Snoozing Tiger

We found this Tiger snoozing in the late day sun during our visit to the zoo.

My Spontaneous Regression

We were huddled behind the counter. I was shaking slightly but tried not to show it. I wanted to be strong. The crunch of boots on the snow was rhythmic and unrelenting. It was cold on the floor. The sound was louder and closer.

About 18 years ago I was covering a talk by a woman who works with dementia patients. During her talk she had us sit quietly while she played a tape of a rhythmic banging sound.

It was terrifying.

While others in the session said afterward they were soothed, or the sound invoked a wonderful memory from childhood, I just wanted to run screaming from the building.

What was I seeing?
I was seeing me, as a young man, huddled on a floor behind a counter with my arms thrown over a young dark-haired woman.
It was November, it was the 1930s, and it was nighttime.

In my mind I could see the writing on the shop window. It looked like “G. D. Schir” and I had the feeling it sold kitchen utensils and may have been a bakery, too.

“Geschir,” said my German-speaking friend later. “That means utensils.”

This was my very first past-life regression, and it was spontaneous.
This sort of thing happens all the time. A fragrance reminds us of a past lover. A song we haven’t heard in 30 years takes us right back to junior high school. It’s common, but we don’t normally cast it in terms of regression.
But what about when we remember something that we know darn well didn’t happen to us this time around?

Maybe it’s happened to you. Have you ever gone somewhere new and felt like you’ve come home?
Or met someone new and remember that it’s someone you love?

Some are past-life memories. Others are triggers that we’ve set for ourselves to work through something, or to get on with our life’s works.
They’re a natural and normal part of life. But if you’re new to it, then it’s can be scary.

My spontaneous regression was disturbing, but in an odd way I welcomed it. I’d always thought I’d had a German life and figured it was around WWII.
I felt cheated growing up that I couldn’t speak German. When I did hear the language, it left me yearning for more.
I’ve had several regressions since and have seen who I was then. It’s settled something inside me.The terror I felt that day spurred me to find out more, and to become a hypnotherapist.

Perhaps it was a trigger I’d set for myself. Maybe I just need to confirm that what I’d always believed about a previous existence was true.
But whatever the reason, I had a spontaneous regression one day and I’m grateful.

I’d like to hear about spontaneous memories you’ve had, and what triggered them.

Now Rub Under My Chin

I got this photo of a Snow Leopard at Edmonton Valley Zoo on Saturday.

We were on our way out and passed their enclosure again when this big, fuzzy kitty came out for a bit of exercise.

Kitty stopped for a stretch right in front of me.

Fighting Fire With Fire

I discovered something interesting by accident this week. You can fight fire with fire.

Specifically, cayenne pepper eases hot flashes. Or did so with mine, anyway.

I hadn’t taken any cayenne for a few weeks because I’d been too lazy to fill the capsules myself. Yeah, we make our own. My husband brings in the empty gelatin capsules to sell at his health food store so we buy hot pepper in bulk and fill them ourselves.

I got around to it about two nights ago and took one shortly before retiring the other evening. No hot flash.
For the past few weeks I could count on becoming uncomfortably warm around 11 p.m. It was a nightly routine that lasted maybe 10 minutes, then I’d be okay.
I’d be blessed once or twice again before morning.
But that night something magic happened.

That is, nothing.

I continued with the capsaicin (that’s the chemical that gives the peppers their heat) capsules and again, no hot flash.

Last night I had a minor one around 11 p.m and it would be as stretch to call it hot. It was lukewarm at best and barely lasted a minute.

We use the 250 mg size capsules and I take at least three a day. I rarely take more than six, and that’s only if I’m fighting a cold.

My husband is field-testing cayenne for pain relief and I’ve noted it's really good for the stomach.

Capsaicin is apparently good for circulation. I heard that some people sprinkle hot pepper in their socks to ward off cold feet. I’ve never tried it, so I have no opinion. Ingesting it is supposed to keep you warm, but I never heard that it could subdue hot flashes.

What a cool surprise.

Read about cayenne here http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/cayenne.htm
Or here http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/healing-herbs.shtml

Note: I am in no way offering medical advice. This is anecdotal evidence of something capsaicin did for me.

