January is the setting sun and the golden hour is complete. Keep your eyes wide open because there is some fierce tiger energy coming in today. Not only did the New Moon peak at midnight (depending on your location) but it's also the Celtic holiday, Imbolc. A halfway point between the winter solstice known as Yule and the spring equinox known as Ostara. Light is returning and the seeds you planted are getting ready to emerge. A clean slate has been presented. The motion of cleaning off a dusty, cluttered antique desk with a swipe of the arm is happening. Bye old business, hello to the new and improved you. Wiccans celebrate Imbolc by honoring the pagan goddess Brigid who was known as the fertility and fire goddess.  She oversaw crafts, poetry, and prophecy. It's a perfect time to start a project, especially a crafty or artistic one. It's truly a time to reconnect with nature so make a date with the outdoors, snow or shine. Light my fire as Jim Morrison would say. Somebody please have a bonfire for me since I can not! 

​In Chinese astrology it is the year of the tiger. Happy Chinese New Year! Think big, bold, & fierce! I have celebrated this holiday for many years because of my old boss and friend that is from Malaysia. I always ask him what we have to look forward to in the upcoming year. He says this is the year of the water tiger and that shipping and travel will flow again. He also said to make your home a sensory haven. Try to add all 5 elements to your home like water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. Practice Feng shui to bring balance and harmony to your safe space and add a plant or 10! Add a fountain in the center of the house. Add metal art, indoor windchimes (mom has hers in the corner of her bedroom and her fan pointed at it),  and some fiery colors in a rug or in your linens. Let there be light! Literally add some cool lighting with color changing light bulbs, candles, or lamps. Create a sanctuary that will encourage healing and creative articulation. 

Stay tuned! I've started my project and Healing With Reiki- Level I will be available virtually very soon. Have any interest in learning how to heal yourself? Let's connect. Remember, you are not alone. It's ok to rest. Inhale abundance. Exhale the bad juju and allow yourself to heal. 

For those of you that have received a Reiki session, you know it's hard to describe to others in words. This sacred healing technique really is tough to condense into a few sentences, but I wanted to share some of the feedback I have heard over the years from previous clients. First off, what one person felt during their session can be incredibly different to another person. Reiki energy can be subtle and gently makes it way where the energy is needed. Not one session will ever be exactly the same as the last. Some people do not feel much during the session and others experience sensations in all the senses. However, the results of a session are usually consistent from person to person. Relaxation.

What happens during a reiki session?

• ​Reiki is performed while the client is fully dressed and laying down comfortably. 
• Body temperature may drop as you start to relax. This is completely normal when receiving any treatment promoting relaxation. 
• The Reiki Practitioner primarily focus's on the chakras or energy centers of the body, starting at the head.
• The practitioner places their hands gently on top of the body and at times hands can be about 2 inches above the body. If there is an area of concern, rest assured that the reiki will flow where it needs to go.
• After the session is finished, the practitioner shares what came through during the session intuitively and if there are any energy blocks and/or room for improvement in certain chakras. 

 
Things the client can experience during a reiki session:

• Heat coming from practitioners hands
• Sleepiness- Many people describe 'falling asleep', but still being aware of their surroundings. Very similar to meditating. 
• Releases- These can come in many different ways physically and or emotionally. Laughing, crying, coughing, legs jerking/twitching, etc. This is completely normal. Energy blocks, past traumas, and other things that do not belong are just being released.
• What does Reiki feel like? Many people describe the reiki energy in sensations such as pulsating, vibrating, shaking, tingling electricity. Strong feelings of love and compassion is usually what they describe at the end of the session. 

Post Reiki session testimonials:

Ready or not, the holiday season has arrived. I'm sure you're lists have multiplied. The invites to holiday parties are arriving and you are adding them to your calendar. What will you wear to the cocktail party? And before you know it, you'll be reciting the same thing from last year.... 'Where did this month go? and 'I am so stressed out!' Adulting becomes that last thing you want to do. Look, I'm a planner, but no matter how much I want things to go exactly how I saw it in my head, they never do. It's just not how the universe works, y'all. I'm still going to make my lists and check them twice. I am also going to practice these stress relieving exercises when the 'heat is on'. Get ahead of the hustle and try some of these tips for managing holiday stress.

