This Touched My Heart

In 2012, Spanish athlete Ivan Fernandez Anaya impressed the world by giving up victory to do the right thing. According to El Pais, it happened as the 24-year-old raced a cross-country event in Burlada, Navarre on December 2nd.

In second place to Abel Mutai, the Kenyan athlete who won a bronze medal in the London Olympics, Anaya suddenly had a chance to surge ahead. According to El Pais, Mutai mistakenly thought the end of the race came about 10 meters sooner than it did, and stopped running.

Then, he “looked back and saw the people telling him to keep going,” Anaya told CNA. “But since he doesn’t speak Spanish he didn’t realize it.” So Anaya slowed, guiding Mutai to the actual finish line.

When asked why he did it, he said, “I didn’t deserve to win it. I did what I had to do. He was the rightful winner. He created a gap that I couldn’t have closed if he hadn’t made a mistake. As soon as I saw he was stopping, I knew I wasn’t going to pass him…

“I didn’t do this for him or me I did this for all of us.”

Imagine if we lived our lives like this. Thinking of the bigger picture and how we are all connected. Now I am not saying healthy competition is wrong, in fact, I think it is a good thing for all of us to learn, however, this man shined a light on our goodness. And boy do we all need to be reminded of this now.

Work With Barbara

We are nearing the midpoint between the Summer Solstice and the Fall Equinox. Traditionally this is a time to give thanks to The Goddess for the harvest (watch my video on Lammas on IG this Friday)  and then focus on all the things you can do – and all of the things you'd like to learn to do, and the things you'd like to get better at. 

Set up a reading or a ritual to get clear on what wants to come through you at this time and what action steps you require to manifest this new vision. 

Many Blessings, 
Barbara

The Day Out Of Time 🕰️

What would you do if you were given a special day that was not on your calendar? A day of sacred pause, of forgiveness and true freedom?

According to Jose Arguelles, “The Mayan Calendar -- a 13-Moon Calendar that was devised by the Mayan Timekeepers, the Jaguar Priests, measures the year in 13 even months of 28 days each; a perpetual calendar of 52 perfect weeks, making a total of 364 days. 
 
With this Mayan Harmonic Time Standard, we usher in Galactic New Year’s Day on July 26th, and the day before that, July 25th, is the 365th day of the year on this 13-Moon Calendar. That day actually falls between the end of one calendar year and the beginning of the next, so July 25th is known as THE DAY OUT OF TIME as it literally is not a day of the week or day of the month at all.  
 
The Day Out Of Time has been celebrated worldwide since 1992 as part of a growing World Peace Movement. For this reason, this special day is observed as the day to cancel all debts, pardon and forgive, and to celebrate life through art and nature. It's a day to experience true freedom...a time to ground the consciousness of and truly manifest unlimited prosperity and abundance as we usher in Galactic New Year’s Day on July 26th!! 

On this day, honored by both the Egyptians and Mayan cultures, the Star Sirius rises with the Sun and a portal of creative potential is activated as we cross the Galactic Equator.”
 
So, look at this time as a gift from the universe to make a fresh start…and wipe the slate clean. It is important to stop, see where you have been, and look at what you want to bring into the New Year.  Please focus on stopping business as usual and tune into possibilities.

Listen to the special meditation I have recorded for you here.

Many Blessings, 
Barbara

Rituals for Feeling Empowered 💪

Power vs Powerless seems to be a huge theme at this time. Who has the power? What and who do we have power over? What can we control and what is out of our control? These are the questions underlying everything at this time.

So, although I cannot tell anyone what to do, I do know that creating rituals for yourself can help you reduce the feeling of being powerless in these uncertain times.

The story I often tell in my workshops involves the wife of an Alaskan gold prospector back in the 1920s. The story goes that she was alone on an island while her husband went searching for gold. During this time an avalanche struck and she was stranded. Pregnant and wounded she made her way back to her cabin.

As her life sustaining ritual, she started a journal for her unborn child and began preparing for the birth. She turned an otter skin into a wrap and even wound up delivering her own child. After her baby was born, she created a baptism calling in the local deer to witness it.

Whether this was true of not, the moral of the story is: creating rituals can make you proactive rather than reactive and can give you the hope and focus you need to move forward during challenging times.

