Category: Articles

Connecting to nature isn’t just about going outside and getting some fresh air or talking a stroll along the beach. It’s more about thinking about ourselves and our wider human and ecological relationships. By having a stronger and fuller connection with nature you can experience things in ways that you don’t currently do so. When you experience things differently you start to think differently and this help you change a lot of things in your life and enhance positive experiences.

Nature offers much more to us than we can imagine, patterns and colours, creatures we are familiar with and those who seem almost alien. The textures and forms of the planet appeal directly to the deepest aspects of your human consciousness and sub consciousness. At the end of the day you must realise that we are part of this nature that is around us. There is no real difference and so we must learnt to connect and be a part of it. Standing on the outside looking in can be nice but it doesn’t immerse us and help us to become more spiritual and fulfilled with life.

A powerful and close relationship with the environment is built into the human psyche. When you look at history, nature, mountains, rivers, trees, the sun, the moon have always been honoured and looked up to as symbols that are meaningful and important. By moving away from our connection to nature and ourselves we have begun polluting and destroying the environment. We need to bring back the attitudes of the past to strengthen our connection with nature once more. However it is best to start on a personal level and see what changes you can make in your own life and then share with others.

For this kind of connection to happen, human consciousness must rise above greed and exploitation, something I am sure many of you avoid as much as possible! If you can take time to see the nature deep within you, your skills and talents and what you can do for yourself and others you’ll start to see it everywhere.  This provides the key to this vital relationship with yourself, with others and with your environment. This connection with nature and the deeper, stronger connection with yourself removes negative emotions, elevates your spiritual consciousness and creates a desire to care for the whole planet.

If you’re unsure where to start then here’s some tips:

Music/Dance – rhythm, moving around, feeling emotions from lyrics are all things that can make you open your mind.

Get out into nature – go outside, go to places you’ve never been before, really look at what’s around you, even take photos and look at them later. Take in the sounds, smells and colours.

Moderate exercise – light exercise always heightens awareness of self and makes you feel good. Make sure you do something you like otherwise you’ll associate negativity to it.

Balanced diet – getting vital nutrition helps to keep the body and mind in balance.

Yoga – this is a wonderful way to breathe, think and connect with your own body and understand what it can do.

Meditation – a wonderful way to relax but also to connect with your inner self and maybe even with your spirit guides.

Always be thankful for mother earth, take off your shoes and walk on the grass, feel her under your feet and be forever grateful. Help the planet, help your friends and always help and look after yourself.

It is seen by many as a milestone in a relationship, laden with all kinds of meanings and promises but those 3 words can mean a lot or nothing at all. Some find it very hard to share them whilst others can hand out the gesture with ease and on multiple occasions.

Why Do We Say It?

Many things to do with love, romance and relationships go back to very old customs and traditions but saying ‘I love you’ is actually a relatively new thing. In the UK it only really started to get said with strong meaning in relationships in the 1960’s. The era brought with it a wave of feminism and equality along with strong opinion on free love and expression. People started to share their feelings more openly and thus saying those 3 words became all important as time went on.

It Doesn’t Always Mean What We Think

Love means something different to everyone, I am pretty sure that’s well known. However, when we look at the word love in detail it’s even more complex than we can give it credit for. In Sanskrit there’s almost 100 different words to describe love so it’s no surprise that we often aren’t sure what it means to other people.

This is why saying ‘I love You’ may be nice but it’s also confusing and even seen as a blanket statement. There also has to be context as well, if someone is telling you they love you when you do things for them and not at other times then you have to wonder, do they like you or just the things you bring to them? It’s not always bad though, most of the time the phrase is used to show a step up, a level of commitment and trust has started to form.

Don’t Worry If It’s Not Being Said

Just as hearing or saying ‘I love you’ can be a wonderful thing, the lack of it between you and your partner doesn’t mean that love isn’t there. Studies have shown that a good relationship doesn’t hinge on this being said to one another on a regular basis so you have nothing to worry about. That said, if you are worried then make sure you speak to your partner openly about what love means to you and what it means to them.

More studies show that the longer you’re in a relationship the less frequently you are to say it to one another. Again this doesn’t mean the love is fading but more that the need or desire to say it just isn’t as strong anymore. This is very likely because love is being shown in many different ways and mainly by the length of time you have been with one another.

