Artwork by Peter Pracownik Relaxation A Tree in Winter The Golden Meditation A Relaxation Ritual A Tree in Winter A Guided Meditation You are about to perform the Tree In Winter Meditation. It is a guided meditation which involves a deep level of relaxation. It is structured to gently guide your awareness through the process of relaxation, invoke a higher state of consciousness, and allow you to release all that no longer serves you and that which is in your highest good to move beyond. This meditation works best when lying down, but can be used in any position that is comfortable for you. I want you to close your eyes, and begin to breathe slowly and deeply. Inhale for a silent count of four, hold your breath for as long as you comfortably can, and exhale slowly and completely. Inhale slowly through the nose, holding your breath, and then exhale completely through slightly parted lips. Breathe in, taking in new and fresh ideas, and holding them in the heart area. And now breathe out, releasing all stress and anxiety. And continue this deep breathing, so that your body begins to release and relax. And in the future prior to each meditation session, do three minutes of this meditative breathing before you begin the session. Now, slow down your mind, and clear away all outside thoughts and focus on the sound of my voice. If any distractions should appear, gently brush them aside and return your concentration to the sound of my voice. And I want you to imagine standing in a large, fertile field. The field has been warmed by the golden rays of the sun. And this warmth begins to seep into the soles of both of your feet at the same time. Warming and relaxing your feet. And this relaxing power begins to slowly work its way into your ankles, relaxing the ankles. Feel it moving up the calves, relaxing and warming you as it travels to the knees and up the thighs. And this relaxing power flows into your hips, and gently soothes and relaxes the hips. And now you begin to feel the warmth in the tips of your fingers, relaxing the fingers and hands, and moving into the wrists, gently soothing and relaxing. And it moves up your arms relaxing the forearms, elbows, and upper arms. Now feel the warmth in the base of your spine. And the relaxing power works its way up your spine, up your spine. And your arms, and legs, and spine feel warm and relaxed. And this relaxing feeling moves on up the spine to the neck and shoulder muscles, relaxing the neck and shoulder muscles. Begin to feel the relaxing power move up your neck into your scalp, relaxing your scalp and draining down into your facial muscles, relaxing your facial muscles, and your jaw is relaxed. Allow a little space between your teeth, and your throat is relaxed. Now, I want you to imagine a point of light above that originates at the center of the universe. And from this point, I want you to imagine a ray of bright golden light that shines down upon you. Make it real with the power of your imagination. And this bright golden light enters your heart area, and you are filled to overflowing with the love and gentle energy of this bright golden light. And you feel strong, and healthy, and safe. And as this light moves up your spine, you feel it begin to spout from the crown chakra at the top of your head. And as it spouts, it becomes a protective rainbow of light that surrounds and protects you. And you can see each color of the rainbow as it surrounds you. First, you see the red, then the orange, and yellow, and green, then the blue, and then violet and then you see indigo. And as these colors stream down around you, they begin to shimmer from the strands of gold interlaced within each color. And this protective rainbow can extend out as far as you wish. AnI want you to imagine this rainbow becoming larger and stronger. And from each foot, imagine roots growing out, branching and continuing to grow until they reach Mother Earth. Plant the roots firmly into Mother Earth and allow the roots to grow and branch out. And as the roots go deeper and deeper, they begin to tap into the transformative energy of the Earth. And you become fully and firmly grounded. Now, I want you to begin to absorb the nutrients and the life-giving water and transformative earth energy back up the roots into the navel where it builds. When this becomes completely full, let this energy find its way up the spine - healing and transforming to perfection all that it touches. As it reaches the shoulders, it branches off in 3 directions- out each arm and out the top of the head. Healing, transforming, and continuing to grow. And as it branches off and continues to grow, leaves begin forming. When you have extended as far out as you desire, leaves sprout and shoot off from the branches. Notice how green and full of life the leaves have become. And each leaf represents a cherished memory that wishes to be released. Notice the leaves closest to you. And as you focus your attention on each individual leaf, an image that symbolizes the memory of each event or person or thing that you desire to release will become apparent. You will view these scenes as an observer, and you will have a detached perspective. You will see these images of what once was in your life which you no longer wish to remain as a part of your life as you live it fully in the present. And as you watch the scenes unfolding before you, when the message of their memory is completed, the leaf will turn its autumn color and gently drop off and float to the ground to be transformed by the Earth. You will say goodby to that memory and focus on the next one, and the ones after that, each in its own turn. (Pause for the above to transpire) And now that all the memories that you no longer need in your life have fallen to the ground, a gentle and light snowfall begins. The flakes are dainty and beautiful and they build up and create a beautiful blanket of soft snow which completely covers the fallen leaves so that they can no longer be seen. And the bright sun glistens on the top of the new fallen snow, and you feel happy to see the sun shine. And the sun grows brighter and brighter and begins to warm the snow. The snow slowly melts away and you can feel the water giving nourishment to the roots. (Short pause) And now that the snow has all melted, you look down and notice that the fallen leaves have also disappeared. They have been transformed by the Earth and the change of seasons. This is all a part of the