Self Discovery

The term “self-actualization” was coined by humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow. The term is defined as “the desire to become more and more of what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming.” The goal of being self-actualized is attaining life satisfaction, happiness, serenity and a rich inner feeling of well-being – Becoming the very best possible version of yourself! 

While the concept of self-actualization sounds really wonderful, how do you become this attuned, creative spirit with an efficient perception of reality, good moral intuition and high self esteem?

The fact is, there’s no right or wrong way when it comes to personal growth. Each and every one of us will attain self-actualization in our own way and our own time. Each of us will discover what self-actualization means to us by listening to our true self, inner wisdom  and living a good and honest life of truth.

What is Maslow self actualization theory?

Maslow created a  hierarchy of needs when he theorized that us as humans have four basic needs we need to fully satisfy before we can become self-actualizing people. These needs were arranged onto a pyramid: 

• The bottom of the pyramid is the lowest stage – these are are most basic needs as humans.
• The second stage shows us our need for safety.
• The third stage depicts our longing and desire to be be wanted, needed and relationships.
• The fourth stage shows what we need to have a strong self esteem and our need for respect.
• The fifth and final stage, or the tip of the pyramid, is self-actualization.

How do you know if you are self actualized?

Here are 10 signs to know if you are self actualized

1. You live independently. Your life is not based and structured on others opinions. Social feedback won’t change your mind either, and peer pressure is a non factor to you. You don’t mind alone
2. You have a sense for reality and truth. You’re a grounded individual and you are in touch and in tune with your intuition. You know when people are stretching the truth or being false.
3. You are comfortable with the unknown. You might not know what the future will bring, but you’re okay with that. 
4. You have compassion, kindness, and acceptance. 
5. You have a good-natured sense of humor. Laughing at yourself is not humiliating and you are able to make light of others challenging situations which helps them feel more at ease. You brighten any space with your light heartedness. 
6. You enjoy meaningful friendships. You have fewer friendships but they are long lasting and true friends.
7. You’re spontaneous You don’t like to stick to routine and prefer to live in the moment!
8. You focus on things bigger than yourself. Life is not just about you, you care about everyone else too and want everyone to be equally happy. You want to see the bigger picture and consider more than just your life.
9. You stop and smell the roses. You take the time to stop and take note of the small things in life and special moments, no matter how many times you might have seen the sunset, it’s still unique and beautiful every time.
10. You have a sense of justice. Your compassion for all helps you uncover truth, allowing injustice to fail and people to have a fair chance.

Key takeaways

Self-acceptance and eventually Self-actualization is not the same for everyone. None of us are quite like anyone else and we all take a slightly different path when trying to real our goals as human beings. 

Being truly self-actualized is a goal that can take some of us a life time to accomplish, but we need to take the time to reach our full potential and real self-efficacy. Working hard to become the very best you possibly can will ultimately lead to a more fulfilling life, and its human nature to want that fulfillment!

Don’t let the concept of self-actualization overwhelm or stop you attaining your goals. Keep your mind open as you gain a new freshness of appreciation and work through Maslow’s hierarchy of needs on your journey to a higher level! 

Something to keep in mind is that even Maslow said felt true self-actualization was rare.  How many people do you actually know who live their lives entirely true to themselves?

Self Actualization FAQs

What are the benefits of being self actualized?

Reaching your full highest potential is the biggest benefit, your understanding of others and human nature will be heightened as well as your emotional intelligence rising. You will notice yourself becoming more friendly and caring as well as fair and calm in stressful situations. 

What are the characteristics of a self actualized person?

• Perception of reality is efficient
• Happy and comfortable in own skin, acceptance of others and yourself
• Comfortable using own judgment and past experiences as lessons
• Spontaneous
• Freshness of appreciation.
• Intense personal relationships.

What happens when you reach self actualization?

When you have reached the final stage of development in Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs you are able to fully take advantage of your talents. You reach true self realization, humanitarianism and mindfulness.

Written by:
Jade Small

Death is something everyone thinks about. We all wonder what happens after you die. Every religion on Earth has its own belief and explanation as to what happens when we die, and why. But what if you were actually able to learn the answer? Thanks to Dolores Cannon and QHHT®, you can!

