Lady Victoria Eclectic Pagan's blog: "Alternative/Holistic Info"

Yagya Ceremony According to Vedic philosophy, our actions determine our fate. Times of prosperity and periods of difficulty are both the result of the energy we contribute to the universe. Yet, according to tradition, we are not powerless in our quest for positive karma. By participating in a Hindu custom called a yagya (also spelled yajna), individuals can counteract negative forces in their lives and open the door to a more harmonious future. During the ceremony, a Guru, or Vedic expert, appeals to the divine spirits for grace and intervention on behalf of someone, while others chant auspicious Sanskrit verses. Items such as ghee butter, coconuts, sandalwood shavings and clothing are thrown into a central fire to symbolize the burning of past negative karma. By impeaching the forces of nature for a change in the tides of life, yagya participants gain strength from the practice. Yagyas can be done for a range of reasons, including to remove obstacles, to get through a difficult period or to ensure good luck during a milestone. There are yagyas for the acquisition of a spouse, childbirth, wealth and even for helping you have a peaceful sleep. Vedic astrology is also used to predict specific areas of future difficulty that you may want to work through using a yagya. In addition to actually improving luck, yagyas have also been found to have a subtle power to affect consciousness. After having a Guru conduct a ceremony for them, people report feeling their mood lift as if their wishes for a more prosperous future are finally being heard. The most essential aspect of the invocation is making a spiritual connection with the cosmic powers. When we make an authentic connection with the universe, our own powers to create positive change are dramatically increased. Today, yagya ceremonies are still conducted in India and elsewhere and you can have a reputable practitioner conduct one in your honor. Yagyas can be performed for you whether you are present or not, but many believe the power to be multiplied with your participation. This is all about taking action in the form of ritual to bring about change in your life. You don't need to have a Guru in India chant for you for 3 days, you actually have the power to bring about your own change. Think about what you would like assistance with, make yourself a ritual and stick with it, the results may surprise you.

With cancer rates rising alarmingly, it is good to know that keys to the prevention of many cancers are in our own hands. Find out ten ways to take charge of your health and help to prevent cancer, starting today. * Limit your exposure to toxic chemicals wherever possible, starting at home. Current research suggests that common chemicals are linked to breast cancer. You can minimize your risk by switching to all-natural cleaning and personal care products today. * Get 10 minutes of unprotected sunlight every day. Evidently, Vitamin D plays an important role in cancer prevention and many of us are woefully deficient. * Stop smoking and avoid second-hand smoke. * Keep your consumption of alcoholic beverages down to 2 drinks a day if you’re a man, 1 if you’re a woman. * Exercise. Even as little as a 10-minute walk every day will benefit your health. * Manage your stress, relax, and practice self-love. Simple meditations, yoga, or a daily walk can all help keep stress levels low, and allowing yourself to be simply and gloriously human will help, too. * Eat colorfully. Bright colors in fruits and vegetables signals the presence of health-promoting phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory properties. Be sure to get lots of fiber, from whole grains and beans as well as those great fruits and veggies. * Eat organically if at all possible. * Drink tea. Some studies suggest that even one cup of black or green tea per day reduces risks of certain cancers. * Avoid foods processed with sodium nitrate and nitrite, foods that have been grilled for long periods of time, and salt-cured foods. * Know your fats. Avoid foods high in trans fats or polyunsaturated fats and choose healthy fats instead, like nut butters, avocados, and olive oil.

Practitioners of Oriental medicine believe that vital energy has a definite, predictable route throughout the body. It flows along pathways that traverse the body in a fixed pattern somewhat like the network of a complex railway system. These pathways are divided into major routes called meridians, which are named for the organ or function they serve. On these routes are numerous “tiny points” called acupunture or acupressure points where the energy comes to the surface of the body. It is interesting to note that modern electronic instruments makes Kirlian photography possible which now enables us to locate acupuncture/acupressure points precisely. This has proven that the points are exactly where the ancient Chinese showed them to be. These points respond to any change in the flow of vital energy. They appear to act somewhat like resistors in an electrical current by adjusting the speed and power of the flow. The response is a kind of fluid elasticity that tightens or slackens as necessary. The vital energy reaches the organs through the meridians and acupressure points. If the organ or gland nourished by a particular flow is not functioning properly, points along the meridian will be painful or stiff. By reestablishing the energy flow along this pathway, the organ or gland will be revitalized and health will be restored. The meridians also can be thrown off balance by the tensions and stresses of modern life. When this happens, the flow of vital energy becomes blocked, too intense, or too weak, resulting in the development of disorders in body functioning. A meridian that is low or deficient in energy must be stimulated to bring a fresh supply of energy to it. When a meridian is lacking energy, the organ involved as well as the nearby muscles and nerves are not working at peak performance. Then ultimately this can have an adverse effect on the vitality of the entire body. Stimulating the specific point, depending on the ailment, will generate a revitalization of that particular energy flow and thereby remove blocks within the organ’s meridian system that could prevent a state of good health.