“How Do We Come Back to Ourselves in Times of Uncertainty?“
So grateful for the opportunity to connect with myself.
In honor of last night’s full moon, I placed some water out in a vessel last night (in addition to some healing body oils) out on my porch under the moon light to soak up the goodness, the expansion, the love of the full moon.
After my morning meditation practice, I crept out into the cool air of the Michigan morning and retrieved my beautifully blessed water.
Thank you mother moon
I used her to be the carrier of the loving medicine of mama cacao.
This morning was slow.
Intentional.
And love filled.
I lit my copal incense, prepared my cacao and sat silently with myself.
Sitting with Cacao + a new read, A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson
It felt like a reminder of why establishing routine is so valuable for me.
The hummingbird spirit with so much love, but that she forgets to take care of herself sometimes. Today I took care of myself and I will carry this energy into the rest of the day.
I reflected on the space that feel stuck, that need some transmuting of energy. I gave a special blessing formyself to heal and the negative energy be transmuted into love.
Thank you to the spirit of the sacred fire
The alchemical element, the infinite space of creation.
By connecting with myself this morning, I realized the value of being grateful.
Of settling into sacred space to realize that I am my breath.
That breath is sacred.
That breath is the loving force that connects all things.
The winter moves us in slow and loving ways, grateful for the slowness today.
We must aim to make conscious decisions to connect with our sweet selves. It is when we step into our selves that we are able to take inventory of our heart space. To realize where we are at and how our thoughts and actions are affecting everything around us. By connecting with myself this morning I realize that I have been locking up love and ruminating on the past.
My intention is to forgive myself and those around me for we are all navigating our own celestial bodies, our personalities and so much more. I asked for any negative energy I am carrying to be transmuted into love. I am grateful for the chance to share this with you and I hope it serves you on your journey of loving yourself into the great unknown.
I have been on my Yoga journey for a small period of my life but it has transformed me beyond my own recognition of myself.
It was knocking at my spiritual door for many years and it was only recently that I decided to open that door and let that reconnecting with spirit in.
This past summer, I decided to to delve into Yoga Teacher Training with Detroit Yoga Lab.
This was actually the same studio I took my first real yoga class from.
Let me take you back, I was a graduate student at Wayne State in the Fine Arts Department and my room mate invited me to sign up for a week of yoga. It was a great move for me at that period of my life and left a strong imprint in my memory.
calm
peacefulness
noticing my body in space and time
realizing that the body needs to be respected
I felt so rested that I fell asleep during the class.
As someone who has always been a high achiever, it felt so different than any experience I had ever had. My spiritual practice back then might have been looking at a beautiful work of art at the Detroit Institute of art…namely a Rothko painting that brought so much inner harmony. I felt glimpses of that spirit waking up here and there, only to realize many years later.
At that period of my life, I was a part of the “art scene” in Detroit and staying up late and going to art openings and consuming copious amounts of alcohol was all part of the persona that I donned as an artist. I even smoked cigarettes back then.
Yoga kept creeping up in my life but I never gave it much thought.
It was as if the universe was sending me precious bread crumbs, saying…yes please invite me into your life.
In undergrad my mom bought me a great yoga bundle with a mat, block, strap. I used it a few times but lacked the ability to sit and really be in my body until years later. I was a college athlete then and participated in cross country, indoor and outdoor track. So I was always looking for the finish line. Too consumed by achieving and being recognized as talented.
Yoga circled back around years later, when I taught my first art class at the college level, I had a student whom was making artwork with images of the Buddha, nature and tea. She was happy and buoyant with life and that also left an impression on my heart space.
And lastly, yoga came to me in the form of a well known music festival in Michigan, Electric Forest.
I participated in a group yoga session and felt so much joy.
I felt an emotional release doing yoga next to my husband against a sea of people enjoying the orchestrated movement.
That was the first year my heart truly opened to everything.
I knew that this was a safe, loving and nurturing practice that can keep you grounded and filled with light and love.
It takes me back to a memory of when I was a pre-teen, I received a birthday gift from my sister, a CD from my favorite emo band, Bright Eyes. On the yellow front cover of the cd there was a quote that said something about, “being warm light that spreads.”