First, let's go back in time. You knew I was going to make you take a little trip down memory lane, didn't you? When you were a child, this was the most magical time. You didn't worry about the things you do as an adult. And hopefully, you didn't have to! The time off from school was a a great way to kick the holiday off. The special treats that only come during this time of year, like Christmas cookies, fudge, egg nog, and peppermint bark! How about the lights, y'all! They were everywhere and in all colors. Add on the decorations in neighbors lawns and the glow of red and green anywhere you went added to the magic. Then, some of us had Santa, who would be coming at the end of the month with presents!  Others had Hanukkah, where they spend 8 days celebrating with family, friends, food, and gifts. Life was easy and had moments of bliss that you can still remember. What were some of your favorite magical moments when you were younger? Take a minute and think about them. 
Remember what I said from my last blog? Those memories are your happy thoughts forever. When you are stressed, it' important to shift the energy to something positive. Stop, breathe, and find that magical moment from your childhood. Sit in that place until you feel the energy shift. Once you feel things start to settle inside, try the following tips for a sure fire way to get back to bliss and actually enjoy yourself the holiday season. 

• Move it- Go for a walk, a run, enjoy a yoga session. Bust a move and do some dancing. The more you move, the less the negative energy can 'settle' and make a home. 
• Music- Turn it up. Whatever you like, classical music, country music, classic rock....crank it up and let the music heal you. When your needing an 'attitude adjustment', this can be the quickest way to turn that frown upside down. 
• Give- If you are able, give to those in need. This will affirm the true meaning of the holidays. 
• Receive- For some of us, this is hard because we are givers. It's important to accept the love, compliments, and gifts that come your way with gratitude and grace. 
• Family night/Game night- The hustle and bustle is everywhere. Schedule a night in with your family and/or friends. Play games, watch movies, cook a meal together.  Keep it simple and light. There will be plenty of flair and decadence at the holiday parties you plan on attending. 
• Treat Yourself- Go out an get a massage, an acupuncture session, or a Reiki session! All of these services can help with stress reduction. Every little bit of relief is important to your overall well- being.

Thanks for stopping by! Check back this coming week for full moon talk and upcoming Manifesting workshops!!
​

​

​Some may not know all the benefits that Reiki can provide. Others question if Reiki is the right treatment for an issue they may be having. I can assure you the Reiki is for everyone and everything! Adding Reiki in combination to other alternative healing modalities can only enhance the healing process. Here are some of the benefits of  a Reiki treatment. 

• Stress Relief- Wearing the world on your shoulders? Dealing with a high stressed job? Life challenges and transitions have your worn down and and far from relaxed? Reiki can provide stress relief and relaxation, which promotes the body's natural healing abilities. 
• Physical Pain- Reiki is known to relieve headaches, arthritis, aches and pains, and other physical ailments. It is used in hospitals as a complementary service in assisting with the healing process after surgeries. 
• Emotional/Mental Pain- Suffering from depression, emotional distress, or emotional trauma? Reiki offers a comforting energy that brings a balance to the soul in order to be able to 'feel to heal with ease. 
• Spiritual- Searching for ways to quiet the mind and find your path in this life? Reiki promotes peace and harmony, which are things that can help you achieve evolving to the next step.

​

The October Class is full, but November's Class has some openings!! Who is ready to move to the next level? Are you looking for a refresher course? Anyone that has taken a Level I Class is welcome to sign up for Healing With Reiki, Level II!! 

In Level II, you will learn the 3 sacred symbols, learn and practice the hand positions to facilitate healing in others, distance healing techniques, and more! Not sure if your ready for Level II? If you answer YES to the following questions, then you are ready!

• Can you tell when Reiki energy is forming? Do your hands heat up? Do you feel the need to practice on you loved ones (people, animals, plants, etc?)
• Do you have a general understanding of what Reiki is?
• Do you use Reiki on a regular basis? 

Contact me today to sign up!! Location will be in North Austin! Date to be announced this week.

I know I have mentioned the Phoenix before in my previous blogs. However, after every significant life change, it seems fitting to remind one of the ancient legend that relates to letting the past go and start embracing the new beginnings.  The mythical magical bird, painted in the colors of gold and scarlet, symbolizes resurrection and renewal. In Asia, the phoenix symbolizes feminine grace and also represents the Chinese virtues such as kindness, duty, and reliability.
We are all going through something and when that thing is heavy and the burden of it's weight is to hard to bare, let it go. Visualize yourself as the mighty Phoenix. Every time you get knocked down because of life's challenges, remember that these are all apart of the plan.

