Soul Reader

Spirit Bear by Guest Writer, Cappy Sue

2009-11-08T14:03:00.001-08:00

Some time ago I had a loss of faith. My soul was longing to reconnect with the spirit of the world and I felt estranged from my spirit guides and their guidance. I found myself wishing for clarity and in need of signs. So for the first time in a long time I meditated with my crystals, feeling sure that I would have to pay for my lack of diligence and be forced to work really hard to get back into the zone, but I was lucky, my body relaxed and my mind free-fell into that dizziness that signified ‘the zone’.

I could smell the pines and nature and slowly my eyes became clear as if I had washed a window and watched it dry. Suddenly my feet felt snow and a cool breeze fell upon me while ahead of me was a bear, a large brown bear.

The bear appeared non-threatening, like a friend. It looked at me from over its sizeable shoulders and rump with what appeared to be a smile on its face. Then it turned around and walked toward the edge of a forest while standing up on its hind legs. It raised its paws at the large full moon that had lit its path against the snow and then slowly made it’s way into the woods. It seemed to be saying, "Come see me any time…I'll be watching you” and somehow I was comforted by this.

This image has stuck with me because it was the first time I had seen my spirit guide as a bear. While mulling over this image the artist in me finally came out and I made a charcoal and watercolor drawing of the bear that always brings me peace and I realized that I needed a good name for this drawing, not just “The Bear” so off I went to look up synonyms for the word ‘bear.’ This is when I realized that Ursa was the name for bear.

When my parents were first married they had a child by the name of Ursula and she passed away within a few hours of being born. Now when I meditate I feel a kinship with this sister I never knew as if she's right here with me.

More about Cappy Sue:
Well my real name is Cathy but I like to write under "Cappy Sue". I am thirty-one and married to a lovely man and I am a mama to a house full of furry babies. My dreams keep me up most nights and often become stories or paintings. I truly believe that we all make choices, but that some things are pre-destined, and that if we keep our ears open and listen, there is always a divine voice whispering and offering us help along the way.

You can find more of Cappy Sue's artwork and writing here:
www.cappysuecreations.blogspot.com
www.cappysue.etsy.com

To read more metaphysical articles by Guest Writers please go here.

Energy & Crystal Healing

2009-11-04T16:35:00.000-08:00

Energy medicine is one of five domains of “complementary and alternative medicine” identified by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) in the United States.

The approaches vary widely in philosophy, approach, and origin. Many therapies are predicated, as regards the given explanation for their supposed efficacy, on some form of energy unknown to current science: in this case the given energy is sometimes referred to as putative energy. Conversely "Spiritual energy" may also be equated with empirically understood forces, for example, some equate the aura with electromagnetism. Such energies are termed "veritable" as opposed to "putative".

Types of "Veritable Energy Medicine" include: magnetic therapy and light therapy (collectively electromagnetic therapy) - mainstream medicine involving electromagnetic radiation (radiation therapy) is not accounted "electromagnetic therapy" in the terms of complementary medicine. Cymatic therapy uses sound waves.

Types of "Energy Medicine Involving Putative Energy Fields" include acupuncture, qi gong and related concepts involving the notion of Qi (such as Reiki), homeopathy, Therapeutic Touch, distant healing (under which they count intercessory prayer) and related concepts.

Energy medicine often proposes that imbalances in the body's "energy field" result in illness, and that by re-balancing the body's energy field health can be restored.

Excerpted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia © 2001-2006 Wikipedia Contributors (Disclaimer)This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.)

"Energy medicine supports you in discovering what your body already knows.

It reminds you of all that you have forgotten, and models for you how you hold your life force still, or allow it to flow. It provides the answers to how you think, feel, and do your life, consciously or otherwise." - Dorothy A. Martin-Neville

Energy Healing with Stones

Client Question: When you say I should work with a stone could you elaborate on what you mean?

My Response: The best way to work with a stone is to buy a raw or tumbled stone at a local new age store, gem and mineral museum shop or online. You can also work from a photograph or with the color associated with the stone, by visualizing it in your mind's eye. You can wear stones as jewelry, or you can carry one in your pocket. You can sleep with a stone under your pillow or hold it in your hand and just sit quietly in a contemplative or meditative way. You can also hold a stone up to your third eye (between your eyebrows) and listen for what it has to say to you. I call this "speaking with stones" and I do believe that crystals allow the Angels to communicate with us.

To read more about Energy Healing please go here.
Here is an actual sample of a Crystal Healing Reading.
To book your online Crystal Healing Reading please go here.

Full Moon in Taurus

2009-11-01T19:30:00.000-08:00

Full Moon in Taurus
November 2, 2009
11:14 am PST

The full moon rises at sunset and sets at sunrise. Astrologically, the sun and moon are in opposition (eg. opposite each other in the sky and in opposite signs of the zodiac). She is visible all night long from moonrise to moonset.

The Taurus Moon asks us to discover what nurtures us and how we can grow deeper roots. We can almost feel the mud oozing between our toes, awakening our senses and sensuality, and growing our stubborness. It's time to cultivate our material resources, our homes and our body. (Excerpted from the We'Moon Datebook).

This months featured full moon artists are Bonnie, Sunny and Lacy - doesn't that have a nice ring to it?!

Bonnie Kanavins
Hot Pink Chick
Temple, PA

My name is Bonnie Kanavins and I am the owner/designer of Hot Pink Chick, where I design and create unique handmade jewelry for everyday wear.

Born April 29th, I am a Taurus through and through. While some (who will remain nameless….DAD) will tell you that my stubborn persistence can be a curse, I’ve always found it to be more of a blessing. When others would give up, I’ve been able to persevere. Slow and steady wins the race.

At work, my Taurean nature takes over. My office and workshop are neat, organized and every item is labeled and in its place. I have a schedule to manage all areas of my life and try not to stray from it so as not to upset the balance. I like to keep a calm, peaceful, laughter-filled environment in my home and scheduling helps to achieve that.

Nature Earrings

Like a true Taurus, I have carefully laid out my plans and goals for the future of my business and will continue striving to reach them, never losing focus, with the dogged determination of the Bull.

Sunny
Sunny Day Vintage
Chicago, Illinois

I’m very much a Taurus: stubborn and intensely loyal to those I love – and I’m all about the creature comforts. Maybe that’s why I’ve always been involved in creative fields – to feather my nest and a lot of other people’s too. The warmth and comfort and personal style of “home” is what balances the life we lead away from it.

Over the years, a gifted friend has done readings for my husband and me, and our readings aligned very closely to major milestones we experienced. I’ve also had a growing recognition of my intuitive strengths, and I work on being open to that. A few years ago, when I was at a crossroads, I had a very special reading where I learned that my archangel is one of creativity and truth – and his color is yellow. Well, of course it’s yellow! As a kid, I was called Sunny. I feed off the sun, although I’m an earth sign; go figure!

No matter what style your interiors are, adding something old and soulful or mid-century cool always fits right in.

Moon and star salt and pepper

The happy faces on these two make me laugh.

This is the sort of thing I like to hide my secrets in:

Green mini-chest

The Great Dream Book

This book found me at a sale out in the country. People like us probably kept books like this in our bedside tables, back in the day. Oh, and if you dream of gazing at the sun, it mean happiness lies ahead!

Virgo note cards

Whenever I see anything astrological, planetary or sunny, I’m drawn to it. Especially old stationary – maybe because my small but close set of peeps is so important to me. And look at the long mermaid hair on Miss Virgo!

Lacy Campbell

Bowence Meroni

Chicago, Illinois

Come on in! Kick off your shoes! Have a seat! Here - have something to eat, and more importantly, what can I get you to drink?

We Taureans love our homes, good food and good drink and we REALLY love to share them with others! It only makes sense to me that I found my niche in handmade housewares that are both practical (another Taurus buzzword) and lovely. If there's anything I love more than a good bottle of wine shared with loved ones gathering in my home, it's another bottle!

Loving dinner parties, nights in, and BYOB restaurants (Taurus, thrifty as always!) made it a natural fit for me to imagine something I loved that I hadn't yet found on the market: Cute, reusable (and earth friendly) wine bags, perfect for toting a bottle to a picnic or giving as a thoughtful, unique host gift when visiting a well-loved friend.

Pinkie Wine Bag/Cozy

I feel my Taurus traits come out in strategy and in art. If I'm in it, I'm in it for the long haul: I'm focused on building my shop slowly, steadily, and relying on the rewards of work that is both well done and patiently developed. Some of my happiest nights are sitting quietly at home, looking at a pile of plain wine bags and dreaming up ways to detail and accentuate them. Practicality keeps dreams in check: I started off with minimal investment by getting my yarn from thrift stores and keeping myself to a strict budget. I'll only let myself expand and buy more materials when I sell what I have (this makes it tough when building an initial inventory, though!). True to my earth sign, I work in mostly earth tones and struggle to make anything vaguely flashier - even when I know they'll sell! Charcoals, browns, and deep reds just resonate with me the strongest!

