Grief is a universal and common reaction to the lost of a love one. Losing a parent, spouse, friend, child or pet can be devastating. In current times more and more bereaved individuals and families are utilizing spiritual mediumship via a medium as an effective way to help their grief and come to a better understanding of the passing of their loved ones. According to a recent USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll, almost 70 million Americans believe that it is possible to communicate with the dead, and millions of people in the world have experienced a visitation. More and more people are feeling safe to speak openly of these encounters and to experience the healing messages from their love ones.

What is a medium? A medium is able to receive communication from those who have physically died, similar to how a radio receives transmissions. Mediums provide evidence that our consciousness survives our physical death. Mediums are not therapists, however to communicate with departed loved ones is perhaps the most effective form of grief therapy. To know that your loved one lives on and is in a better place can bring an immense amount of healing and peace.

How does a medium communicate with the other side? Mediums have the ability to be part of the electromagnetic force that souls use to transmit their messages. Many mediums hear spoken words or phrases; others describe recognizing words telepathically. Some mediums receive visual images as if a movie is being played. They may describe an image or symbol, or interpret according to their own frame of reference. Some mediums describe having physical sensations that are communicated by spirit entities as well as picking up scents that are connected to specific spirit entities.

Are all mediums the same? No. Unfortunately some people claim to be mediums, and some may have psychic abilities and ESP talents, but cannot actually connect to those on the “other side.” Many so call mediums need information from you in order to begin or carry forward with the session. If a medium is a true channel to the other side, you do not need to tell them any information. You may answer “yes” or “no” but your loved ones should provide all the necessary and specific details. Authentic mediums will welcome skeptics because it is in the communication with departed loved ones that provides the evidence .

How can I learn more about mediumship or find a medium? The Windbridge Institute for Applied Research in Human Potential is an independent research organization consisting of a community of scientists with varied backgrounds and interests that investigates what our bodies, minds, and spirits are capable of and how that information can best serve all living things. In addition, the Forever Family Foundation recognizes the extreme importance of safeguarding the public and identifying those who truly have mediumship ability. They currently have a medium certification program and a forum where individuals and families who have suffered the loss of a loved one can turn for support, information, and hope through state-of-the-art information and services provided by ongoing research into the survival of consciousness and afterlife science.

When is the appropriate time to make contact after a loss? There is not a set time because souls can communicate immediately after passing, However, a session will be more healing and effective when you have had time to gain some acceptance and understanding of the passing first, and when you are in a better place emotionally.

What is a spiritual mediumship session like? A session may be done in person or over the phone and it usually lasts one hour. It is helpful to think or meditate about the person or persons in the spirit world before the reading. A thought is energy. The spirit world can sense your energy, and in return make the connection stronger in the reading. Sometimes others from spirit will come through first, even your animal companions, and often will have a healing or helpful message for another family member or friend. Loved ones chooses their words carefully and appropriately especially during your time of grief. Your loved ones’ only interest during a reading is to bring you comfort, peace, and an understanding that their life has not ended, and that they continue in a better place. Their main objective is to let you know they are okay to restore hope to you.

Anyone who has ever had an animal friend will verify the healing benefits of associating with their furred, feathered, or finned companions. When children or adults with special needs interact with a dog, cat, horse, dolphin or other animal, their life is often transformed and their quality of life improved. Animals live in the moment and inspire humans to do the same. They posses an innate psychic ability that allows them to tune in to our human brainwaves and naturally help us heal. People with pets have been shown to have reduced levels of stress, depression, and heart problems.

The healing power of animals has inspired many animal assisted therapy programs. Whether it is a horse, dolphin, or dog, animals can provide benefits in several ways to individuals with physical, cognitive or psychological disabilities. They may experience increased strength and balance, improved body awareness, and enhanced self-esteem. The positive relationship that develops between and animal and a human presents opportunities for the development of trust and social growth.

Dugan Hench, aka Dugan Doodle, is a well known and much sought after volunteer in the Lexington community, and one of my favorite clients. Dugan, with the help of his human, Elizabeth Hench, visits nursing homes hospitals, libraries and schools to provide emotional support.  He plays many roles and holds degrees in agility and obedience. He teaches children how to act safely around dogs, and particularly enjoys helping children improves their reading and communication skills by employing a powerful method: having children read to him. Of course Dugan Doodle is not just any dog. He is a Certified Therapy Dog through Love on a Leash and participates in the Reading Education Assistance Dogs program. Hench says, “Dugan, is a natural healer and intuitive.  He has the ability to put a smile on someone’s face, make his or her day a little brighter, and brings back a cherished memory.”

