Stop Battling Your Shadow—Do This Instead

Over Labor Day weekend I watched the Anime K-pop film The Demon Hunters, and it carries a message I believe we all need right now: to love and own every part of ourselves. When we do, we bring light into the very places that once felt dark or hidden.

So often, we try to “battle” our shadows—pushing them away, pretending they don’t exist. But true healing begins when we invite them in. The parts of ourselves we fear, or judge can transform in the light of compassion. Wholeness is not about perfection; it’s about integration.

And I’ll share something personal: every time we point the finger at someone else, there are three fingers pointing back at us. I know I can sometimes be “over responsible” and catch myself judging others I perceive as “irresponsible.” But when I look deeper, I see the freedom I secretly long for—the freedom of letting go of the rigid belief that my worth depends on what I hold together. That realization can become a doorway to sacred play and joy.

I also want to say this clearly: real shadow work should not be done alone. There is a tendency to over-identify with the shadow, which can lead to heaviness or stuckness. Having support—whether from a guide, therapist, or trusted community—creates the safety we need to move through it with care.

Photo by Hanna Balan

Here’s a simple ritual you can try this week to begin embracing your shadow with love:

Step 1: Create a Sacred Space
Light a candle and place it before you. Let it symbolize your inner light—ever present, no matter what you’re facing.

Step 2: Call in the Shadow
Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Ask yourself: What part of me feels unloved, rejected, or hidden right now? Trust whatever arises.

Step 3: Offer Compassion
Place your hand on your heart and whisper to that part of you:
You are seen. You belong. You are loved.

Step 4: Integration
When you’re ready, open your eyes and gaze into the candle flame. Imagine its light filling every part of you—shadow and all—until you feel whole and radiant.

Closing
Blow out the candle with gratitude, knowing that each time you honor your shadows, you expand your capacity for love, joy, and freedom.

And remember while small rituals like this can be deeply healing, the deeper layers of shadow work are best done with support. If you’re feeling called, I’d love to walk beside you as a guide, so you don’t get stuck but instead discover the light and freedom waiting within.

May you walk forward shining—not because you have no darkness, but because you’ve befriended it.

With love and light,
Barbara

A Ritual to Honor Summer & Step Into What's Next 🌻

As summer begins to wind down, I always feel called to pause before rushing into the next season. Although Fall officially begins on the Autumn Equinox, Labor Day offers us a beautiful moment to honor both the gifts of summer and the work — seen and unseen — that shapes our lives.

Before diving headfirst into September, I invite you to slow down, breathe, and mark this transition with intention.

A Late-Summer & Labor Day Ritual

This weekend, carve out a few quiet minutes to honor both the season and the spirit of Labor Day. Light a candle, place your hands over your heart, and say:

• “I honor the gifts of this summer, and I honor the work — mine and that of those who came before me. May effort be balanced with rest, and labor with joy.”
   

• Drop a flower petal into a bowl of water as a symbol of gratitude for the summer season and add another leaf to welcome September’s new rhythm. Then offer them to either a body of water or the Earth.

This simple ritual helps us transition with grace, carrying the best of summer forward while opening space for what’s to come.

Reflection Prompts

Consider journaling on one or more of these questions as you step into a new season:

• What is one gift or memory from this summer I want to carry forward?

• How has my labor — whether in work, caregiving, creativity, or healing — shaped me this year?

• Where do I need more balance between effort and rest in my life?

• What do I want to make space for as the season begins to shift?

Bringing Ritual Into Your Life & Work

May this threshold between summer and fall remind you to honor both your labor and your joy.As we enter a new season, I’d love to support you with rituals, coaching, and guidanceto help you bring more balance, clarity, and meaning into your life.

If you’re ready to plant new seeds for your soul’s growth, this is the perfect time to begin. Let’s journey together.

I also offer programs and coaching designed to help leaders, teams, and professionals navigate change with clarity, resilience, and joy. If your organization is ready to step into this next season with fresh energy and purpose, let’s connect.

With love,
Barbara

Traveling Joy: A Practice to Ground and Uplift 🐚

As summer winds down and the pace of life begins to quicken, it’s easy to feel scattered, heavy, or disconnected. Yet joy is not something reserved for rare moments—it’s a practice we can choose and carry with us.

This week, I invite you to create something small and powerful that travels with you wherever you go: a pocket talisman of joy and grounding.

Photo by Dan Farrell

Create Your Pocket Talisman

1. Gather – Find a small object that speaks to you: a stone, crystal, or shell.

2. Infuse – Hold it in your hands. Take three deep breaths. With each inhale, draw in grounding energy from the earth. With each exhale, breathe joy, peace, or calm into the object.

