Spirituality Articles
Digital Divination: Can an Online Ouija Board Truly Connect You?
December 22, 2025 | Cleo Divine
Many wonder if a digital interface can truly channel the beyond as effectively as a traditional wooden board. Dive into the world of virtual spirit boards and learn how your personal intent is the real key to making a spiritual connection.The Science and Mystery of Online Ouija Boards
December 5, 2025 | Cleo Divine
Can a screen connect you to the spirit realm? Explore the history, psychology, and safety of virtual talking boards in this comprehensive guide to digital divination.
Gaia - Earth Mother and Turtle? Ancient Wisdom For Conscious Living
May 20, 2012 | Tania Marie
Throughout the ages and cultures, active worship of this titan of fertile Earth came under the guise of many names and varied forms ranging from reverent bowing to druidic ritual, all in an effort to get more in tune with the rhythm and continuity of nature she embodies. She represented to all, the Earth, or spiritual embodiment of the Earth, and sometimes was the goddess of all creation from which all other gods sprang. Only Egyptian mythology holds a reverse personification, whereas Geb is the Earth Father while Nut is the Sky Mother, as opposed to Zeus as Sky Father and Gaia as Earth Mother. In Indian religions, the Mother of all creation is called "Gayatri," which is a very close form of Gaia. She is the mother of all Vedas, consort of the God Brahma, and personification of the all-pervading Parabrahman - the ultimate unchanging reality that lies behind all phenomena. Many Hindus view connection through the pure love and essence of the Gayatri Mantra as Divine awakening of the mind and soul and a way to reach the most Supreme form of existence. Simply, the mantra helps us reach toward our divine mother and receive her blessings and wisdom to support us through the challenges of life. Gaia's qualities of divine femininity express her desire to nurture mankind and mirror for us, the reverence we have forgotten to honor.
Far too coincidental and divinely synchronous, turtles are the most ancient, vertebrate creatures that also possess Gaia's wisdom and mother energy and through such, have much to impart. Many ancient myths, such as those of the Indigenous North Americans, describe the world as resting on the turtle's back and many still refer to North America as Turtle Island. This is illustrated by their creation legends that tell of a time when Earth was covered by water and Turtle dove to the ocean's depths to bring forth Earth on its back so the people could have a safe, dry home. Like Gaia, these ageless beings have carried a myriad of symbolic meanings throughout the ages and cultures, mysteriously linking them as symbols of the primal mother (except in African lore where it is a male symbol) and lunar cycles; again possessing Earth and Cosmic Universal significance and connection with the center. Far East Asian myth believed turtles brought about the creation of the Universe from its parts, which are said to depict a map of the stars and sacred writings: the shell symbolic of the heavens and used in divination readings, the body symbolic of the Earth, and its undershell symbolic of the underworld. This cosmic order they represent, coupled with the magical ability to support us in uniting heaven and earth within our lives, supports our experience of life as "heaven on earth." They are the only animal to have the honor of symbolizing both Mother Earth and healing waters, as well as personifying winter, humidity, thunder to the Mayans, Venus, Aphrodite, Northern directions, and the moon (most turtle shells are divided into 13 sections depicting the 13 yearly phases of the moon.) Powerfully nurturing and protecting, turtle medicine is beautifully illustrated through shared attributes with its Earth Mother counterpart, Gaia, while their spirit symbolizes profound lessons in light of its own example.
There is a presence and flow of steadfast strength in their deliberate, steady, and thorough approach to a life of non-doing, non-reaction, acceptance, and naturalism. Always at home within themselves, they embody the meaning of "home is where the heart is," understanding detachment and freedom. These carefree, patient, instinctual creatures honor the rhythms of life balance, demonstrate non-violent, self-defense mechanisms, and know when to turn within. Navigating one day at a time, they mirror the importance of moving at one's own pace through life while honoring boundaries. Turtles are survivors; living so near the Earth, moving slowly, aging gracefully, symbolizing groundedness, and embracing courage with faith, as is demonstrated through the progress they make only by sticking their neck out. It is no wonder they are considered the wisest of souls in the animal kingdom, offering a potent and profound analogy for humankind on many deep levels.
