Archive for May, 2010

Beginning in 2006 on the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show, I’ve had the opportunity to speak with the legendary Brad Steiger about his research and subsequent writings on the paranormal realms. During our conversations, we’ve discussed many aspects of spirituality, including parapsychology, the metaphysical and the dark side. Suffice to say, if there was a paranormal incident requiring the need to assemble a powerful group to investigate, Brad would be my first choice for the team.

Over the course of five decades, Brad has written 170 books in exploration of the unexplained, the mysterious and the supernatural. I consider myself a fan and a friend and I’ve had the pleasure to interview Brad several times about his work. These interviews are available in the archives of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show including -  Real Vampires, Night Stalkers and Creatures from the Darkside; as well as Shadow World and Revelations: The Divine Fire and my favorite interview of all with Brad – Strange Guests.

In his latest book, Real Zombies, The Living Dead, and Creatures of the Apocalypse, Brad Steiger demystifies the stories and legends of the zombie, including what has been portrayed incorrectly in films. The book delivers a haunted history of zombie life and explores how zombies are created using spells and hexes, along with intense rituals and ceremonies to bring the dead back to life. Examining the history and culture of the zombie, the book includes legends, traditions and rituals from Native America, China, Japan, Persia, India and the Pacific. Along this historical journey leading up to modern day reports of zombie encounters, Steiger compels us to ask the question, ‘Are zombies real, are they the undead walking amongst us’?

This blood-curdling chronicle delves into the legends
and chilling tales of the macabre including:

• The devil baby of Bourbon Street, lurking in the shadows of New Orleans
• The great zombie war involving hundreds of zombie soldiers fighting for their Queen
• A swamp child who roams the bayous of Louisiana
• The history of the most famous Queen of all – Marie Laveau
• Cheeka, the wendigo of Sproat Lake and other ghosts, golems and monsters
• Ancient Kahuna teachings of Hawaii

Moving beyond zombie legends, Steiger explores the religions and traditional folk magic rituals connected with the ability to create a zombie including Voodoo, Shamanism, Spirit Doctors, Santeria, and Macumba. Other chapters reveal time honored traditions of creating objects to ward off evil, invoking special rites to honor the dead and ongoing battles between darkness and light.

A particular favorite for me in the book is on page 128, where my name is defined as it was used in an ancient Hawaiian Kahuna ritual.… ‘When she agreed to his request, he took a sprig of leaves and some sea water, sprinkled the girl and the air where the spirit stood, and spoke the words of the kala. Then dismissing the girl and the spirit, he turned to the young man explaining that the kala (to bring back the light) or cleansing for him was a more difficult matter’…

Highly entertaining and informative, consider it to be a must read for any paranormal scholar who wishes to further understand the connections between tribal religions and cultures and the link to the astral planes where spirits reside hovering between life and death before passing into the shadowland.

‘I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it’. – Thomas Jefferson

Continuing on our journey through the spirit of New Orleans, the city itself showcases the diverse cultures that make up the gumbo of NOLA. The fascinating history of the Creole and Cajun cultures are portrayed in the music and cuisine, the Spanish and French architecture are apparent throughout the city and the soulful influence of the Caribbean and African people provide the pulse and vibe of the crescent city.

The most unique combination of ingredients blended together make the best gumbo and the same can be said about creating a city. Each culture, who settles in a region, indelibly leaves their mark and impact on the area. In New Orleans history, this includes the migration of the Irish. During the 1840′s, a great famine hit Ireland, referred to as the potato famine. The magnitude of this famine along with the politics of the time with the English, encouraged almost one million Irish people to migrate to the new world. During the influx of the Irish to America, the majority relocated to Boston and New York in greater numbers than in New Orleans, but like each piece of history that we explore here in NOLA dear readers, we can see the significant impact that each culture created in the city. When looking at American history, it can be said that Ireland’s loss was America’s gain, as the country benefitted in a myriad of ways from the Irish settling here in the U.S. Many of our cultural, religious and holiday celebrations were brought here by the Irish, including the celebration of Halloween and St. Patrick’s Day.

