JULY 2012 ASTROLOGICAL UPDATE

© 2012 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Jul 12

by Marci McCaffery

Astrologer
Marci McCaffery

CANCER the Crab
June 22 – July 23
Key Phrase: “I FEEL”

The mood shifts from intellectual to instinctual as the transiting Sun moves out of Gemini into the sensitive waters of Cancer. Cancer’s tenacious, nurturing, intuitive qualities respond to life through feelings. Cancer innately rides the highs and lows of the emotional pulse, just like the waves of the ocean. In this society we are taught to dismiss our feelings and choose logic over intuition, and head over heart. However, the more we are in tune with our own emotional rhythms, the more we can flow through these accelerated times of unpredictable change. Where are you emotionally right now? Are you operating from fear or love?

July is a super-charged month, filled with planetary tensions. The transiting Sun directly opposes Pluto in Capricorn and squares Uranus in Aries, signifying projections, conflicts and turning points. This is the first of seven exact squares, beginning on June 29 at 8 degrees Aries/ Capricorn. What on earth does all of this mean? Pluto exposes all that has been hidden or denied, forcing us to face our shadow selves and own our power. Uranus uproots all that keeps us stuck, giving way to confusion, upheavals, break downs and breakthroughs. The thrust is for individualized self-expression and personal freedom. We are advised to stay in the present moment, moment by moment and follow our intuitive guidance.

CANCER
by Josephine Wall

Two planets turn retrograde this month; Uranus, the disruptive planet of sudden and erratic change, (July 13 to December 13) and communication oriented Mercury (July 14 to August 7.) Retrogrades always slow down and deepen our ability to process planetary influences on an internalized basis. The end result reflects innovation, originality, and necessary transformations and reforms. Mercury’s backward journey through the sign of Leo, presents the potential for unforeseen misunderstandings and misplaced dramas. Is that Ego speaking or Essence? Choose your words wisely and infuse creativity and courage into the mix. Those with Leo Sun signs may experience the strongest effects of this impact. The stage is set for powerful awakenings in our social conscious. As with all Mercury retrogrades, this is not a time to sign contracts or initiate new projects.

Mars, the planetary god of war, makes an uneasy sign change from Virgo to Libra for the next couple of weeks. Our ability to initiate action is problematic, since Mars is not in well placed in Libra. The warrior planet joins its fellow activators, Uranus and Pluto, in an intensely combustible configuration by mid July. This is a pressure cooker that has been building for months. The energy pattern is frenetic, violent, jolting and chaotic. The keyword is irrevocable change. Volatile weather patterns and increasing unrest in our global economy, politics and government reach a state of extremes. This marks a time period of considerable endings and inevitable new beginnings, as an old order passes.

The Full Moon at 12 degrees Capricorn on July 3 presents yet another energetic shift, forcing us to look at all that is demanding change in our lives. The New Moon on July 18 at 26 degrees Cancer highlights the need to stay present with our emotions, rather than repress them. Our minds, emotions and spiritual strength will be challenged. Meditation, self-care, yoga, massage/energy work, prayer, being out in nature and taking Rescue Remedy (Bach Flower Essence) help to reduce the intensity of these planetary influences. Remember to breathe deeply and maintain a constant vision of possibility and renewed purpose!

Marcia McCaffery is an NCGR certified astrological counselor specializing in life purpose, career and relationship readings. She is also a Reiki master teacher, a spiritual advisor, an author and an accredited Conscious Change coach with a private practice in the Denver area. She has a lifelong involvement with meditation, spiritual studies and the healing arts. She is a featured astrological consultant at Shining Lotus™ Metaphysical Bookstore. To learn how these changes impact you personally, contact Marci at stardirection@comcast.net.

For free, valuable resources visit her web site at http://www.stardirectionastrology.com/

FINE ART BY LINDA LOVE AND CHRIS BACHICHA

© 2012 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Jun 12

New Mexico artists Linda Love and Chris Bachicha have been creating beautiful objects for several years and are now offering these exquisite pieces through the Shining Lotus. Linda Love, an accomplished fine artist has produced many oil, acrylic, watercolor and multi-media pieces in the past and has contributed many mural masterpieces to spaces around the Albuquerque area. As a talented musician and professional artist, Chris Bachicha has been working with multi-media most of his life as well as oils, acrylics, watercolors, and stained glass.

THE RED WARRIOR multi-media mask. Measures 17″ high and 15″ wide. The mask is painted in a war paint style used most commonly by the Assiniboine tribe of northern Montana and southern Canada. Symbolizing the warrior spirit in all of us, the Red Warrior would be a powerful inspiration to live purposefully and authentically. This is a very high quality multi-media piece using leather, faux fur and stained glass.          $300

THE HUMMINGBIRD A wonderful multi-media depiction of a symbol of peace, love and happiness. Measures 8″ high and 5″ wide. Called “new world birds”, they are native to North, Central and South Americas. Ancient pagans held them sacred for their tireless energy. In Native American culture, they symbolize timeless joy and the Nectar of Life. Hang this piece in your home to remind yourself that your goals can be accomplished and you can find the miracle of joyful living from your own life circumstances.          $50

THE GREENMAN multi-media mask. Measures 17″ high and 14″ wide. This beautiful Greenman Mask is painted in shades of greens, yellows and browns with shiny, brightly jeweled eyes. Found in many cultures around the world, the Green Man is often related to natural vegetative, forest or nature deities springing up in different cultures throughout the ages. Primarily it is interpreted as a symbol of rebirth, or “renaissance”, representing the cycle of growth each spring. Some speculate that the mythology of the Green Man developed independently in the traditions of separate ancient cultures and evolved into the wide variety of examples found throughout history.          $300

AUTUMN multi-media mask. Measures 12″ high and 14″ wide. This beautiful Autumn Green Man mask is painted in shades of browns, yellows, and oranges with shiny, brightly jeweled eyes. The Autumn Green Man  is related to nature deities and spirits, and primarily interpreted as a symbol of strength, or “wisdom”, representing the cycles of the seasons of the Mother Earth. Autumn is also considered to be the preferred season of the Hindu goddess of learning and creativity, Saraswati, who is also known as the “Goddess of Autumn”.         $200

AJNABUDA multi-media mask. Measures 12″ high and 10″ wide. A very peaceful and beautiful depiction of the Buddha in a multi-media art piece. Adorned with a glass jewel at the Third Eye (Ajna) and Swarovsky crystals and magnetic hematite, this mask would be a grounding focal point (lakshya) in your meditation room or yoga studio. Usually, when one meditates, a lakshya is chosen on which to concentrate the energy (prana) and attention.          $200

INTENTIONAL CREATION OF REALITY

© 2012 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Jun 12

by Margaret Ann Lembo

We all have an opportunity to change our consciousness and create our reality every single day. How can we enable ourselves to deliberately create our reality? First, we must shift our vibrational field. We can create circumstances to help shake up our energy so we can change. When we consciously create circumstances, we have a smoother, happier life.

