Forgive, and shine even brighter

It's that time again, when millions of folk will be stressing about Christmas.

For those people for whom Christmas is purely material, then it truly is expensive.

I once bought a tea-towel at a church Christmas fair when my children were small, that declared boldly 'JESUS is the REASON for the season" and I put it in the window with the Christmas tree one year (but I was pressurised to take it down, in case our neighbours though I was a nutcase!). I relate that with a great big smile on my face as I recollect it may have been taken from the window but it remained behind the door in our hallway so that everyone passing through would see it anyway. My argument was why send the children to Sunday School if I'm unable to demonstrate the real reason for celebrating Christ's birth.

It really is no surprise that faith of many varieties is still hidden in fear of persecution. For those who believe we have carried the 'faith', whatever interpretation it might be, through many lifetimes ... and often at great cost... we are unable and unwilling to dim the flame this time! 

It is time to shine our light as brightly as we ever did, as we ever can, and brighter still! This is it folks, it really is time for us all to raise our alms high, be willing and able to march forward, onward and upwards. This is exactly what was predicted. We are the millions of heavenly hosts.(As above so below rings in my ears)... It is the light workers incarnate now who will save the world. Our family has been waiting for this for such a long time haven't we? There are areas where we can only watch as devastation takes place because of lower vibrational human domination between countries, cultures, and religions. Yet we are part of it all.

Now that we really begin to understand the principles of Universal law, we are all one - yet individuals, we have one home - yet live separately, we have one God - yet worship differently... there is one way forward and each of us in our own unique way is involved in this 'tactical exercise' to save the world. But our tools are those of resonance, our armour is built from high vibration, our goal is ascension and the quality of our sword and our shield demonstrable by our spiritual authenticity.

 

Each morning, following my stillness, I like to start each day reading some words of inspiration. I like to ask what it is I need for the day, then from the many books on my shelves (my Mother-in-Law suggested we change the name of the house to 'Village Library') I take which ever book appeals to me. Today's lesson in A Course of Miracles was about the illusion of blame.... that God does not condemn and therefore there is no need to seek forgiveness. My goodness how appropriate for what I wanted to say in my letter?! How liberating to truly forgive. What a truly beneficial spiritual practice. How sharp the sword and how bright the shield of those who can really forgive with a generous heart.

As I write this the powerful November full moon begins to wane, and using the wonderful energy of that, each day I am going to practice forgiveness. 'I need to polish my shield, and if you'll pardon the pun, at the moment it reflects a little too much 'guilt'.

 Blame resides only in fear, in love there is no condemnation.

With Love, Chrissie

 

Signs and Symbols of Autumn

One of my favourite pastimes when traveling around as much as I do is to glance at the sky and notice the fleeting shapes and pictures within the clouds. For years I have seen cloud-animals, faces, cherubs & angels, but also some very significant symbols, which when noted have given me intuitive information about things in my life. For example on the day I was driving down to the hospital as my daughter was taken in early for a very complicated and potentially life-threatening delivery of her first baby I saw to my delight a clear image of an elephant, with a baby elephant holding onto it's mother's tail by the trunk, and I absolutely knew in my heart by the 'jaunty' way the Mother's head was held high that this was a heavenly sign of reassurance to me, that all would be well, the birth would be successful and the baby would be fine!

Working with angels is often considered a little a little too etherial. But for me, as someone who practices the Essene communions with the angels, and believes in the interconnectedness of everything, I also see angels in the practical down-to-earth everyday world we live in. The creation, God and the angels are everywhere. We have signs, symbols and messages all around us, all the time, and most significantly in the natural world. We don't have to have our head in the clouds - even though the sky is so wondrous and entertaining!

Our lanes, colourful gardens and parks are filled with noticeable signs and messages right now. As I drive around I am truly inspired by the richness of colour which Autumn brings. I see it as a jewel filled reminder within the glorious reds, oranges, yellows, and greens that we constantly need to ground ourselves and work at balancing our chakra energy within the body. After all we have brought our spirit and wonderful soul-light into a corporeal existence, we must 'embody' our light on a daily basis.
How do we do this? By being aware of taking the breath down into our lower abdomen (known as the hara in yogic traditions), by feeling the ground under our feet; by becoming more consciously aware of feeling our body walking; the ground under foot, the swinging of our arms,  the rotation of our hips, the touch of fabric on our skin, the sounds and smells and temperature.  Rather than using this time in your head 'thinking' about all the things you have to do later, by walking consciously you are in fact using this as a meditative exercise, a spiritual practice, of grounding and embodiment.

I see the abundance of reds in the berries as a reminder of our own blood, giving us courage, fortitude and life force within our bodies. The oranges are motivating and energizing. I see the gold in the trees as a wonderful symbol of the strength of the sun, the power of life, and the greens in all their glorious shades, represent balance, the healing nature of our Mother Earth, and of course universal unconditional love.

Whatever colours, symbols or signs you might see and interpret your own way in nature at this wonderful time of year I wish you too the abundance of blessings, and hope to see many of you at the various talks and workshops I am attending through the next couple of months.

With my love,
Chrissie

What a Summer!

What an amazing Summer it has been! From the Queen’s Jubilee (then our Essene Summer gathering) to the Olympics, and then the Para-olympics we have been drawn together in a continued celebration of some of the best in ‘human-ness’. I was delighted to see that all the plans, preparation, and organization which was clearly evident, came to such glorious fruition, and didn’t we do well winning so many medals too? I have felt enormously proud to be part of it, even as an observer and supporter. Our Olympians were reporting that these were the best games ever! Certainly they were evidently the best para-olympics so far.

Brian and I were unable to buy tickets for the Olympics but we were there to watch the para-olympics during the second week. I could sense (on many levels: visually, emotionally, empathically and spiritually) the effort put in by those great athletes, the strength and determination, the ability and power, the team spirit and camaraderie, the pleasure of winning and the pain of losing. I found myself moved to tears in sheer admiration as people with no sight engaged in ‘shot put’, amputees beat world records racing round the track on prosthetics and in wheelchairs, and I think possibly the deepest, soul-inspiring impression of all, was the passion I experienced from the support within the crowd. There were 80.000 people in a full stadium the morning I was there, (I have no idea how many were filling the other venues at the same time) and the stadium filled three times every day. Millions and millions of people cheering, shouting and willing the athletes on to succeed during the events, again at the finish, and again as the medals were received. It was quite wonderful to watch on the television, but almost overwhelming to witness first hand!

I can’t help relating this olympic stadium experience to ‘As above, so below’, and like everything in life...especially the angelic realms. When we open our minds to the wealth of Divine support available to us, I fell certain it must be the same. Whilst each of is individually taking a role as the olympian, competing in the human race, invisible supporters in their masses are cheering us on, holding the light and willing us to succeed. We know there to be billions of angels advancing towards our earth plane, in waves, to support our ever increasing spiritual evolution and ascension, and we know that this has been so at the dawning of every new age. It’s just that the majority of us don’t hear, see or feel their presence. But I know they are there, and so do most of you. As we move further into the Aquarian age we can surely receive no greater evidence of the acceleration of associated attributes of community, communication, and equality than the 2012 Olympic Games in London.  