My work tends to be chunky and sturdy rather than gossamer and delicate - the heavy earth presence in my sign leads me to value things that will last. I also notice a definite trend towards the simple and elegant, another Taurus hallmark.

Although I love the company of others, I can be blissfully happy when lost in my own world - and a crochet needle and ball of yarn can be all it takes to occupy my hands while my mind drifts off. I always keep a project in my purse for when I'm on the train, waiting for appointments, or watching a good football game. It's a perfect match for me - my Taurus work ethic makes it hard to let my hands just sit there!

I can be absolutely bull-headed when a piece just is. not. working. I can't give it up! Unravel. Try again. Unravel. Change yarn color. Try again. Unravel. (repeat ad infinitum) Times like this I'm lucky enough to have a good consultant in my husband - also a Taurus. Since he's fresh to it, his sense of the aesthetic makes it easy for him to cut right to the problem. "It's too boring. You need something right here." Boom. Fixed. (Forgive me for mentioning my husband - I know this piece is about me and my work, but after all, I *am* ruled by Venus!)

To read more Full Moon Artist Posts please click here.

You can order a Full Moon Reading on my website or in my Etsy Shop.

Remembering our Ancestors

2009-10-30T12:48:00.000-07:00

Maude Angel - a Woodblock Print

In honour of Hallow's Eve or Samhain I held a Facebook Giveaway called "My Favorite Ancestor" and the lucky winner received a woodblock print (pictured above) of my favorite ancestor from the movie "Harold & Maude" as played by Ruth Gordon.

Here's the question posed to my Facebook Fans: What 3 things did you learn from your favorite ancestor? How did they effect you body, mind and soul and in what ways did they touch your heart? To enter this giveaway just leave your comments on my Wall!

And if you don't yet have a favorite ancestor then pick one, any one that you wished you could have known and why.

Let us remember the dead for they are all around us.

Thanks to all of you who shared your very moving Ancestor Stories - I am very touched and inspired and feel very blessed to know all of you and your ancestors too.

Leslie Maltby Burdzy, Hartford, CT - My ancestor is my great-grandfather, boat builder, creative like many on that side of the family. It makes me feel that I am not crazy to want to create, that it's ok to create your own world - one that makes sense to you, and the need to throw in a bit of the down and dirty real-world into the mix, just to survive.

Cathy Parker, Columbus, OH - My favorite ancestors are my paternal grandmother and grandfather. I miss them so very much. I turned 60 on the 23rd so lately I have been thinking about those years when They were with me physically. Even so many years later I can't help but cry because they were such a strong and loving part of my life. I've never heard from my grandmother so I'm sure she came right back down into Life after crossing over. That would be so like her. I can hear her saying,"Let's get this over with so I can rest!". So wherever she is this is her last life, I'm sure. My grandfather has visited me in my dreams and he makes it very obvious for me that I'm on a journey. He sits away in the corner in his rocking chair and I have to step out of my dream to speak to him!

Brenda Mihalopoulos, Boston, MA - I think my favourite ancestor was my Great Grandmother...she got me on the crafting trail and I've been on it ever since...still can't knit or crochet worth a damn...

Ann Marie Hennesey Charest, Hartford, CT - My grandmother was a concert pianist in the 1920's. I never knew her in this lifetime, although I have always felt guided by her as I played musical instruments, especially the piano. I am also named for her. When I channel her, she tells me that she was always there guiding me and will continue to do so as long as I would like her too. She also spoke only French and sometimes her messages are not in English. I find this to be very cool and I am flattered that she has always been by my side.

Colleen Wilhelm: It is hard to narrow it down to one. I loved my maternal grandparents and they were the best influence on me growing up. My grandmother was like an angel to me. She loved me and believed in me when no one else did. She said I was her angel and I told her she was mine. I'm on the side of the light and I give her so much credit for showing me the way.

Jo Lynne Sprouse, Asheville, NC: My favorite ancestor is one I never met and really didn't hear a lot about until I started asking - She was my paternal great-great-grandmother. I have recently learned that she was a 'wise woman' in the hills of West Virginia and figure that it is she who has guided my spiritual path to where I am now. I am planning to do a special ceremony for her at Samhain and hope to contact her and connect with her.

Mary Miller, Columbus, Ohio: My favorite Ancestor. Sigh, I was just looking up everything I could for the last few days on my uncle. being so close to "day of the dead" for some, "Sawain" for others, for native Americans, this is the time of the ancestors and sending prayer bundles.

My favorite ancestor was my uncle/father who raised me, without a doubt. This man took a high road, when many in his family did not. He came from a very disadvantaged background (homeless from the age of 12 and parentless), scrabbled for years to raise himself above almost all odds, including jail, gang relations with the Pachucas in Oakland California in the 1940's, to being a well honored man in the Seattle area. He even has a hospital wing named for him at Group Health Seattle, for the inspiration he gave to folks who knew him. He was a humanitarian who believed that "something was a problem, if you made it a problem," and through his wisdom and love. I couldn't be who I am without him. He touched my soul.

Mon Lukas, Australia:

My favourite ancestor is a fore-mother who I never met, because she lived somewhere in the veils of time in central Europe. She resides in my cellular memory and influence and memory help make me what I am now, and quite foreign to the rest of my tribe.

She has given me:
The courage to speak out, despite a culture that would have it's women passive and obedient (Catholic, Slavic Poland)
Democratic and iconoclastic despite being born into privilege (the family supposedly had money, land and serfs)
Intuitive, psychic with a healing gift (I'd like to imagine that she had visited a gypsy camp, found love and introduced "the sight"into a line!)

Kathy -- the ancestors are truly constantly with us :)

For those of you interested in having an Ancestor (Mediumship) reading I do offer this service on my website at http://KathyCrabbe.com

You can read a sample of an Ancestor Reading here.

Interview - Being an Intuitive Artist

2009-10-27T11:50:00.000-07:00

Below is a sneak peek of a recent interview I did with Cappy Sue for her blog.

Cappy Sue: When did you realize you had some abilities others did not?

I am going to refer to my psychic-medium abilities in response to this question. My first really big moment of realization came when I stood up in a mediumship development circle I had just joined and made an instant connection with someone who had passed over. I immediately sensed and saw images of what they looked like, where they lived, what they were like, who they were around, stuff like that. That really blew my mind because I had never before witnessed mediumship or knew what to expect at all! It was quite exhilarating and fascinating and I've been hooked ever since on connecting with the spirit world!

When did you realize these intuitive/psychic abilities were a part of your art work?

My psychic-medium abilities were definitely enhanced by my work as a professional artist since 1993. Being an artist is similar in a way to being a psychic because both skills can allow one to access other worlds. Being a psychic and being an artist require deep concentration and focus to the point of obsession and allow one to connect with other realms and beings. So it wasn't that much of a leap to turn my art work (which is often created in series) into four decks of oracle cards that I use for my psychic readings. I was also guided by a dream to turn my Lefty artwork (a series of over 500 drawings created over a period of five years with my non dominant left hand) into cards that I was to use for online readings exclusively . The day after I received that dream was when I started offering readings on Etsy and I haven't stopped since! I've also gone on to create a blog and website as well. Currently I work with a Lefty Oracle deck, a Goddess Zodiac deck, a Fairy Herbal Healing deck and a Celtic Tree Oracle deck. They don't follow any system such as a tarot deck does, but instead serve to emphasize and expand upon a psychic reading in a visual, healing and informative way. All the decks, except for the Lefty deck come with written information explaining the meaning behind the card ie. herbal healing, zodiac, goddess and Celtic druidic wisdom. There are always clues in the information that can guide one to enhance their reading and to work with it on their own to bring about inspiration, healing or shifts in energy that will hopefully encourage the client to move forward and make changes in their life or in their habitual responses and patterns.

What is your favorite part of creating the art work?

I love to be in the moment - painting is all about expressively, emotionally and passionately connecting with heart energy. I love the feeling of going deeply into all kinds of emotions; difficult, painful, joyous and ecstatic ones - they are all expressions of who we are as human beings. I paint so that I can bring forth these feelings into the world in a healthy and almost cathartic process.

To see more posts about my most recent paintings please go here.

To learn more about my work as a psychic-medium and soul reader please go to my website at http://KathyCrabbe.com

Being

2009-10-26T19:09:00.000-07:00

I stretched out silk today and covered it with gesso - a first for me! The gesso-covered silk is ripply and parchment-ey. It's surface feels hardened and crackly, like leathery skin, but very white. I've never painted on a surface like this before, it's like entering unknown territory.

I also don't what I'm feeling anymore, so I paint an egg shape then I sit waiting, breathing, being.

But love, love calls (and sorrow) and all is as it should be.

"Everybody has come home...Our lives don't end" - lyrics from "Goin' Out" by Sarah Harmer.

Slowly, you pick away at love...until nothing's left.

"Being" - acrylic and pastel on silk.

Musical Inspiration: Friends of mine: Liquoricegirl (Diane Barbarash) - "I Found You Under the Dogwood Tree", Kara Louisa - "I Wish", and Ontario girl Sarah Harmer - "You Were Here" and "I'm a Mountain".