Since the brain reads a ritual and “real experience” as the same, you can create more resources to move you in the direction you desire to go.

Set an intention and then do something that teaches your brain a positive new way of being.  It can be as simple as cleaning out one drawer, saving $3 a week, doing 5 sit-ups a day. Remember the brain doesn’t know the difference between you saving $3 and a million. It just knows that you had an intention to save and you did. Success!!!

Many of you use my Magical Aromatherapy sprays for your rituals. These are some suggestions: Try Unplug to get a better night’s sleep, Happiness and /or Love  boost your joy factor, Protect and Manifest before you start a Zoom meeting, Grounded as you leave your house, Magnet to bring in more abundance, Space to clear any negative energy you have taken on or created and Power to activate your inner leader.

If you find yourself slipping back into negative thinking try this:

1. Put  your attention between eyebrows. Tap with your ring finger around the third eye chakra three times;

 2. Say “cancel clear”;

3. Visualize a new more positive vision.
 
For a great new positive ritual, join me every Tuesday at 5 pm EDT for my FB Live. This week I will also be combining a Cutting Negative Cord/Karma Clearing Activation  with my regular Building Spiritual Resiliency.

Many Blessings, 

Barbara

Breaking Up With Your Anger

As I write this newsletter it is 90 degrees in NYC. We are social distancing and wearing masks, beaches have finally opened, restaurants are spilling into the streets, and the city is beginning to feel “more normal.“ Yet, under the surface you can feel frustration, confusion and a sizzling feeling of anxiety.

Many people, women and girls especially, have been conditioned to believe it's not "nice" to express anger. Consequently, we hold in our rage, often turning it against ourselves. Repressed anger breeds illness and turns us into a time bomb waiting to explode. At the opposite extreme are those who let their emotions build up and allow the pressures of old anger and resentment build to volcanic eruptions of white-hot rage. Such people go postal over seemingly insignificant incidents, and we wonder what possessed them.

Contemporary research confirms that when you can actually name a disturbing emotion the level of intensity goes down in your brain. So, I recommend you get in the habit of naming how you are feeling. Are you frustrated, pissed off, resentful, powerless, irritated, or enraged?

According to top psychologists, careful labeling of emotions enables us to regulate the emotion. In other words, if the angry emotion is “rage” or “frustration”— labeling it causes the rage and frustration to settle down, rather than expand. As we learn to label our emotions honestly this quiets down the emotional pain centers of the brain (Amygdala) and can connect us to the prefrontal cortex (executive rational brain). This is also the part of the brain that socializes and connects to others. So, not only do we feel better when we label our emotions, we make better decisions, and reach out to others in a more collaborative way. 

Here is one of my favorite Rituals to Break UP with your Anger

Step One:

Write down all your angry thoughts and feelings on an inexpensive dinner plate with an indelible Sharpie. Take your time and if necessary, use the front and back of the plate. 

Step Two: 

When you’re complete, place the plate in a heavy garbage bag and close it securely. 

Step Three: 

Get a hammer and smash the heck out of the plate. The goal is to hear the once stagnant rigid energy breaking up into pieces. 

Step Four: 

When you’re done, throw the plate away and immediately take it to the garbage bin outside of your home. 

Caution: Make sure you have something under the plate if you are doing this inside your home. I once broke my hardwood floor doing this ritual, so now I put a towel, a tile and a wooden block under the plate to be smashed. If you can go outside, even better. 

Step Five: Spray my Space Spray to complete the ritual. If you don’t have any, use sage or copal.

TRY MIXING MY SPRAYS IN YOUR HAND SANITIZER…….THEY WILL MAKE IT SMELL FABULOUS AND GIVE YOU AN EXTRA BOOST.

Many Blessings, 
Barbara

Special Energy Clearing: Release and Let Go

In this day and age, the idea of energy clearing is more important that ever. According to Hawaiian mysticism (and other spiritual traditions), every time you interact with another person you are connecting energetically. In the Hawaiian system, these energetic cords are called Aka Cords. Throughout your life, you establish aka cord connections between yourself and people, places or things. These cords are created whenever you think about someone or something, speak about them, or take some action that involves them. 