When Dugan is resting from his humanitarian work, he takes time out to receive his own healing through animal communicators, animal massage therapists, and animal energy workers. Dugan Doodle, says ‘there is nothing like 30 minutes of uninterrupted healing attention. To have gifted practitioner’s work out my aches and tension, help me maintain balance and optimum health so I can continue putting a smile on people’s faces.”

I had a dream my Mom was making me my favorite childhood breakfast. That was a week before I had a reading with Samara Anjelae, a phone reading. She lives in Kentucky, I in Minnesota. Samara asked: “Does cinnamon toast mean anything to you?”

I had been to another Medium about contacting my mother and came away disappointed. I didn’t feel my mom. She seemed so far away. But later, when Samara asked me about cinnamon toast, I knew. I knew! My mom was right in the room with me. I could smell the cinnamon! I could smell her!

How can I explain to you how those two simple words brought her back to me?

My 8 brothers, 3 sisters and I all made it to the hospital. We came from Boston, Arizona, St. Louis, Canada, Minnesota. The doctors tried all sorts of heroics to keep her here, even a helicopter ride to the Mayo Clinic, but her time was up. Mom could not speak due to the breathing tube, but her eyes followed me and tried so hard to tell me something. She struggled to write it on paper, but her hand was too shaky. I pretended to understand, but I couldn’t make out the words. Hers was a beautiful death, though so profoundly heartbreaking at the same time. All twelve of Mom’s children were at her side, singing her to heaven. She died before I knew what it was she wanted me to know.

My family had been so close and yet it fell apart without her energy in the middle of us. We turned away from each other. My grief was too heavy. Not only had I lost my mom, my best friend, but I had lost the support of my brothers and sisters.

What had my mother been trying to tell me? It haunted me. Samara helped me find the answer. An intense healing took place that day and my family has circled back to its center.

Hello Samara,

During the recent Psychic Saturday, the group discussed the afterlife and communication with those on the other side. After my mother died in 2004, I came to you in 2006 for help in communicating with her.  In the reading my mother mentioned a Blue Bird and blue feathers, however there was no elaboration on what the meaning was.  This visit comforted me and eased my grief.  At various times I would see a blue bird and find blue feathers.

My maiden name before I married was BYRD.  After I married in 1994, I took my husbands last name. On this Psychic Saturday my mother was present in spirit as we discussed the afterlife. While the others were sharing their afterlife experiences, a knowing came to my mind that said very clearly:  The Blue Bird represented a pending divorce with my husband and changing my last name back to my maiden name.  It was not the right time for me to know what the Blue Bird represented when we first met however, now the timing was appropriate to understand the deeper meaning of the Blue Bird (Byrd).

When the right time presents itself, we will know what the meaning of these mysterious messages mean.

Sincerely,

Cherri

There is a major shift occurring within the earth’s energy or earth age. It’s a time of quick evolution in cosmic and spiritual consciousness. Each earth age is based on the twelve signs of the zodiac, with the current transition being from the Age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius. While observing the many changes taking place within humanity, an individual may feel intense transitions themselves during this time. Questions regarding one’s line of work, relationships, health and even organization involvement may be forming and loss of loved ones, friendships, and jobs may be shaking what once was thought a solid foundation.

Is this all part of the cosmic chart? Is this the recycling of spirituality? Are we shifting out of the old energy and making a transformation into a new energy? This spiritual shift may be the wake up call to “go green” within. You will know you have transitioned when wonderful synchronicities start to happen, you start remembering who you are, you live your passion, feel a connection to the earth and feel that same connection to others. Going green within is a beautiful gift to your fellow human beings.

Here are 10 helpful suggestions that may help with a graceful transition into the new Age of Aquarius:

1.     Question outworn and old belief systems: especially those no longer resonating or that may not have been yours from the start.

2.     Give up energy-vamping relationships that exist from neediness, control, and expectation. Strive for harmonious relationships that respect and support your soul essence.

3.     Base more decisions on love, not fear. It is a time to operate from the heart.

4.     Move with the flow of life. Try to not force things to happen and pay attention to the signs. If it is taking great effort to make something happen, you may not be in the flow.

5.     Take ownership. Refrain from blaming life’s circumstances on anyone else such as your mother, your boss, or your ex. Accept full responsibility and realize you are the creator of your life.

6.     Be authentic. Recognize your own gifts, personality, and style. There isn’t a reason in the world to wear another’s soul shoes. You are who you are supposed to be.

7.     Realize you have everything you need at this very moment to live an abundant life instead of buying into an old story of lack. You are the very essence of abundance.

