Stars, Signs, & Spirits
Robert Aitken
Aries by Josephine Wall
New beginnings. This is what is represented by Aries the Ram; the first sign of the Zodiac (March 21-April 20). In the physical world, this makes sense, as spring represents rebirth. There is something youthful and aggressive about the Aries spirit. Often times, I explain to friends or colleagues that – if a Pisces can be described as a Grandpa or Grandmother, being the oldest sign – an Aries is the toddler. Direct in expressing themselves and happiest when they can get something started and lead the way.
However, Aries has a habit of starting something and not finishing it (quite like a toddler, no?) Aries is the first fire sign that is represented by a ram. If you think about it, this is quite cute: a ram butting his or her way through life with a sense of playfulness and excitement. Aries’ key phrase is “I Am”. Ruled by the planet of Mars, an Aries spirit is impulsive, adventurous, and full of energy. When someone first meets an Aries, they may encounter an individual who is friendly, talkative, and always full of great ideas. These people like to migrate to the center of the action.
When you associate yourself with an Aries, you are in for a wild ride – and this can be a good or bad thing. Just be sure that you can keep up with their pace. Although Aries aren’t the most emotional of creatures, they have no problems expressing themselves freely. However, they are more compassionate then they let on, and Aries… don’t be afraid to stay with your more unpleasant feelings. It’s okay to wallow a little! Aries feel being isolated. They can be afraid of silence and emptiness. Their motto is, “Where’s the party?!” And if there isn’t one around – that’s okay – an Aries will start one!
Rams aim high. To them, winning does matter. The ram has come to represent male fertility, aggression and courage. A ram’s horn is part of a cornucopia – also known as the “horn of plenty” – symbolizing abundance. In history, rams were often symbols of leadership, which means that Aries natives are said to be leaders and pioneers. A ram will butt their heads into their enemies, and Aries individuals are thought to approach life head-on (and they may butt heads with you from time to time!)
Happy Birthday, Aries – and Happy Spring, everyone!
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We have entered the last sign, Pisces. It’s interesting how Pisces, a water sign which is also represented by the fish, occurs during one of the wettest times of the year (February 19-March 20). Aquarius, the Water Bearer, has done its job of pouring water onto the parched world below. On top of that, with the promise of the arrival of spring; more snow and rain, Pisces is going to do what it does best: swim! As the oldest sign, Pisces is known for having “its head in the clouds and its tail downstream”. Sometimes, people born under the astrological sign of Pisces seem to float their way through life…
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Tags: Astrology, fish, GayGuideToronto, GayGuideToronto.com, GGT, GGT 2.0, neptune, pisces, rain, snow, spring., water sign, winter, Zodiac
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This is the last entry in my experiences at The Rock Store. Have you ever wondered what an crystal healing session would be like? Do you know anything about reiki, or are curious to how energy healing and energy transmittion works?
After my crystal card reading was done, I was asked to lie down on a raised table covered in warm, comfortable blankets. After I was relaxed, Samantha placed the sacred crystals on each of my seven chakras (and I held some in my open palms, as well). The experience was very relaxing. Essentially, Samantha traveled around my body and transmitted healing energy into me. At certain times, she would touch parts of my body – and the touch was very soothing and supportive. For me, the experience was so amazing because the method of touch and the places where the energy exchange took place were places you don’t ordinarily get touched with such care (for example, the back of your neck or the top of your head). During the experience, I felt an overwhelming sense of calm and relaxation.
After the crystal healing, I felt much cleaner (energy wise). I stood up straighter, and I could feel a difference in my physical body – especially with my breath. It was almost as if my energy, or my chakras, had been “cleaned out”. After the therapy session, Samantha also told me things that she had received during my reading – which are a little personal – but were absolutely correct. Of course, I wasn’t surprised…
If you are interested in a crystal reading or healing session, visit The Rock Store for more information. For me, it was definitely worth it. I encourage anyone who is even the least bit curious to give it a try. You definitely feel a physical difference after the therapy session, and if you are wondering what crystals and rocks work best with you, a crystal card reading would be a good way to connect with what crystals want to work with you.
