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

How To Tame Your Inner Critic

I recently received an email from a client who felt stuck and frustrated because she hadn’t lived up to the vision collage she created last year. This is someone who has shown great courage and accomplished so much in her career, yet the feeling of shame kept her from joining my recent workshop.

Her message struck a chord with me because I know this feeling all too well. When we don’t meet our own expectations, it’s easy to fall into self-blame, guilt, and shame. Our inner critic can be ruthless, making us feel like we’ve failed—not just at our goals, but at life itself.

But here’s the truth: this kind of self-judgment doesn’t serve us. It paralyzes us. It creates inertia, stuck energy, and can even lead to self-sabotaging behaviors like overeating, overspending, or withdrawing from the people who could support us.

Breaking Free from Shame & Inertia

Sometimes, things don’t go according to plan. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed—it just means the goal you thought you wanted may not be right for you now, or it might simply need a shift in direction. Instead of isolating yourself in shame, reach out. No one is judging you as harshly as you judge yourself.

Our brains are wired to cling to negativity like Velcro while letting positive experiences slip away like Teflon. Shifting from self-sabotage to empowerment requires building mental, emotional, and spiritual resilience so you can keep showing up for yourself and the world.

And the next time you find yourself saying, “I lost my focus,” remember you haven’t lost it—you’ve just misplaced it. And it can always be found.

A Simple Practice to Quiet Your Inner Critic

Next time that inner critic starts screaming at you, try this:

• STOP. Take a pause.

• Place your arms around yourself and say, “I’m sorry for being so hard on you.”

• Take a deep breath.

• Do one small, positive step forward. Just one.

You don’t have to do it alone. If you’re feeling stuck, reach out—I’m here to help. And if this message resonated with you, share it with someone who might need it. Let’s lift each other up.

PS: Make sure to check out our upcoming events.

With love,
Barbara

Finding Light in Challenging Times

Lately, our world feels like a game of shock and awe—a strategy designed to overwhelm, keeping us in a constant state of reaction. When we’re in this mode, we lose touch with our inner wisdom, our power, and our deep connection to Source. We forget that, despite external chaos, we can make conscious choices every single day about how we want to live.

Shifting Perspective: The Black Dot Story

A professor once gave his students a surprise test. When they turned over their papers, they found no questions—just a single black dot in the center of the page.

“Write about what you see,” the professor instructed.

Every student described the black dot—its position, size, and meaning—but no one mentioned the vast white space surrounding it.

When all the papers were read, the professor explained:
“This is how we often live our lives. We focus only on the black dot—our worries, fears, and struggles—while ignoring the countless blessings surrounding us. But what if we shifted our attention? What if we saw the full picture?”

A Simple Tool to Shift Energy

The next time something upsets you:

1. Stop. Pause before reacting.

2. Press the spot between your brows and say: CANCEL, CLEAR.

3. Visualize your heart as a radiant star, sending love and light to every cell in your body. Let this energy balance, harmonize, and restore your inner peace.

Grounding & Taking Conscious Action

Spend time in nature.

Move your body…walk, dance…exercise

Connect through prayer or meditation.

Set positive intentions—then take inspired action. Start with small structure action steps.

As we shift our focus, we not only change our personal reality, but we collectively elevate the world.

With love,
Barbara

Your Next Step: Turning Vision Into Reality

I’m still riding the high from our Vision 2025 Workshop last weekend! The energy we created together—in person in NYC and with participants joining via livestream from Hawaii, California, Canada, Boston, and beyond—was nothing short of transformative.

What I loved most was the diversity of our community. We came together—across ages, races, and sexual orientations—proving that when we unite in a shared intention, we co-create something truly magical.

VISION 2025 Transformational Weekend Workshop

Revolution and Renaissance

As astrologer Rebecca Gordon reminded us, we are living through a time of revolution and a new Renaissance. Amid the challenges, this is a birth of creativity and expansion.

And here’s the truth: we are the technology of the future.

But here’s what I also know for sure—while we can call in the Light and create a zone of manifestation, blessings, and abundance, if our energetic container isn’t strong enough to hold it, it leaks out.

So, our work is clear:
We must strengthen our mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical bodies.

Negative thoughts, old patterns, and limiting beliefs shrink our ability to hold this new energy. Patterns like:

• Fear of abandonment

• Seeking approval

• Not feeling supported

• Poverty consciousness

• Unworthiness

These are ready to be healed.

