GHOST NOISE AND PSYCHIC DREAM BUTTER

Upcoming Classes & Events

2012-01-05T12:25:00.000-06:00

Registration is now open for the following workshops in January-March 2012:

Tea & Tarot - January
The Unexplained (KWCE)
The Unexplained (RCE)
Perceptions on Grief & Loss (KWCE)
Perceptions on Grief & Loss (RCE)
Voice: An Intuition Workshop (KWCE)*
Voice: An Intuition Workshop (RCE)*

**People from ALL communities are invited to participate in the community education courses. Please join us!**

*VOICE is the introductory class to the Presence of Light Psychic Development Workshop Series. This class is pre-requisite to attending the Core, Intermediate and Advanced classes. If you're interested in your psychic and spiritual development this is where the journey begins! Complete details about the workshop series is found on the main Heather Allen website.

Event details and registration information can be found on the above website OR go to Heather's event listings.

Secret Signs

2011-06-24T14:22:00.002-05:00

This is one of those stories that begins with an ending. "Rita" was nearing the end of her tumultuous battle with cancer. Leah was a good friend; they’d met through work. When Rita was transferred from her home to a facility that could provide attentive medical care for her, Leah made every effort to visit on a regular basis. She had plans to go visit on a Wednesday and had told me that the last time she’d seen Rita, she just knew Rita didn’t have very much longer. If you have ever lost someone to this merciless disease, you know how difficult it is, how helpless you can feel. It is never a good feeling to sense you are running out of time to spend with someone you care about, to anticipate loss. Grieving sets in. There is nothing to do sometimes but to try to survive and to endure it.

She’d been held back at work and so Leah was unable to make it to visiting hours on that Wednesday. Rita had told her family she was ready to die. Over the next three days the family said Rita wasn’t up for visitors. I’d suggested for their visit that week that they might be able to talk and plan a secret sign, just between the two of them, so that after Rita passed, she could let Leah know she had crossed over safely, or for any time in the future that Rita wanted to let her know she was around watching over her. By the end of the weekend it was too late to have this conversation.

In an email on Tuesday morning after Rita’s passing I wrote to Leah, “I hope she comes around and lets you know she's made it there okay soon.” Whether we plan for it or not, they always do try to let us know in some way that they are alright.

Tuesday afternoon I received a reply email: “Today I canoed with Tom and he pointed out a bluebird sitting on a tall piece of grass/plant by our cars. Maybe that is it. Bluebirds are pretty rare to see I think.”

Bluebird. In Minnesota. On a chilly day in April. A rarity times three.

This gets even better. I’m an absolute believer in totem animals and the messages they carry for us. We can receive these every day if we are open to them. There are a lot of animals though and they all have multiple “wisdoms” to share with us, so when I got the email I felt I had to look up bluebirds. There's the traditional "bluebird of happiness" saying... which is true - they do represent that. But when I read through the “bluebird wisdoms”, one line just flew off the page at me. Bluebirds represent "Movement to a new level of being."

How beautiful of a message is that? I’m still in awe.

For me it went even one step beyond. The universe is brilliant at giving us signs and validations. For at the exact moment the email came through, I was just letting a client out the door. We’d had a lovely visit of our own with her father who had passed away. One of his last messages was “Blue”-something. (He kept saying BLUE very loudly and then would whisper the ending of the word.)

Bluebird.

A new level of being.
There this story ends.
With a beginning.

One of the most amazing things about my job is getting to relay details or validate signs that passed loved ones are sending to their families here to let them know they are okay, to let them know they made it to the other side, to let them know they are still with them. The lengths our loved ones will go to, the creativity they put into it, the unconditional love they are able to express, and the effort by which they reinforce these messages…it has no limit. It is profoundly magical.

In my grief class and when I speak with others who are anticipating a death I try to encourage people that if they have a chance, and if they are able to have a conversation on the topic, that it can be reassuring, positive, and even hopeful for both people involved to plan “secret signs”. What this really just entails is to make an agreement that when the person passes they will send you a “secret sign” at some point after they have passed to let you know they are okay. They do send us signs whether we arrange for this or not, but more often than not people write off the signs they receive to wishful thinking, or perhaps they miss the signs altogether in their grief state.

If you want to try this for yourself with someone that you love (and you can do this at any time during a person’s life – just be sure to record it somewhere) first, try to think of a sign somewhat more common but maybe unique - something you wouldn’t just happen to see everyday. Second, agree on a sign that's symbolic for you both (from a favorite time spent together or regarding something you both have in common). Your third sign can be something categorically uncommon, unexpected, challenging to manifest, and positively obscure. Animals, books, poetry, places, names, historical elements, meaningful objects, music, lyrics, graphical symbols, works of art, messages in foreign languages…the ideas you can tap into for your secret signs are absolutely endless.

The story above wasn’t really my story to tell, but it is one of absolute grace, promise, and undying friendship, so I asked permission if I could share it with you all, because we all could use a little more of those aspects in our lives.

It's Midsommer's Eve

2011-06-23T10:26:00.000-05:00

If a girl puts flowers under her pillow tonight, she will dream of her future husband.

Celebrate Midsommer surrounded by daisies. Eat strawberries. Pick herbs. Connect to those in spirit. Create a lucky amulet or charm. Dance around a bonfire. Light, food, music, flowers, dancing, love. All the elements of a traditional festival. It is the season to find and express joy for life, passion, and love. Open yourself to the magnificence of creation. Higher awareness. Endless possibilities. Great hopefulness. Wondrous romance. However you choose to celebrate, close your eyes for just a moment and allow yourself to be immersed in this amazing energy. May true love and all good things come to you now!

Mystery of the Moving Mug

2011-01-24T12:31:00.001-06:00

So last week we were at a restaurant out of town. Just a minute after the waitress set down our drinks, my coffee cup (which was served to me filled and with a spoon in it) slid straight sideways about five inches across the table. My son and I both saw it and looked at each other without saying anything like "did that really just happen?" I'm not stupid enough to jump to metaphysical conclusions though, so I picked up the cup and wiped off the bottom with a napkin, and wiped off the whole section of the table around the cup. Hydroplaning would be the most logical explanation since the table wasn't on any apparent slope (nothing lighter than the cup was sliding/rolling on or off the table).

We went back to our conversation and were served our meals a short while later. Somewhere mid-sentence, my cup moved again; this time with a slide and a partial clockwise twist at a slightly different angle. Now it was funny, but I once more dried off the cup base and the table (though there wasn't any moisture on either surface); and now just to cover all the bases, I asked "Is someone doing this?" It was a little "too" quiet. No one (guides or otherwise) had been trying to get my attention or trying to speak to me and there wasn't an "invisible person" in sight. Three minutes later - there it goes again, this time directly toward me with another short slide in a ) motion with a clockwise turn of the handle. Still no one wanted to "show themselves" which got a full out "Okay, this is creepy now, let's go, Mom."

Later that night on our way home we were talking about how odd it was that neither of us were "seeing or hearing" anything, though I know firsthand that if someone in spirit doesn't want to be noticed they can surely avoid it. My son says, "Yeah, that was really strange. I didn't see anyone walking around this time...only last time there was one person." The last time we were there we were seated in a different room in a corner and my back was to the whole of the room. He sees activity all the time, so rarely brings it up anymore. As soon as he mentioned it though I could see this woman he was talking about: quite thin, taller in appearance, but I think mostly because of her thin stature making her look taller than she actually was. Older than me - late 50's or early 60's, short brown-graying hair that was curled, and a weathered/wrinkly face. When I asked if that's who he saw, he confirmed the description. I found myself thinking about it again the next morning while I was brushing snow off the car, and I heard someone say "Sandra."

Now this isn't how I operate at all, but I am really wanting to go back there to ask a waitress about this Sandra, or to at least see what other interesting happenings may go on. I guess even for someone like me who is connected to those in spirit and all things weird most of the time, it's still kind of fun to have an unexpected mystery once in awhile!

2011 or Four

2011-01-19T10:56:00.000-06:00

If you haven’t already figured this one out for yourselves over the past 18 days, then you might just want to buckle up – 2011 is going to be one wild ride!

Numerologically speaking, it’s a “Four Year” (2+0+1+1). What that means for all of us? It’s time to get to work! Think back through the past year. Did you have a few creative sparks? Fresh ideas? Crazy dreams of new things you might want to do with your life? It happened for many people. For a few these thoughts came willingly, for others they came out of neccessity after being tossed out of their comfort zones on their keisters, desperately searching to find “what do I do now?” It was a year for the creative ideas and new awareness to come to light. So now this “Four Year” gives us the chance to put some of the ideas into action. It’s time to be practical, serious, and determined. Begin to build your new foundation. Take constructive steps toward following your passion. Consider and start documenting steps to goals and ideas that you have put off. It’s not going to be a smooth ride. It’s not about taking the easy way out. It is about a new chance to follow through with your life purpose and to start this year by laying the groundwork necessary to get there.

A few points of advice in proceeding with your big plans….

Be cautious not to plan or choose or jump to conclusions out of fear. This will only lead you on a never-ending coaster-ride. Instead think things through, so you can prepare and decide wisely. Follow your heart and inner voice with openness and patience to avoid blocking out your best possible paths and prospects from becoming clear.

Don’t be afraid to balance hard work and accomplishments with down-time, play and peaceful quiet. Pay attention to your body and mind as to its urging for activity or urging for respite. Doing this will keep you healthy and keep your energy flowing positively to get you through the hard-work you’ll be doing all year. Try meditation, or yoga, or surrounding yourself in nature; even if it hasn't been your thing in the past it might be just what you need to get you relaxed and refreshed for your next round of tasks.

Be sure you’re planning with purest intention in working toward this strong foundation. Building yourself, your career, your relationships, or your family up will be surely connected to chances for more security, but some, if not cautious and aware of the choices they make along the way may cross the line toward greed and materialism, or even more inadvertently, simply may overdo it and have their work backfire, only to have to start the cycle over again.

If you’ve already been following your passion and are secure with your life purpose, use the next few weeks to re-assess a little. See if there are areas or aspects to which you can reinforce, expand or grow this foundation you’ve established or to branch out further. For some managing multiple tasks or aspects, there may be a shift of focus for the year. For some who have had a singular focus, there may be opportunities to explore and develop associated facets.

With regard to people coming into your life this year, by chance meetings, reunions, or by whatever divine timing they arrive, don’t let them get away without having at least one conversation about putting your dreams into action because chances are they’ve shown up to give help, advice, insight, support and encouragement, or some other gift toward whatever work you’re doing on your foundation. This could apply to any part of your life you’re working on too, outwardly or personally. So take advantage and have some fun with discovering how synchronicity brings about just the right person, mentor, advisor or means to greater understanding just when we truly need it.

Since our connection with people is an area of our greatest quandaries, just a few more thoughts for the year on that. Friendships and romances are likely to bloom from common goals and interests. If you find yourself working in a group situation, whether it’s a volunteer organization, a committee, a class, a team, community theatre, or even a party where you’ve come together to celebrate a certain person or event, keep your eyes open. Chances are that someone you’re meant to make a real connection with is in the room with you. What an easy way to launch into something meaningful…you already will have a built-in starter conversation over coffee just to learn how each of you were drawn to take part in that group. Likewise, marriages, families, and already established friendships can benefit from partner-projects. Build, create, restore, or make something new- together! It’s sure to bring your interconnectedness and understanding for each other to a whole new level. Additionally, business partnerships are likely to take off for those recognizing the strength in merging their parallel ideas for the future.

If things seem overwhelming at times through the year, never fear. Take a little down-time then continue looking forward as you get back to work. All the effort you put in will pay off as it leads us in 2012 and the rewarding adventures that year will bring along with it.

So, be open. Let the universe bring its gifts to you. Then take advantage of the opportunities that arrive. Don’t limit yourself because the world may have many more blessings and surprises to send your way…beyond your greatest dream or wildest imagination.

Run with it!

Memories, Traditions, Old and New

2010-12-20T14:31:00.000-06:00

Today being a half-snow day from school and tomorrow being Winter Solstice (as well as the rare winter solstice lunar eclipse), as well as being on the brink of wrapping up our holidays shopping so we can finally relax and enjoy our holiday celebrations, I thought it would be a good day to bring up a few ideas for these last few days of 2010.

No matter which holidays you will be observing, most people follow the traditions of feasting, relaxation, and celebrating with family and friends. It's a time for reflection on the year and other passing events to try to decide what we wish to take with us into the New Year, and what things to leave behind. In this way it can be an ideal time to journal and meditate on gratitude as well.

Sadly, many of us were left behind this year by friends or family members who have passed on, so it will be an especially emotional and nostalgic time. While we may feel the disappointment at the loss of their physical presence with us over the coming days however, it is so important to know that they will truly be with us in spirit. Watch for signs they offer to show you they are around - it is just one way they are able to reach out and express their continued love for us. I also encourage everyone, whether individually, or as a family, to not put aside tradition, but rather focus on creating a new tradition or finding a way to still include your passed loved ones in your celebrations still!

Some ideas you might consider...

Light a candle and telling favorite holiday-time stories or memories of the person - or journaling about them if you are doing this on your own
Bake a favorite cookie or recipe of theirs to share
Make a Memory Ornament (directions below)
Say a special prayer for your loved one
Meditate to focus on a special place you shared and inviting them to meet you there in your meditation for a bit
Journal an entry about all the reasons you are grateful for the person being a part of your life
Play, or SING! all their favorite Christmas carols
Adopt a holiday tradition that the person had, that maybe you hadn't been doing before...which is a great way to continue passing down family heritage and customs too! Like Lefse making, or embroidering pillowcases, or gifting sweaters for all the grandkids just like Grandma did while she was here, ..or whatever it was the loved one was known for!
Volunteer in their honor
Donate toys, or mittens, or time in their honor
Or simply close your eyes for a minute when you're feeling thus inspired, and thank them for being a part of your life, and tell them how much you love them.

This is a fraction of the possibilities I'm sure, and if you have anything you already do, or are planning on starting this year, be sure to comment because the next person who comes along just might read it and have it strike a chord with them too!

No matter what you choose to do, enjoy your new custom and be joyful, for all the gifts they passed on to you, you still have time to pass on to others around you too!

MEMORY ORNAMENT

Purchase a clear glass ornament intended for crafts like these found at Hobby Lobby, Michaels or other crafting supply shops. Use your imagination to fill the ornament with little symbols, trinkets, personal messages writtien in scrolled paper, photos, magazine clippings of words or pictures,...all things that remind you of your loved one. It may include tokens of their favorite hobbies and pastimes, it may have their favorite color as a theme, it might be based on your favorite memory of them. It could contain a single, significant item, or be a much more complex assortment. Scrapbooking pieces, dollhouse or model/diorama items (also found at crafting supply shops), household objects are all a great places to start. The possibilities are endless and therefore each ornament will be fantastically personalized. You can layer the items, or fill the bottom with some decorative sand, and then place the pieces on top of that...or come up with your own clever and creative solutions to assembling the perfect memory ornament for your loved one. The outside of these glass ornaments can also be painted, so feel free to add a saying, verse from a poem or song, or even the person's name who you are commemorating. Have fun with it, cut loose your artistic expression, and if you're up to it, invite them to be around you while you're working on it, because they might just pop their own ideas into your mind of things to include too! (Since all it takes is a thought of them to draw them toward us, it's not likely we'd be able to pull-off a surprise "reveal" to them anyway.) When you're all done - be sure to hang your ornament in a place of honor, so it will bring a smile each time you see it . The best part is that it will be an heirloom and new tradition to be used and passed down for years to come!

Happy Holidays to you and ALL your loved ones!

~H

You Are a Healer

2010-12-06T10:09:00.000-06:00

A particular media psychic told a long-retired student and client of mine that she “is meant to be a healer.” That was the only comment she made to her before moving on to the next in line. The woman left that event in confusion.

“You are a healer.”

“Be a healer.”

“I was told I am a healer!”

What does that mean? In the decade I’ve been doing consultations, I meet people every week that tell me that someone (some other psychic or spiritual person or being of “profound” insight) has made a statement to them along those lines. Then they come to me and ask what the person meant by it and what they are meant to be doing with their life. They’re feeling like they have messed up, gone astray, or have been completely off-track their entire lifetime, because they clearly haven’t obtained a medical degree, and they have never taken as much as a massage class. All this confusion and upset because the “insightful” person felt compelled to drop the H-bomb and had no more input, of course.

Could those “gurus” make a more vague declaration? Why even make such a suggestion unless you actually can back up your statement and give some viable insights? What good is that kind of statement doing anyone?

MD MS OD CM RN APRN PA LPN CLT DA MT OTR CEN RPT NMD HNC
DDS DC DO PD DVM VT PsyD PhD School Counselor EMT Paramedic

Herbalist Osteopath Bioenergetic Therapist Massage Therapist Naturopath Acupuncturist Reflexologist Shaman Yoga Instructor AA Sponsor

Energy Worker Prayer Group Member

A person who changes personal aspects of their own life in order to better the lives of the loved ones around them.

A man who volunteers at a nursing home.

A woman who takes in stray animals.

A parent who kisses a boo-boo.

A friend who listens.

