What is The New Age?

What is The “New Age”?

When I first opened my shop, I got the question “What is the New Age?” quite a lot.
And back then I was just telling people what it was & What it was about……. instead of actually writing a piece about it, so people could refer back to it. So, here I am finally cranking out an article 8 years later lols.

*Quick disclaimer:
Part of what made this article such a bear to write is all of the different angles from which it can be written, and the sheer vastness of the information covered under the New Age “umbrella”. Most of the time on this article has been editing stuff OUT lols.
There is enough info to fill many, many thick books on the subject of the New Age, in this article my aim is to Demystify what it is and give a bit of info on how it got started.
By all means, keep digging for the answers to all of your questions, it is going to be well worth the time(which will be a lot of time).

*Personal Note:
Keep in mind, the New Age Movement is not a religion.
It is many different ideas stitched together and woven into a rich tapestry of wisdom and spiritual ideals for self-betterment.
*Think of Religion as a rule-book, its wonderful and it is very helpful in living your life in an orderly fashion…but when you have questions and need to look things up…you need Dictionaries & Encyclopedias, not a Rule book.
And that is what Spirituality is at its core, it is the road to get your questions answered….of course, it often leads to even more questions, but ehhhhh thats half the fun lols

Why is it called the “New Age”?
The term was coined as the movement spread through the occult and metaphysical/spiritual communities in the 1970s and ʾ80s.
It looked forward to a “New Age” of love and light and offered a foretaste of the coming era through personal transformation and healing.

What is the “New Age” Movement?
******Quick Note:
Many think of Wicca & Witchcraft as synonymous with the New Age Movement.
They are not.
Wicca is only one of many belief systems tapped by the New Age movement.
Wicca is still very much a religion.
Original Witchcraft has very little to do with today’s Wicca Religion.
And is still only one methodology tapped by the New Age, as with Shamanism, Buddhism, Native American beliefs, Ufoism, Metaphysics, Dimensional theory, etc.*******

So, Firstly, The New Age Movement isn’t really all that NEW…..it is a concept that has come up around the globe in different eras, at different times, under different names, each time with a slightly different focus….simply because we always have questions that need answers.
This time around, its called the New Age movement.
The New Age is a movement that combines some of the most ancient philosophies, religions and spiritual beliefs with new ways of thought and theories such as Fringe science, Quantum physics, Astrology, etc.
It encompasses metaphysics, mysticism, spirituality, etc.
All the while, leaving out a lot of the religious Dogma that has been weighing people down since it became dogma and getting in the way of actual spiritual enlightenment.
It helps people to find their own spiritual path, versus getting caught in religious dogma.
Under the New Age umbrella, you will find such topics as, gemstone therapy, color therapy, seeing auras, UFOs, different types of divination(tarot, pendulum, dowsing, etc), bigfoot, meditation, telepathy,biofeedback, alternative health, and so much more.
Anything that cannot, as Art Bell once said, be neatly put in the box……. THAT is the New Age.
The basic philosophy, the principal tenant as it were, of the New Age movement is “Don’t be a dick!”.
The movement doesn’t care what you do, doesn’t care what you believe in, as long as whatever it makes you a better and more enlightened person at the end of the day- Go for it, but don’t be a dick.

When did the “New Age” Movement start?
As the New Age movement encompasses both old and new philosophy, science, spirituality, and mysticism, it’s start date is pretty fluid.
But, The New Age movement was “officially” started in the 1970s in most of your western nations as a form of western esotericism.
Although it was spoken of, and promulgated some time before then, most notably being defined & phrased in the 19th century. Which brings us to the next question:

Who started the “New Age” Movement?
The “Mother” of the New Age is generally thought to be Helena Blavatsky
(a Russian philosopher, occultist, and author who co-founded the Theosophical society in 1875). In the early 1870s, Blavatsky was involved in the Spiritualist movement, but She gained an international following as the leading theoretician of Theosophy, the esoteric religion that the society promoted.
* (Interestingly enough, Helena was heavily influenced by the Prolific Author & Aristocrat- Edward Bulwer-Lytton….Who also happened to be a Science fiction author of his time-he wrote in many different genres as well-.
Its always been said that Science fiction tends to predict our future developments 😄
Also, I’m a huge Sci-Fi buff, so there is NO WAAAAY THAT IM LEAVIN THAT OUT!!!)
But, she actually shares the Title with Alice Bailey.
Alice Ann Bailey (June 16, 1880 – December 15, 1949) was a writer of more than twenty-four books on theosophical subjects and was one of the first writers to use the term New Age.
Bailey was born as Alice La Trobe-Bateman, in Manchester, England and She moved to the United States in 1907, where she spent most of her life as a writer and teacher
While we have these two wonderful ladies to Thank for its start, the New Age Movement would not be where it is today without the work of the many people who helped sculpt the “New Age” Movement, and even more that brought it to its status as a mainstream alternative spirituality movement.

