Welcome back to Exploring the Magic of Halloween and the Spirit of Fall. Thus far, we’ve discussed a brief history of Halloween and the legend of enchanted apples as well as the ancient tradition of celebrating November 1st as the New Year.

The Magical and Mystical Inspired Tip to consider today is….

Have a Seed Planting Ceremony

As I mentioned in the first article about Halloween – …’The history of holidays is one of the courses that I teach to students who study the ancient wisdom teachings with me. They always find it interesting when I discuss the date of January 1st, which we now toast as the New Year, yet it falls in the dead of winter.  If one was working with the elements and magic of nature, would it not make more sense to make resolutions and plant seeds in the Fall, so that they would have time to germinate and sprout forth in the Spring?  When one makes a resolution and plants that seed of thought in the dead of winter, there is little warmth and light to nurture these thoughts and it is no surprise to many of us, that the new year resolutions are dead and gone only a few weeks afterwards, as there was no nourishment for the seeds to take hold’.

The power of thought and manifestation allows us to create and form our dreams in our mind so that we can then take action to bring these dreams to fruition. The season of Fall represents this time for our seeds of thought to be planted in our mind, so we can give them some contemplation and introspection.

Want to create a seed planting ceremony tradition of your own?

Here’s your magically inspired tip of the day!

Invite friends to celebrate the New Year on Halloween and make resolutions for the new year. Hand out packages of seeds along with little clay pots filled with soil to each of your guests and invite them to plant new seeds of thought this Fall which will manifest and bloom with their new dreams in the Spring.  Use a toothpick and a small piece of white paper to make a sign that sticks in your clay pot and write one word that describes the dream that you are wanting to manifest.

If it’s not too late to plant bulbs in your backyard, dig a small hole and plant some bulbs to hold the energy of your resolutions and dreams. When they bloom this Spring, they will be a powerful reminder of how it takes time for dreams to manifest and that with care and action, they bloom! Don’t forget that you can also plant your old carved pumpkins into the ground with your bulbs, as they make great compost!

Sweet Dreams gentle readers and Happy Exploring! *~Kala~*

Click here to read the articles on Halloween or the Enchanted Apples.

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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 the National Haunted History Examiner and the National Metaphysical Spirituality Examiner.

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 Ambrose is a highly interactive teacher on a mission to educate, entertain and inspire. She lectures on the Ancient Wisdom Teachings of Egypt and the Mystery Schools, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom.

As an esoteric wisdom teacher, I share the ancient teachings from the mystery temples of Egypt and Greece. This path has led me to work directly with students who wish to study the deeper teachings as well as to share the information outwardly in books, meditations, the Explore Your Spirit show and in workshops.  My vision behind all that I do is that… ‘Spirit does not exist in just one location; rather it is all encompassing, living within and amongst us in each moment, thought and action. I believe that Spirit is raised to its highest level, when individuals gather with wisdom, compassion and a discerning desire to provide service to humanity”.

Along this journey, I’ve had the opportunity to meet an incredible array of beautiful souls, each of whom have something valuable and important to teach. Some with spirits so glorious that to simply be in their presence can provide a sense of healing and rejuvenation. Over the years, I’ve felt the energy grow and expand and during the darkest of times, I continued to share with others that I see an empowering and life-enhancing time ahead, where we evolve as a species and remember who we are and truly why we are here.

In 2002, I was in a period of deep meditation and I saw what was to come at the end of the next decade, especially to do with the advances we would make between 2016 and 2022. It led me to make this statement – ‘In this new decade, we are moving into a new age of Enlightenment. The Aquarian information from the gods can no longer be contained, the Divine Feminine is being released in all her glory and we will once again see a Renaissance period, where great art, architecture, philosophy, literature and science will develop and flourish. During this decade the greatest minds will stir, to share, to illuminate and to build and create works and ideas that will be marveled around the world.”

I then knew that the return of the Divine Feminine was here and that there were many other soul sisters like myself who were here and working to bring this time and energy forth. These women, once priestesses from the ancient temples and wise women from many lifetimes, had returned again in answer to the ancient call.

Recently I was introduced to an institute which manifested using the spirit and principles of wisdom and the Divine Feminine as their guide. The Sophia Institute, named after Sophia, the goddess of wisdom is an organization dedicated to personal and interpersonal transformation.  Their vision is to …’ look towards a world that could be called a wisdom society, a 21st century that could be called The Sophia Century: a conscious enlightened world, a compassionate global community, where wholeness, healing, sustainability, the conscious heart, deep wisdom, and the sacred feminine are at the center of life’.

I spoke with the founder of the Sophia Institute, Carolyn Rivers, to ask what inspired her to create the Institute. Carolyn replied, ‘It was a natural, organic inspiration… a moment of great clarity when what I was called to on the heart level met my destiny. I felt engaged and knew it was my assignment to create the Institute aligned to divine wisdom.  Especially now with the challenges we are facing in this world, we must all do what we are deeply called to do, so that together we co-create a whole new way to live in the world’.