A child who prays.

You see my point. That list is not even a fraction of the possibilities. So you can see why, too, a statement like “you’re meant to be a healer” is so random…and useless. The truth is this: We are ALL healers. We all have the potential and capability to offer unconditional love and healing to those around us.

Back to the woman I mentioned at the beginning. Does she plan to go back to school? Is she looking to come out of retirement? Does she have the resources, time, or energy to start training then start a new business of her own? You know the answer is “no.” This woman is already a healer; that fact and how she applies this in her life is what she actually needed to know.

Now I know these people who like to go around making weighty proclamations to unsuspecting folk are not going to stop any time soon because their egos demand it, so the best the rest of us can do is anticipate that it’s coming. Someone, somewhere, at some point in your life is going to tell you that you, too, are a healer. Be ready for it…and tell them you already know this. Tell them you’ve been doing healing all your life. For everyone that has ever genuinely prayed for another, sent someone “good vibes” and positive energy, or simply hugged another human being just because they needed it, is a healer.

The gift to heal ourselves and each other is a powerful aspect of our spiritual whole. To what extent you, individually, choose to use and pursue your natural spiritual gift and apply it in your “human life” is up to you and the path your Higher Self has chosen. Discovering what this means to you personally is what is important. Maybe you will see that you are capable of more. Perhaps you do pursue a side-interest of Huna or Reiki, or Qi-Gong. Maybe you take a class with me to learn spirit-guided energy balancing and healing. Maybe you have the interest, time, and resources to follow an educational path to a higher or more traditional medical degree. Maybe you are drawn toward training and entrepreneurship in holistic medicine or an alternative therapy. We can only, alone, know what we are drawn to and what we are compelled by and what we know to be truth for our own paths. So follow that, and don’t look back and don’t be confused that you were on the earth to do something entirely different than what you’ve been doing all along. Be a healer in your own way. Understand that, apply that, and you truly are a healer.

Boredom, Loneliness, and what we should do for love.

2010-11-02T11:32:00.006-05:00

This recurring theme of boredom and loneliness, and questions surrounding it, have been directed at me many times in the past few months so I’m feeling urged to offer up a general spiritual morsel on the topic for all other would-be askers, and especially before winter doldrums ensue.

My thought is this…if you feel bored, if you feel lonely - fantastic. Immerse yourself in it if you wish. Were you one of my students, I’d tell you to really pay attention to it so you know what it truly feels like, and “slap a label on it” just in case it’s one of the human aspects you’ve come into this lifetime to gain a better understanding of. Whatever you do or don’t, I’m happy for you; and I’ll tell you why at the end. But if you feel bored or lonely and you don’t like it or you complain about it, then this next part is especially for you.

A few of the most valuable words of wisdom I have heard in life came by way of one of my high school teachers who stated on more than one occasion:

“If you are bored, you are boring to be with.”

Ten simple words, so true.

How does being lonely play into boredom? Loneliness is nothing more than a bi-product, a symptom, of boredom. Now someone might argue that it has only to do with being alone, or not having a “romantic relationship” going on in their life. I’m not buying it. I’ve seen many a person be lonely while they’re smack dab IN a relationship. So what that comes down to is…if you were too busy filling your own soul up you’d be too preoccupied to dwell on being alone. If you are not in a relationship and that is a concern for you (because some people who are not don’t waste all their waking minutes worrying about it), then perhaps you should presume that other person is out there and will be coming along in their own good time. Do you want them to show up before they – or you for that matter – are ready for the relationship? Not a chance, it would be over before you could get it going. Who wants to waste a perfectly good kindred spirit on bad (ie. humanly-self-controlled) timing? We know who we are – we’ve all done it before.

Marianne Williamson, spiritual relationship guru, gives us these words of wisdom: “When love isn’t in our lives, it’s on the way. If you know that a special guest is coming at five o’clock, do you spend the day messing up the house? Of course not. You prepare. And that is what we should do for love.”

What person wants to show up only to discover that their kindred mate settled at “boring to be with?” As far as I know, “boring” wasn’t on anyone’s “top ten characteristics of my perfect match” list. Interesting, educated, worldly, smart, active, talented,...all came out ahead.

If you feel a bout of boredom setting in…if you’re letting yourself disconnect from the universe by sinking into loneliness, by all means fix it – for yourself. It’s no one else’s option or responsibility. It’s so simple: do something. Do ANYTHING. Make yourself a more interesting person to be around. Fill your soul!

Pick up a book.

Take a class.

Learn something.

Make something.

Build something.

Create something.

Give.

Share.

Love.

Re-arrange your living room.

Paint your bedroom.

Go shopping and restock your unmentionables drawer.

Pick some wildflowers to brighten up your space.

Google up a new recipe and cook something fabulous.

Bake something indulgent – and share it with an elderly neighbor.

Use the quiet downtime to meditate and get some useful insights.

Have a chat with your spirit guide.

GO OUT!

People watch.
See a movie.
Browse an art fair.
Sit on a beach.
Organize a game or snowball fight with all the neighborhood kids.
Take a walk. In a “random” nearby town you just point to on a map and drive to for the day.

Go out and photograph as many peculiar things you can find that draw your attention.

Go listen to some local musicians. That’s what they’re there for.

Stick your head in a shop, a museum, or a historical site, a nursing home, or a cafe you’ve passed a million times on your way to something else but never bothered to stop in.

Or take action and plan to do something really progressive (if you feel like your boredom/loneliness might be a chronic condition), like study a new language or take up an entirely new hobby you’ve been putting off. Organize a block party. Start a book club, or a coffee and crafting club (that eliminates a whole roomful of Boreds and Lonelies right there week after week). Maybe even start a paranormal research or psychic/spiritual development group. (I’m really not partial).

Better yet, learn to love and value “alone.” Do you realize when you go places on your own, completely by yourself how truly easy this is? If you get the hang of it after trying it a few times you might actually start to feel selfish about enjoying it. Think about it. You never have to debate with tagalongs about how long to stand in one place observing something, where to sit, how much time you want to spend, what restaurant to try, which film to see, which route to take. Plus, chances are 50% that you will meet “random strangers” along the way, and 75% chance you’ll find something about them curiously interesting and 99.99% you’ll see divine timing exemplified in the chance encounters.

Back for just a moment to those of you still stuck the idea of loneliness equating to not having a relationship just one more suggestion: invest in a journal. Then write it down; whatever it is you think you’d be showing, sharing, telling, or doing with that person you’re waiting for to show up, put it in words. Tell them what they’re missing, express your feelings about it, record the moments or the events. Write her a song. Scribe him an ode (entitled “What the *ell is Taking You So Long”, of course). At worst, when they do appear in your life you have a personal record to reflect back on of how your journey led you to that special person.

The bottom line and moral of the story?

Boredom, loneliness...they are choices. They are as much a part of free will as anything else. So if you ask me why you’re bored or lonely, I might tell you the same thing – it’s simply because you chose it. The good news is you also get to choose what to do with it and how to change it; for something that will hurt you worse in the long run, or for something that will better you forever. Kudos to you, sincerely. Because as long as you choose something, anything, whatever it may be in this life, God will love you for it. That is why I’ll be happy for you either way too.

I Can Dream About...Who?

2010-10-13T14:20:00.000-05:00

It's been asked of me before and it's come up again just recently, so I thought I'd address this question on dreams here. The situation is this: you're married or in a relationship and all the sudden you find yourself having recurring dreams about someone from your past...a past love, your high school sweetheart, an unrequited love, or maybe even a dear friend who you never revealed your romantic love to...whomever this person is, you're probably a little concerned those old feelings are resurfacing or maybe are questioning if it's a sign that you should try to re-connect with them. Worse still, perhaps you've considered that maybe you're dreaming of him because he is thinking of you and perhaps trying to draw you back into his life. Why do you keep having recurring dreams of this person? To put your mind more at ease right off, that last thought has no basis...it's your dream. Your dreams are about you and your present life, far beyond anything it has to do with that other person. They're innocent in the conundrum. Likewise with the idea that it's a sign you should reconnect with that person. That is just a likely and unfortunate side-effect of online social networking, so hands off that keyboard before you click that SEND button and pour out your dream and heart on that unsuspecting soul.

That all being said, it's time to look a little...a lot...closer to home. The mystery of these dreams lies just there. Consider the state of your marriage or relationship. What are you frustrated with? What are you longing for? What do you feel is missing? Now look at that person you've been dreaming about. What qualities or characteristics did they have that are not present at the moment in your current relationship? What did that person offer you or bring to the relationship that was unique or special? What did this other person easily or naturally bring to that relationship that you are wishing came easier to your present love?

Do you see the parallels? It's just as simple as that. How to enhance, spice up, fix or better your present relationship lies with you, your significant other, and your own creativity, but at least you now know where to begin.

Single and dreaming of a past love too? It's not so different as what I've already pointed out. You're simply looking for Mr. or Ms. Right-for-You that has all the wonderful qualities that past love shared with you. You're longing for the connection or those feelings that you knew from that past experience. Pay attention long enough to acknowledge what they are and you'll be able to recognize them as soon as your kindred mate surfaces!

Apples, Divine

2010-10-07T10:19:00.002-05:00

In no way am I ready for the cold of winter, but I have to say I'm very much appreciating its precursor, Fall. Or more pointedly, apple season. Who can resist all those colorful bins of locally grown apples at the store right now? Not me. For that reason I can't stop myself from making fresh, warm applesauce for dessert after dinner lately.  It's a Cortland + Macintosh combination right now, but the possibilities are pretty endless. Turns out the leftovers are great for breakfast too!

So all this talk about apples makes me think of apple divination. There are countless ways apples have been used for gaining answers and insights for hundreds of years. From peeling an apple in a single strand and tossing it over your shoulder to see if it remains unbroken, thus forming the first letter of your true love's name, to counting the seeds of your apple to see if you will have an even number for impending good luck or an uneven number for upcoming disappointment, to using it to answer a yes/no question by twisting the stem attached to the apple as you alternate saying "yes, no, yes, no, yes" until the stem breaks off as you are speaking one or the other, thereby revealing the answer to your question... whatever ways you can think to divine with an apple it's likely one of your ancestors has tried it too.

Here's a little apple divination I made up for you with a numerology basis, so next time you slice up your Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Prairie Spy you can ask yourself a question beforehand, or just check back for your message.

APPLE FORTUNES © by Heather Allen
How many seeds are in your apple?
5 seeds: It's a good place to start from, or a good time to get started.
              Things have been in state of change, so replenish your resources,
              be daring and bold...and get gRowing.
6 seeds: This is a good sign for balance, harmony and cooperation.
              Pay attention to he or she you are in harmony with. Love and nurture!
7 seeds: Spend some time in reflection, surround yourself in music you love.
              Then, trust your inner voice and apply what you know in your heart
              to be true.
8 seeds: Put your inner strength and life experience to work for you. Have
              confidence on the path you're on as you move forward.
9 seeds: Use your creativity and talents to inspire. Build, make, cook, bake,
              draw, paint, knit, grow, share, give. Bless the world with your Self!
10 "    : Through hardship and challenges we gain strength. There is an aspect
              here of closure, but also one of infinite possibilities. Be independent
              and look for that next opportunity to begin anew!
11 "    : If you have eleven seeds you probably don't need a message - signs, insights,
              inspiration, and clear perspective are everywhere around you right now.
              You're on the right track so take it all in and enjoy the amazing energy!
12 "    : Rely on your spiritual strength and all the wisdom that comes with that. Be
              social and share your optimism and vitality with others right now.
13 "    :  Use your determination. It's time to be serious and practical in your decisions.
              Take action and apply yourself...it's going to pay off in great ways down the road.
14 "    : Today's the day to be spontaneous! Be active and go explore something new.
              More great adventures and transformation are on it's way to you!
15 "    : You touch those around you with influence greater than you realize, be careful
              with this gift. Use your sense of connection to others to share love and joy...
              especially with family, those closest to you, and those "chance meetings" with
              people who just need a bright dose of your amazing spirit!
16-20 " (You must be eating a Northern Spy!) Be unconventional and unique...look
              at life from a new perspective and you'll probably be seeing things more
              clearly than ever.

It's all just for fun, but if you come up with an interesting story, validation or synchronicity, be sure to share it in the comments!

Thanksgiving will be here sooner than we know it.  Guess I'll have to be moving from applesauce on to crisps and pies next.

In Plain Sight

2010-10-05T13:18:00.001-05:00

So this morning I went to meet a new client at the café in town. My favorite proprietor, Ryan, who keeps me caffeinated with transcendent almond lattés, greeted me with a "Hello, Famous." He's seen the newspaper article obviously. I'm thinking, maybe it's just him.

I got there early so I could jot a few notes before my client arrived. Gigantic mug in hand, I grabbed a table near the door and started in on that task. An elderly lady decides on the table next, and sits directly across facing me, letting another woman who just walked in know that she couldn't join her as she was waiting on another lady. It wasn't too much time after that her friend arrived, taking the seat next to the wall. After a water-spill-cleanup and conversation openers (she's a loud-talker), I hear her proclaim "So, what do you think of THAT? A psychic in Wanamingo?!"

I glanced up over the rim of my glasses and she looked straight at me...with no idea whatsoever. What can I say...it made me smile and I casually resumed my note-taking.

It's just funny actually overhearing oneself as the subject of town gossip. To me even funnier than the time I was going to get a table up at a café in the cities and noticed a woman who happened to be perusing my website at that exact moment. (She saw me and didn't put two and two together either.) It was no coincidence I guess that my client today brought up the topic of hiding one's true self from people. Is it really "hiding" if you're in plain sight?

I have to admit though, if shock value was of value to me, it would have been a smidgen of fun to have stopped by their table on my way out to leave the ladies with a business card. ;-)

Local Life News Story

2010-10-04T10:49:00.000-05:00

Self-proclaimed skeptic reporter from the Rochester Post Bulletin came to interview me for thirty minutes, which turned into ninety. This is the feature article he wrote about our chat for the SE MN Life section of the paper the following week :: A Psychic Through Chance (click to read).

The workshops he mentions and other info is on my website http://www.heathers.moonfruit.com/.

Upcoming Fall Workshops

2010-10-01T16:35:00.000-05:00

Here is a quick listing of the workshops coming up through November, instructed by Psychic Medium Heather Allen. For complete details & registration information, please go to Heather's Website. Pre-registration is require for each class.

Presence of Light Workshop 2

Psychic and spiritual development workshop, continuing from POL Workshop 1. Energy, telepathy, and much more!

Hosted By: Rochester Community Education

When: Wednesdays, October 18, 25 & November 1

6:30-8:30PM

Where: Northrop CE Building, Rochester MN

Journey Back: A Past Life Experience

Go back in time and space to explore a past life through a group guided-meditation. Learn about who you were in one other lifetime and how your soul's history may be an influence in your present life. Through other activities in class you will discover clues as to additional lifetimes you may have experienced and find out the importance of using past life information toward your future.

When: Thursday, November 4

6:30-9PM

Where: Zumbrota Public Library Meeting Room

100 West Avenue, Zumbrota MN

Click to go to the Registration/Info page

Perceptive Kids

A child + parent class for learning about children's innate sensitivity. Explore natural extra-sensory abilities through one-on-one activities with your child. Learn about children's metaphysical experiences vs. adults. Find out how to better support and understand your perceptive school-aged child. Try meditation, calming and energy exercises. Fun games and creative activities for all ages!
Hosted By: Rochester Community Education

When: Monday, November 8

6-8PM

Where: Northrop CE Building, Rochester MN

Perceptions on Grief & Loss

This non-traditional grief class covers many questions people have on the topics of death, grief, and life after death. Class includes a meditation on reconnecting with a loved one and a memory candle kit to take home.

Hosted By: Rochester Community Education

When: Monday, November 15

6:30-9PM

Where: Northrop CE Building, Rochester MN

Tempting Fate Article

2010-09-30T14:30:00.000-05:00

So...here's a bit of fluff I thought I'd share with you all in case you missed it in the Rochester Magazine this September. Click to go to article: Tempting Fate.

Sidenote. In case any students were wondering and hoping to borrow those books she's mentioned from my loaner collection...I don't own either of them and can't say I've even read them myself before. It wasn't the only thing in the article she exercised creative liberties with though... I'm still trying to find those "divination charts" and "mysterious figurines". But it's okay Ashley...I'm not much for "fortune tellers" either, unless in need of a good Halloween costume. =)

Labyrinth Walking

2010-06-01T13:17:00.001-05:00

Have you ever walked a labyrinth? I highly recommend it. They're located all over the world at churches, cathedrals, public gardens, even in people's own backyards. The one we took a little field trip to last week for my Light Source class is mowed into a secluded part of the meadow at a woman's farm near here. It's completely idyllic.

Labyrinths date back ages in history and are constructed in many different patterns and materials, both indoors and out. They've long been used for meditation, whether for relaxation or seeking insights and answers to questions. For adults, walking a labyrinth is often a peaceful, spiritual, serious experience For children, it's usually a lot more playful and lighthearted. The labyrinth meditation experience can be surprisingly moving, or energizing, or serene. It seems to vary from time to time, person to person, and purpose to purpose.