How To Know if Someone Loves You

If you’re waiting for someone to say ‘I love you’ first then you may be wondering if the love is there at all. Remember to look at other aspects of the relationship, trust, commitment, sharing, kindness, attentiveness are all aspects of a loving relationship so it doesn’t have to be said. If you’re wanting to hear it though, it may be best to take the plunge and initiate it by saying it yourself. Do not be disheartened if your partner doesn’t say it back right away though! Some people just need time.

If you’re wondering about who may love you or what may happen if you say ‘I love you’ to someone else, get in touch with one of our specialist love readers and they will enlighten you!

We’ve heard it all said. Someone is “seeking attention”, “why can’t they just keep quiet and not make a fuss?”, “she’s such a drama queen!” and so on. But is it really bad to seek attention? You could say that any time we speak or communicate we are asking someone to pay attention to us, isn’t that the same thing?

Ignorance Isn’t Always Bliss

Studies have shown that being ignored can be just as harmful, if not more harmful than being bullied. It may sound strange but think about it, if someone has something hurtful said about or to them then at least someone is thinking of them! Even an argument between friends is still interaction of some kind.

This kind of finding has been mentioned by philosophers but more in depth studies from psychologists and neurologists show that we would rather have some form of interaction with someone than be ignored by everyone. Our lack of understanding how and why we need this attention can be problematic such as calling people attention seekers when they may just be lonely or proud of their actions.

It’s Not a Character Flaw

Our failure to realise that this behaviour is normal can land us in trouble sometimes, this is when people can end up in relationships just for the sake of someone paying attention to them, even if it’s negative or damaging. Many of us want to shout out about what we did well or something we achieved that day but worry that others will see it as seeking validation or boasting, or again as seeking attention.

Many times on social media people complain that so-and-so is going on again about the goals they met at the gym or the meal they made. The fact is that the person they’re complaining about is proud of their accomplishments and isn’t afraid to let others know about it. This isn’t ever a bad thing, we encourage children to be proud of the things they make and the progress they make in school and in life. Why as adults do we scold one another for it?

Think of the Bigger Picture

As well as people being proud rather than bragging you can also see people saying things like they’re fed up, they’ve had a bad day, they are tired of their job. This negativity again can be seen as attention seeking “he just wants us to ask what’s wrong” or “she’s always complaining”. What’s worse is when you ask these people what’s wrong they may brush you off. This often labels them as an attention seeker and people go on to ignore them, something that as we now know can be very painful and upsetting.

People like the ones mentioned above are often reaching out for help but don’t know how to do so in a direct way. This doesn’t make them a bad person, maybe they just want their mind taken off it, a hug, a compliment, a friend to let them know if they want to talk, then they will be there for them.

So if you’re ever called an attention seeker or feel yourself about to call someone one, then try thinking a little deeper. It’s not a bad thing and it often means something else is going on underneath the surface.

 

Back in the 80’s I don’t think I knew anyone with a computer, the school had one, yes ONE for the entire school but that was about it. As the 90’s approached more and more people were talking about computers, buying them and then the internet happened. The 90’s and 00’s saw a wonderful revelation with the internet but along with it came also mobile phones, handheld games and many many more gadgets.

While we all enjoyed this new boost in technology and the help it gave us the longer this went on the more concerned people became. We were getting too last, kids weren’t playing outside, the computer had turned into the new demon the TV had back in the 80’s. Who remembers being told “Don’t sit too close! It’ll rot your brain”? Well now parents and others alike are worrying about the effects of long term use of technology.

How Has It Helped

The sad thing is that technology has actually helped so many people and businesses and has had a really positive impact. Companies can serve their customers better, charities can spread the word and raise money much faster. Those who are disabled or infirm can have their shopping delivered to their door. The busy working parent can pay their bills online without having to go to the bank. People stranded in a broken down car can use their mobile phone to call for help.

Whilst it can have its drawbacks technology isn’t really the monster some make it out to be. Developments in health and medication are progressed rapidly by advances in technology, in some cases doctors can even diagnose people without having to leave their home office. Conversing online also means companies can interview field agents without having them travel hundreds of miles for a face to face interview.