So intertwined are the turtle and Gaia; there is no mistaking the significance and association of their deep and profound symbology that seemingly comes from two separate sources, but are synonymously bridged as one. Such contrast between an omnipotent presence and an unassuming innocence and yet the blood lines run through the core of the same essence. Do not be fooled by the book's cover, as both embody the spirit and soul of Earth and beyond and share with us invaluable knowledge and teachings. Across the board, whether known as Gaia, personified as Turtle, called, sung, or chanted by another synchronous name, she is the connection to the Universal mothering and nurturing source that leads us to a deep sense of profound peace and balance within and manifested without. Yet, more than any other goddess, she is consistently identified as the divine and animate Earth Mother; the living, conscious planet we reside on that provides sustenance and inherent wisdom to all of her children. Gaia personifies awareness of our connectedness through the circle of life and the sacredness of all life, be it plant, animal, human, or stars above. She roots her values and respectively ours, helping us to remember that connection and to remind us that respect and gratitude for everything and everyone around us is the ever-present message she hopes to impart. Through this conscious living we can attain that balance and wholeness that is the promise Gaia offers. Shifting our perspective to that of experiencing connection with her as a partner in life worth respect and honor, we can then enjoy the blessings of that union through the daily gifts of beauty and miracles she provides.
Dedicated and inspired by my new friend and Russian Tortoise, Gaia: a sweet, magical, Taurean-born being possessing earthy, feminine energy, as her name suggests. Gaia's name was spoken to me from the Universe as I listened to ancient mantras on the way home from receiving her into my life. She was restless in her box, but instantly calmed to a stillness with the sound of the first mantra playing. Ironically, as I listened to it and sang the words, the only thing that pervaded my thoughts and essence was the Gayatri Mantra, even though the mantra I was singing was not this one. I only had Gayatri on my mind for some odd reason and didn't realize I hadn't been listening to it, until hours later after reaching home. So while I sang the mantra playing, I heard the word "Gayatri" in my head and instantly thereafter, Gaya...Gaia. I turned to my little friend and knew. The Universe and she had both spoken her name to me through the ancient mantra playing. And now I know why.
Tania Marie is a Visionary Artist & Reiki Master Teacher leading Integrative, Sacred Journeys & Workshops, residing in Incline Village, NV. For more information about her work and services please visit http://www.taniamarie.com or call (775) 343-9244. Treatments & classes available by distance, by request in your area, or at Reno & Tahoe locations. Sacred Journey to Egypt 12/3-12/13/08.
Harnessing the Power of Karma
February 15, 2012 | Michael Hamlin
The Law of Attraction is a component of Karma. What we think and feel will materialize into our lives, whether this comes from good or bad thoughts is up to us. This is a very empowering teaching that allows us to fully take the reigns of our destiny and create the life that we want to have for ourselves. If we are stuck in a situation that we do not want, all we must do is change our thoughts to change our lives.
The other side of Karma is the subtle variances in each of our personalities. All of us have certain tendencies that lean toward positive and negative personality traits. These habitual feelings are brought to us in this life from our previous existence and experiences. The negative traits (greed, fear, anger, etc) are simply our inner spirit showing us what we need to work on to grow and develop spiritually. We also all have certain positive traits that we are born with that we are to cultivate and grow. By lessening our tendencies toward the negative and growing our positive traits, we will begin to catapult our lives into the perfect, joyful, experience we were meant to live.
For example, someone who has an irritable personality has picked this up from either a previous incarnation or from situations that have happened to them in this life. Irritability is a manifestation of people, things, and situations not reacting to the way you want them to. It stems from needing to control things around you. One of the life lessons that this person would benefit from is learning to not always have to control things around them. Cultivating peace, acceptance, and a love for what is would be a great benefit to their inner and outer self.
Wayne Dyer states, "How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours." People in our lives who have negative Karma that is made up of their habitual thoughts and feeling will project this to their outer world thus adding more and more situations that will feed their negative beliefs. Likewise, our kind and peaceful responses to these outward projections will cultivate more peace in our own lives.
Look back on your own life and see where you have repeating negative emotions, and really look close at what you can do to begin cultivating the positive alternatives to these emotions. As we continue to grow, evolve, and ascend the spiral staircase of spiritual evolution, your own growth and happiness will be greatly increased.
John Michael Hamlin is New Thought writer, who focuses on self-improvement, positive thinking, and reaching one's full potential. He is currently affiliated with the Unity Movement and the University of Sedona.
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The Evolving Soul of Animals
February 15, 2012 | Michael Hamlin
As human beings, we have the ability to create and really master our futures. Swami Vivekananda said that the distinction was that man can become "God, the master." The human manifestation enables us to really tune and become aware of our God-nature, and to affect change in the world around us.
Animals closely connected to humans evolve spiritually faster.
One of the greatest gifts to us, as humans, is the ability to have animals in our lives, as pets. We are also giving back to them, in a big way as well. When we have our pets near us, we bathe them in love. We pet them, feed them, and take care of them. When we exhibit all these signs of love to our animal companions, we are washing their souls over with loving vibrations. I feel that the loving energy we send our pets helps them to progress spiritually. We are setting them up for faster spiritual growth on their own paths.
