A Medium At Large

A good example of not paying attention

2009-12-05T12:58:00.000-08:00

You know how I've been telling you that you DO get spirit messages quite frequently but that they are subtle and you are not paying sufficient attention?

It happens to everyone; it happened to me this morning.
I was just merging onto the highway, thinking so hard about where I was going and how late I was that I didn't notice the song in the background: Bryan Adams, "Everything I do" was playing on the radio. The line: Don't tell me; it's not worth dying for had gone by twice, I think when I realized I was going too fast. Sure enough, there was Mr. Protect and Serve, emerging from his hidey-hole by the side of the road. Party hats on; and arm signal to pull over.

Was I mad? You bet; at myself.
I knew better.
I do know better.
I even got a message in the form of 'signs'- song lyrics or things we overhear others saying that have a special meaning to us, too.
And I wasn't paying attention.

Will it cost me?
Yep. About 180 bucks.
And I do realize, yes I do; it could have cost me a great deal more.

I'm going to slow down and pay attention.
What about you?

Predicting Death

2009-12-05T04:13:00.000-08:00

I sometimes get asked when a person is going to die.
Generally this is regarding a spouse or a parent.
Often the concern is really over the person's health.

And I never do it.

Why?

Don't I do Medical Intuitive work? Certainly. And it is generally quite detailed and accurate. Although, of course, I am not a doctor and cannot prescribe or diagnose, I can 'see' parts of the body that are bothering someone and often the general cause behind it. This can lead to a client seeking out medical attention for the specific problems and even requesting certain tests to speed up diagnosis by the proper people.

Which is quite different from asking when someone is going to die.

And while I'm happy to do a medical intuitive reading on someone and I can let you know areas of concern and strength of their signal, so to speak: is he/she energetically weak or not; however I don't get info on when a person is going to check out.

Partially this is due to free will on the part of the individual- you get 'off-ramps' and get to choose to take one or not up to a point.

Partly this is due to the nature of messing with someone's energy and the consequences of it.

Picture this: Person A asks person B if person C will die soon and when. Person B tunes in and gives a date, even approximate.

Energetically, a roadblock has now been established for person C- a hurdle at the very least. If C is in good condition, he/she can clear the hurdle, no problem if not, it becomes a factor in weakening C further. And consequences ripple out like from dropping a stone in a pond... A and B get some of that negative energy as a sort of backwash.

For the same reason, if you get a reading from someone and it has a decidedly negative or doom-ish tone: Close the session immediately, thank them for their time and efforts and remove yourself from their general environs.

You don't want any of that negative energy on YOU.

Remember: this is supposed to be Spiritual work.
It should all be healing and constructive in nature.
As a matter of fact, the KEY INGREDIENT in ALL intuitive work is INTENT.
In my work, my intent is for healing to take place. Period.
The reading will leave you feeling good, not bad or frightened.

Think about it, next time you run across a 'Cassandra-type' reader. One who is essentially saying, "We're Doomed! Doomed, I tell you!"

Laugh, to lighten the energy.
Then lace up your sneakers and RUN for the exit!

Mercury Retrograde

2009-01-19T07:51:00.000-08:00

Mercury retrograde period:
Jan 11, 2009 through Feb 1, 2009.

Watch for: electronic glitches, computer mishaps, mis-communications, lost or garbled messages, lost luggage (if traveling) problems with siblings or short trips.

Things to avoid: signing contracts, committing to long term projects, purchasing electronics.

Good things to do during a Mercury Retrograde: Renewing any contract or project. Studying things. Revisiting all options. Repeat surgeries for the same issue.

How to Feel Connected

2007-12-15T03:50:00.000-08:00

This time of year is filled with rounds of parties and holiday cheer- but not for everyone. For someone going through difficult times, the festivity may increase a feeling of isolation.

Rather than focus on the negative here, this is meant as a guide to pull up your energy, not only now, but at any time one is feeling lost.

How to Lift Your Energy:
1. Gratitude:
Make a list of those things about which you are grateful.
They may include the people in your lives who give your comfort or those who challenge you most.
After all, it is through our challenges that we get an opportunity to grow.

2. Abundance:
Most of us have more than we need of something: Time, material goods, abilities.
List those things you have in abundance.
Those things which exceed your actual demands at present.

3. Sharing:
Find someone, or some group who is lacking in what you have in surplus and share your abundance.
It may be that you are lacking in material goods yourself; but have some extra time.
Find a place to donate that time- even an hour of it- to assist someone who is lonely; or needs a helping hand.

You may find yourself humbled by the experience.
Even awed.

4. Now:
Sit down in prayer or meditation and give thanks.

Enjoy the glow!
That is your connection to others- and to the Divine Source; All Beingness or God.

Trusting your First Impressions

2007-09-30T05:38:00.000-07:00

It isn't only students of metaphysics who are afraid to give information they get in a reading; thinking it can't be right and trying to reason it out before they deliver it. This happens to everyone. And this past summer, I had the best example I'd ever had of why you should just go ahead and give the info you get, regardless of how silly or impossible it seems:

I spent a week at Lily Dale- a spiritualist community in western New York state. Or, as I like to think of it: Summer Camp for aging hippies.