What is QHHT®?

QHHT® is a powerful tool that is used to access the all-knowing part of ourselves. It was developed by a woman named Dolores Cannon.

For those who may not know of her, Dolores Cannon was the world’s most experienced Hypnotist and Past Life Regressionist. For nearly 50 years she developed and perfected her past life regression hypnosis technique called QHHT®, “Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique” and she taught it to hundreds of her students.

QHHT is done only via a specially trained QHHT Practitioner. Your subconscious comes to the forefront, while your conscious mind or ‘ego’ takes a step back. When this happens, the Practitioner is able to speak to an individual’s Higher Self. That is the part of you that is all-knowing and connected to Universal Consciousness. When a Practitioner connects to that portion of your soul, you are able to go through the death experience and find answers to just about anything you’d ever want to know.

What Happens After You Die

What happens at the moment of death?

When we chose to incarnate on Earth, we forgot our previous lives and connection to our Higher Selves. When you get put under via QHHT, your conscious mind takes a step back. For this reason, most people do not consciously remember anything that happens while they are under. This is why it is standard practice for all QHHT Practitioners to record their sessions so their clients can review the experience afterward. (Another reason why QHHT should ALWAYS be done in person. Not via Skype or Zoom calls)

While they are under, the Practitioner can still ask the Higher Self what the experience is like. People who have re-experienced the death experience while under hypnosis say they feel cold but experience no pain. They say that leaving their body is a quick and effortless feeling. They almost always report seeing themselves, looking down at their human body. Sometimes they also report seeing deceased loved ones waiting for them. They aren’t imagining things. For them, it’s real.

The light that people often mention seeing, is also real. When people report having a near-death experience, it’s always because they choose not to go towards the light. (That’s right. You always get a choice. If you’re not ready, you simply don’t go.)

When you accept and believe you are ready for death, only then do you enter that light.

What is the white light?

The white light is a massive, powerful energy source. It is what the Higher Self most often refers to as ‘The Source’. Some may consider this energy to be ‘God’.

When we die, we go through that light. It is when we pass through this immense source of energy, that our silver cord gets severed. This silver energetic cord is what attaches your soul to your physical body while you are alive. Once the cord is severed, we cannot return to the same body.

Life After Death Explained

The Silver Cord and Astral Projection

When we sleep each night, our spirits leave our bodies. Just because our bodies grow tired, doesn’t mean our soul needs to rest! When we sleep, our soul goes off on adventures. We can speak to our soul guides; we can visit our loved ones, and we can even travel to other planets and dimensions. When you have dreams of flying or strange adventures, it wasn’t just made up in your head. It’s likely memory of something you actually experienced!

When we wake up each morning, our silver cord is reeled back in so we can re-enter our body.

The Earth is a school.

In our time on Earth, we are here to learn and grow. We need to realize we have made mistakes in order to move on and continue learning. We come to Earth to learn about emotions and limitations on this challenging planet. If you die on Earth and have not yet learned anything from your experience, then you will return to Earth in a new body to repeat the same lesson over again, just under slightly different circumstances. This is why, even though bad things may happen to us, as long as we have learned something from them, no matter how small, then we have still made significant progress when it comes to life’s lessons

What’s it like to re-experience a past life

We’ve all lived countless lifetimes. No human soul is ‘new’. You work your way up to obtain a human body. In order to do so, you’ve had past lives as animals, plants, and even inanimate objects.

When a QHHT Practitioner puts you under, you can tap into any past life you’ve ever experienced. It doesn’t matter when, or where this past life took place.

Sometimes when people get put under, they experience what it’s like to be an animal. We’ve had people give us detailed explanations of what it’s like to be an Eagle, soaring high above the clouds, and even what it was like to tend to the chicks in her nest. Could you imagine how awesome that would be to experience?!

We’ve even had people explain what it’s like to live as a ROCK for a few million years. (They said it was slow haha.) It would seem those crystals you carry around with you really are conscious!