The Irish who migrated through the port of New Orleans settled into an area near the river called the Irish Channel. At great peril and with a tremendous loss of life due to disease, snakes and alligators, the Irish were instrumental in digging and establishing the extensive canal system in the city including the New Basin Canal which provided an important link from downtown New Orleans to Lake Pontchartrain. The building of the New Basin Canal was extremely difficult, as the Irish worked with water up to their hips while digging and were at constant risk of contracting malaria, cholera and yellow fever, all of which were fatal to many. Many of the Irish laborers who fell ill while working were buried at or near this area and it is estimated that the number could be as high as 30,000. This area is reportedly one of the most haunted in New Orleans, especially near Canal Street at City Park Avenue, which has a record of hauntings and active encounters including seeing full apparitions of ghosts walking down the street and ghostly funeral processions.

The Irish added to the diversity of architecture and culture in the city, building St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and establishing Hibernia Bank. One example of Irish architecture is the Gallier House on Royal Street, built by Irishmen James Gallier and his son James Jr. who were architects in the city. Another testimony to the strength and heart of the Irish is the statue of Margaret Haughery, an Irish immigrant who became a well respected business woman in New Orleans. Her business acumen was only matched by her good deeds and charity and the statue portrays her comforting an orphan in her arms. It is believed that this statue of Margaret is the first statue in the U.S. to honor a woman.

When in New Orleans, it’s always good to tap into the ‘Luck of the Irish’ and no place is more famous for being Irish in the city than Pat O’Briens. With their signature flame fountains (water fountains with fire in the middle), live music and special drinks served up in souvenir glasses, Pat O’Brien’s delivers on their motto created back in 1933, which is “Have Fun”! Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Pat O’Brien’s has an illustrious history, first as a speakeasy during prohibition and then operating as an Irish bar. Perhaps what it’s most famous for is the creation of the drink – the ‘Hurricane‘, which is still popular to this day. Dining and listening to music at Pat’s is an experience not to miss while in New Orleans. May the luck of the Irish be yours while you enjoy the food, music and festivities!

Kala’s tips on finding the ‘Luck of the Irish‘ while visiting New Orleans:

• Visit the historic Gallier House, now a local museum located on Royal Street
• Have a signature Hurricane drink at Pat O’Briens in a souvenir take home hurricane glass
• Order your very own Pat O’Brien’s Mardi Gras beads to wear at the next St. Patty’s Day party
• There’s no St. Patrick’s Day parade quite like the one in New Orleans where cabbages, potatoes and other produce are tossed from the floats
• Visit the haunted area of Canal Street at City Park avenue to try your luck at seeing a ghost

In this column ‘Ask Kala’, intuitive and ancient wisdom teacher Kala Ambrose, invites you to email your probing metaphysical, spiritual, esoteric and paranormal questions. Due to the volume of email she receives, she won’t be able to answer back individual e-mails. Instead, she’ll choose interesting questions and answer them here on the Examiner. This week’s question is from Kelley.

Kelley writes – “Hello Kala, I have a digital alarm clock that I used to have to reset every 5 days or so because it gained time. I’ve had this clock a few years and its always been this way. My mother’s room was adjacent to mine. She recently died and since then I haven’t had to reset my clock!! Could she have affected the clock’s mechanism? It sounds weird but a few years ago she went to see a psychic who I had seen as well as other members of my family. He knew the names of deceased relatives, etc. There was no problem reading me or other members of my family. And no, we didn’t volunteer information as we were somewhat skeptical and didn’t want to give him any clues he could work from. Anyway, my mother went to see him and he was stumped. He tried and tried but he couldn’t read her. Are there people who can affect clocks, etc without knowing it? Thank you”.

Hi Kelley,

Thanks for writing with a most intriguing question. You ask – “Are there people who can affect clocks, etc without knowing it”?

The short answer is Yes and it has been studied, researched and discussed by people in both the spiritual and scientific realms.

The Aura Body and Energy

As an intuitive, I’ve seen auras since childhood. Over the years, I began to study what I saw in the aura, observing the energetic patterns and shapes as well as short energy bursts that I would see erupting from the body, similar to what occurs when the sun emits a solar flare. These energetic bursts are capable of disrupting electronics and are felt by other people who have intuitive ability and are sensitive to energy. Some people are aware of the energy they can build and for others it is a complete surprise when it occurs.

In some cases, it is not a burst of energy that is created, but rather energy residue that has built up and is trapped within the aura and energy bodies and is not able to be released properly. To imagine what this looks like in the field surrounding the body, visualize a thunder storm right before the rain is released from the clouds. The clouds are heavy and full, the energy gathers and the air feels pregnant, ready for a release. If the conditions are not right and the rain is not able to gently fall, tumultuous weather patterns can occur with lightning and high winds. Energy blocked in the fields can cause similar disruptions as it seeks to be released. When there is a blockage which stops the release of energy, it builds like a thunderstorm and can create havoc.