Stasis

2009-10-25T11:25:00.000-07:00

"Stasis" - 4' x 5' acrylic & pastel - from the series "Journey Into Intimacy"

Heart pounding, I calm my breathing so that I can begin. I also start to plan the following day's work by preparing large watercolor sheets with gesso so they're ready to go first thing.

I sit a moment gathering strength for the work to be done - all encompassing, all consuming. "I wanna feel good, soul sister." (lyrics from "Street Faerie")

What does love feel like? Floating, diving, still, fast, slow, penetrating, dreaming, hard, soft, and then stasis.

How to enter the water? Be the water.

You can see the beginning stages of this painting here.
Musical Inspiration: Massive Attack - "Protection", Sinead Lohan - "No Mermaid", Cree Summer - "Street Faerie", The Primitives - "Pure".

Risk - The Joy Diet

2009-10-22T16:08:00.000-07:00

My art studio and the beginning of Painting #3 - "Stasis"

This week we're taking risks as part of the "Risk" Chapter in our Joy Diet Creative Blogger's Book Club and I have started painting again after a long hiatus of about one year.

My "Desire" (Chapter 3) which had not yet been identified (actually, it was deliberately kept private) is being revealed brushstroke by brushstroke as I explore emotions and intimacy within my marriage.

Each day that I paint I feel these emotions deeply as I express them on paper with paint, ink, water and pastel.

I risk exposing myself and my inner world to the world-at-large feeling raw, vulnerable and accountable as I begin "Journey into Intimacy" a new series of large paintings (4' x 5') - partly abstract, partly symbolic and very expressive.

"You must do the thing you think you cannot do." (Eleanor Roosevelt)

You can read more of my Joy Diet posts here.
You can still sign up for the Joy Diet Book Club here.
Painting #1 - "Finding My Wings" and Painting #2 - "Arrow of Pain"

Journey into Intimacy

2009-10-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

I'm painting again. It's back to a more physical way of being - painting puts me in touch with my body, movement and physical expression and is a form of ecstasy and release. I paint to music, loud music and this also sets a mood, a tone, a feeling.

This new series of paintings begun on Monday, November 19th are a journey for me into intimacy. I am painting and writing together - the one engenders the other, not sure in what order.

This latest is titled "Arrow of Pain" and with it comes Realization. Going deeper, more intimate, more, more, more. What does it mean? Being scared, but of what? Facing all the pain that intimacy has engendered over the years, facing all the mistakes, the regrets, the paths taken. Going into and beyond the hurt to reach the other side. Going deeply into feeling, so deeply that one fears getting lost inside.

I face my alone-ness every day. Some days it hurts. Some days I can work through it. Today I paint through it because I feel the pain more acutely. We are always truly alone and it hurts.

Musical Inspiration: Paul Van Dyck, Bjork, Loreena McKennitt, Tori Amos, 80's pop.
The first painting in this series is titled "Finding My Wings" and is here.

Finding My Wings

2009-10-19T16:48:00.000-07:00

Some quotes from my last blog post: "It feels like going out on a metaphorical limb or jumping off a cliff. It's exciting and very scary, but so is life and the challenge of living it fully.

So here I go...dear Goddess grant me wings!"

Today I think I found my wings, at least for today. I painted again after taking a hiatus of several months - but today it just came pouring out of me and I couldn't stop it - tears, pain and paint melding into one gorgeous painting experience four hours long and worth every hot second (whatever that means!)

My studio had been shut down as I had packed everything away ready for a move to San Francisco that never happened and today I unpacked it all, taped my watercolor sheets to the wall, primed them and set out my acrylics and pastels, inks, brushes, gutta and all the lovely assorted accoutrements that accompany a painting life.

I'm back in action again while the spirit moves me. Goddess thank you for today's wings - what kind of bird do you think I've painted? I'm not sure, but if you think you know please tell me!

By the way, the painting roughly measures five feet by four feet and consists of 3 large sheets of watercolor paper taped side by side.

Musical inspiration: Delerium, Prince, The White Stripes.

Libra New Moon Artists

2009-10-16T12:47:00.000-07:00

New Moon in Libra
October 17, 2009
10:33 pm PDT

Venus-ruled, airy Libra is a mentor of the arts. Beauty, harmony, cooperation, and poetic flow are her gifts. It's a good social-gathering time when the moon entertains Libra. Both friendly attractions and love connections can be delightful. Balance bonds within yourself and significant others in your life. (Excerpted from the We'Moon Datebook 1998)

A Libran New Moon Challenge Just For You!

Libra teaches us how to bring beauty into the world as we seek common ground for accessing lofty, refined, and aesthetic experiences. My New Moon Challenge for you is to create something, anything that radiates pure beauty and then to share it with others, including me - by emailing me with your creation so that everyone can see it here on my blog on the next New Moon in Scorpio - November 16th.

This month's featured artists both work with fabrics: Rhena hails from Minneapolis and Ning from Las Vegas. I hope you enjoy their gorgeous creations and are inspired by their words as well - Librans worship beauty, serenity and peace.

Ning
GeorgeGabrielle.etsy.com

Being a Libra definitely influences my work. Indecisive, well..not sure if I want to call it indecisive. It's not that I can't decide, it's just that it always takes me quite a while to make a decision. I have to really think it through and make sure I will not regret anything afterward. So when I make my garments, I usually take hours and hours just brainstorming about what the design is going to be. Sometimes it takes days (and tons of sketches).

I'm not sure if nit picky is part of Libra's characteristics or not, but I certainly am. When I see a crooked seam or sloppy sewing I always cringe. I have to change and correct it even if I have to start all over again. I've tried so many times to not think about making imperfections in my sewing, but it just results in me thinking about those imperfections day and night.

Impatient, yes, that's me too. When I want something, usually I want it right here and right now. After I decide which design to make, a lot of times I will go straight to my cute little sewing room, and start making patterns, cutting fabrics, and sewing them. A lot of times I want to do it all in one night (it's usually when I work the best) which is of course impossible to do. I always try to remind myself that high quality work can't be achieved if I work in a rush. So with that in mind, I'm able to overcome the impatient side of myself. Reading Dalai Lama books usually helps too, he has a very calm and soothing way about him.

Another side of me, not related to my work, is that I consider myself a sensitive. I can talk to my deceased friends and families and sometimes get premonitions through my dreams. Sometimes I can connect with them if I meditate hard enough, but I hardly have time for that nowadays.

I've seen things that are literally "out of this world". I've seen people cross over and I've seen the dream realm (the realm when spirits enter our dreams). I rarely share these stories with anyone because it would probably sound too surreal and they might think that I'm bananas, lol. Maybe I should just start putting them in paintings!

Rhena
LarsandAddie.etsy.com
LarsandAddie.blogspot.com

Librans love to surround themselves with beautiful things and harmony. A lot of my work includes items for the home that work harmoniously within each piece. There's nothing more satisfying than receiving feedback about how the colors and patterns work perfectly in the space they were intended for!

As a Libra, I'm also very practical. As it says in my shop announcement, I like to balance form and function within my items. That's why I'm drawn to making bags, bowls, and scarves that are beautiful but also useful.

My Libran obsession with communication and fairness carries through in both my business dealings and my custom orders. I never begin work on a custom item until I'm sure all the needs of the buyer are being met!

You can read more New Moon artist features here.

Creativity - The Joy Diet!

2009-10-15T19:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Week 4 of The Joy Diet!

This week our creative blogger's book club is exploring Menu Item #4 - Creativity - yehh!

Suffice to say that this chapter got my creative juices flowing BIG TIME!

My favorite parts:

"To increase the range of your creativity, try the following "mind-Yoga" techniques.

1. Force innovation. Think of 10 ways to solve the problem you're facing. These solutions don't have to be sensible, ethical, or even legal. The only thing they must be is different from each other. Got that? Good. Now think of 10 more.

2. Perseverate on your enemies. Target an individual or group you hate. Say what you hate most about them. See if a reframed version of this quality might be something you either need, or already have. Let yourself act as your enemy acts, within your moral boundaries.

3. Unify false dichotomies. Make a list of things that cannot coexist in your behaviour, your environment, or your life. Commit to being, doing, or having both of them. See if a solution arises."

My journey through creativity is highly personal and private so I cannot share the details with you, dear readers, but I will say that this book has forced me to re-think and re-imagine myself daring to live the life of my dreams. It feels like going out on a metaphorical limb or jumping off a cliff. It's exciting and very scary, but so is life and the challenge of living it fully.

So here I go...dear Goddess grant me wings!

You can read more of my Joy Diet posts here.

An Ancestor Reading for Elizabeth

2009-10-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

What is an Ancestor Reading?

Ancestors are family members (or friends) that have passed away but choose to 'come through' for you in times of need so that they can offer you guidance in the form of a message. I will request specific information from your ancestor so that you can positively identify them. I will sometimes see your ancestors, hear them, or feel their presence along with their name and I will do my best to capture whatever message they have for you. It can be reassuring to know that you are being watched over and loved by those who truly care for your well-being.