What are some of the ways to shift our vibration? There are a variety of ways to shift our vibration in order to be a vibrational match for what it is we want to create in our lives. Let me count the ways:

1. Clear out negative thoughts. Pay attention to the negative self-talk and then immediately replace it with a positive thought.

2. Decide what you want to create and think about what you want as often as possible. List every detail associated with the creation of the reality you wish to bring to fruition.

3. Take time to imagine life with that manifestation already in existence. If you can imagine, dream, visualize and feel a strong desire for it, it will be yours!

4. Carry gemstones or crystals with you. Put your intention into it by deciding that every time you touch, look or think of it, your focus will bring you another step closer to creating your new reality.

5. We may talk directly with God/Goddess or ask our Angels or Spiritual Guides to help us manifest what we want to see, feel, be, or create.

6. Attend a drumming circle, crystal bowl session or any session that would shake up your molecular structure. Sound and vibration creates, transforms and transmutes energy.

7. Take action in your life that is in alignment with making your desire a concrete reality.

8. Move into a space of allowing. Opening the heart to the Divine is an important factor in manifesting and creating reality. Focus on love and all good things follow.

9. Maintain a sense of gratitude. Be thankful for the many blessings that you already have in your life. 

Give thanks for the blessing in advance. Send blessings ahead to the new reality to meet you there in that not too distant future!

May we all remember and integrate the powers of magical manifestation that we possess. May we remember that we are creators of our own reality. May we create our world of Love, Peace, Kindness and Compassion.

Margaret Ann Lembo (Boynton Beach, FL) is a spiritual practitioner and owner of The Crystal Garden, a spiritual center and gift shop. Margaret Ann has trained hundreds of Crystal Healers. She is an aromatherapist and is well-known for her award winning Smudge in Spray and Archangel Raphael Spray. She is also the author and creator of Chakra Awakening and the Angel Gemstone Oracle Cards. For more than twenty years, she has led workshops and classes around the country. Her audio CDs (guided meditations and more) are distributed nationally. Visit her online atwww.margaretannlembo.com.

BEYOND VISUALIZATION - THE SEARCH FOR THE HIGHER SELF

© 2012 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Jun 12

by Mario C. Veo

A well crafted Visualization offers wonderful opportunities – in this enchanted Trance we talk with Angels and Spirit Guides, travel to other Realms, visit Past Lives… and even walk amongst the Gods. Here we uncover Dimensions that scientists only dream of; and learn how to actively participate with its inhabitants. Such a precious Gift can be very effective in shaping our Life – for personal Transformation, for Healing and Blessing, and for manifesting all our heart’s desires – it follows the Law of Attraction and the concept: “What you perceive you can achieve“.

Yet at times this is not enough, for Visualization is based on the qualities offered by our Emotional Body – the power of this creative journey lies with our Feelings… our response to the images creates a Magnetic Resonance which attracts, or rejects, people and things. It IS a wonderful “Tool”… but it lacks the influence of the Higher Mind – the ability to hold such a powerful Focus that is bends Reality to our Will… sounds too good to be true? Not so!

All ‘miracles’ throughout history rely on one of two abilities: the presence of Spirit, acting through the physical Form; or the action of a focused Mind, molding cells and atoms to its Will. This ‘Focused Mind’ has one great advantage over Visualization: it can create permanent changes, quickly and effectively – we call these “Thought Forms“. Thought Forms are pure crystallized Energies – they can create Invincible Shields (I’ve heard of cases where they stopped bullets), they can ‘veil’ you so you appear invisible, they allow you the gift of Higher Healing, Clairvoyance, Telepathy, whatever you wish. The Higher Mind opens the doors to Higher Consciousness so you may achieve Soul Fusion (where the Personality becomes infused by the Soul)…such wonderful Gifts, if only we are ready to accept ourselves as Higher Beings.

For those of you who wish to explore the opportunities offered by your own Higher Mind, I have created new upcoming workshops: Divine Light (June 5th); Creating the Heart Temple (June 12th); Clairvoyance (June 19th); and Telepathy (June 26th)… hope to see you there.

Mario C. Veo is a Spiritual Counselor and a Practitioner of Esoteric Arts. He teaches classes and offers personal guidance and consultations on Tuesday afternoons at the bookstore, or you can reach him at 303.380.7336.

P.S. Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain is a very valuable and inspirational resource that has led thousands to the fulfillment of their desires through the art of Mental Energy and Affirmation. It is usually available in the used book room at the Shining Lotus, but also still in print and available for $12.95 if you want a new copy.

DOREEN VIRTUE AND RADLEIGH VALENTINE

© 2012 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter May 12

AUTHOR VISIT AND BOOK SIGNING

Monday, May 7, 2012.    7 – 9 PM.    FREE TALK AND BOOK AND CARD SIGNING

Celebrate with us, the long-awaited release of Angel Tarot Cards and Mary, Queen of Angels. Doreen Virtue and Radleigh Valentine will be discussing their new Angel Tarot Deck, rich with symbolism and imagery – including archangels, dragons, unicorns, fairies, and mermaids. They have created a very magical, positive and beautifully illustrated deck of cards that will provide you with inspiring guidance on your life journey.

Doreen and Radleigh will share some brief audience readings and important new messages from the angels. Doreen will also be introducing her newest book, Mary, Queen of Angels, which will help us deepen our own connection to Mary and the angels.

