Crystal Arts & Health

Welcome everyone to the blog of Crystal Arts & Health Topics that will be covered are Crystal Healing, Herbalism, Yoga, Music, Poetry, The Arts and activities of Crystal Arts & Health

http://www.crystalartsandhealth.org.uk/

For those with a Kindle this blog can be located at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002FQJHC4

New Online training courses in Crystal Healing and Herbalism are available at http://crystalartsandhealth.coggno.com/shop

My book Crystal Healing & The Chakra System covers the Chakra system, Crystal identification and uses, making crystal essences and meditation with crystals. Is available as an ebook from http://store.payloadz.com/go/?id=239922 or as a paperback.

My book, Herbal Primer, newly released, covers herbal action classification, herbal identification, herbal preparation and recipes, including herbal teas, incense and potpourri. Is available as an ebook from http://store.payloadz.com/go/?id=796359 or soon as a paperback.

I am an Herbalist and Crystal Healing Practitioner and have a line of products Crystal Essence TM that combine, aromatherapy, herbal products and crystal essences for "Holistic Wellbeing for Auric & Physical Body"

See http://www.crystalartsandhealth.org.uk/ for the new Spring/Summer Catalogue and for the new products in the e-shop. We have started making shaving soaps, solid shampoo soaps, and baby products and there are lots of new fun shapes for soaps, perfect for gift bags and wedding and event favours.

Crystal Healing

Ametrine: Combination of Amethyst and Citrine Combats Depression, peace, tranquility, considered a powerful money stone.

Aquamarine: Boosts immune system (thymus chakra, throat). Protection stone for sea travel. Encourages optimism, expression, inspiration.

Herbalism

The Eye: Eyebright (Euphrasio officinalis)
Helpful in acute and chronic inflammation, stinging and weeping eyes as well as oversensitivity to light. Dosage: Pour a cup of boiling water onto 1 tsp of dried herb and infuse for 5-10 minutes drink x 3 a day. Compress: Place a tsp of dried herb in half a litre of water and boil for 10 minutes, let cool slightly. Moisten a compress in the lukewarm liquid, wring out slightly and place over eyes.

Cleaver (Galium aparine)
Tonic for lymphatic system, used in swollen glands, tonsillitis, adenoids, dry varieties of Psoriasis, Cystitis, ulcers and tumours. Dosage: Pour a cup of boiling water onto 2-3 tsp of dried herb and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes drink x 3 a day.

Yoga

Preliminary leg pull
Benefits: Removes stiffness, promotes elasticity in spine through concave stretching movement,Relieves tension in back, Stretches and strengthens entire leg, Makes muscles and skin of legs taunt and firm

How to do: 1) Sit on the floor with legs extended straight out in front of you, feet together, back of knees touching floor. 2) Extend your arms straight out in front of you so hands are at eye level. 3) Very slowly stretch as far forward as you can, aim hand for the farthermost part of your legs. Don’t worry if this isn’t very far at first, don’t strain, go out of the position if it becomes uncomfortable. 4) Gently in slow motion, bend your elbows outward and pull yourself forward and downward until you reach the beyond you can’t stretch anymore comfortably. Hold this position motionlessly for a few seconds, don’t bounce or strain. 5) After holding this position very slowly raise your trunk to the upright position. Go into the corpse position to rest for a couple of minutes and repeat three times, resting between the final movement

Poetry

http://www.shadowpoetry.com/resources/famous/angelou/maya.html

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

by Maya Angelou

Music

Vocal resource

http://www.trainmyvoice.com/

The Parts of a Song

By Espie Estrella, About.com Guide

Song Title:

The title of the song is very important; think of yourself as a salesperson who needs to pitch a product and the title as the name of that product. You would want your title to be memorable and fitting to the theme of the song. You should also highlight your title by placing it within the lyrics of the song.

Title Placement:

In the AAA song form, titles are placed either at the beginning or end of each verse. In the AABA, the title usually appears at the beginning or end of the A section. In the verse/chorus and verse/chorus/bridge song, the title often begins or ends the chorus.

Verse:
The verse is the part of the song that tells a story. Again think of yourself as a salesperson, you would need to use the proper words to convey information about your product in order to sell it. The verse functions the same way; it gives listeners more insight leading to the main message of the song and it moves the story forward. A song may have a number of verses, depending on the form, consisting of several lines each.

Refrain:
A refrain is a line (also can be the title) that is repeated at the end of every verse. Let's take our example for the AAA song form: at the end of each verse of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" the line (which also happens to be the title) "Like a bridge over troubled water" is repeated. The refrain is different from the chorus.

Chorus:
The chorus is the part of the song that often sticks to the mind of a listener because it contrasts with the verse and is repeated several times. The main theme is expressed in the chorus; the title of the song is usually included in the chorus too. Coming back to our salesperson analogy, think of the chorus as the slogan, the words that effectively summarizes why consumers should buy your product.

Differences Between Refrain and Chorus:

There is some confusion as to the function of the refrain and chorus. Although both have lines that are repeated and may contain the title, the refrain and chorus vary in length. The refrain is shorter than the chorus; often the refrain is composed of 2 lines while the chorus can be made up of several lines. The chorus is also melodically, rhythmically and lyrically different from the verse and expresses the main message of the song.

Pre-Chorus:
Also known as the "climb," this part of the song differs melodically and lyrically from the verse and comes before the chorus. The reason why it's called a climb is because it heightens the anticipation of the listeners for the coming climax which is the chorus. An example of a song with a climb is "If Ever You're In My Arms Again" by Peabo Bryson

Climb:
We had a once in a lifetime
But I just couldn't see
Until it was gone
A second once in a lifetime
May be too much to ask
But I swear from now on

Bridge (AABA):

In the AABA song form, the bridge (B) is musically and lyrically different than the A sections. In this form, the bridge gives the song contrast before transitioning to the final A section, therefore it is a necessary part of the song.

Bridge (Verse/Chorus/Bridge):
In the verse/chorus/bridge song form however, the bridge functions differently. It is shorter than the verse and should offer a reason why the final chorus needs to be repeated. It also differs melodically, lyrically and rhythmically from the verse and chorus. In the song "Just Once" recorded by James Ingram, the bridge part begins with the line "Just once I want to understand..."

Coda:
Coda is an Italian word for "tail," it is the additional lines of a song which brings it to a close. The coda is an optional addition to a song.