Are Curses Real?

We’ve all heard of famous curses like The Hope Diamond, King Tut’s Curse, and the Kennedy Curse. But are they real or just a series of coincidences?  It’s true that our words hold power.  In the Book of Genesis, God creates the entire world with His words.  Words are indeed seeds of creation, but the power of belief is just as potent.  Let’s examine some famous curses and let the facts help us determine if curses are powered by words or belief.  Could it be that there is magic in the intention behind a curse?  Or it more plausible that curses only work if the curser and the cursee believe in it?

 THE HOPE DIAMOND

When the Hope Diamond was stolen from a Hindu statue, the priests put a curse on the thief.  The man died a slow and painful death. King Louis the XIV bought it in 1673.  He died shortly thereafter of gangrene and all his children – save one – died in childhood.  Louis the XVI inherited the stone and gave it to his wife Marie Antoinette.  They were beheaded during the French Revolution.  The stone then passed to Wilhelm Fals, a Dutch jeweler murdered by his son. A Greek merchant bought the diamond and later drove his car off a cliff.  When heiress Evelyn Walsh McLean bought the diamond, she lost her son in an accident and her daughter from a drug overdose. The next owner, Harry Winston, heard the only way to break the curse was to give the stone away.  He donated it to the Smithsonian where it can be seen today. 

THE CURSE OF KING TUT

When Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon found Tutankhamen’s tomb in 1922, it’s said that “death comes on wings to he who enters the tomb of the pharaoh” was inscribed over the entrance.  Shortly after, a mosquito bit Lord Carnarvon on his cheek. When he opened the cut while shaving, he got blood poisoning and died that evening in Cairo.  His beloved dog is said to have howled and died at the exact moment back at his estate in England.   In 1925, when Tutankhamen was unwrapped, he was found to have a wound on his left cheek in the exact spot where Lord Carnarvon was bitten by the mosquito that led to his death. By 1929, 11 people connected to the expedition died mysterious deaths.  Ironically, Howard Carter – who led the expedition and entered the tomb first – lived a long, healthy life.  He never believed in curses.

TECUMSEH’S CURSE

After William Henry Harrison defeated Tecumseh and his men at the Battle of Tippecanoe, rumor has it that Tecumseh placed a curse on the future president.  William Henry Harrison was elected president in 1840, but he caught a cold at his inauguration (after ignoring his wife’s suggestion to wear a coat) and died of pneumonia after being in office for just one month.  Since then, every president from 1840- 1960 elected or re-elected every 20^th year has died in office. The curse has been considered broken since Ronald Reagan (elected in 1980) survived an assassination attempt in 1981.  Could it be that Tecumseh put a curse on the man and succeeding gentlemen who stole land from his people?  Or is it just a series of odd coincidences?

HAROLD BENNETT

When Dr. Larry Dossey interned at a hospital in Texas, he met a patient named Harold Bennett who appeared to be dying but doctors couldn’t figure out why.  Mr Bennett told Dr. Dossey that he’d refused to pay a fortune teller, so cursed him. Dr. Dossey feared that because Mr. Bennett believed he was dying from a curse that traditional medicine wouldn’t work on him.  So he and a colleague pretended to do a voodoo ceremony to undo the hex.  Mr Bennett watched as the doctors lit a small fire, took a lock of his hair and began an incantation.  They told him that curse was now removed.  When Dr. Dossey went to check on his patient the next morning, he was sitting up in bed, eating breakfast - completely recovered.  So did the doctors perform the ceremony correctly or is this just a case of the power of belief?

ARE YOU CURSED?

Often people feel as though they’re cursed.  Martha Gooden lost both parents to cancer in her 20s.  Her first husband abused her. Her store went out of business during the recession. Martha believed she was cursed.  Her therapist told her she wasn’t cursed but was living from a victim mentality.  Martha trained her mind to believe she was a magnet for happiness not a victim of bad luck. She heard about a grant program for people hit by the recession and returned to school.  Today she’s a nurse and is happily married. If you feel you’re a victim, the universe will treat you that way.  But if you believe in yourself, the power of your words, the universe will treat you accordingly.  Curses are real if you believe in them, but if you choose to believe in the power of YOU, the universe will reward you with a positive life. 

