We Are In New Territory—And There's a Path Forward

I'm writing to you still glowing from the incredible energy of our Vision Reset Weekend. People gathered from Texas, Hawaii, California, Canada, New York, Connecticut, Boston, Georgia, and beyond—both in person and online—to do the essential work of grounding ourselves in new territory.

Because that's where we are: new territory.

Think of it like living at the beginning of the Age of Enlightenment—a time when humanity discovered new levels of reality, new ways of understanding ourselves and our world. That's happening again, right now.

The energy is moving fast. To navigate it, we need three things:

• Grounding practices that anchor us

• Developed intuition that guides us

• A new sense of community that holds us

And beneath all of this? Connection to your spiritual source. It's not optional anymore—it's essential.

My deepest gratitude to Emil Wilbekin, Joule L'Adara, Rebecca Gordon, and my amazing staff for making this weekend so powerful.

Photo from Instagram page of Walk For Peace USA

Hope in Action

I'm deeply inspired by the Buddhist monks currently walking from Texas to Washington DC to raise awareness for peace and compassion. Their message landed in my heart, and I want to share it with you:

"It is our deepest wish that we can bring hope to everyone we meet—hope that even when life feels impossibly difficult, even when circumstances seem overwhelming, there is something within you that remains untouched by the chaos.

Peace has always been with you. It hasn't abandoned you in your hardest moments. It hasn't disappeared because things got too hard. It's still there, waiting quietly, patiently, for you to give it a chance to reveal itself.

And how do you give it that chance? Through the gentle choices you make each day: choosing peace over panic when everything feels out of control, choosing mindfulness when your thoughts race endlessly, choosing loving-kindness toward yourself when you feel like you're failing, choosing compassion when harshness seems easier.

We walk to remind you of this. To bring you hope. To tell you that even in your darkest moments, you are not without light. You carry it within you, always."

This Is the Work

This is exactly what I bring to organizations and individuals who are navigating uncertainty: practical rituals that create pockets of light, grounding practices that take 60-90 seconds, and tools that help teams and leaders reconnect to their center when everything feels chaotic.

Whether you're a health coach looking for simple practices to offer clients, a corporate team needing to recalibrate, or an individual seeking clarity in overwhelming times—this work creates real shifts.

If you're feeling the call to bring this kind of grounding, ritual, and transformation to your organization or personal practice, let's talk. Reply to this email or reach out directly.

May you and all beings be well, happy, and at peace.

With light,

Barbara

P.S. The monks' walk reminds us: even small, consistent choices create profound change. That's the power of ritual. That's what I teach.

What is Life Asking You to Shift Right Now?

One of the key themes I've been exploring this year is: What is life asking me to shift right now?

The Art of Re-Creation

We are in a time of profound re-creation. True visionaries are those who see patterns of possibility before they take form. The greatest form of creativity is the recreation of yourself. This is a moment to break out of old patterns and boldly step into something new.

Trusting Your Inner Guidance

One thing that has become very clear to me: within each of us is a space of profound wisdom, waiting for us to trust it. Our inner guidance is always speaking—it's our job to listen. In chaotic times, this trust is our greatest medicine.

To step into this creative energy, we must be willing to shed our old self-image. It's okay if it feels a bit scary—what matters is developing the confidence to take creative risks. When we push our brains beyond their comfort zones, we unlock new possibilities.

Why Spiritual Community Matters Now

Another way to tap into this wisdom? Be in spiritual community. The best way to combat the darkness and chaos around us is to plug into our deep spiritual source so we are nurtured and guided to take constructive action. We weren't meant to do this work alone.

VISION 2026 host Barbara Biziou and guest presenters Joule L’Adara, Emil Wilbekin, and Rebecca Gordon

This is why VIISON 2026 exists

This Saturday and Sunday (January 24 & 25th), we're gathering—in person in NYC and live via Zoom—to do exactly this work together:

• Shed the old self-image and stories that's kept you playing small

• Trust your inner guidance with practices that quiet the noise

• Take creative risks in a container that holds you

• Step into 2026 as the person you're becoming

We'll be held by Rebecca Gordon (astrology), Joule L'Adara (sound healing), and Emil Wilbekin (manifestation)—and by each other.

Registration closes Friday at midnight. We have limited spots remaining for this intimate gathering.

If you've been feeling the pull but haven't committed yet, ask yourself: What is life asking me to shift right now?

If the answer includes clarity, community, or courage—this is your invitation. If you feel drawn to join us, trust it—that's your soul recognizing what it needs.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW >>

(Payment plans are available to make it easy)

“I’ve done Barbarra’s workshop several times, and while I was familiar with things like vision boarding and setting goals for the year I never knew how joyful it could be doing it in a supportive fun community.”

—Heide Banks

"Vision unleashed the transformative force of conscious community, unlocking multidimensional resources that liberated us from the past and propelled us towards an empowered future."

—Cheryl W.

This Saturday, we begin.

Will you join us?

With love,

Barbara

We Are Not Meant To Do This Alone

The world feels heavy right now.

Between the violence, the division, the uncertainty—so many of us are carrying more than we know how to hold. You might feel shaken. Scattered. Maybe even a little lost.

