Soaking up the sun and putting sparkles in my aura

Birds singing.  Wind chimes gently ringing.  Trees budding and tulips sprouting.  And here I sit, with the sun on my face, soaking up this wonderful energy.  Nature’s magic is in full swing in this change of seasons, and I’m loving this.

Yesterday afternoon was so beautiful and although my body aches a bit from muscles I haven’t used in a long time, I rejoice in the hours spent raking the back yard and picking up old leaves and foliage from the flower beds.  I told the budding tulips, daffodils and hyacinths how happy I am to see them again for a new season.  I talked to my garden about my plans for the upcoming season.  I hugged my special tree and felt its energy rising after a cold, long winter.

I am reconnecting to the Earth element.  I am reconnecting to my magic.  I am shaking off the old cobwebs of winter.  I feel I am coming back to life.  I’m sure my aura is sparkling bright with golden light.

Things sure do feel different, however.  The energy changes of the past few weeks have not quite completed their transition and transformation.  This season, things can not be done like they’ve always been…  there’s an air of innovation and creativity floating about.  Those who are resisting this current will feel uncomfortable and irritable.  Those going with the flow of change will see their energy, their life’s perspective and their intuitive abilities expand beyond the limitations that have existed up to now.  Each one of us must choose between resistance and flow, and work with the consequences of our personal choice.  The impact of our direction will have a long-lasting ripple-effect.  I suggest it’s time to get equipped with the tools required to keep an open mind, an open heart, and an ability to be flexible in mind-emotions and body.

The recent moon cycles have brought to the surface old emotions, thoughts and patterns that needed airing out.  I’ve had my share of “a-ha” moments concerning my wellbeing, and I am aware of several shifts that are in the works.  I’ve peeled off, gently and with compassion, yet an other layer of hurt feelings and ego-based protection mechanisms to allow new loving energy to flow to and through me. I am working on a deeper level with the Reiki Precepts and am finding more ease in my daily life as I release that which does not support my highest good.  Have you felt the changes?  Are you noticing your inner transformation?

I’ve been finding it difficult lately to sit at my computer and write articles.  I feel that I need to take on a new direction, and boldly go where I have not dared go before… and yet the ideas are spinning so fast it’s difficult to concentrate on one!  Be ready for a change of pace in my weekly emails starting next month!  Guidance will be coming from an other level entirely…

For the next few weeks, we are completing the journey started six months ago through the chakras.  At the Crown, the big message is to rest, slow the pace, and allow for your intuition to guide you.  After all, your intuition is your link to the higher, and divine, realms and therefore your creative ideas are divinely inspired - however crazy or irrational they may feel at times.

Just for today, take time to breathe deeply.  Soak in the sunshine, even for just a few minutes while on your work-break.  Notice how Nature is returning to her cycle of fertile abundance. Smile.  Realize how deeply you are loved and how completely guided you are, even if you don’t feel it every moment of every day.  It truly are the small things in life that can have the biggest impact on your daily vibes.  What small sign from Nature did you notice today to make your heart sing?

When flu symptoms aren’t the flu…

Your body might be finding it difficult to adjust to new vibes

I’ve been feeling flu-ish for the past two weeks.  I have experienced symptoms of headache, nausea, body aches, increased sensitivity to noise, to movement, and to people’s energies.  I’ve had moments of intense heat waves coming in my body from the back of my Solar Plexus, and at times the heat was unbearable.  I needed extra time to sleep - well at least during the day because it has been difficult to sleep at night with all the mental energy I was experiencing.  And yet, with all these symptoms, I never had a fever, the sniffles or any other symptoms of the flu-bug.  I have been experiencing the psychic flu.  Don’t worry; it’s not contagious!

In my down time, I read some articles on solar flares, astrological alignments, lunar and solar eclipses, and the change in frequency of the Earth’s electromagnetic field.  Many authors, astrologers and intuitives around the world are also talking about a psychic or spiritual “flu” - so I know I’m on to something and I’m not making it up.

It appears that the electromagnetic pulse of the Earth is increasing, and the polarity is changing.  New gateways are being opened and new vibrational alignments are now possible.  Some sources even state that our DNA is being re-written - our bodies are going through quite the evolution to be able to carry the vibrations that are becoming predominant.

If you’re experiencing flu-like symptoms at this time - and you’re sure it’s not the bug - your body might just be purging old energies that are no longer useful in this new global vibration.  Your body might be transforming to be able to receive and anchor this higher vibration on our planet.  Transformation work at this time includes the healing of old beliefs, patterns, and wounds.

I find it interesting and synchronous that the month of the Crown Chakra is aligned with this increasing global awareness of “the shift”.  You see, the Crown Chakra is like a receptive antennae at the top of our head that unites us with all of the creation, all vibrations, and through various dimensions, space and time.  It receives nourishment from a true connection to Source energy and guides our brain and our bodies based on its “knowingness” of the divine plan.  It is through the Crown Chakra that we can realize our full human and spiritual potential and feel the true inner peace and wisdom of being at one with all of the creation.  Blockages in the Crown Chakra can cause feelings of depression, mistrust in the higher realms, and the feeling of being a robot without joy or purpose.

You are called to develop to your full potential.  To love more.  To experience peace.  To feel empowered, joyful, and real.  The question now is: what are you ready to release to make space for this new vibration - anxiety, ego-pride, fear, self-doubt…?

I suggest you take time now to rest, to meditate and to reflect on your true core values.  Take classes that will support you as you journey toward more wisdom and spiritual maturity.  Learn how to move energy in a loving and healing way.  Develop your connection and your trust in Source.  Listen to your body and follow-through with your intuitive nudges.  Flex your psychic muscles.  Find your tribe of like-minded people.

If you feel confused and lost in this time of transition, I can help.  Usui Reiki (in-person and distant) can help you feel rejuvenated.  Holographic Reiki (in-person and distant) can give you insights into karmic experiences and help you heal the energies of old wounds.  Oracle Readings can help you gain clarity on your higher purpose and give you a sense of direction.  Spiritual Coaching can help you shift beliefs and vibrational patterns.  Not sure of which strategy would suit you best?  Book a complimentary Strategy Session with me, and I’ll guide you toward your soul’s inner wisdom.

Does anyone else have a headache?

Your body might be detoxing during this time of important energetic transition.

If you read my articles this month, you’ve learned that opening up your Third Eye or Brow Chakra to intuition is not just about woo-woo New Age ideals on spiritualism, and it’s not just about increasing psychic abilities.  A strong and balanced Brow Chakra is opened to physical and metaphysical information.  It seeks to fuse its understanding of the physical world with a deep inner knowing that comes from being spiritually connected.  We become aware of energy - motivations, emotions, ideals, “hidden agendas”, forces - beyond what can be perceived by the physical senses.  This knowing can help us make decisions that are more ethical, enlightened, and aligned with the highest good.

So when I wake up almost every day for a week with a headache, and I meet clients and colleagues who are also suffering from headaches, body aches, nausea, and tiredness…  When my guidance and Oracle Readings all have the same theme of R&R to prepare for a new beginning, I start thinking that it is not just me, not just the time change, not just the fact that I might not have been drinking less than my 2L of water daily, not just the change in weather; there must be something else going on in the Energy Field.

I did a bit of research to supplement my meditations, and found that, indeed, the Energy Field is changing.  Just last Friday, we experienced a New Moon, the Equinox, and a solar eclipse.  Earlier last week, we experienced the magnetism of various big solar flares.  There are also big astrological changes with signs and planets pointing to personal transformation and reevaluation .  Spiritually, Doreen Virtue summed it up well on her Facebook page:

From Doreen Virtue's Facebook page

"If you feel tired right now, it could be a positive sign of your sensitivity to the powerful shift in energy which has occurred. (…)  Any blocks were blasted open.