The Year of the Wood Snake: Lunar Wisdom for 2025 

As we step into the Lunar Year of the Wood Snake on Wednesday, the energy of this year calls for:

• Reflection, growth, and personal transformation

• Deepening your intuition and mastering timing

• Shedding outdated habits and beliefs

• Strategic action—making every move count

This is not about rushing or overhauling your life overnight. Instead, it’s about consistently aligning with your values and making choices that bring you closer to the life you envision.

And as you do, your definition of success may begin to shift. By walking your authentic spiritual path with practical feet, you inspire others to do the same.

What’s Next for You?
This is your moment to build a container strong enough to hold the life you’re manifesting.

With love,
Barbara

MANAWA: Now is the Moment of Power 🌟 Your Time to Transform is NOW

Now is the Moment of Power. Your Time to Transform is NOW! When I first understood this Hawaiian principle, my life completely shifted. The past is over, the future is not yet realized, and right now is the most important moment of your life. What a gift!

Celebrate Your Wins: Every success, no matter how small, deserves praise. What you focus on grows.

Here is one of mine:

"Barbara Biziou was an absolute revelation at my first-ever Tarot event at Fresco by Scotto. From the moment she arrived, her calming presence and unparalleled spiritual wisdom set the tone for an unforgettable evening. Over 100 guests had the privilege of experiencing her insightful Tarot card readings, each one guided with care, precision, and a deep understanding of personal growth and healing.

On a personal level, Barbara has been an integral part of my own healing journey, helping me tap into inner strength I didn’t know I had. Her gift is more than just reading cards—it’s in the way she radiates wisdom, compassion, and optimism, leaving everyone she meets feeling lighter, stronger, and more focused.

Guests left our event glowing with inspiration, carrying Barbara’s empowering energy into their own lives—a truly magical way to start the new year. If you’re seeking clarity, guidance, or simply a transformative experience, Barbara is the epitome of spiritual excellence."

Release Self-Criticism: The next time you’re hard on yourself, pause. Say: "I am sorry." Give yourself a hug and declare: "Up until now, I believed that, but I am changing right now."

Be Your Number One Fan: Speak to yourself with kindness, cheer for your progress, and trust in your journey.

Repeat this mantra daily:
I AM WORTHY OF ALL BLESSINGS

I am excited to announce that you now can attend VISION 2025: Shape Your Destiny both in-person in NYC and online via Zoom. Some of my online clients are putting together Vision Parties from their homes so they can share the experience with friends and  family.

Sign up now and let’s make now your moment of power!

Until next time,
Barbara

From Fear to Freedom: Make 2025 Your Best Year Yet

One thing I have always wanted to do was experience a “flying trapeze”. When I think of it, I am reminded of an article I read many years ago called Fear of Transformation from the book of Essenes. 

To paraphrase, most of us spend our lives hanging on for dear life to the old until something calls us to let go and take a leap of faith into the unknown. It can be terrifying, yet we know we must release our hold on the past (the old trapeze bar) and soar across the vast void of unknowing to reach the new one.  

We may feel scared, excited, vulnerable, unsure of ourselves, confused, or disoriented, but this is where the real change happens… When feeling unsure of ourselves, we can reject our rigid thinking and make new choices that may bring unexpected benefits. As we give ourselves permission to hang out in this transition between trapeze bars, we learn to fly! 

A good affirmation to say each day is “My life is filled with new opportunities, and it is safe for me to learn new things.”

As we move into the last few weeks of 2024 I invite you to spend some time looking back on what 2024 was about for you. Just BE present with what is. We are moving into 2025-a year of major change, right now we are in the growing pains of this shift of consciousness.

““We are each of us angels with only one wing and we can only fly embracing each other.””

— Luciano De Crescenzo

That is why I have created VISION 2025: Shape Your Destiny. And I will be doing it live in Malibu, CA and NYC. Together we are stronger. Together we are more creative. Together we can build the structures necessary for true manifestation. And together we bring in more love, joy, and success. Maybe this will be the year you find your love relationship, bring in a baby, create your dream project, travel to a far-off land, buy a home, boost your health, reclaim your old dreams  and discover a sense of magic and excitement.