Some of the Early names that helped bring the movement to where it is today are: Edgar Cayce, Brad Steiger, Ruth Montgomery, Zacheria Sitchin, Eric Von Daniken, Stuart Wilde, Colin Wilson, Uri Geller, Eckhart Tolle, Raymond Moody, Shirley Maclaine, Linda Goodman, and so many more.

Both of The Co-Mothers of the New Age were heavily influenced by the “Age of Enlightenment”, also known as “The Enlightenment” or “the Age of Reason”.
Which leads us to what one can make the claim for being the Birthplace of the New Age Movement’s ideals & ways of thought.

The Enlightenment & it’s connection to the New Age Movement?
It can easily be surmised that without the Age of Enlightenment, our world would be a very different place….one that would have no tolerance for the New Age Movement.
The Age of Enlightenment was preceded by and closely associated with the Scientific Revolution.
An intellectual and philosophical movement which conquered the world of ideas in Europe during the 18th century ( Generally thought of as the “Century of Philosophy”).
It was a movement based around the concept of ideas centered in reason being the primary source of authority and legitimacy & marked by an emphasis on the scientific method and reductionism, along with increased questioning of religious orthodoxy.
*Some of the central principles of the Enlightenment age philosophers were individual liberty and religious tolerance, which were in direct opposition to the absolute monarchy and the fixed dogmas of the Church at that time, its catchphrase was Sapere Aude -“Dare to Know”- if that tells you anything.
This movement changed the socio-political & literary scene of Europe.
It consisted of people-Philosophers and everyday folk alike- of the period chatting, and promoting, and sharing their ideas through meetings at Scientific Academies, Masonic lodges, Literary Salons, Coffee Houses and the like as well as through books & zines or pamphlets.
The ideas of the Enlightenment undermined the authority of the monarchy and the Church and paved the way for the political revolutions of the 18th and 19th centuries, including The United States of Americas Founding Fathers.

Some of The Age of Enlightenment front-runners include- Descartes, Voltaire, Benjamin Franklin, Immanuel Kant, among many other forward thinkers

An Experienced perspective on the New Age Movement:
I spoke with,
long time Metaphysician (Clairvoyant, Psychic Medium, Fringe Science researcher) Mr.Jeff Anspaugh to get a point of view with a great deal of field experience & a good bit of perspective on the subject.
Mr. Anspaugh has 45+ years of experience in the New Age field, and he had this to say about it
” We call it new, but it’s not really all that new. This movement brings clarity of thought, It is a deviation from the established religions.
Its a collection of everything that is good, positive and mind-expanding and it allows people to walk a spiritual path of their own choosing.”
What I personally feel about the New Age movement is that it’s one of great spiritual interest and it redefines all the boundaries of original religious practices”

“Don’t take my word for it, Get out there and Research it!”
Alicia Anspaugh-McCullough

