Essential Oil Therapy, know what you're getting into

When speaking to a client about essential oils, I was very clearly reminded that there is a lot of mis-information out there...  Just because you buy something from, lets say, bath and bodyworks, that says its lavender, you are not really getting something made from Mother Natures lavender...  you are getting something that has been synthetically created to copy what Mother Nature created naturally.  

I remind you to ask about the ingredients (read the labels) when purchasing products because if it is not organic than you are just adding more chemicals to your body ...although our skin is a barrier, anything applied to it can be partially absorbed into the blood stream and still needs to be processed by the liver.   Unless an oil has been tested and you know the chemical makeup (therapeutic grade essential oils come with a GCMS report) you don't really know what it will do to your body, and you have no idea if it is watered down or pure oil.  

I personally use essential oils for many things - skin care, hair care, meditation, psychic clearing and cleansing of the aura, protection from negative energy, sore muscles, headaches, nausea, indigestion, mood enhancers, confidence, detoxification, and cleaning products.  If you would like to find out more about what essential oils can do for you, please let me know!  I'd be happy to help!

Nature Song Retreat Center

I met an amazing woman a few weeks ago and setup a meeting with her so that I could get to know more of what she offers!  Well, today we met here at the church and the "ladies" were dancing a happy dance!  Mary Boardman, who owns Nature Song Retreat Center, is quite fascinating.  She has the same belief in community as I do, and we were able to vision together!

If you get a chance, check out her website and visit community resources and take a gander at all the amazing healing opportunities we have in our area... most within a 30 mile radius!

Yeah, more connections providing positive energy to our collective consciousness!!!

I'm Baaaacccckkkk!

Whew, I feel like a new person today!  The last week or so, I have been feeling like someone else... And, let me tell you, it is not a pleasant thing to be having thoughts that are more like glass half empty...  So, now that I'm feeling "lighter" I thought I would share some uplifting thoughts!

I understand how the Universal law of attraction and the energetic principle of how you treat yourself is how you treat others, and love of self is important but not to the extent that it is a detriment to others.   (This is a lesson that I was reminded of over the past few weeks).  I allowed my "fear" of the unknown to cloud the heart energy that I usually live on, but with much time spent quietly asking for guidance I was released from the dark pattern that seemed to be controlling my thoughts and brought back to a place of peace and joy!

 In a letter from "The Tree of Golden Light" (which was kindly shared with me yesterday by my dear friend Barbara) Spirit reminds me that often times human kind is mired in problems which are often self perpetuated, and then weigh us down with worries and dis-satisfaction with life.   And while we hold onto grievances, disappointments and lack in life we perpetuate those very conditions.  I believe this is a theme that is currently running along the energy lines of human consciousness and if we are not "paying attention" we can get caught up in that which holds us down.  My hope and the energy that I share with you today is that of a higher level and that which raises you above the vibration of negativity! 

Dawning of the Age of Aquarius

That song is so loud in my head it makes me want to sing, dance, laugh, cry, and feel EVERYTHING...  I am imagining that most people are feeling this new age coming too.  So many friends, family and clients tell me they are feeling, shall we say, the fast moving river (as the Hopi Elders speak of) and that they are not sure which way to turn.   I myself am feeling this energy.  The universe is shedding light on many things for me and now I get to wade through and feel which ones are just old stuff or which ones I need to pay attention to because there is a meaning behind the event or circumstance.  I hear that I am not to worry because all things will be shown to me that will be for my best interest and that I should just enjoy the ride.  Hummm, enjoy the ride??!  Ya' mean let go of those insecurities that make me crazy sometimes (like relationship stuff) and trust... What a novel idea!  I am going to remind myself of that often today and over the next few days until I get past this wave of energy that is so very palpable in my body.  And, I am asking the Angels to make me aware of anything I need to know to move forward in my life appropriately!!  Hope you get to enjoy the ride too!  Hugs, Janet

Ithaca Womens Entrepreneur Networking

Today I attended the Ithaca Womens Entrepreneeur Networking event.  It was attended by over 15 women and it was quite a dynamic group.  There was a lot of conversation about how we could support each other and there is an on-line yahoo chat group to share info and gather ideas!  The next event will be in June so if you are interested, please let me know and I will send you the information!  

Stained Glass

Today was Sidney's opening at The Gallery which is located here (for the next month or so) in the sanctuary.  While at the opening I was approached by a gentleman who was quite interested in the stained glass windows and he asked me if I thought about selling them.  He told me they would be worth quite a large sum of money and he was excited about them as he is a stained glass artist.  So, now my question to you my friends is this:  How do I find out more information about the value of the stained glass windows in my church.  I can't imagine selling the ones on the outside of the building, but there are three panels on the inside walls of the sanctuary that I am considering offering for sale. Here are some photos and if you have info to share, please let me know, either by phone, email / blog or forwarding these photos to someone who might be able to answer my questions.  I did a search on the web, but, alas, I am not quite savy on surfing...