3. Seal – Whisper a word you need most right now—peace, strength, joy, curiosity, trust. Imagine this word glowing inside your talisman.

4. Carry – Keep it with you this week. Whenever you feel unsteady or weighed down, hold your talisman, breathe, and reconnect with your chosen word.

This simple ritual reminds us that no matter what is happening around us, we can always return to center, to joy, and to the energy that nourishes us.

Imagine what could shift if your workplace, community, or event began with a simple grounding practice like this. These tools bring people together, reduce stress, and open space for creativity and collaboration.

If you’d like me to bring these kinds of rituals into your organization, conference, or community, let’s connect. Together, we can create powerful shared moments that transform gatherings into experiences of meaning, joy, and connection.

Wishing you a week that is grounded, joyful, and filled with light.

PS: Make sure to check out our Upcoming Events. 

With love,

Barbara

Why “More” Isn’t Always the Answer

We all have dreams. But sometimes, in chasing them, we miss the simple truth: what we’re seeking might already be here.

I’m reminded of a story…

A wealthy businessman was vacationing in a small coastal village when he noticed a fisherman relaxing in a hammock, guitar in hand, smiling at the sun.

Photo by Urip Dunker

“Why aren’t you out catching more fish?” the businessman asked.

“I caught enough for today,” the fisherman replied. “Now I’m going to play music, laugh with my family, and watch the day drift by.”

The businessman leaned in. “But if you worked harder, you could buy a bigger boat, catch more fish, open a factory, and become rich! Then you could retire and finally do whatever you want.”

The fisherman just smiled. “But… I’m already doing whatever I want.”

Here’s the thing: being is often lost in becoming.

We spend so much of our lives trying to be more successful, more prepared, more “ready” — that we forget to simply be.

So today, I invite you to pause.
Take a breath. Look around.

Ask yourself:

What joy is already here that I don’t have to chase?

And when you find it… savor it a little longer.

If you’d like some support in making space for that kind of joy — clearing what’s in the way and opening to what’s possible — I’d be honored to guide you. Whether it’s through a private ritual, a reading, a group gathering, or a visioning session, we can create the room for you to fully receive what’s already waiting.

With love,

Barbara

Tap Into 8/8 Power: Free Lion’s Gate Portal Meditation

Every year on August 8th, the cosmos opens a rare and potent portal—the Lion’s Gate—an alignment of the Earth, the Sun in Leo, and Sirius, the brightest star in our sky. The ancient Egyptians believed this celestial moment streamed divine wisdom from the stars straight into our hearts.

This is not just astrology. It’s alchemy.

When this gateway opens, high-frequency light codes flood in, supporting us in activating our highest potential, unlocking clarity, courage, abundance, and spiritual rebirth.

I’ve created a free guided meditation to help you align with this energy.

This is my gift to you—a sacred reset for your soul, to help you release the old and step fully into your power, purpose, and light.

Whether you’re feeling called to heal, expand, or rise… this is your moment.

Click below to receive the meditation and let yourself be guided through this transformational gateway.

Share it, revisit it, and let it guide you into the next luminous chapter of your life.

With cosmic blessings and love,
Barbara

Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times: Harness the Lions Gate Energy

Many of you have reached out asking about the significance of the Lions Gate Portal, which reaches its peak on August 8th (8/8)—a time of profound spiritual opportunity.

The Lion’s Gate is not just a date on the calendar. It is a powerful energetic alignment between the Earth, the Sun in Leo, and Sirius—the brightest star in the sky, revered by the ancient Egyptians as a source of divine wisdom.

Each year, when Sirius rises in the morning sky and aligns with the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx, a celestial gateway opens, allowing high-frequency light codes to stream in. This is a portal of awakening, activation, and abundance.

For the Egyptians, this time marked the flooding of the Nile—bringing new life and prosperity. Energetically, it still brings us the opportunity to reset, reclaim our power, and step into higher alignment.

Photo by Noel Schläfli

Energies You Can Tap Into Right Now:

• Heart Healing: Old wounds may rise for clearing. Let them. This is a time to soften and strengthen the heart.
   

• Third Eye Awakening: Heightened intuition, clarity, and insight are available—trust the subtle nudges and inner whispers.
   

• Soul Chakra Activation: The upper chakras are more open during this portal. Tune in to receive higher guidance, especially during meditation and dreams.
   

• Psychic Downloads: Pay attention to synchronicities, messages from spirit, dreams, and unexpected inspiration.
   