Social Media

Again many will say that social media is stopping people from meeting up or chatting to one another in “real life” – that is, face to face or over the phone. But what if you can’t afford to call your friend? What if you can’t meet someone because they live on the other side of the world? Well social media will have you covered. Sites that let people share and watch videos bring us entertainment, knowledge and also a way to progress. I often use such places for guided meditation and relaxation.

Whilst we do need to be careful online and obviously protect and educate our children, we must also embrace its good side. Being able to log on and connect with people is essential for those that wouldn’t otherwise be able to do it. To vent or just chat to someone, to see those comforting words can mean the world to a lonely person.

Did you also know that we offer an online instant reading service? Why not give it a try and see how online reading works for you.

Let it goooooo, let it goooo…ah erm, well many of us have heard the now famous song from the Disney film Frozen but for those who have not it’s also likely to be something you’ve heard before or had said to you. As in the song to be told this means to move on from the past or from people who may not treat you well. Here we’ll talk about some reasons to know when it’s time to move on and why it can be beneficial.

Why Move On?

There’s obvious times when we know we have to move on from things bur sometimes it’s the smaller ones we can ignore. If you don’t feel like you are getting what you want from life and aren’t learning anything any more then it may be time to move on and make changes. If someone is having a negative impact on you, even in small, little ways then move on from them. Their negative energy will build and build and over time they will start to have a more profound effect on you.

Living in the past is a great reason to move on, if someone has hurt you then don’t chase them. If you’re trying to recreate past events then that’s certainly an indicator for you to look ahead and push on, looking to the past isn’t going to help you. It’s great to grow and learn from the past but don’t keep trying to live in it. Old grudges are something you must also let go of, holding onto the weight, resentment and anger from an old grudge is only ever going to hold you back.

By moving on you’ll find new opportunities open up to you, you’ll feel spiritually lifted and more confident with the choices that you make in life. You’ll see new people come into your life who will have time and respect for you and as such you’ll be much happier and wondering why you ever held on to the past in the first place. You’ll also be much more aware of when you need to move on the next time.

How to Let it Go

So how do you actually go about this? The following may help you:

• Change Your Company

Whether it’s a friend or a partner it may well be time to get away from them, distancing yourself from a person who holds you back can be extremely liberating.

• Know What Can be Changed

There’s no point in trying to change what can’t be altered. So it’s always best to focus on what can be changed. You may hate where you live but you may very well be in a position where you can’t afford to move or doing so would lose you a job etc. In these cases taking small steps and planning ahead is for the best.

• Take Full Control of Your Life

Basically this means that you have to want these changes, you have to want to move and want the best for yourself. Your job may be awful but unless you’re looking for another one then you are the one holding yourself back, you are the one to blame if you stay there.

• Take Some Chances

Sticking with what’s familiar can be comforting but at the same time it can be debilitating as well. Having the same friends, the same routines, the same plans day in and day out can start to drain you. Try new things and create more opportunities. By doing this you’ll find that making other choices to let go will be easier. If you network with new people you may find that better job offer.

• Focus on Now

By focusing on the present you will propel yourself further and further into your future with a much more positive frame of mind. This will open more doors for you and the more you look ahead the more you leave the past behind. By all means think of the past but do not base your decisions on it or try to recreate it. Think and move on and then think of now, it’s more important to you.

If you are wanting to move on but don’t know what direction to take then please speak to one of our Sundial Psychics readers, they can help you with past love, past hurt, moving on from grudges and more.

Many days in our calendar mark significant events and holidays, many are very common such as Easter, a new moon, the start of spring. But the 20^th of March is going to be an exciting one and here’s why.

Not only is this the date of the March Equinox this only happens twice a year, once in March and the other in September where the day and night are nearly of equal length. If that wasn’t exciting enough then it’s also a full moon but not just a normal full moon, it’s a Supermoon. This is where the moon is at its closest to the Earth whilst being full and can look most spectacular!

However we haven’t even gotten start yet. There’s a wonderful astrological event happening this day as well and that’s a solar eclipse. So not only will you have the joys of seeing the moon in all its full and large glory you’ll also get to experience this wondrous event.

How Does a Solar Eclipse Happen?

The UK is expected to see around a 90% blackout of the sun with some areas of Scotland seeing around 94%! A solar eclipse is when the moon moves directly between the Sun and the Earth. It’s unusual because the Earth, Sun and the Moon all have to align.

