I got a new book yesterday from Cygnus books: "The Magic" by Rhonda Byrne, author of "The Secret". In this new book, she writes about the power of Gratitude, something that I have been consciously working on. Another book that has influenced me recently is "You Can Create an Exceptional Life" by Louise Hay and Cheryl Richardson.

 With my focus on positive thoughts and more importantly, feeling good, is it any wonder that life has taken a turn for the better?! In February this year whilst putting together a Steampunk costume for myself, I made a little hairclip. 'Oh,' I thought to myself, 'people might buy those'. I asked my brother if I could put them up for sale in his online shop Arcane Armoury   and he just said 'Why not make your own shop?' I almost heard the lightbulb go 'ding' above my head! So, I bought ten plain clips and a few feathers and ribbon, was given a few interesting beads and cogs and set to work. I also made a skirt and a couple of chokers.

 Everything is linked, I'm certain of it.(Like that series 'Touch!) Because of Etsy, I now have another home based business, as well as The Little Reiki Room and I am learning exactly what I needed to learn about selling and online marketing.Etsy has some excellent resources available. This is good for both businesses.

 Find my new shop here:The Navigatrix and a new blog to go with it here: http://thenavigatrixatetsy.blogspot.co.uk  You can also find me on Facebook (The Navigatrix) ant Twitter (Reikiblossom). I'm also beginning to be involved with Google+ and Pinterest.

 I am so happy to be once again expressing my creativity! More happiness and more gratitude lead to a happier life with even more to be grateful for! The trick will now be to keep the momentum going and forge new positive habits over time.

 I'd love to hear from others about your own personal evolutions...how's it going? Any tips, links, books you'd like to recommend? Finally, if you're interested in learning Reiki or would like to book some Distant healing sessions, please contact me here:The Little Reiki Room Wishing you Happiness, Health and all kinds of Wealth, Sally-Ann x

Personal Evolution

Much has happened since I was here last. My baby is now a two and a half year old, just starting pre-school; the house of my dreams (and vision board!) is the one I am living in, close to family and in the countryside but with good access to shops; the Reiki Room is now a real space I can be in, with the beginnings of a beautiful Japanese inspired garden just outside.

On the other hand, life has thrown some large challenges, one after the other. The birth of our daughter was difficult and for me, life-threatening. Various other things led me into depression but that has led me into valuable experiences and put me in touch with people that I would not otherwise have known. Look up Barbara Marx Hubbard and Neale Donald Walsch's book 'The Mother of Invention' as this book has been a comfort and a horizon widening experience. Especially now, so close to that date, 21/12/12.

We are on the cusp of evolution here. Each of us is awakening to more of life, albeit reluctantly and painfully sometimes. I feel that I am becoming, struggling out of my chrysalis to stretch wet, new wings; becoming aware that I have so much more to offer. Others have much to offer me also. All I need to do is ask for help when I need it. It is given, lovingly.

Wishing you all you need to flow with whatever life you are living. Many Blessings, Sally-Ann

A New Life - Part 2

Time flies when you're having fun. Changing nappies, feeding, playing,lacking sleep, having sudden barely controlled tantrums because, at the age of 35, you suddenly realise how used to 'me time' you became and now it's only available fleetingly...

I knew motherhood was going to be a challenge and I'm loving every minute of it, even the hard parts, secretly. This little harbinger of change has come and stirred up all those aspects of myself that I was putting off cleansing or had forgotten about altogether from just living with them day to day.

Well, a change of scenery is on the way. It's becoming tight living in a one bedroom flat with a 9 month old, her dad and the cat, so we've put the flat up for sale and have made a decision. Funny how circumstances conspired to get us to the point, finally after about 4 years, of choosing where to move to. During a visit to Lincolnshire to see family, my Aunty mentioned some houses for sale nearby. We liked the place and on the drive home discussed the practicalities of moving (not too) close to family and how we could get a house for the value of our lovley little flat. Suddenly, my dreams of a home with a garden and a room to practice Reiki meditiation, Wicca and whatever other therapy I choose one day to learn, seem that much closer. Most of all, I felt a surge of joy at the thought of s p a c e ! Room to grow, to blossom fully.

The hard part comes next. We had a huge clearout of our living space, a de-clutter and autumn-clean with help from friends. That felt so good physically, almost like a whole body detox! Along the way, I had to make the decision to stop developing a new workshop and to let my business rest for a while, though if anyone needs a treatment, I can make space for that to happen. There's still a lot of work to be done with the cupboards and garage but that will come. Now we wait for the perfect buyer(s) to come along and then we can fully let go of this place, with all gratitude for what I have become through living here. We may have found a place, not quite like my visualisations but, in essence, close. I am willing to let the process unfold and open and willing to change.After all, that is what life is.

