BLOOMING 2025 LOOK
DR. SY’S WINTER CARD MESSAGE & BOTANICAL OF THE SEASON.
RECCOMMENDED SELF CARE TOOL KITS.
Elderberry Syrup & Tea Recipe
page 18.
JAN/FEB 2025
SS RITUALS FORWARD PAGE 3 e the new year wellness rituals.
DR SY’S OMMENDED RE TOOL KIT NEED PAGE 8 ncourages a oach to self encouraging personalization in three categories.
WHY ARAGONITE MIGHT BE THE GO TO MINERAL FOR 2025 PAGE 12
Aragonite offering support as people navigate complex changes and seek inner balance
ORACLE OR TAROT CARDS WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?? PAGE 16
Choosing between oracle and tarot cards depends on personal preference, intuition, and desired depth of insight.
EDITOR’S NOTE
I created Blooming Spirit Magazine out of a deep love for wellness and greater spirituality. This magazine aims to empower readers with tools for holistic growth, offering guidance on practices that nurture the mind, body, and soul. Each issue explores a variety of wellness paths like crystal healing, herbal remedies, mindfulness exercises, empowering rituals all anchoring into Earth based medicine. You will find articles written by experts & guides that are community members and business professionals This publication also offers handpicked recipes with insights to inspire a healing connection while encouraging self-care practices. In short Blooming Spirit is for the reader that has fully embraced a journey of learning that is forever just beginning. I hope you enjoy this premier edition!
ARAGONITE
Aragonite, with its grounding and stabilizing properties, is anticipated to be a powerful mineral for 2025, offering support as people navigate complex changes and seek inner balance.
2 0 2 5 WHY ARAGONITE MIGHT BE THE GO TO MINERAL FOR 2025 FULL ARTICLE ON PAGE 12
OP WELLNESS TUALS FOR 025
Embrace the new year with wellness ritual mainstays that focus on grounding & connection
Adames, MS Kinesiology, Board ed Health & Wellness Coach
As we look ahead to 2025, ess is all about icity, accessibility, and stency. The following ituals are easy to porate into daily life rovide lasting benefits oth body, mind & spirit s how you can set the or a balanced, ring year:
orning Hydration
l with Lemon Water your day with a glass rm water and fresh lemon This simple e aids digestion, hydration, and detoxifies the ust squeeze half a nto a cup of warm nd drink it first thing morning. This small ts a positive tone, es digestion, and es you for the day
2. 5-Minute Breathing Practice for Calm and Clarity
A quick, daily breathing practice is invaluable for stress relief. Try a 4-7-8 breathing technique: inhale through your nose for a count of four, hold for seven, and exhale through your mouth for eight. This rhythmic breathing helps calm the nervous system, especially helpful before big meetings or when feeling overwhelmed. Incorporate this anytime throughout the day to regain a sense of peace.
3. Daily Gratitude Reflection
Spend a few moments each day reflecting on three things you’re grateful for. Jot them down in a journal or simply think about them.
This habit creates positivity and resilience, and it’s one of the most effective ways to create a consistent mindset of gratitude. Over time, this ritual can profoundly shift your outlook on life.
4. Midday Movement or Stretch Breaks
Take a few minutes every couple of hours to stand up, stretch, and shake off any tension. This mini ritual rejuvenates the body and improves circulation, especially for those working desk jobs. If possible, set an alarm to remind you—it’s an easy yet powerful way to care for your body throughout the day.
5. Evening Reflection and Self-Care
Create a calming evening ritual to wind down. Light a candle, diffuse some essential oils, or sip a soothing herbal tea while reflecting on your day. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply, release tension, and set an intention for restful sleep. This nightly routine promotes deeper rest and better mental clarity.
These five wellness rituals are simple, accessible, and easy to make part of your daily routine in 2025. Embracing small, consistent steps like these is the key to building a sustainable wellness practice that keeps you grounded all year
Winter Solstice Event Review
By Ish Adames, Pictures by AI Photgrafics
The "Bye Bye Winter Blues" event on Saturday, December 21st, was a blending of Creative Arts & Nature's wisdom. Starting at 4 PM, the gathering opened with a tribute poem by Ava, honoring winter's introspective beauty and the grounding power of minerals. Karen Smith, (karensmithdrums.com) the mastermind behind the event's title, shared her personal journey with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), explaining how the event was her way of bidding farewell to the winter blues. The event deepened into the night with Goddess Janee's sound healing session, the rhythmic beats of Karen's drum circle, & the heartfelt wisdom from the story tellers Ashley Murray, Janet and Iris Elena The Phoenix as well as the soulful guitar playing from Pascoe. The evening was a beautiful honoring of Winter and a celebration of community, creativity, and connection.
Winterdoesn’t havetoleaveyou feeling(SAD).
