OCTOBER 13
The Ancient Healing Art of Cupping
Yoga
Cultivating balance
Numerology
Master number 22
Elemental Ceramics
Secret Gardens
Colour
Orange & brown
The
1 year anniversary issue
HEMP Story A Magical Wish To bring a little extra Love into your Life
WIN!
One of three books from Singing Dragon
The online magazine for Holistic Living
Greetings and welcome to our very special 1 year anniversary issue of Radiant Magazine...
Cover: Kimberley Joanne Sinclair Photography https://www.facebook.com/ KJSphotography?fref=ts http://xkimjoanne. deviantart.com/art/PeacockCamouflage-263236223
Radiant Magazine is owned and published by Flush Design. No part of this electronic magazine may be reproduced without the written consent of Radiant Magazine. 33 Townhouse Road Norwich, Norfolk NR8 5BS © Radiant Magazine 2013 All rights reserved.
Where did the year go? We have been on a serendipitous roller coaster ride; at times clinging on to our dream wondering if we can complete the ride and then at other times throwing our arms in the air in wild abandon as we surrender to the flow of the Universe and trust that we are in the right place, right here, right now! Our bumper issue has an array of vibrant and informative features to delight, inspire and empower our readers. To facilitate informed choices, new ways of thinking and being as we traverse this magical journey that is life. As the wheel gently turns we continue the transition of the seasons from Summer to Autumn - I love Autumn, especially the rich earthy colours! On page 8, Patrick Gamble shares an insight into the colours of Autumn - Orange & Brown - Symbols of abundance, creativity and stability. Still on the subject of nature we have a stunning feature by Donna Norton - Elemental Ceramics. Using the inspirations of leaves and the female form Donna has created and exquisite and beautiful collection of pieces titled ‘Secret Gardens’, just one of the themes featured beginning on page 28. Our Magical Wish on page 92 assists you to set your intention to the Universe to ‘Bring a little extra Love into your Life’, be it with your children, family or significant other. After all, in the words of the crooner Deon Jackson - “Love Makes The World Go Around”! So without further ado, we invite you to take a deep breath, relax and savour the experience as you immerse yourself in the pages and depths of our Radiant rays... Namaste! xxx
Samantha x Editor
OUR Contributors Sandra Boatman, Patrick Gamble, Duang Weston, Anne Fallas, Vikki Fosdal, Gilly Fry, Donna Norton,
Pauline Street, Helen Woodsford Dean, Jane Pasquill, Koko’s Kitchen, Phil Cole, John Awen, Frankie Sikes,
Gillian Macdonald, Trish Abbott, Barbara Ives, Louis Loveridge, Jhyenan O’ Shea, Niki Senior, Ursula Oak
OCTOBER 13 ISSUE
Contents
WIN! 6 Emotions - Aspects of Love – Part 2 8 Colour – Orange & Brown 12 Duangkamol – Handcrafted Jewellery 16 Storing and Preserving the Bountiful Harvest 20 Numerology – Master number 22 22 The Tarot - The Hanged Man, Death, The Wheel of Fortune, Justice 26 Reiki – The use of the Power symbol 28 Elemental Ceramics 40 Crystals – Tigers Eye 42 Pagan Weddings 46 The Hemp Story 50 Hemp – The Facts 54 Recipe – Creamy Hemp Seed Pesto
One of three books from Singing Dragon p94
56 The EOS Programme 58 The Ancient Healing Art of Cupping 62 Footprints 66 The Healing Power of Silence 68 The Runes 71 Poem – Autumn Thoughts 72 Yoga – Cultivating Balance 82 Phrenology – The Mysterious Art of Character Divination of the Skull 84 Herbs – Aloe Vera & Camomile 86 Animal Healing 92 A Magical Wish To bring a little extra Love into your Life 94 Competitions 96 Contact
emotions
ASPECTS OF Part 2 Loving ourselves
The key to love, and to being able to find love outside us, is to firstly be able to find love inside us - to love ourselves. And this is potentially the most difficult aspect to come to terms with, to accept and to embody.