Divination styles: Crystal Ball reading

Howdy Folks,
This is the companion article to the talk that I gave at our Halloween Psychic fair this past Saturday, as promised 😀
My editor (Dennis McCullough) hasn’t had a chance to have a look at it yet, so I apologize for any poor grammar in advance lols.
Divination styles: Crystal Ball reading
I have had quite a few questions about the multitude of different divination devices and practices,
so this will be the first in a series of Articles devoted to Divination tools & Practices.
I will be doing a more comprehensive article on the topic in a few months,
but for now, let’s get started….Crystal Balls!!!!!!
I think almost everyone is familiar with the Crystal ball.
Crystal balls are one of the TOP images connect with the psychic field in popular culture,
and there is also a lot of misconceptions about this reading practice due to a misinterpretation of the reading practice.
Crystal ball reading is, in actuality,
Scrying ( trancing out and allowing your mind to relax enough to pick up on Clairvoyant images),
and it is only one tool of many that can be used.
*For example,
You can use a bowl of water, a mirror, fire, etc…..heck you could use the back of a coffee spoon.
Any surface (though traditionally it should be reflective) that allows you to “trance out” (go into a self-induced semi-hypnotic state) while looking into it can be used to Scry.
*Quick note:
Many people use black mirrors
(Mirror scrying actually evolved from water scrying, the mirror was felt to be a point of fixed water, so many astrology jokes so little time lols), black bowls for water scrying, black obsidian spheres or Obsidian mirrors for their scrying.
Some Scryers feel that the dark color leads to quicker mental relaxation and therefore easier transition from regular consciousness into the trance state.
I personally prefer the lights off (except for a few candles acting as an anchor to keep me focused) when I’m using the scrying technique no matter the tool that I’m using.
Again, as always, the gift Lay with the person scrying- not the tool used.
A little History on Crystal Balls:
The technical term for a Crystal ball is an Orbuculum.
And the technical term for using a Crystal ball to scry with is called Crystallomancy…fun hunh!?!?!
Say those 3 times fast lols
The practice of Crystallomancy is purported to have begun with the Druids,
who used Beryl Balls to foretell events with.
By the 5th century AD, Scrying was ridiculously widespread throughout the Roman empire, but once the Medieval Christian church rose to power Scrying was deemed Heretical.
And so the practices faded into the shadows in most European circles, until the Victorian era.
In the Victorian era, The Crystal ball shot to popularity again, and it was a very popular pastime to read with an orbuculum. Almost like Tarot cards in this era.
They felt that they needed the sun in its northernmost position to get the best results from their readings.
An Important figure in the resurgence of the esoteric in mainstream culture was Dr. John Dee.
Now,
The good doctor’s reputation is a little nutty in my opinion….but what Dr. Dee brought back into view was an amazing gift that helped to herd mainstream society back towards the esoteric.
Dr. John Dee was a noted British mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, geographer, and consultant to Queen Elizabeth I.
He devoted much of his life to alchemy, divination, and Hermetic philosophy, of which the use of crystal balls was quite often included.
*Hermetic Philosophy:
*Hermetic Philosophy:
Hermeticism, also called Hermetism, is a religious, philosophical, and esoteric tradition (a triple threat if you will) mostly based on the writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus.
The tradition claims to have evolved from a prisca theologia, a doctrine that affirms the existence of one single, true theology that is present in all religions and that was given by God to man in antiquity
(wtf does that mean, right?
Classical antiquity -also the classical era, classical period or classical age- is the period of cultural history between the 8th century BC and the 5th or 6th century AD centered on the Mediterranean Sea, comprising the interlocking civilizations of ancient Greece & ancient Rome, collectively known as the Greco-Roman world.
That’s what that means)
Many great writers consider him a wise pagan prophet who foresaw the coming of Christianity among other major societal shifts.
So now you know a little bit about how the Crystal ball came to be and a bit about how to use one.
But as always,
Don’t just take my word for it, get out there and research it!!!!!
~Alicia Anspaugh-Mccullough, DMNAS
Link to Crystal ball reading demonstration video:

Friday night Talk: Energetic Shielding!!

Friday night Talk tonight at the shop!!!!!
The Subject is Energetic Shielding!!!!
Starts at 7pm, the talk is roughly 30 minutes and it is also broadcast through livefeed on our facebook page (Des Moines New Age Shop ).
There is no cost to attend this event, however if you feel like making a donation it is very much appreciated 🙂
#energeticshielding #protection #fuckyounegativeentities #negativeentities #negativeenergies #energetichealth #aura #reiki #energyhealing

*and yes I DID use the subject to put up an adorable pic of my Adorable Wubbybear! Lols

Friday Night Talks Are Back Baby!!!

The Friday night Talks at Des Moines New Age Shop are back!!!!!!
And the poster is done lols!!!
Iv decided to switch it up tho, Iv decided to do it on a donation basis and erase the attendance fee.

That way if a person doesnt have the money, they can still attend 

1st up- Supernatural Safety, 7/6 , at 7pm – https://www.facebook.com/events/237048260410377/

2nd- Crystals for Abundance, 7/13, at 7pm- https://www.facebook.com/events/413196725831707/

3rd- Energetic Shielding, 7/20, at 7pm- https://www.facebook.com/events/233341027457802/

4th- Programming your crystals, 7/27, at 7pm- https://www.facebook.com/events/417084648772912/

