Selah Carefarm Foundation

February begins with the Lunar New Year, the Aquarius New Moon and Imbolc. The Lunar New Year takes place on February 1st, marking the year of the water tiger, associated with actualization, courage and strength. Meanwhile, February 1st’s New Moon in Aquarius places emphasis on humanitarian efforts, creative solutions and community. The traditional Pagan festival Imbolc begins sundown February 1st, and comes to a close sundown February 2nd. Imbolc is also known as St. Brigid’s Day or Candlemas, and marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring; Imbolc is also associated with fertility, the birth of lambs and Brigid, the Celtic goddess of fertility and healing.

We would like to welcome all new members to the Crystal Council family, and thank our existing members for cultivating a community of mindfulness. Each month when we review suggestions we are amazed by the scope of amazing foundations. This February the Crystal Council has selected the Selah Carefarm, a foundation focusing on providing animal grief therapy for bereaved families. Located just outside Sedona, Arizona, the Selah Carefarm is a restorative space for grieving individuals, families and groups can go to heal. A sustainable, vegan community, the Selah Carefarm currently houses 41 rescued animals including alpacas, cats, dogs, goats, donkeys, horses, pigs and sheep. Established in 2015 by Dr. Joanne Cacciatore, the Selah Carefarm concept began with a single rescued pack horse named Chemakoh, who assisted grieving clients while they explored their healing journey. The Selah Carefarm is operated by a team of regulars, volunteers, as well as research and clinical interns which are specially trained in traumatic grief by Dr. Cacciatore; grief councilors, yoga teachers and meditation teachers also make up the team. The Selah Carefarm focuses on three restorative areas of support which include: carefarming, contemplative practice and care, and physical well being. Programs offered at the Selah Carefarm include gardening, therapeutic horticulture, animal therapy, rescue animal caregiving, green recreation, landscape maintenance, ecotherapy, meditation/centering prayer, mindfulness-based support groups, bibliotherapy, grounding and ritual practices, yoga, physical activity and psychoeducation around sleep hygiene, healthy eating, stress resilience and traumatic grief counciling. We at the Crystal Council are excited to contribute to such an innovative foundation focused on such a powerful cause.

This February, we are featuring the beautiful deep green healing stone, Green Onyx. The planet associated with Green Onyx is Mercury, ruler of communication, ideas and learning. Benefit from Green Onyx’s ability to assist with articulating thoughts and ideas, especially when facing anxiety-inducing circumstances. Working with Green Onyx activates and balances the 4th chakra, also known as the Anahata, or Heart chakra; when activated, one is able to connect with themself and others authentically with ease and clarity. Green Onyx is also a protective stone, able to repel negative energy and provide a grounding sensation to the wearer. This healing stone is also associated with clarity, discipline, strength and willpower. 100% of all proceeds from purchases of Green Onyx during the month of February will go directly to the Selah Carefarm.