• Creative Expression: This is a fertile moment to begin or revive your creative visions. Let your inner artist and visionary take the lead.
   

• Embodied Empowerment: When we stand fully in our own sacred power, we no longer feel the need to diminish anyone else’s. From this place of wholeness, we become natural allies for justice, equality, and meaningful transformation.

Reclaiming your power is not a quick fix—it’s a sacred practice. And it’s more urgent now than ever. When we’re rooted in love, aligned with our truth, and grounded in ritual, we become unstoppable.

You are enough. You are complete. You are powerful beyond measure. The Lions Gate invites you to remember.

 With love,

Barbara

Pause, Reflect & Celebrate the First Harvest 🌾

August invites us into a sacred pause — a moment to soak in the warmth of summer, sip iced herbal teas, and delight in sun-ripened corn, tomatoes, peaches, and berries. But beneath the surface of our modern lives, an ancient rhythm pulses: this is the season of the first harvest.

In the Northern Hemisphere, August 1 marks Lammas (or Lughnasadh), a traditional festival of gratitude and abundance, falling midway between the Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox. In early agrarian communities, this was a time to honor the grain  — wheat, oats, barley — that sustained life through the seasons. And in Celtic mythology, the god Lugh was honored. It was a communal celebration of baking, reaping, and giving thanks.

Many Native American traditions also honor the corn harvest during this time. The Green Corn Ceremony is filled with dancing, purification rituals, and giving thanks to the Corn Mother, a powerful symbol of life and nourishment. Among the Hopi, the Snake-Antelope dance (held every other year) reflects the sacred relationship between humans and the land.

Photo by Nina Luong

Ritual: Give Thanks to the Earth

As you enjoy your next piece of corn on the cob, bite into a fresh bagel, or stir up a quinoa salad — pause. Offer a quiet “thank you” to Mother Earth, the farmers, and the elements that helped grow your food. Gratitude transforms the ordinary into the sacred.

Vow to Love — Another or Yourself

Lammas was also a traditional time for handfasting — a simple marriage or commitment ritual in which the hands are tied together to symbolize the binding together of two lives performed in front of witnesses. The couple vow to be together for a year and a day. After that time they were free to stay together or part ways.

 If you’re in a partnership, consider exchanging vows in a meaningful way, even if it’s just the two of you under a tree or on your terrace. If you’re solo, create a vow to honor, love, and accept yourself as you are, and as you are becoming. 

Ritual: Your Harvest Intention

This is a powerful moment to call in your harvest for the rest of the year. Try this:

• Take a husk of corn and remove the kernels.

• On the husk, write your harvest intention — what you wish to grow or receive.

• Select kernels to represent the skills, gifts, and support you already hold.

• Wrap the kernels inside the husk and tie it with 7 knots, using string or raffia. Each knot symbolizes a step you’re willing to take, or a prayer you’re offering.

• Leave it in nature as a sacred offering.

Be a Good Neighbor

Create a harvest basket filled with fresh fruit, bread, herbs, or vegetables from your garden or market. Add a small note of appreciation or a favorite quote. Tuck in a sunflower, a bottle of homemade juice, or anything that sparks joy. Give it to a neighbor, friend, or someone in your community who could use a little light. Generosity is a blessing multiplier.

Let This Be a Celebration

Even amidst uncertainty, there is always something to honor. Let this be a time to slow down, offer thanks, share what you can, and celebrate all that is growing — within you, around you, and in the world.

With love & gratitude,

Barbara

A Sacred Pause Before the Galactic New Year

According to visionary teacher José Argüelles, the Mayan Calendar—known as the 13-Moon Calendar—was developed by Mayan Timekeepers and Jaguar Priests to reflect a harmonic rhythm of time. It divides the year into 13 months of 28 days each: 52 perfect weeks, totaling 364 days.

But what about the 365th day?

That day is July 25th, and in this system, it's known as The Day Out of Time—a magical, liminal space that exists outside the ordinary structure of calendars and schedules. It’s not a day of the week or a date at all. It’s a cosmic pause, a time between worlds.

Since 1992, this day has been honored worldwide as part of a growing peace movement. It’s a time to:

• Cancel debts—emotional, energetic, or financial

• Practice deep forgiveness

• Celebrate beauty, art, and nature

• Step out of “business as usual” and reclaim your freedom

 Photo by Venti Views

This sacred day precedes the Galactic New Year on July 26th, a time when the star Sirius rises with the Sun—a celestial event also revered by ancient Egyptian and Mayan cultures. This alignment opens a portal of creative potential as we cross the Galactic Equator, offering us a powerful reset.