You also inherit traits, beliefs and karma from your ancestral line. As with any inheritance, some of it you want and some you need to discard.

As I was facilitating a wealth activation on Sunday, I got a download to do some karma cleansing activations. Spirit talks and I listen so this Wednesday I will be doing an activation to release energy, emotions and beliefs that you have created, taken on or inherited.

In the meantime, here are a few of the clearing techniques I use.

1. Water Release:

Use your shower to call on the power of water to release anything you are holding on to emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally that is not in your highest good. Imagine it can go down the drain to purify you.

2. Herbal Release:

Use my SPACE SPRAY, burn sage or copal around your home every night and any time you have any one in your space. This is also good to do before and after a Zoom Meeting or going on social media. Crucial after you watch the News!!

3. Bowl of Salt:

Choose a non-wooden bowl to use.  Add sea salt or kosher salt, black peppercorns, cloves and a bay leaf. You can also add a few drops of thieves oil. Mix the ingredients together and call on the Spirit of Your Home to cleanse the energy of your space and protect you from any negative energy. Place the bowl near the front door. Replace the bowl every few weeks.
 
4. Onions:

If your energy feels really stuck, place small unpeeled onions in the corners of each room for 24 hours. The onions will turn brown as they absorb the negativity. Throw out and wash your hands.

Many Blessings, 
Barbara

Time to Own Your Personal Power

Each time we do our spiritual practice we build momentum and its impact expands. Right now, I am aware of how everyone wants a quick fix and 5 step solution to finding the perfect job, lover, creative project and perfect health. As much as I do feel like a Priestess/magician at times with a magic wand, I know that real growth and change require commitment and consistency. 

You do not brush your teeth once a month and expect to have healthy teeth, so why dip in and out of your spiritual practice and expect miracle to occur instantaneously. If you do not have a practice that supports you, maybe it is time to discover a new one. And, in my opinion, it should be something that brings you joy and a sense of connection to something bigger than yourself.

It is better to do 10 minutes a day and be consistent, than do 30 minutes once a week. So, think of me as your Spiritual Trainer and let’s build the Spiritual Muscles required for moving through this Cosmic Initiation. This takes time, self-love and effort on an ongoing basic.

Success always comes when we trust ourselves to handle the challenges of life, listen to our intuitive guidance, get the support we require, and take practical action steps to bring our visions into reality.

Putting energy into building our spiritual muscles and resiliency is very different than buying into the old belief that it has to be hard. Developing a belief in ease and combining it with a commitment to our goals can create miraculous changes.

This is the time to own your personal power. Do not fear it because you see it abused out in the world. What we are seeing is not true power; it is a manipulation of authority and position.

True power is when we are aligned with our Higher Spiritual Power and is used to make a positive practical difference in the world.

MANTRA OF THE WEEK: I ALLOW MYSELF TO GROW INTO MY POWER

Speaking of consistency: I am continuing to do the Power Time Activations for Wealth and am now adding Power Time Activations for Love and Relationships.

The more you do, the faster you will activate your energy field. Everything is an essence, a power and a vibration. Each activation strengthens your ability to become a magnet for love and abundance: gently releasing and healing obstacles that have blocked you in the past. All are by donation only.

Turning The Fear Of Transformation Into The Transformation Of Fear

I found this piece by Danaan Parry over 25 years ago; it jumped out of my files this morning and I wanted to share it with you.
 

TURNING THE FEAR OF TRANSFORMATION INTO
THE TRANSFORMATION OF FEAR

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 once in a while, 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.

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.

Let Barbara Guide You

All of my spiritual practice is focused on raising my energetic vibration so I can have a stronger connection to Divine Guidance. Without this connection, it is incredibly challenging to shift, be present with what is and make space for something new to enter.

Individual Tarot Readings are the best way I know to gain clarity on where you are right now and what energies are surrounding you in order to move through blocks and obstacles on your path.
 
I am also doing many rituals via zoom including Moving Rituals (when you leave your home or apartment), New Business Rituals, Anniversaries, Birthdays, Graduations. Letting go of past relationships, Bringing in Love and many others. All of life’s transitions deserve an honoring.

Put a Little Love in Your Heart 🎵

What a difference a day makes.

