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 Home Décor For The Spiritually Inclined
(ARA) - Our surroundings nurture
us mentally and emotionally. We like our homes to be cozy, to
be a haven from the stresses of daily living, a place to relax
and to get away from it all. But we also want our homes to reflect
who we are, whether the intended image is uncluttered and simple,
elegant or even spiritual.
Whether your career demands 70-hour
workweeks or you're just enjoying retirement, spiritual surroundings
can help to alleviate the burdens of cell phones, meetings, rush-hour
traffic -- all the hectic things that make us sometimes want
to move to the mountains and live with the trees.
A new trend in home decorating,
spiritual décor is designed to reawaken the spirit and
soul. The Isabella catalog, offers beautiful, eclectic items
to decorate your home with unique items that make your house
a home for spiritual journeys.
Janet Kelly, assistant director
of marketing and merchandising for Chinaberry, Inc., parent company
of Isabella, says, "We carry items that are suitable for
home décor, but none of them are chosen for their 'home
décor' appeal alone. Each item is chosen in hopes that
it will serve as a reminder to slow down and appreciate the simple
things in life."
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Symbol Pictures
Reminder symbols help us to slow
down and take inventory. Surround yourself with inspirational
sayings from the "I-Ching," or "Book of Changes,"
to help you understand the natural way in the universe. Choose
the design that best fits your goal, such as "Patience:
Wait in the power of knowing what is possible . Do not waiver
. Remain steady . Remain true to our goals and allow life to
carry you. That which is worthwhile is sometimes created slowly." |
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Written in Chinese and elegantly
rendered in calligraphy, these wise words will remind you that
qualities such as patience, appreciation and an open heart are
what make a good life.
Bless Your Home
Many religions have customs for
blessing a home and those who live within. A Jewish tradition
of placing a prayer inside a small case, called a mezuzah, affixed
to the right entranceway of the home at shoulder height, is believed
to protect the home.
Isabella offers two different
mezuzot: a traditional mezuzah in handcast pewter and the other
in hand-cut, etched glass, crafted by Rachel Feldberg, known
worldwide for her glass mezuzot. Each comes with a small non-kosher
copy of the traditional prayer to place inside and protect your
home.
Smudge to Purify
Burning herbs have been used
by native peoples everywhere to purify a space and encircle those
present. A smudge stick -- wrapped burning herbs -- is lit and
often rests in an abalone shell as it smolders. It signals the
mind to be still and present in the moment, announcing that sacred
time is beginning.
Smudge sticks contain aromatic
sage for its cleansing and purifying properties, and cedar for
its balancing of body, mind and spirit. Isabella's smudge kits
come with abalone shells, sacred herbs or incense and an insert
explaining how to smudge and the history behind smudging.
Salt Crystal Lamps
We all know the feeling of peacefulness
that comes from hearing water trickle down the brook as it splashes
quietly, cascading over every pebble, low-hung branch and fish.
Now, you can have the same effect in a lamp.
Formed from 250 million-year-old
fossilized salt specimens, salt lamps are used in Europe for
their energy-balancing effects, similar to the energy-balancing
effects of running water. These lamps are said to throw off negative
ions when lit and balance the positive ions present. With colors
ranging from off-white to apricot, salt lamps cast a warm and
cozy glow that calms even those under the heaviest of stress.
When decorating your home, look
for items that also help engage creativity, encourage well-being
and provide adornment to enhance your spiritual awareness. |