Use this time as a gift from the Universe to reflect, release, and realign. Wipe the slate clean.

Ask yourself:

• What have I outgrown?

• What do I long to create?

• What new energy am I ready to welcome?

This is your invitation to step into Galactic Time and co-create a future grounded in truth, beauty, and abundance.

PS: Make sure to check out our upcoming events.

With love and cosmic resilience,
Barbara

Build Your Spiritual Muscles — One Daily Practice at a Time 💪

Each time we show up for our spiritual practice, we build momentum. That energy expands — reshaping our lives from the inside out.

Right now, so many are looking for the quick fix — the 5-step solution to the perfect partner, dream job, next big project, or radiant health. And while I often feel like a modern-day Priestess with a magic wand in hand, the truth is: real change requires consistency, commitment, and care.

You wouldn’t brush your teeth once a month and expect them to stay clean, right? So why dip in and out of your spiritual practice and expect miracles to appear overnight?

If your current practices aren’t supporting you, maybe it’s time to discover new ones — practices that feel joyful, grounding, and connected to something greater than yourself.

Photo by Léonard Cotte

Even 10 minutes a day, done consistently, is more powerful than an hour once a week. Think of me as your Spiritual Trainer — here to help you build the muscles you need to navigate this great Cosmic Initiation. This journey requires time, self-love, and support.

Success comes when we trust ourselves to handle life’s challenges, listen to our intuition, surround ourselves with the right community, and take grounded action toward our vision.

Building your spiritual resilience does not mean buying into struggle. Instead, it’s about embracing a belief in ease — while staying deeply committed to your personal growth. That’s when the miraculous happens.

And remember this is your time to own your power.

Don’t fear your light just because you’ve seen others misuse theirs. What we’re witnessing in the world right now is not true power — it’s manipulation and performance.

True power is when we are aligned with Higher Wisdom, and we use it with love and intention to make a real, positive difference.

Mercury Retrograde Reminder

Starting July 17, Mercury will go retrograde — a cosmic invitation to pause, regroup, and laugh a little more. This isn’t the time to force big decisions or control every outcome. Surrender to the process, stay curious, and remember to back up everything.

Mantra of the Week:

“I ALLOW MYSELF TO GROW INTO MY POWER”

With love and cosmic resilience,

Barbara

A Wedding Ring, a Stranger, and a Miracle 💍

In these times of greed, chaos, and indifference, stories like this remind us of the unseen threads of grace that still bind us together.

Recently, I met a remarkable man named Wes — a heart-centered soul who shared a story that lifted me to tears. At a gathering, he struck up a conversation with a couple who had lost their home in the devastating Palisades fire. Their greatest sorrow wasn’t the house itself — it was that their wedding rings had melted, distorted beyond recognition by the flames.

Without missing a beat, Wes, who had a background in jewelry, offered to restore them. No hesitation. No fanfare. Just love in action.

A few days later, while visiting friends in Las Vegas, he shared stories of those affected by the fire. One of his friends quietly left the room and returned with a bag of silver dollars and a handful of two-dollar bills.

“Use them however your heart tells you,” the friend said.

Back in Los Angeles, Wes met the couple and handed them their newly restored rings. They were ecstatic, holding in their hands a piece of their love story that had been seemingly lost forever.

Then Wes asked, “Out of everything you lost in the fire, what do you miss the most?”

The husband didn't skip a beat: “I had a bag of silver dollars and some two-dollar bills. I used to love giving them out to people — just to spread a little joy.”

Wes walked to his car, returned, and placed the silver dollars and two-dollar bills in the man’s hand.

Yes — the very same ones gifted to him in Vegas.

You can’t make this stuff up.
This is the alchemy of kindness.

In a world unraveling, small miracles like this remind us: even in our darkest moments, we are never alone. Grace is always waiting — in a story, a stranger, or the glimmer of a silver coin passed from one open heart to another.

With love and light,

Barbara

Every Action Builds a Legacy—What Are You Building?

With all the horrific news out in the world, I wanted to share an old teaching story.

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and a four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together nightly at the dinner table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating rather difficult.

Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass often milk spilled on the tablecloth. The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about grandfather," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."

So, the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner at the dinner table. Since grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. Sometimes when the family glanced in grandfather's direction, he had a tear in his eye as he ate alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and mama to eat your food from when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table.

For the remainder of his days, he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled. 

Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day that building blocks are being laid for the child's future.

Let us all be wise builders and role models. Take care of yourself, ... and those you love, ... today, and every day!

And for all of you in the USA – let us reflect on what freedom means as we celebrate the 4th of July.

