March 2024 - Deborah King

Exploring Easter: 10 Facts Beyond the Chocolate Eggs

Easter brings a whirl of color and joy, doesn’t it?

Ever pondered why an egg-bearing bunny becomes the season’s star, delivering treats to children under the cover of night? Or where the tradition of egg decoration, letting both young and old unleash their inner artist, originally came from?

And perhaps most intriguingly, how did the profound celebration of Christ’s resurrection intertwine with the whimsical tale of the Easter Bunny

Easter, rooted deeply in Christian tradition, blossoms today as a vibrant fusion of narratives, rituals, and customs drawn from a multitude of cultures and belief systems, some even tracing back to times before Christianity’s rise.

Yes, many Easter customs we cherish today carry the legacy of ancient celebrations.

Despite the modern-day commercial whirlwind of Easter — think oceans of plastic grass and a deluge of sugary Peeps — the core symbols and practices retain their profound meanings, celebrating life’s renewal and the awe-inspiring power of rebirth.

As someone deeply immersed in the realms of spirituality and energy healing, I find the rich tapestry of Easter’s cultural and historical layers utterly captivating. I invite you to join me as we delve into ten surprising truths about Easter, hoping to illuminate the deeper connections and meanings behind our beloved springtime rituals.

Easter’s Ancient Fertility Roots

“Easter” springs from Eastre, a spring and fertility goddess worshiped by ancient Anglo-Saxons. With the vernal equinox celebrating day and night in equal measure, these early festivities honored the renewal and promise of fruitfulness that spring embodies.

This intertwining of rebirth and regeneration pre-dates Christian traditions, laying the groundwork for Easter’s association with new beginnings.

The Easter Bunny’s German Heritage

Surprisingly, the Easter bunny hops all the way from German folklore into our Easter traditions. Initially a symbol of prolific fertility due to their rapid reproduction, rabbits, or hares, became entwined with Easter celebrations.

Merging pagan symbols with Christian traditions, the Easter bunny evolved from a deliverer of eggs to a bearer of sweets, a transformation credited to German immigrants’ tales of “Oschter Haws.”

The Emblematic Easter Egg

Eggs, universally symbolizing new life and rebirth, resonate deeply with Easter’s theme of resurrection.

This tradition of decorating eggs, which spans cultures and centuries, embodies the spirit of renewal. From the red eggs of Orthodox Christianity symbolizing Christ’s blood to the intricately adorned eggs of Poland and Ukraine, these practices highlight the egg’s role as a vessel of life and hope.

The Tradition of Hard Boiling Eggs
The custom of hard boiling eggs during Easter has medieval roots, born from the necessity to preserve eggs laid during the Lenten season when their consumption was forbidden.
With Lent’s conclusion at Easter, these preserved eggs became integral to Easter meals and celebrations, laying the foundation for modern-day Easter egg hunts and rolls.

The Cross: A Symbol of Sacrifice and Victory

The cross, central to Easter’s narrative, symbolizes not just the crucifixion of Jesus but also his victory over death.

This powerful emblem reminds us of the transformative power of sacrifice and the triumph of life over death, encouraging us to find strength in our struggles and hope in our hardships.

Easter Lilies: Purity and Resurrection

The Easter lily, with its radiant white blooms, represents purity, hope, and the resurrection.

Traditionally used to adorn churches during Easter services, these flowers embody the renewal of life and the purity of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice, offering a fragrant reminder of the season’s deeper spiritual significance.

The Paschal Candle: Light of Christ

Lit during Easter Vigil services, the Paschal candle symbolizes Jesus Christ as the light of the world.

This candle, marked with the symbols of Christ’s wounds, is used throughout the Easter season and during baptisms and funerals, serving as a beacon of hope and a reminder of Christ’s enduring presence.

Easter Breads: Sharing in the Bread of Life

Across cultures, Easter is celebrated with special breads, such as Hot Cross Buns in England or Paska in Eastern Europe.

These breads, often adorned with symbols of Easter and the resurrection, embody the sharing of the “Bread of Life” with the community, fostering unity and reminding us of life’s cyclical nature and the nourishment of the soul.

The Washing of Feet: Humility and Service

Commemorated on Maundy Thursday, the washing of the feet is a re-enactment of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet.

This act, symbolizing humility and the call to serve others, challenges us to embody these virtues in our lives, encouraging acts of kindness and service as expressions of love and respect for humanity.

