Every thought and emotion affects your health. A holistic health approach encompasses treating the whole person: the body, mind, emotions and spirit. Traditional cultures have known for thousands of years that these aspects are intimately connected. Every food we eat, every thought we entertain, every emotion we feel and every interaction we experience impacts overall health.

Many blame their health problems on genetics, a virus, toxins in the air, and stress. While these factors can contribute to illness, very often problems result from a lack of fundamental health-enhancing qualities such as responsibility, a strong will, family support, passion, a balanced lifestyle and a knowledge of good health. Without these, whatever modality is chosen becomes just another pill to be taken and discarded when symptoms disappear.

Lasting solutions

When disease is artificially removed without changing the underlying cause, long-term health will NOT be achieved. The quick fix approach brings little or no permanent success. I am not suggesting that we abandon medical treatment. I am recommending that we look for the deeper causes of the problem from a physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and lifestyle perspective. We need to take the holistic health perspective. Lasting solutions can be found to multiple illnesses of society by getting at the root of the problem holistically.

I have observed patterns among those who have successfully reversed health problems. These traits are not rigid models. We all have them to some degree. They are holistic health approaches that each of us can maximize in our own unique way to return to our natural state of health.

Here are some very important steps you must take to achieve optimal holistic health. I can assure you that by putting these into practice, your overall health will be much improved! Sometimes you have to reevaluate what it is that you are doing with your life. By doing this, you will start to see the big picture.

Step 1—Responsibility

Lets start with the first step, RESPONSIBILITY. This means not blindly accepting the opinion of some outside authority as the only way. Take a look at your previous choices for they may have led you to the problem. Then recognize that you can make new choices to remedy the situation.

I am not telling you to stop seeing your health practitioner. I am suggesting that you gather as much information as possible and make your own decisions. Taking responsibility is meant to empower us to make new choices for a healthier result.

Step 2—Awareness

Next is AWARENESS, which simply is deeply knowing yourself by observing your thoughts and beliefs, your choices and outcomes, and your response to the world around you. As you observe, ask questions. Do you believe you can recover your health? What does the illness have to teach you? Why do you make the choices you make? What do you need to know? Through questioning you will discover the things that seemed unchangeable are actually flexible and can be manipulated.

Step 3—Nutrition

PROPER NUTRITION is the cornerstone of good health. Health and longevity depend on our daily nourishment. In 1988, the Surgeon General stated that two-thirds of the deaths in this country are related to diet. Our eating habits play a major role in many common diseases and emotional disorders.

Most Americans have a limited awareness of the power of food in maintaining health and reversing disease. The most effective diet includes whole grains, vegetables, low fat, no cholesterol, proteins and fruits.

Step 4—Letting go

 LETTING GO OF THE PAST. Resolving conflicts and discovering their positive impact in our lives is paramount in healing. Resentment, anger, guilt and all negative emotional states are self-poisoning. They weaken cells and immunity and can be the reason for illness. Let it go and move on.

Step 5—Have faith

FAITH and the developing of sound judgments are important qualities in healing. Faith is knowing there is an order and unity to life, a sense of wholeness and connectedness with something larger than oneself. With faith, unlimited opportunities unfold, and we gain a sense of confidence in our choices.

Step 6—Purpose

FINDING YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE is prevalent among those who are healthy. Everyone has talents and skills through which they express themselves, and so do you! If you do not find your unique creative expression, you will be restless and frustrated, regardless of the success in the conventional world.

Purpose stimulates a deep sense of fulfillment and joy. With purpose, your life will take on much more meaning. I did not have a purpose for many years. The second I knew where I was going my life took a turn for the best. If you do not have purpose yet, do not worry! Focus on what makes you the happiest and visualize where and what you want to be. By working toward a goal and a purpose, you will feel alive and ready for anything.

Each of the above factors has a profoundly positive influence on your health and are more effective when bring them together. When utilized, you can go beyond sickness to health and happiness. Start with small steps and build upon them for a holistic approach to your health. Action is the only thing preventing you from achieving optimal health.

About The Author

Colleen Palat is a health and fitness enthusiast who loves to pass on the latest information on health and wellness. Sign up for your free e-newsletter filled with cutting-edge information on health, nutrition, weight loss, and fitness. For your free e-newsletter, visit HealthyRevelations.com

I throw my hands up and surrender.

Do I back away from the precipice

Or allow Trust and Surrender

To teach me to fly?

A leap of faith is needed.

Today, shall I learn to fly?