I get it. I'm feeling it too.

And here's what I come back to, again and again, after 30 years of this work:

We are not meant to do this alone.

When everything feels chaotic, the most powerful thing you can do is get clear on your vision—and place it inside a community that can hold you, see you, and help you move forward.

Because here's the truth: you can't think your way out of overwhelm. You can't plan your way through uncertainty. But you can create a pocket of light, clarity, and purpose—even when the world around you feels dark.

That's what Vision 2026 is about.

Over two days, we'll gather to:

• Clear the energetic debris you've been carrying

• Create a vision for 2026 that reflects who you actually are

• Ground it in ritual, reflection, and shared wisdom

You'll be held by an extraordinary circle, including Rebecca Gordon (master astrologer), Joule L'Adara (sound healer), and Emil Wilbekin (cultural creative and educator).

And you'll leave with something that no amount of journaling alone can give you: the momentum that comes from speaking your vision aloud and having others witness it.

I've watched this unfold for decades—new careers, book deals, relationships that truly nourish, lives that feel aligned again. Not because people hustled harder, but because they got clear and felt supported.

This is not the year to white-knuckle your way forward.

If you're craving clarity... Have a project or goal you want to see manifest…if you're longing for connection... if you want to feel steadier and more grounded as you move into 2026—join us.

LEARN MORE & SAVE YOUR SPOT NOW >>

Here’s what past participants are saying:

“I’ve done Barbarra’s workshop several times, and while I was familiar with things like vision boarding and setting goals for the year I never knew how joyful it could be doing it in a supportive fun community.”

—Heide Banks

"About to embark on the wildest trip of my life! After day 1 of Vision this past January, I opened the National Geographic to a photo of Antarctica and put it on my vision board. 20 minutes later my phone dinged—an invitation to join an Antarctica Pride Cruise! I spoke it into existence. I manifested it like a boss."

—Ravi Roth

With love,
Barbara

What Are You Willing to Walk Toward This Year?

Happy New Year!

As this year begins, I’ve been quietly following a group of monks who are walking across the country for peace.

They are not marching. They are not shouting. They are simply walking—step by step, breath by breath—holding one clear intention in their bodies.

What struck me most is this: Their prayer is not just spoken. It is embodied.

Each footstep is a commitment. Each pause is a moment of presence. This is how intention truly works. Real intention is not wishful thinking. It’s not resolutions made from pressure or fear. And it’s not vision boards alone.

Intention becomes powerful when it is grounded—when it lives in the body, in the breath, in the nervous system, and in the choices we return to again and again.

As we step into this new year, the real question isn’t:

“What do I want?”

It’s:

“What am I willing to walk toward—patiently, consciously, and consistently?”

Peace doesn’t arrive all at once. Neither does clarity, prosperity, healing, or purpose. They are invited in… and then they are walked into.

This is the spirit of the Vision Workshop I’m offering January 24–25 in person in NYC and live streamed on Zoom.

It’s an energetic reset—a sacred and practical space to realign your inner truth with your outer life.

A space to reconnect with your essence beneath the noise, urgency, and expectations of the world.

And just as importantly, to ground your vision so it can be lived—step by step, choice by choice.

Memories from our in-person Vision weekend

You don’t need to have everything figured out. You simply need a willingness to begin walking with intention.

This work is about bringing your spiritual path into the body—so it’s not only inspiring and sacred, but sustainable, embodied, and real.

During our time together, we’ll work with intention as a living practice—one you can return to when life feels noisy, uncertain, or overwhelming. A compass for the year ahead.

If 2026 is calling you to live with more clarity, alignment, and purpose, I would love to walk this beginning with you. Learn more and sign up here.

With love and intention,

Barbara

Fun Rituals for the New Year 🎆

As we stand at the threshold between years, I wanted this final note of 2025 to feel light, joyful, and infused with a little magic.

Across cultures and centuries, the New Year has always been marked with ritual—not to control the future, but to welcome it with intention.

So today, I’m sharing a few playful, meaningful ways to step into 2026 with clarity, courage, and possibility.

Photo by Marisol Benitez

Choose Your Color for New Year’s Day

What we wear can be a form of prayer. Choose the energy you want to call in:

• Red — love, passion, vitality (yes, even red underwear )

• Yellow — wealth, optimism, prosperity

• Green — luck, healing, growth, and renewal

• Blue — clear communication and calm expression

• Black — power, leadership, and reclaiming control

• Pink — compassion, friendship, and harmonious connection

• White — fresh starts and new beginnings

• Turquois — friendship/divine feminine

• Purple — spiritual power and wisdom

• Gold, Bronze, or Silver — boldness, radiance, and letting yourself shine

Wear what feels aligned. Trust your intuition—it’s already guiding you.

Food as Intention

Across traditions, what we eat at the New Year is a ritual. Food becomes symbolism. Nourishment becomes intention. Consider including:

• Lentils or beans — abundance, prosperity, momentum

• Greens — growing wealth, vitality, sustainability

• Fish or pork — forward motion and progress

• Round fruits (oranges or grapes) — luck and golden opportunity

• Something sweet — joy and a sweet year ahead

Before you eat, place one hand on your heart and quietly say: “I open to love, joy, health, wealth and all good things.” Let it land. Let it be enough.