Now it's time for reassignments for us all, and promotions to a higher purpose. We are guided to rest, take naps, and take it easy. During sleep, rest, prayer, and meditation is where you receive the new information about the higher path that your life is taking.

With this energy shift, your body will likely ask you for a cleaner diet, and gentle forms of exercise. Sensitivities or allergies to processed foods, gluten, and chemicals might be affecting your body right now. Headaches, illness, and body pain can arise from detoxing or from allergens in your diet. Your body is literally rejecting toxins right now. You can expect increasing sensitivity to harsh energy, which might mean that career and relationship changes will come about sooner than expected."

What have you been praying for in the past few months, especially since the Solstice?  Where have you been focusing your thoughts and energies?  What is the gist of your inner talk, and your conversations with the divine?  Your prayers have been heard, and your spiritual helpers are coming up with a solution - it’s not quite ready yet, but they will surprise you soon with their answer.  They are working hard - so what is your role now?

Rest.  Meditate.  Smile.  Don’t worry; be happy.

Doing nothing seems like a tall order when ego wants to run around in circles with so much to do and so little time to do it.  Meditating might feel counter-intuitive when you feel the need to plan, think, analyze.  Praying might feel irrelevant when you feel the call to action.

Remember: having an open and healthy Brow Chakra involves listening to these urgings of the soul!  By resisting these whispers from spirit, you risk increasing physical symptoms of discomfort such as those listed above.  Balance both sides of your brain; balance logic and intuition; balance planning and analysis with creative activities.

Remember also: a healthy Brow Chakra involves trust in Spirit and in your creative mind.  This trust relationship develops over time, and in moments of quietude - not in hustle and bustle.

Now that you have more information about what is happening in the Energy Field, the choice is yours: will you resist the changes and try to ignore your soul’s callings, or will you find some moments of quietude and rest to joyfully welcome the new, higher-vibrational energies coming your way?

For myself, I am increasing meditation time, walks outdoors with my dog, and am becoming more disciplined in my daily self-Reiki practice.

To what meditation practice, energy medicine or rest time can you commit?  I’d love to hear from you.  Remember to reach out to me by private message or email if you need help.

Surrounding you in Love & Light.

It’s more than just plopping a crystal on your nightstand

Steps to carefully select and work with the crystal that’s right for you

It’s the third week of the month which means I am writing about crystals! In the context of the Brow Chakra month, I will share with you tips to intuitively choose crystals that can work with your vibes and help you on your spiritual journey.

I carry a small amount of crystals for sale in my healing centre.  People often come looking for a specific crystal because they have read in a book that the crystal could help with such-and-such an issue. Newbies to crystal work might even believe that placing a crystal in a certain area of their home or on their bodies might be sufficient to heal specific issues. People working with the brow chakra, for instance, might be looking for amethyst, clear quartz and lapis lazuli.  (I do have a few nice specimens waiting to find a home!)

But I’m not a “by-the-book” kinda gal.  I don’t believe that because an author says that you should work with a specific crystal means that it’s right for you.  There are many generalizations and assumptions in books.  You are not a general assumption - you are a unique soul with a unique vibe, and it’s best to find out what works best with you, specifically.  Use the books as general guidelines, but trust your intuition in making your selection.

While it is true that the vibes of crystals can help enhance certain areas of your body-mind-spirit personal vibes, nothing replaces inner work.  Moreover, I learned through experience that crystals are a bit like people, or pets, in the sense that each crystal has its unique frequency or personality.  Not all chunks of amethyst or clear quartz are calibrated to work with your vibes.  It’s important to find the right crystal that can best work for you, in your particular issue.  It’s even more important to go to the root of the issue for greater healing and increased awareness.

For example, someone might want to work on opening up their Third Eye and increase clairvoyant abilities.  But even if the “want” is there, this person feels fearful.  The fear might be rooted in a lack of skills pertaining to grounding and protection.  Or it might be rooted in adopted social negative beliefs about people who are psychic.  Either way, the Third Eye will not open up until the root issues are healed.  Stare at Amethyst all you want.  It’s just not happening.

Ugh.  That means finding inner peace or increased financial flow is not as simple as plopping a crystal on your nightstand.  There’s work involved.  So what are the guidelines?

1. Go within to find what aspect of your life you would like to enhance.  Do you want to increase your Love magnetism?  Increase psychic abilities?  Find forgiveness?  Feel grounded?  Increase prosperity?  Clearly define what you truly want.  Then ask yourself why this is what you truly want?  What is the core feeling or value behind this want?  Is there a hurt behind this?  Or social pressure, or a sense of accomplishment or peace? (An intuitive session can help you with this task)
2. Listen to your intuition when you select a crystal helper.  Hold your “what” and your “why” within your heart and mind as you shop, and allow your body’s wisdom to tell you if a crystal is right for the job.  To do this:

• Hold the crystal in your receptive hand (if you’re right handed, your receptive hand is your left hand).  If the crystal is too heavy for one hand, such as a big chunk of amethyst, use both hands to hold the crystal to your heart, or to touch the crystal on its display.  
• Connect with the crystal through your senses - feel its weight, see its colours, feel its shape and the qualities of its surface (is it rugged, sharp, smooth, cool to the touch…).  This is an intuitive way to say “hello”.
• Holding your “what” and “why” in your mind and heart, ask the crystal if it is willing to work with you on this particular issue.  Ask it to give you its response through your body and your intuition.
• Close your eyes, and allow your body to give you the crystal’s answer.  With a “yes” answer, your body might sway forward.  You might sense a pulse in your hand chakra coming from the crystal as it activates.  You might even feel an opening or melting in your heart and mind, similar to when you see a new kitten or puppy.  A “no” answer feels very different.  The crystal’s energy might zap you (that happened to me once; it was very painful!); your body might sway backwards; you might hear a “no”; the crystal might feel too heavy, forcing you to place it back on the shelf; or you might feel a closing in the heart chakra.  
• Thank the crystal, and thank your body.  Respect the answer you received.  If the crystal gave you a “yes” answer, then adopt it and bring it home.  If it’s a “no” answer, then thank it and place it back lovingly on the shelf.
• This process can take a while, especially if you receive a few “no” answers before finding “the one”.  Give yourself enough time to shop, look around and feel the crystals.  It’s best when you feel relaxed and open.  Avoid rushing.

3.  Once your crystal is home, cleanse it under water, using sage smoke, or placing it in a bowl of sea salt.  Some crystals can be left in sunshine or moonlight, but remember that sunshine can be too harsh for many of these minerals who have been, after all, cocooned in the darkness of the Earth for thousands of years.  Amethyst, for instance, will loose its beautiful purple colouring if left in direct sunlight.

4.  Hold your crystal in meditation, or place it in front of you as you gently gaze at it.  Use it as a gateway to your inner consciousness, and as a key to ancient wisdom.  Ask questions.  Go deeper in your “what” and your “why”.  Ask about your next right step in your journey to healing.  Is there something - an emotion, a thought pattern, a habit - that needs to be released?  Is there a specific action for you to take?  Is there an option available to you that is more in alignment with your vibes and with your divine plan?  Does it want to be activated as part of a crystal grid?

5.  Thank your crystal helper, and cleanse it at least once a month using one of the methods listed above (#3).

Crystals have a way to let us know when their work with us is complete.  You will find a change in their vibes; a fullness in your heart.  Many times, crystals will disappear.  It happened to me more than once that a crystal fell off a necklace, just like that.  I imagine it possibly waiting on the sidewalk or the parking lot for the next person to pick it up and work with it.  I’ve had other pieces disappear from a shelf and reappear years later when an issue resurfaced.  It’s important to accept that although a crystal is right for you at the moment you adopt it, its commitment to you might not be for your entire lifetime.  Like other magical helpers, crystals will move on to where their help is most needed.  A bit like Mary Poppins.  We have to be ready to let them go when their work with us is done.