At a time where many are wondering what they can do to make a difference in the world, women like Carolyn Rivers are taking action to as Gandhi said, ‘be the change you want to see in the world’.  Over the past ten years, Carolyn has formed an inspiring board of directors to assist in the development of the Sophia Institute and created a highly conscious institute offering over 50 programs a year, attracting a wide variety of spiritual seekers, teachers and visionaries from around the world. In addition, she has established the Women of Wisdom Conference (WOW), which gathers transformational and empowering women to share with each other in a weekend of celebration and exploration.

When introduced to such a space of beauty being created by so many loving and wise women, it took me right back to that day in 2002, when I saw what was to come in the next decade. There is great hope and great joy ahead. Sophia in her wise divine feminine ways, is speaking to each of us at this time and she has manifested a home in Charleston, South Carolina for all those who seek her wisdom. Do you hear her call?

The Sophia Institute presents the Women of Wisdom Conference -  Transforming Our Lives, Transforming Our World, which runs from Friday, October 1st through Sunday, October 3rd with most of the events held at the Ashley Hall School, Davies Auditorium, 172 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC.  Event highlights include an art exhibit with over 50 artists and dynamic speakers including: Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor, Barbara Marx Hubbard, Jean Houston, Claire Zammit, Sera Beak, Katherine Woodward Thomas and Carolyn Rivers.

For more information about the Sophia Institute and the Women of Wisdom Conference, visit the website at: www.thesophiainstitute.org

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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.

More about Kala Ambrose: Kala Ambrose is an award winning author, wisdom teacher and host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show. Her 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 Ambrose is a highly interactive teacher on a mission to educate, entertain and inspire. She teaches and lectures around the U.S. on the Ancient Wisdom Teachings of Egypt and Greece, Exploring Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom (how to connect with your feminine power). More information about Kala at www.ExploreYourSpirit.com

Welcome to Kala’s Quick Five, where I chat with fascinating authors, artists, teachers and researchers and ask them five questions about their work. My guest today is Robin Marvel, author of Awakening Consciousness: A Woman’s Guide. (coming in October 2010)

Kala: Robin, the information about your book states that it will “… strengthen and encourage you to discover your inner core and create an empowered zest for life.” What tips do you offer in the book to assist women in this journey?

Robin: The tips that I offer in ‘Awakening Consciousness: A Woman’s Guide’ are surefire ways to remove all self defeating habits and replace them with confidence, self love and awareness.  You find yourself taking an active role in your life participating in hands on activities that awaken you to your true self.  Coming to KNOW you are enough on all levels.  It is taking your power back and keeping it!

Kala: Tell us about your personal journey, what led you to the point where you began to understand and then write about consciousness and awakening?

Robin: My personal journey has presented me with challenges that have allowed me the strength and growth I have needed to become the person I am today.  As a child living with domestic and drug abuse as a constant I learned that we create our lives by the choices we make, as a teenager I lost my way and became a teen mother and in that moment I decided that I would be the master of my destiny.  Looking back at my lack of self worth and awakening to my true self I found my passion in awakening others to see and know themselves as complete.  To remove past beliefs and programming and replace that with love, confidence and strength.  Writing about awareness and consciousness allows me the opportunity to share what I have learned in discovering my light.

Kala: You have a five step program called S.E.L.F. (Strong Empowered Ladies of our Future). Tell us about the program…

Robin: I have created the S.E.L.F program to encourage strength within all women and children.  To eliminate self doubt.  Our children emulate all that we are and as an adult we have the opportunity to influence who they are by standing in our own confidence.  By using the S.E.L.F. 5 step program women and their children have the chance to create the ultimate self confidence by developing a stronger relationship together.  Each step of S.E.L.F. encourages removing the limits and expectations placed on themselves as well as their children. Participating in hands on activities of the S.E.L.F program you develop self confidence within yourself and your child(ren) creating the Ultimate Self Confidence. Changing your life forever!!

Kala: Robin, beyond writing your books, how do you ‘Explore Your Spirit’?

Robin: I explore my spirit by living with an attitude of gratitude in the NOW moment!  Living with an open mind allowing room to grow and evolve on my life path by sharing and being a part of all of humanity.  Our world is so big with so many amazing people that are BEING the change and I am honored to be a part of the whole.

Kala: Many patriarchal religions and in conjunction, societies, have eliminated the Goddess/Divine Feminine energy from their belief systems. Do you feel that there is a return to understanding and embracing the Divine Feminine principle?

Robin: I absolutely see the need of understanding and embracing the Divine Feminine Energy.  We are shaping a new awake society and we must allow for all parts of energy to take their place.  Knowing and allowing the feminine energy creates a stronger development of kindness, compassion and love into humanity.

Kala: Robin, thank you for joining me here on Kala’s Quick Five. More about Robin and her book can be found at her website:  www.marvelousempowerment.com

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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.

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 Ambrose is a highly interactive teacher on a mission to educate, entertain and inspire. She lectures on the Ancient Wisdom Teachings of Egypt and the Mystery Schools, Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom.