Doreen Virtue holds B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in counseling psychology; and is a lifelong clairvoyant who works with the angelic realm. Doreen is the author of Healing with the Angels, Archangel Oracle Cards, and many other books and card decks. Doreen has appeared on Oprah, CNN, The View, and other television and radio programs; and writes regular columns for Woman’s World and other magazines. Her website is www.AngelTherapy.com.

Radleigh Valentine is an internationally known speaker, author, spiritual intuitive, and radio host on www.12Radio.com. He has studied tarot for more than 20 years and teaches workshops around the U.S. He is also the creator of RadScopes, weekly horoscopes with an enchanting twist of tarot. His website is www.MagicalThings.com.

BODY SECRETS REVEALED

© 2012 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter May 12

by Ellen L. Hughes

“My heart’s just not into it.”

“I have a bad feeling in my gut.”

Sound familiar? Do you ever have a sixth sense about things, instincts that don’t seem to be based on logic? There is a scientific explanation for this phenomenon. It’s called a neuron. A neuron is a cell that processes information. Your brain has 100 billion neurons; your gut has 100 billion. Your heart has 40,000. In essence, you have three intelligence centers – head, heart and gut. So when you say, “My heart’s just not into it”, it’s really the result of neurons processing information – motor (movement), sensory (see, hear, smell taste and touch), and cognitive (reason, think, dream, plan, remember) that flows through the Central Nervous System.

An alternative health method that taps into this phenomenon is HeartMath. HeartMath utilizes technology, tools and techniques to facilitate communication between the heart and brain. It teaches about shifting your thinking from head to heart and taps into the heart’s intelligence.

Adventures With Natural Healing
by Ellen L. Hughes

HeartMath is just one of the lesser-known alternative health methods that takes little time but can make a big difference in your life. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT or tapping) is another little-known method. EFT is a combination of neurolinguistic programming (NLP) and acupressure. It is effective on a myriad of health issues. The first time I saw it used was at a conference where the volunteer was a lady in her 40′s who struggled with her memory of molestation as a child. The practitioner used EFT on her and within a few minutes, the lady’s face visibly cleared and she said she felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. I was amazed at how quickly it worked, researched EFT and finally trained in it.

During training a video showed what happens in the body when EFT is performed. There were three women: an EFT practitioner, a nurse, and a computer tech. The practitioner thought of something disturbing to her to change her mental state, the nurse then drew her blood and put it on a slide and the tech made the slide visible to the audience. The slide showed red blood cells that were elongated and stuck together – unhealthy cells. Then the practitioner performed EFT on herself. The nurse drew another sample and the tech again programmed the slide so we could see the red blood cells which were now round and flowing freely. A 5-minute session of EFT changed the blood cells from unhealthy to healthy.

These are only two examples of methods that have scientific proof to back them up. Scientific data speaks to my very logical side. And then I tend to have more faith in the method. How about you? What do you think? What is your gut feeling?

Ellen L. Hughes is an author and lecturer and describes herself as a “health junkie”. She is a Clinical Hypnotherapist and has trained in EFT, Brain Gym®, Tellington Touch, Energy Medicine and other methods. Her latest book, Adventures With Natural Healing explores 27 alternative health methods and discusses when to use them, the scientific principle and the body system accessed and basic instructions for each method.

She also shares her personal experiences. Come listen to her share her knowledge at the Shining Lotus Sunday, May 20, 2012, from 2:00 – 3:00 pm.

For alternative health resources visit her site at http://www.sourceofenlightenment.com.

If you are a practitioner, there is a special announcement awaiting you at www.sourceofenlightenment.com/GC.html.

THE DECISION ASSISTANT COIN "A PENDULUM ALTERNATIVE

© 2012 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Feb 12

JOURNEY OF CHANGE®

$19.95

Have Questions? Need Answers?
INQUIRE about Love, Relationships, Health, Money, Finances, Family, Career and Future.

This coin/medallion is intended to be a higher consciousness “COIN FLIPPING” tool.  Designed to help you decide between two alternatives or choices. It can assist you in awakening to your own inner power and intuition.  Get to know the coin so you  can ask your own questions and know how to use the choices on the coin to answer the most pressing questions.

You can use it to make decisions with regards to a definite YES or NO. Should you ACT (it’s time) or WAIT (not now)? Should  you LET GO or HOLD ON? Is the situation (or Chakra) BALANCED or UNBALANCED? Should you proceed during the day  SUN or at night MOON? Should you USE INTUITION or ANALYZE IT! ?  You can also  make up you own two choices and use the outer black and white ring.

EASY PROCESS – Profound Results

Instructions included with the coin is a ritual in which you can activate your inner knowing and assist you with your decision(s).

This coin design won the 1st Place Blue Ribbon in the Divination Competition at the Holistic Pavilion at the 1st Annual DENVER COUNTY FAIR July of 2011. Concept and designed by Linda L. Davis of Journey Of Change, Inc. For more information see www.journeyofchange.com

YOUR DECISION ASSISTANT!

AROMATHERAPY SPRAYS

© 2012 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Feb 12

SMUDGE IN SPRAY – $12.00 — Tired of smoky sage in your home or office? Use liquid Smudge in Spray instead of smoky smudge products for clearing.  Intend to replace negatvity with Love, Light, and Well-Being.  Spray it around you and your space.

Smudge in Spray consists of medical grade pure essential oils, Florida Water, Holy Waters personally collected by the creator and Sacred Site essences from all over the world!

This spray was received through Divine Inspiration by Margaret Ann Lembo, author of Chakra Awakening and the Angel Gemstone Oracle Cards. Spray it around you and your space. Watch your life transform.

ARCHANGEL MICHAEL – $12.00 — Use Archangel Michael Spray to call on this Angel of Protection and Justice! An aromatic and energetic blend of pure high grade therapeutic quality oils, Holy Waters, Crystal Tinctures, Bach Flower Essences and special colognes to invoke peace, protection, justice, goodness and love. Feel the Blue ray of support, assistance and safety shining upon you.