Easter as a Spiritual Awakening

Easter, with its rich tapestry of traditions, invites us to delve into its historical depths and spiritual essence. As we navigate these customs, we uncover layers of meaning that not only enrich our celebrations but also inspire us to reflect, renew, and reconnect with the profound messages of rebirth and redemption at Easter’s heart.

Easter’s message of renewal and rebirth extends beyond physical realms into the spiritual. And it extends beyond any single religion. It’s a prime time for self-reflection, meditation, and chakra cleansing.

Embrace this season as an opportunity for spiritual reawakening, leveraging the inherent energy of rebirth to realign and rejuvenate your inner self.

A great place to start is our bestselling introductory certification course into LifeForce Energy Healing (Level I), which you can access right here >>

Or even take an approach which offers a little more hand-holding and guidance through your healing journey by booking a private session with one of our expert LifeForce Energy Healing practitioners. You can find them here.

Spring Equinox: 7 Methods to Clear Your Chakras

As the last snow of the winter season disappears from the ground and green stems start to push through the soil that has protected them from the harsh elements, the cycle of life begins again with the annual spring equinox. During the spring equinox, the plane of the Earth’s equator passes through the center of the Sun, resulting in the day and night being equal in duration — an astrological event of absolute balance.

The spring equinox is a time of rebirth for all life on our planet: plants sprout from the ground and colorful flowers bloom; animals emerge from hibernation to mate and give birth to new generations; and birds migrate north for nesting and nourishment opportunities. As winter places us in a life of darkness, the spring equinox is a time of joyful celebration as all life on Earth receives an extra dose of nourishing sunlight.

When the day and night are in equal balance, it’s no surprise that your body, mind, and spirit feel naturally energized (probably more so than you have at any time during the dark winter months). You may already have plans to spring clean your home — changing the batteries in your smoke detector, donating accumulated items that you do not use to goodwill, and cleaning behind the refrigerator — so, what better time to take stock of your spiritual house and do a bit of spring cleaning. Just like your physical home, the debris of everyday life can accumulate and cause clutter in your energy field; use the natural energy boost that the spring equinox gives you to clear away stagnant energy in your chakras and ensure you start the cycle of rebirth both healthy and happy.

The annual spring equinox: a time of balance, rebirth, and rejuvenation

March 19th marks the vernal equinox and official first day of spring, and the weeks before and after this significant date are a time of balance, rebirth, and rejuvenation.

Equinoxes happen twice a year (in the spring and fall), giving you the opportunity to use the natural balance of solar-lunar energies to achieve balance in your own life. Working in alignment with nature’s vibrations boosts your spiritual efforts, and this time of reawakening is ripe for clearing and balancing your chakras and energy field. Harness this power of renewal to purge the unnecessary from your energetic closets and vacuum up any emotional residue. It’s time to spring clean your soul!

Clearing your chakras = cleaning debris out of your pipes

Your chakras are invisible (but vital!) energy centers that are designed to move energy between your personal field and the universal field, and, when spinning correctly and unencumbered, these chakras are the means by which you replenish your energy and restore your health. If you’ve been studying energy medicine with me, you know that your body is made from your energy field — and that anything that goes on (or in) your energy field has a direct impact on your body. So, if your chakras are blocked, energy is unable to flow freely in your field; eventually, the clog will result in physical symptoms, which can be anything from headaches to chronic disease.

One way to visualize your energy flow is to think about it in terms of the water pipes in your home (your energy = water / your chakras = pipes). Just like your chakras, if there is a clog somewhere in your home’s pipes, there will be water back-up…which eventually has to go somewhere and will likely cause damage to the pipes and structures around it. Just like that water, your energy has to go somewhere…and keeping your chakras clear and your energy flowing is the best way to keep your body from experiencing injury or illness as a result of clogged pipes.

Clear away old traumas and release built-up emotions

So, how can you keep your chakras clear?

Clogs and blockages in your chakras are caused by traumas that aren’t fully released or emotional build-up (that can be two days, two months, two years, or two decades old). And just as it’s never too late to tackle the often overlooked places in your house (like the chimney or under the couch cushions) that can go years without a thorough clean-up, it’s never too late to clear out old traumas with energy healing. Every bit of work you do toward improving the flow of energy in your field and body is going to make you feel better.

There are activities that will do a general job of clearing negativity from your field, like meditation, but there are also targeted methods for balancing each of your seven main chakras. To find out which of your chakras is dysfunctional, you can work with a spiritual teacher or energy healer, or have a friend check your chakras with a pendulum.