Lots of great workshops on various aspects of intuition, Spiritual Healing and Mediumship are offered, along with several services in which registered mediums (people who have passed the rigorous Lily Dale testing) and visiting mediums come up to the front stage of various indoor and outdoor temples to demonstrate the truth of survival of the spirit. There are group meditation opportunities, healing services at the Healing Temple and development circles in the evening.

I attended one hosted by nationally known medium Gregory Keene. There were about two dozen people sitting in a circle. Greg Keene led us in a meditation and then suggested that 'if you received any messages that you would like to share, please do so now.'

For the next half hour or so, the people sitting in the circle took turns doing just that. I had an impression that I knew was for a woman sitting some 30 feet in front of me at the opposite end of the circle. But didn't have the nerve to say anything, because I hadn't picked up a spirit per se; what I got was an elephant!

I was pretty sure it wasn't a dead elephant and I could think of no good reason for seeing a live elephant in this circle. Afraid of being laughed at, I'd decided to simply listen. I tried to shut out the elephant. It grew louder. Braying, or whatever it is that elephants do, it dipped it's head down, bellowed out some kind of odd noise, rearing up its head and curling its trunk upward. Over and over. The harder I tried to shut out that elephant, the louder it got.

Finally, with a lull in the circle, I decided to venture out. So what if they all laughed at me? Like I would see any of them again anyway, right? So I took a deep breath and asked the woman across if I could bring her a message. She agreed. And I froze. I thought as loudly as I could to what I assumed to be a room filled with the spirits of loved ones: Please, don't make me come to her with this elephant; give me someone connected to this woman to bring through first; then I promise I will deliver the damned elephant!

Immediately I became aware of a grandmotherly woman pacing in front of the woman so I brought her up. I reached silently for a name. I was rewarded with an instant image of a friend of my mother's impatiently charging across the circle in front of me; her name was Gerta. I gave the name and the basic personality of my mom's friend Gerta,and Bingo: Yes, this woman did indeed have a grandmother named Gerta, German, in Germany with this personality description. Now the signal improved and I continued to pass along info as I got it, including a health concern and a recommendation that I prefaced with the obligatory disclaimer: 'I am not a doctor and cannot prescribe or diagnose, but this is what I am hearing and I'd recommend you check any information out with professional doctors before you try this, but...' and went on to give what I got.

Finally she stepped back (Gerta) and I was left with that stupid elephant. I took a deep breath and said: "Why am I getting an elephant with you? I don't think you live near a zoo; so why would I be getting an elephant?"

The woman, very surprised, said: "Well, a week ago, I was in Camaroon. There was a herd of about 150 elephants standing about as close to us as I am now to you."

You could have knocked me over with a feather. And her, too.

Lesson?
Trust your first impressions.
Don't reason with them; don't argue with them, just trust the process.
It works.

Going With The Flow

2007-09-30T05:21:00.000-07:00

Doesn't it always seem that when things are SUPPOSED to happen- all doors open easily and it's as if your path were greased and Whoosh! Mission accomplished!

Two small examples:
First- an email arrived that required an immediate response and my first reaction (I had just woken up and this was pre-coffee) was a bit defensive. I tapped out my reply, hit send and... nothing happened. I hit send several more times... again, the email just sat there. For several minutes- I tried. No luck.
Hmmm.
I re-read the original email and my response.
I made a few changes. My response now appeared more reasoned; less defensive. Good.
I hit send: it went on the first try.

Later the same day- I had searched everywhere for an important document. Two offices, three filing cabinets, my notebook of current work; all of this. This search had gone on intermittently for 3 or 4 days. I had given up, was prepared to go with a substitute document; something that would work; but certainly wasn't the one I wanted. I flipped open the notebook of current work to find the substitute and ... the book opened immediately to the document I originally wanted. Whew. Why then and not before? Well, this time I was not stressed and trying to force my will. I was open.

The lesson?
If it doesn't work- if obstacles appear to pop up- stop; think; what am I doing? Is it right?
Sure you can force matters, but when has that ever worked out well?

Gettysburg Battlefield

2007-04-01T16:41:00.000-07:00

I did a 3 hour auto tour.. in four hours or so.
And the park was crawling with people.. and this was pre-season.
At the places where you'd expect a lot of energy- like Little Round Top and Devil's Den.. children ran about shrieking and chasing each other. Parents yelled at them and teenagers laughed and kidded each other loudly.

You cannot stay beyond park hours; rangers don't take that kindly and there is an automatic $75 fee for violations.

At the battlefield I got some impressions- fleeting sights and sounds... mostly in the Valley Of Death and the Wheatfield- and over by Spangler's Spring and Culp Hill. And once in the national cemetery.
Only during the brief quiet spells.

I think there may be more to feel in some of the buildings in town.. or if you could go into the farmhouses that were used as hospitals in the fields.

Simply because fewer people crawl all over them.

