Crystals, gems and water elixirs

I spent weeks typing up this post. I procrastinated, deleted, typed and retyped it over and over again. My reason being a topic as metaphysical as crystal therapy needed to be delivered in just the right way. This post is an expression of whom I call my "inner hippy". I couldn't let it float around as just an idea any longer so here goes...

Who is the inner hippy exactly? It is that little (or larger) part of you that draws your attention to an article like this one! The part that is captivated by a glimpse into an "unseen" world, something mystical and the possibility of magic. In fact, the inner hippy IS another way to explain the inner child, after all aren't children fascinated with magic?

 

Something that I've always loved are crystals, also known as semi-precious stones or gems. This started when I went on a family holiday to Broken Hill, a mining town in South Australia. On this trip my dad had given me a bag of mixed semi-precious gems, all colourful and full of quartz, amethyst, agate and the like. I still have a few of those gems, like marbles most of them were lost during the years but my trip to that town sparked a deep interest in the mineral kingdom. On the way we visited caves with stalactites, stalagmites and natural rock formations, which inspired me to start school projects on the topics. I must have known there was more to these "pretty stones" because these days my interest in them comes from a more metaphysical place. My collection has grown to be quite impressive along with my library ;)


Photographer Andrew Collins
 Naracoorte Caves South Australia


Skeptics can think all they want when it comes to the "crystal healing". You certainly won't pick up a stone and "fix" yourself from heart disease nor is anyone claiming that. The kind of benefits I've noticed are far more subtle and like all good things, take their time in their manifestation. However, the use of these stones has a long history dating all the way back to beginning of mankind beginning with beads made from mammoth ivory and Baltic amber.

Historically, crystals were used in ancient Egypt, Sumaria, Greece, and Britain had used gems for jewellery, luck, protection, beauty and health. The word 'crystal' comes from the Greek word for ice, as it was believed that clear quartz was water that had frozen so deeply it would always remain solid. Amethyst means 'not drunken', and was worn as an amulet to avoid drunkenness. Hematite comes from the word for blood, because of its red colour. Jade was highly valued in ancient China and still is to this day. Crystals and gemstones have also played a part in all religions. They are mentioned throughout the Bible, and in the Koran. Amulets made with crystals were banned by the Christian church in 355 AD.

Image from beautifulplacestovisit.com

The quartz crystal structure embodies the mathematical and architectural proportion of phi- the Golden Ratio. The Great Pyramids of Giza are structured according to this ratio as is the natural world. The human body, trees, flowers, shells, fruits and animals all have these proportions, this is how science infuses with art.

Quartz crystal (silicon dioxide) is used today in watches (oscillator- to keep time), electronic products, telescopes and computers (silicon chips) because it possesses piezoelectricity, which produces a natural frequency. Quartz crystal is a receptor and emitter of electromagnetic waves and has the ability to hold memory.

Gem therapy is used in traditional Tibetan Medicine has a unique and mysterious system of making jewel pills made with crystals and other precious stones for use in treatment. Ayurvedic medicine also uses crystals as part of the treatment protocol. The theory is sunlight passing through the stone would transmit a certain frequency that would be absorbed by the cellular structure of the wearer. Over time the person's system resonates with this new influence and encourages the healing process.
Crystals are said to have a specific vibratory qualities that may be used to change and influence the brainwaves and effect the cellular vibrations in the body, balancing the

Crystals and Structured Water
Water is more than just H20, it is a crystalline entity that makes up 70% of this planet. The cells of our body are immersed in water, making us 70% (approx) water-based beings. Water has the power to support life and transform into different states. Just placing clear quartz crystals in your pitcher of water can restructure it, so your body can absorb it better. Add a pinch of naturally harvested sea salt to give it charge, minerals and for hydration.

Structured water has six sided molecules (the phi ratio). Snowflakes formed from structured water have six sides. Water that tumbles and flows over rocks is also found to be six sided in molecular structure and is referred to as “living water”. Bacteria and viruses do not survive in a structured water environment, which is why healthy streams, lakes and rivers keep clear and balanced. “Unstructured water” on the other hand is missing one electron from its outer orbit, while structured water has no missing electrons. Unstructured water results from chemical treatments, pesticides, piping water to high pressure, pollution, and electrical magnetic field radiations.