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ur society teaches us that loving ourselves is selfish and egotistical. We have been brought up with the idea (i.e. belief) that we are a better person if we give of ourselves to others, act selflessly, do the “right” thing, and have others think well of us. The problem here is that, if we liken “us” to an amount of money that we have in a pot, and we keep giving it all away, without refilling it, eventually, “us” (and the money pot), will run dry. We start to look outside for more, but it is never quite the same, nor is it ever quite enough. The answer lies in seeing that within us is a continual inner fountain of love, which is who we are innately, and when this wells up inside us, and exceeds our needs, it leads to an outpouring of love, that others can feel and are attracted to. It is not needy. When we run dry we come across as needy, and we feel the need for someone or something to fill us up. It is unattractive and very easy to spot! We will experience a deep need for approval. And it drives many of our actions and behaviours in life, mostly unconsciously. We are always looking to other people to tell us, in some way or another, that we are OK. It either makes us into people pleasers or, when we don’t do what they want or what we think we should, we feel guilty and ashamed. This concept is so
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flawed. When we accept that we are OK, at our core, in our essence, and it is only the layers and filters that detract us from our goodness, then we no longer need to seek anything from outside. When we see that we are OK despite our mistakes, despite our flaws and perceived shortcomings, then we relax our guard, and we can let love into our lives, firstly from We are always within us, recognising who and what we are, looking to other people and secondly, open to tell us, in some way or heartedly accepting another, that we are OK. from others. We stop It either makes us into blocking it through people pleasers or, when feeling undeserving we don’t do what they (because of our terrible want or what we think flaws, mistakes, and we should, we feel guilty shortcomings). When and ashamed. we realise that we are beings of love, and we learn to treat ourselves with love, then the inside out approach starts to work. How do we do this? We can start by looking to something or someone to whom we show open hearted love – a pet, a grandchild, our garden, whatever or whoever gets your attention and care to ensure their needs are fully met. If you do not honour yourself with the same approach, then you are not loving yourself, and nurturing your internal source of love. When we feel
LOVE bad, we see bad in others. Much has been written on the subject of loving oneself. It simply needs an understanding that innately we are OK, and that we are deserving of our own acceptance, our own forgiveness and our own love. Acceptance is the fact that we all have flaws, and make mistakes, and that as long as we try to learn from them and move on, it is human nature. Forgiveness is the ability to say to oneself, Whoops, I made a mistake. I will make amends where I can, and try not to repeat it again, but then move on. Loving oneself means looking deeply at your life, where you are lacking in love and where you could fill that gap and change so that you do not look for someone else to fit a unique keyhole that only you truly hold the key for. From this place, you can venture forward into the world and be ready to engage firstly with others, and then with the rest of the world with your overflowing love. The final challenge will be covered next time, in part 3.
Sandra Boatman, Insights and Inspirations 01953 455500 www.insightsandinspirations.co.uk
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Tarot The
Before The Fool embarks on the next phase of his journey, he encounters the energy of The Hanged Man, a time of non-activity in order to gain a new perspective of life which ultimately leads to enlightenment. With clarity The Fool is able to relinquish that which no longer serves, he is able to release the past and experience the endings delivered by The Death card.
The Hanged Man
The number 12 The card of the Hanged Man normally portrays a man hanging upside down seemingly motionless. The image of being suspended upside down represents the Fool’s new perceptions of the world, life will never seem the same again and there is a need for patience. At present the Fool is suspended between the past and the future. There has been a reversal of previous attitudes and now something (normally the ego consciousness) has to be sacrificed before moving on. There is a need to let go and trust the greater connection to the world that the Fool has achieved. The branch of the tree of life that he is suspended from represents the spiritual support that is around us and the newly awakened faith. We have become frozen in time for this moment. The Fool began his journey by looking for higher meaning, now after Justice, we are able to look differently at society - the Fool’s upside down posture mimics that of the dancers in the World card (12 is 21 backwards). We now understand that there is something greater than just personal power. With trust the Fool can now move beyond the Hierophant’s doctrine and rules and
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allowed the rigid ways to dissolve into a unity of life. So the Fool waits patiently for a new direction to appear. This openness is preparation for the changes that come with the Death card. When the Hanged Man appears in a reading there is a need for sacrifice. Times may seem hard and the way forward difficult. Now is not a time for action, we must be still and allow the new to come into being.
Death
The number 13 The card of Death is usually portrayed by a figure in black robes, sometimes carrying a scythe, or a flag bearing a white rose. There is often a rising sun in the background. Other figures may be present in the card, most often a child. This card can on occasion signify a physical death but most often it is a sign of transformation and change. The Fool has now moved into a higher way of being and all of the old parts of his life that no longer fit his new ways need to be released. The old ways of being are changing and you may feel sad and lost but by trusting and going with the flow you will allow more meaning and fulfilment to enter your life. The ground is now fertile for new opportunities, but you have been pushed beyond your comfort zone to reach new heights of your potential. There has been a change in the energy system within and around you and there is a need to welcome the process of death and rebirth. All illusions and fears must be washed away. Feelings of loss and fear will soon be replaced by new beginnings as signified by the rising sun. A major change is about to take place. A momentous alteration in your life structure is about to occur. Transformation is imminent.