As a relaxing stroll, you may find it works simply for that purpose alone; unwinding, de-stressing and cleansing your energy as you make your way to the center; revitalizing and refreshing your energy as you make your way back out.

If you have a specific question you want guidance on, you can hold on to that in your thoughts as you enter the spiral, or you can simply think "what do I need to know?". When you reach the center of the labyrinth, some prefer to pause and concentrate to listen for the insights, while others receive their messages as they are walking back out.

Whether just plain curious or intently soul-searching, no matter your reasons for walking a labyrinth, it's a little time well spent on this journey - just for you.

To find a labyrinth near you, try Labyrinth Locator online.

Year Three!

2010-01-05T09:55:00.006-06:00

Yes, I know it's 2010. Though I'm not entirely sure how we got here, because I'm pretty sure I didn't get around to everything I had planned to accomplish in 2009. No matter, numerologically speaking if you reduce 2010 down to it's respective "3" (2+0+1+0), we can get a little idea of what the year may have in store for us all... or even how to make the most of the energy the year may present to us.

So, last year was all about chances and opportunities for new beginnings... in careers and relationships, and well, just about anything you wanted to start over. This year ahead of us should be summed up as our chance for fun! Three's are all about the joy of living. (I'm excited already, aren't you?!)

To fully take advantage of the year then, try to watch for any and all opportunities to be creative, to explore your self and your inner-most interests and desires. Then take a leap of faith and try them out! Have you always wanted to try painting or sky-diving or stand-up comedy? This year would be the ideal time to do it. The universe is putting forth the ideal energy for you to try whatever it is you have been putting off.

Imagination...the arts...expression...opportunity...creation. These are all key factors of THREE.
As is socialization! So get out there and get creating! As someone put it the other day, it is utterly impossible to be destroying if one is creating. I'm thinking "good timing for a three year." Not only do we all need this individually right now, but globally this could be a very productive, positive time as well. Just as long as we all don't let the opportunities pass us by.

Back to the socialization that I mentioned...if your inner-most desire is about drawing more love into your life, go about this by being social and active and trying to, as my friend just so put it, 'find the elusive beast known as a "good man"', by way of exploring your OWN creativity. Take a cooking class. Find a place to teach you to use a pottery wheel. Explore some art galleries. Go to concerts...classical, jazz, punk...something new! Chances are if you're out there exploring your own interests, Mr. Right-for-you is going to be out there discovering his too. It will be a great story to tell the grandkids how you bumped into each other.

If you think you're already with the love of your life, well time to revitalize the relationship by doing all those things I just mentioned - TOGETHER! Or even go do something new on your own and make yourself a newer, fresher, more interesting, more mysterious person to be with.

And where this whole Three Year applies to career.... I know that many people have been in the throes of the "being forced out" of their jobs over the past two years with the One Year bringing endings and the Eleven Year bringing about changes and new beginnings. But, if you haven't figured it out yet... FOLLOW YOUR PASSION!! This is the time to do it. It's now or never really. If you can't sort that out for yourself with the Three energy of this year, it might never happen. Take a chance. Follow your strengths and interests and passions you came into this life with... it will benefit you AND all those you came here to share those strengths with too. At least try to start exploring and planning. People are waiting on you!

Now go make something...create something...build something...write something...play something...grow something. Go be your amazing self! I've got some writing and painting and and and to do myself.

Wishing you ALL a joyful, creative, expressive 2010!

~Heather

Musical Inspiration

2009-11-24T11:39:00.005-06:00

Anyone looking for a little background inspiration? Check out this great new CD that I think is perfect for meditation time, by one of Minnesota's most diverse and talented pianists, Chris Schuette.

Listen to samples and order your copy on Chris' Website (just click!) or watch for it to come out on iTunes. Check out his other "ivory stylings" on his Music! section while you're there (you'll see what I mean by diverse). You might even be able to catch him playing live with the Kurt Jorgensen Band on some full-band night if you're lucky too!

Does it just sound like an ad? Nah...he doesn't have a clue who I am. It's just that the CD is that good I can't go without recommending it for the meditating by. If you are urged to tell him "Heather sent ya", well that will just be a mystery for him to blog about I suppose. =)

To tell, or not to tell

2009-11-23T08:52:00.004-06:00

Imagine you can see spirits of people's passed loved ones. This can happen any time and any place. Then let's say you are out and about, just enjoying a dinner with friends, or sitting around your favorite hangout having a cup of coffee or a beer. (Though drunken stupor is not factored into this story you're supposed to be imagining).

You're there...minding your own business and it becomes clear to you that someone's relative or friend, wholly in spirit, is there. You notice them. They notice that you notice them. It's not common they have someone notice them. So then it's all over...they are insisting you pass along a message to their living loved one.

Question: Do you do it?

Do you pass along the message or do you let it slide?

Do you interrupt a perfect stranger, also out and about minding his or her own business, to tell them something they may or may not appreciate?

Do you disappoint the spirit who may have only this one chance to say what they need to have said?

Do you say something, just because you can (nice ego, btw), even if it's not crucial?

What if it's a friend you're out with? Do you tell them? Even if they are not asking to be told?

Do you tell some of the people some of the time; or tell none of the people all of the time? How would you choose which ones give/get their messages and which ones don't then?

What are the rules of "engagement", do you suppose?

If you decide to tell and you do approach them, how do you present yourself, or the information itself?

As a whole, people don't like to talk openly about death. Do you suppose they're more open to talk about life after death?

These questions and more are in constant debate among people like us. I've known people who have have done, and who have not done, all of the above. Maybe it's best if we set our own "rules" personally, individually, since it's the individual who will have to take responsibility for their choice to tell, or not to tell.

For me, there is a lot to be said for a person who is going to receive the message, that they will ask or seek out the resource when they are ready. But aren't there always exceptions? And just maybe, each situation is as different as the people involved, so each situation ought to be gauged and considered thoughtfully on it's own merit, before either just jumping head first in to tell things to people who may not be in a good place (emotionally, spirititually, or otherwise), or conversely, just altogether walking away from the situation and opportunity to reunite the two people.

What do you think?

If you were that complete stranger or friend, what would YOU want?

Comfort Words

2009-11-17T00:01:00.001-06:00

"Comfort Word": n. When the human mind cannot yet fully comprehend a spiritual truth and the human fraction of the spiritual whole "needs" there to be some kind of explanation for that which is not yet fully understood.

Imagination.

Intuition.

Coincidence.

Accident.

Some of you, fortunately, already understand this. =)
And tonite I am full of gratitude for you and your brilliant journeys.

For anyone still, or just now, mulling it over, you might find the book below an interesting read.

There Are No Accidents: Synchronicity and the Stories of Our Lives
By Robert H. Hopcke

Past Life Regression

2009-10-17T13:26:00.005-05:00

For those unfamiliar, past life regression is a means for an individual to recover memories from other lifetimes they have lived, through a deeply meditative state of consciousness, usually by process of hypnosis or guided meditation. If you’re not sure why someone would want to do this or don’t understand what it is useful for, consider past life regression something more comparable to a therapy session…it’s meant to help you to better understand who you are and how you function, and to enable you to help yourself in the now.

Just to explain what past life regression is about a little more, the way the experience occurs is much like a regular meditation where you see the scenes unfolding from your mind’s eye; something like a dream or daydream. It is not like watching a movie where the scenes and events involve other people, however, where you can remain completely disassociated from it. As you witness the events from your other lives that are of significance and can potentially help to you in your present, you know and recognize the person in this lifetime as yourself…you can feel within the deepest parts of yourself the emotions as you felt them at that time. You have an immediately infused understanding of what that lifetime meant to you, what you gained from it or what your challenges were.

During a regression you also will not see the entire scope of your lifetimes, only those lives and scenes most pertinent to you achieving a greater understanding and self-awareness in your present life will surface. This includes information that might explain why you are the way you are; or why you have always had certain issues or fears; or which relationships you have struggles with in your present.

We do not, for the majority of people, come to this lifetime carrying over our memories of other lifetimes for good reason. So when we do come into this awareness, whether from memories surfacing naturally, or purposefully through a regression, having this information must be taken with great consideration and self-respect. Being "allowed" the knowledge and connection to a past life isn't intended as frivolous or a novelty, it's meant so that the person in this lifetime can use the past life memories to heal, change and better their current selves. The information that comes up is extremely personal, sometimes divulging very sensitive events and insights. Most people have quite emotional experiences. Imagine that in the next hour you were going to confront all your fears, challenges, weaknesses, misfortunes, and wrongdoings in this lifetime…then multiply those times two, or three, or four other lifetimes. You can see why emotions would surface.

And although great responsibility accompanies greater knowledge, for the person who has an evolved understanding and willingness to utilize past life regression as a resource for higher awareness and enhancing their current life journey, it can be a wonderful tool for such empowerment.

Divination Game for You!

2009-09-21T09:42:00.005-05:00

Up for a little divination game you can play?

For my Light Source class, I’ve been trying to “assign” summer projects each year, and I just finished mine for this summer recently. It occurred to me there is more than one way to use it, so I came up with this little game you all can try for yourselves using a photo of my board. All you’ll need is a pen, paper, and a little time.

Looking at the picture below, pick out five things you are first drawn to in the image. Write them down in order you choose them, leaving some space between each word in your list.

Add a comment, or drop me a message to me just listing the five things. I’ll reply to give you the basic symbolism of each of the five on your list to get you started. Once you have added that info to your list, then spend a couple minutes adding to your description of each specific item (What does each object make you think of? How would you describe it? Do you have any personal connections or stories that relate to the objects?).

Just as an example, say there was a monkey on the board and you put that on your list. You’d add next to it the symbolism I forward you: vanity, deceit, foolishness, thoughtlessness. Then you’d add whatever else you wanted to describing the monkey or any personal references or thoughts, which might go something like: brown and white, wiry, looks like it’s about to leap, reminds me of the monkey from the tv show Friends (specifically an episode where the monkey is lost so they're all trying to find it), and also of the time that guy took me on that date to the zoo (our first and last) and all he did was talk about himself the whole time we were there. Personally, I actually like monkeys; they're fun to watch, but I don't think I'd want to take one home.

When you are done, you can scroll down to the bottom of the blog from 14MAY09 (The Waiting). At the bottom of it I’ve listed what each of the five things you choose represents. Don’t look before you’re finished with the first part, or it will invalidate the process. (Obviously, or I would have just included right in this blog in the first place).

Have fun with the game and divining your own message!

(You don't have to squint, just click the photo to see the full-size image).

Decks for Men... (tarot, Part IV)

2009-09-14T10:27:00.007-05:00

…and the Women Who Love Them. (The tarot decks or the men. Your call.)

Men and Tarot
There is a long running joke in my workshops about how there is always a “token man” in class. Granted, in a class of thirty, I’ve even had several men in attendance. But when it comes to averaging numbers, for every class the ratio of women to men is about 9 to 1. Does this mean that men are less perceptive? Are they less spiritually aware? Less evolved? That only the wily come to class because they know where to go to better their chances to meet women? The topic comes up every time I’ve got a group with the “token man” in it. There are arguments toward every side of the aforementioned questions. Though this is severely narrowing my understanding of this trend, my personal observation is this: when women encounter something unusual, inexplicable, or downright freaky (ie. this then pretty much blankets all metaphysical, paranormal, and unusual events), what do they do? They get on the phone and talk about it. Men on the other hand? They keep it to themselves. To me, this accounts for the differentiation.

The majority of men I’ve had in the workshops are usually busting at the seams to unload personal accounts and paranormal stories they’ve been hanging on to for years…lifetimes even. The others? Well, Mulder-esque really. And a few, pretty much there to appease their spouses. None of any of this amounts to a man’s curiosity of metaphysical and spiritual topics, or ability to achieve heightened awareness and greater perception, being any less plausible or significant than that of women.

Which brings me to the tarot topic. And another opinion. More guys ought to try tarot. If anything, when you are still a bit dubious about your intuitive side, tarot is a great tool to help tap into that, to draw more of your inner perceptions outward, and to validate all those insights you do have. One of my first encounters ever with tarot was with a man who, though entirely psychic, would use tarot when inspired to do so. His deck had been passed down through three generations. Sometimes getting a tarot reading from a man is much like going to ask for a man’s opinion vs. a woman’s. When psychically skilled at it, a man and a woman reading tarot will arrive at much the same insights and information, but how they get there… they way they explain it, the symbolism they notice and interpret, the voice, and perspective they offer, will be quite different. Invaluable, really. Trouble is, there are just far more “girly decks" (well, tarot decks with artwork that would appeal more to women) than there are for men. So, Men, what kind of deck do you look for when the ratio is against you once again?

All the suggestions given in the blogs leading up to this one still apply. Window shop. Narrow down your choices. Then go hold on to a couple decks and determine which one really feels to right to you.

Where to start however? The same rules are going to apply regarding the theme and the artwork (refer back to Blog #2 on narrowing down your choices). If you don’t love it, the deck won’t work well. Several of the ones from the list I gave of traditional decks are really popular for men (like Rider-Waite, Morgan-Greer, and New Palladini), but here are just a few other varied suggestions for some tarot decks that you might want to consider as well.

There are the obviously themed decks:
Celtic Dragon Tarot (the best of the dragon-themed decks)
Tarot of Pirates (does not, unfortunately, come with a free patch)
Vikings Tarot (Go Vikes! Oh, sorry…not a football-themed deck)
Baseball Tarot (IS a baseball themed deck; by Lerner & Gardiner. Do NOT get this confused with the Tarot of Baseball)

And other great decks with assorted styles:
Thoth Tarot (a classic deck; Aleister Crowley)
Cosmic Tarot (amazing ink art)
DruidCraft (Celtic theme)
Vision Quest (Native American theme; Thoth-based)

Those are just a handful titles to help in launching your search. Whether you're a man shopping for your own deck, or you're looking for ideas to purchase a deck for a man you know, begin with themes or art styles that are appealing and go from there. You're certain to find a great deck.

Final Gems

My last set of “recommendations” isn’t really so much that, as it is my little deck wishlist. I thought I’d share the titles of a few decks that I really am drawn to …just for the simple reason that you might love them too! Check them out:

Paulina Tarot (love this artist!)
Tarot of Jane Austen (which card do you suppose is Willoughby???)
Revelations Tarot (great upright + reversal artistry concept)
Mona Lisa Tarot (all Renaissance and da Vinci)
Blue Moon Tarot (a major arcana only set)
Transparent Tarot (Such a clever idea; though good luck getting hands on this anymore for a reasonable sum)

and two decks I am awaiting publishing of…
Tarot of Trees
Shadowscapes Tarot

I hope this little blog mini-series has given you a few ideas and a starting point to dive into your tarot deck quest. Whether you end up with a deck from the recommendations, or something entirely different that you happen upon, I’d love to hear back what decks you end up with, so please feel free to post comments back and let me know. Maybe I can find some new treasures to add to my wishlist then too!

Card images shown (top to bottom):

The Moon, from the Tarot of Pirates; published by Lo Scarabeo.

The Hermit, from Cosmic Tarot; published by US Games.

Ten of Pentacles, from Paulina Tarot; published by US Games.

Details, Death and Decks (tarot...PART III)

2009-09-11T10:35:00.009-05:00

So I promised to give some recommendations on other great tarot decks out there. The way I teach tarot (psychic tarot, as opposed to “I just memorized this instruction book tarot”) is greatly benefitted by beautiful, intricate, deeply symbolic artistry of the cards. Some of the more standard and traditional decks mentioned in the previous blog clearly qualify, but that doesn’t mean everyone will be drawn to one of those ten options. Six other decks that do offer wonderfully detailed cards that I also recommend are:

Old English Tarot
Legend: The Arthurian Tarot
Llewellyn Tarot
Alchemical Tarot, Renewed
Sacred Circle
Goddess Tarot

In my opinion, if you can continue to use a deck over the course of a year or two on a regular basis, as my students do, and you’re still laying out spreads saying, “Wow! I just not noticed this,” suddenly discovering a new detail of a card that comes up, then that is a deck rich with symbolism. You’ll never be stuck for new and fresh ways to explain, describe, interpret and understand a deck like this. Some of the decks listed above divert away from tradition with regard to the labeling of the suits and/or the naming of the major arcana cards but don’t let this deter you. I’ve had students who had never seen a deck before pick one up and be able to connect to and understand the cards from night one of a tarot class, so I’m sure if one of these is your “right” deck, it work similarly for you.

Now, to address one of the other common issues that come up when I’m asked for help in choosing a deck seems to be that some people are really deterred by the Death card. I’ll admit, some of the Death cards in particular decks seem to stand out a little TOO much and are distractingly gruesome, but if you are hung up about wanting to avoid a Death card altogether you may want to consider one of the five following deck options:

Tarot of the Old Path
Osho Zen
( non-traditional tarot deck, but a really fantastic one)
The Lover’s Path
(substitutes Transformation, shown left)
Shapeshifter Tarot
Connolly Tarot
(substitutes Transition for Death)

These decks do things to "de-spook" tarot, like substitute the title of “Transformation” for “Death”, which is what any death card represents, above and beyond any bad omen for actual death. Once you learn about tarot and start doing readings, the standard Death cards won’t seem ominous, but rather project more of a sense of hopefulness and promise for the future. Either way, deck with Death card or deck with a variation, look at the number XIII Major Arcana card in the deck if you can before you make your purchase and check out how the artist interprets the card. No matter what the artwork is like, if the “spookiness factor” is acceptable to you, that is all that matters.

