Posts Tagged ‘books’

Author Kala Ambrose in New Orleans

Ask me now about the first time I read Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice and you’ll still see the warm grin rise from my lips along with a mischievous gleam appearing in my eye as I explain how her writing touched me and lured me into her world of vampires and their chronicles.

I grew up in Louisiana and when I discovered Ms. Rice’s books, I had moved away from my homeland.  When reading her books, I was not only touched by her stories, but by the vivid description and details of New Orleans.  She has the magnificent ability to allow one to taste, touch, smell and experience all six senses while reading her books, a feat not easily accomplished.

If you’ve followed me this far, you’ve figured out that I am a big fan of Anne Rice’s body of work. Maybe I connect with her writing so well because I also grew up Catholic in Louisiana, with a deep love of all things supernatural and paranormal. This could be part of why I enjoy her work so deeply, but truly moving beyond that parallel, I consider her ability to weave compelling story lines while immersing the reader into the story with history and sensory detail to be in the clearest sense of the word, masterful.

Years later, I was able to return to my beloved New Orleans, to write my book, Spirits of New Orleans: Voodoo Curses, Vampire Legends and Cities of the Dead. This book is part of a non-fiction series by the publisher entitled America’s Haunted Road Trip. Described as paranormal travel guides, they delve into the haunted history, legends and lore in the area.  I had previously written a book for this publisher entitled Ghosthunting North Carolina and when the call came to write about New Orleans, I was thrilled to return to my roots and reveal the stories about a city that I love with all of my being. It’s a pleasure to share this book with those who hear the siren song of New Orleans calling their name to visit her as often as possible.

This brings me to my exciting news about the book, as this October, I will be returning to New Orleans.  Each year the Anne Rice Vampire Lestat Fan Club (ARVLFC) holds the UnDead Conference and Vampire Ball in the city. This year, from October 24th through October 27th, 2013, people will gather to hear a panel of authors speak about their books on New Orleans and Vampires. The authors speaking this year at the conference include Anne Rice and her son Christopher and I’m pleased to announce that yours truly, Kala Ambrose will be speaking this year as well about Spirits of New Orleans as well as attending the Vampire Ball.

I hope that you’ll join me for this unique event and experience. During this conference, I’ll share the haunted history of the city including the stories of those who decided to make New Orleans their eternal home, as a resting place for some and a point of revenge for others. Prepare to embark on an enticing journey into the haunted history, paranormal activities, magical ceremonies and supernatural rituals and practices in order to fully understand and embrace the cultural significance of the variety of beliefs, superstitions, legends and lore.

In Spirits of New Orleans, I invite you to visit the resting place of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, have a drink at some of the most haunted bars in the city and spend the night in your choice of haunted hotels. Join me as your guide, as we tread carefully through haunted Pirates Alley and down the streets of the French Quarter where ghosts, vampires and other supernatural beings lurk around every corner.

Explore Spirits of New Orleans: Voodoo Curses, Vampire Legends and Cities of the Dead with Kala Ambrose and prepare to be supernaturally and eternally charmed by the city of New Orleans.

See you there! Here’s the details!

Anne Rice Vampire Lestat Fan Club

UnDead Conference and Vampire Ball

October 24th – 27th, 2013

Kala Ambrose teaching about Auras at Edgar Cayce’s ARE

I had such a great time teaching about The Awakened Aura at Edgar Cayce’s ARE in Virginia Beach, in a beautiful room where the portrait of Cayce represented his presence and spirit throughout the building.

I’ve visited the ARE in the past and it was a joy to be there again, this time to teach and share.  If you haven’t been before, it’s well worth your time to visit, attend a workshop and explore the library and beautiful meditation room.

During my workshop an attendee mentioned that she had read in my book how I can see the aura of places, not just people. She remarked on the chapter where I share what I see in the aura of Florida when driving down to visit. She asked what I saw and sensed about the aura in Virginia Beach.

My reply was that I had spent some time earlier that day tuning into the energy of the area in order to discern the auric energy surrounding Virginia Beach. I found it to be similar to an open portal, a void if you will, similar in effect to a clear quartz crystal.

In this type of portal energy, the area pulsates with energy. It waits for people to enter the energy and then to manifest what they will, directing the energy towards positive or negative means of their choosing.

It also had me thinking about the proximity to Virginia Beach in regard to the Bermuda Triangle and that it may very well be on one of the ley lines, further enhancing the energy.

Virginia Beach

I invite you to explore this energy yourself when you visit there and if possible, spend time on the beach, where you can tap into this energy and make a wish that will connect with this vibration and ripple outward.

Virginia Beach is a place to set an intention, make a wish and then allow the energy to ripple in waves outward as it goes to work manifesting the intention.  Enjoy the journey!

I’ve had the delightful opportunity to interview Guy Kawasaki on the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show, where we discussed his book, Enchantment.  I enjoyed the book as well as Guy and so I happily agreed to take a look at his new book, APE (Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur): How to Publish a Book.

APE begins with Kawasaki’s odyssey of trying to sell copies of e-books through his traditional publisher and describing the #epicfail that occurred, when he had an organization wanting to purchase 500 e-copies of the book and his publisher and their distributors couldn’t make it happen. This experience prompted Kawasaki to strike out on his own and enter the world of self-publishing in order to gain more control.

