A Sunday Morning Card Reading

I love doing an oracle card reading for myself when I am facing a particular issue, or even when I just want to know the energy trends surrounding me. This morning after a peaceful meditation, I pulled cards from the Angel Answers deck by Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine.

The cards I got were: Big, happy Changes, It’s Up to You, Success, Helpful People, Yes, and Ask for Help from Others. When I pull cards for myself, I also believe that they are world energies. The cards in my reading also apply to anyone who might be reading this blog post.

Basically, have hope, you will be successful, ask for and accept the help that comes to you because nothing big is accomplished in isolation. And remember, it’s up to you! You have free will on this journey through life. What do you want most? What is your soul calling for you to do, be, or become? You can do it!

Happy Sunday Everyone!

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Intuitive Journaling

I have often written about journaling on this blog. However, I have recently transitioned to automatic writing for about 20 minutes every morning. This has allowed me to tap into a higher guidance system. Rather than writing about problems or fears I am having, I pose a question, connect with my higher self, and allow myself to write down the wisdom that comes to me. I have found this to be both empowering and healing, as it allows me to step out of my day-to-day story and into a higher perspective.

This morning I sat in my meditation corner, listening to healing music, wrapped in a cozy blanket. I had trouble sleeping last night because a lot was on my mind. A project I am involved in is taking longer than I had hoped to get off the ground, and there is a lot up in the air. Instead of harping on this story, I wrote this:

What is the potential for you, if you were able to see the future as something that could be known–that there are many probable future destinations. You have the power to choose which outcome you would most like to see. The outcome you would like should be focused on solely for it to come into physical manifestation. You can draw pictures, create a vision board, and ask to see this for the highest good. When you think of how to serve others, your power increases significantly. It you were to focus on numbers and money, people would sense your fear and stay far away. But, when you focus on service and affirm that you will receive more than enough to meet your needs, all will be done in Divine Timing.

Much more empowering than a whiny journal entry about money!

If you happen to be in the area, I’m giving a workshop on Intuitive Journaling at Terraloka Wellness in Kent, CT on October 11th. Comment below if you’d like to join!

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Hello Again!

It has been almost exactly a year since I last posted on SpiritualiTea. Although there have been many changes, my overall mission has remained the same: to offer a warm, safe space to explore spirituality (with tea).

What has been going on for me? Well, I became a life coach (yay!), began doing professional intuitive readings, left my job…more on that in a later post. I’m currently living life on my terms and have never felt happier, or more inspired! I began creating other blogs that I thought would perhaps express my new self, but in the end I’ve come back to SpiritualiTea as my home.

I’m excited to begin posting here again with a new voice and renewed passion.

There will be book suggestions, helpful resources, musings on my own spiritual life, and of course tea!

I also have a new feature: I will soon be venturing into the video podcasting world, and I hope to take you along with me! Each week I will post a new video providing an intuitive reading for the coming week’s energies. Grab a cup of tea and sit down with me on Sunday morning to find out what the week will bring for you.

Finally, I have two exciting offerings: the first is an online course that trains you to be a SpiritualiTea Facilitator in your community. Learn how to start a group, keep it going, gain members, find friends, and make a little extra money along the way!

Second, I am offering private intuitive readings by phone or Skype. I would love to get to know you and offer clear, accurate, empowering guidance on any challenges you are currently facing.

It feels good to be back.

Peace,
Shannon

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A Weekend of Words

 

Over the last four days I have been immersed in the world of poetry and healing. When most people think of poetry, they remember being forced to memorize metaphor, simile, alliteration, and on and on. Not fun! The National Association of Poetry Therapy’s annual conference, held at the Cenacle Retreat Center in Chicago, would be enough to change anyone’s mind. Poetry can lead you down the path of healing by opening your heart to beautiful, expressive language. Poetry takes our human experience and condenses it into concise and powerful words.