Now, if you’re fine with the Death card title as it traditionally stands, but you just want something a little “softer” or not gratuitously gory, then you may also want to consider one of these six decks:

Harmonious Tarot
Mystic Faerie Tarot
Whimsical Tarot
Vanessa Tarot
Tarot Nova
Celestial Tarot

Additionally, if you’re shopping for a deck appropriate for a teenager or younger person, a couple of the decks mentioned above are also good ones to consider as some of them are just less graphic overall, beyond the Death card. Again, you’ll want to try to get your hands on a “sample deck” or window shop through the images online to find which one you feel most suitable passing along to that specific person.

Just a side note on the flip-side, if you ARE deliberately looking for a darker, eerier deck, be sure to check out the Bohemian Gothic Tarot and see if it’s for you. It’s perfectly lovely…in that creepier sort of way.

I’ve still got two more categories of deck recommendations coming, so check back for the next blog soon!

______________________________
The Best of the Black & White Tarot Decks...Victoria Regina Tarot

Card photos shown in blog:
(top) The Moon from the Harmonious Tarot; Published by Lo Scarabeo
(center) Transformation from The Lover's Path Tarot; Published by US Games
(left) The Moon from the Victoria Regina Tarot; Published by Llewelllyn

So many tarot decks...PART II

2009-09-10T09:18:00.003-05:00

Continuing from where I left off with yesterday’s blog on choosing a tarot deck, it’s now time to:

3. Go shopping!
Before you jump into it here are four things to consider in venturing to find your most treasured tarot deck:

*Personally, nothing works better in choosing a deck than actually being able to hold on to it. All things are energy. You’re not crazy if you pick up two different decks you logically like, only to sense that one of them “just feels better.” If you have no idea what I am talking about, try it. Go choose two decks that you think you like. (Or for stronger comparison, choose one you like and one that you don’t). Hold one, close your eyes, and ask yourself, “Does this deck belong with me?” Then set it down and do the same thing with the second one. See…feel…the difference? If you get a strange pit in your stomach while holding one, and a zip of energy up your spine with the other, there is your answer. Some decks feel warm, or light (not heavy), or tingly…those are all good signs as well. For that reason I’d suggest shopping for your deck out in the real world. In most instances, you can reduce your mileage by shopping online for the titles first, or going somewhere that is known to have a good selection.

*That being said, any shop that has “sample decks” that they let customers paw and rifle through so you can check out all the cards, but keeps their actual sale merchandise boxed up safe behind the counter or under glass is the place to go. If deck boxes are clearly still sealed in their original packaging, great…if not…maybe you want to pass on it; unless you have a real understanding of how energy sticks to things other people have been touching. (Uh…ewww???). My favorite Minneapolis shop is Present Moment. They get it. (Nevermind the haunted basement…unless you think it’s an added bonus). Magus Books is also a decent shop-stop. (Plus if you’re sensitive to anything, you’ll have the perk of the bizarre energy going on there.) Monarch, The Enchanted Garden in Northfield MN also gets it and keeps their decks in a case…hidden at the back of the store. (All you have to do is meander from the front of the store, through the “we’re-pretending-not-to-be-a-metaphysical-shop-but-we-really-are” nonsense to get there). --Just a note here too, that these places, as well as many other metaphysical shops, don't offer their whole deck selection in their online shops, so you'll have to go in to see for yourself.--

*No metaphysical shops around? Most bookstores carry decks, but all with varying selection (quantity and quality). So you might want to go shopping with the mindset to be more flexible with your options. Of the chain places, Borders is one place that tends to have a better variety of decks (ie. not all printed by the same publisher), but quantities are hit or miss. Barnes & Noble usually has a number of decks, but generally market a very limited number of publishers…plus, at least the one nearest me, is overly fond of the expensive “tarot kits.”

*If you decide to shop online, google "metaphysical stores" and you'll end up with a multitude of shops ready to make a sale. Then there is Amazon. What don't they sell? Sometimes their selection is good, sometimes not. Just please don’t go buying bargain bin “used” decks (refer to Point 2 above). Bn.com and other online booksellers are also good options for your online purchases. Whichever place it is, be sure product you choose is NEW, and unopened. The one advantage to online shopping seems to be in having more success in finding more unusual decks.

If you still have no idea where to begin, below is a list of five of the most common standard and traditional decks that people are using.

Rider-Waite
Universal Waite
Robin-Wood
New Palladini
Hanson-Roberts

I’ve had students using all of those at one point or another. They all lived to tell about it, so I am sure you would be fine with any of them as well. These are some other standard decks that I prefer and recommend for people of all skill levels:

Sharman-Caselli
Morgan-Greer
Old English
Fenestra
Tarot of Marseilles

That’s ten titles to help begin your browsing. In the next few blogs I will recommend some decks that I feel are “a step above” with their symbolism, decks that are great for men (and the women who love them), decks with no traditional “spooky” Death card, and a few of my personal wish list decks.

Until then, Happy Window Shopping!
____________________________
The Best of the Circular Card Decks...CIRCLE of LIFE TAROT

So many tarot decks...PART I

2009-09-09T08:44:00.003-05:00

In light of my upcoming tarot workshop, I thought I'd write a little prequel to it, to address the question, "How does a person choose a tarot deck in the first place?" Granted, there are a lot of myths and superstitions connected to tarot, I've heard plenty. And, I guess if you believe them, they're as real as anything because you make it so.

But let's suppose for the course of this blog that tarot decks will work if you purchase them yourself and that they don't need to be given to you by another person (myth). This means you'll have to go track one down. Where do you even look? What are you even looking for? Here are a few ideas to consider to help you find the best deck for you:

1. Online is truly the best place for window shopping.

Spend some quality time on a website like “Aeclectic Tarot” where at no cost to you, you can actually browse through hundreds of published (and unpublished) decks to see which ones you might like to have. There is information about the decks, sample card images, and reviews written by people who have actually seen and used the decks.

2. Narrowing down your choices.
A lot of people I’ve run into have spent hundreds of dollars collecting decks they will never use (and in one case that resulted in all the decks being given by the babysitting grandmother to the granddaughter to play with in the bathtub!). In most instances you’re going to want one, maybe two (if you're so inclined), to break in and learn with, decks that you’ll use time and time again. This means you’re going to want to choose the “right” deck. “Right” simply meaning a deck you WANT to use…and one that will work with you. Here are the things to consider while you’re window shopping:

* Make sure the deck is not an ORACLE deck. They are different than TAROT. They have their own separate purposes.

* Try to get a deck that has 78-cards, and is titled or otherwise labeled “tarot”. This will be a standard tarot deck. Some reasonable decks will have 78, plus one or two. Those would still be okay, as long as it says it’s a standard deck and gives an explanation for any additional cards they’ve added. You will have to take into account though that most standard resources (ie. tarot workshops and books published about tarot) available to you won’t be considering those other cards, so learning their purpose will be entirely up to you. (Not impossible, just something to be aware of).

* Look at the artwork. If you are drawn to it, put it on your MAYBES list. If not, forget about it. If you are in no way compelled by the imagery, you will never be able to interpret the cards.

* Look at the MAJOR ARCANA (Roman numeral) cards. First, specifically the Death and Devil cards. Why? If you find them horrific, grotesque, or “evil”, you’ll have a hard time keeping objective when they turn up. Second, look at the Star, the Lovers, and the World cards. If they’re “too naked” for you to bear, you will want to look for a deck you’re more comfortable with, since those characters are many time in the buff.

* When you read the reviews or are sorting thru a deck, be aware if you are selecting a deck that has “non-standard” MAJOR ARCANA titles. In standard decks they are titled to begin with 0-The Fool and end with XXI-The World. I won’t list all 22 card titles here, but you get the idea…some decks the authors/artists have taken liberty with changing the names of the cards (ie, the Death card may be called Transformation instead). If you think you can’t “translate” to standard titles in your head to make the connections, then you will want to stick with a more traditional deck.

* Look at the MINOR ARCANA (the four suits) cards. If they all look too similar, take a pass. You will want a deck that the Major and Minor cards fully complement each other. Images that are full of detail and symbolism work the best for beginners and advanced readers.

* Lastly, consider the size of the cards. If you find them too large to hold comfortably in your hands, they will be hard to shuffle. I’ve seen a number of people stop using those oversized decks no matter how much they liked the artwork, just because they wanted something that they could manage more naturally. Likewise with cards that are too small, the shuffling can be hard to control.

So make your list, and narrow it down to your favorite three or four...or five, without setting your heart absolutely on one yet, if you can help it.

And tomorrow the blog will continue...
Part II: Go shopping!
Along with my personal recommendations for the best decks!

The Waiting

2009-05-14T10:44:00.004-05:00

I haven't written anything, at least not anything bloggish, for awhile, but have been pondering the idea of it for a few weeks...ever since the "dying season" began. For someone who is now accustomed to speaking with people about life, death, grief, and loss on a daily basis I shouldn't find myself remarkably swayed when it occurs, but this year, for reasons of a greater purpose, the period between February to May seems to be taking a sharper toll than usual on everyone I am in contact with by way of loss of friends, and parents, and even pets. That is even before I start accounting for clients' recent losses. I have been hoping for it to taper off, however just four days ago, minutes before I went to do readings in Stillwater, I received news of yet another unexpected death of a school friend.

About a year ago I had a student tell me that he didn't understand why people weep at funerals. For one, I don't think he has lost anyone all that near and dear to him yet. But two, I suppose he is measuring everything from his detached perspective and highly elevated understanding that life, our soul existence, is in continuum. I also suspect there is little he experiences by way of clairsentient empathy (the ability to actually feel another's emotions). For even when the awareness and understanding of the continuity of life is great, the majority of us in that position are still connected to the human loss, the emotions, and the sympathies that are a natural part of our being here in these particular forms. Life does continue for all those that shed their physical bodies. I see them trying to reach out to their loved ones constantly, trying to let them know they are truly not far away and that they are whole and healthy and happy again. This is the gift for me in this lifetime of being able to let the surviving friends and family know this, to be able to relay the messages and convey the feelings of those around them who have crossed over. It comes with with terrible responsibility, and with great joy, and I am grateful each time I am able to reconnect people. Each instance is so unique and moving to me. Sadness is replaced with a renewed bond of love; loss replaced with hope.

However I am finding, this particular season, a certain challenge to this gift too, which is maybe even more saddening for me than witnessing the losses themselves...and that is when I know and can see and hear the passed loved ones wanting to connect to their family and friends here, but no matter how available I am to them, they are not ready or willing to speak to me about their grieving and to those they are grieving for. So, oftentimes those who have passed see and approach me as they know I am aware of their presence, and we talk. And then we talk about the waiting. And we talk about the need for the survivors to be at a particular place in their grieving to be able to make this reconnection. And we put trust in divine timing. Then we, the passed loved one and I, we wait.

_________________________

There are a lot of other kinds of waiting going on for so many people too. It very much has to do with this transition and transformation period we're currently in. (Back to the blog about 11's). But, all for another blogging I think, which should likely start with this poem I saw recently:

Calling You

I'm waiting.

You didn't know?

I came here

just to love you.

Called your heart

one million times

in small raindrops from the sky.

~suzanne saporito

________________________________

FOR THE 21 SEP 09 DIVINATION GAME:

Each of the items and descriptions you wrote down are representative of the following (in order):

1. Yourself at this time.
2. What positive aspects are working in your favor right now.
3. What may be of concern or negative influence at the moment.
4. What you are working toward.
5. What you should know to keep moving forward.

Valentine's Game

2009-02-14T09:00:00.002-06:00

Here's a little Valentine's Game for all of you out there trying to get through another Black Saturday alone. (The rest of you should be out there being grateful you've already got a love of your own and showing them so). You'll need some markers, crayons, or colored pencils if you want to get those out first.
Print out the flower outline photo. (Right click to 'save photo as' or choose 'open link in new window' to get a slightly larger version and save that to print). If you don't have a printer you can use a pencil or pen to sketch the outline yourself. The rest of the directions are as follows:

Color each bubble surrounding the five heart-shapes petals: one yellow, one pink, one purple, one orange, one blue. The shades don't matter as long as you know which is representative of each of those five colors.

From the table below choose five words to write in each of the white petals. Think of which color petal should be paired with the words you choose as you do this part.

Think of "Unconditonal Love". What color does this feel like to you? Color the outermost petal-bubble this color.

Think of growth...of a magical, healthy relationship...think of your beloved coming into your life. What color(s) does that feel like to you? Color the stem and leaves.

Think of yourself being prepared and fully open to welcoming your kindred mate into your life. How do YOU feel? Draw a symbol of this in the center of the flower.

Your finished flower should look something like this. I will post a follow-up to this blog to explain the significance of the petals and the words you chose soon.

Keep your flower in a special journal, or better still, display it somewhere you'll see it to remind yourself every day that while you are waiting for your kindred mate, you are preparing yourself and your life for them.

May love find it's way to you soon!

________________________________________

Wishing blissful, unconditional love to all my friends...and to my kindred mate...Happy Valentine's Day!

UPDATE: When you've finished the flower exercise, scroll down to get the details!

Valentine's Game Follow-up

2009-02-13T09:20:00.001-06:00

Spoiler alert: If you haven't done the Valentine's Game yet - stop reading until you've finished the flower exercise above first.

Okay, so you finished your Valentine's flower. Now here are the meanings behind the petals to let you know the significance of the words you've filled in each petal....

Purple Petal represents "What I need more of in my life"

Blue Petal represents "What I need to bring to my relationship with my kindred mate"

Yellow Petal represents "What I need to do for myself now in order to prepare for my kindred mate coming into my life"

Pink Petal represents "How I will recognize my kindred mate"

Orange Petal represents "How my kindred mate will enrich my life"

Just a few things to think about anyway - I hope you enjoyed the exercise!

______________________________________________
"The minute I heard my first love story
I started looking for you, not knowing
how blind that was.

Lovers don't finally meet somewhere.
They're in each other all along."

~Rumi
______________________________________________

2+0+0+9 = Eleven

2008-12-30T12:10:00.011-06:00

Bring on 2009!

This new year is great news for all of us and I'll tell you why. In the realm of numerologically-speaking, we have just come off a One year (2+0+0+8=10...1+0=1; you see). One years are all about starting over -- sometimes unexpectedly, unwillingly, devastatingly, or begrudgingly. It was all about taking new directions or starting on a new path. Easy to see why so many people have lost their jobs...or moreover, are being pushed into entirely new directions with their careers. Should you be one of these people and you haven't found something suitable yet, this new year should bring about that opportunity. You may also want to do some soul-searching and take the risks at this time to follow your passion if you hadn't already been doing that. Relationships and homes were significantly influenced by this cyclical universal phenomenon as well. It's all about moving on to bigger and better things however. New experiences, new people, new places to live, new adventures, and oftentimes a newfound gratitude for our life paths and purposes. So, seemingly horrible as it was for many or most, if we can look at all the events of the past year as a shedding off of what is no longer needed,..of our old ideas, ideals and ways of being, then in the spirit of transformation we should all be able to move into our new groove sooner rather than later.

Now about 2009...the Eleven year. Eleven is considered a 'master number.' It has it's own traits in addition to the Two to which it could also be reduced. When you see 11's come up around you it's a message urging you toward spiritual perfection, your higher purpose and true self. So 2009 as a year in general for us is about idealism. It should be an energetic year of inspiration, new perpectives, and awareness. (Did you think it was a coincidence we are welcoming in a new president who speaks so fluently of change?)

For those few of you who didn't go through some sort of upheaval in the past year, 2009 is likely about you revitalizing what it is that you still have in place, looking at it with a fresh, illuminated perspective to gain new appreciation as you move forward. As for everyone else, those new jobs and relationships and places to live, 2009 will be a wonderful time to begin anew. The best way to allow that to happen is to let the universe know you're ready for all those things to be drawn toward you now - that you are open to receiving these gifts which will lead you into your future. Then, act upon your dreams and the opportunities as they come to you. As I was saying, the Two traits also are in effect, which include partnership, friendship, balance, diversity, and cooperation. Which basically means for us is that the potential for finding that great job, ideal business partner, true romantic partner, or perfect home, is as rich as it could ever be.

Wishing you All~
Brightest blessings, blissful abundance, and true love
in the New Year!
~Heather

Alphabets and Songs

2008-12-04T11:32:00.006-06:00

Artichoke, Buster, catapult, diamond, elephant, France, garden, hippopotamus, independence, jackalope, kangaroo, lozenge, magnetics, Neverland, omega, partridge, quarterback, Riviera, Sacagawea, titanium, umpire, Vidalia, watermelon, xenophobe, Yorktown, Zippity Do Dah.... Guess who got to play the alphabet game on the long drive home from Stillwater last night? It's worse than a song that gets stuck in your head.

