symbolism

  • Is The Message You Are Getting From Your Ego or Your Higher Self?

    Woman thinking

    Learning to work with your intuition is a skill I think we all should learn. If you know how to understand messages that are coming through in the moment, you don’t need a tarot card reader or psychic to help you make decisions. You will be able to tap into Divine Guidance for yourself. But how do you know if the message you are getting is from your ego or your Higher Self? Let’s talk a little bit about it now.

    When you are learning to work with your intuition, you might struggle to be able to discern if a message is coming from your ego or your Higher Self.

    Unfortunately, we, as a society, have been taught to ignore the most basic—and often the most easily understandable—signs from our souls, like hunger, pain, exhaustion, and sadness. Instead of resting when we are overwhelmed, we are pushed to keep going til the job is done. Or we eat according to the clock, not when we are truly hungry.

    If you ignore those cues, you might also ignore the whispers your Higher Self.

    And sadly, our society has also tried to banish symbolism and connecting with the Universe around us. It’s been deemed evil, and those who practice divination or even work with symbols, numerology, astrology, etc. have been systematically outcast, dubbed as wicked, and even tortured or murdered for their practices and beliefs.

    No wonder people have a hard time connecting with their intuition!

    So, how can you tell if a sign or message you get is from your Higher Self, or if it is just your ego trying to keep you small or even fear or FOMO preventing you from doing what you truly know you need to do?

    Tune in to your gut

    One of the most common ways your Higher Self will send a message is through your gut. If you are faced with something your soul is screaming NO to, it will often make your stomach area feel tense, clenched, and just plain out of whack.

    My mom always told me to do a “gut check” when I was trying to make a decision. How do you do a gut check?

    Doing a Gut Check

    Sit quietly without distractions. Take a few breaths to calm yourself and get focused on tuning into your body. Think about Option A. Notice how it makes your stomach feel. What sensations arise. Do you get anxious, grumpy, or sad? Does your tummy start to clinch or feel uncomfortable? Or do you feel free, light, and excited? Note your true feelings.

    Repeat this process with all of the options you have. Be honest with yourself about how you truly feel and what comes up when you think about each option.

    Tone of the Message

    If you get messages through thoughts, like, “This is a great opportunity! Don’t miss out!” or “Watch out for that one…”, you want to think about the tone of the message to understand if the message is from your ego or your Higher Self.

    Messages that are neutral or loving tend to come from Spirit. Messages that are biting, demanding, or insulting, like, “Who do you think you are to think that,” or “OMG. He doesn’t even like you!” or “You’re too (short, tall, fat, old, dumb, etc.) to get this,” are from your ego or even trauma-related messages.

    Note the tone of a message to tell if it is from your Higher Self or from your ego.

    Is the Message Win-Win or Fear Driven?

    Even though this might be a subtle distinction, sorting out if a message is fair and from a higher perspective or if it is driven by fear will also help you decide where it comes from.

    Messages from your Higher Self might encourage you to take a different path and that shift might let others down, but it isn’t fear driven.

    Consider the difference between these messages:

    “You should leave now before you get hurt.”

    and

    “You should leave now because you have tried everything and you are still not happy.”

    There is a big difference between the two.

    When trying to decide if a message is from your ego or Higher Self, note if a message is laced with fear or doubt or if it is loving guidance. You will learn to know the difference.

    Do you feel calm and connected or anxious and forced?

    Oh! This is a great one. When your Higher Self is sending a message, it will feel calm and just right, like Pappa Bear’s porridge.

    If a message is from your ego, however, you might feel forced to make a decision or even like you are dragging yourself to your goal, one leaden footstep after the other.

    Or you might feel like you HAVE to choose between Choice A and Choice B RIGHT NOW! But really, the Universe might have Choices X, Y, and Z lined up for you, if you would just let go of feeling like you need to choose A or B.

    When your Higher Self is guiding you, you will start to feel the simple power of its presence. It doesn’t need to force you to anything. It will let you know. All you have to do is follow it. 🙂

    You get goosebumps or see flashes of light, auras, or other signs

    Another way Spirit will send messages to you is through goosebumps, flashes of light, auras, or other signs.

    For example, when you talk about an idea that really lights you up or is driven by true inspiration, you might break out in goosebumps. This is totally common, especially if you are doing spiritual work.

    I’ve also seen flashes of different colored light and different signs, like feathers, stars, rainbows, and clover when thinking about different outcomes or even looking at different options.

    Or you might see shadows around things that are either MEH or will be bad for you. Other signs that you might want to pass on a project or person are seeing snakes around them, feeling drained when in their presence or when working with them, or even seeing coffins or piles of poo. These are all warnings from Spirit that you should take into consideration.

    Critical, Biting Feedback

    While your Higher Self is loving, supportive, and kind, your ego might be biting and insulting.