Another trip will need to be made, to investigate further.

Synchronicity Redux

2007-04-01T16:24:00.000-07:00

More phone calls from people I was thinking of-
Pulled into a parking lot at the visitor's center- it was packed.
I coasted up the very first isle and sat, in front of the parked cars.. not really thinking.
In seconds... SECONDS.. people came out and took the car nearest to me, giving me one of the best spots in the lot!

Of course, that's not what this is all supposed to be about.
Not the phone calls; the people turning up out of nowhere to offer me help I need but cannot afford and then refusing to take money for it. None of this.

My theory is that it is about being on the right frequency- going along with the Tao, if you will, instead of fighting it.

Gettysburg Ghost Orb Pix!

2007-03-31T18:39:00.000-07:00

I have never looked into electronic recording of what they call the paranormal.
But here you can find some of the pictures I took last night on the ghost tour of Gettysburg, which was quite fun, by the way.

In the shrinking of these pictures, some detail is lost, so click 'view image' to see the 'orbs'.

I don't really know what to make of this; my experience with communication with those who have crossed over is.. well, with those who have crossed over.

Is this what they say it is? Spirit energy of some kind?
Well- you couldn't see it with the naked eye; though I could feel the presence of a lot of confused, traumatized people.
Look and judge for yourself.

Conditions were dry, cool to cold and the lens was clean; (it retracts and gets covered automatically by the camera) I got lots of pictures both day and night with no orbs at all.

Harpers Ferry, WV

2007-03-29T18:56:00.000-07:00

I toured this historic town today- open to impressions.
Interestingly- it felt 'wiped clean' for the most part- at least in town.
But on Maryland Heights, out beyond the site of the old armory..
there was a brief whiff of horses and the sounds of hoofs and snorts and such- a bit of shouting and then it was gone.

Tomorrow, I will tour Gettysburgh battlefield. That should be quite active with Spirit.

Synchronicity

2007-03-26T06:47:00.000-07:00

The more you meditate and practice a connection with all, the more synchronicity there is.

In the past three days, I can think of three episodes of this:
Two involve a phone.
In both cases I was searching for a number for someone- in both cases this was someone I would not ordinarily speak to by phone; one was a client- the other a business aquaintance, more or less.

In both cases, I had spent a couple minutes looking for the number and had given up, when the phone rang and it was them!

The third case was one of driving somewhere, trying to get there on time and thinking: better not get a ticket; slowing down and looking around- no police cars. Within 5 minutes or less, I was on the highway and there were no fewer than 3 police cars watching traffic with radar. This sort of thing had happened to me before- so it is interesting to see it again, although perhaps it doesn't qualify for true synchronicity. Rather more of a premonition.

But the frequency is certainly increrased with the practice of meditation and the conscious awareness of our connectedness.

The most natural thing in the world

2007-01-20T04:36:00.000-08:00

The most natural thing in the world:
To listen to the hum beneath the silence.
To find that spark of Joy within and merge with it.
To tune in to those we love, whether they are sitting in front of us or not.

What is unnatural?
To wake up thinking only about the artificial things: Car, work, computers, the next great toy we want.
To focus on WANT- lack in our lives.
To shut out the Divine and then claim there is no such thing.
To deny the things we know at core to be true:

That value lies in love, not in material goods that supposedly represent it. After all, if you are hungry, do you want a sandwich or a picture of a sandwhich meant to represent it?

That we existed before we were who we portend to be in this life and that we will exist when we are done playing this part. Isn't that logical?

That that which is REAL is UNCHANGING. And that lies within us all.

In Spiritualism, we recognize:

The connectedness of all life.
The unchanging nature of That Which Is.
The continuation of life beyond the magic trick called death.

If you are connected to those you love even when they are far away; then the presence of their physical body is not required for that connection to continue.

Why then marvel over maintaining that connection after death?

A curious message in a dream:

2006-12-25T06:34:00.000-08:00

To explain this, I first have to offer up some background.

Some four or five years ago, I had an odd and uncomfortable series of dreams in which I had lost my teaching job, been assigned a position in the same district's middle school; not liked it and found another teaching position in a district some distance away- and then taught there for some undetermined amount of time.
Ultimately, in this series of dreams, I came back to my original position, teaching in my current high school.
I was being made to feel that it was a gift and that I had to show some gratitude for getting my old spot back.
Despite my best efforts to change the topic, this sequence of dreams went on for a few weeks. During this time, they occurred frequently and often repetitively.
Finally, mercifully, they came to an end and I forgot all about them until now.

I slept fitfully last night; awakening several times from the discomfort of cold symptoms and falling back asleep again. At some point, I dreamt that I was trying to figure out how long I had been teaching in my current district. In this dream, I clearly recalled the previous sequence of dreams (dreams I no longer recalled consciously) as if they were real, and worked to figure out where those experiences fit into my teaching career. I couldn't do it. I was unable to determine when and where I had taught and in what order.