On a different topic I’d like to tell you about the Transformational Conference in London recently which I was fortunate to attend,(along with Eric and Mark) albeit for one day only. Organized by Dolores Canon, and her team from Ozark publishing we were presented with many enlightening and inspiring talks. For me one of the high-lights was Arun Ghandi, the grandson of Mahatma Ghandi, who spoke about his life as a boy staying with his grandparents in India. He then went on to describe some of his work in setting up a charity for the Educational welfare of small street-children in the cities of India. I was very inspired by his dedication to serve humanity in this way. 

I also spent just a few insightful moments with a stranger I was clearly destined to meet.  We joined at a table during the lunch break. She was clearly distressed and for a while I gave her the space to express her despair caused by her reaction to a speaker who had expounded the virtues of the good and honest Palestinian people and their plight. My lunch companion was dismayed by his unfairness.  This lady, had sons who had been conscripted by the Israeli army. She had been afraid for her son. Now her grandsons were to be conscripted as they approached twenty one. I’m a mother of a son who wanted to join the Royal Marines, now also a grandmother of grandsons too.I felt for her.

This lady’s pain, and anger with the speaker was because there are ‘good and honest’ people living in Israel too who are not represented by the decisions of the politicians, but who are not heard. They too long for peace with all their heart.

It made me realize that when we give our support wholeheartedly, but to one side of any given situation that is not our own, with the best will in the world we can only ever understand it as an outsider. As peace-keepers or peace-makers surely we serve best when we listen carefully, respecting all arguments as valid, take into account all people, all sides and all feelings objectively, to try and see the bigger picture, consciously... and with love. 

Is your service as a peace maker complete? You know what they say? Are you alive? Then it’s not finished yet!

Shalom, peace and love to everyone,

Chrissie

Let's Co-operate to Co-create!

I'm loving the Olympics!
Well, those bits I'm watching anyway. I'm enjoying the races, the excitement, the mutual respect for players, participants and those behind the scenes, the drive toward excellence and the emotion of success, the joy and cheering of the crowds, and the wonderfully evident mutual support and co-operation within the teams.
You might not be surprised that I'm immediately seeing a resemblance here to the Heavenly realms; "As above so below".
My understanding is that we incarnate into soul groups, perhaps taking a different role in each re-incarnation so that our soul has many different experiences by living through various versions of the human life process within the group. I also have an awareness of different angels and guides working with us as our mentors, guides, protectors and ... if you like our team leaders, managers and coaches. From channelled explanations given by the Masters and Archangels we are coming to the realisation that we choose the role we will play and the lessons we need, together with the service we wish to give to humanity, and then along with all the other 'members of our team' we find ourselves in our personal corporeal life situation.
I don't really believe in coincidences. I feel that we co-create our reality and just as we understand that absolutely everything is interconnected it follows that we create our experiences through  the energy we radiate and the power of our thoughts. We co-create in conjunction with the Universe (God, the angels, Ascended Masters, Holy spirit what ever or who ever that may be).
The success of the recent book and film 'The Secret', really is no secret at all... we do get what we wish for! Our thoughts create, what we give we receive, we reap what we sow. God wants nothing more than for us to excel at what we choose to do, to be the very best that we can be, our 'team' is willing us to succeed and the angels love us so much they are cheering us on wishing only joy for us. The only thing that ever lets us down is that negative creep fear!

Yes, I'm loving the Olympics! For me it illustrates the best of us. It exemplifies our ability to exceed our own limitations, to be successful and humble at the same time, and to work together in co-operation in the true sense of 'team spirit'. To be supportive of one another, cheering each other on.

Whenever we create a new venture whether it be a game, sport, or piece of work, we also manifest an angelic helper purely for that (whatever your venture may be). The more love, enthusiasm and positive energy we put into the project or venture ourselves, the more the spirit of the angelic helper grows too. Imagine a genie type figure rising from the centre of the group, exactly like the one portrayed in Disney's 'Aladin' but full of pure love and encouragement and guiding your intuitive processes towards success. Of course this is only a visual aid but I wouldn't be at all surprised if Walt Disney had some mystical insight into the 'Genie' (angel) at work with him throughout his many years of success!

Come on, Let's GO! This is 2012 and we are well into the new Aquarian Age. It's a time for growth of community, equality, communication, humanitarianism, and success through co-operation. Let's help one another to discover what we can do best, then nurture that gift towards excellence with love and mutual support. I'm going for gold... are you up for it too?

Why Retreats are food for the Soul

In June or September each year I have been running my Angels Abroad retreat in West Crete. I always enjoy it.  I always learn from it. I meet wonderful people some of whom are new to me and others are old friends. But the main thing about these retreats is the experience of sharing spiritual growth and healing. For the teacher or facilitator the weeks contain hours of preparation and planning, which when done successfully come across as relaxed and easy going... after all everyone is on holiday aren't they?

People come along with different needs and expectations. For some the whole idea of a retreat, or a spiritual holiday is new. Many participants, over the years, have brought pain to be healed, dis-ease to be addressed and issues that need releasing. In the safe space, relaxed atmosphere and expert guidance of a retreat we can look within ourselves with more clarity, more depth and hopefully more honesty.
Without exception I can honestly say that over the twelve years I have been teaching lovely people on my Angel retreat in Crete (and sometimes twice a year) I have always deepened my own growth and understanding while supporting others along their own self discovery. After all, as I keep saying: 'the teacher often teaches what the teacher needs to learn'!

This year was no exception and I had some amazing spiritually uplifting moments while we were visiting the sacred caves of the hermits and sacred areas in the rocks which have now been built into churches. In one beautiful modern church I was standing under the light of the stained glass window and felt a powerful presence which was overwhelming.  When my friend Juliet showed me the photo she had taken we remarked on how the green light had fallen across my heart chakra and the red light towards the sacral and root.  Quite a powerful healing gift I would say!
Others felt something similar and many of the group either sat silently, not wanting to leave, or wandered between the icons with tears in their eyes. There was something special happening throughout the morning, which although we could not explain in words, we all felt in individual ways.

Group retreats are always different. Dynamics can change depending on the character and personality of each of the participants, but whether peaceful, challenging, demure or hilarious each retreat is always another step towards our spiritual goal... and always, without exception, nourishment for the soul.

So, just what is 'karma' to you and me?

Having experienced many challenges (haven't most of us?) during my current lifetime, as a younger person I would question what kind of life I must have led in the past to be going through so much angst in this one! It has been only during the last twenty years that the understanding of 'co-creating' your reality has begun to really sink in. Even now I sometimes step back and reflect on whether I truly understand the process of karma... the idea that perhaps lessons or patterns from one life time can be brought into another. I certainly notice 'instant karma' happening all around me in this life time. Actions of kindness or otherwise coming bouncing back. The concept of actually creating our on-going life experiences and the phrases: 'do as you would be done by' and  'you reap what you sow' actually begin to make sense. I believe only as we waken to our full conscious self, becoming more spiritually mature, can we put the understanding into practice. And that can be at any age not just old age!

Why is it that some people just don't get it? Our thoughts and our words, our actions (however good or bad) effect other people. We even use the terminology in our language, 'what goes around comes around". Like boomerangs... they return to us and if they don't hit us on the head may whistle closely by our ears and make us jump! We know this. It can hurt.