A Few Things to Look Forward To

I’ll be sharing a special prosperity ritual on Wednesday, December 31st over on Instagram and Facebook—join me there if you want to consciously welcome the year.

I’m also gifting 12 free meditations to everyone on my mailing list as part of an Intention Intensive to start 2026 grounded, focused, and supported. Keep an eye on your inbox and let your friends know so that they can sign up and receive this gift.

2026 is not a year to wait.

It’s a year to begin—intentionally, courageously, and in community.

Thank you for walking with me through 2025.

I can’t wait to see what we create together next.

With love and possibility,
Barbara

A Holiday Reframe: From Overwhelm to Sacred Rituals🕯️

Just about everyone celebrates this season in some way—Christmas, Chanukah, the Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa, or a blend of traditions.

Yet for many of us, the holidays have quietly shifted from meaningful to overwhelming—filled with doing, buying, managing expectations, and navigating family dynamics. What was once sacred can easily feel stressful.

One gentle reframe is to see these holidays not just as events, but as rituals.

A ritual doesn’t need to be elaborate.

It’s simply a moment infused with intention, presence, and meaning. When we slow down—even briefly—we allow something deeper to unfold.

Many of the traditions we cherish carry ancient wisdom, whether we realize it or not.

Evergreens have long symbolized continuity, protection, and life enduring through darkness—reminding us that even in winter, life is still present.

Holly, once sacred during ancient winter festivals, was believed to offer protection and renewal. Its vibrant red berries symbolize vitality and the spark of life that persists, even in challenging times.

And light—whether from candles, oil lamps, or today’s twinkling bulbs—has always represented hope, guidance, and the promise that illumination returns.

At our Closure & Renewal Ritual last Saturday

Your family’s rituals matter too.

Every family has its own traditions—some joyful, some puzzling, some deeply meaningful.

Why a certain dish always appears.

Why particular ornaments are placed on your tree each year.

Why your table looks different from anyone else’s.

This season can be a beautiful time to ask, listen, and remember. In doing so, you keep those stories—and their meaning—alive.

As you move through these final days of the year, I invite you to pause and ask:

How can I bring a little more intention into what I already do?

A candle lit with awareness.

A conversation held with care.

A moment of gratitude before a meal.

This is how ritual lives—not in perfection, but in presence.

 Join me on Instagram Live this Friday, December 26th at 5pm, where I’ll share reflections on Kwanzaa, its wisdom, and how we can carry its principles into our daily lives—well beyond this week.

I’ll also be posting daily on Instagram with simple, soulful rituals to help you end the year consciously—with ease, joy, and a little bit of play. I hope you’ll follow along and join me.

With warmth and blessings,
Barbara

A Turning Point: 15 Days Left to End the Year Consciously

Lately, I’ve been noticing something about myself.

I’m very open to ideas like consciousness existing beyond the body, intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, and even the possibility that celestial events carry meaning.

And yet…

I feel a quiet unease when someone tells me they trust a self-driving car more than a human being.

That tension has stayed with me.

It’s made me reflect on how much is changing, how quickly it’s all moving—and how essential discernment has become in this moment we’re living through.

Not all beliefs ask the same thing of us. Some invite wonder, imagination, and a deeper sense of connection. Others ask us to stay present, engaged, and responsible.

And wisdom, I’m realizing, isn’t about believing everything—or shutting down what’s new. It’s about staying awake. Listening inward. And making conscious choices from a place of awareness rather than urgency or fear.

The future doesn’t ask us to hand over our awareness. It asks us to trust ourselves. That, to me, feels like the real initiation of this era.

And it’s the work I’ve devoted my life to—helping people slow down, tune in, and remember their inner authority through ritual, reflection, and sacred pause.

Photo by Anita Austvika

We are approaching the Solstice. The Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The Summer Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. A true turning point. A moment when the light shifts—and we are invited to do the same.

There are just 15 days left in 2025, and rather than rushing toward what’s next, I invite you to end this year consciously, with intention, clarity, and care.

Over the coming days, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite rituals on Instagram and Facebook to help you mark this threshold.

And if you’d like to go deeper, I’d love to hold space for you in one of these upcoming gatherings. 

With warmth,
Barbara

Light the Way Into 2026 ✨

As the year winds down, I’ve been reflecting on the story of Chanukah—a story of resilience, sacred devotion, and the power of even the smallest light to pierce the darkest moment.

The miracle of the oil lasting eight days wasn’t just about light. It was about faith, community, and the courage to trust what we cannot yet see.

Miracles rarely happen alone. They happen when we surround ourselves with people who lift our vibration, who remind us of hope, joy, and love.

They happen when we open ourselves to Divine Guidance and stay devoted to bringing in the light—even when the world feels heavy.

This is the essence of the spiritual path: we create miracles when we raise our vibration together.

Photo by Eliezer Muller

And as we approach 2026—a One Year in numerology, a year of fresh starts, soul-led beginnings, and new cycles—the timing couldn’t be more powerful.

To step into a new vibration, we must consciously complete the one we’re leaving behind.