Suspension and Endings
“ Men fear death, as if unquestionably the greatest evil, and yet no man knows that it may not be the greatest good.” William Mitford
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Pagan Weddings Orkney Islands
My name is Helen Woodsford-Dean and I live on one of the beautiful Orkney Islands (off the north-east coast of Scotland). I am an approved Celebrant for the Scottish Pagan Federation. As a wedding venue, Orkney offers couples an unrivalled opportunity to have the perfect legal Pagan wedding, set in spectacular scenery.
Orkney is internationally famous for its archaeology and wildlife; it is full of ancient sites which resonate with the power of the ancestors, enigmatic historic ruins, and some of the most stunning natural environments in the world. I have performed rituals in 5000 year old stone circles, on beaches by moonlight, and in a dappled woodland grove. Scottish marriage law currently allows religious marriages to take
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Photographs courtesy of Mark Woodsfrod Dean.
place anywhere that the landowner’s permission has been obtained, as long as the ceremony is conducted by a Celebrant approved by the Registrar General. Scottish marriage law also does not require couples to be resident for a set period of time prior to their wedding and all the preparatory paperwork can be done in advance by post. For these reasons, travelling to Orkney to get married in a legal Pagan ceremony and then staying here for the honeymoon, is becoming an increasingly popular choice for couples. To date, I have performed rituals for couples from USA, Canada, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Ukraine, England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and, of course, for those who already live in Orkney. The Scottish Pagan Federation holds a register of approved Celebrants who are all experienced in writing and performing rituals to mark a variety of life stages. Since 2004, the Registrar General has accepted that the Pagan Federation (Scotland) is an appropriate body for the nomination of Celebrants under the Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977. This means that marriages conducted by an approved Scottish Pagan Federation Celebrant are considered to be fully legal marriages under the
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Pagan Weddings Orkney Islands
Marriage (Scotland) Act 1977 and such marriages are recognised as fully legal throughout Britain and the rest of the world. As well as providing couples with choice over where they get married, I can also provide a great deal of flexibility for couples over the form which their marriage ritual takes. Most of the couples I work with don’t consider themselves to be religious but they do have some spiritual beliefs and they want those beliefs included in their wedding ceremony. The Scottish Pagan Federation asks its members to have a love for and kinship with nature, a positive morality, and to recognise the Divine (acknowledging both female and male aspects of Deity). Nearly everyone can agree with these simple principles, even though they might not call themselves Pagan. I am very accepting and open-minded about people’s beliefs and I have the freedom to produce ceremonies which respect personal values and philosophies. Couples often want more than a civil ceremony but don’t feel that a traditional Church wedding is appropriate for them - a Pagan ritual can meet this need. I specialise in
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creating bespoke ceremonies with as much input from the couple as they are happy to provide. I particularly enjoy creating rituals for brides and grooms who have different beliefs to each other or for sensitive situations where a couple’s beliefs might differ from those of their guests. Every wedding I have performed has been memorable and unique. My ceremonies can be very simple and quite quick, or can have lots of parts to them. There are a few legalities to comply with but some of the things which couples choose to include are the creation of sacred space (“casting a circle”), an exchange of rings, the tying of the couple’s hands together (“handfasting”), and jumping the broomstick. Contact me Helen Woodsford-Dean www.orkneypaganweddings.co.uk or email info@orkneypaganweddings.co.uk I look forward to helping you to create the wedding of your dreams. SUBSCRIBE AT www.magzter.com/GB/Flush-Publishing/ Radiant-Magazine/Health/
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The
Hemp Story
To me, hemp is one of the doors to understanding the spiritual world. And please dear readers, I do not mean the ‘Cannabis Sativa’ with the THC-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol psychoactive ingredient. It is the agricultural hemp that is so important to our economy, the ecological and sustainable living.
