Living in the Light -

The Rose a beautiful symbol for meditation at  Solstice  symbolising
self-care

Life has its own natural ebb and flow; summer brings light, winter darkness, and day follows night.  Mid June is the time of the year when the sun reaches its zenith at Summer Solstice before journeying back over the equator to usher in the darkest night of the year on 21st. December, (Northern Hemisphere) or Winter Solstice.  Then, this grand cycle, we associate with the sun begins all over again.

Yet, how many of us are equally aware that a similar process also happens each month with the waxing and waning of the moon.  Rather than evolving over a 365/6 day period, these moon cycles occur every 28 days with the new moon and then the full moon. When we work with these sacred cycles, both conscious (the sun) and the moon (unconscious) we can achieve a greater sense of harmony within ourselves, and achieve our goals much more readily.

The power of the unconscious mind

The unconscious mind can work against us.  Even though we want to create a better life, we all have an inner saboteur, who very often halts us in our tracks. It lives in our unconscious mind and is a reworking of old patterns and fears that have shaped our lives as we grew up and also at other major times in our lives.

The full moon each month taps into some of our unconscious programming and can create an outpouring of frustration and emotions. Lots of people notice this in themselves as well as other people around them, but don't do anything active to alter it. They just battle on.  But we can take this energy and put it to good use by transforming the thought processes and old patterns that have created then in the first place. Meditation and contemplation are good ways to do this.

The full moon in Capricorn

Each lunar month is dedicated to a different aspect of our Selves which is related to the Zodiac. This month's topic, when the sun is at its highest point in the heavens here in the northern hemisphere, is self-care.  This month's full month in Capricorn, is also related to the sun sign very often associated with mothering, Cancer. Self-care can be very difficult for spiritually minded people, but its really important to create a balance between our own needs and those of the world around us. Each month we are given the opportunity to learn just a little more about ourselves as well, and some of the hidden talents of resources we have had tucked away in our unconscious minds for ages.

Archangel Jophiel and Archangel Gabriel

Jophiel is associated with beauty in all its forms in the world about us, but particularly nature.  She is also associated with sacred space.  Archangel Gabriel on the other hand is associated with birthing and mothering and Mary who is Queen of all Angels.

White Eagle talks about Jophiel cutting back unwanted branches so that our shrubs, trees and plants will be able to grow more vigorously rather than lose their strength in a wild tangle.  This is also true for us.  Most people I know at the moment, are dashing around meeting themselves coming back in the other direction. It's important to step back and reassess our actions so that we in our turn remain strong and healthy and have the vitality to achieve our hearts desire, not by bashing our way through but by working more gently in alignment with these lunar cycles.

Taking a good hard look

The first thing to do is take a long hard look at where you may be draining yourselves by doing too much, feeling obliged to do certain things that no longer make your heart sing, This means feeling overwhelmed by sudden rushes of frustration or emotion that you find difficult to control. Try not to act on these impulses but reflect on them.  Your feelings could well be heightened by the moons energy but you can use this knowledge in a positive way, by stepping back.  This is already a move in the right direction, because you are giving yourself the space to connect to Spirit. Therefore, you could even call it an act of power, because you are beginning to see 'the light' of Spirit's inspiration.

Self Care means feeling good about yourself, as well as nourishing yourself mentally with positive affirmations, emotionally with loving attention and physically by taking enough rest, exercise and eating the right foods for your needs. It also means seeking out areas in your life where your thoughts, feelings and actions could be a bit more detrimental to your well being. The minute you stop reacting you begin to feel much better about yourself.

Self Care means getting the work/life balance right. That's a tough one, but when we take a step back from the hurly burly of our day to day lives, we are one step closer to Spirit, and one step closer to achieving our Hearts Desire.  Aren't you worth it?

Gillian runs a monthly full moon meditation group from her home in Hemel Hempstead.  If you are interested and have any further queries please do contact her

Healing Hands

Healing Hands

A special article featuring healer Janet Butler, who gave medium Derek Acorah a helping hand

Janet Butler and Derek Acorah at Derek's latest fan club gathering

I first met Janet Butler as the medium's secretary at Garston Brotherhood of Spiritualist's Church, First Avenue, Garston, Watford.  At the time, I didn't know she was a powerful healer in her own right.  A real fan of Derek Acorah, she's been going along to his gatherings for quite a while, but had no idea she would be called up on stage to give healing at one of Derek's events after giving him some very effective healing herself. 

'Janet Butler is an accomplished healer and is a registered member of The Home Counties Association of Spiritual Healers. She has recently set up her own healing centre in Croxley Green, Herts.  I will let Janet tell her story in her own words.