The Dark Side

We all have a dark side, which can be, for the most part, hidden deeply beneath our sweet exterior.  Sometimes it is not so pleasant to witness that part of ourselves, but it can be so necessary in order to change the current vibration that we are living.  I have recently had such an experience.  I had to look at my own behavior and how I was relating to someone who I love dearly.  It made me feel insecure, fearful, and down right "icky"...  

There are many ways to look at those areas of our personality that may not be so nice, but have in the past served us, or maybe something that was "given to us" from previous experiences, etc... Before you can address them, it is necessary to be able to recognize when they are occurring in your life so that you then become in control of them, instead of the other way around.  This can also be a bit stressful for the person on the other end of the stick.  

When I need to look at something that is "icky" I remind myself of the teachings of Thic Nhat Hahn, a Buddist teacher who was instrumental in the peace talks in VietNam.  He says that when the dark side of our psyche makes itself known, we should take a deep breath, and invite it in for tea...  Sit with it, look at it and then kindly ask it to be on its way.  This can be a very powerful lesson and the freedom that it extends to you once you have done it is HUGE!  For me, I also have dear friends who know that I process verbally and they will hold the space and let me spew and then we sage and give thanks for the opportunity to be "cleaned out".

So, next time you are feeling that "icky" feeling like things are just not right somewhere in your life, take a few moments to breath and look at the feeling you are having.  It has just as much right "to be" as the lovely feelings we get when witnessing beauty.  And, it is normal and necessary to have the darkness if we are to experience the light.  My hope is that when we experience it, we don't allow it to influence our actions towards others or ourselves, instead we look at it and learn from it.  Hugs to you all, Janet

New Do

Yesterday I got a "wild hair" and decided to chop off the length of my hair that I had been growing for about three years...  It felt like freedom!  Only took a minute to wash and finger dry!  Yeah!!  Lots of fun to make radical changes!  

Lecture and vacation time

I am back from my mini vacation...  Started with a wonderful lecture in Woodstock, NY and ended with great conversation with my friend Molly who rode along to the lecture and then we both got to spend time with friends who we knew in the area.  If you know the Woodstock /Hunter area you may be aware of the Ashtock reservoir (which I learned is the water supply for NYC).  People used to be able to drive over the bridge and see for miles, but since 9/11 they have blocked off the bridge and are very cautious about the area.  

At the lecture I was able to speak with Sally Roesch Wagner, Ph.D. personally and I told her about a dream I have about getting native and non-native women together for a conference to share knowledge and stories of their cultures and to move us forward in this quest for peace and healing for the Earth.  I am meeting with her in Syracuse next week to talk about fundraising for the space in Fayetteville which is her first concern, and then we will dream the womens conference.  I am very excited about this and will keep you posted on the progress!

Dreaming

Amazing how dreams guide us and influence our lives, right?!  Well, I have been thinking about this for quite a while, and then (of course) a lovely, intelligent, amazing woman contacted me last week and guess what she does... Dream Work!  She is a Ph.D. from Ithaca and she has had over 25 years of experience working with dreams and teaching others to interpret their dreams and to use their dreams as a way of exploring their internal landscape.  After a meeting with her yesterday, I am setting up a private session AND will have her here offering a 6 week class (Monday nights from 6pm - 8pm starting May 4th) on The Art of Dreaming.  The info on the class will be posted under workshops and news on my website so check it out if you have ever had an interest in knowing more about dreams!  

Walking backwards is easier on your knees

Many people I know have told me they have problems with sore knees after walking so I did a little research...  Did you know that walking backwards puts less strain on your patellofemoral joint, the kneecap to thighbone connection.  Of course be safe, do it on even surfaces and SLOWLY and with someone else present until you get the hang of it...  

Walking in reverse gear makes your quadricep muscles contract differently than they do when you walk forward.  When walking backwards the muscles perform a concentric contraction which is gentler on your anterior cruciate ligament, which some of you may know, is the ligament that often needs to be replaced in professional athletes (and sometimes in average folks like me...).  A few other benefits to cardio exercise are that it can actually increase the amount of protective cartilage in your knees (yeah!) and weight bearing / strength training makes bones and muscles stronger and healthier.  As always, if you have been sedentary or face health challenges you should check with your doctor before starting any kind of exercise, including walking backwards!  