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In my studio I create textile Mandala’s for sacred space working with sacred geometry, (the platonic solids), the building blocks of our Universe. Geometry exists everywhere in nature; its order underlies the structure of all things from molecules to galaxies, from the smallest virus to the biggest creature and we are bound by these laws of nature. I observed the female hemp stem, a slender tall stem moving and waving in all directions with the wind changing within a 24 hour period from a circular stem into a five sided pentagonal structure making it strong, sturdy and upright and ensuring it did not collapse under the weight of the seed head that would form after the flowering. The magic of seeing visible proof of the geometry forming and changing in nature. To explain my hemp story a brief history is required! In 1999 while showing my mandala art in London at the Spitz Gallery in Spitalfield Market I met a ‘hempeter’ selling various hemp products. This man was so enthusiastic about hemp and showed me some hemp textiles. As soon as I felt the cloth I knew that it was going to play an important role in the future of my work. The energy was just so beautiful.
On returning to Cornwall an idea grew until we found ourselves growing the agricultural hemp crop for research at Beeston Farm for three years starting in 2001. We received a lot of help, and in the process rather amusing the farmers around us; not being farmers ourselves! You could say we opened pandora’s box, as we discovered so many truths hidden from us in the control of industries and manufacturing - the truth about Hemp being a big one of them. Fortunately the world around us is changing, moving in a circle spiralling back to the 1930’s when everything was moving us forward in a biological and natural, organic motion. That seems a strange statement but when looking at the Hemp story we gain insights into the harmony and healthy living that is possible for all to achieve. Now many people are determined to honour nature, working alongside Mother Earth in partnership. Hemp is one of nature’s most resourceful plants. The long fibre is resilient, tough and antibacterial. One acre of this beautiful plant can spare up to four acre’s of forest from the practice of clear cutting and generates more
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oxygen, converting carbon dioxide, than the same acreage of trees. So why are we cutting down trees, depleting the world’s forests and natural habitat for so many species of plants and animals. It’s very hard to understand these actions when you recognise how agriculturally and industrially, Hemp could be grown and used. Could we grow hemp in this country? Why don’t we grow hemp? So many questions that needed to be answered! This country has a history built around Hemp as indeed most others countries. Our navy was founded on the Hemp industry, the ships used the cloth for sails, the seed was vital, hemp ropes, hemp calking. We paid our taxes by growing the agricultural Hemp crop. There are many other products possible from this wonderful crop. England stopped growing hemp at the end of the second
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world war, although other European countries continued. Henry Ford designed the Model T expecting to use ethanol, made from renewable biological materials. However we moved into a petrochemical supported industry. Rudolph Diesel expected his engine to be powered by vegetable oils, including hemp. The World Commission on Forests and Sustainable Development has stated that the main way to combat the threat of global warming is to reduce the burning of fossil fuels and focus on alternative energy sources. Agricultural hemp is one of those resources and is so easy to grow. Fortunately there is a growing movement to redress the international laws governing growing agricultural hemp. In England graduates from various universities are leading the way with new products from the vast list of 25,000 uses that can be applied. In America some of the states are growing agricultural hemp and pushing their government to change. The Hemp replenishes the soil with its deep tap root and does not require pesticides or herbicides. In third world countries they plant Hemp around the perimeter of a crop as a natural pesticide and then use the crop for fibre, fuel and food. Kew Gardens laboratory have
tested hemp fibre and proved that the cloth is ideal for bed linens due to its anti-bacterial qualities. The House of Hemp was started to help dispel the myth about agricultural hemp. We watched as people would run past our stand at a knitting show because they thought it was a drug, all down to the fact that the consumer has been mislead and deliberately misinformed. A knitted hemp garment is very comfortable to wear and solves the problem for those who are allergic to other fibres. The weavers have always sourced hemp for its strength and durability. Hemp cloth has a wonderful drape, similar to linen (flax), although hemp has a natural shine and linen has to be buffed to shine. It was extremely difficult to find hemp fibre in this country and to date that has not changed because unless we have the processing plant the farmers have nowhere to send the fibre,
and it is only possible to grow the crop if you are sending it to a processing plant. A classic chicken and egg situation, which comes first! I keep holding the vision that someone will decide to invest in a processing plant in this country. With so many truths told and information being released into the public domain we move ever closer to the vision becoming a physical reality! Jane Pasquill Tel: 01288 381 638 Email: jane@threadsoftime.co.uk www.threadsoftime.co.uk www.thehouseofhemp.co.uk
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The origins of Runes are shrouded in a secret past, since ancient times rune stones have held power and meaning. These mysterious symbols, used as a divination tool has experienced a popular revival in present times.
