I just got home from a Women’s Spirituality Retreat.  I am always amazed at the gifts I receive during this weekend once a year.  I think my favorite part was my date with God… 

 Most days, I wake at 5 am.  No matter the time I go to bed, my eyes spring open at five and usually, I am fully awake bounding from bed to my office – my mind flooded with ideas…But this past weekend, I didn’t bring my work with me on retreat.  Instead of working at five, I crept from my room (as to not wake my sleeping roommate) and went to me main meeting area where there were these huge windows over looking the Rocky Mountains. 

 It was quiet.  Only me.  I plopped down in front of the windows in a comfy chair with a book and knitting in hand - just in case.  I looked out the window into the darkness beyond.  There were clouds in the sky, yet there was single star twinkling, calling to me, reminding me to whom I belong…

 Without conscious thinking I began to pray aloud, over and over repeating my gratitude for my life, my family, my work, my clients…and most importantly knowing God.  Suddenly I was a child again, tears streaming down my face – not from sadness, but release, even joy to be here in this moment. 

 In my mind, I heard the voice, tender and fatherly, “This is our time, our date…me and you, my beloved child.”  Warmth spread through my body and I noticed the faint glow of sunrise beckoning from just behind the powerful mountains.  Aaaahhh, this was our time and I settled even more deeply into my chair as to watch God’s glorious spectacle unfold.

 The sky, very slowly, began to brighten and the clouds became brilliant with orange, pink, red, purple, yellow…I pulled my chair even closer to the windows - to get a better view, and that is when I noticed the floating, glittering snow flakes…I was reminded that sometimes your have to change your position to see all the glittering magic before you.  Grateful tears again.

 I was surprised at how slowly the sunrise blossomed.  Again I was reminded about time…Time is man’s invention, but with God, it is without measure.  I had slipped into God’s time, grace – moment’s stretching into hours…We had all the time in the world.

 I sat transfixed, blessed and humble.  I watched the clouds change from orange to yellow to purple…on and on the abundant colors flooded my vision.  What surprised me most was when the sun finally did come up, most of the other colors disappeared.  The clouds turned almost a steel gray, drained of their vibrant colors.  The colors had gone home, returned again to from which they came – the fiery sun. 

 I was reminded to enjoy the journey even before the prize.  And I heard the tender voice again, “This is our time, my beloved. Come, rest in me any time. I am always here.  I am here.” 

 I bowed my head, humbled by the love that poured out for me, always.  Love born not because I did something special, or achieved something great, but because, I am.  Simply.  Purely.  Divinely.  I am. 

About fifteen years ago I was first introduced to Flower Essences.  I had been in chronic pain for over a year due to a car accident and I was a mess.  I had tried to find relief through regular western medicine, but this only lead to more pills.  Seeking alternative treatments, I found a healer who introduced me to flower essences and what lay beyond physical pain – the emotions. 

 I discovered to find true healing I needed to address not only the physical pains, but also the emotional scars that were at its foundation.  This is when Flower Essence Remedies entered my life.  Flower Essence Remedies are based on the concept that food is for your body as flowers are for your soul…

 Bach Flower Essences were first created by British physician, Dr. Edward Bach, in the 1930s.  Bach was treating returning soldiers from WWI for their wounds and unfortunately, many were not getting better.  He discovered you had to go beyond the outward signs of physical pain/injury to the emotional traumas still held within the mind and spirit to find true healing. 

 Flower Essences are derived from the flowering parts of plants.  The essence holds the life force of that plant and its specific qualities.  For example, I think everyone has heard of the calming effects of lavender.  Or even that mistletoe’s meaning is “all heal” and is still used today to treat cancer.  Bach rediscovered the forgotten knowledge of flowers that was surely passed down through the ages - only lost for awhile during the crush of 19^th century modernization.

 Flower Essences are not to be taken to relieve the physical symptoms of injury, but as support.  Flower Essences add support to your process – they strengthen your ability to work through conflicts, challenges or obstacles on your journey to wellness.  Sometimes the remedies will actually create the space where you may even feel discomfort more acutely as to “clear” this trauma. 

 A remedy usually last about a month, four drops - four times a day.  I like to think of it as a full cycle.  When you first take the flower remedy you may feel “better” for a day or so before the clearing begins…and then there becomes a heightened awareness of certain annoyances, fights, unsaid words, old patterns that keep coming up over and over until finally you are dealing with your real issue.  It may not feel great, but its necessary to finally be free of this issue and now you have the resources within to make the shift and heal.

