The Crystal Priestess

As a TV Psychic I’m fortunate enough to enjoy a growing client base, and while much of my work used to be with healers, therapists or people who are already on a spiritual path, I’m increasingly finding that my work is with clients who have not yet started to explore the esoteric or metaphysical.

For those who are new to the kinds of New Age and spiritual notions I tend to work with, it can require a leap of faith when we start to discuss their healing issues, their energy centres (Chakras) or the Quantum Field.

However, time after time, I’m hearing that the simple energy balancing, creative thinking, visionary or meditative techniques that I recommend are awakening and empowering people to take action and shift the blockages in their lives so that they can progress, learn and grow.

This is where working as a Psychic merges with the path of the Healer, because the biggest energetic ‘disease’ around right now is Apathy, whereby individuals consider themselves a victim of circumstance or at the mercy of the decisions of the other people around them.

Apathy seems to be the condition we easily slip into when our Solar Plexus is weak, depleated or even ‘leaky’. A sense of joy in life is lost, Free Will seems to elude us and our life circumstances seem to spiral out of control. Motivation starts to lag and it seems impossible to manifest the jobs, partners or opportunities we really want in life. It’s not long before self esteem, which is also linked to the Sacral centre, starts to suffer, the Heart centre tightens and closes and the energetic shutters of self-preservation pop up around the whole aura, leaving the individual closed and detached from their experience of living, half asleep, a mere shadow of the person they really should be.

There are all sorts of reasons why people slip into this unpleasant energetic state. But whether you look to psychology, astrology, past life experience or ET manipulation for the root cause, it’s certain that if you really look around you, the notion is far more common than you might think. From the person in front of you in the supermarket queue to the colleague you sit next to every day at work, it should be clear to those of us who strive for full, vibrant, awakened lives that the situations apparent in many people’s existences are a symptom of their Apathy.

Quite simply, the only way to begin to release this kind of energetic blockage is to awaken to it, recognise the negative patterns and false beliefs that resonate with its vibration, and re-educate yourself. This healing process can be supported with the help of a Psychic or Healer, but there is an onus on self responsibility as nothing will change unless an individual actually wants it to be so themselves.

Finding what we really want is a whole journey in itself (read my previous article about the Higher Heart for some relevant material) that requires honesty, deep inner questioning and the discovery of who we really are. However in this context, it’s enough to welcome and embrace the dramatic change needed to step out of Apathy.

What’s remarkable to me as a Sensitive/Intuitive is how very different the vibration of an individual who has taken responsibility for their awakening process is to that of someone who remains in the semi-sleep of Apathy. Those awakened souls have stopped observing their lives as if they’re projected on a movie screen, like helpless victims of fate and fortune. They’ve started to take action when things aren’t going their way, made changes to their energy and assessed their own belief systems in the search for reality. Courage has replaced fear and they’ll stare their inner demons in the face.

They don’t use phrases like ‘I can’t'…’my fault’…or ‘it’ll never happen’. They take action, set goals and seek Psychic guidance, not predictions, because they are the architect of their own experience and they know that the future is simply a pool of limitless potential.

Crystals that can help clear the Solar Plexus are Citrine, Smoky Quartz or Yellow Jasper. Energy healing can also shift negative thought forms and catalyse a powerful release. Meditation and visualisation techniques can be useful. Psychic guidance and Spiritual Counselling will also make a difference.

In my view though, what comes first is that necessary conscious choice to begin the process of awakening. So next time you look in the mirror, gaze carefully into your own eyes and ask whether they’re really open. The person reflected back at you has a beautiful future ahead – reach out your hands to that beautiful soul, step into your own movie plot - the time to shape your future is right now.

Rhian Gibbings

Astrologers have reliably informed us that we’ve reached the end of the phase referred to as ‘Mercury Retrograde’, indicating that recent important celestial influences are now shifting, providing a sense of relief for many people, who will be released to progress with their paths, make decisions and take action where needed.