There are also people who have learned consciously with their spiritual practice, and sometimes subconsciously carrying over information from previous lifetimes, to balance and harness this energy. They are able to take this energy to creative positive effects in the world including healing abilities in many forms, such as physical healing, soul healing, working with nature and raising the energy vibration of people and places wherever they are.

What About the Clocks

Each of the three energy types listed above can have an effect on the electronics near their energy field. I receive reports each year from people who have experiences including turning street lights on and off as they pass by them. Others affect the performance of radios, clocks, computers and televisions or cause lights, security alarms and other electronics in their home to turn off and on repeatedly. For many years, I was not able to wear a watch, as invariably, when I did, the watch would malfunction or stop completely. I’ve also had a similar effect on clocks, including the clock that I kept in the library where I taught the esoteric teachings for years. The clock would never keep the time and would randomly change the time often and then stop working completely. The clock was looked at to see if it was in need of repair and it was found to be in good working order. The batteries would be replaced with new batteries only to run down again quickly.

There are a variety of physical, emotional and spiritual reasons for why this happens. For some people, it occurs only when their emotions are running very high and for others it was a random event occurring only when they were going through puberty. Some of these people are tapping into what is described in parapsychology as psychokinesis/telekinesis (PK/TK). While there are skeptics who will say that the human body is not capable of affecting these fields, those who have experienced doing so first hand see the results.

Scientific Study

There has been some scientific parapsychological research on this effect, including what is referred to as the Pauli effect. Further research needs to be continued on psychokinesis, expanded consciousness and expanded energy fields so that it can be further understood. Unfortunately, there has not been enough support with funding for many institutes to continue these studies at the level needed to provide the deeper research needed. Some of the most notable researchers in this field of study include J.B. Rhine (Rhine Research Center), Professor Bill Roll (University of West Georgia), Dean Radin (Institute of Noetic Sciences) and Robert Jahn and Roger Nelson (PEAR laboratory at Princeton).

A form of psychokinesis/telekinesis was recently featured in the film with George Clooney entitled The Men Who Stare at Goats, which focused on the US Army’s research into psi abilities. Another example would be the fictional book and film by Stephen King entitled Carrie, which displayed an extreme and negative show of psi ability with PK/TK force.

Universal Mysteries

I’m currently writing a book about the aura and energy fields and the effect of these fields on each person. Over the past decade, I have seen the energy fields expanding and I believe we will begin to see greater activity within these fields, which some describe currently as paranormal activity. In the future as we evolve as a species, more of these unsolved mysteries will be commonplace and considered to be a natural sixth sense, rather than a supernatural one.

Dr. Kevin Randle is a retired Lieutenant Colonel. He was trained by the Army as a helicopter pilot, intelligence officer and military policeman and by the Air Force as an intelligence officer and public affairs officer. A decorated combat veteran, Randle has served in the Vietnam War, the second Gulf War and in Iraq. As an author and anthropology major, he has written almost 100 books to date.

The question becomes, what topic fascinates this accomplished professional to such a degree that he has spent the last 30 years researching, investigating and writing about it? The answer is UFO’s. Randle was the first writer to review the declassified Project Blue Book files before they were redacted and among the first to report on alien abductions, alien home invasions, mutilations and to suggest that humans are working with aliens. He’s interviewed witnesses from the Roswell crash of 1947, the repeated UFO sightings over D.C. in 1952, to the most recent reports of sightings around the world.

His latest book is: Crash: When UFO’s Fall From the Sky, A History of Famous Incidents, Conspiracies and Cover-ups, published by New Page Books/Career Press.

Crash includes the latest research into spaceship crashes including:

• chronology of UFO crashes, beginning in 840 A.D. in Lyons, France
• late-breaking information on the Roswell crash
• controversy around the 1950 Del Rio UFO crash
• update on the Las Vegas UFO crash of 1962
• solutions for some of the notorious UFO incidents
• and recent reports of sightings through 2009

Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking announced recently on a Discovery Channel documentary that he believes that… “communicating with aliens could be a threat to Earth” and …“If aliens visit us, the outcome would be much as when Christopher Columbus landed in America, which didn’t turn out well for the Native Americans,”.