Advice from mental health experts at https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org
Winter often creates a feeling of sadness known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a type of depression that occurs often in winter, due to reduced exposure to natural sunlight, leading to symptoms such as low energy, changes in sleep and appetite, and feelings of sadness.
Hereare3Waysto offsetSeasonal AffectiveDisorder (SAD).
1. Support yourself with guilt free rest.
The slower pace of winter encourages downtime which is essential for emotional health. Taking time for mindfulness and relaxation can have a lasting positive impact on your mental well being.
2. Li Work
For th try lig metho energy levels. Exposure to soft lights like Himalayan salt lamps mimic sunlight which can help regulate circadian rhythms and reduce symptoms of depression.
3. Try Going Outside.
Boost your mood with some out the house activities. Engaging in winter specific activities like winter walks, Ice skating, or gathering at a coffee shop or restaurant can create a sense of purpose and joy, which helps counteract the symptoms of SAD.
WHAT’S IN YOUR SELF CARE TOOL KIT?
By Dr. Sy Powell
Certified Nutrition & Longevity Consultant
Your health is your greatest asset yet as women, we’re often conditioned to prioritize caregiving for everyone else: children, spouses, elderly parents, friends, and even pets. We aim to juggle it all marriage, motherhood, and career. But "having it all" doesn't mean doing it all at once! To show up for others, we must first care for ourselves.
So, what’s in your self-care toolkit to recharge your energy?
Remember:
You can’t pour from an empty cup.
When y fumes, a
Here ar worth e Stress
Reiki, ta healing
Physic massag cryothe rooms.
Emotio Gratitud and cul continu
Thes resil mind found isn’t nouri yours
Priva available at Violets in Bloom as well as small group Mat Pilates Classes. Click here or Scan the above QR code for Class info!
Dr. Sy says:
“A replenished you is the best gift you can offer to yourself and those you love.”
Yoga 4 Philly, 501c3 (Y4P) exists to make peace, yoga, and mindfulness healing accessible to everyone through yoga and meditation.
Steven Brice, Founder Yoga 4 Philly Y4P will offer yoga and meditation classes at Violets in Bloom! Beginning Jan 13th. Y4P also offers private yoga and meditation classes and life coaching/counseling sessions within a 1on-1 or group setting.
SUPPORT YOGA4PHILLY WITHA PURPOSE
100% of all your class fees support our partner Yoga 4 Philly 501c3 at the Violets in Bloom Studio. Register for classes Scan QR Code
Starting Monday, January 13th
ARAGONITE
By Ava Adames, Master Crystalogist
NATURAL CALM
“It’s unique structuremakesit valuableforboth geologicalstudies andmetaphysical applications.”
Aragonite is a naturally occurring form of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), chemically identical to calcite but with a different crystal structure. Below are its scientific properties:
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Hardness: 3.5–4 on the Mohs scale
Cleavage: Distinct, often forming needle-like or columnar clusters
Color: Typically white, gray, or brown, but can also appear in shades of blue, green, and orange depending on impurities.
Transparency: Transparent to translucent
Aragonite is known for forming in marine environments, such as coral reefs and mollusk shells, and can also develop in caves as stalactites.
“Aragoniteisknownfor forminginmarine environments,suchascoral reefsandmolluskshells, andcanalsodevelopin cavesasstalactites.”
3-Minute Mindfulness Meditation with Aragonite
Ground and Hold (1 Minute) Sit comfortably and hold your aragonite in your hands. Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths. Feel the weight and texture of the crystal, imagining its grounding energy anchoring you to the earth.
Set a mental Intention such as calm, patience, or balance (1 Minute)
Continue to breathe, focusing on your intention (1 Minute), Visualize the aragonite amplifying this energy, spreading it through your body like a soothing wave. 3.
Release and Center (1 Minute) Exhale deeply and release any lingering thoughts. Open your eyes, feeling grounded, refreshed, and ready to move forward.
OracleDecks
TarotorOracle Cards?
How They Differ & How Both Can Benefit You!
TarotDecks
Tarot cards follow a structured system with 78 cards divided into the Major and Minor Arcana, offering detailed insights into life's journeys and challenges.
Oracle cards are more flexible, with varying themes and card counts, designed to inspire and guide with broader messages.
Both tools are beneficial tarot helps with deeper introspection and decision-making, while oracle cards are great for quick clarity, affirmations, or setting intentions. Use them together or separately to tap into your intuition and enhance your self-discovery journey!
Get to know the faces behind our card reading sessions Need a reading? Get to know our professional energy
and card readers!
Atiya Pat Nina
Card Deck: Messages from the Spirits of Nature Oracle Deck by Steven D. Farmer
Elderberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and flavonoids that support the immune system. Their antiviral properties are particularly effective against colds and flu, making them a trusted botanical for winter months.