"Barbara’s class resets me for the year ahead. With her gentle yet powerful hand, she masterly reminds you of your dreams and goals allowing you to create the perfect blueprint for success.''
- Heide Banks

VISION 2025 ENROLLMENT IS NOW OPEN! VISIT THE EVENTS PAGE FOR DETAILS. 

Until next time,
Barbara

What You Need To Know For The Rest of 2024

First, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who reached out on my birthday. Your love and support truly touched me, and I feel incredibly blessed to be part of such a nurturing community. Deep connections are essential, especially during transformative times like these, and I cherish each and every one of you.

Awakening the Wisdom Within

As we step into the final month of 2024, the cosmos invites us to reflect and recalibrate. Mercury Retrograde continues to offer a space for deep introspection, allowing us to tap into the ancient wisdom encoded within our very cells. This month is about both looking inward and preparing for renewal.

Regardless of outer appearances, we are collectively shifting into higher consciousness, and to integrate this energy fully, I encourage you to:

1. Take Quiet Time
   In the hustle and bustle, remember the power of stillness. Think of old intercom systems—first, you speak, then you listen. In the same way, allow yourself moments of silence to hear the guidance from within.

2. Finish Old Business
   Release the baggage of old stories. Picture yourself carrying empty suitcases—they weigh you down unnecessarily. It’s time to put those stories to rest and honor the growth they brought you. Remember, past patterns may have served you once, but now they must make way for your expansion. 

3. Cleanse Your Energy
   Clear your space—both physically and energetically. An energy cleanse of your home or office can refresh and recharge your surroundings, inviting in peace, prosperity, and joy as you step into 2025.

4. Call in Your Angels
   December is a sacred month to seek the support of angelic forces. Set up an altar with flowers, crystals, and some vanilla essence. Light a white candle and call in your angels for guidance in love, health, and creativity. Speak to them as you would a close friend. I recommend you do this for seven nights, build this sacred connection and feel their presence lighting your path.

PS: SHAPE YOUR DESTINY: VISION 2025 REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!!!!!!
Visit the Events page to learn more and sign up.

Until next time,
Barbara

Press Pause This Thanksgiving 🕯️

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. Yet, for many years, I didn’t reflect deeply on its true essence—gratitude. That changed almost 30 years ago when my father passed away. His loss reshaped my understanding of life’s fragility, making family and meaningful connections a central focus.

This year, I’m celebrating both Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving, embracing change and creating new rituals to support the life I’m living now.

One of my favorite traditions is having each person light a candle and share what they’re grateful for. I also light a special candle to honor loved ones who are no longer with us, except in spirit. This simple ritual brings a sense of intimacy and connection, strengthening the bonds that tie us to our past and carry us into the future.

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world, we often find ourselves more stressed than connected during the holidays. Our relationships—already stretched thin by busy schedules—can become even more complicated under the pressure of holiday expectations. The season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s has become less about meaning and more about material concerns—finding the perfect gifts, hosting the perfect dinner, or dressing just right.

Let’s take a step back. This Thanksgiving, I invite you to refocus on what truly matters: connection, love, and gratitude.

A Simple Ritual for Deeper Connection

• Gather your family or friends in a quiet moment.

• Have a plate with small candles on it. Pass it around, inviting each person to light a candle and share something they’re grateful for.

• Light one additional candle to honor loved ones who are no longer with you in person but remain present in spirit.

This ritual creates a sacred space for heartfelt connection and appreciation, grounding your celebration in meaning and unity.

Tips to Prevent Holiday Stress

As we head into the holiday season, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Here are a few tools to help you navigate this time with grace and ease:

1. Acknowledge Your Feelings
   If you’re grieving or far from loved ones, give yourself permission to feel your emotions. Once acknowledged, you can shift your focus. Volunteering at a local shelter or community center is a powerful way to channel your energy and find connection.

2. Be Flexible
   Life changes, and so do traditions. Embrace the flow. If a loved one can’t join in person, set up a virtual connection. If dietary preferences shift, make room for new dishes alongside the classics.

3. Avoid Overspending
   Focus on the spirit of giving rather than the cost of gifts. Homemade presents or shared experiences often carry more meaning than anything money can buy.

4. Incorporate Relaxation
   Pause to breathe, stretch, or take a brisk walk in nature. Plan moments of solitude to recharge during this busy season.

5. Set Boundaries
   Protect your energy by saying no when necessary. Delegating tasks and letting go of the need to do it all will help you stay grounded and present.