The Runes The ancient language of symbology
The Runes originate from Scandinavian and Germanic countries. The earliest form of them is believed to have arrived as a form of alphabet by AD150. They formed the most popular method of writing prior to Latin. There are several Runic alphabets with the 24 Runes of the Old Futhark or Elder Futhark being the most popular. There are also Anglo Saxon runic variants known as Futhorc and Northumberland ones as well which encompass extra Runes or letters. Many standing stones and artefacts found in countries such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany etc. have runic inscriptions carved into them. It is said that the great God Odin received the wisdom of the Runes whilst hanging upside down from a tree for nine days and nine nights. Because of this myth the Runes have always been believed to have intrinsic magical properties and many spells and charms and chants are made using Runes. Because the earliest ones were carved onto wood
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they are made of all straight lines, there are no curves in the earliest Runes but by Medieval times some had developed some. It is thought best to make your own runes from wood you have cut yourself making sure each one is the same size and shape. Then either burn each runic symbol into the wood or paint it on. Most people keep them in a bag specially designated for the task and either draw them out individually one by one to help answer a specific question or throw a random handful onto a rune cloth that has been created for the casting of runes. A rune cloth is normally quartered into the elemental colours. The runes then have additional interpretations depending on which element they land on when cast onto the cloth. Bind runes are runes that are combined to create a specific union of energies often utilised as protection and or healing runic symbols and worn as amulets. These intensify and amplify the energy of the runes and must be considered carefully before use. To learn the runes is fairly simple. If you are lucky enough, and I was, to find someone who can teach you that is by far the best way but there are also books on the subject. Work through each one giving it time to sink in and then meditate on each one in turn making your own notes regarding which images come up in conjunction with that rune. A good book I can recommend on the Runes is ‘Rudiments of Runelore’ by Stephen Pollington Although archaeologists and linguistic experts have identified most of the original meanings of the Runes some are still, like P/ Peorth for example, considered unclear in their interpretation. Many modern neo-pagans have suggested their own additional non-verified
meanings for Runes but these have to be taken with a liberal pinch of salt. Having said that your own ‘visions’ through working with Runes might well have personal messages for youand are still worth valuing. Runes can give great insight and are wonderful divinatory tools. If you are interested in having a rune reading contact; Gillian Macdonald www.tarotandhealing.co.uk www.facebook.com/gillian. macdonald.9484
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“Yoga is not about touching your toes, it is what you learn on the way down”.
Cultivating On and Off the Yoga Mat Sthira sukham asanam Asana (posture) should be stable (Sthira) and comfortable (Sukha), Patanjali’s yoga Sutras 2:46 – BKS Iyengar Becoming steady and stable is a process that extends beyond our yoga mat into our daily lives. When we begin to infuse our lifestyle, diet and relationships with Sthira and Sukha, we pave the way for a life of balance, insight and mindfulness. These two Sanskrit terms are familiar to many yoga students and are often quoted from an ancient text named ‘Patanjali’s Sutras’. So let’s shed a little
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more light on the meaning of Sthira, Sukha and Asana. Asana – (asanam) is steadiness and comfort. Steadiness and comfort describe an inner state of being as well as the experience of the physical body in an asana (posture). It is a state of being “seated” in ourselves, of the body being comfortable with the mind, and the mind being comfortable with the body. In this way, the body can support the expansive state of a beautiful, clear, calm mind. The emphasis here is being totally grounded and committed to whatever you are doing when you are doing it
and to “being present” and “mindful”. All too often, we “unseat” our inner ease with a lack of bodily awareness and an untrained mind. This can constrict our inner space and makes us small-minded. On the physical level, we experience this as an inability to breathe and to move freely. Tension settles in our shoulders, neck, pelvis, lower back, and deeper in the organs— and the mind reacts as it recoils from the discomfort.
Balance... “Asana can sharpen our senses, draw the mind back into the body, and anchor our awareness in the ever-calm, ever-clear inner witness”. Sthira – “the ability to hold steady” in an asana (posture), to hold body, mind, energy and balance for an extended period. This is understood as asana sthiti which translated means “dwelling in an asana” or “steadfastness”. True asana sthiti arises when the muscles are evenly engaged, free of tension, force or strain; when the tempo of the breath becomes rhythmic; the mind becomes patient and vigilant, observing without judgements whatever arises from moment to moment. Sthira denotes effortlessness while moving into the posture, holding it steadily and moving out of the posture...
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