I finally know what that means.
My life, like many, has had many bumps, unconsciously pinballing through life, unaware and afraid.
Now I feel my own inner light and know that it is always with me. I have the path of yoga to thank for that.
I now know my mission
To be warm light that spreads.
I am not an expert
I still fumble
I get irritated
I get angry somtimes
But I know the light is always within me and yoga is helping me see that light. It has been my saving grace showing me that the light is always there.
I am excited to keep sharing my journey on the path to yoga.
I hope you find some time to practice some gentle movements today or just get quiet with yourself.
Expanding the Heart – Working with Ceremonial Cacao
Sharing a little bit about my experience working with Ceremonial Cacao, inspired by the online course, Ritual of Cacao: A Five Week Exploration, with Cacao Laboratory. The course was 5 weeks long and included weekly cacao circles led by founder Florencia Fridmen, and new video content each week. This experience allowed me space and time to sit with this plant medicine and to develop a deeper relationship.
For the course, we were encouraged to do a 30 day Dieta with cacao. Meaning that we immerse ourselves with cacao by partaking in a sacred relationship for 30 days. During the 30 days we immersed ourselves with Cacao and her gentle heart opening energies. Many indigenous cultures from Meso and South America practice Dieta’s with specific plant medicines to harmonize and integrate with the spirit of the plant, receiving their wisdom and teachings. As an herbalist and infinitely curious person, this was an exciting journey and a chance to integrate ritual into my life experience.
The incredible beauty, I love working with Ceremonial Cacao
The Course Experience-Embracing Ritual + Gratitude
For 30 days I fell deeper and deeper in love with Cacao and with myself. I set up a special place in our home surrounded by beautiful things like crystals, rocks I found at Lake Michigan and Superior, my favorite artwork and some white cedar for cleansing from the land we are stewards of. I prepared the cacao ever morning in a loving slow way, not rushed, singing gently to myself. Sometimes I would add nutritive spices and infusions, other times embracing cacao in her most natural form, bitter but sweet and full of earthy notes. After preparing the cup of cacao I would create my ritual space by clearing the energy with my cedar and getting into a receiving state by practicing some deep breathing.
During the course we learned about the history of cacao and how to hold sacred space by working with the elements and the Mayan calendar and cosmovision. It was a deep transmission for me because even though I am always in nature, hiking, camping, running, etc. I never stopped to say “thank you.” Now, thanks to Cacao, I honor every land I find myself on with a blessing from the heart. Learning from Florencia and the Cacao Lab fam has been nurturing a deeper sense of sacred reciprocity. Cacao helped my heart soften and allowed the deep remembering of myself, my inner light, especially when all the layers are taken away. To be an open vessel of love.
During the 30 days, I looked forward to this new addition to my morning. To relish in the time it took me to chop and measure the cacao, preparing the water or infusion, to add nutritive spices (turmeric, salt + cinnamon) and to slowly watch the cacao integrate into the water. I felt so honored to be able to consume this plant wisdom that feels so ancient and knowing. It was a beautiful experience that planted ritual and gratitude into the very start of my day, those sweet ambrosial hours where we are most receptive.
Embracing ritual in the everyday has cultivated a deep well spring of self love.
To make the mundane sacred, because every second of life is a sacred gift that we are all partaking in.
The Course Experience-Embracing Intention
It is customary in Cacao circle to speak your intention, either to your self or to share with your cacao family. The beauty of sharing your unique vibration out into the world is a humbling and grounding gift. To lean deeper into what your heart has to say. I try to bring the practice of intention into all conscious moments.
It is my intention with this cup of cacao to…
LOVE MYSELF
TO ACCEPT MYSELF
TO BE HONEST
TO BE VULNERABLE
TO LET GO
The Course Experience-What I Learned
Each week of the course we touched on different topics including Cacao’s history in Meso and South America, how cacao is processed, the physiological, nutritive and medicinal value of cacao, cultural appropriation vs. cultural appreciation, medicine songs and so much more.