6. Find Joy in the Moment
   Laughter and play release happiness hormones, lifting your spirit and the energy of those around you.

7. Release Perfectionism
   Let go of comparisons and impossible standards. Focus on authenticity and connection, rather than trying to meet others’ expectations.

This Thanksgiving let’s remember the power of gratitude, love, and connection to make each moment sacred. When we press pause to appreciate the people in our lives and the beauty of now, we create lasting memories that transcend the holiday season. Wishing you a season filled with peace, joy, and heartfelt connection!

Until next time,
Barbara

Building Spiritual Muscles and Finding Community Are More Important Than Ever

As we close out 2024, we find ourselves in a world filled with uncertainty. Many changes are on the horizon for 2025, and now is the time to invest in ourselves, build resilience, and strengthen our communities of support.

For some, the recent election has sparked hope, while others are feeling a mix of fear and overwhelm. Wherever you find yourself on this spectrum, clarity and purpose are essential to moving forward with intention. With just 50 days left in 2024, let’s use this time to release what no longer serves us and open to the possibilities that await.

RITUAL FOR CLARITY

To support you, I’m sharing a favorite ritual from my book The Joy of Ritual. This exercise is designed to help you reconnect with your inner wisdom and creativity when clarity feels elusive.

1. Create Sacred Space: Turn off all distractions. Sit quietly, bringing your focus to your heart center. Breathe deeply, imagining your breath flowing in and out of your heart.

2. Reflect and Write: Take your journal and write each prompt below, leaving plenty of space after each one.

• I feel...

• I need...

• I want...

Allow yourself to fill in the blanks without censoring. Treat this as a personal mapping ritual—a pathway to your deepest insights.

Join Me for Rituals and Community

I’m thrilled to announce that my dear friend and renowned astrologer, Rebecca Gordon, will join me on December 10th, 2024 in NYC for an event focused on Rituals and Astrology to End the Year Consciously. Together, we’ll hold space to reflect on the past year, set intentions for 2025, and explore the cosmic energies guiding us into the new year. Visit the Events page for more details.

Until next time,
Barbara

Are You Focusing on What Truly Matters?

Dear friend,

As we approach the final stretch of 2024, I want to ask you something important:

Are you focusing on what truly matters?

The world feels faster than ever, and it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of daily tasks, distractions, and obligations. But what if I told you that now is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and realign your priorities so you can enter 2025 with clarity, purpose, and a heart full of what’s most important?

This brings me to a story that has always grounded me during times of overwhelm...

First, imagine a large, clear jar. Next to it, imagine a bowl of rocks (each a few inches in diameter), a bowl of small pebbles, and a bowl of fine sand.  

If you poured all the sand into the jar first; it would fill up a large portion of the jar. And if you poured the pebbles in next, the jar would fill up even more – leaving very little room leftover, if any, for the bigger rocks.

Now, imagine a different scenario: if you poured the big rocks in first?

And after that, the pebbles – shaking the jar so that they could settle into the open spaces created around the rocks. And then lastly, the sand – which would sift its way through the rocks and pebbles, settling into the remaining free space?

Now, consider that this jar can represent our life, and the time and space we have available to fill. The rocks are the most important things in our lives, and the things that are most critical and valuable to us – such as family, health, relationships, and other key values.

The pebbles represent things that matter to us, and that we use our time on – like work or school – but that are less essential than the rocks. And finally, the sand is the remaining “small stuff” and material possessions that are of lowest importance.

The Lesson of this story: If we take care of the sand first – the small, less important stuff – we will never have enough room for all the rocks and the pebbles, too. We will always run out of time and energy for the things in our life that are most important.

But if we take care of the rocks first, and pay attention to the things that are critical to living a meaningful life, then we can really make the most of our time, energy, and efforts – and we can ensure that what needs to be tended to most, is.

Take time to reflect on these questions:

What does your jar look like?
How have you been filling it?
What’s one thing you can do today to shift your priorities, tending to what is most important first, so that there is room for what is truly valuable and meaningful?

PS: Make sure to check out our upcoming events.

Until next time,
Barbara

Building Resiliency in Challenging Times

This week is a time of potent renewal and introspection as we experience the New Moon solar eclipse, Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), and Navratri (Hindu Celebration of The Nine Nights of the Goddess). Each of these significant moments offers a powerful opportunity to stop, regroup, and build spiritual resiliency as we navigate life's challenges.

