An Ancestor Reading

This is a guest post from my wife RuthAnn and her Blog RuthAnn's Journey . She recently had a reading done for her and I want you to experience it's power. I highly recommend you to follow her RSS feed for more great posts like this.

Thank you RuthAnn for sharing your story with my readers!

I would like to share with you a reading I had by Kathy Crabbe, aka SoulReader. This was an extremely emotional reading that I want to share.. no, I have to Share.

( the artwork displayed is also by Kathy Crabbe. Please visit her website @ www.soulreaderblog.blogspot.com to see some more amazing and beautiful artwork, please meet this lovely soul.)

An Ancestor Reading for RuthAnn Dickinson

*This reading was done for RuthAnn in late August, 2009) You can read my comments at the end of this post. They are inside the brackets []*

This reading is in response to your wish for a connection with Jeffrey, Geraldine or Bill.

I believe that it is Jeffrey that I am connecting with at this time.

- Jeffrey makes me smile – he has a wide face, very open to everything and smiling.

- He really wants to play!

- I see him with straight, short hair that was blonde when he was young and then it darkened to beigey-light brown when he got older.

- He appears to be a bit pudgey (overweight), but comfortably so.

- I’m also getting an image of you wearing tall black boots and he’s picking you up off the ground.

- Someone named ‘Jimmy’ is around too.

- He shows me the backyard (grassy) where he used to play. I also see trees changing color (Pennsylvania?)

- Was he your older brother?

- I am getting the number ‘51’ in relation to his death.

- He did like sports, but was good at other things as well – such as accounting.

- He was a warm man and liked to flirt too, but that got him in trouble!

- His wife appears quite plain (Ann?) with straight blonde hair. She appears practical and simple and he says, “She was a good mother to our kids… (I see three) …whereas I didn’t always do what was good for me!”

For you RuthAnn, he says, “I always admired you. You knew what your were doing.”

- I’m also seeing that he may have sensed his own death ahead of time.

- In regards to how he died, I get a sense of pinching (of veins, arteries?) and shrinking, a caving in on himself.

- He comes really close (to me) to say that he “always loved you.”

- I’m also seeing some sort of blue-grey ring with a flower petal like silver lacing around it. Then he says, “Remember me dear heart” and he clutches your hand and the ring.

- I say good bye to him and I see him leaving with a small fluffy white ball of a dog and he waves goodbye (he may be riding a bike also).

RuthAnn's Comments are in brackets [ ] below:

[This has been the most emotional reading yet… a release of tears that I so dispiritedly needed. I yearn for more time with him. I need to find a way to contact him myself. I have been trying to do so for 32 years. I still trust him alone to guide me… for he knew what he was doing.. only he didn’t know that.

I can not thank you enough for this reading… emotions that I have buried far too long are being released... although it is sad, it is also cleansing. Thank you.]

I believe that it is Jeffrey that I am connecting with at this time. I am so happy it was Jeffrey that you connected with.

- Jeffrey makes me smile – he has a wide face, very open to everything and smiling. [Jeffrey was always smiling and made all that were around him smile]

- I see him with straight, short hair that was blonde when he was young and then it darkened to beigey-light brown when he got older. [His hair was almost white when he was a toddler , and turned a dark brown as he grew up]

- He appears to be a bit pudgey (overweight), but comfortably so. [Jeff was only 5’5” and we like to say “sturdy” or “stocky.”]

- I’m also getting an image of you wearing tall black boots and he’s picking you up off the ground. [I use to jump into his fishing waders and get stuck.. so he’d have to lift me out.]

- He shows me the backyard (grassy) where he used to play. I also see trees changing color (Pennsylvania?) [We grew up in eastern PA… he and I would play in the backyard which blended into a large grassy field.]

- Was he your older brother? [Yes, 4 years older than me and my hero.. he always looked out for me.]

- I am getting the number ‘51’ in relation to his death. [hmmm the only thing that comes to mind is that I will be 51 in 2 months]

- He did like sports, but was good at other things as well – such as accounting. [He played football and fished. He also liked using an abacus]

- He was a warm man and liked to flirt too, but that got him in trouble![Boy, did it ever get him in to trouble... that makes me smile… his flirting was in such a giving manner.]

- His wife appears quite plain (Ann?) with straight blonde hair. She appears practical and simple and he says, “She was a good mother to our kids… (I see three) …whereas I didn’t always do what was good for me!” [His wife’s name was Susan and she has blonde hair and looks like Joanne Woodward. They did not have children, but I have 3.]