For a long time I have been teaching the idea that 'energy follows thought'. The understanding of how potent our thoughts are, that just as we create positive experiences and happy times when we give positive energy to our day to day activities, our negative thoughts, expressions and actions do exactly the same.
When arguments are going on around us, or if we become involved too, we do not have to be psychic to feel positive or negative 'vibes' from people, it is in the air! Just as our blessings, our love, compassion and positive energy is also picked up by others too. None of us are perfect (and goodness knows I certainly have a long way to go!) but as soon as we become aware that we are judging unfairly, using negative or derogatory language, or acting in an unjust manner to someone.... let's make a determined effort to stop.

The archangel Zadkiel, and the Ascended Master Saint Germaine have given us one of the most powerful tools for transforming negative thought into positive energy: The Violet Flame. By imagining a beautiful violet light, or flame, surrounding us with healing transformative energy and then really allowing ourselves to let go of our negative thoughts, we can move into a much more positive frame of mind. Often we also feel much lighter and the negative situation we found ourselves in becomes easier and clearer to resolve.Particularly if we are also able to transcend the negative behaviour patterns and accept the situation/challenge as a gift, a catalyst offering us the chance to change.

When I had my own 'epiphany' and started running workshops to teach others how to connect with their angels I was so very happy that I sent loving thoughts to everyone I passed by in the street. I would travel on London's underground silently sending love to everyone in the carriage, then throughout the whole train, then on each platform as I travelled through town. The more I sent loving blessings to everyone, the happier I felt. That was a long time ago, and I no longer travel on the underground very often. But I do have to sit in traffic jams on motorways, and sometimes I like to do the same exercise through the line of waiting cars.

I have just recently had a birthday, and a good friend bought me a book I have been waiting to read. The Gentle Art of Blessing by Pierre Pradervand. I've been re-visiting the art of blessing others as part of my  daily spiritual practice and even while I sit doing my work. I have to admit it has given me a huge surge of renewed positive energy!

All the great teachers throughout our world religions have taught us to bless our enemies, to offer loving kindness and compassion even to those who may wish us harm. Our loving thoughts are a thousand times more powerful. By blessing and wishing others well we all have the opportunity to raise our vibration, to heal situations, challenging behaviour and our health. Let's get blessing... if nothing else it's going to create good karma!

My love and blessings in abundance to everyone,
Chrissie

Love-hearts, Pancakes & Lent

For some reason, and possibly because it can be wet, dark and dismal, February has been considered a dreary month. It certainly frequently brings the snow to either inspire us with sheer white sparkling beauty, or chill us through, but love it or hate it snow is hardly boring, and very bright. In our village the snow brought out faces I don't think I'd ever seen before. Families were out with sledges, people were clearing footpaths and shovels were swinging all over the place! A real sense of good hearted community spirit was shared.

Valentine's Day greets us in the middle of the month flooding the shops with pink and red love-hearts hoping to remind us not to forget to send roses and sweet words to those we love. We may have forgotten the origins of Saint Valentine's, when a young maiden may have seen the face of her future husband in the mirror, and to cynics it's rather commercial, but to the romantic it warms the cockles of our heart. Whether we want to express our love in card form or otherwise it is a perfect opportunity to remember that the words 'I love you' are so very important. Love is the most important driving force in human beings. I believe it always as been, as this quote from scriptures from the Essenes, written over two thousand years ago shows: "...For without Love, a man's heart is parched and cracked as the bottom of a dry well, and his words are empty as a hollow gourd. But loving words are as a honeycomb sweet to the soul; loving words in a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of love as a flowing brook. By this we know the Children of Light: as those who walk with the Angel of Love".... Seen as a Divine virtue shared by God and the angels then, and I hope it always will be.

Then how can we forget Shrove Tuesday, a delightful day of batter mix and pancake tossing. Golden pancakes in all shapes and sizes consumed by the plate load, laced with sugar and dripping with lemon juice. Possibly followed by the reluctant deprivation of chocolate, biscuits or other goodies, for Lent.
I think most of us remember the pancakes on Shrove Tuesday part. But I wonder if we all remember, or even know, the Christian ritual of Lent, of clearing out the larder, so that they could live on less until Easter... of giving something up and focus on 'not having' something for the sake of faith.

Many years ago I joined in a month of spiritual practices with a group from the local church where I lived in London's East End. Each week we chose a topic of focus rather than give up chocolate , biscuits or alcohol. We decided to concentrate on four themes, one for each week. These were inner peace, kindness, meditation, and letting go of grudges held against others. It seems to me that it may have been a little more meaningful to me at the time than giving up a few biscuits! I think of it each year. I never give up chocolate for Lent. I always try to focus more on kindness throughout the month though.

Then tailing on the end of the month, last but not least, is the significant extra day of a Leap year when all those poor babies who would otherwise forego a birthday celebration get to enjoy their specialness of having been born on the elusive 29th! And, not forgetting the magic of this traditional day when women get to propose marriage to their lover.

So actually this boring little month of February, is not insignificant in the slightest even though it lies in the heart of the dark days of Winter. Personally I love the snowdrops, the birdsong in the fields as I'm walking with my dog on frosty cold day, choosing a Valentine card with just the right words.... and celebrating the birthday each year of my lovely daughter. Yes I do believe February has quite a lot going for it after all.

With all my Love, Chrissie

Struck by Lightening

Hi, Do you read lots of wonderful spiritual books, take courses, download uplifting messages, learn therapies and still feel occasionally that you are not quite up to the mark? So do I. I often joke with other spiritual teachers and colleagues about that one great fear within most of us as human beings, aware of our frailties and faults, is that one day we will be 'found out'... and that the world will see that actually we know very little.

Here in this little picture of the angel of knowledge, you are urged not to believe everything as true, but to take only the inspiration and enlightened words from the books you read and allow the wisdom of your own discernment to take from it that which is true for you, and your own soul resonance.

I recently woke with a channelled confirmation that what I have been noticing around me for the last couple of years is undoubtably true. Not only is everything quickening, speed of life, instant communication, the Earth's revolutions, ... but also our psychic awareness is sharpening so rapidly now, on a mega-scale. Given the right practices I honestly believe that humanity will be able to communicate telepathically between dimensions (as we used to many many lifetimes ago), ... perhaps even within my current lifetime! How exciting.

But I want to share with you a recent mystical and enlightening revelation.
First I need to explain that since the late '90s my entire teaching & writing career has been driven by inspired thoughts and what I believe to be Divine guidance. At the same time unintentionally, as with all teachers, I have been developing and enhancing my personal self-discovery and growth. I do believe that all of us are remembering and developing those aspects of Divinity we seem to intuitively know on an inexplicably deep level. I've always admitted light-heartedly that 'The teacher teaches what the teacher needs to know'.

Last week was the third in my series of online seminars on the Discovering the Seven Archangels, and we were all concentrating on strengthening and understanding our connection with the Archangel energies of Michael.

(During a healing atunement several years ago, in Crete, I was shown that I work very closely with the two Divine Beings we know as Michael and Jesus. These two Beings create the over-lighting presence I feel at the start of most of my workshops and talks, and although I cannot usually 'see' them myself are very often reported by clairvoyant members of the audience.....)