With love and light,

Barbara

From Overgiving to Inner Peace: Cancer New Moon Tools

We are living in a time of intense uncertainty. The world feels like it’s spinning, and many of us are holding grief, rage, and confusion in our bodies. War, polarization, and fear are rising—and yet, amid the chaos, we are being called inward to remember who we are and what we stand for.

The upcoming New Moon in Cancer invites us to reconnect with the energy of the sacred mother—the part of us that nurtures, soothes, protects, and loves unconditionally.

Cancer, the mother of the zodiac, rules the home, emotional security, and ancestral wisdom. And like the Empress in the Tarot, she reminds us: you deserve love simply because you exist—not because you over-give or prove your worth.

This is a potent moment to examine where we may be caretaking from depletion instead of abundance. Are you nourishing yourself as you would a beloved child? Are you offering compassion to your own heart as much as you give it to others?

Now more than ever, we need spiritual tools that ground us, rituals that remind us of our power, and sacred spaces to process what we feel.

Photo by ivan zakharenko

Three Ways to Anchor Into Peace:

1. Light a candle and offer this powerful prayer for peace. Read it aloud and feel the energy ripple outward. It’s a call for wisdom, kindness, and shared humanity:

Native American Prayer for Peace:
O Great Spirit of our Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you.
To your messengers the four winds,
and to Mother Earth who provides for your children.
Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect,
and to be kind to each other so that they may grow with peace in mind.
Let us learn to share all the good things you provide for us on this Earth.

2. Create a self-nurturing ritual this week. Take a salt bath, rest under the moonlight, surround yourself with beauty. Reconnect with what nourishes your soul.

3. Gather in a sacred community. I am holding a Women’s New Moon Circle in NYC on Wednesday, June 25th in the West Village. Together, we will restore our hearts, call in divine guidance, and align with compassion and clarity.

We are not meant to navigate this moment alone.

If you are looking for clarity, direction, or a deeper spiritual practice—I offer private intuitive readings, custom rituals, and transformational group experiences.

And if you are a podcast host, retreat leader, or conference organizer seeking a grounded, inspiring voice to guide others through these times—I would be honored to collaborate.

Let us walk this path with grace, wisdom, and courage.

With love and devotion,
Barbara

Harness the Power of the Summer Solstice ✨

I’ve always loved summer. As a kid, it meant freedom: riding bikes, swimming, catching fireflies, drawing, reading for pleasure (imagine—no homework!), eating cherries and corn on the cob, and staying up late under the stars. It was a time to connect with joy, creativity, and possibility.

As we arrive at the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, we step into a portal of light. This is a sacred moment to honor your inner fire—the part of you that fuels growth, passion, abundance, and joy.

In ancient traditions, this powerful time was celebrated as Litha, honoring the goddess of fertility, power, and the natural order. It’s a time to burn away what no longer serves and ignite the flame of inspiration within. Let’s pause and realign with the radiance of the season—to nourish ourselves with love, laughter, clarity, and compassion.

Photo by Nia Ramirez

Midsummer Magical Herbs

Many herbs have long been used during Summer Solstice rituals. Toss them into a bonfire, wear them in charm bags, or place them on your altar. Here are a few favorites:

• Fennel – courage, longevity, confidence

• St. John’s Wort – magic, protection, success

• Lavender – peace, clarity, harmony

• Mugwort – intuition, longevity, psychic vision

• Heather – inner beauty and divine connection

• Rose – love, compassion, beauty

• Vervain – magical potency, consecration

• Frankincense – spiritual alignment and success

Summer Ritual 

Create a Prayer Stick or Prayer Tree. Tie ribbons, herbs, or written prayers to represent healing—for yourself, your loved ones, and the world. Offer prayers for peace, vitality, abundance, and the return of joy.

MY SUMMER GIFT TO YOU

The solstice is the ideal time to clear old energy and open new pathways. I’m offering 15% off all private rituals, space clearings, and energy healings—book now through June 31st (the sessions must be claimed by August 31st).

Use code: SOLSTICE15at checkout when booking.
Whether you’re craving clarity, transformation, or a deeper spiritual reset, this is your moment.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

Due to popular demand, our friends at TRU47 have extended their special discount on all grounding products on www.tru47.com.

Use code BB15TRU for 15% savings to stay rooted and radiant. I wear their grounding socks daily!

Let’s celebrate this vibrant season together—with ritual, renewal, and radiant joy.

PS: Make sure to check out our upcoming summer events.

