Inner Light

Whenever someone asks me how to start meditating, the first question I ask them is, “What’s your zodiac sign?” That may sound like a cheesy pick up line but, in my experience, I’ve found that people have an easier time beginning a meditation routine if they work *with* the element of their birth sign. Here are the elements of the signs as well as ways you can use them to help you meditate.

Fire Signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
How many of you have ever become mesmerized watching the dancing flames of a campfire or a fire burning in a fireplace? This is a perfect example of how fire can help you meditate. If you don’t have a fireplace or campfire handy, you can listen to a meditation CD with crackling fire sounds on it. You can also light a candle and watch the flame as you meditate.

Earth Signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
If you’re an Earth Sign, chances are you can physically feel the tension melt from you when you step outside or take a walk in the park or out in the woods. It will be very easy for you to meditate if you sit under a tree with your back against it. If you can’t go outside, listen to a CD with Native American drum music or Gregorian chants on it. These tones are very earthy and meditative to an Earth Sign.

Air Signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Sound and scent are the meditative helpers for the Air Signs. For you, you could sit and listen to pretty much any meditation CD and let it carry you away while your favorite incense burns beside you. A CD with music plus chimes or singing bowls on it would put you in heaven. If you’re able to be out in nature, focus on all of the bird songs and the feel of the breeze brushing your skin and taking all your troubles away.

Water Signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Water is the element of cleansing and healing. As a Water Sign, I do a great deal of meditation in the shower. When I get out, I am clean on more than just a physical level. You can also take walks in the rain or on the beach next to a lake or ocean. There are tons of meditation CDs with sounds of rain or gently running creeks on them. Table top fountains are also a great focal point for meditation.

We all know that astrology is more than just your birth sign. This is a generalization to help those of you just learning to meditate. If you know your Moon and Rising Signs, you can use the elements of them along with your Sun Sign to design a meditation routine specifically for you. For example, I have a Water Sun (Pisces), an Earth Moon (Virgo), and a Fire Rising (Leo). In my case, sitting on a beach next to a lake with a campfire burning would be the ultimate meditative experience for me. Use your imagination with your element to come up with something that fits you.

All too often, people put the care and well-being of everyone else ahead of their own. When you spend all of your time on others and none on yourself, you become energetically depleted, stressed out, even physically ill or dis-eased. These are messages from your body telling you to take time out to care for yourself. In order to be able to give all that you do to your friends, family, and employer, it is necessary for you to take time every day to do something for you. Here are five things you can do that will keep you in good energetic and physical health.

1. Meditate
It has been proven that meditation relieves stress and replenishes energy. Just 15-30 minutes of meditation every day is enough to produce noticeable results. There are many CDs on the market to help you start a daily meditation routine.

2. Spend time in nature
Getting outside and soaking up some sun is a great way to rejuvenate yourself. You can garden, play a sport, take a walk, or simply sit on the deck and relax doing nothing. Absorbing natural light is an instant pick me up.

3. Take a nice hot bath
Do you remember the old commercial for Calgon? There was a woman relaxing in a big tub and her line was, “Calgon, take me away!” There’s a reason why she looked so content! Light some candles and incense and feel the stress melt away into the water.

4. Eat healthy
A healthy diet loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables will keep your body running efficiently. The healthier you are, the more energy you’ll have to keep up with everyone and everything in your life. You can’t keep up if you’re always sick and tired because of a poor diet.

5. Take up a hobby
Engaging in a hobby is a great way to be good to you. You are doing something you enjoy that isn’t (or shouldn’t be) stressful, and will allow you the opportunity to take pleasure in doing something by yourself. Find something that will completely take your mind off of all your obligations for awhile.

If you make time every day to do something that is just for yourself, you will be much healthier physically, mentally, and emotionally. You can’t operate at your best if you are under constant stress with nothing to relieve it. If you aren’t good to yourself first, you can’t be any good to others. Most of all, keep in mind that self-care is not selfish! There is no need to feel guilty or upset if you take time to be alone and rejuvenate. It is just as important for you to care for yourself as it is for you to care for others.