'I was at Derek Acorah’s fan club get together, in September 2012. It's usually held once a year.Derek arrived in the afternoon in a wheelchair. The night before, he had had a nasty fall in 

his garden and had fallen badly on his hip. Unfortunately, he was still in agony; you only had to see the 

expression on his face. 
I had given Derek healing before so he was very pleased to see me, and asked if I would be able to give him some more then.He had trouble getting out of his wheelchair. I stayed with him for about half an hour and asked my guide to help as I always do. However, Derek said  the hip still felt so hot,uncomfortable and very painful. 

After our evening meal and drinks, the fan club members were asking for  

photos of Derek and asking him if he could stand up. Although he did, you could see it was still very difficult for him.. At that time he asked me if I would do more healing the next morning before we 

all went home. Of course I said I would do all I could to help. 

After breakfast,on Sunday, I gave Derek more healing for around forty minutes concentrating on his hip. He said it felt great. After that we sat having coffee and all of a sudden I heard spirit say to me”Tell Derek to get 

up and walk”
Trusting what I heard I told him and he said,'Ok Janet, I trust you.' With that he stood up and walked across the room. The pain had disappeared. My mouth was wide open and the tears were streaming  down my face in amazement. He was so grateful and thanked me so much. Healing really does work. Derek's back is great to this day. 

At one of his shows in November, Derek mentioned just how powerful healing could be, and then got me to stand up.  Later on, he was giving a message to a young man in the audience who was in a lot of pain and discomfort, and asked me to give him healing while he got on with the rest of the show. The young man was so grateful as he had never had healing before, and it really helped him.  

I have spoken to Derek and he has given his blessing to me writing this article. He had no hesitation at all.  

I saw Derek the whole of this weekend and asked if he had any reoccurrence of his back pain and he said not even a twinge. 

   

I just thank spirit every day for giving me the gift of healing and being able to help people in need.'  Contact Janet on 07917724379  Her healing centre meets in Croxley Green on Tuesdays 7.15 - 9p.m. Her first evening of clairvoyance is on Saturday 13th. July.

      

Guest Writer Jacquie Verbeek on her Spiritual Journey down under

I welcome Jacquie Verbeek as my guest writer this month.  She's been on a spiritual path for quite some time now, and has just packed her bags and moved to OZ

A Spiritual Journey Down Under 

It took me seven years to finally decide to make my biggest life change, mainly because I didn’t find it an easy process. Not helped by being a Libran; forever trying to keep a happy balance with the people in my life - my daughter, an Australian citizen living in Sydney, and my mum, son, sister and best friends living in England, who weren’t able to come to Australia with me! My indecision was adding to my unhappiness at not living where I wanted to be, doing a job I wasn’t enjoying, and all this despite everything I knew about how to be at peace! Sometimes the theory is easier than the practice! 

I won’t dwell on my earlier indecision or my consequential nervous breakdowns, but I would urge anyone currently in a quandary, wondering whether to stay or whether to go (in a job, relationship, home or country), to ask yourself the simplest of questions, “Am I happy now?” 

One important lesson I’ve learnt through all this is that we have to put ourselves first, for the sake of our own peace of mind, because until we find our own inner Truth and know what gives us peace of mind, how can we possibly help others? 

My other lesson, learnt the hard way, is that unhappiness and indecision cause stress, which if unchecked can lead to breakdowns.  So, I finally decided that enough was enough, acknowledged honestly to myself that I wasn’t happy in so many areas of my life and I had to do what I wanted to do; so in my fifties I would go and live in Australia. And, boy did it feel good once I’d made my mind up! 

In March, with my home and suitcases packed, I said farewell to my friends and family. It was sad and I don’t know when I’ll see them again. 

My first few weeks in Oz felt unsettled and my emotions were raw; I would well up when telling someone about my life change. I didn’t know where I was going to live, how I was going to spend my time, or where to meet people, but I had a plan to get involved with volunteering, acting classes, poetry groups, A Course in Miracles group, the Unitarian church and yoga classes - all the things I enjoy doing and where I hoped to meet like-minded friends. I’m looking forward to spending time at a yoga retreat centre in the countryside north of Sydney, but there’s no wifi or phone signal and I’ve been quite attached to my laptop since I’ve arrived, keenly looking for news from UK friends. However, communicating with a nine-hour time difference is not easy and I’ve come to terms with the fact that I moved away from being in my friends’ lives and “out of sight, out of mind” rings true. 

I’m practising forgiveness to “let go and let God” to take care of my needs. I give thanks that I’m in the flow, being looked after and able to live my near my daughter and son (he also made the move in January), and I’m blessed that I can Skype my mother. There are so many people in the world worse off than me: I have a roof over my head, a comfortable bed and a view of the back garden where the morning sun rises up. I miss being in my own home, but I have my connection to the Divine and know I’m able to reach out to others on our journeys through this illusion. 

Two Louise Hay affirmations that I’ve been saying daily for over a year are: “All is well. Everything is working out for my highest good, out of this situation only good will come, I am safe”; and “I am open and receptive to all the good and abundance in the Universe. Thank you Life.”