About eight years ago, I was at a Reiki share event where practitioners and students give and receive Reiki healing. The person who was sharing Reiki with me pulled out her pendulum, using it on each of my main 7 chakras to determine where I might be experiencing imbalances. For the most part, her pendulum responded with a gentle swirling motion over each of my energy centers. I was assured this indicated I was in balance -- that is, until she came to my sacral chakra. I looked down toward my pelvis and could see her hand was perfectly still, but the pendulum was swinging rapidly in a counterclockwise circular motion, like a ceiling fan on high speed. "Whoa!" she said. "What is going on in your creative life that is out of balance, Dawn?" To be honest, it kind of freaked me out. I have always appreciated the arts and creativity in general, but I realized with that question that I had been stifling my creative urges and that moment was a catalyst that launched me into a deeper exploration of personal creativity. During this journey, I've had some interesting discoveries -- for one, (and this is kind of a "duh moment") creativity is not limited to "art." Personal creativity is the way we approach and create anything. It could be the way you speak, the way you think, the way you pro-create or choose to direct those energies into other "babies," like a passion project or personal life mission. Creativity is expressed in how you approach the world, in what you choose to focus your attention on, in the people you choose to surround yourself with. It is a hallmark of the personal routines you keep, the way you meet your personal needs and self-care. Creativity is your personal mark on the environment around you -- an expression of your inner light! So, how do we cultivate our personal creativity? How can we authentically contribute to the world at large? Focusing on Sacral Chakra work can pay off, big time. The Sacral Chakra (Svadhistana), located just beneath the belly button, is the body's energetic center of creativity. It is associated with the moon, instinct and, of course, the urge to create. When this chakra is out of balance, it means we are out of touch with our authentic creative expression. To be balanced, we enjoy the sweetness of life (which, by the way, the word Svadhistana means "sweetness.") There are numerous ways to balance this chakra, first and foremost, by contemplating how to manifest YOUR personal desires. From there, we can engage in regular play-like activities (art, writing, feeling joy and beautifying the world with your shine.) And, when we have a regular yoni care practice, this chakra (along with the root chakra, or Muladhara) gets toned and primed. I recommend carnelian specifically for awakening creativity. Here are some other things you can do to activate/ heal/ tone your Sacral Chakra: Daily Svadhistana Balancing Contemplation 1) Sit in a comfy position 2) Take a deep breath in through your nose and exhale gently out your mouth 3) Using your hand, touch your navel. Use a soft, circular clockwise motion as if you are winding in the energy of the affirmations while saying aloud: Today, I want to express my CORE desired feeling of (fill in the blank with the way you wish to feel...) Today, I shine from my CENTER and share my creative gifts with all whom I come into contact. Today, I am passionate, healthy and vibrant. Today, I am a Goddess who manifests the life She desires. Today, I am safe to enjoy my sexuality as a creative and sacred expression of all that I am.
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I was asked the other day online about which yoni egg I prefer to use. The question inspired me to share this blog post about why I feel passionate about using the yoni eggs that I do. For one, I only use quartz, jade, glass or jasper eggs (stones with high Mohs ratings). As a sensitive person, I tend to be hyper-vigilant about what I eat or drink and put ON or IN my body. Which is why I made a video on toxic yoni eggs. I have found that these crystals are the only yoni eggs that will not fry, leech, or cause irritation in the sensitive yoni area. I also keep different yoni eggs for different purposes. I like the soothing compassion of rose quartz yoni egg, especially when I feel like I could use some extra empathy or self-love. I like to use amethyst yoni egg for my bedtime routine ritual, and also, during yoga or meditation. I prefer to use my obsidian yoni egg when I'm cleaning my house and decluttering, or when I feel like I need some energetic protection to prevent chi leakage...(kind of like bladder leaks, but on the energetic level!) And then there are the times when I'm traveling and have no choice but to go through crowded, fluorescent lit airports...needless to say, being empathic and sensitive is no fun when you are traveling! It causes me to feel rather untethered.... So when I am traveling, I always bring a red jasper yoni egg with me. Working with my yoni egg reels me back in to the here and now...helps me kick jet lag and gets me back into my own body again. Now, any yoni stone can help with this, to be honest, by virtue of the fact it is made of earth and therefore is grounding. But when I feel disconnected, I appreciate the way red Jasper, associated with the ELEMENT of EARTH, almost immediately reconnects me to my physical senses. Spiritual Meaning of Brecciated "Red" Jasper Red Jasper is the "blood of the mother earth." This stone reminds us to nurture ourselves. It offers tranquility and wholeness to those who've gone through trying times. Energetically, it lends structure, especially when one feels their world has been torn apart. It can help you in your quest to rebuild from the ground up. It is a stone that serves to strengthen personal boundaries and reconnect to the present