Speaking of songs though, how about trying this simple little divination. It's similar to bibliomancy for anyone who has done that before. I started using this oddly enough while I was doing a consultation for a woman whose first husband had suddenly passed away in his mid-twenties. He loved music and during the reading he wanted me to play a certain song for his wife and instead of telling me which song, he pointed it out by CD & track. Ever since then my spirit guides have enjoyed using it occasionally to get messages to me. The nice thing is it's so quick you can do it every day, or whenever you feel drawn to it.

So...go to your CD collection - if you have multiple shelves or stacks you can choose which one you want to use or else just start from the top and use them all (you'll just have count higher numbers probably). Out loud or telepathically, ask what your message is for today, then "listen" for the first number that pops in your head. Close your eyes if it helps you concentrate. Count that many CD's (from top to bottom or from left to right) and put your finger on it. Next (closing your eyes again if it that's what works for you), ask "which track?" When you get your number, pull out the CD, then look at the song title to get your message for the day. Just depending on how this works for you, your message will either be the song title itself, or it's possible the message could require you to listen to the whole song to get a specific line of lyrics. Or...you may need to repeat the process to get two or three song titles to put together as was the case for me today...

CD 42, Track 5 and 3 ..."Elevation + Always",
which might seem cryptic to you, but with what was on my mind this morning it makes perfect sense to me.

Try it for yourself - have fun with whatever gets stuck in your head. And feel free to leave a comment back to add your own message for the day!

Upcoming Event

2008-11-30T09:43:00.003-06:00

Join Heather for Psychic & Tarot Readings in the Loft at Shane's from 7-9PM
Kurt Jorgensen will be playing live acoustic music on the main floor from 8-11PM (no cover).

Hosted By: Heather Allen & Shane's on Main
When: Wednesday Dec 10, 2008
7:00-11PM
Where: Shane's on Main cafe & wine bar
215 S Main Street
Stillwater, MN 55082
Also enjoy Shane's Ladies Night specials (1/2 off bottled wine and 2-for-1 glass wine or bottled beers) all evening.

For complete information go to: Event Details & Reading Registration

Other helpful links:
Heather Allen

Kurt Jorgensen Band

Shane's on Main

Not in the area? Check out this December special for personalized email readings by Heather...2009 Forecast or visit Heather's website (link above) for information on phone readings and other services.

Upcoming Halloween Workshop

2008-10-03T13:41:00.004-05:00

Hosted By: Heather Allen & Shane's on Main
When: Wednesday Oct 29, 2008
5:45-7:45PM
Where: Shane's on Main
215 S Main Street
Stillwater, MN 55082
Description:
Just in time for Halloween - learn about ghosts, spirits, apports...
Click Here for Complete Details & Event Registration

Following the workshop enjoy...
*Shane's Ladies Night Specials
*Psychic/Tarot Readings with Psychic Medium Heather Allen in the loft
(www.heatherallen29oct.eventbrite.com)
*Live Music on the main floor

For More Events with Heather go to: www.heatherallen.eventbrite.com

from Past to the Present

2008-07-12T13:01:00.007-05:00

Wednesday night was my class on past lives. It was interesting in the way it played out because during the pre-meditation information, I told the group I wouldn't use any examples ahead of time to prevent any suggestive influence over the meditation experiences they were going to have. I also said that we'd leave any discussion of their meditations until the very end of class. After the meditation, I talked about the purposes and advantages of using past life information in the present and was then able to give some examples. Oddly enough, and as usually happens to me when I'm teaching, all of the examples I came up with ended up being connected to either a person's meditation that night, or to the two individual consultations I did after the class. I love the synchronicity in that.

Though I was facilitating the meditation and not participating last night, one of my own past lives has been weighing on me as of late. A memory of this particular past life first came to me in a dream a few years ago. What I'd remembered was a scene in which my kindred mate and I were at a formal social gathering. He and I were supposed to be leaving from there to be married...eloping I believe. Our relationship had been in secret for a long time because it was only accepted that I would be given in an arranged marriage. A confidant rushed to tell me something was wrong. When I came into the room I found him slumped in a chair, injured and bleeding. People were angrily forcing me away (I had the feeling this whole thing was due to our families finding out). I left to try to find help, but knew he was dying.

It was only a couple weeks ago that I had a recollection of having had this dream. I'm not sure what exactly triggered it, but I had another vision of a handsome man in a fedora. It was a flash of yet another lifetime, but I knew it was the same man because in that moment I remembered the dream; and along with making that connection came the realization of who this person is in my present life.

Apparently we've got some unfinished business, or wanted another chance, and we have decided in coming to this lifetime to give ourselves the opportunity to reconnect. By the most divine timing and perseverance of my guides, I was brought back to this person. It would be nice to have the opportunity to talk and explore the reasons behind this all further...to discover the purpose and possiblities for this "reunion". I don't think he knows or understands any of it yet. I'll trust that it all unfolds as it is meant.

Soul Food...

This was in a book I finished reading yesterday:

"Love is the only truly important reason for our lives to exist."

~Adriana Rocha

I need sleep! -OR- What is up with these 'dead' people?

2008-07-01T12:15:00.003-05:00

What can seriously be so important to someone in spirit as to find it necessary to wake me up at 4:10AM with the walking around loudly in the room above my bedroom...no one "real" was up there. Finally get back to sleep around 5:30 and then at 7:05 it's the loud voice saying "Nine!" to which I, still in sleep stage, muttered "Huh?" thinking it was my son. Not hearing a response was annoying, so I forced out another "huh?" as I became mentally/clairvoyantly aware of the person standing just inside my doorway, and that made me wake up enough to recall that my son is a thousand miles from home right now. Still not enough to get me out of bed apparently and much to their dissatisfaction, as I then hear my computer go on dialing "itself" up to get online. That did it. 7:07AM I was at the computer shutting it back off. Decided it was coffee time and stayed up to prepare for my 10AM phone consult. Now I just want to go back to bed.

I think we're on day 3 of this nonsense...which started with someone very loudly knocking on one of the doors at 6-ish two days ago...so much as to make me bolt out of bed, throw clothes on and run to look - and of course no one was here. Wish they'd realize I can't really function at all with no sleep, including being able to help them or figure out what or whom they need.

Guess I should have been aware it was going to be one of these weeks when even my fortune cookie got on my case: "Have patience. It will benefit you." It seems to be applying to just about everyone right now...with or without a body.

Black Thursday... a meditation

2008-02-14T12:51:00.001-06:00

Black Thursday:
To some, the perfect opportunity to break out their big fat markers,
construction paper, and frilly paper doilies in the spirit of a
creative romantic revisiting their long gone primary school days. To
others, one of those regrettable days to wake up to a bold reminder
that they must take swift action to produce a token of their
affections for their loved one who has indubitably been planning for
the holiday for some 364 days now. To others still, just a big kick
in the teeth; especially painful on such occasion of enduring yet
another rant on the commercialization of the holiday by someone who
clearly has a significant other and thereby, no concern about the lack
thereof.

No matter your personal situation or your viewpoint on how black or rosy this day of St. Valentine might be, here is a meditation for you, from me….

Take a few minutes to yourself to be somewhere quiet, play some soft
music, light some candles, whatever you want to do to create a nice
atmosphere for your meditation. Then get comfortable wherever you'd
like to sit or lay flat. Close your eyes, let everything be dark and
still. Focus your attention on your breathing and let yourself be
surrounded in this peacefulness. When you're ready, allow your
meditative vision to come into focus. You'll find yourself outdoors.
Take in your surroundings…the sights, sounds, smells of the nature
around you. There is a path for you to walk along, follow this until
you come to the fork in it.

The path to the left is for those who wish to honor a relationship
they are already in.

The path to the right is for those who wish to discover a new relationship.

Those taking the path to the left will arrive at a clearing where you
will find two trees standing side by side. In the branches of these trees are many colorful lengths of ribbon. Choose a color you're most drawn to and tie it around the trunks of the two trees so they are joined by the ribbon. Take a moment to sit beneath the trees and as you do, think of three qualities that you most appreciate about your significant other, also think of three things you most want to offer to the relationship as you move forward from this day. As you come up with these ideas, say or think to yourself, "I am grateful for your presence in my life and honor you as we grow from here."

If you take the path to the right, you will come to a clearing where you will find there a tree already growing and also one that must yet be planted. Plant this tree next to the first, using the water source you find there to feed it. You'll see that the water has more of a 'magical' quality to it, colorful and sparkling, like light. Somewhere in or near the first tree, look to find a piece of rose quartz. Take this pink stone and place it on the ground directly between the two trees, thinking of the three most important things that you wish to offer into a new relationship. As you kneel or sit there, think or say to yourself, "I am opening my heart to you and have grown to a place within myself that I am now ready for you to be a part of my life."

From whichever clearing you are at, see yourself surrounded in shimmering, warm, white, pink and green light, feeling how positive, peaceful and healing it is. Walk back down the path that you came from, and allow your vision to fade as you once again become aware of your breathing before you open your eyes.

I wish you blessings and joy in all of your relationships on this Rosy Thursday
~Heather

Petrified WOod

2007-10-10T16:43:00.000-05:00

Q: I was given a piece of petrified wood in my meditation. What is it for?

A: The symbolism of petrified wood likely has to do with growth in connection to one's past (in this lifetime or in all probability, another lifetime). It can be an indication to take time to reflect on your past, or to learn more about past lives. If you think of the process the wood goes through to achieve this state, it's also about strength, endurance, and qualities of change reflected through the beauty of an aging process.

In this particular situation though, the metaphysical properties happened to be what was most important. Petrified wood is primarily useful for aiding in grounding and protection, especially in the way that it helps to connect a person to the earth and those energies. This, much like tiger's eye stone, is related to the root chakra.

As far as alternative healing properties, it is useful for emotional stability and it can aid with bone strength and density.

Madame Zelda

2007-10-08T16:40:00.000-05:00

So I'm doing this meditation in class yesterday that was about being at a festival. Horror of horrors...I get where I was going, fully expecting it's going to be this fantastic renaissance-type ambience, at minimum something I'd find enjoyable, only to find I'm greeted at the gates by this most awful 40-foot-clown-man-on-stilts complete with red and white striped pants and a gargantuan blow-up head. And I thought - this really might be the longest fifteen minutes of my life. I hate clowns.

The rest of the "journey" was proving not that much better - chattering little pre-teens talking about Spice Girls and mothers yelling at little boys to "get down from there! you're not supposed to climb on that!" ...somehow I had to get to where I was going...which was nothing short of funny or cliche in itself.

Way in the back corner of this miserable kiddie carnival was this "omniscient being"...labelled for this occasion as Madame Zelda. To make this clear, she was a cross between a relative of a relative (with the jet black dyed hair all up in a huge helmet of a beehive with black penciled-on eyebrows, candy-apple red lipstick and 3-inch press-on nails) and a woman I actually worked with for a summer stint in a fragrance/make-up department... (Yes, I know - go ahead and laugh.) ...the straightforward woman with the most raspy smokers voice who called everyone Honey. So Madame Zelda oh honey's me and gives me a message and a card with a picture on it. And I left.Now I was done with the meditation and thinking - that wasn't that fun. When it occurs to me, if I'd gone somewhere I'd wanted to go to, somewhere remotely appealing, I might have thought it was somewhere of my own creation or imagination, but I wouldn't have chosen this place on my own in, well, ever. I also wouldn't have believed the message she gave me then either because what she said was a validation for something I'm having a hard time seeing in the first place. The way it all played out, it seems that I ought to give the universe the benefit of the doubt; try to have a little faith in the message. Maybe someone somewhere in some higher consciousness knows more than me. This time =)

kindred mates

2007-10-06T16:33:00.000-05:00

A strange thing happened in my class last night, as strange things usually do. But this wasn't anything to write about in the way of being funny or witty or outrageous, (even though most of my stories about my classes would probably fall somewhere into those areas). This time it was just one of those unusual happenings that occur only so often in this crazy world, that if you're paying attention, it can be nothing short of inspiring. Sappy, but true....

The night was like this: I had the four in the group split into pairs to practice learning how to do proper tarot readings for each other. Normally I would divide them so that they have their own tables to work on, but for some reason I was compelled to let them fight over the one small table in the center of the room - and this is something I'd never do - have two tarot spreads on the same table being read at the same time - it didn't seem right, though somehow important. Who am I to argue with the powers that be? As it turned out two spreads that ended up on the table at the same time were for the married couple in the group. Not by any planning mind you; it's just the way it happened to work out. Each person was given a choice of three different spreads to try and the person asking the question had to tell the partner which one they wanted to use (as it might best suit the question at hand). He had chosen the one with six cards. His wife had chosen the one with seven. Their partners were just going about their business working on interpretting the cards as I sat between the two groups assisting them.

As it played out, five of their cards (to be clear, that is 10 of the 13 on the table) were matching. You've got two different people using two different decks of 78 cards each- you tell me the odds of that happening? It was pretty clear to me suddenly the reason for needing to use the small table. They hadn't been allowed to reveal the question they were asking until the end of the readings. I had asked them if they were asking the same question. It turned out they essentially were - but as it pertained to their own careers, nothing to do with the other person. Everyone was a little spooked that that could happen - I just thought it was fantastic, because all I saw in that one strange occurrence was a perfection and alignment between two people so meant to be together in this lifetime that the information that came up by those matching cards showed exactly how in sync they both are, how their character matches so perfectly...in only the way that could possibly happen with someone who is your true kindred mate...your spiritual equal. It's a blessing just to be in the presence of it. And I would hope that everyone could have the chance to find and experience that same kind of magic in this lifetime too.

Third friend's a charm.

2007-03-19T12:40:00.000-05:00

In the past two weeks I've had an unusually strong telepathic connection to old friends. Three times now I've been thinking of different people I haven't been in contact with for a long time and they have just popped back into my life just a few days after thinking of them. The first was a friend I haven't heard from in about three years. It was just out of the blue one day that it really hit me "I need to know where he is." I checked with a mutual friend of ours and she hadn't heard from him in just as long. I looked him up online and saw he was still working for the same company. Good enough for me. I felt as though seeing that he did was confirmation in some bizarre way that my needing to connect to him wasn't out of some dire emergency, so I left it at that. Then about five days later he turned up online - oddly enough hoping to find me as well so that we could catch up.

The second person popped back up via email. This was an old student and friend of mine that had moved away and the last time we talked was on the phone nearly a year ago. I was teaching a class that he'd taken a couple years ago from me and while I was getting ready for the groups last night I had the thought that I ought to email him Thursday. It ended up being a reply email, because Thursday morning there was one from him in my inbox already.

Today was the third happening. Another friend of mine is someone who I don't get to hang out with anymore but we keep in touch online fairly often. She and I hadn't talked in a few months until she turned up this morning. The story behind this one is that a week ago I'd been out and about when I had a sudden flash (clairvoyantly, and triggered by nothing I could ascertain) of this friend sitting and doing readings for people. Even though it was a quick instance, it was puzzling, because she had stopped doing psychic readings for people for quite some time now. I didn't think much of it but kind of wondered what she is up to now. Anyway, her reason for starting up the conversation today was to talk about how she was re-connecting with a lot of the things I'd taught her and how she's considering doing readings for people again.

Although things tend to happen in threes, and I've got my "three" incidents now, it is sort of exciting and makes me wonder who might be next. Chalk it up to heartstrings I guess!

A New Spirit, or two

2007-03-08T15:34:00.000-06:00

Driving home last night I finally had to start paying attention to this new entity that's been hanging around. Unless there is some immediate reason, I can put them off and ignore them pretty well. This new spirit, whomever he is that has yet to be fully determined, really has a thing for my car. The first thing I took notice of was when I was sitting at my computer about two weeks ago focusing on what I was writing, only to have my brain connect a couple minutes after it happened...'someone' was standing in my kitchen audibly whistling to get my attention.

A few days after that a friend and I were outside working on my car, neither of us touching it at the time, when someone power-locked all the doors. I thought I'd leaned on my lock remote in my pocket or something but the keys weren't in my pocket. Looking around I found them laying on a cardboard mat we'd laid out. Funny, but not even as much as a wrench was near them. It was still just one of those things that made me wonder, but being in the middle of a project, I just let it go.

Then, three days after that I was driving home from teaching one of my workshops. My son was in the backseat and he told me he was freezing and asked if I could turn the heat up. I set it on high but since I was already too warm I asked him if he'd tell me when he was okay so I could shut it off. About three minutes later the window he was sitting next to rolled down. I glanced back when I felt the breeze and said "Hey! If you're too hot now you could have just asked me to turn the heat off." No response. "Will you shut the window? I'll just turn off the heat." Still quiet back there. "Hey!" Finally I get a groggy, "huh?" reply. I repeated myself and looked back there again only to see that he was laying down with his head in the middle of the car. He'd fallen asleep. He told me he didn't touch it, and having seen for myself nothing about him was touching the door, I had to take a quick "look" back there to see who was messing with me. I saw a young guy, late teens or early 20's, straighter brown hair a bit mussed up, and I think he name is Michael. I'm not sure yet to whom he belongs. We were close to home now and it was late, so all I commented to him was "Cute...very funny."