Kawasaki’s journey is our gain, as his new book, APE, breaks down how to self-publish step by step.  He explains that an author is no longer just a writer, but rather an entrepreneur running a business. In today’s competitive market, no longer can the author just write the book, they must also learn to create a sophisticated platform in order to promote their book. Authors know that this is the case even if they are with a traditional publisher, as publishers expect authors to do the majority of the promotional work with each book.  Kawasaki also explains the second facet of APE, where the author takes on the role of becoming the publisher and describes what is entailed with this process.  He and co-writer Shawn Welch go the distance in the book, explaining the pros and cons of self-publishing, giving advice and links to everything needed to get the process started. Kawasaki also describes royalties and payments in great detail and is open in sharing how it has worked for him and what he has learned along the way.

If you are a published author considering whether the world of self-publishing is right for you, or a first time writer wondering how it all really works, this book is invaluable and a must read.  APE provides a very realistic look at the world of self-publishing, revealing the work involved for authors. Kawasaki redefines self-publishing and refers to it as “artisanal publishing”, heralding a new evolution in the publishing industry where the writer and the reader are brought together in a more intimate fashion. In his definition of artisanal publishing, he explains how the author has a more hands on experience and heightened sense of satisfaction in every aspect of their creation in order to be competitive in a market where millions of titles are being released each year.

Happy 12-12-12!  As we see in the study of numerology, each number has a divine universal power and meaning connected with it. The number twelve resonates throughout our conscious perception of time and space and when it is magnified times three (12-12-12), it heralds a change in our conscious reality.  In ancient teachings, it is said that twelve is the higher aspect of the numbers three and four, with three representing time and four representing the earth plane, the third dimension and what we describe as physical reality.

As we can see throughout time, humanity has resonated with the number twelve as an important marker of energy and events.  The age of twelve signifies the end of childhood, as one becomes a teenager at thirteen. In religious aspects, twelve is represented with the twelve Olympian gods of Greece, twelve apostles in Christianity as well as the twelve knights in King Arthur’s round table, the twelve tribes of Israel and in Hinduism, the sun god Surya has twelve names and it is said that there are twelve petals in the heart chakra.

AS ABOVE, SO BELOW – THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH

Astrologically in both Western and Chinese astrology, there are twelve signs to identify people, along with twelve planets.  In Chinese astrology, there is a twelve year cycle used to calculate time, which is referred to as “earthly branches”.  In our calendar, we have twelve months and our clocks move in twelve hour cycles. The number twelve is used in our measurements and a dozen is a common offering in our baked goods and let us not forget the twelve days of Christmas celebrated as the marking of time extending the Yule celebration from Christmas to the Epiphany, which is also referred to as the Twelfth Night.

The significance of the rare expression of 12-12-12 being brought forth today, is that the world is evolving, shifting and moving into the fourth dimension, which will alter the concept of time as we currently understand it on earth plane. In the month of December, we collectively mark the passage of time as we prepare for the return of the light, beginning on the Winter Solstice of December 21st through December 24th, and we then look forward to the dawning of a New Year. December is the month associated with letting go of the old, completing a time of introspection in the darkest of days and embracing the return of the light and new beginnings.  This particular year, December 12, 2012, heralds a new marker of time and space as we prepare to enter a new cycle.

HOW TO CONNECT WITH THE EVOLUTIONARY ENERGY OF THIS SIGNIFICANT TIME

Here is an exercise to connect with the energy of 12-12-12 as this new energy fills and surrounds both the earth plane and the higher dimensions around us:

In a dark room, sit quietly and breathe deeply with a unlit white candle in front of you. For three minutes, reflect upon where you are in your life at this time and what you would like to create in the New Year. Fill your thoughts with these loving, positive choices and then light the candle before you. Let the candle burn for four minutes as you focus on visualizing these choices coming to light and being.  For the next twelve days,  12-12-12 through 12-24-12, spend three minutes a day reflecting on your wishes in this room and then after lighting the candle, spending four minutes with the lit candle focusing on what will be brought into the light.

This is especially effective during this time as twelve signifies the number of spiritual fulfillment and what we focus on for the next twelve days is what will be brought to light beginning on December 24th.

As I speak about in my book, The Awakened Aura: Experiencing the Evolution of Your Energy Body, we are in the midst of an evolution! “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.”  Now is the time to focus on love, hope, joy, abundance and creative vision for the evolution that we are bringing into being! Happy 12-12-12!

About Kala Ambrose: Award winning author, national columnist, inspirational speaker, and host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Radio and TV Show, Kala Ambrose’s teachings are described as discerning, empowering and inspiring. Whether she’s speaking with world-renowned experts on the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show, writing about empowering lifestyle choices, reporting on new discoveries in the scientific and spiritual arenas or teaching to groups around the country, fans around the world tune in daily for her inspirational musings and lively thought-provoking conversations.

A highly interactive teacher on a mission to educate, entertain and inspire, Kala teaches and writes about ancient wisdom teachings and how their techniques can be used in modern day living. Her books, The Awakened Aura: Experiencing the Evolution of Your Energy Body and 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled both cover these topics.

In addition, Kala shares her love of history, travel and the spirit world in her books Spirits of New Orleans and Ghosthunting North Carolina. Her books are designed to explore the history of cities in an entertaining manner while sharing haunted stories and offering travel tips on how to best see the cities to shop, dine, stay, and visit the haunted sites.

Kala writes for the Huffington Post, the Examiner, AOL, Yahoo and Fate Magazine and presents workshops nationally on the Mind/Body/Spirit connection including Auras and Energy Fields, Developing Business Intuition, Haunted History, and Wisdom Teachings at the Omega Institute, John Edward Presents Infinite Quest, the Learning Annex, LilyDale Assembly, and Daily Om. More about Kala at ExploreYourSpirit.com

Welcome to Kala’s Bohemian Blog, dedicated to the Bohemian Ideals of Truth * Beauty * Freedom & Love, and packed with inspirations, ramblings, magical moments and musings, all intended to serve as a traveling companion along your journey. I invite you to join me here as I delve into the Mysteries of the Universe, Rediscover the Magic in the World Around Us, Embrace the Divine, Release the Inner Goddess, and Reawaken Your Spirituality!

