How to Use Tarot Cards in Daily Meditation

How to Use Tarot Cards in Daily Meditation



The tarot is an effective aid to insight meditation. Tarot symbolism is rooted in ancient Indo-European symbolic systems and resonates with the subconscious mind of the person viewing the cards. You don't need to study the history or conventional interpretations of individual cards to use them in a meditation practice. You can use the cards many ways in meditation but a simple one card practice is a good place to start.









1


Pick a tarot card deck for yourself. There are more and more decks available all the time, some with beautiful artwork. Some newer ones are based on literary works such as Lord of the Rings. Others draw on Native American or other cultural influences. There are also the older, better known decks like the Ryder decks. Look at a number of them before you choose. Get one that really speaks to you with its colors, style of artwork and symbolic depictions.





2


Begin a one card meditation practice. Seat yourself comfortably and take several deep, relaxing breaths. Shuffle the tarot deck and spread the cards out in a fan face down. Inhale, exhale and place your hands on the cards. Pick up the card you feel most drawn to and turn it up.





3


Study the card you have drawn. Ask yourself what is depicted on the card, and what meaning comes to mind for you. Consider the colors, images and general tone of the card.





4


Meditate on the card. Sit comfortably, close your eyes and breathe deeply and slowly. Let the image of the card rest in your thoughts. Contemplate it without demanding immediate answers. This is where you will begin the process of insight into yourself.





5


Ask yourself what lesson you might take from the card and the thoughts it generates in your mind. Consider what this lesson might tell you about yourself, your current struggles in life, what is bothering you or holding you back, your strengths, your values or anything else that might contribute to your self-understanding.





6


Keep the image of the card and the meanings it has generated in your mind with you throughout the rest of the day. Carry it with you without demanding too much of it. Reflect on the lesson of the card from time to time throughout the day. Let new insights come to you as they arrive. Incorporate the lesson of the card into your actions.


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How to Use Subliminal Messages to Lose Weight

How to Use Subliminal Messages to Lose Weight



More and more people are discovering the secret of using subliminal messages to lose weight. It may be hard to believe, but if you do your homework and stick to the program, you can see a difference in the way that you think and behave around food. If you've thought about using subliminal messages to lose weight but want to know the particulars, keep reading.









1


Do your research. Deciding to use subliminal messages to lose weight is just the beginning. You'll need to do quite a bit of research to find out which program has the best track record. You want to find something that works for a wide variety of people and is easy to do. Look for testimonials from satisfied customers.





2


Listen to it regularly. When you're using subliminal messages to lose weight, you have to be consistent to see results. Listen to your tapes or CDs every day at the prescribed time, and try to relax while listening to the tracks. This will help open your mind and help you see results faster.





3


Deal with your conscious urges as well. Using subliminal messages is only part of the process; you must also work on other parts of your psyche to make it work. Pay attention to what you're eating, and ask yourself if you're eating because you're hungry or if you're trying to fill a void in your life.





4


Stay positive. Subliminal messages take time to work, so it's important to stay positive during your time on the program. Believe in your ability to lose the weight and be successful this time.


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How to Use Safe Sweeteners for Non-Toxic Living

How to Use Safe Sweeteners for Non-Toxic Living



Non-toxic living means making a commitment to use environmentally friendly products around the house, including foods. One of the areas where it's hardest to make that switch is in the use of sweeteners. Many sweeteners include artificial flavoring and coloring that contribute to the body's toxic buildup. Switching to safe sweeteners can help lower cholesterol and keep conditions like diabetes under control. Follow these steps to learn more.







Things You'll Need:





Computer with Internet capability







Consume Safe Sweeteners for Non-Toxic Living




1


Harness the power of raw honey as a safe sweetening alternative. Before honey is cooked and cultivated, it's full of enzymes and vitamins that help contribute to improved health.





2


Drown your pancakes and waffles in organic maple syrup. Name-brand maple syrups are filled with artificial sugars and coloring agents that take away from syrup's potential health benefits. Organic maple syrup lacks the simple carbohydrates of its mainstream rivals, making it a smart choice for a healthy diet.





3


Steer clear of the refined sugar known as sucrose. Sucrose and other refined sugars contribute to weight gain and health problems associated with eating too many simple carbohydrates.





4


Leave the sweeteners in the cabinet. Enjoy fresh fruit as a topping on your favorite food. Organic strawberries and blueberries can act as a sweet and nutritious topping to your bowl of cereal. You can also use juices squeezed from oranges and lemons as a sweetening option.