Spirit Guides are wise teachers and guardians from another dimension that advise and protect us. They are dis-incarnate spirits (ie. animal totems, angels, nature spirits) that can act as spiritual counselors or protectors for us, during our time of need. I will also provide you with suggestions and techniques for connecting to your guides on your own.

An Ancestor Reading for Elizabeth, 'Bethy'

* This reading is being shared with kind permission from Bethy.

This reading is in response to your wish for a connection with Myrtle or (David or Pete.)

I feel as though it is Myrtle that I am connecting with at this time.

- Although it seems as though it might be Pete who appears first. He appears slap-happy and wearing blue jean overalls and was closely connected to Myrtle. He was a man of few words and not very eloquent so I decide to move on with the reading to connect with Myrtle.

- Myrtle appears quite small with bird-like features.

- She appears demure at first and wearing cat-eye glasses.

- It’s as if she has a lot to say, but kept a lot of it back – she was repressed in this way, as if she was always correcting herself.

- Did she have a friend by the name of Hazel?

- She reassures me by placing her hand on my arm and saying, “I did what I could.”

- I believe that she was your maternal grandmother and did her husband’s name sound like ‘Bo’?

- I also see 2 children (girls).

- I decide to work with an Amethyst gemstone to help strengthen the connection I have with her.

- I also see her praying to Jesus to give her strength.

- I asked what qualities she passed on to you and she says that she passed on her curiosity to you!

- I sense that she may have been repressed by her husband’s larger-than-life presence – he just took up more space than her and required more attention.

- I sense that she had a close bond with her own mother (she had long hair.) She has memories of sweeping.

- She grew up in a town. Was her brother named Pete?

- She appeared very active as a girl; playing, running and jumping – she was more outgoing then.

- But then I get an image of ‘grey knitting’ and she appears to have shut down.

- As a teen (around the age of 16) something traumatic happened to her (death of a family member, her mother?) or possibly just growing up and having to leave behind childish games.

- Then she had your mother and she was happy for a while.

- I see her with light, fine, blonde-brown hair, just above her shoulder and lightly curled at the ends.

- She may have suffered from depression.

- In regards to how she passed away I feel pain in the middle of her back and in her left leg as well as a shortness of breath – a stroke? When it happened she asked, “Is this what it feels like to die?” and she felt no more pain after that.

She also says, “Now I can watch and I’m lighter and freer up here!”
- A few more things she mentioned were that she liked square dancing and cats, especially an orange-creamsicle colored cat – he was her favorite.

And for you she has this message: “Stand up tall and don’t let them overlook you. You are right, ‘it’s your time’ and I’m proud of you.” She also says to “Be kind to your little brother.”

Bethy's Response:

You connected with my Maternal Grandmother, Myrtle. She used to call her husband, John, her "Beau". It was well known. So, even though you may have thought of it as a name it was his title, so to speak, in her heart. He died in 1974, when I was just a baby.

The two girls were, in my heart and mind, my mom, Mary and my Aunt, Margaret. Lately they have been living and caring for each other and I have prayed for them both asking Grandma Myrtle to intercede. I truly envision her now as part of God's "Communion of Saints", of which we all are. She and I didn't connect so much in life but my gifts have lead me in directions in which I have had to be "curious" all on my own to follow God's deepest call on my life.

I first connected with Grandma Davey (Myrtle)when I was married on her birthday. I used one of her poems in my Mass. I have recently called on her in times of trouble with my marriage and most profoundly when I was being "harassed" by negative spirits in my house. Unlike ANY experience I have had in my life, she came as like a ball of light in my room, more like in my mind's eye one night at bedtime. I knew it was her right away and she brought total peace and I talked to her but only intentions or thoughts came passing by my mind and it was like a spirit conversation.

She gave me the impression that she was like a little bird, so free and full of life, movement and she could "fly" all over and was never far, she said. She told me that all any of us have to do is "Love our Life" and follow our heart's dream with complete trust in God, mostly not to WORRY.

I confirmed some of the things she described about her husband, who was definitely larger than life and is and was sorely missed by his two girls. The hair reference, according to my mom, was also correct.

When you said that she said to "Be kind to my little brother", I immediately thought of my son, Benjiman, actually. She also gave me the impression when she visited me that night, that we are all brothers and sisters in the Kingdom. It is an inside message to me. She knows me and my son are somehow inherently friends on this life journey.

I was thoroughly satisfied with your connection and your gift is true. The truth sets you free and like you twittered not long ago, your specialty is the fruit of the spirit in which your gift manifests. I think you said that people are put on a path that keeps leading them in the right direction. This is SO close to what I believe I am called to and which was exactly what my Grandma Myrtle indicated she always wanted from her life but that some how her own self imposed and family imposed boundaries kept her away from experiencing this true miracle of connection with her family and people until AFTER she passed into the spirit world.

I want to save and get another reading so as to get encouraged to go in the wonderful direction God intends for me. Your gifts and my gifts and these connections are all part of the true Body of Christ at work in this world. Keep in touch, please and I will talk to you again, hopefully soon.

To book an Ancestor Reading please do so here.

Scent Awareness & Using Your Search Engines by Guest Writer Cindy S.

2009-10-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

You don't need me to tell you about aromatherapy. Type it into your search engine and you'll get something like 189,000,000 hits telling you all about it. I'm no scent expert, but I am always astonished at people who can identify top, middle and dry down notes.

What I am is a scent addict. I'm also betting that you have some strong, personal opinions about the smells with which you surround yourself. Quick, look at the time, give yourself a minute and think of your top five favorite smells.Go ahead. Write them down or hit reply and type them in. I'll wait - sings badly, Tori Amos's - 'Sweet The Sting'.

Did you choose a floral scent? Outdoor smells? Food smells? Sweet? Sharp? Musty? An idiosyncratic scent - something that is meaningful to you, but not 'mainstream'? Did you choose a variety of scents? (You can also find out what kind of scent personality you are online - there really is a quiz for everything online!) My favorite smells are, in no particular order: the smell of my childrens heads when they were babies, good cooking smells, how it smells outside after a rain or snow storm (oh yeah, snow does have a scent), lilies, and lemon.

One of the best surprises for me this year was discovering I love scented oils that smell heavily like cookies or candy. For years, I had been associating those smells with some dolls my daughter had: cloying, overly-fruity, overly-bakery. Those smells have grown up now.

There are perfumiers performing all sorts of alchemy with what appears to be unlikely pleasant scents: smoke, pepper, dirt, and ozone and they are coming up with some rather magical combinations (Like how it smells outside after a rain or snow storm). Type in the 'scent of ___________ (whatever you want)' above and chances are someone has it in oil form or mixed with something else. And a lot of places offer reasonably priced samples.

Now here are some aromatherapy hints I can't resist passing along!

1. Can't get your kid to do homework? Try giving them peppermint candy or gum. Or you could dribble lemon oil or spray a lemony perfume about. Both of these scents are wake up and work scents.

2. Can't get your kid to calm down? Try a vanilla candy or putting a vanilla scented something near them. Lavender is calming too, but some kids are really put off by the smell. Vanilla is more fun anyway. (You can buy pencils with these scents too. Type it into your search engine above!)

3. We might appear younger when wearing a pink grapefruit, vanilla or baby powder scent.

4. We might be perceived as thinner by wearing a zingy floral scent or something like a mens aftershave! I can partially attest to this. I once accidentally bought the mens version of a very popular perfume. I have never received so many compliments on a scent, turns out it had tobacco in it!

5. If you test a perfume and the first thing you smell is alcohol, pass on it. There's very little actual scent in there and what is there will disappear quickly.

6. And if you can't sleep, dab a dot of your favorite scent or perfume on each wrist. Just a dot will relax you. Are you looking up at the long, blank space above and thinking, "Hmmmmm, I wonder if there's something that smells like...." This is all for fun. Go for it.

Write me here with all YOUR favorite scents, please! One of my favorite online places for scents is Possets.com

About Cindy S.

I am a Pisces (engaged to a Scorpio), live in a Chicago suburb, have 2 grown children (son aged 26, Aquarius and daughter aged 23, Pisces). I have been a Special Ed teacher for a very long time. I am interested in astrology, familiars and aromatherapy. I have also been collecting 'rocks', gemstones, charms and crystals since I was a child. I am not an expert on any of these topics, but a very willing student. I also write and love to read. I believe we are sent here on earth to help each other---things you do come back to you---even in seemingly the smallest ways.

You can read more posts by Guest Writers here.
To submit your own metaphysical stories please go here.

Desire

2009-10-08T14:56:00.000-07:00

This is Week 3 of Jamie Ridler's Joy Diet Blogger's Book Club and the featured Menu Item this week is DESIRE.

This week we combined Doing Nothing for 15 minutes (Menu Item #1) along with Truth (Menu Item #2) and now Desire - identifying, articulating and exploring at least one of our heart's desires.

It has been a week of exploration - of ups and downs while tuning into true desire - not the shallow, effervescent, cotton-candy-coated kind, but the deep-seated, sink-your-teeth into, everlasting kind.