Retrogrades: Mercury

Retrogrades: Mercury
(Original publication date unavailable)
Yup we are in the first “official” mercury retrograde of 2017, we will have 2 more this year, so let’s dive in, shall we ;D
Retrogrades: when the planetary forces are moving backward or are reversed.
Translation: Things are gonna get a little wonkyfied.
Mercury Represents: 
Communication, Technology, Transportation, Travel, Intellect, Trickery, Business.
Ruler of the signs Gemini & Virgo
Mercury retrograde:
Mercury retrogrades three times per average year for anywhere from 3-5 weeks each time.
When the planet of Rational Thinking, Communications, Equipment, and Business Transactions, stops operating normally, it leads to all sorts of annoying events.
This is a good time to take stock of where you stand and come to terms with reality- no rose-colored glasses …no Fluff… just the facts.
It’s a time to lay low, process and digest the information that you have on hand rather than adventure out into unknown & undiscovered territory.
Visualize and perceive things from your internal point of view and don’t start anything new until after the last retrograde shadow zone is passed. When the planet of “business” is going in reverse, it is also a good time to finish up old business (i.e., pay bills, clean out the closet, etc.)
*Also for the Mercury ruled out there,
 I’m talkin to you Gemini and you Virgo …don’t be surprised if you feel a little off and your normal clear mind & eloquence desert you.
Keep calm, all storms pass!
Actually, you know what, go dance in that rain!!!!!!
The Three phases(remember a retrograde is like an Oreo cookie- 1st shadow zone, retrograde, finale):
March 27th, 2017, Mercury enters shadow zone :
During this phase, you will get an idea of the communication, business, travel and technology issues that will be of concern during the retrograde phase.
 
#2  The Actual Retrograde=  the planet during its retrograde phase “revisits” that issue or event, which may also entail delaying the resolution or realization of action.
April 9th, 2017, Mercury The Retrograde:
Areas of life that were a major focus during the 1st shadowzone now come to the forefront for our working out-through-against.
May 21st, 2017, Mercury retrograde finale/ 2nd shadowzone:
This completes the final phase of the first Mercury retrograde of 2017. Your communication, business, travel, and technology issues that were in focus during Mercury retrograde can now be finalized & will be brought to a close (like it or lump it).  
 
Advantages, Opportunities & how this helps us:
A Mercury Retrograde teaches us the value of silence, rest and unplugging from our technology-saturated lives.
There is so much noise in our society!
Sometimes it’s nice to just enjoy Rain on a roof, a walk in the woods or a steamy mug of hot tea in PEACE!
Well, this is what Mercury Retrograde brings you, the excuse to shut up, sit down, and take a load off!!!!
Computers, laptops, phones, tablets, and technology tends to fritz up. Arguments, disputes, misunderstandings, problems, and mistakes go on the rise.
No new business, don’t sign any contracts, buy new items or start new projects.
Transportation in all of its forms will have a plethora of hiccups and mistakes,
Communication becomes twice as difficult
(lots of miscommunication and misunderstandings! If you have any altercations during this time, just forgive everybody involved and move on!!! Because I guarantee that nobody meant for things to go sideways and they probably couldn’t get the right words to express themselves properly to come out. If possible wait to talk things out with any loved ones or anyone important to you),
Because instead of actually COMMUNICATING,
we are REACTING-
from our needs, our hurts, from our buttons being pushed, or the way that we take care of others and neglect the crap out of ourselves. Some astrologers like to call this acting from our shadow, in reference to our shadow selves- emotional id- etc.
Also now is the worst time to do anything untoward!
Just stick to being aboveboard and honest, Communication is gonna fuzz up anyways so why make it worse?
It is a great time, however, to plan, research, and prepare for things that will come later.
 
These are things that can help mitigate its influences:
Preparation and allowances for hiccups and technical difficulties in the above-mentioned areas, wait the 5 weeks till this is over to chat about anything important,
REMEMBER: things generally have nothing to do with YOU,
so take NOTHING personally right now,
Mountains are mountains and molehills are molehills- keep them separated by strong defining lines.
Crystals:
Blue calcite– Speak what you need to say, cuts through  Mercury retrograde garble, allows you to truly listen to the other person, filters garble
Blue lace agate-helps you actually find the words and say what you want to say without the  Mercury retrograde garble
Sodalite– clears out mental fuzz (which is synonymous with Mercury retrograde)
Green calcite-happy harmonious communication-overcomes trust barriers
Prehnite– compassion for others and healing oneself along with moving past trust issues
Peridot-calms tempers(which will flair with all of the miscommunication)
Dragon quartz– motivation (gets you over the sluggishness and fogginess of Mercury retrograde )
Or if you wish to use this time to your advantage: 
Slowing down, talking less, unplugging from tech overload, relax & read a book. Just kick back as much as possible right now!!!
Enjoy the break!!!
Crystals:
Rose quartz-who doesn’t need some self-care after all the person to person BS of  Mercury retrograde
Prehnite-lots of healing work after  Mercury retrograde
Sodalite-calms a mind full of anxiety and fog
Amethyst-clears up depression and helps with sleep & intuition
Citrine– keeps you sunny and positive, keeps others negativity at bay, shuts down an overactive inner critic
Moonstone-tunes you into your intuition so as you can navigate some of those major road bumps ahead.
 