Tags: crystals; healing; energy; angels, GayGuideToronto, GGT, GGT 2.0, the rock store
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Crystal cards — the same deck used at The Rock Store
Tarot cards. Oracle cards. Crystal cards. For a newbie, all of these different types of “card spreads” can get a little confusing. What do they all mean? You know about oracle cards from my One Great Thing entry, in which I encouraged readers to buy cards for themselves and their loved ones as the perfect holiday present. However, have you ever heard of a Crystal Card spread? In this entry, I will teach you all about them as well as my recent experience getting a crystal card reading of my own (told from a newbie perspective).
This entry draws on my previous post, in which I explained my experience at The Rock Store. While there, I was treated to a crystal card reading as well as a crystal therapy session. After browsing The Rock Store, I was taken to the back room that is dedicated to healing sessions. The room itself was beautiful: warm and quiet, with soft music playing, candles lit and beautiful fabrics draped from the ceiling. Samantha, The Rock Store owner, sat me down so that we could start our “healing journey” together. She first asked my birthdate, so we could calculate my path number and my year number, as well as go deeper into my astrological chart. She also provided me with some insight as to what her intuition told her before meeting me (she said that she always takes a few moments before meeting with a new client to see what vibes or premonitions, so to speak, that she gets about each person).
I must admit that Samantha’s insight was applicable – I could relate to everything that she said about me. For example, I could very much relate to my life path number (7) and my year number (5). Before meeting me, Samantha was given the eihwag symbol —which looks like a M symbol — which symbolizes partnership, divine soul mate, sexuality and support of intellect. I could also relate to the symbolism because my Sun sign (Virgo) and Moon sign (Scorpio) both have the M symbol. Apparently, because I was a year 5 person, 2011 would be my year! Horrah!
Samantha then took me through a seven-card spread that reveals the energy of your chakras. Seven cards are picked, each representing one of the seven chakras. In detail, Samantha explained what each card that I picked meant. The cards represent the power of the elements that are working in your life, the directional influences surrounding your life journey, and the specific crystals that want to work for you. Interestingly enough, many of the crystals that showed up during my card spread were crystals that I had a direct relationship with at the end of 2010. For example, two crystals (rose quartz and tiger’s eye) I had given to a friends a birthday gift, and to a previous co-worker who was moving jobs, and another crystal had been given to me as a gift (only a mere few months ago!) The cards you go through help to give more insight into your root chakra, sacral chakra, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye and crown chakra.
Stay tuned for my next entry which will talk about the crystal therapy session that I received from The Rock Store.
Tags: spirituality; astrology; tarot; crystal cards; chakras; healing; energy; the rock store; card spread; life path; year number; partnership; divine soulmate; sexuality; support of intellect; seven chakr
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Warm. Inviting. Tranquil. Sanctuary. Those are just a few of the words that can describe The Rock Store, a crystal haven and healing centre that I visited this weekend. Nestled in Toronto’s Mirvish Village, in a quiet side-street off of Bloor, The Rock Store is quite a sight. The store occupies a quaint Toronto home that is painted a beautiful shade of lavender and a light shade of aquamarine, with navy blue accents showing up in the banister and front door. If you were to pass it on the street, you wouldn’t be able to miss it. The building itself exudes a beautiful and peaceful energy.
As soon as I walked in, I was drawn toward a big glass bowl which read, “Ask spirit what messages it has for you today?” How cute, I thought. I couldn’t help myself, so I took an affirmation which said, “Many hands make light work. A cooperative effort will take you to your goal much faster”. I could hear the sweet sounds of water flowing, chimes blowing softly, and warm music playing overhead, all which are very pleasing to the senses. The walls of the store are filled with crystals, rocks and minerals of all kinds. I was instantly drawn to a black obsidian stone as well as a clear quartz crystal. If you are looking for crystal jewellery – you have found your place! I have never before seen so much beautiful jewellery derived from crystals in one location.
Of course, the store also sells books, cards, flowers, artwork and other metaphysical goodies. After browsing the store for a few minutes, I was greeted by the owner Samantha who was wearing bright colours with beautiful crystals of various shapes and colours — all with their own unique healing properties — draped beautifully around her neck. She told me to enjoy the store, take my time exploring and see what I was attracted to. The employees are friendly and knowledgeable, and encourage customers to pick products based on what calls to them, and what they themselves are attracted to, as not to feel pressure on what to buy. It all should come from the heart.