Welcome to Kala’s Quick Five, where I chat with fascinating authors, artists, teachers and researchers and ask them five questions about their work. My guest today is Lauren DiLauro, the ‘Feng Shui Fashionista’. Lauren is a a chromotherapist and promotes teaching color therapy mixed with a savvy sense of style to create ‘Power Looks’ for individuals.

Kala: Lauren, welcome to Kala’s Quick Five. You offer master make up application courses, high fashion courses, and dress for success color therapy workshops  How did you decide to merge feng shui into the fashionista world?

Lauren: After working in this field for over 10+ years, I found it was time for individuals to listen to their “inner self” and utilize the powerful benefits that feng shui in relation to fashion has to offer! Color not only alters one’s state of mind, but also how we are perceived by others! So, for me, it is extremely empowering to assist clients in being fashion forward while at the same time teaching them how to attract positive energies into their lives!

Kala:  You work with Chromotherapy also known as “Color Therapy”, both in fashion and cosmetics. Tell us about how you use color therapy in your work…

Lauren: Color Therapy is a method of healing and a powerful outlet of self expression for individuals to find their Style Niche and their ‘Power Looks’. I teach them how to incorporate their ‘Power Colors’ into their lifestyle through fashion. Color sends out wavelengths of electro-magnetic energies promoting wellness, prosperity, and positive attraction to the wearer! It helps us to be in touch with our ‘Higher Self’!

Kala: We’re here at the Fall Equinox. What tips and trends can you share with the readers here on how to look and feel their best this Fall?

Lauren: I offer daily tips and trends for the season on my website…but first and foremost, for individuals to completely look and feel their best, they must understand and own their personal style! Whether it’s Bohemian Chic, Savvy Sophisticated, Sassy Chic, or Hip and Trendy, we must have a true understanding of WHO we are in relation to Fashion before we can honestly become Fashion Foward and apply tips and trends! This is a process that I help individuals to uncover…their ‘Power Looks’ which in essence is their individual sense of style…I encourage them to step out of their comfort zone by adding the latest in Fashion trends therefore, keeping them a cut above the rest!

Kala: Your’e based out of Florida, but offer national consultations on color therapy along with many other services. Do you travel to meet with the women or how do you connect with them and what happens when someone signs up for a consultation with you?

Lauren: I offer several outlets of communication…phone and skype consultations, as well as private consults both locally and nationally can be arranged. I now offer an extremely educational and life altering workshop with a collegue of mine, Jen Mirman (also known as Zen Jen) of zen jewelz! Together we empower individuals with the art of color in relation to chakras, fashion, and gemstones and how the vibrational energies of clothing and gemstones attract a heightened awareness of oneself and a truly life altering experience!

Kala: Lauren, how do you ‘Explore Your Spirit’? What empowers, uplifts and motivates you in your daily life?

Lauren: I am a firm believer in positive energy exchange between people! I love what I do and it motivates me every second of every day to guide others to reach their highest potential and to attract necessary energies in order to be the very best they can be and make the most out of life! What could be more rewarding than that?!

Kala: Lauren, thank you for joining me here on Kala’s Quick Five. More about Lauren, the Feng Shui Fashionista can be found at: www.fengshuifashionista.com

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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.

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 Ambrose is a highly interactive teacher on a mission to educate, entertain and inspire. She lectures on the Ancient Wisdom Teachings of Egypt and the Mystery Schools, Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom. More about Kala at: www.ExploreYourSpirit.com and readings and consultations.

Welcome to Kala’s Quick Five, where I chat with fascinating authors, artists, teachers and researchers and ask them five questions about their work. My guest today is Merry Street, owner of Zenspiration Gardens, a floral design company which has been featured on tv, in magazines and boasts a noteworthy celebrity client list.

Kala: Merry, your spiritual journey began when you faced a life-threatening illness and made a promise ‘…to do God’s will, should you survive’. Two years later after your health returned, you built a spiritual floral practice named Zenspiration Gardens. Share with us about your journey and what occurred during this time…

Merry: From 2003-2005 I was chronically ill. The doctors were perplexed. I was a runner, outrigger paddler and healthy on all levels. I had already been through every test, seen every specialist and still no correct diagnosis. I resisted surgery because I was fearful it would not be a success.  As time went on, my hospital visits became more and more frequent and for longer periods of time. It got so bad that after a while, that I told my husband to stay at home with my son and I would drive myself to the emergency room and park my car knowing that I would be there for days, or in some cases, weeks. I knew every ER doctor and most of the nurses for I had been admitted to every ER wing. Still the answer was silence. I started to become increasingly hopeless and depressed.

At the end of 2004, I was admitted to the hospital for what I honestly thought was the last time. The doctor wanted me back in the hospital as he noticed I my weight was still dropping. At that point I had already lost 15% of my body mass. I held out to see my son celebrate his 21st birthday. In the end, I knew my doctor was right. As I left my house that day, I remember thinking this is probably the last time I would see all the people I love. I said my silent goodbyes and wondered what would become of me. Instinctively, I knew my body was shutting down and my life force was leaving me. I was promptly intubated to empty whatever was left in my stomach because I could no longer process food or water. No amount of denial could save me now. I finally felt it was critical. I was dying.