Here today on the blog, we’re exploring the inspiration and delight of art. Those who know me well, know my love of reading and hardly a day goes by where I’m not found with a book in hand. When a book captures my attention, I enjoy reaching out to the author to discuss their work with them.  Today is one of these moments, as I reach out to chat with artist, psychic medium, and author Melissa Harris. Melissa Harris shares her art and her life as a feast of creative exploration. She expands portrait painting to open doorways into souls and sojourns in New York and Paris to learn to paint only what she loves.

In her autobiographical book, Painting Outside the Lines: The Life of Psychic Arts Melissa Harris,  Melissa reveals her beliefs about the truths of some general traits of the artist and the common ingredients of an artist’s life. She proclaims, “For me, there is no other choice but to paint.”

Painting Outside the Lines is a visual feast, vibrant, sensuous and soulful. As we enter the world of the artist as seer and adventurer, Melissa’s expressive work captures the universal stories of our own human experiences. If these oils, watercolors and collages are her medicine, this healing spreads across the pages, inspiring us to express our inner world and ignite our visionary nature, a reminder that even erratic and ever-evolving lives can lead to graceful changes and that, truly, “anything is possible!”

Let’s explore the world of Melissa Harris, as she joins us here on Kala’s Bohemian Blog…

Kala:  Melissa, wonderful to speak with you again. I truly enjoyed your book and the behind the scenes dialogue that describes your art.  What painting of yours do you feel most accurately describes you as a person?

Melissa: Ha Ha!  I had to laugh at this one because in the end they are ALL self portraits.  I would give you a different answer at a different time on any given day!  I am thinking about “Isabel’s Desire” on page 56 of the book.  We see here a woman getting dressed to go out looking in the mirror in a quirky outfit, reflective, with an open drawer and a man’s tie on the drawer handle.  There are two shells on the dresser.  The painting is chock full of symbolism for me.  I created a romantic pink ambiance with a lamp from another time period.  Even though I did this painting around 1983 or so I still relate to a reflective woman having to get herself dressed to go out in the world (I am by nature a bit of a hermit).  My ongoing explorations of myself in relationship could be represented by the tie.  I have and maybe always was a mermaid so the shells…..I prefer anything antique to modern, hence the atmosphere, and I love to dress creatively in ways that express my mood.  The painting “Reflecting” on the double spread on page 179 is also very much a self portrait with a bit of distortion in the perspective (representing how I feel “different” than much of the time as well as the suggestion of Spirit behind me, knowing that my guides and friends in Spirit are always with me.

Kala:  As an empath, psychic and artist, you mentioned the challenges of living in a large city with these gifts, versus living in rural areas in touch with nature. What advice would you give to others who have these types of abilities and struggle to stay grounded in metropolitan areas?

Melissa: I call upon several means of protection if I feel I need it.  I often wear a necklace of blue tourmaline with a chunk of blue kyanite,  which rests just at my throat chakra.  Kyanite supposedly keeps energy moving so I feel that if I freeze up in fear that I will be able to release that quickly.  And because it keeps energy moving I imagine it moving any disturbing energy that may be directed at or moving toward me continuing to move right along.  If I am feeling jittery I also sometimes visualize a cocoon of white light around me with mirrors on the outside that deflect any negative energy  in my field.  I stay very aware and am proactive in terms of avoiding uncomfortable situations.  I was mugged with serious harm to my face, especially my mouth so I am very cautious.

Kala:  In the Creatrix series, there is a work by you of woman walking with butterflies titled, Anything is Possible, which is one of your most successful commercial pieces. What do you think it is about this piece in particular that reaches out to so many people and inspires its worldwide appeal?

Melissa: I always tell people that in truth, it was not one of my more profound painting experiences in that I don’t have a magical story behind it.  I think, according to feedback from people that its’ appeal is mostly due to a feeling of hope that it conveys.  The colors are light yet strong which give it an uplifting feeling.  The subject matter itself is positive in that we see a sunrise, a woman in a posture of receptivity and grace, and butterflies which, although they represent transition are simply beautiful in and of themselves.  I’ve had people tell me that they have used it for moving through illness or as comfort after a loved one has passed away.

Kala: I noticed in your book that many of your pieces have windows or doorways as part of the scene. What do these openings represent for you?

Melissa: I think I once read someplace that women in particular tend to choose doorways and windows as subject matter.  That must be because they have often been very restricted in their lives.  I haven’t been able to put my finger on why I myself have chosen them.  Maybe it’s the idea of opportunities ahead, a way of looking to the future. It’s also the unknown and I love surprises and the fact that we, at least in this country in this time have a large degree of control over our circumstances and can create our own realities in many ways.  Oops, that was quite a run on sentence but I like doing things off the cuff.

Kala: In your book, you mention working through your emotions in your art. If you couldn’t paint to release and reflect who you are, what other avenue would you choose?

Melissa: Maybe writing,.  I’ve only recently discovered this.  Although I don’t think three dimensionally I also enjoy clay and metalsmithing, but we have to make choices- and there is only so much time- so I tend to stick to 2-D.  I also make sure to keep moving to help keep my outlook bright.  It’s true I’m an emotional woman and I tend to do something physical each day, even if I am not attached to emotion.  My top choices for this are Zumba, because it’s a form of dancing, and swimming.