It hasn't been an easy week although you might think that uncovering one's true desires pebble-by-pebble would be a thrill a minute.

Distinguishing secondary desires was first but getting to the core desire was the real challenge this week. And no, I'm not going to reveal what that was (I can hear your ears getting bigger) but hint, hint, in the process I did discover an excellent metal band called Master Splinter and the Shredders performing live and trust me, I was rocking out all week long!

Desire can be tricky - it can take you in many directions - all leading to the same place, I do believe.

Well I'm up for the ride, no matter what and I'm also really excited about next week's Menu Item - Creativity.

You can sign up for the Joy Diet here or read more of my Joy Diet posts here.
The artwork above is from my Lefty Series drawn entirely with my non dominant left hand.

A Crystal Reading for Claudi

2009-10-07T16:00:00.000-07:00

What is a Crystal Reading?
This reading is designed specifically around the healing and guiding messages received from stones and crystals that call out to me in response to your energy and your question or issue. I will suggest ways for you to work with these stones along with detailed information about their metaphysical and healing purposes emailed to you in pdf form.

To order a Crystal Reading please go to my Etsy Shop.

How is it done?
I work to prepare myself energetically and physically through yoga, meditation and chakra balancing. I work with healing crystals and oracle cards of my own design in response to your questions. I request from Spirit an open heart and a clear channel to provide you with information that is only of the highest, deepest and most profound good for your soul. My style of reading is honest, down-to earth, and informative.

About Long Distance Readings: My preferred mode of reading someone's soul-energy is via distance - this allows me to focus on you, your spirit and your guides in a focused way clear of distractions. Each reading involves preparations such as meditation and yoga to help me focus. I will often pull healing stones and a card(s) from one of my four self-designed and painted oracle card decks, but unlike a tarot reading I will not actually look at the card until after your reading is finished. The card imagery and description often serve to accentuate and emphasize certain points in your reading and along with the healing stones may also give you some more tools to work with on your own after the reading is over.

A 1 Question Crystal Reading for Claudi

*This reading was published with kind permission from Claudi.

This reading is in response to your question: What I was hoping for was direction on what kind of crystal I could use for a pendant to wear all the time. But, I am open to whatever comes. I don't like to get to specific about what I WANT....I'd rather be open to what needs to be, is that alright?

- During the first part of your reading I felt all kinds of distractions pulling at you!

- I also felt the balancing, healing, strong, clear pull of Yellow Citrine (a Citrine point) along with Jade coming into your reading to help you out. I recommend holding the Citrine in your right hand and the Jade in your left hand.

- Now we can splash and play!

Citrine (yellow-gold) is reminding you to open yourself to guidance and to the Divine Will. Remember, you will manifest whatever it is that you hold foremost in your mind and energy. Are your words and actions consistent with what you want to create?

Green Jade is an Earth element stone in all respects, promoting the flow of money, fertility, and abundance into one’s life. It represents harmony and happiness in business and family relationships and is an excellent stone to use in one’s office or home environment to promote harmonious energy. It reminds one to smell the flowers, touch someone you love, and share your abundant heart with others.
Affirmation: I love life, and it flows through me in ever-greater abundance.

- I also feel that working with Aqua Aura (just one piece of it) will be helpful for you!

Aqua Aura Quartz calms the emotional body, allowing one to witness one’s various emotional states without being pulled into identifying with them.

I also turn to my brand new Petrified Wood Sphere to gain more insight and I feel as though we step back in time to when you were just a child. I sense crying. You are feeling that you aren’t a kid anymore and that you have a lot to give – you want to help! You seem frustrated and I hear you thinking, “I’ll show them” (those nasty ol grownups!) So you decide that when you grow up you’ll be powerful. This may be where the first spark of metaphysical yearnings came to you.

- You always had so much more to give and you long to be recognized and seen for who you really are.

- I also suggest working with a Herkimer Diamond.

Herkimer Diamonds are great to carry with you when you feel the need of an extra boost of energy. They will help to keep you happy! They are also helpful when used for dreaming purposes to initiate conscious out of the body experiences or to help you accurately recall your dreams.

- I do sense that you are quite particular.

Now it’s time for a Soul Card for you so I pull a card from my Lefty Oracle deck and it is called “Choice”.

This Lefty is saying to you, “Turn around Claudi, see yourself, see how glorious and how strong you are now. What more do you want, dear one?”

Next, a gemstone called Lepidolite speaks out:

This is the stone for you.

It opens to the moonlight.

It speaks to the Goddess.

It allows your soul to speak.

And your soul is singing

And your soul is guiding you.

Lepidolite (lavender and pink) helps release karmic suffering and promotes acceptance, calm, trust in life, and trust in the Goddess.

I also suggest working with an Amethyst Cluster (for your left hand) – it will help take you to purpley, silvery, faery-like places.

- You can lie down with the Amethyst and the Lepidolite and then envision a plain oval stone lying on your power chakra (the 3^rd chakra located above your naval). This stone is an opening for you

– it will help you open up to your inner light, to release it, like a shock of bright yellow light.

- This is a time of awakening for you.

- Your eyes are wide open now – you are fully awake and present.

Which stone for a pendant?

(For some reason I hear the name ‘Hans’ – is it someone from your past?)

I also pull a card for you to help with this question and it is called “Fairy in the Raw”.

- I see a strange sort of yellow fish/bird swimming/flying towards you!

I see you wearing a necklace with Aqua Aura, Amethyst and Herkimer Diamonds. This necklace will resonate with you on an Angelic level and help you with focus, clarity and Higher Purpose.

You are the Goddess. I pull a Goddess card for you and it is called “Brigid – Scorpio Goddess”.

Brigid is one of the greatest of all Celtic goddesses. She is a divine feminine force, symbolized by the inspirational fire of creativity. Her name means “bright arrow,” or “the bright one” and no man was ever allowed within her sanctuary.

Scorpio turns us inward and deepens our bravery, curiosity and focus.

Scorpio Resources: emotional stamina and a taste for intensity.

- You are the Goddess, secure in the knowing of your power. Blessed Be.

I’m ending your reading by sending you sparkly blessings of clarity, strength and focus.

Claudi's Comments:

I have been so distracted with many different things - I feel like a hummingbird that can't quite decide which flower to go to. There are too many of them and they all call to me at once. I realize that my mind is not settled and I am going to need to calm down and deal with each thing, one at a time, finish it then go on to the next one. It is something I get caught in sometimes. I think I will commit to a specific time for meditating and make sure all the distractions are put aside.

Aqua Aura - This is actually the first time I have heard of this crystal. I have a need to work on not taking reactions personally in a certain aspect of my life. That has been a struggle.

"As myself as a child" - There is a long road with that one. I understand exactly what the meaning of your references are. As far as being recognized and seen for who I really am.... sadly, that would not be happening within my childhood family. Within my own and extended family I believe that it is very possible.

Am I particular? I would yes. But not snotty or high maintenance particular - at least I don't think so, (but don't mention it to my husband)!

Thank you for reminding me about not being so self absorbed. I need to remember all that I have all the time.

Hans? I have never met a Hans in this life. But the name does resonate with me, so I think it is in a past life. That would be interesting to find out.

I love "Fairy in the Raw". I love natural things: raw crystals, raw soil waiting to be planted, and old, rustic bits of things attract me. All my furniture is old and weathered. I like being natural.

The Lepidolite - " ....silvery, fairy-like places." That is right from my first soul reading. Those are my wonderful spirit guides (mercurial, quicksilver like guides and also my castle and the fairy princess from that reading). You have to love them for their tenacity. And I love the moonlight and the night. As odd as it sounds, I get depressed with too much sunlight. You will find me longing for nighttime or soft cloudy days.

The strange sort of yellow fish/bird swimming/flying...I wonder if it could be something like the yellow butterflies that I see everywhere?

I will be studying the Goddess Brigid from my books. I am looking forward to that. I have never really focused on one goddess.

And, finally the crystals for my pendant. Won't they make a lovely one! All three are on the Kacha website by the way. I have sent them a request for a design with those three if their designer returns. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope. How exciting!

Thank you for this reading. It has been helpful in many ways. I would highly recommend it for anyone needing beneficial guidance. You are in my thoughts.

You can order a Crystal Reading at my Etsy Shop: LuLuDesign.etsy.com

Aries Full Moon Artist Spotlight

2009-10-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

Full Moon in Aries

October 3, 2009
11:10 pm PDT

Full Moon fulfillment burns with Aries heat and fire this month so take some time to wake up and remember who you truly are, even if it bothers those you work with or love. Tempers, tears and passion run high as we find our independence and our voice.

This month's Full Moon Aries artist is Roberta and Renee (a Libra) from Amanda, Ohio and I'm sure you'll find their story very inspiring in many ways. I must say that I had a very tough time finding Aries artists to feature this month - not sure why, maybe they're all too busy charging full steam ahead changing the world?!

