memories
The History And Hidden Blessings Of Halloween
As a child, I remember getting excited about dressing up as a witch on Halloween and enjoying all the treats, like toffee apples and spooky cakes, that my mom used to make.
But one year, my father ruined the holiday for me when he explained his views on the significance of Halloween to me. I was just 10 years old, and it upset me.
Because of his religious beliefs, my father then forbade my siblings and me from celebrating Halloween. This made us feel excluded from our community as we watched other children dress up and enjoy themselves.
As an adult, I learned that it was not the event itself that was the issue, but rather the assumed F.E.A.R. behind it: False Evidence Appearing Real.
Remembering those times recently, I was prompted to take another look into the origin of this holiday tradition and what it truly stands for.
On 31st October each year, the Celtic pagan festival known as Samhain is celebrated, symbolizing the end of the harvest period and the start of the winter season, sometimes referred to as the “darker half” of the annual 12-month cycle.
Long before it became a night of costumes and candy, it was a sacred festival rooted in ancient spiritual tradition. The celebration we now know as Halloween traces its origins to Samhain (pronounced Sow-in), a Gaelic festival that marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of the dark half of the year.
The Blessing Of Mediumship
As a medium, there is nothing more rewarding than bringing through a loved one who has passed on to Spirit. It is tremendously fulfilling to be able to deliver messages from another plane and to put someone’s mind at ease here on Earth.
Often, departed loved ones will come through to give a progress report of sorts, so that family or friends will know that they are happy, pain-free and adjusting beautifully to their new surroundings.
In addition, they might weigh in on a family dilemma, reassure a friend that the right decision was made or confirm that everything is currently on track for success.
Readings of this nature are a win-win-win for everyone: for the person who has passed on to Spirit, for the person requesting the reading, and also for me.
Over the years, I have received countless confirmations from readings given privately and in the various spiritualist churches. Although I would never take Spirit’s work for granted, because all messages are important for different reasons, there are many that stand out because of the wonderful reactions they caused.
Once, I was attending a potluck supper at one of the churches and, as I was standing in line for the buffet, I felt a tap on my shoulder. As I turned around to see who was there, an older woman said, “Well, here he is!” She pointed to a man standing beside her.
A few years before, Spirit had advised that she would be getting remarried and, at her age, she didn’t believe it for a minute. Fast forward a few years and she brought him to the church supper in the hope that I would be there to meet him in person. She was thrilled beyond belief and beamed with pride as she told me the story of where they had met and how their relationship had progressed so beautifully. Continue reading
Always Remember That You Are Enough
You are enough. If only, as we grew up, we had heard more such words, even if there was an additional “… and yet strive for more”.
The fact is we were raised in a world where competition is prevalent; where our insecurities are often emphasized to us, or used as leverage (intentionally or otherwise); where our personal beliefs about ourselves potentially delays our soul evolution.
As partners in the Universe we say to ourselves, “Everything has a reason, we each have a soul purpose, all is in Divine Order.”
Yet, when a tragedy or life shattering moment hits, we are so intimately impacted that we have to dig deep to console ourselves and try to reframe that that tragedy has a Divine purpose, and that you have enough and are enough in that moment.
Perhaps such a life event is the loss of a family member, a loving relationship, job, pet, or a financial crisis, or any other life-changing event. Our faith in Divinity may keep us going, but it does not change the fact that we are deeply grieved by this loss.
Our ego will bring up all sorts of emotions, including anger, grief, betrayal, denial, hatred and many other emotions. You may espouse such things as, “Why them why not me” or “I feel cheated” and “How could this happen”.
In our Divine space, devoid of analytical ego, we know in our heart this experience is for our soul growth path and those closely connected with us, but that is still hard to face.
The Timeless Magic Of Nature Spirits And Elementals
As a youngster growing up in the UK, I loved visiting a neighbor, Mrs. O’Leary, whose lilting Irish voice still echoes in my mind. She spoke often of the “Good People” and acknowledged their presence in her home and garden. I recall her taking us outside to witness her making small offerings to these unseen little mystical beings.
Though it feels like a distant memory now, I can still recall seeing them, too. Perhaps they appeared to us because we truly believed, or perhaps because Mrs. O’Leary invited them to show themselves.
Whatever the reason, those moments left a lasting impression. To me, it felt like truly being “in my element,” fully connected to the hidden, magical forces of nature.