The front end of the store is devoted to the metaphysical products and the back end is used for therapy and healing sessions. The store also offers crystal card readings, reiki with crystal therapy, various types of massages, luma light body therapy, and more. I encourage anyone with ‘spiritual sensibilities’ to visit this haven – you won’t be disappointed and you will definitely leave the store with a gem to call your own; something that can encourage your spiritual journey and help in grounding, focus, clarity, and balance – or whatever your focus may be on.
The Rock Store is located at 602 Markham Street (the closest major intersection is Bathurst and Bloor). Be sure to visit their website (www.therockstore.ca) and check out one of my favourite sections of the website titled “Fairy’s Thoughts” – which is a The Rock Store’s own personal blog space.
The Rock Store. 602 Markham Street, Toronto.
Stay tuned to my next article where I talk about my first-time experience with crystal therapy and a crystal reading!
Tags: crystals; rocks; stones; spiritual; metaphysical; therapy; angels; reiki; store; mirvish village; toronto; bloor; bathurst, the rock store
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Aquarius by Josephine Wall
You know the old song The Age of Aquarius by The 5th Dimension? I think that Raquel Welch did a cover of the song, too. Well those born under the Sun sign of Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) are perfect representatives for this age. They have the social conscience needed to carry us into the new millennium because of their humanitarian and philanthropic ways. Aquarians are visionaries. Some may say they are a tad unusual, but hey – there’s nothing wrong with that! Aquarians are air sings, and they like to think outside the box. C’mon, we just stepped out of Capricorn who is King of following the rules so Aquarius wants to mix things up.
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Tags: air sign, aquarius, Astrology, february, GayGuideToronto, GayGuideToronto.com, GGT, GGT 2.0, greek mythology, january, rain, saturn, snow, the rain god, the zodiac, uranus, water, winter, Zodiac
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Capricorn by Josephine Wall
Enter Capricorn (December 22-January 19). The Winter Solstice has come and passed, and this Earth Sign is ready for its moment in the spotlight. Capricorns are known to be steady, purposeful and long-sighted (much like winter!) In fact, I often use this analogy to describe a Capricorn: a steady goat trudging up a mountain in the middle of a snow storm. It may seem perplexing, but believe me, it works…
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Tags: astrology; capricorn; earth sign; cardinal sign; winter; goat; half goat half fish; winter solstice; reliable; practical; era, GayGuideToronto.com, GGT, GGT 2.0
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Just Call Me Angel In The Morning, Baby
ONE GREAT THING – A GayGuideGiftGuide: For all astrology enthusiasts – or those who want to give a friend or family member a spiritually inspired gift – my recommendation is a pack of oracle cards.
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Tags: GayGuideToronto.com, GGT, Robert Aitken
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Sagittarius by Josephine Wall
Enter Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21). Has anyone ever noticed that when a fire sign comes into play, Mother Nature always stirs things up? Think about it: Aries brings rebirth through spring; Leo brings the peak of heat during summer; Sagittarius brings that first snowfall of winter (at least for those of us who are in a climate that gets snow). One may say that the snow that dances around the sky as the days get colder and the nights get longer reflects the Sagittarian’s adventurous spirit.
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Tags: Abraham, adventurous, archer, Astrology, centaur, december, fire, GayGuideToronto.com, GGT, GGT 2.0, i see, jupiter, Law Of Attraction, november, sagittarius, Zodiac
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A few months ago, a friend of mine shared with me an amazing radio station that I cannot stop listening to. While at work or at home, I find that I am constantly listening to Hay House Radio. For those of you who want to give your regular dance stations a break - and are interested in something new and enlightening – I would definitely recommend that you give Hay House Radio a shot. At Hay House, you can tune-in to talk shows featuring popular Hay House authors and you are welcome to telephone the station for live “on-air” conversations with your favourite hosts. On top of that, each host has their own Facebook and Twitter page – as well as their own personal websites - that allows viewers to chat with the hosts and other people watching. Essentially, Hay House is like a big community connecting like-minded individuals interested in topics such as spirituality, health, astrology, and much more!
Some of my favourite shows include:
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Tags: Abraham, Astrology, collette baron-reid, dorren virtue, enlightenment, esther hicks, gay guide toronto, GGT, GGT 2.0, hay house, jerry hicks, john holland, Law Of Attraction, lisa williams, Louise Hay, mark hussen, radio, sonia choquette, Spirituality, Toronto, wayne dyer
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