HOW TO BREAK A CURSE

If you’re reading this and you still believe in curses, beware of anyone who tells you a curse has been placed on you and that for a small fortune, they can remove that curse.  This is a scam and is always false.  Every one of us will go through a series of bad luck usually followed by a period of good luck.  This is called life.  In a way, it would be comforting to believe in curses because it takes away personal responsibility.  We’re responsible for our life – good or bad. If you’re going through a difficult time right now, if you feel trapped in a relationship or job, it’s important to remember that you have choices. Decide where you want to start to make changes and take action.  If you want your ship to come in, build a dock. 

4 Things You Can Do Today to Help Your Intuitive Child Flouris

If your child is intuitive, you probably already know it.  Intuitive children often have night terrors.  They complain of seeing scary things in their room at night such as shadow people, the “smelly man” or “hat man.” They will feel instinctively comfortable with some people and instantly shy or cautious around others.  Intuitive children tend to be creative, empathic, and gentle.  They are connected to nature and animals.  Your child might talk about seeing lights or colors around people.  They might have dreams that later come true or see deceased family members.  For many parents, this is all very scary.  However, there are some concrete steps you can take right now to help your intuitive child embrace these gifts and use them when they’re ready to help make the world a better place.

1) Validate Your Child.  It’s very important to believe your child when he says something scary is in the room or she tells you that the man next door gives her the creeps.  Kids need to know that you’re a safe place to turn to when they experience these intuitive insights.  Don’t tell them it’s their imagination or they were just dreaming.  Listen to them and validate their concerns.  “Wow, that was a scary dream.  Could you draw it for me and we can talk about it?” Or try saying, “I used to see scary things in my room when I was a child too.  Would you like to try sleeping with a night light?” Encourage your child to keep a dream journal to write or draw in.  Tell them that this is all a normal part of growing up.  The one thing kids are afraid of is feeling or being different.  So make sure they know that their feelings, visions and dreams are perfectly normal.

2) Empower Your Child.  When we’re scared, we feel powerless. If your child is experiencing night terrors or seeing scary things in their room at night, help them to feel less afraid by giving them so control over the situation.   You can buy or make a protective spray to clear the room of negativity.  Simply add lavender, sage, frankincense, and myrrh essential oils to a bottle of water.  Add a pinch of salt and have your child spray the room at night when they’re feeling afraid.  Lavender is calming, sage is protective and frankincense and myrrh are ancient oils of protection and healing.  You can give your child a protective statue that resonates with your belief system.  Archangel Michael is very protective for children.  You can give your child a nightlight or flashlight to use when they’re scared.

3) Teach Your Child Grounding Techniques.  Sensitive children are constantly picking up the emotions of others around them.  This can leave them feeling a bit spacey.  When they learn to ground their energy, they will have more control over their own feelings and emotions.  Make sure your child gets to play outside at least 20 minutes a day.  Encourage them to walk around the house barefooted.  Ask them to help you plant a garden.  Make sure they drink plenty of water.  Put a plant or a fish bowl in their room.  Plants and fish are wonderful at absorbing excess energy.  A water fountain in the bedroom can be very soothing at night too.  Some of the best ways for a child to ground and cleanse their energy are to jump and twirl.  So have your child do jumping jacks, get out on the trampoline, twirl and dance.  Karate is also a great extracurricular activity for intuitive children because it teaches them grounding and focusing techniques.

4) Teach Your Child About Colors.  The power of colors is immensely helpful to an intuitive person.  Black absorbs negativity; pink encourages love and happiness.  Yellow inspires confidence and a sunny disposition.  Green is healing while blue is calming.  White is the color of protection.  You can do fun exercises with your child to help them learn to work with colors.  On the way to school, have them imagine jumping into a white fluffy cloud. Tell them that this color will protect them throughout the day.  If they have a test at school, have them imagine standing in the center of the sun.  Have them breathe in the warm, golden yellow color and tell them that this will give them the confidence needed to excel.  If a classmate is being a bit mean, have your child imagine wrapping that friend in pink cotton candy.  This will calm their friend’s energy down and help them to be nicer.

More and more intuitive souls are incarnating than ever before.  As the parent of an intuitive, it can often feel scary.  Many parents feel at their wit’s end when dealing with their intuitive child.  But the strategies mentioned here can and will help.  Intuitives are like psychic sponges.  They pick up the emotions of others throughout their day.  As we grow up, we learn to deal with this.  But children are often confused and scared by this influx of emotions.  Empower your child by teaching them these strategies.  Encourage them to take a salt bath once a week to cleanse their auric field.  Simply add a cup of Epsom salt to a ½ cup of baking soda and a ½ cup of salt.  Pour into a running bath and have your child bathe in the salt water for at least 15 minutes.  There are wonderful books on parenting your intuitive child too.  Remember that your child is gifted with a  beautiful talent and ability to feel on a deeper level than his or her peers.  Teach them to accept and nurture this gift and you will help them to heal our world when they’re ready.