In view of this Astrological development, it’s unlikely to be coincidence that this very night we’ve seen an end to the indecision surrounding the nation’s political plight and we now have a new Prime Minister.

I’m neither an Astrologer nor a political commentator – my passions lie with my Spiritual path and my work for the Divine Feminine cause, so I could not help but notice the disappointing images of Woman portrayed by the partners of both the man leaving Number 10 this evening and the one who stepped into his shoes. Both women appeared meek and feeble – each smiled demurely from behind her husband in a carefully selected plain, shift-style dress, and Cameron’s wife teetered towards her Downing Street abode in toe-crunching stiletto heels totally unsuitable for her pregnant frame.

One indirect consequence of today’s political developments is that a female now leads the Labour Party, even if this is only a temporary accolade, and many would argue that the efforts made by the particular female to tackle Equality issues have made little difference in the grand scheme of things.

However, in contrast to our ‘First Lady’, whose choice of fashion and footwear seems to have been a theme througout the race for Number 10, female politicians have little choice but to assert a strong masculine energy in order to be able to survive in the tough, male dominated world of politics. Press reports during the recent election campaign regularly noted that women remained under represented and the consensus among the female public seemed to be that men deliberately stole the limelight.

The portrayal of women in politics is an important issue, whether the role of the woman concerned involves Policy or PR. Neither role should require an exaggerated energetic imbalance towards the masculine or the feminine polarity.  I can’t help but wonder had the images of women (and the key issues affecting them) presented throughout the recent ‘macho’ election campaign been more positive, balanced and empowering whether we’d have seen a different election result or whether more women would have made their vote count.

In all honesty, it’s most unlikely that any Government will offer the solutions I’d really like to see – I can’t expect the establishment to share the belief systems of someone known as ‘The Crystal Priestess’!

However, perhaps the end of the ‘Mercury Retrograde’ phase will prompt some of the women involved in the political illusion we call Government to seek a more balanced way forward. Perhaps Sam Cameron will see fit to toss those ridiculous stilettos towards Harriet Harman, and each will consider the mutual benefit of redressing the polarity they represent.

Rhian Gibbings

When I last commented on the spiritual energies of 2010 on March 1, it seemed as though the fast moving, explosive way in which the year was unfolding couldn’t get much more intense.

But here we are nearly two months down the line, and even the most energy-aware among us would concede that they hadn’t anticipated the rate at which the Earth shifts would continue or the ways in which significant numbers of people would be affected. 

Over the last few weeks, it’s suddenly become a reality that we can’t take overseas travel for granted, that we can’t assume our air will be clean and our water will remain unpolluted, and we certainly can’t rely on the Government to provide cost-free, quick fix solutions to environmental problems.

For lots of people, the instability of recent events has brought insecurity, and a deep sense of fear and panic. The comfort blanket of living in Western society has, in a small way, been revealed as illusion and the UK has been exposed as being equally as vulnerable to the consequences of Earth shifts as any other nation on this planet.

While TV news reports preferred to focus on irate, distressed travellers stranded in airports, running out of cash and losing all hope of returning home in a timely fashion while the cloud of volcanic ash lingered over the UK, the affect of Iceland’s latest eruption was not all doom and gloom. It’s worth pointing out that many positive individual stories emerged from the recent flight embargo, and the lessons learned are indicative of the perfect opportunities the Universe has provided to facilitate the awakening of those who are prepared to listen.

One of the most poignant lessons on offer for many was that of self-responsibility. Faced with the choice of sitting tight in foreign climes with no promise of a flight back to the UK, many travellers chose to make the decision to use their own resources and resourcefulness to find their way home via alternative routes. For some, this meant using public transport, hiring vehicles, booking ferries or venturing onto overland rail networks – an enforced adventure began that required them to think spontaneously and out of the box and develop solutions step by step, making use of the opportunities and possibilities that were presented to them at the time.

