How the Universe Determines Your Soul Tribe

A soul tribe is different than a friend group, but are way more important than a friend will ever be. Have you ever wondered how to know if someone is a soulmate to you or why certain people are a part of your tribe? If moving around a lot has taught me one thing, it is that Soul Connections show up in funny places, are there in different ways, but may not always be part of your active life. 

Who Are Your Soul Connections?

Soul connections... These are the people you can text at 2 am after going months without talking to, these are people who you have met only once but have impacted your life in a tremendous way, these are people you meet online and just connect with without any awkwardness, these are people who have caught you at your roughest time, and have helped guide you through. 

I believe everything is part of a greater plan. I believe the Universe is mapped out and everything we experience is based on karma and ascension. Soul connections are different than friends. Friends may stay in your life forever, they may also come and go. You may cherish a friendship, but there is no depth, intensity, and synchronicity like a soul connection. Soul Connections are deeper. These members of your tribe are drawn to you at specific points in your life. I am big on "DOT CONNECTING" and all my friends/spiritual connections are reading this right now in my LOUD voice. DOT CONNECTING is where you go through a difficult and challenging situation, maybe even traumatic, often heartbreaking, and never easy... As you look back you say "wow I wouldn't have been able to do that if ____ didn't happen or if _____ wasn't around." Pivotal points in your life attract your soul tribe. These spirits are drawn to your authenticity. 

They will show up at times that strengthen and shape your character because these times will reveal to you your true self; your soul connections SEE your true self and can serve as a reflection or introduction of your true self for you.

The truth is, although there are signs that someone may be a soulmate, you may never know where this person is hiding. It is important to trust and rely on the people that you have crossed paths with no matter what. Everyone is there to bring you a lesson. You may never know which of these people is your true soul connection until you have endured the designated chapter with them. 

The Universe will give you a member of your soul tribe when you are challenged deeply. Pay attention to those around you when you are at your rock bottom.

This person may have gone through the same thing already or may have a different perspective. Keep an open mind when you feel a deep connection with somebody. 

They are like angels in a physical vessel (yes you are an angel for someone else too!) At these times of struggle, the universe will send someone your way. It may take a LONG time for that person to show so if you are going through a challenge - do not fear that you will continue to be alone just because you are now. Sometimes you must also look around at the people who are there. Sometimes people who have been in your life before will show up again as a soul connection. 

Health Coach, Melissa Lindsay Freedman, writes here about how the four different kinds of soulmates. 

• Healing Soulmates: Help you move forward through adversity. 
• Karmic Soulmates: Help you overcome ego pain and aspects (most often from a past life). 
• Past life Soulmates: Someone you feel comfortable with no matter length or location of friendship; teach you about your true self.
• Twin Flames: Someone who may mirror you and break the barriers of other relationships you once knew. 

Whether or not the soul connection you have just met is in your life temporarily, loosely, or close to you forever - know that they are a significant part of your growth. They have supported you and your journey, helped you heal, been a confidant, and provided you a new checkpoint so there is no remission into a darkness that once was. They have helped lift you up into a new chapter. They have helped you ascend into a new you. 

I love my tribe. I am glad I found one in each of you. 

Easy Ways To Connect With Your Spirit Guides

Every single one of us has a designated Spirit Guide, sometimes more than one. These guides are loyal and dedicated to showing you what path to follow: they help, guide, and encourage you. The thought of meeting your guide can at first be intimidating, but by trying a few of these easy tips can easily connect you to their worlds of wisdom and love. 

1. Ask for a sign!

I am such a believer in signs! Seriously, pay attention to the world around you... numbers that seem important, animal totems, nature that stands out like flowers blooming or feathers, sometimes even an actual SIGN like a billboard will tell you what you need to know. All you have to do is say "Hey Guides, let me know ____ please!" It's like talking to your friend, because they are your friends - ready to see you grow. 

2. Meditate or Pray and Listen

Meditate on what you want to know. This is perhaps my favorite method. Close your eyes and focus on what it is you want in life. For example, say you have a BIG career choice. Stay at the job that makes you miserable or make a sacrifice and try something different. Meditate on it. Will the job get easier? Will the risk be worth it? After you have set your intention to just your options and questions, give yourself time to clear your mind. A direct or indirect answer may pop into your head in the form of a word, a symbol, an image, etc. If you need help interpreting the message, further your meditation. 

3. "Stream of Consciousness" - the flow of thought. 