Roberta & Renee
Stratus Silver
Amanda, Ohio

Recycled Twig Bangle Bracelets

Roberta and I (Renee) are co-owners of Stratus Silver Jewelry Co. I am an Aries and Berta is the Libra. We have known each other and worked together at our day jobs for sixteen years, although Stratus Silver did not come about until we 'accidentally' became neighbors out in the middle of nowhere. (We live in the Hocking Hills region of southeastern Ohio.)

I am definitely not an astrology expert, but I know Aries and Libra are a great mix. Berta's air feeds me and my fire moves her. I'm the initiator, innovator and fixer; she picks up whatever comes and runs with it, all while bringing balance to the entire operation. We motivate each other and work better together than any other two people we know. When we're swamped and under pressure, we often work 10-12 hours together in our studio and never miss a beat, including getting families fed, kids to football, client calls and anything else on the agenda. A few words between us is all it takes to get the ball rolling. From there we hum. One picks up where the other leaves off and before we know it, the jobs are done. No worries about tripping over egos here either. We're both well aware of who excels at what and surprise, surprise, our talents are perfect compliments to each other.

Our nature line was born one day when I was bored and said: "Lets do something different. I feel like burning something up." (Are you surprised?) Berta agreed. (She never quashes my spontaneity.) A few hours later, we were both staring at a pound of sterling silver twig castings. Simultaneously we said: "What now?" The twig bangles were my idea. Berta immediately followed with twig earrings and "Can we do other stuff, too? Like leaves maybe?" Yeah. We could do leaves. And flowers and petals and seeds and on and on. We haven't found a limit to what we can do together yet, except perhaps in that linear, non-existent dimension we're in called 'time.'

Queen Size Twig Bangle Bracelets

Our ultimate goal is to grow Stratus Silver to the point where we can provide some jobs for the many people who are out of work in the depressed, very rural area where we live. The folks around here have relied on manufacturing companies for employment for generations. Unfortunately, the area's manufacturers have all moved out of the country or closed because of the economy.

It's also our intent and hope to inspire a sense of appreciation for nature and an attitude of conservation in others through our jewelry. The Wayne National Forest is on our doorstep and we'd like to see it there for generations to come.

To read more Full Moon Artist stories please click here.

Truth

2009-10-01T11:02:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Week 2 of The Joy Diet blogger's book club.

This week our group tackled Menu Item 2 - "Truth". I've been gone for the past week on vacation so I missed out on "Nothing" (Menu Item 1.)

"Doing Nothing" for 15 minutes should have been easier than it was considering what I do for a living, but connecting with stillness just for it's own sake is not usually how I meditate! My own form of meditation involves grounding myself in Mother Earth, then working my way through the rainbow colours of the chakras starting with the base chakra upwards towards the Divine (white light) and then circling back to earth and going through it again and again. The "Doing Nothing" exercise seemed to be lacking and I felt distracted.

Item 2 was "Truth" and the first day I really got into the question, "What hurts?" and "What is the painful story I'm telling" etc. but by day 2 it just felt like I'd already spent enough time delving into the pain so now what?! The whole thing just started to feel too self-indulgent and I had a lot to do that day!

What I'm really interested in hearing about is how other folks handled "The Truth". So far it's been an interesting experiment and I can feel myself opening up to new insights and challenges that I want to explore. Interestingly enough, I tapped into Menu Item 3 - "Desire" in my last post - "Returning Home" and I'm looking forward to amping things up even more in the coming week.

It's never too late to join in the fun - you can sign up and read all the other entries at Toronto Coach, Jamie Ridler's site - http://tnc-thejoydiet.blogspot.com

The illustration featured above is from my Lefties Series drawn entirely with my non dominant left hand.

Returning Home

2009-09-29T13:25:00.000-07:00

Watching my friend Rebekha blowing glass during Art after Dark - Kingston Gallery Tour

Today was tough. I had just returned from my hometown of Kingston, Ontario, Canada where the beginnings of Fall were just turning the sumac, the maples and the poplars intense shades of crimson and gold. The flight was a long one and my wise friend in Cali suggested that perhaps my aura had been effected by the jet flight, especially since it was an East to West flight - something I had never considered before.

Me & Ailsa - Birch Island

So, to get myself back in gear I settled down with my Jet sphere and my red Phantom Quartz Crystal from Africa along with a pad of paper and pen. I immediately tuned into my deepest self and just knew that I had to re-locate my source, and connect with my deepest wish. Not sure how or why I had disconnected from it, but sometimes travel can really shake you up!

I thought my routine was just fine as it was, but I realized that I really missed having friends at close call. I missed great live music that I could walk to and I missed a lively art scene and loads of young people and old all mixed in together enjoying a very communal and welcoming city. I missed the open air markets, creative possibilities, and especially the cool, crisp air that accompanies the beginning of fall.

I'm back home now in Southern California, glad to have escaped the over 100 degree heat wave last week, but I'm still a little melancholy. To make up for lost time I'm revamping my art studio, planning on making music a much bigger priority - both playing, listening and dancing to it, looking into artist co-ops once again and thinking about becoming vegetarian. I want to watch less movies, get out more, paint and make prints again. I also have some more dreaming to do in regards to my Lefty book/e-course and of course I will continue soul reading - I think that perhaps it's the absence of this meditative space over the past week while vacationing that I have missed the most and perhaps after all, this is part of why I'm feeling disconnected. Meditation and service to soul come first and then all else falls into place.

Crystals are set out, each in their own patch of moon. "The earth, the air, the fire, the water they turn, they turn, they turn, they turn..." From the CD "A Circle is Cast" by Libaba (Angel Photo and comment by Claudi Neff)

Jet is organic in origin, formed from the remains of wood immersed in water millions of years ago, then compacted and fossilized. Jet has been mined since around 1400 BC and jet carvings have been found in prehistoric burial mounds. It has also been known as black amber, because it can induce an electrical charge like that of amber when rubbed.

Jet helps to heal the grief of losing our place among the stars and supports accepting the limits of incarnation in the physical body. It also helps us to accept the Earth as the place we need to be for the present and opens us to ancient wisdom along with the wisdom of the body and the wisdom of the planet.

Jet is also used to banish negativity in order to clearly hear one's intuition and inner light.

The Joy Diet Begins

2009-09-17T15:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome to week 1 of our Creative Bloggers Book Club (The Next Chapter) started by Co-Active Coach, Jamie Ridler of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. You too can join in on the fun as we come together to post our discoveries chapter by chapter! The book for this session is called The Joy Diet by Martha Beck PH.D, life coach and monthly columnist for O:The Oprah Magazine.

This book is NOT about dieting as in food intake. It "contains instructions for a different kind of "diet," one designed not for the body, but for the soul. The Joy Diet is a list of ten behaviors you can add to your way of living and thinking to enhance every day's journey through the unpredictable terrain of your existence."

Menu Item 1 (Chapter 1) is "Doing Nothing" for at least 15 minutes a day for 1 week. That part starts up this coming week, but today we're just introducing ourselves and outlining our hopes and wishes for this journey.

So, a bit about me: This is my third Blogger's Book Club adventure - the first book we blogged about was The 12 Secrets of Highly Creative Women and the second one was Wreck This Journal by Keri Smith. So far it's been a great excuse to read inspirational, fun books and to force myself to actually partake in the exercises within the book, plus it's always fun to blog along with other creative types too.

Now the Real Work Begins - a Lefty Drawing

This time around I hope to gain some inspiration for my own upcoming Lefty Oracle inspired e-book and e-course. Like The Joy Diet it will also have chapter by chapter activities and exercises designed to enhance, amuse and challenge folks to live a soulful, passionate and truly intuitive life.

Donna poses as a Lefty at Main Beach, Laguna Beach, CA

I am not a life coach, per se, but a psychic-medium and soul reader. I do not follow and track my client's progress over time, but instead give my clients a push and the encouragement necessary to live a soulful life by tuning into their intuition, spirit guides, the ancestors, the planetary cycles and the healing power of crystals and stones.

I resonated with Martha Beck's writing because she immediately took things to a soul-deep level with humour, intelligence and practical wisdom intertwined.

So, if you want to join in, it's never too late, but you will need to find a copy of The Joy Diet and sign in here on Jamie Ridler's The Next Chapter Book Club site.

Here is a link to Jamie's first Introductory post plus a welcome video and links to everyone else who has posted about Part 1 - The Joy Diet - Intro.

Virgo New Moon Double Artist Feature

2009-09-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

New Moon in Virgo
September 18, 2009
11:44 am PDT

New Moon in Virgo, my favorite (hint, hint, I'm a Virgo!)

The Moon in Virgo asks us to consider what needs healing. It's time to study, learn, train, organize and turn our compassion into pragmatic action, but don't get stuck in your head! Moon in Virgo teaches us how to diagnose and heal our soul and the soul of the world. She offers us practical compassion and ancient wisdom.

Suggestions for celebrating the Virgo New Moon:

1. Buy or borrow that book you've been longing to read all summer, but haven't had time for, 'cause now that you're extra busy, it's the perfect time! I like to read just before bed and just after I wake up.