Although some experienced long journeys with extended waiting periods, a large number of travellers made it home through sheer determination and in the realisation that they would have to take responsibility for their own destiny. It’s worth thanking the Universe for this – there is no better time for this set of life lessons to surface than just before a general election!

Another unforeseen benefit of the lack of flights in or out of the UK was that hundreds, maybe thousands, of families and friends were granted an extended period of time together, forced to enjoy a little extra play and relaxation time – a luxury that will have made a huge difference to personal relationships and family bonding. Equally, many were involuntarily separated from their loved ones, forced to spend time alone, cope independently and to reflect on just how valuable those special people in their lives really are. Thanks again, Universe, for reminding us not to take the people that mean the most to us for granted.

For me, however, unaffected by the practicalities of the flight ban and simply observing events from my spiritual perspective, the most obvious message that emerged through all the chaos and mayhem lay right above my head, as I gazed day and night at the clearer, more natural skies, free from the noise of aircraft and the sight of the unhealthy chemtrails to which we’ve become so accustomed. Reminded that circumstances had provided me with a unique opportunity to survey an open sky similar to the one my ancient ancestors had enjoyed, I thanked the Universe for showing me that it’s totally possible for our dysfunctional system to crumble without taking everyone down with it, and that if we open our eyes and stay awake, there is always a new horizon ahead.

Rhian Gibbings

Psychic development is something that most aspiring healers and spiritual seekers touch upon at some point in their journey, and many teachers working in this field will agree that there is nothing more rewarding than watching their students grow in confidence as they rediscover and re-ignite their natural psychic and intuitive gifts.

Whether the ultimate goal is to work as a psychic, develop greater insights as a healer or simply live in a more intuitive and successful way, the first step is always to recognise the Higher Self and, if it feels right, many will go on to acknowledge and explore the notion of their personal spiritual guides – the unique ‘spirit team’ that’s agreed to support an individual’s journey during this physical incarnation.

For those determined to follow a life path of authenticity, there can be many pitfalls when exploring the spiritual and esoteric. Illusion based distractions can often emerge that feed the Ego rather than open the Heart-centre to spiritual truths. For example, it’s far more interesting to believe that you were Queen Nefertiti in a past life than to accept you were actually a simple farmer’s wife and it can feel much more significant to be guided by a famous figure from history or mythology than to receive messages from an unglamorous spirit person who never had any real notoriety!

Of course, it’s entirely plausible to enjoy strong connections with Deity or historical and mythological figures, but when students are preoccupied with this level of guidance without first considering the basics that relate to them specifically as individuals, their guidance is most likely only coming from an aspect of the self that is reflected in the qualities they find appealing in their chosen archetype. Additionally, they’re probably less likely to have accepted and integrated their ‘shadow’ side – the darker and less comfortable aspects of the self that it’s often easier to ignore. Their spiritual quest may then be at risk of becoming preoccupied with self congratulation and grandeur rather than the achievement of truth and balance.

The most effective techniques for facilitating the connection between an individual and their spiritual guides involve empowering the student to access their own spiritual experiences while supporting them energetically. Psychic validation is always valuable, but teachers should develop students who are confident to do the work themselves and who are not solely reliant on the psychic perceptions of their mentor. It’s of little value to a student when their teacher offers messages from an amazing spiritual guide during tuition sessions, but once they’re working alone and really need the guidance, they don’t know where to start and can’t make the link.

With a little determination, lots of self-belief and plenty of guidance in relation to the general principles of working with their energy anatomy, many students find that the process of identifying their guides can offer powerful insights into the spiritual paths and techniques they have been drawn towards. As their path progresses and their true selves emerge, they start to live more naturally and intuitively, becoming increasingly aware of their life lessons, karmic patterns and soul contracts. When psychic skills are honed and working in tandem with the 3 dimensional senses, challenges presented by the gift of Free Will are more easily overcome and there’s a satisfying sense of integration in Body, Mind and Spirit.