You really never know what you’re going to experience when you go under hypnosis. What you’re going to see, entirely depends on what your Higher Self wants you to see. And what your Higher Self wants you to see, usually has something to do with a life lesson you’re meant to learn.

This is why, if you’re feeling lost or confused about why your life is the way it is, QHHT is often a great way to figure out why!

What happens after death & Where does the soul go after it leaves the body

What happens when we get to the other side?

Once we have died, passed through the tunnel, and reached the light, we are met with great love. There is no Hell. Hell was a construct created by humans. We are allowed to make mistakes in our human life and we will not be punished for making them. There is no God waiting to judge us. In the end, we judge ourselves. How we go about doing so, is determined by where we go next.

The Astral Planes:

There are infinite planes of existence that make up our reality. Where we go, directly correlates to our current vibrational frequency. Each time we die we go to a new place and inhabit a new body. If we have not learned our lesson, we re-experience those same lessons in a new form.

The Lower Astral Plane:

Sometimes souls can end up “earthbound”. This can happen for several reasons. Sometimes they are simply stubborn and don’t want to go to the next place. If you don’t want to leave, you don’t have to. Nobody can make you do something you don’t want to do. Even in death.

Some Souls stay in the Lower Astral Plane because they are confused, or don’t yet realize that they have died. These people are often murder victims, drug addicts, alcoholics, or people who have long suffered due to mental illness. These people will often try to re-enter their bodies, but they cannot. The lower astral plane is a mirror to our own reality. It looks very much like our current 3D reality, which can add to the confusion. (This is why hauntings can occur)

It is important to note that nobody is stuck in the lower astral. Eventually, the soul will realize they can leave the lower astral plane. When that happens, one of their guardian angels (or soul guides, whichever you’d prefer to call them) shows up to take them to the next place. Some of us can have as many as 4 or 5 soul guides. These guides help us throughout our entire lives but also meet us when we are ready to pass. Often it can be a deceased loved one or relative, but ultimately, we are never alone when we pass on.

The Middle Astral Plane:

The Middle Astral Plane is equivalent to what many religions consider ‘Heaven’. It’s extremely beautiful. It’s exactly what YOU imagined Heaven would be like. In most cases, the colors are vibrant and vivid and music fills the air. Your loved ones and pets are there with you. You can choose to stay here if you wish and live however you choose.

The only problem with the Middle Astral is that it does not last forever. Eventually, you will be called forward to review your previous life. There are Elders and Ascended Masters in the Middle Astral Plane, and they help you re-experience your entire previous life all over again. Not just from your perspective, but from the perspective of every person and the living creature that you have ever interacted with.

The Life Review

The “Life Review” portion of the death experience is incredibly objective and can be quite painful to watch. You will experience what other people saw and felt due to your actions. You will see exactly what you have done, and how much your actions in that previous life has affected others.

This is where Karma comes in. This is when we decide what we still need to learn. We judge what we have done in the past and we decide what we need to make amends for in the future.

Then we choose our next set of parents, we plan our next lives accordingly, then we go back to Earth to carry out the mission we planned for ourselves. We make a contract with the souls of those whom we have previously hurt. Sometimes roles are reversed, and sometimes they are almost exactly the same. The point is, we come back to Earth to try again.

Upper Astral Plane:

The Upper Astral Plane is where all acquired knowledge resides. This is where the temple of wisdom complex can be found. There is also a healing temple of energy there. Often times, when we die, our souls arrive at the temple of healing where we are bathed and all residue of our life is washed away.

However, we do not need to die in order to visit the Healing Temple! We can meditate or astral travel to this place to heal our bodies, even while incarnated in physical form.

Another part of this complex is the tapestry room. It’s huge and goes for miles on one gigantic wall. In the tapestry are many threads, and we each have a thread that depicts our lives. Our threads are intertwined and this is how we are all connected. We are all interwoven and we all affect one another.

Lastly, there is a library. You are met by the guardian and you can ask questions and gain information about anything you want. This library contains all the knowledge of everything that has ever happened, and everything that ever will be. You are able to view and obtain any information you wish.