We can see the effects of our pet's previous incarnations in their personalities. For example, I have 2 cats. Each of them has their own unique personalities. One of our Cats, Sara, is very fearful. She is always acting in a disposition that the world is against her. Our other cat, Raine, is the complete opposite. She is a very affectionate cat that is always showing love to both me and my husband. She sleeps in the bed with us, and also loves to meet new people. I think traits like this show where the souls of our pets were, spiritually, before.
Animals enrich our lives and teach us to be mindful of all living things.
Being mindful of our animal friends, as evolving souls, enriches our interactions with them even more. We really can be aware of the aid we are giving them, by expressing love and compassion to them. And animals aren't just here to be aided by us; we are receiving love from them as well. It is this exchange of love that benefits both animals and humans. This is how we can really communicate the God-language of creation to each other, through Love. Our pets will only be with us for a short time, fill their lives with love and joy, and know that because of you, their next incarnation will be all the better.
Michael Hamlin is New Thought writer, who focuses on self-improvement, positive thinking, and reaching one's full potential. He is currently affiliated with the Unity Movement and the University of Sedona. You can access his blog at: http://www.SpeakingGod.com
Sign-up for his free newsletter, and receive a free complimentary copy of Sacred Texts of the World. It is a free outline of 12 of the major world religions and their sacred religious texts.
Reincarnation Do second chances really exist?
August 14, 2011 | Ginger Red Hawk
The Vedas teach that at the end of one lifetime we embark upon another. The Bhagvad-Gita expressly states, "As a person puts on new garments giving up the old, the soul similarly accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones".
It is our Karma, or our actions, in our current life that determine what we will be in our next life. Our present birth, thus, is an outcome of what we have thought and what we have done in our past lives.
The Vedas also say that it is not necessary that human beings are always born as human beings. In the grand scheme of things all living creatures are arranged in an hierarchy. Then, depending on how good or bad a life you have led, you may be moved up or down the hierarchy. Some may be reborn as humans too.
The reason we are afforded these multiple lives is twofold. Firstly, so that we may live out our incomplete desires. And secondly and more importantly, it is another chance to attain Moksha - eternal peace and place in the spiritual world.
Do second chances exist?
Irrespective of what the Vedas teach, is reincarnation possible? What evidence is there to support it?
Deja Vu
A simple explanation for an extremely complex event. The feeling that, "I've done this before" could arise from an experience in one's past life. However, there is no empirical way to prove this.
Channeling, or communication via 'mediums'
Sometimes we hear of certain people - "psychics", "channels", "sensitives" - who can communicate with people from the hereafter. They can talk to them or get messages from them that they write out. Again however, this method is not very reliable because the field is swamped with frauds that prey on the vulnerable.
Even in cases where the 'communication' is correct or true, it can be explained by telepathy. In this case the channel may be picking information, not from the departed, but from the person in front of them.
Also, even if channels did exist, this is no way reaffirms the theory of reincarnation. The soul may be 'talking' from heaven or hell or wherever it is that one goes after death.
Past live regressions under hypnosis
Past live regressions under hypnosis form the strongest case for the theory of reincarnation. Innumerous studies have shown that people acquire the strangest of abilities and knowledge under hypnosis. A man, who knew just a few phrases of French, spoke French fluently under hypnosis where he said he was a 17th century French soldier.
Also, various health problems and phobias have been cured by hypnotherapy. The general premise here is that a phobia is related to some event from the past life - most often the cause of death. Health problems too have been found to be related to events in the past life. Additionally, individuals who have undergone hypnotherapy and 'remembered' past lives, actually claim to have been cured.
The most persuasive case for past lives has been made by children who remember events from their past lives. Such children often speak of their past lives, can lead their parents to their past home and acquire skills and habits not corresponding with their biological age. Could this then, be memory from their past life?
Cynics ask that if reincarnation is the truth, then how do you explain the increase in the population. There must be a limited number of souls so how does one explain population explosion? The simple explanation here is that the population of animals and insects is decreasing. The theory of reincarnation does not say that one will be reborn as a human being or whatever one was in the past life. Indeed, one can change one's destiny by karma or by one's actions.
It is difficult to decide indeed what to believe or not to believe. However, just by not believing one cannot change it. If one chooses not to believe in terrorism it does not mean terrorism will cease to exist. Similarly, by not believing in reincarnation does not mean it will not happen.
As the Bhagvad Gita says:
"For one who is born, death is certain. And one who dies is sure to be born again."