Then it occurred to me -while still in the dream- that some parts of what I was remembering as teaching experience hadn't actually happened; but had been part of previous dreams. And I found myself attempting to figure out, without any success, which of my memories were real and which were dreamt previously.

It was about then that I awoke and gradually could piece it together. I have been in my current district for 11 years; the one before that for 5 and the other two schools I 'remembered' teaching in were dreams, not memories. How odd.

So as I awoke, I thought: what is the message here? That in a dream, one cannot tell what is dream from what is real?
And taking this a step further-
While in this 'dream' we call life; is it impossible to determine the reality of any other state?

As they say in Canada: 'Snip snip and Bob's your aunt.'

2006-12-20T09:33:00.000-08:00

I was lucky enough to be interviewed again, this time by Ben Gleisser for the Jewish News, a local paper in Cleveland, Ohio. It was a very nice article and mostly correct, despite some editing that changed the meaning a bit here and there.

These are really minor, but I didn't first find Lilydale through the internet; it was through a series of people- the first of which was a phone contact, through a book store, I think.

And there is something about me asking my (deceased) father what he thinks of what I am doing- I think in the interview, I was asked what I thought my father thinks of all this. I had never asked; it had never occured to me. I don't recall my exact response, but I do remember feeling dad close by when the subject came up and hearing his response as "Eh. Whatever makes you happy," with a little laugh. I may have repeated that. I guess the meaning is the same.

The part that tells how I got into this did change my story I think- in editing. I was in a spiritual crisis, I think- in my 40s. I was approaching the age at which my father had died and wanted to know if there was anything beyond this life. Certainly I'd had experiences since I was a little girl; but I had written it off for years as an over active imagination or else, just not pertinant to my life as an educated woman. I had a graduate degree and was employed in the field of education. By that time I was ready to search for some kind of proof. I also sought evidence of the existance of God.

The interview quotes me with: "My God, I think he just made a connection!' And I realized later that connection was to a power greater than me." They must have cut out a paragraph here because , yes- I'd had an amazing reading that opened me up to the possiblity that life continues after 'death'. And the first sentence of that quote was my response.

The other part of that involved a description of the workshop that included a sampling of meditation, as well as an experience with Spiritual Healing- something else Spiritualists believe in. I had a profound experience while participating in that first healing session. This was the 'connection' that was 'to a power greater than myself.' Not the first medium. So that pair of sentences must have been separated by a paragraph that hit the editor's floor.

But all in all; a very nice interview.

Life Goes On; The December Demo

2006-12-17T14:33:00.000-08:00

Last night's "Life Goes On" public demo of mediumship at Poor Richard's was an intimate and cozy group of a dozen gathered upstairs around a nicely lit Christmas tree.

We talked about what mediumship is and is not- how it compares with what we see on TV on shows like The Medium or Ghost Whisperer (it's VERY different)- but that is not to denegrate the Hollywood versions; after all- they are good entertainment! Still, I've got to say; if I received messages like Patricia Arquette, I'd NEVER go to sleep! Yick. No thank you to those kind of nightmares!

I did a demonstration of mediumship- identifying half a dozen or so spirits in the room and passing along messages to those who could identify those spirits.

Then we talked about how it's done and what it feels like, and how anyone can learn to do it- just as nearly anyone can learn to draw or play an instrument.

I led the group in a guided meditation so that they could learn how to perceive their own loved ones and see how it's done, in a general way. And then I gave more messages from Spirit loved ones in the room.

A few of the Spirit guests were not recognized by their friends/relatives.. at least then and there.
A couple were taken several minutes after they had come and gone.. as audience members recollected folks they had known and loved. Some were back in an instant with messages.

That's how this works: once a Spirit has been identified, the information just flows and messages pour in. If the Spirit is not taken, they step back slowly, seeming to be disappointed, and I look for another Spirit to step forward and tell me about themselves.

Some people in attendance spoke with me privately afterward, to futher confirm connections made and one to ask about her daughter.. who immediately came through with names and circumstances of passing along with messages about her family.

It's good to see people comforted by the knowledge that their loved ones still exist and are somehow OK.

But then that's what this is all about.

Hello, I must be going?

2006-12-09T13:22:00.000-08:00

I had an interesting experience I wanted to share recently.
It happened during a circle reading in October- there were some 15 or so people having readings that evening. One spirit who came through, with a personal message for his wife- was acknowledged as plainly being her husband, and she was quick to say, "But he's alive."
"What?"
"He's alive and sitting at home, right now."
I was surprised, and didn't really know what to make of this, but he was also plainly here, in the room with us and was insistent about having his message delivered. So, deliver it, I did.

Had I ever been in contact with someone who was living? Well- I've tuned in to people who were not in front of me before, at the request of loved ones- usually doing a medical intuitive reading, and have also had some interesting dream contact from my mother, who is alive, but living far away and with dimentia. But as I think back, I can't recall ever having a live person come through in a reading before.

Afterward, she asked why he would come through in spirit when he could as easily have told her these things in person. I had to admit it baffled me. Perhaps the personal nature of his message was one he was not consciously aware of, but on some level he did wish to get this across to his wife; that much was plain.