For those who are ready, connecting with spiritual guides can even trigger the exploration of past life and parallel existences, mysterious but compelling notions that can also offer a fascinating insight into the relationships and experiences of the here and now.

The teaching and guidance of aspiring healers, psychics and spiritual seekers is a responsible, powerful role and the best facilitators cut through illusion, supporting their students to access their own personal truths. A really good teacher will recognise and value the unique nature of your every experience – their authenticity and determination to support you to connect with your spiritual guides yourself will remind you just how much they contribute to this beautiful journey of self discovery – a path that feels so significant in these swift moving times.

Rhian Gibbings

Many spiritual teachers insist that when we express our desire to live purposefully and in joy, the Universe will reflect this in our experiences, often delivered in the most beautiful ways possible. Is it really that simple?

For those who have a rigid notion of what ‘living in purpose’ means, the life changes required can appear risky, scary and, at times, totally unrealistic.

Whether we seek escape from an unrewarding day job, long for a soul mate relationship or feel drawn to relocate to a new area, decisions must probably be made that will jeopardise our financial or emotional security and challenge the self imposed expectations resulting from social and familial conditioning. We may feel angry and trapped, experiencing resentment and bitterness towards life in general.

For others, however, it’s difficult to pinpoint what aspects of life need to change. There’s a simple sense of lack and we’re just not enjoying life to its full potential. This brings frustration and discontentments, making everything feel foggy and dull.

Strategies to break down our personal barriers to purposeful living can seem elusive and prove expensive – many on a long term quest to ‘live in purpose’ will admit to spending excessive amounts of cash on therapies, workshops and self-help books in the hope that the key to fulfilment is around the corner. For some, the journey feels endless – it’s one step forward and two steps back, and despite embracing the tough process of healing and change, a joyful, purposeful life seems as distant as ever.

From an Energy Healer’s perspective, clients for whom change seems elusive and who complain that their lives deliver disappointment almost always present with an unbalanced or blocked Higher Heart Chakra. In the majority of cases, the root of a Higher Heart issue is arguably the most significant personal barrier to ‘living in purpose’. While the Healer can offer the catalyst to render the client more open to change, an acknowledgement of personal responsibility and the determination to self-heal is essential in tackling this particular problem – low self esteem.

Low self esteem, whatever the cause, is linked to the everyday anxieties and irrational behaviours that hold us back from consciously bringing our dreams into reality and that keep our daily experiences ‘liveable’ rather than ‘loveable’. It keeps us separate from potentiality, asking us to expect failure and accept less in every scenario. It shrouds aspiration with guilt and clouds greatness with Ego, consistently nagging us into self sabotage and limitation.

With low self esteem, not only does ‘living in purpose’ seem like an unobtainable dream, it feels so far from reality we don’t believe we can ever truly experience it in the here and now. Emotional discomfort becomes the status quo and our negative beliefs about ourselves are reflected back in our life experiences – unfulfilling careers, abusive relationships and dysfunctional lifestyles are experienced by detached, numb individuals in a state of semi-consciousness.

In the worst cases, we become so detached from our aspirations that we can no longer recognise what our Soul yearns for, what makes us feel fulfilled and whole and what we really want from life. So it’s a vicious circle, and a downward spiral of fear and failure, and purpose is lost.

Making the conscious decision to ‘live in purpose’ is really only the first step to breaking the cycle. Seeking support from complementary therapies, such as Reiki and Seichem, from vibrational medicine, such as Homeopathy or Flower Remedies, or from the regular practice of Yoga or meditation can be helpful – achieving a clear, aligned energy anatomy is certainly important in terms of integrating body, mind and spirit.

However, understanding when and how low self esteem rears its ugly head is essential if we’re to learn the real life lessons from the karma it represents. Acknowledging each incident of low self esteem as a trigger that impairs the Higher Heart and seeing the resulting irrational, anxiety fuelled responses as the negative untruths they really are helps us access our true, authentic self. In this way, we naturally ease open and rebalance this important Chakra as we come to intuit what it is that really belongs in our lives.