2. What needs healing? What are you willing to work on this month to make yourself feel better? Self-care is the word of the day! I plan to get a massage from Laurie Reynolds (soul healer & psychic masseuse!)

3. Giggling is good for the soul, didntcha know? The Buddha taught with laughter - it raises our vibration and releases good energy into the world. I recommend Edward Gorey & "Harold & Maude" (my favorite movie) for a dose of quirky, dark humour. Oh, and my Lefty Oracle guide "Chicken Suit" (who also happens to be in the collection of Will Ferrel who is also good for a giggle or two, especially when he's streaking ... not!)

Every New Moon I welcome several guest artists to talk about how their Zodiac sign influences their work and their life. This month I welcome Annie Ciszak from Anchorage, Alaska, Heyar Padron from Miami, Florida and Conchita Macarty from San Francisco, California.

Annie Ciszak

AnniePants.etsy.com

I have been told by many that I am the epitome of a Virgo ... which is not always the highest compliment, but it most certainly is the truth. At least we know what we’re working with, right? As with all art forms one needs to pay great attention to detail . Metalworking, which is my specialty (though I have been known to draw and dabble in other areas,) is no exception. As a Virgo, I am sometimes *overly* concerned with the nitty gritty, but I feel this makes for a better final product. I create pieces which are meant to withstand the test of time, be it wear and tear and constant handling, or occasional hardy usage.

Virgos have a tendency to nitpick those around them, yet we are not so good at seeing our own faults. I admit, I may be guilty of this (see how I sidestepped that? lol) ... however, the imperfections in my work are my attempt to see through things as I search for perfection ... a paradox indeed, but a needed one. My Virgoan tendency for details is countered by the rough, hammered and sometimes imperfect style I have acquired.

"Spot of tea Govna?"

As an earth sign I am drawn to the dirty side of things - physical dirt, and the finishes and patinas in my work truly resonate within me. The changing seasons (which I rarely get to see in Alaska) can be seen in the process of transforming flat metal into forms and objects - this makes my heart leap!

Heyar Padron
aflairforpaper.etsy.com
aflairforpaper.blogspot.com

My name is Heyar Padron and I am the creator of A Flair For Paper. I am a graphic artist by trade and a paper fanatic at heart. In fact, I’ve been in the paper business in one form or another for the past twenty years.

As a Virgo artist, I am meticulous about details and extremely critical down to the very last pixel. My Virgo sign is represented by the way I approach design in general. I am whimsical, but precise, earthy and grounded, and I always find a way to leave a feminine mark on everything I do. I am a bit of a neat freak and I love to bring order out of chaos. I am patient, unemotional (for the most part,) and shy. I find inspiration in every day things and view my surroundings with unsullied eyes in order to find the beauty in the mundane. I love color, texture and especially the beautiful muted hues and character of Fall.

The New Moon is a very significant time for me and brings with it unexplainable excitement and mental clarity. I find that I have more energy and that my creativity soars - I call it my Virgo energy. This energy is all about work that is both accurate and focused, driving me forward through whatever lies ahead. Don’t get me wrong, on any given day my goal is nothing short of perfection, but for these few days I feel as though I may actually achieve it.

Personalized Ladybug Notecards

With each New Moon, I get to know myself a little better and my creativity and spirituality is enhanced as I become more aware of my own creative energy, not just the energy that helps me design, but the creative energy that connects me to All That Is.

Click here to read more New Moon articles.
If you are interested in a New Moon Soul Reading please go to my website at: http://KathyCrabbe.com

How I Became A Psychic-Medium

2009-09-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

What is a medium? A person thought to have the power to communicate with the spirits of the dead or with agents of another world or dimension; an individual held to be a channel of communication between the earthly world and the world of spirits.

Before December of 2006 I have never even seen a medium in action, when all of a sudden I found myself becoming one! I was able to connect with the spirit world and pass on messages as if it was second nature.

Astrologically, I was ready for a big shift. As an astrologer I knew I was entering a major transitional phase of my life called Uranus Opposition that happens to all of us around ages 38 to 42. The planet Uranus rules the sign Aquarius and will definitely shake us out of a rut, especially if we’re stuck, and it isn’t always pretty – Uranus does rule electricity and lightning! But I felt prepared and was just itching for change as I felt the intensity rising in my life.

Recently I had met a famous Irish sculptor, Linda Brunker and her boyfriend, Adam Higgs, a well-known English psychic (pictured above, with me in the middle). They had just moved to Southern California from the UK and Adam was talking about starting up an English Traditional Teaching and Healing Circle at his home for friends only. I kept pushing and pushing for him to start it up and so he did in December of 2006. Our group ranged in size from three to eight returning members and we met weekly at the same place and time for the next six months.

We began our Circle by saging (which entailed holding a burning sage leaf and whisking it around our body) and then sitting in a circle as Adam led us through a guided meditation that always put us in a relaxed and heightened state of awareness. Meditation was something I had been doing since 1991 when I had attended a weekly meditation group in Ottawa, Ontario led by Om, a student of Sri Chinmoy so this part was very familiar to me.

After our meditation Adam paired us up so that we could practice psychic readings on each other. We sat facing our partner with closed eyes as we held their hands and recounted everything that we saw, felt or heard. After about fifteen minutes we would switch positions so that they could read us. Adam explained that this was the most difficult thing we could do as psychics, so of course that’s why we were starting off with this, since everything we did afterward would seem easy!

After doing several readings we joined again in circle and Adam lit a candle and then explained to us what a medium did. We were to stand up one at a time (if we chose to participate) in the center of the circle, close our eyes and wait for the departed to connect with us. This could happen through clairvoyance (French for ‘clear seeing’), clairaudience (clear hearing), clairsentience (clear feeling), or clairgustience (clear tasting), and we were to relay everything that happened to the group. Our circle was not allowed to ‘lead’ us in any way other than by asking us questions if something needed clarification or by answering ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to any observations made. For example, we weren’t allowed to say to the medium, “Oh yes, that’s my grandfather Elmer, and he just died in April last year!” The medium had to give at least three solid pieces of ‘evidence’ that proved without a doubt that it was the correct person and once the evidence was confirmed by a member of our circle then we were to ask the deceased for a message for that person. Messages such as, “Oh you were so loved” did not fly with Adam – we were to pass on substantial, fact laden messages that expressed more than just sentiment.

Adam was always very tough on us, and in fact called our group “Boot Camp for Psychics” and we believed him because he was no lightweight himself, but in fact was a massive bodybuilder who worked out regularly and whose favorite word was ‘discipline.’ He was a completely no-nonsense kind of guy who rarely if ever gave out compliments, so we worked very hard with no fooling around. After circle Adam and Linda always prepared a wonderful, healthy meal for all of us and we sat around chatting, playing with their pet wolf, Samson and talking about circle.

I really enjoyed the psychic reading part of our circle, but it was the mediumship that just blew me away. It was my first experience seeing the departed and they appeared as if through a veil, like in a dream, but I also felt as though I could bring them closer if needed so that I could see them and their previous life more clearly. Often the same deceased person would return session after session until I felt as though I knew them quite well. Some folks in our group rarely or never tried mediumship, but one other woman who had just started the group was also quite talented, so it is possible right from the get-go! Adam explained that sometimes it can take years of weekly practice to make a connection, but “practice makes perfect’ was one of his favorite sayings and he explained that even the most naturally gifted mediums can stagnate if they don’t continually use their talents and improve upon them.

The Circle changed my life and it hasn’t been the same since. During that time I bravely went out on my own and started giving readings at a new age store called Nirvana, but after they closed their doors I started working online exclusively and have given over a thousand readings since August of 2008. This way just works best for everyone involved and I feel both blessed and thankful for the work I am able to do.

If you would like to read more about my psychic background please click here.

I also offer a "Turning 40" Mid Life soul reading especially for those undergoing their Uranus Opposition and you can also order it on my website!

Virgo Moon - Harvest Moon

2009-09-14T15:40:00.000-07:00

New Moon in Virgo
September 18, 2009
11:44 am PDT

Suggestions for celebrating the Virgo New Moon:

- Buy or borrow that book you've been longing to read all summer, but haven't had time for 'cause now that you're even busier, you'll actually be able to find the time! I like to read just before bed and just after I wake up.

- What needs healing? What are you willing to work on this month to make yourself feel better? Self-care is the word of the day! I plan to get a massage from Laurie Reynolds (soul healer & psychic masseuse!)

- Giggling is good for the soul, didn'tcha know? I recommend Edward Gorey (writer and illustrator) & "Harold & Maude" (my favorite movie) for a dose of quirky, dark humour.

Every New Moon I welcome several guest artists to talk about how their Zodiac sign influences their work and their life. In Part 1 of my Virgo series I welcome soul-based Virgo artist and skin care specialist, Conchita Macarty from San Francisco, California as she shares her Virgo secrets with all of us.

Conchita Macarty
ConchitaCreates.etsy.com
LaConchitaNaturals.etsy.com
ConchitaLoves.blogspot.com

Virgos are all about the details and this is useful for me because I create and formulate everything in my product line from the raw materials to the design, labeling and marketing. The negative side of this can be the Virgoan tendency to be overly self-critical, but I choose to see this quality in myself as an on-going challenge in the journey towards perfection.