I mentioned it to T. during a phone call the next day, not about him being back there, but about the window opening. Not surprisingly she said, "wasn't it a young guy maybe late teens?" I love getting validation like that.

The last thing that has happened was just yesterday when I was waiting in my car for someone and it started filling up with cigarette smoke (nasty, btw). Didn't have the patience for that. For anyone who knows me, blowing smoke in my face isn't likely to get me to pay more attention. I didn't even bother to see if it was him again or someone different. We'll see what happens in the next few days. Right now, it's time for coffee.

Night's Insight

2007-03-07T08:35:00.000-06:00

When Lady in the Water came out in theatres last year I wasn't able to get out to see it. I'm a big fan of M. Night Shyamalan however, so was looking forward to watching it at some point. Of all the people in the world, he's at the top of the list of those I'd most like to have a conversation with given the opportunity. At Christmastime, a friend gave me the DVD. After watching the show, I could see why Mr. Shyamalan's children were so enthralled with the bedtime story. Even though I could appreciate the storytelling and intricacies, the part of the film that gave me shivers to listen to was the introduction. It went like this:

"Once, man and those in the water were linked. They inspired us. They spoke of the future. Man listened, and it became real. But man does not listen very well. Man's need to own everything led him deeper into land. The magic world of the one's that live in the ocean and the world of man separated. Through the centuries, their world and all the inhabitants of it stopped trying. The world of man became more violent. War upon war played out as there were no guides to listen to.

Now, those in the water are trying again; trying to reach us. A handful of their precious young ones have been sent into the world of man. They are brought in the dead of night, to where man lives. They need only be glimpsed and the awakening of man will happen. But their enemies roam the land. There are laws that are meant to keep the young ones safe, but they are sent at great risk to their lives. Many do not return. Yet still they try; try to help man. But man may have forgotten how to listen."
excerpt from: Lady in the Water
2006, Warner Bros. Pictures
http://ladyinthewatermovie.warnerbros.com

The striking and almost eery part for me is not the story of it exactly, but the connection of certain elements to two different things: the history of man as it relates to Atlantis/Lemuria, and the present and future of man as it relates to our spirituality, specifically to us and our spirit guides. The vehicle may not be identical, but the overall message is there. There were many reviewers who did not grasp any significance or importance in the film and gave it bad ratings. ("ironically", directly demonstrating "forgotten how to listen"). It just went to show how much more the story probably resonated in some sense to those of us who 'know'...and how many people are still out there that aren't yet ready.

Alomancy

2007-03-06T13:22:00.000-06:00

Many places online you can find lengthy lists of divination styles defined by name and meaning. Unfortunately it's not nearly as easy to find out exactly how some of these divination methods actually work. Take for instance ornithomancy, you could search for hours and still never really know how exactly people in the past determined the messages and insights from the flight patterns of birds. You might find a couple of basic examples, but no clear details as to how to learn this skill yourself. Such is the case with so many divination methods that have been passed down for hundreds, even thousands, of years by example or practice, but were never clearly explained in writing.

I was thinking about this the other day when I had the urge to try something completely new with my development group. Knowing that many types of divination work in similar ways, I decided to try a little experiment. Without having any directions as to how alomancy (divination by salt) used to work, we thought we'd try it in reverse... simply just do it and see what happens to find out how it works.

When it comes down to it, a symbol is a symbol. Whether it is something based on personal meaning like a certain flower might have special meaning to one person while another person has no real connection to it, or whether it is a standard symbolic interpretation like a door that could represent an opportunity opening or closing...methods that use symbols like this are going to apply across the board. So with that in mind, what we did in fact discover is that it turned out to be similar to tea leaf reading.

Beyond the symbols themselves, the interpretations are much more enhanced if one already had confidence in their psychic senses, because that was the other important factor. Once you can see the representations of the salt that has been cast, it's possible clairvoyant imagery is "masked" over the tops of the salt or that you can receive clairaudient messages to help fill in the gaps and clarify or connect the whole interpretation together in a more complete way. Those of us that tried it here had great success with it and I'd use it again even just for its simplicity and the textural element of the casting.

For anyone wishing to try it for themselves....
I'd recommend using a dish of rock salt. The larger pieces lend themselves to more definite shapes and light reflection. If you are reading for yourself just think of your question and take a handful of salt from the dish and drop it onto a flat surface - something darker to contrast the white salt is helpful. If you're reading for someone else - have that person think of their question, as they gather a handful of salt (using their sending hand only) and hand it to you (collecting it in your receiving hand only), then you can cast the salt onto the flat surface while thinking to yourself , "What is the answer to (name)'s question?" You should look for symbols, shapes, numbers and letters and make your initial observations and interpretation before that person reveals what their question is. Complete your interpretation, but be sure not to "over-interpret" ...it's salt afterall. Not every piece is going to have great significance. Also, be careful of "yes/no" questions. If you ask one, you are likely to get an indication, but there will be "supporting" information to be found in the symbology as well.

If you try it, be sure to add a comment so I can hear how it goes. And - if you're REALLY interested in it - add a comment as to what you first see in the above photo. I'm curious to see if people see a wide variety of things - or something similar. I should note too that there is another variation of alomancy by which salt is cast into a fire, but I'm knee deep in snow - no bonfires here for another couple of months.

Good luck!

Photo ©2007. All rights reserved.

Visitor

2007-03-05T09:55:00.000-06:00

I was reminded by a project I was working the other day about an incident that happened to my sister and her daughter a few months back. My sister was just getting up for the day, stepping out into the hallway from the shower toward the kitchen when she noticed one of her two cats rather "guarding" the doorway she stood in and growling in a very unrecognizable manner, fur on end, staring out toward the living room. Her defenses went up immediately as she peeked around the corner to see what or whom the cat was reacting to, but noticing only the other cat halfway across the room acting in the same scared manner. The alarming part being that they weren't having a fight with each other, they were focusing on something between the two of them that my sister wasn't able to see. She told me the sense of danger was so strong she expected a person had actually broken into her house and she reached around the corner, grabbed the phone and backed down the hallway to the bedroom where her daughter was sleeping, if just for a second longer, before she heard the cat bolt into the room and stand still acting in the same way but now staring at the closed door, which made her wake up straightaway quickly asking what was going on. My sister told her she thought an invisible person was out there (but not being sure since it felt so 'real') she waited in the room for a minute collecting her thoughts and realizing she couldn't hear anyone out there.

Everyone calmed down a bit. They opened the door and the cat was now focused suspiciously on the adjacent exit doorway but it hadn't been moved, so they walked down the hallway just to make sure that the back entrance off the living room was still locked and closed and that no real person had been in there and gone. All still locked up tight.

My sister told me the story step by step and the whole while she was telling it I could see the invisible person (ghost/spirit) who was there. It was no wonder he caused such a stir. He was a young Sioux warrior, fortunately wandering the area and just passing through their home not intending to stay. (And seemingly just as afraid and confused as they were). I could see his movements through the house as she was telling about hers and when she got done I told her about him. I included the part about when they decided to go back to the living room that the warrior had prodded at my niece on the side as she walked past that doorway (where the cat had been staring suspiciously at) with a spear he had in hand.

There was the validation. My sister had forgotten to tell me this part while she was replaying the story - that her daughter said something sharp had poked her in the side when they left the bedroom.

As it's been awhile since the encounter, he hasn't been back there, or at least not while they've been around. Hopefully he'll find his way home.

Not so Secret

2007-03-02T12:03:00.000-06:00

Even before it was brought to Oprah, the newest rage in spirituality emerging on film came by way of The Secret. I've watched it with a couple of my different workshop groups now, to present it to them as is, and to get us involved in discussions on it afterward. Many interesting perspectives have come about, from talking about what works in the documentary for people - what they like, related to most, or found significance in, to talking about what didn't work for people - what was left out, or not addressed, or left unclear.

Personally, I found it interesting due to the information that I've been passing along to people and students for years that was aligned with the "secret," without me ever giving it this label. The use of affirmations, the concept that "like attracts like," the asking for things from the Universe, and more. Though I don't think it brought up anything particularly new to me, nor to some of those I viewed it with, who all found it to be 'not so secret', I think the importance to those of us who already "know", is the fact that we can all use a reminder for positivity or a boost of inspiration from time to time. Additionally, there is a unifying sense between those of us who teach or understand these ideas already when it is voiced to the public in such a way. It makes it feel like there isn't such a distance between us all, as we can sometimes experience on this spiritual path. It was also fun to see the diversity of ideas for applying these positive affirmations. We could all benefit from some of the originality described in those experiences.

As to what was left out or not addressed, there is a lot to be left to further discussion. I think for them trying to spoon feed these ideas largely to a general public they had to go the route they did. Maybe some of the more in depth things, or the 'spokes' off the initial concept will be to follow in another presentation. There are still going to be a lot of people who won't grasp a thing that is said. People come into their own spirituality and truths in divine time. But overall, anytime truth is brought to people that haven't yet come to certain awareness, it might spark in them some light that fuels the remainder of their human journey...and I'm all for that.

Blessings and gratitude to all those who were part of the creation of that message!

MOVIE: The Secret (2006, Australian documentary)

Eleven Signs

2007-03-01T08:37:00.000-06:00

After catching my second "11" sign (glancing at the clock at 9:11am), I knew that Saturday was going to be a great day. It started out at home as normal. There were a few things I had to get done before leaving to go to Wisconsin for the day. Before departing town I stopped to fill on gas and the pump automatically stopped at $22.11. While paying inside I decided I'd get a couple scratch off lottery tickets, which isn't typical of me. Wouldn't you know that the amount won came out to $11. It was getting humourous by this point. On the drive we stopped at a drive-thru, where I was given $11.11 in change. And I knew before the end of the day there'd be at least one more significant eleven sign.

The signs up to this point were a reassurance that this was the right day for me to go do the reading I'd been asked to do. I hadn't been in the mood the night before for making the drive because I had a lot to get done around home that weekend. Receiving all the elevens was a great indicator to me that I was supposed to spend the day in Wisconsin and that I should some time out to have fun with family/friends. Numerologically speaking, 11's are a sign of enlightenment, insight and inspiration.

I knew later that night after the reading we were all going to dinner and then out bowling, so I joked over dinner when someone brought it up that I was going to score an 11. (If you have seen me bowl, it wouldn't be far from possible either). It occured to me around the 2nd frame that 111 would be funny, but then I forgot about it until we got done. For me bowling is just about the fun of it and spending time with everyone. I didn't look at my score until we finished. It was 137. That's when I really had a laugh.

For anyone not following along yet, in numerology when you have a multiple-digit number you add the individual numbers until you reduce it down to a single digit or a master number (11, 22). 1+3+7=__. You got it.

I only wish I'd been writing down all the signs as the day progressed - it's quite possible there were eleven of them altogether.

Meredith Vieira's Dream

2007-02-16T08:27:00.000-06:00

Meredith Vieira told Jon Stewart about a dream she had while on his show Thursday night and then it was again brought up and shown on the Today show this morning. She thought it was a very weird dream. To me it made perfect sense....

THE DREAM
The dream as she explained it: Meredith was going into a bunker, but it was the Today show. She was nude. When she got into the bunker Diane Sawyer was there. Diane told Meredith that she is doing a good job and then they embraced.

THE INTERPRETATION

This type of dream would be considered a "release dream," which is a dream where you are letting go of stress, negativity, wrong thinking etc. from things you are going through and experiencing in your waking, daily life.

This dream is about Meredith having some underlying apprehension about her job security and her presence on the show. It's a stressful "make it or break it" kind of a job and she is having some feelings of insecurity (implied by the bunker) and is feeling exposed (implied by the obvious), which seems clear given the scope of the shows popularity. Diane Sawyer is just someone she respects and admires as someone that has "made it" in this same situation, and who is incorporated into the dream to give Meredith some reassurance and peace of mind that she's on the right track.

Hopefully the dream helped out and did serve it's purpose of releasing any fear or doubt. I'd say her regular viewers are thrilled with her presence and the great job she is doing, especially in the way of giving the show, as a whole, a much better mix of chemistry between the hosts. Good luck with her continued success!

Book "Sign"

2007-02-15T18:38:00.000-06:00

I hadn't been planning on doing anything more than running to the bookstore to exchange a book for someone else, but T. laughed when I told her my plan to get in and out of there without spending any more cash. When I thought about it there was a reference book I'd been considering getting to have on hand, although she was clearing implying I'd find myself something in the metaphysical genre. I thought I'd humor her and mull through the new age collection before I checked for that reference book. There was one book that stood out, but when I picked it up and read the blurb below the authors name, I was completely turned off to getting it, "right" book or not. I had had enough of looking there so I turned around to the adjacent reference section that was split into two separate shelves, intending to get the "logical" book. It wasn't in the first section of shelves so I was moving across the aisle to the second set of reference books and a woman jumped in front of me.

Twenty minutes later she was still standing in front of those books, not about to budge. Then it finally occurs to me: she's standing there so I won't get the reference book (the "wrong" choice). I spun around and grabbed the new age book that stood out to me in the first place and thought, "duh, me;" could have saved myself a good half-hour if I'd just followed my first instinct. I can't stop laughing at myself for not catching on sooner.

Not at all surprising, but as soon as I got home and cracked open the book it was obvious to me it was the one I was intended to get and I'm thoroughly enjoying the read. Moral of the story? I should not have judged the book by its cover. Literally.

A Valentine's Meditation

2007-02-14T14:13:00.000-06:00

In honor of the holiday I thought I'd publish a meditation here for everyone to try. After setting your atmosphere with candles, music, incense or whatever you enjoy and then doing your usual grounding, protection and prayer you may begin your meditation.

Now, on this Valentine's Day, what is it you wish to know? Are you still seeking that special someone and want to know more about him or her? Are you wondering how you can strengthen or spice up a relationship you are already in? Or maybe you just want to learn how to draw more love into your life on the whole. Think of your intention and question and hold on to that as you begin.

Starting out in darkness, relax and listen to your breathing. When you are ready, let your vision come into focus. You will find yourself outdoors in a lush, green and fragrant area alongside a walking path that winds into the distance. Follow the path, taking in all the beauty, peace and warmth that surrounds you. As you are reaching the end of the path you see it comes to a clearing around a small knoll that is encircled by garden. At the peak of this small hill, is an unusual and beautiful fruit tree. Walk up to the tree, taking in the appearance, unique features, even feeling the texture of the tree trunk. As you look up into the branches of this tree, find a piece of the fruit which you are most drawn to, and pluck it from the branch. When you hold the fruit and sit down below the tree to enjoy it, you can look more closely and see that there is a message tied to it. Read your message which will give you insight to the question you had as you began your meditation journey. Take your time here and enjoy yourself in this special garden before returning back down the pathway, allowing everything to fade back into the calm darkness as you return here.

Happy Valentine's
~Love and Blessings~

Presidential Prediction for 2008

2007-02-13T11:31:00.000-06:00

So this is something that occured to me at some point around the end of Nov/beginning of Dec 2006 that I just didn't get around to writing down until now. I wasn't even really focusing on doing predictions or anything like that, but the question came up - who will be the president elected in 2008? This was before anyone was officially running, but as the question was posed to me, the answer seemed immediate: John Edwards. I'm posting the prediction here as it was. It will be interesting to see how the democratic nominations play out since there are several interesting candidates.

Hastings Paranormal Team

2007-02-01T16:53:00.000-06:00

Good luck to the Hasting Paranormal Team(a new paranormal research group located in Minnesota) as you get your organization underway. Happy Ghost Hunting!

Tdawg

2006-08-10T13:20:00.000-05:00

Dreams can be so odd. A lot of people ask me to interpret their dreams for them, and I really enjoy doing it. When it comes to my own...not so much. Often when I remember dreams the contents make no sense to me in a way I can't begin to apply any of my normal skills to them to sort meanings out in the way I can for others. Sometimes I don't think I even want to know where stuff comes from, honestly. =) Take this dream for example - two nights ago and it's still sticking with me even though I think it's insignificant and obscure:

Apparently I had a long-standing online chat going with someone known as "Tdawg" (I don't think I've ever chatted with a dawg of any sort). Anyway, a friend of mine or roommate was present and I was trying to get online to talk to this Tdawg guy. And he was nowhere to be found. Then the guy at my place (who in waking I have no clue who he was either) came over next to me and saw what I was up to and he says "Don't you know?" I didn't. So he starts explaining in a sense of it was all over the news or something that this guy is sussed out.... "Zach Braff is Tdawg."

How inane. I know! It still cracks me up. I have no idea what any of that was about. Zach Braff, of all people? Just so odd.
Maybe I need to talk to him if I finish this one book project? LOL. Yeah.

Seeing Auras

2006-04-26T10:59:00.000-05:00

Wow - I knew I'd been away for awhile - but didn't realize it had been THIS long. Starting up yet another business has really been time consuming. Despite that, I'm in the midst of teaching workshops still.

Some interesting things came up the other week while everyone was trying to view auras for their first times. It's pretty common that everyone can see the first layer around the physical body (the etheric or ethereal layer), as a bright white outline. And once the process was explained how to see the next layer, the astral body, the part where it's possible to see colors and the energy movement, everyone had some success with this too. The setting was fairly ideal, compared to some other class environments I've had to try to set up, but more people than ever were not only able to see the auras of their classmates, but the auras of other "beings" present there as well. For the most part, they were picking up on the spirit guides of the students, but for a first try??? That's pretty phenomenal. It was a fun and exciting night, to be sure.