8.     Uncover your inner light and let it shine. It may feel like it is buried but it is still there. This light will lead you to new and forgotten resources.

9.     Live in the present. Be more concerned about this moment and this day rather than tomorrow or next year.

10.  Unplug and breathe. Then listen . . . then breathe.

My father died in 1990. Dad was a true patriarch and the cornerstone of my entire family. He was easily one of the smartest men I’ve ever known despite the fact he had to drop out of school and go to work to support his mother, brothers and sisters at the age of 13 when his own father died. He later earned his GED and always provided well for his family, including putting his six kids through college. He was a wise, kind, and gentle man that loved us intensely. We often thought of him as the peacemaker because he was the voice of reason and a beacon of guidance when any kind of strife or problems arose with us. We were very close and he left a huge void in my life, as well as the rest of the family members, when he died. Since Dad passed, I have dreamed of him numerous times. About 15 percent of the dreams go along these lines: He is very ill and I’m trying to get medical help to save him. In the end, I realize he is already dead and again feel stricken and experience the sharp pain of losing him. Thankfully, about 85 percent of the dreams go more like this: I’m having a wonderful visit with Dad. We talk about any multitude of things, laugh, hug, reminisce, just have a great time in general. At the end of the dream I’m usually hugging him goodbye when I realize he is already dead and then he vanishes as I’m holding him. I always wake up at this point feeling a tinge of sadness but also like I’ve just received a wonderful gift.

My mother is still living. She is elderly and has suffered a stroke. Her health is very frail but she is an amazing woman who still insists on living alone and always finds ways to entertain herself despite her greatly hampered mobility. Mother has always been a bit of a firebrand. She is not the one to go to for unbiased guidance. She loves her children unconditionally and only sees things one way. I always said she created her own reality…it’s only of late that I’ve become aware that we all do. She is absolutely fearless, sometimes recklessly so. (I’m afraid I got more than a touch of this from her.) While not scholarly, she has always been extremely clever and beautifully creative in almost anything she chooses to do.

Dream: The Family of Man

This dream was about both my parents. In this dream Dad was healthy and doing fine. It was Mom who was ailing; even more so than the fragile condition she’s in right now. I was visiting with them both. I was having the usual visit with my dad in that we were talking, laughing and enjoying each other’s company as we cared for Mom. Mom, though sick, was smiling and joining in as we talked about different things (all pleasant) that have happened over the years. This went on for some time but the specifics of any of these conversations escapes me now. What I do remember is laughing and thinking how blessed I was to have them as parents and how fortunate I was to have them with me. I then became a bit somber wondering how much longer Mom would be with us in her current condition. That’s when it hit me that Dad was already dead. I wasn’t hugging him this time. He was seated a few feet away from me and my head jerked up to look at him as that realization washed over me. This time he didn’t disappear. He smiled at me as he turned into a dazzlingly brilliant being of light that glowed where he sat for a moment and then shot out like a starburst in multiple directions. One beam passed through me, another through mother, and I knew that he was shooting out to others beyond us…to the rest of the family…to the family of mankind. I was filled with a sense of pure elation and total ecstasy as I knew that he was not dead. He ran through me, through mother, and through many, many others. I knew in the core of my being that he was an inseparable part of us (and something larger as well) and would be with us always. I also knew in that instant that it would be the same when mother passes, when each of us passes. So it is and so it has always been. O Death, where is your sting? Indeed!!!

I woke up holding that blissful thought.
Interconnectedly yours,

Aether Adventurer

Dreams belong to everyone. Whether you remember your dreams or not, everyone has the ability to do so. Some dreams hold greater meaning than others; usually those are the dreams that we remember and leave us with a distinct feeling, message or vision.

When I lived in Minneapolis I met my dear friend Monica. We were kindred spirits who spent endless hours discussing our animals, karma, Edgar Cayce,  and men and their astrology sign. A conversation rarely passed without interpreting our dreams.

Ten years later and now living in Kentucky, I dreamt one May evening that Monica had died. She appeared to me as a beautiful round ball of light, like a halo. Upon awakening I called her.  She answered, but her voice was weak, her language indiscernible. I told her who I was and shared my dream. She faintly said she was close to leaving, and must sleep. A month later my dream had meaning. I received an announcement from Monica’s family that she had died peacefully at age eighty-five at her daughter’s home. Her death occurred a few days after my dream and phone call.

I cherish all my dreams; my prophetic dream of Monica is no exception. If we take the time to interpret our dreams we learn a great deal who we are, where we have been, and where we are going.