We met weekly for online cacao circles with Florencia and the other participants in the course which was really special to connect with people from all over with a shared passion. We would open sacred space, discuss the Mayan calendar and the energy of the day, talk about the weeks lesson and share what intentions our hearts were holding. It was a healing period of my life (I suppose this is a constant :D) and I felt like a sweet little sponge just absorbing all the energy and wisdom.
It was very humbling.
Cacao makes your heart soften especially when you share in community with others. I have since gone on to participate in weekly cacao circles with Cacao Laboratory and consider it the greatest medicine to share cacao with others who are also inquiring deep into the heart. I hope to continue sharing with others throughout this life time to help plant seeds of gratitude for ourselves, our planet and for the wisdom of Cacao.
Cacao has left a deep impression on my heart space. I have since shared it with my husband, friends and myself at least a few times a week. It keeps me grounded in a state of gratitude, intention and love…the greatest gifts we can ripple out into the world with.
Some Interesting Facts about Cacao
🍫 Etymologists trace the origin of the word “chocolate” to the Aztec word “xocoatl,” to a bitter drink brewed from cacao beans. The Latin name for the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, means “food of the gods.” (Smithsonian)
🤎 Contains Phenylethylamine (PEA), an adrenal-related chemical that we create naturally when we’re excited. It also helps us feel focused and alert because it causes your pulse quickens, similar feeling to when we are excited or fall in love. (natural news)
♥️ Contains Anandamide, name comes from the Sanskrit word “ananda” (internal bliss) Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that is produced naturally in the body after exercise. Cacao is one of the only foods that provides this type of neurotransmitter. Anandamide affects the parts of the brain that play a role in memory, movement control, mood, and higher thought process.
♥️ Theobromine, This makes up 1-2 percent of the cacao bean and is a nervous system stimulant that dilates the blood vessels, much like caffeine. This ingredient is what makes cacao and chocolate unsafe for dogs.
Valuable Vitamins + Minerals
Magnesium, Cacao beans are one of the best dietary sources of magnesium — magnesium is crucial for more than 300 biochemical reactions. It’s essential for muscle and nerve function and keeps the heart rhythm steady.
Iron, An ounce of raw nibs has 6 percent of your recommended daily iron intake. Iron is necessary for red blood cell production.
Antioxidants, Antioxidants are important because they absorb the free radicals that cause damage in the body.
Mood improver, Chocolate and cacao stimulate the brain to release neurotransmitters that can trigger emotions, including good ones like euphoria.
I am so happy to have discovered Cacao through Youtube artist Caro Arevalo (incredibly talented Peruvian American Artist, making work about our plant and animal allies and consciousness).
It has now become part of my morning routine at least 1x per week.
And wow am I beyond grateful.
Why do I like it so much?
It tastes nutritive.
I feel more love with cacao in my life.
It adds richness and beauty and love into my life.
The process is ceremonial and slow.
It feels nourishing and wholesome.
It takes me on a small journey of slowness before I begin my day.
As someone who used to rush through the morning, this allows me to slow the math down. I move slower, I think slower and am able to honestly watch my thoughts as a parade through my morning. It makes me feel beautiful and loved by my wild self.
I discovered Cacao Lab and then went into the vortex of Cacao on the internet and discovered a whole new world. I feel happy about using Cacao Lab because there is partnership with indigenous communities and with the integrity of heirloom cacao trees. If you want to learn more about Cacao, check out this page.
The Process/ Experience/ Gift of Cacao
(simple and loving, because you are worth it)
Using ceremonial cacao, chop your block to your desired amount, for daily, I usually consume 30g. Make sure you have a kitchen scale so you can make sure you’re consuming the right amount. If you want to learn more check out the FAQ from Cacao Lab’s website.
Place the chopped cacao in a ceramic/glass bowl large enough to hold 6-8 oz of water (this water can also be a tea that you prepare, blue lotus pairs well especially for later in the day), slowly pour your water in the bowl and begin to whisk slowly to start breaking up the pieces, allowing them to become one with the water.
place a beautiful intention as you prepare and fill your head with space, love and abundance.
Add in any adaptogen/herbs such as maca, reishi, rose. I personally also like to add my tinctures during this part. I add lion’s mane, reishi and sometimes kava.
