The Power of the Year 2023 Mid Point

I love books. I have shelves of art books, travel books, spiritual books, divination books, business books, novels and much more. I have read most of them, but there are many that I just haven’t gotten around to reading. They are my “someday I will read  books.”

I look at this as a metaphor for life, so as Mars moves into Virgo today, let’s look at what we have put on our “someday shelf". Maybe it is time to recycle past dreams and projects. And maybe it is time to simply let them go to free up energy for something brand new.

Remember that we are half-way through 2023 and this is the perfect time to do a reset and revision for the next part of 2023. In fact, July 26th is the Mayan New Year and I will be doing a live Mid Year Reset online via zoom (please visit the Upcoming Events Page for more details).

Work with Barbara and learn tools for spiritual alignment:

I would love to support you on your journey. I offer practical techniques for dealing with stress, clarity on what energy and opportunities are around you, tools to release the old and align your goals with your deeper purpose in a way that will bring you joy, peace and true abundance. Here are some ways that you can work with me:

A personal intuitive reading - Book Here >>
A personal ritual - Book here >>
Energy and / or Space Clearings - Book here >>
Corporate Events, Brand Activations, Wellness Events. Download my one-sheet here >>

Until next time,
Barbara

Spiritual Practice for the Full Moon of the Guru

I am writing this on Guru Purnima: in the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions this is the Full Moon of the Guru and a time to honor our spiritual teachers.

Today I want to dedicate this newsletter to Carolyn Congers - one of my teachers, who passed into Spirit on June 23rd. I met Carolyn in the 90’s while studying with one of my main teachers: Brugh Joy. She was an incredible role model for me, and I was blown away by her embodying the power of the Feminine. As my friend Susan Rosen said, “she was one of our greatest treasures”. 

Carolyn encouraged me to write and teach on ritual, and she showed me how to access and honor both the dark wild part inside of me as well as the gentle compassionate side I tend to show the world. 

I learned from her that a true teacher helps others discover their innate spiritual wisdom. She was a wisdom guide in the fields of healing, intuition, creativity and dream work and she brought her real-life experiences with tribal societies into all her teachings. My first trip to Bali was with her (photo below).

We all need mentors in our lives. Expand your network. Become a mentor, allow others to guide you and find a community that encourages your greatness. We are all mirrors for each other. 

As a spiritual practice: reach out and freely share your wisdom with others this week without expecting anything back.

Happy 4th of July to all who celebrate: remember that real freedom holds the best of all possibilities.

Until next time,
Barbara

What I Learned From Doing 15 Tarot Readings in 1 Day

Question: What does a 14-year-old girl have in common with a successful 65-year-old career woman? 

After doing over 15 intuitive tarot readings last weekend at J Horton store in Madison CT, this became obvious. 

Answer: In some way they all wanted freedom from anxiety, stress, confusion, comparison, the past, and having to fit in to other people’s expectations.

As we move into the 4th of July holiday In the USA, let us embrace the concept of Freedom and Independence. And I do not mean the dysfunctional independence so many of us have taken on. There is a time to do it alone and a time to reach out for help and support.

As we approach this holiday, make a commitment to let go of all old energy patterns that keep you stuck. Then pick one modality that allows you to bring in emotional/mental balance and joy. 

Some of my favorites are meditation, dance, tapping, being in nature and swimming in the ocean.

If you require assistance, contact me for a private session via zoom or in person.

“Barbara has helped me clear negative energy and focus on positive energy in my life. I am creating a vision and life of my dreams. Her ritual and meditation work is transformational”- Emil Wilbekin, Founder Native Sons

Until next time,
Barbara

Summer Fun and Magic 🪄

As a kid, summer always meant fun.  I could ride my bike, swim, catch fireflies, draw, read books for pleasure (we did not have homework over the summer—imagine that!), eat ice-cream, corn on the cob and cherries and stay up late. It was a time of freedom. Whether I was home or at camp, it offered me a portal through which I could connect to my playful, artistic self.

As we reach the Summer Solstice this year (the longest night of the year), you can feel the change in the air. It is a time of celebration…time to honor our connection to this inner firepower that keeps us alive and brings us abundance and nourishes us with the potential for growth.