As the authentic self is revealed and the balanced Higher Heart emerges, it becomes clear that there is no room for the limitations of low self esteem, that manifestation flows freely from positive intent and potentiality with choice is experienced in place of desperation and yearning. Life becomes joyful and exciting, every challenge represents an opportunity and free will becomes more aligned with the notions of Divine Timing and the Highest Good.

Living purposefully and in joy is not elusive, and certainly doesn’t belong in the dream world. And yes, the key is simple – unlock the Higher Heart and recognise the limitless path that lies ahead. Hold on tight to the ultimate high of the authentic self, and watch the personal demon that is low self esteem slink away and diminish, denied the nourishment provided by insecurities and limiting beliefs. Step into purpose with pride in this conscious choice – live the life you love, love the life you live.

Rhian Gibbings

Since ancient times, pilgrims have been visiting places of special spiritual significance. Taking a meaningful trip to a place where strong connections are felt with Deity or to ancient sites of worship can be a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience, and is often the catalyst for deep personal change.

In more recent times, the notion of pilgrimage has evolved into the concept of the ‘sacred journey’ – which seems to allude to the special nature of the whole process of the trip, from the point of departure to that of return.  

Participants in today’s sacred journeys often feel that the people they meet, the routes they travel and the anecdotal experiences that arise all play a part in their spiritual development, perhaps even reconnecting them in some way with situations they once encountered in mysterious previous incarnations.

Others simply feel a greater sense of connection, an increased appreciation of the beauty of nature and that invaluable sense of freedom that facilitates clearer self reflection, personal insights and more intense spiritual experiences.

Nibal Sulaiman was so inspired by his sacred journey to Mount Kailash, Tibet, in 2006 that he recently launched Parishanta Travel to help others realise their dreams of visiting Tibet, Nepal, India and Bhutan.

Mount Kailash, known as Kang Rinpoche in Tibetan or ‘precious jewel of snow’ holds a special place in the hearts of the region’s four major religions: Hindu, Buddhist, Jains, and the shamanic Bön tradition of pre-Buddhist Tibet.

It is said to be the Earth’s crown chakra, and the abode of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati, as well as that of Demchok, a wrathful manifestation of Buddha Sakyamuni. It cuts an intriguing figure against the snowy and unforgiving terrain of Western Tibet. 

‘In late 2005, a thought suddenly came into my mind that I needed to visit Mount Kailash. I didn’t know why but I knew I had to. So in May 2006 I flew out to Kathmandu, Nepal, to meet my guide before flying to Lhasa’ writes Nibal.

‘The first night in Kathmandu I had a vision where I was ‘transported’ to the base of Mount Kailash to meet its guardian who questioned my credentials three times and only embraced me on the third positive response. After gathering some provisions, we visited Pashupatinath Temple on what later I found out was Lord Shiva’s day. This felt like we had received His permission and blessings. From Lhasa we slowly began travelling west to get fully acclimatised. Along the way we visited many Buddhist monasteries. I recall the Maitreya Buddha statues in particular seem to stand out – like they were communicating with their eyes.

Upon arrival at Mount Kailash, the energy felt so, so familiar. I can only describe it as akin to seeing an old friend again after a very long time. The following day we began the Kalish kora – walking round the mountain in a clockwise direction. I recall walking at a great pace as if I had a multitude of invisible beings behind me. This prompted my Tibetan guide to comment that I ‘walk like a Tibetan’! After three days, we completed the kora. The felt exhaustion but complete peace and tranquillity. It felt like a cycle in my life had just ended and a new one started.

Till this day this sacred journey is one I look back on with such reverence and awe and I thank the universe for an amazing, life changing experience.’

It’s easy to empathise with Nibal’s sentiment and the depth of feeling with which he writes about this journey.