ARCHANGEL RAPHAEL – $12.00  –  Archangel Raphael Spray is a blend of medical grade essential oils including grapefruit, benzoin, frankincense, geranium, angelica and many more. It also includes Holy Waters, Bach Flower Essences and Crystal Tinctures. This spray won the COVR Visionary Award in 2011 as the best Aroma Personal Product!

Use Archangel Raphael to help transform and transmute illness, mental challenges, emotional upsets or anything that prevents happiness!

GUARDIAN ANGEL SPRAY – $12.00  –  Developed and inspired by angels.Made of medical grade pure essential oils including benzoin, orange, mandarin, vanilla and Holy Waters from around the world. Also include Bach Flower Essences and Crystal Tinctures to remoVe fears, reduce anxiety, and invite and invoke the angels.

Use this spray to bring pleasant dreams, invoke angels to guard you, and bring liquid light to chase away things invisible in the night. Spray it around you and your space. Remember you are always surrounded by Angels of Love and Light!

LAVENDER SPRAY – $12.00  –  Lavender is good as an antibiotic as well as an anti parasitic and is anti-venomous.  It is useful for cuts, burns, insect bites, headAches, arthritis, anxiety, panic, it induces peace, dispels depression, and promotes sleep.

BOOK REVIEW: RICHARD WEBSTER'S "SOULMATES"

© 2012 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Feb 12

by Courtney DeWinter, Reiki Master Teacher - Delphine Healing Arts

Regardless of whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day or not, it’s hard to ignore all the prompts about romantic love that occur in February, be it the cards with bright red envelopes in all the stores, the ads for chocolate, and the push to buy jewelry. Apart from the commercialism of Valentine’s Day, it’s actually good for the world (or at least the United States) to have a time of year when people’s attention is focused on love. To that end, this month’s book review covers “Soul Mates,” by Richard Webster, Llewellyn Publications. Webster is a hypnotherapist, and as a result, you’ll find the book full of references to hypnotherapy sessions and past-life regressions.

The progression of content in the book makes quite a bit of sense. The author starts by defining soul mates as a past-life connection with someone who may or may not necessarily be a romantic partner. This is a very important clarification for those working on manifesting the love of this life. He also explains reincarnation and provides a great deal of compelling information to prove that reincarnation exists. The next step in finding love connections from other lifetimes is past-life regression – and Webster spends more than 100 pages of the book specifically on past-life regressions. (So, while the book is about soul mates, it will be of interest to those exploring past-life regression, too.)

On a practical level, Webster addresses some important aspects of being able to find your romantic partner, including the concept of getting yourself ready for this love to come into your life – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. And this is one of the best points in the book. Why? Many people talk about how they really want to find their true partner, but I have found, through muscle testing sessions on these folks, that these same people often are not ready for their partner to come into their life. Further muscle testing can indicate that areas where they feel stuck or not ready, so they can work on those aspects of themselves and clear blockages to bringing in that romantic love.

Now back to this idea of past lives and past-life regression. For those interested in this approach to identifying a soul mate, or determining if your current love is a soul mate, Webster explains in great detail how to do a past-life regression on yourself, as well as highlighting many case studies of past-life regressions he has done.

Tip for Readers: While past-life regression is a great tool for learning about your past lives, past-life regression must be approached with caution and done with someone who really knows what they’re doing. Why? If you do a past-life regression and take someone back to a lifetime where they were harmed in some way (beaten, tortured, raped, etc.), or they experienced deep trauma such as watching their loved one die, if you don’t set up parameters of how that past life will be viewed and experienced, the person experiencing the past-life regression can be re-traumatized by that past-life experience, and bring that trauma back into the present. So if you’re going to do pursue a past-life regression, make certain you work with someone who knows how to take you back WITHOUT letting you get re-traumatized by what you might find.

The final section of this book outlines other methods of finding your soul mate including “lucid dreaming,” dowsing, meditation, and more. I found his detailed description of how to use a pendulum to get answers extremely grounded, detailed, and helpful. So if you are still seeking your romantic love in this lifetime, or if you think you MAY have found your true romantic partner of this lifetime, and you want to verify it, this book provides some great information and tools that are helpful for both of these scenarios. Regardless of which one applies to you, this book provides helpful insights on finding the right romantic partner, and understanding how that person might tie back into past lives.

This soft cover book is available at Shining Lotus Bookstore in Denver, Colorado for $14.95. For more information, visit Shining Lotus Bookstore in Denver, Colorado at: www.shininglotus.com, or call 303.758.9113.

About The Reviewer:
Courtney DeWinter is a Reiki Master Teacher, and founder of Delphine Healing Arts, www.delphinehealingarts.com – offering comprehensive Reiki training classes in Denver, Colorado; Reiki healing sessions for people & animals; Reiki distance healing sessions for people & animals anywhere in the world; and monthly specialty workshops on energetic protection, energetic clearing, spirit guides, and more. Courtney DeWinter has 24 YEARS of experience in the Reiki energy healing system, and hundreds of hours of training in advanced energy healing. She also is a veteran journalist with 25 years of experience in reporting and magazine feature writing.

REIKI AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

© 2012 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Jan 12

by Joy Vernon

JOY VERNON

I am extremely lucky to always have brilliant students in my classes. My current Shinpiden (Reiki Level 3) class is no exception and we had a very interesting discussion of the difference between reiju and attunements last night.

Reiju means spiritual blessing and is the Japanese basis of the practice that in Western Reiki has developed into the attunement. In Western Reiki, the attunement is considered to open and/or increase the student’s ability to connect with and channel the Reiki energy. However, in traditional Japanese Reiki, we are reminded that our innate energy is developed over time through regular practice of the precepts, meditations, hands-on healing, mantras and symbols, and the regular and repeated experience of connecting with Spirit and with others through giving and receiving reiju.

In the Usui Reiki Ryôhô style that I teach, reiju is a very simple ritual that does not use the symbols or mantras. The giver of the reiju remembers that they are one with the great bright light, and from this place of energetic connection ritualistically reminds the recipient of their own unity with that place of enlightenment through performing a series of briefly held hand positions.