At this time, I had no real spiritual path. I thought that by going to Church –I was raised Catholic — and memorizing and reciting rote prayer, that was meant by being a spiritual/religious person. Believe me when I tell you that 99.9% of us WILL try to find a spiritual presence in your life when you feel your energy leaving you. I had to live. My son needed a kidney transplant in the future and I needed to be here for him. Don’t ask my why but I knew that I would be important part of that process.

In the hospital I started to “see” ugly, horrible demons coming out of the walls. They would come snarling and snatching for me at all times of the days. As I did when I was younger, I would ask Archangel Michael to sit with me. I could feel his presence calm me and the demons left but they always reappeared. Then I started to have dreams. The most vivid dream I had was of an old, 1800s funeral wagon pulling up to my mother’s home. She came to the stoop and the footman told her how sorry he was to hear the news. Apparently, I was in the back of the caisson. I couldn’t believe that the dream was about me. I honestly thought it was about my hospital roommate who was very ill and possibly dying. When I asked a very good friend and psychic about the dream, she said the dream was about me. I was terrified.  I prayed. I prayed that if God helped me through this and allowed me to live long enough to help my son, that I would devote the rest of my life to him and help him in whatever way he found necessary. I lived.

After my recovery, I realized that I had missed so much of my childhood. I was raised by two, alcoholic parents and I grew up fast. So much of my time was spent in the survival/peacemaker mode that I didn’t know what was normal. Well, I guess I did. Normal was having the police at the house frequently. I lived in a lot shame and secrecy. Now, God had gifted me with another chance so I made the decision to live my life as abundantly as possible. That meant I had to do the work of forgiving and moving on.

One night, and I specifically remember sitting up in bed, turning to my husband and saying that I was returning to floral school. Luckily, I was led to a wonderful floral school in Anaheim, CA and had a very spiritual instructor. I absorbed not only technical information about flowers but about the spiritual aspect of them as well. One day my instructor shared a book with the class by Dr. Emoto. This moment changed my life. I thought, “I will be using his theory to create my work.”

Next, I learned about a man by the name of Cleve Backster. Cleve had experimented with plants and recorded their feelings. He is probably the one responsible for many people “talking” to their plants. It just so happened that a close friend of ours personally knew Cleve and asked me if I wanted to meet him. Excitedly, I said yes. When I finally did meet him 2 weeks later, Cleve had in his hand a signed copy of his book, “The Backster Effect.” From that point, it seemed that every random book I picked up referenced Cleve Backster. The signs were all around me.  It was also at this time that I remembered what my friend had predicted about 10 years earlier. She said, “Your grandmother is here and she is showing me a box with flowers and things inside it.” I had no clue what she meant. Unfortunately, neither did she.

It was also around this time that my clairaudience clicked in. I was already experiencing clairvoyance and clairalience, but the voices in my head would not go away. I was skeptical at first and then the messages started up daily and would not stop. Then I started to channel and moved into automatic writing. They kept asking me to make the flowers. Finally after experiencing my kundalini rise during Deeksha, the visions of the Ascended Masters became more pronounced. It was during this time that I also had a 13th Octave LaHo Chi healing. It was then that I received the energetic vibration necessary to start my work. Finally after realizing that maybe this what was meant by the “promise,” I started to take notice.

Kala: Describe the evolution of Zenspiration Gardens… how has your work blossomed and expanded over the years.

Merry: First of all I have to say that I to begin with I was a complete skeptic regarding the messages that I received regarding the gardens. The voices, the visions, the automatic writing – I didn’t trust any of it. It was finally in a moment of their complete nagging that I surrendered. Then, signs started to appear that made me start to trust in the process.

The first Zenspiration Garden I made was for my neighbor who had been recently diagnosed with cancer. This was a man who was old school and I just took a chance and went with it. I was just moved to gift him with a garden. The concept was so new to me that I hardly had anything to put in it but what I did add, he appreciate immensely. When I visited him a few days later, he was wearing the bracelet. He also mentioned that he was moved to share the pocket stones with his own doctor who had recently been diagnosed with cancer. From that act of kindness I saw the future of the gardens.

The next garden I created was for a total stranger. While in a shop where I knew the owner, I was pulled to a certain jewelry line. She happened to mention that the jewelry designer had breast cancer as did the designer’s sister and mother. For some reason I could not shake her from my mind. I called the shop owner and asked if she was going to see the designer anytime soon and told her that I had been inspired to created a garden for the jewelry designer. She told me that although the designer hardly came to the shop, she was coming by the next day.

That day I created the most beautiful garden with the help of the Mother Mary. She came to me in channeled essence and directed me to purchase and place light pink roses, a pink rose quartz bracelet with St. Agatha’s medal attached and white candles in the garden. She was specific as to these items only. Needless to say, I followed her instructions to the letter. I then channeled a message for the family from the Mother. I later came to find out from an internet search that to invoke St. Agatha, the patron saint of breast cancer, you place pink roses on an altar with white candles. I was blown away. After that I was convinced that this was to be my life’s work.

