divine
Inner Journey To The Mystical Isle Of Avalon
Sometimes when the pressures and demands of modern life become too much, I retreat to one of my favorite places in the universe: the mythical island of Avalon.
This legendary island of Celtic mythology is steeped in legends of healing, psychic learning, sacred crafting, and the life and times of King Arthur. Its name translates as “Isle of Apples,” emphasizing its association with fertility, abundance, and otherworldly beauty.
In folklore, Avalon, or Insula Avallonis, was a sanctuary of deep spiritual and psychic knowledge and was known as a training ground for pagan priestesses dedicated to the Great Mother Goddess. These women dedicated their lives to spirituality, honing their skills in clairvoyance, herbalism, weaving, and deep devotion to the Divine Feminine.
But Avalon was not only a sanctuary for women. Men were also an integral part of its story. Merlin the magician is inextricably linked to the history of the island, having trained the young Arthur there for his kingship.
Avalon is also entwined with many other tales woven through the lives of King Arthur, Guinevere, Morgan le Fay, Merlin, Nimue (the Lady of the Lake), and others. Legend also has it that King Arthur was brought to Avalon by his half-sister, Morgan le Fay, to heal after being badly wounded in battle.
The question of whether Avalon really existed straddles the line between myth and reality. Some historians and researchers speculate that Avalon may be based on a real place. Glastonbury, England, is often associated with Avalon because of its mystical aura and ties to Arthurian legend.
Earth Angels, Synchronicity And Divine Miracles
When people tell me they don’t believe in earth angels, synchronicity and miracles of divine intervention, I always ask them if they’ve ever heard of Katie Lentz and the mystery priest.
Her story is a powerful example of the mystical and awe-inspiring ways spirit and the divine can manifest itself when we need it most.
In 2013, Katie Lentz, a 19-year-old college student in Missouri, was involved in a serious car accident when another driver crossed the center line and collided head-on with her vehicle. Her car was crushed and she was trapped inside.
Rescuers struggled to free her, but the situation was dire. After about an hour, they feared she might not survive due to the extent of her injuries and the difficulty of extrication.
At a critical moment, Lentz asked for someone to pray with her. Then a priest mysteriously appeared out of nowhere. He was described as dressed in traditional priestly garb and carrying anointing oil. He prayed with her, anointed her, and told the rescuers that they would soon be able to free her.
Almost immediately after his prayer, an additional rescue team arrived with the equipment needed to free her. But when the rescuers turned to thank the priest, he was gone. No one at the scene recognized him, knew where he came from or went, and he didn’t even appear in any of the photos taken at the scene.
Reconnecting With Your Inner Light
These days, it’s easy to feel lost, anxious, or just plain drained. We juggle the pressure to succeed, increasing isolation, endless app notifications, and even a creeping sense of loneliness or hopelessness.
It’s no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed and disconnected from our true selves and the deeper source of wisdom within that illuminates our lives. Instead of feeling alive and vibrant, for many people it’s just a matter of getting through the day.
But here’s the good news: There is a way out of this gray fog, and it doesn’t involve a fancy retreat or running away to join the circus.
It’s about reconnecting with the light within you-the spark of divinity that’s always been there. Once you tap into that, everything changes. You begin to feel grounded, peaceful and purposeful. Life becomes richer, more joyful, and you’ll find yourself smiling a lot more!
The spiritual concept of “light” is central to many Eastern wisdom traditions. In Hinduism, for example, “light” symbolizes divine knowledge, truth, and the divine self (atman). The famous Sanskrit phrase “tamaso mā jyotir gamaya” (lead me from darkness to light) from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad refers to our innate desire for enlightenment and spiritual knowledge.
The concept of enlightenment (bodhi), metaphorically symbolized by light, is also central to Buddhism. In achieving enlightenment, one is said to attain wisdom and freedom from the darkness of ignorance.
The Fairies Will Find My Pets’ Final Resting Place
Over the years, as I have expanded my spiritual understanding and esoteric knowledge, I have come to rely on a number of spiritual entities and metaphysical beings for guidance and support on a daily basis. This assistance from the higher realms is vital not only in my professional work as a psychic reader and healer, but also in my personal life.
I have learned that calling upon different spiritual beings for different things provides me with more holistic and powerful guidance, protection and support in different areas of my work and life. Different types of spiritual beings serve a unique purpose according to their inherent qualities and roles.