About half way through the seminar I began to feel the unmistakable presence of an over-lighting energy which was filling my body causing me to sway slightly. Certain aspects of the talk I had planned changed in emphasis and I found it extraordinarily difficult to concentrate because everything was surrounded in light and strangely I seemed to be growing in size! Yes, it was difficult to sleep. The next morning I still carried the energy and light from the previous evening and in the early morning light I lit my usual meditation candle only to find that I couldn't sit on the chair. I had the uncontrollable urge to stand with my feet apart and hands raised at my sides with palms facing upwards... I had no thoughts, my usual prayers and morning communion with the angels was completely taken over by the sensation burning through my body as I seemed to grow ten, twenty, forty feet high. Easily as tall as the massive conifer outside my window. I realised that I was being shown, as a physical experience, what I must teach next. In order to step up to the mark and into the Light we have to 'Be' the Light, step into it, allow it to completely enfold us, and as we absorb it into our essence we become at one with the Divine, the angels, the Oneness, the All that Is.....and within that fraction of a second within the Light of our being we will receive all the guidance, all the love, and the healing, all the wisdom, joy and peace there is available to us. From God.

In that moment of communion within the Light I heard no verbal message of wisdom, no music filled my ears, no healing vibration coursed through my hands, yet I absolutely recognised what I as being given.... and all I had to do was let go and trust.

Now all I need to do is pass this message on..... hm, now where do I start with that? Wish me luck!


Lots all my love, and angel blessings
Chrissie, xxx

Happy New Year!

Well here we are on the brink of the most talked about year since we tipped into the new millennium.

During 2011 we have had dynamic discussions, scary suppositions, pie-in-the-sky predictions, an assortment of assumptions and dreary deductions. We've heard Mayan mathematical mumblings, archangel channellings, and mystical imaginings. Yet, in reality (that's in my own illusion of reality you understand) no-one can accurately predict what is about to happen in 2012, except for the items currently in the news and that happens to be in the mundane, material and far from mystical world of the media, and of course the Olympics!

One thing I do know however, is that in my world, my illusional reality, everything has speeded up. I feel a sense of urgency, a slightly uneasy quickening. My life has moved into an even faster pace and I'm not sure whether I find it exciting or daunting - if I'm being truly honest!

I feel there is truth in the suggestion that 2012 (particularly 21/12/2012) completes a grid- a mathematical grid - which enables our entire planetary system and all it's sentient inhabitants to raise consciousness, and yet I see such polarity in our humanity that I struggle to maintain a sense of inner peace and joy. I'm not miserable, don't misunderstand me, I haven't lost my sense of humour and my heart is filled with compassion and the unquenchable desire to learn, serve and co-create a paradise (possibly lost, possibly not yet found) here on Earth. As I write this and the gorgeous pink and purple sunset appears through my office window on the very last eve of the year, I not only feel connected to what I call both worlds ( that of the Earthly Mother and the planet and also of the Divine and the angelic realms)... I am inspired to look closer at the ways I can move forward and really step up to the mark. I am urged to make a difference, and that must start with me!

Rather than fill my head with New Year resolutions (which I may or may not be able to keep) e.g. trying to be tidier, more organised, keep to the diary, lose a little weight, join a fitness regime, eat less chocolate, drink less alcohol and coffee, and so on... I think I'm going to make a real attempt to work harder on really letting go of painful memories, of trulyforgiving those who wound me, and practice with more complete awarenessthose aspects of spirituality I am teaching others.

Helping others is a wonderful gift, especially when it is how one makes a living. How much more effective we would all be if we realized and fully understood in our humanness the implications of what we have 'signed up' for, at a soul level. In my case I often laugh with my closest associates that 'the teacher teaches what the teacher needs to learn'.

We have 23 days until the new moon. Those who work with the moon energies understand that the waning moon is the best and most effective time to 'let go' of issues, doubts and bad habits. Those who work with angels know that Gabriel is the angel of the moon. Let's call in Gabriel, Archangel of communication, peace, joy, co-creation and new beginnings ... to help us with our shadows... to help us to let go over the next three weeks, so that the strength and resolve we need to really make the difference we long to see in the world will begin to happen with each of us individually by the New Moon at the 23rd of January.

As the sun goes down on the end of another year, and as the moon wanes and takes with her the 'old'... what will you let go of?
How will you step up to the mark for 2012? You and I might not be Olympians, but let's be champions anyway!

I wish you everything you wish for yourself in the coming New Year. May the vibration of 2012 enable wise and compassionate choices in your life, may you feel, give and receive all the love your heart will hold, and may you be a leading light in whatever Divine plan is about to unfold.

With all my love,
Happy New Year!

Chrissie

Up to Speed

So much happened last month that my feet hardly touched the ground!
The most memorable has to be the Glastonbury 11-11-11 retreat, where 33 of us joined for an event which was A-maz-ing!

Having created a sacred space on land where there is an energy portal we ceremoniously let go and detached from unhelpful patterns to welcome and create space in our energy bodies for a higher vibration; we followed the Michael & Mary ley lines to the intersection where everyone in the group spontaneously stood in a circle and chanted 'Aums' which echoed and reverberated all around Glastonbury Abbey ruins; we held a beautiful candle lighting ceremony to the angels of Peace, Joy, Love, Service and Power; followed by a silent meal by candle light where we all wore white. If that wasn't enough we had a wonderful past life meditation ( in which I saw myself swimming with whales) and as a group transformed and lifted our conscious awareness to a higher level, assisted and guided by a whole team of angelic beings (photographed as orbs of different sizes all around the room).

One of the ceremonies we performed on the gardens at the Abbey House called in the Archangels Metatron, Sandolphon, Raphael, Michael, Gabriel & Uriel and the elements of air, water, fire, earth and ether. We called for the elementals of the land and trees, and blessings of the Earthly Mother & Heavenly Father as we connected bodily in a symbolic gesture stretching our arms outwards as we connected with the constellations and the stations or sefiroth of the Kabbala. Just as we finished our ceremony with Peter saying the Lord's prayer in Aramaic we had magically synchronised with the ringing of the church bells and sound of The Last Post playing in the Market Square. It was an incredibly moving experience... settled only by a mass of hugs! What a weekend to remember.

Do you hear the Call? 11-11-11

Warm Greetings to Everyone,

Can you feel the buzz, the excitement, the sense of urgency? People all over the world are feeling a stir in their heart. It's is amazing how a few numbers stirs such a reaction. Why are we more excited about this particular year than any other, even a remembrance day some may ask? The answer is that we are being called to move from our small selves into our true Divine self.

The number 11 in Pythagorean numerology denotes mastery of the primary number One, which represents the 'Will of God'. When there are three of anything, there is an emphasis which becomes deeply spiritual in nature. Whether it is people - as in prayer triangles (representing the Holy Trinity), numbers, letters, sounds, prayers or chants everything repeated three times creates a mystical quality, even magical. Imagine the power being created energetically by repeating the Master number 11 three times on one day! Even if you don't buy into the numerology itself the excitement being passed on from person to person is creating a wave of energy which builds the enthusiasm within us to open our hearts and minds to endless possibilities of change and transformation.