Mercury Retrograde dates for 2017:
January 1st
April 9th
August 13th
December 3rd
*Updated for re-publication dates*
Mercury retrograde dates for 2018:
March 23 to April 15
July 26 to August 19
November 17 to December 6
Here is what you can do to counteract it:
You really cant, so sit down and enjoy the ride!
****But don’t just take my word for it, get out there and research it!****
      ~Alicia Anspaugh-Mccullough, DMNAS

Himalayan Salt lamps, Hype or Help

Himalayan Salt lamps, Hype or Help

(Original publication date unavailable)

 

Ok,
HSL’s (Himalayan Salt Lamps) have experienced a huge boom in the last 2 years, everyone wants one, has one, needs another.
In my personal experience, These things are a HUGE help.
You don’t know what you’re missing if you’ve never slept or sat by a Himalayan salt lamp. It’s like having an open window – a softly glowing natural source of fresh, clean air – on your desk, in your living room, next to the bed, or anywhere you decide to put it.
 
How does it work?
The warmth of the candle or light bulb reacts with the natural crystal salt, releasing negative ions into the air.
Nifty factoid:
Looking at the light also boosts your serotonin ( thought to be a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness) level making it easier to sleep, concentrate, and meditate.
On a strictly energetic level, Himalayan Salt Lamps are a great cleaner.
They cleanse & purify the environment around them.
And it is still salt, It is awesome for keeping negative stuff out of your space.
“It’s just a big chunk of salt with a light bulb inside, I’m skeptical on all of these health benefits that I see advertised?” you might say…….
No worries, I was too.
And yes and no, it IS a big ol’ chunk o salt…..but its also a little more complicated than a big block of salt with a bulb inside.
Himalayan salt lamps purify air through the power of hygroscopy ((of a substance tending to absorb moisture from the air, relating to humidity or its measurement.) , meaning that they attract water molecules from the surrounding environment and then absorb those molecules – as well as any foreign particles they may be carrying – into the salt crystal.
As the  Himalayan Salt Lamp warms up from the heat produced by the light bulb or candle inside, that same water then evaporates back into the air and the trapped particles of dust, pollen, smoke, etc remain locked in the salt.
Nifty, Hunh?
 
What are the benefits?
Here are a few of the benefits (just punch Himalayan Salt  into google and you can read a ton of articles on the lamps, the salt, the shot glasses, the cutting boards, etc):
  • Increased energy levels
  • Better sleep
  • Improved depression
  • Reduced stress
  • Salt Lamps Cleanse & Deodorize the Air
  • Neutralize Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Treat Seasonal Effective Disorder
  • Reduced allergy or asthma symptoms
  • Plus they are super pretty!!!!!!!
 
How big of a lamp do I need for my home?
The equation is roughly 1 pound of Himalayan Salt for every 2 square feet of an environment.
Below are some of the more popular sizes of Himalayan Salt Lamps and the area that they cover:

 

5-7 lbs. salt lamp — 10×10 sq. feet (small bedroom)

9-11 lbs. salt lamp — 12×12 sq. feet (large bedroom)

12-15 lbs. salt lamp — 14×14 sq. feet (living room)

40-50 lbs. salt lamp — 30×30 sq. feet (joined rooms & commercial spaces)
How can I tell if I have a fake on my hands?
(yup, just like everything else in the world people have stooped to faking salt lamps, the sadness in this is epic)
Here are a few signs to watch for:
*Its very light colored and is stupidly cheap
 White Himalayan salt is harder to come by than the usual pink that you see everywhere. Genuine white Himalayan salt lamps tend to cost several times as much as regular ones.
White Himalayan salt lamps are the preferred variety for detoxification and healing by some schools of energy healers. For everyone else, the Pink variety is gonna be awesome
*Its very heavy but lights up the entire room.
When a Himalayan salt lamp exceeds roughly 20 pounds, it is not going to give off light in a uniform pattern That’s just the nature of the creature.
So, If you have a large  Himalayan Salt Lamp that lights up your entire bedroom without any striations, a pretty & effective lamp for sure, but not an actual Himalayan Salt Lamp.
*It doesn’t break or crumble, no matter what
Himalayan salt lamps tend to be fragile. And are very poorly affected by moisture and humidity (they start sweating and condensating, then you have moist salt dust-its gross).
So if you’ve dropped yours, put it in a steamy bathroom, or the shipping box has arrived rather roughed over. But the lamp looks good as new, its a quality piece of merchandise, but it’s not a Himalayan Salt Lamp.
*The Lamp Handles Moisture Well
Genuine Himalayan salt manufacturers recommend that their products be placed in a cool, dry area. That’s because the salt will absorb any moisture around it and begin to shrink.  You can test your lamp by taking a damp cloth and gently rubbing the lamp. The part of the cloth you’ve rubbed should have noticeable discoloration and the lamp should look like it’s “weeping.”
*You don’t experience any changes
All of your life’s problems are not going to be solved by a Himalayan salt lamp.
(But it would be super nice right lols!!)
But after a couple weeks of using one in your home, you should notice a few differences. One of them being a more content feeling, the other a noticeably better nights sleep.
Should I get one?
I don’t know, that’s up to you.
Personally, I have one in almost every room of my house, no bathrooms (Because I want mine to have a nice long life )due to the humidity(Its still hardened salt after all), and the effects are very noticeable.
I am more at peace, I sleep better, I have fewer allergy symptoms, I find meditation easier, I am more focused, I concentrate easier ( And that is saying sumthin with a 13-month-old lol).
I will warn that if you have a bunch of them all lite up, some people have related stories of the lamps having a drying effect. I haven’t experienced this but, I got one for my Mom and she said her eyes dried out.
*Side note:
As I type this up, I am sitting in my shop with 8 of them on. And IT IS GREAT!!!!!!!!
****But don’t just take my word for it, get out there and research it!****
      ~Alicia Anspaugh-Mccullough, DMNAS