Is Being A Beta Reader Scary?

I wonder if I scared my friends.
Last June I approached several people to read my manuscript. I listed what I wanted them to check for as they read.

Grammar wasn’t on the list for most of them. I have one faithful beta whose grammar skills outpace most everyone else currently walking the Earth. Her instructions included “read it with a red pen.”
Mostly I wanted the readers to tell me if the manuscript made sense. Was it interesting? Engaging?
Did I contradict myself anywhere?
If you’d spent money to read this, would you demand it back?

I’ve discussed books with these people. I know they have opinions, strong ones, about what they read and that’s what I wanted.
I get that it’s difficult for most people to blurt out the brutal truth, but that’s what I was after. If I don’t know there’s a problem, how can I fix it?

I tried to get a good cross-section of readers. Some were new agey and aware of meditation and hypnosis, others not so much.
Red pen reader was happy to do it and, though kind, told me the truth. Most everyone else seemed reluctant. Many still did it, although one who initially agreed later said she didn’t have time to do it. Was it really a time issue, or did the manuscript bore her silly? I didn’t ask. Maybe I didn’t want to know.

If you read books, then you have an opinion on them. That’s my idea when I look for betas.
When I’m asked my opinion, I give it. I’ve occasionally tried to be kind about it, though I can’t really pull that off.
I’d rather hear the truth as it is than have anything sugar-coated. It’s what I’d like to get back, especially from betas.

Safe Channeling

Channeling can be scary. You’re opening yourself up to the spirit world. Maybe there’s some unsavory character hanging around waiting for a chance to use a body, or maybe you just fear losing control.

It can be done safely. It’s a great way to open up to the spiritual side of life and it’s one of the best ways I’ve found to affirm that there is something beyond the mundane.

I took a course in it years ago. It intrigued me, but it also terrified me. When I found out about a workshop for it I knew I had to take it. I also know spirit led me to it.
Since then, I’ve adapted what I’ve learned and have my own methods for it. But what never changes is praying for protection before I ever get started.

Get quiet and ask the higher being you believe in to surround you with love and light and protection. Tell this being what you’re up to, and then affirm that it’ll be done safely and for the highest possible good.

You can specifically ask to speak to someone who has crossed over, or to get a message from your higher self. You can even ask for God to speak to you this way.

If you feel funny about any of this, then stop. Go back to it later. Don’t force a session. You’ll waste your time and have to put up with your conscious mind screeching at you for making it all up.

Once you’re calm and collected and protected, let thoughts, visions, ideas, fragrances, and or feelings flow to you. Don’t editorialize; just let it happen.
If it starts to creep you out, then stop. Reaffirm your protection and end it.
If you’ve let a being or three come to you and want to end it, just say thanks and ask everyone to leave you alone until next time.

Sometimes a formal session isn’t necessary. Guides, angels, assistants, guide-associates (they’re like interns), and any other heavenly helpers are always trying to tell us something. It can be guidance to take a different route or they just want us to know they’re hanging around.
After I got comfortable with channeling it was easier for me to accept and acknowledge guidance. Parts of my second manuscript were dictated by guides.

And a few years ago a heavenly helper sent me this prayer. I use it constantly, and I’d like to share it with you.

Light of Heaven surround me,
Light of the Earth Guide me,
Light of my soul protect me,
Light my way.

Add any specific request you might have after “way” such as “. . .to treating my in-laws kindly” or “. . .to a peaceful day” or whatever you may need.

Some readers may find this familiar. I had it posted on the side of the blog earlier. I’ve also posted it at http://p199.ezboard.com/Giving-Back/fspiritlodge83569frm59.showMessage?topicID=813.topic

Safe channeling, everyone.

Don’t Hogtie the Universe

It's getting on abundance cheque time again. The new moon is on the 17th, and that's the day before Chinese New Year.

Last month's post on abundance cheques raised a question (thanks Talia) about asking for a specific amount. If you do ask for specific amount, should it be the same amount every month?

The short answer is: Yes.

Ask for what you want until you get it.