For example, I turn to my ancestors and guardian angel for personal safety and comfort, feeling their presence as a calming and protective force, especially during very difficult times. My ancestors also provide me with personal insight and a sense of continuity, helping me to navigate everyday challenges and connect with my cultural and family roots.
My spirit guides counsel and support me in my professional psychic and healing practice, as well as in my spiritual growth and life journey. They provide me with insight and wisdom to make informed life choices and decisions. At times, I call upon one of the archangels, such as Michael or Raphael, for more specific needs, such as protection from physical harm or for physical healing, to draw upon their specialized energies.
The ascended masters and the divine I call upon for deeper spiritual enlightenment, higher consciousness, and to cultivate specific spiritual virtues such as compassion, humility, gratitude, forgiveness, patience, generosity, integrity, and courage.
The Soulful Practice Of Kirtan Chanting
An ancient spiritual practice less known in the West has transformed my spiritual routine in recent years. It is known as kirtan a beautiful form of devotional chanting that originated in ancient India.
The term “kirtan” comes from Sanskrit and means “narrating, reciting, telling, describing” of an idea or story, particularly in a religious context. This enchanting practice weaves together music, meditation, chanting, and a deep sense of spiritual expression.
Kirtan is a central practice in the Bhakti Yoga tradition, which emphasizes love and devotion to a personal deity. It involves the repetitive chanting of mantras and divine names, traditionally in Sanskrit, accompanied by musical instruments such as the harmonium, tabla, and cymbals.
Traditionally, kirtans focus on chanting the names of deities like Krishna, Rama, or Sita. The kirtan leader sings a line and the congregation responds, creating a rhythmic and melodic interplay that is both meditative and invigorating.
While Kirtan remains rooted in its spiritual origins, it has gained global popularity beyond India and the Bhakti tradition. As the practice of yoga has boomed worldwide, kirtan too has seen an immense rise in popularity. It’s a testament to the universal appeal and transformative power of this captivating practice.
Kirtan events and gatherings are known for being welcoming and inclusive, focusing on the shared experience of chanting rather than strict religious adherence. Unlike the typical musical experience in spiritual settings, kirtan invites everyone to participate in a soulful, call-and-response chanting that creates a profound connection to the divine and brings people closer together.
Embracing Spiritual Guidance When You Relocate
Relocating to a new city, state, or even country for a job opportunity, career advancement, or new business venture is a significant and transformative decision we sometimes have to make in life.
While logical and practical considerations are essential in these matters, relying on inner spiritual guidance and divine support can profoundly enhance the decision-making process.
Spiritual guidance connects us to our higher selves, ancestors, spirit guides, angels, and the divine, providing a deeper level of wisdom and certainty.
Intuitive Guidance
The first step is to quiet the mind and tune in to the subtle messages of your intuitive inner guidance. Commonly referred to as “gut feelings,” “hunches,” or our “sixth sense,” our inner guidance system is a powerful decision-making tool. This inner voice is a manifestation of our higher self that guides us toward choices that align with our true purpose and well-being.
When we align with our Higher Self, we access a reservoir of wisdom that transcends the limitations of the rational mind. So when we need to consider a great opportunity or a major life change, tuning into this inner wisdom helps us discern whether the move will serve our highest good.
Our higher self, soul or spirit, is the metaphysical part of us that is eternally connected to the Divine and has a broader perspective on our life journey and soul plan. It knows our soul’s mission and purpose in life and can guide us to make choices that serve our highest good.
A Christian Mystic’s Guide To Dealing With Pain
Our search for the meaning of pain, hardship, and suffering is a profound and enduring human endeavor.
Throughout history, our spiritual beliefs and religious teachings have helped us understand and find meaning in life’s challenges and painful experiences.
These interpretations provide comfort, guidance, and a sense of peace in the face of adversity as we learn that suffering has a purpose or can lead to spiritual growth, enlightenment, or a deeper connection with the divine.
Our spiritual quest to better understand pain is driven by a deep desire to make sense of life’s challenges and to discover how these difficult experiences fit into the larger tapestry of our existence.
Religions and spiritual wisdom traditions around the world offer different perspectives on pain and suffering, each with its own explanation for why these experiences occur and how they should be approached or understood.
These diverse perspectives all share certain common threads: that the origins of pain and suffering lie in the concept of duality; that there is meaning to be found in suffering; and that through faith, reflection, and spiritual practice we can transcend the pain caused by duality and connect with something greater than ourselves.