Returning Home

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.

Returning Home

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.

How I Became A Psychic-Medium

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. 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!

St. Lawrence College Alumni Magazine - I'm featured in the Spring 2009 issue!

I was thrilled to be featured in the Spring 2009 Alumni News section of Voyageur, my College Alumni Magazine.

Lulu lives on

HOW ALUMNA KATHY CRABBE’S CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENT 16 YEARS AGO CONTINUES TO INSPIRE AND GUIDE HER | BY JANINE FOSTER

A LITTLE BIT of St. Lawrence College lives in the heart of California wine country. Her name is Lulu, and she’s been an inspiration to Kathy Crabbe (Graphic Arts ’92) ever since she came to life in a Kingston classroom over 15 years ago. Since creating her for an assignment in one of her Graphic Design courses many years ago, Lulu became Kathy’s mascot and her muse – inspiring this alumna’s creative work since graduation. In fact, Kathy – and Lulu – came to our attention at Voyageur when a blogger raved about her beautiful and whimsical artwork, which she sells online at www.luludesign.com

Kathy came to St. Lawrence after obtaining her degree in Art History from Queen’s University. She was looking for a way to turn a lifetime of creativity into a career, but graduating in the recession of the early 1990s, she found it difficult to find a full-time job in Graphic Design. Which turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

"I never really wanted to work for somebody else,” says Kathy with a chuckle. "It doesn’t suit me." While she credits her courses at St. Lawrence for teaching her how to make a living, the fact that she was able to sample various elements of graphic design through part-time, freelance and project work in the early years after graduation showed her that working for herself was her goal.

"The critiquing part of Graphic Design was really helpful because it prepares you for showing your work," says Kathy, who sells both online and at the very large art shows that are a large part of the California art scene.

Lulu evolved into other forms of expression, until one day, the right handed Kathy decided it was her left hand’s turn to create. Or, as she likes to put it, "my right hand lost its sense of humour" and the Lefties were born.

These whimsical characters have caught on – actor Will Ferrell has one in his collection – and helped inspire her next business move: the introduction of an online Soul Reading service, where traditional Tarot Cards are replaced by her custom created card decks – including the Lefties.

A lifelong interest in the metaphysical, combined with the welcoming culture of California made it easy for Kathy to turn her interest into what is now the fastest growing part of her business. Her online Soul Readings are performed for clients around the world, but it’s something she recognizes would have been difficult to launch in Eastern Ontario. "Here there’s a lot more openness to alternative ways to look at life," says Kathy.

While she has thrived in California Kathy still has a soft spot for Eastern Ontario and is currently building a cottage in Gananoque. "Someday I’d like to see us spend six months at the Cottage and six months in California," she says.

One guess which six months.

How To Develop Your Psychic & Intuitive Abilities - Part 1

This blog post was written in response to a question emailed to me by one of my clients. It was such a good question that I thought it deserved a blog post (or 2, or 3)!

Andrea's Question: "Do you have any recommendations about how one should go about furthering their psychic abilities? I've read tarot cards on and off, and seem to have a knack, and then of course there's my natural ability to "read" people. But not necessarily with dates & times and all that predictive stuff"

My Response: I personally like to learn experientially in a hands-on fashion, but my very earliest experiences with the intuitive realms involved private exploration of dreams and dream journaling, astrology, tarot and paganism. I began learning about these things in my early teens and have gone on to develop my natural intuitive abilities (which we all have) with the help of teachers, through group classes, workshops, lectures, books and private sessions with healers and intuitive guides.

Dreams

I started out by working with my dreams and recommend keeping a dream journal by your bed where you can record dreams when you wake up or by setting an alarm clock to wake yourself up at an odd hour to facilitate dream remembrance. Significant dreams will stay with you and resonate for years to come and you will begin to know which dreams are significant with practice. You can also work with lucid dreaming or by asking yourself a question before falling asleep and requesting that the answer come to you in a dream. Often dreams will allow you to re-connect with deceased friends or relatives and sometimes you may astro travel as well.

Recommended books: “Symbols for Self Understanding” by Betty Bethard

Astrology

There is much more to astrology than just your sun sign (determined by the day you were born.) Becoming involved with the study of the planets and stars will expand your awareness on a universal level connecting you with the bigger picture crossing generations and even universes. My own studies in metaphysics began with dreams, then astrology.

Recommended books: “The Only Way To Learn Astrology” (6 Volumes) by Marion March & Joan McEvers, “Planets in Transit” by Robert Hand, “Astrology for the Soul” by Jan Spiller, “The Liquid Light of Sex” by Barbara Hand Clow, “The Changing Sky” by Steven Forrest

Recommended magazine: “The Mountain Astrologer”

Recommended authors & teachers: Steven Forrest, Barbara Hand Clow

Tarot

Tarot decks are a whole world onto themselves and can involve you in an ancient study of images and symbols with mysterious origins. Working with tarot cards has allowed me to access the many realms depicted in the cards. By working with a Pre-Celtic Shamanistic deck called “The Greenwood Deck” I first encountered one of my main spirit guides while meditating upon the Ancestor card.

Recommended books: “Tarot For Yourself” by Mary K. Greer

Paganism & Goddess Worship:

I became involved with the study of paganism and ancient goddess religions when I was at university taking a Women’s Studies class, but was first introduced on a personal level to this topic by a male friend of mine who liked to dress up as Pan on Halloween. I have attended several goddess groups and pagan rituals but prefer to practice my own solitary, eclectic and personal blend of reverence for Mother Earth. Currently I practice Third Celtic Faerie Shamanism and was initiated into this tradition in 2017 by Francesca De Grandis.

Recommended books:”The Language of the Goddess” by Marija Gimbutas (archaeology), “The Motherpeace Tarot” deck and book by Vicki Noble, “The Book of Goddesses & Heroines” by Patricia Monaghan

Recommended authors, teachers & leaders: Starhawk, Szusanna Budapest, COG (Covenant of the Goddess)

This blog post details how I developed my own metaphysical practices and studies and I hope you will expand upon these suggestions in your own personal way. Upcoming posts will delve into: shamanism, energy healing, herbs, mediumship, crystal healing, channeling, psychic work, law of attraction, meditation, yoga and past life regression.

To read more posts about My Psychic Background please click here and for Psychic Development please click here.