Doggy Overnight

This Friday Syracuse Paranormals will be returning to the church to do more recording.  Last time the voices they recorded were really amazing!  This time they are bringing a graduate student from SU (which the ladies are giddy about).  Should prove to be an interesting night.  I have heard that "witching hour" is between 2am and 4am, so they have agree to stay later this evening with hopes to capture some footage of the ladies, not just audio!

This brings me to the "doggy overnight" heading...  Brutus (pictured with me at Filmore Glen) is not allowed to be here while they are filming.  It is their policy to have pets removed from the premises to avoid movement or sounds that might be confusing to them while they are analyzing the tape.  Usually Bru goes to Sidney's, but she has a litter of pups that still have two weeks before they get their first immunizations, which means that no other animals should be near the pups.  This has proven to be quite a challenge for me...  I have a asked a few folks to "baby sit", but all have Easter plans with company coming in, or them leaving for the weekend.   

I had forgotten how heart wrenching it is to have to figure out daycare for my "child".    So much to consider about the providers...   Do they have other pets (Bru likes cats... especially for lunch!), kids and the time and energy to love him while I am not there.

I finally decided to ask my friends Jackie and Jeremy.  They live in the country but they have two bigs dogs of their own, and a few years ago, there was an incident with one of their dogs and another dog while they were out on a walk.  This has made Jackie a bit shaky about having doggy visitors.  They have graciously agreed to have a doggy "meet and greet" on Wednesday to see how the boys do all together and then they will make their decision.  I am feeling positive about it and am hoping Bru has two new friends who we can visit in the summer!!

Open Space

As you may be aware, Thou Art Gallery will be moving to Main Street mid-May.  This has given me much to ponder...  How shall I use the space, how does the space want to be used, what is the purpose of having such an amazing sacred space for myself and my community.  Here's what I imagine will be:  The Universe will provide the funds to re-do the floor and put in hard wood floors.  The posts in the ceiling will be redone and the ceiling painted (of course, purple...), the wall will be removed that blocked off the previous alter area, and that area will be used for a "stage" or "alter" depending upon the use of the space on any particular day.  I have been talking and dreaming with friends about having music on Friday evenings, and am now getting educated on what that entails...  I feel really good about the space and sat in there yesterday in the early morning with my daughter, "seeing" it how it will be.  What a fun way to connect and create the future!  If you have ideas and want to share, I would love to have a chat!

Sisters in Spirit

About a year ago I read the most amazing book...  Sisters in Spirit: the Haudenosaunee influence on early American feminists.  It was very eye opening and inspiring for me to think about how women of different cultures helped and supported each other in the past.  

Well, the author of that book will be giving a lecture and be doing a book signing on April 12th. Sally Roesch Wagner Ph.D.,  will draw on her 30 year career as a scholar and performer, presenting a spellbinding new way of looking at history and the struggle of social activists to create a just and free society.  In her book, Dr. Wagner describes how women of the Six Nation Iroquois Confederacy inspired the revolutionary vision of early feminists by providing a model of empowered women.   At a time when Euro-American women had few rights, Haudenosaunee women possesed decisive political voice, control of their bodies and property, custody of the children they bore, satisfying work and society virtually free of rape and domestic violence.  

Wouldn't it be wonderful if this information inspired us again!  To model our society (and communities and families) based on honor, integrity, and spirit!  Count me in!!

If you would like more information about this event please visit http://www.nyhistory.com/sallyroeschwagner

Angelic Messenger Cards

Every morning I sit quietly for awhile and then pick an Angel card.  These are not to tell me what to do, they help me focus on positive thoughts and intentions, which I believe, then create my physical reality.  So, today I picked "Joy".  After reading the card and pondering its message and opportunity, one idea seemed to stay in the internal mental tape... 

JOY IS AN INTERNAL STATE OF BEING, ONE THAT EMERGES FROM A PROFOUND BELIEF IN THE SACREDNESS OF LIFE!  

So while doing the dishes I kept thinking about the sacredness of life - all life.  The life of the drug addict, the life of my beautiful puppy Brutus, the life of the x-president whom I worked really hard at not judging or "feeling ill will" towards, the life of my lovely friends, the life of the kids in town who seem to be lost and struggling with everything, and the list could go on and on...  But, what I did while doing the dishes (because it is such a boring job for me) was to send love to all those lives whom I know and all those lives whom I don't know.  While doing this a prayer came to me...  Hope it lifts your spirit as it did mine:

Dear Heavenly Teachers and Guides, please allow me to believe in the rightness and goodness of life, even when I see so much of the opposite, Permit me to bring love into the world, even when my first response may be to doubt love.  Accept my life as a means of service to humanity so that joy may abound on earth and within every living being.  Ho, and so it is!