Research at the University of Georgia has shown that diseased cells are always surrounded by unstructured water. And healthy cells are always surrounded by structured water. Crystals and gems can be used to be infused with water, into a crystal elixir.

Japanese scientist Masaru Emoto has researched the healing affects of water...

A crystal elixir is a liquid preparations made from gemstones. Similar to Bach flower remedy's this is a vibrational or energetic medicine.
They are prepared by placing the stones in water in a bowl of clear glass in sunlight for several hours and then the water that has been 'charged' by the gem stone is filtered off and preserved with alcohol. The electromagnetic vibration specific to the stone is transferred to the water during the preparation of the gem elixir. This electromagnetic vibration in the water then alters electromagnetic vibrations that have become out of alignment back to their proper values on ingestion into the human body.
How to make a crystal elixir...
Making a crystal elixir is too simple! First, the crystals must be cleaned by placing them in running cold water to rid them of all stored/ irrelevant energy or dust. Then they should be left for at least an few hours or over night in a glass jug of filtered water. I'll add clear quartz to my water or whichever combination I feel like on the day. It is even better to make this water under a full moon. Add a pinch of mineralised sea salt and MSM powder and you have a super hydrating fluid, easily absorbed and used by your body. This water will even taste differently.

Crystals at the bottom of my glass water jug, easy!

Basic properties of stones...

Clear quartz- to "restructure" drinking water, or amplify any remedy
Rose quartz- for self-love, past trauma and heart-related issues
Amethyst- anxiety, insomnia, migraines and said to lower blood pressure
Moonstone- women's issues and fertility
Jade- health, hair, skin and nails

Check out Love is in the Earth if you want a fully comprehensive guide to crystals and semi-precious stones.
















Maybe JUST maybe those hippies were onto something ; )

Love
Ulyana....

The Easter Goddess and her bunny

I have many memories of Easter with me and my sister standing in church for hours at the mid-night service. We must have looked adorable in our dresses, ribbons, and braided hair but the reality was my legs ached, my attention span was non-existent and I was tired, hungry and GRUMPY. I still get a little miffed when I think about it. Mum would say "just pray Ulyana!" and I would ponder "uhhh how???"

Regardless of the mixed emotions I have of this holiday, I still really enjoy the tradition of Easter. Our family would make coloured and decorated eggs, paska (Easter cheese cake), and kulich (Easter bread). These days I add raw chocolate making to the festivities...



Paska and eggs

 


Kulich made by my very talented sister Anastasia...


The Easter Goddess...
Easter was named after the Norse spring goddess Eostre or Ostara and actually predates the Christian holiday we now celebrate. It has pagan, Earth based origins and was a celebration of the Spring Equinox, in the Northern Hemisphere around the 20th and 21st and in the Southern around the 23rd of September. It is dated the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon. To this day many Wiccans still celebrate the Ostara sabbath.

Ostara is a goddess of the spring and the rising sun, dawn and her name derives from words the shining light arising from the east. The word estrogen, the female hormone, derives from her name. She was a fertility goddess, bringing longer, brighter days after the vernal equinox and the rabbit was her sacred animal.

Other goddesses celebrated at spring are Hathor (ancient Egypt), Kali (India), Demeter (Mycenae) and Aphrodite (ancient Cyprus).

Beautiful decorated Easter eggs

Eggs are a symbol of new life and fertility. Our family tradition is to naturally dye and decorate eggs a beautiful golden colour by boiling them in onion peel. Then on Easter Sunday brunch we'll play an odd egg cracking game.The idea is the person whose egg doesn't break is the luckiest for the coming year. I think it's a Greek tradition we have adopted. The Easter bunny is also a symbol of fertility because of their natural ability to reproduce easily.