Are You a Carrot, an Egg, or a Coffee Bean?
(You may never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.)

A young woman shared her struggles with her mother, unsure how she would get through them. Her mother took her to the kitchen and placed three pots of water on the stove, each filled with either carrots, eggs, or coffee beans. After boiling, the daughter observed how the carrots had softened, the eggs had hardened, but the coffee had transformed the water itself.

Each of these items faced the same adversity—boiling water—but reacted differently. The soft carrot wilted under pressure, the egg hardened, but the coffee beans transformed their surroundings, releasing fragrance and flavor.

So, when adversity knocks, how do you respond? Are you the carrot that weakens, the egg that hardens, or the coffee bean that transforms the situation into something better? This is the question we face as we enter this season of transformation and spiritual renewal.

How Can You Build Resiliency?

In these times, it's crucial to cultivate the strength of the coffee bean—transforming our challenges into opportunities for growth. The New Moon invites new beginnings, Rosh Hashanah calls for reflection and renewal, and Navratri offers a chance to call upon the Goddess's power to bless us with resilience, strength, and grace.

Wishing all those who celebrate Shanah Tovah for this New Year!

Until next time,
Barbara

This New Moon's Message: Healing and New Beginnings Await

Like many of you, my heart aches in response to the senseless violence and hatred we see in the world today. It can feel overwhelming at times, but I recently came across a simple yet powerful reminder: though our hope may be cracked, it is not broken. Together, we have the resilience to move forward and navigate the challenges that life presents.

This New Moon  carries with it a message of healing and possibility. While the suffering and trauma we witness may weigh heavily on our spirits, there is also an opportunity to reset, to shift, and to begin anew. The eclipses on the horizon promise change, as they often do, but within that change lies the potential for transformation. Even though I’m not an astrologer, I sense this energy in the air—the invitation to release what no longer serves us and to embrace the growth that awaits.

This New Moon in Virgo is a powerful time for a reset and to set intention. Let's use it to shed old, outdated patterns—especially those rooted in fear, hatred, lack, and limitation. We have the chance to create space for new energies of love, peace, and abundance to take root in our lives.

I encourage you to take some time for yourself in the coming days. Practice self-care in whatever form it takes for you. Stay grounded, nourish your body and soul, and most importantly, be gentle with yourself during this time of transition.

Journal Prompts for Reflection:

• If my work were a person, how would I describe our relationship? What changes would I like to make to ensure its healthier and more fulfilling?

• If my creative expression had a voice, what would it say about what wants to emerge? How would it like to be shared with the world?

• If my life were a person, what would it want to tell me about how I treat it? What support does it need from me to thrive?

After reflecting on these prompts, I invite you to engage in a simple ritual: take a cord or string and tie a knot for each action you commit to this month—actions that will strengthen and expand these relationships in your life. Let these knots be symbols of the love, joy, and abundance you are ready to welcome into your experience.

May this season of transformation bring you clarity, peace, and a deep sense of renewal. As always, I am here to guide you on this journey.

PS: Make sure to check out our upcoming events.

With love and light,
Barbara

Embracing Patience in the Flow of the Universe

As I sit in the airport in Burlington on this day of the Super Full Moon, my journey—like so many others this summer—has hit a delay. Planes, trains, and all manner of movement seem to be paused, as if the cosmos itself is urging us to slow down.

In moments like these, when plans change by the minute, I’m reminded that the Universe often speaks to us in subtle ways. And today, the message is clear: Patience.

With Mercury still in retrograde and the energy of this Super Full Moon at its peak, it feels like a time for reflection rather than action. Rainer Maria Rilke, in his timeless wisdom, offers a beautiful reminder:

"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue."

Let’s embrace this cosmic pause, breathe deeply, and trust that the answers will come in their own time.

Wishing you peace and patience.

With love and light,
Barbara

How To Set Intentions Under the Lionsgate Portal 💫

The Lions Gate Portal on August 8th is a time to set your intention to open your heart and unite with the quantum field of infinite possibilities and abundance. 

The ancient Egyptians celebrated the annual event when the star Sirius aligned with the Great Pyramid and Sphinx, forming a frequency receptor of celestial light transmission. During this time, light waves stream from the Great Central Sun, through the Blue Star Sirius (our spiritual sun), our Sun, and into the crystalline grid points of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza. They believed the energy of Sirius carried highly advanced wisdom that we could tap into and utilize whenever Sirius was strong in the sky.