With this in mind, perhaps there’s no better time to look into the research of sightings from the past and present to see what the future may bring.

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Enjoyed this article? Kala welcomes your comments and reads them all.  Don’t miss a thing! Subscribe by clicking the button at the top right corner of this article. By doing so, you’ll receive e-mail updates every time a new article by Kala Ambrose is posted – and it’s free!

To read archived articles by Kala Ambrose, visit her main page at
National Metaphysical Spirituality Examiner.

Join Kala in July 2010 as she teaches at the prestigious
Omega Institute for a weekend workshop entitled:
Energy Anatomy: Exploring and Healing Your Auras and Chakras.

More about Kala Ambrose: Kala Ambrose is an award winning author, intuitive and talk show host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show. Her thought-provoking interviews entice listeners to tune in around the globe! Described by her guests and listeners as discerning, empowering and inspiring, she speaks with world renowned authors, artists, teachers and researchers delving into metaphysical, holistic and paranormal topics. Kala’s book, 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled delves into the mysteries of ancient Egyptian mystery schools and explains their wisdom teachings. Kala’s Guided Meditations CD’s include a sacred site trilogy including Spirit of Hawaii, Egyptian Mystery Temple and Tibetan Mountain Journey. Kala lectures on Wisdom Teachings, Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom (also known as the Divine Feminine).

As the old saying goes, “behind every great man, there’s a great woman” and perhaps no place is this more scrutinized and studied than in the relationship between the president and first lady.

Autumn Stephens, author of Feisty First Ladies and Other Unforgettable White House Women offers a unique look into the lives of the first ladies and other notable politicians and reporters.

Illuminating stories include tales of…

• Alice Roosevelt Longworth, the daughter of Teddy Roosevelt, who placed a curse on the incoming president William Taft, by planting a voodoo doll on the White House property.
• The first ladies who consulted psychics, seers and astrologists for advice including: Mary Lincoln’s medium Madame Laurie; Florence Harding’s astrologer Madame Marcia, Nancy Reagan’s astrologer Joan Quigley and others who communed with the other side.
• The most popular first lady hostess to date, Dolley Madison, whom author Stephens describes as “…fond of naughty necklines and Turkish turbans trimmed with foot-long feathers (those astonishing headdresses alone set President James Madison back $1000 each year”).

In addition, Dolley in her role as first lady in 1809 is remembered for her daring spirit of adventure, being the life of the party and saving the portrait of George Washington in 1814 as the British stormed the capital to burn it down.

Her quote is a particular favorite of mine…
“There is one secret, and that is the power we all have in forming our destinies”.
- Dolley Madison

Showcasing once again that truth is stranger than fiction, author Autumn Stephens shares insightful and empowering stories of the women who belonged to this rare Pennsylvania Avenue club. Expect surprising revelations including: first ladies were pro-active on women’s rights and causes, how many were labeled party animals and who slept in each day till noon. Historians will appreciate rarely circulated historical information including page 44-45, reporting on the first female presidential candidate Victoria Woodhull, who ran for office in 1872.

May is Meditation Month and it’s exciting to see this form of mind body spirit holistic healing given the credence and attention it deserves. The act of meditation is one of the most rewarding gifts you can give to yourself, yet for many, the concept is daunting. There are those who enter into meditative practices that evolve into an entire lifestyle, but for those who have never tried to meditate, the idea of sitting in a very uncomfortable position in complete silence is enough to discourage even the slightest attempt.

If you are looking to adopt a meditation practice, begin by disregarding any preconceived notions of how you think a meditation practice should operate. The key to a successful meditation practice, is to create a practice that feels right for you.

One of the easiest ways to do this, is to adopt a simple ten minute meditation.

Ten Minute Bliss Breaks

Create a set time that will become your ten minute meditation time. Perhaps you’ll wake early before the rest of your household to have those quiet ten minutes each day, or during your lunch hour outside in a park. Many people prefer to meditate in the evening to relax after a busy day and to open their mind to a deeper dream state. Crucial in any meditation practice, is the breath. Regardless of whether you wish to spend ten minutes in meditation or ten hours, slow deep methodical breathing will relax the body and bring in oxygen to both the lungs and blood stream. It will also help to retain focus and awareness.