Although there were many fantastic workshops, I fell in love with the combination of poetry and dance in a workshop held Saturday morning. Tired from the day before, I entered the workshop not quite sure what to expect. The facilitator immediately had us on our feet, in a circle, holding hands. I felt the familiar demons rising up in me: oh no, am I going to look foolish? Will I get the moves right? I took all of these thoughts in and accepted them (welcome to the party)! and began to move and flow with the rest of the group. It was an amazing, healing experience that broke down many barriers, resulted in a lot of laughs, and a huge outpour of words on paper. How true that our bodies hold our stories, and they just wait for a chance to release them. Here is the poem I wrote after the sacred dance:

Twilight closes my eyes

And the stars glimmer from the purple smooth

I honor the four directions

The divine directions of my life

I feel love filtering through the circle

A ring of flowers, each in a different state of bloom

The music plays and my soul rises to follow the beat

Trembling in joy

I came to poetry therapy as an English teacher, wanting to forge a deeper connection between my students and the written word. I left the conference with a truer vision of what I am: a healer, both of myself and others. In this vein I have decided to extend my poetry therapy training to actually studying counseling at a local college.  I have decided not to leap into this path as soon as possible, however, and instead wait until the fall of 2014 to begin this training. 2013 will be a time of great rest and reflection. I must say, it does feel good to have some clarity! And I take with me on this journey the words of wisdom from the great poets, and the great healers, I met this weekend.

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Omega Institute

This weekend I am going on retreat to Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY. After the busyness of the wedding and the stress of work, I am ready to take a short breather and spend some time relaxing on this beautiful campus. While I am not taking any workshops, there are class offerings, yoga, and meditation included in the price of the retreat, and I plan on taking full advantage of these. It should be beautiful in upstate New York at this time of year, and I am excited to see the fall foliage.

I encourage each of you to take a retreat at some point before the holiday season. You don’t have to travel far, or even spend any money. Take an afternoon or even an hour to yourself. Take a bath, bake something delicious, cuddle on the couch with a warm blanket and your favorite books. Every moment you devote solely to yourself creates more space for you to give to others.

I’ll be back Monday with pictures!

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Silent Retreat

Recently I decided to go on a silent retreat at the East Mountain Retreat Center in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. I had finished up my school year, my first year as a full-time teacher, and needed nothing more than silence for a couple of days. Life was beginning to feel hectic, and I felt pulled in many directions. I was ready to recuperate from the sounds of anything except nature. I chose to go to the East Mountain Retreat Center because it specifically held silent retreats, did not house more than three guests at a time, and was quite affordable. There was no schedule to abide by, no clocks, and no noise.

During each meal, I would sit at the gazebo overlooking the field below. It felt strange, yet amazing, to eat by myself with such a beautiful view in front of me.

A few times a day I would walk around the gardens and field. It was very quiet and peaceful.

I loved this spot because there was a giant bed of moss growing at the base of the tree.

Although it was sometimes challenging (I found myself talking to myself a couple of times), I highly recommend a silent retreat whenever you really need some time just for yourself.

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My Mini-Retreat

While my students are on spring break, I am taking this week to rejuvenate and connect with myself. I scheduled my own mini-retreat for three days to rest and only do things that make my heart sing. I decided to take an hour today to go down to my local beach. I love being near water. With the beach only five minutes away, I don’t take advantage of it nearly as much as I should. I bundled up, since it was only 55 degrees out today!

I wrote in my journal and read a bit. I’m currently reading The Grace in Dying: How We Are Transformed Spiritually as We Die by Kathleen D. Singh. I had my hospice volunteer orientation a couple of days ago and got a couple of books out of the library on the process of dying. This is tough stuff to face! It’s not everyday that we sit around and contemplate death for hours at a time. However, I think our lives would actually be more fulfilling were we to be honest with ourselves about the end, before we’re face to face with it.

For now, I am thankful that I am able to sit on the beach, enjoy the view, and feel grounded in nature. What a blessing!

 

 

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