From that point on, I experienced the aches and pains of any new business and profound spiritual growth. Since I had no model to follow I was basically out there on my own and it was a very lonely time for me. As I started open up and share the gardens with people, people didn’t get it. I knew that education was going to have to be a bigger part of the process. Eventually I needed to come up with a title since the first question that continually came up was, “What do you do?” I then coined the term “Spiritual Florist” for in fact, that is what I am.

The gardens, have over time, proven themselves as true messengers of the Divine. Time and time again, clients would call me questioning my choice of flowers or the placement of a butterfly or dragonfly in their gardens as the item was significant to the recipient. It was indeed confirmation that the combination of my intuition and the flowers were “carriers” of Divine energy and love and I knew that Dr. Emoto’s and Cleve Backster’s theories were working through the flowers. From that point, the flowers seemed to take on a life of their own.

The affect of the gardens on people have never ceased to amaze me. I have been privileged to be a part of many people’s journey. Along the way, spirits of loved ones started to pop in. They would often visit when I would be creating a garden in memorandum. Once in a while when creating a garden for someone who was very ill, I would be given a timeline when they would pass. The garden would then act as a glimpse into the heavens and provide comfort to those in their final days. When the client did pass, family members would tell me that the garden played a significant part in their loved one’s journey and that many times they kept the gardens near their bed so as to glimpse their beauty. I was humbled to know that the gardens had a small part in one’s journey through the veil.

An interesting phenomenon regarding the gardens has been how long the flowers last. Since they are fresh flowers, they are expected to last maybe two weeks at the most. In many cases, the flowers lasted past their prime. One client told me that his lasted 8 weeks. That is very unusual considering they are ephemeral in nature. I have to believe that the infusion of a blessing into the flowers has something to do with this.

One of the most significant and challenging parts of creating the gardens has been the awakening of my psychic abilities. For me, I believe that my working and creating intuitively on a day-to-day basis has had a huge role in the expansion of my psychic ability not only with the gardens but with creating in general. As I surrendered and progressed, this awakening led to trance channeling and reading for clients. It was a seamless transition.

The biggest challenge came when I had to accept and own what was given to me. It did not come with out risk but then anything worthwhile never does. I was scared to death to approach my husband about my psychic abilities. I was afraid he would leave me or be angry with me and I prayed to the Universe for help. I was getting so depressed and I just didn’t know how to approach him with all of this. Well, the Universe did help me and he simply shrugged it off. Looking back, I have to laugh when I think about the times I would sit in the cemetery for hours and do readings in my car! I was afraid of what others would think and the fact that I was raised a Catholic, and at one point wanted to become a nun, made it even harder for me. I have now moved into acceptance and understand that people and things fall away.

I believe that we are gifted in this lifetime all that we need as far as pertains to the psychic arts. As I’ve explained to students, we are not given what we think we need. As we use our abilities more will be given, if and when necessary, to facilitate our spiritual growth. It is a process; don’t rush it. We have to wake up to the challenges that the abilities bring us. An analogy would be like learning how to walk. First you crawl, then pull yourself up, next come the baby steps and then we take off running. If we are patient, it is amazing to see how far we can go.

Kala: I’m an esoteric wisdom mystery school teacher and I see that you offer intuitive readings which include Esoteric Numerology. I think numerology and the power of names are very important. My name Kala (pronounced Kay-la) was given to my mother in a series of recurring dreams where she was told that this was my name. It’s sanskrit as well as recognized in many other languages and definitely suits me. Your name, Merry Street, couldn’t be more adorable and endearing. Can you share with our readers how esoteric numerology works and how you use it in your work.

Merry: When I first started to read professionally for clients I would give clients in-depth intuitive information regarding their past, present and future. But over time, I felt like each reading fell a bit short. I can’t explain it other than to say that the readings felt slightly off. It was as if something was missing. Soon, I found it no longer acceptable to “just” give a reading. I found myself constantly and consistently wishing that I could help clients utilize the information that was given them so that it would have a lasting and profound effect on their lives. Soon after experiencing another life-changing event, this drive became increasingly stronger. I knew it was time to re-evaluate my life’s work and devise a better plan.

As they say, the teacher will appear when the student is ready. One day while meditating on how to improve my readings, two answers came to me: One was EFT, or Emotional Freedom Techniques, and the other was Esoteric Numerology. Finally after months of searching, I felt as if something clicked. Combining all three methods made sense to me. I guess you could call it my spiritual “ahh” moment!

Regarding numerology. Even as a child I have always been intrigued by things that are metaphysical or esoteric in nature. Numerology was one of the things that I was naturally drawn to. It made immediate sense to me. As I studied it further, I soon realized that numerology was MORE than a name that becomes us. It is truly the vibrational quality that people recall and for a reason. Your name is your calling card to the universe. Like a shoe, it must fit you.