In love and light,

Barbara

I Lost My Sacred Crystals on the Subway—Then Something Amazing Happened

After a week that was both joyfully full and completely exhausting—teaching, celebrating, and soaking in the beauty of Connecticut—I returned to New York City, landing at Grand Central Station with my suitcase, my purse, and a special bag holding two magnificent selenite wands I use for healing and energy clearing.

I debated taking a cab home, but a street parade made traffic unpredictable. So I opted for the subway, despite the extra schlepping it required: down a flight of stairs to the shuttle from Grand Central to Times Square, then more stairs to get to the train home.

Somewhere in the shuffle, I realized—with a jolt—that my crystal bag was gone. My heart sank.

Photo by Nina Plobner

I sprinted back to the shuttle platform and waited for the next car to return, praying my bag would be there. When it arrived, I jumped in and searched frantically. Nothing.

I asked the conductor if anyone had turned in a bag. He shook his head no, but then paused. “Maybe the cleaner at Grand Central saw it,” he said. “Get back on the shuttle and you can ask her.”

To my astonishment, when we arrived back at Grand Central, he got out of the car and went looking for her himself. I followed him—and there, next to her cart, was my crystal bag, completely untouched.

I almost cried from relief—and gratitude.

Who says New Yorkers aren’t kind? This conductor went out of his way for me. The cleaner could have ignored or taken the bag, but didn’t. And two people helped me carry my suitcase up the stairs. It reminded me: at our core, people are good.

And maybe—just maybe—it was the protective power of the crystals that kept them safe.

Oh, and one more thing… I wasn’t wearing my grounding socks that day. Coincidence? Maybe. But it was a powerful reminder that grounding isn’t just spiritual—it's practical.

What I learned:

• People can be incredibly generous and kind—especially when you least expect it.

• Crystals hold energy, intention, and sometimes, even protection.

• And being grounded helps prevent the chaos that comes from disconnection—both physically and energetically.

Let this be your nudge to open your heart and ground yourself today—whether it’s through breath, bare feet on the earth, or yes, those magical socks.

Special Offer: Claim your 15% discount on grounding products from my friends at TRU47 with code BB15TRU. Because staying grounded helps you stay present—and being present is where the miracles happen.

Father’s Day Blessings 

Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers, stepfathers, and mentors. Whatever you decide to do for this holiday, celebrate the men you cherish.

As my brother Mark, a father of three, wisely said: “The best present for me is always feeling loved, included, and appreciated.”

With love,

Barbara

Be the Mirror: A Ritual of Radiant Love 💗

One of my favorite rituals is to explore the arts as a path to healing and awakening. On Sunday, my friend Nancy and I went to see the musical Goddess at The Public Theatre in NYC. It was a stunning celebration of the power of music to heal, uplift, and build community.

As Saheem Ali, the writer and director, so beautifully said:
“It’s about how love inspires you to be your best self — how another human, regardless of gender, race, or any outward signifier, can hold up a mirror, giving you the courage and confidence to manifest your greatest potential.”

And yes—the dancing was absolutely spectacular!

As June begins and we step into Pride Month, it’s the perfect time to reflect on love in all its forms—bold, fierce, unconditional. This month, I invite you to practice being that mirror of love for someone else. A friend. A colleague. Your community.

 And don’t forget to do it for yourself.

Photo by Noah Buscher

I love Mel Robbins’ simple ritual:

Look in the mirror and give yourself a high five.
Try it each morning this week and notice what shifts. The world changes when we learn to see—and celebrate—our own light.

With love,

Barbara

The Love File: A Practice to Lift You Up 💌

I woke up today feeling a bit “off”—uncertain, not quite myself. Then, as if on cue, a beautiful testimonial from a client popped up on my computer screen.

As I read it, I could feel myself reconnecting with the part of me that is wise, grounded, and has helped thousands of people over the past 30 years. Just like that, I realigned with my purpose.

This is exactly why I keep what I call a “Love File.”

It’s a collection of kind words, thank-you notes, testimonials, and reminders of the impact I’ve made—personally and professionally. And I encourage all my clients and friends to do the same.

We’re hardwired to focus on the negative. One bad moment can easily overshadow an entire good day. That’s why we need intentional practices to help us stay on track.

My friend Joanne, for example, re-watches a video when she was interviewed by a  famous journalist whenever she needs a reminder of who she is and what she’s capable of. That’s her version of a Love File.

Here’s your invitation:

Start your own Love File. It can be a folder on your computer, a journal, or even a box filled with uplifting messages. When the doubt creeps in, open it. Remind yourself of your brilliance.