For me, the ‘sacred journey’ has been more significant than I ever realised.  From the regular, short pilgrimages I make to Avebury and Stonehenge that serve to reaffirm my connection with the Divine Feminine and the ancient Be-ings I acknowledge as part of my soul group, to one-off visits I have enjoyed to the West of Ireland and parts of Devon and Cornwall, the energy experiences I’ve had in sacred places have  triggered the sense of inner knowledge and remembering that has shaped  the woman I am today.

More recently, travels to parts of Europe and to the beloved land of Egypt have profoundly influenced both my personal spiritual practice and the core values I bring to my healing and divination work.

The sacred journey in the way I know it is, perhaps, a privilege mainly enjoyed by spiritual seekers from developed societies to which car, boat and plane travel has become affordable and accessible. However, it’s clear that spiritual tourism offers valuable economic support to a number of less affluent countries, and as long as modern day pilgrims are happy to immerse themselves in the cultural diversity they encounter, local businesses and tour guides are usually happy to welcome them.

For my part, I’m totally hooked. Every travel opportunity serves as a sacred journey for me, and I’m always drawn to new places to enhance my path of reconnection both here in the UK and further afield.

Rhian Gibbings

With little regard for the grey skies and persistent rain, a very Heart-centred gathering took place at Avebury on Saturday to celebrate the Spring Equinox.  

Adrian Mieras held the space and led a gentle meditation in the Sun Circle, setting the group intention for World peace.

The focus of this intent was held around a huge, impressive Shiva Lingham stone that Adrian holds for the project Peace Across The Planet.

Shiva Lingham stones have an ancient role in sacred ceremony in the temples of India, and were traditionally gathered by monks from the bed of the Narmada River who would prepare them with wax or oil before giving them pride of place within the temple. 

Peace Across the Planet has placed a number of large Shiva Lingham stones with caretakers across the Globe who will hold sacred ceremonies to anchor a shared intent for Peace.

The powerful moment of Equinox at 5.32pm brought a sense of stillness and connectedness to the circle at Avebury and it seemed appropriate that the intense Divine Feminine vortex of the Henge was enhanced by the balancing masculine energy of the large Shiva Lingham.

After a short break, there was an evening of meditation and sound healing offered by a number of ‘Gong Masters’ who had brought together an impressive set of Paiste Planet Gongs. Each performance stilled the occupants of the room into a profound state of inner peace, evocative of a breathtaking personal journey through the Solar system.

Experiencing the gong is both intense and emotional, as it seems to penetrate every atom of the body and activate the human energy system in an all-encompassing way.

A trance-like, meditative state is very easily achieved with the gong and any sense of time and place is almost immediately suspended. This feeling of complete interconnectedness with the Universe reminds us that we are indeed an aspect of Creator and that there is a gateway within each of us to the infinite space and limitlessness mirrored in the stars, if we choose to find it. It is from this space that we can draw down pure Light from Source to assist with our Spiritual journey in this human incarnation.

The presence of the mysterious Spirit Orbs apparent in the photographs taken at this amazing Spring Equinox gathering is no real surprise, given the immense Spiritual energy at Avebury coupled with the resonance created by the gongs and the simple presence of so many Light and Energy aware people in one place with an aligned purpose.

Lets welcome the next quarter of this already eventful year with positive anticipation and embrace the changes that flow with the gift of the Spring Equinox – the creative energy of awakening.

Rhian Gibbings

With increasing awareness among pregnant women that natural birth without medical interference is better for mother and baby while intervention rates are high and caesarean remains an option in the spirit of informed choice, it’s not surprising that many women look back on their past experiences of birth and shudder.

Many women will recall their hospital photos with dismay, clearly recognising the shock and detachment in their own face, or realising they hardly feature in their baby albums because they felt so traumatised at the time, and the last thing they wanted to do was pose for the camera.