moment. For this reason, it is a powerfully healing stone when working through issues of sexual trauma and misplaced shame. It is a stone of strength, clarity and focus. It dispels negativity, returning it to it's original source. Using a brecciated jasper yoni egg helps in the healing process from any womb trauma, including negative feelings associated with sexual violation, infertility, abortion, miscarriage. It is also a good stone to use postpartum* to strengthen the pelvic floor and vaginal muscles. Goddess: Bona Dea, Durga, Kali Ma, Artemis (mother aspect) Chakras: Root, Sacral Element: Fire, Water Planet: Earth Zodiac: Aries, Scorpio Mohs Scale -- Hardness: 7 Size: 30 x 45 mm Beginning a yoni egg practice benefits you in more ways than just strengthening vaginal muscles. For instance, consistent yoni egg use is a powerful way to reconnect and strengthen your intuition, too. Which is why I recommend that you take time to get to know your egg before you start using it for kegel practice. Before you begin working with your egg inside of you, wear the crystal ON your body, as you go about your day. Either as a pendant on a string around your neck, or even in your pocket, or tucked in your bra. Notice how you feel, energetically speaking. Notice what seems easy, what seems to flow for you. Notice where you are able to stretch and bend with more grace and ease. Journal these observations (you might use a special diary specifically for this.) Make note of any difference in your thought patterns. Does your crystal egg make you feel differently -- more calm, less anxious, or do you happen to feel more tense or angry when you have it on you? This is truly a self-reflective exercise. When you notice how you are feeling around your egg, you will begin to notice how other living, breathing beings impact your energy, too. This is one of many ways that your intuition is speaking to you. Once you have gotten energetically intimate with your yoni egg, you might ask the egg if it's time to go in for the deep dive, so to speak! Yoni egg practice does not necessarily start out on day one with you inserting your egg into your vagina for kegel practice. I mean, you could do that, but more times than not, I have clients calling me to say they jumped right in and now....their egg is stuck! First things first, DON'T PANIC! This is your body telling you it needs some time to open up, loosen up and relax.....maybe things moved to quickly... The best thing you can do at this point is to simply relax and know that all is well. Breathe....and exhale. Take this as a sign that your body is not done working with the egg, and use it as an opportunity for self-pampering and care. A warm bath will help relax your body, but make it special! Light some candles, put on some soft music, use bubbles or bath oils and really allow yourself the time to luxuriate. Laughter can help you relax your body, too, and expel the egg. What makes you laugh? Did you know the human body responds to fake laughter just as it does to real laughter? My point here is that if you don't have anything to laugh about, then just pretend! Start laughing for no reason and soon real laughter will kick in and you will realize how awesome this whole experience has been (and how smart that egg is!) You might also try intuitive movement. This is one of my favorite methods...just move how your body wants to and dance as if NO ONE is watching. You can also bear down and "birth" it out, but be informed -- this method can be a very spiritual experience. I mean, how symbolic is it that you are birthing a yoni egg...? Depending the kind of crystal your yoni egg is made of, you might be stepping into whole new territory when it comes to trusting your intuition. And lastly, let me just say that when a yoni egg gets stuck, it is often because you aren't trusting your intuition. The panic of losing control has a biodynamic affect on your vaginal muscles, making them tighten further. The trick here is to remember that you ARE in control. You just have to shift the direction of your energy. Sometimes we give and sometimes we receive. Often times, it is harder to be open to receiving than it is to constantly push forward and give. We seem to be conditioned to always be in GO MODE. Action is key. Action gets stuff done. Action means I'm doing ....something. And if I am doing something, then I am in control. But being in Still Mode can seem scary sometimes, because there is nothing to do. The mind hates the vacuum and tries to fill it -- and most usually, it fills it with thoughts of panic or dread. Especially if you are disconnected from your intuition. This is the lesson, this is part of your yoni egg journey. The egg is stuck because it wants to bring you together with your power seat of manifesting, creative intuition. It is saying, "pay attention here. Notice. Feel. Allow." When the egg is stuck inside of you, it is doing its job to reconnect you to your feminine super powers. Having said all of that, I used to advise that you should use un-drilled eggs because it forced you to rely on your intuition and TRUST your body as it worked with the yoni egg. But I've found that many women who are just starting to learn about their own manifesting powers, their own intuition, prefer to use a drilled and stringed stones because it helps them to get over the initial fear of starting a yoni egg practice. And that is ok! The point is that you are making an empowered decision, based on your body needs, to connect to your intuition in this powerfully feminine way. Using your common sense, however, if the yoni egg has not moved down and out of your vagina after a few days, please do seek medical assistance. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. Please do not misconstrue this blog post as medical advice.
