According to ancient Chinese legends, the five elements are what comprise the existence of the universe. There must be a constant balance of the five in order for the world to run smoothly. As we are living beings on this earth, it is only natural to conclude that we are composed of these same substances.

Yet one or two elements, in particular, is enhanced on each individual person, displayed in their characteristics and temperament. Those who are practiced in ancient Chinese healing methods use these element personalities to diagnose and treat their patients.

Which Element Are You?

Wood: “Pioneer”

Personality:

Those with Wood character traits are adventurous go-getters. Their determination drives them to push themselves to the limit in order to accomplish their goals. This makes these people very competitive. Due to their assertiveness and logical mind, they react strongly when they witness injustice. Others may misunderstand and view them to be harsh, blunt, or apologetic.

Emotions:

The predominant emotion for Wood types is anger. This usually occurs when Woods push themselves too hard or commit themselves to more than they can handle. This anger can manifest itself in compulsive, erratic behavior, or they become stressed and exhausted.

Health:

The bodily organs affiliated with this type is the liver and the gallbladder. Woods are prone to irregular sleep, migraines, inflammation, headaches, muscle cramps, and nervous disorders. Continue reading →

 Essential oils have been around for over 1000 years, so it is no wonder that people all over the world have found many simple yet astounding uses for them.  They can have a wide range of properties, and many people swear by them for complete mind/body wellness. No matter what lifestyle you choose to pursue, essential oils can help you become more mindful and receptive to your surroundings.

 But aside from the list of physical benefits, what most people do not know is that essential oils are actually reported to have several spiritual benefits that can be very empowering if used correctly. These benefits can seem mysterious, but they boil down to simple aspects of spiritual awareness, such as creativity, protection, calmness, and happiness.

With that in mind, here are some of the most common and useful essential oils that you should familiarize yourself with, along with their lesser known spiritual uses.

Lavender

Lavender has a wide range of medicinal uses, from relieving skin irritations like bug bites, to disinfecting minor wounds, and is definitely in the “top 10 list of household essential oils”.

More interestingly, lavender oil can lift away depression or prolonged sadness, and bring feelings of harmony and purification to the weary psyche.

When in need of comfort or companionship, lavender helps us realize that we are not alone. Continue reading →

Space is big enough and complex enough that there is always something new to be discovered. There are planets and phenomenon out there that are just waiting to be found. But what happens when a discovery is made in our own “galactic backyard”?

According to NASA, a small asteroid has been discovered in orbit around the sun that also circles around the earth as well, traveling between 38 to 100 times the distances of the moon.

Designated as 2016 H03 by scientists, this cosmic dance partner to our very own Earth bobs and weaves through Earth’s orbital plane like a tiny dancer due to its uniquely tilted orbit.

At only 40 meters across and 100 meters wide and with an elliptical tilt of 8°, 2016 H03 has already captured all of our hearts –which is pretty remarkable, since it has only been orbiting the Earth for about 100 years (a short time when you’re an asteroid!). Luckily, it plans to stick around for centuries to come.  Continue reading →

In space, no one can hear you have a mental breakdown. The exploration of outer space brings with it not only fascinating scientific advancements but extreme situations and environments. These can be a real strain on the astronauts experiencing them. Away from the comforts of Earth, their home since birth, the time spent up there can take a real psychological toll.

Because of the psychological risks involved in sending people deeper into space, for longer periods of time, NASA has invested a lot of money and time into keeping space explorers sane. They even have a detailed set of written procedures for dealing with a suicidal or psychotic astronaut in space.

With a small group of people in an enclosed environment, feelings of isolation and claustrophobia could very reasonably occur. Astronauts may undergo difficulty sleeping, irritability, or feel discouraged in their work. All of which are a much greater cause for concern when the person experiencing them is thousands of miles away.

However, NASA’s got a plan for every eventuality. 

Where it all started

The idea of aerospace psychology dates back to Russian missions on board the Salyut 6 (1977 – 1982) and Salyut 7 (1982 – 1991) space stations. These missions saw cosmonauts staying on board the space stations for much longer periods than ever before. Salyut 6 was the first ever six-month space mission, and Salyut 7 the first eight-month one.

During these long missions, cosmonauts began showing noticeable signs of psychological distress. Think back to eight months ago and imagine that all this time you were in a spacecraft measuring 52 feet by 13 feet, with only one or two people to keep you company! Continue reading →

It’s a tradition in Native culture for older generations to pass down their knowledge and wisdom through the telling of stories. These myths and legends serve as explanations for how the world first began and why certain things are the way they are. Here are a few we can all enjoy.

Cherokee Myth

 A long time ago, there was a large island floating in the middle of a big ocean. This island was held by four big ropes, which hung from a solid rock sky. Because the sky was made out of rock, it was always dark on the island. There were no people; only animals.

Due to the darkness, the animals couldn’t see anything. To give them light, every day the animals would get the sun and place it on the path that stretched across from the east side of the island to the west. The Great Spirit did not approve of this. Continue reading →

Ancient Egypt was a culture renowned for its knowledge and use of cosmetics and ointments. Cleopatra was famed for her beauty as well as her unusual beauty regimes. The ancient Egyptian god of perfume was Nefertum, who was also the god of healing. This inextricable link between aroma and healing spread through many aspects of their culture.

Now, thousands of years later, we continue to use many of the traditions this culture discovered and practiced, essential oils and the use of botanicals as healing agents are widespread. Granted, they’ve been updated a little since then!

The Nile River

Evidence of the earliest uses of essential oils has been found dating back over 5,000 years to ancient Egypt. Egyptian society and culture sprung up around the River Nile because it was a source of life on the continent of Africa.

Not only did the river provided an abundance of plants, which gave opportunities for a rich culture to grow, but the bustling culture that sprung up around it lead to advancements in writing, agriculture, and urbanization. Continue reading →