When beginning a new meditation practice, you may find that when you take those ten minutes, that it proves to be too difficult to simply relax and think of nothing. Do not feel concerned, this is your practice and you can create a meditation practice which is right for you at this time. You will find that it will evolve over time as you continue the practice and in the beginning, even slow relaxed breathing is good for the body and will relax you.

Guided Meditations

For many people, guided meditations are a wonderful way to meditate. You can listen to the meditation on CD or on your iPod playing it in your home, car, or with headphones anywhere you are. Simply choose the meditation that appeals to you and enter the journey that the guided meditation provides with a guide and relaxing music. Guided meditations allow your mind to focus on particular images, allowing for creative visualization. As a teacher of the ancient wisdom teachings, I created a trilogy of sacred site guided meditations intended to guide the listener on a journey through nature, along with providing the opportunity to interact with guides and receive messages from the higher self.

The sacred site trilogy begins with the Spirit of Hawaii, Egyptian Mystery Temple and culminates with the Tibetan Mountain Journey.  Each meditation runs for over 30 minutes and a sample of each of these meditations can be heard here on the Explore Your Spirit website.

Powerful Stress Relieving Creative Visualizations

If your day is full and you don’t have time for a guided meditation, create a sacred space for yourself that you can return to often. As you begin your meditation, picture a peaceful scene which you find relaxing. Perhaps it’s the beach or a mountaintop or a lush garden. Build the scene in your mind, adding beautiful details.

If you find a garden to be calming, create a bench where you will sit in the garden. See the trees and the cascade of flowers blooming in a multitude of color. Listen for the sound of birds chirping, along with the soft breeze blowing through the trees. Tilt your head back and feel the warmth of the sun on your face.. Breathe in slow and deep and exhale fully, releasing the air from deep within. Take your shoes off and sink your feet deep into the soft grass, flexing your toes. As you breathe in again deeply, smell the flowers as their scent fills the garden. Now if you wish, you can release whatever is troubling you. You may choose to ask that a guide or friend come to sit with you on the bench who will listen to you as you share your thoughts and concerns. You might create a lake around the garden or a waterfall, and as you swim, you release the cares and they float away. Perhaps a pet from your childhood joins you in the garden and you spend time with them, petting and playing with them, forgetting your cares of the day.

Continue building this garden in great detail each day during your ten minute meditation and visualization until you can see it fully in your mind and know it well. Then claim this scene as your sacred space. Know that you can return there anytime, all you need to do is to sit quietly, breathe deeply and imagine this scene in your mind. In this space, you can relax and spend a few minutes there every day.

This act of active meditation can become a profound spiritual practice that can make a significant impact on your day and create a sense of relaxation and well-being.

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Enjoyed this article? Kala welcomes your comments and reads them all.  Don’t miss a thing! Subscribe by clicking the button at the top right corner of this article. By doing so, you’ll receive e-mail updates every time a new article by Kala Ambrose is posted – and it’s free!
Join Kala in July 2010 as she teaches at the prestigious
Omega Institute for a weekend workshop entitled:
Energy Anatomy: Exploring and Healing Your Auras and Chakras.

More about Kala Ambrose: Kala Ambrose is an award winning author, intuitive and talk show host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show. Her thought-provoking interviews entice listeners to tune in around the globe! Described by her guests and listeners as discerning, empowering and inspiring, she speaks with world renowned authors, artists, teachers and researchers delving into metaphysical, holistic and paranormal topics. Kala’s book, 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled delves into the mysteries of ancient Egyptian mystery schools and explains their wisdom teachings. Kala’s Guided Meditations CD’s include a sacred site trilogy including Spirit of Hawaii, Egyptian Mystery Temple and Tibetan Mountain Journey. Kala lectures on Wisdom Teachings, Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom (also known as the Divine Feminine).

Recently I returned back to my “roots”, to the great state of Louisiana and spent some time in my favorite place in the world, the French Quarter of New Orleans. One never runs out of things to do and experience in NOLA. Truly, it is captivating, a veritable feast for all five senses as well as the sixth sense.

The best way to describe how I feel in this city, would be to use the word, “charmed”. New Orleans is many things to many people, but for me, it’s charming and embodies a spirit, a joy for living (joie de vivre) that is expressed throughout the city.

The last time I had been able to visit the city was four months before Katrina hit and I had no idea how the vibe of the city would feel after having going through such a horrific experience. My heart was thrilled to see that the great lady was holding her own with a state of grace, while still undergoing major renovations on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual planes.