Keep your head up, love! Spring is here.  Surround yourself with positive people, beautiful surroundings, and things that make your heart sing. Allow yourself to fully enjoy each moment. Try to remember when you were a kid and how life seemed so simple and care free. Go to your "happy" spot and bathe in it. Go ahead....close your eyes and feel that sunshine on your face, the grass between your toes, and the dirt underneath your nails. I used to love laying on my back in the grass. My friends and I would lay for hours with our eyes closed "staring" at the sun. We called it "frying eggs". We had a blast being ourselves. Our imaginations ran wild and we provided the best free entertainment for each other.
If your having a tough time right now and can't put your finger on what's going on OR you have way too many things going on that is causing you to be stressed, thwarted, and unhappy...Try this!
Write a gratitude list. Think about what is working well in your life. What are your blessings and strengths? Who are the people in your life that you are grateful for? What things in your life bring you joy and comfort. Write it down! Then read it every morning with your coffee/tea or before your go to sleep at night. OR BOTH. Know that you are loved unconditionally.
Sending you love today! I hope you have a great day rain or shine!
May 8th Reiki Level II!!

Spring has arrived! This past weekend was Redbud Weekend in Berkeley Springs and the trees were in full bloom. There is still a chill in the air, but the sun is shining and the grass is growing! I know I say this every spring, but get OUTSIDE! I have enjoyed my evening song sung by the peepers, the multiple encounters with creatures big and small (mice (yikes!), an Egyptian snake (that's what I called it), an opossum(eeek!), hawks, and even a hoot owl), and endured the first Thunderstorm of the season while sitting on my screened in porch. What an amazing light show it was! I am redesigning my gardens, painting random things inside and outside with a plethora of colors I found in the basement, and getting ready to purge all of the cabinets and closets. I don't know about you, but this winter was long and cold! I have enjoyed the daily shot of vitamin C, while out playing in the posies. So, get OUTSIDE already! I have posted a date for Reiki Level II! May 8th!

Last weeks class was awesome! Thanks ladies for trusting me to teach you this ancient healing technique. During Reiki II, I introduce pendulums, scanning chakras, and talk about intuition being heightened after receiving the attunement.
We talked a lot about the Chakras. The week before the class, I was feeling a bit thwarted. I decided to pull my pendulum out and scan my chakras to see where I needed Reiki. It worked like a charm and I spent 1 hour on taking care of myself and getting those chakras spinning.
Taking care of ourselves can be tough. Especially when you can't put your finger on what is bothering you. By using a pendulum, you can find out what chakra has a block and what you need to work on to unblock it. If you have taken a Reiki Class, you have the tools (your hands) to get the healing process started and get your chakras clear. Haven't taken a class? I have Reiki I Class coming up! February 20th!! It's a perfect month to give yourself this gift! Reiki can help you heal. You can heal yourself by learning this ancient healing technique!!

Happy Autumn! The clocks have fallen back and the leaves have been sent down to the ground from the crazy wind we have had. I send my thoughts and prayers to the victims of Sandy. My lil town was lucky and I am so thankful. I did see the community come together once again. People were there for each other. It just gives me that warm and fuzzy feeling just thinking about it. Thank you to all who shared there homes, showers, generators, refrigerators, etc. etc. with there fellow neighbors and friends.
     It is time to slow down and take a breath! I don't know about you, but this past summer was a busy one. I am ready for cold evenings inside under a blanket, good books, and funny movies to take my mind off everyday stressors. The holidays are right around the corner...eeeek! Sorry for the reminder! My Thanksgiving will be so special this year! For the first time since I have been in Berkeley Springs (10 years) my family is coming to spend turkey day with me! I am so excited to show my sisters this awesome town! I am so blessed and so thankful for family and friends!
Tomorrow is my first Reiki Class in a year! Looking forward to sharing this incredible gift with my students! So excited to be able to spend a whole day just talking about Reiki and the benefits! Man, I am so blessed! I definitely love what I do and do what I Love!