I hope this article can help you select the optimal crystals to accompany you on your life’s journey.  If you have any questions on selecting and working with crystals, send me a message; I’d be happy to be of assistance.  I can also bless the crystal with Reiki and optimize it for your personal vibes.

Surrounding you in Love & Light.

Intuition or Imagination?

The Gateway of the Brow Chakra

We have travelled up our chakras in the past five months, from the earthy Root, watery Sacral, fiery Solar Plexus, airy Heart and etheric Throat…  and now we are arriving on the other side of the veil and into the higher vibration of the Brow Chakra.

This chakra is commonly called the “Third Eye” chakra, and I dare say it is misunderstood.  Many seek to “open” this chakra and develop their psychic senses, expecting to immediately experience a Hollywood-esque parting of the clouds, thunderous voice and visions of angels, swirling lights and dancing fairies.  Others yet are very fearful of an opening of their psychic powers, and this fear is most often associated with beliefs of the “dark side”, an association of psychic events with lunacy or insanity, or lack of trust in insights that can not be explained through logic.

Although this chakra is a gateway to a reality beyond our physical senses, trust me when I say that intuition is much more normal than what we are made to believe.  As my teacher and mentor Sonia Choquette explains, intuition is about being “in-tune” with the world around us: "Sixth Sense is Common Sense." Useful intuition involves a balance between physical perception, imagination, and divine communication.  Yes, it feels magical.  Yes, it’s common sense.

Physical Perception:  One of the main reasons top CEOs, financial analysts, investors, artists, teachers… etc… excel in their work is that they are acutely aware of the trends and the subtle shifts in their area of expertise.  They read topics related to their expertise, and many other topics where they can draw inspiration.  They listen to hallway and water cooler conversations.  They read the mood of their peeps.  They listen to their gut feelings.  Good marketers even know how the weather, the time of year or even the moon might influence their message… THEN they make a decision on their business direction.

Imagination:  This is the brain’s wonderful ability to receive and interpret subtle messages.  It’s not just about pretending to be a princess or a dragon, fighting off mighty foes to claim your kingdom.  Imagination helps us bring pieces of information together in new ways.  Imagination is also a doorway to communicating with your subconscious self.  It’s also a doorway for manifesting what you really want in life.  Everything that exists was a thought, an idea, a dream before it became reality.  Many have been taught to dismiss their imagination; I suggest you learn to embrace it like a dear friend.

Divine Communication:  “Of course God speaks to me through my imagination, how else would he?”  (Paraphrase from Jeanne D’Arc, when asked if the messages she heard were truly from God or only her imagination.)  The voice of Spirit, the voice of God is subtle, gentle, loving and strong.  You can hear it in the wind, in the songs of Nature, in synchronous conversations.  You can see it in the myriad colours, in the non-verbal of the animal kingdom, in sacred geometry.  You can sense it with your whole being.  When you embrace both rational and creative sides of your brain, you truly open the doorway to a new perception of life; one that is filled with divine harmony.  You become able to read the signs of the divine without doubting yourself and constantly asking if what you are perceiving is the Truth or a trick of the imagination.

So you see, your Third Eye or Brow Chakra is not just about psychic abilities.  It is not to be feared.  It is not to be dismissed as woo-woo.  Tuning into this energy centre through contemplation and meditation helps you make sense of your world.  It helps you gain a sense of direction.  It helps you develop your higher meaning and life purpose.

It’s not just about floating away and being on a cloud - it’s also about truly being fully present to your everyday life.  These are the teachings of your Higher Perception.

If you need help sorting our your perceptions and making friends with your imagination, I’m here for you!  The online and in-person Intuition Development Program is a wonderful starting point to learn information and practice techniques in an environment that is supportive and loving.  If you want individual coaching, then the Spiritual Development Program is for you.  Contact me to receive more information.

Surrounding you in Love & Light.

Scents that make you go "Ahhh"

Aromatherapy for the Throat Chakra

We complete our month-long exploration of the Throat Chakra with Aromatherapy.  The scents associated with the Throat Chakra will not only clear the energy; they also have an immediate effect on your physical being.  Who has never felt an opening of the lungs and a clearing of the throat, nasal passages and sinus while inhaling the scent of eucalyptus and peppermint?  As I write this, I have a sudden flashback of those white inhaler plastic tubes (from Vick’s?) that had a small pad inside, infused with menthol and eucalyptus.  As children, my sisters and I stuffed them up our nostrils when we had colds.  When we were lucky enough to have 2 tubes each (we didn’t share!), then we would have one tube in each nostril…  Pure image of sexy…  The things we do when we’re kids…  The tips I have for you today do not include stuffing anything up your nostrils, thank goodness!

The Throat Chakra is linked with the element of ether.  This is the fifth element, and it is of a higher vibration than the earthly elements (earth, water, fire and air - linked with the 4 lower chakras).  The ether is almost like a veil, but one just outside of our normal perception.  Once you have worked on and released the issues keeping you stuck in the physical and emotional vibrations, you are able to access this fifth element.  Your ability to perceive and receive spiritual communication increases, as does your ability to share them truthfully.

To simulate ether, I invite you this week to use that tested-and-true steam technique to inhale and enjoy the scents specific to the Throat Chakra.  You’ll need a thick 1L (4 cups) bowl that can retain heat, boiling water, 10 drops of your essential oil of choice, a towel, and at least 10 minutes of quiet time.

Recommended essential oils include:

• Eucalyptus: to clear infections, nasal blockages, colds.  It opens up the airways.
• Grapefruit: to strengthen the immune system and bring renewed energy
• Peppermint: a tonic and can help release tension and headaches

If you don’t have essential oils, no worries!  Add citrus peel and a few branches of fresh herbs to the boiling water - thyme, rosemary, or peppermint.  These fresh herbs are typically easy to find at the super market.

You know the technique - our grandmothers have taught it to us.  Tent the towel over the bowl and your head, and relax as you breathe in deeply for at least 10 minutes.  Now, for the spiritual twist to grandma’s recipe, practice your affirmations.  Inhale deeply…  then exhale as you state your affirmation out loud.  These affirmations could be something like this:

• I am aligned - body, heart, mind and spirit…
• I express my thoughts and emotions with love and clarity…
• I easily hear and understand messages from Spirit…

Or use mantras, such as these:

• Shanti…  Peace…  
• Om Mani Padmi Hum
• Truth…
• Harmony…

An other good way to enjoy these uplifting aromas through steam is by using shower pucks.  For a recipe, Google “shower pucks” or “shower discs”, or visit my Pinterest board to see the recipes I’ve pinned.

Enjoy these simple measures to clear and harmonize your Throat Chakra.  Next week, we will start our exploration of the Third Eye or Brow Chakra, and I am looking forward to the insights we will receive in this journey.

Surrounding you in Love & Light.

Crystals that resonate with the Throat Chakra

Our journey through the Throat Chakra continues this week with some of my favourite goodies - crystals!  I had a “oh-no-you-didn’t” moment last week when I was selecting crystal babies to bring to my shop, and my husband, watching me work with such focused intent, said “but Jaz, they’re just rocks.”  Just rocks?  I had a look of utter shock on my face - and in my Heart Chakra too; it hurt a little.  Then I shook it off, fully knowing that he doesn’t need to fully understand or love the same things I do - after all, cars are “just cars” to me while for him they are so much more.  His vision of heaven resembles Jay Leno’s garage, while mine is more like a historical long house filled with Spirit, metaphysical tools, huge crystals and lots of wise souls.

To each their own, I suppose.  We all have our unique vibration.  And so do crystals.