I all but forgot the episode, until a week or so back when she phoned me to say that her husband had suddenly passed, a couple weeks after her reading with me. She wanted to know if in fact I had been aware of his imminent passing. I had not. Then she asked the most logical question: Why Not?

I had to tell her that I specifically ask NOT to be made aware of things that are potentially frightening or catastrophic if there is no way we can change them. I put my focus on the things we CAN change or improve. This is about being constructive; not about frightening people.

I think she understood, but we were both somewhat mystified by his final message to her... delivered BEFORE his actual passing. It had been one of love and comfort; that much I recalled, with her help. He had spoken of the past and the life that they had together in a way that made me kind of feel he was doing a sort of review- and thanking her for her patience, love and support. At the time, she had been certainly touched but quick to say: But he's alive. Why would he say these things to me now?

So I wonder: did he know he hadn't much time left? I think that's possible here. Was it his way of making sure he got a message through to his wife and told her how much he had loved her and their life together while he had an opportunity? It certainly looks that way. Now that's a dedicated and loving husband!

Appologies due

2006-11-26T06:48:00.000-08:00

My appologies to all who expected the "Life Goes On" demonstration of Public Mediumship and guided meditation last night at Poor Richard's. As you undoubtedly heard by now- I was under the weather.

What had first begun as a possible reaction to cats Thanksgiving evening blossomed into a full flu/cold by Saturday morning.

I am waiting to hear from Veronica about a re-scheduling date; expect it to be in December on a Saturday at 7 pm, just as this one was planned.

I was really looking forward to meeting all of you and your loved ones in spirit; but felt you might not appreciate my spreading infection; was I right?
Also- decongestants dull the sense of spirit, so...

Whispered names

2006-11-06T02:39:00.000-08:00

Only in the past year or so have I asked Spirit to bring through names; and now they do- but still this is erratic.

Names will pop out during readings or as I transfix to see and feel spirit in the room. These might the names of the spirits themselves or the names of loved ones they want to talk about. As if they are saying: "Tell Janet..." and the part that jumps out at me is only the Janet.
I suspect this is a problem of fine tuning and that it will come, if I am patient and work at it.

More and more I am being made aware that this is not a science but an art and that like most crafts, it takes lots of time and work to hone the skills.

What can clients do? Try to come in to a reading open to hearing from and about just about anyone in the family and friends circle. Expect names to come up and be ready to think: who might this be? Someone here? Someone on the other side?

What can I do? Keep asking spirits: Who is ____? Is this you? Someone here? What is their relationship to the client?

Hard to remember the nuts and bolts (left brain, reasoning function) when you are trying not to think (right brain) and muddy up the waters (the reception).

Sharon Klingler held a workshop last summer on public message work, which I attended along with lots of wonderful mediums from all over the US and Canada.

In one practice session I was engaged in identifying spirits in the room and giving a message while Sharon critiqued, trying to tell me to do it another way... and I couldn't understand what she was saying. It was like the teacher in a peanuts cartoon: "Waa waa waa. Waa waa waa waa. Waa?" It's suprisingly difficult and jarring to shift back and forth from receiving to reasoning.

Anyway... I'm working on it.

Video interview

2006-10-31T15:30:00.000-08:00

A video clip from my interview last week with the Elyria Chronicle Telegram.

Excuse me, but- what am I thinking right now?

2006-10-27T02:39:00.000-07:00

...Um, I don't have to be psyhic to know that.

I have been asked lately if I read minds.
Someone else asked how I go to public places without automatically reading people all the time.

The answers are:
No, it doesn't work that way and... quite easily, since it doesn't work that way.

To tune into someone's energy and begin to receive information about key issues several things must have taken place.
1. They must have given permission- overtly or implicitly.
2. I must open with prayer and set intent.
3. I need to put myself in a light meditative state- or 'receiving mode'.

Without #1, I am being invasive and that's rude.
Without #2 - well... I ALWAYS open with prayer; I am a Spiritualist, not madam Cleo.
Without #3 my mind is filled with what some call the chattering monkeys of conscious thought. For anything to get in and register when we are not listening takes a hurculean effort. Just think about how hard it is to get your teenage children to hear you and you'll understand this one.

Are there exceptions to this rule?
Sure.
I have unwittingly tuned in to people I was talking with when the issues were serious enough to warrant my absolute focus and attention.
At that point, I assume I inadvertenly went into that light meditative state where all the normal chattering monkeys just shut up and I am able to hear more and sense more than I do in the course of a normal day. I have under those circumstances found myself doing a 'reading' in the course of what I hope passed for a normal conversation.

Was it the right thing to do? That's a gray area, isn't it? I can justify it by calling it Spiritual Counseling, or I can take a strict constructionist view and say, No, I never should go into someone's energy without their permission up front.

I chose a compromise position of: Well, I make an effort to be non-intrusive, as a common courtesy.
Like not sneezing into someone's face or insulting them. It's what polite people do.
And, if someone is having that deep and heartfelt a conversation with me, and opening themselves up to personal issues of their own free will, I assume they want my absolute attention, and at that point, they have it.

