3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1  Red Cabbage, sliced                       1 tsp Black Pepper

1 Green Cabbage, sliced                    1 tsp Sea Salt

1 Mushrooms                                       1 tsp Onion salt

1 water

 

How to: Heat saucepan to medium-low. Cut Brussels sprouts in half, cut red and green cabbage thinly sliced into strips. Add Brussels sprouts, cabbage, mushrooms, and 1 cup of water to pan. Cover and steam vegetables until tender. Uncover and add in pepper, sea salt, onion salt. Stir for a few minutes. Let it stand and serve.

 

3. Brussels Sprouts and Collard Greens Salad

Collard Greens doesn’t have to be a side dish, you can add it to your salad!

Serving: 2

Ingredients:

2  Brussels sprouts                                                           2-3 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2  Collard Greens                                                               1 tsp Black Pepper

2 Kale                                                                                     1 tsp Kosher Salt

¼ Feta Cheese                                                                     1 tsp Onion salt

¼ Roasted (no shell) Sunflower Seeds (optional)  1 water

 

How to: Heat saucepan to medium-low. Toss Brussels sprouts, collard greens, kale, and water in pan. Cover and steam mixed vegetables until tender or some of the water has absorbed. Uncover and add salt and pepper to taste. Cook vegetables for a few minutes. Let it stand for five minutes, add feta cheese and sunflower seeds. Serve and eat salad!

 

Brussels Sprouts can be fun to eat, if you mix it in with a variety of greens. There are many leafy greens to choose from, so have fun with it. (You can also substitute your favorite greens for mine.)

I hope you enjoy these three delicious Brussels Sprouts Salads, I know I will!

  The novel Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, is considered a classic among teachers, religious leaders, students, and people seeking inspiration. Siddhartha is about a young Brahmn who goes on a quest in search for harmony and peace. Through his quest, Siddhartha learns that wisdom can only be acquired through struggle and experience. Along his journey, he encounters Gotama, Vasudeva, and many others that give him wise words along his discovery towards enlightenment.

 

  In the novel, Siddhartha learns that wisdom can’t be taught, it can only be learned through suffering, pain, loss, and fear—which are unavoidable. These enlightening words resonate because abstractions are inevitable and universal. We all will face heavy times, so we must persevere. The main message is that love and peace can get us through our daily ruts. Although it’s never easy to find love and peace through our daily troubles— love and peace is what keeps us centered.

 

  We’re all on a journey to finding love and peace in our lives. So here are 13 quotes from Siddhartha that will inspire you and help you along your spiritual journey.

 

“Wisdom cannot be imparted. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to impart always sounds like foolishness to someone else … Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.”

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“It is not for me to judge another man’s life. I must judge, I must choose, I must spurn, purely for myself. For myself, alone.”

“I have always believed, and I still believe, that whatever good or bad fortune may come our way we can always give it meaning and transform it into something of value.”

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“It may be important to great thinkers to examine the world, to explain and despise it. But I think it is only important to love the world, not to despise it, not for us to hate each other, but to be able to regard the world and ourselves and all beings with love, admiration and respect.”

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“Opinions mean nothing; they may be beautiful or ugly, clever or foolish, anyone can embrace or reject them.”

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“Everyone can perform magic, everyone can reach his goals, if

he is able to think, if he is able to wait, if he is able to fast.”

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“Let us enjoy this fruit and await further ones.”

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“Knowledge can be conveyed, but not wisdom. It can be found, it can be lived, it is possible to be carried by it, miracles can be performed with it, but it cannot be expressed in words and taught.”

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“Writing is good, thinking is better. Being smart is

good, being patient is better.”

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Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, it’s always good to re-calibrate and find new meaning in your life. So, I hope these wise words from Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse guide you on your path to finding love, peace, and harmony.