This is the season to reflect, clear, release, and open to the new frequency already rising. This holiday season, may the story of Chanukah remind us: even the smallest flame can change everything.

May we bring in light. May we lift one another.
And may we step into 2026 grounded, aligned, and open to miracles.
I’m deeply grateful to be walking this path with you.

With love,
Barbara

Feeling the Shifts? Here’s How to Navigate the Last Weeks of 2025

As I’ve been reflecting on the past week — especially after celebrating my birthday — I’ve been feeling the quickening of time in a very real way. It reminded me of the ideas we explored together during our Vision 2025 weekend retreat, and how deeply they still apply right now, as we continue moving through this powerful 9 Year of completion.

This is a sacred moment to pause.
To look gently at where we are on our journey.
To release what no longer supports our becoming — without judgment, without rushing, without forcing.

The world is changing quickly. The ground is shifting beneath all of us. But instead of fearing the unknown, this is the time to make friends with uncertainty and trust that you already have the wisdom to navigate whatever comes.

A Time of Opportunity, Not Breakdown

Many of us are experiencing changes in relationships, work, purpose, and identity. Old structures are falling away — and yes, it can feel chaotic. But this isn’t breakdown. It’s breakthrough.

What we talked about at Vision 2025 still stands:

• Face fear with calm strength

• Honor your needs and desires

• Let go of “dysfunctional independence”

• Build relationships of trust and mutual support

• Listen to your intuition — and take the small steps it asks for

And most importantly:

Be Here Now.
Honor who you are becoming.
Celebrate what you’ve survived and created.
Let more joy into your life as the guiding force that moves you forward.

Enjoying Thanksgiving Festivities in Vermont

The Gift of a 9 Year

A 9 Year invites us to complete the old stories, the old patterns, the old self-images that no longer fit. It asks us to clear the unfinished business that weighs on our energy, so we can step into 2026 with more clarity, alignment, and purpose.

This is the time to:

• Release limiting beliefs

• Reorganize your life in ways that nourish your true nature

• Trust your inner wisdom as your greatest compass

Let your past teach you —
but don’t let it define your future.

Spiritual Alignment for 2026

As we realign our inner wisdom with our heart’s truth, we open the door to more intimacy, more creativity, more self-love, and more abundance.

And truly… now more than ever, it’s time to become the version of ourselves we’ve been waiting for.

I’m Here to Support You.

If you feel the call to close this year with clarity and step into 2026 with purpose, I’m offering:

• In-person workshops

• Online rituals

• Private sessions and energy clearings

And of course, Vision 2026 is coming up on January 24 & 25 — a powerful two-day reset to help you step into the new year aligned, energized, and ready.

Conscious Gift Giving

As we move into the holiday season, I encourage you to practice Conscious Gift Giving — offering gifts that nurture the spirit, expand possibility, and support someone’s inner journey.

This year, I’m offering gift certificates for all my services — readings, rituals, space clearings, and private sessions — as well as my magical aromatherapy sprays, created to shift energy, uplift mood, and bring intention into daily life. They make beautiful, meaningful gifts for loved ones (and for yourself).

With love,
Barbara

Thanksgiving Rituals, My Birthday and End of Year Events

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. But this year, more than ever, I’m aware of how life keeps shifting — people move, relationships evolve, loved ones pass, and the familiar shape of our holiday changes with them. There’s a tenderness in that. A fragility. And, an invitation.

We’re living at a time when relationships are strained, attention is fractured, and everyone is “busy.” The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Years have slowly drifted from meaning into performance — the perfect meal, the perfect outfit, the perfect post.

But perfection doesn’t nourish us. Presence does.

So, this Thanksgiving, whether you’re celebrating with family, chosen family, or spending time solo, I invite you to press pause.

• Light a candle.

• Name one thing — big or small — that you’re grateful for.

• And if you’re able, offer something back: a food donation, a few hours helping at a community center, or simply a moment of kindness to someone who needs it.

This is how we rebuild connection — one tiny act of meaning at a time.

And how about this year, we shift the conversation from posting our plates on Instagram…to talking to each other?

Listening. Asking questions. Being fully in the room.

On Thursday, enjoy every bite, every hug — and try a simple practice I love:

Fast from complaining.
Just for the day.
See what changes inside you.

Photo by micheile henderson

A Birthday Reset — And a Cosmic Invitation

Saturday is my birthday, and as many of you know, I treat every birthday as a cosmic reset button — a moment to step into the next chapter with intention.

My dear friend, the late astrologer Elizabeth Rose Campbell, once wrote this about Sagittarians, and I want to share it with you:

“Imagine yourself as a cosmic travel agent able to write yourself free tickets to any trip. As you write your own ticket, fears fall away about the unknowns involved.”

This is exactly my theme for 2026.

Let me be your Cosmic Travel Agent.
To help you release what no longer fits…
To open the door to what wants to arrive…
To step into the year with clarity, magic, vision, and renewed energy.

Book a reading or ritual session with me — especially if you're ready for a fresh direction, a spiritual reset, or a deeper connection to your purpose.

If you want this year to end with clarity — and 2026 to begin with intention — I’m here to guide you.