Sunday morning my dear friend Miriam Novalle put out a call to artists to come to Soho to paint pictures and words of hope and love on the boarded up stores and galleries. Almost a 100 people showed up and Soho, once again, became a hub of art and creativity. Blicks Art Supply and some private donors paid for the supplies and Miriam served her world famous tea. You can see it in my Instagram post.

Ritual of the week: Put love in your heart. Put love in our Cities. Put love in our communities. 

Thought I would share this version from the movie Scrooged sung by Annie Lenox and Al Green. I dare you not to dance! Music composed by Jackie DeShannon, Myers and Jimmy Holiday. 

Lyrics
 
Think of your fellow man, lend him a helping hand
Put a little love in your heart
You see, it's getting late, oh, please don't hesitate
Put a little love in your heart
And the world will be a better place
And the world will be a better place for you and me
You just wait and see
Another day goes by, and still the children cry
Put a little love in your heart
If you want the world to know, we won't let hatred grow
Put a little love in your heart
And the world will be a better place
And the world will be a better place for you and me
You just wait and see, wait and see
Take a good look around and if you're lookin' down
Put a little love in your heart, yeah
I hope when you decide kindness will be your guide
Put a little love in your heart
And the world will be a better place
And the world will be a better place for you and me
You just wait and see
Put a little love in your heart
I said now put a little love in your heart
Put a little love in your heart
Put a little love in your heart
Put a little love in your heart
Put a little love in your heart
(Put a little love in your heart)
(Put a little love in your heart)
(Put a little love in your heart)
A little bit of love, a little bit of love
(Put a little love in your heart)
A little little little bit of love in your heart yeah
(Put a little love in your heart)
A little bit of love, a little bit of love
(Put a little love in your heart)
A great big face of love in your heart
(Put a little love in your heart)
(Put a little love in your heart)
(Put a little love in your heart)
(Put a little love in your heart)

Work with me

As things are starting to open up, it is important to create from your deepest desires, not from the unfulfilled visions of the past. As we spoke about at Vision 2020, this is a time to become the architect of your life. Time to Level UP.

I will guide you through this time with intuitive tarot card readings, personalized guided visualizations and rituals to give you practical tools to strengthen your spiritual muscles. Sessions are tailored towards your personal and professional needs from creating focus and clarity before a zoom meeting, healing sadness and anxiety, bringing in love and abundance to deepening your ability to access your Divine Guidance.

Many Blessings, 
Barbara

Ways To Cope With Collective Trauma

Yesterday I was a guest on Yvonne McNair's Facebook Live Show. We were talking about how hard it was to do “business as usual” with all the riots, protests and looting happening around us. And even as we were speaking, I could hear shouting and helicopters outside my window.

We are collectively going through trauma and most people just don’t know how to cope.

Here are some suggestions that I find are working for me.
I use these techniques with my aromatherapy sprays for an added boost.

1. Center in your heart. Take a few deep breathes in and out of your heart. Feel the love you have for your friends and family. Consciously send them love. Imagine how happy they are to receive it. Now open to accepting it back tenfold. Sprays to use: Love and Happiness.

2. Clear your energy daily. Use your morning shower to let go of anything you have created or have taken on that is anything less than the I AM PRESENCE. Imagine all negativity going down the drain. I also like to end the day in an Epson salt bath. Sprays to use: Space and Unplug.

3. Create a protective shield around your body. Imagine a beautiful golden mesh shield covering your body that only allows in good and positive energy. Sprays to use: Protect and Power.

4. Ground. Drop a grounding cord into the center of the Earth and imagine it connecting and stabilizing you. Sprays to use: Ground and Manifest.

In solidarity for Blackout Tuesday I am cancelling my Facebook Live Show today and doing it on Thursday, June 4th, at 5pm.

Work with Barbara

Building spiritual resiliency is crucial at this time. That includes discovering where you need a reboot. Then we may dive deep into building your prosperity mindset, working with your inner child or other “personalities”, rebooting your relationships and much more.

For the month of June, I am offering a special package of 3 individual coaching sessions for $675 (regularly $900).

If payment is a concern for any upcoming workshops, then donations will be acceptable. Please pay what you can to support this work.