It also rare because of the elliptical (oval) shape of the Moon’s path, or orbit, around the Earth, meaning the Moon is sometimes further away from us. Additionally the Moon’s orbit is on a tilt, making it even rarer when the Sun, Moon and Earth align.

What Does It Mean?

 

For some this doesn’t mean much and they may go on about their day as normal but for many they will feel shifts and changes in energy. This will also be caused by the supermoon and the Equinox. And for many they will want to make an occasion of it! Many are planning parties as well!

The last full solar eclipse was back in 1999 (does anyone remember that one? I do!), this one on the 20^th will only be a partial one but it’s still going to be pretty impressive and be a day to remember.

Be Prepared!

Do note that the next UK partial eclipse won’t be until 2026 and the next full one isn’t until 2090! So you may want to be on the lookout for this one. It’s going to be a morning one so many may catch it as they go to work or have their first break of the day.

8.45AM – The eclipse will start

9.31AM – The eclipse will be at its peak or maximum

10.41AM – Everything will be back to normal.

The further North you are the better it will be. If you’re on the South coast then the coverage may only get to 85%. However all can experience it and all you need is a clear view of the horizon.

Remember to keep safe and that looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse can damage your eyes, you can get special eclipse glasses to filter the sun which are available online cheaply.

Myths, Legends and Traditions

Like many astronomical events a solar eclipse has many a tale spun around it and also some interesting traditions as follows:

*A common myth still believed in some cultures says a pregnant woman should stay indoors during an eclipse, lest her child be born blind

*Some parts of Asia see people thinking food cooked during an eclipse become poisonous or impure

*A Viking fable tells of the wolf Skoll chasing the god of the sun Sol so when an eclipse happened people would bang pots and pans to chase off the wolf and get the sun back!

*The ancient Greeks though an eclipse was a sign from the Gods that they were angry and bad things were going to happen. The word eclipse actually comes from the Greek ekleipsis which meant being abandoned.

*And of course last but not least some used to think it marked the end of the world.

I can, of course, attest that’s not the case after seeing the 1999 full eclipse and living to tell the tale!

We all want the best for ourselves and those we love, our friends, family and maybe even our colleagues and co-workers. But what about everyone else? What about the nature around us? When asked how the world could be a better place, many will cite world peace, the end of racism and homophobia. Whilst these are all gallant and noble ideas, they can’t be changed overnight, nor can they be changed by one person.

So how can we make the world a better place? Is there anything we can do ourselves in our day-to-day lives? There’s less grand gestures we can make than delegating treaties and becoming world leaders. As the saying goes – “it’s the little things that matter” and they certainly do add up over time. Here’s some ideas of how to make the world a better place in your own special way:

 

• Tip – tip people, in the UK tipping isn’t done all that much as service charges are often included in prices. However we tip taxi drivers and hairdressers. What about your dog groomer, local café worker or babysitter? They all work hard too so try and tip those you don’t normally tip. It doesn’t have to be with money either, bake cakes or write out a nice card with a voucher.

•  Contact someone out of the blue – send a text, letter, email, phone them! If you have a good connection but haven’t spoken for ages then getting in touch can make that person very happy and can create some positive situations for yourself as well.

• Volunteer – this is a common one but also one that really boost you and the people around you. Contact charities, see if there’s anything you can devote your time to, and even pick up litter from your own street. It will make you feel good, make other people feel good and send out positive vibrations for miles.

• Compliment people – it doesn’t have to be about their looks, it can be about something they have done, said or made. Be honest and let them know what you think, tell them how their skills are valued and how you’d like to see more of them.

• Teach others – do you have a skill that others would love to have? Why not teach it to someone else. Imagine if you did that, then that person teaches 2 more, then they both teach 3 others each. By the end of the year your small action will have caused a small army of people to have gained a great new skill!

• Donate/Gift – many of us have too many “things” in our homes, items that sit in cupboards that never see the light of day. Many of us just leave things lying around, complaining how we have no room or how the spare room is full. Well clear it out, if you donate 20 things that’s you changing the life of at least 20 different people!

• Give people a chance – this is especially important if you have people under you at work or have children. Sometimes you will find yourself in positions where you feel the need to take over and do a task yourself. Why not take a step back and let your co-worker or child surprise you with what they can do. They may get it wrong but giving them a chance will help them to learn and grow.