Crystals can work in resonance with us because they have their own energetic imprint.  This energy comes in part from their geometrical form.  Have you ever noticed that some crystals are points, others are cubes, and some are linear?  Each basic geometric form, and the molecular composition of the crystal has a unique electromagnetic frequency and oscillatory rate - which means that they have an aura and a vibration, just like we do.  When we choose specific crystals and incorporate them in our environment and jewelry, we add their energy imprint to ours.  Crystals can therefore help us change aspects of our imprint and vibration by helping us align with their pure frequency.  (I mean “pure” in the sense that it has not been affected by negative emotions and mental programming).  Crystals can help us move past our blocks and issues and back to our pure resonance - especially when we work with them with awareness and intention.

Earlier this month, I wrote about issues common with the Throat Chakra, namely the inability to speak one’s truth; a disconnect between thoughts and emotions; and a feeling of mental and emotional clutter that can freeze us into inaction - yep, that’s the proverbial troll on the bridge.

Living with these bad vibes is very unpleasant indeed.  Incorporate these crystals to help transform your vibration so you can feel more aligned and at peace.  Have them on your bedside table or wear them around your neck.

Sodalite:  Its energy may stimulate you to live up to your own ideals and ideas.  It will help clear the bridge from that troll and help you communicate with love and clarity.
Amazonite: This gentle stone helps balance yin and yang; masculine and feminine; emotions and thoughts.  It will enhance the flow of energy between the lower and upper chakras.
Aqua Aura:  This is a gorgeous crystal that is engineered with a bit of human help: it’s a clear quartz infused with gold particles under very high heat.  The result is a blue-green crystal that shimmers with rainbow colours.  It works to purify the Throat Chakra and removes blocks caused by emotional trauma.  It also helps align one’s energy with Spirit and can enhance intuitive and psychic abilities.

Do you want to know more on crystals and how they can help you change your vibes?  I’d be happy to chat with you either via phone or in-person.  Remember that my business hours are by appointment only, and it is best to email me to schedule an appointment, or use this link to book a time directly in my agenda.

Surrounding you in Love & Light.

The troll on the bridge

The Throat Chakra is, obviously, located at the centre of your throat.  Its associated colour ranges from a light sky-blue to deep turquoise.  Its associated element is ether, or sound vibration.  As I mentioned in last week’s article, it is the place from which we can express our Truth.

The Throat Chakra acts like an energy bridge between the physical and emotional world, and the mental and spiritual world.  Through this energy centre, ideas and spiritual sparks can flow down to the heart centre then to the lower chakras so that ideas can become manifest.  The flow of energy also goes up from the lower chakras to the upper chakras to feed the imagination, nurture spiritual rituals and transmute raw physical energy and drive into an expression of the divine. It is important that this bridge has good two-way traffic.

Visualize this bridge - take a good look at it and notice your thoughts and feelings.  Is the circulation of energy, thoughts, or emotions fluid between both physical and spiritual sides, or is there gridlock?  Or worse… is everything in chaos due a resident troll? Most of us are familiar with this troll:  he’s the one who makes us doubt the thoughts or insights we receive.  He makes us doubt that proper abundance in the physical world can help sustain a rich spiritual life.  He shoots words out in anger without thinking of the repercussions.  He would have us believe that our plans, our heart desires or soul purpose is not good enough; or that WE are not good enough, smart enough, talented enough to fully express our soul purpose in the “real world”.  He takes all our inspired ideas and jumbles them up or rips them apart until we feel stuck in utter inner and outer confusion and chaos.  You might even feel him at work when that beautiful brain of yours won’t stop chatting away at night; or when pressure builds up in your head and causes severe headaches; or when stress accumulates in your mind and body that you even forget how to breathe.

Do you know this troll?  Are you familiar with his work?

Like all magical creatures, trolls have a vulnerable side.  There is something you can do to put him to sleep, make him smaller and retake control of your bridge.  This secret is:

Your vibration.

And you’re in control of your vibration - don’t let the troll make you believe otherwise.

Know this: when you’re in harmony, when your vibrations reflect your Truth, when you feel aligned body-mind-spirit…  it’s like you’re singing a lullaby to that troll and he can do no harm anymore.  What can you do to retake control of your vibration and banish the troll from your sacred bridge?  Here are a few quick tips:

• OHM:  practice chanting this mantra outloud.  Play with it; find the tonality that resonates in your whole body - it’s really cool when it happens!  Finding your own OHM tonality will bring all your chakras back in balance, and then watch the magic happen in your life.
• Change your tunes:  Just like the troll, our bodies, mind and emotions react to vibration.  The vibration of music can enhance our mood or keep us in a depressed state. Choose your music wisely by being aware of how each song makes you feel.  Make a special playlist with tunes that make you feel good, and play it the moment you feel your mind is going down the “not good enough” path, or to perk you up when you feel down.
• Positive vibes:  Words have strong vibrations on many levels.  Practice saying good things about you.  Look at your reflection in the mirror and state 1-3 things you appreciated about you.  State your love for the world out loud.  Praise others, and praise Spirit.  Trust me, these word vibrations will nourish your soul at a deep level.

Do you feel you’ve given over control to the troll and need help regaining your power?  I can help you change your vibes.  My sessions are intuitive as I tap into what your soul wants you to know.  I connect to higher realms using Reiki, an energy that can help shift and deeply transform how you feel.  Click here to book an appointment.

Surrounding you in Love & Light.

Celebrating Goddess Brigid

Merry Imbolc!

Are you living your Truth?

Are you being true to yourself?
A mid-winter’s reflection on Imbolc through the lens of the Throat Chakra

I am celebrating my first year in business in my healing centre in Ingleside.  This is the anniversary of my decision to do this spiritual work full-time.  This is a reminder of my panic moments and my hopes as I left my work with the federal government to pursue my soul’s calling.  I celebrate my leap of faith…  and acknowledge any resistance to truly leaping with all my soul… ‘cause it’s darn scary at times.

The Universe, in its infinite wisdom, synchronized the opening of my healing centre with Imbolc - the feast day of Goddess Brigid who is my patroness.  It is a chant from Starhawk that inspired the name for my business; this chant is typically sung on Imbolc:

We will never, never loose our way to the well of her memory;
And the power of her living flame,
It will rise, it will rise again.

This chant resonates with my soul at such a deep level.  It seems to capture my soul’s purpose: to teach others, through self-reflection, how to re-ignite their passion for living an authentic, meaningful and joyful life.  To teach others how to live an empowered life where the divine can be celebrated every day.  To teach others how to overcome fear of intuitive gifts so we can all shine brightly and fully contribute to a loving, peaceful, planet.  My business - my soul's work - is an invitation for you to reconnect with your deep inner well of wisdom, inner peace and unique Truth.

This is the truth of my Soul.  This is the driving force behind my programs, workshops and articles.  On Brigid’s feast day, I take time to self-evaluate on how well I lived these soulful principles.  Have I lived in my Truth?  Are my emotions, my thoughts, my words, my lifestyle in line with this Truth? What can I celebrate?  What can I improve or change?  Where do I need more guidance and help?  Then I do a ceremony to rededicate myself to my soul purpose, under Brigid's tutelage.