Gemstone Therapy: Grounders

Gemstone Therapy: Grounders
(Original publication date unavailable)
What is Gemstone therapy?
It is using the innate energy of a particular gem, crystal, stone, mineral or set thereof to boost, catalyze, influence, initiate or prop up your own energies. Example: you’re having a horrid day and your feeling really down in the dumps. So you go over to your mega positive friend’s house and hang out with them for awhile. Strangely, you feel a lot better. You leave and the uplifted feeling stays with you. That, in a nutshell, is what crystals do.
What do crystals do?
A lot of different things! They can de-stress,  help jettison emotional baggage, keep you in a sunny state of mind, bring harmony to a home, help to facilitate honest communication,  etc
Today though, I am focusing on Grounders!
 
Definition:
Grounding: an energetic and mental state of being present, in your body and in the here & now.
That doesn’t sound so hard, right?
WRONG!!!!
In the day to day stresses and struggles we often forget to be IN the moment.
So worried about all that needs to be done, or all that should have been done.
We pile on oh so much worry and anxiety,
when we really need to realize- the past is over, the future is yet to be, and the present is all that we can truly effect.
Some side effects of not grounding:
Anxiety
Irritability
Excessive fatigue
Stress (& stress-related illnesses)
Daydreaming
Dizziness
Feeling checked out (if this happens a lot, its time to take up dance and meditation)
Forgetfulness
Light sensitivity
Noise sensitivity
Feeling drained, panicked, angry, overworked, overwhelmed, etc and the thoughts /mental state that goes with these emotions
Falling asleep during meditation
We make ourselves SICK (Mentally & physically) with worry, and so other than breathing or using sound therapy or yoga to find our calm stillness within, I give you CRYSTALS!!
Some Top notch Grounders:
Hematite-Grounding & stress relief
Amber-grounds you & reminds you of all of the blessings that you have.
Ruby-grounding, vitality
Garnet-strength,courage,grounding
Smokey quartz-grounding, organization, tunes you into the cosmic energy flow, removes negative energy
Red coral-motivation, ambition, relaxation, removes negative energy, optimism, and enthusiasm, abates depression & lethargy
Black onyx-grounding & protection from negative energy
Citrine– muzzles an overactive inner critic, keeps you centered in positivity, reflects outside negative energy
Tiger eye-grounding, protection from negative energies, concentration, energy
Obsidian-grounding & protection from negative energies
Black tourmaline-Grounding & empathic blocking
Sodalite-calming down a busy mind, quieting mental chatter, grounding the mind
Red Jasper- is a softer grounding crystal, a crystal of empowerment, it brings strength to resist emotional domination by others, also the courage to overcome domestic violence. *
*It will sustain those in the process of healing & recovering from a variety of violent Trauma & sexual experiences.
These crystals do MORE then what is listed, but these are the most relevant attributes that they convey concerning this particular article.
There are other crystals for different types of grounding, but Iv found these are  great starters.
****But don’t just take my word for it, get out there and research it!****
      ~Alicia Anspaugh-Mccullough, DMNAS

Pendulums???