Is that mind reading?
No.
Is it paying attention to all kinds of information and data input?
Yes.
I get images, impressions, some auditory messages or if you prefer: thoughts.
Let's call it 'hyper listening'.
What is my intent? Crisis resolution, pretty much.

Can I live with that?
Yep.

The Public Mediumship Event and an Upcoming Fair

2006-10-17T15:25:00.000-07:00

Well the Public Mediumship Demonstration at Poor Richard's was a big success. Most spirits that came through were identified by the guests, some came with names, others gave descriptions of things with which they were identified and almost all had good messages for friends and loved ones in the audience.

I have been invited back to do another Public Mediumship Demo in November, probably on the 25th. More will follow when that is firmed up.

Meanwhile- Sunday, October 22 is the bi-anual Sandra-Leigh Serio Fair, to be held at the Days Inn in Strongsville from 10:30 till 6 pm. I will be appearing there along with some of the area's best psychics, tarot readers and astrologers. Some interesting vendors should also be at the show; you may have a chance to do some of your holiday shopping early!

So come one, come all to the fair!

The Public Message Service- How it works:

2006-10-13T16:32:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow evening, I am scheduled to do a Public Message service at Poor Richard's in North Ridgeville, starting at 7. Tickets are limited and are sold at the door for $15.

When I get into a room with some 30 or so people, all expecting messages; there are maybe 130+ spirits in that room with them.
My first task is to sit aside somewhere and project myself - by transfixing- among the spirit people in the room. I try to move to groups and meet them, introducing myself and asking them for names, relationships, what they did or where known for and so on. I shake their hands and thank them for working with me and then I move to the next spirit people. The whole time this is going on, my body is sitting in a chair while I am mentally projecting myself into this other realm of the same room.

When I go up, I tell people that I am going to bring through as many spirit people as I can and their messages, but that I need some of their help. First of all, I need people to try to remember all their loved ones here and in Spirit. Because when Spirits shout out or whisper a name to me, it is sometimes their own, but it might also be a reference to someone living and regard a message they have then for that person. This is not an exact science; it is more of an art, really.
So I need the audience to work with me to help identify spirits. They do so, by raising their hands if they think I am with them. There will often be more than one hand up as I often will get more than one spirit trying to come through at the same time. This has become a room full of people, some in the physical and some in Spirit and they often crowd each other and then it's like two or three people talking to you at once; I have to then separate out who is who and get one message out at a time.
I will then tell people that I have 4 or 5 spirits- and generally describe them, a man standing over here who gives this name and did that in life; a woman over here who talks of three children and mentions doing this... and so on. I ask the audience to try and remember whose spirits of these might be theirs and then I go back to the first one and more carefully identify him or her. I get confirmation from the audience as to who I am with here and then deliver the message. Then I go on to the next. If I forget who else I had here, which can happen, I then rely upon the audience to remind me. "OK," I can say, "Who was next?" And they will tell me: 'you had the piano player in the corner' or 'You had the fireman with the rag doll over here.' That keeps me on track.
In the course of the evening, I will get the chance to also lead the group in a guided meditation to meet their own spirit people and we will discuss this and I can answer any questions they have about how it works. Then I can give them a 3 minute potty break, while I go sit in another room and re-focus, looking for another 4 or 5 spirits who want to come through and then we do another round. At some point I need to walk between the isles, among the audience for a bit to pick up the more quiet spirits who are standing close to their families and are not the noisy pushy ones most likely to be heard. This is through pass-through cognition. Actually walking through their energy and stopping and identifying who I get.
Over the course of the evening, not everyone will get a message, but I will try my best to reach as many people as I can.
In this way, the message of survival of the personality, in the form of Spirit is carried.
And that's what this is all about, folks.
The purpose? To dispell fear and grief.
That's it.

Circle Readings

2006-10-13T16:09:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, I was hosted by Poor Richard's Historical Tavern to do circle readings, in the fashion of the readings done on Monday evenings at Lilydale, the spiritualist community in Western NY.
The circles went well with about two dozen curious people showing up to get a quick 10 - 12 minute reading while sitting in a circle in a room upstairs from the tavern's dinning room.

Medium Cheri Oneal had one circle and I had the other. As is the way with Spirit, when intent is set and prayers for the purest readings to come through for the highest and best good of the sitting clients, the people who went into Cheri's circle were all touchy feely types; easily breaking into tears with gentle loving messages as Cheri delivers.
Big success.
My circle was filled with strong, independent types- tough minded and ready for hard details to help them identify their loved ones in spirit. They, too were a satisfied bunch. I tend work with specific details and can handle messages that are generally of that kind. I kind of expect that when our loved ones come through, they have things to say that are sometimes profound, but more often mundane- comments about what is going on in the here and now- just as they did when they picked up a telephone and dialed you up for a chat while on this side of life. Spirits that come through deliver what they think- and sitting clients confirm that they have the flavor and style of the persons while living. While I don't generally give the soft messages, "Your grandmother wants you to know she is proud of you and sends you love"- neither do I explore information that is painfully personal with witnesses present. If I feel a message might touch on sensitive information I ask the client if they would rather not persue this message. I try hard to respect people's privacy.