We are urgently being called. By the angelic realms, by the Masters, by Universal and Cosmic energies that many do not yet understand, to raise our vibration. Not only our personal vibration but that of the whole of humanity. We are being called to change, to step up to the mark, to make a difference, to become the true Beings of Love and Light we really are.

There are some beautiful channelled writings, in particularly from Patricia Cota-Robles (www.eraofpeace.org) which many of you will have already seen, (and if not do take a look at her web site) and I don't intend to add or duplicate these. In brief they describe the grid which runs across the Earth, rather like the meridians in acupuncture, and as many organizations and groups gather in prayer and meditation on this special day we have the opportunity to create centres of concentrated energy, portals which will open, anchoring the Light all over our planet.

Even if you are unable to join a group physically because of other work or family commitments I would like to invite everyone to stop for a while, if not at at 11 am then some point on the 11th, tomorrow, whatever you are doing.

You do not have to take part in a group ceremony to make a difference. Breathe deeply, tune in to your inner calm self, and whether you feel the connection with the Universe, or God, or nature, the angels, the elements or not - just breathe love into your heart. As you breathe love in and out through your heart perhaps you feel a sense of readiness to offer your self in service to humanity, to God, to the greater good. Hold that thought for a few minutes, however long you like maybe even eleven?
None of us is too small or insignificant to make a difference. By doing so you will be part of something so great it cannot possibly be measured in human terms.

Together let's create a loving desire to co-create a harmonious and peaceful world.

My love and blessings in abundance,

Chrissie xx

Green lakes, connections and pine trees.

Wow, what a busy couple of months! September was such an exciting month for me with the launch of my new book, whizzing up and down the motorways giving talks and book signings in Lytham and Manchester full of my usual enthusiasm to share. I met up with some lovely people, reconnected with friends and had a great time.

Giving out one's own energy can be exhausting, especially when we are travelling too. It is really important to stay centred and protected and I always use my driving time to listen to uplifting music and contemplate my spiritual direction as well as the road ahead. Of course it is tiring, and as I get older I find that it takes a few extra days to recover but I'm blessed by wonderful nurturing friends, and also by belonging to a group of Spiritual Educator Companions who are all well versed in supporting spiritual energy. So I enjoyed meeting up with them in London to discuss plans for more Holistic courses and spreading the Spiritual Companions project upwards and outwards through programmes in Personal & Spiritual Development. I will be producing my own version in line with the Spiritual companion values. (http://www.spiritualcompanions.org) Watch this space for new courses coming up in 2012!

One of the hi-lights of my personal professional development during September was a full day seminar given by the fascinating Dolores Cannon. One of the well respected matriarchs in esoteric authorship she spoke in great depth and length about her experiences with past-life regression, healing and the Essenes. This, as you may know, covers two of my passions and I was delighted to be given the opportunity to speak for a few moments about my involvement in the Essene Network International. It was a great day, and I enjoyed making new connections. In true Essene style I could not help but notice the synchronicity during the day as it evolved between my friends and I, how deeply our roots connect, and how far our branches spread!

Then after all the rushing about, ... Bliss! A two week escape to the Taurus mountains in Turkey. We stayed in the holiday home of dear friends in the tranquility of my favourite type of surroundings: pine clad mountains with a breath-taking view of mountains and valleys and a spectacular green lake. We were graced by the presence of an eagle, a kingfisher and the largest heron I have ever seen, as we slowly motored down the silent green river in the valley. We watched the sunsets colour the sky all shades of rose in the evenings and even enjoyed the thrill and spectacle of one of the fiercest electrical storms I have ever witnessed... then back to normality as we enjoyed the fun of bartering in the markets, or simply lying by the pool during the day. I made a complete fool of myself thinking I could still ride a horse (a huge challenge for me and the poor horse, as I'd completely forgotten that the last time I went horse riding was in 1978!!) and I also forgot I don't like sitting in a canoe, (hm, must make a mental note not to squeal at the foot of a ravine - it echoes!)... but I loved sampling all the flavours of Turkish delight and sipping hot apple tea, and strolling by the river in the nearby town of Dalyan, and next time I will definitely try the mountain top hang-gliding.... I'd definitely rather fly than float.
The whole experience was absolutely wonderful, in fact so much so that I have decided to run my next retreat from there. Maybe you'll join me?

Enjoy your October,
I'm sending my love and angel blessings,

Chrissie xx

Essene Ministry

During the wonderful week at the annual Summer Gathering of the Essene Network International (ENI) - which is always full of shared experiences of calm, peace, great healing, love and laughter, I was invited and invested as a new minister. It was one of the most life-affirming of experiences and one which I shall treasure close to my heart for the rest of my life. I thought I would share it with you.

On the evening of the Silent Meal the group always dress in white, and the dining room is set with many tea-lights, fresh flowers and a gorgeous array of colourful fresh food ready for sharing of our mindful and silent meal of awareness and appreciation. Before and after beautiful ceremonial words are read by the celebrants, calling in the angels of the Heavenly Father and Earthly Mother, together with the elements of air, fire, water, ether and earth. It is a very beautiful ceremony and one enjoyed by all our participants especially new ones who may not have experienced a silent meal before.

After the meal everyone moved to a circle of chairs and I was seated in the centre. The two remaining founding members of the ENI, who are both ordained Essene ministers of over twenty years, stood one in front, Anne MacEwen, and created part of the circle, and the other behind me with hands on my shoulders. Anne spoke beautifully about all her years as a minister within the network and it's original founding with Sir George Travelyan, based on the teachings of Jeshua (Jesus) and the way of the Essenes and explained to the group that since the passing of Brian Stevenson, a co-founder and well-loved Chairman, it was time to invite another minister. I was asked if I would be willing to accept this role and the group were asked if they would accept me. All of us said yes! And one of the lively even members shouted Mazaltov!

The minister behind me, Jackie Stevenson, spoke of my role within the network and invited blessings from the angels to bless and assist me further, and then said a beautiful prayer. It was incredibly moving and I cannot begin to express the feelings I experienced, especially at the end of the ceremony when Peter recited the Aramaic version of the Lord's Prayer. There are several translations here is one for you:

ABWOON

D’BWASHMAYA

NETHQADASH SHMAKH

TEYTEY MALKUTHAKH

NEYWEY TZEVYANACH AYKANNA D’BWASHMAYA APH B’ARHA

HAWVLAN LACHMA D’SUNGANAN YEOMANA

WASHBOGLAN KHAUBAYN AYKANNA DAPH KHNAN SHBWOGAN L’KHAYYABAYN

WELA TAHLAN L’NESYUNA

ELA PATZAN MIN BISHA

METOL DILAKTIE MALKUTHA WAHAYLA WATESHBUKHTA L’AHLAM ALMIN
AMEYN


Through the Breath of our Father/Mother God

May the Divine shine everywhere in All that Is

Let us make a Shrine in our hearts

And unite with our Mother the Earth

Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven

Give us the Bread of Understanding according to our needs this day and every day

Shine upon and disperse our shortcomings as we forgive and forget the shortcomings of others

Don’t let us embrace that which is false

Or behave inappropriately

From you is born all power and life, the song to beautify all.

For Thine is the essential goodness of all Creation, our Mother Earth, the Life Force, the rejoicing from age to age.