I also teach the Hayashi attunements that have filtered down into Western Reiki. These attunements are much simpler, easier and more straightforward than the Western Reiki attunements I first learned. The Hayashi attunements use the symbols and mantras as part of the energetic exchange between giver and receiver. In this process, the giver connects to the great bright light but during the attunement ritual also takes time to remember each of the component elements that comprise the undifferentiated unity of the place of enlightenment, and through using the symbols and mantras to express each of these facets, teaches the student on an energetic level the steps necessary to attain oneness.

As I was attempting to express these thoughts to my students last night, I fumbled trying to think of an appropriate analogy. But one of my students did the work for me and exclaimed, “It’s like a prism!” She went on to express how the Reiki energy is the white light that enters the prism, and the symbols and mantras are the various colors of the rainbow that refract out. The Reiki practitioner is the prism itself. (What can I say? I told you my students are brilliant!)

With that metaphor in mind, it becomes simplicity itself to explain the difference between reiju and attunements. Reiju is showing the student the undifferentiated light that enters the prism—it’s teaching by introducing the end goal or destination first. The attunements teach the student to understand each of the refracted colors of the rainbow first as a way to approach an understanding of the light. As teachers, we benefit from understanding and being able to energetically demonstrate both the light entering us as well as the facets refracting from us, the Reiki prisms. Brilliant!

Joy Vernon has been studying energetic and esoteric modalities for more than twenty years. She is a Reiki Practitioner and Teacher in the Traditional Japanese Usui Reiki Ryôhô lineage through IHR. She leads the Denver Reiki Co-op and is a member of Shibumi International Reiki Association. Joy is also a Certified Professional Tarot Reader.

BOOK REVIEW: RENNA SHESSO'S "A MAGICAL TOUR OF THE NIGHT SKY"

© 2012 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Jan 12

by Courtney DeWinter, Reiki Master Teacher - Delphine Healing Arts

As we humans enter a new calendar year, there’s more interest in astrology than at any other time of the year – as people seek answers on what the next 12 months will bring for them. Will I be more prosperous?  Will I conceive?  Where is my true love?  Should I take that new job?  Astrology charts will unveil the answers to these questions (and more) once you know critical information such as the placement of the sun, moon, and planets at the time of your birth.

These days, people often take for granted how quickly and accurately an astrological chart can be developed using computer programs.  And even though one’s chart is based on the placement of the sun, moon, and planets, it’s ironic that most people can immediately name their Sun Sign…yet they can’t gaze up at a night sky and point out the constellations affecting their personal fortunes.

Renna Shesso’s new book, “A Magical Tour of the Night Sky”, bridges this knowledge gap by talking about the astronomy behind astrology, and providing some handy tools for identifying planets and astrological constellations. She’s clearly written this book to bring the astronomy back into astrology, and laments the fact that: “Astrology in our times has little to do with actual observation of the heavens.”

To that end, she provides practical information on how to identify specific constellations: first, by navigating to well-known star groupings such as the Big Dipper, Little Dipper, and Orion’s Belt; and second, by using certain bright stars in astrological constellations as major landmarks to locate other groupings of stars.  The book also is chock full of illustrations that map out the heavens and show the positions of key star clusters, and how to then find your own Sun Sign constellation – plus advice on what time of year it’s most easily viewed.

She adds color and flavor to what could be a dry subject by telling the mythical stories associated with each constellation as well as fascinating stories about how the heavens were used by for navigation by many different peoples.  For example, did you know that escaping slaves literally used the North Star (known as “Polaris”) to navigate toward freedom in the free northern states of United States?

She talks about the movement of the sun, moon, and planets in nice grounded terms.  For the record, her simple explanation of the “Precession of the Equinoxes” (which figures prominently in the planetary alignments associated with the coming solstice of 2012) is one of the clearest and cleanest I’ve read in a good, long time.

The book also is a tool for personal growth and discovery related to the various energies associated with the Sun, Moon, and specific planets.  At the end of each chapter on the planets that are visible to us in the night sky, there are interesting assignments to complete that help you get in touch with the attributes of that planet in creative ways.

This is one of those books that ties together practical, scientific knowledge with myths, legends, and cultural lore.  Perhaps best of all, it encourages us to get off the sofa, put on a jacket, and go outside to re-discover the magnificence of the universe, and the magic of watching the sun, moon, planets, and stars wheeling overhead in their unending celestial dance.

This soft cover book is available at Shining Lotus Bookstore in Denver, Colorado for $19.95.  For more information, visit Shining Lotus Book Store in Denver, Colorado at: www.shininglotus.com, or call 303.758.9113.

About The Reviewer:
Courtney DeWinter is a Reiki Master Teacher, and founder of Delphine Healing Arts, www.delphinehealingarts.com – offering comprehensive &   training classes in Denver, Colorado; Reiki healing sessions for people & animals; and monthly specialty workshops on energy protection, energy clearing, spirit guides, and more.  Courtney has 24 YEARS of experience in the Reiki energy healing system.  She also is a veteran journalist with 25 years of experience in reporting and feature writing.

ABUNDANCE IS MINE!

© 2012 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Jan 12

by Norma Mitchell

When we think of abundance, many of us tend to think about our material world abundance first. We ‘program’ for money, a new car, home, or something else that money can buy. Although money is important as one of our tools to help us create a successful life, true abundance is more than money. It is our well-being with Spirit, self and others.

When we realize Spirit is our true source for everything that is within our lives, we allow Spirit to work through us to create more magnificent lives than we could ever imagine. Every opportunity that Spirit provides us is part of Spirit”s love for us. These opportunities assist us to grow, to love, to enjoy, to share and to be all that we are created to be as expression of Spirit. There are times we don’t get what we want immediately and we sometimes think we are being punished or that for some reason Spirit doesn’t want us to have something. Actually, when we don’t get what we want, it is because on some level we are the ones who don’t believe we deserve whatever we want.

This four week workshop is designed to help you understand and release any restrictions you have concerning your abundance. The first part of each session will be discussion, followed by the use of relaxation techniques to explore old ‘programming’ — whether of this life or others — that has caused a resistance to allowing abundance in one or more area of your life.