Energy healing methods to clear and balance your chakras for the spring equinox:

Together, your chakras govern all areas of your life: relationships, weight loss, stress, career, self-esteem, love, spiritual progress, and everything else. When they are in balance, you are in balance, and your whole being is lighter, freer, healthier, and happier. So take advantage of the days getting longer and the blossoming of nature this spring, and rejuvenate your soul with the clearing, charging, and balancing of your chakras.

Your first chakra is all about security and feeling safe in your environment. To ground yourself and strengthen your connection to Mother Earth, try walking barefoot in freshly grown grass or on a sandy beach.

Your second chakra governs how you experience pleasure, and a common issue for this chakra is shame. Water has cleansing and healing properties, so immerse yourself in water for 20 minutes — in the ocean or a clearing bath with sea salt and baking soda.

The third chakra is where your will and self-esteem resides, and physical movement, especially outside in the early morning sun or in the evening before sunset, really recharges this chakra.

Your fourth chakra is the heart chakra, and when it’s open, you can give and receive love easily and in a healthy way. Practicing love with a pet who loves unconditionally is a great way to heal your heart and become open to trusting love again.

The fifth chakra is about speaking your truth, choosing to express the real you. Journaling with total honesty can clear and charge this chakra—and help process old traumas. Journaling is a major part of energy medicine and is incredibly freeing!

Your sixth chakra, the “third eye,” is where your higher intellect and clarity of vision reside. Daily meditation—another essential part of energy healing—helps to awaken this chakra so you can increase your intuition and inner wisdom.

An open seventh chakra can be attained through meditation and prayer since the crown chakra is what connects you to spirit. Here you can ask your higher self for guidance.

Interested in learning more about your 7 chakras?

Download your printable Chakra Wisdom Chart PDF today (it’s free!).

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From Captivity to Liberation: St. Patrick’s Influence and My Own Transformation

In the vibrant tapestry of global celebrations, St. Patrick’s Day stands out with its distinctive emerald hue, echoing the rich history and folklore of Ireland. It’s a day when the world, regardless of ancestry, embraces the Irish spirit.

This time, as I adorn myself in green, paying homage to both the saint and my Irish lineage, I’m compelled to delve deeper into the roots of this day, intertwined with my personal journey of transformation and healing.

“May God, Mary, and Patrick bless you.”

This traditional Irish blessing captures the essence of St. Patrick’s Day, a tribute to the saint who wasn’t born Irish but became an emblem of the nation’s identity.

My connection to this celebration is twofold: honoring St. Patrick, guided by his inner visions, and acknowledging my own battles, including overcoming alcohol addiction—a shadow that contrasts sharply with the day’s festivities.

St. Patrick’s tale begins in the late fourth century in Britain, where he was born into affluence. His life took a dramatic turn at sixteen when he was captured by Irish raiders.

This period of captivity in a land then unfamiliar to him sparked a profound spiritual awakening. His writings recount visions that led to his escape and eventual return to Ireland as a missionary, a story of resilience and faith that resonates with my own path towards healing.

Contrary to popular belief, St. Patrick’s mission in Ireland wasn’t about expelling snakes—a metaphor for indigenous practices of the time—but about spreading Christianity.

His legacy is a testament to the power of transformation, a theme that deeply influences my work in energy medicine and personal growth.

St. Patrick’s Day, marked on March 17th, commemorates his passing but is celebrated with much more than a nod to Irish history. It’s a day when prohibitions are lifted during Lent, allowing for feasting, dancing, and, historically, a lot of drinking.

This last aspect hits close to home, as alcohol once played a significant role in my life, a facet of my Irish heritage that I’ve since learned to view through a lens of awareness and self-care.

Reflecting on my own journey, I recognize the fine line between celebration and excess. My battle with cancer in my twenties was a wake-up call, highlighting the destructive path I was on due to alcohol.

Addiction is a struggle many face, and in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day—a day of transformation—I share signs of alcoholism, hoping to offer guidance to those who might see themselves in my story.

Worry from loved ones about your drinking habits.
Drinking alone is a common practice.
Drinking despite promises to stop.
Being late to work because of drinking.
Feelings of guilt related to drinking.
Experiencing headaches or hangovers after drinking.
Morning drinking to ease hangover symptoms.
Irritation at comments about your drinking.
Thoughts of needing to reduce alcohol consumption.
Experiencing blackouts.

For those recognizing these patterns, I urge you to seek support, as I did with Alcoholics Anonymous—a decision that transformed my life, allowing me to embrace each day, including St. Patrick’s Day, with clarity and joy.

As we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, let’s remember the deeper meanings behind the revelry—the stories of change, the strength found in faith, and the personal battles fought and won. It’s a day that reflects not only the spirit of Ireland but also the universal capacity for renewal and healing.