I throw my hands up and surrender.
I back away from the precipice,
Take a deep breath and Allow.
A leap of faith propells me forward;
Trust & Surrender teach me to fly
As I go over the edge.

Today I learn to fly.

Samhain being Wiccan New Year, I’ve developed a habit of getting all my ritual leftovers together after Mabon–candle ends, wax globs (Lady knows we’ve all got those ), leftover bits of herbs, oils and incenses, the leftover salt from the North salt-dish, half-burned bits of smudge-stick, etc. I melt all that together and make one big fragrant, slightly lumpy candle. The wax is coarsely strained going into the mold, but there will still be a lot of little bits of stuff in the candle. The thickish, braided wick is wrapped deosil (so it will burn widdershins) with thread of any ugly or sad color.

At the last Full Moon observance before Samhain, I strip the altar down to its very simplest and clean it and everything on it well. The water of self-blessing is dipped and drunk directly from the cauldron, the place of change, rather than the chalice; the accompanying meditation is on assimilation of the year’s changes, good and bad and in between, as sources of power. Then at the esbat’s end, the cauldron is dried carefully and (unless the candle is in a glass jar) lined with foil so wax and stuff doesn’t have to be dug out of it later with anything marked Black and Decker.

Finally, the candle is set in the cauldron, lit, and left on the altar. (In a dish of sand since I have cats and no fire insurance. ) Every night untill it is gone or until two nights before Samhain, whichever comes first, I will spend some time meditating with the candle. (If it is not large, I may snuff it out and re-light it for each session.)

Everything in it, all the little bits of herb and salt and ash and feather and clay, all the scents and blended candle-colors, carry memories of the past year: its events, its rituals, its magicks and moods and times good and bad. Some will hiss and pop and announce themselves, some will slip away quietly. I will let go of each memory as it surfaces, glad that some are going, accepting some without emotion and having to grieve others. I will do all this thoroughly, maintaining conscious contact with the Lord and Lady as I do. (It can be quite a conversation, let me tell you. )

As the binding burns off the wick, I will picture my own true self, my own core light, coming clear of any old habits, attitudes or circumstances that have bound or constricted it in the past year, and will pray that something I do in the coming year will provide some sort of light for a fellow human being to find a step or two of h/er way by.

If there is unburned candle or unburnable residue two days before Samhain, I will throw it in the river or bury it under a large rock, away from home in a place nobody walks, thanking the water or earth. I will then walk away and let go of it, spending no energy on trying to remember (or forget) where I put it.

This has allowed me to approach the New Year with a lot more peace and a lot less unfinished business than I used to. If you try it, I hope it helps you too; take what you like and leave or restructure the rest.

(c) Rain Redknife, ’91. Originally published in PAGANS IN RECOVERY reprinted in STIRRING THE ASHES. Feel free to reprint.

Whether doing a full moon esbat, a dark moon meditation, or a spell casting, one should know and understand the moon’s influences in each of its particular phases. Working with the moon’s energies instead of against them only helps to ensure the best results for your efforts.

However, emergencies often arise that can’t be postponed until the proper moon cycle. The question then becomes how to work with the current moon’s energy to bring about that which we need to have happen. The essence of the answer to this question lies in the basics of magick.

Essentially, all magick can be broken down into two types, drawing and banishing. During the waxing moon cycle, our work should be concentrated on drawing what we want towards us. During the waning moon, our work should be pivoted primarily towards banishing that which we want out of our lives.

Therefore, if a sudden illness strikes during the time of the waxing moon, work to draw health rather than banish illness. If an emergency situation calls for a heavy prosperity spell during the time of the waning moon, work towards banishing poverty and need. As you can see in these situations, the immediate need is accomplished by working with its opposite. In this way, you utilize the energies from the current moon cycle (either drawing or banishing) to ultimately realize your goal.

There are, of course, other lunar energies beyond simple waning and waxing moons. These include each of the phases of the moon within the cycle, as well as special moons, such as the Blue Moon or the Harvest Moon. It’s also a good idea to craft your working towards the correct astrological placement of the moon.

None of this is absolutely necessary. By sheer will and personal energy alone, especially if you live in constant awareness of the sacred in everything, you can set events in motion. I liken it to going through a locked door, though. You can ram the door enough times with your body that eventually it will open. However, opening the door is much simpler (and less harmful to the body) if you have a key. The lunar energies we work with are simply keys that we can use to craft our workings for the best assurance of success.

Listed below are the influences of the lunar cycles, as well as each of the moon phases, the “special moons,” and the lunar/astrological correspondences. Use these to craft and time your workings for the best possible outcome.