Et Voila, you can also blend in a vitamix to create a really lovely frothy cacao drink. I especially like to do this and I also add a little bit of coconut oil to the blender.
Create a space for consuming and trust in the wisdom and open hearted nature of this plant ally. Make sure you make time for this and don’t just guzzle it down. The spirit of cacao is a heart opener. It is nutritive (hello magnesium) and so much more.
To make this more ceremonial for yourself you may consider the following…
⭐sing to cacao while you are preparing your drink, singing is so good for releasing energy in the body
⭐set an intention as you drink
⭐listen to a meditation that that specifically goes along with your element cacao from Cacao Lab
⭐thank the wisdom of the plant for opening your beautiful heart
⭐thank the wisdom of the elders and keepers of the plant
Hello friends,
Thank you so much for following me on my journey! I am so grateful for you and for the connections I have made on this site. I will be transitioning from Open Hearts Club to Jen Open Hearts on the platform squarespace to help with ease of sales etc. and a little more user friendly for me. I am letting you know because you may be receiving wordpress emails from my site when I post an update. I have built small but mighty following under a 100 but still I would love for us to stay connected.
I hope to see you over there as well and if you are interested in being on my newsletter, I would love for you to sign up!
Human Design Generators ~ Let’s get you Shining a Little Brighter
I love love love human design generators. They are the energy creators, amplifiers, they shine joy in all directions when they are deeply lit up by life. Sounds super easy but there is a little, how do you say…deconditioning work to consider…
Generators have long been taken advantage of because of their incredible work ethic. They have a “battery” of energy (helllooo sacral center, enter JELOUSY!) that renews each day…but also must be used up by the end of each night, otherwise we have some fidgety unsatisfied generators. And that’s no fun to be around. Trust me, I have a MG at home. As a mani all I wanna do is rest and IMPACT…lol. So generators, as these incredible energy creators…need to settle into their design to help create good energy for themselves and others.
It all depends on you 😉
Notion Workbook for Human Design Generators
You are the best thing…you’re the best thing baby! Anyone?
Enter Scene: The JEN OPEN HEARTS Notion Workbook for Generators. This tool is perfect for those just dipping their toes into Human Design and who want to connect with their Generator Energy Type. Or for those who want to understand they’re generators. It includes a break down of the basics of Human Design and helps you understand you’re chart just a little bit more along with some Journaling exercises and so much more.
This beginners workbook includes information about your Energy Type as a generator, your strategy, your self + not self themes and an assortment of generator tips, and journal prompts. Upon purchasing you will receive a PDF file which then instructs you how to create a “duplicate template,” so you can journal to your sacral’s content…lol I thought that was VERY funny.
Human Design is truly a valuable tool…but it can sound a little…”weird” lol. If you get it you get it, and if you don’t that’s okay…it can take time to open up to new systems.
So with that being said…
If you are not ready to dive deep into a full reading, I would love to offer you a free 5 minute reading based on your chart. In this 5 minute (I usually go a bit over), I will share the most important components of your chart from an intuitive level.
This may or may not change your life 😉
How to connect with me for YOUR free Mini Human Design Reading
All you have to do is…send me a screen grab of your body graph.
This will be great for you if you are curious but not ready to commit. Human Design is an incredible tool that helps us lean deeper into who we are instead of who we think we are supposed to be. It’s a tool that helps us remember our authenticity…something we can all benefit from.
I SO SO SO look forward to connecting with you and your unique human design.
She made me feel so comfortable, calm, empowered and at peace…
Jennifer has touched and blessed my life in so many ways and I am truly grateful for her friendship. She has such a kindness and care about her that is truly inspiring and uplifiting. She has encouraged me to move through many challenging moments in life with such care and ease. During our human design session I didn’t really know what to expect but with her wealth of knowledge and innate gift to communicate she made me feel so comfortable, calm, empowered and at peace. It’s so great to feel seen with such clarity, truth and kindness. She reassured me and reminded me that I too have a special place in this world and that we are all unique in our own way. Like a big orchestra, we each have an instrument and note to play. Each one of us bringing an important moment to the symphony. She truly made me hear my own special sound. Thank you.