In the world of chakras, living in your Truth and embodying your soul purpose is a function of the Throat Chakra.  Here are some indicators that can help you assess if there are blockages or energy imbalances in your Throat Chakra:

• you have chronic ear, nose, throat and respiratory problems
• you feel out of balance; you are either prone to loosing balance and tripping, or you feel a disconnect between you body and your mind, or your physical reality and your imagined or ideal world
• your thoughts are not fluid, and you feel yours words don’t express your true emotions or thoughts
• your inner self-talk is negative
• you have issues with your thyroid gland
• your neck is stiff or you suffer from chronic neck pain
• you are timid and afraid to express your beliefs and your true nature
• you talk incessantly
• you feel depressed as you hold on to the belief that no one can understand you
• in your relationships or at work, you feel that you must pretend to be someone else
• you know you have a soul purpose, but don’t know how to share it or “make it happen”, and this makes you feel lost and hopeless

Did you answer “yes” to several of the above indicators?  Then it’s time you honour your body and your soul to purify your Throat Chakra.  I will give you several tips and techniques this month.  Remember to reach out and talk to someone if you need help!

How well do you resonate with your soul purpose?  I can help you gain clarity and confidence in expressing your most authentic self.  My sessions are intuitive as I tap into what your soul wants you to know.  I connect to higher realms using Reiki, an energy that can help shift and deeply transform how you feel.  Click here to book an appointment.

Surrounding you in Love & Light.

Aromatherapy for the Heart Chakra

As I have previously written, our sense of smell is amazing for transporting us to different times and places.  It can trigger emotional and physical responses.  It can trigger fear and anger if we smell something that reminds us of a past hurt or trauma.  But scents can also help us release stress and anxiety and transport our brain and its wonderful chemistry to a place of peace, Love and harmony.

The Heart Chakra resonates with the sacred Element of Air.  Because scents are often carried to our nose through air particles, working with various aromas is well indicated when we choose to open and heal this chakra.  The sense of smell and the respiratory system are closely linked to the Heart Chakra.  Each breath you take carries oxygen to your body.  Every breath you take moves your lungs; imagine this movement cradling and massaging your heart.  Spend a few minutes in quiet contemplation as you focus on your breathing.

This week, be very mindful of the scents around you.  Become conscious how each scent makes you feel.  Are you welcoming the various scents as they talk to your subconscious?  Are the scents in your home contributing to that “homey feeling” you enjoy?  Are you closed to all external scents or overly sensitive to aromas, and is your body triggered with certain scents?  Do you take a deep breath or do you choke up?  Be conscious and mindful; ask your body, your mind and your heart what message is behind each feeling or reaction triggered.

Here are some of my favourite aromas for the Heart Chakra.

Rose:  For thousands of years, the scent of rose has been linked with the feeling of unconditional love.  It helps us reconnect with our divine essence.  It can assist in healing a broken heart and in calling in new love into one’s life.  It is very soothing and can alleviate symptoms of stress and anxiety.  I find that Rose connects me to the higher realms and to spiritual guides, including saints - like Thérèse de Lisieux - and Mother Mary.

Chamomile:  This herbal and sweet scent is very soothing and calming.  Chamomile is said to stabilize the emotions and can help release toxic emotions such as anger and resentment; emotions that can weigh heavily on the heart.  Inhale deeply as you curl up with a good cup of chamomile tea!

Jasmine:  The scent of jasmine is very uplifting.  It makes my heart smile as it transports me to a more tropical paradise, and in that sense it helps me combat winter depression.

Strawberry:  Now this is a fun-loving, nurturing scent that always brings me back to lush summer days of my childhood.  I enjoy using strawberry when I work in inner child issues, because it makes me feel safe, protected and joyful.  It’s always easier to find inner peace, joy and forgiveness when we feel safe and loved!

How to use these scents:

Enjoy any one of these scents on their own, or combine them to make you own unique Heart Chakra blend.  When I was working in an office environment, I placed a tissue in a 1 ounce plastic container.  I placed a few drops of essential oils on the tissue and put the lid on the container.  A few times a day, I would take the lid off and breathe in deeply the aromas; it helped me work on my chakras (during my breaks) while not imposing scents on my coworkers.

At home, place a few drops of your favourite scent in a candle warmer or diffuser.  I always fill the top of the candle warmer with water so that the scents can evaporate on top of the water without splattering oil everywhere.  Scented candles and incense are also a wonderful way to fill your space with healing aromas.

An other great way to enjoy these soothing aromas is by soaking in them.  For the Heart Chakra, I recommend using 1 cup of pink Himalayan salt, 2 tbsp baking soda, 1 tbsp almond or coconut oil, 1 tbsp honey, and 10-20 drops of your favourite scent.  Dilute in a very warm bath and soak for at least 20 minutes.  Focus on your breathing, and imagine the healing properties of the plants entering your body through your nose while old energies leave your body with your exhale.  At the end of your soak, pat dry your body to keep some of the scent of your skin, and rest.

Have issues come up this month pertaining to your Heart Chakra?  I can help you work through them by helping you connect to your inner wisdom.  My sessions are intuitive as I tap into what your soul wants you to know.  I connect to higher realms using Reiki, an energy that can help shift and deeply transform how you feel.  Click here to book an appointment.

Surrounding you in Love & Light.

Favourite crystals for the Heart Chakra

I have always been fascinated with rocks and crystals.  When I was a child, I loved spending time just looking at rocks, their colours, and their sparkle.  You could find me playing in the rocks at recess, on the beach and during walks.  I had my own little collection of rocks…  until I was told they were “just rocks” and it was silly to keep them and I had to throw them away.  That felt very sad on so many levels.  It was not just the fact that my rocks were judged at worthless, I felt that I was judged too, because something that I really enjoyed was being greatly devalued.

That negative programming around rocks stayed with me for a very long time, and I am now healing that hurt.  I’m still a little afraid of being judged when I talk of crystals and of the joy they can bring, but I can breathe through that fear now.  I can now affirm that I love working with crystals, and I love their energy!

One of the most fascinating experiences I’ve had with crystals was during my visit to The Casa de Dom Inacio - John of God - in Brazil.  The Casa is located in a mountain range south of Brasilia.  These mountains are filled with crystals, and the energy can be overwhelming.  In meditation, so many hurts and emotions were coming to the surface for clearing.  I felt torn apart and rewired at the same time.  And the weirdest thing is that I could sense all the crystals below me in the ground.  I felt such a huge need for these crystals and the healing energy they radiated that I wanted to roll in them (like that scene in “Chocolat” where the mayor is rolling in chocolate), and I wanted to hold them so close to me.  I visited the crystal shop and found a few favourite crystals that truly resonated with my heart chakra, and I held them in my hands during meditation for the rest of my 2 weeks in Brazil.  I’m sure similar crystals can help heal and tone your heart chakra as well.

• Rose Quartz.  My all-around favourite.  Its energy is gentle yet strong.  It helps us align with the energies of compassion and unconditional Love.  It gently removes blocks to self-love and helps us take down that wall around our heart.  It moves slowly but surely, in the most nurturing way.  I keep a few Rose Quartz pieces around my home and office, and I regularly wear a Rose Quartz pendant on a chain just long enough that the point of the pendant is on my heart.  I have a few of these pendants for sale at the office.
• Amethyst.  The deep purple of amethyst is soothing in many ways.  Purple is a very spiritual colour that helps us align with higher frequencies and divine love.  Often times, hearts can feel heavy with sadness, shame, guilt and anxiety.  These are emotional and mental patterns that can be changed, and amethyst can assist this transformation process.  Amethyst can be used in meditation to help purify your energy and your thoughts.  It can be used to call in angelic or divine help, and you can work with amethyst to help transmute old patterns into a pattern of higher energy or frequency; one that is more loving and nurturing.
• Green Aventurine.  This crystal is calming and balancing.  It is wonderful to keep in a pocket as a touch-stone during the day: any time you feel a rise in anxiety or negative self-talk, touch the stone and allow the feeling of the smooth stone tell your body to tell your mind to tell your emotions to calm down and breathe…  and with your exhale, focus on releasing the tension.  Working with touch-stones such as Green Aventurine can help us remain focused, clear and balanced.  

(Need I remind you that working with crystals does not replace professional counselling?).