 I use Flower Remedies all the time with my clients and in my own life – my kids love them!  They are non-toxic and safe.  It is really another blanket of support you can give yourself, any time – gentle, hopeful and full of possibilities, like the blossoms they are…So be it.  Some Flower Essences to think about…

 Fear…Garlic, Holly, Larch, Black-Eyed Susan, Poison Oak/p Exhaustion & Fatigue…Aloe Vera, Echinacea, Impatiens, Lavender, Olive

 Faith…Aspen, Forget-Me-Not, Sage, Sweet Chestnut

 Depression & Despair…Elm, Chrysanthemum, Hornbeam, Mustard

 Creativity…Buttercup, Iris, Queen Anne’s Lace, Zinnia

 Courage…Fawn Lily, Evening Primrose, Golden Yarrow, Rock Rose 

Love…Angelica, Chicory, Yellow Star Tulip, Mariposa Lily 

Are the days dragging?  Has February got you down?  And there’s even extra day this year too – Leap year!  Help is here.  Try these suggestions I’ve developed over the years for myself and clients to get out of a rut and into my best day. 

1.  Intention.  Set an intention through breathe, prayer or meditation each morning.  Every morning before my husband and I part for the day we hold hands and take turns saying a short prayer, usually not longer then 30 seconds.  This act creates intimacy in your relationship and yourself because you are connecting to what is important and voicing your desires.  This can be done alone, with a spouse or friend, even with children, and still the positive affects will slip into your life magically.

 2.        Make your bed.  I know it sounds silly, but it works.  It takes maybe a minute and half - tops, to pull the covers up and fluff the pillows and viola – an oasis is born, just waiting for you at the end of the day.  This creates a small space of order in your life that quietly expands outward.

 3.       Breakfast.  Even a granola bar will do.  Again, I know you’ve heard this before, but this too works.  Skipping breakfast can lead to becoming a starving lunatic by lunch where binge eating and a need for a nap take center stage.  Breakfast helps you to stay more balanced through the morning and it is even good for staying trim!

 4.       Smiling and laughter.  Any chance you get, smile and laugh.  Immediately you will feel better and best of all - smiles are contagious.  The people around you will enjoy being around you so much more with a smile on your face and an easy laugh.  If you are having trouble finding your smile or laughter – call a friend who always makes you laugh, or flip back in your mind to a funny image or story from your past and re-visit the joke again.  You will feel better – lighter, so smile.

 5.       Sun and nature.  We’ve all read the studies – no sunlight leads to depression.  If you have ever wintered in New England – you know the truth of this statement.  I have had friends who buy those special lambs and sit under them for 15 minutes a day – swearing by the positive effects.  If possible, try sitting in a sunny window or better yet, get outside and go for a walk.  During the winter, it is so easy to only walk outside going to and from your job or the mailbox – resist this trap and take a walk during your lunch break.  You may even be surprised by noticing Spring flowers beginning to break though and realizing Spring is in fact coming this year!

 It is my hope that these suggestions help you to connect to a more balanced and joyful day each day.  May it be so.

Learn how Flower Remedies can support you and your life.  With noted writer, speaker and coach, Amy Casey, I discuss the origins of the Bach Flower Essence series, how remedies work and how to use them in your life.  Amy also discusses how Flower Essences can be effective with your pets too. 

Amy helps people discover and use their unique intuitive gifts in all areas of life. She specializes in animal communication, health and wellness. You can find her at
http://www.pethealthfocus.com. Enjoy the podcast!

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That day is upon us, Valentine’s Day.  A girlfriend and I have referred to it as “Happy V.D.” for years, followed by much giggling.   Valentine’s Day is  quite a conundrum.  I like the idea of celebrating love, but find the whole day, kind of a set up for failure.

If I chose to say I am above that “kind of manufactured display of love” and not participate, certainly I’m unhappy.  Where are my chocolates?  Thank God, I no longer work in an office where the relentless parade of delivered flowers consumed me.  I can honestly say, what I dislike the most, is the exclusionary aspect of the celebration.  You don’t have a Valentine?

I did a little research on the origins of Valentine’s Day using the Wikipedia encyclopedia, only to discover its beginnings had little to do with “romantic love”…

The feast of St. Valentine was first decreed in 496 by Pope Gelasius, possibly as an attempt to supersede the pagan holiday of Lupercalia that was still being celebrated in fifth-century Rome.  Valentine was the name of one or more martyred Christian Saints.  Nothing is known about them except “their feats were known to God”  - a dubious beginning to be sure.

It was in the 14th century that author Geoffrey Chaucer first associated the feast with the notion of “romantic love.”   Ummmm, so we can thank an author with a knack for refined “fart” jokes for this celebration…There is a certain kind of symmetry to that I think.