With love and purpose,

Barbara

Feeling Drained? Try These Simple Antidotes to Burnout

The world is loud. Life moves fast. And many of us are walking around with full schedules and empty energy tanks.

But you don’t need hours to reset—you just need a few moments of intention.

Over the past 30 years, I’ve guided CEOs, creatives, and caregivers through burnout, reinvention, and personal transformation. And what I know for sure is this:

Your well-being begins with the sacred pauses.

Here are some  simple tools you can try this week.

Sky Before Screen:
Before checking your phone, computer or tablet, look out the window for 30 seconds. This simple shift moves your brain from reactive to reflective and opens you up to a wider perspective.

Schedule Self-Care:
If it's not on your calendar, it often doesn’t happen. Block time for rest and rituals like they’re VIP meetings—because they are.

Helper’s High:
One act of kindness a day = powerful ripple effect. And helping others releases dopamine and other feel-good chemicals in the brain, which can lead to a sense of well-being. 

10 Minutes in Nature:
Let the earth recalibrate and ground you. Touch a tree, go barefoot in the grass, smell a flower.

Your power lives in presence, not perfection. Engaging in these rituals can help you realign with clarity, calm and a stronger connection to your inner wisdom.

What’s one small sacred step you’ll take this week?

Leave a comment below—I’d love to know.

With love and light,
Barbara

The Day the Statue of Sekhmet Spoke to Me

We are entering the potent portal of the Scorpio Full Moon, a time that invites deep release, transformation, and spiritual clarity. In the Buddhist tradition, this Full Moon is sacred—it honors the birth, enlightenment, and teachings of the Buddha.

Astrologer Lisa Zimmerman shares:

"Under this Full Moon, you have the opportunity to face, release or transmute old, conditioned patterns, behaviors, and beliefs that are dragging you down and limiting your life. Bless and release anything that's draining your energy, inhibiting your progress, or misaligned with your Evolving Self."

This energy is fierce—and so is the goddess who’s been guiding me for years: Sekhmet, the lion-headed warrior and healer of Ancient Egypt.

With her solar fire, she scorches illusion and restores strength. I first encountered her in the home of Jean Houston, who owns one of the oldest Sekhmet statues. Our interaction was profound… but the true initiation came in 2022, in Egypt.

We were meditating in Sekhmet’s sanctuary at Karnak when I suddenly felt flooded with a high-frequency light. I got dizzy. Disoriented. And then—I heard her voice:

"It is time for me to be out in the world again, and all I require is your respect and light."

After our meditation, my friend Terry- a professional psychic for over 30 years-  shared that she’d seen electric blue feathers streaming from Sekhmet into my crown chakra.

Since then, Sekhmet has been by my side—sometimes fierce, sometimes gentle—but always focused on helping me, and those I work with, become the fullest version of who we’re meant to be. She is tough love embodied. 

This Sunday, May 18, I’ll be offering a special event for those in the Tri-State area:
Spirituality and the City: A Small Group Tour of Ancient Egypt in NYC.

We’ll explore how Egyptian wisdom lives within our urban landscape, connect with Sekhmet and other divine energies, and transmute energy that’s holding you back. This is sacred play, deep ritual, and a celebration of spirit in everyday life.

If you feel called to release what dims your light, and to stand fully in your power, I hope you’ll join me.

With love and light,
Barbara

A Celebration of Mothers: Honoring the Sacred Feminine 💝

Most of us mark Mother’s Day with flowers, cards, or brunch—but few realize how ancient and sacred this celebration truly is. Across time and cultures, motherhood has been revered as a divine force: the giver of life, the nurturer of spirit, and the embodiment of unconditional love.

Long before the Hallmark cards, societies across the globe honored the Mother Goddess:

• In ancient Egypt, she was Isis, protector and nurturer.

• The Greeks celebrated Rhea, mother of the gods, including Zeus.

• In Rome, Cybele, the Great Mother, was honored during spring festivals as early as 2250 B.C.

• Yemọja, a Yoruba deity, is the mother spirit, patron of women, and a fertility goddess

• Taoist tradition celebrates May 25th as “Mother of the World Day”, with incense offerings and meditations on Divine Harmony.

• In England, Mothering Sunday offered workers a rare day off to visit and honor their mothers.

• Native American traditions celebrate Mother Earth as the ultimate mother, urging us to care for her.

A Day for Peace and Healing

Did you know the first Mother’s Day in the U.S. was actually a call to end war?

In 1870, Julia Ward Howe (who wrote “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”) issued aMother’s Day Proclamation, urging women to stop their sons from killing the sons of other mothers. She called for a global Mother’s Day of Peace.