In other readings this week, a client asked the kind of questions I dread, "How much longer is so-and-so going to live?"
I am reminded of an old family story of when I was about four years old and a very elderly aunt of my father's was visiting. Supposedly I watched her for a good long while and then put my hand upon her knee, looked up into her eyes and asked, sincerely, "When are you going to die?" I can't even imagine my parents' horror at that!
A person's time on earth is personal, sensitive information. I have absolutely no desire to be made aware of God's plans in this regard and I feel jarred whenever a client posses such a question about someone in their lives. Let's leave it where it belongs; between that individual's higher soul and God. Period. Let's move on

Poor Richards, redux

2006-09-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

The Poor Richard's Tavern, 33312 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville, previously mentioned, will begin hosting Message Circles.
Here is how it works:
You purchase a ticket for a 10 minute reading.
Next, you sit in a circle of 6-8 chairs with the person next to the medium being read first. As each person gets their reading, they are free to get up and leave. (Presumably, to go downstairs and order something tasty from Poor Richard's and wait for their friends so that they can compare notes.)
This is pretty much how we do it at Lilydale, NY- the largest Spiritualist community I know of in the eastern part of the US.
*****
The Message Circles will be held October 7 at 7 pm.
Seating will be limited and will be sold by Poor Richard's in advance of the event.
There will probably be 3 psychics there; I will be one of them.
It sounds to me like a lot of fun and I am looking very much forward to it!
*****
Also, on October 14, from 7 - 8:30 pm, I will be doing a public message event at Poor Richard's. This event will also have limited seating, so get your tickets as early as possible to assure yourself of a spot there!
At a public message event, I will bring spirit through to persons in the audience, then we will do a 15 minute meditation to allow audience members to experience a connection to spirit for themselves.
We will then do a brief Q & A and take a short 5 minute break.
Another session of bringing through spirit will follow with a final Q & A session at the end.

For information, call Poor Richard's at: (440) 327-4449

The Mountaineer fair, or: Gambling 101

2006-09-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

Once a year, Mountaineer Casino, in West VA- puts on a nice psychic fair and I was honored to be invited.
This two day event went off without a hitch.
Of interest: in one reading I was presented with a few photos and read those people and situations surrounding them with the client. I had not done that before during readings; or at least, not in that manner. I was surprised to see how easy it was to tune in. The images just flowed.
The client must have been pleased; as soon as out session was finished she raced back to the desk to book two more consecutive sessions so that we could continue!

Now, although I was in a casino, I didn't gamble. I don't chose to do so because I seem to be incapable of doing it impartially. That is to say, I feel rather attached to the money that goes into the machine and I care whether it comes back to me or not. This, I think, would probably influence the level of information I might get about which machines would be most likely to pay off. So I just take my money to stores and walk away with someTHING in return; a concept I am more comfortable with.

Still, I have had some experience with winning things- contests, and I would like to apply the same principles here.
So, in the interest of helping someone else who might wish to gamble- and all gambling is exactly that- here is some information that might be of interest:

My experience:
When I have been about to win a contest, I notice a curious sensation comes over me. I become intensely focused on the contest- so much so that it becomes impossible for me to tear my attention away. I notice that my breathing slows and becomes shallow. I 'hear' my name being called, before it happens and it is so REAL that I wonder if others around me have heard it too.
My anticipation of winning has at that point changed into an expectation that somehow has become so strong and so clear that it feels like it transcends real time and that it has already happened.

My theory:
Based on these experiences (which have been few and far between, but fairly consistent) I speculate that it might in fact be possible to watch for some degree of these symptoms at a casino by walking slowly past each machine and feeling for the 'pull' of a machine that has- in a sense, if you allow that time, as we know it, is an artificial construct- already paid you out.

If that sounds confusing, read it again.
If anyone has the desire and or opportunity to try this techinique out, I'd be interested in knowing about the results!

A ghost walk through time

2006-09-04T08:51:00.000-07:00

This past Friday evening, I was called to visit Poor Richard's Tavern in Ridgeville, Ohio, by owners Chris and Veronica Mekvinda. This was to be a psychic investigation- and, as the tavern had been there since 1815, and I am a fan of things historic and antique, I was really looking forward to this!

I arrived about 7 pm and pulled into a gravel drive. Walking up toward the building I was pulled around the west side where I felt that there had been an entrance as well as a spot to tie up horses at some point. I could 'see' the hustle and bustle of people busily taking care of horses, getting out of carriages and walking into the side of the building (where there is currently no door, by the way) and then vannishing. I looked back over my shoulder and could see a 'garden path' with a little white gate leading up from the area where the cars were currently parked. Today, there is no garden path and no gate- but I saw one, nonetheless.