5


Enjoy safe sweeteners in moderation. Part of a non-toxic lifestyle is keeping consumption down and maintaining a moderate diet, exercise and sleep routine. Moderating sweetener intake can also save money in the long run.





6


Learn more about types of artificial sweeteners to avoid, as well as healthy replacements, with Randall Neustaedter's "Sugar/Sweeteners" article at HolisticMed.com (see Resources below).








Tips & Warnings










Stow away enough money for your monthly sweetener budget. Sweeteners like organic maple syrup are often several times more expensive than their mass-produced counterparts.








Speak with your family doctor before changing your diet. Safe sweeteners feature natural ingredients that have been known to cause allergic symptoms like labored breathing for some. Consult immediately with a family physician if these symptoms arise.








Protect small
children
by observing warnings on natural sweeteners. Products like raw honey may cause harm to children whose immune systems have not fully developed. Read Randall Neustaedter's "Sugar/Sweeteners" article about the right sweeteners for you (See Resources Below).



http://www.ehow.com/how_2033091_use-safe-sweeteners.html

How to Use Safe Laundry Products for Non-Toxic Living

How to Use Safe Laundry Products for Non-Toxic Living



The central idea behind non-toxic living is to use products that will not harm the environment or the health of your family. You can accomplish all that and keep your clothes clean by using non-toxic laundry products. Safe laundry detergents remove stains, deodorize clothing and brighten colors without damaging water quality. These detergents will also eliminate various adverse reactions you may have due to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) or to severe allergies. Follow these steps to learn more.







Things You'll Need:





Clothes separated by color and fabric type, for easy cleaning




Computer with Internet capability







Clean Your Clothes With Safe Laundry Products




1


Supplement your safe laundry detergent with borax. Borax is a naturally occurring compound that's also a powerful deodorizer. You can buy borax in the cleaning product aisle of most grocery stores.





2


Remove grass and spill stains with lemon juice. This natural product is perfect for cleaning stains by hand after the fact as well as on-the-spot emergency stain removal.





3


Add small amounts of vinegar to your laundry. Vinegar brightens colors when used in conjunction with safe laundry detergents. If you don't already have vinegar, you can pick it up at your local grocery store.





4


Stock up on natural liquid soaps for regular cleaning. These products clean clothes effectively while leaving out the toxins of name-brand products. There are plenty of liquid soaps made from natural fats and oils. You can find them at health or natural food stores.





5


Clean your silk and delicate clothing by hand. Hand washing will protect delicate clothing while allowing you to use smaller amounts of detergent with each load.





6


Mix 1 cup of baking soda for each large load of laundry. Baking soda is a strong natural cleaning agent. It's especially useful for smelly or heavily-stained clothing.





7


Read natural and non-toxic laundry detergent labels carefully. Products with artificial coloring, scents or petroleum-based dyes aren't sustainable. Labels like "organic-certified" and ingredients such as citrus oil are good indicators a product is non-toxic. Understand these nuances by reading the EPA's fact sheet online (see Resources below).








Tips & Warnings










Wash clothes using the cold cycle unless it's absolutely necessary to do otherwise. Cold water saves on your heating bill, contributing to a non-toxic and environmentally-friendly lifestyle.








Set aside more money to pay for clean laundry detergent. The relatively low volume of organic detergent sales means that prices are still several times more than those of name brand competitors.








Respond immediately to any reactions or illnesses caused by safe laundry products. If you accidentally swallow or put your skin in contact with detergent, you may experience reactions like stomach pain and swelling. Seek your doctor's help immediately, or visit an emergency room.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2033094_use-safe-laundry.html

How to Use Safe Household Cleaners for Non-Toxic Living

How to Use Safe Household Cleaners for Non-Toxic Living



If you decide to pursue non-toxic living, you're making a conscious choice not to buy or use household products that contain artificial scents, colors or chemical agents. One of the most important aspects of non-toxic living is using safe household cleaners. Typically, they're made from natural ingredients that are biodegradable. Non-toxic cleaners can help eliminate food poisoning by killing bacteria in the kitchen. Follow these steps to learn how to use them.







Things You'll Need:





Computer with Internet capability




Labels and markers for homemade cleaners




Light protective gear, such as eye goggles and rubber gloves







Use Safe Household Items For Non-Toxic Living




1


Use baking soda to kill odors throughout the home. This product is nonabrasive. It won't harm your kitchen tile, sink or counter tops. Baking soda can also be used as a deodorizer when washing clothes.