In fact, the ancient festival was named after Litha—the goddess of fertility, power and order. It was a time to invite in the power of fire to burn away the old and light the flame of creativity that lives inside of each one of us. It is a time to remember that we have the power and responsibility to nurture and sustain life. So, seize this moment to align with your solar power and let it imbue you with love, strength, clarity, and compassion.

Here is a fun ritual to symbolically amplify your power to make things better in your life and in the world.

Create a Magic Wand

Go outside and find a natural tree branch. You can then paint it or simply decorate it with feathers, gemstones, glitter, stickers, symbols, ribbons or cord.  Each thing you put on your wand represents a quality or energy you require in order to own your power. 

Feathers can represent Spirit helpers, birds or simply a larger perspective, the color red can mean passion while green can represent healing, a symbol of a heart says love and compassion. I also like to add a picture or symbol of a spiritual teacher or guide. Use your imagination.

If you want to really amplify the power, place a clear quartz point about an inch or so in length on the end of the stick. Tie it on with copper wire (which is a great conductor of energy). Part of the crystal will stick out beyond the end of the stick….think of it as an arrow head. 

Now hold the wand in your hand and call on the energy of the Sun to bless you with an abundance of energy to go out into the world with passion and purpose. You can use it whenever you want to empower a wish. Visualize your wish as an accomplished fact and send energy through your wand to energize it. 

Until next time,
Barbara

The Power of Summer Solstice 🌞

I love this post from Laura Fortgang on Instagram and wanted to share it:
 

A shark in a fish tank will grow 8 inches,
but in the ocean it will grow 8 feet or more.
Change your environment and watch your growth.

In the Northern Hemisphere  we are almost at the Summer Solstice (June 21st). This marks the longest day of the year when the light is at the very peak of its power. Why not use this energy to make the changes necessary to allow for the new growth that wants to live through you. The Summer solstice holds the energy for fulfilling your potential, which requires  a renewed commitment to God / Spirit and yourself.

RITUAL OF COMMITMENT

1. Light al yelow candle for the Solar Energy

2. Breathe and center yourself

3. Take some time and answer this question: What do I need right now? Clients, money, a relationship, a bigger space? Go with the first thing that comes into your mind.

4. Fill out the commitment contract

COMMITMENT CONTRACT

I now make a sacred covenant with Mother/Father God/Spirit to live a powerful life and to accept myself as a powerful creator.

I hereby commit to ……………………………………..

I release all obstacles in the way of my full expression.

I am now ready to receive the abundance of the Universe with good to all concerned.

Signed .....................             Date .....................

Until next time,
Barbara

Spiritual Practice for June

Russ Gotter, co-founder of Spirituality Week, asked me what spirituality means to me. I answered that to me it is connecting to the sacred and bringing it into my daily life.

That is why I love rituals and spiritual practice. As my friend Robin Quivers said so elegantly when talking about my book The Joy of Ritual, “These rituals are spiritual nutrition. Open to any page and get a hearty meal.”

For the month of June, let us see how we can take everyday moments and reflect on how they can be beneficial to our lives. See how you can create rituals of connection, appreciation, inner-guidance, and celebration. As we look through the eyes of the sacred, we become more present in our lives and integrate new tools to bring In peace, joy, healthy relationships, abundance, and optimism.

Use your morning shower as a ritual of purification, make your morning tea or coffee a time of reflection, make your walk to the store a walking meditation. The choices are endless.

To learn more, join me in one of our spiritual adventures and/or book a private reading or ritual. 

Until next time,
Barbara

Memorial Day Meaning and Ritual

Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start to summer vacation in the USA. When I think of Memorial Day I have images of backyard barbecues, public pools opening, beach picnics, and taking out my summer clothes. And, traditionally, you could only wear white after Memorial Day (personally that never made any sense to me and luckily no one cares anymore).

However, the real meaning of this holiday commemorates soldiers who have died in the war. I never really knew the origin, so I did some research and want to share it with you.

Originally Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day and was created to honor the soldiers who had died after the Civil War. In 1868 Maj. Gen. John A. Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, declared that Decoration Day should be observed on May 30 and flowers were to be placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.  

It is believed that date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country and it did not commemorate any special battle. However, the South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war).

