I am a natural Intuitive. It’s primarily how I gather and process information. I love to travel and I often take groups of people to sacred and interesting places. I’ve found that there’s nothing more encouraging to the development and strengthening of the intuition than traveling in a foreign country. My heightened senses really help when I can’t readily use my command of language to understand and interact with others. Once I get into the rhythm of the country I’m visiting, I rely on my intuition, my phrasebook and my command of their language in order to communicate. You don’t have to leave the country in order to have a similar experience. Spend a week in Hawaii or New York or New Orleans—each place has its own rhythm and it’s guaranteed to be different than your home town. Here are some useful tips on travel and getting the most from your experience.
Author: Sheilaa
Getting Rid of Negative Energy
Sometimes, no matter what you do, you’re going to have to deal with people or situations that are negative.
When that happens, you have to make a choice between giving your power away to that energetic slime pool of negativity (i.e., arguing or fighting with the instigators) or taking the high road and staying centered and grounded as you exit the situation as quickly as you can.
Whichever choice you make, you’ll need to ‘clear the air’ in your personal energetic field. (It’s a lot less clearing work and toll on your system if you choose the high road.) Your personal energetic field could be your home, office, desk or workspace.
There are different levels of intensity and needs in cleansing rites. Hopefully, most of the time you, your space and your situation will only need a simple cleansing technique. Here’s a simple method that I use and recommend–
You Will Need:
A bundle of Dried Sage, sometimes called a Sage Stick
Sandalwood incense sticks or cones
A small lighter or safety matches
A fan (a piece of cardboard will do)
A plate to hold under the burning sage
Roses (fresh cut, cloth or picture)
Your favorite prayer of protection
Optional supplies: Sandalwood fans or small statues
‘Smudge’ (burn dried sage and slowly fan the smoke around) your room or space. Be sure to fan the smoke around faucets, pipes and water containers. If you’d like, you can also recite your favorite prayer of protection while you’re smudging your space. (I recite the 23rd Psalm or The Lord’s Prayer.)
Afterwards, light a stick of sandalwood incense in the room and let it burn until it goes out on its own. For added healing and protection, I bring in fresh roses (cloth roses and pictures of roses work well, too) and put them in the room or space.
When you finish this cleansing rite, you and your entire space will feel so much lighter and clearer!
What do you do if it’s impractical for you to burn sage and/or incense in your space?
Although burning sage and/or incense are the most direct and powerful methods of clearing negativity, you can also lessen the impact of negative energy by placing sandalwood objects in your space. (Sandalwood objects will extend the clearing energy if you smudge and burn incense, too.) Import stores often carry sandalwood fans or small statues that you can place around your home or on your desk.
You can learn more about changing and shifting energy by purchasing my book, Secrets of a Psychic Counselor. Just click on the Store tab on the navigation bar at the top of this page and you’ll be directed to the Store page.
March 2013 Tarotscope
Ahh, March—it’s a month of so much change and so many contrasts. This year the old saying is proving to be true; March is coming in like a lion and (hopefully) will go out like a lamb. The tumultuous atmospheric conditions are happening in all areas of our lives—climate wise as well as every other way—including politically, socially and spiritually. Betty Davis’ advice is so apropos now, “Strap yourselves in, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.” In addition to that, Mercury is retrograde until March 17th. Since Mercury rules communication, transportation and contracts, when it’s retrograde, all manner of mistakes and misunderstandings can occur. If you can, hold off on buying (or leasing) any big ticket items. It’s also a good idea to triple check any and all plans you make. This is an excellent time for introspection and research, as those things that are usually hidden from view, show themselves more easily during a Mercury Retrograde period. Wait until Mercury goes direct before making any big decisions.
THE EMPEROR (March 21 – April 20) An era is passing, and this is a good time to tie up loose ends. Sort through old emotions, relationships and belief systems as well as old items and let go of what no longer serves a positive purpose in your life. By so doing, you’ll clear the way for the new, fresh energies, opportunities and people who will be entering your life this coming season.