Kala: Throughout history, many artists, writers and creatives describe being caught in the passion and engagement of the art they are working on and that the creation of the project produces an energy that is very satisfying and all-encompassing. Your book is candid and engaging, as you share the life of an artist and how this line of work affected your relationships and lifestyle choices. Is the work itself, the art, a deeper relationship of its own, that perhaps consumes the artist and becomes in a sense, the mistress?

Melissa: Absolutely, which is why many of my partners have not been able to deal with a relationship with me.  There is always “another lover” calling me, either out in the studio or in the landscape we are driving by.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made them stop the car and wait while I paint something we are passing by, or at the very least photographing it.  If I am engaged in a piece it’s always with me and I dream about it and choose colors in my dreams and wake up in a hurry to get back to it.  It consumes me for the time I am dancing with it.

Melissa Harris’ book Painting Outside the Lines can be found on her website along with information about her art and her Spirit Essence portraits. Visit her website http://melissaharris.com/

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About Kala Ambrose: Noted wisdom teacher, author, intuitive, inspirational speaker, and host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Radio and TV Show, Kala Ambrose’s teachings are described as discerning, empowering and inspiring. Whether she’s speaking with world-renowned experts on the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show, writing about empowering lifestyle choices, reporting on new discoveries in the scientific and spiritual arenas or teaching to groups around the country, fans around the world tune in daily for her inspirational musings and lively thought-provoking conversations.

Kala is the author of four books including the award-winning 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled, Ghosthunting North Carolina,  The Awakened Aura: Experiencing the Evolution of Your Energy Body and now, Spirits of New Orleans: Voodoo Curses, Vampire Legends and Cities of the Dead.

A highly interactive teacher on a mission to educate, entertain and inspire, Kala writes for the Huffington Post, the Examiner, AOL, Yahoo and Fate Magazine and presents workshops nationally on the Mind/Body/Spirit connection including Auras and Energy Fields, Developing Business Intuition, Haunted History and Wisdom Teachings at the Omega Institute, John Edward Presents Infinite Quest, the Learning Annex, LilyDale Assembly, and Daily Om.

2012 The Decision is Ours

As the band R.E.M. sings, “It’s the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine…”

One of the most powerful esoteric wisdom teachings I share with students, is the knowledge that: “the only constant in life is change”. We are on this earth plane to experience change on a daily, weekly, yearly and sometimes hourly basis. Each moment, our cells change, our thoughts change, every thing changes!

In the recent presidential election, both campaigns focused on the concept of change, we collectively voted for change! This is because at our core level, we know that things should not and cannot continue in their current pattern.  Our higher selves are inspiring us to make a change. One of the reasons that we collectively feel this great need for change has to do with 2012.

The Mayan Long Count Calendar, which ends in 2012, has sparked great interest and debate around the world with researchers, scholars and mystics.   Questions remain which still have not been fully answered, such as… Why does this calendar end and What will occur on the Winter Solstice date of December 21, 2012?

On The Explore Your Spirit with Kala show, I’ve interviewed authors, researchers, and mystics about 2012 and I’ve shared what the mystery school teachings have to say on the subject.  One of the most interesting conversations on the show was with John Major Jenkins, a researcher of the ancient Mayan culture.  During this interview we spoke about how the sun was moving toward the heart of our galaxy and the profound implications this would have on every species in our universe.  The Mayan Calendar reveals this galactic transformation culminating on December 21, 2012.

As 2012 draws near, I’d like to share with you what the wisdom teachings have to say on this topic…

The unit of measure, which affects everything on Earth, is Time. Esoteric teachings explain that time is not linear, it is cyclical and it moves in expanding circles.  As with all cycles, the transformation does not begin and end on one day, rather it develops and unfolds over a period of time.  We sometimes wish for a magical moment of time, so that in an instant we are transformed with one act or one secret we stumble upon which changes everything. However, this is not the case. Even in fairy tales, we see that even when the hero finds the magical talisman, their journey does not end there, rather their journey has just begun!

Esoteric Wisdom states that: Time is the Keeper and Ruler of our universe.  During the time period of 3000 BC – 3115 BC, remarkable occurrences were happening around our planet. The first dynasty of Egypt was born, the first records of written language are recorded in Mesopotamia, the Hindu cycle of Kali Yuga began, the Sumerian civilization developed the first Monarchy and the Mayans marked this period as the beginning of their Long Count Calendar. These civilizations mark a majority of the history we use as reference points to this day.

The Mayan prophecies connected this 5000 year cycle, which began around 3100 BC and culminates in 2012. The Mayans described this cycle as the troubled times which they referred to as the 9 Hell Cycles. This cycle indicated that humanity would undergo a long period of fighting and struggling with what we called our shadow self or what others describe as our lower self or dark side.

As we near the end of this 5000 year period, we are preparing for the shift into a new cycle beginning in 2013.  The Mayan prophecies highlight a 26 year cycle with three important dates as we near the end of this calendar cycle, which were reported by Dr. Jose Arguellas during his study of the Mayan/Toltec Calendars. This cycle of 26,000 years is a period of time referred to by many other civilizations around the world besides the Mayans.  These groups also refer to the Pleiades system as our home before we lived here on Earth.

Dr. Arguellas listed three important dates in this cycle: 1987, 1999 (the mid point) and 2012, the culmination. The first date is known as The Harmonic Convergence, which began on August 16th, 1987. Dr. Arguellas’s deciphering of the Mayan calendar revealed a reference around this date, which would be felt on the earth in conjunction with our sun’s 26,000 year precession around the star system of Pleiades. The significance of the Harmonic Convergence was reputed to stir an energetic quickening felt on our planet and throughout the universe. This quickening would stimulate movement back to a balanced center, assisting in releasing the shadows and delusions created during the 9 Hell Cycles described by the Mayans. The Wisdom Teachings describe this as a preparation period to learn to open the heart and mind to a new level of consciousness and to release the delusions held by ego and the lower self.