A selection of crystals available at my healing centre.  I just love the deep purple of the amethysts!

As you reflect upon your Heart Chakra this week, remember an activity you loved to do as a child.  Find a way to bring that joy back in your life today.  If you were like me and loved collecting rocks, then stop by my shop and we can “play” with the crystals I have for sale.  If you loved to paint, find a few minutes to doodle with different coloured pens even when at the office. If you enjoyed dancing or playing sports, make a date with yourself this week to do just that.

Reconnecting with what brings you fun and joy will greatly support a healthy heart chakra!

Surrounding you in Love & Light.

2015 Gateway: The year I learn to love myself

First of all, welcome to 2015!   May this year be filled with Love, Joy, Happiness a deep sense that inner Knowing.  I’ve been reflecting on my inner work, my business, the big changes that happened in my life in 2014 and on the energy I feel is arriving for 2015.  I am finding it very auspicious to start this year under the umbrella of the Heart Chakra!

The sensitive intuitives out there have most likely felt this shift of energy since the Winter Solstice.  To me, it’s been palpable.  It also feels quite different.  I have a very strong sense that a new gateway has opened since the Solstice; one that is just as important - if not more - than the much talked-about gateway of December 2012 when many folks were talking about the end of world as we know it as predicted by the Mayan Calendar.

I’m seeing it like this:  imagine for a moment that you are living in a lush land governed by a beautiful of loving King or Queen.  Their castle is just beyond the horizon, past the forest and past well-tended gardens.  There are gates at the end of the forest, at the entrance of the garden, and of course at the entrance of the castle.  There are likely more gates inside the castle itself.  All gates must be crossed before reaching the royal chamber.  Each gate we cross bring us closer to this chamber.  I believe that Lightworkers of the world have been receiving their invitation to journey to the Castle in the years leading to 2012.  Some have responded with extensive preparations including meditation, fasting, and learning new energy techniques.  Others have decided to ignore the invitation, or have felt too much shame, or an overwhelm of responsibility regarding this invitation.

Come Solstice 2012, we were at the Forest Gate.  For many, 2013 felt dark and dense.  It was tough to pick our path through the thick woods.  We felt alone.  It was hard to keep the faith that something better was waiting for us; or rather it was difficult to realize that we ARE that something better as we journey and travel our own path to our soul’s destination.

At the Solstice of 2013, we arrived at the Garden Gate.  2014 held promises of flowers, sunshine and chirping birds.  Some of us become lost in the garden’s mazes, going around in circles and loosing track of the path.  It was a year of push and pull.  A year of revisiting life goals and heart’s desires.  It was a year to shed the past to recreate a new identity based on the new knowledge and Light that entered our life.  It was a year to take stock of our dreams and accomplishments, and to see if we preferred the dream to the reality being experienced, and to what degree we were ready to help THE DREAM become manifest.

At the Solstice of 2014, we arrived at the Castle’s Gate.  Take a moment now to fully visualize this Gate.  Are you at the front gate, the back gate, or any other secondary gates?  Is it covered in gold, is it big and imposing, or is it simple, wooden or of rusted iron?  Take a moment to see, feel, and listen to where you’ve arrived.  Now take a moment to clarify your hopes and intentions before entering the Castle’s grounds.  Are you entering with Love, or with Fear and resentment?  Are you entering with thoughts of lack, stress and anxiety, or are you entering with feelings of peace, contentment and excitement for all that is ahead?  If you’re like me, you’re likely experiencing a good mix of emotions and thoughts.

It is my feeling that 2015 ushers in a greater ability to manifest our heart’s desires.  Our ability to co-create with the Divine will be enhanced.  We have, therefore, an increased responsibility to be clear about what we want to experience and how we choose to feel.  We are that much closer to the Royal Court…  everything we think and feel is important.  Remember: thought-forms are energy that attract to us physical experiences.  As we cross the Castle’s Gate, we enter a hall of mirrors where everything we believe is reflected back to us.   So if you crossed the Gates with anger, bitterness and resentment - more of that will be reflected to you.  If you are clear about your intentions and your feelings, if you are willing to journey to more Love, then those are the experiences you will attract to you.  Take a good look in the mirror: do you like what you see?  Can you see the divine spark of Light and Love in you, or are you distracted by the smoke and silly mirrors that are distorting reality?

Our first challenge for 2015 is to walk through that funny house of mirrors.  Since the Solstice, I have to admit that I have been feeling slightly terrified.  I always panic a little when faced with the reality I create.  I’ve been reviewing my life since childhood and so much hurt came up to the surface - and I had to take a good look at these events.  I had to take a good look at my coping abilities, and I had to call upon extra divine help to bring Light and Love to these events.  I realized that deep down in my core, beyond all the masks, beyond all the efforts of healing…  I have been holding on to a belief of self-hatred.  I have been belittled, bullied, shamed and shown conditional love to the point that those are the feelings and thoughts I apply to myself.  It hurts.  It really hurts.  It sabotages my personal and business efforts in so many ways.  And I’ve had enough.  This is the year I stand up for myself - but out of Love and not defiance or grief.  This is the year I forgive myself.  This is the year I move toward forgiving others.  This is the year I learn to love myself.  This is my Truth, and this is how I humbly make my journey forward to a deeper, more mystical chamber…

What is the hall of mirrors reflecting back to you?  Do you need to talk about it?  I’m here to listen - book a time to connect with me via phone, Skype or in person.

Also, for all who need a bit of extra help this month, I am offering local and distance Reiki sessions at a 2 for 1 rate - that’s 2 sessions for only $100.  Both sessions must be booked in January.

Surrounding you in Love & Light.

A simple ceremony for the Winter Solstice

The energy has been feeling sticky or heavy for many of us these past few weeks.  I am reminded of the general feeling surrounding the "Gateway" everyone was talking about for December 2012, and I am sensing that all the changes, transformations and "tests" we've been through these past two years were just the beginning of a large transformational process.  I feel that this Solstice is just as important, in terms of Gateway or opening.  All the changes, choices and projects we've been working on since 2012 will find a renewed energy in the coming months; the tests of the last few weeks were to verify our commitment and willingness to keep moving forward on this soulful journey.

But to find renewed energy, we have to be willing to release the old.  A sacred fire ceremony on the Solstice will help you take stock of your fears and rethink your goals and purpose.  Focusing on the flame of a candle or bonfire and bringing in the Sacred Flame will help you burn away stagnant energy to bring the energy of renewal, faith and passion.

In 2012, we opened the door...  Take stock now to verify if you've made it through the opening, or if you still have one foot out stuck in the way things used to be.  Are you still holding on to something from the past?  It will be very difficult for you to move forward with that weight keeping you stuck in the same place...  Take time to recommit and rededicate yourself to serving the Light this weekend - if that is what you choose.

Shine on, Lightworker!  The world needs you.

Sending you much Love, and wrapping you up in Light; sending blessings of joy, fulfillment and abundance for 2015 and beyond.

How’s your fire-power?

The Solar Plexus stores life-force energy, and family relationships teach us how to use it.

My grandfather's wake and funeral this past weekend was a beautiful time to reunite with family members. My grandfather comes from a family of 17 children - there are many relatives I don't know very well, and many cousins I see only occasionally. It really warmed my heart to rekindle family love as we shared memories and stories.

Being with family can be wholesome and nurturing. We grew up with this network of souls. We learned our identity and our place in society through family relationships and conversations. We received conditioning about who we are and how much we should be seen or heard, and along the way we made choices about accepting or rejecting this conditioning. Family is full of love, AND contrasts and life lessons. We form our personality through these relationships - and we also form our ego.