Moon Cycles

Waxing Cycle:

This cycle of the Moon refers to the period of time from the New Moon to the Full Moon. The energy from this cycle should be used in “drawing” that which you want towards you. It’s a good time to begin new projects and expand any current efforts. It’s also a time to craft workings that concern love, harmony, balance, and peace, as well as protection and healing.

 New Moon
Sun and Moon are in conjunction. The entire Moon appears dark.

Waxing Crescent
Light crescent on right side of Moon.

First Quarter
The right half of the Moon is lit (ninety degrees from sun, end of first quarter, beginning of second quarter).

Waxing Gibbous
Three-fourths of the Moon is now lit.

Full Moon
Moon and Sun in Opposition. The entire Moon is lit.

Waning Cycle:

The waning cycle of the Moon is the period from the Full Moon to the New Moon. This is the cycle to use for banishing and rejecting baneful aspects, such as disease and negativity, as well as dissolving destructive energies of all types.

 Full Moon
Moon and Sun in Opposition. The entire Moon is lit. I usually wait until three days following the Full Moon before working with the waning cycle.

Waning Crescent
Dark crescent on right side of Moon.

Third Quarter
The right half of the Moon is now dark (ninety degrees from sun, end of third quarter, beginning of fourth quarter).

Waning Gibbous
Three-fourths of the Moon is now dark.

New Moon
Sun and Moon in conjunction. The entire Moon appears dark.

 Special Moons:

The Full Moon
The Full Moon actually covers three days, including the night of the Full Moon, itself. This is a time for action, for harvesting the fruits of our labors, for realizing that which we began at the last cycle, and of giving thanks.

The Dark Moon
The Dark Moon is the three day period from the last sliver of moonlight to the first sliver of moon light. This is the time of introspection; of looking within and meditating on the shadow self.

Moon Void of Course
As the moon orbits the Earth, it passes in and out of the 12 signs of the zodiac. A void-of-course moon is the time period when the moon makes no major aspect with other planets before entering another sign. The duration of this period can be as little as a few seconds or it can be longer than a day. The Moon rules the emotions, so one can expect to experience feelings of “disconnectedness,” as well as emotional upsets, turnarounds, and variability. Therefore, it’s a good rule of thumb not to sign contracts, start rituals, cast spells, or begin anything that would require any degree of emotional commitment until the Moon is aspected once again.

Blue Moon
A Blue Moon is that wonderful occurence when the Full Moon shows us her face twice in one month. Also known as a Goal Moon, it’s an excellent time to set new goals for yourself.

Eclipses
As Lunar Eclipses represent the perfect union of the Sun and Moon, any type of magick worked or energy sent out during this time will be amplified.

Moon Signs:

The moon circles the Zodiac every 28 days, merging the influences of each of the astrological signs with its own lunar nature. It manifests those influences in subtle ways through an individual’s emotional nature, and through the general vibratory level present in daily life. In order to assure the best chance of success, one should work with these vibratory influences when planning a ritual or a magickal working.

Try to either get outside to see the moon, or look at it out a window, or even just close your eyes and visualize the full moon bursting with light and glory.

 Slow your breathing to enter a light meditative state by breathing in at the count of 4, hold for 4, exhale to 4.

 Once you’ve entered your meditative state, depending on where you are, either say out loud, or whisper this little poem whenever you stand beneath the full moon.

“See me.
I am your child.
At this, the appointed hour,
I stand before you and reach out with my whole heart to the full moon.
Hear my words as they rise among the stars and at night, when my body lies resting, whisper to my spirit.
Teach me secrets yet revealed…
Fill me with your wisdom…
Enfold me in your power…
Keeper of the mysteries of the moon,
hear these words and recall the ancient promise that all who seek your presence shall find your blessings.
At this, the appointed hour,
I stand before you and reach out with my whole heart to the full moon.
I am your child.
See me.”

Try to hold this ritual outside. Fall nights are usually crisp and cool, and a perfect time for outdoor rituals. Bring items to place on the altar — something that represents the bounty of the harvest. Decorate the altar with these seasonal goodies. Some ideas would be:

A basket of apples

Gourds, squashes, or small pumpkins

Indian corn

Colorful leaves

Stalks of grain or wheat

 You’ll want to include quarter candles*, as well as a cup of wine or cider. If you’re including Cakes and Ale as part of your celebration, place your cakes on the altar as well.

 Some traditions choose to begin rites facing east, while others prefer the north. This ritual begins with the calling of the north quarter, but you can adjust or adapt it based on the needs of your own tradition.