Calling all Lingerie Addicts! With Valentine's Day around the corner, it's the perfect time to spice it up with an Etsy lingerie roundup from my favorite online marketplace! Etsy is a wonderful marketplace to find one of a kind, unique, handmade or artisan gifts, but did you know Etsy is also a great site for some of the most beautiful, handmade lingerie? Speaking of love...I love, love, love to support indie creators in all walks of life, and it gives me a special thrill to feature these fabulous Indie Lingerie Designers! As an Etsy retailer myself, I know how special it is to connect and lift each other up...so, please do check out these listings and be sure to visit their shops to see what else they have to offer! #womensupportingwomen #etsylingerie #valentinesday #handmadeitems #theyonidiaires Pssst....hey gals. I make no secret about the fact that some of my blog posts (such as this one) contain links to affiliates, which means that if you click on them and buy something from that site, I might get paid a commission. This is at no additional charge to you or to the seller. I only link to stuff I believe in and find valuable myself. Thank you for supporting these indie designers by shopping their stores, and for supporting my blog in this way! Pelvic Floor exercises with yoni eggs and The Toxicity of Crystals can be a concern for women actively using Yoni Eggs for their kegel workouts. Here are my top five tips on choosing a crystal egg that is safe for use as a yoni egg. Some stones simply should NOT be used as yoni eggs. Before you start a yoni egg practice, please do your research and use these questions as guidelines: 1) Is this crystal intended to be used as a yoni egg? 2) What is it's Mohs rating? 3) Is this crystal raw or tumbled? 4) What is the mineral composition of this stone? 5) What are the common safe handling guidelines for this stone? Of course, you can always check out The Yoni Diaries online boutique for crystals that are intended to be yoni eggs. Receive blog posts, self-care tips and special offers when you sign up for The Yoni Diaries eZine here: http://eepurl.com/diDE95
One of the worst habits women have today is staying up too late and not getting enough restful sleep. Sleep is one of the best things we can do to help our bodies repair from stress, but we don't take sleep seriously enough, for whatever reason. Using your amethyst yoni egg, you can create a lovely night time ritual that can help calm you down and prepare for blissful slumber. About two hours before bed time begin to wind down from your day by dimming your household lights (that includes your electronic devices). The dim light will release melatonin and your brain will know that is your cue to get sleepy. Right before bed time insert your amethyst egg and do gentle kegels for about five minutes. After you are done, simply lie down in bed, relax with your egg still in, and let your body rest as you drift off to sleep. Continue this practice until you are in the habit of unwinding from your day and your sleep patterns have become steady. Be sure to journal your experience upon waking to notice any shifts in your consciousness, rest habits or body. Of course, there are numerous other ways you can use amethyst to help heal your life. Use the strengthening energies of amethyst to overcome bad habits and addictions of all kinds (alcohol, drugs, spending, sex, etc...) Amethyst crystals are said to enhance creativity, perception, self knowledge, and insight and because of this is a stone used by creative types-- writers, poets, artists and musicians. It is also a great stone for diplomats as its frequencies evoke calm temperaments (the Temperance card of the Tarot is associated with this gemstone.) This stone is very soulful, connecting one to, not only the higher angelic realms, but also to the deeper realms of the psyche. Good for clearing the mind and centering focus on the task at hand. For this reason, it is a great stone to use in Manifesting with the Moon when you need to focus on taking aligned actions. To get more information about the holistic healing benefits of crystal yoni eggs delivered to your inbox, sign up here! (I never spam, sell or share your information!)