One example of a Generator’s Human Design Body Graph Chart
Human Design Generators ~ Sacral Authority
If you have been studying human design and generators which are a large portion of the human population…35-37% (pure generators)…chances are you have heard about the famous sacral center, the second energy center from the bottom center, just above the root center. Here I am going to share a little bit about Authority…and the role of the Sacral Energy Center for Generators (Following your gut)
These are all generators (below), notice how different they all look as far as energy centers that are defined and undefined. What makes a generator a generator is if they have the sacral center defined but they don’t have any motor center’s (ego, solar plexus, sacral + root) connected to the throat, if they did…they would be a manifesting generator.
Something to note…if you have the Solar Plexus defined then you are emotional authority and you must be cool calm and collected before tuning into your sacral center.
If you have both the Spleen + Sacral defined, you are fast tracked to make decisions. The spleen is quiet and connects to the senses, you have to really listen to hear.
Sacral Energy Center
Area that represents creativity, desires and eternal life force
Your gut will help you know if something is right or wrong for you
The sacral answers to Yes or No responses to the world,
What is your GUT telling you?
It might seem “illogical” to say you should base your decision making process on your gut instinct…but you really should. You have a natural connection to your gut instinct and may have lost sight of it throughout the years due to societal conditioning.
The Sacral authority is responsive, and not proactive. You are designed to wait for an experience (created by you following your bliss and joy and listening to your self + not self theme) You will get a clear response which speaks from the lower belly and it will be a “uh-huh” for “yes” and a “uh-uh” for “no.”
Learn to trust this system. It is your own internal compass for decision making. If you are having a hard time hearing/feeling this you can do simple things like look at a food menu and go through the items to understand how you respond. You can practice with “little things” in your life so that when it comes time to make an important decision (often these come up unexpectedly as you know) you are prepared.
You must learn to wait for the response in your gut towards a particular situation or questioning. As you know, once you commit to something it’s hard for you to let it go…you have a vital life force energy that is charged with getting things done. If you are not listening to your gut authority you risk getting “burned out” as you will have committed to things you should have really said NO to. Remember No’s are just as magnetic as Yes’s. They allow you to open your energy up for the things you really desire.
So excited to share that I will be having a human design workshop hosted by Florecer Community coming up this Tuesday 2/21 @7PM EST – 8:15 EST. You can sign up here.
This will be a fun quick class to get you acquainted with the different energy types, their strategies and we will talk about a few different energy centers. Mainly the Solar Plexus and Sacral Centers. So even if you know your personal energy type…it’s so so valuable to learn about others. Since we all kind of have to co-exist together ;D
Human Design Workshop Details
In this workshop you will learn the basics of understanding your unique human design chart and how to use it as a tool for greater awareness. In this part one workshop, we will begin by investigating the energy type, strategy + authority.
Lean into your personal strengths, gifts and consistent energies to feel greater connection to yourself and your unique impression in this lifetime.
My books are still open for the month of February ❤️ and If you’ve been looking for a tool to dig a little deeper inside yourself…now’s the time to sign up for a human design reading.
Here’s what the pricing breakdown looks like…
$ 59 Reading {Includes 1 hour conversation around your human design + video recording}
$ 29 – Report/ Workbook with all notes typed up, including questions journal prompts etc.
$ 29 – 30 minute follow up conversation about your human design progress
Purchase as a bundle for 99$ {the number of life + femininity}
My greatest wish in this lifetime is to serve and help lift others, and human design is one of those avenues for expanding this love.
An unexpectedly fragrant giant lily from Trader Joes 3.99 Bouquet bundle…can you believe this!
Seeing myself in a state of J O Y
Let’s be really real…lately…The world 🌍 feels…a little….
H
E
A
V
Y
There are many things that we don’t have control over…so we must be objective…what can I control or take ownership of. We can control how we R E A C T to the world.
We must learn to be responsive and remember that…
Where attention goes…energy flows 🌀
So if I spend my time worrying..chances are, I’ll fee a little low. But if I redirect that sweet awareness on something peaceful, something I am looking F O R W A R D to…I just might feel a little bit lighter.