Chocolate goodies all wrapped up


Chocolate Macadamia Truffles
These are so good! Like macadamia "Bounty's" but better. Wrap them in pretty foil for Easter...
Ingredients... (Filling)
whole macadamias
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
1/4 cup cashew nut or macadamia nut butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt

Basic chocolate mixture

Method...
1. Mix coconut, butter, vanilla, maple syrup and salt in a food processor until combined.
2. Using 1 whole macadamia cover with the coconut mixture to form a ball or egg shape.
3. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.
4. Prepare basic chocolate mixture and temper, dip each egg in chocolate, let excess drip off then let set.

The Story of the Easter Bunny

The goddess of spring, Ostara was adored for her beauty by all the land. Long golden hair and a charming face she would travel the world and bring love, happiness and new life to all. Snow melted as the flowers blossomed on her journeys as the warm yellow sun followed her every step. Nature celebrated as the new babies were born and the soil became rich and fertile.


One year she came late by mistake. Looking around she could see how harsh the dark, cold winter had been on the world. The earth was looking baron and unfriendly. Feeling guilty Goddess Ostara saved a baby bird whose wings had been frozen by the snow but he could no longer fly. Feeling compassion for the little bird Ostara turned him into hare and gave him the gift of being able to run swiftly, so he may protect himself from hunters.


To honour his previous life as a bird, she gave him the ability to lay eggs of all colours of the rainbow but only once a year. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet eggs were laid once a year on her every return.


One day the hare had angered the goddess, so she cast him into the skies as the constellation Lepus (The Hare) forever and positioned under Orian (the Hunter). She permitted the hare  to return to earth only once a year at spring time to give away his colourful eggs to the children of the land who waited eagerly for his arrival.

There we have the beginnings of the Easter bunny, bringer of chocolate eggs!

Happy Easter

Love

Ulyana...

Chai... Ayurvedic medicinal tea for health

'Chai' is the word given to tea in many countries throughout Asia and Eastern Europe and it originates from ancient Sanskrit- one of the oldest languages in the world. The original tea beverage from the Camillia Sinensis plant species and has a history dating to around 4,000 ago. It has been called the "plant of Heaven".

The chai I'm talking about is an ancient Indian spiced tea, traditionally known as Masala Chai and is said to have dated back some 5,000 years ago. Its unique flavour comes from a blend of Ayurvedic herbs and spices. Ayurveda is the traditional Vedic Indian medicine which means "knowledge for life" and is said to be the sister science to yoga. Yoga has so much theory intertwined, it is considered a "science" or body of knowledge.

For those that know me well, they'll know I had an "interesting" experience with chai at the beginning of this year. I'll some it up really quickly... I went to a yoga retreat, which was really an undercover cult and the "guru" spiked the chai with opiates amongst other brainwashing techniques. How did I know the chai was spiked? Because I have an opiate allergy and started reacting badly, getting dumber, slower and more incoherent by the hour. The experience is of course far more dramatic and disturbing than I give it credit for and the reason why I'm mentioning it, is so other people may be very wary of the hidden agendas of some "gurus". . .

Back to the true medicinal benefits of chai! I woke up a bit sneezy, which is common at this transitional time of the year. The temperature starts to drop and your energy starts to draw inward. Believe it or not this is a massive shift that your system has to adjust to. The energy of nature changes direction, leaves change colour and fall off, flowers stop blooming, animals begin to hibernate, rain or snow everyday and of course the temperature. All of this and more because the sun moves further away from the Earth. See how much we need the sun for our health and sense of well being? It provides energy for our planet and it's animal and human life. Plants begin replenishing their energy reserves by drawing more nutrients from deep in the soil and the animals recharge their batteries by slowing down their daily activities. Same goes for humans, we need a little more sleep, a little more rest and a little less fun. Boo!

It's interesting how removed we are from these natural cycles because of artificial lighting, 24 hour conveniences, temperature control and so forth. No matter how "functional" our lifestyle has become, we need to take a little note of what the rest of the natural world is doing. In traditional Chinese medicine, the transitional time between seasons is where we are most susceptible to becoming run down. My symptoms today are a classic "wind-cold" syndrome, a slight drop in the temperature caused my body to work overtime, maintaining the delicate homeostasis balance and developed a head cold.