I vaguely recall a magical moment in Mrs. O’Leary’s garden when she pointed out to me a tiny, translucent little figure perched on a large moss-covered rock at the base of her prized old hawthorn tree. With delight, she described how this “little person” was waving at us and encouraged me to wave back. Standing there with awe and intrigue, I became aware of what seemed like hundreds of luminous sprites dancing in the glistening water below.
Despite all the cynicism of a technologically driven world, increasingly devoid of the many miracles and wonders of nature and the unseen realms, Mrs. O’Leary and the spirits of nature still remind me of the healing, transformative power that lies in reverence, stillness, and everyday magic.
Power And Protection From Your Ancestors
I come from a long line of female herbalists of European origins on my mother’s side of the family. They were seers, healers, and prophets who combined their psychic gifts with ancient healing practices. Today, they still come to me during meditation, to offer wisdom.
The family’s mainly Germanic connection is one I’ve researched for many years, but more recently I discovered that my ancestors crossed into Scandinavian and Norse territories too, which suggests a bloodline of fierce women who were warriors of their time.
It’s really not surprising to me, as even my own mother today, who is 84 years old, can still kick anyone’s butt who crosses her path in an unkind way! I always knew she was strong when I was little, and I always admired her power and independence.
I was born in the year 1966, which in Chinese Astrology equates to the year of the Fire Horse. Fire Horse people are only born once every six decades. It is a rare sign and, according to legend, many girl babies born in certain parts of Asia in that year were killed at birth, because they were believed to be dangerous, uncontrollable or resistant to rules or dogma.
My Fire Horse nature shows up in me from time to time, but only when I’m really pushed beyond reason by someone who is taking advantage of, or harming me, or my children.
Life will sometimes push us to step into our core strength and fight for what is right. There are many people on the spiritual path who feel stepping into your true power or fighting for what is right is ‘unspiritual’ or egotistic.
Are Your Loved Ones Sending You Signs?
Have you ever felt as if someone who has passed away was trying to reach out to you? Have you noticed any unusual signs? Maybe you suddenly caught a whiff of their favorite perfume? Or maybe a song you associate with them started playing when you were thinking of them.
Though these moments may seem insignificant or random, they could actually be signs from beyond. Yes, really. The people we love who have passed away are still with us. They’re energetically around us more than we realize, watching over us and cheering us on.
Sometimes they try to send us reassuring messages, but we don’t always pay attention. Life can get hectic. It’s easy to miss these signs when we’re busy with our daily routines.
But the signs are still there. We just need to slow down, take a breath, and open our hearts to noticing them.
Not everyone sends the same kind of sign, and not every spirit communicates in the same way. Some loved ones are very obvious. They might move items like coins or feathers for you to find, flicker lights, or send a butterfly or dragonfly right into your path.
Other signs might be more subtle. They might cue up a meaningful song for the two of you or make the number 11:11 appear repeatedly until you finally say, “Wait a minute…what’s up with that?”
These are all ways they’re saying, “Hey! I’m here. I’m okay. I see you. Are you okay? No need to worry; you’ll be just fine. I’m looking out for you.”
My Childhood Psychic Awakening
Being gifted from an early age, I had lots of questions, and wanted specific, detailed answers about psychic phenomena, spirituality and the mystical. This later became my norm to everything, and the world around me. The why’s and how’s continue to fascinate me in every aspect of my life.
My spirit guides have been very helpful over the years, as I found that humans can seldom answer my questions clearly, nor adequately. Over the years, my guides provided me with the stepping stones for my personal psychic development.
My guides assured me early on that they would never give me more than I could handle. They also made it clear that the truth of anything can always be confirmed by simply asking. I believed them, and each time I had an unusual sense or feeling, I asked for confirmation. I still do.
My first paranormal encounters and psychic experiences were with the animals. Their energy and communication is easier to understand, just like my guides, and they always communicate with unconditional love.
This also led to a special bond with nature, and especially the trees. Soon after came the wind, and the water, their sounds so soothing and calm. As a child, I always experienced a deep, tranquil feeling of well-being, serenity and inner peace whenever I was outside in nature. I still do.
My next extra-sensory experiences were of premonitions and forebodings concerning the safety and well-being of others. At such a young age these presentiments were tricky to relay to adults.