Many Blessings, 
Barbara

Tending To Your Inner Child

One of my mentors, Hal Stone, has passed on to Spirit. He and his wife Sidra Stone created an amazing body of work called Voice Dialogue… a psycho-spiritual approach to consciousness. Through this work, I learned how to work with the many “selves” that live within each one of us. And saw how these selves determine the way we see the world and control our behavior and choices. 

Because of this work, I am more in touch with the parts of me that are running my life. In fact, that is why I created a “Retirement Ritual” for my inner critic.

Personally, at this time, my inner little girl is having a hard time. She is sad, scared and feeling out of sorts. So, I am consciously spending more time with her and making sure she knows that she is being cared for. I give her hugs and spend some time playing each day (because of doing workshops, my office is filled with colored markers, play dough, beads and all kinds of crafts which she loves). Next week I may buy some chalk and play “hopscotch” outside in the park. 

What are you doing to take care of your inner child?

Let Me Guide You

This is a time when most of us need some extra support to build the spiritual muscles that we require to move forward. This may be a time to re-align your system so that the energy you desire can easily flow again.

Is your critic working overtime? Do you feel untethered in this time of uncertainty? Are you longing for a spiritual practice that will dissolve the limiting beliefs and judgments that preclude you from connecting to Source?

Contact our office to set up a session. Sliding scale available if you are in financial need.

Many Blessings, 
Barbara

Rituals to Deal with Corona Fatigue

When I first went into “self-quarantine” the internet seemed like a lifeline to the outside world. I could work with clients via Face Time and Zoom, have virtual cocktail parties, celebrate birthdays and other events.

I have developed internet fatigue. Each day I go through hundreds of emails, am invited to at least 2 dozen events and am busier than ever. I know I am not alone.

Now, I am getting better at prioritizing and making sure I have some down time between all the computer time I am putting in. 

Here are some of the things I have found that work.

• Always start my day with a meditation 

• Ask myself each morning, “what is the most important thing for me to know or do today?"

• If I have a Zoom event, I make sure I take a walk first or at least stretch and move my body

• At least 3 times a day, I stand up, lift my head up and look out the window at the sky (this helps the brain get out of “details” and opens up a larger perspective)

Then I remembered a video that I made a few years ago on Email Apnea. Research shows that when you get a text, email or WhatsApp notification, you actually stop breathing. This creates a fight / flight syndrome in the brain and you go into stress mode.

Watch my video for the Antidote to Email Apnea here.

Meditation for Connecting to Your Higher Wisdom

We all know that our thoughts and feelings are powerful. When we focus on our fears and the negativity and chaos in the world, we empower and sustain the very things we are wanting to eliminate. It is easy to get discouraged and lose faith in our ability to make positive changes.

I am not saying that you cannot feel your feelings. In all transparency, I admit, Mother’s Day was a challenging one for me since it has been over 8 weeks since I had a real hug . Although I received many “happy Mother’s Day” calls, emails and text messages, it just wasn’t the same as being in the same physical space as my son. So, I let myself have a small “pity party” and then woke up feeling better.

What I have learned over this transformational intense time is that we do have the option to raise our frequency to a higher level. From this place, the answers and guidance will emerge, but we need the right tools to get there. And a commitment to consistency, even when you would rather just “space out”.

At this point in my life, I pull on all the resources I have learned and trained in (hypnosis, guided visualizations, tarot, ritual, cross-cultural spiritual practices, meditation, shadow work and emotional intelligence). Yes, I claim my Wise Woman Wisdom!

Today I want to share with you a meditation that I use for myself and have found very powerful. It will connect you to your Higher Wisdom and lift you up to give you a higher perspective, greater satisfaction, ease and joy. Remember that attainment of true wisdom is a process. As you aligned with the Higher Wisdom you become more loving, compassionate and wise.

Dance With the Light Not the Shadows

Thursday brings us the powerful Full Flower Moon in Scorpio and then we move into celebrating our first Covid Mother’s Day. We are in the energy of the Divine Feminine in her “fem-type” as Mother (if you want to learn  more about “fem-types" Deborah Roth and I will be leading a 6-week series: Ignite Your Goddess Wisdom).

Scorpio is always about major transformation and we have an opportunity to transform and heal many issues.  We can shine our light on any place we are holding fear, anxiety, feelings of unworthiness, confusion, guilt, shame or blame. 