The long answer is a bit different.

Don’t hogtie the Universe.

I prefer to leave the amount open. This lets our heavenly helpers give even more to us. If we are to live in abundance, as I believe we are, then we have no business putting a limit on what we receive.

If you must ask for a specific amount, then leave room at the end of your request for more.

Dr. Doreen Virtue, (http://www.angeltherapy.com/) in her book Angel Medicine, wrote about what to do if you’re not clear about what to ask for. She suggests picturing the best possible outcome for meeting your needs, then adding, “This, or something better, God” at the end of the request.

This is easily adapted for monetary requests. Use this or similar wording to let the Universe know that you are ready and willing to receive all the plenty that's due, not just the teeny bit you need at the moment. And it lets our heavenly helpers know that we understand that we deserve to live in abundance and that the bounty of the Universe is for us, too.

It’s the method I use when I ask and it’s very effective. I always get more than I need.

Are you being greedy when you do this?

No. You are acknowledging your worthiness.

If you’re more comfortable dealing with specifics, then go ahead and detail exactly how much you want. And take it further. Detail the amount, when you need it, why you need it, and what you’ll be using it for.
This method is set out by Sanaya Roman and Duane Packer in their books Creating Money, Keys To Abundance and Spiritual Growth, Being Your Higher Self.
Those methods work, too. Find out your style for petitioning the Universe and go with it. But remember this, no matter which method you use, always be careful what you ask for.

A last bit about abundance cheques.
If you don’t have a chequebook, or don’t want to use your own cheques, then make one. Get a piece of paper and a pen, or fire up the drawing program on your computer, and put in all the appropriate lines you'd find on a regular cheque.

Fill out the cheque or its facsimilie like this:

Date: Leave Blank

Pay To The Order Of: Your Full Name Here

Write "Paid In Full" in the box following the name space.

Next line: Write "Paid In Full" ------------------xx/100 Dollars

Memo: "Thank You"

Signature: "The Law Of Abundance"

Write your cheque within 24 hours of the new moon. Check http://skytonight.com/ for new moon times in your area.

Put the cheque away and forget about it.

Happy Abundance, everyone!

I first learned about abundance cheques at Spirit Lodge at
http://Spiritlodge@www.ezboard.com/

Rejected - I'm Running With The Big Dogs Again

A reputable publisher turned me down the other day.
He was nice about it. It was a kindly worded rejection about my manuscript not fitting into the company’s current need.
This was followed by a bit of form letter encouragement inviting me to try with a different project later on, and a hearty wish for my good luck in placing the current manuscript.
We writers need a thick skin and a proper-sized ego that lets us to believe that people will spend their hard-earned money on what we create. Rejection thickens the hide, steels the backbone, kicks us in the head to learn more, and keeps the ego in check.
Every writer gets rejected. It’s how we learn.
Certainly some authors do get accepted right away. Some have been picked up at the first place to which they submitted.
Eeek. That’s not good, because it likely means they submitted to a vanity press or author mill. Exceptions exist, of course, but not many. Vanity press authors are printed, not published, and it’s not what I want.
Good writers get rejected. And rejected. And rejected again until one magic day when their talent, perseverance and skill pays off. They go from obscurity to having a book face out on the end caps at a book store.
So rejection is good. In my world I’m running with the big dogs when I get turned down. It’s something worth celebrating.
Ah, rejection. It makes me feel like I belong.

First Step On The Spiritual Path

Scribbler’s comment on the post below this one below made me think about what it’s like when you take your first steps on a spiritual path.

Where do you start?

It can be overwhelming. There’s so much information available in books, on websites, in blogs, from friends and acquaintances. It seems everyone knows exactly what you need to do achieve spiritual fulfillment.
Only you know exactly what you should do. But that brings up another issue: how do you find it out?

The simplest way to go is to honor yourself. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings about situations and people.
Have you got a new interest? Are you being pulled in a direction i.e. for studying or travel?
Do you feel a need to avoid a place, a person, or even a type of food?
These are all nudges from the spirit side. It might be you a guide, it can be hint of a past life, but it can also be your own intuition.
This “still, small voice” as Edgar Cayce termed it, nudges you along the path you need to follow and acts as an early warning system to keep you out of the trouble.