TAP YOUR PSYCHIC POWERS WITH THESE FOUR CRYSTALS

Crystals are energy amplifiers. We’ve used them for years in computer chips, radios and watches. They are used in lasers, optics, ultrasound systems, televisions and much more. But you can also use crystals in your own life to assist you with love, goals, healing, abundance, and psychic powers. There are several crystals you can turn to that will help you open your psychic abilities. Once we’re tuned into our intuitive self, life seems to flow better. We find ourselves making positive decisions, understanding people around us better and following that still, small voice inside of us to a happier life.

Labradorite. This deeply mystical stone is very protective. It shields us from taking on other people’s “stuff” while lifting our energetic vibrations so we can receive messages from our guides on the other side. It brings more light into your aura, seals any holes in your energetic fields, and gently opens the third eye. It helps to eradicate fears connected to opening up to our psychic abilities. It’s a great stone for empaths as it protects you from taking on the emotions of others. Place on your third eye while meditating and wear as a pendant.

Azurite. This vibrant blue stone opens psychic abilities and develops one’s intuition. It cleanses the third eye and releases deeply imbedded blockages to developing your gifts such as past life blocks, fears of what other people will think and religious fears. Azurite also works to clear worry and fear replacing it instead with a feeling of calm and gentle self-expression. Wear as a ring or bracelet on your right hand, position over the third eye or wear as a pendant.

Shattuckite. This highly spiritual stone awakens the third eye and throat chakra thus stimulating our clairvoyance and clairaudience. It’s a highly protective stone – especially for people who channel and astral travel. It increases psychic abilities such as telepathy and mediumship. Wear as a pendant or place over your third eye for maximum benefits.

Lapis Lazuli. In addition to opening your third eye, Lapis also helps to stimulate your dream life helping you to receive guidance and communication while you’re sleeping. It’s a very protective stone that enables you to link in with your highest spirit guides. It’s been worn throughout the ages as a protective amulet against curses and ill-wishes. Lapis helps you to take charge of your life. It gently increases self-expression, helping you to set healthy boundaries. Wear of place at the throat or third eye. It’s also helpful when positioned over the crown chakra in meditation.

When you are working to awaken your psychic abilities, be patient and consistent. Given time and continued effort, you will see results that will enhance your life. These crystals can help you along this road of self-discovery. In addition, read books on psychic development, grounding techniques and psychic protection.

This Isn't What I Expected

I listened to a brave and brutally honest podcast last week on Death, Sex and Money.  The host Anna Sale interviewed a mom of 2 autistic sons.  The mom explained how when she met, fell in love and married her husband, she had her whole life planned out.  Now she feels saddened and trapped by her overwhelming care taking responsibilities.  She has turned away from her faith and describes herself as an enthusiastic atheist.  When she talks about her sons and her worries for their future, you can still hear her love for these children.  She and her husband have remained strong throughout.  But she kept focusing on how she had imagined her life and how different the reality is.

I felt so much compassion and empathy for her.  We all start our life with so many plans, goals, dreams, hopes and expectations.  When I married my husband and began my teaching career, I was so  stinking happy.  And then when I became a mom, I thought life couldn't get any better.  I thought I had figured life out.  All you had to do was set goals, dream big and work hard to achieve them.  I think I even felt a little smug.

And then that horrible criminal tried so hard to kill my husband.  I've often thought how that one, small hollow point bullet changed so many lives.  When I was sitting in the hospital in what I call ICU hell, my sister said to me one day, "This is your before and after moment.  Your life will never be the same again."

I've got to be honest.  I kind of resented her for saying that because I knew it was true and I didn't want to face it.

And I bet if you think about it, you have your own "before and after" moment too.  It could be a death, an injury, an illness, a divorce, a job loss, a difficult move.  One of the main issues I help my clients deal with is surrendering to their new normal.  This is so hard to do because we want to hold on to that picture of how it's "supposed to be."