The Exit Plan

We all choose how we will die. It will sound like a crazy concept to some, but you already planned your death long before you even arrived here. We all planned how we will leave our bodies before we even entered them, be it in an earthquake, a murder, or even just passing on in our sleep.

It’s all part of a plan we made for a reason.

Written by:
Jade Small & Lara Starr

“Sometimes the meaning beyond the talisman is greater than the talisman itself. A star has a hint of galaxies.”

― Talismanist Giebra

Throughout time, there have been many different spiritual protection symbols used and developed since civilization began. Many of these symbols were created and used simultaneously despite religion, language and location on earth as barriers. Each of these sacred symbols, whether they be they a symbol of protection, sacred geometry or spiritual symbols, they all carry a unique and powerful message today just as they did when they were created. The symbols listed in this article are some of the most influential symbols known today. Learn about them and how you can use their positive and esoteric power to better your life.

18 Powerful Spiritual Protection Symbols With Explanations

Bellow we have listed 18 ancient symbols, each representing spiritual practices, good fortune or protective properties. Many of these symbols come from civilizations and lineage that were created and established in times of ancient enlightenment. We can use the esoteric knowledge and power from these symbols in our lives every day. You may be the wearer of a protective symbol, or keep an amulet in your pocket for good fortune and good luck, or perhaps you choose to practice magick – whatever you choose, everyone can use these ancient symbols to guide them along their life path or to help them remain in focus and in connection with self.

Wiccan Protection Symbols

Here are three of the most powerful and magickal protection symbols used in Wiccan and Pagan traditions. Many are used in spellwork or to represent the elements or ideas.

Pentacle

This ancient symbol has been around for thousands of years. Each of the four elements are represented by the pentacle symbol; earth, water, wind and fire. The top point of this symbol represents spirit and the circle around it represents unity. By wearing or carrying this talisman you will be shielded and protected from any negative energy you may encounter. The pentacle can also be used when practicing magic to amplify your spell work. Not to be confused with the pentagram. 

Hexagram

It is believed that this symbol was the signet ring of King Solomon and that this ring gave him Magickal powers. 1290 AD coins have the hexagram symbol imprinted on them. During the middle ages, this talisman was considered to be an amulet of protection and it also represented God as an authority. Often, the Hexagram is is inscribed with other symbols and names of divine origin which is thought to offer it’s wearer protection against evil forces and negative energies.

Solar Cross

This protective symbol dates back to before the Bronze age. The Solar Cross is a symbol of the immense power of kings of ancient times. The sun itself was considered to be the most powerful symbol of all. The solar cross represents the four directions, the four elements, the four root races, the four stages of life, the four humours, the four seasons and of course, the sun.

Unfortunately, this sacred symbol was also used by white supremist’s to push their beliefs. 

Celtic Protection Symbols

In all aspects of life, Celtic symbols held a very strong and intense power for the people who lived in Britain and Western Europe from 500 BC and 400 AD. Ireland itself has adopted some of the ancient symbols and use them to this very day.

Triquetra/Celtic Knot 

This ancient symbol represents eternity to many people. In the Christian religion, it also represents the holy trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Or for wiccans it is known as the Triple Goddess. You will often find this symbol on jewelry and in artwork of Pagan and Celtic origin. Each corner of the knot represents land, sea and sky. Because it is a “never ending knot” or “eternal knot”, its implied that the links can not be broken. Wearing this beautiful symbol of eternal life will help strengthen your connection to self and the Devine.

The Celtic Cross

While many associate this symbol with Christianity, it actually predates the religion by thousands of years! The Celtic cross is thought to represent the four directions, while some believe it’s representative of the four elements. To the Celts, this cross was a symbol of hope and ambition. 

The Dara Knot

The Dara knot was the Celtic symbol of strength.  The name Dara comes from the word “doire,” which is the Irish word for “oak tree.” And what could be more appropriate to represent strength than a mighty oak? Trees were also considered to be our connection to the spirit world with their roots in hell and their branches in the heavens. The lines of this symbol intertwine and have no beginning not end.