Let’s step into the next chapter together.
With love, wisdom, and deep gratitude,

With love,
Barbara

Going Through a Transition Zone? It Might Be The Only Real Thing

With the New Moon in Scorpio this week, I thought this would be useful to share. Again. I found this over 30 years ago; author unknown, but it feels very appropriate for now.

Fear of Transformation

“Sometimes I feel that my life is a series of trapeze swings. I’m either hanging on to a trapeze bar swinging along or, for a few moments in my life, I’m hurtling across space in between trapeze bars. 

Most of the time, I spend my life hanging on for dear life to my trapeze-bar-of-the-moment. It carries me along at a certain steady rate of swing & I have the feeling that I’m in control of my life. I know most of the right questions and even some of the right answers.

But occasionally, as I’m merrily (or not so merrily) swinging along, I look out ahead of me into the distance, and what do I see? I see another trapeze bar swinging toward me. It’s empty, and I know, in that place in me that knows, that this new trapeze bar has my name on it. It is my next step, my growth, my aliveness coming to get me. In my heart-of-hearts I know that for me to grow, I must release my grip on this present, well-known bar to move to the new one.
 
Each time it happens to me, I hope (no, I pray) that I won’t have to grab the new one. But in my knowing place I know I must totally release my grasp on my old bar, and for some moment in time I must hurtle across space before I can grab onto the new bar. Each time I am filled with terror. It doesn’t matter that in all my previous hurtles across the void of unknowing I have always made it.  

Each time I am afraid that I will miss, that I will be crushed on unseen rocks in the bottomless chasm between the bars. But I do it anyway. Perhaps this is the essence of what the mystics call the faith experience. No guarantees, no net, no insurance policy, but you do it anyway because somehow, to keep hanging on to that old bar is no longer on the list of alternatives.

And so for an eternity that can last a microsecond or a thousand lifetimes, I soar across the dark void of “the past is gone, the future is not yet here.” It’s called transition. I have come to believe that is the only place the real change occurs. I mean real change, not the pseudo-change that only lasts until the next time my old buttons get punched. 

Photo by Maya Alexa G. Romero

I have noticed that, in our culture, this transition zone is looked upon as a “nothing,” a no-place between places.  Sure, the old trapeze bar was real, and the new one coming towards me, I hope that’s real too. But the void in between? That’s just a scary, confusing, and disorienting “nowhere” that must be gotten through as fast and as unconsciously as possible.

What a waste! I have a sneaking suspicion that the transition zone is the only real thing & the bars are illusions we dream up to avoid the void, where the real change, the real growth occurs for us.

Whether or not my hunch is true, it remains that the transition zones in our lives are incredibly rich places. They should be honored, even savored. Yes, with all the pain and fear and feelings of being out-of-control that can (but not necessarily) accompany transitions, they are still the most alive, most growth-filled, passionate, expansive moments in our lives.

And so, transformation of fear may have nothing to do with making fear go away, but rather with giving ourselves permission to “hang-out” in the transition between trapeze bars. Transforming our need to grab that new bar, any bar, is allowing ourselves to dwell in the only place where change really happens. It can be terrifying. It can also be enlightening, in the true sense of the word. Hurtling through the void, we just may learn how to fly.”

All my spiritual work is rooted in one essential truth: transformation happens when we can hold both—our connection to the Earth and our connection to the Divine.

Raising your energetic vibration is powerful, but without grounding, it can feel overwhelming. Grounding is what helps you stay present, centered, and capable of meeting life as it is.
Opening to higher wisdom is what helps you rise above fear, align with purpose, and receive the guidance meant for you.

When these two forces work together, something extraordinary becomes possible:
you shift more gracefully, you make clearer choices, and you create space for new blessings, opportunities, and insights to enter your life.

This is the heart of my work—helping you strengthen your inner foundation while expanding your capacity to listen, receive, and evolve.

If you’re ready for deeper clarity, energetic alignment, and guidance for the next chapter of your life, I’d be honored to support you.

Until next time,
Barbara

The Seeds We Plant — Reflections for 11/11 ✨

Today is 11/11, a day many consider an energetic portal — a powerful time to set intentions and align with your higher purpose.

It’s a day that reminds us how every word, every action, and every gesture of kindness creates ripples far beyond what we can see.

This morning, as if by divine timing, I opened my inbox to find this message:

“I just want you to know that I show an edited version of the ‘New Age’ 30 Days episode to my AP Psychology class every year. This is the twelfth year that I've shown it, and it always leads to a wonderful discussion of how you helped Tom with his stress. It's really inspirational.
Thanks for your amazing work.
— Shukri”

The email was referring to an episode I filmed for Morgan Spurlock’s reality series 30 Days back in 2006, directed by Michael Seldrick.

Filming 30 Days directed by Michael Seldrick

In it, I worked as a life coach with Tom, a 37-year-old man living a fast-paced, stressful life. For 30 days, I guided him through meditation, ritual, and inner reflection — tools to help him reconnect to himself and reduce his stress.

That was almost 14 years ago. I had no idea that this episode would still be shown — year after year — to students as an example of healing, compassion, and transformation in action.