Tonite the group, in addition to other things, will be doing their first readings for each other. I love to call the method they will be trying "The Lost Art of Paper Scrunching." I'm not positive why, but it is always one of the most requested exercises that students ask to repeat in subsequent workshops and classes. It's pretty simple really, and I've never had one person that wasn't able to pick up something for their questioner...even by the most apprehensive of readers. It should be another great night!

Ever heard of Keria?

2006-02-04T15:14:00.000-06:00

Last night in a dream I was having some long talk with this guy. I don't remember how the whole beginning of the dream went, but either I knew this person already or we had met at that time had an instant connection. It seems we were hanging out together for hours just talking, having a great time. Probably it would clear up a lot of things, if I did remember the whole story, because I remember feeling like it was important when I woke up.

In any case, at the end of the conversation with him he was telling me he couldn't stay any longer because he had to get back to Keria (which in dream I took as matter-of-fact, and knew it was in the east and how it was spelled and yet while awake I was wondering where the heck that is, and if I'd been given the name of some non-existent place). Again, not clear on the details, but I believe he was not originally from this Keria place, but rather had been sent there to work, sort of like peace corps or a contracted job. He said he didn't suppose I would want to pick up everything and go with him...which seemed tempting, but with too many obligations here, would have been impossible. So sadly we parted and then I woke up awhile after that.

As soon as I could see straight, and before getting my morning coffee (it must've been important), I hopped online to google Keria. After scrolling through a page of odd listings, mainly for Keria Teas and a woman named Betty, I got to page two and found place-related links. Turns out it is an actual place. Keria, Central Province, Papua New Guinea.

I'm not sure about the significance of the dream (I'm far better at interpreting dreams of other people), but I still think it's so cool when things like that happen.

An Old New Year's Ghost

2006-02-02T09:09:00.000-06:00

Earlier this week I had chance to break out some of the 'ghost pics' I've taken to bring to my class on the unexplained. I hadn't looked though them in awhile. Hopefully I'll be set to take more soon again, especially as the weather starts warming up in the spring, making it more enjoyable to be outside for such entertainment.

Here is one of my favorite photos that I took on New Year's Eve a couple years ago.There is not much story behind it, aside from that that night my friend in Australia and I were on the phone together a lot so we could celebrate the event in both time zones. Somewhere during the course of the night I heard my guide tell me to go out the front door and take a picture - so I just did. I took probably 4 shots; 3 that were so dark nothing could really be seen, and this one:

Wherefore art thou, Valentine?

2006-02-01T16:45:00.000-06:00

As it turns out, the eve of Valentine's Day 2006 brings us a full moon. February 13th , to be clear. If you're one of many singles still out there hoping to meet your kindred mate this brings up a perfect opportunity to try to divine a little insight as to who this Mr. or Ms. Right-for-You might be by way of a little old-world dreamwork.

Here are a few different methods to choose from:
<> On the eve of a full moon, try sleeping with the Lover's card from your tarot deck under your pillow to invite a dream of your future love. This can be done on any full moon of the year, so if you've missed the Valentine's moon, you're still in luck.

***************
<> On the eve of Valentine's Day, place a silver coin under your pillow before you sleep. Your True Love will propose by the end of the year.

<> On St. Valentine's Day, put two laurel leaves under your pillow to inspire a dream of your future spouse. (A sprig of rosemary may be used instead of laurel leaves as well.)

<> On Valentine's Day, sprinkle 2 bay leaves with rose water and recite the following: "Good Valentine, be kind to me; In dreams, let me my true love see." Then tuck the leaves inside your pillow case before you go to sleep.

Historically nothing is told about this, but I'd also be sure to add a little prayer asking that you might clearly remember your Valentine dream when you wake. Nothing is more frustrating than struggling to recall a dream you know was important.

Best wishes and sweet dreams!

Lovers cards pictured from Lover's Path, Osho-Zen, Arthurian, unknown, Dragon, and Hanson-Roberts Tarot decks.

Ghost Cams

2006-01-31T19:17:00.000-06:00

Although they've been around now for awhile, and avid ghost hunters and the paranormally curious are fairly well aware of them, there are still a number of people out there who might enjoy spending some free time ghost hunting from the comfort of their own desk chair or laptop. Granted, it's not quite an even-up trade off for a chill and foggy night spent traipsing a haunted graveyard or geared up for the night in a spooky old house with meters and monitors and cameras in hand, set to capture the slightest hint of an anomaly. Nonetheless, it is a fun way to pass some time and it certainly is more relaxing while you wait to glimpse a ghost. What I'm going on about are ghost cams; web cameras that have been strategically placed about reportedly haunted places, so that people around the world can "sit in" via an internet web browser and watch to see what happens when the lights go out...and oftentimes, while they're still on.

Here are two of my favorites:
Ordsall Hall. A haunted Tudor manor (now museum) in Salford, UK.

http://www.salford.gov.uk/leisure/museums/ordsallhall/ghostcam.htm

Willard Library. Established in Evansville in 1885, this is the oldest public library in Indiana.

http://www.libraryghost.com

Be sure to read up on the history of the places and learn how to save still shots from the web cams, so you can save any pics of ghosts that you do happen upon.

Happy Hunting =)

Dragonfly Messages

2006-01-25T20:09:00.000-06:00

I was asked during a recent class on grief and loss :
What do the dragonflies signify?

Dragonflies seen in dreams can mean that a change is coming or that something in your waking life is not really as it seems. As totems (animal spirit guides), dragonflies can teach us about seeing truth, swiftness, change, understanding dreams, and the power of light, as well as several other things.

In this instance the dragonflies that the woman has been seeing around her are just one of many forms of apports that we can be sent by those in spirit to us as a sign that those we love who have passed are still around us. Common apports are butterflies, feathers, coins, small animals and birds, flowers, small stones, and plants.

More specifically in this case, the dragonflies are sent by a woman (her mother) who has passed away. She had a strong connection to water - either from having lived right at a lake or having found much enjoyment spending time by water. Sending dragonflies is also meant as validation that the daughter has seen her during dreaming, and to continue to pay attention for more dreamtime visits.

Thanks for sharing your question, Sandi =)

More Re: 2006

2005-12-27T12:56:00.000-06:00

These few international predictions were provided by a student who offered to share them online:

International

Peru - significant earthquake (may be related to plate shifting mentioned above re: San Andreas Fault) Oct 20, 2006 6.7 earthquake. Listed as a historic earthquake by USGS
Antarctica - this area of the globe has been ill for some time now, but it will become a more definitive crisis; toxic. Clearly this was a large focus for many last year. Read:Time magazine article.
Denmark - a crowd, unrest related to royalty during the spring We all watched the chaos ensue over the caricatures. Feb 6, 2006. Read:RadioFree Europe article.
Iraq - will become involved in Iran's politics. Read:KennethKatzman report
More women participating as suicide bombers. Read:DigitalJournal article.

As other things come up I will add them.

March 20, 2007 - I have updated this post to include validation for these predictions.

Regarding 2006

2005-12-26T12:14:00.000-06:00

Some information came up during a class of mine last week regarding possible happenings in the upcoming year, predictions if you will. If anything more specific comes up I will update these, but for now, this is what was said:

U.S.

Atlanta/Georgia/Region - problems with coastal flooding 2006 major flooding of mid-AtlantIC region
Kansas + surrounding area - drought; corn crops hit new low due to this; states north of drought zone to have more rain; 2006 severe drought across much of central US, excess rain for the Northeast.
Tennessee - forest fire, (started by lightning?) poss. the forestry dept. burn or the OK/TX fire 2006/
Oregon - Mt. Hood - danger of eruption still remains in constant watch
San Andreas Fault - significant risk - more frequent turbulence, especially to the south (may be related to separate quake predicted by another person regarding Peru)
Washington - tremors/earthquake (Mt. St. Helens is always an issue)

Hurricanes: Fewer than 2005, but one more severe than Katrina (may tie into the coastal flooding issue above) (2 major hurricanes as opposed to 7 in 2005)
Terrorist Attacks: Not likely until 2007 (ask again at that time)
Medical: Research on longevity grows more significanly - new drug presented - related to ____-tonin (ketonin? seratonin?)

Gov't: A formal investigation on the legality of surveillance will be pursued. Several are exposed for misusing the system and are set to take the fall for Bush. // Several "groups"have been exploring the idea of presidential assassination, however this would mean they would have to eliminate Cheney as well and this is their main issue. There would only be an attempt if it could be accomplished simultaneously.

Prediction updates will be added later; predictions for international issues to follow.

Ongoing concern: Dallas, TX;
tornadic activity on increase - possibly affecting a major city (23 F3-F4 tornados in 2006 as compared to 9 in 2005) NCDC report;
more plate movement (quakes) recording in states along Mississippi River Jan. 2, 2006 3.6 historic earthquake - Illinois

Updates added 20mar07

Christmas

2005-12-25T16:12:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas and Brightest Blessings in 2006!

Gargoyles

2005-10-11T09:03:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I had a student write to ask me what gargoyles are all about. She apparently had a "scary" encounter with one over the weekend. (I talked to her later and found out it had popped up in such a way as to go "Boo" and then left just as quickly). She realized he was just tyring to be funny, but said she didn't really appreciate the humour.

Gargoyles are actually great creatures to have around, in case anyone else should run into one. They are protectors and guardians, in part watching over earthbound spirits. Gargoyles also can be around us to teach us how to dispel negativity and how to see "through" things to get to the truth, rather than just looking at them.

Two of the important things in this student's case are that one, she was laughing about it in hindsight. She realized that she'd jumped to a "fear response," when in fact there was nothing to be fearful of at all. (No coincidence either that the class before this gargoyle sighting was one in which we discussed the subject of fear). The second importance was that she realized later that she actually has a couple of small gargoyle items in her home, which made her realize that she does have some greater connection there.

Anyone really interested in gargoyles, or someone who is afraid of them, really ought to check out the children's book God Bless the Gargoyles by Dav Pilkey. It really can open ones mind to trying to see past the outer layer.

Animal Wisdoms

2005-09-27T10:59:00.000-05:00

Although it's not something I practice every day, I do find that there is a lot of validity and significance in receiving messages from our totems (animal spirit guides) and through animal wisdoms presented to us daily by the creatures we encounter. Like a few days ago when I knew there was something I needed to hear - all because in the matter of the time it took me to drive the length of the driveway - I saw a bunny and a blue jay dart in front of my car and when I got out of the car and huge grasshopper jumped right in front of me. So putting 2 and 1 together, I went inside to use my shamanism resources...which resulted in this message:

"Moving through fear requires courage; jumping without knowing where you will land."

Not unexpectedly, it was what I needed reassurance about in respect to what was going on with my week. Being on a spiritual path, seems to draw lots of people or beings who are mostly interested in pushing you off the path. Getting that message made me see how my concerns were fear-based and realizing that got me back to "jumping". A lady at class last night summed it up when she was telling a story about herself..."(The path) is really about the peaks and valleys and plateaus."

"Ironically" (not believing in irony and coincidence...) I left the class and was promptly assaulted about the head by an enormous moth (msg about transformation) as a couple students were in conversation with me.

And so it goes.

Ghost in the Mercantile

2005-09-07T11:45:00.000-05:00

No, not a lesser known album by The Police. An actual ghost.

Months ago a student of mine had told me about a furniture store in her town that's reportedly haunted. The owners must keep it fairly quiet, because in trying to do a little research, the location doesn't turn up on any of the "haunted places" lists available on the web. There are quite a few similar places that are always in the back of my mind under the filing "that'd be fun to check out sometime." But priorities usually push that file mid-end of the heap.

The opportunity finally came up when a friend and I were having lunch at a cafe a few doors down from the store. We went for a walk afterward and in passing the store, I told her about the possibility of the hauntings there. She just "happened" to have her digital camera along with her. So we went in and pretended to peruse the entire shop - mostly just concerned with what wasn't immediately visible. First going in I felt really nothing out of the norm, but then there was an overwhelming "change of atmosphere" about 1/3 the way to the back of the building. It wasn't anything visual, more of a clairsentient experience, that made me know there was more to be found in there somewhere. The building has a few odd floors...so we just walked through them...all the while just snapping a few photos of various views and corners. The building is very old, clearly used for something else in it's younger days. There are windows into other rooms. Closet doors. Strange nooks. No employee even bothered to approach us once we'd left the main level.

In the last room, my friend brought up the point that there was something "eery" about the closet doors. I was really drawn to them as well, but figured on security camera, we might draw too much attention by opening any of them...although it still feels like they serve for "hiding places" when customers come nosing around. Just as we were going to leave, I saw a man approach us. Very old brown pants, faded blue workshirt, suspenders. He wanted to know why I could see him, and why we were there. His name was Isaac and apparently the building was originally a mercantile shop. He had been a farmer and had ties to the mercantile. I'm curious to take another visit with someone else who also more ultra-sensory...and will take along my own camera! I haven't seen the photos from her camera yet, but will try to post a pic on here if anything does turn up.

Tavern Ghosts

2005-08-04T21:31:00.000-05:00

Just a quick blurb about today's shopping/lunch spree with my friend S.

At the sub-street-level quaint restaurant she invited me out to, we had an amusing encounter with a couple of the resident barflies, who apprently never saw the need to really depart, despite their being non-corporeal. The gentleman was quick to approach to ask if we were from the local college, "because they all come over from (the college)." As S. endearingly made a toast "to the local spooks," he cheerily joined in with an "I'll drink to that!" And the woman, Harriet, swaggered from table to table dropping down on any empty seat, and thereby dropping in on any conversation being had. I love places like that. Great food, odd waitress, historic building - in more ways than most realize.

Oh dear, Sylvia

2005-07-25T14:50:00.000-05:00

Until recently, I had never seen a media psychic. I mean, aside from having caught a couple of John Edward's Crossing Over episodes, or having seen Sylvia on Montel, or the show where Ted Danson played James Van Praagh. It was something I'd been interested in, just to have the experience of it, but the opportunity didn't present itself until this summer.

A friend of mine and I decided we'd try to make it over to see Sylvia Browne when we heard she was going to be in the area. Things fell into place so that could happen in a rather odd sort of way - the kind of way that left me trying to think of what could be so important that I see her. I wasn't sure, but though it was possible it could be even more interesting to see Sonia Choquette, who was the opening speaker.

It was interesting observing the presentations, and I felt like I was going to come away with a fairly positive impression. Sonia had done an excellent job of "priming" the audience to sit thru another 90 minutes of talk, and Sylvia broke up some of her ranting and raving to drop in bits of information from her Secrets and Mysteries book. It impressed me that she was willing to take questions from as many people as she did. But then....

I knew something would occur that I'd be there to witness. As Sylvia opted to call on more audience members to approach the two microphones set at opposite sides of the stage in order that they might each ask one question of her, my friend expressed that she hoped I'd be called on to go up there. I told her it wouldn't happen, as I didn't really have anything to ask of her and even if I had it wouldn't be something like what these other people are needing to know. I was right - that I didn't end up at the microphone. But another woman did, she was an older woman who simply wanted to ask about her brother. She stood at the mic, facing Sylvia and started to speak. "We have not heard from my brother in four years and I want...." With that, without the courtesy of letting the woman even finish her question, Sylvia cut her off and forcefully exclaimed, "He's dead!" and with that said, she turned right around to her left and asked for the next person in line to give the next question. Moved right along: no compassion, no respect, no concern. The woman nearly collapsed to the ground in her overwhelming grief, but for a complete stranger in the audience who jumped up to hold and comfort her as she cried the tears of someone whose hope was just ripped from her heart in that one moment of callousness, by one woman who ought to know better. I sat there in disbelief.

I wasn't really surprised Sylvia would act in such a way, because I have seen her brazen attitude displayed on television previously. What did surprise me was that I actually saw it with my own eyes and saw in that instant that she has lost all compassion. To leave any person who comes to us for council in a more dire state than when they came in is reprehensible. That woman could have been so distracted through her tears she could have walked onto the street five minutes later and been struck by a bus. And what would it have taken to alter that? Addressing the same question in a different way. Allowing the woman to be able to ask her question without being abruptly cut off. Only a few words of kindness perhaps. Saying something like, I'm sorry, but he has passed away....or passing along a message of reassurance to her from the brother... or just simply reassuring her and reminding her the life does continue... or telling her how her brother lets her family know he is still with them. In well under five minutes, the entire interaction could have been very different. I could go into how there might have been information or other staff (or even some of Sylvia's grand ministers) there to provide some "after shock" care...but good grief.

I know that my outlook on death is very different now. I know that my way of addressing grief or managing that sadness is very different. But again, as anyone who puts his or herself out there to invite others to speak to us about their innermost concerns, or to learn about the continuity of life, it is our obligation and responsibility to not forget that the people who come to us would not likely be asking for help if they had the same perceptions and understanding of life, death, grief, or sorrow. It's our responsibility to hold compassion for others and respect for their situations at highest priority. It makes me very sad to have been witness to that. On the other hand, I'm grateful for the reminder to just "Be kind."