• Respect the planet – research how you can help the environment. Whether this means going vegan or getting the bus instead of using the car to get to work, it will all add up. Extend this to trying to buy ethically sourced products and those that don’t test on animals.

This list may seem long but they’re all little things you can do during the course of the week and by doing them will you create a positive situation in your mind which then reaches out to other people. When you take these steps, others will follow, then comes a chain reaction of positive energy, thoughts and emotions flowing between vast numbers of people.

In the Western World we give red roses, chocolates, even jewellery to those we love or have affection for. We send card adorned with red hearts, cute animals and words or romance and desire. But what do the romantics in other countries of the world do on Valentine’s Day? Do they even celebrate it and how do they show their love for one another on this day?

Valentine’s Day started as a Christian celebration in Rome, for one of a number of saints named Valentinus. It was only after Chaucer romanticized the day in a poem in 1382 that it became a celebration of romantic love and people really began to take notice and remember the day as something special.

In time, the Victorians made the day more and more popular and began to mass produce Valentine’s Day cards. This soon spread across the Atlantic to the Americas. It soon grew into the huge marketing industry of flowers, chocolates and cards we all know and some love to this day.

So here’s some of the different celebrations from a few places in the world, some are similar but some are very different to what you may already experience in your country.

UK/USA

On this day it is customary for people to name the first eligible person they met on Valentine’s Day as ‘Valentine’. After this, they are supposed to give a gift to their newly meet ‘Valentine’ and pay particular attention to them for a year.

However these days it’s just shared between those already with one another or with someone that a person may desire. In the UK/USA gifts such as flowers, chocolates and stuffed toys are given to show affection. Sometimes the cards and gifts are given anonymously making it so the recipient has to guess who their Valentine is.

Germany
In Germany, Valentine’s Day focuses more on adults, it’s not something that children or younger people are involved with. Valentine’s Day was not celebrated in Germany until after World War II. One of the symbols for Valentine’s Day in Germany is a pig this is because it represents luck. Because of this many gifts given, like flowers and chocolate come with a toy pig as well.

Japan

Japan is very different in the way Valentine’s Day is celebrated because it actually happens on two different days. On the 14^th of February, women give chocolates to the men they desire. There are two different types of chocolates given, Giri Chocolate, which is given to friends and colleagues and Honmei Chocolate, which is given to men they love. After this on the 14^th of March the men then do the same to their female friends or women they desire.

Finland

In Finland Valentine’s Day is called Ystävänpäivä which literally means “Friend’s Day”. Finnish people focus on their friends and in some cases their families, instead of their partner or spouse. They send small token gifts and cards to one another to show gratitude and the worth of the friendships they have with one another.

France

One of the more unusual activities on Valentine’s Day came from France. Valentine’s Day was seen as a day of freedom for women, this meant that they could easily dissolve a relationship or even cheat on their husband or partner and not face any consequences for their actions. This is outdated now however and they seem to have a more traditional view on the holiday instead.

Brazil

The Dia dos Namorados or “Lovers’ Day” is celebrated on the 12^th of June. This is because that is the day before Saint Anthony’s day, known in Brazil as the saint of marriage. The typical February 14^th Valentine’s Day is not celebrated at all because it usually clashes with the Brazilian carnival which lasts a week and is a main focus for them.

When it comes to finding friends, perhaps the first step is understanding what exactly friendship is. Does it mean you like one another on Facebook? Or that you see each other every week when you go to the gym or the bar with one another? I don’t think either of those constitute a real friendship. A relationship needs to have some key elements in order to be labelled as friendship.

What’s the Difference?

We all know a lot of people, we often talk of those we chat alongside at work or even converse with on an online forum. But the similarities end there, however it doesn’t mean that they don’t act friendly towards you, but are they really your friend? Is there a bond between you? Here’s some tips that show what good friends do, for example they:

• Listen to you intently when you express yourself or talk about a problem.
• Always wants the best for you in life.
• Sees you outside of a forced situation, so places other than work, online, next door etc
• Arranges to meet up with you for a drink, coffee or a meal
• Talks about you and one another in terms of friends and friendship
• Does nice things for you

These may seem simple but sometimes we can assume someone is our friend because they are pleasant to us, then when we try to rely on them, they let us down. This can lead to hurt feelings and being used.