This is also when the Great Sphinx aligns with the Leo zodiac, and the Nile would flood, bringing abundance to the country.

In numerology, the infinity symbol '8' represents balance, union, and infinite abundance. This year, we are in 8/8/8, as 2024 adds up to 8.

Here are a few intentions to set under the Lionsgate:

• Heart Healings: The Lionsgate portal activates the heart chakra. Old or current wounds of the heart may rise for healing. We may finally feel free from any grief or sadness that has burdened our hearts.

• Third Eye Awakenings: The Lionsgate portal also activates the third eye chakra. We may feel more intuitive or learn something new about how our intuition speaks to us. You may also gain clarity regarding a situation that has been unclear.

• Higher Chakra Openings: This is an opportunity to activate higher spiritual knowledge. At this time our soul chakra is activated. 

• Psychic Downloads: Pay attention to your dreams, as well as signs and symbols you encounter in daily life. You may even receive messages from loved ones who are in spirit.

• Creativity: Lionsgate is a highly creative time and the perfect opportunity to start a new creative project or act on one you’ve been planning.

Be aware that we are in Mercury Retrograde, so you may want to go slow or reflect on any new ideas that come through at this time. I recommend that you keep a journal close by to write down any ideas or thoughts that come to you. I personally like writing with pen and paper, but you can always jot down notes on your phone or tablet.

Make sure to check out our upcoming events.

Until next time,
Barbara

The Energy and Insights of the Full Moon 🌝✨

In a recent online search, my friend Ellen came across a 1991 article in The Standard Star featuring a workshop taught by her cousin, Aviva Gershweir, on “Painting from the Source.” To Ellen’s surprise, the article also mentioned a workshop I was conducting at Wainwright House on “Women and Success: Female Creativity in the Workplace.”

Back then, this workshop, co-facilitated by Allie Roth and myself, was groundbreaking. We introduced a model that integrated logic with intuition—a concept that was quite radical for the business community at the time (and still is for some). I even did a fire release ceremony, which was very out of the box for many of the participants and they loved it!

The Power of integrating the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine

 The recent Full Moon has invited us to reflect on the balance between our logical and emotional/intuitive minds. It’s a reminder to take positive steps toward integrating both aspects of our brain. Honoring and claiming both the masculine and feminine qualities.

Re-animate, Re-invigorate, Re-imagine

Now is the perfect time to breathe new life into your deepest dreams. We are called to make conscious, positive changes in our lives and in the world. Achieving this requires a heart-centered vision and a grounded structure to bring these dreams into reality. 

As you know, ritual have always been key for me. Rituals often mark doorway moments when we pass from one stage of life to another. They acknowledge that these passages are not just external changes but involve internal transformation.

Your Personal Reflection

Consider the advice you’ve been giving to others. Are you applying it to your own life?
Imagine speaking to someone who is living a life identical to yours.
What advice would you give them? Now, follow that advice yourself.

Take a moment to journal your thoughts and see what insights arise. 

PS: Make sure to visit our upcoming events.

Until next time,
Barbara

Combat NEWS APNEA and Regain Your Calm

Amid today's "foot in mouth" epidemic, it's crucial to address an emerging issue: NEWS APNEA. This term, which I first encountered a decade ago as EMAIL APNEA in an article by Linda Stone, refers to the tendency to hold our breath while awaiting "charged" emails, text messages, or updates from our devices. We often find ourselves tensing up when technology doesn't move quickly enough or delivers unwelcome messages.

This reaction isn't limited to technology alone. It also occurs when we're exposed to distressing news, leading to what I call NEWS APNEA. When this happens, our bodies release stress chemicals like norepinephrine and testosterone, making it difficult to think clearly and communicate effectively. Our emotions can spiral out of control, leading to physical tension and difficulty relaxing. This often results in behaviors like binge-watching Netflix, overeating, over-drinking, over-medicating, overspending, and poor sleep.

I've created a video to help you navigate these challenges and regain your center. Watch it below to learn practical strategies for overcoming NEWS APNEA.

In addition to the video, I offer a variety of tools to help you stay calm, focused, and achieve greater happiness and success. Work with me privately or in a group, explore my audio downloads and magical aromatherapy sprays, which I use in my personal rituals. Many of these sprays are crafted from ancient aromatherapy recipes I've discovered in my travels.