I traveled around parts of the city riding the street cars, taking in each neighborhood, enjoying the stunning architecture, the smell of jasmine in the air, and chuckling at the sight of mardi gras beads still hanging from the boughs of trees. As the street car delivered me near the French Market, the smell of beignets and coffee coming from Cafe du Monde lifted my spirit. Yes, I sighed with relief, New Orleans has been through the worst and still she stands, proud, strong and vibrant.

It is my sincere belief that New Orleans is ‘charmed’. Charmed by the artists and musicians who live there, their music and art spill into the streets touching the soul at the core with its beauty, charmed by the chefs who tantalize our tastebuds in sweet rhapsody with their culinary delights and charmed by the people who are kind, good natured and some of the most loving and joyful people that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

The Journey Begins

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to take you on a journey as we explore the charm of New Orleans. For those of you who have never been to the city, I’m going to introduce you to the lady and beguile you into falling in love with her and for those of you have been to NOLA and haven’t been back in a while, I’m going to help you fall in love all over again.

The city has been in the news so often regarding the politics, disaster recovery efforts and non-efforts and now most recently, the oil spill. Each report is extremely important and must be addressed and is of great concern. My intent here is to share the beauty and magic of New Orleans, a city so special, so unique that truly it deserves to be respected as a rich cultural treasure.

A Charming Entrance

I love beginnings and the entrance to the Court of Two Sisters restaurant is the perfect place for our story to begin. The Court of Two Sisters is a restaurant in the French Quarter which offers the most delightful courtyard in which to enjoy a meal. In the courtyard, the trees have interlocked and connected creating a natural canopy over the courtyard, bringing the space alive with sunlight peeking through the leaves, highlighted by the presence of a bubbling fountain.

photo: Terry Thibeau

The daily jazz brunch at Court of Two Sisters is the perfect respite from an evening spent on Bourbon Street and the accompaning strolling jazz trio lifts the heart. You being to wonder, ‘Is there any other way that one should ever dine’? The overall effect creates a feeling that one has just stepped into a painting. The scene is filled with old world charm, caught in a moment of boundless spring, highlighted by the tinkle of laughter coming from guests sitting at crisp white tablecoths enjoying private moments. Stepping into this courtyard, one walks back in time and the city around you no longer exists. This is the enchantment of the courtyards designed in New Orleans, where homes were built with the courtyard in the middle so that residents could enjoy a protected and peaceful atmosphere.

The name Court of Two Sisters originates from the previous owners, two creole sisters named Emma and Bertha Camors. Their shop was here on Royal Street and they made their living providing women in New Orleans the best gowns, gloves, perfumes and other fashions. The two sisters (born in 1858 and 1860) spent their entire lives together and according to the history reported by the restaurant, were buried side by side in 1944 at St. Louis Cemetery #3 in New Orleans.

While the charm of the two sisters and their courtyard are delightful on their own, there’s true magic to be found at this location. Located at the entrance of the restaurant on Royal Street, are ‘charm gates’, given to the two sisters by Queen Isabella of Spain. These gates were blessed with magic and are reported to be lucky if you touch them and of course dear reader, you know the first thing I had to do was place both hands firmly upon them to tap into the energy.

photo: charm gate plaque – Kala Ambrose

And so the journey begins dear reader. To begin, simply place your hand on the charm gate photo above and allow the charm to pass through to you.  The magic has just begun, today we dine at the Court of Two Sisters, enjoying brunch. Tune in tomorrow to see where we go next.

Kala’s tips on how best to enjoy The Court of Two Sisters

• Best enjoyed in spring, fall or winter, summer is too hot and muggy to enjoy sitting outdoors
• Try drinking a Sazerac here from the bar, one of the oldest cocktails in New Orleans
• It’s a buffet, and unless you’re from Louisiana, you may not recognize some of the dishes prepared. It’s ok, be adventurous, you might like something new and if you don’t, that’s ok too, there’s plenty to sample
• Save room for bananas foster, a must have!

‘You can never really live anyone else’s life, not even your child’s. The influence you exert is through your own life, and what you’ve become yourself’. – Eleanor Roosevelt

With Mother’s Day only a few days away, we are reminded of the great power and responsibility granted to women to bring life into the world. While the act of pregnancy and giving birth, is a life-altering and affirming experience, it does not a mother make in full. There are many mothers in the world who are loved deeply by people to whom they did not give birth.