Esoteric numerology, or spiritual numerology, is the science of numeric vibration. It is a language whereby every word or name vibrates to a number and every number and letter holds its own sacred value and meaning. Spoken word is especially powerful as it brings forth thought and thought brings forth manifestation. That is why when we first introduce ourselves to others we leave our impression or personal energy with someone and that may or may not be favorable.

I would have to say that working with my own numbers has been, by far, my greatest teacher of numerology. I can sit here and tell you that we are all drawn to sound but I have had the opportunity to experience first hand the vibrational quality and draw of my current name in action. From what I have witnessed time and time again, I can tell you that the name you carry through life does matter! Fortunately through marriage, I have acquired a fantastic, current name, Merry Street. Not only is it highly auspicious but easy to remember. I’ve lost track of the number of times people have commented on my name. Not only do people make comments about my name but they also pause to analysis it, they repeat it… out loud… several times. This happens almost on a daily basis and I don’t believe it is coincidental.

I believe that the combination of intuitive readings, EFT and numerology are invaluable tools in awakening our vast spiritual potential. Each method builds on each other and as a result, the combination of all three modalities holds in great detail, information about your life’s mission, destiny and the calling of your soul. In other words, they open us up to our vast potential. Using this method, I have witnessed remarkable changes in client’s lives. This type of reading has the ability to answer questions such as:

• 1 What is the deeper purpose for my life?
  2 What am I here to learn?
  3 Am I living in alignment with my highest potential?
  4 Where am I holding myself back from living my highest potential?
  5 What is my priority to focus or work on now?
  6 What can I do now to find peace and healing for myself?
  7 Is there anything I’m doing now to block divine connection?
  8 Is there anything I can do to expand my gifts or experience here?
  9 What am I to learn from this specific problem or block that I’m having now?

Kala: Mala-inspired jewelry is set to make a big comeback. Earlier this year, I had several dreams about beads and mala’s made for Mantras and how helpful they will be for people. You create mala’s called Power Mantra’s. How were you led to create the jewelry and what are the pieces designed for?

Merry: I have been making and selling jewelry for a little over 3 years now. I started creating jewelry during a very stressful time in my life. My son’s kidneys were failing and it helped me to channel my energy in a resourceful way.

As far as creating the actual pieces, it usually comes to me in waves and in different themes. Just like the gardens, I find myself being pulled to create mostly within the spiritual genre. Much of the jewelry I create, such as my Shine Jewelry line, has an icon or spiritual image attached to it and jewelry has been just as much a part of my journey as the gardens. Since I rely heavily on my intuition when creating a piece, I usually start with meditation, ask what is needed to be created with the materials at hand and then the pieces seem to evolve.

Interestingly enough, the Power Mantra line came to me one day when I was sitting out in my studio in meditation. It felt like at the time and I still do believe to this day that it was Ganesha that was pushing me to make the mala jewelry line. I couldn’t for the life of me understand why today? Why not two years ago or even two months ago? It wasn’t until I overheard that the book “Eat, Pray, Love” was being made into a movie, that I understood. At least, that is what I took away from it. Since I have not had any experience with malas other than using them for mantra I was a bit confused. I didn’t want people to see the malas and feel that I was being insensitive to their spiritual purpose, so instead of creating a conventional mala, I was inspired to create mala-inspired jewelry.

Again, just like the gardens, this product has many layers to it. I wanted the malas not only to look like a beautiful piece of jewelry but I wanted them to have substance to them. That is why I include with each Power Mantra piece, information on the stones, the Meru or Summit bead, and the Mantra. Also, I want to invite people to use their Power Mantra Jewelry for mantra if it so inspired them. That was the inspiration behind the CD recording of the actual power mantra. I believe that hearing the mantra aloud helps one connect to the mantra in such a way that they are actually in the process of doing. When we are doing, we are taking responsibility for our own empowerment and making a commitment to our spiritual evolution.
Once I committed to creating the line, the production flowed effortlessly. I kid you not… the web site design took me 2 hours and within 2 days time I had sold 2 custom pieces. I took it as a clear sign. From then on, the Power Mantra Jewelry line has done well. I am getting ready to place them into a local yoga studio and hopefully introduce them to larger audience.

I would have to add that connecting with mala in this way has made me have a deeper connection with mantra practice than before. It has really shifted something within me and it inspires me to create new pieces. I truly believe in the power of mantra and believe it creates vast amounts of unseen positive energy and good in the world.

Kala: Merry, looking back at your life now in review, what changed the most for you when you experienced the illness and made a contractual agreement with the Divine to do your spiritual highest and best. Have you been surprised by the journey along the way?

Merry: All of the processing and the experiences I have encountered have changed my entire life in the biggest, most challenging and positive way. I have found life is easier when you forgive, trust and are open to possibilities. I think that learning to trust has been the biggest hurdle for me. Again, this was a survivor mechanism I learned as a child so un-doing what I’ve learned has been a difficult yet necessary step in my spiritual process.

