Honoring Ancestors—a Personal Story

I woke up this morning remembering  a deeply moving experience that reminded me of the profound impact of connecting with our ancestral lineage and the transformative power of ritual. Allow me to share this journey with you.

During a sunrise ritual on the sacred waters of Varanasi, I found myself aboard a boat, surrounded by the ancient whispers of tradition. The priest guiding the ceremony offered us a poignant invitation: to honor any ancestors we wished to connect with. In that moment, I called upon the spirits of my father and sister and extended a heartfelt invitation to all ancestors willing to join.

Ancestor Ritual on the Ganges, 2016

As I opened myself to the experience, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and connection envelop me. Despite the cultural differences, I sensed my ancestors' presence, their joy at being remembered transcending time and tradition. It was a powerful affirmation of the enduring bond between past and present, and the profound influence our ancestors continue to hold in our lives.

This experience reaffirmed my belief in the intricate web of connection that binds us to our lineage. Through rituals of remembrance and healing, we can honor our ancestors, acknowledge the patterns—both positive and negative—that have shaped us, and embark on a journey of transformation.

I invite you to explore the richness of your own ancestral heritage, to embrace the rituals that resonate with your soul, and to embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery. Whether you seek to release inherited patterns that no longer serve you or to deepen your connection with your ancestral roots, know that you are not alone.

As a practitioner dedicated to guiding individuals on their path to ancestral healing, I am here to offer support and guidance. Together, we can unravel the threads of the past, restructure the present, and pave the way for a brighter future.

In celebration of my father and mother's birthdays this week, I will be honoring their memory through some of my favorite rituals—a meal of their favorite foods, a bouquet of flowers just because my mother loved flowers, a song or two that we sang together, and moments of quiet remembrance.

May this serve as a gentle reminder of the power of ancestral connection and the transformative potential of ritual in our lives. In this way, we empower ourselves and the future generations.

Watch this video on honoring ancestors in Varanasi with Jai Varadaraj and me.

PS: Make sure to check out my Upcoming Events.

With love and gratitude,
Barbara

Spiritual Summertime Fun

I just read in the Explorer’s Magazine that when British Egyptologist Howard Carter first investigated the tomb of Tutankhamun, he was asked, “Can you see anything?” Carter replied, “Yes, wonderful things.”

That is how I feel about exploring spiritual sites around the world. On Saturday. I took a group to explore the rituals of the Hindu tradition at the Ganesha Temple in Flushing, Queens. We participated in a Vishnu Pooja and then had a special Archana done for Lord Ganesha - to overcome obstacles and bring in success.

Being able to experience the sacred rituals in these holy places is an opportunity to receive blessings and wisdom on an entirely different level than if you were just an observer.

And, I have found a way to do this even at the Egyptian collection at the Metropolitan Museum, where we can access the wisdom of the many sacred objects that reside in the museum. Come with me and experience it for yourself! Next trip is June 10th. Register here >>

If you are ready to join me and Jai Varadaraj in October on a spiritual pilgrimage to India, we are doing a free Q and A on Wednesday, May 17th, at 3 pm to answer all your questions. Learn more about this trip here >>

Until next time,
Barbara

The Message of The Present Moment (Egypt Adventures)

This trip to Egypt started with an auspicious meeting. Because of my broken shoulder, I ordered a wheel chair at the airport. My wheelchair attendant told me his name was Levi…one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He told me that his lineage dated back to the building of the ancient pyramids and that his ancestors were the architects and builders of the pyramids. I told him that I was on my way to Egypt. You really can’t make this stuff up!

After a fabulous visit in Paris with friends, we arrived in Egypt and now are about to embark on the next phase of our journey. I already got the message to ground and center as I bashed my head on the locker door at the spa (and so did 2 other people in our group). Luckily it was not serious, but the message was clear…..slow down and pay attention.

The energy in the world is very intense, so trust your intuition to guide you as you allow the old to come up to be cleared. This is a time of honoring what was and being open to the new that wants to come in. And always be gentle with yourself.

Follow me on IG as I continue my journey.

Until next time,
Barbara

Journey Into the Unknown 🧭

Today begins my journey into the unknown. I am going on a spiritual pilgrimage to Egypt via Paris and feeling excited and a bit frazzled after a crazy week of Mercury Retrograde glitches.

Travel has always fed my soul, and this will be the first big trip I am taking since the Pandemic. And I know that spiritual travel always takes me out of my comfort zone since it challenges me to embrace the unknown. However, the gift is always a deepening, expansion and new awareness. And I get to share this trip with friends and new acquaintances.

I will be posting on IG so come join me on this magical mystery tour.

After consulting with astrologer Rebecca Gordon (who will be joining us at VISION to give us an overview of the year), we have picked a date for VISION 2023. It will take place on the most powerful New Moon of 2023: The New moon in Aquarius - January 21st / 22nd.

SAVE THE DATE

VISION 2023: January 21st and 22nd

Start off 2023 on the most powerful New Moon of the year. As the New Moon enters Aquarius, we will get extra support to manifest our PERSONAL AND COLLECTIVE Visions into a grounded reality.

Astrologer Rebecca Gordon will be joining us to give an overview of 2023, Parashakti will be leading us in sacred dance as well as other special guests. Stay tuned for more information.

Until next time,
Barbara