These women understand the power and connection to the Divine Feminine. They know that the spirit of the Great Mother lives in every women. To be a mother, is to embody the attributes of love, comfort and generosity, while caring for and honoring oneself. These acts evoke the divine feminine energy, allowing it to it pour forth, nourishing all who enter her space. When a woman lives in this expanse, she lightens the load of the world, brings peace to her family, inspires her friends, and rocks a man to his core.

Inside every woman, Yes, it to you whom I speak, the Great Mother stirs and requests that her presence be known and validated.

• When you look upon someone with kind eyes and smile,
  you honor the Great Mother.
• When you care for another who is ill or down or lonely,
  you are the touch of the Great Mother.
• When you stand to protect another soul and speak out against injustice,
  you are the voice of the Great Mother.
• When you love passionately- the children, the earth, the animals and yourself,
  you embody the Great Mother.

  and

• When your life is rich with the greatest joys you could imagine and you see a child who is hurting and you would trade everything in order to bring them comfort,
  you are the Great Mother.

To all the women who love and care for their parents, their children, their family, friends, co-workers, complete strangers and random people they encounter everyday,
the Great Mother in me, honors the Great Mother in you, – Happy Mother’s Day.

Inside each of us at some point in our life, we begin to question our identity. This speculation and musing stems from the desire to establish a connection with something greater while aspiring to answer the age old question that sages, philosophers, fools and scholars have pondered since ancient times. The question that mystifies, delights and frustrates all who attempt to answer it is, Who Am I?

For most of us, the starting point in answering this question, is to first look at our roots and where we come from. The passage of time allows us to reflect upon our history. The holidays and festivals established in our culture create memories with friends and family which are integral to defining who we are and what we revere. Each new generation pulls from these experiences and moves forward taking what we hope, is the best of our heritage to provide a foundation from them to derive comfort and a sense of belonging in the world.

Each country has their unique cultural heritage, formed over hundreds of years of experiences collectively and individually. For the mass majority of people in the U.S., our ancestors arrived here as strangers in a strange land and keeping a bit of their identity and cultural customs helped ease the homesickness on holidays and kept happy memories alive. The U.S. is described as the ‘great melting pot’, rich with a vast mix of cultures enhancing the vibrancy and variety of the country, some of which I just celebrated while returning recently to visit my home state of Louisiana to spend some time in the great city of New Orleans.

As a nation, the U.S. may have one of the most unique cultures, due to the fact that the culture focuses on hopes and dreams for the future, based on the belief that with hard work, perseverence and a bit of luck, one can accomplish anything they desire. As Americans, we are by large, self-made people. For most of us, our ancestors came to this country with little in their pockets, full of hopes and dreams to create a new life. The results have ranged from spectacular to catastrophic, but most would willingly choose one day of freedom in their newly adopted country than to live where they were previously. Self-made people by nature are gutsy, they have that spirit and drive to follow their dreams and using their talents and wits, they succeed. They also have pride in who they are and remember what their parents taught them about respect for those who paved the way before them.

People in the U.S. identify themselves as Americans, but a great majority also love to connect with where their ancestors came from before moving to the United States. Ask any Brit here on vacation, that as soon as an American hears their british accent, they immediately have to ask what part of England they are from and then explain that their great great great great grandfather came from England. This almost always is both amusing and perplexing to the Englishman, who would never think of asking an American in London a similar question. Though back in the 80′s, I did have a conversation with a British woman over the phone, who when finding out that I was living in Texas, wanted to know if I personally knew J.R. and the rest of the Ewing family from the tv show Dallas.

Here in the U.S., we share our pride of our cultural heritage the American way – by throwing a block party and everyone’s invited. I’d like to go on record in saying that this custom may be one of the most important cultural influences of our history. From Mardi Gras, to St. Patrick’s Day, Chinese New Year, Oktoberfest and Cinco De Mayo, Americans love to celebrate and participate in these events around the country, regardless of their own ethnicity. With carnival beads around my neck on top of my Kiss Me, I’m Irish tee-shirt, to eating moon cakes and dressing on occasion like a St. Pauli Girl, I’m as guilty as the rest of them.