In 1999, we reached the midpoint of this cycle and began a thirteen year period preparing us for the transformational time highlighted on Dec 21, 2012.  Many teachers say that the most important work to be done during this period is self-introspection coupled with the release of old ways which are no longer working in this new energy. As this energetic cycle shift is occurring, it is an uncomfortable situation for us all. To shift with this age, we as a species are not going to be able to continue to think and act in our soon to be outdated ways of thinking.  Our biggest struggle is wrestling with our egos and our need for control. Our biggest problem is that we are still trying to “logic this out”, thinking in third dimensional thoughts and when we try to understand this change in that frame of mind, we experience fear of the unknown.

As we move closer to the 2012 transformational cycle, we are transcending into a new consciousness. This in turn, will alter our perceptions of how we view the world.  As with any period of change, it begins with conflict and chaos, both within and without. This planetary cycle is moving out of the shadow self and into a higher level of frequency.  To do this, the shadow self must be dealt with, which begins with the illusions and delusions of the ego being exposed and confronted. As this is revealed, fear surfaces as humanity has a great need for control and when the old outdated ways of thought no longer work, a panic ensues.

The ancient Egyptians taught their students in the temple how to prepare for shifts of time. I’ll share this teaching with you now…

During this 5000 year cycle of time, which the Mayans called the 9 Hell Cycles, we have faced all aspects of our shadow self/lower self. During challenging periods such as these, we enter into Maya (illusion) in order to make sense of what is occurring around us as we feel a sense of separateness from the light. During this period, we convinced ourselves that it is through the mind where wisdom is received.  The esoteric teachings maintain that the heart is where wisdom resides and the heart is the key to unlocking the divine mysteries. It is through the heart that the transformation and evolving cycle takes place.  As we move closer to the cosmic heart of the galaxy, our current logic will not assist in this process, rather we must open our hearts to prepare for the conscious connection and transformation. This is a hermetic axiom referred to as: As Above, So Below. What exists in the Universe above, is reflected within us below. The heart in our body is the center of our universe. The Sun is the heart of our Universe above. During this current transformation, as the Sun moves closer to the cosmic heart of the galaxy, so must we open our hearts within to prepare for the conscious connection and transformation.

This is the moment we have been waiting for, the reason we are here now. You have a front row, 50 yard line VIP pass to participate in the turning of an age, felt by both heaven and earth. This is the reason that you wonder why you are here and what you are meant to do. Why you think about preparing for an event when you have no clear idea of what that event is or how it will happen. It is unfolding around you in this very moment.

What you do each day, brings energy to this shift. Too often, we long for a breath-taking moment, rather than realizing that each moment is sacred.

Each day drawing closer to 2012 is an opportunity to open your heart, face your fears and shift into the light being that you are at the core level.

Of course it’s going to be difficult. Of course we’re going to face times of uncertainty and self-doubt. We’re in the culmination of a 26,000 year cycle of change and things are going to get messy.  Some of us have families that have a complete melt down in the morning if we’re out of a certain breakfast cereal and now we’re talking about an energetic change to affect the entire planet and 6 billion human inhabitants along with the animal, flora, fauna and mineral kingdoms. Things are going to get messy. The answer isn’t about avoiding change, it’s about taking what you’ve learned all these lifetimes and putting it into action. Our graduation date is upon us and our Senior Year is 2012.

This is our time to look beyond what appears to be the dark and see the light that is there, always present.  We are in a shadow time, which has been created by the collective doubts and fears of humanity.

Remember, not only is this earth transcending into a new age, but so are we, soul, by soul, by soul.

2012 is an interesting time, but I tell you what interests me more. It’s what begins in 2013.  I  interviewed Drunvalo Melchizedek on the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show, where we discussed his new book and the Return of the Divine Feminine. What he had to say about the new cycle of time coming is fascinating and gives me great hope for our future.

What should you do to prepare for 2012?.  Use this time to go within to see what you need to clean out and let go. Evaluate What Defines You… and as I discuss in my book 9 Life Altering Lessons, ask yourself the age old esoteric questions…. Who Am I and Why Am I Here? Do you remember the secrets hidden deep within your soul? Perhaps it’s time to explore deeper and look within to find the many reasons you are here in this lifetime.

About Kala Ambrose: Noted wisdom teacher, author, intuitive, inspirational speaker, and host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Radio and TV Show, Kala Ambrose’s teachings are described as discerning, empowering and inspiring. Whether she’s speaking with world-renowned experts on the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show, writing about empowering lifestyle choices, reporting on new discoveries in the scientific and spiritual arenas or teaching to groups around the country, fans around the world tune in daily for her inspirational musings and lively thought-provoking conversations.

Kala is the author of four books including the award-winning 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled, Ghosthunting North Carolina,  The Awakened Aura: Experiencing the Evolution of Your Energy Body and now, Spirits of New Orleans: Voodoo Curses, Vampire Legends and Cities of the Dead.

A highly interactive teacher on a mission to educate, entertain and inspire, Kala writes for the Huffington Post, the Examiner, AOL, Yahoo and Fate Magazine and presents workshops nationally on the Mind/Body/Spirit connection including Auras and Energy Fields, Developing Business Intuition, Haunted History and Wisdom Teachings at the Omega Institute, John Edward Presents Infinite Quest, the Learning Annex, LilyDale Assembly, and Daily Om.