I have found that the most positive quality of Virgo is the ability to find creative solutions to problems. For example, I was shocked when I discovered that most commercial body care products contain a great deal of cheap fillers and potentially harmful ingredients - I knew there had to be a way to ensure that the products I was using contained only quality ingredients and none of the potentially harmful additives. In true Virgo style, I became obsessed with learning everything I could about the cosmetics and personal care industry and my search for a solution that had begun with a spark of passion was followed by years of meticulous research as I perfected my own formulas to create my product line.

Sprinkling Clean - Rose-All Natural Complexion Cleansing Powder with Real Rose Essential Oil

I find that I very much exemplify earth sign qualities as reflected in the natural foundations of my product line: natural and earthy colors, textures, and essences appeal to me and I like things to be as close to nature as possible. My "Sprinkling Clean" line is a good example of this - it allows you to customize your own skin care with an all natural, earthy blend of clays, grains, nuts, seeds, and pure essential oils. Combined together, these ingredients naturally cleanse and detoxify skin without having to rely on synthetic cleansers containing chemicals and preservatives.

"Golden Magdalen"

When meditating on classic Virgo qualities, the word 'perfection' continued to come up. Virgos are often pegged as perfectionists and although this is sometimes the case, I find that there is much more to this than a Virgo's propensity to criticize. I have always been a very creative person with a keen eye for detail and perhaps a slight obsession with perfection. In my art, this perfectionism can hinder creativity because I tend to get caught up in perfecting the details rather than seeing the 'bigger picture'. In this sense, painting becomes an almost therapeutic practice. In school, friends created a term for my tendency to re-do a painting over and over; they called it 'Conchita-ism'. As humorous as it was, it is a very real challenge for artists who also happen to be perfectionists.

To read more New Moon Featured Artist posts please click here.
If you are interested in a New Moon Soul Reading please go to my website at: http://KathyCrabbe.com

A Soul Reading for Jenn

2009-09-12T11:12:00.000-07:00

What is a Soul Reading?

A soul reading is similar to a psychic reading, but more in-depth. Yes, it involves prophecy, but it also involves healing, inspiration and practical exercises designed to jump start the process of your soul's transformation by giving you the tools necessary for your journey.

I begin each soul reading by taking a look, with the use of my third eye or inner vision, at your overall energy state along with your soul's Divine essence - this is the part of you that never dies.

Reading soul energy over a distance actually gives much better results, based upon the techniques that I employ. It allows me to focus my full attention upon your soul's energy, and not be distracted by your feelings or reactions. I can still sense if you are nervous, unfocused, or even skeptical, but because you are not directly in front of me, it will not distract me from reading your energy.

To learn more about soul readings please click here - http://KathyCrabbe.com

A Soul Reading for Jenn
*This post was published with kind permission from Jenn.

Fairy Herbal Healing Card - Fennel

My First Impressions:
- I was immediately drawn towards my Fairy Herbal Healing deck for your reading and I pulled a card called “Fennel.”

Fennel is nourishing and sustaining, like mother’s milk. It also helps to open a person up to the delights of the body. It can be soothing and nourishing and can help loosen fears. It is also excellent for new mothers, to help build up the bond between mother and child and to allow for mutual nourishment. You can drink fennel tea whenever you feel in need of nourishment.

- I was drawn towards working with a Transmitter Quartz Crystal, because I feel as though you are a magician-type, meaning that you are very capable of directing your power outwards and attracting what you need to you.

- I see your energy arching outwards, and all over. I also think focusing this power will be beneficial for you.

- I am seeing some risky (business?) ventures as well, so be careful.

- I suggest working with a good grounding stone such as Black Onyx, along with a good directing and grounding stone such as a Smokey Quartz point. They will help you remain steady on your path and help with any indecision you may be experiencing.

- It is important that you work with positive and spiritually minded business associates.

- It is essential that you come from a place of groundedness (earthy practicality) and financial stability, in your work.

I suggest working with the stone, Aquamarine also.

Aquamarine is asking you to take inventory of your life and possessions, and to release that which no longer fits who you are. This stone also works with Ocean Goddess energy to shield and protect you in support of your process.

Aquamarine Affirmation: I release that which no longer serves, and accept Universal abundance.

I decide to pull another card for you, but this time from my Goddess Zodiac Power deck and it is called “Sarasvati – The Sagittarius Goddess.”

Sarasvati is a Shakti, an Indian Goddess. She helped bring the world into being. She is both a water Goddess and a Goddess of speech. She is the inventor of all the arts and sciences, patron of all intellectual endeavors, and a true artist herself. She invented writing to record the songs she inspired and music so that her beauty could be praised.

Goddess Zodiac Card - Sarasvati, Sagittarian Goddess

- I sense that you are an ambitious person, but that it is very necessary to balance this ambition with Spirit. This will help center you in your power.

I decide to pull a third card for you, to take a look further into the future and it is called “Kuan Yin – Capricorn Goddess.”

Goddess Zodiac Card - Kuan Yin, Capricorn Goddess

Kuan-Yin is a feminine Bodhisattva, or Buddha-to-be and is the most powerful being in the entire Chinese pantheon. Her name translates to “she who hears the weeping world” and she is the chief symbol of compassion in the Orient. By constantly repeating her name, it was said to bring peace and generosity into her worshiper’s lives.

- I get a sense that it is your intuition that reigns supreme.

- I see a little girl too (Mandy?) who is very independent.

- I am sensing the fulfillment of security and family.

I am ending your reading by sending you a prayer for recognition of true success.

To view more sample readings please go here: http://KathyCrabbe.com
You can purchase a soul reading here.

Celtic Year - Vine Moon

2009-09-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

Vine Moon
Moon of Exhilaration
The 10th Lunar Month
September 2 - 30

Gemstone: Amethyst
Druid's Gemstone: Amethyst
Tribe: Manasseh
Color: Variegated
Animal: Snake
Bird: Tit-Mouse
Tree: Grape (Bacchus)
Ogham Symbol Name: Muin (pronounced "Muhn")

The Vine symbolizes both the heights of joy and the depths of wrath. It is the vintage season symbolic of peace and abundance.

The wild growing Vine rules inspiration, imagination, poetry and imagery. The essence of all contained within the Vine is retained, in strength, in her wine. It is sacred to Dionysus, Osiris, and Bacchus and its five pointed leaves are sacred to the White Goddess. Tonic healing is also related to the vine.

The Vine painting above was part of a series of silk paintings that I turned into a Celtic Tree Oracle deck that I currently use for Soul Readings.

My brother Gary Crabbe, a New Zealand vintner and wine maker - Grape Crushing Time

The Autumn Equinox is celebrated this month marking the point in the Wheel of the Year where the nights begin to grow longer once again. This is the harvest season, sacred to Demeter, goddess of the harvest.

This is an excellent Moon to gather knowledge and inspiration for a solution, direction or concept you are working on. Let us join in the harvest and share in the joy of the first wine of the season.

Temecula Wine Country - photo taken by my good friend, Stephen Eldred, Photographer

Ode To Wine
by Pablo Neruda

Day-colored wine,
night-colored wine,
wine with purple feet
or wine with topaz blood,
wine,
starry child
of earth,
wine, smooth
as a golden sword,
soft
as lascivious velvet,
wine, spiral-seashelled
and full of wonder,
amorous,
marine;
never has one goblet contained you,
one song, one man,
you are choral, gregarious,
at the least, you must be shared.
At times
you feed on mortal
memories;
your wave carries us
from tomb to tomb,
stonecutter of icy sepulchers,
and we weep
transitory tears;
your
glorious
spring dress
is different,
blood rises through the shoots,
wind incites the day,
nothing is left
of your immutable soul.
Wine
stirs the spring, happiness
bursts through the earth like a plant,
walls crumble,
and rocky cliffs,
chasms close,
as song is born.
A jug of wine, and thou beside me
in the wilderness,
sang the ancient poet.
Let the wine pitcher
add to the kiss of love its own.

My darling, suddenly
the line of your hip
becomes the brimming curve
of the wine goblet,
your breast is the grape cluster,
your nipples are the grapes,
the gleam of spirits lights your hair,
and your navel is a chaste seal
stamped on the vessel of your belly,
your love an inexhaustible
cascade of wine,
light that illuminates my senses,
the earthly splendor of life.

But you are more than love,
the fiery kiss,
the heat of fire,
more than the wine of life;
you are
the community of man,
translucency,
chorus of discipline,
abundance of flowers.
I like on the table,
when we're speaking,
the light of a bottle
of intelligent wine.
Drink it,
and remember in every
drop of gold,
in every topaz glass,
in every purple ladle,
that autumn labored
to fill the vessel with wine;
and in the ritual of his office,
let the simple man remember
to think of the soil and of his duty,
to propagate the canticle of the wine.

To read more Celtic Moon posts please click here.
To order a Soul Reading please go here - http://KathyCrabbe.com