So remember someone somewhere loves you and needs you to remember to keep your light on 😉
Here’s what’s new + exciting for me ❤️
I will be teaching a 1 hour workshop on Human Design Workshop this coming Tuesday 2/21 and I would love for you to join. I will be talking about all the different Human Design Energy Types. For the Curious Minded 🧠
🌸 Sacred Rituals for the Body w/ Heloise Magnier {A 4 Week Virtual Workshop on how to more holistically love your body, you’re being, your divine essence} Especially beautiful for those wanting to connect to their feminine energy and step deeper into love with their bodies. Use the code SELFLOVE25 for 25% off.
Jen Open Hearts 🥰 will officially be my business name 🙌 the envelope for my LLC registration is waiting patiently on my table.
I recently got 50 subscribers on my Youtube channel all because I posted a video of owl 🦉 pellets…that’s POOP 💩 lol (You just gotta laugh at life, right?)
💻 A new 10 minute video on Youtube, reflecting on the most beautiful Ram Dass Quote, “The real work you have to do, is in the privacy of your own heart.” Reminding you that Self Care isn’t Selfish….at all ;D So love yourself into the wild unknown.
Simply put…human design is a tool, a system that helps us to step deeper into our own unique essence. To help us RE-MEMBER who we are meant to be in this current incarnation. Human design is a system that helps us realize our truths. It has been called, The Science of Differentiation, so we can see ourselves as unique beings with unique gifts…remembering that although we are all one human family, we are each unique in so many vast ways. Human design can be used a tool to help us understand that. To help us connect with what is authentically true for us.
What can Human Design Teach Us?
Why are some people needing more rest than others?
Why are some the first to act?
Why do some of us feel the need to be around others constantly?
Why do some of us speak out of turn?
These are all questions that Human Design can help answer. It has served me immensely on my path of understanding myself and those around me. To offer more grace, more compassion and love for all beings, realizing we all have our strengths and weaknesses.
So What is it…?
It can be hard to grasp especially if its new terminology for you. I try to be open minded about things, especially when they are tools that can serve on the path. I recently had my first astrology reading and it was VERY informative!
Human Design is a system that combines various ancient and modern sciences, such as astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah, and quantum physics, to help people better understand themselves and their purpose in life. It is based on the idea that each person is born with a unique genetic blueprint that determines who they are and how they interact with the world around them. Human Design offers insight into these personal dynamics, allowing individuals to make decisions and take action that is aligned with their true nature.
Offering Human Design Readings
If you are interested in booking a human design reading with me, I would love to connect. I am receiving my training from top expert, Jenna Zoe and would love to help you step deeper into your understanding of yourself. Please reach out to me @ jen.openheartsclub@gmail.com for more information
Check out some other posts I wrote about Human Design
Having a morning routine can be a great way to start your day off on the right foot. Here are just a few of the many benefits that a morning routine can provide:
Having a set routine can help you stay focused and productive throughout the day. Establishing a regular routine helps to condition your body and mind to be more productive, allowing you to make the most of your day.
A morning routine can help to reduce stress and anxiety. By having a regular routine that you can rely on, you can reduce the amount of stress and anxiety you feel throughout the day.
A morning routine can help to improve your relationship with yourself. Because you are so important and this is…the longest relationship of your LIFE! By taking time out of your morning to focus on yourself, you can start to build a stronger relationship with yourself and cultivate more self-love and self-care.
A morning routine can help to improve your physical and mental health. By taking some time out to focus on your physical and mental wellbeing, you can help to create a healthier, happier, and more balanced lifestyle.
A morning routine can help to improve your overall sense of wellbeing. By taking the time to focus on yourself and your needs, you can start to live a more fulfilling life and cultivate a greater sense of wellbeing.
May you take the time to nourish yourself, your body + your spirit today and always. What are your favorite ways to start your day?
Human Design Readings for the Curious Heart Dismiss
Leaning into ceremonial space with Cacao Lab’s Ceremonial Cacao, family owned and ethically sourced Ceremonial Cacao
Self Love Human Design Readings for February 2023
