Does imbibing possibly lower one's defenses enough to make one super-sensitive (empathically)?

[lildreamer316]

Just.
Wondering.
:blush: :hide: :yoiks:

(please, no quick judgements..I've had certain things happen so many times I'm beginning to wonder; and it occurred to me this morning that the people I was around last night when things were crazy were ALL people who I have avoided for one reason or another; and/or they were ALL people that are and have not been being true to themselves. God, I hope that makes any sense. It was such a revelation that I sat straight up in bed. It was a superb collection of strangeness. Not ONE of those there was someone I would spend copius amounts of time with. Hmm. I don't really have so many issues that I should have had such problems.)

[BlueIris]

1. Mars is retrograde in your sign as of yesterday. So, weird (or at least uncommon) stuff, especially

things having to do with the past, stuff you "wouldn't normally do," and unwise behavior are now "the norm" until March 10.

[lildreamer316]

2. Ah.

that does a lot to explain it,but I'm still wondering due to past incidents, as well as husband's experiences.
Another friggin' opportunity for growth, LOL!!!

[OneGrassRoot]

3. Are you asking....

if you think the company you keep (or were last evening) can affect you in ways you really didn't think of before, thinking that as long as you stand in your integrity, who you hang with shouldn't matter?

Not sure if that's what you're asking, but that's what I interpreted based on recent conversations I've had along these same lines. ;)

:hug:

edit for a real hug :)

[lildreamer316]

6. Sorta.

I beleive if I was not partaking I would not have had as strong a reaction. Now, on the face of it that seems like a "DUH" statement; but yes..I am wondering if the reaction I was having was not so much the alcohol; but the vibes. And then I look at how I react under the influence when I'm in a more self-created situation and there's a huge difference. Sure, it could be issues with wanting to be liked or some such Leo tendancy; but it really came to me in a flash this morning about that group of people having one thing in common..all being people I really would not choose to spend regular time with, much less 'ungarded' time. Eh? I think I'm not being very clear. I just have a strong feeling about this idea.

[OneGrassRoot]

8. I typed out a long response...

and some of it is in my sobering (no pun intended) response to FirstLight below, but seeing your reply here I'll simply say YES, YES, YES!

LOLOL

I absolutely believe the company we keep -- imbibing or not, but ESPECIALLY imbibing in a way that alters our awareness -- is very significant.

In a safe circle, we're just that: safe. If the energetic brew of those gathered is not what you would choose for your well-being -- imbibing or not -- I wouldn't repeat it and most definitely not while impaired in any way.

I really feel strongly about this, can you tell. ;)

For what it's worth....

:hug:

[BlueIris]

5. Well then, for the record, I think anything that lowers inhibitions, (alcohol, drugs, etc.)

can increase sensitivity. If that's the effect alcohol has on you, (decreased inhibitions, that is) then that could explain some of the reasons.

[FirstLight]

4. YES AND YES

Mee too... :blush: I have noticed that the lowering of defenses is the most prominent effect, for sure. My guides already told me in no uncertain terms that sometimes my choices of who to hang with and imbibing can limit their ability to get through to me...
worse yet, "things" (entities, energies, others gunk) can cling to you more easily because your light is still shining bright (which attracts those little beasties) and your defenses are impaired. I often make a point of taking a shower and saging right when i get home from the bar or the party crowd, and definately remember to take a salt bath and do clearing energy the next momrning so if anything attached to me in my sleep, i can try to keep my space clear... but I also forget to do that sometimes.


so ya, i think sometimes that is part of the "hangover" feeling for sure...geting whacked spiritually and energetically by that energy. it is a diferent energy for sure when i am with a group who is smoking herb and having lively conversation, for sure! ;)

I also noticed that the people I was hanging with in the Bar scene the other night.. they are my karaoke party good time dancin crowd, but at least 2 are obviously alcoholics. I watched another guy pass up a drink of water and open a bottle of wine at home, say it was bad, and then drink it anyway....so ya, it definately affects your judgement, eh? :hide: I would rather spend my time in my meditation clases, funy they are on break for the holidays now and i have been "getting into trouble" a lot more than usual too. But for me part of it is the recent breakup and needing to go OUT and feel like I am still having fun. I like a good karaoke night and if i can keep my own imbibing under some semblance of control, it doesn't make ME a 'bad girl'...it's that little "control" thing that i sometimes let slip! :rofl:

[OneGrassRoot]

7. You know, it would be interesting if there were a study....

she injects with seriousness even though the post was intended in a lighthearted manner

...of which professions or lifestyles are linked to astrological signs.

As the stereotypical Virgo, for the life of me I can't wrap my brain around why people would take unnecessary risks -- including who they hang out with. Knowingly do so, that is.

Having seen the consequences manifest over and over and over again of such risks, my brain simply can't comprehend why anyone chooses this. Repeatedly. LOL. And then bitch and moan, asking "Why does this always happen to me?"

:rofl: Can you tell this is something I've dealt with repeatedly in my life? ;)

I have always been around people who repeatedly (mainly dudes...'cause dudes just don't seem to have nearly as much control, in my experience ;)) put themselves at risk (though I guess even that word is subjective) -- and, I might add, they also put those who love them at risk -- by hanging out with people who have a great chance of getting into trouble because of their choices.

That guilt by association thing is true in my experience. ;)

Okay, this just made me feel like a fuddy-duddy mom, so I'm gonna be quiet now.

Party on, girls! Party on!!! But be safe, be safe...;)


:headbang:

:grouphug:

[FirstLight]

9. Pffft!

....geez! I am a capricorn and I think you're being a fuddy-duddy Virgo! "stick-in-the-mud!"

:P

Party on wayne
Party on Garth

:rofl:

[OneGrassRoot]

10. lolol....