Also, it takes a lot of guts to admit who you are instead of living a secretive life. I am a totally new person. It’s amazing to look back to the beginning and to see how much has fallen away and to see what has taken its place. One thing that I have learned is to be aware of the signs we are given and the entirety of life taking place around you.  The most surprising change for me occurred when I decided to become a kidney donor. Again, the old Merry would have not approached Children’s Hospital in hopes of procuring a kidney for my son via the Paired Donation Alliance. Again, things were set in motion and within 5 months all four of us, 2 donors and 2 recipients, were in surgery.  When I was recovering from my illness, I often wondered “why” I was kept here. As with a lot of things we question, there wasn’t a lot of clarity. Now I know why and I am grateful to have been in a good place at this time in my life.

Kala: Merry, thank you for joining me here on Kala’s Quick Five. Read more about Merry and her Zenspiration Gardens.

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 Ambrose is a highly interactive teacher on a mission to educate, entertain and inspire. She lectures on the Ancient Wisdom Teachings of Egypt and the Mystery Schools, Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom. More about Kala at: www.ExploreYourSpirit.com and readings and consultations.

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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.

Welcome to Kala’s Quick Five, where I chat with fascinating authors, artists, teachers and researchers and ask them five questions about their work. My guest today is Lee Warren, Program Coordinator of the SouthEast Women’s Herbal Conference, which will be held on October 1-3, 2010 at Lake Eden, in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

Kala: Lee, welcome to Kala’s Quick Five. The SouthEast Women’s Herbal Conference is described as ‘… a weekend for women to learn, connect and deepen into the Wise Woman Tradition: earth-based healing, local plants and deep nourishment’. Can you describe for us what goes on during this weekend at the conference and how long the conference has been running?

Lee: The conference is in its 6th year and has grown to more than 600 women participants. There are more than 60 classes by over 30 teachers in 8 different tracks of classes throughout the weekend plus evening events, amazing meals based on nourishing traditional foods, and artful vendors. Classes range from beginner to advanced and cover topics such as herb walks, storytelling, classic kitchen remedies, the art of drumming, seasonal living, self-esteem, wholistic sexuality, and more.

The conference offers an opportunity for women to steep themselves in teachings on the wise woman tradition, which encourage them to take charge of their health and their lives. As you mentioned, The Wise Woman Tradition embraces earth-based healing, local plants, and deep nourishment.

As Susun Weed puts it: “The Wise Woman Tradition is the oldest tradition of healing known on our planet, yet one that is rarely identified, rarely written or talked about. A woman-centered tradition of self love, respectful of the earth and all her creatures, the Wise Woman Tradition tells us that compassion, simple ritual, and common herbs heal the whole person and maintain health/wholeness/holiness.” The Wise Woman Tradition values nourishment, flexibility, transformation, groundedness, and the cycles of life, death, and rebirth.

The Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference was inspired by the thriving herbal conferences for women in the Northeast, Southwest, and California. Corinna Wood, Director of Red Moon Herbs, felt that the Southeast, too, was ready for this kind of gathering. From our first annual event in 2005, we quickly discovered that the community was ready and eager, that we were filling a need. The conference now has a heart and soul of its own. For many it has become an annual event, a tradition in education, inspiration, and sisterhood. Our herbal conference community grows stronger and reaches further each year.

Kala: I love the Asheville and Blue Ridge mountain area of North Carolina and visit as often as I can to bask in the energy of the land and the warm feelings of the mountains. I’ve lived in other mountainous regions in my life, but the Blue Ridge is my favorite in the US. They’re the oldest mountain range in the country and have a softness that I connect to the Divine Feminine energy. When planning the conference, Lake Eden in this area was chosen, what do you enjoy energetically about this area and how does it support the conference?

Lee: Yes, it’s a beautiful area and Lake Eden is a gem for sure. The choice of Lake Eden as a location for our conference site was in large part due to our desire to expand the conference to a facility that could hold our capacity (our previous site had a maximum of 400 women.) Further the coming together of the Lake and the Mountains offers a beauty typical of this area and conducive to basking in the beauty and scenic nourishment ideal for a weekend away. Thus women who travel get to experience being in the beautiful Western NC terrain. As we’ve already talked about, earth-based awareness is part of our focus for the weekend and having women be immersed in such amazing earth energies helps embody that value.
Additionally, there are four of us who co-create the planning of the annual Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference: Corinna, Ema, Lee, and Renee. We all live in a forested valley in the Broad River District, about 30 minutes from Lake Eden. We are friends and neighbors sharing values of simple, low-earth-impact living, and environmental and social activism. Our offices are off-the-grid and our lives are filled with child rearing, food growing, and community. The conference gives women the opportunity for a part-time living-wage income in a rural area without much opportunity for employment and allows us work that is deeply aligned with our values.