THE EMPRESS (April 21 – May 20) Be mindful of who and what are important to you. Allow the natural gifts of life—peace and grace—to massage the ‘muscles’ of all of your intentions and actions. Acknowledge yourself and all that is positive in your life. By so doing, you’ll align yourself with the energy of abundance and reap both spiritual and material rewards.
THE LOVERS (May 21 – June 20) Your ruling planet, Mercury, is retrograde now and it’s a great time for you to take a break from all of those projects that you’re juggling. Day trips to the beach, the mountains and/or the desert are the best ways for you to connect with yourself and others. Don’t try to ‘push any rivers’; just flow along with the current. You’ll wind up in the right place everytime.
THE CHARIOT (June 21 – July 20) You’re in a very lucky phase right now. Your vision for the future can manifest fully if you direct your energy intuitively and intellectually. How do you do that? By letting your heart tell you what you want and then allowing your mind to create the plan that will bring your desires to fruition.
THE SUN (July 21 – August 22) Uncharacteristically, you will be better off if you keep a low profile for the next few weeks. During this low-key phase, observe the other players on your life’s stage. Are they as supportive as they claim to be? Do they bring out the best in you or…? If it’s necessary for you to ‘recast’ some of those players—don’t hesitate. You’ll be glad you did.
THE HERMIT (August 23 – September 22) Relax and honor yourself. Your ruling planet, Mercury, is retrograde now and it’s a great time for you to devote more of your energy to yourself. Get massages, take naps and treat yourself with the kind of gentle focus that you would use in taking care of others.
JUSTICE (September 23 – October 22) The slate has been wiped clean and you have several choices in front of you now. Choose with your emotions and you’ll pay dearly. Choose with your head and you’ll be able to wisely pick the path that will support you as you move toward accomplishing your goals.
THE MAGICIAN (October 23 – November 21) It’s time for you to ‘dance like no one’s watching.’ Let your innermost being express itself in the light of day. Trying to keep your secret dreams hidden from others only makes them harder for you to access. Help from a colleague or schoolmate is on the way.
THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE (November 22 – December 21) Luck has everything to do with it. Luck and faith. You’re very blessed and no matter what or how things appear to be—always keep your eyes focused on the prize. Make your wish list and support it by doing the due diligence that’ll provide you with powerful information and help.
THE WORLD (December 22 – January 19) You’re going through a big transformation. This is an idea whose time has come, so surrender to it and let it take you where you need to go. Your aspirations are solid, allow Divine Timing and Grace to sync them up with the Universe and you’ll benefit from the experience. Acknowledgement and help will come from unexpected sources.
THE STAR (January 20 – February 19) Listen. That’s it—just listen. The Universe is speaking to you. All of your questions are being answered, not in the way that you’ve learned to expect them to be answered, but in their own way and in a language that speaks of and to your highest good. So just listen—you’ll know everything you need to know in the most timely manner.
THE MOON (February 20 – March 20) “Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death.” Auntie Mame pointed that out decades ago and it’s still true today. Are you looking at the glass as half full or half empty? Remember, it’s your perspective and your perception that define the quality of your life and dreams. This month, consciously choose to sit at the head of the banquet table. By so doing, you’ll set into motion the positive energy that will shift the way life responds to you.
Learn to Read the Tarot Easily, Quickly, Accurately!
My new Salvador Dali Tarot deck just arrived. I’d been wanting this deck for years and visiting his museum in his home town of Fiqueres finally inspired me to order it.
When you tour his museum, he wants you to intuitively choose your own route through the facility and trust the guidance that directs you. His tarot deck is like that, too. It’s so unique that relying on traditional meanings won’t help you interpret the messages you get as you work with his deck. You have to use and trust your intuition if you want to retrieve meaningful messages.