This is an exercise my dear friend Cassandra taught me. I remember doing this as a writing exercise in school, letting your thoughts flow on paper never stopping to pick up your pen never worrying about punctuation or making sense just letting all your thoughts out. The trick is to write on paper, "hello spirit guides, please come tell me what I need to know." You can act as a conduit of their energy by scribbling whatever it is. Read the paper after and you might find some answers!

4. Dreamwork helps the Team Work! 

This is an excellent way to contact angels, departed loved ones, fairies, your inner child, or guides. Before you go to bed, ask your guides to visit you in your dreams. You can ask for specific guidance or information or general. If your dreams are anything like mine, lots of interpretation may need to come into play when you wake up. 

5. My Favorite - Healing Crystals

Obviously Spirit Quartz is going to be the best stone for connecting with Spirit Guides. Spirit Quartz, sometimes called cactus quartz, has such an extremely high vibration. Spirit Quartz is said to open your higher chakras to help connect you to higher planes and other dimensions. This stone will help attract your guides by raising your vibration and activating those higher energy centers. Channel your intention of meeting them and if you have a specific area that needs assistance, put all that energy in your crystal. It will intensify your experiences with your spirit guides and will amplify your chances of meeting them. Other crystals you can use to connect with guides are Amethyst, Danburite, and Celestite. 

Cleansing a New Home

For the past couple of weeks I have been so busy moving into my new apartment. I am very happy to finally be settled somewhere new and beautiful. Along the way I have discovered some tips to help me make this home a sacred, peaceful place. When moving into a new home, it is very important to make sure you are filling the home with positive energy that will last. Moving is a big transition, so tension and stress can be high. These are the kinds of energies you want away from your new space. Below are some steps that are very important to take in creating your new sacred, loving environment. 

1. Detach 

One of the most important steps to moving is letting go of the things you no longer need. This step was so hard for me, but I had excellent help. A lot of things hold memories, but no purpose. Sometimes it is best to let those memories go. This allows you to detach, de-clutter, and move on. There's no better way to start fresh in a new place. Detachment is good for the soul because it reminds us that what we think we need is really all just an illusion. Leaving material items behind also helps ego get left behind. Certain attached, addicted, or dependent parts of us will be thrown away, too. 

2. Smudging

Cedar

Smudging is an ancient Shamanic and Native tradition used to attract or repel the good or bad. You can find smudge sticks at metaphysical shops, farmers markets, natural food stores, etc. Sage is usually what is recommended because it repels any negative energy, including spirits or thoughts. When moving into a new place, you may or may not know what energies are tied into the house already. Moving can also be very stressful so negativity may be absorbed upon your arrival. To perform a smudging ritual, light the end of the smudge stick and hold over an abalone dish (if you don't have one, a regular bowl will work fine.) Make sure there are windows open. Start at the beginning of the house and work your way around. Each room you should be affirming peace, protection, positivity, and whatever else you would like to attract in your new home. When finished, end where you started and put out the smudge stick. If the light goes out on its own, you will need to cleanse that room for a longer period of time. There are many other smudges you can use instead of or in addition to sage. For example, I used a Cedar Smudge the day after the sage. Cedar is used traditionally when moving into a new house because it attracts good energy for new beginnings. You can also use lavendar, sweetgrass, rosemary, etc for relaxation, hope, or whatever you are trying to manifest. 

Sage 

3. Grids

I know I've previously written about gridding a house with Selenite. This is such an important step to protecting a home. Selenite cleanses an area, just as sage does. The idea of the grid is to place Selenite in the four main corners of your home. This will ward off negative energy and keep the home at peace. Selenite calls upon the angels to protect the home. Black Tourmaline is another crystal that can be used in a grid. It works as a shield of any harm or negative energy. Whatever it is you are trying to manifest, you can use the corresponding crystal to grid your home with. If you are trying to bring love into the home, place Rose Quartz in the four main corners. If you are trying to manifest happiness and abundance, Citrine is best to use. By adding a crystal to each corner of the home, you are creating a force field of energy that will help attract the energy you desire. 

4. Life 

Last but not least, adding a bit of life to a home is a great way to create a positive environment. Bringing the earth inside of your home will help promote grounding and peace. Not only are plants beneficial to the spirit, but they can help freshen the air, make it easier to breathe, reduce stress, and induce motivation. Fill your empty spaces up with plants and you will see the affects of bringing life inside. 