Many of you know that I spent a year on the John Edward presents Infinite Quest TV show, where I appeared on the show and read Auras live for the audience, some whom appeared on video with me and others that called into the show. You can see videos of my appearances on the show here on the Explore Your Spirit TV pages.

The Infinite Quest show was a wonderful experience and I worked with some of the most talented people in the business, both on camera and behind the scenes. One of the people that I had an instant connection with, was Paul Shavelson, one of the producers for the show.  Paul is a multi-media story teller, a pioneer in television with a four-decade long career, and the executive producer of internationally acclaimed psychic John Edward’s wildly successful Crossing Over television program.  He has spent the last decade exploring the world of psychics and mystics in his quest to find answers to the unseen patterns and events that shape our world.

Paul decided to write a book with John Edward about what happens after December 21, 2012 and the Mayan prophecy. Together, they decided to interview some of the world’s leading psychics, astrologers and visionary leaders to hear the rest of the story, including what is to come for the next decade. I was delighted when they contacted me and asked to interview me for the book, as it was a pleasure to share what I see coming for humanity in the years ahead.

The book is now available as an e-book and the title is: Beyond The Mayan Prophecy, published by Tor Books, a division of MacMillan.  Here’s some information about the book:

Featuring contributors such as: John Edward, Char Margolis, Sandy Anastasi,  Rick Levine, Glynis McCants, Mark Van Stone, Mary Jo McCabe,  Gahl Sasson, Dr. Alicia Tisdale, Maggie Kerr, Kala Ambrose, Mirabai Devi, Linda West, Derek O’Neill, Alan Oken , John Holland and Austyn Wells.

For the past forty years there have been a growing number of people who believe that nothing less than a cataclysmic change is coming in the evolution of Mankind.  From the dawning of the Age of Aquarius to cosmic forces—read Aliens—coming to engineer our DNA, to the doomsday scenarios triggered by the end of the Mayan calendar, there have been those who are sure that the world as we know it is coming to an end.  And soon.

But that cataclysmic end has not (de)materialized, or has it? In 2012 new data was discovered in Guatemala that gives us concrete evidence of a new paradigm concerning the Mayans and their calendar.  We are now faced with the idea that perhaps we aren’t staring at Armageddon but stand in the middle of a 33-year transformative process. While the Mayans might have seen a change for humanity it isn’t an ending per se.

And if there is change, why does that change need to imply destruction? Couldn’t it be an opportunity for mankind to assess their place in the universe and engage in a positive rebirth in a new era?

Beyond The Mayan Prophecy posits that our modern day weakness or confusion can be attributed to a less spiritual way of thinking. Perhaps our left side brain thinking has held us back from discovering and accepting higher planetary secrets for centuries. To move forward with more balanced understanding, Paul Shavelson has spent the last decade exploring the world of psychics and mystics.  Paul has assembled a “psychic dream team” to decode the past and to predict the future. The dialogue and interviews will be discussed through sidebars by psychic medium, author, and TV personality, John Edward, who also provides the forward, and afterword of this provocative subject.

With positive energy and a willingness to have us think outside the box (and a personal journey by the author that brings an unexpected and moving aspect to the experience), Beyond The Mayan Prophecy is an entertaining, thought provoking work that will let the reader embrace why the second half of this transition could be remarkable and inspiring.

About Kala Ambrose: Noted wisdom teacher, author, intuitive, inspirational speaker, and host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Radio and TV Show, Kala Ambrose’s teachings are described as discerning, empowering and inspiring. Whether she’s speaking with world-renowned experts on the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show, writing about empowering lifestyle choices, reporting on new discoveries in the scientific and spiritual arenas or teaching to groups around the country, fans around the world tune in daily for her inspirational musings and lively thought-provoking conversations.

Kala is the author of four books including the award-winning 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled, Ghosthunting North Carolina,  The Awakened Aura: Experiencing the Evolution of Your Energy Body and now, Spirits of New Orleans: Voodoo Curses, Vampire Legends and Cities of the Dead.

A highly interactive teacher on a mission to educate, entertain and inspire, Kala writes for the Huffington Post, the Examiner, AOL, Yahoo and Fate Magazine and presents workshops nationally on the Mind/Body/Spirit connection including Auras and Energy Fields, Developing Business Intuition, Haunted History and Wisdom Teachings at the Omega Institute, John Edward Presents Infinite Quest, the Learning Annex, LilyDale Assembly, and Daily Om.

On this episode of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show, Kala speaks with author Jim Harold about his book, CampFire: True Ghost Stories recounting tales from listeners from all around the world who have shared their spooky stories on his programs.

Join Jim around his ghostly campfire as he recounts true tales such as these: A teenager plays with a Ouija board but soon the tables are turned and the joke is on her… A deceased blues musician returns in a young woman’s dreams to demand that his final record be finished… A young wife makes an unreasonable demand due to an eerie premonition and ends up saving her life and that of her puzzled spouse… A swarm of butterflies mysteriously appears to signify both an end and a new beginning for a beloved grandfather who has crossed over.

Jim also shares many of the personal stories of the supernatural that inspired him to explore the strange side of life. Grab a blanket, get cozy, and snuggle up this Halloween while you listen to this special interview with Kala as she delves into Jim Harold’s Campfire: True Ghost Stories.

Listen to the show here on EXPLORE YOUR SPIRIT

About Jim Harold:
In 2005, Jim Harold started podcasting on the paranormal. His life-long interest in the supernatural, combined with his love of broadcasting and technology, resulted in the one of the most successful Web-based programs of its type in the world.

The Paranormal Podcast, Jim Harold’s Campfire, and Weird News Radio are regularly among the top podcasts in their categories on iTunes, often outranking programs from the biggest mainstream media publishers.