John Randolph Price’s 40-Day Prosperity Plan in The Abundance Book will also be used as reinforcement of the changes you wish to make to experience true abundance. It is based on the idea that it takes forty days to change a habit and to understand that by working through Spirit we can create the life we want to experience now. This workshop will allow each of us to interact with loving support of each other and to enhance our belief that true abundance is available for us of us in every area of our lives.

Norma Mitchell. As a spiritual counselor, medical intuitive, business consultant, medium, teacher and hypno-therapist with 30 years experience “Helping People Help Themselves”. Norma Mitchell has been working with clients at the Shining Lotus™ since 2008. She provides Intuitive readings every Monday from 12pm to 5pm and also works from 12pm to 5pm on the second Saturday of every month.

11/11/11 PSYCHIC FAIR

© 2011 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Nov 11

November 11, 2011

11:11:11 All Day at Shining Lotus™

$1 a minute Psychic or Tarot Card Readings

$1 a minute Chair Massage or Foot Reflexology

Every item in the store is 11.11% off

Free 11:11 meditation led by

Mario C. Veo at 11:00 am and 5:00 pm

11 is a double digit and therefore is considered a Master or Power Number. 11 represents impractical idealism, visionary refinement of ideals, intuition, revelation, artistic and inventive genius. It carries psychic vibrations and has an equal balance of masculine and feminine properties. 11 also represents the spiraling twin strands of human DNA moving into higher frequency of consciousness,

Join us for a very special event on November 11, 2011 from 10am to 6pm. Explore your own connection to the Master Number and see what sort of transformation you can manifest in your own life.

ALL SESSIONS ARE $1 A MINUTE

Intuitive Readings. Lisa Froman will bring her psychic and intuitive gifts to assist you in expanding and advancing your spiritual growth.
Intuitive Readings. Norma Mitchell will provide very accurate intuitive readings that help clear negativity and invite peace, love, good health and prosperity into your life.
Tarot Readings. SuEllen Shepard will invoke the power and mystery of Tarot Imagery to help you reveal the possibilities as you move forward in your life during this powerful time of 11:11:11.
Chair Massage. Edna Garcia will add a relaxing, healing and therapeutic chair massage to your 11:11 experience.
Foot Reflexology. Debbie Zalman will make sure your body and “sole” are perfectly aligned with a foot massage.
Palmistry. Mario C. Veo will give palmistry readings throughout the day.

Mario will lead a free 11:11 meditation at 11am and then again at 5pm, designed to awaken your awareness, embrace your spirituality and align your abilities with the Divine. No portal will open and aliens will not return to help, harm, or guide humanity. It is just about spiritual awakening and working toward enlightenment.

Save 11.11% on every product in the store, every book, every candle, every card, every gift. 

Everything is 11.11% off. If you feel guided to be with people of like mind on this auspicious day, please come to the Shining Lotus on November 11, 2011.

REIKI: A POWERFUL, EFFECTIVE HEALING SYSTEM

© 2011 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Oct 11

by Courtney DeWinter, Reiki Master Teacher - Delphine Healing Arts

The Reiki system of energy healing — developed in Japan in the early 1900s — is based on life force energies that have been an integral part of this planet since it was formed. Everything on this planet (people, animals, trees, etc.) give off electro-magnetic, or life force, energy. The body is not just a physical structure; it’s composed of electro- magnetic energies and energy fields, too.

The Reiki healing system uses these powerful life force energies for healing purposes. The Reiki practitioner accesses life force energies that are all around us, and pulls that energy into themselves, and then flows it out their hands and into the Reiki recipient. Results of a Reiki treatment vary depending on what the recipient needs on that particular day. Healing comes in many forms, and Reiki can provide physical, emotional, spiritual, or karmic healing, (or a combination thereof).

Reiki is done fully clothed on a massage table. And while the healing results can vary, Reiki recipients universally report feeling heat and pulsing coming from the practitioner’s hands, deep calm, and many see beautiful colors in their mind’s eye while they are receiving a Reiki treatment.

Reiki also has been studied by medical researchers. We now know that Reiki accelerates the healing process, eases pain, eases the nausea associated with chemo- therapy, improves blood chemistry, and much more. How Reiki affects you depends, quite simply, on what you need.

Courtney DeWinter is a Reiki Master Teacher and Master Practitioner with 23 years of experience in the Reiki energy healing system. She is the founder of Denver-based Delphine Healing Arts (www.DelphineHealingArts.com), which offers comprehensive & thorough Reiki training classes, and Reiki healing session for people & animals. Courtney was first introduced to Reiki in the warm blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, swimming with a pod of dolphins. A group of Reiki masters lead the trip to Mexico, and the experiences were so profound that Courtney got the call to heal and teach healing, and embarked on learning the Reiki healing system. She has been doing Reiki since 1988, when the Reiki system made its way to Colorado.

"I CAN" AFFIRMATION COIN: NEW PRODUCT!

© 2011 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Apr 11.

$19.95

When you are facing challenges, remember “I Can”

Please, never forget, when you are on a path and there seems to be no light around or in front of you,  whisper the words “I Can” to yourself until it becomes yours and you just may discover the light.

“This Coin Is A Visual Reminder Of Your Power”

TO ACTIVATE THE SUNBURST QUALITIES DISPLAYED ON THE COIN AND TO GROUND AND CENTER  YOURSELF, PLACE THE COIN BETWEEN YOUR HANDS AND TAKE A FEW DEEP BREATHS, AND SAY “I Can”…

Display the beautiful coin on your desk, table, nightstand or altar.   It will be there to remind you of your true strength.

The twelve qualities bursting from the “I Can” Sun in the center are a guide for your healing. Take the first step to FORGIVE when you feel you are at your bottom, and go clockwise contemplating each quality to bring your life back into balance.

The “I Can” was placed in four directions around the coin, representing the directions life can take and holding the qualities within.

The lighting bolt on the other side of the coin represents the POWER of “I Can” that can be accessed by you right NOW!

For more information about the coin: www.journeyofchange.com

Designed by Linda L. Davis

WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT 2012?

© 2011 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Mar 11.