That’s perfect for me because I read and teach the Tarot intuitively. That way I know I’m receiving beneficial information. I encourage you to approach the Tarot (and life) from this perspective, too. To give you an experience of this, I’m including an excerpt on reading reverse or upside down cards from chapter 5 of my book, The Infinite Tarot.
How to read and interpret Reverse (upside down) Cards:
Many Tarot practitioners interpret a Tarot card differently when it’s upside down after it’s been turned over by the Tarot practitioner or the querent. They feel that it’s upside down to warn them that they need to pay special attention to the card.
What do I do when a reverse card shows up in a spread? I turn it right side up and I keep reading, interpreting the card from it’s now upright position.
I don’t read reverse cards any differently than I do when they’re upright. I’ve never had the experience (or the luck!) of walking into a room and seeing someone or something standing on their head so that I’d know I needed to pay special attention to them or be wary of them for some reason. I’ve always had to read the energy of a person, space or situation just the way it showed up, and I’m guessing that you’ve had to size up life’s situations that way, too.
Inherent in each Tarot card are all of its possibilities—positive, negative and neutral. A card, regardless of its position, upright or upside down, the other cards around it and the energy of the question and the querent at the time of the reading contain more than enough information to attract your attention and guide you to all of the pertinent information related to the question or issue. It’s been my experience that you can get all of the information you need from the cards in their upright position without adding the extra work and using the valuable time it takes to learn the reverse meanings of the cards.
I urge my students to learn to read the cards without placing special emphasis on reversed cards. If they’ve had prior experience reading the Tarot with reversed cards, I honor their experience and their method and I ask them not to read the cards from a reversed position during the class. Sometimes, a student who learned the Tarot with me will decide later that they want to read reverse cards and sometimes, a student with prior experience, will choose not to read reverse cards anymore. When that happens, I honor that person’s choice and I encourage them to do what works best for them
That being said, when I consult with another Tarot card practitioner, I don’t care if they read reversed cards or not. I’m not a ‘back seat driver’ and if my intuition leads me to a particular oracle for information I need, I’m more than happy to let them obtain it in the manner that works best for them.
That’s my approach to reading and interpreting a Tarot card that shows up in a reversed or upside down position. I invite you to test drive this method a few times and see how it works for you. I also invite you to learn more about developing and using your intuition with the Tarot by purchasing my book, The Infinite Tarot. Just click on the Store tab on the navigation bar at the top of this page and you’ll be directed to the Store page.
Barcelona—wandering through Dali’s mind
My friend, David, decided to celebrate his birthday in Barcelona this year. David is one of my dearest friends and I’d never been to Barcelona, so I left Paris and volunteered to help him celebrate.
There’s something magical about Barcelona, something that has you thinking outside the box and (to mix metaphors) wanting to ‘color outside the lines’ while you’re there. This is a city and a region with a big, expansive heart and vision. Where else in the world could an Antoni Gaudi, a Salvador Dali and a Joan Miro be inspired, encouraged and celebrated for expressing their very different views of life and beauty?
This uniquely beautiful capital city of Catalonia on the Mediterranean coast of Spain has a great social scene and is resplendent with the art and architecture of uniquely creative, passionate artists.
I went to Fiqueres, the small town where Dali was born. His museum is there and as I wandered through it, I realized that being there was like spending a few hours inside his mind. What a divinely mad, outrageously creative, phenomenally courageous genius he was! (Did you know that he designed a deck of Tarot cards?) We are blessed to have had him in our world.
I visited many of Barcelona’s recommended sites, but the two that moved me the most were Gaudi’s take on a house of worship, La Sagrada Familia, and his version of home, sweet home, Casa Batllo.
La Sagrada Familia is organic and like all living things, it’s a work in progress. Still unfinished, it speaks more beautifully to the soul than any other temple I’ve ever been in.
As wonderful as La Sagrada Familia is, it’s Casa Batllo that whispers my name. La Sagrada Familia takes your soul outward beyond the confines of this earthly plane and merges it with all the wonders of creation; the private family home, Casa Batllo, is more intimate, more personal, more visceral. It takes you deep inside your own being as you recognize yourself in all of the curves and shapes and forms of this most magnificent dwelling.