Since our “Mother” energy of empathy, fertility, caring and creativity are enhanced at this time, looking at how you relate to yourself, others and community is a big theme this week.

As Matt Kahn beautifully said in a video I watched recently, the main attribute of The Light is to add value to anything around it.

So, my question to you is, “ How can we build relationships that improve our lives and the lives of others?"

None of us know how much time we have here, but all of us can appreciate the people and experiences we do have. This is the gift that God/Goddess has given us this Mother’s Day. Be the Light you want for the world.

As a sidebar: For those wanting to conceive it is said that this Full Moon has magical attributes that are advantageous for conception. I have facilitated many successful fertility ceremonies so feel free to reach out for more information.

Mother’s Day Ritual

The idea of making an Appreciation Box which I wrote about in The Joy of Ritual seems even more called for this year. This can be done for anyone who is a “mother figure” in your life.

To Make an Appreciation Box: You can use a shoebox, hatbox, cigar box, or any kind of container that appeals to you. Decorate it with markers, ribbons, flowers, photographs, beads, feathers, or jewels. Use your imagination. This is great to do as a family project and can include small children as well as adults.

Place drawings, home baked cookies, Mom’s favorite bath oil, a poem or any other objects and symbols that show love and appreciation for your mother. Write down things that you love about her: “I love the way you bake me banana bread on my birthday” or “I love the way you always see the bright side of life”. Also, include written promises to do something special for Mom. 

By taking the time to really appreciate your mother you will be giving her the best gift possible. And let us not forget Mother Earth, who is responsible for the bounty of all of life.

Work With Barbara

As we are slowly shifting away from self-quarantine, this is the perfect time for an intuitive tarot card reading to get overview on where you are right now and clarity on the practical steps you need to take to bring you healing, success and love.

For those of you graduating, celebrating a birthday or anniversary, it may be the perfect time for a celebration ritual.

All Aromatherapy Sprays are on sale in celebration of Mother's Day! Gift Certificates are also available on the website.

Many Blessings, 
Barbara

May Day Celebration - Celebration of Life

Today’s post is about celebration. There is plenty of time to discuss and guide you through the shadow times we are in, however right now I want to pivot and move into Divine possibilities.

May Day has been celebrated for centuries by decorating trees and holding dances…think dancing around a maypole. It is the intertwining of the masculine and feminine, which in nature results in an abundance of food and flowers.

In ancient times it was a night of sexuality and passion… an honoring of the fertility of the king/god and queen/goddess. It was also a time to light fires that symbolized healing, fertility , disease prevention and the abundance of blessings available at the beginning of this summer season.

It is a time to celebrate The Goddess of May and she loves dancing and flowers. So, my ritual for Beltane this year is a dance fest.  Dancing releases endorphins and makes you feel good. That is why so many of us are taking Zoom dance classes and joining dance parties like Daybreaker.

If you are lucky enough to be safely social distancing in nature, tie ribbons around a tree, put on some music and just dance. If you chose to stay home, crank up the music and let it rip.

SHOW YOU CARE: 
There is a wonderful custom of leaving baskets of flowers in front of your neighbor’s home as a sign of friendship and caring. You can also leave fruit, nuts and other treats with a note letting them know you care. You can do this with the cashier at your grocery store, the person who delivers your mail and/ or packages, your doormen, or anyone you choose to acknowledge.

There are many things we do not have power over, however this is one we do:  Make a choice to celebrate life.

Many Blessings, 
Barbara

I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding.

This week we celebrate Earth Day and the Taurus New Moon. Many changes are occurring that appear to be beyond our control, and it feels like the whole world is filed with instability, loss and confusion.
 
Many of us are feeling lethargic, stir-crazy and just plain off our game. All of this is normal.  Yet, in this time of spiritual quickening, what is being called for is the ability to ground, center and focus on what we truly intend for the future.
 
Taurus is slow and methodical, so take your time and sit with any fears , sadness or anxiety that arise. Some of them are yours personally, however, many of you are taking on the energy of others. As I have said for years, you must learn and use techniques to clear and protect yourself energetically. 
 
Know that this is part of the processes . If you need help, reach out and get it. Vulnerability is a strength not a weakness.
 