National Moment of Remembrance:

In 2000 President Bill Clinton signed the National Moment of Remembrance Act. This year on Memorial Day (May 29th) Americans are asked to observe a moment of remembrance at 3:00 p.m. local time. As the Moment of Remembrance founder Carmella La Spada states: “It’s a way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day.”

As a conscious ritual, let us all make a commitment to embodying peace. As the song goes, “Let peace begin with me”.

Until next time,
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 Power and Tradition of Aromatherapy 🌺

Ever since my friend John Steele - an amazing aromatherapist - told me that the ancient Egyptians believed you could not be reincarnated unless you were anointed with sacred blue Lotus oil, I have been obsessed with the power of magical aromatherapy.

And I was especially touched when I watched the coronation of King Charles the 3rd, when in order to become a king he had to be anointed with the sacred oil. This oil was created using olives harvested from two Groves on the mount of olives—a mountain ridge to the east of Jerusalem’s Old City, which holds religious importance to Christians.

Olives from the Monastery of Mary Magdalene and the Monastery of the Ascension were pressed just outside Bethlehem, where Christians believe Jesus was born, according to Buckingham Palace.

The King’s sacred mix is made of oils of sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin, amber and orange blossom – without any ingredients from animals.

As I have explained before, magical aromatherapy is a combination of visualization and the essence of flowers. For over 6,000 years, certain plants were worn or sniffed to heal the body, attract love and change one’s state of consciousness.

To try out some of my fabulous magical aromatherapy blends that are specially designed to calm your nervous system, stimulate love, joy and abundance, open your psychic abilities and foster deeper connection to Mother Earth, go to my online shop. 

Until next time,
Barbara

My Spiritual Tools for Physical Healing + Spring Savings 🌸

Happy May everybody. This is the month that has the energy of fertility and new possibilities. It also has the energy of Mother Mary for healing and heart opening. There is also a very powerful full moon on May 5th -  Vesak festival - celebrating the birth of the Buddha.

Quick update: I was knocked over by a kid on a citi bike and had to have an operation on my right wrist. I wanted to share with you what I did to prepare for the surgery:

1. Did a Violet flame meditation to release any trauma, fear, worry or concern that I was holding on to.
    

2. Brought my Space spray into the hospital and explained it to all the admins and nurses, who were very open to having me clear the energy. I wasn't allowed to bring it into the OR, however, I did my triple grid healing where I called in the destroyer force angels and the power of the Violet light to clear out anything that would not be conducive to an easy, positive, successful operation.
    

3.  I asked my surgeon to only speak positive words when I was under anesthesia, because I am a big believer that the subconscious hears everything, even if you are under anesthesia. He happily agreed with me. Thank you, doctor Etan Sugarman.
    

4. Called in my MAP team (medical assistance team) and my Body Elemental to be in the operating room and to work with the surgeon and anesthesiologists for the highest and best outcome possible. Had people send me healing energy during and after the surgery.
    

5. Post Surgery: working with my chiropractor - doctor Stephen Oswald, Naria Chi - acupuncturist, and taking herbs and supplements recommended by them and by doctor Vincent Pedre.
    

6. Most importantly, I am resting and asking for help when I need it. Big shout out to Josefa Vincent  and Rande Brown for all their help. And to all the people who've been reaching out to me - I really appreciate it.

If you ride a bike, especially in New York City, please pay attention to the lights and check your brakes - the reason I was hurt was because the brakes failed to work on a citi bike. And if you're a pedestrian, look both ways and be vigilant.

Because May is such a powerful time to create shifts in our life, I am offering a special 20% savings on Tarot Readings with code MAY23 at checkout. The Reading must be purchased in May and claimed within 60 days of purchase.

Until next time,
Barbara

Man Plans and God Laughs

Man plans and God laughs. On Sunday I was going to the movies and a kid on a city bike knocked me over. He told me that the brakes weren't working well, and he couldn't stop even though he saw me. End result... I now have a broken wrist.

The good news is the tools that I have been using to keep me calm are working. In fact, I was chanting Ganesha’s healing mantra the whole time I was waiting in the hospital for my X-rays. It calmed me down and I believe in the long run will help me heal faster.