It reminded me of Johnny Appleseed, who traveled across America planting trees he would never see bloom. Like him, we each plant seeds through our words, our presence, and our willingness to show up with love — never fully knowing whose lives will be touched or when those seeds will flower.

So, on this 11/11, I invite you to pause and reflect:

• What intentions are you ready to plant today?

• What gifts are you called to share, even if you won’t see their results right away?

• What small act of love or wisdom might ripple outward in unseen ways?

As we approach the close of this year, remember: the seeds you plant now will shape the garden of your future. Keep showing up. Keep sharing your light. Trust that your impact is greater than you know.

With gratitude and wonder,
Barbara

Ichigo Ichie — The Beauty of This Moment

A colleague of mine recently posted something on Instagram that struck a deep chord with me — the Japanese concept of Ichigo Ichie, which means “one time, one meeting.” It’s a reminder that every encounter and moment is unique — never to be repeated — and should be treasured.

It echoes the wisdom of Ram Dass’ Be Here Now — a truth I return to again and again.

As I approach the holiday season and my birthday, I’m reminded that this moment — right now — is the most important one of my life. It will never come around again in quite the same way.

When I look back at photos of myself in my twenties, I think, “Didn’t she see how beautiful she was?” But at the time, all I could see were my flaws. Sound familiar?

How often do we miss the magic of now — the sacredness of simply being — because we are too busy becoming?

As the great teacher Sai Baba said, “Being is lost in becoming.”

So I invite you to pause. Look at your town or city as if you were seeing it for the first time. Taste your morning coffee with full attention. Feel the air on your skin. Cherish the people, places, and small details that make up the fabric of your life. Let wonder — not worry — be your guide.

Photo by Susanna Marsiglia

Mercury Retrograde as a Sacred Pause 

From November 9th, we enter the final Mercury Retrograde of 2025 — a powerful invitation from the Universe to slow down, reflect, and realign.

Instead of fearing delays or confusion, see this as a sacred pause — a chance to listen more deeply to your inner voice and recalibrate your energy before the year ends.

When we place our trust only in our outer achievements, we build things that can easily crumble. But when we invest in our spiritual resources — our intuition, compassion, and connection to the divine — we awaken our true power.

From this place, you become the creator, the divine initiator — able to find beauty, resilience, and joy, even in uncertain times.

An Invitation

As we move into this season of light and reflection, I invite you to honor this sacred window by reconnecting to your spiritual resources.

Join me for one of my year-end rituals or private sessions — designed to help you release what’s complete, realign your energy, and step into 2026 with clarity and grace.

This is your once-in-a-lifetime moment. Let’s make it sacred.

With love and presence,
Barbara

The Real Meaning of Halloween 🍂

Halloween to most of us means candy, costumes and trick-or- treating. For New Yorkers it means one of the biggest parades of the year. 

Hallows or Hallomas started out as a festival to honor the Crone, the wise grandmother. Over the years it has been transformed and commercialized into wicked old witches flying on broomsticks with black cats. Even the cauldron has changed meaning as it represented the womb of the Goddess – a symbol of rebirth.

For the Celts, it is called Samhain - summer's end - and it is the beginning of the Celtic New Year.

From darkness,  endings and death comes light and rebirth. Something we all need to remember.

This is a holy time when the veil between the worlds is thin. For many cultures this is a time when the ancestors return to visit and communicate with the living. In Ireland, it is believed that the fairies come out on this special night.

Photo by Akram Huseyn

Honoring Ancestors

In Latin America, El Dia del las Muertes is celebrated at the cemetery. Families sweep the graves, bring food, create altars with marigolds and sugar skulls and celebrate those who have died. It is also a way to teach children that death is part of life and not to fear it.

Christians all over the world celebrate All Souls Day and All Saints Day (November 1 and 2).

In the true spirit of Halloween let us take some time to honor our ancestors and to share their gifts with our children. This was the beginning of the story telling season, so why not make this Halloween a time to honor our elders by asking them to share stories of their past.

Make this Halloween a time to honor our elders - send them a card, take them out to dinner or just say, ”I love you”. 

Did you know that the idea of going from door to door to ask for candy and sweets actually comes from a British custom of asking for money for the poor? In that spirit, collect money, toys and food and give it to those who are more unfortunate as we count our blessings. 

As this Chinese Proverb says, “When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills.”

With love,

Barbara

The New Moon + Diwali: A Powerful Time to Begin Again

Right now, is the most important time of your life.

This very moment, you are creating your future — breath by breath, choice by choice.

The Universe is supporting you with the energy of the New Moon in Libra and the Festival of Lights—Diwali, inviting you to pause, reflect, and restore balance in your life.

The Libra New Moon brings a fresh opportunity to find harmony in your relationships, peace in your mind, and beauty in how you move through the world. Ruled by Venus—the goddess of love and grace—Libra reminds us that balance is not about perfection; it’s about flow, awareness, and connection.

A Simple Ritual for Hope and Renewal

Tonight, light a candle.

Invite Light into every corner of your life — your relationships, your health, your business, your finances.

Let this light soften what feels tense and hard. Let it bring compassion where there’s been harsh judgment, and open space for love and abundance to flow.