Now is an opportunity to find your soul’s rhythm. It takes patience and a strong spiritual practice to remain calm, listen to your dreams and have faith that we will come out of this stronger, more compassionate and resilient. 
 
This New Moon: As you set intention for this time become aware that this is an opportunity to look at your past goals and be open to something new and possibly better. We cannot go back to the same old way of being in the world. The Universe is asking you to expand your thinking and know that we are the ones who will make a difference. Learn to be an angel for yourself and others.
 Let us aspire to the words of the poet John O’ Donohue, “ I would love to live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of its own unfolding.”

New Yorkers can now obtain marriage licenses or applications, and even get married, via video conferencing calls.

Executive orders signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo allow the new method of getting married until May 18. The couple, clerk, and witness required to make the marriage official must all have contact via video call to perform the ceremony — pre-recordings aren't allowed.
 
Call my office for a free consultation.

Work With Barbara

It is time to build your spiritual muscles. Barbara offers many practical easily accessible tools to help you move through this challenging time. Starting with an intuitive reading, discover what patterns are playing out in your life right now and then experience grounded rituals, guided visualizations and actionable spiritual practices to release confusion and bring you creative solutions beyond what you think is possible.

A Technique to Deal With Negative Thoughts

When will this be over?

That seems to be the biggest question on everyone’s mind, but as Governor Andrew Cuomo said in Monday’s briefing, “ there is no on/off switch.”

Like most of you, I have ups and downs in my day. Unfortunately, I pulled my back out in one of my online yoga classes (that is what happens when you do not listen to your body) so I have been severely limited in my daily schedule. Talk about the Universe telling me to slow down. 

Yet in the midst of this, I have found amazing support. My orthopedist Sylvia Hesse has been Face timing me to see how I am, my Chiropractor opened his office just for me, and one of my brilliant students Hope Tarr has been doing long distance Reiki! 

It is crucial to look at what support you require at this time. In times of major crisis, the old tools just may not work for you anymore, so exploring new ones may be just the thing you are looking for. When we are physically, mentally and emotionally stressed it is easy to get depleted.

I once heard that our brains are hard wired to danger and are like Velcro for negativity and Teflon for positivity. So it actually takes more positive experiences to overcome even one negative. 

Try this when a negative thought arises:

1. Stop
2. Breathe in to the count of 4, hold for the count of 4 and exhale for the count of four
3. Imagine that like a book you are reading, you can put the thought back on a shelf. Or like a movie you are watching, you can turn the channel
4. Say out loud “Cancel Clear!" Think of this as deleted a file from your mental computer

 Is it easy? NO. Is it worth it? YES.

Many Blessings, 
Barbara

New Time of Spiritual Growth and Acceleration

This is a Holy Month for many religions and this week we celebrate both Passover and Easter. I would like to suggest we take a time out from being productive in the outer world and use this week to go in and get the healing and guidance we require in order to move into alignment with this new time of spiritual growth and acceleration.

As my teacher Brugh Joy used to say, “to truly transform you must delete the need to know.” In other words, be present with what is.

Any huge initiation (and that is what this is) has the potential to bring up all our childhood fears. For this reason, I have recorded one of my favorite healing meditations “The Jade Temple” adapted from The Seven Sacred Flames, using music by Joule L'Adara.

Many of you know I have been working with these sacred flames and the energy of the I AM PRESENCE for over 30 years. All energies of the  seven major rays flood the earth daily to balance your chakras and bring you wisdom and guidance. Each ray has different rituals that will give you the road map required to walk this spiritual path with integrity, support and consciousness. You are a divine being experiencing and learning from life. 

The energies of the Great Jade Temple hold the balance of healing for each one of us and for The Earth. Listen to the meditation here:

Know you are safe, protected and loved.

Many Blessings, 
Barbara

Wisdom in the Time of Coronavirus

Here is what I have learned this week:

1. Getting dressed each morning makes every encounter more meaningful. Think of it, you don’t go to church or temple in your pajamas, you don’t have a dinner party in old dirty sweats, you don’t go to work looking like you have partied all night.

I am not saying you have to wear full makeup, a suit and tie, high heels or go over the top, however taking care of yourself at this time, can ground you and change the way you think and experience life.