How to Maintain Friendships

Sometimes we have very busy lives and this may mean we don’t make efforts like we used to. However good friends can and will go long amounts of time without spending time with one another and be understanding. But try to keep in mind that it takes only a few seconds to write a text, a few minutes to pick up the phone and have a conversation with your friends and ask how they are.

Make sure that you have the balance of give and take sorted out, if you feel that you may be lacking in giving your friend attention then invite them over. They’ll be ever so glad that you did so and you’ll be able to share some good times with one another and catch up.

Beware the Fake Friend

We’ve all been there, let down by someone we thought was our friend. They started out by fulfilling all the criteria, they asked how we were, gave us attention, wanted the best for us, made the effort but then it changed.

If you notice a friend getting distant from you then you may have to ask why, if they have a lot on their mind or a busy life then that’s understandable. However, if they are leaning on you only to back away when you need them then they’re not being true. These kinds of friendships often end in frustration or in a betrayal of trust.

How to Find True Friends

This is an easy one and makes me think of the Gandhi quote “Be the change you wish to see in the World”. In other words to draw a true friend to you, then act like one yourself. It will make you a better person and bring the right people into your life.

The term “happiness” is used very often especially in spiritual circles but its general meaning can be lost on us. Sometimes we feel like it’s out of our reach and unobtainable. However, this article aims to guide you onto a pathway where you can get that happiness back into your life and make it meaningful to you.

What makes you happy may make someone else miserable, what spurs you on may deter someone else from making a step in a new direction. Although we are all wonderful human beings, we are also individuals and this guide will assist you in finding what works for you, some may not apply but you’ll find that many do.

Don’t Burn Bridges or Bear Grudges

This is something I suggest to a lot of people, holding grudges is like letting someone live rent free in your head. So someone wronged you, they did something horrible, well move on and know that that is someone you need to avoid in the future for your own benefit, thinking about them won’t help anything.

On the other hand don’t lose relationships with people just because you don’t think you may not see or speak to them again! For example, if you decide to leave your job then don’t give your boss an earful on the way out! You may connect with them later in life and wish you’d kept a good and meaningful connection with them!

Do What You Love/Like

Work out what you like to do, not what makes the most money or what you think other people would like you to do. So many people don’t realise until they are past middle age that they spent a lot of their life either working too hard or pleasing other when what they should have been doing was pleasing themselves!

Of course we have to work and earn money but remember the often said phrase “money can’t buy you happiness”. Many scoff at that saying but look at how many lottery winners agree with it, they have euphoria for a year or so but then realise money can’t “fix” them. They still need happiness in their life and this can be achieved by doing what makes you happy.

Use Your Eyes to Their Full Potential

This is something that may seem silly to some but a great confidence boost to others! Try your best to make eye contact with people when they are taking to you, keep them locked on, it lets them know you are interested and that you are fully engaged with them.

Grasp how to make a piercing stare, you will need to look in the mirror to practise this one. Try and reach right into the soul, you’ll know you’ve mastered it when you feel a little intimidated. You can then use this skill on others to gain control of situations!

Wear a Rubber Band

No this isn’t the latest fashion craze, but a very effective way of ridding yourself of negative thoughts or processes. Get a simple rubber band (make sure you’re not allergic) and put it on your wrist at the start of the day. Anytime you have a negative thought – especially one against yourself – then snap the band against your skin.

This may sound cruel but you only have to do it slightly and you’ll feel a slight sting. If you keep this going for a long while then you will start to modify your thoughts and find that you have less and less in the way of negativity in your life. The less you think negative, the less you become negative and the less negativity you will encounter!

Be Curious!

Become and explorer, not just of yourself and others but your environment. Walk past the car and wander, so many of us live near beautiful outdoor spaces but neglect them. Even if you don’t then just walk around your neighbourhood, how long has it been since you did this?

Also try new things, never been to that local restaurant or bar, then arrange to go. Never done a Zumba class? Then try it! If you hate it then at least you’ll know and your curiosity will have been satisfied. By experiencing these new environments you’ll open your mind up much more.

This list is just a beginning and I’m sure that there’s more you can think of, feel free to share them with our readers and our community on Facebook and Twitter! Love and light.