Something keeps coming up in private conversations that I think needs a bit of clarification. I know there are a lot of internet marketers out there who are hawking yoni eggs as a tool of sexual mastery, but that is not what this is all about -- at least, that is not where I am coming from. My mission and hope with The Yoni Diaries is to empower women to recover something they feel may have been lost. Whether this loss was through sexual trauma or conditioning or some other kind of dysfunction is irrelevant. I just know that there are women out there who are feeling sorely disconnected from their true essence in a way they maybe can't articulate and just haven't discovered how to "RE"connect yet. I find that yoni eggs are simply one tool of sacred healing and self-recovery. Through my own personal experience, I understand how sexual trauma can incite fears about a yoni egg practice. The emotional scabs are thick, and it can be terrifying when you stumble upon something that has the potential to dredge these memories back up! And for me, the serendipity came through a dream to start my own yoni egg practice. I didn't understand this. I thought it was absolutely bonkers. But I knew that I couldn't continue on in my everyday waking life to feel the way I had been feeling up to that point. Using yoni eggs has helped me to recover something that what was taken from me long ago, and when I think about how different my life is right now compared to even just 11 months ago, I can't even describe to you the sense of freedom I have...! And, because I can't describe it, I can only say that you have to experience it yourself. I want women who have also been violated (however the violation occurred) to recover their own freedom, their own joy, their own "jouissance." Honestly, I don't even use yoni eggs as a sexual tool. For me, it is about self-awareness and the journey has been about reconnecting to my intuition on a level that is so much deeper and profound than I could ever imagine. What is the saying? "More than you expect and nothing you could ever imagine...?" Now, I know there are a number of women out there that are no strangers to the journey of self-discovery, and that is why I felt compelled to share that I am honored to be a partner on your journey of self-recovery. The Yoni Diaries offers self-care tips to the awakening woman. Receive blog posts, self-care tips and special offers when you sign up for The Yoni Diaries eZinehere: http://bit.ly/1TGRRcQ
This letter to my vagina was never intended to be an "open" letter. And I'm not going to lie to you, there were some things I did not openly share with everyone, because some of it...was just for me to heal. Writing this letter was just something I did one day as I was playing with my oracle cards, feeling into the "why" of my current energy block and perceived lack of creativity. I was feeling down. Sad. Confused. Angry...I had to know why. And then it hit me. I was feeling like a fraud because I was telling my clients to practice self-love and self-care, but I was harboring a deep secret and needed to come clean in my own life! I had an a-ha moment around this as I thought about how, not only was my creativity blocked, but this physical manifestation was presenting itself in the fact that my periods had become irregular, and I was angry about the uncertainty of having to deal with a surprise visit from "Aunt Flo." Don't get me wrong..I do believe I practiced self-love, to an extent -- the way I felt about my vagina, however, was another story. I carried so much shame, so much resentment, so much pain and trauma and I didn't even realize how much so until I wrote this letter. This letter helped me to uncover and release so much shame that was tied up in my womb-- shame that I did not even know I was holding! Not only from the sexual traumas, but the social conditioning of coochie care (don't even get me started on this, for it is another blog post entirely!) It took me all day long to write the letter, but I knew, intuitively, I could not stop until it was done. I'd flat out reached a point where I was just.....tired. I was tired of feeling bogged down and less of a human being for things I had no control over (and some things that I did have control over, but no consciousness around...) It was very scary to recall the memories of sexual trauma -- of being sexually abused as a young girl, and raped as a pre-teen...healing the trauma of having an abortion, a sexually transmitted disease, and later, a miscarriage. I processed so much throughout this experience and I literally felt the energy shift in my yoni the moment I signed my name. Ladies, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to start thinking with your yoni. Bring some consciousness around the womb, the vagina, the yoni...THIS IS EVERYTHING! This is the center of your creativity, your authenticity, your essence....the alternative has simply...not worked for us. I'll also admit that the thought of sharing this letter with the public was not easy because I worried that others would judge me. But then, when I told my friend about this experience, she started to cry and demanded that I share this story for, if nothing else, to let women know they are not alone in their struggle to release needless shame they may not know they are burdened with. Now, I encourage every woman to write their own letter to their vagina. It doesn't have to be an open letter, and I'm not gonna' lie, it is not an easy thing to do, especially if you have been sexually traumatized in any way (which is 99% of women today). But I can promise you that taking the time to reconnect, remember and recommit to your vagina...well, it could very well change your life, too. http://bit.ly/1Leec2a The Yoni Diaries offers self-care tips to the awakening woman and is a side project of The Goddess Diaries. Receive blog posts, self-care tips and special offers when you sign up for The Yoni Diaries eZinehere: http://eepurl.com/diDE95