Walking around the front of the building (or what is currently the front) I walked for a bit next to a kindly old gent dressed in knickers with sagging wool stockings and a white shirt. He was no taller than me and I am just under 5'4". He had a bald pate with a longish thin fringe of ginger-gray hair and a freindly smile. He told me his name was Phil- though that struck me odd. I thought back: That's too modern. Might you be Philip? He just looked at me with his head tipped to the side and shrugged. Then he went on to say that the current entrance was not there in his day. And he walked onward toward the east corner of the building and faded away.

Inside, I met Chris and Veronica and told them about Phil/Philip and was informed that the original owner and builder of the property was named Philander. Ah. Well, then.
I wandered through the property- as they worked setting up dinners and drinks for customers. Periodically, either Chris or Veronica would join me as I looked around.

The main room is charming- about 10 tables and odd chairs- some of them actual church pews, with bed posts separating them. But I could see superimposed 3 or 4 longish tables and benches filled with diners all reaching at once for food heaped on platters set down in the middle of the tables. These were not neat and tidy diners and the smaller and slower among them missed out on the food- stacks of meat and cold potatoes with some bread and crocks of butter accompanying them. Tankards of ale were tipped up to wash down the food and mouths were wiped along sleeves. Interesting.

A stairway led down to the basement. I could hear (but not see) Phil telling me that the original stairs went the other way and I was directed to look toward what is today a men's room. It was an open landing, he said- and then I felt that at another point.. later in the 19th century, it was an office and I saw an old man bent over a ledger spread out on a desk- dipping a pen into ink and working his numbers, trying to balance his books. He then faded from view and I was once again looking at a wall of the men's room.

In the basement there are three rooms- the largest once had three tunnels coming in, as part of the underground railroad system. I heard another voice tell me it was too well known and therefore little used, except for vermin which were a constant problem in the basement as they got into the grain bins. I could smell (but not with my visible nose) a stench of stale beer and other liquors mingling as if on the floor and I half expected my feet to stick to the concrete, but of course they didn't as there is no spillage there today. I felt uncomfortable about the area in the back to my left and didn't persue it as my attention was drawn to the space to my right. What happened to the doorway and the rest of the basement? I was made to wonder. Later I pointed this out to Veronica and she acknowledged that there had been some kind of door there at one point. Back into the second room of the basement I was suddenly thrust forward through time to the early part of the 20th century- and watched young men hand bottles of 'hooch' through a window to folks waiting by their cars. Sort of an illegal drive through. They often picked up pies, apple or peach, to go with Sunday dinner from this outlet as well. Veronica couldn't confirm this, but did suspect that the room was added later.

Back through to the third part of the basement, I felt that this was the work area and two girls slept here as well. One was rather 'slow' and was looked after by the other. Sometimes with small beatings- cuffed about the ears, for being slow or dilly-dallying. She was tring to avoid beatings herself from someone higher up and if she could look more productive by prodding the smaller girl, she could spare herself worse treatment.

Upstairs to the main level again, I saw a young girl- B or BR connected to her, she was bored and sat swivelling on the stools at the bar- it looked to be about 1947 or so- post WWII, at any rate. Veronica gave her last name as Beller and her first name as Charlotte. I got a 'Yes' feeling about that- but often dismiss the name Charlotte as that is my mother's name and I am suspicious when it comes up. So I wouldn't have gotten it on my own, I think.

Upstairs to the second level- that area had so much going on- two rooms were sleeping rooms rented out in the early and mid 19th century, one for men and one for women.. A third was an upstairs kitchen area, a current bathroom had always been some kind of washroom or storage area and a sitting room had seen it's share of card games. All confirmed, by Veronica.

Up to the attic- I saw mats laid out.. filled with straw or just blankets in some cases.. sometimes the children slept up here- children of travellers. More often this is where the stagecoach drivers slept and other servants as well- like those who kept the horses. It stank to high heaven, was hot as hell in the summer and freezing in the winter. Of course today, it is just an attic with no smells at all, no blankets and no 'mattresses'.

I wandered out back with both Chris and Veronica to see the cistern and the wooded area in back. I heard from Phil again that the cistern was new; that there had been other wells dug in the area that had run dry or got spoilt. He also said that there had been a creek behind the trees but that the good fishing was up a ways ( confirmed by two neighbors of the Tavern who had heard I was coming and wanted to get a peak at this). I asked Phil silently if this was where the boys went to fish? I pictured them with poles slung over their shoulders a la Andy of Mayberry. He chuckled and said, 'Grown men went off with a little jug and pole for a bit of peace of a Sunday as well.' I passed this along to Veronica.

As we stood there, I also saw one fellow- an escaped slave- very tired and very frightened running off into the woods- where two men in the area, good ol' boys, it seemed, had been waiting for him. They had been lunching in the tavern and their dogs set up a lot of barking so ome of them ran out back with a rifle and shot this guy, in the back, as he was trying to scramble up the far side of the creek bank. He went down, hit in the shoulder and the men tied him up and went back to finish their lunch before hauling this fellow off to collect their reward.

It was an interesting two hours, but by the time I left I was pretty wiped.