 North – light green candle, hold it to the sky, and say:

I call upon the powers of Earth,
and welcome you to this circle.
May the fertile soil of the land bring me
prosperity, abundance, and the bounty of the land,
in this time of harvest.

Place the candle on the altar.

 East – light yellow candle, hold it to the sky, and say:

I call upon the powers of Air,
and welcome you to this circle.
May the winds of change bring me wisdom and knowledge
in this season of abundance and bounty.

Place the candle on the altar.

 South – light the red candle and hold it to the sky, saying:

I call upon the powers of Fire,
and welcome you to this circle.
May the shining light of this season’s moon
illuminate my way through the coming winter.

Place the candle on the altar.

 West – light the blue candle, hold it to the sky, and say:

I call upon the powers of Water,
and welcome you to this circle.
May the cool autumn rains wash away
the last comforts of summer,
and prepare me for the chill that is to come.

Place the candle on the altar.

 Then say:

I am here tonight by the light of the moon,
to celebrate the season, and rejoice.
May the next turn of the Wheel bring me love
and compassion, abundance and prosperity,
fertility and life.
As the moon above, so the earth below.

 Take a sip of the wine/ale/juice, thinking of what you are looking forward to in the coming month. Do you hope to manifest financial independence? Develop your intuitive powers? Or are you perhaps hoping to grow your relationships?

 Now is the time to state your intent.

 Take a moment to reflect on the bounty of the season. When you are ready, either move on to your next ceremony — Cakes and Ale, Drawing Down the Moon, healing rites, etc.

 Drawing Down the Moon

 In this beautiful and powerful rite, the practitioner invokes the Goddess directly into herself (or himself, as the case may be). In some variations, a High Priestess (HPs) may go into a trance-like state and speak the words of the Goddess, or it may be a formal monologue calling upon the Goddess in her many forms. Regardless of how you practice it, Drawing Down the Moon is best performed on the night of the full moon, or on one of the nights immediately before. While it’s more suitable to be performed outside, if the weather is inclement or your neighbors are easily startled, you can hold the ritual indoors.

Stand at your altar with your arms crossed over your chest, and feet together. Face towards the full moon. Say:

Goddess of the Moon, You have been known by many names in many lands in many times. You are universal and constant. In the dark of night, You shine down upon us and bathe us in Your light and love. I ask You, O Divine One, to honor me by joining with me, and allowing me to feel Your presence within my heart.

Move your feet apart to about shoulder width, and raise your arms up and out to welcome the Goddess into you. The next part is one that you can memorize and learn, or you can speak spontaneously from the heart. You will begin to feel a surge of energy, a palpable tingle – don’t worry, that’s the Goddess making Herself known to you. Feel free to change these words as you like. You are speaking for Her, in Her voice, so let Her say what She wishes. Say:

“I am the Mother of all life, the One who watches over all. I am the wind in the sky, the spark in the fire, the seedling in the earth, the water in the river.

“I am the vessel from which All Things spring forth.

Honor Me from within your heart! Remember that acts of love and pleasure are My rituals, and that there is beauty in all things.

Honor Me on this night of the full moon! I have been with you since the moment you were created, and shall remain with you always.

Let there be beauty and strength, wisdom and honor, humility and courage within you. If you need Me, call upon Me and I shall come to you, for I am everywhere, always.

Honor Me as you seek knowledge! I am the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone, and I live within you.

Feel the power of the Goddess within you. When you are ready, conclude with:

I look down upon the sands of the desert, I crash the tides upon the shore, I shine on the mighty trees of the forests, and watch with joy as Life continues every cycle.

Be true to Me, honoring that which I have created, and I shall be true to you in return.

With harm to none, so it shall be.”

Take a few moments to stand and bask in Her glow, and to meditate upon that which you have just experienced. Once the energy surge has subsided, lower your arms, and proceed with your ceremony as you normally would at the conclusion of a ritual.

Tip:

Drawing Down the Moon is an altered state of consciousness, a ritual possession by the Divine. It is not uncommon to feel the energy of the Goddess for quite some time following Drawing Down the Moon, so don’t be alarmed if you feel a heightened sense of clarity over the next few days. You may also feel extremely emotional — it’s not uncommon to cry or laugh spontaneously during this rite.