Pendulums???
(Original publication date unavailable)
So let’s get down to the ugly truth!!!!!
We are all a little lazy when it comes to maintenance, self-care, discipline, organization, etc.
So why would I be any different (Just cause I’m chasin enlightenment, doesn’t mean that I’m any less human),
When I recommend stuff,
it is going to be easy care, low maintenance, straight to the point, and budget-friendly (well as budget friendly as possible lol)
So in that vein, I give you the pendulum!
It’s AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can do all kinds of cool things with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dowse for lost stuff, find waterways, divine answers, you can use it as a tool to tap into the Akashic records (Compendium of all that is, was and will be), check your chakras, some even use it to communicate with spirits, etc.
In short, IT ROCKS!!!!!
And it’s super simple and user-friendly!
Fun facts:
There are a few different records, but we do know that it was used for divination at least as far back as the Han dynasty in China.
It isn’t until centuries later when the use of the pendulum as a divination tool can be found in Europe.
One of the earliest European uses of the pendulum was through Dowsing.
**Dowsing: *a way of searching for underground water, minerals, or anything invisible, by observing the motion of a pointer (traditionally a forked stick, now often a pair of bent wires) or the specific changes in direction of a pendulum, in response to unspecified unseen influences.**
Some of the earliest stories of pendulum use for divination comes through Italy and traveling gypsies. To escape persecution for possessing ‘tools of the devil’, early gypsies would wear their pendulums as necklaces.
Neat, Hunh????
Basic How to:
  1. Grab a string or thinner chain and put a weight on the end of it (Generally, I use crystals, but I’m really into shiny’s 😀). Make the weight with enough heft that the wind won’t catch it, but light enough that your not gonna get arm strain. Or just drop by the shop and buy one from me lols 😀
  2. Now, brace your elbow on a stable surface (this ends a lot of arm and hand shake, we all shake slightly- so no worries).
  3. Now, hold up your forearm with that elbow braced on a stable surface and suspend your pendulum from between your forefinger & thumb
  4. Still your pendulum as much as possible, then ask it POLITELY which way is yes
  5. Now ask your pendulum which way is no.
  6. Now ask it a few tester questions ( stuff you already know the answers to)
  7. Then phrase all of your questions in a yes or no vernacular, and your set!!!!
It is truly THAT easy!!!!
Make sure you have something to put it away in when you are done with it(pouch, box, etc)
Always say THANK YOU when you are done using it.
Always be respectful, it is a tool like any other divination instrument, and they all have personality- so don’t piss ’em off!!!!!
Cleanse your pendulum if it starts to feel off (uncomfortable feeling when you hold it, shakes a lot, gives no answers or is wrong A LOT!).
Basic cleaners apply here- Salt, selenite, sunlight (Depending on the material the pendulum is made out of, i.e. don’t put a fluorite or an amethyst pendulum in direct sunlight or you will have murky grey quartz)!
Ask your question a few times, but remember (just like with Tarot, Oracle, etc) if you just keep asking the same question over and over again…Your pendulum will either start screwing with you and give you some pretty ridiculous answers or it will quit talking to you altogether.
If you have ever had an Askhole friend (Askhole definition: Someone who constantly asks for your advice, but never takes it. Asks the same crap over and over again, and never listens.), eventually you just quit dealing with them because its a waste of your time.
That is exactly what happens with your pendulum! 
Don’t be the Askhole friend!!!
 
Chakra check method:
I put this in as an example of non-divination work that can be done with a pendulum, and also to help with energetic monitoring.
This is the method that works best for me, and the people that I help.
But by all means, feel free to find your own.
Hold your pendulum over each of your seven chakra centers.
I usually start at the Crown and work my way down from there. So Crown, Brow, Throat, Heart, Solar Plexus, Sacral, Root.
(*Standing up is the easiest way to do this in my experience. Some people prefer to lay down, but they are a good deal more limber then I am.)
 
If the pendulum swings counterclockwise, your chakra is blocked.
If your pendulum swings clockwise, your chakra is in fine form.
If your pendulum stays still, you need to do some deep work on that chakra.
Want to know more?????
Want to go farther with your pendulum???
Contact Des Moines New Age Shop about my course, Pendulum 101 😀
OR…. Just message Des Moines New Age Shop on their FB page
****But don’t just take my word for it, get out there and research it!****
      ~Alicia Anspaugh-Mccullough, DMNAS

Quick tips: Personal Energetic cleansing

Quick tips: Personal Energetic cleansing

(Original publication date unknown)

Energetic cleansing is so very important because every day, all day we are constantly hit with what other people are diffusing from their energetic state.
Now dont get me wrong, we all have funkified energy.
But this is about how to flush out other peoples garbage, that way you can deal with just your own.
Think of it like walking around and anybody, Within I’d say probably at least a ten-foot radius around you, has left a chalk handprint on you – all different colors because we’re all feeling different things throughout the day.

Some people are even strong enough that they can project their emotions over the phone, which is why people in phone jobs, come out of them looking so Haggard.

