TITLE: Angel
MEDIUM: Acrylics
ARTIST: Michael Robert Pacey
CONTACT: m_paceo@hotmail.com
Feature Article: Parenting the Spiritual Child
As a parent you have the absolutely awesome opportunity to be a part of creating a world your children will thrive in and have fond memories of forever, a base to create a solid foundation of emotional health to empower and resource them for their own path and journey. The soul and spirit need to be given the same importance, guidance and time as any other area of their development. Too many children end up fabulous and skilful yet empty and lonely.
There is a generation of teens out there today who have been given everything and their lives revolved around their parents working hard to give them everything. But the giving was empty and created a void in their souls. These children don’t know how to deal with problems, or feelings that are repressed by drugs and pill popping, and have the expectancy of life giving them everything they want all the time!! There are a lot of very unhealthy and mentally under-resourced children. I learnt recently that there are clinically depressed 4 and 5 year olds. Can you imagine!!… Alarm bells need to be ringing, not drugs being given out.
It astounds me that with all the knowledge available today, with Doreen Virtue sharing her understanding of the Indigo, Rainbow and Crystal Children, there remains an absence of any curriculum to care for the spiritual child in our schooling systems. I praise the individual efforts by a small number of schools that have yoga and meditation groups for children, where children who have the most difficulty fitting into the system can experience some freedom.
We, as a community, are doing a great injustice to our children by not supporting the spiritual dimension, raising awareness and offering understanding of the ever-present yet invisible world, which can be overwhelming for the innately gifted psychic and intuitive child. Parents need support for these children as they embark on their journeys. Children could be encouraged to experience yoga, tai chi, massage, reiki, meditation, artworks, the unravelling of dreams, past lives, feng shui, astrology, and many other alternatives to help make sense of their world. Spiritual mentoring needs to be accessible and encouraged within our community.
It is important to teach children about the love-filled invisible world surrounding them at all times, and to empower them to help themselves, and not always be looking outside themselves. They could learn the value of being mindful and in touch with their own mind, body and spirit, acknowledging and releasing feelings, and understanding the connection between body and sickness.
I am visualising the formation of a ‘spiritual know-how club’ for kids, and would be very interested in hearing from like-minded people who would like to offer their wisdom, and from parents who would be interested in deepening their child/ren’s awareness and understanding to bring peace and harmony into their paths
Mechel Pearson, with 20 years experience in early childhood education, is based at Re-Joovn’8 Body & Soul Massage, Collins Avenue, Edge Hill. Ph: 40 5333 90. Dip. of Early Childhood Ed., Dip. of Remedial Massage, Blue card, Virtues trained.
Regular Article: Cayenne Pepper
Character and parts used: The fruit is a potent stimulant for the whole body. Part of the Nightshade family – Solananceae. A very hot, pungent and drying character. The fruit without the seeds is usually ground into a powder. The infused oil and ointment are less burning and irritating to the skin than the raw fruits.
Research and through the ages: It arrived in the West from India in about 1548, and was known as ‘Ginnie’, which is the name for the city of Cayenne in French Guiana. It was described as ‘hot and dry even in the fourth degree’ and early on it was recommended for lymphatic throat and skin infections, sometimes referred to as the ‘King’s Evil’. Cayenne became popular in the 19th century for its warming properties to assist rheumatism and depression. The active constituents of cayenne are capsaicin (a pungent resin-like substance), carotenoids, flavonoids, essential oil and vitamin C. Capsaicin relieves pain and itching by affecting sensory nerves. Capsaicin temporarily causes various neurotransmitters to release from these nerves, leading to their depletion. Without the neurotransmitters, pain signals can no longer be sent. The effect is temporary.
Uses: Cayenne is the most useful of the systemic stimulants as it regulates blood flow, and equalises and strengthens the heart, arteries, capillaries and nerves. It is a general tonic and is used specifically for the circulatory and digestive systems. It can be useful for flatulence and colic in mild doses. It can also be useful to increase peripheral circulation such as cold hands and feet. It promotes sweating and is therefore used in treating and warding off colds. It acts as a carminative, antiseptic, antibacterial and stimulating nerve tonic (commonly used in small amounts). Externally it can be used for lumbago and for rheumatic pains. An ointment can help with unbroken chilblains.
As an infusion: Use half a teaspoon of the spice to a cup of boiling water and sip as required. Can be added to herbal teas and a small amount of honey can be added for flavour.
Use sparingly in your favourite dishes for extra spice and also to assist digestion in dishes that may contain larger amounts of dairy and fats.
As a tincture: Dilute 5-10 drops of the liquid into a cup of hot water. Take as a circulatory stimulant.
Use the tincture sparingly in your massage oil to warm and stimulate for arthritis and rheumatism.
As a Compress: Soak a pad in an infusion of cayenne as above and use for rheumatic pains, sprains and bruising. Do not leave on for longer than 5 minutes.
Cautions: The seeds can be toxic so it is best not to use them. Follow recipe dosages for any treatments with care. Excessive consumption of cayenne can lead to gastroenteritis and liver damage. Avoid using therapeutic doses during pregnancy or whilst lactating. Do not leave a compress on the skin for long periods, especially on sensitive skin, as blistering may occur. Avoid contact with the eyes or any open wounds. If you have any concerns consult your naturopath or herbalist.
Email: kazgreen@dodo.com.au or call me Karen Green 0400836254.