As grateful as I am that La Sagrada Familia exists, it’s Casa Batllo that has me thanking God that I exist– it was here that I saw and felt the presence of the Divine.
David’s birthday party was such a reflection of him– fun, deep, eclectic, brilliant, surprising and filled with wonder and love. Although most of the attendees lived in Barcelona, several of us had flown in just to sing “Happy Birthday” to him. One of his gifts evoked the classic film character, Norma Desmond, for several of us and in unison we recited her response to William Holden’s, “You’re Norma Desmond. You used to be big!”– “I’m still big; it’s the pictures that got small!”
Norma Desmond’s response sums it up for me. That’s why I’m drawn to places like Barcelona and people like David, Dali and Gaudi. No matter what the circumstances are, we always interact with life on our own terms and actively create the lives we want.
Paris—the city that gives you permission to live life out loud
Any excuse to stop off in Paris is a valid excuse. I only had three days and I made the most of it. Paris is lovely any time of the year. Even when it’s cold and rainy—which it is right now. I love this sensual, stylish, elegant place of beauty, history, spirituality and charming decadence. My favorite arrondissement these days is the 1st. The Louvre, home to so much creative splendor, including my beloved Mona Lisa, is there. As is the Museum of Decorative Arts, which always has a wonderful surprise encounter for me. And the fashion and shopping! Wherever you turn you see exquisite style on the passers-by and in the shops—truly a divine experience. A gorgeous antique gold and garnet snake ring has caught my eye and captured my heart. To my chagrin, I allowed the voice of reason a vote as I reluctantly handed it back to the clerk. I can still feel it on my finger. (What was I thinking!? I was in Paris, for God’s sake!)
I finally made it across the Seine to the Musee D’Orsay on the Left Bank in the 7th arrondissement. It is breath-takingly stunning beyond description—and that’s before you see any of the art work. Formerly an old train station that was saved from demolition, its interior was transformed into what is now a fabulous temple of art and discovery. The building itself is as fascinating to observe and explore as the priceless collections of art are. I know I’ll be spending a lot of time there on future visits.
I met the owner of a heavenly metaphysical shop and we hit it off. I’ll be leading a workshop there later this year. Stay tuned for more details.
Jim Haynes and one of his renowned Sunday night dinners was the highlight of my too short stay. Jim’s an American life-artist who has lived in Paris for a long time and every week for the past 30 years, he’s hosted a Sunday dinner in his home. People, most of whom are total strangers to him (and each other), call or e-mail to book a spot. The first 50 or 60 people who call are assured a place and he always has a waiting list of those who weren’t fortunate enough to make a reservation in time.
I love this type of gathering. A collection of people from all over the globe, from all walks of life coming together to share food and life adventures. Even though most of us were ‘strangers’ to each other, as we interacted, we discovered that we all had something in common. Somehow, whoever you spoke with was a fellow traveler on the path to discovering the meaning of life’s great mysteries and their story supplied an important, previously missing detail for you and your journey. The food, the ambiance, the company and the evening were a gift and a blessing and surely there’s a special place in heaven for our phenomenal host-raconteur, Jim Haynes.
February 2013 Tarotscope
Happy Chinese New Year– it’s the year of the Water Snake. Water Snake energy is feminine, i.e., generating, creating energy. There is great power in tapping into this extremely intuitive and insightful energy. The Water Snake is a master at keeping her own counsel. By playing her cards close to the vest and taking her time, she banks her energy so well that when she decides to take action, she moves decisively, forcefully and with great success.
Water Snake energy is also about relating and working well with others. This type of co-operation powerfully enhances her ability to brilliantly perceive and make concepts real.