March 9, 2011 is the first day of the Universal Cycle (9th Wave of the Mayan Calendar).The Universal Cycle is a 234-day long period that ends the Mayan Calendar on October 28, 2011.

“I have probably contributed myself to the confusion that reigns when it comes to the beginning date of the Universal wave movement and have given different times for this. What we know is that the calendar develops according to nine wave movements, where the longest one goes back to the birth of the universe, and they all differ from one another with a factor of twenty. According to such a fractal view of the prophetic Mayan calendar system the ninth wave would then be only 234 days long made up of 13 different uaxaclahunkin (18 day) periods. This places the beginning of the ninth wave at March 9, 2011 and that of the preceding wave (Conscious Convergence) at July 17, 2010. These are points in time that are expected to mark significant frequency increases and accelerations of time.

As we approach the time when all the nine waves, developing at different speeds, will simultaneously come to manifest fully (28 October 2011, 13 Ahau) there is thus going to be quite complex patterns of overlapping of these waves. The Sacred Calendar rounds of 260 days will still have an unquestionable energetic existence and so these, as part of this overlapping, would continue the three stage rocket into the birth of the new world that started on 9.9.9. For this reason the dates of the beginnings of the two recent tzolkin rounds, May 27, 2010 and Feb 11, 2011, also remained as important times for celebrating alignments with the cosmic plan and potentially very important for the preparation for the Conscious Convergence and the actual ninth wave respectively.”

Carl Johan Calleman
carljohan.calleman@gmail.com

For more information on the work of Ian Lungold and Carl Johan Calleman, go to www.mayanmajix.com.

A. D. AFTER DISCLOSURE: NEW BOOK FROM RICHARD DOLAN AND BRYCE ZABEL

© 2011 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Jan 11.

A. D. AFTER DISCLOSURE:
The Peoples Guide to Life
After Contact
by Richard Dolan
and Bryce Zabel

“Thousands of books have been published, all debating whether UFOs are real or just figments of our imaginations. This book is not one of them.”

Over six decades into this quiet revolution, we can now see the outlines of a reality that has been sneaking up on us, one step at a time. The issue that was hushed up by one generation, then turned into an object of derision by another, now demands to be heard straight up in ours.

Since the first major wave of UFO sightings in 1947, the number of people who believe that UFOs are of extraterrestrial origin has steadily risen. Today a majority of Americans, as well as other global citizens, believe that this is so, and at least five percent claim to have seen a UFO.

The evidence that something strange has been happening is voluminous and convincing. All you have to do is look for it. Over the years, determined researchers have forced the release of once-classified reports prepared by the U.S. government and other nations. These accounts tell a story of contact through the eyes of thousands of professional witnesses – law enforcement, military pilots, and even astronauts. Most of the public now rejects the theory that all sightings can be explained away as weather balloons, swamp gas flares, ball lighting, or mass hallucination. Instead, people seem to have settled on one conclusion:

At least some UFOs appear to be intelligently controlled physical craft of some kind from some place that is not here.

Accepting that as our starting point is what makes our book different.

A.D. After Disclosure is the first project to focus on what might happen after an announcement that UFOs are real.

Even if you have been a skeptic on the subject of UFOs or, if you do believe in them but doubt that the secrecy is likely to end any time soon, this book should still engage you. Consider it a fascinating “what if?”

What if UFO secrecy were to end? How would that change our world?

No secret can last forever. Our own society is changing so fast, so completely, that we are likely to be unrecognizable within a mere century from now. In such a world, with intelligent computers, advanced quantum computing, and nearly unforeseeable developments in global communication, can we really believe that a secret such as the presence of an alien intelligence on Earth can continue to remain hidden and undisclosed? At what point between now and then do we cross the threshold of knowing the truth about UFOs, and having an open acknowledgment of them in our world? It might be as soon as next week, or as long as several more generations, but it will not be forever. It will happen. The wall of official denial that has been in place for more than half a century now is showing cracks.

And yet, an acknowledgment that “UFOs are real and some of them are not us” will not end the debate, but only lead to more questions. It might also mark a new phase of the mystery.

Will Disclosure lead to social panic? Undermine religion? Destroy the stock market? Or will it lead to revolutionary new technologies, extended life spans, and world peace?

If alien civilizations have sent their own explorers across the universe to visit us, who are they? What do they want? And why would some of our own people have kept the news of their arrival from the rest of us? What will unmasking a truth of this magnitude do to our reality, our way of life, our culture, our society? Could it be that these beings are not “visitors” fromanother part of our universe, but full-time residents of our world already? Are even stranger physics involved, such as dimensions or time travel?

Any such revelation will be a game-changer of monumental proportions. Unlike 9/11 when we said everything changed, in this case it really will.

Full Disclosure could usher in an age of human unity, or it could lead to global despair. It could lead to a whole new age, or it could bring the world to its knees.

Also available from Richard Dolan and Keyhole Publishing Company:

UFOs and the National Security State: Chronology of a Cover-up 1941-1973 ($24.95)and UFOs and the National Security State: The Cover-up Exposed 1973-1991 ($26.95). The two-part detailed chronological narrative of the national security dimensions of the UFO phenomenon from 1941 to the present. Working from hundreds of declassified records and other primary and secondary sources, Dolan centers his investigation on the American military and intelligence communities, demonstrating that they take UFOs seriously indeed.

RECESSION-PROOF HEALTH AND VITALITY

© 2010 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Dec 10.

JUST FOR HEALTH by Luke Terry, Licensed Acupuncturist

As the recession wears on, some rather counter-intuitive trends have emerged. One would think that decreased economic activity would result in a decrease in American’s health for the average person.

That turns out to be false! According to John de Graaf of the Solutions Journal, the average American’s health has actually improved overall during the recession. Yes, it’s true that on the whole, people are working less and earning less, but they’re also driving less, smoking less, and eating less bad restaurant food. In addition, they’re spending more time with family & friends, exercising more, sleeping more, and gardening more. ??These healthy choices are decreasing the mortality rate. In fact, for every percentage point increase in unemployment, mortality decreases by about a half a percent. The largest improvements have been a big dip in traffic deaths, which has declined by 25%, and an increase in gardening, up 40%. Such a great silver lining!