Take control of your stress and enhance your well-being today.
Stay strong and take care of yourself!

PS Make sure to check out our upcoming events.

Until next time,
Barbara

A Personal Story + Ritual for Overcoming Fear

Many years ago as I was standing on the top of a hill, in Aspen Colorado,  I looked down at the tent classrooms set up for the various workshops taking place for John Denver’s symposium Choices for the Future.  I was told that my space was down the hill to the right. Slowly I walked down the hill feeling more and more anxiety. It was my first big event and I was on the program with amazing and accomplished speakers such as former Vice President Al Gore and Chief Oren Lyons.

There was a huge circle of chairs set up for my presentation. I could feel the pressure to be successful intensify. After checking the microphone, I sat down to prepare for my talk. My heart was beating out of control, my hands were clammy, and my mouth was as dry as grains of sand. I felt like I was losing it! Totally out of control. I felt like throwing up. It was just what I wanted and worked for. So, why did I feel sick to my stomach?

I saw people begin to walk down the hill, but then turned to join other workshops. I began to panic. What if no one came? The organizers would think I was a failure. No one would ever invite me to speak again. Why did I say I would come here?

Then a strong voice inside me told me to ground to the earth. I did a grounding ritual that I had been taught by a Native American Shaman. 

I slowly imagined a grounding chord leaving the base of my spine  moving deep into the Earth. It began to root like a large tree. I could feel the roots spreading out going deep into the earth and connecting me with the heart of Mother Earth. The roots turned silver and gold and began to vibrate with a powerful energy. All my anxiety dropped down through the roots into the earth. It was as if I unplugged a stuck pipe.

Then I began to breathe up this warm, solid, grounded earth energy.  I could feel it moving up through my roots, warm brown earth energy. It moved up into the soles of my feet, up my legs and thighs, filling my entire body.

Slowly I began to feel supported…knowing I was not alone. I became clearer and calmer. I opened my eyes and asked Spirit for a sign. Just as I finished praying I saw an eagle circling over me. That is when I knew Spirit was guiding me. No, I am not making this up. 

Hearing footsteps, I turned around and saw groups of women coming down the hill towards me. It was as if I was a magnet, and they were being pulled into the circle. By the time we started we had almost 75 amazing women of all ages in our circle.

What came to me that day (a recurring theme that would later play out in a variety of ways) was the realization that stepping into something new made me feel vulnerable and unsure of myself.  I was supremely confident in my old role, but now that I was being called to be “bigger” I felt like a young kid on her first day at a new school.  I suddenly had to prove myself to myself again, and that critical voice in my head was filling my mind with negative chatter.

I used this as a teaching moment and shared it with the group. The response was overwhelming. As I shared my own vulnerability, it created a safe space and gave permission for others to express their deepest fears and blocks.

In this time of major change and transition, naming and sharing our concerns with each other, then participating in rituals that ground and center us is a key to moving forward. These practices help us center ourselves and find the strength to move forward.

For this reason, I am thrilled to announce that I will be launching a new course, Rituals for Change and Transition (working title), this Fall. This course is designed to provide you with the tools you need to create meaningful rituals for yourself and your community.

I welcome any specific topics you'd like to see covered in the course, so please don't hesitate to reach out with your suggestions (simply reply to this email). Additionally, I am available for one-on-one and group rituals to support your journey.

Until next time,
Barbara

Embracing Internal Freedom for a Better Future

As we reflect on the concept of freedom, both individually and collectively, it's clear that our internal freedom from the past is crucial for creating the world we desire. I understand that many of us, myself included, feel overwhelmed at this time in History, however here is my strategy for moving forward.

1. Remember the Power of a Single Day

• What you do every day creates your future.

• Focus on each moment and do your best in every moment.

• Take time to express gratitude for what you have. Gratitude builds more gratitude.

2. Embrace Small, Incremental Improvements

• Small improvements make a huge difference over time.

• Believe in yourself and become your own best champion.

3. The Importance of Forgiveness

• To be truly free, it is crucial to forgive yourself and others.

• Forgiveness does not condone past actions but releases the hold of anger, bitterness, guilt, shame, sadness, and resentment.

• Holding on to bitterness is like consciously deciding to drink poison.

4. Taking Positive Actions

• Love and be loved.

• Be true to yourself.

• Strive to do better and be better.

