 On Halloween Day and even the whole week, it’s said that the veil between the living and dead is thinner. Loved ones who have departed may now come to visit. We’re also able to connect more easily with those who have passed over the threshold – our loved ones and our ancestors. Maybe even those who challenged us in the living world.  We can trace the origin of Halloween back to 2,000 years ago and the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. This festival marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darkness and cold of winter. The Celts believed that on Oct. 31, the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. The Druids, or Celtic priests, built huge sacred bonfires for the celebration and costumes of animal heads and skins were typically worn. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming cold of winter.  By 43 AD, under the influence of Christianity that had spread into Celtic lands, All Saints’ Day was celebrated on November 1 and was believed to be an attempt to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a Christian holiday. Then later, the church would make November 2 All Souls' Day, a day to honor the dead. It was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades, and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels, and devils. Together, the three celebrations, the eve of All Saints', All Saints', and All Souls', were called Hallowmas, and eventually, the eve of the first day was called Halloween. In Spanish-speaking countries, November 1 is known as Day of the Dead or El Día de los Muertos. The Day of the Dead is a day of connecting with the spirit world, but not mournful nor spooky. It’s a celebration. On this day, families remember and pray for loved ones who have died. They may make an altar in their home, known as an ofrenda. It’s typically laden with offerings to help the dead on their journey. These may include items representing the four elements, such as water to quench thirst, fire in the form of candles to light the way, wind represented by incense and earth by food for sustenance on the journey. Other symbols that represent the holiday also are included on the altar. Skeletons on the altar are often depicted with a happy expression, as it’s believed life after death is happier than life on earth.  To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. – Thomas Campbell At this time of year, I invite you to find a way to connect with your loved ones and ancestors who have crossed the threshold. I offer the following suggestions to support you. Choose one that speaks to you, or if you are so inspired, try all of them! 1. Put out photos of your loved ones on your altar. Don’t have any photos? Choose something that seems to represent the loved one in some way. Maybe a leaf because that person loved nature. Or maybe a silly picture because of a sense of humor. Don’t have an altar at home? Make a simple and special place with a colorful cloth, candle, and an item or 2 from nature. Add your photos or items in honor of your loved ones. 2. Take a quiet moment each day to recall a warm and loving memory of your loved one in life. Express your love and warmth for your loved one in a song, poem, or story. Share it aloud or inwardly in silence in honor or your loved one. 3. In a quiet moment before bed or in meditation, ask your loved one a question that you are pondering in your life. Ask your loved one to help you find the answer. Watch and listen to what may come into your path as an answer over the next couple days. Maybe you have an intuition. Maybe you hear a song with the answer. Maybe a friend offers a few words that are the answer you are seeking. 4. Offer a prayer of forgiveness to your loved one or even ancestor lineage. Repeat it aloud 3-5 times each day. Here is one offered by Howard Wills (https://howardwills.com/new-page/): Divine Spirit, for me, my family, our entire lineage and all of humanity throughout all time, past, present and future, please help us all forgive each other, forgive ourselves, forgive all people, and all people forgive us completely and totally, now and forever. Please and thank you, Divine Spirit. Please and thank you. Please and thank you. Amen Interested in more? I invite you to become of member of my Free Healing Library and gain access to many supportive audio recordings and guidance for how you can be empowered to manifest your best self in your life today. Click here to become a member.