2


Mix white vinegar and lemon juice to remove difficult stains in your home. This combination works well on persistent dirt that clings to wooden molding, counter tops and sinks. Both vinegar and lemon juice are non toxic, though rubber gloves should be worn to avoid skin irritation.





3


Purchase baking soda's stronger cousin: washing soda. This inexpensive product does wonders on grease and wax. Use washing soda on counter tops and unwaxed floors. Avoid using it on metal.





4


Destroy mold and airborne allergens with the cleaning power of natural oils.
Lavender
and clove oils, when mixed with water, can be used as a reliable spray on areas susceptible to mold.





5


Clean dishes and clothes with all-natural detergent, especially in homes with hard water. There are many unscented and environmentally-friendly detergents that will remove pesky stains.





6


Utilize liquid soaps for your household cleaning in homes with soft water. Liquid soaps require small amounts of soft water before they can clean clothing and dishes. There are a variety of unscented and biodegradable soaps on the market today.





7


Review the "Better Basics" and Enviro$ense Web sites for more suggestions on easy substitutions that can rid your home of toxic products (see Resources below).








Tips & Warnings










Save money by using common household products in small amounts. Items like baking soda and vinegar are inexpensive. For most non-toxic cleaning products, small doses go a long way toward keeping your home clean.








Label all homemade cleaning solutions and store them safely away from
children
and pets. On the label, include ingredients,
date
created and where the product should be used. Learn more about labeling at the "Better Basics" Web site.








Protect yourself from abrasive and irritating household cleaners. While non-toxic cleaning products won't cause any major harm, they can cause eye and skin irritation. The best way to protect against this irritation is to wear gloves when handling them. If these protective measures fail to work, get to a physician quickly to avoid long-term physical harm.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2033082_use-safe-household.html

How to Wear Stripes

How to Wear Stripes



Stripes are a very modern look that can give some added pizazz to anything you wear. Select some stripes using the tips in this article that work with your wardrobe basics and wear them anywhere.







Things You'll Need:





Striped shirt



Striped skirt



Striped tights



Striped dress



Striped tank



Pinstripe blazer



Vest









Step
1



Realize that stripes make great layering pieces. Wear a long striped tank top underneath a shorter sweater or cardigan so some of the tank top, but not all, shows. Or slip a long knit vest over a striped turtleneck and leggings.




Step
2



Buy a colorful striped dress and add classy shoes for a very "in" spring look.




Step
3



Choose a few striped skirts to serve as staples in your wardrobe. You can dress these up or down for any occasion. Look for swingy or fitted styles in cotton, silk and rayon.




Step
4



Incorporate a piece of the trend by selecting solid clothing that has striped trim or accents. This is a modern silhouette.




Step
5



Select a striped T-shirt and pair it with jeans and wedges for a fresh, nautical-inspired feel.




Step
6



Try different types of stripes and different thickness. Horizontal stripes can help balance out your body, while vertical stripes can make you look taller. Diagonal stripes can also give a flattering effect.




Step
7



Look for patterns that are a patchwork of prints, with stripes serving as one element. This is a look that is hot off of the runway.







Tips & Warnings









Pair striped leggings with a solid dress to incorporate the trend without going overboard.








Invest in classic pinstriped pants or a blazer. This is always in style.








Wear a striped scarf, hat or gloves to add a subtle touch to any outfit.








Steer clear of any stripes that make you look like a jailbird or referee. This is not an attractive style for anyone.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2192509_wear-stripes.html

How to Wear Strapless Sandals

How to Wear Strapless Sandals



Strapless sandals can be a lifesaver for those who don't like walking barefoot in locker rooms or public showers. You can use them while tanning and not worry about tan lines. You can even wear strapless sandals through airport security. Strapless sandals are easy to use, and you can carry them almost anywhere.







Things You'll Need:





Strapless sandal



Dry feet









Step
1



Make sure your feet are clean and dry.




Step
2



Lay the sandal on a hard surface.




Step
3



Place your heel on the sandal near the back.




Step
4



Roll your foot towards the front of the sandal, making contact with the sandal all the way to your toes.




Step
5



Stand and make sure the sandal is stuck to your entire foot.







Tips & Warnings









If the sandals get dirty you can clean them with soap and water. Allow them to dry completely before wearing them again.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2045031_wear-strapless-sandals.html