For you RuthAnn, he says, “I always admired you. You knew what your were doing.” [Jeffrey was the only one of my family that believed in me and supported me unconditionally.]

- I’m also seeing that he may have sensed his own death ahead of time… [Yes, for he committed suicide.]

- In regards to how he died, I get a sense of pinching (of veins, arteries?) and shrinking, a caving in on himself.[ *tears* for his internal suffering in life and in death. It is good to know he is the happy-go-lucky Jeffrey in his eternal life.]

- He comes really close (to me) to say that he “always loved you.” [I never doubted his love.. not even now.]

- I’m also seeing some sort of blue-grey ring with a flower petal like silver lacing around it. Then he says, “Remember me dear heart” and he clutches your hand and the ring. [I shall be on the look out for that ring, a day does not go my without him in my heart… always... always with me.]

- I say good bye to him and I see him leaving with a small fluffy white ball of a dog and he waves goodbye (he may be riding a bike also).

[I so wish he would come visit me.. I miss him terribly.. I do need him]

In Memory of Jeffrey Alan Roland - you are very loved.

The Law of Attraction Done Right

One of my favorite people -> Karl Moore
Talking about one of my favorite topics -> The Law of Attraction





What do you think about Karl's take on this often misused subject?
Share you Law of Attraction story.
Continue the conversation below!

Cleaning House – Sacred Sage Smudging Ceremony

Tomorrow we are, once again, changing offices here in Dickinsonville. Long, boring story that I won’t get into!

This morning as I was thinking about the move, I remembered a beautiful Sage Smudging Ceremony my Shaman mentor Barbara taught me many years ago. Native American smudging ceremonies have long been used for cleansing and purification of people, places and things.

Here’s the idea:

Ceremonial Tools Needed

• sage – white or gray, bundled or loose
• smudging bowl – rock, abalone shell, metal
• matches or lighter
• tool for moving the sage smoke – feather, dream catcher, hand

Preparation For Sage Ceremony

If you are going to bundle your sage, I like to use different color thread to signify the Four Directions – Red for the East, Yellow for the South, Black for the West and White for the North.

I learned this ceremony by using an abalone shell as the sage container so I always feel drawn to them. I have used a rock with a hollow center as well. You simply need something that will hold the sage while burning.

I use a ceremonial feather for moving the sage smoke. Here’s a tip – don’t buy them. The idea here is to connect with Mother Earth. Get anywhere near tress or a hiking trail and you will find your feather. Find your feather and then dress it up a bit if you like.

The last bit of preparation is the most important – your personal preparation. I am unashamed about the fact that this is a spiritual process of not just cleansing my office, but cleansing me.

Meditate, pray, offer gifts to the Four Directions and the Great Spirit. Do what you do in order to have the proper and respectful mind and spirit for this ancient ceremony.

The Sage Smudging Ceremony

The ceremony has three parts:

1. Outside of the space or room. Ensure you have enough sage in your bowl before beginning. Sage produces a good deal of smoke and burn moderately quick. After your spiritual preparation, light the sage by bringing it into the center of your bowl. Once ignited, spread it out in the bowl and fan with your feather, dream catcher or hand to ensure proper burning.

Before entering the room you must cleanse yourself. Offer the sage smoke above your head first. Fan it to encircle your head and shoulders. Bring the bowl to your center near your heart and fan once again. Lastly, with the help of someone else, fan the flame under your feet. Your body and spirit is now clean and can be used to cleanse/smudge your chosen person, place or thing.

2. Inside of the space or room. Move into the space and as close to center as possible. If several people are celebrating with you, have them stand in a circle facing in towards you. This is a symbol of the Native American idea of the Sacred Circle of life. By the way, I always have a designated helper in case I need something or to help if the sage would burn out.

Once positioned in the space, you are now going to offer the sage and it’s cleansing to the Seven Directions: East, South, West, North, Father Sun, Mother Earth and The Great Spirit. You always begin in the East and move following the path of the sun as above.

My version of this ceremony is pretty ritualized and a bit longer than others I have seen. Once inside the room, the ceremony is approximately 15 minutes. Again, ensure you have enough sage to burn for this time frame.