Masala chai is the perfect medicine for a little cold like this... There are literally hundreds and hundreds of masala chai recipes, each unique to the persons taste and needs. Cafes offer chai lattes, which are powdered, sugared chai mixes and unfortunately are nothing like the real thing (unless they're an awesome cafe). The real deal is a pleasure to drink, it really makes a great coffee alternative because it has a warming and energising effect when you drink it. It is also super easy to make!

Medicinal Chai tea recipe
I love adding vanilla to my chai mix, it gives it a sweet aroma plus it's my favourite spice/ smell of all time. Chai is great for soothing digestion, improving blood circulation, treating colds and flu, and improving energy levels. It really is like making your own custom blend medicinal beverage except it taste great.This particular recipe fixed my cold, so quickly! By the end of the day I was feeling good again... Other spice ideas are lemon, licorice root, goji berries, juniper berries, fennel, all spice, lemongrass, coriander, cacao and green tea.

Ingredients...
1 star anise
8 cardamon pods
1/2 vanilla bean
1 cinnamon quill (or 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon)
8 peppercorns
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
3 bay leaves
1 of 2 slices of ginger
10 cloves
1 tablespoon orange peel
pinch of grounded nutmeg
2 teaspoons rooibos tea
2 teaspoons black tea (omit if you want it caffeine free)
6 to 8 cups water

Method...
Add all the ingredients (except tea leaves) to 6 to 8 cups of water and boil in a saucepan. Turn on low heat to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes then turn off the heat and add tea leaves. Let sit for a few minutes then pour through a strainer. Sweeten with honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar or stevia and pour your choice of milk and dust with cinnamon powder. I prefer mine with almond milk because it gives a more subtle taste allowing the spices to come through. Other milks you can use are soy, oat, rice and dairy.
Health benefits of some chai spices...

Bay leaf:
Bay leaves were used for adornment in ancient Rome. Expectorant, anti fungal, antibacterial and digestive properties, bay leaf has been used for cough, cold and flu remedies plus other respiratory disorders. It adds flavour to culinary dishes and has a strong aromatic effect on cooking.

Nutmeg:
Is a potent spice that needs to be used in small amounts because it is very volatile. It is an hallucinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-nausea, antispasmodic, carminitive and digestive stimulant. Nutmeg is not used much in the West because of their potential toxicity. It is mainly used in culinary dishes and medicinally it is used in Ayurveda.

Cinnamon:
Excellent for people with type 2 diabetes as it helps regulate blood sugar and lower blood pressure. It is naturally sweet and warming and has antibacterial, anti fungal, antiseptic and digestive properties. Cinnamon was also used in ancient Egypt and India. Good for colds, flu and digestive problems.

Ginger:
Popular in China, ancient Greece, Rome and the Middle East the ginger root has been used for culinary and medicinal use for over 5,000 years. Another plant with warming, digestive, anti fungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties plus carminative and circulatory stimulating effects on the body.  Ginger prevents motion sickness and morning sickness. It thins the blood, elevates low blood pressure and lowers blood cholesterol.

Cardamom:
Is native to Southern India and Sri Lanka is an aromatic, antispasmodic, warming, digestive stimulant properties. Used for respiratory problems, infections and digestive dysfunction. Was used in ancient Egypt for perfumes.

Cloves:
Originally from the Moluccas Islands (Indonesia) and the Southern Philippines, cloves are used in Ayurvedic medicine as an analgesic. Good for soothing toothaches and treating halitosis. It also has antiseptic, anti parasitic, anti fungal, antibacterial qualities, and can be used to kill intestinal parasites, fungi, and bacteria. It is used to induce or prepare for childbirth by stimulating and strengthening uterine contractions during labour.

Pepper:
Black pepper is an antioxidant and circulatory stimulant.

Love
Ulyana...