The big lesson for me is that you can't always control what happens on the outside, but you do have control on how you react. I am not dwelling on the spiritual lesson of this accident, rather, I am focusing on my healing.

Speaking of Ganesha, I am really excited that our trip to India is moving forward and the people who are signing up are totally into our spiritual adventure. I'm really looking forward to this trip in October, and for those of you who are interested, Jai and I will be doing another Q&A next week.

Our Spirituality and the City: Pilgrimage to Ancient Egypt will be postponed until June. We will still be doing our tour of the Ganesha temple in May. For more information, check our events calendar.

Until next time,
Barbara

A Message from Spirit for the New Moon Solar Eclipse week ✨

Sunday I decided I just needed some creative inspiration and allowed my intuition to guide me. I saw that a new film Hilma of Klint was playing at the local Quad theater in the village, so I decided to go to an afternoon show (something I have not done for over 3 years).  

She is one of my favorite artists and is widely recognized as one of the Western world’s first abstract artists. As I sat in the theater, they announced that there would be a talk back with the incredible Swedish director Lasse Hallstrom, his wife Lena Olin, and his daughter Tora Hallstrom. My life is about synchronicity.

The film is a feminist tale about allowing spirit to channel through us and “paint the invisible world”. It is also about the power of art, friendship and believing in your vision at a time when men made all the rules. With a group of 5 women friends she searches for spiritual guidance through seances, prayer, and meditation and then downloads messages with her art that are unlike anything else in the art world. She channels the blueprint for life. There is a lot more, but don’t want to spoil it for you.

I left with a strong message to take extra time to plug into Spirit for guidance and to be open to downloads as we enter this New Moon Solar Eclipse week.

Please remember that an eclipse can bring a lot to the surface, so spend time grounding this week and watch out for your “hot buttons” to be activated.

Until next time,
Barbara

Life is not Amazon Prime

I have noticed that a lot of people want to do a ritual for prosperity, healing, love etc., but think that it works like Amazon Prime: do a ritual and get instant results. Now I know that this can and has happened, however it is rare.

Rituals open the door to new energy and then it is up to you to walk through it consciously. That takes the awareness that changing a habit or belief system takes consistency and time. In fact, most habits take approximately 66 days or more to shift. 

As we have learned from Neuroscience, nerve cells that fire together, wire together. The key to change is to disentangle from the old programs and that may involve feeling uncomfortable for a while as you move forward.

Time Delay: there is also the concept of time delay that I learned years ago from Robert Fritz. Imagine you decide to get healthy today and change the way you eat and exercise. You begin a new regime and then in a few days weigh yourself. OOPS…you find you gained 2 pounds. Does this mean the new regime is not working? Well, you forgot that last week over the holidays you ate twice or three times as much as normal and hardly went to the gym. It is the past catching up with you. IF you continue your new regime, you will eventually build a healthier and more resilient body.

My advice: be gentle with yourself when you are shifting lanes and take small consistent action steps daily to move you in the new direction that you have chosen. Let your future vision define who you need to become. Connect emotionally to this new future. This can be done through ritual, meditation, and visualization. And surround yourself with supportive people who will encourage you on your journey.

To dive deeper into this: contact my office to discuss the best plan to move forward.

A Message from Tarot for this Newsletter ✨

Today I decided to pull a card for this newsletter, and I got the Egyptian Card of Khepri (the Scarab). Khepri is the god of resurrection and holds the energy of renewal, adaptability, and motivation. How perfect for this new Spring Season!

And we just had a major astrological change as Pluto (major sign of transformation) moved into Aquarius on March 23rd. According to most astrologers, this is a major paradigm shift.

How we value our time determines what we manifest in our lives. When we are lethargic and our attitude is passive, we can let hours pass without striving for our dreams. The more we value each moment, the more opportunity we have to put our passions into action and see our dreams come to life.

This is a time to recommit to whatever is calling you. Putting energy into something that is spiritually aligned and has joy for you shifts you out of the  mindset of hard work to a belief in ease. As we commit to our spiritual purpose we are guided forward: combined with positive energy we can create miracles.

As I mentioned last week, we are still in the energy of Navratri - 9 nights of the goddess, and we are blessed with her shakt (power).