A New Life Part1

Has it been so long since I last posted? Well, I shouldn't be so surprised. Here I sit with my five month old daughter on my lap. A girl! I swore my intuition and my dowsing said it would be a boy!Then again I also wanted to be surprised, so I was.

The birth was difficult. From the first signs of labour to the actual delivery was a week. I finally ended up going in three times, unfortunately having to give up the idea of a natural birth and no drugs to end up with gas and air, drugs to get the contractions stronger (I was having lots of short, inneffective ones) then an epidural and an emergency c-section.

Rosy Edith was born at 12.56 on 28th November 2008. I just remember hearing her first cry, looking at my husband with a tear rolling down my cheek - then we saw her (a daughter?!!)and she was placed on my chest, blurry and pink, too close for me to focus on.

That was just the start of my hospital stay, though. Almost two days later, I haemorraged badly and went into theatre again. I woke up later in Intensive Care, after eight hours in surgery, with an awful tube down my throat. Taking that thing out was horrible but a relief. I just recall being so calm and grateful throughout the whole affair - for a healthy daughter, my supportive husband and our families. Even when I was told that I had undergone a hysterectomy in order to save my life. (There's no way to not be dramatic about that.)

So here I am, lucky to be alive - one of the surgeons told me that in a part of Africa, new mothers are greeted with "Well done, you avoided death" (or something to that effect). I'm a mum for the first and only time in my life. I've managed to breastfeed, supported by formula feeds, after having been so ill and unable to hold my baby properly due to all the tubes in my arms. I've come back to my life again through a great ancient portal, transformed into a mother. The tumultuous feelings of loss, despair, anger and sadness occasionally eclipse the bliss, excitement, joy and pure love that my daughter brings but through the exhausting friction between these two extremes, my Soul becomes polished and I see myself reflected more clearly.

Help and support has come from all directions and I have gratefully received.

Sometimes I'm left feeling numb, though, wondering who I am now, what will I become? What dream should I focus on? For now, though, I remind myself, it is enough to focus on the simple things. Care for myself, my daughter, my husband, my cat and my home. Seek to gradually change myself for the better, just a little every day.Enjoy each little moment, celebrate the small events in life with as much internal passion as the large ones. I'm still breathing, blood flows in my veins but I'll only live if I can allow myself to feel, to be... the sun is shining in through the window right now. Rosy is suckling, sheltered under her yellow muslin, no music or TV to distract us, just the sound of my two-fingered typing and distant traffic outside. Peace. Bliss.

Thankyou...

Towards Motherhood part 2

I am now 22 (and a half) weeks pregnant. Over the past few weeks, the element of water has really made itself known - firstly, the new rainy season that we seem to be developing in the UK, then a leak from upstairs causing our bathroom ceiling to imitate the rain outside (all patched up now thanks to a handy hubby).

So, with all this water around, it came as no surprise that I suddenly had the urge to go swimming again. Thanks to the NCT yahoo group, I found a local health club that runs a pre and post-natal aqua-aerobics session, run by a lovely but slightly mad midwife called Jo. I'm loving it - and I can still remember how to swim, just!

The Bump is now huge! Well, to me it is. One look at some of the other ladies at the aqua-natal makes me feel like quite the newbie, still. It feels wonderful to watch my body grow and adapt to this new life blossoming inside me. I can feel 'the wriggler' and see movement when he or she kicks and somersaults around. This little being is already creating magic in my life. All the modern day material needs have begun to be met in preparation, through the kindness of family and friends. Abundance truly is our birthright and this little one seems to be actively co-creating with me already! I am so grateful for all that we have been given and promised thus far. I'm looking forward to a baby shopping trip with my mother-, father- and sister-in-law in a couple of days. I'm not lacking for information and helpful advice, either, from library books and new 'mummy friends'. I'm growing roots: a network of wonderful, supportive people.

I have a lot to give, too and am still running my Reiki Clinic, now with a student volunteer; a certain printing company is helping me with very cheap advertising; I'm looking into running a Reiki for Parents course and have found a local practitioner who already does just that and has offered some very helpful advice.

So much to think about, prepare for and to grow into... I'm choosing to follow my intuition, take it easy and take a lesson from the element of Water: it's all about flow and gentle power. Learning to live is like learning to swim - get the breathing right to stay afloat, keeping your head above water, getting your various parts to work in harmony to propel you forward...and to learn to relax and have fun whilst doing it! Thanks, Water!