Water Snake years are powerful years, known for increased intuition, wealth and formidable insights leading to dramatic leaps in one’s social and financial positions. Transformation is the goal of the Snake. Whenever she appears, she asks the question—“What will you change and how will you do it?”
Your message for this very primal and pivotal year of the Water Snake comes in the form of an affirmation that will guide you in navigating your new terrain of possibilities and opportunities. Print it out and read it often to remind you of your mission.
THE EMPEROR (March 21 – April 20) “Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have—and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up.” James Belasco and Ralph Stayer
THE EMPRESS (April 21 – May 20) “There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things.” Niccolo Machiavelli
THE LOVERS (May 21 – June 20) “Everybody has accepted by now that change is unavoidable. But that still implies that change is like death and taxes — it should be postponed as long as possible and no change would be vastly preferable. But in a period of upheaval, such as the one we are living in, change is the norm.” Peter Drucker
THE CHARIOT (June 21 – July 20) “I’ll go anywhere as long as it’s forward.” David Livingstone
THE SUN (July 21 – August 22) “There are no guarantees. From the viewpoint of fear, none are strong enough. From the viewpoint of love, none are necessary.” Emmanuel
THE HERMIT (August 23 – September 22) “When the door of happiness closes, another opens. But often times we look so long at the closed door that we don’t see the one which has been opened for us. Remember, it’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.” Anonymous
JUSTICE (September 23 – October 22) “You have done what you could—some blunders and absurdities have crept in. Forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
THE MAGICIAN (October 23 – November 21) “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new end.” Anonymous
THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE (November 22 – December 21) “Most of our assumptions have outlived their uselessness.” Marshall McLuhan
THE WORLD (December 22 – January 19) “Our grand business in life is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.” Thomas Carlyle
THE STAR (January 20 – February 19) “I love the recklessness of faith. First you leap, and then you grow wings.” William Sloane Coffin, Jr.
THE MOON (February 20 – March 20) “The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence; it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” Peter Drucker
January 2013 Tarotscope
“We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives…not looking for flaws, but for potential.” Ellen Goodman
Happy New Year— it’s 2013! 2013 is a ‘6’ year numerologically. ‘6’ is the number of ‘The Gift,’ of harmonious relationships, healing, balance, creativity, money made from your own efforts and accurate self-value based on proper self-assessment. During ‘6’ years, balance and co-operation are the keys to living an authentic life and achieving long lasting goals. Opportunities are laid out like an ‘eat all you want’ buffet and there is an overabundance of luck. Additionally, there is help from the most unexpected people and places. 2013 is also the Chinese Year of the Snake. Snake years are powerful years, known for increased intuition, wealth, transformation and formidable insights leading to dramatic leaps in one’s social and financial positions.
Just as at the end of last year, your message for the beginning of this life phase comes in the form of an affirmation that will guide you in navigating your new terrain of possibilities and opportunities. Print it out and read it often to remind you of your mission.