We get this nudges and warnings all the time. We can ignore them if we want, but if you’re looking for a simple way to start down your path, honoring your own inner voice is a good first step.

Thanks to Scribbler for the post idea.

The Angels Have My Number

Lately I’ve been noticing number sequences, chiefly “666.” It shows up when I play computer solitaire. I’ll have three sixes in a row. Is solitaire the work of the Devil? Should I call in an exorcist? How does one cast evil out of a computer anyway?

According to Doreen Virtue, PH.D., in her book Healing With the Angels, number sequences are messages from angels. They’re simply trying to get our attention and we ought to give it.

This sequence has long been associated with the Antichrist. I had a bit too much fun with this about 18 years ago when I saw an out-of-province Chrysler vehicle that sported “666” as part of its alpha-numeric licence plate. I ran a photo of it complete with obvious cutline.

Apparently “666” means you’re spending too much thought on the material world. Good to know that Satan isn’t taking any special interest in me.
The first sequence that drew my attention—and my husband’s— was “555.” I commonly noticed it on the stove clock while I was making supper. I didn’t think too much about it at first, but it was a daily event for several months. When we see it, or any other number sequence, we stop what we’re doing and acknowledge it. We sing out a vowel sound associate with one of the chakras like “oooooo” or “oohhh” and keep it up until the clock changes.

Dr. Virtue says that “555”mean a big life change is on the way. Well, I waited for years for that to come about, but it did.
A few months ago I started noticing these numbers in different places. Licence plates, range road signs that I’d never paid attention to before. I was sharply drawn to these numbers. I wasn’t just seeing them. It was as though I was absorbing them. The life change was the death of my dad two months ago. I haven’t really noticed “555” since then beyond seeing it on the stove clock.

Lately it’s been “444.” Times, licence plates, cards, grocery store tabs, all sorts of places. According to Dr. Virtue, this means the angels are surrounding me and their help is nearby.
That’s good. You can never have too much help from beyond. Whatever else these sequences may mean, I’m grateful that somebody somewhere is looking out for me.

For more information, Dr. Virtue’s website is http://www.angeltherapy.com/

Welcome To My Dark Side

You scored as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. A young mind corrupted by the sinister manipulations of Palpatine. You are charming, but have a tendency to think a bit much of yourself. In the end you are always trying to do the right thing. Now if only You could get Amidala to like you. Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader 94% 94% Obi-Wan Kenobi 69% 69% Darth Maul 69% 69% Yoda 69% 69% Han Solo 63% 63% Luke Skywalker 63% 63% Palpatine 63% 63% Padme Amidala 56 56% Boba Fett 50% 50% Leia Organa 44% 44% Which Star Wars character would you be? (pics) created with QuizFarm.com

Yoda Angel

You scored as Yoda. You are Yoda. Wisest of all the Jedi Masters. And even though you are small you can still kick major ass with your mini light saber. Strong the force is in you...hmmmmm. Yoda 75% 75% Obi-Wan 75% 75% Luke Skywalker 63% 63% Chewbacca 63% 63% Padme 50% 50% Princess Leia Organa 38% 38% Anakin 25% 25% The emperor 25% 25% Darth Vader 13% 13% Which Star Wars character are you the most like??? created with QuizFarm.com

Mythological Creature

You scored as Angel. Angel: Angels are the guardians of all things, from the smallest ant to the tallest tree. They give inspiration, love, hope, and positive emotion. They live among humans without being seen. They are the good in all things, and if you feel alone, don't fear. They are always watching. Often times they merely stand by, whispering into the ears of those who feel lost. They would love nothing more than to reveal themselves, but in today's society, this would bring havoc and many unneeded questions. Give thanks to all things beautiful, for you are an Angel. Angel 100% Faerie 83% Dragon 59% Mermaid 58% WereWolf 42% Demon 42% What Mythological Creature are you? (Cool Pics!) Okay, maybe I had too much fun. But I can be Darth Vader , Yoda, and an Angel. Be warned. created with QuizFarm.com