prosperity

alchemy union

Infinite 8

The number eight turned to one side is the symbol for infinity. There are also eight limbs of yoga, which are practical guides from Patanjali (a saint who is considered the father of yoga), to a person’s personal development to achieve the harmony of the mind, body and spirit. The number 8 is also considered a very lucky number for prosperity and everlasting abundance. The beginning is the end and the end is the beginning.

Peacock

Peacocks are revered around the world as a symbol of wisdom, love and luck. The Tibetans consider the peacock to have alchemical powers due to its ability to literally eat and be nourished by poisonous plants. Because of this the peacock is a powerful symbol to help us transform the poison in our lives into something beautiful.

Lotus flower

The Lotus flower symbolizes divinity, fertility, wealth, knowledge and enlightenment. The Lotus is also associated with the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, who brings prosperity, purity and generosity. The Lotus flower grows in muddy water and rises above the surface to bloom with remarkable beauty. Om Mani Padme Hum, meaning, “Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus” is the sacred mantra of the Tibetans..

Lady Bug

Ladybugs, or Ladybirds as they are also known, are best known as emblems of luck and overall good omens. They are considered symbols of protection in Ireland as well as a harbinger of true love. It is said when a Ladybug lands on you, that your wish will come true.

White Elephant

White elephants are revered symbols of power, prosperity and good fortune.

A white elephant also appears as a guardian of temples and of the Buddha. The white elephant is also considered to belong to the Hindu god Indra. He leads the Devas (the gods who form and maintain Heaven) and the elements such as fire and water.

Horseshoes

The horseshoe invokes the crescent moon, the sacred shape of the moon goddesses Artemis and Diana and so invites their protection. The Moon is a female shape for receiving blessings. It is a fertility sign (for the wealth of your wallet!). The seven nail holes in a horseshoe invoke the traditionally lucky number 7. The Horseshoe is also positioned facing up the gather the luck from the heavens.

Evil Eye

This nazar or “evil eye” is a powerful symbol of protection common in Turkey. It offers the power to shield the wearer from negativity by stopping and reflecting the energy back to the source.

Dragonfly

Native American’s believe that dragonflies are a symbol of renewal after a time of great hardship. They are a sign of prosperity. In Japan dragonflies are symbols of courage, strength, and happiness. The dragonfly symbolizes change ..They are fantastic flyers, streaming light, turning and changing direction always heading somewhere better.. Their colors are a result of reflecting and refracting the power of light. Dragonflies are reminders that we are light and can reflect the light in powerful ways. How we see the world is a reflection of how we think. Shine your light in all the corners you encounter for life illumination.

music of the spheres

I am so excited- coming back from yoga this morning, I had a feeling I should check the mailbox. I ordered a demo CD last week from Music of the Spheres, Inc., "the Stradivarius of Windchimes" and sure enough, there it was in a beautiful glossy black CD cover envelope. I want to add chimes to the blog so that one can drift off further into the ether as one steps into the mineral forest. Hooray!

sesame seeds & coffee

today is day 38 of my 40 day Kundalini Yoga bootcamp and meditation. I only slept 4 hours. I am proud of myself that I have come this far and was able to get out of bed and go to the Rec Center for class. but the last days are the most challenging and it's where it counts the most. I have done a 40 day meditation before and there is always something that surfaces to challenge your commitment. I succeffully completed 40 days last year in September-October and even managed to stay committed during a trip up to San Francisco and Sonoma to get my Balinese wood.

this time it's different. I am waking up monday-friday at 6 am to go somewhere and practice. and I continue on the weekend on my own. the challenge of getting out of bed no matter what time it is has always been my weakness. I love sleep. dreaming is my world. but since I have stayed focused on my mission to complete these 40 days strong, I have found that my days are turning into a dreamland playground and life is magical all around.