For the next three nights we meditate upon the Divine Feminine in her spiritual wisdom-bestowing aspect known as Sarasvati.  If it feels right, call on her to help you to achieve self-realization and connection to your divine nature. 

Saraswati brings clarity, knowledge, intelligence, creativity, inspiration and much more.

If you want to dive deeper into the spiritual practices of India, I have expanded Spirituality and The City to include a trip to a Hindu Temple in Queens, NY, where we will have a private puja and tour.  

I am also leading a Spiritual Tour of India October 15th - 28th, 2023, during Navratri (space is limited to 12 seekers) so reach out if you are interested and stay tuned for further details.

Until next time,
Barbara

Kicking Off The Spring Season & The Astrological New Year 🌸

Can you feel the energy shift? This week is the beginning of Aries (the first sign of the Zodiac), the Spring Equinox (in the Northern Hemisphere), Nowruz- the Iranian or Persian New Year, and the beginning of the Hindu festival of Navratri.

The New Moon in Aries is opening new energy that will allow you to supersize your dreams and goals. Take time and go inward to see what you may be birthing. Don’t forget to ask for the support you require to do this! You cannot do it alone. Let’s give up dysfunctional independence for this new season.

The Spring Equinox holds the promise of new beginnings so allow your inner child to express the joy and possibilities of this new season.

Nowruz is a time for feasting, visiting with family member and friends and exchanging gifts. 

Navratri honors the Divine Feminine/Mother. It lasts for 9 nights and offers resources for spiritual cleansing, guidance, wealth, and good fortune. 

In general, although the world may appear chaotic, we have a real opportunity to recalibrate how we want to show up in the world and the impact we want to have.

If you are ready for an upgrade and want to experience this combined powerhouse of spiritual forces, join me tonight for my New Moon/Spring Equinox/Navratri Ritual live online—sign up here.
 

WORK WITH BARBARA:

Bringing in Spiritual alignment is the key to happiness, health, and abundance. Let Barbara guide you on the magical journey of transformation. 
Find clarity through a tarot reading >>
Clear, cleanse and heal your energetic field personally and the spaces you live and work in with a space clearing / blessing >>
Learn practical techniques to clear out limiting blocks, cleanse your energy field and hook up to a higher frequency of wisdom and intelligence through monthly rituals and coaching >>
Celebrate and set intention for all of life’s transitions through powerful rituals >>

Until next time,
Barbara

Manifesting Using "I AM" Presence

Many people have asked me what I mean when I say “I AM“ so I thought this was a good time to explain how this powerful concept can be used to create.

When you say or think “ I AM” you are connecting to God in Action or the creative force of the Universe. When you then follow it with a quality (I AM healthy, I AM abundance , I AM peace, I AM love), it becomes a manifestation in the world and takes form in the physical plane.

So, as I sit here writing this newsletter overlooking the Intracoastal in Delray Florida, I can honestly say, I AM BLESSED. 

On that note, I am off to the beach for a swim!

Until next time,
Barbara

Stories About Women's Courage and Purim Rituals 🌺

When I was a kid, I used to love to dress up as Queen Esther for the holiday of Purim. I don’t think I really understood how courageous she really was. And I never understood how incredible Queen Vashti was.

Queen Vashti, the first character introduced in the story, displayed remarkable courage and leadership when she refused to follow the King’s orders, which she found degrading. Wanting to impress his guest with his wealth and beautiful wife, he orders her to display herself wearing only her royal crown. Women were expected to follow the decisions of their husbands and not complain (still going on today). She said “no way!”

Because of her actions, she was banished (possibly executed) and lost her position as Queen. In an act unheard of at the time, she modeled standing up for herself, even at great personal risk, King Achashverosh then arranged a beauty pageant to find a new queen. Encouraged by her uncle Mordechai, a Jewish girl named Esther reluctantly entered and won the contest and became the new queen, but she hid her nationality.

Meanwhile, the Jew-hating Haman was appointed Prime Minister of the Empire. Mordechai, the leader of the Jews, refused to bow to Haman, which was in defiance of the royal decree. Haman was furious, and he persuaded the King to issue a decree ordering the destruction of all the Jews.