Towards Motherhood

I'm very happy to announce that my husband and I are expecting our first baby!

As of today, I'm in the second trimester with a due date of 23rd November. However, I keep seeing the number 11/11 everywhere so I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was early! Being a Reiki practitioner and Wiccan, I have plenty of ways to support myself, in addition to the enormous amount of printed information from the doctor/ midwife.

Reiki is a wonderful gift. My hands are always ready whenever 'morning' (read 'all-day') sickness threatens. I'm actively giving the bump treatments daily, if only for a few minutes here and there. It is warm and comforting. This is a huge life change, not only on the physical level but from a Wiccan perspective I'm moving into a new phase in life. If you divide the life stages into five, you progress from Maiden to Lover then to Mother, Grandmother and Wisewoman (or Great-Grandmother).

I'm preparing myself for a time of giving, of selflessness (and after 34 years of doing what I want a great deal of the time, this is a little daunting!). However, before the giving comes receiving: I have had several generous offers of help to aquire all the material necessities a baby demands. I have time to myself to receive rest, to enjoy reading, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (my inner teen loves it!) and study the Craft and Reiki further. I have given myself walks in the woods and lots of positive, nourishing thoughts. The small amount of time I spend giving treatments and tasters hardly feels like work, more like joy.

My focus has certainly shifted inward. They say you get 'stupid' during pregnancy...common sense and memory do seem to be lapsing a little, but I'm listening to what my body needs. This is especially noticeable with food. I'm eating much more fruit than usual, now prefer coffee to tea (though only one or two weak cups a day, watch the caffeine). My experiences gained through Reiki and Wicca have helped me become more aware of myself, though this is an ongoing process. The Reiki ideals stand me in good stead, taking each day as it comes. A wonder and love of nature fills me with peace. Being so tired, as is normal, has forced me to slow down and though I could really use the income, I'm grateful that I'm not forcing my body to work a 9-5 job.

I have lots of ideas about the future. I would love to train in Jikiden Reiki. I would love to offer Reiki workshops for mums and dads-to-be. I feel drawn to sharing my Wiccan knowledge and to furthering that path. This little life that has chosen to come into being through me is already filling me with so much joy and quiet enthusiasm for life. I have much to give. Blessed Be~

Reiki In Schools

Last year was a testing ground. This year sees Reiki In Schools launched as a cornerstone to my Reiki Practice.

It is still early days yet but now I have the experience of six talks, five of which were to sixth formers. It occurred to me that many Holistic practices focus on adults. Workshops, treatments and taster sessions are all seemingly geared towards adults. I feel that it is important to educate those adults responsible for children about the benefits of Reiki for children. As for teenagers, here is something that teaches self-discipline, self-respect and respect and compassion for others - what a wonderful aid for those who are approaching adulthood!

I intend to collect together some testimonials to write a proper article but here is an example:

"In March [2007], classes from Upper Sixth of St Albans High School were introduced to the world of Reiki. The session was informative and interesting, and allowed the girls to learn a little more about the art. The talk let us find out about the beliefs inherent in Reiki, but we were not expected simply to accept them on face value. Some of us started the session with reservations, and although an hour is not enough to fully grasp the underlying concepts of Reiki, we all left with a better understanding of the principles.

The session itself was a very relaxing experience, told in a soothing voice with calming music playing in the background. Seeing practical demonstrations helped us to grasp what exactly was involved in the healing, although it was a shame that due to time constraints more of us could not directly experience the effects of Reiki.

Our speaker was engaging and managed to convey the essential ideas of Reiki. I am sure that even if not all of the girls who attended will go on to become involved in any kind of Reiki, all of us left with a little more awareness of this kind of alternative healing. "

Many thanks to the student who provided that testimonial.

There are some people out there who have the skills and the vision to extend the natural health and healing arts to young ones. Yoga is being introduced alongside ballet ; I have a book on Tai Chi for children which is beautifully presented. My experience is mainly focussed around Reiki but I am sure there are specialists in other areas doing similar work...but we're still few and far between.

Can you imagine every school having an experienced, well-trained Reiki Practitioner to support children and staff alike, working alongside the school nurse (or equivalent)? In my experience, Reiki is emotionally and mentally supportive, non-invasive and respectful. Having worked as a Montessori Directress, I was aware on more than one occassion of Reiki flowing to a child that I was working with or comforting, without me consciously having offered it. It was needed, so it flowed. If more parents were aware that Reiki is an invaluable tool for caring for the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of the complex,growing human beings in their care, wouldn't you think that schools might even run courses? Can you imagine...?