The Solar Plexus chakra is the seat of our willpower. In many spiritual traditions, the area of the Solar Plexus is where we store our vital life energy. Many cultures have referred to this as an inner sun or fire. When we assert ourselves lovingly, we glow from the inside out. It’s easy to recognize someone who is self-confident: their energy is peaceful, strong, and loving. They seem to radiate that “certain je-ne-sais-quoi”. When ego dominates this power centre, however, the fire-power of a person can be explosive with anger, arrogance and tyranny. Instead of being filled with quiet love, we feel fear, shame or unworthiness in the energy of this person. And still, when ego makes us believe that our personal definition resides in shame and unworthiness, one’s inner fire, will to live, and sense of passion just dies out. We can feel dried up and empty. A lack of vital life-force energy can bring on depression and anxiety.

“Energetically, physically, emotionally and mentally, we are all powerful, radiant beings. However, we may not always be living from a place where we accept and radiate our own power. Sometimes we may feel like it would be easier not to have to interact and bargain and state our worth to people at all. Sometimes we may give in and accept less than we’re worth. (…) When we bring balance to this chakra, we can begin to experience a true inner strength and authentic power while moving away from the unhealthy desire to gain power over others. This creates a more relaxed and spontaneous life, powerful but free. When we balance the solar plexus chakra, we accept who we truly are – and accept others for their true selves too.” Natalie Southgate, Founder of Chakradance (R)

It is through the experience of relationships - within the immediate family and the work- or social- family units that we learn valuable lessons in asserting our will centre. In your family and social gatherings this holiday season, be aware of how you feel in the presence of others. Do you need to assert yourself and overpower others? Do you need to “be right” no matter what? Do you allow others to belittle you? Are you blaming family members, the society or your upbringing for your lot in life? Would you rather stay in pj’s under the blankets instead of facing family and friends in social gatherings? How do you perceive others feel in your presence - are they fearful of you, do they share openly, are they smiling and peaceful?

Take regular time-outs just to breathe and reflect. Bring a hand to your stomach as you take a deep breath and become conscious of your own inner fire. Are you radiating your Light, shining with Love, or are you hiding and smouldering? Are you shining so bright that others are getting burned by your fire? It’s not about judging, just notice. And then if you don’t like what you feel choose to change something in your behaviour and attitude.

It all starts with you. You have the power to change how you feel in your family, how you interact with everyone, and how you allow others to treat you.

Establishing and respecting clear boundaries go a long way in creating loving and mutually satisfying relationships. Allow family to be your greatest teacher and instead of becoming angry over the same old wound, be grateful for a lesson in love and personal boundary. With healthy boundaries and the acceptance of who we truly are, it becomes so much easier to foster inner peace and to be a beacon of Light for others.

With this in mind, family gatherings can be rich, insightful and much less stressful.

Surrounding you in Love & Light.

Crystals and aromatherapy for holiday stress management? Yes, please!

Oh, blessed holiday season… as much as we love the cooking, the eating, the family gatherings… ’tis also a season for stress for many. Family gatherings can remind us of those who have passed away and are no longer with us to celebrate. We can get so caught-up in the to-do list that we forget to enjoy the time of merriment. And when we finally have some down-time, many become ill with colds and flu-like symptoms. Are you willing to do something different this year to enjoy the holidays instead?

1. Include crystal “bling” in your outfit and home decor. Sparkle with garnet, emerald, carnelian and citrine. Garnet is grounding and will help reignite the child-like magic of Christmas. Emerald is balancing, healing and soothing. Carnelian brings joy and vitality, while citrine will help your aura sparkle. Wear any combination of these as jewelry, or add bigger pieces in your decor. Wouldn’t candle light and Christmas light look lovely viewed through a crystal? To me, they always act as a reminder to breathe and take a few minutes for meditative contemplation — and that is a great stress-buster!
2. Mist your home with pine essential oil. Pine resonates with this time of year, and it has many healing virtues. It is said to clear the air of viruses, germs and stagnant energy (perfect when the house is full of guests!). It boosts morale and helps lower stress levels. It is also said to help boost metabolism - so use those pine-scented candles after a large meal to help it go down!
3. 15-minute restorative meditation. Remember to take care of your body and your energy through the busy-ness of the season. Try this simple meditation:

• Prepare a yoga mat or folded blanket for your relaxation. Put a cushion or two under your knees to elevate your legs (this will release pressure on your lower-back and boost your lymphatic system). Arrange one clear quartz point at your feet and one at your head, both pointing inward toward your body. Mist the room with Pine.
• Lie down on your back. Place a citrine or yellow topaz on your stomach. Arrange your shoulders so your shoulder blades are flat on the mat and your chest feels open.
• Intend that your energy becomes restored and balanced, and that your chakras become aligned.
• Take deep breaths down to your belly. Allow the crystal on your stomach to be your “breathing buddy”, helping you relax further as you watch it rise and fall with your breath.
• After approximately 15 minutes, gently stretch your body. Take a few moments to count your blessings. Smile. You should feel ready to undertake your next holiday task or get ready for your next gathering.

Surrounding you with Peace and Light.

Feeling down? 3 tips to boost up your energy

I am feeling so depleted in my life-force energy. For the past two weeks, I have felt a heavy shroud around me. I’ve been sitting at my computer, trying to find words for my weekly newsletter, and I totally flat-lined. Doing the smallest task seems to be sucking energy out of me, and I need to schedule more rest periods and longer nights’ sleep than usual. What’s up with that?

Well well… isn’t it interesting that we’ve entered the month dedicated to the Solar Plexus - the centre for our inner sun, our energy reserve, our ability to deal with stress. It seems that once again I must teach from a place of knowing and “been there, done that”… So, how do I move from this slow as molasses sticky energy to more clarity and vitality?

Here are my top 3 tips.

1. Have a pyjama day. Honour your energy level. I find it very unbalanced that, in our society, we must always maintain a high level of energy to do more and more and more. We feel guilty if we do less, even just for one day. We feel like the world might come apart if we take a day off work or away from our children to restore our health and vitality. We feel ashamed of being vulnerable, or feeling weak. Hmmm… hello ego! These beliefs and that type of self-talk is ego and fear-based; and these are patterns governed by the shadow side of the Solar Plexus chakra. So ask yourself: is it really true that the world will crumble if you take care of yourself for one day? Is it really true that you must constantly prove yourself as being strong, unbeatable and unaffected by life’s events? Bring balance to your life and enjoy your pyjama day.
2. Be mindful of the foods you are eating - especially during the holiday season, full of indulgences. Are your food choices truly nourishing? When I feel stressed, I reach out for pastries, cookies, cakes and other sweets. Stress is linked to insulin production, and the pancreas which secretes insulin is governed by the Solar Plexus. I know, however, that the short-term energy boost from sugar and insulin is not healthy for me and if I give in to my cravings I will ultimately feel more tired and sick. I might have one or two cookies, but then I choose to love my body by feeding it fresh fruit, vegetables and proteins that will sustain my energy on the long-term. I’ve had to journal my food intake for a few months to discover the foods that give me energy and those that make me feel depleted, and I’ve modified my eating habits based on that insight. I have empowered myself to make better choices.
3. Massage acupressure points. It feels so good and it helps unblock that sluggish energy. The basic points to massage are just below the collar bone; just above the heart (thymus); and the outside of your legs following your pant-seams from the hips to the knees. View the video below to do an energy routine with me.

My vital energy is returning after a short cycle of introspection and inner work. There are many more things I need to deal with this week, but I feel stronger and calmer for having taken the time to lovingly listen to my body.

This week, remember to breathe down to your belly, and take at least 5 minutes a day to truly tune in to your body and become aware of its needs. Follow through with its recommendations for you; whether it is more sleep, better nourishment of a different type of physical exercise, listen to your gut feelings. Doing so will strengthen your relationship with your body - and with your Solar Plexus.

