Are Synchronicities Always Significant?

Are Synchronicities Always Significant?

A dictionary definition for the word ‘synchronicity’ is “the simultaneous occurrence of events which appear significantly related but have no discernible causal connection”. By comparison, the same dictionary defines ‘coincidence’ as “a remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection”.

We metaphysicians like to say that there are no coincidences. Many of us believe that any coincidence is truly a synchronicity, and every synchronicity is meaningful.

Usually synchronicities have to do with names, numbers, symbols, words and images that we repeatedly see around us and connect to a specific concern.

We use synchronicities as a way of confirming that the universe is supportive of our path. We interpret synchronicities as signs that our angels are with us.

I think that the universe does indeed often communicate with us using synchronicities as a way of getting our attention and affirming our choices. The universe communicates in symbols, words, numbers and images. That’s why tools like tarot and runes are so powerful, and why magical symbols and chants so effective.

Yet, very often people will over-spiritualize coincidences in order to support their own unhealthy behaviors and wishful thinking. For example, people in obviously damaging relationships will use the fact that they drove past a street bearing the same name as their partner to confirm that the universe is supportive of their questionable relationship.

Truly, there are mundane reasons that we see repetitive things. We can’t drive any distance without seeing multiple stop signs. Should we always take that to mean that the universe is advising us to stop something?

I think there are times that something as mundane as a stop sign could deliver a spiritual message if we were already contemplating a change and that familiar image suddenly stuck out to us in a profound way. Yet, if the message we felt we were receiving was one that we were hoping for, and if the promise of that message was highly unlikely, we would be smart to think more logically about our concerns.

The question becomes, how do we discern when synchronicities are significant and when we are using them to justify our own negative patterns and behaviors?

The answer, as I see it, is to recognize that spirituality is not the same thing as superstition. Honoring a higher power, developing our intuition, and attuning ourselves to spiritual forces cannot and should not replace common sense.

I love the old expression, “God helps those who help themselves”. This phrase dates back to ancient Greece. We could interpret it in a number of ways, first to say that we have been created to think for ourselves and be self-reliant, second to say that we are God’s hands on earth, and third to say that there is no firm evidence of a higher being, there is only evidence of the work we humans do. The bottom line is that we are all always responsible for our own thoughts and actions. No matter what message we may feel we have received, we must be responsible for vetting that message for its integrity and helpfulness.

It is entirely possible to live a life that is guided by spirit. Paying attention to synchronicities, divination and the messages we receive in our hearts through prayer and meditation can help us be open to opportunities and can give us strength in the face of misfortune.

Yet, when we refrain from discernment and use spirituality to justify our own unhealthy behaviors, we are simply fooling ourselves.

Part of being spiritually attuned and aligned is to be able to see our own truth. We use things like divination, meditation and synchronicities to help us find that truth. That it is also possible to use these same things to hide from our truth presents an important spiritual mystery that every wise seeker must contemplate.

Six Rules for Success

Having achieved some success in my metaphysical career, I love the opportunity to encourage new students to move forward in achieving their dreams. Here’s the synopsis of a recent exchange that happened over a period of a week or so.

Student: I want to take the next step.

Me: Ask around and find the person who will give you what you need so you can do that.

Student: I asked three people and they said no. This won’t work.

Me: Ask more people.

Student: I ask more people, and someone said yes!

Obviously, that’s a simplification, but the truth is evident. If you want something, be tenacious and don’t give up.

Here’s the problem. What happens if you really are just banging you head against the wall? At what point is it appropriate to give up?

Tenacity tells us to keep knocking on doors until one opens. But if no doors ever seem to open, at what point should we just go with the flow and figure the Universe has other plans for us? Sometimes it’s confusing to know the right thing to do.

The answer is usually this. If you are grounded, patient and hard-working, your tenacity will usually pay off, as long as you have the talent to go along with it.

Spiritual people, by their very nature, bring their spirituality to their business practice. This is helpful, as long as we understand some simple rules. Tenacity is one important rule. Here are five more.

Trust that the Universe is always operating in your best interest.
When bad things happen, this can be a hard one to swallow.  Trust anyway.

Have a fearless and accurate understanding of your own talent.
Neither false modesty nor overestimation of your ability will get you anywhere.

Learn from every experience.
Everything that happens is a helpful lesson if you look at it the right way.