For some, the painful memories dissolve almost as soon as their baby is placed into their arms but many mothers are troubled by flashbacks of a traumatic birth, and the experience shapes their attitudes to breastfeeding, intimacy, the trust of others and even their relationship with their child. The women who fare worst are perhaps those who have been the most passionate about their role as a mother, determined to live up to the expectations they have set themselves to birth their child naturally and instinctively. 

Although the body heals with time, the shock delivered by the emotional trauma tends to remain deep rooted and the pain sits right at the core of the feminine centre, disempowering women and feeding negative concepts like low self esteem, a lack of self belief and fear of failure.

Experienced energy healers would usually agree that memories of a traumatic birth will be stored in the very cells of a woman’s body, constantly impairing the flow of their feminine life-force. If not released, the problem could eventually manifest as physical illness, most likely in the reproductive system, which is related to the Sacral Chakra. This will compound the ongoing energetic and emotional issues, leaving mothers with feelings of sadness, inadequacy and loss that are hard to ignore.

When difficult memories surface the use of self help techniques, such as formulating positive affirmations, can be handy. Admitting to a trusted friend or partner that there’s a problem is sometimes the first step in acknowledging that help is needed.

Hypnosis can be useful in releasing any past trauma, and an experienced Hypnotherapist can gently regress the woman to the circumstances of the difficult experience so that they can revise their attitudes towards the memories when they surface. There are other kinds of ‘journeying’ therapies that can also help, whereby the woman is guided into a trance-like state so that negative outcomes can literally be transformed into positive ones through accessing the unconscious mind.

Reiki and Seichem practitioners or those who use crystals to promote energetic balance find that a relaxed state is easily achieved during healing sessions. They might guide the woman through a gentle meditation while allowing the energy healing to catalyse a much needed vibrational shift. Crystals like Moonstone, Apache Tears or Jade might be selected to help heal the trauma of a difficult birth while Garnet, Carnelian or Red Coral might be chosen to help strengthen and re-energise the feminine centre.

If you’re the thoughtful type, it might seem interesting that through negative past experiences of birth, many women have the chance to understand the depths of despair that accompany the ‘feminine wound’ before they tread the path of re-empowerment. For those who choose to question why life has thrown this particular challenge in their face, maybe the answer is that they’ve been given the opportunity to re-birth themselves as part of the process.

Be honest, it’s hard to deny that our children offer us a huge opportunity for personal growth and change as they are catapulted into this world, whether it’s by fair means or foul. And in the end, the fact that we’ve chosen to grow through the tough life lesson of a traumatic birth becomes immaterial – to be granted a ticket to travel through the Divine Feminine Void and emerge reborn with self esteem, feminine courage and pride in the simple fact of one’s existence is a priceless gift indeed.

Rhian Gibbings

On International Women’s Day, the annual occasion designed to highlight the economical, social and political achievements of women past, present and future, the media has been quick to remind us of the extreme highs and lows experienced by women across the globe.

But while the WAGs and glossy celebrities from the world of entertainment never lack media attention and there are always worthy campaigns to address inequalities, discrimination and abuse that deserve all the publicity they can get, I didn’t need to look too far today to find examples of truly incredible women who have overcome adversity, risen to the challenge and proven themselves as completely inspirational – just by finding their way through the ups and downs of ‘normal’ life.

One of my loveliest friends is single-handedly raising an autistic child, having strived for the right diagnosis, battled for schooling that meets his needs and maintained her sanity through the breakdown of her relationship. During this time she’s continued to run her own business and supported a sick relative, yet whenever we meet she glows with a beautiful smile and remains unquestionably motivated and driven to carry on.

I’ll never cease to admire another fantastic woman I’ve known since 2001. Despite facing some incredibly tough health issues and being the unfortunate victim of workplace bullying several times in the last few years, she’s always been there for me when I’ve needed someone to talk to, effortlessly putting her own worries aside. In her working life, a commitment to helping vulnerable people has pulled her through. She does a tough job with a challenging client group, and she never loses the motivation to be there for those who need her the most. This woman has no idea how much she’s admired, and I, for one, honour her for the times when she’s been there with her listening ear and unfaltering support. Respect is due.

