From Karma Gaia:
Balancing The Third Eye
Your third eye chakra is known by the Sanskrit term Ajna. It is a spot on your brow between your eyes and is connected to intuition, insight, and inspiration. We have a profound grasp of both our inner and outside worlds when ajna is in harmony.
While our physical eyes are associated with the past and the present experience as it unfolds, it’s said that ajna looks to the future. We can envision our next moves with confidence and clarity when we are not distracted by uncertainty and confusion.
Most often, when our ajna is underactive, we lose touch with our own inner wisdom. The good news is that you can do a lot to help ajna grow, thrive, and be in balance.
1. Using a Bija Mantra
The ajna's bija mantra, or seed syllable, is "om" or "aum." The best technique to connect with your insight and intuition is to chant om while closing your eyes and concentrating on the brow point. Setting your purpose can be especially effective in the morning or at the beginning of an ajna-centered yoga practise.
2. Working with Hakini Mudra
The hakini mudra is connected to ajna and is believed to encourage awareness and focus, which improve insight and intuition. When reflecting intently, many people will naturally adopt this mudra; perhaps they sense its value in aiding in the connection with knowledge and insight.
3. Ajna Balancing Asanas
The stance most frequently connected with ajna is Asanas Balasana, also known as the child's pose. There are two basic causes for this. First, the forehead can touch the mat to physically ground and link the brow point to earth.
This area can benefit from additional massage provided by gently swaying the head from side to side. Secondly, child’s pose is a gentle and supported forward fold. Forward folds can aid in fostering self-reflection and research.
Uttanasana (standing forward fold) and prasarita padottanasana (wide-legged standing forward fold) are other front folds that can aid in balancing ajna. A block or bolster positioned beneath the forehead will increase stimulation.
4. Nadi Shodhana Pranayama
Nadi shodhana pranayama, or alternate nostril breathing, is already well-known for its balancing properties as a separate practise. This variation can improve its impact on ajna:
To keep your attention on ajna, place your right hand's index and middle fingers on the brow point.
Using your right thumb to cover your right nostril, take a four-count breath through your left nostril.
Exhale for four counts via the right nostril while closing the left nostril with the left ring finger.
For a count of four, inhale through your right nostril while keeping your left nostril shut.
Thumb-shut the right nostril, then open the left and exhale for four counts.
For several minutes, repeat steps 2 through 5, possibly extending the count to 6 or 8 to further relax and centre the mind.
After you've finished the breathing exercise, give yourself a minute to settle back into your regular breathing pattern and focus your awareness on the moment.
From Karma Gaia
What’s My Ascendant? (Rising Sign)
What is a rising sign?
The planetary influence that was rising at the time of your birth—that is, on the Eastern horizon—is represented by your rising sign. It’s about first impressions. It usually conveys how other people perceive you in real life and can also forecast your spontaneous, instinctive responses to situations. Your rising sign is the part of you that is most visible to others; your outward facade / social version.
Is my ascendant sign the same as this?
Because of its connection to the rising sun, your rising sign is also referred to as your ascendant sign, and birth chart analysis frequently describes it this way. It is the same thing, so don't be confused (just as sun and star signs are actually the same thing).
Why is knowing my rising sign important?
Well, aren’t you curious about how you come across to other people? A lot of people consider your rising sign to be your outgoing nature and the side of you that other people first notice. Weirdly, if someone is guessing your sign, they might hit upon your rising sign before your sun sign. Put it to the test!
How does it influence me?
Your rising sign is a reflection of your physical characteristics, personality, and social persona, since it indicates which sign was in the sky when you were born. This is a part of yourself that you are not familiar with (maybe what we see when we watch ourselves on camera), and as such, it may be both fascinating and a little embarrassing. If your sun (or star) sign is your fundamental personality type and your moon sign your inner emotional, mushy core, then your rising sign reveals the façade you present to the world.
How do I work out my rising sign?
Provided that you have your date of birth, time, location, and birth, several free websites will calculate it for you.