    Higher Self will remind you that you did your best while your ego will let you know how weak, dumb, and inept you are.

    You might also have to battle voices from other influences in your life, people whose voices got stuck in your head when you were down.

    Check the voice of a message. If it’s the voice of your overly critical father or the teacher who always made you feel stupid, you know the message is coming from ego or an echo of their negativity that got stuck in your psyche, not Spirit.

    Your Higher Self won’t give up or sway

    Last but not least, your Higher Self will continue to send you the same message over and over again, while your ego might shift, become unclear, or just leave you feeling confused.

    If you choose an option that isn’t good for you, your Higher Self will gently remind you that you are on the wrong path, gently steering you back to the better choice.

    Your ego might lead you in circles, running back and forth, sending confused messages and leaving you feeling frazzled and unsure.

    So, if you find yourself in decision paralysis or feeling overwhelmed, you can rest assured that your Higher Self will be like a lighthouse. Its message won’t shift. It will remain calm and clear, no matter what storms rage around you or in your head.

    Your Higher Self will repeat the same message over and over again.

    Conclusion

    As you can see, it’s often really easy to tell if a message is coming from your ego or your Higher Self. Your ego can be negative, cruel, and stuck in confusion while your Higher Self is calm, gentle, and patient. I know hearing the guidance from your Higher Self and following it can be a bit of a challenge, but learning to trust the messages you get will definitely help you out.

    Do you feel like you can tell the difference between a message from your Higher Self and your ego? Please let me know in the comments below!

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  • How To Read Coffee Grounds

    Turn your morning cuppa into connection with the Divine!
    Turn your morning cuppa into a conversation with the Divine

    Did you ever consider how powerful that cup o’ Joe can be in the morning? It can give you the energy to start your day… and it can also give you a message from the Divine.

    When you start working with different forms of divination, it’s important to keep an open mind. The messages that come through to you will not only be visual but also in thoughts and impressions that spring up when you settle into a relaxed, curious, meditative state, inviting the Universe to speak to you through whatever means it decides.

    Back to my cup of coffee.

    This morning, I decided to have a look into my coffee cup, to see what—if any—message my Higher Self wanted me to see.

    It had a doozy…

    When I looked into my cup, I saw a castle in the woods fairly clearly. Do you see it?

    Reading Coffee Grounds
    What do you see?

    As I contemplated this image, the song, Fortress Around Your Heart, from Sting popped into my head…

    “The prison has now become your home.
    A sentence you seem prepared to face…”

    Ouch Universe.

    My four walls do feel like they have been suffocating me lately. I don’t feel like I have a lot of freedom. I often feel trapped, isolated, alone.

    But it’s not only about me; it’s about the amount of freedom I give people around me as well. It’s about responsibility and shared responsibility. The princess/prisoner don’t lock themselves in the towers. Others lock them there.

    It was a lot to think about after having only one cup of coffee, for sure.

    Photo courtesy of my friends at Fluid Coffeebar

    So, how do you read coffee grounds that are left over in your morning cuppa?

    1. Set the intention of receiving a message from Spirit. This is the most important part of the process—opening yourself to whatever message coming to you in whatever form it does. Personally, I see a lot and I get messages from songs and snippets of information (clairvoyant, clairaudient).
    2. Look into the bottom of your mostly empty cup to see what is there. Do the coffee grounds and shadow of coffee represent anything to you? Look for people, animals, buildings and objects like books, keys, clothing.
    3. Lean into your intuition. What is your Soul saying to you about what is going on in your life? Are you working on any big lessons? Is this a new idea that you need to explore? Are there any updates, cues to upcoming celebrations, or warnings in the images?
    4. Tune into all of your senses. Are you feeling, seeing, hearing, smelling, feeling, or tasting anything (other than coffee) that gives you further information?
    5. Journal. Allow yourself not only to note what you see, but also to free-write so that even more messages can come up while you have your pen to paper.

    Reading your coffee grounds can be an easy way to tap into your intuition and receive messages from your Higher Self or Spirit. Give it a try and share your experiences in the comments below!

    *Coffee cup images (with the exception of the fortress and trees) courtesy of Fluid Coffeebar.

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  • Numerology – How To Calculate Your Personal 2017 Year Number

    How to find your

    Each of us has a different numerological assignment for the year based on our specific birthdate. You use your birthdate to calculate your life path number, which gives an overall impression of your mission in life and how you will face the challenges set before you. You will also have a different number associated with each year in your life, and this article will show you how to calculate your personal 2017 year number and what that number means.
    As many people know, 2016 was a 9 year, universally, in numerology (2+0+1+6). 2017 will be a 1 year (2+0+1+7).

    But each of us has a unique number for the year ahead of us which is based on our specific birthdate information.