Facing East begin the cleansing by offering the bowl above your head to Father Sun. Look up as you do this so you can move the smoke without disrupting the bowl. Some chant during this time. I am Blue Mask Cherokee, but I have never learned the language, so I simply pray to the Great Spirit. I do this inwardly not audibly.

Secondly bring the bowl down below your waist to make offering to Mother Earth. Again, fan the smoke and chant or pray. The idea here is that both Father Sun and Mother Earth will participate in the cleansing of this space.

Lastly, bring the bowl up to your center, near your heart. As you fan, you are making an offering to the Great Spirit. Take a moment here. Don’t move on too quickly. Remember, it is the involvement of the Great Spirit that does the cleansing or purifying. The sage is simply the vehicle, the offering.

Now move sun wise to the South. The remainder of the ceremony is a repetition in each direction of what you just performed in the East. Move slowly and respectfully. Enjoy the smell of the sage and the emotion of the process.

3. The ceremony after the ceremony. This is not “clean up”. This is the final stage of the cleansing. After leaving the room, have everyone follow you outside. You are now going to offer the ashes of the sage back to the earth from whence it came. Place the ashes at the base of a tree or near a special garden that you might enjoy. Offer it to the wind. Offer no disrespect by simply throwing it in the trash.

There you have it – The Sacred Sage Smudging Ceremony.

Use it. Experience it. Enjoy it.

Blessings,

Frank

Share your Sacred Ceremony story. Have you seen or used any other forms of this? What effect has a cleansing/purification like this had or your person, place or thing? Continue the conversation below!

The Universe in 3D

If you are fascinated by Space as much as me, I hope you will enjoy this amazing video of our Universe!

Here's What I'm Doing This Summer - Learning To Read Tarot

A Summer For Tarot

I have been intrigued by Tarot for a long time. I’m not sure what it is – the beauty of the Tarot cards, the symbolism, the divination aspect or the ability to use all three to help others understand their life better. Whatever the reason, I decided I was going to learn to read Tarot this Summer.

By The Way

The oldest surviving Tarot cards are from fifteen fragmented decks painted in the mid 15th century for the Visconti-Sforza family, the rulers of Milan. (Robert M. Place (2005) The Tarot: History, Symbolism and Divination)

What I’ve Discovered About Tarot Reading

After spending hours online and in the bookstores, here are some basic truths I’ve discovered for learning to read Tarot. I told you I was going to boil it down for you!

1. The Tarot card deck you choose makes a difference.
2. Reading Tarot is a very personal endeavor which involves your intuition.
3. There is not one single method to learn to read Tarot.

Helpful Tips To Get You Started (related to the discoveries above)

1. While you want to choose a deck that resonates with you, I would recommend the Rider-Waite Deck . I say this because the images are a bit more straightforward than others.
2. Please know, realize and take to heart that it is okay to incorporate your intuition in the process of reading Tarot to help others.
3. Most methods involve some learning and memorization of Keywords associated with images. Other methods rely strictly on use of intuition to read the meaning for yourself or others. The best method is one that involves both learning Keywords and using Intuition.

The amazing thing about learning to read Tarot is that once you have an understanding and mastery over the images and meanings of the cards, performing an actual reading can become a simple procedure.

I now love the power of Tarot. I hope as you learn you will find that same love and power.

Blessings,

Frank

P.S. For great resources about Tarot, have a look at my recent Squidoo Lens – Learn To Read Tarot .

What do you think about Tarot? Your experiences? Ever had a Tarot Reading? Continue the conversation below!

Have You Seen Your Aura Lately?

Thinking About Auras

I’ve been thinking and reading about aura’s recently. I’m fascinated by them. I even put up A Squidoo Lens entitled “What Color Is My Aura?” Check it out – I’m filling it with all kinds of resources I think you will find helpful.

My Experience

Nope, I haven’t yet seen mine, but my wife has. She describes it as approximately 6-8 inches thick, surrounding my entire body and filled with the colors of orange, purple and a hint of gold.

I’m learning what all that means. Again, I’m truly fascinated by this!

Your Experiences?

How about you guys?

Have you (or someone else) seen your aura?

What colors?

Do you sense or feel anything when you encounter your aura?

Have you had it photographed?

What influence does having seen, or not having seen your aura have on your life and spirituality?

You folks are simply the best and I LOVE continuing the conversation through your comments below!

Peace, Love and Light,

Frank

P.S. Here’s that Squidoo Lens again – What Color Is My Aura?