Mordechai urged Esther to confront the King and inform him of Haman’s plans. Esther, although reluctant at first for fear of her life, agreed. As a woman, she was essentially powerless, but by using her beauty, charm, and intelligence, and by courageously taking a great risk, she revealed her Jewish identity to the King and accused Haman of attempting to destroy her people. 

Haman was hanged, Mordechai was appointed Prime Minister in his stead, and a new decree was issued, granting the Jews the right to defend themselves against their enemies.

Let us celebrate the Esthers and Vashtis of today: women who speak out because they know it is the right thing to do; who identify suffering and bring it to the public eye; who commit to awareness and education. We honor those who take risks and put themselves on the line.

TRY THESE PURIM TRADITIONS
 

There are two traditions central to the observance of Purim:

1. Giving money to the poor
2. Giving gifts to our neighbors.

The intention is to build community and connection - and create a spirit  of generosity and responsibility.

Work with Barbara: Spiritual Alignment For Wellness & Wellbeing

Do you feel it is time to explore new ways of being in the world but are not sure how? It is time to step into the greatness that you were meant to be.

Find clarity through a tarot reading >>

Clear, cleanse and heal your energetic field personally and the spaces you live and work in with a space clearing / blessing >>

Learn practical techniques to clear out limiting blocks, cleanse your energy field and hook up to a higher frequency of wisdom and intelligence through monthly rituals and coaching >>

Celebrate and set intention for all of life’s transitions through powerful rituals >>

Until next time,
Barbara

A Simple Hack to Doing Something Consistently 🗝️

Katherine May’s book Enchantment - asks a simple question: Ask yourself what brings you a sense of wonder?

As many of you know, I am a big believer in intentionality. Yes, you can do a fabulous ritual with aromatherapy, crystals, music, and chanting, but you can also do a powerful ritual by simply making your morning dog walk a meditation of exploration, or using your morning tea or coffee as a ritual of self-reflection and self-care.

And, as I learned many years ago, when you do something that makes you feel great, you tend to be more consistent with it. For example, I meditate every day (sometimes twice a day) because it makes me feel calm and connected, not because it is good for me. My friend Lavinia dances and exercises because it brings her joy, and my son Jourdan gets up before work to rock climb, because it energizes him.

So, as we move into the month of March and the Spring Season, ask yourself: what energizes me? What soothes my soul? What makes me happy? It can be looking at the stars at night, having fresh flowers in your home, taking a walk in the park or on the beach, visiting your local farmer’s market or having lunch with a friend.

As we take the time to discover what brings us joy, we boost our immune systems and become happier and healthier inside and out.

To learn more about creating your own rituals, join me on March 18th as I teach Transformation Through Rituals for Spirituality and Practice. You will learn easy practical steps to make life more sacred and to give you tools to move into this New Season.

Work with me: 

Spring is around the corner, so it is time to clear out the old and make room for the new. If you set goals and intentions in January, now is the time to weed your garden and have room for the new sprouts to bloom. Consider booking one of my services:

Tarot Readings for Clarity >>
Rituals to honor all of life’s transitions >>
Energy Clearings-personally and for your home/office >>

Once you get clear on your goals, I have also found that 30-minute coaching sessions can keep you accountable and on track, so I have created a special 6 session coaching package to give you practical tools to move forward.

Until next time,
Barbara

Honoring Ancestors: Meaning and Ritual

The end of February was always a time to celebrate my parents’ birthdays–February 26th for my Dad and February 28th for my Mom. Although my mother never liked anyone to know how old she was, she still liked to celebrate.

So, this week I will be creating a special ritual for my parents.

Honoring and Acknowledging ancestors is a tradition that has been alive and well for thousands of years. It is understood that the ancestors live within you. By acknowledging the past generations (even if you have never met them), you forge a bond with your spiritual lineage.

I will discuss the science of epigenetics and breaking negative family patterns another time, but for now, let us see how we can honor our ancestors. And I do believe that our ancestors do learn and grow and can become their best selves once they have passed on. That is why we offer prayers and do rituals for our ancestors. 

Remember, even if you had a dysfunctional childhood, your ancestors gave you the gift of life. And that is very precious.