Amen - True Power to these statements - may they be the source from which all my actions grow.

Flaming June

Hello friends,
I don't know where June went really, it flashed by like whirlwind, a flicker of light, and probably because as usual it was packed with activity. But much of the activity this month has been, for me, thought provoking, inspiring and beautiful.

It started with a week in Wales for a few days of much needed rest time, but as usual even though I seemed to spend time sitting, we still packed it with 'things to do'.
We visited castles all over north Wales but especially liked the one in Conwy with its high towers (in tact) and views all around of mountains and water ways, roads and bridges. We climbed and walked round city walls walking all the way round Chester, and spent a day at Portmeirion enjoying the weird and wonderful architecture. We visited with a friend in Anglesea and were shown amazing views across the sea. We even climbed mount Snowdon (even though my stamina levels dropped and I caught the train back down again).
But my favourite in all of the days out was a coastal walk by the edge of the sea on a glorious day with a bright blue sky and a gentle breeze refreshing us as we strolled through a wooded path with the sand and sea to one side of us and fabulous old trees on the other. As we climbed our way up the incline and further into the woods the smell of the woodland was gorgeous, and energy from the trees was clearly tangible, we were walking on a very powerful Ley line. Tree after ancient tree was forked from the near its base creating massive double trunks wherever we looked. Fascinating evidence of the natural power in the land beneath our feet as we followed a pathway parallel to the river estuary. (My mother has followed Ley lines all over the world and so the signs are very familiar to me.)
My personal interest is not so much in the energy under my feet but the beauty and power of the trees themselves. When my children were small we used to find the faces on each tree as we walked through the wooded park to their primary school and I would always stop and speak to my favourites on my way home again. That was before I knew of the healing attributes of trees, and that the popular Bach remedies contain the essence of many trees for self healing, or that the Essenes believed that the tree is truly our brother. I simply always loved trees!

It is not hard to understand the relationship between us and our brother, the tree. Our arms like the great boughs reach outward and upwards to heaven, our bodies upright like the trunk, and our feet always remain firmly on the ground. Our 'roots' in every cell of our body contain all the minerals and nutrients of Mother Earth herself, and our blood supply and nervous system run through our body and limbs in exactly the same way as the sap flows within the tree. No wonder so many of the cultures of our world venerate the tree and have founded some of their religious and cultural beliefs on the wonder and magnificence of The Tree of Life with its branches majestically yearning towards God and roots penetrating down into the ground anchoring, taking nourishment from and embracing Mother Earth, their body, the trunk, a conduit of energy between earth and heaven. Just like us, except that we can spread our energy wherever we go, and are much much smaller!

As I now regularly practice the Essene communions with the Earthly Mother, the Heavenly Father and the angels I am always reminded of the words within the Monday communion to the Angel of Life..."Go then toward the high growing trees, And before one of them which is beautiful, high-growing and mighty, say these words: 'Hail to the! O good living tree, made by the Creator!' Then shall the River of Life flow between you and your brother, the tree..."
At the retreat centre, St Katharine's of Parmoor, where our Essene Summer Gathering is held every alternate year, there is a huge Cedar of Lebanon tree standing in the grounds reputed to have been brought as a seed by the Knights Templar and has grown and remains growing there for centuries. These great Cedars are said to hold the energy of a portal between us and other realms and during our stay we tried dowsing for the enormous parameter of its aura..... ah, now there's a topic for another blog!!

Have a great 'tree-filled' Summer!

God Bless,
With love,
Chrissie

Marriage, commitments, and May

Greetings from my extraordinarily untidy and overwhelmingly disorganised office!

This last month has been very very busy... but not necessarily with all the right kinds of business. Though if we believe that everything is in Divine order (except my desk) doesn't that mean that whatever was occupying my time, was the right thing to be doing?

Granted, I had decided to take it easy for a little while to be kind to myself following the passing of my father in April... but once I decided to start working again everything and anything seemed to catch my attention... except the backlog of work piling up intimidatingly in every square inch of my office!

It all started with the distractions of the royal wedding of Prince William and his lovely bride Catherine. Wasn't it glorious, beautiful, loving and romantic, and from the simple bouquet of myrtle, lily of the valley and sweet william, to the tree lined Westminster Abbey - from their choice of music, lyrics of the hymns to the dedicated self-penned prayers it was so very personal and spiritual in its symbolism. I loved it, didn't you?

The wedding reminded me not just of my own wedding in April two years ago, but of the symbolic marriage of partnership in our spiritual life between ourselves and God,- or perhaps between our physical self and higher self -, of our soul's purpose and commitment in service to God, and in return a promise of never ending unconditional, immeasurable love.

Very often during meditation and guided visualisation, when I take people to meet their guardian angels, participants will receive a ring or bracelet, a necklace or beautiful belt and ask me what that means. All of these symbols represent an acceptance of commitment and the symbolic marriage of the two parties. Not in a human sense of marriage between us and the angels, but as a representation of total love and acceptance- at a soul level- of both sides - ourselves and our divine guides,... a commitment to serve one another in complete harmony and with integrity, devotion and mutual trust.

I don't know about you but the wedding made me cry. Weddings always do. I'm not sure why it pierces my heart. But in this instance I was reminded of my own vows, not only in my physical human marriage, but also of my commitment many years ago to serve God, Christ and the angels, wherever I am and in what ever circumstances I may find myself. It's good to be reminded of that commitment, and create the right affirmations that I may re-focus on the road ahead, being mindful (re-minding myself) at every opportunity with humour and light-hearted attention detail...

And in all that dedication to serve and connecting to the beauty of nature around me, attending to the garden, the children and grandchildren, writing newsletters and articles, planning talks and workshops, nurturing friendship and the extended family, supporting course students, answering emails, my husband, my study and research, walking the dog, keeping up with my website, meditation and prayer, distant healing, the organisations I now belong to, texting, blogging and tweeting, promoting my new book, may I find the time and commitment to sort out my desk!! ...

Wishing you a wonderful month of love and peaceful dreams,

Chrissie xx

Tribute to Fred Astell

FredAstell's physical body died and his spirit passed over to the light on 29th March 2011.
It was my birthday. He was there when I entered the world, and I was with him as he left it. There was half a century and more during which we hardly saw one another, but I adored him. The following was my tribute to him at his funeral in Keswick, Cumbria on 5th April. My sister Stella also read her personal tribute to her beloved father too. It was very moving, and very beautiful.

"When I was a child my dad seemed a big, magical man who laughed loudly, and whistled, and swung me high above his head. He filled my visits with adventures and created wonderful memories for me - then later he delighted in doing the same for my children, his grandson Daniel, and his granddaughter Claire.

My dad spent over half a century following his sacred inner guidance and saved many a soul's despair with his immeasurable kindness, his gifts of healing and good humour - and often at great personal cost.

Dad's passion for life came from his intimate knowledge and experience of the power of God's love which came to him through his friend and saviour Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the mystical visions and guidance of the angels.

Since I became an adult, for thirty years dad has been my spiritual counsellor and mentor. He has enthusiastically encouraged me in finding my own soul purpose. Together we interpreted many of my own visions and explored the ways in which I too could spread the message of love. The one legacy he hoped to leave me was an understanding and personal experience of God's promise of eternal and unconditional love."