• Share your gifts and talents with the world.

• Step up and take positive action in the world.

If you find it difficult to forgive, seek professional help. Choose to be free and make the conscious decision to live a life filled with love, authenticity, and positive action.

Make sure to check out our upcoming events.

Until next time,
Barbara

Discover Summer Magic: Fall in Love with Life 🌻

Can’t you feel it? We are now in the "Full Moon" phase of the year when the waxing energies and magical potency are at peak intensity.

Weddings, marriage proposals and baby blessings are lucky now, as are rituals of unity among families and communities. The energy is ripe with abundance on all levels.
 
The holiday of Midsummer [also known as "Litha"] marks the height of the waxing season; a time of peak fertility when the Sun is honored with three days of celebration! It is a time of both reflection, discovery and clear visioning for the future.
 
Midsummer Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere marks the longest day of the year when the light is at the very peak of its power. Nature is in bloom and traditionally, cultures around the world have seen summer as a celebration of the strength and fertility of Mother Earth and of other goddesses who represent the Divine Feminine. Allow the Divine Mother to support you in getting your needs met.

Fall in Love with Life

Remember the feeling of a new love?  Everything looks vibrant and alive, like Technicolor.

Practice falling in love with your life.  Bring dancing, laughter, and music into your life. Pay attention to the flowers around you. Delight in the colors. Let yourself smile and express joy. 

Notice the children playing in your neighborhood. Let their joy infect you. Hop on a swing in the park, skip down the street, jump in a puddle of water. Get some finger paints and just go wild. Crank up the dance music and move your body.

Make a commitment to yourself to embrace and receive love and joy. Give yourself a big hug and say, “I love you!”

The more you practice feeling joyful, the more joy you will experience. Expand your capacity to receive love and joy. Like any new skill, the more you practice, the better you will get at it. So, start right now.

Midsummer Magical Herbs

Many herbs are used in summer rituals: they can be made into incense or used to anoint candles. On the summer solstice, some are thrown into the bonfires for good luck and health. They can also be sewn into a charm bag and worn or carried when needed.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Fennel- confidence, longevity and courage
St. john’s/Joan’s wort- Courage, confidence, magic, success
Lily- peace, heal the pain of a broken heart
Frankincense- All-purpose solar incense, for consecration, spirituality and success.
Chickweed- love herb worn to attract love
Heather- Brings one in touch with inner beauty and divinity
Lavender-  Love, harmony, domestic tranquility, and mental clarity.
Mugwort- Magic, longevity, clairvoyance, psychic empowerment.
Rose- Love, compassion, beauty; an aphrodisiac attributed to Venus.
Vervain- Love, magic, aphrodisiac, consecration

And of course, my LOVE SPRAY AND HAPPINESS SPRAY.

PS: Make sure to check out my upcoming events.

Until next time,
Barbara

Embrace the Art of Balance: Finding Joy in Work, Play, and Everything In Between

After spending a wonderful, chill Memorial Day Weekend with my girlfriends, I'm finding it challenging to jump back into my work routine. At first, I tried to force myself to “get focused,” but then I realized that there is a time for everything.

Balance is the key to a fulfilling life. It’s not just about finding time to work, but also about embracing moments of play, connection, and reflection. As we navigate our busy lives, it’s essential to remember the wisdom in these simple, yet profound words:

Take Time

Take time to work. It is the price of success.
Take time to think, It is the source of power.
. Take time to play, It is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to be friendly, It is the road to happiness.
Take time to love and be loved, It is a privilege of the Gods.
Take time to share, Life is too short to be selfish.
Take time to laugh, Laughter is the music of the soul.
— Author Unknown

To these timeless words, I would add:
Take time to exercise, It is medicine for the body and soul.
Take time to be in nature, It is the key to renewal and grounding.
Take time to meditate and connect to the Divine, It is your source for everything.
Take time for yourself. You are precious and deserve it.

As we move forward this week, let’s embrace the art of balance. Each moment we take care for ourselves, connect with others, and find joy in both work and play, we cultivate a life that is rich and fulfilling.

Remember, it’s not about doing everything at once, but about finding harmony in the ebb and flow of our daily lives. So, take a deep breath, smile, and allow yourself the grace to find balance in all that you do. Wishing you a week filled with balance, joy, and abundance!

PS: Make sure to check out my Upcoming Events.

Until next time,
Barbara