Dear Medium,

I have just lost my younger brother. We were very connected in many ways. He was murdered in Brazil and I live here in the USA. I always talk to his pictures and honestly I have never felt that he is trying to contact me. People always tell me that specially in those situations in which somebody so young (he was 31 years old) was taken so fast they are still around us and they don’t know they are dead. I need to know if it is true and in this case can he be around me since I live in another country and he has never been here before. How does this work? Other people say he would have a period of sleep and then would wake up and be told he is dead. What should I believe in? I would really appreciate an answer to these questions that occupy my mind all the time.

Regards,

Inez

___________________________________________________________________

Dear Inez,

Thank you for your questions regarding the passing of your younger brother. Your closeness and connectedness is felt, and will continue, for love has no boundaries.  Your brother is now in spirit and can commune and travel to any place you are, not limited to any geographical place. Our thoughts carry a vibration and can be recognized by our loved ones. At the appropriate time you may sense or recognize a sign from your brother no matter what country or place you are in. There is not one definitive answer to your question regarding how a young soul whose life was taken suddenly, as in the case of your brother, may respond to his or hers death or when they will begin communicating with their departed loved ones. Sometimes they may need some time to readjust to their new surroundings or as you stated wake up from a period of sleep. I sense and would trust that he is adjusting to his new surroundings since you mentioned he “just” died and you have not felt his presence.  Know that the concept of time is different in the spirit world and that departed souls can and often gain a larger perspective after their passing of their own life and the lives of others. May you continue to send your loving thoughts to your brother, and may peace and understanding help you in this difficult time.

Wings of Light and Love,

Samara Anjelae

Gracie’s Dream: Message: Be Prepared. Show Respect.
I was in a verdant garden. Two beings that I would describe as angels appeared on either side of the stone path before me. A cloudy mist swirled between them and they looked at me and said, “Behold.” As I stared at the swirling mist, letters began to form and then a message appeared. “Be prepared. Show respect.” I have to admit, I awoke more than a little confused and a bit distressed. Wasn’t I always respectful? I try to be. And be prepared for what???

Little did I know the journey that was about to begin.

Gracie’s Dream: Light
Samara Anjelae was my hostess at her home. Actually she was hosting me along with about six or so other people at her farm for the weekend. The purpose of our gathering wasn’t completely clear to me but it seemed that we were there to learn from Samara and further our own spiritual growth. It was an odd assortment of ill-behaved people (reminded me of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory) that were either disinterested or outright rude for the most part. Samara was kind and tolerant and seemed to be willing to put up with the others for my benefit. (Remember, this is my dream.) In other words, she ignored them and proceeded to share her knowledge. She showed us a storage area that contained crystals, herbs, special bowls and things of that nature and began explaining the purpose of each item. Some of the people expressed doubt, others boredom, but I was captivated. Samara was unaffected by their behavior and grinned at me saying, “Watch this.” She gazed at one of the earthen bowls that was encircled with a strange geometric pattern for a long moment. Tipping her hand slightly, the bowl shook, then rose in the air and hovered for a few seconds before settling back on the rough wood table. Samara turned, winked at me and said,  “Through Source all things are possible.”

We then went into a big room that was filled with a group of people sitting in chairs arranged like that of a large airplane. Children made up about a third of the group. The room also contained a large tub of balls floating in water. On each ball was written a word like earth, fire, water, wind but I also saw balls that said jade, iron or things like that.

Samara had two lessons for us in this room. First, she told us to close our eyes, reach into the tub of balls, pull one out and look at it. She said it would identify our element or more specifically, what our essence most closely resembled. We all did this. Secondly, she turned and walked to the people that were seated in the chairs. It seemed that all those people that were present in the room were spirits of some sort and could not exist outside that room. Samara was like a loving caretaker or protector for them. Some of the children were getting restless and starting to try to venture outside the room. Samara walked over and gently picked up one of the smaller children and brought him toward the door. As she drew nearer the door, the child could sense the danger and started trying to pull away. She continued with the child right up to the edge of the door frame even though he was struggling quite hard by that time. When Samara reached the edge of the room, she softly set the child down and he scurried back to the group. She said, “He’s a smart one and he’ll teach the others.” We then left the room. Once outside I realized that I didn’t have my ball and I told Samara that I needed to go back and get it. She told me that I didn’t need to have the ball in my possession, I just needed to know what was written on it. I was very upset because I couldn’t remember and I told her so. Samara looked at me with the chiding smile that a teacher gives a favorite student that she knows has the answer and said, “Now Gracie, what is it that you always ask to be surrounded with and filled by in your prayers? Goodness, love and LIGHT. You KNOW your ball said LIGHT.

And all of a sudden, I did.