This is dad's favourite version of Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 13, taken from The Living Bible:-


If I had the gift of being able to speak in other languages without learning them, and could speak in every language there is in all of heaven and earth,… but didn’t love others, I would only be making noise.
If I had the gift of prophecy and knew all about what is going to happen in the future, knew anything about everything, but didn’t love others, what good would it do? Even if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, I would still be worth nothing at all without love. If I gave everything I had to the poor, and if I were burned alive for preaching the Gospel but didn’t have love for others, it would be of no value whatever.

Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love doesn’t demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges, and it will hardly even notice when others do it wrong.
It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost, always expect the best of him and always stand your ground defending him.
All the special gifts from God will someday come to an end, but love… goes on forever. Someday prophecy, and speaking in unknown languages, and special knowledge – these gifts will disappear.
Now we know so little, even with our special gifts, and the preaching of those most gifted is still so poor. But when we have been made perfect and complete, then the need for these inadequate special gifts will come to an end, and they will disappear.
It’s like when I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I became a man my thoughts grew far beyond those of my childhood, and now I have put away childish things. In the same way, we can see and understand only a little about God now, as if we were peering at his reflection in a poor mirror; but someday we are going to see him in his completeness, face to face. Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God sees into my heart right now.
There are three things that remain forever – faith, hope and love… and the greatest of these is love.


With my love to you,

Chrissie xx

Angel Guidance, on a clear & beautiful day.

Hi,
I found this among some papers while I was searching for something else. I remember writing it clearly while practising automatic writing and found it very moving. I read it again to myself just now and found that it still inspires me. Clearly at the time it was a personal message to me.
In the absence of anything better to say today I feel like inspired to share it with you. Because, you never know, it might have been whispered to me..... for you too!

Dear you,

"You are a beautiful, loveable soul.
You are responsible for your own choices but you needn't make them from a place of insecurity or uncertainty.

You are always guided with wisdom and love.
Focus and tune into your soul. To the essence of who you really are not what you feel others expect you to be.

In your inner being you have great wisdom.
When you are still, when you trust your self, when you tune your soul to the greater One of which we are all a part... then the answers to whatever you quest will be found.

Go deep within yourself. Trust the faces you see. Trust the sense of inner knowing that you have developed through the years.

Over many lifetimes and many journeys you have travelled. Each lifetime has taught you much about yourself and your world.
You do not need others to affirm your value. Your journeying has led you to this place. Now stop for a moment and take stock of the knowing, for yourself.

You are not alone. Even in your loneliness you are not alone.

Follow your heart. Never be afraid that you may be misled by it.

Fear is not a necessary requirement for life. It is an experience that you have felt in many places and in many lifetimes but it has only brought you pain.
Harness your strength, your courage. Trust yourself and be the person you know that you truly are.

You are so loved.
You are a precious child of the Universe.
You chose to be here.
You chose service.
You will succeed in playing your part."

With my love, and many angel blessings,

Chrissie

Valentine's wishes

Hello friends,

It’s an exciting time of preparation and hard work for many of us.

I write to you on a beautiful sunny morning with a blue cloudless sky gloriously smiling through my office window having just returned from walking my dog Daisy through the woods. The woodpeckers are busy tapping, snowdrops are appearing in cheery green and white bunches at the base of some of the trees. At the edge of the wood stands a pair of Hazel trees adorned with bright yellow catkins and as we walked towards them to admire their delicate beauty to my absolute delight and fascination I stood and watched hundreds of little brown bees creating bright yellow velvet ‘trousers’ of fresh wild pollen on their tiny back legs. The sound of harmonious music from their unified drone was magical. As I walked back to the gate of my cottage a pair of turtle-necked doves greeted me from the fence. Magical!

So,… the flowers are pushing through, the birds are pairing up, the bees are busy again… it is that time of year when the first touches of the onset of Spring fills me with awe and wonder at the generosity our Earthly Mother.

It is also that time of year again when the shops are full of bright red love hearts, black and red Valentine’s cards, and the price of carnations and red roses doubles! A time of ‘Love in the air’, and a reason perhaps to add a little extra romance to our lives.

The symbol of the heart can never, in my opinion, be over used. Have you noticed how many symbols of ‘love’ and sweethearts are being used as home and shop decorations at the moment, with or without a connection to Saint Valentine?
Symbols carry the energy of whatever it is they represent, and in this case we are choosing, inadvertently, to fill our homes with love by following a recent popular fashion of interior design. How wonderful. The universe wins again!

But what if low self esteem, or painful past experiences prevents you from feeling the ‘love in the air’… perhaps there is a sense of deep regret, loss, or rejection you are unable to release? The answer is to join in. Choose to feel loved, and to be loving anyway. Think pink! Buy yourself some pink roses, pop a rose quartz heart in your pocket, and call upon the angels to help you release any negative energy and help you to build your self esteem and self love once again.

Archangel Chamuel and the angels of love carry the essence of unconditional love. Take a few moments to call them close to you in your mind and thank them for always being there. Imagine a swirling pink mist approaching you, enfolding you and melting away any self-doubt and ‘anti-love’. Open your heart chakra as wide as you can. An open heart is essential on your journey of spiritual self discovery.
Always remember that you are loved completely, for who you are, by God and the angels, and you are encouraged to share unconditional love with everyone you meet. You might not send everyone flowers and cards, or even tell them you love them… but your love will shine through a smile,a gentle touch, a kind word, and your patience.
Love given unconditionally is the greatest gift of all, and the magic of love is that the more you share it around, the more it comes back to you!

Excuse me... I must dash off and buy a Valentine's card!

Love and blessings in abundance,

Chrissie

Stopped in my tracks!

Hi there lovely people,

Goodness....It is l most the end of January already.
Have you kept your resolutions... did you make any?

Every year I resolve to make changes of one type or another, but this year ( thanks to an extreme message from the angels) I am determined to. I have been shown that I really do need to listen to:
a) the kind advice of all my friends and family...
b) my own inner/higher knowing... and
c) the meaningful message of the universe/angels.

What am I talking about? Let me explain...

Yesterday was a normal busy day. I planned to deliver my last minute paperwork and talk things through with the kind person who is going to complete my January 31st tax return for me at 10.am.... meet my colleague Richard at 1pm to finalise the arrangements at the gorgeous venue for our new Masterclass Workshop in Stansted.... see a lovely lady for a one-to-one near by at 2.30.... drive down to London, select a new jacket with a returns voucher in a particular shop..... pop in to see my mother at 4pm, and then baby-sit for my son's children where I could meet my daughter for an hour too and later catch up on all my emails once the babies were asleep!

Not all of it fell into place as planned, and that was ok as these things happen. As I hurried down to London for the family commitments the oil light and STOP sign suddenly appeared on my control board. Knowing that to be an acute problem I drove straight to my mother's waited and checked the oil levels which, surprisingly, were fine. It gave me chance to have a nice cup of tea even if I had to forego a mini-shopping trip, and then I slammed down the bonnet, washed my hands and continued round to my son's ... minus the red light and with no need of oil.