They seem like they’ve been through a war zone,
because they’re dealing with that all day every day, on top of all of that “wonderful for the soul” verbal abuse.

And no matter what, it weighs on you.

If you don’t flush that off at the end of the day it’s like going without a shower.
If you went for months without a shower, Not only would smell pretty bad, but you would start to have some physical repercussions- not to mention the emotional and psychological repercussions.
2 months, three months, 4 months, a year, 2 years…… pretty soon you’re getting to the point where you’re really not feeling well at all.
All of the other people’s negative emotions or positive emotions have collected on you, and you have no way to flush them off or at least you don’t know how to.
All of a sudden you start to get things like, mental anxiety disorders, depression, anger problems, etc.
Sometimes it will manifest as physical disorders.
Alot of this can be counter-acted by flushing out The unwanted alien or foreign energy,
hence this article & subsequent class that I will be teaching on this.

A few tips:
Dance-move your body,
When you are moving you are getting your endorphins flowing, which feels great.

But also, you are working ALL of that stuck/nasty energy out of your system. you are basically transmuting it by using it to fuel what you are doing.

Burning calories, burning away nasty energy from your system, and feeling awesome! Cool Hunh!! ( Try going to a good outdoor rave. The DJ has to be really good! you are dancing/transmuting as well as getting some of the best sound therapy. Bonus, with everyone else transmuting anything negative into positive energy, you are actually enshrouded in positive energy. Plus it is great for moving meditation.)

Salt baths-
Salt is amazing for clearing out junky, nasty energy. It is purity embodied.
Showers will blast alot of nasty energy off of you just by themselves.

Visualization-

1. Visualizing a bright white light surging through every nerve and fiber of your being (either from the sky through you to the ground, or from the earth through you to the sky. Depending on which method resonates with you.) and cleaning out anything that is stuck within you.

2. Visualizing opening your chakra centers and having a white light blasting through your chakra points and then closing them afterwards. (do this in the shower, it helps alot)

Iv also been told that Qi gong is wonderful for clearing yourself, but I cannot confirm this personally.

Some essential tools and why they help:

White selenite- Anybody dealing with the public needs at least 2 chunks of this!! Selenite (especially white) is THE energetic flush stone (See my article on Gemstone Therapy for the Why it works question).
And it is self-cleaning,so its super low maintenance.

Black kyanite- Chakra aligner and Auric field hole fixer. Used in conjunction with White Selenite it will break up any really stubbornly stuck energy.

Black tourmaline (2 chunks)- This is THE Empathic blocker stone, but it also has a tendency to absorb negative energies so if your in a particularly nasty environment , switch your stones midway through your day. Then clean them out with either early morning sunlight (between sunrise and around 11am, when the sunlight is at at its strongest) or a nice chunk of white selenite.

Himalayan salt lamp-Cleanses & purifies both the air & the energy that surrounds it. It also boosts your seratonin level, making you sleep better, concentrate more effectively, and feel happier.

Singing bowls- Sound therapy and vibratory resonance are wonderful things for breaking up nasty energetic crap.

Sage-It is wonderful for clearing nasty energy and a time honored tradition.
(Link to article How the F*** do I Sage??? is coming as soon as I can repost it, please check back)

Pendulum (for chakra checking)- A Pendulum is a seriously useful tool for making sure of where your energy levels are and how they are flowing. An easy way to do this, is to check your Chakra centers.
(Link to article on Pendulums??? (Link as soon as I can get the pendulum article back up)

Salt body scrub (St. Ives makes an awesome one,)-Again salt is amazing for clearing out junky, nasty energy. It is purity embodied. And this is way easier then rubbing yourself with seasalt! 😀

Shower- Running water will get rid of alot of negative energy. This is part of the reason why I shower at night, at the END of the day…and because Im a slow starter in the morning lol.
*You will find that if you are in a really bad mood, try taking a shower- you will feel SO much better. Add some happy music, singing and sea salt….I betcha find that you are in a FANTASTIC mood when you get out.

Water- Also drink alot of water, it will help keep you balanced and flush the over abundance of chemicals that are all around us out of you. Its sound funny, but when you are flushed and hydrated, you can better sense when you need to clear or shield your own energy.

Sharp obsidian blade (for energetic cord cutting)- Obsidian makes any nasty energy pack up and leave. and as per the previous article on Energetic cord cutting(link here), you want to make sure your not hooked up to anyone that you dont want to be.

There are other things that you can do of course, but these are some things that I have found really help out.

****But don’t just take my word for it , get out there and research it!****

~Alicia Anspaugh-Mccullough, DMNAS