2. Fun exercise is crucial. I have started NIAtv.fit. Some of my friends do Zumba, ecstatic dance, yoga or other movement classes. Walking outside (with social distancing)  is also another component to staying energized. Try exploring new streets, noticing the birds you hear, plants you see, the architecture of buildings. Remember that every time you do something different and new you build new brain cells.

3. Zoom parties where people are sharing are best with a small group of people. Or, make sure you have a moderator who will keep the flow going. Dance parties don't seem to matter how many are on.

I will continue to post videos and inspirational affirmations and rituals on my Instagram so please follow me so you can receive them.

GIVE YOURSELF SOME TENDER LOVING CARE: WATCH THIS VIDEO

This will boost your serotonin levels to bring you into a state of ease.

Please let me know how I can support you. I am considering a 6-week mastermind course to focus on Being Fully Present with what is and re-visioning your life. If this interests you, please leave a comment below or reach out to me at barbara@barbarabiziou.com .

The New Moon in Aries and Washing Hands Ritual

The world has certainly changed since the last time I wrote a newsletter (only a week ago) and I am feeling very strongly that we need to use this time to invest in ourselves so we can then be of service to each other and the planet.

Tonight is the New Moon in Aries. Here is what my friend astrologer Rebecca Gordon is sharing about this time.

“This New Moon is packed with Aries power, though this is a unique flavor of power as the Moon rides alongside Chiron (the wounded healer) and it squares the nodes of destiny. It’s not the traditional clean punch of Aries right now – instead this new Moon will ask you to rethink how you exert your power into the world (as we are all currently doing that). This lunation is here to expose the wounds behind force and power and bring healing to a more selfish trajectory. It will question your masculine side, your yang, and how you exert yourself into the world. Aries is a ‘me’ sign and what is being shown now are the repercussions of a self-interest based society.

Also this lunation will closely square the nodal axis, showing a much more significant change in direction from our previous life trajectory. We must be so open to change and pivot right now as this is the only way into the future. It’s time to shed these skins and make way for a fresh start. On this Aries New Moon, ask how you can assert yourself in a way that is inclusive, that benefits our unified field and all living beings. What will a new expression of Aries look like in this drastically evolving world?”

I will be doing my first Women’s New Moon Circle on Zoom tonight, March 24th at 8pm EST. To sign up please visit the Events page.

WASHING YOUR HANDS RITUAL

Since we all have to wash our hands every 20 minutes or so, let’s make it a sacred ritual. I received this from Dori Midnight via Liz Sterling and totally resonated with it.

We are humans relearning to wash our hands. Washing our hands is an act of love. Washing our hands is an act of care. Washing our hands is an act that puts the hyper-vigilant body at ease. Washing our hands helps us return to ourselves by washing away what does not serve. Wash your hare washing the only teacup left that your great grandmother carried across the ocean, like you are washing the hair of a beloved who is dying, like you are washing the feet of Grace Lee Boggs, your auntie, Audre Lorde, Mary Oliver... you get the picture. Like this water is poured from a jug your best friend just carried for three miles from the spring they had to climb a mountain to reach, like water is a precious resource made. It is time to care for one another, to pray over water, to wash fear away every time we wash our hands.

Please let me know how I can support you. What subjects would you like to know more about? What classes or rituals would you find useful at this time? Would you be interested in a weekly support group?

Email me at barbara@barbarabiziou.com or post on my Facebook or Instagram pages.

Together we are stronger!

A Fresh Perspective On This Challenging Time

After being in the most amazing goddess retreat in Mexico, filled with health-conscious women in Isla Mujeres, I returned to life in NY that feels like I am living in a science fiction movie. 
 
No words can adequately describe the world today, however, my friend Cheryl sent me a poem by Lynn Ungar that touched my soul. 
 
I hope it gives you a different perspective on this challenging time.
 

What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath—
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.
Promise this world your love--
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.

- Lynn Ungar 3/11/20

 
One of the techniques that I use a lot to neutralize and release negative emotions is a Finger Hold Technique. I have recorded a guided visualization for you using the music from the album The Infinite of one of my favorite healers/musicians/producers - Barry Goldstein. Get comfortable and listen to this meditation.

Many Blessings, 
Barbara