Whisper to the flame: “May this light bless my heart, my projects, my work, and my relationships with true abundance, joy, and harmony.”

Sit quietly for a few moments and know that the light you’ve kindled is already working through you — illuminating your path and rippling out into the world.

With love,
Barbara

Remembering Where We Come From — and What We’re Creating Next

In 1973, my friend Julia Riva and I decided to start a consciousness-raising group.

We were both young mothers who had marched for Roe v. Wade, stood shoulder to shoulder at rallies listening to Gloria Steinem, Shirley Chisholm, and Bella Abzug speak about equality, and devoured every book we could find about Her Story—the stories of women who came before us.

Our group was a vibrant mix of young mothers, bankers, artists, and even former rock-star wives. Together, we explored what it meant to reclaim our voices and our power as women. We discovered the sacred feminine, learned about ancient goddesses, and held Our Bodies, Ourselves as our Bible.

All of these memories came flooding back recently when my dear college friend—and the extraordinary Broadway producer—Daryl Roth invited me to lead a theater blessing for her powerful new play Liberation at the James Earl Jones Theatre in New York City.

Standing there, invoking sacred energy for a play about freedom and resilience, I felt the full circle of our collective journey.

At the James Earl Jones Theatre blessing for the new play "Liberation"—with writer Bess Wohl and producer Daryl Roth. Director Whitney White was also part of the experience, though not pictured.

We are in a time now where it’s more important than ever to remember where we’ve come from, to honor what we’ve learned, and to ask—what are we still called to do?

Yes, we’ve made tremendous progress. And yes, there have been painful steps backward.

But one thing I know for sure:

• We cannot live in the past—but we must learn from it.

• We need each other more than ever.

• And it is essential to create intergenerational spaces where we can share stories, wisdom, and support one another in courage and truth.

Today, I dedicate this newsletter to my dear friend Rande Brown, who was among the first class of women to attend Princeton University. She was brilliant, compassionate, and deeply devoted to creating a more conscious world. Rest in peace, beloved friend.

As we approach the end of 2025 and prepare to step into 2026—a One Year of new beginnings—I feel a deep call to gather in community once again, both in person and online. It’s time to renew our energy, reimagine our future, and remember the power of women coming together.

If you would like to sponsor a Vision Workshop or host me at your organization to lead a circle, ritual, or visioning experience, please reach out. I would love to co-create with you.

With love,
Barbara

Untangling The Knots: Aries Supermoon Ritual for Release & Renewal

We are standing in a powerful light right now.

Last night at 11:47 pm EST, the Full Moon in Aries rose bold and bright—the first Harvest Supermoon of 2025. This one doesn’t whisper; it blazes. It brings truth to the surface and asks us to see the patterns we’ve been carrying—especially the ones we didn’t even choose.

This moon is deeply karmic. It invites us to break the family and cultural stories that say we must go it alone, fight for every inch, hold it all together by sheer will. Aries is the warrior—but this lunation reminds us that true courage also means knowing when to soften, when to ask for support, and when to simply rest in trust.

The Moon aligns with Vesta, guardian of the sacred flame, calling us back to our center. When we tend to our inner fire, life begins to move again. We remember that devotion—whether to love, purpose, or our own growth—is what keeps our spirit alive.

If things have felt heavy, this Supermoon is your turning point. You are not meant to carry everything alone.

Ritual: Untangling the Knots

You’ll need:

• A small bowl of warm water and sea salt

• A piece of red or white string

• A candle (any color that feels right for you)

1. Ground and center.Close your eyes. Take a few slow, deep breaths. Feel your body anchored to the Earth.

2. Hold your string.Think of the old stories or inherited patterns that keep you bound—places where you’ve stayed small, armored, or over-responsible.

3. Tie small knots in the string as you name each pattern aloud.No judgment—just gentle witnessing.

4. Now, untie or cut each knot as you say:
“I release this pattern with love. I am free to live differently.”

5. Dip the string into the bowl of salt water.

6. Light your candle.Whisper your intention:
“I am willing to receive the support that I require to live a life of abundance, prosperity, love, freedom and fun. I am blessed with infinite opportunities.”

Sit for a few moments, breathing in the glow of your candlelight. Feel yourself reclaiming energy that once leaked away through old habits or outdated defenses.

When you’re ready, pour the water into the earth or down the drain as a gesture of release.

Closing Reflection

This Supermoon offers a moment of liberation—a chance to break free from old conditioning and open your heart to new forms of partnership, inspiration, and support.

Remember: you can be both strong and supported, fierce and connected.As you release what no longer serves, the path ahead becomes lighter, brighter, and far more aligned with who you are now.

With love and moonlight,

Barbara

Grief And The Gift of Remembering🕯️

This week brings Yom Kippur — a time for reflection, forgiveness, and remembering the fragility of our lives. For me, this season is tender. A close friend is nearing the end of her life. Others in my circle are grieving sudden losses. And I notice in myself the fears that come with aging, living alone, and facing how much change is always present.

In Judaism, when someone dies, we often say: “May their memory be a blessing.” I’ve always loved this. It’s not only a wish, but also an invitation — to let the memory of our loved ones keep blessing us.