circle of life. And you look now on the branches of the tree and notice new buds forming. These buds are the beginning of new memories and experiences that you are now asking to come into your life. And you feel the freshness of springtime. Now it is time to thank the Earth for her help in transforming the leaves. You will remember the messages and insight found on the leaves before they fell and understand their lessons. If you do not easily understand the purpose of an event or symbol, clarity will come to you in your nightly dreams. And your branches pull back to become your arms and hands again. Thank Mother Earth for her nourishment and protection and slowly pull back the roots until they once again become feet and legs. And you feel the pulsing life force in your naval area. You will carry this gentle pulsing force to know that you are always connected to the Mother and are full of life, vibrancy and good health. You can call upon this inner peace any time. And as you recall the messages and lessons I want you to slowly and gently become aware of all that surrounds you. When you are comfortable, open your eyes and record all that you have learned from this journey. You will feel awake and refreshed. - by Artistic Bluewolf Top of page The Golden Meditation Close your eyes and begin to take deep slow breaths in thru you rose and release the breath thru your mouth. As you inhale, draw in love, peace, comfort and contentment.  As you exhale, release anger, pain, anxiety, and all other negative emotions.  With each breath you become more relaxed and more at peace. There is an energy point at the top of you head known as the crown chare, allow this to open up like a floe. Now visualize a breathtakingly white beam of light cascading toward you.  Draw that light in thru your chakra and see the chakra begin to pulse and come to life, it becomes a ball of light, spinning and glittering.  Hum the Sanskrit word for deity, "Om," and allow the ball of light to form at the top of your head.  Continue to do this until you feel this chakra is open and the energy allowing. Draw some of the light from you crown chakra to your "Third Eye" chakra. See a ball of light from and turn purple, the color of amethysts.  Hum "Om" and allow the ball of light too form, see it pulse and glow with life.  Continue until you feel this chakra is open and the energy is flowing. Draw some of the light from your third eye down to your throat chakra. See the light form a ball of cobalt blue light and June "Om."  Allow the ball of light to grow, see it pulse and glow with life.  Continue until you feel this chakra is  open and the energy is flowing. Draw the light from your throat to your heart chakra and begin to form a ball of green light, the color of emeralds.  Hum "Om," allow the ball to form , see it pulse and glow with life. Continue until you feel this chakra open and the energy is flowing. Draw the light from your heart to your solar plexus chakra. See it begin to form a ball of yellow light, the color of the rising Sun.  Hum "Om" and allow the ball of light to form , see it pulse and glow with life.  continue until you feel this power chakra open and the energy is flowing. Draw some of the light from your solar plexus to your groin, or sexual, chakra. See the light begin to form a ball of orange light, the color of the setting sun. Hum "Om" and allow the ball of light to form , see it pulse and glow with life. Continue until you feel this chakra open and the energy is flowing. Draw some of the light from your groin to your spinal chakra.  This is your fight or flight chakra. See the light begin to forma ball of red, the color of blood.  Hum "Om" and allow the ball to form, see it pulse and glow with life.  Continue until you feel this chakra open and the energy is flowing. Now allow the energy from your chakras to flow throughout your body, down to the ends of your fingers and the tips of your toes.  Allow it to feed each blood cell, each organ, veins, tissues, bones, every part of you.  Fill yourself up with the energy. When you're totally full, open the chakra points in the soles of your feet, and allow the energy to flow thru you and into the earth.  Continue to draw the energy into your body thru your crown chakra. Now watch as the light begins to turn a golden color. It becomes a golden river of light that flows down to you. Allow it to cover your entire body.  It feels warm and comfortable. Pull it into your crown chakra and let it flow into your body.  See it change each chakra to one of pure golden light as it passes thru them. Your entire being is changed.  Fill your self with the golden light, let it nourish you.  Let it flow thru your feet and into the earth. Continue to let this golden light flow into the earth for as long as you can. See it fill the planet and cast a golden aura around it.  When you're ready, close your feet chakras and release the golden light, remember it is always there when you need it.  Relax for as long as necessary. - Crystal Waterfall Top of page A Relaxation Ritual Step One: Sit or lay in a place where you won’t be disturbed for at least 5 minutes. Get comfortable. Your back should be straight and your arms and legs shouldn’t be crossed. Your eyes should be closed. Step Two: Visualize a golden ball of light, beautiful and warm, surrounding your feet. If you can’t “see” the light, that’s o’kay, just know its there. Truly know that if your powers of visualization were different you’d be able to see it. The ball of warm golden light always brings peace and total relaxation. Wherever the ball goes, tension departs. Let it go, as it goes feel your feel filled with the war, golden glow of relaxation. Step Three: Allow the ball of light to rise up your legs and up your torso. Then allow it to go down your arms to your fingertips, and finally up your neck and into your head until you’re completely covered with the warm, golden glow of total peace and relaxation, and all tension is gone. If you notice tension anywhere send the light there and the tension will vanish. Step Four: Stay in this state of deep relaxation for a few minutes. Know that you can return to this state at any time with this ritual. Be at one with yourself. Step Five: When you’re ready to come out of this state of relaxation, take 3 deep breaths and feel fresh life and energy entering your body with each breath. Record your experience in your ritual diary. Top of page Angels The Land of Fae