Quick Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup dried elderberries (Sambucus nigra)
4 cups water
1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp dried ginger (optional)
1 cup honey (place in 16 oz mason jar)
Instructions:
Combine elderberries, water, cinnamon, and ginger in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve, pressing to extract all the liquid. Let cool slightly before mixing it into the honey.
TEA RECIPE
ElderberryCinnamonTea
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp dried elderberries
2 Tbsp dried lemon peel
2 Cinnamon Sticks
5 cups water
Honey or sweetener to taste (optional)
Instructions:
Combine all dried herbs in a small saucepan with water.
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes.
Strain the tea into a 36 ounce mason jar or kettle and sweeten with honey if desired
Enjoy warm for a soothing, immune-boosting treat!
All healing herbs for the recipes are available at Violets in Bloom
Mind/Body LIFESTYLE
Find your balance with meditative movements that bring simplicity and ease to your wellness routine. This month Anne & Kirsten, are featuring postures that are gentle yet effective for building strength, flexibility, and grounded mindfulness These only require a minute or two hold Both postures are for all bodies, no matter your fitness level, helping you stay active, centered and connected.
Kirsten Bryant, Certified Yoga Instructor
Hatha Yoga Wednesday’s, 7pm @ Violets in Bloom
“Tree pose is packed with lots of juicy benefits such as grounding, patience, mindfulness, concentration, physical balance, stability & strength. I often incorporate it into classes by approaching the pose as a way to connect to nature in a deep and profound way. “
100% of all your class fees support our partner Yoga 4 Philly 501c3 Click or Scan QR Code
LIFESTYLE Mind/Body
Anne Crossan, Certified Yoga Instructor
Yin Yoga Flow, Monday’s, 6:15pm @ Violets in Bloom
100% of all your class fees support our partner Yoga 4 Philly 501c3 Click here or Scan QR Code
“Child’s Pose is essential as a place to connect with your breath, relax, relieve tension, and turn you attention inward. One of my favorite things to do in Child’s Pose, when trying to rest, is gently rock my forehead side to side on the mat or a block. This helps stimulate the vagus nerves aiding in a sense of calm and release.”
Diagram by Jenn Bell Yoga
26th
Join us
for an immersive journey within 9 separate workshops as we dive into the unique healing properties of minerals and their sound vibrations These healing energy workshops will guide you through 9 frequencies for alignment . Each workshop will introduce a different mineral to keep and support your physical, emotional, and spiritual well being. Experience a semi guided meditation to attune into their energies. Within each workshop, you’ll be guided to experience a safe restorative healing session.
Contributing Writers
Dr. Soyini Powell
balancetobloom.com
Dr Sy utilizes nutrition coaching and lifestyle medicine to teach you
how to get a head start on your longevity & well-being. And it's never too late to start!
Ish Adames
Ish is a photographer and an avid nature lover who enjoys the mountains, beach and open areas where the land meets the sky. His joy is capturing experiences behind the lenses for lifetime memories.
Pending cover for the Mar/April edition.
Kirsten Bryant
@kirsten holistic
Kirsten is a dedicated yoga teacher, energy worker, & Reiki master with over
20 years of experience. She integrates her life’s experience and knowledgeof yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda to guide others toward physical, emotional, and energetic balance.
Anne Crossan
Anne is an RYT-200 yoga teacher with certifications in Yin Yoga and TraumaInformed Her passion is sharing the tools Yoga provides with others in an inclusive, safe way Yoga has helped her move and breathe through some of the most difficult times in her life
DO YOU HAVE A BLOOMING SPIRIT?
Blooming Spirit Magazine is a bimonthly publication dedicated to celebrating wellness, spirituality, and holistic living, crafted for those seeking inspiration, growth, and connection.
We’re looking for contributing writers, advertisers, and sponsors who share our passion for uplifting and empowering our readers
As a writer, you’ll have the opportunity to share your unique voice and expertise with a vibrant community, inspiring meaningful conversations. Advertisers and sponsors can align their brands with an engaged audience eager to explore products and services that enhance their wellness journeys Together, we can create a platform that nurtures minds, bodies, and spirits while showcasing the best in holistic living. Join us in making a difference one story, ad, or sponsorship at a time!
Ava Adames; Editor in Chief. Ismael Adames, Copy Editor.
Copyright Notice © 2025 Blooming Spirit Magazine. All Rights Reserved. Blooming Spirit Magazine and its contents, including but not limited to articles, images, graphics, and designs, are protected under international copyright law. Unauthorized use, reproduction, distribution, or modification of any content in any form without prior written permission from Blooming Spirit Magazine is strictly prohibited. For permissions or inquiries, please contact: Ava Adames @info@myvioletsinbloom.com