Opinions on these celebrations are as diverse as the people in our country. Some feel it cheapens the historical significance of events, by diminishing them to the level of food, alcohol and party favors. Many decry the fact that Americans by large are ignorant of history. I’m not so sure that’s the case, I’ve encountered people all around this country, who have wonderful stories of history, of their home towns, their states, their city blocks, and their farms. History is relative and varies in importance in conjunction to the situation of each individual.

What most Americans understand is the importance of ‘living in the now’. Our ancestors taught us this lesson, they did not focus on what they had left behind or how things used to be, they just rolled up their sleeves and got busy creating their new life. This may be one of the greatest legacies that they have taught us and when we follow our dreams, we honor them and our heritage, both from the past and present.

As a history buff, I’ve spent a great deal of my life studying comparative religions, cultures, philosophies and ancient rites and rituals. I do this because I enjoy it and it’s a personal passion. I also understand that one does not need to know the entire history of a culture in order to participate in a festival. If we really desire to delve into historical significance, let’s begin with the fact that Cinco de Mayo is not a federal holiday in Mexico. It is not celebrated nationally in Mexico and has nothing to do as many think, with Mexico’s Independence Day, which is on September 16th. Cinco de Mayo acknowledges the victory of the Mexican army over the French in a battle in Puebla. Surprised?

So why celebrate Cinco de Mayo? The real question may be, Why not? Commemorations like Cinco de Mayo, St. Patrick’s Day, and Octoberfest present the opportunity for Americans to share their cultural pride, heritage and customs with others. These celebrations have inspired school districts across the country to connect these events with lessons plans in geography, history, dance, art and music. In some cities, museums exhibitions and events are connected to the festivities, along with parades and city wide events. And, yes, in many bars and restaurants across the country, people will gather to drink a Guinness on March 17th, a Beck’s in October and a Corona on May 5th. They will raise their glasses in a toast, some in memory of their ancestors, others with pride of their heritage and many who are living in the now, in recognition that we are all one, a band of brothers and sisters called humanity. Here collectively on earth, as we seek to understand who we are, there are days when we still feel like strangers in a strange land. Life passes quickly and for many Americans working hard every day, taking the time to pause and break bread, or corned beef and hash, brats and sauerkraut or chicken enchiladas, with a few friends is a time honored tradition. As an optimist, I see the possibility of greater cultural respect and integration with each generation who shares and participates in these events.

So join me in shaking your maracas and margaritas on Cinco de Mayo. Dance with joy, share some enchiladas with a friend and since we can’t all get to Cabo, Cancun or Cozumel today, live in the now and make it your fiesta getaway for a day. Personally, I’m all for more celebrations and suggest that we root next for Bastille Day, July 14th, right after we make Mardi Gras a national holiday!

Have you ever wondered what the inside of your body and the energy fields surrounding it look like? As a psychic who sees auras, I’ve often wished that I had the artistic ability to draw what I see. Luckily, for every wish put out into the world, it is answered. While I am unable to fully draw the images myself, artist and visionary Alex Grey continues to create powerful representations of the human body, as detailed as any medical illustration, while projecting the light and energy surrounding each of us.

His collection entitled Sacred Mirrors, has been compiled into a book published by Inner Traditions. Alex’s work expresses the sacred spirituality of the human body and its connection with the divine energy field. The Sacred Mirrors art collection portrays different sexes and races in peak levels of radiant health and has been displayed around the world. When viewed in person, each piece is life sized, allowing for the feeling and sensation of gazing into a mirror to view the various layers of the body.

Power-filled pieces in their energy and representation, I was first introduced to Alex Grey’s work in 1990, coming across a disarming print of a man sitting on a consciousness grid entitled Theologue-The Union of Human and Divine Consciousness Weaving the Fabric of Space and Time in which the Self and Its Surroundings Are Embedded. From that first interaction with his work, I was enthralled and longed to see more. The next piece of work that I came across was entitled Dying and to this day, I think it provides one of the best representations of the soul leaving the body that I have ever seen.

Along with essays on the artistic and spiritual journey of Alex, other wonderful pieces of art are shared in the book including, Gaia: The World Soul and the shamanistic interpretation of Journey of the Wounded Healer. One of my personal favorites is Sophia. With no doubt, I believe Alex Grey to be the best anatomical artist of our time, bringing the interior of the physical body to light while expressing the metaphysical energy bodies surrounding us in order to explain who we are in all of our miraculous cosmic layers.