Crystals for Coping With Death

1. Rose Quartz

The main feeling associated with the death of a loved one is grief. Everybody grieves at their own rate and in their own way. Rose Quartz is a great crystal for relieving the feelings of grief, guilt, and trauma. The great thing about this crystal is it works so gently and is so supportive. A customer of mine once wore a Rose Quartz pendant during her own grieving process and texted me to say, "I think the Rose Quartz is really working!" When you receive the uplifting energy of Rose Quartz, it is not something you feel, but something you recognize. You don't feel happier, you don't feel calmer, but you notice something is missing - sadness, loneliness, and blame. Rose Quartz helps us shed and release all the negative emotions we may be facing, and restore our heart with feelings of joy and hope. To use this crystal, I would make sure it is with you through your entire grieving process. Investing in a necklace, ring, or pocket stone would be the best choice. Outbursts of emotions can hit at anytime during the grieving process. Rose Quartz is there to support the heart when it is in need and also fights against these "bursts". 

Rose Quartz can especially be supportive if the loss was for a mother, grandmother, or significant female role (or nurturing role) in your life. It is also known as "the mothering crystal" because of it's nurturing properties. This crystal can ease your pain, restore your happiness, and help you care for yourself just as a mother would. 

2. Lepidolite

Death can be one of the hardest transitions in our life that we face. Suddenly someone that was once a part of your life is no longer there. It may make some feel empty, some feel depressed, and some might also hold on to the idea that the person is still there. These are all common coping responses; however, the most important thing to do in the situation is let go. Lepidolite is perhaps one of the best crystals for easing transitions. We don't often think of the death of a loved one as a transition, but it surely is. This crystal will help one go through the transition of grief and also in the bigger scheme of things, it will help one understand the transition of the physical plane to the spiritual plane. It carries strong lithium levels for balance, so the feelings of anger, sadness, or anxiety will not surface as strongly. It also helps one accept tough situations as they come. If you think Lepidolite will help you, I recommend holding the crystal anytime you feel upset. Keep it in your pocket, wear it, or carry it in your purse. Spend as much time with this crystal as you can. Lepidolite can also be great if you or someone you know is facing the dying process. It may change the way you open up to and accept the idea that death is just another term for moving on to the next plane. 

3. Apache Tears

Native legend tells a haunting story of the Apache Tear (below). Reading the legend may help you understand the Apache Tear and its properties. This specific stone has been used all throughout history for the grieving process. It helps prevent further drain and damage from the aura. Whenever you are feeling heavy feelings of grief, hold an Apache Tear into the light and be reminded of the story below. 

“ The haunting legend about the Apache Tear is about the Pinal Apaches, who had made several raids on a settlement in Arizona. The military and some volunteers trailed the tracks of the stolen cattle and waited for dawn to attack the Apaches. The Apaches, confident in the safety of their location, were completely surprised and out-numbered in the attack. Nearly 50 of the band of 75 Apaches were killed in the first volley of shots. The rest of the tribe retreated to the cliff’s edge and chose death by leaping over the edge rather than die at the hands of the white men. For years afterward those who ventured up the treacherous face of Big Pacacho in Arizona found skeletons, or could see the bleached bones wedged in the crevices of the side of the cliff.

The Apache Women and the lovers of those who had died gathered a short distance from the base of the cliff where the sands were white, and for a moon they wept for their dead. They mourned greatly, for they realized that not only had their 75 brave Apache warriors died, but with them had died the great fighting spirit of the Pinal Apaches. Their sadness was so great, and their burden of sorrow so sincere that the Great Father imbedded into black stones the tears of the Apache Women who mourned their dead. These black obsidian stones, when held to the light, reveal the translucent tear of the Apache.”

— http://www.crystalsrocksandgems.com/Healing_Crystals/ApacheTears.html

4. Selenite 

Some people are calmer during the grieving process and don't need help easing their emotions. For empaths, those who are more sensitive, and those who don't have a lot of experience with death, it may be harder to understand what is going on. The crystal I recommend for EVERYONE after someone has passed is a Selenite. This crystal is not for the emotional aspects of coping, but rather builds a connection spiritually that will remain. Selenite protects against negative energies and cleanses an area. After someone passes, this is very important to use because you are now thought of in a different plane. Selenite is also important to use after death because it connects us to the angelic realm - this includes angelic communication, guidance, etc. This crystal may help you connect to the one you lost in a bright and beautiful way. Sleep with this crystal or meditate with it if you would like to connect with the one you lost.