There’s also a third beautiful lady I have to tip my hat to today. Having lost nearly everything of any material or emotional value in a drawn out, traumatic divorce from an adulterous husband, her self-esteem journey has been almost tortuous, and it’s been one step forward, two steps back. Yet this lady oozes unconditional love for her friends and family, and she’s one of the most generous people I’ve ever met.

Looking around at my female friends, I could easily write a paragraph about each and every one as testimony to what fabulous, incredible, strong, beautiful women they are. What amazes me, though, is that not one of them fully realises it. Perhaps acknowledging that unique inner Light we women have is something we all need to do a bit more of, though, because it’s what really sets the ‘Feminine’ aside as ‘Divine’ – our ability to find the depths to continue to strive, to continue to love and to continue to reach out to the world without even questioning it.

So here’s to all ‘my girls’ on this special day, and here’s my final thought – we don’t need a special occasion to acknowledge what we’ve achieved; we’re doing a brilliant job every day just being US – together we mirror the infinite faces of the Goddess, and yes, we are all things to all men… We women are fabulous, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

 Rhian Gibbings

Following on from the theme of the ‘quickening’ – the flow of changes that we currently all seem to be part of – and at the end of a whirlwind week during which I’ve been lucky enough to observe, support and trigger some powerful shifts for others, I’m pondering a question I was asked earlier today – why does the healing process so often seem to hurt?

Tuning in to the emotional aspects of the human energy anatomy, it’s a fact that we seldom explore our personal energetic state with true honesty.

If asked to consider their level of emotional comfort on a linear scale, most people would probably place themselves somewhere in the middle on an average day, in a sort of midpoint state of ‘okay’. However, if challenged to really access their truth in an environment free from judgment, such as on the healing couch, it’s probable that many would admit to the state of ‘okay’ really being one of total or partial emotional numbness. Their emotional pain is tucked away somewhere lonely and dark, ready to surface in a quiet, personal moment, or waiting for a trigger from a family member or work colleague that will send them into that all too familiar spiral of blame and shame.

When emotional pain surfaces in our daily interactions, it’s a natural tendency to try to project it towards some unfortunate target person or to turn it inward and further feed the low-density energies lurking within the psyche and energy body.

The more conscious types are likely to recognise and analyse the issues that arise, perhaps using energy-healing or psychological techniques to understand what’s going on in an effort to release and transform the negativity. This is an important part of breaking the unpleasant patterns that hold us back and progressing with the healing journey. Of course it’s painful to wake from the state of ‘numbness’ and really admit how we feel, especially when it seems to happen in fits and starts and it’s often quite a shock, but the benefits are there once we’ve energetically shifted sufficiently to access a new, lighter way of being.

To some, all this might be stating the obvious, but the real question is how can we make the healing process less painful and dramatic? Plenty of Spiritual seekers and individuals ‘on the path’ can be observed bouncing from drama to crisis, regularly sharing explosive, emotional releases with anyone within the furthest reach of their shock-wave. Surely this can’t be the only way to experience change?

This brings us back to the first point – that most people seldom examine their own personal energetic state with true honesty.

Recognising that numb state of just ‘okay’ is surely worth incorporating in our daily routine. Furthermore, there has to be recognition that the ‘numb’ state of being is a product of self judgment and the nemesis of the individual who simply won’t regularly look within…or who only takes a peek when their hand is forced. All experience is a reflection of the self, after all.

Finding personal strategies to remind us of the fact that we’re awake and alive has to be key, along with that liberating realisation that it’s okay not to be ‘okay’. That way, we know when to seek help from our own reserves or through the healing services of others, but when the shifts happen and the triggers arise, we don’t have to stumble along in prolonged, painful states of confusion, and healing can occur in an instant, leaving us unscathed and feeling whole.

 Rhian Gibbings