I met a client who I'll call Sue.  She is 64 years old and spent much of the last 12 years taking care of her mom who dealt with Alzheimers.  In that 12 years, she sold her house to move in with her mom and eventually lost her full time job because she had to take so much time off to care for her mom.  Now that her mom has passed away, Sue is dealing with the shock of her mom's will.  Sue was promised her mom's house which she felt was fair considering what she gave up to help her mother in her final years.  But when the will was read, she learned that the mom had split everything 50/50 with her brother.  I can understand this too.  Moms like to be fair.  But I get Sue's anger and shock too.  She had planned on spending her retirement years in a house that was paid off, traveling and volunteering at the hospital.  Now, she has to sell her mom's house or somehow come up with $120,000 to give her brother for his half.  The house is for sale.  Sue is looking to rent a small apartment and is actively job seeking.  She has turned her back on her brother and is refusing to speak to him.  Sue is stuck in anger.

I have another client I'll call Jeff.  He's 34 and works in pharmaceutical sales.  He has two daughters -- ages 2 and 4.  Last year, his wife announced that she was leaving him for her high school boyfriend and moving with the girls back home -- all the way across the country.  He spent his life's savings on attorneys trying to fight this to no avail.  Now he flies to his ex-wife's town once a month, sometimes less if he can't afford the plane ticket, and has to settle for seeing his kids for an afternoon or two while he returns to a lonely Holiday Inn before flying home.  He's looking for a job closer to his kids. Jeff has not attempted dating anyone since the divorce and has lost his zest for work and his love of surfing.  Jeff is stuck in sadness.

Sometimes when we hit our "before and after" moment, we stay stuck for awhile in what I call a perpetual temper tantrum.  I did this for years after my husband was shot.  I knew he had a brain injury and yet every time it reared its ugly head, I would respond with anger.  Then I would cry.  Then I would call my friends and yell and cry to them.  Lucky friends.  Finally one of my friends said to me, "Are you the victim here or is your husband?" Whoa.  That stopped me in my tracks.

Two things got me out of that stuck place:

1) I realized that life very often sucks for no reason at all.  Period.  I had to stop overthinking my new life and just accept it.

2) I was giving all my power to my anger and sadness. I had to let go of my picture of the perfect life I'd planned for myself and find the perfect joy that exists in the reality of my new life.

So there you have it.  That's my big solution.  I know it's not mind blowing or magic but trust me it works.  SURRENDER your idea of how your life is supposed to look.  Give that shit up.  Seriously.  Walk away from that.  This perfect plan you have for your life is like that pair of skinny jeans you wore when you were 18.  You know - the ones that still mock you when you walk into your closet.  Throw those evil things away.  And get rid of your "plan."  The beauty of life is that we have no control, literally no control, over what happens to us.  What we DO have control over is how we respond to what happens to us.

ACCEPT your new normal and move forward with your life.  Jeff emailed me before the holidays.  He is interviewing this week for 2 jobs close to his daughters. He's super psyched because both positions pay more and he's kind of excited about making a new start in his life.  Jeff is moving away from his sadness.  Sue is still pissed at her brother so nothing is changing for her.  She found a dead end job she hates and spent the holidays alone.  I really hope she accepts her new life and takes some of the money from the sale of the house to travel and reward herself so she can start to move away from her righteous anger.

Once I surrendered and accepted my new life which was so different from what I had planned, I started to see how I'd grown in really cool ways through this experience.  I never, ever would have found the courage to leave my safe teaching job and embrace my intuitive abilities if this hadn't occurred.  And because of that realization, I'm almost grateful this happened to us.  Once I realized all of this, my husband started to shift and change and improve in amazing ways.  Maybe he always was healing and I didn't see it.  He found a job he really enjoys. He's learned how to truly live in the present moment, and he gets to be home to help me raise our children. When he was a police officer, he had to work every single holiday.  Now, he's home with us, and my girls get to see their dad all the time.

If you're stuck in a "before and after" moment, ask yourself these questions:

1) What would happen if I accepted this situation and stopped fighting it? For example, Jeff felt that if he accepted this situation, it was almost like he was letting his ex-wife get away with something.  Once he surrendered to that, he saw this terrible change as an opportunity to advance his career and make a fresh start in a new state.
2) What are some positive things in this situation? For example, Sue should find huge comfort knowing she helped her mom's last years be ones of safety and peace.  She also is now completely free of all care taking responsibilities and can do whatever she wants with her life now.
3) What have I learned and how have I grown despite and because of this situation? I hope Jeff has learned how devoted he is as a father.  And I pray that Sue sees how empowered she became as a result of being her mom's care advocate.

Once you surrender and accept your life the way it is, you will see miracles take place in your world and the life you're meant to lead will start to form before your eyes.