If you are not talented enough, make it a hobby instead of a profession.
Lots of things can bring you joy. There’s no shame in being a happy hobbyist.

Don’t overthink things.
The Universe is simple in its complexity. Thinking too much will make you more anxious, not more prepared.

The Crystal Controversy

It would be hard to be involved in metaphysics or New Age philosophy and not learn the power of crystals. Crystals and gemstones are a cornerstone of New Age and metaphysical thought, practice and business. We use crystals and gemstones for empowerment, healing, chakra balancing, storing energy, meditation, divination, magick and manifestation. We use them for personal adornment as well, but most of us believe our jewelry serves a double purpose. Our crystal pendants are lovely to wear and also provide healing and support. Every New Age merchant stocks crystal and gem jewelry, as well as some pieces for healing, divination, magick and collections.

I first learned about the power of crystals and gemstones in the 1980s when the New Age movement was in full swing. I would use adhesive tape to affix gemstones to specific parts of my body and would swear they brought me healing. I would make medicine pouches for my friends complete with stones to offer the specific type of healing I thought they needed. I learned to make jewelry and, for a while, supported myself by stringing beads and wrapping crystals.

I went to Arkansas to mine crystals a few times. When I first arrived at the mines I was shocked at the damage we were doing to the Earth. It is, after all, a mining enterprise like any other. I learned from the locals that we had another choice. The local sheriff was also the preacher. On a Sunday morning we could break the law and go into the woods to mine crystals as the Native Americans had. Since the sheriff would be preaching there would be no one to arrest us. While the idea of mining in a more natural way appealed to me I understood the reason to protect the forests. I declined and went back to the commercial mines.

Unlike the “rockhounds” who were simply fans of geology my friends and I prayed and meditated before, during and after the mining process. We believed the crystals we mined were healing to those who would buy them, even as we hurt the Earth to get them.

Years after my time as a crystal miner and jewelry maker I successful pursued the calling that would become my life-long career – tarot. When, in the 1990s, I ran Christiana’s Psychic and New Age Fair I was happy to have a few wonderful vendors of crystals and gemstones, including the well-known Ed Mondazzi of Discount New Age Books.

When Ed heard I was planning surgery to be a living kidney donor he gave me a beautiful and very large quartz crystal. I still have that crystal today and I treasure it. After the surgery the crystal was by my bedside. Its energy was so strong it disturbed the machines that were attached to me. One nurse wanted to take the crystal away. The doctor (an internationally known transplant surgeon) wouldn’t let her. “Shield the machine.” The doctor ordered. “That’s her healing crystal. She needs it.” Whether the doctor truly believed in the healing power of crystals or was simply pandering to my belief system I do not know. The nurse shielded the machine and I recovered.

I believe in the power of crystals and gemstones. I believe in their ability to help us be healed and balanced. I believe that crystals store power. I believe that crystals and gemstones attract positive energy to us.

Indigenous people all over the planet used the medicine of stones in one way or another. But indigenous people did not rape the Earth wholesale to procure the stones. I’ve come to wonder if we are really in our integrity as spiritual people when we contribute to the destruction of the planet so that we can have this particular medicine.

There are other problems, too. Over the years we learned that the politics in certain countries were such that some gemstones came to us figuratively soaked in blood. Of course we knew that about South African diamonds, but some of our healing stones might be similarly tainted.

I love my small but potent collection of crystals and gemstones. I use them regularly. Many of my friends are jewelry makers. I treasure the gifts they have given me and wear them with pride. But I don’t go to the gem shows the way I used to. And I don’t think I’ll ever mine again.

I’ve come to wonder, too, if we could use the power of the crystals and gemstones without removing them from the Earth. If we simply ground ourselves to the Earth and focus on the crystals we know are there could we avail ourselves of that healing energy without doing such damage?

The metaphysical community claims to love the Earth. Some of us are Pagans, vegans and environmentalists. We are healers. We are organic farmers. We walk lightly on the Earth. We pray, chant, drum and dance for the healing of Mother Earth.

Am I the only person who sees a conflict here?

I’m not sure how to reconcile my love for crystals and gemstones with my love for the Earth. I don’t have any particular solutions, except these two.

Let’s work on developing meditative techniques that harness the power of gems and minerals without having to mine them from the Earth.

And let’s start a conversation about how we can heal ourselves without causing so much harm to Mother Earth.