Jim lives in Ohio with his fantastic wife and daughters. You can find his work at: www.jimharold.com

Join me, Kala Ambrose, Your Travel Guide to the Other Side as I take you through the spectacular Haunted History this Fall exploring two of my books: Ghosthunting North Carolina and Spirits of New Orleans sharing what I experienced personally as a psychic medium and my research into the reports of supernatural activity in each location. Along the way, we’ll shop, dine, stay and party at the most delightful places in North Carolina and in New Orleans.

This week I’ll be at the beautiful, historic
Grove Park Inn
on
Saturday, October 27 from 2pm – 5pm
where I’ll be signing copies of my book: Ghosthunting North Carolina

Chapter Twenty: The Gentle Touch from the Pink Lady at the Grove Park Inn, excerpt from Ghosthunting North Carolina by Kala Ambrose:

“An enchanted life has many moments when the heart is overwhelmed with beauty and the imagination is electrified by some haunting quality in the world or by a spirit or voice speaking from deep within a thing, a place, or a person.”-Henry Louis Mencken

In 1998, I first visited the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. I had not previously heard of the Inn until some of our neighbors invited us to tag along with them for a weekend there.   We arrived at check in to find that we all had rooms in a part of the hotel called the Main Inn.

The Grove Park Inn is a stunning hotel built from granite quarried from the surrounding mountains.  The granite has a mixture of quartz crystal inside. Quartz crystal can hold energy and amplify this energy at a greater level. An example of how this energy can be magnified is the vortex that Gary Spivey opened at the Star Hotel, connecting with the quartz crystal in the land, which energized both the land and the crystals.  Quartz absorbs energy and reflects this energy back outward. When quartz is in the stone of a building like the Grove Park, it radiates with the energy of the people who work and visit the Inn.

Whenever I visit the Grove Park, I have an “instant experience” which is very positive in nature.  Each time that I enter the inn, I can feel the vibrational energy coming from the stone structure and it resonates with the happy energy of the many guests who have visited over the decades

A partial list of famous people, who have stayed at the Grove Park, includes: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Will Rogers, George Gershwin, Harry Houdini, Thomas Edison, and Henry Ford. Presidents that have stayed at the Inn include: William Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Franklin Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton and most recently, Barack Obama.

The Inn opened in 1913 and was the architectural vision of two men, E.W. Grove, who made his money selling an elixir called Grove’s Tasteless Chill Tonic, and Grove’s son-in-law Fred Seely.  Grove found Asheville to be good for his health and the area inspired him to build a restful and rejuvenating inn. It took over four hundred men twelve months to build the inn, during which time they dragged hundreds of tons of boulders up the mountain using mules, rope, and pulleys.   The result is spectacular; the inn is warm and welcoming and it blends into the natural surroundings.  As my husband, son and I drove up to the entrance of the hotel; I fell in love instantly with the Old World charm of the stone buildings and rocking chairs waiting out front to greet guests.

We entered the Great Hall, which is over one hundred and twenty feet long with ceilings soaring over twenty-four feet high. At one end of the Great Hall are doors leading out to the Sunset Terrace with spectacular views of Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Two enormous fourteen feet tall fireplaces in the Great Hall immediately drew our attention.

At check- in we were given our keys and, to our surprise, we were directed to the elevator attendant standing by the fireplace. My husband and I looked at each other, both thinking the same thing– elevator operator by the fireplace? We approached him and asked him to direct us to the elevator.   Like something out of a Harry Potter movie, he led us to a door located in the fireplace.  The elevators are hidden inside the chimneys of the stone fireplace!  The operator rode with us, pushing the gate closed and working the elevator up to our floor.

The elevator door opened to our floor and we stepped off into the Main Inn, entering an area called the Palm Court Pavilion.  It was a nice open space to lounge with chairs and tables set with reading lamps. The décor made me feel like I was stepping back into the Roaring 20’s.

We were tired after traveling across the state of North Carolina. We settled in that evening to sleep and I was awakened about an hour later by my son’s coughing.  In his childhood he suffered from breathing problems and he was experiencing some difficulty that evening.  I gave him his medicine and we sat up together for a while. He still wasn’t feeling better and the room felt a little stuffy, so I threw on my robe and took him to sit out in the Palm Court area. The air was lighter there than in our room and I took a book to read to him to calm him down while we waited for the medicine to kick in and help his breathing. We sat side by side and were relaxing and talking and I was stroking his head and speaking softly to him.

It was close to midnight and the Inn was dead quiet. I felt a sudden chill in the air and pulled my robe tighter around me. My son also felt the chill and he snuggled in closer to warm up.  A few moments later, I felt someone around us and as I looked up from speaking to my son, I saw the ghostly image of a woman standing next to us. Not wanting to alarm my son, I remained quiet, observing her to see what she would do next.

At that time, my son looked up as well and saw the same woman.  It wasn’t alarming to either of us, as her energy felt compassionate and sympathetic towards both of us. She stood next to my son and seemed concerned for him and reached out her hand toward him, as if she meant to stroke his hair along with me.  She was with us for a few moments and then disappeared from our view.

My son and I looked at each other with wide eyes and smiled. It wasn’t the first time that we had seen a ghost; we had experienced several paranormal events together in a haunted house where we had once lived in Florida.  We headed back to our hotel room where my son jumped up on the bed to wake his dad and tell him the story.  My husband couldn’t believe he had missed it all. He was surprised that he had slept through everything, but that’s what the fresh mountain air does for you, relaxes you into a deep sleep.