One way to honor that is through a MEMORY BOX: write down a happy memory of someone you love on a slip of paper and place it inside. On days when grief feels heavy, reach in and let yourself be surprised by the joy of a moment that still belongs to you.

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out

As Scarlett Johansson recently reflected about grief, it’s impossible to navigate alone. Her words ring true: loss is universal, and yet our culture often keeps us silent about it. When we share our grief and our fears — instead of hiding them — we begin to dissolve that sense of alienation.

What I’m learning is that friendship, compassion, and community don’t erase sadness, but they remind us we are not carrying it alone. This week, I invite you to name your grief or fear out loud to someone you trust. And just as importantly — to share a happy memory, so that love continues to ripple forward.

A Simple Ritual

Light a candle in honor of someone you love. Whisper their name. Place your hand on your heart and say:

“May your memory be a blessing. May the love we shared guide my steps.”

Then, write down a happy memory and place it in your MEMORY BOX  (You can buy or make one. Feel free to decorate in any way you want.) Over time, this becomes a well you can return to whenever grief feels too heavy.

Let this be a week to create new happy memories!!

With love & blessings,
Barbara

Stepping Into the Gateway of Renewal 🍂

Fall has arrived—and this is no ordinary September. We are walking through a powerful gateway, one that closes out a nine-year cycle. In numerology, 9 represents completion, asking us to release the old—limiting beliefs, worn-out habits, and outdated attitudes—so we can make space for the new energy emerging this season.

It’s not always easy. Our collective shadow is rising to the surface: racism, discrimination, trauma, ignorance, and unchecked rage are alive and visible. And yet, alongside this darkness, light is growing stronger. Acts of kindness, genuine connections, deeper concern for the Earth, and practices that anchor us in love and awareness are flourishing like never before.

As an eternal optimist, I know real change takes time. Transformation requires each of us to stay committed—to live with more equality, peace, and justice. Start small. Focus on the rituals, practices, and connections that give you strength and restore your hope.

One of my favorite rituals at this time of year is Tashlich, (September 23) a symbolic releasing of our mistakes and burdens into the water. What I love about it is that it reminds us: when we take action to release, Spirit always meets us halfway. 

Traditionally, small pieces of bread are tossed into moving water, each piece representing something we are ready to let go of. The bread nourishes the fish and birds, reminding us that even what we release can serve a purpose. We let go of the words, deeds, and actions that have harmed others or ourselves; the judgments and fears that keep us small; the resentment that hardens the heart.

Rabbi David Ingber calls it a “ritual of scrubbing the soul clean.”

Even if this is not part of your tradition, I invite you to try it this year. Here’s a simple way to begin:

1. Reflect on the past year and name what you are ready to release.

2. Take small pieces of bread and throw them into moving water. If that’s not available, use a bowl of water at home.  Then place the bowl of water with the bread outside for the birds.

3. As you throw each piece, release something specific:

• Pain from the past

• Judgments that cloud your vision

• Resentments and anger that keep your heart closed

• The “shoulds” and “coulds” that limit your freedom

• The need to compare yourself to others

• Any fear, rage, or despair around the upcoming election

With each release, you open space for renewal.

"May your actions transform this world from a world of harshness to a world of compassion, from a world of ignorance to a world of enlightenment, from a world of death to a world of life renewed, and from a world where sin destroys us to a world where we destroy sin.”

—Prayer Un’taneh Tokef

With love & blessings,
Barbara

A Spiritual Portal Is Opening—Are You Ready? 💫

As I write this, the sky is blue, the air is clear, and it is 80 degrees—my favorite kind of weather. Yet my heart feels heavy. Like many of you, I am holding both personal sadness and concern for the state of our world.

What makes this weight bearable is knowing I am not alone. I am part of a strong spiritual community that reminds me I do not need to carry it all on my own. This is the gift of gathering: to witness, to release, to rewire, and to renew.

We are entering a powerful portal of change:

• Eclipse season is intensifying (with another on September 21st).

• The Autumn Equinox calls us to honor our harvests and prepare for new cycles.

• Rosh Hashanah invites self-reflection, forgiveness, and a “sweet” new year.

• Navratri celebrates the Divine Feminine and her guidance in cleansing, protection, and renewal.

  Though these traditions arise from different cultures, their themes align beautifully:

• Let go and release

• Rewire and rebuild

• Forgive

• Deepen your spiritual connection

• Open to new beginnings

• Trust and build resilience

• Allow in the flow of abundance and joy

This is the perfect time to clear out old energy, open to clarity, and welcome new ideas, inspiration, and prosperity. When we align with the cycles of the year, we strengthen our faith, raise our energetic frequency, and accelerate the manifestation of what we most deeply desire.

Join me live on Zoom Sunday, September 21st, 2025 as we come together to support one another, build spiritual strength, and open the channels for prosperity, joy, and health.

Whether in group gatherings or one-on-one sessions, my work is about helping you shed what no longer serves, so you can step into the next stage of your life with clarity, resilience, and abundance.

Let’s walk this season of renewal together! Learn more and sign up here.

With love & blessings,
Barbara