In this light, St. Patrick’s Day is more than just a cultural celebration; it’s a reminder of our ability to overcome adversity, much like St. Patrick himself, and to find strength in our convictions and the journey towards healing and transformation.

Perhaps this St. Patrick’s day will be the day you decide to take the first step on your own personal healing journey.

One step we might recommend is an introduction to energy healing via our bestselling LifeForce Energy Healing Level I course, which you can access by clicking here. Through this course, you can learn a number of techniques to begin to overcome the traumas that may be holding you back and start stepping into your true self.

But whether or not this is the right step for you at this time, we wish you a St. Patrick’s day full of love, positivity, and movement towards your destiny.

A Holistic Approach To Women’s Wellness

International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024, is when society reminds us to celebrate and honor women and their achievements. I say we do that every day. We honor the special women in our lives who have gone before us and paved the road, fighting for women’s rights, and modeling what empowered womanhood stands for.

On a spiritual level, this means celebrating the Divine Feminine in every woman and learning about how we can access and embody this vital source of energy every day.

In our busy and chaotic world where demands and responsibilities often feel overwhelming, it is critically important to empower women to take great care of their health and well-being.

Women are the nurturers, the caretakers and they can only give to others when their cup is full and running over. For centuries, our health choices as women have been under attack. This war on women continues to rage on today putting your health at risk. It is time for us to make our health a top priority not only on a day when society reminds us to celebrate but every single day!

A holistic approach to women’s wellness includes physical, emotional, and spiritual support. We tend to put our well-being last while we struggle to balance career and family needs. This often goes on for years and even decades.

When a woman’s health is being neglected like that, inevitably there comes a breaking point. Society has coined it “Burnout.” That’s when her system shuts down completely and she becomes unavailable to everyone because, on her list of priorities, she has not put herself anywhere.

If this is you, here are some potent tips about how to fill your cup and take better care of yourself and the other women in your life who are close to reaching their breaking point.

Physical Well-Being: Look After Your Body

Make regular health checkups and preventive screenings non-negotiable and encourage the women in your life to do the same.
Embrace an active lifestyle. Take up mind-body exercises like yoga, and Pilates, or commit to going on regular walks. This way you are more grounded and feel better physically while improving your emotional well-being.

Eat healthy, non-processed foods and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Our body is 80% water, so keep it that way by staying properly hydrated.
Avoid unhealthy habits – say no to smoking, alcohol, drugs, and other self-destructive behaviors.

Emotional Well-Being: Look After Your Emotion

Incorporate meditation into your daily routine to cultivate inner peace and self-awareness. Once a day even if it’s just for twenty minutes. You will notice an enormous difference. And if you don’t know how to meditate, or would like to learn a simple yet amazing meditation technique, please check out my Vedic Meditation available here.

Prioritize getting plenty of quality sleep to manage your stress level effectively. By the way, if you are falling asleep during meditation, you are not getting enough sleep. Your mind and body need rest to recuperate before you start conquering your day and tackling your busy to-do list. So, take care of yourself and make sure you are getting enough restful sleep.
Avoid stress by setting effective boundaries. Learn to say ‘No’ to prevent overwhelm. Hint: NO is a complete sentence. It does not require an explanation.
Bring joy back into your life. Start engaging in activities that fill your heart with joy and happiness. That could be a hobby or people you love to spend time with because they make you feel happy. Make this commitment to yourself and be sure to follow through on it. Having joy in your life is vitally important to your emotional health.

Spiritual Well-Being: Look After Your Higher Self and Connect to Your Source

Reconnect with your Higher Self by grounding in Mother Nature. Take walks on the beach, or in the park, embrace forest-bathing, hiking, or swimming in the ocean; those are all wonderful places to be in tune with the Divine and Mother Nature.
Sleep under the stars, under a canopy of trees, or underneath the billowy clouds to fill yourself up with a big dose of nature. Let Mother Gaia hold you gently in her soothing arms while feeling deeply connected to Source.

Journal about your thoughts and emotions. The act of writing is one of the most powerful and uplifting tools to discover your inner truth. It’s your opportunity to be 100% honest with yourself and get to know yourself better. When you are more honest with yourself, you can be more honest with others. This creates deeper, more meaningful relationships and draws you closer to Source.

Make your wellness a habit today and every day. A wonderful way to take care of yourself is to retreat from the world and go within to experience deep transformation and healing. This Spring, I am hosting a powerful spiritual retreat in the desert where we do just that: connect, heal, and transform. You can learn more about it here.

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