My son was still not feeling well, so we packed up and left early to get him back home. As we were checking out, I asked the people at the front desk if they had ever heard any reports of a ghost at the Inn. They asked me why and I explained what had happened with my son and I in the Palm Court. The front desk clerks crowded around to hear my story.  They told me that I had seen the ghost of the Pink Lady, as she is known at the Inn.

The legend of the Pink Lady states that in the 1920’s, she fell, or was pushed from the hallway outside her room over the rail where she fell to the floor of the Palm Court Pavilion below.  The room that she stayed in was 545 and there have been reports from people who stayed in the room of experiencing cold spots in the room and sometimes seeing her apparition.

Some paranormal investigators might think that the Pink Lady is a time loop energy imprint apparition, replaying her death over and over in the Palm Court, but that is not what we experienced.  When she appeared to my son and I, she was engaged with us in the present moment and she was aware that my son was not feeling well. She stood by wanting to comfort him in a motherly way, just as I was doing.

The front desk employees told us that a few years prior to our visit, a doctor had stayed at the hotel and reported seeing her and that he had also reported that she seemed very welcoming to children.

Since that visit in 1998, we have returned to visit the Grove Park many times.   We’ve celebrated Christmas at the Grove Park, as well as Thanksgiving and Easter.  We’ve also visited many times to enjoy the inn’s new spa and I’ve been there for “girlfriend getaways” and romantic weekends with my husband and have wonderful memories with family and friends.  Ironically, we never stayed again in the Main Inn, preferring the wings and sometimes the Club Floor.

But each time we visit we do hop on the elevator with our friends and spend some time in the Palm Court in the late evenings, hoping that the Pink Lady will visit us again.

I traveled again this past year to the Grove Park to conduct further research for this book on the Pink Lady, as well as to research any other paranormal activity in the hotel. I brought a video camera along in case she decided to visit with me.  I didn’t see her during my visit and have come to the conclusion that she is really drawn to young children and that’s when she appears most often.  I’ve never slept in her room on the fifth floor, but have heard from employees at the inn that many guests report feeing her presence in the room and are often awakened by her in the evening.

While investigating paranormal activity at Grove Park I heard some other interesting stories from the employees about the hotel’s nightclub called Elaine’s. It is said to be the most haunted spot in the hotel.  We’ve been to Elaine’s Dueling Piano Bar during several of our visits and it’s always a very entertaining way to spend the evening. I’ve never seen a ghost or any sign of paranormal activity while there, but the employees report that the activity usually happens when Elaine’s is quiet and they are cleaning up the area the day after a long party the evening before in the club. Music is often heard playing inside Elaine’s club when no one is inside. Several ghostly apparitions have been reported to appear on the dance floor by the employees. They appear to be attending a party from decades ago as they are dressed in attire from the 1920’s and the music heard also appears to be from that time. Photographs taken at Elaine’s often show a large variety of orbs in photos, as the ghostly guests appear to enjoy being around the alcohol, the music, and the lively atmosphere.

A local TV station was once located in the building next to the Grove Park Inn and it is said that a ghost would often interfere with the equipment and enjoyed playing pranks on the staff. Some believe that the ghost is Alice, a servant who haunts the building, which originally was the Battle Mansion owned by Dr. Samuel Battle.  Others believe that the ghost was the Pink Lady from the Grove Park who enjoyed visiting the grounds and nearby home.  The ghost of Dr. Battle was also seen on occasion at the TV station. The TV station has since moved out of the Battle Mansion and the building was later demolished. New construction is ongoing on the site of the old Battle Mansion. It will be interesting to see if any haunted activity is reported during construction by the workers or by the new residents of the building.

The Grove Park Inn is a beautiful, warm and welcoming place to stay.  I’m surprised that it doesn’t have more ghosts who check in and never want to leave.

Kala on book tour speaking at Barnes and Noble

Award winning author, national columnist, inspirational speaker, and host of the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Radio and TV Show, Kala Ambrose’s teachings are described as discerning, empowering and inspiring. Whether she’s speaking with world-renowned experts on the Explore Your Spirit with Kala Show, writing about empowering lifestyle choices, reporting on new discoveries in the scientific and spiritual arenas or teaching to groups around the country, fans around the world tune in daily for her inspirational musings and lively thought-provoking conversations.

A highly interactive teacher on a mission to educate, entertain and inspire, Kala teaches and writes about ancient wisdom teachings and how their techniques can be used in modern day living. Her books, The Awakened Aura: Experiencing the Evolution of Your Energy Body and 9 Life Altering Lessons: Secrets of the Mystery Schools Unveiled both cover these topics.

In addition, Kala shares her love of history, travel and the spirit world in her books Spirits of New Orleans and Ghosthunting North Carolina. Her books are designed to explore the history of cities in an entertaining manner while sharing haunted stories and offering travel tips on how to best see the cities to shop, dine, stay, and visit the haunted sites.

Kala writes for the Huffington Post, the Examiner, AOL, Yahoo and Fate Magazine and presents workshops nationally on the Mind/Body/Spirit connection including Auras and Energy Fields, Developing Business Intuition, Haunted History, and Wisdom Teachings at the Omega Institute, John Edward Presents Infinite Quest, the Learning Annex, LilyDale Assembly, and Daily Om. More about Kala at www.ExploreYourSpirit.com

Celebrate “All Hallow’s Read” on October 31st by giving someone a scary book for Halloween! Join the fun and share a spooky gift with someone you love.

Happy Halloween Dear Readers!

Might I recommend giving away a copy of my books this All Hallows Read: 

Spirits of New Orleans: Voodoo Curses, Vampire Legends and Cities of the Dead

or Ghosthunting North Carolina.

Happy Haunting!