Surrounding you in Love & Light.

Emotional Baggage? Try clutter clearing.

I once worked with a client who felt extremely overwhelmed and stressed, and the holiday season had several triggers for her that would bring her spiralling down into sadness and depression. She missed how her family used to get together at Christmas. She missed her parents who had crossed over. She missed the parties, the sing-alongs, the cooking and the traditions. She loved decorating for the holidays and was an avid collector of snowy village scenes, and she mentioned that her house was filled with boxes upon boxes of decorations.

We started disentangling her thoughts and her feelings through Holographic Reiki sessions. One image that really stood out for me was that when I placed my hands over her Sacral Chakra, I received a clear image of my client in a place that looked like an airport. She was trying to go somewhere, but she had too much baggage. Looking around in this vision, I saw hundreds of stacked boxes that belonged to her. All this baggage was overwhelming for the airport staff; there was no way to catalogue or scan all of these boxes of stuff and memories. A feeling of panic and hopelessness accompanied the vision. I knew that this vision was a metaphor for the emotional baggage she carried, and I knew that a Reiki session could only go so far without her taking action to clear physical clutter in her life.

My mentor, Denise Linn, teaches that clutter clearing is modern-day alchemy: it's the fastest way to transform your life and shift energy in a space. According to Feng Shui principles, clutter stops good energy from circulating in your home and as a result you will feel bogged down, disorganized, stuck and even depressed. It can even manifest physically as excess weight! Think of it: if your clutter constantly reminds you of all those old emotions, beliefs and hurts weighing you down, you'll find it very difficult to find joy and to create abundance in your daily life.

Are you ready to take action and shift toward greater joy? Your task this week is to de-clutter one area of your home or office. Start with one drawer or one closet. Decide how much time to want to spend de-cluttering, and set a timer. Use the following 3 principles to help you go through your stuff:

• Love it: Pick up an item and determine if you really love it, and if your energy goes UP when you touch it. Does the item still fit who you are, and who you are becoming? If you really love it and it brings you joy, make sure it's in good shape. Make necessary repairs and find a way to display it in your house without creating clutter. If you can't repair it or if it will create additional clutter, pass it on to someone who can love it as much as you. 
• Use it: Are you still using this item? Will you miss it? Does it support you in your personal and business arenas? Does it support your dreams and desires? Are you using it with love or with a feeling of "having to"? Is it in good repair? 
• Release It: If you don't love it and don't use it, then it’s time to pass it on. Discard, recycle, donate. 

I have been de-cluttering my entire home since August - when the dishwasher decided it was time to renovate the whole kitchen... I love the feelings of joy, empowerment and creativity that are increasing in my household. I can feel stagnant energy leaving the house, and I can feel my inner heart-space shifting and expanding. It's not always easy work to get rid of old stuff... but the exercise is well worth it!

Are you up for the challenge? You'll soon find that your joy increases and your soul sings! Share your experience with me.

Surrounding you in Love & Light.

A fresh perspective brings fun and joy

I am feeling such joy to be host-mother to a teen girl who arrived from Australia last week. Today, she is experiencing snowfall for the first time. I am smiling from ear-to-ear thinking of her "oohs" and "aahs" and "it's soooo pretty!". She tasted a snowflake on her tongue and felt proud of it. She threw her first snowball. She is taking lots of pictures to send back home, where they're currently experiencing the hot days of summer. She is thrilled with the snow, and her joy is contagious.

Like many in this region, I often tend to welcome this cold season with resignation and a "you again! Grrr..." I might comment on how early it gets dark and how cold are my feet or how annoying it is to remove snow from the car when we're in a hurry to leave.

But not today. Today, I'm smiling and feeling cheerful. It's like I'm experiencing the beauty of snow and winter once again thanks to our guest's fresh perspective. I actually feel like spending some time in the snow today, then warm up with a blanket near the fire drinking a hot chocolate. I remember how fun winter used to be when I was a child. I remember the snow forts I built with my sisters. I remember the toboggan rides with my parents. I remember the pyjamas warmed up in the dryer just before bedtime so we felt all cozy.

I am so grateful for this fresh perspective today! My energy is up and bubbly!

In chakra work, it is said that the Inner Child sits at the Sacral Chakra. One of the functions of the Sacral Chakra is creativity, joy and zest for life. This week, if you feel stuck in a rut or if you're trying to solve an issue at work, ask a child how they would solve the situation. Or treat yourself to a hot chocolate (or other childhood treat) and place a hand just below your belly button as you reconnect to who you were as a child. Remember your curiosity, remember your creativity, remember how you would put things or concepts together that defied grown-up logic. It won't take long that you'll find an answer to your situation if you look at it with fresh eyes. The best part is that you might enjoy the process of looking for the solution, and you'll feel more cheerful and uplifted too!

From the weather to a work problem - what are you willing to see with fresh eyes today?

Do you need help getting started? I'll be your sounding board and help you find a fresh perspective on an issue you've been mulling over: click here to make an appointment in-person, by phone, or via Skype. It's my treat!

Sending you blessings of Love!

Crystals that resonate with the Sacral Chakra

One of the purposes of the Sacral Chakra is to find sweetness in life.  I do feel like I'm taking my sweet time writing this article for you...  I've been away from home most of last week, attending a conference in Toronto and I returned home on Saturday just on time to welcome a student from Australia who will be staying with us for the next three months.  Monday, I still had some shopping to do to select the sink and faucet for the new kitchen.  Needless to say, I'm feeling a bit tired.  Instead of pushing through my to-do list that's been accumulating, I took the executive decision to rest and take care of myself so that I can write from a place of joy instead of a place of "having to".

And I do feel better now - I've gone for a nice walk with my dog Maya and I have used sea salt to clear my energy field.  I even played a few games to switch my mind from business-thinking to a more creative flow.  I am now lighter and more focused.  Now, when I close my eyes, I can clearly see the crystals I'd love to introduce to you in the context of the Sacral Chakra.

The first one is Carnelian.  I love the joy-filled orange of this polished heart-shaped pendant.  Holding it in my hands, I can connect to self-nurturing and self-appreciation.  Wearing it could help enhance positive self-talk and set the energy for harmonized joy in our life.  It is believed that carnelian can also help alleviate lower back pain and help the kidneys regulate water energies through the body.  I simply enjoy its soft power and wisdom.

I also want to share my love of salt lamps.  Yes - salt is a crystal!  Himalayan salt is carved from mountains; these mountains were once deep in the ocean floor.  Salt helps regulate water energy in our bodies, and when salt is projected in our environment - with the use of salt lamps, for instance - it is calming and soothing.  It helps us release what no longer serve our highest good.  It helps "clear the air" in more than one way.  Moreover, its orange glow fosters peace, relaxation and authentic social communication.  It's a wonderful lamp to have in an office, a living room and in the bedroom.

The Desert Rose is elegant, fragile and powerful.  The specimen at my shop is rather, er... feminine in its shape and I find it's an excellent piece to reconnect with our Divine Feminine - the archetype of the Sacral Chakra.  The Desert Rose is selenite shaped with the help of water, sand, wind, sun and time.  It embodies many aspects of magical and metaphysical creation.  As such, it can help us re-imagine and re-create our beliefs, values and attitudes.

This week, remember to take your sweet time to enjoy life.  Savour each moment.  Reflect on areas of your life where you would like to create differently, or on areas you would like to clear so you may continue on your journey with joy and contentment.  Enjoy discovering the world of crystals and their playful energies.

I am surrounding you with peaceful and joy-filled orange light.

If there's an area in your life where you feel stuck, and you would like to explore with me how to transform it to joy and flow, click here to make an appointment in-person, by phone, or via Skype.  It's my treat!

Sending you blessings of Love!