For All of Us:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones that you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain
~ ~ ~
“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
~ ~ ~
“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise—with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.” Abraham Lincoln, December 1, 1862 in a Message to Congress
THE EMPEROR (March 21 – April 20) “The secret of happiness is freedom. The secret of freedom is courage.” Thucydides
THE EMPRESS (April 21 – May 20) “Any task can be accomplished if it’s broken down into manageable parts.” Universal Truth
THE LOVERS (May 21 – June 20) “After living with their dysfunctional behavior for so many years (a sunk cost if ever there was one), people become invested in defending their dysfunctions rather than changing them.” Marshall Goldsmith
THE CHARIOT (June 21 – July 20) “Fear is energy. Energy is innocent; it’s what you do with it that determines the outcome.” Reverend Aldridge
THE SUN (July 21 – August 22) “Never confuse someone else’s inability to do something with its inability to be done.” Steve Maraboli
THE HERMIT (August 23 – September 22) “Those who can’t see it for themselves, can’t see it for you, either.” Les Brown
JUSTICE (September 23 – October 22) “No, life has not disappointed me. On the contrary, I find it truer, more desirable and mysterious every year ever since the day when the great liberator came to me: the idea that life could be an experiment of the seeker for knowledge and not a duty, not a calamity, not trickery.” Friedrich Nietzsche
THE MAGICIAN (October 23 – November 21) “You can’t solve a problem with the same thinking that created it.” Albert Einstein
THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE (November 22 – December 21) “The creative act is not hanging on, but yielding to a new creative movement. Awe is what moves us forward.” Joseph Campbell
THE WORLD (December 22 – January 19) “Do what you do and do it good.” Q
THE STAR (January 20 – February 19) “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” Mark Twain
THE MOON (February 20 – March 20) “We do not truly serve the world if we give to others but neglect our own truth and our own needs. It’s only when our own needs are fully met that we can generously and whole-heartedly give of ourselves. It’s not selfish to look after ourselves—it’s essential.” Pearl S. Buck
Your Daily Pictorial Muse Image
Your Daily Pictorial Muse Image
December 2012 Tarotscope
“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise—with the occasion. As our case is new, so we ourselves must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall , and then we shall save our country.”
Abraham Lincoln, December 1, 1862 in a Message to Congress
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“Change has a bad reputation in our society. But it isn’t all bad, not by any means. In fact, change is necessary in life—to keep us moving…to keep us growing…to keep us interested. Imagine life without change. It would be static…boring…dull.”
Dr. Dennis O’Grady
As 2012 draws to a close and we psychologically and spiritually prepare for a new year and a new way of being, take time to reflect on all that’s happened and changed about you and your life. 2012 is a ‘5’ year numerologically. ‘5’ is the number of change, the mind, communication, perspective and perception. During ‘5’ years the changes are both subtle and obvious—and they’re always dynamic and filled with great opportunities for growth. This last month of such an impactful year is a great time to take a good look at what has changed about and for you in 2012. As you review your year, ask yourself these questions: How have I changed? How has my environment changed? Where have I embraced change and where have I resisted it? Have I, as Gandhi admonished, been the “change I want to see?” If you answer these questions honestly, you’ll be in line to receive the bounty that’s headed your way in 2013.
Your message this month comes in the form of an affirmation that will help guide you as you seek the answers to those all-important 2012 review questions.
THE EMPEROR (March 21 – April 20) “Making changes and changing are two different things.” Sheilaa Hite
THE EMPRESS (April 21 – May 20) “There are no guarantees. From the viewpoint of fear, none are strong enough. From the viewpoint of love, none are necessary.” Emmanuel
THE LOVERS (May 21 – June 20) “After living with their dysfunctional behavior for so many years (a sunk cost if ever there was one), people become invested in defending their dysfunctions rather than changing them.” Marshall Goldsmith
THE CHARIOT (June 21 – July 20) “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new end.” Unknown
THE SUN (July 21 – August 22) “We can learn something new anytime we believe we can.” Virginia Satir
THE HERMIT (August 23 – September 22) “If you’re proactive, you don’t have to wait for circumstances or other people to create perspective expanding experiences. You can consciously create your own.” Stephen Covey
JUSTICE (September 23 – October 22) “Though the seas threaten, they are merciful. I have cursed them without cause.” William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”
THE MAGICIAN (October 23 – November 21) “The world would have you agree with its dismal dream of limitation. But the Light would have you soar like the eagle of your sacred visions.” Alan Cohen
THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE (November 22 – December 21) “Only those who risk going too far can know how far they can go.” Anonymous
THE WORLD (December 22 – January 19) “One monkey don’t stop no show!” Big Maybelle, American Blues Singer and “I’ll go anywhere as long as it’s forward.” David Livingstone
THE STAR (January 20 – February 19) “Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to, when all they need is one reason why they can.” Willis Whitney
THE MOON (February 20 – March 20) “Change is hard because people over estimate the value of what they have—and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up.” James Belasco and Ralph Stayer