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 In the ancient Celtic tradition, this image of the Tree of Life has always struck me as one of incredible strength and power. In the language of the Celts, the mighty oak is called duir, related to the words endurance, duration, and doorway in English. This magnificent tree is like a doorway into the past and into the future. Its roots reach deep into the nourishment of the soil of Mother Earth. Its trunk stands upright and strong with branches spreading in a magnificent crown over its surroundings. Sharing its endurance, might, and maturity to the world.  Interestingly, the oak tree has a tendency to attract lightning in storms. Yet it endures the hardship of a lightning strike well, typically recovering from the injury and continuing to live with strength and health. Understandably, the mighty oak is connected in mythology to the thunder gods such as the Norse Thor or Greek Zeus. I invite you to imagine yourself as a mighty oak tree with deep roots reaching into the earth. Warm raindrops seep into the soil at your base. Has any lightning come into your life lately – causing hardship or suffering? Have you recovered and healed from this? Take a moment to read some of the words of St. Hildegard’s song, O Virga Ac Diadema below and to listen to it here. Bring your attention even deeper into your roots and feel the connection to your ancestors and lineage of the past that have helped you become who you are today. Where are your ancient roots?  Gather the strength from those ancient roots and bring them into the present to inspire and empower you today. See how they transform within you, as you stretch and grow in your magnificent branches within your mighty oak tree. Stretch even more – out into the cosmos – out into the future and ask the Divine, “What guidance do you have for me that will support me today? What guidance do you have for me to help me manifest my best and highest self?” O VIRGA AC DIADEMA (English translation)
O branch and diadem… Unfolding your leaves, you blossomed in another way… O flower, you did not spring from the dew, nor from drops of rain, nor did an airy wind fly over you, but the divine radiance brought you forth on the noblest bough. O branch, God foresaw your blossoming on the first day of creation. And he made you as a golden matrix for his Word… So the instruments of heaven chime and the whole earth marvels… for God has greatly loved you… you who bore the new light for humankind… into celestial harmony. If you enjoyed this song, I invite you to discover an easy and fun way to start each day full of loving energy. Click here to access my recording and accompanying guidance Let the Love Flow. The sunlight is fading and the daylight hours are becoming shorter. Autumn has displayed its exquisite beauty in fiery colors of golden and red for a few weeks and now winter seems to have surprised us with an early arrival!  As the darkness seeps into our days, sometimes it can reign in our lives too. It can feel all pervasive and it’s difficult to find a spark of light. You can’t seem to even remember that there was a time that you were in touch with your own inner light. Or that light can even shine. You feel completely swallowed by the darkness. The only possibility that appears to exist is to surrender.  Surrender to this eternal darkness. As you let go and surrender to the darkness, that is all that you know and all that you feel. Nothing more. There is no existence of light. Only darkness.  In this dismal pit, a tiny spark is kindled. A new flame. Giving you hope. Embrace the spark. Be open. Be curious. What vision is arising? What new idea? What radiating light are you to shine into the world now? Warm yourself by this spark, and let it strengthen your whole being. Trust that this is divine light shining in your life. Let go of your doubts and fear. Let them dissolve into the warmth of the flame. Ask for divine guidance. What is the spark of light that you have now to share with the world? Ask that you may see clearly the light and the way. This song, SHINE THE LIGHT, was written as a creative expression of that time of darkness within me. Today, I use it to flame my light whenever I feel it needs to shine brighter. It helps me to remember that there is a divine light within me that’s longing to be shared with the world. I invite you to take a moment to listen to the song and read the lyrics below. Keep it handy so that in those moments of darkness that arise, you too can remember your divine spark and gain the strength needed to shine it in the world. You can be encouraged knowing that others have been in this same place of darkness before and you too can find light once again.  SHINE THE LIGHT.... music and lyrics by David Sharp Once I thought I knew my way Now I’m in the darkness Looking for a light that shows my way, a path uncharted. The devil runs deep and dark and wide saying how can you be a prophet? Where is my vision when I can’t even see... me? Shine the light so I may see shine in me show me the way clearly... Still how will I know? will it shine in the dark will it glow, will it spark - will it light up the sky in the night of my heart? Searching through my empty faith trembling at the choices to put the fear behind me and silence all the voices of doubt, despair, defeat... I must not let them win... so I declare I believe that God does care ... for me. Shine the light so I may see shine in me show me the way clearly... Still how will I know? will it shine in the dark will it glow, will it spark - will it light up the sky in the night of my heart? Why did you call my name why couldn’t you let me be..? Singing, writing, painting, dancing that’s good enough for me. How can I be... what you say I’m meant to be... when I feel so lost... so lonely? I know there is a heaven but I want to feel it here inside. I want to let my JOY breakthrough I don’t want her to