Moving from Scared to Sacred?

When something scary or fearful comes up in your life, what do you do? Do you go on feeling scared or do you starting digging through your toolbox for tools to create some sacred space around you? Notice that the two words have all the same letters, just in a different order? Before you start worrying that you can't possibly do anything "sacred" in the middle of your office or in public, let's take a minute to examine the word sacred.

The word sacred originally comes from the very sacren, which means "to consecrate". Consecrate, aside from the religious overtones, also means "To dedicate solemnly to a service or goal." So if you find yourself "scared" and you'd rather be in the "sacred", all you have to do is rededicate yourself to your own aims and goals. Simple, right?

Picking an Aim
Rededicating yourself to your aims is really simple. First, though, you have to have an aim to rededicate yourself to. If you've already got one, that's great. If you don't, take some time to decide what aim and goal is most important to you at this time in your life. It can be a physical goal, such as completing a college degree or achieving some level in your career. It can also be a state of being, such as joy or peace of mind. Whatever your goal, just make sure you have one. If you're not sure how to choose an aim, use tools like the Runes, Medicine Cards, Sacred Path Cards, or Angel Cards to help you choose an aim for each day (choose one rune or card as the theme for your day).

Rededicating to Your Aim
Once you've got your aim, here are some simple ways to rededicate yourself when you find yourself off track and need to return to the sacred:

Look in the Mirror: Go to the restroom, look at yourself in the mirror and say in a forceful voice, "Come to present time!" Anytime we are fearful, worried, or stressed, we are either in the past or the future. Coming back to present time will remind you of your aim.

Physical Sensation: Wear your ring on an unfamiliar finger, put a rubberband around your wrist, or carry a heavy coin or small rock in your pocket-anything that will bring an unfamiliar physical awareness to you. Each time you feel the ring, rubberband, coin or rock, remember your aim. Physical sensations keep us in present time.

Return to Nature: If possible, go outside and make physical contact with a tree. Close your eyes, breathe, and ask the tree to help you reconnect with your aim. Trees have deep roots and long memories, and are able to help us remember in the present moment what is most important.

Connect with Animals: Animals spend almost all their time in the present. To get back in touch with yourself and your aim, pet the cat, cuddle the dog, watch your fish, or listen to your bird sing. Animals will bring you back into the now.

Get Moving: If your mind is stuck in "scared," move your body to move your mind! By the law of "as above, so below," when you move body, spirit and mind will also move. Taking a brisk 5 minute walk will often move your mind out of park and reconnect you with your aim.

By being proactive, you can move out of your scared place and into your sacred place easily. Let magic take you there!

Looking for more magic you can bring to your life? Our Witchcraft Spell Books series on Amazon is a great way to get started.

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Ten Magical Ways to Get a Grip!

We get lots of requests from people asking for magical ways to "get a grip" in life. Whether it's a traumatic weather event wreaking havoc, unexpected deaths in the family, or just general chaos, we thought this would be a good time to put out some quickie magical "fixes" that you can use any time you need to bail yourself out of a tricky situation. Here's our Top 10 List:

#1: Stay in Present Time
There's no time like the present. To drag yourself out of either the past or the future, look at yourself in the mirror and give yourself this command in a powerful voice:
"Come to present time!"
This snaps you back into the present moment, where you can exercise the most power.

#2: Stop Obsessing
If your mind has jumped on the hamster wheel and is going around in circles, a few drops of White Chestnut flower essence will work wonders. White Chestnut calms the mind and quiets repetitive thoughts. Add 4 drops to spring water and sip continuously for an all-day effect.

#3: Bring in Sun Energy
The light of the sun nourishes your Spirit. To bring the sunlight into a focused presence indoors, burn a sun candle (either a bright yellow candle or a candle with a sun image on it). Or try out this more detailed ritual.

#4: Switch Hands
Sometimes you need to switch hands to switch your focus. Choose something you normally do with your dominant hand and do it with your other hand for the day. For instance, if you normally open doors with your right hand, start using your left hand. This forces you to be present to yourself and causes you to have an interval of consciousness in an otherwise mechanical day.

#5: Swing Your Worries Away
Sometimes a little action is called for. If you're in a sticky situation and you can't find an exit, use your pendulum to clear the air. Find a quiet place and sit in the south facing north. Begin swinging your pendulum in a clockwise direction. Allow the pendulum to continue swinging until it stops naturally - it will stop swinging when your situation has cleared. Then wait patiently for a door to open.

#6: Ask and Ye Shall Receive
If you're not sure what forces are behind your sticky situation, do a question circle to find out. A question circle gives you answers from four different perspectives - thought, action, feeling, and manifestation. Check this article for how to do a question circle.

#7: Don't Forget to Breathe
Your body will keep breathing regardless of whether you are paying attention or not, but taking the time to do some conscious breathing will open up a space in your life where the Universe can assist you. It's impossible for you to get "caught up" in a situation when you breathe consciously. Take a few minutes to find a quiet place and do some deep breathing. It will oxygenate your body, occupy your mind, and free your Spirit to clearly communicate with the Universe.

#8: Rescue Yourself
One of our all-time favorites is the Bach Flower Remedy called Rescue Remedy. It's a unique combination of five flower essences that will restore a sense of peace and stability in any situation. It works for mental, spiritual, and physical trauma. Rescue Remedy is also called Five Flower Essence and is available in most health food stores.

#9: Feel Your Body
No matter where your mind travels, your body stays in present time. If you're having trouble staying in the now, anchor yourself by becoming aware of a specific part of your body. For instance, notice the back of your left hand - feel a slight warmth or tingling or weight there. Now stay in touch with that sensation as you do other activities. You'll stay in your body and in the now, which will go a long way toward clearing up any messy life situation.

#10: Be Powerful
There's nothing like an act of power to get you back on track. How do you do an act of power? Simple. Decide what you're going to do and when. When the time arrives, do it! For instance, you might decide to get up out of your chair in 2 minutes and do a yoga stretch. When the time arrives, get up and just do it. It's the quickest way we know to restore personal power.

#11: Bonus Tip - Hire an Angel
There are hundreds of thousands of unemployed angels just waiting to help you - just ask. Request an angel that specializes in what you need (like a parking angel), ask for what you want (be specific about time, place, amount, etc.) and thank your angel in advance. Then, when you get what you want, thank them again. It's as simple as that!

Got some great magical tips and tricks for getting out sticky situations quick? We'd love to hear them. Please email them to us at info@shamanschool.com or leave a comment below. And if you don't have any of your own, get our free 10 Magical Quick Fixes ebook for more quickie magic.

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