On the other side of the coin, families who have experienced the loss of a job or income do experience more stress, and in some cases, rates of suicide amongst the unemployed has grown. One’s best defense is a good offense – developing a strong, positive attitude, a sense of personal well-being that is unconditional and not connected to external circumstances, these things can all bring deep happiness and health. This strategy can improve your own health, and as your health improves, we gain positive energy that helps everyone and everything around us.

As our economy retools and becomes more resilient, our best strategy is always to improve our own personal health and adaptability. Proven strategies to build deep inner vitality include a healthy, simple diet, regular exercise outside in the sun, strong social connections, and a lasting commitment to self-improvement.

Herbal medicine gives us one such avenue. We can build health & vitality by building our Qi energy, by strengthening our immune system, nervous system, and adrenals, by improving sleep quality and duration, by improving digestion and metabolism. These goals are all easily attainable through the use of herbal medicine.

For best results, contact a qualified herbal medicine practitioner in your area, or better yet, educate yourself on the ancient and yet timeless art and science of using botanical substances to build vibrant health from within.

Check out the MASTER HERBALIST PROGRAM, Luke Terry, L Ac, Dipl. Ac, MTOM, Clinical Director, Rachel Lord, RN, President & Dean of Students, Just for Health School of Reflexology & Healing Arts. 303-320-4367. Next training starts February 2011.

Approved and Regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational School Board.

SIGNS FROM SPIRIT

© 2010 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Aug 10/Sep 10.

by Norma Mitchell

For thousands of years, man has sought signs from the Creator to make decisions in life. These signs have been read by man in various civilizations for direction in how to live life, where and how to find food and shelter, where to locate settlements and spiritual structures, plus various other conditions man has asked the Creator to lead him through.

Although we have records indicating this search, many of the so-called civilized areas of our world has steadily relied more on the thinking process rather than the feelings of our hearts and the sensitivity to our environment and the people around us. I fact, we often mistrust anything we can’t see or understand through our logic in life. What if we were able to readily access information from Spirit or whatever we call the All?

The good news is that we can … and often do (even when we don’t always recognize the information) … in spite of our disbelief. The loving God I experience wants us to be happy and successful … and leads us through life when we are willing to hear and accept Its communication. Some of us recognize the energetic responses Carl Jung coined “synchronicity” in our lives. These occurrences are not random nor is the Universe. Whether we simply focus on a desired goal, or we consciously ask for help from Spirit, we often notice events of such synchronicity.

Sometimes, these occurrences are through a materialization of something in answer to our questions, sometimes another person tells us something that we find helpful, and sometimes a book or song on the radio has that answer. Sometimes the “sign” represents a warning to us to be careful or to let us know changes are coming. The only requirements that we need to fulfill to consciously receive signs are to ask, pay attention to the possible answers, and trust that we will receive them.

The classes coming up on August 5 and 19, 2010, offer how to ask for and recognize signs, how they may appear, and developing trust. Through guided meditation and the exercises developed for you, you have the opportunity to create a more powerful communication with Spirit by eliminating fear, forgiving and releasing limitations, developing gratitude and living a joyful and fulfilling life.

Norma Mitchell has worked as an Intuitive and Spiritual Counselor, Business Consultant, Hypno/Regression Therapist, Teacher and Medium for the past thirty plus years. She has appeared on television and radio talk shows and given programs at business, social and church functions. She has also published articles in various publications. Norma is available for counseling in person on Mondays from 12-6 pm and at least one weekend day a month at the Shining Lotus. She is also available other times for phone sessions through the store. Call (303) 758-9113 to make your appointment!

REFLEXOLOGY - FEET FIRST

© 2010 - Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Aug 10/Sep 10.

JUST FOR HEALTH by Rachel Lord, RN, Master Herbalist, Nationally Board Certified Reflexologist

Do your feet hurt?  Or do you know someone whose do?  This is one of the most common complaints that folks have.  And no wonder.  We stuff our tootsies in all kinds of shoe shapes, pound them on concrete and asphalt, stand and walk on them all day—and then wonder how come they hurt!  Additionally, we use our hands constantly and then don’t get where that carpal tunnel came from.

Reflexology is a type of  bodywork that addresses feet foremost, but also hands and ears. It is a science that maps out the reflexes to the whole body on all three places.  By pressing specific areas on them, every organ, gland and body part is affected in a positive manner.  It is a lot like acupuncture, in that you can work an organ from far away without actually touching it.  It clears energy meridians or pathways.  Remove a blockage in one place and you have opened up the whole energy line.  Once that happens, pain disappears; the body returns to balance.

What does a good Reflexologist do? First she/he inspects your feet and hands.  A skilled practitioner can help with actual foot and hand problems as well as accessing the reflexes. That means things like carpal tunnel, bunions, sprains, achy arches, heel pain, neuropathy can be relieved. Then there’s the relaxation aspect. A skilled Reflexology treatment can put you into “la la land”.  And we all know the benefits of relaxation.  That in itself helps the body heal and spirals up the immune system.

Ear Reflexology came from France.  Both Reflexologists and acupuncturists use ear points.  This is another way to access the entire body.  There is something about getting your ears gently worked that evokes profound relaxation. So when you get a treatment, don’t leave out the ear part.

Just writing this article makes me want to rush out and get a treatment.  It can’t be beat!  Maybe you would like to become a Reflexologist, provide such amazing work and get paid for it too!

Sat, Sep 25, 2010, FREE 10-MINUTE REFLEXOLOGY SESSIONS at Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore. Presented in celebration of World Reflexology Week and sponsored by the Associated Reflexologists of Colorado (ARC) to increase awareness about Reflexology. ARC members will be on hand to give free Reflexology sessions, plenty of TLC and to answer your questions about Reflexology. 12 – 5 PM, FREE.

PROFESSIONAL FEET, HAND and EAR REFLEXOLOGY PROGRAM Rachel Lord, Director “Just for Health School of Reflexology & Healing Arts” 303-320-4367, justforhealth7@gmail.com, www.justforhealth.net

Approved and Regulated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational School Board and the American Reflexology Certification Board.