10. Lie: I’ll get to it tomorrow. Tomorrow will be a good day. I’ll spend all morning sorting, organizing, and disposing of all this stuff. I’ll start with the bills and business stuff. First, I’ll pick up some cute file folders and mark everything by bill type, and then…

Solution: Setting your expectations too high is the demon behind procrastination and lying to yourself about clutter.  Saying you’ll tackle everything in one day is a set up for failure. Instead, start small. Instead of saying you’ll create a filing system with custom folder labels, start by just opening the stack of bills that’s sitting on your kitchen counter. You don’t have to pay them now: just open them. Baby steps.

9. Lie: Well, I’ve been trying to give it away, but no one wants it! Seriously, I keep asking my friends if they want to take up soap making, as I have a whole bin of cool soap molds. What about their kids? It would be a fun vacation project…

Solution: When in doubt, throw it out. If you don’t want it, and no one you know wants it, it’s probably a useless item. It’s hard to face the fact that you wasted money on a useless item. Whether it sits unused in your house and clutters your life, or if you throw it away, it’s a waste. My mom’s diet coach says, “Waste equals waste.” It’s true for both leftover food and unused household objects.

8. Lie: If I put it away, I’ll forget about it. But, if it’s out in the open, then I will certainly remember to tackle the project (or pay the bill) and THEN I will put it away.

Solution: If you’ve ever tried to search for an urgent bill in a pile of mail, you know how easy it is to lose important items in piles. I put all of my urgent items in one folder, and write a to-do list on my calendar. I know where my unpaid bills are, and I won’t forget them because I have left myself a note on my calendar.

7. Lie: It’s not that bad. If I were really a cluttered person, I wouldn’t be able to find anything. I never lose anything! I always know where my car keys and clicker are. How cluttered can I be if I always know which pile things are in?

Solution: Acknowledging your success is an important part of clearing clutter from your life. The reason you know where your keys are is because you put them in the same place every time you finish using them. Employ that tactic one pile at a time. Start with the mail. Every time the mail arrives, instead of adding it to a pile on the kitchen counter, put it in an accordion file. Say to yourself, “I keep my mail in an accordion file.” Suddenly, everything in your house will start to have a place.

6. Lie: Okay, so I haven’t worn it this year. You just never know! I could never get rid of those sexy black stilettos that I’ve never worn! They’re Anne Klein and were only $10! The perfect sit-down-and-just-admire-my-shoes event is sure to be in my future!

Solution: If you’ve never worn it, even on Halloween, you’ll probably never wear it. Give it away. Like I said before, waste equals waste. How do you discern which clothes you actually wear and which ones you don’t? Try going two or three weeks without doing laundry. Wear all of your wearable clothes. Whatever is left in your closet at the end of two or three weeks you probably don’t need. If you won’t wear it even when you’re desperate for clean laundry, you’ll probably never wear it.

5. Lie: It has sentimental value! I could never get rid of my grandmother’s crocheted tablecloth. I know, it’s falling apart and I don’t know how to fix it…

Solution: Limit your sentimental items to one suitcase full. Consolidate all of your sentimental items in one suitcase so that they do not clutter your home. Open the suitcase in a year. If you haven’t creatively repurposed them by then, consider getting rid of them.

4. Lie: It might fit again. Seriously, just ten more pounds!

Solution: Hold on to one or two really stellar pieces of clothing that you love, but give away the rest. Having a closet full of clothes that don’t fit is depressing and mocks your weight loss efforts. Realistically, by the time you fit into your clothes again, they might not be in style. Hold on to the classic blazer you bought at the designer trunk show. Toss the cheap and trendy pieces that are too small. If you can’t bear to give away your clothes, and you really are losing weight, pack away everything that doesn’t fit and revisit it after you’ve lost the weight. Opening the box will be like receiving a huge gift, and a great reward for your weight loss.

3. Lie: If I only had a bigger house and more storage. It’s just that I have a kitchen with only two useless little drawers. I don’t have a proper coat closet! My garage is not attached to my house. If only I had more storage space…

Solution: The reality of living in a small house is that you have to pare down your belongings to what you actually need and use. If you’re prone to collecting clutter, a bigger house will become a big house full of clutter.

2. Lie: I lead a full life and have lot of stuff to prove it! Like they say, “A messy desk is a sign of genius.”

Solution: Some of the most successful businesspeople in the world are also the most organized. Martha Stewart’s office is devoid of decorations, and Warren Buffet’s office does not even contain a computer. Study the work stations of extremely successful people and follow their leads.

1. Lie: Moi? I’m really not that bad, you’re just a neat freak.

Solution: If you live alone and never have guests, maybe your clutter only affects your own life. If you live with others, your clutter is probably, at least subconsciously, driving them crazy. Admitting that you have a problem is the first step in rectifying it.