I treated myself to comfort food Silverlake Coffee Co.- style after class this morning: a perfectly toasted sesame seed Brooklyn Bagel with egg and cheese and a mocha. i'm finally getting used the the idea that it's ok to indulge in life's little pleasures, even after a cleansing yoga class. it's overcast outside and the moisture in the air is cooling. but in my world today, the energy and light that I have been cultivating is carrying me through, along with a little caffeine buzz and yummy goodness to boot. "may the long time sun shine upon you, all the love surround you and the pure light within you, guide your way on."

local art

I woke up this morning earlier to walk to yoga - finally I did it! I got to walk by the lake, hear the ducks quacking, see them take flight in a group over the glassy water. It was 6 am and there was activity all around. It took me the whole 15 minute walk to adjust and become present. All of the sights and sounds were sensory stimulation overload. I needed to focus on each step and make sure I was not going to step in a surprise left from Fido on the walkway. Through my yoga and tai chi practice, I am learning that there is always magic around the corner when you least expect it because you "show up" - even when it's most difficult. This morning was not particulalry hard to get up at 5:45 am, as opposed to the other day when I ambitiously set my alarm for 5:30 and it felt like a weight was dragging me back into deep sleep. But the surprise was there waiting for me anyway when I approached the Rec Center.

There are murals everywhere in Echo Park. Grafitti as well. The colors are especially bold and bright, paying homage to the local Latino heritage. On a brick wall of a buidling just west of the Rec Center, radiating blue and purple and gold, was Shiva with her swirling hands opening and welcoming me to my morning meditation. I wish I had my camera. And, I wish I would have listened to the voice this morning telling me to put the camera in my bag as I reloaded the battery from charging overnight. But ego stepped in and said, "I don't need the camera for anything, I'm just going to yoga." It's always that nudge that tells you what you need to know in order to be prepared. But I didn't listen.

It's ok. I am waking up. I am taking the step. Now I know. Always be prepared. And as I walked home, I happened upon so many other inspired would-be photos and then that is when I decided that my next endeavor will be a photography class. And I will treat myself to a good camera. It's time.

summer scents

anyone who has been in my boudoir will attest to how much I am a sucker for fragrances. It's definitely a personal style and especially a seasonally inspired fetish. this summer, I am addicted to:

* this beautifully packaged dual roll-on perfume oil by Sage: Garnet & Amethyst. How perfectly mineral forest! I actually bought this in San Francisco about 5 years ago and it has always been eye-candy in my collection, however I haven't completely fallen in love with it until just a couple weeks ago when I broke it out for the first time this season. it's one month into summer and the heat is on. these perfume oils are highly concentrated and you only need a little to go a long way. they are sensual and natural and the fragrance adjusts to your skin as different layers and notes surface throughout the day. it is simply a delight.

"a sensual floral with Moroccan Red Rose and Blackberry layered with sweet Lilac, Gardenia and African Violet."


* Premier Figuier by L'Artisan Parfumeur. If you want a fancy French perfume but without it being heavy, overwhelmingly potent and alcohol based, this is the line for you. Natural fragrances is what this line is all about, yet totally luxurious at the same time. Over the years, I have moved away from classic French perfumes and have grown totally obsessed with the more natural and essential oil based fragrances, mainly because I have developed allergies at different times of the year for some odd reason, or even maybe just depending on my mood, but for whatever reason, they are too overpowering and tend to make me almost nauseous.

scent family: under the fig tree

"Green like its sweet-smelling leaves, milky like the sap of the tree, fruity like the soft flesh of the fig; woody like its branches and trunk…It is unique as it conjures up an image of the entire tree. As surprising as a first kiss, as caressing as shadows on a bright, sunny day, Premier Figuier has captured, in its bottle, a whole host of summer memories… exactly under the fig tree!"

* Bulgari's Eau Parfumee Au The Blanc (White Tea) will always remain a quintessential summer scent. totally romantic and feminine and will make any guy purr like a kitten.

olfactive family: woody floral musk

"artemisia: reassuring; white tea: precious; musk: inner soothing"

* Jo Malone has scents for every season and I am quickly amassing quite a collection of her bottles. British designer extraordinaire, she travels the world in search for the perfect blend of herbs, fruits, resins, and spices. layering them is the best part about them. White Jasmine & Mint was my springtime fancy (so fresh and clean), however layered on top of Blue Agava & Cacao (think Mexico: cacao, cinnamon, agava nectar), this is the perfect summer combo. ay caramba!

design overdose

OMG, my brain is hemorrhaging! I found the link to Design*Sponge and have died and gone to heaven. I have been glued to the computer for an hour and must get up but can't seem to peel myself away. There are endless links on this blog and I could literally get lost in cyberspace and never come back. Thank you Jamila of eleven eleven for turning me on to this!

the cloud that followed me home

i stepped out of yoga at the Golden Bridge last night and the most enchanting sun-lit cloud was hovering in the sky before me. when I got home, there is was - it had followed me home.