    How to calculate your personal year number

    You calculate your personal 2017 year number by taking your birthdate and adding the numbers contained within 2+0+1+7. So, for example, my birthdate is 10-30.

    In order to calculate my 2017 number, I would add 1+0+3+0+2+0+1+7, which equals 14, and then reduce that number to a single digit number, like this: 1+4=5.

    Or take the birthdate March 24th. Add 3+2+4+2+0+1+7 to get 19, then 1+9=10, or 1+0=1

    What your personal year number predicts for your 2017

    Find the number below that corresponds to your personal year number. This number will give you an overview of the energy and potentials you will be dealing with during 2017.

    Personal Year 1 – Welcome to the beginning! One years herald the start of new projects, enterprises, opportunities, and life cycles. Opportunities that arise in 1 years are generally few and far between, so make sure you truly weigh and measure what you pass up and what you jump at. What you do this year will set the tone for the coming year, so remember that what you do now will have a lasting effect in your life. Personal Year 1 is also about learning to be independent – to take care of and stand up for yourself.

    Personal Year 2 – Where year 1 was about movement and motion, Personal Year 2 is about taking time to relax and consider what it is that you have been working toward. It is OK to relax and take a break – in fact, breaks are necessary in order to keep energy flowing in the right direction! Rest and taking time to reflect also helps you better connect with your intuition, which will likely be more pronounced this year. Attention turns to relationships, romance, and partnership. You will realize that no man is an island and you might make new and lasting friendships. Also, you might feel more judgmental and see things in terms of black/white when you are in a Personal Year 2.

    Personal Year 3 – In 3 Personal years, the emphasis and energy turns to giving birth and nurturing. Now, ‘birth’ doesn’t necessarily equate with baby making; it can relate to bringing your ideas and projects to fruition and giving your ideas life. You’ll definitely continue the trend of feeling more social and wanting to celebrate life with your friends (old and new) and family. Just make sure that you don’t ignore your responsibilities because you are having so much fun! It might not be a great year for your finances, but you’ll be having so much fun, it won’t really matter! Until…

    Personal Year 4 – This year, the party party attitude gives way to the desire to create firm foundations and bring more security into your life. The habits you maintained during your 3 year might have had a negative effect on your health, and it will be important for you to create new habits that focus more on your health and well-being. One habit to consider is yoga and meditation, as they can help you get your thoughts together and also to feel more grounded, along with their many health benefits. Organization is key in a Personal 4 Year, and you’ll feel drawn to clear clutter and get your accounts in order. Also, you might feel the need to be a bit more assertive this year – it’s time to make real effort to achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself. This year’s energy will help with that, as long as you don’t fight the flow!

    Personal Year 5 – 5 years can be chaotic and life changing. It is the mid-point in the circle, and you might find yourself pondering if what you have done so far is actually what you truly want. If it is, you will double down on the determination to get yourself where you need to be. If it isn’t, you’ll be willing to actually admit what is and isn’t working for you and leave behind those things that aren’t serving you any longer. Travel can also be a big part of a 5 year, so expect to expand your horizons and explore new places and cultures. This year’s energy will require that you learn how to be flexible and allow yourself to make decisions that might not fit into conservative cubbie holes.

    Personal Year 6 – This year, it is time, once again, to focus on relationships and your health. You might have set your good habits aside during your 5 year, and it is time to pick them up again. You’ll find yourself more relaxed and energized in your Personal Year 6. There will be a continuation of clearing out what wasn’t working for you in life, and you’ll also need to make some decisions about which way you are headed and what your heart truly desires. During your 6 personal year, your home and the feeling it exudes will become more important to you, and you’ll likely find yourself putting some decorative touches on your living space to make it feel cozier and to fit you more. Art and balance will intrigue you this year – so sign up for that class you’ve been putting off for years. The energy of the 6 year is fabulous for creativity.

    Personal Year 7 – During the Personal Year 7, you’ll turn your attention to where your attention is going. Allow yourself to be introspective and conscious of how you feel about your place in the world and your world views. You’ll want to feel like you have control over your destiny and have truly set the proper course for yourself. Spirituality and religion will become important in your life, and you might find yourself joining a local congregation and/or reading spiritual books in order to feel more connected with God or the Universe. Time alone will be equally as important, so make sure to keep a good balance between social and downtime. Travel is also a theme in 7 years, so get your suitcase and passport ready.

    Personal Year 8 – Personal Year 8s are times of power and really feeling strong and well in who you are and what your life is about. Last year’s introspection gives way to fully understanding and accepting yourself – faults and all. You are going to feel like things finally get moving in life. Be prepared for quick forward motion. This year, you’ll have the ability to tame your fears and connect with the strength you’ve found within yourself. Opportunities are abound and abundance comes your way in 8 years. Make a wish! Set your sights on seeing it fulfilled, and be ready to be amazed at what you can accomplish!

