Day 3 in a changed world, and once again I am writing about survival and how to continue from here. I may be making this a more regular activity, if my inner promptings are correct. The image above is of a little piece I did two weeks ago, but it seems even more significant today. (The original is for sale in the shop, but at some point I will also be making prints.) This figure is about two things: protection, and the ability to stand firm in our own power and convictions.
"Protection" here means energetic protection. We live in a world of interacting energies and they have been very turbulent lately. Everything, included the physical world around us, is made up of energy, and beyond that are many other levels of energy that cannot be perceived with our ordinary senses. The emotional energy I've been discussing for the past two days is part of that. David Spangler, a spiritual teacher I greatly admire, refers to the energetic world and the different levels of being as "ecosystems". I love that term, because it describes an environment that is alive and which functions in a natural, synergistic way.
We are always picking up on these energies, either consciously or unconsciously. But even if we are unaware of energies, we are still affected by them. Mostly we are troubled when we encounter emotional energy. It moves through the world like dye through water, and can be transmitted through a place, object or even a Facebook post. One of the best ways to know if you've picked up some unhelpful energy is that you suddenly feel different. Your mood may change for no reason, or you might feel "off", or tired, or sick, or that something is "wrong".
You can prevent this from happening in many ways. One is avoidance: you simply don't go to places that are distressing, don't turn on the news, go on Facebook, read those books or engage with people who feel threatening. That's good, and critical if you have been traumatized before and are concerned about triggers. It's self preservation. But we all still have to live in the world; we have to go to work, buy groceries, interact with friends and loved ones, and so on.
So another way is to work with your own energy to create a protective environment around yourself, like the girl in the drawing. This is done through your intention, and by asking for help. Intention is a very powerful thing. For example, if I go out somewhere to run errands or to relax, I like to set my intention as I set out. Usually I say that I want to stay safe, and I ask my colleagues and co-workers on the nonphysical to help with this. I will ask to meet the right people, find the right things, or have the best experience I can, depending on what I am doing, and I state my intention that I will be a beneficial presence in the world. I've found that when I do this I have a radically different experience than if I leave the house in a harried or irritable state. It is because I have created a different energetic environment within myself, and the greater ecosystem responds to that, because that's the way it works. Go out and try it sometime.
It's also possible to imbue an object like a piece of jewelry or clothing, or even your car, with intentions for protection. Folks have been doing it for thousands of years, and shamanic tools and regalia are a classic example of that. It's simply because those things are energy, and--yes--alive, and you're programming them with your intention. They become helpers and supports. This is where superstitions came about: the original, conscious and interactive intention devolved into mere belief. I would caution you, though, not to be overly reliant on things like this. They can help, but you should do your own work. It isn't wise to become overly reliant on things outside yourself.
The most important element of personal protection involves your own energetic field. Mainly you have to pay attention to it through how you feel and constantly check in with that, every day, and sometimes several times a day depending on the circumstances. Use your intention to create a shield around yourself which is also anchored firmly into the Earth and connected to Source, however you conceive of that. Visualize it however you want to. The idea is to set up a boundary that negative or heavy energy will not penetrate; it will simply slide down the exterior and be absorbed into the Earth. Never send negative energy back to where it came from. Likewise, any negative or heavy energy you generate, and we all do, should simply go down into the earth as well and not leave your system. This is called "energy hygiene", and if I had a say it would be taught in schools.
Speaking of energy hygiene, try to be aware of those times when you feel a little thin-skinned, a little vulnerable. Don't go into difficult situations if you are sick, or too tired, or in a bad mood if you can help it. You're more energetically vulnerable then. Drugs, including alcohol, which affect your energy will make you vulnerable. More than once I have gone out and had a drink or two with dinner, only to discover later that I had picked up some nasty energy in the process.
In addition, there are a great many beings we can call upon in the non-physical worlds to assist, starting with the Source energy. By that I mean a "higher power", however you see it. Some folks like to call on angels, or their spiritual helpers and guides, or spiritual teachers, animal allies, etc. Regardless of who or what you call upon, know that the help is there. More than you possibly can imagine.
There is so, so much more to this subject. Entire books have been written on it. I've only skimmed the surface, but I want to leave you with two crucial points:
Nothing will make you invulnerable. The best offense is a good defense. If you are mindful, tend to your own system regularly and set clear intentions, you will create a strong and helpful boundary that will serve you well.
And what you send out will come back to you. If you send out love, anger, hate, joyful good humor, or whatever, these are what you will encounter in the world. It's just the way it works.
Take care of yourselves. Stick together and support one another. Stay safe.
Blessings,
Dawn
++Two books I recommend: Psychic Protection by William Bloom, and Psychic Shield by Caitlin Matthews. If you are interested in some great writing on understanding and relating to the spiritual and nonphysical worlds, check out the work of David Spangler.