As you can guess, I do like to participate in Valentine’s Day.  However, I have modified it to fit me.  I send Valentines to my girlfriends.  I give my husband instructions, “Chocolate and lingerie.”    (“Lingerie” can easily be exchanged for “shiny baubles” depending how I feel about my dress size that year.)  I buy my husband and my kids something small with homemade cards attached.  And, I buy myself flowers.   Pretty, pretty flowers.  Happy V.D.

I have many clients who wish to live a more magical life, but are unclear as to how to make this happen.  Somehow this concept of “this is for someone else, I don’t have it” keeps coming to the forefront.  Let me just be clear, you do have it – you just have to find a way to access it.  Here are some tips to open the door to a more magical life…

 1.  Look for connection.  I firmly believe there is a valid reason for everything, both bad and good.  Instead of viewing yourself as being a victim of circumstance – what if you chose to belief things happen for a reason?  What if you detached from life and looked for the pattern?  If you truly witness your life, you will see patterns emerging.  Those patterns are happening for a reason.  What are they saying to you?

 2.  Listen to the words people are speaking to you and also pay more attention to the words coming out of your own mouth.  Often the advice we give is really for ourselves.  Sometimes virtual strangers offer the most profound opportunities – out of the blue someone says something that hits you just right.  Do you listen or dismiss these moments?  The more you listen and accept these opportunities – the more often they will happen.

 3.  Go buy some divination cards or runes and begin playing.  Any divination tool takes time to build confidence, but I will tell you a secret – sometimes beginners are more pure and can get awesome insights just because they don’t “know too much.”  Angel Cards are a great place to start because they are single words, pick one every morning for a week and discover how this works for you.  I bet you will feel more connected.

 4.  Look outside in nature – animals, plants, etc.  Several years ago, I bought the book Animal Speak (go to my resources page to find the review/buy) and was immediately hooked.  It speaks of living in a connected universe with animals having specific meanings when they appear…Luckily, I live in a place with lots of natural animals (I just saw a bald eagle a couple days ago…) and I am always on the lookout.  Which is a big part of living magically – watching for it.

 5.  Surround yourself with people who do believe or seem to have “magic.”  Being around these people will serve as a model – how do they react to new information in their life?  I remember meeting a wonderful mentor years ago and she just sparkled – there was just something special, lighter about her and all I could think was, “I want to feel/live like that.”  We worked together for awhile and I discovered that light was in me too, but I had blocked it for years for various reasons.  Once I was able to release those stumbling blocks – the magic poured in and I was able to transcend my limiting beliefs unlocking a brand new life – JOY!!!

 In the beginning, you consciously need to create opportunities for magic to enter your life (cards, looking to nature…) and then suddenly, you will discover - it is all around.  You’ll even be amused to discover it has always been here, just waiting for you.  You hold the key, in your mind and in your heart.  Come, the magic is waiting for you to step into…

Today, February 1st, is the first day of Imbolc, the Feast of Brigit, pagan Goddess and Christian Saint.  I like Brigit.  She’s a Goddess of action and focus.   The fiery goddess of inner strength and will.  A redhead after my own heart.

Imbolc is the first day of Spring in the Celtic Calendar, February 1st.   I look out my window and I see snowflakes falling, one after another, tumbling down.  The ground has been hidden by two feet of hard, half-melted snow for five weeks now.

I haven’t seen a bird at my feeders for two whole days.  They are hiding too.  Deep, within the branches of the pine trees.  Trees that poke and prick at us is where they find refuge—these are their warm places.

A week or so ago, I was with a friend and we were discussing his garden.  He couldn’t wait to show me this big vegetable he had just picked.  Mind you, this was January 18th and there had been snow on the ground for weeks along with frighteningly cold temperatures.  I just nodded my head and smiled at this crazy comment.

Off to the fridge he ran and returned with a grin from ear to ear  holding this massive, gorgeous purple turnip.  This had been growing in his garden since last Spring.  Underneath the snow, this had been growing still.  Thriving in fact.

I could not ignore the message.  The reminder that sometimes we can’t see the change.  The shifting beneath the surface.  We see the snow on top.  Still there, not melting completely.

Looking at that turnip, I felt a leap of excitement.  I heard in my mind one of my favorite quotes by Kahlil Gibran, “In every Winter’s Heart there is a Quivering Spring…”

Maybe I couldn’t see Springtime out my window between the falling snowflakes, but I know it is there.  Quivering and thriving beneath the snow on Brigit’s day, Springtime is borning.