Then....last night as I drove home late from baby-sitting my grandchildren, a weird accident happened. The bonnet of my little car flew open and smashed with a great 'bang' against the windscreen. Although the screen didn't smash I couldn't see a thing in front of me and had to pull over onto the hard shoulder and call the RAC to come out and help me as I couldn't force the bonnet back down myself.
(Lesson 1.... we cannot do everything ourselves and it's essential to have a support system lined up for those occasions where help is needed, even though sometimes it is hard to ask).

The loudness of the bang shocked me, and I panicked, slamming on my brakes, jolting my back. Although I wasn't hurt I observed that I got upset at the realisation that I might have caused an accident if anyone had been behind me.
(Lesson 2... it is perfectly normal to get upset sometimes and even to panic when things beyond our control shock us. This is not a sign of failure or weakness.)

As soon as I had called the rescue service out, the Highway Police arrived and told me that these cars are renowned for having a faulty bonnet catch...., he also kindly pointed out that I had pulled in by the side of one of their CCTV cameras, so that I was perfectly safe as I was on screen at their central office. I didn't feel at all vulnerable or unsafe but that was reassuring anyway.
(Lesson 3... trust that in all situations angels are 'watching over us' and even if we ever doubt it everything is for a reason.)

When the helpful RAC driver arrived and fixed the bonnet down with plastic ties, he reliably informed me that if I drove slowly (no faster than 40mph) I would manage the fifty miles and make it home safely.
(Lesson 4.... with self discipline it is possible to drive slowly and mindfully, and that it is better to be slower and safe than fast and stressed........even for speedy old rush around me.)

As I contemplated the reason for this (other than the faulty bonnet catch) I was intrigued by the drama and loudness of the message. This really did stop me in my tracks, and I was unable to see the way. it was almost like a slap in the face.
Where had I been and what was I doing trying to cram all this into one day? .... even though I should have taken the day for resting as I was incredibly tired having spent several long days doing all my end of year accounts and paperwork at the last minute.

Fascinatingly just as I was approaching home a third sign popped up ...... when my oil light and red STOP appeared again for the second time on the control board.

For months now, no probably years, those close to me have suggested I should slow down and take a little more time out, to stop 'driving' myself so hard. Often I don't even notice how hard I am working or how many hours I have put in to a project because I love my work... well most of it.

This time, rather than through the words of friends which are perhaps falling on deaf ears, I do believe that the angels had become a little exasperated and created a more obvious message for me to see and hear for myself.

We know God works in mysterious ways.... how can we serve others to the best of our ability, or shine our light to it's full potential if we become worn out and dimmed down by self imposed pressure....( however good the reasons may be). Ah, I am so good at making this point in my talks and workshops. Kindness and caring for others may become second nature, but taking enough care of oneself and 'Learning to love oneself' can be more difficult .... perhaps here in my middle years it is now time to really stop, look and listen.

So that's my aim for 2011. To conserve my energies a little more and try to slow down the rushing about in serving others. To take time to listen to my higher guidance, and follow it (perhaps a teacher teaches what the teacher needs to hear), and to see where and how I can manage my time more effectively so that I really can drive a little slower!
After all 11 is the number of mastery. Lets see if I can master this! Anyone out there like to join me?

It might be the end of January, but it is only the beginning of the rest of life!

Hope your year has started well for you, and I wish you everything you wish for yourself for 2011.

Lots of love and angel blessings,

Chrissie

Advent adventures!

Hi lovely friends,

We're half way through December already, and I am far from organised for Christmas. Is that because of so much traveling during November and the beginning of December I wonder... so that the Christmas season has sneaked upon me unawares? Or maybe due to an overwhelming amount of work, my next book to complete, the Essene newsletter to revise in order to create a tribute to our friend and Chairman rather than Christmas issue... articles and letters to write for magazines ( Spring issues!!) and new contacts to follow up, plus orders from the internet to process, and colleagues to meet.... and then babysit, take grandchildren to the West End, spend time with husband, dog, family and friends and try hard to get some shopping done!

Goodness, no wonder I'm aging rapidly!!! Please, don't get me wrong, I'm happy to work hard, and this is not a complaint. I just wonder sometimes at how I can lament the missing hours from my days, the missing days from my weeks and puzzle over how the years whizz by so steamingly fast, when it is through my own personal choice that I fill all my thoughts, and my time?

So, let me stop for a while and do what's really important during Advent. Let me reflect upon the real reason for the season.

Winter is traditionally a time for retreat, reflection and rest after all. The whole of nature knows that. The sap from the trees retreats into the nurturing belly of Mother Earth to rest and replenish in order to rise renewed and refreshed in the spirt of re-growth. The plants either die back or stop, and many animals hibernate until Winter has past. They do that naturally.

But Advent is part of the Christian calendar which, although it can be argued celebrates a birthday which was certainly not in December and which also ousted a pagan festival at the same time of year, is to commemorate the arrival of one of the greatest spiritual teachers of all time. Believed by many Christians to be the personification of God, born as man.

Advent is about anticipation. The Church has many rituals and symbols for Advent such as four candles - one of which is lit on each of the Sundays before Christmas. Some countries will have a special wreath and as we know children for decades have enjoyed eagerly counting down to Christmas by opening the tiny windows of an Advent calendar. (I so looked forward to my own glittery Nativity scene which came out each year and took pride of place on the mantle piece. As the years went by I knew exactly which picture was secretly hiding behind the windows and often peeped inside the double door to see the baby Jesus for the 25th).

At this time of great abundance, and over indulgence... anticipation - yes, waiting - has so often been replaced by a modern requirement of instant gratification... and a sense of greed seems to have replaced need.... But wouldn't it be fabulous to build into our daily busyness (without having to be reminded) a silent time each day for personal reflection. A few moments of precious time to reflect with gratitude for what we have already, rather than what we 'want'. A time to reflect on the important moments in life, such as happy memories and the people who mean something to us ... friends no longer present, yet whose presence is felt in that stillness. A time to reflect on what real love means rather than the price of presents, and the importance of giving generously of ourselves without looking for return or counting cost. How often do we reflect upon deep meaningful soul searching things, in the hurry and scuttle of the days in December?

So, here we are, in the midst of Advent, mid Winter. Christmas time again, already.

Many of us have had lots of hard weather conditions already and more snow predicted over the next few weeks. Yet in all the hardship the weather may cause, there is so much beauty; and an enormous amount of light. In every snow flake....we can see the beauty and light, glistening from the frost as the sun catches it... beauty and light, from the flickering flames of a log fire... beauty and light... and from the clear star laden skies...Everywhere beauty and light when we stop rushing and notice.
Here's a suggestion for this anticipatory run up to Christmas. Let's remember why it is Advent, everyday let's reflect even for a few moments on the true reason for the season.


Whatever your religious or spiritual beliefs, the teacher who was born to be the Christ and whose declaration 'I am the Light' changed the world, and gave a new meaning to the December festival we now celebrate, because of His faith and His message of love .

Let us add our own light through our thoughts during Advent, to all that we see, every glisten of frost, every icicle, every symbol of Christmastime.

My wish for you is that you will enjoy shining our own beauty and light into the shadows of the Wintery nights, and with an open heart in the true meaning of generosity your Christmas will be filled with giving and receiving friendship and love in abundance.

with my love,

Christmas blessings,

Chrissie