Later, in 1908, Anna Jarvis organized a day to honor her own mother, who had created“Mother’s Friendship Days”to heal divisions after the Civil War. Anna gave out her mother’s favorite flower—white carnations—which remain a symbol of remembrance. (Pink and red carnations are used to honor living mothers.) President Woodrow Wilson officially declared Mother’s Day a national holiday in 1914.

Who Is a “Mother”?

Today, we honor not only biological mothers, but also the godparents, mentors, aunties, foster parents, stepparents, and loving friends who have “mothered” us—and who have mothered our children. Mothering is a sacred act, regardless of biology or gender.

The Mother’s Day Appreciation Box

(Adapted from The Joy of Family Rituals)

What you’ll need:
A container—shoebox, hatbox, cigar box—plus decorations (ribbons, beads, photos, etc.)

What to place inside:

• A handwritten list of what you love about your mother

• Small treasures (favorite tea, a poem, bath oil, baked cookies)

• Promises to help or spend time (e.g. “I’ll cook dinner once a week”)

• Original artwork or letters

• A playlist of her favorite songs (my friend David created one for his mom, and my son Jourdan always adds a hand-drawn cartoon to my cards!)

This ritual is especially powerful when done as a family project, involving multiple generations and voices of love.

Celebrate Virtually: Long-Distance Love & Digital Rituals

If you can’t be with your mom—or chosen mother—in person this year, create a virtual ritual that still brings heart and presence.

 Host a Zoom Mother's Day Gathering:
Invite family or friends to share memories, photos, or readings that honor the mother(s) in your life. Light a candle to begin, and end with a collective toast or meditation.

 Send a Personalized Video Tribute:
Record short clips of family and friends sharing what they love or appreciate most about her. Edit into a simple video, or just send them as-is. It’s a powerful way to say: you are seen and cherished.

Curate a Spotify Playlist:
Put together a list of her favorite songs—or songs that remind you of her strength, softness, humor, or wisdom. Title it something like “Songs for Mama” or “Goddess Vibes Only”.

Create a Virtual Appreciation Box:
Make a shared Google Doc or Canva collage where everyone contributes notes, poems, or memories. Include links to photos, recipes, or digital gifts.

The intention behind the gesture is what makes it sacred. Ritual doesn’t need to be fancy—it just needs to be felt.

And don’t forget our first mother—Mother Earth. Offer her a prayer, plant a tree, or simply spend time in nature.

Reclaim the Ritual

As the author of The Joy of Ritual, I believe that reclaiming holidays like Mother’s Day as soulful, healing rituals can deepen our connections—with each other, with the earth, and with our ancestors.

Let’s make this Mother’s Day. And all special moments (birthdays, baby showers, graduations, weddings) not just another commercial moment—but a sacred celebration of nurturing in all its forms.

With love and reverence,
Barbara

May Day Magic: Awaken to New Possibilities 🌸

Can you feel it? The Earth is stirring, the birds are singing louder, and blossoms are bursting open with joyful abandon. A new season is calling—and it’s filled with possibility.

Welcome to the month of May, when the air hums with the energy of fertility, creativity, and fresh starts. This is a time when the spirit of Mother Mary whispers healing into our hearts and opens the door to deeper love and purpose.

One of my favorite ways to honor this vibrant season is through the ancient celebration of Beltane—also known as May Day. This sacred festival is a joyful outpouring of life-force energy, celebrated with bonfires, flowers, and dancing around the Maypole. Traditionally symbolizing the union of masculine and feminine energies, Beltane invites us to celebrate the sacred dance of creation in all its forms.

It is a time to honor the sacred union of Earth and Sky—where gratitude becomes a magnet for abundance, and offerings invite health, fertility, and renewal. From the Celts driving cattle through protective fires, to the Romans weaving flower crowns, every tradition sings the same song: life is blossoming, and so can you.

This season is your reminder: it's never too late to begin again.

Whether you’re planting seeds in your garden or seeds of intention in your soul, Beltane encourages you to follow what lights you up. Let joy lead the way.

Beltane Ritual: Create an Intention Garden

• Write your hopes and dreams on slips of paper and bury them under stones in your garden or a local park.

• Paint or draw your intentions on rocks and place them in the earth.

• Water them with your presence, joy, and belief.

Then, move your body in celebration:

• Dance wildly

• Sing loudly

• Rollerblade down the street

• Swing in a park

• Jump on a trampoline

• Make messy, magical art

Let your spirit play.

And as the morning dew kisses your skin, may it awaken your inner fire and remind you: the magic is already here.

With love, blessings, and Beltane beauty,
Barbara