Stone Buffalo

2005-06-20T19:02:00.000-05:00

I just got back from a family vacation. Each summer my mom organizes something where all the kids/grandkids will get together. This summer was renting a cabin up north where we were all able to go swimming and enjoy a campfire and such for an extended weekend.

While I was there one morning I had a short, but interesting conversation with a gentleman in spirit, who I believe was named Alfred. He had helped to build the cabin, which dates back to the turn of the past century. I had been admiring the enormous stone fireplace (the entire cabin is actually stone and timbers). The hearth must be about 10 feet across. In the center of the chimney stones was a most unusual oblong stone. It was a mostly charcoal-gray mottled and pourous rock, with a cinnamon-colored, raised and smooth strip running vertically down the center. I was wondering where they had discovered all the stones...if they'd come from the top of the hill, or the bottom down near the lake...when I felt the presence of Alfred appear. He told me about the stone and pointed out the two black smaller oblong stones that were placed symmetrically on opposite side of the top of the larger stone. He told me they intended for it to look like a buffalo, which it very much does. If I ever get the picture developed, I'll add it here. Anyway, we were interrupted after he gave me a couple more bits of information about the building of the fireplace, but it was nice to have had my little pseudo-museum tour guide for those few minutes.

A New Approach

2005-06-06T10:22:00.000-05:00

It seems that those in spirit are always trying new an interesting ways to get my attention. I become accustomed to some of them, which can make it easy to put them off until it's more convenient for me. This one was new to me though.

I was standing at the kitchen sink doing dishes after my son had gone to bed, when all the sudden the kitchen light above and behind me was blocked and a person's shadow fell over me and what I was doing. It took a quick second to realize that my son, still much shorter than I am, couldn't have cast that tall shadow, so when I turned to look, of course no one was there.

Computer divination

2005-04-05T08:47:00.000-05:00

So last night I was surfing trying to decide what to plan for my development group this week when I came across "computer divination." Being a huge fan of bibliomancy (divination by opening a book to a random page and reading a passage), I thought, hey why not give it a try. It's entertainment at the very least.

I talked a friend of mine into playing along via our chat and off we went. We tried both Google and Ask Jeeves to see if there was any real difference, but it was kind of up in the air. And considering the nature of our resources, we weren't about to ask any terribly serious questions either.

Basically the premise of this computer divination is that you take a search engine, any will do, or try a few... you type your full question that you're seeking guidance upon into the search engine box (don't omit any words). Focus on your question and ask for guidance on the answer, when you're ready, click to search. Then, when it brings up your options, you are supposed to see the 'answer' to the question within the first five entry summaries.

All I can say from this experiences was, aside from the laughs, which may well have been worth it is that I should be married "soon" or "right away"; the man's name will be James, or Chris; I will be moving to NY or SD; and I will have a child coming in nine months. I couldn't say whether or not this divination form works at ALL...but I'll report back if any of this comes to pass. Mostly I was thinking if there was any "divine assistance" within the responses, they were probably joking around with us, just as we were joking around with the asking of the questions. My friend? Oh yeah, he's supposed to be married in August this year (the 3rd to be exact), to a woman named either Jane, June or Elena...a mail-order bride possibly?

Well worth the laughs. But now I still need to find something to do for class!

Just passing through

2005-03-31T08:22:00.000-06:00

Yesterday I was sitting in my big chair next to the picture window in my living room enjoying the first big rain and hail storm of the spring. I love listening to the thunder, and it was funny to watch the little hailstones popping around over the ground, covering it in a lumpy coat of white. I had the windows open on that side of the house because the rain was coming from an angle so as it wouldn't pour inside.

While I was sitting there, I noticed the television opposite the window (which happened to be off) reflected the window and the sofa across the room from me. I'm not sure what caught my attention about it in the first place, because I'm certain it's never reflected differently from that same position in the whole time I've lived here. So I just was looking at the reflected image for a minute, when I noticed a figure (which would have been right next to my right side) walk past the window and I guess thru the opposite wall after going thru the sofa. I knew if I turned to look I would have missed it, so I just watched it slowly drift across the room and didn't move or ask questions. Just had to appreciate the occurrence.

Amish from Heaven

2005-03-30T09:26:00.000-06:00

I just love when synchronicities and signs happen. There have been some that have been pretty elaborate and others that seem "smaller" that I might not even recognize as such until the whole event is in hindsight. No matter how it comes about though, they always make me smile. Sometimes it gives a sense of a huge connection to the universe. Amazing elements of divine timing. Other times it's just some funny or quirky little answer to a question that's on my mind. "Answers from heaven."

Last week, a friend and I were talking about his homestate of PA, about his plans for an upcoming trip to visit, and about the prevalent Amish community there and the differences between Amish culture here and there. At the end of the conversation, he said that maybe I ought to take the trip with him. It left something to think about anyway, because who am I to pass up an opportunity for a great roadtrip?

Just a couple days ago I was on a drive elsewhere, when I started wondering about whether I should, or would, go on the PA trip and also reminiscing about a trip from years ago that led thru that state. Just at that very moment I came around a bend in the highway and just ahead of me was an overpass. Right in the very center of that bridge was an Amish horse and buggy.

I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

UPDATE 25JUN05
Some time after writing this post, and in light of other signs that have occured to me, I started to wonder how to more accurately interpret the signs that appear. Obviously not every sign is intended to be an answer in the affirmative. For example, I once was hoping for a sign regarding how a trip to TN was going to go. As my friend was driving me to the airport a red truck with TN plates cut her off as we tried to take the exit ramp we needed. The fact that the truck was red was, as it turns out, the significant element of this sign, as it meant that I should be warned or cautious regarding the trip. (This awareness coming mainly in hindsight and after-thought, of course).

Anyway, I had been looking for information more recently regarding ornithomancy (divination by interpreting birds and flight patterns), when I came across some information about the significance of the direction of the birds' flight. It suggested that should you ask a question and see the bird flying north, your answer is affirmative, or that it indicates a positive outcome. Conversely, should the bird be traveling south, this would indicate a "No" response, or the likelihood that things are not favorable for the situation at hand (literally, "things are going south.") With this new knowledge, I can fairly re-assess the Amish buggy sign, interpreting it as a "no" answer, as the buggy was traveling south across the bridge. Live and learn.

Ronnie

2005-03-09T13:33:00.000-06:00

I was reminded today of an encounter that I had with a ghost here a couple years ago. Ghost being the operative word --he had not quite "crossed over." The details of what we discussed are a little fuzzy now, but the events of what happened still make me think 'wow.'

I'd been sitting on my sofa relaxing after work one night, watching some tv program, when I suddenly became VERY aware that someone was standing straight at the end of the sofa, near the wall, just looking at me. The presence was so strong, it was as if a "whole" person had just let himself into my home. Curious as to why he was standing there, I grabbed my camera off the end table, asked him if he minded me taking a picture and then I snapped a photo, which i wasn't sure would produce anything. Maybe an orb at best; that's typical. We ended up in a brief conversation, which if I recall correctly ended with him "finding his way" to the other side. I went to download the picture and sure enough, there he was. Ronnie, he'd told me is his name. It was a fun experience, and I'd left it at that.

About two months later, it was nearing Christmas. In my email I had a message saying that I'd received an e-card. It didn't indicate who'd sent it, so I pulled it up curious as to where it came from. The odd thing I noticed first was that there was no return email address...which I later tried submitting one on my own without entering that data and had it rejected for not having filled in the information. The e-card was a plain Christmas-type background. No funky music. No animation. I didn't know anyone by the name that was in the message and it took me a few minutes before it occured to me who'd sent it. The message simply read: "Thank you for remembering me, Ronnie."

(gamma enhancement of original)

Three of Staves

2005-03-08T11:55:00.000-06:00

It's a Three of Staves kind of day. At least that's what my tarot deck tells me as I pulled out a card for my Tuesday ahead. It seems appropriate. It's a good day just to wait. And watch. And contemplate. "It's all about divine timing," I've been heard to say. Those goals we hold, the dreams we seek...we know in the deepest sense of ourselves that there are these things out there, coming to us...all in the right time. It doesn't pay to dwell on doubts, or fears, or what-ifs...besides that is just so draining, stressful. If all we did was press forward, we might miss the beauty and joy in reaching those goals, or achieving those dreams, or seeing our hard work pay off. Yes, it's just a good day to relax and be full of gratitude and have a little faith.

knowing

2005-02-23T21:55:00.000-06:00

With all the preparation that's gone into the new workshop and this presentation on ghosts tomorrow for the high school class, I've given little attention to the other things going on around here...like with the dining area light going on and off again, or listening to the messages I ought to be trying to hear. It's times like these having some neon sign for them to post messages on would be so great. Maybe this is why some people are so wrapped up solely in studying paranormal aspects that come so close to being neon signs, such as EVP's (electronic voice phenomena). I know with the movie White Noise coming out, it's made it more mainstream conversation, which is great. But it seems that there are those who, despite all their research, are so obsessed with labelling and categorizing everything...is it right or wrong; real or falsified; possibly real, but not enough evidence. And there are those who want to make it all about competition - my EVP is better than yours; your capture can't possibly be genuine. It's all about people trying to discover what is or isn't believable.
It's about proof - and believing in proof.

And I'm sitting here hoping...hoping they begin to realize it isn't going to matter what you believe or don't believe to be (as belief implies there is space left for doubt), but what you know to be Truth.

Family ties

2005-02-19T18:38:00.000-06:00

This was a new situation for me. Yesterday, I had a client come for a reading, and the first information to come through was the name of her grandfather. That's something fairly normal, but what was interesting, was that although she was able to place the name, she didn't have any knowledge whether or not he had passed away or not. Apparently that side of her family has not been connected for some time. So, quickly having to decide where to go with that, out of respect for her I just said that it might be something she will want to check into, and I let him go. In one way I was sorry that if he had messages to pass along to the family, it didn't get addressed. On the other hand, perhaps that was the only message that was of importance at this time...to have them check up on him, and to make some re-connection with that side of the family.

Cheers to the Hopeful

2005-02-14T20:14:00.000-06:00

For anyone holding out hope on this Black Monday (aka. Valentine's Day to those attached people...you know the ones that were carefully filtering through the flower selection and perusing the card aisle for minutes on end - hoping for the perfect card that might come close to mimicking their own expressions of love, lust, desire or some such emotion they're expected to disclose on this one day of the year) I'd highly recommend a little bedtime ritual to close out this day. It is said that should you tuck either The Lovers card from your tarot deck, or two bay leaves from your kitchen spice stash, under your pillow and ask that you might "see" (and don't forget the and remember part) in your dreams who is your true love to come.

Hey, ya just never know how your Prince Charming or Miss-Right-for-You might be revealed, so why not take a chance on a little superstition. It just might turn out to be your night afterall!

If connecting with angels is more your thing... you could also try to call upon Archangel Chamuel and ask to assistance in finding your kindred mate.

And not to leave out anyone that really DID celebrate Valentine's Day with their significant other, if you are looking to find something more to your lives regarding friends, career, or purpose...Archangel Chamuel is there for you to guide in those aspects as well.

Wishing everyone a fulfilling 365 more days, 'til we all get another chance to go gah gah for anything that comes in red, Michael Buble, and those sugary little heart confections...which now include "E-MAIL" in addition to the traditional "KISS ME" and "LOVE YOU" messages of days gone by.

Full circle premonition? OR Three part harmony

2005-02-11T20:48:00.000-06:00

Very peculiar.

Part I. At the beginning of the week a friend told me she felt very strongly about money coming to her this week. She asked me about it and I asked "Is your bonus supposed to come through?" She'd just been told those weren't going to be paid out until at least next week, so I let it go. Then, I also saw her going to buy cigarettes and deciding to pick up lottery tickets while she was there, so I asked about that and in fact she had just done that exact thing earlier that night...even though it had been an unplanned trip to the gas station. We were both half joking and half hoping about the lottery tickets turning out to be big winners...especially since I never buy them myself.

As it turned out, I was right about the bonus coming this week, but there's still no confirmation on the lottery tickets yet.

Part II. Yesterday a different friend was preparing for a little weekend getaway with her husband. A spa suite and some time in the casino. She asked me jokingly if she'd win big, so I told her what I was seeing, and at the end of the conversation I saw "3-0-7." I'm not familiar with casinos really, so I asked if that might mean anything to her, but she wasn't sure what it would be. Maybe the sum of her winnings? Time will tell.

Part III. Today I planned to run to the grocery store, which my son vetoed when I picked him up from school. I still needed a couple items, which I decided I could just get from the local gas station mini-mart in order to avoid him having a tantrum about a shopping trip. There are two mini-marts like this in our town, and for some completely bizarre reason, I went to the one further away, passing right by the one we always use, for one the one I stop at maybe twice in a year. We were waiting in line to pay when a sign near the counter jumped out at me. $3.07. For a pack of cigarettes.

So,...

I bought a lottery ticket.

Is it real or is it spookified?

2005-02-08T23:25:00.000-06:00

A friend of "like mind" and I have regular talks about metaphysical and paranormal-themed movies and tv shows...and there have been a lot of those lately. Now the average viewer might go into these shows with hopes of getting the bejeebers scared out of them. Nothing like a great adrenaline rush! Then there are the rest of us. Ask us when we come out of a show like The Others, or The Sixth Sense how we'd rate it 1-10 on a scare-factor-scale; and you'd probably think we must've been out at the popcorn stand during all the "good parts." But ask us something more important, like "how REAL is it?" and you won't likely see any thumbs up or down, but you're sure to get an informative response with a few detailed personal parallels, to let you know if it is REAL or if it is SPOOKIFIED.

I couldn't be happier that there are some people putting some REAL scenarios out there, because for one, it's really opening the doors to get people to talk about not only the movie and it's realism, but about their own personal experiences --and I haven't met anyone yet who doesn't have at least ONE good story of their own about some 'unexplained occurence.' Maybe once the better part of society is more comfortable sharing their own stories, the stigma and weirdness and judgment and "fear factors" will dissolve a bit.

So to those creators of "Psychic Reality-TV and Film,"...much gratitude.

And to anyone who hasn't been watching NBC's Medium...you're missing out!

Telepathic Goodbyes

2005-02-07T22:22:00.000-06:00

As always a diverse group showed up for the class; was excited to have some teenagers there to balance out the age pool.

Teacher being taught: the theme of the night for me, turned out to be telepathic communications from passed loved ones. The remarkable thing across the board I discovered was that going beyond their stories of how loved ones made themselves visually or audibly known after-death, it is the most direct messages that are the ones that are most frequently missed. What I mean is, when the spirit communicates telepathically ("by infused thought") with their loved one here, there is such a level of doubt existing in humanity that the people who are the receivers of the message don't really "get it." I know I have done this myself, looking back on my own experiences of many years past.

How unfortunate is that? And how amazing would it be, if people everywhere could even, at the very least, gain an understanding of how telepathy works, so that when they are in a similar situation, they might be able to truly receive the gifts of these messages, in full?

Seeing is believing?

2005-02-06T20:15:00.000-06:00

In preparing for the class on ghosts and other unexplained phenomena that I am teaching tomorrow night, I spent a lot of time today updating my resource list handout. So, in part, this meant spending a lot of time viewing many websites, trying to find some credible post-class references for my students. It made me start to wonder...why are some people so ready and willing to believe anything they "see" and why are others so skeptical that they couldn't see what is right in front of them?

This all began with a series of photographs I was looking at, that had been submitted to this particular website by someone who clearly did not have the clarity of discerning which photographs were actually paranormal captures, and which were clearly "flaw of the photographer." Now the next to come along who has never had experience with such phenomena and doesn't have the sense to educate themselves about it, will just run to dust off their old photo box, sifting through pictures "ooohing" and "aaahing"at anything they "never noticed before", purporting any and all "mysterious" traits in their own photographs as genuine, thus perpetuating the cycle of misinformation.

Did she just want to believe they were all real? What was it that makes her so gullible regarding this topic? What is it that fulfills her in thinking all this is real? Does she get attention from it? Does it make her more "special" than her friends who don't have these "natural paranormal photographic proclivities?"

On the other side of this...those few photographs with genuine paranormal qualities, while mixed in with the false ones, really aren't being appreciated as proof of existence beyond the average, physical, human experience. At another website I saw a set of three other photographs submitted by a man to this other man's website collection. Their correspondence regarding the images was posted as well, and the webmaster was more than eager to discredit the submitter, expressing his belief the images had been falsified. His skepticism seemed to me more like a case of "I wish it could have been me who caught that on film"... and with the reply of the submitter to the accusations, the webmaster reluctantly posted the images.

How important is it to distinguish the real from the false? Should it be satisfactory to just say - at least there is someone who believes in this stuff? Or is it important to encourage people to learn to distinguish truth from fiction?

Here's a perfect example...apparition? vortex? ghost of the haunted lodge?

As cool as it looks, it's nothing more than a creative spark of photo-play by a friend of mine.

I think I'll stick with this formula for now: an ounce of healthy skepticism, a large dose of researching and educating myself, and an edge of seeing isn't necessarily believing.