RITUAL TO HONOR ANCESTORS

Create an Altar: This is a way to create a sacred space in your home. Place a photo of your ancestors on the altar. Include symbols of their lives - maybe you have a special candle holder that belonged to your grandmother, piano music that your grandfather played, a ring that your father wore, and/or your mother’s favorite earrings.

Alternatively, you may include symbols that represent where your ancestors originally came from: sand from the desert, a bowl of water if they lived near the ocean, photos of the countries they came from.

Include their favorite food or drink: I like to put a bar of halvah that my dad loved or some scotch that my mother enjoyed when the sun was setting.

Include flowers and incense if that is something that will uplift you. Smelling gardenias always reminds me of my mother and makes me smile.

Light a candle and from your heart, offer up prayers to your ancestors. If possible, open up your heart to forgiving them for anything they did consciously or unconsciously that has harmed you in any way. Ask for forgiveness if you have harmed them in any way by your words , deeds or actions.

Open to receiving back healing, wisdom, and blessings. When the flowers begin to fade, offer them to the earth along with any food from the ritual.

Work with Barbara: 

We are moving into a new season, and it is a great time for a space clearing, tarot reading for clarity, or a ritual to move you forward. 

Some of my most popular rituals include blessing a space, birthday rituals, midlife celebration (Queening ceremony), launching a new project, healing from loss, releasing ancestral karma, calling in love and/or a baby and more.

Hire Barbara for Your Organization: 

• Keynotes and Conferences

• Corporate Events

• Retreats

All events are tailored to your organizational needs. For additional event requests, hybrid options and more details inquire at info@barbarabiziou.com.

Until next time,
Barbara

Things You Didn't Know About Valentine's Day ❤️‍🔥

Throughout the ages, rituals associated with Valentine’s Day have been focused on men or women making a commitment to taking care of their partners. In fact, in the Middle Ages in France and England there was a ritual where a single man picked a single girl’s name out of an urn; he would then commit to taking care of her for the whole year. The bachelor then took it a step further, though, and would draw a heart on his sleeve—which is where wearing your heart on your sleeve comes from! 

Throughout the ages men and women continued to write love notes to each other, much as the Roman Priest Valentine did in the 3rd Century. In France and England, they crafted the art of caring poems and used to sign them with just a heart if they didn’t know how to write. In the 17th and 18th century, small gifts were also exchanged at this time. Greeting cards only began to be popular in the 19th century. This was an easy way to show affection to another in a European society that was rarely overly emotional. 

Yet for many people Valentine’s Day is the loneliest day of the year next to New Year’s Eve. Our expectations are too often based on Hallmark greeting cards, movies, and social media posts. Flower shops are filled with special roses at exorbitant prices and every supermarket displays decorative boxes of chocolates for one’s sweetheart. Plus, it is almost impossible to get a reservation at a good restaurant! 

As we look at cultures around the world, we see that our American culture is a culture of individuals in couples, while many other cultures are more concerned with family and community. 

This year, let us focus on self-love. Instead of expecting someone to make us feel special, let us do something to make ourselves feel special and loved on this Valentine’s Day. We deserve love just because we are!  And our ability to receive love makes us more able to pass that love on to our friends, co-workers, family, and anyone we may encounter each day.

Remembering to nurture ourselves is an act of self-love. If we don’t treat ourselves as the precious beings that we are, no one else will. And when we do look at ourselves as valuable and worthy, we tend to take better care of ourselves overall and experience more happiness in our lives. 

If you need help releasing old negative beliefs and trauma, contact me for more information on rituals to open your heart.

Do something that makes you happy this Valentine’s Day. Get a massage, take yourself out or cook yourself a beautiful dinner, see a great movie or a show, take a class at your gym, go to a comedy club, or just visit with good friends.

On this Valentine’s Day, make a commitment to You…

COMMITMENT CONTRACT

On this appointed day, I make a sacred vow that I will always be there for myself and will support myself in times of sickness and in times of health, in times of joy and in times of sorrow.
I promise to love myself completely,
to console and comfort myself during difficult times,
to gently encourage myself to achieve my full potential,
to be truthful and honest with myself,
and to cherish myself for as long as I shall live.

If you want to learn more, here is a video I did about the history of Valentine’s Day.

Until next time,
Barbara