Dear V, I haven't heard from you in awhile, and it feels like we are complete strangers, so please, please, forgive me for the awkward tone right off the bat. I am not even really sure how to start...I mean, what should I even call you? Dear vajayjay? Too juvenile. Dear vagina? Too clinical. Dear pussy? Dear cunt? Ugh...too nasty... Look. Just because we haven't been connecting doesn't mean I don't think about you. The truth is I do think about you. A lot. We've been together for a very, very long time, and like any long term relationship, we've had our share of ups and downs. I can't help to laugh about all the good times we've had together. I mean, in the beginning, we were so tight, always having fun and enjoying each other's company. We kept each other so happy. You were always so graceful, encouraging me to accept life and be present to what Is. Do you remember when I got my first period? I never told you this then (and I think you probably figured it out by now) but I was scared. You, however, were so ready to take us into our next phase of life. I wish I knew then what I know now, and I wish I did not feel so embarrassed by you, but I was a child then who just did not know what lie ahead for us. Who did not have the resources or the education -- or the loving support of self-assured women in her life. I apologize for not seeing it this way then, and for cursing you for making me into a woman before I thought I was ready. But you lead the way with determination, always showing up consistently on time to do your thing. I learned so much about you during this time that I did not even know was possible...new sensations, new emotions, new feelings that ranged from sheer agonizing pain to pure bliss. And for awhile there, we were wild and free, exploring Life with a reckless abandon. Remember those days? We were ca -raaazy! Sneaking out at night because you were itching to spend some time with the boys... We suddenly became quite popular, you and I. Or should I say, you became quite popular? The boys lined up (and some men, too) but the way they would look at me scared me. Almost like I was invisible or in the way. They really only wanted you. At first I didn't mind them spending so much time with you because it made me feel loved, too. But after awhile, it all started to make me feel so sick. Like I was just the third wheel...the awkward "friend" everyone pretended to like until they got what they really wanted. Actually, I have to thank you for getting us out of that one. If it weren't for you becoming ill, we would have continued to let any old dick entertain us. Trying to fit in, opening up over and over, only to be hurt again and again...It took awhile (and, shamefully, a few trips to the clinic) but we eventually pulled each other out of that pitiful cycle. And eventually we both recovered. If you recall, it was during that time that we began to experiment with different hairstyles. I'd say that it was fun, but honestly have to apologize for the Brazillian. You weren't the only one that suffered through that one. I couldn't walk for a week! The beauty routines, the washes, the lubes... Yes, we really have tried it all together, haven't we? LOL. Oh god.....and then there was....him. He who was a wolf in sheep's clothing, who knew how to charm his way into your tender loving softness. After we got married, he began to treat me like shit. But you...? He loved you, and you seemed to adore all the attention. Even after he and I separated, you kept going back for more. I became so resentful of you for that. I admit, that one was hard to get over. I felt like you had betrayed me, and at a certain point, I just had to cut you off from him. That took a long time for me to get over. But oh my god! Again, how could I forget? You were so amazing at the birth of my children, having done almost all of the work to bring them into this world! Gah! I am still so amazed at your strength and resilience! There were days post-partum that I just did not think things would ever return to normal. I don't know how you did it, but to this day, I am totally impressed at how you snapped back each time! Girlfriend, you got it going on! Lately though, I mostly worry that I fall short of your expectations. Let's be honest, it takes a lot to make you happy and I've just been so busy with, well, LIFE to make any time for you. I guess I thought that, because you are always there, you would understand. I'm starting to see how having taken you for granted is just wrong. I get it. A girl can only be ignored for so long before she goes completely numb. So, I wanted to get in touch with you again. To, hopefully, reconnect and love up on each other like we used to do. Like the good old days. Now, I know we can never go back, and seriously, who would really want to? I want nothing more than to take the best of what we had together and build on it! I am asking you to join me in moving forward, walking together, hand in hand into the future. Because the truth is, I am nothing without you! I love you! I love us enough to do whatever it takes to return to our happy place and I promise you I will be a better friend, more attentive and kind. I promise to check in with you daily, to listen to you and give you what you need to thrive again. I promise you that together we can make this work. Yours truly and forever, Dawn The Yoni Diaries offers self-care tips to the awakening woman and is a side project of The Goddess Diaries. Receive blog posts, self-care tips and special offers when you sign up for The Yoni Diaries eZine here: http://bit.ly/1TGRRcQ
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