Native American Protection Symbols

The Native Americans were always people who were in touch with nature and earth, spirit is and was highly important to them. They expressed their ideas using symbols in artwork and tattoos.

Zia or Sun Symbol

The Zia is a symbol representing the sun. It depicts the rays of the sun stretching outward in four directions. The number four is sacred in this symbol and is embodied in a number of ways such as the compass, the seasons, the periods of the day, life stages and the sacred aspects each one of us must develop in our lifetime. The spiral is representative of the universe always being in motion, and the paths we take to evolve away from ego and materialism. This talisman is useful for help letting go and releasing and is symbolic of evolution, change and growth.

Waterbird Symbol

This symbol shows life renewal, rain, rivers, visions of the wise and the oracle. It is connected with lightning, thunder and visions of the Plains people. The top of totem poles you will often find this symbol carved. The waterbird symbolizes power, strength and nobility.

Hopi Maze or Mother Earth Symbol

This symbol is one of the most important to many Native American tribes, especially the Hopi people. It represents the obstacles and challenges that one has to overcome to evolve spiritually and become one with the divine power. The line running in the center is symbolic of a child while the maze that surrounds this line is Mother Earth.

Egyptian Protection Symbols

Egypt is one of the most ancient civilizations known to man.  Many different symbols come from ancient Egyptian time, amulets objects were used to bring good fortune and protection.  Hieroglyphs, as they are called, were considered to be “The Words of Gods”

Ankh

This ancient symbol is one of the most well known. The loop represents eternal life, the sun, purification and clairvoyance. It was used as an amulet to provide divine protection.

Djed

The Djed is a symbol of strength and stability and linked to the God of the underworld, Osiris, and also Ptah god of creation which makes it a symbol for resurrection and eternal life. a Djed column would often be placed at the bottom of coffins so the soul could rise into the afterlife.

Tjet

This symbol is also known as the knot of Isis. It is a symbol of eternal life and resurrection, a common theme for Egyptian amulets and symbols. It offers protection as well.

Norse Protection Symbols

Spirituality was incredibly important for the Vikings. Scandinavian culture is filled with symbols from Runes to Motives and Norse symbols.

Valknut

This symbol is also known as Odins knot or the heart of Vala, each of the nine corners of each triangle that create this symbol also mean nine worlds of Norse mythology and life cycle through pregnancy and motherhood. The nine points made up from the three overlapping triangles is important because the number nine symbolizes the nine words of northern mythology.

Aegishjalmur

A rune symbol of protection and victory. Today, many people have the Aegishjalmur symbol tattooed on their bodies to serve as an amulet of protection.

Mjölnir

This is the correct name for Thors hammer. This symbol is probably the most important in Norse culture. The God Thor protected people using Mjölnir and today it still represents protection from bad. It also symbolizes Heathenry or Heathenism

Other Ancient Protection Symbols of Note

Evil Eye

Worn as an amulet, this talisman is thousands of years old to the middle east, 3,300 BC Syria. It is said to protect it’s wearer against “the evil eye” (also known as “the all seeing eye) or glares cast from those who are jealous of you or who wish you harm, intentionally or not. 

Hamsa

This symbol is worn as a pendent or amulet by both the Jewish and Muslim faiths, the Islamic community refer to it as the Hand of Fatima. It dates back to the Mesopotamian cult of Ishtar. The palm of the hamsa hand symbol offers protections while each finger (or pillar of faith) represents  Love, Money, Health, Wisdom, and Power.

Om

This Hindu symbol represents the universe itself and enlightenment. For the wearer, it can act as a reminder to be thoughtful and mindful, It is a symbol of oneness and peace.

Key takeaways

Some characteristics of a spiritual person involve the use of symbols for protection. Life often becomes challenging and as it gains in complication ass we grow older and live our lives, but, we can use these powerful symbols to help guide us back to where we need to be. These symbols of protection prove that throughout time, man has always been seeking connection to the divine and spirit. No matter the origin of your chosen symbol, be it Buddhist, Egyptian, or something through wicca, they all will assist in warding off evil spirits and/or bad luck and help you remain grounded and protected.

 

Written by:
Jade Small