Kala: During the conference, over 35 teachers present over 60 classes throughout the weekend. How does this work, is there one fee for the entire conference and you choose which classes to attend or do you pay by individual class? What do the classes focus on?
Lee: The fee for the weekend is $270 with food and lodging as an additional fee. Participants can purchase a meal ticket of local, organic, lovingly prepared meals for $58 and choose to camp or stay in various lodge or cabin beds at Lake Eden. Once registered, participants can choose from any class in seven class tracks, named: Weeds & Walks, Herbal How-To, Health & Healing, Advanced, Tending our Spirits, Love Your Body, Love the Earth. There is one additional class track called Intensives, which come with an additional cost and take up two class slots. Intensives are an opportunity to study more deeply with a certain teacher or on a specific subject.

Intensives this year include:

• The Best of Rosemary – Greatest Hits from 35 years of Herbal Wisdom with Rosemary Gladstar
  
• Mountain Mama’s Apothecary — Do-it-Yourself, Down Home Concoctions with Teresa Boardwine
  
• The Endocrine System — Exploring the Body/Mind Mystery with Kathleen Maier
  
• Women Rise Up Ceremony with ALisa Starkweather
  
• Women’s Anatomy of Arousal — Secret Maps to Buried Pleasure with Sheri Winston
  

For a full schedule, please see:
http://www.sewisewomen.com/womens_herbal_conference/pdfs/SEWHC_Schedule_2010.pdf

Kala: When looking at the courses offered, I noticed that some of them are geared towards nurses and medical care givers. I think that’s very encouraging to the see the medical community connecting with the wise woman ways and incorporating this work into their care. What do you see occurring at this time with the medical community, are they opening to embrace holistic healthcare as part of their service?
Lee: Not only are holistically minded nurses and caregivers seeking out this information for personal interest, it seems that more and more hospitals and other health care facilities want their staff to be trained in these modalities. They’re finding that their patients are regularly asking about supplements, food, lifestyle, and the like, and they are starting to step up and realize the value of engaging around these ideas.

The Wise Woman Tradition translates and integrates well into all forms of care because it is inclusive. It encourages us to look at nourishment and supportive strategies first before resorting to pharmaceuticals or surgery, but it doesn’t rule those options out as valid and legitimate forms of healthcare.

For the first four years of the conference, we had nurses and other health professionals attending who were interested in incorporating the Wise Woman Tradition into their lifes and work. We received repeated requests for making continuing education units available for nurses at the conference.

With the support of the New England Women’s Herbal Conference, we connected with the American Holistic Nurses Association. The AHNA is very much in resonance with our holistic approach to self-care and health care. The process to be approved to offer CE’s for nurses is an extensive one. Three months of effort resulted in a 71-page application in 2009 which was approved by the AHNA. Last year, 25 nurses took advantage of the program.

We’re applying to AHNA again this year and hope to attract twice as many nurses.

Kala: What is the intent and vision of the Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference? Where do you hope to see it blossom in the future?

Lee: Southeast Wise Women, which is the umbrella organization for the The Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference is, simply put, holding a voice in the Southeast for the Wise Woman Tradition.

In specific, hundreds of women get charged and changed through their experiences at the conference and look forward to returning to get renewed each year. We’re hoping that this charge infuses their lives with the inspiration and initiative to create more self-care, well-being, empowerment, and aliveness in themselves, their families and their communities.

We want women to learn, connect and deepen during the weekend and take home a seed-pod of hope for what is possible in their lives.

Here are some testimonials from past participants…
• “I had never been to an all-woman event before and it was amazing how free and un-self conscious I felt! I also especially loved waking up early in my tent and walking to the gym for Sierra\’s lovely, restorative yoga sessions, and eating the truly wonderful food provided. Thank you!”  SK Valentine, Tallahassee, FL

• “This year my mother and my daughter attended the conference with me. They loved it as much as I did in previous years. It was such a bonding and connecting experience. Thank you for offering something for everyone, and a huge thank you to the childcare staff. My daughter cried when it was time to leave this special space you create.” Crystal Merrell, Jasper, GA

• “I was particularly grateful for the harmonious vibration and cooperation. Every year we surrender a little more of our egos in service to the greater good. It is a very powerful experience to be with so many grateful women supporting other women so that we may carry our medicine back out into the world as the healers that we are.”  Thea Summer Deer, Whittier, NC

We love hearing from women who go back to their lives and create women’s circles, or study their passion, or begin making herbal infusions as medicines at home, or start a new business based on healing, or even just incorporate more nourishing foods into their lives. In any way that we can help create movement back to a connection with the earth, ourselves and each other as women, we are helping to create healing…..personally and planetarily.

If we can come together as empowered, healthy, and alive women, there’s no stopping what is possible.

Kala: Lee, thank you for joining me here on Kala’s Quick Five. More about Lee and the Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference on their website: www.sewisewomen.com

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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.

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 Ambrose is a highly interactive teacher on a mission to educate, entertain and inspire. She lectures on the Ancient Wisdom Teachings of Egypt and the Mystery Schools, Developing Business Intuition, Working with Auras, Chakras and Energy Fields, and Wise Woman Wisdom. More information about Kala at: www.ExploreYourSpirit.com and readings and consultations with available at: www.exploreyourspirit.com/psychic.html