hide. With your glory before me I will follow where you lead if I see just a shimmer I know I can find my destiny. the light shines and now I see it shining in me showing the way clearly... Now I know that it shines in the dark it does glow, it does spark - and it lights up the sky in the night of my heart shine O light shine O light shine O light Now l can paint the light of my heart Now I see... I know my way... If you enjoyed this song, I invite you to become of member of my Free Healing Library and gain access to many other audio recordings and guidance for how you can be empowered to manifest your best self in your life today. Click here to become a member. PSALM 91: in honor of the 6th anniversary of St. Hildegard being named a Doctor of the Church10/8/2018 As we are in the month of celebrating the anniversary of St. Hildegard being named a Doctor of the Church, I’ve been reflecting on how she has inspired me to find my strength and courage to share my gifts with the world. This hasn’t been easy, and I find comfort and support in knowing that it wasn’t easy for St. Hildegard in her time either.  I’m often inspired by the image of St. Hildegard holding her abbess staff. I created an abbess staff of my own which you see me holding in this picture. Every time I hold it, I find myself standing up a little taller and feeling more confident and powerful. I recommend everyone have an abbess staff of their own to turn to in times when they feel shaky! St. Hildegard found her strength through connecting with the Divine. Her staff seems to hold that as a powerful image. And, I endeavor to also find my strength through the Divine. St. Hildegard's strength and power from within radiates out to the world as she speaks, “God created me… God is also my strength… Through God, I have living spirit. Through God I have life and movement. Through God I learn, I find my path…” A few years back, my husband David introduced me to Psalm 91, a text that had supported him through difficult times. It spoke to me so deeply that I decided to commit it to memory. It became powerful and strong for me, like St. Hildegard’s staff. Not long after that, I was inspired to write a melody for it. I invite you to listen to it here and read a few of the lyrics below.  Lyrics Live under the protection of God all-powerful stay in the shadow of God Most High. Then I will say to the Lord you are my fortress, my place of safety you are my God and I love you. The Lord will keep me safe From secret traps and deadly diseases He will spread his wings over me And make me secure. His faithfulness is like a shield o’er a city wall… You won’t need to worry about dangers at night or arrows during the day You won’t fear disease that strikes in the night or sudden disasters at noon… God’s angels protect you wherever you go They carry you in their arms so you won’t hurt your feet on the stones God says I will answer and be there and you will live a long life. Live under the protection of God all-powerful stay in the shadow of God Most High. Then I will say to the Lord, you are my fortress, my place of safety you are my God and I love you.  Do you have a favorite spiritual text? Have you committed it to memory yet? How about beginning that today? Who knows the angels might even send you the melody! If you have enjoyed this song, I invite you to become a member of my Free Healing Library where you can access other recordings with guidance and tips on how you can be empowered to manifest your most creative and best self in your life today. Click here to become a member.  How do you ignite love within your heart when you’re needing it in your life? A deep love for yourself. An all-embracing love for others. For me, this song, Kyrie, easily ignites the spark within me to let love flow when I’m needing it. It’s a very powerful and sacred song. When I sing it or listen to it, I can picture love bubbling up within me, first flowing within me and then out into the world. Take a moment to read the Greek words and my English translation of them below. Then listen to the song here. As you hear the words, begin to feel the Love that resides within you awaken. Let it bubble up and flow, bathing your whole being. As you feel Love flowing throughout your whole being, raise your hands to your heart, palms facing outward to the world, as in St. Hildegard’s Illumination, The Person in Sapphire Blue, shown here. Sing along with the audio recording, if you’d like. Let your love flow out from your heart and hands to the world. To your family, to your friends, to your neighbors. Then, let your love continue to flow to your coworkers, your community, and beyond. Is there anyone who you don’t feel loving towards? Let your flowing love of the Creator dissolve this anger. Ask for divine guidance to show you how to love this person. Then let your love flow toward this person. Try this practice on a regular basis and discover how easily your Love can awaken and flow!  Lyrics Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. (English Translation) Creator of life, awaken love within us Christ of love, awaken love within us Creator of life, awaken love within us Creator of life, awaken love within us If you enjoyed this song, I invite you to become of member of my Free Healing Library and gain access to many other audio recordings and guidance for how you can be empowered to manifest your most creative and best self in your life today. Click here to become a member.
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About JeannineI was born in London, England, educated in Switzerland, and am fluent in English, German, Spanish, and French. I hold a Doctorate in Ministry Degree and Masters Degrees in Counseling Psychology and Education. Also, I am an accomplished artist and educator. I use all of this and much more when helping others heal their souls. Archives
March 2020
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