True dat, true dat....but you know what I'm sayin' is true, girlfriend. ;)

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[OneGrassRoot]

11. psssst....

You could go throw a pillow at me in NuttyFluffer's thread! Throw at at all the "safe" Virgos of the world!

:rofl:

Early Happy Birthday hugs, btw.

It's a countdown now.


:toast:


:hug:

[OneGrassRoot]

13. One last psssst.....

before I *poof* away for dreaded errands....

You know I wasn't talking about you or Lildreamer, I hope? It was a general observation about a certain type of "party" people I've been around, and I just added my two cents to the general conversation.

Just making sure you know that, 'cause the atmosphere is CRAZYYYYYY these days!

:hide:

More :hug:

[lildreamer316]

15. No no it's fine..

although I will add for the sake of clarification that 1)I was there as support for husband being the featured dj. Normally would otherwise just have stayed at home; and
2)I'm the eternal optimist..I always hope people have changed. LOL -ack! :)
("Look! I can SAVE you!!"):crazy:

[lildreamer316]

14. Ok, thanks...

and I will say that I definitely have control issues..but now, after what you said, maybe that's my higher self's/guides way of making sure I don't lower my defenses too often.

What's really weird about this is that I've been WORKING in the bar biz for fourteen years...you think I'd be used to it by now. I dunno, when I'm working it seems to be different.

I appreciate the clearing/cleaning suggestions; think I'll go do a bit of that now. Feeling really yucky.
:hug:

[stellanoir]

12. Check the Neptunian (Natal, Transiting, & Progressed) influences

in your chart. If they are strong in your Natal chart or in a more fleeting manner, yeah they can turn your aura into Swiss cheese.

Cleansing rituals will help for sure. Yet still, even in periods of absolute purity, with my intense Neptunian influences I can go to "L &L" events and think to myself, "why do I want to go to the biker bar." That is not at all my normal proclivity.

Empaths can pick up on all sorts of repressed urges in others.

The trick I figure is to become selectively permeable, like a Tai Chi master or biologically, like a cell wall, being more conscious of what to allow in and what to deflect.

Though dualistic and competitively oriented, the concept of determining who truly qualifies as a "worthy opponent" comes to mind.

Ya gotta stay "on your toes" though, and constant vigilance is often required.

If ya want me to check your chart for Neptunian stuff then PM me. I think I have your data on an old computer which is no longer functional so resend your data if you are so inclined.

The Mars retro certainly has its influence as well.

Happy Solstice dear and "don't let the suckers get you down."

:grouphug:

[lildreamer316]

16. Thanks so much stella..

I really value your input.

You're exactly right...I really want to be a cell wall...and to find a worthy opponent; instead of ...well, what I found last night.

I think because I don't really have the energy for constant vigilance; I stay at home a lot. And that's fine with me...it's just I am also a social animal. It just seems that being social can hurt me more than I ever realized. As I said above, I have absolutely no idea how I can work in a similar environment and be (generally) ok.

....actually, now that I think about it, this explains my ability and in-ability to make money at my job during different times. Wow, I just had a major revelation. Again, thank you so much for the nudge; stella!!

So I believe I've come to the conclusion that I'm a Leo-inclined empath. Oh boy.

I'd be ever so grateful if you'd look at my chart for me again. I apologize if you've told me (or others have) this info before; I have a sieve-like memory. PM coming after I tend to the dear one.

:grouphug: back atcha.

[get the red out]

17. Camping out with the non-sentient crowd

I have had the thought "why am I suddenly around people that don't think?". I had that quite a lot when I partied in college (long long ago....in the 80s). I remember looking around and feeling like everyone was just PLASTIC and had no more depth or curiosity to them than finding out who was doing who and what gossip they could spread about it. NOT COMFORTABLE, and I couldn't place why at the time, I just thought I was a nerd that couldn't fit in anywhere and DRANK MORE, LOL, didn't help me much.

I don't drink at this stage of my life but I still find myself around people that just feel "wrong" to me at times, people that are extremely "plastic", I feel uncomfortable, I sense them and I do not like the situation. I know there is a block between them and myself that can't really be broken down. I don't know if it has to do with how many incarnations people have had, what they have worked on in those incarnations or what, but I sense something like that. Some spiritual gulf between their place and mine on this road of life education.

[Shallah Kali]

18. It lowers inhibitions in general so why wouldn't it effect unconcious control of ESP abilities

I always have feared turning into an addict (have too many genetic relations w/substance abuse issues) so have never done more than drink a small glass of wine so i can't speak from experience. I do know I tend to be more energetically permeable during my moon time and I think when I am ovulating so you might find it useful to note where you are in your cycle when other's emotions and drama are more contagious.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

19. I don't go to bars because of this.

I've read that lower spirits hang out in bars or places where violence has happened, which is why bars can have a very low, violent vibe.

I personally do not drink, (rarely) and don't hang out with people who imbibe a lot. I think it is indeed true that alcohol lowers your defenses spiritually.

I took my daughter to NOLA for college in August of 2004, the year before Katrina. I had never been there before. I was in the French Quarter walking around.

Pass a bar or strip club or voodoo store...bad vibes.
Pass a store full of beautiful antiques, an art gallery or gorgeous old hotel...good vibes.
Right next to each other.

I DID NOT LIKE New Orleans. Don't do casinos either and gambling. People might think I'm a prude or a goody-goody -- it goes deeper than that. It's just bad vibes.


I don't even want to walk around the wine bottles at the grocery store, they bother me.

My gut feelings confirm this..Stuart Wilde has written about it and so have others. And I rarely get gut feelings, but this is a situation I am acutely aware of.

[uberblonde]

20. Yep.

Absolutely. For me, not even a question.