    Personal Year 9 – 9 years herald the end of one cycle, so projects are completed and relationships either stand the test of time or don’t. As you can imagine, 9 years are meant to rock foundations and that sometimes throws people off. Just remember that uncertainty and issues can help you let go of what you don’t need so that you have room in your life for something new. You might actually feel a need to be alone more often in your Personal 9 Year so that you can connect with your internal wisdom and guidance. Others might also be drawn to you this year to ask for wisdom and guidance. Share what you learn with others. Help them along their path and clear the way for change and new beginnings in your own life.

    What do you think? Have you calculated your Personal Year Number before? Did you feel that last year fit the energy of the descriptions above? Feel free to comment with your number and your feelings about the coming year!

     

    Blessings,
    Sue Ellis-Saller

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  • Daisy Symbolism – What Do Daisies Mean?

    1

    Did you ever wonder what the flower, daisy, symbolizes?
    The daisy flower symbolises SIMPLICITY.

    So, if daisies become something that you see over and over again, it’s important to figure out what you are overcomplicating in life or what you yearn to make easier, more natural or to find innocence in again.

    In life, this could mean taking a good hard look at what you do and if you’ve taken on too much. Pare back to the absolute necessities and basics. Learn to say NO when you mean NO – or when you just don’t have the time or energy to take on any more.

    In love, this could mean finding the original passion and honest, innocent love that you felt in the first place. This might mean that you need to take a step back and look for the good in your partner or to spend the evening cuddling or talking. Forget all of the complicating, distractions and just be with your partner.

    Looking for love? Think about the simplest traits and qualities that you are looking for. Try to have fun with friends – because, simply put, friendships can blossom into romance. If you’ve been feeling jaded, then try to recapture a little of your former innocence when dealing with people you are interested in.

    In matters career – simplify. Find what you love about your job and do more of that. Don’t worry about what others are doing and stay OUT of the drama zone. See what you can cut from your workload or streamline to be more efficient.

    If you’ve been having issues with money, then make sure that you simplify your spending. Cut out unnecessary purchases. Live simply for a while. Perhaps even consolidate debt.

    Would you like to talk about symbols that keep showing up in your life? Chat with me now!

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  • The Woodpecker – Opportunity Knocks

    The Symbolism of a Woodpecker

    What does it mean when a person sees a woodpecker?

    Woodpeckers

    The woodpecker can symbolize many different concepts, including:

    • Opportunity
    • Determination
    • Effort
    • Hard work
    • Progress
    • Listening
    • Attention
    • Using one’s head to solve problems
    • Opportunism
    • Making something from nothing
    • Continuing with a project that you felt blocked toward
    • Protection
    • Balance

    As many of you know, I not only work with tarot and energy, but I’m also extremely open to working with the random symbols that the Universe puts in front of me to puzzle out. I like to learn about and understand all sorts of symbols – from numbers to shapes to animals to flowers to colors to whatever might stoke my subconscious and lead me to the next mystery.

    It isn’t uncommon for me to gaze into the clouds, trying to find a message sent from heaven in the same way that I notice what turns up around when I take my daily walks. Give me a cup of tea leaves and I’m in HEAVEN! Everywhere I look holds an opportunity for an A-HA moment.

    I often see what pops up in my life and laugh about how fitting that particular symbol is for me.

    Like today when I saw a woodpecker when I was driving my kids to school.

    I’d been thinking about my lack of progress with my business – how I’d hit a proverbial brick wall and have just been struggling to get the momentum back that I had a year ago. Even then, I was helping my clients work steadily toward their goals, but I was having a hard time staying on schedule, myself.

    This morning, I was thinking about really getting back into the swing of things. I know I need to just sit down, create a media schedule, get my auto-posters all organized, and get ‘er done! No more procrastination or even letting my tasks just slip away like I had been.

    If I want to succeed, I have to create success for myself – right? That’s one concept the woodpecker symbolizes.Tweet: If I want to succeed, I have to create success for myself - right? That's one concept the woodpecker symbolizes.

     

    And that is why seeing this woodpecker was so symbolic for me this morning. It couldn’t have fit better! It was like the Universe hand-delivered the exact message I needed to see (just like it always does).

    The woodpecker told me: Hey, Sue. We’ve heard what you are thinking about. Here’s a little nudge to let you know we’ve got your back!

    Well, it might not have said that to me, but seeing the woodpecker symbolized that concept to me.

    And here I am. Getting back on the proverbial horse. Getting ‘er done. Working to create my success.

    Mission accomplished, Universe! Thank you!

    I hope you have a blessed day!

    Sue Ellis-Saller

    Would you like to find out what the symbols you’ve been seeing mean? Let’s chat!

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